Manila (AFP) – Two of the four suspects believed to be behind thousands of robberies and telephone fraud cases across Japan are deported from the Philippines, after local charges against them were dismissed. Officials escort Kiyoto Imamura and Toshiya Fujita, who are both handcuffed, into a Japan Airlines jet at Manila airport.
Copenhagen (AFP) – 65 creative light installations are displayed throughout Denmark’s capital city, as the Copenhagen Lights Festival kicked off last weekend. The 3 week event is considered one of the biggest light festivals in Europe. “In the middle of these dark months, having a festival that celebrates city life and being together… is so important for a city like Copenhagen” says Camilla Van Deurs, city architect.
London (AFP) – With his exhibition “The Power of Touch” open at the Quantus gallery in London, visually impaired artist Clarke Reynolds wants to break down barriers with colourful braille artwork that is accessible for everyone: the sighted, unsighted and visually impaired.
Diyarbakir (Turkey) (AFP) – At least 2,300 people in Turkey and Syria have died after the most powerful earthquake to strike the two countries in nearly a century left buildings collapsed and sparked frantic rescues. The 7.8-magnitude early morning quake, followed by dozens of aftershocks, wiped out entire sections of major Turkish cities in a region filled with millions who have fled Syria’s civil war and other conflicts.
Ankara (AFP) – “Tonight at 04.17, we were shaken by the biggest disaster in the last century after the 1939 Erzincan earthquake.” During a press conference in Ankara, Turkey’s president Recep Tayyip Erdogan announces that the country has received “offers of assistance from 45 countries”, after a 7.8- magnitude earthquake struck in the early hours of the morning, killing at least 2,300 people in Turkey and Syria.
Kahramanmaras (Turkey) (AFP) – Images show heavily damaged buildings rubble in the streets of Kahramanmaras in southern Turkey, the epicentre of the deadly 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck the country and neighbouring Syria before dawn on Monday. The powerful quake sent tremors that were felt as far away as Greenland, and has killed nearly 1,800 people.
Brussels (AFP) – The EU will send rescue teams from member states to Turkey to assist the country following a deadly 7.8 magnitude earthquake on Monday morning that has left as least 912 people dead. “We have mobilised more than 10 urban search and rescue teams” says EU Commission spokesperson Balazs Ujvari, adding that “the EU has also activated the Copernicus satellite system to provide emergency mapping services to the Turkish authorities”. The powerful quake, which was felt as far away as Greenland, struck southern Turkey and affected parts of Syria, where the EU will provide support “through its ongiong humanitarian assistance programmes.”
Beijing (AFP) – A US decision to shoot down a Chinese balloon flying above North Amercia is “unacceptable” and an “overreaction”, China’s foreign ministry says. Beijing claims the unmanned weather surveillance aircraft had veered off course while the US calls it a “high-altitude surveillance balloon.” “This is an unacceptable and irresponsible behavior… China will make necessary responses depending on the development of the situation,” warns Mao Ning, spokesperson of the foreign ministry.
London (AFP) – Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida welcomes the restructuring of the cooperation agreement between car manufacturers Renault and Nissan, which sees Renault reducing its stake in the Japanese firm from 43.4 percent to 15 percent, the same size as Nissan’s share in its French counterpart. Speaking at a press conference in London, Makoto Uchida says he’s “very confident that this new structure will deepen mutual trust,” and will “ensure that each member contributes with their strengths and works with shared ambitions.”
London (AFP) – Nurses hold a picket line outside St Thomas’ Hospital in London, as part of the UK’s biggest round of health service strikes, stepping up their demands for better pay to combat Britain’s cost of living crisis. As well as nurses, thousands of ambulance workers represented by the GMB and Unite unions are also going on strike.
Hong Kong (AFP) – Hong Kong’s largest national security trial opened Monday with 47 pro-democracy figures accused of trying to topple the government. The defendants, who include some of the city’s most prominent activists, face up to life in prison if convicted of “conspiracy to commit subversion” for involvement in an unofficial primary election. The case is the largest to date under the national security law, which China imposed on Hong Kong after huge democracy protests in 2019.
Santa Juana (Chile) (AFP) – Veterinarians treat pets with burn injuries at a primary care center for animals in the city of Santa Juana as wildfires continue to rage in south-central Chile.
