Looking to 2026 in nuclear news
28 Dec 25 https://theaimn.net/looking-to-2026-in-nuclear-related-news/
There are really a lot of good things happening, involving a huge number of good people. My favourite is that very persistent, won’t-be-beat boat – the Golden Rule, with its crew and supporters – Veterans for Peace. They sail the world, but especially from port to port in the USA, with their message of hope.
Dozens of groups sailed with the crew—including Code Pink, the NorCal TPS Coalition, the People’s Arms Embargo, the Comfort Women’s Justice Coalition, the Task Force on the Americas, and the Cal Sailing Club.
But of course there are thousands of other groups working for compassion and good will, in every country, of whatever political style. There are millions of people aware of, and prepared to be active in getting action on global heating.
I think that there’s a revival beginning in the media, with the growth of so many truly independent and alternative journalism sites. Some get funding from their readers, some soldier on providing free news and information.
Even the corporate media, and some USA Republicans are appalled at the antics of the deranged American “President for Peace” – leading to the thought that he might not last that much longer as “leader of the free world”.
Still – a reality check – if Donald Trump does cease to be USA President – there could be worse to come, with another choice from his pack of greedy sycophants.
So – a reality check is needed. It’s not going to be a happy new year as things are going at present
– “If we make no effort to change direction, we will end up where we are heading.”
Giving up is not an option. A world run by emotionally-unintelligent squillionaire technocrats is not going to be sustainably viable. Addiction to super-profits and power, and absurd ideas of exceptionalism and superior race -these are not the characteristics of good leadership. Jesus said that ‘the meek shall inherit the earth“. But I’m rather hoping that some of the meek get into charge before then, before the current power-brokers wreck the place.
Meanwhile, we continue to try to shed light on the absurdities of our current ‘civilised’ culture. And there are many hazards to expose and to combat – the horror of Zionism (which is NOT the Jewish religion), booming militarism, climate denial, racism, injustice, suppression of civil rights, AI gone wild- to name only a few. Lots of work to do.
The past week has been a busy one in non-corporate nuclear and nuclear-related news. The detailed list is at https://antinuclear.net/2025/12/28/the-non-corporate-nuclear-news-week-to-27-december/
Ethics matter more than ever – even in Israel
19 Dec 25, https://theaimn.net/ethics-matter-more-than-ever-even-in-israel/
Who’d have thought, in this time of crisis, lies and propaganda, that it might be the Jerusalem Post that showed us an ethical direction?
And, on another matter of ethics – the Jerusalem Post, again.
I’m pretty used to the pro-Zionist propaganda that spills out from the Israeli media, the American media, and the Australian media.
I don’t know if it’s Hannukah, Christmas, or what, but in the usual cacophony of news and opinion, – that normally unfashionable subject of ethics is now standing out.
The Jerusalem Post spelt out its horror at the new, and murderous symbolism, of the lapel image now worn by ultranationalist Israeli politicians. Closely resembling the previous symbol, which called for the return of the Israeli hostages, their new symbol calls for continued killing of Palestinians, as the lapel image morphs from a ribbon into a noose.
A golden noose around Israel’s soul – says the paper – “The golden noose goes far beyond poor taste. It represents a theology of death, a reverence for vengeance that distorts the face of Judaism and deals a severe blow to Israeli society.”
“Jews around the world would be hard-pressed to defend and embrace the Jewish state.“
And indeed, this noose-wearing thing might backfire – as Jews in Israel and beyond reflect on the ethics of the Netanyahu government’s war on Palestinians.
Almost simultaneously, came the news of the massacre of Jews at Bondi Beach. The mainstream corporate news outlets have, predictably, latched on to this, to engender more vengefulness and hatred, and to blame Australia’s Prime Minister for his support of Palestinian state rights.
There is much coverage and genuine concern for the victims of this cruel outrage and their families. In amongst this, some sentimental coverage of the brave man who tackled an armed killer. As the ABC pointed out, media coverage treated this man as an oddity – as being a Muslim, one would not expect such decency. – a media attitude that is subtly Islamophobic.
” Ahmed al-Ahmed a 43-year-old Sydney fruit shop owner and father of two, moved toward the attacker, wrapped him from behind, wrestled away the long gun, and forced the shooter to retreat. He was shot and hospitalized, but his split-second decision is widely credited with preventing even greater carnage.”
And commented – “There is something profoundly Hanukkah about that moment.”
The Post goes on to reflect on those non-Jews of history, who risked everything to save Jews, – Raoul Wallenberg. Oskar Schindler. Chiune Sugihara and more
“These stories are not only about the Holocaust, but they are also about moral clarity under pressure, the choice to see a fellow human being and refuse to look away.”
This man’s courage and generosity of spirit has impressed people world-wide, and his actions have been praised in the media, cutting through the general tone of anger and hatred
The author, ZVIKA KLEIN, reminds that Hannukah means “a demand that human beings choose decency over cruelty“
Which is pretty much what Christmas is supposed to mean, too.
While the merchants of hate, revenge, and political opportunism hold sway in the corporate media, voices for compassion and decency are being heard too. These are hopes to cling to for the coming year, and bring some positive meaning to Hannukah and Christmas,
A resounding win for the world’s nuclear-free clean energy movement.
https://theaimn.net/a-resounding-win-for-the-worlds-nuclear-free-clean-energy-movement/ 5 May 25
In early analyses of the historic Labor election victory, commentators have tut-tutted over the Liberal Coalition’s policies that didn’t impress voters – like reduced tax on petrol, like poor housing plans, and certain Trump-like aspects. These were the things, and the “cost-of living” issues that brought down the vote for the Coalition. And a number of interviews with voters did show that these issues were important.
BUT, in the media build-up to the election, those issues were hammered, and it seemed to me, that Peter Dutton’s party was happy with that, and especially, to stay OFF the topic of nuclear power.
But nuclear power was the core policy in the Opposition’s campaign. Its quiet partner policy was the drastic slowing down of solar power, and renewable energy in general. Along with this went a downgrading of climate change – Dutton coming close to climate-change denial – “I’m not a scientist” was his answer to questions about the impacts of global heating. The inevitable delay in nuclear power becoming operational would be a gift for the fossil fuel industries,
And it was a pretty amazing policy- to bring in nuclear power across a very special country! Australia is the only country in the world that is a nation-continent, a great island -continent with one federal government, and one predominant language. There is no doubt that, had the Coalition won this election, it would have been a grand coup for the global nuclear lobby.
The Labor government is also beholden to the nuclear lobby. Anthony Albanese, as Opposition leader in 2021, agreed to the then Liberal government’s AUKUS nuclear submarine deal. In 2024, his Labor government cemented its agreement by signing an updated version of the AUKUS Exchange of Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information Agreement (ENNPIA).
So no wonder that both of Australia’s major parties are playing down the significance of the nuclear issue, now that across the nation, voters have rejected nuclear power. And the obedient mainstream media is playing it down, too.
Australia’s unique advantage is that it is the only nuclear-power -free nation-continent , and is also a world leader in renewable energy.
Even in 2023, 33% of Australian households had rooftop solar panels. generating their own electricity. Australia is a world leader in rooftop solar adoption, with solar panels installed on more homes per capita than any other country. This trend continues to increase, with Australians making huge savings on energy costs.
To be fair to the Albanese Labor government, it has done well on promoting renewable energy. It has not done so well on climate change action – The Australian government is continuing its long-standing support for fossil fuels both at home and abroad.
Despite its two major political parties being wedded to the fossil fuel industries, and both of them sycophantic to American militarism and the nuclear lobby, Australia really does have the opportunity to lead the world in the direction of clean safe nuclear-free energy.
The AUKUS agreement, the nuclear submarine deal , is looking a bit wobbly at this moment -with the Trumpian uncertainty clouding Australia’s relationship with the USA.
All in all, it is a positive outlook for Australia, and its leading role in clean energy. But don’t expect the corporate media, or the timid ABC, to genuinely emphasise the importance of this election victory over the nuclear lobby.
The “Great Era of Nuclear Decommissioning” begins – well, sort of, even in Australia
https://theaimn.net/the-great-era-of-nuclear-decommissioning-begins-well-sort-of-even-in-australia/ 20 Mar 25
Nuclear is big news for Australia. For the coming election, the federal Opposition party – the Liberal-National Coalition, has as its major, indeed, pretty much its only, policy – to establish the nuclear power industry at 7 sites across the continent. At the same time, a Liberal group has sprung up – Liberals Against Nuclear, vowing to ditch that policy.
Meanwhile the AUKUS plan, (beloved of both major parties) to buy super-expensive nuclear submarines, has run into problems, and is at risk of being ditched.
Also now, on March 4th the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) announces that it is embarking on a major decommissioning project , getting into the wonderful new Era of Nuclear Decommissioning. This Era was predicted by The Ecologist, back in 2019, but only now is it reported to be getting underway.
Japan, one of the top nuclear nations, has just announced the first dismantling of a commercial nuclear reactor – ‘signifying that the so-called “great era of decommissioning” has begun in earnest in Japan.’ They have another 59 to go (10 cleared for operation, 23 described as “operable” , and 26 shut-down ones).
So what indeed is the “great era of decommissioning”? What does “decommissioning” actually mean?
According to the European Union – “ It involves all activities starting from the shutdown of the facility and the removal of all nuclear material right down to the environmental restoration of the site. The whole process is complex and typically takes 20 to 30 years to complete.“
So, in Japan, they really mean business – “dismantling of the reactor, which began on March 17, is considered the main part of the decommissioning work“
In Australia -not so much. It means that ANSTO, a few weeks ago, got a licence from the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA), to begin Phase A, Stage 1, and is now beginning to remove peripheral equipment from the the 67 year old Hifar nuclear reactor, now 18 years out of action. More Phases and Stages to go.
Both the Japanese and Australian news items give short shrift to that final problem – nowhere to put the radioactive remains. ANSTO’s at pains to stress how small an amount it is “be managed and stored safely onsite at Lucas Heights” . The Japanese article concludes “While Japan has entered an era of decommissioning, decommissioning plans continue to be postponed due to the lack of a finalized waste disposal site.”
The World Nuclear Association goes into much detail on the decommissioning of 700 nuclear reactors, but only a few of these have been completely dismantled, and still no way of permanently disposing of their radioactive remains.
Meanwhile the International Atomic Energy Agency, and the governments of the most powerful nations are all complacently touting the need for new nuclear reactors. Australian authorities, keen to stress Australia’s nuclear know-how are joining in this happy disregard of the importance of dangerous radioactive trash.
That famous old Australian character “blind Freddy” would immediately know that this is an unreasonable and immoral attitude.
The “era of nuclear decommissioning” is not really underway at all. If it were happening, there’d be no more hype about new nuclear. I fear that the sad reality is that the men in charge realise that nuclear decommissioning is just too expensive, too fraught with problems “best to just leave it alone, until we are comfortably superannuated out, or dead. “
The past week in nuclear news
Some bits of good news. The Revival of Germany’s Carbon-Sequestering Peatlands. Australia’s renewable energy growth doubles in six months. Three good things: projects clearing up junk that’s hidden from view.
TOP STORIES. Netanyahu’s Quest to Attack Iran’s nuclear facilities with the ‘Mother of all Bombs’.
Anatomy of an AI Coup.
The Pentagon Is Recruiting Elon Musk To Help Them Win a Nuclear War.
High-Explosive Drone Pierces Shell Of Chernobyl Nuclear Plant At Very Moment Trump Pushes Ukraine Toward Peace.
Climate. World’s sea-ice falls to record low. Two-thirds of Americans still believe climate change is impacting the Earth, despite what Trump contends.
Noel’s notes. Small Nuclear Reactors: Big safety problems, and who pays the piper? “Jobs Jobs Jobs!” screams the nuclear lobby.
AUSTRALIA. Dutton’s nuclear disaster: Cheap lies and a $20 billion deficit. Why are young people like this 18-year-old fronting the pro-nuclear push in Australia? American or Trump’s values, or are they the same? Nuclear advocates: Splitting atoms and spinning agendas. Australia’s technocratic drive to nuclear ignorance. more Australian nuclear news headlines at https://antinuclear.net/2025/02/13/australian-nuclear-news-10-17-february/ 22 February – protest AUKUS this Sat near Pt Adelaide event https://www.facebook.com/events/13888580289
NUCLEAR ITEMS
ART and CULTURE.
Why Welsh speakers oppose Wylfa nuclear plant.
ECONOMICS.
- The £40bn nuclear project at risk of becoming another British white elephant. ALSO AT https://nuclear-news.net/2025/02/12/2-a-the-40bn-nuclear-project-at-risk-of-becoming-another-british-white-elephant/
- Can the nuclear industry find a better way to build?
- Octopus Energy launches renewables investment platform for consumers.
- South Korea increases support for domestic nuclear industry.
- NUCLEAR BRIBERY: Nuclear Waste Services funds Cumbrian community projects.
- Marketing. India PM Modi ends foreign tour with nuclear deals in pipeline.
| EMPLOYMENT. US government tries to rehire nuclear staff it fired days ago.There really ARE necessary nuclear industry jobs – IN DEMOLISHING NUCLEAR REACTORS! |
| ENERGY Prioritizing nuclear power and natural gas over renewable energy is a risky move for Ontario’s energy future. Green power– not for us? |
| ENVIRONMENT ‘Nothing prepared us for Sizewell C devastation‘. Nuclear Free Local Authorities back petition to save fish at Hinkley C. Nuclear waste plan ‘would scar Lincolnshire Wolds‘. |
EVENTS.
- 19 February – WEBINAR. International Update: Nuclear Waste Burial Programs in the UK, US and EU | Nuclear Waste Online 2025.
- 21 February WEBINAR . What Scientists Are Telling Us About Radiation that Nuclear Boosters Won’t.
- 22 February Drone Wars Online Day Conference.
- 23 February GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION TO CLOSE BASES. – https://worldbeyondwar.org/closebases/
- Third Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons .
| HEALTH. Doctors fear health fallout from nuclear energy plans |
| MEDIA. Media must unshackle itself. |
| OPPOSITION TO NUCLEAR Opposition mounts to planned nuclear plant as Starmer confirms new policy of ‘Build, baby, build’. Sizewell C campaigners slammed “clueless” Government. |
| SAFETY.Oops! Trump accidentally fired hundreds of federal workers who maintain our nuclear weapons. Warning sent about need for strategic policing reform to address security of SMRs. Safety Issues and Impact on Marine Environment of Extension of British Nuclear Plant Lifespan Queried by NGO. Would a fallout shelter really protect you in a nuclear blast?‘ Deeply Concerned’ Dems Want to Know If DOGE Can Access Nuclear Weapons Data. Incident. A drone pierced the outer shell of Ukraine’s Chernobyl nuclear plant. Radiation levels are normal. |
| SECRETS and LIES. Engineer who worked on Hinkley Point C nuclear project quizzed on suspicion of being a Russian spy, The Coventry experiment: why were Indian women in Britain given radioactive food without their consent? Secret terror blueprints for US NSC to ‘help Ukraine resist’ exposed. |
| WAR and CONFLICT. NFLAs endorse international appeal for justice over French nuclear tests. |
| WEAPONS and WEAPONS SALES .A New Military-Industrial Complex Arises. Trump wants Russia, China to stop making nuclear weapons, so all can cut defence spending by half. Trump Promises Billions in Defense Cuts. Will U.S. resume nuclear testing? America’s nuclear gamble: The dangerous push to resume atmospheric testing. Trident nuclear submarine project rated “unachievable” third year running. UK Government urged to scrap nuclear weapons ‘once and for all’. |
Nuclear news this week
Some bits of goodnews – The world has probably passed “peak air pollution”. Solar overtakes coal in Europe for the first time in 2024. Nine new protected areas across South America.
TOP STORIES.
As China and the U.S. Race Toward A.I. Armageddon, Does It Matter Who Wins?
How Australia’s CANDU Conservatives Fell in Love with Canadian Nuclear.Trump Says He’ll Audit the Pentagon-Will it prove to be a bridge too far?–
It’s money that has stopped nuclear power, not planning problems.
Climate. Hottest January on record shocks scientists. Half a degree rise in global warming will triple area of Earth that is ‘too hot for humans’. Greenland ice sheet cracking more rapidly than ever, study shows. Children ‘gripped by climate change anxiety’
Noel’s notes. Swallow the nuclear spin, baby, swallow the spin! My favourite despicable Australian politician (Richard Marles).
AUSTRALIA. Explained: Why nuclear power has been banned in Australia for more than 25 years. Honest Government Ad | Nuclear – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBqVVBUdW84 Lies, damned lies and Coalition energy economics: Dutton’s latest nuclear claim slammed . More Australian nuclear news at https://antinuclear.net/2025/02/04/australian-nuclear-news-headlines-february-4-11/
NUCLEAR ITEMS
| CLIMATE. UAE Turns to Satellites to Shield Region’s Only Nuclear Plant From Climate Risks. |
| ECONOMICS. France’s top audit body questions feasibility of EDF’s nuclear plans. New UK data sends nuclear warning for Australia . |
| EMPLOYMENT. Nuclear delusion in Ynys Môn will deny islanders green jobs. |
| ENERGY. With calls for nuclear, are Scottish Labour stuck in the 70s? |
| ENVIRONMENT. Concern UK’s AI ambitions could lead to water shortages. Requiem for the trees. |
| EVENTS. 15 – 29 March – 2025 Virtual Film Festival: The Untold Stories of Nuclear Weapons |
| POLITICS. ‘Build baby build’, says UK PM as he sets out nuclear plan. NUCLEAR NIGHTMARE: SOLAR REVOLUTION.UK Government rips up rules to fire-up nuclear power. Starmer pledges to ‘build, baby, build’ as green groups criticise nuclear plans. Starmer’s “anti-democratic” push to put Nuclear Reactors incommunities without consultation. The twelve ideal sites for mini nuclear reactors, according to an expert. Planners recommended against nuclear plant in 2019 citing fears for Welsh language. Is “Bad Faith”‘s Council for National Policy the Atlas Network’s half-brother? |
| POLITICS INTERNATIONAL and DIPLOMACY. Trump, Who Tore Up Iran Nuclear Deal, Calls for Iran Nuclear Deal. Trump says he wants new nuclear deal letting Iran ‘prosper’. Trump and the global nuclear order |
| SAFETY.Ministers will relax rules to build small nuclear reactors – ALSO AT…. https://antinuclearinfo.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=298129&action=edit&calypsoify=1 Russian attacks near Ukrainian nuclear infrastructure heighten scrutiny of Kyiv’s preparedness. IAEA chief, in Kyiv, warns of nuclear risk from attacks on Ukraine grid.If DOGE goes nuclear. Incident. Two workers contaminated with radioactive material at Borssele nuclear plant |
| SECRETS and LIES. Hinkley Point plays down reports of suspected ‘spy’ at nuclear power plant. Engineer who worked on Hinkley Point C nuclear project quizzed on suspicion of being a Russian spy. |
| SPACE. EXPLORATION, WEAPONS. Falling space debris is increasingly threatening airplanes, researchers say. |
| SPINBUSTER. UK’s new government taxonomy will greenwash nuclear.A former Miss America takes her nuclear sales pitch to audiences in Australia. |
| TECHNOLOGY. Google deletes policy against using AI for weapons or surveillance. OpenAI Strikes Deal With US Government to Use Its AI for Nuclear Weapon Security. |
| URANIUM. Uranium fever collides with industry’s dark past in Navajo country. |
| WASTES. Nuclear Dump “Reveal” of “Areas of Focus.” A Nuclear Dump Anywhere is a Nuclear Dump Everywhere – #GDFOFF. Threat of nuke dump falls on Cumbrian and Lincolnshire rural communities. Hidden history of RAF airfield may be lost in latest nuke dump plan. Council votes to end Holderness nuclear waste talks. |
| WAR and CONFLICT. Doomsday Clock Needs Adjusting. |
| WEAPONS and WEAPONS SALES. The national missile defense fantasy—again. Trump Asks Congress To Approve $1 Billion Arms Transfer to Israel. Local opinion: Raytheon pushes The Doomsday Clock closer to midnight. Top Pentagon contractors poised for gains as Trump pushes missile shield expansion. US failed to track weapons sent to Ukraine – Reuters. Elon Musk Can Find His $2-Trillion Federal Spending Cut in Nuclear Weapons. Elon Musk On The Future Of Warfare – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfs11RIKtI8 North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vows to further develop nuclear forces |
My favourite despicable Australian politician
While there’s a lot of competition for this title, I gotta give it to the outstanding contestant – RICHARD MARLES, – Minister for Defence, and oh my god! – Deputy Prime Minister!
What qualities does Marles bring to this august role?
Well there is a top quality
1 Marles is a master at not answering the question. – Asked about further instalments of $millions to USA for AUKUS, he avoided the question, crapped on about previous agreements. Asked if Hegseth gave any assurances about the submarines arriving on time – he gave a long-winded completely evasive answer. Asked if He had asked whether the $#billion price tag was the final one – – another long evasive non-answer. Avoiding the question – he nearly freaked out when asked about Gaza!
2 Grovelling in front of an American despicable politician, Pete Hegseth, on the “strength of American leadership” – “we are really grateful and excited” [omigawd!]
3 Duplicity. There’s no clarity on what role Richard Marles played in the Albanese government’s fateful decision to follow the Liberal Coalition in the foolish AUKUS arrangment, by which Australian will pay $398billion to the USA for nuclear submarines that will be obsolete well before we get them. At one point, Marles was effusive about PWC
4 Confusion. Asked about humanitarian aid to Pacific countries, Marles explained the military aid being giver. He doesn’t undertsand the difference between militarism and humanitarian aid.
More nuclear news in the time of Trump
I quote Hannah Arendt because her message is so timely right now. The Anglophone world, led by Donald Trump, is about to descend into a morass of lies, deceptions, omissions. Already, climate scientists in America wonder whether or not to speak out. Here in Australia, we rightly condemn anti-semitism, but no-one dares to speak out against Israel’s genocide of Palestinians. Similarly, no mention of Ukraine gives the full picture. Who dares speak of the positive achievements of China? It is de rigueur to condemn everything about China. I fear that journalists of integrity are losing their jobs in the USA, and are threatened in other countries, too.
I still realise that in nuclear dangers, the big one, nuclear war, is looming in the context of the Middle East, of Ukraine, and of the visceral hatred of Russia and China. But I do feel relief in now deciding rather than wading through those morasses, – to concentrate on more strictly nuclear issues.
TOP STORIES.
AI’s Energy Demands Threaten a Nuclear Waste Nightmare.
Drones, Nukes, and the Myth of Reactor Safety.
China AI startup rattles US new nukes plan.
Open source vs. closed doors: How China’s DeepSeek beat U.S. AI monopolies.
An “American Iron Dome”: Perhaps the Most Ridiculous Trump Idea Yet.
Climate. Climate change made LA fires worse, scientists say. The surface of our oceans is now warming four times faster than it was in the late 1980s. Leaders in the Pacific raise alarm over ‘direct impact’ of Trump’s climate retreat and aid freeze.
Noel’s notes. Dangerous climate radical, Lloyd’s of London, threatens the world economy.
AUSTRALIA. “Nuclear for Australia” – a CHARITY ? Whaa-at !
Nuclear waste. AUKUS agency’s reckless indifference. Dutton’s nuclear plan requires ‘huge’ new bureaucracy– ALSO AT https://antinuclear.net/2025/02/02/duttons-nuclear-plan-requires-huge-new-bureaucracy/ Dutton defends nuclear costings as opponents warn of power bill hit . More Australian nuclear news at https://antinuclear.net/2025/02/03/australian-nuclear-news-27-january-to-3-february/
NUCLEAR ITEMS.
ART and CULTURE. Pentagon Warns China Developing Love, The Greatest Weapon Of All.
ECONOMICS. NuScale Power Corporation (SMR) Stock Plunges 25% Amid DeepSeek AI Concerns and Reevaluation of AI-Driven Energy Demand. Vistra, Constellation lead S&P losers as DeepSeek market rout takes down nuclear plays.
ENERGY. Power stocks plunge as energy needs called into question because of new China AI lab. Renewables to dominate future EU energy supply despite nuclear buzz – German engineers.
| ENVIRONMENT. Hinkley Point C owner warns fish protection row may further delay nuclear plant. |
| EVENTS. Anti-Nuclear War Activists Roll Out Counter Version of Doomsday Clock: The Peace Clock. Save Severn Estuary’s Fish: Demand Action from Hinkley — Sign the petition. 23 February GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION TO CLOSE BASES. – https://worldbeyondwar.org/closebases/ April 19-26: SHUT DOWN DRONE WARFARE, Spring Action Week, NM, 2025. Make your State a Nuclear Free Zone. |
| HEALTH. Social effects– Towns near Fukushima plant struggle to attract families with children. Radiation. 40% of workers cite radiation concerns at Fukushima plant. |
| MEDIA. Media coverage of Dutton’s nuclear ‘plan‘: Scrutiny, stenography or propaganda https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzZO66-3HfU |
| PLUTONIUM Hot Plutonium Pit Bomb Redux. Radioactive Plutonium In Sahara Dust Came From An Unexpected Source |
| SPACE. EXPLORATION, WEAPONS. Nuke Mars, Elon? Not with your Outer Space Treaty. |
| TECHNOLOGY. The Evolution of the Militarized Data Broker. How a Chinese nerd destroyed the US AI biosphere. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzrpMohWkmY DeepSeek: how a small Chinese AI company is shaking up US tech heavyweights. Do AI and Nukes Mix? Hint: Keep ‘Human Decision in the Loop’. |
| URANIUM. Concerns about Agnew Lake Uranium Mine Unheard at Nuclear Commission Meeting. |
| WASTES. Sweden building world’s second nuclear waste storage site amid safety concerns. Potential UK nuclear waste sites identified |
| WAR and CONFLICT. Russia claims nuclear plant targeted during massive Ukrainian drone attack. Closer than ever: It is now 89 seconds to midnight. |
| WEAPONS and WEAPONS SALES. Israel sends missiles to Ukraine – Axios. The Guardian view on Star Wars II: US plans for missile shield risk nuclear instability. Trump orders ‘Iron Dome for America’ in sweeping missile defense push. General in Charge of Nuclear Weapons Says Heck, Let’s Add Some AI. Government announces dangerous new plan for more plutonium at Livermore Lab. Sole control -No US president should be allowed to unilaterally authorize a first strike of nuclear weapons. |
TODAY 2025 – Australia’s dangerous nuclear dance with Dutton?
20 January 2025 https://theaimn.net/2025-australias-dangerous-nuclear-dance-with-dutton/
Why I must now focus on Australia’s nuclear question.
For the past 18 years, I have been running two websites dedicated to the nuclear-free cause. I started these when John Howard was proposing nuclear power for Australia. The hazards then were obvious, environmental and health damage, further oppression of Aboriginal people, threats to civil liberties, proliferation of nuclear weapons, and more.
Over the last few years, the threat of nuclear war has increased. It’s become clear that men in power have come to believe that a nuclear war can be won, despite what the scientists tell us. The idea of nuclear disarmament has gone out the window, as ever new, cleverer, bigger nuclear weapons are devised by our fine “defenders”.
While danger has increased, knowledge and understanding of history has decreased. So we have a Western world that pays no attention to the background to the war in Ukraine, and confidently believes that it is all about one “evil” man – Putin, and nothing to do with the complex story of the Donbass region of Ukraine, and its quest for autonomy.
Meanwhile the horror of the Israeli genocide of Palestinians in Gaza continues, and the Netanyahu government’s ruthless oppression there is backed by Western weapons, and moral support, – because we “don’t want to be anti-semitic, do we?” And again, the history of the region is ignored.
These two situations could so easily tip the world over the brink – to nuclear war.
But as if that were not enough – there’s more on-the-brink background. We must now hate not only Russia, but also China, and Iran, and be ready to nuclear bomb them. We must build up more nuclear weapons, – to the gratification of those lovely armaments companies and their happy shareholders.
And if that all is not enough to have us now teetering on that brink, we have the most powerful nation in the world run by a deranged President Trump, who is supported, perhaps himself controlled, by a small group of obscenely rich men of brilliant minds but lopsided morals, including the ketamine-dependent Elon Musk.
So, to get back to the point. In this crazy new world, the new USA government will destroy or control political, judicial, educational and social institutions, with the aid of Murdoch media and social media. Misinformation and lies will be rife, and it will be a struggle to find media sources that can be trusted. But decent people, with the will for co-operation and for collective action continue – we just have to find them.
I have tried, through my websites to cover those international political issues that bring nuclear war ever closer. But now, it is just too hard.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, here in Australia, we have the unique situation of an entire continent being taken over, militarily, by the USA. Liberal and Labor governments have let it happen. Labor Prime Ministers, terrified by what happened to the one Prime Minister, Gough Whitlam, who dared to stand up to the USA, continue to kowtow to America.
If the “tech bros” and the shadowy Atlas Foundation can play a role in bringing the chaotic Donald Trump to power in the USA, they could well do the same thing here, helping to bring Dutton’s nuclear madness to Australia. However, I must give Dutton some credit, too. He now looks likely to offer all sorts of other enticements to Australian voters, and perhaps just soft pedal on the nuclear propaganda, and hope we forget about it..
It is up to those of us who are aware, and perhaps have the time, to explore the scenario of what the nuclear industry would mean for this country.
Australia is somewhat scarred by the nuclear industry already, with the abomination of the British nuclear bombing of aboriginal land in the 1950s, and with the environmental and health destruction of uranium mining. But Australia now has this unique opportunity – to be the world leader in renewable energy, and energy conservation.
Australia does not have to be “USA’s beachfront against China” as one American politician said recently. Australia does not have to be the Southern Hemisphere base for USA’s nuclear-armed bombers, and nuclear submarines.
So, anyway, I reckon that the job for aware Australians is to keep the focus on Dutton’s nuclear nuttiness, exposing its lies. For my own part, I’m narrowing the scope of my websites and newsletter, taking them back to their original theme – for a nuclear-free world.
“
Short nuclear news round-up -week to 5 January 2025
Some bits of good news – 86 Stories of Progress from 2024
A 12-year-old schoolgirl has designed a solar-powered blanket for the homeless. ALSO AT https://nuclear-news.net/2025/01/04/1-a-12-year-old-schoolgirl-has-designed-a-solar-powered-blanket-for-thehomeless/
TOP STORIES
2025, Iran is back in the U.S. crosshairs for regime change.
Japan, US to communicate on possible use of nuclear weapons.
Arms control is essential to prevent the total devastation of nuclear war.
Protect your girls: We show that biological sex IS a factor in radiation outcomes, WIDELY.
JIMMY CARTER: Commemorations by nuke watchdogs
Climate. A snapshot of climate devastation’: Study claims 2024’s biggest climate disasters cost $200bn – ALSO AT https://nuclear-news.net/2025/01/01/2-b1-a-snapshot-of-climate-devastation-study-claims-2024s-biggest-climate-disasters-cost-200bn/ Skiing in France is slowly dying ALSO AT https://nuclear-news.net/2024/12/31/2-b1-skiing-in-france-is-slowly-dying/deal for Ukraine ?
Noel’s notes. Iran and the “right to have nuclear weapons“. Is it realistic for Donald Trump to boast of a quick peace deal for Ukraine?
AUSTRALIA. The $80 billion question buried in Dutton’s nuclear power plan. The Coalition’s coal-keeper plan. Can true nuclear independence be achieved without ending the US Alliance? More Australian nuclear news at https://antinuclear.net/2024/12/31/australian-nuclear-news-30-december-6-june/
NUCLEAR ITEMS
| ECONOMICS. Sizewell C faces calls for more scrutiny of costs ahead of Final Investment Decision. Government urged to review Sizewell C nuclear plant over ballooning cost. Armed with Canadian taxpayer support, AtkinsRéalis and Westinghouse are competing to export nuclear reactors. Which one will prevail? -ALSO AT https://nuclear-news.net/2025/01/04/1-b1-armed-with-canadian-taxpayer-support-atkinsrealis-and-westinghouse-are-competing-to-export-nuclear-reactors-which-one-will-prevail/ |
| ENVIRONMENT. Some Types of Pollution Are More Equal than Others.Radiation is normal at Cesar Chavez Park, but it’s a different story underground, tests show. |
| ETHICS and RELIGION. The Moral Bankruptcy of the West. |
| EVENTS. Petition: Scrutinise Sizewell C |
| HEALTH. Where is the ‘mature debate’ about the health impacts of nuclear power? – ALSO AT https://antinuclear.net/2025/01/03/where-is-the-mature-debate-about-the-health-impacts-of-nuclear-power/ Cellphone radiation warning as researchers reveal new risk factor. |
| MEDIA. Examining Annie Jacobsen’s “Nuclear War: A Scenario”. BBC staffers reveal editor’s ‘entire job’ to whitewash Israeli war crimes. |
| PERSONAL STORIES. Toshiyuki Mimaki: Let’s save humanity from nuclear weapons. One Week in the Carter Presidency: Brokering Peace and a Nuclear Crisis -ALSO AT https://nuclear-news.net/2024/12/31/2-b1-one-week-in-the-carter-presidency-brokering-peace-and-a-nuclear-crisis/ |
| POLITICS.Nuclear power had a strong year in 2024, but uncertainty looms for 2025. No change in Iran’s nuclear doctrine, top security official says. US relaxes green hydrogen rules in race to boost nuclear sector -ALSO AT https://nuclear-news.net/2025/01/04/2-b1-us-relaxes-green-hydrogen-rules-in-race-to-boost-nuclear-sector/ |
| POLITICS INTERNATIONAL and DIPLOMACY. Iran says ready to enter talks soon with the West to agree on a new nuclear deal. Next nuclear talks between Iran and three European countries due on Jan 13.With successful Syrian regime change, will US set sights on Iran regime change 2.0? – https://nuclear-news.net/2024/12/31/2-b1-with-successful-syrian-regime-change-will-us-set-sights-on-iran-regime-change-2-0/ A Trump-Putin Deal Over Ukraine Does Not Look Good for Europe.Can Trump Trump China (or Vice Versa)? |
| RADIATION. Improved way to gauge radiation doses developed for Fukushima, (they studied only 30 people) |
| SAFETY. Incidents. The Time Navy Lt. Jimmy Carter Was Lowered Into A Partially Melted-Down Nuclear Reactor |
| SECRETS and LIES. EU officials will claim ignorance of Israel’s war crimes: a leaked document shows what they knew. |
SPACE. EXPLORATION, WEAPONS. The Quiet Crisis Above: Unveiling the Dark Side of Space Militarization
Departing Air Force Secretary Will Leave Space Weaponry as a Legacy.
TECHNOLOGY. Here comes Yakutia, Russia’s newest nuclear icebreaker.
WASTES. WIPP’s Legacy Transuranic Waste Disposal Plan Demonstrates DOE’s Broken Promises. Decommissioning: Pickering A nuclear power plant bites the dust!
| WAR and CONFLICT. Biden discussed plans to strike Iran nuclear sites if Tehran speeds toward bomb. Syrian minorities under threat as security forces carry out raids against ‘remnants of Assad militias’. |
| WEAPONS and WEAPONS SALES. Trump Wants Greenland to Deploy Medium-Range Missiles Aimed at Russia . US Has Given Israel $22 Billion in Military Aid Since October 2023. Biden spending last month shoveling billions to get more Ukrainians killed for nothing. Biden Administration Announces Nearly $6 Billion in New Ukraine Aid. Canada’s atomic legacy |
Nuclear news in the last week of 2024
So often, art gives us hope, points the way ahead. Over 40 years ago, the Australian folk band Redgum had hit songs, especially opposing war. Above is the cover picture of their first album, depicting the USA’s secret military intelligence hub in Central Australia. In this critical year of 2025, with nuclear war and climate catastrophe dangling over us, Redgum’s message about not giving up, is more pertinent than ever.And people, millions of them, are not giving up, with leadership from so many forward-thinking groups, like the
International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, and many anti-nuclear, peace and environmental organisations world-wide.
What didn’t happen in 2024 – Success on the ground and in court for the nuclear-free movement.TOP STORIES
Another expert report finds Israel is committing genocide: The West yawns
Trump suggests Zelensky consider ceding territories – El Pais.
AI bigwigs want to go all-in on nuclear: they also happen to be behind nuclear companies.
New Mexico’s Nuclear-Weapons Boom.
From the archives. Big tech, bigger lies.
Climate. We need to be prepared’: China adapts to era of extreme flooding. A year of extreme weather that challenged billions. Scientists should break the ice.
Noel’s notes. As the Gaza genocide continues, it cannot be a happy 2025. The Australian election as a game of cricket: cost of living is the issue, but does Nature bat last? The good Germans and the good Jews.
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AUSTRALIA. This talk of nuclear is a waste of time: Wind, solar and firming can clearly do the job. More Australian nuclear news at https://antinuclear.net/2024/12/26/australian-nuclear-news-24-30-december/
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NUCLEAR ITEMS
ATROCITIES. Israeli Attacks in Gaza Kill at Least 32 More Palestinians Over 24 Hours. Israel Is Killing Civilians In Gaza On Purpose, And It’s Not Even Debatable.
Gaza babies ‘freezing to death’ amid Israel’s inhumane blockade: UNRWA. All Of Western Civilization Owns This Genocide.
CULTURE and ART. Philosophy Against Nuclear Power.
ECONOMICS. As construction of first small modular reactor looms, prospective buyers wait for the final tally ALSO AT https://nuclear-news.net/2024/12/28/1-a-as-construction-of-first-small-modular-reactor-looms-prospective-buyers-wait-for-the-final-tally/
British energy supplier Centrica is prepared to “walk away” from a planned investment in the Sizewell C nuclear plant. ALSO AT https://nuclear-news.net/2024/12/26/1-b1-british-energy-supplier-centrica-is-prepared-to-walk-away-from-a-planned-investment-in-the-sizewell-c-nuclear-plant/
Labour donor Dale Vince urges ‘rigorous financial scrutiny’ of Sizewell C costs.
Fault puts nuclear power station offline over Christmas.
| ENERGY. Why tech giants such as Microsoft, Amazon, Google and Meta are betting big on nuclear power. |
| ENVIRONMENT. High tide for Holtec |
| INDIGENOUS ISSUES. Ontario First Nation challenging selection of underground nuclear waste site in court |
| OPPOSITION to NUCLEAR . Villagers oppose proposed nuclear plant in Arasinkeri. |
| PERSONAL STORIES. Japan’s fishing town of Suttsu faces nuclear waste dilemma amid population decline. |
| POLITICS. Chris Hedges: How Fascism Came. FRANCE’S NUCLEAR ENERGY POLICY: A CHRONICLE OF FAILURE – FLAMANVILLE 3. Israel to Annex the West Bank – Why Now? And What are the Likely Scenarios? |
| POLITICS INTERNATIONAL and DIPLOMACY. How Ukraine is Helping the HTS Militants Who Overthrew Assad. The rise and fall of Sweden’s nuclear disarmament advocacy. |
RADIATION. Did Israel explode a small nuclear bomb in Syria? Spike in radiation report says…
SAFETY. Jeremy Corbyn speaks out on danger of Trident in Scotland.
There’s a Major Problem With the Nuclear War Bunkers The Rich Are Buying.
Incidents. Workers Seek Shelter As Hanford Nuclear Complex Issues Leak Alert. Earthquake-prone Indonesia considers nuclear power plan as 29 possible plant sites revealed.
| SECRETS and LIES.US-Funded Group Removes Report Warning of Famine in North Gaza After Complaint From US Ambassador.Black Money, Black Flags: How USAID Paved the Way for Syria’s Militant Takeover.No more research for genocide at MIT!Pentagon Admits It’s Been Lying About the Number of Troops in Both Iraq and Syria.’ References to ‘inducing a North Korean attack’ found in ex-military official’s notes. |
| WASTES. Northwestern Ontario nuclear waste site selection raises concerns.Second Fukushima nuclear sample removal eyed for March.Complex plan for dismantling UK’s 27 dead, rusting, radioactive nuclear submarines. |
| WAR and CONFLICT. US Military Supported Syrian Rebel Offensive That Toppled Assad Government.Who’d want to survive a nuclear war?Iranian lawmaker warns Israeli strike could push Tehran toward nuclear weapons. |
| WEAPONS and WEAPONS SALES. The Guardian view on arms control: essential to prevent the total devastation of nuclear war. China sanctions US defense firms. |
Week to 23 December – news counteracting the nuclear-military-industrial-media complex
Some bits of good news
– Incredible progress in reducing infant mortality in South Asia – UNICEF,
India extended health coverage to millions of elderly citizens, The green economy defied sceptics
TOP STORIES
Syria Today, Iran Tomorrow, and Inevitably China.
Finding the Unmentionable: Amnesty International, Israel and Genocide. Israel’s War on Gaza Is a War on Children.
SpaceX Wants to Increase Launches at Boca Chica Without a Full Environmental Review.
Olkiluoto 3 has been a financial catastrophe for Areva, Siemens.
Dutton said a reactor’s waste would fill a Coke can: Try 27,000 of them.
Climate. World’s largest iceberg on the move again after months spinning on the spot.
Noel’s notes. ‘Tis the season to be fake about nuclear power, AI, plastic leaves, and a lot of other things.
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AUSTRALIA. The LNP’s nuclear policy is working just fine. Don’t want nuclear power’: Wild scenes as protestors storm Perth’s CBD during inquiry into nuclear energy.
The Coalition is playing voters for mugs once again with its nuclear costings. Coalition’s nuclear plan will hit Earth with 1.7bn extra tonnes of CO2 before 2050. The glaring gaps and unanswered questions in the Coalition’s nuclear plan and costings. More Australian nuclear news headlines at https://antinuclear.net/2024/12/17/australian-nuclear-news-headlines-17-23-december/
NUCLEAR ITEMS
| ART and CULTURE. Power, control and symbolic masculinity: How Freud might diagnose the pro nuclear lobby |
| ATROCITIES. Israel’s Crime of Extermination, Acts of Genocide in Gaza. |
| CLIMATE. Major report joins dots between world’s nature challenges. |
| ECONOMICS.Privatizing Syria: US Plans to Sell Off A Nation’s Wealth After Assad.U.S. Corporate Land Grab in Ukraine Underlies War With Russia.France’s most powerful nuclear reactor joins grid after €13bn holdup. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32XKveP01x4Foreign company withdraws from plans for Swedish nuclear power. |
| ENVIRONMENT. Risky Revival: How Michigan’s Palisades nuclear plant could impact agriculture . Will the legacy of nuclear power ever disappear from our coasts?. |
| LEGAL. Nuclear company Orano seeks arbitration over Niger mining licence. |
| POLITICS. Martial Law Fiasco Casts Doubt Over Korea’s Nuclear Power Push. Starmer backs minister accused of embezzling billions in Bangladesh. |
| POLITICS INTERNATIONAL and DIPLOMACY. Israel, not the ‘liberators’ of Damascus, will decide Syria’s fate. Blinken Confirms the US Is in Direct Contact With al-Qaeda-Linked HTS. Blinded to Syria. How Washington and Ankara Changed the Regime in Damascus. |
SAFETY.
- Europe fears nuclear catastrophe: This plant sets off all alarms due to risk of explosion.
- Nuclear Power Plants Report Massive Uptick In Drone Sightings. Drone Incursions Closed Wright-Patterson Air Force Base’s Airspace Friday Night.
- Missing nuclear package sparks major search after ‘very dangerous’ radioactive container vanishes on its way to Spanish airport.
- Aldermaston nuclear bomb factory makes explosives error.
- Incidents. Radioactive spill reported in Northeast Ohio nuclear power plant. U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Releases Report Confirming Radioactive Material Lost in Transit — Shipping Container Arrives Damaged and Empty in New Jersey.
| SECRETS and LIES. “I don’t care if its tainted money”: Council leader’s telling admission in Nuclear Waste Services cash grab debate. |
| SPACE. EXPLORATION, WEAPONS. US Space Force conducts ‘simulated on-orbit combat’ training. |
| TECHNOLOGY. Nuclear shipping will face significant challenges. |
Decommissioning. ‘Long journey ahead’ for nuclear plant clean-up. Final German nuclear power plant enters dismantling phase.
| WAR AND CONFLICT On Ukraine war, will Trump channel JFK or LBJ? Pentagon admits massive surge of US troops in Syria. Overnight Israeli Strike In Syria So Large It Caused Earthquake. Trump And Israel Can’t Wait To Start Bombing Iran. |
| WEAPONS and WEAPONS SALES. With no real enemies, US poised to spend $1.8 trillion for national security in 2025. Despite 100% Pentagon Audit Failure Rate, House Passes $883.7 Billion NDAA. Israel’s not-so-secret nuclear weapons. |
Counteracting the nuclear-corporate- military-media complex -week to 16 December
Some bits of good news –
Women Wage Peace and Women of the Sun, have received a joint Nobel Peace Prize nomination this year. Growing Corn in the Desert,No Irrigation Required.The Benefits of Gardening Just Keep Sprouting.
TOP STORIES . Trump Transition Team Considering Strikes on Iran. Inside Israel’s opportunistic invasion of Syria. Chilling Warnings for Syria: When Foreign Interventions Go Bad. From ‘Terrorist’ to ‘Freedom Fighter’: How the West Rebranded Al-Qaeda’s Jolani as Syria’s ‘Woke’ New Leader.
Climate. Climate crisis deepens with 2024 ‘certain’ to be hottest year on record. Antarctica is in crisis and we are scrambling to understand its future.
Noel’s notes. Australia’s coming Dutton-deluge of nuclear propaganda. The legal decision on the Murdoch media – what does it mean for us?
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AUSTRALIA. Solar switch off: Dutton’s nuclear plan amounts to declaration of war against household energy systems. Biggest losers from Coalition’s nuclear plan will be Australia’s 4 million solar households, industry says. The Coalition’s master plan: Bring large scale wind, solar and battery storage installations to a halt.
Dutton to reveal just how much he’s gambling on nuclear power. Peter Dutton’s nuclear plan: Mad, bad, and extremely dangerous.
How anger at Australia’s rollout of renewables is being hijacked by a new pro-nuclear network . Inquiry into nuclear power generation in Australia: Exposing Ted O’Brien’s dishonesty. Advance’s plan to destroy the Greens. Nuclear Neverland: The Lost Boys of Costings | The West Report -masse? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSeaybp9oAA
Peter Dutton in his ignorance is pushing nuclear reactors in Australia – including small nuclear reactors.
Netanyahu and Australia. More Australian nuclear news at https://antinuclear.net/2024/12/13/australian-nuclear-news-10-16-december
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NUCLEAR ITEMS
| ATROCITIES. Finding the Unmentionable: Amnesty International, Israel and Genocide. |
| CLIMATE. France’s New Nuclear Power Plant Is a Ticking Bomb. |
| ECONOMICS. Ed Miliband to bring more misery for Brits and send bills skyrocketing. Nuclear Stocks Were Super Hot Just A Month Ago: What’s Changed? France deal raises concerns over EDF dominance – Collective intelligence or failure? |
| EDUCATION. Congress Revives Cold War Tactics With New Anti-Communism School Curriculum |
| ENERGY. Murder, mayhem, and minerals: The price of the renewable energy revolution. A nuclear-free energy future for Hydro-Québec, says Michael Sabia. |
ENVIRONMENT.
- Radioactive contamination halts work on SSEN subsea link near Dounreay. World War II airplanes to blame for radiation halting work on SSEN cable near Dounreay.
- ‘Shambolic’ plans for Severn saltmarshes blasted. Nuclear Free Local Authorities (NFLA) make appeal over Areas of Focus in South Copeland.
- Oceans: Nuclear waste to be dumped into Cape Cod and turn ocean radioactive -ALSO AT https://nuclear-news.net/2024/12/13/2-b1-nuclear-waste-to-be-dumped-into-cape-cod-and-turn-ocean-radioactive/
| MEDIA. US mainstream media missed biggest news story of 2024 . Rupert Murdoch loses his legal battle, leaving future of media empire in the balance. Why Murdoch’s succession case could be major blow to his rightwing legacy. Book: The Scientists Who Alerted Us To The Dangers of Radiation. |
| OPPOSITION to NUCLEAR . New generation must take up fight against nuclear weapons, Nobel laureate group says. |
POLITICS.
- Syria – Winners And Losers Or Both. Taliban In Afghanistan Bad, Al-Qaeda In Syria Good.
- A promissory note to sway the vote? – Lincolnshire opts to seek nuclear waste Hosting Agreement.
- Trump and Nuclear Energy: There Are Questions. Nuclear sector’s views on second Trump administration mixed as Rogan interview raises questions.
POLITICS INTERNATIONAL and DIPLOMACY.
- The Fall of Assad & What it Means for The Middle East (w/ Alastair Crooke) | The Chris Hedges Report https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgEgHVtRbg4 Why is Biden cheering terrorist takeover of Syria? US, UK consider removing Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)from terror blacklist to ‘deepen contact’ with Al-Qaeda offshoot.
- US Backs Israel’s Land Grab in Syria. Canada considers financing for Polish nuclear power plant.
- Six major NATO states sign document on Ukraine’s accession plans.
- Will Donald Trump kill US-UK-Aussie sub defense deal?.
| SAFETY. Rocket fuel eating away at US, China nuclear weapons. Drone strikes UN vehicle on way to inspect Ukrainian nuclear plant. |
| SECRETS and LIES. Some Thoughts On The Mystery Drones.Anyone Can Buy Data Tracking US Soldiers and Spies to Nuclear Vaults and Brothels in Germany. |
| SPACE. EXPLORATION, WEAPONS. Remember the dark skies? |
| SPINBUSTER. Atomic revival: A new age for nuclear? |
| URANIUM. How a uranium mine became a pawn in the row between Niger and France. |
WAR and CONFLICT.
- The First Phase Of A New War Returns To Syria. US Bombs Over 75 Targets in Syria After Assad Falls.
- Why is Israel attacking Syria? Israel preparing to strike Iranian nuclear sites – media. Hitting Iran now could halt its nuclear plan – ALSO AT https://nuclear-news.net/2024/12/13/2-b1-hitting-iran-now-could-halt-its-nuclear-plan/
- “Terrorist Organization” Means Whatever The US Wants It To Mean.
- Airwars Finds Israel Killed Over 5,000 Civilians in Gaza in October 2023.
- Trump blasts Biden over long-range missile strikes into Russia . Ukraine conflict updates: Record Russian gains, Kursk encirclement and Donbass push. Biden Aims to Go Out With a Bellicose Bang.
TODAY. Australia’s coming Dutton-deluge of nuclear propaganda
| Australian Independent Media, 14 Dec 24,https://theaimn.com/australias-coming-deluge-of-nuclear-propaganda/ |
There’s something dramatically splendid about King Louis XV of France’s famous statement in 1757 – “After me, the deluge”, interpreted to mean that he knew his reign would leave France in a terrible mess, but meanwhile, let’s enjoy the wealth and fun.
Well, I’m not sure that the predicted election win in Australia for the Liberal-National Coalition will result in wealth and fun, but I think that its aftermath will be a mess.
But, in the meantime, as Peter Dutton has now delivered the Coalition’s statement on the costs of its nuclear power plan, Australia can expect a deluge of another kind – the pro-nuclear propaganda. Australia has had a preview of how this will work, in 2023, with the highly successful campaign to defeat the referendum on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.
One must give due credit to an American influence – the Atlas Network – for perfecting the spin system. To very briefly outline the work of the Atlas Network: it is a global infrastructure of 500+ ‘Think-Tanks’ including the Centre for Independent Studies, the Institute of Public Affairs and LibertyWorks. Posing as impartial advisers, these “Think Tanks” provide reports and articles designed to direct governments and educational and other social organisations towards policies that improve the profits of big corporations, and remove barriers to their profits. The barriers would be regulations, especially those involved with protecting the environment, and the rights of Indigenous people.
Apart from some funding, and training support, the real focus of the Atlas Network is on LANGUAGE – teaching the stink tanks how to use words to manipulate thinking. George Orwell alerted the world to the way in which fascism uses language, and wrote of “Newspeak”. Now the Atlas Network perfects the method – repetitively using vague and deceptive words to convey a lying message that is aimed at molding public opinion.
Sometimes these words are straight out lies: sometimes just vague words in which the meaning is distorted. The word “elite” is a good example – now used to discredit scientists and other experts so that the public comes to distrust them, and to rubbish their opinions, and their reports, particularly about regulations to protect the environment and Indigenous rights.
FEAR is indeed the currency of the Atlas Network. Fear and distrust of regulations, of officers and organisations involved in human rights and environmental protection. So these stink tanks work to weaken laws, and discredit agencies of human support – such as the United Nations.
Side by side with those messages of fear, come the lying messages of reassurance – for example the story that global heating is not happening, or, if it is, it has nothing to do with human activities such as greenhouse gas emissions. So we don’t need to worry or to do anything to stop these emissions. So we are reassured that nuclear power is “clean “green” “safe” “cheap” “nothing to do with weapons”.
Jeremy Walker explained the process by which the Atlas Network architecture of influence operated in the lead-up to the Voice referendum in 2023.
But we mustn’t let the Americans take all the glory for destroying the Indigenous Voice to Parliament. We have our own Australian spin network – called “Advance”, (sometimes “Advance Australia”). Advance has been around for some years. Financially and ideologically backed by a group of prominent business leaders, Advance’s membership and funding is obscure. Like Atlas, it teaches the think tanks, and some universities, how to word misinformation campaigns about climate change, indigenous rights, and nuclear power. It also spreads these messages via the conventional, and the social media, especially Facebook. Advance is at present working strenuously to discredit and destroy The Greens, the only political party genuinely opposing the nuclear industry.
So – how to deal with the deluge?
Australia has some fine journalists in the mainstream and the alternative media. They are already pointing out the flaws in the Coalition’s argument for nuclear power. Cost seems to be the main one: it is noted that Dutton’s costing is refuted by the CSIRO and the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis. Other big factors are delay, the increased greenhouse emissions, the opposition of some rural communities.
So Australia’s reputable commentators are doing a good job, in shining light on what is now the Coalition’s big election policy – nuclear power for Australia.
The anti-nuclear movement has a history of respectfully answering peo-nuclear proponents, sometimes in the same detailed jargonistic language that nuclear physicists and engineers prefer to use. At the political and academic level, they have done so well, providing effective information and detail. However, apart from Helen Caldicott, no-one has been game to spit it out forcefully to the great unwashed. The result is that – being ‘dazzled with science’, we ordinary mortals are inclined to just give up, and “leave it to the experts”.
Australia, the only continent with one national government, is blessed with world-leading renewable energy resources, and is already well on the way to genuinely clean energy, especially in rooftop solar. Australia now has the opportunity to lead the world in this. Our nuclear-free movement can promote the consciousness of a positive clean energy future for Australia, by using clear, forceful, jargon-free messages.
My worry is that there will now be a well-funded barrage of simplistic pro-nuclear propaganda -that will reach people everywhere, of all levels, especially in the outer suburbs and the regions – where everybody is watching Facebook, YouTube etc, and where in the ‘mainstream’, Murdoch media dominates anyway.
Will the nuclear-free movement be able to counteract the Atlas/Advance language methods? Atlas/Advance are so very good at it – using brief, repetitive, misleading language.They have the “hooray” words – “justice”, “life”, “freedom” and those “positives” – “clean” “green” etc. They have the “negatives” – “Hitler, “taxes” – and words used negatively “elites” “bureaucrat”, “government official” and “public servant”. And as well, they use vague, really, almost meaningless words – that waffle, weaken, and obscure the argument- “may” “can” “could” “might”, “arguably”.
We don’t know when the federal election will take place. At the moment, Peter Dutton’s nuclear plan is receiving much media scepticism. But it’s very early days. Advance is already swinging into action – starting with the anti-Greens campaign. The deluge will follow in no time.
But – I’m hoping that sensible people across Australia will have learned from the debacle of the Voice referendum. There are some very sound and thoughtful people out in the regions – where Dutton says that nuclear reactors will be placed, and these people are already resisting in a clear and practical way.
Week to 25 November – nuclear and related news
Some bits of good news –‘My Life Changed Completely’: How Kenya Turned Us vs. Them Into Water for All.
The global energy transition will cost a lot less than we think.
He’ll try, but Trump can’t stop the clean energy revolution.
China’s desertified land area shrinks by 65 million mu since 2012.
TOP STORIES. Trump’s Cabinet Picks Aren’t Looking Good For Peace In Ukraine. On Way Out, Reckless Biden Allows Deep Russia Strikes.
UK Sees Privatization ‘Opportunities’ in Ukraine War
Beyond one million
years: The intrinsic radiation hazard of high-level nuclear wastes.
The 1.5C Climate Goal Is Dead. Why Is COP29 Still Talking About It?
Nuclear fusion: neither imminent nor relevant to climate change.
Climate. ‘The sixth great extinction is happening‘, conservation expert warns – ‘Window of time to save climate is closing’. Climate crisis to blame for dozens of ‘impossible’ heatwaves, studies reveal. ,COP29: Baku breakthrough disappoints, but should still trigger a fresh wave of climate finance.
Noel’s notes. Danger of a nuclear catastrophe as Ukraine sends missiles to Kursk area in Russia
AUSTRALIA. Albanese government gives firm ‘no’ to joining UK-US agreement to advance nuclear technology, Signing US/UK nuclear deal would shred Australia’s credibility: Turnbull. Trump, AUKUS and Australia’s Dim Servitors. Nuclear is not really back. More Australian nuclear news at https://antinuclear.net/2024/11/20/australian-nuclear-news-headlines-18-25-november/
NUCLEAR ITEMS
| CLIMATE. Nuclear reactor cooling systems threatened by global heating. |
| CIVIL LIBERTIES. Germany and US Are in a Race to the Bottom on Suppressing Pro-Palestine Speech. USA. House Passes Chilling ‘Nonprofit Killer’ Bill With 15 Democrats Voting ‘Yes’. |
| ECONOMICS. Nuclear Industry Association members seek to expand into weapons sector. Great British Nuclear to put £1.8bn worth of mini-nuke contracts up for grabs. Shares in nuclear reactor company OKLO bite the dust. The enriched uranium market is all at sea, with USA the largest importer of Russian material ALSO AT …https://wordpress.com/post/nuclear-news.net/292122 |
| EMPLOYMENT. East Suffolk Council offering grants to convert homes to accommodate nuclear workers.. |
| ENERGY. Big batteries and EVs to the rescue again as faults with new nuclear plant cause chaos on Nordic grids.Solar power: Germany’s national, federal highways could host 54 GW of PV. |
| ENVIRONMENT. Thornbury MP fights for Hinkley Point environmental protections. Somerset church would ‘become’ island if ‘ham-fisted’ Hinkley saltmarsh plans go-ahead. |
| HEALTH. Gender and Ionizing Radiation: Towards a New Research Agenda Addressing Disproportionate Harm ALSO AThttps://nuclear-news.net/2024/11/23/1-a-gender-and-ionizing-radiation-towards-a-new-research-agenda-addressing-disproportionate-harm/ ‘Starmer – meet us before it’s too late,’ nuclear test veterans say. Britain’s Nuclear Bomb Scandal: Our Story review – how the UK’s atomic testing programme devastated lives. Radiation: Call to Action! Stop LANL Tritium Venting and Protect the Most Vulnerable. Why iodine pills are not a silver bullet to protect against nuclear radiation. NFLA submarine champion raises concerns over Clyde Tritium contamination. |
| LEGAL.International Criminal Court issues arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0hLXFsYW8oPilgrim Worker Claims He Was Poisoned by Radiation.Regulators update guidance on contamination of ground and water on nuclear licensed sites. |
| MEDIA. NY Times killed investigation of Israeli hooligans, internal email reveals – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7dcM22hPOENew Book. The Scientists Who Alerted Us To The Dangers of Radiation. |
| POLITICS. Russia’s Revised Nuclear Doctrine and the NATO-Russia Ukrainian War. Who Is Authorizing Biden’s Nuclear Brinkmanship While The President’s Brain Is Missing? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zeoPWJ_s3s Biden’s Missile . Crisis: Trump’s Election Is Also a Win for Tech’s Right-Wing “Warrior Class”. Iran warns West: abandon pressure or face more uranium enrichment. What would Iran do: A race to the bomb or a deal with Trump? Immoral Senate votes down resolutions to end US weapons fueling Israel’s genocide in Gaza. Scandal-ridden company SNC Lavalin, now calling itself AtkinsRéalis, strongly lobbying Ontario government to build its Candu nuclear reactors. Norfolk MP criticised for ‘anti-nuclear’ stance for Bacton. |
| POLITICS INTERNATIONAL and DIPLOMACY. High-Precision, Long-Range NATO Missiles Against Russia: Why Now? Iran has offered to keep uranium below purity levels for a bomb, IAEA confirms.European states vow to arrest Israeli PM. US one shy of becoming an Ace in blocking genocide ceasefire resolutions in UN. In 14-1 UN Security Council Vote, Lone US Veto Kills Gaza Cease-Fire Resolution. Trump opposes Israel annexation of West Bank, Republican sources say. Households receive chilling leaflet urging them to prepare for war and grim nuclear attack. |
| SAFETY. Power Out at Ukraine Atomic Plants After Russian Missile Strikes. Congress wants to turn the nuclear regulator into the US industry’s cheerleader—again. Reading road sees suspected nuclear warhead convoy. Japan / Blow For Nuclear Programme As Regulator Blocks Tsuruga-2 Restart. |
| SECRETS and LIES. UK Defence secretary to seek ‘missing’ nuclear test records. |
| SPINBUSTER. Nuclear Propaganda Exposed. Nuclear hype ignores high cost, long timelines. |
| TECHNOLOGY. Why EDF’s Hinkley C nuclear power plant will probably not be running before 2035.Will New Brunswick choose a “small, modular” nuclear reactor – that’s not small at all (among other problems)? Nuclear ‘Renaissance’ Recalls Past Boondoggles, Legacy of Failures. |
| WASTES. Decommissioning: Hunterston B decommissioning approved |
| WAR and CONFLICT. Report: Ukraine Fires British Storm Shadow Missiles Into Russia. Report: Biden Allows Ukraine To Strike Russia With Long-Range US Missiles.Russia Says US Missile Defense Base in Poland Is a Potential Target. Israeli strikes hit ‘component’ of Iran’s nuclear programme: Netanyahu. UN report is shows threat of nuclear war is ever present. |
| WEAPONS and WEAPONS SALES.Report: US and European Officials Discussed Giving Ukraine Nuclear Weapons. Fleet of drones is spotted over major US airbase in Britain where they are building facilities to house nuclear weapons. |
1 This month
of the week – Disrupting War & Militarism in Oceania. Active solidarity. Radical practice.
Antinuclear 