CND Press Digest: Friday 18th October 2024

Hibakusha

• Inkstick: Amid eroding taboo, the fight against nuclear weapons continues. For nearly seven decades, Nihon Hidankyo and other hibakusha have offered sober warnings of nuclear weapons’ unparalleled dangers.

Nukes in Britain

• CND Chair Tom Unterrainer interviewed about the return of US nuclear weapons to Britain.

Global Nukes

• Reuters: Russia tests readiness of nuclear missile unit.
• The Defense Post: Why a US-Pakistan counterterrorism task force is crucial for nuclear security.

Middle East

• The Guardian: Biden leads international push for Gaza ceasefire after killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
• Julian Borger: Israel kills its prime target – but Sinwar’s death seems down to chance, not precise planning. After a year-long hunt, IDF soldiers encountered and killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar without knowing it was him.
• Declassified UK: Israel’s war machine can be stopped. Here’s how. Profits have plummeted at an Israeli arms firm targeted by Palestine Action.

Iran

• The Spectator: The Iranian diplomat trying to stop Armageddon.
• Financial Times: Iran’s foreign minister visits Egypt as leaders try to contain regional war. Middle East officials step up diplomatic effort as Israel says it killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in strike on Gaza.

NATO / Europe

• Kyiv Independent: Zelensky walks back earlier comments on Ukraine’s possible plan to obtain nuclear weapons. Initial reporting on the comments from the Telegraph, Kyiv Independent, and Politico.

Nuclear Waste

• Nuclear Waste Services Annual Review: 2023 to 2024. Report details award winning safety record, Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) progress, and multi-million-pound savings.

AI

• South Gloucestershire Council: South Gloucestershire Council calls on the Government to enforce planning requirements on EDF at Hinkley Point C to prevent critical levels of wildlife destruction. More than 182 million fish could be killed or injured every year for 60 years by the new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point in Somerset, if the energy company EDF are allowed to change the terms of the 2013 planning consent granted for them to build the plant. As part of the original planning permission, EDF were required to install an Acoustic Fish Deterrent (AFD) to reduce fish entering pipes that will draw in millions of litres of water to help cool the nuclear plant at a rate equivalent to the volume of three Olympic sized swimming pools every minute for 60 years. The devices, which are already successfully used elsewhere in the UK and around the world, are designed to prevent fish being drawn into the pipework where they would be killed or injured. This includes migrating fish who travel up and down the estuary to spawn in freshwater rivers. EDF have already attempted to have the AFD requirement removed from their original planning consent in 2022, but this was dismissed by the then Secretary of State. The council understands that EDF will make another application to the Secretary of State to remove the requirement for an AFD in the new year, and so has written to the Secretary of State for Energy, Security & Net Zero, the Rt Hon Ed Milliband, requesting that he upholds the existing requirement to install an AFD.
• Northern Echo: A multi-million-pound Amazon deal has put US-based X-energy – proposing to build a North East nuclear power plant - at the heart of a global carbon-free energy revolution. X-energy has announced a partnership with the multinational tech company to meet growing energy demand across the world. Officials say the collaboration sets a new course for commercialising advanced nuclear energy and follows two major supply chain and workshop events on Teesside that were attended by more than 100 representatives from local and national companies. The gatherings, including industrial energy users, clean fuel companies and policy makers, first met at Hartlepool College of Further Education to hear about the opportunities offered by X-energy’s proposed new build project.

Nuclear Energy

• Oil Price: With the result of Kazakhstan’s controversial nuclear power referendumbeing a resounding “yes,” attention now turns to which country will build the facility. Kazakhstan’s government has spoken in favor of an international consortium of nuclear energy companies taking up the task while noting that a final decision will not be made until next year. But if Kazakhstan were to ignore Russia’s Rosatom completely, it would be bucking a global trend. Amid the war in Ukraine, and Moscow’s increased diplomatic isolation, nuclear energy projects in foreign countries have become an even more important part of Russia’s efforts to retain clout on the international stage.
• Forces Watch: A new space-race is militarising the heavens. We look at recent developments, UK alliances, the defence companies involved, and the woeful lack of parliamentary scrutiny.
• UK Defence Journal: NATO stresses importance of space in warfare. As NATO continues to adapt to evolving security challenges, the alliance is placing increasing emphasis on the domains of space and cyber warfare.
• UK government: UK to support NATO space launch capabilities and artillery supplies. Defence Secretary agrees to range of initiatives from boosting ease of access to space and virtual training to developing cutting-edge drones.

Nuclear Korea

• The Independent: The alarming numbers behind North Korea’s growing nuclear arsenal. Hermit kingdom has likely met its goals for weapons-grade nuclear material, according to a new assessment.
• Voice of America: New debate ignited over Seoul’s right to nuclear reprocessing.

AUKUS / Indo-Pacific

• ABC: Congressional report suggests Australia could dump plans to acquire AUKUS nuclear submarines. An influential US research body has published a report arguing Australia could invest in long-range bombers and other capabilities instead of nuclear-powered submarines. The report says there is “little indication” that “rigorous” analysis was conducted on whether there were more cost-effective options.
• The Guardian: US congress research warns of risk of cost blowouts for Australiain Aukus submarine program. Report also cast doubt on whether any rigorous cost-benefit analysis was done before the 2021 announcement.
• CND Chair Tom Unterrainer appeared on the Islam Channel to discuss China and Taiwan.

Best,

 

Pádraig McCarrick

 

Press and Communications Officer

Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament