April 5, Friday, 2024

1. US President Joe Biden has warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that US policy with respect to Gaza will depend on the swift implementation of new steps to protect civilians and aid workers. In a phone call with Netanyahu on Thursday, Biden made clear the need for Israel to announce and implement a series of concrete steps to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering and the safety of aid workers.
2. The US government has welcomed Israel’s decision to allow more deliveries of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, including the opening of the Erez crossing.
3. One of Japan’s celebrated traditional gardens in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, is now open for free for cherry blossom viewing. The garden, Kenroku-en, is designated by the government as a scenic beauty that requires protection. It opens for free in the cherry blossoming season every year. A powerful earthquake that hit the prefecture on January 1 also caused damage to the garden. Most of stone lanterns that fell have been repaired, but stone walls that partially collapsed have yet to be restored and remain off-limits.