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Germany: Hundreds of Hectares Burn as Hürtgenwald Wildfire Forces Evacuations

A wildfire broke out in Hürtgenwald, in the Düren district of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, on Thursday, August 13. The blaze spread to around 300 hectares and was not under control as of Friday evening, prompting residents in the area to evacuate.

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Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji (R, front) and his wife, Lao An, take a ride on a high-speed maglev train on an experimental track in Tsuru, Yamanashi Prefecture, west of Tokyo, on Oct. 16, 2000, during his official visit to Japan. Zhu, who played a key role in China's economic reforms as premier from 1998 to 2003 under President Jiang Zemin, died on Aug. 12, 2026, at the age of 97.

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Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji (L) talks with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on April 12, 2002, at the first Boao Forum for Asia held in Hainan, China. Zhu, who played a key role in China's economic reforms as premier from 1998 to 2003 under President Jiang Zemin, died on Aug. 12, 2026, at the age of 97.

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Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji (C) takes part in a dialogue with about 100 members of the Japanese public on a live TBS television program in Tokyo on Oct. 14, 2000. Zhu, who played a key role in China's economic reforms as premier from 1998 to 2003 under President Jiang Zemin, died on Aug. 12, 2026, at the age of 97.

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Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji (R) shakes hands with President Jiang Zemin in Beijing on Oct. 22, 2002. Zhu, who played a key role in China's economic reforms as premier from 1998 to 2003 under President Jiang Zemin, died on Aug. 12, 2026, at the age of 97.

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Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji talks with Japan's Emperor Akihito at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Oct. 16, 2000. Zhu, who played a key role in China's economic reforms as premier from 1998 to 2003 under President Jiang Zemin, died on Aug. 12, 2026, at the age of 97.

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Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji is pictured in Beijing on July 1, 2011. Zhu, who played a key role in China's economic reforms as premier from 1998 to 2003 under President Jiang Zemin, died on Aug. 12, 2026, at the age of 97.

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Ex-Japan Business Federation head Hiroshi Okuda dies

Ex-Japan Business Federation head Hiroshi Okuda dies

Hiroshi Okuda (R), a former Japan Business Federation head and president and chairman of Toyota Motor Corp., is pictured with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in January 2005. Okuda, who played a key role in supporting reforms under Prime Minister Koizumi's administration in the 2000s, died on Aug. 8, 2026, aged 93.

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Ex-Japan Business Federation head Hiroshi Okuda dies

Ex-Japan Business Federation head Hiroshi Okuda dies

Hiroshi Okuda (R), a former Japan Business Federation head and president and chairman of Toyota Motor Corp., is pictured with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in January 2005. Okuda, who played a key role in supporting reforms under Prime Minister Koizumi's administration in the 2000s, died on Aug. 8, 2026, aged 93.

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Ex-Japan Business Federation head Hiroshi Okuda dies

Ex-Japan Business Federation head Hiroshi Okuda dies

Photo taken in Tokyo on Jan. 27, 2014, shows Hiroshi Okuda, a former Japan Business Federation head and president and chairman of Toyota Motor Corp. Okuda, who played a key role in supporting reforms under Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's administration in the 2000s, died on Aug. 8, 2026, aged 93.

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China: Tourists Shelter Under Buddha Statues as Storm Hits Longmen Grottoes

A powerful convective storm brought heavy rain, hail, and strong winds to the Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang, Henan on August 3. Tourists were seen rushing to shelter beneath the Buddha statues, with some crouching close to the stone carvings as rain poured down around them. A visitor said the storm lasted less than 40 minutes before conditions improved.

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Memorial event in S. Korea for Korean A-bomb victims

Memorial event in S. Korea for Korean A-bomb victims

A memorial service is held for Korean victims of the 1945 U.S. atomic bombing of Hiroshima in Hapcheon County, South Korea, on Aug. 6, 2026, the attack's 81st anniversary. The area is home to many Korean survivors who had been living in Hiroshima under colonial rule at the time of the blast.

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Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo shows collapsed stone walls at Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto Prefecture on Aug. 3, 2026, after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture on Aug. 3, 2026. The castle has been under restoration following damage from a pair of back-to-back earthquakes in 2016.

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Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Officials of the Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs check collapsed stone walls at Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto Prefecture on Aug. 3, 2026, after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture on July 28. The castle has been under restoration following damage from a pair of back-to-back earthquakes in 2016.

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Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Officials of the Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs check collapsed stone walls at Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto Prefecture on Aug. 3, 2026, after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture on July 28. The castle has been under restoration following damage from a pair of back-to-back earthquakes in 2016.

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US: Little Giant Fire Grows to Nearly 60,000 Acres in Washington Forest 3

The Little Giant Fire, sparked by lightning on July 15 in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, grew to an estimated 59,345 acres with no containment as of Tuesday, August 4. Gusty winds under a Red Flag Warning drove rapid spread, sparking a new spot fire and prompting additional evacuations. Smoke from the blaze also triggered an Air Quality Alert across multiple counties.

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China: Stray Kitten Follows Man Back Under Car in Liaoning

A stray kitten hid under a man's car in Yingkou, Liaoning. After he coaxed it out and placed it on a flower bed, the kitten followed him back under the car, prompting him to bring it into his vehicle.

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France: Vehicle Fire on A61 Sparks Blaze Near Carcassonne

A vegetation fire that broke out Sunday, Aug. 2, near Carcassonne, after a vehicle caught fire on the A61 motorway, spread across 100 hectares, 50 of which were burnt, and prompted about 100 evacuations before firefighters brought it under control by evening.

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Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Efforts are under way to remove debris at the Aeon Mall Kumamoto shopping center in Kashima, Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on July 31, 2026, three days after a deadly explosion following a powerful earthquake.

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Switzerland: Rooftop Fire Erupts in Central Geneva

A large fire broke out in the roof of a building on Rue du Cendrier near the Pont de la Machine in central Geneva, Switzerland, on Thursday, July 30, sending thick black smoke visible for miles. No injuries were reported and no forced evacuations were needed, and firefighters brought the blaze under control while police cordoned off the surrounding area.

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Switzerland: Rooftop Fire Erupts in Central Geneva 2

A large fire broke out in the roof of a building on Rue du Cendrier near the Pont de la Machine in central Geneva, Switzerland, on Thursday, July 30, sending thick black smoke visible for miles. No injuries were reported and no forced evacuations were needed, and firefighters brought the blaze under control while police cordoned off the surrounding area.

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Japan: Severe Storm Batters Tokyo With Torrential Rain and Hail 2

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a Level 3 Heavy Rain Warning for several areas of Tokyo around 7 p.m. Thursday, July 30, warning residents of possible flooding in low-lying areas and rising rivers.

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Thatched-roof house catches fire in World Heritage-listed village

Thatched-roof house catches fire in World Heritage-listed village

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows firefighters watering a traditional thatched-roof house in the World Heritage-listed Gokayama hamlet in Nanto in Toyama Prefecture, central Japan, on July 30, 2026. No one was injured in the fire, put under control about 50 minutes after the incident was reported to the local fire station.

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Thatched-roof house catches fire in World Heritage-listed village

Thatched-roof house catches fire in World Heritage-listed village

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows firefighters watering a traditional thatched-roof house in the World Heritage-listed Gokayama hamlet in Nanto in Toyama Prefecture, central Japan, on July 30, 2026. No one was injured in the fire, put under control about 50 minutes after the incident was reported to the local fire station.

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Thatched-roof house catches fire in World Heritage-listed village

Thatched-roof house catches fire in World Heritage-listed village

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows firefighters watering a traditional thatched-roof house in the World Heritage-listed Gokayama hamlet in Nanto in Toyama Prefecture, central Japan, on July 30, 2026. No one was injured in the fire, put under control about 50 minutes after the incident was reported to the local fire station.

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Thatched-roof house catches fire in World Heritage-listed village

Thatched-roof house catches fire in World Heritage-listed village

Firefighters water a traditional thatched-roof house in the World Heritage-listed Gokayama hamlet in Nanto in Toyama Prefecture, central Japan, on July 30, 2026. No one was injured in the fire, put under control about 50 minutes after the incident was reported to the local fire station.

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Thatched-roof house catches fire in World Heritage-listed village

Thatched-roof house catches fire in World Heritage-listed village

Firefighters water a traditional thatched-roof house in the World Heritage-listed Gokayama hamlet in Nanto in Toyama Prefecture, central Japan, on July 30, 2026. No one was injured in the fire, put under control about 50 minutes after the incident was reported to the local fire station.

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Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo shows collapsed stone walls at Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto Prefecture on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity. The castle has been under restoration following damage from major earthquakes in 2016.

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Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo shows collapsed stone walls at Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto Prefecture on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity. The castle has been under restoration following damage from major earthquakes in 2016.

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Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo shows collapsed stone walls at Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto Prefecture on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity. The castle has been under restoration following damage from major earthquakes in 2016.

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France: Fire in Paris Apartment Building Kills One, Sends Smoke Over 6th Arrondissement

A fire broke out Tuesday afternoon, July 28, in a residential building on Rue Saint-Placide in Paris's 6th arrondissement, sending a large plume of black smoke. The blaze, which started on the fourth floor of the Paris Habitat building, killed a 51-year-old man who lived alone. Firefighters brought the fire under control by evening.

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Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows search and rescue operations under way at a Nippon Paper Industries Co. plant with its smokestack broken in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and surrounding areas.

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Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows search and rescue operations under way at a Nippon Paper Industries Co. plant with its smokestack broken in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and surrounding areas.

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Japan Crown Princess Kiko meets with researchers

Japan Crown Princess Kiko meets with researchers

Japanese Crown Princess Kiko (L) meets with researchers who returned to work after taking maternity or child-rearing leave under a Japan Society for the Promotion of Science support system in Tokyo on July 28, 2026. (Pool photo)

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Japan Crown Princess Kiko meets with researchers

Japan Crown Princess Kiko meets with researchers

Japanese Crown Princess Kiko (L) meets with researchers who returned to work after taking maternity or child-rearing leave under a Japan Society for the Promotion of Science support system in Tokyo on July 28, 2026. (Pool photo)

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Japan Crown Princess Kiko meets with researchers

Japan Crown Princess Kiko meets with researchers

Japanese Crown Princess Kiko (L) meets with researchers who returned to work after taking maternity or child-rearing leave under a Japan Society for the Promotion of Science support system in Tokyo on July 28, 2026. (Pool photo)

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China: Man Grabs Snake With Bare Hands After Roadside Bite in Hunan

A terrifying roadside encounter was caught on a passing vehicle's dashcam, showing a man grabbing a snake with his bare hands after it bit him. The incident occurred on July 15, 2026, in Huaihua, Hunan, when a snake suddenly rushed out and bit the man's foot as he rode along the road. He stopped, seized the snake with his hands, and brought it under control before heading to a hospital. Medical checks later confirmed the snake was mildly venomous and his condition was not serious. The driver who filmed the video said the road ran close to mountainous terrain, where they encountered three large snakes along the route.

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Canada: Car Stuck in Floodwater After Storm Hits Edmonton

A severe thunderstorm brought strong winds and heavy rain to Edmonton, Alberta, on Saturday, July 25, as Environment Canada placed the city under a severe thunderstorm watch, warning of possible tornado risk, hail, and lightning in the area. This video shows a car stuck in floodwater on Groat Road.

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Canada: Severe Thunderstorm Brings Strong Winds, Heavy Rain to Edmonton 3

A severe thunderstorm brought strong winds and heavy rain to Edmonton, Alberta, on Saturday, July 25, as Environment Canada placed the city under a severe thunderstorm watch, warning of possible tornado risk, hail, and lightning in the area. The footage shows the severe weather hitting the Klondike Day festival.

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Canada: Severe Thunderstorm Brings Strong Winds, Heavy Rain to Edmonton

A severe thunderstorm brought strong winds and heavy rain to Edmonton, Alberta, on Saturday, July 25, as Environment Canada placed the city under a severe thunderstorm watch, warning of possible tornado risk, hail, and lightning in the area.

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Canada: Severe Thunderstorm Brings Strong Winds, Heavy Rain to Edmonton 2

A severe thunderstorm brought strong winds and heavy rain to Edmonton, Alberta, on Saturday, July 25, as Environment Canada placed the city under a severe thunderstorm watch, warning of possible tornado risk, hail, and lightning in the area.

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UK: Major Incident Declared After Fertiliser Blast Rocks Essex

A massive fire broke out at an industrial site in Rettendon, Essex, on Friday, July 24, causing fertiliser stored there to explode and flames to spread to nearby fields. People living near the site were told to keep their windows and doors closed, and a "major incident" was declared as thick black smoke engulfed the surrounding area. Reports of hearing and feeling the explosion came from across the county, and the fire was later brought under control with no injuries reported.

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Spain: Thermal Burst Tears Through Torrevieja as Red Heat Alert Issued in Alicante

A "thermal burst," a sudden gust of hot air and dust, tore through Torrevieja, Alicante on Thursday, July 23, as AEMET placed the southern region of the province under a red heat warning. Local authorities across the province closed municipal facilities, beaches, and outdoor spaces and suspended outdoor events as a precaution against the extreme heat.

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Rainy season ends in eastern, central Japan

TOKYO, Japan, July 21 Kyodo - People walk with parasols under the scorching sun in Tokyo's Shibuya area on July 20, 2026. The rainy season in Tokyo and neighboring areas of the Kanto-Koshin region as well as in the Tokai region of central Japan appears to have ended, the country's weather agency said the same day. (Kyodo)

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Heatstroke alert in Tokyo

Heatstroke alert in Tokyo

People walk with parasols under the scorching sun in Tokyo's Ginza area on July 20, 2026, as a heatstroke alert is issued amid soaring temperatures in the capital.

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Summer heat in Japan

Summer heat in Japan

People walk under mist showers on a sweltering hot day in Isesaki in Gunma Prefecture, eastern Japan, on July 22, 2026. The mercury topped 40 C in some central Japan cities the same day, the nation marking a "cruelly hot day," a heat warning term used by the country's weather agency this year, for the second straight day.

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Rainy season ends in eastern, central Japan

Rainy season ends in eastern, central Japan

People walk with parasols under the scorching sun in Tokyo's Shibuya area on July 20, 2026. The rainy season in Tokyo and neighboring areas of the Kanto-Koshin region as well as in the Tokai region of central Japan appears to have ended, the country's weather agency said the same day.

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Rainy season ends in eastern, central Japan

Rainy season ends in eastern, central Japan

People walk with parasols under the scorching sun in Tokyo's Shibuya area on July 20, 2026. The rainy season in Tokyo and neighboring areas of the Kanto-Koshin region as well as in the Tokai region of central Japan appears to have ended, the country's weather agency said the same day.

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Japan's next-generation fighter on display at airshow in Britain

Japan's next-generation fighter on display at airshow in Britain

A replica of a next-generation fighter jet under joint development by Japan, Britain and Italy is displayed at Farnborough International Airshow in Farnborough, Britain, on July 20, 2026.

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US: Two Dogs Killed in Scottsdale House Fire, Firefighters Taken to Hospital 2

Two dogs died when a fire engulfed a home near Scottsdale and Thomas roads in Scottsdale, Arizona, on Sunday, July 19. Two firefighters were taken to a hospital as a precaution for heat exhaustion but were in stable condition. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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