Japan: waste disposal problem

After the quake and tsunami, Japan faces legal, financial, logistical, environmental and ethical questions on dealing with debris — from ships and smashed cars to waterlogged heirlooms and soiled family photos.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-japan-trash-20110403,0,2076542.story?page=1

more on Japan's nuclear crisis

Despite the heroic efforts of technicians and engineers battling to prevent a full nuclear meltdown at the quake-damaged Fukushima Daiichi plant, radioactive material is still seeping into the surroundings of the power station.

Plutonium has been detected in soil samples near the plant, the Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco) said Monday.

full story http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/03/29/japan.nuclear.leaks/index.html?hpt=T2

Revolution and the internet

Syria tests internet freedom theory

In the wake of Egypt's "Facebook revolution," which was fueled in part by online social networks, much has been made about the role of technology in encouraging or even creating democracy.

"If you want to liberate a society, just give them the internet," said Wael Ghonim, one of Egypt's tech-savvy revolutionaries.

full story http://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/innovation/03/30/syria.internet.revolution/index.html?hpt=C1

33% renewable energy by 2020

"The mandate, now headed for governor's desk, would require utilities to increase renewable energy sources to 33% by 2020."

full story http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-energy-20110330,0,818402.story

A bookless library?

"In a sign of the times, Newport Beach is considering closing the city's original library and replacing it with a community center that would offer all the same features -- except for the books."

full story at http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/jacketcopy/2011/03/in-our-pages-newport-beach-library-considers-going-bookless.html

Reagan assassination attempt

"Thirty years ago, Secret Service agent Tim McCarthy was shot in the chest as he protected President Reagan from an assassination attempt by John Hinckley Jr."

full story http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-reagan-shooting-agent-20110331,0,2327105.story

Egypt: what next?

After an 18-day revolution toppled longtime President Hosni Mubarak, who stepped down Friday... For now, power has been transferred to the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces. It is not clear what comes next. There will be unease that Mubarak's decision has enabled a military coup, since there is no constitutional provision for such a move. Officially, the speaker of the parliament should have taken over.

"Dawn of Egypt's democratic experiment"
http://www.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/02/13/shaikh.egypt.future/index.html?hpt=T2

It probably won't end with Egypt:

"Unrest in the Middle East and North Africa -- country by country"
http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/02/14/arab.region.unrest/index.html?hpt=T2