"Cruelly hot day" in central Japan

"Cruelly hot day" in central Japan

A thermometer in Toyota in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, shows the mercury reaching 40 C on July 23, 2026, marking a "cruelly hot day," a term used by the weather agency this year for temperatures of 40 C or higher.

"Cruelly hot day" in central Japan

"Cruelly hot day" in central Japan

A thermometer in Toyota in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, shows the mercury reaching 40 C on July 23, 2026, marking a "cruelly hot day," a term used by the weather agency this year for temperatures of 40 C or higher.

"Cruelly hot day" in central Japan

"Cruelly hot day" in central Japan

A thermometer in front of JR Tajimi Station in Gifu Prefecture, central Japan, shows the mercury topping 40 C on July 21, 2026, marking the country's first "cruelly hot day" since the weather agency introduced the heat warning term earlier this year. Temperatures reached at least 40 C in three central Japan cities -- Tajimi and Gujo in Gifu Prefecture and Toyota in Aichi Prefecture -- the same day.

Summer heat in Japan

Summer heat in Japan

People walk under mist showers on a sweltering hot day in Isesaki in Gunma Prefecture, eastern Japan, on July 22, 2026. The mercury topped 40 C in some central Japan cities the same day, the nation marking a "cruelly hot day," a heat warning term used by the country's weather agency this year, for the second straight day.

"Cruelly hot day" in central Japan

"Cruelly hot day" in central Japan

A thermometer in front of JR Tajimi Station in Gifu Prefecture, central Japan, shows the mercury topping 40 C on July 21, 2026, marking the country's first "cruelly hot day" since the weather agency introduced the heat warning term earlier this year. Two central Japan cities -- Tajimi and Toyota in Aichi Prefecture -- recorded temperatures above the threshold the same day.

Baseball: Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers

Baseball: Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani hits a solo home run in the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on July 12, 2026, marking the 350th homer of his career spanning Nippon Professional Baseball and Major League Baseball.

Baseball: Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers

Baseball: Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani hits a solo home run in the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on July 12, 2026, marking the 350th homer of his career spanning Nippon Professional Baseball and Major League Baseball.

Baseball: Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers

Baseball: Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani hits a solo home run in the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on July 12, 2026, marking the 350th homer of his career spanning Nippon Professional Baseball and Major League Baseball.

Baseball: Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers

Baseball: Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani hits a solo home run in the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on July 12, 2026, marking the 350th homer of his career spanning Nippon Professional Baseball and Major League Baseball.

Baseball: Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers

Baseball: Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani hits a solo home run in the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on July 12, 2026, marking the 350th homer of his career spanning Nippon Professional Baseball and Major League Baseball.

Baseball: Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers

Baseball: Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani hits a solo home run in the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on July 12, 2026, marking the 350th homer of his career spanning Nippon Professional Baseball and Major League Baseball.

Baseball: Rockies vs. Dodgers

Baseball: Rockies vs. Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani heads for first base after hitting a leadoff home run in the first inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on July 7, 2026, marking the 300th homer of his MLB career.

Baseball: Rockies vs. Dodgers

Baseball: Rockies vs. Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani heads for first base after hitting a leadoff home run in the first inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on July 7, 2026, marking the 300th homer of his MLB career.

Baseball: Rockies vs. Dodgers

Baseball: Rockies vs. Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani heads for first base after hitting a leadoff home run in the first inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on July 7, 2026, marking the 300th homer of his MLB career.

Baseball: Rockies vs. Dodgers

Baseball: Rockies vs. Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) high-fives manager Dave Roberts in the dugout after hitting a leadoff home run in the first inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on July 7, 2026, marking the 300th homer of his MLB career.

Baseball: Rockies vs. Dodgers

Baseball: Rockies vs. Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani hits a leadoff home run in the first inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on July 7, 2026, marking the 300th homer of his MLB career.

Baseball: Rockies vs. Dodgers

Baseball: Rockies vs. Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani hits a leadoff home run in the first inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on July 7, 2026, marking the 300th homer of his MLB career.

Baseball: Rockies vs. Dodgers

Baseball: Rockies vs. Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani heads for first base after hitting a leadoff home run in the first inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on July 7, 2026, marking the 300th homer of his MLB career.

Baseball: Rockies vs. Dodgers

Baseball: Rockies vs. Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani hits a leadoff home run in the first inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on July 7, 2026, marking the 300th homer of his MLB career.

Baseball: Rockies vs. Dodgers

Baseball: Rockies vs. Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani hits a leadoff home run in the first inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on July 7, 2026, marking the 300th homer of his MLB career.

Baseball: Rockies vs. Dodgers

Baseball: Rockies vs. Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani hits a leadoff home run in the first inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on July 7, 2026, marking the 300th homer of his MLB career.

Baseball: Rockies vs. Dodgers

Baseball: Rockies vs. Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani celebrates as he rounds the bases after hitting a leadoff home run in the first inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on July 7, 2026, marking the 300th homer of his MLB career.

Baseball: Rockies vs. Dodgers

Baseball: Rockies vs. Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani celebrates as he rounds the bases after hitting a leadoff home run in the first inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on July 7, 2026, marking the 300th homer of his MLB career.

Baseball: Rockies vs. Dodgers

Baseball: Rockies vs. Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani rounds the bases after hitting a leadoff home run in the first inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on July 7, 2026, marking his 300th career MLB homer.

Baseball: Rockies vs. Dodgers

Baseball: Rockies vs. Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani rounds the bases after hitting a leadoff home run in the first inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on July 7, 2026, marking his 300th career MLB homer.

Baseball: Rockies vs. Dodgers

Baseball: Rockies vs. Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani hits a leadoff home run in the first inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on July 7, 2026, marking his 300th MLB homer.

Baseball: Rockies vs. Dodgers

Baseball: Rockies vs. Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani watches his leadoff home run in the first inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on July 7, 2026, marking his 300th career MLB homer.

Baseball: Rockies vs. Dodgers

Baseball: Rockies vs. Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani hits a leadoff home run in the first inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on July 7, 2026, marking his 300th MLB homer.

Baseball: Rockies vs. Dodgers

Baseball: Rockies vs. Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani hits a leadoff home run in the first inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on July 7, 2026, marking his 300th MLB homer.

Baseball: Rockies vs. Dodgers

Baseball: Rockies vs. Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani hits a leadoff home run in the first inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on July 7, 2026, marking his 300th MLB homer.

Baseball: Rockies vs. Dodgers

Baseball: Rockies vs. Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani hits a leadoff home run in the first inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on July 7, 2026, marking his 300th MLB homer.

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: America 250 Celebrations Feature Massive Military Air Show Over DC

A massive military flyover, including the new Air Force One, took place as part of the more than nine-hour air show over the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, July 4, marking America's 250th Independence Day celebrations. The event preceded a speech by President Trump and what was billed as the largest fireworks display in U.S. history.

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.

Japan: America’s 250th Independence Day Celebration Held in Tokyo

The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo hosted a celebration in Odaiba on Thursday, July 3, marking the 250th anniversary of American independence. Tokyo Tower and the Rainbow Bridge were illuminated in red, white, and blue, the colors of the American flag, while fireworks lit up the night sky and a drone show displayed the faces of Prime Minister Takaichi and U.S. President Donald Trump.

Drone show marking 250th anniv. of U.S. independence

Drone show marking 250th anniv. of U.S. independence

Images of U.S. President Donald Trump (R) and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi are shown during a drone show held in Tokyo on July 3, 2026, to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence.

Drone show marking 250th anniv. of U.S. independence

Drone show marking 250th anniv. of U.S. independence

Images of Statue of Liberty and Stars and Stripes are shown during a drone show held in Tokyo on July 3, 2026, to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence.

Canada: Rally Held in Vancouver Against Ferdinand Marcos’ Official Visit

A rally was held in Vancouver on Wednesday, July 1, against the official visit of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Marcos' four-day visit is aimed at strengthening trade, energy, labor and tourism ties with Canada, marking the first visit by a Philippine president to the country in over a decade.

Hong Kong marks 29th anniversary of return to China

Hong Kong marks 29th anniversary of return to China

A ceremony is held in Hong Kong on July 1, 2026, marking the 29th anniversary of the former British colony's return to China.

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.

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company: Press Conference Marking the Inauguration of New President Julie Kim

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company: Press Conference Marking the Inauguration of New President Julie Kim

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company: Press Conference Marking the Inauguration of New President Julie Kim=June 25,2026,Tokyo

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company: Press Conference Marking the Inauguration of New President Julie Kim

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company: Press Conference Marking the Inauguration of New President Julie Kim

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company: Press Conference Marking the Inauguration of New President Julie Kim=June 25,2026,Tokyo

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company: Press Conference Marking the Inauguration of New President Julie Kim

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company: Press Conference Marking the Inauguration of New President Julie Kim

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company: Press Conference Marking the Inauguration of New President Julie Kim=June 25,2026,Tokyo

25th anniversary events at USJ

25th anniversary events at USJ

A ceremony is held at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka on June 29, 2026, for summer events from July 1 through Aug. 26 marking the theme park's 25th anniversary.

25th anniversary events at USJ

25th anniversary events at USJ

A ceremony is held at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka on June 29, 2026, for summer events from July 1 through Aug. 26 marking the theme park's 25th anniversary.