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Japanese talent agency’s probe into alleged abuse by Johnny Kitagawa aims to prevent future cases

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:53 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — An investigation by a major Japanese talent agency into sexual abuse allegations against its founder won’t address monetary or criminality questions but rather aims to prevent such cases in the future, the lead investigator said Monday.“We see what has happened at the company and this is a serious governance problem,” Makoto Hayashi, a former prosecutor, told reporters at a Tokyo hotel.Hayashi said the process would focus on hearing from victims who have come forward. The panel will outline where the response at Johnny & Associates failed and provide recommendations to prevent a recurrence, he said.Allegations against Johnny Kitagawa, a powerful figure in Japanese entertainment, have been tossed around for decades but he was never charged with any crime. He died in 2019.The allegations resurfaced as a topic for scrutiny after BBC News produced a special segment earlier this year focused on several people who said they were sexually abused as youngsters while working...

India, Pakistan deploy rescuers and plan evacuations ahead of severe cyclone

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:53 GMT

BENGALURU, India (AP) — India and Pakistan braced for the first severe cyclone this year expected to hit their coastal regions later this week, as authorities on Monday halted fishing activities, deployed rescue personnel and announced evacuation plans for those at risk. From the Arabian Sea, Cyclone Biparjoy is aiming at Pakistan’s southern Sindh province and the coastline of the western Indian state of Gujarat. It is forecast to make landfall on Thursday and could reach maximum wind speeds of up to 200 kph (124 mph), according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department.Disaster management personnel have been deployed to densely populated regions and cities that will be in the storm’s path. The cyclone will likely affect Karachi in Pakistan as well as two of India’s largest ports, Mundra and Kandla, in Gujarat state.Murad Ali Shah, the top elected official in Sindh province, visited the coastal areas and asked authorities to evacuate an estimated 80,000 people to safety....

Lava pours from crater of Philippines’ Mayon Volcano, thousands warned to be ready to flee

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:53 GMT

LEGAZPI, Philippines (AP) — Lava poured from the crater of the Philippines’ most active volcano Monday, prompting officials to warn tens of thousands of villagers to be prepared to flee if the gentle eruption turns into a violent and life-threatening explosion.More than 13,000 people have left the mostly poor farming communities within a 6-kilometer (3.7-mile) radius of Mayon Volcano’s crater in mandatory evacuations since volcanic activity increased last week. But an unspecified number of residents remain within the permanent danger zone below Mayon, an area long declared off-limits to people but where generations have lived and farmed because they have nowhere else to go.With the volcano beginning to expel lava Sunday night, the high-risk zone around Mayon may be expanded should the eruption turn violent, said Teresito Bacolcol, director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. Bacolcol said if that happens, people in any expanded danger zone should be prepared t...

Heavy rain in Toronto leads to flooding concerns, watershed warning

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:53 GMT

The Toronto Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) warned people to stay away from the Lower Don River after rising water levels near the Don Valley Parkway and Bayview Avenue due to the heavy rainfall.Water levels remain dangerously high throughout the city as Toronto saw two-thirds of a month’s rainfall in 18 hours.The TRCA had previously issued a flood warning, which has since been downgraded due to improving conditions. A watershed warning remains in place until Tuesday.“TRCA advises that the weather system that brought significant rainfall to the GTA and TRCA watersheds has now passed. There is minimal rainfall forecasted for at least the next 24 hours,” the conservation authority wrote on Monday night.TRCA noted that water levels in the Lower Don River are receding, and flooding is not expected in localized watersheds.“However, watercourses will take time to get back down to normal levels. Therefore, higher than normal water levels and flows can be expect...

Australian bus driver released on bail after being charged over 10 passengers’ deaths

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:53 GMT

CESSNOCK, Australia (AP) — A bus driver was driving too fast when his 57-seat vehicle rolled on its side and hit a guard rail in heavy fog, killing 10 wedding guests and injuring 25 others, police alleged Tuesday.Brett Andrew Button, 58, was driving 35 passengers on a 20-minute journey from a wedding reception at the Wandin Estate Winery to the town of Singleton, both in the Hunter Valley wine region of New South Wales state, when the 2009 Volvo bus rolled at a roundabout late Sunday.Button had been in police custody but was released on bail when he appeared in a Cessnock court Tuesday charged with 10 counts of dangerous driving in relation to each death and one count of negligent driving.Earlier, acting Police Assistant Commissioner David Waddell alleged that Button “entered that roundabout driving in a manner that was inconsistent with the conditions.” “Obviously, the speed was too quick for him to negotiate that roundabout, causing the vehicle to fall onto its left side and cause...

Police: 2 women robbed in broad daylight in Lincoln Park

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:53 GMT

CHICAGO -- Two women were mugged for their cell phones in Lincoln Park nine minutes apart and three miles away from each incident Monday evening.According to the Chicago Police Department, a 26-year-old woman reported she was walking west on Armitage Ave just before 4:25 p.m. on Monday when an unknown offender approached her from behind her, hit and pushed her. The suspect then took the woman's phone and fled in a four-door white sedan.Nine minutes later and almost three miles away, another woman, 30, reported that she was walking south on Belden Ave when someone approached her from behind and took her cell phone out of her hand.The suspect then fled in a white sedan south on Belden.No further information has been made available at this time. The investigation is ongoing.Stay with WGN as this story develops.

California mother falls, dies trying to save teen at waterfall

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:53 GMT

(KTLA) -- An Orange County mother of two died when she fell from the edge of a waterfall while trying to save a teenager in San Diego County last week, authorities said.Sarah Crocker, 48, of Ladera Ranch was hiking with family and friends at Three Sisters Falls in Descanso when a teenage girl in their group slipped and started to fall, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department said in a news release.Crocker tried to keep the girl from going over the ledge but lost her footing.“Unfortunately, both the woman and girl fell and suffered severe injuries,” authorities said.Several witnesses rushed to help Crocker and the teen, who was flown by helicopter to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Cause of death for Olympic medal-winning sprinter Tori Bowie revealed: reports Crocker was pronounced dead at the scene after drowning and suffering "multiple blunt force injuries," according to the medical examiner.“Sarah was pure joy. Her love of family, friends and all things outdoors...

Animal Commission will continue to discuss Austin Aquarium rules following lemur attack

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:53 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Animal Advisory Commission discussed rules related to interactive animal encounters at the Austin Aquarium during its monthly meeting Monday night. According to city documents, if the commission approves the measure, it would request the Austin City Council consider amending city code to target a for-profit zoo or aquarium specifically. It would ban public interaction with wild animals when a facility isn’t accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Woman says lemur attacked her at Austin Aquarium Commissioners moved to create a working group to look more closely at the measure's wording to make sure it doesn't negatively impact businesses like pet stores. The Austin Aquarium is a for-profit facility and is not required to have this accreditation. Last month, a woman said a lemur attacked her at the Aquarium during what the facility calls an "encounter." This is where guests can pet animals under the supervision of handlers. “I remember looking down ...

Money allocated for new firefighting training towers in Albany County

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:53 GMT

ALBANY COUNTY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Firefighters in Albany County will be receiving new towers to help with fire training. The county legislature approved $900,000 to build new towers in both Guilderland and Colonie. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The money will also help upgrade the tower in hill towns in East Berne.Officials said the tower will help with training firefighters throughout the county. They also said Albany County firefighters respond to 39,000 calls a year.

Pat Sajak announces “Wheel of Fortune” retirement, says upcoming season will be his last as host

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:53 GMT

LOS ANGELES — Pat Sajak is taking one last spin on “Wheel of Fortune,” announcing Monday that its upcoming season will be his last as host.Sajak announced his retirement from the venerable game show in a tweet. “Well, the time has come. I’ve decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last. It’s been a wonderful ride, and I’ll have more to say in the coming months. Many thanks to you all,” the tweet said.Sajak, 76, has presided over the game show, which features contestants guessing letters to try to fill out words and phrases to win money and prizes, since 1981. He took over duties from Chuck Woolery, who was the show’s first host when it debuted in 1975.Along with Vanna White, who joined the show in 1982, Sajak has been a television mainstay. The show soon shifted to a syndication and aired in the evening in many markets, becoming one of the most successful game shows in history. Sajak will continue to serve as a consultant on the show for three years...