6 nations to hold meeting on Iran in Germany
’BERLIN - Officials from six countries trying to address concerns about Iran's nuclear program will meet in Germany this week, the government in Berlin said Monday. Foreign Ministry spokesman Jens Ploetner said the meeting would be held at "high civil servant level." His ministry later said it would take place Wednesday near Frankfurt. "Now is the right time to consult on how to proceed on the Iranian nuclear program against the background of the latest IAEA report," Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said in a statement, referring to the International Atomic Energy Agency. In its latest report, the Vienna-based agency said it has pressed Iran to clarify the purpose of its uranium enrichment activities and reassure the world that it's not trying to build an atomic weapon.’

Dirty Little Secrets - Indian Nuclear Sub Running On Empty
’Last month, India launched its first nuclear submarine, the INS Arihant (Destroyer of Enemies). This came after over a decade of planning and construction. But now it's been revealed that the Arihant was launched without its nuclear reactor, which will not be ready for another year, or so. No one is saying for sure when the reactor will be ready. At that point, Arihant will have to go back into dry dock, be torn open, and have the reactor installed. Or parts of it, or just the fuel cores. It's unclear exactly what state the Arihants reactor is in. What is known is that the Arihant cannot move under its own power (as it has none), and apparently is not equipped with weapons. Other major systems may also be missing. So why was the Arihant launched at all? Probably because work on the sub had been going on for more than a decade, and it was becoming embarrassing to have nothing to show for all that effort.’

Calypso gets key approval for Argentina uranium project
’BUENOS AIRES (miningweekly.com) - The Directorates of Mining and Environmental Protection for the province of Mendoza, in Argentina, have effectively approved an exploration programme proposed by Calypso Uranium, for its Huemul project in the province, the company reported earlier this month. A final ratification by the Provincial Congress was now required before exploration can get under way. "This is excellent news for Calypso and for Energia Mineral (Calypso's subsidiary with a branch in Argentina), and especially for the community of Malargue which is making such an effort to diversify their economy," CEO Stephen Barley said. The Huemul project consists of 20 673 ha, in an historic uranium producing district.’

Australian deputy PM stands firm, says no uranium sale to India
’NEW DELHI: India and Australia are cooking up a strategic partnership, the fundamentals being education and high level research in next generation areas such as nanotechnology, IT security and climate change. While the security and trade arrangements will be worked on by Australian PM Kevin Rudd when he visits India in November, deputy PM Julia Gillard is leading a long posse of high-level visits to India to put teeth to a new and improved relationship between the two countries. Over the past few years, bilateral ties have been dogged by either the uranium question or attacks on students. Both sides are keen to show there is more to this. However, Gillard could hardly avoid the uranium question. At a press conference, she said, "It is
our long-stated stand that Australia will sell uranium only to countries that are signatories to the NPT. I assure you it is not aimed at India, which has a good non-proliferation record."’

Pakistan nuclear storage site on satellite map
’The indefatigable Hans M. Kristensen of the Federation of American Scientists has done it again. He has posted on his blog a satellite picture of what is almost certainly a Pakistani nuclear weapons storage site near the Masroor Air Force base, some 12 km from Karachi. The picture features the special security that nuclear weapons facilities have, as well as their well separated storage bunkers. The September-October 2009 issue of the prestigious Bulletin of Atomic Scientists has upped its estimates of Pakistani nuclear warheads to anywhere between 70 and 90. The previous estimate was around 60 warheads. According to the Nuclear Notebook section of the bulletin, Pakistan "is busily enhancing its capabilities across the board".

Details soon on Italian program
’Italy should have locations for its new nuclear plants within six months, a Finnish-style consortium approach is likely for financing and a cooperation deal with the USA is forthcoming. Italy's minister of economic development, Claudio Scajola, explained some of the government's vision of a nuclear Italy. Speaking to the CEOs of the major Italian utilities, Scajola specified that a new nuclear authority will be set up and begin its work in December. Moves towards this include the dismantling of Sogin, the decommissioning authority. Engineering firm Ansaldo Nucleare is seen as a potential source of expertise for the new authority. Sviluppo Nucleare Italia, the joint venture of Enel and Edf, will lead the new nuclear renaissance in Italy - probably through a Mankala-type approach in which a consortium of consumers and suppliers which will share the financial burden in exchange for fixed contracts for cheaper energy.’

Test Run of Spent Fuel Reprocessing Plant to Be Extended Again
’Aug. 28--AOMORI -- Japan Nuclear Fuel Ltd. plans to extend the trial operation of its spent nuclear fuel reprocessing plant in northeastern Japan again for more than a year, power industry and local government sources said Friday. Japan Nuclear Fuel, which operates Japan's sole commercial-basis reprocessing plant in the village of Rokkasho, Aomori Prefecture, on the northern tip of the country's main island of Honshu, has informed Aomori prefectural government officials of the plan, the sources said. The company is expected to formally file reports on the schedule change with the central, Aomori prefectural and Rokkasho village governments as early as Monday, the sources said. The schedule change was caused mainly by a series of problems at the spent nuclear fuel reprocessing plant, they said.’