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Netherlands: Thunderstorms Bring Hail and Damaging Winds to Multiple Provinces

Severe thunderstorms swept across the Netherlands on Friday, May 29, bringing hail, heavy rain, and strong wind gusts, with Code Orange warnings issued for multiple provinces. The storms also caused lightning-sparked house fires in Zoetermeer, with no injuries reported.

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Canada: Wildfire Prompts State of Emergency and Evacuations at Norway House Cree Nation

Norway House Cree Nation declared a state of emergency on Friday, May 29, as a wildfire threatened the First Nation community in northern Manitoba. Hundreds of residents were evacuated from homes on Fort Island.

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US: Blue Origin’s New Glenn Rocket Explodes During Engine Test at Cape Canaveral 3

Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket exploded during an engine-firing test at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Thursday, May 28. The blast rocked the Space Coast, filling the night sky with fire visible across Brevard County. Blue Origin confirmed there were no injuries and it was an anomaly during the hotfire test.

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US: Fireball Lights Up Western New York Sky, Producing Loud Sonic Boom

A bright fireball streaked across the sky over Western New York and Southern Ontario early Wednesday, May 27, producing a loud sonic boom that shook homes across the region. Scientists confirmed the phenomenon was a bolide, an exceptionally bright meteor that exploded as it burned up entering Earth's atmosphere.

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US: Flash Flooding Hits Midland-Odessa Area as Heavy Storms Batter West Texas

Heavy rainfall triggered flash flood warnings and road closures across the Midland-Odessa area in West Texas on Tuesday, May 26, as the NWS warned of ongoing flooding from severe thunderstorms throughout the region.

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Canada: Possible Meteor Spotted in Sky Over Greater Toronto Area

Residents across the Greater Toronto Area reported a possible meteor lighting up the sky early Wednesday morning, May 27.

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India: Flash Flooding and Traffic Chaos Hit Bengaluru After Severe Thunderstorms

Heavy thunderstorms and strong winds battered Bengaluru on Tuesday evening, May 26, flooding major roads and bringing traffic to a standstill across the city.

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Japan: Rare Red Tide Sweeps Suruga Bay Beaches for First Time in Years

Red tide has been washing ashore along multiple coastlines of Suruga Bay in Shizuoka Prefecture since May 20, in what is believed to be the bay's largest such occurrence in over a decade. The unusual bloom has left tourists puzzled at beaches across the Izu Peninsula, where the reddish-brown discoloration has spread across the shoreline.

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US: Morning Fog Blankets Northeastern Indiana on Memorial Day

On Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, morning fog was observed in Wells County, northeastern Indiana, with visibility dropping below a quarter mile in some areas.

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NASA Administrator Isaacman on Moon base plan

NASA Administrator Isaacman on Moon base plan

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman speaks at a press briefing in Washington on May 26, 2026, about the agency's roadmap to build a permanent base on the Moon, after its announcement in March of the plan to construct a base at the lunar south pole by 2032.

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US: Knicks Clinch NBA Finals Berth, Fans Pour Into NYC Streets to Celebrate 3

Knicks fans spilled into the streets of New York City on Monday night, May 25, celebrating outside Madison Square Garden after the team clinched its first NBA Finals berth in 27 years. A packed watch party at Radio City Music Hall was also on its feet as the final buzzer sounded. This video shows crowds of fans celebrating the victory in Fort Greene, Brooklyn.

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US: Knicks Clinch NBA Finals Berth, Fans Pour Into NYC Streets to Celebrate 2

Knicks fans spilled into the streets of New York City on Monday night, May 25, celebrating outside Madison Square Garden after the team clinched its first NBA Finals berth in 27 years. A packed watch party at Radio City Music Hall was also on its feet as the final buzzer sounded.

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US: Protest Erupts Outside Newark Detention Center as Hunger Strike Sparks Tensions

Protesters gathered outside Delaney Hall immigration detention center in Newark, New Jersey, on Sunday, May 24 to block a transfer van outside after a hunger strike organizer was seen being taken away in the vehicle. Around 300 detainees had begun a hunger and labor strike on Friday over conditions at the facility.

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US: Double Rainbow Lights Up the Sky Over Abita Springs, Louisiana

A beautiful double rainbow was spotted over Abita Springs, Louisiana on Friday, May 22.

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Japan: Red Tide Turns Sea Surface Crimson off Aichi Coast

A rare red tide was confirmed off the coast of Aichi Prefecture on Friday, May 22, caused by a bloom of bioluminescent plankton known as Noctiluca, or sea sparkle. While the red tide turned the sea surface crimson during the day, the same plankton lit up the shoreline in glowing blue at night.

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Japan: Noctiluca Lights Up Aichi Coastline in Glowing Blue After Red Tide

A rare red tide was confirmed off the coast of Aichi Prefecture on Friday, May 22, caused by a bloom of bioluminescent plankton known as Noctiluca, or sea sparkle. While the red tide turned the sea surface crimson during the day, the same plankton lit up the shoreline in glowing blue at night.

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US: SpaceX Starship V3 Launches Successfully From Starbase, Texas

SpaceX's newly upgraded Starship V3 megarocket successfully launched from Starbase, Texas on Friday, May 22, completing its debut test flight after a one-day delay caused by a stuck hydraulic pin on the launch pad.

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US: Storm Clouds Roll In Over Fort Myers Beach, Florida

Dark storm clouds gathered over the Fort Myers Beach on May 20.

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US: Lightning, Rainbow, and Sunset Combine in Rare Post-Storm Display Over Austin 2

A stunning combination of lightning, rainbow, and fiery sunset lit up the skies over the Austin area, Texas, following a storm on the evening of May 21, 2026, drawing widespread attention from residents across the region.

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US: Rainbow and Fiery Sunset Light Up Skies Over Austin Area After Storm

A stunning combination of rainbow and fiery sunset lit up the skies over the Austin area, Texas, following a storm on the evening of May 21, 2026, drawing widespread attention from residents across the city.

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Canada: Shoppers Take Shelter at Costco During Tornado-Warned Storm in Ontario

Severe thunderstorms swept through parts of Ontario, Canada, on May 18 and 19, killing one person near Huntsville and causing widespread damage including downed trees and power outages. Tornado warnings were issued in southwestern Ontario, including Hamilton and London, prompting widespread emergency alerts. This video shows shoppers taking shelter inside South London Costco as strong winds and rain battered the area.

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US: Evacuations Ordered as Sandy Fire Tears Through Simi Valley, California 4

The Sandy Fire broke out Monday, May 18, in Simi Valley, roughly 40 miles northwest of Los Angeles, burning over 1,600 acres, destroying at least one home, and putting more than 28,000 people under mandatory evacuation orders.

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US: Two Wildfires Force Evacuations in Riverside County, California 2

Two wildfires broke out in Riverside County, California, on Tuesday, May 19, prompting evacuations and warnings for residents. The Bain Fire ignited at 11:22 a.m. in the Santa Ana River bottom in Jurupa Valley, spreading rapidly toward homes in the direction of Riverside, injuring four people. Separately, the Verona Fire in Homeland jumped containment lines and forced additional evacuations. Crews from multiple agencies responded to both blazes.

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UK: Arsenal Fans Celebrate First Premier League Title in 22 Years Outside Emirates Stadium 3

Arsenal fans erupted in celebration outside the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, May 19, as Manchester City's 1-1 draw with Bournemouth confirmed the club's first Premier League title in 22 years.

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US: High Winds Spark Multiple Wildfires Across Texas Panhandle, Forcing Evacuations

High winds fueled multiple wildfires across the Texas Panhandle on Monday, May 18, prompting evacuations and road closures. In Kress, three separate wildfires forced evacuations before being mostly contained; some structures were lost, though no residential homes were reported burned.

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US: Four Injured, Fast-Moving Bain Fire Forces Evacuations in Jurupa Valley, CA 3

The Bain Fire, a fast-moving wildfire broke out in Jurupa Valley, Riverside County, California on Tuesday, May 19, quickly spreading to 1,300 acres and injuring four people. Evacuation orders were issued and the cause of the fire remained under investigation.

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US: Evacuations Ordered as Sandy Fire Tears Through Simi Valley, California 2

The Sandy Fire broke out Monday, May 18, in Simi Valley, roughly 40 miles northwest of Los Angeles, burning over 1,600 acres, destroying at least one home, and putting more than 28,000 people under mandatory evacuation orders.

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UK: Swatch Shuts UK Stores as Royal Pop Launch Triggers Fights and Police Response

Long lines formed outside Swatch stores across the world ahead of launch of the Royal Pop, a collaboration between Swatch and Audemars Piguet on Saturday, May 16. Swatch closed stores across the UK after massive queues formed outside branches over the launch, with fights and disturbances breaking out and police called to the scene, prompting the company to cite safety concerns for customers and staff.

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US: Evacuations Ordered as Sandy Fire Tears Through Simi Valley, California

The Sandy Fire broke out Monday, May 18, in Simi Valley, roughly 40 miles northwest of Los Angeles, burning over 1,300 acres, destroying at least one home, and putting more than 28,000 people under mandatory evacuation orders.

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US: Heavy Rain and Strong Winds Move Through Iowa

Heavy rain and strong winds moved through Iowa on Monday, May 18.

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Fan-throwing ceremony at western Japan temple

Fan-throwing ceremony at western Japan temple

Priests throw heart-shaped "uchiwa" fans from the balcony of a drum tower during a traditional ceremony at Toshodai-ji temple in Nara, western Japan, on May 19, 2026. The ceremony started about 770 years ago to ward off evil spirits and harmful insects.

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Fan-throwing ceremony at western Japan temple

Fan-throwing ceremony at western Japan temple

Priests throw heart-shaped "uchiwa" fans from the balcony of a drum tower during a traditional ceremony at Toshodai-ji temple in Nara, western Japan, on May 19, 2026. The ceremony started about 770 years ago to ward off evil spirits and harmful insects.

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Fan-throwing ceremony at western Japan temple

Fan-throwing ceremony at western Japan temple

Priests throw heart-shaped "uchiwa" fans from the balcony of a drum tower during a traditional ceremony at Toshodai-ji temple in Nara, western Japan, on May 19, 2026. The ceremony started about 770 years ago to ward off evil spirits and harmful insects.

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Fan-throwing ceremony at western Japan temple

Fan-throwing ceremony at western Japan temple

Priests throw heart-shaped "uchiwa" fans from the balcony of a drum tower during a traditional ceremony at Toshodai-ji temple in Nara, western Japan, on May 19, 2026. The ceremony started about 770 years ago to ward off evil spirits and harmful insects.

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China: Intense Hailstorm Hits Shandong

On May 12, 2026, in Shandong, eastern China, a video captured a courtyard covered with hail as more hail continued falling from the sky. The owner stood outside and sighed about the heavy hailstorm. The ground was already covered in white ice pellets.

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US: Long Lines and Chaos Hit Swatch Stores Over Royal Pop Launch 2

Long lines formed outside Swatch stores across the globe ahead of Saturday's launch of the Royal Pop, a $400–420 pocket watch collaboration with high-end Swiss watchmaker Audemars Piguet. At least 19 U.S. locations were affected, including the SoHo store in New York City. New York emerged as one of the worst flashpoints: at Roosevelt Field Mall on Long Island, cops appeared to break out pepper spray to push back surging crowds, while hundreds of shoppers stormed Times Square and SoHo locations, leading to at least one arrest, according to the NYPD. Swatch eventually shut the stores down over public safety concerns.

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Hello Kitty shinkansen makes final run

Hello Kitty shinkansen makes final run

Fans gather at JR Shin-Osaka Station in Osaka to witness the final run of a Hello Kitty shinkansen bullet train decorated with ribbons and character illustrations inside and out on May 17, 2026. The 500-series Shinkansen operated by West Japan Railway Co. carried about 1 million passengers since debuting in June 2018 on the route between Shin-Osaka and JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka.

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Hello Kitty shinkansen makes final run

Hello Kitty shinkansen makes final run

A Hello Kitty shinkansen bullet train decorated with ribbons and character illustrations inside and out arrives at JR Shin-Osaka Station in Osaka for its final run on May 17, 2026. The 500-series Shinkansen operated by West Japan Railway Co. carried about 1 million passengers since debuting in June 2018 on the route between Shin-Osaka and JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka.

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Hello Kitty shinkansen makes final run

Hello Kitty shinkansen makes final run

Fans gather at JR Shin-Osaka Station in Osaka to witness the final run of a Hello Kitty shinkansen bullet train decorated with ribbons and character illustrations inside and out on May 17, 2026. The 500-series Shinkansen operated by West Japan Railway Co. carried about 1 million passengers since debuting in June 2018 on the route between Shin-Osaka and JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka.

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Hello Kitty shinkansen makes final run

Hello Kitty shinkansen makes final run

A Hello Kitty shinkansen bullet train decorated with ribbons and character illustrations inside and out arrives at JR Shin-Osaka Station in Osaka for its final run on May 17, 2026. The 500-series Shinkansen operated by West Japan Railway Co. carried about 1 million passengers since debuting in June 2018 on the route between Shin-Osaka and JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka.

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Japan emperor, empress visit Ehime

Japan emperor, empress visit Ehime

Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako receive an explanation about reconstruction efforts following deadly torrential rain in 2018 in Ozu, Ehime Prefecture, on May 16, 2026, during a two-day trip to the western Japan prefecture. (Pool photo)

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US: Episode 47 of Kīlauea Eruption Sends Lava Fountains and Ash

Episode 47 of the Halemaʻumaʻu eruption at the summit of Kīlauea, Hawaii, lasted nine hours, beginning at 3:27 p.m. HST on Wednesday, May 14, and ending at 12:27 a.m. HST on Thursday, May 15. Lava fountained from the north vent, with fine ash and Peleʻs hair falling in communities to the northeast of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

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US: Several Dust Devils Sweep Through Southern Colorado

Several dust devils were spotted in Alamosa, southern Colorado, on Thursday, May 14.

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Canada: High Winds Sweep Saskatchewan, Sparking Dust Storms and Outages

A powerful storm swept through Saskatchewan on Thursday, May 14, bringing thunderstorms, dust storms, and wind gusts of up to 115 km/h, downing power lines, damaging trees and structures, and leaving many communities without power. Wind alerts remained active into Friday morning.

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Japan: Rising Temperatures Bring Surge in Bear Sightings Near Residential Areas 2

As spring temperatures rose, bears in Japan emerged from hibernation and ventured closer to human settlements in search of food, with sightings reported one after another, prompting authorities to urge residents to stay alert. This video was captured in Joetsu, Niigata on May 13, 2026.

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China: Concerned Mother Horse Runs Behind Car Carrying Sick Foal to Vet

On May 13, 2026, in Inner Mongolia, northern China, a video captured an emotional moment as a sick foal was taken by car for medical treatment. As the owner drove the foal to a veterinarian, the mother horse ran closely behind the vehicle, seemingly worried about where her baby was being taken. The sound of the horse’s hooves echoed along the ground as she chased after the car, creating a touching scene.

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Japan: Rising Temperatures Bring Surge in Bear Sightings Near Residential Areas

As spring temperatures rose, bears in Japan emerged from hibernation and ventured closer to human settlements in search of food, with sightings reported one after another, prompting authorities to urge residents to stay alert. This video was captured at Natsui Community Center in Iwate on Friday, May 15.

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Spain: Teachers Strike Continue Across Valencian Community

A strike in public education continued across the Valencian Community on Thursday, May 14. Teachers and the wider education community took to the streets demanding better pay, quality public education, and instruction in Valencian.

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US: Grand Fire Threatens 650 Homes in Chino Hills, California

A brush fire dubbed the Grand Fire broke out near Chino Hills, San Bernardino County, California, on Wednesday evening, May 13, burning approximately 30 acres and prompting temporary evacuation orders for around 650 homes. Some 250 firefighters, helicopters, and ground crews brought the blaze under control by 10:30 p.m., and all evacuation orders were lifted. One firefighter was hospitalized with minor injuries. No structural damage was reported. The cause remains under investigation.

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US: Powerful Storms Bring Rain, Hail and Flooding to Central Florida 2

Powerful storms swept through Central Florida on Tuesday, May 12, bringing widespread rain, hail, and flooding with severe thunderstorm warnings issued for multiple counties.

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