[Breaking News]Tanabata festival in Sendai

SENDAI, Japan, Aug. 6 Kyodo - People walk under colorful streamers at a shopping arcade in Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 6, 2025, as the annual Sendai Tanabata Festival begins for a three-day run. (Kyodo)

Tanabata festival in Sendai

Tanabata festival in Sendai

Paper cranes folded by people wishing for the early reconstruction from the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster in eastern Japan are hung in front of a department store in Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 6, 2025, as the annual Sendai Tanabata Festival begins for a three-day run.

Tanabata festival in Sendai

Tanabata festival in Sendai

Paper cranes folded by people wishing for the early reconstruction from the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster in eastern Japan are hung in front of a department store in Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 6, 2025, as the annual Sendai Tanabata Festival begins for a three-day run.

Tanabata festival in Sendai

Tanabata festival in Sendai

People walk under colorful streamers at a shopping arcade in Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 6, 2025, as the annual Sendai Tanabata Festival begins for a three-day run.

Tanabata festival in Sendai

Tanabata festival in Sendai

People walk under colorful streamers at a shopping arcade in Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 6, 2025, as the annual Sendai Tanabata Festival begins for a three-day run.

Festival in northeastern Japan

Festival in northeastern Japan

Decorated floats are lined up in Hachinohe in Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on July 31, 2025, as the annual Hachinohe Sansha Taisai festival kicks off. The floats, each 11 meters high and 8 meters wide, will be paraded for three days starting the following day as part of the five-day festival, which dates back around 300 years and, in 2016, was inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

Festival in northeastern Japan

Festival in northeastern Japan

Decorated floats are lined up in Hachinohe in Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on July 31, 2025, as the annual Hachinohe Sansha Taisai festival kicks off. The floats, each 11 meters high and 8 meters wide, will be paraded for three days starting the following day as part of the five-day festival, which dates back around 300 years and, in 2016, was inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

Festival in northeastern Japan

Festival in northeastern Japan

Decorated floats are lined up in Hachinohe in Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on July 31, 2025, as the annual Hachinohe Sansha Taisai festival kicks off. The floats, each 11 meters high and 8 meters wide, will be paraded for three days starting the following day as part of the five-day festival, which dates back around 300 years and, in 2016, was inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

Festival in northeastern Japan

Festival in northeastern Japan

Decorated floats are lined up in Hachinohe in Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on July 31, 2025, as the annual Hachinohe Sansha Taisai festival kicks off. The floats, each 11 meters high and 8 meters wide, will be paraded for three days starting the following day as part of the five-day festival, which dates back around 300 years and, in 2016, was inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

Protest of SFI in India - India

Protest of SFI in India - India

Members and leaders of SFI (Students' Federation of India) Tripura, protesting in front of "Shiksha Bhawan" (Education Department) with three-point demands at Agartala, capital of the Northeastern state of Tripura, India, on July 18,2025. Photo by Abhisek Saha/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Protest of SFI in India - India

Protest of SFI in India - India

Members and leaders of SFI (Students' Federation of India) Tripura, protesting in front of "Shiksha Bhawan" (Education Department) with three-point demands at Agartala, capital of the Northeastern state of Tripura, India, on July 18,2025. Photo by Abhisek Saha/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Protest of SFI in India - India

Protest of SFI in India - India

Members and leaders of SFI (Students' Federation of India) Tripura, protesting in front of "Shiksha Bhawan" (Education Department) with three-point demands at Agartala, capital of the Northeastern state of Tripura, India, on July 18,2025. Photo by Abhisek Saha/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Protest of SFI in India - India

Protest of SFI in India - India

Members and leaders of SFI (Students' Federation of India) Tripura, protesting in front of "Shiksha Bhawan" (Education Department) with three-point demands at Agartala, capital of the Northeastern state of Tripura, India, on July 18,2025. Photo by Abhisek Saha/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Protest of SFI in India - India

Protest of SFI in India - India

Members and leaders of SFI (Students' Federation of India) Tripura, protesting in front of "Shiksha Bhawan" (Education Department) with three-point demands at Agartala, capital of the Northeastern state of Tripura, India, on July 18,2025. Photo by Abhisek Saha/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Protest of SFI in India - India

Protest of SFI in India - India

Members and leaders of SFI (Students' Federation of India) Tripura, protesting in front of "Shiksha Bhawan" (Education Department) with three-point demands at Agartala, capital of the Northeastern state of Tripura, India, on July 18,2025. Photo by Abhisek Saha/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Protest of SFI in India - India

Protest of SFI in India - India

Members and leaders of SFI (Students' Federation of India) Tripura, protesting in front of "Shiksha Bhawan" (Education Department) with three-point demands at Agartala, capital of the Northeastern state of Tripura, India, on July 18,2025. Photo by Abhisek Saha/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Protest of SFI in India - India

Protest of SFI in India - India

Members and leaders of SFI (Students' Federation of India) Tripura, protesting in front of "Shiksha Bhawan" (Education Department) with three-point demands at Agartala, capital of the Northeastern state of Tripura, India, on July 18,2025. Photo by Abhisek Saha/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Protest of SFI in India - India

Protest of SFI in India - India

Members and leaders of SFI (Students' Federation of India) Tripura, protesting in front of "Shiksha Bhawan" (Education Department) with three-point demands at Agartala, capital of the Northeastern state of Tripura, India, on July 18,2025. Photo by Abhisek Saha/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Protest of SFI in India - India

Protest of SFI in India - India

Members and leaders of SFI (Students' Federation of India) Tripura, protesting in front of "Shiksha Bhawan" (Education Department) with three-point demands at Agartala, capital of the Northeastern state of Tripura, India, on July 18,2025. Photo by Abhisek Saha/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Protest of SFI in India - India

Protest of SFI in India - India

Members and leaders of SFI (Students' Federation of India) Tripura, protesting in front of "Shiksha Bhawan" (Education Department) with three-point demands at Agartala, capital of the Northeastern state of Tripura, India, on July 18,2025. Photo by Abhisek Saha/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Luxury train Cassiopeia's last run

TOKYO, Japan, July 1 Kyodo - JR East's luxury sleeper express train Cassiopeia arrives at JR Ueno Station in Tokyo on June 30, 2025, after making its last run before retirement, a three-day round-trip tour between Tokyo and Sendai, northeastern Japan. The 12-car train, including a restaurant car, ran a regular service between 1999 and 2016, after which it was dedicated to providing a luxury tour service. (Kyodo)

Luxury train Cassiopeia's last run

Luxury train Cassiopeia's last run

Staff pose for a photo by JR East's luxury sleeper express train Cassiopeia on June 30, 2025 after it arrived at JR Ueno Station in Tokyo following a three-day round-trip service between Tokyo and Sendai, northeastern Japan, on its last run before retirement. The 12-car train, including a restaurant car, ran a regular service between 1999 and 2016, after which it was dedicated to providing a luxury tour service.

Luxury train Cassiopeia's last run

Luxury train Cassiopeia's last run

JR East's luxury sleeper express train Cassiopeia arrives at JR Ueno Station in Tokyo on June 30, 2025, after making its last run before retirement, a three-day round-trip tour between Tokyo and Sendai, northeastern Japan. The 12-car train, including a restaurant car, ran a regular service between 1999 and 2016, after which it was dedicated to providing a luxury tour service.

Luxury train Cassiopeia's last run

Luxury train Cassiopeia's last run

JR East's luxury sleeper express train Cassiopeia arrives at JR Ueno Station in Tokyo on June 30, 2025, after making its last run before retirement, a three-day round-trip tour between Tokyo and Sendai, northeastern Japan. The 12-car train, including a restaurant car, ran a regular service between 1999 and 2016, after which it was dedicated to providing a luxury tour service.

Luxury train Cassiopeia's last run

Luxury train Cassiopeia's last run

JR East's luxury sleeper express train Cassiopeia arrives at JR Ueno Station in Tokyo on June 30, 2025, after making its last run before retirement, a three-day round-trip tour between Tokyo and Sendai, northeastern Japan. The 12-car train, including a restaurant car, ran a regular service between 1999 and 2016, after which it was dedicated to providing a luxury tour service.

Luxury train Cassiopeia's last run

Luxury train Cassiopeia's last run

JR East's luxury sleeper express train Cassiopeia arrives at JR Ueno Station in Tokyo on June 30, 2025, after making its last run before retirement, a three-day round-trip tour between Tokyo and Sendai, northeastern Japan. The 12-car train, including a restaurant car, ran a regular service between 1999 and 2016, after which it was dedicated to providing a luxury tour service.

Luxury train Cassiopeia's last run

Luxury train Cassiopeia's last run

JR East's luxury sleeper express train Cassiopeia arrives at JR Ueno Station in Tokyo on June 30, 2025, after making its last run before retirement, a three-day round-trip tour between Tokyo and Sendai, northeastern Japan. The 12-car train, including a restaurant car, ran a regular service between 1999 and 2016, after which it was dedicated to providing a luxury tour service.

Luxury train Cassiopeia's last run

Luxury train Cassiopeia's last run

JR East's luxury sleeper express train Cassiopeia arrives at JR Ueno Station in Tokyo on June 30, 2025, after making its last run before retirement, a three-day round-trip tour between Tokyo and Sendai, northeastern Japan. The 12-car train, including a restaurant car, ran a regular service between 1999 and 2016, after which it was dedicated to providing a luxury tour service.

Disaster recovery exhibition at Osaka expo

OSAKA, Japan, May 20 Kyodo - Turin Olympics figure skating gold medalist Shizuka Arakawa (far R) pitches fishery foods at a just-opened exhibition at the World Exposition in Osaka on May 19, 2025, highlighting the recovery of three northeastern Japan prefectures severely affected by the March 2011 earthquake-tsunami disaster. (Kyodo)

Disaster recovery exhibition at Osaka expo

Disaster recovery exhibition at Osaka expo

Visitors watch a movie at the World Exhibition in Osaka on May 19, 2025, as an exhibition highlighting recovery of the three northeastern Japan prefectures severely affected by the March 2011 earthquake-tsunami disaster begins the same day.

Disaster recovery exhibition at Osaka expo

Disaster recovery exhibition at Osaka expo

An exhibit shows the height of the tsunami that hit northeastern Japan in March 2011 as an exhibition highlighting the recovery of the three prefectures severely affected by the earthquake-tsunami disaster begins at the World Exposition in Osaka on May 19, 2025.

Disaster recovery exhibition at Osaka expo

Disaster recovery exhibition at Osaka expo

Turin Olympics figure skating gold medalist Shizuka Arakawa (2nd from R) poses in front of a "digital monument" at the World Exposition in Osaka on May 19, 2025, as an exhibition highlighting the recovery of the three northeastern Japan prefectures severely affected by the March 2011 earthquake-tsunami disaster begins the same day. Shown on the screen is the "Miracle Pine," the only tree that survived in a coastal forest flattened by tsunami in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture.

Disaster recovery exhibition at Osaka expo

Disaster recovery exhibition at Osaka expo

Turin Olympics figure skating gold medalist Shizuka Arakawa (far R) pitches fishery foods at a just-opened exhibition at the World Exposition in Osaka on May 19, 2025, highlighting the recovery of three northeastern Japan prefectures severely affected by the March 2011 earthquake-tsunami disaster.

Disaster recovery exhibition at Osaka expo

Disaster recovery exhibition at Osaka expo

Turin Olympics figure skating gold medalist Shizuka Arakawa (2nd from L) poses for a photo during the opening ceremony of an exhibition at the World Exposition in Osaka on May 19, 2025, highlighting the recovery of the three northeastern Japan prefectures severely affected by the March 2011 earthquake-tsunami disaster.

Deported Migrants At Mexican Border Town Shelter In Piedras Negras

Deported Migrants At Mexican Border Town Shelter In Piedras Negras

A family of three are pictured at a shelter for migrants in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico, Feb. 15, 2025. Piedras Negras stands at the northeastern edge of Coahuila on the Mexico-United States border, across the Rio Grande River from Eagle Pass in the U.S. state of Texas. Asylum seekers from Latin American countries usually approach here to apply for legitimate entry into the U.S. territory. U.S. President Donald Trump has pledged to carry out the biggest deportation effort in U.S. history. On his first day in office he signed executive orders to suspend refugee admissions for months, require asylum seekers to stay in Mexico as their cases were adjudicated, and roll back humanitarian programs that had granted temporary legal status and work authorization to more than 1.5 million people. Lots of asylum seekers have been stranded at immigrant shelters in Piedras Negras since Trump's executive orders took effect as of Jan. 20. Photo by Li Mengxin/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

Russian ballistic missile strike on Izium in Kharkiv region

Russian ballistic missile strike on Izium in Kharkiv region

IZIUM, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 4, 2025 - Blood covers an electronic calculator and folders in an office after a Russian ballistic missile in Izium, Kharkiv region, northeastern Ukraine. At around 11:40 on Tuesday, February 4, Russian troops launched an Iskander ballistic missile at central Izium, a town in Kharkiv region. The attack killed five people, including a pregnant woman. As of 16:00, 55 people were injured, 24 of whom were admitted to hospital. The strike partially destroyed the administrative building of the Izium Town Council, damaged another administrative office, and shattered the windows of three residential apartment buildings. (Photo by Viacheslav Madiievskyi/Ukrinform)

Russian ballistic missile strike on Izium in Kharkiv region

Russian ballistic missile strike on Izium in Kharkiv region

IZIUM, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 4, 2025 - The door to an office of the Childrens Service of the Izium Town Council lies in the corridor after a Russian ballistic missile in Izium, Kharkiv region, northeastern Ukraine. At around 11:40 on Tuesday, February 4, Russian troops launched an Iskander ballistic missile at central Izium, a town in Kharkiv region. The attack killed five people, including a pregnant woman. As of 16:00, 55 people were injured, 24 of whom were admitted to hospital. The strike partially destroyed the administrative building of the Izium Town Council, damaged another administrative office, and shattered the windows of three residential apartment buildings. (Photo by Viacheslav Madiievskyi/Ukrinform)

Russian ballistic missile strike on Izium in Kharkiv region

Russian ballistic missile strike on Izium in Kharkiv region

IZIUM, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 4, 2025 - A window is shattered by a Russian ballistic missile in Izium, Kharkiv region, northeastern Ukraine. At around 11:40 on Tuesday, February 4, Russian troops launched an Iskander ballistic missile at central Izium, a town in Kharkiv region. The attack killed five people, including a pregnant woman. As of 16:00, 55 people were injured, 24 of whom were admitted to hospital. The strike partially destroyed the administrative building of the Izium Town Council, damaged another administrative office, and shattered the windows of three residential apartment buildings. (Photo by Viacheslav Madiievskyi/Ukrinform)

Russian ballistic missile strike on Izium in Kharkiv region

Russian ballistic missile strike on Izium in Kharkiv region

IZIUM, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 4, 2025 - A hole in the wall is seen after a Russian ballistic missile in Izium, Kharkiv region, northeastern Ukraine. At around 11:40 on Tuesday, February 4, Russian troops launched an Iskander ballistic missile at central Izium, a town in Kharkiv region. The attack killed five people, including a pregnant woman. As of 16:00, 55 people were injured, 24 of whom were admitted to hospital. The strike partially destroyed the administrative building of the Izium Town Council, damaged another administrative office, and shattered the windows of three residential apartment buildings. (Photo by Viacheslav Madiievskyi/Ukrinform)

Russian ballistic missile strike on Izium in Kharkiv region

Russian ballistic missile strike on Izium in Kharkiv region

IZIUM, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 4, 2025 - A rescuer and an SAR dog explore the premises of an administrative building damaged by a Russian ballistic missile attack, Izium, Kharkiv region, northeastern Ukraine. At around 11:40 on Tuesday, February 4, Russian troops launched an Iskander ballistic missile at central Izium, a town in Kharkiv region. The attack killed five people, including a pregnant woman. As of 16:00, 55 people were injured, 24 of whom were admitted to hospital. The strike partially destroyed the administrative building of the Izium Town Council, damaged another administrative office, and shattered the windows of three residential apartment buildings. (Photo by Viacheslav Madiievskyi/Ukrinform)

Russian ballistic missile strike on Izium in Kharkiv region

Russian ballistic missile strike on Izium in Kharkiv region

IZIUM, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 4, 2025 - A window is shattered by a Russian ballistic missile in Izium, Kharkiv region, northeastern Ukraine. At around 11:40 on Tuesday, February 4, Russian troops launched an Iskander ballistic missile at central Izium, a town in Kharkiv region. The attack killed five people, including a pregnant woman. As of 16:00, 55 people were injured, 24 of whom were admitted to hospital. The strike partially destroyed the administrative building of the Izium Town Council, damaged another administrative office, and shattered the windows of three residential apartment buildings. (Photo by Viacheslav Madiievskyi/Ukrinform)

Russian ballistic missile strike on Izium in Kharkiv region

Russian ballistic missile strike on Izium in Kharkiv region

IZIUM, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 4, 2025 - Blood covers an electronic calculator and folders in an office after a Russian ballistic missile in Izium, Kharkiv region, northeastern Ukraine. At around 11:40 on Tuesday, February 4, Russian troops launched an Iskander ballistic missile at central Izium, a town in Kharkiv region. The attack killed five people, including a pregnant woman. As of 16:00, 55 people were injured, 24 of whom were admitted to hospital. The strike partially destroyed the administrative building of the Izium Town Council, damaged another administrative office, and shattered the windows of three residential apartment buildings. (Photo by Viacheslav Madiievskyi/Ukrinform)

Russian ballistic missile strike on Izium in Kharkiv region

Russian ballistic missile strike on Izium in Kharkiv region

IZIUM, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 4, 2025 - A municipal worker carries an OSB panel to replace a shattered window after a Russian ballistic missile in Izium, Kharkiv region, northeastern Ukraine. At around 11:40 on Tuesday, February 4, Russian troops launched an Iskander ballistic missile at central Izium, a town in Kharkiv region. The attack killed five people, including a pregnant woman. As of 16:00, 55 people were injured, 24 of whom were admitted to hospital. The strike partially destroyed the administrative building of the Izium Town Council, damaged another administrative office, and shattered the windows of three residential apartment buildings. (Photo by Viacheslav Madiievskyi/Ukrinform)

Russian ballistic missile strike on Izium in Kharkiv region

Russian ballistic missile strike on Izium in Kharkiv region

IZIUM, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 4, 2025 - A rescuer and an SAR dog explore the premises of an administrative building damaged by a Russian ballistic missile attack, Izium, Kharkiv region, northeastern Ukraine. At around 11:40 on Tuesday, February 4, Russian troops launched an Iskander ballistic missile at central Izium, a town in Kharkiv region. The attack killed five people, including a pregnant woman. As of 16:00, 55 people were injured, 24 of whom were admitted to hospital. The strike partially destroyed the administrative building of the Izium Town Council, damaged another administrative office, and shattered the windows of three residential apartment buildings. (Photo by Viacheslav Madiievskyi/Ukrinform)

Russian ballistic missile strike on Izium in Kharkiv region

Russian ballistic missile strike on Izium in Kharkiv region

IZIUM, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 4, 2025 - An administrative building is damaged by a Russian ballistic missile attack, Izium, Kharkiv region, northeastern Ukraine. At around 11:40 on Tuesday, February 4, Russian troops launched an Iskander ballistic missile at central Izium, a town in Kharkiv region. The attack killed five people, including a pregnant woman. As of 16:00, 55 people were injured, 24 of whom were admitted to hospital. The strike partially destroyed the administrative building of the Izium Town Council, damaged another administrative office, and shattered the windows of three residential apartment buildings. (Photo by Viacheslav Madiievskyi/Ukrinform)

Russian ballistic missile strike on Izium in Kharkiv region

Russian ballistic missile strike on Izium in Kharkiv region

IZIUM, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 4, 2025 - Rescuers stay outside an administrative building damaged by a Russian ballistic missile attack, Izium, Kharkiv region, northeastern Ukraine. At around 11:40 on Tuesday, February 4, Russian troops launched an Iskander ballistic missile at central Izium, a town in Kharkiv region. The attack killed five people, including a pregnant woman. As of 16:00, 55 people were injured, 24 of whom were admitted to hospital. The strike partially destroyed the administrative building of the Izium Town Council, damaged another administrative office, and shattered the windows of three residential apartment buildings.(Photo by Viacheslav Madiievskyi/Ukrinform)

Russian ballistic missile strike on Izium in Kharkiv region

Russian ballistic missile strike on Izium in Kharkiv region

IZIUM, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 4, 2025 - An administrative building is damaged by a Russian ballistic missile attack, Izium, Kharkiv region, northeastern Ukraine. At around 11:40 on Tuesday, February 4, Russian troops launched an Iskander ballistic missile at central Izium, a town in Kharkiv region. The attack killed five people, including a pregnant woman. As of 16:00, 55 people were injured, 24 of whom were admitted to hospital. The strike partially destroyed the administrative building of the Izium Town Council, damaged another administrative office, and shattered the windows of three residential apartment buildings. (Photo by Viacheslav Madiievskyi/Ukrinform)

Russian ballistic missile strike on Izium in Kharkiv region

Russian ballistic missile strike on Izium in Kharkiv region

IZIUM, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 4, 2025 - A window is shattered by a Russian ballistic missile in Izium, Kharkiv region, northeastern Ukraine. At around 11:40 on Tuesday, February 4, Russian troops launched an Iskander ballistic missile at central Izium, a town in Kharkiv region. The attack killed five people, including a pregnant woman. As of 16:00, 55 people were injured, 24 of whom were admitted to hospital. The strike partially destroyed the administrative building of the Izium Town Council, damaged another administrative office, and shattered the windows of three residential apartment buildings. (Photo by Viacheslav Madiievskyi/Ukrinform)

Russian ballistic missile strike on Izium in Kharkiv region

Russian ballistic missile strike on Izium in Kharkiv region

IZIUM, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 4, 2025 - Law enforcers are at an administrative building damaged by a Russian ballistic missile in Izium, Kharkiv region, northeastern Ukraine. At around 11:40 on Tuesday, February 4, Russian troops launched an Iskander ballistic missile at central Izium, a town in Kharkiv region. The attack killed five people, including a pregnant woman. As of 16:00, 55 people were injured, 24 of whom were admitted to hospital. The strike partially destroyed the administrative building of the Izium Town Council, damaged another administrative office, and shattered the windows of three residential apartment buildings. (Photo by Viacheslav Madiievskyi/Ukrinform)

Russian ballistic missile strike on Izium in Kharkiv region

Russian ballistic missile strike on Izium in Kharkiv region

IZIUM, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 4, 2025 - A backhoe loader removes the rubble after a Russian ballistic missile attack, Izium, Kharkiv region, northeastern Ukraine. At around 11:40 on Tuesday, February 4, Russian troops launched an Iskander ballistic missile at central Izium, a town in Kharkiv region. The attack killed five people, including a pregnant woman. As of 16:00, 55 people were injured, 24 of whom were admitted to hospital. The strike partially destroyed the administrative building of the Izium Town Council, damaged another administrative office, and shattered the windows of three residential apartment buildings. (Photo by Viacheslav Madiievskyi/Ukrinform)