Cross-municipality governments disaster drill

Cross-municipality governments disaster drill

Several municipality governments in the Tokyo metropolitan area jointly hold a disaster drill in Atsugi in Kanagawa Prefecture on Sept. 1, 2026, the 103rd anniversary of the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake. Medical relief activities are conducted in cooperation with U.S. military personnel in Japan during the drill.

Cross-municipality governments disaster drill

Cross-municipality governments disaster drill

Several municipality governments in the Tokyo metropolitan area jointly hold a disaster drill in Atsugi in Kanagawa Prefecture on Sept. 1, 2026, the 103rd anniversary of the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake. Medical relief activities are conducted in cooperation with U.S. military personnel in Japan during the drill.

Government disaster drill

Government disaster drill

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi heads to the premier's office in Tokyo on Sept. 1, 2026, for a government disaster drill simulating a large earthquake striking the country. The day marks the 103rd anniversary of the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake.

Government disaster drill

Government disaster drill

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks at a disaster response headquarters meeting at the premier's office in Tokyo on Sept. 1, 2026, as part of a government disaster drill simulating a large earthquake striking the country. The day marks the 103rd anniversary of the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake.

Government disaster drill

Government disaster drill

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi heads to the premier's office in Tokyo on Sept. 1, 2026, for a government disaster drill simulating a large earthquake striking the country. The day marks the 103rd anniversary of the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake.

Government disaster drill

Government disaster drill

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks at a disaster response headquarters meeting at the premier's office in Tokyo on Sept. 1, 2026, as part of a government disaster drill simulating a large earthquake striking the country. The day marks the 103rd anniversary of the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake.

Government disaster drill

Government disaster drill

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) speaks at a disaster response headquarters meeting at the premier's office in Tokyo on Sept. 1, 2026, as part of a government disaster drill simulating a large earthquake striking the country. The day marks the 103rd anniversary of the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake.

Government disaster drill

Government disaster drill

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks at a disaster response headquarters meeting at the premier's office in Tokyo on Sept. 1, 2026, as part of a government disaster drill simulating a large earthquake striking the country. The day marks the 103rd anniversary of the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake.

Government disaster drill

Government disaster drill

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks at a disaster response headquarters meeting at the premier's office in Tokyo on Sept. 1, 2026, as part of a government disaster drill simulating a large earthquake striking the country. The day marks the 103rd anniversary of the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake.

Government disaster drill

Government disaster drill

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks at a disaster response headquarters meeting at the premier's office in Tokyo on Sept. 1, 2026, as part of a government disaster drill simulating a large earthquake striking the country. The day marks the 103rd anniversary of the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake.

China President Xi meets Jordan King Abdullah II

China President Xi meets Jordan King Abdullah II

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) and Jordan's King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein extend hands for a handshake at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Aug. 24, 2026. China and Jordan issued a joint statement, underscoring the importance of upholding the ceasefire between the United States and Iran and reaching a comprehensive solution through dialogue and negotiation. (Pool photo)

Fireworks at central Japan beach

KUMANO, Japan, Aug. 18 Kyodo - The Kumano great fireworks festival takes place at Shichirimihama beach in Kumano, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Aug. 17, 2026. (Kyodo)

Fireworks at central Japan beach

Fireworks at central Japan beach

The Kumano great fireworks festival takes place at Shichirimihama beach in Kumano, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Aug. 17, 2026.

Fireworks at central Japan beach

Fireworks at central Japan beach

The Kumano great fireworks festival takes place at Shichirimihama beach in Kumano, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Aug. 17, 2026.

Fireworks at central Japan beach

Fireworks at central Japan beach

The Kumano great fireworks festival takes place at Shichirimihama beach in Kumano, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Aug. 17, 2026.

Fireworks at central Japan beach

Fireworks at central Japan beach

The Kumano great fireworks festival takes place at Shichirimihama beach in Kumano, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Aug. 17, 2026.

Fireworks at central Japan beach

Fireworks at central Japan beach

The Kumano great fireworks festival takes place at Shichirimihama beach in Kumano, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Aug. 17, 2026.

Flower carpet featuring ukiyo-e in Brussels

Flower carpet featuring ukiyo-e in Brussels

People lay dahlia flowers at the World Heritage-listed Grand-Place in Brussels on Aug. 13, 2026, for the biennial flower carpet exhibition, featuring a design inspired by Japanese ukiyo-e artist Katsushika Hokusai's "The Great Wave off Kanagawa" to mark the 160th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Belgium.

Flower carpet featuring ukiyo-e in Brussels

Flower carpet featuring ukiyo-e in Brussels

People lay dahlia flowers at the World Heritage-listed Grand-Place in Brussels on Aug. 13, 2026, for the biennial flower carpet exhibition, featuring a design inspired by Japanese ukiyo-e artist Katsushika Hokusai's "The Great Wave off Kanagawa" to mark the 160th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Belgium.

[Breaking News]Annual cleaning of Great Buddha of Nara

NARA, Japan, Aug. 7 Kyodo - Monks at the Todai-ji temple in the western Japan city of Nara, sweeps dust off the Great Buddha, designated as a national treasure in Japan, on Aug. 7, 2026, in an annual cleaning event. (Kyodo)

Annual cleaning of Great Buddha of Nara

Annual cleaning of Great Buddha of Nara

Monks at the Todai-ji temple in the western Japan city of Nara, sweeps dust off the Great Buddha, designated as a national treasure in Japan, on Aug. 7, 2026, in an annual cleaning event.

Annual cleaning of Great Buddha of Nara

Annual cleaning of Great Buddha of Nara

Monks at the Todai-ji temple in the western Japan city of Nara, sweeps dust off the Great Buddha, designated as a national treasure in Japan, on Aug. 7, 2026, in an annual cleaning event.

Annual cleaning of Great Buddha of Nara

Annual cleaning of Great Buddha of Nara

Monks at the Todai-ji temple in the western Japan city of Nara, sweeps dust off the Great Buddha, designated as a national treasure in Japan, on Aug. 7, 2026, in an annual cleaning event.

Great-grandchildren of former residents of Russian-held islands

Great-grandchildren of former residents of Russian-held islands

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) poses for a photo 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.

Great-grandchildren of former residents of Russian-held islands

Great-grandchildren of former residents of Russian-held islands

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) poses for a photo 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.

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.

US: Canadian Wildfire Smoke Blankets Midwest, Triggers Air Quality Warning 4

Heavy smoke from wildfires burning in Canada and Minnesota engulfed large swaths of the Midwest and Northeast U.S., exposing millions of people to hazardous levels of air pollution. It turned skies orange-tinged and hazy and triggered Air Quality Alerts across the region. This drone video shows Canadian wildfire smoke over the sky of Northeast Ohio.

US: Haze From Canadian Wildfires Blankets New York, Northeast 9

Wildfire smoke from Canada and the Great Lakes region turned skies hazy over Manhattan and much of the Northeast, prompting air quality alerts. New York City officials warned of possibly deteriorating air quality through Wednesday, July 15, urging caution for people with health conditions sensitive to pollution. This video shows the sun turned red amid the haze from Canadian wildfire smoke on July 16.

US: Haze From Canadian Wildfires Blankets New York, Northeast 8

Wildfire smoke from Canada and the Great Lakes region turned skies hazy over Manhattan and much of the Northeast, prompting air quality alerts. New York City officials warned of possibly deteriorating air quality through Wednesday, July 15, urging caution for people with health conditions sensitive to pollution.

US: Canadian Wildfire Smoke Blankets Midwest, Triggers Air Quality Warning 2

Heavy smoke from wildfires burning in Canada and Minnesota engulfed large swaths of the Midwest and Northeast U.S., exposing millions of people to hazardous levels of air pollution. It turned skies orange-tinged and hazy and triggered Air Quality Alerts across the region.

US: Canadian Wildfire Smoke Blankets Midwest, Triggers Air Quality Warning 3

Heavy smoke from wildfires burning in Canada and Minnesota engulfed large swaths of the Midwest and Northeast U.S., exposing millions of people to hazardous levels of air pollution. It turned skies orange-tinged and hazy and triggered Air Quality Alerts across the region.

US: Haze From Canadian Wildfires Blankets New York, Northeast 7

Wildfire smoke from Canada and the Great Lakes region turned skies hazy over Manhattan and much of the Northeast, prompting air quality alerts. New York City officials warned of possibly deteriorating air quality through Wednesday, July 15, urging caution for people with health conditions sensitive to pollution.

US: Haze From Canadian Wildfires Blankets New York, Northeast 6

Wildfire smoke from Canada and the Great Lakes region turned skies hazy over Manhattan and much of the Northeast, prompting air quality alerts. New York City officials warned of possibly deteriorating air quality through Wednesday, July 15, urging caution for people with health conditions sensitive to pollution.

US: Haze From Canadian Wildfires Blankets New York, Northeast 5

Wildfire smoke from Canada and the Great Lakes region turned skies hazy over Manhattan and much of the Northeast, prompting air quality alerts. New York City officials warned of possibly deteriorating air quality through Wednesday, July 15, urging caution for people with health conditions sensitive to pollution.

US: Canadian Wildfire Smoke Blankets Midwest, Triggers Air Quality Warning

Wildfire smoke from Canadian wildfires blanketed the U.S. Midwest on Wednesday, July 15, prompting evacuations from a remote Minnesota wilderness area. Unhealthy air quality warnings were issued from Minnesota to New York, and people were advised to stay indoors to avoid both the smoke and extreme heat.

US: Haze From Canadian Wildfires Blankets New York, Northeast 3

Wildfire smoke from Canada and the Great Lakes region turned skies hazy over Manhattan and much of the Northeast, prompting air quality alerts. New York City officials warned of possibly deteriorating air quality through Wednesday, July 15, urging caution for people with health conditions sensitive to pollution.

US: Haze From Canadian Wildfires Blankets New York, Northeast 4

Wildfire smoke from Canada and the Great Lakes region turned skies hazy over Manhattan and much of the Northeast, prompting air quality alerts. New York City officials warned of possibly deteriorating air quality through Wednesday, July 15, urging caution for people with health conditions sensitive to pollution.

US: Haze From Canadian Wildfires Blankets New York, Northeast 2

Wildfire smoke from Canada and the Great Lakes region turned skies hazy over Manhattan and much of the Northeast, prompting air quality alerts. New York City officials warned of possibly deteriorating air quality through Wednesday, July 15, urging caution for people with health conditions sensitive to pollution.

US: Haze From Canadian Wildfires Blankets New York, Northeast

Wildfire smoke from Canada and the Great Lakes region turned skies hazy over Manhattan and much of the Northeast, prompting air quality alerts. New York City officials warned of possibly deteriorating air quality through Wednesday, July 15, urging caution for people with health conditions sensitive to pollution.

Tennis: Wimbledon championships

Tennis: Wimbledon championships

Arthur Fery of Great Britain plays in the men's singles quarterfinals at the Wimbledon tennis tournament in London on July 8, 2026.

Tennis: Wimbledon championships

Tennis: Wimbledon championships

Arthur Fery of Great Britain plays in the men's singles quarterfinals at the Wimbledon tennis tournament in London on July 8, 2026.

Tennis: Wimbledon championships

Tennis: Wimbledon championships

Arthur Fery of Great Britain plays in the men's singles quarterfinals at the Wimbledon tennis tournament in London on July 8, 2026.

105th founding anniversary of Chinese Communist Party

BEIJING, China, July 1 Kyodo - Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a ceremony marking the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on July 1, 2026. (Kyodo)

US: Great American State Fair Shuts Down Amid Extreme DC Heat

The Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., part of the Freedom 250 celebrations marking America's 250th anniversary, temporarily closed on Friday, July 3, due to extreme heat. Several people were taken to hospital, and the fair later reopened with free water stations set up on site.

105th founding anniversary of Chinese Communist Party

105th founding anniversary of Chinese Communist Party

Chinese President Xi Jinping (sitting, 2nd from L) attends a ceremony marking the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on July 1, 2026.

105th founding anniversary of Chinese Communist Party

105th founding anniversary of Chinese Communist Party

Chinese President Xi Jinping (front row, 2nd from L) attends a ceremony marking the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on July 1, 2026.

105th founding anniversary of Chinese Communist Party

105th founding anniversary of Chinese Communist Party

Chinese President Xi Jinping (front) and Premier Li Qiang attend a ceremony marking the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on July 1, 2026.

105th founding anniversary of Chinese Communist Party

105th founding anniversary of Chinese Communist Party

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a ceremony marking the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on July 1, 2026.

105th founding anniversary of Chinese Communist Party

105th founding anniversary of Chinese Communist Party

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a ceremony marking the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on July 1, 2026.

105th founding anniversary of Chinese Communist Party

105th founding anniversary of Chinese Communist Party

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a ceremony marking the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on July 1, 2026.