Haiti faces food crisis and cholera in wake of Hurricane Sandy

In the wake of the havoc caused by the super storm on Haiti, only now is the extent of the devastation making itself known. Haitians face severe food shortages and the threat of cholera.

While the UN is warning that the flooding caused by Hurricane Sandy is leading to unsanitary conditions, threatening a sharp increase in cases of cholera, aid workers are concerned that the extensive crop damage will lead to increases in food prices and shortages.

Haiti has already reported the highest deaths from Sandy, with 52 lives claimed by swollen rivers and landslides... read more.

Hurricane Sandy's Caribbean trip — devastation in Haiti and Cuba

As the world concentrates on the latest devastation in the US, Sandy has already done some serious damage to other countries, including Haiti and Cuba. Sandy took the lives of 54 people in Haiti and 11 in Cuba.

While in the Caribbean area, Hurricane Sandy also killed two people in the Bahamas, two in the Dominican Republic, one in Jamaica and one in Puerto Rico. 

Total death toll in the Caribbean is 71, with tens of thousands made homeless and little money available to rebuild.

Haiti is taking it especially hard. Just as they try to recover from one natural disaster, along comes another. With 54 people dead and and more than 200,000 homeless, Port au Prince is reeling from Sandy's devastating touch... read more and watch videos.

Tornado hits Gandia, Spain fairgrounds injuring 35 (Videos)

Fortunately the fairgrounds were closed to the public at the time the tornado hit, but 35 workers were injured in the storm. More flooding and heavy rains were experienced in other areas of Spain.

The tornado struck the fairgrounds in Gandia, in the Valencian Community of Spain, knocking down a Ferris wheel and damaging several other rides... read more and watch videos.

After GMO rat study: Russia suspends imports, France investigates

Following the recent rat study on NK603 GMO corn, Russia has suspended imports of Monsanto corn, while France continues investigations into the possible dangers of GMOs to human health.

On Tuesday this week, Russia suspended the import and use of Monsanto's genetically engineered corn, following the scientific study released on September 19 on rats fed with this corn, which caused serious health problems, including tumors and organ failure... read more.

Video: Workers riot in Maruti Suzuki India factory

Rioting was sparked by a labor dispute and has killed one person and injured many more. Maruti Suzuki has shut one of its two factories due to the damage caused.

Workers smashed and burned many vehicles in a rampage which left one dead and injured dozens of others.

The factory is owned by the top Indian car manufacturer, Maruti Suzuki, and is located in Manesar, in the north Indian state of Haryana... read more and watch video.

USS Miami: most expensive fire caused by a home appliance

Reports are that the fire in the USS Miami nuclear submarine was caused by a vacuum cleaner and damages are reported at $400-500 million.

Digital Journal reported recently on the fire on the USS Miami nuclear submarine docked at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Maine.

Luckily no one died in the fire, although several people were injured fighting it.

A preliminary investigation into the incident has found that a vacuum cleaner was the cause of the fire... read more

Video: Demolition of earthquake damaged bell tower in Italy

Many old buildings were damaged in the recent earthquakes and aftershocks in Italy. Some are beyond repair and have to be demolished for safety.

Digital Journal reported on the 6.0- and 5.8-magnitude earthquakes and the strong aftershocks in Italy during May.

As reported, besides the tragic deaths from the earthquakes and the following aftershocks, many old buildings were badly damaged.

Read more and view video

Stradivarius cello worth $20m damaged during photo shoot

The valuable cello was apparently damaged while being handled by experts during a photo shoot at the Royal Palace in Madrid.

The cello is part of a quartet of valuable instruments kept at the Royal Palace in Madrid, which includes two Stradivarius violins and a viola.

El Mundo newspaper (Spanish language) reported that the cello fell from a table during a photo shoot.

A National Heritage official has declined to say exactly what happened but did confirm that it occurred around three weeks ago. She spoke on condition of anonymity, in line with department policy... read full article.