Welcome to NHK “Newsline.” I’m Gene Otani in Tokyo.
A Palestinian media report says Israeli air strikes in northern Gaza have left 22 people dead and 14 missing. The report says four houses in Jabaliya were hit on Friday and the victims include children. Israel launched a fresh ground offensive in the city a week ago saying the aim was to prevent Hamas fighters from regrouping. The Israeli military said on Thursday that it had killed more than 50 Hamas fighters. Israeli forces have told residents of northern Gaza to evacuate to the south, but Qatar-based broadcaster Al Jazeera said many residents are refusing as they fear there is no safe place within Gaza. Al Jazeera says one of its camera operators was shot and critically wounded. Health officials in Gaza say since the conflict began one year ago 42,175 people have been killed. The renewed offensive is making it uncertain whether Israel and Hamas will pause fighting for the second phase of polio vaccinations scheduled to start on Monday. The World Food Program warns that the escalating violence is having a disastrous impact on food security. It says no food aid has entered northern Gaza since October 1st. The Central American nation of Nicaragua announced it’s breaking off diplomatic relations with Israel citing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has expressed deep concerns about reports of Israeli forces firing on U.N. peacekeeping positions in southern Lebanon. The Defense Department says Austin spoke by phone with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Saturday. It says he emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety and security of U.N. peacekeepers. Austin referred to what he called the need to pivot from military operations in Lebanon to a diplomatic pathway, adding that needs to be done as soon as feasible. The U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon says that a peacekeeper at its headquarters in Naqoura was hit by gunfire, due to ongoing military activity nearby. Since Thursday, five peacekeepers have been wounded, raising international criticism. A joint statement expressing outrage and condemning Israel was issued by French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. The three countries have sent personnel to the U.N. group in Lebanon. The Israeli military blames Hezbollah saying it deliberately operates near posts of the U.N. group endangering its staff.
Kim Yo Jong, the sister of the North Korean leader has expressed that Pyongyang will retaliate if South Korean drones are found again in its airspace. The North’s Foreign Ministry claimed on Friday that South Korean drones flew over Pyeyongyang and scattered propaganda leaflets earlier this month. South Korea’s military says it could not confirm Pyeyongyang’s claim. Kim accused the South of making a childish excuse and alleged even if the drones were flown by a nongovernment organization, the infiltration was carried out with the South Korean military’s connivance. She warned if a South Korean drone is detected over her country’s capital once again, it will lead to a horrible disaster. The South Korean military had urged the North Korean side to exercise self-restraint over the matter, warning it will respond sternly if people’s safety comes under threat.
A representative of Nihon Hidankyo has visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park to report the news of the Nobel Peace Prize win to those who devoted their lives to the campaign to abolish nuclear weapons. One of the co-chairs of the Japanese organization representing the survivors of the atomic bombings of World War II visited the park on Sunday.
“We are pleased to inform you we will be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. We will never give up trying to abolish nuclear weapons.”
He is also the head of a survivors group in Hiroshima Prefecture. He offered flowers with a card listing the names of the group’s past leaders.
“We cannot give up because there as many as 12,000 nuclear weapons in the world. The road is tough, but we must continue our work.”
He expressed hope that people across the world will join their campaign to eliminate nuclear arms.
People in Hong Kong have enjoyed culture and food from Japan despite import restrictions from parts of the country. Hong Kong residents joined Japanese nationals as part of the Japan Autumn Festival. Stalls offered steak as well as traditional spirits, all imported from Japan.
“I’m very happy to see local people able to join the Japanese band.” “I tried the beef. My kids and I really liked it.”
Hong Kong authorities have suspended imports of seafood from ten Japanese prefectures including Fukushima. The measure came after the operator of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant began discharging treated and diluted water into the ocean in August of last year. Water used to cool molten fuel at the plant has been mixing with rain and ground water. The accumulated water is being treated to remove most radioactive substances, but still contains tritium. Before releasing the treated water into the ocean, the plant’s operator dilutes it to reduce tritium levels to about one-seventh of the World Health Organization’s guidance level for drinking water. The annual event in Hong Kong began in 2016. It is organized by Japan’s Consulate General and other entities. One of the organizers says he strongly hopes Japan and Hong Kong will overcome the challenges over the trade restrictions, even though the process may take time.
Local organizations have hosted an annual Pacific saury festival in Tokyo’s Meguro Ward. The delicacy was served free of charge to lucky residents. It is not on the ocean, but the Pacific saury grilled there is well known thanks to a classic rakugo story called Meguro no Sanma in Japanese. On Sunday, a fresh catch of the fall delicacy sent from Kesennuma City was grilled at festival. Organizers including local district associations and shop keepers served the grilled fish to ward residents, chosen by lottery in advance. Organizers say about 18,000 people applied for 1,500 slots this year.
“It was absolutely delicious.” “I could not eat many last year, so I’m glad to be able to join them with my family.” “It is a greatest pleasure to have people taste good saury. I hope Meguro will remain known for saury.”
The event organizer also expressed hope to deepen ties with Kesennuma, a fishing port which is Meguro’s friendship city.
Those were the main stories for this hour.
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And that’s the news this hour. I’m Gene Otani. From all of us here at NHK Newsline, to all around the “Newsline,” thanks very much for joining us.
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