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AP gets a rare look at Japan’s Fukushima nuclear plant as it prepares to release radioactive water

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:53:21 GMT

FUTABA, Japan (AP) — At Japan’s tsunami-wrecked Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, giant blue pipes have been constructed to bring in torrents of seawater to dilute treated, radioactive water under a plan to discharge it gradually into the Pacific Ocean.Workers were making final preparations as Associated Press journalists received a rare opportunity Friday to get a look at key equipment and facilities for the release, expected in coming weeks or months.The International Atomic Energy Agency has looked at Japan’s wastewater-release plan and said it would cause negligible radioactivity in the sea and no effect on neighboring countries. But the plans continue to draw strong protest and no starting date has been set. Japan’s fishing industry fears it will destroy the reputation of the country’s seafood, and groups in South Korea and China also have raised concerns. Hong Kong announced Wednesday it would ban seafood imports from 10 Japanese prefectures once the release begins, and B...

UN council wants options in 30 days to help combat Haiti’s armed gangs

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:53:21 GMT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. Security Council ordered the secretary-general on Friday to consider options to help combat Haiti’s armed gangs, including a possible U.N. peacekeeping force and a non-U.N. multinational force.A resolution adopted unanimously by the council asks U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to report back on options within 30 days. It also authorizes up to 70 U.N. police and corrections advisers to scale up support and training for Haiti’s understaffed and underfunded national police force. And it “encourages” countries especially in the Caribbean region to respond to appeals from Haiti’s prime minister and from Guterres for the deployment of an international specialized force.Haiti’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry sent an urgent appeal last October for “the immediate deployment of a specialized armed force, in sufficient quantity” to stop the gangs, but more than eight months later no country has stepped up to lead such a force.Guterres, who visited Haiti earli...

Coyotes terminate contract of Galchenyuk following arrest on multiple charges

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:53:21 GMT

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The Arizona Coyotes have terminated the contract of newly-signed free agent forward Alex Galchenyuk following his arrest on multiple charges last weekend.The Coyotes terminated Galchenyuk’s contract on Friday due to a material breach of terms a day after placing him on unconditional waivers.“We are aware of the incident involving Alex Galchenyuk and strongly condemn this type of behavior,” the Coyotes said in a statement. “Once the Club was made aware of the allegations, we immediately began the process of terminating his Standard Player’s Contract through the proper channels in conjunction with the National Hockey League. Galchenyuk was arrested Sunday on charges of private property hit and run, disorderly conduct, failure to obey, resisting arrest and threatening or intimidating, according to the Scottsdale Police Department. A spokesperson said the hit and run was only property damage and no injuries occurred. Galchenyuk was booked into ...

Italians outraged after court clears man of groping a teen because the contact was under 10 seconds

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:53:21 GMT

ROME (AP) — Italians are using social media to denounce a court verdict clearing a school janitor of a sexual assault charge for groping a 17-year-old student because it only lasted “around five to 10 seconds.”The teenager said the man came up from behind her as she was pulling up her trousers while walking with a friend up the stairs in a Rome high school, and slipped his hand beneath her underpants, according to court documents. Pulling on the undergarments, he then lifted her slightly in the air. He admitted to groping her in the April 2022 incident but claimed it was a joke.A court in Rome ruled last week that the groping was “just a few seconds” and wasn’t sexual, and that it was so brief that his argument that it was a joke was convincing even if “inopportune.”The verdict will be appealed, the teen’s lawyer, Andrea Buitoni, told The Associated Press. Italian law allows acquittals to be appealed by both the prosecutor and the defense. Actor and comedian Paolo Camill...

Blue Jays become 14th MLB team to introduce jersey patch

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:53:21 GMT

The Toronto Blue Jays have unveiled a new patch that will be worn on their home, road and alternate jerseys.The 3″x3″ patch features the TD logo and makes the Blue Jays the 14th team in MLB to introduce a patch to their uniforms. Toronto will debut the patch when it takes the field Friday against the Arizona Diamondbacks.“TD is an industry leader whose brand is highly recognizable with our fans. The new jersey patch is emblematic of the strong and unique relationship between TD and the Blue Jays,” said Anuk Karunaratne, Executive Vice President of Business Operations, Toronto Blue Jays, in a press release.“For nearly two decades, TD has served as an innovative sponsor of the Blue Jays, with a storied history and commitment to baseball. TD has a passionate and meaningful presence in communities across the country and has played a critical role in helping to connect fans to the game we all love.”George Springer wears a Toronto Blue Jays jersey with the newly introduced TD ...

NASCAR's Chicago Street Race cleanup scheduled to end this weekend

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:53:21 GMT

CHICAGO — A little under two weeks after the event's conclusion, the cleanup after it is expected to finish this weekend. Per the Chicago Office of Emergency and Communication's tear-down plan for the event, the last two steps of the removal of the structures on the 2.2-mile structure will start on Friday and conclude on Saturday.(Chicago OEMC)Over the two-day period, stripped parking designations on southbound Columbus Dr. between Jackson Blvd. and Balbo Dr. will be removed.At the same time, the President's Paddock Club will be removed, vacating the park area and sidewalk along the west side of Columbus Drive and Balbo Drive.This will conclude the effort to tear down walls, fences, stands, and other structures from NASCAR's first races on the streets of Chicago, which took place on July 1 and 2. Streets began reopening shortly after the race's conclusion, the last opening coming on Wednesday and Thursday on Balbo Drive between Columbus Drive and DuSable Lake Shore Drive. With the c...

'Not going to cut it': Suburban boy thriving in national mullet contest

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:53:21 GMT

GRANT PARK, Ill. — A south suburban boy is in the running for a national mullet championship.Cole McMartin, of Grant Park, who turns three next week, has been living the "business in the front, party in the back" lifestyle for his entire life.McMartin's father got the idea from someone winning the USA Mullet Championship from his hometown in Wisconsin. This year the organization has partnered with former NFL star Jared Allen's Homes for Wounded Warriors foundation.Despite the great hairdo, the cause is personal for the McMartins.Cole McMartin, courtesy family"Will, a friend of my husband, was in the Marines," mother Sheri McMartin said. "He has PTSD really hard sometimes and we love him. This is going to a great cause."As of publication, McMartin over 640 votes and counting. Each voter has the option to leave a donation for the charity.While there's not an official ranking before the next round of voting, which begins July 20, family has been keeping an eye on totals and believes he...

WATCH LIVE | Durbin meets with Chicago's Ukrainian community following NATO Summit

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:53:21 GMT

CHICAGO — U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) plans to meet with Chicago's Ukrainian, Lithuanian, and Polish communities following NATO Summit.While President Biden's presence dominated the headlines, Durbin also made the trip to Vilnius, Lithuania to be present for the summit. Chicago area at risk for severe weather Friday He plans to "discuss his observations from his trip... and Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine," according to a release from his office.WGN plans to livestream the meeting within this story beginning at approximately 11:15 a.m.

A look at the FDA's decision to approve over the counter birth control

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:53:21 GMT

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has given the nod for an over-the-counter birth control pill.The approved O-Pill is a norgestrel tablet for birth control.This particular pill formulation has been around since 1973, so doctors know how it works, how well and the risks.Now they are celebrating the accessibility of this contraception and the step forward for reproductive rights.But they are raising the red flag when it comes to access without expert advice. Related: FDA approves 1st over-the-counter birth control pill in US Dr. Julie Levitt is an ob/gyn with the Women's Group of Northwestern.“I think it's very important that patients have options and access,” she said. “So this has been a long time coming. … It's the same as our mini pill by prescription so progesterone only. You take it every day. It's important it's taken at the same time every day.” Compliance is the key to efficacy. The pill, taken properly is 93-percent effective at preventing pregnancy.“There is a small c...

Ken adds to 'I love you so much' mural ahead of 'Barbie' movie release

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:53:21 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The iconic "I love you so much" mural on South Congress is becoming an even bigger draw for selfies after an update professes the love of one legendary toy to another. The mural, which is located on the north-facing wall of Jo's Coffee at the corner of South Congress and West James Street, now reads, "Barbie, I love you so much. -Ken." This sweetly destructive defacement is only temporary because it's part of a push to promote the hotly-anticipated release of the "Barbie" movie on July 21. The film, directed by Greta Gerwig, stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling as Barbie and Ken respectively. In the movie, the two dolls leave the imaginary Barbie Land to experience what the real world is like. The studio behind it, Warner Bros. Pictures, is on a marketing blitz that now includes a few stunts in the Texas capital. On Friday morning, people gathered to watch an unveiling and see the changes Ken made to the "I love you so much" mural. Dancers from Melody DanceFit, a loc...