Fireworks festival in Niigata

NAGAOKA, Japan, Aug. 3 Kyodo - Fireworks light up the night sky in Nagaoka in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, on Aug. 2, 2026, during one of the three largest fireworks festivals in Japan. (Kyodo)

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On Wednesday, August 12, a powerful microburst hit Chandler, Arizona, as intense monsoon thunderstorms swept the Phoenix metropolitan area, toppling light poles and causing damage. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport issued a ground stop due to the severe weather, resulting in flight delays.

Perseid meteor shower

Perseid meteor shower

A shooting star lights up the sky over Sado in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, in the early hours of Aug. 13, 2026, as the annual summer Perseid meteor shower peaks.

Perseid meteor shower

Perseid meteor shower

A shooting star lights up the sky over Sado in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, in the early hours of Aug. 13, 2026, as the annual summer Perseid meteor shower peaks.

Perseid meteor shower

Perseid meteor shower

A shooting star lights up the sky over Sado in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, in the early hours of Aug. 13, 2026, as the annual summer Perseid meteor shower peaks.

Perseid meteor shower

Perseid meteor shower

A shooting star lights up the sky over Sado in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, in the early hours of Aug. 13, 2026, as the annual summer Perseid meteor shower peaks.

Perseid meteor shower

Perseid meteor shower

A shooting star lights up the sky over Sado in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, in the early hours of Aug. 13, 2026, as the annual summer Perseid meteor shower peaks.

Perseid meteor shower

Perseid meteor shower

A shooting star lights up the sky over Sado in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, in the early hours of Aug. 13, 2026, as the annual summer Perseid meteor shower peaks.

Perseid meteor shower

Perseid meteor shower

A shooting star lights up the sky over Sado in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, in the early hours of Aug. 13, 2026, as the annual summer Perseid meteor shower peaks.

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An eruption occurred on Sakurajima volcano in Kagoshima Saturday evening, August 8, sending an ash plume up to 2,200 meters into the air. The eruption sent a moderate amount of ash drifting toward Kagoshima city, turning the sky dark within minutes.

Japan: Ash Blankets Kagoshima City After Sakurajima Volcano Erupts 2

An eruption occurred on Sakurajima volcano in Kagoshima Saturday evening, August 8, sending an ash plume up to 2,200 meters into the air. The eruption sent a moderate amount of ash drifting toward Kagoshima city, turning the sky dark within minutes.

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Japan: Nagaoka Fireworks Festival Lights Up Sky With 20,000 Shells 5

The Nagaoka Fireworks Festival, one of Japan's three major fireworks displays, was held on Sunday and Monday, August 2 and 3, along the Shinano River in Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture. The two-day event featured about 20,000 fireworks, including large traditional shells that bloomed into flowers roughly 650 meters wide.

Japan: Nagaoka Fireworks Festival Lights Up Sky With 20,000 Shells 4

The Nagaoka Fireworks Festival, one of Japan's three major fireworks displays, was held on Sunday and Monday, August 2 and 3, along the Shinano River in Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture. The two-day event featured about 20,000 fireworks, including large traditional shells that bloomed into flowers roughly 650 meters wide.

Japan: Nagaoka Fireworks Festival Lights Up Sky With 20,000 Shells

The Nagaoka Fireworks Festival, one of Japan's three major fireworks displays, was held on Sunday and Monday, August 2 and 3, along the Shinano River in Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture. The two-day event featured about 20,000 fireworks, including large traditional shells that bloomed into flowers roughly 650 meters wide.

Japan: Nagaoka Fireworks Festival Lights Up Sky With 20,000 Shells 3

The Nagaoka Fireworks Festival, one of Japan's three major fireworks displays, was held on Sunday and Monday, August 2 and 3, along the Shinano River in Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture. The two-day event featured about 20,000 fireworks, including large traditional shells that bloomed into flowers roughly 650 meters wide.

Japan: Nagaoka Fireworks Festival Lights Up Sky With 20,000 Shells 2

The Nagaoka Fireworks Festival, one of Japan's three major fireworks displays, was held on Sunday and Monday, August 2 and 3, along the Shinano River in Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture. The two-day event featured about 20,000 fireworks, including large traditional shells that bloomed into flowers roughly 650 meters wide.

Fireworks festival in Niigata

Fireworks festival in Niigata

Fireworks light up the night sky in Nagaoka in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, on Aug. 2, 2026, during one of the three largest fireworks festivals in Japan.

Fireworks festival in Niigata

Fireworks festival in Niigata

Fireworks light up the night sky in Nagaoka in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, on Aug. 2, 2026, during one of the three largest fireworks festivals in Japan.

Fireworks festival in Niigata

Fireworks festival in Niigata

Fireworks light up the night sky in Nagaoka in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, on Aug. 2, 2026, during one of the three largest fireworks festivals in Japan.

Fireworks festival in Niigata

Fireworks festival in Niigata

Fireworks light up the night sky in Nagaoka in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, on Aug. 2, 2026, during one of the three largest fireworks festivals in Japan.

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US: Haze From Canadian Wildfires Blankets New York, Northeast 8

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Wildfire smoke from Canada and the Great Lakes region turned skies hazy over Manhattan and much of the Northeast, prompting air quality alerts. New York City officials warned of possibly deteriorating air quality through Wednesday, July 15, urging caution for people with health conditions sensitive to pollution.

US: Haze From Canadian Wildfires Blankets New York, Northeast 6

Wildfire smoke from Canada and the Great Lakes region turned skies hazy over Manhattan and much of the Northeast, prompting air quality alerts. New York City officials warned of possibly deteriorating air quality through Wednesday, July 15, urging caution for people with health conditions sensitive to pollution.

Canada: Wildfire Smoke Blankets Toronto, Air Quality Warning Issued 2

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Wildfire smoke from Canada and the Great Lakes region turned skies hazy over Manhattan and much of the Northeast, prompting air quality alerts. New York City officials warned of possibly deteriorating air quality through Wednesday, July 15, urging caution for people with health conditions sensitive to pollution.

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Toronto recorded the world's worst air quality among major cities on Wednesday, July 15, as smoke from over 100 Ontario wildfires turned the sky orange. Environment Canada issued health warnings, urging residents indoors.

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Wildfire smoke from Canada and the Great Lakes region turned skies hazy over Manhattan and much of the Northeast, prompting air quality alerts. New York City officials warned of possibly deteriorating air quality through Wednesday, July 15, urging caution for people with health conditions sensitive to pollution.

US: Haze From Canadian Wildfires Blankets New York, Northeast 4

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Wildfire smoke from Canada and the Great Lakes region turned skies hazy over Manhattan and much of the Northeast, prompting air quality alerts. New York City officials warned of possibly deteriorating air quality through Wednesday, July 15, urging caution for people with health conditions sensitive to pollution.

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US: Haze From Canadian Wildfires Blankets New York, Northeast

Wildfire smoke from Canada and the Great Lakes region turned skies hazy over Manhattan and much of the Northeast, prompting air quality alerts. New York City officials warned of possibly deteriorating air quality through Wednesday, July 15, urging caution for people with health conditions sensitive to pollution.

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