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Milan Cortina Olympics: Snowboard

Milan Cortina Olympics: Snowboard

Japanese snowboarder Ayumu Hirano is pictured after his first run in the men's halfpipe qualification round at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Livigno Snow Park in Livigno, Italy, on Feb. 11, 2026.

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Milan Cortina Olympics: Snowboard

Milan Cortina Olympics: Snowboard

Japanese snowboarder Ayumu Hirano is pictured after his first run in the men's halfpipe qualification round at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Livigno Snow Park in Livigno, Italy, on Feb. 11, 2026.

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Pakistan: Traditional Basant Kite Festival Returns to Lahore After Past Safety Bans

The ancient Basant festival returned to the streets of Lahore for the first time in nearly two decades, marking the arrival of spring with traditional kite flying. The event was banned in 2007 following years of fatalities and injuries caused by sharp kite strings, falls from rooftops, and aerial firing.

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Pakistan: Traditional Basant Kite Festival Returns to Lahore After Past Safety Bans 2

The ancient Basant festival returned to the streets of Lahore for the first time in nearly two decades, marking the arrival of spring with traditional kite flying. The event was banned in 2007 following years of fatalities and injuries caused by sharp kite strings, falls from rooftops, and aerial firing.

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Biodegradable artificial turf at Vantelin Dome

Biodegradable artificial turf at Vantelin Dome

Photo taken on Feb. 9, 2026, at Vantelin Dome Nagoya in central Japan shows newly installed artificial turf made from biodegradable polymer, the world's first of its kind used in a sports facility.

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Biodegradable artificial turf at Vantelin Dome

Biodegradable artificial turf at Vantelin Dome

Photo taken on Feb. 9, 2026, at Vantelin Dome Nagoya in central Japan shows newly installed artificial turf made from biodegradable polymer, the world's first of its kind used in a sports facility.

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Biodegradable artificial turf at Vantelin Dome

Biodegradable artificial turf at Vantelin Dome

Photo taken on Feb. 9, 2026, at Vantelin Dome Nagoya in central Japan shows newly installed artificial turf made from biodegradable polymer, the world's first of its kind used in a sports facility.

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Nikkei jumps over 5% to record high

Nikkei jumps over 5% to record high

A financial data monitor in Tokyo shows the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average trading above the 57,000 line for the first time following a gain of more than 3,000 points during the morning session on Feb. 9, 2026, after Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party scored a landslide victory in the House of Representatives election.

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Milan Cortina Olympics: Snowboarding

Milan Cortina Olympics: Snowboarding

Japan's Tsubaki Miki (R) and Italy's Elisa Caffont compete in the quarterfinals of the snowboarding women's parallel giant slalom at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Livigno Snow Park in Livigno, Italy, on Feb. 8, 2026. Caffont beat Miki, first in the season's world cup standings, to advance to the semifinals.

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Milan Cortina Olympics: Snowboarding

Milan Cortina Olympics: Snowboarding

Japan's Tsubaki Miki competes against Elisa Caffont of Italy in the quarterfinals of the snowboarding women's parallel giant slalom at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Livigno Snow Park in Livigno, Italy, on Feb. 8, 2026. Miki, first in the season's world cup standings, lost.

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Milan Cortina Olympics: Snowboarding

Milan Cortina Olympics: Snowboarding

Japan's Tsubaki Miki competes against Elisa Caffont of Italy in the quarterfinals of the snowboarding women's parallel giant slalom at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Livigno Snow Park in Livigno, Italy, on Feb. 8, 2026. Miki, first in the season's world cup standings, lost.

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China: Squirrel Performs Gymnastic-Like Moves on Overhead Power Line

On February 1, 2026, in Dali, Yunnan province, southwestern China, a video showed a small squirrel struggling on an overhead power line at the Canghai Yunshang Grassland scenic area. The squirrel spun and flipped along the wire, appearing at first to perform gymnastic moves, before clinging on nervously. It eventually regained its balance and escaped safely.

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China: ‘Smiling Face’ Optical Illusion Box Created by Parrots

On January 21, 2026, in Anhui, eastern China, a video showed a white box with two round holes and a curved opening below, forming the shape of a strange smiling face. When the filmer touched the holes, two large eyes suddenly appeared inside, giving the illusion of a human-like face staring outward. The image looked unsettling at first. The effect was created by two parrots positioned behind the holes. Their dark pupils and surrounding white feathers produced the illusion from the chosen angle.

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China: Delivery Robot Feeds Stray Cat in Jiangxi

A delivery robot gently approached a stray cat and offered food in Jiangxi, China, on July 1, 2025. As the machine rolled closer with food and stopped at a cautious distance, the cat first looked confused and stayed still. After a brief pause, the animal inched forward, sniffed the offering, and then began to eat as the robot quietly waited nearby.

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Milan Cortina Winter Olympics

Milan Cortina Winter Olympics

Former Japanese Alpine skier Chiharu Igaya, 94, prepares to attend an International Olympic Committee general meeting in Milan, Italy, on Feb. 3, 2026, ahead of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, opening on Feb. 6. Igaya secured a men's slalom silver medal at the age of 24 at the 1956 Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo, becoming the first Japanese to win a Winter Olympic medal.

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Milan Cortina Winter Olympics

Milan Cortina Winter Olympics

Former Japanese Alpine skier Chiharu Igaya, 94, prepares to attend an International Olympic Committee general meeting in Milan, Italy, on Feb. 3, 2026, ahead of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, opening on Feb. 6. Igaya secured a men's slalom silver medal at the age of 24 at the 1956 Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo, becoming the first Japanese to win a Winter Olympic medal.

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Rugby: Japan head coach Jones

Rugby: Japan head coach Jones

Japan rugby head coach Eddie Jones speaks during a press conference in Tokyo on Feb. 3, 2026, after 2027 Rugby World Cup organizers announced Japan's first match against Samoa will be held in Newcastle, Australia, on Oct. 3.

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Rugby: Japan head coach Jones

Rugby: Japan head coach Jones

Japan rugby head coach Eddie Jones speaks during a press conference in Tokyo on Feb. 3, 2026, after 2027 Rugby World Cup organizers announced Japan's first match against Samoa will be held in Newcastle, Australia, on Oct. 3.

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Golf: Farmers Insurance Open

Golf: Farmers Insurance Open

Ryo Hisatsune of Japan makes a birdie putt on the first hole during the final round of the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament on Feb. 1, 2026, at Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, California.

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Golf: Farmers Insurance Open

Golf: Farmers Insurance Open

Ryo Hisatsune of Japan makes a birdie putt on the first hole during the final round of the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament on Feb. 1, 2026, at Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, California.

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Golf: Farmers Insurance Open

Golf: Farmers Insurance Open

Ryo Hisatsune of Japan makes a birdie putt on the first hole during the final round of the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament on Feb. 1, 2026, at Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, California.

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Football: Premier League

Football: Premier League

Harrison Armstrong (R) of Everton fends off Kaoru Mitoma of Brighton in the first half of an English Premier League football match on Jan. 31, 2026, in Brighton, England.

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Football: Premier League

Football: Premier League

Kaoru Mitoma of Brighton controls the ball in the first half of an English Premier League football match against Everton on Jan. 31, 2026, in Brighton, England.

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Japan: Record January Snowfall Hits Aomori, Disrupting Traffic and Trains

On January 28, Aomori City recorded 150 centimeters of snowfall for the first time in 40 years, causing traffic congestion across the city and a series of train service suspensions. Snow depth reached 154 centimeters by 9 p.m., tying for the second-highest January total on record, last seen on January 30, 1986. According to Aomori Prefecture, as of 2 p.m. on January 29, two people had died and 85 others were injured, while damage was confirmed at four residential properties. The video captures conditions in Aomori City on the morning of January 29, showing the extent of the heavy snowfall.

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Gold price tops 30,000 yen

Gold price tops 30,000 yen

An electronic board at the flagship shop of Tanaka Precious Metal Technologies Co. in Tokyo's Ginza district shows the benchmark retail gold price set by the Tokyo company (lower L) topping 30,000 yen ($196) per gram for the first time on Jan. 29, 2026.

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General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Voters undergo security checks before listening to a stump speech in Hirosaki in Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Jan. 27, 2026, the first day of official campaigning for the Feb. 8 House of Representatives election.

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China return for Ueno zoo pandas

China return for Ueno zoo pandas

People watch a truck carrying male giant panda Xiao Xiao and his twin sister Lei Lei leave Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 27, 2026, before the animals are sent to China, marking the first time that Japan will be without pandas since the first ones arrived in the country in 1972.

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China return for Ueno zoo pandas

China return for Ueno zoo pandas

A truck carrying male giant panda Xiao Xiao and his twin sister Lei Lei leaves Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 27, 2026, before the animals are sent to China, marking the first time that Japan will be without pandas since the first ones arrived in the country in 1972.

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China return for Ueno zoo pandas

China return for Ueno zoo pandas

People watch a truck carrying male giant panda Xiao Xiao and his twin sister Lei Lei leave Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 27, 2026, before the animals are sent to China, marking the first time that Japan will be without pandas since the first ones arrived in the country in 1972.

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China return for Ueno zoo pandas

China return for Ueno zoo pandas

A truck carrying male giant panda Xiao Xiao and his twin sister Lei Lei leaves Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 27, 2026, before the animals are sent to China, marking the first time that Japan will be without pandas since the first ones arrived in the country in 1972.

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Baseball: Marines vs. Hawks

Baseball: Marines vs. Hawks

Gregory Polanco of the Lotte Marines hits a three-run homer in the first inning of a Pacific League baseball game against the SoftBank Hawks at Mizuho PayPay Dome Fukuoka in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on May 2, 2025.

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Baseball: Marines vs. Hawks

Baseball: Marines vs. Hawks

Gregory Polanco of the Lotte Marines hits a three-run homer in the first inning of a Pacific League baseball game against the SoftBank Hawks at Mizuho PayPay Dome Fukuoka in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on May 2, 2025.

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Baseball: Swallows vs. Lions

Baseball: Swallows vs. Lions

Tyler Nevin of the Seibu Lions hits an RBI single in the first inning of an interleague baseball game against the Yakult Swallows at Belluna Dome in Tokorozawa in Saitama Prefecture, eastern Japan, on June 4, 2025.

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Football: German Bundesliga

Football: German Bundesliga

Bayern Munich's Hiroki Ito (C) is congratulated by teammates after scoring with a header in the first half of a German Bundesliga football match against Augsburg in Munich on Jan. 24, 2026.

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Football: German Bundesliga

Football: German Bundesliga

Bayern Munich's Hiroki Ito (top) scores with a header in the first half of a German Bundesliga football match against Augsburg in Munich on Jan. 24, 2026.

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Football: UEFA Europa League

Football: UEFA Europa League

Celtic's Reo Hatate celebrates after scoring in the first half of a UEFA Europa League football match against Bologna on Jan. 22, 2026, in Bologna, Italy.

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Football: UEFA Europa League

Football: UEFA Europa League

Celtic's Reo Hatate celebrates after scoring in the first half of a UEFA Europa League football match against Bologna on Jan. 22, 2026, in Bologna, Italy.

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Football: UEFA Europa League

Football: UEFA Europa League

Celtic's Reo Hatate celebrates after scoring in the first half of a UEFA Europa League football match against Bologna on Jan. 22, 2026, in Bologna, Italy.

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Football: UEFA Europa League

Football: UEFA Europa League

Celtic's Reo Hatate plays in the first half of a UEFA Europa League football match against Bologna on Jan. 22, 2026, in Bologna, Italy.

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Football: UEFA Europa League

Football: UEFA Europa League

Celtic's Reo Hatate (2nd from L) receives a red card during the first half of a UEFA Europa League football match against Bologna on Jan. 22, 2026, in Bologna, Italy.

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Football: UEFA Europa League

Football: UEFA Europa League

Celtic's Daizen Maeda (L) vies for the ball in the first half of a UEFA Europa League football match against Bologna on Jan. 22, 2026, in Bologna, Italy.

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Football: UEFA Europa League

Football: UEFA Europa League

Celtic's Daizen Maeda (R) vies for the ball in the first half of a UEFA Europa League football match against Bologna on Jan. 22, 2026, in Bologna, Italy.

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BOJ policy-setting meeting

BOJ policy-setting meeting

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda arrives at the central bank's headquarters in Tokyo on Jan. 22, 2026, for the first day of a two-day monetary policy meeting. (Pool photo)

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Volvo launches new EV

Volvo launches new EV

Volvo Car Corp. unveils its new EX60 electric vehicle model, featuring Google's Gemini AI technology for the first time, during a global premiere in the suburbs of Stockholm on Jan. 21, 2026.

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Volvo launches new EV

Volvo launches new EV

Volvo Car Corp. unveils its new EX60 electric vehicle model, featuring Google's Gemini AI technology for the first time, during a global premiere in the suburbs of Stockholm on Jan. 21, 2026.

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Baseball: Padres vs. Dodgers

Baseball: Padres vs. Dodgers

Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches in a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on June 16, 2025. Ohtani pitched in an MLB game for the first time since August 2023 and made his first mound appearance in Dodger blue, following right elbow surgery in September 2023.

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TEPCO reboots 1st nuclear reactor since Fukushima crisis

TEPCO reboots 1st nuclear reactor since Fukushima crisis

People protest near the building housing the Nuclear Regulation Authority in Tokyo on Jan. 21, 2026, after Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. restarted the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power complex's No. 6 reactor in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo earlier in the day, marking the first resumption of a reactor by TEPCO since the 2011 crisis in Fukushima Prefecture.

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TEPCO reboots 1st nuclear reactor since Fukushima crisis

TEPCO reboots 1st nuclear reactor since Fukushima crisis

People protest near the building housing the Nuclear Regulation Authority in Tokyo on Jan. 21, 2026, after Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. restarted the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power complex's No. 6 reactor in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo earlier in the day, marking the first resumption of a reactor by TEPCO since the 2011 crisis in Fukushima Prefecture.

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TEPCO reboots 1st nuclear reactor since Fukushima crisis

TEPCO reboots 1st nuclear reactor since Fukushima crisis

Photo taken on Jan. 21, 2026, shows the central control room for the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power complex's No. 6 reactor in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo. Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. restarted the reactor at the seven-unit complex, the world's largest nuclear power plant by output when fully operational, marking the first resumption of a reactor by TEPCO since the 2011 crisis in Fukushima Prefecture. (Pool photo)

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TEPCO reboots 1st nuclear reactor since Fukushima crisis

TEPCO reboots 1st nuclear reactor since Fukushima crisis

People protest near the building housing the Nuclear Regulation Authority in Tokyo on Jan. 21, 2026, after Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. restarted the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power complex's No. 6 reactor in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo earlier in the day, marking the first resumption of a reactor by TEPCO since the 2011 crisis in Fukushima Prefecture.

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