Olympic athletes at PM's office

Olympic athletes at PM's office

Japanese figures skaters (back, from L) Mone Chiba, Ami Nakai and Kaori Sakamoto pose for a photo after meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on April 24, 2026. ==Kyodo

Paralympic athlete at PM's office

Paralympic athlete at PM's office

Milan Cortina Paralympic alpine ski silver medalist Momoka Muraoka (R) of Japan receives a gift from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on April 24, 2026.

Olympic, Paralympic athletes at PM's office

Olympic, Paralympic athletes at PM's office

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (L) receives a signed jersey from Milan Cortina Olympic woman's figure skating silver medalist Kaori Sakamoto at the prime minister's office in Tokyo where Olympic and Paralympic athletes were invited on April 24, 2026.

Olympic, Paralympic athletes invited to PM's office

Olympic, Paralympic athletes invited to PM's office

Japanese athletes who competed in the Milan Cortina Olympics and Paralympics pose for a photo with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) at her office in Tokyo on April 24, 2026.

Olympic, Paralympic athletes at PM's office

Olympic, Paralympic athletes at PM's office

Japanese athletes who competed in the Milan Cortina Olympics and Paralympics meet with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (back, C) at her office in Tokyo on April 24, 2026.

Japan PM Takaichi

Japan PM Takaichi

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrives at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on April 24, 2026.

Japan PM Takaichi

Japan PM Takaichi

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrives at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on April 24, 2026.

Japan PM Takaichi

Japan PM Takaichi

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrives at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on April 24, 2026.

Japanese PM Takaichi at parliament

Japanese PM Takaichi at parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a House of Representatives committee session in Tokyo on April 24, 2026.

Japanese PM Takaichi at parliament

Japanese PM Takaichi at parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (standing) speaks during a House of Representatives committee session in Tokyo on April 24, 2026.

Japanese PM Takaichi at parliament

Japanese PM Takaichi at parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a House of Representatives committee session in Tokyo on April 24, 2026.

UK: Stray Horses Shut Down Major Highway in Southern England

A herd of more than 12 horses strayed onto a major highway in Dorset, southern England, on April 21, forcing road closures and causing significant traffic delays. The animals were spotted on the southbound lanes of the A338 near Christchurch, prompting police to close the road between Ringwood and Bournemouth. Officers managed traffic for nearly three hours while the horses were rounded up. The road reopened shortly after 2:30 PM local time.

Japan PM Takaichi marks 6 months in office

Japan PM Takaichi marks 6 months in office

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on April 21, 2026, when she marked six months in office.

Japan PM Takaichi marks 6 months in office

Japan PM Takaichi marks 6 months in office

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on April 21, 2026, when she marked six months in office.

Japan PM Takaichi marks 6 months in office

Japan PM Takaichi marks 6 months in office

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on April 21, 2026, when she marked six months in office.

Japan PM Takaichi marks 6 months in office

Japan PM Takaichi marks 6 months in office

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on April 21, 2026, when she marked six months in office.

Japan PM Takaichi marks 6 months in office

Japan PM Takaichi marks 6 months in office

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on April 21, 2026, when she marked six months in office.

Japan PM Takaichi marks 6 months in office

Japan PM Takaichi marks 6 months in office

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on April 21, 2026, when she marked six months in office.

Japan PM Takaichi marks 6 months in office

Japan PM Takaichi marks 6 months in office

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on April 21, 2026, when she marked six months in office.

Japan PM Takaichi marks 6 months in office

Japan PM Takaichi marks 6 months in office

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on April 21, 2026, when she marked six months in office.

Japan: Haneda Airport Flights Disrupted by ATC System Failure

A malfunction in the air traffic control system operated by the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) struck Tokyo's Haneda Airport at around 6:30 AM on Monday, April 21, causing widespread flight disruptions that continued throughout the day. By 6:00 PM, Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) alone had canceled 208 domestic flights combined, affecting more than 31,600 passengers.

Japan PM Takaichi's ritual offering to Yasukuni shrine

Japan PM Takaichi's ritual offering to Yasukuni shrine

Photo taken at the war-linked Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo on April 21, 2026, shows the "masakaki" ritual offering (L) sent by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi for the Shinto shrine's three-day spring festival. Takaichi, who had routinely visited the shrine before taking office last October, appears to have sent the offering instead of visiting.

Japan PM Takaichi's ritual offering to Yasukuni shrine

Japan PM Takaichi's ritual offering to Yasukuni shrine

Photo taken at the war-linked Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo on April 21, 2026, shows the "masakaki" ritual offering (L) sent by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi for the Shinto shrine's three-day spring festival. Takaichi, who had routinely visited the shrine before taking office last October, appears to have sent the offering instead of visiting.

Japan PM Takaichi

Japan PM Takaichi

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrives at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on April 20, 2026.

Japan PM Takaichi

Japan PM Takaichi

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrives at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on April 20, 2026.

Japan PM Takaichi

Japan PM Takaichi

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrives at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on April 20, 2026.

Japan PM Takaichi

Japan PM Takaichi

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrives at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on April 20, 2026.

Japan PM Takaichi at parliament

Japan PM Takaichi at parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a plenary session of the House of Representatives in Tokyo on April 14, 2026.

Japan PM Takaichi at parliament

Japan PM Takaichi at parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a plenary session of the House of Representatives in Tokyo on April 14, 2026.

Japan PM Takaichi at parliament

Japan PM Takaichi at parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attends a plenary session of the House of Representatives in Tokyo on April 14, 2026.

Japan PM Takaichi at parliament

Japan PM Takaichi at parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a plenary session of the House of Representatives in Tokyo on April 14, 2026.

Japan PM Takaichi at parliament

Japan PM Takaichi at parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a plenary session of the House of Representatives in Tokyo on April 14, 2026.

Japan PM Takaichi at parliament

Japan PM Takaichi at parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a plenary session of the House of Representatives in Tokyo on April 14, 2026.

Japan PM Takaichi at parliament

Japan PM Takaichi at parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a plenary session of the House of Representatives in Tokyo on April 14, 2026.

Japanese PM Takaichi at Cabinet meeting

Japanese PM Takaichi at Cabinet meeting

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) is pictured ahead of a Cabinet meeting at her office in Tokyo on April 17, 2026.

Japanese PM Takaichi at Cabinet meeting

Japanese PM Takaichi at Cabinet meeting

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) is pictured ahead of a Cabinet meeting at her office in Tokyo on April 17, 2026.

Japan PM Takaichi at parliament

Japan PM Takaichi at parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a House of Representatives committee session in Tokyo on April 17, 2026.

Japan PM Takaichi at parliament

Japan PM Takaichi at parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a House of Representatives committee session in Tokyo on April 17, 2026.

Japan PM Takaichi at parliament

Japan PM Takaichi at parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (standing) speaks during a House of Representatives committee session in Tokyo on April 17, 2026.

US: Brush Fire Erupts in Jurupa Valley, California, Prompting Evacuations

A brush fire erupted on the south end of Jurupa Valley, California, prompting evacuations of nearby residents on Wednesday, April 15. This video shows the smoke around 5 PM, filmed from Riverside across the Santa Ana River.

Japan PM Takaichi meets Oracle CEO Sicilia

Japan PM Takaichi meets Oracle CEO Sicilia

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (3rd from R) poses for a photo with Oracle Corp. Chief Executive Officer Mike Sicilia (3rd from L) at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on April 15, 2026.

Japan PM Takaichi meets Oracle CEO Sicilia

Japan PM Takaichi meets Oracle CEO Sicilia

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (R) poses for a photo with Oracle Corp. Chief Executive Officer Mike Sicilia at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on April 15, 2026.

PM Takaichi meets British rock band group Deep Purple

PM Takaichi meets British rock band group Deep Purple

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (3rd from L), an avid fan of the British rock band Deep Purple, hands made-in-Japan drum sticks to Ian Paice (2nd from L), drummer of the group at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on April 10, 2026.

PM Takaichi meets British rock band group Deep Purple

PM Takaichi meets British rock band group Deep Purple

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (3rd from L), an avid fan of the British rock band Deep Purple, hands made-in-Japan drum sticks to Ian Paice (2nd from L), drummer of the group at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on April 10, 2026.

PM Takaichi meets British rock band group Deep Purple

PM Takaichi meets British rock band group Deep Purple

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (3rd from L), an avid fan of the British rock band Deep Purple, meets with members of the group at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on April 10, 2026.

Japanese PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a plenary session of the House of Representatives in Tokyo on April 9, 2026.

Japanese PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a plenary session of the House of Representatives in Tokyo on April 9, 2026.

Japanese PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a plenary session of the House of Representatives in Tokyo on April 9, 2026.

Japanese PM Takaichi at Cabinet meeting

Japanese PM Takaichi at Cabinet meeting

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is pictured ahead of a Cabinet meeting at her office in Tokyo on April 10, 2026.

Former Japan PM Ishiba holds talks with South Korean President Lee

Former Japan PM Ishiba holds talks with South Korean President Lee

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (L) holds talks with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the presidential office in Seoul on April 8, 2026.