Australia: Record Flooding Batters Northern NSW After Heavy Rainfall 2

Flooding has battered cities and towns across the Mid-North Coast and the Hunter Region in northern New South Wales, leaving many residents stranded or forced to evacuate after days of heavy rainfall. In the city of Taree, the Manning River surpassed its 1929 record of six meters and was still rising as of Wednesday morning, May 21. Authorities have issued 13 emergency-level alerts.

Australia: Record Flooding Batters Northern NSW After Heavy Rainfall 3

Flooding has battered cities and towns across the Mid-North Coast and the Hunter Region in northern New South Wales, leaving many residents stranded or forced to evacuate after days of heavy rainfall. In the city of Taree, the Manning River surpassed its 1929 record of six meters and was still rising as of Wednesday morning, May 21. Authorities have issued 13 emergency-level alerts.

Bunraku enlivens ride on train to Nara

Bunraku enlivens ride on train to Nara

NARA, Japan - Bunraku puppeteer Kanjuro Kiritake (C) brings a puppet of the traditional Japanese art form to life aboard a special train heading to Nara Station in Nara Prefecture from Nada Station in Osaka Prefecture on the Kintesu Railways on March 27, 2010. Some 200 passengers enjoyed the performance as part of an event commemorating the 1,300th anniversary of the transfer of the national capital to Heijo, an ancient capital city located in current Nara City.

Kobe civic solar power station begins generating electricity

Kobe civic solar power station begins generating electricity

KOBE, Japan - A solar power station developed by a civic group in Kobe on rent-free land on loan from the western Japan city begins generating power on March 1. The Kuru Kuru Power Station, situated on a sewage-disposal site in Higashi Nada Ward, is the brainchild of a grassroots movement aiming to promote ecologically sound sources of energy and educate children in environmental issues.

Kobe civic solar power station begins generating electricity

Kobe civic solar power station begins generating electricity

KOBE, Japan - A solar power station developed by a civic group in Kobe on rent-free land on loan from the western Japan city begins generating power on March 1. The Kuru Kuru Power Station, situated on a sewage-disposal site in Higashi Nada Ward, is the brainchild of a grassroots movement aiming to promote ecologically sound sources of energy and educate children in environmental issues.

Bunraku enlivens ride on train to Nara

Bunraku enlivens ride on train to Nara

NARA, Japan - Bunraku puppeteer Kazuo Yoshida (C) brings a puppet of the traditional Japanese art form to life aboard a special train heading to Nara Station in Nara Prefecture from Nada Station in Osaka Prefecture on the Kintesu Railways on March 27, 2010. Some 200 passengers enjoyed the performance as part of an event commemorating the 1,300th anniversary of the transfer of the national capital to Heijo, an ancient capital city located in current Nara City. (Kyodo)

Bunraku enlivens ride on train to Nara

Bunraku enlivens ride on train to Nara

NARA, Japan - Bunraku puppeteer Kanjuro Kiritake (C) brings a puppet of the traditional Japanese art form to life aboard a special train heading to Nara Station in Nara Prefecture from Nada Station in Osaka Prefecture on the Kintesu Railways on March 27, 2010. Some 200 passengers enjoyed the performance as part of an event commemorating the 1,300th anniversary of the transfer of the national capital to Heijo, an ancient capital city located in current Nara City. (Kyodo)

Green iguana reported to Kobe police as 'lost article'

Green iguana reported to Kobe police as 'lost article'

KOBE, Japan - A 50-centimeter-long green iguana is displayed at Higashi-Nada police station in Kobe after being handed in by a senior high school student who found it on a pedestrian overpass in the western Japan city. Police believe the female, South American-born iguana, estimated to be 2 or 3 years old, is an abandoned pet.