NYTIMES (River Akira Davis, Hisako Ueno and Chang W. Lee) - How Japan Minimized Deaths from a Major Earthquake
After deadly tremors a decade ago, Kumamoto built earthquake-resistant buildings and even trained locals in search and rescue.
AXIOS (Rebecca Falconer) - How America is adapting to climate extremes
Climate adaptation is increasingly moving from planning to real-world action as heat waves, droughts, wildfires, floods and hurricanes test communities across the U.S. Why it matters: Even if greenhouse gas emissions decline, many communities are already facing more frequent or intense climate extremes, prompting officials to invest in infrastructure designed to reduce future damage. Driving the news: After catastrophic flooding killed more than 130 people in Texas Hill Country last year, newly installed sirens were credited with warning residents during July's floods, which killed three people but avoided a repeat of the 2025 disaster. - It's an example of Republican-led states adapting after disaster, said Alice Hill, senior fellow…
Climate adaptation is increasingly moving from planning to real-world action as heat waves, droughts, wildfires, floods and hurricanes test communities across the U.S. Why it matters: Even if greenhouse gas emissions decline, many communities are already facing more frequent or intense climate extremes, prompting officials to invest in infrastructure designed to reduce future damage. Driving the news: After catastrophic flooding killed more than 130 people in Texas Hill Country last year, newly installed sirens were credited with warning residents during July's floods, which killed three people but avoided a repeat of the 2025 disaster. - It's an example of Republican-led states adapting after disaster, said Alice Hill, senior fellow…Open
NYTIMES (James Glanz and Simon Ducroquet) - Manhattan Building’s Buckled Columns Probably Lacked Required Reinforcements
Drawings obtained by The New York Times show the columns called for additional steel plates, but engineers reviewing site photos said they appeared to be missing.
NYTIMES (Verena Hölzl, Phuriphat Dejsuphong, Kittiphum Sringammuang and Sui-Lee Wee) - In Bangkok Bar Blaze, Signs of Fatal Lapses Repeated Across the World
After a fire killed 30 people, the scrutiny has turned to whether the venue used flammable foam on its ceilings and had blocked exits.
NYTIMES (Kittiphum Sringammuang and Verena Hölzl) - Fire in Bangkok Bar Was a Death Trap With Inaccessible Exits and Flammable Foam
Huge flames tore out of the entrance to the venue, which one investigator said had used inappropriate material for soundproofing. More than two dozen people died.
NYTIMES (Ephrat Livni and Muktita Suhartono) - Fire in Bangkok Pub Kills Dozens
The cause of the fire was still unknown, but it began as a band was performing onstage and spread very rapidly, killing least 27 people.
NYTIMES (Stefanos Chen, Dionne Searcey, Asmaa Elkeurti and Mihir Zaveri) - Inspector of Buckling Building Cited for Missing Problems at Other Sites
A New York Times review of city records shows that the firm, Domani Inspection Services, was repeatedly accused of breaking New York City rules.
NYTIMES (Keith Schneider) - To Cut Housing Costs, Some States Are Easing Fire Safety Rules
Last year, six states eliminated a fire-safety code requiring apartment buildings taller than three stories to have at least two staircases. More states are exploring the move.