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Japan PM says government will consider state of emergency for Tokyo area

13 Sept 08:02 Key points summarised by AI

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announced the government will consider declaring a state of emergency for the Greater Tokyo area due to a surge in coronavirus cases and strain on the medical system, reversing his previous resistance to such measures.
The consideration follows a record 4,520 new cases on December 31, with the capital and three neighboring prefectures, accounting for about half of nationwide infections, formally requesting the emergency declaration.
While specific restrictions are yet to be decided, Suga indicated that many new cases are linked to restaurants, suggesting earlier closing times, and plans to submit a bill to parliament to give emergency restrictions more legal teeth, including penalties.
Economists estimate a month-long suspension of non-urgent spending in Greater Tokyo could reduce GDP by 2.8 trillion yen and lead to significant job losses, though Suga reaffirmed commitment to hosting the Tokyo Olympics despite the challenges.

19 Oct 12:56 Key points summarised by AI

President Macron condemned widespread rioting and looting during nationwide protests, blaming far-left activists and criminals for the "unrestrained violence" and vowing accountability for those who "sought to bring down the Republic."
Over 2,400 arrests were made as protests against rising living costs and poor school conditions escalated, causing extensive damage to public buildings and businesses in cities like Paris, Limoges (where City Hall burned), Marseille, and Lyon.
The unrest, which organizers hoped would revive the "yellow vest" movement, saw political leaders trade blame, with Macron instructing prefects to protect public buildings and potentially ban future protests to prevent further disorder.