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North Korea’s nuclear fusion not likely to be for real

North Korea nuclear claim met with skepticism, THIS JUST IN, May 12th, 2010 North Korea announced Wednesday that its scientists had created a nuclear fusion reaction – a claim nuclear experts quickly cast doubt on. “Nobody in the world has been able to sustain a controlled nuclear fusion reaction, the ultimate goal of nuclear technology,” said Dan Pinkston, head of the Seoul office of the International Crisis Group. “I don’t think the North Koreans are going to start … putting nuclear power vendors around the world out of business any time soon.”
Nuclear fusion is the same process that fuels stars, but has never been sustained in the laboratory by any nation, much less one of the poorest nations on earth.
North Korea nuclear claim met with skepticism

May 13, 2010 Posted by | North Korea, technology | , , , , | Leave a comment

New British government likely to promote renewable energy

any attempts by Conservatives to prevent certain [renewable] technologies from being built via changes to the planning system or fiscal measures are likely to be picked up and prevented by the Lib Dems.

What Could the UK Election Results Mean for future Energy Policy? , The Energy Collective, by Vicky Portwain on 05/11/2010“……..if the Conservatives and the Lib Dems do manage somehow to overcome their differences – what would be the outcome for UK energy policy? Continue reading

May 12, 2010 Posted by | politics, UK | , , , , , | Leave a comment

Russia not transparent on its nuclear weapons

Russian Nuclear Weapons Account Falls Short » FAS Strategic Security Blog, By Hans M. Kristensen, 11 May 2010, A brochure handed out by the Russian government at the ongoing nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference in New York appears to misrepresent the size of the Russian nuclear arsenal. Continue reading

May 12, 2010 Posted by | Russia, secrets,lies and civil liberties | , , , , | Leave a comment

USA’s “blind eye” to weapons grade uranium for Israel’s nukes

UN member countries have long suspected that the United States either turns a blind eye or actively supports the transfer of know-how, weapons-grade uranium, and dual-use technology to Israel.

Declassified GAO Report Exposes Fatally Flawed Israel Investigations | The Seminal, 11 May 2010, “…….On May 6, 2010, the Government Accountability Office (formerly known as the General Accounting Office) released the previously secret 1978 report “Nuclear Diversion in the U.S.? 13 Years of Contradiction and Confusion” [.pdf]. It fills in important historic gaps about weapons-grade uranium diversions from the U.S. to Israel. Continue reading

May 11, 2010 Posted by | secrets,lies and civil liberties, USA | , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Finland’s 100,000-Year Plan to Banish Its Nuclear Waste

There are somewhere between 250,000 and 300,000 tons of high-level radioactive waste already in the world, much of it in pools on the sites of nuclear power plants where the rods have to cool for years before they can be put into containers.

Films on ScienceFinland’s 100,000-Year Plan to Banish Its Nuclear Waste  –  NYTimes.com, 11  May 2010, Continue reading

May 11, 2010 Posted by | Finland, wastes | , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

General Atomics might not be able to restart uranium mill

“Since General Atomics acquired the Cotter Corporation in 2000, the company has had over a hundred violations of federal and state environmental laws,” Jantz told The Independent. “This demonstrates a pattern of willful disregard for environmental law, which is a real concern for the community.”

Proposed Mt. Taylor uranium mine faces new obstacle « New Mexico Independent, By Marjorie Childress 10 May 2010, A controversial plan to open an old uranium mine on Mt. Taylor, near Grants, New Mexico, is now facing a new obstacle. The Colorado legislature just passed a law forbidding an expansion or increase in operations at uranium mills until they clean up existing sites their operations have contaminated in the past. Continue reading

May 11, 2010 Posted by | Legal, USA | , , , | Leave a comment

CT scans as a cause of cancer

Avoiding cancer, The Star, By Dr ALBERT LIM KOK HOOI, 9 May 2010, “..Radiation doses from common CT procedures are higher and more variable than previously thought…….In the first article, researchers found out that radiation doses from common CT procedures are higher (about 66%) and more variable than previously thought. Radiation is a known cause of cancer. In the second study, researchers estimated future cancer risk from current CT use in the United States and projected that 29,000 future cancers will be directly attributable to CT scans that were performed in 2007 alone. It is expected that the majority of these projected cancers will be caused by scans of the abdomen and pelvis (n = 14,000), chest (n = 4,100) and head (n = 4,000) and by CT angiography (n = 2,700)…….
The irony of it all is that 80% of our population are having their cancer diagnosed late and inadequately treated. The other 20% are overserviced whether by overtreatment or unnecessary CT scans. Avoiding cancer

May 10, 2010 Posted by | 2 WORLD, health | , , , , , | Leave a comment

Women at the forefront of the Anti-Nuclear Movement

Women and Nuclear Power, Nuclear Weapons – our theme for May 2010

When it  comes to opposing nuclear power, the toughest and most active and conspicuous resistance has been among women.

If women had been asked if nuclear power should be used for energy production or if nuclear weapons should be produced there would hardly be any nuclear power stations in the world and no nuclear weapons. Women represent half of humanity. Our voice must be heard! – Ulla Klötzer, WISE – Nuclear issues information service

May 8, 2010 Posted by | Christina's notes | , , , | 2 Comments

UK govt tries to stall atomic compensation case as veterans aging and dying

Many are terminally ill and seven – including five of the test case claimants – have died since the litigation began.

MoD appeals against atomic test veteran claims ruling, – Telegraph UK , The Ministry of Defence has launched an appeal against a court ruling which allowed Britain’s atomic test veterans to claim damages. 7 May 2010 Last June, High Court judge Mr Justice Foskett ruled that 10 test cases out of 1,011 claims could proceed to full trial. Continue reading

May 8, 2010 Posted by | Legal, UK | , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Obama to visit Australia: gets nuclear agreement first

Australian-U.S. Nuclear Trade Deal Sent to Congress, NTI: Global Security Newswire May 6, 2010

U.S. President Barack Obama yesterday submitted for congressional approval a deal that would permit Australia and the United States to trade in nonmilitary nuclear materials and technology (see GSN, March 19)………….the deal would enable “the transfer of information, material, equipment (including reactors), and components for nuclear research and nuclear power production………..The pending “123” agreement could only be canceled after it has been in force for 30 years, he said. The deal would take effect following 90 days of “continuous session” of Congress unless lawmakers move to block it within that period…………The United States is also moving ahead with a similar deal with Russia and is finalizing terms of its nuclear trade pact with India (see GSN, May 5; White House release, May 5).

NTI: Global Security Newswire – Australian-U.S. Nuclear Trade Deal Sent to Congress

May 7, 2010 Posted by | politics international, USA | , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

U.S. Energy Secretary wants to add another $13 billion to the $54 billion nuclear loans!

Steve Chu Looks For $13 Billion For Nuclear Plant Loan Program Energy Secretary Steven Chu Seeks $13 Billion For Nuclear-Plant Loan Program Nuclear Power Industry News – Edited by Mark McFadden 7 May, 2010According to a Dow Jones report, an additional $13 billion in loan-guarantee authority is needed if the U.S. Department of Energy is to award three more nuclear-power projects, Energy Secretary Steven Chu said Speaking before a Senate appropriations subcommittee. Typically, about $100 million in government money can leverage around $1 billion in loan guarantees……. In the White House’s 2011 budget, the DOE asked for a total of $54 billion in loan-guarantee authority to move ahead several other nuclear-power projects.

Steve Chu Looks For $13 Billion For Nuclear Plant Loan Program – Nuclear Power Industry News

May 7, 2010 Posted by | politics, USA | , , , | Leave a comment

Nuclear power a financially risky option for developing countries

Nuclear power in developing countries: radioactive waste, proliferation and debt « Charles Santiago 6 May 2010, For developing countries, nuclear power is a high cost option -environmentally, socially and economically…….
A history of failure in developing countries Continue reading

May 7, 2010 Posted by | ASIA, business and costs | , , , , , , | Leave a comment

China’s nuclear industry strategy – join with wind energy

China Guangdong Nuclear to build 1.25GW offshore wind farm Industrial Fuels and Power News May 6th, 2010 by IFandP Newsroom China Guangdong Nuclear Group is to build the country’s largest offshore wind farm near Lufen, in Guangdong province, according to China News Service. The facility is expected to be built at a cost of CNY20bn (US$2.93bn) and have an installed capacity of 1.25GW, covering an area of 240km2.The group has also announced it has signed an agreement to install 800MW of wind turbines in Yuxi City, in the southwestern province of Yunnan, at a cost of CNY8bn (US$1.2bn).

China Guangdong Nuclear to build 1.25GW offshore wind farm | Industrial Fuels and Power

May 7, 2010 Posted by | China, spinbuster | , , , , | Leave a comment

Is the West ready to talk peace with North Korea?

Pyongyang has said that it is ready to talk peace. Now the question is: Are we?

North Korea’s Bomb and the Road to Peace, THE HUFFINGTON POST, Andy Marra,  May 4, 2010 I was born in Seoul. … I am left feeling more concerned about potential United States military actions against North Korea instead of North Korea attacking us. This past January, the world witnessed an unprecedented gesture by Pyongyang stating they will permanently dismantle its nuclear program in exchange for a formal treaty with the U.S. to finally end the Korean War. Washington, however, dismissed this historic offer and refused to engage in any meaningful dialogue. Continue reading

May 6, 2010 Posted by | North Korea, weapons and war | , , , , | Leave a comment

Nuclear industry resuscitation stalled again in USA

Proposed New Vogtle Reactors Hit Roadblock, May 5th, 2010 › Clean Energy › Sara BarczakOnce again, the “Nuclear Relapse” hits home. Do these recent headlines inspire confidence in the nuclear industry’s much-hyped “comeback? Continue reading

May 6, 2010 Posted by | general | , , | Leave a comment