According to a draft strategic energy plan, Japan is set to expand its nuclear power sector over a decade after the Fukushima disaster. The move aims to improve energy security and meet emissions targets. Before the 2011 meltdown, nuclear power provided 30% of Japan’s energy, but only 14 of its 54 reactors are currently operational. The plan shifts away from reducing nuclear dependence and targets a 20% share by 2040. Critics argue the high costs of retrofitting aging plants make nuclear energy unviable. The plan is expected to be approved this month.
JORDAN REJECTS TRUMP’S GAZA PLAN
Jordan’s King Abdullah has firmly rejected Donald Trump’s proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to Jordan, calling it a violation of international law. The plan, which suggests moving Gaza’s two million residents to neighbouring countries, has drawn widespread criticism. Trump insisted that Gaza would be “taken, held, and cherished” by the U.S., claiming it could bring economic benefits. However, King Abdullah emphasized that addressing Gaza’s humanitarian crisis should take priority. Jordan, already home to millions of Palestinian refugees, remains opposed to forced displacement, aligning with the broader Arab stance against such actions.
WORLD’S LARGEST THERMAL LAKE FOUND
Scientists have discovered the world’s largest underground thermal lake, named Lake Neuron, inside a cave in southern Albania’s Vromoner region. The Czech research team first found the lake in 2021 but confirmed its size in 2024 using advanced 3D scanners. The lake measures 138.3 meters in length, and 42 meters in width, and holds 8,335 cubic meters of thermal mineral water. The dome above it is three times larger than Prague’s National Theatre hall. The discovery is hailed as a breakthrough in hydrogeology, showcasing the significance of field research in expanding scientific knowledge.
CONGO REBELS DISPLACE 110,000 PEOPLE
Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have shut down displacement camps in eastern DR Congo, forcing over 110,000 people to flee, according to the UN. The rebels, who seized Goma in January, gave a 72-hour ultimatum for people to vacate camps, worsening an already dire humanitarian crisis. At least 2,000 have died in recent clashes, and 500,000 have been displaced since the offensive escalated. Many displaced have no homes to return to, as fighting intensifies near Bukavu, South Kivu’s capital. Aid organizations warn of severe consequences as resources remain scarce.
POPE CONDEMNS TRUMP’S DEPORTATION PLAN
Pope Francis has strongly criticized the Trump administration’s mass deportation policy, calling it harmful and undignified. In a letter to US bishops, he warned that forcibly expelling migrants increases their vulnerability and undermines human dignity. Trump has intensified anti-migration measures, leading to thousands of arrests and deportations to Colombia, Guatemala, and Venezuela. Some migrants are even held at Guantanamo Bay. The Pope also challenged US Vice President JD Vance’s interpretation of Christian values, reaffirming the biblical duty to help outsiders.
