By CHOY WAI FONG
TOKYO – A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake hit Japan’s northeast on Thursday at about 11.30pm local time as an aftershock of the devastating March 11 9.0-magnitude quake and tsunami.
According to Japan's National Police Agency, the tremor, strongest since March 11, killed three people and injured at least 132 people, 17 of them severely.
Fire department spokesman, Junichi Sawada said an 85-year-old man collapsed and died on his way to a shelter with his family while a 79-year-old man died of shock.
A 63-year-old woman in the Yamagata Prefecture died when the aftershock caused a power outage and her oxygen tank to fail.
The quake was initially rated a magnitude 7.4 by the Japan Meteorological Agency but was later lowered to 7.1. A tsunami warning issued at the time of the quake was also lifted after 90 minutes.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the epicenter of the aftershock was located at about the same place as the 9.0-magnitude quake but was closer to the coast, about 66km from Sendai. The tremor shook buildings for about a minute in as far away as Tokyo, about 333km from the northeast.
Research from Tokyo University, Satoko Oki said that eastern Japan can expect more strong aftershocks in the coming months.
The destructing March 11 quake and tsunami left more than 12,700 dead and 14,700 missing to date.
TOKYO – A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake hit Japan’s northeast on Thursday at about 11.30pm local time as an aftershock of the devastating March 11 9.0-magnitude quake and tsunami.
According to Japan's National Police Agency, the tremor, strongest since March 11, killed three people and injured at least 132 people, 17 of them severely.
Fire department spokesman, Junichi Sawada said an 85-year-old man collapsed and died on his way to a shelter with his family while a 79-year-old man died of shock.
A 63-year-old woman in the Yamagata Prefecture died when the aftershock caused a power outage and her oxygen tank to fail.
The quake was initially rated a magnitude 7.4 by the Japan Meteorological Agency but was later lowered to 7.1. A tsunami warning issued at the time of the quake was also lifted after 90 minutes.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the epicenter of the aftershock was located at about the same place as the 9.0-magnitude quake but was closer to the coast, about 66km from Sendai. The tremor shook buildings for about a minute in as far away as Tokyo, about 333km from the northeast.
Research from Tokyo University, Satoko Oki said that eastern Japan can expect more strong aftershocks in the coming months.
The destructing March 11 quake and tsunami left more than 12,700 dead and 14,700 missing to date.
By CHOY WAI FONG
TOKYO – High levels of radioactive iodine has been detected in seawater off Japan’s crippled nuclear plant in Fukushima as operators are still struggling to regain control and keep damaged reactors cool three weeks after the tsunami.
Smoke billowing from a damaged reactor at the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant.
According to Japan's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency, the I-131 isotope was tested at 3,355 times the normal level in a sample obtained 330 metres away from one of the complex’s discharge points on Tuesday afternoon.
“I do not believe there's an immediate threat to fishery products, as no fishing is being conducted within 20 kilometers of the nuclear power plant.” said Hidehiko Nishiyama, a Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency official.
“Iodine 131 has a half-life of eight days, and even considering its concentration in marine life, it will have deteriorated considerably by the time it reaches people.”
The radioactive levels are the highest since the March 11 earthquake and tsunami as workers at the power plant are trying to prevent radioactive water from leaking into the Pacific Ocean.
On March 29, traces of radioactive iodine were detected in Primorye region, Russia’s Far East at 100 times lower than the acceptable level thus not posing any danger to human health.
Boris Bulai, the head of the region's meteorological service said, “Radiation levels detected in Primorye’s air have ranged between 7 and 16 microroentgens an hour during that period, which is within the normal range.”
Russian authorities said that radiation levels of up to 30 microroentgens an hour is considered safe.
In addition, officials of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Wednesday that Singapore has also reported that some Japanese cabbages imported into the country had radiation levels of up to nine times of the recommended levels.
“The Singapore authorities sent reports on measurements in food imported from Japan, namely cabbages ... some samples were over the Codex Alimentarius values recommended for international trade,” said Denis Flory, an official of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The Codex level for radioactive iodine was 100 becquerels per kg.
David Byron, a U.N. food agency official said, "One of the samples in Singapore was up to nine times that level. Other samples were also over that level.”
Japan in dealing with its nuclear crisis has urged countries to stay calm and not to impose "unjustifiable" import curbs on its goods.
As of March 30, the death toll stands at 11,232 people with 16,361 people missing and 175, 020 people homeless.
TOKYO – High levels of radioactive iodine has been detected in seawater off Japan’s crippled nuclear plant in Fukushima as operators are still struggling to regain control and keep damaged reactors cool three weeks after the tsunami.
Smoke billowing from a damaged reactor at the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant.
According to Japan's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency, the I-131 isotope was tested at 3,355 times the normal level in a sample obtained 330 metres away from one of the complex’s discharge points on Tuesday afternoon.
“I do not believe there's an immediate threat to fishery products, as no fishing is being conducted within 20 kilometers of the nuclear power plant.” said Hidehiko Nishiyama, a Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency official.
“Iodine 131 has a half-life of eight days, and even considering its concentration in marine life, it will have deteriorated considerably by the time it reaches people.”
The radioactive levels are the highest since the March 11 earthquake and tsunami as workers at the power plant are trying to prevent radioactive water from leaking into the Pacific Ocean.
On March 29, traces of radioactive iodine were detected in Primorye region, Russia’s Far East at 100 times lower than the acceptable level thus not posing any danger to human health.
Boris Bulai, the head of the region's meteorological service said, “Radiation levels detected in Primorye’s air have ranged between 7 and 16 microroentgens an hour during that period, which is within the normal range.”
Russian authorities said that radiation levels of up to 30 microroentgens an hour is considered safe.
In addition, officials of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Wednesday that Singapore has also reported that some Japanese cabbages imported into the country had radiation levels of up to nine times of the recommended levels.
“The Singapore authorities sent reports on measurements in food imported from Japan, namely cabbages ... some samples were over the Codex Alimentarius values recommended for international trade,” said Denis Flory, an official of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The Codex level for radioactive iodine was 100 becquerels per kg.
David Byron, a U.N. food agency official said, "One of the samples in Singapore was up to nine times that level. Other samples were also over that level.”
Japan in dealing with its nuclear crisis has urged countries to stay calm and not to impose "unjustifiable" import curbs on its goods.
As of March 30, the death toll stands at 11,232 people with 16,361 people missing and 175, 020 people homeless.
By GOH VERN ANN
AJDABIYA - Libyan rebels have successfully tightened their hold on the east and seized back a key city on Saturday after Moammar Gadhafi’s forces were compelled to retreat due to persistent international airstrikes.
Many had thought that losing Ajdabiya to Gadhafi earlier on was a sign of defeat. Yet, it may have been a blessing in disguise for the rebels as it propelled the US and its allies to pull together the air campaign that is currently breaking down Gadhafi’s military.
“Without the planes we couldn’t have done this. Gadhafi’s weapons are at a different level than ours,” said Ahmed Faraj, 38, a rebel fighter. “With the help of the planes we are going to push onward to Tripoli, God willing,” he added.
Defenders of the city: Rebels preparing to head west after securing Ajdabiya.
With their hold on the east secure again, the rebels promised to continue their mission westward that had been reversed by Gadhafi’s overwhelming firepower. Rebel fighters already had pushed forward to the outskirts of the oil port of Brega and were hoping to retake the city on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere in Ajdabiya was a triumphant one. Drivers honked in celebration and proudly flaunted the tricolor rebel flag. Others fired guns into the air and danced on burned-out tanks that were scattered on the road.
Sign of victory: A rebel poses in front of a burning tank in the city.
The Gadhafi regime conceded that the Western airstrikes had indeed forced its troops to pull back and accused the international forces of choosing sides. Libyan deputy foreign minister, Khaled Kaim slammed the Western parties for trying to push the country to “the brink of a civil war.”
Meanwhile, US president Barack Obama had come under fire from members of Congress for failing to convey the objectives of the military operation thoroughly.
Some condemned him for failing to seek Congressional approval for the action. Others assailed him for launching into another military mission in a Muslim country when the United States is already involved in the Iraq and Afghan wars.
In his defense, Obama reported in his weekly radio address on Saturday that the military mission in Libya is clear, focused and limited, and that it has already saved “countless” civilian lives. He stressed that a humanitarian catastrophe has been avoided because of their swift actions.
President’s Message: Barack Obama delivering his weekly address about the military mission in Libya.
While this seems like a grand victory for Ajdabiya, the quest of ousting Gadhafi has resulted in nothing less than escalating violence and misery among the people of Libya. The vicious environment has forced its residents to flee to safer ground.
There was a stream of pickups, cars and trucks with families fleeing the fighting on Friday following the night of bombing by RAF Tornado jets. Tents have been set up in the desert outside of Ajdabiya where residents are seeking refuge. Many are shaken by the destruction that took place.
“I couldn’t even begin to describe to you the horror that I have seen,” one man said. “Leaving Ajdabiya, we saw dead bodies in the street. No one would dare to recover them,” he added. Others painted a picture of ongoing brutality inside the city.
According to Fathia Meftah Ayad, a woman who escaped into the desert in a car with family members, Gadhafi’s fighters were “killing anybody aged over 10” they saw in the street, and shooting at anybody trying to flee the city. She claimed that four of her relatives had been shot dead when they were out looking for bread.
Rush for Safety: Civilians fleeing the ongoing fighting in Ajdabiya.
As the Libyan war rages on, humanitarian agencies report increasing numbers of Libyans displaced from their homes. The International Medical Corps estimates that 20,000 people have taken refuge in a small town east of Ajdabiya. The Libyan Red Crescent states that another 5,000 are displaced in the coastal town of Derna.
Countries like China, India, Iran, Russia and Turkey have called for a total ceasefire in the aerial bombardment of Libya, the Moammar Gadhafi government and the rebels opposing it. There is apprehension that the uproar in Libya would develop into a full-scale war.
According to the President of International Movement for a Just World Dr Chandra Muzaffar, the military operations should stop immediately because in spite of denials of the US, British and other Western military commands, some alternative media are reporting increasing civilian causalities.
The “No Fly Zone” that these states are trying to impose upon Libya is believed to save lives, but what is happening is something else.
Muzaffar emphasized that even if Western air power destroys not only Libya’s aerial defence but also Gadhafi’s entire military machine, there is no guarantee that he and his coterie will be ousted from power, considering that he still has some support among his people.
He also claimed that the Western countries’ main objective is to establish control over Libya and its oil and gas through a pliable regime and that they will continue attacking until there is some certainty that such a regime will emerge.
Libya’s fate is still hanging by a thread. There is no telling when the military operations would come to an end. Will Gadhafi finally be overthrown after 42 years in power? When will the violence cease? These are probably the big questions that are resonating in the heads of the people of Libya.
AJDABIYA - Libyan rebels have successfully tightened their hold on the east and seized back a key city on Saturday after Moammar Gadhafi’s forces were compelled to retreat due to persistent international airstrikes.
Many had thought that losing Ajdabiya to Gadhafi earlier on was a sign of defeat. Yet, it may have been a blessing in disguise for the rebels as it propelled the US and its allies to pull together the air campaign that is currently breaking down Gadhafi’s military.
“Without the planes we couldn’t have done this. Gadhafi’s weapons are at a different level than ours,” said Ahmed Faraj, 38, a rebel fighter. “With the help of the planes we are going to push onward to Tripoli, God willing,” he added.
Defenders of the city: Rebels preparing to head west after securing Ajdabiya.
With their hold on the east secure again, the rebels promised to continue their mission westward that had been reversed by Gadhafi’s overwhelming firepower. Rebel fighters already had pushed forward to the outskirts of the oil port of Brega and were hoping to retake the city on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere in Ajdabiya was a triumphant one. Drivers honked in celebration and proudly flaunted the tricolor rebel flag. Others fired guns into the air and danced on burned-out tanks that were scattered on the road.
Sign of victory: A rebel poses in front of a burning tank in the city.
The Gadhafi regime conceded that the Western airstrikes had indeed forced its troops to pull back and accused the international forces of choosing sides. Libyan deputy foreign minister, Khaled Kaim slammed the Western parties for trying to push the country to “the brink of a civil war.”
Meanwhile, US president Barack Obama had come under fire from members of Congress for failing to convey the objectives of the military operation thoroughly.
Some condemned him for failing to seek Congressional approval for the action. Others assailed him for launching into another military mission in a Muslim country when the United States is already involved in the Iraq and Afghan wars.
In his defense, Obama reported in his weekly radio address on Saturday that the military mission in Libya is clear, focused and limited, and that it has already saved “countless” civilian lives. He stressed that a humanitarian catastrophe has been avoided because of their swift actions.
President’s Message: Barack Obama delivering his weekly address about the military mission in Libya.
While this seems like a grand victory for Ajdabiya, the quest of ousting Gadhafi has resulted in nothing less than escalating violence and misery among the people of Libya. The vicious environment has forced its residents to flee to safer ground.
There was a stream of pickups, cars and trucks with families fleeing the fighting on Friday following the night of bombing by RAF Tornado jets. Tents have been set up in the desert outside of Ajdabiya where residents are seeking refuge. Many are shaken by the destruction that took place.
“I couldn’t even begin to describe to you the horror that I have seen,” one man said. “Leaving Ajdabiya, we saw dead bodies in the street. No one would dare to recover them,” he added. Others painted a picture of ongoing brutality inside the city.
According to Fathia Meftah Ayad, a woman who escaped into the desert in a car with family members, Gadhafi’s fighters were “killing anybody aged over 10” they saw in the street, and shooting at anybody trying to flee the city. She claimed that four of her relatives had been shot dead when they were out looking for bread.
Rush for Safety: Civilians fleeing the ongoing fighting in Ajdabiya.
As the Libyan war rages on, humanitarian agencies report increasing numbers of Libyans displaced from their homes. The International Medical Corps estimates that 20,000 people have taken refuge in a small town east of Ajdabiya. The Libyan Red Crescent states that another 5,000 are displaced in the coastal town of Derna.
Countries like China, India, Iran, Russia and Turkey have called for a total ceasefire in the aerial bombardment of Libya, the Moammar Gadhafi government and the rebels opposing it. There is apprehension that the uproar in Libya would develop into a full-scale war.
According to the President of International Movement for a Just World Dr Chandra Muzaffar, the military operations should stop immediately because in spite of denials of the US, British and other Western military commands, some alternative media are reporting increasing civilian causalities.
The “No Fly Zone” that these states are trying to impose upon Libya is believed to save lives, but what is happening is something else.
Muzaffar emphasized that even if Western air power destroys not only Libya’s aerial defence but also Gadhafi’s entire military machine, there is no guarantee that he and his coterie will be ousted from power, considering that he still has some support among his people.
He also claimed that the Western countries’ main objective is to establish control over Libya and its oil and gas through a pliable regime and that they will continue attacking until there is some certainty that such a regime will emerge.
Libya’s fate is still hanging by a thread. There is no telling when the military operations would come to an end. Will Gadhafi finally be overthrown after 42 years in power? When will the violence cease? These are probably the big questions that are resonating in the heads of the people of Libya.
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