Iran
Iran would be “very unwise” to step up its uranium enrichment capacity but the United States still hopes diplomacy can resolve the dispute over Tehran’s nuclear program, a senior U.S. official said on Tuesday.
Reuters 6th Feb 2007
The Emir of Kuwait has implored Iran’s leadership to “come to its senses” and avoid plunging the region into a new conflict over its controversial nuclear programme.
Times 7th Feb 2007
All Ms Merkel’s efforts to make Europe an equal partner with the US could be destroyed in a moment by a US military attack on Iran.
Guardian 7th Feb 2007
With the US in danger of failing in Iraq and Israel thwarted in Lebanon, Iran sensed a historic opportunity last summer to spread its influence, make itself safer, roll back the US and promote Islamic solutions in the region. A blend of bilateral dialogue, multilateral diplomacy, UN measures, and military deployments, pursued vigorously this year, is now needed to blunt Iranian militancy and move the nuclear issue in the right direction without provoking a further war.
Telegraph 7th Feb 2007
Dounreay
NUCLEAR plant operators yesterday admitted illegally dumping radioactive waste and releasing nuclear fuel particles into the sea more than 40 years ago. The UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) pleaded guilty to four charges under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960.
Scotsman 7th Feb 2007
Herald 7th Feb 2007
Rob Edwards 6th Feb 2007
24Dash 6th Feb 2007
Trident
Ian Davis, Executive Director of BASIC says: One way forward is for Britain to forego Trident replacement (and other cold war military platforms) in order to undertake a “national needs” programme of major investment in off-shore renewable energy, both for security of supply and to help tackle the growing international threat for climate change.
Guardian 5th Feb 2007
Some MPs and assorted experts believe the government’s new “insurance policy” against nuclear blackmail may put the UK in breach of the 1968 non-proliferation treaty. The NPT worked pretty well for 30 years, but is now under pressure from North Korea and Iran.
Guardian 7th Feb 2007
Britain could unleash its nuclear arsenal against a “rogue state” which sponsored a nuclear terror attack on vital UK interests, Defence Secretary Des Browne has indicated.
Metro 6th Feb 2007
FORMER Leith MP Ron Brown and Scottish Socialist Party leader Colin Fox will join forces to blast Labour’s policy on nuclear weapons and nuclear power. The two will share a platform at a public meeting in the Communications Workers Union premises at 15 Brunswick Street, Leith, on Thursday at 7.30pm.
Edinburgh Evening News 6th Feb 2007
North Korea
A breakthrough deal at six-party nuclear talks in Beijing this week may hinge on the fate of a sum of money equal to half a percent of North Korea’s total foreign trade that has been blocked in a city far from the action.
Reuters 7th Feb 2007
The United States urged North Korea to suspend nuclear processing as envoys to six-party talks aimed at curbing North Korea’s atomic ambitions began converging on Beijing on Wednesday.
Reuters 7th Feb 2007
BNG
British Nuclear Group’s project services arm is expected to be sold by the summer as part of a piecemeal disposal of government-backed nuclear industry assets. British Nuclear Fuels Limited, BNG’s state-owned parent, yesterday launched the sale of project services, which employs 730 people, 80 per cent of BNG’s workforce.
FT 7th Feb 2007
Nuclear Waste
Scientists have backed the government’s plan to store the UK’s nuclear waste deep underground. The report, from experts working across science and technology, concluded there were “no insurmountable scientific or technological barriers” to the scheme. It urged the government to maintain momentum in implementing the policy, but recommended key areas where more research was needed to move forward.
BBC 7th Feb 2007
Burying nuclear waste deep underground is UK’s best way of dealing with the materials, and up to two-thirds of the country’s landmass could be suitable for burial sites, says a multi-disciplinary group of scientists.
New Scientist 7th Feb 2007
Sweden
Four out of 10 of Sweden’s nuclear facilities have been offline because of structural or operational problems.
Energy Business REview 6th Feb 2007
Terror
A French Muslim convert suspected of plotting to attack an Australian nuclear power station is set to go on trial on terrorism charges in a Paris court this week.
Stuff.co.nz 7th Feb 2007
Radiation
A NEW £20m research centre aiming to be a world leader on the effects of radiation is to be set up in Cumbria, with half the investment coming from the University of Manchester.
Manchester Evening News 6th Feb 2007
EDF and Areva
French rivalries and infighting are undermining France’s unique expertise in nuclear energy. EDF, the state controlled electricity behemoth, and Areva, the state-owned nuclear group, should be an unbeatable combination to offer a complete nuclear package to export customers.
FT 7th Feb 2007
