CND Press Digest: Tuesday 22nd October 2024

Posted: 22nd October 2024

Press Digest – 22nd October 2024

Dear all,

 

Please find today’s press roundup below. Thank you all for your continued support.

 Nukes in Britain

  • National Interest: In February 2009, the British HMS Vanguard and French Le Triomphant, both nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, collided in the Atlantic Ocean during routine patrols. The incident raised serious concerns about naval safety protocols and the lack of communication between allied nations operating stealth vessels in close proximity.
  • The FerretSecrecy over radioactive pollution from nuclear bases. The Ministry of Defence has blocked the Scottish Government’s environmental watchdog from releasing information about radioactive pollution from the Clyde nuclear bomb bases for the last nine years.
  • Charity Today: Blind veteran recognised for service during nuclear weapon tests on Christmas Island.

Global Nukes

  • Interesting EngineeringChina pushes military comms tech to endure nuclear strikes. The intention behind the experiment was to ensure the durability of the equipment incase a nuclear strike takes place targeting China.

Nobel Prize

  • CounterPunchHow the Nobel peace prize just peacewashed the genocide in Gaza.
  • Salisbury & Avon GazetteSalisbury CND welcomes Nobel peace prize for nuclear bomb survivors, the Hibakusha.
  • ACNS: The Anglican church in Japan pays Nobel peace prize tribute to A- and H- bomb sufferers.

Iran

  • Iran InternationalIran has written to the UN nuclear watchdog to complain about Israel’s threats against its nuclear sites in a possible retaliatory strike, foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said on Monday. “Any acts of aggression towards nuclear sites are condemned under international law,” Baghaei said during his weekly news conference. He added that Tehran had officially communicated its position to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), saying, “we have sent a letter about it to… the UN nuclear watchdog.” Israel has vowed to attack Iran in retaliation for a volley of Iranian missiles launched on October 1, leading to widespread speculation that Iran’s nuclear sites could be among Israel’s targets.
  • Common DreamsLeaked US intel on Iran attack plans also confirms Israeli nuclear weapons. Another of the alleged documents, which multiple outlets have been told appear authentic, confirm U.S. spying on Israeli military forces and shows “a strike on Iran” is “almost certainly” coming.
  • Tehran TimesIran may reassess nuclear policies if sites are attacked, source says.

NATO / Europe

  • Kyiv IndependentZelensky says he told Trump that either Ukraine will join NATO or pursue nuclear weapons.
  • Kyiv Independent: Is NATO ready for war with Russia? Despite its size and potential, NATO stands ill-prepared for a protracted conflict with Russia, plagued by empty ammunition stores and political division.
  • Financial Times opinionOnly NATO can secure a ‘West German’ future for Ukraine. Accession to the EU needs to be complemented by the security alliance.
  • BloombergWhy Turkey, a NATO member, wants to join BRICS.
  • UnHerdBRICS summit is not a threat to NATO.
  • The Morning StarNATO and Turkey: a shameful relationship. Berkan Celebi, Matilda Clement-Jones, and Alistair Jacques of Britain’s YCL spoke to the former general secretary of the Communist Party of Turkey Aydemir Guler, as his party set off to protest against Nato membership and Incirlik air base.
  • NATO: Allied aircraft showcase nuclear deterrence.

UK Nuclear Energy

  • Gazette: There are fears plans for new salt marshes linked to the construction of nuclear power plant Hinkley C would lead to “wholesale destruction of the Severn Vale”. EDF bosses have been severely criticised for their environmental improvement plans in Gloucestershire which are linked to the new Hinkley C site in Somerset. Their original plan for Hinkley Point was to install an acoustic fish deterrent system to scare fish away from the site as the Bristol Channel is home to numerous species such as eels, herring, salmon and sprats. However, the French government-owned energy firm feel this will no longer be viable and have instead drawn up alternative plans to create salt marshes along the River Severn. In the area, they have identified sites in Arlingham and Littleton Upon Severn near Thornbury in South Gloucestershire. Other proposed sites include Rodley near Westbury-on-Severn in Gloucestershire and Kingston Seymour in Somerset.
  • New Civil EngineerChris Conboy is managing director, nuclear power, EMEA at AtkinsRéalis. With coal no longer in the mix and increasing reliance on renewables, the UK now faces an energy gap that can only be filled by a reliable, low-carbon source: nuclear power. Maintaining the momentum of the UK’s new nuclear programme is a crucial step for securing Britain’s energy future and driving economic prosperity across the country.

Nuclear Energy

  • World Nuclear News and BBC: Nuclear Transport Solutions’ Pacific Grebe  a purpose-built diesel-powered ship designed to safely carry nuclear cargos around the world  has been fitted with revolutionary new sail technology. The ship has left its home port of Barrow-in-Furness and will be running sea trials this month.

Nuclear Waste

  • CBC: The small farming community of Teeswater, Ont., faces a massive decision. Starting today, its 6,000 residents will vote in a referendum on whether or not they’re willing to host Canada’s largest underground storage facility of spent nuclear fuel. For Anja Vandervlies, who operates a 1,300-goat dairy farm nearby, it’s a monumental decision for her town in the municipality of South Bruce, and an easy choice for her. “If we vote yes, we’re stuck with this nuclear waste in the ground forever,” said Vandervlies, a member of the opposition group Protecting Our Waterways – No Nuclear Waste. “This is the only time that we, as residents, are going to get a say in this whole process.” A two-hour drive from London but less than 45 minutes from the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station on Lake Huron, Teeswater is one of two locations being considered to host Canada’s largest permanent underground storage facility for spent nuclear fuel. Also under consideration is Ignace, a community of about 1,200, located 245 kilometres northwest of Thunder Bay. Voters there have already said they’re willing hosts; now it’s Teeswater’s turn to have its say. Voting will be conducted online and by phone over seven days. To be binding, a yes vote of 50 per cent plus one is required. If Teeswater votes yes, the board of the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) will make a final decision between Teeswater and Ignace, likely before the end of this year.

AUKUS / Indo-Pacific

  • Center for Strategic and International StudiesNorth Korea: Scenarios for leveraging nuclear weapons through 2030.
  • Observer Research FoundationStrategic stability in Southern Asia and the role of non-strategic nuclear weapons. The global consensus is shifting towards the perspective that, in extremely adverse situations, the use of NSNWs is justified. Should India reevaluate its NFU policy?
  • PoliticoSouth Korea to brief NATO on North Korean troops in Russia. Pyongyang is sending up to 10,000 troops to Moscow, according to information from Seoul and Kyiv.

Best,

 

Pádraig McCarrick

 

Press and Communications Officer

Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament

Find out more – call Caroline on 01722 321865 or email us.