Powerful earthquakes leave at least 55 dead along Japan’s western coast

WAJIMA, Japan (AP) — A series of powerful earthquakes has hit western Japan, leaving at least 55 people dead and damaging thousands of buildings, vehicles and boats. Officials are warning people in some areas to stay away from their homes because of a risk of more strong quakes. Aftershocks continued to shake Ishikawa prefecture and nearby areas a day after a magnitude 7.6 temblor slammed the area on Monday. Officials say 17 people are seriously injured. Japan is frequently hit by earthquakes because of its location along the “Ring of Fire,” an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin.

Russian missiles hit Ukrainian cities, killing 5 and injuring at least 130

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Officials in Ukraine say the country’s two largest cities were struck by Russian missiles that killed five people and wounded at least 130. With the war approaching its two-year mark, the Kremlin has stepped up its winter bombardment of urban areas. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the capital of Kyiv and the northeastern city of Kharkiv came under attack early Tuesday. The barrage, which included Kinzhal missiles that can fly at 10 times the speed of sound, extended Russia’s escalated attacks on Ukraine in recent days that began Friday with its largest single assault since the war started in February 2022. At least 41 civilians were killed since the weekend began.

South Korean opposition leader stabbed in the neck

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung has been stabbed in the neck by an unidentified man during a visit to the southeastern city of Busan. Emergency officials say Lee was attacked Tuesday as he visited the proposed site of a new airport and that the man approached saying he wanted an autograph. His party said Lee’s jugular vein was damaged and that he was flown to Seoul for emergency treatment. The party called the attack “a serious threat to democracy.” Lee lost the 2022 presidential election to President Yoon Suk Yeol by a narrow margin and has been an outspoken critic.

Cold spell in Finland and Sweden sends temperature below minus 40

HELSINKI (AP) — Finland and Sweden have recorded their coldest temperatures this winter as a cold spell grips the Nordic region. Thermometers in the northern reaches of Sweden have plummeted below minus 40 degrees Celsius (minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit). Swedish broadcaster SVT has reported that the indigenous Sami village of Nikkaluokta in northern Sweden has recorded the temperature of minus 41.6 degrees C. Train operators in Sweden say the cold snap has caused substantial problems to rail traffic in the north.