Arab Spring: Life on the curb (RT documentary)

A different view on the situation with illegal immigrants in Italy. People escaping from war-torn countries have nowhere else to go.

Due to violence in the Arab Spring and the civil war in Somalia, many refugees take a boat across to Italy in hope of a better life.

Many head for Rome and either sleep on the streets or squat in empty buildings. But more head for Lampedusa Island.

The Somalians have more luck when arriving in Italy, due to the civil war in their country giving them a legitimate reason to apply for asylum. However, the Libyans don't have the same luck, as their country is now considered to be settled and the government legitimate. But for black Libyans especially, it is not a safe place to return home to... read full article and view documentary.

DoD whistleblowers left vulnerable to reprisals — Pentagon report

An internal report by the Pentagon states that reporting misconduct or waste of money might get U.S. military personnel punished.

The Department of Defense's unit which is supposed to protect whistleblowers is more likely to ignore this, according to a report that has surfaced recently.

The Washington Post has reported that according to the document, dated May 2011, officials in the Office of Inspector General (IG) of the Department of Defense have systematically disregarded the Pentagon's set rules, intended to protect whistleblowers... read full article.

Human rights activist Nabeel Rajab arrested in Bahrain

Nabeel Rajab, one the subjects interviewed in Assange's "The World Tomorrow" to be aired on Tuesday this week, has been arrested in Bahrain.

Recently interviewed by Julian Assange on the upcoming episode of "The World Tomorrow", Nabeel Rajab, a human rights activist has been arrested on his return to Beirut.

According to Sayed Yousif al-Muhafda, a member of the BCHR, "The police arrested him near the plane's door. They said they had an arrest warrant from the public prosecutions office ... he was allowed to call his family after the arrest but they could not see him."

Rajab is the president of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights and is the foremost critic of the Al-Khalifa regime in the country, which continues its brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters... read full article.

Tornado strikes Tsukuba, Japan — 1 dead, at least 30 injured

A rare tornado has struck Tsukuba in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan yesterday. Reports are that at least 30 people have been injured.

Japan Today reports that the tornado destroyed dozes of homes and has left thousands of people without electricity. Tsukuba is roughly 60 kilometres (37 miles) northeast of Tokyo.

The tornado struck at 12:45 p.m. and firefighters and helicopter medical teams were rushed into the area immediately afterwards.

Quoting Tsukuba Medical Center, Boston.com has reported 1 death, that of a 14-year-old boy who died after being injured in the storm. 10 other people are currently being treated at hospitals in the area... read full article.

GMO 'Right to Know' campaign in CT fails -— law suit threatened

The G.E. foods bill in Connecticut has been stripped of it's labeling requirement due to industry pressure and threats of a law suit.

Connecticut tried and failed to have GMOs labeled.

Rep. Richard Roy of Milford, CT. is co-chair of the Environment Committee and the original sponsor of the bill HB 5117, An Act Concerning Genetically Engineered Foods, which was discussed in legislature today.

The bill had been overwhelmingly backed by the Legislative committee in March this year. Both political sides were in agreement over measures giving consumers more information about what they are eating... read full article.

Music blog downed for a year by the Feds with no charge made

Who needs SOPA and PIPA when the government can take down a music website for a whole year with no charge and no copyright infringement?

The popular hip-hop music site, Dajaz1.com was taken down by the Feds for almost 13 months. No charge was ever filed as they were "waiting for proof of infringement".

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) took down the website stating that it linked to external pages that hosted unauthorized recordings of copyright material that could be downloaded for free.

The website was unavailable for just over a year as its administrator was embroiled in a legal debate over the alleged infringement charges... read full article.

Video: Right to know GMOs — The food fight of our lives

The 'Right to Know' initiative is growing by leaps and bounds with 9 out of 10 Americans insisting that GMOs be labeled.

Digital Journal reported on May 3 that Californians are all set to vote on the labeling of genetically modified food.

Almost 75% of all supermarket foods sold in the U.S.A. are genetically modified, or contain GMO ingredients and currently the U.S.A. does not require labeling of these foods. Shoppers thus have no idea what they are buying. The produce could be natural, or you could be buying vegetables that have been modified with fish genes.

Monsanto does not want to label these products and now California is out there fighting for the imposition of labeling of all GMO related products... read full article and view video.

UK preparing for war or for the Olympic Games?

London appears to be expecting a 9/11-style attack during the Olympics and are prepared to shoot down an airliner should one appear to pose a threat.

The Evening Standard newspaper has quoted the U.K. Defense Secretary, Philip Hammond, as saying on Friday that he will do whatever it takes to protect London during the Olympic Games this summer.

He told the newspaper, “The decision to engage would be made at the highest levels of government.” ... read full article.

Japan closing last nuclear reactor - energy crisis looms?

Bowing to pressure from the public in Japan, the country is planning to shut down its last operational nuclear plant. But what are the alternative sources of energy?

Following last year's Fukushima meltdown disaster, the normally quiet Japanese public have been up in arms about the dangers of nuclear energy.

The government has faced major pressure from environmental groups to abandon nuclear energy, following the disaster in which tens of thousands had to leave their homes due to dangerous levels of radiation in both local food and water supplies.

Now on Saturday, Japan is planning to shut down the Tomari plant, the last of Japan's 53 atomic power stations. This leaves Japan without nuclear energy for the first time in 50 years... read full article.

Review: Hotel Los Castaños — Boutique hotel in Andalucía, Spain

Nestled among the rolling hills of the Serranía de Ronda, this charming Moroccan themed hotel is the perfect place to relax.

Hotel Los Castaños is located in Cartajima, a traditional white village (or "pueblo blanco"), just a short drive from the historic town of Ronda. Cartajima is also convenient for visits to the romantic cities of Andalucía - Sevilla, Cordoba, Granada, Cadiz and Jerez.

Located in the heart of the village next to the church and the Town Hall, the hotel is convenient to shops, restaurants and bars in the area.

The Moroccan theme of the hotel is charming and attractive, and all rooms are extremely comfortable. Owners Di and John are always unobtrusively on hand with tourism assistance.... read full article.