nuclear safety commission says that one of the country's nuclear power plants could go into meltdown cooling systems at several ton of reactors have failed following friday's earthquake amid reports that radioactive material has already moved out way to triggered tsunami claimed hundreds of lives with many people missing and feared dead. moscow says it's ready to send help to japan with the experience gained from the tragic legacy in chernobyl nuclear disaster. we're watching r.t.u. welcome to the program let's get straight to our top story the japanese emergencies ministry says that one of the country's nuclear power plants might be going into meltdown five reactors in two plants in fukushima in the north east of the country are said to be in a state of emergency radiation levels there are a thousand times normal levels after cooling systems were knocked offline all this comes following friday's record eight point nine magnitude earthquake and resulting tsunami fishel death toll from the disaster has reached over seven hundred emergency services are on high alert in russia's far eas

declared by the trapped with these governments again breaking news japanese said nuclear safety commission official says a meltdown at the nuclear power plant is possible. it's now in the state of emergency at the plant. they're monitoring the levels of radioactive material saumur reports saying that some of material had already leaked and this has yet to be reported in detail we just to remind you about why there is if this is a disaster this was triggered by an eight point nine quake that hit friday two forty six a local to. that's five forty six in. the north east coast of japan the effects have been felt all the way to tokyo the disaster casualties still going out the japanese government already have it having sent troops to quake hit areas and now it is a nuclear watch again breaking news this is to remind you of the japanese emergencies and ministry says that was one of the country's nuclear power plants might be going into a nuclear meltdown is to give you an idea of why that is happening at the cooling systems at the atomic reactors have failed and that is a result of friday's a ma

earlier just a few hours ago japan's nuclear safety commission. there's a possibility that the nuclear plant could experience a meltdown so they're checking on whether the a meltdown have taken place will take place or what the what the consequences what the actual state of it is right now at the fukushima daiichi plant so earlier just to remind you japan's nuclear safety commission had said that there is a possibility of the melt out of the nuclear power plant this again is a result of the cooling system of the rationing down after the earthquake the cooling system is a necessity here just to give you an idea of how these things work the reactors cool remain very hot although they have been shut down after the earthquake for safety reasons the reactors remain hot and need cooling and it is the cooling system not working that is creating this a danger of danger of explosions danger of radiation levels still going higher right now it's reported to be at a thousand times normal levels this is very worrying especially for the people living within the

. >> he confirmed details and the nuclear safety commission to the government gave various advice and recommendations that is the the commission gives advice about safety measures at the nuclear power plant and also about tap water and the effects of radiation on agriculture produce. the members of the nuclear safety commission are stepping up their efforts to respond better to the developing situation. and the prime minister requested the commission make greater efforts and be more prepared. >> we have heard that the prime minier asked him forore advice. the mini and industry clr aand the unrtates and the iac induri sub r narer n t nclnd fusha us 12fiti pntn 3 wesutod i b t i kay. ananhe asking breast-feed babies and many ople hav called in sincstdaafrn. this is a nursery. and people hereill ha t prepare a baby formula using water. however th are having a difficult time trying to secure water. it's not just preparingmiut also water is used to prepare food for the hiren. they went to four stores but f. they were only able to secure two days' worth of the nutritionist here says that ch

explosion near the fukushima daiichi power plant in japan and earlier as the japanese a nuclear safety commission had said that there are fears of a possible meltdown at those plants all radioactivity there has risen by twenty times it seems that the outer structure of one of four buildings of the plant is no longer there again that the government official will be giving is now giving a press conference to address exactly what's going on we can see white smoke coming from fukushima plant people are waiting for an explanation as to what exactly is going on with thousands of residents have been moved and there are fears the prime minister had expressed fears that a leak could occur at a second a plant nearby five reactors in two plants in fukushima in the north east of the country have been in a state of emergency it has been and that high alert since friday's record eight point nine magnitude earthquake resulted in the damage of the malfunction of the cooling system of these power plants which is now the cause of worry why it is in a state of emergency nuclear state of emergency and now around the

breaking news at this hour to pass a nuclear safety commission says there's a possibility of from up one of the country's nuclear power plants cooling systems several atomic reactors have failed calling for friday's earthquake hit it fears the radioactive material has already leaked out a quake triggered tsunami claimed hundreds of lives with many people missing and feared dead. and a mall school says it's ready to send help to japan to live the experience gained from video tragic the legacy of the travolta nuclear disaster. you're watching our team well let's get straight to other breaking news this hour the japanese emergencies a ministry says that there is a possibility that one of the country's nuclear power plants might go into a nuclear meltdown well this comes following friday's record eight point nine magnitude earthquake as resulting tsunami we have our correspondents on the field for us with the latest now first let's go to do you know who is russia's far east do you know let's just give us tell us what is the situation right now in japan. well the situation in japan is that

japan's nuclear safety commission says one of the country's nuclear power plants could be going into meltdown cooling systems that several atomic reactors have failed following friday's earthquake and have reports of radioactive material has already leaked out of the quake triggered tsunami has claimed over seven hundred lives with many people missing and if you're dead. russia's emergencies ministry has prepared a six jets to really deliver doctors rescuers and medical equipment to japan should russia be able to join the possibly clear out operation of a nuclear accident in japan it can bring a certain experience to the operation as twenty five years ago it suffered at chernobyl fallout in ukraine. well you're watching our t.v. and let's go straight to our top story the japanese emergencies ministry say it says that one of the country's a nuclear power plants might be going into a meltdown well it's just a news coming in right now there are unconfirmed reports that an eyewitness has heard an explosion those are unconfirmed reports coming from japan now five reactors in the two plant

japan's independent nuclear safety commission believes that highly radioactive substances found in theh may have come directly from the vessel containing the reactor. the water in the trench for the number 1 reactor unit would overflow if the level reaches more than ten centimeters. tepco has closed the drain from the trench with sandbags and concrete shielding to prevent water from leaking into the ocean. it has also reduced the amount of water injected to cool the number 2 reactor. but the temperature in the reactor has risen by 20 degrees celsius. >>> iwate prefecture was one area hit hard by the march 11th earthquake and tsunami. otsushi town in the prefecture was flattened. a ferry perched on a two-story building is evidence of the powerful tsunami that swept through the area. many viewers have asked how they can help. if you would like to donate to help the people affected by the earthquake, do check the website on your screen below. i'm catherine kobayashi in tokyo. thanks for joining us.

. >> and the nuclear safety commission says a meltdown is possible at a damaged nuclear power plant. >> travelers trying to get to japan waited today to catch a flight out of san francisco international. >> and the tsunami from the quake damaged boats and docks in sanity creates with remarkable force. in japan the prime minister is sending in 50,000 troops to help with rescue efforts. >> it's been 25 hours since the powerful quake rocked japan and released the tsunami that swallowed parts of the country. >> it's already saturday in japan and the sun rose in the morning it revealed the devastating impact. countless cities decimated by fire and flooding. it splintered buildings setting tons of debris over open fields and made a toxic soup some of it on fire. >> some workers managed to flee but others remained trapped on city buildings. frantic scenes are playing out across the region from a plea on rooftop to these people being rescued by helicopter. and look at this boat. search and rescue teams are still struggling to reach the hardest hit areas. >> millions of survivors without powe

japan's nuclear safety commission said a meltdown at a plant affected by the country's massive earthquake is possible. there is a state of emergency because of a cooling system failure at a power plant. everyone in a six mile radius has been ordered to evacuate, though no radiation has been detected. officially since the quake and tsunami, there are 236 declared dead. 625 missing and more than a thousand injured. that doesn't count the 200 to 300 bodies in an area authorities can't get to because of the damage to the roadway. >>> and just a day later, we are getting a broader look at the power of both the earthquake and the tsunami. grace lee gives us a tour of the damage. >> the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in japan rocked its people to the core. the 8.9 magnitude quake gave skyscrapers a good shake. it's really frightening, this woman said in the town of yokahama, where people were dodging falling debris. >> i never experienced such shaking before. i could not keep standing and i have never experienced such an earthquake before. >> and then only minutes later, a massive wall o

the nuclear power plants and as this was rate evacuations were conducted according to the nuclear safety commission about fifty one thousand residents living within the danger area have been evacuated so once again there are nuclear waters happening in japan they are now looking at a second unit at the fukushima plant they are worried that there might be a leak prime minister not a condit does not rule out a radiation leak from fukushima number two now once again this is just coming in from japan a nuclear power plant might be going into meltdown this has been the result of the massive eight point nine magnitude earthquake there still suffering from the huge tsunami the massive tsunami that had hit the contrary and right now the. it's said that about one million homes mostly in the northeast don't have water about four million homes are without power according to the prime minister about fifty thousand troops are going to join the rescue and recovery efforts now japan is on a nuclear watch right now but it's not just japan to the north is a russian has suffered in the region they are also watching

now they're saying that people should evacuate there are have been fears of a meltdown the nuclear safety commission had announced earlier that they were fearing a meltdown radioactivity the main concern regular activity levels there have reportedly risen up twenty fold you are looking at your sky your screens right now what you're seeing is white smoke billowing from the a full power plant reportedly an explosion occurred over there just very shortly a short while ago that is and it's also reported that the roof of the reactor has collapsed reports of four have been injured still not exactly clear where exactly within the plant because we have been worrying about the a cooling system business has been the concern of the government which is why they raise the state of emergency the cooler. system does not work you need a cooling system to keep the temperature levels of the reactor at a normal level and therefore preventing a meltdown but now there are fears of a meltdown and the prime minister now to counter earlier said that he does not rule out radiation leaks from fukushima number two that's anot

the nuclear safety commission now says a meltdown there is possible. earlier today, japan declared a state of emergency at two nuclear power plants. ktvu's christian kafton spoke with a nuclear engineer in berkeley about this situation. >> reporter: thousands of japanese living near failing nuclear power plants have already evacuated as that country's nuclear engineers struggle to control the reactors damaged in the quake. oning was born and raised in japan and now teaches at berkeley. they are closely monitoring japan's power plants. >> the news of the latest activity was shocking to me. >> reporter: nuclear engineers say japan's nuclear power plants were designed to withstand major quake was afears of fail-safes to keep the reactors cool. but it appears some of those systems are failing, most seriously at the power plant. >> there is a high probability that the containment and the pressure vessel were damaged by the earthquake. >> reporter: the facility in question is much older than the one in the schematic. but one thing is similar, that is this is

the nuclear safety commission now says a meltdown there is possible. earlier today, japan declared a state of emergency at two nuclear power plants. ktvu's christian kafton spoke with a nuclear engineer in berkeley about this situation. >> reporter: thousands of japanese living near failing nuclear power plants have already evacuated as that country's nuclear engineers struggle to control the reactors damaged in the quake. oning was born and raised in japan and now teaches at berkeley. they are closely monitoring japan's power plants. >> the news of the latest activity was shocking to me. >> reporter: nuclear engineers say japan's nuclear power plants were designed to withstand major quake was afears of fail-safes to keep the reactors cool. but it appears some of those systems are failing, most seriously at the power plant. >> there is a high probability that the containment and the pressure vessel were damaged by the earthquake. >> reporter: the facility in question is much older than the one in the schematic. but one thing is similar, that is this is

of hearings demanding the nuclear regulatory commission reinspect the safety of those reactors immediately. >> there was a 9.0 earthquake in a place where they never, ever thought. wouldn't you immediately say as the lead person with all the american people behind you, guess what? i'm independent. i represent the american people, and i want to make sure, and i'm going to go back to every plant that's on -- and not wait two years. find out now. >> senator boxer says she will not approve recertification of the plants if the nrc cannot prove that they will stand -- that the reactors will withstand a strong earthquake and tsunami. more than 7 million people live in close proximity to those two plants. >>> this morning we are learning more about the devastating human toll of the triple disaster in japan. now word that 14 elderly patients died after being transferred out of a hospital in the radiation zone to a

safety violations at america's nuclear plants. the united states is home to 104 reactors across 31 states. some of them located on fault lines. but nuclear regulatory commission safety records show more than 50 safety violations at u.s. nuclear plants from 2007 through 2011. and now there's a move on capitol hill to block licenses for new plants. here's pierre thomas with our report. >> reporter: this is the dresden nuclear power plant in illinois. located within 50 miles of the 9 million people who live in and around chicago. but less than two years ago, in 2009, the nuclear regulatory commission cited them for allowing unlicensed operators to work with radioactive control rods. the workers allowed three radioactive control rods to be moved out of the reactor core when they should not have been. worse, the workers initially ignored alarms. that wasn't the only problem at dresden. four years ago in 2007, nuclear material literally went missing from the plant. federal regulators fined the company, saying it failed to keep complete records showing the inventory and disposal of all special nuclear material. >> history tells us that utilities, some utilities, cut

i brought with me today the chairman of the nuclear regulatory commission and he can answer questions about safety in japan and update americans about the impact of the accident. or the aftermath of the tsunami and earthquake. i also have the deck -- deputy secretary of energy and he can outline everything we're doing

they're asking for full testimony from the nuclear regulatory commission on safety at u.s.lants, especially those near fault lines. can they with stand a magnitude 9 earthquake like we saw in japan? here inç the u.s. a lot of peoe are concerned about radiation exposure. there has been a run on potassium iodide here which protects against radiation exposure. one retailer says he has a backlog of 3,000 orders. lynn. >> tracie potts for us in washington. tracie, thanks. now here's a look at other stories making news early today in america. home video from a viewer in oregon shows boats tossed around as if they were toys. brookings harbor port was broken apart. officials say the damage ranged from $10 million to $13 million. a disaster assessment team has visited the area to determine if it's eligible for federal relief. >>> military units from across the nation headed to the hoosier state to take part in moch nuclear disaster drills. the dooms day scenario called for an emergency response to a nuclear explosion, which collapsed buildings, search and rescue, as well as deconta

feinstein and barbara boxer, of course, national senators, demanding that the nuclear regulatory commission reinspect the safety of reactors immediately. >> there was a 9.0 earthquake in a place where they never, ever thought. wouldn't you immediately say, as the lead person with all the american people behind you, guess what? i'm independent. i represent the american people, and i want to make sure. and i'm going to go back to every plant that's on -- and not wait two years. find out now. >> senator boxer says that she will not reapprove recertification of the plant in the new nrc cannot prove that the plants can withstand a strong quake and tsunami. >>> more than 7 million people live in close proximity to those plants. some bay area restaurants feeling the effects of the disaster. items they import for the menu not available. >> we get a good amount of our fish from japan for the seafood market menu. specials on the weekends, saturday night. and that will be impacted by the earthquake and tsunami. >> the owners of this restaurant from san francisco say one of their chefs works with a supplier in a tokyo fish

safety. i am please that the nuclear regulatory commission will undertake both short-term and long-term reviewsf nuclear plant safety. mr. chairman, i thank you for that. this kind of self reassessment is appropriate. today, i hope we will get a complete picture of what the nuclear regulatory commission intends to do with these reviews and how quickly they are likely to act on any new safety regulations. in addition, i think we should take a look at some independent analysis of our nuclear power plant safety with specific attention to threat assessment and the design parameters of our plants. japan has now suffered two earthquakes in the past four years that were larger than the japanese thought possible. each devastated a nuclear power plant that was not designed to endure a quake of that size. we need to think carefully about whether our country has properly estimated the threats to our nuclear facilities and designed the facilities to endure them. an independent review of the design basis for all the united states plants, i believe, should be a priority. the nuclear research and development

state senators dianne feinstein and barbara boxer are demanding that the nuclear regulatory commission reinspect the safety of the reactors immediately. >> it was a 9.0 earthquake in a place when they never, ever thought? wouldn't you immediately say, as the lead person with all the american people behind you, guess what? i'm independent. i represent the american people. and i want to make sure, and i'm going to go back to every plant that's on -- and not wait two years. find out now. >> senator boxer says she will not approve recertification of the plants if the new nrc can't prove the plants will withstand a strong quake and tsunami. more than 7 million people live in close proximity to the two plants. >>> well, even now some bay area restaurants are feeling the effects of the disaster in japan because items they import for their menu aren't available anymore. >> to get a good amount of fish from japan from our market menu which is a real specialized menu. on the weekends, thursday, friday, saturday night. and that will be impacted by the earthquake and tsunami. >> the owners in san francisco say one of

safety. i'm very pleased that the nuclear regulatory commission will undertake both short-term and long-term views of nuclear plant safety and mr. chairman, i thank you very much for that. this kind of self-reassessment is really appropriate. today i hope we'll get a more complete picture of what the n.r.c. intends to do with these reviews and how quickly they are likely to act on any new safety regulations. in addition to n.r.c.'s self-assessment, i think werked take a look at some independent -- we should take a look at some independent analysis of our nuclear power plant safety with specific attention to threat assessment and the design parameters of our plan. japan has now suffered two earthquakes in the past four years that were larger than the japanese thought possible. and each devastated a nuclear power plant that was not designed to endure quake of that size. the lesson is that we need to think carefully about whether our country has properly estimated the threats to our nuclear facilities and design the facilities to endure them. an independent review of the design bases for all the

meanwhile, in the united states, the nuclear regulatory commission is reviewing safety procedures at e to see if there is any immediate need to make changes. >>> coming up, maybe you drop stuff off there. maybe you shop there. but what actually happens to the items at goodwill between the donation drop and the cash register. that's tonight's good question. >>> and all of that rain washed away a lot of work at the creek but tonight good news for animal lovers. proof the beavers will be okay. >>> let's say you are getting married. what location are you going to pick? hopefully not this one. with more on that coming up. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,, julie watts ex . >>> mortgage brokers will soon have to play by a new set of rules. on the consumer watch, julie watts explains it should lead to better rates on loans and refinancing. >> reporter: starting friday some mortgage brokers are going to have to change the way they do business. it limits their commissions on loans. right now the commissions are tied to the interest rate so the higher the interest rate the more the brocker earns. critics say that'

he still though has asked the nuclear regulatory commission to review the safety of our domestic plants because of the disaster in japan. meanwhile the tokyo electric power company which operates the crippled japanese reactors hopes to have power restored to them tomorrow. now that could allow engineers to stabilize the situation. even once the full extent of the crisis is known, it will be years, though, before the full bill is tallied. as darren gersh reports, nuclear utilities are not likely to pay it. >> reporter: under japanese law, power companies operating nuclear reactors are responsible for any damage, except in case of a grave natural disaster of an exceptional character. wharton professor howard k urx nreuther expects the massive earthquake and tsunami will be considered a grave natural disaster relieving tokyo electric power the utility and ge the company that built the crippled reactors from liability. >> i think in general from what i understand from the law in japan, the utilities or the plant operators are not really liable for all that much money. and they may not be li

. >> couric: president obama said today he's asked the nuclear regulatory commission to do a comprehensive review of the safety of america's nuclear plants. chip reid is our chief white house correspondent. chip, the president is trying to reassure americans here at home, protect u.s. citizens in japan and do all he can to help the japanese. >> well, katie, he's doing a lot. he's trying to do all thee of those things at the same time. but in japan today, the administration's top priority was clearly helping americans to get out. president obama signed a book of condolences today at the japanese embassy in washington. >> we are doing everything we can to stand by our great friend and ally, japan, in this hour of need. >> reporter: in japan, where airplanes are jam packed with people fearing the spread of radiation, the u.s. state department today offered voluntary evacuation for american citizens, including family members of u.s. diplomats. one plane left today with about 100 americans on board. hundreds more americans are stranded in sendai, north of the damaged reactors. 14 charter buses have been sent to bri

the report criticizes both plant operators and the nuclear regulatory commission for allowing some known safety issues to fester. mark >> there is an operation to stop libyan leader from launching at brutal attack and gauzy. here is this seen as they received word of that no-fly zone if enacted by the un. it is to help protect them. the well, the obama administration is going to participate with the help of the arab countries and the possibility of the u.s. nations conducted air strikes against libyan forces which are just out side of that gauzy right now. let us go to the newsroom. >> reporter: good point, there are four journalists that will be released today. the for a journalist before reported missing while they were covering the libyan conflict. there will be released later on this afternoon. i will keep monitoring the wires into be posted throughout the morning. back to. >> thank-you, the time ballot is 602. that is talk about the weather. james? >>james: it does point to be wet, what, what all day. we of rain in san mateo. bring to the north. --rain to the north. it is a substantial bit

nuclear power and i want to play the sound bite if we have. so in light of what's happened in japan i requested a comprehensive safety review by the nec nuclear regulatory commission to make sure that all of our existing nuclear energy facilities are safe. and we're going to incorporate those conclusions and lessons from japan in design and the building of the next generation of plants or we can simply take it off the tape. all right well two questions there first of all this is looking into it so we're totally going to be fine right here the voice and i don't mean to say much more but yes i mean this comprehensive review i mean to see if they're safe we know already that they're not safe we've got the cancer reactors are seeing melting down in japan in this country and a whole lot of other ones that are potentially not say the fact that the n.r.c. is looking into it does not fill me with confidence because as you know they've let a whole bunch of dangerous situations persist of different reactors already if you look the other way and they're funded ninety percent by the nuclear power industry that's where they get their fees and so they're all automatically compr

. >> topping the news, nuclear regulatory commission will make a review of the safety of all u.s. lear plants. >> president obama took the step and called for the review in light of the crisis in japan. u.n. officials are calling the japanese situation a race against the clock. this morning, japan raised the severity level of the fukushima daiichi plant from a four to five on a scale 7 is chernobyl. they are asking for u.s. officials for help after the dangerously overheated plant including a military fire truck borrowed from the u.s. new counts show that 16,000 people have been confirmed dead or missing since the quake and tsunami a week ago. now, the latest from japan. >> reporter: it's an all out battle to save the fukushima daiichi plant. friday, crews went in for high pressure water cannons in an attempt to cool it down and avert a meltdown. it came a day after crews went in with helicopters dropping 30 tons of sea water. that did little to cool down reactors at the site and today officials said they would not resume aerial operations for now. 300 men are working around the cl

nuclear regulatory commission. they are very concerned about the safety of nuclear reactors here in the united states. they point to maps like this one from the u.s. geological survey which shows reactors in the area of seismic activities. there are 35 nuclear facilities in all of the u.s. with potential for high seismic activities. reactors are meant to stab more. >> we design so there will be no significant release of the radiation to surrounding population. >> reporter: some here are just not buying it. more on their concerns during my next update in an hour. for now we are live until washington, d.c. alison burns ktvu channel 2 news. >>> european energy administrators have agreed to conduct stress tests on 100 reactors. they are saying the stress test will determine whether the nuclear plants could with stand earthquakes and other emergencies. >>> there is a heartwarming video. look at this dog. a very brave and loyal dog standing right by the side of a fellow pet. it looks like the dog is trying to get the tv news crew some over. the japanese tv station is flooded with phone calls from people tha

nuclear regulatory commission chairman says the commission has two inspectors at every u.s. nuclear plant at all times. diablo canyon is in the process of having license renewed and seismic safety is one issue being considered. >> rescue and recovery continues in japan, we have one incredible story tonight of how one japanese exchange student discovered her family's fate through you tube. she attends uc riverside spent three days searching for any signs of her family. they flif a small fishing village where more than half of the residents are missing and feared dead. she'd lost hope until receiving a message about a you tube video. >> my friends called me and he she said i watched the news p maybe, i think... it's your sister. she said they all survived and said please tell my younger sister we all survived. >> what a relief for her. she is now using the internet to try to let her relatives know she's seen the message and thankful for thinking of her while dealing with this tragedy. >> california state university system decided to pull all students out of japan. there is part of a study abroad program. the is tim still debate wlg to call students back home. >> let's start out w

nuclear regulatory commission. they will be asked by -- about u.s. nuclear safety following last week's earthquake in japan. that is from a joint house- senate subcommittee hearing. that is on c-span3 and c-span radio. >> the c-span networks -- providing coverage of politics, public affairs, nonfiction books, and american history. it is all available to you on television, radio, online, and on social media networking sites. view our content anytime at the c-span video library. we take you on the road with our digital content vehicle. it is washington your way. the c-span networks -- now available in more than 100 million homes, created by cable, provided as a public service. >> "washington journal" is next and will take your phone calls. the house is back in and and they will debate a foreclosure program. it is at 10:00 eastern, legislative work at noon eastern. coming up this hour, we will look it u.s. preparedness for both natural and man-made disasters. congresswoman loretta sanchez of

nuclear regulatory commission. >> it tells you your assumptions about safety may be wrong and we need to go back and look at our systemsnd make sure our assumption are still valid. >> reporter: california isn't the only part of the country can have earthquakes, what geologists call seismic hot spots are scattered across the country. there are 104 commercial nuclear reactors in the u.s., including those operating in earthquake zones, and there are other natural hazards, too. in 1992, hurricane andrew knocked out power to the turkey point plant south of miami for five days but the plant survived. nuclear power supporters point out that even the accident at three mile island in 1979 did not result in the disaster first feared and the newest generation of nuclear power plants is built to an even higher standard. and although diablo canyon here sits right on the coast, geologists say a tsunami as big as the one that hit japan is unlikely here. katie? >> couric: john blackstone, john thank you. coming up next, libya. qaddafi's forces retake more territory from the rebels using bombs and piles of cash. bombs and piles of cash

the report criticizes both plant operators and the nuclear regulatory commission for allowing some known safety issues to fester. >>mark: at a quick break as we continue. the latest of libya as the un declares a " no-fly " zone. more on the storm coming up. >>darya: 710 m and looking at san francisco called. a bit of a break but not for long. >>mark: major developments in libya. it now declaring a cease-fire and stopping all military options. the decision is coming after the u.s. and authorized a " no- fly " zone. they're sending in fighter jets and that comment ours. britain, france and the u.s. is authorizing the prime minister of libya to stop all attacks. the obama administration is participating in the no-fly zone but right now a cease- fire has been declared. >> isabel: more on libya it right now. the do york times have for journalists that had been reported missing while reporting of the libyan conflict, they have been found. they are a ward winning journalist. the word is that they will be released later on today. they vanished earlier this week. but times have not heard from them since

nuclear regulatory commission. >> it does tell you that your assumptions about safety may be wrong and we really need to take a look systems and make sure that our assumptions are still valid. >> reporter: california isn't the only part of the country that have earthquakes. what geologists call seismic hot spots are scattered across the country. there are 104 commercial reactors in the u.s. including those operating in earthquake zones. and though diablo canyon sits right on the coast, geologists say a tsunami as big as the one that hit japan is unlikely here. john blackstone, avila beach, california. >> this morning on "the early show," continuing coverage of the disaster in japan. i'm betty nguyen. this is the "cbs morning news." i can't let allergies stop me from the leading the way. so, i get claritin clear. non-drowsy claritin relieves my worst symptoms. and only claritin is proven to keep me as alert and focused as someone without allergies. whoa ! watch your step ! thanks ! live claritin clear. all you expect from the number-one recommended detergent by dermatologists. all free clear is free of dyes and perf

. >> ifill: the evening the nuclear regulatory commission voted to conduct new safety reviews in responsethe japan disaster. >> lehrer: next, the north african nation of morocco tries to get ahead of the protests sweeping the arab world. ray suarez has the story. >> reporter: the sound has become familiar-- voices, clamoring for change. the demands are similar, too-- for work; for more power to the people; for a clean-up of widespread corruption. >> ( translated ): today, we are here to say that we are all moroccans. we love our country; we love our king, but we are against corruption and economic and political monopoly. >> ( translated ): we want the berber language to be recognized in the constitution alongside arabic. we want the population to have all the fundamental rights, right to education, right to health. i mean, a state education for all. >> reporter: the protests in morocco have been relatively small and peaceful compared to those across the arab world. but this is a country with many of the same problems: high unemployment, food shortages, a lack of housing. but the country's

safety of nuclear power plants here in america. one senator asked the head of the nuclear regulatory commission if any u.s. plants are as of the same design as the crippled plants this japan. >> all the reactors we have of a similar type have undergone modifications and improvements to deal with the kinds of situations we're seeing in japan. >> because of the disaster in japan, the owners of the nuclear power plant outside of san diego are proposing a new earthquake safety study of that plant. the review had actually been in the works months before the disaster in japan. the public ewe tills commission must first approve the proposal since it would be funded through the rates customers paid. it's expected to cost an estimated $21 million. >>> we have developing news. a judge dismissed a drug sales case after watching a surveillance video. the officers entered without a warrant and asked the defendant a medical marijuana patient where his money was. this is the latest case in a scandal involving videos showing what defense attorneys say is illegal searches and arrest by san francisco officers. >>> don't let

nuclear power plants. and the commission today during a hearing on capitol hill. and she questioned why it's not taking action now to verify the safety of u.s. nuclear plants along fault zone autos right now executive director, you're doing nothing new. not one thing. i have haven't heard anything. i look at what germany is doing and switzerland. none are panicking. they're just being, i think just okay. let's take another look at these places that have seismic activity. and i don't see anything pro active. i worry about that. >> the chairman says the commission has two inspectors at every u.s. nuclear power plant at all times. diablo canyon sits near four faults and pg&e says it's designed to withstand a 7.5 quake. >> and the california state university system has decided to pull all students out of japan, about 45 students applied at the study abroad program. another 55 about to travel to japan. they're going to have to wait. the students are in the tokyo and tyoto areas none near the disaster. areas. >> there is some concerns about shortages perhaps happening or problems becoming more complicated as time goes on so we felt for saf

nuclear plant trying to prevent a meltdown. the helicopter crews can only work about 40 minutes at a time for their own safety to limit radiation exposure. now the head of the u.s. nuclear regulatory commission says there's no more water in one of the spent fuel pools at the plant. increasing the chance of widespread nuclear fallout. however, japanese officials deny that that pool is dry. the u.s. government is now chartering airplanes to help evacuate u.s. citizens from japan because of the rising radiation levels. voluntary evacuation to family members of government employees. >>> time now 5:01. scientists here on the west coast are closely watching the movement of the radioactive plume coming from the crippled japanese nuclear reactors. it's expected to hit the illusion islands south of alaska some time today. that plume is then expected to reach southern california late tomorrow. the health experts are emphasizing radiation levels are plunging as that plume moves across the ocean. at worse they say health consequences here in the united states would be extremely minor. >>> now the environmental protection agency is installing additional radiation monitors here in california to just stay

corporation or saddam and the head of the iran saddam commission and monitoring and their losses of japan's nuclear accident this election you just mentioned the safety regulations the safety requirements and atomic station i know they have all these be very high i know that i know that in russia and modern stations the safety requirements are even higher than in japan a very high tech nation so in russia they are higher but are you planning to to analyze the maybe to review them and to make them even higher i'm sure that there i should add that there people from the government are saying you should i are going to do that. first of all have to say this to ourselves we'll probably do this first of all have to analyze what is going on. what changed if before excellent it could answer some questions is improbable it cannot. know we don't have a right answer like that we have to ask ourselves what happens if. and we have to imagine. very improbable situations and to give to ourselves first of all the answers present safety standards we have to improve when i read about what happened in fukushima i suddenly realize that these these say true quorums they s

nuclear regulatory commission is testifying next. he's expected to offer more assurances about nuclear safety here. we'll stay on top of this hearing and have more for you during my next update in about an hour. for now we're live in washington, d.c., alison burns, ktvu channel 2 news. >> thank you. >>> today, president obama is reviewing the aid the united states is giving to japan to help it recover from that massive quake and tsunami. the president is meeting with the u.s. agency for international development to talk about disaster assistance. now, the president has said the u.s. is ready to help japan recover. >>> it's 7:17. this morning, toyota announced it will keep its factories in northern japan closed, at least one more week. the world's largest automaker shut down all 12 of its plants on monday due to ongoing energy sources. that translates to a production loss of 40,000 vehicles so far. the earliest the plants will reopen will be next tuesday. toyota says it will restart production at spare starts that supply japanese dealerships tomorrow. the lack of new production combined with the new