Global News Post: Nuclear power

Report On Indian N-Plants Presented At Nuclear Global Convention

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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">CHENNAI
(NNN-PTI) --India has submitted its latest national report on safety status of
its atomic power plants and its nuclear safety review and regulatory system at
the Convention of Nuclear Safety at Vienna. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">A
14-member Indian team led by Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) chairman S S
Bajaj presented the report at the sixth review meeting of the Convention of
Nuclear Safety held between March 24 and April 4, AERB Secretary R Bhattacharya
said in a statement. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
recent safety enhancements in Indian nuclear plants following the Fukushima
accident in Japan and the Indian system of licensing of power plants based on
periodic safety reviews were also highlighted in the report, he said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">A
total of 74 countries, including India, are signatories to the Convention of
Nuclear Safety as on March this year and all of them have to submit a national
report on safety of their nuclear power plants every three years. These reports
are also peer reviewed and presented in the CNS review meeting. --NNN-PTI<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Report On Indian N-Plants Presented At Nuclear Global Convention

CHENNAI (NNN-PTI) --India has submitted its latest national report on safety status of its atomic power plants and its nuclear safety rev...

Bangladeshi PM for Using Nuke Power in Peaceful Purposes

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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">SAVAR, Bangladesh (NNN-BSS) -- Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said her government intends to utilise nuclear power completely in peaceful purposes and ensure faster economic growth of the country.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">"We want to use nuclear power only for electricity generation, increasing our industrial and agricultural productivity and putting in place modern medicare facility for people to improve their living condition," she said.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">The Prime Minister was addressing a function marking inauguration of 3MV Tandem Accelerators Facilities and five other highly sensitive scientific installations at Bangladesh Atomic Commission at Ganakbari here today.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">She said all preparations for construction of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant has been completed with the support of Russian government and physical work of the project would begin very soon. She announced that another nuclear power plant will be constructed in the southern part of the country.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">Sheikh Hasina urged the country's scientists to give emphasis on utilisation of their research works side by side conducting basic research on different aspects of science and technology.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">She reminded that role of scientists and researchers is very crucial in successful implementation of 'Vision 2021' for economic prosperity of the country. "The countries showing capacity in research on science and technology are progressing fast," she said.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">With State Minister for Science and Technology Architect Yafez Osman in the chair, the function was addressed, among others by chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Science and Technology Alhaj Dabirul Islam, local parliament member Talukder<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">Towhid Jang Murad, secretary of the Science and Technology Ministry Rafiqul Islam and chairman of Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission ASM Firoz.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">The Prime Minister said, around Taka 200 crore were spent for acquisition of the highly sensitive atomic machinery in the six new installations of the Atomic Commission paving new horizon for atomic research in the country.(One Crore: ten million)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">In this regard, the Prime Minister recalled the farsightedness of Bangabandhu in using atomic energy for country's development saying he (Bangabandhu) had taken initiative to use atomic power for power generation and treatment when no under-developed county even a few countries of developing world thought of it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">Bangabandhu established the Bangladesh Atomic Commission in 1973 unveiling the way of use of atomic power in peaceful purposes, she said adding Bangabandhu allocated 265 acres of land for establishing the Atomic Commission in Ganakbari.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">Sheikh Hasina said her government has attached highest importance to research on science and technology and is following the footprint of Bangabandhu for promotion of scientific studies and their highest application.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">She said, Bangabandhu also established BCSIR and Agriculture Research Council and many other sector-wise institutes for research on rice, jute, fisheries, sugarcane and other important crops for country's economic self-reliance.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">Listing the educational institutions established during the period of Awami League government for scientific studies, she said her government framed laws for establishing 12 science and technology universities, in addition to four more agriculture universities and first medical and textile universities.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">The Prime Minister said her government has activated all research institutes in the country and given separate allocation for conducting research works. Scientists and researchers are also enjoying benefit of expansion of IT facilities across the country, she said.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">She hoped that country's scientists would be able to invent necessary technology in local perspective and application of those technologies is possible through using native resources and capacity. -- NNN-BSS<o:p></o:p></span></div></div>

Bangladeshi PM for Using Nuke Power in Peaceful Purposes

SAVAR, Bangladesh (NNN-BSS) -- Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said her government intends to utilise nuclear power completely in peac...

India Approves Loading of Fuel at Nuke Plant

India Approves Loading of Fuel at Nuke Plant

NEW DELHI (NNN-Xinhua) -- India's Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) has approved loading of nuclear fuel at the controversial Kuda...

Iran, IAEA Talks Begin

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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 0%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Talks between Iranian authorities and U.N. nuclear agency officials have started in Vienna, as a major U.S. newspaper reports that Iran has repeatedly violated maritime law in a bid to sidestep international sanctions imposed due to its controversial nuclear program. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 0%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 0%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">International Atomic Energy Agency officials are expected to press Iran for access to the Parchin military site near Tehran during their two days of talks. Iran has not yet granted U.N. requests to visit the facility, where officials suspect Iran has built a container for explosives tests.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 0%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 0%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Western diplomats say they suspect Iran is buying time to remove any incriminating evidence before they allow U.N. inspectors inside the facility.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 0%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 0%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Talks between Tehran and the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council plus Germany are set for May 23 in Baghdad. The six world powers, known as the P5+1, are seeking to assess the possible military capability of Iran's nuclear sites.  <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 0%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 0%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The Washington Post quotes unnamed U.S. officials Monday saying Iran has been routinely switching off satellite tracking systems on its sea-bound oil tankers since early April. The newspaper also reports that the Iranian practice - a violation maritime law - is being closely monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 0%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 0%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Switching off the tracking system has only been modestly effective in hiding the massive tankers.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 0%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 0%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Iran relies on oil exports for the majority of its foreign currency earnings.  U.S. officials say the sanctions are drastically hurting Iran's economy, and the value of Iran's currency has dropped sharply.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 0%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 0%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Western powers suspect Iran is developing nuclear weapons under cover of a civilian energy program, a charge Tehran denies.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 0%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 0%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Iran and the six world powers resumed talks on the dispute last month in Istanbul after a more than year-long stalemate. ---VOA News</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div></div>

Iran, IAEA Talks Begin

Talks between Iranian authorities and U.N. nuclear agency officials have started in Vienna, as a major U.S. newspaper reports that Iran has...

Iran, Western Powers Hold 'Constructive' Nuclear Talks

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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">By Dorian Jones from Istanbul</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 7pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
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</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">Talks in Istanbul involving P5+1 countries and Iran over Tehran's controversial nuclear program have ended with a commitment to further talks that are scheduled to take place in Baghdad next month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Both sides described Saturday's Istanbul meeting as being held in a positive and constructive atmosphere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After nearly 10 hours of talks in Istanbul between Iran and world powers, Catherine Ashton, the European Union foreign policy chief, described the discussions as a success.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">"The discussions on the Iranian nuclear issue have been constructive and useful," she said.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Saturday's talks saw diplomats from the United States, Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia meeting with their Iranian counterparts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>It was the first meeting since talks collapsed 15 months ago in Istanbul, amid mutual recriminations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Iran says its nuclear program is peaceful, but critics suspect it is being used to develop weapons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Iran's chief negotiator, Saeed Jalili, said Saturday's talks saw important common ground being developed. "We have differences of opinion, but the points we agreed upon are important and significant. Various issues for cooperation and issues for talks were agreed upon for the next meeting," he said. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">That next meeting is planned for Baghdad in May.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Apart from both sides recognizing the importance of abiding by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, and acknowledging Tehran's right to develop nuclear energy, there were no other specific details of what common ground was achieved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>A series of meetings is planned ahead of the Baghdad talks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Those meetings are expected to bring together diplomats and technical experts who will aim to lay the groundwork for concrete proposals to be discussed in Baghdad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>The EU foreign policy chief says an important process has been started.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">"We want now to move to a sustained process of serious dialogue where we can take urgent and practical steps to build confidence and lead on to compliance by Iran with all its international obligations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>In our efforts to do so, we will be guided by the principle of the step-by-step approach and reciprocity," she said. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The current talks come as international pressure on Tehran continues to mount.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>New U.S. and EU economic sanctions against Iran are due to come into effect July 1, while Israel has warned it may take military action. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">U.S. President Barack Obama has also warned the latest diplomatic efforts are the last chance for diplomacy to work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Observers say next month's meeting in Baghdad will be a key test of those efforts, when the talks are expected to start to focus on concrete measures to allay international concern over Iran's nuclear program. ---VOA News<o:p></o:p></span></div></div>

Iran, Western Powers Hold 'Constructive' Nuclear Talks

By Dorian Jones from Istanbul Talks in Istanbul involving P5+1 countries and Iran over Tehran's controversial nuclear program have en...

At Seoul summit, Ban outlines steps to defuse global nuclear threat

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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-EQ2NRG7CIC4tSCN5XA6f0TghHqb0dHtkJjPrKwQcEUjsRgrYbn2Fyeix4hDWKj9IAF__EyRxz_e4UmbRkd0MlRpvM3i17dttKhEVX2PYHelGNnoXFeFcz3aUvD0bs5-k3aVkMj38Z58/s1600/508843-sgkorea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-EQ2NRG7CIC4tSCN5XA6f0TghHqb0dHtkJjPrKwQcEUjsRgrYbn2Fyeix4hDWKj9IAF__EyRxz_e4UmbRkd0MlRpvM3i17dttKhEVX2PYHelGNnoXFeFcz3aUvD0bs5-k3aVkMj38Z58/s1600/508843-sgkorea.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (right) chats with the<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">President of the Republic of Korea Lee Myung-bak<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">at the opening day reception of the 2012<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul. UN/E. Debebe<o:p></o:p></span></i></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today outlined five areas that deserve greater attention as the world community strives to ensure nuclear security, from curbing terrorism financing to stricter control over fissile materials.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“The prospect of nuclear terrorism threatens international security. We are united in our resolve to defuse this threat,” he said in his remarks at the plenary session of the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit, a two-day event hosted by the Republic of Korea.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Mr. Ban highlighted the need to consolidate the global nuclear security architecture through universal adherence to international instruments and a rigorous review mechanism.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Stating that the United Nations is the universal forum for preventing terrorists from using or acquiring nuclear weapons, he said he will convene a high-level event this fall to help strengthen the legal framework on preventing nuclear terrorism. It is also important to curb terrorism financing, he added, warmly welcoming the participation of Interpol at the summit, given the significance of customs and law enforcement.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Asserting more stringent control over fissile materials is another crucial area that deserves greater attention, the Secretary-General told world leaders.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“There has been some progress, but let us be clear: the world needs a verifiable and legally binding fissile material cut-off treaty,” Mr. Ban said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He added that the current stalemate in the UN Conference on Disarmament (CD) is “unacceptable,” and called on members of the world’s sole multilateral disarmament negotiating forum to immediately commence negotiations on a treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“The relevance of the CD is at stake,” Mr. Ban said. “If the stalemate is not resolved during the 2012 CD session, the international community must explore alternative avenues.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Established in 1979 and with a current membership of 65 countries, the CD primarily focuses on cessation of the nuclear arms race and nuclear disarmament, prevention of nuclear war, and prevention of an arms race in outer space, among other things – it has been plagued in recent years by an inability to overcome differences among its members and start its substantive work towards advancing disarmament goals.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The UN’s top official highlighted the need to strengthen the nexus between nuclear security and nuclear safety, and to take forward the Nuclear Security Summit process.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I welcome this Summit’s reaffirmation of our shared goals of nuclear disarmament, nuclear non-proliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and I call for the full implementation of commitments undertaken,” Mr. Ban said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He also stressed the need to bring the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty into force, stating that “the best way to eliminate the nuclear threat anywhere is by eliminating nuclear weapons everywhere.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Addressing delegates at a working lunch, the Secretary-General recalled his visits last year to the site of the nuclear power plant accident in Fukushima, Japan, and to Chernobyl, in Ukraine. “Those tragedies sent a clear and urgent message: A nuclear accident can have consequences similar to a nuclear attack,” Mr. Ban said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He set out five areas for collective action: bold steps to bridge the trust gap; emergency response, disaster risk reduction and resilience building; boosting the UN’s role; a stronger partnership with the nuclear industry and civil society; and progress on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In his remarks to the Summit’s plenary session, the UN chief also voiced his concern at the continued non-compliance of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and Iran with relevant Security Council resolutions concerning their nuclear programmes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I urge the DPRK and Iran to do their utmost to address the international community’s concerns in a peaceful manner and to refrain from any destabilizing acts,” said Mr. Ban.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He reiterated that the DPRK’s announcement to launch a so-called “application satellite” next month runs counter to resolution 1874 of 2009, which bans “any launch using ballistic missile technology,” and urged Pyongyang to reconsider.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Secretary-General also discussed the issue of nuclear safety and security in a meeting with Ukraine’s President Viktor Yanukovych. He also met separately with Spain’s Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy Brey and Brazil’s Vice-President Michael Temer, with whom he discussed, among other issues, the UN Conference on Sustainable Development, also known as Rio+20, that will be held in Rio de Janeiro in June.---UN News</span></span></div></div>

At Seoul summit, Ban outlines steps to defuse global nuclear threat

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (right) chats with the President of the Republic of Korea Lee Myung-bak at the opening day reception of the...

India Expanding N-Energy with Highest Levels of Security – PM

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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">NEW DELHI (NNN-KUNA) -- India is expanding its nuclear power programme to diversify its energy mix and enhance energy security, and simultaneously taking care to ensure the highest levels of nuclear security and safety, said the country's Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in New Delhi. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ahead of his Seoul visit to attend the 2012 Seoul Nuclear Security Summit on March 26-27, the Indian Premier said that nuclear terrorism continues to remain a concern worldwide. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Indian PM would also be paying an official visit to the Republic of Korea ahead of the Nuclear Security Summit. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">During his visit, the Indian PM is also slated to meet Korean President Lee Myung-bak. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He stated that the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit follows the first Nuclear Security Summit convened by US President Barack Obama in 2010 to focus attention of countries with considerable nuclear capabilities on the threat posed by nuclear terrorism. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">"This remains a continuing concern. India has been an active participant in carrying forward the Nuclear Security Summit initiative, and has also hosted a Sherpa meeting in January 2012 in New Delhi," added the PM. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He further stated: "India is expanding its nuclear power programme to diversify its energy mix and enhance energy security. In order to retain public support for harnessing the benefits of nuclear energy, we must be able to assure them of the highest levels of nuclear security and safety. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This is even more important after the Fukushima accident in Japan last year." Dr. Singh also said that the Seoul Summit would review actions to strengthen nuclear security, and recommend further steps to enhance the global nuclear security architecture. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">"I will highlight the high priority we attach to nuclear security, safety and non-proliferation, and our impeccable record in this regard. I also intend to underline India's continuing support for a world free of nuclear weapons," said the Indian PM. -- NNN-KUNA<o:p></o:p></span></div></div>

India Expanding N-Energy with Highest Levels of Security – PM

NEW DELHI (NNN-KUNA) -- India is expanding its nuclear power programme to diversify its energy mix and enhance energy security, and simulta...

India: Tamil Nadu Okays Kudankulam Nuclear Plant

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<div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">  <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">CHENNAI (INDIA) (NNN-IANS) -- The Indian state of Tamil Nadu on Monday gave the green signal for the Kudankulam nuclear plant on the same day an activist said that 10 people opposing the project have been arrested.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The state cabinet met on Monday under Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa and decided in favour of the Kudankulam plant.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">"The government studied the reports of various expert panels and has come to the conclusion that the plant is safe. We are of the opinion that there is no chance of a massive earthquake or tsunami occurring there. I ask all parties to extend their support for the commissioning of the Kudankulam plant at the earliest," said Jayalalithaa.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">India's atomic power plant operator, Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL), is building two 1,000 MW reactors at Kudankulam in Tirunelveli district, around 650 km from here.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In Kudankulam, "10 people, including advocate S. Sivasubramanian and Rajalingam, have been arrested", Pushparayan, convener of the Coastal People's Federation and a leader of People's Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE), said.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Police officials declined to confirm or deny the arrest.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">On Monday morning, tension gripped Kudankulam and surrounding areas.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Hearing the news of the arrests, activists at Idinthakarai village began ringing the church bell to mobile the villagers. Leading activists are in this fishing village.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">"Around 3,000 policemen were deployed in Kudankulam and surrounding areas," Pushparayan said.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">He said the heavy police deployment deterred them from accepting an invitation from the Tiruvelveli District Collector to meet him.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Two PMANE leaders - S.P.Udayakumar and M.Pushparayan- have started their indefinite fast demanding closure of the atomic power plant. -- NNN-IANS<o:p></o:p></span></div></div>

India: Tamil Nadu Okays Kudankulam Nuclear Plant

CHENNAI (INDIA) (NNN-IANS) -- The Indian state of Tamil Nadu on Monday gave the green signal for the Kudankulam nuclear plant on the sam...

India: Farmers Protesting Against Nuclear Power Plant Hold Firm's Officials Hostage

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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">  <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><st1:city w:st="on"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">NEW DELHI</span></st1:city><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"> (NNN-ANI) -- Plans to build a nuclear power plant in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region></st1:place>'s Haryana came to a grinding halt on Tuesday after farmers held company officials hostage in protest against the construction.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">The incident occurred in Fatehabad District during a survey visit carried out by three engineers of a private company.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Villagers said they would not allow the nuclear plant to be built, fearing a possible recurrence of the recent disaster witnessed in the <st1:city w:st="on">Fukushima</st1:city> plant in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Japan</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">"We will not allow them to set a nuclear reactor in our village on any grounds. We have held three officials as hostages for five hours," said Hans Raj.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">The villagers stated they would not release the hostages until the company withdrew its plans to set up a plant.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">"We will not leave them unless and until we receive any answer from the higher authorities in Mumbai. Our village head has called them and when they will come, we will leave these people. We will not give our land at any cost," said Maya Devi.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">In the wake of the <st1:city w:st="on">Fukushima</st1:city> incident, several nuclear projects across <st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region>, including the Jaitapur plant in <st1:place w:st="on">Maharashtra</st1:place>, have run into rough weather as residents and activists argue that such plants could adversely affect the environment.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">India</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"> has a total installed power generation capacity of 164 gigawatts (GW) and aims to raise it to 187 GW by the end of March 2012. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">There are 20 reactors in operation in six power plants, generating over 4,000 megawatts of electricity while five other plants are under construction. -- NNN-ANI<o:p></o:p></span></div></div>

India: Farmers Protesting Against Nuclear Power Plant Hold Firm's Officials Hostage

NEW DELHI (NNN-ANI) -- Plans to build a nuclear power plant in India 's Haryana came to a grinding halt on Tuesday after farmers he...

India Expects US$100 Billion FDI in Nuclear Energy in 20 Yrs

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Anand Sharma Invites French Luxury Goods Companies to Establish Manufacturing Bases in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApdu3cO5Y9R5-STriyA5el5OxKHcQWwUCHarAK4rxriHcc9X64ybQ6fcoZFex__yiHaczErrnjUT5-4Hzk7W7xXEwrrkEYWzLPQbvbvOpBv_jQOczO9fnUanfULtzQi6qW4QbW9KcoU4/s1600/l2012013138990.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApdu3cO5Y9R5-STriyA5el5OxKHcQWwUCHarAK4rxriHcc9X64ybQ6fcoZFex__yiHaczErrnjUT5-4Hzk7W7xXEwrrkEYWzLPQbvbvOpBv_jQOczO9fnUanfULtzQi6qW4QbW9KcoU4/s400/l2012013138990.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 8pt;">The Union Minister for Commerce & Industry and Textiles, Anand Sharma<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 8pt;">with the Minister of Budget of France, Ms. Valérie Pécresse, at the India-France<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 8pt;">CEO Forum, in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Paris</st1:city></st1:place> on January 30, 2012.</span></i></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">NEW DELHI (NNN-Bernama) -- India is expected to get foreign investment of over US$100 billion in nuclear energy in the next 20 years, of which a quarter would come from France, according to Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">"In the coming two decades, India will see investments in excess of US$100 billion in the nuclear power sector alone and, I am sure, at least a quarter will come from France," Press Trust of India (PTI) quoted him as saying in Paris Monday. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Addressing the India-France CEO Forum, he said, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region></st1:place> "values" the French partnership in the energy sector, especially in nuclear power. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">French nuclear energy majors Areva and Alstom are actively pursuing business interest in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region></st1:place>. However, some of the proposed nuclear plants like Jaitapur in the western state of <st1:place w:st="on">Maharashtra</st1:place> are facing protests from the locals. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">A Commerce Ministry statement here quoted Sharma as saying that a total investment of US$14 billion from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">France</st1:country-region></st1:place> is in the pipeline in different sectors of the economy. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">But, "given the strong position of French companies, the level of French investment in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region></st1:place> is way below potential. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">"There are 800 French companies in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region></st1:place> which engage over 80,000 people and we would like to see this growing in the coming years", he added. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Referring to the recent decision of the government to allow 100 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) in single brand retail, he expressed the hope that the French luxury companies would establish manufacturing base in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region></st1:place>. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">"This will create a win-win situation as <st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region> has emerged as a huge market for luxury goods and establishment of manufacturing in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region></st1:place> will provide maximum value," the minister said. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Sharma also invited French companies to invest in the mega national investment and manufacturing zones. These zones are planned along the Delhi-Mumbai rail freight corridor covering seven northern and western states. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">During fiscal 2010-11 ended March 31, 2011, bilateral trade between the two countries stood at US$8 billion. -- NNN-BERNAMA<o:p></o:p></span></div></div>

India Expects US$100 Billion FDI in Nuclear Energy in 20 Yrs

Anand Sharma Invites French Luxury Goods Companies to Establish Manufacturing Bases in India The Union Minister for Commerce & Indus...

Iranian Official: Iran to Start Enrichment at Underground Site This Month

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</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">A senior Iranian official says <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Iran</st1:country-region></st1:place> will launch a second uranium enrichment facility later this month at an underground site that is well protected from potential air strikes by nations opposed to the Iranian nuclear program.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">The head of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Iran</st1:place></st1:country-region>'s Atomic Energy Organization Fereidoun Abbasi said late Saturday the injection of uranium gas into centrifuges at the Fordo enrichment facility will begin before February 1. <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Iran</st1:place></st1:country-region> revealed the existence of the plant to the U.N. nuclear agency in 2009. It is located beneath a mountain near the Shi'ite holy city of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Qom</st1:place></st1:city>. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Western powers suspect <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Iran</st1:place></st1:country-region>'s enrichment activities are aimed at developing the capability to produce nuclear weapons. <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Iran</st1:place></st1:country-region> says its nuclear program is designed only to generate electricity and material for medical research. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">The <st1:country-region w:st="on">United States</st1:country-region> and its ally <st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region> have not ruled out military action to stop <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Iran</st1:place></st1:country-region> from developing nuclear weapons. <st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region> sees a nuclear-armed <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Iran</st1:place></st1:country-region> as a threat to the Jewish state's existence.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta says <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Iran</st1:place></st1:country-region>'s nuclear program has not progressed to the stage of building a nuclear bomb. But in an interview with <st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region> television network CBS broadcast on Sunday, Panetta says that if Iranian leaders take that final step, the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">United States</st1:place></st1:country-region> will stop them. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Panetta says the <st1:country-region w:st="on">United States</st1:country-region> will continue what he called a "responsible" approach of putting diplomatic and economic pressure on <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Iran</st1:place></st1:country-region> to abstain from developing nuclear weapons. He also advised <st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region> not to take unilateral action against <st1:country-region w:st="on">Iran</st1:country-region>, saying a "better approach" is to "work together" with the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">United States</st1:place></st1:country-region> on the issue.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><st1:country-region w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Iran</span></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">'s first enrichment facility in the central city of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Natanz</st1:place></st1:city> has been enriching uranium up to a fissile purity of 20 percent since last year. Weapons-grade uranium is usually enriched to a level of 90 percent. <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Iran</st1:place></st1:country-region> has spent months preparing to move its higher-grade enrichment from the above ground plant at Natanz to the underground Fordo complex. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">An Iranian newspaper allied to the country's supreme leader reported Sunday that <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Iran</st1:place></st1:country-region> already has begun enrichment at Fordo at a time of "heightened enemy threats." There was no independent confirmation of the report in the Kayhan daily.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">In the same interview on <st1:city w:st="on">CBS</st1:city>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region> Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Martin Dempsey said the <st1:country-region w:st="on">United States</st1:country-region> will "defeat" any attempt by <st1:country-region w:st="on">Iran</st1:country-region> to block the <st1:place w:st="on">Strait of Hormuz</st1:place>, a vital shipping lane for global oil supplies. Iranian officials have threatened to close the strait if Western powers block Iranian oil exports as part of a sanctions campaign against <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Tehran</st1:place></st1:city>. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">General Dempsey said <st1:country-region w:st="on">Iran</st1:country-region> has the capability to block the strait "for a period of time," but said such a move would be "intolerable" to the <st1:country-region w:st="on">United  States</st1:country-region> and the world and would draw a <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> military response. <span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background: white;">---VOA News<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></div>

Iranian Official: Iran to Start Enrichment at Underground Site This Month

A senior Iranian official says Iran will launch a second uranium enrichment facility later this month at an underground site that is well...

India, Pakistan Exchange Lists of Nuclear Installations

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">  <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">ISLAMABAD (NNN-Bernama) -- India and Pakistan have exchanged lists of their nuclear installations and facilities under a two-decade-old pact prohibiting attacks on atomic assets, days after senior officials of the two sides held talks here on conventional and nuclear confidence building measures (CBMs), Press Trust of India (PTI) reported. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">The governments of the two countries are required to exchange lists of their nuclear installations and facilities on Jan 1 every year under the terms of the "Agreement on Prohibition of Attacks against Nuclear Installations and Facilities" that was signed in December 1988. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">In accordance with the agreement, a list of requisite facilities in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Pakistan</st1:place></st1:country-region> was given to the Indian High Commission official at the Foreign Office, said a statement from the Pakistan Foreign Office Sunday. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">The Indian side also handed over its list to the Pakistan High Commission official at the Ministry of External Affairs in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New   Delhi</st1:place></st1:city>, it said. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">This was the 21st consecutive year that the lists of nuclear facilities were exchanged since 1992. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">The exchange was conducted even during a freeze in bilateral ties after the 2008 Mumbai attacks. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">The two sides also exchanged list of prisoners currently being held in each other's jails as required twice a year under the Agreement on Consular Access signed in May 2008. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><st1:country-region w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">India</span></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"> and <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Pakistan</st1:place></st1:country-region> resumed their peace process early last year after a gap of almost two years. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Following two-day talks on the conventional and nuclear confidence-building measures last week, the two countries agreed to move forward on proposals to extend two key agreements on pre-notification of ballistic missile tests and reducing the risk from accidents related to nuclear weapons. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">A Joint Working Group agreed to recommend to the two Foreign Secretaries to extend the validity of the "Agreement on Reducing the Risk from Accidents Relating to Nuclear Weapons" for five years. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">It also agreed to recommend the extension of the "Agreement on Pre-Notification of Flight Testing of Ballistic Missiles" by five years. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">This pact is set to expire in February.  The two sides reviewed a range of existing CBMs and discussed proposals for additional measures in areas where they could move forward, officials said. -- NNN-BERNAMA<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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India, Pakistan Exchange Lists of Nuclear Installations

ISLAMABAD (NNN-Bernama) -- India and Pakistan have exchanged lists of their nuclear installations and facilities under a two-decade-old ...

India, Pakistan Exchange Lists of Nuclear Data

India, Pakistan Exchange Lists of Nuclear Data

NEW DELHI (RIA Novosti) - India and Pakistan officially exchanged on Sunday lists of nuclear installations and facilities in accordance...

Iran Test Fires Missile

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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><st1:country-region w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Iran</span></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"> said Sunday it has test fired a medium-range surface-to-air missile near the strategic <st1:place w:st="on">Strait  of Hormuz</st1:place>.  State media reports said the missile was equipped with technology to combat radar-evading targets.  <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">The test was part of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Iran</st1:place></st1:country-region>'s 10-day naval exercises, scheduled to end Monday.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">On Saturday, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Iran</st1:country-region> proposed a new round of talks with the West on <st1:city w:st="on">Tehran</st1:city>'s controversial nuclear program, and delayed long-range missile tests that <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Iran</st1:place></st1:country-region> had said would take place Saturday. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">The state-run IRNA news agency quoted <st1:country-region w:st="on">Iran</st1:country-region>'s National Security Adviser Saeed Jalili as saying he invited the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council and <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Germany</st1:place></st1:country-region> - known as the P5+1 - to "come back to talks."  The agency said <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Iran</st1:place></st1:country-region>'s ambassador to Germany Ali Reza Sheikh Attar would present the proposal to the European Union's foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton.  <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">The P5+1 last met with <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Iran</st1:place></st1:country-region> in January, but the negotiations ended with no agreement.  At the time, Jalili said <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Tehran</st1:place></st1:city> would maintain its right to nuclear technology, including uranium enrichment.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">The fresh diplomatic efforts follow Iranian threats to close the Strait of Hormuz if the West imposes sanctions aimed at boycotting <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Iran</st1:place></st1:country-region>'s oil exports.  The <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> countered with a promise to keep the strait open.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><st1:country-region w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Iran</span></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"> also appeared to have backed down Saturday from an earlier announcement to test-fire long-range missiles during its ongoing 10-day naval exercises in the region of the <st1:place w:st="on">Persian  Gulf</st1:place>.  Initial reports indicated that <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Tehran</st1:place></st1:city> had launched the missiles, but a naval spokesman later denied the reports.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Rear Admiral Mahmoud Mousavi called the maneuvers "a mostly defensive action."  He said the exercises in the region of the <st1:placetype w:st="on">Gulf</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Oman</st1:placename> and the Indian Ocean are aimed at keeping the vital <st1:place w:st="on">Strait of Hormuz</st1:place> open.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">The developments have come at a time of heightened tensions between <st1:country-region w:st="on">Iran</st1:country-region> and some Western powers, which accuse <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Tehran</st1:place></st1:city> of pursuing nuclear technology to make atomic weapons.  <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Iran</st1:place></st1:country-region> says its nuclear ambitions are peaceful. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Meanwhile, reports in the Arab media indicate the <st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region> aircraft carrier John C. Stennis had entered the <st1:place w:st="on">Persian  Gulf</st1:place> and was observing the Iranian maneuvers from a distance.  The <st1:place w:st="on">Strait of Hormuz</st1:place> is an international waterway and closing it would constitute an act of war. ---VOA News<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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Iran Test Fires Missile

Iran said Sunday it has test fired a medium-range surface-to-air missile near the strategic Strait of Hormuz . State media reports said...

West ‘ratchets up’ pressure on Iran with new sanctions

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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 8.0pt;">© VOA<o:p></o:p></span></i></div></td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><st1:city w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">MOSCOW</span></st1:city><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"> (RIA Novosti)- The U.S., <st1:country-region w:st="on">Britain</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region w:st="on">Canada</st1:country-region> have imposed new sanctions against <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Iran</st1:country-region></st1:place> over its disputed nuclear program in a move that U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton described as a "significant ratcheting-up of pressure.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">"The message is clear," <st1:city w:st="on">Clinton</st1:city> said at a news conference in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">Washington</st1:state></st1:place> on Monday . "If <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Iran</st1:place></st1:country-region>'s intransigence continues, it will face increasing pressure and isolation. Today, the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">United States</st1:country-region></st1:place> is taking a series of steps to sharpen this choice."<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">She said President Barack Obama had signed a executive order that, “for the first time, significantly targets <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Iran</st1:country-region></st1:place>’s petro-chemical industry…a cover for imports for sanctioned activities.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><st1:city w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Clinton</span></st1:city><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"> also said the <st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region> would seek to encourage other countries to impose additional sanctions against <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Iran</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><st1:country-region w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Britain</span></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"> is severing its ties with Iranian banks and <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Canada</st1:place></st1:country-region> is banning exports for the petrochemical, oil and gas industries.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">The announcement comes after a report by the UN’s nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, indicated that <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Iran</st1:place></st1:country-region> was seeking to develop a nuclear weapon.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Iran</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"> denies the claims and says its nuclear program is civilian in nature.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><st1:country-region w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Iran</span></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"> was not referred o the UN Security Council over the report due to <st1:country-region w:st="on">Russia</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">China</st1:place></st1:country-region>’s opposition.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said last week that sanction against <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Iran</st1:place></st1:country-region> is “exhausted” and that the dispute should be resolved through talks.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">“Isolation or confrontation has no chance of success with regard to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Iran</st1:country-region></st1:place>,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></div></div>

West ‘ratchets up’ pressure on Iran with new sanctions

India Notifies Rules to Implement N-Liability Law

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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span>  </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><st1:city w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12.0pt;">NEW DELHI</span></st1:city><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> (NNN-Bernama) -- Ahead of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's meeting with US President Barack Obama, <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> has notified the implementation rules for the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, Press Trust of India (PTI) <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12.0pt;">reported. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The rules, notified on Wednesday, give the nuclear plant operator the right to recourse for the period for which the supplier of equipment has taken liability for patent or latent defects or sub-standard services under a contract. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A "supplier" includes a person who manufactures and supplies either directly or through an agent a system, equipment or component or builds a structure on the basis of functional specification. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It also includes a person who provides to build to print or detailed design specifications to a vendor for manufacturing a system, equipment or component or building a structure and is responsible to the operator for design and quality assurance or provides quality assurance or design services. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The rules also make it clear that an operator's claim shall in no case exceed the actual amount of compensation paid by him up to the date of filing such claim. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The <st1:country-region w:st="on">US</st1:country-region> has made it clear that <st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region>'s civil nuclear liability law will have to be brought in conformity with international conventions and the current regime imposed a heavy burden on the operators of nuclear plants in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Prime Minister is scheduled to meet Obama in Bali on Friday on the sidelines of the <st1:place w:st="on">East Asia</st1:place> summit. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The rules said that the provision for right of recourse referred to in sub-rule (1) shall be for the duration of the initial license issued under the Atomic Energy (Radiation Protection) Rules, 2004 or the product liability period, whichever is longer. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The notification of rules the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, passed by Parliament in August last year, comes into force. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The rules ask the operator to take out an insurance policy or financial security or a combination of both in accordance with the law.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It states that the financial security shall be irrevocable and shall continue till the removal of all spent fuel from the spent fuel storage pool of the nuclear installation after removal thereof from the reactor core. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Shares or bonds or instruments constituting financial security shall be pledged to the central government and remain so pledged till the decommissioning of the plant.<o:p></o:p></span></div></div>

India Notifies Rules to Implement N-Liability Law

NEW DELHI (NNN-Bernama) -- Ahead of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's meeting with US President Barack Obama, India has notified the...

Nuclear Watchdog Seeks High-Level Mission to Iran

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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog wants to send a high-level mission to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Iran</st1:place></st1:country-region> to see whether its controversial nuclear program has “possible military dimensions.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12.0pt;">International Atomic Energy Agency chief Yukiya Amano said Thursday he put the request in writing to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Iran</st1:place></st1:country-region>'s top nuclear officials earlier this month, and that he hoped a date can be agreed upon soon.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He spoke at the opening of a two-day meeting by the IAEA's 35-nation board of directors in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Vienna</st1:city></st1:place>. The meeting is the first for the agency since it alleged last week that there is “credible” evidence <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Tehran</st1:city></st1:place> is trying to build nuclear weapons.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Western diplomats say delegates at the meeting have neared an agreement on a resolution that calls for <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Iran</st1:country-region></st1:place> to answer questions about its nuclear program. However, they say the measure stops short of reporting <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Tehran</st1:city></st1:place> to the U.N. Security Council.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Diplomats say the board is expected to approve the measure by Friday.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The <st1:country-region w:st="on">United States</st1:country-region> and several European countries have been pushing for the nuclear watchdog to come down hard on <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Iran</st1:country-region></st1:place> for its nuclear program. But <st1:country-region w:st="on">Russia</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">China</st1:place></st1:country-region> expressed skepticism about last week's IAEA report. Russian officials dismissing the findings as nothing new.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Iran</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> rejected the report and has continually denied allegations it is pursuing nuclear weapons.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Recent reports in the Israeli media said <st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region>'s government has been considering a military strike on <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Iran</st1:country-region></st1:place>'s nuclear sites. And Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak warned during a <st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region> television interview that <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Iran</st1:country-region></st1:place> could spark a new, nuclear arms race if it gets a nuclear bomb.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><st1:country-region w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Iran</span></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12.0pt;">'s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said <st1:city w:st="on">Tehran</st1:city> will respond to any military strike by <st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region> or its main ally the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">United   States</st1:place></st1:country-region> with “strong slaps and iron fists.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The U.N. Security Council has passed four sets of sanctions on <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Iran</st1:country-region></st1:place> for refusing to stop nuclear activities that have both civilian and military uses. --- VOA News<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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Nuclear Watchdog Seeks High-Level Mission to Iran

The head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog wants to send a high-level mission to Iran to see whether its controversial nuclear program has “p...