Russia
Russia has created a vast state-run company that brings together organisations and agencies involved in the country’s civil and military nuclear sector, with the aim of overseeing billions of pounds of investment in new power stations and pitching for contracts abroad.
Telegraph 4th Dec 2007 more >>
The Business 4th Dec 2007 more >>
According to a report in the Norwegian newspaper, Aftenposten, Rosenergoatom, Russian state nuclear power company plans to upgrade a nuclear power plant on the Kola peninsula to provide power and has already begun construction of a floating nuclear power generation plant – the world’s first – which is expected to be completed in 2008.
Aberdeen Press and Journal 3rd Dec 2007 more >>
Politics
Nuclear power is no longer to be viewed as “a last resort” by the Conservatives, according to an energy policy statement to be published later this week designed to give David Cameron greater credibility on how he would achieve the 80% carbon emissions reductions the party supports.
Guardian 4th Dec 2007 more >>
Iran
US intelligence has downgraded its assessment of the risks posed by Iran’s nuclear ambitions with a surprise declaration yesterday that Tehran halted its military nuclear weapons programme in 2003 and may not have restarted it. The conclusion undermines arguments for prompt US military action against Iran to stop its nuclear programme and provides support for intensifying international diplomatic and economic pressures on Tehran.
FT 4th Dec 2007 more >>
Sky News 4th Dec 2007 more >>
Independent 4th Dec 2007 more >>
Guardian website 3rd Dec 2007 more >>
Times 4th Dec 2007 more >>
Reuters 4th Dec 2007 more >>
Channel 4 News 3rd Dec 2007 more >>
Last month’s International Atomic Energy Agency report that Iran continues to violate its nuclear commitments has renewed US hopes further to tighten international diplomatic and economic sanctions against Tehran. The IAEA report was hardly the full-throated condemnation of Iran that some in Washington had hoped for, but Mohamed ElBaradei, the chairman, made clear that Iran has not provided credible assurances about its nuclear activities and that it has failed to meet the United Nations Security Council’s demand that it suspend its uranium enrichment programme. Along with China’s announcement this weekend that it would support new sanctions against Iran, the report has boosted expectations in Washington that the UN will now act.
FT 4th Dec 2007 more >>
Mahmoud Ahmadi-Nejad, Iran’s president, yesterday told Gulf Arab leaders he sought greater economic and security ties with the region. Absent from his remarks, however, was the one issue that alarms the region most: nuclear ambitions.
FT 4th Dec 2007 more >>
Body Parts Scandal
The organs of miscarried and stillborn babies may have been harvested for testing by nuclear scientists, it emerged yesterday. Victims of road accidents could also have been part of the grisly programme set up to establish whether workers at Sellafield had suffered radiation poisoning.
Evening Standard 4th Dec 2007 more >>
Daily Mail website 3rd Dec 2007 more >>
China
China has underpinned its commitment to the rapid expansion of nuclear energy by signing a record Euros 8 billion contract with Areva for the construction of two new generation nuclear reactors.
Modern Power Systems 3rd Dec 2007 more >>
Korea
The United States’ chief negotiator with North Korea, Christopher Hill, is to visit the country’s nuclear complex at Yongbyon.
BBC 3rd Dec 2007 more >>
