Key words : ukraine additional funding
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240218_02/
Zelenskyy calls for continued support at Munich Security Conference
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on delegates at the Munich Security Conference in Germany to continue providing military support for his country's fight against Russia.
Zelenskyy delivered a speech to the international conference on Saturday.
The president accused his partners of keeping Ukraine in "an artificial shortage of weapons" that is allowing Russia to adapt to the current intensity of combat operations.
Zelenskyy also held separate talks with his counterparts on the sidelines of the conference.
He urged US Vice President Kamala Harris to immediately urge the approval of additional funding to Ukraine.
US Congressional deliberations on an emergency spending bill have hit an impasse due to Republican opposition.
Harris later told reporters that she will work together with President Joe Biden to secure the resources and weapons that Ukraine needs to succeed.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also expressed concern during the security conference. He said "the lack of decision in the US Congress means that the flow from the US has gone down." He added, "Every week we wait means that there will be more people killed on the frontline in Ukraine."
Attention is focused on whether progress can be achieved on further aid from European countries and the United States, the largest supporter of Ukraine.
Key words : putin full control
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240218_06/
Russia says it has full control of eastern Ukraine's Avdiivka city
Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has told President Vladimir Putin that Russian forces have taken full control of Avdiivka, a key city in Ukraine's eastern region that saw fierce fighting.
The Russian defense ministry said on Saturday that the city's liberation made it possible to push the frontline away from the region's capital Donetsk. Avdiivka is located about 15 kilometers north from the central city.
The ministry added that Russian forces will continue offensive operations to further liberate the broader Donetsk region.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Putin congratulated the Russian military on its success in taking control of Avdiivka.
Russian forces had been intensifying their offensive to capture the city since around last October. The Putin administration apparently aims to take advantage of the victory there ahead of the presidential election in March.
Ukraine's military commander-in-chief had earlier announced the withdrawal of his troops from Avdiivka.
On Saturday, Oleksandr Syrskyi praised Ukrainian service members who engaged in fierce battles with Russian forces. He also vowed that his forces would return to reclaim the city.
Key words : Biden phone wise
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240218_07/
Biden urges Congress to approve bill to resupply Ukrainian forces
US President Joe Biden has urged Congress to pass an emergency spending bill to send additional aid to Ukraine.
The White House said in a statement on Saturday that Biden held phone talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The statement mentioned the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the key eastern Ukrainian city of Avdiivka, where the Russian military had been intensifying its offensive.
The statement said that "Ukrainian soldiers had to ration ammunition due to dwindling supplies as a result of congressional inaction."
The United States has been the largest provider of military aid for Ukraine. But congressional deliberations on an emergency spending bill have hit an impasse due to Republican opposition.
The White House also said Biden underscored Washington's commitment to continue supporting Ukraine ahead of the second anniversary of Russia's invasion.
Zelenskyy wrote in a social media post that he believes "the US Congress will make a wise decision."
Key words : foreign ministers
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240218_03/
G7 foreign ministers call on Russia to clarify Navalny's cause of death
Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven nations have called on Russian authorities to fully clarify the circumstances surrounding the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
On Saturday, the top diplomats met on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference in Germany.
They observed a minute of silence at the start of the meeting to pay their respects to Navalny, who was one of President Vladimir Putin's most outspoken critics.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who chaired the meeting, issued a statement.
It said the ministers expressed their outrage about Navalny's death. The opposition leader was being held at an Arctic prison colony.
The ministers urged Russia to stop its "unacceptable persecution of political dissent, as well as systematic repression of freedom of expression and unduly intimidation of civil rights."
They reaffirmed their unwavering resolve to continue to support Ukraine. The ministers also confirmed that they are "fast progressing with Ukraine on specific, bilateral, long-term security commitments and arrangements."
Key words : concern hamas civilians
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240218_09/
Top EU diplomat concerned over planned Israeli offensive in Rafah
The European Union's foreign policy chief has asked Israel not to take military action in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, where more than 1.4 million people are taking shelter.
Josep Borrell said in a social media post on Saturday that an offensive in Rafah would "worsen an already catastrophic humanitarian situation."
International concerns are growing as Israel continues airstrikes on Rafah and appears set to launch a ground assault, saying it seeks the destruction of Hamas.
International human rights groups and NGOs said in a joint statement that they are "appalled by the harrowing developments in Rafah."
They also said, "If Israel launches its proposed ground offensive, thousands more civilians will be killed," and called for the military plan to be stopped immediately.
On Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated a pledge to go ahead with the offensive. He said that whoever is telling Israelis not to operate in Rafah is essentially telling them to lose the war.
Many people are sheltering in Rafah as their last resort after they fled from northern and central Gaza.
A man who evacuated there with his family from the northern city of Gaza said they are living in a tent in the harsh cold.
He added that he only hopes for the safety of his family, but there is no safe place to go amid the conflict.
Key words : former thai
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240218_10/
Former Thai leader Thaksin released on parole
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been released on parole. He had been serving a prison sentence for corruption and other charges.
A car carrying Thaksin was surrounded by reporters and others as it arrived at the premises of his residence on Sunday morning.
Thaksin was ousted from power in a 2006 coup, and went into de facto exile. He returned to Thailand in August of last year for the first time in 15 years.
He was sent to prison, but soon complained of ill health and was transferred to a hospital.
His eight-year sentence was later commuted to one year under a royal pardon by the king.
Judicial authorities decided to release the former leader, taking into account his age, health condition and other factors.
Thaksin's significantly reduced sentence and parole after serving a short time follow the Pheu Thai Party and conservatives forming a coalition government. The Pheu Thai Party is headed by Thaksin's daughter.
Some people say the former leader was given special treatment.
Attention is on how Thaksin's release will affect Thailand's political landscape, as he still wields great influence.
Key words : education ministry
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240218_05/
Japan's education ministry to expand aid for non-Japanese students
Japan's education ministry is expanding the scope of its financial aid provisions for non-Japanese students' university education.
The ministry offers scholarships, loans, and tuition reductions or exemptions through the Japan Student Services Organization. Those eligible are currently limited to Japanese citizens and permanent or special permanent residents.
The ministry has now decided to expand the eligibility to students with a "dependent" status, which covers spouses and children of foreign workers in Japan, starting in April.
The number of people living in Japan on dependent visa was about 228,000 in 2022, an increase of more than 100,000 from a decade ago.
Calls have grown for the government to provide more aid for non-Japanese children who seek higher education in Japan.
The ministry says those eligible must have graduated from elementary through high school in Japan, and intend to work in the country after graduating from university.
The ministry estimates that there would be about 200 non-Japanese students eligible for the program every year.
It plans to accept public comments over a one-month period until mid-March before revising relevant ministerial ordinances.
Key words : lucky stick
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240218_12/
Semi-naked men scramble to grab 'good luck' sticks in Okayama temple festival
A festival was held in Okayama Prefecture, western Japan, that included the tradition of semi-naked men scrambling to catch a pair of wooden sticks said to bring good luck.
The Eyo Festival is also known as the "naked festival." It was held at the Saidaiji temple on Saturday night.
Men wearing only loincloths and split-toe tabi socks competed to catch sacred sticks. The tradition is designated as one of Japan's intangible folk cultural assets.
About 9,000 men participated in the event, which was cancelled the past three years due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Participants packed into the temple's main hall, putting their arms around others' shoulders as they chanted.
The lights were switched off at 10 p.m. and the 20-centimeter-long sticks were thrown into the crowd.
The two groups who managed to grab them and carry them out of the hall were designated "lucky men".
One of the lucky winners, Ozaki Yoshitaka, said he was filled with happiness. The 59-year-old said he hopes to spend the coming year sharing his happiness with others.
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