Traditional bean-throwing event

NACHIKATSUURA, Japan, Jan. 27 Kyodo - 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. (Kyodo)

Japan: Self Defense Force Requested for Spreading Wildfire in Western Saitama

A wildfire that was initially contained after breaking out in Chichibu, western Saitama, on Wednesday, February 4, expanded to 40 hectares after reigniting Thursday night. The prefectural government was prompted to request the dispatch of the Self-Defense Forces on Friday to combat the spreading blaze.

Denmark: Heavy Snowfall Brings Much of Country to Standstill

Heavy snowfall brought much of Denmark to a standstill on Friday, February 6, following a severe weather warning for blizzards issued by the Danish Meteorological Institute on Wednesday. The storm forced authorities to close schools and cancel flights, with residents in Copenhagen and surrounding areas urged to stay indoors.

Toyota CFO Kon to replace Sato as CEO from April 1

Toyota CFO Kon to replace Sato as CEO from April 1

Toyota Motor Corp. Chief Financial Officer Kenta Kon (R) and Chief Executive Officer Koji Sato pose for a photo during a press conference in Tokyo on Feb. 6, 2026, after the company announced Kon will succeed Sato as CEO, effective April 1.

Baseball: MLB training

Baseball: MLB training

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani is pictured during a workout at the club's training facility in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 5, 2026. Ohtani made an early start to preseason by training independently in preparation for the new MLB campaign and the upcoming World Baseball Classic before his club's camp opens on Feb. 13.

Baseball: MLB training

Baseball: MLB training

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani works out at the club's training facility in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 5, 2026, training independently in preparation for the new MLB campaign and the upcoming World Baseball Classic before his club's camp opens on Feb. 13.

Baseball: MLB training

Baseball: MLB training

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani works out at the club's training facility in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 5, 2026, training independently in preparation for the new MLB campaign and the upcoming World Baseball Classic before his club's camp opens on Feb. 13.

Baseball: MLB training

Baseball: MLB training

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani works out at the club's training facility in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 5, 2026, training independently in preparation for the new MLB campaign and the upcoming World Baseball Classic before his club's camp opens on Feb. 13.

Baseball: MLB training

Baseball: MLB training

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani works out at the club's training facility in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 5, 2026, training independently in preparation for the new MLB campaign and the upcoming World Baseball Classic before his club's camp opens on Feb. 13.

Baseball: MLB training

Baseball: MLB training

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani works out at the club's training facility in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 5, 2026, training independently in preparation for the new MLB campaign and the upcoming World Baseball Classic before his club's camp opens on Feb. 13.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Democratic Party for the People leader Yuichiro Tamaki leaves after making a stump speech in Kobe, western Japan, on Feb. 3, 2026, ahead of the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Democratic Party for the People leader Yuichiro Tamaki (C) poses for a photo following a stump speech in Kobe, western Japan, on Feb. 3, 2026, ahead of the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Democratic Party for the People leader Yuichiro Tamaki (C) smiles following a stump speech in Kobe, western Japan, on Feb. 3, 2026, ahead of the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Democratic Party for the People leader Yuichiro Tamaki (C) waves his hand following a stump speech in Kobe, western Japan, on Feb. 3, 2026, ahead of the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi waves her hand during a stump speech in Kawagoe in Saitama Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Feb. 3, 2026, ahead of the Feb. 8 general election.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi smiles during a stump speech in Higashimatsuyama in Saitama Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Feb. 3, 2026, ahead of the Feb. 8 general election.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi smiles during a stump speech in Higashimatsuyama in Saitama Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Feb. 3, 2026, ahead of the Feb. 8 general election.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi makes a stump speech in Kuki in Saitama Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Feb. 3, 2026, ahead of the Feb. 8 general election.

Ireland: Weather Warnings Reissued as Heavy Rain and Winds Batter Island

Strong winds whipped up huge waves along the Dublin coast on Thursday, February 5, as severe weather accompanied by heavy rain and flooding battered Ireland. Twelve counties remain under weather warnings as Ireland braces for another day of torrential rain. A Status Orange rain warning is now in effect for Dublin, Wicklow, Louth, and Waterford. The alert for Dublin and Wicklow, which began this morning, has been extended until 3 p.m. on Friday, February 6. Status Yellow warnings remain in place for several other regions, while multiple train services have been suspended until further notice due to flooding.

Milan Cortina Olympics

Milan Cortina Olympics

People pose for a photo at the Olympic rings at Livigno Snow Park in Livigno, Italy, on Feb. 5, 2026, the eve of the opening of the Milan Cortina Olympics.

Milan Cortina Olympics

Milan Cortina Olympics

An official practice for big air players is held at Livigno Snow Park in Livigno, Italy, on Feb. 4, 2026, ahead of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, opening on Feb. 6.

Spain: Heavy Snow from Storm Leonardo Keeps Sierra Nevada Resort on High Alert

Cetursa crews worked throughout the day to safeguard the Sierra Nevada ski area from Storm Leonardo. With the resort closed due to the weather emergency, teams created snow trenches and drainage channels to protect buildings in Borreguiles and direct runoff away from the pistes. Despite these efforts, the resort remains on high alert for rising snow levels and a significant increase in avalanche risk, and will stay closed on Thursday, February 5.

TSMC CEO in Japan

TSMC CEO in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (2nd from R) and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Chief Executive Officer C.C. Wei (2nd from L) pose for a photo at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Feb. 5, 2026.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Italian sports minister

Milan Cortina Olympics: Italian sports minister

Italian Minister for Sport and Youth Andrea Abodi speaks during an interview in Rome in January 2026. He blasted Russia for its continued attacks on Ukraine despite the United Nations having adopted a General Assembly resolution on the Olympic truce during the upcoming Milan Cortina Olympics.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Figure skater Kagiyama

Milan Cortina Olympics: Figure skater Kagiyama

Japanese figure skater Yuma Kagiyama (L) and his father and coach Masakazu are pictured during an official practice session for the upcoming Milan Cortina Olympics.

Milan Cortina Olympics

Milan Cortina Olympics

Photo taken on Feb. 4, 2026, shows the venue of snowboard big air competitions for the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics at Livigno Snow Park in Livigno, Italy, ahead of the upcoming games.

Milan Cortina Olympics

Milan Cortina Olympics

People walk past the Olympic rings in Livigno, Italy, which hosts the venues for freestyle skiing and snowboard competitions for the Milan Cortina Olympics, on Feb. 4, 2026.

Milan Cortina Olympics

Milan Cortina Olympics

An Italian athlete poses for photos with the Olympic rings at Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium in Tesero, Italy, on Feb. 4, 2026, ahead of the Milan Cortina Olympics.

PM Takaichi's meeting with TSMC CEO

PM Takaichi's meeting with TSMC CEO

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Chief Executive Officer C.C. Wei enters the prime minister's office in Tokyo for talks with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Feb. 5, 2026.

Milan Cortina Olympics

Milan Cortina Olympics

An Italian athlete poses for photos with the Olympic rings at Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium in Tesero, Italy, on Feb. 4, 2026, ahead of the Milan Cortina Olympics.

Milan Cortina Olympics

Milan Cortina Olympics

An Italian athlete poses for photos with the Olympic rings at Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium in Tesero, Italy, on Feb. 4, 2026, ahead of the Milan Cortina Olympics.

Milan Cortina Olympics

Milan Cortina Olympics

An Italian athlete poses for photos with the Olympic rings at Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium in Tesero, Italy, on Feb. 4, 2026, ahead of the Milan Cortina Olympics.

PM Takaichi's meeting with TSMC CEO

PM Takaichi's meeting with TSMC CEO

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (R) and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Chief Executive Officer C.C. Wei pose for a photo at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Feb. 5, 2026.

PM Takaichi's meeting with TSMC CEO

PM Takaichi's meeting with TSMC CEO

(From L) Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Chief Executive Officer C.C. Wei, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara pose for a photo at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Feb. 5, 2026.

Milan Cortina Olympics

Milan Cortina Olympics

Japanese snowboarder Kokomo Murase (front) meets the press after a training session on Feb. 4, 2026, in Livigno, Italy, where snowboard and freestyle skiing competitions for the Milan Cortina Olympics will be held.

Milan Cortina Olympics

Milan Cortina Olympics

Japanese snowboarder Kokomo Murase takes part in a training session on Feb. 4, 2026, in Livigno, Italy, where snowboard and freestyle skiing competitions for the Milan Cortina Olympics will be held.

Milan Cortina Olympics

Milan Cortina Olympics

Japanese snowboarder Kokomo Murase takes part in a training session on Feb. 4, 2026, in Livigno, Italy, where snowboard and freestyle skiing competitions for the Milan Cortina Olympics will be held.

Milan Cortina Olympics

Milan Cortina Olympics

Japanese snowboarder Kokomo Murase takes part in a training session on Feb. 4, 2026, in Livigno, Italy, where snowboard and freestyle skiing competitions for the Milan Cortina Olympics will be held.

Milan Cortina Olympics

Milan Cortina Olympics

(From L) Evan Bates, Madison Chock, Ilia Malinin and Amber Glenn pose for photos after a United States figure skating team press conference in Milan on Feb. 4, 2026, ahead of the Milan Cortina Olympics.

Milan Cortina Olympics

Milan Cortina Olympics

Kaori Sakamoto of Japan practices during an official training session for figure skating in Milan on Feb. 4, 2026, ahead of the Milan Cortina Olympics.

Milan Cortina Olympics

Milan Cortina Olympics

Kaori Sakamoto of Japan practices during an official training session for figure skating in Milan on Feb. 4, 2026, ahead of the Milan Cortina Olympics.

Milan Cortina Olympics

Milan Cortina Olympics

Kaori Sakamoto of Japan practices during an official training session for figure skating in Milan on Feb. 4, 2026, ahead of the Milan Cortina Olympics.

Milan Cortina Olympics

Milan Cortina Olympics

Japanese pair Riku Miura (top) and Ryuichi Kihara take part in an official training session for figure skating in Milan on Feb. 4, 2026, ahead of the upcoming Milan Cortina Olympics.

Milan Cortina Olympics

Milan Cortina Olympics

Japanese pair Riku Miura (L) and Ryuichi Kihara take part in an official training session for figure skating in Milan on Feb. 4, 2026, ahead of the upcoming Milan Cortina Olympics.

Milan Cortina Olympics

Milan Cortina Olympics

Japanese pair Riku Miura (L) and Ryuichi Kihara take part in an official training session for figure skating in Milan on Feb. 4, 2026, ahead of the upcoming Milan Cortina Olympics.

Milan Cortina Olympics

Milan Cortina Olympics

Kaori Sakamoto of Japan practices during an official training session for figure skating in Milan on Feb. 4, 2026, ahead of the Milan Cortina Olympics.

Milan Cortina Olympics

Milan Cortina Olympics

Kaori Sakamoto of Japan is pictured after an official training session for figure skating in Milan on Feb. 4, 2026, ahead of the Milan Cortina Olympics.

Milan Cortina Olympics

Milan Cortina Olympics

Japanese pair Riku Miura (top) and Ryuichi Kihara take part in an official training session for figure skating in Milan on Feb. 4, 2026, ahead of the upcoming Milan Cortina Olympics.

Milan Cortina Olympics

Milan Cortina Olympics

Japanese pair Riku Miura (top) and Ryuichi Kihara take part in an official training session for figure skating in Milan on Feb. 4, 2026, ahead of the upcoming Milan Cortina Olympics.

Milan Cortina Olympics

Milan Cortina Olympics

Kaori Sakamoto of Japan is pictured after an official training session for figure skating in Milan on Feb. 4, 2026, ahead of the Milan Cortina Olympics.