February 8, Thursday, 2024

1. Volunteers have begun helping people in Ishikawa Prefecture’s Noto Town, which suffered heavy damage from the powerful earthquake on New Year’s Day. These volunteers quickly headed to their designated places after being given shovels, gloves and other equipment for removing quake debris.
2. The US Senate has failed to approve an emergency budget bill that includes aid for Ukraine. A bipartisan group of senators put together a package including security measures for the border with Mexico and wartime aid to Ukraine and Israel. But most Republicans voted against advancing it in the chamber on Wednesday after former President Donald Trump, who is seeking re-election in the presidential race this year, urged them not to compromise.
3. Japan has offered financial aid to Ukraine to restore cultural heritage, education and media through the United Nations’ cultural agency UNESCO.