The Trump White House is set to announce a 30-year civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia, allowing Riyadh to enrich uranium under conditions. The deal faces scrutiny in Washington over proliferation risks and regional security, contrasting with stricter past agreements.
US President Donald Trump approved a 30-year agreement with Saudi Arabia for a civilian nuclear program, potentially allowing uranium enrichment with US firm involvement. Non-proliferation experts warn of weaponization risks, citing the Saudi Crown Prince's past statements.
Slovakia's Mochovce Nuclear Power Plant began fuel loading at its final unit, set to launch commercially this summer, but will use Russian nuclear fuel from Rosatom's subsidiary TVEL. This highlights the EU's deep reliance on Russia for various stages of the nuclear fuel cycle, despite the European Commission's goal to end this dependence by the early 2030s.
CNN reports a draft US-Saudi deal allowing Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium for its nuclear program, potentially without enhanced IAEA safeguards. This marks a departure from US non-proliferation policy and raises regional concerns.
A South Korean foreign ministry official stated that granting Seoul greater authority to enrich uranium would benefit both countries by expanding the US small modular reactor (SMR) industry and strengthening energy security. This move could address supply constraints for HALEU fuel needed for advanced reactors.
South Korea's pursuit of uranium enrichment rights could boost cooperation with the US on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), according to a Ministry of Foreign Affairs official. Securing these rights would enable stable supply of High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU), crucial for SMR commercialization and enhancing energy security for both nations.
The head of the U.N.'s nuclear agency, Rafael Mariano Grossi, stated inspectors would visit Iranian enrichment sites as part of an interim U.S.-Iran deal, a claim an Iranian diplomat, Kazem Gharibabadi, denied, insisting visits would only occur after a final agreement. This disagreement, alongside a flare-up in Israel-Hezbollah fighting and disputes over Iranian frozen funds, highlights the fragility of the recent ceasefire.
IAEA Director Rafael Grossi confirms inspections of Iranian nuclear enrichment sites will occur under a US-Iran interim deal, despite Tehran's denial of scheduled visits, amid contradictory statements from both nations.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced that US-Iran talks, mediated by Qatar and Pakistan, have resulted in an agreement to lower Iran's uranium enrichment level. He stated that Iran's nuclear stockpiles remain underground and that both sides see diplomacy as the solution.
The UK government is investing £132.5m in after-school clubs to offer alternatives to social media for under-16s, as new restrictions on platform use are anticipated. The funding aims to boost mental health and reduce loneliness among young people.
CNN reports that retrieving nearly half a ton of highly enriched uranium from Iran has become significantly more difficult and dangerous due to new fortifications. This complicates a proposed deal for its removal and destruction, raising questions about who will undertake the hazardous extraction. The US and Iran have conflicting accounts of a preliminary agreement, with details remaining unclear.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Tehran believes the only way to manage its highly enriched uranium stockpiles is to dilute them within the country. "Our position has always been that the only way to manage stockpiles of enriched material is to dilute it within Iran," Araghchi said in an interview with state television.
North Korea revealed a new facility for producing weapons-grade uranium for nuclear bombs, with leader Kim Jong Un vowing to boost nuclear forces exponentially. The state-run KCNA agency reported the plant uses advanced technology and that uranium production capacity has more than doubled in five years.
Kim Jong Un visited a new uranium enrichment facility, boasting doubled nuclear material production capacity. Analysts suggest this display of advanced nuclear capabilities aims to deter denuclearization talks during potential Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit.
South Korea and the US are accelerating talks on nuclear cooperation, aiming to secure rights for nuclear-powered submarine fuel and uranium enrichment/reprocessing for civilian power plants. The discussions, building on a previous leaders' agreement, are focused on amending the existing nuclear cooperation treaty.
South Korea and the US held the second day of security talks, focusing on Seoul's bid for uranium enrichment and spent nuclear fuel reprocessing capabilities for peaceful purposes. The discussions aim to advance agreements from an October summit, including support for civilian nuclear fuel activities and nuclear-propelled submarines.
South Korea and the US held talks on security issues, including South Korea's potential acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines and rights for uranium enrichment and reprocessing. The discussions aim to implement agreements from a previous summit and are expected to accelerate cooperation.
South Korea and the US began their first security talks on June 2nd to implement agreements from last year's summit. Key topics include Seoul's pursuit of nuclear-powered submarines, uranium enrichment, and spent nuclear fuel reprocessing.
Despite claims of progress, US-Iran talks on a nuclear deal and ending conflict remain stalled over uranium enrichment, sanctions relief, and control of the Strait of Hormuz. Both sides express cautious optimism but highlight major sticking points.
In Zabaykalsky Krai, law enforcement uncovered an illegal scheme for enrichment using subsoil resources. The head of a geological organization was detained for accepting bribes from mining companies for expedited positive expert conclusions on subsoil study projects, with fake data submitted.
Despite claims of progress, a US-Iran deal to end Middle East conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz faces major hurdles, including uranium enrichment and sanctions relief. Both sides express caution, with the US emphasizing diplomacy but prepared for alternatives.
Iran has reportedly proposed a 10-year suspension of uranium enrichment above 3.6% and a willingness to dilute uranium enriched above 20% domestically, as part of indirect talks with the US, according to Al Hadath TV.
Pope Leo visited Acerra, Italy, a region known for illegal toxic waste dumping, to denounce companies pursuing "dizzying" profits at the expense of environmental pollution and human lives. He called for rejection of "temptations of power and enrichment" linked to such practices.
Pope Leo visited Acerra, Italy's 'Land of Fires,' condemning companies prioritizing profits over environmental protection and urging an end to impunity for polluters. He met with victims of toxic waste dumping, a region with high cancer rates.
