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Monday, Mar 21, 2011 3:01 PM UTC

Situation stabilizing at crippled Japanese power plant

The NRC says containment intact at three of Fukushima Daiichi plant's reactors

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Topics: Japan Earthquake, Japan,

Situation stabilizing at crippled Japanese power plantJapanese rescue workers prepare to sift through debris during a search in Natori, Miyagi Prefecture, Monday, March 21, 2011 following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami that devastated the northeast coast of Japan. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)(Credit: AP)

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff says containment at three reactors at Japan’s crippled nuclear complex is currently intact and the situation at the plant appears to be stabilizing.

The NRC met to get an update from staff on the ongoing crisis in Japan and devise a plan to meet President Barack Obama’s call for a comprehensive safety review at the 104 U.S. nuclear reactors.

Bill Borchardt, the commission’s executive director for operations, says that units 1, 2 and 3 at the Fukushima Dai-ichi plant have some core damage but that containment for those three reactors is not currently breached.

He says the situation at the plant appear to be on the verge of stabilizing.

NRC staff is in Tokyo conferring with Japanese government and industry officials on the disaster.

Matthew Daly

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Gripping photos: The people of the Turkey protests (slideshow)

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  • The protests take on a festive element as police forces move out of the park and square. Wearing a gas mask, this young man dances to traditional Turkish music in front of Taksim Square’s Ataturk Monument.

  • In Gezi Park since March 31st, this protester, originally caught off-guard by the Government’s teargas and water cannons, went out and bought a Russian army mask from WWII, preparing for what was to come.

  • This rambunctious boy seems to be enjoying the chaos. After taking this picture he threw a stone at the already destroyed building in the background.

  • Forming a line, the police face off directly with protesters in Taksim Square. After a while, they retreated and there was a general cheer – a back-and-forth dance that has been common since the beginning of this protest.

  • An elderly woman in Gezi Park reads the news. The tent community occupying the park was violently destroyed on June 16th.

  • Many different groups had set up booths to promote their cause in Taksim Square and Gezi Park. Standing in front of one, this man waves his flag while posing with conviction.

  • Many home-remedies are used to minimize the effects of tear gas. This woman has put a milky solution on her face, removing her mask after the tear gas dissipated. Before sunrise, the police came again for another round of teargasing.

  • People capitalize on the uprising -- selling flags, beer, gas masks, sky lanterns and spray paint to name just a few of the popular items.

  • On Monday morning, June 11, the police execute a strong offensive. Many plain-clothed police officers, like the ones seen here, clash with protesters in the side streets away from the main stand-off in Taksim.

  • The authorities seem to be most aggressive in the night, pushing protesters away from the square and park. After being teargassed this young woman catches her breath with other protesters on Siraselviler Street.

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