nuclear-news

Nuclear, climate, pandemic news – in this critical week

Pandemic As that election day arrives, US coronavirus cases break global daily record with just under 100,000 new infections.  Protecting nature is vital to escape ‘era of pandemics’ – report.   Urgency to protect nature, or up to 850,000 animal viruses could be caught by humans.

Climate. In all the hooha about the American election, and all the very important coverage of the coronavirus pandemic, –  global heating moves on inexorably, with relatively little media coverage of its effects. But the effects are there –  in the melting Poles, in continuing wildfires, droughts, extreme weather.  Effects are worsein  developing countries that have not themselves been the emitters of greenhouse gases. Droughts and floods force populations to leave their homelands.

Nuclear. Not a lot of media coverage on nuclear issues, though some still about the Treaty on Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. But here’s one important one:

Investigative journalism -The tangled web – well-being of communities has become dependent on the nuclear weapons industry.

Meanwhile, media coverage of nuclear issues continues to be mainly propaganda for the industry.

Some bits of good news – Chameleon last seen a century ago rediscovered in Madagascar.    14-Year-Old Girl Wins $25,000 For a Scientific Breakthrough That Could Lead to COVID-19 Cure.   Couple Turns Barren English Estate into Conservation Eden, Rewilding to Attract Rare Species of Astonishing Biodiversity.

The new Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty supports existing agreements, and in no way conflicts with them.  Archbishop Tomasi has led the Vatican’s fight against nuclear weapons.

Documentary history from the perspective of radiation victims.

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

Despite propaganda from nuclear front group ”Third Way”, research shows that nuclear power as carbon reducer is counter-productive.

The world’s banks must start to value nature and stop paying for its destruction.

Space exploration – to lead to dangerous nuclear-armed totalitarian societies?

Super power: Here’s how to get to 100pct wind, solar and storage by 2030.  Renewables, not nuclear, are the solution, for a cleaner world..

The very real risks of radiation accidents on Earth, from nuclear reactors in space.

BRAZIL. Surge in fires in Brazil’s Amazon.

JAPAN. Dumping Fukushima’s Water into the Ocean… Seriously?   Fishers and farmers fear impact of Fukushima water release.   Compensation claims recognised – workers made ill by working at Fukushima’s wrecked nuclear plant.   Japan’s net zero emissions target should be combined with zero nuclear power.

SOUTH KOREA. South Korea’s ‘serious concern’ about Japan’s dumping of Fukushima radioactive water. Parties Blast Foreign Ministry Response to Japan’s Water Discharge Move.  Tritium is what makes nuclear reactors so dangerous, not only in Fukushima but also in S. Korea. South Korea to end dependence on coal, switch to renewables.

ARCTIC. Release of methane off East Siberian coast has been triggered.

UK. Pressure on UK Prime Minister to show strong climate leadership. UK government’s economic recovery plan fossil fuels £3.8bn, but renewables only £121m. Strong feeling in UK public that the Covid recovery must be a green recovery, too.

Britain to lose protection of the environment – as a result of Brexit.

90% of Sellafield’s Discharged Plutonium Wastes are on the “Cumbrian Mud Patch” Below which Lies the Coal Mine Plan.

USA.

• Coronavirus cases rise in grim march to America’s Election Day.
• Investigative journalism– How the marketing of American weapons determines U.S. foreign policy on China.   Expert guidance for the next President to head off a nuclear catastrophe.  A Joe Biden administration would re-examine the U.S. nuclear strategy and arsenal.
• Russia and the U.S. Need a Timeout on Nuclear Weapons, With New START about to expire, the U.S. should accept Moscow’s offer of a one-year extension.
• U.S. Senate unanimously passes resolution supporting nuclear weapons workers made ill by radiation.The human cost in illness and death, caused by working with nuclear weapons.
• Financial red flags warn against Utah’s NuScale small nuclear reactor project.    Big questions on the costs and safety of NuScale’s little nuclear reactors.  Two more cities opt out of Utah’s dubious small nuclear reactor project.  Small nuclear reactors pose a financial danger to municipalities – Utah Taxpayers Association.  Another city bites the dust in regard to Utah’s NuScam small nuclear reactors plan.
• Columbus, Cincinnati, take legal action to block Ohio’s nuclear  power plant bailout law.    Two politicians to plead guilty in Ohio nuclear corruption case.
• Santa Susana Field Laboratory site– historically radioactively polluted, but risks never being cleaned up.
• Nearly 30 US states see renewables generate more power than either coal or nuclear coal

UKRAINE.  Using a robot to map the highly radioactive area of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant.

RUSSIA.  Russia’s nuclear doctrine – both Russia an USA benefit from nuclear weapons control agreements.   Putin’s Russia keen to exploit the Arctic for fossil fuels: more nuclear-powered icebreakers on the way.

FRANCE. EDF trucks enriched uranium to the unfinished Flamanville nuclear reactor. Why so much in advance of the need for it?    France trying to market nuclear reactors to Romania.

LITHUANIA.  Lithuania protests Belarus’plan for nuclear power station close to their border.

FINLAND.  Finland, stuck with increasingly costly Olkiluouti nuclear nightmare, plans and even worse expense, with small nucler reactors!

CANADA.  Investigative journalism – While Canadian authorities fall for “New Small Nuclear” spin, U.S. consortium rips off Canada’s nuclear waste disaster.  Suspected COVID-19 outbreak declared at Canadian Nuclear Laboratories in Chalk River, Ontario.

IRAN. Iran building underground nuclear facility, replacing the damaged one.

CHINA.  China-India competition is not likely to lead to a nuclear weapons exchange.

AUSTRALIA.  International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN)- from a tiny group to an International Treaty.

November 2, 2020 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Google headline articles on nuclear issues today are mainly promoting nuclear power

3 November 20, Leaving out the subject of nuclear weapons, the articles on nuclear power were mainly supporting or promoting it.  Of the total of 64 articles, 41 approved of or enthused about nuclear power, while 15 were critical of it, and 8 could be described as neutral, – factual, with no opinion either way.

The favourite topics for pro nuclear articles were the ”need” for new nuclear reactors, both small and large, the promotion of nuclear reactors for shipping, and the need to prolong the lives of existing reactors.  Nuclear fusion and  nuclear for space travel were also  popular topics. Nuclear power praised for safety , climate action and nuclear medicine.  Radiation danger -”exaggerated”.

Anti nuclear articles focussed on costs, toxic wastes, and safety risks, with small nuclear reactors singled out for being uneconomic.  Nuclear power was also  criticised as being ineffective against climate change.

In the 27 articles about  nuclear weapons, much of the coverage was done in a neutral way, with factual reporting on the policies of USA , Russia, China. There were 11 articles clearly opposing nuclear weapons, and 4 that could be seen as supporting them –  in that they stressed the need for retaining or building up a nuclear arsenal.

November 2, 2020 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

This week: climate, coronavirus – and Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty

Even the generally pro nuclear mainstream media could not ignore the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons as it reached the required 50 ratifications to become law.      Nuclear weapons – always inhumane and unacceptable, now illegal — IPPNW peace and health blog. The ethical and moral case grew stronger, for the U.N. nuclear ban treaty.

One important article this week links the otherwise irrational push for small nuclear reactors (SMRs) to their connection with the nuclear weapons industry.

Second COVID-19 wave swells across US and Europe as winter looms.

‘Back to the future of climate” –– research on the  Eocene period, some 55 million years ago, when atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide were over  1,400 ppm, indicate what the Earth’s future climate might be. Then the temperatures on Earth must have resembled those of a sauna. It was hot and humid, and the ice on the polar caps had completely disappeared. That situation deeloped over millions of years. Now, industrialisation is bringing it about by soon after 2100.

Global Covid-19 cases top 42.5mn: Johns Hopkins Oct 25, 2020.

The passing of the UN nuclear weapons ban treaty  – an  embarrassment and a problem for the USA, and the other nuclear weapons nations. .   Difficulties in the membership of countries in the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.

Why nuclear power Is unsustainable.       Climate change a big threat to nuclear reactors – as water supplies at risk.    Every dollar wasted on nuclear power is a dollar not invested in clean energy.  The very genuine promise of cheap electricity – solar power.

Study finds that bees are harmed by quite low levels of ionising radiation.

The Guardian was grossly unfair to Julian Assange. They could still make up for this.

Geological disposal of nuclear waste – a focus of interest in the coming months.

PACIFIC ISLANDS. Pacific islands demand truth on the decades of nuclear testing, now that nuclear weapons are becoming illegal

ARCTIC.  Delayed freezing of Arctic sea ice due to continued freakish warm weather.  Unwanted nuclear submariness and military operations in the Arctic.

ANTARCTIC. Scientific women get together in plan for marine protected area for Antarctica Peninsula.  Vital need to protect Antarctic seas: groups aim for new protected areas.

JAPAN. 

• 495 local assemblies demand Japan government ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons 
• Warnings on releasing Fukushima’s radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean.  Japan puts off decision to release treated Fukushima water into sea.  Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga soon to decide on disposal of Fukushima’s nuclear waste water.  Half of Japanese against releasing radioactive water from Fukushima plant; Seoul, Beijing also concerned.  Jeju Governor Vows to Take Legal Action against Japan’s Fukushima Water Release.
• Japan – nuclear power fine – but no nuclear waste for Aomori Prefecture, please.    Hokkaido municipalities gamble on a nuclear future, but at what cost?
• Japan now has enough plutonium to make about 6,000 atomic bombs.
• Miyagi Prefectural Assembly approves nuclear reactor restart despite very strong public opposition.

SOUTH KOREA. Democratic Party leader says he demanded “transparent disclosure” of information about Fukushima water treatment.  S. Korean demonstrators ramp up protests against Japan’s plans to dump radioactive water into the ocean.

USA.

• The Atlantic raised the big question. In a crisis, do Americans want Trump’s finger on the nuclear button?
•  Keeping the Election Safe — limitless life  American election.
• Donald Trump and Joe Biden on climate change. Fossil fuels are ”very clean” – Donald Trump. Joe Biden calls climate change the ‘number one issue facing humanity.  Joe Biden’s climate plan would give the world a fighting chance. Two-thirds of voters support Biden climate plan.  Largest wildfires in Colorado’s history.
• America pushes other nations to withdraw from the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.  Many 1000s sick in USA, but government spending priority is $billions, $trillions – for nuclear missiles!
• Jesuit priest sentenced for peacful civil disobedience in protest against nuclear weapons.  The cruel and lonely death of an American nuclear weapons scientist.
• And again, it’s delay delay at the costly Vogtle nuclear project.
• USA government puts out a financial lifeline to the failing nuclear industry.   Very dubious claims made by proponents of NuScam’s small nuclear reactor plans. Another city leaves small nuclear reactor project – unanimous vote by Murray City Council, Utah.   The nuclear industry’s cunning strategy to pass its clean-up costs to the tax-payer.  USA aiming to beat Russia, China etc, in marketing nuclear reactors to Poland.
• USA: Millions of jobs in clean energy and infrastructure – analysis finds.
• USA Nuclear Regulatory Commission to effectively deregulate massive amounts of radioactive wastes.  Trump government’s dangerous plan to deregulate disposal of radioactive trash.  Alarm about dangerous transit of radioactive material through Fort Worth. How the iconic domes of San Onofre nuclear station will be dismantled.  Safety of SanOnofre nuclear waste storage is disputed.
•   60 years since nuclear war very nearly happened.

RUSSIA.   Russian hacking group Energetic Bear have hacked nuclear stations, now threaten USA election

TAIWAN.  Taiwan furthers its departure from nuclear power, with more unused fuel rods sent back to USA.

EUROPE.  An opportunity to remove American nuclear weapons from Europe.  European Commission commits to retaining Iran nuclear deal.

POLAND.  $40 billion cost to Poland for nuclear power – $18 billion to USA for starters.

UK.

• Small Nuclear Reactors – the Big New Way – to get the public to fund the nuclear weapons industry.
• Royal Navy officer in charge of submarine’s nuclear weapons, sent back to UK, alleged to be drunk on duty.
• UK’s Conservative politicians want strong action on climate change.   Britain’s zero emissions policy will bring many 1000s of jobs, investing in green infrastructure.
• Not only Fukushima – UK nuclear reactors also empty radioactive water into the sea.  Do the UK authorities really understand the hazards of radioactive mud waste dumping off Cardiff?.  EDF facing legal action over planned dumping of radioactive mud, and over fish safety problems.
• Hinkley Point C nuclear station – construction costs $388.9 million every month.  How would Bradwell B affect local people, place & environment?  Legal fight to stop Sizewell nuclear project destroying an historic Suffolk woodland.

CHINA.  China’s nuclear oppression of the Uighur people. China’s world-leading push for solar and wind energy.

IRAN.  Considering the future of the Iran nuclear deal.  Hard to save the Iran nuclear deal, even if Biden wins the U.S. election.

FRANCE.  France’s anti nuclear activists to train citizen scientists to measure radioactivity levels around a nuclear site.

GERMANY. In Germany , a new dispute over the old abandoned Gorleben nuclear waste site. Pledge Times (India/Germany)– Hitler’s quest for nuclear weapons.

SWEDEN.  Swedish council votes in favour of nuclear waste disposal facility.

SOUTH AFRICA. Trump’s USA is pushing NuScale’s small nuclear reactors for South Africa.

AUSTRALIA.  After the state of  Victoria’s long and difficult coronavirus lockdown, it’s now the envy of the world. As coronavirus cases plummet, it’s time to ask: Is Australia ready for the third wave?

October 26, 2020 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

To 20 October – coronavirus, climate and yes, NUCLEAR, news

Covid-19 cases across the globe hit 40 million Monday with the United States leading the world with the highest numbers of infections and deaths.  World round-up of coronavirus. cases and restrictions.

Climate change just keeps on – cycloone, floods and landslides.– Vietnam, India.  It becomes important to devlop strategies to adapt to global heating.

Nuclear news items stress the need for international agreements on arms control.

But , on the ”peaceful nukes” scene, it is quite extraordinary that propaganda has ramped up enormously, even while the pandemic has actually slowed down nuclear building and other activities, as well as the demand for electricty.

What we’re seeing is a frenzy of  small nuclear reactor (SMR) propaganda handouts masquerading as real journalism. In English language news, it’s all about America selling these uneconomic and pretty useless gimmicks to their own population and to overseas countries. The most often praised model, NuScam’s reactor, is even now being touted as ”foreign development aid”.   No doubt the global industry is doing the same confidence trick in Russian and Chinese. They need a global burst of tax-payer funded SMR building,  to stave off the collapse of the industry.

Some bits of good news –We’ve had so many wins’: why the green movement can overcome climate crisis. International Monetary Fund recommends a carbon price, for the economy as well as for the climate.  Solar energy is here with a vengeance – look at South Australia.

The attack on journalism – launched with the persecution of Julian Assange.

On climate: instead of denial or despair, there’s determined resolve.  Carbon emissions are deeply embedded in our lifestyle – the challenge post-pandemic.  Climate disasters – Earth is becoming uninhabitable for millions of humans.

Elimination of nuclear weapons is vital to the “survival of life on this planet”.

Nuclear waste – a danger for countless generations to come.

Resisting nuclear colonialism on Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Offshore Wind Energy, Not Nuclear, Is the Future.  Study shows that renewable energy is clearly better that nuclear at cutting greenhouse emissions.

Book review: GAMBLING WITH ARMAGEDDON.

Thorium not likely to revive the nuclear energy industry.

NEW ZEALAND. Climate and clean energy leaders win big in New Zealand, ACT elections.

ARCTIC.  Global heating is unravelling the Arctic, much faster than expected.  Climate change: Arctic Circle teens call for help to save their homes.  Reopening of a Cold-War era submarine base, as USA struggles to beat Russia to control the Arctic.

JAPAN.  Japan’s government is appealing the landmark ruling about its responsibility for Fukushima nuclear accident. Japan’s government planning to dump into the sea, the radioactive water from Fukushima No. 1 nuclear reactor.  Fukushima ‘blank spaces’ in limbo, left out of decontamination plan.

Struggling Japanese towns look to nuclear waste storing and the money associated. Mansion without a toilet: Towns in Japan seek to house, store nuclear waste out of necessity.  800-meter-long seawall being constructed, as Japan plans to reopen damaged Onagawa nuclear complex.

Japan’s government ignores U.N. nuclear ban treaty, puts out feeble anti-nuclear weapons resolution.

SOUTH ASIA. Neighbouring countries oppose Japan’s plan to release nuclear waste water into the Pacific.

RUSSIA. Putin suggests extending the START nuclear weapons control treaty for another year.

USA.

• Anti-science in America – climate denial to coronavirus denial.  USA spends taxpayers’ money on weapons, endless wars, not health – coronavirus chaos is the result.
• Donald Trump’s erratic behaviour revives the debate on the President’s unchecked nuclear authority.   What to do about the USA President’s sole authority to launch a nuclear pre-emptive strike? Donald Trump’s pre-election plan for nuclear deal with Russia has fizzled out badly.  US rejects Putin’s proposal on nuclear disarmament treaty as ‘nonstarter’.
• ‘Fracking’ with its environmental harms, now acceptable to U.S. Democrats, to help win the election?
• Ohio lawmakers likely to repeal the tainted nuclear bailout law, after November 3. Bribery probe into a nuclear plant bailout examines facilities’ owner. Ask pro-HB 6 lawmakers seeking reelection what they plan to do about the nuclear bailout bill .
• Exelon to offload its nuclear power stations?
•  Los Alamos National Laboratory nuclear waste is potentially explosive.
• Groups urge New Mexico governor to take stand against nuclear waste plan.  Bankrupt Mallinckrodt company faces large liabilities in radioactive trash cleanup.
• USA starts off $3.2 billion subsidy program with $80 million each for “next generation” nuclear reactors. Washington State touted for ”new generation” nuclear power – (some time in the distant future)   Inadequate Emergency Planning Zones for small modular nuclear reactors.  USA marketing NuScam small nuclear reactors to Africa.  Hypocrisy prize to U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), for pretending that NuScam’s Small Nuclear Reactors are ”foreign aid”.   Small Nuclear Reactors on the moon– desperate hope for the failing nuclear industry.
• The biggest radioactive spill in US history.

UK.

• 35 crew on secretive HMS Vigilant £3billion nuclear submarine tested positive for Covid.
• UK: consultation with 2300 people about low level radioactive waste dump – only 13 people supported it.
• In Scotland, UK’s old nuclear submarines are left to rot.
• Dangerous radiation levels from fracking.
• Sizewell nuclear project: EDF messes Suffolk communities about, with yet another public consultation, after 1200 responses already.  French nuclear company EDF disdains the Suffolk community with its cavalier change of plans.

CANADA. Nuclear industry stagnates, renewables thrive- small nuclear reactors will be a terrible mistake for Canada. Small modular nuclear reactors create intensely radioactive wastes. Divisive nuclear waste programme mapped out in South Bruce, Ontario.  Canada’s government caught up in the Small Nuclear Reactor Ponzi Scheme.

NORTH KOREA.  North Korea, with its new intercontinental-range ballistic missile makes it clear that it is a nuclear weapons nation. New North Korean missile will prove a big diplomatic headache for US, expert warns.

SOUTH KOREA. After 23 yearrs and huge expense, South Korea is to close down its efoort to develop nuclear spent fuel reprocessing .

MIDDLE EAST. Policy of no uranium enrichment, no reprocessing, essential for Middle East to prevent nuclear arms proliferation.

FRANCE. France has more nuclear waste than shown in official inventory, reports the nuclear regulator. France’s nuclear company EDF promises a new design pressurised water nuclear reactor (EPR).

INDIA. India’s young anti-nuclear protestors still in trouble, police cases pending, 10 years after teir demonstration.  Cybersecurity concerns about India’s nuclear reactors.

BULGARIA. USA to market nuclear reactor to Bulgaria.

TUVALU. Tuvalu – the 47th nation to ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

SOUTH AFRICA.  South Africa the first sucker to get American experimental nuclear reactor + $billions

AUSTRALIA.  USA election result, and Australia’s response– the world’s climate in the balance. Australia a leader in the worst sense – biodiversity loss and risk of ecosystem collapse.  Morrison government’s devastating cuts to Environmental research and teaching.

October 19, 2020 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | 2 Comments

Nuclear, climate news to 12 October

Christina Macpherson’s websites & blogs

The World Health Organisation has reported 338,779 new cases of COVID-19 have been recorded last week, a new daily record.

World press freedom endangered, if UK extradites Julian Assange to America.  Assange extradition case could esrablish a dangerous legal precedent.

This election isn’t just about you, America.  The world’s climate future – much depends on America’s presidential election.   Trump’s psychopathology a threat to US democracy and to global stability.

Some bits of good news – The 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Goes To The World’s Largest Hunger Program.    A New Generation of Young Poll Workers is Stepping Up to Protect the Elderly From COVID-19

Why climate change is a time bomb. – Climate future depends on what action humans take.  Greta Thunberg: ‘Get everyone to vote for Joe Biden’.  Global and European temperature levels for September – hottest on record.

Countries that have included nuclear in their green stimulus plans may want to rethink their strategy.  Major study finds that renewables lower emissions substantially, and nuclear power does not. Nuclear power, irrelevant to climate change – and in fact, hinders climate action.

Promises, promises — the media keeps  buying the tired old nuclear spin, marketing small reactors.

U.S. and Russian negotiators try to salvage arms control pact.

14 million tonnes of plastic on ocean floor – more on the coasts.

Former world leaders urge those now in power to support the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

Pro nuclear bias in  articles in Google headlines.

JAPAN.  Ageing community in Hokkaido town – mayor agrees to survey for nuclear waste dump.  Fishing industry chief opposes releasing Fukushima No. 1 water into sea.

ALGERIA. Algeria to ratify Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons “as soon as possible”.  France should reveal the location of its nuclear waste dump in Algeria.

PACIFIC ISLANDS.  Pacific Island Nations determined to say NO to nuclear weapons, and support UN Treaty Ban.

USA.

• Trump’s false claim about the Green New Deal.  USA ‘s Environment and climate cases face a bleak future with a Republican dominated Supreme Court,
• Trump’s harsh approach on Iran. Biden firm, but more conciliatory.  Too much power to USA president, to control nuclear war strategy: what if he is ill? Utah congressman takes action to stop future nuclear weapons testing in U.S. Nuclear experts not impresssed with Trump’s boasts about USA nuclear weaponry.  Trump hoping to conclude nuclear arms deal with Russia before Election Day.
• Possibility of armed factions with military-style rifles showing up at polling places.
• Citizens express opposition to dangerous increased plutonium pit production.
•   Texas Governor Greg Abbott opposes 2 plans for nuclear waste dumping.
• Nuclear Energy — The High Cost Of A Dying Industry. Ohio nuclear reactors expect tax-payer subsidy, they’re making a profit anyway !
• Speeded up decommissioning of Crystal River nuclear reactor – some concerns about this .  Dept of Energy report shows danger of radioactive wastes leaking from Hanford’s old decayed tanks.
• Pressure on U.S. Congress to reinstate research on links between nuclear stations and cancer.

UK. Design not even finished! But UK govt to subsidise Small Nuclear Reactors (SMRs).    Big doubts about the economics of small nuclear reactors for the UK.

Will the UK government sacrifice the beautiful Suffolk coast in its misguided, uneconomic, Sizewell nuclear power push?  Conflict of interest – UK’s Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) regarding Hinkley C nuclear project.

UKRAINE.  Ukraine’s President enthuses over their nuclear reactors – but they’re all ageing Soviet ones.

CHINA.  China backs Iran nuclear deal, calls for new MidEast forum.    China-Saudi nuclear pact can trigger an arms race in West Asia.

INDIA. India test-fires new version of nuclear capable Shaurya missile.

CANADA.  3 Canadian provinces sucked in by propaganda from 3 Small Nuclear Reactor companies.

RUSSIA.  Russia’s nuclear giant Rosatom moving into renewable energy, energy storage, grid development.

FRANCE.  European Commission, and France’s Hercules project, plan to break up the nuclear company EDF.  Cracks in France’s ageing Tricastin nuclear reactor 1.

NORTH KOREA. Kim Jong Un set to show off nuclear advances in message to Trump. Kim Jong Un showcases North Korea’s biggest intercontinental missile.

BELARUS.  Belarus postpones launch of nuclear reactor.

GERMANY.  Nuclear no option for hydrogen production: German government.NEW ZEALAND.  New Zealand installs its biggest solar farm, floating on a wastewater pond. Lower Saxony opposes building of nuclear power plants by Netherlands – location all too close

POLAND.  Poland to build nuclear reactor starting in 2026, excludes Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).

ROMANIA. USA trying to beat China, in marketing nuclear reactors to Romania.

AUSTRALIA. Murdoch media monopoly – an ‘arrogant cancer on our democracy’.

October 12, 2020 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Week to 5 October – climate/nuclear news

As happens all too often, news media is fixated on you know who. Conflicting stories – Donald Trump ‘incapacitated’ by COVID-19 drug side effects, law professor claims.  The White House’s medical team said Donald Trump “has continued to improve” since Saturday and could be released as early as Monday. Darned if I know what to think, and how this might affect the U.S. election.

Fierce fighting continues in the  Armenia, Azerbaijan conflict .  (The media doesn’t mention  the Azerbaijan threat to bomb Armenia’s nuclear power plant. But perhaps it’s Azerbaiji fear of radioactive pollution that prevents this)

A bit of good news – Good living standards for the world can be attained with reduced energy use

‘We have a chance’: David Attenborough says $500 billion needed to save earth.  A Positive Narrative for the Anthropocene .    Extinction crisis: ′The window of opportunity is closing′.  Debunking myths about saving the natural world.

The climate crisis is heating up nights faster than days in many parts of the world.  Climate change responsible for record sea temperature levels, says study   Coastal flooding will disproportionately impact 31 million people globally 

The safety of the world requires a nuclear-free planet.

Julian Assange could face life in America’s most dreaded ‘Supermax’ prison.

From 38 million English-language articles, study shows Trump as world’s biggest driver of coronavirus misinformation.    Nuclear power and the mainstream media – a convenient advertising platform?

Lunar base woud have to be underground, due to the danger of high radiation on the moon.  On the moon ”normal” humans (i.e males) will get 200 Times the Radiation Experienced on Earth, (what about females?).

‘Reverse course’ towards full nuclear disarmament – UN chief.

Nuclear power is now the most expensive form of generation, except for gas peaking plants’.  Nano diamond batteries from nuclear waste? Impractical and not likely to ever happen.

Exposed! Extinction Rebellion fact checks pro-nuclear front.  Refuting the nuclear lobby‘s nonsense on risks of ionising radiation.  It’s important to bust the pro-nuclear spin.

Ionising radiation – the tragedy of the ”radium girls”.

ARCTIC. Accelerating rate of ice sheet loss from Greenland.

USA.

• Trump with Covid-19 – a potential power vacuum. E-6B Mercury nuclear war command posts in flight on each coast.  As Donald Trump gets coronavirus, USA’s ”doomsday” planes take flight.
• False claims of hacked voter information likely intended to cast doubt on legitimacy of U.S. elections. America’s nuclear waste crisis doesn’t get a mention in Democrats’ or Republicans’ platform.  Joe Biden on climate change.  U.S. election: Progressive groups are mobilizing to de-escalate far right violence at the polls. The road to fascism. Trump is quite open about his plans to derail the election.  Donald Trump Junior calls for volunteers to join an ”army” and ”secure” the 2020 election.  The American election- what will the nuclear order look like after this?
• ”Peaceful” nuclear power for weaponry in space.   USA provocation of China, Iran, Russia.  Heightened risk of nuclear confrontation between the US and China. USA threatens putting more weapons on bombers and submarines if Russia doesn’t agree to USA conditions for arms talks. The Trump administration’s stances on nuclear negotiations don’t even make sense as a starting point. ”The Bomb’ Presents A ‘Secret History’ Of Nuclear War Planning In America.    At Greenfield, Sunderland standouts, residents protest nuclear weapons.
•   Do Ohio nuclear stations really need a bailout ? Where’s the evidence?.  Greater Cleveland Partnership calls for repeal of Ohio nuclear bailout law.  Ohio’s nuclear bailout law caused dissent and trouble for renewables industries.
• One more Utah city withdraws from NuScam small nuclear reactor project.
• USA Dept of Energy unsafely disposing of useless MOX plutonium weapons grade nuclear fuel?  State of New Mexico strngly objects to licensing og Holtec’s nuclear waste dump project.

JAPAN.  Offshore wind energy could replace more than half of the nation’s generation capacity by 2050. TEPCO’s fitness to operate nuke reactors still open to question.  Court rules Fukushima nuclear disaster preventable, increases liabilities.   Japanese Government Is Ordered to Pay Damages Over Fukushima Disaster.  TEPCO: 11m seawall completed at Fukushima plant.  In Rural Fukushima, ‘The Border Between Monkeys And Humans Has Blurred’.  Tokyo Olympic torch relay to start on March 25, 2021 in Fukushima.  Fukushima and freedom of expression. Japan Struggles to Secure Radioactive Nuclear Waste Dump Sites.

UK. UK to return high-level nuclear waste to Germany.  Plans for Bradwell B nuclear power station could collapse.  UK govt to give EDF a blank cheque for building Sizewell C nuclear power plant.  Call to British govt to not allow restart of Hinkley Point B nuclear reactors, with cracks in their cores.

EUROPE.  Severe floods in Italy and France.

RUSSIA. Daunting task of removal of Russia’s spent nuclear fuel rods from Andreeva Bay.

INDIA. Tensions between 3 nuclear-armed powers are rising toward the boiling point .

ARMENIA. Heavy military clashes between Armenian and Azeri forces.

IRAQ.  Congenital abnormalities. Thorium and uranium, in infants and children living near an active U.S. military base in Iraq.

GERMANY. Germany launches new search for permanent nuclear waste disposal site.  90 areas in Germany identified as potentially suitable for nuclear waste burial.

FRANCE. Flamanville nuclear reactor – patched up, but – dangerous and illegal , say groups. Two new appeals against the Flamanville EPR.    In September, French nuclear production reached its second lowest level on record.

IRAN. UN nuclear watchdog inspects second Iran site.

INDONESIA. Call to Indonesia to ratify UN Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty.

BRAZIL. Brazil has 1.2 million renewable energy jobs. — GO ECO GREEN21

PHILIPPINES. Cost and safety dangers should rule out nuclear power for the Philippines.

AUSTRALIA. China’s zero emissions target is contrasted with Australia’s inaction on global heating.

October 5, 2020 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Nuclear, climate, news to 28 September

Coronavirus, climate change and weather disasters: 2020 has been a hell of a year, so far.  Some world leaders at this week’s annual United Nations meeting are taking the long view, warning: If COVID-19 doesn’t kill us, climate change will.

On the nuclear scene, well, really, nothing much is happening. Except for the propaganda. Covid-19 is making the nuclear industry’s problems even worse, so their marketing propaganda is intensifying. Last week it was all about small nuclear reactors. This week, it’s still that, but as an extra push, it’s all about thorium.

Julian Assange dragged from embassy “on the orders of the president”.  Medical experts testify to court on Julian Assange’s precarious mental health.  Australia’s media disgrace – the deliberate neglect of the Julian Assange extradition hearing.  The media ignores Julian Assange and the Media ‘Trial of Century’.

Some bits of good news – Over 12 million children, caregivers and teachers reached by UNICEF and Millicom (TIGO) to strengthen child rights across Latin America during COVID 19.  The Aahwahan Foundation in India works towards the eradication of poverty, while also focussing on maintaining a sustainable environment.

When looking at impact of coronavirus, we can’t forget the long-term health effects.

45 nations have now ratified the U.N. Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

Latest World Nuclear Industry Status Report shows high levelised cost of nuclear power.   Small Nuclear Reactors look good – on paper!.

Radiation exposure on the moon is nearly three times that on the International Space Station.

Solar and battery ads blocked by Twitter and Facebook move against “political content” .  Recharge’s ”must read” news of the week on the energy transition.

Nurdle alert – plastic pollution the next eco calamity for decades.

ARCTIC.  The Arctic Has Entered A New Climate State.     Russia’s nuclear-powered ice-breakers lead towards military domination of the Arctic.  Arctic pollution is worse than expected – tree rings studies reveal this.

USA. 

• After 4 decades of Plowshares Actions, It’s Nuclear Warfare that Should Be on Trial — Not Activists   Americans deserve a nuclear-free future.   Trump might abandon NEW START arms treaty, U.S. allies fear. USA Government Accountabilty Office calls for assessment of costs for planned new nuclear warheads.                Nebraska becomes an even more definite nuclear target, with a new generation of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).
•  The U.S. media’s resposibility to question Trump and Biden on nuclear arms control and nonproliferation.  Northampton shuns business with companies involved in creating nuclear weapons.
• Lawsuit: Ohio Attorney General sues to stop nuclear bailout money, and break up dark money groups.  Amid debate over repealing House Bill 6, Energy Harbor still won’t say whether its nuclear plants are profitable.
• Economic distress for Exelon’s 4 nuclear plants in Illinois.      Iowa’s last nuclear power station to close – 60 years at least to decommission it.  Dirty and devilishly dangerous – the aging Diablo Canyon nuclear station.
• USA.Federal Bill to promote nuclear waste borehole system, and the dubious plan for reprocessing. New Mexico is strongly objecting to licensing of Holtec’s multibillion-dollar nuclear waste dump plan.  Transport of nuclear wastes – a Pandora’s Box of problems for North Texans.   Will Bears Ears Become the World’s Radioactive Waste Dump
• Compensation for some nuclear workers with mesothelioma .
• Amy Coney Barrett as judge on the USA Supreme Court is not likely to help the environment. Trump Appoints Pair of Climate Science Deniers to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) While Climate-Fueled Fires and Storms Rage.
• As fossil fuel jobs falter, renewables come to the rescue.

UK. Britain’s nuclear power dreams melting away – with soaring costs, and political problems.  EDF wants cash-strapped UK government to subsidise costly Sizewell nuclear plan.  Former UK Energy Minister Sir Ed Davey says new Sizewell nuclear station is too expensive.  Suffolk businesses oppose the building of Sizewell nuclear power station.

FRANCE.  French taxpayers don’t want to pay for Sizewell nuclear station, neither do British..

CHINA.  It’s important to dispel three persistent myths about China’s nuclear weapons.

EUROPE. Bosnia and Herzegovina call for a safer location for Croatia’s nuclear waste dump plan

JAPAN.  Japanese government dangles financial carrot to persuade reluctant communities to take nuclear wastess.  Japan’s nuclear regulator approves restart of Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant, but still hurdles to overcome.

Fukushima. The Fukushima Nuclear Disaster Recovery That Wasn’t.  9 1/2 years after meltdowns, no end in sight for Fukushima nuke plant decommissioning.    16-meter seawall planned for Fukushima Daiichi.  Lifting Fukushima evacuation orders without decontamination should be limited.  Don’t criticize government or TEPCO, guides in Fukushima told.  Fukushima criticism for unauthorized use of radiation exposure data-Interim report on Date City.

SOUTH KOREA. S. Korea renews concerns over possible release of tainted Fukushima water.

NORTH KOREA. Satellite imagery shows North Korea’s Yongbyon Nuclear Center is drying off after breaching of oveerflow dam. Reduced water level poses a problem for North Korea’s nuclear reactor, if it’s restarted.

CANADA. David Suzuki on nuclear power as a climate change solution ”I want to puke.” The climate crisis is still a massive threat — even in the middle of a pandemic.  Small modular nuclear reactors for Canada? – useless, expensive, untested, and a wasteful distraction. Canada to splurge $billions on non-existent small nuclear reactors, ineffective and no use against climate change.

IRAN. Iran will not renegotiate nuclear deal if Biden wins US presidency, Zarif says.

INDIA. Tsunami risk for nuclear reactors on coastlines of India and Pakistan.

RUSSIA.  Russia rejects USA’ s terms for extending the New START arms control treaty.  Power hungry Russia foisting nuclear power on Egypt – Africa – where it is not needed.  Importing of increased amounts of uranium hexafluoride to Russia – illegal and dangerous.

INDONESIA. Indonesia: strong objections to nuclear and “new” fossil fuel technologies being called ”green” energy.

MARSHALL ISLANDS. Marshall Islands in danger of being overcome by rising sea levels.

UKRAINE. False report of a nuclear disaster in Ukraine.

SAUDI ARABIA. Saudi Arabia may be able to produce its own nuclear fuel – with its uranium reserves.

AUSTRALIA. Dr Helen Caldicott and Independent Australia bust the media spin on ‘small nuclear reactors’.

September 28, 2020 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | 2 Comments

The week in pandemic, climate, nuclear, even bank, news

Well, all news, by its very nature is likely to be bad. (Good behaviour is pretty ordinary, not news.) But there’s  bad news, and there’s very bad news.  And this has been a week for the very bads.

Start with the pandemic. The global death toll exceeds 957,000. cases nearly 31 million.  India’s coronavirus cases pass 5 million as hospitals scramble for oxygen. A second wave grips Europe.  UK cases could grow exponentially, if no action taken. Most of the US is headed in the wrong direction again with COVID-19 cases as deaths near 200,000.

Climate. Weather extremes are more frequently with us now, and as with the pandemic, the longer term future is unceetain:  abrupt changes could bring interconnected tipping points.

Economics. The FinCEN files: Dirty little secrets of the world’s banks revealed in mass US government leak.

BUT – some good news. East Asian countries – China, Taiwan, Vietnam, South Korea, Singapore Malaysia -have learned, through their previous SARS epidemic, how to structure their health systems to plan for and manage pandemics,  mount particularly effective responses to COVID-19, and reduce the death rate.

Why harsh COVID-19 lockdowns are good for the economy. 

World’s Biggest Rooftop Greenhouse in Montreal is as Big as 3 Football Fields – Now Can Feed 2% of the City.

Julian Assange was offered a pardon, if he would name a source.  Julian Assange exposed “a very serious pattern of actual war crimes”.  Assange insisted on not revealing names of informants.  Julian Assange case: Witnesses recall Collateral Murder attack: “Look at those dead bastards,” shooters said. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNFEXvyZdyU  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYaxBVzHJHs

David Attenborough now wants us to face up to the state of the planet.  In tropical areas, increasing heat and humidity will make life almost unbearable.  Importance of the ocean’s biological carbon pump.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4aQkyJrlWs

What Frogs Can Teach Us about the State of the World.

53 million tons of plastic could end up in rivers, lakes and oceans every year by 2030.  The persistence of plastic.

The coronavirus pandemic and the increased safety risks for nuclear reactors.

Nuclear exposure standards discriminate on the basis of sex .

Why NuScam and other ”small” nuclear proposals just don’t make any sense.

The hidden stumbling block to progress on nuclear weapons.

BHP betrays international safety efforts.

ARCTIC. Arctic sea ice becomes a sea of slush.  Rapid climate change has made Greenland lose a record amount of ice.  USA. Relicensing Turkey Point nuclear station – a striking example of a dangerous action in climate change times.  Global heating is disrupting the ground in Siberia.

JAPAN. Suttsu, Hokkaido, residents oppose radioactive waste dump plan.

GERMANY. Nuclear energy CHEAP? Nuclear has drained Germany of more than €1trn to date

USA.

• Grief in Western America, as inequities, wildfires, and climate change collide. Decorum be damned. Top science editor spits the dummy with Trump. American TV news covers wildfires, but mostly is careful not to mention climate change.
•     Biden would push for less US reliance on nukes for defense.   US seeks to pressure Russia into nuclear weapons treaty concessions before election.  In 2017, USA considered plans to attack North Korea using nuclear weapons.    Arizona’s cancer toll from nuclear testing: the fight for recognition and compensation.
• Opinion poll shows unpopularity of nuclear power in the USA.  USA taxpayers set up by government in the effort to save uneconomic nuclear power. Utah lawmakers seek details on planned nuclear plant in Idaho. The sorry history of the Vogtle nuclear boondoggle: it must be stopped..  U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission investigating FirstEnergy over its involvement in the Ohio nuclear corruption scandal.

UK. 

•  Hitachi definitely to exit UK nuclear power project. Hitachi pulls out – halting two big UK nuclear projects. Renewables would be a fraction of their costs.   A powerful message on the seismic dangers in Hinkley Point C nuclear construction. It would be cheaper to pull out now. Plutonium in Hinkley nuclear mud dumping, but National Resources Wales’ call for full testing is ignored.
• As Hitachi exits the project, UK government to announce funding for Wylfa nuclear project next month.  Suffolk County Council unable to back £20billion Sizewell new nuclear power station as the present plan stands.  UK government to subsidise Sizewell nuclear power station?.
• Magnox nuclear clear-up cost soars to £9bn.  Nuclear waste transport , and legal action.   Nuclear convoy passes near Glasgow ‘laden with six warheads’.
• Extinction Rebellion exposes Zion Lights as yet another nuclear propaganda front.

CHINA.  China ditches US nuclear technology in favour of home-grown alternative.

CANADA. Nuclear waste flyers heading to 50,000 households in Grey-Bruce.  Indigenous woman’s long trek to protest nuclear waste dump, and encourage others..  Western Canadians do not want ”Small” Nuclear Reactors in Sakatchewan.

PHILIPPINES. Duterte asks nations to reject war, eliminate nuclear weapons.

IRAN. While other nations seek conciliation, agreement, the U.S. will declare that all international sanctions are back in force.  Iran a most transparent country for IAEA inspections.

NORTH KOREA. U.S. general says that North Korea has a ‘‘small” number of nuclear weapons (over 70?)

SOUTH KOREA. South Korea says no use of nuclear weapons in joint operational plans with U.S.

EGYPT. Egypt supports Bamako Convention banning import of hazardous waste, especially radioactive, into Africa.

RUSSIA. Russia developing a nuclear-powered missile that can ”attack from unexpected directions”.

SAUDI ARABIA. IAEA and China helping Saudi Arabia with its nuclear ambitions.

AUSTRALIA    CORONAVIRUS. The State of Victoria has achieved remarkable success in bringing down the infection rate to 11 in one day, death toll 2.  This is the result of the strict lockdown regime imposed by Premier Daniel Andrews, despite vicious attacks on him by the opposition party. You know the good result is true, when even the Murdoch Press has to admit it, and its opinion poll  backs the Premier.

September 22, 2020 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

This week’s news – climate, pandemic, nuclear

Every year there’s a  ”Year of” something. I’m thinking that 2020 should be called the Year Of Obfuscation”, (another wonderful word that I’ve learned. )  The world needs to cut through this mixture of lies and omissions.

For a start, there’s the wealth of propaganda concerning the coronavirus pandemic. For various reasons, it’s THE topic right now for disinformation. Some world  leaders minimise or deny the seriousness of the pandemic. Meanwhile, the WHO reports record increase in daily virus cases.  Second wave of coronavirus continues to sweep across Europe.

Climate change denialism thrives, ( -you can add  “extinction denial”too.)  A climate change denialist is given top role at a major U.S. science agency. But – It’s Climate Change, Stupid.  The Berkeley Earth Project–  shows that it’s gotten warmer pretty much everywhere and that there really is no factor that can explain this warming other than anthropogenic emissions.

As for nuclear news,  tap “nuclear”into Google news, and you will get a stream of articles touting small nuclear reactors as the big future for curing climate change. A rare find in such a stream – Nuclear power is not climate-effective, even if only because of comparative costs and delays.

Some bits of good news –   Some positive COVID-19 trends emerged in August in parts of the US, and elsewhere. – New York Turned the World’s Largest Garbage Dump into a Green Oasis of Native Grasses That Also Powers Homes

“Event attribution science” assesses the big role of climate change in weather extremes. Endless summers, endless wildfires. Earth may temporarily pass dangerous 1.5℃ warming limit by 2024, major new report says .

United in Science report: Climate Change has not stopped for COVID19– Why climate change has the potential to cause more pandemics.

Importance of the ocean’s biological carbon pump.  Climate engineering: Modelling projections oversimplify risks

Compelling new documentary ‘I am Greta Thunberg’.

INJUSTICE at work? The extradition trial of Julian Assange.  Julian Assange’s extradition hearing in London. What can we expect? Professor Paul Rogers – a witness explaining how Julian Assange is to be extradited for POLITICAL REASONS. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLJj_L56-YA

Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) is getting close to the 50 ratifications needed to bring it into legal force.

Investigative journalism -Big Oil is cheating the public on “recycling” of plastic.

Global population slowdown – good news for the planet’s ecology.

ARCTIC.  The Arctic is transitioning from a climate of snow and ice to one of water and rain.  Climate change causing major changes in Arctic insect communities.  Climate change and the loss of sea otters.  Russian nuclear submarines ‘hunted’ by NATO forces in the Barents sea.

AFRICA.  Senegal suburbs remain under water days after ‘exceptional rainfall’  Farmland submerged as severe floods hit Nigeria 

CANADA. Campaign against nuclear fuel waste storage in South Bruce, Canada.  Bruce County divided over becoming permanent site to store Canada’s nuclear waste.

JAPAN. Opposition in Kamoenai to hosting nuclear waste dump. Suttsu, Hokkaido residents oppose radioactive waste dump plan.  Fukushima’s citizen radiation testers still on the job. Radioactive soil plan casts shadow over Fukushima village. “The nuclear plant took everything…” Tokyo Olympics must be held at ‘any cost’, says Japanese minister.

USA.

• American TV news covers wildfires, but mostly is careful not to mention climate change.  Climate change should be the central focus of the American presidential debates.  Unprecedented wildfires in three American states.
•  Joe Biden, if President would re-enter nuclear deal with Iran.
• Donald Trump’s claim to have a new secret new weapon system, blowing a defense secret!  Donald Trump says US has incredible nuclear weapons; denies leaking classified info. What a way to spend tax-payers’money! $13.3 billion to Northrop Grumman for new nuclear missiles.  Donald Trump confuses the experts with his claims about secret new nuclear weapon.    In “The Button,” former Defense Secretary William J. Perry and Tom Z. Collina survey the dangers of nuclear escalation.  A Republican voter changes sides – wants nuclear disarmament.
• No good reason for USA to start testing nuclear weapons again . Arizona’s cancer toll from nuclear testing: the fight for recognition and compensation.
•  Nuclear waste disposal problem National Nuclear Security Administration’s elephant in the desert.
• Connecticut senate candidate Ryan Fazio‘s very bad idea – to build more nuclear power plants.
•  More reports of drones flying near Paolo Verde nuclear power plant, and others, and over spent nuclear fuel storage sites.
• The sorry history of the Vogtle nuclear boondoggle:  it must be stopped.   Dominion Energy wants to prolong old nuclear reactors – yet again!  Broad support among Ohio lawmakers for the repeal of nuclear bailout law. Ohio’s House Bill 60 – bailing out nuclear power, will not save consumers money.
• NuScam’s ”Small” Nuclear Reactor Design Is Approved, but cost, safety, public acceptance, hurdles loom against them.
• U.S. federal government must speed up Los Alamos nuclear waste cleanup and do it properly.  Bob Halstead has done a great job defending Nevada from nuclear waste dumping at Yucca Mountain.

UK.

• Scottish peace activist calls for timetable for the removal of nuclear weapons and submarines if independence is achieved.  Unmarked ?nuclear convoy with strong military police guard sweeps through Bristol city centre.
• Petition to Wales Parliament – demands an environmental assessment on Hinkley nuclear mud dumping.
• A powerful message on the seismic dangers in Hinkley Point C nuclear construction. It would be cheaper to pull out now.    Hinkley Point B nuclear station could close down early – EDF.
•   Suffolk County Council unable to back £20billion Sizewell new nuclear power station as the present plan stands.  EDF made exaggerated and unrealistic claims about local jobs to be provided by Sizewell nuclear power project.
• Britain’s National Audit Office warns on costs of cleaning up old nuclear plants. Magnox nuclear clear-up cost soars to £9bn. Huge challenge to decontaminate Dounreay: ‘World’s deepest nuclear clean-up‘.  UK. For thehighly radioactive Dounreay nuclear site, a mobile robot will be used to identify the toxic structures.
• In 1951, Winston Churchill suggested dropping nuclear bombs on Russia.

CHINA. Effective nuclear arms control engagement with China – the View from Beijing.

FRANCE.  France’s secrecy over its deplorable history of nuclear bomb testing in Algeria.   France’s weekly nuclear power generation drops.

SAUDI ARABIA. IAEA Providing Support for Saudi Arabia as It Plans to Adopt Nuclear Energy

SPAIN. Spain’s Asco 1 nuclear plant taken offline for three-day halt

INDIA. India and China both have a nuclear no-first-use policy– nuclear war between them is less likely.

SOUTH KOREA.  South Korea’s nuclear reactors affected by Typhoon Haishen: 2 reactors stopped.

IRAN. Iran has halted numerous cyber-attacks on its nuclear plants.

INDIA.  The impediments to India’s nuclear power dream.

UKRAINE.  Chernobyl nuclear power plant gets special permission to run ‘hot’ tests with nuclear waste.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES. United Arab Emirates’ unnecessary nuclear power push could bring dangerous, catastrophic consequences.

NORTH KOREA. The United States and its allies must learn how to live safely with a nuclear North Korea.

AUSTRALIA.  Australia’s environmental scientists are being gagged.  Australia’s environmental law: the danger in moving powers to the States.  Dissent and anger: Senate divided over nuke dump push . Deep disagreement on federal radioactive waste plan. 

September 14, 2020 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | 2 Comments

No advertising revenue is gained by our bloggers

I am getting a bit tired of comments received that criticise me for “gaining money from advertisements”.  Nuclear-news.net is run as a free site by WordPress.   We actually get no funding whatsoever for our work.   In return for the free website, WordPress allows advertisements, thus WordPress gets a financial return  for providing this service to us. That’s me, dunrenard and sean arclight.

Wake up people!   The world is up against wealthy and ruthless corporations trashing the planet in pursuit of profits and using their money to bellow out propaganda for their polluting products.

There are many others, who, like us, see the urgent need to cut through the corporate spin.  Nobody wants to pay for exposing the facts.  Except, for a few really good journalists, most in the mainstream media fear for losing their jobs, if they expose the lies of the fossil fuel and nuclear industries.

September 9, 2020 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | 2 Comments

This week: climate, nuclear, coronavirus news

It’s September, and supposed to be getting cooler in the Northern Hemisphere. But global heating rolls on inexorably. For September, my websites are focusing on the Poles, and on the cryosphere (yes, it’s a word that I’ve only just learned.)  Surprisingly, both the Arctic and the Antarctic are seriously involved in nuclear as well as climate, issues.

On the nuclear scene – well, the news media is awash with unashamed handouts from the Bill Gates- Terra Power – GE-Hitachi – SNC-Lavalin etc  propaganda about Small Modular Nuclear Reactors.  Sadly, these articles do not examine the claims made about “fighting global warming”. I guess that journalists need to keep their jobs.

Coronavirus live news: India reports global one-day record of over 90,000 cases.

A bit of good news – Mirrar Aboriginal people at last have control of Jabiru, as Ranger uranium mining set to end operations. 

Some more good news about the pandemic –Dr. Fauci Reveals Some ‘Good News’ About COVID.

Julian Assange due in court in latest stage of fight against US extradition. ‘He won’t survive’: Julian Assange’s partner pleads for his release.

Sea level rise from melting ice sheets matches worst-case climate warming scenarios.  Six Portuguese youth file ‘unprecedented’ climate lawsuit against 33 countries .  Viruses could be harder to kill after adapting to warm environments.  Geoengineering to counter global heating? It’s a risky gamble.

Low Dose Ionizing Radiation Shown to Cause Cancer in Review of 26 Studies.

The atomic bombing cover-up and the reporter who revealed it to the world.  Students unaware of nuclear weapons and the existential threat that they pose.  It’s time to be fearful of nuclear war again.   Two excellent new books on a nuclear-weapons -free world.

Risks of cyberattacks on nuclear reactors.

Renewable energy can save the natural world – but if we’re not careful, it will also hurt it.

ARCTIC. Arctic melting permafrost a serious problem (and they want to put Small Modular Nuclear Reactors there!) Sea ice at its lowest state in 5,500 years in Bering sea . The Arctic’s slow-moving underwater nuclear disaster – Russia’s radioactive trash.

Extreme Weather

SOUTH KOREA.  Typhoon Haishen batters South Korea after slamming Japan.

SUDAN. Sudan declares state of emergency as record flooding kills 99 people.

PAKISTAN. Pakistan floods leave dozens dead and people angry at lack of help.

AFGHANISTAN. Afghanistan flash floods and mudslide buries homes, kills 160 as search for bodies continues.

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RUSSIA. Investigative journalism  – The threatening presence of highly radioactive material in Russa’s sunken nuclear submarines.  Russia facing huge problem to recover radioactive sunken nuclear reactors, but Putin still plans new ones in the Arctic.

CENTRAL ASIA. Investigative journalism– Central Asia’s toxic nuclear legacy.

CANADA. Northern Canada and Arctic indigenous areas targeted for Small Modular Nuclear Reactors.

FRANCE.  Global heating – low water rate affecting France’s Saint-Alban nuclear plant. France’s President Macron joins the global nuclear lobby’s push to export nuclear reactors.

UKRAINE. Radiation from Chernobyl spreads far away, as global heating exacerbates widfires.

INDIA. Investigative journalism – The dangerous and deadly toll of uranium mining, on Indian communities.

UK.

• The biggest nuclear site in Europe is at risk of blowing up.
• EDF’s Economic Statement on impact of Sizewell nuclear project – gives unproven, misleading evidence. EDF trying to scam UK gvernment to back uneconomic Sizewell C nuclear project.   Kildare opinion sought on new British nuclear plant.  Campaigners call on all Suffolk residents to submit comments on Sizewell C.
• More of Britain’s ageing nuclear power stations are likely to close early. Britain’s nuclear industry faces sharp U-turn – renewables a better bet.
• Petition against dumping ‘nuclear mud’ off Cardiff reaches 5k threshold for Senedd debate.
• Climate protestors stop Rupert Murdoch’s press in Britain.

USA.

Climate Hundreds rescued from fires by helicopter as heatwave bakes California.  Increasing climate risks threaten nuclear reactors.   3 unplanned shutdowns- Turkey Point nuclear station vulnerable to climate extremes.

• The nuclear industry a big winner from U.S. election as Democrats and Republicans embrace this toxic industry.
• Over 800 coronavirus cases among workers at Vogtle nuclear project, may increase costs and delays.
• Small modular nuclear reactors.Members of Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems (UAMPS) should get out of NuScam small nuclear project -NOW!  Fluor could improve its finances by abandoning NuScam, as some cities pull out of ”small” nuclear reactor scheme.  Small nuclear reactors – NuScam looking dodgy as parent company Fluor shares sink?. Small nuclear reactor NuScam’s parent company Fluor – shares tumble afterdisclosure of accounting probe.
• Workers and families sue U.S. Department of Energy contractors over illnesses from work at Piketon-area nuclear plant.
• Ohio  Nuclear Workers Sue Over ‘Creeping Chernobyl’ in Ohio.  Nuclear corruption in Ohio: HB 6 was never about jobs and communities by keeping nuclear plants open.    Ohio lawmakers wrangle over how to repeal crooked nuclear bailout law.  Republicans And Democrats Clash Over How To Repeal Nuclear Bailout.
• Nuclear economics  Exelon’s threat to Illinois – aiming to get more tax-payer funding.  Santee Cooper and Westinghouse Electric to sell off equipment at the failed $9 billion VC Summer nuclear site.  Duke Energy Has Squandered Billions in Failed Natural Gas and Nuclear Projects.
•  Safety. Despite the undoubted danger of USA’s gigantic new plutonium pit production, USA safety officials won’t bother with a new environment study.  Top official at USA nuclear safety agency resigns. Nuclear Regulatory Commission bans TVA executive over whistleblower retaliation.
• Nuclear waste – another great injustice to indigenous people, and people of color.  Renewed concerns about safety as dig starts for new shaft at New Mexico’s nuclear Waste Isolation Pilot Plant. Nuclear waste project proposed near Carlsbad sees mixed response in final public hearing.
• U.S. Court finds that mass surveillance program exposed by Snowden was illegal.
• Vatican representative calls on U.S. to sign nuclear-test-ban treaty.
• How to educate American children about nuclear weapons?
• Plowshares’ Clare Grady, longtime Catholic Worker and peace activist, may face 21 years in gaol,
• Renewable Energy: The Decentralized Grid Comes to California Apartment Complexes.

IRAN. Iran claims it’s identified saboteurs behind blast at nuclear site. IAEA inspectors gain access to one of two Iran sites.   Iran Nuclear Deal Parties ‘United in Resolve’ to Preserve Agreement.

MIDDLE EAST. The hazards of nuclear reactors in the Gulf region, and Saudi Arabia’s ambiguous energy program.

NORTH KOREA.  South Korea adviser calls for ‘six-party security summit’ to discuss North Korea nuclear issue. North Korea’s nuclear activity still a ‘serious concern’: UN watchdog .

JAPAN. Tokyo Olympics will be most costly Summer Games, Oxford study shows. Japan should leave radioactive water in current storage tanks.  Japan pushes forward with plans to dump radioactive water into ocean, despite public opposition.  ICAN chief: Japan sabotaging nuclear disarmament.

AUSTRALIA.  Morrison government rushing to make Austraia’s environment laws even weaker: a recipe for extinctions.  Australian government, masks its anti-environment action under the cover of Covid-19. 

September 7, 2020 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | 1 Comment

Last week in August – nuclear, climate, pandemic news

During August, with the 75th anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings, my websites have focused on nuclear weapons. And so have prominent websites like Beyond Nuclear International.  In the wider media world, attention has been on the coronavirus pandemic, with some attention going to the climate crisis, and weather extremes. We know that the pandemic is a global threat to human society. Most people are aware of global heating.

Yet as a subject of concern, nuclear weapons and the risk of nuclear war, seem to be taboo. During this month of commemoration of those horrible nuclear bomb events of 1945, governments of the nuclear-armed nations continue to spend obscene amounts of tax-payers’ money on nuclear weapons. The Women’s International League of Peace and Freedom released its very sobering report on this.— Assuring Destruction Forever: 2020 edition.

The nuclear industry struggles on, fraught as it is with scandals, bribes, corrupt politics and lies.  At least from USA, you occasionally get to hear about this: the mind boggles at what it’s like in Russia and China.   Of course, the Internet is awash with pro nuclear propaganda –   nuclear helping fight coronavirus, nuclear “solving” climate change, nuclear waste giving us new batteries, Bill Gates teaming up with some other nuclear gee-whiz gimmick -providers –   all to be done at tax-payer cost, of course.

Some bits of of good news  –  Some evidence that – People have lasting immunity To COVID-19, even after mild cases.   Scientists Uncover Secret In Centuries-Old Mud, Drawing A New Way To Save Polluted Rivers.

Nuclear nations have handled COVID-19 the worst .  Global coronavirus update – India’s huge jump in infections, but USA still leads in cases.

Welcome to the ‘Pyrocene,’ an Epoch of Runaway Fire.    Major holes in ozone hole treaty must be addressed to avert stronger climate change.

Big oil looks to solve its problems by flooding Africa and Asia with plastic.

“Super Swarm” drones– weaponry as destructive as nuclear weapons.

The corrosion of radioactive waste disposal canisters based on in situ tests .

Analysing the evidence on effects of ionising radiation on wildlife.

Minigrids – the clean energy revolution across Africa and Asia.

ANTARCTICA. Ice melting at a surprisingly fast rate underneath Shirase Glacier Tongue in East Antarctica.

MIDDLE EAST. Expansion of nuclear power in the troubled Middle East – not a good idea.

JAPAN. Evacuation orders for Fukushima radioactive areas to be lifted without decontamination.  Strong opposition in Hokkaido to taking on nuclear waste.

EUROPE. Nuclear and gas industries desperate to win EU endorsement AND FUNDING, as clean and green.

USA.

• You can have four more years of Trump, or you can have a habitable planet. But you can’t have both.    Trump re-elected would mean unsafe climate for the world, democracy’s end in USA.  Not all scientists are objective, especially nuclear scientists running for election.  Compromise, compromise: U.S. Democrats almost merging into Republicans.
• If the arms treaty with Russia ends USA will spend even more than the planned $1.2 trillion on nuclear weapons.    U.S. Air Force pursues ‘dual-use’ conventional nuclear weapons. “conventional nuclear”?
• Sentencing date for Kings Bay Plowshares activists moved to October 15 and 16.
• The Shoeshone people – theirs the most nuclear bombed territory on Earth.
• Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost considers legal action over corruption tainted nuclear bailout law.      Ohio nuclear corruption: Democrats want lawmakers to take action on House Bill 6.  Ohio House Democrats will try a “rarely used tool”a discharged petition to repeal nuclear bailout law.– Householder and HB 6: A Nuclear ‘Environmental Nightmare’ Fueled By ‘Corruption‘,
• Exelon demanding Illinois state subsidies for 2 nuclear power stations.    Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA) tried to become part-owner of Plant Vogtle in 2019.
• NuScam’s small nuclear project could fall through – spelling trouble for the whole nuclear industry.   Lehi City Council backs out of NuScam ‘small’ nuclear reactor project.  Two U.S.cities cut their losses, pullout of dodgy NuScam “small” nuclear reactor project.
• America needs to abandon the idea of Yucca Mountain for nuclear waste dump: both Trump and Biden have.   Local opposition to Holtec’s temporary storage for nuclear waste in New Mexico.   Army dismantling long dead nuclear power plant at Fort Belvoir.
• Radiation hazard at Dead Horse Bay, Brooklyn.
• Derecho (Extreme wind) Damage Results in Early Retirement of Duane Arnold Nuclear Power Plant.
•  Climate science deniers jump on to Far Right with QAnon conspiracy group.

CHINA. The Chinese viewpoint on nuclear deterrence and cyberattacks. Scientists conduct first in situ radiation measurements 21 km in the air over Tibetan Plateau.

UK.

• The Assange extradition hearing – a continued travesty of justice.
• Sizewell nuclear plant to take 20 years to build, emitting 5.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide.  East Suffolk Council dithers over Sizewell C nuclear project, many questions unanswered.
•   EDF’s Hunterston ageing nuclear power station kept going in effort to prolong all EDF’s old reactors.  Cracks in UK’s Hunterston and other very old nuclear reactors.  A series of safety problems bring EDF’s decision on early shut down of Scotland’s Hunterston nuclear station. The closure of Hunterston B will not cause power network outages.
• Frank Barnaby, nuclear weapons scientist and global hero.

FRANCE. Water shortage, drought, necessitate shutdown of France’s Chooz Nuclear Plant.

KAZAKHSTAN. Kazakhstan’s moves toward a world free of nuclear weapons,

CANADA. Canadian Public asked for views on transport of used nuclear fuel.

RUSSIA. Russia releases previously classified film of “Tsar Bomba” the most powerful nuclear bomb blast E\eve.

IRAN. Iran to grant IAEA inspectors access to suspected ex-nuclear sites.

ALGERIA.  Nuclear colonialism. ICAN says that France must clean up its nucleat test wastelands in Algeria.

BELARUS. Safety of Belarus nuclear power station in question after IAEA report.

SPAIN.  Response plan for nuclear emergencies in Castilla-La Mancha.

PHILIPPINES. Philippines wary of nuclear power: costs to be borne by tax-payer.

AUSTRALIA.  Australia entangled in the military-industrial-intelligence-security complex .

August 31, 2020 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

“Blocked due to Security Reasons”

I send out a little newsletter every week. I am not surprised if some people reply with ”Unsubscribe”.  That’s OK.  It’s OK if people don’t want it because it’s boring, or it’s ”overload of information” or because they just get too many emails, and don’t want any more.

But lately, I’m finding that, for a bunch of recipients, it is ”Blocked for Security Reasons”.

Well, I hope it’s just my paranoia, – but, – is it getting so that if one says nasty things about nuclear power, one is a security risk?

I’m even wondering if this is also the explanation for why just about every journalist makes a point of describing nuclear power as – ”zero carbon” ”carbon free”  ”low carbon” ”clean”.  Just to make sure that their noses are clean?

I guess, with Biden and U.S. Democrats now backing nuclear power (never mind that it’s only real use now is the weapons connection) –   anyway, I guess that to speak rudely of nuclear power is like when it was just not nice to, in company,  mention sex or religion.

August 25, 2020 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | 3 Comments

To 24 August- nuclear, climate, Covid-19 news

the coronavirus scene –   it’s pretty much same same. Spain registered more than 8,000 new cases in 24 hours, France also reported a second consecutive day of more than 4,000 new cases.  USA leads the world in Covid-19 deaths, and exceeded 70,000 confirmed infections per day in July –  recorded 43,000 new cases on Thursday. With no usable vaccine yet available, the most prominent tool governments have at their disposal is to confine their populations or enforce social distancing.  Still, the World Health Organisation hopes that the coronavirus crisis can be over in two years.   Making everything more difficult, disinformation about vaccines is flourishing.

Climate change: 2020 Is proving another disastrous year for our Earth’s climate.  Don’t blame the IPCC – at least they warned us.  Once again, the Arctic is the star, in this ongoing global tragedy.

The nuclear lobby keeps toting small nuclear reactors as clean and green, and journalists and politicians keep buying that story. The U.S. Democratic Party now supports the nuclear industry, making it indistinguishable from the Republicans on this issue.

 Some bits of good news.  The Latest COVID-19 Tests Work Without ‘Tickling Your Brain’.    Large Blue Butterflies Were Extinct in England, But Now Those Beauties Are Back After 50 Years.    Beautiful Mural in Warsaw Eats Up Smog, purifying the Air, Equal to 720 Trees.

International Lawyers Make Urgent Appeal to British Government- not to extradite Julian Assange.

Artificial Intelligence brings a new worry into nuclear weaponry.

Take the money away from nuclear weapons – spend it on Covid-19 relief.  The Prospects of Nuclear Disarmament in the New Nuclear Architecture.

Greta Thunberg on the global inaction on climate change.

Unprecedented rise in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

28 trillion tonnes of ice have disappeared from the surface of the Earth since 1994.

Global warming is bringing new “fire regime”all too quickly.   Experts are calling for international collaboration to combat wildfires.

Book Review- Tempting Fate – Nuclear Politics.

ARCTIC.  Heat from the ocean’s interior contributes to loss of Arctic sea ice.  Permafrost will thaw faster, as global heating causes more rain in the North.  Greenland’s meltdown taking flight.

BIKINI ATOLL.  Bikini Atoll – food grown there is radioactive – but, it’s “technically habitable”!

FRANCE.  France’s nuclear energy continues to be hit by global heating, drought, water shortage.

USA.

• CLIMATE As climate extreme weather impacts grow, American nuclear reactors are threatened. Climate, weather extremes, threaten nuclear reactors, and costs of preparing for them are increasing.  High financial risks in nuclear power – from global heating.   Climate change a problem for nuclear waste dumps.
• See this How the climate crisis is already harming America – photo essay.  California: 10,849 lightning strikes spark more than 367 fires. California grid melts in record heat. Are renewables to blame?
• NUCLEAR POLITICS  Joe Biden will be just as pro nuclear as Trump– maybe worse?    .U.S. Democratic Party not really interested in reducing the bloated military spending.  U.S. Air Force mulls getting hypersonic nuclear weapons.     Supporting the UN Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapons.  Nuclear power is not compatible with the fundamental tenets of a Green New Deal.
• CLIMATE POLITICS Bill McKibben not sure that Kamala Harris will be strong on addressing climate change. U.S. Senator Harris and Rep Ocasio-Cortez introduce Bill on climate harm.
•  Nuclear waste should no longer be exempt from environmental laws.
• Senators Warn Trump Saudi-Chinese Uranium Plant Risks Spread of Nuclear Weapons.
• Biggest bribery and money-laundering bust in Ohio history, but the crooked pro nuclear law still stands!   Will Ohio finally be able to use its wind resources, now that the nuclear corruption is being exposed?  Unleash the tremendous potential of Ohio wind energy jobs instead of bailing out nuclear plants.
•   NuScam’s not so small nuclear reactors need $1.4 billion subsidy, and might not be so safe.   Small Modular Nuclear Reactors costs jump by $billions. Logan city abandons NuScam project.  City of Logan cuts its losses, withdraws from risky NuScam “small” nuclear reactor project.
• Growing national opposition to Holtec plan for ‘temporary’ storage of nuclear wastes near Carlsbad, New Mexico.  Debate rages on for nuclear waste facility proposed near Carlsbad, more hearings scheduled.    Ohio school all too close to Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant – nuclear radiation dangers.
• Earthquake prompts inspections at Fermi 2 nuclear power plant; NRC virtual meeting planned.

TAIWAN.  USA’s nuclear weapons – not the best way to protect Taiwan.

UK. Is the £20 billion Sizewell C project right for the region and country? A real setback to UK”s Bradwell nuclear project: Colchester Council voted unanimously to reject the proposal.    Hitachi waiting for tax-payer funding, to start nuclear projects in UK.   Scotland’s Covid-19 recovery and Climate Policy. UK relations with China at a low point; bad news for nuclear power projects.

– Wow! Only the bare 313 years before the Dounreay nuclear power site could be used for anything else!

Installing solar PV can increase house prices by an average of £32,459 across the UK.    Huge electricity transformer will land on a Gwynedd beach, headed for nuclear power project.

JAPAN.  Japan’s Rokkasho nuclear reprocessing plant delayed, for the 25th time!  Resistance to nuclear waste survey in Hokkaido.

RUSSIA. Court actions over delays in delivering Russia’s giant nuclear icebreaker line.

CANADA.  Canada communities don’t want the so-called “clean” Small Modular Nuclear Reactors (SMRs).  Community opposition to South Bruce Nuclear Waste Repository.

EUROPE.  Northern Europe: detecting radiation and where it comes from.

IRAN.  Iran says sabotage caused explosion at Natanz nuclear site.

PAKISTAN.  A Pakistan threat of nuclear war with India.

SPAIN.  Cumulative exposure to ionising radiation from diagnostic imaging tests.

CHINA.  China feels India’s nuclear weapons programme driven by prestige: US report.

ISRAEL.  Report: Israel ‘deeply concerned’ by Saudi Arabia, China alleged nuclear cooperation,

YEMEN.  Danger in Houthi Smuggling of Thorium to Iran.

AUSTRALIA.  We’ve been electing governments that damage our children’s future.

August 24, 2020 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment