Tag Archives: war

International, U.S.

Chinese dumping wheels on the U.S. Market

The U.S. International Trade Commission and the Department of Commerce are investigating claims by U.S. companies, that China is dumping steel wheels on the U.S. market.

The claim was filed by the U.S. wheel makers, Accuride Corp and Hayes Lemmerz International Inc.

16 Chinese companies are being investigated for selling their wheels in the United States, for far less than what it cost to make them.  Dumping is a way a company can gain a foot hold in a specific market, by selling their products at huge loses, to push out their competitors. Once that is done the dumping company will increase their prices to make up the difference.

Fukushima

Earthquakes, Tsunamis, Nuke disasters, now Typhoons!

Japan has gone through a lot in the past month.  But typhoon season is on it’s way.  Nishiyama Hidehiko, of the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency, said nuke plant operators are now preparing for typhoon season.

They believe preparations will be complete by the end of the month.  Officials say the nuke plants are designed to withstand a typhoon, but isn’t that what they said about earthquakes and tsunamis?

Another factor is that some of those nuclear plants have been damaged by the 11 March, 9.0 quake and tsunami.  Wouldn’t that comprise their strength?  Even this morning, 22 April, Fukushima Daiichi was hit by yet another aftershock, 5.6 magnitude.

Fukushima Daiichi is right on the coast, and Tokyo Electric doesn’t think they can get the plant stabilized enough for a cold shut down for at least six to nine months. The Typhoon season is here, now.  Typhoons start hitting Japan as early as May, and the season peaks in September.

 

Fukushima, U.S.

Two U.S. Nuke Plants shut down, one for no apparent reason

At least two nuclear plants in the United States have been automatically shut down this week.  A nuclear plant in Virgina, and a nuclear plant in Georgia.

In Surry, Virginia, a nuke plant was hit by tornadoes.  It shut down automatically, and is now undergoing repairs to its electrical switchyard.

A nuke plant in Georgia automatically shut down, for no reason.  The plant remains off line while an investigation continues to find out why the automatic systems shut it down.  The plant is near Waynesboro, Georgia.

International, U.S.

Libyan government arming civilians, to fight NATO invasion

China’s Xinhuanet news is reporting that the Libyan government is arming civilians, to counter a possible invasion by NATO.

Most of the population in the western half of Libya supports the government.  It also happens to be the half of Libya with very little oil production.  The rebellion/civil war started in the oil rich eastern half.

The Libyan government accused NATO of intercepting an oil tanker that was operating for the Libyan government.  That act is not authorized under UNSCR 1973.


Fukushima

Radiation Evacuation Zone expanded!

Not only has the Japanese government made it a legal offense to enter the evacuation zone around Fukushima Daiichi, they have expanded the zone as well.

Because of high radiation build up, towns outside the original 20km (12.4miles) zone will be evacuated.  The towns are Katsurao, Namie, Iitate and some areas of Kawamata and Minamisoma.  Residents have until the end of May to leave.

Fukushima

Fukushima says No to TEPCo!

The prefectural government of Fukushima said no to allowing Tokyo Electric Power Company to resume any nuke plant operations.  ”A resumption of plant operations must be impossible.”-Sato Yuhei, Fukushima Governor

Governor Sato made the statement after a 15 minute meeting with TEPCo president Shimizu Masataka.  TEPCo had tried to meet with the state government of Fukushima twice before, and was unofficially told to take a hike both times.  This time Fukushima officials made it official.  They told TEPCo there is no way they will allow them to resume any nuclear power functions at the damaged Fukusima Daiichi plant.

International

Libyan Rebels say they need NATO ground troops

In a press conference held in Benghazi, Libyan rebel leaders said NATO air strikes were not enough, and that ground troops were needed, official to protect civilians.

The spokesman said that initially rebels were opposed to foreign ground troops, but under present conditions (meaning they are losing to government forces) they will now accept foreign ground troops.  Remember when President Obama said the UN attacks against Libya would be over soon?

Fukushima

TEPCo lays off employees inorder to pay for Nuke plant damages

Tokyo Electric Power Company says it must cut wages and salaries in order to meet expected compensation payments due to the Fukushima Daiichi disaster.

Wages would be cut by 5%, with bonuses cut in half.  Salaries will be cut by 20%. TEPCo will also reduce the number of employees by 100 each year, for the next five years.

 

International

Iran to hold regional War Games

“We are ready to stage such war games jointly with those states on the Southern rims of the Persian Gulf in future.”-Brigadier General Hossein Salami, Islamic Revolution Guards Corps

Iran said that for the 2011-2012 year (Iranian year 1389) observers from other countries will be allowed to watch Iranian war games.  It’s hoped that in the near future regional countries will also take part in the war games.  The purpose is to build regional support for controling the Strait of Hormuz, and the Persian/Arabian Gulf.