Washington, D.C

75th NATO Summit kicks off in DC

Published

2 years ago

July 9, 2024

75th NATO Summit kicks off in DC

The 75th NATO Summit kicked off in D.C. Tuesday, bringing with it world leaders, traffic and stringent security protocols.

WASHINGTON – The 75th NATO Summit kicked off in D.C. Tuesday, bringing with it world leaders, traffic and massive security.

Fencing went up overnight and the many road closures in the area have caused backups all around downtown D.C., so be prepared.

The Secret Service tells FOX 5 that they know it’s inconvenient for people but they’re trying to make it as painless as possible.

FOX 5 asked Secret Service Special Agent In Charge for the Washington Field Office Matt Stohler if there is anything specific to D.C. that has presented challenges, considering that this is only the fourth time the U.S. has hosted the Summit.

“I don’t think so. This is the 75th anniversary signing into existence of NATO, so as such, one of the buildings behind us is where one of the treaties was signed, so this is what makes this so important for the venue,” Stohler said. “But obviously, it means all eyes are on D.C. for this.”

It’s been 25 years since D.C. last hosted the summit. There are street closures around the White House, the Convention Center and Mellon Auditorium, as well as secure areas where you’ll have to show ID to get through, and some sidewalk closures as well.

There are 37 world leaders here for this NATO Summit, along with their teams and delegations.

The Secret Service told FOX 5 they’ve been formally planning since February. There are 22 subcommittees that cover things like airspace security, communications and transportation, just to name a few.

FOX 5 also had a chance to see inside the State Department’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security where analysts and technicians are monitoring every moment in and around the areas where dignitaries and events will be this week.

The Diplomatic Security Service protects the Secretary of State, foreign dignitaries visiting the United States, foreign ministers, former heads of state, members of the British royal family, as well as U.S. citizens, athletes, corporate sponsors and media during major international events like the Olympic Games, Pan Am Games, and the World Cup. The agency has more than 100 years of protection and security experience.

They have been training and planning for this for about six months now, before they head off to Paris to do the same thing for the Olympics.

“We’re part of the overall security package for the summit so we work hand in hand with the Secret Service when you see all those motorcades cutting across the city, chances those are diplomatic security motorcades,” said Scott Kim, Director of Diplomatic Security Service Office of Protection.

D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith also discussed how they’ve been preparing for the events.

“Anytime you have these types of events the challenges are always personnel and making sure we have the appropriate resources which is why we’ve been joined at the hip if you will with the Secret Service and our federal partners,” Smith said.

The Secret Service tells FOX 5 they did advise the Office of Personnel Management to maximize telework for those who come into the District this week.

Fencing will be taken down as events take place — some Tuesday night, some Wednesday, and hopefully most of it around the Convention Center will be gone by Friday.

Source link

Related Topics:DC Featured news traffic us

Click to comment

Washington, D.C

Let the Good Times Roll at The Wharf’s Mardi Gras Parade & Celebration

Published

4 hours ago

February 13, 2026

Press Room

Let the Good Times Roll at The Wharf’s Mardi Gras Parade & Celebration

Washington, D.C. (7News) — Let the good times roll at The Wharf’s Mardi Gras Parade & Festivities on February 22nd from 3-7pm!

Grab your beads, feather boas and masks…a group of your friends or family… and enjoy the free festivities! There will be a fabulous parade, live music, food, drinks and fireworks!

Roxanne got a sneak preview of the event from the Wharf’s communications manager, Mary Katherine Cusack, & Todd Thrasher, the Founder of Thrasher’s Rum & Tiki TNT. Roxanne even got a lesson in how to make a Hurricane!

Schedule of Events on Feb. 22nd:

3:00pm: Mardi Gras Activities Start

3:30pm: Parade Starts

4:30-7:00pm: Live Music Performances

~6:30pm: Fireworks!

BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT

To learn more about all the fun, go here

Source link

Washington, D.C

Fight leads to shooting outside Northwest DC nightclub

Published

16 hours ago

February 13, 2026

Press Room

Fight leads to shooting outside Northwest DC nightclub

WASHINGTON – D.C. police are investigating a shooting that happened near a nightclub in Northwest D.C. this week.

One man was shot, and two others were hurt.

What we know:

Police are asking for help finding the person who opened fire, shooting a man in the 1100 block of 18th Street, NW.

D.C. police say the trouble started when a large crowd started fighting outside a nearby club around 3:00 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7, after an argument broke out inside the club.

Police broke up the fight, dispersing the crowd outside, but moments later, while officers were still on scene, gunshots rang out.

Police quickly found the shooting victim, and they were immediately taken to an area hospital. The victim is expected to be ok.

After searching the area, police found two more people who were injured, grazed by bullets.

Local perspective:

The general manager of Talking Tacos restaurant told FOX 5 that he saw the aftermath, and was concerned for his safety and his customers’ safety.

Police say officers detained some people after the shooting but no official arrests have been made.

The investigation is ongoing. MPD is asking anyone with information about this shooting to give them a call at 202-727-9099 or text a tip to 50411.

NewsWashington, D.C.Crime and Public Safety

Source link

Washington, D.C

DC Attorney General files lawsuit to dismantle alleged real estate fraud scheme

Published

1 day ago

February 12, 2026

Press Room

DC Attorney General files lawsuit to dismantle alleged real estate fraud scheme

WASHINGTON – The D.C. Attorney General has filed a civil lawsuit aimed at shutting down what officials describe as a sprawling real‑estate fraud scheme that exploits tenants, lenders and District agencies while worsening the city’s affordable‑housing crisis.

What we know:

Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb alleges that Ali “Sam” Razjooyan, his brother Eimon “Ray” Razjooyan and their mother, Houri Razjooyan, have been running an illegal real‑estate network that controls dozens of apartment buildings across the District.

According to Schwalb’s office, the family has spent the past decade acquiring more than 70 mostly rent‑controlled buildings, 90% of them in Wards 7 and 8.

The lawsuit alleges that, through a Ponzi‑style operation, the Razjooyans use fake financial documents and false renovation promises to secure loans.

They would then rent them to tenants who receive housing subsidies that are paid by the District agencies and that are above the rent-stabilized amounts, officials said.

Instead of repairing the properties, investigators say the Razjooyans would keep the loan money and use it to pay off earlier debts and buy new buildings to continue the scheme.

Schwalb’s office says the scheme left hundreds of vulnerable tenants living in dangerous conditions, including infestations, gas leaks, electrical hazards, mold, flooding and piles of trash.

What they’re saying:

The lawsuit accuses the family of defrauding District agencies out of more than $16 million by falsely certifying that their units were safe and habitable, a requirement for receiving housing‑subsidy payments.

“Today, we’re dismantling the Razjooyan slumlord empire,” Schwalb said in a statement. “DC has a serious housing affordability problem, and slumlords like the Razjooyans make things worse by decreasing the available housing supply and forcing tenants to live in horrific conditions. Their business model, by design, preys on tenants for profit — cheating banks, private lenders, and the DC government along the way. Instead of addressing each building individually, we’re attacking the very foundation of their illegal operation. As the District’s independent Attorney General, I am committed to using the law to put an end to such fraud and exploitation and to protect affordable housing in the District.”

Read the lawsuit here.

The Source: Information in this article comes from the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia.

NewsWashington, D.C.D.C. Politics

Source link