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As of Wednesday, 15 prefectures have been affected, with the amount of snow piled up in the worst hit areas estimated to have reached 2 meters (6.5 feet).

The biggest number of snow-related fatalities, at 12 people, was reported in Niigata Prefecture, a rice-growing region in northern Japan, including a man in his 50s who was found collapsed on the roof of his home in Uonuma city on Jan. 21.

In Nagaoka city, a man in his 70s was spotted collapsed in front of his home and rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. He is believed to have fallen from the roof while raking snow, according to the Niigata government.

Japan's chief government spokesperson warned that, although the weather was getting warmer, more danger could lie ahead because snow would start melting, resulting in landslides and slippery surfaces.

"Please do pay close attention to your safety, wearing a helmet or using a lifeline rope, especially when working on clearing snow," Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara told reporters.

Various task forces were set up to respond to the heavy snow in Niigata and nearby regions, which began Jan. 20. Seven snow-related deaths have been reported in Akita Prefecture and five in Yamagata Prefecture.

Injuries nationwide numbered 393, including 126 serious injuries, 42 of them in Niigata. Fourteen homes were damaged, three in Niigata and eight in Aomori Prefecture.

The reason behind the heavy snowfall is unclear. But deaths and accidents related to heavy snow are not uncommon in Japan, with 68 deaths reported over the six winter months the previous year, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency.

More heavy snow is forecast for the coming weekend.

Yuri Kageyama contributed to this report. She is on Threads:https://www.threads.com/@yurikageyama

Canada Conservatives Harper

Harper, aConservative prime ministerfor nearly a decade from 2006 to 2015, made the remarks in a speech during his official portrait unveiling.

Harper described the times as perilous and thanked currentPrime Minister Mark Carneyfor attending the unveiling "at a time when challenges are unprecedented during our lives."

Trump has talked about makingCanada the 51st stateand has threatened the country with tariffs.

The Republican president'spush to acquire Greenlandstrainedthe NATO alliance, alarming Canada, which shares a 3,000-kilometer (1,864 mile)maritime border with Greenlandin the Arctic.

Harper didn't mention Trump by name but urged Canada's two major parties, the Liberals and Conservatives, to unify in the face of threats to the country's sovereignty.

"We must make any sacrifice necessary to preserve the independence and the unity of this blessed land," Harper said.

Harper said he hopes his portrait is only one of the many portraits of prime ministers of both parties that will continue to be exhibited for decades and centuries to come.

"But that will require that in these perilous times that both parties, whatever their other differences, come together against external forces that threaten our independence," he said.

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Harper also warned against "domestic policies that threaten our unity." A separatist moment in Alberta could garner enough votes this spring to trigger a referendum for independence from Canada.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has said separatist support is about at 30%. Smith is pressuring the federal government and the British Columbia provincial government on the Pacific coast to approve a new oil pipeline to the Pacific.

Harper approved of Carney's resume when Carney applied to be the head of Canada's central bank during Harper's time as prime minister. He joked the then-young man "has apparently gone on to enjoy some success."

Carney later became the head of the Bank of England in 2013 and prime minister of Canada last year.

Carney thanked Harper for denouncing those who are threatening Canada's sovereignty as Canada was confronted with unprecedented attacks and trade pressures.

"He called on us to build a stronger Canada less dependent on the U.S.," Carney said. "He also took the time to advise me which I have greatly appreciated."

Carney also commended Harper for his economic stewardship during the 2008 financial crisis.

"He came to Ottawa as a balanced-budget conservative. He believed rightly that governments should live within their means. Yet when the financial crisis struck, he did not let ideology prevent him from doing what was necessary, running deficits for five years to support the Canadian economy through the worst global downturn in generations.," Carney said.

"Mr. Harper understood that you build up strength in good times to have the capacity to act in bad times."

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The trio start with their reactions to the latest coaching hires, as the Arizona Cardinals and Las Vegas Raiders got their head coaches, while the New York Giants hired OC Matt Nagy.

Next, the three hosts dive into their teams that could take a big leap after missing the playoffs this season. Matt shouts out the New Orleans Saints, Charles dives in on the Cincinnati Bengals and Tennessee Titans and Nate shouts out the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys.

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His deal, announced Friday, includes annual salaries of $25 million, of which $10 million annually will be deferred.

Ramírez's deferred money from each season will be payable in 10 equal installments each Dec. 15 starting in the 10th year after it was earned. His 2026 money will be paid from 2036-45 and his 2032 money from 2042-51.

He gets a full no-trade provision and a hotel suite on road trips.

Ramírez earned $72 million from 2022-25 under a$141 million, seven-year dealthat had $69 million remaining: $21 million this year, $23 million in 2027 and $25 million in 2028.

The 33-year-old native of the Dominican Republic has played his entire 13-year big league career in Cleveland.

A seven-time All-Star, Ramírez had a career-high 44 stolen bases last season and became the fourth player with multiple seasons of at least 30 home runs and 40 steals. He had a .283 batting average.

AP MLB:https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

The NBA placed Rozier on unpaid leave after he was federally indicted in October in an alleged sports gambling scheme. The arbitrator's decision came Monday, Rozier's attorney said.

"Terry won under principles of contract law and the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the league and the players, but the bigger principle at issue is the presumption of innocence," attorney Jim Trusty told NBC News in a statement Tuesday. "The arbitration ruling reminds the NBA that they can't ignore that important concept just because it's a high-profile case."

The Miami Heat declined to comment Tuesday night. The NBA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Rozierhas pleaded not guiltyto charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

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Federal prosecutors allege he faked a foot injury at a March 2023 game, when he was playing for the Charlotte Hornets.

Before the game against the New Orleans Pelicans, Rozier told a friend that he was going to "prematurely remove himself from the game in the first quarter" because of a supposed injury and would not return to play further, according to the federal indictment.

Prosecutors claim the friend sold the information to other co-conspirators to "place fraudulent wagers based on the non-public information."

Rozier pleaded not guilty in December and filed a motion to dismiss the charges. The judge has not yet ruled on the request.

A spokesperson for the National Basketball Players Association, which filed the grievance on behalf of Rozier, also expressed satisfaction at the arbitrator's decision about his salary this season.

"We are pleased with the arbitrator's ruling and remain committed to ensuring Terry's due process rights are protected and that he is afforded the presumption of innocence throughout this process," the spokesperson said in a statement.

Some warehouse owners have decided not to sell to Immigration and Customs Enforcement under pressure from elected officials and advocates. Some cities are issuing statements urging ICE to look elsewhere, and Kansas City has passed a moratorium on non-city-run detention facilities.

ICE has offered few specifics, even to the cities, but said in a statement that the sites wouldn't be warehouses but "well structured detention facilities" and said it should come as no surprise that the agency is working to expand detention space.

Here is a look at what's happening:

ICE paid $70 million last month for a vast warehouse facility on the northwestern outskirts of Phoenix, according to a deed filed with Maricopa County.

The city of Surprise said in astatementreleased Friday that it was not aware that there were efforts underway to purchase the building, was not notified of the transaction by any of the parties involved and has not been contacted by the Department of Homeland Security or any federal agency about the intended use of the building.

The statement said federal projects are not subject to local regulations, such as zoning.

In Orlando, Mayor Buddy Dyer said in a statement last month that the city was advised that it has no legal options to halt a possible ICE facility from opening.

The statement said the city has not been informed by the federal government of potential plans, but aTV reporterspotted a group of private contractors and federal officials touring a 439,945-square-foot industrial warehouse last month. ICE senior advisor David Venturella told a reporter with WFTV at the time that the tour was "exploratory" and that nothing had been decided yet.

City attorney Mayanne Downs said in a letter that "ICE is immune from any local regulation that interferes in any way with its federal mandate."

The town council in Merrillville passed aresolutionlast week in opposition of ICE converting a warehouse into a processing or detention facility.

The city said it was aware of a tour of the newly constructed, 275,000-square-foot warehouse. But it said it had received no notice or communication from ICE, the Department of Homeland Security or any federal agency about any possible plans.

An earlier statement said that the town was reviewing zoning, land use and occupancy requirements.

ICE purchased a warehouse in a county about 60 miles (96 kilometers) northwest of Baltimore for $102.4 million, a deed signed last month shows. The deed was unearthed byProject Salt Box, a Maryland ICE watchdog.

Officials in Washington County said in a Facebookpostthat the Department of Homeland Security sent a letter beforehand that it was considering purchasing the warehouse for use as a "new ICE Baltimore Processing Facility." Cafeterias, bathrooms, health care spaces, tents and guard shacks could be part of the project, according to the letter that was addressed to historic and planning officials in the county.

The county said there wasn't much they could do because the federal government generally does not need to respect local zoning regulations that conflict with federal mandates.

"Washington County is not able to legally restrict the federal government's ability to proceed," the post said.

In the suburbs of Minneapolis, the owners of two warehouses have pulled out of possible ICE deals amid a public outcry.

In Woodbury, Mayor Anne Burt said in a Facebookpostlast month that city staff had confirmed that a warehouse in the city isn't being sold or leased to the federal government. She also confirmed at a council meeting that ICE had been interested in the property.

Owners of another warehouse in Shakopee also decided not to move forward, state Rep. Brad Tabke announced last month in a Facebookpost.

"They heard you, they listened," Tabke said.

Mississippi

Federal officials were spotted last month scouting a building in Marshall County, the county's board vice president, Neil Bennett, toldThe Commercial Appeal.

Bennett said he was not aware of the visit beforehand because it is a privately owned building, but he heard about it "later on." The building islisted as available for sale and lease on the website of JLL Properties, a purveyor of commercial real estate.

Bennett told The Associated Press that he didn't have time to discuss the situation when contacted Tuesday because he was dealing with ongoing power outages in the area. A woman who answered the phone at the county government building said the county isn't commenting at this time.

In Kansas City, the city council passed a five-year moratorium on non-city-run detention facilities on the very day that ICE officials were spotted touring a warehouse.

Manny Abarca, a Jackson County lawmaker, was initially threatened with trespassing when he showed up Jan. 15 at the nearly 1-million-square-foot (92,903 square meters) building on the outskirts of Kansas City.

He said he was eventually allowed inside where Shawn Byers, the deputy field office director for ICE in Chicago, told him that they were scouting for a 7,500-bed site.

Abarca announced last week he was introducing a similar detention moratorium at the county level.

"When federal power is putting communities on edge, local government has a responsibility to act where we have authority," he said in a statement.

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New Hampshire

The town council in Merrimack — population 30,000 — expressed its opposition to an ICE immigration detention and processing center in a January letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, without receiving a direct response.

Council members fear federal acquisition of a commercial warehouse in Merrimack, 45 miles northwest of Boston, would undermine the city's property tax base by more than $500,000 a year, shifting costs to other property owners.

The Department of Homeland Security told New Hampshire's congressional delegation that ICE is "reviewing its detention structure and acquisition strategy to address a historic operational tempo and increasing arrests" and had no new detention centers to announce. The ACLU of New Hampshire said Tuesday that public records show ICE has consulted with state historic preservation officials about development of a 43-acre site at Merrimack.

Democratic state Rep. Rosemarie Rung of Merrimack said her constituents worry about the strain of an immigration detention center on local emergency services and public infrastructure.

"I really suspect that the silent treatment is deliberate so that they can avoid any protests regarding this facility," Rung said. "It makes us all very suspect."

In Roxbury, council members passed a resolution saying that they aren't in support of an ICE facility after township manager J.J. Murphy spotted ICE officials touring a warehouse there last month. The council also pointed out that the township's zoning regulations prohibit using the warehouse as a detention facility.

ICE's plans for the site are unclear. Murphy said in an interview with The Associated Press Monday that the township has received no information from federal officials about their plans for the site despite repeated emails.

That hasn't stopped the township from sharing an internal memo from the city's engineer about water and sewar issues at the site with the owner of the warehouse. New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker also has toured the site.

Elected officials are pushing back after the Department of Homeland Security posted anoticeannouncing a proposal to purchase a vacant warehouse in Chester, a town more than an hour north of New York City, for "ICE operations." ICE said the proposed improvements would include a small guard building and outdoor recreation area.

The notice was needed because the former distribution center for the aftermarket automotive chain PepBoys is in a 100-year flood plain.

New York state Sen. Michelle Hinchey, a Democrat, said in a statement that she would support the town and village boards as they use "every legal, zoning, and environmental tool available" to block the facility.

In Oklahoma City, Mayor David HoltannouncedThursday that he has been informed that the Department of Homeland Security is no longer in talks to acquire a warehouse after the city councilurged federal officials to take part in the city's permitting process.

The department had told the city in a letter last month that it intended to purchase a nearly 27-acre warehouse in the city for ICE operations.

But as crowds opposed to the facility packed a city council meeting this week, the council said the city was exploring legal options. Holt said the property owners then informed him that they are no longer engaged with Homeland Security about a potential acquisition or lease of this property.

"I commend the owners for their decision and thank them on behalf of the people of Oklahoma City," Holt said. "As Mayor, I ask that every single property owner in Oklahoma City exhibit the same concern for our community in the days ahead."

Pennsylvania

ICE paid $87.4 million for a nearly 520,000-square-foot (48,309-square-meter) warehouse, according to a deed that was recorded Monday in Berks County.

Real estate developerspromotedit as a "state-of-the art logistics center" located 45 minutes from Allentown, an hour and a half from Philadelphia and two hours from New York City.

The county spokesman, Jonathan Heintzman, said in an email that the county was informed Monday by the recorder of deeds of the purchase. Heintzman said the county had no prior knowledge of the sale and had no information on future plans for the property.

In El Paso County, commissioners on Monday formally expressed opposition to the construction of detention facilities amid reports that ICE is eying a warehouse in the county. Commissioners also said they working with other officials to try to get more details.

Other cities in Texas also have been named in unconfirmed reports, but officials haven't heard any information from federal officials.

In Salt Lake City, Mayor Erin Mendenhall expressed gratitude last week in her State of the Cityaddressthat the owners of a warehouse that ICE was eying as a detention facility had announced plans not to sell or lease the property to the federal government.

The announcement from the Ritchie Group, a Utah real estate developer, came after Mendenhall sent a letter saying that the building would need to address a host of requirements before obtaining an occupancy permit.

"But let me be clear: this isn't just about zoning restrictions," Mendenhall said. "Such a facility has no place in our city. Whether at that site or anywhere else."

In the suburbs of Richmond, Virginia, officials in Hanover County are asking their attorney to evaluate legal options after the Department of Homeland Security sent a letter confirming its intent to purchase and operate an ICE processing facility in an area that includes retail, hotels and restaurants.

Sean Davis, the county's board of supervisors chair, said the facility would cut into tax revenue but acknowledged at a packed meeting last week that there was only so much it could do to oppose it.

"The federal government is generally exempt from our zoning regulations," he said.

Dozens of speakers turned out — some in support of the facility and others opposed.

"You want what's happening in Minnesota to go down in our own backyard, build that detention center here and that's exactly what will happen," Kimberly Matthews of Mechanicsville told supervisors.

A series of nationwide student walkouts occurred on Jan. 30 as part of a "National Shutdown," an organized eventasking Americans to skip school,stay home from work and boycott shopping in protest of ICE's operations across the country. The event, modeled after theone-day shutdown in Minnesota, was organized by a coalition of student groups.

The walkouts and marches have extended beyond shutdown day, with young people leaving classrooms and taking to the streets in subsequent demonstrations − and there are still more of these student-led protests to come, according to local reports.

See here scenes from student marches in cities across the U.S.

After the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good by federal immigration agents (ICE), communities across the U.S. are protesting against Trump's surge of immigration enforcement actions.

Pictured here, Demonstrators gather for a protest calling for the removal of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Jan. 30, 2026 in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Protests were held across the United States in response to ICE enforcement activity.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Hundreds of people gather to protest ICE at the corner of Palafox and Garden Streets in downtown Pensacola, Florida, on Jan. 30, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

'ICE Out' protests spark marches, confrontations across US

After the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good by federal immigration agents (ICE), communities across the U.S. areprotestingagainst Trump's surge of immigration enforcement actions.Pictured here, Demonstrators gather for a protest calling for the removal of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Jan. 30, 2026 in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Protests were held across the United States in response to ICE enforcement activity.

Indianapolis, IN

Students across the Indianapolismetro area have walked out or plan to this week. Hundreds of students from North Central High School poured out onto the streets on Monday, Feb. 2, prompting police to close northern Indianapolis streets, while a few hundred marched out of Noblesville High School the same day.

"We're feeling powerful," student organizer Emma-Louise Akinleyetold the IndyStar,part of the USA TODAY Network. "We're feeling like our voices — they have a real impact."

More walkouts were planned at several high schools, including Greenfield High School, Mt. Vernon High School in Fortville, Park Tudor High School, Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School and Zionsville High School.

Tallahassee, FL

In Florida, students in Tallahassee and beyond braved the abnormal cold to take to the streets. Nearly 100 students atLincoln High Schoolin Eastern Tallahassee marched off campus in protest of ICE on Feb. 2.

"The hate in the halls is loud, but we want to be louder. We hope to advocate for peace and equality," student organizer Mara Stopyaktold the Tallahassee Democrat,part of the USA TODAY Network. "We want to show Tallahassee that we do not stand with ICE."

In Port Orange, anestimated 100 Atlantic High School studentsskipped afternoon classes on Friday, Jan. 30, to protest, defying threats of disciplinary action from school officials.

Fort Collins and Denver, CO

In Fort Collins, Colorado, nearly half of the 766 students at Lesher Middle School participated in a student-led walkout on Feb. 2,reported the Fort Collins Coloradoan, part of the USA TODAY Network.

Businesses in Fort Collins, about 60 miles north of Denver,previously closed on Jan. 30in solidarity with a nationwide shutdown to protest the actions of ICE.

Several Denver-area school districts closed or changed their schedules on Jan. 30 to accommodate large student walkouts,reported The Denver Gazette, as thousands marched to the state capitol.

Reno, NV

In Reno, Nevada, hundreds of middle and high school students across Washoe County walked out in force on Jan. 30. Young people came from schools across the Reno area, including Reno, McQueen, Sparks, Wooster and Damonte high schools.

"We are sick of seeing on the news how ICE is shooting and killing and how the budget is going crazy and how everything is out of control," 18-year-old student James Fraziertold the Reno Gazette Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network.

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Milwaukee, WI

In the Milwaukee metro area, hundreds of students from several high and middle schools marched and chanted during a walkout, with Whitefish Bay High School student Rain Rosenberg calling ICE's actions "un-American."

"I care about this a lot. I think that kids here at (Whitefish) Bay have a lot of privilege and we need to speak out," shetold the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, part of the USA TODAY Network.

The Milwaukee area and Wisconsin at large have seen several student protests in recent weeks.On Jan. 20, students at Rufus King International High School,Reagan High School, Dominican High School and West Allis Central High School walked out.

The same day, in the Fox Cities area in east central Wisconsin,about 100 Menasha High School students walked out. Those were preceded by walkouts atShorewood High School on Jan. 16andWauwatosa East High School on Jan. 12.

Phoenix, AZ

Students from high schools and colleges in the Phoenix area protested on Jan. 30, prompting more than 20 schools in the Tucson Unified School District to close for the day.

The protests came after demonstrations on Jan. 28 at area schools, including Arcadia High School, Tolleson Union High School and Camelback High School, among others.

Hundreds of students ultimately took to the streets,reported the Arizona Republic,a part of the USA TODAY Network.

Knoxville, TN

Students in Knoxville, TN, also participated in large walkouts on Jan. 30, gathering downtown to march to the City-County Building. Of the hundreds that participated in the march, a large portion − about 40% − were estimated to be students,according to the Knoxville News Sentinel, part of the USA TODAY Network.

"Our country is built from immigrants from the ground up," Powell High School sophomore Emma Noe told the Sentinel. "Our ancestors would be disappointed."

Elected officials, including Knoxville City Councilmember Denzel Grant and State Rep. Gloria Johnson, also attended to show their support for students.

Asheville, NC

Over 200 students walked out of Asheville High School on Feb. 2, taking signs and chants to the streets outside. At least one local official, Asheville City Council member Kim Roney, also attended in a show of support.

"We want to show that the youth aren't backing down," Cora, a student and lifelong Asheville resident,told the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network.

Palm Springs, CA

Hundreds of students across the Coachella Valley in California walked out of class on Jan. 30,reported the Palm Springs Desert Sun, part of the USA TODAY Network.

"I think we're headed toward a period of fascism in America, and I think it's important for young people who have a voice to speak up against things they think are important," Chloe Freeman, a junior at La Quinta High School, told the Desert Sun.

Middle and high school students from Desert Sands Unified School District, Coachella Valley Unified School District and other area schools participated in the hundreds, with Palm Springs Unified School District students planning to hold their own march on Feb. 9

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:ICE protests continue as US students stage school walkouts