nuclear-news

TODAY. The world’s ”democratic”pro nuclear leaders are a dodgy lot, and not to be trusted

Well – even Britain’s Tories have now had enough of Boris Johnson’s lies and blunders.

Johnson repeatedly promised building nuclear reactors “one a year for eight years”. Anyone who knew a little about nuclear reactors (current designs 10 years late and £10bn over budget) or about the prime minister’s other mega-projects – was confident that this could not happen.

France’s President Macron keeps on touting nuclear power – now he’s nationalising the nuclear industry, apparently oblivious of the fact that climate change is killing the industry in France – as nuclear reactors can’t cope with extreme summers and water shortages.

And Joe Biden? Well, it’s pretty clear that no President in the United States gets to be President without the support of the nuclear lobby, and the whole military-industrial-corporate -complex

Biden has made some nice motherhood statements about cutting nuclear weapons. They mean nothing, as he is under the control of the Pentagon hawks and their allied nuclear corporations

One is tempted to think that in the case of the UK, the voters just chose a blundering ignoramus in order to get some amusement. Macron got captured by the nuclear lobby. And in the sad case of supposed democracy America – well a nuclear-captured President is a foregone conclusion.

July 7, 2022 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | 1 Comment

The week’s nuclear news

A bit of good news – Marc Jacobson: No miracle tech needed: How to switch to renewables now and lower costs doing it.

In my newsletters and on my websites, there are a lot of articles critical of, indeed condemning, NATO and the USA.  There are also articles critical of Ukraine, and some revealing the Russian point of view.   This isn’t because I’m a Putin supporter. I’m not, and certainly don’t support his illegal invasion of Ukraine. I have publicised some atrocities by the Ukrainians –   but I don’t doubt that there have been some atrocities by the Russian side.

The pro-Ukraine, pro NATO/USA side is fulsomely covered by the mainstream media. My reason is simply that the mainstream media is blanketing us with a very biased coverage of the Ukraine war – we are being brainwashed to believe that Ukraine is winning this war,  – there’s no case for a negotiated settlement, and that the might of NATO/USA is the solution to this problem, and to pretty much every other problem on the planet. China is evil, but NATO will fix everything. The message is, as a notoriously corrupt Australian Premier used to answer questions , –   ” Don’t you worry about THAT” – (ie. ”don’t think. just cheer us on.”)

Assange’s wife sounds alarm over his treatment. Julian Assange files new appeal fighting extradition to US. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRNpsNCPXvA    Extradition of Julian Assange – a travesty of justice.

Atoms and Ashes—lessons from six of the world’s worst nuclear disasters. (this is a terrific article – covers every aspect about nuclear safety).         Is Nuclear Power Just Too Dangerous?

ABOUT NATO and WAR.   NATO and a War Foretold . While Biden Gives Ukrainian Army “The Most Lethal Weapon,” War Profiteer BAE Systems Stock Soars.

Empire To Expand NATO In Response To War Caused By NATO Expansion.

NATO has completed its post-Cold War transformation from Europe’s guard dog into America’s attack dog.    If you want to be accepted as ”Western” – best to be white.      NATO to add Finland, Sweden, prepare Australia, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea .

NATO pressures Finland, Sweden to back “Türkiye’s” war against Kurds as price of admission.     Finland, Sweden join Turkey’s war against Kurds to get NATO pass.      New, aspiring NATO members must adhere to Anglo-American pieties, dogmas, articles of faith .         NATO summit: Pentagon to establish permanent military bases in Central, Eastern Europe.       Military social media campaigns promote the war in Ukraine, and attack any ”wrongthink” that dares criticise role of USA and NATO.

Nuclear warheads expected to increase in next 10 years.

Small modular nukes fall short on climate promises, new study suggests.

Lost in space: Astronauts struggle to regain bone density.

Gun Violence: A Public Health Crisis — IPPNW peace and health blog

Put women’s rights ‘front and centre’ of climate policies: Bachelet.

CLIMATE.  Greta Thunberg has warned that the world faces “total natural catastrophe” unless citizens take urgent action. World is not going to avoid 1.5C global warming ‘tipping point’, researchers warn. The Fossil Fuel Industry’s Expansion Plans Will Be the Death of Us! — Mother Jones

UN Ocean Conference ends with call for greater ambition and global commitment to address dire state of Ocean

UKRAINE. Biden officials privately doubt that Ukraine can win back all of its territory . The IAEA Needs Access to Ukraine’s Nuclear Power Plant. Biden Can Help.   Ukraine says link restored to Zaporizhzhia nuclear station.   As West blames Moscow for ‘food crisis’, ships sail from Mariupol with Moscow’s help while Ukraine holds vessels in its ports. ‘Russian-speakers will be second-class citizens unless they give up their language’: A view on Ukraine’s future from Donbass.

EUROPE. International groups mobilise to demand that the European Parliament end plan to greenwash nuclear power.

RUSSIA. Russia to Bolster Border With Nuclear Weapons, Missiles if Sweden, Finland Join NATO. Russia open to nuclear weapon talks

HUNGARY. NATO Summit – Facing the New Reality – a view from Hungary

SWEDEN. Will Sweden throw the Kurds under a bus, in order to get Turkey to agree to Sweden joining NATO? Swedish and Finnish NATO deal with Turkey triggers fears over Kurdish deportations.

TURKEY. NATO summit “great diplomatic success for Turkey,” escalation of war in Mideast.

SOUTH KOREA. NATO summit: South Korea joins NATO’s anti-China campaign.

UK. 

• Campaigners are raising some very awkward questions about the financing of UK’s £20billion Sizewell C nuclear power plant. UK govt scratching for money for new nuclear, hires Barclays to search for investors. Nuclear Free Local Authorities join in Seminar ‘Sizewell C: More Questions than Answers’ . Could nuclear plant ruin Suffolk haven for avocets, bitterns and harriers? 
• The whole idea of a GDF (geological disposal facility) is flawed thinking and needs to be revisited.    ‘Lacking in scientific rigour’: Damning verdict of marine expert on UK’s Nuclear Waste Services seismic testing plan.   Over 30,000 say No to seismic testing in the Irish Sea. Marine Management Organisation Put “On Notice” Should they Rubber Stamp Possibly “Unlawful” Seismic Blasting Plan in Irish Sea.   UK’s Radioactive Waste Management Ltd and Nuclear Waste Services avoid Environmental Impact Assessments, as they plan seismic blasting in the Irish Sea. 
• Scotland needs to dissociate from the world’s nuclear madness – a personal story. 
• Anger at dangerous nuclear convoys through Lancashire and Cumbria. 
• Nuclear test veterans want 70 years of suffering recognised with ‘Plutonium Jubilee‘. 
• To Bella Lack – being called a ”snowflake” is a badge of honour.

USA. 

• Nuclear War Could Mean Annihilation, But Biden and Congress Are Messing Around.       The Accidental Trumpification of NATO.   
• The US supreme court has declared war on the Earth’s future.     
• USA now desperately trying to flog off NuScam’s small nuclear reactors to Europe, starting with Romania.    
• California may rescue its last nuclear power plant — and give PG&E $millions to do it. 
• So, what should be done about nuclear waste? 
• NASA to spend $15 billion of tax-payers’ money on designs for nuclear reactors on the moon.

MARSHALL ISLANDS. World’s most nuclear contaminated island left uninhabitable for 77 years.

JAPAN. Japan’s Nuclear Power Plants in 2022.  Britain to lift restrictions on food from Fukushima. Japan has approved restarts of 10 nuclear reactors, but only 4 actually in operation.   Disaster-hit Tohoku residents unimpressed by ‘recovery Olympics,’ survey shows.  New Chairman of All Fishermen’s Federation “firmly opposed” to discharge of treated water, The person who agreed to an interview at METI was… a retired counselor, not a minister.

FRANCE. Macron facing ‘Fukushima-style’ accident, as EDF reactor cracks force shutdown. Drought, and multiple problems in nuclear power plants add energy crisis to the climate crisis. Corrosion problem shutters half of France’s nuclear reactors. France to build nuclear reactors in Poland, and is supplying finance.

SOUTH AFRICA. Nuclear energy is off the table, says Ramaphosa.

PAKISTAN. Pakistan Reaffirms Pledge To Nuclear Non-Proliferation Goals.

IRAN. ‘Effort and patience’ required to restore Iran nuclear agreement.

NORTH KOREA. North Korea warns of nuclear war risk as Japan, US and South Korea increase military ties.

CHINA. Amid Iran nuclear impasse, China calls out US for AUKUS ‘double standards‘.

AUSTRALIA. Oh, for a Prime Minister honest about Australia’s security! Mr Albanese goes to Madrid: Australia on the alliance path to Global Nato

July 4, 2022 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

TODAY. NATO-USA militarily encircling Russia, China. – the world?

Uncannily like the buildup to World War 1, European nations are enthusiastically arming themselves and amassing troops, like the new permanent U.S. bases for Poland. And, of course, the big winners, the only winners, are the weapons corporations. The goal is to encircle Russia.

NATO leads the pack, becoming more bloated and belligerent as it draws in Finland and Sweden. The G7 now becomes NATO’s lackey.

We feared the impulsive and blustering President Trump. But President Biden is being just as tactlessly war-mongering – only a little more polite in manner. Australia got rid of its ignorant and bullying Prime Minister Morrison. But his replacement, PM Albanese, is effectively joining in with USA’s militarism, just more politely in manner.

But now the goal is to militarily encircle not only Russia, but China, too . Forget just the ”North Atlantic” – now it’s the Pacific too, and South Pacific. And NATO ls now creating this new enemy – joint Russia-China.

As with WW1 – the only winners are the weapons corporations, happily amassing $billions, including for nuclear weapons – the boys getting lots of those shiny new toys – and just the hope that they don’t actually use them

July 2, 2022 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

TODAY. NATO keen to get everybody against Russia and China

Yeah – Putin’s been bragging about being the new Peter the Great. Xi’s made himself President for life. Biden’s there for only a limited period – but then you have to have the backing and the funding of the wealthy war-mongerers to get to be U.S. President.

NATO used to be the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. But now it’s the Global everywhere war preparation organisation. To read the mainstream media, you really would think that the whole world was gearing up to fight Russia and China.

And yet….. in Europe Andorra Armenia Austria Azerbaijan Belarus Bosnia and Herzegovina Cyprus Finland (not yet) Ireland Kosovo Malta Moldova Monaco San Marino Serbia Sweden (not yet) Switzerland are not NATO members.

Meanwhile The countries of the Non-Aligned Movement represent nearly two-thirds of the United Nations’ members and contain 55% of the world population.  (pale blue on map indicates observer status)

Currently every one of the 53African countries (except South Sudan and Western Sahara) is a member of the Non-Aligned Movement. 36 Asian countries are members. In the Pacific, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu are members. 20 other countries have observer status

Then there are the BRICS countries  Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

No – everybody doesn’t have to join NATO, or be aligned with NATO. And it’s possible that some of the countries that have signed up are not to keen to keep on buying costly weaponry from USA, UK, Germany . and might be having second thoughts about getting stuck in endless warfare.

June 30, 2022 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | 1 Comment

A brief wrap on the week’s nuclear news

Mercifully brief this week, as I have had the flu

A bit of good news –  Fiji joined over 86 states to adopt a treaty on the prohibition of nuclear weapons and take the first step back from the knife edge of Armageddon.  Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama eloquently set out the reasons for the treaty, and the need to heal the wounds of the dark legacy of nuclear weapons testing in the Pacific. The best explanation i”ve yet read, on the value of the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

Let us move towards a world without nuclear weapons. Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons Members agree a plan of action in response to renewed threats of nuclear weapons use. A nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought .

After lying for months, the media are preparing the public for Ukraine’s military collapse. Glenn Diesen: As propaganda about a Ukrainian ‘victory’ retreats, is a split emerging in the West? Western Officials Admit Ukraine Is Crawling With CIA Personnel.

European Pressurised Water Reactors (EPRs) – a nuclear economic fiasco in Finland, France, UK and China.

The United States-the Pacific bully.

Welcome to the ‘Pandemicene‘..

World facing real risk of ‘multiple famines‘ this year, UN chief warns.

UKRAINE. West’s Ukraine fantasy will spell doom for the Ukrainian nation.A despicable Ukrainian PSYOP in Bucha. No Western ”boots on the ground” in Ukraine? Just commandoes and CIA agents. As world leaders promote nuclear power as SAFE, a dangerous situation develops at Europe’s largest nuclear power plant _- Zaporizhzia in Ukraine ! Panic as Russian missiles pass CRITICALLY close to nuclear power plant, as Putin’s ‘grave health worsens’.

UK.Blasting for nuke waste dump will devastate marine life. Radiation Free Lakeland joins local Haverigg Protest against the GDF (Nuclear Dump). Nuclear Free Local Authorities support Cumbria’s new group opposing Nuclear Waste Dump. The UK is searching the sea for a nuclear dump site with huge risks to marine life. Nuclear Free Local Authorities support Cumbria’s new group opposing Nuclear Waste Dump. Rolls Royce wants fast-track approval of its small nuclear reactors, even though they are barely developed yet.

EUROPE. Dispute among Members of European Parliament over move to classify nuclear energy as ”green”.

FRANCE. Nuclear power turning out to be counter-productive for Europe as a means to cut Russian power supplies – France’s massive decine in nuclear output.

SPAIN. Thousands March in Madrid for Peace and “NATO NO”.

JAPAN. Japan to Give Plutonium from Spent Fuel to France, – (but the high level wastes must be returned to Japan) 120 High School Students Connect Voices for Nuclear Abolition Video Produced by Masaharu Fukuyama Released. Contesting Fukushima.

RUSSIA. Russia’s justifications for invasion are not persuasive — IPPNW peace and health blog. Russia to send Belarus nuclear-capable missiles within months, as G7 leaders gather in Germany,

PHILIPPINES. Reactivating Nuclear Power Plant Near Volcano a Bad Idea, Geologists Say.

USA. What happened at Santa Susana?

ISRAEL. Israel Expands Operations Against Iranian Nuclear, Military Assets.

FIJI. Fiji adopts nuclear weapons ban treaty

IRAN. Talks to restart on Iran nuclear deal

CHINA.  China accuses the US and UK of hypocrisy on press freedom for calling out Beijing’s crackdowns while putting Australian Wikileaks founder Julian Assange on trial for espionage.

AUSTRALIA. Greg Barns: Julian Assange and the Albanese Government – Enough is enough! A new era as Australia joins historic UN nuclear ban meeting. A big win for Yeelirrie.

June 27, 2022 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | 2 Comments

TODAY: Fed up with the biased and inaccurate coverage of the Ukraine war.

The picture above does not do justice to the multitude of news media, social media, blah blah that continue to parrot out very emotional and inaccurate coverage of the war. Yes the Russian invasion of Ukraine is illegal and wrong. Yes civilians have suffered and died. Yes, some Russian and other nationals on the Russian side have committed atrocities.

But we are supposed to believe in massive atrocities by the Russian side, and squeaky clean good behaviour from the Ukrainian side?

Suddenly neo-Nazi elements in Ukraine have become golden heroes.

The world’s great new pin-up Zelensky, is acclaimed, even if he is of the opinion that glorious mass Ukrainian martydoms are a better idea for Ukraine than a negotiated settlement with Russia that might give Russia some concessions.

Today I read Nicolas Cinquini ‘s report on the much publicised atrocities in Bucha. Then there’s Joe Lauria’s story in Consortium News.  https://consortiumnews.com/2022/04/04/questions-abound-about-bucha-massacre/. Then there’s Colonel Richard Black writing for the The International Schiller Institute –

‘‘my hunch is that the Ukrainians killed off these people after they moved in, and after they looked around, and said, “OK, who was friendly towards the Russian troops while the Russians were here? We’re going to execute them.””

And there are others. But of course these writers must be Russian spies, provocateurs, propagandists, mustn’t they? We must ignore them, shut them up.

Really? I don’t buy that opinion.

June 24, 2022 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

To survive, the human species must heed the voices of small nations, and of babes and sucklings

We really don’t have time for the antics of the big tough men that run the world – on corporate greed, vying with each other for power and importance. They’ve brought us global heating, planetary and even space pollution, and their next trick is nuclear war.

They don’t seem to ”get it” that if you blow the other lot to smithereens, it doesn’t actually help your lot at all.

I recall that the King of Siam as played by Yul Brynner way back, reflected that ‘‘Unless some day somebody trusts somebody – there’ll be nothing left on Earth excepting fishes”

The King of Siam was an optimist – as human stupidity and greed are already bringing about the end of the fishes.

BUT – the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons is right now being discussed and worked on by representatives of over 100 governments. 122 governments are in favour of it, 86 have signed up to it, and 65 have ratified it. It is wisely designed, allowing even nuclear state to join, with reasonable steps.

But no. The big boys of the weapons corporations and the military run the show, so of course, they spurn this Treaty, and the opinions of the little nations. After all, the little nations are expendable, like all the ordinary little folk that are going to be obliterated by weather extremes, and by a nuclear weapon, however ”successfully” that weapon might be used.

Today, as Fiji joins the Treaty, we hear a wise and sensible opinion on the way forward. We need to learn from those ”unimportant” little nations, from indigenous peoples, from ”ignorant” children and young people – because we sure ain’t getting any wisdom from the world ”leaders”

June 24, 2022 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

The week in nuclear news

A bit of good news –  this  week Vienna, Austria, is hosting the First Meeting of States Parties, UN member states that have agreed to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). Over 100 governments will participate. The great majority of the world’s representatives — 122 countries — voted their approval of the TPNW in 2017, and 62 have since ratified it. The treaty has entered into force, and only the tiny minority of nuclear-armed governments and their military allies continue to reject it. In the midst of all the doom and gloom news, we need to remember that thousands of people in many nations are working for a better world.

Otherwise – the week has been a perfect storm of awful news. The coronavirus pandemic has not gone away – far from it!  Global heating is striking – the poles are melting at a fast rate, floods in India and Bangladesh, extreme heat in Europe, wildfires in Germany, Greece, Spain and New Jersey. USA.   USA and UK determined to punish Julian Assange forever –   let that be a warning to any journalist who exposes USA military atrocities !

Assange Is Doing His Most Important Work Yet. The UK’s Decision to Extradite Assange Shows Why The US/UK’s Freedom Lectures Are a Farce.

The deteriorating nuclear order. The Nuclear Weapons Treaty Ban in the Footsteps of 1982’s Million-Person March.

Nuclear-armed nations spent $82.4bn on weapons in 2021. From all continents: mercenaries from 55 nations serving in Ukrainian army.

Pope Francis again says that the West provoked or failed to prevent Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The Rosatom Exemption: How Russia’s State-Run Nuclear Giant Has Escaped Sanctions.

Bank group accused of exploiting loopholes and ‘greenwashing’ in climate pledge.

UKRAINE. The US-led bloc is unwilling to fight Russia directly and treats Ukraine as a proxy, Dutch PM admits. Ukraine vows to reclaim Crimea with US weapons. Ukraine killing civilians in ‘unprecedented’ shelling on Donetsk ignored by Western media and politicians. Profit in a time of war? The madness of more reactors (from Westinghouse) in Ukraine.

EUROPE. Anger that European Parliament may consider ”greenwashing” nuclear and gas. Two European Parliamentary committees oppose inclusion of nuclear power and gas as environmentally sustainable.

HUNGARY. Hungarian Greens: nuclear energy ‘severely pollutes the environment.

FRANCE. France’s nuclear output lowers, as climate change affects cooling water systems of reactors. A storm of unexpected problems swirls around France’s beleaguered nuclear fleet.

ANTARCTICA. Antarctic “doomsday glacier” melting at faster rate than in past 5,500 years.

UK. 

• Predictable monstrosity: UK approves Assange extradition. 
• An imminent radiological threat – UK’s planned Hinkley and Sizewell nuclear reactors – same design as flawed EPR reactor in China. 
• Fear the fallout of UK government’s unwise Regulated Asset Base funding for new nuclear reactors. Stop Sizewell C group questions UK government’s reasons for designating the project under the Regulated Asset Base model – and its secrecy about the plan. UK government’s outrageous secrecy on the costs to consumers of the Regulated Asset Base model for funding new nuclear reactors – Stop Sizewell C Group. UK government’s new financing plan for %20 tax-payer funded Sizewell C nuclear project will increase costs and delays, – is aimed to cut China out. 
• The nuclear industry ramps up its lobbying of Scottish Members of Parliament. 
• Hinkley Point C nuclear supply engineers go on strike. 
• Concern over cracks in EPR nuclear reactors in France- questions on similar reactors in Finland, UK,China.
• Many of UK’s coastal buildings may soon need to be abandoned due to sea level rise, – and what about the nuclear reactors?. 
• Sellafield, Britain’s most dangerous building, in the decades-long process of getting its nuclear waste cleaned up. 
• The Guardian’s direct collusion with media censorship by secret services exposed.

JAPAN. Japan gov’t to skip 1st U.N. nuclear ban meeting next week. 

Court rules Japanese government not responsible for Fukushima nuclear disaster damage.  Plaintiffs slam Supreme Court ruling.    Commentary] Class Action Lawsuit over Nuclear Power Plant Accident: One Dissenting Opinion What are the Key Points of the Supreme Court Decision?    Evacuated Fukushima villagers return home, but not without worries.    Radioactivity in fish and shellfish samples from the west coast of Canada after Fukushima (2011-18).    

Apprehension in Japan, about the idea of getting nuclear-powered submarines.

KAZAKHSTAN. Treaty on Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons as New Instrument in Nuclear Disarmament Process. Kazakhstan FM calls for elimination of all nuclear weapons by 2045.

USA. 

• What I Know About Human Life as a Nuclear Downwinder. 
• When the secretaries of Defense and State said publicly the U.S. wants Ukraine to win and weaken Russia, Biden said tone it down. 
• US squanders $80,000 every minute on nuclear weapons. ‘Revolting’: Senate Panel Adds Another $45 Billion to Biden’s Military Budget. 
• In the Middle East Biden walks in Trump’s footsteps and will repeat his failure. New Mexico, work for peace and well-being, not nuclear weapons. 
• Could the Orca Autonomous Submarine Forever Change Nuclear War? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7F67dQkgbo&t=192s 
• Biden Proposes Changes to Help Rescue California Nuclear Plant. Georgia Vogtle cooperatives move to freeze nuclear costs at $8.1B. 

CANADA.The world’s nuclear powers need to come to the table to try and change the course of history.  

AUSTRALIA. Can Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese save Julian Assange? 

June 20, 2022 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | 1 Comment

The power of the global nuclear lobby makes a joke of the sanctions against Russia, and controls the European Union on climate policy.

France, the nuclear industry’s poster boy, and self-appointed leader of the European Union is deeply involved with Russia’s state-owned nuclear corporation Rosatom in expanding the global industry. France is gungho for sanctions against Russian gas and oil, – but nuclear trade is fine.

Joe Biden very keen for sanctions against Russian trade, but the nuclear lobby quickly fixed him, when it came to nuclear – so Russia’s Rosatom was excluded from sanctions.

Russia exports uranium to Europe and USA – so that’s fine.

When it comes to calling nuclear power clean and green and sustainable, Russia, along with the global industry lobbyists, exerted strong pressure in various ways to make sure that the European Commission toes the line.

June 16, 2022 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | 1 Comment

Nuclear news – week to 15 June

Some bits of good news    Two key  committees of the European Parliament strike down EU plans to label nuclear and gas as green investment .   – G7 countries to stop funding fossil fuel development overseas. Canada Introduced Sweeping Gun Law Reforms.

The unpalatable truth in Ukraine.

  Geo-political readings on the Russia / Ukraine conflict 8.6.22 —. Global nuclear arsenal could grow for the first time in decades, think-tank SIPRI warns.

Non-carbon emissions could ‘bump’ global temperatures above 1.5C within seven years, research warns.

Human-made heatwaves are getting hotter

Climate action is going in the right direction, but what now? What is a realistic aim? ‘‘Climatenomics” – new book -climate crisis is the REAL economic worry.      Carbon dioxide levels are now 50% higher than during the pre-industrial era. World can make massive energy savings, reduce emissions through energy conservation measures. International Energy Agency stresses that energy efficiency must be at the forefront of energy and climate policies. 

Mother Nature: Economic growth is sending her bankrupt.

UKRAINE. Ukraine’s high casualty rate could bring war to tipping point, Ukraine bars IAEA nuclear regulator from visiting Russian-occupied power plant ! Ukraine slams planned IAEA mission to Russian-occupied nuclear plant. 

New film shows the anguish and destruction of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kxUOKqSxNs&t=29s Ukrainian nationalists’ massacre of 100,000 Poles approaching 80th anniversary.     Pentagon divulges number of US-funded biolabs in Ukraine. 

FINLAND. NATO Membership May Spell the End of Finland and Sweden as Social Democracies.

FRANCE. Fresh blow for EDF with probe into practices at Tricastin nuclear plant. EDF delays the scheduled maintenance shutdowns of 7 French nuclear reactors.

JAPAN. EDITORIAL: Vienna meeting on the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons -best chance for Japan to lead the way. Japanese youths at Vienna Nuclear Ban Treaty meeting, call for abolition of nuclear weapons. Japan court: Nuclear plant’s tsunami safeguards inadequate.

  Aging Fukui nuclear unit to restart in Aug., 2 months early.  

  6.3 billion yen in damages to local governments due to the Fukushima nuclear accident has not been paid. 7 prefectures in the Tokyo metropolitan area The scope of compensation was decided at TEPCO’s initiative.   Areas reopening after Fukushima nuclear disaster need sustained gov’t support.

USA. ELON MUSK IS NOT A RENEGADE OUTSIDER – HE’S A MASSIVE PENTAGON CONTRACTOR.   American senator calls for creation of Pacific NATO.

CANADA. Canada’s nuclear waste liabilities total billions of dollars: is a landfill site near the Ottawa River the best way to extinguish them?

UK. Julian Assange’s wife Stella Moris reveals how they raise children together while he is in jail waiting an extradition decision. Another episode in the unlawful spying and harassment of Julian Assange and his legal team, by the UK and USA governments. 

 Nuclear test veterans demand recognition at first meeting with Prime Minister.

Nuclear Free Local Authorities (NFLA) join the call for UK to join the nuclear ban Treaty Summit. Nuclear Free Local Authorities oppose Nuclear Waste Authorities’ seismic testing in the Irish Sea. Seismic blasting in Irish Sea for nuclear waste dump will be devastating to marine life. 

CHINA. China Says It Does Not Want To See Another North Korean Nuclear Test .

GERMANY. Germany rules out nuclear power as an option during the energy crisis.

IRAN. Iran removes nuclear watchdog’s cameras after criticism.

INDIA. Ukraine war – good chance for France to sell nuclear reactors to India, replacing deal with Russia.

POLAND. Experts doubt Polish government’s plans to have nuclear by 2033.

AUSTRALIA. Julian Assange is still in jail, but the new Australian government has the power to act to help him. Assange: Albanese must act where the Coalition failed.

Australia’s Energy Minister rejects nuclear power push

June 15, 2022 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | 1 Comment

TODAY. France’s nuclear industry – the world leader, is just as corrupt as the rest of them

Today we learn that French prosecutors are investigating alleged cover-ups of incidents at the Tricastin nuclear power station. Oh dear – France – the poster child for the global nuclear industry!

What a surprise – NOT!

Articles at  https://nuclearinformation.wordpress.com/?s=corruption will cure the reader of any lingering beliefs that the nuclear industry world-wide might be decent and honest. The necessary secrecy in operations so dangerous as nuclear activities makes it so much easier, indeed, inevitable for the entire industry to be crooked – which it is.

June 11, 2022 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | 1 Comment

TODAY. Nuclear weasel words: doncha love this one – ”Challenge”?

It’s looking as if hatred between Ukrainians and Russians is now a more important priority than the safety of Europe !

”Challenge” is one of the nuclear industry’s favourite topical weasel words. ”Challenge” is the one they use when they mean – at the very least – ”Problem”. But it also covers ”disastrous nuclear situation” and ”impossible obstacle” and ”omigawd we don’t want people to understand how bad this is”.

The nuclear industry prefers not to mention such matters, but, when it has to – they are ”Challenges” – e.g, the IAEA – Radioactive Waste: Meeting the Challenge. Sounds so much better that – ”This is so God-awful we don’t know what to do with it.” (Indigenous groups in Canada are today using the word more authentically).

Today, the IAEA Director General talks of ”challenging conditions” in Ukraine’s nuclear reactors. ”Challenging” is an understatement. Now there’s a worrying spat between the IAEA and Ukraine government – Ukraine’s nuclear power plant operator is accusing Rafael Mariano Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, of “lying” . That’s because Grossi wants to send experts to check on the safety of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear complex – the biggest in Europe, but now under the control of the Russians.

It’s looking as if hatred between Ukrainians and Russians is now a more important priority than the safety of Europe !

June 9, 2022 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | 1 Comment

Nuclear news this week

Some bits of good news –  European Cities Are Turning Rooftops Into Community and Sustainability Hubs: ‘A revolution in urban planning’  Dr. Jane Goodall on climate change, planting trees, and nurturing hope

 The need for a negotiated settlement to end the Ukraine war – Western allies discuss this.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85JcUZe7kk0

Weapons designed to mass murder civilians, terrorize the world, and enable impunity for war crimes can no longer be relied on to “prevent war.”

Washington: NATO chief meets with Biden, Blinken, Austin, Sullivan to prolong Ukraine war .

Erdogan: Turkey will be in the forefront of the space war.

Turkish drones in Ukraine as model: Japan, U.S. to produce drones for use against China, Russia .

Small nuclear reactors may produce more, and more toxic, wastes than large ones do – new research. Nuclear waste from small modular reactors.

Current policies will bring ‘catastrophic’ climate breakdown, warn former UN leaders. 30 years on from Rio Earth Summit not that much has been achieved.

Time to Start Reducing Consumption! — harben post — Barbara Crane Navarro

There’s a scream building up in young people.

UKRAINE.   U.S. Army: Ukraine is laboratory for new warfighting doctrine.

EUROPE. Members of European Parliament and experts condemn plan to label nuclear as ”green”.

BELGIUM. Belgian government pressed to pay for lifetime extension of nuclear reactors Doel 4 and Tihange 3.

JAPAN. Japan Court Bars Hokkaido Nuclear Reactors From Operating . Another earthquake could topple Fukushima nuclear reactor. Current and former residents of Tamura City, plaintiffs in case against TEPCO may appeal about low compensation.

SOUTH KOREA. Policymakers endorse massive injection of state money for SMR development

RUSSIA. Russian-Norwegian nuclear safety commission ceases work over war in Ukraine. New documentary shows Soviet disinformation over the true horror of the Chernobyl nuclear meltdown.Siberia’s tundra could soon disappear, scientists warn.

UK. UK government urged to end its obsession with nuclear power.    Following U.S., Britain to supply Ukraine with multiple rocket launchers .

USA.

NATO, Pentagon chiefs push armaments spending shakedown. DHS ‘concerned’ over Nazis returning to US after fighting in Ukraine. Why isn’t the media?                       

The Next Crapshot Reactor Explosion Will Dwarf the Next Psychotic School Shooting.  

As Elon Musk’s SpaceX Grows, So Do Complaints From Environmentalists, Indigenous Groups and Brownsville Residents.    Small nuclear reactors produce ’35x more waste’ than big plants. Thin-walled nuclear waste containers – not really very secure.

SWEDEN. NATO candidate Sweden to provide Ukraine with anti-ship, anti-tank missiles.

ISRAEL. Iran: No one can remain silent on Zionist regime’s clandestine nuclear program.

SPAIN. Spain and Portugal stand out from the European Union, in slashing energy bills because of their high renewable energy use.

AUSTRALIA. The National Radioactive Waste Management Act is racist and the Act must be amended or repealed and replaced. Indigenous owners call on the Labor government to scrap the nuclear waste dump plan. South Australia nuclear waste storage facility legal battle continues.

Despite the evidence that nuclear power is failing, and small nuclear reactors don’t exist, Australia’s right-wing politicians cling to their dream.

June 6, 2022 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Nuclear news as May ends – the problems keep getting worse 

Some bits of good news –  INDIGENOUS INSIGHTS ON HEALING LAND AND SKY.       Cuban Farmers Fight Land Degradation with Sustainable Management.

It’s a worrying thought that everyone might just get ”Ukraine fatigue” and let this cruel war grind on.  In the meantime, the global nuclear industry is suffering all sorts of upsets, while Elon Musk and the rest of the space war enthusiasts are carrying on, as if there were no problems at all.   Hard to single out the most significant nuclear failure, but I think that it would have to be France, where the financial and safety problems just keep getting worse.  

INTERNATIONAL.

What to do about humanity entering “a spiral of self-destruction” – a UN Summit now on in Indonesia.   The U.N. “Sustainable Development Goals”- just ”greenwashing” – claim experts.   Why nuclear power can’t solve climate crisis – in fact makes it worse- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7rG7-P7E5M&t=306s

When Henry Kissinger gives advice on ending the Ukraine conflict, the West should listen.     Ukraine, Taiwan: Biden trip designed to recruit S. Korea, Japan into global anti-Russia/China bloc. They’re Just Outright Telling Us That Peace In Ukraine Is Not An Option.

 Book Review: ”Atoms and Ashes’‘ – A Timely History of Nuclear Catastrophes.

Asianization of NATO: China, Russia react to Biden visit   War for Taiwan, nuclear war for Japan: Biden pushes two-front campaign against China, Russia.       Like the rest of Europe’s few remaining non-members, Ireland being prepped for NATO .         Expanding NATO – it’s a $quillion bonanza for the U.S. weapons industries!!     Why environmentalists are pushing back against nuclear energy .

Nuclear is already well past its sell-by date.    After the meltdown.

Billionaires from USA and Denmark have inordinate influence on public opinion about molten salt nuclear reactors’.     Caitlin Johnson, rogue journalist, on corporate control of the media.

“Don’t work for climate wreckers:” UN chief warns young people off fossil fuels.

Curbing other climate pollutants, not just CO2, gives Earth a chance.

Experts call on governments to start including animal welfare in sustainable development governance.

UKRAINE. For the first time in history, nuclear sites have been caught up in the middle of warfare. Ukrainian negotiator rules out deal with Russia.

USA. 

• Col. Richard Black — U.S. Leading World to Nuclear War. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcp0TYx_eUI Biden’s nuclear comments send shock waves through Northeast Asia . Twenty-Two House Republicans Demand Accountability on Biden’s $40b War Spending. Are Americans Prepared To Fight A Nuclear War Over Taiwan?
• South Carolina Woefully Underprepared for Nuclear Disaster .
• Palisades atomic reactor’s shutdown for good, leaving high risk radioactive wastes. Michigan’s dead old nuke is Diablo’s early warning. California makes misguided plea for feds to keep state’s last nuclear power plant alive.
• USA Energy Department nuclear waste backlog goes as far back as WWII.
• Where the toxic nuclear industry and global heating collide – the disastrous wildfires in America.
• U.S – UK quarrel over purchases of nuclear submarine equipment.
• ”Commercial” nuclear power in space? – it’s all about weapons and war.
• Elon Musk’s satellites for the war in Ukraine.

CANADA. Canada can achieve 100% zero-emission electricity by 2035 – with renewable energy, storage. energy efficiency , and interprovincial transmission

UK. 

• Pressure Mounts on British Home Secretary Patel Over Assange Decision.
• A fossil fuel front group –  The Global Warming Policy Foundation.
• Pretense in UK that Wylfa and other new nuclear stations are affordable – investors are staying away in droves. Chinese involvement is entrenched in Britain’s nuclear power plans.   Boris Johnson promised ”1 nuclear reactor a year for 8 years” – one by 2040 if he’s lucky! 
• Nuclear safety warning threatens to derail Boris Johnson’s energy revolution. Security issues at UK’s civil nuclear facilities have reached highest level in 14 years. 
• Another university infiltrated by the nuclear industry – University of Derby and Rolls Royce.

JAPAN. Japan ratchets up rhetoric against Russia, China re air patrols, Ukraine . Japan’s new ‘green economy’ bond may fund nuclear projects.   

Fukushima.  A 5.5 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Area Near the Fukushima Disaster Site. Fukushima reactor sitting on shaky base raises quake concerns. 

Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, work to remove contaminated pipes suspended again due to detection of high radiation dose at level of “death by exposure for several hours. Debris in sediment, bottom of Fukushima Unit 1 Neutron radiation detected at high levels. Hiroshima man’s anime sheds light on Fukushima nuclear project. 

Cancer Patients Seek Damages from Fukushima Nuclear Plant. Plaintiff diagnosed with thyroid cancer after the Fukushima nuclear accident: “I have suffered without telling anyone. Lawsuit by evacuees from nuclear power plant accident: Supreme Court to rule on June 17 for the first time on the government’s responsibility. 

Japan’s plan to release toxic water into sea irresponsible.

MARSHALL ISLANDS. Nuclear tragedy in the Marshall Islands.

SOUTH KOREA. South Korea to keep import ban on Japan seafood due to Fukushima concern.

FRANCE. A warning from France, about nuclear delusions of grandeurl France’s Nuclear Industry Slides Into Crisis. Global heating is affecting France’s nuclear reactors, as water temperatures rise in the rivers. EDF Nuclear Failures Undermine Europe’s Push to Exit Russian Gas.

RUSSIA. Putin Ready For “Serious Negotiations” With Zelensky, But Says Western Arms ‘Destabilizing’ Situation/ Energy sanctions on Russia – Russia’s nuclear supply chain should be sanctioned, too.

EUROPE. Nuclear dependence. Europe remains economically dependent on Russia as long as it has nuclear energy. Where will Europe store its radioactive waste?

CROATIA. Mounting opposition from Bosnia, to Croatia’s nuclear waste dump plan.

AFRICA. Climate Summit failed to support African communities on the front lines of the climate crisis.

ISRAEL. No Iran nuclear deal ‘worse’ than even a bad one: Israel sources.

IRELAND. Ireland’s Environment Minister Eamon Ryan rules out nuclear power as option in transition from fossil fuel dependence

PHILIPPINES. Philippines’ Marcos in nuclear plant revival talks with S.Korea.

INDIA. France is offering 6 new nuclear reactors to India, even though India’s nukes are not within the IAEA safety regulatory framework. Russia’s Outsized Role in India’s Nuclear Power Program.

FINLAND. Fennovoima withdraws from its new nuclear reactor application.

PACIFIC ISLANDS. Vulnerable island ecology threatened as developed countries dump waste, conduct nuclear test in Pacific.

AUSTRALIA. Julian Assange’s family says Australia’s election result brings renewed hope for WikiLeaks founder’s release. Labor urged to act to prevent Julian Assange extradition. Australia’s new Prime Minister backs the UN Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty.

May 30, 2022 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment