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Comments on the Melissa virus which infected computers in late March of 1999. How it worked; Its use of the macros feature in Microsoft Word; What Melissa taught many users about the importance of safety features and computer security; The arrest of David L. Smith from New Jersey as a suspect in creating Melissa.

Reports on evidence in the Guy Paul Morin trial in Canada that points to significant errors and corruption on the part of authorities. The testimony of Ken Jessop that he was pressured by police to change his testimony; The faulty work of scientists at the Centre of Forensic Sciences in Toronto, Ontario; The likelihood that jailhouse informants lied on the witness stand; The implications on the justice system in Canada.

The article reports that pharmaceutical companies are marketing human growth hormone (HGH) for off-label use in anti-aging drugs. HGH is meant to treat children with a specific set of growth issues, but it is being marketed as an anti-aging drug and used for performance enhancement in sports. Former Pfizer employee Peter Rost is suing the company for illegal promotion of its drug Genotropin. Serono and Genentech have already been subject to similar suits.

The article discusses West Nile virus infection in Canada. Nancy Gall has one of those tough-as-nails Scottish constitutions that gets her through just about anything. Now 86, Gall had never been seriously ill until August 2002, when the Toronto woman with a love of gardening came down with what she thought might be a touch of the flu. Today, after an arduous and only partially successful recovery -- during which she almost died -- Gall is confined to a wheelchair, the surprised victim of the mysterious West Nile virus, courtesy of an infected mosquito. She and her son, Robert, are one of 42 families suing the provincial government, alleging it inadequately protected Ontarians against West Nile back in 2002. The risk of serious reaction increases with age, and is also higher among individuals with chronic ailments such as diabetes or heart disease, as well as those who are undergoing chemotherapy or are on immune-system suppressants. As of July 23, 74 birds in Ontario had tested positive for West Nile. Quebec had 19, Manitoba eight and Saskatchewan two. Alberta, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia found sick birds last year, but none yet this season. Only B.C., P.E.I. and Newfoundland have been infection-free on the bird front. No human case contracted in Canada has been found this year, though that could change anytime. The U.S. has already reported 182 human infections, most of them in California and Arizona, and five deaths. Many municipalities have fought the virus by spreading larvicides in catch basins during the spring.

Reports that lawsuits against vaccines are increasing in the U.S. Claims that thimerosal causes autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and speech or language delay; How some health authorities are questioning injections of the mercury compounds; Role of thimerosal; Canada's offer of thimerosal-free vaccines; Lack of a study on long-term effects; Conclusion of the U.S. Institute of Medicine; Health Canada's report; Lawsuits.

Offers information on the effort of anti-piracy advocates to get tougher penalties in software piracy cases. Example of the punishment of Wei-Tai Lee for possession and distribution of pirated programs and electronic images of child pornography; How the Canadian government is providing owners of intellectual property greater legal redress in civil law with amendments to the Copyright Act; Outlook.

Covers the suicide death of Martin Kruze near downtown Toronto, Ontario. His part in a sexual abuse scandal at Maple Leaf Gardens; Kruze coming forward to tell of the sexual abuse to young hockey players; Those whoe came forward as a result of his disclosures; The comments of his sister-in-law; The light sentences handed down to the abusers.

Reports that Canadian Major David Hirter was charged in connection with the death of Corporal Neil MacKinnon. MacKinnon having been accidentally shot in the head on March 27, 1995 during a training exercise at Canadian Forces Base Suffield; What the military originally told the family was the cause of death; Discussion over whether the military tried to intentionally mislead Corporal MacKinnon's family; Details of the charges against Hirter.