CND's Press Round-Up - 30th June 2021
Posted: 30th June 2021
Please find today’s press round up below. Thank you to all for their continued help and support.
Nuclear Weapons
Salisbury CND stages a protest at a local hospital to say ‘Nurses not Nukes’ whilst the U.S. gives the go-ahead to a new plant for producing materials for nuclear weapons.
Nurses Not Nukes Protests
Well done to Salisbury CND for staging a striking protest at their local hospital to coincide with Saturday’s demonstration and for securing coverage in their local press. The New Valley News carried a report, including promoting the group’s website and featuring images of the protest. If you’ve planned something similar and want to discuss getting it in the local press or having something coming up, please do just get in touch.
Nuclear Weapons – USA
The federal National Nuclear Safety Administration has taken the first step to constructing a massive plutonium pit construction facility in South Carolina, according to local media. Plutonium ‘pits’ are at the cores of nuclear weapons. The Savannah River site is expected to cost $6.9 billion and $11.1 billion and will enter into operation in the mid-2030s. It is already severely delayed and over-budget. The production of nuclear weapons cores will eventually be split between the South Carolina site and a production facility at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. The press release from the NNSA can be found here.
Anti-war
Tensions are ramping up yet again in the Black Sea region between Russia and NATO.
Russian Missile Tests
Al Jazeera reports that Russia has conducted live tests of its aerial defence systems in the disputed Crimea, to coincide with nearby NATO exercises in the Black Sea. In particular, the S-400 surface-to-air missile system was tested, the same system which was sold to Turkey and provoked U.S. sanctions in consequence. Russia has said that it will ‘react to protect national security’ if the NATO exercises over-step the mark. Around 5,000 NATO personnel and 30 U.S. ships are taking part in the exercises, which are being conducted jointly with Ukraine.
Nuclear Power
A cross-lobbying group has gained significant coverage for its report advocating more investment in nuclear power, whilst the Taishan incident attracts more commentary.
Nuclear Power – UK
CityAM reports that the APPG on Nuclear Power has published a new report, urging the government to commit to a nuclear power capacity of at least 10 gigawatts by the early 2030s. The groups say this is imperative if the UK is to have any chance of reaching net zero. Most UK nuclear plants are expected to begin decommissioning by 2024, with only one current reactor expected to be still operational by 2030. The APPG, which has close links to the nuclear lobby, said that investment in nuclear could create 90,000 jobs and avoid 30 million tonnes of carbon emissions. The GMB trade union has backed the findings of the report. The full report can be found here.
Nuclear Power – China
The Financial Times has a piece on the incident at the Taishan nuclear power plant in southern China. Tom Mitchell argues that the handling of the incident is a useful prism to understand the Chinese state more broadly. Mitchell also points to the contradiction this engenders between China and foreign-owned corporations which feel the need to work closely with Western regulators. Due to U.S. sanctions on the China General Nuclear Power group, its French partner company had to request permission from the U.S. before providing vital technical assistance.
With best wishes,
Michael Muir
Press and Communications Officer
Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament
Salisbury CND stages a protest at a local hospital to say ‘Nurses not Nukes’ whilst the U.S. gives the go-ahead to a new plant for producing materials for nuclear weapons.
Nurses Not Nukes Protests
Well done to Salisbury CND for staging a striking protest at their local hospital to coincide with Saturday’s demonstration and for securing coverage in their local press. The New Valley News carried a report, including promoting the group’s website and featuring images of the protest. If you’ve planned something similar and want to discuss getting it in the local press or having something coming up, please do just get in touch.
Nuclear Weapons – USA
The federal National Nuclear Safety Administration has taken the first step to constructing a massive plutonium pit construction facility in South Carolina, according to local media. Plutonium ‘pits’ are at the cores of nuclear weapons. The Savannah River site is expected to cost $6.9 billion and $11.1 billion and will enter into operation in the mid-2030s. It is already severely delayed and over-budget. The production of nuclear weapons cores will eventually be split between the South Carolina site and a production facility at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. The press release from the NNSA can be found here.
Anti-war
Tensions are ramping up yet again in the Black Sea region between Russia and NATO.
Russian Missile Tests
Al Jazeera reports that Russia has conducted live tests of its aerial defence systems in the disputed Crimea, to coincide with nearby NATO exercises in the Black Sea. In particular, the S-400 surface-to-air missile system was tested, the same system which was sold to Turkey and provoked U.S. sanctions in consequence. Russia has said that it will ‘react to protect national security’ if the NATO exercises over-step the mark. Around 5,000 NATO personnel and 30 U.S. ships are taking part in the exercises, which are being conducted jointly with Ukraine.
Nuclear Power
A cross-lobbying group has gained significant coverage for its report advocating more investment in nuclear power, whilst the Taishan incident attracts more commentary.
Nuclear Power – UK
CityAM reports that the APPG on Nuclear Power has published a new report, urging the government to commit to a nuclear power capacity of at least 10 gigawatts by the early 2030s. The groups say this is imperative if the UK is to have any chance of reaching net zero. Most UK nuclear plants are expected to begin decommissioning by 2024, with only one current reactor expected to be still operational by 2030. The APPG, which has close links to the nuclear lobby, said that investment in nuclear could create 90,000 jobs and avoid 30 million tonnes of carbon emissions. The GMB trade union has backed the findings of the report. The full report can be found here.
Nuclear Power – China
The Financial Times has a piece on the incident at the Taishan nuclear power plant in southern China. Tom Mitchell argues that the handling of the incident is a useful prism to understand the Chinese state more broadly. Mitchell also points to the contradiction this engenders between China and foreign-owned corporations which feel the need to work closely with Western regulators. Due to U.S. sanctions on the China General Nuclear Power group, its French partner company had to request permission from the U.S. before providing vital technical assistance.
With best wishes,
Michael Muir
Press and Communications Officer
Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament