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Men alleging abuse at Japanese talent agency are interviewed by company investigators

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:58 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — Two men who say they were sexually abused as teenagers by a Japanese entertainment mogul were interviewed Monday by a special team set up by the talent agency to look into the allegations.Junya Hiramoto and Shimon Ishimaru, both former members of a boys’ dance-and-song group called Johnny’s Junior, said they still want an apology and compensation from Johnny & Associates.“They haven’t admitted anything, and they haven’t apologized,” Hiramoto told reporters after the interviews.“We desire a peaceful resolution. There is no point in taking the bloody, contentious route of fighting it out with hatred.”The two are among about a dozen men who have alleged sexual abuse by the agency’s founder, Johnny Kitagawa. They say they were abused at his Tokyo luxury mansion as well as at other places, such as his car and overseas hotels, while performing as teens.Kitagawa, who died in 2019, was never charged.Earlier this month, the U.N. Working Group on Business and Human Rights urg...

Pakistan’s caretaker prime minister sworn in as people celebrate Independence Day

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:58 GMT

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Former Pakistani Senator Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar was sworn in on Monday as the country’s prime minister to head a caretaker national government that will oversee parliamentary elections amid one of the worst economic crises the Islamic nation has faced, officials said.Kakar, who is comparatively new to politics and known to be close to the powerful military, has been representing his Baluchistan province in the Senate since 2018. President Arif Alvi administered the oath of office to him inside a white marble palace known as the Presidency in a brief ceremony. Kakar on Sunday quit as the head of his small Baluchistan Awami Party and quit as a senator after being named by outgoing premier Shehbaz Sharif and opposition leader Raza Riaz to oversee the vote and run the day-to-day affairs of the government until the people elect a new government. It is normal practice in Pakistan to appoint a caretaker administration for the election period.Under the constitution, the ...

Scooter rider found with life-threatening injuries in Mississauga

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:58 GMT

The rider of a motorized scooter is fighting for his life in hospital following an incident in Mississauga.Peel police were called to Homeric Drive, in the area of Tomken Road and Dundas Street, just before midnight on Sunday.A man in his 50s was found on the road near a scooter. Paramedics say he was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries.Police are working to figure out what happened and tell CityNews the scooter did not have any visible damage that would indicate it was involved in a collision.Roads were closed in the area for the investigation but they have since reopened.

Sweden calls for vigilance abroad after Quran desecrations and protests

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:58 GMT

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — A senior Swedish official said Monday Swedes abroad and businesses linked to Sweden“should observe increased vigilance and caution,” following recent Quran burnings in the country and protests in the Muslim world.Henrik Landerholm, Sweden’s National Security Adviser, said there are signs of “a heightened threat” to the country and to Swedish interests abroad, adding the security situation has worsened.In a statement, Landerholm said that “representatives of terrorist groups have called for attacks against Sweden. States and other actors have helped amplify such messages.” He said Sweden has gone from being considered a “legitimate” target to being a “priority” target. The statement did not identify those involved.Landerholm said there also were ”indications” that groups are planning other acts against Swedish interests abroad, and cited the storming of Sweden’s Embassy in Baghdad last month and an attempted attack on the diplomatic mission in B...

Poland’s government wants to ask voters loaded questions on border security as part of election

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:58 GMT

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poland’s government said Monday it wants to ask voters whether they want dismantled a recently-built border wall that blocks unauthorized migration from Belarus.The loaded question is one of four the right-wing ruling party wants to ask in a referendum it intends to hold alongside the Oct. 15 parliamentary elections. The Law and Justice party is intent on winning an unprecedented third term in the elections. Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said on social media that the question will ask: “Do you support the pulling down of the barrier on the border on the Polish Republic with the Republic of Belarus?”The government built the wall last year and substantially reduced the inflow of Middle East and African migrants across that border. Poland and European Union authorities view the inflow as an effort by Russia’s ally Belarus to generate turmoil in Poland and other European countries. Poland has also reinforced military troops along that border due to Belar...

Typhoon approaches western Japan, threatening to bring heavy rain and high winds during holiday week

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:58 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — A powerful typhoon was approaching Japan’s main archipelago of Honshu on Monday, threatening to hit large areas of western and central Japan with heavy rain and high winds, as many people were traveling for a Buddhist holiday week.Typhoon Lan was packing winds of up to 126 kph (78 mph) as it headed northwest over the Pacific Ocean south of Cape Shionomisaki in the central Japanese prefecture of Wakayama, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. The typhoon is expected to make landfall on Tuesday morning, cut across the region and veer east toward Hokkaido over waters between Japan and the Korean Peninsula, the JMA said.The typhoon, arriving in the middle of the Bon Buddhist holiday week, is expected to affect many Japanese traveling to visit their families and relatives, as transportation and event operators in the typhoon’s predicted path have decided to suspend services through Tuesday. Central Japan Railway Co. said Shinkansen “bullet” train operations bet...

Potential severe storms Monday; Flood Watch issued

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:58 GMT

CHICAGO — Mostly cloudy Monday with rain at times and isolated thunderstorms. Some could be strong to severe. Winds: ESE/WNW 5-15 mph. High: 75.A Flood Watch is issued for Cook, Lake, DuPage and McHenry counties from 10 a.m. until midnight. Mostly cloudy tonight with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Winds: NNE 5-10 mph. Low: 62. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here Tuesday Forecast: A few lingering showers and thunderstorms then decreasing clouds. Winds: NNE/SW 5-10 mph. High 77.Extended outlook calls for more sunshine and temps back into the lower 80s on Wednesday and a bit muggier. Chance of showers/t'storms again on Thursday with warmer and sunnier weather expected for Friday into the weekend with highs getting close to 90. Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog

Weak front brings lower humidity, spot storms

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:58 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As many school districts return to the classroom this week, teachers and students will want to prepare for hot recesses and bus stop pick-ups.Afternoon highs will climb to the upper 90s and low 100s areawide today. Austin's forecast high of 106° will mark our 36th consecutive day of triple digits and our 54th for the year.A subtle shift in the high pressure system above will allow a weak "cold" front to slide in late day. Although we expect a negligible difference in temperatures, this boundary will help spark a few isolated, late-day storms and bring a drop in humidity behind it.As our high briefly strengthens again late week, temperatures spike to daily records (107° Thursday).Stay with KXAN and the First Warning Weather team for updates as the heat drags on. Austin Interactive Weather Stats (2023) KXAN Summer Fan Drive continuesStaying cool is paramount in this heat wave but many of your fellow citizens still have a difficult time doing so. Consider supporting ...

Manor ISD filling staffing shortages with international teachers

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:58 GMT

MANOR (KXAN) — School starts today for thousands of students enrolled in the Manor Independent School District.Similar to what we’ve witnessed all across the country, the school district has struggled with staffing shortages.Manor ISD currently has 200 openings, 81 of which are teacher vacancies. Hoping to fill this void with experience from overseas, the district has 89 international teachers. MORE: Manor ISD starts school with 89 international teachers helping staff classrooms With 400 teachers working within Manor ISD, this group represents almost a quarter of the total teaching body.Pedro Vasquez is a Spanish teacher at Decker Middle School. The Columbian native says this program is solving staffing shortages while showcasing cultural diversity.“We are glad to share our culture, knowledge and passion to learn,” Vasquez said. “We are very happy to be here to teach, help, learn and grow.”Most of these teachers are working on J-1 visas and coming from countries such as Columbia, ...

AFD contains brush fire near I-35 and Stassney

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:58 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Austin Fire Department said Sunday night crews contained a brush fire in south Austin to a half-acre in size. According to an AFD post at 11:27 p.m., the fire originated in an encampment. AFD said the fire burned near Interstate 35 and Stassney Lane. Austin Fire crews fight fire in south Austin on Aug. 14. (Courtesy; Austin Fire)Austin Fire crews fight fire in south Austin on Aug. 14. (Courtesy; Austin Fire)KXAN requested more information about the fire from Austin Fire and will update when we get more.