North Korea
Six-nation talks on North Korea’s nuclear programme have resumed in Beijing, four months after the North tested a nuclear device. This Q&A looks at the issue.
BBC 8th Feb 2007
Food shortages in the secretive communist state may have an impact on progress.
BBC 7th Feb 2007
When diplomats sit down at the green hexagonal table in Beijing’s lavish Diaoyutai State Guesthouse today, they will do so amid a new sense of optimism over multi-lateral efforts to persuade North Korea to dismantle its nuclear programme.
FT 8th Feb 2007
Terror
Western governments must take seriously the possibility of terrorists exploding a nuclear bomb as the necessary materials and know-how become easier to acquire, security analysts argue in two new reports.
Reuters 7th Feb 2007
Dounreay
The operator of the Dounreay nuclear plant yesterday admitted illegally dumping radioactive waste and releasing nuclear fuel particles into the sea more than 40 years ago.
Aberdeen Press and Journal 7th Feb 2007
Energy Review
The government’s decision to back a new fleet of nuclear power stations in the UK was “legally flawed”, the High Court heard (7 February 2007). In the Royal Courts of Justice in London, Greenpeace has argued that the Government’s recent energy review was not the “fullest public consultation” it had committed itself to before making a decision to back new nuclear power stations. The commitment had been made in the earlier energy white paper in 2003.
Greenpeace Press Release 6th Feb 2007
Utilities
Speculation was focused on market talk that Electricité de France (EDF), the French power company, was preparing an offer for Spain’s Iberdrola. EDF subsequently denied any interest saying: “EDF is surprised by this new rumour.” The company said it had “no project” concerning Iberdrola. The stocks moved higher in spite of EDF’s denial, as investors remained convinced that the next round of consolidation in the sector was imminent.
FT 8th Feb 2007
FT 8th Feb 2007
British Energy
British Energy lost 12.5p to 440p as it revealed the timing of a restart at its Dungeness B22 reactor was uncertain and would remain so until a series of tests is completed.
Guardian 8th Feb 2007
Bob Davies, has become the new chairman of the Confederation of British Industry’s north-east regional council. He is also chairman of Biffa, the waste management company, and a director of British Energy Group, the nuclear generator.
FT 8th Feb 2007
Argentina
The rugged, red-hued hills in San Rafael, in the heart of Mendoza, are home to a long-mothballed uranium mine and a plant to concentrate the mineral ore into yellowcake. With world uranium prices that have doubled in the past year and Argentina planning a big expansion of nuclear power to stave off growing energy shortages, the government’s atomic energy agency would love nothing more than to restart operations.
FT 8th Feb 2007
Iran
The US last night voiced its growing frustration over the failure of European governments to toughen financial sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme. Differences over the sanctions between Washington and European governments threaten to open a new transatlantic division over how to deal with Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
FT 8th Feb 2007
