Nuclear Proliferation
Four former foreign and defence secretaries have appealed to the world’s nuclear states to reduce their stockpiles of weapons in the hope of dissuading other countries from pursuing nuclear ambitions. Sir Malcolm Rifkind, Lord Owen, Lord Hurd of Westwell and Lord Robertson of Port Ellen say that as more nuclear material gets into circulation, the greater the risk that it will fall into the wrong hands. “Some of the new terrorist organisations of today would have little hesitation in using weapons of mass destruction to further their own nihilistic agendas,” they write.
Times 30th June 2008 more >>
During the Cold War nuclear weapons had the perverse effect of making the world a relatively stable place. That is no longer the case. Instead, the world is at the brink of a new and dangerous phase – one that combines widespread proliferation with extremism and geopolitical tension.
Times 30th June 2008 more >>
Michael Meacher: The authoritative International Energy Agency foresees an oil supply crunch within 5 years forcing up prices to unprecedented levels and greatly increasing western dependence on Opec. And the oil industry itself in its own report Facing the Hard Truths about Energy, produced by 175 authorities including all the heads of the world’s big oil companies, for the first time predicted that oil and gas may run short by 2015. The geopolitical implications of this gathering crisis for world oil supply 2010-15 are immense. The risk of further military interventions and conflicts in the Middle East is clearly high. Efforts by the US and China to use imports to meet growing demand “may escalate competition for oil to something as hot and dangerous as the nuclear arms race between the US and the Soviet Union.
Guardian 29th June 2008 more >>
Uranium
Mr Kloppers believes that nuclear power is on the rise, and that BHP can supply the new generation of reactors with fuel from its huge Olympic Dam mine in southern Australia. “The world has forgotten how to build nuclear reactors as it hasn’t built any in the last 20 years.” Mr Kloppers says that China will be at the forefront of the nuclear revival, bringing down the cost of reactor construction in the same way it did with the cost of building steel mills.
FT 30th June 2008 more >>
Iran
The commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned at the weekend that Iranian retaliation for a strike on its nuclear facilities could include blocking oil routes and striking Israel with long-range missiles. “Any confrontation between Iran and non-regional countries would surely be extended to oil which would definitely lead to a huge increase in prices,” Mohammad-Ali Jafari told the state-owned Jam-e Jam newspaper.
FT 30th June 2008 more >>
The White House has been reported to have secretly stepped up covert operations inside Iran with the aim of destablising its leadership. President George W Bush requested and received funding of $400 million (£200 million) for the plan after he made a secret appeal to Congressional leaders last year.
Telegraph 30th June 2008 more >>
Iran is still reviewing an international package of economic incentives designed to get Tehran to curb its nuclear programme, the country’s official news agency, IRNA, reported.
Express 29th June 2008 more >>
Spain
Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez said Saturday he will not extend the life of Spain’s ageing nuclear plants as he repeated his government’s commitment to phasing out nuclear power.
Interactive Investor 29th June 2008 more >>
Renewables
Britons are prepared to back a massive expansion of renewable energy announced by the Prime Minister last week, a startling poll shows. Nearly 60 per cent of respondents told Ipsos Mori that the UK “should invest now in renewable energy even if it increases the price of energy bills”, 19 per cent believing this “strongly”.
Independent on Sunday 29th June 2008 more >>
Every household in the country will face a £213 rise in their annual energy bills if the UK is to meet European Union emissions targets, according to an Ernst & Young report, which also warns that half of all Britons are not prepared to pay.
Independent 30th June 2008 more >>
