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• All three bodies have been recovered after a tourist helicopter crashed on a crater of Japan's Mount Aso volcano

• The helicopter was carrying two Taiwanese tourists and a pilot when it crashed on Tuesday, Jan 20

• The bodies were found with the help of dones, authorities confirmed on Thursday, Feb. 19

Three bodies have been found four weeks after a helicopter crashed on a crater of Japan's Mount Aso volcano.

PEOPLEpreviously reportedthat a sightseeing helicopter carrying three people went missing on the morning of Tuesday, Jan. 20.

The occupants were two Taiwanese tourists — a 41-year-old man and a 36-year-old woman — and a 64-year-old Japanese pilot, according toKumamoto Nichinichi Shimbun, theKyodo News AgencyandThe Taipei Times.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, Feb. 19, authorities confirmed that the bodies of the passengers had been found, perTaipei Times, U.K. newspaperThe IndependentandThe Straits Times.

Officials were able to locate the bodies near the aircraft wreckage using drone footage,Taipei Timesreported.

Authorities said they would attempt to carry out a recovery operation of the remains, perThe Independent.

PEOPLE has reached out to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency (FDMA)  and the National Police Agency, but didn't immediately receive responses.

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PEOPLEpreviously reportedthat the helicopter left the Aso Cuddly Dominion zoo on Tuesday, Jan. 20, at around 10:52 a.m. local time before going missing near the Mount Aso summit in Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture.

Per the Kyodo News Agency, it was on its third sightseeing trip of the day and had no issues in the previous trips.

The aircraft's GPS was last detected near Aso's crater with fire officials receiving an emergency notification from a passenger's phone at around 11:04 a.m., perThe Japan Times.

Due to harsh weather conditions of strong winds and volcanic gas, rescue teams were unable to reach the site,The Independentreported.

After being informed, family members of the victims agreed that the rescue operation could be suspended due to the safety issues, perTaipei Times.

The last eruption of Mount Aso occurred in October 2021, according toThe Independent.

Mount Aso is located in the Aso-Kuju National Park and holds the record for Japan's second most visited park with approximately 1.18 million foreign tourists visiting in 2024.

Read the original article onPeople

The report was presented to parliament on Wednesday by parliamentary leader Kimani Ichung'wah, who accused Russian embassy officials of colluding with work recruitment agencies to dupe Kenyans into believing they would be given skilled jobs in Russia. He said the Russian embassy officials issued them tourist visas.

The Russian Embassy in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, denied the allegations, saying in a statement Thursday that it never issued visas to anyone intending to travel to Russia to fight in Ukraine. It added: "the Russian Federation does not preclude citizens of foreign countries from voluntarily enlisting in the armed forces."

Ichung'wah told parliament that said the National Intelligence Service report shows that 89 Kenyans were on the front line, 39 were hospitalized, 28 were missing in action, others had returned home, and at least one was confirmed dead. The report also provides details about the recruitment agencies that allegedly took Kenyans to Russia.

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He warned that any Kenyan officials working in the country's embassy in Moscow would be held responsible if they are found to have colluded in the scheme.

Dozens of Kenyan families have in recent weeks urged the government to bring back loved ones stranded in Russia, with some allegedly forced to fight on the front lines and others held as prisoners of war in Ukraine.

Kenyan recruits who have returned to the country have given accounts of being promised skilled jobs such as electricians and plumbers. They say they signed contracts written in Russian and were sent to battle with little or no military training.

Kenya's foreign ministry had previously acknowledged the problem, and urged citizens to be careful.

Two recruiters were arrested last year and released on bail as they await trial.

United States-Iran-Military

The Iranian drill and the arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier near the mouth of the Mediterranean Sea underscorethe tensions between the nations. Iran earlier this week also launched a drill that involved live-fire in theStrait of Hormuz, the narrow opening of the Persian Gulf through which a fifth of the world's traded oil passes.

The movements of additional American warships and airplanes don't guarantee a U.S. strike on Iran — but it does give President Donald Trump the ability to carry out one should he choose to do so. He's so far held off on striking Iran after setting red lines over the killing of peaceful protesters and Tehran holding mass executions, while reengaging Tehran in nuclear talks earlier disrupted by the Iran-Israel war in June.

"Should Iran decide not to make a Deal, it may be necessary for the United States to use Diego Garcia, and the Airfield located in Fairford, in order to eradicate a potential attack by a highly unstable and dangerous Regime," Trump wrote on his Truth Social website, seeking to pressure the United Kingdom over its plans to settle the future of the Chagos Islands with Mauritius.

Meanwhile, Iran struggles with unrest at home followingits crackdown on protests, with mourners now holding ceremonies honoring their dead 40 days after their killing by security forces. Some of the gatherings have included anti-government cries, despite threats from authorities.

Iran holds drill with Russia

The drill Thursday saw Iranian forces and Russian sailors conduct operations in the Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean, Iran's state-run IRNA news agency reported. The drill will be aimed at "upgrading operational coordination as well as exchange of military experiences," IRNA added.

China had joined the "Security Belt" drill in previous years, but there was no acknowledgment it participated in this round. In recent days, a vessel that appeared to be a Steregushchiy-class Russian corvette had been seen at a military port in the Iranian city of Bandar Abbas.

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Iran also issued a rocket-fire warning to pilots in the region, suggesting they planned to launch anti-ship missiles in the exercise.

Meanwhile, tracking data showed the Ford off the coast of Morocco in the Atlantic Ocean midday Wednesday, meaning the carrier could transit through Gibraltar and potentially station in the eastern Mediterranean with its supporting guided-missile destroyers.

Having the carrier there could allow American forces to have extra aircraft and anti-missile power to potentially protect Israel and Jordan should a conflict break out with Iran. The U.S. similarly placed warships there during the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip to protect against Iranian fire.

Anti-government chants made at mourning ceremonies

Mourning ceremonies for those killed by security forces in the protests last month also have increased. Iranians traditionally mark the death of a loved one 40 days after the loss. Both witnesses and social media videos showed memorials taking place at Tehran's massive Behesht-e Zahra cemetery. Some memorials included people chanting against Iran's theocracy while singing nationalistic songs.

The demonstrations began Dec. 28 at Tehran's historic Grand Bazaar, initially over the collapse of Iran's currency, the rial, then spread across the country. Tensions exploded on Jan. 8, with demonstrations called for by Iran's exiled crown prince,Reza Pahlavi.

Iran's government has offered only one death toll for the violence, with 3,117 people killed. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which has been accurate in previous rounds of unrest in Iran, puts the death toll at over 7,000 killed, with many more feared dead.

Associated Press writer Nasser Karimi in Tehran, Iran, contributed to this report.

The Board of Peace was established to bring an end to the war in Gaza, as international delegates discuss the next steps in a fragile ceasefire that was approved in October.

Representatives from more than 45 countries were expected to attend, though several key U.S. allies including the UK, Germany and France turned down invitations. There was also no Palestinian representation, though there were Israeli delegates in attendance.

Infantino and Trump enjoy a close relationship, with the FIFA president making a number of appearances at the White House over the past year. Infantino was also among severalworld leaders in attendancein October as Trump and others marked a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

Ahead of the meeting, some attendees were given MAGA-style red hats with "U.S.A." in large white letters. The side was emblazoned with "45-47," referring to Trump's two presidencies. Infantino briefly donned the hat.

According to Section 5 ofFIFA's Code of Ethics, persons bound by the code must remain politically neutral.

USA TODAY Sports has reached out to FIFA for comment.

Infantino has previously come under fire for a perceived failure to remain politically neutral. In December, FairSquare, a London-based human rights nonprofit,filed an ethics complaintwith FIFA over Infantino's alleged breaches of the rules.

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"This complaint is about a lot more than Infantino's support for President Donald Trump's political agenda. More broadly, this is about how FIFA's absurd governance structure has allowed Gianni Infantino to openly flout the organization's rules and act in ways that are both dangerous and directly contrary to the interests of the world's most popular sport." said Nicholas McGeehan, FairSquare's program director.

Infantino has advocated for Trump to win the Nobel Peace Prize and in November said that "I think we should all support what [Trump is] doing," at the American Business Forum in Miami.

At the World Cup draw in December, Infantinoaward Trump the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize.

Facing criticism over the creation of the award and his decision to award it to Trump, theFIFA president said last monththat "objectively, [Trump] deserves it."

On Thursday, Trump again thanked Infantino for the award while re-airing his grievance over not winning the Nobel Peace Prize.

"I want to thank Gianni and FIFA for all the wonderful things they did and are doing," Trump said.

"They gave me their first peace prize. They gave me a peace prize. I think they saw that I got screwed by Norway and they said let's give him a peace prize."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:FIFA's Gianni Infantino wears MAGA-style hat at Trump Board of Peace

Martin Chivers, soccer, 1945-2026

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Sports figures we lost in 2026

Theformer Steelers safetywas a two-time Pro Bowl selection and a member of all four Super Bowl-winning teams during the 1970s. He was a key member of the notorious Steel Curtain defense and a staple of one of the NFL's greatest dynasties.

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Wagner was drafted in the 11th round of the1971 NFL Draftfrom Western Illinois. As a rookie, he started in 12 games and recorded two interceptions. Unfortunately, an injury to his neck in 1977 limited him to just three games that season. However, he returned in 1978, starting 14 games and recording two interceptions during the regular season, helping the Steelers win their third Super Bowl.

In 1979, he played in eight games and, although he didn't play in the Super Bowl due to injuries, earned his fourth ring of the decade with the franchise.

In a statement, Steelers president Art Rooney II emphasized Wagner's career accomplishments and honors with the Steelers.

APTOPIX Portugal Champions League Soccer

"Our club has actively collaborated with the investigation opened by UEFA following the unacceptable episodes of racism experienced during that match," the club said on Thursday without elaborating on the evidence.

UEFA appointed a special investigator on Wednesday to gather evidence about what happened in Lisbon in Madrid's 1-0 win over Benfica in the first leg of the knockout round of the Champions League.

Vinícius accused Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni of calling him "monkey" after the Brazilian scored the only goal. Prestianni was among the Benfica players upset with Vinícius after the forward celebrated by the Benfica corner flag.

Prestianni covered his mouth with his shirt when he allegedly spoke to the Brazilian player and denied racially abusing Vinícius, who is Black and has been subjected to repeated racist insults in Spain.

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"Real Madrid appreciates the unanimous support, backing, and affection that our player Vinicius Jr. has received from all areas of the global football community," the club said. "Real Madrid will continue working, in collaboration with all institutions, to eradicate racism, violence, and hate in sports and society."

Benfica said Prestianni was the victim of a "defamation campaign" and welcomed the investigation opened by UEFA on Wednesday, saying it "fully supports and believes the version presented" by Prestianni.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Wednesday he was "shocked and saddened to see the incident of alleged racism" and praised the referee for activating the anti-racism protocol during the match, which was halted for nearly 10 minutes at the Stadium of Light.

AP soccer:https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Immigration Enforcement Minnesota

U.S. District Judge John Tunheim blocked the government from targeting these refugees last month, saying the plaintiffs in the case were likely to prevail on their claims "that their arrest and detention, and the policy that purports to justify them, are unlawful."His Jan. 28 temporary restraining orderwill expire Feb. 25 unless he grants a more permanent preliminary injunction.

Refugee rights groups sued the federal government in January after the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in mid-December launched Operation PARRIS, an acronym for Post-Admission Refugee Reverification and Integrity Strengthening.

It was billed as a "sweeping initiative" to reexamine the cases of 5,600 Minnesota refugees who had not yet been granted permanent resident status, also known as green cards. The agenciescited fraud in public programsin Minnesota as justification.

Operation PARRIS was part of the Trump administration's broader immigration crackdown that targeted Minnesota, including the surge of thousands of federal officers into the state. Homeland Security said it was itslargest immigration enforcement operation ever. It also sparked mass protests after the shooting deaths ofRenee GoodandAlex Pretti.White House border czar Tom Homanannounced last weekthe surge was ending, though asmall federal presencewould remain.

The lawsuit alleges that ICE officers went door to door under Operation PARRIS arresting refugees and sending them to detention centers in Texas, without access to attorneys. Some were later released on the streets of Texas and left to find their own way back to Minnesota, they said.

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The judge rejected the government's claim that it had the legal right to arrest and detain refugees who haven't obtained their green cards within a year of arriving in the U.S. He said that would be illogical and nonsensical, given that refugees can't apply for permanent residency until they've been in the U.S. for a year.

Tunheim noted in his order, which applies only in Minnesota, that refugees are extensively vetted by multiple agencies before being resettled in the U.S. He wrote that none arrested in the operation had been deemed a danger to the community or a flight risk, nor had any been charged with crimes that could be grounds for deportation.

The judge cited several cases involving plaintiffs named in the lawsuit, including one man identified only as U.H.A., a refugee with no criminal history. He was admitted into the U.S. in 2024 and was arrested by ICE while driving to work on Jan. 18 this year. "He was pulled over, ordered out of his car, handcuffed, and detained, without a warrant or apparent justification," the judge wrote.

Tunheim stressed that the refugees impacted by his order were admitted into the U.S. because of persecution in their home countries. He prohibited further arrests under Operation PARRIS and ordered that all detainees still in custody from it be released and returned to Minnesota.

"They are not committing crimes on our streets, nor did they illegally cross the border. Refugees have a legal right to be in the United States, a right to work, a right to live peacefully — and importantly, a right not to be subjected to the terror of being arrested and detained without warrants or cause in their homes or on their way to religious services or to buy groceries," he wrote.

"At its best, America serves as a haven of individual liberties in a world too often full of tyranny and cruelty. We abandon that ideal when we subject our neighbors to fear and chaos," he continued.

In afollow-up orderFeb. 9, Tunheim rejected a government motion to lift the temporary restraining order.