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China: Massive Sandstorm Engulfs City in Xinjiang, Turning Day Into Darkness

This is the shocking moment that a towering wall of sandstorm swept across a city in China, rapidly engulfing buildings and streets as strong winds pushed the dense dust forward. On April 17, 2026, in Xinjiang, China, the video captured a powerful sandstorm advancing toward an urban area, forming what appeared to be a massive moving wall of dust. The sky quickly darkened as the storm rolled in, with visibility dropping sharply. Buildings in the distance were gradually swallowed by the thick haze, while the fast-moving sand created an overwhelming sense of pressure and urgency. The footage showcased how the sandstorm surged forward in waves, covering roads, infrastructure, and entire neighborhoods within moments. According to the local meteorological bureau, wind speeds during the event had reached up to 25.2 meters per second, contributing to the intensity and rapid spread of the sandstorm. The video ended with the city almost completely obscured by the dust, leaving only faint outlines of buildings visible through the thick, swirling sand.

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Japan: Sakurajima Volcano Erupts Twice in Two Days for First Time This Year 2

Sakurajima volcano in Kagoshima, southern Japan, erupted explosively on consecutive days for the first time this year. The blasts from the Minamidake summit crater on April 11 and 12 sent ash plumes up to 3,400 meters high and scattered volcanic rocks up to 1,000 meters from the crater. No pyroclastic flows were observed. The eruptions are the first and second of the year, following the previous event on December 13 last year. Volcanic alert level 3 — prohibiting entry into the mountain — remains in effect, with authorities warning of large projectiles and pyroclastic flows within 2 kilometers of the crater.

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Japan: Sakurajima Volcano Erupts Twice in Two Days for First Time This Year

Sakurajima volcano in Kagoshima, southern Japan, erupted explosively on consecutive days for the first time this year. The blasts from the Minamidake summit crater on April 11 and 12 sent ash plumes up to 3,400 meters high and scattered volcanic rocks up to 1,000 meters from the crater. No pyroclastic flows were observed. The eruptions are the first and second of the year, following the previous event on December 13 last year. Volcanic alert level 3 — prohibiting entry into the mountain — remains in effect, with authorities warning of large projectiles and pyroclastic flows within 2 kilometers of the crater.

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CORRECTED: Milan Cortina Paralympics: Alpine skiing

Para alpine skier Anna-Lena Forster of Germany reacts after finishing her second run in the women's giant slalom sitting at the Milan Cortina Paralympics on March 12, 2026, at Tofane Alpine Skiing Center in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. She won gold in the event.

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Snowboarding: World Cup in Sapporo

Japanese snowboarder Yuto Totsuka (C) poses after winning the men's halfpipe at a snowboarding World Cup event in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on March 8, 2026, alongside Australian Valentino Guseli (L) and Japan's Ryusei Yamada, who finished second and third, respectively.

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Snowboarding: World Cup in Sapporo

Japanese snowboarder Yuto Totsuka (C) poses after winning the men's halfpipe at a snowboarding World Cup event in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on March 8, 2026, alongside Australian Valentino Guseli (L) and Japan's Ryusei Yamada, who finished second and third, respectively.

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Freestyle skiing: World Cup in Japan

Japan's Ikuma Horishima (C) poses after winning the men's dual moguls event at the freestyle skiing World Cup in Nanto in Toyama Prefecture, central Japan, on March 1, 2026, alongside Rasmus Stegfeldt (L) of Sweden and Shima Kawaoka of Japan, who placed second and third, respectively.

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Milan Cortina Olympics: Figure skating

Combined photo shows Japanese figure skaters (from top to bottom) Kaori Sakamoto, Ami Nakai and Mone Chiba performing during the free program at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan on Feb. 19, 2026, en route to finishing second, third and fourth, respectively, in the women's figure skating event.

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Milan Cortina Olympics: Figure skating

Kaori Sakamoto (facing camera) of Japan sheds tears after finishing second while being hugged by gold medalist Alysa Liu after competing in the women's figure skating event at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan on Feb. 19, 2026.

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Milan Cortina Olympics: Figure skating

Kaori Sakamoto of Japan cries after finishing second in the women's figure skating event at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan on Feb. 19, 2026.

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Milan Cortina Olympics: Ski jumping

Japan's Nozomi Maruyama (R) is hugged by compatriots Sara Takanashi (L) and Yuki Ito after finishing her second jump in the women's ski jumping normal hill event at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Predazzo Ski Jumping Stadium in Predazzo, Italy, on Feb. 7, 2026. Maruyama won bronze.

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Milan Cortina Olympics: Ski jumping

Japan's Nozomi Maruyama (C) is hugged by compatriots Sara Takanashi (R) and Yuki Ito after finishing her second jump in the women's ski jumping normal hill event at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Predazzo Ski Jumping Stadium in Predazzo, Italy, on Feb. 7, 2026. Maruyama won bronze.

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Milan Cortina Olympics: Ski jumping

Japan's Nozomi Maruyama (C) is hugged by compatriots Sara Takanashi (R) and Yuki Ito after finishing her second jump in the women's ski jumping normal hill event at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Predazzo Ski Jumping Stadium in Predazzo, Italy, on Feb. 7, 2026. Maruyama won bronze.

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Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Nozomi Maruyama of Japan is pictured after finishing her second jump at a World Cup women's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026.

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Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ren Nikaido of Japan is pictured after finishing his second jump at a World Cup men's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026.

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Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ren Nikaido of Japan is pictured after finishing his second jump at a World Cup men's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026.

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Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ren Nikaido of Japan (L) embraces teammate Yukiya Sato after finishing his second jump at a World Cup men's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026.

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Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ren Nikaido of Japan poses after winning a second straight silver at a World Cup men's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026.

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Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ren Nikaido of Japan is pictured after finishing his second jump at a World Cup men's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026.

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Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ren Nikaido of Japan poses after winning a second straight silver at a World Cup men's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026.

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Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ren Nikaido of Japan competes en route to winning a second straight silver at a World Cup men's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026.

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Freestyle skiing aerials: World Cup event in Lake Placid

Li Xinpeng of China reacts after the second run of the men's aerials final at a freestyle skiing World Cup event in Lake Placid, New York, on Jan. 12, 2026. He won gold in the season's sixth and last race.

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Ski jumping: Four Hills tournament

Slovenia's Domen Prevc celebrates his first overall Four Hills Tournament victory after finishing second in the final event of the tournament in Bischofshofen on Jan. 6, 2026.

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Ski jumping: Four Hills tournament

Slovenia's Domen Prevc celebrates his first overall Four Hills Tournament victory after finishing second in the final event of the tournament in Bischofshofen on Jan. 6, 2026.

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Ski jumping: Four Hills tournament

Slovenia's Domen Prevc celebrates his first overall Four Hills Tournament victory after finishing second in the final event of the tournament in Bischofshofen on Jan. 6, 2026.

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Ski jumping: Four Hills tournament

Slovenia's Domen Prevc celebrates after winning his first overall Four Hills Tournament after finishing second in the final event of the tournament in Bischofshofen on Jan. 6, 2026.

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Ski jumping: Four Hills tournament

Slovenia's Domen Prevc celebrates after winning his first overall Four Hills Tournament after finishing second in the final event of the tournament in Bischofshofen on Jan. 6, 2026.

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World Top 10 Athletes In 2025

4. Chen Yuxi (China, diving) Chen won three gold medals in women's 10m platform, women's synchronized 10m platform and mixed team at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. Her victory in the individual platform marked her fourth world title in the event and made her the first diver in history to achieve the feat. Chen also secured a fourth consecutive synchronized world title, second only to the five-title record held by compatriot Chen Ruolin. She was named the 2025 Female Diving Athlete of the Year by World Aquatics. This file photo taken on July 31, 2025 shows Chen Yuxi of China posing after the awarding ceremony for the women's 10m platform final of diving at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. Photo by Luo Yuan/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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