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JR East to start self-driving bus service

JR East to start self-driving bus service

A bus driver takes his hands off the wheel during a media demonstration of self-driving operations in Tome, Miyagi Prefecture, on May 28, 2026, ahead of commercial services starting the following day. JR East will operate self-driving buses every Friday and Saturday through July 4 on a 15.5-kilometer route in the northeastern Japan city.

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Ex-Emperor Akihito stays at imperial villa in Hayama

HAYAMA, Japan, May 20 Kyodo - Former Japanese Emperor Akihito and former Empress Michiko take a walk around an imperial villa in Hayama in Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, on May 19, 2026. The couple will stay at the villa through May 26. (Pool photo) (Kyodo)

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1st oil tanker to arrive in Japan passing Hormuz since Iran war

CHITA, Japan, May 25 Kyodo - Video taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on May 25, 2026, shows the Idemitsu Maru, an oil tanker operated by a unit of major Japanese petroleum company Idemitsu Kosan Co., off Chita, Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, following its arrival earlier in the day after transiting the Strait of Hormuz in late April. It is the first oil tanker to arrive in Japan having passed through the strait since the Iran war erupted and left traffic through the vital energy route heavily restricted. (Kyodo)

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US: Tornado and Flash Flood Warnings Issued as Storms Batter South Texas

Strong thunderstorms swept through South Texas on Tuesday, May 26, knocking out power for nearly 25,000 customers across the San Antonio area. The National Weather Service issued both a tornado warning and a flash flood warning for parts of the metro area.

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US: Strong Winds and Blowing Dust Hit Northern New Mexico on Memorial Day

A dust storm swept across parts of northern New Mexico on Monday, May 25, with strong winds and blowing dust creating hazardous conditions near White Rock. The National Weather Service warned that gusty winds could continue to accompany showers across western and central New Mexico through Tuesday.

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Belgium: Massive Warehouse Fire in Tubize Sends Toxic Asbestos Smoke Into Air

A massive fire tore through a clothing warehouse in Tubize, Belgium, on Monday, May 25, sending toxic asbestos-laced smoke across multiple municipalities and prompting evacuations and school closures.

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China: Fire Rips Through Building Materials Market in Hubei

A fire broke out at Huangshi Oriental Decoration City in Hubei province on May 20, quickly spreading through shops stocked with flammable building materials and affecting 19 merchants. More than ten fire engines responded, and the main flames were brought under control by early afternoon.

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China: Heavy Rain Turns Guangzhou Streets Into Rivers as Cars Wade Through Floodwaters

Cars in Guangzhou, China, turned into makeshift boats on May 19 as heavy rain left streets deeply flooded. Video showed vehicles slowly pushing through the water, sending waves across what looked more like a river than a road.

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Japan: Over 20 People Sickened in Suspected Spray Attack at Ginza Six in Tokyo 3

A suspicious spray incident occurred at GINZA SIX shopping complex in Ginza, central Tokyo, around noon on Monday, May 25, leaving more than 20 people complaining of throat pain and irritation. A man believed to have sprayed an unknown substance and fled the scene has been identified through security camera footage, with police pursuing him on suspicion of assault.

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Spain: Tens of Thousands Rally in Madrid Demanding Sanchez’s Resignation

Tens of thousands of people marched through central Madrid on Saturday, May 23, demanding Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's resignation and early elections. The protest ended with seven police officers injured and three demonstrators arrested.

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Japan: Over 20 People Sickened in Suspected Spray Attack at Ginza Six in Tokyo 2

A suspicious spray incident occurred at GINZA SIX shopping complex in Ginza, central Tokyo, around noon on Monday, May 25, leaving more than 20 people complaining of throat pain and irritation. A man believed to have sprayed an unknown substance and fled the scene has been identified through security camera footage, with police pursuing him on suspicion of assault.

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Japan: Over 20 People Sickened in Suspected Spray Attack at Ginza Six in Tokyo

A suspicious spray incident occurred at GINZA SIX shopping complex in Ginza, central Tokyo, around noon on Monday, May 25, leaving more than 20 people complaining of throat pain and irritation. A man believed to have sprayed an unknown substance and fled the scene has been identified through security camera footage, with police pursuing him on suspicion of assault.

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1st oil tanker to arrive in Japan passing Hormuz since Iran war

1st oil tanker to arrive in Japan passing Hormuz since Iran war

Photo taken from Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on May 25, 2026, shows the Idemitsu Maru, an oil tanker operated by a unit of major Japanese petroleum company Idemitsu Kosan Co., following its arrival earlier in the day after transiting the Strait of Hormuz in late April. It is the first oil tanker to arrive in Japan having passed through the strait since the Iran war erupted and left traffic through the vital energy route heavily restricted.

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1st oil tanker to arrive in Japan passing Hormuz since Iran war

1st oil tanker to arrive in Japan passing Hormuz since Iran war

Photo taken from Tahara in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, shows the Idemitsu Maru (R), an oil tanker operated by a unit of major Japanese petroleum company Idemitsu Kosan Co., sailing toward Ise Bay on May 25, 2026, after transiting the Strait of Hormuz in late April. It is the first oil tanker to arrive in Japan having passed through the strait since the Iran war erupted and left traffic through the vital energy route heavily restricted.

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1st oil tanker to arrive in Japan passing Hormuz since Iran war

1st oil tanker to arrive in Japan passing Hormuz since Iran war

Photo taken from Tahara in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, shows the Idemitsu Maru, an oil tanker operated by a unit of major Japanese petroleum company Idemitsu Kosan Co., sailing toward Ise Bay on May 25, 2026, after transiting the Strait of Hormuz in late April. It is the first oil tanker to arrive in Japan having passed through the strait since the Iran war erupted and left traffic through the vital energy route heavily restricted.

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1st oil tanker to arrive in Japan passing Hormuz since Iran war

1st oil tanker to arrive in Japan passing Hormuz since Iran war

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on May 25, 2026, shows the Idemitsu Maru, an oil tanker operated by a unit of major Japanese petroleum company Idemitsu Kosan Co., off Chita, Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, following its arrival earlier in the day after transiting the Strait of Hormuz in late April. It is the first oil tanker to arrive in Japan having passed through the strait since the Iran war erupted and left traffic through the vital energy route heavily restricted.

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1st oil tanker to arrive in Japan passing Hormuz since Iran war

1st oil tanker to arrive in Japan passing Hormuz since Iran war

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on May 25, 2026, shows the Idemitsu Maru, an oil tanker operated by a unit of major Japanese petroleum company Idemitsu Kosan Co., off Chita, Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, following its arrival earlier in the day after transiting the Strait of Hormuz in late April. It is the first oil tanker to arrive in Japan having passed through the strait since the Iran war erupted and left traffic through the vital energy route heavily restricted.

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1st oil tanker to arrive in Japan passing Hormuz since Iran war

1st oil tanker to arrive in Japan passing Hormuz since Iran war

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on May 25, 2026, shows the Idemitsu Maru, an oil tanker operated by a unit of major Japanese petroleum company Idemitsu Kosan Co., off Chita, Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, following its arrival earlier in the day after transiting the Strait of Hormuz in late April. It is the first oil tanker to arrive in Japan having passed through the strait since the Iran war erupted and left traffic through the vital energy route heavily restricted.

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1st oil tanker to arrive in Japan passing Hormuz since Iran war

1st oil tanker to arrive in Japan passing Hormuz since Iran war

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on May 25, 2026, shows the Idemitsu Maru, an oil tanker operated by a unit of major Japanese petroleum company Idemitsu Kosan Co., off Chita, Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, following its arrival earlier in the day after transiting the Strait of Hormuz in late April. It is the first oil tanker to arrive in Japan having passed through the strait since the Iran war erupted and left traffic through the vital energy route heavily restricted.

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First arrival to Japan of oil tanker passing Hormuz since Iran war

First arrival to Japan of oil tanker passing Hormuz since Iran war

Photo taken from Tahara in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, shows the Idemitsu Maru, an oil tanker operated by a unit of major Japanese petroleum company Idemitsu Kosan Co., arriving in Ise Bay on May 25, 2026, after transiting the Strait of Hormuz in late April. It is the first oil tanker to arrive in Japan through the strait since the Iran war erupted and left traffic through the vital energy route heavily restricted.

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First arrival to Japan of oil tanker passing Hormuz since Iran war

First arrival to Japan of oil tanker passing Hormuz since Iran war

Photo taken from Tahara in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, shows the Idemitsu Maru, an oil tanker operated by a unit of major Japanese petroleum company Idemitsu Kosan Co., arriving in Ise Bay on May 25, 2026, after transiting the Strait of Hormuz in late April. It is the first oil tanker to arrive in Japan through the strait since the Iran war erupted and left traffic through the vital energy route heavily restricted.

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US: Intense Lightning Strikes West-Central Florida Over Memorial Day Weekend

Severe weather moved through west-central Florida on Sunday, May 24, during Memorial Day weekend, bringing intense lightning.

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China: Delivery Rider Surfs Through Flooded Streets Bouncing on Scooter in Zhengzhou

This impressive video was filmed in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, on May 16, 2026. After a heavy downpour overwhelmed the city’s drainage system, streets were submerged under dozens of centimeters of water, bringing traffic to a standstill. One fearless delivery rider refused to let the flood stop him. Standing with both feet on the scooter seat, he grips the brakes and throttle tightly. The scooter glides like a tiny motorboat through the water, while he bounces forward like a frog, bravely delivering packages in the flooded streets.

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China: Pig Squeezes Through Herd to Answer Owner’s Call at Farm in Hebei

On April 26, 2026, at a pig farm in Tangshan, Hebei, China, a pig responded to its owner's gesture by pushing through a crowded herd and walking to the front to nuzzle the person's hand — behaving more like a pet than a farm animal.

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US: Drivers Navigate Smoke-Filled Roads as Bain Fire Burns in Riverside County, California

This video was filmed from a car driving through a road filled with smoke from the Bain Fire burning in Riverside County, California. The wildfire broke out in the Santa Ana River bottom in Jurupa Valley on Tuesday, May 19, prompting evacuations and warnings for residents.

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APEC trade meeting in Suzhou

APEC trade meeting in Suzhou

Photo taken on May 22, 2026, shows the venue of a trade meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum being held through the following day in Suzhou in Jiangsu Province, China.

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APEC trade meeting in Suzhou

APEC trade meeting in Suzhou

Photo taken on May 22, 2026, shows the venue of a trade meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum being held through the following day in Suzhou in Jiangsu Province, China.

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US: One Injured as Severe Thunderstorms Leave Widespread Damage Across Central Texas

Severe thunderstorms swept through Central Texas on Tuesday night, May 19, bringing powerful winds, heavy rain, and frequent lightning, leaving thousands without power and widespread damage across the region. In Austin, a man was critically injured after a tree fell on him.

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Samurai float parade in central Japan

Samurai float parade in central Japan

A procession of floats representing samurai warriors parade through Sakai in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, during the traditional "Mikuni" festival, which dates back 300 years, on May 20, 2025.

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Samurai float parade in central Japan

Samurai float parade in central Japan

A procession of floats representing samurai warriors parade through Sakai in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, during the traditional "Mikuni" festival, which dates back 300 years, on May 20, 2025.

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Samurai float parade in central Japan

Samurai float parade in central Japan

A procession of floats representing samurai warriors parade through Sakai in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, during the traditional "Mikuni" festival, which dates back 300 years, on May 20, 2025.

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Canada: Severe Thunderstorms Kill One and Cause Widespread Damage Across Ontario

Severe thunderstorms swept through parts of Ontario, Canada, on May 18 and 19, killing one person near Huntsville and causing widespread damage including downed trees and power outages. Tornado warnings were issued in southwestern Ontario, including Hamilton, prompting widespread emergency alerts.

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Canada: Shoppers Take Shelter at Costco During Tornado-Warned Storm in Ontario

Severe thunderstorms swept through parts of Ontario, Canada, on May 18 and 19, killing one person near Huntsville and causing widespread damage including downed trees and power outages. Tornado warnings were issued in southwestern Ontario, including Hamilton and London, prompting widespread emergency alerts. This video shows shoppers taking shelter inside South London Costco as strong winds and rain battered the area.

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US: Evacuations Ordered as Sandy Fire Tears Through Simi Valley, California 4

The Sandy Fire broke out Monday, May 18, in Simi Valley, roughly 40 miles northwest of Los Angeles, burning over 1,600 acres, destroying at least one home, and putting more than 28,000 people under mandatory evacuation orders.

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US: Evacuations Ordered as Sandy Fire Tears Through Simi Valley, California 3

The Sandy Fire broke out Monday, May 18, in Simi Valley, roughly 40 miles northwest of Los Angeles, burning over 1,600 acres, destroying at least one home, and putting more than 28,000 people under mandatory evacuation orders.

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China: Delivery Riders Rush to Save Boy Swept Away by Floodwaters in Guangzhou

On May 14, 2026, delivery riders in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, rushed to rescue a young boy who was swept away by floodwaters during a heavy rainstorm. Several riders sprinted through knee-deep water from different directions, and one grabbed the boy before others helped pull them both to safety.

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Ex-Emperor Akihito stays at imperial villa in Hayama

Ex-Emperor Akihito stays at imperial villa in Hayama

Former Japanese Emperor Akihito (L) and former Empress Michiko (C) chat with people while taking a walk around an imperial villa in Hayama in Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, on May 19, 2026. The couple will stay at the villa through May 26. (Pool photo)

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Ex-Emperor Akihito stays at imperial villa in Hayama

Ex-Emperor Akihito stays at imperial villa in Hayama

Former Japanese Emperor Akihito and former Empress Michiko take a walk around an imperial villa in Hayama in Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, on May 19, 2026. The couple will stay at the villa through May 26. (Pool photo)

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Ex-Emperor Akihito stays at imperial villa in Hayama

Ex-Emperor Akihito stays at imperial villa in Hayama

Former Japanese Emperor Akihito (C) and former Empress Michiko take a walk around an imperial villa in Hayama in Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, on May 19, 2026. The couple will stay at the villa through May 26. (Pool photo)

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Ex-Emperor Akihito stays at imperial villa in Hayama

Ex-Emperor Akihito stays at imperial villa in Hayama

Former Japanese Emperor Akihito (C) and former Empress Michiko take a walk around an imperial villa in Hayama in Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, on May 19, 2026. The couple will stay at the villa through May 26. (Pool photo)

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Ex-Emperor Akihito stays at imperial villa in Hayama

Ex-Emperor Akihito stays at imperial villa in Hayama

Former Japanese Emperor Akihito and former Empress Michiko take a walk around an imperial villa in Hayama in Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, on May 19, 2026. The couple will stay at the villa through May 26. (Pool photo)

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Ex-Emperor Akihito to stay at villa in Hayama

Ex-Emperor Akihito to stay at villa in Hayama

Former Japanese Emperor Akihito (front, 2nd from R) and former Empress Michiko (front, R) chat with people while taking a walk around an imperial villa in Hayama in Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, on May 19, 2026. The couple will stay at the villa through May 26. (Pool photo)

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Ex-Emperor Akihito stays at imperial villa in Hayama

Ex-Emperor Akihito stays at imperial villa in Hayama

Former Japanese Emperor Akihito (2nd from L) and former Empress Michiko (3rd from L) chat with people while taking a walk around an imperial villa in Hayama in Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, on May 19, 2026. The couple will stay at the villa through May 26. (Pool photo)

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US: Evacuations Ordered as Sandy Fire Tears Through Simi Valley, California 2

The Sandy Fire broke out Monday, May 18, in Simi Valley, roughly 40 miles northwest of Los Angeles, burning over 1,600 acres, destroying at least one home, and putting more than 28,000 people under mandatory evacuation orders.

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Ex-Emperor Akihito to stay at villa in Hayama

Ex-Emperor Akihito to stay at villa in Hayama

Former Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko arrive at the Imperial Villa in Hayama, south of Tokyo, on May 19, 2026. The couple will stay at the villa through May 26. (Pool photo)

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US: Evacuations Ordered as Sandy Fire Tears Through Simi Valley, California

The Sandy Fire broke out Monday, May 18, in Simi Valley, roughly 40 miles northwest of Los Angeles, burning over 1,300 acres, destroying at least one home, and putting more than 28,000 people under mandatory evacuation orders.

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US: Hail Batters Northern Indiana as Thunderstorms Move Through

Hail battered Wabash, northern Indiana on Monday, May 18, as severe thunderstorms moved through the region.

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US: Heavy Rain and Strong Winds Move Through Iowa

Heavy rain and strong winds moved through Iowa on Monday, May 18.

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US: Tornado Touches Down Near Blue Rapids, Kansas

A tornado touched down in Blue Rapids, Kansas on Monday, May 18 as violent storms swept through the Midwest.

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China: Tidier Dog Cleans Up After Messier Companion in Chocolate Bean Challenge

On May 6, 2026, in Guangdong, China, two golden retrievers were filmed competing to eat lines of chocolate beans placed in front of them. The lighter-colored dog rushed through its share, leaving several beans behind, while the brown one ate steadily and finished every bean. The brown dog then walked back and cleaned up its companion's leftovers, leaving the ground spotless.

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