US: Cyclists Across America Hold Unity Rides in Honor of Alex Pretti

Cyclists in cities across the United States took part in the "We Ride in Unity" memorial rides on Saturday, January 31 to honor Alex Pretti, a Minneapolis cyclist and ICU nurse whose death sparked nationwide solidarity events.

Bean-throwing event

Bean-throwing event

Sumo grand champion Onosato scatters roasted beans during a traditional bean-throwing event at Naritasan Shinsho-ji temple in Narita near Tokyo on Feb. 3, 2026.

Bean-throwing event

Bean-throwing event

Sumo grand champion Hoshoryu (L) scatters roasted beans during a traditional bean-throwing event at Naritasan Shinsho-ji temple in Narita near Tokyo on Feb. 3, 2026.

Bean-throwing event in Kyoto

Bean-throwing event in Kyoto

Maiko traditional Japanese entertainers scatter roasted beans during a Setsubun bean-throwing event at Yasaka shrine in Kyoto, western Japan, on Feb. 2, 2026.

Bean-throwing event in Kyoto

Bean-throwing event in Kyoto

Maiko traditional Japanese entertainers scatter roasted beans during a Setsubun bean-throwing event at Yasaka shrine in Kyoto, western Japan, on Feb. 2, 2026.

Snowboarding: Kokomo Murase

Snowboarding: Kokomo Murase

Kokomo Murase of Japan poses with the bronze medal she won in the women's snowboard big air event at the Beijing Olympics during a medal ceremony in Beijing on Feb. 15, 2022.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Nozomi Maruyama of Japan is pictured after finishing her second jump at a World Cup women's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Nozomi Maruyama of Japan poses for a photo after winning silver at a World Cup women's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Nozomi Maruyama (C) of Japan poses for a photo with members of the Japanese team, after winning silver at a World Cup women's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

(From L) Nozomi Maruyama of Japan, Eirin Maria Kvandal of Norway and Nika Prevc of Slovakia pose on the podium after respectively winning silver, gold and bronze at a World Cup women's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Nozomi Maruyama of Japan competes en route to winning silver at a World Cup women's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Nozomi Maruyama of Japan poses for a photo after winning silver at a World Cup women's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ren Nikaido of Japan is pictured after finishing his second jump at a World Cup men's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ren Nikaido of Japan is pictured after finishing his second jump at a World Cup men's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ren Nikaido of Japan (L) embraces teammate Yukiya Sato after finishing his second jump at a World Cup men's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ren Nikaido of Japan poses after winning a second straight silver at a World Cup men's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ren Nikaido of Japan is pictured after finishing his second jump at a World Cup men's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ren Nikaido of Japan poses after winning a second straight silver at a World Cup men's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ren Nikaido of Japan competes en route to winning a second straight silver at a World Cup men's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Nozomi Maruyama of Japan competes en route to winning bronze at a World Cup women's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Jan. 31, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Nozomi Maruyama of Japan competes en route to winning silver at a World Cup women's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Nozomi Maruyama of Japan poses for a photo after winning bronze at a World Cup women's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Jan. 31, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Nozomi Maruyama of Japan acknowledges the crowd after winning bronze at a World Cup women's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Jan. 31, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Nozomi Maruyama of Japan acknowledges the crowd after winning bronze at a World Cup women's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Jan. 31, 2026.

Baseball: Padres GM Preller

Baseball: Padres GM Preller

San Diego Padres general manager A.J. Preller meets the press during a fan event at Petco Park in San Diego, California, on Jan. 31, 2026.

Baseball: Shohei Ohtani

Baseball: Shohei Ohtani

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani meets the press during a fan event at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Jan. 31, 2026.

Baseball: Roki Sasaki

Baseball: Roki Sasaki

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki meets the press during a fan event at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Jan. 31, 2026.

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

The "Luminarie" illumination event opens on Jan. 30, 2026, in memory of the victims of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

The "Luminarie" illumination event opens on Jan. 30, 2026, in memory of the victims of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

The "Luminarie" illumination event opens on Jan. 30, 2026, in memory of the victims of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

The "Luminarie" illumination event opens on Jan. 30, 2026, in memory of the victims of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

The "Luminarie" illumination event opens on Jan. 30, 2026, in memory of the victims of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

The "Luminarie" illumination event opens on Jan. 30, 2026, in memory of the victims of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

The "Luminarie" illumination event opens on Jan. 30, 2026, in memory of the victims of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

Portugal: Storm Kristin Triggers Deadly Floods and Landslides, Leaving 850,000 Without Power

Storm Kristin has left at least five dead and caused widespread devastation across central and northern Portugal. Labeled an 'extreme climatic event' by the government, the storm brought hurricane-force winds that triggered over 3,300 emergency incidents and knocked out power to 855,000 residents on Wednesday, January 28. While the peak has passed, major rail lines remain suspended and hundreds of thousands of homes are still without electricity as cleanup efforts continue.

Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics

Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics

Police officers patrol near the main press center of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, on Jan. 29, 2026, ahead of the event's opening on Feb. 6.

Traditional bean-throwing event

Traditional bean-throwing event

A traditional bean-throwing event is held at the World Heritage-listed Fudarakusan-ji temple in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 27, 2026, for Setsubun celebration in February.

[Breaking News]Icefall festival in Hokkaido

KAMIKAWA, Japan, Jan. 25 Kyodo - An icefall festival begins in Kamikawa in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 24, 2026. The annual event, featuring about 10 ice sculptures lit up in seven colors, will run through March 8. (Kyodo)

Icefall festival in Hokkaido

Icefall festival in Hokkaido

An icefall festival begins in Kamikawa in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 24, 2026. The annual event, featuring about 10 ice sculptures lit up in seven colors, will run through March 8.

Icefall festival in Hokkaido

Icefall festival in Hokkaido

An icefall festival begins in Kamikawa in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 24, 2026. The annual event, featuring about 10 ice sculptures lit up in seven colors, will run through March 8.

Icefall festival in Hokkaido

Icefall festival in Hokkaido

An icefall festival begins in Kamikawa in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 24, 2026. The annual event, featuring about 10 ice sculptures lit up in seven colors, will run through March 8.

Icefall festival in Hokkaido

Icefall festival in Hokkaido

An icefall festival begins in Kamikawa in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 24, 2026. The annual event, featuring about 10 ice sculptures lit up in seven colors, will run through March 8.

Icefall festival in Hokkaido

Icefall festival in Hokkaido

An icefall festival begins in Kamikawa in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 24, 2026. The annual event, featuring about 10 ice sculptures lit up in seven colors, will run through March 8.

Buddhist monks seek donations

Buddhist monks seek donations

Buddhist monks from the Koyasan Shingon Sect visit houses in Koya in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 23, 2026, for an annual event to collect donations.

Buddhist monks seek donations

Buddhist monks seek donations

Buddhist monks from the Koyasan Shingon Sect gather at their temple before visiting houses in Koya in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 23, 2026, for an annual event to collect donations.

[Breaking News]Conger eels at northeastern Japan aquarium

SENDAI, Japan, Jan. 20 Kyodo - Video taken at Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Jan. 19, 2026, shows conger eels protruding from pipes resembling "ehomaki" sushi rolls that are eaten on Setsubun day on Feb. 3 marking the turn from winter to spring. The annual event at the aquarium ends on Feb. 8. (Kyodo)

RECAP: Strongest Solar Storm in Over 20 Years Triggers Widespread Auroras

A powerful geomagnetic storm triggered by one of the strongest solar eruptions in more than 20 years lit up skies across large parts of Europe and North America on Monday, January 19 and Tuesday, January 20. The rare event allowed the northern lights to be seen far south of their usual range, including in parts of the United States, the UK, Germany, and Switzerland, according to NOAA.

Baseball: All-Star red carpet

Baseball: All-Star red carpet

Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers and his wife Mamiko walk on the red carpet during a Major League Baseball event ahead of the All-Star Game at Truist Park in Atlanta on July 15, 2025.

Echizen crabs in central Japan

Echizen crabs in central Japan

Boiled Echizen crabs are shown to the media at a fish wholesaler in Sakai, Fukui Prefecture, on Jan. 21, 2026, as part of an annual event organized by the central Japan prefecture to present the winter delicacy to Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and other imperial family members.

Echizen crabs in central Japan

Echizen crabs in central Japan

Boiled Echizen crabs are shown to the media at a fish wholesaler in Sakai, Fukui Prefecture, on Jan. 21, 2026, as part of an annual event organized by the central Japan prefecture to present the winter delicacy to Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and other imperial family members.