Japan Disaster

Jeremy Phillips

3/13/11 / 10:48pm

Japan’s Earthquake and Tsunami death toll estimate has risen to ten-thousand people as

authorities race to stop the threat of multiple nuclear meltdowns.

Nuclear power plant operators are trying to keep the temperatures down inside the reac-

tor. According to officials, millions are without water and electricity.

The government has doubled its efforts, in distributing bottles of water, gasoline, blankets

and food to the affected areas.

Wisconsin Bill

In national news, the Wisconsin (wiz-CONS-in) Assembly approved a bill Thursday lim-

iting the power of public employee unions and requiring government workers to pay more for

benefits.

The Assembly voted 53 to 42 in favor. All Democrats and four Republicans voted against

it. The Senate approved it 18 to 1 Wednesday night, surprising the Democrats who had fled the

state to prevent the vote.

Republicans took the budget issues out of the bill. Democrats and unions say they will

pursue legal challenges.

NATO forces kill relative

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In international news, NATO troopers allegedly killed a relative of President Hamid

(hah-MID) Karzai (KA-zeye) during a raid at his home of Kandahar (KAN-du-har).

The man killed was identified by relatives and officials as Yar (Rhymes with car) Mo-

hammad (Moo-hum-mad) Khan (kan). His relationship to Karzai is unclear.

NATO identified the man as father of suspected Taliban (tie-LAH-ban) leader who was

the target.

A Karzai spokesman said he was saddened by the incident and wants an investigation.

Charlie Sheen sues Warner Bros. Studio

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In other news, actor Charlie Sheen is suing Warner Brothers studio and producer Chuck

Lorre (LOR-ee) for 100-million-dollars after being fired from Two and a Half Men.

Sheen is seeking compensation for the remaining episodes under his two year, 95-mil-

lion-dollar contract and his share of syndication profits.

The lawsuit was filed Thursday in Los (loss) Angeles (Ann-jul-ess) and the conference

has been scheduled for June 28th.

Sheen said he passed several drug tests and was ready for work after top executives of

Warner Brothers insisted he enter rehab.

Rutgers appeal ‘sunshine’ ruling

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In local news, Rutgers (RUHT-gerz) University officials the state Supreme Court to over-

turn an appellate court decision saying the Board of Governors regularly violates “sunshine

laws” during public meetings.

Last month, a three judge panel ruled the board illegally discussed the university’s sports

program in 2008.

In Trenton, the university asked the high court to overturn the decision. Rutgers attorneys

say if the ruling holds up it will be impossible to keep information private.

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