Nuclear news to 8 April

Weapons and war are in the news this week – well, even more than they usually are. US President Trump sent a missile strike attack on a Syrian military airfield, in the first direct American assault on the government of President Bashar al-Assad.  The reverberations of this continue around the world, and USA warns that there could be further attacks.  Trump did act without Congressional approval. There is debate about this – some say he  violated the US Constitution and the War Powers Resolution. Others say that Trump had legal authority to attack Syria. My own opinion – it is a worrying precedent.

The United Nations  held the global summit for a treaty on banning nuclear weapons .  1st round of nuclear weapons ban treaty talks ends, aims to draft treaty next month. North Korea remains a worry, as US President Trump and China’s President Xi begin an uneasy meeting. Meanwhile, Donald Trump expands the power of the President to declare war.

Arctic Sea Ice Volume Continues to Crater

USA is dramatically in the news this week, as I mention above.  Trump is taking a gamble in USA relations with Russia.

• The path to war? US legislation in Congress to unravel the Iran nuclear agreement.
• Trump’s plans to revive Yucca nuclear waste dump idea.
• Trump administration doesn’t want China to buy Westinghouse.
•  Owners of the failed San Onofre nuclear plan agree to relocate radioactive waste from the San Diego County coastline.
• Former Chernobyl neighbours hit with rare eye cancer
• A new load of pro nuclear twaddle from James Conca and “Generation Atomic”- marching “for science” on 22 April!!
•  Heartland Institute Peddling Misinformation to Teachers about Climate Change. Changes emerging, as some USA Republicans introduce to Congress the Republican Climate Resolution.

UK.   UK approves USA military strike on Syria, but not committed to military action.    Britain’s airports and nuclear power stations have been placed on a terror alert – cyber threat         Nuclear Decommissioning makes every other disaster in the post-war period pale into insignificance. Hunterston B and Hinkley Point B Nuclear – safety concerns. Ongoing collapse of UK’s Moorside nuclear project, as French nuclear industry mired in scandal. Who will put up the cash for Wylfa nuclear power project?

JAPAN. Reconstruction minister lashes out over remaining Fukushima evacuees. Reconstruction Disaster: The human implications of Japan’s forced return policy in Fukushima. Lifting Fukushima evacuation orders. After Fukushima, battling Tepco and leukemia. 60% of new utilities object to helping pay Fukushima compensation.  Real cost of Fukushima disaster to reach $626 billion. Think tank estimate triple that of government.

SOUTH AFRICA. President Zuma drastically reshuffles Cabinet, to make way for nuclear power development. Nuclear corruption in South Africa – new allegations. Did Russia’s nuclear lobby make Africa’s President get rid of Finance Minister Gordhan?.

INDIA.  Pakistan, India taking rival steps ‘to advance nuclear arsenals’  9 year old girl sues Indian government for inaction on climate change.

RUSSIA.  Russian warship headed towards US Navy destroyers who launched Syria attack.   Reactors from Russia are Unsafe and Unreliable, Says Russian Environmentalist

April 8, 2017 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes