Russia is considering withdrawing from the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty ratified by the United Nations in 1996, Reuters, ABC News and other outlets report.
Vyacheslav Volodin, the speaker of the lower house of Russia’s State Duma, made the announcement on Friday. Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier had warned that Moscow could rescind its ratification of the international pact banning nuclear tests because the United States has never ratified it. The U.S. stopped all nuclear explosive testing in 1992.
“There are widespread concerns that Russia could move to resume nuclear tests to try to discourage the West from continuing to offer military support to Ukraine,” ABC reported, “Many Russian hawks have spoken in favor of resuming the tests.”
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Oct. 5 announced the opening of its new nuclear security training center to support growing international efforts to tackle global nuclear terrorism.
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi officially opened the IAEA Nuclear Security Training and Demonstration Centre during a ceremony at the Agency’s Seibersdorf laboratories in Austria, attended by representatives from 45 countries and territories, the IAEA said in a statement. The new training center spans just over 21,500 square feet of specialized technical infrastructure and equipment where trainees will learn about the physical protection of nuclear and other radioactive material, as well as detection and response to criminal acts involving nuclear material and facilities.
“Nuclear security is one of the most important areas of our work to make sure that nuclear material never falls into the wrong hands,” Grossi said. “The international nuclear security centre of excellence – opened today – is where experts on nuclear security and the physical protection of nuclear material from all over the world will be trained to hone their skills.”
The National Nuclear Security Administration’s Minority Serving Institution Partnership Program (MSIPP) and Tribal Education Partnership Program has awarded five grants totaling $2.5 million to minority-serving institutions and tribal colleges and Universities.
The program seeks to develop a “diverse, highly skilled, and enduring stream of talented students who are working to advance America’s nuclear security.” Grants went to various programs at the Savannah River National Laboratory in South Carolina, the Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico, the Lawrence Livermore National Lab in California, the Nevada National Security Site and Brookhaven National Laboratory, the NNSA said in a news release.
“MSIPP is setting the stage for an inclusive future, where we invest in students and communities across the nation,” said Jill Hruby, NNSA Administrator. “We have an unwavering dedication to creating a strong future American workforce. Through MSIPP, we are preparing people to contribute to critical and emerging technologies, ensuring America’s security, growth, and prosperity.”
Battelle on Oct. 5 announced a new partnership with Howard University to promote STEM career and research opportunities for faculty and students. Battelle is the lead partner on the team that manages the Los Alamos National Laboratory. It also manages other DOE labs that are not owned by the National Nuclear Security Administration.
The partnership’s goal is to build relationships with students, faculty and staff at HBCUs and create a pipeline of employees to DOE labs. Brookhaven National Laboratory, Idaho National Laboratory, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Oak Ridge National Laboratory have long standing relationships led by Howard University’s Office of Research.
Battelle currently partners with Bowie State University and Morgan State University in Maryland.
