Tensions remain high in Ukraine after the Crimean Parliament voted to approve a declaration of independence that will take effect if Crimea’s residents approve a vote to secede from Ukraine and join the Russian Federation in a referendum scheduled for March 16. With thousands of Russian troops without insignia continuing to occupy Crimea, leaders of Ukraine’s interim government have called for the formation of a new National Guard and requested military aid from the U.S and Britain under the post-Cold War Budapest Memorandum. Story continues
Two months after the leak of 10,000 gallons of a chemical used in coal processing, known as MCHM, into the public water supply that 300,000 West Virginians depend on, almost no one in the affected area is drinking the water. That, despite reassurances from West Virginia American Water four days after the Jan. 9. spill that the system had been flushed and the water was safe to use. The leak came from a holding tank owned by Freedom Industries, whose tank farm was located on the edge of the Elk River, that flows into the larger Kanawha River that moves through Charleston, W.Va.’s capital and largest city. Story continues
March 11th marked the third anniversary of the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan’s coastline, killing more than 15,000 people and leaving 300,000 homeless. The earthquake also triggered the triple meltdown and four explosions at the Fukushima nuclear power complex located near the epicenter of the tremor. Since the tsunami destroyed the nuclear reactor’s back up cooling systems there have been continuing leaks of radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean. Story continues
This week’s summary of under-reported news
Compiled by Bob Nixon
- Two years ago, Sonja van Wijk moved her father into a nursing home in the Netherlands, offering to prepare coffee, cook some meals and talk with residents. Today, such tasks are required for families of senior citizens moving into nursing homes.
- In another chapter of a 20-year court battle over oil pollution in Ecuador’s rainforest, Chevron won a significant battle in discrediting a $9 billion judgment against the oil giant.
- Fracking and the natural gas boom have come to the quiet shores of Chesapeake Bay in Maryland.