The nuclear crisis in Japan has intensified, as authorities announced a possible rupture at a second reactor unit at the tsunami hit Fukushima Daiichi plant. Scientists have warned of another complication following Friday's earthquake; the reactors hold a mixed-oxide fuel which contains plutonium. Arjun Makhijani, President of the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research joins us to explain why this combination could be a deadly concoction.
Canadian George Maclean has lived and made a family in Japan for the last 18 years. He was in Europe when the massive earthquake hit and he has been trying to get back to his family in northeastern Japan. He is currently staying in his office at the Tsukuba University where he teaches, located in Ibaraki prefecture between Tokyo and Sendai. Thus far he has been unable to reunite with his wife at their home 50 miles to the north of the university.
Japan expert and Pacific Rim Diary contributor, Roland Kelts join us to discuss how the arts in Japan address the country's many natural and man-made tragedies -- from the earthquake that devasted Tokyo in 1923 and the nuclear devastation during World War Two to the work of Japan's most famous filmmaker - Hayao Miyazaki in Ponyo.
Our safety on the internet is a hot topic on Capitol Hill. Today, the Senate Commerce Committee meets to discuss online security and Senators John Kerry and John McCain are expected to propose a bill to secure greater privacy for consumers on the web. Justin Brookman from the Center for Democracy and Technology explains how our information is gathered and shared in cyberspace. Why are lawmakers suddenly so concerned about online privacy?
The Los Angeles Unified School District Board met yesterday and handed over control of about a dozen schools to independent operators. It's part of a reform effort that began two years ago. The Public School Choice Program lets charters, nonprofits and groups of teachers to compete for control of traditional public schools. KPCC education reporter Adolfo Guzman Lopez joins us with the results of yesterday's vote.
Tomorrow is St Patrick's Day and aside from green beer in honor of the patron saint, what else is on the menu? Dan Pashman from the Sporkful food podcast joins us with a tasty recreation of the classic Irish dish, corned beef and cabbage and other treats.
