Nuclear, and some other, news this week

Today, Dr Helen Caldicott speaks out forcefully on the omnicidal threat of nuclear war, on male aggression, and the need for women to take control in national governments.

On matters nuclear – not much is happening – news items this week, from UK, Canada, France and USA show that  nuclear development is stalling.    Meanwhile renewable energy is charging ahead globally – cheaper and faster. I am not able to keep up with solar, wind, developments etc.

CORONAVIRUS –  What’s happening in Canada and around the world.

CLIMATE.  Cascading Tipping Points & Permafrost. Germany the latest victim of extreme weather.

A bit of good news. Huge Supply of Water is Saved From Evaporation When Solar Panels Are  Built Over Canals 

AUSTRALIA

• ANSTO aims to speed up return to Australia of highly hazardous nuclear wastes. 
• Military exercises put the Great Barrier Reef in danger. US and Allies’ military machine – out of Afghanistan (where it’s needed)and into the Pacific – against its new enemy – The Great Barrier Reef.  
• Australia’s weapons lobby drumming up fear of nuclear attack by China, against all logic.
• Liberal-led committee raises concerns about Morrison government’s charity crackdown.
• Australian cities not prepared for the coming heatwaves- poor urban planning.

INTERNATIONAL.

With all its wisdom, the human race is killing itself.

As the world starts to panic over climate change, nuclear evangelists offer spurious solutions.

British court ruling heightens danger of Assange extradition to the US.

How Right-Wing Extremists Pose A Nuclear Threat.

The International Atomic Energy Agency is well aware of that danger we don’t discuss – NUCLEAR TERRORISM.

Automation in nuclear weapon systems: lessons from the man who saved the world.

The Catholic Worker Movement, and its anti-nuclear heroes in prison.

EUROPE. Expert opinion: why nuclear energy should not be included as sustainable in Europe’s green taxonomy financing.

USA. 

•  If you thought that space research had nothing to do with weapons – think again! Astronauts to Mars – a game of cancer-russian-roulette, especially dangerous to women.
• Most Hanford nuclear cleanup workers exposed to hazardous materials: Washington state report. 
•  USA’s Department of Energy brushes aside the community’s concerns about the so-called MARVELlous small nuclear reactor plan. USA keen to market nuclear reactors to Poland (and indeed – to anybody).
•  A worrying combination – nuclear + Bitcoin.   The unholy alliance – nuclear power and bitcoin?
• New book ”I Alone Can Fix It” -raises question that Trump could have been ready to launch a nuclear war. 
•   Significant downsizing of NuScale’s small nuclear reactor project for Idaho – (cost of project unknown). 
• Students from North Arizona researched and wrote about the effects of uranium mining, especially on indigenous people.

CANADA. Small Nuclear Reactors are all the hype. But here’s the reality.

FRANCE. French nuclear company EDF struggles with increasing debt and poor prospects for its nuclear fleet. A new problem for France’s nuclear company EDF threatens to further delay its plans for new model European Pressurised Reactor (EPR2). Costly dismantling of France’s Brennilis nuclear power plant continues, 35 years after shutdown.

PACIFIC ISLANDS. Nuclear-free Asia Pacific Report.

SPAIN. Spain’s nuclear regulator blocks permit for a uranium concentrate plant.

JAPAN. Japan’s government acknowledges that solar power will be cheaper than nuclear. Japanese government considers extending maximum nuclear reactor lifespan beyond 60 years.