Japan revises Imperial House Law

Japan revises Imperial House Law

People visit a square facing the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on July 17, 2026. Japan enacted the revised Imperial House Law the same day, permitting the imperial family to adopt males aged 15 or older who are descended from emperors through the male line in 11 former branch families and allowing female members to retain their imperial status even after marrying commoners.

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.

Japan revises Imperial House Law

Japan revises Imperial House Law

People visit a square facing the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on July 17, 2026. Japan enacted the revised Imperial House Law the same day, permitting the imperial family to adopt males aged 15 or older who are descended from emperors through the male line in 11 former branch families and allowing female members to retain their imperial status even after marrying commoners.

Japan revises Imperial House Law

Japan revises Imperial House Law

People visit a square facing the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on July 17, 2026. Japan enacted the revised Imperial House Law the same day, permitting the imperial family to adopt males aged 15 or older who are descended from emperors through the male line in 11 former branch families and allowing female members to retain their imperial status even after marrying commoners.

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: Two Dead as Flash Floods Sweep Through Texas Hill Country 2

At least two people were dead in catastrophic flash flooding that tore through the Texas Hill Country, as torrential rain sent creeks and rivers rapidly rising. Governor Greg Abbott declared disasters in 59 counties and said more than 230 people were rescued.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

People fill the streets as decorated floats adorned with illuminated lanterns are displayed during the annual Gion Festival's Yoiyama event in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 16, 2026, the eve of the Yamahoko Junko parade, the highlight of the month-long festival.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

People fill the streets as decorated floats adorned with illuminated lanterns are displayed during the annual Gion Festival's Yoiyama event in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 16, 2026, the eve of the Yamahoko Junko parade, the highlight of the month-long festival.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

People fill the streets as decorated floats adorned with illuminated lanterns are displayed during the annual Gion Festival's Yoiyama event in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 16, 2026, the eve of the Yamahoko Junko parade, the highlight of the month-long festival.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

People fill the streets as decorated floats adorned with illuminated lanterns are displayed during the annual Gion Festival's Yoiyama event in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 16, 2026, the eve of the Yamahoko Junko parade, the highlight of the month-long festival.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

People fill the streets as decorated floats adorned with illuminated lanterns are displayed during the annual Gion Festival's Yoiyama event in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 16, 2026, the eve of the Yamahoko Junko parade, the highlight of the month-long festival.

Protests in Ukraine

Protests in Ukraine

People gather in Kyiv on July 16, 2026, to protest Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's decision to dismiss Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.

Protests in Ukraine

Protests in Ukraine

People gather in Kyiv on July 16, 2026, to protest Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's decision to dismiss Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.

Protest against Japan PM Takaichi

Protest against Japan PM Takaichi

People protest against the administration of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo on July 16, 2026, ahead of parliament's enactment of a law introducing criminal penalties for desecrating the national flag, a key legislative goal of the prime minister.

Protest against Japan PM Takaichi

Protest against Japan PM Takaichi

People protest against the administration of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo on July 16, 2026, ahead of parliament's enactment of a law introducing criminal penalties for desecrating the national flag, a key legislative goal of the prime minister.

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: Boat Capsizes Near Alcatraz, Leaving One Dead, Three Missing

A pontoon boat carrying 20 people, mostly on a memorial service outing, capsized near Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay on Tuesday, July 14, killing one person and leaving three others missing. Three injured passengers were hospitalized in stable condition, 13 others returned safely to shore.

US: New Yorkers Gather for Last Manhattanhenge Sunset of the Year 2

People gathered along Manhattan's cross streets on Sunday, July 12, to watch Manhattanhenge, when the setting sun aligned with the city's grid for a "half sun" effect. Clear skies allowed for near perfect viewing conditions of the phenomenon, which had occurred the night before as a "full sun" alignment and marked the last chance to see it in 2026.

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.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (standing) speaks to Yuichiro Tamaki, leader of the opposition Democratic Party for the People, during one-on-one debates with opposition party leaders in parliament in Tokyo on July 15, 2026.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (standing) speaks to Yuichiro Tamaki, leader of the opposition Democratic Party for the People, during one-on-one debates with opposition party leaders in parliament in Tokyo on July 15, 2026.

Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in Fukuoka

Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in Fukuoka

People run while carrying a "yamakasa" decorated float along a 5-kilometer course during the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in the early morning of July 15, 2026, in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka.

Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in Fukuoka

Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in Fukuoka

People run while carrying a "yamakasa" decorated float along a 5-kilometer course during the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in the early morning of July 15, 2026, in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka.

Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in Fukuoka

Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in Fukuoka

People run while carrying a "yamakasa" decorated float along a 5-kilometer course during the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in the early morning of July 15, 2026, in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka.

Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in Fukuoka

Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in Fukuoka

People run while carrying a "yamakasa" decorated float along a 5-kilometer course during the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in the early morning of July 15, 2026, in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

People stroll by a decorated float illuminated by lanterns in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 14, 2026, ahead of a parade three days later, a highlight of the month-long Gion Festival.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

People stroll by a decorated float illuminated by lanterns in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 14, 2026, ahead of a parade three days later, a highlight of the month-long Gion Festival.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

People stroll by a decorated float illuminated by lanterns in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 14, 2026, ahead of a parade three days later, a highlight of the month-long Gion Festival.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

People stroll by a decorated float illuminated by lanterns in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 14, 2026, ahead of a parade three days later, a highlight of the month-long Gion Festival.

US: New Yorkers Gather for Last Manhattanhenge Sunset of the Year

People gathered along Manhattan's cross streets on Sunday, July 12, to watch Manhattanhenge, when the setting sun aligned with the city's grid for a "half sun" effect. Clear skies allowed for near perfect viewing conditions of the phenomenon, which had occurred the night before as a "full sun" alignment and marked the last chance to see it in 2026.

Lavender fields in northern Japan

Lavender fields in northern Japan

People take photos as they stroll through lavender fields at a farm in Nakafurano, Hokkaido, northern Japan, on July 13, 2026.

Hakata Gion festival in Fukuoka

Hakata Gion festival in Fukuoka

People carry a "yamakasa" decorated float during the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival on July 13, 2026, in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka.

Hakata Gion festival in Fukuoka

Hakata Gion festival in Fukuoka

People run while carrying a "yamakasa" decorated float during the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival on July 13, 2026, in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka.

Hakata Gion festival in Fukuoka

Hakata Gion festival in Fukuoka

People carry a "yamakasa" decorated float during the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival on July 13, 2026, in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka.

Hakata Gion festival in Fukuoka

Hakata Gion festival in Fukuoka

People carry a "yamakasa" decorated float during the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival on July 13, 2026, in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka.

Hakata Gion festival in Fukuoka

Hakata Gion festival in Fukuoka

People carry a "yamakasa" decorated float during the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival on July 13, 2026, in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka.

France: Water-Scooping Operation Continues on Seine Near Fontainebleau

A wildfire in the Fontainebleau forest area of Seine-et-Marne, France, grew to more than 1,300 hectares as of Monday night, July 13, following a series of major fires since a red heatwave alert was issued on Saturday, July 11. Two people were detained near the area as authorities investigated the possibility of arson.

Thailand: Bangkok Pub Fire Leaves 27 Dead, 22 Critically Injured

A huge fire tore through Na Ladprao beer hall, a pub in Bangkok's Chatuchak district late Sunday, July 12, killing at least 27 people and injuring dozens, with 22 people left in critical condition. Authorities are investigating the cause.

Japan festival opens in Sao Paulo

Japan festival opens in Sao Paulo

A festival featuring Japanese cuisine, anime, games and music as well as industrial goods opens in Sao Paulo on July 10, 2026. About 200,000 people are expected to visit the three-day Festival do Japao, according to organizers.

Japan festival opens in Sao Paulo

Japan festival opens in Sao Paulo

A festival featuring Japanese cuisine, anime, games and music as well as industrial goods opens in Sao Paulo on July 10, 2026. About 200,000 people are expected to visit the three-day Festival do Japao, according to organizers.

Japan festival opens in Sao Paulo

Japan festival opens in Sao Paulo

A festival featuring Japanese cuisine, anime, games and music as well as industrial goods opens in Sao Paulo on July 10, 2026. About 200,000 people are expected to visit the three-day Festival do Japao, according to organizers.