Ill effects of disasters in Japan reach America

Ill effects of the catastrophic earthquake'-tsunami-nuclear disaster in Japan early last year are still being encountered in the USA': fish with radiation is found off California and debris piles up on Alaska's shore. It is not immediately clear if or how other nearby areas are impacted. While the heartbreaking event in Japan in 2011 has clearly shown the highly admirable social discipline of the people in that country, 'it has also revealed some pretty questionable responses of the government. There is now a deep division in the Japanese society over whether to restart the nuclear power plants 'that have already been switched off.

Europeans look for greener pastures in Russia

According to a news report, the number of Europeans looking for jobs in Russia has increased as the crisis in Eurozone widens and deepens. Russia's economic situation is said to be relatively stable, although it is also argued that the base needs to be reformed for new challenges. Meanwhile, Germany is also a popular destination for many economic migrants from other European countries, like Italy, Greece and Spain. Younger Spaniards are also moving to the Spanish-speaking republics in Latin America, like Argentina, for jobs and business opportunities. The effects of Eurozone crisis on human emotions and conditions are multi-faceted as millions have lost their jobs, businesses and houses.

Impact of Eurozone Crisis on human emotions

From BBC's documentary The Great Euro Crash, we can sense how the Eurozone crisis has impacted on the emotions of ordinary people. The documentary also tells the Eurozone 'story' 'in a historical perspective. Whether the anger, bitterness and'/'or sense of frustration will result in more xenophobic incidents and resurgence of fascism should be of concern to the broad left, liberals and self-enlightened conservatives.

Future of Scotland (& Britain) for exploration

Some 'Scots 'have reportedly begun to pretty actively and passionately campaign for an independent and sovereign Scotland. Recently, Spain and Argentina 'have also resumed their challenges to the positions 'of Britain on Gibraltar and Falkland Island (a.k.a 'Malvinas) respectively. Meanwhile, 2012 marks the 200th birthday of English novelist Charles Dickens and 60th anniversary of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth 'II. Of course, 'London is going to host the Summer Olympics pretty soon. Very few Britons seem to worry very much about the end of the world even though it is now 'in recession and Russia has tested a new ICBM which can break through the shield' operationalised recently by NATO.

In deeper memory of Robin Gibb (1949-2012)

Robin Gibb ('1949-2012') has passed away but his unforgettable songs like Saved by the Bell will surely live on. Gibb's Bee Gees is one of the most effective soft powers that keeps the English-using world as one, in spite of the changes in the world around us 'since 1960s and 1970s. The common love for Bee Gees' songs have been enabling many of us to keep on talking as friends in spite of some differences in opinions.

No-woman team ready for Olympic Games ...

A UK report has observed that Saudi Arabia "looks set" to send an all-men or no-woman team to the Olympic Games to be held pretty soon. As there is no popular poll in Saudi Arabia ('as in Iran'), 'it is not clear at all why the 'reformists' (among the princes) fear the conservatives. It is fairly noteworthy that no other Muslim-majority country on earth follow the model of Saudi Arabia which sees itself as the purest of all.

Eurozone Crisis & strategic balance in Eurasia

If the Eurozone crisis continues without solutions for the next several years, 'it could, 'like it or hate it, 'critically alter the strategic balance between USA-led NATO and Russia in an imperceptible shift of power.

Search for solution to Eurozone Crisis still on

The G-8 Summit and an informal meeting of EU leaders are over, 'but the Eurozone crisis is expected to "drag on". 'There is no specifics on what is a 'balance' 'between economic growth and financial 'discipline'. Meanwhile, suicide rates have reportedly increased in some Eurozone countries pressed extremely hard by the austerity package, that have also caused other socioeconomic disorders and political uncertainties.

Russia has new missile to crack NATO's shield

Russia does not only oppose to NATO's missile shield in Europe. It has also just tested a new missile which is said to be capable of ''piercing' the system. To neutralise Russia's new defence technology, NATO has to upgrade its own. Given the still quite powerful base of science and technology in Russia as well as renewed will to stand up for itself, the question to ask is whether it can economically sustain the arms race'?

Britain bans entry of rights abusers for Games

The UK Government has reportedly decided to ban the entry of human rights abusers into the country for the Olympic Games. However, it is not immediately clear if anyone from Bahrain has been blacklisted; or if banning women and girls from sports is defined as rights' violation. There is indeed a fairly pressing need for these points to be clarified.