International

POWERFUL EARTHQUAKES HIT JAPAN

On Friday 11^thMarch, north-east Japan was hit by an earthquake of magnitude 8.9 in the Richter scale, the biggest known earthquake recorded in this area. It took place in the Tōhoku region, causing a tsunami with waves around 10 meters high. This earthquake was preceded by several foreshocks –one of magnitude 7 on 9^th March- and followed by hundreds of aftershocks.

Despite having buildings designed to prevent quake damage, there have been huge consequences of the disaster. The earth was trembling during six minutes and then the tsunami spread across Japan’s nothern islands causing floods, landslides, fires, building damage and 14,981 deaths. Apart from that, 9,880 people are missing and around 5,000 injured.

In addition, the tsunami has caused nuclear accidents in four plants, the most serious one in Fukushima I Nuclear Plant. A wave 14 meters high flooded electrical infrastructure, all power for cooling was lost and reactors started to overheat. Consequently, there have been hydrogen explosions and fires and leaks of radiactive matter have already been detected. People who lived in 20 km radius of Fukushima I Nuclear Plant were evacuated. Food products have been found contaminated and the government has banned spinach sale and fishing in some areas.

by Andrea Diego Gutiérrez

Last Sunday, 1st May 2011 in Washington D.C, the U.S. president Barack Obama announced, in a memorable video, that USA had killed Osama Bin Laden in Afghanistan, in a dangerous military operation, called “Operation Neptune Spear”, carried out by SEALS, a special commando unit. Since the announcement there have been emerging different reactions from all over the world. While West world acclaim to US for making justice, the Arabic world asked them for explanations.

The operation started on April 29th when U.S. President authorized it, to capture Osama Bin Laden alive or dead. At first, CIA agents achieved to tap the mobile phone of Osama's man, he was followed during months. At the end, C.I.A. spotted Osama's hideout, “a luxury mansion with strong safety measures”, said the American government. Before Obama's authorization, the SEALS unit arrived in Osama's house, in Abbottabad near Islamabad, at 1:00 am with two helicopters. One of them caught fire because it had a mechanical failure in the engine according to U.S. Government declarations. None of the American soldiers were serious injured. When they penetrated in the house, they shot inhabitants of the house killing four men and a woman. In 40 minutes they had left

All the operation was followed by U.S. Government live with video and cameras. Finally, the American agents threw Osama's body to the sea, keeping up the Muslim traditions, to avoid troubles with the Islamic world. Once the operation was over, U.S. President, B. Obama made Osama's death public to the world saying “Good evening. Tonight, I can report to the American people and to the world that the United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of al Qaeda, and a terrorist who’s responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent men, women, and children.”

Even in the West world the death of Osama is confused, the majority of the people consider that the death of Osama is fair because of the terrorist attacks of NY 11-S, London, Berlín or Madrid which are now paid. But others say that now U.S. is the same of Al Qaeda because they have killed people unarmed. The experts said that this is not the end of Al Qaeda and maybe the terrorist attack will worse as the result of Osama's death.

In my opinion, the American commando unit should have captured Osama Bin Laden alive because if they are the most powerful country of the West world, they must not behave as terrorists. The methods used on the principal confession were illegal but effective for the objective of the operation. Finally, I have to say that the operation have got strange things that only the time can solve and the victims of the terrorist attacks can feel in peace.

by Mónica Pérez González

Fifteen people, including ten foreigners, were killed last February 28 in an attack on the Djemaa el Fna square in Marrakech, and other 20 were injured, five seriously.

Moroccan Communications Minister Khalid Naciri, confirmed that the explosion "is an organized criminal activity."The attack could have been perpetrated by a suicide bomber, as reported by local officials told AFP. For its part, the Interior Ministry informed in a statement that "it has opened an investigation to determine the exact causes of the attack".

The blast occurred in Café Argana in the central square of Djemaa el Fna, declared a cultural heritage site by UNESCO in 2001, which is the most touristic place in the city of Marrakech. It was so intense that it could be heard two kilometers away, according to eyewitnesses. The establishment was completely destroyed.

With respect to the nationality of the wounded, two Russian citizens were injured, one seriously. The seriously injured was admitted to a hospital in Marrakech where he underwent surgery.

Three Moroccans were arrested for the attack, including the prime suspect, a man allegedly linked to al-Qaeda. The man was disguised as a foreign visitor to place explosive devices that could be detonated remotely, authorities said.

Marrakech's attack has been the worst in this Northern Africa Kingdom since 2003, when five simultaneous attacks killed 33 people in Casablanca.

by Ángela Álvarez Cosio

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