News

Olympics off to a winning start for Japan

Published

4 years ago

July 21, 2021

ticker NEWS

Tokyo’s divisive Olympic Games don’t officially begin until Friday, but the sporting action has already started.

The Tokyo Games have got off to a winning start for the host nation, with Japan crushing Australia 8-1 in a spectator-less softball clash in Fukushima.

This was the first softball game played at the Olympics in over a decade, after the sport was dropped from the program after the 2008 Games.

Two other softball games, as well as the first of the women’s football matches, are also being played today ahead of the opening ceremony on Friday.

It comes amid widespread domestic opposition to the Games taking place

A majority of Japanese people also don’t believe the Olympics will be “safe and secure”, despite that being promised by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.

68% of respondents to a poll published by the Asahi newspaper this week don’t believe organisers can keep the Games safe.

The first COVID-19 cases amongst competitors staying in the Athletes Village were recorded on the weekend. Games organisers have so far reported 79 infections that are linked to the Olympics.

“Solidarity and determination”

The chief of the World Health Organisation has addressed International Olympic Committee members in Tokyo, telling them “it is my sincere hope the Tokyo Games succeed“.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says “the mark of success…is not zero risk” but “is making sure that any cases are identified, isolated, traced and cared for as quickly as possible and onward transmission is interrupted.”

“It’s my sincerest hope that they succeed not only for the sake of the games themselves and the safety of the athletes, trainers and officials, but as a demonstration of what’s possible with the right plans and the right measures.”
Dr. Tedros

Doctor Tedros says he hopes these games will “be the moment that unites the world, and ignites the solidarity and determination we need to end the pandemic together”.

News

Red Cross starts operation to retrieve Israeli hostages

Red Cross starts operation to collect first Israeli hostages in Gaza amid ceasefire agreement with Hamas

Published

8 hours ago

October 13, 2025

Ahron Young

Red Cross starts operation to collect first Israeli hostages in Gaza amid ceasefire agreement with Hamas

In Short:
– The Red Cross is collecting 20 Israeli hostages in Gaza under a ceasefire agreement facilitated by Trump.
– Israel will release nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees after the initial hostage handover amidst ongoing regional tensions.

The Red Cross has initiated an operation in the Gaza Strip to collect the first 20 surviving Israeli hostages held by Hamas. The effort marks the beginning phase of a ceasefire agreement aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict.

The framework for this deal was facilitated by U.S. President Donald Trump.As part of the agreement, Israel plans to release nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees from its prisons. Following the initial handover of hostages, 28 others — including 26 deceased and two unaccounted for — are expected to be addressed later.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) will transport the released hostages to Israeli security forces, who will then return them to their families and take them to hospitals in central Israel.

In Israel, crowds have gathered near military installations, waving flags and displaying signs in support of the hostages. Reports indicate that armed members of Hamas have also gathered at transfer locations, awaiting the handover of hostages or the arrival of Palestinian prisoners.

Ongoing Uncertainty

The truce and exchange of hostages follow significant casualties in Gaza, with over 67,000 Palestinians reported killed and the conflict exacerbating regional tensions. The evolving political landscape, influenced by a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, has led to a complex situation.

A global summit in Egypt, involving more than 20 world leaders including Trump, aims to address the future of peace in the region. Yet, uncertainties remain regarding the governance of Gaza post-conflict and Hamas’s future, as they resist disarmament demands.

News

Could Trump’s Middle East peace deal reshape the global economy?

Trump’s ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas may reshape global markets and trigger new economic dynamics.

Published

15 hours ago

October 13, 2025

Ahron Young

Trump’s ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas may reshape global markets and trigger new economic dynamics.

Donald Trump’s latest diplomatic breakthrough — a ceasefire and potential peace deal between Israel and Hamas — could have ripple effects far beyond the Middle East. The former U.S. president is eyeing economic reconstruction opportunities in the region, with energy, infrastructure, and trade set to benefit if stability holds.

Experts say the deal could also influence global oil prices, energy markets, and investment flows, as renewed peace opens the door to new development projects. But it could also trigger volatility if negotiations falter or regional rivalries reignite.

As Trump prepares for further talks with China on trade and critical minerals, economists are watching closely. Could this mark the beginning of a new era of economic détente — or the start of another global power struggle centred around strategic resources?

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