New Zealand: Major Fire Tears Through Former Boat Factory in Glendene, Auckland

A major fire broke out at a vacant warehouse on Culperry Road in Glendene, West Auckland, on Tuesday, April 28, sending thick black smoke over the city. More than 14 fire crews responded, containing the blaze by around 10:40am. The building, a former boat factory, was declared a total loss.

Spain: New Railway Accident, Passenger Train Collides with Construction Crane in Murcia

The Spanish rail network experienced another accident on Thursday, January 22—the fourth in less than a week—though this incident resulted in fewer casualties than recent tragedies. The collision occurred when a tow truck crane intruded into the safety clearance of a narrow-gauge FEVE train on the Cartagena-Los Nietos route in Murcia. At the time, the train was carrying 16 passengers; at least six individuals sustained minor injuries and were treated at the scene.

Sri Lanka: Emergency Declared as Cyclone Ditwah Causes Catastrophic Flooding 5

Sri Lanka declared a state of emergency on Saturday, November 29, after Cyclone Ditwah caused catastrophic flooding, leaving over 330 people dead and hundreds more missing.

Philippines: Residents Rush to Stores Ahead of Typhoon Kalmaegi

Typhoon Kalmaegi swept across the central Philippines, killing one person, flooding communities, cutting power, and displacing tens of thousands after making landfall around midnight over Silago in Southern Leyte early on November 4. The storm reached typhoon strength shortly before landfall, with winds of up to 150 kph and gusts reaching 185 kph. This video shows people shopping at a local supermarket in Iloilo City, Western Visayas on November 3 to prepare for the typhoon.

Philippines: Super Typhoon Ragasa Slams Northern Islands, Over 10,000 Evacuated 5

Super Typhoon Ragasa (Nando) struck the northern Philippines on Monday, September 22, with winds up to 285 km/h, forcing over 10,000 people to evacuate across northern and central Luzon, according to the government. The storm damaged homes, schools, and power lines, and led to closures of schools and government offices, including in Manila. Despite slight weakening, authorities warned of life-threatening storm surges, floods, and landslides.

Portugal: Firefighters Battle Major Wildfires Amid Scorching Heat and High Winds

More than 1,500 firefighters are battling several wildfires across Portugal, with the most severe blazes reported in Arouca, Ponte da Barca, Penamacor, and Mangualde. In Penamacor (Castelo Branco), more than 400 firefighters and five aircraft are working to contain the flames. Strong winds, rugged terrain, and soaring temperatures—reaching up to 40°C—are complicating efforts. Nearly all of mainland Portugal remains under high or maximum fire risk alerts.

Australia: Empty Shelves at Supermarkets as Cyclone Alfred Approaches 2

Residents flocked to supermarkets to stock up on essentials as Cyclone Alfred approached. The category two cyclone is expected to make landfall late Thursday night, March 6, or early Friday morning. This video filmed on Tuesday, showing empty shelves of toilet paper at a store in Brisbane.

US: Damaging Tornado Touches Down In Mount Vernon, Indiana 2

A tornado touched down in Mount Vernon, southern Indiana, on Tuesday, July 9. It caused severe damage to homes and buildings, derailed a freight train, and damaged gas lines and power lines.

Canada: Fort McMurray Wildfire Grows, Thousands Ordered To Evacuate 2

The wildfire that has burned since last week in northeast Alberta grew significantly and prompted the evacuation of thousands of residents in Fort McMurray on Tuesday, May 14. Residents of the suburbs of Abasand, Beacon Hill, Prairie Creek and Grayling were ordered to leave as the fire inched closer toward the major Canadian oil sands city.

Canada: Fort McMurray Wildfire Grows, Thousands Ordered To Evacuate

The wildfire that has burned since last week in northeast Alberta grew significantly and prompted the evacuation of thousands of residents in Fort McMurray on Tuesday, May 14. Residents of the suburbs of Abasand, Beacon Hill, Prairie Creek and Grayling were ordered to leave as the fire inched closer toward the major Canadian oil sands city.

Mexico: Intense Hail And Flooding Hit Saltillo, Coahuila

Heavy rain with hail hit Coahuila state's Saltillo on Thursday afternoon, April 18, during a severe thunderstorm. Traffic along Venustiano Carranza Boulevard, one of the main roads in Saltillo, was hampered due to flooding. Hail fell north of the city, but there were no reports of damage.

NATO chief asks for Japan's civilian participation in Afghan aid

NATO chief asks for Japan's civilian participation in Afghan aid

TOKYO, Japan - Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, secretary general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, speaks at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan in Tokyo on Dec. 14.

NATO chief talks with Prime Minister Fukuda

NATO chief talks with Prime Minister Fukuda

TOKYO, Japan - NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer (L) and Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda shake hands at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Dec. 13 prior to their talks.

Abe tells NATO Japan won't shy from sending troops for int'l peace

Abe tells NATO Japan won't shy from sending troops for int'l peace

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (L) speaks as NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer (R) listens at a joint press conference following their talks at the NATO headquarters in Brussels on Jan. 12.

Abe tells NATO Japan won't shy from sending troops for int'l peace

Abe tells NATO Japan won't shy from sending troops for int'l peace

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (L) and NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer (R) pose for a photo prior to their talks at the NATO headquarters in Brussels on Jan. 12.

Abe tells NATO Japan won't shy from sending troops for int'l peace

Abe tells NATO Japan won't shy from sending troops for int'l peace

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (far left) and NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer (far right) are in talks at the NATO headquarters in Brussels on Jan. 12. (Pool photo)

Abe tells NATO Japan won't shy from sending troops for int'l peace

Abe tells NATO Japan won't shy from sending troops for int'l peace

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (L) addresses a meeting of the North Atlantic Council at the NATO headquarters in Brussels on Jan. 12 as NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer (R) looks on. Abe said he would not hesitate to send Japanese troops abroad to contribute to international peace and stability.

Koizumi, NATO chief agree to help stabilize Afghanistan

Koizumi, NATO chief agree to help stabilize Afghanistan

TOKYO, Japan - Visiting NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer (L) shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi as De Hoop Scheffer visited the prime minister's office in Tokyo on April 4.

NATO expects Japan to expand contribution to Afghanistan, Iraq

NATO expects Japan to expand contribution to Afghanistan, Iraq

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, secretary general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, speaks to a group of Japanese reporters at NATO headquarters in Brussels on March 21 prior to his visit to Japan in early April.

NATO expects Japan to expand contribution to Afghanistan, Iraq

NATO expects Japan to expand contribution to Afghanistan, Iraq

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, secretary general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, speaks to a group of Japanese reporters at NATO headquarters in Brussels on March 21 prior to his visit to Japan in early April. (Kyodo)

Abe tells NATO Japan won't shy from sending troops for int'l pea

Abe tells NATO Japan won't shy from sending troops for int'l pea

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (L) and NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer (R) pose for a photo prior to their talks at the NATO headquarters in Brussels on Jan. 12. (Kyodo)

Abe tells NATO Japan won't shy from sending troops for int'l pea

Abe tells NATO Japan won't shy from sending troops for int'l pea

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (L) speaks as NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer (R) listens at a joint press conference following their talks at the NATO headquarters in Brussels on Jan. 12. (Kyodo)

Abe tells NATO Japan won't shy from sending troops for int'l pea

Abe tells NATO Japan won't shy from sending troops for int'l pea

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (L) addresses a meeting of the North Atlantic Council at the NATO headquarters in Brussels on Jan. 12 as NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer (R) looks on. Abe said he would not hesitate to send Japanese troops abroad to contribute to international peace and stability. (Kyodo)

Abe tells NATO Japan won't shy from sending troops for int'l pea

Abe tells NATO Japan won't shy from sending troops for int'l pea

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (far left) and NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer (far right) are in talks at the NATO headquarters in Brussels on Jan. 12. (Pool photo) (Kyodo)

NATO chief talks with Prime Minister Fukuda

NATO chief talks with Prime Minister Fukuda

TOKYO, Japan - NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer (L) and Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda shake hands at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Dec. 13 prior to their talks. (Kyodo)

NATO chief asks for Japan's civilian participation in Afghan aid

NATO chief asks for Japan's civilian participation in Afghan aid

TOKYO, Japan - Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, secretary general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, speaks at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan in Tokyo on Dec. 14. (Kyodo)

Koizumi, NATO chief agree to help stabilize Afghanistan

Koizumi, NATO chief agree to help stabilize Afghanistan

TOKYO, Japan - Visiting NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer (L) shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi as De Hoop Scheffer visited the prime minister's office in Tokyo on April 4. (Kyodo)