Recent reports indicate a concerning rise in illicit nuclear material trade within Georgia. Three Chinese citizens were apprehended in Tbilisi for allegedly attempting to purchase two kilograms of uranium, with plans to transport it to China via Russia. Authorities also revealed that other members of the criminal group coordinated the operation from China, and the group planned to pay $400,000 for the radioactive material. The arrests add to the country’s history of nuclear material incidents, highlighting the ongoing concerns surrounding the security of materials left over from the Soviet era, making Georgia a target for smugglers.
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The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) mistakenly fired several probationary employees on Thursday and is now attempting to reinstate them. The NNSA is struggling to contact these former employees because they no longer have access to their government email accounts. This incident highlights complications arising from the Trump administration’s rapid and widespread federal staff cuts, which have also impacted other departments such as Homeland Security. The firings, which primarily targeted probationary employees, have been met with significant legal and political challenges.
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The Trump administration has implemented significant layoffs at the Department of Energy (DOE), impacting between 1,200 and 2,000 employees. These cuts affect various sectors, including the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), national laboratories, and hydroelectric plants. The layoffs followed the arrival of consultants from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency. Sources indicate approximately 325 NNSA employees have been dismissed, representing a substantial reduction within the agency responsible for US nuclear weapons.
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John Q. Hosedrinker