nuclear-news

TODAY: The “tech bros” are going to have a global party with AI in warfare. Should we let them be in control?

Today I waded through a very worthy article – A new military-industrial complex: How tech bros are hyping AI’s role in war. Trouble is – I didn’t really understand it. Written by two highly qualified military experts, – it was couched in military jargon that was mostly impenetrable to me.

Good on them for knowing their stuff. But their underlying assumption seems to me that the world will continue to have whopping great wars, between the great powers, with the conflict being dominated by Artificial Intelligence methods – not only in physical, but also in psychological, warfare.

But, to be fair to these military experts, they do warn about the pitfalls of AI in warfare, and they do repeatedly remind us that the “primrose path” of AI warfare is being laid down, not by political leaders, not by military experts, but by the tech squillionaires:

“The current debate on military AI is largely driven by “tech bros” and other entrepreneurs who stand to profit immensely from militaries’ uptake of AI-enabled capabilities.”…….. “framing the future direction of war, despite their lack of military experience.”

We really are in a strange world – where we can let these ignoramuses (?ignorami) run things. You bristle at the term “ignoramus”? But the tech bros are ignorant – it seems, of all sorts of areas that really matter – ecology, biology, social history, diplomacy, ethics ….. They live in this wonderful STEM world, which is supposed to be the only part of knowledge that matters. Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics – yes those studies do matter – but they are not the only ones that matter.

I am grateful to these authors, Paul Lushenko and Keith Carter for tackling this timely subject.

They’ve done a great job, and I hope that military planners will pay attention to their work.

But even more, I hope that influential leaders of other kinds will also take up this question of should we let the tech squillionaires run things , especially war, for us?

October 12, 2024 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

TODAY: Vitriolic hatred of Arabs and Russians versus THINKING and practical military strategy

This little post is based on the video above, and the long transcript at “Richard D. Wolff & Michael Hudson: Middle East Exploding, Ukraine Crumbling! the US Take Action?.“

These voices of sanity won’t be heard on the mainstream media – which prefers to obsess over “border incursions and the ingestion of cats and dogs and other minor matters because the big ones aren’t a problem“

While discussing the history of the present crises, Wolff and Hudson show us the danger that we are in: – “the mentality we’re dealing with:

the State Department and the National Security Agency and the Democratic Party leadership, with its basis in the military-industrial complex, is absolutely committed to “if we can’t have our way, then who wants to live in such a world.” …………. what Putin said was, “well, who wants to live in a world without Russia after all?”

The public is being mesmerised into the idea that people of different religions, different languages and ethnicities, cannot get along together. Thus a one-state solution for Israel is seen as impossible, and an autonomous region in the Donbass of Ukraine, or at this stage Donbass as part of Russia, is seen as impossible.

How is this mesmerisation achieved?

The authors outline the background – the individuals within American officialdom, who have, over time, fostered the hatreds that foment conflict.- . “Everything that’s happened today was planned out just 50 years ago back in 1973 and 1974” …… ” Henry ‘Scoop’ Jackson”… “Herman Kahn, the model for Dr. Strange Love” and “the Hudson Institute” ……Paul Wolfowitz, Richard Pearl, Douglas Fife”…

They go on to explain how the USA’s goal of domination can no longer be pursued by U.S. army invasions and occupations of foreign countries.  “today’s tactics are limited to bombing, not occupying, countries” Now it depends on foreign troops to do the fighting – and that needs zealous fanaticism among those foreign countries – to supply the troops :

 “that’s willing to fight to the last member of its country — the last Afghan, the last Israeli, the last Ukrainian — you really need a country whose spirit is one of hatred towards the other”

“The whole idea of the Ukrainians and Israelis is to bomb civilians, not military targets, but civilians. It’s a fight literally to destroy the population under an ideology of genocide. And that is absolutely central. It’s not an accident – it’s built in, built into the program. And Lebanon, even though it’s largely Christian, is part of that.“

“The foreign policy has backed Israel and Ukraine, providing them with arms, bribing their leaders with enormous sums of money, and electronic satellite guidance for everything they’re doing.’

Here’s where Zionism comes in, as distinct from the secular Jews, the successful middle-class assimilationists who are for peace. The Zionists have “that visceral hatred of Islam” . Also there is “the visceral hatred of Russia, specifically for anti-Semitism of past centuries,“

In Ukraine, and in some parts of Europe, there is also that visceral hatred of Russia, with memories of the Stalinist genocidal regime.

But guess what? – religious fervour and hatred is not limited to Jewish Zionists, Islamic theocracies, Ukrainian zealots, – now we have Christian Evangelicals joining in. Now there is:

“a marriage of convenience here between the Zionists …and…it’s in the evangelical community…..The biggest festivals every year of Israeli films are held in mega-churches of the Protestant faith in this country, not in synagogues. “

The only way that these suicidal wars can continue, is if the governments – of Ukraine, of Israel, and especially of the USA, can maintain the public mood of anger and hatred of Russians, of Hamas, of Hezbollah, of China, …. of whoever .

To maintain that mood requires a compliant media.

No problem there: – conflict, hatred – all that brings in far more attention and money, than wimpy, calm, discussion and diplomacy. can ever do. (An interesting example here is the current legal battle in the Murdoch family – a calmer, more reasonable Murdoch media would be less profitable – a prospect that appalls old Rupert Murdoch)

And the corporate media is embedded on the nuclear-military-corporate -industrial -political complex, – so the media owners like things the way they are.

 Here is the irony: “the opponents of all this are the U.S. military“…..….” there is an opposition right now between the army – we’ll call them the realists – who say that if you really want to extend the war, it’s not going to work”

What is to be done? Michael Hudson poses the question: ‘

“Who are the Americans, who, with their donors backing them, who are going to say, “yes, we prefer saving civilization to making money this week and next week for living in the short term. The American point of view is short term; the rest of the world is taking a longer term position – who’s going to win?“

October 10, 2024 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

 Nuclear news and more -week to 7 October

Some bits of good news – 

Humanitarian action for children – the work of UNICEF  (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund) in 2024 UNICEF a great example of  a caring agency that never gives up.

Tripling renewable energy worldwide by 2030 is within reach. Rooftop solar is trending in Australia.
Barcelona is turning subway trains into power stations.

California bans all plastic bags at grocery stores. 

TOP STORIESMedia Urge Expansion of Ukraine War—Nuclear Risk Be Damned. 
Israel Planning Major Attack on Iran. Biden says he would not back Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear sites.
Pentagon “goes to school” -William Hartung, The Battle for the Soul of American Science.
Russia revisits nuclear doctrine to allow attacks on non-nuclear states in response to Western weapons in Ukraine- ALSO AT https://nuclear-news.net/?s=Russia+revisits

Finally Free, Assange Receives a Measure of Justice From the Council of Europe.

Unrealisable Justice : Julian Assange in Strasbourg. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ai34Uxnv_4s

Climate. Huge Arctic wildfires release 100m tonnes of greenhouse gas in a year. EDF summer heat cuts double but below 9-year median.

Noel’s notes.   In praise of Joe Biden – an unfashionable opinion.

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AUSTRALIA. What nuclear power in the United States tells us about the Coalition’s controversial energy policy

Hey Australia, Ontario is no model for energy and climate policy. 

Big Super is still investing in nuclear weapons: report More Australian nuclear news at https://antinuclear.net/2024/09/30/australian-nuclear-news-oct-1-7/

NUCLEAR ITEMS

ECONOMICS. Sizewell C nuclear project hit by fresh delays as investment talks drag on ALSO AT https://nuclear-news.net/2024/10/05/1-b1-sizewell-c-nuclear-project-hit-by-fresh-delays-as-investment-talks-drag-on/

Czechs take stake in Rolls-Royce vehicle in boost for SMRs ALSO AT https://nuclear-news.net/2024/10/07/1-b1-czechs-take-stake-in-rolls-royce-vehicle-in-boost-for-smrs/

NUCLEAR power is a fiscal sinkhole ALSO AT https://nuclear-news.net/2024/10/07/1-b1-nuclear-power-is-a-fiscal-sinkhole/

SAFETY.

• DoJ Notified of Suspected Faulty Welds on Subs, Aircraft Carriers at Newport News Shipbuilding. Lawmakers to Investigate Faulty Sub, Carrier Welding at Newport News Shipbuilding.
• Construction of Ontario nuclear reactor should move forward despite incomplete design, ! regulator says.
• Nuclear power for AI: what it will take to reopen Three Mile Island safely. Corrosion exceeds estimates at Michigan nuclear plant US wants to restart, regulator says.
• UN Nuclear Watchdog Warns on Ukraine Plant After Power Failure.
• Russia intercepts drone near Kursk, no damage to nuclear plant, governor says.
• Incident: Ukraine kills nuclear plant’s pro-Russian security chief with car bomb.
• Sellafield Fined for Cybersecurity Failures at Nuclear Site.
• Suffolk radiation emergency evacuation plans updated to include potential Sizewell C incidents.

WAR and CONFLICT. Glenn Greenwald: Who is Really Dragging the US Into Israel’s Wars? – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSJh4A_go6E

Nuclear Annihilation Threatened by Revival of 20th Century McCarthy Era Cold War & Red Scare.

The Israeli Government Must Be Stopped. Israel may launch symbolic attack on Iran nuclear-related facilities, says Ehud Barak. Netanyahu’s dangerous gambit to start nuclear war.

Sullivan: US Will Ensure Iran Faces ‘Severe Consequences’ for Attacking Israel.

Russia’s Nuclear Doctrine Change Is More Cautious Than It May Appear. The guns of August killed 15 million…the missiles of October could kill 8 billion. Prof. Jeffrey Sachs: D.C. Doesn’t Care About Ukraine War MASS DEATHS – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ho7IOATIf9s

WEAPONS and WEAPONS SALES. Recognition of “double madness” at the International Day for Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. Governments urged to ‘stop gambling with humanity’s future’ and eliminate nuclear weapons. 

Inside the State Department’s Weapons Pipeline to Israel.

October 7, 2024 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Today. In praise of Joe Biden – an unfashionable opinion.

Yeah. We’ve all gotta agree. Joe Biden is silly, demented, – blah blah.

Well, I don’t agree. I watched that famous debate, after which everyone affirmed that Biden was a disaster.

The thing is – Biden made a couple of obvious glitches – mixing up names – during this debate (something that could happen to anybody, in the stress of the moment).

So the media, and the rest of the world, blindly agreed on how badly Biden debated. Never mind the fact that he gave a clear and lucid discussion on the achievements and policies of his government.

Meanwhile – the media coverage of the more colourful Trump was much more fun. There was definite disagreement about it between media outlets. The big question was exactly how many lies did Trump tell? Was it 32? No – some argued that it was only 28.

So – now that we’re all convinced that Biden doesn’t matter -we can ignore what he says and does about current urgent issues?

On the present Israeli military crisis – how will Israel punish Iran for its attacks on Israel? There’s this great idea that I’m sure that Netanyahu would love – to attack Iran’s nuclear site. But the Israelis do need the USA’s blessing to do that. But President Biden has said that while he is working with Israel  he wouldn’t support strikes on Iran’s nuclear facility.

On the present Ukraine military crisis, the Western media seems to be in complacent agreement that Ukraine can defeat Russia, and all that Ukraine needs is long-range missiles – supplied by USA/NATO. These missiles could strike deep inside Russia, could potentially strike Moscow. Russia’s President Putin has repeatedly warned against this. Now Putn has changed Russia’s doctrine on using nuclear weapons, making it clear that he is prepared to use them, in the event of Ukrainian attacks deep within Russia.

President Biden, while allowing Ukraine some use of long-range missiles in areas near Ukraine, continues to rule out strikes deep within Russia.

For this attitude, Biden gets criticism, near to ridicule, from the media, almost universally – summed up by the Washington Post editorial board –  “Mr. Biden needs to give permission and set the ground rules quickly.”

Donald Trump has come out with a very sensible-sounding policy on Ukraine. Trouble is – (a) you cannot trust a word that this man says, and (b) Trump’s record as president promotes nuclear war – undoing the Iran nuclear deal and the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces treaty with Russia.

It is now perhaps only President Joe Biden who is stalling and preventing the rush to nuclear Armageddon.

I can only conclude that the Western media in general (some exceptions):

 *doesn’t do its homework – check on the facts. 

*likes to please its nuclear-military-industrial-complex sponsors

 *finds Trump much more entertaining to write  about.

I am grateful to Julie Hollar, who clearly set out the case for questioning the corporate media’s judgement in covering this issue of the risk of Ukraine using long-range missiles.

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October 5, 2024 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Week to 30 September- countering the nuclear-military-industrial-political spin.

Some bits of good news.    

– Women Wage Peace .   Countries’ climate obligations could be legally defined at top UN court in December.Vertical Greening Brings Nature to Urban ‘Heat Islands’ Quickly and Easily.

TOP STORIES. How civilisation could end – an all-too-possible nuclear scenario. 

The Israeli nuclear risk no one is talking about.

Cold War II: US Congress passes 25 anti-China laws in 1 week, funds propaganda campaign. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tix5L5qDaNw

Ukraine’s Zelensky arriving in US….to pitch WWIII. 

The Madness of Antony Blinken.  Antony Blinken LIED?! State Dept Caught WITHHOLDING Humanitarian Aid From Gaza https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hb30Sn6WR-s

Nuclear finance will rely on consumers’ stomach for risk. ALSO AT …… https://nuclear-news.net/2024/09/27/2-a-nuclear-finance-will-rely-on-consumers-stomach-for-risk/

From the archives.   Questions still remain on the suspicious death of nuclear worker Karen SilkwoodWeek to 30 September.

Climate. Green campaigners lambast UN climate summit hosts for clinging to fossil fuels .

Noel’s notes. Hurricane Helene : when global heating collides with our dependence on digital systems. I would rather have tough-guy macho men, than slimy sweet-talk hypocrites.

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AUSTRALIA.

Defence Minister Marles, with all pretension, flogging a dead seahorse. 

Nuclear Concerns – Hiroshima, Maralinga and Dutton’s Australia. 

Climate Change Authority head Matt Kean contradicts Peter Dutton’s claim on nuclear and renewables working together. 

Australians are installing batteries at a record rate, as rooftop solar heads for major new milestone. Renewable and Energy storage jobs will soon overtake those in coal and gas. 

More Australian news headlines at https://antinuclear.net/2024/09/24/australian-nuclear-news-headlines-23-30-september/

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NUCLEAR ITEMS

ATROCITIES. Israel’s Tally of War Crimes in Lebanon Increases in Wake of Exploding Pagers.

CLIMATE.
Hurricane Helene Floods Closed Duke Nuclear Plant in Florida.

ECONOMICS. Nuclear fuel costs soar as conversion and enrichment bottleneck strains supply.

US company eliminated from race to build Britain’s first mini-nuclear. ALSO AT https://nuclear-news.net/2024/09/29/2-b1-us-company-eliminated-from-race-to-build-britains-first-mini-nuclear-plant/ Why NuScale Power Stock Dropped Today.

EDUCATION. “Peaceful” and war-making nuclear industries get together in tertiary education.

ETHICS and RELIGION
Cardinal Parolin: ‘World threatened by irreversible nuclear destruction’.

EVENTS. Sleepwalking into War? IPAN Conference 2024 –– October 4-6 in Perth,Australia or attend online The Independent and Peaceful Australia Network.

MEDIA. Losing The Narrative War: Israel Illegally Raids and Shuts Down Al Jazeera’s West Bank Bureau. Going From “The Civilian Buildings Are Hamas” To “The Civilian Buildings Are Hezbollah“. The Looming Catastrophe in the Middle East (w/ Gideon Levy) | The Chris Hedges Report.

PLUTONIUM. Japan and 11 other countries call for early start of fissile material ban talks.

POLITICS. A push for compensation for U.S. nuclear testing fallout resumes on Capitol Hill. . Mistaking Militarism for Statecraft, Empire for Democracy and Debt for Prosperity.

Nuclear Weapons and the U.S. Presidential Elections.

Weatherwatch: UK Labour’s stance on nuclear power is worryingly familiar. Scottish National Party blasts Labour for ‘frittering away’ money on nuclear plant instead of winter fuel payment.

POLITICS INTERNATIONAL and DIPLOMACY.

• Iran ready for nuclear talks at UN ‘if other parties willing‘, foreign minister says.
• Walking a fraying nuclear tightrope. The UN won’t protect Gaza, but can adopt a ‘Pact for the Future?’. Biden would rather defend Israeli impunity than stop a regional war.
• Julian Assange’s Interview with the Late Hezbollah Leader Hassan Nasrallah – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3M1fHfKenTM
• Public scrutiny of UK-US  nuclear pact is essential.
• Indonesia, Solomon Islands join countries banning nuclear weapons, putting Australia at odds with neighbours

SAFETY.

• IAEA chief says situation tense around Russia’s Kursk plant, but no permanent mission planned.
• Swarm of over 100 earthquakes hits Hanford nuclear site near Tri-Cities in Washington.
• U.S. Outgoing French nuclear safety chief warns of 25% budget cut.
• Incident. China’s Newest Nuclear Submarine Sank, Setting Back Its Military Modernization.

SECRETS and LIES

Blinken Lied To Congress About Israeli War Crimes Because He Knows He’ll Get Away With It. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYEBm0eKuo0 

  Karen Silkwood and Kerr-McGee: A Reinvestigation.

SPACE. EXPLORATION, WEAPONS. NASA’s uncrewed Artemis mission highlights radiation risk to astronauts.

Woomera Manual: International Law Meets Military Space Activities.

WASTES. Despite vastly different social and political contexts, Finland, Germany and France are all grappling with the question of safe nuclear waste disposal.

Spent nuclear fuel shipped to Japan’s 1st interim storage facility in Aomori.

New developments at Sellafield for endless storage of ever-increasing amounts of highly radioactive spent nuclear fuel.

WAR and CONFLICT. After destroying Ukraine and Gaza, Biden seeks a destroyed nation trifecta in Lebanon.

The Illusion of a Solution: Killing Hassan Nasrallah. Netanyahu: Israel Is Fighting a War on Seven Fronts . Israel: ‘Escalate to De-escalate’.

Putin outlines new rules for Russian use of vast nuclear arsenal. Ukraine army attacks nuclear plant substation: Russia.

Ambassadors called upon to refrain from military action involving nuclear plants. Wars, Propaganda Wars and Funding Them.

WEAPONS and WEAPONS SALES. US Gives Israel $8.7 Billion in Military Aid for Operations in Gaza and Lebanon. War Forever, Everywhere, War Doesn’t End When It “Ends“.

Japan’s new Prime Minister calls for deployment of US nuclear weapons.

October 1, 2024 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

TODAY. Hurricane Helene : when global heating collides with our dependence on digital systems

It’s going to happen more often – extreme weather events paralysing our digital systems. We had a taste of this with the global digital outage in July.

When digital fails – analogue radio still works, and real money – coins and paper cash still work.

From Thursday, 26 September Millions were without electricity as Hurricane Helene lashed parts of Florida, Georgia , Tennessee, and North Carolina. Many people in Florida were left stranded, without shelter and awaiting rescue, and without communication, even after the hurricane had swept through.

Helene then soaked the Carolinas and Tennessee with torrential rains, sending creeks and rivers over their banks and straining dams. Western North Carolina was isolated because of landslides and flooding that closed the Interstate 40 and other roads. Additional heavy rains are likely across portions of the Central Appalachians,

At least 88 people died, and hundreds, perhaps thousands, have been made homeless. Business, education, all organisations and services are disrupted.

If there’s one thing that Americans are good at, it’s helping each other out in times of crisis. And there have been so much on-the ground help from neighbours, and heroic rescues.

But to add to the suffering, is the dreadful loneliness of people in need, but cut off from all communication – no TV, no Internet, no email, no mobile phone, – electricity being cut off, and mobile phone towers downed.

By Sunday, more than 2.1 million customers remained without electricity across several states. Apart from those desperate cases of need, there would be so many situations, even where businesses, shops were safe – but could not function, because of digital systems not working.

It’s not surprising that the tech squillionaires have been rather silent about this, because they like their technology to be in charge of everything

After all – people are so resilient – with repairs swinging into action, and everything digital will be back in function – soon. All can use their apps, their mobile phones, their credit cards

Until next time.

September 30, 2024 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

TODAY. I would rather have tough-guy macho men, than slimy sweet-talk hypocrites

Well, I’m thinking about the big military leaders, like Austin Lloyd, the USA’s Defense Secretary. He’s no wimp . For one thing – he looks the part – he’s a big tough guy in an imposing uniform. He got lotsa medals for bravery in the invasion of Iraq . A four-star general, he was the commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan. Then he left the military to join the weapons-making firm Raytheon. Lloyd is a strong supporter of Israel, and of Saudi Arabia. He ordered air strikes against Syria. He’s ready to wage war against Iran, when that time is “needed”. Lloyd has declared “America’s commitment to Israel’s security is ironclad. It is not negotiable. And it never will be.”

So – nobody can accuse Lloyd of weakness, of cowardice. We know where he stands – ready to lead the USA into its next war.

And as for the war in Ukraine – Austin has been an allout supporter of Ukraine, and devout American hater of Russia. BUT, he is opposed to the plan to supply Ukraine with long range attack missiles to send deep into Russia. He doesn’t see any military reason for this drastic step that would really provoke Putin. Previously, Austin rejected a plan for a no-fly zone over Ukraine. He saw it as not militarily useful and “to enforce that no-fly zone, you’ll have to engage Russian aircraft. And again, that would put us at war with Russia.”

There’s the clue – a “military reason”. Austin doesn’t mind war. It’s his business. But he’s not keen on unnecessary actions that are not useful militarily, but could bring chaos upon us. We know to be wary of belligerents like Austin, but at least there’s a certain logic in his actions.

Then we come to The case of the good-looking slim and silver-haired Antony Blinken in his lovely suits, (and he even plays the guitar). Here we have the ultimate in what a diplomat should be – well-spoken, charming, calming – just what you need for peaceful communication between nations?

Blinken struts the world stage, making motherhood statements about protecting civilians, promoting peace, human rights, and harmony – and sounding so good! All this lovely talk is a cover-up for what he is really supporting – American military hawkishness and Zionist genocide.

Blinken has consistently promoted US military interventions. During the Obama administration, Blinken pushed strongly for  the overthrow of Libyan president Muammar al-Gaddafi. In the years before he became Secretary of State, Blinken co-founded and worked for the secretive WestExec Advisors firm, which lobbied the Pentagon on behalf of weapons-making companies.

In  Blinken’s Senate confirmation hearing, he affirmed that he would be belligerent towards China and Venezuela. Even while he publicly supported U.S. policy for reviving a deal with Iran, he made belligerent statements against Iran.

And that is the typical Blinken way – say one thing, while promoting the opposite in action.

Blinken supports the plan for long-range missiles to be supplied to Ukraine – according to reports in the Guardian and the New York Times.

Not that I’m a fan of Lloyd Austin. Indeed, just like Blinken, Austin has made $millions from his work for weapons industries. As of October 2020, his Raytheon stock holdings were worth roughly $500,000 and his compensation, including stock, totaled $2.7 million. He was a partner in another weapons investment company Pine Island Capital, in which Antony Blinken is, or was, also involved.

Finally – my point is – I worry about the smarmy types like Antony Blinken. He is the epitome of the liars and hypocrites who cover up for governments. Ever in the media, Blinken lulls the world, including Americans, into the belief that America wants peace, that zealots like Zelensky and Netanyahu are right, that somehow – don’t worry – all will be well.

But ,worse than Lloyd Austin, Blinken doesn’t even grasp the military realities. At least Lloyd Austin doesn’t want to plunge us into World War 3 for the sake of a pointless military exercise like letting Ukraine send long range missiles to Moscow.

September 28, 2024 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

This week – exposing and counteracting nuclear-military-industrial spin.

Some bits of good news.  World leaders gathered in the UN headquarters in New York and adopted the Pact for the Future, cementing the shift away from fossil fuels as the fundamental norm for climate action. 
After a two-year project by UNICEF and the German government, Torit, a city in South Sudan, is now efficiently providing clean water to over 80% of its population.

TOP STORIES. Selling War: How Raytheon and Boeing Fund the Push for NATO’s Nuclear Expansion. 

Global status report highlights parlous state of nuclear power sector.Opening Pandora’s Electronic Box.Welcome to Planet Vogtle! The Lessons of Georgia’s Nuclear Boondoggle.

 Tritium into the air?

Sizewell C now: from farce to drama.
 Labour backs nuclear – but at what cost? – ALSO AT  https://nuclear-news.net/2024/09/22/1-a-labour-backs-nuclear-but-at-what-cost/ 

The 2024 World Nuclear Industry Status Report now released.

Climate. Online Misinformation Harming Climate Change Effort: UN Chief.

Hunger. When Will It Be Enough? Humanitarian organizations call for urgent action from World Leaders as the people of Sudan face unprecedented starvation and violence [EN/AR]

Noel’s notes. Nuclear socialism in its glory – in The West?

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AUSTRALIA. Peter Dutton refuses to divulge costs of going nuclear at anticipated ‘could it work’ speech. Peter Dutton and the pursuit of fame . The UK’s nuclear waste problem. Nuclear debate stalls as detail goes missing in action. “Catastrophic:” Coalition plan to stop renewables and push nuclear will result in massive supply gaps. 

AUKUS boss insists project remains on track despite frustrations and staff upheaval within submarine agency.   

 South Australia joins Denmark in elite club of two, “pushing the boundaries” of renewable energy integration. More Australian nuclear news headlines at https://antinuclear.net/2024/09/21/australian-nuclear-news-headlines-16-23-september/        

NUCLEAR ITEMS

ARTS and CULTURE. Nuclear Free Local Authorities want to lament, not ‘celebrate’ nuclear legacy.
ATROCITIES.
 22,500 Palestinians Now Have Life-Changing Injuries Due to Israel’s Genocide.    

CLIMATE. Data center emissions probably 662% higher than big tech claims. Can it keep up the ruse? 

ECONOMICS.

Call for banks to back nuclear energy projects. World’s biggest banks pledge support for nuclear power/                                   

Western, Russian nuclear industries still intertwined, report says.

Nuclear in Australia would increase household power bills.

Hinkley Point C: Building Britain’s first nuclear reactor in 30 years.

Serbia picks EDF, Egis for study on introduction of nuclear energy.

New logo for Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) represents a costly conversation.

MIT Coalition for Palestine Announces Major Divestment Win.

EDUCATION. ‘The Genocide Gentry’: Weapon Execs Sit on Boards of Universities, Institutions

ENERGY.

• As Biden deliberates, Ukraine’s nuclear plants are increasingly at risk – Stuck in the crosshairs are key substations.
• Three Mile Island nuclear reactor to restart to power Microsoft AI operations.
• Global Solar Installations on Track for Another Record Year. Record solar boom.
• Is the new UK government prepared to rise to the challenge of investing in energy efficiency measures and reducing the country’s energy use?

ENVIRONMENT. Hinkley Point C must deploy mandated protections for fish. A Suffolk wildlife and conservation charity has called for “greater transparency” from Sizewell C in relation to its wildlife compensation schemes.

ETHICS and RELIGION. Jewish Council disappointed at Australia’s UN abstention, calls for strong international action to prevent Israeli war crimes.

New Book Explores the Intersection of God and Nuclear Weapons.

HEALTH. 
Radiation. Radiation levels mysteriously spike along Norway’s border with Russia – as it’s claimed activity has been seen at test site for Putin’s ‘Flying Chernobyl’ nuclear missile

LEGAL. Nuke waste confusion continues with D.C. Circuit ruling.

MEDIA. ‘Genocide Can and Should Never Be Just a Normal Story’ CounterSpin interview with Gregory Shupak on Palestinian genocide.

Australian film-maker refused entry into India.

Nuclear horror still haunts us Threads tapped into our fear of apocalypse.

POLITICS. Patrick Lawrence: The ‘War Party’ Makes Its Plans. Biden, Harris sacrificing endless thousands of Ukrainians to retain presidency November 5. The experts comment: Key nuclear questions that the US presidential candidates should answer.

‘Obvious Conflict of Interest’: Report Reveals 50+ US Lawmakers Hold Military Stocks.

One big factor could decide if one of Wales’ biggest (nuclear) projects can happen.

POLITICS INTERNATIONAL and DIPLOMACY.

• With US $billions and diplomatic support, Ukraine and Israel are destroying themselves. Negotiate with Moscow to end the Ukraine war and prevent nuclear devastation.
• Israel’s Collapse Is Imminent Amid Escalation In Lebanon. World demands end to Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine, in landslide UN vote. The World’s Chance To Confront US-Israeli Genocide.
• Miliband urged by US nuclear giant to abandon large reactors in favour of mini-nukes.
• The World Would Be Better off Without NATO, Revisited. Biden’s Grand Alliance against Russia in Ukraine beginning to recognize the N word…Negotiations.
• US Military Policy Is Stoking the Risk of Nuclear War on Korean Peninsula.

SAFETY. Safety level at Scotland’s largest nuclear site raised to ‘enhanced’ after leaks found. Scottish nuclear base staff using pagers adds to Trident fears.

New iodine tablets for communes near French nuclear power sites.

SPINBUSTER. More nuclear reactors? Denying the risks, IAEA’s Grossi promotes unrealistic nuclear power plans.

The UK government deserves an award for the biggest load of nuclear propaganda BS yet!. Nuclear waste group spends £4,600 on logo to show it IS listening toTheddlethorpe views.

TECHNOLOGY. UK Government designates data centres as Critical National Infrastructure (Whaa-aa-t!).

Microsoft deal propels Three Mile Island restart, with key permits still needed.

Unrealistic expectations for So-Called Novel Nuclear Reactor Concepts. 

URANIUM. Surge in Russian uranium sent to China.

WASTES.

• TEPCO again halts work to collect melted nuclear fuel.
• The challenge of long-lived alpha emitters in the Chalk River legacy wastes.
• Dounreay nuclear wastes : new snake like robot to access off limits areas.
• Germany’s dirty secret: Its leaking nuclear waste dump.
• Decommissioning: Hinkley Nuclear plant’s decommissioning could take 95 years.

WAR and CONFLICT

• Are the World’s Ongoing Conflicts in Danger of Going Nuclear? Nuclear War in Ukraine Is a Distinct Possibility. Why Putin’s nuclear saber-rattling on Ukraine sounds different this time. Putin ally warns West of nuclear war over Ukraine. Ukraine hits Russia with “massive drone attack” on military depot in Toropets, causing huge explosion.
• Ukrainian Tipping Points – UPDATE 4: US Blocks Long-Range Missile Attacks Until After Elections? The NATO/Ukraine Defeat in Kursk (and Beyond). French officials fear WWIII – Le Monde.
• Israel Unleashes Hell On South Lebanon With Giant Mystery Bomb As War Escalates. Failed Machismo: Israel’s Pager Killings. Israel Admits It Probably Killed Israeli Hostages in Gaza Airstrike in November. ‘An Act of Terror’: Israel Behind Pager Explosions That Killed 11, Wounded Thousands.
• US Navy chief unveils plan to be ready for possible war with China by 2027.
• Nuclear danger is growing- Physicists of the world, unite!

WEAPONS and WEAPONS SALES. North Korea inadvertently gives away location of nuclear weapons facility, with pictures of Kim Jong-un visit.

Germany will not lift restrictions on long-range weapons for Kiev.

Turkey needs to acquire nuclear arms to stop Israel, urges Erdogan’s chief fatwa giver.

UN overwhelmingly votes to sanction Israel, impose arms embargo.

September 23, 2024 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Peter Dutton and the pursuit of fame.

21 September 24  https://theaimn.com/peter-dutton-and-the-pursuit-of-fame/

Peter Dutton is the leader of Australia’s opposition party – the Liberal-National Coalition.

Which is pretty noteworthy and important, anyway. But of course, he would be more important if he is elected as Prime Minister in 2025. But is that enough fame for him?

Dutton aspires to a greater, global, significance. He would be the first world leader to introduce the commercial, peaceful, advanced nuclear industry to not just a country, but to an entire continent. And not to some “third-world” “undeveloped” country “in need of charity” – but to a prosperous, privileged, purportedly well-educated, and still mainly white population.

For the global nuclear industry – that would be a first! And not just any old first, but an extremely timely one. Just released this week, The World Nuclear Industry Status Report 2024 describes an industry on life support. Even back in 2016 Former World Nuclear Association executive Steve Kidd spoke to this problem, noting that “the industry is essentially running to stand still.”

For Australia to adopt a government-run nuclear industry involving both large and small nuclear reactors across a continent – what a wonderful shot in the arm for the global nuclear lobby. And Dutton – what a hero!

Dutton would be famous not just in Australia, but world-wide

Is this why Peter Dutton is promoting his nuclear policy?

I can’t think of any other reason.

Australia, especially in the State of South Australia, is becoming a world leader in renewable energy use – particularly in decentralised household rooftop solar, but also in large solar and wind programmes. Of course, Australia’s mining magnates are pretty happy with Dutton’s plan, as it will mean more mining, not just of uranium, but of coal and gas in the decades before nuclear power actually comes into use.

So – look – it’s a winner for Dutton’s fame.

And if that doesn’t work, there’s fame in another way

The last Liberal Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, is a great contender for the worst Prime Minister in Australian history. Just a few of his achievements to merit this award were:

• By 2022, Australia’s gross national debt was 42.5 per cent of GDP (Peak Whitlam government was 24.5. Peak Hawke-Keating was 24. Peak Rudd-Gillard Government debt was 20.)
• Notorious for taking a holiday during Australia’s 2019–20 bushfire season.
• Signed Australia up to the costly AUKUS nuclear submarine deal
• Secretly appointed himself to five ministerial positions without the knowledge of the public or his own government.

Economically, the nuclear power programme, added to the continuing AUKUS nuclear deal, could pretty well bankrupt Australia. Although Dutton claims that nuclear power will be cheap, he’s given no costings, and the over-riding opinion of energy and economics experts is that nuclear power would be the most expensive form of energy for Australia.

Environmentally, Dutton’s plan includes advanced nuclear reactors, which will require plutonium or enriched uranium – so this brings virtually eternal radioactive pollution into Australia (something that has been nearly avoided up until now). It also brings the hazards of nuclear weapons proliferation, and terrorism targets.

So – it’s a bold venture for Peter Dutton, to centre his election campaign on promoting the nuclear industry. He is to be commended for bravery in taking such a big risk.

If Dutton carries this through, as Prime Minister, he will rapidly gain world fame.

But also, as far as Australia is concerned, he could beat Scott Morrison into history as the nation’s worst Prime Minister.

Dutton’s big risk is that he might not get elected in 2025, and vanish very quickly from history.

September 21, 2024 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

TODAY. The West embraces SOCIALISM – first of the nuclear kind, -and then?

Proud defenders of individual liberty, private enterprise , and of the free market solving everything, the West has run into a spot of bother over the nuclear industry.

Good old dictatorships don’t have this problem. Russia , North Korea and China can develop government-run nuclear power programmes faster and cheaper, (though sadly, China is falling behind, due to the success of its renewable energy industry). Saudi Arabia has its  Saudi National Atomic Energy Project (SNAEP). The Saudi one should do very well, as they don’t have pesky women in power, raising objections.

But never fear – things are looking up for nuclear power in the “free” West.

For one thing, everybody’s now realising that the “peaceful” nuclear industry is absolutely essential for the weapons nuclear industry. And as defence, (and attack) are a government responsibility, well, then, the tax-payer must cough up to help the “commercial” unclear industry.

And if we’re going to do the job properly, let’s take up the faster ?cheaper methods of Russia, North Korea, – maybe not China as they’re too much into renewable energy. Saudi Arabia’s system sounds promising – we don’t want silly emotional women bleating about cost and safety.

France has always recognised that the government should run all things nuclear – right from the days of its toxic nuclear bomb tests in the Pacific, and even today, despite a bit of trouble with costs, and the impacts of climate change causing rivers to overheat.

The USA government has always found devious ways to prop up its supposedly private nuclear industry.

Britain has come up with its system of “Regulated Asset Base” . This means that electricity customers are charged a fee from day one of the construction of the nuclear project, and cop the burden of cost overruns (as happened in the USA with the Vogtle nuclear fiasco). The UK government, rather than the developer, underwrites the risk of construction cost overrun “above a remote threshold” – referred to as the “Funding Cap”. – (more https://www.fieldfisher.com/en/insights/rab-and-go-getting-new-nuclear-underway)

The previous Tory UK government set up “Great British Nuclear” – with the tax-payer supporting the nuclear industry. Keir Starmer’s Labour government continued this , with –  a new, publicly owned, energy company, “Great British Energy “.

In Australia, the Liberal-National Coalition Party, led by Peter Dutton, stands for private enterprise, individual freedom, and total opposition to socialism

In 2023 this Party had an amazing success, in turning Australian public opinion around towards an anti-indigenous stance in a referendum intended to give indigenous people a Voice to Parliament. This very right-wing party was helped by the Murdoch media, and also by a powerful social media campaign, and by the Atlas Network – to gain quite a degree of control over public opinion.

Again with the help of the Murdoch media, and the Atlas Network, the global nuclear lobby could have a resounding tax-payer funded success.

So – ironically – it will be a party dedicated to private enterprise and individual liberty that could bring in completely government-run nuclear industry to a whole Western democratic continent.

September 19, 2024 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

TODAY. The pen is mightier than the sword.

What made me ponder on this was reading an article about the Vogtle Nuclear Power Station. Not that this article contained anything new. really.

Anyone who has bothered to take an interest in this station would probably know that it is the largest power station in the USA, and the only one with 4 reactors. It was designed and eventually built by Westinghouse (which went bankrupt in the process). Southern Nuclear, and later Georgia Power took over the costs, helped by federal loan guarantees up to $12 billion. It was expanded over 11 years at a cost of $36.8 billion.

So – reams have been published about all this. Noticeably high in jargon, are stories about Vogtle’s energy benefits, how it “helps climate action”. There are also many articles criticising the costs, and financial arrangements, and some of these also give complicated details, that are not easy to read.

So – today’s article? “Welcome to Planet Vogtle! The Lessons of Georgia’s Nuclear Boondoggle.”

Well, it is written in easily readable and witty language. Some of the writer’s ideas are novel – but true, too! – “A global race is on to see who will host the next nuclear disaster, and as always the U.S.A. is determined to take the lead”  “ record-breaking profits for utility companies, record-breaking power bills for the rest of us.” “nuclear waste factories like Vogtle “

But within the forceful and witty language, the writer has demolished the nuclear industry’s claims of benefits – about being “economic” “clean” “safe” “low emissions” and noted its euphemisms – like “disposal” of nuclear wastes.

The article actually compresses “Plant Vogtle: The True Cost of Nuclear Power in the United States,” a 35-page report exposing the political maneuvering and cynical profiteering that made the Vogtle project a “success.”

So – although I did enjoy the writing style – this is one article that does both – gives the information, and a bit of fun to read. And the writer sure isn’t scared to give his opinion! Which is good fun. I’m sick of everyone worthily trying to give “balance”

If you’ve waded through stuff about the nuclear industry, whether the stuff is pro or con, it is so refreshing to come upon something that is a pleasure to read.

And if you had any doubts about the whole pro nuclear push being crooked – this Plant Vogtle article should clear up those doubts.

September 17, 2024 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

News countering the nuclear-military-industrial-political complex this week

Some bits of good news:  UNICEF has helped reduce child mortality all over the world by working to reach the most vulnerable children, everywhere.   After 9 Years of Work, CaliforniaTribe Finally Seas Traditional Land Named a Marine Reserve Bigger Than Yosemite-   picturedCoho Anchorage, part of the proposed reserve

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TOP STORIES. 

The future of new nuclear. 

Zelensky’s Last Hail Mary Gets Off to Rocky Start.

Biden’s Legacy: The Decline of Arms Control and Disarmament. 

How to Make a ‘War Reserve’ Nuclear Bomb.

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Climate. Rich countries silencing climate protest while preaching about rights elsewhere, says study.

Noel’s notes. What is behind all the drama of long range missiles for Ukraine to send to Russia? An avalanche of objections to the latest proposed AUKUS nuclear treaty.

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AUSTRALIA.

 The tangled nuclear web of lies and half-truths – can we believe that Australia will refuse to take USA toxic wastes?       David Noonan confronts Australia’s politicians with critical unanswered questions on the AUKUS agreement – will they pretend not to hear this? 

Albanese has a second chance with AUKUS. 

Protecting the Merchants of Death: The Police Effort for Land Forces 2024. The lucrative charity, yes CHARITY, running the Land Forces weapons expo. From the archives :The fake charity AMDA Foundation is exposed by Michael West Media’s Michelle Fahy. More Australian news at https://antinuclear.net/2024/09/14/australian-nuclear-news-headlines-9-16-september-2/

NUCLEAR ITEMS

ECONOMICS.

• Why nuclear power plant are so expensive, especially in the West.
• Claims that UK’s Wylfa mega-nuclear site is ‘under-review’ with potential switch to mini-nuke plants.
• Support for nuclear is “money down the drain” – Rystad. Why SMRs Are Taking Longer Than Expected to Deploy. NuScale Power Is Great. Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Buy It.

WAR and CONFLICT. Putin Warns of ‘Direct’ War as US Mulls Letting Ukraine Use Long-Range Western Missiles .

Ukrainian Tipping Points: UPDATE 3 .x

White House finalizing plans to expand where Ukraine can hit inside Russia. UK approves Ukrainian missile strikes deep inside Russia – Guardian ‘Let’s Just Fight’: How Britain Prefers War Over Peace in Ukraine.

CNN Shared A Glimpse Of Just How Bad Everything Has Become For Ukraine. The NATO/Ukraine Defeat in Kursk (and Beyond). Ukrainian Tipping Points: UPDATE 2.

Neocon Queen Victoria Nuland ADMITS Not Wanting to End Ukraine War Diplomatically.

WEAPONS and WEAPONS SALES. Playing with nuclear fire. Biden administration split over Ukraine’s use of US weapons inside Russia.

Pentagon orders study of potential nuclear strike in Eastern Europe. Pentagon orders simulation of consequences of nuclear weapons use in Eastern Europe and Russia.

UK sent Kyiv large supplies of old military equipment, watchdog finds.

September 16, 2024 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

TODAY. What is behind all the drama of long range missiles for Ukraine to send to Russia?

 It certainly looks like a dramatic development – as globe-trotting master of ceremonies Antony Blinken, strongly hinted that the US, UK, and NATO might soon allow Ukraine to have long-range missiles attacking deep inside Russia.

Jubilation all round – this is what Zelensky has been clamouring for! It’s the next exciting development, following all the joy of Ukraine’s incursion into the Russian area of Kursk. Best to get over that one quickly, with its huge cost in Ukrainian troops’ lives, without any actual military usefulness to Ukraine.

The dramatic need for these missiles is emphasised as Blinken confirmed that Iran was sending ballistic missiles for Russia to use against Ukraine. These are in fact Project 360 close-range missiles. But no matter – it sounds like a good reason for Ukraine to get long- range ones.

Anyway the point is – we all have to be reassured that Ukraine is winning this war. The Western media dwells on each exciting new development like this, rather than the unpalatable facts that Ukraine is falling back in the critical Donbass area, and that it’s running out of troops, that Zelensky’s survival as president depends on the war continuing a losing fight.

Meanwhile Putin is strongly warning of severe repercussions if the West lets Zelensky attack Russia with long-range missiles. USA and NATO are well aware of the danger of the war expanding into a Russia versus NATO and USA. They don’t want this. Russia doesn’t want this.

The dilemma is for the USA to demonstrate its “iron-clad” support for Ukraine, without actually really upsetting Putin too much. Hence there’s a lot of debate in the West about how to go about sort of sending long-range missiles for Ukraine, but sort of not really using them too much. And how to train and support Ukrainians in the use of them?

To further complicate this issue, it is important for Joe Biden in his last months as President to demonstrate that he’s a tough guy – not some sort of weak sop who would – heaven forfend! sink to negotiations with Putin and end the carnage. So – a forceful decision about long-range missiles for Ukraine would look pretty good in that context.

Only you need some intricate diplomatic footwork to spin it all – which is where the silver-tongued skills of manipulators like Antony Blinken come in. It all has to look very hard and dangerous, without actually being so – without too much provocation of Wladimir Putin, who probably understands all this, underneath his bombastic pronouncements.

So – the war drags on, the deaths continue, Ukraine faces a winter with possibly great suffering, as Russia continues not only its troop attack, but also attacks on Ukraine’s power supply.

But – look on the bright side – it’s great for the USA’s weapons companies and their investors. And we, distant media-watchers continue to be awed with the drama, wait for the next development, and wonder if it’s a dress rehearsal for the Taiwan-China one to follow this.

September 14, 2024 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

An avalanche of objections to the latest proposed AUKUS nuclear treaty

Have pity on me. I said I would copy and publish all the submissions to this jargonistic, almost impenetrable latest USA/UK plan to hoodwink Australia into paying $squillions for useless soon-obsolete nuclear submarines, and also taking in their foul radioactive trash.

The proposed Treaty had virtually no publicity, and a short-timed not-publicised call for submissions

So I thought that there’d be only a very few intrepid souls from the usual suspects – Friends of the Earth etc – who would wade through it all, and write an excellent submission.

But – I was wrong – it’s now up to 134 submissions published. Not counting the earliest 2 pro-nuke ones, I’m just coming across angry submission after angry submission saying NO to this AUKUS proposal. I’m sure I will come to the pro-nuclear ones – but not so far.

Anyway – gotta stop now and have A Nice Cup Of Tea.

It is good to know that not all Australians are suckers for American militarism.

September 12, 2024 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Nuclear news and more – week to 10 September

Some bits of good news – Norway’s Forests Have More Than Tripled in a Hundred Years.  Zimbabwe’s endangered black rhinos are finally making a comeback.  LIXIL-UNICEF partnership improves sanitation and hygiene for 12.7 million people.
TOP STORIES.

Starmer permanently ties UK nuclear arsenal to Washington.

The billions for Sizewell C show Labour’s shameful nuclear hypocrisy.

The US empire is hidden in plain sight.       The US Empire Can Exist Only In A Continuous State Of Mass Military Violence. 

Climate. Summer 2024 was world’s hottest on record.    African nations are losing up to 5% of their GDP per year with climate change, a new report says.      ‘Dangerously hot’ weather roasts US west as brutal summer continues.

Noel’s notes. Yah wouldn’t know it was happening – USA military might and toxic nuclear waste quietly infiltrating Australia? The Anglophone nations ganging up to dominate the rest of the world, mindlessly obeying the USA.

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    AUSTRALIA  Basing US Nuclear Subs at Stirling on Garden Island makes Western Australia a nuclear target, while risking “catastrophic conditions” in a N-Sub reactor accident.            Submission- G.H. Toll -re new agreement on  Naval Nuclear Propulsion- Australia should pursue an independent non aligned foreign policy.      The massive new projects propelling South Australia towards 100 per cent net renewables.         More Australian news headlines at https://antinuclear.net/2024/09/05/australian-nuclear-news-headlines-sept-5-9/

NUCLEAR ITEMS

September 10, 2024 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment