This week’s nuclear news

TOP STORIES. 

Israel Is Terrified the World Court Will Decide It’s Committing Genocide.  

The ‘Ghost Budget’: How America Pays for Endless War.  US prepares for nuclear war at foreign bases – with “Steadfast Noon”.  

 ‘PR Fairy Dust’ Has Canada Tripling Nuclear Capacity by 2050. Cancelled 

NuScale contract weighs heavy on new nuclear.   

Nuclear Continues To Lag Far Behind Renewables In China Deployments.

****************************Covid. Yes, it’s still there – it’s NOT over yet.

Climate.  Analysis: Record opposition to climate action by UK’s right-leaning newspapers in 2023.  2023 confirmed as world’s hottest year on record. Human ‘behavioural crisis’ at root of climate breakdown, say scientists.

Nuclear. It’s all over the UK media  – enthusiasm for Civil Nuclear Roadmap  – methinks the ladies and gentlemen do protest too much.   Meanwhile – back at the Israel-Palestine-Lebanon-USA-Iran ranch – it’s all getting perilous –   while I try to keep that stuff out of this newsletter

Noel’s notes. Aw gee! Did ya know that Australia is partnering USA in making multiple strikes on Yemen?. Who can be believed?       New heights of folly as UK government releases its Civil Nuclear Roadmap.

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AUSTRALIA. 

• ‘Do or die’: MPs launch urgent bid to spare Assange from US extradition.   
• Defence Minister Marles announces Australia has joined in U.S. attacks on Yemen.
• The Coalition is hoodwinking Australia about nuclear energy. Coalition, pro-nuclear lobbyists, argue Australia needs nuclear energy; oppose renewables. 
• Peace Pod: an aural adventure in anti-militarist activism. With teacher resources.

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CLIMATE. “The defense of nuclear power as a low-carbon energy weakens the European Union’s action against climate change”.

ECONOMICS. Nuclear power and net zero: Too little, too late, too expensive.       Sizewell C: UK and France-owned EDF look to raise £20bn for Suffolk nuclear site.     Housing unaffordability – implications for Somerset with huge increase in nuclear workers for Hinkley Point C.

EMPLOYMENT. Nuclear defence workers to strike over pay.  Hotel near Bridgwater could be repurposed to house Hinkley Point C workers.

ENERGY. Reducing energy demand- technologies are available, scalable and affordable today.   ’The potential is extraordinary’: Business action on energy efficiency could save $2tr a year, new research claims.       Unplanned nuclear power outages are reducing UK’s electricity output.

ENVIRONMENT.

•  Coldwater Creek to finally have warning signs after decades of nuclear contamination.
• Ayrshire radiation highlighted as Labour’s nuclear support attacked. 
• Nuclear Power: The Thousand Year-Plus Albatross Around Humanity’s Neck. 
• Nuclear: Plan to relax UK planning rules for small reactors draws mixed response. Inside Bradwell’s Dark Secrets.  
•   Utility scale solar farms contribute to bird diversity.

ETHICS and RELIGION.  ‘The Evidence of Genocide Is Not Only Chilling, It Is Also Overwhelming and Incontrovertible’: Quotes from International Court of Justice.

HEALTH. The mystery of a Truchas woman who died with extraordinary amounts of plutonium in her body.

HISTORY. The Spectacular Failure of the Zionist Project

INDIGENOUS ISSUES.  Commission decision a ‘gut-punch’, so years-long battle over radioactive waste mound will continue.

LEGAL. An international law expert explains why South Africa’s case at the ICJ is so important. Craig Murray: Observations on Israel’s defense in the International Court of Justice.

MEDIA. Nuclear technology: the shady beginnings and the uncertain future. Book (fiction): The Secret of the Three Bullets- How New Nuclear Weapons Are Back on Battlefields

OPPOSITION to NUCLEAR . No to nuclear power: stop the expansion. Will Sizewell nuclear project go ahead? Campaigners question the timetable and the funding.

POLITICS. Energy Transition Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher enthuses over “the rebirth of France’s nuclear industry”. Mr President, saying that nuclear power will save the climate is a lie. France Moves Away from Renewable Targets in Favor of Nuclear Power. 

UK Government unveils biggest nuclear expansion in 70 years. Mini nuclear plants to be built almost anywhere in UK.  On the road to nowhere… UK Ministers launch nuclear ‘Roadmap’ in election year. UK’s Nuclear Roadmap is Pure Fantasy.  UK Government’s nuclear power expansion plans branded hot air.   Bradwell Nuclear – Falling Off the (Road)Map. Allan Dorans: Scottish Labour’s support for nuclear fuel poses a risk.  Government remains committed to Sizewell C timetable before a general election. Ministers told to say how Sizewell C will be funded as new nuclear plan launched. 

 Setback for Japan’s Nuclear Revival as Reactor Restart Delayed. NZ’s anti-nuclear stance is at risk of compromise but must be upheld.

POLITICS INTERNATIONAL and DIPLOMACY.   What Does ‘Rules-Based International Order’ Mean When US Can Bomb Yemen at Will?      Peace from River to Sea.– (pages 21-25).  Net-Zero and Nonproliferation: Assessing Nuclear Power and Its Alternatives.

SAFETY. UK’s dwindling nuclear fleet – four ageing reactors to be kept going beyond their planned closure date. Sellafield nuclear safety and security director to leave. Nuclear convoys: Blacked-out lorries carry ‘deadly cargo’ through the village.  Fresh Trident safety fears as submarines’ ‘life expectancy’ extended repeatedly.  

Japan’s Hokuriku Elec reports second oil leak from Shika nuclear plant. Japan’s NRA orders probe on quake damage at Shika nuclear power plant. Japan quake stressed nuclear plant beyond design limit: panel. Japanese nuclear plant admits 20,000 litres of oil leaked when it was hit by 10ft tsunami sparked by New Year’s Day earthquake – as officials call for drones to monitor radiation levels.

SECRETS and LIES. Dutch engineer spread Stuxnet in Iran nuclear plant in 2008: report. New Revelations Shed More Light On Sabotage Of Iran Nuclear Program.   

Outrage as Government admits it kept medical results on nuke test veterans a ‘state secret’ in a move Tory grandee Sir John Hayes said ‘beggars belief’. Nuclear Free Local Authorities question the Chief Constable on alleged misconduct among Civil Nuclear Constabulary. 

SPINBUSTER. In the name of ‘fake news,’ NewsGuard extorts sites to follow the government narrative.

TECHNOLOGY. Killer Robots: UN Vote Should Spur Action on Treaty.  Dissension in the nuclear lobby – it had to happen – Small Nuclear versus Big Nuclear.  Touting a ‘new age of nuclear fusion‘. Nuclear, CCS & LNG Are Distractions As Shipping Goes Low Carbon.

WASTES. Carlsbad depositary- 79% of waste came from nuclear wastes from Idaho National Laboratory.  Kebaowek First Nation strongly opposes nuclear waste storage facility in Chalk River.  Behind the (somewhat dirty) scenes of nuclear waste processing.

WAR and CONFLICT. Could Israel’s War in Gaza Spiral Into a Regional War?

WEAPONS and WEAPONS SALES. Israel’s nuclear arsenal: what we know. Nuclear Arms Buildup Isn’t Just about War. It Also Harms People and Communities.  IG report finds Pentagon failed to account for more than $1B in weapons sent to Ukraine. Biden’s $582 Million Arms Sale to Saudi Arabia. Can It Be Blocked?.

 

January 15, 2024 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina reviews | energy, news, nuclear, nuclear-energy, nuclear-power