Japan's largest urban fire in decades rips through 170 buildings

A fire in a fishing town in southwestern Japan has damaged approximately 170 homes and prompted evacuations. Firefighters and army helicopters are actively battling the blaze, which has raised concerns about fire safety in the region.

Meta, the owner of Instagram, has announced that accounts belonging to users under the age of 16 will be closed starting December 10. This decision aligns with the Albanese government's new social media regulations aimed at protecting young users from online risks.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has indicated a potential overhaul of the police structure in England and Wales, describing it as 'irrational.' She highlighted a disparity in police performance across different regions, which she termed a 'postcode lottery.'

Tensions between Japan and China are escalating after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested Japan might defend Taiwan against a Chinese invasion. In response, Beijing has suspended Japanese seafood imports and issued travel warnings, prompting Japan to alert its schools in China about heightened security risks.

A recent Russian missile strike in Ternopil, Ukraine, has resulted in the deaths of at least 25 individuals, including three children. The attack destroyed two residential blocks and has been described as one of the deadliest in the ongoing conflict. Ukrainian air force officials confirmed the use of cruise missiles in this assault.

David Carrick, a former Metropolitan Police officer, has been found guilty of additional sexual offences. He is already serving a life sentence for 71 counts of sexual violence, highlighting ongoing concerns regarding accountability within law enforcement agencies.

China has announced a ban on all imports of Japanese seafood, escalating tensions in the diplomatic relationship between the two countries. This decision follows remarks made by Japan's Prime Minister regarding Taiwan, which have been met with strong opposition from Beijing. The ban reflects ongoing disputes and could have significant economic implications for Japan's seafood industry.

A massive fire ripped through more than 170 buildings on Tuesday night in a neighbourhood in southwestern Japan. The incident has raised significant concerns regarding fire safety in the region.