Gas leak in major Istanbul hotel poisons 23 people

Around 23 people, mainly tourists, have been hospitalized after a gas leak in the Modern Sultan Hotel in Istanbul, Turkey.

According to the local newspaper, Today's Zaman, the incident happened at the hotel, located in İstanbul's Fatih district, early on Monday. 21 of the people affected are foreign tourists and two are hotel employees.

Four people are apparently in a critical condition and ambulances rushed them to local hospitals. Apparently the patients were described as unconscious, with white foam coming from their mouths.

The tourists were taken to the Haseki Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul University Hospital, and other hospitals in Istanbul, Okmeydani, Taksim and Sisli Etfal.

Firefighters and gas experts are on the scene, investigating the cause.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/340199

Ecuador 'gravely concerned' about health of Assange

Julian Assange has been holed up in the Ecuadorian embassy since June, has been granted political asylum by Ecuador, but the UK will not grant him safe passage to leave the country. Now his health is suffering.

After losing his appeal against extradition to Sweden for questioning on alleged sex-related charges, Assange entered the Ecuadorian embassy in London, seeking political asylum in that country. It was feared that should he be extradited to Sweden for questioning, he would then be sent on to the US on charges of espionage, over the release of sensitive diplomatic cables which have both angered and embarrassed the US government... read more.

Malala recovering and in a stable condition in the UK (video)

Malala Yousufzai, shot by the Taliban in Pakistan over her views on education for girls, is recovering from her ordeal, has regained consciousness and is in a stable condition in hospital in the UK.

15-year-old Malala Yousufzai has received worldwide attention for her efforts to promote the education of girls in Pakistan... read more and watch video about Malala from 2009.

Malala Yousafzai, Taliban shooting victim sent to UK (video)

Malala Yousafzai, the 14-year-old Pakistani girl who was shot in the head by the Taliban for advocating education for girls, has been moved to the UK for further treatment.

As reported on Digital Journal, 14-year-old Malala was shot in the head last Tuesday by a Taliban insurgent. The attack on her was made due to her campaigning for the right of young females to education in Pakistan.

Malala was shot in the head and neck while she sat with classmates on a school bus as it prepared to drive students home from morning classes in Mingora, a city in the Swat valley... read more and watch video.