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.

Documentary: Professional prisoners learning skills

In this eye-opening 25-minute documentary, we visit a prison in Russia that educates its prisoners, pays them well for their work and gives them skills for a chance of a better life on release.

RT has produced this interesting documentary about a penal colony in Russia.

While most people get their education or learn a trade at college or university, in this penal colony you can get an education totally free.

Some prisoners have learned to cook, grow vegetables and flowers. Others care for livestock, sell milk, raise pigs. There is a shop at the colony selling their produce, both to prisoners and also to people in the village nearby.... read more and watch video.

Video: Demolition of 5 cooling towers in controlled explosion

The video shows the controlled demolition of five cooling towers at a disused power station in Nottinghamshire in the United Kingdom.

The cooling towers, located at High Marnham Power Station, have been standing for more than 50 years.

The coal-fired power station, located to the west of the River Trent, just south of the village of Dunham, Nottinghamshire, was closed in 2003... read more and watch video.

Freak tornadoes tear across Poland — 1 dead, 10 injured

Freak summer tornadoes have cut a swathe through Bory Tucholskie forest and the surrounding villages in Poland, killing one man.

The tornadoes have struck the west and north of Poland, in counties in Kujawy-Pomorze and Wielkopolska provinces.

The worst hit was Bory Tucholskie forest and the villages surrounding it, which is a national park and a popular tourist destination.

The forest was badly damaged by a twister that was between 800 and 1,000 meters wide, according to local media... read more and watch video.

21 people killed in floods in China, millions evacuated (video)

Torrential rain, floods and mudslides have continued to hit urban and rural areas in southern and central China. At least 21 people have been killed.

China's state broadcaster, CCTV has reported that the continuing floods are forcing residents to evacuate.

Floods, caused by torrential rains similar to those suffered in Russia, have killed 10 people in central China's Hubei province and affected 2 million more... read more and watch video.

Video: Russian man escapes death at gas station pile-up

It wasn't his time to go, as this man narrowly escapes death during a massive traffic accident involving five vehicles, at a gas station in Orenburg.

In the video, the man barely manages to escape death, and has probably been thanking his lucky stars ever since.

A bus carrying 30 passengers was heading down a busy street, when a Kamaz truck, driving in the opposite direction, suddenly made a left turn without giving way to traffic... read more and watch video.

Video: Cleanup underway in Krymsk, Russia

After the torrential rains caused massive flooding in the Krasnodar region of Russia, people are now trying to get their lives back together.

Digital Journal reported on the torrential rains, which caused flooding, landslides and mudslides in the southern resort region of Krasnodar.

170 people lost their lives, many being elderly people who were not able to leave their homes before the deluge struck. Thousands of homes were destroyed... read more and watch video.