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.

Buddhist temple ritual in honor of Kukai

Buddhist temple ritual in honor of Kukai

Monks parade during a ritual at Buddhist Shingon-sect Kongobuji temple in Koya in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on May 7, 2026, in honor of the achievements by the sect's founder Kukai (774-835), posthumously known as Kobo Daishi.

Samurai festival in Wakayama Pref.

Samurai festival in Wakayama Pref.

People in samurai warrior outfits take part in a parade in Kudoyama in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on May 5, 2026, during a festival in honor of three 16th-17th century Sanada-clan warriors.

Samurai festival in Wakayama Pref.

Samurai festival in Wakayama Pref.

People in samurai warrior outfits hold a gun demonstration in Kudoyama in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on May 5, 2026, during a festival in honor of three 16th-17th century Sanada-clan warriors.

Samurai festival in Wakayama Pref.

Samurai festival in Wakayama Pref.

People in samurai warrior outfits hold a gun demonstration in Kudoyama in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on May 5, 2026, during a festival in honor of three 16th-17th century Sanada-clan warriors.

Ritual for Aoi festival in Kyoto

Ritual for Aoi festival in Kyoto

A woman clad in a 12-layer traditional Japanese kimono, having been chosen to play this year's Saio-dai heroine during the upcoming annual Aoi Festival in Kyoto, purifies herself at Shimogamo Shrine in the western Japan city on May 4, 2026.

Ritual for Aoi festival in Kyoto

Ritual for Aoi festival in Kyoto

A woman clad in a 12-layer traditional Japanese kimono, having been chosen to play this year's Saio-dai heroine during the upcoming annual Aoi Festival in Kyoto, purifies herself at Shimogamo Shrine in the western Japan city on May 4, 2026.

Tanker with Russian crude oil arrives in Japan

Tanker with Russian crude oil arrives in Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a tanker carrying crude oil from the Russian Far East of Sakhalin arriving in waters off Imabari in Ehime Prefecture, western Japan, on May 4, 2026, marking the first procurement of Russian oil by Japan since the Iran war began in late February.

Tanker with Russian crude oil arrives in Japan

Tanker with Russian crude oil arrives in Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a tanker carrying crude oil from the Russian Far East of Sakhalin arriving in waters off Imabari in Ehime Prefecture, western Japan, on May 4, 2026, marking the first procurement of Russian oil by Japan since the Iran war began in late February.

Tanker with Russian crude oil arrives in Japan

Tanker with Russian crude oil arrives in Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a tanker carrying crude oil from the Russian Far East of Sakhalin arriving in waters off Imabari in Ehime Prefecture, western Japan, on May 4, 2026, marking the first procurement of Russian oil by Japan since the Iran war began in late February.

Football: WE League

Football: WE League

INAC Kobe Leonessa players celebrate after winning the WE League women's football title, with a 5-1 victory over AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies at Noevir Stadium in Kobe, western Japan, on May 3, 2026.

Football: WE League

Football: WE League

INAC Kobe Leonessa players celebrate after winning the WE League women's football title, with a 5-1 victory over AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies at Noevir Stadium in Kobe, western Japan, on May 3, 2026.

Football: WE League

Football: WE League

INAC Kobe Leonessa players celebrate after winning the WE League women's football title, with a 5-1 victory over AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies at Noevir Stadium in Kobe, western Japan, on May 3, 2026.

Football: WE League

Football: WE League

INAC Kobe Leonessa players celebrate after winning the WE League women's football title, with a 5-1 victory over AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies at Noevir Stadium in Kobe, western Japan, on May 3, 2026.

U.S. Iwakuni base opens on U.S.-Japan friendship day

U.S. Iwakuni base opens on U.S.-Japan friendship day

U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan, opens to the general public on May 3, 2026, during a U.S.-Japan friendship day event.

U.S. Iwakuni base opens on U.S.-Japan friendship day

U.S. Iwakuni base opens on U.S.-Japan friendship day

U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan, opens to the general public on May 3, 2026, during a U.S.-Japan friendship day event.

U.S. Iwakuni base opens on U.S.-Japan friendship day

U.S. Iwakuni base opens on U.S.-Japan friendship day

U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan, opens to the general public on May 3, 2026, during a U.S.-Japan friendship day event.

U.S. Iwakuni base opens on U.S.-Japan friendship day

U.S. Iwakuni base opens on U.S.-Japan friendship day

U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan, opens to the general public on May 3, 2026, during a U.S.-Japan friendship day event.

U.S. Iwakuni base opens on U.S.-Japan friendship day

U.S. Iwakuni base opens on U.S.-Japan friendship day

U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan, opens to the general public on May 3, 2026, during a U.S.-Japan friendship day event.

Hiroshima flower festival

Hiroshima flower festival

The "flame of peace" burns on top of an 8-meter tower decorated with some 8,000 flower pots at the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, western Japan, on May 3, 2026, the opening day of a three-day flower festival.

Hiroshima flower festival

Hiroshima flower festival

The "flame of peace" burns on top of an 8-meter tower decorated with some 8,000 flower pots at the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, western Japan, on May 3, 2026, the opening day of a three-day flower festival.

Japan: Severe Weather Strikes Western Region, Triggers Hail and Heavy Rainfall

A strong cold air mass destabilized the atmosphere across western Japan, Tokai, and Hokuriku, on Friday, May 1, triggering heavy rain, thunder, and hail, with further sudden weather changes expected.

Tennis: Kei Nishikori

Tennis: Kei Nishikori

A woman holds copies of an extra edition of a newspaper handed out in Matsue in Shimane Prefecture, western Japan, after Japanese tennis icon and former world No. 4 Kei Nishikori, who hails from the town, said on social media he will retire at the end of the season.

Tennis: Kei Nishikori

Tennis: Kei Nishikori

A woman holds copies of an extra edition of a newspaper handed out in Matsue in Shimane Prefecture, western Japan, after Japanese tennis icon and former world No. 4 Kei Nishikori, who hails from the town, said on social media he will retire at the end of the season.

Suspect at large after attacking boy in Tokyo

Suspect at large after attacking boy in Tokyo

Police officers are pictured near the scene where a high school student was allegedly struck on the head with a hammer by a man in Fussa, western Tokyo, on April 29, 2026. The man barricaded himself inside his home after the incident but was no longer inside the residence when officers entered.

Suspect at large after attacking boy in Tokyo

Suspect at large after attacking boy in Tokyo

Police officers are pictured near the scene where a high school student was allegedly struck on the head with a hammer by a man in Fussa, western Tokyo, on April 29, 2026. The man barricaded himself inside his home after the incident but was no longer inside the residence when officers entered.

Suspect at large after attacking boy in Tokyo

Suspect at large after attacking boy in Tokyo

A police officer patrols near the scene where a high school student was allegedly struck on the head with a hammer by a man in Fussa, western Tokyo, on April 29, 2026. The man barricaded himself inside his home after the incident but was no longer inside the residence when officers entered.

Suspect at large after attacking boy in Tokyo

Suspect at large after attacking boy in Tokyo

A police officer investigates the scene where a high school student was allegedly struck on the head with a hammer by a man in Fussa, western Tokyo, on April 29, 2026. The man barricaded himself inside his home after the incident but was no longer inside the residence when officers entered.

Cherry blossom train in Ukraine

Cherry blossom train in Ukraine

Photo taken on April 28, 2026, shows a state-run Ukrainian Railways train decorated with illustrations of cherry blossom petals at Kyiv Central Station. The train began operations the same day under the support of the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Japanese Embassy in Kyiv, running between the Ukrainian capital and Uzhhorod, a western Ukrainian city known for its cherry blossom festival.

Cherry blossom train in Ukraine

Cherry blossom train in Ukraine

Photo taken on April 28, 2026, shows a state-run Ukrainian Railways train decorated with illustrations of cherry blossom petals at Kyiv Central Station. The train began operations the same day under the support of the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Japanese Embassy in Kyiv, running between the Ukrainian capital and Uzhhorod, a western Ukrainian city known for its cherry blossom festival.

US: Dense Fog Blankets Parts of Western and North Central New York

The National Weather Service issued a dense fog advisory on Sunday morning, April 26, for parts of western and north central New York.

21st anniversary of train derailment in western Japan

21st anniversary of train derailment in western Japan

West Japan Railway Co. holds a memorial ceremony marking the 21st anniversary of a fatal derailment in 2005 at the site of the accident in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture, on April 25, 2026. The JR Fukuchiyama Line derailment killed the driver and 106 passengers. (Pool photo) ==Kyodo

21st anniversary of train derailment in western Japan

21st anniversary of train derailment in western Japan

Shoji Kurasaka, president of West Japan Railway Co., addresses a memorial ceremony marking the 21st anniversary of a fatal derailment in 2005 at the site of the accident in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture, on April 25, 2026. The JR Fukuchiyama Line derailment killed the driver and 106 passengers. (Pool photo) ==Kyodo

21st anniversary of train derailment in western Japan

21st anniversary of train derailment in western Japan

Shoji Kurasaka, president of West Japan Railway Co., offers flowers at a memorial ceremony marking the 21st anniversary of a fatal derailment in 2005 at the site of the accident in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture, on April 25, 2026. The JR Fukuchiyama Line derailment killed the driver and 106 passengers. (Pool photo) ==Kyodo

21st anniversary of train derailment in western Japan

21st anniversary of train derailment in western Japan

Shoji Kurasaka (R), president of West Japan Railway Co., offers flowers at a memorial ceremony marking the 21st anniversary of a fatal derailment in 2005 at the site of the accident in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture, on April 25, 2026. The JR Fukuchiyama Line derailment killed the driver and 106 passengers. (Pool photo) ==Kyodo

21st anniversary of train derailment in western Japan

21st anniversary of train derailment in western Japan

West Japan Railway Co. holds a memorial ceremony marking the 21st anniversary of a fatal derailment in 2005 at the site of the accident in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture, on April 25, 2026. The JR Fukuchiyama Line derailment killed the driver and 106 passengers. (Pool photo) ==Kyodo

Boeing 787 makes emergency landing

Video from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a Boeing 787 jet operated by All Nippon Airways Co. on Jan. 16, 2013, at Takamatsu Airport in western Japan, following an emergency landing after smoke was detected inside the aircraft. All 137 passengers and crew aboard the domestic flight evacuated the plane. (Kyodo)

New sightseeing train in western Japan

New sightseeing train in western Japan

Photo taken on April 24, 2026, shows Nankai Electric Railway Co.'s new Gran Tenku sightseeing train at Namba Station in Osaka. The train connecting Osaka and Mt. Koya, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Wakayama Prefecture in western Japan, began operating the same day.

New sightseeing train in western Japan

New sightseeing train in western Japan

Photo taken on April 24, 2026, shows Nankai Electric Railway Co.'s new Gran Tenku sightseeing train at Namba Station in Osaka. The train connecting Osaka and Mt. Koya, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Wakayama Prefecture in western Japan, began operating the same day.

Mine-Akiyoshidai added to UNESCO geoparks list

Mine-Akiyoshidai added to UNESCO geoparks list

People pose for a photo during a celebration in Mine, Yamaguchi Prefecture, on April 23, 2026, after the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council added Mine-Akiyoshidai karst plateau in the western Japan city to its geoparks list.

Mine-Akiyoshidai added to UNESCO geoparks list

Mine-Akiyoshidai added to UNESCO geoparks list

People celebrate in Mine, Yamaguchi Prefecture, on April 23, 2026, after the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council added Mine-Akiyoshidai karst plateau in the western Japan city to its geoparks list.

Baseball: Giants vs. Tigers

Baseball: Giants vs. Tigers

Hanshin Tigers slugger Teruaki Sato hits a two-run home run off Yomiuri Giants right-hander Masahiro Tanaka in the first inning of a Central League baseball game at Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya, western Japan, on April 16, 2026.

Baseball: Giants vs. Tigers

Baseball: Giants vs. Tigers

Hanshin Tigers slugger Teruaki Sato hits a two-run home run off Yomiuri Giants right-hander Masahiro Tanaka in the first inning of a Central League baseball game at Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya, western Japan, on April 16, 2026.

US: April Snow Hits Rochester, New York

Light snow was observed near Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport in Rochester, NY on Monday morning, April 20, 2026 — a late-season reminder that winter doesn't always yield easily to spring in Western New York.

Asian elephants from Malaysia at Osaka zoo

Asian elephants from Malaysia at Osaka zoo

Photo taken on April 21, 2026, shows Asian elephants at Osaka Tennoji Zoo in the western Japan city of Osaka. The three elephants from Malaysia went on public display the same day, marking the zoo's first elephant exhibition in eight years.

Asian elephants from Malaysia at Osaka zoo

Asian elephants from Malaysia at Osaka zoo

Photo taken on April 21, 2026, shows Asian elephants at Osaka Tennoji Zoo in the western Japan city of Osaka. The three elephants from Malaysia went on public display the same day, marking the zoo's first elephant exhibition in eight years.

Asian elephants from Malaysia at Osaka zoo

Asian elephants from Malaysia at Osaka zoo

Photo taken on April 21, 2026, shows Asian elephants at Osaka Tennoji Zoo in the western Japan city of Osaka. The three elephants from Malaysia went on public display the same day, marking the zoo's first elephant exhibition in eight years.

Asian elephants from Malaysia at Osaka zoo

Asian elephants from Malaysia at Osaka zoo

Photo taken on April 21, 2026, shows Asian elephants at Osaka Tennoji Zoo in the western Japan city of Osaka. The three elephants from Malaysia went on public display the same day, marking the zoo's first elephant exhibition in eight years.

US: Rochester Sees 25°F Temperature Drop as Snow and Rain Mix

Western New York experienced flurries, graupel and rain showers on Sunday, April 19, as temperatures in Rochester dropped more than 25°F (14°C) in 24 hours. Snow showers were expected to continue into Monday, with overnight lows near 29°F (-2°C).

Whaling factory ship departs for Sea of Okhotsk

Whaling factory ship departs for Sea of Okhotsk

The Kangei Maru, the world's only whaling factory ship, departs from its home port in Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan, on April 18, 2026, for the season's first commercial whale hunt, in the Sea of Okhotsk.