Iran
Bombing Iran would be a disaster. Even if bombs busted Iran’s nuclear bunkers, they would still miss their target. A military strike on the uranium-enrichment centrifuges would hasten an Iranian weapons programme, not delay it. A pre-emptive strike would turn a covert programme into an overt one, this time with the full backing of a wounded nation. Iran would leave the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT), spelling the end of visits by international nuclear inspectors. Iran has already violated the NPT by failing to declare experiments with nuclear materials, but its formal departure from the regulatory regime would leave it free to pursue its nuclear programme unfettered by inspection. And Iran would have 154,000 US targets in Iraq to fire back at.
Guardian 3rd Nov 2007 more >>
Representatives of the world’s major powers are meeting in London to discuss the possible tightening of sanctions on Iran if it does not halt its nuclear programme.
Guardian website 2nd Nov 2007 more >>
BBC 2nd Nov 2007 more >>
Iran may face further United Nations sanctions unless it agrees to suspend its nuclear enrichment activities, following a meeting of representatives from the world’s major powers in London today.
Daily Mail website 2nd Nov 2007 more >>
Belfast Telegraph 2nd Nov 2007 more >>
Israel is capable of dealing the Iranian nuclear program a crushing blow, either destroying it or significantly damaging the reactors-a high-ranking IDF officer told foreign journalists in a meeting in Toronto, Canada.
Labour.net 2nd Nov 2007 more >>
Terror
THE US’s largest nuclear power plant was in lock-down last night after security guards detained a contract worker with a small explosive device in the back of his pickup truck. The man was stopped at the entrance of the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, about a half mile from the containment domes for the plant’s nuclear material.
Scotsman 3rd Nov 2007 more >>
The Sun 3rd Nov 2007 more >>
Guardian website 3rd Nov 2007 more >>
Daily Mail website 2nd Nov 2007 more >>
BBC 2nd Nov 2007 more >>
Reuters 2nd Nov 2007 more >>
Korea
A team of experts will begin disabling North Korea’s nuclear facilities on Monday, marking the Communist country’s biggest step yet to scale back its atomic programme.
Channel 4 News 3rd Nov 2007 more >>
Reuters 3rd Nov 2007 more >>
BBC 3rd Nov 2007 more >>
Japan
At the request from the Government of Japan through the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA), an IAEA expert mission was conducted at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant (NPP) following the strong Niigataken Chuetsu-Oki earthquake that affected the plant on 16th July 2007. This article is based on the preliminary findings of that mission, which was lead by IAEA director Philippe Jamet and included experts from Bulgaria, Sweden, Japan and Turkey.
Engineer Live 2nd Nov 2007 more >>
Nuclear Waste
UK scientists have urged the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to amend its plans to ask the public to volunteer to host an underground nuclear waste store. They say Defra hasn’t allowed enough time to prepare detailed plans and briefing materials; and that potential volunteers will not be adequately informed about the strategy. In June this year, Defra published a consultation document explaining its idea to invite local communities to volunteer to host the nuclear waste repository. The proposals included compiling a radioactive waste inventory ‘as a basis for discussion with potential host communities’. The deadline for the inventory and plans to be completed and for the public discussion to open is February 2008. But a joint response, signed by four independent scientists and representatives from learned bodies including the RSC, the Geological Society and the Institute of Physics, says Defra’s proposals are not sufficient. The February deadline is too close, ‘especially if the material is to be fully subjected to independent scrutiny to ensure that it is unbiased and accurate’, and the government must provide full and explicit details of radioactive waste management before engaging communities in discussion, the scientists say.
Chemistry World 2nd Nov 2007 more >>
The government’s consultation on nuclear waste is under fire today from environmentalists. Greenpeace have said that the review, which draws to a close today, is “misleading” and creates a “confused impression” that there is a solution to dealing with radioactive waste. Managing Nuclear Waste Safely is, according to the government, designed to “consult on a framework for implementing geological disposal”
Greenpeace 2nd Nov 2007 more >>
Nuclear Flights
FEARS have been raised over possible “nuclear flights” above the region. A proposed £25million expansion of Carlisle Airport could signal radioactive freight being carried to and from the new hub. Cumbrian businessman, Andrew Tinkler, bought the tiny airport last year and has submitted plans to the city’s council to redevelop it into a major passenger and freight terminal for the north-west of England.
ICDumfries 2nd Nov 2007 more >>
Egypt
Egypt’s renewed interest in nuclear power first came to light a year ago during a party conference statement by Gamal Mubarak, the president’s younger son and possible successor. Little was heard on the subject in the intervening months, until President Mubarak himself announced at the end of October that the government has taken a firm decision to proceed with the construction of a series of nuclear power plants. He emphasised his personal commitment to the initiative by placing himself at the head of a newly formed Higher Council for the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy.
Economist 2nd Nov 2007 more >>
US
Westinghouse Electric Company has filed a combined construction and operating license application with the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission for two reactors at the Bellefonte nuclear power plant in northern Alabama, in response to an announcement by the Tennessee Valley Authority and NuStart Energy consortium.
Energy Business Review 1st Nov 2007 more >>
