Inside Fukushima Daiichi: Visiting one of the most dangerous places on earth
May 21, 2014 -- Updated 0630 GMT (1430 HKT)
This is my first time visiting one of the most dangerous places on earth.
The devastated Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant is isolated from the rest of Japan by police checkpoints, security fences, and barricades.
We ride on a bus with a handful of journalists into the highly contaminated "red zone" -- the area closest to the plant.
It remains a desolate wasteland three years after the meltdown, when Fukushima residents had just hours to grab their belongings and leave.
They still haven't come back and likely won't be able to for a very, very long time.
The only people regularly allowed into the red zone these days are workers with face masks and protective gear.
Return of the European bison
Europe's largest beast is to roam the forests of Romania after 200 years. Adam Vaughan witnesses the buzz as a herd of 17 is released in the Carpathian mountains
The crowd surges forward against the barrier, cameraphones are held aloft, children are hoisted on to shoulders. The celebrities, the first European bison about to set their hooves in this remote Romanian valley in the southern Carpathian mountains for two centuries, wait in the shadows of a huge trailer.
The forest, already home to bears and packs of wolves, is the final destination for 17 of Europe's largest land mammal, some of whom have been travelling hitched to lorries for five days from as far as Sweden. It will be their first time out of captivity.
Rogue Libyan general attracts militia support as parliament flails (+video)
Libyans are waiting to see how the government responds to Khalifa Haftar's recent attacks – but even decisive action is probably not enough to stem rising chaos.
A former Libyan general appears to be gaining allies among armed factions for his self-described campaign to restore stability in defiance of a weak government.
In a bid yesterday to diffuse the crisis, acting prime minister Abdullah Al-Thinni called on the GNC to vote immediately on a 2014 budget and to confirm his successor, the prime minister-elect, before a recess and elections for a new interim legislature.
Will DR Congo allow oil drills into Virunga?
Can eco-tourism save Virunga National Park from being drilled for oil? The resources within this lush, diverse landscape are increasingly tempting as locals grapple with poverty and unemployment.
In the dense jungle of Virunga National Park, ranger Yaya Mburanumwe swings a sharpened machete to clear a path through the undergrowth. Mburanumwe is leading a group of six people to meet the parks undisputed stars, the mountain gorillas.
In a lush clearing a giant silverback lies on his back, scratching his belly, a couple of youngsters play in the undergrowth, and a baby gorilla rides on his mother's shoulders. Mburanumwe gently grunts at the silverback, to assure him we are friend not foe.
It's this experience that the park is hoping to sell to tourists. But despite its incredible natural beauty and diverse animal life, Virunga Park is a hard sell. Conflict and corruption have plagued the region for over two decades. An estimated 5.4 million people have died in the Democratic Republic of Congo since 1998 and the park has borne witness to much of the violence.
Thai army chief to meet political leaders |
General Prayuth Chan-ocha to "talk about ways out of the country's crisis", a day after the army imposed martial law.
Last updated: 21 May 2014 07:00
|
Thailand's army chief is to meet with leaders of the country's political groups and parties, Election Commission members and senators to discuss a way out of the country's political crisis, an army spokesman has said.
"General Prayuth [Chan-ocha] has called a meeting at the Army Club with all sides to talk about ways out of the country's crisis," deputy army spokesman Winthai Suvaree told the Reuters news agency.
The meeting, scheduled for 1.30 pm (0630:GMT) on Wednesday, comes a day after the army imposed martial law across the country after months of political turmoil.
"General Prayuth [Chan-ocha] has called a meeting at the Army Club with all sides to talk about ways out of the country's crisis," deputy army spokesman Winthai Suvaree told the Reuters news agency.
The meeting, scheduled for 1.30 pm (0630:GMT) on Wednesday, comes a day after the army imposed martial law across the country after months of political turmoil.
On Tuesday, Prayuth called for rival protest groups to engage in dialogue and warned that troops, which have taken control of security responsibilities, would take action against anyone who used weapons and harmed civilians.
The Philippines' forgotten generation
The United States military is set to return to the Philippines 22 years after being evicted. The imminent arrival of US forces has renewed focus on the thousands of "Amerasians" fathered by US military personnel. Aya Lowe went in search of this forgotten generation.
Mary-Jane Stephens lives in a gritty one-room house with her three children and three grandchildren. Two sprawling mattresses pushed together make up the sleeping area, while one stove, sofa and TV make up the rest of the household.
She "worked the bars" in the red-light district that grew up around the major US military bases north of Manila established following World War Two.
She now dedicates her time to taking care of the grandchildren. Her children don't earn much, but they keep the family in food and water.
No comments:
Post a Comment