CND Press Digest: Wednesday 29th March 2023

War In Ukraine/NATO

• Declassified UK on the ‘outrageous spin’ the MoD is putting out about the science on depleted uranium ammunition. It comes after an army training video showed the first images of Ukrainian and British soldiers with DU ammo.
• CND Chair Tom Unterrainer spoke to Newsweek about the dangers of DU ammogoing to Ukraine. A second article looks at Russia’s own use of DU rounds. 
• The UN’s security watchdog chief is visiting the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant today- his second trip since Russian troops took over the site last year. The IAEA saidRafael Grossi plans to ”assess first-hand the serious nuclear safety and security situation at the facility.”
• The Mirror on the increased risk of nuclear disaster in Ukraine. 
• Reuters speaks to Muscovites on the rising nuclear rhetoric.
• Russia has begun nuclear drills with its Yars ICBM system, the defence ministry YsoIfVlY2ZncpRj7Lnx1QJEYtd_kksHj42dnKX95mPqk8fRwkBR7NymhhUZHvqbjRAzcv2zL_uHhVqva5JOO3UozdoWeZ97FBOE47qUFwMEie1IQXLvblu7eo8HOMrsOLfbp2oCg-ZGgAioQCh31DoiHeyuJlvuyAqI4zgFBvepCrTBQhLX7uvyULwp3lhX3lYdmOQl0fYyGwcWDHhkA5Xxu_5vOvQ7QLPHnxhOShfoCH7abbjSDikia0G15NskUKFzYqEek/3uw/P8LJIQUiQHuLlgTCo_phdw/h8/U430dmLdwTkU-_MxbFO0p0zsgGSeAtXi2ggl_Gh_EaY”>said on Tuesday that the US would cease exchanging some data with Russia on its nuclear forces - in response to Moscow refusing to do so. Russia responded saying the decision would not change Moscow’s mind on its decision to suspend its participation in the New START treaty.

AUKUS

• Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: The AUKUS Submarine Deal Highlights a Tectonic Shift in the U.S.-Australia Alliance.
• Nikkei Asia: AUKUS and GCAP set new Indo-Pacific security template.
• South China Morning Post opinion on whether the AUKUS pact has launched a new cold war and arms race.
• That’s as ABC AUKUS.

• The Environment Agency has issued three new environmental permits for a new nuclear plant at Sizewell. The permit will allow the station to operate, as well as dispose of radioactive waste, use standby power systems like diesel generators, and return seawater and other liquids into the Greater Sizewell Bay. Coverage by The BBC, Suffolk News, and statement from the Environment Agency.
• The Daily Mail on the government’s plan to speed up the building of nuclear plants. It comes with the claim that nuclear energy will drive down people’s bills but doesn’t mention that the projects will be funded by a levy on energy bills long before plants start generating power.
• Start-up Newcleo has SMR up and running in France by 2030 and another in Britain by 2032.