After Earth Hour

Boston.com has some great before and after photos from around the world during Earth Hour.

Earth Hour

Washingtonians will find the District a little darker Saturday evening as monuments, businesses and landmarks turn off their lights.

In an effort to raise awareness and promote action on global climate change, 2,800 cities in 83 countries will cast their "vote" for Earth on Saturday by turning off their lights from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. local time, for the World Wildlife Fund's Earth Hour 2009.

Michigan's "Sixth Amendment Crisis"

Strapped for funds, Michigan's system of providing lawyers for indigent criminal defendants is in a "Sixth Amendment crisis," and some say the federal government should step in.

Police arrest student protesters in downtown D.C.

Today was the 6th anniversary of the beginning of the war in Iraq and I had a very long day of following several groups of protesters around the city. At least two protesters were arrested.

Forgotten girl

Catholic Church excommunicates the family of nine-year-old Brazilian girl, who was raped and impregnated with twins by her step-father, for having an abortion.

A new perspective

Google Earth, satellite imaging helps people to better see what's been right in front of them for a thousand years.

Washington Post: Carcinogens found in baby shampoo

The Washington Post reported today that a recent test of baby bath products by the nonprofit Campaign for Safe Cosmetics found trace amounts of two chemicals called "probable carcinogens" by the Environmental Protection Agency.

MRSA story spreading

On March 3 I published a story about a recent study that found MRSA in swine and their human handlers for the first time in the U.S. a few weeks ago and it looks like the story is catching on. A few days later I wrote a follow-up from the animal agriculture industry's point of view.
The study was done by Tara Smith, a University of Iowa epidemiologist. Iowa produces more pork than any other state. Smith joined two other scientists for a discussion of antibiotic resistance on Capitol Hill in February.

The New York Times published an opinion article about that same study Wednesday.

Though scientists say risk of contracting MRSA by eating infected meat is very, very low, it is another possible source of infection not previously accounted for. With all the problems the FDA has faced lately from Salmonella to BPA, I'm not surprised that this issue hasn't had much attention.

Story of a mischevious octopus

A foot-long female octopus escaped her tank and flooded a California aqaurium in the process.