There has been an earthquake in Sichuan, China that has killed over 8,000 people. It is the biggest in China in 30 years

CO2 levels have hit their highest in 650,000 years and it appears the planet is losing its ability to absorb it.

Link to Guardian

Last month construction activity fell the fastest since it was first measured in 2000

Link to Independent

Taoiseach Brian Cowen has launched the government's Yes to Lisbon campaign today.

Link to IT

Front of Irish Times and heard on Morning Ireland this morning - John Gormley was talking about putting a value on economic externalities - the earthworm's work in clearing soil of detritus is worth €700 million to the economy .. we've suddenly got four hundred million squillion billion new employees.

Also on page 4 of IT 'Call for electric cars to get free parking'; Dublin City Council will discuss this motion tonight.

On page 19 - 'Rebalancing Europe's ICT ecosystem' by Martin Fransman - a book review of an analysis of European computer tech or lack of it in comparison to US output and what Governments around this neck of the woods can do to create more skypes, nokias and SAPs.

Tributes to Nuala O'Faolain elsewhere in Times.