This week, nuclear news and more

Some bits of good news – Removal of over 200 dams in Europe has restored free flowing streams and migratory fish. Norway turns its back on gas and oil to become a renewable superpower.

Curiouser and curiouser. In Australia, and presumably in other ”developed” countries, the focus on squabbling political personalities, and on sporting celebrities, pretty much dominates the news, except for the continued coverage of Ukraine, seen through an American filter. Meanwhile, strangely lost in the background is the pandemic story, with new case numbers rocketing world-wide. Then there’s global heating – noted effects in California and Northern Australia – but what about India, Pakistan, Kenya, Bangladesh?

It is strange, and worrying, that the pandemic, climate change, and the heightened nuclear dangers have somehow slipped below the radar of public consciousness – but those threats are still there, even if it’s not nice to talk about them.

AUSTRALIA

Radioactive: Inside the top-secret AUKUS nuclear submarines deal. AUKUS nuclear submarine fallout: double-dealing and deception came at a diplomatic cost.

Australian readers condemn the Morrison government’s AUKUS deal Biden demanded bipartisan support before signing AUKUS. Labor was not told for months. Extraordinary’: Albanese slams Morrison for not briefing him on subs deal,

Remote NT community not told about $5m contract to fix uranium in water supply

Young voters will inherit a hotter, more dangerous world – but their climate interests are being ignored this election. Political leaders ignoring the biggest threat to our national security

No, Mr Morrison. Minority government need not create ‘chaos’ – it might finally drag Australia to a responsible climate policyMeet Zoe Daniel: Journalist turned independent fighting for climate, integrity and gender equality. Greens voter exhausted from constantly being right – satire The Shovel

Democracy in danger –State capture’ by private interests

The end of Adani? Investment giant says coal miner has revealed Carmichael closure plan.

The day one person was left to monitor nine river systems as floods swept the state

INTERNATIONAL.

The Danger of Ignoring Julian Assange https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6bVl47kdNk

Ending the War of Attrition in Ukraine. Forgetting the apocalypse: why our nuclear fears faded – and why that’s dangerous.

Strategic partnership: U.S. pushes ASEAN to join crusade against Russia, China, Myanmar.

The Insanity Of Expanding Nuclear Energy. Poisoned legacy: why the future of power can’t be nuclear.