In brief: Radiation seeping into groundwater

Tokyo – Radiation exceeding government safety limits has seeped into groundwater under a tsunami-crippled Japanese nuclear plant, according to the operator, but has not affected drinking supplies.

The leak announced late Thursday could pose a long-term problem, however, and at the very least it is a concerning indicator of how far Tokyo Electric Power Co. is from bringing its plant under control. Workers have been battling to stabilize dangerously overheating reactors after cooling systems were knocked out in the March 11 tsunami.

TEPCO has increasingly asked for international help in its uphill battle, most recently ordering giant pumps from the U.S. that were to arrive later this month to spray water on the reactors.

Calderon replaces attorney general

Mexico City – Mexican President Felipe Calderon, fighting a long and bloody war against drug cartels, on Thursday replaced the nation’s top legal official, who had failed to improve low drug-conviction rates or stop human rights abuses.

Attorney General Arturo Chavez Chavez was in office 18 months. Calderon nominated Marisela Morales, head of the high-profile organized crime unit of the prosecutor’s office, to replace Chavez. The Mexican Senate must ratify the appointment.

Morales, if confirmed, would be the first female attorney general. She received the 2011 International Women of Courage Award in March.