The week that was, in nuclear news

The most interesting nuclear story is about the radioactive cloud across Europe. First described as a harmless wafting of radioactive isotopes “over recent weeks”, this news seemed to become  a bit of a worry, first of all, to air travellers. Then the realisation that even if this airborne plume of radioactive ruthenium 106  is supposed to be harmless, it’s not harmless to those close to the source. Now the source is identified, after weeks of contradictory Russian reports, to be the Mayak Nuclear Production Facility, with Russia still claiming that it is harmless. The locals are not so sure.

New research reveals that space travel permanently changes the human brain.

A new arms race underway, as USA, then Russia, modernise their nuclear weapons.

USA. 

• If Trump wants to use nuclear weapons, whether it’s ‘legal’ won’t matter. Grave threat that Trump may be seriously considering a first strike on North Korea.   THE MOST EXPENSIVE BOMB EVER – USA’s new B61 nuclear hydrogen bomb.  Nuclear arms industry controls public discussion on weapons – funding “think tanks”.   Special Report – Nuclear strategists call for bold move: scrap ICBM arsenal.
• Fukushima Class Action Federal Lawsuit Filed in Boston Against General Electric.
• SCE Plans Beach Burial of San Onofre Radioactive Waste in Canisters Known to Crack and Leak in Less Than 20 Years!    Illinois nuclear reactors – continuing radioactive leaks.   Radioactive waste data removed from Tennessee state website.

UK. UK made ‘grave strategic errors’ in Hinkley Point nuclear project.  The consensus is clear: there is no upside to a nuclear Brexit.

JAPAN.  TEPCO and Japanese govt hope to portray Fukushima nuclear clean-up as a success, as robots find molten fuel.   Call for Japan’s aging Tokai No. 2 nuclear plant to be shut down. Fukushima Darkness.

INDIA. Not in the Name of Climate, Not in Our Name! India’s Poor Resist Nuclear Power. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IspLpQXv_1I

SOUTH AFRICA. World Bank to fund nuclear power in South Africa?

AUSTRALIA. 6 Australian religious anti-war protesters may face 7 years gaol for peaceful Pine Gap protest.

November 25, 2017 - Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes