She doesn't just see those as unhelpful - but as evidence that nobody really understood the scale of the problem and how seriously it was affecting people.

Christina Vital, a sociology professor at Rio's Fluminense Federal University, says Rio's poor communities have long been living "under siege" from criminal gangs, and this is now affecting their freedom of religion.

Also, Kim Jong Un will be able to shoulder big losses without affecting the stability of his regime, the former soldiers say.

The RMT union has also announced strike action affecting Avanti West Coast on 31 December and 2 January, and the train firm will run amended timetables.

Up to 20 of the country's 29 districts have experienced "mild to severe damages" affecting about 35,000 people, a statement from the disaster management department said.