IRAN
Nuclear Isotopes Caught Heading to Iran – Not Quite What it Seemed
Jeffrey Kofman, ABC News — December 16, 2011
Reports from Moscow appeared to provide more evidence of Iran’s ambition to build a nuclear bomb. Russian customs agents said Friday morning they found 18 pieces of radioactive metal in the luggage of a passenger bound for Tehran. A radiation detector at the airport identified the luggage, which had levels of radiation 20 times the limit.
Russian customs seize Iran-bound radioactive metal
Nataliya Vasilyeva, Associated Press — December 16, 2011
Russia’s customs agency said Friday that it seized radioactive metal from the luggage of an Iranian passenger bound for Tehran. Spokeswoman Kseniya Grebenkina told The Associated Press that the luggage had been seized some time ago, but could not specify when. The Iranian hasn’t been detained, she said.
NORTH KOREA
U.S., North Korea resume talks on food aid
William Wan, Washington Post — December 15, 2011
U.S. officials have resumed talking to North Korea about providing food aid to the impoverished country, proposing that it accept nutrition-rich items — such as Plumpy Nut peanut paste — that are considered less likely to be diverted to the North Korean elite.
SYRIA
Syrian Army defector: We were given killing quotas by Assad regime
Arthur Bright, Christian Science Monitor — December 16, 2011
Two new human rights reports detail abuses by the Assad regime, but also show a growing use of violence by the opposition.
Syrian, Russian officials to hold talks
CNN — December 16, 2011
The Syrian vice president arrived in Moscow Friday to talk with Russia’s foreign minister about the unrest that has roiled Syria for months, a Russian state news agency reported.
CHINA
China May Approve Nuclear Projects After Revising Safety Rules
Bloomberg — December 14, 2011
China, the world’s biggest energy user, may resume approving new nuclear projects after the cabinet endorses draft safety rules prepared by the Ministry of Environmental Protection, an industry association official said.
Bill Gates Teams With China on New Nuclear Reactor
Voice of America — December 8, 2011
Microsoft founder and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates has teamed with China to jointly develop a new type of nuclear reactor, which would be better for the environment and reduce the need for uranium enrichment and reprocessing.
