Nuclear and climate news this week

Abrupt thaw’ of permafrost beneath Arctic lakes is irreversible – could accelerate climate change. Climate change is starting to pack an economic punch.

Nothing dramatically new in the nuclear news. Nuclear waste problems are still intractable around the world, while governments continue to promote “new nuclear” – in what looks like a sad act of religious faith.

Climate change brings risks of more devastating tsunamis. Questions about viability of nuclear power in a warming world. Climate change threats to coastal nuclear power plants.

Asbestos fibres contain radium: lodged in a person’s lungs, this radioactivity causes mesothelioma.

Julian Assange may have to leave the Ecuadorian embassy, due to his poor health. BBC wants to place cameras in apartments opposite Julian Assange’s refuge at Ecuadorian embassy. Julian Assange should be assured of immunity before taking risk of testifying to U.S. Senate.

NORTH KOREA. A new Summit between South and North Korea. North Korea Now in Standoff With U.S.A. on nuclear negotiations.

JAPAN. Tens of thousands rally for removal of US base off Okinawa. Fukushima clean-up workers, including homeless, at grave risk of exploitation, say UN experts. For the first time, scientists can reliably estimate highly radioactive cesium-rich microparticles released by Fukushima nuclear disaster .

USA.

California’s Wildfires and Nuclear Radiation – A Personal Story. Wildfires in USA increased due to climate change.
Space is to become Donald Trump’s new theatre of nuclear war. Trump administration is fulfilling the National Rifle Association’s wildest dreams. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ indictment of the Trump administration’s position on nuclear arms. Arrests of USA activists protesting against nuclear weapons.
US Government’s own Energy Information Administration (EIA) says renewable energy is surging while nuclear is declining.
USA nuclear bailouts: Led by Secretary Perry, the administration continues to make false and misleading arguments.
$2.2 billion jump – costs soar at Georgia’s Vogtle nuclear power project.
Senators deplore Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s plan to weaken protections on decommissioning reactors, and on wastes.
In less than 20 years – signs of nuclear waste cask breakdown! A ‘Fukushima waiting to happen’ – the San Onofre nuclear power station. Former NRC Chief Says San Onofre’s Nuclear Waste May Never Be Moved.
Potential for a catastrophic nuclear tunnel collapse at Hanford, warn Tri-City mayors.
Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and nuclear submarines: the dilemma about dismantling them.
Danger in transporting nuclear materials through Michigan. New Mexico State could still block Holtec‘s nuclear waste dump plan, despite federal approval.
Low power prices add to nuclear industry’s woes: more reactors headed for shut-down. “Unwelcome” step towards nuclear plant closures.
St Louis residents near radioactive wastes – high cancer risks – says Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

UK. With the unsolved wastes problem, the threats from climate change, why build new nuclear? Mud from Hinkley Point nuclear sites may contain Uranium, Plutonium,- to be dumped on South Wales coast. UK’s “new nuclear” commitment not OK by all MPs. Waste disposal problem is the killer factor. Immediate safety changes are needed at UK Atomic Weapons Establishment. UK compensation for nuclear workers with radiation induced cancers. The growing costs of Scotland’s police protecting nuclear waste shipments.

CHINA. To the dismay of the global nuclear industry, China’s nuclear expansion has stalled. China aims to lead the world exporting its own nuclear reactor design

RUSSIA. Russia and China pushing to create their economic nuclear empires. Russia’s removal of radioactive barge is helped by Italian floating dock.

SWEDEN. Sweden’s Nuclear Code of Conduct under threat from populist political party.

CANADA. Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) dismisses concerns about the aging Pickering Nuclear Station. Cleaner, cheaper, safer, more practical – cyclotrons for medical isotopes.

SAUDI ARABIA. Saudi Arabia’s push for nuclear power and nuclear weapons ability has met an obstacle.

EGYPT. Egypt going into a huge debt to Russia for building Dabaa nuclear plant.

AUSTRALIA. Barngarla Aboriginal people win injunction to halt nuclear waste dump vote.– Nuclear waste being shipped to Australia by company with a terrible safety record. The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) Says No To Nuclear Ports In South Australia .

ISRAEL. Radioactive sheep in Australia add evidence about Israeli nuclear bomb test.