Eight students killed in Japan avalanche

An avalanche killed eight high school students on a mountain-climbing trip in Japan yesterday, with more than 30 people reportedly injured. More than 100 troops have been deployed in a major rescue effort after the avalanche hit ski slopes in Tochigi prefecture. A group of 52 students and 11 teachers from seven high schools were on a three-day mountaineering outing when disaster struck, according to authorities.