Japan emperor, empress in Belgium

Japan emperor, empress in Belgium

Japan's Emperor Naruhito (front row, 2nd from R) and Empress Masako (front row, 2nd from L) pose for a photo with Belgium's King Philippe (front row, far L) and Queen Mathilde (front row, far R) at the Royal Castle of Ciergnon in Houyet, southern Belgium, a residence and summer retreat of the Belgian royal family, on June 21, 2026. Standing behind them are (from R to L) Prince Gabriel, Princess Elisabeth, Princess Eleonore and Prince Emmanuel. (Pool photo)

Japan emperor, empress in Belgium

Japan emperor, empress in Belgium

Japan's Emperor Naruhito (front row, 2nd from R) and Empress Masako (front row, 2nd from L) pose for a photo with Belgium's King Philippe (front row, far L) and Queen Mathilde (front row, far R) at the Royal Castle of Ciergnon in Houyet, southern Belgium, a residence and summer retreat of the Belgian royal family, on June 21, 2026. Standing behind them are (from R to L) Prince Gabriel, Princess Elisabeth, Princess Eleonore and Prince Emmanuel. (Pool photo)

Japan emperor, empress in Belgium

Japan emperor, empress in Belgium

Japan's Emperor Naruhito (2nd from R) and Empress Masako (2nd from L) chat with Belgium's King Philippe and Queen Mathilde at the Royal Castle of Ciergnon in Houyet, southern Belgium, a residence and summer retreat of the Belgian royal family, on June 21, 2026. (Pool photo)

Japan emperor, empress in Belgium

Japan emperor, empress in Belgium

Japan's Emperor Naruhito (2nd from R) and Empress Masako (2nd from L) chat with Belgium's King Philippe and Queen Mathilde at the Royal Castle of Ciergnon in Houyet, southern Belgium, a residence and summer retreat of the Belgian royal family, on June 21, 2026. (Pool photo)

Japan emperor, empress in Belgium

Japan emperor, empress in Belgium

Japan's Emperor Naruhito (2nd from R) and Empress Masako (2nd from L) chat with Belgium's King Philippe and Queen Mathilde at the Royal Castle of Ciergnon in Houyet, southern Belgium, a residence and summer retreat of the Belgian royal family, on June 21, 2026. (Pool photo)

Japan emperor, empress in Belgium

Japan emperor, empress in Belgium

Japan's Emperor Naruhito (2nd from R) and Empress Masako (2nd from L) pose for a photo with Belgium's King Philippe and Queen Mathilde at the Royal Castle of Ciergnon in Houyet, southern Belgium, a residence and summer retreat of the Belgian royal family, on June 21, 2026. (Pool photo)

Japan emperor, empress in Belgium

Japan emperor, empress in Belgium

Japan's Emperor Naruhito (front row, 2nd from R) and Empress Masako (front row, 2nd from L) pose for a photo with Belgium's King Philippe (front row, far L) and Queen Mathilde (front row, far R) at the Royal Castle of Ciergnon in Houyet, southern Belgium, a residence and summer retreat of the Belgian royal family, on June 21, 2026. Standing behind them are (from R to L) Prince Gabriel, Princess Elisabeth, Princess Eleonore and Prince Emmanuel. (Pool photo)

Japan emperor, empress in Belgium

Japan emperor, empress in Belgium

Japan's Emperor Naruhito (front row, 2nd from R) and Empress Masako (front row, 2nd from L) pose for a photo with Belgium's King Philippe (front row, far L) and Queen Mathilde (front row, far R) at the Royal Castle of Ciergnon in Houyet, southern Belgium, a residence and summer retreat of the Belgian royal family, on June 21, 2026. Standing behind them are (from R to L) Prince Gabriel, Princess Elisabeth, Princess Eleonore and Prince Emmanuel. (Pool photo)

Japan emperor, empress in Belgium

Japan emperor, empress in Belgium

Photo taken on June 21, 2026, shows the Royal Castle of Ciergnon in Houyet, southern Belgium, a residence and summer retreat of the Belgian royal family, where Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako are staying as part of their official visit to Belgium. (Pool photo)

Japan emperor, empress in Belgium

Japan emperor, empress in Belgium

Photo taken on June 21, 2026, shows the Royal Castle of Ciergnon in Houyet, southern Belgium, a residence and summer retreat of the Belgian royal family, where Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako are staying as part of their official visit to Belgium. (Pool photo)

Japan emperor, empress in Belgium

Japan emperor, empress in Belgium

Photo taken on June 21, 2026, shows the Royal Castle of Ciergnon in Houyet, southern Belgium, a residence and summer retreat of the Belgian royal family, where Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako are staying as part of their official visit to Belgium. (Pool photo)

Japan's emperor in Netherlands

Japan's emperor in Netherlands

Japan's Emperor Naruhito (R) is briefed by the director during a visit to Het Loo Palace in the central Dutch city of Apeldoorn on June 15, 2026. The emperor and Empress Masako are staying at nearby Het Oude Loo Castle, a royal retreat, by special invitation of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands. (Pool photo)

Japan's emperor in Netherlands

Japan's emperor in Netherlands

Japan's Emperor Naruhito (R) is briefed by the director during a visit to Het Loo Palace in the central Dutch city of Apeldoorn on June 15, 2026. The emperor and Empress Masako are staying at nearby Het Oude Loo Castle, a royal retreat, by special invitation of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands. (Pool photo)

Japan's emperor in Netherlands

Japan's emperor in Netherlands

Japan's Emperor Naruhito (C, L) visits Het Loo Palace in the central Dutch city of Apeldoorn on June 15, 2026. The emperor and Empress Masako are staying at nearby Het Oude Loo Castle, a royal retreat, by special invitation of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands. (Pool photo)

Traditional parade in Kanazawa

Traditional parade in Kanazawa

Firefighters climb bamboo ladders in a Kagatobi ladder-climbing performance during a traditional parade at the Hyakumangoku Festival in Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, on June 6, 2026, reenacting 16th-century warlord Maeda Toshiie's entry into Kanazawa Castle.

Traditional parade in Kanazawa

Traditional parade in Kanazawa

Drummers perform during a traditional parade of the Hyakumangoku Festival in Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, on June 6, 2026, reenacting 16th-century warlord Maeda Toshiie's entry into Kanazawa Castle.

Round 7 of the World Rally Championship: Forum 8 Rally Japan 2026

Round 7 of the World Rally Championship: Forum 8 Rally Japan 2026

Round 7 of the World Rally Championship: Forum 8 Rally Japan 2026. The photo shows Nagoya Castle and a World Rally Car.=May 28,2026,Aichi

Round 7 of the World Rally Championship: Forum 8 Rally Japan 2026

Round 7 of the World Rally Championship: Forum 8 Rally Japan 2026

Round 7 of the World Rally Championship: Forum 8 Rally Japan 2026. The photo shows Nagoya Castle and a World Rally Car.=May 28,2026,Aichi

Solaseed Air plane for quake recovery

Solaseed Air plane for quake recovery

Photo taken on April 14, 2026, at Kumamoto airport in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, shows the image of Kumamoto Castle emblazoned on the body of a Solaseed Air plane. The special airplane, Go Forward Kumamoto, is aimed at supporting efforts to promote tourism and recovery from the two devastating earthquakes that hit the prefecture in April 2016.

Solaseed Air plane for quake recovery

Solaseed Air plane for quake recovery

Photo taken on April 14, 2026, at Kumamoto airport in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, shows the image of Kumamoto Castle emblazoned on the body of a Solaseed Air plane. The special airplane, Go Forward Kumamoto, is aimed at supporting efforts to promote tourism and recovery from the two devastating earthquakes that hit the prefecture in April 2016.

Solaseed Air plane for quake recovery

Solaseed Air plane for quake recovery

A ceremony is held at Kumamoto airport in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, on April 14, 2026, to mark the launch of a Solaseed Air plane emblazoned with images of Kumamoto Castle and other sightseeing spots of the prefecture. The special airplane, Go Forward Kumamoto, is aimed at supporting efforts to promote tourism and recovery from the two devastating earthquakes that hit the prefecture in April 2016.

10th anniversary of Kumamoto quakes

10th anniversary of Kumamoto quakes

Photo shows Kumamoto Castle still under repair in Kumamoto on April 13, 2026, the eve of the 10th anniversary of two devastating earthquakes in the southwestern Japan prefecture. A total of 278 people were killed in Kumamoto and Oita prefectures in the quakes on April 14 and 16, 2016.

10th anniversary of Kumamoto quakes

10th anniversary of Kumamoto quakes

Kumamoto Castle is illuminated in Kumamoto on April 13, 2026, the eve of the 10th anniversary of two devastating earthquakes in the southwestern Japan prefecture. A total of 278 people were killed in Kumamoto and Oita prefectures in the quakes on April 14 and 16, 2016.

10th anniversary of Kumamoto quakes

10th anniversary of Kumamoto quakes

Photo shows Kumamoto Castle still under repair in Kumamoto on April 13, 2026, the eve of the 10th anniversary of two devastating earthquakes in the southwestern Japan prefecture. A total of 278 people were killed in Kumamoto and Oita prefectures in the quakes on April 14 and 16, 2016.

10th anniversary of Kumamoto quakes

10th anniversary of Kumamoto quakes

Kumamoto Castle is illuminated in Kumamoto on April 13, 2026, the eve of the 10th anniversary of two devastating earthquakes in the southwestern Japan prefecture. A total of 278 people were killed in Kumamoto and Oita prefectures in the quakes on April 14 and 16, 2016.

10th anniversary of Kumamoto quakes

10th anniversary of Kumamoto quakes

Photo shows Kumamoto Castle (back, L) in Kumamoto on April 13, 2026, the eve of the 10th anniversary of two devastating earthquakes in the southwestern Japan prefecture. A total of 278 people were killed in Kumamoto and Oita prefectures in the quakes on April 14 and 16, 2016.

10th anniversary of Kumamoto quakes

10th anniversary of Kumamoto quakes

Photo shows Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto on April 13, 2026, the eve of the 10th anniversary of two devastating earthquakes in the southwestern Japan prefecture. A total of 278 people were killed in Kumamoto and Oita prefectures in the quakes on April 14 and 16, 2016.

10th anniversary of Kumamoto quakes

10th anniversary of Kumamoto quakes

Photo shows Kumamoto Castle (back) in Kumamoto on April 13, 2026, the eve of the 10th anniversary of two devastating earthquakes in the southwestern Japan prefecture. A total of 278 people were killed in Kumamoto and Oita prefectures in the quakes on April 14 and 16, 2016.

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on April 11, 2026.

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on April 11, 2026.

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on April 11, 2026.

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on April 11, 2026.

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on April 11, 2026.

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on April 11, 2026.

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on April 11, 2026.

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on April 11, 2026.

Public access to Hiroshima Castle tower ends

Public access to Hiroshima Castle tower ends

Hiroshima Castle's tower is illuminated on the final day of its public opening in Hiroshima, western Japan, on March 22, 2026. A 68-year history of public access to the castle tower, rebuilt in 1958 following its destruction in the 1945 U.S. atomic bombing, ended due to its aging.

Spain: Medieval Tower of Escalona Castle Collapses in Toledo

On Saturday, March 14, one of the towers of the medieval Escalona Castle in Toledo, Spain, collapsed just before tourist visits were set to begin, with heavy rainfall cited as the most likely cause. No injuries were reported, though several nearby vehicles were damaged by falling debris.

Cherry tree comes into bloom in Japan

Cherry tree comes into bloom in Japan

A "Somei Yoshino" cherry tree comes into bloom at Kochi Castle in the western Japan city of Kochi on March 16, 2026. The area and the central Japan city of Gifu became the first to see the trees bloom in Japan.

Cherry tree comes into bloom in Japan

Cherry tree comes into bloom in Japan

A "Somei Yoshino" cherry tree comes into bloom at Kochi Castle in the western Japan city of Kochi on March 16, 2026. The area and the central Japan city of Gifu became the first to see the trees bloom in Japan.

Total lunar eclipse

Total lunar eclipse

A total lunar eclipse is seen above Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, on March 3, 2026.

Total lunar eclipse

Total lunar eclipse

A total lunar eclipse is seen above Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, on March 3, 2026.

Total lunar eclipse

Total lunar eclipse

A total lunar eclipse is seen above Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, on March 3, 2026.

Poland: Solidarity Rally Held in Warsaw on Fourth Anniversary of Ukraine Invasion

Crowds gathered in Warsaw’s Castle Square to mark the four-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Protesters waved Ukrainian flags and held signs with messages. According to the filmer, in this video, a Polish band can be heard singing in Ukrainian.

UK: Double-Decker Buses Crash in London’s Elephant and Castle, Causing Major Delays

Two double-decker buses collided near Southwark Playhouse in London on a busy street in Elephant and Castle, causing major travel disruption on Wednesday, February 18. Emergency crews responded after one bus struck the rear of another. London Fire Brigade said part of a nearby building was slightly damaged, and firefighters assisted paramedics in treating patients at the scene.

GASTRONOMIC ACADEMY MEETING SWEDEN

GASTRONOMIC ACADEMY MEETING SWEDEN

Sweden's King Carl Gustaf awards Thomas Sjögren the Gastronomic Academy Gold Medal during the Gastronomic Academy Awards Ceremony at the Royal Palace in Stockholm, Sweden, January 19, 2026.Photo: Jessica Gow / TT / Code 10070

GASTRONOMIC ACADEMY MEETING SWEDEN

GASTRONOMIC ACADEMY MEETING SWEDEN

Sweden's King Carl Gustaf awards Thomas Sjögren the Gastronomic Academy Gold Medal during the Gastronomic Academy Awards Ceremony at the Royal Palace in Stockholm, Sweden, January 19, 2026.Photo: Jessica Gow / TT / Code 10070

GASTRONOMIC ACADEMY MEETING SWEDEN

GASTRONOMIC ACADEMY MEETING SWEDEN

Sweden's King Carl Gustaf speaks at the Gastronomic Academy's awards ceremony at the Royal Palace in Stockholm, Sweden, January 19, 2026.Photo: Jessica Gow / TT / Code 10070

GASTRONOMIC ACADEMY MEETING SWEDEN

GASTRONOMIC ACADEMY MEETING SWEDEN

Sweden's King Carl Gustaf speaks at the Gastronomic Academy's awards ceremony at the Royal Palace in Stockholm, Sweden, January 19, 2026.Photo: Jessica Gow / TT / Code 10070

GASTRONOMIC ACADEMY MEETING SWEDEN

GASTRONOMIC ACADEMY MEETING SWEDEN

Sweden's King Carl Gustaf speaks at the Gastronomic Academy's awards ceremony at the Royal Palace in Stockholm, Sweden, January 19, 2026.Photo: Jessica Gow / TT / Code 10070