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Publishing executive found guilty in Tokyo Olympics bribery scandal, but avoids jail time

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:35:21 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — An executive at Japanese publishing house Kadokawa was found guilty Tuesday of bribing a former Tokyo Olympics organizing committee member.Toshiyuki Yoshihara, charged with paying 69 million yen ($463,000) to Haruyuki Takahashi, was given a two-year prison sentence, suspended for four years. That means he avoids prison, as long as he doesn’t break the law in the next four years. Tokyo District Court Presiding Judge Yoshihisa Nakao said Yoshihara wanted Kadokawa to have an edge in becoming a sponsor, which he believed would enhance its brand power. “The belief in the fairness of the Games has been damaged,” Nakao said, stressing Yoshihara knew the payments were illegal and sought to disguise them as consulting fees.The punishment was suspended because Yoshihara had expressed remorse, and his wife had promised to watch over him, Nakao said.Yoshihara said, “Yes,” once, in accepting the verdict, but otherwise said nothing, and bowed repeatedly as he left the courtroom. The ...

Philippine diplomat witnessed Chinese ships’ aggressive actions in disputed South China Sea

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:35:21 GMT

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A senior Filipino diplomat known for his past expletive-laced tirade against China joined a coast guard trip to the disputed South China Sea last week and saw Beijing’s ships block and nearly collide with Philippine vessels, including one he was on.Teodoro Locsin Jr. was on one of two Philippine coast guard vessels that escorted two Philippine boats to deliver food and other supplies to a Filipino marine territorial outpost in the Second Thomas Shoal on Oct. 4, the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Tuesday. It was not immediately clear why the public disclosure of his participation in the trip was delayed.President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed Locsin, 74, as a special envoy to China in August, in addition to his role as the Philippine ambassador to the United Kingdom based in London.“As special envoy, he is expected to be up to date on the matters that he will discuss with China and there is no better way to understand the West Philipp...

Daily horoscope for October 10, 2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:35:21 GMT

Moon Alert: Avoid shopping or making important decisions from 5:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. EDT today (2:30 a.m. to 5:15 a.m. PDT). After that, the Moon moves from Leo into Virgo.Happy Birthday for Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023:You are proudly independent. You are well organized, commanding and can take charge in times of chaos. You are reliable. This year is the final year of a nine-year cycle for you, which means it’s time to let go of what no longer supports and helps you. Clear the decks!ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★This week got off to a shaky start. Even today, issues with co-workers are a bit dicey. Someone will definitely be supportive of you; nevertheless, someone older or in a position of authority might squelch your day. Make the best of this, because tomorrow looks waaaay better! Tonight: Friends and partners.TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★★Romantic relationships are sober in tone today because of duties, restrictions or obligations. Nevertheless, there is a soft, supportive element ...

Vice-President Jourová in Japan to attend the 18th Internet Governance Forum and launch stakeholder consultation on the G7 Code of Conduct for Generative AI

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:35:21 GMT

On 8 and 9 October, the Vice-President for Values and Transparency Věra Jourová (pictured) attended the 18th annual meeting of the Internet Governance Forum, organised by the United Nations. The government of Japan will host this year's edition from 8 to 12 October 2023 in Kyoto.Together with government, media, and civil society representatives, the vice president discussed current issues and challenges in the area of open Internet, human rights, the fight against disinformation, but also data governance, virtual worlds, cybersecurity, digital transformation and Artificial Intelligence, with a particular focus on generative AI.During the visit, together with Japanese Minister Suzuki, the Vice-President launched a stakeholder consultation on the G7 Code of Conduct for generative AI, under the G7 Hiroshima AI Process. The feedback received will be taken into account to finalise the Code by G7 leaders before end of year.Jourová said: “It is time to pull weight of global democracies and...

Taiwan plays a 'critical role in global trade', event told

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:35:21 GMT

Taiwan's Representative to the EU and Belgium has voiced concern about the latest bloody unrest in the Middle East.Speaking on Monday (9 October), Alexander Tah-ray Yui described Israel as “another democracy under threat”.His comments came in the wake of the deadly outbreak of violence in the region at the weekend.He told an audience of EU and Belgian policymakers he wanted to express “our condemnation in the strongest terms against the terrorist acts perpetrated by Hamas against the State of Israel and its people, and our deepest condolences to the Israeli families who have lost dear ones during these senseless attacks.”He added: “It is during these moments when you realize who really are your friends and we stand beside Israel during these difficult times.”He added: “Likewise, Taiwan has supported Ukraine’s resistance against Russia’s invasion since the beginning and continues to do so, as it is also a democracy under threat. We do what we can in the relief of humanitarian assista...

European Forum on Refugee Issues and Forced Expulsion

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:35:21 GMT

The European Forum on Refugee Issues and Forced Expulsion, which emphasized the rights of women during deportation processes, took place successfully in Madrid on October 9th, 2023. The event extensively examined Azerbaijan's case, where the country accommodated one million refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) during its independence restoration in the early 1990s.The forum served as a crucial platform for collaboration and knowledge sharing, bringing together academia, media, civil society, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), embassies, and other institutions dedicated to refugee issues.The inauguration ceremony was graced by Mrs. Tanzila Rustamkhanli, Chairwoman of the Azerbaijani-Turkish Women Society, and H.E. Mr. Ramiz Hasanov, Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan. A notable highlight was a video message from Mr. Ryszard Czarnecki, a member of the European Parliament from Poland. Key participants included Mr. Samuel Doveri Vesterbye, Director General of the E...

Dear Abby: I’m afraid she’ll get us kicked out of the restaurant. Any advice?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:35:21 GMT

DEAR ABBY: My friend dresses like a slob. We were on a cruise and went to dine in one of the upscale restaurants on the ship. Because she was wearing jean shorts and an old, faded T-shirt, we were asked to leave.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: All these years later, I freak out when I hear her name Advice | Dear Abby: My wife now ‘doesn’t remember’ our crucial conversation Advice | Dear Abby: What I said about his girlfriend got back to her Advice | Dear Abby: The holiday dinner came with an unpleasant surprise Advice | Dear Abby: This family constantly breaks the rules of our potluck We will be going on another cruise soon, and I’m concerned she will do this again. Any advice for our next cruise so this won’t happen?— EMBARRASSED IN ALABAMADEAR EMBARRASSED: Before the next cruise, ask your friend what she plans to bring with her. Remind her that you had to leave t...

Sale closed in Danville: $2.2 million for a three-bedroom home

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:35:21 GMT

653 Glen Road – Google Street ViewA 1,587-square-foot house built in 1963 has changed hands. The property located in the 600 block of Glen Road in Danville was sold on Sept. 11, 2023, for $2,150,000, or $1,355 per square foot. This single-story home has three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Inside, a fireplace adds character to the home. In addition, the home comes with an attached two-car garage, allowing for convenient vehicle storage and additional storage space.Additional houses that have recently changed hands close by include:A 4,194-square-foot home on the 600 block of Camino Amigo in Danville sold in June 2023, for $3,200,000, a price per square foot of $763. The home has 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms.In June 2022, a 2,156-square-foot home on Del Amigo Road in Danville sold for $2,650,000, a price per square foot of $1,229. The home has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.On Nadine Place, Danville, in September 2022, a 2,783-square-foot home was sold for $2,150,000, a price per square foot ...

Aces to host the Liberty on Wednesday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:35:21 GMT

New York Liberty (32-8, 16-4 Eastern Conference) at Las Vegas Aces (34-6, 18-2 Western Conference)Las Vegas; Wednesday, 9 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK WNBA LINE: Aces -5.5; over/under is 171.5WNBA FINALS:BOTTOM LINE: The Las Vegas Aces face the New York Liberty.The Aces are 19-1 on their home court. Las Vegas is the best team in the Western Conference at limiting opponent scoring, allowing 80.3 points while holding opponents to 42.6% shooting.The Liberty are 17-3 in road games. New York leads the WNBA with 24.1 assists per game led by Courtney Vandersloot averaging 8.1.TOP PERFORMERS: A’ja Wilson is averaging 22.9 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.2 blocks for the Aces. Kelsey Plum is averaging 18.1 points over the last 10 games for Las Vegas.Sabrina Ionescu is averaging 17 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.4 assists for the Liberty. Breanna Stewart is averaging 21.4 points over the last 10 games for New York.LAST 10 GAMES: Aces: 10-0, averaging 91.1 points, 37.4 rebounds, 20.4 assists, 8.6 s...

Giammattei afirma que manifestantes pertenecen a “grupos de choque” y pedirá órdenes de arresto contra ellos

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:35:21 GMT

(CNN Español) — El presidente saliente de Guatemala, Alejandro Giammattei, anunció este lunes que su Gobierno pedirá órdenes de aprehensión contra algunos manifestantes que encabezan protestas y bloqueos en el país, inconformes con los allanamientos que el Ministerio Público ha hecho en las instalaciones del Tribunal Supremo Electoral (TSE).En un mensaje emitido por cadena nacional, Giammattei señaló que muchos manifestantes pertenecen a “grupos de choque” y agregó que “ya no se tolerarán los actos fuera de lo establecido en la ley: los bloqueos son ilegales”.El mandatario subrayó que “estas personas no son manifestantes pacíficos y, contradictoriamente, son los que se manifiestan en favor de la paz y la democracia. Son grupos de choque previamente organizados y entrenados y estaremos solicitando la orden de captura correspondiente para que la justicia se aplique mediante un debido proceso, porque ya tenemos identificados a muchos de ellos”.McDonald’s anuncia el ci...