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Rare Blue Moon Closes Out May, Doubling as Micromoon 3

The second full moon of May, known as a Blue Moon, reached peak illumination on Sunday, May 31, the only Blue Moon of 2026. The celestial event, which occurs roughly every two to three years, also qualified as a micromoon, as the moon was farther from Earth than average, making it appear slightly smaller than usual.

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Rare Blue Moon Closes Out May, Doubling as Micromoon 2

The second full moon of May, known as a Blue Moon, reached peak illumination on Sunday, May 31, the only Blue Moon of 2026. The celestial event, which occurs roughly every two to three years, also qualified as a micromoon, as the moon was farther from Earth than average, making it appear slightly smaller than usual.

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Rare Blue Moon Closes Out May, Doubling as Micromoon

The second full moon of May, known as a Blue Moon, reached peak illumination on Sunday, May 31, the only Blue Moon of 2026. The celestial event, which occurs roughly every two to three years, also qualified as a micromoon, as the moon was farther from Earth than average, making it appear slightly smaller than usual.

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Japan Defense Minister Koizumi, S. Korea Defense Minister Ahn meet

Japan Defense Minister Koizumi, S. Korea Defense Minister Ahn meet

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (front, L) and South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu Back pose for a photo in Singapore on May 30, 2026. Koizumi and Ahn confirmed during their talks that Japan and South Korea will resume a joint search-and-rescue exercise, reflecting improving ties between the nations after years of strained diplomatic and defense relations.

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Crested ibises released into wild on Japan's main island

Crested ibises released into wild on Japan's main island

Photo shows one of the eight Japanese crested ibises released into the wild in Hakui in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, on May 31, 2026, marking the first presence of the birds, designated as natural treasures, on the country's main island in 56 years. The number of wild crested ibises had tumbled due to overhunting, with the last one on the main island of Honshu captured in 1970. (Pool photo)

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Crested ibises released into wild on Japan's main island

Crested ibises released into wild on Japan's main island

Japanese crested ibises are released into the wild in Hakui in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, on May 31, 2026, marking the first presence of the birds, designated as natural treasures, on the country's main island in 56 years. The number of wild crested ibises had tumbled due to overhunting, with the last one on the main island of Honshu captured in 1970.

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Crested ibises released into wild on Japan's main island

Crested ibises released into wild on Japan's main island

Photo shows one of the eight Japanese crested ibises released into the wild in Hakui in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, on May 31, 2026, marking the first presence of the birds, designated as natural treasures, on the country's main island in 56 years. The number of wild crested ibises had tumbled due to overhunting, with the last one on the main island of Honshu captured in 1970. (Pool photo)

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Crested ibises released into wild on Japan's main island

Crested ibises released into wild on Japan's main island

Photo shows one of the eight Japanese crested ibises released into the wild in Hakui in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, on May 31, 2026, marking the first presence of the birds, designated as natural treasures, on the country's main island in 56 years. The number of wild crested ibises had tumbled due to overhunting, with the last one on the main island of Honshu captured in 1970.

  •  
Crested ibises released into wild on Japan's main island

Crested ibises released into wild on Japan's main island

Photo shows one of the eight Japanese crested ibises released into the wild in Hakui in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, on May 31, 2026, marking the first presence of the birds, designated as natural treasures, on the country's main island in 56 years. The number of wild crested ibises had tumbled due to overhunting, with the last one on the main island of Honshu captured in 1970.

  •  
Crested ibises released into wild on Japan's main island

Crested ibises released into wild on Japan's main island

Photo shows one of the eight Japanese crested ibises released into the wild in Hakui in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, on May 31, 2026, marking the first presence of the birds, designated as natural treasures, on the country's main island in 56 years. The number of wild crested ibises had tumbled due to overhunting, with the last one on the main island of Honshu captured in 1970.

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Crested ibises released into wild on Japan's main island

Crested ibises released into wild on Japan's main island

Japanese Crown Prince Fumihito (2nd from R) and Crown Princess Kiko (far R) release Japanese crested ibises into the wild in Hakui in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, on May 31, 2026, marking the first presence of the birds, designated as natural treasures, on the country's main island in 56 years. The number of wild crested ibises had tumbled due to overhunting, with the last one on the main island of Honshu captured in 1970.

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Crested ibises released into wild on Japan's main island

Crested ibises released into wild on Japan's main island

Japanese Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko release Japanese crested ibises into the wild in Hakui in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, on May 31, 2026, marking the first presence of the birds, designated as natural treasures, on the country's main island in 56 years. The number of wild crested ibises had tumbled due to overhunting, with the last one on the main island of Honshu captured in 1970.

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Crested ibises released into wild on Japan's main island

Crested ibises released into wild on Japan's main island

Japanese Crown Prince Fumihito (2nd from R) and Crown Princess Kiko (far R) release Japanese crested ibises into the wild in Hakui in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, on May 31, 2026, marking the first presence of the birds, designated as natural treasures, on the country's main island in 56 years. The number of wild crested ibises had tumbled due to overhunting, with the last one on the main island of Honshu captured in 1970. (Pool photo)

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Crested ibises released into wild on Japan's main island

Crested ibises released into wild on Japan's main island

Japanese Crown Prince Fumihito (2nd from R) and Crown Princess Kiko (far R) release Japanese crested ibises into the wild in Hakui in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, on May 31, 2026, marking the first presence of the birds, designated as natural treasures, on the country's main island in 56 years. The number of wild crested ibises had tumbled due to overhunting, with the last one on the main island of Honshu captured in 1970.

  •  
Crested ibises released into wild on Japan's main island

Crested ibises released into wild on Japan's main island

Japanese Crown Prince Fumihito (2nd from R) and Crown Princess Kiko (far R) release Japanese crested ibises into the wild in Hakui in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, on May 31, 2026, marking the first presence of the birds, designated as natural treasures, on the country's main island in 56 years. The number of wild crested ibises had tumbled due to overhunting, with the last one on the main island of Honshu captured in 1970. (Pool photo)

  •  
Crested ibises released into wild on Japan's main island

Crested ibises released into wild on Japan's main island

Japanese Crown Prince Fumihito (2nd from R) and Crown Princess Kiko (far R) release Japanese crested ibises into the wild in Hakui in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, on May 31, 2026, marking the first presence of the birds, designated as natural treasures, on the country's main island in 56 years. The number of wild crested ibises had tumbled due to overhunting, with the last one on the main island of Honshu captured in 1970. (Pool photo)

  •  
Crested ibises released into wild on Japan's main island

Crested ibises released into wild on Japan's main island

Japanese Crown Prince Fumihito (2nd from R) and Crown Princess Kiko (far R) release Japanese crested ibises into the wild in Hakui in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, on May 31, 2026, marking the first presence of the birds, designated as natural treasures, on the country's main island in 56 years. The number of wild crested ibises had tumbled due to overhunting, with the last one on the main island of Honshu captured in 1970.

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Renovated Dazaifu Temmangu shrine main hall

DAZAIFU, Japan, May 19 Kyodo - Video taken on May 18, 2026, shows the main hall of Dazaifu Temmangu shrine in Dazaifu in the southwestern Japan prefecture of Fukuoka, unveiled to the media following the first full-scale renovation in 124 years. (Kyodo)

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Japan: Rare Red Tide Sweeps Suruga Bay Beaches for First Time in Years

Red tide has been washing ashore along multiple coastlines of Suruga Bay in Shizuoka Prefecture since May 20, in what is believed to be the bay's largest such occurrence in over a decade. The unusual bloom has left tourists puzzled at beaches across the Izu Peninsula, where the reddish-brown discoloration has spread across the shoreline.

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US: Knicks Clinch NBA Finals Berth, Fans Pour Into NYC Streets to Celebrate 3

Knicks fans spilled into the streets of New York City on Monday night, May 25, celebrating outside Madison Square Garden after the team clinched its first NBA Finals berth in 27 years. A packed watch party at Radio City Music Hall was also on its feet as the final buzzer sounded. This video shows crowds of fans celebrating the victory in Fort Greene, Brooklyn.

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US: Knicks Clinch NBA Finals Berth, Fans Pour Into NYC Streets to Celebrate 2

Knicks fans spilled into the streets of New York City on Monday night, May 25, celebrating outside Madison Square Garden after the team clinched its first NBA Finals berth in 27 years. A packed watch party at Radio City Music Hall was also on its feet as the final buzzer sounded.

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US: Knicks Clinch NBA Finals Berth, Fans Pour Into NYC Streets to Celebrate

Knicks fans spilled into the streets of New York City on Monday night, May 25, celebrating outside Madison Square Garden after the team clinched its first NBA Finals berth in 27 years. A packed watch party at Radio City Music Hall was also on its feet as the final buzzer sounded.

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UK: Arsenal Supporters Celebrate Premier League Title Win 2

Arsenal were crowned Premier League champions for the first time in 22 years after beating Crystal Palace 2-1 at Selhurst Park on Sunday, May 24. Fans were seen celebrating the historic win.

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UK: Arsenal Supporters Celebrate Premier League Title Win 3

Arsenal were crowned Premier League champions for the first time in 22 years after beating Crystal Palace 2-1 at Selhurst Park on Sunday, May 24. Fans were seen celebrating the historic win.

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UK: Arsenal Supporters Celebrate Premier League Title Win

Arsenal were crowned Premier League champions for the first time in 22 years after beating Crystal Palace 2-1 at Selhurst Park on Sunday, May 24. Fans were seen celebrating the historic win.

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UK: Arsenal Fans Pack Pubs to Watch Final Premier League Match Against Crystal Palace

Arsenal faced Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday, May 24, in the final Premier League match of the season, with the Gunners clinching the title for the first time in 22 years. This video shows the Arsenal fans packed the pub, The Twelve Pins, in Finsbury Park.

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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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UK: Arsenal Fans Celebrate First Premier League Title in 22 Years Outside Emirates Stadium 2

Arsenal fans erupted in celebration outside the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, May 19, as Manchester City's 1-1 draw with Bournemouth confirmed the club's first Premier League title in 22 years.

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UK: Arsenal Fans Celebrate First Premier League Title in 22 Years Outside Emirates Stadium 3

Arsenal fans erupted in celebration outside the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, May 19, as Manchester City's 1-1 draw with Bournemouth confirmed the club's first Premier League title in 22 years.

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UK: Arsenal Fans Celebrate First Premier League Title in 22 Years Outside Emirates Stadium

Arsenal fans erupted in celebration outside the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, May 19, as Manchester City's 1-1 draw with Bournemouth confirmed the club's first Premier League title in 22 years.

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China: Toddler and Lamb Share Playful Moment With Toy Horse in Qinghai

On May 14, 2026, a video captured a heartwarming moment in a pasture in Qinghai Province, northwestern China. A toddler, no more than one or two years old, was playing with a toy horse when a small lamb trotted over and began playfully headbutting it. Each time the toy toppled over, the child patiently stood it back up — only for the lamb to knock it down again, turning the exchange into a gentle, lighthearted game between the two.

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Fan-throwing ceremony at western Japan temple

Fan-throwing ceremony at western Japan temple

Priests throw heart-shaped "uchiwa" fans from the balcony of a drum tower during a traditional ceremony at Toshodai-ji temple in Nara, western Japan, on May 19, 2026. The ceremony started about 770 years ago to ward off evil spirits and harmful insects.

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Fan-throwing ceremony at western Japan temple

Fan-throwing ceremony at western Japan temple

Priests throw heart-shaped "uchiwa" fans from the balcony of a drum tower during a traditional ceremony at Toshodai-ji temple in Nara, western Japan, on May 19, 2026. The ceremony started about 770 years ago to ward off evil spirits and harmful insects.

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Fan-throwing ceremony at western Japan temple

Fan-throwing ceremony at western Japan temple

Priests throw heart-shaped "uchiwa" fans from the balcony of a drum tower during a traditional ceremony at Toshodai-ji temple in Nara, western Japan, on May 19, 2026. The ceremony started about 770 years ago to ward off evil spirits and harmful insects.

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Fan-throwing ceremony at western Japan temple

Fan-throwing ceremony at western Japan temple

Priests throw heart-shaped "uchiwa" fans from the balcony of a drum tower during a traditional ceremony at Toshodai-ji temple in Nara, western Japan, on May 19, 2026. The ceremony started about 770 years ago to ward off evil spirits and harmful insects.

  •  
Renovated Dazaifu Temmangu shrine main hall

Renovated Dazaifu Temmangu shrine main hall

Photo taken on May 18, 2026, shows the main hall of Dazaifu Temmangu shrine in Dazaifu in the southwestern Japan prefecture of Fukuoka, unveiled to the media following the first full-scale renovation in 124 years.

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Renovated Dazaifu Temmangu shrine main hall

Renovated Dazaifu Temmangu shrine main hall

Photo taken on May 18, 2026, shows the main hall of Dazaifu Temmangu shrine in Dazaifu in the southwestern Japan prefecture of Fukuoka, unveiled to the media following the first full-scale renovation in 124 years.

  •  
Renovated Dazaifu Temmangu shrine main hall

Renovated Dazaifu Temmangu shrine main hall

Photo taken on May 18, 2026, shows the main hall of Dazaifu Temmangu shrine in Dazaifu in the southwestern Japan prefecture of Fukuoka, unveiled to the media following the first full-scale renovation in 124 years.

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Japan cruise ship Nippon Maru ends final voyage

YOKOHAMA, Japan, May 11 Kyodo - The Japanese cruise ship Nippon Maru returns to Yokohama Port in Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, on May 10, 2026, after its final voyage, marking the end of 35 years of service. (Kyodo)

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Japan cruise ship Nippon Maru ends final voyage

Japan cruise ship Nippon Maru ends final voyage

The Japanese cruise ship Nippon Maru returns to Yokohama Port in Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, on May 10, 2026, after its final voyage, marking the end of 35 years of service.

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Japan cruise ship Nippon Maru ends final voyage

Japan cruise ship Nippon Maru ends final voyage

The Japanese cruise ship Nippon Maru returns to Yokohama Port in Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, on May 10, 2026, after its final voyage, marking the end of 35 years of service.

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Ainu remains returned to Japan from Britain after 160 years

Ainu remains returned to Japan from Britain after 160 years

Masaru Okawa, executive director of the Ainu Association of Hokkaido, meets the press at New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on May 8, 2026, upon his return from Britain where remains of seven Ainu people were handed over to Japan by London's Natural History Museum. Four of the seven sets of remains were returned after 160 years.

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[Breaking News]Key bond yield hits 27-year high

TOKYO, Japan, April 13 Kyodo - A financial monitor in Tokyo shows the yield on the newly issued benchmark 10-year government bond rising to 2.515 percent, its highest level in about 27 years, on April 30, 2026. (Kyodo)

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ASIMO's predecessor given IEEE Milestones award

ASIMO's predecessor given IEEE Milestones award

Honda Motor Co.'s P2 humanoid robot, the predecessor to its ASIMO robot, is displayed during a ceremony in Wako in Saitama Prefecture, eastern Japan, on April 28, 2026, after the U.S.-based Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers gave it the Milestones award for its pioneering natural walking technology. The award is given to important historical technological achievements that were made at least 25 years earlier, with Honda's P2 released in 1996.

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Wife of ousted S. Korean president Yoon sentenced to 4 years

Wife of ousted S. Korean president Yoon sentenced to 4 years

People watch a televised Seoul High Court ruling on Kim Keon Hee, wife of South Korea's ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol, in Seoul on April 28, 2026. The appeals court increased her sentence from 20 months to four years in prison on corruption charges.

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Wife of ousted S. Korean president Yoon sentenced to 4 years

Wife of ousted S. Korean president Yoon sentenced to 4 years

People watch a televised Seoul High Court ruling on Kim Keon Hee, wife of South Korea's ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol, in Seoul on April 28, 2026. The appeals court increased her sentence from 20 months to four years in prison on corruption charges.

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Key bond yield hits 27-year high

Key bond yield hits 27-year high

A financial monitor in Tokyo shows the yield on the newly issued benchmark 10-year government bond rising to 2.515 percent, its highest level in about 27 years, on April 30, 2026. (Kyodo)

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Key bond yield hits 27-year high

Key bond yield hits 27-year high

A financial monitor in Tokyo shows the yield on the newly issued benchmark 10-year government bond rising to 2.515 percent, its highest level in about 27 years, on April 30, 2026. (Kyodo)

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