News Headlines - 22 February 2017

▽Japan school operator with ties to PM's wife could face parliament questions | Reuters

Japan's largest opposition Democratic Party has demanded that the head of a school operator with ties to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's wife, Akie, appear before parliament to explain its purchase of government-owned land, it said on Wednesday.

▽Hard Rock seeks up to 60 percent in Japanese casino | Reuters

Hard Rock Cafe International is looking to buy up to a 60 percent stake in a Japanese casino resort, its chairman said on Tuesday, seeking entry into what could become the world's second-biggest casino market.

▽Cressida Dick appointed as first female Met Police chief - BBC News

Cressida Dick is the new Metropolitan Police commissioner, becoming the first woman to take charge of London's police force in its 188-year history... But her appointment was criticised by the family of Jean Charles de Menezes, who was wrongly shot dead during an operation she led in 2005.

▽Seven Alien 'Earths' Found Orbiting Nearby Star

Seven rocky planets orbiting a nearby star may be roughly the size of Earth and could even be right for water—and maybe life—to adorn their surfaces, researchers announced Wednesday.

▽Budapest withdraws from 2024 Olympics consideration - Chicago Tribune

There will be no bronze medalist among the cities vying to host the 2024 Summer Olympics. Budapest is reportedly dropping out of the running, leaving just two cities in contention and an International Olympic Committee that's finding it increasingly difficult to find viable and interested hosts.
Without Budapest in the mix, the 2024 Games will be awarded to either Los Angeles or Paris when the IOC meets this September in Peru.