The March 11 earthquake in Japan triggered accidents at two nuclear power plants. President Obama’s visit to El Salvador during his trip to Latin America will underscore the strong U.S.-El Salvadoran relationship. Depsite challenges, U.S. aid is reaching the Libyan people. A group of Russian park officials visit protected sites in Florida to observe conservation efforts, while Russian hydrologists visit U.S. lakes to study watershed management practices. And finally, many dazzling pieces of Indian art are currently on display at the Kennedy Center as part of the maximum INDIA festival.

Reactor Accidents in Japan
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Nuclear experts are on the relief team that the U.S. Agency for International Development sent to Japan after the March 11 earthquake, which triggered accidents at two nuclear power plants. At the Fukushima Daiichi and the Fukushima Daini facilities, the cooling systems meant to dissipate the intense heat of the reactor core failed. Explosions occurred at the Daiichi facility, though their cause is not clear. At right, hospital patients awaiting evacuation risk radiation exposure.

U.S.–El Salvadoran Relations
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The United States and El Salvador have enjoyed strong political and economic ties for more than two decades, and President Obama’s visit during a five-day, three-nation trip to Latin America is designed to underscore the value of that relationship.

U.S. Aid Reaching Libyan People
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Although the security situation in Libya is preventing a U.S. Disaster Assistance Response Team from entering the country, Obama administration officials say U.S. humanitarian assistance is arriving through nongovernmental organizations on the ground.

Russians Visit U.S. Parks
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A group of Russian park officials recently visited several federally protected sites in the state of Florida to gain firsthand insight into issues such as wildlife conservation, resource management, the role of volunteerism and the balance between public access and environmental conservation.

Russians Study U.S. Lakes
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A delegation of Russian hydrologists recently visited Lake Tahoe and two other nearby U.S. lakes on a program sponsored by the California-based Tahoe-Baikal Institute designed to find solutions to shared economic and development problems.

Dazzling Indian Art
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Many works of art are currently on display at the Kennedy Center in Washington as part of the maximum INDIA exhibition, a 20-day festival of music, theater, art and artifacts. At right, pankas, or handcrafted fans, by the artist Jatin Das.