Monsanto's Bt corn — breeding superbugs & harming human health

Monsanto's genetically modified Bt corn is having its roots munched by super-rootworms and other superbugs, putting corn crops at risk, and yet more evidence is found of the dangers to human health.

Digital Journal reported in March 2012 that scientists were warning the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) about Monsanto's "rootworm resistant" corn.

Reuters reported at the time that Monsanto's rootworm-protected products were losing their effectiveness.... read full article.

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

'Nations must talk to halt cyber-terrorism' — Kaspersky

The man behind the company who discovered Flame, "the most sophisticated cyber-weapon yet unleashed", warns of a "cyber-terror apocalypse".

Reuters reports that Eugene Kaspersky is calling for a global effort to halt emerging cyber-threats, including a possible global Internet blackout and crippling attacks against key infrastructure.

Kaspersky told reporters at a Tel Aviv University cyber-security conference, "It's not cyber-war, it's cyber-terrorism, and I'm afraid the game is just beginning. Very soon, many countries around the world will know it beyond a shadow of a doubt.”

“I'm afraid it will be the end of the world as we know it," he warned. "I'm scared, believe me." ... read more and view video.

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

18 Afghan civilians killed at a wedding in Logar province?

Among conflicting reports, government officials are saying that 18 Afghani civilians have been killed, while NATO is insisting they took out 8 military commanders in the strike

After a NATO airstrike apparently hit a wedding in the Baraki Barak district, the dead Afghani civilians are said to include seven children, five women and six men. An AP photographer saw villagers pile the corpses into vans and officials offer this as proof of the killing. Villagers are planning to drive the bodies to the capital of Logar province in protest against the attack... read more.

Video: Transit of Venus across the sun 2012

An event not to happen again until 2117 had astronomers and amateur stargazers enthralled, as they gathered to watch the rare phenomenon.

Venus appeared as a small black pinhole moving slowly across the face of the sun.

The event lasted approximately 6 hours and 40 minutes and was visible from all 7 continents... read more and view video.

A consistent campaigner for observing copyright laws, PM Dmitry Medvedev has been accused of posting videos illegally.

Since the time of his presidency, Medvedev has been promoting copyright legislation on the Internet and in mobile communications. The now-PM is known to be a fan of new technology and was the first Russian leader to register a Twitter account.

Recently the Prime Minister's press service had obtained copies of an interview between Medvedev and Vladimir Pozner, a well-known TV presenter. They then posted a number of clips on the Russian social network website, Vkontakte.... read more.

Report of first doctor to reach shot President Lincoln uncovered

Dr. Charles Leale's report on his attempts to save mortally wounded U.S. President Abraham Lincoln in 1865 have been found.

USA Today reports that the papers were discovered in a box at the National Archives late last month by a researcher for the Papers of Abraham Lincoln, Helena Iles Papaioannou, who found it among correspondence of the U.S. surgeon general from April 1865, filed under "L" for Leale.

It is believed that the report was filed, packed in a box and stored out of sight for 147 years... read more.

22 civilians killed in suicide blasts in Kandahar, Afghanistan

22 people were killed when 2 suicide blasts occurred in a market area several kilometers from Kandahar Air Field, used by the U.S.-led coalition.

While some news sources are quoting 20 dead and 22 injured, the latest report is that 22 are dead and at least 50 other civilians were wounded in the blast, according to Javid Faisal, spokesman for Kandahar province and cited by AP.

Taliban spokesman, Qari Yousef Ahmadi, has claimed responsibility for the blast, which was caused initially by a suicide bomber detonating his motorcycle. As people ran to aid the injured, a second suicide bomber walked up to the area and detonated his explosives.... read full article.

Assange 'The World Tomorrow' — guests targeted by the FBI

Sources close to WikiLeaks and Julian Assange have told RT, “The FBI is apparently collecting evidence to indict Julian Assange before a grand jury. Sweden must not be the final destination of the designed extradition.”

Before the latest Cypherpunks episode of "The World Tomorrow" had even premiered on RT, Jérémie Zimmerman, co-founder of the cyber freedoms group, La Quadrature du Net, was detained on his way from the U.S. to France, after filming this episode of Assange's controversial talk show... read full article.