Takayama Spring Festival in central Japan

Takayama Spring Festival in central Japan

A float is paraded in Takayama in the central Japan prefecture of Gifu on April 14, 2026, the first day of the two-day annual Spring Takayama Festival that was added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2016.

Takayama Spring Festival in central Japan

Takayama Spring Festival in central Japan

Floats are paraded in Takayama in the central Japan prefecture of Gifu on April 14, 2026, the first day of the two-day annual Spring Takayama Festival that was added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2016.

Takayama Spring Festival in central Japan

Takayama Spring Festival in central Japan

Colorful floats cross a bridge in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, central Japan, on April 14, 2026, the first day of the two-day Takayama Spring Festival.

Takayama Spring Festival in central Japan

Takayama Spring Festival in central Japan

Colorful floats cross a bridge in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, central Japan, on April 14, 2026, the first day of the two-day Takayama Spring Festival.

Takayama Spring Festival in central Japan

Takayama Spring Festival in central Japan

A colorful float parades through streets in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, central Japan, on April 14, 2026, the first day of the two-day Takayama Spring Festival.

Toyota Motor's ceremony for new employees

Toyota Motor's ceremony for new employees

Kenta Kon, new president of Toyota Motor Corp., delivers a speech at a ceremony to welcome new employees in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on April 1, 2026, the first day of the new business year.

Toyota Motor's ceremony for new employees

Toyota Motor's ceremony for new employees

Kenta Kon, new president of Toyota Motor Corp., delivers a speech at a ceremony to welcome new employees in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on April 1, 2026, the first day of the new business year.

Toyota Motor's ceremony for new employees

Toyota Motor's ceremony for new employees

Kenta Kon, new president of Toyota Motor Corp., delivers a speech at a ceremony to welcome new employees in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on April 1, 2026, the first day of the new business year.

US: Winter Weather Advisory Issued for Vermont on First Day of Spring

Vermont braced for inches of snow on Friday, March 20, as the National Weather Service issued a Winter Weather Advisory for central and northern parts of the state, warning that hazardous conditions could impact the evening commute.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani meets the press at the end of the first day of the team's workout for pitchers and catchers in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 13, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani works out in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 13, 2026, the first day of the team's spring training for pitchers and catchers.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani throws a bullpen session in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 13, 2026, the first day of the team's spring workout for pitchers and catchers.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani throws a bullpen session in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 13, 2026, the first day of the team's spring workout for pitchers and catchers.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani throws a bullpen session in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 13, 2026, the first day of the team's spring workout for pitchers and catchers.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani throws a bullpen session in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 13, 2026, the first day of the team's spring workout for pitchers and catchers.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani throws a bullpen session in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 13, 2026, the first day of the team's spring workout for pitchers and catchers.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani throws a bullpen session in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 13, 2026, the first day of the team's spring workout for pitchers and catchers.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani throws a bullpen session in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 13, 2026, the first day of the team's spring workout for pitchers and catchers.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani throws a bullpen session in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 13, 2026, the first day of the team's spring workout for pitchers and catchers.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani throws a bullpen session in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 13, 2026, the first day of the team's spring workout for pitchers and catchers.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki throws a bullpen session in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 13, 2026, the first day of the team's spring workout for pitchers and catchers.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki throws a bullpen session in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 13, 2026, the first day of the team's spring workout for pitchers and catchers.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki throws a bullpen session in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 13, 2026, the first day of the team's spring workout for pitchers and catchers.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki throws a bullpen session in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 13, 2026, the first day of the team's spring workout for pitchers and catchers.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki throws a bullpen session in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 13, 2026, the first day of the team's spring workout for pitchers and catchers.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki throws a bullpen session in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 13, 2026, the first day of the team's spring workout for pitchers and catchers.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto throws a live batting practice session in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 13, 2026, the first day of the team's spring workout for pitchers and catchers.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto throws a live batting practice session in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 13, 2026, the first day of the team's spring workout for pitchers and catchers.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto throws a live batting practice session in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 13, 2026, the first day of the team's spring workout for pitchers and catchers.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto throws a live batting practice session in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 13, 2026, the first day of the team's spring workout for pitchers and catchers.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto throws a live batting practice session in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 13, 2026, the first day of the team's spring workout for pitchers and catchers.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto throws a live batting practice session in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 13, 2026, the first day of the team's spring workout for pitchers and catchers.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Voters undergo security checks before listening to a stump speech in Hirosaki in Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Jan. 27, 2026, the first day of official campaigning for the Feb. 8 House of Representatives election.

BOJ policy-setting meeting

BOJ policy-setting meeting

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda arrives at the central bank's headquarters in Tokyo on Jan. 22, 2026, for the first day of a two-day monetary policy meeting. (Pool photo)

Pope Leo XIV Celebrates New Year's Day Mass - Vatican

Pope Leo XIV Celebrates New Year's Day Mass - Vatican

Vatican City - Italy, January 1, 2026: Pope Leo XIV presides over the celebration on the first day of the year of the Holy Mass on the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God at the Central Altar, St. Peter's Basilica Photo by Marco Iacobucci/IPA/ABACAPRESS.COM

Pope Leo XIV Celebrates New Year's Day Mass - Vatican

Pope Leo XIV Celebrates New Year's Day Mass - Vatican

Vatican City - Italy, January 1, 2026: Pope Leo XIV presides over the celebration on the first day of the year of the Holy Mass on the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God at the Central Altar, St. Peter's Basilica Photo by Marco Iacobucci/IPA/ABACAPRESS.COM

Pope Leo XIV Celebrates New Year's Day Mass - Vatican

Pope Leo XIV Celebrates New Year's Day Mass - Vatican

Vatican City - Italy, January 1, 2026: Pope Leo XIV presides over the celebration on the first day of the year of the Holy Mass on the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God at the Central Altar, St. Peter's Basilica Photo by Marco Iacobucci/IPA/ABACAPRESS.COM

Pope Leo XIV Celebrates New Year's Day Mass - Vatican

Pope Leo XIV Celebrates New Year's Day Mass - Vatican

Vatican City - Italy, January 1, 2026: Pope Leo XIV presides over the celebration on the first day of the year of the Holy Mass on the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God at the Central Altar, St. Peter's Basilica Photo by Marco Iacobucci/IPA/ABACAPRESS.COM

Pope Leo XIV Celebrates New Year's Day Mass - Vatican

Pope Leo XIV Celebrates New Year's Day Mass - Vatican

Vatican City - Italy, January 1, 2026: Pope Leo XIV presides over the celebration on the first day of the year of the Holy Mass on the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God at the Central Altar, St. Peter's Basilica Photo by Marco Iacobucci/IPA/ABACAPRESS.COM

Pope Leo XIV Celebrates New Year's Day Mass - Vatican

Pope Leo XIV Celebrates New Year's Day Mass - Vatican

Vatican City - Italy, January 1, 2026: Pope Leo XIV presides over the celebration on the first day of the year of the Holy Mass on the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God at the Central Altar, St. Peter's Basilica Photo by Marco Iacobucci/IPA/ABACAPRESS.COM

Pope Leo XIV Celebrates New Year's Day Mass - Vatican

Pope Leo XIV Celebrates New Year's Day Mass - Vatican

Vatican City - Italy, January 1, 2026: Pope Leo XIV presides over the celebration on the first day of the year of the Holy Mass on the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God at the Central Altar, St. Peter's Basilica Photo by Marco Iacobucci/IPA/ABACAPRESS.COM

Pope Leo XIV Celebrates New Year's Day Mass - Vatican

Pope Leo XIV Celebrates New Year's Day Mass - Vatican

Vatican City - Italy, January 1, 2026: Pope Leo XIV presides over the celebration on the first day of the year of the Holy Mass on the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God at the Central Altar, St. Peter's Basilica Photo by Marco Iacobucci/IPA/ABACAPRESS.COM

Pope Leo XIV Celebrates New Year's Day Mass - Vatican

Pope Leo XIV Celebrates New Year's Day Mass - Vatican

Vatican City - Italy, January 1, 2026: Pope Leo XIV presides over the celebration on the first day of the year of the Holy Mass on the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God at the Central Altar, St. Peter's Basilica Photo by Marco Iacobucci/IPA/ABACAPRESS.COM

Tokyo-Hakone ekiden road relay

Tokyo-Hakone ekiden road relay

The first runners of 21 teams start the Tokyo-Hakone collegiate ekiden in the capital's Otemachi business district on Jan. 2, 2026, the first day of the two-day road relay. (Pool photo)

Tokyo-Hakone ekiden road relay

Tokyo-Hakone ekiden road relay

The first runners of 21 teams start the Tokyo-Hakone collegiate ekiden in the capital's Otemachi business district on Jan. 2, 2026, the first day of the two-day road relay. (Pool photo)

Tokyo-Hakone ekiden road relay

Tokyo-Hakone ekiden road relay

The first runners of 21 teams start the Tokyo-Hakone collegiate ekiden in the capital's Otemachi business district on Jan. 2, 2026, the first day of the two-day road relay.

Tokyo-Hakone ekiden road relay

Tokyo-Hakone ekiden road relay

The first runners of 21 teams start the Tokyo-Hakone collegiate ekiden in the capital's Otemachi business district on Jan. 2, 2026, the first day of the two-day road relay.

SWEDEN NEW YEAR'S DIVE

SWEDEN NEW YEAR'S DIVE

ÄNGELHOLM 2026-01-01 More or less costumed bathers throw themselves into the sea at Klitterhus in Ängelholm in the south of Sweden at the traditional New Year's swim on January 1, 2026. This year's New Year's swim in Skälderviken attracted around 60 bathers and a significantly larger audience despite an icy wind and rain showers on the first day of the year. Photo: Johan Nilsson / TT / Code 50090

SWEDEN NEW YEAR'S DIVE

SWEDEN NEW YEAR'S DIVE

ÄNGELHOLM 2026-01-01 More or less costumed bathers throw themselves into the sea at Klitterhus in Ängelholm in the south of Sweden at the traditional New Year's swim on January 1, 2026. This year's New Year's swim in Skälderviken attracted around 60 bathers and a significantly larger audience despite an icy wind and rain showers on the first day of the year. Photo: Johan Nilsson / TT / Code 50090

SWEDEN NEW YEAR'S DIVE

SWEDEN NEW YEAR'S DIVE

ÄNGELHOLM 2026-01-01 More or less costumed bathers throw themselves into the sea at Klitterhus in Ängelholm in the south of Sweden at the traditional New Year's swim on January 1, 2026. This year's New Year's swim in Skälderviken attracted around 60 bathers and a significantly larger audience despite an icy wind and rain showers on the first day of the year. Photo: Johan Nilsson / TT / Code 50090