nuclear-news

Another week in nuclear news

Some bits of good news. The Year in Cheer – 177 ways the world got better in 2023.

TOP STORIES.   The Last Flurry: The US Congress and Australian Parliamentarians seek Assange’s Release. 

UK’s nuclear obsessions kill off its net zero strategy .  Military interests are pushing new nuclear power – and the UK government has finally admitted it.  

LIES. United Against Nuclear Iran: The Shadowy, Intelligence-Linked Group Driving the US Towards War With Iran. 

Nuclear goes backwards, again, as wind and solar enjoy another year of record growth.

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Climate. State of the Climate: 2023 smashes records for surface temperature and ocean heat. A new wave of climate denialism is on the rise. The Greenland ice cap is losing an average of 30m tonnes of ice an hour due to the climate crisis. Shock Horror! – They’re letting some WOMEN into the Cop29 climate summit committee!

Nuclear.  Pro nuclear propaganda seems to be doubling, as nuclear’s obscene costs become more apparent, as well as “clean nuclear’s absolute connection with weaponry!

Noel’s Notes. UK govt has come clean about it! Nuclear power- no use, really – just essential for the nuclear weapons industry.  Biden in a bind – powerless to stop the genocide, but keen to fund it and promote it. The human cost when IT goes wrong. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdQQib3rmkE

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            ECONOMICS. The Times asks “Are big nuclear reactors really the right thing for the UK?  Nuclear power may twice as expensive as the Swedish government thought?  $25 billion for refurbishment of Darlingon and Bruce reactors. US Offers Up To $500MM for Advanced Nuclear Fuel Production for SMRs. Big costs sink flagship nuclear project 

EMPLOYMENT.  Federal Employees to Stage Walk Out Over Biden’s Support for Gaza Slaughter

ENERGY. An Unprecedented Momentum for Renewables.  IEA: Global renewable capacity grows over 50% YoY in 2023.  Analysis: World will add enough renewables in five years to power US and Canada.  Fuel problems for nuclear power, as the industry continues to languish in the doldrums.

INDIGENOUS ISSUES. Kebaowek Nation calls for cancellation of nuclear waste disposal site at Chalk River. Documentary ‘Downwind’ shows deadly consequences of nuclear testing on tribal lands. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkoVPZnLlUY&t=14s

LEGAL. South Africa has made its genocide case against Israel in court. Here’s what both sides said and what happens next.  Fukushima Nuclear Waste Water Disputes Continued: International Law in Japanese Court?

MEDIA. How the Gaza War Can Be Big News and Invisible at the Same Time. Cancelling the Journalist: The Australian ABC’s Coverage of the Israel-Gaza War.  The threat of catastrophe is assessed in Nuclear Armageddon: How Close Are We? — review  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j43-i6E2UJU&t=128s. 1 B Scary simulator shows what could happen in the event of a nuclear disaster.

OPPOSITION to NUCLEAR . Blocking the Doors of the Treaty Blockers & the Nuclear Ban Treaty’s 3d Anniversary.

PERSONAL STORIES. ‘The fight isn’t over’: Idaho downwinders persist after Congress cuts compensation for them.

POLITICS.  

• It’s All About Me: Netanyahu Rejects Palestinian Statehood. 
• Even Britain’s ruling Tory party fear that their “Nuclear Roadmap” plan will end up on the scrap heap. Roadmap to warfare: new policy exposes links with UK military nuclear projects. Construction to start on Sizewell C nuclear power station amid opposition.  Petition: 100 per cent renewables rather than Small Modular (nuclear) Reactors. Sizewell C opponents warn Suffolk nuclear plant ‘could be the new HS2‘. 
• Biden administration finalizes a $1.1 billion aid package for California’s last nuclear power plant.  Why Joe Biden Is a Foreign Policy Failure. 
• Belarus says it is to change policy on nuclear weapons.  
• For Estonia the risks of going nuclear are high, and the plant not strictly necessary.
• USA announces Australia’s participation in Yemen war, parliament in the dark.

POLITICS INTERNATIONAL and DIPLOMACY. São Tomé and Príncipe 70th State to ratify Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. US urges discussions with China on practical nuclear risk reduction steps.

SAFETY. Limping along: EDF Energy looking to extend operational life of aging reactors AGAIN.  Hinkley C site fire safety fears trigger enforcement notices.

SECRETS and LIES. Shining a light on the UK’s nuclear deterrent.

SPINBUSTER. Work officially ‘started’ at Sizewell C Nuclear on Monday – but it was really only political theatre. Why nuclear reactors are not the future of energy despite what UK Government would have you think.

TECHNOLOGY. Nuclear start-up Newcleo drops plans for British factory in favour of France. WASTES. Chalk River, or low-level nuclear governance. Finland’s Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) wants to delay completion of its review on waste dump.

WAR and CONFLICT. A response to Kallenborn: Why realism requires that nuclear weapons be abolished. Incredible analysis of US warmongers plans for war with China !  Read this and weep! 

WASTES. Chalk River, or low-level nuclear governance. Finland’s Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) wants to delay completion of its review on waste dump.

WEAPONS and WEAPONS SALES. 

• The Military-Industrial Complex Is the Winner (Not You). What sort of world do we want?: ICAN exec discusses ultimate goal of nuclear abolition.   Nuclear Threats Are Looming, And Nobody Knows How Many Nukes Are Out There.  Are Nuclear-Armed Nations Entering a New Arms Race in 2024? – Experts Weigh In.
•  Germany plans to supply Israel with tanks shells as Gaza death toll nears 25,000. 
• Zelensky Courts JPMorgan, Bank of America & Bridgewater CEOs At Davos, Urges More Money From West. German defense chief against going ‘all in’ on Ukraine. 
• North Korea says it tested underwater nuclear attack drone in response to rivals’ naval drills. Nuclear tensions on the Korean Peninsula set to worsen in 2024. Are Nuclear-Armed Nations Entering a New Arms Race in 2024? – Experts Weigh In.

January 22, 2024 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes