CND Press Digest: Friday 2nd June 2023

War In Ukraine / NATO

• Bellona has published a new report on the radiation risks posed by the Russian seizure of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.

New START

• The US State Department said Thursday that Washington will stop sharing some nuclear arms data with Russia, required under the terms of the New START treaty. This includes updates on its missile and launcher locations and telemetry data on test launches with Russia.
• Washington will also revoke visas for Russian nuclear inspectors, deny applications for new monitors, and cancel standard clearances for Russian aircraft to enter US airspace.
• Meanwhile US national security adviser Jake Sullivan will tell the Arms Control Association later Friday that Washington is ready to have talks with Russia without preconditions about a future nuclear arms control framework.
• Anonymous officials also told Reuters that Sullivan is also to offer to abide by the nuclear weapons limits set in the New START treaty until its 2026 expiration if Russia does the same.

Killer Robots

• A virtual experiment by the US military using artificial intelligence to fly an air force drone had the following result: the AI-controlled drone killed its virtual operator in order to successfully carry out its mission.

UK Nuclear Energy

• Offshore work at the Hinkley Point C nuclear plant is entering its final stage.

Nuclear Energy

• A look at France’s dependence on nuclear power.
• Former US State Department and nuclear regulatory officials have warned the US Department of Energy against using bomb-grade uranium in a nuclear power experiment - warning other countries will be encouraged to conduct similar tests.

Fusion

• Oxford-based Tokamak Energy is among the eight firms to receive a share of a $46 million US Department of Energy pot for developing a nuclear fusion power plant.

Fukushima

• A new wastewater safety report by the IAEA found that levels of tritium found in treated water at the Fukushima nuclear plant are beyond safe levels - despite earlier claims by the Japanese government which suggested it was safe for release.

North Korea

• Engine designs from North Korean ICBMs were likely used in the country’s failed spy satellite launch this week, analysist have suggested to Reuters.

Upper Heyford

• Oxford Mail and Ekklesia report on tomorrow’s reunion to mark the 40th anniversary of the blockade at USAF Upper Heyford.

Best,

Pádraig McCarrick

Press and Communications Officer

Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament