Scotland
LESS than a fifth of Scots are in favour of building new nuclear power stations north of the border, a new survey reveals. In a poll of 1,000 people commissioned by The Scotsman, more than a quarter said they were totally opposed to the building of nuclear power stations in Scotland, while only 18 per cent said they would like to see new power stations created. The results suggest the electorate are in agreement with the Scottish Government over nuclear power. First Minister Alex Salmond has said he will not allow the creation of any new nuclear power stations once the existing sites at Torness and Hunterston are decommissioned in 2023 and 2016 respectively.
Scotsman 27th Sept 2010 more >>
Nuclear Research
Professor Bob Ainsworth FRS, internationally recognised for his contribution to the development of structural integrity assessment procedures for nuclear plants, is to join The University of Manchester.
Manchester University 27th Sept 2010 more >>
GDF Suez
Chairman of GDF Suez Mr Mestrallet said his group was not turning its back on the French nuclear sector but was not prepared to accept a back seat position in the Penly project. GDF Suez originally sought a 49 per cent stake in the project but after heavy lobbying from EDF, the French electricity group, it was due to take only a 25 per cent stake and no role in managing the plant.
FT 27th Sept 2010 more >>
Iran
A complex computer worm has infected the personal computers of staff at Iran’s first nuclear power station, the official IRNA news agency reported. However, the operating system at the Bushehr plant – due to go online in a few weeks – has not been harmed, project manager Mahmoud Jafari said.
BBC 26th Sept 2010 more >>
FT 27th Sept 2010 more >>
Scotsman 27th Sept 2010 more >>
Telegraph 27th Sept 2010 more >>
Sources in the Gulf region report that Iran is preparing for a possible attack by Israel and/or the United States on one or more of its nuclear production units by stockpiling arms and munitions with its proxy militias in Kuwait and Bahrain. Earlier this month the tiny Kingdom of Bahrain announced the arrest of 23 men whom it accused of wanting to commit acts of terrorism and plotting to overthrow the government. Bahrain may well be the smallest of Arab countries yet it contributes greatly to the overall security of the Gulf region and the Middle East. Among other things Bahrain serves as the regional headquarters to the US Navy fleet operating in the Persian Gulf.
Oil Price 26th Sept 2010 more >>
Trident
Letters: Air Commodore Alistain Mackie: As it discusses Trident replacement, the National Security Council would do well to recognise and discard the delusions under which your leading article and report labour. One is the idea that the so-called third centre of decision-making would confront a nuclear-armed opponent with a strategic dilemma. Not so. It would simply ensure that the opponent’s opening gambit would be to obliterate the shortest side of the triangle ourselves. Similarly deluded is the notion that our deterrent is independent. It is no such thing. The warheads depend for maintenance on the US Trident base in Georgia.
Times 27th Sept 2010 more >>
Letter from Malcom Savidge: Global challenges should transcend party politics. The main parties have broadly shared aims over poverty and climate change. In relation to nuclear weapons, there could be the basis of consensus in the strong endorsement they have all given to President Obama’s initiatives to make real progress on multilateral disarmament and non-proliferation. In that context there should be cross-party support if, as your recent reports suggest is possible, the coalition Government decides to defer a final decision on Trident submarine replacement.
Times 27th Sept 2010 more >>
Nuclear Weapons
It may sound like a Spielberg movie plot, but if senior U.S. airmen are to be believed, this scenario is not science fiction. They claim that since 1948, aliens have been hovering over UK and U.S. nuclear missile sites and deactivating the weapons– once even landing in a British base.
Daily Mail 27th Sept 2010 more >>
Renewables
Plans to build a giant offshore wind farm covering nearly 5,000 square kilometres in the North Sea will move one step closer today. Its developers will announce that they have secured a connection to the National Grid, increasing the prospect of the £15 billion Hornsea wind project being built off the Yorkshire coast.
Times 27th Sept 2010 more >>
