Nuclear issues seem to be on the back burner, in Australia, and pretty much everywhere else. South East Asia is the exception, with countries worrying about Japan’s plan to release the Fukushima nuclear waste water into the Pacific Ocean. Still, I’ve found far too much nuclear news this week, for what is supposed to be a short newsletter. Perhaps that’s an indication that anxieties about the nuclear industry are simmering away,below the surface, and behind the media trivia.
At least the pandemic is getting the media attention that is so desperately required. The world is in the midst of its worst coronavirus crisis so far.
The one great lesson of the pandemic is surely that global issues should trump national greediness, and call for global cooperation.. Tackling climate change too requires global policies.
A bit of good news – Countries step up to supply oxygen and medicine to India. Pakistanis express solidarity with India over its COVID crisis, pledges supplies and medical aid.
AUSTRALIA
Australian government plan for a nuclear waste dump tears apart the small rural community of Kimba. ‘‘Low Level” radioactive trash to be removed to USA from posh Sydney suburb, while govt plans to send Higher Level nuclear waste to Kimba, rural South Australia.
ICAN addresses Mount Isa City Council after nuclear appeal pledge .
UK in secret talks with Australia and others, about mining rare earths.
INTERNATIONAL
We must continue to expose and refute the lies of nuclear industry.
Paul Beckwith on the failure of universities to address real world problems https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-orLuh7lj0
The huge carbon footprint and massive energy use of online activities and of Bitcoin.
For climate action, renewables clearly beat nuclear power.
Chernobyl disaster and the U.N. response – a global matter.
Nuclear fallout from the Cold War might be killing our bees.
Growing aggressive behaviour by nuclear proponents – is nuclear facing obsolescence?
INDIA. In India’s pandemic nightmare, India and Pakistan need to invest in health, not nuclear weapons.
JAPAN. Thyroid cancer increased 20-fold in Fukushima children. Radioactive leakage from nuclear waste containers near Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. Even with water release to the Pacific, Fukushima nuclear plant needs more storage tanks.
Governor of Fukui Prefecture to approve restart of aging nuclear reactors, but local community is opposed.
SOUTH KOREA. South Korean fishermen protest against the dumping of Fukushima wastewater into the Pacific Ocean.
USA.
- When USA attacks a foreign state, the media calls it ”Defense”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYRoXCdkmAY Like Trump, Biden administration to ramp up nuclear bomb-making. Mobile nuclear reactors? Scathing report slams ‘disturbing’ military program. Sen. Angus King: Cybersecurity a major concern in U.S. nuclear command-and-control system.
- Following Biden climate summit, USA govt keen to promote amd export Small Nuclear Reactors, Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) for space rockets has everything to do with the military, and funding for weapons makers. The purpose of USA space research is clearly military – they don’t even pretend any more. Elon Musk’s expensive and dangerous space delusion.
- Poor prospects for small nuclear reactors (SMRs) as a cure for climate change. No future for new nuclear. Subsidies for New Jersey’s nuclear power stations. Do the New Jersey nuclear power plants really need a handout?
- Feds: Underground nuclear waste tank at Hanford Nuclear Reservation may be leaking. Texas legislators must reject proposal to lower human health and safety measures at nuclear waste dump.
- Whistleblower can’t sue U.S.Dept of Labor, because it has ‘sovereign immunity’.
MARSHALL ISLANDS. The US Should Apologize to the Marshall Islands for Nuclear Tests.
UKRAINE. University of Sheffield researchers do detailed study of radioactive materials inside the wrecked Chernobyl nuclear reactor. On 35th anniversary of Chornobyl disaster, Ukraine opens new nuclear waste site. Chernobyl nuclear disaster: ‘Three-day evacuation lasted 35 years’. Corrosive corruption continues in Ukraine’s nuclear industry.
RUSSIA. Soviet Documents Reveal Cover-Ups At Chernobyl Nuclear Plant Before 1986 Disaster.
UZBEKISTAN. Does Uzbekistan really need a nuclear power plant?
EUROPE. France and Russia portray nuclear hydrogen as ”green’‘- arousing anger of several European nations. The dangers of extending the operating lives of old nuclear reactors.
FINLAND. Delays, increased costs and geopolitical uncertainties throw doubt on construction of nuclear power station in Finland.
CZECH REPUBLIC. Czech Republic’s nuclear plan hangs on hope for European Commission to call nuclear ”green”.
UK
- Extinction Rebellion climate activists block Faslane nuclear base. Most Scots feel unsafe about having nuclear weapons base on the Clyde. Bangor City Council supports the U.N. Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, as do over 400 other jurisdictions.
- The health effects of Chernobyl nuclear disaster as far away as Scotland. 35 years after Chernobyl disaster, nuclear power industry is struggling and is not part of climate change solution.
- UK’s £41 billion nuclear submarine project beset by delays, safety problems, cost overruns.
- UK anti-nuclear groups plan to stand candidates for elections, opposing Bradwell new nuclear station. China’s big stake in UK’s new nuclear projects. UK govt wants sovereign wealth funds to invest in nuclear power, -calling it ”green”, but there are doubts that nuclear projects will go ahead. Many hurdles to jump before Bradwell nuclear station starts construction. Meanwhile renewables race ahead. Sizewell C nuclear plant could kill 500m fish.
- Top Trump Cronies: Nuclear Waste and the UK’s First Deep Coal Mine in 30 years.
- Nuclear safeguards changed, new regulations to fit in with Brexit.
- Call for debate and scrutiny of proposed nuclear fusion power plant.
PACIFIC ISLANDS. ‘If it’s safe, dump it in Tokyo’ – Pacific Islanders don’t want Fukushima waste water. France tested 41 nuclear weapons in the Pacific, and grossly underestimated the radioactive fallout.
SOUTH AFRICA. Cabinet appoints critic as member of nuclear regulator board.
CANADA. Canadian government rejects Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty, but majority of Canadians support it.
IRAN. Iran’s foreign minister criticises influence of Revolutionary Guards and speaks of nuclear deal in leaked audio.
SWITZERLAND. City of Geneva calls for the closure of French nuclear station in Bugey.
RUSSIA. Not to be forgotten – the 1957 nuclear explosion in Mayak centre, Russia, that continues to poison the region.
FRANCE. High level of radioactivity near France’s uranium processing factory.
NEW ZEALAND. New Zealand nuclear veterans want apology and compensation from the government.
MALAYSIA. Malaysia needs to speak out on Japan releasing nuclear waste into the sea .
Nuclear Australia 
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