2012 January 27 « nuclear-news

Why terrorists would choose nuclear weapons

Nuclear Terrorism: A Rationale Choice For Terrorists? – Analysis by: Eurasia Review, January 26, 2012 By Muhammad Jawad Hashmi“……Why Terrorists Potentially Want To Go Nuclear Nuclear weapon is the most dangerous weapon that mankind has ever made. These weapons are ultimate weapons for ultimate destruction. Terrorists have been struggling for the publicity throughout the time and WMD may sever as an attention-getter stunt. Nuclear terrorism becomes a lucrative option for the terrorist organizations only because of lethality of nuclear weapons. Historically speaking, it has been observed that terrorists have been pursuing weapons which are increasingly lethal. Indeed, the acquisition of any type of nuclear weapon would boost their confidence as well as degree of terrorist-actions. This inclination towards nuclear weapons or material could be well observed in the case of biological and chemical agents which are being used by terrorist groups/individuals in USA and else where. So, based on this premise it can be proposed that the tendency towards the acquisition of WMDs and their usage would increase in near future….

To conclude one must understand that, terrorists are rational actors prevailing in the world. So, it can be assumed that the acquisition of nuclear weapons become more rational for terrorists as it may enhance the vulnerability of states. Similarly, it can be assumed that a terrorist group with nuclear weapon may pose a serious challenge of blackmail. At the same time terrorist organizations might consider that nuclear weapon may create environment of deterrence against their adversaries. Furthermore, it can be assumed that terrorists may use nuclear or radiological weapon to create precedence, so that states may not try to underestimate their capabilities. It may enhance the credibility of threats posed by the non state actors in the up coming era. http://www.eurasiareview.com/26012012-nuclear-terrorism-a-rationale-choice-for-terrorists-analysis/

January 27, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | Leave a comment

India enthusisastic about its nuclear weapons development

India flexes nuclear muscle on R-Day Times of India TNN | Jan 27, 2012, “….. on display for the first time in the parade were the nuclear-capable Agni IV intermediate range surface-to-surface ballistic missile and the Hercules C-130-J aircraft recently acquired from the US. …. The crowd got excited as an array of weapons and armaments was rolled out on the Rajpath. The first to come were the mechanized columns led by the T-72 tanks. The SMERCH multiple launch rocket system, Pinaka multi-barrel rocket system, and the Advanced Light Helicopter ‘Dhruv’ came later. Then the Agni-IV missile rolled past, much to the cheer of the crowd. It was successfully flight tested last November and DRDO paraded it on Thursday. It got a thunderous welcome. The missile is nuclear capable and can carry a warhead up to 3,500 km. Also for the first time, the 150-km range Prahaar Tactical Battlefield Support Missile and the Rustom-1 unmanned aerial vehicle were part of the parade and proved to be eye-catchers. …

aircraft flew in standard formation. Then came the fighters with the Jaguars leading the pack in the arrowhead formation. The MiG-29s came next, followed by Sukhoi 30 MKI fighters, which ended the parade with the spectacular ‘trishul’ and ‘vertical charlie’ manouevres. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/India-flexes-nuclear-muscle-on-R-Day/articleshow/11644210.cms

January 27, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | Leave a comment

Nuclear company AREVA sales fell in 2011

Areva sales slip as mining cushions Fukushima blow Jan 26 (Reuters) – French nuclear group Areva posted a 2.6 percent fall in 2011 sales as strength in its mining unit helped cushion declines in its core reactor businesses as it restructured following the nuclear disaster in Japan.

Revenues at the world’s biggest maker of nuclear reactors, which in December disclosed a massive write-down tied to three of its African mines, reached 8.87 billion euros ($11.67 billion), with the reactors and services unit showing a 3.6 percent drop…. Since the nuclear disaster at Japan’s Fukushima power plant in March, order cancellations have been 464 million euros.

Reactors and services, which designs and builds nuclear reactors and is Areva’s biggest division, saw revenues slide to 3.26 billion euros as fewer engineering studies were undertaken in the United States.

Areva has been grappling with construction delays at two of its new-generation EPR reactors, while the Fukushima crisis has sparked a global debate about the future of nuclear power and led some governments to review their energy mix.

On top of that, Areva, the world’s biggest uranium mining producer, is bogged down by the $2.5 billion acquisition of Canada’s UraMin in 2007 and allegations of spying on the long-serving Lauvergeon.

Despite the dark cloud of Uramin, Areva’s mining unit had the most robust sales growth of any unit aside from its much smaller renewable energy business, which nearly doubled

January 27, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | business and costs, France | Leave a comment

“The stars are aligning for rooftop solar energy”

Solar guru receives Australia Day honour , 26 January 2012, Anna Salleh ABC Science, http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2012/01/26/3415244.htm Australia needs to look to Germany if it is to realise the potential of solar cell technology, says an expert who is being honoured today. Professor Martin Green of the University of New South Wales has been made a Member of the Order of Australia(AM) for his work on photovoltaics.

“Germany has been the only country that’s had a sensible long-term program in place to promote the use of renewables,” says Green.

Some argue solar cells are not a competitive option for reducing carbon emissions, and are limited by the fact that they don’t generate energy unless the Sun is shining.

But according to Green, the “stars are aligning for conventional roof mounted solar” and it is ripe for a new kick start from governments. Continue reading →

January 27, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | AUSTRALIA, Reference, renewable | Leave a comment

Lynas rare earths company still in trouble over radioactive wastes in Malaysi

Locals say market won’t buy Lynas’ recycled waste, Malaysia, By Shannon Teoh, January 26, 2012 KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 26 — Lynas Corp’s plans to recycle waste from its controversial RM2.5 billion rare earth plant in Kuantan into a commercial product will not be accepted by the market, local residents opposed to the refinery said today.

The Stop Lynas Coalition (SLC) and Save Malaysia Stop Lynas (SMSL) groups said in a joint submission to the government that the synthetic gypsum the Australian miner hopes to produces from its waste is the subject of an international safety campaign due to radiation fears. The use of phospho-gypsum plaster-board and plaster cement in buildings as a substitute for natural gypsum may constitute an additional source of radiation exposure to both workers and members of the public,” the document quoted from Internet-based environmental organisation Zero Waste America. Continue reading →

January 27, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | ASIA, wastes | Leave a comment

Renewable energy soon to be competitive without subsidy

Renewable Generators From Vestas to Suntech Plan Profits Without Subsidy
Bloomberg, By Alex Morales and Jacqueline Simmons – Jan 26, 2012 Renewable energy companies are approaching the point where they can generate electricity at a price competitive with fossil-fuels without subsidies, the biggest wind and solar manufacturers said.

Suntech Power Holdings (STP) Co. Chief Executive Officer Zhengrong Shi said solar will reach parity with fossil fuels on electric grids by 2015. Vestas Wind systems A/S expects its turbines to compete without incentives “in the coming years,” said Peter Brun, head of governmental relations.

“Wind in some cases already is, or can in coming years, be fully cost-competitive with fossil fuels,” Brun said today by e-mail from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. “Fossil-fuel prices will continue to rise, and that increases the competitiveness of new technologies. We are preparing the whole industry for getting off the subsidy-need.”…..

January 27, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | Leave a comment

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