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Outside safeguards, India pursues plutonium production, enriched uranium, nuclear missiles

This power play fails to charm, The Age, M.V. Ramana, November 18, 2011“……… in the past few years, the Indian government has continued with its production of plutonium for weapons purposes at the 100-megawatt Dhruva reactor. It has also kept many of its power reactors outside of International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards, and even by 2014, when it is supposed to put a total of 14 heavy-water reactors under safeguards, eight reactors will be available for potentially military purposes.

Also outside IAEA safeguards is the prototype fast breeder reactor that is under construction and that could produce about 140 kilograms of high-quality, weapon-grade plutonium, sufficient for nearly 30 Nagasaki-type bombs, every year. In 2010, the International Panel on Fissile Materials estimated India had stockpiled 300 to 700 kilograms of weapon-grade plutonium and 3300 to 3900 kilograms of reactor-grade plutonium.

India is also expanding its capacity to enrich uranium, reportedly for use in a nuclear submarine reactor. Recent Google Earth images suggest that new centrifuge halls, roughly twice the size of the existing facility, are being built.

Last year the chief of the navy said India would soon have an operational triad of aircraft, land-based missiles and (nuclear-powered) submarine-launched missiles for delivery of nuclear warheads.

Pakistan and China are expected to react to this by further developing their own arsenals and military strategies….http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/this-power-play-fails-to-charm-20111117-1nl17.html#ixzz1e7A9KnGx

November 19, 2011 Posted by | India, Uranium, weapons and war | Leave a comment

Australian uranium companies further down the drain

Oz Minerals pulls out of Toro uranium JV,9 News, 19 Nov 11 OZ Minerals has pulled out of a uranium exploration joint venture with Toro Energy in South Australia, saying no economic uranium has yet been found at the Mt Woods project.
The Toro board has accepted a $3.75 million cash offer from OZ Minerals as consideration for the termination, Toro said in astatement on Friday. ”No potentially economic uranium results have been reported from the Mt Woods project,” Toro said…. Shares in Toro were down 3.41 per cent at 8.5 cents at 1540 AEDT while OZ Mineral shares were 1.89 per cent weaker, compared to losses in the broader market of about 1.8 per cent.
http://finance.ninemsn.com.au/newsbusiness/aap/8376270/oz-minerals-pulls-out-of-toro-uranium-jv

Malawi’s uranium earnings decrease, Daily Times,  17 November 2011   Kingsley Jassi               “….. As the country continues to reel foreign exchange losses incurred through poor tobacco prices and loss of donor aid, more bad news has emerged from the Kayelekera Uranium Mine in Karonga where earnings have gone down due to low uranium prices on the world market.Paladin Energy reveals in its latest report that revenue from sales of Kayerekera uranium in the third quarter of the year 2011 up to September have dropped US$337 million in the quarter, a drop from USD470 realised in the quarter ending June.   The company attributes the poor prices to the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan that destroyed nuclear power plant consequently, reducing uranium demand on the market….
http://www.bnltimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2415:malawis-uranium-earnings-decrease&catid=59:business&Itemid=390

November 19, 2011 Posted by | AUSTRALIA, Uranium | Leave a comment

Anti nuclear movement gaining political strength in France

 Green party presidential candidate Eva Joly has denounced claims of hundreds of thousands of job losses as “scandalouslies” and said 600,000 jobs would be created by tapping alternative energy sources like solar and wind power.

Sarkozy has insisted he will continue supporting nuclear energy, saying the Fukushima disaster was “not a nuclear accident, it was an enormous tsunami”…..

France opposition to reduce nuclear power , SMH, Michael Mainville,November 17, 2011 – France’s long-held support for nuclear energy has emerged as a key issue in next year’s election after the opposition Socialists and Greens agreed to joint efforts to reduce reliance on atomic power.

The deal marks the first significant move toward limiting nuclear power in France since it embraced atomic energy after the oil shocks of the 1970s and comes amid growing disquiet here after Japan’s Fukushima atomic disaster in March. Continue reading →

November 19, 2011 Posted by | France, politics | Leave a comment

France: pact between Greens and Socialists threatens nuclear industry

Parties clash over future of nuclear power in France, BBC News, 17 Nov 11,  France’s government has accused the opposition Socialists of planning to undermine the nuclear industry in return for Green party support…..

Opinion polls suggest Socialist presidential candidate Francois Hollande  will defeat Nicolas Sarkozy in next year’s vote. On Tuesday, the two opposition parties sealed an electoral pact under which the Socialists will not stand in a number of constituencies, thereby giving the Greens the prospect of at least 15 seats in the new parliament. Continue reading →

November 19, 2011 Posted by | France, politics | Leave a comment

A silver lining to USA militarisation of northern Australia – renewable energy marines?

When the case for renewables is made on the grounds of national security, the arguments of climate denialists and delay merchants are bombed back to the Stone Age. ….

 as the U.S. Marine Corps demonstrates, energy conservation and renewable energy are now critical national security concerns. 

Will President Obama Send Green Marines to Darwin?, Renewable Energy World, By Dan Cass ,November 18, 2011    President Barack Obama was in Australia this week and upset China and Indonesia with the annoucement of an increased military presence in this country, including 2500 US Marines to train and provision equipment in Darwin.

When the U.S. Marine Corp establish themselves a new home in Darwin, they will bring some seriously green equipment and ideas to our shores. This is because in the three years of his Presidency, Barack Obama has actively led the U.S. Department of Defense to embrace renewable energy and a strategic awareness of climate change…. Continue reading →

November 19, 2011 Posted by | renewable, USA | Leave a comment

How USA can financially rip off India – cutting through the ‘spin’

The hard reality is that the government has watered down the nuclear liability law to accommodate the US business interests….

The watering down has been done in close consultation with Washington and the latter’s rhetoric in the most recent weeks shows that it is simply thrilled with what the mandarins in the PMO have been doing behind closed doors.   

It is no small matter that India is generating such a fantastic volume of nuclear business for the US companies – it could be anywhere up to 100 billion dollars. 
This is on top of the arms purchases. 

India delivers, it’s Obama’s turn now, Rediff.com, 18 Nov 11 Timing is three-fourths in international diplomacy. The spectacular display of 3 happy coincidences on the eve of PM Manmohan Singh’s pow-vow with US President Barack Obama in Bali is near-perfect in timing:

* India successfully test-firing Agni-IV missile that has a reach over large areas of the Chinese hinterland;
* Australia’s change of heart about selling uranium to India and,

* Delhi announcing the rules for the implementation of India’s nuclear liability law. …..
The enormous US penetration of the Indian media and think tanks in the recent decades all but ensures that the opinion-making can be calibrated.  Continue reading →

November 19, 2011 Posted by | India, politics international, USA | Leave a comment

India tows America’s line, making Nuclear Liability Law ineffective

India caved in to foreign pressure on nuclear liability’ Times of India, IANS | Nov 17, 2011, NEW DELHI: India caved in to foreign pressure by diluting the right to seek recourse from foreign suppliers as per the rules notified under the Civil Nuclear Liability Act, said Greenpeace on Thursday.

“Following protests by opposition parties and the civil society, the right to recourse for the operator to seek compensation from foreign suppliers was included in the draft last year and approved by the parliament. This clause has now been reduced to being insignificant,” said a statement issued by the environment issues NGO. Reacting to the notification of the rules, Greenpeace nuclear and energy campaigner, Karuna Raina said: “The notified rule considerably changes it from what was approved last year amid protest from the opposition, both inside and outside the parliament.”

“The government has undone the efforts put in by thousands of individuals and organisations that fought for a stringent Liability Act. The lessons learnt from Bhopal tragedy have clearly not made any difference to the government. For them foreign interest is paramount and much above wellbeing of its peoples,” she said.  India had Wednesday notified the implementation rules for the civil nuclear liability law… http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/developmental-issues/-India-caved-in-to-foreign-pressure-on-nuclear-liability/articleshow/10773027.cms

November 19, 2011 Posted by | India, politics international | Leave a comment

USA President’s plane – prepared for nuclear Armageddon

The nightmare jets and the President, Crikey.com November 17, 2011  , by Ben Sandilands The two Presidential flying command posts held at constant readiness in Australia for the duration of Barack Obama’s visit are more than exceptionally modified Boeing 747-200 Classic model jumbo jets, or the occasional specially equipped 757 or 767 in support.

These are, at worst, the Armageddon jumbo jets,  flying high or low over a world ruined by a nuclear holocaust, winding their way between the stratospheric funeral pyres of incinerated cities.  Either of them is ready to preserve the primary chain of command of the Union even if America has, to all intents and purposes, ceased to exist. Continue reading →

November 19, 2011 Posted by | USA, weapons and war | Leave a comment

India’s Bhopal survivors angry at weakening of Nuclear Liability Law

India angers Bhopal survivors over nuclear decision India has agreed to limit the liability of foreign nuclear power plant suppliers despite protests from campaigners who said its government had ignored the lessons of the Bhopal gas disaster, By , New Delhi   18 Nov 2011

 The liability rules set by the Indian government are aimed at speeding up foreign investment in new nuclear power stations ..

Ministers had been under pressure to insist on strong liability rules to ensure those affected by any future nuclear accident would be properly compensated and the companies responsible take full responsibility.

Campaigners warned of “another Bhopal”, after the tragedy at the Union Carbide chemical plant where a poisonous gas leak killed several thousand people and injured several hundred thousand. They say full compensation was not paid while contamination of the water supply continues to cause birth defects and disabilities.

Under the Rules of the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damages Act, published on Thursday, nuclear suppliers can cut deals to restrict the duration of warranties, after which they would not be liable for accidents. “The lessons learnt from the Bhopal tragedy have clearly not made any difference to the government. For them foreign interest is paramount and much above well being of its people,” said Karuna Raina of Greenpeace

November 19, 2011 Posted by | India, opposition to nuclear | Leave a comment

USA’s new military base in Australia seen as threatening by some in China

The Global Times, a tabloid owned by the Communist Party’s People’s Daily newspaper, hit hard upon the theme of besiegement. It quoted a People’s Liberation Army major general as saying that the expanded U.S. training and deployment base inAustralia was one of a series of U.S. installations to “encircle China from the north to the south of the Asia-Pacific region.”….

Beijing is wary of Obama’s assertive China policy Taiwan news, By CHRISTOPHER BODEEN Associated Press  2011-11-18   President Barack Obama‘s sudden moves to contest rising Chinese power are setting this capital on edge, even if in public the response has been muted. Continue reading →

November 19, 2011 Posted by | China, politics international, USA | Leave a comment

Support for a diplomatic solution to issue of Iran’s nuclear programme

The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)  issued a statement on Friday expressing support for Iran’s peaceful nuclear activities. 
NAM reiterates its principled position that diplomacy and dialogue are the only way for a long-term solution of Iran’s nuclear issue. NAM encourages all Member States to contribute positively to that effect…..
International officials call for diplomatic solution to Iran nuclear issue TEHRAN TIMES, 19 Nov 11– A number of international officials, including the Russian foreign minister, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, and Indian prime minister, have called for the dispute over Iran’s nuclear program to be resolved through diplomatic channels.
However, the 5+1 group countries (the United States, Britain, France, Russia, China, and Germany), during a meeting of the 35-member International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Governors in Vienna, which opened on Thursday and closed on Friday, approved a draft resolution criticizing Iran for its nuclear activities but deferred any discussion of new United Nations sanctions until the spring.  Continue reading →

November 19, 2011 Posted by | Iran, politics international | 1 Comment

Ontario Power Generation can’t afford nuclear clean-up costs

One more nuclear risk – the dwindling value of cleanup funds  One more risk of nuclear power: Ontario Power Generation recorded a third-quarter loss because of a sharp decline in the value of funds set aside for nuclear clean-ups…..

 funds set aside for future nuclear plant de-commissioning and for nuclear waste treatment performed poorly, recording a loss of $16 million, compared with gains of $287 million a year earlier.

November 19, 2011 Posted by | business and costs, Canada | Leave a comment

For the first time, Japan bans radiation contaminated rice

Japan issues ban on Fukushima rice contaminated by radiation, Vancouver Sun, AFP November 17, 2011 TOKYO — Japan on Thursday announced its first ban on rice produced near the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant after samples showed
radioactive contamination well above legal limits.

The findings will further worry nervous consumers, already fretting over the safety of domestic produce, despite its previous solid safety reputation. Authorities in Fukushima prefecture say rice produced near the stricken atomic power plant contained caesium they measured at 630 becquerels per kilogram (2.2 pounds). The government safety limit is
500 becquerels.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura ordered Fukushima Governor Yuhei Sato to restrict shipments of rice from Onami — from where the samples were sourced — according to an agricultural ministry
official…..
Environmental campaign group Greenpeace said Thursday it had detected radiation in fish sold at Japanese supermarkets, although radiation levels were still well below the government safety limit of 500 becquerels.
According to its own research carried out between October 12 and November 8 in eastern Japan, 47.3 becquerels of cesium per kilogramme were discovered in cod while traces of radiation were also found in other fish, including tuna.  http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Japan+issues+Fukushima+rice+contaminated+radiation/5726394/story.html#ixzz1e6mhWM7x

November 19, 2011 Posted by | environment, Japan | Leave a comment

USA prepared to act on any nuclear proliferation activities by North Korea

Obama: US will act vs NKorea nuke proliferation Google News, (AP) –17 Nov 11 CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — President Barack Obama said Thursday that the United States will act firmly against any nuclear proliferation activities by North Korea. Continue reading →

November 19, 2011 Posted by | North Korea, USA, weapons and war | Leave a comment

European Union bans X-ray airport body scanners

EU bans airport body scanners over cancer fears Zee News, 18 Nov 11 London: The European Union has banned the controversial airport body scanners over fears the X-ray technology could cause cancer, a media report said.  Continue reading →

November 19, 2011 Posted by | EUROPE, safety | Leave a comment

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