US: Winter Storm Hits Pennsylvania, Dropping Several Inches of Snow 2

A winter storm swept through Pennsylvania on Tuesday, December 2, dropping 3–4 inches of snow across much of the Pittsburgh region. Some communities reported up to 5 inches, while a few saw only 1–2 inches.

US: Large Waves Hit East Coast as Hurricane Erin Moves North in Atlantic 7

Large parts of the US East Coast are being battered by heavy waves as Hurricane Erin moves offshore, triggering rip currents and coastal flooding.

US: Hawaii’s Kilauea Erupts For Its 10th Time Since Last December

Hawaii’s Kilauea erupted for the 10th time since it burst to life on December 23, on Wednesday, February 19. The eruption occurred at the volcano’s summit crater in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. However, it posed no threat to residential areas. The eruption lasted for nearly 13 hours.

Australia: Bushfire Rages In Donnybrook, Prompting Evacuations

A fire raged in Donnybrook, northwest of Western Australia, prompting a bushfire emergency warning for people south of the South Western Highway on Thursday, January 16.

Philippines: Alert Level Remains 2 For Kanlaon Volcano 2

Kanlaon Volcano in the Philippines recorded five ash eruptions and nine earthquakes in the past 24 hours. The alert level remained at 2 for "increasing unrest" as of December 4.

US: Pileup Involving 17 Vehicles Shuts Down I-94 In Southwest Michigan

A multiple-vehicle crash shut down I-94 in both directions near Hartford in Van Buren County, Michigan, on Monday, December 2. Michigan State Police reported that one person was critically injured, and they believed driving too fast under whiteout conditions to be a factor in the crash.

Japan, U.S. business chiefs urge sales tax hike to 10%

Japan, U.S. business chiefs urge sales tax hike to 10%

TOKYO, Japan - Kunio Ishihara (L), counselor at Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., and John Lechleiter, chief executive officer of pharmaceutical firm Eli Lilly and Co., shake hands at a Tokyo hotel on Nov. 14, 2014, after a press conference following an annual meeting of the Japan-U.S. Business Conference. The business leaders urged Japan's government to increase the consumption tax rate to 10 percent next year as planned to secure its commitment to fiscal rehabilitation.

Japan, U.S. business chiefs urge sales tax hike to 10%

Japan, U.S. business chiefs urge sales tax hike to 10%

TOKYO, Japan - Kunio Ishihara (L), counselor at Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., and John Lechleiter, chief executive officer of pharmaceutical firm Eli Lilly and Co., attend a press conference at a Tokyo hotel on Nov. 14, 2014, following an annual meeting of the Japan-U.S. Business Conference. The business leaders urged Japan's government to increase the consumption tax rate to 10 percent next year as planned to secure its commitment to fiscal rehabilitation.

Japan, U.S. business chiefs urge sales tax hike to 10%

Japan, U.S. business chiefs urge sales tax hike to 10%

TOKYO, Japan - Kunio Ishihara (L), counselor at Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., and John Lechleiter, chief executive officer of pharmaceutical firm Eli Lilly and Co., attend a press conference at a Tokyo hotel on Nov. 14, 2014, following an annual meeting of the Japan-U.S. Business Conference. The business leaders urged Japan's government to increase the consumption tax rate to 10 percent next year as planned to secure its commitment to fiscal rehabilitation. (Kyodo)

Japan, U.S. business leaders urge swift ratification of TPP

Japan, U.S. business leaders urge swift ratification of TPP

John Lechleiter (L), chief executive officer of pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly and Co., and Kunio Ishihara, head of the Japan-U.S. Business Council, co-chair the Japan-U.S. Business Conference in Tokyo on Nov. 4, 2016. Japanese and U.S. business leaders called on their governments to quickly ratify the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade pact so that it enters into force soon. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo