British Prime Minister Keir Starmer slams US tariff threats over resistance to Donald Trump’s Greenland plans, Japan prepares to restart the world’s biggest nuclear plant, 15 years after Fukushima, and Senegal beat hosts Morocco to win AFCON 2025 in extra time.
Starmer says Trump “completely wrong” on tariffs, but emphasises need for “good relationship” with the US
Keir Starmer has described US President Donald Trump’s tariff threats over Europe’s resistance to Washington’s designs on Greenland as “very serious” and “completely wrong”, but has reiterated the need for a “good relationship” with the US. In other reaction, UN Chief António Guterres says the US believes in its power more than international law, and China has urged the US to stop using “the so-called ‘China threat'” to justify acquiring Greenland. Meanwhile, Trump wrote to the Norwegian prime minister at the weekend, saying that not being given the Nobel Peace Prize means he no longer has “an obligation to think purely of peace”.
Japan prepares to restart the world’s biggest nuclear plant, 15 years after Fukushima
Though residents’ fears about tsunamis, earthquakes and evacuation plans remain in the wake of the 2011 Fukushima disaster, a return to nuclear power is at the heart of Japan’s energy policy. When all seven of its reactors are working, the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant, some 220km north-west of Tokyo generate 8.2 gigawatts of electricity, enough to power millions of households. The plant was shut down in 2012, along with dozens of other reactors, after the March 2011 triple meltdown at Fukushima Daiichi, the world’s worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl.
Ramaphosa urged to fire Motshekga, all top officers involved in Iran fiasco
Military experts have urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to dismiss Defence Minister Angie Motshekga and senior South African National Defence Force officers for failing to enforce his order to withdraw Iranian warships from the recent joint naval exercise, Will for Peace 2026, off Simon’s Town. Last week, Motshekga announced she was appointing a board of inquiry to report back in seven days on why Ramaphosa’s instructions were not obeyed. Russia, China, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates and Iran actively participated in the exercise, from 9 to 16 January, with some other nations of the BRICS+ group observing.
Rare purple star sapphire unveiled in Sri Lanka
The purple star sapphire weighing 3,563 carats was reportedly found in a gem pit near the remote Sri Lankan town of Rathnapura, known as the “city of gems”, in 2023. It is estimated to be worth at least $300 million. Gemologist Ashan Amarasinghe is quoted as saying the round-shaped gem, named “Star of Pure Land”, is the world’s largest documented natural purple star sapphire.
Senegal return to field after penalty to win AFCON in extra time
Senegal stormed off the field in protest at a penalty awarded against them before returning to beat hosts Morocco 1-0 in extra time to win the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Midfielder Pape Gueye netted the 94th-minute winner on Sunday.
[Image: https://www.flickr.com/photos/number10gov/54776870025]