nuclear-news

Nuclear news – week to 22 March

Not a lot of remarkable news on nuclear this week . The nuclear lobby is doubling down on its media propaganda, touting nuclear as the solution to climatev change. Also it is determinedly promoting the Tokyo Olympics – the so-called ‘recovery Olympics’, despite the fact that international visitors are banned.

Coronavirus.  Incidence of new cases globally continues to rise, but death numbers are falling. Problems in distribution of vaccines.

Climate.   Developments in global heating are covered each week in Radio Ecoshock, which is a jump ahead of most news media. This week, it’s been about the predicted high temperatures in the world’s cities. Also, it’s a warm\ning that climate tipping points are coming sooner than expected.

A bit of good news.  March 20 was the U.N.’s International Day of Happiness.  For the fourth year in a row, Finland has been named the happiest country in the world, with Iceland coming in second, followed by Denmark, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.

Investigative journalism –  Advanced nuclear reactors : Assessing the Safety, Security, and Environmental Impacts of Non-Light-Water Nuclear Reactors.  New science report: advanced nuclear reactors no safer than conventional nuclear plants.  The economics of nuclear power plants are not favorable to future investments.

Nuclear power has become irrelevant — like it or not.   Why the Fukushima disaster signalled the end of Big Nuclear.

New research to determine plutonium pollution and its sources.

Don’t believe hydrogen and nuclear hype – they can’t get us to net zero carbon by 2050

Review of Michael Shellenberger’s book on ”Why Environmental Alarmism Hurts Us All”.

JAPAN.  The nuclear lobby holds too much sway over governments, particularly in Japan.  Serious security lapse at a Japanese nuclear plant.    Japanese regulator decides against restarting Kashiwazaki-Kariwa No. 7 nuclear reactor.

New type of large and highly radioactive particles found in Japan.  Fukushima disaster 10 years on: How long will it take to clean up the nuclear waste?

UK. 

• How the British government reacted to the Fukushima catastrophe – with propaganda promoting the nuclear industry.
• Boris Johnson joins Britain up to a perilous, uncontrollable, nuclear weapons race.  UK should build foreign policy on aid, conflict resolution, not on reversing nuclear disarmament.  UN expresses concern over UK’s move to increase nuclear weapons arsenal.  UK govt – cutting costs on troops as it expands nuclear missile numbers
• New report on human and environmental impact of Hinkley Point C nuclear project. Hinkley Point C nuclear power station ‘could suck up 182 million fish a year’ from Severn Estuary.   Dilemma over plan to dump Himkley radioactive mud off Cardiff coast.  Hinkley Point nuclear reactors with cracks are allowed to resume limited operations.

USA.

• Production of plutonium must cease, for the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty to work.  Plutonium used at Japanese reactor will be glassed, stored at Savannah River Site.
• With ”regulatory capture” of USA’s Nuclear Regulatory Commission, California’s got nuclear fuel buried 108 feet from the sea  .
• Duane Arnold nuclear reactor, same type as Fukushima Daiichi, vulnerable to extreme weather.
• Georgia’s  Vogtle nuclear station likely to yet again miss a deadline.
• Report alleges elevated cancer deaths in Monroe may be result of nuclear plant.
• Sudden death of defendant in Ohio nuclear corruption case.
• Deb Haaland -new U.S. Secretary for Interior, – first Native American in a U.S. presidential cabinet.

RUSSIA.  Russia planning to dispose of highly dangerous nuclear reactor cores of submarines at bottom of Kara Sea.

IRAN.  United Nations nuclear watchdog says it’s possible to return to the Iran nuclear deal.

FRANCE.  France must restructure debt-laden EDF (Electricite de France) and reform nuclear sector by October.  Flamanville nuclear reactor: 3 new welds do not meet safety requirements.

PACIFIC ISLANDS.  Outcry in Tahiti over nuclear fallout study.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES. Unitede Arab Emirates $32 billion Barakah nuclear plant poses environmental, safety, and security problems.

AUSTRALIA.  Minerals Council of Australia trying to influence European Commission, to push for fossil fuels and nuclear.

March 22, 2021 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | 2 Comments

Nuclear news – week to 15th March

Fukushima: “How Japan was blinded to the predicted certainty of disaster“.     10 years after Fukushima – still nuclear regulatory capture, and poor safety culture.  Whitewashing of Fukushima meltdown by United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation.

Nuclear power faces a wobbly future.  Ten years on from Fukushima, nuclear power continues to struggle with deeper problems.  Nuclear power is unpopular: promoted only by those with vested interests.

Billionaire Bill Gates’ nuclear ambitions would make climate disaster worse.

Global nuclear industry in decline since 1996, even without Fukushima disaster.

The long-term problem of ”peaceful” plutonium.

The radiation danger to astronauts– cancer, heart disease -an ethical problem.  Space radiation – harmful to astronauts, not only with cancers, but also with heart and blood vessel effects.  Low doses of radiation used in medical imaging lead to mutations in cell cultures.

The growing threat of space debris.

How the world came close to nuclear war catastrophe.

‘Every euro invested in nuclear power makes the climate crisis worse‘.  Small modular reactors not the solution, says German nuclear authority .

Need to establish compensation schemes for future nuclear accidents.

So-called ”cloud” computing means huge electricity use in data so-called ”farms”.

JAPAN.

 The truth about Fukushima today – and the cover-up – Thomas A Bass.   Fukushima Nuclear Disaster Nearly ‘Ended The Japanese State’. Harm done to people by the Fukushima evacuation, but radiation was still the root cause of all this.    The Asahi Shimbun continues to warn against nuclear power -Japan’s risk of another “Fukushima -type” disaster.

Japan’s Nuclear Clean-Up Has No End in Sight.   1.2 million tonnes of contaminated water and nowhere to put it – Fukushima’s continued legacy.   Review of film ”Fukushima 50”.       The thought of the Olympics – the only hold-up to emptying contaminated water to the ocean.

Impossible timetable set for returning Fukushima nuclear site to ‘greenfield”.  Japanese government hopes that not-yet-designed robots might clean up Fukushima nuclear mess.  Part of Tomioka, 6 miles from Fukushima, is still a no-go zone.    Radiation from Fukushima meltdown collects in timber in affected region.

Tokyo Olypics: is it safe to promote Japan’s so-called “recovery” by sending athletes into a nuclear exclusion zone?  United Nations Scientific Committee on Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) report on Fukushima health effects -rushed, inadequate, inconsistent.

Cash-strapped Japanese nuclear company funds road plans near idle nuclear plant.

Japan’s main opposition party -”Japanese society is viable without operating nuclear power plants”.

FRANCE. French Nuclear tests: revelations about a cancer epidemic.

PACIFIC ISLANDS.  France has consistently underestimated the devastating impact of its nuclear tests in French Polynesia.  110, 000 people in French Polynesia affected by the radioactive fallout from atomic bomb tests.  Time to clean up Bikini Atoll, to right the nuclear wrongs done to the Pacific islands people.

USA.

• Investigative journalism – Can the Energy Department store 50 tons of weapons-grade plutonium for 10,000 years?     Biden on horns of a dilemma for Iranian nuclear deal.   This is how the biggest arms manufacturers steer $millions to influence U.S,. policy.  USA’s new $100billion nuclear missile – a white elephant?
• Ohio House passes its version of Bill rescinding nuclear subsidies.
• Report: Cancer death rates rising near Fermi nuclear plant .
• Problem in accepting higher level radioactive wastes in Texas.

GERMANY.  Germany pledges to work towards a nuclear-free Europe.   The Greens are likely to be propelled into government in the national vote.

UK. Nuclear power losing out in the UK – not a good omen for the global nuclear industry.      Trident nuclear warhead numbers set to increase for first time since cold war, despite commitment to decrease nuclear weaponss stockpile.  Safety breaches at Sellafield have raised fears of a Chernobyl-style disaster.

CHINA.  China maintains only a lean nuclear weapons force – aimed at survival if attacked..

TURKEY. Anxieties over Turkey’s new Russian-backed nuclear plants.  Turkey’s nuclear ambitions bring fears of a ”new Chernobyl” in the region.   – Turkey’s nuclear power plant could prove irresistible to terrorists.

NEW ZEALAND. New Zealand groups oppose launch of U.S. military nuclear satellite.

TAIWAN.  Nuclear power not an option for Taiwan.  Taiwan environmentalists to hold anti-nuclear rally in June.

SLOVENIA.  Slovenia’s hazardous old nuclear reactor in an earthquake zone.

AUSTRALIA. Australian uranium fuelled Fukushima .  Australia must learn the lessons of Fukushima.–  Time for Australia to clean up uranium mining damage, and end this toxic industry – Western Australia could lead the way. its nuclear tests in French Polynesia.  110, 000 people in French Polynesia affected by the radioactive fallout from atomic bomb tests.  Time to clean up Bikini Atoll, to right the nuclear wrongs done to the Pacific islands people.

March 15, 2021 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | 1 Comment

Nuclear news this week- Fukushima anniversary week

The global nuclear lobby will be glad when March is over. They were glad to see the end of January – too much public interest then in the U.N. Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

March is worse, especially because of the 10 year anniversary (11th March) of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear meltdown, with clean-up nowhere in sight. The half-hearted hype is now on for the Olympic Games in July. The whole plan was for the Games to demonstrate that the nuclear catastrophe was actually nothing much to worry about, and yet again, to promise a ‘nuclear renaissance’.

International Women’s Day – today 8th March, is a bit of a worry for the nuclear industry.  Ionising radiation is more damaging to women than to men, and polls consistently show that women oppose nuclear power.  Women are rarely part of decision-making, and when they are –  shock horror!  With nearly equal female representation in Switzerland’s parliament – it decided to shut down the nuclear industry.   In Germany, that very strong Chancellor Angela Merkel, was a supporter of nuclear power – but after the Fukushima catastrophe, she changed her mind.  It’s all a dilemma for the nuke lobby –   trying to get some (preferably  young and glam) women into the nuclear career,  – but oh dear, they might put too much emphasis on health, children’s future, etc – and hysterically change their mind, as Merkel did.

1st March – Nuclear Free and Independent Pacific Day.  This day commemorates for Pacific islanders, the nuclear colonialism, that brought atomic bomb testing, radiatio-induced cancers, and continuing environmental pollution to their previously pristine lands and waters.  Today, militaristic colonialism is still in full swing across the region, and is still resisted.

CLIMATE.  I cannot resist referring you to the wonderful Katherine Hayhoe, interviewed on Radio Ecoshock. This woman, who is also a religious communicator, has the gift of explaining climate change entertainingly and with clarity.

Some bits of good news The first real-world data for COVID vaccines is in – and it’s really good news.   

In a Japanese village ravaged by tsunami and nuclear disaster, two farmers grow indigo to rebuild community and heal

Nuclear Games.

Elon Musk and Bill Gates: beware of gurus toting solutions to climate change.

Nuclear energy proponents downplay its unresolved moral and ethical concerns.  Despite the problems, small nuclear reactor salesmen aggressively marketing: it’s make or break time for the nuclear industry.

Some bits of good news The first real-world data for COVID vaccines is in – and it’s really good news.   

In a Japanese village ravaged by tsunami and nuclear disaster, two farmers grow indigo to rebuild community and heal

ANTARCTICA.  Ominous news; Antarctic ice is melting at an accelerating rate.

JAPAN.

Ex-PMs Kan, Koizumi urge Japan to quit nuclear power generation .    10 years after Fukushima nuclear disaster, – poor prospects for nuclear revival in Japan.

• Fukushima. Reuters gives a timeline of events: Fukushuma 2011 – 2021 –Heroism of Fukushima’s nuclear emergency workers.
• Fukushima nuclear decommissioning not really under control- persistent highly radioactive debris remains.  Japan’s daunting task – to decommission Fukushima nuclear plant, over many decades. Fukushima wrecked nuclear plant: area remains a health and environmental disaster.  Fukushima resident still can’t return home 10 years after nuclear disaster. Most 2011 quake, Fukushima crisis survivors back ending nuclear power.
• Fukushima’s Olympic makeover: Will the ‘cursed’ area be safe from radioactivity in time for Games?  Fukushima Daiichi 2011-2021: The decontamination myth and a decade of human rights violations.–
• Lawsuit over the exposure to radiation of residents of Litate, after Fukushima nuclear meltdown.
• The man who saves forgotten cats in Fukushima’s nuclear zone .
• Isolated and alone – Suguru’s story reveals bullying, ostracization and government whitewash

UK.

Opinion poll – 77% of Ayshire public support a total ban on all nuclear weapons.

Hinkley Point B nuclear station to close ‘early’ due to aging graphite blocks.

Concern about the marketing of radioactively contaminated scrap metal.

Proposed Cumbrian coalmine. But is the real purpose a high level nuclear waste dump?.

How Scotland’s Dunoon became an American nuclear base, and a target.  Scottish Council calls on big pension fund to stop investing in weapons makers.

USA. 

• Food for thought –  The war-mongering lobby embraces AI (artificial intelligence) 
• Biden’s illegal bombing of Iranian-backed militias in Syria jeopardises nuclear negotiations.  The American media sanitises the Biden administration’s killings in Syria.
•  Biden’s first budget should reduce excessive expenditure on nuclear weaponry. Why the US wastes $billions on nuclear weapons it doesn’t need. Bill in U.S. Congress to stop new nuclear-armed, sea-launched cruise missile.  Battle coming in U.S. Congress over spending on nuclear weapons.
• Nuclear workers plagued by leukaemia, cancers and other illnesses.
•  Ohio Senate votes unanimously to repeal nuclear plant bailout.  Nuclear power bailout Bill to be eliminated by Ohio law-makers. Public Service Enterprise Group trying to force ratepayers to act as guarantors for nuclear power debts.  Montana legislatures to review the law restricting nuclear developments.
• Michigan Attorney General wants review of nuclear plant license transfer to Holtec.
• Washington State and others want to overturn Trump rule that weakens Hanford nuclear waste rule.
• The Trump personality cult is still a threat.

IRAN.  UN’s nuclear watchdog agency will not be ‘bargaining chip’ in Iran nuclear deal.  President Rouhani says that Iran is prepared to fulfil nuclear deal commitments.

GERMANY.  Germany to pay nuclear operators 2.4 bln euros for plant closures.  Widespread public support for Germany’s nuclear phaseout, as renewable energy expands.

ALGERIA.  French report on the unfairness of France’s nuclear history in Algeria.

RUSSIA. Russia’s most high-tech multi-purpose nuclear submarine further delayed.

CHINA.  China to ramp up its nuclear weapons, in the interests of its own survival.

FRANCE.  Safety expert recommends shutdown of several of France’s old, dubiously safe, nuclear reactors.  France’s Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) has safety concerns about Flamanville nuclear power plant .  A new setback for France’s Flamanville nuclear reactor.

SWITZERLAND.  Women in government – the key to getting rid of nuclear power.

LUXEMBOURG. Hopes in Luxembourg for the closure of Cattenom nuclear power plant.

ARMENIA. Armenia should shut down, not repair, its dangerous nuclear power station.

SOUTH AFRICA. South Africa, with no way to deal with radioactive waste, must not develop new nuclear power.

PACIFIC ISLANDS.  Nuclear Free And Independent Pacific Day 2021.

TURKEY.  Dust with French nuclear test residue threatens Turkey.

IRAN.  Iran’s foreign minister says Tehran will offer a constructive plan for nuclear talks.

INDIA.  In India, Google and Facebook help a vicious government campaign against environmental activists.

AUSTRALIA. Australia dodged a bullet in not getting nuclear power.

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

The week in nuclear news – to March 1

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

USA.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

March 1, 2021 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Nuclear, coronavirus, climate -news to 22 February

Coronavrus update:

• Global Tracker: Cases exceed 111.2 million; deaths pass 2.4 million
• Vaccine Tracker: More than 202 million shots given worldwide
• Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine reduces transmission by 89%, study shows

Climate;  disinformation is rampant.   –”we have allowed governments around the world to throw away the time when we could have stopped the endless killer heat waves, fires, rising seas, superstorms, dying coral, dying everything. We let governments from Monarchies to Oligarchies to alleged Democracies endanger life on this planet, including our kids future.

If we can’t change that, we really are doomed.” – Alex Smith, Radio Ecoshock.

Nuclear – it is disappointing to me to listen to interviews with Bill Gates-  he is not questioned on his statements pushing nuclear power for climate. It seems that being a billionaire entrepreneur qualifies him for a kind of reverent belief and trust . Meanwhile, a real climate expert , Michael Mann, has just published an authoritative book on the subject.

Hunting for good news – but it’s tricky. Lots of good news on things like individuals being kind to homeless people. But there’s a dearth of news about public, government, action to provide homes for the homeless.

Nuclear lobby planning to take over the U.N Climate Change Conference.

Living longterm in radioactively contaminated areas damages our health.

On nuclear power as climate solution, Bill Gates shows alarming ignorance.  Bill Gates’undemocratic approach to climate crisis.  New books on climate change; Michael Mann versus (nuclear promoter) Bill Gates.

The “negaWatt” – the best energy is the energy you don’t use.

JAPAN.    ICAN chief urges Japanese govt to attend UN Nuclear Ban Treaty meeting.  Japan town mayor OKs restarting nuclear reactor over 40 years old– A decade after the Fukushima meltdown, this Japanese region faces a new nightmare — radioactive water in the sea. Water leaks indicate new damage at Fukushima nuclear plant.  New highly radioactive particles found in Fukushima .

EUROPE.  Nuclear industry very nervous about EU evaluation of its’green’ claims.

CANADA.  Community fights Canadian govt’s slick propaganda pushing for high-level radioactive waste dump.  Canada’s nuclear waste storage ”“cannot and will not go forward without the informed and willing consent of potential host communities”

UKRAINE.  New documentary explores Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.

USA.

• Investigative  journalism. -‘Medical Scientific’ committee, stacked with nuclear executives, promotes nuclear power in space.
• Biden Must Take Immediate Action to Reduce the Risk of Nuclear War.  USA to join in multilateral talks with EU and Iran, on return to nuclear deal.  The world came much closer to nuclear war than we realized in 1983. Nuclear weapons — they’re illegal.
•  There Were Doomsday Ships Ready To Ride Out Nuclear Armageddon Before There Were Doomsday Planes.
• USA to join in multilateral talks with EU and Iran, on return to nuclear deal.
•  Beyond Nuclear files suit to stop massive radioactive waste dump .
• Keep the public vote on nuclear energy in Montana .  Big trouble ahead, on regulation issues, for countries desperately trying to export small nuclear reactors.
• EPA awards $220 million for uranium mine cleanup on Navajo Nation.
•   Green energy sources are not to blame for the winter storm power blackouts in Texas. Lies in Texas, as Republicans blame renewable energy for cold weather traumas.
• The ”New Yorker” sinks to sloppy sentimentalpraise of pro nuclear advocates.   I am appalled at the idea of ‘‘Mothers For Nuclear”.

BRAZIL.  Global nuclear industry – rotten to the core: it’s not just Brazil.

UK.

• The Children with Cancer UK conference: nuclear power and nuclear weapons are two sides of the same coin.
• Lancaster City Council will call on UK to join nuclear weapons ban.
• Is this the end of the road for UK’s Bradwell nuclear project?  Relief that Bradwell nuclear project has stalled.
• Over 100,000 people sign petition to stop Sizewell nuclear, save nature reserve. City giant Legal and General will not be funding Sizewell nuclear project.
• Lobbyists from West Cumbria Mining appointed to Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM).
• Residents fear nuclear waste is buried beneath land being earmarked for development.

IRAN.  Iran foiled series of assassinations planned by Israel – says Iranian Intelligence Minister Mahmoud Alavi.  Iran vows to limit nuclear inspections if partners fail to act.

POLAND.  Germany concerned about Poland’s nuclear energy plans.

BULGARIA.  Bulgaria prosecutes former energy ministers over mismanagement of Belene nuclear power project.

SOUTH AFRICA.  South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa ignores nuclear his State of the Nation Address.  South Africa: an example of how nuclear waste costs are passed on to later generations.

ISRAEL.  Israel expands Dimona nuclear facility previously used for weapons material.

FRANCE. Significant safety incident at EDF nuclear power plant in Flamanville.

AUSTRALIA. Wise warning to Australian government to withdraw embarrassing Nuclear Waste Dump Bill.

February 22, 2021 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | 2 Comments

Nuclear news – week to 15 February

The Julian Assange extradition case is back in the news, As Joe Biden pushes for extradition,   What did we really expect from a Biden win?   I am reminded of an old English comedian, who explained America’s political parties:

” Well the Republican Party is the same as our Conservatives, whereas the Democratic Party is the same as our Conservatives”

In nuclear news,  Japan is alerted by a 7.3m  earthquake all too close to Fukushima nuclear plant wreck.   The systemic corruption in the industry is highlighted this week,, with the continuing saga of political crookedness in Ohio.

CLIMATE  –   the role of methane in global heating, – the Arctic, and USA’s leaking natural gas.

Some bits of good news  – 10 Positive COVID Updates From Around the World – 2021 is Looking Brighter.

‘Ecocide’ proposal aiming to make environmental destruction an international crime.

The real value of the nuclear ban treaty.

Drone swarms: coming (sometime) to a war near you. Just not today.

UK. 

• Covid-19 ”Hell” on UK nuclear submarine.
• UK universities partnering with Chinese technology companies may be breaching national security rules.
• Financial and environmental uncertainties made UK Planning inspectorate reject Wylfa nuclear project.  Wales government irresponsible to consider expensive move towards nuclear power development.
• As Wylfa nuclear project is rejected on environmental grounds, Sizewell C nuclear project should be dead in the water.  Expensive, experimental, Sizewell nuclear project would be operational far too late to affect global heating.
• Call for an independent Scotland to demand removal of nuclear weapons from Faslane.
• As UK govt desperate to promote nuclear industry, it’s even more desperate to solve nuclear waste dilemma.
• UK’s Freedom of Information law revealed Israel nuclear link, but now FOI is under threat.  
•  Not mentioned? Nuclear fusion is hugely expensive, and this quest has produced much toxic waste.

USA. 

• Biden administration presses for Julian Assange to be extradited to USA.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3oEY6_oSGA&t=254s
• USA military leaders were unaware of risks to Pence’s ‘nuclear football’ during Capitol riot.  Mike Pence’s ‘nuclear football’ was potentially at risk during Capitol riot .  U.S. rioters did get close to Mike Pence and his ‘nuclear football’.
• How the United States can chart a new path that avoids war with China. America’s new $100Billion missiles are intended both for attack, and as a target.
• Investigative journalism  – Systemic corruption in the American nuclear industry.   Republican lawmaker reintroduces Bill to repeal Ohio’s corrupt nuclear bailout law.  U.S. Dept of Justice gets the resignation of attorney who launched Ohio nuclear corruption probe.
• Nuclear waste facilities at risk of flooding and sea surges.  Nuclear Rubberstamping Commission to weaken rules on radioactive trash.
•  Investigative journalism – Who Are the Ultimate War Profiteers? A U.S. Air Force Veteran Removes the Veil.
• Catastrophic’ Nuclear Power Accidents ‘Highly Likely’ If US Reactors Are Extended For 100 Years.
• Los Alamos National Laboratory not alert to the increasing danger of wildfires. 
• Carbon is emitted throughout the nuclear fuel chain.

CANADA. Even a pro nuclear enthusiast admits that Small Nuclear Reactors cause toxic radioactive wastes.

ASIA.  No nukes in Asia…or anywhere.  New types of computer malaware target nuclear facilities.

JAPAN.   Powerful magnitude 7.3 earthquake jolts Fukushima area.  Tremors continue in northeast Japan.  Leak at Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant a concern after  Earthquake.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o51cN-oxm0o  Court orders Tokyo Electric Power Company pay ¥600 million to 271 plaintiffs.   Fukushima to Triple Wind Power Generation .

RUSSIA.  Crimea to demolish dangerous, (and never operational), nuclear power station.  Despite punishment by the government, Russia’s ‘‘Eco-Defense’ has helped to stop construction of a nuclear power plant.

FRANCE.  French nuclear attack submarine patrolling South China Sea .  No apologies from France, over nuclear bomb tests’ pollution in Algeria.

UKRAINE.  Ukraine’s complicated plan to deal with its excess nuclear energy generation.

NORTH KOREA. Expert panel reports that North Korea is relying on cyberattacks to fund nuclear weapons.

EUROPE. European Parliament calls for a halt to Belarus nuclear plant in Ostrovets.

IRAN.  Israel’s military threat to Iran. Iran calls on U.N. to respond.–Iran warned by France, Germany, UK, over uranium metal production

ALGERIA. Radioactive poisoning of the environment: France’s nuclear legacy of wastes in Algeria.

INDIA.  Amidst the trauma of the Chamoli flash floods, people recall an old lost nuclear device.

SOUTH AFRICA. Koeberg Nuclear Power Station containment buildings damaged by prolonged exposure to sea air.– Koeberg has suffered severe damage, according to Koeberg Alert Alliance.

AUSTRALIA.  Australian government’s brazen duplicity concerning Julian Assange. Australian Government could face an unwinnable legal case if Senate passes the Kimba Nuclear Waste Dump Bill,

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

This week: Not a lot happening in nuclear news, while coronavirus and climate change rage on.

It is getting harder to keep up with the coronavirus news – the fluctuating numbers regarding new cases, the comparisons between various vaccines, the good news  (Israel’s success), the bad news (new more infectious strains).

Then there’s the new preoccupation in the media about big sporting events.  In USA the Superbowl could turn into a super-spreader. The Australian Open Grand Slam tennis is watched anxiously, as an indication of whether the July Tokyo Olympics could safely go ahead.

Meanwhile it’s becoming clear that this pandemic is not going to be over quickly, that the vaccines are not a ”silver bullet’‘, and it is truly a global problem, needing global treatment.

CLIMATE. We are all too often focussing on USA, Canada, Australia, in news coverage. This week, a horror event in India brings home the impacts of global heating elsewhere in the world. Indian Glacier in Himalayan Valley Crumbles, Causing Flash Flooding. Himalayan glaciers melting at alarming speed.

RENEWABLE ENERGY.  I muse that these industries are also becoming corporate giants, encouraging endless energy use, and overconsumption of new technologies, with little care about their toxic wastes. Whatever happened to energy conservation?

Largely due to the pandemic, nuclear developments have gone very quiet –  I guess that’s one compensation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gWXFcFfN7E&t=55s       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XIW9hHTHnU

A bit of good news – Good news on ozone: world scientists make global assessment 5 February 2021.

February 8, 2021 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | 1 Comment

With Biden in power, the nuclear lobby is emboldened , and pushing its false ”climate solution” propaganda

After a lovely non-computer day in the country, I start looking through the Google news

Christina Macpherson’s websites & blogs

on”nuclear” – and what do I find?.   Article after article on how good it’s going to be now, for the nuclear industry, the (false) climate cure, because Joe Biden is backing it!

– a few headlines :

Nuclear Backers Already Like Joe Biden

Illinois Lawmakers work on a solution to keep Byron Nuclear Power Plant open

The nuclear science path to sustainable development.

Japan says nuclear energy crucial to hitting net zero goal by 2050 .

February 2, 2021 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

To February 1st – nuclear news

Crisis within a crisis: Responding to COVID-19 around the world.

Climate crisis: world is at its hottest for at least 12,000 years – study.  Scientists say temperatures globally at highest level since start of human civilisation.

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

The week in nuclear news

Of course, the big world news is the coronavirus. Climate is as always, the vital second issue.

There was much favourable reaction to the nuclear ban treaty coming into force last week. The critics and sabotage from the nuclear weapons nations will no doubt come later.

Apart from the ban treaty, nuclear news has been very much in the background.  The global nuclear industry is not wasting this ”quiet” time, but instead is ramping up and reorganising for a 2021 propaganda blitz.

Some bits of good news –   Arctic Oil Drilling Plans Suffer ‘Stunning Setback’ as Almost ‘No One Shows Up’ For the Sale. UK Prioritizes Climate Crisis By Supporting Sustainability in Developing Countries With $4 Billion Plan.  Startup Builds 3 Huge Indoor Farms in Appalachia Turning Coal Country into Agricultural Hub

International Physicians for the Preve.ntion of Nuclear War comment on “The great evasion “.    Treaty on Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons – a major step towards a safe world. Praise from United Nations, Pope Francis, for nuclear ban treaty coming into force.  5 nuclear activities that are now Illegal under international law.  Nuclear Ban Treaty obligates countries to assist nuclear victims and remediate environments.

Russia and USA exchange documents to extend the NEW START nuclear weapons agreement.

Quietly, under the brouhaha of the pandemic, the global nuclear lobby prepares a propaganda onslaught.

Pro nuclear publicist James Conca made a very big gaffe about Fukushima disaster.

GREENLAND.  Uranium mining plunder of Greenland, and the threat to the sub-arctic environment.

JAPAN.

• Buddhist leader urges international co-operation in further steps on the Nuclear Ban Treaty.
• Japanese govt plans to extend nuclear funding to communities, but there is public opposition. Local governments in Japan growing more reliant on nuclear taxes.
• Hiroshima ‘peace clock’ reset to 49 days following US nuclear test.
• Tokyo High Court holds TEPCO responsible for Fukushima nuclear crisis.   Fukushima’s former residents demand stricter decontamination of radiation before they would return.

USA.

• The 70-year nuclear gloom begins to lift on January 22.  Protest rally against University of Arkansas’ involvement with nuclear weapons corporation.
• A view from the law: The Danger Of Sole Presidential Authority Over Nuclear Weapons.
•   Biden can’t ignore that continuing crisis -the danger of nuclear annihilation. . Gorbachev Urges Biden to Improve Relations With Russia, Extend Key Nuclear Pact.
• Biden’s USA headed for confrontation with Russia? The troubling appointment of Victoria Nuland.   Biden keeps Trump appointee as acting nuclear weapons chief.
• USA and Iran must overcome 9 hurdles to revive the nuclear deal.   Biden works a weakened U.S. hand to negotiate way back into Iran nuclear deal.
• By Far the Worst Thing Trump Did Was Flirt With Nuclear War With North Korea.
• The aerospace industry – the goal is weaponry and global dominance. A dangerous out-dated ”zombie” U.S. Navy policy on ballistic missile submarines.
•  Strong opposition to USA’s Nuclear Rubberstamp Commission extending nuclear reactors’ lives to 100 years.   100 year licences for nuclear reactors? – a hazardous plan.
• America’s Committee to Defend Australian citizen Julian Assange.
• Even After January 6, Some Media Can’t Kick Their Addiction to False Balance.  First a comment on military smrs – then the enthusiastic article about them.

RUSSIA.  Russia to withdraw form Open Skies Treaty, EU concerned.  Russia welcomes US proposal to extend New Start nuclear treaty.

UK.

• Trident Ploughshares, Scotland celebrate entry into force of nuclear weapons ban.    Treaty provides a framework for the elimination of nuclear weapons.  More than half of public supports UK joining UN ban on nuclear weapons.
• Despite Covid regulations, 22 nuclear bombs delivered to Scotland.
• UK’s Centre for Policy Studies about to change its name to Centre for thePromotion of Nuclear Sizewell C?
• “They’ll be able to dream up some bogus price” – UK nuclear proponents want financing system. Bradwell: UK’s ill-conceived nuclear project, with cronyism and vested interests, will damage environment.
• UK govt and Japan’s TEPCO to work together on robots to clean up Sellafield and Fukushima’s nuclear pollution.  So called “Improved” process for Cumbrian nuclear waste dump removes local right of veto.

FRANCE.  The hidden costs of France’s old, past-their-use-by-date nuclear reactors.  Radioactive releases from the Golfech nuclear power plant accumulate downstream. Serious shortcomings in the file on Bure (Meuse) underground nuclear waste storage.  EDF collapses on the stock market amid difficult negotiations in Brussels..

CANADA.  We need parliamentarians to stop project, prevent Ottawa River from being permanently contaminated — Concerned Citizens of Renfrew County and Area.  Canada’s nuclear regulator updates its drug and alcohol testing requirements.

IRAN.  President Hassan Rouhani has urged U.S. President Joe Biden to return America to the nuclear deal.

PAKISTAN. Pakistan test-fires nuclear-capable surface-to-surface ballistic missile.

SOUTH AFRICA, South Africa the only country to have nuclear weapons, then abandon them.

MOROCCO.  Another bit of boring nuclear propaganda – from Morocco this time.

ALGERIA. Investigation of Algerians affected by France’s nuclear bomb tests.

TAIWAN.  Taiwan. Nuclear power plant referendum set to take place in August.

AUSTRALIA. Morrison government gets in early to disparage nuclear ban treaty, but Labor supports it.   Australia could sign the Nuclear Ban Treaty and still keep its military co=operation with America.

January 27, 2021 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | 2 Comments

A good week coming up in nuclear news?

An eventful week coming up.  And from the point of view of nuclear issues, a good week!

On 22nd January the U.N. Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons will come into force.   Yes, nuclear weapons will still be there, but no longer respectable, acceptable, and no longer an attractive investment option. The humanitarian cause for ending nuclear weaponry is made clear and legal.

This week is good news, too, for the immediately more pressing problems, coronavirus and climate. The inauguration of President Joe Biden on 20th January means that the American government will suddenly take the pandemic seriously and take action. Equally important, it will take action on climate change, and will rejoin the world in the Paris climate treaty.

The new administration under Biden will not play nuclear war brinkmanship, as Donald Trump did  –  (remember ”fire and fury”).  There is hope for some rational negotiations internationally on arms control.

However, as Obama was, Biden will be firmly in the grip of the nuclear lobby.  You don’t get to be President of the United States unless you have the backing of the nuclear industry.

Some other bits of good news – Stories of change from children in the Asia-Pacific  .

Catholics welcome Treaty on Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons coming into force.

Global nuclear policy is stuck in colonialist thinking. The weapons ban treaty offers a way out.

Scientists must tell the truth on our consumerist, ecology-killing Ponzi culture.

Nuclear power, too inflexible, is in conflict with sustainable development goals.

Investigative journalism – ‘Mini-Nukes, Big Bucks: The Interests Behind the SMR Push.

Hydrogen from wind and solar systems could be the ultimate solution to the planet’s pollution problem..

JAPAN.

Investigative journalism – Thyroid cancer at ages 0 and 2 at the time of the nuclear accident-Health survey in Fukushima Prefecture January 2021. 

Why Japanese people should say ‘Sayonara’ to nuclear energy- a nun’s voice for nuclear victims.  13.7 million sign petition urging all nations to ban nuclear weapons.

USA. 

• Highly recommended  –  How the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons Impacts the United States. U.S. should join nuclear weapons ban treaty
• Trump chaos highlights risks of sole nuclear launch authority. Trump’s behavior demonstrates that Biden must change US nuclear policy . A paranoid president and 7,000 plutonium warheads.. Donald Trump and the ”nuclear football” on January 20.
• Biden nominates Iran nuclear deal negotiator to State Department.  First Native American nominated to US cabinet position.
• A clean return to the Iran nuclear deal should be Biden’s first option.
•   Far-right extremists and nuclear terrorism.
•  Nuclear Icebreakers Are Not An Option for U.S. Coast Guard .
• Wall St is growing wary of Southern Co.’s promises to carry out Vogtle nuclear project economically.

CANADA. Why Won’t Canada Back a Nuclear Weapons Ban?  Small modular reactor plan bolsters nuclear industry‘s future, but renewables could address energy issues now.  Big doubts on small nuclear reactors – on economics, on waste problems.  New consultations in Ignace, Ontario, over nuclear waste site.

EUROPE. While European organisations discuss nuclear wastes, UK unveils plan for Cumbria waste burial

UK.

• Church leaders call on UK to sign nuclear weapons ban treaty.
• As Britain’s plan for Wyfla nuclear project founders, it’s time to start a green revolution.
• Property developer volunteers Allerdale, Cumbria for UK’s nuclear waste.
• Profound questions raised by the employment tribunal case; bullying at Sellafield nuclear site?.
• Jan 31 – Scotland’s Beyond Nuclear to hold Virtual Conference.

INDIA.  India must oppose dumping of radioactive waste into the Pacific, but IAEA and Indian govt downplay the dangers.

RUSSIA.  Russia eager to salvage START nuclear weapons treaty, once Biden is USA president . The horror of Russia’s nuclear submarines and nuclear trash dumped at sea.

ISRAEL. Israeli Defence Force drawing up plans to strike Iran’s nuclear program.

CZECH REPUBLIC.  Czech government plans to impose nuclear dump on municipalities against their will.

IRAN.  Iran tests missiles under apparent watch of US nuclear sub.

FRANCE. France says Iran is building nuclear weapons capacity, urgent to revive 2015 deal.

BELARUS. Belarus Nuclear Plant Taken Offline After ‘Protection System Activated’.

AUSTRALIA.   How will Entry Into Force of the Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty impact non weapons states parties, including Australia?

Why did ANSTO shut down National Medical Cyclotron, that made medical isotopes without nuclear waste?  ANSTO gets a blank cheque for its nuclear waste production at Lucas Heights?  Because ANSTO shut down cyclotron, Australia has the problem of importing a short-lived medical isotope.

Australia’s environmental scientists intimidated, silenced by threats of job loss.

January 18, 2021 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

to 11 January – nuclear news this week

Midst all of the Trumpian circus, and the dire problems of the pandemic, it’s hard to find news about the underlying grave problems of the climate. I did vow to stay off that subject.  But that’s hard to do, when global heating has accelerated over 2020, when it should have been a cooler year, with La Nina prevailing.   Not only accelerating – climate change is here with us. The Earthbound Report lists 10 big impacts in 2020.

But – to return to the nuclear, it hasn’t been just a background problem lately, as the Washington mayhem raises anxieties about Donald Trump’s finger on the trigger of nuclear war.

A bit of good news – The good news hidden within one of America’s darkest weeks

Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons: The Road There and the Road Ahead.  Beatrice Fihn: How to implement the nuclear weapons ban treaty.

Multinational effort could help solve U.S.-Russia nuclear issue.

Geopolitics Of Nuclear Generation Delayed Renewables By Decades To Fossil Fuel Industry Benefit, Our Detriment.

Ten compelling reasons to stay away from nuclear power .

Judge’s refusal to extradite Julian Assange is still part of cowardly process to deny freedom of information.

JAPAN.   High court drops TEPCO’s appeal against order for compensation to affected Fukushima worker.  Radiation levels at Fukushima plant found worse and more lethal than previously assumed. Only 30% of Fukushima residents happy with disaster recovery progress.

INDIA.  Military strategy relying on nuclear weapons – a dangerous myth.

CANADA.  Canada vocal about nuclear disarmament, but silent about the Treaty for Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.  Canada shows how nuclear reactors are not needed for production of technetium-99m.    Creating jobs and community opportunities -Pickering City Council wants immediate dismantling of nuclear station.

UK. 

• Assange denied bail after extradition blocked, will appeal to UK High Court.
• Massive nuclear waste storage construction at Dounreay.
• British tax-payers’ £ 132 billion cost for 120 years of nuclear decommissioning.
• Should £25 billion Hinkley C plant go ahead, with so many safety issues not solved?
• Nuclear power – a dubious and very costly addition in UK’s energy plan.
• Most Maldon District Councillors oppose Bradwell big nuclear development: small reactors would carry the same dangers.
•   Hitachi pulls plug on Horizon nuclear subsidiary.   UK’s Wylfa nuclear power plan – Council approval is postponed again.
• Hinkley Point C mud dredging – radioactive mud could be dumped off Somerset instead of south Wales.
• UK & Ireland Nuclear Free Local Authorities (NFLA) oppose underground coal mine – dangerously close to Sellafield’s radioactive waste.
• 18 Cold War-era nuclear bunkers dotted around Cambridgeshire.

USA. 

• Donald Trump the Worst President in the History of the United States.
• Could Trump start a nuclear war?- a satchel, a biscuit and a football.  Trump Still Has His Finger on the Nuclear Button. This Must Change. USA Congress Speaker Nancy Pelosi asks military to stop Donald Trump accessing nuclear codes.  According to experts, the U.S. military cannot legally prevent Trump’s accessto nuclear codes.    What happens to the nuclear bomb codes, if Trump avoids the inauguration of Biden?
• The risk of USA – Iran military showdown before Trump leaves office.
•  Biden Plans Renewed Nuclear Talks With Russia While Punishing Kremlin.
• January 25 Takoma Park Commemorating ‘Nuclear-Free Zone’ with Virtual Film Screening,
• Grand Gulf nuclear plant in Mississippi raises concerns about nuclear power .
• Ohio lawmakers still don’t know what to do about corruptly instituted nuclear bailout law.  Failure by Ohio Republican leadership to repeal nuclear bailout law.
• Holtec wants to build new nuclear reactor at site of USA’s oldest, most dangerous nuclear station.  Decommissioning of Oyster Creek nuclear station – a nasty precedent for closing down of other USA reactors.
• 183 workers at Waste Isolation Pilot Plant infected with COVID-19.

ITALY. Seven regions in Italy to take legal action against plan for nuclear waste dumping.    Beautiful Italian regions furious at sites recommended for nuclear trash.

IRAN. Iran will expel U.N. nuclear inspectors unless sanctions are lifted.

NORTH KOREA. Kim Jong Un signals plans to develop new nuclear weapons.

INDONESIA.  Indonesia’s nuclear ambitions could prove disastrous for the Southeast Asian region.

FRANCE.  France’s declining nuclear production.  Nuclear in France: why bother? This technology is on the way out.  France conducts enhanced thermonuclear missile test.  Government control over nuclear and radiation information; firing of sociologist Christine Fassert.

ISRAEL.  Restoring Iran nuclear deal is good for Israel.

LEBANON.  Lebanon’s Hezbollah chief says nuclear button with “crazy fool” Trump.

AUSTRALIA.  Australian govt has quiet nuclear deal with China, but condemns Victoria-China medical research.

January 11, 2021 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | 3 Comments