Thousands of tons of nuclear waste that will be dangerously radioactive for tens of thousands of years are piling up at 131 power plants and research labs across the US. Federal law requires that it all go to a central repository. After 20 years of scientific debate and political wrangling, and despite the objections of the State of Nevada, the Congress has agreed with the Bush Administration that the dump should be near Las Vegas, at Yucca Mountain. But opponents claim the site is unsafe and that waste shipments will be vulnerable to catastrophic accidents and terror attacks. We hear about the scientific, technological and security concerns from Nevada Congresswoman Shelley Berkeley and nuclear power experts on both sides of the argument.
Newsmaker: Israel Calls Reservists; Gaza Palestinians Prepare
It's been more than 48 hours since the latest suicide bombing in the Middle East. Although the Palestinian Authority has arrested 16 members of Hamas, Israeli has promised reprisals with the most likely military targets in the Gaza Strip. Newsweek's Dan Ephron reports that Gaza residents and refugees fear a brutal repeat of Jenin. Reporter's Notebook: VeriChip: Lifesaver or Window into Private Lives?
Science fiction will take a small step toward reality tomorrow when eight people are implanted with subcutaneous silicon chips that will make humans scannable like bar-coded merchandise. Jane Black, who has been following the story for Business Week Online, says the VeriChips have drawn the attention of everyone from techies and medical patients to lawmakers and privacy advocates. Newsweek
Yucca Mountain Project
Department of Energy
General Accounting Office
House Joint Resolution on Yucca Mountain
Nuclear Energy Institute
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board
BusinessWeek
VeriChip
