CND Press Roundup Friday 21st October 2022

War in Ukraine / NATO

• Ludo De Brabander and Soetkin Van Muylem of Belgian peace group VREDE - write for World Beyond War on NATO’s Steadfast Noon nuclear drills.

• The Express and Reuters look at how Russian nuclear fuel is needed for a new fleet of nuclear reactors being developed by the US.

• Matt Korda writes for Outrider on why nuclear secrecy does not equate nuclear security.

• The Nonproliferation Policy Education Center on the dangers of nuclear power plants during war.

• The Mirror runs a story citing “insiders” – who claim Vladimir Putin has already tried to conduct tests of nuclear weapons – but efforts are being frustrated by “sabotage” by unwilling officials or technical issues.

Global Abolition

• Mayors for Peace have issued their Hiroshima Appeal – calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons – as part of the closing of the group’s 10th General Conference.

TUC

• Sophie Bolt reflects on the recent TUC conference and the narrow vote to overturn its defence diversification policy.

• The Morning Star reports on the TUC vote on defence diversification – with comments from unions in favour and against.

UK Nuclear Energy

• NFLA calls on Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to reverse his predecessor’s funding announcement for the Sizewell C nuclear plant.

• The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has confirmed that safety improvements at the Hartlepool power station have been made by operator EDF – after the regulator flagged issues at the plant during a targeted inspection over the summer. Similar improvements have also been made at Heysham 1, according to the Lancaster Guardian.

Nuclear Energy

• The Irish government has ruled out building small modular reactors as part of its energy strategy – despite recommendations from Engineers Ireland. However, the building of the Celtic interconnector – linking the French and Irish grids – will mean Ireland is likely to import electricity generated by France’s nuclear plants.

• An article on campaigners’ reaction to the decision by Germany’s ruling coalition – which includes The Greens – to extend the life of the country’s nuclear plants to April 2023.

• The BBC runs a piece on the decisions facing European countries on nuclear power.

China

• The UK government could ban former armed forces pilots from training the Chinese military – after it was revealed that at least 30 had been headhunted by Beijing in the last three years to help train and develop tactics. Annual salaries are reported to be around £270,000.