Two new stadium designs unveiled for 2020 Tokyo OlympicsDecember 15, 2015 - 10:37 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Two new stadium designs have been unveiled for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics after organizers controversially scrapped a previous plan, CNN News reports. "(The winning design) will be selected by the end of December after further examination by a committee consisting of architectural experts and ministers," said Council president Kazumi Daito. "We want to create a stadium that can be loved by everyone in the world." Two new stadium designs have been unveiled for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics after organizers controversially scrapped a previous plan. A winner will be chosen later this month, the Japan Sports Council said in a statement. In July, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced that the government was ditching Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid's "bike helmet" stadium design, which had been projected to cost 150 billion yen ($2.02 billion). Abe said the scrapping of the design meant the stadium would not be ready in time for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, but said he was "certain" that the project would be ready in time for the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics. A spokesman for Zaha Hadid Architects blamed increases in construction costs in Tokyo and the difficult of working to a fixed deadline for the stadium's spiralling price tag. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |