More Fukushima video footage to be releasedSeptember 7, 2012 - 16:40 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Tokyo Electric Power Co (Tepco), the operator of the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant, has bowed to pressure from the media and government and decided to release more video footage of staff trying to contain the March 2011 crisis. According to Reuters, the footage to be released may shed light on how Tepco dealt with the No. 4 unit's spent fuel pool, the source of most concern at the U.S. nuclear regulator because it was the sole unit to hold all fuel rods without a solid containment. It may also answer questions about the deliberate release of radioactive water into the sea by Tepco in early April - more than two weeks after the earthquake and tsunami that triggered the crisis. Neighboring countries, including South Korea and China, denounced the release. "We consider the first month of the disaster as a period of emergency," Tepco said in a statement late on Thursday about the extra footage. It was not clear when it would release the film covering events between March 16 and April 11. Tepco had released 150 hours of footage covering the first five days after the March 11 quake to media only, prompting criticism that the company was not coming clean on the early days when the situation at the plant almost spun out of control. Tepco had previously acknowledged in 2007 that it covered up safety lapses for years. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Pasadena to host Armenian Genocide commemoration event The Pasadena Armenian Coalition will host its community-wide Armenian Genocide Commemorative Event. Armenia: Opposition activist transferred to Investigative Committee Activist Samvel Vardanyan has been accused of insulting the lawmaker Hakob Aslanyan from the ruling Civil Contract party. Former Pashinyan envoy urges end to Genocide speculation Marukyan has urged authorities in Armenia stop discussions about verifying the names of 1.5 million victims. Azerbaijan, Jordan sign deal on defense cooperation Azerbaijan and Jordan have signed an agreement on cooperation in the field of defense, according to an official statement. |