News

Should the Tokyo Olympics go ahead?

Published

3 years ago

May 26, 2021

As Japan struggles to contain its fourth wave of COVID-19 infections, there is overwhelming public opposition in the country to the Summer Games going ahead this year.

Japan’s Asahi Shimbun, an official partner of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, has this week called for the Games to be cancelled.

But with the opening ceremony scheduled to take place in under two months, is it too late for the major sporting event to be postponed, or even cancelled altogether?

Stephen Nagy, a Senior Associate Professor in the Department of Politics and International Studies at the International Christian University in Tokyo, spoke with Ticker News.

“The IOC… should take a stronger stance in supporting Tokyo to either host the Olympics or postpone it by another year.”

If the games were to be cancelled altogether, Stephen Nagy believes it would send a negative message to other cities interested in hosting the Olympics down the track.

“This will raise questions for cities around the world… which city is going to want to risk money if there is a potential cancellation,” he explained.

But Dr. Nagy says he is “quite confident the Japanese Government and organisers can put together a safe Olympics” as the likelihood of a “spillover of the virus into the local community is very, very low”.

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Asahi Shimbun, a Japanese newspaper publisher, cited risks to public safety and strains on the medical system, in calling for the Games to be cancelled.

“We ask Prime Minister (Yoshihide) Suga to calmly and objectively assess the situation and decide on the cancellation of the event this summer.”

EDITORIAL: Prime Minister Suga, please call off the #Tokyo #Olympics this summer #NOlympicsAnywhere : The Asahi Shimbun https://t.co/MfPHLpWxVf
— Asahi Shimbun AJW (@AJWasahi) May 26, 2021

News

‘Rust’ will premiere at the Polish film festival, three years after fatal incident

Published

2 days ago

October 4, 2024

ticker NEWS

The controversial film ‘Rust’, plagued by tragedy since 2021’s fatal on-set shooting involving Alec Baldwin, is finally set to premiere in Europe.

The movie faced extensive delays and legal challenges following the tragic incident that resulted in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

Money

Biden is “discussing” support for Israel over Iran oil strike

Published

2 days ago

October 4, 2024

ticker NEWS

The Biden administration believes it’s still “appropriate” for Israel to continue its ground and air attacks on Hezbollah.

The Middle East is a tinder box as Israel retaliates to Iran’s bombing earlier this week as well as fighting Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis in Gaza, Lebanon and Yemen. But what are the economic and geo-political implications? #featured #trending

News

Israel weighs response to Iran, Biden says he would not back nuclear site strikes

Published

2 days ago

October 4, 2024

ticker NEWS

After Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel–the country is weighing its response.

Tensions in the Middle East are surging after Iran launched a missile attack on Israel, marking a significant escalation in the region’s ongoing conflict.

This development has raised concerns about broader military confrontations, with global powers closely monitoring the situation.

The attack has intensified fears of a wider regional war, as Israel responds with its own military actions.

Ruthie Blum, a former adviser at the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a senior contributing editor at JNS, and the co-host of “Israel Undiplomatic” on JNS TV joins Veronica Dudo to discuss.

#IN AMERICA TODAY #trending #Israel #Iran #nuclerar #MiddleEast #Israelatwar