Nuclear plants in Hungary could shut down due to low water levels, prime minister says

Nuclear plants along ​the Danube river in Hungary and Romania were forced to cut output this week and could be shut ‌down completely in the coming days due to record low water levels. In France, where nuclear power provides roughly two-thirds of the country’s electricity, output has also had to be cut because rivers are unable to provide water for cooling. Researchers…

Japanese population below 120 million for first time in decades

Tokyo (AFP) – The number of Japanese people living in the country has fallen below 120 million for the first time in 42 years, government data showed Wednesday, as the nation confronts a low birth rate and an ageing society. As of January 1, the population of Japanese residents in Japan stood at 119.74 million, down 0.76 percent from the previous year,…

‘Thirsty’ data centers threaten global freshwater supply, analysis show

An analysis by the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) in 2025 found that the rapid expansion of data centers is driving not only higher electricity demand but also massive freshwater consumption. “Data centers have a thirst for water, and their rapid expansion threatens freshwater supplies,” the EESI said. The group noted that only 3% of the Earth’s water is freshwater, and…

The Iran war is showing why the Philippines can’t afford to neglect its farmers

A war thousands of kilometers away is beginning to ripple through something as basic as the Filipino dining table. The conflict involving Iran has pushed oil prices higher, disrupted key shipping routes, and strained global supply chains—especially for fertilizer, a critical input for food production. Farmers are already feeling the pressure. Fertilizer prices have surged by as much as 30% to 40%,…

Malacañang under fire as fallout grows over removal of career DOH officials

With the perceived ouster of career health officials, Malacañang now stands accused of putting institutional stability and expert leadership at risk for political convenience. The uproar follows the exit of Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire and other veteran DOH officials in what appears to be a politically motivated shake-up. About 55 professional medical groups signed a joint statement expressing concerns of what…

SPECIAL REPORT: Laguna Lake on the verge of becoming the Philippines’ largest septic tank

The Laguna Lake is fast deteriorating into the country’s “biggest septic tank,” Biñan City Rep. Walfredo “Arman” Dimaguila Jr. warned on Saturday, August 2. In an interview on DZRH News’ Special on Saturday, Rep. Dimaguila urged the Marcos Jr. administration to take urgent and science-based action to rehabilitate the vital water body affecting millions across Southern Luzon and Metro Manila. “Magkakaroon na…

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