Solar flare, the northern lights and Japan one year later: Morning roundup The solar flare came and went without creating much of a ruckus Thursday. Our national power grid and other technology easily weathered the storm. But the flare left its mark in another way, as the northern lights, or aurora borealis, could be seen dancing Thursday through the Canadian and Alaskan skies. Aurora borealis dance over power lines on the Old Glenn Highway near Butte, Alaska. Oscar Edwin Avellaneda-Cruz - Reuters But although this solar storm seems to have fizzled, scientists say we might see others in the coming days, month or year. Read about what these storms are capable of on NASA's Web site. Anniversary of the day The tsunami and earthquake hit Japan almost a year ago. Today, photos tell the tale of destruction and recovery. The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster that followed Japan's quake left changed attitudes in Japan. Over the past few months, the country has largely shut down its nuclear power industry. Breakthrough deal of the day A long-delayed agreement over U.S. detention facilities in Afghanistan will finally start the handover to Afghan control. Research of the day HIV rates in U.S. black women are much higher than thought, new research shows. Some rates are close to the incidence seen in sub-Saharan Africa. L.A. Times Health Teens are not abandoning TV for the Internet. Teen TV watching is actually on the rise. LA Times Business Opposition move of the day Russian opposition won local seats in last Sunday's election, despite Vladi­mir Putin taking the presidency. Activists think this will be the best way to bring about change in the country.