CND Press Digest: Friday 16th February 2024

NATO / Europe

• NATO chief warns against dividing US and Europe or undermining joint deterrent. The head of NATO warned member countries on Thursday against allowing a wedge to be driven between the United States and Europe, as concern grows about Washington’s commitment to its allies should Donald Trump return to office.
• German minister calls for British and French nuclear weapons to protect Europe.
• CND’s comments on the prospect of a European nuclear weapons system.
• Lockheed Martin on track to increase production of weapons systems.

Middle East & North Africa

• Statement from the Palestine Coalition on tomorrow’s global day of action for Gaza.
• Pro-Palestinian activists plan protest marches in London Feb. 17.

AUKUS / Indo-Pacific

• Defense News: Australian defense industry concern grows over export controls.
• Reuters: US ‘very confident’ Australia and Britain will be eligible for AUKUS exemptions.
• Academics in US, UK and Australia collaborated on drone research with Iranian university close to regime.

Space

• ‘Everyone needs to calm down’: experts assess Russian nuclear space threat.
• Meanwhile, from the Telegraph: Why a Russian nuclear weapon in space could be so devastating.
• And: Putin’s deadliest weapon yet has been revealed - and the West has no answer. Our leaders’ failures got us here, staring down Putin’s ethereal nuclear gun. But we must not be deterred
• Russia denies US claim that it plans to put nuclear missile in space. Sources are concerned that Moscow will target satellites.
• Sky News asks: Is Russia building a nuclear, space-based, satellite killer?
• More sober reporting from Reuters: Russia seen as highly unlikely to put a nuclear warhead in space.
• Is Russia developing space-based nuclear weapon? What we know of US claim.
• Associated Press: Before Russia’s satellite threat, there were Starfish Prime, nesting dolls and robotic arms.

Global Nukes

• Vanity Fair ventures onboard a US nuclear-armed submarine.

British Military

• Over 125,000 applicants rejected from British Army.

UK Nuclear Energy

• Energy company Centrica is considering pumping cash into the construction of the Sizewell C nuclear power plant on the Suffolk coast, its chief executive has revealed. Chris O’Shea said the Suffolk site was a “possible future investment” as the government tries to secure funding for the project. Ministers are bidding to raise hundreds of millions of pounds from private companies to help build the plant, near Leiston. Coverage from Mirror. Evening Standard, and Independent.
• https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/24122986.centrica-boss-says-fund-suffolk-plant-sizewell-c/?link_id=19&am…
  
• Britain’s public spending watchdog has launched an investigation into risks and costs at Sellafield, the UK’s biggest nuclear waste dump. The National Audit Office (NAO), which scrutinises the use of public funds, has announced it will examine whether the Cumbria site is managing and prioritising the risks and hazards of the site effectively as well as deploying resources appropriately and continuing to improve its project management.
• Nuclear site under investigation by spending watchdog.

Nuclear Energy

• Montana nuclear base lockdown lifted after suspicious person prompts active shooter report.

CND

• A letter to the Salisbury Journal about ongoing vigils for Gaza organised by Salisbury CND.

Best,

Pádraig McCarrick

Press and Communications Officer

Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament