Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Houston Astros pitcher Tatsuya Imai is pictured in the dugout after throwing the first inning of a spring training game against the New York Mets at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Feb. 26, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Houston Astros pitcher Tatsuya Imai is pictured in the dugout after throwing the first inning of a spring training game against the New York Mets at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Feb. 26, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Tatsuya Imai of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning of a spring training game against the New York Mets at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Feb. 26, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Tatsuya Imai of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning of a spring training game against the New York Mets at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Feb. 26, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Tatsuya Imai of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning of a spring training game against the New York Mets at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Feb. 26, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Tatsuya Imai of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning of a spring training game against the New York Mets at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Feb. 26, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Tatsuya Imai of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning of a spring training game against the New York Mets at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Feb. 26, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Tatsuya Imai of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning of a spring training game against the New York Mets at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Feb. 26, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Tatsuya Imai of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning of a spring training game against the New York Mets at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Feb. 26, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto waves to fans during spring training in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 26, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto works out during practice in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 26, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto walks in the team's campsite in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 26, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki walks in the team's campsite in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 26, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki runs in the team's campsite in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 26, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto plays catch during practice in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 26, 2026.

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks at the first meeting of a cross-party "national council" to discuss her pledge to suspend the consumption tax on food for two years at the premier's office in Tokyo on Feb. 26, 2026.

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks at the first meeting of a cross-party "national council" to discuss her pledge to suspend the consumption tax on food for two years at the premier's office in Tokyo on Feb. 26, 2026.

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks at the first meeting of a cross-party "national council" to discuss her pledge to suspend the consumption tax on food for two years at the premier's office in Tokyo on Feb. 26, 2026.

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks at the first meeting of a cross-party "national council" to discuss her pledge to suspend the consumption tax on food for two years at the premier's office in Tokyo on Feb. 26, 2026.

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks at the first meeting of a cross-party "national council" to discuss her pledge to suspend the consumption tax on food for two years at the premier's office in Tokyo on Feb. 26, 2026.

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Takahiro Anno (2nd from R), leader of Team Mirai, speaks at the first meeting of a cross-party "national council" to discuss Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's pledge to suspend the consumption tax on food for two years at the premier's office in Tokyo on Feb. 26, 2026.

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (2nd from L) speaks at the first meeting of a cross-party "national council" to discuss her pledge to suspend the consumption tax on food for two years at the premier's office in Tokyo on Feb. 26, 2026.

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Takahiro Anno, leader of Team Mirai, speaks at the first meeting of a cross-party "national council" to discuss Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's pledge to suspend the consumption tax on food for two years at the premier's office in Tokyo on Feb. 26, 2026.

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Takahiro Anno (R), leader of Team Mirai, speaks at the first meeting of a cross-party "national council" to discuss Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's pledge to suspend the consumption tax on food for two years at the premier's office in Tokyo on Feb. 26, 2026.

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Photo taken on Feb. 26, 2026, shows the first meeting of a cross-party "national council" to discuss Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's pledge to suspend the consumption tax on food for two years at the premier's office in Tokyo.

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Photo taken on Feb. 26, 2026, shows the first meeting of a cross-party "national council" to discuss Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's pledge to suspend the consumption tax on food for two years at the premier's office in Tokyo.

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Fumitake Fujita (L), co-leader of the Japan Innovation Party, attends the first meeting of a cross-party "national council" to discuss Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's pledge to suspend the consumption tax on food for two years at the premier's office in Tokyo on Feb. 26, 2026.

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Photo taken on Feb. 26, 2026, shows the first meeting of a cross-party "national council" to discuss Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's pledge to suspend the consumption tax on food for two years at the premier's office in Tokyo.

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Fumitake Fujita, co-leader of the Japan Innovation Party, attends the first meeting of a cross-party "national council" to discuss Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's pledge to suspend the consumption tax on food for two years at the premier's office in Tokyo on Feb. 26, 2026.

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Fumitake Fujita (C), co-leader of the Japan Innovation Party, and Takahiro Anno (L), leader of Team Mirai, attend the first meeting of a cross-party "national council" to discuss Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's pledge to suspend the consumption tax on food for two years at the premier's office in Tokyo on Feb. 26, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Toronto Blue Jays rookie Kazuma Okamoto runs after hitting a two-run double in the fourth inning of a spring training game against the Miami Marlins at TD Ballpark in Dunedin, Florida, on Feb. 26, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Toronto Blue Jays rookie Kazuma Okamoto hits a two-run double in the fourth inning of a spring training game against the Miami Marlins at TD Ballpark in Dunedin, Florida, on Feb. 26, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Toronto Blue Jays rookie Kazuma Okamoto is pictured after hitting a two-run double in the fourth inning of a spring training game against the Miami Marlins at TD Ballpark in Dunedin, Florida, on Feb. 26, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Toronto Blue Jays rookie Kazuma Okamoto hits a two-run double in the fourth inning of a spring training game against the Miami Marlins at TD Ballpark in Dunedin, Florida, on Feb. 26, 2026.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a plenary session of the House of Councillors in Tokyo on Feb. 26, 2026.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a plenary session of the House of Councillors in Tokyo on Feb. 26, 2026.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a plenary session of the House of Councillors in Tokyo on Feb. 26, 2026.

US: Thunderstorms Bring Large Hail to Central Alabama

Severe thunderstorms moved through parts of Central Alabama on Thursday afternoon, February 26 bringing strong winds, large hail, and heavy rain in areas including Pinson, Moody, and Trussville.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a plenary session of the House of Councillors in Tokyo on Feb. 26, 2026.

Baseball: Japan team ahead of WBC

Baseball: Japan team ahead of WBC

Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki, a member of Japan's national team, speaks at a press conference in Nagoya, central Japan, on Feb. 26, 2026, ahead of the World Baseball Classic in March. (Pool photo)

Baseball: Japan team ahead of WBC

Baseball: Japan team ahead of WBC

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (L) and Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki, members of Japan's national team, attend a press conference in Nagoya, central Japan, on Feb. 26, 2026, ahead of the World Baseball Classic in March. (Pool photo)

Baseball: Japan team ahead of WBC

Baseball: Japan team ahead of WBC

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani, a member of Japan's national team, smiles at a press conference in Nagoya, central Japan, on Feb. 26, 2026, ahead of the World Baseball Classic in March. (Pool photo)

Figure skating: Olympic champion pair

Figure skating: Olympic champion pair

Japanese figure skaters Riku Miura (R) and Ryuichi Kihara speak to the press during a visit to Kinoshita Group Co., their company sponsor, in Tokyo on Feb. 26, 2026. They won gold in the figure skating pairs and silver in the team event at the Milan Cortina Olympics.

Baseball: Japan team ahead of WBC

Baseball: Japan team ahead of WBC

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani, a member of Japan's national team, speaks at a press conference in Nagoya, central Japan, on Feb. 26, 2026, ahead of the World Baseball Classic in March. (Pool photo)

Figure skating: Olympic champion pair

Figure skating: Olympic champion pair

Japanese figure skaters Riku Miura (R) and Ryuichi Kihara pose for a photo with panels announcing rewards of 20 million yen ($130,000) each from their corporate sponsor Kinoshita Group Co. in Tokyo on Feb. 26, 2026. They won gold in the figure skating pairs and silver in the team event at the Milan Cortina Olympics.

Figure skating: Olympic champion pair

Figure skating: Olympic champion pair

Japanese figure skaters Riku Miura (far R) and Ryuichi Kihara (2nd from R) receive panels announcing rewards of 20 million yen ($130,000) each from Naoya Kinoshita, president of Kinoshita Group Co., their company sponsor, in Tokyo on Feb. 26, 2026. They won gold in the figure skating pairs and silver in the team event at the Milan Cortina Olympics.

South Korea: Major Fire Erupts at Historic 91-Year-Old Restaurant in Downtown Seoul

A fire broke out on Thursday evening, February 26, at a restaurant in Bukchang-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul. The blaze sent thick smoke across the city center, disrupting the evening commutes. Fire authorities deployed 96 personnel and 42 fire vehicles to the scene. Built in 1935, the dilapidated two-story structure made the operation particularly hazardous for first responders.

Japan: Hay Fever Alert Issued as Mass Pollen Dispersal Expected to Peak Nationwide

As of February 16, the start of cedar pollen dispersal has been confirmed in parts of the region stretching from Kyushu to Tokai. By late February, dispersal is expected to begin across a wide area ranging from Kyushu to southern Tohoku. In Shizuoka Prefecture specifically, cedar pollen began dispersing in early February 2026; total volume is expected to reach 1.9 times the average of the past 10 years. Thick pollen is visible in the video, creating hazy conditions across the mountain range.

Ohtani joins Japan training camp ahead of WBC

Ohtani joins Japan training camp ahead of WBC

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani is pictured during a workout at Vantelin Dome Nagoya in the central Japan city of Nagoya on Feb. 26, 2026, joining the Japan national team at training camp as they continued tuning up for the upcoming World Baseball Classic in March. Ohtani took part in practice ahead of warmup games against the Chunichi Dragons on Feb. 27 and 28.

Ohtani joins Japan training camp ahead of WBC

Ohtani joins Japan training camp ahead of WBC

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani is pictured during a workout at Vantelin Dome Nagoya in the central Japan city of Nagoya on Feb. 26, 2026, joining the Japan national team at training camp as they continued tuning up for the upcoming World Baseball Classic in March. Ohtani took part in practice ahead of warmup games against the Chunichi Dragons on Feb. 27 and 28.