February 12, Monday, 2024

1. Recovery and reconstruction efforts are continuing six weeks after a devastating New Year’s Day earthquake struck central Japan. Volunteers are helping out in the Noto Peninsula where most of the damage occurred. But accommodation for them is scarce.
2. The famed Carnival in Rio de Janeiro kicked into high gear on Sunday with the start of a parade of top samba dancers. A contest featuring 12 selected teams began on Sunday night. Each group is made up of about 3,000 members. Dancers in colorful costumes are parading down a 700-meter street, accompanied by huge floats.
3. Ukraine’s air defense capability to intercept Russian missiles and drones is expected to decline unless it gets additional weapons supplies from Western nations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly asked Western leaders for new military assistance to improve his country’s air defenses.