Japan PM meets with Tokyo governor

Japan PM meets with Tokyo governor

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (R) shakes hands with Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 7, 2026. Koike told the press afterward that she called for the central government to address the capital's expected tax revenue fall following the planned cut to 1 percent from the current 8 percent in the consumption tax on food and beverages for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan PM meets with Tokyo governor

Japan PM meets with Tokyo governor

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (R) shakes hands with Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 7, 2026. Koike told the press afterward that she called for the central government to address the capital's expected tax revenue fall following the planned cut to 1 percent from the current 8 percent in the consumption tax on food and beverages for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan PM meets with Tokyo governor

Japan PM meets with Tokyo governor

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (R) shakes hands with Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 7, 2026. Koike told the press afterward that she called for the central government to address the capital's expected tax revenue fall following the planned cut to 1 percent from the current 8 percent in the consumption tax on food and beverages for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to reporters at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026. The Cabinet approved a plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to reporters at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026. The Cabinet approved a plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to reporters at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026. The Cabinet approved a plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to reporters at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026. The Cabinet approved a plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to reporters at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026. The Cabinet approved a plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to reporters at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026. The Cabinet approved a plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to reporters at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026. The Cabinet approved a plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to reporters at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026. The Cabinet approved a plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is pictured ahead of an extraordinary Cabinet meeting at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026. The Cabinet approved a plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is pictured ahead of an extraordinary Cabinet meeting at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026. The Cabinet approved a plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is pictured ahead of an extraordinary Cabinet meeting at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026. The Cabinet approved a plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) and her ministers are pictured ahead of an extraordinary Cabinet meeting at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026. The Cabinet approved a plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Golf: Women's British Open

Golf: Women's British Open

Miyu Yamashita of Japan meets the press after finishing the second round of the Women's British Open golf tournament on July 31, 2026, at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club in Lytham St Annes, England. The defending champion missed the cut.

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, during a press conference in Tokyo on July 30, 2026, explains the government's plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, during a press conference in Tokyo on July 30, 2026, explains the government's plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, during a press conference in Tokyo on July 30, 2026, explains the government's plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, during a press conference in Tokyo on July 30, 2026, explains the government's plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, during a press conference in Tokyo on July 30, 2026, explains the government's plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, during a press conference in Tokyo on July 30, 2026, explains the government's plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, during a press conference in Tokyo on July 30, 2026, explains the government's plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, during a press conference in Tokyo on July 30, 2026, explains the government's plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

France: Car Fire Near Nantes Roma Camp Burns Over 10 Hectares

A car caught fire near the Roma camp at Prairie de Mauves in Nantes, France, on Monday, July 20, and the blaze spread to burn more than 10 hectares, destroying several caravans. The nearby rail line was suspended, residents including those from the camp were evacuated, and ENEDIS preemptively cut power, leaving 369 customers without electricity, with no injuries reported so far.

Mt. Fuji in climbing season

Mt. Fuji in climbing season

A ritual to cut a sacred shimenawa rope tied to a torii gate is held during the opening ceremony of the Subashiri route in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, on Mt. Fuji on July 1, 2026, as the official climbing season began for Japan's highest mountain, straddling Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures. The route is open through Sept. 10.

Azaleas in full bloom near Fukushima plant

Azaleas in full bloom near Fukushima plant

Azaleas are seen in full bloom at JR Yonomori Station in Tomioka, a Fukushima Prefecture town near the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, on April 28, 2026. Plants at the JR Joban Line station started to bloom several years ago, even though the shrubs were cut down at the stump in the winter of 2017 when the area was decontaminated.

Azaleas in full bloom near Fukushima plant

Azaleas in full bloom near Fukushima plant

Azaleas are seen in full bloom at JR Yonomori Station in Tomioka, a Fukushima Prefecture town near the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, on April 28, 2026. Plants at the JR Joban Line station started to bloom several years ago, even though the shrubs were cut down at the stump in the winter of 2017 when the area was decontaminated.

Azaleas in full bloom near Fukushima plant

Azaleas in full bloom near Fukushima plant

Azaleas are seen in full bloom at JR Yonomori Station in Tomioka, a Fukushima Prefecture town near the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, on April 28, 2026. Plants at the JR Joban Line station started to bloom several years ago, even though the shrubs were cut down at the stump in the winter of 2017 when the area was decontaminated.

Fiji: Tropical Cyclone Vaianu Strikes Island With Category 3 Winds and Heavy Rain

Tropical Cyclone Vaianu struck Fiji on April 7 as a Category 3 storm, bringing heavy rain, strong winds, and widespread flooding. Roads were cut off, schools closed, and flights cancelled, with nearly 300 people evacuated to emergency shelters.

Taiwan: Fire Breaks Out at Apartment in Kaohsiung

A fire broke out at an apartment building on Dagong Road in Yancheng District, Kaohsiung City, around 7:30 PM on Thursday, March 12. Police and fire services promptly responded, extinguishing the blaze and evacuating six residents. Three individuals were hospitalized after feeling unwell. The fire was brought under control shortly, and the cause is currently under investigation by the fire department.

China: Bowl-Shaped Firecracker Explodes, Sharp Debris Severely Injures Filmer’s Hand

A dangerous firecracker accident was filmed on February 16, 2026, in Chongqing, southwestern China. The filmer ignited a bowl-shaped firecracker, which exploded and sent a sharp fragment flying forward. The piece struck the back of the filmer’s hand, causing a deep cut and heavy bleeding. The injury required medical treatment, and the filmer later went to hospital for bandaging.

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.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Ski jumping

Milan Cortina Olympics: Ski jumping

Ryoyu Kobayashi (L) of Japan hugs teammate Ren Nikaido after the men's Ski jumping super team competition was cut short following the cancellation of the final round due to heavy snowfall at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Predazzo Ski Jumping Stadium in Predazzo, Italy, on Feb. 16, 2026, eventually placing Japan in sixth.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Ski jumping

Milan Cortina Olympics: Ski jumping

Ryoyu Kobayashi (L) of Japan hugs teammate Ren Nikaido after the men's Ski jumping super team competition was cut short following the cancellation of the final round due to heavy snowfall at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Predazzo Ski Jumping Stadium in Predazzo, Italy, on Feb. 16, 2026, eventually placing Japan in sixth.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Ski jumping

Milan Cortina Olympics: Ski jumping

Ryoyu Kobayashi (L) of Japan and teammate Ren Nikaido shake hands after the men's Ski jumping super team competition was cut short following the cancellation of the final round due to heavy snowfall at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Predazzo Ski Jumping Stadium in Predazzo, Italy, on Feb. 16, 2026, eventually placing Japan in sixth.