The news not to be missed
Powerful earthquakes struck central Japan on Monday, sending tsunami waves up to a meter high and prompting authorities to order people in affected areas to seek refuge on higher ground. 21 earthquakes with a magnitude greater than 4.0 were recorded in the Noto Peninsula in just over an hour and a half. No anomalies have been reported at the country's nuclear power plants, haunted by memories of the terrible magnitude 9.0 earthquake followed by a giant tsunami in March 2011, which left 20,000 dead or missing and led to the Fukushima nuclear accident.
"All residents must evacuate immediately to higher ground," national broadcaster NHK said after several quakes hit the Noto Peninsula at the northern tip of Ishikawa Prefecture after 16 p.m. (8 a.m. in Paris). "We know that your homes and possessions are dear to you, but your lives are more important than anything else. Run to the highest areas possible," an NHK presenter added.
Read alsoTsunami in Japan: follow the situation live, minute by minute
The first 1.2-meter-high waves caused by the tsunami hit the port of Wajima on the Noto Peninsula at 16:21 p.m. (8:21 a.m. in Paris), according to Japan's meteorological agency, which warned of the risk of waves up to five meters high. "Dangerous tsunami waves ... are possible within a 300 km radius of the epicenter along the coast of Japan," the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center warned.
What else you need to know
- New Year's Eve festivities. 380 arrests" had been made by 7 a.m. on Monday morning, said Gérald Darmanin, taking stock of the night of New Year's Eve. The Minister of the Interior reported that "745 vehicles were burned". These few tensions did not spoil the celebration of millions of French people celebrating the passage to the new year, especially on the Champs-Élysées where nearly a million people gathered.
- Macron's wishes. The President of the Republic promised to make 2024 a "year of determination" and to continue to "act" despite the difficulties that are accumulating, during his New Year's greetings on Sunday evening, where he celebrated the "French pride" expected from the Olympics to the reopening of Notre-Dame. "I will have the opportunity in the coming weeks to tell you how our nation will meet these challenges," he said to maintain the suspense about an appointment that could in reality be a succession of "moments" in January, according to his entourage.
- Orange alert. For the first day of 2024, the weather will be overcast and rainy over most of the country, with a strengthening of the wind at the end of the day. Finistère, Morbihan and Pas-de-Calais have been placed on orange alert for rain, flooding and flooding.
- The war in Gaza is here to stay. The war between Israel and Hamas will continue "throughout" 2024, an Israeli military spokesman said in a New Year's message to troops. "The IDF needs to plan ahead because we will be called upon for additional tasks and battles throughout this year," he continued. Tens of thousands of Israeli reservists will be needed to continue fighting, he said, but some of them will take a break from the war to prepare for "prolonged fighting."
It's about you
New year, new rules and new prizes! This January 1st marks the revaluation of the minimum wage and internship bonuses, the change of name of Pôle emploi for France Travail, the lowering of the age to pass the permit to 17 years or the end of the withdrawal of points for "small" speeding ... Find out what's changing starting this Monday.