Author Archives: Gunjan Priya

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U.S. stocks fall down over panic on Japan radiation, Libya conflict

U.S. stocks fall down over panic on Japan radiation, Libya conflict

U.S. stocks fall down over panic on Japan radiation, Libya conflict

The havoc of Japanese Nuclear radiation has put U.S. stocks market in a drain. Falling for the second week, the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index has received its biggest jerk in last few months since August. The reasons behind continuous drop in the index are cited Japan’s nuclear crisis as well as unrest and violence in the Middle East.

Fearing that nuclear radiations from Japanese plants might reach US Coast and mainland, people drew back money from the share market leading to continuous drop in the regional stocks. The global economy is already trumping down due to continuous surge of unrest and political crisis subsequently in Egypt, Libya, Bahrain and in Saudi Arabia.

Federal Reserve’s statement over strength of US banks to boost dividend had led some optimism and stocks have gained recently. Ceasefire in Libya also boosted the minute surge however it again slumped down and General Electric Co. (GE) lost 5.5 percent, this led to further decline in the Dow Jones Industrial Average.

Utilities jumped down by 4.3 percent, meanwhile the Japanese firm Tokyo Electric Power Co. continued struggling to control over the looming radiation crisis in nuclear plants.

Experts call it a dramatic week in the Stocks world. They estimate further meltdown of Japanese market. Probability of war in Libya, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are going to bring another tsunami in world but this time certainly in the investment world.

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Pro-Gaddafi security forces push protesters from western stronghold in Libya

LIbya protesters

LIbya Protesters

Pro-government security forces forced anti-Gaddafi protesters out of their stronghold—city of Misurata after high resistance of the rebellions. For a short period though, the protesters had claimed victory of Ajdabiya but now the Libyan government forces reinforced their control over the area.

According to Musa Ibrahim, government spokesman from Libya stated that Qaddafi supporting security forces were to take control over Misurata following Zawiyah, the two towns in the western part of Libya where the rebels had taken over.

The move was slow in order to avoid casualties, stated the spokesperson, whereas the rebels revealed that there were more than 10 people died while Gaddafi’s forces took control of the city from them.

The rebels fought continuously hoping for some support from the international community, but there was none. Susan E. Rice, the United States envoy to the United Nations, tried continuously for a resolution to declare Libya not only a no-flight zone but also initiate some stern steps to check the movement of Gaddafi’s forces.

Ms Rice stated that they were discussing actions that would protect the civilians there in Libya. The United States is considering going for possible measures beyond a no-fly zone. The US diplomat added that they were trying for a solution of the crisis through voting in Libya.

Meanwhile warplanes were reported bombarding over the areas off-Benghazi.

NGOs and aid organizations left the city soon after for safety.

The rebellions welcomed the initiative from the United States and the UN Security Council.

Even within the US administration, it is a strong belief that declaring Libya a no fly zone is no more an effective measure to check loyalist forces’ oppressive steps against the rebels.

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Minneapolis evacuated following gas line explosion

Minneapolis evacuated following gas line explosion

Minneapolis evacuated following gas line explosion

South Minneapolis witnessed a shooting of fireballs due to a gas line explosion Thursday morning. However, the authorities stated that this was a natural explosion and evacuation of the area was also just a precautionary measure. There have been no news of any injury yet and people are still being evacuated.

According to TV channels reporting the incident flames were seen shooting high in the sky in the mid of Interstate 35W and Highway 62, at 60th Street and Nicollet Avenue.

The video footage also revealed that there were towering fireballs flying in the air, but the officials called it safe.

The blast occurred on Thursday morning in a residential cum industrial area. Emergency team is supervising the situation.

According to Kevin Gutknecht, an official from the Minnesota Department of Transportation on the incident did not occur at Interstate 35W, rather just north of the Highway 62 to avoid distraction to drivers on the road. The flames died out after 30 minutes of the explosion, when the officials closed the gas line.

Under the precautionary evacuation, three Minneapolis public schools, an apartment and a church near the incident location have been evacuated.

There was panic among the residents over the explosion as they feared it might be an atom bomb dropped over the area.

The fire has also damaged some of the power lines, street lights, electric supply poles and vehicles in the adjacent area however there has been no casualty due to the explosion.

People panicked as on Sept. 9 in San Bruno, Calif, a similar natural gas explosion had caused sparking of huge fireball killing eight people. The explosion destroyed dozens of houses near the San Francisco Bay.

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Armed forces attack anti-government protestors in Bahrain

Bahrain’s troops attack protestors demanding for the ouster of current government.

Despite declaration of state of emergency in Bahrain, people continue demonstrating against the autocratic government.

The security personnel used tear gas vehicles to scatter the crowd of protestors who had occupied a landmark square in Manama, the capital of Bahrain. According to some witnesses, two demonstrators died in the clash with the security forces.

Declaration of state of emergency has suddenly powered the armed forces with more authority over system.

The protestors were attacked early in the morning and black smoke covered the square soon after the attack began. Helicopters were also seen hovering over the landmark square where the demonstrators had gathered to protest. Following the declaration of state of emergency on Wednesday Bahrain’s stock exchange has been closed down at 1413.19 on Tuesday. There has been no announcement yet when it would reopen. Bahrain stock market stands for a very small section of investment world in the Persian Gulf region

According to the sources, Saudi Arabia refuted to obey the orders of the United States for not involving in Bahrain’s issue and sent its security forces to check violence.

Thousands of security personnel from Saudi Arabia 500 UAE police officials have reached Bahrain to establish peace there. However, the United States fears such moves might intensify tensions in Bahrain. Protestors are increasing in number day by day and have taken control over financial district in the capital city Manama.  The US administration also fears over the possibility of sectarian violence following the arrival of Saudi Arabian Sunni troops and Shiya forces from Iran.

However, the Bahrain government has announced to initiate a national dialogue to resolve the situation a week ago, which has raised hopes among the protestors.

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Japanese emperor calls on people to keep hope

Japanese emperor calls on people to keep hope

Japanese emperor calls on people to keep hope

Following the devastating earthquake and Tsunami Japanese Emperor Akihito urges people not to give up their hopes.

The emperor, who rarely appears in public called on Japanese people to stay calm and united at this time of crisis when Tsunami and earthquake has devastated Japan and people are fearing nuclear catastrophe following failure of cooling systems at two nuclear plants of the country due to quake.

The 77-year-old emperor usually gives televised speech at the time of war or extreme crisis.

He supported Prime Minister Naoto Kan’s statement that this was worst crisis for Japan ever since the Second World War.

He assured Japanese people of international community’s support in this crisis and appreciated them for staying calm.

King’s speech was televised on the same day when Fukushima Daiichi’s nuclear plant was damaged and white smoke and fire coming from the reactors panicked people. More than 15000 people have been evacuated from the areas adjacent to nuclear plants to avoid radiation aftermath though experts are still denying possibility of any radiation catastrophe.

The reactor No. 4 was found with flames on Wednesday morning that raised concerns of dangerous radiation as spent fuel rods were lying in an uncovered pool inside.

Radiation level is being monitored at the plant and the area has been evacuated as a precautionary measure as the radiation level has been found fluctuating.

Japanese emperor calls on people to keep hope

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China Assists Japan Following Friday Earthquake, Tsunami

China Assists Japan Following Friday Earthquake, Tsunami

China Assists Japan Following Friday Earthquake, Tsunami

Many Chinese nationals are stranded in Japan’s worst affected areas by Friday earthquake. China has taken initiative to evacuate its citizens from the quake areas.

China’s embassy in Japan revealed that they would evacuate Chinese nationals from the areas that might be affected by the damages in nuclear reactors and other surrounding areas.

However, the embassy clearly denied the chances of any radiation being emitted by the nuclear reactors due to damage of cooling system following the quake and tsunami. Chinese Ministry of Environmental Protection is continuously supervising the developments at Fuushima Number One Plant, where the cooling system failed after Tsunami.

So far on Tuesday morning the Chinese nuclear safety agency has not detected any abnormal radiation from the reactors.

There was a fear that radiation might spread through winds over the Pacific Ocean and China May remain on the safer side, stated Chinese Meteorological Administration.

There was a slight increase in radiation level in Russia on Tuesday; however it stayed under normal levels, stated Russian authorities.

South Korea also stated that the radiations have remained under normal level so far; however it is taking precautionary measures by keeping vigil over incoming passengers at Incheon airport.

South Korean authorities added that according to the weather forecast, westerly and north-westerly winds were expected to blow to Japan very soon.

China has taken immediate initiative by sending rescuers and aid assistance to Japan after the devastating earthquake of magnitude 8.5 at Rictor scale and tsunami last Friday. President Hu Jintao  and Premier Wen Jiabao expressed deep concerns and sympathy  to Japan despite unfriendly relations with Beijing.

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Anti-Government Protesters Demonstrate in Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Bahrain

The wind of revolution has engulfed entire Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Bahrain following Egypt, Tunisia and many other nations in the Middle East region.

Thousands of people demanding ouster of the current autocratic regime in Bahrain protested against the suppressive rule. It is been more than a week with violent protests and clashes between opponents of Saudi Arabian government and security forces. The protestors are demanding release of the people who are detained by the police without any charges.

More than a hundred people are estimated to have been injured after security forces used tear gas and batons against the protestors while they were marching to close down the financial center of Manama. The demonstrators threw stones and gas canisters over the security forces in return.

In Yemen, the security forces had to fire against the demonstrators demanding overthrow of autocratioc government. Seven protestors were killed while many others were injured in the clashes.

People Demonstrate in Saudi Arabia Against Government

People Demonstrate in Saudi Arabia Against Government

The United States strongly condemned security forces’ actions in Yemen and Bahrain and urged the governments of the two nations to initiate peaceful talks with opposition groups.

In Saudi Arabia too, thousands of people demonstrated against imprisonment of their relatives by the security persons without any reason. The demonstrators rallied in front of the Interior Ministry demanding immediate release of the people detained, however, there have no violence so far.

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U.S. Endorses Arab League Over Declaring Libya as No-Fly Zone

U.S. Endorses Arab League Over Declaring Libya as No-Fly Zone

U.S. Endorses Arab League Over Declaring Libya as No-Fly Zone

Ras Lanuf, Libya:  – The United States supports Arab League’s demand for declaring Libya a no-fly zone. The White House calls it as an important step in the wake of government’s effort to root out rebels from the areas they controlled.

Amr Moussa, chief of the Arab League stated that the League, had determined on Saturday in a meeting in Cairo that Libyan President Gaddafi had done serious crimes and taken violent steps against the people of Libya. The league therefore considers Gaddafi’s government as illegitimate and pressurizes Mummar Gaddafi to step down.

The United States would play a vital role in implementation of making Libya a no fly-zone. However it had not made any commitment yet to take any military action against Libya.

It is yet to be clarified whether League’s decision to declare Libya a no fly zone would give any support to NATO on regional level in initiating any military action against the country. However, William Hague, foreign secretary of the UK called it “very significant”.

The US authorities also indicated over possibility of an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council over this issue; however they said it was not very likely.

Gaddafi’s suppressive actions against his opponents have led to unprecedented unrest in the country. Ouster of autocratic governments in many other nations in the Middle East in recent days has inspired people of Libya to speed up demonstrations against the suppressive rule of Gaddafi.

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Massive earth quake causes panic in Japanese Nuclear Plants

Friday earthquake devastated Japan

Friday earthquake devastated Japan

Following the Fierce earthquake on Friday, Japan declares states of emergency for five nuclear reactors.

The aftermath of earthquake resulted in loss of cooling abilities at two power plants. Thousands of workers and residents have been evacuated from the adjacent areas.

At the Fukushima Daiichi plant’s Unit 1, workers struggled hard to control melting and decrease temperature and pressure in the reactors. The Friday earthquake that had a 8.9 magnitude and following tsunami  led to power cuts and disabled all emergency generators, which failed the entire cooling system of reactors.

Around 3,000 people living within a sphere of two miles were evacuated initially however the sphere of evacuation was raised to 10 kilometers when experts feared that radion level might spread more.

It is first time ever in Japan’s history that the government has declared a state of emergency at a nuclear plant. Initially only the Daiichi unit — was declared in emergency zone but after few hours, the Tokyo Electric Power Co., lost its cooling ability. It operates 6 reactors at Daiichi in Northeast Japan.

Therefore now more than 14000 people have been evacuated living near these two plants. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency diesel generators are dysfunctional due to flooding by tsunami; this is why the cooling systems have failed.

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A cup of coffee can keep you away from Strokes

Coffee can keep you away from strokes

Coffee can keep you away from strokes

For coffee lovers the recent studies have brought an extra cup of sweetness. According to a Swedish research, women who consumed coffee once or up to five times a day were found having less risk of strokes.

It was even observed that, consumption of coffee on a regular basis may also reduce the level of risk for   heart attacks by 25 percent. The researchers noted that women who did not drink coffee were more prone to heart diseases and higher risk of heart diseases.

Though, the researchers have clarified that the findings were yet in their initial stage and therefore, should not be taken as facts to decide upon or changing food habits.

The findings of this study were published in ‘Stroke’ in its March 10 issue. The researchers—Larsson and his team collected information from 34,670 women.  The study looked into those data that established correlation among diet, living styles and diseases.

It was found that 1680 women under observation experienced strokes, however among all of them, those who drank coffee had less risk of strokes. This difference was remarkable as much as from 22% to 25%.

Women who consumed coffee on a regular basis—i.e. from 1-2 cup every day to 5 or more cups were found enjoying similar advantage of lower risk of strokes in contrast to those who had not taken coffee usually or regularly. The findings remained same even when other factors like weight, smoking, diabetes, drinking and high blood pressure were taken into account under the research.

Therefore, the observers have concluded on the basis of their observation that coffee helps in reducing inflammation, oxidative stress and also increases insulin resistance, which ultimately decrease the risk of strokes.