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Death toll from heavy Japan snow hits 30

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2 months ago

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Death toll from heavy Japan snow hits 30


A pedestrian walks on the snow covered pavement in Aomori city, Aomori prefecture on January 30, 2026. — AFP
A pedestrian walks on the snow covered pavement in Aomori city, Aomori prefecture on January 30, 2026. — AFP

TOKYO: Unusually heavy snow in Japan has been blamed for 30 deaths in the past two weeks, officials said Tuesday, including a 91-year-old woman found under a three-metre pile outside her home.

The central government has deployed troops to help residents in Aomori, the heaviest-hit region where as much as 4.5 metres (15 feet) of snow remains on the ground in remote areas.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held a special cabinet-level meeting on Tuesday morning to instruct ministers to do all they can to prevent deaths and accidents.

A powerful cold air mass has resulted in heavy snow along the Sea of Japan coast in recent weeks, with some areas seeing more than double the usual volumes.

Since January 20 through Tuesday, 30 people have died as a result of the heavy snow, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency.

Among them was Kina Jin, 91, whose body was found under a pile of snow at her home in Ajigasawa, Aomori, a local police official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Police believe snow from her rooftop fell on her. The cause of her death was suffocation, the official said. An aluminium shovel was found next to her body.

“As it gets warmer, the accumulated snow melts and falls. It depends on the volume (of snow) and the temperature. Under the rooftop is a dangerous place,” the official told AFP.

Aomori governor Soichiro Miyashita said on Monday he had asked Japan’s military to offer disaster relief.

He said he asked troops to help the region’s elderly who live alone and need help clearing snow.

Walls of snow as high as 1.8 metres are on the ground of the regional capital of Aomori city, the governor said, adding that local workers clearing snow from roads and houses were overwhelmed.

“The danger of life-threatening incidents, such as fatal accidents due to falling snow from the roofs or collapsing buildings, is imminent,” he said in the press conference.





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Dubai offers departing passengers souvenirs, thanks amid regional tensions

Published

7 hours ago

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March 22, 2026

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Dubai offers departing passengers souvenirs, thanks amid regional tensions


A passenger at Dubai International Airport holds a thank-you card, handed by the authorities, appreciating their patience over the past few days and expressing hope for a safe return. — Geo News
A passenger at Dubai International Airport holds a thank-you card, handed by the authorities, appreciating their patience over the past few days and expressing hope for a safe return. — Geo News

Dubai: Dubai has introduced a thoughtful gesture to express care and appreciation for travellers, offering departing passengers souvenir gifts and thank-you messages as regional tensions continue.

Dubai authorities said the initiative reflects gratitude for visitors’ patience and cooperation during a period of heightened security concerns, while reaffirming the emirate’s commitment to safety and well-being.

At Dubai Airports, passengers leaving the city are being handed small tokens of appreciation along with printed cards thanking them for their understanding and wishing them a safe journey home, while expressing hope to welcome them back soon.

Although no formal statement has been issued, the move appears aimed at maintaining traveller confidence and reinforcing Dubai’s image as a reliable global hub.

Airport operations have continued with some disruption despite the regional situation, supported by contingency planning and enhanced safety measures for residents and international travellers alike.





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Muslims celebrate Eid ul Fitr with joy, togetherness across the globe

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14 hours ago

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March 22, 2026

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Muslims celebrate Eid ul Fitr with joy, togetherness across the globe


Muslims across the world are celebrating Eid ul Fitr with traditional zeal and fervour, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

Families and communities are coming together for prayers, feasts, and charitable giving, reflecting on a month of fasting, spiritual reflection, and devotion. The celebrations are filled with joy, greetings of “Eid Mubarak,” and acts of kindness that highlight the essence of the festival.

Women react as they take a selfie after attending an Eid ul Fitr prayer to mark the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, at the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan March 21, 2026. — Reuters
Women react as they take a selfie after attending an Eid ul Fitr prayer to mark the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, at the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan March 21, 2026. — Reuters
Children greet each other on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr to mark the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Kolkata, India, March 21, 2026. — Reuters
Children greet each other on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr to mark the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Kolkata, India, March 21, 2026. — Reuters
Eight-year-old Ganga, whose family moved to Karachi from Pakistans southeastern desert area of Tharparkar to look for work, waits for customers while selling balloons, as Muslims attend Eid ul Fitr prayers to mark the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, outside a mosque in Karachi, Pakistan, March 21, 2026. — Reuters
Eight-year-old Ganga, whose family moved to Karachi from Pakistan’s southeastern desert area of Tharparkar to look for work, waits for customers while selling balloons, as Muslims attend Eid ul Fitr prayers to mark the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, outside a mosque in Karachi, Pakistan, March 21, 2026. — Reuters
Residents of the Fietas district in Johannesburg receive hot meals during a charity drive organised by the Muslim Ziaee Institute South Africa (ZISA) on the occasion of the Eid ul Fitr at the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, on March 21, 2026. — AFP
Residents of the Fietas district in Johannesburg receive hot meals during a charity drive organised by the Muslim Ziaee Institute South Africa (ZISA) on the occasion of the Eid ul Fitr at the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, on March 21, 2026. — AFP
A volunteer from the Muslim Ziaee Institute South Africa (ZISA) prepares for a charity drive in the Fietas district in Johannesburg on the occasion of the Eid ul Fitr at the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, on March 21, 2026. — AFP
A volunteer from the Muslim Ziaee Institute South Africa (ZISA) prepares for a charity drive in the Fietas district in Johannesburg on the occasion of the Eid ul Fitr at the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, on March 21, 2026. — AFP
A man sits along the seafront Corniche on the second day of Eid ul Fitr celebrations, marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, in Doha on March 21, 2026. — AFP
A man sits along the seafront Corniche on the second day of Eid ul Fitr celebrations, marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, in Doha on March 21, 2026. — AFP
A man has his photograph taken as he poses along the Corniche on the second day of Eid ul Fitr celebrations, marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, in Doha on March 21, 2026. — AFP
A man has his photograph taken as he poses along the Corniche on the second day of Eid ul Fitr celebrations, marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, in Doha on March 21, 2026. — AFP
A man distributes Eidi to children following Eid ul Fitr prayers, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, at a mosque in the southern Thai province of Narathiwat on March 21, 2026. — AFP
A man distributes Eidi to children following Eid ul Fitr prayers, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, at a mosque in the southern Thai province of Narathiwat on March 21, 2026. — AFP
A man sells ice cream at an amusement park on Eid ul Fitr, which marks the end of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, in the eastern Sadr City, suburb of Baghdad on March 21, 2026. — AFP
A man sells ice cream at an amusement park on Eid ul Fitr, which marks the end of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, in the eastern Sadr City, suburb of Baghdad on March 21, 2026. — AFP
A boy reacts while riding a horse at an amusement park on Eid ul Fitr, which marks the end of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, in the eastern Sadr City, suburb of Baghdad on March 21, 2026. — AFP
 A boy reacts while riding a horse at an amusement park on Eid ul Fitr, which marks the end of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, in the eastern Sadr City, suburb of Baghdad on March 21, 2026. — AFP
Muslim devotees eat food during Eid ul Fitr celebrations, which marks the end of the Islamic holy fasting month of Ramadan, at a mosque in Beijing on March 21, 2026. — AFP
Muslim devotees eat food during Eid ul Fitr celebrations, which marks the end of the Islamic holy fasting month of Ramadan, at a mosque in Beijing on March 21, 2026. — AFP
Iraqi women visit a grave at Wadi al-Salam Cemetery in Iraqs central holy city of Najaf to remember the deceased as well as victims of wars as they celebrate Eid ul Fitr, marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, on March 21, 2026. — AFP
Iraqi women visit a grave at Wadi al-Salam Cemetery in Iraq’s central holy city of Najaf to remember the deceased as well as victims of wars as they celebrate Eid ul Fitr, marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, on March 21, 2026. — AFP
Muslims attend Eid al-Fitr prayers to mark the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, at the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan March 21, 2026. — Reuters
Muslims attend Eid al-Fitr prayers to mark the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, at the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan March 21, 2026. — Reuters





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Qatar helicopter crashes after technical malfunction’: ministry

Published

17 hours ago

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March 22, 2026

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Qatar helicopter crashes after technical malfunction’: ministry


The Qatari flag is seen at a park near Doha Corniche, in Doha, Qatar February 17, 2018. — Reuters
The Qatari flag is seen at a park near Doha Corniche, in Doha, Qatar February 17, 2018. — Reuters 

Rescuers were searching for the crew and passengers of a Qatari military helicopter that crashed in the Gulf state´s waters after a “technical malfunction”, the government said early Sunday.

“A Qatari helicopter had a technical malfunction during a routine duty, which led to its crash in the regional waters of the State,” Qatar’s defence ministry said in a statement posted to X. “Searching operation for its crew members and passengers is in progress.”

The interior ministry said that several specialised teams have been deployed.

Qatar has not specified where the helicopter was flying or the number of people on board.

While Qatar has been targeted by several strikes since the start of the Middle East war, no connection has been made between this chopper and the conflict triggered by US-Israeli attacks on Iran.





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