US: Long Security Lines at Houston Airport Amid TSA Staffing Crisis

Thousands of travelers endured hours-long queues at US airports on Sunday, March 8, as spring break traffic collided with a TSA staffing crisis. With personnel working without pay during the ongoing partial government shutdown, wait times at Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport were warned to exceed three hours. Airport officials advised travelers via social media to arrive four to five hours before their flights.

Wooden Grand Ring at expo venue in Osaka

OSAKA, Japan, March 5 Kyodo - The 2025 World Exposition's iconic Grand Ring wooden roof structure is being dismantled in Osaka on March 5, 2026, about five months after the event's six-month run came to a close. (Kyodo)

World Baseball Classic: Australia vs. Japan

World Baseball Classic: Australia vs. Japan

Japan players high-five after winning a World Baseball Classic Pool C game against Australia at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on March 8, 2026. (For editorial use only)

World Baseball Classic: Australia vs. Japan

World Baseball Classic: Australia vs. Japan

Japan players high-five after winning a World Baseball Classic Pool C game against Australia at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on March 8, 2026. (For editorial use only)

World Baseball Classic: Australia vs. Japan

World Baseball Classic: Australia vs. Japan

Japan players high-five after winning a World Baseball Classic Pool C game against Australia at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on March 8, 2026. (For editorial use only)

World Baseball Classic: Australia vs. Japan

World Baseball Classic: Australia vs. Japan

Japan players high-five after winning a World Baseball Classic Pool C game against Australia at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on March 8, 2026. (For editorial use only)

World Baseball Classic: S. Korea vs. Japan

World Baseball Classic: S. Korea vs. Japan

Japan players high-five after winning a World Baseball Classic Pool C game against South Korea at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on March 7, 2026. (For editorial use only)

World Baseball Classic: Netherlands vs. Venezuela

World Baseball Classic: Netherlands vs. Venezuela

Venezuela players high-five after winning a World Baseball Classic Pool D game against the Netherlands at loanDepot park in Miami, Florida, on March 6, 2026.

World Baseball Classic: Japan vs. Taiwan

World Baseball Classic: Japan vs. Taiwan

Japan players high-five after winning a World Baseball Classic Pool C game against Taiwan at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on March 6, 2026. (For editorial use only)

World Baseball Classic: Japan vs. Taiwan

World Baseball Classic: Japan vs. Taiwan

Japan players high-five after winning a World Baseball Classic Pool C game against Taiwan at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on March 6, 2026. (For editorial use only)

World Baseball Classic: Japan vs. Taiwan

World Baseball Classic: Japan vs. Taiwan

Japan players high five after winning a World Baseball Classic Pool C game against Taiwan at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on March 6, 2026. (For editorial use only)

World Baseball Classic: Japan vs. Taiwan

World Baseball Classic: Japan vs. Taiwan

Japan players high five after winning a World Baseball Classic Pool C game against Taiwan at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on March 6, 2026. (For editorial use only)

World Baseball Classic: Japan vs. Taiwan

World Baseball Classic: Japan vs. Taiwan

Japan players high five after winning a World Baseball Classic Pool C game against Taiwan at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on March 6, 2026. (For editorial use only)

World Baseball Classic: Taiwan vs. Australia

World Baseball Classic: Taiwan vs. Australia

Australia players high-five after winning the World Baseball Classic opener against Taiwan in Pool C on March 5, 2026, at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo. (For editorial use only)

World Baseball Classic: Taiwan vs. Australia

World Baseball Classic: Taiwan vs. Australia

Australia players high-five after winning the World Baseball Classic opener against Taiwan in Pool C on March 5, 2026, at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo. (For editorial use only)

World Baseball Classic: Taiwan vs. Australia

World Baseball Classic: Taiwan vs. Australia

Australia players high-five after winning the World Baseball Classic opener against Taiwan in Pool C on March 5, 2026, at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo. (For editorial use only)

World Baseball Classic: Taiwan vs. Australia

World Baseball Classic: Taiwan vs. Australia

Australia players high-five after winning the World Baseball Classic opener against Taiwan in Pool C on March 5, 2026, at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo. (For editorial use only)

Wooden Grand Ring at expo venue in Osaka

Wooden Grand Ring at expo venue in Osaka

The 2025 World Exposition's iconic Grand Ring wooden roof structure is being dismantled in Osaka on March 5, 2026, about five months after the event's six-month run came to a close.

Wooden Grand Ring at expo venue in Osaka

Wooden Grand Ring at expo venue in Osaka

The 2025 World Exposition's iconic Grand Ring wooden roof structure is being dismantled in Osaka on March 5, 2026, about five months after the event's six-month run came to a close.

Wooden Grand Ring at expo venue in Osaka

Wooden Grand Ring at expo venue in Osaka

The 2025 World Exposition's iconic Grand Ring wooden roof structure is being dismantled in Osaka on March 5, 2026, about five months after the event's six-month run came to a close.

Wooden Grand Ring at expo venue in Osaka

Wooden Grand Ring at expo venue in Osaka

The 2025 World Exposition's iconic Grand Ring wooden roof structure is being dismantled in Osaka on March 5, 2026, about five months after the event's six-month run came to a close.

Wooden Grand Ring at expo venue in Osaka

Wooden Grand Ring at expo venue in Osaka

The 2025 World Exposition's iconic Grand Ring wooden roof structure is being dismantled in Osaka on March 5, 2026, about five months after the event's six-month run came to a close.

Congress of Workers' Party of Korea

PYONGYANG, North Korea, Feb. 19 Kyodo - A notice board is set up in Pyongyang on Feb. 19, 2026, ahead of the upcoming congress of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, being held for the first time in five years. (Kyodo)

Tokyo SkyTree reopens after elevator halt

Tokyo SkyTree reopens after elevator halt

Staff members of Tokyo SkyTree tower announce the reopening of its observation deck to visitors on Feb. 26, 2026, after a three-day suspension due to an elevator malfunction. Twenty visitors were trapped for more than five hours starting on the night of Feb. 22 when an elevator stopped about 30 meters above street level while descending from the 350-meter-high observation deck.

Tokyo SkyTree elevator halt

Tokyo SkyTree elevator halt

Photo shows Tokyo Skytree tower in the Japanese capital on the night of Feb. 22, 2026, after 20 visitors were trapped in an elevator that stopped about 30 meters above street level while descending from the 350-meter-high observation deck. The visitors were rescued after more than five hours, and no one was injured.

Tokyo SkyTree elevator halt

Tokyo SkyTree elevator halt

An emergency vehicle is seen in front of Tokyo SkyTree tower in the Japanese capital on the night of Feb. 22, 2026, after 20 visitors were trapped in an elevator that stopped about 30 meters above street level while descending from the 350-meter-high observation deck. The visitors were rescued after more than five hours, and no one was injured.

Tokyo SkyTree elevator halt

Tokyo SkyTree elevator halt

Photo shows Tokyo Skytree tower in the Japanese capital on the night of Feb. 22, 2026, after 20 visitors were trapped in an elevator that stopped about 30 meters above street level while descending from the 350-meter-high observation deck. The visitors were rescued after more than five hours, and no one was injured.

Tokyo SkyTree elevator halt

Tokyo SkyTree elevator halt

Emergency vehicles are seen in front of Tokyo SkyTree tower in the Japanese capital on the night of Feb. 22, 2026, after 20 visitors were trapped in an elevator that stopped about 30 meters above street level while descending from the 350-meter-high observation deck. The visitors were rescued after more than five hours, and no one was injured.

Japan: 20 Trapped in Elevator at Tokyo Skytree, 1,200 Stranded on Observation Deck

Twenty people, including two children, were trapped in an elevator at Tokyo Skytree on Sunday night, February 22. About 1,200 visitors were also temporarily stranded on the observation deck. Those trapped were safely rescued early Monday after about five hours. The facility closed Monday for inspections. This video shows visitors stranded in the observatory tower following the incident.

Congress of Workers' Party of Korea

Congress of Workers' Party of Korea

A notice board is hung on the wall of a building in Pyongyang on Feb. 19, 2026, ahead of the upcoming congress of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, being held for the first time in five years.

Congress of Workers' Party of Korea

Congress of Workers' Party of Korea

A notice board is hung on the wall of a building in Pyongyang on Feb. 19, 2026, ahead of the upcoming congress of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, being held for the first time in five years.

Congress of Workers' Party of Korea

Congress of Workers' Party of Korea

A notice board is set up in Pyongyang on Feb. 19, 2026, ahead of the upcoming congress of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, being held for the first time in five years.

Congress of Workers' Party of Korea

Congress of Workers' Party of Korea

A notice board is set up in Pyongyang on Feb. 19, 2026, ahead of the upcoming congress of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, being held for the first time in five years.

US: Blockchain Platform Polymarket Opens “The Polymarket” Free Grocery Pop-Up in NYC

Polymarket, a blockchain-based prediction market platform, opened a five-day pop-up store called "The Polymarket" in New York City’s West Village on Thursday, February 12. Hundreds of residents lined up to fill tote bags with free groceries.

Japan's delivery of surveillance radar systems to Philippines

Japan's delivery of surveillance radar systems to Philippines

Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuya Endo (R) shakes hands with Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro during a ceremony held in Manila on Feb. 11, 2026, following Japan's delivery of five coastal surveillance radar systems to the Philippine military. In November 2023, Japan agreed to provide grand-in-aid to the Philippines to finance the project.

Portugal: Storm Kristin Triggers Deadly Floods and Landslides, Leaving 850,000 Without Power

Storm Kristin has left at least five dead and caused widespread devastation across central and northern Portugal. Labeled an 'extreme climatic event' by the government, the storm brought hurricane-force winds that triggered over 3,300 emergency incidents and knocked out power to 855,000 residents on Wednesday, January 28. While the peak has passed, major rail lines remain suspended and hundreds of thousands of homes are still without electricity as cleanup efforts continue.

Multivehicle crash in Tokyo

Multivehicle crash in Tokyo

Police investigators probe an official car belonging to the Cabinet Office on Jan. 29, 2026, after it allegedly caused a fatal multivehicle accident, leaving a man dead and five people injured, in Tokyo's busy Akasaka district on Jan. 22.

Debate by leaders of Japanese political parties

Debate by leaders of Japanese political parties

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Yoshihiko Noda (L) and Prime Minister and Liberal Democratic Party head Sanae Takaichi attend a debate session with the leaders of five other political parties at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on Jan. 26, 2026, a day before official campaigning for the Feb. 8 general election starts.

Retired shogi player Hifumi Kato dies at 86

Retired shogi player Hifumi Kato dies at 86

Retired pro shogi player Hifumi Kato (R) chats with young player Sota Fujii in Tokyo in November 2018. The former holder of the most prestigious Meijin title, Kato died of pneumonia on Jan. 22, 2026, aged 86. He had held the record for becoming the youngest pro shogi player at 14 years and seven months in 1954 until Fujii broke it at 14 years and two months in 2016, while he played to the age of 77 years and five months, the oldest on record.

Retired shogi player Hifumi Kato dies at 86

Retired shogi player Hifumi Kato dies at 86

Retiring pro shogi player Hifumi Kato waves after his retirement press conference in Tokyo in June 2017. The former holder of the most prestigious Meijin title, Kato died of pneumonia on Jan. 22, 2026, aged 86. He had held the record for becoming the youngest pro shogi player at 14 years and seven months in 1954 until Sota Fujii broke it at 14 years and two months in 2016, while he played to the age of 77 years and five months, the oldest on record.

Retired shogi player Hifumi Kato dies at 86

Retired shogi player Hifumi Kato dies at 86

Retired pro shogi player Hifumi Kato gives an interview in Tokyo in November 2018. The former holder of the most prestigious Meijin title, Kato died of pneumonia on Jan. 22, 2026, aged 86. He had held the record for becoming the youngest pro shogi player at 14 years and seven months in 1954 until Sota Fujii broke it at 14 years and two months in 2016, while he played to the age of 77 years and five months, the oldest on record.

Retired shogi player Hifumi Kato dies at 86

Retired shogi player Hifumi Kato dies at 86

Pro shogi player Hifumi Kato (R) reviews his match against debutant Sota Fujii after being beaten by him in Tokyo in December 2016. The former holder of the most prestigious Meijin title, Kato died of pneumonia on Jan. 22, 2026, aged 86. He had held the record for becoming the youngest pro shogi player at 14 years and seven months in 1954 until Fujii broke it at 14 years and two months in 2016, while he played to the age of 77 years and five months, the oldest on record.

Train Derailment Aftermath - Adamuz

Train Derailment Aftermath - Adamuz

One of the carriages of the Iryo train that derailed on 20 January 2026 in Adamuz, Córdoba, Andalusia (Spain). The derailment of a high-speed train and the subsequent collision with another convoy, which occurred on Sunday afternoon in Adamuz (Cordoba), has left a large emergency operation in place, the suspension of several rail connections and an open investigation to clarify the causes. The number of people killed in the train derailment reached at least 41 on Tuesday, with a total of 122 people being treated in the accident, including 117 adults and five children. There are currently 39 people in hospital - 37 adults and four children. Photo by Rocío Ruz/Europa Press/ABACAPRESS.COM

Train Derailment Aftermath - Adamuz

Train Derailment Aftermath - Adamuz

One of the carriages of the Iryo train that derailed on 20 January 2026 in Adamuz, Córdoba, Andalusia (Spain). The derailment of a high-speed train and the subsequent collision with another convoy, which occurred on Sunday afternoon in Adamuz (Cordoba), has left a large emergency operation in place, the suspension of several rail connections and an open investigation to clarify the causes. The number of people killed in the train derailment reached at least 41 on Tuesday, with a total of 122 people being treated in the accident, including 117 adults and five children. There are currently 39 people in hospital - 37 adults and four children. Photo by Rocío Ruz/Europa Press/ABACAPRESS.COM

Train Derailment Aftermath - Adamuz

Train Derailment Aftermath - Adamuz

One of the carriages of the Iryo train that derailed on 20 January 2026 in Adamuz, Córdoba, Andalusia (Spain). The derailment of a high-speed train and the subsequent collision with another convoy, which occurred on Sunday afternoon in Adamuz (Cordoba), has left a large emergency operation in place, the suspension of several rail connections and an open investigation to clarify the causes. The number of people killed in the train derailment reached at least 41 on Tuesday, with a total of 122 people being treated in the accident, including 117 adults and five children. There are currently 39 people in hospital - 37 adults and four children. Photo by Rocío Ruz/Europa Press/ABACAPRESS.COM

Train Derailment Aftermath - Adamuz

Train Derailment Aftermath - Adamuz

One of the carriages of the Iryo train that derailed on 20 January 2026 in Adamuz, Córdoba, Andalusia (Spain). The derailment of a high-speed train and the subsequent collision with another convoy, which occurred on Sunday afternoon in Adamuz (Cordoba), has left a large emergency operation in place, the suspension of several rail connections and an open investigation to clarify the causes. The number of people killed in the train derailment reached at least 41 on Tuesday, with a total of 122 people being treated in the accident, including 117 adults and five children. There are currently 39 people in hospital - 37 adults and four children. Photo by Rocío Ruz/Europa Press/ABACAPRESS.COM

Train Derailment Aftermath - Adamuz

Train Derailment Aftermath - Adamuz

One of the carriages of the Iryo train that derailed on 20 January 2026 in Adamuz, Córdoba, Andalusia (Spain). The derailment of a high-speed train and the subsequent collision with another convoy, which occurred on Sunday afternoon in Adamuz (Cordoba), has left a large emergency operation in place, the suspension of several rail connections and an open investigation to clarify the causes. The number of people killed in the train derailment reached at least 41 on Tuesday, with a total of 122 people being treated in the accident, including 117 adults and five children. There are currently 39 people in hospital - 37 adults and four children. Photo by Rocío Ruz/Europa Press/ABACAPRESS.COM

Train Derailment Aftermath - Adamuz

Train Derailment Aftermath - Adamuz

Emergency Services agents work at the scene of the accident, 20 January 2026, in Adamuz, Cordoba, Andalusia (Spain). The derailment of a high-speed train and the subsequent collision with another convoy, which occurred on Sunday afternoon in Adamuz (Córdoba), has left an extensive emergency operation in place, the suspension of several rail connections and an investigation open to clarify the causes. The number of people killed in the train derailment reached at least 41 on Tuesday, with a total of 122 people being treated in the accident, including 117 adults and five children. There are currently 39 people in hospital - 37 adults and four children. Photo by Joaquin Corchero/Europa Press/ABACAPRESS.COM

Train Derailment Aftermath - Adamuz

Train Derailment Aftermath - Adamuz

One of the carriages of the Iryo train that derailed on 20 January 2026 in Adamuz, Córdoba, Andalusia (Spain). The derailment of a high-speed train and the subsequent collision with another convoy, which occurred on Sunday afternoon in Adamuz (Cordoba), has left a large emergency operation in place, the suspension of several rail connections and an open investigation to clarify the causes. The number of people killed in the train derailment reached at least 41 on Tuesday, with a total of 122 people being treated in the accident, including 117 adults and five children. There are currently 39 people in hospital - 37 adults and four children. Photo by Joaquin Corchero/Europa Press/ABACAPRESS.COM

Train Derailment Aftermath - Adamuz

Train Derailment Aftermath - Adamuz

Emergency Services agents work at the scene of the accident, 20 January 2026, in Adamuz, Cordoba, Andalusia (Spain). The derailment of a high-speed train and the subsequent collision with another convoy, which occurred on Sunday afternoon in Adamuz (Córdoba), has left an extensive emergency operation in place, the suspension of several rail connections and an investigation open to clarify the causes. The number of people killed in the train derailment reached at least 41 on Tuesday, with a total of 122 people being treated in the accident, including 117 adults and five children. There are currently 39 people in hospital - 37 adults and four children. Photo by Joaquin Corchero/Europa Press/ABACAPRESS.COM