Swimming: Pan Pacific swimming

Swimming: Pan Pacific swimming

Japan's Shin Ohashi holds up his bronze medal during the medal ceremony for the men's 200-meter breaststroke at the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in Irvine, California, on Aug. 15, 2026.

China: Two-Headed, Six-Legged Turtle Caught on Camera in Fujian

On July 18, 2026, in Fujian province, a video shows a small turtle with two heads and six legs. Its owner picked it up to show the unusual body structure to the camera.

US: Meteor Fireball Lights Up Pacific Northwest Sky 2

A massive fireball streaked across the sky over the Pacific Northwest just after midnight on Friday, dazzling witnesses in Washington, Idaho, Oregon and British Columbia, Canada.

US: Meteor Fireball Lights Up Pacific Northwest Sky

A massive fireball streaked across the sky over the Pacific Northwest just after midnight on Friday, dazzling witnesses in Washington, Idaho, Oregon and British Columbia, Canada.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken on Aug. 14 2026, shows temporary toilets set up at junior high school used as an evacuation center in Yatsushiro in the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kumamoto, following a powerful earthquake that struck the region on July 28.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken on Aug. 9, 2026, shows temporary toilets set up at junior high school used as an evacuation center in Yatsushiro in the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kumamoto, following a powerful earthquake that struck the region on July 28.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken on Aug. 9, 2026, shows temporary toilets set up at junior high school used as an evacuation center in Yatsushiro in the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kumamoto, following a powerful earthquake that struck the region on July 28.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken on Aug. 9, 2026, shows temporary toilets set up at junior high school used as an evacuation center in Yatsushiro in the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kumamoto, following a powerful earthquake that struck the region on July 28.

Fireworks festival in Niigata

NAGAOKA, Japan, Aug. 3 Kyodo - Fireworks light up the night sky in Nagaoka in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, on Aug. 2, 2026, during one of the three largest fireworks festivals in Japan. (Kyodo)

Torrential rain pounds Chiba Pref.

Torrential rain pounds Chiba Pref.

People stay at a makeshift evacuation center set up at the Chiba prefectural government office in the city of Chiba near Tokyo on Aug. 13, 2026, as public transportation is disrupted following torrential rain that pounded the region.

Military exercise in Taiwan

Military exercise in Taiwan

Taiwanese soldiers set up a barricade during the annual Han Kuang military exercise in Taipei on Aug. 12, 2026, simulating a Chinese attack.

Military exercise in Taiwan

Military exercise in Taiwan

Taiwanese soldiers set up a barricade during the annual Han Kuang military exercise in Taipei on Aug. 12, 2026, simulating a Chinese attack.

Military exercise in Taiwan

Military exercise in Taiwan

Taiwanese soldiers set up a barricade during the annual Han Kuang military exercise in Taipei on Aug. 12, 2026, simulating a Chinese attack.

Perseid meteor shower

Perseid meteor shower

A shooting star lights up the sky over Sado in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, in the early hours of Aug. 13, 2026, as the annual summer Perseid meteor shower peaks.

Perseid meteor shower

Perseid meteor shower

A shooting star lights up the sky over Sado in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, in the early hours of Aug. 13, 2026, as the annual summer Perseid meteor shower peaks.

Perseid meteor shower

Perseid meteor shower

A shooting star lights up the sky over Sado in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, in the early hours of Aug. 13, 2026, as the annual summer Perseid meteor shower peaks.

Perseid meteor shower

Perseid meteor shower

A shooting star lights up the sky over Sado in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, in the early hours of Aug. 13, 2026, as the annual summer Perseid meteor shower peaks.

Perseid meteor shower

Perseid meteor shower

A shooting star lights up the sky over Sado in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, in the early hours of Aug. 13, 2026, as the annual summer Perseid meteor shower peaks.

Perseid meteor shower

Perseid meteor shower

A shooting star lights up the sky over Sado in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, in the early hours of Aug. 13, 2026, as the annual summer Perseid meteor shower peaks.

Perseid meteor shower

Perseid meteor shower

A shooting star lights up the sky over Sado in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, in the early hours of Aug. 13, 2026, as the annual summer Perseid meteor shower peaks.

US: Chicago Suburbs Battered by Strong Winds Amid Tornado-Producing Storm 2

Three tornadoes touched down in the Chicago area on Tuesday as a fast-moving storm system packing winds of up to 99 mph tore through the region, cutting power to more than half a million people across Chicago, its suburbs, and northwestern Indiana. The National Weather Service confirmed twisters in southern Cook County, eastern Will County, and the Mokena area. Flights were briefly halted at Chicago's two major airports, and downed trees caused widespread damage across the city.

US: Chicago Suburbs Battered by Strong Winds Amid Tornado-Producing Storm

Three tornadoes touched down in the Chicago area on Tuesday as a fast-moving storm system packing winds of up to 99 mph tore through the region, cutting power to more than half a million people across Chicago, its suburbs, and northwestern Indiana. The National Weather Service confirmed twisters in southern Cook County, eastern Will County, and the Mokena area. Flights were briefly halted at Chicago's two major airports, and downed trees caused widespread damage across the city.

41st anniversary of JAL passenger jet crash

41st anniversary of JAL passenger jet crash

People hike up to Osutaka Ridge, the 1985 Japan Airlines jet crash site, in the Gunma Prefecture village of Ueno, northwest of Tokyo, on Aug. 12, 2026, the 41st anniversary of the accident that claimed the lives of 520 passengers and crew.

41st anniversary of JAL passenger jet crash

41st anniversary of JAL passenger jet crash

People hike up to Osutaka Ridge, the 1985 Japan Airlines jet crash site, in the Gunma Prefecture village of Ueno, northwest of Tokyo, on Aug. 12, 2026, the 41st anniversary of the accident that claimed the lives of 520 passengers and crew.

41st anniversary of JAL passenger jet crash

41st anniversary of JAL passenger jet crash

People hike up to Osutaka Ridge, the 1985 Japan Airlines jet crash site, in the Gunma Prefecture village of Ueno, northwest of Tokyo, on Aug. 12, 2026, the 41st anniversary of the accident that claimed the lives of 520 passengers and crew.

China: Two Cats Join Owner for Treadmill Workout

A video from Hubei, central China, dated July 25, 2026, shows two cats joining their owner's home treadmill workout. A tabby cat jumped on first and moved along with the machine, then a black cat followed. The owner and both cats ended up exercising together, amusing online viewers who joked the cats seemed more disciplined than people.

Japan: Ash Blankets Kagoshima City After Sakurajima Volcano Erupts 3

An eruption occurred on Sakurajima volcano in Kagoshima Saturday evening, August 8, sending an ash plume up to 2,200 meters into the air. The eruption sent a moderate amount of ash drifting toward Kagoshima city, turning the sky dark within minutes.

Japan: Ash Blankets Kagoshima City After Sakurajima Volcano Erupts

An eruption occurred on Sakurajima volcano in Kagoshima Saturday evening, August 8, sending an ash plume up to 2,200 meters into the air. The eruption sent a moderate amount of ash drifting toward Kagoshima city, turning the sky dark within minutes.

Japan: Ash Blankets Kagoshima City After Sakurajima Volcano Erupts 2

An eruption occurred on Sakurajima volcano in Kagoshima Saturday evening, August 8, sending an ash plume up to 2,200 meters into the air. The eruption sent a moderate amount of ash drifting toward Kagoshima city, turning the sky dark within minutes.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken on Aug. 7, 2026, shows a makeshift hot spring facility set up at an evacuation center in Yatsushiro in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, following a powerful earthquake that struck the region on July 28.

Prince Hisahito joins boy scout event in western Japan

Prince Hisahito joins boy scout event in western Japan

Japanese Prince Hisahito (2nd from R) sets up a tent during the 19th Nippon Scout Jamboree in Jinsekikogen in Hiroshima Prefecture, western Japan, on Aug. 7, 2026. (Pool photo)

Prince Hisahito joins boy scout event in western Japan

Prince Hisahito joins boy scout event in western Japan

Japanese Prince Hisahito (C) sets up a tent during the 19th Nippon Scout Jamboree in Jinsekikogen in Hiroshima Prefecture, western Japan, on Aug. 7, 2026. (Pool photo)

Prince Hisahito joins boy scout event in western Japan

Prince Hisahito joins boy scout event in western Japan

Japanese Prince Hisahito (front) sets up a tent during the 19th Nippon Scout Jamboree in Jinsekikogen in Hiroshima Prefecture, western Japan, on Aug. 7, 2026. (Pool photo)

Prince Hisahito joins boy scout event in western Japan

Prince Hisahito joins boy scout event in western Japan

Japanese Prince Hisahito (L) sets up a tent during the 19th Nippon Scout Jamboree in Jinsekikogen in Hiroshima Prefecture, western Japan, on Aug. 7, 2026. (Pool photo)

Prince Hisahito joins boy scout event in western Japan

Prince Hisahito joins boy scout event in western Japan

Japanese Prince Hisahito (C) sets up a tent during the 19th Nippon Scout Jamboree in Jinsekikogen in Hiroshima Prefecture, western Japan, on Aug. 7, 2026. (Pool photo)

Prince Hisahito joins boy scout event in western Japan

Prince Hisahito joins boy scout event in western Japan

Japanese Prince Hisahito (C) sets up a tent during the 19th Nippon Scout Jamboree in Jinsekikogen in Hiroshima Prefecture, western Japan, on Aug. 7, 2026. (Pool photo)

China: Man Jumps Into River to Save Child in Zhejiang

A man jumped into a fast-flowing river in Zhejiang, China, on August 1, 2026, to rescue a child swept up by the current, holding onto her while another man threw a lifebuoy from the bank. The child was pulled safely from the water.

China: Cat Climbs Ancient Xi’an City Wall, Rescued With Bedsheet

A calico cat scaled the ancient Xi'an City Wall in Shaanxi, China, on August 4, 2026, using gaps between the bricks to climb over ten meters up. When it got stuck on a ledge, locals below held a bedsheet as a safety net. The cat lost its grip and fell, landing safely and unharmed.

81st anniversary of U.S. atomic bombing of Hiroshima

81st anniversary of U.S. atomic bombing of Hiroshima

People line up to lay flowers and pray at the cenotaph in the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 2026, the 81st anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of the western Japan city.

81st anniversary of U.S. atomic bombing of Hiroshima

81st anniversary of U.S. atomic bombing of Hiroshima

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows people lining up to lay flowers and pray at the cenotaph in the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 2026, the 81st anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of the western Japan city.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken on Aug. 6, 2026, shows a dried-up rice paddy in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, after irrigation channels were damaged by a powerful earthquake that struck the southwestern Japan prefecture on July 28.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken on Aug. 5, 2026, shows a temporary bath set up at a school in Hikawa in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, following a powerful earthquake in the region on July 28.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken on Aug. 5, 2026, shows a temporary bath set up at a school in Hikawa in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, following a powerful earthquake in the region on July 28.

UK: Air Ambulance Lands in Trafalgar Square After Covent Garden Stabbing

Four men were stabbed in London's Covent Garden district on Endell Street on Wednesday, August 5, prompting a major emergency response. A 47-year-old woman has been arrested in connection with the incident. A London Air Ambulance helicopter was filmed in Trafalgar Square, where a temporary landing zone had been set up in front of Nelson's Column, though all victims were ultimately transported to hospital by road.

Japan: Performers Balance Towering Lanterns at Akita Kanto Festival

The Akita Kanto Festival, one of the three major festivals in Japan's Tohoku region with roughly 270 years of history, opened Sunday, August 2, in central Akita City and runs through August 6. This year's event features 67 groups—38 neighborhood teams and 29 school and workplace teams—swaying 273 lantern-laden bamboo poles through the night sky in a prayer for a bountiful harvest, the poles representing rice stalks. The largest of the poles measure up to 12 meters long and weigh 50 kilograms, balanced skillfully by performers on their foreheads, palms, and other parts of the body.

Guatemala: Fuego Volcano Eruption Triggers Red Alert and Mass Evacuations

Guatemala's Fuego volcano has prompted a red alert across the Sacatepéquez, Chimaltenango, and Escuintla regions, home to about 1.6 million people. Nearly 1,700 people have been evacuated since the volcano erupted Monday, sending pyroclastic flows, mudflows up to 7 kilometers long, and ash plumes over 5,000 meters high—affecting roughly 29,000 people.

Japan: Nagaoka Fireworks Festival Lights Up Sky With 20,000 Shells 5

The Nagaoka Fireworks Festival, one of Japan's three major fireworks displays, was held on Sunday and Monday, August 2 and 3, along the Shinano River in Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture. The two-day event featured about 20,000 fireworks, including large traditional shells that bloomed into flowers roughly 650 meters wide.

Japan: Nagaoka Fireworks Festival Lights Up Sky With 20,000 Shells 4

The Nagaoka Fireworks Festival, one of Japan's three major fireworks displays, was held on Sunday and Monday, August 2 and 3, along the Shinano River in Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture. The two-day event featured about 20,000 fireworks, including large traditional shells that bloomed into flowers roughly 650 meters wide.

Japan: Nagaoka Fireworks Festival Lights Up Sky With 20,000 Shells

The Nagaoka Fireworks Festival, one of Japan's three major fireworks displays, was held on Sunday and Monday, August 2 and 3, along the Shinano River in Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture. The two-day event featured about 20,000 fireworks, including large traditional shells that bloomed into flowers roughly 650 meters wide.

Japan: Nagaoka Fireworks Festival Lights Up Sky With 20,000 Shells 3

The Nagaoka Fireworks Festival, one of Japan's three major fireworks displays, was held on Sunday and Monday, August 2 and 3, along the Shinano River in Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture. The two-day event featured about 20,000 fireworks, including large traditional shells that bloomed into flowers roughly 650 meters wide.