nuclear-news

Nuclear news this week

Things appear to be  quiet on the global nuclear news scene. Lulled by the present stalemate in USA-North Korea nuclear tensions, the world’s media complacently reports on the nuclear weapons build-up going on in USA, Russia,  India, Pakistan , and China to a much lesser degree.

The main focus of media about things nuclear is the hype about “new nuclear” – Small Modular Nuclear Reactors, (SMRs). So many news items in praise of SMRs – all sounding suspiciously as if copied from industry handout sheets, and all claiming that nuclear is the cure for climate change. Do these journalists ever bother to check on the facts about this claim?

The world’s many pollution problems are at last being recognised as a global malaise, with the horror stories of epidemic plastic rubbish in oceans and on beaches. Climate change is manifested in various ways: it’s affecting migration patterns, changes in Arctic seas, wildfires, bees, water, hotspots in South Asia.

Russia’s Putin has all the advantages in the coming summit with Trump.

World Nuclear Market is Shrinking – preview of 2018 World Nuclear Industry Status Report (WNISR),

Small Modular Nuclear Reactors are NOT going to save the nuclear industry.

High cancer rates in flight attendants – effect of ionising radiation.

International nuclear decommissioning market will be worth £250bn by 2030.

NORTH KOREA. North Korea has little incentive to “denuclearize”. Trump’s incoherent strategy leaves the world in danger.North Korea carrying out improvements at Yongbyon Nuclear Research Facility. A nuclear North Korea seen not as a threat, but as an ideal stabilizer.

ARCTIC. Arctic climate change: The northern Barents Sea has warmed 1.5 degrees Celsius in just 18 years.

ISRAEL. The dangers in Israel’s and USA’s policy of deception about Israels’ nuclear weapons. Israel is sure that nuclear power for Saudi Arabia will not lead to Saudi nuclear weapons.

RUSSIA.Russia’s environmental groups demand an end to secrecy about Russia’s nuclear wastes.

JAPAN. Delay in removing spent nuclear fuel from Fukushima’s crippled nuclear reactor. Japanese firms shift to clean energy despite state’s cling to nuclear power.  Despite everything, Japan’s power companies are still loyal to nuclear power.

USA.

• U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urges China to enforce sanctions on North Korea. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo confident that North Korea understands what is expected in complete denuclearization.  Previously angry and aggressive, John Bolton, Trump’s national security adviser, now chummy with Putin and Kim Jong Un.
• Despite the Outer Space Treaty to prevent this, USA has a long history of planning for nuclear weapons in space.
• A glut of plutonium pits. Oh great! USA can make more nuclear weapons.
• Redress for nuclear industry whistleblowers in USA.
• Radiation from USA’s nuclear bomb tests went far and wide – now compensation is needed.
• New report connects cancer increase in North St Louis County with radioactive pollution from Coldwater Creek.
• Protest campaign to stop nuclear waste transport in Idaho.
•  Trumpocracy – analysed by Noam Chomsky.
• USA local group works to remove investments from nuclear weapons making companies.

CANADA. Toronto schools want anti-radiation pills in case of nuclear incident at Pickering plant. Protesters rally in Pickering to decommission nuclear power plant.

FRANCE. France’s anti nuclear activists not imprisoned. EDF aims to be the key corporation in nuclear station decommissioning. French nuclear corporation EDF hedges its bets: now starting 2 renewable energy programmes.

UK. 

• Scrap Trident or risk a “nuclear annihilation abyss”– former nuclear sub commander warns UK govt.
• How the British government struck such a terrible deal as Hinkley Point C nuclear power project.
• Britain’s Planning Inspectorate has accepted Hitachi unit Horizon’s application for the Wylfa nuclear power station in Wales.
• UK govt launches pro nuclear campaign, pushes for women in the nuclear industry.
•  UK’s nuclear power bigwigs want “community engagement”, but exclude critics of Sizewell nuclear project.
• Theresa May’s UK govt rejects renewables, promotes nuclear – and cancels promising tidal energy project.UK’s nuclear lobby appears to be winning, but the Tidal Lagoon Energy movement has not given up.
• Norwegian anti nuclear protest ship “Nora” sails to Sellafield to campaign for the closure of the nuclear plant.

NORWAY. Halden nuclear reactor shut down not just for safety reasons, more because it lost so much money.

AUSTRALIA. A critical time, as Govt rather secretively tries to set up a nuclear waste dump in a small rural community.

INDIA. India – the global nuclear weapons threat that is being ignored. India’s space dream – to develop nuclear fuel from helium on the moon.  USA’s General Electric and France’s EDF getting together to market to India huge and costly nuclear station.

SOUTH AFRICA. In South Africa, there’s confusion about the new government’s policy on matters nuclear.

JORDAN. Jordan gives up on big nuclear power station, but might be sucked in by “Small Nukes” propaganda.

GERMANY. Germany’s successful development towards nuclear fusion.

FINLAND. Finland’s nuclear waste dump will still be in the trial stage for years.

June 30, 2018 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | 4 Comments

Nuclear news to 24 June 18

Amid all the stuff about the nuclear industry, and about climate change, I occasionally come upon articles that are so powerfully written, and about such powerful global subjects –   that they just blow away the specific articles – important though these still are.

This week, Carl Grossman has revealed Donald Trump’s aim for weapons in space (which would be nuclear-powered), and what that means for the world. The nuclear weapons States currently adhere to the Outer Space Treaty of 1967 which designates space as the global commons to be used for peaceful purposes. If the U.S. goes up into space with weapons, Russia and China, and then India and Pakistan and other countries, will follow. Trump’s plan does require approval from Congress. The mind boggles also at the cost, and at what human services would disappear, in order to pay for this.

• Nuclear decommissioning in the UK.  UK’s Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) to spend billions stabilising plutonium canisters.  Continued delays and overspending at the Sellafield nuclear waste clean-up site.
• The nuclear industry has co-opted academia in Cumbria. European Commission gives environmental approval to planned Wylfa Newydd nuclear power plant. UK govt providing $billions for Wylfa nuclear power project, but Hitachi still scrambling for more money from Japan and USA.
• The prolonged closure of nuclear reactor 3 at Hunterston B in North Ayrshire, UK.
• ‘Vague assurances’ to Ireland on post-Brexit nuclear safety ‘not worth much’.

• USA’s nuclear weapons companies need the nuclear weapons race to continue. Trump’s plan for new low-yield nuclear weapon – superfluous and dangerous.
• Pro nuclear spruik of Michael Shellenberger is getting weirder and weirder.
• Senator Heller Successfully Keeps Yucca Mountain out of Defense Bill Approved by the U.S. Senate.
• Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry warn on cancers due to radioactive waste in Coldwater Creek, St Louis County.
• Inadequate funds to decommission FirstEnergy Solutions nuclear reactors.
• Nuclear supply chain fraud.
•  Radioactive Pollution At Los Angeles Jewish Camp.
•  A political problem for US Republicans – conservatives hate Trump’s coal and nuclear bailout.

June 24, 2018 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | 1 Comment

Nuclear news to 17 June

It’s getting hard for comedians, to compete as far as international relations go, with real life becoming more ridiculous. Politicians in Norway and USA are recommending Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. All sorts of reactions to the much vaunted “Nuclear Summit” between Trump and Kim. My own favourite was Trump’s own proud boast about not preparing for the summit – he makes decisions “by touch and feel”.

Accelerating Sea Level Rise is Being Driven by Rapidly Increasing Melt From Greenland and Antarctica.  Leaked UN draft report – world is on track to exceed 1.5C of warming.

Hopes for peace following the Trump-Kim summit are likely to be short-lived.   Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists hopes for some SUBSTANCE and scientific expertise in USA- North Korea nuclear negotiations. What’s NOT in the summit agreement ?- that’s the revealing part.  What the Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un document actually says.

100 nuclear weapons is the “pragmatic limit” for any country to have in its arsenal.

Economic realities point to a poor future for nuclear power.

USA. 

• Tough sanctions will remain on North Korea until its complete denuclearisation – says USA.    Donald Trump alienates America’s allies – thus increasing the likelihood of nuclear weapons proliferation.
• The huge danger to Americans of keeping hundreds of nuclear weapons on hair-trigger alert.
• Radioactive Particles Found in Homes of Workers at Major US Nuclear Weapons Facility.
• Guam wants inclusion in radiation exposure compensation program: U.S. Senate considering this.
•  Moving radioactive sludge from near Columbia River to the middle of the Hanford nuclear site.
• Natural Resources Defense Council warns against closing Hanford’s underground nuclear waste tanks.
• Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) rejected Trump Administration’s plan to rescue coal and nuclear industries.   A very hard project – Trump trying to bail out coal and nuclear power.
• USA Federal nuclear weapons facilities are getting systems to disable drones.

NORTH KOREA.  In North Korea, Kim Jong Un is seen as the tough winner, in Singapore nuclear summit.   Completely ignored in nuclear summit talks – the forgotten North Korean victims of 1945 atomic bombs.

JAPAN. The global problem of poisonous plutonium: Japan looks at its options.  US demands Japan reduce its plutonium stockpiles.   Why TEPCO should quickly close down Fukushima No. 2 nuclear plant. Japan approves 70-year plan to scrap nuclear reprocessing plant.  Amazingly High Radiation in Tokyo Bay — 131,000 Bq per Meter Squared.

Why wasn’t TEPCO bankrupted? – Japan’s Citizens’ Nuclear Information Center.  Japan’s Citizens’ Nuclear Information Center calls for TEPCO to be liquidated.  Japanese anti nuclear group No Nukes Wakayama flexes their muscles.

UK. Nuclear Industry Association still struggling with inconvenient truth that Brexit is bad for their industry.  Robots the hope for cleaning up the world’s riskiest and massive nuclear waste storage pool, at Sellafield, UK.  Centrica wants to sell its nuclear industry stake, but it’s hard to attract buyers. Fears in Isle of Man community over dangers of new Wylfa nuclear power station.  Fundamental problem with Britain’s Wylfa nuclear power programme – it’s a ripoff.

RUSSIA. Safety measure for World Cup – Russia halts nuclear waste transport.

FRANCE. Systemic failures in France’s Flamanville nuclear project.

SAUDI ARABIA. Huge USA weapons purchase by Saudi Arabia was on condition that USA would KILL THE IRAN NUCLEAR AGREEMENT!

JORDAN. Jordan knocks back Russia’s $10 billion nuclear power plant , but contemplates”small floating reactor”

BANGLADESH. Scientists predict millions of climate refugees – but where will they go?

IRAN. Iran says it can’t remain in nuclear deal without benefits.

SPAIN. Thousands protest against uranium mine in Spain.

UKRAINE. Tons of water poured in by planes, to major wildfire inside the Chernobyl ‘dead zone‘.

June 17, 2018 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Nuclear news this week, and a look towards next week

In the coming week the “nuclear summit” meeting between USA President Donald Trump and North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un will be a diplomatic conference like no other has ever been. It is remarkable because, between these two dominating national leaders, trading threats and insults, the world has been brought so close to the brink of nuclear war. It is remarkable for being a meeting between two exceptionally narcissistic, sociopathic personalities.

And, behind the scenes, one, Kim Jong Un, risks the loss of his domestic support, even his life endangered, if he should be seen to be weak, or to give up North Korea’s proud achievement of becoming a nuclear weapons State. The other, Donald Trump, proudly ignorant of co-operative negotiating processes, is being advised by a number of belligerent personalities in his closest associates. The world should be relieved if this meeting even comes about, and relieved if there is no outcome, other than pleasant waffle.

A new study suggests several future scenarios – outcomes for the world because of climate change.  Most predict collapse of civilisation.   One, more optimistically, predicts sustainability in both population and global temperatures rise – but only if populations switch to “low-impact” resource use.  It’s  now”Aspiration” rather than a genuine plan for limiting global warming to 2 degrees. Read Climate and Ecological Delusions and Contradictions That Will Rapidly End Humanity.  And listen to Radio Ecoshock. 

International co-operation can prevent nuclear annihilation – not Donald Trump with his “I alone can fix it”. What does “Denuclearisation” actually mean to Kim Jong Un? to Donald Trump?

MALAYSIA.  Malaysia questions why only North Korea, Iran must denuclearise. Why not America, China, Russia, India, Pakistan?

USA.

•  Trump so confident about the nuclear summit with Kim Jong Un that he “doesn’t need to prepare”.   No surprise that Donald Trump is a no-show at G7 climate meeting.
•  USA Congress should decide on controversial nuclear weapons – not let that be decided by Rick Perry all on his own. Barbara Lee Condemns GOP for Embracing Mini Nuclear Weapons.  America wasting $billions on unnecessary and dangerous plutonium pits for nuclear weapons. Groups Release Key DOE Documents on Expanded Plutonium Pit Production, DOE Nuclear Weapons Plan Not Supported by Recent Congressional Actions.
• It makes no economic sense – Trump’s new strategy to promote coal and nuclear. FirstEnergy bankrupt, but still spent hundreds of $thousands on lobbying for nuclear power.
• Move to strip Yucca Mountain nuclear waste project funds from Energy spending bill fails.  Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) resumes its nuclear waste processing.  Opposition to shipping nuclear wastes into Idaho for “temporary” storage.  Oyster Creek nuclear power station will take 60 years to be closed down.
• MOX nuclear fuel project in deep trouble, but judge rules against suspending its construction.
• Safety risks: American missile officers affected by drugs and alcohol. Increased powers for security guards at Missouri’s nuclear power plants.
•  Wildfire season has already begun close to Hanford nuclear reservation.

NORTH KOREA. Even if Kim Jong-un promises to allow nuclear inspections – “complete, verifiable, irreversible dismantlement” is really not possible.  A swift verified nuclear disarmament by North Korea is simply not feasible. North Korea’s economic and social health improving – new confidence brings Kim Jong Un to negotiate.

UK. As nations pull out of nuclear power Britain is isolated, in putting taxpayer funds into new nuclear construction.  British Conservative govt overturns its previous opposition to socialising the nuclear power industry. Ever multiplying financial costs for building new nuclear reactors are hitting UK, and other countries, too Old, unproven, unreliable nuclear technology planned for Britain’s Wylfa nuclear power station. “Temporary” – or rather STRANDED, nuclear wastes for Sellafield, as Britain has no idea what to do with its radioactive trash. UK now setting up an agreement that will replace the nuclear safeguards lost in leaving Euratom.

JAPAN. Niigata governor election centres on the issue of the world’s largest nuclear power plant.  Japan’s divestment campaign from nuclear and coal pits Buddhist priest against banks.  Japan High School Peace Envoys Keen to Deliver Voices of Hibakusha .

Fukushima. Study: Cesium from Fukushima flowed to Tokyo Bay for 5 years. PART 1: Radioactive water at Fukushima Daiichi: What should be done?  PART 2: Radioactive water at Fukushima Daiichi: What should be done?  Is Fukushima doomed to become a dumping ground for toxic waste?

UKRAINE. Despite Ukrainian Prime Minister’s reassurances, Wildfires near Chernobyl are potentially catastrophic. High levels of radioactive Caesium in Ukraine region around Chernobyl a threat to children.

FRANCE.   Finally a parliamentary debate on the safety of used nuclear fuel rod pools.    Welding defects in the Flamanville EPR nuclear reactor. EDF looks to a profitable industry in decommissioning nuclear reactors.

SOUTH AFRICA. Pelindaba nuclear facility in South Afric a has yet another nuclear safety scare. South Africa: draft Integrated Planning Framework Bill – another attempt to push new nuclear build? South Africa’s Minister of Energy says that S.A. has called off the deal with Russia to develop nuclear power.

BULGARIA. Russian-designed nuclear power plant causes tension in Bulgaria. Russia, France, China compete to develop nuclear power station in Bulgaria.

MIDDLE EAST. Nuclear power at a huge disadvantage in Middle East – but do they want it for nuclear weapons?

AUSTRALIA. Decades overdue Ranger Uranium Mine rehabilitation plan released The world is watching. Ranger mine closure and rehab to cost $1bn.

June 9, 2018 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Nuclear news at the beginning of June

With the world still teetering about North Korea etc, and the famous Kim-Trump summit still supposed to be happening, the nuclear weapons industry continues to thrive.

The impacts of climate change will not affect all regions equally – they will be worse in places with already fragile social and ecological systems.   The nuclear waste time bomb will keep ticking – America’s 60 years of radioactive trash.    And, as if the facts were not enough to worry about, Margaret Attwood (of ‘The Handmaid’s Tale”), suggests a future dystopian world, as the result of climate change.

Nuclear power plant construction even more costly than we thought – new analysis shows.

Energy politics – why renewables are winning over nuclear power.   International Renewable Energy Agency reports on companies across 75 nations sourcing renewable energy.

Further research on how ionising radiation causes cancer.

NORTH KOREA. North Korea likely to follow Pakistan’s nuclear path, not Libya’s. Kim Jong-un knows what he wants from the summit. Does President Trump? Yes, there are concerns, but North Korea’s dismantling of the nuclear weapons site is a positive step.

USA.

• Donald Trump – the worst USA presidential negotiator in modern history?  Donald Trump managing to isolate USA’s allies, by his failures in negotiation.  Trump administration could so easily blow the chance of a diplomatic solution for the Korean Peninsula. U.S. Senator Ed Markey points out the absurdity of John Bolton’s suggesting the “Libya model” for negotiating with North Korea.
• USA government to use Emergency Measures to prop up coal and nuclear industries.
• President Trump’s Washington swamp – the nuclear lobby/politics revolving door.
•  “Nuclear is N.I.C.E” – the latest spin from the desperate nuclear industry.
•  Congress has the power to stop squandering the public purse on new nuclear weapons.
•  Toshiba walks away from involvement in USA nuclear energy project.
• The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and Department of Justice support Illinois nuclear subsidies.
• Tennessee Valley Authority was overcharged nearly $4.4 million by contractor at Watts Bar Nuclear Power Plant.
• Logan city in Idaho ponders joining in costly and risky Small Modular Nuclear Reactor (SMR) development.
•  Measures to compensate Arizona “Downwinders” approved by USA Congress.   Nevada fights back – resentment against becoming America’s nuclear waste dump.  Don’t overturn the 1995 Batt agreement – stop toxic nuclear waste being imported into Idaho.  Albuquerque city councilors oppose shipping radioactive waste through city.  Rocky Flats Wildlife Refuge – the cover-up – the cleanup – but radioactive trash is still there.

INDIA. Nuclear politics between India and Pakistan need attention and understanding. India, a Key U.S. Ally, Plans to Ignore Trump’s Iran Sanctions .

FRANCE. Macron’s France signs up to join nuclear power partnership with Putin’s Russia.  France scaling back nuclear reprocessing – fears of financial disaster as with Japan’s Monju project.  Persisting with the European Pressurized Reactor (EPR) has brought France to a costly nuclear crisis. The trials and tribulations of France’s Flamanville EPR nuclear reactor.

UK.

• British scientists distressed at loss of funding as Britain leaves the nuclear safety agency Euratom.
• Hitachi ‘won’t pay’ for nuclear accidents at proposed Wylfa plant on Anglesey. As long as UK tax-payer coughs up, £20bn Hitachi nuclear plant looks set to be built in Wales. Britain’s “nuclear renaissance” in the balance as Hitachi ponders Wylfa nuclear project. Hitachi board of management wavers over costs of Wylfa nuclear power plan.  Wylfa Newydd nuclear plant protesters go to Japan.
•  Licence exists for dumping mud at North Cardiff – but they don’t need Hinkley’s suspect “mud”.  UK is not correctly testing Hinkley Point dumped mud for radioactivity.
• British government used pilots like ‘GUINEA PIGS’ during Cold War nuclear experiments .

JAPAN.    Fukushima mothers at UN tell their story.  Japan is poised to FLOOD the Pacific with one million tons of radioactive water contaminated by the Fukushima nuclear plant  Japanese Buddhist priest joins movement to divest from fossil fuels and nuclear power. Japan’s state-affiliated bank is reluctant to fund Hitachi’s Wylfa nuclear project in UK.   Japanese atomic bomb survivor pays tribute to U.S. POWs killed in A-bombing.

CANADA. Tough times for uranium company Cameco – and no improvement in sight.  Ontario could save $1.2B by closing Pickering plant, buying power from Quebec – Greens.

ISRAEL. Israel selling nuclear information and expertise to Saudi Arabia.  Israel’s PM Netanyahu planned a military strike on Iran in 201l.

GERMANY. Germany is ready to support Iran in restoring its economy as long as Iran adheres to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

RUSSIA. In a drill, fake terrorists take over Russia’s Arctic radioactive waste storage site.

SAUDI ARABIA. Thousands Held Arbitrarily – increasing numbers in Detention Without Trial in Saudi Arabia.

AUSTRALIA.  Federal Government National Nuclear Waste Dump Selection Process – a B-grade horror movie plot.   Sydney’s Opal nuclear reactor’s High Level Wastes off to France, later to return to planned Federal Nuclear waste Dump

June 2, 2018 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

The week in nuclear, climate, environment news

Back to the brink, as Donald Trump cancels the North Korea-USA Summit? Optimistic commentators rattle on about how this could turn out better. It’s deeply disappointing for South Korea’s President Moon who has tried so hard to defuse the tensions. Trump has been a failure as a negotiator, – seems aimed at wrecking international agreements – climate, Iran, North Korea ….  Meanwhile, all nuclear powers, but America in particular are doing a feeding frenzy on nuclear weapons spending.  USA excels in illogic, with USA National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) plan for unsafe and unnecessary production of plutonium pits (nuclear weapons triggers), – of which they already have a glut.

Earth’s climate could increase by 4 °C, compared to pre-industrial levels, before the end of 21st century.

I just had to put “environment” in the headline today. Of course, everything is connected anyway, but – what’s happening to the world’s insects? There’s a dramatic decline in insect numbers, the world is losing species. Is it due to climate change?  Is it due to electromagnetic radiation causing disorientation in them?  5 G networks soon, Wow!  Oh heck – insects are only little. They don’t matter. OR DO THEY?

The very real and very serious danger of nuclear reactor accidents in space.   Cosmic radiation will damage the brains of space travellers.

NORTH KOREA. North Korea destroys its nuclear weapons site.

SOUTH KOREA. Korean women lead the peace movement , supported by international delegation of women.

IRAN. Iran negotiating with Europe to stay in the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)

CHINA.  China lands nuclear strike bombers on South China Sea islands.     Uncertainty about China‘s nuclear power future.

JAPAN. New research reveals significant Fukushima radioactive particle release.  Storage capacity for radioactive water at Fukushima power plant nears limit.  Japan’s government weighs dumping radioactive Fukushima water into the Pacific. Radiation monitors in Fukushima to be scrapped after malfunctioning to the tune of ¥500 million a year.  Hiroshima bomb survivor Setsuko Thurlow continues her fight for a nuclear free world. Air duct corrosion and holes found at seven nuclear plants.

UK. Britain’s big future nuclear power plans hang on government subsidising Hitachi.  UK short of funds for its £51bn nuclear defence programme. Many years before massive nuclear power station could be built at Bradwell.  Hitachi’s build of Wylfa nuclear power station delayed – may never happen.  UK’s contentious new arrangement for nuclear safeguards, following exit from Euratom.   Toxic radioactive mud dumping is a toxic issue for Wales.  Scotland’s ambitious target for 100% renewable energy.

CANADA. Ontario NDP only party speaking out against nuclear waste bunker near Lake Huron.

USA. 

• USA Congress rejects move to limit new low-yield nuclear weapon.  F-35 bombers to get B61 Mod 12 nuclear weapon.   USA and others start a new desperate push to promote nuclear power.
• Call to White House to oppose Saudi Arabia’s threat to acquire nuclear weapons.
• Trump’s reckless propping up of the nuclear industry pleases its big lobbyists.  Trump’s lawyer Cohen opens doors for Alabama nuclear developer Haney.  Huge corporate subsidy to be given by New Jersey Governor to nuclear industry.     Nuclear industry’s big gamble on going small – but it mightn’t work!
•  Solar and Wind Subsidies  are a Clear Success. The Coal and Nuclear Industries Just Aren’t Ready to Admit it.
•  USA Department of Veterans Affairs conveniently lost hundreds of claims for children, grandchildren of contaminated veterans.  Missouri legal case – claim that cancer caused by Manhattan Project.
•  Fraudulent radioactive data management at San Francisco’s Hunters Point.  SCE and G misled lawmakers about critical nuclear report.
•  Mox plutonium reprocessing plant has been a huge waste of U.S. taxpayers’ money.

AUSTRALIA. Will Australia’s Prime Minister Turnbull cave in to USA pressure for Australia to join in USA efforts against Iran ?

SAUDI ARABIA. USA’s Pentagon speeds up weapons sales to Saudi Arabia.  Saudi government will not be able to silence courageous women activists. -Saudi Arabia arrests 11 human rights activists as “traitors”.

GERMANY. German government to compensate utilities over the phaseout of nuclear power.

SOUTH AFRICA. Eskom ‘abandoned’ plans to build a nuclear power station in the Eastern Cape – but is paying R16.5 million to keep it alive.

PHILIPPINES. Philippines consider nuclear revival, but active earthquake fault poses danger.

May 26, 2018 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | 2 Comments

The week to 19 May in nuclear and climate news

International politics teeters about over the Iran nuclear deal. Plans falter for nuclear summit meeting between Trump and Kim Jong Un. Trump will “decimate” North Korea unless Kim agrees to denuclearise the Korean peninsula.

Pro nuclear propaganda becomes more sophisticated and subtle. National Geographic now a stooge for the International “New Nukes”lobby

Scientists warn that worst-case climate change scenario could be more extreme than previously thought.  Climate change is heading for a major wipeout of the world’s insect species.

Facing the increasing threat of nuclear war.

Global 2 degrees C rise doubles population exposed to multiple climate risks compared to 1.5 degrees C  UN climate talks suspended until September.

Clean energy investment is headed for beating fossil fuels and nuclear.

INDIA. India’s dust storms intensified by climate change.

NORTH KOREA. In nuclear talks, Kim Jong Un fears risking the same fate as Muammar Gaddafi of Libya. Trump’s planned summit meeting with Kim Jong Un in doubt.  North Korea threatens to cancel US summit over military drills.    North Korea promises ‘total ban’ on nuclear tests: satellite photos show removal work at its test site.  Grave danger in hasty methods of closing down North Korea’s nuclear test site.  After closing test site, North Korea could later still resume nuclear bomb tests. North Korea ‘will never fully give up nuclear weapons’.

IRAN. Iran to negotiate with world powers to keep nuclear deal in place.

PACIFIC ISLANDS. New reports on humanitarian and environmental impacts of nuclear bomb testing in the Pacific.

UK

• The British government has offered 2 trillion yen ($18 billion) to Hitachi to built Wylfa nuclear power station.  In UK Parliament Greens Party demands the government comes clean about funding Hitachi for nuclear project.  UK govt denies reports that it will guarantee loans for Wylfa nuclear project.
•  Britain’s wind power stations providing more electricity than its nuclear stations, in first quarter of 2018. Leaked document shows Britain’s nuclear fuel supply at risk after Brexit.
• Concerns raised in UK Parliament about safety of communities along nuclear weapons transport route.  UK Nuclear-Free Local Authorities group (NFLA) slams decision to spend £2.5 billion on nuclear-armed submarines.
• So-called “independent” think tanks, e.g Britain’s Policy Exchange, paid to favour companies.

USA

• Trump administration’s incoherence threatens success of nuclear summit with North Korea.  Donald Trump is being manipulated by both Kim Jong Un and his own security adviser John Bolton. USA tells North Korea it must ship out nuclear weapons soon after nuclear summit.
•  Bernie Sanders says – America headed for war – as Trump ends the Iran nuclear deal .  Iran Deal: US Exit Opening For Russia? Exit Must Make Multiple Trump Friends Happy
• Trump administration abandons costly MOX failed nuclear energy project.  Union of Concerned Scientists says USA government was right to end the MOX nuclear reprocessing program. US could use canceled MOX plutonium fuel plant to make new nuclear weapons.
• More early closures of nuclear stations as many USA plants cannot cover their operating costs.  Alaska’s only nuclear power station to be dismantled.
• A New ‘Screw Nevada’ Bill Passes the House.  The struggle to vitrify radioactive waste.  Danger of moving nuclear waste to new site in New Mexico – Holtec the only winner.   Fraudulent data by a Navy contractor leads to questions over radioactive clean-up of Hunters Point.
• Minnesota Senate passes legislation that would change approval process for Xcel nuclear costs

FRANCE.  Trial of French activists who entered Cruas nuclear plant to demonstrate vulnerability of spent fuel storage pools Electricite de France (EDF) is lying about renewable energy: it’s really dedicated to nuclear power.

RUSSIA. Greenpeace demands strict safety controls on floating nuclear reactor in the Arctic.  Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom trying to market nuclear power to Chile, China, Cuba, Finland, Hungary, Iran, Italy, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Spain and Zambia.

JAPAN. Japan’s planned Olympics torch relay route found to have high levels of radiation.   ¥1.13 trillion of taxpayers’ money later, Japan’s Monju nuclear reprocessing reactor a spectacular failure.   Despite costs, safety concerns, waste problem – Japan sets ambitious nuclear energy targets.    Japan’s nuclear regulator reviewing Rokkasho nuclear fuel reprocessing plant.  “When they called me a ‘germ’ I wanted to die”.

UKRAINE. Timothy Mousseau to lead research into radiation in Chernobyl dogs. A personal experience of Chernobyl nuclear radiation.

SOUTH AFRICA. The business case for nuclear power – Oh – it’s NOT GOOD. South Africa’s Energy Minister goes very quiet about nuclear power, at African Utility Week.

FINLAND. New problem is troubling Finland’s Olkiluoto 3 nuclear project.

SAUDI ARABIA. Saudi Arabia is seeking to enrich its own uranium.

CANADA. NDP and Greens call for closure of Pickering Nuclear Station in August.

AFRICA. Solar power is ideal for African countries – nuclear power just doesn’t make sense there.

BULGARIA. Bulgaria’s struggle to find the money for building Belene nuclear power project.

May 19, 2018 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | 1 Comment

The week to 11th May in nuclear news

Trumpiness AGAIN!  Yes! He’s pulled America out of the Iran nuclear deal. Doesn’t augur well for the North Korea – USA summit to be held in Singapore on June 12. Increased risk of war in the Middle East.

Thirty thousand experts, policy people and diplomats are in Poland, planning for the next round of climate talks, The 1.5 degree C limit is a matter of life and death for some Pacific Island nations. 2 degrees is beyond safe.

Isn’t it good to learn about some sane, co-operative action? The power of environmentalism – Israelis, Palestinians and Jordanians unite in campaign for the environment.

USA, Australia, want to keep fossil fuel lobbyists in climate talks – developing nations want them OUT.

Renewable Energy Now Employs 10.3 Million People Globally.

ANTARCTICA. Global warming is melting Antarctic ice from below.

IRAN.   Rouhani says Iran will remain in nuclear deal .  Iran might now resume cyber attacks on USA institutions.

USA.

•  Saudi Arabia, Israel, dictating to Trump USA foreign policy on Iran nuclear deal? US sanctions Iran currency network after Trump pulls out of nuclear deal.  Bechtel engineering very happy at prospect of selling nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia.– Donald Trump’s withdrawal from nuclear deal lacks detail.
• Executives of unfinished South Carolina got $9 million in performance bonuses from state utility.
• U.S. Congress approves bill to revive Nevada nuclear waste dump plan.
• Sacramento keen to get rid of its more than two hundred tons of stranded nuclear waste.
• Idaho State University Lost Enough Weapons-Grade Plutonium to Make a Dirty Bomb.
• U.S. Department of Energy sending helicopters to measure radiation levels.

ISRAEL. Israel prepares missile defence systems and BOMB SHELTERS as US leaves Iran nuclear deal.

EUROPE. Can Europe salvage the Iran nuclear deal?.  European leaders consider ways to save the Iran nuclear deal.    Poland embraces wind power – a better deal than nuclear.

JAPAN. Contaminated water leak found at Ehime Pref. nuke plant.  Ohi No.4 reactor restarted.  Anti-terror emergency response centre for Sendai nuclear power plant.   Fukushima New Data for Unit 2’s Missing Fuel.  Fukushima ETHOS: Post-Disaster Risk Communication, Affect, and Shifting Risks.

UK. Britain coy about whether or not it is funding Hitachi nuclear power project in Wales.  Hitachi encouraged by British assurance of guaranteed loan for Wylfa nuclear power plant construction. Hitachi Ltd’s Horizon Nuclear Power unit has received assurance of UK govt funding for nuclear build in Wales.  UK Energy minister Lord Henley would consider storing nuclear waste under national parks.  EDF Energy hit with £120m bill over cracks in Hunterston B nuclear reactor in Scotland.

NORTH KOREA.   An impossible task? – “permanent, verifiable, irreversible dismantlement” of North Korea’s nuclear program.  North Korea is willing to discuss its nuclear program in talks with the United States. Current activity at North Korea’s nuclear test site.  Geophysicists say North Korea’s huge underground nuclear test DID move the mountain.

SYRIA. Syrian opposition praises Donald Trump’s Iran nuclear deal exit.

CANADA. Call from Michigan to stop nuclear waste dumping near Great Lakes.

SAUDI ARABIA. Saudi Arabia applauds Donald Trump in pulling out of the Iran nuclear deal.

SWITZERLAND. Swizerland’s Health Office recalls jewellery contaminated with radioactive thorium and uranium.

May 11, 2018 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

To 7th May Nuclear and Climate news

Christina Macpherson’s websites & blogs

Oh dear – it’s all  – will he or won’t he destroy the Iran nuclear deal? Will he have a successful nuclear talk with Kim Jong Un? Will he sell nuclear reactors to Saudi Arabia without safeguards against nuclear weapons?  Will I ever do a newsletter without Trumpiness?

Climate in brief   The world needs to hear, repeatedly, the simple message on urgency of climate change (and of nuclear threat, too). The UN’s climate change body releases its first annual report.   For the entire month of April, atmospheric Co2 levels exceeded 410 parts per million . Global climate change underway – the message from melting Arctic sea ice.

NUCLEAR

Trump talks tough in preparation for summit with Kim Jong Un.

Swiss artist Cornelia Hesse-Honegger shows how insects can tell the true story of the impacts of ionising radiation.

In new technique, scientists calculate radiation dose in bone from victim of Hiroshima bombing.

IRAN –Iran’s moderate Rouhani government in danger, if U.S. President Donald Trump scraps Tehran’s nuclear deal. Iran will not ‘renegotiate or add onto’ nuclear deal. A serious backward step for Iranian reform, if Trump destroys the nuclear deal.

NORTH KOREA. North Korea’s nuclear test site in fact fully operational?  Kim Jong Un promises a public display of closing nuclear test site.

UK.

• Hitachi asks Prim Minister May to provide funding for nuclear power project in Wales.  Prime Minister Theresa May faces crunch talks over the future of a new nuclear power station.  Wylfa nuclear project in Wales – construction started before design completed; taxpayers at risk.
•  40% fall in electricity predicted due to cracks in Hunterston B nuclear power station.
•  Frustration and anger: Irish groups concerned at UK govt’s plans for nuclear reactors all too close to densely populated Irish East coast.
• Growing concerns in Scotland over dangers of nuclear weapons “convoys” travelling through towns and cities. Many cops guarding nuclear weapons found to be unfit.

USA.

• NASA ready to radioactively trash another planet – no plan for disposal of wastes from nuclear reactors on Mars. NASA again hyping its plans for nuclear reactors on Mars.
• Continued safety concerns about production of “plutonium pits” for nuclear bombs.  America’s over-loaded plutonium waste sites pose a serious danger.   The under-rated risks from plutonium.
•  Holtec’s “temporary” nuclear waste dump could be a permanent problem for this American community.
• Nuclear industry ‘s struggle to survive – launches huge public relations push.
• Coalition of diverse groups call on Governor to veto New Jersey nuclear subsidy bailout.
• Widening fraud scandal over radioactive contamination clean-up.
• Uranium market looking crook – again!
• Rare eye cancer cases reported (not a mention of proximity to nuclear station).
• Donald Trump basking in pre Nobel Prize glory. Donald Trump reassures National Rifle Association (NRA) that he’s governing on their behalf.

JAPAN. Researchers Identify How Much Radiation Hiroshima Victims Were Exposed to –Foreign Trainees Used in the Cleanup of Fukushima Nuke Plant. Radiation to atmosphere from Fukushima now estimated to be up to 8 times more than from Chernobyl nuclear accident. Fukushima residents fight state plan to build roads with radiation-tainted soil.

CHINA. China ‘supports North Korean shift from nuclear to economy’.

TURKEY. Scientists call on the the International Atomic Energy Agency, NATO to stall Turkey’s dangerous nuclear power developments. Greek and Turkish Cypriots unite to oppose nuclear power plant in Akkuyu, Turkey.

FRANCE.  France’s “revolving door”  between nuclear power managers and politicians: big conflict of interest!

MIDDLE EAST. Climate Change Ignores all Borders as Rain Bombs Fall on Kauai and the Middle East Alike.

RUSSIA. Russia’s nuclear reactor ship raises fears of a maritime ‘Chernobyl.

SAUDI ARABIA. Saudi Arabia’s nuclear obsession – a cover for nuclear weapons development?

IRAQ, KUWAIT. Southern Iraq, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia permanently polluted with Depleted Uranium.

ISRAEL. Israel, Too, Lied About Its Nuclear Capabilities.

EUROPE. 32 years after Chernobyl, wild boars remain too radioactive to eat.

May 7, 2018 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Merging threats – nuclear and climate news

It’s a critical time for human and other species, as the threats from climate change and nuclear power are now merging. Climatologist Paul Beckwith explains this in his latest podcast https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRu-Xs4U2r4&feature=push-u&attr_tag=jW6Jq2IuMN0E13lZ-6  Carbon in the Atmosphere is Regularly Exceeding 410 Parts Per Million for First Time in Human History.

This crisis in the global ecosystem is manifested in other ways, notably in loss of biodiversity.

Professor Majia Nadesan explains “Nuclearity” – how politics trivialises the nuclear threat bringing the probability of global nuclear catastrophe. Nuclear scientists have lower awareness of risks, compared to “life”scientists.

Earth Day and the climate message of the “hockey stick” graph.

NORTH KOREA. Trump’s North Korea talks not likely to succeed.   Report from China that North Korea’s “nuclear mountain” test site has collapsed. Was the collapsed nuclear test site Kim Jong Un’s REAL reason for suspending nuclear tests?

SOUTH KOREA. Hotline set up between North and South Korea.

USA. 

• Trump says North Korea must get rid of its nuclear weapons. Donald Trump has no strategy for following through after talks with Kim Jong Un.
• French President Macron says that Donald Trump is likely to scrap Iran deal. US President Donald Trump and French counterpart Emmanuel Macron called for a “new” deal with Iran.
• Government Accountability Office slams Hanford nuclear waste plant operations.
• Trump administration considers adding a special new military branch – for weapons in space.
• Westinghouse CEO admits that the 2000s “nuclear renaissance” was never going to happen.
• America’s mounting piles of plutonium cores – to be removed, perilously, by contract workers.
• SAN ONOFRE’S NUCLEAR WASTE STORAGE TANKS ALREADY BREAKING. Danger of rising sea levels to nuclear waste canisters at Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station.
• Will Trump take emergency measures to bail out 2 economically failing nuclear power stations?
• Trump’s Nuclear Posture Review makes allowance for NEW NUCLEAR BOMB TESTING  

UKRAINE. United Nations report finds Chernobyl radiation has caused many cases of thyroid cancer.  New gigantic confinement dome over Chernobyl nuclear wreck is now almost completed. The true impacts of the 1986 nuclear disaster on people and the environment. Caring for Chernobyl’s children. Sisters now ill, exposed to Chernobyl radiation, – urge others to get cancer checks .

FRANCE. Electricite de France (EDF) now recognising the reality that new nuclear power is not economically viable.

UK. 

• Conflict of interest in the appointment of UK’s Chair of the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Council. UK government struggles to get community consent for nuclear waste dumping.  Flawed UK government policy in drive to make Cumbria host nuclear waste dump. UK’s Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) flip flops in its plans for Trawsfynydd wastes.
• Safety problems at Flamanville nuclear project throw Britain’s Hinkley C nuclear project into doubt.
• High cancer rates in UK’s nuclear test veterans.

IRELAND. Concern raised by Kilkenny County Council over proximity to Hinkley Point nuclear power plant.

RUSSIA. Loss of ice in Russian Arctic has doubled over past 10 years. Future Nuclear-Powered Spaceships (oh by the way, one crashed to Canada in the past).   Nuclear corporation Rosatom partners with National Geographic – to promote nuclear power!

IRAN. The ‘demonising’ of Iran, by USA and other Western powers, despite Iran’s good record on the nuclear deal. Investigative journalist Gareth Porter refutes the spin and deception in claims that Iran is a nuclear threat. Iran’s warnings if Donald Trump tears up 2015 nuclear deal.

OCEANIA. Sea level rise will force evacuation of communities from low-lying islands. Many low-lying atoll islands could be uninhabitable by mid-21st century .

NEW ZEALAND. New Zealand’s Prime Minister Just Stood Up to One of The Most Powerful Industries in The World.

CANADA. Indigenous, environmental, groups warn that Canada is mismanaging nuclear wastes.

SOUTH AFRICA. 2018 Goldman Environmental Prize goes to South African anti nuclear activists.

JAPAN.  Japan ‘covering up’ Fukushima nuclear danger-zone radiation levels and blackmailing evacuees to return to radiated areas swarming with radioactive pigs and monkeys.    Japanese trading house Itochu ‘pulls out of nuclear plant project in Turkey’.

BELGIUM. Belgium’s move away from nuclear power – now pushing offshore wind parks,

April 27, 2018 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

To 20th April – nuclear news this week

Donald Trump says he’s ready to pull the plug on the summit meeting with Kim Jong Un, if he feels it’s “not going to be fruitful.”   It took years of careful multi-national negotiations to develop a nuclear deal with Iran. Trump apparently expects Kim Jong Un to quickly agree to “complete, verifiable, irreversible dismantlement of the North Korean program”.  That can’t be done quickly, even if Kim agreed. And what would Kim want, in return?

Remembering that Donald Trump’s main aim is to be the centre of attention – what better centre-stage position, than walking out of the summit, and bringing us all to the nuclear brink again?

Dr Helen Caldicott – forthright and clear – on Donald Trump, and the nuclear war danger.

JAPAN. Japan ‘covering up’ Fukushima nuclear danger-zone radiation levels. Soil contamination data of East Japan.  Interest on TEPCO loans to cost taxpayers 218 billion yen.    Contractors siphoned 1.6 million yen off pay of Vietnamese trainees sent to Fukushima.  Fukushima export ban maintained by Hong Kong.

FRANCE. A quiet French village has become a centre of anti-nuclear protest. France’s EDF faces handicap to exporting nuclear reactors, with flaws found in European Pressurized Reactors (EPRs)

AUSTRALIA. Climate change – unseasonably hot weather made bushfires near Lucas Heights nuclear reactor become “apocalyptic” blazes. Government and media silence on the bushfire danger to Lucas Heights nuclear reactor.

USA.

• Plutonium contamination forces shutdown of demolition process for Hanford nuclear site.
• Tragic future for space colonists – cancers, blindness and brain damage from radiation. At tax-payers’ expense, NASA will produce nuclear KILL-o-Power in space.
• U.S. Supreme Court considers forcing changes to reduce Savannah nuclear sites leaking into the river.
•  America’s Nuclear Posture Reviews (NPR) – inconsistencies, limitations, and questions unanswered.
• Communities that hosted nuclear reactors now stuck with stranded radioactive trash.
•  “No New Nuclear Plants To Be Built in the U.S” – says top Exelon official.
•  Workers allege fraud in the clean-up operations on radioactive shipyard contamination.
• USA government keen to promote Westinghouse sales of nuclear power projects to India.

NORTH KOREA. North Korea just promised a huge concession on its nuclear weapons. It’s done that before.

EUROPE. European lawmakers urge USA to stick with the Iran nuclear deal. International experts unsure on origin of last year’s radioactive cloud over Europe.

BELARUS. Unsafe development of Belarus nuclear power plant.

IRAN. Magnitude-5.5 quake strikes near Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant .

UKRAINE. Ukraine fears ‘second Chernobyl’ if militants flood nuclear bomb mine. HBO miniseries will examine the 1986 nuclear disaster in Ukraine.

UK. 30 UK civil society organisations call on Britain to sign UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).  UK government will need to lift the bribes for communities to accept nuclear wastes. West Cumbria plea against Lake District being targetted for nuclear waste.

SYRIA. First Western journalist to reach and report on Douma site – Concludes “They Were Not Gassed”

RUSSIA. Scared ex-Soviet general warns nuclear war is “inevitable”

SOUTH AFRICA. South Africa’s Director General of Energy says there’s no new nuclear build programme.

April 20, 2018 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | 1 Comment

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 | Leave a comment

The week to April 7, in nuclear news

While I’m supposedly focussed on nuclear news, it is really madness to ignore climate.  The  biosphere is being dramatically changed by human activities.  Climate news has become ever more complicated.  Last week, I struggled to explain the complexity of the Arctic currents of warm air, their effects on the polar vortex, and the extreme cold in Northern Europe and America.

At the same time, climate change is heating up the southern half of the globe.

Rapid Sea Level Rise Possible as Ocean Floods into Antarctica at up to 400 Meters Per Year. Antarctica’s great ice sheet being eroded by warm water circulating underneath. Drastic action on fossil fuels is needed, as the Poles melt – with unpredictable consequences.

Madeleine Allbright  on the global threat of fascism,  and Donald Trump

Chris Busby comments on the Skripal incident – Nuclear war an option?

Women, today and always, understand and fight the peril of nuclear war, nuclear pollution.

The world should be outraged at the silencing of Julian Assange.

The carbon footprint of huge digital data centres.

JAPAN. Powerful volcanic eruption at Mount Shinmoe, and more to come -ONLY 40 MILES FROM Sendai Nuclear power station.  The end for Japan’s expensive Monju nuclear fast breeder dream.  Closing down of Fukushima nuclear power plant has skyrocketed to US$75 billion.  Problems with local consent hang over Japan’s proposed nuclear station restarts. Tepco facing huge costs in Fukushima disaster, but still plans to help fund restart of Tokai nuclear power station.

NORTH KOREA   Kim Jong Un’s complete turnaround in tactics: will it result in peace, or not?   Experts reject Japanese claim about North Korea preparing for a new nuclear weapons test. North Korea nuclear missile ‘could reach UK within months’ – but Kim Jong-un ‘too rational’ to use them.

SOUTH KOREA. Researchers from 30 countries call for boycott of South Korean university, in campaign against lethal autonomous weapons.

UK.

•  Recovery of poisoned former Russian spy should help the police investigation. The Skripals and the unusual timing of Chemical warfare exercises near Salisbury.
• EDF says that proposed Sizewell C nuclear plant in Suffolk may not be feasible.
• British Nuclear Test Veterans Update.
• UK’s secret air transport of nuclear wastes – a cause for concern.
• Serious flaws in “community consultation” process for selecting a nuclear waste dump site in Cumbria.
• UK Inspector General’s report on Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection 2017.

RUSSIA. The new arms race, as Russia tests its ‘Satan’ nuclear missile.  – Novichok A234 – The facts .

USA.

•  Donald Trump does not know what he’s doing, in lead-up to North Korea summit. Iran nuclear deal under threat, with Donald Trump’s new national security team.
• Could new U.S. tactical missile projects trigger a new nuclear arms race?  Nuclear lobby no longer touts Peaceful Nuclear Power – now it’s Essential for Nuclear Weapons.
• Massive subsidy plan for New York’ s nuclear power could be stymied by new evidence. FirstEnergy files for bankruptcy for its uneconomic coal and nuclear subsidiaries.
• Isle de Jean Charles – America’s first climate refugees to evacuate.

CANADA. Canada’s so-called “medical”nuclear research reactor finally bites the dust.

CHINA. China expanding its nuclear marketing overseas, with the help of Bill Gates.

TURKEY. Nuclear energy is not coming to Turkey quickly.  Cyprus to lodge complaint over Turkey Nuclear Power plant plans.

PAKISTAN. Submarines with nuclear weapons bring nuclear war closer for India and Pakistan.

MIDDLE EAST. Global nuclear power firms scrambling to market nuclear technology to Middle East countries.

FRANCE. Resurrected nuclear company Orano (formerly Areva) – still losing money-France’s EDF to spend 8 billion euros ($9.8 billion) by 2035 on energy storage.

BELGIUM. Belgium’s nuclear power to be ended by 2025.

SAUDI ARABIA. Crown Prince Bin Salman suggests war may happen between Saudi Arabia and Iran.  Inside the vast web of PR firms popularizing the Saudi crown prince.

April 7, 2018 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

CLIMATE and nuclear news – to 30 March 18

Easter – Passover – time for religious observances and/or to be helping that bunny, (or bilby) to hide those chocolate Easter eggs – or something fun like that.  Probably bad timing to be talking about climate change, as the news is not good.

It’s so bad, in fact, that I aberrate here from things nuclear to draw attention to what is happening in the Arctic. Radio Ecoshock keeps us up to date, and the latest news explains the exceptionally cold Northern winter, the Arctic Meltdown, and the proposals for renewable power AND geoengineering.

Arctic temperatures have skyrocketed to 30 degrees celsius over the long-term average. Warm humid air going into the Arctic hits the dense dome of cold air, and bypasses it, going up into the upper atmosphere, even to the stratosphere. The high altitude Polar Vortex split, and a deep persistent jet stream trough over North America shifts, bringing freezing weather.The high Arctic warming  in the spring, autumn, and throughout the winter results in melting ice. The complexity of atmospheric “rivers”brings streams of warm air to the Arctic, carrying water vapour , itself a greenhouse gas, which increases absorption of heat.

For a detailed explanation of the Arctic situation, see the youtube videos by Paul Beckwith:

• Hot Wet Atmospheric Rivers Ravage Arctic: Part 1 of 4  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5OifOXfJe0
• Warm Humid Air Penetrates Arctic Cold Dome:  2 of 4- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrUV21csBNc–
• Topsy Turvy Weather on a Planet in Peril: Part 3 of 4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viw_5MlJoRE

Climate change is the top threat to the world’s biodiversity.

Space radiation is increasing. That might put a stop to human visitors to Mars.

RUSSIA.  Nuclear, biological and chemical weapons research at Novichok (exclusive to nuclear-news). Russia’s sunken submarine– still with nuclear weapons.

CHINA. Toxic threat from Tiangong-1 Chinese space station crash soon!

UK. Small Modular Nuclear Reactors – their connection to nuclear weapons development. Blackwater Against New Nuclear Group (BANNG) slams biased meeting promoting Bradwell nuclear power plan.   Wind and solar make more electricity than nuclear for first time in UK. UK slowly recruiting nuclear safety staff that it will need when it leaves European union.    Assange internet connection cut off in embassy – Kim Dotcom.

NORTH KOREA. Increased activity at North Korean nuclear site.

FRANCE. France’s govt sets cost of Bure underground nuclear waste burial at 25 billion euros (about double that is likely).  AREVA – failed company exhumed – now called “ORANO” and STILL losing money.  France to make a huge investment in energy storage.

USA.

•  Women lead in USA campaign to protect the world from a U.S. nuclear trigger finger.
• US navy’s Virginia attack submarines will now be able to fire nuclear weapons.
• Will Trump’s new national security adviser John Bolton steer Trump in the direction of attacking North Korea?  How America could come to terms with a nuclear-armed North Korea.  Over 100 U.S. nuclear security experts urge Trump not to scrap Iran nuclear deal.
• Subsidy for nuclear power stations as a national “emergency”?  Plan to revive Texas Consolidated Nuclear Waste Storage Facility.
• March 28 – anniversary of Three Mile Island nuclear disaster and the lies about “no-one died”.
•  Who REALLY benefits from uranium mining in Grand Canyon country?

JAPAN.

• At Social Book Café Hachidorisha in Hiroshima – hibakusha continue to give testimony about the nuclear bombing.
• Another aging nuclear reactor in western Japan to be scrapped .   Fukushima disaster interest payments to be shouldered by taxpayers now estimated to US$ 29,3 billion, up 58% from previous estimate.
• Hong Kong will not lift post-Fukushima ban on some Japanese food.  Intensive campaign from Japanese diplomats to push other countries to lift their ban on Japanese contaminated produce.  “Fukushima Pride” – publicity event to promote Fukushima food in Paris.

CHINA. China’s progress in nuclear power is not as sure as it used to be.

SAUDI ARABIA. Saudi Arabia to build the world’s biggest solar power project.

SOUTH AFRICA. South Africa: the country that built nuclear weapons and then gave them up.

March 30, 2018 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | 2 Comments

To March 24 – this week’s nuclear news

Christina Macpherson’s websites & blogs

Well, it’s been quite a week, with all the Cambridge Analytica stuff showing the power and influence of corporations and political parties in manipulating social media– We should not be so surprised, except for the speed and effectiveness of the Cambridge Analytica’s opinion-influencing campaigns.

Manipulation of public opinion has a long and dishonourable history. Following the 1945 bombing of Hiroshima, America launched a successful pro nuclear power propaganda campaign, resulting in the growth of the ‘peaceful’ nuclear industry, especially in Japan.

Hitler used the 1936 Berlin Games to ‘sell’ Nazi Germany as a fine culture.  Currently, Putin is being accused of using the FIFA World Cup as a glorification of his Russian regime.

We can look forward now to two years of global hype over the 2020 Olympics in Japan as a glowing  (though lying) recommendation of a now healthy Fukushima.

All this in the desperate effort to save the reputation of the global nuclear industry. However not everyone, even conservatives, are buying this, as the situation in Britain shows, with renewables gaining popularity.

Climate:  social science research also shows the way in which conservatives are being won over to accept climate change as a reality, and the need to work actively to slow its progress. Polar Anomaly Flip in an Abnormally Warm World: Arctic to Cool as Antarctica Heats Up.

USA.

• Saudi prince admission of possible nuclear weapons development has upset USA lawmakers. Trump to sell over $1 billion in weapons to Saudi Arabia. Saudi Crown Prince boasted that Jared Kushner was “in his pocket”.
• Trump’s budget: big cuts to energy efficiency and renewable energy, boost to nuclear weapons. American military and South Carolina politicians want more “plutonium pits”for nuclear warheads.
• NASA will allow plutonium powered spacecraft – reversing previous policy prohibiting this dangerous system.
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation confirm Russian hackers targeting U.S. nuclear plants.
• Over 15 miles of piping at former uranium enrichment facility to be monitored by robots.

NORTH KOREA. North Korea significantly slows down tunneling in nuclear weapons test site.

FRANCE. Theft of confidential information about Cattenom, Flamanville and Paluel nuclear power plants. India has not signed Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty: Macron keen to sell EPR reactors to India anyway.

JAPAN. Proposed storage of spent nuclear fuel sparks resistance in Aomori Pref. City. Hakodate court rejects plea for injunction to halt construction of Oma MOX plant in Aomori.

Fukushima.

•  Fukushima Accident is Becoming More Severe, Residents Continue to Struggle: Ruiko Muto on 7 Years of the Nuclear Disaster.
• TEPCO in the dark about conditions inside shattered Fukushima nuclear reactors: they will now try aerial drones.
• 45 Lawsuits in Fukushima District Courts. Americans seek $1 bil. in damages over Fukushima nuclear disaster.
• Only trickle of former residents returning home to Fukushima.  Is Fukushima doomed to become a dumping ground for toxic waste?    Fukushima governor ‘pushes safety of prefecture’s food’ on Europe tour.   The “forbidden life” of those caring for abandoned animals in Fukushima.
• Sanitising the Fukushima nuclear waste situation: Japanese newspaper succumbs to pressure.

CANADA. Radioactive Cesium 134 from Fukushima nuclear disaster – found in British Columbia.

RUSSIA. The very dangerous prospect of nuclear-powered cruise missiles. Concern over Russia’s nuclear activities in the Arctic – potential for a radiological disaster.

EUROPE. 1960 Paris Convention part of undemocratic government support for nuclear industry. Plan for pan-European alliance against the promotion of nuclear energy– Austria and Luxembourg to start it.

UK. British nuclear submarine joins American naval exercises under Arctic ice.    UK Conservatives – inconsistent, incoherent, policy – agreeing to Russia’s involvement in UK’s nuclear power development.   UK: renewable energy becoming cheaper than nuclear power.

FINLAND. Finland’s nuclear power plant’s price tag – at least $11 billion.

March 24, 2018 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment