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Japan: Performers Balance Towering Lanterns at Akita Kanto Festival

The Akita Kanto Festival, one of the three major festivals in Japan's Tohoku region with roughly 270 years of history, opened Sunday, August 2, in central Akita City and runs through August 6. This year's event features 67 groups—38 neighborhood teams and 29 school and workplace teams—swaying 273 lantern-laden bamboo poles through the night sky in a prayer for a bountiful harvest, the poles representing rice stalks. The largest of the poles measure up to 12 meters long and weigh 50 kilograms, balanced skillfully by performers on their foreheads, palms, and other parts of the body.

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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.

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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.

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Spain: National Emergency Declared Over Madrid Wildfires

Spain declared a national emergency in Madrid on Friday, July 24, after wildfires reached the outskirts of Madrid, evacuating more than 10,000 people. The national emergency was also issued for the neighboring province of Ávila, where fires have similarly threatened nearby communities. This video shows smoke from wildfires blanketing Aldea del Fresno.

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Chile: Kast Declares Catastrophe in Coquimbo and Huasco Amid Storm

A frontal storm system dropped a month's worth of rainfall on northern Chile, prompting President José Antonio Kast to declare a State of Emergency and Catastrophe for the Coquimbo region and Huasco province on Monday. The storm has left at least five dead, and more than 99,000 people isolated nationwide, Senapred reported Monday, July 20.

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Chile: Kast Declares Catastrophe in Coquimbo and Huasco Amid Storm 2

A frontal storm system dropped a month's worth of rainfall on northern Chile, prompting President José Antonio Kast to declare a State of Emergency and Catastrophe for the Coquimbo region and Huasco province on Monday. The storm has left at least five dead, and more than 99,000 people isolated nationwide, Senapred reported Monday, July 20.

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Spain: Nearly Two Million Gather in Madrid for World Cup Victory Parade 4

Nearly two million people gathered in Madrid on Monday, July 20, as Spain's World Cup-winning team held an open-top bus victory parade. The squad was first welcomed at Zarzuela Palace by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, before meeting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and making its way through the city center to Cibeles Square.

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World Cup 2026 – Fans Celebrate World Cup Win Across Spain 6

After Spain defeated Argentina in the World Cup final to claim their second title, fans were seen celebrating in the streets across Spain. This video was shot at Jacinto Benavente Avenue.

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World Cup 2026 – Fans Celebrate World Cup Win Across Spain 2

After Spain defeated Argentina in the World Cup final to claim their second title, fans were seen celebrating in the streets across Spain.

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US: New Yorkers Gather for Last Manhattanhenge Sunset of the Year 2

People gathered along Manhattan's cross streets on Sunday, July 12, to watch Manhattanhenge, when the setting sun aligned with the city's grid for a "half sun" effect. Clear skies allowed for near perfect viewing conditions of the phenomenon, which had occurred the night before as a "full sun" alignment and marked the last chance to see it in 2026.

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US: New Yorkers Gather for Last Manhattanhenge Sunset of the Year

People gathered along Manhattan's cross streets on Sunday, July 12, to watch Manhattanhenge, when the setting sun aligned with the city's grid for a "half sun" effect. Clear skies allowed for near perfect viewing conditions of the phenomenon, which had occurred the night before as a "full sun" alignment and marked the last chance to see it in 2026.

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US: Dust Storm Sweeps Through Phoenix Metro, Causing Power Outages and Flight Delays

The National Weather Service issued a Dust Storm Warning for the Phoenix metro area on Sunday, July 12, as a wall of dust swept through the area. The storm reduced visibility, triggered traffic delays and knocked out power to thousands. It also grounded flights at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, with nearly 400 flights delayed.

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Canada: Shooting Near Toronto Street Festival Leaves Two Dead 2

Two people were killed and several others wounded, with reports ranging from three to six injured, in a shooting Saturday night near the Salsa on St. Clair festival in Toronto. Police urged festival attendees to leave the area as they searched for the suspects, who remained at large with no suspect description released.

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Canada: Shooting Near Toronto Street Festival Leaves Two Dead 3

Two people were killed and several others wounded, with reports ranging from three to six injured, in a shooting Saturday night near the Salsa on St. Clair festival in Toronto. Police urged festival attendees to leave the area as they searched for the suspects, who remained at large with no suspect description released.

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Canada: Shooting Near Toronto Street Festival Leaves Two Dead

Two people were killed and several others wounded, with reports ranging from three to six injured, in a shooting Saturday night near the Salsa on St. Clair festival in Toronto. Police urged festival attendees to leave the area as they searched for the gunman, who remained at large.

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Spain: Los Gallardos Wildfire Kills 12, Leaves 23 Missing in Almería

A wildfire broke out in Los Gallardos, Almería, Spain, on Thursday afternoon, July 9, killing at least 12 people and leaving 23 missing. Authorities say a fallen power line cable sparked the blaze.

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Japan: America’s 250th Independence Day Celebration Held in Tokyo

The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo hosted a celebration in Odaiba on Thursday, July 3, marking the 250th anniversary of American independence. Tokyo Tower and the Rainbow Bridge were illuminated in red, white, and blue, the colors of the American flag, while fireworks lit up the night sky and a drone show displayed the faces of Prime Minister Takaichi and U.S. President Donald Trump.

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Canada: Strong Winds and Hail Lash Calgary as Severe Thunderstorms Hit Alberta 2

Severe thunderstorms brought strong winds, hail, and heavy rain to Calgary, Alberta on Saturday, June 20.

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Spain: Wildfire Breaks Out Along Segura River in Murcia, Forcing Evacuations

A wildfire broke out Saturday afternoon in Murcia, Spain, near the banks of the Segura River, forcing the evacuation of nearby homes and prompting a major emergency response. A large column of black smoke visible across the city.

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US: Bonneville Fire Threatens University of Utah Area in Salt Lake City 2

The Bonneville Fire broke out Saturday, June 20, above the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, growing to 495 acres by Sunday with 5% containment.

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Canada: Strong Winds and Hail Lash Calgary as Severe Thunderstorms Hit Alberta

Severe thunderstorms brought strong winds, hail, and heavy rain to Calgary, Alberta on Saturday, June 20.

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China: Tourists Rescue Elderly Couple From Overturned Car in Tibet

On May 31, 2026, at a viewing platform along the Nujiang Grand Canyon in Baxu County, Chamdo, Tibet, passing tourists stopped to rescue a 70-year-old couple whose car had overturned during a self-driving trip. It took about 20 minutes to free the couple from the vehicle, who were then taken to hospital for treatment.

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US: Deer Canyon Fire Threatens Structures and Prompts Evacuations in New Mexico

The Deer Canyon Fire broke out Saturday afternoon, June 20, in a subdivision south of Mountainair in Torrance County, New Mexico, threatening structures and prompting evacuations. The blaze grew to an estimated 117 acres with zero percent containment as of Sunday.

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US: Wildfire Breaks Out Near Middle Fork Campground in Utah’s Weber County

The Middle Fork Fire broke out near Middle Fork Campground in Weber County, Utah, on Saturday, June 20, growing to 334 acres and was 10% contained as of Sunday morning. No evacuations were ordered, and no structures were threatened.

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US: Strong Storms Bring Rain and Damaging Winds to Kansas

Strong storms moved through Kansas on Saturday night into Sunday, bringing heavy rain and damaging winds. Downed trees and power lines were reported in northwest Kansas.

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US: Tornado Caught on Camera in Effingham, Illinois Amid Tornado Warning 4

A tornado was caught on camera in Effingham, Illinois, on Wednesday, June 17, amid a tornado warning.

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US: Severe Storms Bring Tornado Threats, Power Outages to Central Indiana 2

Severe storms swept through central Indiana on Tuesday, June 16, triggering tornado warnings and severe thunderstorm warnings across multiple counties as a 36-hour weather impact alert took effect. A tornado briefly touched down in Putnam County, and power outages affected thousands of residents across the region.

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Canada: Severe Storm Brings Tornado and Mass Power Outages to Southern Manitoba

A tornado touched down near Ste. Anne in southern Manitoba on Tuesday night, June 9, as a severe storm system swept through the province, leaving more than 25,000 customers without power, including nearly 17,000 in Winnipeg. Footage shows what appears to be a tornado forming, caught in Winnipeg near James Armstrong Richardson International Airport at around 8:00 p.m.

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Albania: Thousands March in Tirana Against Kushner-Linked Resort in Protected Wetland

Thousands of Albanians marched through Tirana on Monday, June 1, protesting against a controversial luxury resort development in the protected Zvërnec wetland area on the country's southern coast. Demonstrators gathered at Skanderbeg Square before marching toward the Prime Minister's Office, carrying banners reading "Albania is not for sale" and demanding the project's cancellation. The protests target a development linked to Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump, which critics say threatens one of the Mediterranean's last pristine coastal ecosystems.

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Rare Blue Moon Closes Out May, Doubling as Micromoon 3

The second full moon of May, known as a Blue Moon, reached peak illumination on Sunday, May 31, the only Blue Moon of 2026. The celestial event, which occurs roughly every two to three years, also qualified as a micromoon, as the moon was farther from Earth than average, making it appear slightly smaller than usual.

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US: Flash Flooding Hits Midland-Odessa Area as Heavy Storms Batter West Texas

Heavy rainfall triggered flash flood warnings and road closures across the Midland-Odessa area in West Texas on Tuesday, May 26, as the NWS warned of ongoing flooding from severe thunderstorms throughout the region.

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Japan: Rare Red Tide Sweeps Suruga Bay Beaches for First Time in Years

Red tide has been washing ashore along multiple coastlines of Suruga Bay in Shizuoka Prefecture since May 20, in what is believed to be the bay's largest such occurrence in over a decade. The unusual bloom has left tourists puzzled at beaches across the Izu Peninsula, where the reddish-brown discoloration has spread across the shoreline.

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US: Protest Erupts Outside Newark Detention Center as Hunger Strike Sparks Tensions

Protesters gathered outside Delaney Hall immigration detention center in Newark, New Jersey, on Sunday, May 24 to block a transfer van outside after a hunger strike organizer was seen being taken away in the vehicle. Around 300 detainees had begun a hunger and labor strike on Friday over conditions at the facility.

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US: Storm Clouds Roll In Over Fort Myers Beach, Florida

Dark storm clouds gathered over the Fort Myers Beach on May 20.

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US: Lightning, Rainbow, and Sunset Combine in Rare Post-Storm Display Over Austin 2

A stunning combination of lightning, rainbow, and fiery sunset lit up the skies over the Austin area, Texas, following a storm on the evening of May 21, 2026, drawing widespread attention from residents across the region.

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US: Rainbow and Fiery Sunset Light Up Skies Over Austin Area After Storm

A stunning combination of rainbow and fiery sunset lit up the skies over the Austin area, Texas, following a storm on the evening of May 21, 2026, drawing widespread attention from residents across the city.

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UK: Arsenal Fans Celebrate First Premier League Title in 22 Years Outside Emirates Stadium 3

Arsenal fans erupted in celebration outside the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, May 19, as Manchester City's 1-1 draw with Bournemouth confirmed the club's first Premier League title in 22 years.

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US: Grand Fire Threatens 650 Homes in Chino Hills, California

A brush fire dubbed the Grand Fire broke out near Chino Hills, San Bernardino County, California, on Wednesday evening, May 13, burning approximately 30 acres and prompting temporary evacuation orders for around 650 homes. Some 250 firefighters, helicopters, and ground crews brought the blaze under control by 10:30 p.m., and all evacuation orders were lifted. One firefighter was hospitalized with minor injuries. No structural damage was reported. The cause remains under investigation.

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Indonesia: At Least 15 Killed and Over 80 Injured in Train Collision Near Jakarta 3

At least 15 people were killed and more than 80 injured after two trains collided at Bekasi Timur Station near Jakarta, Indonesia, late Monday night. A stationary commuter train was struck from behind by a long-distance train running on the same track.

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Indonesia: At Least 15 Killed and Over 80 Injured in Train Collision Near Jakarta 2

At least 15 people were killed and more than 80 injured after two trains collided at Bekasi Timur Station near Jakarta, Indonesia, late Monday night. A stationary commuter train was struck from behind by a long-distance train running on the same track.

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US: Tornadoes Spotted Near Foraker, Oklahoma

Tornadoes were spotted a few miles west-southwest of Foraker, Oklahoma on Sunday, April 26 as severe weather with tornado warnings and watches continued for several days in the state.

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Ritual at Ise Jingu shrine

ISE, Japan, April 21 Kyodo - Priests conduct a ritual to pray for the safety of construction at Ise Jingu shrine in Ise, Mie Prefecture, on April 21, 2026, ahead of the start of the "Shikinen Sengu" shrine hall reconstruction every 20 years at the Shinto shrine in the central Japan city. The 63rd "Shikinen Sengu," with a history of about 1,300 years, will culminate in 2033 when an object believed to contain the spirit of the shrine's deity will be transferred to the shrine's newly reconstructed main hall. (Kyodo)

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US: Lightning Flashes Over Enid as Tornado-Producing Storms Sweep Through Oklahoma 2

Multiple tornadoes were confirmed in Oklahoma on Thursday, April 23, after a stretch of severe storms tore across the northern region, leaving a path of damaged homes and downed power lines. This aerial footage shows intense lightning hitting around Enid amid the tornado-producing storms, captured from aboard Delta Flight 1719.

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US: Lightning Flashes Over Enid as Tornado-Producing Storms Sweep Through Oklahoma

Multiple tornadoes were confirmed in Oklahoma on Thursday, April 23, after a stretch of severe storms tore across the northern region, leaving a path of damaged homes and downed power lines. This aerial footage shows intense lightning hitting around Enid amid the tornado-producing storms, captured from aboard Delta Flight 1719.

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US: Aerial Footage Shows Firefighting Near St. Augustine Amid Florida Wildfires

Wildfires have increased across Florida as dry, windy conditions continued to fuel fire danger statewide, with active fires burning nearly 13,000 acres as of Tuesday, April 21, mostly in the northern half of the state. This video, captured from an aircraft at 8,000 feet, shows firefighting operations southwest of St. Augustine, Florida, as red flag warnings and burn restrictions expanded across the region.

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US: Explosion and Fire Erupt at Oil Well Site in Nacogdoches County, Texas

An explosion and fire were reported at an oil well site in southern Nacogdoches County, Texas late Monday, April 20. The Nacogdoches County Sheriff's Office confirmed that all workers have been accounted for and evacuated. Emergency response teams are on scene, and nearby residents are being evacuated as a precaution.

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US: C-130 Aircraft Performs Flyover to Kick Off Boston Marathon

A C-130 aircraft operated by the 103rd Airlift Wing of the Connecticut Air National Guard performed a flyover at the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 20, crossing the starting line in Hopkinton at 9:55 a.m., just minutes before the first wave of runners began.

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US: East Side Fire Rapidly Spreads, Forcing Evacuations South of Red Lodge, Montana

The East Side Fire, a rapidly moving wildfire, broke out south of Red Lodge, Montana, on Monday, April 20, prompting mandatory evacuation orders for nearby residents. Helicopters and air tankers responded to the blaze as traffic was restricted on Highway 212.

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Ritual at Ise Jingu shrine

Ritual at Ise Jingu shrine

Priests conduct a ritual to pray for the safety of construction at Ise Jingu shrine in Ise, Mie Prefecture, on April 21, 2026, ahead of the start of the "Shikinen Sengu" shrine hall reconstruction every 20 years at the Shinto shrine in the central Japan city. The 63rd "Shikinen Sengu," with a history of about 1,300 years, will culminate in 2033 when an object believed to contain the spirit of the shrine's deity will be transferred to the shrine's newly reconstructed main hall.

  •  
Ritual at Ise Jingu shrine

Ritual at Ise Jingu shrine

Priests conduct a ritual to pray for the safety of construction at Ise Jingu shrine in Ise, Mie Prefecture, on April 21, 2026, ahead of the start of the "Shikinen Sengu" shrine hall reconstruction every 20 years at the Shinto shrine in the central Japan city. The 63rd "Shikinen Sengu," with a history of about 1,300 years, will culminate in 2033 when an object believed to contain the spirit of the shrine's deity will be transferred to the shrine's newly reconstructed main hall.

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