CND Press Digest: Wednesday 8th May 2024

• The Mirror: Terrifying map reveals which parts of Britain would be destroyed by Russian nuclear attack.
• The Times: How Sunak’s defence spending pledge could reshape arms industry. Executives say the prime minister is right to put Britain on a war footing — but a lot of questions and ‘guesswork’ remain over where the money will go.
• Not to the be outdone by Donald Trump’s recent suggestion that NATO members should increase military spending to 3 percent of GDP, one former British Army head says Britain should be spending 5 percent, or £174 billion a year! https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/05/06/defence-spending-5pc-deter-russia-lord-dannatt/?link_id=...

Global Nukes

• New Scientist: Fusion reactors could create ingredients for a nuclear weapon in weeks. Concern over the risks of enabling nuclear weapons development is usually focused on nuclear fission reactors, but the potential harm from more advanced fusion reactors has been underappreciated.

UK Nuclear Energy

• The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has announced that a nuclear site licence has been granted to Sizewell C Ltd to build and operate a nuclear plant at the Suffolk coastal site. More coverage from the Guardian.
• The British government has announced a £196 million plan to build a high-assay low enriched uranium (HALEU) nuclear fuel facility in Cheshire, the first outside Russia. Read government press release and coverage from Business Green and Planet Radio.
• Meanwhile, a new nuclear plant has been ruled out for Trawsfynydd.

NATO / Europe

• Belarus announces start of nuclear weapons inspection. “A division of the Iskander operational-tactical missile system and a squadron of Su-25 aircraft are being engaged to perform the tasks,” Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin said.
• The Independent: Belarus launches nuclear drills a day after Russia announces them, with Ukraine in mind.
• Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation: Russia warns of nuclear weapon drills to ‘cool down’ West. Is it bluffing?
• Associated Press: What are tactical nuclear weapons and why did Russia order drills?

Middle East & North Africa

• The Guardian: US paused weapons shipment to Israel amid concern over Rafah, senior US official says.
• Reuters: Iran and the UN nuclear watchdog will continue talks aimed at ending an impasse on many issues between them and should strike a deal on a package of measures “soon”, the watchdog’s chief Rafael Grossi said on Tuesday as he returned from an Iran trip.
• Associated Press: Iran and the UN nuclear agency are still discussing how to implement a 2023 deal on inspections.

AUKUS / Indo-Pacific

• The Spectator believes that the AUKUS pact is becoming “a potent alliance.”
• The Diplomat on the other hand thinks: AUKUS faces mounting challenges.

Best,

Pádraig McCarrick

Press and Communications Officer

Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament