Key words : biden dismissed
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210821_08/
President Joe Biden has dismissed criticism that the chaotic situation in Afghanistan is undermining US credibility on the world stage.
His comments follow weeks of turmoil across the country, where departing US troops left behind government forces that were swiftly overrun by Taliban fighters. Thousands of expatriates and others seeking to escape the Taliban are still struggling to get to the international airport in Kabul to evacuate.
US media say the sudden end to America's 20-year presence in Afghanistan has created the impression that its soldiers have abandoned vulnerable people.
But Biden said on Friday that he hasn't heard any of America's allies questioning its credibility.
He said he talked with leaders from the Group of Seven and NATO countries before deciding to pull US forces out of Afghanistan, and that they all supported the decision.
Asked about the evacuation of translators and other Afghan people who helped the US war effort, Biden said, "We're making the same commitment."
Key words : taliban german kill
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210820_20/
Deutsche Welle says Taliban fighters have shot and killed a family member of one of its reporters and seriously injured a second family member.
The German public broadcaster said on Thursday that Taliban fighters had been conducting a house-to-house search for the journalist who is now in Germany.
Deutsche Welle Director General Peter Limbourg condemned the killing, saying it was "inconceivably tragic" and that "it is evident that the Taliban are already carrying out organized searches for journalists both in Kabul and in the provinces." He added, "We are running out of time!"
Deutsche Welle says the Taliban have raided the homes of at least three of its journalists.
Deutsche Welle and other German media have published an open letter calling on the German government to set up an emergency visa program for Afghan staff.
A Taliban spokesperson promised media freedom at a news conference on Tuesday.
He said media are free to continue their activities in Afghanistan as long as they are consistent with Islamic values, fair and in the interest of the country.
Key words : taliban smartphone
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210821_05/
The Taliban are intensifying their search for people linked to the ousted government in Afghanistan, despite the conciliatory tone of their leaders since taking power.
Senior members of the Islamic group have stressed that they will not seek retribution against those who worked for the former administration or foreign forces.
But Taliban fighters are screening people at checkpoints and going door-to-door in an apparent sign of their tightening control.
A resident of the capital, Kabul, told NHK that a fighter inspected him while he was in a taxi on Thursday.
He said the fighter took his smartphone to check photos and social media posts, and grilled him about his possible ties to the collapsed administration.
The man said he was asked why he had shaved his beard, and was threatened with punishment if he didn't grow one in a month. He said he was shocked, and that he wants to leave the country, but cannot.
Fears Afghanistan will be forced under harsh Islamic rule are growing. In Kabul on Friday, people including women who worked for the government staged a rally to defend their rights.
Key words : us concern pressure
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210821_10/
A US State Department spokesperson has expressed concern about the Taliban's increasing pressure on journalists following the group's takeover of Afghanistan.
Despite claims by the Taliban that they will allow free media within the framework of Islam, the militant group has already targeted some journalists.
Earlier this week, Taliban fighters shot dead a family member of a journalist with Germany's public broadcaster, Deutsche Welle. They also blocked a female news anchor from going into work at Afghanistan's state-run broadcaster.
State Department spokesperson Ned Price told reporters on Friday that the US is taking these reports "extraordinarily seriously."
He called the issue a "basic matter of freedom of the press," and said the media should be able to report without intimidation.
Asked if the US will send COVID-related funding to Afghanistan, Price said the US will not provide assistance to any government that does not uphold basic obligations to its people.
Key words : start on Tuesday
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210821_04/
The Tokyo Paralympics start on Tuesday, with the Japanese capital in the grip of a medical crisis due to a surge in coronavirus cases.
Tokyo's seven-day average for new infections as of Friday is 3.4 times that of July 23, when the Olympics kicked off.
Severe cases have quadrupled, and the number of infected people isolating at home has climbed to record highs. Experts point to an "uncontrollable, disaster-level emergency."
On Friday, Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko said she hopes to win the public's understanding about holding the event. But some senior officials within the metropolitan government think that will be difficult.
They point out that residents are being urged to refrain from going out, and that businesses are being told to close or shorten their hours.
The Paralympics will be staged without spectators, in principle. Schoolchildren can attend under a special program. However, the capital's board of education is largely opposed to the plan.
Tokyo is currently under a fourth state of emergency aimed at curbing the pandemic.
Key words : ipc school
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210821_11/
The chief of the International Paralympic Committee has suggested that officials will discuss a response if there are any changes in the coronavirus situation that could affect the safety of athletes.
IPC President Andrew Parsons gave an exclusive interview to NHK in Tokyo on Saturday.
Asked whether the Paralympics will continue if athletes become seriously ill from the virus or there is a cluster of infections, Parsons said officials will need to discuss an appropriate response with Japanese authorities.
He said officials will respond in the best possible way to protect the health and safety of athletes.
Asked about plans to allow schoolchildren to watch Paralympic events at venues, Parsons said it was based on a request from the Japanese government.
He said the IPC supports the plan, but wants to know more about what can be done to protect children. He stressed the wellbeing of children must be guaranteed.
On the issue of public concern about a potential spread of infections due to the Paralympics, Parsons said organizers are asking the public not to go out to events on public roads but to watch them on TV.
Key words : biden ambassador will
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210821_12/
US President Joe Biden plans to name a close aide to former President Barack Obama as US ambassador to Japan.
The White House announced the nomination of Rahm Emanuel on Friday.
Emanuel, a 61-year-old former congressman, served as Obama's chief of staff from 2009 and led efforts to enact the so-called Obamacare act, a top priority issue for the administration. He went on to serve as mayor of Chicago from 2011 to 2019 during which he was criticized for his handling of a fatal shooting of a Black teenager by a white police officer.
Emanuel is believed to be close to President Biden as well. His was earlier considered for the positions of transportation secretary and US envoy to China.
The post of US ambassador to Japan has been vacant since William Hagerty stepped down in July 2019 to run for the Senate.
The Biden administration places particular importance on maintaining good relations with Japan, a key US ally, as part of its effort to counter China, which it sees as the "most serious competitor" of the United States.
If confirmed by the Senate, Emanuel would have to deal with tasks including strengthening the bilateral alliance.
The White House also announced that Biden plans to nominate former under secretary of state Nicholas Burns as US ambassador to China. Burns served as US envoy to NATO.
Key words : amazon facebook
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210821_09/
A surge in coronavirus cases across the United States has prompted some of its biggest tech firms to delay plans to summon their workers back to the office until January next year.
Amazon says that due to the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant, it has abandoned plans to call most of its workforce back to the office on September 7, and now does not expect them on site until January 3.
Amazon has not introduced a vaccination requirement for its staff, but it says anyone without proof of inoculation will be asked to wear a mask.
Facebook says it has pushed back plans for in-person work until January in areas where the Delta variant is spreading. The company said, "Data, not dates, is what drives our approach for returning to the office."
Facebook had initially planned to reopen its offices in October after mandating jabs for all staff working on site.
Apple has also announced that its employees won't be returning to the office until next January.
Key words : malaysia new lockdown
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210821_07/
The king of Malaysia has appointed Ismail Sabri Yaakob prime minister following the resignation earlier this week of Muhyiddin Yassin amid public anger at his handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
The appointment on Friday came as infections in Malaysia hit a record high.
The king said he believed Ismail Sabri had the support of a majority of members of parliament.
Ismail Sabri served as deputy prime minister and defense minister under the Muhyiddin government, and played a central role in its response to the coronavirus.
This has raised concerns about whether he is capable of reining in infections and reviving the economy.
A lockdown in force since June has placed limits on economic activity and movement.
Despite this, the daily tally of cases hit a new record of 23,564 on Friday. The country is reporting more than 200 deaths each day.
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