To 6 January – nuclear and climate news- Australia and beyond

One wonders if Donald Trump’s aim is to take the world to the brink of nuclear war, and then to pull back , with himself appearing like the global hero. Trump ordered the drone assassination of an Iranian hero.  Iran will now no longer restrict uranium enrichment, part of the 2015 deal limiting the country’s nuclear program in exchange for easing sanctions.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_I8TuF_dLA

A bit of good news – For the 29th consecutive year, India and Pakistan exchange lists of nuclear facilities.

The world is realising how quickly even a rich and ‘developed’ nation, Australia, can be devastated by extreme weather, exacerbated by climate change. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJ_NyEYRkLQ . Celebrities are donating to bushfire relief. Which is great. I’d like to think that they are equally generous to non-anglophone countries, which suffer even greater climate disasters.

AUSTRALIA

CLIMATE .

Prime Minister and marketing man Scott Morrison is getting a lot of flak for his loyalty to fossil fuel interests, but in my opinion, “ScoMo” will weather this storm. He will use his one great talent, sloganeering, to eventually turn the whole bushfire thing to his advantage, – helped by the Murdoch media -expect lots of ‘feel-good’ stories..

Michael Mann- climate change is now upon Australia.  Liberal former Foreign Minister Julie Bishop calls for Australia to show leadership on climate change. Morrison’s Aussie ocker, very religious, fans won’t care, but he’s not popular globally. Scott Morrison’s govt under pressure for its lack of climate policy.

 Mega fire set to form as ‘frustrated’ authorities plead with ‘stubborn’ residents. Guardian’s latest updates on fires. Not only is the bushfire disaster devastating for Australia: it’s bad for its image, too.

Scott Morrison’s condescending call for “patience” and “calm” on bushfires and climate change. Murdoch media: The Australian, Herald Sun and Courier Mail downplay bushfire news. The Institute of Public Affairs has poisoned climate discussion in Australia. How the Murdoch media murdered Australia’s climate policy.

NUCLEAR. The hazards of nuclear wastes, radioactive particles travel in smoke. Kimba nuclear waste ballot – a one-sided exercise by the Australian government. Why does the Australian govt want to put nuclear waste onto Australia’s precious agricultural land? Nuclear waste dumping and Australia’s bushfires – the unmentionable connection.

INTERNATIONAL

War planners ignore the fire effects of nuclear bombing.

Not nuclear bombs, but the cutting of undersea cables, could be the decisive war weapon.

Researchers still don’t fully understand Arctic melt and sea level rise.

The rise and rise of global offshore wind capacity.

IRAN.  Complex and tortured history of Iran and nuclear weapons debate. Iran pulling out of nuclear deal commitment after U.S. strike that killed Soleimani . Suleimani’s Gone, and the Iran Nuclear Deal May Be Next.

NORTH KOREA. Kim Jong Un May Be Leaving The Door Open To Nuclear Talks.

SERBIA. Depleted uranium causing cancer epidemic in Serbia.

JAPAN.

• Fukushima Reactor Cleanup Delayed by Five Years as Japanese Public Demands End to Nuclear Energy.  Fukushima Radioactive Water: Towards Environmental Release. Video release of Fukushima Daiichi  Unit 3 – High radiation. Bee swarm affected by Fukushima radiation.
• Japan plans 100% renewable energy for Fukushima prefecture by 2040.
• Secrecy in proceedings of Japan nuclear regulator about Kansai Electric’s three nuclear power plants.

USA.

• The escalation of nuclear tension between USA and Iran.  Trump’s push for lofty nuclear treaty sparks worry over current deal.
• Trump’s plan to systematically remove environmental protection. Tennessee Valley Authority unfairly fired a nuclear whistleblower.
• Ohio’s nuclear legal battles: Supreme Court will hear case filed by Ohioans Against Corporate Bailouts (OACB).
• Nuclear’s ‘safe and green’ image is the industry’s devious hoax.
• Radiation-free medical imaging.

FRANCE. The European Pressurised Water Reactor (EPR) is dragging nuclear company EDF into $billions of debt

UK.

• UK’s Sizewell C nuclear project not viable, due to escalating costs? UK govt trying to finance new nuclear plants, – complicated relations with China and USA.
• UK: legal action against environmental destruction by Sizewell nuclear project.
• Britain’s £1.2bn cleanup begins, of Berkeley nuclear power station, closed 30 years ago.
• Very unwise plan: UK’s Bradwell B nuclear project. vulnerable to climate extremes.
• Britain’s nuclear weapons convoys a disaster waiting to happen. Documents reveal UK’s plans for rolling out nuclear weapons. Nuclear weapons could have been sited in Norther Ireland.

GERMANY. Germany To Close All Nuclear Plants By 2022.  Germany’s nuclear phase-out enters final stretch.

CANADA. How On tario can get out of nuclear power, and reduce carbon emissions.

RUSSIA. Environmental and technical worries, as Russia extends the life of old Kola Nuclear Power Plant. Russia, in fear of a USA first strike may now revive its “dead hand” nuclear weapon.

MADAGASCAR. Thorium and uranium pollution from Rio Tinto’s Madagascar mine.

EGYPT. Egypt’s solar energy success.

ISRAEL.Prime Minister Netanyahu almost blew the secret of Israel’s nuclear arsenal.

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