New nukes
The first stage of the Generic Design Assessment has been completed. No shortfalls in any of the four designs were found. A series of reports on each design have been published.
Builder and Engineer 18th March 2008 more >>
The UK government has said that the four new designs being considered for future nuclear reactors in the UK have all passed initial safety tests. It said that all the designs had passed the first step of the Generic Design Assessment (GDA) and that the companies developing the reactors — EdF, together with Areva, General Electric-Hitachi, Westinghouse and AECL — must now respond to the government saying whether they are interested in taking part in further tests. The government is currently looking at the designs with a view to choosing which it will recommend is adopted for the new suite of reactors planned for the UK in the coming years.
AFX 18th March 2008 more >>
GNN 18th March 2008 more >>
Proliferation
Gordon Brown faces accusations of scaremongering today with claims that Britain faces a rising threat of nuclear attack. The Prime Minister will tell the Commons that an increasing number of rogue states are getting nuclear weapons. And he will warn there are more and more terrorist groups trying to get “dirty bombs”, which can spread radioactive material over vast areas.
Mirror 19th March 2008 more >>
Prime Minister Gordon Brown is detailing how the state plans to respond to national security threats ranging from al Qaida terrorism and nuclear war to climate change, floods and flu pandemics.
Yorkshire Evening Post 19th March 2008 more >>
Telegraph 19th March 2008 more >>
British Energy
Nuclear power station operator British Energy has confirmed it is in talks about a possible merger or takeover – and could fall into foreign hands.
Ananova 18th March 2008 more >>
North Korea
North Korea says it has agreed with the US to continue working to resolve a stalemate in international negotiations over its promise to fully declare its nuclear weapons programmes.
Channel 4 News 18th March 2008 more >>
ICWales 18th March 2008 more >>
India
India’s foreign minister was preparing to fly to Washington yesterday as the government tried to save a landmark deal on nuclear co-operation with America which symbolises a vital alliance between the two countries.
Telegraph 19th March 2008 more >>
