Swimming in the sweet spot: how marine animals save energy on long journeys 
Fertile land for growing vegetables is at risk — but a scientific discovery could turn the tide 
Extreme heat, flooding, wildfires – Colorado’s formerly incarcerated people on the hazards they faced behind bars 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
The UK is surprisingly short of water – but more reservoirs aren’t the answer 
Ghislaine Maxwell to Invoke Fifth Amendment at House Oversight Committee Deposition 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Australian Household Spending Dips in December as RBA Tightens Policy 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Parasites are ecological dark matter – and they need protecting 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Asian Markets Surge as Japan Election, Fed Rate Cut Bets, and Tech Rally Lift Global Sentiment 
Drug pollution in water is making salmon take more risks – new research 
Nicaragua Ends Visa-Free Entry for Cubans, Disrupting Key Migration Route to the U.S. 
Taiwan Says Moving 40% of Semiconductor Production to the U.S. Is Impossible 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Renewable energy companies in Japan are hoping that Taro Kono becomes the country's next prime minister to enable more market access and a fairer playing field in the industry.
Kono has long championed renewable supplies in Japan's electricity sector and has promised an economic stimulus package focused on renewables if he wins.
Renewable energy shares have been popular with investors who expect Kono winning the Sept. 29 vote for the Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP) next leader, which under its majority in the Diet would make him the next prime minister.
Kono has clashed with the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry (METI) over the revival of the moribund nuclear sector.
Mika Ohbayashi, a director at the Renewable Energy Institute, said that Japan's energy shift will advance further if Kono, who has eagerly taken on deregulation over the past year, is elected
Renewable energy accounted for 22 percent of Japan's energy supplies last year, meeting a recent government target a decade ahead of schedule and even contributing more than coal in one quarter.
Yusuke Kojima, director at Looop Inc., an electricity retail startup that also sells solar power plant and storage battery products, said Kono's recent policy shifts marked a big change for his business.
