Japanese Emperor Akihito has started a day of ceremonies in the Imperial Palace as he prepares to step down from the throne on Tuesday.
It'll make him the first monarch to abdicate in more than 200 years.
His son, Crown Prince Naruhito, will ascend the Chrysanthemum throne the next day.
Akihito had expressed a desire to abdicate in 2016 due to his age and declining health.
All 7 on board killed after air ambulance crashes in India
An air ambulance crash in Jharkhand’s Chatra district has killed all seven people on board on Monday night, with the aircraft initially headed for Delhi from Ranchi.
US judge permanently blocks release of report on Trump documents case
A US judge has permanently barred the Justice Department on Monday from releasing a prosecutor's report on the criminal case accusing President Donald Trump of unlawfully retaining classified documents following his first term in office.
Former UK ambassador Mandelson released on bail after Epstein revelations
Former British ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson was released on bail on Tuesday morning after being arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
Russian attack on Ukraine's Odesa region killed two people, injured three
A Russian attack on Ukraine's southern Odesa region killed two people and injured three overnight, Ukraine's emergency service and a government official said on Monday.
Duterte was 'pivotal' in murder of thousands, ICC prosecutors say
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was "pivotal" in the murder of thousands of people during his rule, prosecutors at the International Criminal Court (ICC) said on Monday, as they pushed for his trial to go ahead.
