US: Empire State Building Glows Pink in Tribute to Dolly Parton

The Empire State Building lit its tower lights in a pink sparkle on Tuesday, August 25, in tribute to country music icon Dolly Parton, who died earlier that day at age 80. The illumination ran from 9:25 to 10:25 p.m., a nod to Parton's song and film "9 to 5," and also honored her Dollywood Foundation and Imagination Library children's book charity.

Defense Minister Koizumi in quake-hit Kumamoto

Defense Minister Koizumi in quake-hit Kumamoto

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (back, L) meets on Aug. 23, 2026, with Japan Self-Defense Forces personnel at a cultural center in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, who are assisting with the setting up of a public bath facility for people affected by a powerful earthquake that hit the region on July 28.

Memorial event for forced laborers in Siberia and Mongolia

Memorial event for forced laborers in Siberia and Mongolia

People lay flowers at the Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery in Tokyo on Aug. 23, 2026, to honor the Japanese who died while detained in labor camps in Siberia and Mongolia after World War II.

US: Storm Winds Hurl Pool Chairs Into Water at Orlando Hotel

Strong winds tore through a hotel pool area in Orlando, Florida, on Saturday afternoon, August 22, hurling lounge chairs into the pool as a storm swept through the region. The person who filmed the video said the wind was strong enough to throw chairs into the pool.

Japanese Justice Minister Hiraguchi after execution

Japanese Justice Minister Hiraguchi after execution

Japanese Justice Minister Hiroshi Hiraguchi is pictured before holding a press conference at the ministry in Tokyo on Aug. 21, 2026. Earlier in the day, Japan hanged Sunao Takami, who was convicted of killing five people in an arson attack on a pachinko parlor in the western Japanese city of Osaka in 2009.

Japanese Justice Minister Hiraguchi after execution

Japanese Justice Minister Hiraguchi after execution

Japanese Justice Minister Hiroshi Hiraguchi holds a press conference at the ministry in Tokyo on Aug. 21, 2026, after the country hanged Sunao Takami, who was convicted of killing five people in an arson attack on a pachinko parlor in the western Japanese city of Osaka in 2009.

Japanese Justice Minister Hiraguchi after execution

Japanese Justice Minister Hiraguchi after execution

Japanese Justice Minister Hiroshi Hiraguchi holds a press conference at the ministry in Tokyo on Aug. 21, 2026, after the country hanged Sunao Takami, who was convicted of killing five people in an arson attack on a pachinko parlor in the western Japanese city of Osaka in 2009.

Japanese Justice Minister Hiraguchi after execution

Japanese Justice Minister Hiraguchi after execution

Japanese Justice Minister Hiroshi Hiraguchi holds a press conference at the ministry in Tokyo on Aug. 21, 2026, after the country hanged Sunao Takami, who was convicted of killing five people in an arson attack on a pachinko parlor in the western Japanese city of Osaka in 2009.

Japanese Justice Minister Hiraguchi after execution

Japanese Justice Minister Hiraguchi after execution

Japanese Justice Minister Hiroshi Hiraguchi holds a press conference at the ministry in Tokyo on Aug. 21, 2026, after the country hanged Sunao Takami, who was convicted of killing five people in an arson attack on a pachinko parlor in the western Japanese city of Osaka in 2009.

Japanese Justice Minister Hiraguchi after execution

Japanese Justice Minister Hiraguchi after execution

Japanese Justice Minister Hiroshi Hiraguchi holds a press conference at the ministry in Tokyo on Aug. 21, 2026, after the country hanged Sunao Takami, who was convicted of killing five people in an arson attack on a pachinko parlor in the western Japanese city of Osaka in 2009.

[Breaking News]4 workers die after being hit by express train north of Tokyo

KANUMA, Japan, Aug. 20 Kyodo - Video taken on Aug. 20, 2026, from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a Spacia X express train bound for Tokyo parked at Tobu Nikko Line Shin-Kanuma Station in Kanuma in Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo, after hitting four workers who were on the tracks to remove weeds. The four were taken to a hospital and confirmed dead. None of the crew or passengers was injured. (Kyodo)

4 workers die after being hit by express train north of Tokyo

4 workers die after being hit by express train north of Tokyo

Photo taken on Aug. 20, 2026, from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a Spacia X express train bound for Tokyo parked at Tobu Nikko Line Shin-Kanuma Station in Kanuma in Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo, after hitting four workers who were on the tracks to remove weeds. The four were taken to a hospital and confirmed dead. None of the crew or passengers was injured.

4 workers die after being hit by express train north of Tokyo

4 workers die after being hit by express train north of Tokyo

Photo taken on Aug. 20, 2026, from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a Spacia X express train bound for Tokyo parked at Tobu Nikko Line Shin-Kanuma Station in Kanuma in Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo, after hitting four workers who were on the tracks to remove weeds. The four were taken to a hospital and confirmed dead. None of the crew or passengers was injured.

4 workers die after being hit by express train north of Tokyo

4 workers die after being hit by express train north of Tokyo

Photo taken on Aug. 20, 2026, from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a Spacia X express train bound for Tokyo parked at Tobu Nikko Line Shin-Kanuma Station in Kanuma in Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo, after hitting four workers who were on the tracks to remove weeds. The four were taken to a hospital and confirmed dead. None of the crew or passengers was injured.

Greece: Helicopter Crashes on Sifnos Island, Killing Three Including UK Couple

A private helicopter crashed on the Greek island of Sifnos on Monday, August 17, killing all three people on board, including a British couple, Alexander Cromie and Marie Ebert, who were on their honeymoon, along with their Greek pilot.

Actor Keiko Kishi dies at 93

Actor Keiko Kishi dies at 93

Photo taken at an unidentified location on May 4, 1966, shows Japanese actor Keiko Kishi. A Yokohama native, Kishi, who won acclaim both in Japan and internationally for a large number of films beginning in the 1950s, died at age 93 on Aug. 7, 2026.

China: Chain of Rescuers Save Injured Eagle Near Lake Namtso

A rescuer in Tibet found an injured eagle on the road to Lake Namtso on August 7, 2026, and handed it to police, who connected it with a wildlife agency for treatment.

Baseball: Japan, S. Korea batting champion Baek In Chun dies

Baseball: Japan, S. Korea batting champion Baek In Chun dies

File photo taken in 1971 at an unidentified stadium shows Baek In Chun playing for the then Nippon Professional Baseball's Toei Flyers. The South Korean player, who won batting titles in both Japan and South Korea's professional baseball leagues, died at age 82 on Aug. 15, 2026.

Memorial service for war dead in Philippines

Memorial service for war dead in Philippines

People observe a moment of silence at a memorial ceremony in Caliraya, the Philippines, to honor those who died in the Pacific War, organized by the Japanese Embassy in Manila, on Aug. 15, 2026, the 81st anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II.

Memorial service for war dead in Philippines

Memorial service for war dead in Philippines

People observe a moment of silence at a memorial ceremony in Caliraya, the Philippines, to honor those who died in the Pacific War, organized by the Japanese Embassy in Manila, on Aug. 15, 2026, the 81st anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II.

Memorial service for war dead in Philippines

Memorial service for war dead in Philippines

People observe a moment of silence at a memorial ceremony in Caliraya, the Philippines, to honor those who died in the Pacific War, organized by the Japanese Embassy in Manila, on Aug. 15, 2026, the 81st anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II.

Memorial service for war dead in Philippines

Memorial service for war dead in Philippines

People lay flowers at a memorial ceremony in Caliraya, the Philippines, to honor those who died in the Pacific War, organized by the Japanese Embassy in Manila, on Aug. 15, 2026, the 81st anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II.

Yasukuni shrine on 81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

Yasukuni shrine on 81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

Ichiro Aisawa (front, R) of the Liberal Democratic Party, who heads a cross-party group of Japanese lawmakers, and its members visit the war-linked Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo on Aug. 15, 2026, the 81st anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II.

Yasukuni shrine on 81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

Yasukuni shrine on 81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

Ichiro Aisawa (C) of the Liberal Democratic Party, who heads a cross-party group of Japanese lawmakers, and its members visit the war-linked Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo on Aug. 15, 2026, the 81st anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II.

Swimming: Pan Pacific swimming

Swimming: Pan Pacific swimming

Tomoyuki Matsushita (C) of Japan poses after winning gold in the men's 400-meter individual medley at the Pan Pacific swimming championships in Irvine, California, on Aug. 13, 2026, alongside Americans Carson Foster (L) and Bobby Finke, who won silver and bronze, respectively.

Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji (R, front) and his wife, Lao An, take a ride on a high-speed maglev train on an experimental track in Tsuru, Yamanashi Prefecture, west of Tokyo, on Oct. 16, 2000, during his official visit to Japan. Zhu, who played a key role in China's economic reforms as premier from 1998 to 2003 under President Jiang Zemin, died on Aug. 12, 2026, at the age of 97.

Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji (L) talks with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on April 12, 2002, at the first Boao Forum for Asia held in Hainan, China. Zhu, who played a key role in China's economic reforms as premier from 1998 to 2003 under President Jiang Zemin, died on Aug. 12, 2026, at the age of 97.

Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji (C) takes part in a dialogue with about 100 members of the Japanese public on a live TBS television program in Tokyo on Oct. 14, 2000. Zhu, who played a key role in China's economic reforms as premier from 1998 to 2003 under President Jiang Zemin, died on Aug. 12, 2026, at the age of 97.

Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji (R) shakes hands with President Jiang Zemin in Beijing on Oct. 22, 2002. Zhu, who played a key role in China's economic reforms as premier from 1998 to 2003 under President Jiang Zemin, died on Aug. 12, 2026, at the age of 97.

Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji talks with Japan's Emperor Akihito at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Oct. 16, 2000. Zhu, who played a key role in China's economic reforms as premier from 1998 to 2003 under President Jiang Zemin, died on Aug. 12, 2026, at the age of 97.

Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji is pictured in Beijing on July 1, 2011. Zhu, who played a key role in China's economic reforms as premier from 1998 to 2003 under President Jiang Zemin, died on Aug. 12, 2026, at the age of 97.

Ex-Japan Business Federation head Hiroshi Okuda dies

Ex-Japan Business Federation head Hiroshi Okuda dies

Hiroshi Okuda (R), a former Japan Business Federation head and president and chairman of Toyota Motor Corp., is pictured with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in January 2005. Okuda, who played a key role in supporting reforms under Prime Minister Koizumi's administration in the 2000s, died on Aug. 8, 2026, aged 93.

Ex-Japan Business Federation head Hiroshi Okuda dies

Ex-Japan Business Federation head Hiroshi Okuda dies

Hiroshi Okuda (R), a former Japan Business Federation head and president and chairman of Toyota Motor Corp., is pictured with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in January 2005. Okuda, who played a key role in supporting reforms under Prime Minister Koizumi's administration in the 2000s, died on Aug. 8, 2026, aged 93.

Ex-Japan Business Federation head Hiroshi Okuda dies

Ex-Japan Business Federation head Hiroshi Okuda dies

Toyota Motor Corp. President Hiroshi Okuda unveils the Prius, the world's first mass-produced hybrid car, in October 1997. Okuda, who later chaired both Toyota and the Japan Business Federation, died on Aug. 8, 2026, aged 93.

Ex-Japan Business Federation head Hiroshi Okuda dies

Ex-Japan Business Federation head Hiroshi Okuda dies

Toyota Motor Corp. President Hiroshi Okuda unveils the Prius, the world's first mass-produced hybrid car, in October 1997. Okuda, who later chaired both Toyota and the Japan Business Federation, died on Aug. 8, 2026, aged 93.

Ex-Japan Business Federation head Hiroshi Okuda dies

Ex-Japan Business Federation head Hiroshi Okuda dies

Toyota Motor Corp. President Hiroshi Okuda unveils the Prius, the world's first mass-produced hybrid car, in October 1997. Okuda, who later chaired both Toyota and the Japan Business Federation, died on Aug. 8, 2026, aged 93.

Ex-Japan Business Federation head Hiroshi Okuda dies

Ex-Japan Business Federation head Hiroshi Okuda dies

Photo taken in Tokyo on Jan. 27, 2014, shows Hiroshi Okuda, a former Japan Business Federation head and president and chairman of Toyota Motor Corp. Okuda, who played a key role in supporting reforms under Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's administration in the 2000s, died on Aug. 8, 2026, aged 93.

[Breaking News]Basketball: Hachimura meets press in Nagoya

NAGOYA, Japan, Aug. 6 Kyodo - NBA star Rui Hachimura speaks during a press conference at IG Arena in Nagoya, central Japan, on Aug. 6, 2026. Hachimura, who recently joined the Los Angeles Clippers, said he wants to play for Japan at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. (Kyodo)

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.

Football: Japan defender Nagatomo to continue career

Football: Japan defender Nagatomo to continue career

Japan defender Yuto Nagatomo holds a press conference at Ajinomoto Stadium in Chofu, western Tokyo, on Aug. 8, 2026. The 39-year-old, who set a national record by appearing in five World Cups, said he will continue his career with J. League first-division club FC Tokyo.

Football: Japan defender Nagatomo to continue career

Football: Japan defender Nagatomo to continue career

Japan defender Yuto Nagatomo holds a press conference at Ajinomoto Stadium in Chofu, western Tokyo, on Aug. 8, 2026. The 39-year-old, who set a national record by appearing in five World Cups, said he will continue his career with J. League first-division club FC Tokyo.

Football: Japan defender Nagatomo to continue career

Football: Japan defender Nagatomo to continue career

Japan defender Yuto Nagatomo holds a press conference at Ajinomoto Stadium in Chofu, western Tokyo, on Aug. 8, 2026. The 39-year-old, who set a national record by appearing in five World Cups, said he will continue his career with J. League first-division club FC Tokyo.

Football: Japan defender Nagatomo to continue career

Football: Japan defender Nagatomo to continue career

Japan defender Yuto Nagatomo holds a press conference at Ajinomoto Stadium in Chofu, western Tokyo, on Aug. 8, 2026. The 39-year-old, who set a national record by appearing in five World Cups, said he will continue his career with J. League first-division club FC Tokyo.

Japanese ex-abductee Soga

Japanese ex-abductee Soga

Hitomi Soga, a 67-year-old Japanese woman who was abducted by North Korea in 1978 and repatriated in 2002, speaks during a seminar for teachers in Joetsu, Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, on Aug. 7, 2026.

Japanese ex-abductee Soga

Japanese ex-abductee Soga

Hitomi Soga, a 67-year-old Japanese woman who was abducted by North Korea in 1978 and repatriated in 2002, speaks during a seminar for teachers in Joetsu, Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, on Aug. 7, 2026.

Japanese ex-abductee Soga

Japanese ex-abductee Soga

Hitomi Soga, a 67-year-old Japanese woman who was abducted by North Korea in 1978 and repatriated in 2002, speaks during a seminar for teachers in Joetsu, Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, on Aug. 7, 2026.

Junior high school student meeting on abductions by N. Korea

Junior high school student meeting on abductions by N. Korea

Takuya Yokota, head of a group representing the families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea, speaks to junior high school students from across Japan during a government-sponsored meeting in Tokyo on Aug. 7, 2026, aimed at raising public awareness, especially among young people, of the abduction issue. Yokota is a younger brother of Megumi Yokota, who was abducted by North Korea in 1977 at the age of 13.

Basketball: Hachimura meets press in Nagoya

Basketball: Hachimura meets press in Nagoya

NBA star Rui Hachimura speaks during a press conference at IG Arena in Nagoya, central Japan, on Aug. 6, 2026. Hachimura, who recently joined the Los Angeles Clippers, said he wants to play for Japan at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Basketball: Hachimura meets press in Nagoya

Basketball: Hachimura meets press in Nagoya

NBA star Rui Hachimura speaks during a press conference at IG Arena in Nagoya, central Japan, on Aug. 6, 2026. Hachimura, who recently joined the Los Angeles Clippers, said he wants to play for Japan at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Basketball: Hachimura meets press in Nagoya

Basketball: Hachimura meets press in Nagoya

NBA star Rui Hachimura speaks during a press conference at IG Arena in Nagoya, central Japan, on Aug. 6, 2026. Hachimura, who recently joined the Los Angeles Clippers, said he wants to play for Japan at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.