News

Japan gets UN approval to release water from Fukushima nuclear plant

Published

3 years ago

July 5, 2023

The water had been used to cool the reactors in the defunct nuclear plant that was damaged in the 2011 tsunami

In spite of Beijing and some local residents’ fierce opposition, Japan’s plan to discharge treated radioactive water into the ocean from the tsunami-wrecked Fukushima plant was approved by the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog on Tuesday.

After a two-year review, the International Atomic Energy Agency concluded that Japan’s plans had a “negligible radiological effect on people and the environment”.

The plan would see enough water to fill 500 Olympic swimming pools into the Pacific Ocean.

The Japanese government maintains that the process is safe since the water used to cool the fuel rods of the Fukushima plant was treated after the earthquake and tsunami damaged it in 2011.

Japanese fishing unions oppose the plan, saying it would further tarnish their reputation which had already taken a hit following the 2011 disaster, after which some countries banned their products.

Beijing has emerged as the most vocal critic of the plan, leading calls to scrap the proposal from several neighbouring countries on the grounds of threats to marine and public health.

A petition from the regions around the plant has garnered more than 250,000 signatures since the proposal was first made.

Japan says most radioactive elements have been removed from the water except tritium, which is difficult to separate from water, but the released water will be diluted well below internationally approved levels of tritium.

News

Ukraine and Russia set for U.S.-brokered peace talks in Abu Dhabi

Published

2 hours ago

February 2, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed that new peace talks with Russia will take place in Abu Dhabi later this week. The discussions are part of U.S.-led efforts to find a path toward ending the ongoing war.

Zelenskyy emphasised that Ukraine is prepared for meaningful dialogue aimed at achieving peace. The announcement comes after weeks of uncertainty over the timing of the meeting.

U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff described prior discussions with Russian officials as productive, though major disagreements over territorial issues remain unresolved.

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News

Tensions rise as Iran threatens conflict and U.S. increases naval forces

Iran warns of regional conflict, labels European armies terrorists; U.S. boosts naval presence as both sides consider negotiations.

Published

3 hours ago

February 2, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Iran warns of regional conflict, labels European armies terrorists; U.S. boosts naval presence as both sides consider negotiations.

Iran has warned of a potential regional conflict if the U.S. launches an attack, while labelling European armies as terrorists. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei insisted that threats from President Trump will not intimidate the Iranian people.

The U.S. has ramped up its naval presence in the Middle East in response to mounting threats, amid speculation over Iran’s next moves. Iranian officials have denied claims of imminent naval exercises in the Strait of Hormuz, adding to global uncertainty.

#MiddleEastCrisis #IranUS #Geopolitics #NavalTensions #Trump #AyatollahKhamenei #EuropeanUnion #GlobalConflict

News

Carlos Alcaraz becomes youngest man to complete career Grand Slam

Carlos Alcaraz, at 22, stuns tennis by winning the Australian Open, defeating Djokovic, and celebrating with a kangaroo tattoo.

Published

3 hours ago

February 2, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Carlos Alcaraz, at 22, stuns tennis by winning the Australian Open, defeating Djokovic, and celebrating with a kangaroo tattoo.

Carlos Alcaraz has stunned the tennis world by winning the Australian Open, becoming the youngest man to complete a Career Grand Slam at just 22 years old.

The world number one beat Novak Djokovic in a thrilling four-set match, finishing 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5. Djokovic missed out on claiming his 25th Grand Slam title. To mark the milestone, Alcaraz revealed he plans to add a new tattoo of a kangaroo on his leg, joining his existing Eiffel Tower and Wimbledon strawberry tattoos.

#CarlosAlcaraz #AustralianOpen #GrandSlam #TennisHistory #NovakDjokovic #SportsNews #TennisTattoo #YoungChampion