Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

Photo taken June 25, 2026, shows a building in Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, with its wall damaged by a preliminary-magnitude 7.2 earthquake that struck the region.

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

Photo taken June 25, 2026, shows a building in Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, with its wall damaged by a preliminary-magnitude 7.2 earthquake that struck the region.

[Breaking News]Football: 2026 World Cup

NASHVILLE, United States, June 22 Kyodo - Japan football World Cup squad poses for a team photo at its training camp in the suburbs of Nashville, Tennessee, on June 22, 2026. (Kyodo)

Football: 2026 World Cup

Football: 2026 World Cup

Fans applaud the Portuguese team after its 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan in a World Cup Group K football match at Houston Stadium in Houston on June 23, 2026.

China: Man Catches Cat Falling From Building in Sichuan

On June 11, 2026, in Junlian, Yibin, Sichuan, a small cat was filmed dangling from the eaves of a building, unable to climb back up. A man on the street below positioned himself underneath and raised his arms in preparation. When the cat lost its grip and fell, he caught it in both hands before it hit the ground.

Football: 2026 World Cup

Football: 2026 World Cup

Japan's football World Cup squad poses for a team photo at its training camp in the suburbs of Nashville, Tennessee, on June 22, 2026.

Football: 2026 World Cup

Football: 2026 World Cup

Japan football World Cup squad poses for a team photo at its training camp in the suburbs of Nashville, Tennessee, on June 22, 2026.

Japan's Princess Aiko

Japan's Princess Aiko

Japan's Princess Aiko arrives at Suntory Hall in Tokyo on June 22, 2026, for a special concert by the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra commemorating its 70th anniversary. (Pool photo)

Japan's Princess Aiko

Japan's Princess Aiko

Japan's Princess Aiko arrives at Suntory Hall in Tokyo on June 22, 2026, for a special concert by the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra commemorating its 70th anniversary. (Pool photo)

Japan's Princess Aiko

Japan's Princess Aiko

Japan's Princess Aiko arrives at Suntory Hall in Tokyo on June 22, 2026, for a special concert by the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra commemorating its 70th anniversary. (Pool photo)

Japan's Princess Aiko

Japan's Princess Aiko

Japan's Princess Aiko arrives at Suntory Hall in Tokyo on June 22, 2026, for a special concert by the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra commemorating its 70th anniversary. (Pool photo)

Japan's Princess Aiko

Japan's Princess Aiko

Japan's Princess Aiko arrives at Suntory Hall in Tokyo on June 22, 2026, for a special concert by the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra commemorating its 70th anniversary. (Pool photo)

Japan's Princess Aiko

Japan's Princess Aiko

Japan's Princess Aiko arrives at Suntory Hall in Tokyo on June 22, 2026, for a special concert by the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra commemorating its 70th anniversary. (Pool photo)

World Cup 2026 – US: Iran’s National Anthem Booed at Los Angeles Stadium Ahead of Belgium Match

The Iranian national anthem was loudly booed by fans at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 21, as Iran faced Belgium in its second FIFA World Cup Group G match.

World Cup 2026 – US: Mexico’s Win Over South Korea Sparks Street Celebrations in L.A.

Mexico secured its place in the World Cup knockout stage with a 1-0 victory over South Korea in Guadalajara on Thursday, June 18, sparking large celebrations at watch parties in Los Angeles' Koreatown. While most fans celebrated peacefully, one man was shot in the leg near a watch party on Irolo Street, and the Los Angeles Police Department issued a citywide tactical alert as crowds filled the streets.

[Breaking News]BOJ lifts policy rate to 31-year high of 1.0%

TOKYO, Japan, June 16 Kyodo - Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Shinichi Uchida speaks at a press conference at the BOJ headquarters in Tokyo on June 16, 2026, following a two-day policy-setting monetary meeting. The central bank, in the absence of Governor Kazuo Ueda who has been hospitalized for treatment of a hepatic cyst infection, decided to lift its key policy rate to a 31-year high of 1.0 percent. (Kyodo)

Disney-themed shinkansen bullet train

Disney-themed shinkansen bullet train

A Tokaido Shinkansen Line bullet train featuring Disney characters is parked at JR Nagoya Station in Nagoya, central Japan, on its inauguration day on June 19, 2026. The Sparkling Dreams Shinkansen, running between Tokyo and Osaka through mid-March 2027, was launched to mark the 25th anniversary of the opening of Tokyo DisneySea.

Disney-themed shinkansen bullet train

Disney-themed shinkansen bullet train

A Tokaido Shinkansen Line bullet train featuring Disney characters is parked at JR Nagoya Station in Nagoya, central Japan, on its inauguration day on June 19, 2026. The Sparkling Dreams Shinkansen, running between Tokyo and Osaka through mid-March 2027, was launched to mark the 25th anniversary of the opening of Tokyo DisneySea.

Japan's emperor in Leiden

Japan's emperor in Leiden

Emperor Naruhito (C) of Japan meets with students and faculty members of Leiden University in its Hortus botanicus, in Leiden, the Netherlands, on June 18, 2026, during his state visit. (Pool photo)

Public-private consortium to disseminate Japanese comics across world

Public-private consortium to disseminate Japanese comics across world

A public-private consortium aimed at disseminating Japan's manga comic culture across the world holds its inaugural meeting in Tokyo on June 18, 2026. The Cultural Affairs Agency-led consortium, participated in by major publishing companies Kodansha Ltd., Shueisha Inc. and Shogakukan Inc., will come up with a framework for making online services of Japanese comics targeting foreign readers commercially viable.

France: Bus Catches Fire Near Porte d’Ivry in Paris 13th Arrondissement

A bus on line 27 caught fire and exploded at its terminus near Porte d'Ivry in Paris' 13th arrondissement on Thursday morning, June 17, sending thick black smoke across the neighborhood. No injuries were reported.

China: Black Cat Lounges on Windowsill in Human-Like Reclining Pose

A black cat was filmed on May 28 in Beijing sprawled across a sunlit windowsill in a pose strikingly similar to a person reclining in a chair. The cat appeared completely relaxed, stretching out its limbs as it basked in the sunlight.

China: Rescuer Carefully Frees Duckling Trapped by Fishing Hook

A wild duckling entangled in fishing line and a hook was carefully freed by a rescuer in Inner Mongolia on June 10. The rescuer slowly approached the distressed bird, removed the barbed hook without causing further injury, and released it back into the water, where it swam off to rejoin its flock.

BOJ lifts policy rate to 31-yr high of 1.0%

BOJ lifts policy rate to 31-yr high of 1.0%

Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Shinichi Uchida speaks at a press conference at the BOJ headquarters in Tokyo on June 16, 2026, following a two-day monetary policy meeting. The central bank, in the absence of Governor Kazuo Ueda who has been hospitalized for medical treatment, decided to lift its key policy rate to a 31-year high of 1.0 percent.

BOJ lifts policy rate to 31-yr high of 1.0%

BOJ lifts policy rate to 31-yr high of 1.0%

Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Shinichi Uchida speaks at a press conference at the BOJ headquarters in Tokyo on June 16, 2026, following a two-day monetary policy meeting. The central bank, in the absence of Governor Kazuo Ueda who has been hospitalized for medical treatment, decided to lift its key policy rate to a 31-year high of 1.0 percent.

BOJ headquarters

BOJ headquarters

The Bank of Japan headquarters is pictured in Tokyo on June 16, 2026. The central bank decided to lift its key policy rate to a 31-year high of 1.0 percent at a two-day policy meeting that ended that day.

BOJ headquarters

BOJ headquarters

The Bank of Japan headquarters is pictured in Tokyo on June 16, 2026. The central bank decided to lift its key policy rate to a 31-year high of 1.0 percent at a two-day policy meeting that ended that day.

China: Chimpanzee Trims Its Own Nails at Chongqing Wildlife Park

A chimpanzee at Chongqing Wildlife Park was filmed carefully trimming its own nails with a nail clipper on March 6, holding the tool in its right hand and focusing on its left little finger. The chimpanzee’s movements and facial expression looked very similar to those of a human. It appeared calm and focused while handling the nail clipper.

China: Cat Kneads Contentedly on Patient Dog’s Back in Hubei

A black tabby cat was filmed lying on top of a yellow dog in Hubei province on May 24, kneading the dog's body while wagging its tail. The dog remained completely calm throughout, showing no sign of discomfort as the cat treated it like a cushion.

BOJ lifts policy rate to 31-year high of 1.0%

BOJ lifts policy rate to 31-year high of 1.0%

Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Shinichi Uchida speaks at a press conference at the BOJ headquarters in Tokyo on June 16, 2026, following a two-day policy-setting monetary meeting. The central bank, in the absence of Governor Kazuo Ueda who has been hospitalized for treatment of a hepatic cyst infection, decided to lift its key policy rate to a 31-year high of 1.0 percent.

BOJ lifts policy rate to 31-year high of 1.0%

BOJ lifts policy rate to 31-year high of 1.0%

Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Shinichi Uchida speaks at a press conference at the BOJ headquarters in Tokyo on June 16, 2026, following a two-day policy-setting monetary meeting. The central bank, in the absence of Governor Kazuo Ueda who has been hospitalized for treatment of a hepatic cyst infection, decided to lift its key policy rate to a 31-year high of 1.0 percent.

BOJ lifts policy rate to 31-year high of 1.0%

BOJ lifts policy rate to 31-year high of 1.0%

Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Shinichi Uchida speaks at a press conference at the BOJ headquarters in Tokyo on June 16, 2026, following a two-day policy-setting monetary meeting. The central bank, in the absence of Governor Kazuo Ueda who has been hospitalized for treatment of a hepatic cyst infection, decided to lift its key policy rate to a 31-year high of 1.0 percent.

China: Crayfish Fights Desperately to Survive Boiling Pot

On April 30, 2026, inside a restaurant kitchen in Shangqiu, Henan, a lone crayfish was filmed gripping the edge of a pot of boiling red oil with its pincers, tail raised high to avoid the scalding liquid. When the chef added a large plate of other crayfish into the pot, the oil churned and steamed furiously, yet the solitary crayfish continued twisting and arching its body in a desperate fight to stay alive.

Japan: Shinkansen Makes Emergency Stop as Magnitude 5.5 Earthquake Strikes Kanto Region

A strong earthquake struck a wide area of eastern Japan on Tuesday evening, June 16, registering a maximum seismic intensity of 5-lower on the Japanese scale in parts of Gunma and Saitama prefectures. The Japan Meteorological Agency said the quake had a magnitude of 5.5, with its epicenter in southern Ibaraki Prefecture at a depth of approximately 50 kilometers. No tsunami warning was issued. Areas recording the highest intensity included Ota City and Chiyoda Town in Gunma Prefecture, and Kazo City, Honjo City, and Misato Town in Saitama Prefecture. The footage was captured inside a Shinkansen bullet train running through Honjo City, making an emergency stop.

China: Crab Appears to Make Heart Shape With Claws on Beach

On June 5, 2026, a video filmed on a muddy beach in Qingdao, Shandong, captured a crab that appeared to form a heart shape with its raised claws as it walked sideways across the tidal flat. The unusual posture made the small crustacean look like a living internet meme, drawing widespread amusement online.

BOJ lifts policy rate to 31-yr high of 1.0%

BOJ lifts policy rate to 31-yr high of 1.0%

Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Shinichi Uchida speaks at a press conference at the BOJ headquarters in Tokyo on June 16, 2026, following a two-day monetary policy meeting. The central bank, in the absence of Governor Kazuo Ueda who has been hospitalized for treatment of a hepatic cyst infection, decided to lift its key policy rate to a 31-year high of 1.0 percent.

BOJ lifts policy rate to 31-yr high of 1.0%

BOJ lifts policy rate to 31-yr high of 1.0%

Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Shinichi Uchida speaks at a press conference at the BOJ headquarters in Tokyo on June 16, 2026, following a two-day monetary policy meeting. The central bank, in the absence of Governor Kazuo Ueda who has been hospitalized for treatment of a hepatic cyst infection, decided to lift its key policy rate to a 31-year high of 1.0 percent.

El Salvador: Giant World Cup Inflatable Ball Rolls Through Streets Amid Inclement Weather

A giant inflatable soccer ball used as a World Cup promotional display broke free from its structure during heavy rain and strong winds. The ball rolled through the streets of Zona Rosa, drawing the attention of drivers and pedestrians who witnessed the unusual scene. According to the person who took the videos, the ball came out of Bambú Plaza.

China: Meerkat Falls off Wooden Post at Chengdu Zoo

A meerkat at the Chengdu Happy Valley animal exhibit in Sichuan province was caught on video sitting on a wooden post, its distinctive dark eye circles drawing attention from nearby visitors. The animal appeared calm as it watched the crowd. Without warning, it lost its balance and tumbled off the post to the ground, prompting laughter from onlookers.

[Breaking News]JAL Ohtani jet's final flight

Fukuoka, Japan, June 11 Kyodo - Video taken at Fukuoka airport on June 10, 2026, shows the "Dream Sho Jet" passenger plane, adorned with an image of Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani, before it made its final flight to Tokyo's Haneda airport. (Kyodo)

Japan: H3 Rocket Successfully Launches from Tanegashima in New Configuration Debut

Japan's H3 rocket successfully launched from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture on Friday, June 12, at 9:53 a.m. local time. The rocket reached its intended orbit, marking a successful mission for the country's flagship launch vehicle.

Japan: H3 Rocket Successfully Launches from Tanegashima in New Configuration Debut 2

Japan's H3 rocket successfully launched from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture on Friday, June 12, at 9:53 a.m. local time. The rocket reached its intended orbit, marking a successful mission for the country's flagship launch vehicle.

US: Wildfire Scorches Over 560 Acres at Camp Pendleton, Prompting Evacuations

A fast-moving brush fire broke out at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in California on Wednesday, June 10, scorching more than 560 acres before crews halted its forward progress by Thursday morning. The fire prompted evacuation warnings for nearby Oceanside neighborhoods and a golf course on base.

ECB raises key rate to 2.25%

ECB raises key rate to 2.25%

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde holds a press conference in Frankfurt on June 11, 2026, after the ECB raised its benchmark deposit rate from 2 percent to 2.25 percent at a Governing Council meeting, the first rate hike in two years and nine months.

ECB raises key rate to 2.25%

ECB raises key rate to 2.25%

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde holds a press conference in Frankfurt on June 11, 2026, after the ECB raised its benchmark deposit rate from 2 percent to 2.25 percent at a Governing Council meeting, the first rate hike in two years and nine months.

China: Passersby Rescue Horse Trapped in Wire Fence in Xinjiang

A group of passersby rescued a horse that had become entangled in a wire fence in Xinjiang, China, on June 6, 2026. After borrowing pliers from a woman at the scene, the group worked together to free the animal. Throughout the rescue, a second horse stood quietly nearby, waiting for its companion. The two horses walked away together once the trapped horse was freed.

JAL Ohtani jet's final flight

JAL Ohtani jet's final flight

Photo taken at Fukuoka airport on June 10, 2026, shows the "Dream Sho Jet" passenger plane, adorned with an image of Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani, before it made its final flight to Tokyo's Haneda airport.

JAL Ohtani jet's final flight

JAL Ohtani jet's final flight

Photo taken at Tokyo's Haneda airport on June 10, 2026, shows the "Dream Sho Jet" passenger plane, adorned with an image of Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani, after making its final flight from Fukuoka airport.

JAL Ohtani jet's final flight

JAL Ohtani jet's final flight

Photo taken at Fukuoka airport on June 10, 2026, shows the "Dream Sho Jet" passenger plane, adorned with an image of Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani, before it made its final flight to Tokyo's Haneda airport.

JAL Ohtani jet's final flight

JAL Ohtani jet's final flight

Photo taken at Tokyo's Haneda airport on June 10, 2026, shows the "Dream Sho Jet" passenger plane, adorned with an image of Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani, after making its final flight from Fukuoka airport.