More than 8.1 million tons of goods was transported through Iran the past Iranian year (which ended on March 20). That’s a 42% increase.
86% of the goods were shipped over roads and rail networks. Bandar Abbas and Sarakhs border crossings, in south (Gulf coast) and northeast (Turkmenistan) of Iran, were the busiest.
Toyota will halt production at two South American plants, in May.
They will suspended production in Brazil for two days, and in Argentina for three days.
Honda is considering reducing production in South America as well.
Several European scientists are saying there is evidence that a nuclear reaction explosion did indeed take place at Fukushima Daiichi. They are even saying that Chernobyl was better controlled than what is happening at Fukushima Daiichi.
Professor Tom Burke, founder of E3G, says Fukushima Daiichi is still ongoing, after five weeks, while Chernobyl was “over with” after about two weeks.
Another scientist, Professor Christopher Busby, thinks there was a fission reaction in Reactor 3 spent fuel pool, causing a nuclear explosion. That’s because Reactor 3 has MOX fuel rods, using uranium. Some evidence of nuke explosion, scientists point to, is the ever increasing radiation levels, and the types of isotopes being found around Fukushima, like plutonium and strontium.
French nuclear officials are concerned about Reactor 4 fuel pool. That pool had active fuel rods in it. They were put there after Reactor 4 was shut down for routine maintenance, just before the 11 March disasters. Tokyo Electric Power Company has admitted, in recent days, that they are having major problems with Reactor 4 fuel pool, as well as Reactor 1 overheating and active fuel rods exposed.
Professor Busby believes there is still fission taking place. He said it would explain why they haven’t started pouring concrete on the reactors, because: “You can’t seal a fissioning reactor…”.
Officials from the health ministry say Japan needs a better way to predict radiation contamination, especially in tap water.
One example is that experts failed to take into account wind, and rainfall, coming from the direction of the Fukushima Daiichi nuke plant. The officials think their discussion, to find ways to improve their system, will last until the end of June.
For the first time since the 11 March disasters, police will begin searching for victims inside the original 20km (12.4 miles) radiation evac zone.
They are searching Futaba Town in Fukushima Prefecture, near the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Earlier this month search crews began to slowly work in towards the 20km zone.
Police say Futaba is a ghost town. So far there are no signs of people. Every now and then they see a dog, or cat. They say there is evidence that people left in a hurry, like laundry still hanging on clothes lines.
The state government of Fukushima has responded to its resident’s calls to humanely put down animals abandoned in the 20km radiation evac zone. Many have already died of starvation, after being left alone for several weeks.
The operation began today, 25 April. Veterinarians will put down weakened animals, move animals that still look healthy into barns, and begin decontamination of dead animals.
Officials think it will take until the end of May to complete the operation. They also say no animal will be put down without the owner’s knowledge. NHK video
Last week reactor 1 of Plant Vogtle nuclear plant, near Waynesboro, Georgia, shut down, on 20 April 2011, without explanation. Company officials say they are replacing a breaker and other electronic equipment. They don’t know why the equipment failed.
In Delaware, on 21 April 2011, the Salem 1 nuclear reactor was shut down because of grass. The Salem plant is along the Delaware river, and plants periodically grow over the water intakes of the nuke plant. Salem 1 had to be shut down because the plant growth was blocking cooling water from coming into the reactor. Officials say it’s back on line now.
Surprisingly, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission says unexpected shutdowns of nuclear reactors happen every year.
Chinese officials are upset over statements by Japanese officials, regarding increased military ties to the United States.
Japanese Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa said: “In order to maintain the right balance in our relationship with China, we need to also solidify the ties between Japan, the US and South Korea.”
The Chinese view this as a continuation of the Cold War, East vs West: “The Japan-US military alliance, shaped in the Cold War, should not be expanded or aimed at any third party. The expansion of the Japan-US military alliance in the sensitive area of East Asia is harmful to regional peace and stability.”-Zhou Yongsheng, China Foreign Affairs University
Confusing reports about a jail break at the Kandahar prison. Some say it was an attack, others say the prisoners dug their way out. Kandahar prison had at least 1,000 prisoners.
Qari Yusuf Ahmadi, a Taliban spokesman, says they helped more than 500 prisoners escape. It makes the third time that the Kandahar prison was attacked, and/or prisoners escaped. Afghan police say 476 prisoners escaped. The Taliban say they rescued 647 ‘brothers’.
Kandahar is also the location of the second largest U.S./NATO base in Afghanistan.
Studies of the effects of the March 11 tsunami, on the farm land that was flooded, shows there is too much salt in the soil. Not only is radiation a concern, but now salt.
Immediately after the tsunami Japanese officials were optimistic that the flooded farm land would not have too high a level of salt. The latest testing of the soil proved otherwise. 78% of the 2,300 hectares (5,683 acres) of farmland, in Miyagi Prefecture, cannot be planted this year. Farmers will try flushing their fields with fresh water.