It has been noted throughout the articles, with a snicker always, that people are frightened by all of this. As if these are signs of the apocalypse. But it's recounted in a snicker. Then they attribute it to "fireworks", "power lines", and "cold weather". They aren't making a connection between all the events.
"Brazil" and "New Zealand" are both S. Hemisphere, aren't they?
What do New Zealand, Sweden, Italy, Brazil, the UK, and the US have in common? I think perhaps some clue could be there.