170,000 in streets: Japan's largest protest against nuclear power

In sweltering summer heat, around 170,000 protesters hit the streets of Tokyo, protesting against the nuclear restart, as another reactor prepares to go online.

Digital Journal reported in June on the huge protest in Tokyo against the restart of one of the nuclear plants. On July 2, one reactor at the Oi nuclear plant was restarted, despite the mass protests.

A second reactor at the Oi nuclear plant is now set to go online later this week.

With this in mind, between 170,000 and 200,000 protesters thronged the streets of Tokyo today in protest, making this one of the largest protests in Japan's history... read more.

Continuing heavy rains hinder clean-up after floods in Japan

With fears of more landslides, the flood clean-up operation in Japan is being delayed. More torrential rains hit the country's south-west on Monday. Authorities are saying that if it rains again, clean-up work may have to be put on hold.

So far, rainfall in the hardest-hit Aso, which is located at the foot of a volcano in Kumamoto, has been measured at 81.7 cms (32.2 inches)... read more.

UK Shell petrol stations targeted by Greenpeace over Arctic plans

Greenpeace campaigners have been targeting Shell petrol stations in the United Kingdom, over the company's plans to drill for oil in the Arctic.

Their plans were to shut down at least 14 petrol stations in Edinburgh, Scotland and around 105 petrol stations in London are also on their list.

There are reports of 24 confirmed arrests, six in Edinburgh and 18 in London, and police in Edinburgh have reportedly parked cars outside all Shell petrol stations across the city.

The Guardian is reporting that so far, they have managed to shut down 74 petrol stations... read more and sign Greenpeace's petition to save the Arctic.

Blood-sucking parasite named Marley in homage to Reggae singer

Researchers from Arkansas State University have discovered a parasitic crustacean which infects fish in the coral reefs of the eastern Caribbean. They named it after Bob.

The discovery was made by Paul Sikkel, who is assistant professor of marine ecology at Arkansas State University and is a field marine biologist.

Together with his colleagues, he has been studying the ecological effects of commercial fishing and the degradation of coral reefs. They had previously observed the parasite throughout the region, but had assumed that it had already been characterized and classified.

On further investigation, they discovered that the parasite was, in fact, new to them... read more, mon.