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TOKYO (AP) — Heavy snow battering northern Japan in the last two weeks has been blamed in 35 deaths nationwide so far, including people suffering sudden heart attacks or slipping while shoveling snow, government officials said Wednesday.

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

Sen. Mitch McConnell checked himself into a hospital on Monday, Feb. 2, "after experiencing flu-like symptoms over the weekend," a spokesperson for the Kentucky Republican told USA TODAY.

"His prognosis is positive, and he is grateful for the excellent care he is receiving," the spokesperson confirmed. "He is in regular contact with his staff and looks forward to returning to Senate business."

McConnell, 83, who willnot seek reelectionwhen his term expires in 2026, was unable to participate in votes on the Senate floor this week due to illness. He has been one of the most influential political leaders of his era, joining the U.S. Senate in 1984 and serving as the Republican leader in the chamber from 2007 through 2024 before giving up the position toSen. John Thuneof South Dakota.

Buthealth scareshave followed McConnell, achildhood polio survivor, in recent years. In two separate instances in 2023, he froze up while speaking with reporters, and he's suffered several falls, using a wheelchair at times as a precaution.

Contributing: Phillip M. Bailey and Riley Beggin, USA TODAY;Lucas Aulbach, The Courier Journal

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal:Mitch McConnell hospitalized with 'flu-like' symptoms

TORONTO (AP) — FormerCanadianPrime Minister Stephen Harper said Tuesday the country should make "any sacrifice necessary" to preserve the independence of the country in the face of threats from U.S. President Donald Trump.

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.

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."

CLEVELAND (AP) — José Ramírez will receive his final payment in 2051 under the third baseman's $175 million, seven-year contract with the Cleveland Guardians.

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

If Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was looking for a vote of confidence from the revamped Atlanta front office, he didn't get it during new GM Ian Cunningham's introductory press conference on Tuesday.

When asked if Penix, who is recovering from a torn ACL that prematurely ended his second NFL season in November, will be the team's starter in 2026, new Falcons president of football operations Matt Ryan -- also a former Atlanta quarterback from 2008-2021 -- did not give a definitive answer.

"Neither of us are the head coach of the football team, so we can't answer your question on that," Ryan said. " ... I think as we start to get into this process and dive deeper into the roster -- how it currently stands, where it's going in the future -- I think those are conversations that'll be a part of it.

"Quarterback's obviously very important, and we're excited about Mike and what he's doing with his rehab. I've been up at the facility the last three weeks, and Michael's been in there attacking that and he's in a good space right now, so we're excited about where he is at. But certainly, a lot of discussions for us about the entire roster."

Penix, who Atlanta selected with the eighth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft months after signing Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal in free agency, took over the starting job late in his rookie season and entered 2025 as the starter.

This past season, he completed 60.1% of his passes for 1,982 yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions in nine starts. The Falcons went 3-6 in games he started compared to a 5-3 record in Cousins' starts after he replaced Penix following his injury.

Cousins is likely to be released this offseason due to his significant salary, especially after the team restructured his contract in January.

With Penix's return timeline for the start of the 2026 season uncertain, that could force Atlanta to look for a quarterback either in free agency or April's draft if it elects to move on from Cousins after two seasons.

--Field Level Media