Germany Shuts Down Reactors as Europe Plans Safety Test

In light of recent events involving the earthquake and tsunami that took place in Japan last week, countries are taking note and acting accordingly. Germany announced recently that they are shutting down 7 of the plants that went online before 1980, while the European Union stated that they will be testing all of their 147 power plants. Chancellor Markel of Germany is taking heat for this decision, being accused of acting on fear and not rationality. The European Union will be testing the plants for anything from a flood or tsunami to a terrorist attack. With what happened in Japan, countries are taking note so they do not make the same mistake. It comes at a bad time, because countries, like the US, were planning to expand their nuclear energy, but now have to act cautiously on this. President Sarkozy is holding a summit for the Group of 20 so that European nations can discuss this issue of nuclear safety. It will be difficult to make decisions involving nuclear energy safety, cause most nations use this as their primary source of energy. France gets about 70% of their electricity from nuclear energy. But regardless, no other nation can afford to have the same issue that happened to Japan happen to them. Other nations, including the US, has been given the opportunity to learn from the mistakes, or misfortunes, of Japan. It would be ridiculous to take this chance and run with it.

Security Forces Attack Protesters and Doctors in Bahrain

According to witnesses yesterday, security officials in Bahrain attack a local hospital, beating both protesters and doctors, with these officials even going as far as to using ammunition. Bahrain officials deny the account, claiming the extent to their weaponry was using tear gas, and it being because they were first attacked by protesters. The only reported fatalities were 2 police officers who were run over by protesters, who now face charges. Doctors claim that officials formed a "ring" around the hospital, and then stormed in and beat anyone in their path. While most doctors were able to hide, many other staff members were attacked. The most confusing part of the situation was that this all happened in a government hospital, which is weird because its government attacking government, not protesters. With doctors in hiding and unable to work, 2 patients reportedly died. A similar incident also happened in Salmany Hospital. In light of recent events, the UK has closed their embassy in Bahrain for the time being, and troops from the UAE and Saudi Arabia have moved in to protect the citizens.

I think its terrible what government officials are doing. Attacking unarmed protesters is severely unfair, and I can't see all of this working in the long run. I think Bahrain will lose the trust of other nations if they continue to act this violently and irrationally. At some point, I see other nations stepping in to help these unarmed citizens and overthrowing the government. This just simply cannot go on any longer.

Answering the Public, Egypt Names New Cabinet

The current interim Prime Minister of Egypt listened to the people, and announced a new political cabinet who were, in no way, tied to Hosni Mubarak. Even still, protesters rampaged into a state security officeand Interior Ministry after catching wind that they were burning incriminating documents that could be used as evidence against Mubarak, or just simply confidential information about other government leaders. These protesters were warded off within hours using sticks, knives, and gunshots. It was the first time since February 11th that the military, who is now running the country, had used force on the people, and their most recent outburst is not a sign of change in the way they plan to act in the future. After all of this mess, it was revealed who would be filling the government positions. UN Ambassador Nabil Elaraby will be taking over the position as foreign minister (he already has many ideas, including pursuing Israel for not holding up obligations, to put into effect); Mansour el-Essaway will be Minister of the Interior; and Mohamed el-Gendy will become the new justice.
It is nice to see that the Egyptian government is going to become less and less corrupt, and is filling up it's cabinet with fresh, relatively new faces as leaders. What does worry me is the recent outburst by the people. To me, it's a sign that the people will get violent for any small issue that is brought up, and not just complain and let it die down. But hopefully with a new cabinet, the people will feel more comfortable, less corrupt, and overall, more content, to keep them from needing to act this way again. It will definately be interesting to see how this all pans out.