Briefs, February 4, 2013
Police have questioned a former head of the nuclear safety body about possible criminal charges over the Fukushima nuclear crisis, reports said. Prosecutors interviewed Haruki Madarame, former chief of the Nuclear Safety Commission, who was responsible for giving the government technical advice about the crisis, broadcaster NHK said.
TOKYO - Police have questioned a former head of the nuclear safety body about possible criminal charges over the Fukushima nuclear crisis, reports said. Prosecutors interviewed Haruki Madarame, former chief of the Nuclear Safety Commission, who was responsible for giving the government technical advice about the crisis, broadcaster NHK said. Fukushima residents have filed a criminal complaint against Madarame, alleging he was responsible for a delay in announcing data predicting how radiation would spread from the crippled nuclear power plant. AFP
BANGKOK - A Thai policeman was arrested after he was caught trying to smuggle 20 elephant tusks, officials said. The haul was discovered when the suspect - in plain clothes but driving a police van - was stopped at a checkpoint in the southern province of Chumphon on Saturday, said police Colonel Chalard Polnakarn. Ivory from Africa is often smuggled into Thailand and passed off as coming from Thai elephants, conservationists say, as a legal loophole allows the trade in ivory from domesticated elephants. AFP
