CND Press Digest: Thursday 30th November 2023

War In Ukraine/NATO

• IAEA statement on the situation in Ukraine: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) experts based in Ukraine reported about military activity overnight that once again underlined potential nuclear safety and security dangers during the armed conflict, and not just at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said Wednesday.
• Russia’s Ryabkov warns US against entering new arms race.

Nuclear Testing

• Reuters: As Russia warns of the rising risk of nuclear war, and relations with the United States sink into a deep freeze, communities close to the vast Soviet-era nuclear testing site in northern Kazakhstan have a message for leaders: “Let us be a lesson.”
• Video: Kazakhs urge caution around return to nuclear testing.

AUKUS

• Warning AUKUS legislation cedes Australian sovereignty over military technology.

Lakenheath

• US official’s visit to RAF Lakenheath “further proof” of nuclear mission in Britain, says CND.

UK Nuclear Energy

• Some sponsored content from Sizewell C in the East Anglian Daily Times - praising its own long-term water strategy for Suffolk.
• French company Framatome is planning the construction of a nuclear fuel fabrication facility in the UK as part of its plans to scale-up its operations in the country.
• The Scottish Daily Express takes aim at the SNP’s opposition to nuclear power.
• Former Nottingham City Council leader Jon Collins involved in scheme which could lead to nuclear dump site off Lincolnshire coast.

Nuclear Energy

• Swedish parliament clears way for possible nuclear energy expansion.
• Belgium’s PM De Croo calls for extra 10 years of nuclear energy.
• Bloomberg: New large-scale atomic power plants are still in demand in the US as utilities brace for growing calls to provide low-carbon energy generation, according to the head of nuclear-technology giant Westinghouse.  
• Operators extend Finnish, Swedish nuclear reactor outages.

Fusion

• The Times previews John Kerry’s upcoming appearance at COP 28 – and an expected announcement on a US strategy for nuclear fusion.

North Korea

• North Korea says it will not negotiate sovereignty with ‘double-faced’ US.

Iran Nuclear Deal

• Do not ignore Iran’s nuclear ambitions, warns UN atomic agency.

Afghanistan

• Taliban is exploring options to obtain tactical nuclear weapon, claims former Afghan spy chief. 

Best,

Pádraig McCarrick

Press and Communications Officer

Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament