North Korea
A second round of six-party talks over North Korea’s nuclear programs ended in Beijing on July 20 without any agreement on the next steps to be taken in implementing the broad deal reached in February. While the Bush administration is pushing Pyongyang to rapidly disable all of its nuclear facilities, North Korea is demanding economic assistance and, above all, the normalisation of relations with Washington, including a security guarantee.
World Socialist Web 31st July 2007 more >>
North Korea is giving its complete cooperation to nuclear inspectors monitoring a shutdown of its key atomic complex, the U.N. team said on Tuesday.
Reuters 31st July 2007 more >>
Iran
Iran allowed United Nations inspectors into an atomic reactor site yesterday in an attempt to fend off international sanctions over its nuclear programme. The unexpected move came after months of worsening relations between Iran and the international community over the Islamic republic’s commitment to pursing nuclear energy. It is the first time the International Atomic Energy Agency has been allowed to visit the construction site at Arak since April.
Telegraph 31st July 2007 more >>
Interactive Investor 30th July 2007 more >>
Belfast Telegraph 30th July 2007 more >>
US
A driver ran a checkpoint at a nuclear weapons plant early Monday and crashed into a barrier, then fled on foot, authorities said. Police were searching for the driver, but there was nothing to suggest terrorism played any role.
Guardian website 31st July 2007 more >>
Asia
The Ten members of ASEAN have all signed a regional non-proliferation treaty.
World Nuclear News 30th July 2007 more >>
Sellafield
Bosses of the doomed Sellafield nuclear plant are splashing out £1.6million changing its name… to Sellafield Ltd. The owner of the site, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, claims the rebranding is money well spent. But furious campaigners slammed the move as an astonishing waste.
Mirror 30th July 2007 more >>
Ananove 30th July 2007 more >>
India
On July 25th India’s cabinet approved a newly agreed version of a long-delayed nuclear co-operation deal with the US. Overturning more than 30 years of US nuclear policy, the agreement is widely expected to form the foundation for a new strategic alliance between the world’s two largest democracies. It will also boost economic ties between the two countries—estimates of the value of the trade deals that will follow are in the tens of billions of dollars.
Economist 30th July 2007 more >>
Channel 4 News 30th July 2007 more >>
Consultation
The Government’s discussion with the public about the country’s future energy needs has moved up a gear with an extensive programme of nationwide consultative events arriving in Bristol today.
GNN 30th July 2007 more >>
Utilities
British Gas today launches what it claims is the UK’s “greenest” available energy tariff that will see it producing almost 20% of its electricity from renewable sources. The company, which has been criticised for offering the least green electricity tariffs, plans to attract customers prepared to spend an extra 10% or £84 a year more for gas and electricity produced in a more environmentally friendly way. The Centrica-owned firm, which is obliged to produce 7.9% of electricity from renewable sources, says its new Zero Carbon tariff will see it produce a further 12% from non-polluting sources.
Guardian 31st July 2007 more >>
Renewables
The case for a Severn barrage, first proposed 150 years ago and currently under review by the government, could receive a boost from the recent flooding, it emerged yesterday. Ministers want experts to analyse whether the £15bn proposal to create a 10-mile concrete boom across the Severn could help to reduce the risk of floods as well as generating power equivalent to the output of two nuclear power stations. The Sustainable Development Commission is due to report this autumn on the environmental implications of the project, following complaints from green campaigners that it would do irreversible damage to wildlife in the estuary.
Guardian 31st July 2007 more >>
