Japan seeks Russian assistance to tackle nuclear crisisApril 5, 2011 - 10:21 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Japan has asked Russia to send a floating radiation treatment plant, used to decommission nuclear submarines, which will solidify contaminated liquid waste from the country's crippled nuclear power plant. Engineers at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant have been forced to release radioactive water into the sea until Friday and have resorted to desperate measures to contain the damage, such as using bath salts as a dye to try to locate the source of leaks at the complex 240 km (150 miles) north of Tokyo. More than three weeks after a 9.0 magnitude earthquake and massive tsunami hit northeast Japan and damaged the plant, engineers are no closer to regaining control of the facility or stopping radioactive leaks. Operator Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO) said on Tuesday, April 5, it started paying "condolence money" to local governments to aid people evacuated from around its stricken plant or affected by the radiation crisis, Reuters reports. TEPCO is facing a huge compensation bill, but said it must first assess the extent of damage before paying compensation. The world's costliest natural disaster has caused power blackouts and cuts to supply chains, threatening Japan's economic growth and the yen, and the operations of global firms from semiconductor makers to shipbuilders. The quake and tsunami left nearly 28,000 people dead or missing, thousands homeless and Japan's northeast coast a wreck. 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 | Mirzoyan says meeting with Bayramov was “constructive” At the moment, Ararat Mirzoyan said, there is no basis for additional comments. OSCE vows support for Armenia “in all three directions of security” Achieving stable peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan remains a priority of the OSCE, said Ian Borg. 151 detained as civil disobedience campaigns continue in Yerevan Citizens have been blocking streets in the Armenian capital, demanding Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation. France welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan meeting in Almaty France has welcomed the new round of negotiations between the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan. |