nuclear-news

latest news on the uranium/nuclear industry

Nuclear Repression, not Nuclear Renaissance, in Jaitapur, India

Jaitapur’s people are more concerned about being treated as sub-humans by the state, which has unleashed savage repression, including hundreds of arrests, illegal detentions and orders prohibiting peaceful assemblies. Eminent citizens keen to express solidarity with protesters were banned, including a former supreme court judge, the Communist party’s secretary and a former Navy chief. Gadgil too was prevented. A former high court judge was detained illegally for five days. Worse, a Maharashtra minister recently threatened that “outsiders” who visit Jaitapur wouldn’t be “allowed to come out” (alive).

This hasn’t broken the people’s resolve or resistance.

The truth behind India’s nuclear renaissance Jaitapur’s French-built nuclear plant is a disaster in waiting, jeopardising biodiversity and local livelihoods   Praful Bidwai  guardian.co.uk,  8 February 2011 The global “nuclear renaissance” touted a decade ago has not materialised. Read more »

February 10, 2011 Posted by | civil liberties, environment, India | , , , , , , | Leave a Comment

Russia ramps up nuclear weapons in Europe

True totals of Russian tactical nuclear weapons is a tightly-held secret, but the Federation of American Scientists estimated last year that Moscow has nearly 5,400 of them, with about 2,000 deployed.

  • Russia Moves Tactical Nukes Closer to NATO. Gulp.   Wired.com, By Spencer Ackerman November 30, 2010

While the U.S. and Russia have been publicly crowing about their awesome new friendship for the past two years, Moscow’s been moving small, ground-based nuclear weapons closer to the borders of Washington’s easternmost NATO allies. Read more »

December 2, 2010 Posted by | Russia, weapons and war | , , | Leave a Comment

The potential for Stuxnet computer worm to attack nuclear centrifuges

Forensic experts dissecting the worm found that it was calibrated in a way that could send nuclear centrifuges “wildly out of control.”…..one thing is clear: Stuxnet is a worrying escalation in cyber attacks.

A dangerous new level in malware, Pittsburg Post Gazette, TechMan:  2 Dec 10, Malicious software turned a dangerous corner recently with Stuxnet, a computer worm that attacks the control systems for things like nuclear power plants and electrical grids………….. Read more »

December 2, 2010 Posted by | 2 WORLD, secrets,lies and civil liberties | , , , , , , | Leave a Comment

Nuclear company EDF has financial and legal problems

The European Commission plans to take France to the European Court of Justice over a provision in the reform which maintains local taxes on electricity, La Tribune reported today……..….

EDF May Sell Nuclear Power Below 42 Euros, Deputy Says, Bloomberg, By Tara Patel – Nov 26, 2010 Electricite de France SA may be forced to sell nuclear power to rivals at less than it says it needs to recoup production costs under a law adopted yesterday by France’s National Assembly, according to a lawmaker. Read more »

November 26, 2010 Posted by | business and costs, France | , , , , , | Leave a Comment

Human error the biggest danger in nuclear technology

In 2007, six nuclear warheads were transported from Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota, to Louisiana’s Barksdale Air Force Base – by mistake. It’s a pattern of mistakes where there’s zero room for error.

When We’re Our Own Biggest Nuclear Threat Gizmodo Australia, By Brian Barrett  November 23, 2010 Read more »

November 26, 2010 Posted by | general | , , , , , | Leave a Comment

‘Act of mischief’ irradiated 50 nuclear workers in India

No breakthrough yet in Kaiga radiation case, The Times of India, STANLEY G PINTO, TNN, Nov 25, 2010, MANGALORE: The tritium poisoning episode at Kaiga Generating Station (KGS), which exposed around 50 employees to increased levels of  radiation a year ago, remains shrouded in mystery, with police investigations apparently hitting a roadblock.
Asserting that investigations are still on, police officials admit it’s a difficult case to crack since it was an act of mischief……No breakthrough yet in Kaiga radiation case – The Times of India

November 26, 2010 Posted by | India, secrets,lies and civil liberties | , , , , , | Leave a Comment

UK used atomic test soldiers as radiation ‘guinea pigs’

The Government of the day had to discover the effects a nuclear bomb would have, not only on the infrastructure but the effects it would have for the human race over a prolonged period of time. It was decided the Armed Forces would be used as ‘Human Guinea Pigs’ in order to discover the effects radiation would have on the Human Body.

THE TRUTH ABOUT THE BRITISH NUCLEAR TESTS,  Paul Langley’s Nuclear History Blog, by Dave Whyte One of the ‘Human Guinea Pigs’ 26 Nov 10, After WWII the British Government decided they would develop their own nuclear deterrent and made plans to conduct the tests at remote areas in Australia and the Pacific as they were not fully aware of the devastating power these devices were capable of producing. Read more »

November 26, 2010 Posted by | civil liberties, UK | , , , , , , | Leave a Comment

UK’s “independent” research into nuclear veterans far from independent

The reason for this covert examination of body parts is exposed by Redfern ( p.90 ) as “mainly scientific research and potential damage claims .”

Dear Members of Parliament « Paul Langley’s Nuclear History Blog. 26 Nov 10, “…………The Minister for Veterans has admitted nuclear test veterans were exposed to radiation . Read more »

November 26, 2010 Posted by | secrets,lies and civil liberties, UK | , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Nuclear bomb test veterans were exposed to unnecessary risks

we look back now at the veterans of atom bomb tests and conclude that, whatever the law says, these men were exposed to unnecessary risk.

Soldiers deserve better treatment, Manchester Evening News, November 23, 2010 …..All but one of ten test cases were deemed to have been brought to court too late, and with veterans unable to prove the Ministry Of Defence was negligent, and that radiation was the probable cause of illness. So the veterans fail at law. Read more »

November 26, 2010 Posted by | civil liberties, UK | , , , , , | Leave a Comment

ETHICS and NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY- theme for December 2010

The unethical nature of nuclear power, nuclear weapons, and the entire nuclear fuel cycle is becoming more obvious, as its history unfolds. On grounds of nuclear weapons spread, unsolved wastes problem, health and environment, effects on indigenous and poor peoples, injustice to today’s and future generations – and even the sheer financial costs for now and the future – it is clear that “atoms for peace” is a false and unethical enterprise.

Given the mounting negative evidence about the nuclear industry, it is concerning that so many world political, scientific and economic leaders continue to promote the industry. Sir Mark Oliphant, (below) one of the founders of the atomic bomb, was one who had the courage to change his mind, and to speak out against nuclear power and nuclear weapons.

Why is it so rare for ‘important’ people to face up to the evil nature of the whole nuclear fuel cycle? It’s not just money. Is it that so much of their reputation, their work has already been invested in nuclear? just too much effort to change track

Like Shakespeare’s Macbeth, who said For mine own good,
All causes shall give way: I am in blood
Stepp’d in so far that, should I wade no more,
Returning were as tedious as go o’er”

Rather than pause to think about the whole picture, they concentrate on their own important actions. Again like Macbeth ” Strange things I have in head, that will to hand; Which must be acted ere they may be scann’d.”

(Image from MACBETH IS A BAD, BAD MAN design by Dave Shanker&Danilo Groppa, Charles W. Flanagan High School, Macbeth – Webquest)

November 25, 2010 Posted by | Christina's themes | , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment

Radiation danger and illicit nuclear tracking fears in Ghana

Government to provide protection of nuclear and radioactive materials, Accra, Nov. 23, Ghana News Agency, GNA - Government has expressed its commitment to provide the physical protection of nuclear and other radioactive materials and associated facilities, Mr Alex Segbefia, Deputy Chief of Staff said on Tuesday. He said government would in addition; work to combat illicit trafficking and inadvertent movement of radioactive materials…………Government to provide protection of nuclear and radioactive materials

November 25, 2010 Posted by | AFRICA, safety and incidents | , , , , | Leave a Comment

British nuclear cover-up will affect atomic veterans legal case

The Redfern Report reveals that scientists and doctors from the National Health Service ( NHS ) , the Medical Research Council ( MRC ) , the National Radiological Protection Board ( NRPB ) and the Atomic Weapons Establishment ( AWE ) examined and then destroyed evidence of exposure to ionising radiation with the aid of coroners and pathologist to enable the Ministry of Defence to avoid accountability for future damage claims . These are facts veterans and widows are passing to the legal team of Rosenblatts ..

THE RESPONSES OF THE BRITISH VETERANS TO THE LATEST SHAFTING Paul Langley’s Nuclear History Blog, 23 Nov 10 FROM THE COMBINED VETERANS’ FORUM INTERNATIONAL 22nd November 2010ATOMIC VETERANS GROUP LITIGATION – APPEAL VERDICT Read more »

November 23, 2010 Posted by | secrets,lies and civil liberties, UK | , , , , , , | Leave a Comment

Australian soldiers, Aborigines, civilians exposed to depleted uranium in ’50s nuclear tests

The government is preparing a study of those who may have been affected, including soldiers, and Aboriginal and civilian populations in the area at the time of testing.

Depleted uranium used at Maralinga Paul Langley’s Nuclear History Blog, 23 Nov 10, Australian Government Confirms Depleted Uranium Used in 1950s The Australian Federal Government announced that it will conduct a health study of Australian volunteers who worked at Maralinga, a British nuclear test site. Read more »

November 23, 2010 Posted by | AUSTRALIA, depleted uranium | , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment

Stuxnet computer worm might target North Korea’s nukes

  • the North Korean control system “is dual use, also used by the petrochemical industry, but was the same as those acquired by Iran to run its centrifuges.”
  • Could Stuxnet Mess With North Korea’s New Uranium Plant?  Wired.com. By Kim Zetter and Spencer Ackerman November 22, 2010 The Stuxnet worm may have a new target. While security analysts try to figure out whether the now-infamous malware was built to sabotage Iran’s nuclear program, North Korea has unveiled a new uranium enrichment plant that appears to share components with Iran’s facilities. Could Pyongyang’s centrifuges be vulnerable to Stuxnet? Read more »

November 23, 2010 Posted by | North Korea, safety and incidents, Uranium | , , , , , , | Leave a Comment

Italy’s nuclear power revival looking politically doubtful

Italy must also decide on a solution for its nuclear waste, an issue that has never been resolved since decommissioning

Berlusconi crisis hits nuclear revival, FT.com, By Guy Dinmore in RomePublished: November 22 2010 An octogenarian cancer surgeon controversially chosen by Silvio Berlusconi to lead the relaunch of Italy’s nuclear industry says he did not really want the job and that his appointment may yet be stalled by the possible collapse of the prime minister’s centre-right government…. Read more »

November 23, 2010 Posted by | Italy, politics | , , , , , , | Leave a Comment

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