Japan
- Two of the Fukushima Daiichi reactors are now in cold shutdown[1], while the other four continue to vent steam and smoke periodically. Power has been restored to all of the reactors, but safety checks need to be made before the electricity can be switched on - the seawater that was used as an emergency coolant may have corroded or otherwise damaged some systems.
- Tokyo stores ran out of bottled water after radiation made tap water unsafe for children under 1 year of age. The radiation levels are now reported to be back to safe levels for small children, but that has not stopped the water run. Additionally, Singapore and Australia have now joined the US and Hong Kong in restricting food and milk imports from the area impacted by the Fukushima Daiichi leak.
Libya
- UN airstrikes[2] have bombed Libya for a fifth night, but have been unable to stop Libyan armor units from shelling rebel-held towns or occupying strategic regions.
Portugal
- The PIIGS are back! Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates resigned yesterday after parliament rejected his government's latest austerity measures. This may very well pave the way for Portugal to go to the EU and the IMF for a bailout, particularly since they will need to refinance some 4.5 billion euros of sovereign debt next month.
Syria
Yemen
- Civil war draws closer, as presidential guards loyal to President Saleh clashed with army units backing opposition groups.
[1] Meaning the coolant system is at atmospheric pressure and at a temperature below 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
[2] And by "UN", read "US". In the last 24 hours there have been 175 air strikes, and the US has flown 113 of them.
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