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Japan entertainment company launches probe into sexual abuse allegations against founder

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:57 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...

Nearly 350 firefighters from the E.U. will help battle relentless Canadian wildfires

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:57 GMT

A battalion of nearly 350 firefighters from the European Union will soon be on the ground in Quebec to help their Canadian counterparts tackle a devastating and unprecedented wildfire season.One hundred and nine fire crews from France arrived last Thursday and spent the weekend dousing flames in Quebec, where fires have forced nearly 14,000 people to flee their homes. Another 140 firefighters from Portugal and 97 from Spain are due to arrive in Quebec City on Wednesday, said Claire Kowalewski, the European Union Emergency Response Coordination Centre’s liaison officer in Canada.It’s the first time in the centre’s 22-year history that it has sent firefighters to help in Canada, Kowalewski said.“There is this solidarity,” she said. “Today, unfortunately, it’s Canada that is facing these terrible fires. But last year in Spain, it was also a terrible year.”The firefighters understand each other, even if they don’t speak the same lang...

Daily horoscope for June 12, 2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:57 GMT

Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Aries.Happy Birthday for Monday, June 12, 2023:People like you because you are intuitive, wise and cheerful. You’re also generous and supportive of others. This is a good year to look inward and reflect. You might renew your spiritual or religious beliefs in order to get closer to the true meaning of your life.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★★★This is a great way for you to begin your week! Today the Moon is in your sign dancing beautifully with your ruler Mars. This makes you feel focused, energetic and confident about achieving what you want to do. Conversations with siblings, relatives and daily contacts will be energized! Tonight: You win!TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★★Financial issues, especially related to your home or family, are on your mind today. Behind-the-scenes research, or perhaps something hidden, will give you the knowledge or know-how to make improvements to where you live....

Dnipro river should return to its banks by 16 June after dam collapse

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:57 GMT

The southern reach of the Dnipro river is likely to return to its banks by 16 June following a vast flood unleashed by the breach of Ukraine's Kakhovka dam this week, a Russian-installed official said on Saturday (10 June).The flood has inundated towns and villages below the dam, trapping residents and sweeping away entire houses on both sides of the Dnipro, which separates Ukrainian-controlled Kherson province from the southern section that Russian forces control.Vladimir Saldo, who heads the Russian-controlled part, said the water level at Nova Kakhovka, the town adjacent to the dam on the downstream side, had now dropped by 3 metres (10 feet) from Tuesday's peak."The pumping of water and garbage collection from the streets have started," he said.Late on Saturday, Saldo added that almost 7,000 people had now been evacuated from the flooded districts of Nova Kakhovka, including 323 children, while 77 people have been hospitalised.He said preliminary calculations by the Russian hydr...

Freight train derails near Russia's border with Ukraine, governor says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:57 GMT

Fifteen cars of an empty freight train derailed in Russia's southern Belgorod region bordering Ukraine, the local governor said late on Saturday (10 June), adding there was no immediate information about the cause."According to preliminary information, there are no casualties," the governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov, said on the Telegram messaging app.The accident happened near a train station in the Alexeyevsky municipal district and the train was empty, Gladkov said.Blasts and attacks on the region's infrastructure have become nearly a daily reality in recent weeks, with officials blaming either Ukrainian forces or pro-Ukrainian saboteurs.Ukraine almost never publicly claims responsibility for attacks inside Russia or on Russian-controlled territory in Ukraine.

Driver charged after bus carrying wedding guests in Australia rolls over, killing 10 and injuring 25

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:57 GMT

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — The driver of a bus was charged Monday after the vehicle carrying wedding guests rolled over on a foggy night in Australia's wine country, killing 10 people and injuring 25 in the nation's most deadly road accident in almost 30 years, police said.Brett Button has been in custody since the accident Sunday night and will appear in court on Tuesday on multiple charges of dangerous and negligent driving, a police statement said.It was Australia's most deadly road accident since 1994, when a bus skidded on its side across a highway and down a steep embankment in Brisbane, killing 12 people and injuring 38.Sunday's crash happened just after 11:30 p.m. in foggy conditions at a roundabout on Wine Country Drive in the town of Greta in the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales state north of Sydney.The guests had attended a wedding at the Wandin Estate Winery and were heading to their accommodations in the town of Singleton, Chapman said. One guest told Seven News...

Miss Manners: Is it just a verbal tic or is she insulting me?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:57 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I’m a 71-year-old woman with progressive multiple sclerosis. I retired from work, on disability, 30 years ago. Even so, I have a full life — I am deeply spiritual, artistic, sociable and creative. I’m a happy person.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: I’m insulted when they imply my profession makes me a monster Advice | Miss Manners: Would this combo party be too peculiar? And what about gifts? Advice | Miss Manners: They ram my shopping cart and then just stare at me Advice | Miss Manners: Whose fault is this distressing situation with my pants? Advice | Miss Manners: He’s my husband, not my brother, and why are you even asking? For decades, I’ve been assisted by personal and household health care aides, as my MS has advanced in intensity and become more life-altering. Some of these people have been caring and committed; others, not so much.A ye...

Dear Abby: This shoplifting incident may be the last straw for my marriage

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:57 GMT

DEAR ABBY: I am at my wits’ end about my marriage.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: How do I tell her I’ve been secretly cleaning her house? Advice | Dear Abby: Our poker wives’ group has been hijacked by a pious new member Advice | Dear Abby: My mausoleum plan has alienated my children Advice | Dear Abby: The bride is afraid her cringey grandma will be an embarrassment Advice | Dear Abby: I’m too old to deal with this new nonsense from my husband Among many other issues, today feels like the last straw. My 8-year-old son stole a small toy from a store, and I made him go back into the store with me to pay for the item.My husband chastised me for doing so, saying I humiliated the boy. I saw it as an opportunity to teach my son a lesson about taking things, and my husband is worried about him feeling humiliated?I have tried therapy for many other issues we have, but we haven’...

Pederson leads Giants against the Cardinals after 4-hit game

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:57 GMT

San Francisco Giants (33-32, third in the NL West) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (27-39, fifth in the NL Central)St. Louis; Monday, 7:45 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Giants: Logan Webb (4-6, 3.42 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 85 strikeouts); Cardinals: Matthew Liberatore (1-2, 6.00 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, 11 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Giants -128, Cardinals +108; over/under is 8 runsBOTTOM LINE: The San Francisco Giants take on the St. Louis Cardinals after Joc Pederson had four hits on Sunday in a 13-3 win over the Cubs.St. Louis is 13-18 in home games and 27-39 overall. The Cardinals rank third in the NL with 90 total home runs, averaging 1.4 per game.San Francisco has gone 15-15 on the road and 33-32 overall. Giants hitters are batting a collective .249, which ranks ninth in the NL.Monday’s game is the fifth time these teams square off this season. The Giants hold a 3-1 advantage in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Paul Goldschmidt has 19 doubles and 10 home runs for the Cardinals. Nolan ...

Diamondbacks open 4-game series against the Phillies

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:57 GMT

Philadelphia Phillies (32-33, third in the NL East) vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (40-25, first in the NL West)Phoenix; Monday, 9:40 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Phillies: Matt Strahm (4-3, 3.61 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 55 strikeouts); Diamondbacks: Tommy Henry (3-1, 4.37 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 27 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Diamondbacks -113, Phillies -107; over/under is 10 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Arizona Diamondbacks host the Philadelphia Phillies to start a four-game series.Arizona is 40-25 overall and 20-14 at home. The Diamondbacks are 16-3 in games when they did not give up a home run.Philadelphia has a 13-22 record in road games and a 32-33 record overall. The Phillies are 12-6 in games decided by one run.The matchup Monday is the fourth meeting between these teams this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Corbin Carroll has 13 home runs, 26 walks and 33 RBI while hitting .312 for the Diamondbacks. Emmanuel Rivera is 13-for-34 with three doubles and four RBI over the last 10 games.Nicholas Castellanos ...