The Ominous End of the Russia-U.S. Plutonium Agreement
Alexey Arbatov
Moscow is trying to rattle Washington by projecting its political and military might as the most dangerous crisis develops in U.S.-Russian relations since the Cold War era. The suspension of the 2000 plutonium agreement may threaten a whole range of nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation treaties. On October 3, Moscow suspended its bilateral plutonium disposal agreement with Washington, bringing a halt to sixteen years of cooperation. The move was Moscow’s dramatic answer to what it called a series of “unfriendly actions” by Washington, including the cancellation of joint talks on Syria, and to the alleged failure of the United States to fulfill its obligations on the use of spent plutonium.
Country’s 4th Nuclear Power Plant of 340 MW Starts Operation: PAEC
Ejaz Shah | Associated Press of Pakistan
Country’s fourth nuclear power plant at Chashma Unit-3 (C-3) with 340 Megawatt (MW) power generation capacity, has been successfully connected to the national grid, Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) revealed to APP on Sunday. “Congratulations to the nation that Pakistan’s 4th nuclear power plant Chashma unit-3(C-3) has been connected to the national grid,” the PAEC sources said and added hence starting supply of electricity generate by this unit to the national grid on trial basis.
Kudankulam II Project Launched
World Nuclear News
India and Russia have officially launched the second phase of the Kudankulam nuclear power plant under construction in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu by Rosatom as part of an intergovernmental agreement signed between Moscow and New Delhi in 1998.
North Korea’s Ballistic Missile Launch Unsuccessful, Pentagon Says
Mary Pascalene | International Business Times
U.S. Strategic Command's systems detected a failed North Korean intermediate ballistic missile launch, the Pentagon said Saturday. The launch allegedly occurred near the northwestern city of Kusong. “We strongly condemn this and North Korea’s other recent missile tests, which violate U.N. Security Council resolutions explicitly prohibiting North Korea’s launches using ballistic missile technology,” Pentagon spokesman Gary Ross reportedly said.
Anti-Nuclear Candidate Set to Win Niigata Governor Race
Nikkei Asian Review
Ryuichi Yoneyama, a candidate backed by anti-nuclear opposition parties, was assured Sunday of victory in the gubernatorial election in Niigata Prefecture, host of the world's largest nuclear power plant, according to Kyodo News projections. The election was closely watched as incumbent Gov. Hirohiko Izumida, who has expressed a cautious view on the restart of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa complex on the Sea of Japan coast, decided not to seek re-election.x
In a First Since the Iran Nuclear Deal, Tehran Will Invite Foreign Firms to Bid on Oil and Gas Projects
Los Angeles Times
Iran will invite foreign companies to bid for oil and gas projects for the first time since last year's landmark nuclear deal with world powers, the country’s Ministry of Petroleum said Sunday. The ministry did not say how many projects would be involved but said they include exploration and production in oil and gas fields, with the bidding process opening on Monday.