Japan quake toll hits 161 as snow hampers relief

21 Sept 02:57 Key points summarised by AI

Japan's New Year's Day earthquake death toll climbed to 161, with 103 people still missing, as heavy snow and over 2,000 isolated individuals complicate relief efforts.
Relief operations are severely hampered by snow, damaged roads, and an estimated 1,000 landslides, increasing risks of further building collapses and hindering access to affected areas.
Thousands of households remain without electricity and water, and 28,800 people in emergency shelters face inadequate conditions, prompting urgent calls to improve living environments and prevent disaster-related deaths.
The government is deploying extensive resources to reach cut-off communities, underscoring the challenges posed by older infrastructure in rural areas like Noto, despite Japan's stringent building codes.

Macron condemns those who 'sought to bring down the Republic' after rioting mars nationwide protests

Yesterday 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.