Japan: Wildfires Rage in Iwate, Displacing 2,000 Residents and Destroying Homes 3

Two wildfires broke out simultaneously in forested areas of Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, in northern Japan on the afternoon of April 22, local authorities confirmed. According to town officials, the blazes have scorched more than 200 hectares of land, with at least seven structures — including residential homes — reported destroyed. In response, authorities issued evacuation orders for approximately 2,000 residents as firefighting efforts continue.

Japan: Wildfires Rage in Iwate, Displacing 2,000 Residents and Destroying Homes 4

Two wildfires broke out simultaneously in forested areas of Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, in northern Japan on the afternoon of April 22, local authorities confirmed. According to town officials, the blazes have scorched more than 200 hectares of land, with at least seven structures — including residential homes — reported destroyed. In response, authorities issued evacuation orders for approximately 2,000 residents as firefighting efforts continue.

Exiled Iranian opposition leader Reza Pahlavi in Berlin

Exiled Iranian opposition leader Reza Pahlavi in Berlin

Reza Pahlavi, an exiled Iranian political opposition leader and the son of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the deposed Shah of Iran, holds a press conference during a visit to Berlin on April 23, 2026.

Exiled Iranian opposition leader Reza Pahlavi in Berlin

Exiled Iranian opposition leader Reza Pahlavi in Berlin

Reza Pahlavi, an exiled Iranian political opposition leader and the son of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the deposed Shah of Iran, holds a press conference during a visit to Berlin on April 23, 2026.

Japan: Wildfires Rage in Iwate, Displacing 2,000 Residents and Destroying Homes 2

Two wildfires broke out simultaneously in forested areas of Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, in northern Japan on the afternoon of April 22, local authorities confirmed. According to town officials, the blazes have scorched more than 200 hectares of land, with at least seven structures — including residential homes — reported destroyed. In response, authorities issued evacuation orders for approximately 2,000 residents as firefighting efforts continue.

Japan: Wildfires Rage in Iwate, Displacing 2,000 Residents and Destroying Homes

Two wildfires broke out simultaneously in forested areas of Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, in northern Japan on the afternoon of April 22, local authorities confirmed. According to town officials, the blazes have scorched more than 200 hectares of land, with at least seven structures — including residential homes — reported destroyed. In response, authorities issued evacuation orders for approximately 2,000 residents as firefighting efforts continue.

Accommodation facilities for Asian Games, Asian Para Games

Accommodation facilities for Asian Games, Asian Para Games

Photo taken in Nagoya on April 23, 2026, shows the interior of container housing to be used for athletes during the Asian Games and Asian Para Games to be held in the central Japan city in the fall.

Accommodation facilities for Asian Games, Asian Para Games

Accommodation facilities for Asian Games, Asian Para Games

Photo taken in Nagoya on April 23, 2026, shows the interior of container housing to be used for athletes during the Asian Games and Asian Para Games to be held in the central Japan city in the fall.

Accommodation facilities for Asian Games, Asian Para Games

Accommodation facilities for Asian Games, Asian Para Games

Photo taken in Nagoya on April 23, 2026, shows container housing to be used for athletes during the Asian Games and Asian Para Games to be held in the central Japan city in the fall.

Accommodation facilities for Asian Games, Asian Para Games

Accommodation facilities for Asian Games, Asian Para Games

Photo taken in Nagoya on April 23, 2026, shows container housing to be used for athletes during the Asian Games and Asian Para Games to be held in the central Japan city in the fall.

Accommodation facilities for Asian Games, Asian Para Games

Accommodation facilities for Asian Games, Asian Para Games

Photo taken in Nagoya on April 23, 2026, shows container housing to be used for athletes during the Asian Games and Asian Para Games to be held in the central Japan city in the fall.

Accommodation facilities for Asian Games, Asian Para Games

Accommodation facilities for Asian Games, Asian Para Games

Photo taken in Nagoya on April 23, 2026, shows the interior of container housing to be used for athletes during the Asian Games and Asian Para Games to be held in the central Japan city in the fall.

Int'l forum in Beijing

Int'l forum in Beijing

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (front, R) and Mozambican President Daniel Francisco Chapo (far L) are pictured ahead of the opening ceremony for an international forum on global action for shared development hosted by China in Beijing on April 22, 2026.

Nikkei index ends at record high

Nikkei index ends at record high

A stock monitor in Tokyo shows the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ending at a record high on April 22, 2026, lifted by some heavyweight technology shares, on hopes for an extended ceasefire between the United States and Iran.

Nikkei index ends at record high

Nikkei index ends at record high

A stock monitor in Tokyo shows the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ending at a record high on April 22, 2026, lifted by some heavyweight technology shares, on hopes for an extended ceasefire between the United States and Iran.

Nikkei index ends at record high

Nikkei index ends at record high

A stock monitor in Tokyo shows the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ending at a record high on April 22, 2026, lifted by some heavyweight technology shares, on hopes for an extended ceasefire between the United States and Iran.

Nikkei index ends at record high

Nikkei index ends at record high

A stock monitor in Tokyo shows the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ending at a record high on April 22, 2026, lifted by some heavyweight technology shares, on hopes for an extended ceasefire between the United States and Iran.

China: Vendor Struggles to Hold Snack Cart During Strong Winds in Chengdu

On April 19, 2026, in Chengdu, located in southwestern China’s Sichuan province, a video recorded severe wind caused by strong convective weather. On a city street, a snack vendor selling corn nearly lost control of his food cart as powerful gusts pushed it sideways. The man rushed to grab the cart and hold it in place. Another person quickly came over to help, and together they managed to keep the cart from being blown away completely. Even so, the wind still caused damage nearby. A chair was blown over, and another stall was knocked down, with one of the table legs breaking in the process. The whole scene looked chaotic as the gusts continued moving through the area.

Japan-Montenegro talks in Tokyo

Japan-Montenegro talks in Tokyo

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (far R) and Montenegrin President Jakov Milatovic (far L) hold talks at the premier's office in Tokyo on April 22, 2026.

Japan-Montenegro meeting in Tokyo

Japan-Montenegro meeting in Tokyo

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (R) and Montenegrin President Jakov Milatovic shake hands ahead of their meeting in Tokyo on April 22, 2026.

Baseball: White Sox vs. Diamondbacks

Baseball: White Sox vs. Diamondbacks

Chicago White Sox rookie Munetaka Murakami (R) rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run, his 10th homer of the season and the fifth blast in as many games, in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 22, 2026.

Baseball: White Sox vs. Diamondbacks

Baseball: White Sox vs. Diamondbacks

Chicago White Sox rookie Munetaka Murakami poses after hitting a two-run home run, his 10th homer of the season and the fifth blast in as many games, in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 22, 2026.

Baseball: White Sox vs. Diamondbacks

Baseball: White Sox vs. Diamondbacks

Chicago White Sox rookie Munetaka Murakami poses after hitting a two-run home run, his 10th homer of the season and the fifth blast in as many games, in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 22, 2026.

Baseball: White Sox vs. Diamondbacks

Baseball: White Sox vs. Diamondbacks

Chicago White Sox rookie Munetaka Murakami hits a two-run home run, his 10th homer of the season and the fifth blast in as many games, in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 22, 2026.

Baseball: White Sox vs. Diamondbacks

Baseball: White Sox vs. Diamondbacks

Chicago White Sox rookie Munetaka Murakami hits a two-run home run, his 10th homer of the season and the fifth blast in as many games, in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 22, 2026.

Baseball: White Sox vs. Diamondbacks

Baseball: White Sox vs. Diamondbacks

Chicago White Sox rookie Munetaka Murakami hits a two-run home run, his 10th homer of the season and the fifth blast in as many games, in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 22, 2026.

Baseball: White Sox vs. Diamondbacks

Baseball: White Sox vs. Diamondbacks

Chicago White Sox rookie Munetaka Murakami hits a two-run home run, his 10th homer of the season and the fifth blast in as many games, in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 22, 2026.

Baseball: White Sox vs. Diamondbacks

Baseball: White Sox vs. Diamondbacks

Chicago White Sox rookie Munetaka Murakami hits a two-run home run, his 10th homer of the season and the fifth blast in as many games, in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 22, 2026.

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Giants

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Giants

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani shouts after striking out San Francisco Giants designated hitter Casey Schmitt with two out and second and third bases loaded in the sixth inning of a baseball game at Oracle Park in San Francisco on April 22, 2026.

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Giants

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Giants

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani shouts after striking out San Francisco Giants designated hitter Casey Schmitt with two out and second and third bases loaded in the sixth inning of a baseball game at Oracle Park in San Francisco on April 22, 2026.

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Giants

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Giants

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani shouts after striking out San Francisco Giants designated hitter Casey Schmitt with two out and second and third bases loaded in the sixth inning of a baseball game at Oracle Park in San Francisco on April 22, 2026.

US: Wildfire Destroys Homes in Brantley County, Georgia, Mandatory Evacuations Ordered

A massive wildfire in Brantley County, Georgia has exploded to 5,000+ acres by Wednesday afternoon, April 22 destroying dozens of homes, and forcing mandatory evacuations. This video shows the fire seen from Satilla Grocery near the intersection of Georgia State Route 110 and US Route 82 on Tuesday, April 21.

Hailstorm Disrupts Traffic and Blankets Streets in Ribes de Freser, Catalonia 4

A powerful hailstorm struck Ribes de Freser, in the Ripollès region of Catalonia, on Tuesday, April 21, blanketing streets with hailstones and disrupting traffic. The local municipality urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel and deployed crews to clear the hail.

Hailstorm Disrupts Traffic and Blankets Streets in Ribes de Freser, Catalonia 5

A powerful hailstorm struck Ribes de Freser, in the Ripollès region of Catalonia, on Tuesday, April 21, blanketing streets with hailstones and disrupting traffic. The local municipality urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel and deployed crews to clear the hail.

UK: Stray Horses Shut Down Major Highway in Southern England

A herd of more than 12 horses strayed onto a major highway in Dorset, southern England, on April 21, forcing road closures and causing significant traffic delays. The animals were spotted on the southbound lanes of the A338 near Christchurch, prompting police to close the road between Ringwood and Bournemouth. Officers managed traffic for nearly three hours while the horses were rounded up. The road reopened shortly after 2:30 PM local time.

Japan: Volcanic Ash Blankets Kagoshima After Sakurajima Eruption Sends Plume 2,400 Meters High 2

Sakurajima volcano erupted on Tuesday, April 21 at around 10 a.m., sending a plume of smoke 2,400 meters above the crater. The volume of the eruption plume was described as slightly large. The April 21 eruption was the eighth explosion recorded at Sakurajima since the first of the year was observed on April 11. By the morning of April 22, volcanic ash had accumulated on car hoods and road surfaces in Kagoshima City. The city deployed water-spraying trucks to clean the ash from the streets.

Hailstorm Disrupts Traffic and Blankets Streets in Ribes de Freser, Catalonia 3

A powerful hailstorm struck Ribes de Freser, in the Ripollès region of Catalonia, on Tuesday, April 21, blanketing streets with hailstones and disrupting traffic. The local municipality urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel and deployed crews to clear the hail.

Japan: Volcanic Ash Blankets Kagoshima After Sakurajima Eruption Sends Plume 2,400 Meters High

Sakurajima volcano erupted on Tuesday, April 21 at around 10 a.m., sending a plume of smoke 2,400 meters above the crater. The volume of the eruption plume was described as slightly large. The April 21 eruption was the eighth explosion recorded at Sakurajima since the first of the year was observed on April 11. By the morning of April 22, volcanic ash had accumulated on car hoods and road surfaces in Kagoshima City. The city deployed water-spraying trucks to clean the ash from the streets.

Japan: Haneda Airport Flights Disrupted by ATC System Failure 2

A malfunction in the air traffic control system operated by the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) struck Tokyo's Haneda Airport at early Tuesday morning, April 21, causing widespread flight disruptions that continued throughout the day. Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) alone had more than 200 domestic flights combined, affecting more than 31,600 passengers.

China: Egg-Sized Hailstones Blanket Streets in Baise as Violent Storm Sweeps Guangxi

On April 16, 2026, a violent hailstorm swept through Tianlin County, Baise, Guangxi, China, battering roads with egg-sized hailstones and blanketing streets in white. On April 18, the Tianlin County Meteorological Observatory issued an orange hail alert at 4:58 am, warning that strong convective weather would affect several towns, including Dingan, Badu, and Leli, within six hours.

Football: ACLE

Football: ACLE

Japan's Machida Zelvia manager Go Kuroda (R) and United Arab Emirates' Shabab Al Ahli manager Paulo Sousa greet each other ahead of an Asian Champions League Elite semifinal match in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on April 21, 2026.

Football: ACLE

Football: ACLE

Tete Yengi (99) of Japan's Machida Zelvia (25) and Igor Gomes of United Arab Emirates' Shabab Al Ahli vie for the ball in the first half of an Asian Champions League Elite semifinal match in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on April 21, 2026.

Football: ACLE

Football: ACLE

Daihachi Okamura (L) of Japan's Machida Zelvia and Mateusao of United Arab Emirates' Shabab Al Ahli vie for the ball in the second half of an Asian Champions League Elite semifinal match in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on April 21, 2026.

Football: ACLE

Football: ACLE

Henry Mochizuki (R) of Japan's Machida Zelvia and Guilherme Bala of United Arab Emirates' Shabab Al Ahli vie for the ball in the second half of an Asian Champions League Elite semifinal match in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on April 21, 2026.

Football: ACLE

Football: ACLE

Henry Mochizuki (R) of Japan's Machida Zelvia and Guilherme Bala of United Arab Emirates' Shabab Al Ahli vie for the ball in the second half of an Asian Champions League Elite semifinal match in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on April 21, 2026.

Hailstorm Disrupts Traffic and Blankets Streets in Ribes de Freser, Catalonia 2

A powerful hailstorm struck Ribes de Freser, in the Ripollès region of Catalonia, on Tuesday, April 21, blanketing streets with hailstones and disrupting traffic. The local municipality urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel and deployed crews to clear the hail.

Toyota Motor's EV cars

Toyota Motor's EV cars

Photo taken in Nagoya in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on April 21, 2026, shows bZ4X (R) and bZ4X Touring electric vehicles of Toyota Motor Corp.

Toyota Motor's EV cars

Toyota Motor's EV cars

Photo taken in Nagoya in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on April 21, 2026, shows bZ4X (R) and bZ4X Touring electric vehicles of Toyota Motor Corp.

Accident at Tokyo amusement park

Accident at Tokyo amusement park

Police investigators head for an on-site probe of the Flying Balloon at Tokyo Dome City Attractions in Tokyo on April 22, 2026, a day after a fatal accident. A worker died after being trapped in the Flying Balloon following a fall during an inspection of the attraction, which seats 12 people and spins around while rising to a height of 10 meters.

Accident at Tokyo amusement park

Accident at Tokyo amusement park

Police investigators head for an on-site probe of the Flying Balloon at Tokyo Dome City Attractions in Tokyo on April 22, 2026, a day after a fatal accident. A worker died after being trapped in the Flying Balloon following a fall during an inspection of the attraction, which seats 12 people and spins around while rising to a height of 10 meters.