The week that was in nuclear news

On January 25th, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (BAS) moved the minute hand of the symbolic Doomsday Clock ahead by 30 seconds – to just two minutes before midnight.The clock, created by the journal in 1947, is a metaphor for how close mankind is to destroying the Earth. It is now the closest to the apocalypse it has been since 1953. – the year when the US and the Soviet Union tested hydrogen bombs. The team of scientists made this decision based on several factors. These included North Korea’s nuclear tests, the war of words between Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump, America’s expanding nuclear arsenal, and rising tensions between Russia and the West.

The Bulletin pointed to climate change as an equally catastrophic danger, even if less immediate.

World close to nuclear annihilation, but in denial – Dr Helen Caldicott.

Donald Trump has set USA on a course for nuclear war – George Soros at World Economic Forum in Davos.

Renewable Energy. Once more – there’s lots of news, Best source is reneweconomy.com.au .

Nuclear systems: the grave risk of cyber attack.

Nuclear medicine doctors need protection from genetic damage from radiation.

USA.

US stealth bombers in Guam getting ready for a pre-emptive nuclear strike on North Korea? Trump May Consider Preemptive Strike on North Korea – CIA Director. Scientists aim to limit Trump’s power to launch nuclear weapons. Poll shows that Americans fear Trump’s ability to launch nuclear weapons, and doubt his mental stability.
USA will want to withdraw from Iran nuclear deal – Mike Pence.
Epic crisis in USA’s nuclear industry – Trump’s trying to stop solar power will not save nukes.
Lawsuit against Nuclear Subsidies headed for Court Trial. Bill to subsidise New Jersey’s nuclear power stations – unaffordable handout to the industry.
The dangers of transporting nuclear waste – Las Vegas Mayor warns.
Workers demolishing Hanford’s Plutonium Finishing Plant still vulnerable to airborne radiation.
Space travel damages astronauts’eyes. NASA getting excited about plutonium powered space missions.

JAPAN. Ibaraki nuclear plant used erroneous fuel rod data for over 40 years, utility says. Fukui weighs new wave of reactors to protect status as Japan’s ‘nuclear capital’. Japan’s Reconstruction Agency to Fold in 2021. Selective abortion and radioactive contamination in Japan. Fukushima Daiichi Reactor 2: new investigation. Insufficient testing will mean playing radiation roulette for the consumers.

UK. UK’s £1m a year bribes to communities to host nuclear waste. With big plans for new nuclear stations, Britain desperately trying to get volunteers to host waste dump. Cumbria Trust reminds UK nuclear lobby that hosting nuclear waste is a VOLUNTARY process UK’s Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) wants to raise permissable levels of radiation release. Hinkley Point C to get £14bn from UK and Japanese taxpayers – despite ever-cheaper renewables. UK new nuclear build would create an intolerable waste burden on communities into the far future.

SWEDEN. Swedish Environmental Court rejects plan for spent nuclear fuel repository. Wild boar in Sweden have record radiation levels – legacy of Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

AUSTRIA. Austria sues European Commission over Hungary’s nuclear plant.

FRANCE. With collapsed uranium market and nuclear stagnation, failed company AREVA rebrands itself. Macron’s France weakening on plans to phase out nuclear power? France plans to phase out nuclear power without increasing carbon emissions.

SOUTH AFRICA. South Africa has no money for nuclear power: says Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa.

CANADA. Ontario’s nuclear dreams no match for the reality of falling electricity demand. Quebec Labour Tribunal rules in favour of man who claims he developed cancer from radiation at work.

UKRAINE. The unpublicised un-safety problem – Ukraine’s nuclear industry.