Nuclear Matters

Ukraine is reportedly “preparing for a nuclear explosion” at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, heightening tensions in the wake of Russia’s first overnight drone attack on Kyiv in weeks

Worries over a potential blast have prompted training to prepare residents for what might occur, according to Kira Rudik, a member of the Ukrainian Parliament.

“I still cannot process that in the 21st century, this is what is happening We are preparing for a nuclear explosion and the whole world is watching and there is nothing that can be done,” Rudik told Sky News. It is “unprecedented” that Russia has not allowed UN officials into the power plant to carry out checks, according to Rudik, who noted Ukrainian officials called several times to make the plant a neutral zone, but “Russia never agreed to that ” Russian troops were ordered to leave the power plant which has been under Russian control since March 2022 by July 5, according to the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine.

The latest data indicates that the occupying forces are gradually leaving the plant Three employees of Rosatom, who led the Russians’ actions, were among the first to leave the facility Rosatom is a Russian state corporation specializing in nuclear energy.

“His next of kin have been informed and have been offered support. Our thoughts are with them at this difficult time

“At the moment the death is being treated as unexplained and an investigation is currently ongoing alongside the ONR to understand the circumstances, in line with the national work related deaths protocol.”

The ONR added: “As this is a live investigation, we will not be commenting further so as not to prejudice those inquiries.

“The incident did not involve any nuclear materials and there are no radiological consequences to the public.”

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Labour peer Lord Watson of Wyre Forest has written to the Prime Minister asking him to correct Ministry of Defence claims in Parliament that it does not hold the blood data, according to the Daily Mirror

"Given the series of misleading statements, broken promises, and unwarranted delays, the onus rests upon the PM to rectify this matter," Lord Watson said

"Boris Johnson demonstrated his unwavering dedication to honouring the service of these important veterans and there is an expectation that Rishi Sunak will continue where he left off."

Lord Watson added: "It is an affront to expect elderly veterans to navigate the labyrinthine corridors of the MoD, merely to ascertain partial truths "

A man has died in an incident at AWE Aldermaston, the government's nuclear bomb factory in Oxfordshire

The Office for Nuclear Regulation has confirmed a worker – a 57-year-old man – died in a “serious construction incident” at the site in early July It said the incident did not involve any nuclear materials, but Thames Valley Police confirmed the death was being treated as 'unexplained.'

The ONR confirmed its staff are working alongside other relevant authorities, including Thames Valley Police, which is currently leading the investigations on site

A TVP spokesperson said: “Officers were called to AWE Aldermaston on the evening of July 6 following reports of an industrial incident

“A 57-year-old man was transported to hospital, where he sadly died.

The newspaper claims that veterans' service records appear to have had health data, including bood samples which may have showed radiation damage during their time at the weapons tests, removed from the files.

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The European Union has lifted restrictions on Japanese food imports imposed after the meltdown at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant

The move comes ahead of plans to start pumping wastewater from the facility back into the Pacific Ocean

China and other countries, however, have threatened to further restrict Japanese seafood imports if the water discharge goes ahead

The EU announcement came after talks at a summit in Brussels between the European Council president, Charles Michel, the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the Japanese prime minister, Fumio Kishida.