Over 400 earthquakes rattle Japanese island chain
As of Thursday morning, 474 such earthquakes had been observed around the Tokara island chain, south of Kyushu, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said.
“Seismic activity has increased. As this region has experienced extended periods of earthquake activity in the past, please be vigilant against earthquakes that cause strong shaking,” it said in a statement.
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The largest tremors recorded since Saturday were two magnitude-5.1 quakes, one on Sunday and one on Tuesday.
They had a seismic intensity of four on the Japanese scale — described as an earthquake in which “most people are startled”, dishes rattle and “hanging objects such as lamps swing significantly”.
A similar period of seismic activity in the Tokara area was seen in September 2023, when 346 earthquakes were recorded within 15 days, according to public broadcaster NHK.
Seven of the 12 remote Tokara Islands are inhabited, with around 700 residents in total.
The islands, some of which have active volcanoes, are reached by a ferry that runs twice weekly in good weather.
“An earthquake of up to magnitude-6 strength could take place, so please be vigilant,” Hisayoshi Yokose, a marine volcanology specialist and associate professor at Kumamoto University, told NHK.
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Japan is one of the world’s most seismically active countries, sitting on top of four major tectonic plates along the western edge of the Pacific “Ring of Fire”.
400 French Schools Shut as Students Protest Teacher Shortages, Poor Facilities
Students across France have staged demonstrations over what they describe as deteriorating conditions in the country’s public schools, including overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages, poor facilities and inadequate funding.
The protests, which began in the Paris region, have spread to several cities, including Marseille, Strasbourg, Lyon, Lille, Rennes and Toulouse, disrupting activities in hundreds of schools.
Students have blocked school entrances and staged demonstrations outside their schools, while some protests have escalated into clashes with police, vandalism and fires.
Authorities said the unrest had affected more than 1,000 high schools, with about 400 schools expected to remain closed because of blockades or damage.
The students’ complaints centre on several issues affecting their daily learning experience. They have reported classrooms with as many as 35 to 40 students, shortages of teachers and other school staff, damaged buildings and inadequate classroom facilities.
Some students have also complained about long school days, staff absences and periods without teachers for particular subjects.
At some schools, students and parents have raised concerns about the condition of buildings, including leaks and other maintenance problems. Complaints have also been made about uncomfortable classroom temperatures during periods of hot weather.
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The demonstrations have, however, been accompanied by incidents of violence and vandalism in some locations. Police have reported confrontations with protesters, while some school entrances and surrounding property have been damaged.
France’s Education Ministry said 65 education workers, including 40 school heads, had been injured during the unrest. Police officers have also sustained injuries in some clashes.
French authorities said more than 2,000 people had been arrested since the protests began, with most of those detained reported to be teenagers.
The government has acknowledged concerns about school conditions and education resources, while condemning acts of violence and destruction. Officials have also warned that violent groups could exploit the demonstrations.
Education Minister Édouard Geffray has announced plans for discussions involving students, teachers’ unions and parents to address concerns raised during the protests.
The unrest has also brought attention to France’s proposed 2027 education budget. The planned allocation is expected to increase by 1.7 per cent to about €65.53 billion, excluding teacher pensions, although the increase is below the current inflation rate.
Teachers’ unions have separately announced a nationwide strike, adding pressure on the government to address concerns over staffing, working conditions and education funding.
While students have continued to demand improvements in their schools, the authorities are working to restore normal operations in affected institutions and prevent further violence.
The protests have placed France’s education system under renewed scrutiny, with the availability of teachers, classroom sizes, school infrastructure and education funding emerging as central issues in the dispute.
Trump Threatens Iran With ‘Very Hard’ Response Over Flydubai Attack
US President Donald Trump has warned that Iran would face a “very hard” response if investigators establish that Tehran was connected to the attempted attack on a Flydubai passenger aircraft bound for Israel.
Trump made the statement on Thursday as authorities continued investigating the motive behind the Flydubai cockpit attack, in which the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain and caused the aircraft to plunge thousands of feet before passengers and other crew members intervened.
Asked at the White House whether the co-pilot had links to Iran, Trump indicated that investigators were examining the possibility.
“Based on what I’m hearing, yes,” Trump said, while stressing that the matter was still being investigated. He later warned that Iran would be hit “very hard” if Tehran was found to have been involved.
The incident occurred on Flydubai flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates to Tel Aviv, Israel, on September 30.
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The aircraft was carrying more than 170 passengers when the co-pilot, identified by Israeli authorities as an Omani national, allegedly attacked the captain in the cockpit. The aircraft then entered a steep descent, dropping more than 14,000 feet in about 30 seconds, according to reports.
The injured captain managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to enter and overpower the co-pilot. Passengers and crew then helped stabilise the aircraft, while reserve pilots aboard the flight took control.
The aircraft eventually made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where the injured captain received medical attention and the suspect was taken into custody.
The incident has generated competing assessments over the possible motive. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the co-pilot appeared to have been radicalised, but he also indicated that it was too early to determine whether Iran was involved.
The United Arab Emirates has launched an investigation into the circumstances of the incident, including whether it involved terrorism, prior planning or direction from an outside actor. Authorities have yet to publicly establish an Iranian role.
Reuters reported that the motive remained unclear, while investigators from several countries were examining the incident. Flydubai has also suspended its flights between Dubai and Israel as investigations continue. (Reuters)
The incident comes amid heightened US-Iran tensions, with Washington already increasing its military presence in the Middle East. Trump’s warning has therefore added to concerns that confirmation of an Iranian connection could trigger further escalation.
For now, however, the alleged Iran-Flydubai link remains under investigation, and no publicly released evidence has established that Tehran directed or supported the cockpit attack. (AP News)
Israeli Actor, Flight Instructor Among Two Killed In California Plane Crash
Israeli actor and flight instructor Guy Kapulnik, 46, and his passenger, Taylor Laska, 33, have died after a light aircraft crashed into a field in California, United States.
The fatal crash occurred on Thursday, September 24, 2026, near Hesperia in San Bernardino County.
Emergency responders were alerted to the crash shortly before 10am after the small aircraft went down in an open field.
Both occupants were pronounced dead at the scene.
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The aircraft, identified as a single-engine Aeronca 7AC Champion, crashed near Summit Valley Road and Telephone Canyon Road, about three miles from Hesperia Airport.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, but the cause of the crash had not been established as of Wednesday.
Kapulnik was not only a pilot and flight instructor but also an actor who appeared in several Israeli and international film productions.
He trained at the Nissan Nativ Acting Studio in Jerusalem before building a career in the entertainment industry. His acting credits included Room 514, Salsa Tel Aviv, Watch Over Me and Lebanon.
After moving to Los Angeles, Kapulnik continued acting while pursuing his passion for aviation. He obtained his pilot’s licence and later became a certified flight instructor.
His aviation career saw him teach aspiring pilots, with friends and former students describing him as passionate about flying and committed to helping others learn.
Kapulnik had also previously served as an officer in Israel’s elite Unit 669, a specialised search-and-rescue unit.
His death has triggered an outpouring of tributes from friends, colleagues and people who knew him through aviation and acting.
Those who knew him remembered him as an adventurous and energetic man who pursued several passions throughout his life, including acting, flying and life at sea.
The passenger, Laska, was also killed in the crash.
Investigators from the relevant aviation authorities are continuing to examine the wreckage and circumstances surrounding the incident to determine what caused the aircraft to crash.
Kapulnik’s funeral is expected to take place in Israel.
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