nuclear-news

15 April – The past week in nuclear news

US, British and French forces  launched air strikes on chemical weapons sites in Syria. Russia claims that most  missiles fired were intercepted by Syrian air defence systems using Soviet-produced hardware.  We all hope that this will not escalate, at present it being a targeted attack in response to Syria’s illegal use of chemical weapons.

Accelerating rate of heat increasing in oceans, especially around Australia. Even America might now wake up to global warming – A major climate boundary in the central U.S. has shifted 140 miles due to global warming

Human-caused global warming has contributed to extraordinary change in warm Atlantic current.

Exposing Nuclear Power and Nuclear Weapons link.

Forget Nuclear Power, – The Motley Fool – investing.  Despite the media hype, Thorium Power still a poor investment.

International Energy Agency underestimates renewable energy.

NORTH KOREA. Kim Jong-un will not give up North Korea’s nuclear weapons

USA.  Journalists, bloggers to be scrutinised by U.S. Department of Homeland Security.  Donald Trump to demand “full denuclearisation” of North Korea, in exchange for US embassy in Pyongyang’.   Through “back channels”, secret talks go on between USA and North Korea .  Helicopter to monitor radiation ahead of Boston Marathon – precaution in view of terrorism risks. Radioactive Sludge Barrel Ruptures at Idaho Nuclear Site. Nuclear subsidy approved, could cost New Jersey ratepayers $billions. U.S. Navy downplays radioactive soil in San Francisco’s Bayview .  American Geographical Society awards medal to author of “The Legacy of Nuclear Power”

JAPAN. Radioactively-hot particles detected in dusts and soils from Northern Japan. Few return to Fukushima schools after evacuation lifted. Contractor skimmed pay of Vietnamese trainees doing Fukushima cleanup work. Seven years on, radioactive water at Fukushima plant still flowing into ocean, study finds.  Downplaying: Hokkaido METI bureau requested changes to nuclear energy part of high school lecture.

INDIA. India’s Modi government drastically cutting back on nuclear power plans.

UK. Hinkley Point C – the world’s most financially radioactive energy project.  Protected bird colonies threatened by nuclear power station planned for Wales.  UK Dept. for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) dodges the hard questions about community support for nuclear waste dumping. Cumbria Trust gives advice on UK’s Community Consultation regarding nuclear waste dumping.

SAUDI ARABIA. Saudi Arabia wants nuclear power, WITHOUT the restrictions against making nuclear weapons.  A USA-Saudi agreement – the path to Saudi Arabia’s nuclear weapons?   Saudi Arabia’s disturbing plans for dumping nuclear waste on the Qatari border.

FRANCE. France’s nuclear regulator finds “a lack of surveillance” in the defective welding in EPR nuclear reactors. EDF warns of delays to Flamanville nuclear plant – it doesn’t augur well for UK’s Hinkley nuclear. Former Prime Minister of Japan ,Naoto Kan draws crowds in France, speaking against nuclear power. No wonder that nuclear company AREVA changed its name (to ORANO): former director indicted for corruption.

AUSTRALIA. Australia’s top secret and expensive shipment of nuclear waste to France.  Bushfires today 15 Aug near Barden Ridge (i.e. Lucas Heights): could they be a threat to the nuclear reactor complex?

SOUTH AFRICA. South Africa: confusion and uncertainty over costly nuclear deal

CHINA. The heavy health and environmental toll of rare earths mining in China.

April 15, 2018 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes