CND Press Digest: Wednesday 20th March 2024

NATO / Europe

• The Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant has regained access to its only remaining back-up power line, following an outage of more than three weeks, highlighting the persistent nuclear safety and security risks facing the site as emphasised by director general Rafael Mariano Grossi of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in his 15 March in Update 216 concerning the situation in Ukraine.
• Kosovo PM: Britain should send more troops to protect us from Serbian invasion. Albin Kurti says ‘symbolic’ NATO presence in the nation is not enough as he claims military bases in Serbia are positioned to attack.
• Ukraine eyes ‘strong and far-reaching step’ towards NATO membership at July summit.
• Kremlin, on NATO chief’s South Caucasus visit, says bloc’s expansion will not help stability.

Middle East & North Africa

• Navigating Israel’s nuclear ‘Samson Option’.

AUKUS / Indo-Pacific

• AUKUS submarine base protests in Australia highlight challenges for security pact.
• Britain and US race to expand Pacific defense pact before election turmoil.
• Defence giant BAE Systems to seal bumper deal for Brits to start building Australia’s first nuclear submarines.

Global Nukes

• Kyiv Post Opinion: Russia’s first strike weapon.
• Nuclear weapons in space are bad news for the entire planet.
• Playing with proliferation: how South Korea and Saudi Arabia leverage the prospect of going nuclear.
• US calls for arms control discussions with Russia and China.

Nukes in Britain

• New images show ‘obvious deterioration’ of nuclear sub at Faslane.
• Royal Navy nuclear submarine returns home after 201 days under the sea, the second longest mission ever.
• BBC: Nuclear test veterans demand compensation and medical records access.
• Morning Star: Atomic bomb test veterans offer to settle legal claim with MoD in special tribunal.

UK Nuclear Energy

• Text of oral question and discussion about advanced modular reactors in the House of Lords yesterday 

Nuclear Energy

• Cartoon: Nuclear power? Why are you people still talking about this?
• Drone images taken deep inside melted Fukushima nuclear reactor show damage. Images taken by miniature drones from deep inside a badly damaged reactor at the Fukushima nuclear plant show displaced control equipment and misshapen materials but leave many questions unanswered, underscoring the daunting task of decommissioning the plant.
• The Guardian: When New York’s deteriorating and unloved Indian Point nuclear plant finally shuttered in 2021, its demise was met with delight from environmentalists who had long demanded it be scrapped. But there has been a sting in the tail – since the closure, New York’s greenhouse gas emissions have gone up.
• Bill Gates’ TerraPower plans to build first US next-generation nuclear plant. Company applies to start constructing sodium-cooled reactor near coal plant in Wyoming in June.
• Western countries ‘too optimistic’ on nuclear projects, warns engineering chief. Chief executive of AtkinsRéalis says more planning needed ahead of first global nuclear energy summit.

Best,

Pádraig McCarrick

Press and Communications Officer

Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament