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Saturday, March 12, 2011
The Morning Scoop - Explosion Rocks Japan Nuclear Plant
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Japan's tsunami disaster took an even scarier turn Saturday when an explosion rocked one of the country's nuclear reactors, blowing the roof off the structure and knocking down walls, and causing an unknown amount of radiation to leak. Pressure at the Fukushima nuclear plant began rising when the 8.9 earthquake cut off power to the reactor's cooling system. Pressure is now at twice normal levels, despite venting slightly radioactive vapor. Residents living within 12.5 miles from the reactor have been evacuated. People within 16.2 miles from the reactor have been told to remain indoors. Officials say a meltdown is possible, but that it wouldn't affect residents outside the evacuated radius. The Daily Beast's Lennox Samuels reports on Japan's new fears of a nuclear explosion. Plus, shocking photos and videos of the quake and tsunami and disaster-preparation expert Irwin Redlener on why America isn't prepared for a catastrophe like this.
The death toll from Japan's 8.9 magnitude earthquake that triggered a devastating 30-foot tsunami could rise to more than 1,300, government officials said. Most of the victims drowned, with about 200 to 300 bodies found along the water in Sendai, the closest major city to the quake's epicenter off the coast of Honshu. The quake struck Friday at 2:46 p.m. Tokyo time, and by Saturday morning, thousands of homes were destroyed and public transportation was down, as well as power and cellphones. Although many lost their lives, countless other lives were saved by Japan's disaster preparedness and strict construction codes, and the economy was largely spared because the earthquake struck far from Japan's industrial heartland. Rescuers are still struggling to search for people in the rubble—as well as three passenger trains that have gone missing—and thousands of people are stranded on rooftops throughout the coastal cities.
Things aren't looking good for the Libyan rebels, who were pushed by Gaddafi's forces to the outskirts of the oil town of Ras Lanuf on Saturday. There has been intense fighting in Ras Lanuf for several days, and government planes have bombed the refinery and rebel checkpoint. Earlier this week, Gaddafi's forces took back the town of Zawiya. As the rebels lose ground to pro-Gaddafi forces, they've been asking the international community to impose a no-fly zone: "The Libyans are being cleansed by Gaddafi's air force. We asked for a no-fly zone to be imposed from day one, we also want a sea embargo," said Mustafa Abdel-Jalil, head of the National Libyan Council. Although President Obama said "we are slowly tightening the noose on Gaddafi," and that he hasn't "taken any options off the table," prospects for a no-fly zone looked less likely following a meeting of the European Union in Brussels. The Arab League is meeting in Cairo to discuss the possibility of a no-fly zone.
A tour bus in the Bronx flipped onto its side and slid into a sign post early Saturday morning, killing 13 people. The New York Fire Department said the bus overturned on the southbound side of Interstate 95, and the sign post sliced off the top of the bus along the window line for nearly two-thirds of the vehicle's length. The bus was carrying 31 to 33 passengers. In addition to the 13 confirmed killed, six people were critically injured and another 11 sustained minor injuries.
Looks like a government shutdown has been avoided again: Congressional leaders agreed Friday to a three-week budget extension that would cut an additional $6 billion. Introduced by House Republicans, the bill eliminates or reduces money for 25 government programs—chosen from a list that President Obama wants to cut—to save $3.6 billion. The bill also eliminates $2.6 billion in earmarks. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said he supports the extension, but he warned that House Republicans need to work seriously on a compromise. Obama warned against anyone trying to "sneak political agendas into a budget debate," but Ohio Republican Rep. Jim Jordan said he was "troubled" by the lack of "pro-life, pro-family" provisions in the three-week extension.
In a rousing keynote speech at Newsweek and The Daily Beast's Women in the World summit, Secretary Clinton doubled down on her commitment to women's rights in the Middle East, unveiled a new State Department partnership with all-girls colleges, and called pointedly for a future female president. Plus, see full coverage of Women in the World, and watch the summit's most riveting moments.
Why America Isn't Ready for a Disaster by Irwin Redlener Japan's tradition of emergency planning and strict building codes saved countless lives this week—but what would happen here? Disaster-preparation expert Irwin Redlener on America's shocking lack of readiness—and our history of ignoring wakeup calls. Plus, full coverage of Japan's quake.
March 12: The Week in Viral Videos by The Daily Beast Video From Daniel Craig dressing in drag to promote women's equality to conservative activist James O'Keefe's NPR sting and Willow Smith's new single, "21st Century Girl," watch the buzziest viral videos of the week.
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