Heavy snowfall across Japan has resulted in at least 45 deaths and over 500 injuries since January 20, according to Euronews, as the country's first female Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, faces her first electoral test. The northwestern region of Niigata Prefecture recorded the highest number of fatalities, with 17 deaths and over 170 injuries. Meanwhile, in Lithuania, the German army brigade is reportedly facing hybrid attacks, including surveillance and psychological operations, as reported by Euronews.
Japan's Meteorological Agency has warned of further heavy snow in western and northern coastal regions over the weekend, Euronews reported. Prime Minister Takaichi, who enjoys support among younger voters, is aiming to consolidate her position in a snap election scheduled for Sunday, February 7, 2026, according to Sky News. The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), led by Takaichi, is projected to win a decisive mandate.
In other news, New York lawmakers have proposed a three-year moratorium on permits for new data centers, TechCrunch reported. The bill reflects concerns about the impact of data centers on surrounding communities, with critics including Senator Bernie Sanders and Florida Governor Ron De Santis. The state is at least the sixth to consider pausing construction of new data centers.
Additionally, a report from the Environmental Integrity Project found that enforcement against polluters in the United States significantly decreased in the first year of Donald Trump's second term, Ars Technica reported. Civil lawsuits filed by the US Department of Justice in cases referred by the Environmental Protection Agency dropped to just 16 in the first 12 months after Trump's inauguration on January 20, 2025, a 76 percent decrease compared to the first year of the Biden administration.
The German army brigade in Lithuania is experiencing hybrid warfare tactics, including mysterious phone calls and drone surveillance, according to Euronews. One soldier reported hearing a recording of his own conversation from hours earlier.
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