Dominican Republic: Tropical Storm Melissa Batters, Causing Damage and Disruptions 2

Tropical Storm Melissa swept through the Dominican Republic, toppling trees, traffic lights, and triggering small landslides. Authorities closed schools and government offices across several provinces as the storm disrupted water systems and threatened severe flooding. Melissa is expected to strengthen into a Category 4 hurricane this weekend as it lashes the Caribbean with heavy rain and destructive winds.

Indonesia: Mt. Lewotobi Erupts, Triggers Highest Alert and Spews Ash High Into Sky

Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki on Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara, erupted late Tuesday, October 15, and again early Wednesday, spewing ash up to 10 kilometers into the sky. Indonesia’s volcanology agency raised the alert to its highest level after detecting deep tremors that signaled possible explosive activity.

US: Severe Weather Warning for Houston Area With Hail, High Winds, Tornado Risk

The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the Houston area until evening of Monday, May 5. It brought hail, damaging winds, flooding, and possible tornadoes.

US: Sunset Fire Ignites In Hollywood Hills, Triggering Mandatory Evacuation Orders

A brush fire, dubbed the Sunset Fire, broke out in the Hollywood Hills on Wednesday evening, January 8, triggering mandatory evacuation orders.

Philippines: Thunderstorms Hit, Bringing Intense Rainfall To Central Regions

The regions of Visayas, Bicol, Calabarzon, and Mimaropa may experience cloudy skies with scattered rains as isolated thunderstorms hit. According to reports, heavy rainfall of 100 to 200 mm was expected in Northern Samar on Monday.

"Muscle train" with on-board bodybuilding performance in western Japan

"Muscle train" with on-board bodybuilding performance in western Japan

A bodybuilder performs in front of 35 passengers inside a JR Sanin Line train in Yamaguchi Prefecture on Nov. 10, 2024, to promote the western Japan railway line, which partially resumed service in June after being severely damaged by torrential rain in the summer of 2023.

"Muscle train" with on-board bodybuilding performance in western Japan

"Muscle train" with on-board bodybuilding performance in western Japan

A bodybuilder performs in front of 35 passengers inside a JR Sanin Line train in Yamaguchi Prefecture on Nov. 10, 2024, to promote the western Japan railway line, which partially resumed service in June after being severely damaged by torrential rain in the summer of 2023.

SL Yamaguchi departs Shin-Yamaguchi Station

SL Yamaguchi departs Shin-Yamaguchi Station

YAMAGUCHI, Japan - SL Yamaguchi leaves Shin-Yamaguchi Station in Yamaguchi City on Aug. 23, 2014, as the JR Yamaguchi Line resumes full service for the first time in about a year.

WWII manned torpedo model on show at JR station

WWII manned torpedo model on show at JR station

YAMAGUCHI, Japan - A scale model of the "Kaiten" manned torpedo and a large panel depicting its design and suicide mission in World War II are displayed at the Shinkansen bullet train line's Tokuyama Station in Shunan, Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan, on July 2, 2014.

Locomotive resumes roundtrip service in Yamaguchi Pref.

Locomotive resumes roundtrip service in Yamaguchi Pref.

YAMAGUCHI, Japan - The steam locomotive "SL Yamaguchi" resumes roundtrip service between Shin-Yamaguchi and Jifuku stations on the JR Yamaguchi Line in Yamaguchi Prefecture on March 21, 2014. The train had operated service only one way between these stations from November 2013 after services on the line were partially suspended due to torrential rain damage sustained in July 2013.

Heavy rain in western Japan

Heavy rain in western Japan

YAMAGUCHI, Japan - Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on July 29, 2013, shows railway track on the JR Yamaguchi Line severed by a swollen river after heavy rain in Yamaguchi City in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan.

Heavy rain in western Japan

Heavy rain in western Japan

YAMAGUCHI, Japan - Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on July 29, 2013, shows railway track on the JR Yamaguchi Line severed by a swollen river after heavy rain in Yamaguchi City in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan.

Heavy rain in western Japan

Heavy rain in western Japan

YAMAGUCHI, Japan - Photo taken on July 29, 2013, shows railway track on the JR Yamaguchi Line severed by a swollen river after heavy rain in Yamaguchi City in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan.

Heavy rain wrecks havoc in western Japan

Heavy rain wrecks havoc in western Japan

SANYO-ONODA, Japan - Children bicycle past debris on the track of the JR Mine Line in Sanyo-Onoda, Yamaguchi Prefecture, on July 15, 2010, after heavy rain hit the western Japan region.

4 killed as car collides with train in Yamaguchi

4 killed as car collides with train in Yamaguchi

YAMAGUCHI, Japan - A wrecked car lies on the railways following a collision with a train at a JR Sanyo Line crossing in Hofu, Yamaguchi Prefecture, on Dec. 16. All four persons in the car, two adults and two children, were killed.

Restored SL train service comes of age

Restored SL train service comes of age

Local authorities in western Japan mark the ''Coming of Age'' of a restored steam-locomotive train service linking Okori in Yamaguchi Prefecture and Tsuwano in Shimane Prefecture 69 kilometers to the north. Built in 1937, the SL train nicknamed ''Kifujin'' (your ladyship) was retired in 1972 and got a second lease of life in 1979 to serve as a tourist attraction on the JR Yamaguchi line straddling the two prefectures.

The new linear test vehicle unveiled by JR Tokai

The new linear test vehicle unveiled by JR Tokai

The current test vehicle, the L0 Series, is the first commercial version and recorded the world's fastest speed of 603 km/h in 2003. The improved test car shown to the public has a new top shape. In the L0, the front lighting and forward vision camera on the top of the car were moved to the top. Another feature of the L0 is that the gas turbine power generator required for the test line has been eliminated, and only the induction current collection system, which is the target for the commercial specification, is used to supply electricity. We will improve the comfort and energy saving through the demonstration. (March 25, 2020, Kudamatsu City, Yamaguchi Prefecture; Credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images)

4 killed as car collides with train in Yamaguchi

4 killed as car collides with train in Yamaguchi

YAMAGUCHI, Japan - A wrecked car lies on the railways following a collision with a train at a JR Sanyo Line crossing in Hofu, Yamaguchi Prefecture, on Dec. 16. All four persons in the car, two adults and two children, were killed.

Heavy rain wrecks havoc in western Japan

Heavy rain wrecks havoc in western Japan

SANYO-ONODA, Japan - Children bicycle past debris on the track of the JR Mine Line in Sanyo-Onoda, Yamaguchi Prefecture, on July 15, 2010, after heavy rain hit the western Japan region. (Kyodo)

SL Yamaguchi departs Shin-Yamaguchi Station

SL Yamaguchi departs Shin-Yamaguchi Station

YAMAGUCHI, Japan - SL Yamaguchi leaves Shin-Yamaguchi Station in Yamaguchi City on Aug. 23, 2014, as the JR Yamaguchi Line resumes full service for the first time in about a year. (Kyodo)

Restored SL train service comes of age

Restored SL train service comes of age

Local authorities in western Japan mark the ''Coming of Age'' of a restored steam-locomotive train service linking Okori in Yamaguchi Prefecture and Tsuwano in Shimane Prefecture 69 kilometers to the north. Built in 1937, the SL train nicknamed ''Kifujin'' (your ladyship) was retired in 1972 and got a second lease of life in 1979 to serve as a tourist attraction on the JR Yamaguchi line straddling the two prefectures. ==Kyodo