CND Press Digest: Tuesday 7th March 2023

War In Ukraine/NATO

• CNN on why the West hasn’t gone after Russia’s nuclear industry as part of sanctions laid down in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine.

UK Defence Spending

• Rishi Sunak is expected to announce a £5 billion uplift in military spending in next week’s budget. The boost will be unveiled during a meeting of the AUKUS military pact in Washington this weekend. Read more on CND’s website.

Nuclear Testing

• The Telegraph’s Global health Desk has a feature on the legacy of Britain’s nuclear test veterans.

Nuclear Accidents

• Spanish officials have made renewed calls for the US to clean up radioactive soil in the south east of the country, after four US hydrogen bombs were dropped following a mid-air collision almost 60 years ago.

UK Nuclear Energy

• Beyond Nuclear on the money pit that is Hinkley Point C.
• The Welsh Affairs Committee has asked for clarity on a proposed nuclear project in Anglesey, Wales in the upcoming spring budget which is due to be announced on 15 March.

Nuclear Energy

• Swedish lead-cooled small nuclear reactor (SMR) technology developer LeadCold is to conduct a feasibility study on the construction and operation of a demonstration SEALER (Swedish Advanced Lead Reactor) with associated infrastructure for fuel fabrication in Studsvik.
• Assembly has begun for the prototype of the main circulation pump unit (MCPU)for the lead-cooled fast neutron reactor BREST-OD-300 being built in Russia.
• European Union countries intend to push for a global phasing out of fossil fuels among their climate diplomacy priorities this year, which the bloc hopes to approve this week after rewriting a contentious section on nuclear energy.
• Belgium’s nuclear regulator has advised the government against a life extension of the country’s three oldest reactors, despite the risk of a gap in electricity supply over the next two winters.

Space

• From the Evening Standard: The UK Space Agency has announced new funding to support space exploration using the Moon’s resources and nuclear power.

Iran Nuclear Deal

• Iran’s concessions to UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi during his visit to Tehran over the weekend depend to a large extent on future negotiations, Grossi conceded on Monday, walking back some comments he made upon his return.

Best,

Pádraig McCarrick

Press and Communications Officer

Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament