CND Press Digest: Thursday 27th July 2023

War In Ukraine/NATO

• Financial Times: How big is the risk of nuclear disaster at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia plant?
• Reuters: The United States and Russia blamed each other for a lack of progress on arms control following a US proposal to open talks on a “framework” that would preserve curbs on strategic nuclear weapons deployments when the current limits expire in 2026.
• ABC: Bluffing or not, Putin’s declared deployment of nuclear weapons to Belarus ramps up saber-rattling

AUKUS

• US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said Thursday that the door was still open for New Zealand to engage with the AUKUS pact. It follows a meeting between New Zealand and Australia after which New Zealand suggested its opposition to nuclear weapons meant it was unlikely to engage to the alliance.

Space

• Lockheed Martin has announced a contract from the US government to develop a nuclear-powered spacecraft for use in space exploration and defence.

Nuclear Abolition

• The 2023 report “Moving Away from Mass Destruction: 109 exclusions of nuclear weapon producers” profiles financial institutions with policies that restrict or completely exclude investments in the companies involved in nuclear weapon production.

UK Nuclear Energy

• Nuclear energy startup Newcleo has signed an agreement with Fincantieri and RINA to support a feasibility study for nuclear applications to the shipping industry.
• The UK government has launched a consultation on plans to overhaul planning laws for large infrastructure projects like new nuclear plants. 

Nuclear Energy

• The Hill looks at the drive to reduce nuclear safety standards in the US.
• A new report has found that keeping the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant open through to 2045 could cost California ratepayers as much as $45 billion. 
• Profits are up for EDF following price hikes.
• Canada’s drive for more nuclear power continues.

Fukushima

• Next year the Japanese government will hold an auction for grants so nuclear power stations can implement safety upgrades to keep running for the next 20 years.
• CGTN on concerns over the Fukushima water dumping plan.

Iran Nuclear Deal

• AP:  Iran said Wednesday it gave new details to the United Nations about two sites near Tehran that inspectors say bore traces of manmade uranium, part of a wider probe as tensions remain high over the Islamic Republic’s advancing program.

Best,

Pádraig McCarrick

Press and Communications Officer

Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament