The week in nuclear news – to March 1

Like most people, I have not been able to keep up with the pandemic news. Figures on the incidence of Covid-19, and on deaths, seem to fluctuate. Amidst the uncertainties about types of vaccines, new virus strains, and the anti-vaxxer movement, still there is an atmosphere of optimism. Vaccine acceptance is rising in many countries, and health workers and many volunteers are putting in the efforts to administer vaccines , and care for those who are ill.

David Attenborough warns the U.N. Security Council – the world risks ‘collapse of everything’ without strong climate action.

A bit of good news – Pollution in the Mississippi River Has Plummeted Since The 1980s

The role of the Churches in promoting the U.N. Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty. Nuclear-weapons treaty the right way forward.

The media revels in rockets to Mars, ignores the horrible risk of plutonium pollution.

Why is the media fawning over nuclear businessman Bill Gates? Nuclear power-not clean, not renewable – Bill Gates is wrong.

Dr Helen Caldicott on Independent Australia tells The Truth About Nuclear Power.

JAPAN. Investigative journalism – Fukushima nuclear containment system failed: this kind of disaster will happen again. Fukushima nuclear station seismometers not functioning when latest earthquake happened. Fukushima nuclear mess 2021 – the tasks ahead. Fukushima evacuees on return visits find radiation signs confusing. The Fukushima nuclear catastrophe – far from over, 10 years later.

CANADA. What would go into the Chalk River Mound? Opposition to nuclear dump plan for upstream at Chalk River. Ways in which Near Surface Radioactive Waste Disposal would leak.

FRANCE. France’s nuclear reactors’ lives to be extended beyond 40 years. France slow to leave nuclear power, (cheaper to extend lives of reactors).

IRAN. IAEA and Iran strike three-month deal over nuclear inspections. Iran lawmakers call for president’s prosecution over IAEA deal. Iran talks ‘avert’ impact of nuclear inspection deadline. Some Iranians and Israelis in full agreement on wanting to stop Iran nuclear deal.

USA.

New leader of USA’s Department of Energy gives clearly pro nuclear answers. Jennifer Granholm becomes U.S. Energy Secretary: the nuclear lobby is pleased. but not certain. Jennifer Granholm seems more muted in her support for nuclear, compared to previous Energy Secretaries.
Is it wise for the Biden administration to fund Small Nuclear Reactors?
Ohio House and Senate wrestle with Bills about the nuclear bailout law.
Yakama Nation, state of Washington and environmental groups call on Jennifer Granholm to reconsider nuclear waste rule. USA’s continuing nuclear waste debacle blamed on government contractors. Lawsuit to prevent dangerous dismantling of San Onofre nuclear power station.

UK. Assange’s partner exposes ongoing denial of his legal and democratic rights, Jeremy Corbyn – Britain Should Join Nuclear Ban Treaty and Scrap Nukes. Labour’s nuclear weapons stance needs a rethink. RSPB petition on Sizewell C with over 105,000 signatures shows the depth of public concern with this development – highlighted in upcoming NFLA meeting.

INDIA. Influence of Biden administration brings peaceful push between India, China, Pakistan.

SOUTH AFRICA. New nuclear build would face legal stumbling blocks.

EUROPE. Radioactive dust over Europe – from France’s nuclear bomb tests in the Sahara! Luxembourg’s continued fight against nuclear power in Europe.

ISRAEL. Israel should come clean about the expansion at its secret nuclear weapons plant.

AUSTRALIA. Australian federal and state governments keeping laws banning nuclear power, despite Murdoch pro nuclear propaganda. Legislation banning nuclear power in Australia should be retained.