AUSTRALIA - As I write, the South Australian Nuclear Fuel Chain Royal Commission is officially closing its request for "Responses to its Tentative Findings". The Commission allowed only a short time for responses, and it was not well publicised. As before, the process was not that easy, either, - so it should protect the Commission from getting too many pesky comments from Aborigines and other disadvantaged groups. Still the indigenous people are seasoned anti-nuclear fighters, and will keep right on opposing the plan for inviting the world's nuclear waste in to South Australia.
Some people did manage to respond (myself included, under my proper name Noel Christina Wauchope). Amongst several fine responses ubmissions, I single out a really compelling argument from Paul Langley. I bet that the Commission would like to ignore that one! And also would like to forget the previous submission from Yurij Poetzl. Response Submissions will be published later on the Royal Commission's website.
The Commission will complete its report on 6 May 2016.
Meanwhile, in the pro nuclear South Australian Labor Party, some of the natives are restless. Surely the plan to make Australia the world's nuclear toilet is not going to become a political issue? What bad taste, when we can all rabbit on about gay marriage as THE issue. (Don't get me wrong. I think that gays and lesbians deserve the right to be as miserable as everyone else)
CLIMATE Turnbull government missing the chance for Australia to lead on climate change action. Mary Robinson criticises Australia's cuts to CSIRO climate research.
CIVIL LIBERTIES New South Wales Parliament passes anti-protest laws.
INTERNATIONAL
CLIMATE and RENEWABLE ENERGY Renewable energy effective in stalling greenhouse gas emissions - International Energy Agency (IEA). New study shows how warm ocean currents affect Antarctic ice shelves. Sea levels could rise to mind-boggling levels. Antarctic ice sheets melting: when will the tipping point be reached?
Climate action a winner for USA with clean energy and transport policies. India's massive bet on solar power is paying off.
NUCLEAR ISSUES
The importance of the nuclear security summit - five points.
UK and FRANCE France's auditor brands Hinkley Point nuclear project as financially risky. EDF want French tax-payers' financial aid for UK Hinkley Point nuclear project. UK Members of Parliament to question EDF executives about Hinkley nuclear project financing. New UK nuclear project Hinkley Point C - now a"dead duck" Political importance to world's nuclear powers, of getting Hinkley project happening.
BELGIUM 30 major European cities and districts call for shutdown of aging Belgian nuclear reactors.
JAPAN. Fukushima fuel melted through containment vessels and is “spewing radiation”. Fukushima - too toxic for humans AND for robots. The health toll of Fukushima nuclear disaster - especially workers and children. The workers of the Fukushima nuclear clean-up. Japan, US, France to team up on Fukushima clean-up: official.
After court ruling, things are grim for Japan's nuclear industry.
USA.
$billions for US nuclear submarines.
USA worried about weapons proliferation risks in China's nuclear recycling plan.
USA's nuclear regulator ineffective, as radiation leaks continue.
Tax-payer money proposed in Senate, to keep uneconomic Fitzpatrick nuclear plant going.
South Carolina nuclear whistleblower workers punished for speaking out on safety concerns.
Hanford Nuclear Reservation ordered by federal judge to comply with new deadlines for nuclear waste clean-up.
Bill Gates enjoys spruiking his plutonium dream. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eumpGC3nt6U
TAIWAN. Despite rain , thousands rally across Taiwan, against nuclear power.
SOUTH AFRICA. Seven key areas for concern in South Africa's nuclear build plan.
INDIA. Kakrapar nuclear plant is likely undergoing a loss-of-coolant accident: Dr. A. Gopalakrishnan
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Christina Macpherson
Antinuclear Australia
www.antinuclear.net
www.nuclear-news.net