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Japan gives flanker Shimokawa first start in Rugby World Cup opener against Chile

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:42:33 GMT

TOULOUSE, France (AP) — Rookie flanker Kanji Shimokawa will make his first start for Japan against Rugby World Cup debutant Chile on Sunday in Toulouse.Shimokawa was picked ahead of Shota Fukui, who started against Italy in the last warmup two weeks ago, and in the absence of Pieter Labuschagne, who was suspended for this match.Shimokawa has less than 80 minutes of test rugby but impressed off the bench against New Zealand in October and Fiji in August.Japan’s second row issues appear to have been resolved by Amato Fakatava, who starred in the Pacific Nations Cup and quickly overcame a foot injury to be a late selection, and Jack Cornelsen, who has been a back-rower for club and country this year but was restored to lock against Italy.Rikiya Matsuda has the No. 10 jersey after playing behind Yu Tamura at the 2019 home World Cup and then was overtaken this year by Seungsin Lee.Semisi Masirewa at fullback, and Kotaro Matsushima, on the right wing, have swapped positions.Keita In...

Brock Purdy’s wild NFL ride leads to a Week 1 start at QB for 49ers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:42:33 GMT

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Brock Purdy has been on quite a ride since entering the NFL as the final pick of the 2022 draft.Purdy worked his way onto the San Francisco 49ers’ roster as a rookie, then went on a storybook late-season run when forced into action by injuries only to sustain a serious injury to his throwing elbow in the NFC championship game.Now after a grueling offseason of rehabilitation and building back his arm strength, Purdy is set to start his second season in the NFL as the starting quarterback for one of the Super Bowl favorites. “Honestly, there’s some moments where I’m able to sort of step back and be thankful for everything and whatnot, but at the same time it’s like, man, there’s a lot in front of me that I’m trying to handle and prepare for,” Purdy said Thursday. “Obviously with this game coming up and then really this whole offseason it’s been about my arm, getting it right, getting healthy, so I’m … not trying to get caught up in to...

Takoma Park toy store focuses on ‘the playful at heart’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:42:33 GMT

WTOP is proud to spotlight the many small businesses that make up the D.C. region as part of our Small Business September coverage. The Small Business September series is brought to you by EagleBank.Running a local toy store can be an incredibly fun and rewarding experience, especially when it offers a unique blend of nostalgia, creativity and community engagement.That is the atmosphere at Fair Day’s Play, a toy and game store along Carroll Avenue in Takoma Park, Maryland.“We’re always trying to find different ways for families to come together or for different age groups to come together and have fun,” said Lisa Ripkin, the store’s owner. “We also sell things for an individual to work on themselves, which includes workbooks for kids.”Stepping into Ripkin’s business can transport customers back to their childhood.Seeing both children and adults smile as they explore shelves filled with toys, board games and puzzles is a heartwarming ex...

Broward County prepares for fallen officer’s procession in tribute to Battalion Chief Terryson Jackson

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:42:33 GMT

Broward County stands united in solemn anticipation as it prepares to bid farewell to Battalion Chief Terryson Jackson, who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. The fallen officer’s procession is scheduled to take place following an early morning service on Friday at the LC Pointer Funeral Home. Battalion Chief Jackson, who tragically lost his life in a helicopter crash on August 28, was posthumously promoted to the rank of Battalion Chief, honoring his dedication and unwavering commitment to serving the community.Amidst the grief and reflection, Broward County officials are moving to acquire a new state-of-the-art helicopter for the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO). This decision comes in response to the catastrophic helicopter incident, which not only claimed Battalion Chief Jackson’s life but also that of Lurean Wheaton, a 65-year-old resident living in an apartment complex in Pompano Beach. The county’s resolve to replace the aircraft emphasizes...

Investigation underway after inferno engulfs Miami mechanic shop

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:42:33 GMT

An investigation is underway after a raging inferno tore through a mechanic shop in Miami on Friday morning. At 5:20 a.m., the City of Miami Department of Fire-Rescue responded to reports of a fire at the scene. Firefighters arrived to find a vehicle fire raging on the exterior of the mechanic shop located near the intersection of Northwest Seventh Avenue and 78th Street. Video footage from the scene captured the flames shooting out from multiple vehicles parked within the premises. Their fire attack, which included extending hand lines, quickly brought the situation under control. Within minutes, the inferno was contained, and the fire was prevented from spreading to the interior of the structure. The business was closed at the time of the incident. As a result, there have been no reported injuries related to the fire, but fire officials said six vehicles sustained damages due to the fire’s intensity. The Miami Fire Investigation Unit and Miami Police are investigating to det...

NASA’s mega moon rocket is ‘unaffordable,’ according to accountability report

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:42:33 GMT

(CNN) — Senior NASA officials say that the agency’s Space Launch System — the massive rocket designed to propel its ambitious Artemis program to establish a base on the moon — is “unaffordable,” according to a report Thursday from the US Government Accountability Office.The report, which breaks down SLS program expenditures, makes the striking admission that senior NASA officials deem the rocket to be unsustainable “at current cost levels,” and it criticizes what the GAO said is a lack of transparency into the program’s ongoing costs. The report does not name which officials — or how many — at NASA made such claims.A spokesperson at NASA’s headquarters did not immediately respond to a request for comment.However, the GAO report does state that NASA “recognizes the need to improve the affordability.”“With input from NASA management, the SLS program has developed a roadmap outlining short-term and long-term strategies that it hopes will result in future cost savings,” the report ...

The first experiment to produce oxygen on another planet has come to an end

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:42:33 GMT

(CNN) — The first experiment to produce oxygen on another planet has come to an end on Mars after exceeding NASA’s initial goals and demonstrating capabilities that could help future astronauts explore the red planet.The microwave-size device called MOXIE, or Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilization Experiment, is on the Perseverance rover.The experiment kicked off more than two years ago, a few months after the rover landed on Mars. Since then, MOXIE has generated 122 grams of oxygen, equal to what a small dog breathes in 10 hours, according to NASA. The instrument works by converting some of Mars’ plentiful carbon dioxide into oxygen.During the peak of its efficiency, MOXIE produced 12 grams of oxygen an hour at 98% purity or better, which is twice as much as NASA’s goals for the instrument. On August 7, MOXIE operated for the 16th and final time, having completed all its requirements.“We’re proud to have supported a breakthrough technology like MOXIE that could turn local resourc...

Finnish government and top ministers survive confidence votes over racism scandals

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:42:33 GMT

Finland’s government, as well as Finance Minister Riikka Purra and Economy Minister Wille Rydman, survived votes of confidence on Friday after the far-right Finns Party — a governing coalition member — was ensnared in repeated racism scandals this summer.Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s government survived the vote of no confidence after 106 MPs continued to express their support, while 65 voted against. Some 21 MPs submitted blank voting forms and 7 MPs were absent during the entire voting session on Friday. Both far-right populist Finns Party ministers — who have been under fire for making racist slurs and xenophobic remarks — also remain in office. Purra won the vote of confidence by 104 to 65 votes, while 23 MPs handed in blank ballots, Finnish media reported. Rydman’s result was similar, the only difference being that he received the support of two more MPs than Purra.The Finnish opposition called for votes of confidence on Wednesday, after fierce discussions on the go...

Police investigating after bicyclist struck on Southampton Street in Boston

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:42:33 GMT

Boston police are investigating after a vehicle struck a bicyclist on Southampton Street in Boston late Thursday night. Officers responding to a report of a cyclist struck at the intersection of Southampton and Ellery streets around 11 p.m. found the bicyclist suffering from life-threatening injuries, according to Boston police.The cause of the crash remains under investigation.No additional information was immediately available.This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.

Pedestrian suffers life-threatening injuries after being struck on Stuart Street in Boston

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:42:33 GMT

An investigation got underway on Stuart Street in Boston overnight after police say a pedestrian was struck and critically injured by a vehicle.Officers responding to a report of a pedestrian struck around 12:15 a.m. Friday found the victim suffering from life-threatening injuries, according to Boston police.The cause of the crash remains under investigation.No additional information was immediately available.This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.