Key words : north conducted
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20191214_17/
North Korea says it has conducted what it calls "a very important test" at the Sohae satellite launch site.
The country's Academy of Defense Science says the test was carried out from 10:41 p.m. until 10:48 p.m. on Friday. It did not provide any further details.
The academy says the result of the test will boost North Korea's strategic nuclear deterrence.
The launch site has been used for testing long-range ballistic missiles and rocket engines.
Observers say Friday's test is believed to have been a missile-related one. The academy made a similar announcement last Saturday saying it had carried out a "very significant test" at the Sohae satellite launch site the day before.
Key words : Mark working hard
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20191214_13/
US Defense Secretary Mark Esper says the United States is working hard to resume denuclearization talks with North Korea.
Speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York on Friday, Esper said Washington would be "tested soon" on bringing Pyongyang back to the negotiation table.
He said the US will work closely with South Korea and Japan.
But he conceded the US must prepare in case negotiations fail.
As denuclearization talks remain stalled between Washington and Pyongyang, the North has unilaterally set the end of this year as a deadline for negotiations.
Pyongyang has hinted it may resume long-range missile tests if the US does not offer concessions, such as lifting sanctions.
Esper also raised the issue of cost-sharing by US allies to cover the cost of maintaining US forces on their territory.
Esper said there can't be any free riders or any discount plans. He emphasized that allies should contribute more.
Key words : United States and historic
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20191214_05/
The United States and China have reached a "phase one" trade deal that includes the first reduction in US tariffs imposed since March last year.
In a statement on Friday, the Office of the US Trade Representative described the agreement as "historic and enforceable."
It says the deal covers intellectual property and technology transfers, along with a Chinese commitment to make "substantial additional purchases" of US goods.
The statement says the US will maintain a 25-percent tariff on 250 billion dollars' worth of Chinese imports. But it says it will reduce levies on a 120-billion-dollar portion by half, from 15 to 7.5 percent.
The United States has also decided not to go ahead with additional tariffs on smartphones and other products that were due to take effect on Sunday.
President Donald Trump told reporters that Chinese farm purchases would hit 50 billion dollars a year. He called the agreement the biggest ever, and said it will open China's markets.
China announced the agreement late on Friday. Ning Jizhe, the Vice-Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission, indicated that the Chinese government is not guaranteeing the farm purchases.
Ning said the expansion of agricultural trade must be based on market principles and World Trade Organization rules. He added that China will increase its purchase of quality American agricultural products that are competitive in the market.
Key words : impeachment majority vote
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20191214_04/
The US House Judiciary Committee approved two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump by a majority vote on Friday. The committee is controlled by the Democrats.
Trump is accused of abuse of power by pressuring Ukraine for his personal political gain, and of obstructing Congress by blocking investigations into his conduct.
Democrats say Trump would pose a threat to the US Constitution if allowed to remain in office.
The full House of Representatives is expected to impeach the president in a floor vote as early as next week.
Key words : organizer Sapporo
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20191214_16/
Organizers of next year's Tokyo Olympics along with officials from international organizations visited Sapporo, Hokkaido, on Saturday to finalize the course for the Olympic marathon event, which will be held in the city.
The executive board of the International Olympic Committee has already approved a plan to use Odori Park in central Sapporo as the start and finish lines.
The organizing committee and the International Association of Athletics Federations, or IAAF, had approved a 20 kilometer course from the park as the first lap.
Officials from the organizing committee, IAAF, and IOC visited Sapporo to determine what to do about the remaining 20 kilometers.
The IAAF is proposing three laps of a seven-kilometer route.
Sources from Hokkaido say two alternative seven-kilometer courses have been on the table, but neither of them is suitable, either because the road is not wide enough, or because of the inconvenience to local residents.
They say a new option is now being discussed, using the northern half of the 20-kilometer course for two laps as the second part of the race.
Key words : report at least
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20191214_09/
A US private media watchdog says at least 250 journalists are imprisoned worldwide for their work, with China topping the list of countries.
The Committee to Protect Journalists released the report on Wednesday. The list is based on figures as of December 1.
The group said at least 48 journalists are jailed in China. Citing an arrest of a freelance journalist in October for reporting on pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, it said Chinese President Xi Jinping "instituted ever tighter controls on the media."
Turkey ranked second with 47 imprisoned journalists, down 21 from last year. The country had imprisoned more journalists than any other country for three consecutive years through 2018.
The group said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan closed down more than 100 news outlets, forcing many journalists to become jobless. It said the reduced number of prisoners "does not signal an improved situation."
The group also said the number of journalists charged with reporting "false news" rose to 30 this year.
The group called for an improvement in the situation, describing the imprisonment of journalists as threat to the world's information system that citizens depend upon.
Key words : Pope
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20191214_12/
A cross and other items that Pope Francis donated to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nagasaki have been put on display.
Pope Francis visited Nagasaki City on November 24. He issued a call for the abolition of nuclear weapons and held a mass which drew about 30,000 people.
The display began on Saturday at the Archbishop Hall. It features a vestment the pope wore at the mass, as well as a cross made of black coral.
Also on show is a note he wrote in Italian when he took a rest at the hall.
He expresses his gratitude for the welcome he received.
The display will be held on Saturdays and Sundays through December 22.
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