NHK WORLD News 🇯🇵

⁣Polish bus accident in Hungary kills 12 people A bus carrying Polish tourists has overturned in eastern Hungary, leaving 12 people dead and injuring more than 10. The bus ran into a ditch and tipped over on an expressway early on Sunday. Local media report that 59 people were on board. Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar announced the number of dead and injured in a social media post. Poland's foreign minister said Polish tourists were on the bus. Footage from the scene shows a badly damaged bus lying on its side, with suitcases and other items scattered nearby. Hungarian police suspect the bus driver fell asleep. They have detained the driver and are looking into what caused the accident. #World,#Europe Read Full Article @NHKworld

⁣Presidential election campaigning begins in Brazil Official campaigning began in Brazil on Sunday for its presidential election to be held in October. Candidates include left-wing incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and right-wing senator Flavio Bolsonaro, the eldest son of former president Jair Bolsonaro. These two are seen as the leading contenders. Lula gave a speech on Sunday. He pledged to take further steps to diminish disparities, including measures to address poverty. Lula vowed that the right wing will not govern Brazil as long as he is alive. Bolsonaro is calling for a change of government. He accused Lula of failing to meet people's expectations, asserting that he himself is the only candidate that can restore Brazil's credibility in the world. The election comes as many pro-US right-wingers or centrists have come to power in Latin America, amid increased pressure by US President Donald Trump's administration on leftist governments. The latest opinion poll shows Lula leading Bolsonaro by 7 percentage points. A supporter of Lula said the president is able to help people from all social classes. A person supporting Bolsonaro said he expected public safety to improve under the current government but that has not happened. Brazil's presidential election is held every four years as the incumbent's term expires. The first vote is due to take place on October 4. If no candidate wins a majority of votes, the top two will compete in a runoff. #World,#Politics Read Full Article @NHKworld

⁣Trump orders Pentagon to scale back joint military drills with South Korea US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he had ordered the Pentagon to scale back planned joint military drills with South Korea. In a social media post, Trump said he was "not happy with the fact that the United States has, long ago, agreed to participate in Joint Military Exercises with South Korea." Trump cited his "very good relationship" with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as one of the reasons. Trump also said, "These exercises are not only costly, with much of these costs paid for by the United States of America , but send a signal that is totally inappropriate and hostile" to North Korea. He added that the country has been unthreatening and respectful as long as he has been president. Trump said, "Therefore, and based on the fact that it is too late to cancel, I have instructed Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to substantially reduce the Joint Military Exercises!" The drills began on Monday. #World,#Security,#US Read Full Article @NHKworld

⁣Liechtenstein allows women to ascend throne, joining other European monarchies Liechtenstein has changed its law on royal succession, allowing women to ascend the throne. The tiny country with a population of about 40,000 is located between Switzerland and Austria. Liechtenstein announced on Saturday that "the succession to the throne is changed from male primogeniture to absolute primogeniture." This means that in the future, the firstborn child, regardless of sex, will be heir to the throne. Liechtenstein is currently ruled by Prince Hans-Adam II. But Hereditary Prince Alois has carried out most official royal duties since 2004. AFP news agency says the four children of the prince and princess will not be affected by the revised law, but their children will be. Monarchies in Europe, such as Britain and Belgium, have already shifted to firstborn succession. Britain changed its law in 2013. Denmark once allowed only males to ascend the throne, but granted women the right to succeed the throne through a national referendum in 1953. It shifted to firstborn succession in 2009. Belgium amended its constitution in 1991 to allow firstborn succession, regardless of sex. King Philippe's eldest child, Princess Elisabeth, is expected to be the country's first queen. In the Netherlands, the eldest daughter of King Willem-Alexander, Princess Catharina-Amalia, is heir apparent to the throne. #World,#Europe Read Full Article @NHKworld

⁣Heavy rain in Japan's Chiba Pref. leaves 10 dead, 2,500 cars abandoned on roads Officials in Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo, say one more person has been confirmed dead after record-heavy rains. This brings the death toll to 10. The city of Chiba reports that about 2,500 vehicles were abandoned after being inundated, and that work is underway to move them. Bands of heavy rain clouds began to develop in the prefecture on Thursday evening, bringing record-breaking rainfall. The city of Chiba received about three times the average amount of rainfall for August in just half a day. The newly confirmed fatality was a man in his 30s. Officials say he died of carbon monoxide poisoning after using a generator at his home in Chiba City during a power outage. Prefectural officials say two houses have been completely destroyed, 11 have sustained half damage, and 29 structures have been partially damaged. Flooding has affected nearly 1,500 homes. Officials say that as of 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, 101 people were staying at evacuation shelters designated by municipalities. Chiba City authorities found about 2,500 abandoned vehicles on roads managed by the city, from Saturday to Sunday. About 2,000 of them had been left on the sides of the roads, and roughly 500 were hampering traffic. Officials say that about 300 of those vehicles have also been moved to the sides of the roads. Four days after the record downpours, people in the affected areas are continuing to clean their homes, move flooded cars and rebuild their lives. #Japan,#Disasters Read Full Article @NHKworld

⁣US, Iran remain at odds as 60-day negotiation window expires The United States and Iran remain far apart after the expiration of the 60-day negotiation period set by a memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the fighting. The two countries signed the memorandum in June. US Vice President JD Vance said the period began on June 18, which means the window for talks ended on Sunday. The topics for negotiation included ending the US maritime blockade, the resumption of vessel traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's nuclear program and the lifting of sanctions. The two countries continued tit-for-tat attacks during the negotiation timeframe. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the two sides never had a ceasefire that would need to be extended. Tehran listed six conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, including ending sanctions on Iran, compensation for damage caused by military operations, and the lifting of the US maritime blockade. The US announced on July 7 it had revoked a license allowing sales of Iranian oil, and resumed the maritime blockade on July 14. US President Donald Trump told reporters on July 8 that he thought the ceasefire was "over." #World,#US,#Iran Read Full Article @NHKworld

⁣Ex-Cambridge professor accused of plagiarism found dead A former professor at Britain's University of Cambridge has been found dead at his home in London following weeks of accusations of plagiarism. Media reports say police found Jason Arday dead at his home in London on Friday. He became the university's youngest ever black professor in 2023 at age 37, having researched the long-term impacts of racial discrimination in education, among other subjects. He resigned from the post after allegations of plagiarism came to light, including his PhD dissertation's overlap with another researcher's previously published work. On August 5, Arday released a statement on his decision to resign, saying, "The relentless accusations, speculation and public commentary have taken a profound toll on me and on those I love." In an interview with a local media outlet before his resignation, Arday admitted that he had made mistakes but denied academic fraud. He also said there has been "a very well orchestrated and coordinated campaign" and the accusations are "racially motivated." British Prime Minister Andy Burnham called for "a moment for reflection" on Saturday. He said, "It's a tragedy on so many levels... it's not a moment for any rushing for judgement... Reflecting on how things came to this." #World,#Europe,#Diversity Read Full Article @NHKworld

⁣Japan's economy grows for 3rd straight quarter Japan's gross domestic product grew at an annualized rate of 1.1 percent in the April-June period. This was the third quarterly increase in a row. The Cabinet Office released its preliminary figures for the April-June quarter on Monday. They show GDP rose by 0.3 percent from the previous quarter, adjusted for inflation. Personal consumption, which accounts for about half of Japan's GDP, fell 0.02 percent from the previous three months. Some think tanks and other organizations had projected personal consumption would rise, citing such factors as real wage growth, increased automobile sales and demand for air conditioners. Government spending rose by 1.6 percent, and exports grew 0.5 percent. Imports dropped by 1.5 percent. This was partially due to the decline in crude oil imports caused by the Middle East situation. The fall in imports pushed up the overall GDP. #Japan,#Biz_Tech Read Full Article @NHKworld

⁣Japan marks 81 years since the end of WWII People in Japan are marking 81 years since the end of World War Two. August 15 is when the public learned about the country's surrender. More than 4,000 people, including bereaved families, attended Japan's National Memorial Ceremony for the War Dead in Tokyo. The service remembers the approximately 3.1 million people who died in the war. Attendees held a moment of silence at noon. Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako prayed for the souls of the dead. "It is my sincere hope that we continue passing down the memories of the hardships endured during and after the war and continue, in unity of spirit, to seek peace and happiness in the future," the Emperor said. "Looking back on this long period of post-war peace, reflecting on our past and bearing deep remorse, I earnestly hope the ravages of war will never be seen again. Together with all our people, I now pay my heartfelt tribute to those who lost their lives, both on and off the battlefield. And I pray for world peace and for the continuing development of our country." Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae also spoke at the event. "The peace and prosperity of our nation today has been built atop their precious lives and their suffering. That is something we must never forget. Once again, I offer my deepest respect and gratitude," she said. "As for the many whose remains have not yet returned home, they will not be forgotten. Bringing them back as soon as possible is our nation's utmost responsibility." Speaking on Japan's place in the world now, she also said the country can play a key role solving the many challenges facing nations today. And she said Japan could be a lighthouse for others in the Indo-Pacific region to rely on. As for the bereaved families, over 60 percent of them are 70 or older. But younger generations also took part in the ceremony. They will be passing on the stories they've heard to future generations. Read Full Article HERE or click watch clip button if available #Japan,#The_pursuit_of_PEACE,#WWII,#World #More_to_read @NHKworld

⁣Putin sends message to Kim for liberation anniversary North Korean media say the country's leader, Kim Jong Un, has received a message from Russian President Vladimir Putin to mark the anniversary of the liberation of the Korean Peninsula from Japanese colonial rule. Saturday's edition of the North's ruling party newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, says Putin sent the message of greeting dated on Friday. The report says Putin wrote that the two countries are actively cooperating in all sectors and making efforts to ensure regional security and stability. Putin reportedly expressed his confidence that relations between the two countries will deepen further. Kim, along with his wife and daughter, visited a tower on Friday honoring the contributions of the former Soviet Union's military to liberation from colonial rule. Kim laid a wreath and declared that the history, traditions and ties of blood between North Korea and Russia now serve as a fundamental cornerstone for their friendly relations. North Korea has sent troops to Russia amid its ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Some observers speculate that Pyongyang may dispatch an additional 30,000 to 50,000 personnel to Russia. Read Full Article HERE or click watch clip button if available #Asia,#Russia,#North_Korea #More_to_read @NHKworld

⁣38 dead after M7.7 quake off Indonesia Indonesian authorities say at least 38 people have died following an earthquake off the eastern part of the country early Saturday morning. The US Geological Survey says the 7.7 magnitude quake struck off Flores Island in eastern Indonesia. The quake's focus was estimated to have been 10 kilometers deep. Authorities, police and military personnel are carrying out rescue operations. Local weather authorities announced that tsunami waves of nearly one-meter high were observed in waters off the central part of Flores Island and 54 centimeters in the southern part of the island of Sulawesi. Read Full Article HERE or click watch clip button if available #Asia,#Indonesia,#Earthquake #More_to_read @NHKworld

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⁣South Korea's Incheon becomes world's busiest airport for international traffic The operator of South Korea's Incheon International Airport says the main gateway to Seoul became the world's busiest airport for international passenger traffic in the first half of this year. The airport handled 38.39 million international passengers between January and June. That is up 6.3 percent from the same period last year. The operator says this is the first time Incheon has topped the list since it opened in 2001, overtaking London's Heathrow Airport and Singapore's Changi Airport. The company thinks one reason for the rise in numbers was that more travelers on European routes used Incheon for transfer instead of airports in Dubai and other areas in the Middle East, due to the Iran conflict. The operator also cited an increase in tourists from China and Japan. The company says it will make the airport more competitive by improving convenience and the quality of service. Asian countries are competing to become a leading aviation hub in the region. Airports in Singapore and Hong Kong have been expanding terminals. Read Full Article HERE or click watch clip button if available #Asia,#Middle_East,#Iran,#World #More_to_read @NHKworld

⁣New Shinkansen-based train delivered to Taiwan A new model of a high-speed train based on the Japanese Shinkansen has been delivered to a port in southern Taiwan. The train was unloaded by crane from a ship at the port in Kaohsiung on Saturday. More than 300 people from Japan and Taiwan watched the new arrival. A consortium of companies, including Japan's Hitachi and Toshiba, received an order for a total of 144 cars for approximately 124 billion yen or 778 million dollars. The new trains, based on Japan's N700S Shinkansen model, have been tailored to Taiwan's specifications, including the addition of emergency evacuation windows and large luggage racks. Taiwan's high-speed rail service opened in 2007. It was the first overseas application of Japan's Shinkansen bullet train technology. The system currently operates trains based on the Shinkansen 700 series. The latest development marks the first introduction of a new model since the service started. At a ceremony, Taiwan's Minister of Transportation and Communications, Chen Shih-kai, said the new train model apparently symbolizes the coming development of Taiwan's industries and cities over the next 20 years. He said this is an extremely important milestone for the whole of Taiwan. The new train is scheduled to enter commercial operation as early as July next year, after undergoing tests to confirm safety, comfort and other factors. Read Full Article HERE or click watch clip button if available #Asia,#Taiwan #More_to_read @NHKworld

⁣Modi's Independence Day speech stresses role of youth in India's development Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stressed the importance of the role of young people in the country's development. Modi was speaking at an Independence Day ceremony in the capital, New Delhi, on Saturday. He noted India is moving forward rapidly and that it is now impossible to stop the determination and capabilities of 1.4 billion citizens. He said that when India marks 100 years of independence in 2047, it will have become a developed nation. Pledging to move the country forward with the youth as the highest priority, Modi revealed a plan to provide free online coaching for young people preparing for various examinations. He indicated the measure would ease the economic burden on those taking examinations and their families. The prime minister also said his government decided to train 10 million young people in artificial intelligence skills in the next year. Last month, large-scale protests against the government, led primarily by young people, took place across India. The movement occurred after authorities scrapped entrance exam results for medical schools, citing suspected paper leaks. With the protests in mind, Modi apparently tried to show in his speech an attitude of addressing the frustrations of young people. Read Full Article HERE or click watch clip button if available #Asia,#India #More_to_read @NHKworld

⁣Indonesia says 47 dead after M7.7 quake strikes eastern region Indonesian authorities say at least 47 people have died following an earthquake off the eastern part of the country early Saturday morning. The US Geological Survey says the 7.7 magnitude quake struck off Flores Island. The quake's focus was estimated to have been 10 kilometers deep. Officials say there was damage to more than 300 houses, as well as educational and other public facilities. Police, military personnel and other authorities are carrying out rescue operations. Local weather officials said that tsunami waves of nearly one-meter high were observed in waters off the central part of Flores Island. Waves of 54 centimeters were reported in the southern part of the island of Sulawesi. Read Full Article HERE or click watch clip button if available #Asia,#Indonesia,#Earthquake #More_to_read @NHKworld

⁣Circulation of popular weekly manga magazine falls below 1 million for 1st time The circulation of a popular Japanese weekly manga magazine has fallen below one million for the first time. Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump once boasted a circulation of 6.5 million copies. Data released by the Japan Magazine Publishers Association show the title's average print circulation stood at 985,000 copies per issue for the three-month period through June. The figure was still the largest among domestic magazines. But it is the first time for Weekly Shonen Jump to slip below one million since the association began data-taking in 2008. It means there are no longer any print magazines in Japan with a circulation of over one million. Since its debut in 1968, Weekly Shonen Jump had enjoyed increasing demand with its succession of popular manga series. Its peak came in 1994 at 6.53 million copies. But, like other magazines, its print circulation has declined in recent years. The association cites the widespread adoption of e-books, which let people read publications on smartphones and other digital devices, as one of the reasons for the decrease. Read Full Article HERE or click watch clip button if available #Japan,#Arts_Culture #More_to_read @NHKworld