Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Houston Astros pitcher Tatsuya Imai is pictured in the dugout after throwing the first inning of a spring training game against the New York Mets at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Feb. 26, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Houston Astros pitcher Tatsuya Imai is pictured in the dugout after throwing the first inning of a spring training game against the New York Mets at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Feb. 26, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Tatsuya Imai of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning of a spring training game against the New York Mets at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Feb. 26, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Tatsuya Imai of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning of a spring training game against the New York Mets at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Feb. 26, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Tatsuya Imai of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning of a spring training game against the New York Mets at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Feb. 26, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Tatsuya Imai of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning of a spring training game against the New York Mets at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Feb. 26, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Tatsuya Imai of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning of a spring training game against the New York Mets at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Feb. 26, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Tatsuya Imai of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning of a spring training game against the New York Mets at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Feb. 26, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Tatsuya Imai of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning of a spring training game against the New York Mets at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Feb. 26, 2026.

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks at the first meeting of a cross-party "national council" to discuss her pledge to suspend the consumption tax on food for two years at the premier's office in Tokyo on Feb. 26, 2026.

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks at the first meeting of a cross-party "national council" to discuss her pledge to suspend the consumption tax on food for two years at the premier's office in Tokyo on Feb. 26, 2026.

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks at the first meeting of a cross-party "national council" to discuss her pledge to suspend the consumption tax on food for two years at the premier's office in Tokyo on Feb. 26, 2026.

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks at the first meeting of a cross-party "national council" to discuss her pledge to suspend the consumption tax on food for two years at the premier's office in Tokyo on Feb. 26, 2026.

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks at the first meeting of a cross-party "national council" to discuss her pledge to suspend the consumption tax on food for two years at the premier's office in Tokyo on Feb. 26, 2026.

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Takahiro Anno (2nd from R), leader of Team Mirai, speaks at the first meeting of a cross-party "national council" to discuss Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's pledge to suspend the consumption tax on food for two years at the premier's office in Tokyo on Feb. 26, 2026.

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (2nd from L) speaks at the first meeting of a cross-party "national council" to discuss her pledge to suspend the consumption tax on food for two years at the premier's office in Tokyo on Feb. 26, 2026.

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Takahiro Anno, leader of Team Mirai, speaks at the first meeting of a cross-party "national council" to discuss Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's pledge to suspend the consumption tax on food for two years at the premier's office in Tokyo on Feb. 26, 2026.

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Takahiro Anno (R), leader of Team Mirai, speaks at the first meeting of a cross-party "national council" to discuss Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's pledge to suspend the consumption tax on food for two years at the premier's office in Tokyo on Feb. 26, 2026.

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Photo taken on Feb. 26, 2026, shows the first meeting of a cross-party "national council" to discuss Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's pledge to suspend the consumption tax on food for two years at the premier's office in Tokyo.

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Photo taken on Feb. 26, 2026, shows the first meeting of a cross-party "national council" to discuss Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's pledge to suspend the consumption tax on food for two years at the premier's office in Tokyo.

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Fumitake Fujita (L), co-leader of the Japan Innovation Party, attends the first meeting of a cross-party "national council" to discuss Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's pledge to suspend the consumption tax on food for two years at the premier's office in Tokyo on Feb. 26, 2026.

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Photo taken on Feb. 26, 2026, shows the first meeting of a cross-party "national council" to discuss Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's pledge to suspend the consumption tax on food for two years at the premier's office in Tokyo.

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Fumitake Fujita, co-leader of the Japan Innovation Party, attends the first meeting of a cross-party "national council" to discuss Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's pledge to suspend the consumption tax on food for two years at the premier's office in Tokyo on Feb. 26, 2026.

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Japan cross-party council discusses food tax cut

Fumitake Fujita (C), co-leader of the Japan Innovation Party, and Takahiro Anno (L), leader of Team Mirai, attend the first meeting of a cross-party "national council" to discuss Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's pledge to suspend the consumption tax on food for two years at the premier's office in Tokyo on Feb. 26, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Toronto Blue Jays rookie Kazuma Okamoto runs after hitting a two-run double in the fourth inning of a spring training game against the Miami Marlins at TD Ballpark in Dunedin, Florida, on Feb. 26, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Toronto Blue Jays rookie Kazuma Okamoto hits a two-run double in the fourth inning of a spring training game against the Miami Marlins at TD Ballpark in Dunedin, Florida, on Feb. 26, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Toronto Blue Jays rookie Kazuma Okamoto is pictured after hitting a two-run double in the fourth inning of a spring training game against the Miami Marlins at TD Ballpark in Dunedin, Florida, on Feb. 26, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Toronto Blue Jays rookie Kazuma Okamoto hits a two-run double in the fourth inning of a spring training game against the Miami Marlins at TD Ballpark in Dunedin, Florida, on Feb. 26, 2026.

Baseball: Japan team ahead of WBC

Baseball: Japan team ahead of WBC

Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki, a member of Japan's national team, speaks at a press conference in Nagoya, central Japan, on Feb. 26, 2026, ahead of the World Baseball Classic in March. (Pool photo)

Baseball: Japan team ahead of WBC

Baseball: Japan team ahead of WBC

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani, a member of Japan's national team, smiles at a press conference in Nagoya, central Japan, on Feb. 26, 2026, ahead of the World Baseball Classic in March. (Pool photo)

Figure skating: Olympic champion pair

Figure skating: Olympic champion pair

Japanese figure skaters Riku Miura (R) and Ryuichi Kihara speak to the press during a visit to Kinoshita Group Co., their company sponsor, in Tokyo on Feb. 26, 2026. They won gold in the figure skating pairs and silver in the team event at the Milan Cortina Olympics.

Baseball: Japan team ahead of WBC

Baseball: Japan team ahead of WBC

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani, a member of Japan's national team, speaks at a press conference in Nagoya, central Japan, on Feb. 26, 2026, ahead of the World Baseball Classic in March. (Pool photo)

Figure skating: Olympic champion pair

Figure skating: Olympic champion pair

Japanese figure skaters Riku Miura (R) and Ryuichi Kihara pose for a photo with panels announcing rewards of 20 million yen ($130,000) each from their corporate sponsor Kinoshita Group Co. in Tokyo on Feb. 26, 2026. They won gold in the figure skating pairs and silver in the team event at the Milan Cortina Olympics.

Figure skating: Olympic champion pair

Figure skating: Olympic champion pair

Japanese figure skaters Riku Miura (far R) and Ryuichi Kihara (2nd from R) receive panels announcing rewards of 20 million yen ($130,000) each from Naoya Kinoshita, president of Kinoshita Group Co., their company sponsor, in Tokyo on Feb. 26, 2026. They won gold in the figure skating pairs and silver in the team event at the Milan Cortina Olympics.

Brazil: Floods and Landslides Devastate Minas Gerais 6

Heavy rain has hit Juiz de Fora in southeastern Brazil, causing floods, building collapses, and river overflows. In the state of Minas Gerais, where Juiz de Fora is located, heavy rain has persisted since Monday, February 23, triggering floods and landslides. So far, at least 40 people have died, 27 are missing, and about 3,600 have been forced to evacuate. This video shows a flooded parking garage in the São Mateus neighborhood of Juiz de Fora.

[Breaking News]Special Diet session

TOKYO, Japan, Feb. 18 Kyodo - Japanese lawmakers arrive at the parliament building in Tokyo on Feb. 18, 2026, for a special session following the Feb. 8 general election. (Kyodo)

Milan Cortina Olympics: Figure skating

MILAN, Italy, Feb. 17 Kyodo - Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara pose at the end of a press conference in Milan on Feb. 17, 2026, after winning the pairs figure skating gold at the Milan Cortina Olympics the previous day. (Kyodo)

Milan Cortina Olympics: Ski jumping

MILAN, Italy, Feb. 18 Kyodo - Japanese ski jumpers Ren Nikaido and Ryoyu Kobayashi pose at the end of a press conference in Milan on Feb. 18, 2026, which they held to wrap up their competitions at the Milan Cortina Olympics. (Kyodo)

Japan gov't panel approves 2 iPS-derived drugs

OSAKA, Japan, Feb. 19 Kyodo - University of Osaka professor Yoshiki Sawa holds a press conference in Osaka on Feb. 19, 2026, after Japan's health ministry panel approved the commercialization of two regenerative medicine products prepared from iPS cells, the first of their kind in the world. One of the two drugs, ReHeart, heart muscle sheets derived from human iPS cells, was developed by a startup originating from Sawa's team at the university. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Japan training camp ahead of WBC

MIYAZAKI, Japan, Feb. 19 Kyodo - Japan's 2023 World Baseball Classic-winning manager Hideki Kuriyama (C, facing camera) visits Japan's training camp in Miyazaki, southwestern Japan, on Feb. 19, 2026, ahead of the upcoming WBC. Facing him is San Diego Padres pitcher Yu Darvish, a member of the 2023 team who is playing an advisory role at the camp. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Japan's "naked festival" leaves 3 unconscious

OKAYAMA, Japan, Feb. 22 Kyodo - Nearly naked men take part in the annual Saidaiji Eyo festival at Saidaiji temple in Okayama, western Japan, on Feb. 21, 2026. Three men became unconscious after the participants, wearing only loincloths, jostled to catch wooden sacred talismans during the traditional event dating back to the Muromachi period (1336-1573). (Kyodo)

Milan Cortina Olympics: Closing ceremony

MILAN, Italy, Feb. 23 Kyodo - The Olympic flame is extinguished from the cauldron at the Arch of Peace in Milan on Feb. 22, 2026, during the closing ceremony of the Milan Cortina Olympics in Verona, Italy. (Kyodo)

Japanese emperor's 66th birthday

TOKYO, Japan, Feb. 23 Kyodo - Japanese Emperor Naruhito speaks at a ceremony held at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Feb. 23, 2026, to celebrate his 66th birthday. (Pool photo) (Kyodo)

South Korea: Major Fire Erupts at Historic 91-Year-Old Restaurant in Downtown Seoul

A fire broke out on Thursday evening, February 26, at a restaurant in Bukchang-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul. The blaze sent thick smoke across the city center, disrupting the evening commutes. Fire authorities deployed 96 personnel and 42 fire vehicles to the scene. Built in 1935, the dilapidated two-story structure made the operation particularly hazardous for first responders.

Brazil: Floods and Landslides Devastate Minas Gerais 3

Heavy rain hit Juiz de Fora in southeastern Brazil on Wednesday, February 25, causing floods, building collapses, and river overflows. In the state of Minas Gerais, where Juiz de Fora is located, heavy rain has persisted since Monday, February 23, triggering floods and landslides. So far, at least 40 people have died, 27 are missing, and about 3,600 have been forced to evacuate.

Brazil: Floods and Landslides Devastate Minas Gerais 5

Heavy rain has hit Juiz de Fora in southeastern Brazil, causing floods, building collapses, and river overflows. In the state of Minas Gerais, where Juiz de Fora is located, heavy rain has persisted since Monday, February 23, triggering floods and landslides. So far, at least 40 people have died, 27 are missing, and about 3,600 have been forced to evacuate.

Brazil: Floods and Landslides Devastate Minas Gerais 4

Heavy rain has hit Juiz de Fora in southeastern Brazil, causing floods, building collapses, and river overflows. In the state of Minas Gerais, where Juiz de Fora is located, heavy rain has persisted since Monday, February 23, triggering floods and landslides. So far, at least 40 people have died, 27 are missing, and about 3,600 have been forced to evacuate.

Brazil: Floods and Landslides Devastate Minas Gerais 2

Heavy rain hit Juiz de Fora in southeastern Brazil on Wednesday, February 25, causing floods, building collapses, and river overflows. In the state of Minas Gerais, where Juiz de Fora is located, heavy rain has persisted since Monday, February 23, triggering floods and landslides. So far, at least 40 people have died, 27 are missing, and about 3,600 have been forced to evacuate.

US: Light Snow Lingers After Record Storm Disrupts Travel Across Northeast 4

Light snow continued across parts of the U.S. Northeast on Wednesday, February 25, following a record-breaking storm that buried areas from Maryland to Maine, disrupting commutes and daily life.

Japan: Hay Fever Alert Issued as Mass Pollen Dispersal Expected to Peak Nationwide

As of February 16, the start of cedar pollen dispersal has been confirmed in parts of the region stretching from Kyushu to Tokai. By late February, dispersal is expected to begin across a wide area ranging from Kyushu to southern Tohoku. In Shizuoka Prefecture specifically, cedar pollen began dispersing in early February 2026; total volume is expected to reach 1.9 times the average of the past 10 years. Thick pollen is visible in the video, creating hazy conditions across the mountain range.