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world news Diasabra 7 augustus 2021

Hiroshima marks 76th anniversary of US atomic bombing

(AP) — Hiroshima on Fri- Hiroshima Peace Park cere-
day marked the 76th anni- mony, where aging survivors,
versary of the world’s first officials and some dignitaries
atomic bombing, as the observed a minute of silence
mayor of the Japanese city for the 8:15 a.m. blast. At a
urged global leaders to news conference later, Suga
unite to eliminate nuclear said he has no intention of
weapons just as they are signing the treaty.
united against the corona-
virus. “The treaty lacks support
not only from the nuclear
Mayor Kazumi Matsui urged weapons states including the
world leaders to commit to United States but also from
nuclear disarmament as se- many countries that do not
riously as they tackle a pan- possess nuclear arms,” Suga
demic that the international said. “What’s appropriate is
community recognizes as to seek a passage to realisti-
“threat to humanity.” cally promote nuclear disar-
mament.”
“Nuclear weapons, devel-
oped to win wars, are a threat The Treaty on the Prohibition
of total annihilation that we of Nuclear Weapons took ef-
can certainly end, if all na- fect in January after years of
tions work together,” Matsui civil effort joined by atomic
said. bombing survivors, or hiba-
kusha. But while more than and the treatment of atomic spokesman Masa Takaya said. outside a government-set
The United States dropped 50 countries have ratified it, bomb survivors. boundary. The victims were
the world’s first atomic the treaty notably lacks the Many survivors of the bomb- exposed to radioactive “black
bomb on Hiroshima on Aug. U.S. and other nuclear pow- “The important point is ings have lasting injuries and rain” that fell in the city af-
6, 1945, destroying the city ers as well as Japan, which that his heart simply wasn’t illnesses resulting from the ter the bombing and fought
and killing 140,000 people. has relied on the U.S. nuclear there,” former Hiroshima explosions and radiation ex- a long legal battle for their
It dropped a second bomb umbrella for its defense since Mayor Tadatoshi Akiba said posure and face discrimina- health problems to be recog-
three days later on Nagasaki, the war’s end. on an online news confer- tion in Japanese society. nized.
killing another 70,000. Japan ence later Friday.
surrendered on Aug. 15, end- After the ceremony, Suga The government began to Matsui urged Suga’s govern-
ing World War II and Japan’s apologized for inadver- Akiba has proposed a mo- provide medical support to ment to further widen the
nearly half-century of aggres- tently skipping parts of his ment of silence by Olympic certified survivors in 1968 af- support and quickly reach
sion in Asia. speech. The sections that athletes and participants to ter more than 20 years of ef- all those still suffering from
were dropped included a mark the Hiroshima and Na- fort by them. the physical and emotional
Countries stockpiled nuclear pledge to pursue efforts to- gasaki atomic bombings, urg- effects of radiation, includ-
weapons during the Cold ward achieving a nuclear-free ing the International Olym- As of March, 127,755 sur- ing black rain survivors who
War and a standoff continues world as head of the world’s pic Committee to take action vivors, whose average age is were not part of the lawsuit.
to this day. only country to have suf- and not just talk about world now almost 84, are certified
fered atomic attacks, accord- peace. as hibakusha and eligible for Thursday’s ceremony at the
Matsui renewed his demand ing to his speech posted on government medical sup- Hiroshima Peace Memorial
that Japan’s government im- the Prime Minister’s Office Although a moment of si- port, according to the health Park was scaled down signifi-
mediately sign and ratify the website. lence didn’t occur at the and welfare ministry. cantly because of the corona-
Treaty on the Prohibition of Olympics on Friday, there virus pandemic and was also
Nuclear Weapons. Some said Suga skipping will be “a moment of re- Suga announced last month eclipsed by the Olympics
those parts of his speech membrance” at Sunday’s that medical benefits will be being held in Tokyo, where
Prime Minister Yoshihide spotlighted what could be closing ceremony for all lives extended to 84 Hiroshima even NHK public television
Suga did not mention the seen as government hypocri- lost, including those in Hiro- survivors who had been de- quickly switched after the
treaty in his speech at the sy over nuclear disarmament shima, organizing committee nied aid because they were main speeches.

Drought hits South America river, threatening vast ecosystem

(AP) — The Paraná River, for 40 million people, the Should Remain Untouched). ists warn that the scenario is
one of the main commer- livelihood of fishing commu- more extreme because of cli- In turn, it receives water from
cial waterways in South nities and farmers, and the The low water level is due to mate change. the Paraguay River, which has
America, has reached its navigability of a major grain a record drought in Brazil, among its main sources the
lowest level in nearly 80 export hub. where the river begins. “These climate changes that Pantanal area, a huge wetland
years due to a prolonged were less frequent before are located in the Mato Grosso
drought in Brazil that sci- The National Water Institute The midwestern and south- becoming more frequent,” region of southern Brazil.
entists attribute to climate of Argentina has defined the ern regions of Brazil are in said Brazilian climatologist
change. low water level of the Paraná a big water crisis. Water res- José Marengo. The drought of the river is
River, which goes through ervoirs, including the giant impacting the transport of
At peril is a vast ecosystem Brazil, Paraguay, and Ar- Itaipu dam, are at their low- Environmentalists say defor- goods.
that includes potable water gentina, as “the worst since est levels in many years and estation is contributing to the
1944.” Brazilian authorities have problem. Guillermo Miguel, presi-
issued an emergency alert dent of the port of the city of
“This natural asset is clearly for five states: Minas Gerais, The Paraná waterway and its Rosario, said vessels had to
giving us signs that it’s not Goiás, Mato Grosso do Sul, aquifers supply fresh water reduce their tonnage by ap-
infinite,” said environmen- São Paulo and Paraná. to some 40 million people proximately 20% to continue
talist Jorge Bartoli, coordi- in countries including Brazil moving. He said transport
nator of the organization “El Reduced water levels are part and Argentina. costs are increasing.
Paraná No Se Toca” (Parana of a natural cycle, but special-