About this Episode
A 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck off Kumamoto in southern Japan, killing at least 13 people. A floor of the Aeon Mall in Kashima collapsed, trapping shoppers, while rescuers continued searching damaged buildings. Dozens were taken to hospital, 48,000 households lost power and rail services were suspended.
Nearly 4,000 people are being evacuated from campsites and tourist accommodation around Lacanau, west of Bordeaux. The Gironde wildfire has burned about 42,000 hectares, while fires across France, Spain and Italy have forced around 330,000 people to leave their homes. EU firefighting aircraft and helicopters have been deployed.
The Japanese yen remains close to its weakest level against the US dollar since 1986, trading near ¥164 to the dollar. The decline is being driven by interest-rate differences, a strong dollar, carry trades and expensive energy imports. Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said Japan was prepared to take decisive action.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control says Europe is unlikely to meet its 2030 hepatitis elimination targets. About five million people live with chronic hepatitis B or C, while around 60,000 die each year from related liver disease. Vaccination, harm-reduction services, testing and treatment remain insufficient.
