US: Avalanches Hit Big Cottonwood Canyon, Utah, Injure Skiers and Close State Road

A backcountry avalanche struck Big Cottonwood Canyon on Saturday morning, February 21, prompting a search and rescue response and the closure of State Route 190, causing major traffic disruptions. Two skiers were buried in a separate slide the same day and suffered critical and serious injuries, while another avalanche later injured one person. After heavy snowfall created unstable snowpack, more than 50 avalanches have been reported across northern Utah in 48 hours, and officials warn of extremely dangerous conditions.

US: Fierce Winds and Heavy Snow Batter Lake Superior Shoreline in Minnesota

A major winter storm slammed northeastern Minnesota and the North Shore on Wednesday, February 18, bringing more than two feet of snow and wind gusts near 60 mph. Heavy snowfall and strong winds shut down much of Grand Marais, while lakeshore areas along Lake Superior recorded the highest totals.

US: Rare Snow Falls in Las Vegas Valley

Light snow fell across parts of the Las Vegas Valley on Wednesday, February 18, as a storm moved into southern Nevada. Flurries were reported in western areas, including Summerlin, briefly dusting neighborhoods and surprising residents more accustomed to desert conditions.

US: Coldest Storm of the Season Buries Sierra Nevada in Heavy Snow 3

Rolling thunderstorms and strong winds swept across California as the season’s coldest storm dumped heavy snow on the Sierra Nevada. The heavy snow created dangerous backcountry conditions, and a large avalanche near Truckee killed at least eight skiers. Ski areas around Lake Tahoe reported significant totals, with more than 40 inches of new snow in 24 hours.

US: Coldest Storm of the Season Buries Sierra Nevada in Heavy Snow 2

Rolling thunderstorms and strong winds swept across California as the season’s coldest storm dumped heavy snow on the Sierra Nevada. The heavy snow created dangerous backcountry conditions, and a large avalanche near Truckee killed at least eight skiers. Ski areas around Lake Tahoe reported significant totals, with more than 40 inches of new snow in 24 hours.

Nikkei stock index

Nikkei stock index

A monitor in Tokyo shows the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average finishing up more than 500 points to regain the 57,000 mark on Feb. 18, 2026, as Sanae Takaichi is reelected as Japan's prime minister the same day.

Madagascar: Dozens Killed as Cyclone Gezani Slams Toamasina 2

At least 31 people were killed after Cyclone Gezani slammed into Madagascar’s main port city of Toamasina late Tuesday, February 10, bringing winds of up to 250 km/h, collapsing homes, injuring dozens and displacing more than 6,000 people.

US: Protesters Rally Against ICE Near Super Bowl Site

About a thousand people marched near Levi’s Stadium during Super Bowl LX on Sunday, February 8, protesting against ICE and demanding no new federal funding for the agency. More than 130 groups joined the rally, saying they wanted to show immigration enforcement was not welcome in their communities.

US: Protesters Rally Against ICE Near Super Bowl Site 2

About a thousand people marched near Levi’s Stadium during Super Bowl LX on Sunday, February 8, protesting against ICE and demanding no new federal funding for the agency. More than 130 groups joined the rally, saying they wanted to show immigration enforcement was not welcome in their communities.

Madagascar: Dozens Killed as Cyclone Gezani Slams Toamasina

At least 31 people were killed after Cyclone Gezani slammed into Madagascar’s main port city of Toamasina late Tuesday, February 10, bringing winds of up to 250 km/h, collapsing homes, injuring dozens and displacing more than 6,000 people.

US: Teachers’ Strike Continues in San Francisco as Schools Remain Closed

More than 1,000 San Francisco Unified School District teachers, including parents and students, rallied on Tuesday, February 10, on the second day of a teachers’ strike amid ongoing contract negotiations with the district. Following 11 months of failed contract negotiations, SFUSD announced that schools will remain closed for a third day on Wednesday.

Colombia: Rare Persistent Rainfall Triggers Mass Casualties Amid Flooding Crisis

A rare spell of persistent rainfall triggered catastrophic flooding and landslides across northern Colombia, including Cordoba and Sucre, leaving at least 22 people dead. The severe climate emergency has submerged more than 40,000 hectares of land, devastating multiple departments and displacing thousands of homes.

China: Samoyeds Poke Heads Through Café Window, Charming Passersby

On January 25, 2026, in Guangzhou, Guangdong, the video captured a cat and dog cafe called Mao Rong Ye Ye where the owner had prepared two round openings in a window to welcome customers. The footage showed two Samoyeds taking turns to push their heads through the holes, their white fur filling the frame as they looked around with calm and curious expressions. People nearby slowed down, smiled, and pointed their phones at the scene. The dogs stayed still for a moment, then leaned forward again, as if posing, while the shop interior remained busy behind them. The video ended with the two dogs holding their positions as more pedestrians stopped to take photos.

Nikkei jumps over 5% to record high

Nikkei jumps over 5% to record high

A financial data monitor in Tokyo shows the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average trading above the 57,000 line for the first time following a gain of more than 3,000 points during the morning session on Feb. 9, 2026, after Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party scored a landslide victory in the House of Representatives election.

[Breaking News]Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

KOBE, Japan, Jan. 30 Kyodo - The "Luminarie" illumination event opens on Jan. 30, 2026, in memory of the victims of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people. (Kyodo)

Sapporo Snow Festival

SAPPORO, Japan, Feb. 4 Kyodo - People view a snow sculpture of a cake on Feb. 4, 2026, the opening day of the 76th Sapporo Snow Festival in the capital of Hokkaido in northern Japan. About 2 million people are expected to visit the event through Feb. 11 featuring more than 200 snow and ice sculptures. (Kyodo)

Sapporo Snow Festival

Sapporo Snow Festival

Snow sculptures are lit up at Odori Park in Sapporo, Hokkaido, on Feb. 4, 2026, the opening day of the Sapporo Snow Festival. About 2 million people are expected to visit the event through Feb. 11 featuring more than 200 snow and ice sculptures.

Sapporo Snow Festival

Sapporo Snow Festival

Snow sculptures are lit up at Odori Park in Sapporo, Hokkaido, on Feb. 4, 2026, the opening day of the Sapporo Snow Festival. About 2 million people are expected to visit the event through Feb. 11 featuring more than 200 snow and ice sculptures.

RECAP: Iguanas Drop From Trees as Florida Temperatures Plunge

As a cold snap pushed temperatures in south Florida into the mid-30s °F (around 1–2°C), cold-stunned iguanas began falling from trees. Around 600 iguanas were dropped off at Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission facilities over the weekend, while professional trappers collected hundreds more in a single day. Because iguanas are considered an invasive species, those collected are not released back into the wild.

US: Cold Snap Sends Iguanas Falling From Trees Across South Florida 4

As a cold snap pushed temperatures in south Florida into the mid-30s, cold-stunned iguanas began falling from trees. Around 600 iguanas were dropped off at Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission facilities over the weekend, while professional trappers collected hundreds more in a single day. Because iguanas are considered an invasive species, those collected are not released back into the wild.

Sapporo Snow Festival

Sapporo Snow Festival

People view a snow sculpture of a cake on Feb. 4, 2026, the opening day of the 76th Sapporo Snow Festival in the capital of Hokkaido in northern Japan. About 2 million people are expected to visit the event through Feb. 11 featuring more than 200 snow and ice sculptures.

Sapporo Snow Festival

Sapporo Snow Festival

People view a snow sculpture of a cake on Feb. 4, 2026, the opening day of the 76th Sapporo Snow Festival in the capital of Hokkaido in northern Japan. About 2 million people are expected to visit the event through Feb. 11 featuring more than 200 snow and ice sculptures.

US: Cold Snap Sends Iguanas Falling From Trees Across South Florida 3

As a cold snap pushed temperatures in south Florida into the mid-30s, cold-stunned iguanas began falling from trees. Around 600 iguanas were dropped off at Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission facilities over the weekend, while professional trappers collected hundreds more in a single day. Because iguanas are considered an invasive species, those collected are not released back into the wild.

Sapporo Snow Festival

Sapporo Snow Festival

The 76th Sapporo Snow Festival opens in the capital of Hokkaido in northern Japan on Feb. 4, 2026, with about 2 million people expected to visit the event featuring more than 200 snow and ice sculptures through Feb. 11.

US: Cold Snap Sends Iguanas Falling From Trees Across South Florida 2

As a cold snap pushed temperatures in south Florida into the mid-30s, cold-stunned iguanas began falling from trees. Around 600 iguanas were dropped off at Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission facilities over the weekend, while professional trappers collected hundreds more in a single day. Because iguanas are considered an invasive species, those collected are not released back into the wild.

US: Cold Snap Sends Iguanas Falling From Trees Across South Florida

As a cold snap pushed temperatures in south Florida into the mid-30s, cold-stunned iguanas began falling from trees. Around 600 iguanas were dropped off at Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission facilities over the weekend, while professional trappers collected hundreds more in a single day. Because iguanas are considered an invasive species, those collected are not released back into the wild.

US: Deadly Winter Storm Grips North Carolina

A weekend winter storm brought record snowfall and extreme cold to the U.S. Southeast, killing two people in traffic accidents and causing more than 1,000 crashes in North Carolina. Coastal areas suffered severe damage, including homes washed away. North Carolina saw a foot of snow in several areas, Charleston, South Carolina set a new daily snowfall record, and Florida experienced its coldest temperatures in over a decade.

Spain: Thousands of Farmers Rally Against EU–Mercosur Trade Deal 4

More than 25,000 farmers and 15,000 tractors mobilized across Spain on Thursday, January 29 to protest the EU–Mercosur trade agreement and proposed cuts to Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) funding. The demonstrations, organized by Asaja, COAG, and UPA, drew strong participation despite bad weather that forced cancellations in Seville and Madrid

US: Man Dives Into Deep Snow After Record Snowfall in North Carolina

North Carolina saw record-setting snowfall, with some areas reporting more than 20 inches of accumulation, as a weekend winter storm brought extreme cold to the U.S. Southeast.

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

The "Luminarie" illumination event opens on Jan. 30, 2026, in memory of the victims of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

The "Luminarie" illumination event opens on Jan. 30, 2026, in memory of the victims of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

The "Luminarie" illumination event opens on Jan. 30, 2026, in memory of the victims of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

The "Luminarie" illumination event opens on Jan. 30, 2026, in memory of the victims of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

The "Luminarie" illumination event opens on Jan. 30, 2026, in memory of the victims of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

The "Luminarie" illumination event opens on Jan. 30, 2026, in memory of the victims of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

The "Luminarie" illumination event opens on Jan. 30, 2026, in memory of the victims of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

Spain: Thousands of Farmers Rally Against EU–Mercosur Trade Deal 3

More than 25,000 farmers and 15,000 tractors mobilized across Spain on Thursday, January 29 to protest the EU–Mercosur trade agreement and proposed cuts to Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) funding. The demonstrations, organized by Asaja, COAG, and UPA, drew strong participation despite bad weather that forced cancellations in Seville and Madrid

Spain: Thousands of Farmers Rally Against EU–Mercosur Trade Deal 2

More than 25,000 farmers and 15,000 tractors mobilized across Spain on Thursday, January 29 to protest the EU–Mercosur trade agreement and proposed cuts to Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) funding. The demonstrations, organized by Asaja, COAG, and UPA, drew strong participation despite bad weather that forced cancellations in Seville and Madrid

Spain: Thousands of Farmers Rally Against EU–Mercosur Trade Deal

More than 25,000 farmers and 15,000 tractors mobilized across Spain on Thursday, January 29 to protest the EU–Mercosur trade agreement and proposed cuts to Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) funding. The demonstrations, organized by Asaja, COAG, and UPA, drew strong participation despite bad weather that forced cancellations in Seville and Madrid

US: Lake-Effect Snow Pounds Upstate New York as Oswego Declares State of Emergency

Heavy lake-effect snow continued to hit upstate New York on January 29, prompting the City of Oswego to declare a state of emergency as more than 2 feet of snow since Sunday caused poor visibility and hazardous travel conditions.. The footage shows a snowplow in operation in Altmar, Oswego County.

Japan: Cold Front Stalls Over Hokkaido Bringing More Than One Meter Snow to Sapporo 2

A cold front stalled over Hokkaido on Sunday, January 25, leaving more than one meter of snow on the ground in Sapporo — the highest January total recorded in the city in decades. The persistent storm heavily disrupted transportation, leaving thousands stranded at New Chitose Airport.

Japan: Cold Front Stalls Over Hokkaido Bringing More Than One Meter Snow to Sapporo

A cold front stalled over Hokkaido on Sunday, January 25, leaving more than one meter of snow on the ground in Sapporo — the highest January total recorded in the city in decades. The persistent storm heavily disrupted transportation, leaving thousands stranded at New Chitose Airport.

RECAP: Strongest Solar Storm in Over 20 Years Triggers Widespread Auroras

A powerful geomagnetic storm triggered by one of the strongest solar eruptions in more than 20 years lit up skies across large parts of Europe and North America on Monday, January 19 and Tuesday, January 20. The rare event allowed the northern lights to be seen far south of their usual range, including in parts of the United States, the UK, Germany, and Switzerland, according to NOAA.

Rare Solar Storm Triggers Northern Lights Across Europe and North America 7

A powerful geomagnetic storm triggered by one of the strongest solar eruptions in more than 20 years lit up skies across large parts of Europe and North America on Monday night, January 19. The rare event allowed the northern lights to be seen far south of their usual range, including in parts of the United States, the UK, Germany, and Switzerland, according to NOAA.

Rare Solar Storm Triggers Northern Lights Across Europe and North America 6

A powerful geomagnetic storm triggered by one of the strongest solar eruptions in more than 20 years lit up skies across large parts of Europe and North America on Monday night, January 19. The rare event allowed the northern lights to be seen far south of their usual range, including in parts of the United States, the UK, Germany, and Switzerland, according to NOAA.

Rare Solar Storm Triggers Northern Lights Across Europe and North America 5

A powerful geomagnetic storm triggered by one of the strongest solar eruptions in more than 20 years lit up skies across large parts of Europe and North America on Monday night, January 19. The rare event allowed the northern lights to be seen far south of their usual range, including in parts of the United States, the UK, Germany, and Switzerland, according to NOAA.

Royals Visit To Command Post After Adamuz Railway Train Accident - Spain

Royals Visit To Command Post After Adamuz Railway Train Accident - Spain

The King of Spain, Felipe VI, talks to the media after visiting the Reina Sofia University Hospital in Cordoba to see the injured and their families, the hospital that has received the largest number of people injured in the train accident in which at least 41 people have died and more than a hundred have been injured. On 20 January 2026 in Cordoba (Andalusia, Spain). The Royal Family has brought forward their return to Spain from Greece and reduced their agenda in order to be able to travel to Cordoba after the train accident in Adamuz, which last Sunday, 18 January, caused at least 41 deaths and a hundred injured. King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia wanted to take an interest in and offer their support to the victims of the tragic accident and to thank the emergency services for their work, as well as the immediate collaboration provided by the residents of the town in Cordoba. Photo by Francisco J. Olmo/Europa Press/ABACAPRESS.COM

Royals Visit To Command Post After Adamuz Railway Train Accident - Spain

Royals Visit To Command Post After Adamuz Railway Train Accident - Spain

The King of Spain, Felipe VI, bids farewell from the official car after visiting the Reina Sofia University Hospital in Cordoba, to take an interest in the injured and their families, the hospital that has received the largest number of people injured in the train accident in which at least 41 people have died and more than a hundred have been injured. On 20 January 2026 in Cordoba (Andalusia, Spain). The Royal Family has brought forward their return to Spain from Greece and reduced their agenda in order to be able to travel to Cordoba after the train accident in Adamuz, which last Sunday, 18 January, caused at least 41 deaths and a hundred injured. King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia wanted to take an interest in and offer their support to the victims of the tragic accident and to thank the emergency services for their work, as well as the immediate collaboration provided by the residents of the town in Cordoba. Photo by Francisco J. Olmo/Europa Press/ABACAPRESS.COM

Royals Visit To Command Post After Adamuz Railway Train Accident - Spain

Royals Visit To Command Post After Adamuz Railway Train Accident - Spain

Doña Letizia, who visited the Reina Sofia University Hospital in Cordoba to check on the injured and their families, the hospital that has received the largest number of people injured in the train accident in which at least 41 people have died and more than a hundred have been injured. On 20 January 2026 in Cordoba (Andalusia, Spain). The Royal Family has brought forward their return to Spain from Greece and reduced their agenda in order to be able to travel to Cordoba after the train accident in Adamuz, which last Sunday, 18 January, caused at least 41 deaths and a hundred injured. King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia wanted to take an interest in and offer their support to the victims of the tragic accident and to thank the emergency services for their work, as well as the immediate collaboration provided by the residents of the town in Cordoba. Photo by Francisco J. Olmo/Europa Press/ABACAPRESS.COM

Royals Visit To Command Post After Adamuz Railway Train Accident - Spain

Royals Visit To Command Post After Adamuz Railway Train Accident - Spain

King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia talk with the President of the Andalusian Regional Government, Juanma Moreno (left), after visiting the Reina Sofia University Hospital in Cordoba to take an interest in the injured and their families, the hospital that has received the largest number of people injured in the train accident in which at least 41 people have died and more than a hundred have been injured. On 20 January 2026 in Cordoba (Andalusia, Spain). The Royal Family has brought forward their return to Spain from Greece and reduced their agenda in order to be able to travel to Cordoba after the train accident in Adamuz, which last Sunday, 18 January, caused at least 41 deaths and a hundred injured. King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia wanted to take an interest in and offer their support to the victims of the tragic accident and to thank the emergency services for their work, as well as the immediate collaboration provided by the residents of the town in Cordoba. Photo by Francisco J. Olmo/Europa Press/ABACAPRES