Feed: Earth Connect News » World - AggScore: 45.1

Japan’s Third Problem: Nuclear Threat

As if the 9.0 magnitude and the huge wave of tsunami that swept the Rising Sun, Japan now faces to race against time as their nuclear power reactors threaten to explode radiation into the country as a result of the massive earthquake that plagued the land last Friday.

Reports indicate that a hydrogen explosion already occurred at the No. 3 reactor that at the Fukushima nuclear plant following Saturday’s explosion at the No. 1 nuclear reactor.

There had been confusion and panic with the possibility of the said nuclear power plants to release radiation and was compared to the infamous Chernobyl incident. These stemmed from the news that the power plants are about to go through a meltdown.

However, Japanese authorities clarified that there are various types of meltdown. They further explained that the meltdown that transpired with the reactors is a meltdown of the nuclear fuel rods that are inside the reactors not the catastrophic meltdown of the reactor itself. The main difference is that, the meltdown of the rod meant that the rods are deformed or have melted while the meltdown of the reactor itself would entail that the entire reactor would be melting down. This is not likely to happen and people should not fear another Chernobyl incident because the Fukushima nuclear reactors are house in a sealed container which would prevent the release of such contamination.

Since the nuclear threat was raised, various families and citizens have been evacuated and tested for exposure. Japan is continuing to control the situation and have been using sea water to help cool down the reactors.

Powerful Quake Sends Off Tsunami in Japan and the Entire Pacific

On Friday, Japan was shaken by an 8.9 magnitude quake on its northeastern coast which triggered a huge tsunami towards the country and the countries within the Pacific.

The phenomenal event was captured live on TV as waves build-up along the Pacific Ocean and hit the northeastern coast of Japan and continued its rage towards the town of Sendai. Caught on live TV, the world saw from an aerial view on how the tsunami brought about by the 8.9 magnitude quake swept away everything on its path including homes, buildings, cars and more. Furthermore, the powerful also caused a huge fire in the Cosmo oil refinery which is located in the Chiba prefecture near the country’s capital.

While the tsunami ravaged on the northeastern coast of Japan, the aftershocks with varying magnitudes of 7.9 and 6.9 continued to shake Tokyo.

In a country that is so used to earthquakes happening, people all over the affected areas felt and somehow knew that this quake is more than normal and is very serious.

Just a few minutes after the devastation, the meteorological agency immediately announced a tsunami warning across the Pacific Rim. Over 50 countries, including Taiwan, Philippines, Indonesia, New Zealand, Australia, Guam, Russia and Hawaii, are on high alert and have conducted various evacuations as they anticipate the arrival of the tsunami.

Aids from various countries are ready to help Japan and other Pacific coast countries, should they ask for aids.

Hawaii’s Volcano, Kilauea Intensifies Eruptions

Kilauea volcano located at Hawaii continues to erupt but with greater intensity than when it first erupted last Saturday. On Wednesday it released lava that is 160 feet tall. Reports indicate that is is twice the lave it released last Saturday.

Eruptions were spotted in 2 spots while seismic activity continues to grow more vigorously. More than that, its poisonous gas emissions of sulfur dioxide has reached a peak of 10,000 tons a day. This is about 30 times more than the levels of last week.

The lava emissions which are 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, of Kilauea together with the Kamoamoa fissure have already destroyed more than 78 acres of rain forest and have buries 162 acres of park land. In addition, the ground surrounding the said eruptions continues to collapse and the toxic fumes continue to choke forests and vegetation.

The U.S. Geological Survey stated that there are no injuries and property damages to date.

The USGS continues to monitor the situation and movement of the volcano.

Indonesia: Landslide Left Thousands Stranded

In Papua, Indonesia, a landslide that transpired on Saturday left thousands of people stranded as it covered a road access tunnel going to Freeport-McMoRan Copper and Gold Inc’s Grasberg.

Freeport-McMorRan Copper mine is the largest traded copper miner in the world. Grasberg, on the other hand, has the largest recoverable copper and gold reserves in the world.

The said landslide prevented miners to proceed to their respective mines to work due to the blockage cause by the landslide. Around 60 buses were spotted near the blocked road tunnel which transported the miners. Then helicopters ferried some of the workers to the mine area. Freeport has assured that work still continues despite of the situation which made it harder for them to reach the mines.

The tunnel, known as Hannekam Tunnel is closed until the road is cleared. Clearing is already on the move.

No casualties have been reported just yet.

Libya’s Situation Intensifies, Rebels Seeking Foreign Help

What started out as a protest by Libyan people against the current Gaddafi regime intensifies as the Libyan president pushes for army involvement.

In the most recent turn of events, Gaddafi’s forces attacked the town of Brega with air strikes and heavy weaponry. Gaddafi claims that the attack on the town, which is a terminal for oil exports and is located around 800km from Tripoli, was towards the forces behind the unrest. He continues to state that these people wanted to colonize the country for its oil.

Rebels are asking for foreign help and U.S. Navy warships have already moved towards the Mediterranean but foreign countries, especially the United States together with the United Nations and NATO are not yet giving out orders to intervene with the turmoil that the country is in. Gaddafi has released in a live telecast that if NATO or the United States dare to enter the country and intervene, a bloody war will transpire and continues to warn the world of another notorious Vietnam scenario. He has also stated that his government is ready to release and hand out various weapons to millions.

With current threats of a civil war waiting to happen, the United Nations will have to decide on the no-fly zone rule on Libya but can only happen if the National Libyan Council would officially request such a rule. In addition, eyes are on the U.S. government because they are seen to be the only country that can successfully enforce the no-fly zone rule but the U.S. government is being very cautious with the situation due to the military and diplomatic risks at stake.

In addition, the Arab League has stated that they are against any direct military intervention from other countries.

Right now, people continue to take refuge in the border of Tunisia and European countries continue to send out humanitarian aids to the Libyan-Tunisian border.

Forces for Libya Repositioned

With still the growing unrest in Libya and the resistance of their leader, Gaddafi to listen to the people, the international community is now gauging the need to step in.

According to reports, the Navy ship USS Kearsarge which has various harrier jets, helicopters and around 700 marines aboard is now positioned in the Red Sea. It is expected to make movement upon order to course through the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean to have it closer to Libya.

As U.S. officials have stated, this move is just to show some force to Libya’s reigning regime. It is also to give the U.S. President some options but they have clarified that no decisions or orders have been declared yet with regards to the role that the said Navy ship will play. U.S. military planners are still working on contingency plans that might be needed in connection to Libya’s current situation. The current repositioning of the Navy ship is to provide what they call a “full range of options” that can be deployed when needed.

There are various roles that the USS Kearsarge can play such as enforcing a No-Fly Zone if declared to humanitarian aid and purposes. The current position makes it easy for them to perform these missions once ordered.

As of now, both NATO and the United Nations (UN) are still deciding on the need to enforce the No-Fly Zone on Libya. Various reports have said that the Libyan Air Force is targeting anti-Gaddafi civilians located at Eastern Libya.

Algeria: State of Emergency Lifted

The 19 year old State of Emergency in Algeria is lifted by their current leader, President Abdelaziz Bouteflika in hopes of appeasing the people of Algeria.

Since Egypt’s successful protests, its neighboring countries have one by one started mass protests against their government. Some these countries include Libya, Bahrain and Algeria. In Algeria, mass protests have been happening every week asking for change from the government.

As with Egypt’s remarkable example, the Algerian president has started to listen to his people and his first step was to lift this 19 year long state of emergency. He clarifies however, that the military will still be highly involved with police matters and that the banning of protests will remain for a month in the city of Algiers. This State of Emergency was first declared as part of controlling Islamist rebels but the people stated that this became a way to suppress press freedom.

Although this is quite a feat for the Algerian people, they have expressed that this is only one change out the many that they are asking for. President Bouteflika, on the other hand, has stated that he will remain to deliver the various changes that his people are asking for.

Quake Toll at Christchurch Climbs to 75

Dubbed as the worst tragedy since 1931, New Zealand now faces the hard task of sifting through the rubbles that 6.3 magnitude earthquake left Christchurch on Tuesday.

As seen with the damaged left by the strong earthquake, Christchurch is at a standstill as major buildings crumbled to the ground. New Zealand government has already declared a State of Emergency that allows all their resources and manpower to be focused rescue efforts.

With over 300 more declared missing, the death toll has already risen up to 75. Rescuers are working round-the-clock prioritizing places and venues wherein survivors are still alive. They are following the taps of the live people trapped under the rubble. There are even cases wherein survivors are being amputated just to get them out under the heap of the collapsed debris while thousands of people are spending the night at shelters made for them.

The United States and Japan have now offered their help to make search and rescue quicker as more manpower is needed. So far, the first of the help that has arrived is from New Zealand’s neighboring country, Australia.

Gaddafi’s Son Promises Various Reforms

The son of Muammar Gaddafi, Libya’s leader has promised the people reforms after protests in Libya’s capital turned bloody. The protests erupted against Muammar Gaddafi’s long rule as the Libyan people found inspiration with the Egyptian’s success.

Muammar Gaddafi’s son, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, a known reformist has been pushing for reform agendas for his country, Libya. But this proved to only have limited success. The Libyan leader’s reformist son has also expressed his strong opinions about the bloody protests that took over 200 lives.

According to Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the protests which are centered in Libya’s east has threatened to spark a civil war in Libya which will in turn have the country split up into various small states. The Libyan leader’s son continued to talk about how the both the army and the police has dealt with the protestors and considered this as mistakes on their part. He then contends or adds that the number given out which were hundreds is a bit of an exaggeration.

This turn of events has lead to, as Saif al-Islam Gaddafi stated, the General People’s Congress move to discuss clear reform agendas on Monday as the government is also said to be also raising wages.

Libyan Protesters’ “Day of Rage”

Inspired by Egypt’s success in protesting against their government, Libyan protesters wanted to take their protests to the streets as well calling it a “Day of Rage”. This is in accordance with their current ruler, Muammar Gaddafi who has been in position for 40 years now. He is currently the longest serving leader in Africa.

According to reports, Libyan protesters were using social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter to spread the information about taking their grievances to the streets on Thursday. There is an existing Facebook page that is dedicated to encouraging the people to go on with the protest. Another site, www.libya-watanona.com is in a similar light to the Facebook page also encouraging the people to unite, take courage and protest at the streets of Libya.

Ever since the success of the recent Egyptian protests, the Libyans call for protest is growing. Posts include citing the Egyptian protest as a source of inspiration. Online posts are getting stronger calling for a huge protest for this day. February 17 is the anniversary of the 2006 Benghazi protest wherein protesters were killed by security officials.

It is rare for Libya to have unrest and uprisings geared toward their government even though Libyans are grieving through growing unemployment, inequality situations and the various limitations on their political freedoms.

Rights groups warned the protesters that there is a possible crackdown that would be from security forces should the protest happen.