Participants gather at the Teppuzu Inari Shrine in Tokyo to bathe in ice-cold water to purify their souls and pray for good health during a New Year's ritual.
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Wildfires race across Chile, leaving 18 dead and forcing thousands to flee
Wildfires raging across central and southern Chile on Sunday left at least 18 people dead, scorched thousands of acres of forest and destroyed hundreds of homes, authorities said, as the South American country swelters under a heat wave.
January 18, 2026
Photos show the aftermath of clashes between Syrian government forces and Kurdish fighters
Displaced Syrians returned to the city of Aleppo after clashes between government forces and the U.S.-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces earlier this month forced them to move to neighboring towns.
January 18, 2026
Syrian government announces a ceasefire with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces
The Syrian government Sunday announced a ceasefire with the Syrian Democratic Forces, taking almost full control of the country and dismantling the Kurdish-led forces that controlled the northeast for over a decade.
January 18, 2026
Hard-right populist wins a place in a two-way runoff in Portugal's presidential election
The leader of a hard-right populist party placed second in Portugal's presidential election Sunday in a stunning outcome and will face a center-left opponent in a runoff vote next month that could bring another political breakthrough for Europe's growing far-right parties, according to near-complete results.
January 18, 2026
Winter rain floods Gaza camps as Netanyahu heads for US meeting
Winter rain lashed the Gaza Strip over the weekend, flooding camps with ankle-deep puddles as Palestinians displaced by two years of war attempted to stay dry in tents frayed by months of use.
January 18, 2026
Europe warns of 'dangerous downward spiral' after Trump threatens tariffs over Greenland
The eight European countries targeted by U.S. President Donald Trump for a 10% tariff for opposing American control of Greenland blasted the move Sunday, warning that his threats ''undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral.''
January 18, 2026
US-based activist agency says it has verified 3,919 deaths from Iran protests
A U.S.-based activist agency said Sunday it has verified at least 3,919 deaths during a wave of protests that swept Iran and led to a bloody crackdown, and fears the number could be significantly higher.
January 18, 2026
$1 billion gets a permanent seat on Trump's 'Board of Peace' for Gaza, as India and others invited
At least seven more countries said Sunday the United States has invited them to join President Donald Trump's ''Board of Peace,'' a new body of world leaders meant to oversee next steps in Gaza that shows ambitions for a broader mandate in global affairs. Two countries, Hungary and Vietnam, said they have accepted.
January 18, 2026
Uganda's president says strong election victory over his youthful challenger a taste of his strength
President Yoweri Museveni said Sunday that his landslide victory in Uganda's election showed the dominance of his party, which has governed the East African country for four decades.
January 18, 2026
Sri Lanka unveils a rare purple star sapphire claimed to be the biggest of its kind
A Purple Star Sapphire weighing 3,563 carats which is claimed to be the world's biggest of its kind was unveiled on Saturday in the Sri Lankan capital by the owners, who are ready to sell the precious stone which is estimated to be worth at least $300 million.
January 18, 2026
Death toll rises to 6 in fire at a shopping plaza in the Pakistani city of Karachi
Firefighters in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi on Sunday finally extinguished a blaze at a multistory shopping plaza after a nearly 24-hour-long effort. The fire left six people dead, including a firefighter, and dozens missing, officials said.
January 18, 2026
South Africa declares a national disaster over flooding and severe weather
South Africa declared a national disaster Sunday over torrential rains and floods that have killed at least 30 people in the country's north, damaged thousands of homes and washed away roads and bridges.
January 18, 2026