Scotland
Article by Aileen McHarg, Senior Lecturer in Public Law, University of Glasgow: The UK government’s submission to the Calman Commission (Brown is accused of Holyrood power grab’, November 11) suggests the Scottish Government’s declared intention to refuse consent to new nuclear power stations is an illegitimate use of a devolved (planning) power to undermine policy on a reserved matter (nuclear energy). Consent to the construction of generating stations is governed by section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989, a power that has been executively devolved. This means the power in question must be used within the legal framework determined by the UK parliament. The difficulty with the UK government’s argument is that its policy on nuclear new-build is just that: policy, not law.
Herald 13th Nov 2008 more >>
Energy Supplies
Britain faces blackouts within ten years as power stations go out of service. Energy experts claim government dithering has failed to guarantee the construction of new plants. Nine oil and coal-fired power plants are to close by 2015 because of an EU directive that aims to limit pollution. At the same time, four ageing nuclear power plants will also be shut. Dr Jon Gibbins, of Imperial College, issued a damning assessment of Labour’s failure to come up with a robust energy policy during more than 10 years in office.
Daily Mail 13th Nov 2008 more >>
France
EDF SAYS FLAMANVILLE NEW NUCLEAR STATION WILL START IN 2012, DESPITE AREVA comment it will be delayed to 2013.
Interactive Investor 12th Nov 2008 more >>
Korea
North Korea may be hoping to squeeze concessions from the international community by refusing to let inspectors remove samples from a plutonium-producing nuclear plant, the South’s foreign minister said on Thursday. South Korea’s top nuclear envoy was quoted as saying the move was effectively a rejection of a promise North Korea made last month to allow for checks of its nuclear claims.
Reuters 13th Nov 2008 more >>
BBC 12th Nov 2008 more >>
North Korea will close border crossings with the South from next month, it said yesterday. It blamed the “confrontational” approach of its neighbour, which it said had taken conflict “beyond the danger level”. Relations have deteriorated since President Lee Myung-bak took office in February, pledging to get tough with Pyongyang over its nuclear weapons programme, but offering economic aid if it changed its stance.
Guardian 13th Nov 2008 more >>
Syria
Syria has reacted angrily to the leaked findings of a UN weapons inspection team which disclosed that traces of uranium were found at a suspected clandestine nuclear complex.
Independent 13th Nov 2008 more >>
Improved relations with the West, an end to US sanctions and the return of the Golan Heights are among the prizes being held out to Syria by David Miliband, the Foreign Secretary, as he seeks to bring the one-time pariah state in from the cold.
Times 13th Nov 2008 more >>
Iran
Obama’s tone may be different, but in some areas there are few options for change. Iran? Yesterday’s test of a missile capable of hitting Tel Aviv is a reminder that it has not given an inch in its pursuit of uranium enrichment, something that will put it within reach of a nuclear weapon (although it denies that aim).
Times 13th Nov 2008 more >>
Climate
Restricting the rise in global temperatures to only 2 C will require the use of new technologies that are not yet widely available and a price for carbon dioxide emissions well above today’s levels, the International Energy Agency warned yesterday. The developed countries’ watchdog said in its annual World Energy Outlook that continued growth in energy use with “business as usual” policies would have “shocking” consequences for the climate – raising average temperatures by up to 6 C.
FT 13th Nov 2008 more >>
Barack Obama, who has spent much of the time since his election closeted with his advisers in Chicago, sent a strong signal yesterday that he plans a decisive break with George Bush on environmental policy once he moves into the White House.
Guardian 13th Nov 2008 more >>
Nuclear Weapons
India today test-fired a medium-range, nuclear-capable missile from a land-based launcher in eastern India, a defence ministry official said. It was fired from a test range in Chandipur in eastern Orissa state on the same day as Iran test-fired its ground-to-ground missiles.
Daily Mail 12th Nov 2008 more >>
As he embarks on the uphill struggle to translate dreams into realities, one strategic goal President-elect Barack Obama should embrace on his inauguration day is that of a world freed from the threat of nuclear weapons. The International Energy Agency has called for 1,400 new nuclear power reactors by 2050. The devil lies in this detail: if you have the facilities to enrich uranium to the level needed for civil nuclear power generation, it’s but a small step to producing weapons-grade uranium. One small step for the nuclear scientist, one giant leap for the terrorist and the tyrant. So one reason the dream must be revived is that the nightmare, which seemed to recede after the end of the cold war, is getting closer again. Today it may be many small nightmares rather than one nightmare to end all nightmares, but small is hardly the appropriate word.
Guardian 13th Nov 2008 more >>
Submarines
A investigation is underway after 280 litres spilled from HMS Trafalgar as the nuclear sub underwent routine work at Devonport docks.
ITV 12th Nov 2008 more >>
Yachtsmen going out to their boats in Devon’s River Tamar run the risk of rowing through radioactive water following the leak of 61 gallons of toxic coolant from a Royal Navy nuclear submarine.
Yachting Monthly 12th Nov 2008 more >>
Community Action
President-elect Obama’s political roots are not merely in Chicago but in its Midwest Academy for progressive activists. The academy offers clues to how an Obama administration may work – and for how we can best engage with it. The Midwest Academy’s mission is to champion the poor, originally against the power elite of the city that spawned Al Capone. It grew from the pioneering work of Saul Alinsky, whose Industrial Areas Foundation trained many progressive leaders in US politics.
Guardian 6th Nov 2008 more >>
