Month: March 2011

Categories
Misc.

Explaining Japan’s nuclear crisis

2011 03 16 mitnse

Quick note: Here are two sites I’ve come across that help explain, in technical terms, what’s happening with Japan’s nuclear reactors.

  • Mitnse.com, from MIT’s Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering, has status updates, background information, and diagrams like the one you see here.
  • The Neutron Economy, a blog by what appears to be scientists in the U.S., has links to good explainer pieces and other info.

And a reminder: Here’s my Japan news Twitter list. It’s got 39 feeds, and I’ll continue to add more.

Categories
Misc.

English language TV coverage from Japan’s NHK

Japan’s NHK World TV offers, on its Web site, live English-language coverage of Japan’s unfolding nuclear crisis.

But if you have trouble viewing that feed — as I’ve had here in Thailand — you can also find the stream here, on the NICO NICO live site. You’ll find pictures and some details here that don’t seem to be available on other networks.

Meanwhile, the latest text stories:

  • NYT: Japan Faces Prospect of Nuclear Catastrophe as Workers Leave Plant
  • AP: Japan faces serious radiation leak from quake
  • WSJ: Nuclear Risk Rising in Japan
  • And for ongoing links to various resources, Japan-based Michael Gakuran @gakuranman is maintaining a Great Tohoku Earthquake page on his site.
Categories
Misc.

More on Japan earthquake and tsunami

2011 03 14 iht wsj

The latest on Japan:

(Image above: today’s WSJ and IHT feature the same moving photo of a woman standing amid wreckage.)

Categories
Misc.

Resources for following the Japan earthquake news

Here are a few resources I recommend for following the Japan news online:

  • This AP story does a good job of summarizing the day’s events.
  • This BBC News live blog has running updates.
  • The WSJ also has a live blog.
  • A few journalists on Twitter I recommend following are: @TomokoHosaka (AP); @JaymesSong (AP); @AkikoFujita (ABC News); @W7VOA (VOA); and
    @sandrajapandra (freelance). I’ve also created this Japan earthquake Twitter list with additional folks. I’ll continue updating the list.
    • Categories
    Sports Thailand

    Thais beats Palestinians in historic soccer match

    An AP story from yesterday:

    Palestinian Pride On Display At Home Soccer Match

    The Palestinian national soccer team lost to Thailand in a penalty shootout on Wednesday in an Olympic qualifying match deep in symbolism: it’s the first time the Palestinians have hosted a competitive match at the international level, and for excited fans in this conflict-ridden area, it marks an important step in their struggle for independence.

    Trailing 1-0 from the first leg in Bangkok, the Palestinian team scored the only goal through Abdul Hamid Abuhabib just before halftime but lost 6-5 in the shootout.

    However, the game meant much more to Palestinians than the final result.

    “The world now will see Palestine in different eyes, in sports eyes,” said Jibril Rajoub, a former West Bank strongman who now heads the Palestinian soccer union. “This is a new launch for the Palestinian people toward freedom and independence.”

    (Emphais mine.)

    Click through to the story to see some images. There’s more from the Asian Football Confederation, the Washington Post, and the BBC.

    Categories
    Thai politics Thailand

    Bangkok Post : “Snap election ‘just weeks away'”

    Today’s Bangkok Post:

    Snap election ‘just weeks away’

    Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has indicated an early House dissolution is likely to be called later this month or early next month to clear the way for the general election, a highly-placed coalition source said.

    The premier’s move came as pressure continued to mount against the government, particularly regarding the rising cost of living, falling rice prices and a hike in fuel prices.

    A government source said Mr Abhisit had told key figures of the coalition parties that an early House dissolution will probably be called later this month or early next month.

    (Emphasis mine.)

    Categories
    Sports Thailand

    Thailand soccer chief: Brazil coming to Thailand for Oct. 7 friendly

    brazil

    According to a story in today’s Bangkok Post, Football Association of Thailand head Worawi Makudi says Brazil will travel here to play the Thai national team on Oct. 7:

    Worawi Makudi, president of the Football Association of Thailand, said his Brazilian counterpart Ricardo Teixeira had promised to send the country’s top players to the Kingdom for the October 7 match.

    Worawi, who is a Fifa executive member, discussed the matter with Teixeira in Zurich where they are attending Fifa’s annual meeting.

    “Teixeira promised that he will send Brazil’s strongest team to Thailand for the friendly,” said Worawi.

    “This is good news for Thai fans. It will also be a good opportunity for Thai players to play against world-class players.

    Also, the Brazilian Football Confederation will send its national futsal (five-a-side) to compete in a special event in Thailand in June, Worawi said.

    (Emphasis mine.)

    You’ll recall that Thailand was due to host England in June. But that game is off. Backstory is here and here.

    (Image: Bangkok Post.)

    Categories
    Thailand

    Reuters on wages and inflation in Thailand

    A Reuters story from yesterday: Analysis: Thailand risks growing old before it gets rich:

    Earning $6 a day from her food stall outside her home next to a railway track, Lumyai Rungruang is sceptical of news that Thailand’s wages are rising. The 54-year-old is too busy contending with spiralling inflation.

    Coconut juice has doubled in price. Egg prices are up 50 percent at 90 baht ($2.95) a dozen. Doubtful her income can keep pace, she bristles when pressed about her future.

    “I expect to work the rest of my life,” the mother of five said from her makeshift stall with its corrugated iron roof and bamboo stools, where she sells rice porridge and noodles.

    For the past decade, Thailand’s minimum wage has trailed inflation, creating one of the widest gaps between rich and poor in Asia according to the World Bank, and fuelling working-class frustrations that erupted into violent street protests last year.

    But Thai wages are creeping up, supported by an average 6.4 percent minimum-wage increase this year, rising agricultural prices that have helped farmers, a shortage of skilled workers and a planned increase in civil-servant salaries from April.

    While higher incomes could boost Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva’s chances at polls this year and prod consumer spending, they raise questions over whether Thailand’s economy, Southeast Asia’s second biggest, can keep its cost advantage over Asian rivals — from China to Malaysia and India.

    They also highlight another troubling question facing the Thai government and millions of workers like Lumyai: will Thailand grow old before it grows rich, as its population of 67 million people ages at one of the fastest rates in Asia?

    (Emphasis mine.)