Japan: H3 Rocket Successfully Launches from Tanegashima in New Configuration Debut

Japan's H3 rocket successfully launched from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture on Friday, June 12, at 9:53 a.m. local time. The rocket reached its intended orbit, marking a successful mission for the country's flagship launch vehicle.

Japan: H3 Rocket Successfully Launches from Tanegashima in New Configuration Debut 2

Japan's H3 rocket successfully launched from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture on Friday, June 12, at 9:53 a.m. local time. The rocket reached its intended orbit, marking a successful mission for the country's flagship launch vehicle.

Japan launches H3 rocket

Japan launches H3 rocket

A Japanese H3 rocket lifts off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on June 12, 2026. It marked the country's first rocket launch powered solely by liquid-fuel engines.

Japan launches H3 rocket

Japan launches H3 rocket

A Japanese H3 rocket lifts off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on June 12, 2026. It marked the country's first rocket launch powered solely by liquid-fuel engines.

Japan launches H3 rocket

Japan launches H3 rocket

A Japanese H3 rocket lifts off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on June 12, 2026. It marked the country's first rocket launch powered solely by liquid-fuel engines.

Japan launches H3 rocket

Japan launches H3 rocket

A Japanese H3 rocket lifts off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on June 12, 2026. It marked the country's first rocket launch powered solely by liquid-fuel engines.

Japan launches H3 rocket

Japan launches H3 rocket

A Japanese H3 rocket lifts off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on June 12, 2026. It marked the country's first rocket launch powered solely by liquid-fuel engines.

Japan launches H3 rocket

Japan launches H3 rocket

A Japanese H3 rocket lifts off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on June 12, 2026. It marked the country's first rocket launch powered solely by liquid-fuel engines.

Japan launches H3 rocket

Japan launches H3 rocket

A Japanese H3 rocket lifts off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on June 12, 2026. It marked the country's first rocket launch powered solely by liquid-fuel engines.

Japan launches H3 rocket

Japan launches H3 rocket

A Japanese H3 rocket lifts off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on June 12, 2026. It marked the country's first rocket launch powered solely by liquid-fuel engines.

Japan launches H3 rocket

Japan launches H3 rocket

A Japanese H3 rocket lifts off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on June 12, 2026. It marked the country's first rocket launch powered solely by liquid-fuel engines.

China: Dramatic Dark Storm Clouds Loom Over Inner Mongolia City

Dramatic storm clouds formed over Tongliao, Inner Mongolia, northern China, on June 8, 2026. The sky was covered by thunderstorm clouds with a black center and a purple-gray ring, creating a striking contrast against the quiet city below. Chinese netizens shared similar cloud photos from across the country, with many calling the formations grand and visually powerful.

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Hinako Shibuno of Japan plays during the second round of the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, on June 5, 2026.

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Hinako Shibuno of Japan plays during the second round of the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, on June 5, 2026.

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Hinako Shibuno of Japan plays during the second round of the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, on June 5, 2026.

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Hinako Shibuno of Japan plays during the second round of the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, on June 5, 2026.

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Nasa Hataoka of Japan plays during the second round of the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, on June 5, 2026.

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Hinako Shibuno of Japan plays during the third round of the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, on June 6, 2026.

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Nasa Hataoka of Japan plays a shot on the ninth hole during the third round of the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, on June 6, 2026.

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Nasa Hataoka of Japan plays during the third round of the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, on June 6, 2026.

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Nasa Hataoka of Japan plays during the third round of the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, on June 6, 2026.

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Nasa Hataoka of Japan plays during the third round of the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, on June 6, 2026.

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Nelly Korda of the United States poses with the victor's trophy after winning the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, on June 7, 2026.

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Hinako Shibuno of Japan plays a shot on the second hole during the final round of the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, on June 7, 2026.

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Nasa Hataoka of Japan plays a shot on the ninth hole during the final round of the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, on June 7, 2026.

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Nasa Hataoka of Japan plays a shot on the second hole during the final round of the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, on June 7, 2026.

Golf: Yonex Ladies

Golf: Yonex Ladies

Rin Yoshida poses with the victor's trophy after winning the Yonex Ladies golf tournament at the Yonex Country Club in Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture, Japan, on June 7, 2026.

Golf: Yonex Ladies

Golf: Yonex Ladies

Rin Yoshida poses with the victor's trophy after winning the Yonex Ladies golf tournament at the Yonex Country Club in Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture, Japan, on June 7, 2026.

Golf: Yonex Ladies

Golf: Yonex Ladies

Rin Yoshida poses with the victor's trophy after winning the Yonex Ladies golf tournament at the Yonex Country Club in Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture, Japan, on June 7, 2026.

Golf: Yonex Ladies

Golf: Yonex Ladies

Rin Yoshida reacts after making a winning putt on the 18th hole during the final round of the Yonex Ladies golf tournament at the Yonex Country Club in Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture, Japan, on June 7, 2026.

Golf: Yonex Ladies

Golf: Yonex Ladies

Rin Yoshida plays a shot during the final round of the Yonex Ladies golf tournament at the Yonex Country Club in Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture, Japan, on June 7, 2026.

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Hinako Shibuno of Japan is pictured after finishing the first round of the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, on June 4, 2026.

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Hinako Shibuno of Japan plays during the first round of the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, on June 4, 2026.

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Shiho Kuwaki of Japan tees off during the first round of the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, on June 4, 2026.

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Sakura Koiwai of Japan tees off during the first round of the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, on June 4, 2026.

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Yuri Yoshida of Japan tees off during the first round of the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, on June 4, 2026.

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Sayaka Takahashi of Japan tees off during the first round of the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, on June 4, 2026.

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Miyu Yamashita of Japan tees off during the first round of the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, on June 4, 2026.

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Miyu Yamashita of Japan tees off during the first round of the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, on June 4, 2026.

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Miyuu Goto of Japan tees off during the first round of the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, on June 4, 2026.

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Shuri Sakuma of Japan hits out of a bunker during the first round of the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, on June 4, 2026.

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Nasa Hataoka of Japan hits off the 11th tee during the first round of the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, on June 4, 2026.

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Golf: U.S. Women's Open

Ayaka Furue of Japan hits off the 14th tee during the first round of the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, on June 4, 2026.

Albania: Tirana Protesters Press Up Against Police Lines at Kushner Resort Rally

Thousands of people once again protested in Tirana, Albania, on Wednesday June 3, against a controversial luxury resort development in the protected Vjosa-Narta landscape on the country's southern coast, led by Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner's firm Affinity Partners.

Kyrgyzstan wins U.N. Security Council nonpermanent seat

Kyrgyzstan wins U.N. Security Council nonpermanent seat

Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev meets the press in New York on June 3, 2026, after his country was elected as a nonpermanent member of the U.N. Security Council for the first time on June 3, 2026.

Albania: Mass Protests in Tirana Against Kushner Resort in Vjosa-Narta Reserve

Thousands of people once again protested in Tirana, Albania, on Wednesday June 3, against a controversial luxury resort development in the protected Vjosa-Narta landscape on the country's southern coast, led by Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner's firm Affinity Partners.

Albania: Police Use Water Cannon to Disperse Protesters in Tirana

Police used water cannon to disperse crowds in Tirana on Wednesday, June 3 as thousands of people protested against a controversial luxury resort development in the protected Vjosa-Narta landscape on the country's southern coast, led by Affinity Partners, the firm of Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump.

Japan: Typhoon Jangmi Sends Massive Waves Crashing Into Coastlines

Typhoon Jangmi swept across Japan over several days, bringing powerful winds and heavy rainfall that caused widespread damage throughout the country. Along the coasts and on remote islands in various regions, massive waves crashed against the shore as the typhoon made its way through.

Japan: Izu Oshima Pounded by Giant Waves as Typhoon Jangmi Strikes

Typhoon Jangmi swept across Japan over several days, bringing powerful winds and heavy rainfall that caused widespread damage throughout the country. On the island of Izu Oshima — located roughly 120 kilometers south of central Tokyo — massive waves were seen crashing against the shore on Wednesday, June 3.

Japan: Izu Oshima Pounded by Giant Waves as Typhoon Jangmi Strikes 2

Typhoon Jangmi swept across Japan over several days, bringing powerful winds and heavy rainfall that caused widespread damage throughout the country. On the island of Izu Oshima — located roughly 120 kilometers south of central Tokyo — massive waves were seen crashing against the shore on Wednesday, June 3.