Fury as Japan plans to dump a million tonnes of contaminated water in the Pacific
Japan has a serious problem it can no longer control – and the “solution” has horrified our nearest neighbours, who say a catastrophe is coming.
Alexis Carey@carey_alexis, news.com.au February 23, 2023
Outrage is growing over an “unjust” plan to dump more than a million tonnes of contaminated wastewater on Australia’s doorstep – within months.
In 2011, Japan was rocked by the Fukushima nuclear disaster – the worst of its kind since Chernobyl in 1986.
Responders scrambled to stop damaged reactors at Fukushima’s Daiichi nuclear plant from overheating by pumping massive amounts of water through them, with the contaminated water then being stored in massive tanks at the site.
But now, Japan has run out of space, and in 2021, announced plans to dump 1.3 million tonnes of the contaminated wastewater into the Pacific Ocean.
The water would be treated before being released over a period of several decades, with Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga saying at the time it was “a realistic solution”.
“We will do our utmost to keep the water far above safety standards,” he vowed.
In the almost two years since, Japan has been working out the finer details of the release, which is now due to begin as soon as the northern hemisphere’s spring or summer – Australia’s autumn or winter.
And countries across the Pacific are furious.
Kenichi Takahara, risk communicator of the Fukushima Daiichi decontamination and decommissioning engineering company, visits the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Picture: Philip Fong/AFP
‘Catastrophic harm’
Writing for The Guardian soon after the plan was first announced, youth advocates from the region Joey Tau and Talei Luscia Mangioni described it as an “unjust act”.
“To Pacific peoples, who have carried the disproportionate human cost of nuclearism in our region, this is yet another act of catastrophic and irreversible trans-boundary harm that our region has not consented to,” they wrote.
They were referring to the long history of the Pacific being used as the world’s nuclear waste dumping ground, with hundreds of nuclear tests being carried out across the region in the decades since the Second World War.
High-profile individuals and groups from across the Pacific – including from Vanuatu, Fiji, the Marshall Islands and French Polynesia – have also spoken out against Japan’s plan for months on end.
“If it is safe, dump it in Tokyo, test it in Paris, and store it in Washington, but keep our Pacific nuclear-free,” Vanuatu stateswoman and veteran activist of the Nuclear Free and Independent Pacific (NFIP) movement Motarilavoa Hilda Lini said soon after Japan’s plan was unveiled.
“We are people of the ocean, we must stand up and protect it.”
In another moving statement released last year, environmental advocacy group Youngsolwara Pacific likened the release to “nuclear war”.
“How can the Japanese government, who has experienced the same brutal experiences of nuclear weapons in both Hiroshima and Nagasaki, wish to further pollute our Pacific with nuclear waste? To us, this irresponsible act of trans-boundary harm is just the same as waging nuclear war on us as Pacific peoples and our islands.”
But their pleas have fallen on deaf ears – and a string of experts have even voiced support for Japan’s controversial move.
………………………………….But for many critics of the plan, plenty of concerns remain.
“We must prevent actions that will lead or mislead us towards another major nuclear contamination disaster at the hands of others,” the former prime minister of the Cook Islands Henry Puna said just last month, as the deadline for the release looms. https://www.news.com.au/technology/environment/fury-as-japan-plans-to-dump-a-million-tonnes-of-contaminated-water-in-the-pacific/news-story/fbf0c9c3ab7a4414c7e41713a4b0c628
Solar exports and siestas: The energy future where consumers have the power, and can share it too — RenewEconomy
Landmark study looks into Australia’s energy future to see how consumers will use electricity, how they won’t, and how to avoid a potentially bumpy transition. The post Solar exports and siestas: The energy future where consumers have the power, and can share it too appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Solar exports and siestas: The energy future where consumers have the power, and can share it too — RenewEconomy
Korean giant backs plans for Australia’s first commercial solar hydrogen project — RenewEconomy
South Korean industrial giant throws its weight behind Infinite Green Energy plans to develop and build Australia’s first commercial-scale green hydrogen project. The post Korean giant backs plans for Australia’s first commercial solar hydrogen project appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Korean giant backs plans for Australia’s first commercial solar hydrogen project — RenewEconomy
South Australia: Grid with the most wind and solar has the smallest reliability gap
South Australia is leading Australia – and the world – with the amount of
wind and solar within its state grid. And not only is it defying the
skeptics that insisted wind and solar can’t power a modern economy, it’s
also the grid facing the smallest reliability gaps over the coming decade.
South Australia sourced 70 per cent of its local demand from variable
renewables in 2022 – nearly twice the percentage of the second best state
grid (Victoria, with 38 per cent), and more than any other gigawatt scale
grid in the world.
In the December quarter, that average lifted to 80 per
cent wind and solar – and it’s doing this at the end of a long “skinny
grid” that is connected to only one other state – and breaking the
stranglehold that gas generators have over wholesale electricity prices in
Australia and around the world.
Renew Economy 21st Feb 2023
Temperature rise can be stopped. It is a dangerous myth to say that it’s too late to act.
Wildfires raging across Australia. Floodwater submerging an entire third of
Pakistan. Crop-killing droughts striking all corners of the world. For
anyone casting even a passing glance at the news the only conclusion, it
may often seem, is that we’re all doomed.
But beware — that conclusion,
many scientists say, is a fallacy. In fact, the belief that it is too late
for humanity to save itself from climate destruction is a new form of
misinformation that some researchers describe as more dangerous even than
outright denial of global warming. It is a widespread belief, particularly
among the young.
A December 2021 report in the Lancet found that more than
half of 10,000 people aged 16 to 25 surveyed globally agreed that
“humanity is doomed”. Yet Kristina Dahl, a principal climate scientist
at the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), says it is a “myth” that we
can do nothing to stop the worst effects of climate change.
“Recent
modelling shows that within about a decade of reaching net-zero current
emissions, we would stop temperature rise,” she says. “It’s things
[like] temperature that are especially responsive to changes in emissions.
There is still a lot that is within our power and there are even parts of
the climate system that respond really quickly to the changes that we make.
So that sense that it’s too late … is really false.”
Times 22nd Feb 2023
TODAY. Painful realisation that our Labor defence minister is even more stupid and subservient to USA than the Liberals were!
From the Guardian yesterday :
The sustained controversy has prompted the defence minister, Richard Marles, to declare in a speech to parliament that acquiring nuclear-powered submarines would “dramatically enhance” Australia’s sovereignty, rather than undermine it.
I am almost lost for words…. Is Richard Marles really that stupid? (a) to believe this nonsense himself and (b) to think that aware Australians would believe it.
Australia’s “sovereignty” has always been dubious. From 1770 we were absolutely a British colony . From 1901 we were still a British colony in reality, though no longer in name. Australian soldiers went to World War 1, unnecessarily, for the British. I would argue that since 1945, Australia morphed into an American colony, in our gratitude for USA fighting off the Japanese in WW2.
My measure for true colony-status is – going to war on behalf of the boss nation. Australia has enthusiastically (and unnecessarily) sent our young men and women to fight for America’s wars in Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan – wars that had nothing whatever to do with Australia.
America has got smarter about running wars now. They’ve got Ukraine to try to conquer Russia on USA’s behalf (rather than work out a diplomatic solution to the 8 year war in the Donbass). America just sells Ukraine the weapons . This is a two-way win – both financially and politically – no American lives at risk.
Ukraine is probably a dress rehearsal for the big one – against China. This time Australia will be the patsy.
As a prelude, America sells us $171 billion of nuclear submarines. Which Australia can ill afford. These are so that we can fight China on USA’s behalf, (along with nuclear bombers based in Australia). Once again – the colony practically bankrupts itself, (as in Ukraine), and takes all the risks (as in Ukraine).
Why did I imagine that a Labor government would really be any better that the Liberals, when it comes to international relations?
Instead of macho-muscling up against China, – Australia should be recognising its position as a part of Southern Asia, teaching Asian languages and cultures, and fostering good relations and trade with our neighbours, and honestly expressing our differences. That includes China, which shows no intention to attack Australia militarily. Why should they, when they’re better at spreading influence with trade and culture? The Chinese have a different system, in some ways deplorable, – but evolving, and they are not demons.
NSW Ports prepares to turns Port Kembla into an offshore wind energy hub — RenewEconomy
NSW Ports is planning a futuristic port that can support offshore wind and hydrogen. The post NSW Ports prepares to turns Port Kembla into an offshore wind energy hub appeared first on RenewEconomy.
NSW Ports prepares to turns Port Kembla into an offshore wind energy hub — RenewEconomy
February 22 Energy News — geoharvey
Opinion: ¶ “What Europe Showed The World About Renewable Energy” • One year ago, on the cusp of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, it seemed unimaginable that renewable energy in Europe could overtake electricity from oil and gas. But not even a year later, it did. By the end of 2022, wind and solar combined overtook […]
February 22 Energy News — geoharvey
Nuclear news- week to 21 February
Some bits of good news – What went right this week: relief for the Great Barrier Reef, plus more. Man Finally Meets Family That Hid Him During Nazi Holocaust 80 Years Ago–And Visits the House.
Coronavirus. Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19): Weekly Epidemiological Update. Current trends in reported COVID-19 cases are underestimates of the true number of global infections and reinfections.
Climate.China provinces top list of regions at risk from climate change. Australian states among world’s most at risk from climate change, extreme weather.
Nuclear. Much the same as last week. USA warmongers panicking about balloons. Nuclear safety issues being downplayed. The media faithfully regurgitating gushing nuclear lobby handouts about small nuclear reactors.
Christina notes: Complacency about nuclear safety – a killer waiting to strike! Bewdy! It’s gonna happen sooner than we thought. Just like Ukraine does against Russia, Australia will fight America’s war against China.
AUSTRALIA
- Submissions to Senate Committee on move to remove Australia’s bans on the nuclear industry – now published.
- Nuclear zealout Jonathan Mead touts nuclear-powered submarines- Australia to have “full control” – (oh yeah?). 7.30 Report: Sarah Ferguson Opens Up New Perspectives on the AUKUS Nuclear Submarine Deal.
- Australian government OK with not knowing whether or not visiting US aircraft carry nuclear weapons! With weasel words, Australia’s top military brass, and sycophant Richard Marles, justify allowing U.S. nuclear weapons in Australia. Irresponsible Politics: Australia’s B-52 Nuclear Weapons Problem, and weasel words from Foreign Minister Penny Wong. The Defence Strategic Review and Australia’s ‘Alliance’ obsession.
- Murdoch Propaganda Pushes Australia To Double Its Military Budget For War With China. Sky News presents rubbishy programme on “preparing Australia for war against China”.
- Kazzi Jai comments on ARPANSA ( The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency) and the issue of the mislaid highly radioactive device.
- ANSTO Chief blowing hot air on radioactive waste. French nuclear giant EDF buys massive Australian floating offshore wind project
CLIMATE. Global leaders are dropping the ball on climate change. Rising seas threaten ‘mass exodus on a biblical scale’, UN chief warns. Judge commends Just Stop Oil activists. “No regrets” as UK government portrays nuclear power as “clean” and “green”.
The ‘Icefin’ bore deep into an Antarctic glacier. What it found were temperatures warmer than melting point. Antarctic sea ice level now lowest on record. War is a climate killer.
EARTH EVENTS. Earth Changes Summary – January 2023: Extreme Weather, Planetary Upheaval, Meteor Fireballs.
ECONOMICS. Russia’s Grip on Nuclear-Power Trade Is Only Getting Stronger. EDF’s historic $13.5 billion loss in 2022 – as France became an importer of electricity. Zelensky is literally selling Ukraine to US corporations on Wall Street. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fHZCfRE3n4
EDUCATION. We’ve Forgotton The Potential Horrors of What a Nuclear Winter Would Be Like. Pentagon-Funded Plymouth University Cancels Anti-War Academic: the militarization of higher education.
EMPLOYMENT. Renewable energy workers are in high demand, global survey reveals. At Sellafield nuclear site workers ready to go on strike .
ENERGY. Thousands of solar panels sent to power recovery effort in earthquake devastated Türkiye . France’s nuclear output plummeted in 2022. Small scale renewable technology installations being deployed rapidly in Britain without government subsidies.
ECONOMY.
- EDF posts record net loss after nuclear fleet hit by repairs. Financial disaster looms for France’s nuclear corporation EDF.
- Southern Co boosts cost estimate, delays timing for nuclear reactors.
- Spiralling cost of Hinkley Point C nuclear power station.
- Rolls Royce’s financial problems, as it plans to make small nuclear reactors for the British government.
ENVIRONMENT. Fukushima: Japan insists release of 1.3m tonnes of ‘treated’ water is safe. Campaigners claim permit change at Hinkley Point would kill billions of fish.
INDIGENOUS ISSUES. Some, but not all, First Nations support small nuclear reactors in New Brunswick.
MEDIA. Microsoft Puts New Limits On Bing’s AI Chatbot After It Expressed Desire To Steal Nuclear Secrets. Media Ignores Evidence That West Opposed Ukraine Peace Deal. Pro nuclear film.
NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY. Checking Back in on China’s Nuclear Icebreaker. Rolls Royce’s “small” nuclear reactor will occupy 5.3 acres..
OPPOSITION to NUCLEAR. Scotland’s campaign groups call on government to reject plans for nuclear power at new Green Freeports.
POLITICS. Coalition for Responsible Energy Development in New Brunswick (CRED-NB) informs Senate with analysis of “advanced” small nuclear reactors. Scotland’s Minister Matheson reassures the Nuclear Free Local Authorities (NFLA) that no small nuclear power station will be permitted near Grangemouth refinery. Small modular nuclear reactors: a good deal for Southwest Virginia? Despite massive losses of nuclear company EDF, and reactor corrosions, France plans to build a new fleet of EPR reactors. France’s government may switch funds from social housing to the cause of propping up the nuclear industry.
POLITICS INTERNATIONAL and DIPLOMACY. Biden says three aerial ‘objects’ US shot down likely not related to China surveillance. EU Commission abandons plans to sanction Russia’s nuclear industry. Ukraine approves second sanctions package targeting Russian nuclear industry Post-war Ukraine – a triumphal land owned by Western business corporations. Iran denies enriching uranium to 84 percent purity amid IAEA row. Iranians Caught Between Optimism, Pessimism Over Nuclear Talks.
SAFETY. Turkey’s Akkuyu nuclear power plant – a useless and dangerous prestige project?. Concerns over the construction of a nuclear power plant in Akkuyu, Turkey, due to its proximity to the 7.8 magnitude earthquake’s epicentre. Quake revives debate over Turkey’s nuclear plant Japan to extend life of nuclear power stations, and also. remove rules specifying the operational periods of reactors. Operational life of Finland’s nuclear reactors extended till 2050, and wastes to be stored onsite till 2090. Sizewell B nuclear station switched off for 66 days for maintenance work. Extending more than two nuclear reactors is dangerous, says deputy prime minister Gilkinet.
SECRETS and LIES. Pentagon testing mass surveillance balloons across the US. Watchdogs File FOIA Request for Holtec’s Secretive “Regulatory Path to Reauthorize Power Operations at Palisades Nuclear Plant”. Ukraine Hawk Who Heads European Commission Has a Nazi Pedigree She Does Not Want You to Know About.
SPACE. EXPLORATION, WEAPONS. NASA Gets High on Its Nuclear Supply. NATO reveals new space fleet.
SPINBUSTER. Japan PM Kishida tells ministers to assuage public concerns over nuclear policy. Object downed by US missile may have been amateur hobbyists’ $12 balloon. What We Know About The US Air Force’s Balloon Party So Far.
WASTES. The World’s Dumping Ground for Nuclear Waste Doesn’t Want Fukushima’s Wastewater. Dumping 1M gallons of radioactive water in Hudson is ‘best option,’ per Indian Point nuclear plant owner.
WAR and CONFLICT. The Horrifying Endgame in Ukraine. Betting on Ukraine victory was ‘suicidal’ – Seymour Hersh. Ukraine ‘peace petition’ backed by nearly half a million Germans. American Architect of the Ukraine War Gives Go Ahead to Attack Crimea. NATO to participate in Ukraine war “for as long as it takes”. Why the US seeks War with China by 2025.
WEAPONS and WEAPONS SALES.
- U.S. military’s newest weapon against China and Russia: Hot air balloon. Alien Balloon Malarkey!
- Setting The Stage For Proxy War Against China? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42MGfBIVjkI&t=63s
- U.S. compensates Czech Republic for arms shipments to Ukraine
- Munich: Germany rallies NATO allies, partners to send more tanks to Ukraine
- Germany: Pentagon trains Ukrainian troops on Bradley, Stryker combat vehicles —
- Ukraine Presses US Congress Members for F-16 Jetfighters.
- South Korea’s Nuclear Flirtations Highlight the Growing Risks of Allied Proliferation. South Korea’s First Attempt at Going Nuclear.
- Cities must not be targets.
- N Korea confirms ICBM test, touts nuclear counterattack ability.
- Saudi Arabia says nuclear arms race in the Middle East ‘cannot be ruled out’.
Submissions to Senate Committee on move to remove Australia’s bans on the nuclear industry – now published
Submissions to Committee examining Environment and Other Legislation Amendment (Removing Nuclear Energy Prohibitions) Bill 2022
The table below looks bizarre. Sorry – Luddite me.
Until very recently , only 38 submissions had been published – the vast majority being straight from the nuclear lobby., Now suddenly, that’s jumped to 144. I plan to examine them all. But in the meantime – so many submissions from individuals have appeared. So – for now, I’v had to put them in the “Neutral” box . Until I have tim eto plough through them all.
Until very recently , only 38 submissions had been published – the vast majority being straight from the nuclear lobby., Now suddenly, that’s jumped to 144. I plan to examine them all. But in the meantime – so many submissions from individuals have appeared. So – for now, I’v had to put them in the “Neutral” box . Until I have tim eto plough through them all.
Pro- nuclear ——————–Anti Nuclear————-Neutral or I don’t know
| 1 Terrestrial Energy Inc (PDF 203 KB) 2 RePlanet Australia (PDF 8399 KB) 4 Australian Nuclear Association (PDF 186 KB) 5 entX Limited (PDF 98 KB) 6 Women in Nuclear Australia (PDF 113 KB) 7 Ultra Safe Nuclear Australia Pty Ltd (PDF 2606 KB) 8 StarCore Nuclear (PDF 184 KB) 10 JDC Electrical and Communication (PDF 5212 KB) 11 Nuclear For Climate Australia (PDF 1362 KB) 18 SMR Nuclear Technology PTY LTD (PDF 319 KB) 19 Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (PDF 201 KB) 20 Fusion Party (PDF 224 KB) 24 Minerals Council of Australia (PDF 632 KB) Attachment 1 (PDF 3158 KB) 25 Australian Workers’ Union (PDF 334 KB) 26 Institute of Public Affairs (PDF 1579 KB) 27 Silex Systems Limited (PDF 9259 KB) 30 Australian Resources Development Pty Ltd (PDF 79 KB) (PDF 632 KB) 32 Adj. Prof. Stephen Wilson (PDF 442 KB) 33 Innovative Process Upgrade Technologies (PDF 162 KB) 34 Dr James Taylor, Mr Bill Bourke, Mr Craig Brooking, Mr Rafe Champion, Mr Howard Dewhirst, Mr Paul Goard, Mr Peter J F Harris, Mr John McBratney, Dr Paul McFadyen, Dr John McLean, Dr Alan Moran, Dr John L Nicol, Emeritus Professor Cliff Ollier and Dr Peter Ridd (PDF 158 KB) Attachment 1 (PDF 3022 KB) Attachment 2 (PDF 803 KB) 37 Dr Adrian Paterson (PDF 620 KB) 38 South Australian Chamber of Mines & Energy (PDF 136 KB) | 3 Electrical Trades Union (PDF 501 KB) 9 Friends of the Earth Adelaide (PDF 196 KB) 12 Environment House (PDF 37 KB) 14 Friends of the Earth Australia, Australian Conservation Foundation, Greenpeace Australia Pacific, Wilderness Society, Conservation Council of WA, Conservation SA, Nature Conservation Council (NSW), Environment Victoria, Queensland Conservation Council, Environment Centre NT and Environs Kimberley (PDF 1470 KB) 17Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (PDF 469 KB) 21 Marrickville Peace Group (PDF 181 KB) 23 Voice for Walcha (PDF 140 KB) 28 Medical Association for Prevention of War (PDF 1011 KB) 31 Top End Peace Alliance (PDF 108 KB) 102 Ms Noel Wauchope (PDF 123 KB) | 13 The Australian Academy of Science (PDF 143 KB) 16 Ms Helen Cook, GNE Advisory (PDF 110 KB) 22 Dr Sundance Bilson-Thompson (PDF 50 KB) 29 Australian Citizens Party (PDF 406 KB 35 Mr Alan Lawrenson (PDF 650 KB) ) 36 Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (PDF 2565 KB) 39 Responsible Energy Development for New England (PDF 54 KB) 41 Ms Mary Szental (PDF 34 KB) 42 Mr John Lewis (PDF 35 KB) 43 Mr Darryl Nelson (PDF 19 KB 44 Mr Barrie Hill (PDF 253 KB) 45 Ms Marie-Louise Drew (PDF 54 KB) 46 Mr Benjamin Cronshaw (PDF 99 KB) 47 Mr Neville Rutter (PDF 41 KB) 48 Mr Andrew Williams (PDF 58 KB) 49 Dr Craig Cooper (PDF 161 KB) 50 Mr Raymond Ongley (PDF 20 KB) 51Mr Jim Bain (PDF 60 KB) 52 Mr Randall Starling (PDF 2132 KB) 53 Ms Susanne Godden (PDF 80 KB) 54 Mrs Janet Pukallus (PDF 87 KB) 55 Name Withheld (PDF 38 KB) 56 Ms Deborah Pergolotti (PDF 45 KB) 57 Name Withheld (PDF 17 KB) 58 Name Withheld (PDF 57 KB) 59 Mr William Morrison (PDF 34 KB) 60 Mr Peter Johnson (PDF 33 KB) 62 Mr Michael Mardel (PDF 22 KB) 63 Mr John Wood (PDF 3246 KB) 64 Mr Graeme Batterbury (PDF 94 KB) 65 Ms Jessica Wysser (PDF 87 KB) 69 Mr Walter A Starck (PDF 72 KB) 70 Ms Judy Schneider (PDF 67 KB) 73 Mr Quentin Dresser (PDF 36 KB) 77 Mr Barry Murphy (PDF 54 KB) 78 Jean M. Christie (PDF 40 KB) 79 Mr Keith Derek Kerr (PDF 115 KB) 80 Ms Michele Kwok (PDF 72 KB) 81 Mr Don Higson (PDF 95 KB) 82 Mr Kenneth Martin (PDF 34 KB) 83 Name Withheld (PDF 154 KB) 84 Mr Thomas W. Adams (PDF 28 KB) 85 Mr John Zink (PDF 81 KB) 86 Mr Gregory O’Brien (PDF 27 KB) 87 Mr Peter Briggs (PDF 27 KB) 88 Mr Murray Morris (PDF 30 KB) 89 Mr Adam Medica (PDF 31 KB) 90 Mr John Jenkins (PDF 60 KB) 93 Ms Suzann Vasanji (PDF 48 KB) 94 Ms Jan Wu (PDF 38 KB) 95 Mr Patrick Geeves (PDF 56 KB) 96 Mr George Papadopoulos (PDF 55 KB) 97 Mr Wayne Crawford (PDF 96 KB) 98 Mr Hugh Drum (PDF 37 KB) 99 Virgil Smith (PDF 37 KB) 101 Mr Peter Lane (PDF 80 KB) 103 Ms Helen Bradbury (PDF 27 KB) 104 Mr Robert Heron (PDF 77 KB) 104.1 Supplementary to submission 104 (PDF 77 KB) 105 Ms Beth White (PDF 235 KB) 107 Mr John Newlands (PDF 43 KB) 108 Mr Alexander Joseph Walsh (PDF 48 KB) 110 Mr Robert Pritchard (PDF 43 KB) 111 Mrs Kay Christensen (PDF 40 KB) 112 Mr Peter Hickson (PDF 41 KB) 113 Name Withheld (PDF 47 KB) 114 Mr Justin Tutty (PDF 59 KB) 115 Name Withheld (PDF 43 KB) 116 Name Withheld (PDF 13 KB) 117 Mr Dennis Pukallus (PDF 58 KB) 118 Name Withheld (PDF 17 KB) 119 Dr Christopher Kaalund (PDF 21 KB) 120 Mr Matthew Tomblin (PDF 45 KB) 121 Name Withheld (PDF 30 KB) 122 Mr Timothy Clifford (PDF 35 KB) 123 Mr Louis Rozman (PDF 196 KB) 124 Mr Ian Levy (PDF 202 KB) 125 Name Withheld (PDF 27 KB) 126 Professor Chilla Bulbeck (PDF 56 KB) 127 Professor George Burns (PDF 93 KB) 128 Professor James Doery (PDF 37 KB) 129 Ms Robyn Sullivan (PDF 68 KB) 130 Ms Donna Brooker (PDF 59 KB) 131 Mr Nunzio Grimaldi (PDF 40 KB) 132 Mr Paul Chamberlain (PDF 50 KB) 133 Mr Logan Smith (PDF 43 KB) 134 Ms Monica Leggett (PDF 38 KB) 135 Name Withheld (PDF 140 KB) 136 Ms Grusha Leeman (PDF 57 KB) 137 Hazel Kleinau (PDF 133 KB) 138 Mr Desmond Whyte (PDF 47 KB) 140 Mr Steven Eley (PDF 77 KB) 141 Mr Timothy Nott (PDF 72 KB) 142 Name Withheld (PDF 96 KB) 143 Mr Marc Centner (PDF 92 KB) 144 Name Withheld (PDF 1736 KB) |
Britain: Australian army trains Ukrainian “warfighters” to meet NATO standards — Anti-bellum
Defense PostFebruary 17, 2023 Australia Training Ukrainian Recruits’ Tactical, Survivability Skills in the UK The Australian Army is conducting tactical and survivability training for Ukrainian Armed Forces recruits in southern England. The exercise was launched as part of Operation Kudu, an Australian defense initiative to upskill Ukrainian warfighters…. Led by the Royal Australian Regiment 5th […]
Britain: Australian army trains Ukrainian “warfighters” to meet NATO standards — Anti-bellum
Coalition and Labor promise billions to fast track NSW switch to wind, solar and storage — RenewEconomy
NSW Coalition promises an extra $323 million on storage, rooftop solar and small batteries, while Labor proposes new $1 billion state body modelled on CEFC. The post Coalition and Labor promise billions to fast track NSW switch to wind, solar and storage appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Coalition and Labor promise billions to fast track NSW switch to wind, solar and storage — RenewEconomy
The Horrifying Endgame in Ukraine
This entire scenario is a long slow march toward nuclear war or the complete disintegration of Ukraine.
The U.S. won’t end the weapons deliveries because Joe Biden is afraid of losing face and his closest advisors such as Victoria Nuland have an irrational hatred for Russia and are total warmongers.
BY JAMES RICKARDS, 14 Feb 23, https://dailyreckoning.com/the-horrifying-endgame-in-ukraine/—
In yesterday’s issue, I addressed the biggest and most complex topic on the geopolitical landscape today — China.
But today I’m discussing what is by far the most alarming topic on the geopolitical landscape today. That’s the war in Ukraine and the dangers of escalation.
I’ve written extensively about two facets of the war in Ukraine that you don’t hear from legacy media in the United States or U.K. The first is that Russia is actually winning the war.
U.S. outlets such as The New York Times (a channel for the State Department) and The Washington Post (a channel for the CIA) report endlessly about how Russian plans have failed, about how incompetent they are about how the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) have pushed back Russians in the Donbass, and how NATO weapons such as U.S. Abrams tanks, U.K. Challenger tanks and German Leopard tanks will turn the tide against Russia soon.
This is all nonsense. None of it is true.
Reality Check
First off, the Ukrainian advances that took place in late summer were against lightly defended positions that the Russians quickly conceded to conserve forces. The Russians were willing to give up the land so that they wouldn’t lose valuable men and materiel.
The Russians withdrew to more defensible positions and have been badly mauling Ukrainian attacking forces ever since. Ukraine has wasted incredibly large amounts of men and equipment in these futile and ill-advised attacks.
In all, credible reports indicate that AFU casualties are nearing 500,000 and are increasing at an unsustainable rate. On the other hand, reports of 100,000 Russian dead are almost certainly wild exaggerations put out by Ukraine. The BBC attempted to verify these numbers and could only find about 20,000 confirmed Russian dead based on extensive searches on funeral notices, public records, etc.
Send in the Tanks — Eventually!
What about the tanks NATO is supposedly sending? Well, the tanks have not been delivered yet and most won’t be for months or longer. Our own M1 Abrams tanks might not even arrive for a year or more.
We actually have to custom build these tanks so that they don’t have the special armor and other advanced systems that our own M1s have. The Pentagon doesn’t want them falling into Russian hands if they’re destroyed or captured. Besides, we’re only sending 31 tanks anyway.
When the NATO tanks do arrive, they’ll likely quickly be destroyed by Russian artillery, anti-tank weapons and precision missiles. They’re good tanks, but far from invincible. For decades, the Russians have been developing powerful weapons specifically designed to destroy these NATO tank models. The Russians aren’t particularly worried about them.
Aside from that, tanks rely on effective air cover for protection, which Ukraine lacks. They’ll be sitting ducks on the battlefield. It doesn’t really make sense to send tanks to Ukraine unless you send combat aircraft to give them cover (more on that below).
Russia’s Winning on the Battlefield
Meanwhile, Russian forces have nearly encircled the city of Bakhmut, which is a major transportation and logistics hub, with several key roads and rail lines passing through it. It’ll probably fall to the Russians within weeks.
Losing Bakhmut will be a major blow to Ukraine, despite claims in the western media that it really isn’t very important. Ukraine’s entire 800-mile defensive line would probably begin to crumble, and they don’t have heavily fortified positions to fall back on. Ukrainian troops, while brave and competent soldiers, are exhausted and running out of supplies as it is.
On top of that, it appears likely that Russia is preparing a devastating offensive with massive amounts of men, tanks, armored personnel carriers, artillery, helicopters, drones and fixed-wing aircraft.
This Russian army is not the same army that invaded Ukraine a year ago. It’s much better trained, led and equipped. It’s learned from the mistakes it made during its initial invasion last February. Ukraine shouldn’t expect them to repeat those mistakes.
Does all this mean I’m cheering on a Russian victory in Ukraine? No, I’m just observing the facts on the ground and consolidating them to perform an objective analysis.
That analysis leads me to believe that Russia will win the war militarily. Western military assistance may prolong the fighting but won’t affect the ultimate outcome. It’ll just delay the inevitable and get a lot more people needlessly killed.
The Much Greater Risk
The second facet of this war not reported in the media, or at least downplayed, is the growing risk of nuclear war.
This risk increases with every escalatory step by both sides. The U.S. is the leader in reckless escalation by supplying long-range artillery, Patriot anti-missile batteries, intelligence, surveillance, and now the tanks. Russia responds at each step.
There’s a number of steps before the two sides arrive at the nuclear level, but neither shows a willingness to step back.
By the way, Russia has every legal right to attack those NATO countries supplying arms to Ukraine. By supplying arms to a party to the conflict, they’ve given up their neutrality and have become, in effect, combatants. Russia hasn’t done this because it doesn’t want to bring NATO directly into the fight. But legally, it can.
Gimme, Gimme, Gimme
Ukraine’s demands on the U.S., UK and the rest of NATO for advanced weapons to fight Russians know no limits. The West began by supplying Ukraine with cash, intelligence and anti-tank weapons such as the Javelin missile. Soon we were supplying long-range artillery, drones, and more cash.
As Russian advances continued, Zelensky demanded and got Patriot anti-missile batteries that can destroy incoming Russian missiles. The U.S. artillery was aimed at Russian Crimea. Several drones struck inside Russia at sensitive air bases with nuclear weapons nearby.
Gimme, Gimme, Gimme
Ukraine’s demands on the U.S., UK and the rest of NATO for advanced weapons to fight Russians know no limits. The West began by supplying Ukraine with cash, intelligence and anti-tank weapons such as the Javelin missile. Soon we were supplying long-range artillery, drones, and more cash.
As Russian advances continued, Zelensky demanded and got Patriot anti-missile batteries that can destroy incoming Russian missiles. The U.S. artillery was aimed at Russian Crimea. Several drones struck inside Russia at sensitive air bases with nuclear weapons nearby.
Once these advanced systems show they can’t help, what’s the Ukrainian’s next demand? Russia can escalate just as quickly and lethally as the U.S.
This entire scenario is a long slow march toward nuclear war or the complete disintegration of Ukraine.
Is Anyone Really Prepared for This?
The U.S. won’t end the weapons deliveries because Joe Biden is afraid of losing face and his closest advisors such as Victoria Nuland have an irrational hatred for Russia and are total warmongers.
Now, we can add a new danger, resulting from desperation. This is the fact that the U.S. itself may be the biggest loser in the war.
As Ukraine disappears under a massive Russian onslaught, the U.S. will grow increasingly desperate. Its credibility is on the line after committing so much money, materiel and moral weight to Ukraine’s defense.
The Biden administration has essentially turned the war in Ukraine into an existential crisis for the U.S. and NATO, when it never should have been. Ukraine has never been a vital U.S. interest. But the war is existential for Russia, and Russia won’t give up.
Is the U.S. just going to throw up its hands and concede Russian victory? NATO may actually disintegrate in the face of such spectacular failure. So, we’ll probably double down.
Maybe a desperate Biden orders troops into western Ukraine as a buffer against a complete Russian takeover of the country. You can imagine what could go wrong. That situation may quickly devolve into a direct war between the U.S. and Russia rather than the proxy war that it is now.
The American people and investors in particular are not prepared for any of this. They should be. It’s becoming increasingly likely.
Betting on Ukraine victory was ‘suicidal’ – Seymour Hersh
https://www.rt.com/russia/571690-hersh-ukraine-nato-corruption/ 18 Feb 23
The West didn’t even want Kiev in NATO because of corruption concerns, the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist says.
The US and its allies should have attempted to reach an agreement with Moscow as their belief that Ukraine can win a conflict against Russia is “suicidal,” iconic American investigative journalist Seymour Hersh has argued.
Speaking in a YouTube interview with the Consortium News outlet on Friday, Hersh accused the Biden administration of making “so many bad mistakes,” adding that “it’s impossible to believe just how dumb this leadership was.”
“It was suicidal to think you can win that war, that Ukraine can win the war [against Russia]. There’s just too much corruption. That was a very, very bad decision. We should have been pushing for peace, we should have made an agreement,” the former Pulitzer Prize winner insisted.
US President Joe Biden basically “blew off NATO in Europe” by telling allies that he is backing Ukraine with its “totally corrupt government,” Hersh added. The journalist also pointed out how Kiev glorifies Stepan Bandera, “the great pro-Nazi who killed Jews like crazy during World War II.”
It’s just silly not to right away assure the Russian government that we weren’t interested in making Ukraine a member of NATO,” Hersh stated, referring to long-standing concerns in Moscow. “NATO didn’t want Ukraine anyway because of the corruption.”
Hersh recently published a bombshell report which accused the US of sabotaging the Nord Stream pipelines last year. He cited an informed source as explaining that explosives were planted on the bottom of the Baltic Sea by US Navy divers under the guise of a NATO exercise back in June 2022. They were detonated in late September, rendering the pipelines, which were built to deliver Russian gas to Europe through Germany, inoperable.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, as well as Under Secretary for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, are all “very hawkish,” according to the journalist. The trio “pushed Biden very hard” to go ahead with the sabotage because “they have long-standing incredible hatred for [Russian President Vladimir] Putin. It’s almost personal, I would guess,” Hersh claimed.
READ MORE: More Nord Stream ‘bombshells’ to come – Seymour Hersh
US National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson branded Hersh’s bombshell report “utterly false and complete fiction.” The journalist has promised even more revelations on how the pipelines were blown up.
Microsoft Puts New Limits On Bing’s AI Chatbot After It Expressed Desire To Steal Nuclear Secrets
Forbes Matt Novak, Contributor, FOIA reporter and founder of Paleofuture.com, writing news and opinion on every aspect of technology. 20 Feb 23,
Microsoft announced it was placing new limits on its Bing chatbot following a week of users reporting some extremely disturbing conversations with the new AI tool. How disturbing? The chatbot expressed a desire to steal nuclear access codes and told one reporter it loved him. Repeatedly.
“Starting today, the chat experience will be capped at 50 chat turns per day and 5 chat turns per session. A turn is a conversation exchange which contains both a user question and a reply from Bing,” the company said in a blog post on Friday…………………………………………more https://www.forbes.com/sites/mattnovak/2023/02/18/microsoft-puts-new-limits-on-bings-ai-chatbot-after-it-expressed-desire-to-steal-nuclear-secrets/?sh=1aad6dab685c
1 This month
4 November – Will AUKUS keep us safe – at what cost?
the Commissioners of the AUKUS Public Inquiry present their findings at the National Press Club of Australia in Canberra. iview.abc.net.au/show/national-press-club-address
Submissions to the federal government’s new draft framework close on the 13th November 2026.
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about
AUKUS – https://aukuspublicinquiry.com/
PETITION – To: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Australian Labor Government
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
To see nuclear-related stories in greater depth and intensity
