【150-152】Deadly Earthquake Hits Near Osaka, Japan

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*【150】AS IT IS

Deadly Earthquake Hits Near Osaka, Japan

June 18, 2018

Damaged Myotoku-ji temple caused by an earthquake is seen in Ibaraki, Osaka prefecture, western Japan, in this photo taken by Kyodo June 18, 2018. Kyodo via REUTERS

A deadly earthquake struck near Osaka, Japan early Monday, causing hundreds of casualties, damaging buildings and leaving many homes without water or gas.

The epicenter of the 6.1-magnitude earthquake was just north of Osaka at a depth of 13 kilometers. Japanese officials said at least three people were killed and more than 300 injured.

No tsunami warning was issued. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said authorities were investigating the damage and seeking to provide safety to those affected.

Japan’s NHK television showed collapsed walls, broken windows and water leaks throughout the area. Tens of thousands of people lost power after the quake, but officials said most areas got electricity back by midday.

Damage to underground gas lines left at least 110,000 homes without service in the nearby cities of Takatsuki and Ibaraki. Full repair of those gas lines could take up to two weeks, officials from Osaka Gas Company said.

Underground trains were halted so tracks could be inspected for damage. Service was restarted later in the afternoon.

Among the dead was a 9-year-old girl killed after being trapped under a collapsed wall at her school. More than 1,000 schools were closed in Osaka and nearby areas as wall cracks and other minor damage were found.

Japanese soldiers joined rescue and relief operations in parts of Osaka, bringing special vehicles to deliver clean drinking water.

Officials warned of strong aftershocks throughout the area and urged people to stay away from damaged structures.

Earthquakes are common in Japan, which is part of the seismically active “Ring of Fire.” The area covers the South Pacific through Indonesia and Japan, across to Alaska and down the west coast of North, Central and South America.

A 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck near the Japanese city of Kobe in 1995, killing more than 6,000 people. Monday’s quake followed a series of smaller ones reported near Tokyo in recent weeks. Parts of northern Japan are still recovering from the 9.0 quake and tsunami in 2011 that killed more than 18,000 people.

I’m Bryan Lynn.

Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from the Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse. Kelly Jean Kelly was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.

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Words in This Story

tsunami – n. very high, large wave in the ocean usually caused by an earthquake under the sea

crack – n. a thin line or space in the surface of something, usually a sign of damage

relief – adj. providing help, relief

seismically – adv. relating to or caused by an earthquake

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#【151】  AS IT IS

South Korea Discusses Suspending Joint Military Exercises

In this photo provided by the South Korea Defense Ministry, South Korean Maj. Gen. Kim Do-gyun, right, shakes hands with his North Korean counterpart Lt. Gen. An Ik San during a meeting in Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone. South Korean officials say they are considering suspending large joint military exercises with the U.S.

South Korean officials are reacting carefully to the expected suspension of large U.S.-South Korea military exercises.

An announcement could come this week to suspend the major joint military exercises, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reports.

Those exercises usually involve troops, warplanes, ships and other military weapons from U.S. bases around the world. Yonhap said, however, that some joint training would continue.

The issue is being discussed

On Monday, the South Korean defense minister said the issue is still being discussed.

A Defense Ministry spokesperson said, “We are still discussing about it. Nothing has yet been decided, and it is still in discussion.”

On Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted that he wanted to cancel what he called the U.S.-South Korean “war games.” The suspension would continue while the U.S. and North Korea negotiate an end to the North’s nuclear program.

The South Korean government and U.S. military officials were not told before Trump’s announcement. He made the statement after meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore on June 12.

However, South Korean President Moon Jae-in asked for cooperation on the issue. Moon said there was a need to be “flexible” on possibly easing military pressure on North Korea if the denuclearization process continues.

Critics say agreement lacks details

Critics of the denuclearization agreement reached in Singapore between Trump and Kim say it lacks important details.

They say it does not discuss the range of nuclear weapons to be included or provide a time limit or verification requirements.

Critics also oppose the president’s decision to end major joint military exercises without getting any major concession in return from North Korea.

Moon Chung-in is a special adviser to South Korea’s president. He supports increased discussion with North Korea. He considers Trump’s good relations with Kim and his decision to suspend the exercises as parts of a diplomatic plan that is getting clearer.

“His remarks on the possible suspension of the R.O.K. [Republic of Korea]-U.S. combined military exercises in August, I think the remarks are extremely strategic,” said Moon.

President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un participate in a signing ceremony during a meeting on Sentosa Island, June 12, 2018, in Singapore.

Moon Chung-in also said that Trump’s decision was a good answer to North Korea. North Korea has said it will suspend nuclear and missile tests for seven months. It has agreed to discuss denuclearization and to close a nuclear test area.

Ending the joint exercises, Moon said, puts pressure on North Korea to be reasonable as the two sides discuss the process ahead. For North Korea, this includes permitting outside inspectors into the country. It also involves agreeing to destroy all its nuclear weapons, accepting limits on ballistic missiles and other threatening weapons and destroying its weapons of mass destruction.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said strong United Nations sanctions block 90 percent of North Korean trade. He said sanctions will stay in place until the denuclearization process begins.

Moon said, “I think the two will reach a compromise…I believe that they will find a midway point.”

Many North Korea security experts do not believe Kim will completely give up his nuclear weapons. They say the weapons are important to maintaining his family’s leadership of the country.

Both Trump and President Moon are testing that possibility, their supporters say.

South Korea has been in talks with North Korea to ease tensions along the heavily militarized border. The two sides are discussing the possibility of sending a joint team to the upcoming Asian Games in Indonesia.

They also are making efforts to organize reunions in August for families that have been separated since the division of Korea at the end of World War II.

I’m Kelly Jean Kelly.

VOA’s Brian Padden reported this story. Susan Shand adapted it for Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor.

Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

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Words in This Story

flexible – adj. ready and able to change or adapt

range – n. the level of degrees on a scale

verification – n. the process of establishing the truth

concession – n. the thing that is given in response to demands

strategic – adj. carefully designed or planned for one’s own interest

ballistic - adj. a long range missile

sanctions – n. punishment imposed on a country with regards to trade or economy

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*【152】 AS IT IS

Americans Divided over Family Separation Policy

In this photo provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, a U.S. Border Patrol agent watches as people who've been taken into custody related to cases of illegal entry into the United States, stand in line at a facility in McAllen, Texas.

The policy of separating children from parents illegally seeking entry at the United States border is dividing Americans. More Republicans spoke out against the policy as Democrats called for changes.

In April, the administration of President Donald Trump announced a “zero-tolerance” policy that brings legal action in all cases of illegal entry at the U.S. border.

Under the policy, U.S. federal agents separate parents, who are seeking asylum or attempting to enter the U.S. illegally, from their children. U.S. law bans detaining children with their parents because the children are not charged with a crime and the parents are.

In this photo provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, people who've been taken into custody related to cases of illegal entry into the United States, rest in one of the cages at a facility in McAllen, Texas.

But the law was rarely enforced under both Republican and Democratic administrations.

Over a six-week period ending in May, U.S. Homeland Security officials said that nearly 2,000 children had been separated from their families.

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions defended the policy during a speech in Fort Wayne, Indiana last week. He said, “Having children does not give you immunityfrom arrest and prosecution.”

Sessions added, “The law requires that children who cannot be with their parents be placed within the custody of DHS [Department of Homeland Security] within 72 hours, something entirely different than the criminal justice system.”

Critics of the policy

Some American religious leaders, however, denounced the policy.

At a conference of U.S. Catholic bishops, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo said in a statement, “At its core, asylum is an instrument to preserve the right to life.”

He added, “While protecting our borders is important, we can and must do better as a government, and as a society, to find other ways to ensure that safety. Separating babies from their mothers is not the answer and is immoral."

Speaking to the Christian Broadcasting Network, Reverend Franklin Graham, a long-time supporter of President Trump, called the policy “disgraceful.” But he blamed "politicians for the last 20, 30 years that have allowed this to escalate to the point where it is today.”

Over the weekend, more Republicans added their opposition to the policy.

Former first lady Laura Bush voiced her opinion in The Washington Post newspaper. “I live in a border state. I appreciate the need to enforce and protect our international boundaries, but this zero-tolerance policy is cruel. It is immoral,” she said.

She compared it to the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II.

Senator Susan Collins of Maine said she supports tighter border security. But the Republican senator is concerned about the child separation policy.

She said, “What the administration has decided to do is to separate children from their parents to try to send a message that if you cross the border with children, your children are going to be ripped away from you.”

Even first lady Melania Trump, who has not entered policy debates, voiced her opinion on the emotional issue. Her spokeswoman said, “Mrs. Trump hates to see children separated from their families and hopes both sides of the aisle can finally come together to achieve successful immigration reform."

Is it policy or politics?

Trump has blamed the Democratic Party for actions that separate children from parents when families illegally cross the border with Mexico.

The president wrote on Twitter that the Democrats were responsible for the legislation. He then said that any immigration bill should provide money for a wall at the border with Mexico. He called for an end to a policy of catching and then releasing people charged with entering the country illegally. And he called for major changes to immigration laws.

-t1-

Adam Schiff is a Democratic member of Congress from California. On a Sunday morning news program, NBC’s Meet the Press, he accused the Trump administration of using the issue to gain support for building a border wall. He said Trump was trying to force Congress to pass legislation.

Kellyanne Conway is an advisor to the president. She rejected the idea that Trump is using the policy to force negotiation on immigration and the border wall.

She was asked whether the president was willing to end the policy. Conway said, “The president is ready to get meaningful immigration reform across the board.”

Trump plans to meet with House Republicans on Tuesday to discuss pendingimmigration legislation.

I’m Mario Ritter.

Hai Do wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.

________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

zero-tolerance –adj. to apply the rule without exceptions

immunity –n. to being subject to some burden or legal requirement

prosecution –n. facing legal action in a court of law

custody –n. the care or guardianship of someone

allow –v. to permit, to let happen

escalate –v. to become more intense

appreciate –v. to understand

internment –n. to be detained in a place away from others

sides of the aisle –expression both sides of an argument, of both political parties

across the board –expression in all cases

pending –adj. not yet decided or acted on

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