Disasters

Locust swarms in Africa are worst in decades
The worst outbreak of desert locusts in Kenya in 70 years has seen hundreds of millions of the bugs swarm into the East African nation from Somalia and Ethiopia. Those two countries have not had an infestation like this in a quarter-century.
Officials promoting flood insurance in Red River Valley
Officials in North Dakota say it's time for property owners in flood-prone areas of the Red River Valley to think about buying flood insurance.
At least 2 people killed in massive industrial explosion in Houston
The blast was felt more than 30 miles away, knocking homes off their foundations and casting debris about half a mile. Police opened a criminal probe, though it's not clear what caused the explosion.
Authorities say about 115 residents of a Fargo nursing home have been evacuated after a fire burned through the roof of the building. No injures were reported.
As church shelter closes, Drake Hotel fire survivors move on
Some residents of the destroyed Minneapolis apartment building had problems finding places to live before the fire. And those hurdles remain as they move from the temporary shelter at First Covenant Church
Firefighters were called just after 2:30 a.m. to the four-unit apartment building on the 400 block of Front Avenue. Crews found smoke coming from the second floor, with a report that one adult and possibly three children were trapped in an upper-level unit.
Scientists seek rare species survivors in wake of Australia wildfires
Australia’s unprecedented wildfire season has so far killed — by one estimate — more than a billion wild animals. Scientists fear some of the island continent’s unique and colorful species may not recover. For others, they are trying to throw lifelines.
Iranian U of M students mourn victims of Ukraine airline crash
The number of Iranian students at the university is small, only about 130 on a campus of 51,000. But Wednesday evening, around 70 of them paused for several hours to reflect on the tragedy and remember those who died.
Volcanic eruption in Philippines causes thousands to flee
Some 13,000 people were evacuated from the area surrounding Taal Volcano, about 45 miles south of the capital, Manila. Authorities warned that a second, explosive eruption could come in hours or days.
Australia turns from defense to offense in wildfire battle
Crews battling Australia's wildfires said Sunday that they have been able to turn from defense to offense for the first time in weeks thanks to a break in the weather.