Lake-jumping religious ritual

Lake-jumping religious ritual

A Buddhist monk jumps into Lake Biwa from a height of about 7 meters in the Shiga Prefecture city of Omihachiman, western Japan, on Aug. 1, 2026, as he completes 100 days of ascetic mountain training. The traditional ritual at Isaki-ji temple dates back nearly 1,000 years.

Lake-jumping religious ritual

Lake-jumping religious ritual

A Buddhist monk jumps into Lake Biwa from a height of about 7 meters in the Shiga Prefecture city of Omihachiman, western Japan, on Aug. 1, 2026, as he completes 100 days of ascetic mountain training. The traditional ritual at Isaki-ji temple dates back nearly 1,000 years.

Spain: Thousands of Migrants Cross Into Ceuta From Morocco

Thousands of migrants swam or walked into the Spanish territory of Ceuta from Morocco this week, with at least 18 people dying in the attempt as of Friday, July 31, prompting Spain to deploy its military to help restore order at the border. This video shows large groups of migrants climbing over a fence-like barrier and walking up a paved stairway at Ceuta.

Spain: Thousands of Migrants Cross Into Ceuta From Morocco 2

Thousands of migrants swam or walked into the Spanish territory of Ceuta from Morocco this week, with at least 18 people dying in the attempt as of Friday, July 31, prompting Spain to deploy its military to help restore order at the border. This video shows migrants appearing to express joy after arriving at the coast.

China: Mudslide Blocks Mountain Road in Yunnan, Stranding Vehicles

A mudslide blocked the mountain road from Shangri-La to Wudi Lake in Yunnan on July 16, 2026, burying vehicles in thick mud and debris and leaving a long line of cars stranded as travelers waited for help.

China: Residents Form Human Chain to Aid Firefighters at Zhengzhou Auto Market Blaze

Residents in Zhengzhou, Henan, formed a human chain on June 20, 2026, to help firefighters lay water hoses at a massive blaze at Hongda International Auto Market after fire truck water supplies ran short. Crews piped in water from Dongfeng Canal roughly three kilometers away, and locals carried and connected hose sections to keep the operation going.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

People collect water from a water tanker truck in Uki, Kumamoto Prefecture, as tens of thousands of households remained without water on July 31, 2026, three days after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

A passenger heads to a ticket gate at JR Kumamoto Staton in Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 31, 2026, as the Kyushu Shinkansen Line resumes operations on a section to and from Hakata Station in Fukuoka Prefecture following its suspension after a powerful earthquake three days earlier.

Turkey: Smoke From Balıkesir Wildfire Blankets Altinoluk

A forest fire broke out near the Kumgedik neighborhood in Balıkesir's Gomec district around 2 p.m. on Wednesday, July 29. Authorities evacuated 210 houses in Altınoluk. No injuries or fatalities were reported as of the time of writing. This video shows smoke from the Balıkesir wildfire blanketing Altinoluk.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a drone on July 30, 2026, shows search and rescue operations continuing at the Aeon Mall building in Kashima, Kumamoto Prefecture, two days after it was heavily damaged by an explosion triggered by a gas leak following a powerful earthquake that hit the southwestern Japan prefecture.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a drone on July 30, 2026, shows search and rescue operations continuing at the Aeon Mall building in Kashima, Kumamoto Prefecture, two days after it was heavily damaged by an explosion triggered by a gas leak following a powerful earthquake that hit the southwestern Japan prefecture.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a drone on July 30, 2026, shows search and rescue operations continuing at the Aeon Mall building in Kashima, Kumamoto Prefecture, two days after it was heavily damaged by an explosion triggered by a gas leak following a powerful earthquake that hit the southwestern Japan prefecture.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a drone on July 30, 2026, shows search and rescue operations continuing at the Aeon Mall building in Kashima, Kumamoto Prefecture, two days after it was heavily damaged by an explosion triggered by a gas leak following a powerful earthquake that hit the southwestern Japan prefecture.

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.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows search and rescue operations continuing for a missing person at a partially destroyed Nippon Paper Industries Co. plant in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 30, 2026, two days after a powerful earthquake hit the southwestern Japan prefecture.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows search and rescue operations continuing for a missing person at a partially destroyed Nippon Paper Industries Co. plant in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 30, 2026, two days after a powerful earthquake hit the southwestern Japan prefecture.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows search and rescue operations continuing for a missing person at a partially destroyed Nippon Paper Industries Co. plant in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 30, 2026, two days after a powerful earthquake hit the southwestern Japan prefecture.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows search and rescue operations continuing for a missing person at a partially destroyed Nippon Paper Industries Co. plant in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 30, 2026, two days after a powerful earthquake hit the southwestern Japan prefecture.

US: Wildfire Smoke Reduces Visibility, Worsens Air Quality in Central Oregon

Smoke from wildfires burning across Central Oregon reduced visibility and hurt air quality this week. By Wednesday, July 29, conditions had improved across most of the region, though Prineville still logged an unhealthy reading of 101.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows search and rescue operations continuing for a missing person at a partially destroyed Nippon Paper Industries Co. plant in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 30, 2026, two days after a powerful earthquake hit the southwestern Japan prefecture.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows search and rescue operations continuing for a missing person at a partially destroyed Nippon Paper Industries Co. plant in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 30, 2026, two days after a powerful earthquake hit the southwestern Japan prefecture.

Thatched-roof house catches fire in World Heritage-listed village

Thatched-roof house catches fire in World Heritage-listed village

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows firefighters watering a traditional thatched-roof house in the World Heritage-listed Gokayama hamlet in Nanto in Toyama Prefecture, central Japan, on July 30, 2026. No one was injured in the fire, put under control about 50 minutes after the incident was reported to the local fire station.

Thatched-roof house catches fire in World Heritage-listed village

Thatched-roof house catches fire in World Heritage-listed village

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows firefighters watering a traditional thatched-roof house in the World Heritage-listed Gokayama hamlet in Nanto in Toyama Prefecture, central Japan, on July 30, 2026. No one was injured in the fire, put under control about 50 minutes after the incident was reported to the local fire station.

Thatched-roof house catches fire in World Heritage-listed village

Thatched-roof house catches fire in World Heritage-listed village

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows firefighters watering a traditional thatched-roof house in the World Heritage-listed Gokayama hamlet in Nanto in Toyama Prefecture, central Japan, on July 30, 2026. No one was injured in the fire, put under control about 50 minutes after the incident was reported to the local fire station.

Great-grandchildren of former residents of Russian-held islands

Great-grandchildren of former residents of Russian-held islands

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (2nd from R) meets with seven junior high school students, including great-grandchildren of former residents of Russian-held, Japanese-claimed islands off Hokkaido, northern Japan, at the premier's office in Tokyo on July 30, 2026.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo shows collapsed stone walls at Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto Prefecture on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity. The castle has been under restoration following damage from major earthquakes in 2016.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo shows collapsed stone walls at Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto Prefecture on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity. The castle has been under restoration following damage from major earthquakes in 2016.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo shows collapsed stone walls at Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto Prefecture on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity. The castle has been under restoration following damage from major earthquakes in 2016.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a Kyushu Shinkansen bullet train halted on the tracks in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity, suspending its services.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a Kyushu Shinkansen bullet train halted on the tracks in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity, suspending its services.

China: Mother and Son Collect Basket of Giant Hailstones in Hebei

This is the surprising moment a Chinese mother and her son collected giant hailstones after a heavy storm in Hebei, China, on July 5, 2026, filling an entire basket with stones as large as goose eggs. The pair picked up the oversized ice pieces one by one from the ground, capturing the rare aftermath of the intense hailstorm.

China: Men Rescue Dog Trapped in Drainage Channel in Jiangsu

This is the touching moment three men in Jiangsu, China, worked together to rescue a dog trapped inside a bridge drainage channel on July 26, 2026. One man climbed down using a rope while the other two pulled from above, successfully lifting the dog to safety.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on July 29, 2026, shows a collapsed building in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a drone shows damage to the Minami-Kyushu Expressway (back) and cracks in the nearby ground in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a torii gate at a shrine lying toppled in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a drone shows the damaged Minami-Kyushu Expressway in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a drone shows the damaged Minami-Kyushu Expressway in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a drone shows the damaged Minami-Kyushu Expressway in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a drone shows the damaged Minami-Kyushu Expressway in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a drone shows cracks in the ground in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a drone shows cracks in the ground in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity.

Aftermath of Aeon mall explosion following Kumamoto quake

Aftermath of Aeon mall explosion following Kumamoto quake

Photo taken from a drone on July 29, 2026, shows a damaged Aeon shopping mall building in Kashima in Kumamoto Prefecture, a day after a deadly explosion occurred following a powerful earthquake that hit the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity.

Aftermath of Aeon mall explosion following Kumamoto quake

Aftermath of Aeon mall explosion following Kumamoto quake

Photo taken from a drone on July 29, 2026, shows a damaged Aeon shopping mall building in Kashima in Kumamoto Prefecture, a day after a deadly explosion occurred following a powerful earthquake that hit the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity.