Story timeline
Kumamoto earthquake: rescue efforts and recovery
Compiled Aug 3
A powerful earthquake struck Japan's southwestern Kumamoto Prefecture, killing at least 34 people and displacing thousands of residents. Survivors have faced severe conditions in the aftermath, including overcrowded shelters, shortages of water and fuel, and dangerously high temperatures. At least one elderly woman died from apparent heat stroke while sheltering in a car. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi visited the region as cleanup operations began, with residents working to clear their homes despite the intense heat.
10 developments over 142 days
King penguins are the rare species benefiting from a warming world. But that could change
King penguins are adapting to climate change in a way that seems to help them breed successfully, which is unusual
US stocks rise and trim their losses for June
U.S. stocks rose and trimmed their losses in what had been a rocky June
Venezuelans are rushing to identify the bodies of their loved ones as earthquake deaths multiply
The rush is on across Venezuela’s north coast to identify loved ones before it’s too late
China test-launches a ballistic missile in the South Pacific and raises regional concerns
China’s navy has test-launched a long-range ballistic missile from one of its nuclear-powered submarines in the South Pacific
American marine biologist and conservationist shot dead in the Philippines
A distinguished American marine biologist was shot and killed by three men in the central Philippines at the weekend
India's Gen Z 'cockroaches' took protest to the streets. Now they rally around a hunger strike
An activist's hunger strike has become a rallying point for India’s new Cockroach Janta Party, a youth-led movement that emerged in response to exam paper leaks and student suicides
A 7.3 earthquake hits Mexico-Guatemala border with no immediate damage reported
A strong earthquake has struck the southern Mexican Pacific coast, right on the border with Guatemala
A blast in a tunnel at an Indian hydropower project leaves 12 dead and 13 missing
A suspected gas explosion has caused a tunnel collapse at a hydropower project in India's Sikkim state, near the Chinese border, leaving at least 12 people dead and 13 missing
Japan's monkey sensation Punch gets thousands of birthday messages as he turns 1 on Sunday
Punch, the orphaned monkey at a Japanese zoo that stole many people’s hearts by clinging to an orangutan plushie, is marking his first birthday Sunday
Hope dwindles for rescue in southwestern Japan quake as death toll climbs to 25
The Kumamoto prefectural government says the powerful earthquake that hit southwestern Japan earlier this week has now killed at least 25 people