France: Pokémon Fans Line Up for Hours Nationwide Over 30th Anniversary Box

Hundreds of fans lined up for hours across France on Wednesday, September 16, as the Pokémon 30th-anniversary Elite Trainer Box sets went on sale. Some campers arrived the night before to secure a box, with long lines forming outside stores nationwide.

Indonesia: Thick Haze From Forest Fires Blankets Pontianak Streets

Thick haze from land and forest fires blanketed Jalan Ahmad Yani in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, on Tuesday afternoon, reducing visibility for motorists as motorcycles and vehicles moved through the smoke-filled street. Pontianak recorded some of Indonesia's worst air quality that week, with the city's Air Quality Index reaching a hazardous 483 on September 13 amid thousands of hotspots detected across Kalimantan.

Japan: Weather Front Brings Widespread Downpours, Prompting Rain Alerts

On Monday, September 14, heavy downpours fell across a wide swath of Japan from Tohoku to Kyushu, as weather fronts moved through the area, prompting Level 2 and 3 rain alerts in some areas. In Akita Prefecture, 69.0 millimeters of rain was recorded in an hour.

Basketball: National Sports Festival

Basketball: National Sports Festival

ODAWARA, Japan, Sept. 10 Kyodo - Yuta Tabuse (4) of Akita dribbles past some Yamaguchi defenders during a boys' division basketball game at the Autumn National Sports Festival at Odawara Sports Center Gymnasium in Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, on Oct. 26, 1998.

UK: NATS Flight Data Processing System Fault Disrupts Flights at Major Airports 5

A technical fault in NATS's flight data processing system caused widespread delays and cancellations at major UK airports, including Heathrow and Gatwick, on Tuesday, September 8, with some connecting flights across Europe also affected.

UK: NATS Flight Data Processing System Fault Disrupts Flights at Major Airports 4

A technical fault in NATS's flight data processing system caused widespread delays and cancellations at major UK airports, including Heathrow and Gatwick, on Tuesday, September 8, with some connecting flights across Europe also affected.

China: Swirling Mist Forms Eye-Like Wind Vortex on Anqing Mountain Road

On August 23, 2026, in Anqing, Anhui, a hiker captured a wind vortex swirling amid thick mist along a mountain road. The mist made the airflow clearly visible, creating what appeared to be a spinning eye in the middle of the road. Some commenters linked the phenomenon to the Venturi effect. They said air could accelerate through a narrow section before flowing into slower surrounding air.

UK: NATS Flight Data Processing System Fault Disrupts Flights at Major Airports 3

A technical fault in NATS's flight data processing system caused widespread delays and cancellations at major UK airports, including Heathrow and Gatwick, on Tuesday, September 8, with some connecting flights across Europe also affected.

UK: NATS Flight Data System Fault Disrupts Flights at Major Airports

A technical fault in NATS's flight data processing system caused widespread delays and cancellations at major UK airports, including Heathrow and Gatwick, on Tuesday, September 8, with some connecting flights across Europe also affected. This video shows long queues at London Stansted Airport.

China: Drone Sprays Dog With Water During Cleaning Demonstration

On August 28, 2026, in Linyi, Shandong province, a video showed a cleaning drone, originally designed for photovoltaic panels, spraying water over a dog during a company demonstration, with the dog appearing calm throughout. Chinese netizens found the demonstration creative and amusing, with some asking about the drone's price.

Canada: Toronto TTC Bus Floods on Submerged Road After Storm

Severe weather swept across southern Ontario on Wednesday, September 2, bringing torrential rain, strong winds, and large hail, and prompting tornado watches and warnings in some areas. Several roads, including the Don Valley Parkway, were closed in the area due to flooding, and a TTC bus flooded while driving through a submerged road.

Canada: Strong Winds, Rain, and Large Hail Pound Southern Ontario 7

Severe weather swept across southern Ontario on Wednesday, September 2, bringing torrential rain, strong winds, and large hail, and prompting tornado watches and warnings in some areas.

Canada: Strong Winds, Rain, and Large Hail Pound Southern Ontario 8

Severe weather swept across southern Ontario on Wednesday, September 2, bringing torrential rain, strong winds, and large hail, and prompting tornado watches and warnings in some areas.

Canada: Strong Winds, Rain, and Large Hail Pound Southern Ontario 6

Severe weather swept across southern Ontario on Wednesday, September 2, bringing torrential rain, strong winds, and large hail, and prompting tornado watches and warnings in some areas.

Canada: Strong Winds, Rain, and Large Hail Pound Southern Ontario 5

Severe weather swept across southern Ontario on Wednesday, September 2, bringing torrential rain, strong winds, and large hail, and prompting tornado watches and warnings in some areas.

Canada: Strong Winds, Rain, and Large Hail Pound Southern Ontario 4

Severe weather swept across southern Ontario on Wednesday, September 2, bringing torrential rain, strong winds, and large hail, and prompting tornado watches and warnings in some areas.

Canada: Strong Winds, Rain, and Large Hail Pound Southern Ontario 3

Severe weather swept across southern Ontario on Wednesday, September 2, bringing torrential rain, strong winds, and large hail, and prompting tornado watches and warnings in some areas.

Canada: Severe Storm Downs Trees Across Toronto Streets

Trees were down across streets in Toronto after severe weather swept across southern Ontario on Wednesday, September 2. The storm brought torrential rain, strong winds, and large hail, prompting tornado watches and warnings in some areas.

Canada: Severe Weather Blows Cushions Off Porch in Vaughan, Ontario

Severe weather swept across southern Ontario on Wednesday, September 2, bringing torrential rain, strong winds, and large hail, and prompting tornado watches and warnings in some areas. Home security camera footage from Vaughan shows outdoor furniture cushions being blown off a porch, while separate footage captures wind-driven rain nearly obscuring the view of a driveway and street during the storm.

Traditional dance festival in Toyama

Traditional dance festival in Toyama

Women wearing straw hats dance to the music of stringed instruments in Toyama, central Japan, on Sept. 1, 2026, the first day of the three-day Owara Kaze-no-Bon festival dating back some 300 years.

Traditional dance festival in Toyama

Traditional dance festival in Toyama

Women wearing straw hats dance to the music of stringed instruments in Toyama, central Japan, on Sept. 1, 2026, the first day of the three-day Owara Kaze-no-Bon festival dating back some 300 years.

Traditional dance festival in Toyama

Traditional dance festival in Toyama

Women wearing straw hats dance to the music of stringed instruments in Toyama, central Japan, on Sept. 1, 2026, the first day of the three-day Owara Kaze-no-Bon festival dating back some 300 years.

UK: Yellow Weather Warning Hits Derbyshire as Storms Flood Roads

Severe thunderstorms swept across large parts of England and Wales on Thursday, August 27, with the Met Office issuing a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms covering all of Derbyshire. Heavy rain flooded several roads in the county, and some areas experienced temporary power cuts.

Robot conference in Beijing

BEIJING, China, Aug. 20 Kyodo - A robot carries a box on the opening day of the five-day World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug. 19, 2026. About 300 companies including non-Chinese firms are exhibiting some 2,000 robots and related products. (Kyodo)

Germany: Tornado Tears Through Solms-Oberndorf, Causing Damage

A tornado struck Solms-Oberndorf in Hesse on Wednesday, August 19, tearing off roofs, uprooting trees, and severely damaging homes, leaving some residents temporarily unable to return.

China: Passengers Help Catch Eels Scattered on Nanjing Subway

Passengers on a Nanjing subway train helped catch eels that spilled onto the floor after an elderly man's bucket tipped over, while some riders kept their distance, reportedly wary of the eels' snake-like appearance.

Robot conference in Beijing

Robot conference in Beijing

A robot washes a dish on the opening day of the five-day World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug. 19, 2026. About 300 companies including non-Chinese firms are exhibiting some 2,000 robots and related products.

Robot conference in Beijing

Robot conference in Beijing

Robots developed by Unitree Robotics perform on the opening day of the five-day World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug. 19, 2026. About 300 companies including non-Chinese firms are exhibiting some 2,000 robots and related products.

Robot conference in Beijing

Robot conference in Beijing

A robot carries a box on the opening day of the five-day World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug. 19, 2026. About 300 companies including non-Chinese firms are exhibiting some 2,000 robots and related products.

Robot conference in Beijing

Robot conference in Beijing

A robot peels a cucumber on the opening day of the five-day World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug. 19, 2026. About 300 companies including non-Chinese firms are exhibiting some 2,000 robots and related products.

Robot conference in Beijing

Robot conference in Beijing

A robot peels a banana on the opening day of the five-day World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug. 19, 2026. About 300 companies including non-Chinese firms are exhibiting some 2,000 robots and related products.

Robot conference in Beijing

Robot conference in Beijing

A robot developed by Unitree Robotics (back) is on display on the opening day of the five-day World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug. 19, 2026. About 300 companies including non-Chinese firms are exhibiting some 2,000 robots and related products.

Robot conference in Beijing

Robot conference in Beijing

A robot walks carrying a woman on the opening day of the five-day World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug. 19, 2026. About 300 companies including non-Chinese firms are exhibiting some 2,000 robots and related products.

Robot conference in Beijing

Robot conference in Beijing

A robot developed by Unitree Robotics is on display on the opening day of the five-day World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug. 19, 2026. About 300 companies including non-Chinese firms are exhibiting some 2,000 robots and related products.

Robot conference in Beijing

Robot conference in Beijing

People walk dog robots on the opening day of the five-day World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug. 19, 2026. About 300 companies including non-Chinese firms are exhibiting some 2,000 robots and related products.

Robot conference in Beijing

Robot conference in Beijing

A humanoid robot plays football with a child on the opening day of the five-day World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug. 19, 2026. About 300 companies including non-Chinese firms are exhibiting some 2,000 robots and related products.

Robot conference in Beijing

Robot conference in Beijing

A humanoid robot plays football with a child on the opening day of the five-day World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug. 19, 2026. About 300 companies including non-Chinese firms are exhibiting some 2,000 robots and related products.

Robot conference in Beijing

Robot conference in Beijing

Robots developed by Unitree Robotics perform on the opening day of the five-day World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug. 19, 2026. About 300 companies including non-Chinese firms are exhibiting some 2,000 robots and related products.

Robot conference in Beijing

Robot conference in Beijing

A robot developed by Unitree Robotics plays table tennis on the opening day of the five-day World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug. 19, 2026. About 300 companies including non-Chinese firms are exhibiting some 2,000 robots and related products.

Robot conference in Beijing

Robot conference in Beijing

A humanoid robot talks to a visitor on the opening day of the five-day World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug. 19, 2026. About 300 companies including non-Chinese firms are exhibiting some 2,000 robots and related products.

Robot conference in Beijing

Robot conference in Beijing

A robot threads a needle on the opening day of the five-day World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug. 19, 2026. About 300 companies including non-Chinese firms are exhibiting some 2,000 robots and related products.

Robot conference in Beijing

Robot conference in Beijing

A robot threads a needle on the opening day of the five-day World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug. 19, 2026. About 300 companies including non-Chinese firms are exhibiting some 2,000 robots and related products.

Robot conference in Beijing

Robot conference in Beijing

A robot takes a fighting stance on the opening day of the five-day World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug. 19, 2026. About 300 companies including non-Chinese firms are exhibiting some 2,000 robots and related products.

US: Clashes Erupt as Jake Lang Attends Dearborn City Council Meeting 4

Several people were arrested outside Dearborn's Henry Ford Centennial Library on Tuesday, August 18, as riot police broke up crowds ahead of a City Council meeting attended by far-right activist Jake Lang. Demonstrators clashed for hours beforehand, with Lang's supporters calling for Muslims to be deported. Police set up a perimeter between the groups and limited entry to the library, while some protesters remained outside throughout the meeting.

US: Clashes Erupt as Jake Lang Attends Dearborn City Council Meeting 5

Several people were arrested outside Dearborn's Henry Ford Centennial Library on Tuesday, August 18, as riot police broke up crowds ahead of a City Council meeting attended by far-right activist Jake Lang. Demonstrators clashed for hours beforehand, with Lang's supporters calling for Muslims to be deported. Police set up a perimeter between the groups and limited entry to the library, while some protesters remained outside throughout the meeting.

Chile: Flooding, Landslides Force Evacuations in Iquique

Unusually persistent heavy rain hit Tarapacá, a normally arid region in northern Chile, triggering flooding and landslides in Iquique and Alto Hospicio. Floodwater accumulated in residential neighborhoods, while landslides forced the preventive closure of parts of major roads. Authorities ordered evacuations in some areas.

US: Clashes Erupt as Jake Lang Attends Dearborn City Council Meeting

Several people were arrested outside Dearborn's Henry Ford Centennial Library on Tuesday, August 18, as riot police broke up crowds ahead of a City Council meeting attended by far-right activist Jake Lang. Demonstrators clashed for hours beforehand, with Lang's supporters calling for Muslims to be deported. Police set up a perimeter between the groups and limited entry to the library, while some protesters remained outside throughout the meeting.

US: Clashes Erupt as Jake Lang Attends Dearborn City Council Meeting 2

Several people were arrested outside Dearborn's Henry Ford Centennial Library on Tuesday, August 18, as riot police broke up crowds ahead of a City Council meeting attended by far-right activist Jake Lang. Demonstrators clashed for hours beforehand, with Lang's supporters calling for Muslims to be deported. Police set up a perimeter between the groups and limited entry to the library, while some protesters remained outside throughout the meeting.

US: Clashes Erupt as Jake Lang Attends Dearborn City Council Meeting 3

Several people were arrested outside Dearborn's Henry Ford Centennial Library on Tuesday, August 18, as riot police broke up crowds ahead of a City Council meeting attended by far-right activist Jake Lang. Demonstrators clashed for hours beforehand, with Lang's supporters calling for Muslims to be deported. Police set up a perimeter between the groups and limited entry to the library, while some protesters remained outside throughout the meeting.

US: Damaging Storm Rips Through Tahlequah, Oklahoma

A summer storm ripped through Tahlequah, in eastern Oklahoma, on Monday morning, August 17, causing power outages and significant damage in some areas. One person was reportedly killed in a vehicle crash on State Highway 82, believed to have been unable to see the road due to heavy rainfall.