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Tokyo SkyTree reopens after elevator halt

Tokyo SkyTree reopens after elevator halt

Staff members of Tokyo SkyTree tower announce the reopening of its observation deck to visitors on Feb. 26, 2026, after a three-day suspension due to an elevator malfunction. Twenty visitors were trapped for more than five hours starting on the night of Feb. 22 when an elevator stopped about 30 meters above street level while descending from the 350-meter-high observation deck.

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Tokyo SkyTree elevator halt

Tokyo SkyTree elevator halt

Photo shows Tokyo Skytree tower in the Japanese capital on the night of Feb. 22, 2026, after 20 visitors were trapped in an elevator that stopped about 30 meters above street level while descending from the 350-meter-high observation deck. The visitors were rescued after more than five hours, and no one was injured.

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Tokyo SkyTree elevator halt

Tokyo SkyTree elevator halt

An emergency vehicle is seen in front of Tokyo SkyTree tower in the Japanese capital on the night of Feb. 22, 2026, after 20 visitors were trapped in an elevator that stopped about 30 meters above street level while descending from the 350-meter-high observation deck. The visitors were rescued after more than five hours, and no one was injured.

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Tokyo SkyTree elevator halt

Tokyo SkyTree elevator halt

Photo shows Tokyo Skytree tower in the Japanese capital on the night of Feb. 22, 2026, after 20 visitors were trapped in an elevator that stopped about 30 meters above street level while descending from the 350-meter-high observation deck. The visitors were rescued after more than five hours, and no one was injured.

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Tokyo SkyTree elevator halt

Tokyo SkyTree elevator halt

Emergency vehicles are seen in front of Tokyo SkyTree tower in the Japanese capital on the night of Feb. 22, 2026, after 20 visitors were trapped in an elevator that stopped about 30 meters above street level while descending from the 350-meter-high observation deck. The visitors were rescued after more than five hours, and no one was injured.

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US: Brush Fire Spreads in Collier County, Florida Amid Drought and Strong Winds 2

A rapidly growing brush fire in Collier County, Florida, has burned more than 24,000 acres since igniting Monday morning February 23 and remains uncontained as crews battle flames south of Immokalee near Interstate 75, also known as Alligator Alley. The human-caused blaze has prompted lane closures and reduced visibility due to heavy smoke, while drought conditions and strong winds continue to fuel dangerous fire behavior.

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US: Brush Fire Spreads in Collier County, Florida Amid Drought and Strong Winds

A rapidly growing brush fire in Collier County, Florida, has burned more than 25,000 acres since igniting Monday morning February 23 and remains uncontained as crews battle flames south of Immokalee near Interstate 75, also known as Alligator Alley. The human-caused blaze has prompted lane closures and reduced visibility due to heavy smoke, while drought conditions and strong winds continue to fuel dangerous fire behavior.

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US: Evacuation Orders Lifted After Dahlberg Fire Scorches 1,000 Acres Near Franktown, CO

The Dahlberg fire broke out in the south of Franktown, Colorado, on Tuesday, February 24, burning more than 1,000 acres. Following the containment, authorities confirmed that all evacuation orders for the surrounding areas have been lifted.

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US: Historic Blizzard Buries Rhode Island, Triggers Travel Ban

A powerful winter storm brought Rhode Island to a standstill Monday, February 23 dumping wind-driven snow, causing widespread power outages, and prompting a statewide travel ban that remained in effect into Tuesday. Snowfall reached historic levels, with more than 30 inches reported in some areas. The National Weather Service measured 32.8 inches at T. F. Green International Airport, breaking the state’s single-storm record set during the 1978 Blizzard.

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China: Sleepy Husky Struggles to Stay Awake at Dog Party in Chongqing

On January 27, 2026, in Chongqing, located in southwestern China, a video recorded several dogs wearing clothes and gathering together as if attending a small party. Among them, a black-and-white husky stood out for looking extremely tired. The husky lowered its head, nodded repeatedly, and appeared to be dozing off. Its mouth hung slightly open, giving the impression of deep exhaustion rather than excitement. Two other dogs nearby also looked low on energy, standing quietly and showing little movement. None of the dogs displayed the lively behavior usually expected at a party-like gathering.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Japan: Early-Blooming Kawazu Cherry Blossoms Reached Best Viewing Period 3

The early-blooming Kawazu-zakura cherry blossoms with deep pink petals reached their best viewing period, after starting to bloom in late January, about a week earlier than usual.

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Japan: Early-Blooming Kawazu Cherry Blossoms Reached Best Viewing Period 2

The early-blooming Kawazu-zakura cherry blossoms with deep pink petals reached their best viewing period, after starting to bloom in late January, about a week earlier than usual.

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Japan: Early-Blooming Kawazu Cherry Blossoms Reached Best Viewing Period

The early-blooming Kawazu-zakura cherry blossoms with deep pink petals reached their best viewing period, after starting to bloom in late January, about a week earlier than usual.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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China: Cat Chatters After Hearing Bird-Like Sound

On January 21, 2026, in Beijing, a video recorded a chubby cat resting inside its bed. A sudden bird-like sound caught the cat’s attention. The cat immediately got up, opened its mouth, and began making rapid clicking sounds resembling telegraph signals. At the same time, it searched around for the sound’s source. Chinese viewers explained that the noise triggered the cat’s hunting instinct. The behavior was described as a natural response rather than abnormal behavior.

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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.

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[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)

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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)

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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.

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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.

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Portugal: Storm Leonardo Moves Across Country With Heavy Rain and Flooding

Portugal is bracing for a second powerful storm less than a week after Storm Kristin killed six people and caused widespread destruction. Authorities warned on Tuesday, February 3, of potential urban flooding, flash floods, landslides, and coastal accidents between Tuesday, February 3 and Thursday, February 5 as Storm Leonardo moves across the mainland.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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