Japan doesn’t plan to widen evacuation zoneMarch 31, 2011 - 10:17 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Japan said Thursday, March 31, there were no immediate plans to widen the exclusion zone around its stricken nuclear plant, hours after the UN atomic watchdog agency voiced its concern over the issue. The UN atomic watchdog said Wednesday radiation in a village outside the evacuation zone around the plant was above safe levels, urging that Japan reassess the situation. In its first such call, the International Atomic Energy Agency added its voice to that of Greenpeace in warning over radioactivity in Iitate village, where the government has already told residents not to drink tap water, AFP reports. Japan's top government spokesman, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano, confirmed that "the IAEA has informed us that the level of radiation in the soil exceeded one of the IAEA standards." "And the IAEA has advised us to carefully assess the situation on the basis of this report," he told a regular press conference. When asked by a reporter whether Japan would now expand the exclusion zone, he said: "I don't think that this is something of a nature which immediately requires such action." Japan has struggled to contain its nuclear emergency since a 14-metre (45-foot) tsunami hit the Fukushima plant after a huge quake on March 11, with radioactive substances entering the air, sea and foodstuffs from the region. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. 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". Partner news | Lemkin Institute petition seeks release of Armenians in Azerbaijan The Lemkin Institute is deeply concerned about the continued illegal detention of political prisoners from Karabakh in Azerbaijan. Armenian Catholicos calls for national unity against threats Karekin II issued a message on Republic Day marking the anniversary of the First Armenian Republic. Pashinyan: Armenia’s desired goal is “on the horizon” Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said that Armenia is moving forward “without interruption”. Opposition leader, supporters spend night at Sardarapat memorial Police made nearly 300 arrests the day before as Galstanyan and his supporters continued to demonstrate in Yerevan. |