International:

Japan: The nuclear emergency crisis level at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant has been raised to a 7, the highest level on the International Nuclear Events Scale, which equates to a "major release of radioactive material with widespread health and environmental effects requiring implementation of planned and extended countermeasures." This is the level for the Chernobyl incident. However, Japanese officials say radioactivity levels are only 10 percent of Chernobyl. The Japanese power plant had previously been on level 5, the same as the Three Mile Island leak. The change came after the plant was found to have admitted higher levels on March 11 than previously estimated. However, the amount of radiation being released now is significantly less. In other Japan news, a 7.1 magnitude aftershock shook Japan on Monday. A tsunami warning was issued.

2012: It’s time to start the 2012 Presidential Circus. On Monday afternoon via Twitter, Mitt Romney announced that he launched an exploratory committee for his Presidential campaign. He also released a video announcement claiming “President Obama’s policies have failed.” Romney ran for the Republican nomination in 2008 but lost to John McCain. He is one of the favorites to win the 2012 nod.

Iowa Tornado: The small town of Mapleton, Iowa was destroyed by a tornado on Saturday, but miraculously all 1200 town residents survived. One hundred homes were flattened and 60 percent of the town was destroyed. Part of the survival comes from warning sirens being sounded earlier than usual, giving people more time to get shelter. The town has come together to overcome the disaster and is already starting the rebuilding efforts.

Cornell:

Convocation Speaker: After a long wait, the class of 2011 convocation speaker is… former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani. He will be the first Republican politician to speak since the tradition was started in 1984. Last year’s speaker was Democrat and former Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi. This year’s convocation will take place on May 28 at noon and will be open to the public at Schoelkopf Stadium unless there is inclement weather.

Written by Jennifer Schlesinger for Wake Up Cornell!