Sweden refuses Ecuador's request to interview Assange at embassy

Ecuador asked Sweden to send officials to interview Julian Assange at their embassy in London. Sweden says no, they will not travel to London.

Digital Journal reported on July 29 that the Ecuadorian government had told Swedish authorities that they are welcome to come over to London to question the whistleblower over sex crime allegations. It was hoped that if they do come to London, the matter can finally be cleared up.... read more.

TEPCO now under Japan state control in 1 trillion yen bailout

The Japanese company that operated Fukushima received a trillion Yen ($12.8 billion) bailout today, effectively putting the company under government control.

Tokyo Electric Power Co.. (TEPCO) operated the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, involved in last year's nuclear disaster... read more.

Hundreds of miners trapped in India by power outage

While 600 million people in India suffer without electricity, hundreds of miners are trapped underground. Officials are attempting a rescue operation.

Digital Journal reported on the power outage in northern India, which initially affected 300 million, but is today affecting 600 million people in the country... read more.

Oregon man sentenced to jail for collecting rain water

Gary Harrington, an Oregon man, will be spending a month in jail, after being convicted on nine misdemeanor charges. His crime? "Illegally" collecting rain water on his own property.

Harrington, who lives in Eagle Point, Oregon, has been fighting for the right to collect rain water since 2002.

Now a decade later, he has been sentenced to 30 days in jail and fined over $1,500 for the man-made ponds he has built on his 170 acres of land... read more.

Derren Brown — The experiments: 'The Guilt Trip'

Derren Brown has run a number of experiments, dabbling in illusion, magic and suggestion. In this episode he gets a really nice, very well-liked man to confess to a murder he did not commit.

The series is explained as "A four-part series featuring an inventive and jaw-dropping mixture of stunts, magic, illusion, suggestion and thought-provoking entertainment, combined with psychological insight."

The series was run on the Channel 4 TV channel in the United Kingdom.

In this episode he asks, can an innocent person be persuaded to confess to a murder that he hasn't committed? ... read more and watch video.

'Yes on 37' now endorsed by California Democratic Party

In another win for the "Yes on 37" Right to Know campaign, the California Democratic Party agrees that we have the right to know if our food is genetically engineered.

Digital Journal reported on July 25 that the "Yes on 37" Right to Know campaign was organizing one million more voters.

Good news followed on July 27, when the campaign received three major endorsements, with the support of the 2.1 million member strong California Labor Legislation, and two high ranking leaders in their respective legislative bodies... read more.

London 2012: Spoof video — Granny in Olympic missile accident

While most Londoners take it very seriously, having surface-to-air missiles on their roofs, one Londoner has made a video about a grandmother having an accident with a missile.

Read more and watch video

North Korea faces further dangerous thunderstorms (video)

North Korea is facing a new wave of dangerous thunderstorms, which could inflict severe damage. State media sent out an alert after a previous week-long flood killed 88.

Earlier in July, North Korea was hit by week-long flooding, killing 88 and injuring 134. The flooding left around 63,000 homeless and more than 30,000 acres of farmland were destroyed... read more.

Olympics: More Games tickets on sale after empty seat scandal

LOCOG has reclaimed 3,000 Games tickets from officials who are unlikely to use them and has sold them to the public today.

Digital Journal reported on July 29, on the scandal of empty seats seen in some major events at the London 2012 Olympics, including some that could have easily been sold out if the tickets had been available to the public.

In an effort to pacify angry sports fans, who had not been able to buy tickets to their favorite events, LOCOG has now reclaimed 3,000 tickets and put them up for sale to the public... read more and watch video.

Anaheim protests continue with nine people arrested

Protests are continuing in Anaheim over the two recent officer-involved shootings that left two residents dead. At least nine arrests were made on Sunday.

Orange County Police arrested at least nine people, as they pushed protesters back during a street protest in outrage over the two officer-involved shootings of Manuel Diaz on July 21 and Joel Acevedo on July 22... read more and watch video.

Train fire kills 47 in Andhra Pradesh, India

At least 47 people were killed when a train in southern India caught fire. Local officials state that the accident may have been caused by a short circuit.

The fire broke out early on Monday, as the New Delhi-Chennai Tamil Nadu Express was passing the town of Nellore, about 500 kms south of Hyderabad, in Andhra Pradesh state, India. There were 72 passengers on the train... read more.

Olympics 2012: Twitter users blamed for disrupting TV coverage

Games organizers are blaming Twitter users for overloading data networks with their tweets, as they attend the London Summer Olympics. According to organizers, the deluge of tweets has already disrupted TV coverage of the cycling road races.

Each competitor's bike has a GPS chip, which transmits vital data to chart their progress in the race. Commentators were apparently unable to advise viewers of the positions and timings of the racers, because the data could not get through from the GPS satellite navigation system... read more.

Thousands protest Chinese patriotism classes in Hong Kong

Tens of thousands of students, teachers and parents were out on the streets in Hong Kong on Sunday, protesting against Chinese patriotism classes.

The public and pro-democracy activists say that these classes will brainwash children into supporting China's Communist Party.

Protesters carried banners and placards, and shouted slogans, calling for the Chinese government to withdraw its plan... read more and watch video.

10's of thousands march in anti-nuclear protest in Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo saw yet another huge protest on Sunday, as thousands rallied in the streets against the nuclear restart in the country.

Digital Journal reported on the huge protest earlier this month, which saw 170,000 people take to the streets.

Reactors 3 and 4 at the Oi Nuclear Power Plant have recently been restarted, despite Japan's earlier decision to go nuclear-free... read more and watch video.

Kidnap victim found in Queens garage of NYPD detective

A 25-year-old man has been kidnapped and held for $75,000 ransom in a Queens, New York garage belonging to a New York Police Department detective.

The man was found, bound with rope and zip ties, in a garage belonging to NYPD detective Ondre Johnson. Johnson claims he is not involved, but has been taken into custody and suspended from duty.

The 17-year veteran of the NYPD, a member of a Brooklyn gang investigation unit, is not in prison and is not currently facing any charges... read more.

Assange 'The World Tomorrow' — Cypherpunks uncut version

In June, Digital Journal reported on an episode of Julian Assange's talk show, where he interviewed three Cypherpunks. Now the full, uncut, part one and two of this episode has been released.

Digital Journal reported on the full series of Julian Assange's controversial talk show, "The World Tomorrow". In this fascinating series, Julian Assange, founder of WikiLeaks, interviewed a range of highly controversial people from all over the world... read more and watch videos.

Japanese HTV-3 space freighter berthed to ISS

The HTV-3, also known as Kounotori3, space freighter successfully docked with the International Space Station on July 27.

Digital Journal reported on July 21 that the Japanese HTV-3 space freighter had successfully lifted off for the International Space Station.

The unmanned craft was set to deliver a 4.6-ton cargo of clothing, fresh food and equipment to the ISS... read more and watch interview with astronaut on the difficulties of docking, and unloading the supplies.

Progress 47 re-docks at ISS in second attempt (video)

The Russian space freighter Progress 47 failed the maneuver last week, but has now successfully re-docked with the International Space Station.

NASA has announced that "The ISS Progress 47 cargo vehicle docks once again to the International Space Station’s Pirs docking compartment Saturday, July 28, 2012, at 9:01 p.m. EDT after a successful test of its new automated rendezvous system."

On Tuesday night last week an attempt to perform this maneuver was halted as a precaution, due to a system warning on approach... read more and watch video.

Julian Assange's mother visits Ecuador to plead son's case

Christine Assange has arrived in Quito, Ecuador to meet government officials and the country's foreign minister. She hopes to plead her son's case for political asylum.

The official El Ciudadano (Spanish language) news outlet in Quito reports that Christine Assange has arrived in Ecuador to speak with government officials and the Ecuadorian foreign minister, Ricardo Patino... read more.

4 Critical Mass cyclists charged by London Metropolitan police

Of the 182 people arrested during the Critical Mass cycle ride in London on the day of the Olympics opening ceremony, four have been charged.

Digital Journal reported on July 27, on the arrest of members of the Critical Mass cycling team in London. While initial figures said that at least 50 members had been arrested, the final figure is 182.

The cyclists had tried to breach the Olympic Park's security cordon in London, in violation of a police order not to do so... read more and watch video.

Documentary: Krymsk, Russia — The flood

In memory of the 171 people killed in the recent floods in Krymsk, Russia, a documentary has been produced. 


The 23 minute video tells the stories of some of the victims and survivors of the disaster... read more and watch video.

New tourism trend: Israeli tourists head for Syria border (video)

The latest destination on the Israeli tour map is the border with Syria. Tourists are flocking there, armed with cameras and binoculars.

This is, apparently, the latest craze with tourists, where they can hear, and sometimes see, the Syrian civil war blazing away on the other side - but from a safe distance in the Golan Heights... read more and watch video.

Fireworks light the sky at Olympics 2012 opening ceremony (video)

A spectacular display of fireworks lit the sky over London last night as the London Summer Olympics officially opened, including the best-kept secret of the night, the lighting of the Olympic Cauldron.

During the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games, spectators and athletes alike were treated to an incredible display... read more and watch video.

Olympics 2012 dubbed 'Year of the Woman'

This year's Summer Olympics is officially being dubbed 'Year of the Woman'. For the first time in history, every national team participating in the Games has female athletes. Even the first lady, Michele Obama, attended the opening.

A record 45% of the athletes representing their countries in this years Summer Olympics are women.... read more.

Banksy's graffiti in danger during London Olympics 2012

Banksy, the nonconformist street artist, has produced some spectacular new graffiti for the London Olympics. However, this latest work may be destroyed.

Despite warnings from the local police that any graffiti they find in London will be destroyed, Banksy, sometimes known as the "guerrilla artist", has unveiled his latest two masterpieces... read more.

Olympics over for drink-and-drive South Korean sailing coach

Coach Lee Jae-cheol has been sent back home by the South Korean Sailing Federation after he was stopped by U.K. police for drunk driving.

Lee apparently attended a banquet hosted by the major of the English coastal resort of Weymouth, where the Olympic sailing events will be hosted.... read more.

Mass arrests — 'Critical Mass' cycle ride during Olympics opening

London police have made arrests and used pepper spray against the “Critical Mass” cycle ride, as the British capital kicks off the opening ceremony of the 2012 Summer Games.

Critical Mass ride regularly in London, and they decided to continue to do so, despite the opening of the London Olympics this evening.... read more.

3 major endorsements for 'Yes on 37' Right to Know GMO Campaign

The California "Yes on 37" Right to Know campaign received three major endorsements yesterday, including the California Labor Federation and two high ranking leaders in the U.S. Senate.

Digital Journal reported on July 25 on the "Yes to 37" Right to Know campaign, formed to organize one million more voters for Prop 37 in the November ballots.... read more.

Ecuador: Glimmer of hope for Julian Assange and political asylum

Julian Assange has been taking refuge in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London for over a month. Now there is a glimmer of hope that he may receive political asylum in Ecuador.

Officials at the Ecuadorian Embassy have told Swedish authorities that they are welcome to come over to London to question the whistleblower over sex crime allegations. It is hoped that if they do come to London, the matter can be cleared up and refuted... read more and watch video.

Bhopal Special Olympics: An insight into why the event was held

On July 26, Bhopal held the Bhopal Special Olympics, in protest against Dow Chemical's sponsorship of the London Olympics 2012. Meet a few of the participants and learn more about the event.

Digital Journal reported on the Bhopal Special Olympics held on July 26, where 80 children, disabled due to the Bhopal disaster, participated in their own, very special, sporting event.

Learn more about why the event was held, hear about some of the participants and sign a petition to help the people of Bhopal.   Read more.

Bhopal victims stage their own 'Olympics' in protest against Dow

In protest at Dow Chemical's sponsorship of the London Olympics 2012, survivors of the 1984 Bhopal disaster held their own Special Olympics today.

The Bhopal disaster was one of the world's worst industrial catastrophes, which killed around 25,000 residents of Bhopal. The people died in the aftermath of a massive gas leak in a pesticide factory owned by Union Carbide, a U.S. company purchased by Dow Chemical in 2001... read more and watch video of the Bhopal Special Olympics.

Clowning around: 4th Annual Clown Congress in Guatemala City

The Fourth Annual Clown Congress has taken off in Guatemala City and its generating loads of smiles, as 200 clowns get together and have fun.

All serious matters are put on hold once a year in Latin America, when the annual Clown Congress is held.

The streets are filled with colorful characters, wearing floppy shoes, spinning bow ties and great big red noses... read more and watch video.

Filming police is your constitutional right (video)

Washington, DC police officials have issued a statement that according to the First Amendment, citizens have the right to video the actions of police officers.

There have been much controversy about citizens filming the actions of police. The latest example is the massive protests in Anaheim, where residents filmed police officers abusing people, shooting bean bags and pepper balls, and releasing a canine on innocent people nearby.

In that incident, witnesses told the media that the police officers had actually offered to buy the video footage from those residents... read more and watch interview.

'Terrorist cell' in New Brunswick turns out to be NYPD hideout

A building superintendent was just doing his job when he phoned the New Brunswick police department to report a suspected terrorist cell.

Salil Sheth was checking on what was supposed to be an empty apartment, in an apartment complex just off the Rutgers University campus.

The apartment had very little furniture, no clothing, but he found two beds, two computers, dozens of black plastic boxes, photos and Muslim literature on the solitary table, and also a couple of NYPD radios... read more and listen to 911 call.

Video: Anonymous launches #Operation Anaheim

Anaheim has seen two officer-involved shootings over the weekend and protests are continuing against police brutality in the city. Now Anonymous is getting involved.

A couple of days after officers with the Anaheim PD opened fire, killing two men within just two days, protests erupted in the area... read more and watch video.

'Yes on 37' Right to Know — organizing one million more voters

Organizing another million Californians who want the right to know what's in their food - this is the pledge made today by the California "Yes to 37" Right to Know Campaign.

Digital Journal reported on July 10 that the California "Right to Know" GMO labeling measure is Proposition 37 on the November ballot. Voters have shown high support for Prop 37, but will that translate to votes in November?

A deep, grassroots passion has arisen for a campaign formed so that consumers can know what's in their food. A statewide network of thousands of volunteers helped the measure to quickly qualify for the November ballot. The initiative, calling for simple labels on products that have been genetically engineered, collected almost one million signatures in only 10 weeks.... read more.

Video: Flood sweeps Fangshan district in Beijing, China

Heavy rain, recorded at 46 centimeters (18 inches), fell on Beicheying Village in Fangshan District, Beijing last Saturday. Questions are raised as to officials' response to the disaster.

Digital Journal reported on the heavy rains which fell in China on July 22, killing at least ten people.

Now a video has been released (above) of the flooding in Beicheying Village, located in Beijing's Fangshan District on Saturday, when China's capital experienced its heaviest rains in six decades.

At least 37 people have died in Beijing city, and an unknown number of persons have perished in the Fangshan District... read more and watch video.

Video: 'Sex, Lies and Julian Assange'

Four Corners, an investigative journalism website, has released a video about how the Swedish case against Julian Assange came to be.

Four Corners is Australia's premier television current affairs program, and has released a video (above) telling the story about Julian Assange's visit to Sweden, and the alleged rape charges against him.

The video contains everything you could want to know about the rape allegations against Assange... read more and watch video.

Famous Spanish lawyer to represent WikiLeaks and Assange

Well known for issuing an international arrest warrant for a former Chilean dictator in 1998, Baltasar Garzón is now firmly in WikiLeaks' corner.

Garzón met with WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange at the Ecuadorian embassy in London, where the whistleblower has been in residence for around a month, awaiting possible political asylum in Ecuador and avoiding extradition to Sweden.

Garzón will now be leading the WikiLeaks defense team and during the meeting, they discussed their new legal strategy... read more.

Hollywood A-list celebs star in Ukrainian ad for police uniforms

All the biggest stars appear to have turned out for this Ukrainian advert for police uniforms - only one problem, they knew absolutely nothing about it.

With the likes of Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Mel Gibson and other major male Hollywood celebs, all smiling and happy in their uniforms, the Ukrainians are trying to make their people more enthusiastic about their police force... read more and watch ad.

Family of the 'Colorado shooter' to stand by their son

Lisa Damiani, lawyer for James Eagan Holmes, said at a press conference yesterday that his family support their son, suspected of killing 12 people and wounding 58 more.

Asked by a reporter outside the courtroom, after the initial hearing in the Colorado shooting case, whether the family were supporting their son, Damiani said, "Yes they do. He's their son."

She further said that the family was holding up "as well as anyone could under the circumstances." She said the family's hearts go out to the victims and their families... read more.

Hong Kong struck by Typhoon Vincente (video)

Hong Kong was hammered by the strongest storm in ten years on Tuesday. Dozens were injured and hundreds sought refuge in shelters.

The Hong Kong Observatory gave Typhoon Vincente the highest category 10 rating, as it slammed the territory on Tuesday.

More than 100 people were injured of which 72 are in hospital. More than 200 people headed for government shelters, away from the storm... read more and watch video.

Egypt lifts 5-year blockade of Gaza

In a landmark move, Egypt is allowing Palestinians free entry into its territory, ending part of a long-term blockade on Gaza.

The blockade was imposed by Egypt, with the help of Israel, in June 2007 to take a tougher line on Palestinian travelers, due to fears of Hamas insurgents.

Now that Egypt has an Islamist president in power, the country has eased the visa restrictions on Palestinians traveling from Gaza, thus ending its long term assistance in Israel's siege of the area... read more.

Google Doodle for Amelia Earhart's birthday

If Amelia Earhart was still alive, she would turn 115-years-old today. Google is honoring the anniversary of her birth with a Google Doodle.

Born on July 24, 1897, Amelia Earhart has been an enigma since her disappearance 75 years ago... read more.

Colorado shooter appears in court as red-haired Joker

James Eagan Holmes, the shooter in the Colorado movie theater massacre, appeared in court today, sporting red hair and appearing drowsy as the initial hearing was held.

Holmes, 24, made his first appearance in a Centennial, Colorado courtroom today. Police and prosecutors are accusing him of killing 12 and injuring 58 people in a shooting rampage at a movie theater in Aurora, Co early on Friday morning... read more and watch court hearing.

Tens of thousands protest Mexico presidential election results

Accusing President-elect Enrique Pena Nieto of electoral fraud, around 32,000 protesters marched through Mexico City on Sunday.

The protest was organized by the #YoSoy132 student movement, and was organized to protest the “imposition” of the new president.

They marched through Mexico City, claiming Nieto's Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) secured the election through vote-buying and also through an aggressive PR campaign through major media outlets... read more and watch video.

Anaheim PD kill another man after Manuel Cruz this weekend

While the latest case is not 100% confirmed, it seems that Anaheim PD shot another man early this morning in the Guinida neighborhood of the city.

Coming shortly after the officer-involved shooting of Manuel Diaz, which has caused mass demonstrations and chaos in Anaheim, a second shooting has come to light.

According to OC Weekly, and citing eyewitness accounts, police shot dead a hand-cuffed man on the 400 block of West Guinida Lane in the Guinida neighborhood of the city. A photo showing the police on the scene can be viewed ... read more.

300 radioactive Japanese cars seized by Russian customs

Russian officials started monitoring imports from Japan soon after the Fukushima Daiichi disaster in March 2011. They state that they have stopped 300 radioactive cars from entering the country.

Following the disaster at Fukushima, when a tsunami caused severe damage to the nuclear power plant, the Russian government implemented a monitoring scheme to check all Japanese imports, including food and consumer goods, for radioactive contamination. This scheme is in place at entry points like the city of Vladivostok.. read more.

Protests as Anaheim PD faces evidence-buying claims

In the wake of the shooting of an unarmed man in Anaheim, Ca, protesters stormed the Anaheim police station. Demonstrators chanted "no justice, no peace" and "cops, pigs, murderers."

Digital Journal reported on the shooting of an unarmed man in Anaheim on Saturday, which was followed by angry residents being attacked with rubber bullets and canines.

Witnesses to the police-involved shooting of the unarmed man, Manuel Diaz, say that officers offered to buy up cell phone footage of the brutality that followed the shooting... read more.

Video: French 'Rollerman' stunt on Tianmen Mountain, China

Jean-Yves Blondeau is the inventor of the 31-wheel roller suit. Today he proved its worth by rolling down 99 curves and zigzags on China's Tianmen Mountain.

Known as the French "Rollerman", Blondeau, 42, is famous for his skating speed record of 110 kilometers an hour.

His famous roller suit has 10 parts, which include a helmet, kneepads, armguards and protective wear.

Blondeau specially prepared two suits for the challenge on the central Chinese mountain, to ensure the success of his stunt... read more and watch stunt.