[Breaking News]Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in Fukuoka

FUKUOKA, Japan, July 15 Kyodo - A "yamakasa" decorated float is carried along a 5-kilometer course during the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in the early morning of July 15, 2026, in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka. (Kyodo)

Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in Fukuoka

Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in Fukuoka

People run while carrying a "yamakasa" decorated float along a 5-kilometer course during the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in the early morning of July 15, 2026, in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka.

Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in Fukuoka

Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in Fukuoka

People run while carrying a "yamakasa" decorated float along a 5-kilometer course during the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in the early morning of July 15, 2026, in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka.

Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in Fukuoka

Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in Fukuoka

People run while carrying a "yamakasa" decorated float along a 5-kilometer course during the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in the early morning of July 15, 2026, in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka.

Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in Fukuoka

Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in Fukuoka

People run while carrying a "yamakasa" decorated float along a 5-kilometer course during the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in the early morning of July 15, 2026, in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka.

Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in Fukuoka

Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in Fukuoka

A "yamakasa" decorated float is carried along a 5-kilometer course during the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in the early morning of July 15, 2026, in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka.

France: Wildfire in Lozère Burns Over 100 Hectares and One House

Firefighters battled a wildfire overnight near Saint-Bonnet-Laval in Lozère, southern France, burning around 100 hectares and destroying a house before crews contained it by early Tuesday, July 14, cutting off its spread toward Chapeauroux as winds eased. It was the second such fire in the area within a week, with roughly 110 firefighters deployed and two nearby campsites evacuated as a precaution.

US: Flash Floods Kill One, Force 350 Rescues in Southeast Missouri

More than 350 people were rescued from flash flooding in southeast Missouri as of Saturday morning, after more than 12 inches of rain fell Thursday night into Friday, causing building collapses and prompting a helicopter evacuation of 202 children and counselors stranded at Camp Taum Sauk. A 23-year-old woman was found dead in Crawford County after being swept away from her home early Friday, while the Black River at Annapolis rose to nearly 29 feet, breaking a 1993 flood record.

Japan: Powerful Typhoon Bavi Batters Okinawa Amid Storm Surge Warnings 2

Typhoon Bavi was battering Okinawa's Sakishima Islands early Saturday, July 11, with storm and high wave warnings issued across the prefecture as parts of the region entered the storm's violent wind zone. A Level 4 Urgent Warning for storm surges was in place for parts of the area, with up to 250 millimeters of rain expected as authorities warned of landslides and flooding in low-lying areas.

Football: 2026 World Cup

Football: 2026 World Cup

Japan supporters at a public viewing in Tokyo in the early hours of June 30, 2026, are dejected after Brazil score a second-half injury-time winner in a World Cup round of 32 football match in Houston.

Football: 2026 World Cup

Football: 2026 World Cup

Japan supporters are pictured during a public viewing in Tokyo in the early hours of June 30, 2026, following a 2-1 loss to Brazil in a World Cup round of 32 football match in Houston.

Football: 2026 World Cup

Football: 2026 World Cup

Japan supporters are pictured during a public viewing in Tokyo in the early hours of June 30, 2026, following a 2-1 loss to Brazil in a World Cup round of 32 football match in Houston.

Football: 2026 World Cup

Football: 2026 World Cup

Japan supporters are pictured during a public viewing in Tokyo in the early hours of June 30, 2026, following a 2-1 loss to Brazil in a World Cup round of 32 football match in Houston.

Football: 2026 World Cup

Football: 2026 World Cup

Japan supporters are pictured during a public viewing in Tokyo in the early hours of June 30, 2026, following a 2-1 loss to Brazil in a World Cup round of 32 football match in Houston.

Football: 2026 World Cup

Football: 2026 World Cup

Japan supporters cheer during a public viewing in Tokyo in the early hours of June 30, 2026, for a World Cup round of 32 football match against Brazil in Houston.

Brazil: Warehouse Fire Sends Smoke Across São Paulo’s Lapa Neighborhood

A fire broke out early Tuesday, June 23, at a warehouse storing car parts on Emílio Goeldi Street in the Lapa neighborhood of São Paulo, spreading smoke and odor across surrounding areas.

Football: 2026 World Cup

Football: 2026 World Cup

Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu (R) poses following the team's 4-0 victory in a World Cup Group F football match against Tunisia at Monterrey Stadium in Guadalupe, Mexico, in the early hours of June 21, 2026.

Football: 2026 World Cup

Football: 2026 World Cup

Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu bows to the crowd following Samurai Blue's 4-0 victory in a World Cup Group F football match against Tunisia at Monterrey Stadium in Guadalupe, Mexico, in the early hours of June 21, 2026.

Football: 2026 World Cup

Football: 2026 World Cup

Japan players acknowledge the crowd following Samurai Blue's 4-0 victory in a World Cup Group F football match against Tunisia at Monterrey Stadium in Guadalupe, Mexico, in the early hours of June 21, 2026.

Football: 2026 World Cup

Football: 2026 World Cup

Japan supporters collect trash following Samurai Blue's 4-0 victory in a World Cup Group F football match against Tunisia at Monterrey Stadium in Guadalupe, Mexico, in the early hours of June 21, 2026.

US: Fans Pack Manhattan Streets Hours Before Knicks’ Championship Parade

New York City celebrated the NBA champion New York Knicks with a ticker-tape parade on Thursday, June 18, to honor the franchise's first championship title in more than 50 years. Massive crowds lined the streets early Thursday morning ahead of the parade.

US: Strong Winds and Heavy Rain Batter South Padre Island, Texas

Strong winds and heavy rain battered South Padre Island, Texas, in the early hours of Tuesday, June 16. The footage was captured as a tropical disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico was being monitored by forecasters.

[Breaking News]Football: 2026 World Cup

NEW YORK, United States, June 11 Kyodo - A building in New York's Times Square projects a video in support of the Japan national football team in the early hours of June 11, 2026, ahead of the opening later in the day of the World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. (Kyodo)

Shrimp fishing in northern Japan

Shrimp fishing in northern Japan

Boats for traditional Hokkai shrimp fishing sail in Notsuke Bay off Betsukai in Hokkaido, northern Japan, in the early morning of June 15, 2026, the first day of the shrimp fishing season.

Football: 2026 World Cup

Football: 2026 World Cup

A building in New York's Times Square projects a video in support of the Japan national football team in the early hours of June 11, 2026, ahead of the opening later in the day of the World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Football: 2026 World Cup

Football: 2026 World Cup

A building in New York's Times Square projects a video in support of the Japan national football team in the early hours of June 11, 2026, ahead of the opening later in the day of the World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Football: 2026 World Cup

Football: 2026 World Cup

A building in New York's Times Square projects a video in support of the Japan national football team in the early hours of June 11, 2026, ahead of the opening later in the day of the World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Football: 2026 World Cup

Football: 2026 World Cup

A building in New York's Times Square projects a video in support of the Japan national football team in the early hours of June 11, 2026, ahead of the opening later in the day of the World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Football: 2026 World Cup

Football: 2026 World Cup

A building in New York's Times Square projects a video in support of the Japan national football team in the early hours of June 11, 2026, ahead of the opening later in the day of the World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Football: 2026 World Cup

Football: 2026 World Cup

A building in New York's Times Square projects a video in support of the Japan national football team in the early hours of June 11, 2026, ahead of the opening later in the day of the World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

US: Powerful Storms Sweep Through Minnesota With Damaging Winds

Severe thunderstorms swept through Minnesota early Wednesday, June 10, bringing large hail and wind gusts exceeding 80 mph that downed trees and knocked out power across the state.

Japan: Typhoon Jangmi’s Violent Winds Bring Down Trees in Their Path 3

This video shows a tree downed by strong winds in Takamatsu city on Tuesday night, June 2. Typhoon Jangmi brought heavy rain, flooding, and strong winds to wide areas of Japan, making landfall in southern Wakayama Prefecture in the early hours of Wednesday, June 3.

Rally of abductees' families

Rally of abductees' families

Hitomi Soga, a Japanese woman who was abducted by North Korea in 1978 and repatriated in 2002, speaks during a rally seeking the early return of other abductees in Tokyo on May 30, 2026, holding a watch given by her mother Miyoshi, who was taken with Soga and remains missing.

Rally of abductees' families

Rally of abductees' families

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a rally in Tokyo on May 30, 2026, organized by the families and supporters of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s to call for their early return.

Rally of abductees' families

Rally of abductees' families

Sakie Yokota, 90, whose daughter Megumi was abducted by North Korea in 1977 aged 13, speaks at a rally in Tokyo on May 30, 2026, organized by the families and supporters of abductees to call for their early return.

Rally of abductees' families

Rally of abductees' families

Families and supporters of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea decades ago hold a rally in Tokyo on May 30, 2026, to call for their early return, with about 800 people, including Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, attending.

Rally of abductees' families

Rally of abductees' families

Families and supporters of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea decades ago hold a rally in Tokyo on May 30, 2026, to call for their early return, with about 800 people, including Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, attending.

US: Fireball Lights Up Western New York Sky, Producing Loud Sonic Boom

A bright fireball streaked across the sky over Western New York and Southern Ontario early Wednesday, May 27, producing a loud sonic boom that shook homes across the region. Scientists confirmed the phenomenon was a bolide, an exceptionally bright meteor that exploded as it burned up entering Earth's atmosphere.

Canada: Possible Meteor Spotted in Sky Over Greater Toronto Area

Residents across the Greater Toronto Area reported a possible meteor lighting up the sky early Wednesday morning, May 27.

US: Colombian Overseas Election Opens With Long Lines and Operational Problems 3

Colombians living abroad began casting their ballots on Monday, May 25, in the country's presidential election, with polling sites open across 67 countries. In the U.S., long lines outside polling stations and operational issues at several consulates left many voters reportedly unable to cast their ballots before polling sites closed on the first day.

Spain: Fire Destroys Málaga Café and Spreads to Ibis Hotel, All Guests Evacuated 2

A fire at Le Grand Café in central Málaga spread to the Ibis hotel above it early Monday, May 25, forcing the evacuation of around 130 rooms. All 37 on-duty firefighters were deployed to the scene, with no injuries reported.

Spain: Fire Destroys Málaga Café and Spreads to Ibis Hotel, All Guests Evacuated

A fire at Le Grand Café in central Málaga spread to the Ibis hotel above it early Monday, May 25, forcing the evacuation of around 130 rooms. All 37 on-duty firefighters were deployed to the scene, with no injuries reported.

China: Fire Rips Through Building Materials Market in Hubei

A fire broke out at Huangshi Oriental Decoration City in Hubei province on May 20, quickly spreading through shops stocked with flammable building materials and affecting 19 merchants. More than ten fire engines responded, and the main flames were brought under control by early afternoon.

US: Colombian Overseas Election Opens With Long Lines and Operational Problems 2

Colombians living abroad began casting their ballots on Monday, May 25, in the country's presidential election, with polling sites open across 67 countries. In the U.S., long lines outside polling stations and operational issues at several consulates left many voters reportedly unable to cast their ballots before polling sites closed on the first day.

US: Colombian Overseas Election Opens With Long Lines and Operational Problems

Colombians living abroad began casting their ballots on Monday, May 25, in the country's presidential election, with polling sites open across 67 countries. In the U.S., long lines outside polling stations and operational issues at several consulates left many voters reportedly unable to cast their ballots before polling sites closed on the first day.

Baseball: Giants manager Abe

Baseball: Giants manager Abe

File photo taken in April, 2026, shows Yomiuri Giants manager Shinnosuke Abe. The manager of the Japanese pro baseball team was arrested on the night of May 25, 2026, on suspicion of assaulting his daughter. He was released early the next day.

Baseball: Giants manager Abe

Baseball: Giants manager Abe

File photo taken on May 22, 2026, shows Yomiuri Giants manager Shinnosuke Abe at Tokyo Dome in the Japanese capital. The manager of the Japanese pro baseball team was arrested on the night of May 25, 2026, on suspicion of assaulting his daughter. He was released early the next day.

Spain: Tens of Thousands Rally in Madrid Demanding Sanchez’s Resignation

Tens of thousands of people marched through central Madrid on Saturday, May 23, demanding Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's resignation and early elections. The protest ended with seven police officers injured and three demonstrators arrested.

UK: Three Women Found Dead in Sea off Brighton Beach

Emergency services responded to Brighton Beach on Wednesday, May 13, after three women were found unresponsive in the sea in the early hours. Despite rescue efforts, all three were declared dead at the scene. Police and coastguard conducted a search operation along the shoreline near Black Rock Beach and Brighton Pier.

Japan's suspected currency intervention

Japan's suspected currency intervention

Photo taken on May 3, 2026, shows Japan's Finance Ministry in Tokyo. The ministry and the Bank of Japan likely spent an additional 4 trillion yen during the Golden Week holiday in early May to arrest the yen's further fall following a yen-buying operation on April 30.