Brazil: Chemical Plant Fire Triggers Explosions in Itaquaquecetuba, São Paulo State

A massive fire broke out at a chemical solvent plant in Itaquaquecetuba, Greater São Paulo, on Tuesday, August 4. The blaze, which triggered explosions and spread to a public road, destroyed several vehicles but caused no injuries beyond one man treated for respiratory discomfort.

Golf: Women's British Open winner Kuwaki

Golf: Women's British Open winner Kuwaki

Shiho Kuwaki poses with the Japan National Press Club guestbook in which she wrote a Japanese character meaning "shine" during a press conference in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026. Kuwaki won the Women's British Open golf tournament on Aug. 2 in England.

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

Ten-time Olympic speed skating medalist Miho Takagi (R) receives a bouquet from Japanese Olympic Committee President Seiko Hashimoto in Tokyo on Aug. 4, 2026, after attending a ceremony at which she was conferred the People's Honor Award at the prime minister's office earlier in the day.

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

Ten-time Olympic speed skating medalist Miho Takagi (R) receives a bouquet from Japanese Olympic Committee President Seiko Hashimoto in Tokyo on Aug. 4, 2026, after attending a ceremony at which she was conferred the People's Honor Award at the prime minister's office earlier in the day.

US: Sinlahekin Fire Grows to Over 100,000 Acres Near Tonasket, Washington

The Sinlahekin Fire, which sparked on July 26 near Tonasket, grew to an estimated 102,934 acres with 5% containment as of Tuesday, August 4. At least two structures were destroyed, though no injuries or fatalities have been reported.

China: Sleeping Toddler Nearly Strangled by Mother’s Hair

Night-vision security footage from Qingdao, Shandong on April 26, 2026 shows a toddler becoming entangled in his sleeping mother's hair, which wrapped around his neck. The mother wakes and frees him just in time, and he is heard crying immediately after.

Italy: M4.7 Earthquake Triggers Intense Rockfalls in Pozzuoli 3

A magnitude 4.7 earthquake struck the Campi Flegrei region of Italy on Friday, July 31, which was the strongest to hit the region in 40 years, leaving at least 21 people injured. In Pozzuoli, rockfalls, building collapses, and power outages were reported.

Italy: M4.7 Earthquake Triggers Intense Rockfalls in Pozzuoli

A magnitude 4.7 earthquake struck the Campi Flegrei region of Italy on Friday, July 31, which was the strongest to hit the region in 40 years, leaving at least 21 people injured. In Pozzuoli, rockfalls, building collapses, and power outages were reported.

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.

Namie Town Ukedo Elementary School

Namie Town Ukedo Elementary School

A fourth-grade classroom on the second floor of Namie Town’s Uketo Elementary School, which suffered almost no tsunami damage.=July 16,2026,Fukushima

Namie Town Ukedo Elementary School

Namie Town Ukedo Elementary School

A second-grade classroom at Namie Town’s Uketo Elementary School, which suffered extensive damage from the tsunami.=July 16,2026,Fukushima

Princess Aiko visits Mie Pref.

Princess Aiko visits Mie Pref.

Japanese Princess Aiko visits a lumbermill in Ise in Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Aug. 1, 2026. The princess will visit Ise Jingu shrine the following day to watch a rite for the "Shikinen Sengu" shrine building reconstruction, which is conducted every 20 years. The rite will be performed using trees processed at the workshop. (Pool photo)

US: Tornado Leaves Trail of Destruction in Wisconsin 3

A tornado tore through Menasha, Appleton and Neenah, Wisconsin, on Monday, July 27, destroying homes and businesses, uprooting trees and cutting power to thousands. The National Weather Service confirmed Tuesday that the tornado, which struck Menasha, was an EF-3.

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.

China: Lamb Enjoys Cup of Lemon Tea From Owner in Henan

On July 23, 2026, in Henan, China, a resident offered a lamb a cup of lemon tea at home. The lamb eagerly drank from the cup, continuing to enjoy the beverage, which reportedly came from the popular Chinese drink brand Mixue Bingcheng.

Spain: Aftermath of Record Wildfire Seen in Cebreros, Ávila

On Friday, July 24, video showed the aftermath of a wildfire that tore through the Valle Abajo area of Cebreros, in Spain's Ávila province, leaving homes and property scorched. The blaze, which broke out at Burgohondo on July 22 and swept through the Alberche and Tiétar valleys, has burned around 50,000 hectares, becoming the largest wildfire ever recorded in Spain, with nearly 90,000 people affected and almost 60,000 evacuated.

ECB keeps key rate intact

ECB keeps key rate intact

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde holds a press conference in Frankfurt on July 23, 2026, following the ECB's Governing Council meeting at which the benchmark deposit rate was kept unchanged at 2.25 percent.

Akita Pref. promotes sake, food in Hong Kong

Akita Pref. promotes sake, food in Hong Kong

Kenta Suzuki (R), governor of Japan's Akita Prefecture, visits a supermarket in Hong Kong on July 22, 2026, to pitch made-in-Akita sake, which was on sale there. The governor is visiting Hong Kong to promote sake and food made in the northeastern Japan prefecture.

US: Thick Haze From Canada Wildfires Blankets Washington, D.C.

A thick haze from Canadian wildfires spread across a wide swath of the United States on Friday, July 17, causing air quality to plummet, with dangerous conditions expected to persist. The smoke settled over Washington, DC, which had mostly avoided hazardous air until that point.

Yodoyabashi Gate Tower, which had its grand opening on July 9

Yodoyabashi Gate Tower, which had its grand opening on July 9

Yodoyabashi Gate Tower, which had its grand opening on July 9=July 10,2026,Osaka

Yodoyabashi Gate Tower, which had its grand opening on July 9

Yodoyabashi Gate Tower, which had its grand opening on July 9

Yodoyabashi Gate Tower, which had its grand opening on July 9=July 10,2026,Osaka

Yodoyabashi Gate Tower, which had its grand opening on July 9

Yodoyabashi Gate Tower, which had its grand opening on July 9

Yodoyabashi Gate Tower, which had its grand opening on July 9=July 10,2026,Osaka

Yodoyabashi Gate Tower, which had its grand opening on July 9

Yodoyabashi Gate Tower, which had its grand opening on July 9

Yodoyabashi Gate Tower, which had its grand opening on July 9=July 10,2026,Osaka

Yodoyabashi Gate Tower, which had its grand opening on July 9

Yodoyabashi Gate Tower, which had its grand opening on July 9

Yodoyabashi Gate Tower, which had its grand opening on July 9=July 10,2026,Osaka

Yodoyabashi Gate Tower, which had its grand opening on July 9

Yodoyabashi Gate Tower, which had its grand opening on July 9

Yodoyabashi Gate Tower, which had its grand opening on July 9=July 10,2026,Osaka

Yodoyabashi Gate Tower, which had its grand opening on July 9

Yodoyabashi Gate Tower, which had its grand opening on July 9

Yodoyabashi Gate Tower, which had its grand opening on July 9=July 10,2026,Osaka

Yodoyabashi Gate Tower, which had its grand opening on July 9

Yodoyabashi Gate Tower, which had its grand opening on July 9

Yodoyabashi Gate Tower, which had its grand opening on July 9=July 10,2026,Osaka

Yodoyabashi Gate Tower, which had its grand opening on July 9

Yodoyabashi Gate Tower, which had its grand opening on July 9

Yodoyabashi Gate Tower, which had its grand opening on July 9=July 10,2026,Osaka

Yodoyabashi Gate Tower, which had its grand opening on July 9

Yodoyabashi Gate Tower, which had its grand opening on July 9

Yodoyabashi Gate Tower, which had its grand opening on July 9=July 10,2026,Osaka

US: New Yorkers Gather for Last Manhattanhenge Sunset of the Year 2

People gathered along Manhattan's cross streets on Sunday, July 12, to watch Manhattanhenge, when the setting sun aligned with the city's grid for a "half sun" effect. Clear skies allowed for near perfect viewing conditions of the phenomenon, which had occurred the night before as a "full sun" alignment and marked the last chance to see it in 2026.

UK: Smoke From Dovestone Reservoir Fire Spreads Through Greater Manchester 2

Firefighters battled a major moorland fire above Dovestone Reservoir in Saddleworth, Greater Manchester, which started Saturday, July 11. The massive fire sent smoke as far as Sale, Stockport and Levenshulme. Residents were advised to keep their windows shut. A woman has been arrested on suspicion of arson.

US: New Yorkers Gather for Last Manhattanhenge Sunset of the Year

People gathered along Manhattan's cross streets on Sunday, July 12, to watch Manhattanhenge, when the setting sun aligned with the city's grid for a "half sun" effect. Clear skies allowed for near perfect viewing conditions of the phenomenon, which had occurred the night before as a "full sun" alignment and marked the last chance to see it in 2026.

France: Fireworks Mortar Sparks Fire on Vacant Lot in Angers

A fire broke out around midnight on Tuesday, July 14, in the Hauts de Saint-Aubin district of Angers, France. The blaze, which burned a vacant area, was caused by a fireworks mortar.

UK: Smoke From Dovestone Reservoir Fire Spreads Through Greater Manchester

Firefighters battled a major moorland fire above Dovestone Reservoir in Saddleworth, Greater Manchester, which started Saturday, July 11. The massive fire sent smoke as far as Sale, Stockport and Levenshulme. The cause is under investigation. Residents were advised to keep their windows shut.

UK: Time-Lapse of Dovestone Reservoir Fire Smoke Drifting Over Greater Manchester

Firefighters battled a major moorland fire above Dovestone Reservoir in Saddleworth, Greater Manchester, which started Saturday, July 11. The massive fire sent smoke as far as Sale, Stockport and Levenshulme. The cause is under investigation. Residents were advised to keep their windows shut.

US: Winds Escalate Utah’s Stookey Fire to 4,000 Acres

The Stookey Fire, which started Friday, July 10, east of Vernon in Tooele County, Utah, grew to about 4,000 acres by Sunday as winds fueled its spread, prompting closure of Pony Express Road. No structures were threatened as of writing.

Mitsubishi Motors and Highlanders Joint Press Conference

Mitsubishi Motors and Highlanders Joint Press Conference

Mitsubishi Motors and Highlanders Joint Press Conference. The photo shows the humanoid robot “N,” which appeared during the demonstration.=July 9,2026,Toyko

US: Narrow Fire Breaks Out in Ladera Ranch Backyard Hills

A brush fire broke out in the backyard hills of Ladera Ranch, California, on Tuesday afternoon, July 7, prompting a rapid response from the Orange County Fire Authority, which deployed aircraft to drop fire retardant on the blaze. The fire, dubbed the Narrow Fire after nearby Narrow Canyon Road, was reported at around 4:45 p.m. and grew to about 5 acres before firefighters brought it under control by evening, with officials saying it did not threaten nearby homes.

Spain: Smoke Rises From Wildfire Near Selvanera, Catalonia

Firefighters brought a wildfire under control near Selvanera in Torrefeta i Florejacs, in Catalonia's Segarra region, after it broke out Tuesday in an unharvested cereal field. The blaze, which burned an estimated 113.25 hectares, forced a lockdown of several municipalities that was lifted Tuesday afternoon.

Spain: Madrid Hit by Sudden Storm After Scorching Heatwave

Madrid experienced extreme weather contrasts on Tuesday, as a sudden summer storm with strong winds struck the city following a scorching heatwave that pushed temperatures to 41°C. The storm, which began shortly after 6 p.m., caught pedestrians off guard and forced the closure of El Retiro and five other historic parks.

China: Herders Rescue Horse Trapped in Wire Fence

A horse became trapped in a wire fence on the grassland in Inner Mongolia, China on June 27, 2026, with two hooves tangled and unable to move. Local herders carefully loosened the wire and freed the horse, which limped back toward the grassland, looking back at its rescuers several times.

US: Aspen Acres Fire Sends Smoke Cloud Soaring to 32,000 Feet

Footage filmed from an aircraft flying alongside the Aspen Acres Fire in Colorado shows a massive pyrocumulus cloud, formed by the fire's intense heat, towering to an altitude of 32,000 feet. The wildfire, which has burned more than 50,000 acres in Pueblo and Custer counties with zero containment as of Thursday, July 2, has produced extreme fire behavior driven by record-low humidity and windy conditions.

US: Snyder Fire Surges, Killing Three Firefighters Along Colorado-Utah Border

Thick smoke from the Snyder Fire darkened skies over Fruita, Colorado, near Grand Junction, as the lightning-sparked wildfire, which broke out Saturday in Utah along the Colorado border, merged with multiple other fires and surged to more than 29,000 acres.

China: Duck’s Riverside Meal Draws Crowd of Fish

On June 21, 2026, a duck eating beside a river in Guangdong province unintentionally attracted a crowd of small fish, which gathered nearby hoping for scraps. A mouse also darted past the duck's food bowl, adding to the lively scene.

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Twins

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Twins

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani walks back to the dugout after the second inning, in which he allowed three runs, during a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on June 24, 2026.

Japan: Magnitude 6.9 Earthquake Strikes Off Iwate Coast 2

A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck off the coast of Iwate Prefecture, Japan, on Thursday morning, June 25, triggering an upper-5 intensity shaking in Aomori Prefecture, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. No tsunami threat was reported, though the quake, which occurred at a depth of approximately 50 kilometers, caused disruptions to Shinkansen and other rail services.

US: Aerial Footage Captures Massive Smoke From Iron Fire Burning in Utah 2

The Iron Fire, which broke out in Juab County, Utah, has burned over 37,000 acres. The fire forced the evacuation of the entire town of Eureka, with hundreds of firefighters from a multi-agency team deployed to battle the human-caused blaze.

Venezuela: Powerful Quake Levels Buildings in La Guaira

A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck near Montalbán, Venezuela, on Wednesday, June 24, causing buildings to collapse in the capital Caracas and triggering a tsunami advisory. La Guaira, a port city north of Caracas, was among the hardest-hit areas. This video shows Eduard's Hotel Boutique, which was nearly completely destroyed.

Japan: Quake Damage Seen at Convenience Store in Hachinohe After M6.9 Tremor

A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck off the coast of Iwate Prefecture, Japan, on Thursday morning, triggering upper-5 seismic intensity in Aomori Prefecture, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. No tsunami threat was reported, though the quake, which occurred at a depth of approximately 50 kilometers, caused disruptions to Shinkansen and other rail services. This video shows products, including a broken wine bottle, scattered on the floor of a convenience store in Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture.

Japan: Magnitude 6.9 Earthquake Strikes Off Iwate Coast

A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck off the coast of Iwate Prefecture, Japan, on Thursday morning, June 25, triggering an upper-5 intensity shaking in Aomori Prefecture, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. No tsunami threat was reported, though the quake, which occurred at a depth of approximately 50 kilometers, caused disruptions to Shinkansen and other rail services.