CND Press Digest: Friday 12 April 2024

Nukes in Britain

• Keir Starmer is in Barrow-in-Furness today and he’s reaffirmed Labour’s “unshakeable, absolute, and total” commitment to nuclear weapons. He’s writtenan exclusive about this commitment in the Daily Mail. Steven Glover also asks will the rest of Labour follow him? The i newspaper also reports the news as an exclusive.
• CND’s press release is on the the Guardian, and comments ran in the the Standard, the National, and Shropshire Star.
• More coverage in The FT, Sky News, BBC, the Times, the Independent.
• An unnamed pro-nuclear weapons columnist writes in the Scotsman.

Global Nukes

• An extract from Annie Jacobson’s Nuclear War: a scenario is in Time magazine.
• More from Annie Jacobson in the New Scientist.

NATO / Europe

• James Heappey says UK should consider sending troops to Ukraine - but away from the frontline. In a wide-ranging interview, the outgoing MP also told Sky News that Britain needs to be better prepared for war at a time of growing threats, including by reinvigorating a large “strategic reserve” force of thousands of veterans.
• Politico: Ukraine’s parliament approves new mobilization law despite criticism from battle-worn troops.
• Indian Express: The planned summit for ‘lasting peace’ in Ukraine, why Russia’s participation is uncertain.

Middle East & North Africa

• Times of Israel on concerns Iran may increase uranium enrichment and dash towards a nuclear weapon.

AUKUS / Indo-Pacific

• Biden says US support for Philippines, Japan defense ‘ironclad’ amid growing China provocations.

UK Nuclear Energy

• Planning Resource: Government decision to withhold nuclear power plant information unlawful. A ruling by the Information Commissioner (IC) requiring the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero requesting the disclosure of information in respect of a proposed nuclear power plant on Anglesey was upheld by the General Regulatory Chamber (GRC) which concluded that the public interest supported its disclosure.
• The Bridgewater Mercury reports that: A nuclear power station…has joined a not-for-profit Somerset organisation as a principal partner. Passion for Somerset is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company that works with individuals, communities and businesses throughout the county. “We are delighted to be partnering and supporting both Passion for Somerset and Somerset Day. “Our partnership reflects our strong commitment to supporting our local community.”

Nuclear Energy

• Energy Monitor: Nuclear energy ‘now an obstacle to delivering net zero’ – Greenpeace.

CND

• Nuclear Information Service: The National Library of Scotland in Edinburgh has accepted the entire Ainslie Archive of nuclear weapons research papers and reports as a special collection in its archives and manuscripts division.

Best,

Pádraig McCarrick

Press and Communications Officer

Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament