Key words : us defense drone
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231224_12/
The US Defense Department says a Japanese-owned chemical tanker was struck on Saturday in the Indian Ocean by a drone launched from Iran.
A Pentagon spokesperson said the attack took place about 370 kilometers off the coast of India, and the Liberia-flagged ship was operated by a Dutch company. The official added there were no casualties, and a fire on board was extinguished.
Reuters and other media quoted a British maritime security firm as saying the tanker is affiliated with Israel and was on its way from Saudi Arabia to India.
In November, a cargo ship linked to an Israeli billionaire was reportedly hit by a suspected Iranian drone attack in the same waters.
Yemen's anti-government Houthi group has repeatedly targeted commercial ships in the Red Sea, which connects with the Indian Ocean.
The US Central Command said the Houthis fired two anti-ship missiles into the Red Sea on Saturday. It also said the US military shot down four drones, and received reports from two ships that they were under attack.
Key words : Benjamin reiterated made it clear
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231224_11/
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated his country's intention to continue its military operation in the Gaza Strip.
Netanyahu made the remark during a telephone conversation with US President Joe Biden on Saturday.
The Israeli prime minister's office says Netanyahu expressed to Biden his appreciation for the US position at the United Nations Security Council.
It also says the prime minister "made it clear that Israel would continue the war until all of its goals have been achieved."
Key words : white house civilian
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231224_06/
US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu talked about the situation in Gaza on Saturday.
The White House says that the two leaders discussed by phone Israel's military campaign in Gaza, including its objectives and phasing.
It says that Biden emphasized the critical need to protect the civilian population, including those supporting humanitarian aid operations.
They are said to have discussed the importance of securing the release of all remaining hostages.
After the phone call, Biden told reporters that he "did not ask for a ceasefire."
Key words : armed wing five hostages
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231224_04/
The Islamic group Hamas says five hostages it was holding are believed to have been killed in an Israeli attack.
Hamas's armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, issued a statement saying it lost contact with the group responsible for the five hostages after a bombardment carried out by Israel.
The brigades say the five include three men aged from 79 to 84 who pleaded for their release in a video released on December 18.
An estimated 130 people are believed to remain captive in the Gaza Strip. Israeli military operations have so far successfully rescued only one person.
Meanwhile, health authorities in Gaza said on Saturday that the deaths of 201 people were confirmed over the past 24 hours.
They said that brought the total number of deaths in the enclave to 20,258 since the current conflict started on October 7.
Qatar-based satellite TV network Al Jazeera says emergency workers have returned to parts of northern Gaza, where fighting has subsided. Israeli forces say they will soon take full control of northern Gaza. The network says bodies that have been buried under the rubble, or temporarily left behind on roads, are being recovered.
Israeli forces have been intensifying their attacks on southern Gaza, where they believe Hamas leaders are hiding.
On Saturday, they claimed to have eliminated a senior Hamas official responsible for arms trade, production and procurement.
Video footage released by the military shows a vehicle being targeted and then destroyed by a fighter aircraft in a precision attack.
Key words : west bank
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231224_07/
No large Christmas tree has been erected this year at the Church of the Nativity in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, believed to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ. Instead, people held a candlelight vigil for victims of the conflict in the Gaza Strip.
In Manger Square in front of the church, a nativity scene has been created from barbed wire and rubble to show solidarity with the people of Gaza.
Church officials and families gathered on Saturday to pray for victims of the conflict, which has reportedly claimed over 20,000 dead so far.
A 12-year-old boy who came with his family said he prayed for peace.
A 60-year-old man said he could not celebrate a joyous Christmas while people are being killed and driven from their homes.
Key words : ukraine military 22 months
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231224_05/
Ukraine's military says heavy fighting continues in eastern and southern regions of the country.
It says on Saturday Russian forces carried out more than 30 attacks near Avdiivka, a strategically important city in the eastern region of Donetsk.
And it says Russian air strikes in various parts of the country resulted in civilian injuries.
Sunday marks 22 months since the start of the full-fledged Russian invasion.
Russian and Ukrainian forces are said to be in a stalemate following a major counteroffensive by Ukraine in June this year.
Ukrainian forces are struggling to maintain a sufficient number of soldiers as the conflict drags on and concerns deepen about a shortage of ammunition as the future of aid from the United States remains uncertain.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed Friday that preparations have begun for the delivery of F-16 fighter jets from the Netherlands.
The UK Ministry of Defense said in a social media post on Saturday that "both Ukrainian and Russian troops have highly likely suffered from exceptional levels of rats and mice infestation in some sectors of the front line."
It added that the rodents "are likely seeking shelter in vehicles and defensive positions. Rodents will add further pressure to front line combatants' morale."
Key words : government draw up ocean development
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231224_03/
Japan's government will draw up a strategy for increased ocean development to secure marine resources and maintain security.
The government plans to compile the strategy by the end of next March. It is based on a five-year basic ocean policy plan that the Cabinet approved this past April.
The main strategy discussion topics are expected to include creating an environment on and around Minamitorishima, an island at the easternmost point of Japan, for exploring critical minerals and rare earth elements.
The government will also likely consider preparing the legal framework needed to enable the installation of offshore wind power generation facilities inside Japan's exclusive economic zone.
Officials are also expected to discuss the use of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles, or AUVs, for ocean research.
Another likely agenda topic is the use of a surveillance system called Maritime Domain Awareness, or MDA, to enhance the capability to identify suspicious ships. The system uses satellites, among other means.
The government plans to accelerate strategy discussions on issues and timelines.
Key words : ethnic myanmar tnla
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231224_02/
A spokesperson for an ethnic minority armed group in Myanmar says China contacted the group before it launched coordinated offensives with other militants against the military.
The Ta'ang National Liberation Army, or TNLA, along with two other ethnic minority militant groups, began the joint attacks in the eastern state of Shan in late October.
They have since intensified offensives in tandem with pro-democracy forces. They are fighting against the military of Myanmar that seized power in a coup in 2021.
China's foreign ministry announced on December 14 that Myanmar's military and the armed groups agreed to a temporary ceasefire through Beijing's mediation.
But neither of the warring sides has made an announcement on the deal.
The following day, TNLA publicly released videos and photos purportedly showing weapons they seized after taking control of military facilities in northern Shan state. The group said fighting was still underway.
A TNLA spokesperson told NHK that the militant groups took control of about 50 military facilities this month alone.
He cited the goals of the coordinated attacks: protecting civilian lives and assets, toppling the military junta, and eliminating internet and smartphone-based scam operations.
Chinese scam groups are said to be based in areas of the Shan state near the border with China.
Beijing has repeatedly called on the Myanmar military to crack down on the fraudsters. But the military is alleged to be receiving money in return for protecting them.
The spokesperson said China floated the idea of eliminating the fraud, and that the armed groups decided to go along with the plan. He also said China sought their cooperation in advance of the campaign, and that the groups willingly accepted the proposal.
China has friendly ties with Myanmar's military. But the spokesperson indicated his view that China knew of the militants' plan to attack the military, and gave its tacit approval.
Key words : illumination
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231224_08/
Winter illumination has begun at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.
The Imperial Household Agency has held the event at this time of year since 2012 so people can enjoy the night view of the place.
The lights were switched on Saturday at 5 p.m. at the Otemon Gate, the Tatsumi-yagura turret and other locations.
A woman in her 60s said it was mesmerizing to see Nijubashi Bridge lit up and reflected in the moat, and that it was well worth the visit.
A woman in her 50s said the lights are not overly bright, and are in good harmony with the place.
The illumination runs through January 7, between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m.
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