nuclear-news

Nuclear news as COP26 closes

It’s all about COP26 this week, but the pandemic persists.And- the media’s gone quiet on nuclear issues, – but at COP26 and elsewhere, the nuclear lobby is working away relentlessly.

The greenest energy is the energy we don’t use

COP26 – while some progress has been made, a current policy world of 2.6C or 2.7C warming is still one with potentially catastrophic impacts on human and natural systems. COP 26 waters down the prospects of world action to stop coal pollution.

COP26 – Why Nuclear is NOT a Solution. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjSMd1pmsqQ EU states split on classifying nuclear energy as ‘green’.  Is nuclear power the way forward to combat the climate crisis? – Allison Macfarlane cautions.

Action on global heating? Inadequate COP26 kept this possibility alive, by just a thread. Experts alarmed at the weakening of climate targets at COP26. “Cover decision” – a draft outcome of COP26 climate talks – planet still headed for 2.4C of warming above pre-industrial levels. New draft of climate deal of COP26 weakens plans to get rid of fossil fuels. 

The People’s Summit for Climate Justice plans ambitious pressure on governments for real action. At People’s Summit for Climate Justice, campaigners accuse COP26 of failing the climate. Greta Thunberg and youth activists filing legal petition to UN, urging for a declaration of “system-wide climate emergency”. 

Study shows that the biggest delegation of all at COP26 is that of fossil fuel lobbyists. Unfair restrictions on observers at COP26 climate talks. Honest Government Ad | Net Zero by 2050 .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FqXTCvDLeo  Carbon capture and storage – not all that it’s cracked up to be. China and Saudi Arabia blocking progress towards a deal at COP26.

A cross-continental electricity interconnector grid system may be a practical option for renewable energy.

Nuclear weapons. The environmental dimension of the use of nuclear weapons. Nuclear War and Climate Change: The Urgency for Action .

ICAN and PAX show how despite $billions still going to nuclear weapons, – $63 billion has moved away from this funding. “Perilous Profiteering: The companies building nuclear arsenals and their financial backers”

Escalation of nuclear tensions between USA and China as a result of the AUKUS deal. Winning and losing the nuclear peace.

Over time, radiation causes damage to the structure of nuclear reactors.

Wind and solar can supply most of world’s energy needs, most of the time, says study.

Bitcoin could be nuclear power’s last hope of salvation?

EUROPE. Investor backlash predicted, if European Union were to include Nuclear and Gas as ”Green” in its EU Taxonomy. Germany, Denmark, Luxembourg, Austria and Portugal warn against including nuclear in the proposed EU taxonomy. France and other pro nuclear countries push for nuclear to be included as ”sustainable” in EU taxonomy.. Europe’s dilemma over whether or not to include nuclear power in its sustainabble finance taxonomy.

GERMANY. Germany reaffirms its opposition to nuclear power being designated as ”sustainable’‘.

FRANCE. President Macron boosts nuclear industry, but in reality, France’s prospects for new reactors are grim. President Macron does not have the legal power to decide on new nuclear reactors – requires Parliamentary agreement . France: public inquiry for the authorization to reprocess new fuels. EX manager sues EDF over safety concerns.

JAPAN. Agency to phase out health care aid for evacuees in Fukushima. Pacific concerns over plans to release contaminated water from Fukushima. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yh8It7lFpZM

UK. 

• Rapid growth in solar and wind power in UK. 
• UK government considers withdrawing from EU science and research programmes . 
• Ethical Investors pressed Serco to drop bid for contract with the Atomic Weapons Establishment. 
• Small nuclear reactors. In Wales, strong opposition to UK plan for small nuclear reactors – too slow, dangerous, super costly compared to quick cheap renewables. With the confusing consortium behind it, the UK’s Rolls Royce ”small” nuclear reactor project is running a huge risk . The consortium wanting to develop UK’s min-nuclear plants will have to rely on tax-payer funding.  
• Finance.  UK’s Regulated Asset Base (RAB) “a very bad deal for consumers” – like the USA’s disastrous system in South Carolina, Speaker of UK Parliament refuses debate on motions against Nuclear Energy (Financing) Bill. Nuclear: how Britain wants to finance its new EPRs. 
• Developers will have an uphill battle to meet environmental protection requirements for Bradwell nuclear project. Scottish MP seeks commitment from UK govt to protect Beaufot’s Dyke from nuclear waste dumping .

USA. 

• Weapons. President Biden is marginalised by the Pentagon. Time for American lawmakers to press for USA to sign up to the UN Nuclear Weapons Prohibition Treaty . Biden and Congress agree: Build Back Bombs Better. The Risks of Nuclear Modernization. 
• The small nuclear reactor salesmen have bamboozled government officials into funding X-Energy, Terra Power and NuScam’s untested projects.   Scientists pour cold water on Bill Gates’ nuclear plans.      
• Vogtle nuclear project: is nuclear energy really right for Georgia?  How Bodega Head almost ended up with a nuclear power plant – but a resistant community won.  
• Nuclear lobby infiltrating Casper College Wyoming, or maybe not?. 
• Flooding and nuclear wastes eat away at a tribe’s ancestral home. 
• Anniversary of the mysterious death of Karen Silkwood. Questions still remain on the suspicious death of nuclear worker Karen Silkwood.

CHINA. China’s Taishan nuclear power plant remains closed, following fuel leak.

MARSHALL ISLANDS. The Children Who Suffered When a U.S. Nuclear Test Went Wrong.

TAIWAN. Taiwan’s referendum about unsealing nuclear power plant: but safety risks persist. Referendum on safety issues concerning Taiwan’s long-mothballed Fourth Nuclear Power Plant.

FINLAND. Finland’s Greens remain anti-nuclear, despite antics of a breakaway group.

RUSSIA. Russia sends nuclear-capable bombers on patrol over Belarus for second day amid ‘migration crisis’.

SOUTH AFRICA. FW de Klerk, who ended South African apartheid, leaves another legacy: nuclear disarmament.

HUNGARY. Opposition Leader Keresztes accuses Hungarian government of secrecy and errors in approval of Paks Nuclear Power Plant Upgrade.

AUSTRALIA. Nuclear power for Australia? A crazy fantasy that would surely lose the election for the Liberals. Issue for The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA): IS ANSTO’s NUCLEAR REACTOR VIABLE?

November 15, 2021 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

This week – nuclear and much climate news

Realistically, COP26 could never be a great success, because each nation represented there has the top priority  of ”winning” – furthering its own interest. Such a summit can never succeed until the prevailing view is for the general good – for the planet and all its peoples.
Also realistically, the world has made extraordinary progress over recent years, in recognising the integral connections between climate change,  biodiversity loss and environmental degradation. At COP26, some significant steps have been taken. Not a success, perhaps,  but not a complete failure, either.

Honest Australian Government Ad | COP26 Climate Summit. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIyKmqEdgR4

INTERNATIONAL

CLIMATE   Extreme weather events now the new normal – State of the Climate report 2021. Global emissions to surge past pre-Covid, as world fails to grasp ‘green recovery’.

  COP26.   Progress report on Glasgow climate talks.  Positive announcements at COP26 do give some hope. Glasgow will not get close to pledges to halve emissions by 2030 – warming will shoot past 2°C. Prospects of limiting global heating to 1.8C on the basis of commitmentsmade at the Cop26 climate summit are, though good, only “a hypothesis”. Despite all the criticism, the COP climate process has made historic steps forward. Cop26 week one: the impression of progress – but not nearly enough. Nation after nation at Glasgow pledges to abandon use of coal. Rallies in Glasgow and Sydney call for ‘survival of humanity’ in face of climate change  .

 Few willing to change lifestyle to save the planet, climate survey finds.   What the most affected regions need from COP26 — The Earthbound Report The role of efficiency and smart grids in conserving energy.  Positive developments: rise in electric cars, ever cheaper renewables, moves towards energy efficiency. Solar and wind keep getting cheaper, and crush coal, gas and nuclear on costs: Lazard.

Entering the Absurdicene as the Anthropocene loses its relevance — Sustainability Bites  

 Nuclear at COP26.  Nuclear power, fossil fuel companies represented at COP26 climate talks.  Nuclear industry pushing its spin and doing deals on the sidelines at COP26/  Nuclear workers’ unions want nuclear energy included as clean and sustain able. ‘No One Died From Radiation At Fukushima’: IAEA Boss Statement Met With Laughter At COP26 .

Billionaires Not Morally Qualified to Shape Civilization. The need to stop population growth,and the way to go about this.

USA and UK’s transparent persecution of Australian Julian Assange. Chris Hedges: The Assange case is the most important battle for press freedom in our time.

A supporter of nuclear power has second thoughts. You don’t need nuclear to get to net zero,’ says climate professor Jeffrey Sachs.

Pandora Papers: is the world’s biggest leak the world’s biggest cover-up?

”Deep fakes”: corruption of data has worrying implications for nuclear policy.

Entering the Absurdicene as the Anthropocene loses its relevance — Sustainability Bites

UN ”Code of Conduct” towards preventing arms race in space, but no treaty banning weapons in space.

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Lies, lies and nuclear submarines. UK Astute class nuclear submarine visits Perth. Australia’s Foreign Minister off to South East Asian countries to try to soothe their worries about nuclear submarines. China reprimands Australia on AUKUS and submarines that risk nuclear weapons proliferation, and make Australia target. US and UK must stop’: Chinese diplomat warns New Zealand audience of Australia’s nuclear ambitions. Foreign Minister Marise Payne to visit South-East Asia to ease fears over AUKUS, submarine plan. Few realistic options for Defence to fill its submarine ‘capability gap’ before new nuclear fleet. Tony Abbott wants Australia to buy second-hand ”retired” nuclear-powered submarines, for training purposes. 

 USA and UK’s transparent persecution of Australian Julian Assange.

JAPAN. Japan’s election gives reprieve for nuclear sector. Winning candidates at odds on the future of nuclear power. Fukushima farmers fear nuclear-tainted water’s impact on business. Lake Close to Fukushima Nuclear Disaster Could Stay Radioactive For Another 20 Years.

EUROPE. A ”scientific disgrace” – a leaked document pushing nuclear and gas as sustainable will damage the EU’s credibilify on green finance. The EU Taxonomy is designed to identify which activities are green: it’s about science, not promoting business. International Thermonuclear Experimental (fusion) Reactor (ITER) will consume as much power as it will generate.

KAZAKHSTAN. Mohamed bin Zayed Receives Nazarbayev Prize for a Nuclear-Weapon-Free World and Global Security.

USA. 

• Weapons.  Ratifying the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty is the way to ensure peace. U.S. Discloses Nuclear Weapons Stockpile Numbers. Biden faces Pentagon hawks in his effort to curb nuclear weapons spending. Much pressure on President Biden to drop plans to limit nuclear weapons. Why the Pentagon Is Equipping the F-35 With a Thermonuclear Bomb.
• U.S. Navy reports on cause of incident with nuclear-powered submarine in South China Sea. US navy fires senior officers of nuclear-powered attack submarine damaged in underwater collision in South China Sea. 
• Other owners of Georgia Power’s Vogtle nuclear power project are balking at the billowing costs.
•   U.S Suspends Nuclear Trade With Chinese Group. 
•  US military blazes trail for 100 per cent renewable energy economy. 
•  Nuclear power plant operators want to run for eight decades, but a federal lab in Washington state found ‘critical gaps’ in knowledge about how reactors age. 
• Utah shouldn’t gamble on unproven small nuclear reactors without public input. 
• Wastes.  ”Cocooning” Hanford nuclear reactors conveniently leaves the $600 billion clean-up to future generations. New Mexico governor fears expansion of Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, to take even more high level nuclear waste. White Mesa uranium mill – its owners want to accept radioactive trash from Estonia – 1000s of miles away !
• Environment.    U.S Department of Interior raised alarm about radioactive pollution of Congaree National Park from Westinghouse nuclear fuel plant. Precious waters — Tribes file to stop pollution from uranium and other hard rock mines. Seismic danger: Humboldt Bay Nuclear Power Plant – a geological saga.

UK. 

• Nuclear plans and costs. Only Britain has the dubious plan to get to net zero by relying on multiple nuclear reactors. Terra Praxis – another pro nuclear front group pushing for the mythical small nuclear reactors. Former UK environment minister Tim Yeo an unreliable ”expert” on nuclear energy . UK govt calls for submissions on Nuclear Energy Financing Bill. UK govt would do better to spend consumers’ money on making homes sustainable, and supporting smart grids, rather than on a nuclear tax.    Megaprojects like Hinkley Point C nuclear are now blamed for shortages of materials for up to 2500 construction firms. High time to rid Wales Megaprojects like Hinkley Point C nuclear are now blamed for shortages of materials for up to 2500 construction firms. High time to rid Wa of plans for costly, risky Small Modular Nuclear Reactors.
•  Greenpeace is set for a confrontation with security officials at COP26. Nuclear is Not Green – campaigners from Suffolk travel to COP26.
•  NewUHI  research into tiny fragments of radioactivewaste flushed into the sea from Dounreay nuclear power plant 40 years ago
• . Jellyfish Keep Attacking Nuclear Power Plants. 
•  Bradwell is not suitable for nuclear fusion, not suitable for nuclear fission either. 
•  NATO chief advises UK to deal with climate change threat to its Trident nuclear weapons at Faslane. Serco pulls out of bidding for work on UK’s nuclear arsenal, because of ethical investing concerns.

CANADA. Canada’s Environment Minister refuses to declare his support for nuclear energy.

CHINA. China’s grandiose plans for nuclear build and export of reactors. China increasing its nuclear arsenal, but still far smaller than USA’s. China’s strategy in its nuclear weapons buildup.

FRANCE. Is it green, or forever toxic? France’s radioactive waste crisis. Nuclear rift at climate talks. French nuclear company pressing President Macron to declare nuclear power strategy. A close shave in 1999 with a flood at France’s Blayais nuclear power plant. A year after damaged by fire, French nuclear submarine has been repaired. Anxieties in Pays de la Loire over plan for small nuclear reactor. .

CZECH REPUBLIC. New study throws gloom on hopes for future nuclear energy in Central Europe.

IRAN. Nuclear talks with world powers to resume on November 29. Austria Backs Result-Oriented Nuclear Talk. Can the Iran nuclear deal be saved?

TURKEY. Fire at Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant.

PORTUGAL. Portugal’s success in cutting greenhouse emissions through its offshore floating wind and solar plants.

GERMANY. New Study: Electricity would already be Cheaper today with a Full Supplyof 100% Renewables. 

TAIWAN. ESG – Environmental Social and Governance investing excludes nuclear power.

BANGLADESH. Nuclear power for Bangladesh – a long, very costly, very dangerous process.

SAUDI ARABIA. Saudi Arabian negotiators move to cripple COP26 – Greenpeace response

RUSSIA. Russian deputy UN  envoy supports China’s concern on AUKUS’ nuclear threat.  

AUSTRALIA. Australia at COP26 – a damaging presence. Australia’s credibility at a low point, with Scott Morrison’s lying and appalling performance at COP26. Nuclear submarines.  Australia’s very awkward nuclear embrace.

November 8, 2021 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

This week’s nuclear news – much about climate

Well. it’s all about climate this week.  Not much mention of reducing energy use, energy conservation etc – even though this would be the cheapest, quickest and most effective measure to slow down global heating.

My pick: top stories of the week : Too expensive, too slow: Even the baseload argument doesn’t work for nuclear. The push for nuclear power in space.      Hidden agenda: Will COP26 let nuclear power in the door and, if so, why?

Another example of climate change damaging the nuclear industry –jellyfish increase clogging up cooling systems of reactors

Too expensive, too slow: Even the baseload argument doesn’t work for nuclear.

CLIMATE.    World is failing to make changes needed to avoid climate breakdown, report finds. The myth of “newer, safer, less expensive” nuclear power to fix the climate. Hidden agenda: Will COP26 let nuclear power in the door and, if so, why?

‘We have left it too late’: COP26 unlikely to limit warming to 1.5C, scientists warn . UN warns world ‘way off track’ as greenhouse gases grow . The world is nowhere near to kicking its dirtiest habit. World heading for catastrophe without bolder climate plans, UN warns. 35 official events at Cop26 put on by polluting companies. If COP26 fails, it could mean mass migrations and food shortages – Boris Johnson. From the climate crisis to nuclear war and technological disruption: The future of security reassessed.‘Illusion’ of climate action by big emitters clouds outlook for COP26 talks      Cop26 will be whitest and most privileged ever, warn campaigners               ‘It’s the protests which are giving me hope’: activists descend on Glasgow

NUCLEAR WEAPONS.  Even the mind of Dante could not imagine the inferno a nuclear war will plunge us in. Fear of ‘devastating’ nuclear war as world’s major powers enter a new arms race. A nuclear arms race is unavoidable without serious intervention.

IPPNW statement on how WHO could advance the planetary health imperative to eradicate nuclear weapons. Reinforcing security through prohibition of nuclear weapons. The untold story of the world’s biggest nuclear bomb.

Another example of climate change damaging the nuclear industry –jellyfish increase clogging up cooling systems of reactors

Correcting Alan Finkel’s nuclear fallacies.

Happy Birthday King Rupert https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ct2F6uvWhRw

EUROPE. The European Commission struggles with push to have nuclear power included as clean and sustainable. EU countries ramp up pressure to grant nuclear a ‘green’ investment label.

CANADA. Problems and public opposition to the plan to store high level nuclear wastes under the Great Lakes. South Bruce citizens want a referendum on plan to permanently house Canada’s nuclear waste. War hawks quietly positioning Canada to participate in US-led Ballistic Missile Defence program.

FRANCE. The French Négawatt program presents its 2022 scenario for getting France to fully renewable nuclear-free energy system. Huge study on France’s energy system and scenarios for 2050 includes costs and environmental effects of nuclear and of renewables.

 A damning new confidential report on France’s future nuclear reactor plans. Nuclear power is a divisive issue in France, leading up to the election.. Doubts that the Flamanville nuclear reactor will start on the planned date. France’s failing EDF nuclear company hopes to save itself by marketing small nuclear reactors.

USA. 

• Nuclear power is not a solution for anything except perhaps the nuclear industry’s desire for taxpayer dollars. 
• Weapons. NATO and Washington spoiling for another war.  America’s F-35 fighter jet to quietly join the nuclear arsenal. The big climate crisis we aren’t talking about: is nuclear winter coming? The US nuclear aresenal is becoming more destructive and possibly more risky. US should announce ‘no first use of nuclear weapons,’ with no strings attached. . The push for nuclear power in space.
•  Exelon now to keep two Illinois nuclear stations open, following new State law subsidising nuclear.
• Push for ”small nuclear power” in Colorado
•  Nuclear Waste Cleanup:DOE Needs to Better Coordinate and Prioritize Its Research and Development Efforts.Jacobs joint venture wins $8bn nuclear clean-up contract in US.     Humboldt Bay Power Plant decommissioning; problem of nuclear waste buried not far from sea level, in a seismic area. 
• Time is running out for victims of the world’s first nuclear explosion
• Eastern Navajo Diné Against Uranium continue their fight, especially about the effect on their water supply

UK. 

• UK’s new nuclear financing plan is a nightmare. Minister confirms taxpayer will foot bill for UK nuclear power strategy. UK Government pledges £1.7bn of public money to new nuclear plant. UK pension funds and other investors not keen to invest in Sizewell nuclear power project? UK government could take a direct stake in risky Sizewell C nuclear development. UK govt slow to commit to Sizewell nuclear project in the long-awaited net zero strategy paper. Electricite de France (EDF) will not proceed with Sizewell nuclear project unless the UK govt institutes tax – the Regulated Asset Base.
•  Britain’s expensive problem of marine animals clogging up cooling systems on nuclear reactors – drones might monitor this. 
• China squeezed out of Sizewell C nuclear, in UK’s new funding plan. UK public kept in the dark on household costs in paying for nuclear reactors before they’re built.  Nuclear power, as well as nuclear weapons, must be opposed: George Monbiot gets it wrong.
• Sellafield workers told to return home due to flood warning – (climate change hitting nuclear again?)

JAPAN. Stiff opposition to Japan PM’s nuclear push as election approaches. Japanese government’s energy policy . concentrates on restarting old nuclear reactors. 

Hiroshima atomic bomb survivor, who taught others about opposing nuclear weapons, dies at 96. World without nuclear weapons remains a goal after Sunao Tsuboi’s death.

 Pumice may affect nuclear power plants in Japan.

Freezing wall to be used for longer period than expected, “trump card” of countermeasure against contaminated water at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, without sufficient verification. Temperature rises over 10 degrees Celsius in some parts of the “frozen earth wall” to reduce contaminated water at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.

Prospects for renewable energy in Japan look good, future for nuclear power uncertain.

INDIA. Why India’s nuclear ICBM test is counterproductive for tactical and strategic stability.

CHINA. Response to claims about China’s space aims.

TAIWAN. Nuclear has no place in Taiwan.

IRAN. Iran says nuclear talks with six powers to resume by end November. U.S. imposes new sanctions on Iran, sanctions that are unrelated to nuclear activities. USA in talks with allies on getting Iran to agree to nuclear deal- Blinken. UN General Assembly First Committee approves Iran’s proposal for nuclear disarmament.

ISRAEL. Israel preparing for possible strike on Iranian nuclear sites. Likud MK: Israel must strike Iran by year’s end if there’s no new nuke deal.

GREECE. Greece will never turn to nuclear energy.

BELGIUM. Higher Health Council is very critical of nuclear power.

NORTH KOREA. N. Korea accuses U.S. of acquiescing in nuclear proliferation with double standards.

AUSTRALIA.    Farmers fear that Australian climate inaction could jeopardise future export potential    Australia has a ‘suicidal’ climate policy, says former UN climate chief   

November 1, 2021 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | 2 Comments

Nuclear news – in the lead-up to Cop26

Miles too long this week. But, in the lead-up to Cop26 I think it’s important to note climate policies , and to recognise the movements towards energy conservation and genuinely clean energy.    The nuclear spotlight is on Britain this week, with much brouhaha about small nuclear reactors, (though they’re not actually small, and not much government investment is actually going in to them, – nor are they attracting private investors)

Pandemic news  around the world.

The climate  disaster is here.  Earth is already becoming unlivable. Will governments act to stop this disaster from getting worse? The Kids Are Not Alright.

It’s hard to find ”good” news, but a lot of good work is being done, in climate activism. And also in genuinely clean energy. seehttps://reneweconomy.com.au/

INTERNATIONAL

Impact of the pandemic – women, and people of colour now losing their jobs in the area of Nuclear Policy .

UK High Court Should Deny Extradition Because CIA Planned to Assassinate Assange. https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Assange

There are no real climate leaders yet – who will step up at Cop26? – Greta Thunberg. Cop26: ‘World conflict and chaos’ could be the result of a summit failure. ICLEI launches its 100% Renewables Cities and Regions Energy Compact.

Renewable not radioactive – Joint organizational statement prior to the COP26 Climate Summit. Nuclear power has no place in a green energy future-because of – time delay, success of renewables, huge costs, dangers, weapons connection, and wastes.

Nuclear power has no place in a healthy, sustainable future- IPPNW. Research shows that a rapid truly green energy transformation will quickly achieve a near-net-zero emissions energy system. Insurance industry not convinced that nuclear power is ”green”, and is wary of nuclear as an investment risk.

James Hansen says nuclear power is answer to climate. Is he right?  

Simulated space radiation causes ill effects on central nervous system of male mice. More evidence that space radiation may be harmful to the male brain.

OSPAR Convention for the Protection of the North-East Atlantic discreetly postpones its commitment to reduce radioactive discharges at sea .

EUROPE. European states disagree on nuclear power – Eastern states pro nuclear, Western against it, (except for France) . The nuclear industry might get taxpayers money by calling itself ”amber”, if it’s too hard to appear ”green”.

FRANCE. France’s Global Chance association recommends renewable energies, see nuclear power as unsustainable. The RTE (Electricity Transport Network) Energy Futures 2050 study shows that $100 renewables is feasible. l’association négaWatt reports on planned closure of nuclear reactors, and carbon neutrality to be achieved by reducing energy consumption and by renewables. 

 France may have hidden agenda in promoting small nuclear reactors.

France: public inquiry into disposal of nuclear waste. Close security on village where France’s nuclear waste inquiry commission works.

JAPAN. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida confirms release of Fukushima wastewater to start in 2023. Backlash against Japanese Prime Minister’s haste to dump Fukushima nuclear water into the ocean, Japan’s Carbon Goal Is Based on Restarting 30 Nuclear Reactors   . China and 8 Asia-Pacific island countries raise joint objection against Fukushima wastewater disposal. Recently restarted – Fukui nuclear unit halted for a year on safety issues.

UKRAINE. COVID Restrictions Deny Southern Belarus Children Rare Escape From Chernobyl Radiation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tVSgBEYtzU

 UK.

Climate

• UK’s ”Net Zero” climate strategy fails to give concrete commits to reduce energy use, promote renewables. If nuclear is at the heart of our trip to net-zero, then it is a rotten heart. Nuclear industry ecstatic about costly UK’s nuclear policy, but in reality it is a low priority for the government.  The very great risk that sea level rise poses to UK’s nuclear reactors.   
• Mini nuclear reactors claim to be the cheap, effective, action for reaching net zero carbon emissions: UK and others are buying this! UK govt teams up with Bill Gates – (coyly – no public mention of nuclear). The value of energy efficiency in UK’s emissions reduction programme. UK’s ”low carbon” strategy relies too much on unproven technologies – what we need is energy conservation. West Lothian halving its carbon emissions through energy conservation and renewables. ALL UK energy can be obtained from renewables – Prof Mark Barrett. 
• Sizewell project.Large windfarm development off the coast of Suffolk. Sizewell C nuclear project going nowhere, and would be obsolete if it were ever built. Stop Sizewell C anti nuclear campaigners taking their fight to London, and the UK government . Suffolk Wildlife Trust and RSPB not impressed by EDF’s bribes for environment . 
• ”Mini” reactors. British government’s enthusiasm for mini nuclear reactors, led by Rolls Royce and 8 other organisations. Rolls Royce ”small’‘ nuclear reactors – not really small, not useful against climate change, but useful for military purposes.  Rolls Royce being urged to do nuclear testing in UK, not in Italy.  
• Campaign to get NatWest bank to stop investing in nuclear weapons.
• Growing movement to stop the dumping of radioactive wastes into the Severn Estuary. 
• Jellyfish causing a Scottish nuclear power station to close down its reactors. 
•  Clyde nuclear base emergency staff to strike from tomorrow ov er safety fears.

INDIA. Tamil Nadu leaders call for a nuclear-free zone, and stopping of development of Kudankulam project .

PAKISTAN. Why the U.S. let Pakistan nuclear scientist A.Q. Khan off the hook .

USA. 

• U.S. House Intelligence Committee investigating CIA plot to kill or kidnap Julian Assange. 
•  War fears soar as NASA claims it needs nuclear rockets to rival China in space. The U.S. doesn’t need more nuclear weapons to counter China’s new missile silos. Diverse American groups file a lawsuit against DOE opposing production of plutonium pits. 
•   From Nuclear Regulatory Commission to nuclear energy company – another example of the revolving door. $50 billion can be better spent than on nuclear power . 
•  Ho hum – Georgia Power’s Vogtle nuclear project has new problems, new costs, is delayed again
• Couple Indicted for Trying to Sell Nuclear Secrets to Foreign Country The FBI is still looking for a trove of nuclear submarine secrets in an espionage case. 
• Members of US congressional oversight committee press the Biden administration on the Marshall Islands’ legacy of nuclear waste contamination.

CHINA. China did not test hypersonic nuclear missile, foreign ministry says. China backs ‘no first use’ nuclear policy, calls on nations to cut warhead stockpile.

NORTH KOREA. North Korea’s ongoing nuclear missile tests prove it’s time to normalize relations.

SPAIN. Spain is turning rapidly away from coal and nuclear, going for renewable energy.

GREENLAND. Greenland to reinstate its ban on uranium mining.

AFRICA. Nuclear disarmament: how Africa can play a role in securing a nuclear weapons free world.

SWEDEN. Swedish authorities delay permission for nuclear waste dump operation, due to concerns over corrosion of copper in containers.  

AUSTRALIA. Nuclear power? It’s of zero use to Australia’s emissions plan. Concern in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN ) about Australia’s nuclear submarines. Coalition avoids meltdown over emissions target – but at what price? National Party did a secret climate deal with Morrison, but nuclear power was not included.

October 25, 2021 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Nuclear news – week to 12 October

Keeping up with the pandemic – it’s all still happening.

The nuclear submarines and AUKUS have continued in the news, and re likely to keep going – problems about who’ll supply them, about their HEU fuel, about obsolescence, about anxieties in South East Asia, about revving up tensions between USA and China.

However, as this week develops, the news focus is shifting to the coming Cop26 climate conference. The nuclear lobby is now salivating about the possibility of it having a role in this international.summit

Pandora Papers reveal world’s Tax Avoidance B-Team. Where’s the A-Team? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4kN2MeJg6c

The CIA Plot to Kidnap or Kill Julian Assange in London is a Story that is Being Mistakenly Ignored. Deathly Silence: Journalists Who Mocked Assange Have Nothing to Say About CIA Plans to Kill Him.
Chris Busby on the truth about black rain, radiation and cancer.  Nuclear Radiation – Incompatible with Life. Low dose radiation and cancer – the Linear No Threshold model holds good.

Saving Us: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World. Developing countries demand action on climate from the polluting rich countries

The stagnating landscape of the nuclear industry -no chance of competing with renewables.

Why Greta Thunberg’s speech was the best – blah none

What is Cop26 and why does it matter? The complete guide

Who’s who at Cop26: the leaders who hold the world’s future in their hands

Will all submarines, even nuclear ones, be obsolete and ‘visible’ by 2040? Nuclear submarine deal needlessly raises tensions.

Organised crime highly active in the nuclear industry.

UKRAINE. Birth defects in the Chernobyl region (from the archives).

GERMANY. Mushrooms in Germany are still contaminated by Chernobyl radiation.

FINLAND. Finland lobbied EU to declare nuclear power sustainable after unpublished cabinet decision. Finland’s Greens turn a lovely shade of nuclear yellow, as they back nuclear power as ”sustainable”.

JAPAN. Security lapses at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant in Niigata . A-bomb survivor Setsuko Thurlow hopes Japan’s new PM can lead nuclear disarmament debate. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida praises Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Nuke disaster radiation continues to threaten traditional ways of life in northeast Japan. Industry minister vows to promote scrapping of Fukushima plant as top priority.

CHINA. Why China sent a record number of fighter jets and nuclear-capable bombers into Taiwan’s defence zone. China demands answers on US nuclear submarine accident in South China Sea.

INDIA. Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker, activists oppose spent nuclear fuel storage facility in Kudankulam.

UK.

•   October 27 – Julian Assange’s extradition appeal hearing.   
• Boris Johnson promoting nuclear power as clean, green, renewable. 
•   Extinction Rebellion climate activists vow to cause disruption at Glasgow COP26. 
•  First George Monbiot Award for Nukiller Greenwash to Springfields Nuclear Fuel Manufacturing Plant in Cumbria – On Anniversary of the Windscale Fire.
•  Allerdale GDF Working Group’s map of area considered for UK’s nuclear waste dump includes areas already declared unsuitable. 
•  UK government to generate a colossal public sector loss in building more nuclear power station at Sizewell C. Questions over water supply for the new £20billion nuclear plant for Sizewell. 
•   Rolls Royce wants to supply data centres with their massive energy needs, by small nuclear reactors. 
•   Legal challenge launched to stop waste from nuclear plant construction being dumped in the Bristol Channel. A particular threat to health: Why it is vital to stop the dumping of mud from Hinkley Point C in the Severn Estuary. 
•   Delay and huge cost in refuelling UK nuclear submarine. 
•  Scottish police alerted to ‘suspicious activity’ of Taliban ally near nuclear weapons base,  .

USA. 

• Nuclear Regulatory Commission backs Linear No-Threshold model for radiation safety. 
•  Call the U.S. Defense Budget what it is – the War Budget. Despite pre-election promises, Biden administration is continuing Trump’s costly nuclear weapons modernisation. The “No Militarization of Space Act” has been introduced in the U.S. Congress. Advocate for a safer world challenges Midland to not give up and to act now. US Reveals Nuclear Bomb Numbers After Trump Blackout. 
•  Michael Flynn, Trump’s first National Security Advisor hid $200k in payments for Middle East nuclear power plan before joining White House .
•  Rep. Burgess Owens and Rep. Chris Stewart sponsor a Bill to ensure compensation for health effects of nuclear bomb testing. 
•   Nuclear executive to go to prison for fraud.
•   Nuclear security helicopter scours Boston Marathon route for radiation. 
•  Nuclear power is not a good option for Kentucky. Radioactive waste is still a problem  .
•  US nuclear attack submarine hits object in South China Sea, injuring crew. 
•  US navy engineer charged with trying so sell nuclear submarine secrets.

SOUTH AFRICA. We must question why small modular reactors and the rebirth of nuclear energy are all the rage.

FRANCE. 2022 French Presidential candidates divided over nuclear energy. The French are mainly for nuclear power, but not so keen on new nuclear stations.

NORWAY. Norway led the way in 25 years of clean-up of Russia’s dead nuclear submarine radioactive trash.

NORTH KOREA. Time to find more realistic options than complete, verifiable, and irreversible dismantling of the North Korean nuclear program .

RUSSIA. Russia aims to lift old dead nuclear submarines from the bottom of the Barents and Kara Seas by 2030. Russia’s perilous job in raising sunken nuclear submarines. Russia withdraws offer to freeze nuclear warhead production. Terrorists trying to get secrets on production of nuclear weapons

MIDDLE EAST. The risks of a catastrophic spent nuclear fuel fire near the Persian Gulf..

PACIFIC ISLANDS. CNMI House slams Japan’s plan to dump nuclear waste into Pacific.

SWEDEN. Swedish insurance group Länsförsäkringar cuts off investment to nuclear weapons.

CHILE. Chile ratifies UN Nuclear weapons ban treaty .

IRAN. US calls for ‘imminent’ return to nuclear talks with Iran. Preventing an accidental nuclear crisis in Iran and beyond.

ISRAEL. Israel May Accept Iran As Nuclear Power According To Secret Talks.

PAKISTAN. Pakistani nuclear weapons scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan dies aged 85. How A.Q. Khan brought the atomic bomb to Pakistan and beyond.

NEW ZEALAND. Jacinda Ardern warned twice Rocket Lab’s launches could break Nuclear Free Law.

AUSTRALIA. Australians for Assange call for help – save our failing democracy, as USA continues, by despicable means, their case against him. Can the Australian government ignore this powerful letter exposing the foolish decision to ”go nuclear” with submarines and AUKUS?

October 12, 2021 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Nuclear news – week to 4th October

This month, my websites are focussing on ionising radiation.  Not that this is a topic in the news media.  Far from it. Yet it is strange that the world media is preoccupied with tiny invisible viruses that quickly can bring about illness and death, yet ignores tiny invisible radioactive particles that slowly can bring about illness and death.    
Well, the global nuclear lobby has done a darn good job in convincing the world that low level nuclear nuclear radiation is OK, perhaps indeed good for you. Now they’re gearing up for an even bigger push about nuclear being good for the climate.

World Nuclear Industry Status Report 2021. Global nuclear agencies get together to launch the big propaganda show ”Group of Vienna” ahead of COP26.

Climate solutions must be assessed on cost and speed of operation – nuclear fails on both, while reduced demand is a winner.  The most important factor in the nuclear-power debate: Cost.

Nuclear for climate? – DON’T MENTION RADIATION!

Greta Thunberg mocks world leaders’ words at Youth4Climate.

No, a nuclear-powered superyacht won’t save the world.

Unknowns about Australia’s proposed nuclear submarines, especially weapons proliferation risks.

ARCTIC. Russian and American nuclear wastes in the Arctic may release radiation as global heating melts the ice.

NORWAY. Norway paid to help Russian nuclear submarine waste clean-up – but now – new submarines!

JAPAN. Japan’s independent English language newsletter, analysing nuclear issues, is struggling to survive.

CANADA. Ontario’s Unfunded Nuclear Decommissioning Liability is in the $18-$27 Billion CAD Range.

USA. Why USA needs a fundamental reappraisal of nuclear weapons policy. An added small nuclear reactor would just increase the burden of radioactive trash at Columbia Generating Station. Elon Musk , world’s richest man, pays no tax, likes nuclear power.  Entergy faces federal fine for violations at its nuclear power plant near St. Francisville

UK.

• UK’s nuclear tax – who is going to pay for Sizewell C nuclear station?
•  Are small nuclear reactors really the answer to UK’s green energy crisis?  Fake ”green” investment fund – a front for the nuclear industry – pushes small nuclear reactors.
•  Nuclear test veteran joins the fight against a nuclear waste facility at former gas terminal in Theddlethorpe. Two Cumbria sites earmarked for nuclear waste disposal.
•  Reducing energy use is the major way to cut greenhouse emissions, not slow, outdated, and dirty nuclear power.

FRANCE. High rates of cancer and deaths among former nuclear workers at Ile-Longue nuclear submarine base. With its reprocessing plant in La Hague, Two French nuclear workers affected by contaminated water.    France has the highest radioactive discharges at sea in Europe.  French company EDF getting anxious and urgent about UK getting funding for Sizewell C nuclear project.

HUNGARY. Hungary’s nuclear watchdog withholds permits for two new reactors.

NORTH KOREA. China supports North Korea’s call to revise sanctions, return to nuclear talks.

RUSSIA. The sunken nuclear submarines: Russia’s ‘slow-motion Chernobyl’ at sea. Russia confirms that ”Nuclear is Green”- (George Orwell would be fascinated.)

IRAN. Iran calls on US to unfreeze $10 billion before returning to nuclear talks.

AUSTRALIA.  Ionising radiation – the forgotten health disaster. AUKUS and nuclear submarines. Australia’s nuclear submarine deal a distraction from climate action? Australia the sucker for cash-strapped U.S, and U.K submarine companies General Dynamics and BAE Systems. Australia’s nuclear submarines – a grand announcement leading to a grand shambles.

October 4, 2021 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Nuclear news this week – submarines and more

Well, this is something of an overdose on nuclear submarines. Sorry, because, important though they are , especially for Australia, they are not the only issue for this week. It’s getting closer to the COP26 climate summit  (31 October – 12 November 2021).  Research shows that children will face more climate disasters than their grandparents did.  Lord Stern and Mary Robinson are among  the key people warning that Cop26 climate talks will not fulfil the aims of the Paris agreement, but they still offer hope.  The nuclear issue is a huge threat, but the world is awakening – too late, really, to global heating, and struggling to find ways to address it..   Of course, the pandemic is still there too

 
Women to bring a wake-up call to a world facing nuclear annihilation. 2030 . Jane Goodall launches effort in support of planting 1 trillion trees by 2030 . Young global climate strikers vow change is coming – from the streets

‘Humanity remains unacceptably close to nuclear annihilation, says UN chief on International Day. Security Council marks 25th anniversary of Test Ban Treaty with call for nuclear weapons-free worldThe Record-Breaking Failures and Costs of Nuclear Power.

Plutonium: How Nuclear Power’s Dream Fuel Became a Nightmare..

Going nuclear: the secret submarine deal to challenge China, PODCAST  Vatican concerned over deal for Australian nuclear-powered subs.

Interaction of Nuclear Waste With the Environment More Complicated Than Previously Thought.

Bitcoin miners strike deals with nuclear industry [on the ”clean energy” lie].

Novel chemical entities: Are we sleepwalking through a planetary boundary?

JAPAN. LDP candidates debate on nuke power must be based on realities. Japan’s election campaign – Liberal Democratic Party candidates’ differing views on nuclear recycling. Nuclear submarine for Japan? Kono says yes, Kishida says no . Will Fukushima’s Water Dump Set a Risky Precedent?       More evac ation orders to be lifted in Fukushima for some areas.

FRANCE. AUKUS deal leaves France out of South East Asian security arrangement.

GERMANY. Climate change to loom large in talks to form new German government

  USA. 

•  Nuclear Consulting Group reports on the dangers of sea level rise and storm surges to military nuclear bases. 
•  AUKUS Sub Deal Could Sink USA’s Relations With France.
•   Pentagon forces out  Leonor Tomero, a top official with moderate views (they can’t have that!). Senator Markey calls on Biden administration for answers on removal of top Defense official Ms. Tomero. 
•   Veterans to President Biden: just say NO to nuclear war! Bold action needed on nuclear weapons . Democrat politicians, who get big donations from weapons corporations, vote against cuts to Pentagon spending. 
•  Nuclear lobby fan Jennifer Granholm wants ”unusual partnerships’‘ in order to save the nuclear industry. Jennifer Granholm and Westinghouse enthusiastic to sell ”clean” nuclear power to Poland.
•  ‘Fast Reactors’ Also Present a Fast Path to Nuclear Weapons
•  New push on to expand nuclear radiation compensation in US. Texas sues federal government to block nuclear waste facility along the New Mexico border. 
• CIA Reportedly Considered Kidnapping, Assassinating Julian Assange,

UK. 

•  No quick fix. Reducing demand is the key to energy supply. The gas crisis shows it’s time to speed up UK green energy plans ,
•   SNP and Greens vow to block new nuclear reactors in Scotland, ‘Lightning rod’ Trident decisions should require Scottish consent, says MSP.
• Protest against UK university‘s Nuclear Futures Institute, as nuclear suffers a new setback. 
• UK government close to deal for Regulated Asset Base (RAB) funding for Sizewell nuclear project. Uncertainty on how UK will exclude Chinese involvement in Sizewell and Bradwell nuclear projects. UK should think twice before ousting Chinese company from its nuclear project.    Sizewell C nuclear project no longer viable, with new developments in cheaper wind power- energy expert .      
•  Nuclear power for UK – slow, dangerous, exorbitantly expensive and useless to counter climate change. Far from being the solution to climate change, nuclear power will be a victim of global heating.

IRAN. Iran clearly wants to return to nuclear talks.   Iran and IAEA in new disagreement over nuclear monitoring.

NORTH KOREA. North Korea returns to its missile diplomacy.

UKRAINE. Chernobyl’s legacy recorded in trees.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES. Already the ‘‘nuclear for climate for COP26 ” deceitful propaganda is underway, with a ”clean energy certificate”.

GERMANY. In ageing Germany, the young get desperate over climate .

BRAZIL.  Brazil might get nuclear-powered submarines even before Australia.

AUSTRALIA.
Nuclear submarines. – what it’s about Why America is ecstatic about Morrison’s AUKUS pact. Much posturing, but little content, on how AUKUS, and the nuclear submarines, will work. An incompetent threesome – Morrison, Biden; Johnson – out of their depth on nuclear submarine decision.

International ramifications.  Talk of war with China reveals Australia’s delusions of grandeur.  What is the Quad?.   AUKUS and talk of conflict with China could torpedo COP26 climate summit.   AUKUS and confronting China throws fuel on the fire of Indo-Pacific tensions – an accelerating arms race will follow. France and other NATO members perturbed at the AUKUS agreement. Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison on the defensive as Europe and South-East Asian countries react badly to AUKUS and the nuclear submarines. “Rolling amateur hour”: Kevin Rudd lashes Scott Morrison’s handling of nuclear subs deal.   

Deception and politics. Morrison and cronies have really botched this nuclear submarine deal. Deceived’: France says it had assurances from Australia on day subs deal cancelled. The Federal government’s nuclear submarine promotion masks a huge mess of its own making. Former Labor PM Paul Keating castigates Labor for supporting the Liberals’ AUKUS and submarine deal.

Highly Enriched Fuel (HEF) and related problems.  AUKUS, nuclear submarines, Highly Enriched Uranium and weapons proliferation.   .  Nuclear submarines – a step towards full nuclear chain, importing wastes, and joining in USA nuclear brinkmanship.    . Nuclear submarines must be ‘subject to rigorous parliamentary review’: Senator Rex Patrick.

Financial aspects. USA has conned Australia into paying for its super-costly nuclear submarine project. The massive subsidy to nuclear submarines must not be used to justify subsidy to nuclear power.   

Opposition to programme Former subs boss blasts ‘hocus pocus’ nuclear deal. Maritime and electrical trades unions stand against nuclear submarines.   Australia’s Nuclear-Sub Shakeup Hits Shipbuilding Supply Chain. Submarine shift puts thousands of jobs at risk: unions. No nuclear submarines, say protesters.

September 29, 2021 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

This week – nuclear submarines overwhelm the news

Well, Australia’s top marketing specialist, Scott Morrison, this week excelled himself, marketing his favourite product, himself for re-election in Australia’s coming khaki Liberal Coalition campaign.  World-wide fame – to play with the big toys of the big boys, even if President Biden couldn’t remember his name.  I did find the coverage of nuclear submarines and AUKUS quite overwhelming – hence this too-long news summary.

AUSTRALIA

TODAY’S NUCLEAR SUBMARINE NEWSUS nuclear submarines: a dangerous nonsense. One white elephant submarine deal replaced with a worse one. French ambassador says Scott Morrison gave no warning on the nuclear submarine deal. Maritime Union of Australia calls for government spending on health, not nuclear submarines. Transparency needed so nuclear-powered subs don’t turn into nuclear power subsidies What is Scott Morrison doing in New York? Nothing on climate, it seems. 

NUCLEAR SUBMARINE  AND AUKUS NEWS  OVER PAST FEW DAYS 

What does the nuclear submarines announcement mean for Australia?

 Politics.   Scott Morrison’s AUKUS deal designed to win election, not make Australia safe. We need a full and transparent Inquiry in the nuclear submarine deal. Nuclear good, batteries bad: Morrison’s subs deal is thin edge of wedge . Nuclear submarines may never eventuate; it’s just Scott Morrison’s giant new election ploy. Nuclear submarine deal – the start of Morrison’s election campaign.   Minerals Council quick to see nuclear submarines as step to nuclear Australia.  #ScottyFromMarketing’s propaganda triumph -nuclear submarines – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuP4jOc4ibo  

Opposition to submarines and AUKUS.  Australia’s anti-nuclear movement ready for a big battle. Greens pick anti-nuclear candidate to challenge Treasurer Josh Fraudenberg. Australian Greens blast nuclear submarine deal. Nuclear powered submarines for Australia. Nuclear by stealth? Senator Rex Patrick calls for Inquiry before Australia moves to buy USA nuclear submarines. anger grows over Australia’s submarine deal . Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine deal is fuelling anger in the country.  Concerns grow over nuclear submarine plan. Too slow, too expensive: Why nuclear power makes no sense for Australia 

Safety. Nuclear-powered submarines a ‘terrible decision’ which will make Australia ‘less safe – Australian Greens.  Doubts about the nuclear submarines, do they make Australia less safe? Hugh White wonders. Australia’s new nuclear submarines will have dangerous Highly Enriched Uranium, not the Low Enriched Uranium of the French ones. The AUKUS deal and nuclear submarine plan ties Australia in to any American engagement against China.

Cost Big questions remain about Australia’s nuclear submarines, but it’s a massive financial gain for nuclear corporations. How much will Australia’s nuclear submarines cost the taxpayer? Australia to lease nuclear submarines from USA, UK?.A nuclear explosionof taxpayers’ money in the new nuclear submarine plan.

(Earlier)   Morrison to tear up the submarine deal with France. Too late to pull out of Australia’s botched super-expensive submarines purchase?  

On a lighter note  $90 Billion Nuclear Powered Subs To Bring Australia Out Of Lockdown In Time For Christmas.

Napandee radioactive waste dump plan – a nuclear waste of money.

Ballarat Council considers supporting the U.N. Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

Review of book: Long Half-life – The Nuclear Industry in Australia 

INTERNATIONAL

New Australia, Britain, and U.S. military alliance—AUKUS— a serious escalation of the new Cold War on China. Nuclear-powered submarines have ‘long history of accidents.

New research shows drastic climate effects of even a ”limited” nuclear war.

Nuclear submarines and their disadvantages,

A bit of good news – Animal Doctor: Good news from Europe for farmed animals.

ANTARCTICA. Scientists still don’t know how far melting in Antarctica will go – or the sea level rise it will unleash.

JAPAN. TEPCO not informing the Regulation Agency for 2 years about the 25 damaged filters at Fukushima Daiichi NPP. Tepco technicians ignored Fukushima filters leaking radioactive water. Lethal radiation levels detected in Fukushima nuke plant reactor lid. New radiation scrubber begins cleaning water at Fukushima plant.

FRANCE. France angry about nuclear submarine cancelleation – recalls ambassadors to Australia, Aukus: France pulls out of UK defence talks amid row. USA. questionable rush to start Flamanville nuclear reactor despite its defects . Nuclear submarine deal planned for 18 months – French ambassador says this is treasonous

CHINA. China fears that the nuclear-powered submarines could be armed with nuclear weapons at short notice.

INDIA. Is AUKUS pact a signal to India to go for nuclear attack submarines? Aukus fallout: for years, US told India it couldn’t share nuclear submarine technology. ‘And now this.

USA. 

Tragically, Biden continues same nuclear weapons ”modernization” budget as Trump’s . China still way behind USA in nuclear weaponry: time for diplomacy and negotiations on arms control. Top U.S. general feared that Trump might start a nuclear war.  . Generals Should Not Have to Break the Rules to Prevent Nuclear War. Don’t Let Presidents Start Nuclear Wars on Their Own. Nuclear Modernization Casts Budget Shadow Over Air Force Plans.USA developing space-based electromagnetic warfare. U.S. generals planning for a space war they see as all but inevitable.  Latest on America’s plutonium ”pits” costly fiasco Illinois nuclear stations kept alive as Senate approves Bill to subsidise Exelon. Illinois approves $700 million in subsidies to Exelon, prevents nuclear plant closures. Turkey Point nuclear station vulnerable to hurricanes, sea level rise, as climate change continues.Bipartisan House group asks Biden to stop Canada’s Great Lakes nuclear storage plans.   NRC issues license to store’spent nuclear fuel‘ in Andrews  . Texas to fight on against dumping of spent nuclear fuel in Andrews County. New Mexico backs Texas in opposing nuclear fuel storage. Samuel Lawrence Foundation loses court case to keep spent fuel pools as safety backup at San Onofre nuclear station. Push for nuclear power in Pueblo unlikely to succeed: renewables win favour.

UKRAINE. Chernobyl nuclear zone is becoming more radioactive: they don’t know why..

CANADA. Nuclear power: Why molten salt reactors are problematic and Canada investing in them is a waste. Responses to Candidate Questionnaire: Radioactive Waste in the Ottawa Valley.

UK.

• AUKUS military agreement – bad timing ahead of Glascow Climate Summit. 
• UK’s nuclear industry decline is a permanent process. 
•  Climate change, sea level rise – real and present danger to UK’s Bradwell and Sizewell nuclear sites
•   Earthquakes Stopped Fracking – So Why the Monstrous Silence On “Likely” Induced Seismicity Five Miles From Sellafield? Exactly Who is Protecting Who?
•  Time to rethink Hinkley C nuclear plan – EDF’s biased research minimises harm to fish Protests against nuclear storage plans that could kill the tourist industry. 
•  The Cold War near disasters at RAF Lakenheath could have left Suffolk as a nuclear wasteland. 
•  A site once earmarked for nuclear power will now assemble wind turbines. 
•  Rolls-Royce’s grandiose plan to mine the moon and Mars.

MALAYSIA. Malaysia and Indonesia warn Australia’s Indo-Pacific pact could trigger nuclear arms race.

IRAN. The new AUKUS pact may have paved the way for Iran to move to a nuclear weapon. Iran appoints harsh critic of the nuclear deal to the Foreign Ministry. Iranian Guards Physically Harassed Female U.N. Nuclear Inspectors, Diplomats Say .

NORTH KOREA. North Korea says Australia’s submarine deal could trigger ‘nuclear arms race. N.Korea tests first ‘strategic’ cruise missile with possible nuclear capability . North Korea, nuclear proliferation and why the ‘madman theory’ is wrong about Kim Jong-ung.

RUSSIA. Russia urges IAEA monitoring, ‘transparency’ on US-Australia nuclear sub pact, Nuclear ballistic missile submarine meltdown, 1961. Russia developing more floating nuclear power plants.

ITALY. Italy launches national debate on nuclear waste disposal.

SPAIN. Nuclear power companies threaten to shut down plants if Spanish government takes action on soaring bills.

ISRAEL. Nuclear reactor worker wins NIS one million cancer compensation. Mossad assassinated Iran’s top nuclear scientist using an artificial-Intelligence-powered, remote-controlled machine gun.

CZECH REPUBLIC.. Czech government will subsidise nuclear power.

POLAND. Poland’s nuclear folly 

September 21, 2021 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

This week’s nuclear news

NUCLEAR. While the pandemic goes on, not much physically is happening. But on the lobbying scene, it’s at fever pitch. The target is the European Commission. The goal is to get the Commission to declare nuclear power as clean, green and sustainable in the European Taxonomy.  And then on to inclusion in the COP 26 Climate Summit in November, so that the nuclear industry can get the money that goes with that acceptance. Even more beneficial-  by saving this failing industry, they’ll be able to keep old reactors going for longer, thus avoiding the huge costs of demolishing them, and thus kicking that problem down the road, for our grandchildren to solve.Delay in climate change action helps, too, as nuclear power is depicted as ”transitional” from fossil fuels.

Coronavirus: What’s happening in Canada and around the world .    

Climate change: Fossil fuels must stay underground, scientists say

A bit of good news – New data shows vaccines are cutting the risk of serious COVID-19.

We need global action on climate, just like global action on pandemic – Jane Goodall. Jane Goodall still has hope for humanity. Here’s why.

Vested interests — controlling the news about nuclear safety.

UN General Assembly President calls for halt to nuclear tests.

BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) reaffirmed commitment to preventing an arms race in space.

Nuclear ”ethics” – fatally ill man kept alive against his will, in the cause of nuclear research. Irradiated man kept alive .

British Scientist discovers the cause of cancer in the Hiroshima Black Rain survivors -2021.

Thorium nuclear fuel has risks.

‘‘Fossil Free Media’‘ aims to redress the balance of well-funded press that opposes action on climate change.

EUROPE. 

  Nuclear sharing must end in Europe .

The nuclear lobby gears up to take ”green” nuclear energy spin to the European Commission and on to COP26.  Expert response to the pro nuclear report by the Joint Research Centre.:  

Extracts from Expert response to pro nuclear JRC Report.  

• Small nuclear reactors, uranium mining, nuclear fuel chain, reprocessing, dismantling reactors. 
•  Radiation, nuclear wastes, transportation, uncertainties.  
• Future generations, participative decision-making, proliferation, uranium mining.

USA.  

• Pentagon taps industry for nuclear-powered propulsion for its satellites.
•  29 Democrats demand Biden cut exorbitant spending on new nuclear weapons. Dispute in U.S, Congress over costly nuclear weapons modernisation. How America’s war machine is bankrupting us, both financially and morally. 
• San Onofre’s nuclear waste buried under the beach – the best example of the failure of the nuclear industry and its poor outlook for the future.  Texas Legislature passes Bill to prevent import and storage of high level nuclear waste. Texas bans storage of highly radioactive waste, but a West Texas facility may get a license from the feds anyway.    
•   Prison sentence for corrupt nuclear executive.  
•   Exelon Corp hanging on in hope that Illinois government will bail out 2 nuclear power stations.
•   Iodide tablets offered as precaution to residents living near nuclear plants. 
•  Reflecting on 9/11: How the attack upped safety at nuclear power plants throughout Carolinas.
•  USA Bill to protect journalists – EXCEPT FOR JULIAN ASSANGE

RUSSIA. Russia aims to dominate the Arctic, with nuclear ice-breakers.

IRAN. Iran blocking UN atomic agency access to nuclear-related sites, IAEA says

FRANCE. Protests as France sends latest shipment of used nuclear fuel to Japan .

UK. Nuclear weapons out of Scotland within three years of independence, SNP agrees, The real-life anti-nuclear peace camp that is the subject of BBC drama ”Vigil”. Earthquake risks for proposed coal mine in Cumbria, all too close to Sellafield nuclear site. Planned UK-Australia trade deal – a dangerous precedent for climate change policy. Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council supports Treaty on Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

JAPAN. Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party hopes that presidential contender Taro Kono will drop his anti nuclear stance. Energy Markets Bet Against Nuclear As Election Nears In Japan. IAEA Seeks Japan Transparency in Release of Fukushima Water. Media Coverage of Fukushima, Ten Years Later. Pharyngeal cancer recognized as work-related injury for two convergence workers after Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident.

NEW ZEALAND. Mururoa nuclear test veterans fight for their children and grandchildren.

SOUTH KOREA. U.S., Japan, S.Korea to meet over N.Korea nuclear standoff.

SPAIN. Radioactive water leak in Valencia.

RUSSIA. Russia aims to dominate the Arctic, with nuclear ice-breakers.

IRAN. Iran blocking UN atomic agency access to nuclear-related sites, IAEA says.

FRANCE. Protests as France sends latest shipment of used nuclear fuel to Japan .

NEW ZEALAND. Mururoa nuclear test veterans fight for their children and grandchildren.

SOUTH KOREA. U.S., Japan, S.Korea to meet over N.Korea nuclear standoff.

  SPAIN. Radioactive water leak in Valencia.  

AUSTRALIA.  News Corpse’s climate change shame. News Corpse’s new snide approach on climate change – to help Morrison win next election? 

September 13, 2021 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Nuclear news for the first week in September

While Afghanistan, and Covid-19 continue to be the main focus of news, climate change is getting a new kind of attention. I find it a worrying kind.  When Rupert Murdoch’s Fox News, News Corps etc, were busily spouting climate change denialism, at least you knew what they were up to.  Now, I fear that the world is going to be subjected to propaganda that is much more subtle.  Just as Big Media and Big Business now ”support” action on climate change, I think that they will be spruiking technological fixes, ”clean coal” ”carbon capture and storage, ( perhaps even Big Renewables). On the coat-tails of this Big Fix movement rides the nuclear lobby. Nuclear is so far banned from participating in the COP26 Climate Summit in November.   I wouldn’t be surprised if it wriggles its way in.  World leaders like Biden, Johnson, Putin – all depend for their jobs, on the backing of big corporations.  So – COP26 is already under threat.

On the positive side, quiet and thoughtful voices speak up for a more holistic approach to climate action, and a measured study on the world’s energy needs. 

Covid-19 –    Coronavirus worldwide, despite nearly 65,000 deaths and nearly 4.3 million cases in the past week, is leveling off with 8% declines for each category, with every continent dropping except Europe in fatalities.

NUCLEAR. While not much is actually happening, the activity is – under the radar – the ever-increasing push to convince the world that nuclear is ”clean and green and the way to go.”

Some bits of good news –  India Today Group launches Good News Today, India’s first and only positive news channel. ”Good news” – as usual – very much individualistic stuff. I guess that the overall small drop in coronavirus cases is a small plus. 

A New Online Youth Platform Promotes Nuclear Disarmament.      After the Afghanistan war, the time for change is now.  Oblivion and 9 Other Best Dystopian Films About Nuclear War.

How much energy do we need to achieve a decent life for all?     Does technology really matter more than the natural landscape?

Greta Thunberg, critical of governments, may not attend COP26.      COP26 – the need to scrutinise hidden climate agendas.

Formidable radiation dangers in travel to Mars. Radiation could restrict crewed Mars missions to less than four years . Cosmic radiation will probably prevent growing crops on Mars, Virgin Galactic ‘ignored red warning light’ in Branson’s race against Bezos to be first billionaire to space.

New Nuclear: What’s At Stake For Wildlife? – Webinar October 7.

International Uranium Film Festival free online screenings September 13 – 19.

AFRICA. Nuclear Disarmament: What the World can Learn from Africa.

JAPAN. Not Seeing the Contaminated Forest for the Decontaminated Trees in Fukushima. IAEA team in Japan to help prepare Fukushima water release. Fukushima radiation monitoring posts to be renewed-. New type of fallout from Fukushima Daiichi found a decade after nuclear disaster.

PACIFIC ISLANDS. Pacific environmentalists call on Japan not to empty radioactive wastewater into the Pacific.

USA. 

• Hurricane Ida Forces Two Nuclear Plants in Louisiana to Shut Down or Reduce Power . Nuclear New Orleans: Another Fukushima? Post-Ida Dangers at Waterford Nuclear .  Hurricane shuts down Louisiana nuclear power station.
•  Since 9/11, US Has Spent $21 Trillion on Militarism at Home and Abroad. Global Cooperation, Not Endless War Should Be Future of US Foreign Policy. We can reduce the nuclear danger, contacting politicians, joining Back from the Brink. 
•  Advanced nuclear reactors need the government to create a market – nuclear loves socialism. 
•    Friends of the Earth and Sierra Club saw it coming – corruption is killing the nuclear industry.     Westinghouse Electric Co has paid $21bn and will co-operate with federal investigators over South Carolina nuclear fraud.
•   Illinois Senate passes bill to save nuclear plants. Illinois very soon to vote on a Bill for the state to prop up the nuclear industry. Illinois nuclear subsidy law – too late for Exelon’s Byron and Dresden nuclear plants. 
•  Uranium prices and the true financial and climate costs of the Megatons to Megawatts program. We mustn’t kick the radioactive nuclear waste can down the road any longer. It’s time to tackle the problem head-on. Nuclear waste – a heavy burden on the public of New Mexico. Highway safety concerns as DOE plans expanding nuclear waste transports to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). Daunting costs of nuclear clean-ups. 
•  Downwinders Look to Renew and Expand Radiation Exposure Compensation Act.

UK. UK might have to move its nuclear submarines overseas, if Scotland gains independence. UK government scared that Scotland’s Nicola Sturgeon will use COP25 to further SCotland’s independence.  Trident: Scots urged to write to UN to demand removal of nuclear weapons. The Faslane Peace Camp inspired the BBC drama Vigil https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRGZVM3f4SU        Chaotic discussion on nuclear waste proposal for UK’s Allerdale region.

CANADA. More issues at Bruce power station raise concerns about aging nuclear infrastructure.

INDIA. Over 200kg uranium theft in India poses threats of nuclear terrorism.

AFRICA. A Just Recovery Renewable Energy Plan for Africa.

SOUTH AFRICA. As South Africa restarts nuclear plan, critics and advocates clash over its clean energy credentials. Walking the nuclear dog – a South African tale.

NORTH KOREA. U.S. says North Korea nuclear report shows “urgent need for dialogue” -official.

SOUTH KOREA. South Korea developing a missile as powerful as a nuclear weapon.

FRANCE. Chinon nuclear site again leaks coolants that turn into powerful greenhouse gases . An EDF employee contaminated in the Cruas-Meysse nuclear power plant.

POLAND. Two Billionaires Join Forces in Poland’s Nuclear Energy Push. 

IRAN. Germany calls on Iran to resume nuclear talks . Iran’s new foreign minister Warns Tehran May Not Return to Nuclear Talks Until November. What’s next for the Iran nuclear deal? Analysts In Iran Pessimistic Over Nuclear Talks, Oppose Further Delays.

CHINA. China’s nuclear missile silo expansion: From minimum deterrence to medium deterrence. In China, wind and solar energy are the clear winners over nuclear.

ISRAEL. Israel’s ‘alarmist claims’ raise the stakes against Iran.

AUSTRALIA. The ANZUS treaty does not make Australia safer. Rather, it fuels a fear of perpetual military .   New Australian law allows security agencies to spy on, and manipulate your data – mainstream media ignores this. threat  

 Murdoch’s News Corpse hasn’t seen the light on climate – they’re just updating their tactics.

September 7, 2021 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | 1 Comment

Nuclear news for the last week in August

The tragic situation in Afghanistan dominated the news.

In the USA, Hurricane Ida reminds of the effects of global heating – increasing the intensity of extreme weather.

The mainstream media carefully avoids discussion of the dangers to Louisiana’s nuclear power stations.

Coronavirus. For most of the world, the pandemic is not over – devastation in countries such as Uganda, Indonesia, India, Nepal, Peru and Brazil.

Climate.   Even 1.5C warming will still leave world’s coasts exposed to extremes. Radio Ecoshock re-examines the facts on the new megafires. 

Hard to find good news – mostly very individualistic stories, like these ones about bees:  A friend bumblebee.  Saving the bees. A bit of good news (sort of)  University of Michigan reports that CO2 can be stored away in concrete,

29 August 2021 International Day Against Nuclear Tests https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5PRZh_C0e4  Reaffirm commitment to ban nuclear tests, UN chief says in message for International Day.

How to remember Hiroshima and Nagasaki – Sign the nuclear weapons treaty.   Humanitarian Impacts of Nuclear Weapons. Shadow World reveals the shocking realities of the global arms trade – the only business that counts its profits in billions and its losses in human lives

Weaponising space -the high road to World War 3, but profitable for weapons and space companies. Exposure to radiation can affect DNA: Astronauts on long-duration missions in space at risk .   Rocket launches may be damaging the ozone layer

Military Contractor CACI Says Afghanistan Withdrawal Is Hurting Its Profits. It’s Funding a Pro-War Think Tank.

Nuclear energy is anything but clean, despite the media hype.

‘ Every euro invested in nuclear power makes the climate crisis worse‘  Don’t Expect Real Climate Solutions From COP26. It Functions for Corporations.

JAPAN. International Atomic Energy Agency doubts the ability of Japan to clean up Fukushima nuclear wreck by intended date 2051. UN urges Japan to investigate damaged Fukushima nuclear reactors for clean-up.

EUROPE, European Leadership Network aims to build a new nuclear network.

USA. 

• Hurricane Ida Shuts Down One Nuclear Plant in Louisiana. 
•  U.S. Strategic Command general tries to stir up trouble about nuclear arsenals.
•   Media avoid the truth about nuclear wastes. Cover-up? Unreported event of Hanford nuclear workers’ sickness. Texas lawmakers oppose high level nuclear waste coming into their State. 
• Space Force brass want live warfighter training in orbit, This space-based weapon remains in the dark—for now .
•  Groups call for no US nuclear bailouts. 
•  Nuclear Regulatory Commission finds cable issues in special inspection of Vogtle Unit 3.  Danger if sirens are turned off: Point Beach Nuclear Reactor courts disaster. Point Beach Nuclear Unit 1 Emergency Shut-Down.  
• Los Alamos nuclear laboratory warns it might shoot down drones.

UK. 

• Scotland could be dragged into the accelerating nuclear arms race. Scotland: campaign against Trident nuclear weapons.
• Greater powers to be given to UK’s armed Civil Nuclear Constabulary – a threat to peaceful protest? 
• Communities react with shock to news they are being considered as locations for nuclear waste facility. Secret nuclear waste proposals initiated by private landowners and companies.
•   Anti-nuclear campaigners slam plans to install new nuclear reactors in Wales.
• ‘Critical issues’ with Sizewell C plans to be discussed at public hearings .

IRELAND. Nuclear power “just doesn’t make sense” for Ireland, a leading energy expert says.

GERMANY. German utility aims to expand renewables, rejects keeping nuclear reactors open.

CANADA, Nuclear Safety Commission Directs Bruce Power To Assess Fitness For Service Of Reactors.

FINLAND. Ho hum … the umpteenth delay for Finland’s Olkiluoto 3 nuclear reactor.

RUSSIA. Russia begins constructing nuclear submarines amid increasing friction with West.

ISRAEL. Israel accelerates plans for a possible strike on Iran’s nuclear programme.

BELGIUM. Engie nuclear subsidiary Endel in bad shape about to be sold.

SWEDEN. Swedish government decides to increase interim storage capacity for nuclear waste.

AFGHANISTAN. U.S. Lawmakers anxious that Taliban may try to get nuclear weapons.

AUSTRALIA. Federal nuclear waste dump plan.  Australia’s nuclear waste is best managed in interim storage at Lucas Heights, with an independent review on permanent disposal.  The status of two current federal processes related to radioactive waste and the Kimba plan.  Farmer Jeff Baldock is excited at prospect of nuclear waste dump on his land. Other nearby farmers not impressed, (Stock Journal).

August 30, 2021 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | 2 Comments

Nuclear news: week to 24 August

As the Afghanistan crisis continues, many writers consider the underlying causes of the USA’s prolonged wars, and reveal the staggering profits made by the weapons-making corporations. From the corporate point of view, the 20 year war has been a great success.

Coronavirus:more than 212.1 million cases of COVID-19  The reported global death toll stood at more than 4.4 million.  The Delta variant puts  a strain on health systems. Several countries struggle, with lockdowns needed – e.g.in Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand.  Case numbers rise in France. Debates go on about child vaccination, mandatory vaccination, and booster doses of vaccine.

Climate. Global heating and its effects, extreme weather events keep on. The IPCC Report finds we will cross the 1.5C warming  danger line in the 2030’s, pretty well no matter what we do. 

NUCLEAR, Very quietly indeed – you could easily miss this, – come two positive events for the nuclear-free movement; exclusion of nuclear from the Green Zone at COP26, and USA’s nuclear regulator rejecting the push to weaken radiation safety standards. 

Some bits of good news:  What went right this week: how we saved Earth before, plus more positive news,  Australia’s ‘healing journey’.

USA’s Nuclear Regulatory Commission affirms that a little ionising radiation may be bad for health.

Nuclear lobby miserable, but Friends of the Earth relieved, that nuclear industry is excluded from the Green Zone at COP26 Climate Summit.

The tie between climate change and nuclear weapons.

Action on climate change is stalled by unwise spending on small nuclear reactors.

Frozen conflicts and forever wars. WikiLeaks and the Crimes of the West in Afghanistan.

Renewables are beating nuclear,

Bill Gates and the corporates behind the fake solutions to climate change. Arnie Gundersen writes to Bill Gates – about public funding for Gates’ false Natrium nuclear solution to climate change.    

 Why Cosmic Radiation Could Foil Plans for Farming on Mars.

IRAN. Biden’s Iran envoy calls nuclear deal’s fate ‘one big question mark”. Russia, Germany, hope efforts to save Iran nuclear deal will be continued — Putin.     Iran Foreign Ministry defends latest nuclear measures.

JAPAN. Safety review of reactor at Tsuruga nuclear plant halted over data tampering. Radioactive snakes may monitor Fukushima fallout. 5.2-magnitude quake strikes off Japan’s Fukushima Prefecture, no tsunami warning issued .

CANADA. Canada’s nuclear reactors may not be fit for service. The final costly burden of Ontaria’s nuclear decommissioning will fall to the great-grandchildren of babies born in 2021.

 UK.

• Strong local opposition to a proposed nuclear waste dump. Secretive process of Allerdale Working Group studying potential dump sites for UK’s vast stockpile of nuclear waste. Where’s the water coming from?
•  In dry East Anglia EDF has no solution for Sizewell nuclear power’s insatiable thirst? 200 million fish + millions of other sea creatures will be killed by cooling systems of Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C nuclear power stations.
•   Public comment period regarding Bradwell nuclear project is drawing to its end. As renewable energy powers ahead, the UK government’s prospects for funding nuclear power projects look very risky. Chinese nuclear power firm CGN could be pushed out of UK’s Bradwell nuclear power project – and then what? 
• UK’s Marine Management Organisation gives the OK for dumping Hinkley radioactive trash in the Bristol Channel.
• Dungeness area in England set to go underwater as global heating continues.
•  If children are to live with the climate crisis, we must green the curriculum.
•   Greenham Common’s renowned Women’s Peace Camp, the world’s longest-running anti-nuclear demonstration.

USA. 

•  Big winners from the Afghan war -the weapons-making corporations. The military-industrial complex had a successful Afghanistan war – better still than Vietnam. The next will be better, and by remote warfare. US nuclear policy reflects a hypocritical Cold War mindset.
•  President Biden Can Reduce Nuclear Dangers Without Congress . Pentagon Poised To Unveil, Demonstrate Classified Space Weapon. The nuclearization of space. Covid Defense Act – new Bill to prioritise U.S. health, vaccine spending over weapons spending ! 
• America’s nuclear waste non-policy – a treacherous betrayal of future citizens.   Secrecy, delays, budget problems as USA tries to clean up Hanford, the most radioactively polluted site in the nation. NRC responds to New Mexico’s legal bid to stop Holtec’s planned nuclear waste dump. 
•  Top Westinghouse Nuclear Executive Charged with Conspiracy, Fraud. Another former Westinghouse top executive faces criminal charges over failed South Carolina multi $billion nuclear power project.
•   Shareholders of Georgia Power Co now at greater risk for Vogtle nuclear station’s escalating costs?.
•  Exelon Prepares to Shutter Illinois Nuclear Plants. Time to stop the bailout of America’s insanely expensive nuclear industry. 
•  Small nuclear reactors – questionable on safety, on toxic wastes, and on costs. Hurdles and nagging doubts remain, facing Bill Gates’ pet project – multi $billion Natrium nuclear. 
•  Whistleblowers Like Daniel Hale are Vital Checks on Government. 
•  Boys fight over nuclear space toys. Jeff Bezos sues NASA over its contract with Elon Musk.

CHINA. The health and environmental costs of China’s nuclear bomb tests,

FRANCE. France’s oldest nuclear reactors allowed to operate for another decade. France returns high level nuclear waste to Germany (What happens to it then?)

SOUTH  AFRICA. South Africa’s Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) opposes plan for new nuclear power.

SOUTH KOREA. Nuclear Weapons in South Korea? Not So Fringe Anymore.

PHILIPPINES. An expert explains that the Philippines’ nuclear power plant would be OK, but solar power would be faster and better.

PACIFIC ISLANDS. No apology from France, as new report reveals the harm done to Pacific islands by atomic bomb tests.

POLAND. Opposition to nuclear power plants in Poland.

IRAQ. Iraq needs energy, but nuclear power is not the answer.

RUSSIA. Russian nuclear power plants insured for $27 billion. 

AUSTRALIA. Australia’s participation in America’s wars. Was it worth it?     Little chance for genuine community consultation on Napandee nuclear waste dump decision.

August 23, 2021 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

This week – nuclear news

News – oh dear – it’s all too much. And a kind of lethargy sets in, in this uncertain time of pandemic.  I’ve started to type in green bold just those items that I selected as particularly interesting.  

The big news this week is the Afghanistan story.This  USA -led futile military adventure comes to an end. We now prepare for the next one, as weapons industry leaders  salivate in anticipation –  will it be against Iran, North Korea, China …?

With the delta variant – the pandemic rages on.

Climate change news and views continue, with fires and floods, and following the IPCC Report.  I’m finding that only Radio Ecoshock and climate scientist Paol Beckwith seem  to put this all together, clearly.   And someone raised the heretical suggestion that we should give up the system of endless economic growth via consumption.

Some bits of good news –   Rainforest agriculture brings a climate-friendly system to Honduras and other South American nations.  English moor transformed into ‘giant sponge’ to absorb CO2.

The War On Afghanistan Was A $2 Trillion Scam. U.S, costs to date for the war in Afghanistan  in $ billions, 2001-2021.      How War Profiteers Manufacture Consent. 

NO SUPPORT for NUCLEAR in the new report from Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Urgency of the IPCC climate report makes it clear that new nuclear is not the answer. If nuclear power is adopted as the way ahead, the climate fight will be lost.

World careering towards irreversible climate impacts, top scientists warn.

A Day in the Death of British Justice – the case of Julian Assange.

The real photos of the Hiroshima bombing tell the story – no need for fictionalised ones.

JAPAN. Nagasaki remembers the atomic bomb, Olympic officials refuse to allow a minute’s silence. UN pledges full support to Nagasaki voices fuelling ‘powerful global movement’ against nuclear arms. Japanese teenager calls for nuke-free world at U.N. disarmament confab .

CHINA. China starting new nuclear power project, with technology from Russia. Why China is increasing its nuclear deterrence capacity.

CANADA. Canada’s political leaders oblivious to the dangers in making plutonium accessible? Canada’s Moltex small nuclear reactor project -its plutonium process brings danger of nuclear weapons proliferation. Revell River Action Draws Attention to Nuclear Waste Burial Site, USA. 

• Hidden in the U.S. Infrastructure Bill, a fat subsidy for the nuclear industry, and another $50 billion in the offing. Joe Biden’s Infrastructure Bill gives $50 billion to bail out the nuclear industry. Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger champions inclusion of nuclear power incentive in U.S. Infrastructure Bill. 
•   New ”Natrium” nuclear reactors – a very risky gamble. Utah Taxpayers Association is very wary of Small Nuclear Reactors. 
•  Why Are We Still Building Nuclear Weapons? Follow the Money.  America’s ground-based nuclear missile silos – expensive and unnecessary.Strong call for New York City to legislate against investment of pension funds into nuclear weapons production.  Baltimore urged to strengthen its opposition to nuclear weapons.   
•  The importance of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act and of coming to terms with USA’s nuclear history. 
• Comparing solar and nuclear costs. 
•  Elon Musk to take part in a project to place advertising in space?
• Inventor of video games was also part of developing atomic bomb – later opposing it.
• Academies Panel to Consider Future of Revived DOE Low-Dose Radiation Program.
• Widening concrete cracks in Seabrook Nuclear Station. 

UK. 

•  UK High Court sides with US against Assange.    Jailing of a British blogger Should Worry Journalists on Both Sides of the Atlantic.  
•  Men, Conservative Party supporters and Brexit-backers more likely to support use of nuclear weapons.

• French nuclear company EDF is postponing its decision on whether or not to go ahead with the Sizewell nuclear project in Britain. Will Sizewell C nuclear project finish off UK’s Avocet bird species?   . Rhetoric for Bradwell nuclear power project is far removed from reality.
• UK’s Radioactive Waste Management employs ”behavioural science” group to monitor online talk about nuclear waste dump plan. Nuclear waste – we don’t want that muck here!.  Concern over plan to bury nuclear waste offshore.
• Limited consultation on UK’s commercial nuclear ships’ safety regulations. 

IRAN. Iran’s research reactors prove the nuclear deal is still working. Hopes rise that Iran hardliner will rejuvenate nuclear deal.

NORTH KOREA. The Case for a New North Korean Nuclear Deal.

TURKEY. Turkey’s Akkuyu nuclear station a cause for anxiety in the Eastern Mediterranean,BELGIUM. Inconclusive findings on attempted sabotage of Belgian nuclear reactor.

AUSTRALIA.  Seven vital questions about Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) and its nuclear wastes., 

August 16, 2021 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Hiroshima/Nagasaki week – nuclear news

I’m thinking of changing my name to ”Cassandra”.(Greek goddess of  gloom and doom) The media in my country, and elsewhere,  has been ecstatic about Olympic Games medals. I guess that’s a relief from the virus/vaccine focus.  But it seems that nobody knows that this week has been the anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and that Fukushima ”recovery” has not really happened. That the Japanese government, despite the pandemic, in fact did not have the power to cancel the Games – under the contract, only the IOC can do that. That vast sums were spent, and will leave the Japanese people with vast debt, right when they have a crippling health crisis. . That the extravagant arenas and  buildings will become white elephants.That 430 athletes and others in the Olympic Village  got Covid-19.

Similarly, in the news we heard some whispers about wildfires around the world, and catastrophic floods, too. You really need alternative media to put all this together. A leader in this is Radio Ecoshock –  ”I’ve Seen Fire and I’ve Seen Rain”.  

I’m thinking of changing my name to ”Cassandra”.(Greek goddess of  gloom and doom) The media in my country, and elsewhere,  has been ecstatic about Olympic Games medals. I guess that’s a relief from the virus/vaccine focus.  But it seems that nobody knows that this week has been the anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and that Fukushima ”recovery” has not really happened. That the Japanese government, despite the pandemic, in fact did not have the power to cancel the Games – under the contract, only the IOC can do that. That vast sums were spent, and will leave the Japanese people with vast debt, right when they have a crippling health crisis. . That the extravagant arenas and  buildings will become white elephants.That 430 athletes and others in the Olympic Village  got Covid-19.

Similarly, in the news we heard some whispers about wildfires around the world, and catastrophic floods, too. You really need alternative media to put all this together. A leader in this is Radio Ecoshock –  ”I’ve Seen Fire and I’ve Seen Rain”.  

BUT – just as I write this  – up comes the UN Climate report 2021 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDSySmJChXgSurely this will wake up the mainstream media, even in Australia.Coronavirus – there’s still a surge in cases, worldwide, with a clear trend to the pandemic affecting the un-vaccinated.

Some bits of good news. Hard to find – but here’s a place – Empathy in the English Channel and A bird recovery programme, and Africa’s largest forest  reserve in recovery. 

Global average temperature rise of 1.5c likely to be reached 10 years early. The world is getting “dangerously close” to running out of time to avert catastrophic climate change.

Towards a clean and sustainable energy system: 26 criteria nuclear power does not meet .

Nuclear weapons cannot be used, but their danger persists. Now, in the times of the UN Nuclear Ban Treaty, nuclear deterrence continues, but becomes increasingly discredited. Renounce the use and further development of nuclear weapons. The hard fought campaign continues – to ban nuclear weapons.

The myth that the nuclear destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki was justified.

Complicit – The countries, companies and think tanks that support the deadly nuclear arms trade.

JAPAN.Hiroshima City remembers the sudden cruelty of the atomic bombing . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWP3GWFI7nk  Tokyo Olympics part of propaganda strategy to downplay Fukushima nuclear disaster, as Olympics have been previously used to downplay Hiroshima bombing. Tokyo Olympics were touted as a showcase for Fukushima nuclear recovery. That didn’t work.

RUSSIA. Fire, floods ravage Russia, threaten nuclear research site  .

USA. 

• .. David Swanson explodes the myths about why the USA nuclear bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki.   How the USA fabricated a movie, full of falsehoods about the nuclear bombing in 1945.  
•  Jesuit Steve Kelly has done jail time for protesting nuclear weapons. He’s willing to do it again
•  Group of USA Republicans and Democrats united in $trillion Bill to subsidise the nuclear and carbon capture industries. 
•  Stalemate between environmentalists and unions on keeping Illinois nuclear reactors going. Exelon keeps up its drive for subsidies to keep uneconomic nuclear reactors going. While State and Federal governments hurry to subsidise nuclear power plants, Exelon is closing Illinois nuclear stations anyway. 
•   Delay in demolition of Three Mile Island Nuclear Station. Stockton Professor: Nuclear Power is “Terrible Neighbor. 
• U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to give OK for spent nuclear fuel storage in Texas. 
•  US Renewables Generated More Power Than Coal Or Nuclear In 2020 For First Time. US companies announce plans for nuclear-powered bitcoin mine. 
• The nuclear industry is dying. Bitcoin to the rescue?

CANADA. Costs of Ontario’s nuclear program will be the burden of the great-grandchildren of babies born in 2021.

UK.

• Britain joins the craze for war in space – reviving the evil ”Skynet”?. The UK’s Nuclear Escalation Flagrantly Violates International Law. 
•  More Nuclear Power Isn’t Needed, So Why Do Governments Keep Hyping it? The impact of climate change on nuclear reactors should be a key part of COP26 Climate Summit. 
• UK Taxpayer funding will pour in, to get Rolls Royce’s small modular nuclear reactors happening.
•  Nuclear Free Local Authorities (NFLA) publishes analysis of report of-”Just Transition Commission in Scotland” – moving to renewables, while providing jobs.
•  EDF’s plans to produce pink hydrogen at proposed 3.2GW nuclear plant are ‘daft’: argues influential independent analyst Liebreich. 
•  Housing market affected in Lincolnshire, as villagers react against UK government plans for a nuclear waste dump. 
•  Campaigners dismayed as application to dump Hinkley Point mud in the Bristol Channel is approved. 
•  British Navy secrecy over nuclear submarine crashes.

IRAN. EU optimistic on nuclear deal despite Iran leadership change. Problems continue for Iran nuclear talks as new Iran President takes office.

ISRAEL. Israel Says Iran Should ‘Never Become a Nuclear Power.’ But What if It Already Is One? Mainstream media ignores how Israel continues sabotaging the Iran nuclear deal  .

GREECE. Apocalyptic scenes hit Greece, as Athens besieged by fire.

FRANCE. Framatome’s sub-standard nuclear fuel is threatening the survival of France’s nuclear company EDF . The incident that caused the shutdown of the Taishan nuclear power plant occurs regularly in France. France’s secrecy and censorship on the atomic bomb tests in the Pacific.

BELGIUM. Belgium’s mayors show solidarity with nuclear victims, support the UN nuclear weapons ban Treaty.

DENMARK, NORWAY. Russian nuclear submarine lost propulsion in Danish waters, sails submerged outside Norway now.

AUSTRALIA. People of the Pacific condemn Talisman Sabre Military Exercises.

August 9, 2021 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment