Region

In Libya, forces loyal to Col. Muammar Gaddafi have captured the city of Zwara, west of Tripoli, and are battling under-equipped rebel fighters for control of the oil town of Brega. In recent days, Gaddafi forces have won back control of several key cities. Debate continues at the international level over whether the U.N. Security Council should institute a no-fly zone.

High levels of radiation have leaked from the Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan after a third explosion at the crippled plant. The latest blast seriously damaged the Number Two reactor’s steel containment structure. In addition, a fire briefly broke out at the plant’s reactor Number Four. Officials just south of the plant reported up to 100 times the normal levels of radiation.

In news from the Middle East, the King of Bahrain has declared a state of emergency for three months following weeks of pro-democracy protests. The King’s announcement came one day after about 1,000 Saudi troops have crossed into Bahrain to help defend Bahrain’s ruling family. Pro-democracy protesters have described the Saudi presence on the island as a declaration of war.

Nine people have been injured in a second blast at Japan’s Fukushima 1 nuclear power plant. The explosion at the plant’s number three reactor destroyed a wall and sent a plume of smoke billowing into the sky.
On Saturday, the building surrounding the plant’s number one reactor was blown apart but the seal around the reactor was not damaged.

The earthquake in Japan and the subsequent meltdown of nuclear reactors in Japan has caused fears of a nuclear catastrophe of unprecedented scale. With the approach of the 25th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, which non-industry supported investigations report the deaths of up to 950,000 people, World without Wars spokesperson speaks out about the use of nuclear energy.

Over 45 countries, ranging from sophisticated economies to developing nations, were actively considering embarking upon nuclear power programmes. Whether the shocking experience Japan is undergoing despite its hi-tec reactors, will have impact policy makers in countries striving to build atomic power plants and others which already have these, remains to be seen.

An explosion has occurred at a nuclear power plant in Japan in the wake of massive earthquake and tsunami. The blast left four workers injured and raised fears of a nuclear meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi complex, just 250 kilometers northeast of Tokyo. Reactor cooling systems failed at the plant, triggering the explosion which destroyed walls and roof of facility.

Beyond Nuclear maintains a round-the-clock vigil, monitoring the situation at Japan’s nuclear reactors after the giant earthquake, and provides information about it. The past 24+ hours have witnessed the unfolding nightmare of a potential nuclear reactor meltdown after unit 1 at Fukushima Daiichi was crippled due to loss of power after the 8.9 magnitude earthquake.

The dramatic events in Egypt, Middle East & North Africa have seen millions taking to the streets to demand real change.
Women are standing beside men, demanding end to repression and calling for root and branch reform. Both women and men have suffered under repressive governments. But women have also coped with discriminatory laws and deeply entrenched gender inequality.

The World without Wars World Coordination Team today remembered the victims of the terrorist attacks of the 11th of March 2004 and denounced all forms of violent action and social injustice in the world with a visit to Atocha Station in Madrid. “We need reconciliation: a reconciliation between all peoples of all cultures and all religions.”