It’s been 10 years since two devastating earthquakes struck Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Japan. It was the first time that two intensity-7 quakes, the highest level on the Japanese seismic scale, hit the same area in succession. The quakes claimed the lives of 278 people in Kumamoto and neighboring Oita Prefecture, many of whom died as their health deteriorated under the stress of evacuation.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced on Tuesday that her government has decided to suspend the automatic renewal of the defense agreement with Israel. The agreement was ratified by Italy in 2005. It covers the exchange of military equipment and technological research.
The island nation of Tuvalu in the South Pacific has declared a state of emergency, citing instability of its power generation and distribution systems and risks to fuel supply. The declaration was made on Monday for the island of Funafuti, where the capital is located. The capital is home to more than half of the nation’s population.