Tag Archives: war

Fukushima

Evacuations of Fukushima underway!

Japan has ordered the mandatory evacuations of two towns in Fukushima Prefecture, 15 May, almost three days after it was reveled that Reactor 1, of Fukushima Daiichi nuke plant, was melting down.

Families with children kindergarten age or younger, and pregnant women, are the first to be evacuated.  At least 7,700 people will be evacuated from the small towns.  Local officials claim they have secured places for the families to stay.

Farmers are being given extra time so they can move their livestock.  The evacuation was ordered because of increased radiation levels in the towns.

International

Saudi Arabian tanks roll on Bahrain city

May 14, Saudi forces continued their take over of Bahrain by sending tanks to take the island city of Sitra.

For the past couple of weeks, Bahraini forces, backed up by Saudi troops have been flattening Shia Mosques.  The majority of the people of Bahrain are Shia Muslim.  The royal family is not.

Since February the people have been truly peacefully protesting their government.  Saudi forces invaded Bahrain in March, to help the non-Shia royal family put down the peaceful protesters.

Protesters say that since it is obvious the West isn’t going to help them, they are forced to start taking military action against the Saudis and the royal family.

 

International, U.S.

Afghanistan corruption linked directly to U.S. military

“[They] discussed the history of America and how it was built on the back of others, ultimately concluding that ‘fleecing the government’ was the American way.”-statement by prosecutors concerning corruption charges against U.S. military officers in Afghanistan

Recently an Afghan contractor plead guilty in U.S. court, to bribing U.S. military officers.  Those officers did not come forward with the crime, instead they committed the crime.

The prosecution is recommending one year for the Afghan contractor, because they say his bribery was typical, and he actually did a good job as a contractor.  But the case against the Afghan contractor is actually part of an investigation into corruption inside the United States military.

In most cases, U.S. military officers in Afghanistan decide what contractor will get the job.  Many Afghans have responded to complaints of corruption by saying they have to bribe the U.S. in order to get the job.

Currently two Illinois National Guard officers, and one USAF Sergeant, are facing corruption charges.  They were taking bribes from potential contractors in Afghanistan.  One of the National Guardsmen admitted to the crime.  Both Guardsmen were mailing the cash back home.  One of the packages was intercepted by Customs in the United Kingdom, upon inspection $10,000 was found inside.

Afghan contractors say one of the National Guard officers told them they were in Afghanistan to become rich.

 

Fukushima

Ring of Fire strikes again: Costa Rica & Japan hit

On the evening of 13 May, the Central American country Costa Rica, was hit by a 6.0 quake.  The epicenter is near the Arenal volcano.

Then, in the early morning of 14 May,  Japan was hit by a 6.2 quake (some reports say 5.7), near the same spot as 11 March 9.0 earthquake, off the coast of Fukushima.  Initially a tsunami warning was issued, but was canceled.   No word on any damage to the nuke plants in Fukushima.

Fukushima

Throwaway worker dies at Fukushima Daiichi!

The first death connected to the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant has occurred.  A 60 year old man working for a subcontractor, fell unconscious while removing nuclear waste.

Tokyo Electric Power Company officials say he was wearing a full protective suit, and claim he was not exposed to radiation.  It’s reported that the worker complained of feeling ill before collapsing.  He was rushed to a hospital where he died.

 

International

Gaddafi Alive

An audio recording of Gaddafi was played on Libyan TV May 13.  He state that he was alive and called the West “cowards”.  For weeks Italian media speculated that he was wounded or dead.

“I thank all the presidents, ministers, ambassadors and all the people of the world who have expressed their deep concerns on my life after the attack.”-Muammar Gaddafi

 

International, U.S.

Pakistani General cancels trip to Washington DC, relations between CIA and ISI broken

General Kahlid Shamim Wynne, Pakistan’s Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff, canceled his planned six day visit to the United States.

The General has not yet given a reason.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Yusuf Raza Gilani, said in an interview on May 12, that communication between the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, and Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence has broken down.

 

Fukushima

TEPCo to entomb Fukushima Daiichi Reactor 1

Tokyo Electric Power Company, and Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency officials, announced that a shield will be built to entomb Reactor 1, at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.

It was discovered that Reactor 1 did indeed experience fuel rod melt down!  To try and reduce the amount of radiation spewing from the reactor a shield will be built around it. Construction will start in June.  TEPCo still has to deal with contaminated water pouring from the building.

International

Pakistan makes official warning to U.S. Ambassador, next time it’s war

U.S. Ambassador Cameron Munter was summoned to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, where an official protest was issued to him.

Pakistan’s Foreign Affairs Secretary, Salman Bashir, officially stated that the May 2 operation to assassinate Osama bin Laden was an attack on Pakistan.  He added the Pakistan will not tolerate any future operations from the U.S., without consultation.

Ambassador Munter said it was regretful that the U.S. did not consult with the Pakistani government before the operation.

The May 2 operation, and the fact that U.S. drone attacks continue, is splitting the Pakistani government.  Several political parties in the Pakistani Parliament,  are calling for an end to relations with the U.S.