North Korea
North Korea is ready to return to talks on ending its nuclear weapons programme but still had difficult issues to iron out with the United States, Pyongyang’s top envoy said on Tuesday.
Reuters 28th Nov 2006
Reuters 27th Nov 2006
New nukes
EDF Energy PLC, owned by France’s EDF SA, is considering plans to invest in nuclear energy projects in the UK, said chief executive Vincent de Rivaz.
Forbes 27th Nov 2006
Trident
More than 100 protesters have gathered at an atomic research base claiming any plans to update the UK’s nuclear defences are unlawful. Greenpeace campaigners gathered at Berkshire’s Aldermaston atomic weapons establishment (AWE), to voice anger at renewal of the Trident system.
BBC 27th Nov 2006
Greenpeace International Press Release 27th Nov 2006
Dr Hans Blix, the former UN weapons inspector, will launch a new attack on Tony Blair today, warning that the decision to press ahead with a full replacement for Trident will make it more difficult to stop Iran acquiring the bomb.
Independent 27th Nov 2006
Nuclear Waste
The amount of nuclear waste piling up around the UK has soared by 50pc in the past decade with Britain’s radioactive refuse heap already big enough to fill the Royal Albert Hall. Figures produced by the Government have confirmed that, with the majority of nuclear power stations yet to be decommissioned, the amount of radioactive waste has jumped to 105,190 cubic metres.
Telegraph 28th Nov 2006
Utilities
The board of Scottish Power is on the verge of recommending a £12bn bid from Spanish utility Iberdrola.
Telegraph 28th Nov 2006
Freedom of Information
Interview with Richard Thomas, Britain’s Information Commissioner.
Times website 28th Nov 2006
Russian Spy
Detectives investigating the poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko found traces of a radioactive poison at the offices of the billionaire and fellow exile Boris Berezovsky last night. Police sealed off the Mayfair office after finding evidence of polonium 210, a “significant quantity” of which was found in Mr Litvinenko’s urine. The discovery at 7 Down Street forms part of a radioactive trail left around London by Mr Litvinenko, 43, as police try to discover where the former KGB spy was poisoned.
Times 28th Nov 2006
Telegraph 28th Nov 2006
Solar Power
In the desert, just across the Mediterranean sea, is a vast source of energy that holds the promise of a carbon-free, nuclear-free electrical future for the whole of Europe, if not the world. According to two reports prepared for the German government, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa should be building vast solar farms in North Africa’s deserts using a simple technology that more resembles using a magnifying glass to burn a hole in a piece of paper than any space age technology.
Guardian 27th Nov 2006