Trident
The Royal Navy is to investigate claims that security and safety procedures around the Trident nuclear submarines are inadequate. The investigation was launched after the claims were made by a submariner who has gone on the run. Able Seaman William McNeilly alleged the Trident programme was a “disaster waiting to happen.” The Royal Navy said that the submarine fleet operated “under the most stringent safety regime.”
BBC 17th May 2015 read more »
Scotsman 18th May 2015 read more »
The National 18th May 2015 read more »
Daily Mail 17th May 2015 read more »
Independent 17th May 2015 read more »
Plymouth Herald 17th May 2015 read more »
Belfast Newsletter 17th May 2015 read more »
TRIDENT submarines are plagued by serious security lapses, beset by multiple safety blunders and are “a disaster waiting to happen”, according to a nuclear weapons engineer turned whistleblower who is now being hunted by the police.
Sunday Herald 17th May 2015 read more »
RobEdwards 17th May 2015 read more »
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is said to have taken the “strategic decision” to acquire “off-the-shelf” nuclear weapons from ally Pakistan, senior US officials told the Sunday Times. Sunni Arab states are increasingly concerned of the repercussions of a deal currently being negotiated between world powers and Shi’ite rival Iran, which they fear may still be able to develop a nuclear bomb.
IB Times 17th May 2015 read more »
China
Jonathan Leake, writing in the Sunday Times described reports of reductions in carbon emissions from China as ‘unlikely’ ‘in such a fast growing economy’. He highlighted a US initiative to launch a satellite to monitor carbon emissions. ‘We’re goin’ to smoke you (Chinese) out!’ is one interpretation. So is the Chinese Government really fiddling the books about carbon emissions? Of course we’re all thoroughly (self) trained to repeat the mantra about the Chinese are building a coal fired power station every day-or-two so what possible difference can my solar panel make etc…..(although no doubt that unmentionable supermarket chain’s motif about ‘every little helps’ comes into mind). So talk of 5 per cent (or any) cuts in Chinese carbon emissions are instantly filed in the rubbish tray by many westerners. ‘They are obviously cooking the books, what can you expect of a communist government’ is, I am sure the general trend among the richer sections of chattering Sunday Times classes who are reeling from relief from the worry of a potential Miliband Government taxing their mansions, Except that I have a sneaking feeling that reports of cuts in carbon emissions are not to be discounted. Indeed I will be rather surprised if the Chinese are making it up. Sorry Jonathan.
Dave Toke’s Blog 17th May 2015 read more »
China has reportedly started making its nuclear missiles more powerful, in what has been interpreted as a show of force amid the ongoing dispute with the US and other nations in the South China Sea. According to the Federation of American Scientists (FAS), China has maintained a stockpile of “several hundred warheads” for around three decades, not seeing the need to keep any of them mission-ready or to get into an expensive arms race with the US and Russia.
Independent 17th May 2015 read more »
North Korea
The United States and China are discussing further sanctions on North Korea as it has “not even come close” to taking steps to rein in its nuclear weapons programme, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Monday.
Reuters 18th May 2015 read more »
Guardian 18th May 2015 read more »
Renewables
A project testing a combination of solar PV, combined heat and power systems and battery storage at a commercial facility in Germany could be adapted and scaled up elsewhere, according to General Electric, one of the project’s partners. The project – launched last week – is a collaboration between GE Power Conversion (owner of the factory), solar provider Belectric (supplier of the 600kW rooftop PV array), and Jenbacher – supplier of the plant’s 400kW combined heat and power (CHP) system.
Renew Economy 18th May 2015 read more »
Climate – Scotland
Public sector bodies in Scotland should be compelled to report climate emissions targets and progress, a Holyrood committee has recommended. But the committee said imposing financial financial penalties on those who did not meet targets would be counter productive. Scotland is committed to reducing emissions by at least 80% by 2050. But a recent report confirmed the country again missed its target for emissions in 2012. It was the third time an annual target had not been met.
BBC 17th May 2015 read more »
STV 17th May 2015 read more »
Fossil Fuels
Royal Dutch Shell has been accused of pursuing a strategy that would lead to potentially catastrophic climate change after an internal document acknowledged a global temperature rise of 4C, twice the level considered safe for the planet.
Guardian 17th May 2015 read more »
