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U.S. Lawmakers Push Ahead on Iran Sanctions

IN THIS ISSUE: Lawmakers push ahead on Iran sanctions, will Iran play ball in nuke talks?, China renews atomic ambition in 2015, UK scrutiny of Chinese nuclear tie-up, nuclear progress 'possible' on Obama India visit, spent nuclear fuel could again be headed to Idaho National Laboratory.

Published on January 15, 2015

U.S. Lawmakers Push Ahead on Iran Sanctions

Patricia Zengerle | Reuters

Republican and Democratic U.S. lawmakers will press ahead with a plan for more sanctions on Iran, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said on Wednesday, despite White House warnings that they risked derailing nuclear talks. Lawmakers, who say they fear Obama administration negotiators may not take a hard enough line with Tehran, are also at work on a separate bill to have Congress approve any final agreement on Iran's nuclear program.

Will Iran Play Ball in Nuke Talks?

Robert Einhorn | National Interest

Negotiations over the Iranian nuclear program have become hostage to sharp internal divisions within Iran. Unless Supreme Leader Khamenei throws his weight behind the adjustments in Iran’s negotiating positions that are necessary to reach a compromise with the P5+1 countries, there will be no agreement.

China Renews Atomic Ambition With 5 Reactors Planned in 2015

Bloomberg News

China is expected to start construction on at least five nuclear reactors this year, underscoring the country’s commitment to atomic energy as a means to help control pollution and fuel growth. Combined, the projects represent more than 5 gigawatts of capacity, Shen Lixin, deputy secretary general of the Chinese Nuclear Society, said in an interview in Beijing today.

Questions About UK Scrutiny of Chinese Nuclear Tie-Up

Rob Broomby | BBC News

The government is refusing to say whether it has followed its own rules in allowing China's investment in the new £24bn Hinkley nuclear power plant, citing questions of national security. Chinese involvement in UK energy schemes remains controversial, not least because of the historical links between its industry and the military.

Solar, Nuclear, Climate Progress 'Possible' on Obama India Visit

Times of India

There could be progress on US-India civil nuclear cooperation, solar power and climate change when US President Barack Obama visits India in two weeks, US officials said on Sunday. "We are working on the civil nuclear liability issue," a senior state department official told reporters.

Spent Nuclear Fuel Could Once Again be Headed to Idaho National Laboratory

Luke Ramseth | Idaho Statesman

An effort is underway to again allow spent nuclear fuel to be shipped to Idaho National Laboratory for research projects, after more than two years without any such shipments. A Thursday letter from Idaho Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter to Secretary of Energy Moniz indicated the state would support the Department of Energy’s proposal to bring in the spent fuel.

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