Headlines from around the world: 3-21-11

Japan was struck by a 8.9 magnitude earthquake March 11, shaking buildings and disrupting normal life for much of the island nation. A 13-20 foot tsunami washed away cars and boats, as well as damaging some buildings.

Worries in Japan are increasing as elevated radiation levels are being detected in foods such as spinach and milk. The levels are low enough not to cause immediate health problems, but many in Tokyo have started stocking up on food supplies.

The US and other allies launched a series of strikes against Libyan targets in an effort to establish a no-fly zone. US Admiral Mullen has said that the US will relinquish control of the Libyan operation to its allies in the next few days.

Government spending is off the charts, as Washington ran its biggest ever one-month deficit at $225 billion for February. The Congressional Budget Office is predicting that Obama’s budget would increase the deficit by $9.5 trillion over the next decade, versus the $7.2 trillion the Obama Administration is reporting.

13 Somalis and one Yemeni were indicted on charges of piracy and use a firearm in the commission of a crime as a 58-foot yacht was discovered to have been hijacked and its owners killed. The pirates have not been charged with murder, but the other charges amount to 30 years to life in prison for all involved.

Apple has officially released the iPad 2, which shows improvements over the original version. Apple claims the new iPad is 10% lighter and significantly thinner, and also sports dual cameras and a faster processor. The price starts at $500 and extends to $829, the same as the original.

Wisconsin lawmakers have approved the long-debated union bill that would eliminate most of public workers’ collective bargaining rights. Other states have taken notice and are considering similar action to balance their own budgets.

T-Mobile USA, owned by Deutsche Telekom AG, could be bought for a reported $39 billion by AT&T. The Department of Justice would need to authorize the transaction. If approved, the merger would make AT&T the largest wireless provider, by number of subscribers.