Multiple Crises Unfold Globally: Japan Grapples with Deadly Snowfall, Tensions Rise in Ukraine, and More
Across the globe, multiple crises unfolded on February 4, 2026, ranging from deadly weather events to escalating geopolitical tensions. In Japan, weeks of heavy snowfall resulted in at least 35 fatalities and nearly 400 injuries, while in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on the United States to respond to Russia's recent attacks. Elsewhere, a French teacher was in "very worrying" condition after being stabbed by a student, and global energy leaders convened in Qatar for the LNG2026 conference.
Japan was reeling from the impact of severe winter weather. According to Sky News, at least 35 people died and nearly 400 were injured due to weeks of heavy snowfall, primarily in the northern and central regions of the country. Of those injured, 126 were seriously hurt. Government officials warned that more severe weather was expected. Snowfall in the worst-hit areas was estimated to have reached up to 2 meters (6.5 feet). As of Wednesday, 15 prefectures were affected, with more than a dozen properties damaged.
Meanwhile, in Ukraine, tensions remained high as talks continued in Abu Dhabi between Ukraine, the US, and Russia. Euronews reported that President Zelenskyy called on the US administration to respond to Russia's recent attacks against Ukraine and its civilian energy infrastructure. Zelenskyy stated that the Kremlin did not respect the "energy truce" initiated by US President Donald Trump. "We await the reaction of America to the Russian strikes," Zelenskyy said, emphasizing that the US had proposed halting strikes on energy infrastructure during diplomacy and severe winter weather.
In France, a 60-year-old art teacher was in stable yet "very worrying" condition after being stabbed multiple times by a 14-year-old student at La Guicharde secondary school in Sanary-sur-Mer, in the Var department. According to Euronews, the attack occurred around 2 pm on Tuesday in front of approximately 20 other students. Education Minister Édouard Geffray said the teacher underwent surgery after being stabbed three to four times with a 10-centimeter Opinel knife.
In Qatar, the 21st edition of the International Conference and Exhibition on Liquified Natural Gas, or LNG2026, commenced in Doha. Euronews reported that the event gathered global leaders, energy giants, and experts to discuss geopolitics, market dynamics, emerging technologies, and the energy transition. The conference opened with a tribute to Qatar's maritime heritage and its development as a leading LNG exporter, alongside the US and Australia.
Finally, the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt partially reopened, allowing some Palestinians to return to Khan Younis. Euronews reported that the journey took hours, with one woman describing long waits and exhaustion. Many remained stranded, and aid was still blocked. People gathered on both sides of the border, hoping their names would be called, while patients who had fled earlier in the war were on the Egyptian side, awaiting medical evacuations.
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