Mexico: Smoke Spreads Through Perisur Mall, Prompting Emergency Evacuation

Smoke filled the Perisur shopping mall in Mexico City on Friday, April 3, after a gas anomaly was detected, prompting emergency services to mobilize and dozens of shoppers and employees to evacuate. Workers activated a fire extinguisher to address the incident, but the chemical agent released a dense cloud of white smoke that spread through the mall, causing panic among visitors.

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Nationals

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Nationals

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani waves to fans before a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park in Washington on April 4, 2026.

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Nationals

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Nationals

Los Angeles Dodgers starter Roki Sasaki reacts after allowing a three-run home run to James Wood (front) of the Washington Nationals in the fourth inning of a baseball game at Nationals Park in Washington on April 5, 2026.

Yield on key gov't bond hits 2.4%

Yield on key gov't bond hits 2.4%

A financial data monitor in Tokyo shows the yield on the newly issued benchmark 10-year government bond rising to 2.4 percent on the morning of April 6, 2026. The yield briefly hit 2.410 percent, its highest level since February 1999, reflecting growing uncertainty over the global oil market amid the continuing Iran crisis.

Baseball: Astros vs. Athletics

Baseball: Astros vs. Athletics

Houston Astros rookie Tatsuya Imai starts in a baseball game against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, California, on April 4, 2026, throwing 5-2/3 scoreless innings to earn his first MLB win.

Baseball: Astros vs. Athletics

Baseball: Astros vs. Athletics

Houston Astros rookie Tatsuya Imai starts in a baseball game against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, California, on April 4, 2026, throwing 5-2/3 scoreless innings to earn his first MLB win.

Baseball: Astros vs. Athletics

Baseball: Astros vs. Athletics

Houston Astros rookie Tatsuya Imai starts in a baseball game against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, California, on April 4, 2026, throwing 5-2/3 scoreless innings to earn his first MLB win.

Baseball: Astros vs. Athletics

Baseball: Astros vs. Athletics

Houston Astros rookie Tatsuya Imai starts in a baseball game against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, California, on April 4, 2026, throwing 5-2/3 scoreless innings to earn his first MLB win.

Baseball: Astros vs. Athletics

Baseball: Astros vs. Athletics

Houston Astros rookie Tatsuya Imai starts in a baseball game against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, California, on April 4, 2026, throwing 5-2/3 scoreless innings to earn his first MLB win.

Baseball: Astros vs. Athletics

Baseball: Astros vs. Athletics

Houston Astros rookie Tatsuya Imai starts in a baseball game against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, California, on April 4, 2026, throwing 5-2/3 scoreless innings to earn his first MLB win.

Baseball: Astros vs. Athletics

Baseball: Astros vs. Athletics

Houston Astros rookie Tatsuya Imai starts in a baseball game against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, California, on April 4, 2026, throwing 5-2/3 scoreless innings to earn his first MLB win.

Baseball: Astros vs. Athletics

Baseball: Astros vs. Athletics

Houston Astros rookie Tatsuya Imai starts in a baseball game against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, California, on April 4, 2026, throwing 5-2/3 scoreless innings to earn his first MLB win.

Baseball: Astros vs. Athletics

Baseball: Astros vs. Athletics

Houston Astros rookie Tatsuya Imai starts in a baseball game against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, California, on April 4, 2026, throwing 5-2/3 scoreless innings to earn his first MLB win.

Baseball: Astros vs. Athletics

Baseball: Astros vs. Athletics

Houston Astros rookie Tatsuya Imai starts in a baseball game against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, California, on April 4, 2026, throwing 5-2/3 scoreless innings to earn his first MLB win.

US: Fast-Moving Springs Fire Breaks Out in Riverside County, Prompting Evacuations 3

The Springs Fire broke out east of Moreno Valley in Riverside County on Friday, April 3, quickly spreading to more than 4,000 acres and prompting evacuation orders for nearby residents, including the campus of Moreno Valley College. The fire was nearly completely contained by Sunday morning.

Japan: Pollen Season Peaks as Rising Temperatures Spread Heavy Dispersal Nationwide 2

Heavy pollen dispersal was reported across a wide area of Japan from Kyushu to Tohoku on Saturday, April 4, as rising temperatures following rainfall created ideal conditions for pollen to spread. Cedar pollen remained predominant in the Tohoku and Hokuriku regions, while cypress pollen was the main concern from Kyushu to Kanto.

Japan: Pollen Season Peaks as Rising Temperatures Spread Heavy Dispersal Nationwide

Heavy pollen dispersal was reported across a wide area of Japan from Kyushu to Tohoku on Saturday, April 4, as rising temperatures following rainfall created ideal conditions for pollen to spread. Cedar pollen remained predominant in the Tohoku and Hokuriku regions, while cypress pollen was the main concern from Kyushu to Kanto.

US: Fast-Moving Springs Fire Breaks Out in Riverside County, Prompting Evacuations 2

The Springs Fire broke out east of Moreno Valley in Riverside County on Friday, April 3, quickly spreading to more than 4,000 acres and prompting evacuation orders for nearby residents, including the campus of Moreno Valley College. The fire was driven by strong winds with no injuries reported.

US: Fast-Moving Springs Fire Breaks Out in Riverside County, Prompting Evacuations

The Springs Fire broke out east of Moreno Valley in Riverside County on Friday, April 3, quickly spreading to more than 4,000 acres and prompting evacuation orders for nearby residents, including the campus of Moreno Valley College. The fire was driven by strong winds with no injuries reported.

US: Powerful Storms Batter Oklahoma, Bringing Heavy Rain and Tornado Warnings 2

Severe thunderstorms swept through Oklahoma on Friday, April 3, bringing tornado warnings, flash flood warnings, and wind gusts of up to 70 mph that left thousands of customers without power across the region. A possible tornado formed near OKC Will Rogers International Airport, prompting evacuation of its terminal.

US: Tornado Sirens Blare as Severe Storms Sweep Through Oklahoma

Severe thunderstorms swept through Oklahoma on Friday, April 3, bringing tornado warnings, flash flood warnings, and wind gusts of up to 70 mph that left thousands of customers without power across the region. A possible tornado formed near OKC Will Rogers International Airport, prompting evacuation of its terminal. This video shows tornado sirens blaring in Moore.

US: Tornado Sirens Blare as Severe Storms Sweep Through Oklahoma 2

Severe thunderstorms swept through Oklahoma on Friday, April 3, bringing tornado warnings, flash flood warnings, and wind gusts of up to 70 mph that left thousands of customers without power across the region. A possible tornado formed near OKC Will Rogers International Airport, prompting evacuation of its terminal. This video shows tornado sirens blaring near OKC Will Rogers International Airport.

US: Powerful Storms Batter Oklahoma, Bringing Heavy Rain and Tornado Warnings

Severe thunderstorms swept through Oklahoma on Friday, April 3, bringing tornado warnings, flash flood warnings, and wind gusts of up to 70 mph that left thousands of customers without power across the region. A possible tornado formed near OKC Will Rogers International Airport, prompting evacuation of its terminal.

US: Possible Tornado Spotted in Tazewell County as Severe Storms Batter Central Illinois

The National Weather Service issued tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings as severe storms swept through Central Illinois for a second straight night on Friday, April 3, bringing tornado sightings, hail, and flash flooding to the region. This video shows a possible tornado spotted in Delavan, Tazewell County.

Taiwan: Fire Breaks Out at CPC Dalin Refinery After Heavy Oil Leak in Kaohsiung 2

A fire broke out at CPC Corporation's Dalin Refinery in Kaohsiung on April 3, 2026, after heavy oil leaked from a tank in Zone F. Firefighters dispatched 10 vehicles and 22 personnel to the scene, where the valve was immediately shut off. The cause of the incident is still under investigation.

Last Japan-bound crude oil tanker arrives in Tokyo Bay

Last Japan-bound crude oil tanker arrives in Tokyo Bay

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a crude oil tanker from the Middle East arriving in Tokyo Bay on April 3, 2026, after passing through the Strait of Hormuz on Feb. 26, two days before the U.S. and Israeli militaries started strikes on Iran. No Japan-bound tanker has been confirmed to have passed the strait since.

Last Japan-bound crude oil tanker arrives in Tokyo Bay

Last Japan-bound crude oil tanker arrives in Tokyo Bay

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a crude oil tanker from the Middle East arriving in Tokyo Bay on April 3, 2026, after passing through the Strait of Hormuz on Feb. 26, two days before the U.S. and Israeli militaries started strikes on Iran. No Japan-bound tanker has been confirmed to have passed the strait since.

Last Japan-bound crude oil tanker arrives in Tokyo Bay

Last Japan-bound crude oil tanker arrives in Tokyo Bay

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a crude oil tanker from the Middle East arriving in Tokyo Bay on April 3, 2026, after passing through the Strait of Hormuz on Feb. 26, two days before the U.S. and Israeli militaries started strikes on Iran. No Japan-bound tanker has been confirmed to have passed the strait since.

Last Japan-bound crude oil tanker arrives in Tokyo Bay

Last Japan-bound crude oil tanker arrives in Tokyo Bay

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a crude oil tanker from the Middle East arriving in Tokyo Bay on April 3, 2026, after passing through the Strait of Hormuz on Feb. 26, two days before the U.S. and Israeli militaries started strikes on Iran. No Japan-bound tanker has been confirmed to have passed the strait since.

Football: Base camp for Japan World Cup squad

Football: Base camp for Japan World Cup squad

Photo taken in Nashville, Tennessee, on April 2, 2026, shows the training center to be used as the base camp for Japan squad members during the 2026 football World Cup finals, co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States, opening in June.

Taiwan: Fire Breaks Out at CPC Dalin Refinery After Heavy Oil Leak in Kaohsiung 3

A fire broke out at CPC Corporation's Dalin Refinery in Kaohsiung on April 3, 2026, after heavy oil leaked from a tank in Zone F. Firefighters dispatched 10 vehicles and 22 personnel to the scene, where the valve was immediately shut off. The cause of the incident is still under investigation.

Taiwan: Fire Breaks Out at CPC Dalin Refinery After Heavy Oil Leak in Kaohsiung

A fire broke out at CPC Corporation's Dalin Refinery in Kaohsiung on April 3, 2026, after heavy oil leaked from a tank in Zone F. Firefighters dispatched 10 vehicles and 22 personnel to the scene, where the valve was immediately shut off. The cause of the incident is still under investigation.

China: Two Wild Leopard Cats Caught Fighting in Car Headlights on Highway

On December 25, 2025, on the Sichuan–Tibet highway in Qinghai, a driver stopped to rest and caught two leopard cats wrestling in the headlights. The wild cats fought intensely, completely unfazed by the car or its passengers.

Japanese farm minister Suzuki

Japanese farm minister Suzuki

Japanese Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Norikazu Suzuki speaks at a press conference at the ministry in Tokyo on April 3, 2026. The country's Cabinet approved the same day a shift in its rice policy, moving toward a demand-aligned output strategy and introducing new measures to prevent shortages.

Japanese farm minister Suzuki

Japanese farm minister Suzuki

Japanese Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Norikazu Suzuki speaks at a press conference at the ministry in Tokyo on April 3, 2026. The country's Cabinet approved the same day a shift in its rice policy, moving toward a demand-aligned output strategy and introducing new measures to prevent shortages.

Japanese farm minister Suzuki

Japanese farm minister Suzuki

Japanese Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Norikazu Suzuki speaks at a press conference at the ministry in Tokyo on April 3, 2026. The country's Cabinet approved the same day a shift in its rice policy, moving toward a demand-aligned output strategy and introducing new measures to prevent shortages.

Greece: Saharan Dust Storm Turns Skies Red Over Crete 6

A Saharan dust storm swept through Crete on Wednesday, April 1, turning skies red-orange, reducing visibility to 1,000 meters, and forcing flights to divert.

April Pink Moon Dazzles Sky Watchers Worldwide 2

April's full pink moon lit up the night sky on April 1, or April 2 in some regions, visible to sky watchers across both hemispheres. Despite its rosy name, the moon does not actually appear pink — the name comes from the early spring bloom of "moss pink," a wildflower native to eastern North America.

Japanese farm minister Suzuki

Japanese farm minister Suzuki

Japanese Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Norikazu Suzuki speaks at a press conference at the ministry in Tokyo on April 3, 2026. The country's Cabinet approved the same day a shift in its rice policy, moving toward a demand-aligned output strategy and introducing new measures to prevent shortages.

Greece: Saharan Dust Storm Turns Skies Red Over Crete 5

A Saharan dust storm swept through Crete on Wednesday, April 1, turning skies red-orange, reducing visibility to 1,000 meters, and forcing flights to divert.

Japan launches ticket system targeting rule-breaking cyclists

Japan launches ticket system targeting rule-breaking cyclists

A cyclist is stopped by police officers in Tokyo on April 1, 2026, following the launch the same day of a "blue ticket" system that allows police to crack down on cycling violations, such as using smartphones while riding, amid an increase in bicycle accidents.

Japan launches ticket system targeting rule-breaking cyclists

Japan launches ticket system targeting rule-breaking cyclists

A cyclist is stopped by police officers in Tokyo on April 1, 2026, following the launch the same day of a "blue ticket" system that allows police to crack down on cycling violations, such as using smartphones while riding, amid an increase in bicycle accidents.

Japan launches ticket system targeting rule-breaking cyclists

Japan launches ticket system targeting rule-breaking cyclists

A cyclist is stopped by police officers in Tokyo on April 1, 2026, following the launch the same day of a "blue ticket" system that allows police to crack down on cycling violations, such as using smartphones while riding, amid an increase in bicycle accidents.

Japan launches ticket system targeting rule-breaking cyclists

Japan launches ticket system targeting rule-breaking cyclists

A cyclist is stopped by police officers in Tokyo on April 1, 2026, following the launch the same day of a "blue ticket" system that allows police to crack down on cycling violations, such as using smartphones while riding, amid an increase in bicycle accidents.

April Pink Moon Dazzles Sky Watchers Worldwide

April's full pink moon lit up the night sky on April 1, or April 2 in some regions, visible to sky watchers across both hemispheres. Despite its rosy name, the moon does not actually appear pink — the name comes from the early spring bloom of "moss pink," a wildflower native to eastern North America.

JFA to part ways with women's national coach Nielsen

JFA to part ways with women's national coach Nielsen

Japan women's national football team head coach Nils Nielsen (C) celebrates after guiding his team to the Asian Cup title in Sydney on March 21, 2026. The Japan Football Association said on April 2 that it has decided not to renew Nielsen's contract as the team's skipper despite the victory.

JFA to part ways with women's national coach Nielsen

JFA to part ways with women's national coach Nielsen

Norio Sasaki, a Japan Football Association senior official in charge of the women's national team, holds a press conference in Tokyo on April 2, 2026, after the JFA decided not to renew Nils Nielsen's contract as the team's head coach, less than two weeks after he guided them to the Women's Asian Cup title.

New York auto show

New York auto show

Photo taken on April 1, 2026, shows the Subaru Getaway three-row electric sport utility vehicle, which Japan's Subaru Corp. unveiled to the media at the New York International Auto Show in New York two days ahead of its opening to the general public.

JFA to part ways with women's national coach Nielsen

JFA to part ways with women's national coach Nielsen

Japan Football Association President Tsuneyasu Miyamoto holds a press conference in Tokyo on April 2, 2026, after the JFA decided not to renew Nils Nielsen's contract as the women's national team head coach, less than two weeks after he guided them to the Women's Asian Cup title.

New York auto show

New York auto show

Photo taken on April 1, 2026, shows a media preview at the New York International Auto Show in New York two days ahead of its opening to the general public.