Nuclear news this week – Australia and more

Of course, the big world news is the coronavirus. Climate is as always, the vital second issue.

There was much favourable reaction to the nuclear ban treaty coming into force last week. The critics and sabotage from the nuclear weapons nations will no doubt come later.

Apart from the ban treaty, nuclear news has been very much in the background.  The global nuclear industry is not wasting this ”quiet” time, but instead is ramping up and reorganising for a 2021 propaganda blitz.

Some bits of good news –   Arctic Oil Drilling Plans Suffer ‘Stunning Setback’ as Almost ‘No One Shows Up’ For the Sale. UK Prioritizes Climate Crisis By Supporting Sustainability in Developing Countries With $4 Billion Plan.  Startup Builds 3 Huge Indoor Farms in Appalachia Turning Coal Country into Agricultural Hub

AUSTRALIA.

Morrison government gets in early to disparage nuclear ban treaty, but Labor supports it.   Australia could sign the Nuclear Ban Treaty and still keep its military co=operation with America. Australian Capital Territory politicians join calls for Australia to sign nuclear ban treaty.  Get nukes out of our Super funds!

Nuclear weapons ban treaty: more than a symbolic victory.  Australian government complicit in nuclear weapons, silent on Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty.  Red Cross celebrates Nuclear Ban Treaty- an incremental process towards elimination of nuclear weapons.

Kimba’s cosy nuclear corruption.  The nuclear dump for Kimba propaganda continues in 2021.

INTERNATIONAL.

International Physicians for the Preve.ntion of Nuclear War comment on “The great evasion “.    Treaty on Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons – a major step towards a safe world. Praise from United Nations, Pope Francis, for nuclear ban treaty coming into force.  5 nuclear activities that are now Illegal under international law.  Nuclear Ban Treaty obligates countries to assist nuclear victims and remediate environments.

Russia and USA exchange documents to extend the NEW START nuclear weapons agreement.

Quietly, under the brouhaha of the pandemic, the global nuclear lobby prepares a propaganda onslaught.

Pro nuclear publicist James Conca made a very big gaffe about Fukushima disaster.

GREENLAND.  Uranium mining plunder of Greenland, and the threat to the sub-arctic environment.

JAPAN.

• Buddhist leader urges international co-operation in further steps on the Nuclear Ban Treaty.
• Japanese govt plans to extend nuclear funding to communities, but there is public opposition. Local governments in Japan growing more reliant on nuclear taxes.
• Hiroshima ‘peace clock’ reset to 49 days following US nuclear test.
• Tokyo High Court holds TEPCO responsible for Fukushima nuclear crisis.   Fukushima’s former residents demand stricter decontamination of radiation before they would return.

USA.

• The 70-year nuclear gloom begins to lift on January 22.  Protest rally against University of Arkansas’ involvement with nuclear weapons corporation.
• A view from the law: The Danger Of Sole Presidential Authority Over Nuclear Weapons.
•   Biden can’t ignore that continuing crisis -the danger of nuclear annihilation. . Gorbachev Urges Biden to Improve Relations With Russia, Extend Key Nuclear Pact.
• Biden’s USA headed for confrontation with Russia? The troubling appointment of Victoria Nuland.   Biden keeps Trump appointee as acting nuclear weapons chief.
• USA and Iran must overcome 9 hurdles to revive the nuclear deal.   Biden works a weakened U.S. hand to negotiate way back into Iran nuclear deal.
• By Far the Worst Thing Trump Did Was Flirt With Nuclear War With North Korea.
• The aerospace industry – the goal is weaponry and global dominance. A dangerous out-dated ”zombie” U.S. Navy policy on ballistic missile submarines.
•  Strong opposition to USA’s Nuclear Rubberstamp Commission extending nuclear reactors’ lives to 100 years.   100 year licences for nuclear reactors? – a hazardous plan.
• America’s Committee to Defend Australian citizen Julian Assange.
• Even After January 6, Some Media Can’t Kick Their Addiction to False Balance.  First a comment on military smrs – then the enthusiastic article about them.

RUSSIA.  Russia to withdraw form Open Skies Treaty, EU concerned.  Russia welcomes US proposal to extend New Start nuclear treaty.

UK.

• Trident Ploughshares, Scotland celebrate entry into force of nuclear weapons ban.    Treaty provides a framework for the elimination of nuclear weapons.  More than half of public supports UK joining UN ban on nuclear weapons.
• Despite Covid regulations, 22 nuclear bombs delivered to Scotland.
• UK’s Centre for Policy Studies about to change its name to Centre for thePromotion of Nuclear Sizewell C?
• “They’ll be able to dream up some bogus price” – UK nuclear proponents want financing system. Bradwell: UK’s ill-conceived nuclear project, with cronyism and vested interests, will damage environment.
• UK govt and Japan’s TEPCO to work together on robots to clean up Sellafield and Fukushima’s nuclear pollution.  So called “Improved” process for Cumbrian nuclear waste dump removes local right of veto.

FRANCE.  The hidden costs of France’s old, past-their-use-by-date nuclear reactors.  Radioactive releases from the Golfech nuclear power plant accumulate downstream. Serious shortcomings in the file on Bure (Meuse) underground nuclear waste storage.  EDF collapses on the stock market amid difficult negotiations in Brussels..

CANADA.  We need parliamentarians to stop project, prevent Ottawa River from being permanently contaminated — Concerned Citizens of Renfrew County and Area.  Canada’s nuclear regulator updates its drug and alcohol testing requirements.

IRAN.  President Hassan Rouhani has urged U.S. President Joe Biden to return America to the nuclear deal.

PAKISTAN. Pakistan test-fires nuclear-capable surface-to-surface ballistic missile.

SOUTH AFRICA, South Africa the only country to have nuclear weapons, then abandon them.

MOROCCO.  Another bit of boring nuclear propaganda – from Morocco this time.

ALGERIA. Investigation of Algerians affected by France’s nuclear bomb tests.

TAIWAN.  Taiwan. Nuclear power plant referendum set to take place in August.