China: Dust Devil Sweeps Through Chengdu Park, Lifting Debris

On February 1, 2026, a dust devil swept through the Intangible Cultural Heritage Expo Park in Chengdu, Sichuan, lifting debris into the air as campers and visitors filmed the dramatic scene.

Japan PM Takaichi and U.S. President Trump

Japan PM Takaichi and U.S. President Trump

Combined photo shows Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (R) and U.S. President Donald Trump (L)(Pool photo).

Baseball: MLB training

Baseball: MLB training

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani is pictured during a workout at the club's training facility in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 5, 2026. Ohtani made an early start to preseason by training independently in preparation for the new MLB campaign and the upcoming World Baseball Classic before his club's camp opens on Feb. 13.

Baseball: MLB training

Baseball: MLB training

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani works out at the club's training facility in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 5, 2026, training independently in preparation for the new MLB campaign and the upcoming World Baseball Classic before his club's camp opens on Feb. 13.

Baseball: MLB training

Baseball: MLB training

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani works out at the club's training facility in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 5, 2026, training independently in preparation for the new MLB campaign and the upcoming World Baseball Classic before his club's camp opens on Feb. 13.

Baseball: MLB training

Baseball: MLB training

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani works out at the club's training facility in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 5, 2026, training independently in preparation for the new MLB campaign and the upcoming World Baseball Classic before his club's camp opens on Feb. 13.

Baseball: MLB training

Baseball: MLB training

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani works out at the club's training facility in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 5, 2026, training independently in preparation for the new MLB campaign and the upcoming World Baseball Classic before his club's camp opens on Feb. 13.

Baseball: MLB training

Baseball: MLB training

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani works out at the club's training facility in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 5, 2026, training independently in preparation for the new MLB campaign and the upcoming World Baseball Classic before his club's camp opens on Feb. 13.

China: Man Sprayed With Squid Ink While Night Fishing in Hainan

On January 26, 2026, in Hainan, southern China, a man fishing from a bridge at night was sprayed with dark ink after pulling a squid from the water, leaving him covered and stunned.

Spain: Storm Leonardo Causes Floods, Evacuations Across Andalusia 2

Storm Leonardo has triggered a red alert in Andalusia, causing heavy rain, overflowing rivers, road and rail closures, and power outages. Over 3,500 people have been evacuated, and emergency services are monitoring rivers at extreme risk. Residents are urged to stay indoors and move to higher ground. Flooding is also affecting parts of Portugal.

Ukraine-Poland talks in Kyiv

Ukraine-Poland talks in Kyiv

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (R) and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk hold a press conference after their talks in Kyiv on Feb. 5, 2026.

Ukraine-Poland talks in Kyiv

Ukraine-Poland talks in Kyiv

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks during a press conference after meeting with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Kyiv on Feb. 5, 2026.

Ukraine-Poland talks in Kyiv

Ukraine-Poland talks in Kyiv

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (L) and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk are pictured ahead of their talks in Kyiv on Feb. 5, 2026.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Torch relay

Milan Cortina Olympics: Torch relay

The Olympic flame is pictured after arriving at Piazza Duomo in Milan during the Milan Cortina Olympics torch relay on Feb. 5, 2026, the eve of the opening of the games.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Torch relay

Milan Cortina Olympics: Torch relay

Italian Ballet dancer Nicoletta Manni holds the Olympic flame in front of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan during the Milan Cortina Olympics torch relay on Feb. 5, 2026, the eve of the opening of the games.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Torch relay

Milan Cortina Olympics: Torch relay

Images of the Olympic rings and the Three Agitos Paralympic symbol are projected on a building near Piazza Duomo during the Milan Cortina Olympics torch relay on Feb. 5, 2026, the eve of the opening of the games.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Torch relay

Milan Cortina Olympics: Torch relay

People await the arrival of the Olympic flame in Piazza Duomo in Milan during the Milan Cortina Olympics torch relay on Feb. 5, 2026, the eve of the opening of the games.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Torch relay

Milan Cortina Olympics: Torch relay

Italian Ballet dancer Nicoletta Manni holds the Olympic flame in front of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan during the Milan Cortina Olympics torch relay on Feb. 5, 2026, the eve of the opening of the games.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Torch relay

Milan Cortina Olympics: Torch relay

Italian Ballet dancer Nicoletta Manni carrying the Olympic flame arrives at Piazza Duomo in Milan during the Milan Cortina Olympics torch relay on Feb. 5, 2026, the eve of the opening of the games.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Democratic Party for the People leader Yuichiro Tamaki leaves after making a stump speech in Kobe, western Japan, on Feb. 3, 2026, ahead of the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Democratic Party for the People leader Yuichiro Tamaki (C) poses for a photo following a stump speech in Kobe, western Japan, on Feb. 3, 2026, ahead of the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Democratic Party for the People leader Yuichiro Tamaki (C) smiles following a stump speech in Kobe, western Japan, on Feb. 3, 2026, ahead of the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Democratic Party for the People leader Yuichiro Tamaki (C) waves his hand following a stump speech in Kobe, western Japan, on Feb. 3, 2026, ahead of the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi waves her hand during a stump speech in Kawagoe in Saitama Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Feb. 3, 2026, ahead of the Feb. 8 general election.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi smiles during a stump speech in Higashimatsuyama in Saitama Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Feb. 3, 2026, ahead of the Feb. 8 general election.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi smiles during a stump speech in Higashimatsuyama in Saitama Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Feb. 3, 2026, ahead of the Feb. 8 general election.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi makes a stump speech in Kuki in Saitama Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Feb. 3, 2026, ahead of the Feb. 8 general election.

US: Columbia University Protesters Detained After Blocking Traffic Over Immigration Crackdown

On Thursday, February 5, several faculty members, staff, and students at Columbia University were briefly detained after blocking traffic in protest of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, calling on the university to declare itself a sanctuary campus and better protect international students. The protesters were released within hours and instructed to appear in court at a later date.

US: Trash Piles Up in NYC as Collection Falls Behind Due to Snow 2

The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) said on Monday, February 2, that trash collection had fallen behind schedule following the recent snowstorm. While city officials initially hoped to be fully caught up by Wednesday, February 4, trash and recycling pickups were still experiencing slight delays on Thursday, February 5, as crews continued clearing frozen snow and ice while collecting refuse.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Torch relay

Milan Cortina Olympics: Torch relay

A runner carrying the Olympic flame arrives at the athletes' village in Milan during the Milan Cortina Olympics torch relay on Feb. 5, 2026.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Torch relay

Milan Cortina Olympics: Torch relay

A runner carrying the Olympic flame arrives at the athletes' village in Milan during the Milan Cortina Olympics torch relay on Feb. 5, 2026.

ECB President Lagarde

ECB President Lagarde

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde holds a press conference in Frankfurt on Feb. 5, 2026, following the ECB's Governing Council meeting where the benchmark deposit rate was decided to be maintained at 2 percent.

Ireland: Strong Winds Send Huge Waves Crashing Along Dublin Coast

Strong winds whipped up huge waves along the Dublin coast on Thursday, February 5, as severe weather accompanied by heavy rain and flooding battered Ireland.

UK: Waves Pound Aberdeen Coastline Amid Unsettled Winter Weather

Huge waves pounded the Aberdeen coastline amid unsettled winter weather on Thursday, February 5.

Nobel laureate Kitagawa in Indonesia

Nobel laureate Kitagawa in Indonesia

Professor Susumu Kitagawa of Kyoto University, a co-winner of the 2025 Nobel Prize in chemistry, delivers a lecture on Feb. 4, 2026, in the suburbs of Jakarta.

France: Powerful Storm Hits French Riviera, Causing Floods and Hail 2

A powerful storm hit the French Riviera on February 3, causing heavy rain, hail, and flash floods in Antibes Juan-les-Pins and Golfe-Juan. Some areas saw over 130 mm of rain, and the Alpes-Maritimes remains on yellow alert.

Portugal: Storm Leonardo Moves Across Country With Heavy Rain and Flooding 2

Storm Leonardo battered Portugal, triggering flooding in several areas, including Alcacer do Sal, where dozens of people were rescued as the Sado River overflowed and parts of the town were submerged.

Ireland: Weather Warnings Reissued as Heavy Rain and Winds Batter Island

Strong winds whipped up huge waves along the Dublin coast on Thursday, February 5, as severe weather accompanied by heavy rain and flooding battered Ireland. Twelve counties remain under weather warnings as Ireland braces for another day of torrential rain. A Status Orange rain warning is now in effect for Dublin, Wicklow, Louth, and Waterford. The alert for Dublin and Wicklow, which began this morning, has been extended until 3 p.m. on Friday, February 6. Status Yellow warnings remain in place for several other regions, while multiple train services have been suspended until further notice due to flooding.

Milan Cortina Olympics

Milan Cortina Olympics

Japanese freestyle skier Kokone Kondo is placed on a stretcher at Livigno Snow Park in Livigno, Italy, after falling during a slopestyle practice session on Feb. 5, 2026, the eve of the opening of the Milan Cortina Olympics.

Milan Cortina Olympics

Milan Cortina Olympics

Japanese freestyle skier Kokone Kondo is placed on a stretcher at Livigno Snow Park in Livigno, Italy, after falling during a slopestyle practice session on Feb. 5, 2026, the eve of the opening of the Milan Cortina Olympics.

Milan Cortina Olympics

Milan Cortina Olympics

Japanese freestyle skier Kokone Kondo is placed on a stretcher at Livigno Snow Park in Livigno, Italy, after falling during a slopestyle practice session on Feb. 5, 2026, the eve of the opening of the Milan Cortina Olympics.

Milan Cortina Olympics

Milan Cortina Olympics

People pose for a photo at the Olympic rings at Livigno Snow Park in Livigno, Italy, on Feb. 5, 2026, the eve of the opening of the Milan Cortina Olympics.

Milan Cortina Olympics

Milan Cortina Olympics

Photo shows one of the two Milan Cortina Winter Olympic cauldrons at the Peace Arch in Milan on Feb. 5, 2026, the eve of the opening of the games.

Milan Cortina Olympics

Milan Cortina Olympics

Photo shows one of the two Milan Cortina Olympic cauldrons at the Peace Arch in Milan on Feb. 5, 2026, the eve of the opening of the games.

Milan Cortina Olympics

Milan Cortina Olympics

Photo shows one of the two Milan Cortina Olympic cauldrons at the Peace Arch in Milan on Feb. 5, 2026, the eve of the opening of the games.

Milan Cortina Olympics

Milan Cortina Olympics

Photo taken on Feb. 4, 2026, shows Livigno Snow Park in Livigno, Italy, which will host freestyle skiing and snowboard competitions at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, opening on Feb. 6.

Milan Cortina Olympics

Milan Cortina Olympics

An official practice for big air players is held at Livigno Snow Park in Livigno, Italy, on Feb. 4, 2026, ahead of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, opening on Feb. 6.

Milan Cortina Olympics

Milan Cortina Olympics

Photo taken on Feb. 4, 2026, shows Livigno Snow Park in Livigno, Italy, which will host freestyle skiing and snowboard competitions at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, opening on Feb. 6.

US: Trash Piles Up in NYC as Collection Falls Behind Due to Snow

The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) admitted on Monday, February 2, that trash collection had fallen behind schedule following the recent snowstorm. While city officials initially hoped to be fully caught up by Wednesday, February 4, trash and recycling collections are still facing slight delays today, Thursday, February 5, as workers continue picking up refuse while clearing frozen snow and ice mounds.

Milan Cortina Olympics

Milan Cortina Olympics

Combined photo shows the two Milan Cortina Olympics cauldrons, one at the Peace Arch in Milan (L) and the second at the Piazza Angelo Dibona in Cortina d'Ampezzo on Feb. 5, 2026, the eve of the games' opening.