Key words : rescue team 12
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240406_12/
Taiwan rescue efforts continue more than 72 hours post-quake
Twelve people remained unaccounted for as of Saturday morning, more than 72 hours after Wednesday's powerful Taiwan earthquake. The chances for survival drop sharply after that time.
Authorities say that as of 9 a.m. local time, 12 people were unaccounted for, up two from Friday. They included foreigners.
Many of them are believed to have been around Taroko Gorge, a popular tourist destination, in the eastern county of Hualien near the epicenter.
Before rescuers set out amid falling rain to search for six individuals unaccounted for near the gorge, the top county official spoke at a meeting and noted that 72 hours and 50 minutes had passed since the quake. The official underscored the need to bring the missing to safety as quickly as possible.
The rescue team is planning to use heavy machinery to accelerate the search. It says the operation must proceed carefully in consideration of the overall situation, including rain.
The leader of the rescue unit said the biggest obstacle is the weather and continuing tremors. But he vowed to do all they can to overcome difficulties and find those who need rescue.
Key words : 1,133 others
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240406_05/
Ten people still unaccounted for after Taiwan quake
Rescuers in Taiwan are searching for 10 people who are still unaccounted for after Wednesday's powerful earthquake.
The crucial 72-hour mark after which the chance of survival in a disaster drops sharply comes on Saturday morning.
Authorities say as of Friday night, 10 people were confirmed dead and 1,133 others injured.
There are reports of severe damage to buildings in the eastern county of Hualien near the epicenter.
Two Singaporean nationals are among the missing.
Many of those unaccounted for are believed to have been around Taroko Gorge, a popular tourist destination where rescuers continued their search on Friday.
But the work has been hindered by frequent tremors. Rain forecast for wide areas on Saturday is also raising concerns.
The disaster has severed roads, and more than 600 people remain stranded at hotels and other places around the gorge.
Firefighters and military personnel are involved in the search-and-rescue effort.
Workers on Friday began demolishing a nine-story building in central Hualien City that was tilted by the quake.
Key words : antonio
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240406_09/
UN chief renews call for immediate ceasefire in Gaza
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has renewed his call for an immediate ceasefire and protection of civilians in the Israel-Hamas conflict in the Gaza Strip.
Guterres spoke to reporters on Friday ahead of the six-month mark from the start of fighting, which falls on Sunday.
He condemned the October 7 Hamas-led terror attacks in Israel and called for the unconditional release of all hostages still held by Hamas and other armed groups.
The UN chief also accused Israel's military campaign of bringing "relentless death and destruction" to Palestinians in Gaza over the last six months.
He pointed out that more than half the population is facing catastrophic hunger. "Nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people," he added.
"Six months on, we are at the brink of mass starvation; of regional conflagration; of a total loss of faith in global standards and norms," Guterres said.
He concluded his remarks by saying, "It's time to step back from that brink --- to silence the guns, to ease the horrible suffering and to stop a potential famine before it is too late."
Key words : Biden unacceptable
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240405_08/
Biden warns US policy on Gaza could change if Israel fails to protect civilians
US President Joe Biden has warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that US policy with respect to Gaza will depend on the swift implementation of new steps to protect civilians and aid workers.
In a phone call with Netanyahu on Thursday, Biden made clear the need for Israel to announce and implement a series of concrete steps to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering and the safety of aid workers.
The call followed an Israeli airstrike that killed seven members of the US-based aid group World Central Kitchen in Gaza earlier this week.
The White House said Biden told Netanyahu that strikes on humanitarian workers and the overall humanitarian situation are "unacceptable."
Biden emphasized that an immediate ceasefire is essential to stabilize and improve the humanitarian situation and protect innocent civilians.
The two leaders also discussed Iranian threats against Israel and the Israeli people.
White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby said after the phone call that the US wants to see "real changes" on the Israeli side.
Kirby added that the US hopes to see a dramatic increase in the humanitarian assistance going into Gaza, and a reduction in the violence against civilians and aid workers in the "coming hours and days."
Key words : dismissed two officer
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240406_N02/
Israeli military fires 2 officers for NGO attack
The Israeli military has dismissed two officers and reprimanded other senior commanders for the airstrike that killed seven members of a US-based aid group. It made the announcement on Friday after concluding an investigation into the attack.
Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari said, "This tragic mistake could and should have been prevented. The strike on aid vehicles is a grave mistake stemming from serious operational failures."
He added that the soldiers who carried out the attack were certain they were "targeting Hamas" and that the logos on the vehicles of the group, World Central Kitchen, could not be identified because they "were not visible at night."
Staff at the NGO say that, even though the military has acknowledged its responsibility, it cannot "credibly investigate its own failure." They are demanding an independent investigation.
Also on Friday, aid workers with the United Nations called on the Security Council to use its "leverage" to stop violations of international humanitarian law.
The Israeli ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, expressed "sorrow" over the attack. He said Israel "never targets civilians deliberately," let alone aid workers carrying out crucial work.
Russia's ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, criticized Israel's "unwillingness" to ensure "unhindered access" to humanitarian aid.
The US representative, John Kelly, also expressed deep concern. He said US policy will be determined by what actions are taken by Israel to address "harm" to civilians.
Key words : held talks china discussion
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240406_07/
US, China militaries hold first maritime operational safety talks in 28 months
The United States military has announced that their representatives held talks with their Chinese counterparts on air and maritime operational safety. The discussions were the first in 28 months.
The US Indo-Pacific Command said in a statement on Friday that the meeting of the Military Maritime Consultative Agreement working group took place on Wednesday and Thursday in Honolulu, Hawaii.
They say that the officials reviewed safety-related events over the last few years and discussed maritime and aviation operational safety.
There have been frequent incidents of military aircraft and vessels from both countries coming very close to each other in the East and South China Seas.
The US delegation stressed that "the US will continue to operate safely and professionally in the Indo-Pacific wherever international law allows."
It added that open communication with the China's military is essential to avoid accidents and misunderstandings.
The Military Maritime Consultative Agreement working group is one of high-level military-to-military communication frameworks which had not been held after then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in August, 2022.
US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to resume such bilateral talks when they met in November last year.
The US military statement says the last working group meeting took place in December, 2021.
Key words : railway noto resumed
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240406_10/
Quake-damaged railway resumes full service in Noto
A railway on the Noto Peninsula which suspended services following the powerful earthquake on New Year's Day has resumed full operations.
The first train after the quake to run the entire line of the Noto Railway left Anamizu station in Ishikawa Prefecture at 6:12 a.m. on Saturday.
The railway runs a little over 30 kilometers connecting Nanao City and Anamizu Town.
The line suffered extensive damage, including bent tracks, from the earthquake. It partially resumed services in mid-February.
The section between Notonakajima and Anamizu stations took longer to be restored and passengers had to use bus services.
The railway company says it has reduced the number of trains by about 20 percent and has them running at slower speeds as a safety precaution.
At a ceremony on Saturday morning at Anamizu station, Ishikawa governor Hase Hiroshi said he hopes the full resumption of services will promote the reconstruction of the area.
A woman from Kanazawa City said she is happy the services have been restored and hopes many people ride the train to see the area.
A man from Osaka said he wants to see the area revitalized and hopes many people ride the train.
Nakata Tetsuya, president of the Noto Railway, said he feels relieved and hopes the railway will be a guiding light for people to regain their normal lives.
Key words : stand-up
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240406_11/
Event to educate stand-up scooter users held in Tokyo
An event to educate people on the safe use of electric stand-up scooters was held in Tokyo on Saturday, coinciding with the spring traffic safety campaign period.
Following a revision to traffic rules last July, people aged 16 or older are allowed to ride an electric stand-up scooter without a driver's license as long as the vehicle meets certain standards. These include a maximum speed of 20 kilometers per hour and being of a certain size.
As the number of users rises, the number of accidents resulting in casualties and traffic rule violations is also increasing.
A company operating a scooter-sharing service held the event near Shibuya Station on Saturday, the start of the biannual traffic safety campaign period.
Company officials handed out leaflets outlining traffic rules and tips for the safe use of stand-up scooters. The rules include a ban on traveling on sidewalks without switching to a slow-speed mode.
They also tried to remind passers-by that drunk-driving or other traffic rule violations are prohibited for scooter users as well.
One of the officials says that although people tend to have more drinking opportunities at this time of year, drunk-driving is strictly banned for riders of bicycles and stand-up scooters. He stressed the importance of respecting the rules.
Key words : kochi castle
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240406_08/
Lanterns, flower arrangements adorn Kochi castle in annual event
Flower arrangements and lanterns are an additional lure for visitors to Kochi castle, where cherry blossoms are also in season.
"Kochi Castle Flower Corridor," an annual spring event, began on Friday and runs through Sunday from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Arrangements by 15 flower arrangement schools active in Kochi Prefecture are placed with 250 lanterns along the main passage from the Otemon gate to the castle's main tower.
Tosa Washi, traditional Japanese paper, is used on the lanterns. Kochi was historically known as "Tosa."
One of the arrangements is a big tree stump filled with colorful flowers with cherry blossoms for a backdrop.
Japanese dancing, Rakugo story telling, Japanese drumming and traditional lion dances were performed on three stages set up for the event.
One of the visitors said the colorful flowers and lion dance performances were wonderful.
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