Key words : US supreme court constitutional right
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230701_08/
The US Supreme Court has ruled that the constitutional right to free speech allows a web designer in Colorado to refuse to make wedding websites for same-sex couples.
The court's six majority conservative justices on Friday ruled in favor of the designer, who cited her Christian faith in seeking an exemption from a Colorado law that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and other factors.
The top court said forcing her to create the websites would violate her free speech rights, and these rights supersede the Colorado anti-discrimination law.
The court's decision has raised concerns, especially among liberals, as they fear it could lead to other discrimination against LGBTQ people.
The Supreme Court has recently become more conservative in its rulings, as conservatives have a six-to-three majority on the bench.
The court ruled Thursday that considering race a factor in college admissions is unconstitutional.
US President Joe Biden released a statement following Friday's ruling. He said he is "deeply concerned that the decision could invite more discrimination against LGBTQI+ Americans."
He also said the ruling "weakens long-standing laws that protect all Americans against discrimination in public accommodations -- including people of color, people with disabilities, people of faith, and women."
He urged Congress to swiftly pass legislation that will enshrine "civil rights protections for LGBTQI+ Americans in federal law."
Key words : policymaker US federal reserve indicator
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230701_N01/
Policymakers at the US Federal Reserve have been doing everything they can to bring down prices for consumers. Now, they are seeing signs that their battle against inflation is having an effect. A key economic indicator shows that price gains are easing.
Policymakers keep their eye on a gauge of inflation from the Commerce Department called the PCE price index, which tracks the cost of a variety of goods and services. On Friday, the index suggested that prices in May continued to rise. However, the rate of increase slowed down to 3.8 percent, which is the smallest year-on-year gain since April 2021.
Policymakers have been trying to rein in inflation with an aggressive program of interest-rate hikes. In June, they paused the increases to gauge their effect on prices. However, Fed Chair Jerome Powell suggested on Wednesday that their work isn't done yet.
Powell said, "I think widely it's been surprising that inflation has been this persistent. But I think the bottom line is that policy hasn't been restrictive enough for long enough to start to see those effects."
Powell added that he believes "more restrictions" are coming and that consecutive rate hikes are not "off the table."
Key words : Biden trying to restore
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230701_N02/
Members of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization have agreed to allow the US to rejoin the group. They voted on Friday during a session in Paris to accept the proposal from the US State Department.
Officials in the administration of former President Donald Trump withdrew the US from UNESCO in 2018, accusing it of being "anti-Israel." They pointed to how the group recognizes Palestine as an observer state despite objections from Israeli leaders.
Those in the Biden administration have been trying to restore the relationship.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken asked Congress in March to provide millions of dollars in funding for UNESCO. He said China had become the single largest contributor to the organization and that the US was not "even at the table."
He also warned that leaders in Beijing were stepping in to shape rules and standards in areas like artificial intelligence.
Key words : brazil former president
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230701_09/
Brazil's supreme electoral court has barred former president Jair Bolsonaro from running for office for eight years.
Five out of the seven judges on Friday voted to convict Bolsonaro for abuse of power ahead of last year's presidential election and casting unfounded doubts on the country's voting system.
Bolsonaro narrowly lost the October election. Before the vote, he repeatedly denounced Brazil's electronic voting system, saying it was susceptible to fraud.
The court looked into whether Bolsonaro's criticism of the voting machines at a meeting with foreign diplomats in July last year constituted an abuse of power.
Bolsonaro responded to the court's decision by asking why trying to enhance the reliability of an election constitutes a crime. He said he will consult with his lawyers.
Bolsonaro still retains influence and significant backing from his core supporters, mainly conservatives.
Brazilian media are reporting that the court's decision will likely have a considerable impact on the country's politics.
Key words : zelenskyy ordered
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230701_07/
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has ordered military commanders to strengthen defenses in the north after the reported arrival of Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin in neighboring Belarus.
Zelenskyy said via social media on Friday that he took the decision in a meeting of top military leaders including Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi.
Ukraine is apparently wary of the mercenary group's fighters possibly being relocated to Belarus following Prigozhin's aborted mutiny in Russia. A media report said new camps for Wagner troops are being built in Belarus.
Meanwhile, Ukraine's military intelligence agency announced on Friday that Russia is gradually reducing the number of personnel at the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
It said three employees of the Russian state nuclear firm Rosatom were among the first to leave.
The agency went on to say that Ukrainian employees who signed a contract with Rosatom had also been advised to leave by July 5.
Remaining personnel have reportedly been told to blame Ukraine in the event of an emergency.
Zelenskyy said last week that Russia is planning an act of terrorism at the power plant. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday that Kyiv's claims are "pure lies."
Key words : provided flooded
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230701_04/
Japan has provided power generators to Ukraine as emergency aid for the southern region of Kherson, where a dam breach has caused massive flooding.
A ceremony was held near the capital Kyiv on Friday to mark the delivery of 430 generators provided through the United Nations Development Programme. Ukrainian and Japanese government officials were among the attendees.
The Kakhovka hydroelectric dam collapsed on June 6.
Deputy infrastructure minister Anna Yurchenko thanked Japan for the immediate support, adding that she hopes the generators will help to pump water out of flooded homes.
Japanese Ambassador to Ukraine Matsuda Kuninori pointed out that his country is hit by natural disasters almost every year. He said Japan will maximize its experience and knowledge to continue supporting devastated areas.
Japan also plans to provide water purifiers and large water tanks through the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
Key words : heavy rain pounding
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230701_06/
Heavy rain is pounding the southwestern Japanese region of Kyushu as well as Yamaguchi Prefecture. One person is unaccounted for in Oita Prefecture following a landslide. Weather officials are urging people to stay alert for landslides and flooding.
They say warm, moist air from the south is flowing into a front near the main island of Honshu, making atmospheric conditions extremely unstable in western and eastern Japan.
Bands of heavy rain clouds have developed, causing downpours in Yamaguchi. Officials with the Japan Metrological Agency say more could develop in the area as well as Kyushu.
Parts of Yamaguchi and Fukuoka Prefecture are estimated to have received about 100 millimeters of rainfall in the one-hour period through early Saturday. Some rivers have overflown in Yamaguchi Prefecture.
Officials say the risk of landslides is rising in Oita, Saga, Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Miyazaki, Yamaguchi, Hiroshima and Ehime prefectures, with warnings already issued in some areas.
Unstable conditions are expected to continue through Saturday, bringing downpours and lightning. Kyushu may see localized rainfall.
Rainfall in the 24-hour period through Sunday morning is expected to reach up to 200 millimeters in northern and southern Kyushu; 180 millimeters in Tokai; 150 millimeters in Kinki; 120 millimeters in Shikoku and Kanto-Koshin; 100 millimeters in Hokuriku; and 60 millimeters in Chugoku region.
Weather officials are warning of landslides, flooding in low-lying areas, swollen rivers, lightning, and strong winds including tornadoes.
The officials say landslides could still occur and river levels may rise even after it stops raining. They are urging people to refrain from going near rivers, and to ensure their safety. Officials are calling on people to check the latest evacuation information from local governments.
One person is unaccounted for after mud swept away a house in Oita Prefecture.
The rain has flooded some 10 houses in Yamaguchi City.
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