It is “Global Village Today” which provides important news from various countries of the world.
Host) What news do you have today?
Journalist) Yes. Another large-scale rocket attack by the Russian military on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure caused power outages in many places, including the capital Kiev. As the number of new coronavirus infections in China has exceeded 30,000 a day, authorities are tightening quarantine measures.
Host) Global Village Today, we start with news from Ukraine. Has the Russian military launched another airstrike on Ukrainian energy facilities?
Journalist) Yes. Russia launched a missile attack on Ukraine yesterday (23), resulting in power outages in many parts of Ukraine, including the capital, Kiev. The Ukrainian military said Russian forces fired 67 missiles that day.
Presenter) The Russian military launched a massive missile attack on Ukraine not so long ago, right?
Journalist) Yes. Russia has been carrying out indiscriminate airstrikes across Ukraine since it withdrew from Kherson in southern Ukraine. On the 15th and 17th, about 100 missiles were fired in a stack, mostly at infrastructure structures, causing power outages and water outages one after another.
Host) Did the bombing cause casualties?
Journalist) Yes. At least 10 people were killed across Ukraine, and three people were killed and more than 10 injured in the capital, Kiev. They were sacrificed when the city’s two-story buildings and infrastructure were bombed by the onslaught of the Russian army.
Moderator) How is the current situation in Cuiwu?
Journalist) Yes. As of this morning (24th) electricity is not being supplied to approximately 70% of the city. Kiu Mayor Vitaly Klitschko said energy companies are trying to restore electricity as quickly as possible, but that depends on the balance of the national grid. The shelling caused power outages not only in the capital CJW, but also in the western city of Lviv on the border with Poland. Power outages occurred in many places, including southern Mkolaiu. On the other hand, the neighboring country of Moldova is also experiencing power outages.
Moderator) Why is Moldova powerless?
Journalist) Yes. Most of Moldova’s power plants were built in the former Soviet era and are connected to the power grid of Ukraine. As a result, the rocket attack cut off the electricity supply to half of Moldova’s territory, Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Spuni said.
Moderator) Ukraine’s energy structures were already taking a heavy blow, and this bombing must have added more damage?
Journalist) Yes. Russia’s attack appears to be aimed at putting pressure on Ukraine by cutting off electricity, heating and water supply in bad weather and bad conditions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky yesterday (23) instructed his ambassador to the United Nations to convene an emergency meeting of the Security Council to discuss the issue.
Moderator) So, was the Security Council meeting held?
Journalist) Yes. An emergency meeting of the Security Council was held on the same day. President Zelensky also attended the meeting via video. President Zelensky has urged the Security Council to adopt a resolution that does not tolerate any form of energy terrorism. He stressed that the killing of civilians and the destruction of civilian infrastructure is a clear act of terrorism and a crime against humanity. Separately, President Zelensky welcomed the European Union’s designation of Russia as a “state sponsor of terrorism”.
Host) Was the resolution approved by the European Parliament?
Journalist) Yes. The European Parliament, the decision-making body of the EU, yesterday voted (23) a resolution designating Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism. 494 legislators voted in favor, 58 against and 44 abstained. The European Parliament resolution states that Russia’s deliberate attacks and atrocities against Ukrainian civilians, the destruction of civilian infrastructure and gross human rights violations constitute acts of terrorism.
In the midst of all this, will the United States provide more military aid to Ukraine?
Reporter) Yes. Secretary of State Tony Lincoln released a statement yesterday (23) and revealed plans for additional military support worth $400 million. Secretary Blincoln said in a statement that “the United States will continue to provide additional military assistance to Ukraine to deter Russia’s relentless aggression, including on its critical energy infrastructure.”
Moderator) Specifically, what kind of military support is this time?
Reporter) Yes. The US Department of Defense has issued a separate statement. “NASAMS” state-of-the-art surface-to-air missile system, “HIMARS” high-speed mobile artillery missile system used to defend the White House and the Capitol, 150 anti-aircraft drone guns equipped with thermal sights to defend against Russian drone attacks, Enemy radar anti-radiator missiles have been included for the attack.
Presenter) How much military aid has the United States provided to Ukraine so far?
Journalist) Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February, the United States has provided $19.7 billion in military aid to Ukraine. The United States is providing humanitarian aid and military aid. On the 22nd, the US Treasury Department announced it would provide separate support of $4.5 billion for relief and recovery efforts in Ukraine.
Moderator) The Biden government is committed to continuing to support Ukraine. Will the results of the US midterm elections earlier this month affect future support for Ukraine?
Reporter) Yes. Since the Republican Party becomes the majority in the House of Representatives in the 118th Federal Assembly, which will be launched in January next year, there is a possibility that the scale of support for Ukraine will be reduced. Immediately following the midterm elections, both Republican and Democratic leaders pledged unwavering support for Ukraine. However, Republican House Representative Kevin McCarthy, who is slated to be the next Speaker of the House, has repeatedly stressed that he would not provide so-called “blank check” wholehearted support and expressed his intention to tighten enforcement standards.
Host) Global Village Today, this time we will go to China. Is the situation of the new coronavirus in China serious?
Journalist) Yes. The number of new infections per day in China has reached an all-time high. “AP” and “CNN” broadcasts reported today (24) that the number of new infections that occurred in mainland China on the 23rd was 31,444.
Moderator) Isn’t it more infected than when Shanghai was sealed in April?
Journalist) Exactly. The highest record so far was 29,317 on April 13. It is the first time that the number of new infections per day in China has exceeded 30,000 since the first report of a new coronavirus infection in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, in December 2019.
Moderator) Have there been any recent deaths?
Reporter) Yes. Chinese authorities reported the first death in six months this week. According to Chinese media, there have been three deaths in the capital, Beijing, in recent days. According to the Chinese government’s official announcement, the death toll from the Chinese crown is 5,232.
Moderator) In the midst of all this, is the Chinese government tightening its quarantine policy again?
Journalist) Yes. China has implemented the so-called “Zero Covid” policy according to which it will not tolerate a single crown in the last two years. The negative impact on the economy and the deterioration of public opinion have recently shown some signs of easing. However, as the number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus has risen again, every local government, including the capital Beijing, is tightening quarantine policies again.
Moderator) How is the situation in Beijing?
Reporter) Yes. Beijing put most of the city into a state of semi-lockdown after more than 1,000 infections emerged for three consecutive days. For example, Chaoyang District, Beijing’s largest administrative district, has imposed a total lockdown of 290 apartment complexes for three days. All major shopping malls in the city are closed. Restrictions on meals in restaurants, public places, public transport and airport users must present a negative certificate of gene amplification (PCR) within 48 hours.
Moderator) Tell us about the situation in other regions.
Reporter) Yes. Guangzhou, a large southern city in Guangdong province, is also implementing a strong containment policy. The city of Guangzhou has announced that it will block the Baiyun district, the most populous district in the city, for five days starting on the 21st. As a result, 3.7 million people were stranded. Currently, a large-scale corona investigation is underway in Baiyun District. During this period, residents cannot go out unless strictly necessary. In the ‘Foxconn’ factory in Zhengzhou, in the province of Henan, a bloody clash broke out between the company’s workers and security personnel.
Moderator) Foxconn is a place that has recently attracted attention due to the collective flight of workers, right?
Journalist) Yes. It is the place where the “iPhone” mobile phone is produced. The factory has been running the factory blocking contact with the outside world since the middle of last month, when the crown re-emerged. Infected employees have also been forced to remain in quarantine facilities within the factory. There was even a situation where many employees who felt anxious about it fled en masse.
Presenter) How did the workers’ protest unfold?
Reporter) This is known to be due to dissatisfaction with non-payment of wages and the continued spread of contagion. Workers staged protests to protest that food was also not being supplied properly due to the ongoing lockdown. A video of workers, security guards and policemen in protective suits wielding clubs and fighting fiercely was uploaded on social media such as Twitter.
Moderator) Yes. Global Village Today, I will listen to this.
