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☆ The next United Nations Secretary General? This Caribbean climate leader makes diplomats 'jump' with excitement
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( Stephanie Fillion | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

United Nations CNN —Asked last week if she will run to become the United Nations’ next Secretary General, Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados gave a thumbs up, smiled, and walked away. Fighting for a woman at the helmThe UN’s next Secretary General would take office in January 2027. “There’s always lots of men that want to run,” said Ben Donaldson, head of campaigns at the United Nations Association of the United Kingdom. “It’s not so much about talking about a Julie or Anne, or Mary, it is more about talking about a Madame Secretary General as a general proposition, and then making sure that we pave the way to get there,” she said. “I believe that men should run next time around as I believe women should run in their numbers,” he said.

Persons: United Nations CNN —, Mia Mottley, Mottley, Juan Manuel Santos –, –, Santos, Rafael Grossi, António Guterres, Alicia Bárcena, Rebeca, Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, “, Ralph Gonsalves, Saint Vincent, ”, Guterres, Obama, Richard Gowan, ” Elina Valtonen, ” Valtonen, it’s, Ben Donaldson, “ I’m, Susana Malcorra, It’s, Julie, Anne, Mary, Dennis Francis, doesn’t, ” Julia Maciel Organizations: United Nations CNN, United Nations ’, UN, United Nations, International Atomic Energy Agency, Assembly, CNN, International Monetary Fund, General, Chevron, European Union, Bridgetown Initiative, IMF, World Bank, Crisis, UN Security Council, Security Council, Security, United Nations Association of, Global, Madame Locations: Barbados, America, Caribbean, New York, Colombian, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Grenadines, Venezuela, Bridgetown, COP28, New York City, UN, Portuguese, United Kingdom, Trinidad and Tobago, Ukraine, Paraguay

☆ Saudi Arabia announces crucial step forward in its nascent nuclear power plans
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The announcement put the spotlight on the kingdom's nascent nuclear energy efforts — Saudi Arabia has a small nuclear reactor, a research unit set up with the help of Argentina, that it has not yet put into operation. The Saudi energy minister did not comment on whether his country would also join the IAEA's Additional Protocol, which requires more thorough oversight including snap inspections. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said in a recent wide-ranging interview with Fox News that if Iran developed nuclear weapons, Saudi Arabia would too. U.S. assistance with a nuclear energy program is one of Saudi Arabia's key demands — but not everyone is happy about that. The multilateral Obama-era deal had allowed the lifting of economic sanctions on Iran in exchange for curbs to its nuclear program.

Persons: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Al, Mandel Ngan, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud, Rafael Grossi, Thomas Kronsteiner, Grossi, Saud, Prince Abdulaziz's, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Mohammed bin Salman's, Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, Joe Biden, Narendra Modi, Evelyn Hockstein, Yair Lapid, Donald Trump, ATTA KENARE Organizations: Saudi, Crown, AFP, Getty Images, International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, Saudi Energy, Governors, CSA, United, Fox News, CBS, West, Saudi Arabian Crown, Indian, Biden, Obama, Iranian, Getty Locations: Royal, Saudi, Jeddah, Getty Images Saudi Arabia, Vienna, Austria, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, United Arab Emirates, Iran, Russia, Ukraine, China, New Delhi, India, Riyadh, Washington, Israel, Tehran, Bushehr

☆ The US-Iran prisoner deal is a diplomatic breakthrough, but the bad blood persists
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The carefully choreographed agreement was years in the making and is being seen as a major diplomatic breakthrough for the two foes. The Biden administration is unlikely to engage in “meaningful revival” of the 2015 nuclear deal, said Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East and North Africa program at the Chatham House think tank in London. Production is the highest it’s been since 2018, when Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal and reimposed sanctions on Iran. The Islamic Republic’s oil exports have also increased, averaging 1.9 million bpd in August, Reuters reported, citing shipping firm TankerTrackers.com. “Those claiming that Biden is ignoring Iran’s exports are assuming that Biden can just shut down Iran’s exports through sanctions,” he said.

Persons: “, ”, Biden, Trump, Sanam Vakil, Ali Vaez, That’s, Ali Ahmadi, there’s, Rafael Mariano Grossi, Nasser Kanaani, Ebrahim Raisi, Raisi, ” Raisi, Trita Organizations: CNN, Five, Biden, Chatham House, Group, International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, Petroleum, Trump, Reuters, US Energy, Geneva Centre, Security, Islamic, Sunday, US Republican Party, US Treasury Department, NBC, Quincy Institute Locations: Iran, Qatar, United States, Washington, Tehran, East, North Africa, London, China, Islamic Republic, Russia, Ukraine, Washington ,

He also warned that escalating fighting is increasing the danger of a nuclear accident at Europe’s largest nuclear plant in Ukraine. Grossi said he is seeking to re-establish a dialogue with North Korea, which expelled U.N. nuclear weapons inspectors in 2009. Stop it!”Iran has denied impeding the work of IAEA inspectors though it has also been years since its experts have been able to examine surveillance footage. So he has been urging the Ukrainians and Russians not to attack any nuclear plant. There are also some Russian experts and IAEA inspectors who from time to time have acted as “a buffer” and defused some tense situations, Grossi said.

Persons: Rafael Grossi, Grossi, Ebrahim Raisi, ” “, “, ”, hasn’t, ” Grossi, Wang Yi, Wang, Said, “ I'm, Edith M, Lederer Organizations: UNITED NATIONS, General Assembly, International Atomic Energy Agency, Associated Press, Fukushima, IAEA, Foreign Locations: Ukraine, North Korea, China, Beijing, IRAN, Iran, Tehran, Vienna, United States, Ukraine's, Ukrainian, Russian, Pyongyang, “, Korea, South Korea, Fukushima, New York

BERLIN (AP) — The U.N. nuclear watchdog harshly criticized Iran on Saturday for effectively barring several of its most experienced inspectors from monitoring the country's disputed program. The strongly worded statement came amid longstanding tensions between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency, which is tasked with monitoring a nuclear program that Western nations have long suspected is aimed at eventually developing a nuclear weapon. Rafael Mariano Grossi, the head of the IAEA, said Iran had withdrawn the designation of "several experienced Agency inspectors," barring them from taking part in the monitoring of its program. "Iran has effectively removed about one third of the core group of the Agency’s most experienced inspectors designated for Iran,” he said. The IAEA, the West and other countries say Iran had a secret military nuclear program it abandoned in 2003.

Persons: Rafael Mariano Grossi, ”, Grossi, Nasser Kanaani, Donald Trump, Amir Vahdat Organizations: BERLIN, International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, Ministry, “, Associated Locations: Iran, United States, Britain, France, Germany, Vienna, Tehran, U.S . Iran, U.S, South Korea

☆ IAEA chief Grossi condemns Iran's 'unprecedented' barring of inspectors
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-16 | by ( Francois Murphy | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

FILE PHOTO-U.N. nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi attends a press conference during the International Atomic Energy Agency 's (IAEA) 35-nation Board of Governors meeting in Vienna, Austria, September 11, 2023. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsVIENNA, Sept 16 (Reuters) - U.N. nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi on Saturday condemned Iran's "disproportionate and unprecedented" move to bar multiple inspectors assigned to the country, hindering its oversight of Tehran's atomic activities. "These inspectors are among the most experienced agency experts with unique knowledge in enrichment technology," the agency said. "With today's decision, Iran has effectively removed about one third of the core group of the Agency's most experienced inspectors designated for Iran." Iran defended its move and accused the United States, Britain, France and Germany of politicising the IAEA watchdog.

Persons: Rafael Grossi, Leonhard Foeger, Iran's, Grossi, Tehran's, Nasser Kanaani, Francois Murphy, Arshad Mohammed, Mike Harrison, Ros Russell Organizations: International Atomic Energy Agency, Governors, REUTERS, Rights, International Atomic Energy, IAEA, Foreign Ministry, Iranian Government, Agency, U.S . State Department, Thomson Locations: Vienna, Austria, United States, Britain, France, Germany, Tehran, Iran, politicising, Iranian, Washington, Dubai

VIENNA (AP) — Britain, France and Germany announced Thursday they will keep their sanctions on Iran related to the Mideast country's atomic program and development of ballistic missiles. The measures were to expire in October under a timetable spelled out in the now defunct nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers. The measures ban Iran from developing ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons and bar anyone from buying, selling or transferring drones and missiles to and from Iran. Iran has violated the sanctions by developing and testing ballistic missiles and sending drones to Russia for its war on Ukraine. Political Cartoons View All 1160 ImagesThe 2015 nuclear deal meant to ensure that Iran could not develop atomic weapons.

Persons: Donald Trump, Josep Borrell, Borrell, Matthew Miller, Washington, ”, Rafael Mariano Grossi, ” Henry Rome, Matthew Lee Organizations: United Nations, . State Department, International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, Associated Press, U.S, Washington Institute for Near East Locations: VIENNA, Britain, France, Germany, Iran, Tehran, Russia, Ukraine, Tehran “, United States, China, South, Washington

☆ Iran expands stock of near-weapons grade uranium, IAEA reports no progress
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( Francois Murphy | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Iran and the IAEA announced an agreement in March on re-installing surveillance cameras introduced under a deal with major powers in 2015 but removed at Iran's behest last year. Only a fraction of the cameras and other monitoring devices the IAEA wanted to set up have been installed. Iran's production of uranium enriched to up to 60% has slowed to around 3 kg a month from about 9 kg a month previously, a senior diplomat said. "Of course, Iran claims (the slowdown in enrichment to up to 60%) as a positive, but more HEU (highly enriched uranium) is still more HEU," one Western diplomat said. CAMERAS WITHOUT FOOTAGEIran's stock of uranium enriched to 60% is now almost three times the roughly 42 kg that by the IAEA's definition is theoretically enough, if enriched further, to produce a nuclear bomb.

Persons: Rafael Grossi, State Anthony Blinken, Francois Murphy, Andrew Cawthorne, Ed Osmond, William Maclean Organizations: Reuters, International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, Governors, State, Agency, Thomson Locations: Iran, VIENNA, Tehran, United States, U.S, centrifuges, Isfahan, Esfahan

☆ Iran says uranium enrichment continues based on domestic law
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization Mohammad Eslami looks on during a news conference with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi as they meet in Tehran, Iran, March 4, 2023. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsDUBAI, Aug 27 (Reuters) - Iran's enrichment of uranium continues based on a framework established by the country's parliament, nuclear chief Mohammad Eslami said on Sunday when asked about reports regarding Tehran slowing down its 60% enrichment. "Our nuclear enrichment continues based on the strategic framework law," Eslami said, referring to a related legislation. In 2020, Iran's hardline parliament passed a law requiring the government to take measures such as stepping up uranium enrichment beyond the limit set under Tehran’s 2015 nuclear deal if other parties did not fully comply with the deal. After Washington ditched the deal in 2018 and reimposed sanctions, Tehran began to violate the nuclear curbs set out in the pact.

Persons: Iran's Atomic Energy Organization Mohammad Eslami, Rafael Grossi, Majid Asgaripour, Mohammad Eslami, Eslami, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, West Asia News Agency, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Wall Street Journal, U.S, Washington, Dubai Newsroom, Thomson Locations: Tehran, Iran

☆ Japan released treated wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear disaster into the ocean. Experts say it's safe, but one would avoid the fish.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Rupendra Brahambhatt | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Japan said it plans to release 1 million metric tons of treated radioactive water into the Pacific. Nuclear experts said the discharge is safe but one said he'd avoid eating fish near Fukushima. The water is from its Fukushima nuclear power plant that, in 2011, underwent a meltdown and is considered one of the biggest nuclear tragedies in history. AdvertisementAdvertisementAfter the 2011 disaster, the radioactive water leaked into the plant's basements where it was collected and later stored in tanks. Why treated radioactive water is 'quite safe'This isn't the first time humans have released water from nuclear plants into a larger body of water.

Persons: Rafael Mariano Grossi, Kathryn Higley, Aldo Bonasera, Higley, Wang Wenbin, Wenbin, there's, JUNG YEON, Bonasera Organizations: Service, Electric Power Co, REUTERS, Kyodo, TEPCO, Tokyo Electric Power, Oregon State University, Texas, Power, Getty, World Health Organization, Greenpeace Locations: Japan, Fukushima, China, Hong Kong, Russia, South Korea, Fish, Seoul, California, Coast

☆ China suspends all seafood imports from Japan after treated radioactive water is released from Fukushima
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

China on Thursday suspended the import of all aquatic products from Japan, including edible seafood, hours after its neighbor started releasing treated radioactive water from the stricken Fukushima nuclear power plant. Seafood imports from Japan include red sea bream, scallops, and mackerel, according to Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. The discharge of the treated water was expected to start after 1 p.m. Toyko time, according to media reports citing state owned electricity firm TEPCO. The IAEA will have a presence on site "for as long as the treated water is released, in line with Director General Grossi's commitment for the IAEA to engage with Japan on the discharge of ALPS treated water before, during, and after the treated water discharges occur." ALPS refers to the Advanced Liquid Processing System that at Fukushima, which removes radioactive material from the wastewater before it is released.

Organizations: Tokyo Electric Power Company, Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, TEPCO, International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, Japan's Embassy Locations: Tokyo, China, Japan, Fukushima, London

☆ Reaction to Japan's release of water from Fukushima nuclear plant
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The tsunami-crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant is seen from Namie Town, Fukushima prefecture, Japan August 24, 2023, in this photo taken by Kyodo. Kyodo/via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsAug 24 (Reuters) - Here are reactions to Japan's release of treated radioactive water from its destroyed Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant on Thursday. HONG KONG PROTESTER JACAY SHUM, 73:"Japan's actions in discharging contaminated water are very irresponsible, illegal, and immoral. CHINA'S FOREIGN MINISTRY:"The disposal of contaminated water in Fukushima is a major nuclear safety issue with cross-border implications, and is by no means a private matter for Japan alone. "Since the peaceful use of nuclear energy by mankind, there has been no precedent for man-made discharge of water polluted by nuclear accidents into the ocean, and there is no accepted disposal standard.

Persons: HONG, JACAY SHUM, RAFAEL MARIANO GROSSI, MARK BROWN, Lincoln, Clarence Fernandez Organizations: Kyodo, REUTERS Acquire, GENERAL, IAEA, SOUTH, COOK, OF, PACIFIC, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Fukushima prefecture, Japan, HONG KONG, Fukushima, SOUTH KOREA

☆ Fukushima wastewater released into the ocean, China bans all Japanese seafood
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( Sakura Murakami | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Sales to China and Hong Kong accounted for 42% of all Japanese aquatic exports in 2022, according to government data. Separately from China, Hong Kong and Macau have announced their own ban starting Thursday, which covers Japanese seafood imports from 10 regions. Japan will conduct monitoring around the water release area and publish results weekly starting on Sunday, Japan's environment minister said. PROTESTSIn Hong Kong, Jacay Shum, a 73-year-old activist, held up a picture portraying IAEA head Rafael Grossi as the devil. "The Fukushima nuclear disaster is not over.

Persons: Fumio Kishida, Geraldine Thomas, Han Duck, Jacay Shum, Rafael Grossi, Shum, Iizuka, Sakura Murakami, Chang, Ran Kim, Kantaro Komiya, Irene Wang, Bernard Orr, Farah Master, Joyce Zhou, Hongji Kim, Soo, hyang Choi, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: IAEA, Tokyo Electric Power, International Atomic Energy Agency, Japan, Hong, REUTERS, Minwoo, World Health Organization, London's Imperial, Japan Fisheries Co, Korean, Reuters, Thomson Locations: China, Japan, TOKYO, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Fukushima, Busan, South Korea, China , Hong Kong, Macau, Seoul, South, Beijing, Lincoln

Tokyo CNN —After months of controversy and anticipation, Japan is set to begin releasing treated radioactive wastewater from its Fukushima nuclear plant later this week despite fierce objections from some countries. A TEPCO researcher assesses the radiation impact of treated wastewater in Fukushima, Japan, on April 12, 2023. TEPCO has built over 1,000 massive tanks to store treated radioactive wastewater in Fukushima, Japan, on April 12, 2023. Video Ad Feedback Hear why these South Koreans are worried about Japan's Fukushima wastewater release plan 02:27 - Source: CNNWhat have other governments said? Some governments have even banned food imports from parts of Japan, including Fukushima.

Persons: Fumio Kishida, Daniel Campisi, Rafael Grossi, ” Organizations: Tokyo CNN —, Tokyo Electric Power Company, United Nations, International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, CNN, TEPCO, South Locations: Japan, Asia, Fukushima, United States, Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, South Korea

By accepting an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report last month that greenlit Japan's Fukushima water release, Yoon could encourage fresh dissent that China will try to amplify, analysts say. On Monday, Park Gu-yeon, vice minister of government policy coordination at the prime minister's office, said both sides have made "substantial progress" on the water release issue. A senior South Korean official, speaking on condition of anonymity because of diplomatic sensitivity, said the government did not see it as a source of friction. "China absolutely will try to exploit Fukushima to drive a wedge between South Korea and Japan," said David Boling, a director at consulting firm Eurasia Group. In July, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said Japan had shown selfishness and arrogance, and had not fully consulted the international community about the water release.

Persons: Rafael Mariano Grossi, Kobayakawa, Joe Biden, Yoon Suk Yeol, Fumio Kishida, Biden, David, Yoon, Japan Rahm Emanuel, Moon Jae, Christopher Johnstone, Antony Blinken, they've, David Boling, Joshua Kurlantzick, Wang Wenbin, Hirokazu Matsuno, Tim Kelly, Sakura Murakami, Hyonhee Shin, Josh Smith, David Brunnstrom, Trevor Hunnicutt, Ekaterina Golubkova, Lun Tian, Yoshifumi, Gerry Doyle Organizations: International Atomic Energy Agency, Tokyo Electric Power Co, Japanese, Reuters, U.S, IAEA, Biden's National Security Council, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Japan, South Korean, South, Gallup, Eurasia Group, Council, Foreign Relations, Global Times, Thomson Locations: Futaba, Japan, TOKYO, SEOUL, South Korea, Tokyo, China, Washington, East Asia, Taiwan, Beijing, Russia, North Korea, United States, Australia, Britain, Seoul, Seoul . U.S, Fukushima, Korean

☆ Russia has turned Europe's largest nuclear plant into a military base, but IAEA says there's no signs it rigged the reactors to explode
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Charles R. Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The IAEA said Friday it found no evidence of explosives on the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant. Ukraine has repeatedly expressed fears over the nuclear facility, suggesting that Russia might stage a nuclear disaster, similar to the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in June. However, he said IAEA inspectors were reminded of the risks facing the plant, which Russia occupied soon after its February 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine. On the night before they were provided access to the roof of the plant, IAEA experts reported hearing a "series of detonations in the vicinity of the plant." Grossi said the detonations serve as a reminder of the ongoing risks posed by the military occupation of the facility.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Rafael Mariano Grossi, Grossi Organizations: IAEA, Service, UN Locations: Wall, Silicon, Russia, Ukraine, Ukrainian, Zaporizhzhia

☆ New IAEA complaint about anti-personnel mines in Russian-held nuclear plant
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

July 24 (Reuters) - The U.N.'s nuclear watchdog said on Monday it had found anti-personnel mines in an area of the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine and complained for the second month running that this violated safety procedures. The plant, Europe's largest nuclear facility, was seized in the first days of Russia's invasion last year. "But having such explosives on the site is inconsistent with the IAEA safety standards and nuclear security guidance and creates additional psychological pressure on plant staff," Grossi said in a statement on the agency's website. Grossi had issued a similar warning about mines last month and on both occasions he suggested they posed no risk to the plant's security. In Monday's note he said his agency's initial assessment was that even if they exploded, "these mines should not affect the site's nuclear safety and security systems".

Persons: Rafael Grossi, Grossi, Ron Popeski, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: International Atomic Energy Agency, Thomson Locations: Russian, Ukraine, Russia, Moscow

☆ Fukushima wastewater: Hong Kong poised to ban Japanese seafood over treated water
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Hong Kong CNN —Hong Kong, one of the world’s biggest buyers of Japanese fish, says it will ban seafood imports from 10 prefectures in the country if Tokyo presses ahead with its plan to release treated radioactive water from Fukushima into the sea. Japanese food is hugely popular in Hong Kong, which has more than 2,000 Japanese restaurants. The move comes less than a week after Beijing announced a similar ban on Japanese seafood exports to mainland China, citing concerns over health and safety. Customers wait to get into Japanese sushi chain Sushiro in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, on July 13, 2023. The 10 prefectures facing a seafood ban are Tokyo, Fukushima, Chiba, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Gumma, Miyagi, Niigata, Nagano and Saitama, he said.

Persons: Tse Chin, Let’s, ” Tse, Chris Lau, Tse, ”, “, Rafael Grossi, Fumio Kishida, Grossi, Sandy Yu, Timothy Lo Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Beijing, International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, CNN, Hong, South, UN, HK Locations: Hong Kong, Tokyo, Fukushima, Japan, China, South Korea, United States, Causeway Bay, Chiba, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Gumma, Miyagi, Niigata, Nagano, Saitama, Hong, Causeway

☆ S.Korea opposition lawmakers want more experts to review Fukushima discharge plan
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi and South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party lawmaker Wi Seong-gon attend their meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, July 9, 2023. Yonhap via REUTERS/File PhotoJuly 12 (Reuters) - More expert organizations should take part in reviewing Japan's plan to release Fukushima wastewater into the sea in addition to the U.N nuclear watchdog, South Korean opposition lawmakers said on Wednesday while visiting Japan. Democratic Party lawmaker Wi Seong-gon, who was among the group of lawmakers from the opposition parties, made the comment in a joint statement at a press conference in Tokyo. When asked about the South Korean government's position, Wi said Seoul needed to relay the voices of people who were concerned and opposed to the plan. "We are doing our best to persuade the government and this is why we are visiting Japan right now," Wi said.

Persons: Rafael Grossi, Wi, Yoo Suk Yeol, Hyunsu Yim, Ed Davies Organizations: Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, Democratic Party, National Assembly, Yonhap, REUTERS, Democratic, International Atomic Energy Agency, Korean, Thomson Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Korean, Japan, Tokyo, South

☆ New Zealand confident about IAEA advice on Fukushima water release plan
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

WELLINGTON, July 10 (Reuters) - New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta told the head of the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog on Monday that her government has full confidence in the IAEA's advice on the proposed Fukushima treated water release. Following the release of the report, Grossi visited South Korea. He is currently in New Zealand before travelling to the Cook Islands where he will meet with Pacific Islands Forum chair and Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown. The Pacific Islands Forum, a regional bloc of 17 island nations, has raised significant concerns about the release of the water fearing among other things the impact on fisheries. Mahuta said New Zealand acutely understands the effects nuclear testing has had on its Pacific neighbours in the past, and the government would continue to call for the release of the water to be dealt with through transparency and meaningful dialogue.

Persons: Nanaia Mahuta, Rafael Grossi, Japan's, Grossi, Mark Brown, Mahuta, Lucy Craymer, Muralikumar Anantharaman Organizations: WELLINGTON, Zealand Foreign, International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, Pacific Islands Forum, Cook Islands, Thomson Locations: South Korea, New Zealand, Cook, Zealand, Lincoln

CNN —North Korea has called upon the international community to stop Japan from releasing treated wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean. Japan plans to release the wastewater sometime this summer. Ground and rainwater have also leaked in, creating more radioactive wastewater now measuring 1.32 million metric tons – enough to fill more than 500 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Overview of the Fukushima nuclear plant. ‘Necessary move’Japanese authorities have maintained that the release is necessary as space runs out to contain the contaminated material – and the move would allow the full decommissioning of the Fukushima nuclear plant.

Persons: Rafael Grossi, ”, ” Grossi Organizations: CNN, Environment Protection Department, International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA Locations: Korea, Japan, South Korea, China, Fukushima, Tokyo

☆ Fukushima wastewater: South Korean shoppers hoard salt, seafood ahead of Japan's release of treated radioactive water
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-09 | by ( Jessie Yeung Yoonjung Seo Paula Hancocks | Jessie Yeung | Yoonjung Seo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The government has said the wastewater release will begin this summer, though it has not specified a date. The shortages were so acute that the government was forced to release sea salt from its official reserves to stabilize salt prices, which have soared more than 40% since April, according to the country’s salt manufacturing association. After a thorough safety review, it concluded in a report last week that the wastewater release would have “negligible” impact on people or the environment. The South Korean government said last week it would respect the IAEA’s findings. Photos show protesters holding banners that lambasted the IAEA and the Japanese government and condemned the wastewater release.

Persons: There’s, Chung Sung, Jung Yeon, ”, Lee Gi, I’m, ” Lee, Rafael Grossi, “, Lee, I’ve, … I’ve Organizations: Seoul CNN —, United Nations, CNN, Shoppers, Ministry of, Fisheries, Reuters, National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives, Gallup, Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale, Getty, International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, South Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Fukushima, Japan, United States, China, Gallup Korea

☆ IAEA chief says 'absolutely logical' Japan's Fukushima water release draws interest
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-09 | by ( Jack Kim | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SEOUL, July 9 (Reuters) - It is "absolutely logical" that Japan's plan to release treated radioactive water from its Fukushima nuclear plant is attracting great interest in the region, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, said on Sunday. Grossi met with South Korea's opposition Democratic Party members on Sunday who expressed strong public concerns over Japan's plan and criticized the IAEA's findings. "We deeply regret that the IAEA concluded Japan's plan to discharge contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant meets international standards," Wi Seong-gon, the committee chairman, told Grossi. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin on Wednesday criticised the move towards discharging the water and threatened action if the plan should move ahead. North Korea also criticised IAEA's backing of Japan's plan, calling it "unjust" and a demonstration of double standards, citing the U.N. nuclear watchdog's work to curb Pyongyang's nuclear programme.

Persons: Rafael Grossi, Grossi, Wang Wenbin, Jack Kim, Kim Coghill, Sonali Paul Organizations: International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, Democratic Party, Sunday, Security, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, Japan, South Korea, North Korea, Korea

☆ Live updates: Russia's war in Ukraine, missile attack on Lviv
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-07 | by ( Tara Subramaniam | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi speaks during a news conference in Tokyo on Tuesday. Kyodo News/Getty Images/FILEThe International Atomic Energy Agency is "making progress" inspecting several areas of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said Friday, following claims by Kyiv that the facility had been mined. On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russia may be using the nuclear plant as a weapon. He also reminded reporters the plant is in an "active war zone" and that access takes time. Nuclear plant on front lines: The Zaporizhzhia facility is the largest nuclear plant in Europe and has been under Russian control since March last year.

Persons: Rafael Grossi, Grossi, Volodymyr Zelensky Organizations: Kyodo, International Atomic Energy Agency, United Nations Locations: Tokyo, Russia, Europe

'NOT ENDORSEMENT'International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi speaks at an interview with Reuters in Tokyo, Japan, July 7, 2023. Grossi said the IAEA's report did not amount to an endorsement of the plan and that Tokyo must take the final decision to release the water due to start later this summer. We say this plan is consistent with the standards," Grossi said. Grossi said he understood the concerns because "nothing identical" to this release had happened before. Reporting by Sakura Murakami and John Geddie in Tokyo; Editing by Jacqueline Wong and Michael PerryOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Japan's, Rafael Grossi, Grossi, Liu Senlin, Liu, Kim Kyung, Hoon, I'm, Sakura Murakami, John Geddie, Jacqueline Wong, Michael Perry Organizations: Reuters, Global Times, IAEA, Atomic Energy Agency, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, China, China's, Argentina, Australia, Canada, France, Marshall Islands, South Korea, Russia, Britain, U.S, Vietnam, Tokyo, Japan, Hoon Beijing, Korea

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