nuclear-news

Nuclear news to 27 May

Christina Macpherson’s websites & blogs

I think that we’re all going to have to join American youth, in relying on comedy TV shows like Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Late show with Stephen Colbert, to get our English language news, especially about America.  The actual news is more like comedy. While Donald Trump struts about the world, for example, talking about peace to the Pope, the Trump budget sets out cuts to the UN peace-keeping operations.

Danger of nuclear terrorism is not talked about much. But Britain has suddenly replaced  police at Sizewell nuclear site with armed soldiers. Singapore has recently passed legislation for mandatory death penalty for nuclear terrorism.

Draft treaty on banning possession and use of nuclear weapons released by UN panel.

Cold War nuclear weapons warped Earth’s magnetosphere – what will a nuclear war do?

Nuclear lobby in a bit of a panic – urging for ‘aggressive’ propaganda spin.

Survey of 8000 people in 8 countries: 8 in 10 now see climate change as a ‘catastrophic risk‘.

Almost 10 million jobs already, in renewable energy.

SWITZERLAND. Switzerland’ binding referendum – voted to ban nuclear plants, shift to renewable energy.

JAPAN.

Fukushima.

• Even as Evacuation Orders are Lifted, Recovery Remains Distant Prospect for Many Fukushima Residents.
• Ex-Officials of Fukushima NPP Operator to Face Trial for 2011 Disaster in June.
• TEPCO to look inside Fukushima reactor 3.
• Tepco completes sea wall at Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.
• High levels of radioactive material migrating down into soil around Fukushima. 2 more nuclear reactors in Japan clear regulator’s safety review. Study: S. Korean nuclear disaster would hit Japan the hardest.

NORTH KOREA. Breakthrough for North Korea’s missile test – re-entry to Earth’s atmosphere. North Korea’s vast military capabilities, even without nuclear weapons.

IRAN. Election of Rouhani is good result for Tehran’s compliance with nuclear deal.

USA.

• Consternation at the Pentagon: Trump divulged nuclear submarine information to Philippines President.
• Why the Hanford radioactive waste tunnel collapsed.  Makeshift fix for breached Hanford radioactive waste tunnel. A predictable nuclear accident at Hanford. Trump’s new budget would slash spending on cleaning up Hanford.
• A Pox on the Mox – Trump budget to stop Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility.
• Three Mile Island nuclear station – unprofitable for past 5 years, close to shutting down. Despite government subsidy, U.S. Nuclear Plant Still Fails at Auction.
• While resident electricity rates soared, SCANA nuclear power executives received $3.5 million in bonuses.
• False nuclear emergency alert scares New Jersey area.
• Renewable Energy Grid of the Future being developed in New York.
• Donald Trump was taken in by a false story about climate.

SAUDI ARABIA. Trump and retinue in Saudi Arabia – the main event $110 billion arms package.

ARCTIC. In Greenland, abandoned nuclear base could be unearthed by global warming.

UK.

• UK nuclear deterrent may be vulnerable to cyberattack.
• UK election: party policies signal the end of new nuclear power.
• China’s State Nuclear Power Technology Corporation (SNPTC) wanting to take over Britain’s Moorside nuclear project?
• UK’s “Small nuclear” lobby spruiking its wares, downgrading Hinkley Point nuclear project.
• Developers scale down plans for Wylfa nuclear plant.
• Costly consequences for UK nuclear industry, following Brexit.
• RENEWABLES.  British solar power surge. Batteries becoming cheaper. British charity SolarAid works with Chinese solar giant to provide cheap, clean power in Africa.  Unilever powers all its sites by 100% wind energy. Offshore wind energy booming in Britain.

SOUTH AFRICA. South Africa’s nuclear build plans – ripe for corruption.

FRANCE. EDF secretly planning to extend the life of its 58 reactors in France. European Commission scheduled to decide on EDF to gain controlling stake in AREVA nuclear corporation.

GERMANY. German Anti-Nuclear Activist Jailed for Blocking Train Carrying Radioactive Waste Through Densely Populated Areas

INDIA. India’s fast growth in renewable energy.

CHINA. Chinese fighter jets buzz US ‘nuclear sniffer’ plane over East China Sea. China cancelling many coal mines, going all out for solar power.

RENEWABLES IN BRIEF : Solar power -China, Tesla news, India’s push for renewables  – Ever cheaper renewable energy.

SWEDEN. Sweden cancels arrest warrant for Julian Assange, closes investigation.

May 27, 2017 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes