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Japan: Sakurajima Volcano Erupts, Sending Ash 3,500 Meters Into Sky

Sakurajima volcano in Kagoshima erupted on Friday, May 8, sending ash plumes rising 3,500 metres above the crater. Residents in southeastern areas including Kagoshima city were warned to brace for ashfall, with winds carrying the plume in that direction.

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Japan: Sakurajima Volcano Erupts, Sending Ash 3,500 Meters Into Sky 2

Sakurajima volcano in Kagoshima erupted on Friday, May 8, sending ash plumes rising 3,500 metres above the crater. Residents in southeastern areas including Kagoshima city were warned to brace for ashfall, with winds carrying the plume in that direction. This video shows volcanic ash covering the streets of nearby areas.

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ASEAN summit

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. holds a press conference following the summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Cebu, the Philippines, on May 8, 2026.

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Ceremony in Taiwan in memory of Japanese engineer

Akie Abe, the widow of slain Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, poses at a statue of Yoichi Hatta (1886-1942) during a ceremony in Tainan, southern Taiwan, on May 8, 2026, in honor of the Japanese engineer's contribution to the building of hydraulic facilities in then Japanese-ruled Taiwan.

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Ceremony in Taiwan in memory of Japanese engineer

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te speaks during a memorial ceremony for Yoichi Hatta (1886-1942) in Tainan, southern Taiwan, on May 8, 2026, in honor of the Japanese engineer's contribution to the building of hydraulic facilities in then Japanese-ruled Taiwan.

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Abductee's mother meets with top gov't spokesman

Sakie Yokota (C), whose daughter Megumi was abducted by North Korea in 1977 at age 13, meets the press after holding a meeting with Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on May 8, 2026. Standing beside Yokota is Satomi Mori, who heads a group to support her.

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Abductee's mother meets with top gov't spokesman

Sakie Yokota (C), whose daughter Megumi was abducted by North Korea in 1977 at age 13, meets the press after holding a meeting with Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on May 8, 2026. Standing beside Yokota is Satomi Mori, who heads a group to support her.

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Abductee's mother meets with top gov't spokesman

Sakie Yokota (L), whose daughter Megumi was abducted by North Korea in 1977 at age 13, poses with Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara (R) at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on May 8, 2026. Standing beside Yokota is Satomi Mori, who heads a group to support her.

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Abductee's mother meets with top gov't spokesman

Sakie Yokota (C), whose daughter Megumi was abducted by North Korea in 1977 at age 13, meets with Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara (R) at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on May 8, 2026. Sitting beside Yokota is Satomi Mori, who heads a group to support her.

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Abductee's mother meets with top gov't spokesman

Sakie Yokota (C), whose daughter Megumi was abducted by North Korea in 1977 at age 13, meets with Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara (R) at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on May 8, 2026. Sitting beside Yokota is Satomi Mori, who heads a group to support her.

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Spain: Widespread Storms Trigger Weather Alerts Across Multiple Regions

Yellow alerts for rain and storms were issued across multiple regions, including Aragón, Andalucía, Cataluña, Cantabria, and the Valencian Community on Thursday, May 7.

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China: Massive Dust Whirlwind Spirals Into Sky Over Yongcheng, Henan

On April 29, 2026, in Yongcheng, Henan, a video captured a massive dust whirlwind forming on flat ground as strong winds swept across an open area. The towering column of dust rapidly spiraled upward, creating a long twisting shape that stunned people nearby. Witnesses said the dust tornado remained visible for more than ten minutes as it continued spinning intensely in the distance.

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South Africa: Violent Storm Sends Ocean Foam Surging Into Victoria Bay

Violent storms battered Victoria Bay near George in South Africa's Western Cape on May 6, sending thick sea foam surging inland and flooding beachfront properties, though no major structural damage was reported.

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China: Golden Retriever Joins Children on Swing Ride at Henan Amusement Park

On January 3, 2026, at an amusement park in Shangqiu, located in central China’s Henan province, a video recorded children riding a rotating swing chair attraction. Among the riders was a golden retriever sitting calmly on one of the seats. As the ride began spinning, the dog stayed seated and moved along with the chair. It did not appear nervous or panicked while the swing continued circling through the air.

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China: Intense Rainfall Triggers Cliff Waterfall Along Hunan Mountain Road

On April 27, 2026, in Shaoyang, Hunan, a video captured an intense downpour that triggered a dramatic waterfall along a mountain roadside. As the man drove through the stormy weather, he was left stunned after spotting the powerful stream of water cascading down the rocky cliff face beside the road.

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ASEAN summit

The leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations link arms during the opening ceremony of the ASEAN summit in Cebu, the Philippines, on May 8, 2026.

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ASEAN summit

The leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations link arms during the opening ceremony of the ASEAN summit in Cebu, the Philippines, on May 8, 2026.

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Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a plenary session of the House of Councillors in Tokyo on May 8, 2026.

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Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a plenary session of the House of Councillors in Tokyo on May 8, 2026.

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Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a plenary session of the House of Councillors in Tokyo on May 8, 2026.

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Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a plenary session of the House of Councillors in Tokyo on May 8, 2026.

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Wheelchair Tennis: Oda awarded 4 additional Guinness records

Japanese wheelchair tennis player Tokito Oda poses for a photo in Tokyo on April 4, 2026, after being awarded four additional Guiness World Record certificates. With the four new awards, including becoming the youngest player to complete a Career Grand Slam by winning all four major tournaments, his total Guinness youngest-winner records reached eight.

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Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a plenary session of the House of Councillors in Tokyo on May 8, 2026.

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Wheelchair Tennis: Oda awarded 4 additional Guinness records

Japanese wheelchair tennis player Tokito Oda poses for a photo in Tokyo on April 4, 2026, after being awarded four additional Guiness World Record certificates. With the four new awards, including becoming the youngest player to complete a Career Grand Slam by winning all four major tournaments, his total Guinness youngest-winner records reached eight.

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Wheelchair Tennis: Oda awarded 4 additional Guinness records

Japanese wheelchair tennis player Tokito Oda poses for a photo in Tokyo on April 4, 2026, after being awarded four additional Guiness World Record certificates. With the four new awards, including becoming the youngest player to complete a Career Grand Slam by winning all four major tournaments, his total Guinness youngest-winner records reached eight.

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Wheelchair Tennis: Oda awarded 4 additional Guinness records

Japanese wheelchair tennis player Tokito Oda poses for a photo in Tokyo on April 4, 2026, after being awarded four additional Guiness World Record certificates. With the four new awards, including becoming the youngest player to complete a Career Grand Slam by winning all four major tournaments, his total Guinness youngest-winner records reached eight.

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Wheelchair Tennis: Oda awarded 4 additional Guinness records

Japanese wheelchair tennis player Tokito Oda poses for a photo in Tokyo on April 4, 2026, after being awarded four additional Guiness World Record certificates. With the four new awards, including becoming the youngest player to complete a Career Grand Slam by winning all four major tournaments, his total Guinness youngest-winner records reached eight.

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Wheelchair Tennis: Oda awarded 4 additional Guinness records

Japanese wheelchair tennis player Tokito Oda receives certificates for his four additional Guiness World Record awards in Tokyo on April 4, 2026. With the four new records, including becoming the youngest player to complete a Career Grand Slam by winning all four major tournaments, his total Guinness youngest-winner records reached eight.

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Nintendo's sales in FY 2025 top 2 tril. yen

File photo taken on April 3, 2025, in Tokyo shows the Switch 2 gaming console of Nintendo Co. The video game company reported on May 8, 2026, that its sales for the year ended March that year rose 98.6 percent from a year earlier to 2.31 trillion yen, the first time the company has topped the 2 trillion yen mark.

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Toyota FY 2025 sales top 50 trillion yen, 1st for Japan firm

File photo taken on Aug. 29, 2023, shows the headquarters building of Toyota Motor Corp. in Toyota in Aichi Pref., central Japan. Toyota reported on May 8, 2026, that its sales for the year ended March that year rose 5.5 percent from a year earlier to 50.68 trillion yen, becoming the first Japanese company to post annual sales of over 50 trillion yen.

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China: Mysterious Black Object Captured Hovering Over Xi’an Skyline

On April 28, 2026, in Xi'an, Shaanxi, a video captured a huge black unidentified object hovering high above the city skyline. The object appeared to continuously roll, stretch and curl through the clouds while drifting slowly across the sky, creating an eerie scene that quickly caught the attention of local residents.

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Canada: Another Grey Whale Spotted in Vancouver’s English Bay, Drawing Large Crowds

A whale was spotted in English Bay, Vancouver, on Thursday, drawing large crowds to the shoreline. It remains unclear whether the animal is the same grey whale that made headlines earlier this week after colliding with a jet ski near Stanley Park. That whale was last seen Tuesday, swimming out to sea and reported to be unharmed.

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China: Dramatic Ice Flood Sweeps Through Kanas Scenic Area in Xinjiang

On January 6, 2026, in Altay, Xinjiang, a video captured a dangerous ice flood scene at the Kanas Scenic Area as strong currents carried large slabs of broken ice rapidly down the river. The surging water pushed the floating ice blocks through the river channel, creating a dramatic flowing ice phenomenon that drew attention from onlookers nearby.

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Former Chinese defense ministers sentenced to death over graft

Photo taken on March 12, 2023, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing shows former Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu (back) watching Chinese President Xi Jinping leave the venue after a session of the National People's Congress. Former Chinese defense ministers Li and Wei Fenghe were sentenced to death by a military court over graft charges on May 7, 2026.

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Former Chinese defense ministers sentenced to death over graft

Combined photo shows former Chinese defense ministers Wei Fenghe (L) and Li Shangfu, who were sentenced to death by a military court over graft charges on May 7, 2026 in China.

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Mexico: At Least Five Dead in Shopping Mall Fire in Los Mochis

At least five people were killed and nearly 40 injured when a fire broke out Thursday afternoon at Plaza Fiesta Las Palmas mall in Los Mochis, Sinaloa. The blaze, which may have started in a restaurant kitchen, spread rapidly through the building. Authorities are investigating the cause.

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Spain: Severe Storms Flood Alicante Province, Prompting Dozens of Emergency Responses

Intense rainfall caused flooding across Alicante Thursday evening, May 7. Roads were blocked, vehicles were rescued from floodwater, and firefighters responded to dozens of callouts. No injuries were reported.

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Ainu remains returned to Japan from Britain after 160 years

Masaru Okawa, executive director of the Ainu Association of Hokkaido, meets the press at New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on May 8, 2026, upon his return from Britain where remains of seven Ainu people were handed over to Japan by London's Natural History Museum. Four of the seven sets of remains were returned after 160 years.

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Indonesia: Mount Dukono Erupts, Sending Ash Nearly 11 Kilometers High

Mount Dukono erupted Friday morning, May 8 at 07:41 local time, sending an ash column some 11,087 meters above sea level and drifting northward. It was the volcano's seventh eruption in a week. Indonesia's volcanology authority PVMBG has kept the volcano at Activity Level II (Alert), warning residents and visitors to stay at least 4 kilometers from the Malupang Warirang Crater.

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Spain: Waterspout Forms Off Murcia Coast Near La Manga del Mar Menor

A waterspout was spotted off the coast of La Manga del Mar Menor, Murcia, Spain, on the morning of Thursday, May 7, amid increased atmospheric instability in the southeastern Iberian Peninsula.

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Sumo: Ukrainian ozeki Aonishiki

File photo taken on Jan. 25, 2026, shows Ukrainian ozeki Aonishiki, who has withdrawn from the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo. The demotion-threatened "kadoban" ozeki was not named in the list of bouts released on May 8, 2026, for the first two days of the 15-day meet, and could drop to the lower rank of sekiwake unless he enters the meet and gets a winning record with eight or more wins.

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Sumo: Ukrainian ozeki Aonishiki

File photo shows Ukrainian ozeki Aonishiki, who has withdrawn from the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo. The demotion-threatened "kadoban" ozeki was not named in the list of bouts released on May 8, 2026, for the first two days of the 15-day meet, and could drop to the lower rank of sekiwake unless he enters the meet and gets a winning record with eight or more wins.

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Japan-Australia summit

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (L) and her Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese exchange signed documents following their talks in Canberra on May 4, 2026.

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Japan-Australia summit

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (L) and her Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese hold signed documents following their talks in Canberra on May 4, 2026.

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Japan-Australia summit

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (L) and her Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese shake hands at a signing ceremony following their talks in Canberra on May 4, 2026.

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Lexus unveils all-electric TZ sport utility vehicle

Toyota Motor Corp. Chief Branding Officer Simon Humphries speaks during a media event in Toyota on May 7, 2026, unveiling the Lexus TZ all-electric luxury sport utility vehicle to the world.

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Japan-Australia summit

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (3rd from R) and her Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese (3rd from L) hold talks in Canberra on May 4, 2026.

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Japan-Australia summit

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (far R) and her Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese (3rd from L) hold talks in Canberra on May 4, 2026.

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Japan-Australia summit

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi holds talks with her Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese in Canberra on May 4, 2026.

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Japan's suspected currency intervention

Photo taken on May 3, 2026, shows Japan's Finance Ministry in Tokyo. The ministry and the Bank of Japan likely spent an additional 4 trillion yen during the Golden Week holiday in early May to arrest the yen's further fall following a yen-buying operation on April 30.