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Ex-Tokyo Olympics official pleads not guilty to taking bribes in exchange for Games contracts

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:14:11 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — Haruyuki Takahashi, a former member of the Tokyo Olympic organizing committee, appeared in a Tokyo district court on Thursday and pleaded not guilty to taking bribes tied to the Games.Takahashi was arrested more than a year ago and its unclear when his trial will end.The defense will present its case early next year.A former executive with the powerful Japanese advertising company Dentsu, Takahashi is charged with accepting around 198 million yen ($1.4 million) in bribes in exchange for awarding Olympic contracts for the 2021 Tokyo Games.Takahashi appeared in court just nine days after a separate bid-rigging trial was adjourned with Dentsu and five other companies facing criminal charges. That trial is to resume early next year.“I assert my innocence on all the charges,” Takahashi, wearing a gray suit and burgundy tie, told the judge before the prosecution presented its case. “It was strictly business and it was not a bribe.” The indictment says Takahashi received bribe...

Things to do in the DC area: Kwanzaa celebration, ARTECHOUSE displays … and more!

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:14:11 GMT

Kwanzaa Celebration at Creative Suitland. (Courtesy Creative Suitland) Kwanzaa Celebration at Creative Suitland. (Courtesy Creative Suitland) There’s so much to do in the D.C. area in the coming days, and WTOP has you covered with our weekly roundup of area events worth anticipating.Check back every Thursday for a roundup of Things to do in the D.C. area.In Suitland, Maryland, arts-based organization Creative Suitland will host its fourth-annual Kwanzaa Celebration and Kuumba Market, featuring more than 20 of the region’s top artisan vendors. The free event on Saturday, Dec. 16, lasts from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. for the market. Later between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., expect spoken word poetry and a closing performance by...

AP PHOTOS: Crowds bundle up to take snowy photos of Beijing’s imperial-era architecture

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:14:11 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — Throngs of people in down parkas and boots climbed a hill that overlooks the Forbidden City this week to jostle with others trying to get a shot of the snow-covered roofs of the former imperial palace.For many people in Beijing, a snowfall means it’s time to bundle up and head out to take photos of a city dotted with traditional architecture from the Ming and Qing dynasties that ruled the country for more than five centuries.Successive snowstorms, a relative rarity in the normally arid Chinese capital, drew crowds to the hill and other popular spots with restored ornate buildings as a backdrop.Some people posed like models in period costumes or modern outfits, some for photos no doubt destined for social media posts.Snow fell across much of northern and central China on Monday, and again on Wednesday and Thursday. Nearly 200 sections of highways and other roads were closed in 10 provinces on Thursday morning, though dozens had reopened by the afternoon, the Transport ...

President Vladimir Putin says Russia’s goals in Ukraine remain unchanged, no peace until they’re achieved

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:14:11 GMT

MOSCOW (AP) — President Vladimir Putin says Russia’s goals in Ukraine remain unchanged, no peace until they’re achieved.Source

Hallelujah! National Philharmonic performs Handel’s ‘Messiah’ at Strathmore and Capital One Hall

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:14:11 GMT

The National Philharmonic performs Handel's "Messiah." (Courtesy Strathmore) The National Philharmonic performs Handel's "Messiah." (Courtesy Strathmore) The spiritual music has endured for centuries with transcendent performances every holiday season.The National Philharmonic performs Handel’s “Messiah” at Strathmore in North Bethesda, Maryland, on Dec. 16 and 17, followed by a performance at Capital One Hall in Tysons, Virginia, on Dec. 20.“It’s the longest nonstop-running show in the history of civilization,” music director Piotr Gajewski told WTOP. “From the year it premiered in 1742, it’s had revivals every single year, first only in England, then it came over t...

Tulane hosts Furman following Williams’ 31-point outing

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:14:11 GMT

Furman Paladins (5-5) at Tulane Green Wave (6-2)New Orleans; Thursday, 7 p.m. ESTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Green Wave -6; over/under is 172.5BOTTOM LINE: Furman visits the Tulane Green Wave after Alex Williams scored 31 points in Furman’s 100-58 victory over the Bob Jones Bruins.The Green Wave have gone 4-0 at home. Tulane scores 86.9 points and has outscored opponents by 7.6 points per game.The Paladins are 0-3 in road games. Furman ranks third in the SoCon scoring 37.6 points per game in the paint led by Marcus Foster averaging 11.0.Tulane’s average of 5.6 made 3-pointers per game is 1.8 fewer made shots on average than the 7.4 per game Furman allows. Furman averages 84.1 points per game, 4.8 more than the 79.3 Tulane gives up to opponents.TOP PERFORMERS: Kevin Cross is scoring 18.0 points per game with 7.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists for the Green Wave. Kolby King is averaging 15.1 points and 4.0 rebounds while shooting 54.2% for Tulane.Foster is scoring 19.8 points per ...

Senate passes sweeping defense policy bill

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:14:11 GMT

(CNN) — The Senate voted on Wednesday to pass a critical defense policy bill known as the National Defense Authorization Act, which sets the policy agenda and authorizes funding for the Department of Defense annually.The final negotiated version of the NDAA for fiscal year 2024 authorizes $886 billion in national defense funding, an increase of $28 billion over last year.It is expected to be approved by the Senate with bipartisan support and would next go to the House, with lawmakers hoping it will pass through both chambers before the end of the week. The Senate passed the bill by a vote of 87 to 13.The sweeping legislation authorizes a 5.2% pay raise for members of the military as part of a wide range of provisions related to service member pay and benefits, housing and childcare. In a move that sparked anger from some lawmakers, the bill will include a short-term extension of a controversial law that permits warrantless...

Two transported to hospital after 3-alarm fire in Orange, house a total loss

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:14:11 GMT

Two people were rushed to the hospital after being rescued from a three-alarm fire in Orange Thursday morning.Fire crews arrived at the house on West River Street just after midnight, battling the blaze for over three hours.Two residents who were trapped inside the home were located and removed by firefighters before being transported to local hospitals. Three animals, also trapped inside, were removed safely.Orange Fire Chief James Young said the house was a “total loss” from the fire.

Police searching for 3 missing boys last seen in downtown Toronto

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:14:11 GMT

Toronto police are concerned for the safety of three boys who have been missing since Wednesday afternoon.Police say nine-year-old Sylas, 12-year-old Dallas, and 14-year-old River were last seen around 3:30 p.m. in the King Street and University Avenue area of downtown Toronto.The boys are being described as:Sylas, 9, is four feet six inches tall with short brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a red an black coat, grey sweater, grey pants, black shoes, black hat and a black packpackDallas, 12, is five feet six inches tall with short brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a black coat, black pants, black shoes and a green backpackRiver, 14, is five feet five inches tall with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing black jacket, tan pants, black shoes and a black backpackMISSING: (CONTINUED)Sylas, 9Dallas, 12River, 14– Dallas is 5'6, short brown hair and brown eyes, wearing black coat, black pants, black shoes, green backpack– ...

WSJ reporter Gershkovich to remain in detention until end of January after court rejects his appeal

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:14:11 GMT

MOSCOW (AP) — Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, arrested in Russia on espionage charges, lost an appeal on Thursday to be released from jail and will remain in custody at least until Jan. 30. Gershkovich, 32, was detained in March while on a reporting trip to the Russian city of Yekaterinburg, about 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) east of Moscow. Russia’s Federal Security Service alleged that the reporter, “acting on the instructions of the American side, collected information constituting a state secret about the activities of one of the enterprises of the Russian military-industrial complex.” He has been behind bars ever since. The Lefortovo District Court in Moscow on Nov. 28 ruled to extend his detention until the end of January, and the appeal Gershkovich has filed against that ruling was rejected by the Moscow City Court at a hearing Thursday.Gershkovich and the Journal deny the allegations, and the U.S. government has declared him to be wrongfully detained. Russia...