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Japan PM’s son to resign after public outrage over private party at official residence

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:58 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Monday his son is resigning as his executive policy secretary to take responsibility for using the prime minister’s residence for a private party at which the merrymaking was exposed in magazine photos that triggered public outrage.Shotaro Kishida, his father’s executive secretary for political affairs and eldest son, invited a group of people including relatives to a year-end party on Dec. 30 at the Prime Minister’s Official Residence.Photos published by the weekly Shukan Bunshun magazine showing Kishida’s son and his relatives posing on red-carpeted stairs in an imitation of the group photos taken of newly appointed Cabinets, with his son at the center — the position reserved for the prime minister. Other photos showed guests standing at a podium as if holding a news conference.“As secretary for (the prime minister’s) political affairs, a public position, his actions were inappropriate and I decided to replace him...

Blue Jays’ Anthony Bass criticized for sharing anti-LGBTQ video online

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:58 GMT

Toronto Blue Jays reliever Anthony Bass is attracting a barrage of controversy after he appeared to share an anti-LGBTQ video on Instagram calling on others to boycott Target for supporting LGBTQ rights.Various Twitter users published screenshots of the alleged video that Bass shared, depicting a man named Ryan Miller behind the Instagram account “dudewithgoodnews,” instructing the audience to consider boycotting Target on behalf of Christianity and the bible.“For those who don’t know, Target has begun pushing the message of transitioning to young people and teamed up with a Satanist to push pro-Satan clothing and pins to children,” Miller wrote in the video’s caption. “The enemy isn’t even hiding anymore.”The video remains shared on Bass’ Instagram story, published around 7:30 p.m. on Monday.Target, one of America’s largest general-merchandise retailers, offers products promoting Pride Month, often celebrated in June...

Texas lawmakers adjourn without passing property tax legislation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:58 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- The Texas Legislature ended the regular legislative session Monday evening with top priorities left on the table.Lawmakers worked all day to finalize a last-second deal on legislation to lower property taxes. The two chambers have been at an intractable impasse all session, with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dade Phelan arguing their plans will save Texans more money.The legislature was constitutionally required to end their business by midnight Monday. The Texas Constitution prescribes 140-day legislative sessions in odd-numbered years. The 88th session began on June 10.Read: No deal on property tax legislation as session enters final dayThis month, the House passed legislation that would raise the homestead exemption to $100,000 and to $110,000 for seniors. That legislation would also limit the amount a home’s value can raise year-over-year to 5%. The current appraisal cap is 10%.Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick laid out what he said were the terms of the negotiat...

Royce Lewis helps lead Twins over Astros in dramatic return

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:58 GMT

HOUSTON — Royce Lewis is back.Minnesota Twins’ Ryan Jeffers, right, celebrates with third base coach Tommy Watkins after hitting a home run against the Houston Astros during the 10th inning of a baseball game Monday, May 29, 2023, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)And he made sure everyone knows it, too.One year ago, to the day, Lewis crashed into the outfield wall, partially tearing his anterior cruciate ligament. A second knee surgery and a grueling year of rehab followed. Monday, the day he was eligible to come off the injured list, the Twins activated him and inserted him into the lineup, hitting fifth.“The 60-day IL stint being perfectly timed is really special and amazing. It feels so surreal,” Lewis said before Monday’s game. “I think something special is going to happen tonight. I couldn’t tell you what, but it just feels like it’s kind of like that time. I’m just excited.”It turns out, “something special” looks like a three-run home run and a two-out game-t...

Woman ‘saving up’ as Ferguson PD cracks down on expired tags

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:58 GMT

FERGUSON, Mo. - We're hours away from Temp Tag Tuesday in the City of Ferguson, a new campaign to get expired temporary tags off the streets.Debra Noblin purchased her SUV a few months ago. Her tags expired in March, but tough times delayed her from registering her ride."I'm saving up, and that's hard because I have other bills too," Noblin said.She said it's also very difficult to register a vehicle in the state of Missouri."We had to go down to St. Louis City, then we had to go back to the DMV," Noblin said. "Then we didn't have insurance, so we had to go bring proof of insurance, then we had to go back to where we bought the car to get the registration papers to say we paid for the car." Residents call for ‘problem’ warehouse to be torn down after massive fire Even with her dated tags, she welcomes the new initiative by the Ferguson Police Department, but only if it comes with an understanding."I think that's a fair deal, as long as we're not getting tickets for it because we a...

Crowds return to St. Louis County Greek Fest for first time in 3 years

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:58 GMT

TOWN AND COUNTRY, Mo. - The Assumption Greek Orthodox Church’s St. Louis County Greek Fest has seen record crowds this weekend, thanks in part to this beautiful weather. Festival goers enjoyed the atmosphere in person for the first time in three years.“I think we had the perfect storm of the most beautiful weather. People anticipating wanting to come back. And it’s been awesome,” said Greg Simos, festival chairman. “We need to be in person. We’re people people. We like to party. We like the atmosphere. So, we’re glad to be back this year.”And from the look of the food lines, a lot of people feel the same. Simos said everyone has been patient despite the wait.“In all my lifetime, I’ve never seen lines this long. I mean, yeah, it’s great,” he said. “It hasn’t been too hot, but they’ve handled the heat well. We really have had no complaints. People are patient. They keep thanking us for being open, and we thank them for coming.” Residents call for ‘problem’ warehouse to be torn down ...

Memorial Day commemorates around St. Louis, over 200 locals identified and honored

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:58 GMT

ST. LOUIS - From St. Louis County to the city, Memorial Day commemorations were held in honor of fallen soldiers this year, which meant something extra special for veterans who have served in the Vietnam War.At the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, many gathered for the ceremony. Bob Miller had four family members laid to rest at the cemetery. He said honoring the lives lost in battle is a way to pay tribute to what has been sacrificed.“These people paid the ultimate price; some of them lost their lives during the conflict," Miller said.He said the sacrifices made in battle were sacrifices made for our country and freedom.“It’s important that we remember… you know… the price of freedom," he said. "I mean, freedom isn’t free.” Residents call for ‘problem’ warehouse to be torn down after massive fire As many tombstones were joined with prideful colors of red, white, and blue, Daniel Williams, deputy director at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, hone in on what makes this...

Warehouse fire Monday afternoon closes north Colorado Boulevard

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:58 GMT

A warehouse fire forced police to close north Colorado Boulevard Monday afternoon while firefighters knocked down the flames.Emergency responders arrived at the fire at the Telluride Stone Company, in the 5000 block of Colorado Boulevard, after 4 p.m. Monday. Just before 6 p.m., firefighters had nearly extinguished the bulk of the flames.@Denver_Fire is on scene of a confirmed warehouse fire near 48TH and Colorado. Crews have completed initial searches and have transitioned into defensive attack due to amount of fire, we will fight this fire from the outside in. More updates to follow. pic.twitter.com/osTUhDJ143— Denver Fire Department (@Denver_Fire) May 29, 2023Denver Fire Department Capt. J.D. Chism said several propane tanks in the building exploded, exacerbating the fire. Still, nobody was injured, he said.pic.twitter.com/mkNsJedIpw— Denver Fire Department (@Denver_Fire) May 29, 2023Police closed Colorado Boulevard off at 48th Street and as of 6 p.m. the thoroughfar...

10-pound pooch saves brother-pup, chases off coyote in Mission Viejo (video)

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:58 GMT

Backyard surveillance cameras captured the tense moments when a small Maltese dog saved his little brother by chasing off a coyote that had gotten the younger dog in its mouth.  The owners of the pooches, David and Erin Mascaluso, say the incident happened earlier this month after a coyote jumped in their backyard one evening. Their hero dog, 11-year-old Vinny, who weighs all of 10 pounds and has three teeth, was up for the challenge, they said.  “He’s always been a scrapper, oh yeah,” David told KTLA. “The first day we brought him home, I went and I pet him and he started growling at me.”  In video of the incident, the coyote can be seen jumping the fence and chasing Vinny’s brother, Harley, into a corner. After Harley is heard yelping, Vinny springs into action from the other side of the yard and chases the coyote off as Harley runs the other direction.  “You know, a little 10 pound, three tooth dog...and 11 years old chased off a 60-pound coyote,” David said. ...

Nova Scotia blazes ‘out of control,’ 16,000 forced to flee

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:58 GMT

By Michelle Watson and Zoe Sottile | CNNRaging wildfires that have burned through thousands of acres have forced more than 16,000 Canadians to evacuate their homes and triggered a burn ban in Nova Scotia, as the region experiences record-breaking heat.Officials say the fires, which span a total of more than 25,000 acres and have been deemed “out of control” by officials, have destroyed multiple buildings and caused huge plumes of smoke to tower over the region. As of Monday, more than 16,000 people were forced to evacuate the area around Halifax, Nova Scotia’s largest city.The number of people who have been forced from their homes is about 16,429, Erica Fleck, Division Chief of Emergency Management of the Halifax Regional Municipality, said in a news conference Monday.Authorities also said about 400 people have been evacuated from Shelbourne County in southwest Nova Scotia.“Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by these fires,” Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston said. “We know you are...