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The News That Matters about the Nuclear Industry Fukushima Chernobyl Mayak Three Mile Island Atomic Testing Radiation Isotope

This week’s countering the nuclear spin

Some bits of good news.  Solar Power’s Giants Are Providing More Energy Than Big Oil.     Clean-Energy Investment This Year To Be Twice That of Fossil Fuels, IEA Says.  A River’s Rights: Indigenous Kukama Women Lead the Way with Landmark Legal Victory.

TOP STORIES. Blinken made secret weapons promise to Israel – Netanyahu. The US, Russia, and Ukraine: 75 Years of Hate Propaganda. Nuclear-armed countries spent $2,898 per second last year on nuclear weapons. We’ve barely scratched the surface of how energy efficiency can help the energy transition.

Climate. Extreme heat and flash floods: Scientists warn of hazardous summer weather in Europe. Climate Emergency strikes Islam’s Holy Ritual, with nearly 600 dead of Heat stroke at 124.24° F. in Mecca. Saudi Arabia shuts pilgrims out of air-conditioned areas as more than 1,000 die in extreme heat.

Nuclear.  Overwhelmed with Australian stuff this week!

Noel’s notes. Nuclear culture wars – especially in Australia.      What a disaster, if the anti-war movement brings Donald Trump back to the White House!

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AUSTRALIA  Keep up to date at this site: 
Australia’s media quagmire on nuclear power. 
Lockheed Martin, Australian Government: joined at the hip. Australian Futures: 
Bringing AUKUS Out of Stealth Mode, and the true financial costs.

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NUCLEAR ISSUES

ECONOMICS.  Big Tech Wants Nuclear Power But
 Doesn’t See Role as Investor.      Australian Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s nuclear plan could cost as much as $600bn and supply just 3.7% of Australia’s energy by 2050, experts say. Nuclear power’s financial problems exposed in new report. Very late and over budget: Why newest large nuclear plant in US is likely to be the last. UK’s nuclear plant will cost nearly three times what was estimated.

ENERGY. Why we are heading for a globally connected electricity system based on renewable energy.EVENTS. Veterans for Peace Golden Rule Project 2024: the Pacific Northwest.ETHICS and RELIGION. Ten Holocaust survivors condemn Israel’s Gaza genocide.
HEALTH. Nuclear industry workers face significant, inevitable and unavoidable radiation health risks.LEGAL. Sellafield operators plead guilty to criminal charges over security breaches. Veterans for Peace Golden Rule Project 2024: the Pacific Northwest.MEDIA. Comments to The Times: Nuclear won’t fix our energy crisis

OPPOSITION to NUCLEAR .
 Kenya’s first nuclear plant: why plans face fierce opposition in country’s coastal paradise.

POLITICS.

POLITICS INTERNATIONAL and DIPLOMACY.Why ‘no’ to NATO? U.S. and China hold first informal nuclear talks in five years, France’s Orano loses operating licence at major uranium mine in Niger.SAFETY. ‘Lax’ nuclear security leaving UK at risk of cyber attacks from hostile nations.SECRETS and LIES. Leaked doc reveals Israeli military KNEW of Hamas plan to raid and take hostages 2 weeks before Oct 7, Israeli news reports.

SPACE. EXPLORATION, WEAPONS The United Nations Security Council takes up Space Security – it might have been best if it had not.

SPINBUSTER. Australia’s Nuclear debate is getting heated, but whose energy plan stacks up?WASTES. Specialised device tried to recover highly radioactive melted fuel at Fukushima plant.

TECHNOLOGY. Researchers have doubts, but Bill Gates is hyping his new liquid-sodium nuclear reactor.URANIUM.

 Iran’s Nuclear Point Man : We Won’t Bow to Pressure.  

WAR and CONFLICT. Can Israel defeat Hamas? Its own military doesn’t seem to think so, clashing with Netanyahu. Delusional Netanyahu joins delusional Zelensky in seeking total victory when none possible. Israeli ‘extremist’ tells Australian audience Gaza should have been reduced to ashes.

Ukraine, Continued Aid, and the Prevailing Logic of Slaughter.

What nuclear annihilation could look like.

WEAPONS and WEAPONS SALES.


June 25, 2024 Posted by | Christina's notes | , , , , | Leave a comment

TODAY What a disaster, if the anti-war movement brings Donald Trump back to the White House!

If there ever was a time for clear thinking, that time is now! There is a real danger that good , caring Americans might decide to vote for Donald Trump, because he promises to prevent World War 3.

Donald Trump is promising to bring peace to Ukraine. And he’s promising to stop the massive haemorrhaging of tax-payers’ money to Ukraine’s suicidal fight against Russia.

” Trump has repeatedly argued that US President Joe Biden’s policy of open-ended military support for Ukraine is leading the US toward a “third world war,” and has promised that he would end the conflict “in 24 hours” if he defeats Biden in this November’s presidential election“-https://www.sott.net/article/492394-No-more-endless-payments-to-Zelensky-Trump“

Sounds good, doesn’t it?

The only problem is – you can’t believe a word that Donald Trump says.

Yes, Trump accidentally tells the truth sometimes. He sure is right about the endless gravy train of money to the sainted Zelensky – and that it should be stopped.

But note –  “Trump did not lobby his Congressional allies to block the $61 billion aid package in April, and said at the time that he would support lending, rather than gifting, money to Zelensky in future.“

Donald Trump’s history of lies and deception would fill a book- and indeed, it has filled several – and documentaries, too.

And do you think for one moment, that the ruthless money machine of the big corporations that fund Trump, would let him stop the weapons buying, even if he wanted to?

No USA President can stop the funding of weapons for USA’s permanent overseas wars – because no man or woman can ever get into political office without the financial backing of big corporations – and there are none bigger than the weapons-makers

June 20, 2024 Posted by | Christina's notes | 1 Comment

This week: countering the nuclear spin, and more

Some bits of good news:  Humanity is making progress on reproductive rights.   Scotland’s rainforest revival got a boost.  Stork That Went Extinct in the UK 600 Years Ago is Spotted
 in the English Skies: ‘It was a great sign’.

TOP STORIES

From the archives. Nuclear power: molten salt reactors and sodium-cooled fast reactors make the radioactive waste problem WORSE

Climate. The ‘extraordinary’ record-breaking data that has climate experts baffled.

Noel’s notes. G7 – and the juggernaut to the destruction of Ukraine rolls on – to the delight of weapons companies. Atrocities upon atrocities – the Israelis have excelled themselves this time. UK and other mainstream media –oblivious of the suicidal danger of attacking Russia.

NUCLEAR ISSUES

ATROCITIES. Israel committed crime of ‘extermination’ in Gaza, says UN investigation.
GAZA HORROR: UN FINDS ISRAELI FORCES GUILTY OF SEXUAL ABUSE AND TORTURE.		ECONOMICS. Building Nuclear Power Is a Bridge Too Far for World’s Private Investors – ALSO AT https://nuclear-news.net/2024/06/06/1-b1-corporate-lobbying-heats-up-around-governments-nuclear-power-plans-despite-concerns-from-anti-nuclear-advocates/

EDUCATION. Nuclearisation of universities.
ENERGY. Nuclear power is ‘overblown’ as an energy source for data centers, power company CEO says.

Farmers who graze sheep under solar panels say it improves productivity. So why don’t we do it more? 		ENVIRONMENT. Radioactive Tritium from Monticello Reactor Leaked to the Mississippi River.
Oceans. French-Chinese power plant could put 200m UK fish at risk.
ETHICS and RELIGION. U.S. Jewish Army Intel Officer Quits over Gaza, Says “Impossible” Not to See Echoes of Holocaust.

Saving Gaza Is About More Than Saving Gaza. It’s Also About Saving Ourselves.		HEALTH. Radiation. LANL plans to release highly radioactive tritium to prevent explosions. Will it just release danger in the air?

Guam’s fight for radiation exposure compensation ‘far from over’.
HISTORY. USING UKRAINE SINCE 1948
INDIGENOUS. Chief Akagi requests public hearing to review any new governance arrangement for the Point Lepreau nuclear reactor on Peskotomuhkati homeland.

Tensions with First Nations threaten to delay nuclear waste facility– ALSO AT https://nuclear-news.net/2024/06/17/1-a-tensions-with-first-nations-threaten-to-delay-nuclear-waste-facility/
LEGAL. ‘Immense’ scale of Gaza killings amount to crime against humanity, UN inquiry says.

Judges Named for Assange Appeal.		MEDIA. The day the West defined ‘success’ as a massacre of 270 Palestinians.
OPPOSITION to NUCLEAR . MSP’s claim of support for nuclear power in Highlands challenged,
POLITICS.Thousands Protest Gaza Genocide in ‘Red Line’ White House Rally.

UK Labour and Conservatives commit to nuclear power in manifesto, Scottish Greens brand Labour’s commitment to nuclear weapons ‘obscene and immoral’. Keir Starmer’s policy on nuclear weapons. MP’s claim of support for nuclear power in Highlands challenged.

California legislators break with Gov. Newsom over loan to keep state’s last nuclear plant running.
Australia’s opposition leader Dutton’s nuclear plan wouldn’t even meet net zero by 2050 target, report finds.		POLITICS INTERNATIONAL and DIPLOMACY.Ukraine is a ‘gold mine’ – US senator. UN Security Council. Biden makes 10-year security pact with Zelensky that includes sending F-16s to Ukraine.

World leaders to gather in Swiss resort in attempt to forge Ukraine peace plan.

Adopts Gaza Ceasefire Resolution. Biden’s Saudi Arabia Deal.

The West has a 15-month opportunity for a new nuclear deal with Iran that precludes an Iranian Bomb.
Why bet on a loser? Australia’s dangerous gamble on the USA. 
PUBLIC OPINION. 94% of Americans want to end Ukraine war, but US rejects China peace deal, opposes talks with Russia.SAFETY. Alarm over 174 security breaches at Clyde nuclear bases.
SECRETS and LIES. Top civil servant joins EDF after running department that struck nuclear deal.

Ukrainian officials stole $490 million meant for military – MP.
Uncle Sam cool with arming, training Neo-Nazi Azov Brigade in Ukraine
SPACE. EXPLORATION, WEAPONS. Radiation could pose challenge to putting people on Mars.
SPACEX’S STARLINK MAY BE KEEPING THE OZONE FROM HEALING, RESEARCH FINDS.

Unveiling Cosmic Secrets: Black Budget Tech and UFOs with Aerospace Expert Michael Schratt – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOT0tPeQwzI		TECHNOLOGY. Nuclear Power Is Hard. Billionaire Bill Gates Wants to Make It Easier.
Great British Nuclear Small Reactors competition timeline delayed for General Election, amid doubts on their viability- ALSO AT https://nuclear-news.net/2024/06/14/2-b1-great-british-nuclear-small-reactors-competition-timeline-delayed-for-general-election-amid-doubts-on-their-viability/
URANIUM.  Proliferation warnings over enriched nuclear fuel for advanced reactors. Gates-backed nuclear plant breaks ground without guarantee it’ll have fuel.
From the Hiroshima bomb to Israel’s nuclear weapons, the path leads back to Congo’s uranium.		WASTES. Two small communities are competing to receive Canada’s inventory of nuclear waste: they can’t be sure what they’ll get

WAR and CONFLICT.

WEAPONS and WEAPONS SALES.
 Global spending on nuclear weapons up 13% in record rise. G7 Leaders Agree To Provide Ukraine With $50 Billion Using Frozen Russian Assets.
 A majority of Iranians now favor possessing nuclear weapons. Their leaders take note.

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

TODAY. G7 – and the juggernaut to the destruction of Ukraine rolls on – to the delight of weapons companies.

Cartoon from Sunday Telegraph

Well, well, ain’t it grand? The G7 will lend Ukraine $50 billion to help it buy weapons . Not that Ukraine will be expected to pay it back – it’s supposed to be repaid with profits earned from Russian assets in Europe. European companies want a share, especially European arms manufacturers. Some of the money will go to establishing weapons manufacture in Ukraine.

US President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a 10-year bilateral security agreement on 13 June aimed at strengthening Kyiv’s defence capabilities – a step towards “Ukraine’s eventual membership in the NATO alliance”

Is everyone swallowing this nonsense?

Putin is suggesting an immediate ceasefire, with Ukraine withdrawing its troops from the predominantly Russian-speaking four former oblasts of Ukraine that Russia currently occupies, and which Russia has integrated into the Russian Federation, and publicly abandons its quest to join NATO. Russia would retain Crimea. Numerous surveys have confirmed that the people of Crimea are content with their 2014 choice to join Russia. Ukraine, Russia, and the European powers previously agreed to a similar plan in 2014

Zelensky originally came to power on a campaign of peace, ensuring the autonomy of those four regions. His term of office has expired. He’s now operating on behalf of the USA, and running a regime that suppresses political parties, free speech and religious affiliation. It’s almost comical how Zelensky struts the world stage demanding more weapons, as Ukraine’s military suffers huge death toll, and draft-dodging abounds. Ukraine’s economy, agriculture, wrecked, – millions have emigrated, and many are hungry. And it’s becoming clear that Russia is winning.

The Peace Conference in Switzerland a farce – designed to bolster Zelensky as the great world “freedom leader?

The hypocrisy of the “Peace Conference” now going on in Switzerland – not attended by leaders of USA, China, Brazil. India – and of course, Russia not invited. The peace terms are limited to nuclear safety, food security (i.e. Ukraine’s ability to export its food by sea) and the return of Ukrainian children transferred to Russia. But Volodymr Zelensky insists on matters not included on the agenda – a complete Russian withdrawal to 1991 borders, payment of reparations, and punishment for what he says are Russian war crimes.

Not on Ukraine’s, NATO nations’, USA’s, radar is any question of considering Putin’s terms, or even talking to Putin.

It looks as if U.S. President Joe Biden is leading NATO by the nose, -with U.S weapons companies rejoicing, with the saintly Zelensky as glowing lead Field Marshal – pressing on to the complete destruction of Ukraine.

June 15, 2024 Posted by | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

TODAY. UK and other mainstream media -oblivious of the suicidal danger of attacking Russia

Once again, I am grateful to the extraordinary Dominic Cummings, for expressing this so eloquently:

“If you want to see the rot of the old system consider this.

A week ago (5/6/24), Putin called in the international media. He told them: NATO has given Ukraine long range missiles to strike deep in Russia, why don’t we have the right to give weapons to other regimes to do the same to NATO, we are considering such options…

And what media coverage do you see?

The old UK media almost entirely censored the event. Although widely discussed globally, it is a non-event in the UK. I’d bet >95% of MPs don’t know it happened.

Not only is our Idiocracy escalating a disastrous war they’ve blundered into they’re censoring statements from the world’s biggest nuclear power directly threatening us with reprisals for our actions, shoving celebrity gossip onto the BBC website rather than translating Putin’s words (then they claim ‘trust the BBC not disinformation’!). And funding Ukraine which is drone-striking Russian early-warning radars for nuclear weapons, of no relevance to the UKR war.

The gap between the self-perception of our elite media and the reality has not been starker since I started watching them.”

Strange – in 1963 U.S. President John F Kennedy gave a similar warning his American University speech:

“Above all, while defending our own vital interests, nuclear powers must avert those confrontations which bring an adversary to a choice of either a humiliating retreat or a nuclear war. To adopt that kind of course in the nuclear age would be evidence only of the bankruptcy of our policy–or of a collective death-wish for the world.”

June 13, 2024 Posted by | Christina's notes, media | Leave a comment

TODAY. Atrocities upon atrocities – the Israelis have excelled themselves this time.

Who has the words to describe this? To express this horror?

Some of the victims have:

“Before our eyes, we saw bodies being torn apart and scattered on the roads, and we saw soldiers hidden in civilian clothes and in people’s cars running and killing everyone they met on their way without distinguishing between a child, a woman, a young person, or an old person. We saw the bodies of our brothers cut up, without heads, lying on the ground,” Abu Laban told Mondoweiss.

“I tried to stand up, but I couldn’t. I was covered in blood. I looked at my leg and it was cut off. I looked at my best friend next to me, and I found him taking his last breath.” –   ”  I cannot sleep. I cannot forget anything I witnessed and saw. I cannot forget the people who were running in panic and fear, searching for their relatives and families amidst the destruction and dismembered bodies.” -Al-Hawar 

Do you think that I’m making this up – because I’m “anti-semitic”, because I “hate the Jews”?

I don’t hate the jews, but I hate what they are doing in Gaza – and I hate the way some other Jews are rejoicing in these atrocities. And I hate the way that some Gentiles are pretending that it’s all OK – because 80 years ago atrocities were done to Jews – so we can’t blame the poor things, really – can we?

Yes we can.

The International Criminal Court is investigating Israel’s alleged war crimes in Palestine.

Israel’s latest effort – the rescue of four hostages. This was planned well in advance, and was done in at 11 a.m. , as a complete surprise in a highly populated area. Israeli special forces had numerous men disguised as refugees, installed in the area. The attacking Israeli military wore civilian clothes, rode in Palestinian cars, and moved among the people in disguise. There were no warnings to evacuate, or orders from the army to move elsewhere, and people were surprised by the Israeli special forces and tanks. Helicopters, fighter planes, artillery, and tanks descended. Reconnaissance aircraft and foot solders then began committing massacres against the civilian population. 

As reported by Robin Anderson – “When Israel Burned Refugees Alive, Establishment Media Called It a ‘Tragic Accident’. Anderson details the verbal gymnastics used by the corporate media, to obscure the truth about what happened, in this atrocity, and others. Words like words like “genocide,” “massacre” and “starvation.” are not used. Journalists from respected media like NBC were embedded with Israeli forces. The dead are as much as possible described as Hamas, not as Palestinian civilians. For the New York Times, Time magazine, Forbes and the AP, mass killings are “a mistake” or a “tragic accident”. A death toll of 274, and injuries to 696 – are reported as “figures from Hamas” – with the inference that you can’t really rely on them.

Well – it’s not working this time. People have had a gutful of corporate media toeing the USA line, as it toes the Israeli line.

June 11, 2024 Posted by | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Countering the nuclear lobby’s spin – and more, this week

Some bits of good news – Incredible global progress on water, sanitation, and hygiene. The incredible comeback of Britain’s Barn Owls.

TOP STORIES The Military-Industrial Complex Is Killing Us All. 

The omnicidal and unnecessary Nuclear Triad. 

Energy buffs give small modular reactors a gigantic reality check. 

Stockpiling nuclear weapons? That will do nothing for national security, Keir Starmer.   

 Dismantling the atomic lie

From the archives. Jeremy Corbyn was smeared for rejecting the use of nuclear weapons – but he was right.

Climate. Global warming happening at fastest speed in history. Climate crisis made May heatwaves 1.5C hotter in India, study says.

Noel’s notes. Time to get real about anti-semitism – the renewed danger.  A voice of sanity in the UK– Jeremy Corbyn is back!     Turning Point: The Bomb and the Cold War -Episode 5 – War Games – and then Glasnost, a welcome thaw.

NUCLEAR ISSUES

ATROCITIES. Report: Vast Majority of Children Under 5 in Gaza Going Full Days Without Food.CIVIL LIBERTIES. Journalist, critic of U.S. Ukraine policy, pulled off plane, U.S. seizes his passport.CULTURE. How Nato seduced the European Left.    The anti-war movement has fallen for a progressive circus.
ECONOMICS. Should USS Investment Builder invest in nuclear power?EDUCATION. University of Ghent to cease all collaboration with Israeli institutions.EMPLOYMENT. Allegations managing director of Scotland nuclear complex was ‘shipped out‘ over long-running pay dispute.
ENERGY. The ugly truth behind ChatGPT: AI is guzzling resources at planet-eating rates.HEALTH. Radiation Exposure Compensation for impacted downwind communities is expiring Friday. Speaker Johnson, bring it to a vote.Samsung workers treated for exposure to radiation in South Korea
HISTORY. “In Ukraine, a war for memory.”.LEGAL. ‘We Want Peace’: Spain Applies to Join ICJ Genocide Case Against Israel.MEDIA. CNN’s Israel bias has been laid bare. But CNN is the norm, not the exception.
POLITICS Keir Starmer’s Trident triple lock: how Britain’s obsession with nuclear weapons has become part of election campaigns. Labour pledges to launch Great British Energy ‘within months’ of general election victory: it includes nuclear power. UK Labour talks up nuclear weapons to banish Corbyn’s shadow. UK’s nuclear deterrent key to Starmer’s plans to keep Britain safe.

Scots urged to vote in anti-nuclear MPs to ‘take target off our backs’ We should aim for nuclear disarmament – Plaid leader, UK.Corporate lobbying heats up around governments’ nuclear power plans despite concerns from anti-nuclear advocates….ALSO AT https://nuclear-news.net/2024/06/06/1-b1-corporate-lobbying-heats-up-around-governments-nuclear-power-plans-despite-concerns-from-anti-nuclear-advocates/.

42 House Democrats Help GOP Pass Bill Targeting ICC Officials Over Israel.

Dutch government is socialist when it comes to funding nuclear power.

AUSTRALIA. Opposition’s nuclear-energy policy would increase defence risk .Dutton to ditch Paris Agreement: analysis reveals nuclear impact on emissions.		POLITICS INTERNATIONAL and DIPLOMACY. Senior U.S. Diplomats, Journalists, Academics and Secretaries of Defense Say: the U.S. Provoked Russia in Ukraine. Peace talks without Russia ‘laughable’ – John Mearsheimer.Putin warns West over Ukraine armaments, nuclear arsenal in news conference.
UN offers nuclear inspection deal to Iran’s new leadership. Nuclear watchdog votes to censure Iran for non-cooperation with inspectors.
Why a substantive and verifiable no-first-use treaty for nuclear weapons is possible.
SAFETY. Restarting Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant ‘difficult to envisage’ during war, says IAEA chief.
SECRETS and LIES. President Biden’s subliminal D Day speech in France

TECHNOLOGY. U.S. Micro Nuclear Reactors happy to join with NATO military.

URANIUM. The weapons potential of high-assay low-enriched uranium.

WASTES.   No nuke waste down under: Nuclear Free Local Authorities spokesperson receives assurance MOD still committed to decommissioning British nuclear subs at home.
China urges long-term supervision over Japan’s radioactive water discharge.		WAR and CONFLICT. NATO   plans Europe-wide escalation of war against Russia. Russia doesn’t need nuclear weapons to succeed: Putin.
Ralph Nader -on Joe Biden: Pushing America Deeper into the Russian/Ukrainian War.
Guterres warns humanity on ‘knife’s edge’ as AI raises nuclear war threat.
Israel kills over 200 Palestinians to rescue 4 captives; U.S. allegedly involved in operation- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJnF2CLbibw

WEAPONS and WEAPONS SALES.

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

Turning Point: The Bomb and the Cold War -Episode 5 – War Games – and then Glasnost, a welcome thaw

Introduction. The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Russian forces have taken it over. Zelensky is quoted “Six Chernobyls – The biggest danger in Europe. ” Russia also taken over Chernobyl. Garret Graff comments – a warning that Russia could militarise these places., creating a “dirty bomb” (But no mention that fire from Ukrainian forces could do the same)

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In 1980. U.S. National Security Advisor Brzezinski was alerted that there were 2000 Soviet missiles headed to America. This turned out to be a false alarm – a computer error. USA could have launched a full-scale nuclear war. We have got close to nuclear catastrophe numerous times – we’ve been lucky.

In the 1980s, renewed fear of Russia, with Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. President Ronald Reagan built his campaign on harsh criticism of “detente” – the politics of fear of Russia. Nuclear arsenals were enormous, but no real communication between USA and Soviet leaders. Reagan pushed for more and greater nuclear weapons. Meanwhile The Soviets believed that the USA was plotting a nuclear first strike and world domination.

KGP conducted a new intelligence operation. USA deploys nuclear weapons to Germany. USSR has nuclear missiles near its Western border. (all this very well illustrated). 1983 a most dangerous period. Ronald Reagan gave his famous speech about “the evil empire”- the “struggle between right and wrong, and good and evil”. Then he announces The Strategic Defense Initiative aimed at rendering the Soviet missile force useless- to destroy nuclear missiles in flight. Edward Teller suggests space lasers on satellites. (again, very well visually displayed) – a plan that came to be known as “Star Wars”

Tensions along the Soviet coast -1in 1983, the Russian shooting down of a civilian aircraft that mistakenly flew over Soviet nuclear submarine base. Then in September, the crisis in which the Soviet Missile Defence Centre gets intelligence of an incoming attack of 5 nuclear missiles headed to Russia. The officer on duty – Stanislov Petrov felt it was wrong, refused to set off the nuclear retaliation – and it turned out to have been a computer error – there was no U.S. attack. Soviet and U.S nuclear weapons procedures were ramped up – U.S “War Games” exercises alerted the Soviets, their military very nervous.

The series attributed the highly-watched movie “The Day After” to alerting Ronald Reagan to the awful danger of nuclear war. The film producers avoided using this as propaganda. 1985, Mikhail Gorbachev took over as Soviet leader. Excellent coverage of the Gorbachev-Reagan talks.

1986 – the Chernobyl nuclear accident – good visuals – uncontrolled release of radiation – first picked up in Sweden – Soviet’s tradition reluctance to reveal the facts, but did announce them 2 weeks later. Children the most medically affected; Gorbachev saw the need to end the Russian secrecy on its nuclear industry, and increased his wish to reduce nuclear weapons. Glasnost – a move to make government more open and accountable – begun by Gorbachev – leading to the end of the Cold War

June 8, 2024 Posted by | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

TODAY. Time to get real about anti-semitism – the renewed danger

If there’s one group of people to weep for now – it’s the Palestinians, and their terrible sufferings at the hands of Israel.

Another group to weep for is the good, intelligent, Jews.

Who is a Jew, anyway? Judaism is a strong vibrant culture, which includes several strands of religious belief, and even secularism. It’s definitely not an ethnicicity – Jews being found all over the world in shapes and sizes and colours, and nationalities, and not having any distinctive gene.

There’s a strong strand of Jewish culture that is universalist and humanistic – we see its expression today in Jewish Voice for Peace. And these are the Jews to weep for, as they try to bring sanity and humanity into what is going on today.

And what about anti-semitism? What is anti-semitism, anyway? Well, really Semites are peoples of the Middle East, including Jews, Arabs and other historic groups.

But the term is used now to mean prejudice against Jews. And this has a very long history, culminating in the Nazi holocaust.

And now we come to Zionism – the belief Judaism is a nationality as well as a religion, and that Jews have the right to their own State in their ancestral homeland. And that’s Zionist-controlled Israel – and like those other theocracies – Iran and Saudi Arabia – it’s a religious and intolerant State.

What is less well known is that way back in 1933, and later – Zionists collaborated with the Nazis. Rather than defend against the oppressor, they co-operated with them, -(much of this is revealed in newly-released transcripts in the Israel State Archive)

The very real danger now, is that people worldwide are so fed up with the cruelty of Netanyahu’s barbaric regime, that they starting to blame the innocent Jews in their own neighbourhood.

It would seem that the Israeli government doesn’t care at all about this.

June 6, 2024 Posted by | Christina's notes, Israel | Leave a comment

TODAY. Nuclear weapons? I am so tired of the silly little boys inside the “important” men who risk all our lives.

I can’t see any difference. It’s all the same preoccupation – “Mine Is Bigger Than Yours”. We wouldn’t think of letting small boys with undeveloped frontal lobes take silly risks with our lives.

But, when those mentally and morally undeveloped brains are now inside important-looking big men in suits, it is not really apparent – how silly they actually are.

It is well and truly time to “take the toys from the boys”.

What prompted me today, was the proud claim from UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.

He claimed “his party has left behind Jeremy Corbyn’s opposition to the Trident nuclear weapons system. If elected, Sir Keir said he would increase defence spending and update the UK’s nuclear arsenal………….. and push for the UK to assume a “leading” role in Nato.”

So UK Labour has expelled that wimp previous Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn. I mean – Jeremy Corbyn-

supported the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons,
criticised Israel for its treatment of Palestinians,
was a strong advocate for environmentalism, 
campaigned for animal rights,   
campaigner against apartheid in South Africa………….

Obviously a sissy little wimp. With a properly developed frontal lobe

Obviously a sissy little wimp. With a properly developed frontal lobe

But wait a minute. If we can’t have the “weaker sex” really in charge of anything (they’re not to be trusted) – then maybe it’s time to give these wimpy-frontal-lobe men a go.

Before it’s too late.

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

This week’s counteracting the nuclear spin

Some bits of good news: European cities embrace nature-based solutions,  What went right this week: in the UK green energy records hit .    China’s Falling Emissions Signal Peak Carbon May Already Be Here –  Carbon Brief notes first decline since the end of the pandemic.- Renewables meet nearly all of nation’s additional power needs  

TOP STORIES. Small Modular Reactors: Still too expensive, too slow and too risky. US Endgame in Ukraine — War Without End, Amen.Biden Lets Ukraine Strike Russia With US Weapons While Ukraine Attacks Russian Nuclear Defenses.Presidents Who Gamble With Nuclear Armageddon.

Climate. Humanity’s survival is still within our grasp – just. But only if we take these radical steps. ‘Unliveable’: Delhi’s residents struggle to cope in record-breaking heat. Heatwaves increase risk of early births and poorer health in babies, study finds. “Truly the stuff of nightmares”: unprecedented low in Antarctic sea ice recorded.  

Noel’s notes.  “Don’t let the people see what is happening” – the forgotten lesson from the Vietnam war. Turning Point .The bomb and the cold war. Episode 4: The Wall – outlines the nuclear weapons race. Jobs jobs jobs in the nuclear industry – but is it true?        What is criminal in Ukraine, is God’s righteousness in Gaza

Nuclear.  The USA’s intrepid nuclear saleswoman, Jennifer Graholm, touts big nuclear reactors as a great success, speaking of the greatest U.S. financial nuclear boondoggle – the Vogtle nuclear reactors. Does anybody believe this?

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NUCLEAR ISSUES.

ATROCITIES. Gaza: After ICJ order to halt attacks on Rafah, Israel launches over 60 air raids on the city in 48 hours.,CULTURE. The US Empire Isn’t A Government That Runs Nonstop Wars, It’s A Nonstop War That Runs A Government.EDUCATION. Ukrainian Grad Students Complete Nuclear Internship Program in the United States.EMPLOYMENT. Dounreay nuclear site workers strike in pay dispute.

ENERGY. The (currently terrible) mood in renewables… is largely irrelevant.
‘Offshore wind farms could have averted Fukushima disaster’.
A global review of Battery Storage: the fastest growing clean energy technology today.		EVENTS.10 June WEBINAR: Using JFK’s wisdom to make peace today – with Jeffrey Sachs16 June .WEBINAR. Gaza and Ukraine to WWIII: The NATO Problem.
16 June – WEBINAR -“NATO IN THE ARCTIC”
LEGAL. To continue the Gaza genocide, Israel and the US must destroy the laws of war.
Tribunal judge accused of covering up complaints – about bullying at Sellafield nuclear plant and other sites.		MEDIA. SOS – An Antidote to Crackpot Neo-Nuclearism. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDF1bLN9K8c
Searchlight Journalist Receives 2024 MOLLY Award for Story on Trucheña Whose Plutonium Count Was New Mexico’s Highest.		PLUTONIUM.
Plutonium found in Indiana Street air filters near Rocky Flats; Boulder Commissioners reconsider trail project.
POLITICS. White House to support new nuclear power plants in the U.S. US Energy Secretary calls for more nuclear power while celebrating $35 billion Georgia reactors. Trump and Elon Musk discussing advisory role in next administration.

The UK Is Ramping Up Its Nuclear Energy Ambitions. Call for next UK government to make ‘big decisions’ on nuclear power projects
Summary of Australian federal and state/territory nuclear/uranium laws and prohibitions.		POLITICS INTERNATIONAL and DIPLOMACY. Rare spat shows China and North Korea still at odds on nuclear weapons.
China and Russia Issue Nuclear Warnings.
Russian think tank proposes ‘demonstrative’ nuclear blast to deter Western support for Ukraine.The ghost of Concorde stalks the Franco-British nuclear renaissance.
SAFETY. 2 aging central Japan nuclear reactors get 20-yr service extensions.
Drone sightings reported over British nuclear facilities.		SPACE. EXPLORATION, WEAPONS.US-NATO attack 3 Russian space early warning facilities.
Space junk is raining from the sky. Who’s responsible when it hits the Earth?.
Elon’s Gone to Mars-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xi0mVvE9nYQ
TECHNOLOGY. Small modular nuclear reactors get a reality check in new report.URANIUM. Iran’s Near Bomb-Grade Uranium Stock Grows Ahead of ElectionWASTES. Pledge sought that laid-up Rosyth subs won’t go to Australia.
A robot will soon try to remove melted nuclear fuel from destroyed Fukushima reactor. Fukushima nuclear debris removal to begin as early as August.
WAR and CONFLICT. US strike on Russian targets would be ‘start of world war’ – Medvedev. Putin warns West about consequences of long-range strikes on Russia. U.S. concerned about Ukraine strikes on Russian nuclear radar stations. Italy opposes Ukraine using long-range weapons to strike Russia.
Israel Continues Gaza Attacks Despite UN Court Order To ‘Immediately Halt’ Rafah Offensive. Operation al-Aqsa Flood’ Day 237: As Israel’s invasion of Rafah and northern Gaza continues, Smotrich calls for ‘war’ on West Bank		WEAPONS and WEAPONS SALES. CNN Analysis Reveals US-Made Munitions Used in Rafah Massacre.
Top Biden aides signal openness to letting Ukraine strike Russia with US weapons.
US doubtful it could help Korea on nuclear-powered subs.

June 4, 2024 Posted by | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

TODAY. “Don’t let the people see what is happening” – the forgotten lesson from the Vietnam war.

Dear oh dear!. The USA had learned this lesson – too much TV coverage of US troops suffering and dying, and worse, what was being done to the Vietnamese, with abuses like napalm and the My Lai massacre in 1968. The American public was shocked –  riots in cities and university campuses across the nation. What a mistake! – this coverage – regretfully, – the USA had to withdraw their troops in 1973, and lose this lovely war.

But the lesson was well learned. Next time – The Iraq war coverage was a marvel of distant fireworks exhibitions. Lovely coverage of pretty explosions across Iraq. Not a human casualty in sight.

The USA authorities were in control of the “home “media coverage in the Iraq war, and then the Afghanistan one. And indeed, now the Ukraine war is a model of “correct” coverage.

The USA is doing an effective job on Ukraine. In the Ukraine case, we are constantly reassured that of course Ukraine can beat Russia. There are TV visuals and radio podcasts constant reminders of brutality and atrocities by Russians, the brave sufferings of Ukrainians, and of their brave leader Zelensky, versus the tyrant Putin. And of course, lots of Russian soldiers are getting killed, which must be a good thing, mustn’t it?

All that is no doubt true. But we don’t see any atrocities by Ukrainians. We don’t see the sufferings of ethnic and Russian-language Ukrainians over the 10 years of struggle in the Donbass region. We don’t see any questioning of Zelensky’s wisdom in refusing to negotiate with Russia, any questioning of the massive slaughter of Ukrainian troops.

As is the tradition in wartime, in the Ukraine case, the Western media is very successfully brainwashing us . Any questioning of this narrative is immediately dismissed as “disinformation”. A good case in point is the Russian news outlet Rt.com. Yes. of course, much of Rt’s information is indeed propaganda. But some of it is indeed true – facts that are ignored or hidden by the Western media.

So – the Ukraine war drags on – and we all cheer for Zelensky.

The Gaza situation is something different.

It is a technology thing. In Vietnam, it was TV coverage. Even in Ukraine, there are carefully controlled images from Western journalists “embedded” in the Ukraine army. But now – there’s the mobile phone. And suddenly there is real life footage of the genocidal atrocity going on in Gaza.

It is laughable that emissaries like Antony Blinken can run around the world bleating about Israel’s “right to defend itself”, and Joe Biden can make pious statements about how Israel should behave nicely.

Sorry, warmongers, but people now see what Israel, backed by the USA, is doing to Palestinians – and for Gaza, people are not buying Western propaganda.

June 3, 2024 Posted by | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

TODAY. Jobs jobs jobs in the nuclear industry – but is it true?

Go to Google news for nuclear information, and you’ll be swamped with glowing stories from the World Nuclear Association, the IAEA, and the big corporate media outlets – all about the wonderful future for the nuclear industry- –

all those jobs! including in the lovely nuclear weapons industry.

Jobs in renewable energy. This year’s report finds that renewable energy employment worldwide has continued to expand – to an estimated 13.7 million direct and indirect jobs in 2022. We can expect the creation of many millions of additional jobs in the coming years and decades.  https://mc-cd8320d4-36a1-40ac-83cc-3389-cdn-endpoint.azureedge.net/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2023/Sep/IRENA_Renewable_energy_and_jobs_2023.pdf?rev=4f65518fb5f64c9fb78f6f60fe821bf2

Jobs in nuclear power. I have not been able to find any kind of authoritative report on global jobs in nuclear power. I did find one source (on Quora) stating that each nuclear reactor in construction provides 1400-1800 jobs, and in operation 400 -700 jobs. The nuclear industry claims many more, but for construction, we must remember – this is all in the rather distant future.

The figure below is a prediction from many years ago. If we are to believe the nuclear lobby, this prediction should change rapidly.

What we do know is that at present, renewable energy jobs are increasing exponentially, and nuclear power building is almost at a standstill.

The figure on the left is also from many years ago. But I doubt that much has changed.

Of course – this is all about the actual reactors. There are many jobs in uranium mining, milling, transport etc, and of course, in nuclear weapons-making

The quality of jobs.

In energy efficiency there are many interesting and clean jobs. Also, workers know that they are contributing to a healthier planet – something to be proud of.

In renewable energy the jobs are relatively clean and healthy, and there’s again, the knowledge of being in an alternative to the polluting industries – coal and nuclear.

In nuclear energy and nuclear fuel, the workers are involved in the risky area of ionising radiation. There’s a huge amount of documentation on this. It is NOT a healthy job, though I suppose that it’s better to be a highly paid nuclear executive or lobbyist, safe in a nice office.

I doubt that nuclear workers can get much satisfaction about “helping the planet”, as the “peaceful” nuclear industry is so dirty, dangerous, and intimately connected with nuclear weapons.

No doubt some nuclear workers get paid a lot more than renewable energy workers do. But, there’s real value in knowing that your contribution to society is a clean and positive one.

May 30, 2024 Posted by | Christina's notes, employment, renewable | Leave a comment

TODAY: What is criminal in Ukraine, is God’s righteousness in Gaza

RUSSIA. US President Joe Biden welcomed the International Criminal Court’s issuing of an arrest warrant against his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.

The ICC accused President Putin of committing war crimes in Ukraine – something President Biden said the Russian leader had “clearly” done…… President Biden said that … the issuing of the warrant “makes a very strong point”. The claims focus on the unlawful deportation of children from Ukraine to Russia since Moscow’s invasion in 2022.

“He’s clearly committed war crimes,” he told reporters.

His administration had earlier “formally determined” that Russia had committed war crimes during the conflict in Ukraine, with Vice-President Kamala Harris saying in February that those involved would “be held to account”.

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ISRAEL. President Joe Biden denounced the chief prosecutor of the world’s top war crimes court for seeking arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders.

“What’s happening in Gaza is not genocide. We reject that,” Mr Biden said at a Jewish American Heritage Month event at the White House.

He said American support for the safety and security of Israelis is “ironclad”.

 Biden administration presents its policies to overcome legal and political questions about its unconditional support for Israel, and continues to send weapons to Israel.

The US has vetoed three separate ceasefire draft resolutions at the United Nations Security Council and voted against two at the General Assembly.

Rights groups have documented numerous violations of international humanitarian law by the Israeli military, which extensively uses US weapons. Those reports include evidence of indiscriminate bombing, torture and targeting civilians.

May 29, 2024 Posted by | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Counteracting the spin: nuclear and associated news this week

Some bits of good news–  People power: seven grassroots conservationists who are ‘saving the world’       Air pollution is falling again in China.  Planting Trees and Equity in the Arizona Desert.

TOP STORIES The Slow-Motion Execution of Julian Assange Continues. Assange Wins Right to Appeal on 1st Amendment Issue.   Julian Assange’s five-year battle against extradition to the US continues as he WINS last-ditch legal battle to lodge appeal. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvwHt70oJJ4

38 Years After Chernobyl Disaster, 12% of Belarus’s Territory Is Still Contaminated

From the archives. The longer-term consequences of a nuclear war.

Climate. Isle of Wight-size iceberg breaks from Antarctica. We’ve underestimated the ‘Doomsday’ glacier – and the consequences could be devastating. 2024 looks like producing a sizzling summer in the North of this planet.:  

It’s so hot in Mexico that monkeys are dropping dead from trees.

Noel’s notes.  UK’s political omnishambles – a damper on the nuclear lobby.         Turning Point, The Cold War and the Bomb. Episode 3- Institutional Insanity.    The insanity of DEFENSE: with climate change, Defense becomes our real enemy.

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NUCLEAR ISSUES

CLIMATE. Sites with radioactive material more vulnerable as climate change increases wildfire, flood risks. Nuclear sites, including Hanford, feeling the heat as climate change stokes wildfires drought.

Wildfire closes 20+ miles of highway across Hanford nuclear site Saturday night.

ECONOMICS. Militarism will inevitably lead America to bankruptcy ALSO AT https://nuclear-news.net/2024/05/21/3b1-militarism-will-inevitably-lead-america-to-bankruptcy/

European Investment Bank’s (EIB) financing for nuclear reactor construction remains off the agenda.

UK Nuclear Plant Sizewell Continues Fundraising Before Election. Soaring costs are likely for planned Wylfa nuclear station, but EDF, Westinghouse, Kepco clamour to build it. ALSO AT https://nuclear-news.net/2024/05/23/2-b1-soaring-costs-are-likely-for-planned-wylfa-nuclear-station-but-edf-westinghouse-kepco-clamour-to-build-it/ Wylfa nuclear power plan- a financial basket case- and no developer will take on the risks. Hinkley C – don’t say I didn’t warn you

EDUCATION. University of Sheffield gets into the nuclear debt web, partnering with Rolls Royce to make “small” nuclear reactors.

Yet another university co-opted by the nuclear industry.

Follow the Money: How Israel-Linked Billionaires Silenced US Campus Protests.

ENERGY. Solar and wind generation will soon pass nuclear, hydro.Electricity grids creak as AI demands soar.Huge nuclear ship spotted docked off Welsh coast. Q&A – Germany’s nuclear exit: One year after.HEALTH. Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) set to expire soon, while many nuclear test victims await justice .HISTORY. In 1939 the Soviet Union ‘planned to send a million troops to stop Hitler if Britain and France agreed pact’.
MEDIA.Antony Blinken orders crack down on Gaza-related nuclear leaks – Politico.Endless Trump reporting in USA media, but very little reporting of genocide in Gaza.Israel blocks Associated Press from livestreaming of Gaza under new censorship law, US urges it to reverse decision. Israel says it will return video equipment seized from AP.“Nuclear War: A Scenario”: An Absolute Must-Read. ALSO AT https://wordpress.com/post/nuclear-news.net/273842OPPOSITION to NUCLEAR . Nuclear-free councils hit out at ‘mad delusion’ of new reactor. Nuclear Free Local Authorities (NFLAs) join Stop Sizewell in urging 120 local authorities not to back Sizewell C.
Protest continues against Japan’s further discharge of nuke-contaminated water.
POLITICS. Uncertainty in UK: Will a Labour government really tread that troubled nuclear power path? UK Election! And no Final Investment Decision project. Sizewell C nuclear: Uncertainty surrounds final investment decision as parliamentary session shortened. SNPs Stephen Flynn claims Labour ‘will divert £20bn of Scotland’s oil cash’ to build nuclear power plants in England.
Joe Biden’s Deceptive Declarations on Gaza are contradicted by his actions.
Crisis of radioactive waste mismanagement in the Ottawa River watershed”
 Renewables and storage still cheapest option, nuclear too slow and costly in Australia – CSIRO.    Opposition Coalition’s brave nuke world a much harder sell after new CSIRO report.  Lidia Thorpe warns new laws will turn Australia into “the world’s nuclear waste dump“.		POLITICS INTERNATIONAL and DIPLOMACY.Iran’s new leaders stand at a nuclear precipice. Iran appoints nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri as interim foreign minister.Moscow to ‘mirror’ West, NATO approaches, including nuclear weapons: Russia.US-Saudi officials meet for security and nuclear deal.North Korea vows to boost nuclear posture after US subcritical nuke test.In Nuclear Crosshairs, Guam Still Doesn’t Control Its Own Affairs.Asian neighbors wary of China’s plans to deploy floating nuclear plants.Who was to blame for the failure to properly survey the geology at Hinkley?
SAFETY. UN watchdog warns on nuclear trafficking.
Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant’s main power line down for hours, no safety threat.
Officials set up road closures around Sunnyside Community Hospital for radiation concerns.		SPACE. EXPLORATION, WEAPONS. Why US Opposes Efforts to Keep Space Weapons-Free.TECHNOLOGY. Altman-Backed Oklo Sees Data Centers Boosting Nuclear Demand, (though OKLO SMR design not yet approved)
URANIUM. Russian uranium ban reopens threat of uranium mining escalation in US.WASTES. No nuke waste down under: NFLAs spokesperson seeks reassurance British nuclear subs will still be decommissioned at Rosyth.WAR and CONFLICT. Ukrainian missiles hit Crimea as Russia launches nuclear drills in area.
Ukraine war briefing: France flies nuclear-capable missile as Russia holds drills.

WEAPONS and WEAPONS SALES.

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

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