Multiple-vehicle accident in Kobe

Multiple-vehicle accident in Kobe

Photo taken on Sept. 24, 2026, from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the site of a multiple-vehicle road accident in Kobe in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan. About 10 vehicles, including two trailer trucks, were involved in the accident, which occurred at about 3 p.m. leaving at least eight people injured.

Multiple-vehicle accident in Kobe

Multiple-vehicle accident in Kobe

Photo taken on Sept. 24, 2026, from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the site of a multiple-vehicle road accident in Kobe in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan. About 10 vehicles, including two trailer trucks, were involved in the accident, which occurred at about 3 p.m. leaving at least eight people injured.

Multiple-vehicle accident in Kobe

Multiple-vehicle accident in Kobe

Photo taken on Sept. 24, 2026, from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the site of a multiple-vehicle road accident in Kobe in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan. About 10 vehicles, including two trailer trucks, were involved in the accident, which occurred at about 3 p.m. leaving at least eight people injured.

Crown princess visits hospital in Osaka Pref.

Crown princess visits hospital in Osaka Pref.

Japan's Crown Princess Kiko (2nd from R) is briefed about activities of the Osaka Anti-Tuberculosis Association at a hospital in Neyagawa in Osaka Prefecture, western Japan, on Sept. 24, 2026.

Crown princess visits hospital in Osaka Pref.

Crown princess visits hospital in Osaka Pref.

Japan's Crown Princess Kiko (R) is briefed about activities of the Osaka Anti-Tuberculosis Association at a hospital in Neyagawa in Osaka Prefecture, western Japan, on Sept. 24, 2026.

Crown princess visits hospital in Osaka Pref.

Crown princess visits hospital in Osaka Pref.

Japan's Crown Princess Kiko (C) is briefed about activities of the Osaka Anti-Tuberculosis Association at a hospital in Neyagawa in Osaka Prefecture, western Japan, on Sept. 24, 2026.

Crown princess visits hospital in Osaka Pref.

Crown princess visits hospital in Osaka Pref.

Japan's Crown Princess Kiko (3rd from R) is briefed about activities of the Osaka Anti-Tuberculosis Association at a hospital in Neyagawa in Osaka Prefecture, western Japan, on Sept. 24, 2026.

India: 300-Kg Crocodile Captured Near Kodayar River

Forest officials captured a roughly 300-kg crocodile that had been spotted near the Kodayar River over the past nine months. Using a large net, the team pulled the reptile from dense riverbank vegetation and took it to the Zero Point Forest Department office for further decisions.

Spain: Wildfire Breaks Out Between Llera and Las Vaguadas in Badajoz

A wildfire broke out between Barriada de Llera and Las Vaguadas in Badajoz on Tuesday night, September 22, burning about 15 hectares. Firefighters extinguished the blaze before it spread to nearby residential areas.

India: Traditional Tree-Climbing Contest Held During Nanda Pati Mela

A traditional tree-climbing contest was held during the Nanda Pati Mela in Kaproli village, Pauri Garhwal, on September 21. Participants tried to scale a tall chir pine whose trunk had been peeled, coated with oil, milk and curd, and planted in the village square. Those who reached the top collected prizes including fruits, leaves and money as villagers gathered to celebrate.

Bangladesh: Waterspout Spotted Over Kaptai Lake

A waterspout formed over Kaptai Lake near Killya Mura in Rangamati on September 21 and stayed visible for about 10 minutes. Crowds gathered at the Shaheed Minar premises to watch and film the rare sight on their phones. No damage was reported.

WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai

WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai

Japan's delegation marches during the opening ceremony of the WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai on Sept. 22, 2026. About 1,400 engineers and technical experts from about 70 countries and regions are taking part in the six-day skills contest.

Japan: Typhoon Dujuan Causes Landslides Across Kanto Region 3

Typhoon Dujuan brought torrential rain to Japan’s Kanto region on September 21, causing widespread flooding and landslides. At least four people were reported dead and six missing, while nearly 1.9 million faced evacuation orders. Power outages and widespread transport disruptions were also reported across the region.

Mexico: Category 5 Hurricane Polo Brings Gusty Wind, Rain to Pacific Coast

Hurricane Polo rapidly strengthened into a Category 5 storm off Mexico's Pacific coast, with maximum sustained winds of 165 mph. As of Tuesday evening, Polo was located about 210 miles south of Zihuatanejo. Residents in Guerrero and Michoacán remained on alert, bracing for heavy rain, flooding, damaging winds and storm surge.

WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai

WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai

Photo taken on Sept. 22, 2026, shows the venue for the opening ceremony later in the day of the WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai. About 1,400 engineers and technical experts from about 70 countries and regions, including about 60 from Japan, will take part in the six-day skills contest.

India: Elephant Calf Rescued from Teesta River by Fishermen

Fishermen rescued an elephant calf drifting in the Teesta River near Gajoldoba, West Bengal, and handed it to Forest Department officials, who later reunited it with its mother in the forest.

Bangladesh: Multiple Explosions Reported Across Dhaka

Multiple cocktail bomb explosions were reported at several locations across Dhaka, followed by a fire involving an empty bus near Kafrul Police Station. Smoke was seen rising from busy streets as police responded to the incidents. One reported blast near Jatrabari Chowrasta injured an autorickshaw driver.

Japan: Surfers Ride Waves Along Coast as Typhoon Dujuan Approaches

Typhoon Dujuan brought torrential rain to Japan's Kanto region on September 21, causing widespread flooding and landslides. At least four people were reported dead and six missing, while around 1.9 million faced evacuation orders. Power outages and widespread transport disruptions were also reported across the region. This video shows surfers riding waves along the coastline of Zushi City due to the effects of Typhoon Dujuan.

Iran: Unidentified Object Hovers Over Tehran Night Sky

An unidentified object with multicoloured lights was seen hovering over Tehran, Iran, on September 20, reportedly near the Azadegan Expressway. Its size, altitude, distance and speed remain unconfirmed, and Iranian authorities have not identified it.

Japan: High Waves Batter Miyakejima Coast as Typhoon Dujuan Nears

On September 20, high waves were seen crashing along the coast of Miyakejima in the Izu Islands as Typhoon No. 25 approached.

Mt. Tokachi volcano in northern Japan

Mt. Tokachi volcano in northern Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Sept. 18, 2026, shows smoke rising from Mt. Tokachi in Hokkaido, northern Japan. The eruption alert was raised to Level 3 about a week earlier, barring public access to the 2,077-meter mountain.

Mt. Tokachi volcano in northern Japan

Mt. Tokachi volcano in northern Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Sept. 18, 2026, shows smoke rising from Mt. Tokachi in Hokkaido, northern Japan. The eruption alert was raised to Level 3 about a week earlier, barring public access to the 2,077-meter mountain.

Mt. Tokachi volcano in northern Japan

Mt. Tokachi volcano in northern Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Sept. 18, 2026, shows smoke rising from Mt. Tokachi in Hokkaido, northern Japan. The eruption alert was raised to Level 3 about a week earlier, barring public access to the 2,077-meter mountain.

Mt. Tokachi volcano in northern Japan

Mt. Tokachi volcano in northern Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Sept. 18, 2026, shows smoke rising from Mt. Tokachi in Hokkaido, northern Japan. The eruption alert was raised to Level 3 about a week earlier, barring public access to the 2,077-meter mountain.

Mt. Tokachi volcano in northern Japan

Mt. Tokachi volcano in northern Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Sept. 18, 2026, shows smoke rising from Mt. Tokachi in Hokkaido, northern Japan. The eruption alert was raised to Level 3 about a week earlier, barring public access to the 2,077-meter mountain.

Float-pulling festival in Osaka Pref.

Float-pulling festival in Osaka Pref.

A man stands on a "Danjiri" float as people pull it through the streets of Kishiwada in the western Japan prefecture of Osaka on Sept. 19, 2026, the first day of the two-day Danjiri festival, dubbed Japan's most dangerous festival, dating back about 300 years.

Float-pulling festival in Osaka Pref.

Float-pulling festival in Osaka Pref.

People pull a "Danjiri" float through a street in Kishiwada in the western Japan prefecture of Osaka on Sept. 19, 2026, on the first day of the two-day Danjiri festival, dubbed Japan's most dangerous festival, dating back about 300 years.

Float-pulling festival in Osaka Pref.

Float-pulling festival in Osaka Pref.

People pull a "Danjiri" float through a street in Kishiwada in the western Japan prefecture of Osaka on Sept. 19, 2026, on the first day of the two-day Danjiri festival, dubbed Japan's most dangerous festival, dating back about 300 years.

Chile: Powerful Sandstorm Hits Iquique, Disrupting Independence Day Celebrations

A sandstorm with winds gusting up to 70 km/h swept through Iquique early Friday, September 18, prompting authorities to cancel the city's Independence Day Te Deum service and military parade for safety reasons. The wind also damaged festival stalls and knocked out power in some areas.

Chile: Powerful Sandstorm Hits Iquique, Disrupting Independence Day Celebrations 3

A sandstorm with winds gusting up to 70 km/h swept through Iquique early Friday, September 18, prompting authorities to cancel the city's Independence Day Te Deum service and military parade for safety reasons. The wind also damaged festival stalls and knocked out power in some areas.

Spain: Fierce Winds and Heavy Rain Batter Valencia, Reducing Visibility

A violent storm battered Valencia on Wednesday evening, September 16, with footage filmed outside Bar Stonyan showing heavy rain and strong winds reducing visibility to near zero. The storm caused widespread flooding and disrupted traffic across the city.

Spain: Torrential Rain Triggers Deadly Flooding in Barcelona 2

Torrential rain triggered severe flooding and a red weather alert across Barcelona and northeastern Spain on Wednesday, September 16, prompting road closures, rail delays, and dozens of flight cancellations at El Prat airport. A man died after being swept away by a stream in Garraf, and rescue crews worked to free a vehicle trapped inside a flooded tunnel as the storm also caused flooding and a partial ceiling collapse at Vall d'Hebron Hospital and left hundreds without power.

Spain: Torrential Rain Triggers Deadly Flooding in Barcelona

Torrential rain triggered severe flooding and a red weather alert across Barcelona and northeastern Spain on Wednesday, September 16, prompting road closures, rail delays, and dozens of flight cancellations at El Prat airport. A man died after being swept away by a stream in Garraf, and rescue crews worked to free a vehicle trapped inside a flooded tunnel as the storm also caused flooding and a partial ceiling collapse at Vall d'Hebron Hospital and left hundreds without power.

Netherlands: Farmer Protesters Set Tires Ablaze Along A28 in Drenthe

Black smoke billowed from a roadside fire along the A28 highway near Beilen, in the Dutch province of Drenthe, on Tuesday, September 15, as farmer protesters set tires and oil drums ablaze during nationwide demonstrations tied to the government's Budget Day. The fires, part of a wave of highway blazes across the Netherlands linked to the Farmers Defence Force, forced authorities to close lanes and slow traffic in the area.

China: Worker’s Mistake Sends Dozens of Egg Crates Crashing

On September 5, 2026, in Yantai, Shandong, a loading worker accidentally pressed the wrong button on a truck's tail lift, sending 44 crates of eggs crashing to the ground. The business owner said the accident caused about RMB 7,000 in losses, which she would bear herself.

South Africa: Storms Flood Roads and Bring Hail to Durban

Severe thunderstorms brought heavy rain, hail and flooding to Durban, South Africa, on Tuesday, September 15.

Japan PM Takaichi

Japan PM Takaichi

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Sept. 16, 2026, following her first Liberal Democratic Party leadership reshuffle since taking the helm of the ruling party about a year ago.

Japan PM Takaichi

Japan PM Takaichi

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Sept. 16, 2026, following her first Liberal Democratic Party leadership reshuffle since taking the helm of the ruling party about a year ago.

LDP executive meeting

LDP executive meeting

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) attends an executive meeting of her Liberal Democratic Party at the party headquarters in Tokyo on Sept. 16, 2026, following her first leadership reshuffle since taking the helm of the ruling party about a year ago.

Singapore: Haze From Indonesian Wildfires Turns Air Quality Unhealthy 2

Air quality across all regions of Singapore entered the unhealthy range on Tuesday, September 15, marking the first time the PSI reached unhealthy levels islandwide since October 2023. The worsening haze was driven by smoke plumes drifting from forest fires burning in Kalimantan and southern Sumatra, Indonesia.

Damage at Temple of Preah Vihear in Cambodia

Damage at Temple of Preah Vihear in Cambodia

A Cambodian official briefs journalists about damage allegedly caused by Thai artillery fire at the Temple of Preah Vihear, a UNESCO World Heritage site near the Thai border in northern Cambodia, during a media tour on Sept. 10, 2026.

Singapore: Haze From Indonesian Wildfires Turns Air Quality Unhealthy

Air quality across all regions of Singapore entered the unhealthy range on Tuesday, September 15, marking the first time the PSI reached unhealthy levels islandwide since October 2023. The worsening haze was driven by smoke plumes drifting from forest fires burning in Kalimantan and southern Sumatra, Indonesia.

Moon and Venus Shine Together in Close Conjunction 2

The Moon and Venus appeared close together in the evening sky on Monday, September 14, creating a dazzling celestial display.

Moon and Venus Shine Together in Close Conjunction

The Moon and Venus appeared close together in the evening sky on Monday, September 14, creating a dazzling celestial display.

Brazil: Windstorm Snaps Trees and Poles Across Highway Near Francisco Beltrão

A severe windstorm swept through the Rio Tuna area near Francisco Beltrão, in Brazil's Paraná state, on Friday afternoon, September 11, snapping trees and utility poles that fell across the PR-180 highway and reducing visibility to near zero as heavy rain lashed the region.

Japan: Weather Front Brings Widespread Downpours, Prompting Rain Alerts

On Monday, September 14, heavy downpours fell across a wide swath of Japan from Tohoku to Kyushu, as weather fronts moved through the area, prompting Level 2 and 3 rain alerts in some areas. In Akita Prefecture, 69.0 millimeters of rain was recorded in an hour.

Germany: 150,000 Protest Far-Right AfD After Election Landslide

About 150,000 demonstrators marched in roughly 20 German cities Saturday, September 12, including Berlin, Hamburg and Munich, protesting the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) after its landslide win in last week's Saxony-Anhalt state election. Organized by the campaign group Pruef, protesters carried signs reading "Ban the AfD now." The AfD took nearly 44% of the vote in Saxony-Anhalt on September 6, far ahead of Chancellor Friedrich Merz's CDU at about 17%, and is now seeking to form Germany's first far-right state government since World War II.

15 and half years after Great East Japan Earthquake

15 and half years after Great East Japan Earthquake

Police officers search on Sept. 11, 2026, on the coast of Tomioka, Fukushima Prefecture, for clues about the fate of people still listed as missing since the 2011 earthquake-tsunami disaster in northeastern Japan. The search was carried out to commemorate exactly 15 and a half years since the Great East Japan Earthquake.

15 and half years after Great East Japan Earthquake

15 and half years after Great East Japan Earthquake

Police officers offer prayers on Sept. 11, 2026, following search operations on the coast of Tomioka, Fukushima Prefecture, for clues about the fate of people still listed as missing due to the 2011 earthquake-tsunami disaster in northeastern Japan. The search was carried out to commemorate exactly 15 and a half years since the Great East Japan Earthquake.

15 and half years after Great East Japan Earthquake

15 and half years after Great East Japan Earthquake

Police officers search on Sept. 11, 2026, on the coast of Tomioka, Fukushima Prefecture, for clues about the fate of people still listed as missing since the 2011 earthquake-tsunami disaster in northeastern Japan. The search was carried out to commemorate exactly 15 and a half years since the Great East Japan Earthquake.