Japan: Tokyo’s Cherry Blossom Season Officially Begins, Five Days Ahead of Average

Tokyo's cherry blossom season officially began on Thursday, March 19, after the Japan Meteorological Agency confirmed blooms on the sample Somei-yoshino tree at Yasukuni Shrine, five days earlier than the average year.

Japan: Crowds Gather Outside Parliament to Protest Iran War and Constitutional Revision 2

On Thursday, March 19, thousands of people gathered near Japan's National Diet Building in Tokyo, waving light sticks to protest against the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, as well as moves toward constitutional revision in Japan.

Saudi Arabia: Dust Storms and Flash Floods Batter Multiple Regions on Last Day of Ramadan

Destructive dust storms swept through multiple regions of Saudi Arabia on Thursday, March 19, the last day of Ramadan, with strong winds severely reducing visibility, while other parts of the Kingdom were hit by heavy thunderstorms, hail, and flash floods. The National Center of Meteorology warned of continued atmospheric instability across the affected regions.

Football: new Japan jerseys

Football: new Japan jerseys

Photo taken in Chiba, near Tokyo, on March 19, 2026, shows the national football team's away jerseys for outfield players (white) and goalkeepers, unveiled by the Japan Football Association the following day.

Football: new Japan jerseys

Football: new Japan jerseys

Photo taken in Chiba, near Tokyo, on March 19, 2026, shows the national football team's away jerseys for outfield players (white) and goalkeepers, unveiled by the Japan Football Association the following day.

Japan-U.S. summit

Japan-U.S. summit

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi holds talks with U.S. President Donald Trump in the White House Oval Office in Washington on March 19, 2026.

Japan-U.S. summit

Japan-U.S. summit

U.S. President Donald Trump holds talks with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in the White House Oval Office in Washington on March 19, 2026.

Japan: Crowds Gather Outside Parliament to Protest Iran War and Constitutional Revision

On Thursday, March 19, thousands of people gathered near Japan's National Diet Building in Tokyo, waving light sticks to protest against the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, as well as moves toward constitutional revision in Japan.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Los Angeles Angels pitcher Yusei Kikuchi starts in a spring training baseball game against the Kansas City Royals in Surprise, Arizona, on March 19, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Los Angeles Angels pitcher Yusei Kikuchi starts in a spring training baseball game against the Kansas City Royals in Surprise, Arizona, on March 19, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Los Angeles Angels pitcher Yusei Kikuchi starts in a spring training baseball game against the Kansas City Royals in Surprise, Arizona, on March 19, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Los Angeles Angels pitcher Yusei Kikuchi starts in a spring training baseball game against the Kansas City Royals in Surprise, Arizona, on March 19, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Los Angeles Angels pitcher Yusei Kikuchi starts in a spring training baseball game against the Kansas City Royals in Surprise, Arizona, on March 19, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Los Angeles Angels pitcher Yusei Kikuchi starts in a spring training baseball game against the Kansas City Royals in Surprise, Arizona, on March 19, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Los Angeles Angels pitcher Yusei Kikuchi starts in a spring training baseball game against the Kansas City Royals in Surprise, Arizona, on March 19, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Los Angeles Angels pitcher Yusei Kikuchi starts in a spring training baseball game against the Kansas City Royals in Surprise, Arizona, on March 19, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Toronto Blue Jays rookie Kazuma Okamoto hits a double in the fifth inning of a spring training game against the New York Yankees in Dunedin, Florida, on March 19, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Toronto Blue Jays rookie Kazuma Okamoto hits a double in the fifth inning of a spring training game against the New York Yankees in Dunedin, Florida, on March 19, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Toronto Blue Jays rookie Kazuma Okamoto hits a double in the fifth inning of a spring training game against the New York Yankees in Dunedin, Florida, on March 19, 2026.

US: Hawaii Braces for Another ‘Kona’ Storm Just Days After Historic Storm

Just four days after a powerful 'Kona' storm swept through Hawaii with flooding rains and winds exceeding 100 mph, a second Kona low arrived on Thursday, March 19, threatening renewed flooding across the already saturated islands. The new system was forecast to be weaker than the previous storm, but officials warned that the saturated ground significantly increased the risk of flash flooding and landslides.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Chicago White Sox infielder Munetaka Murakami reacts after striking out swinging in the second inning of a spring training baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Glendale, Arizona, on March 19, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Chicago White Sox infielder Munetaka Murakami hits a single in the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Glendale, Arizona, on March 19, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Chicago White Sox infielder Munetaka Murakami hits a single in the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Glendale, Arizona, on March 19, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Chicago White Sox infielder Munetaka Murakami hits a single in the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Glendale, Arizona, on March 19, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Colorado Rockies pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano starts in the team's spring training game against the San Francisco Giants in Scottsdale, Arizona, on March 19, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Colorado Rockies pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano starts in the team's spring training game against the San Francisco Giants in Scottsdale, Arizona, on March 19, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Colorado Rockies pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano starts in the team's spring training game against the San Francisco Giants in Scottsdale, Arizona, on March 19, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Colorado Rockies pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano starts in the team's spring training game against the San Francisco Giants in Scottsdale, Arizona, on March 19, 2026.

Japan-U.S. summit

Japan-U.S. summit

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi (L) attends a dinner hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump for Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the White House in Washington on March 19, 2026.

Japan-U.S. summit

Japan-U.S. summit

SoftBank Group Corp. CEO Masayoshi Son (L) chats with Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Ryosei Akazawa during a dinner hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump for Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the White House in Washington on March 19, 2026.

Japan-U.S. summit

Japan-U.S. summit

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C, L) waves to guests alongside U.S. President Donald Trump (R) during a dinner at the White House in Washington on March 19, 2026.

Japan-U.S. summit

Japan-U.S. summit

Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Ryosei Akazawa (back, L) and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (back, R) attend a dinner hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump for Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the White House in Washington on March 19, 2026.

Japan-U.S. summit

Japan-U.S. summit

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (L) looks at U.S. President Donald Trump during a dinner at the White House in Washington on March 19, 2026.

Japan-U.S. summit

Japan-U.S. summit

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (L) raises her fist while making a speech alongside U.S. President Donald Trump during a dinner at the White House in Washington on March 19, 2026.

Japan-U.S. summit

Japan-U.S. summit

U.S. President Donald Trump (R) speaks alongside Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during a dinner at the White House in Washington on March 19, 2026.

Japan-U.S. summit

Japan-U.S. summit

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a dinner hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington on March 19, 2026.

Japan-U.S. summit

Japan-U.S. summit

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (back, L) speaks alongside U.S. President Donald Trump during a dinner at the White House in Washington on March 19, 2026.

Japan-U.S. summit

Japan-U.S. summit

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (L) shakes hands with U.S. President Donald Trump after making a speech during a dinner at the White House in Washington on March 19, 2026.

Japan-U.S. summit

Japan-U.S. summit

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) waves to guests alongside U.S. President Donald Trump (R) during a dinner at the White House in Washington on March 19, 2026.

Japan-U.S. summit

Japan-U.S. summit

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (back, L) shakes hands with U.S. President Donald Trump after making a speech during a dinner at the White House in Washington on March 19, 2026.

Japan-U.S. summit

Japan-U.S. summit

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (L) speaks alongside U.S. President Donald Trump during a dinner at the White House in Washington on March 19, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

New York Mets starter Kodai Senga (R) smiles after throwing four innings in the team's spring training game against the Houston Astros in West Palm Beach, Florida, on March 19, 2026.

Japan-U.S. summit

Japan-U.S. summit

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (L) speaks alongside U.S. President Donald Trump during a dinner at the White House in Washington on March 19, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

New York Mets starter Kodai Senga (C) is greeted by teammates after throwing four innings in the team's spring training game against the Houston Astros in West Palm Beach, Florida, on March 19, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

New York Mets starter Kodai Senga (C) is greeted by teammates after throwing four innings in the team's spring training game against the Houston Astros in West Palm Beach, Florida, on March 19, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

New York Mets pitcher Kodai Senga starts in the team's spring training game against the Houston Astros in West Palm Beach, Florida, on March 19, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

New York Mets pitcher Kodai Senga starts in the team's spring training game against the Houston Astros in West Palm Beach, Florida, on March 19, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

New York Mets pitcher Kodai Senga starts in the team's spring training game against the Houston Astros in West Palm Beach, Florida, on March 19, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

New York Mets pitcher Kodai Senga starts in the team's spring training game against the Houston Astros in West Palm Beach, Florida, on March 19, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

New York Mets pitcher Kodai Senga starts in the team's spring training game against the Houston Astros in West Palm Beach, Florida, on March 19, 2026.