at 18:00 (JST), August 10

20250810180000_english_1.mp3

 Welcome to NHK Newsline. I'm Ramin Mellegaard in Tokyo.

WAR IN UKRAINE
EUROPEAN LEADERS SAY NO TO FORCED BORDER CHANGES

European leaders have spoken out against changing international borders by force ahead of a planned US-Russia summit on Ukraine later this month. They're warning that talks on the future of Ukrainian territory should not be led by Moscow. 
Yes, President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are due to meet in Alaska on Friday. A senior Russian presidential office official suggested their talks will focus on options for achieving a long-term peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian crisis. 
On Saturday, the leaders of Britain, France, Germany, and other European countries issued a joint statement saying they "welcome President Trump's work to stop the killing in Ukraine, end the Russian Federation's war of aggression, and achieve just and lasting peace and security for Ukraine".
But the statement added:"The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine. We remain committed to the principle that international borders must not be changed by force."
 The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday that European countries conveyed to the US side a counterproposal that calls for a ceasefire to be implemented before any other steps are taken.

MASS RALLY IN TEL AVIV PROTESTS GAZA CAMPAIGN

A huge rally has been held in Tel Aviv against the Israeli government's plan to expand military operations in the Gaza Strip.
Families of hostages taken by Hamas were among tens of thousands at Saturday's protest, a day after the cabinet approved a plan to take control of Gaza City.
The city is the largest urban area in the enclave with nearly 1 million people. Ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas have stalled. The partner of a hostage called for the release of all captives and an end to the fighting. 

More fighting will put them in even greater danger.

In Israel, more and more people are voicing opposition to escalating the Gaza campaign.

IRAN WARNS AGAINST AZERI-ARMENIAN 'TRUMP ROUTE' PLAN

Iran has warned against US President Trump's moves to create a corridor between Azerbaijan and its exclave through Armenia. It described the plan as a foreign intervention near the Iranian border.
The Azeri and Armenian leaders signed a joint declaration for peace brokered by Trump on Friday. It reportedly includes an agreement to establish the Trump route. The transit corridor would connect Azerbaijan and its autonomous Nakhchivan exclave. The two countries have long been at odds over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Trump takes pride in the mediation, he said, my highest aspiration is to bring peace and stability to the world. The Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the country welcomes US efforts toward peace, but it also expressed concern about the negative consequences of any foreign intervention in any form or manner, especially near the common borders. Now Iran borders both of the two former Soviet republics.
Tehran has been cautious about the plan, as the passage might cut off a logistics route between Iran and Russia that runs through Armenia in a north-south direction.

RAIN DISASTER RISK IN WEST, SOUTHWEST JAPAN

One person has been found without vital signs near a house that collapsed in a mudslide following torrential rain in Kagoshima Prefecture in southwestern Japan. Record downpours were seen in the prefecture. Rescuers were searching for a woman in her 30s in a house crushed by a mudslide in the city of Aida. Police say a woman was found near the house on Sunday morning. They also say the still unidentified person is in a state of cardiopulmonary arrest. The Japan Meteorological Agency says radar analysis indicates that about 110 millimeters of rain fell over just one hour in the city of Munakata in Fukuoka Prefecture on Sunday morning. Bands of heavy rain clouds may develop not only in the prefecture, but in other parts of northern Kyushu and Yamaguchi Prefecture in western Japan toward Monday morning. The rain front is expected to remain stationary until around Tuesday, and the amount of rain is expected to increase. Authorities are urging the public to stay alert for mudslides, flooding in low-lying areas, and swollen rivers.

JAPAN PM TELLS MINISTER TO EXPLAIN US TARIFF PROGRESS

Japan's Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru has ordered his top trade negotiator to spell out the progress made so far in talks with Washington on US tariffs.
Economic Revitalization Minister Akazawa Ryosei has just returned for meetings in the US capital with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Akazawa says the US has agreed to amend an executive order so it matches what the two sides actually agreed. Washington will also cut tariffs on Japanese cars and parts to 15 percent. Ishiba says public interest in the issue is high and the government must win people's understanding. Asked if he'll issue a written statement, Akazawa said.

It's best to explain in detail once Japan and the US decide how to handle major sector-by-sector tariffs.

JAPAN, INDIA COMMEMORATE WWII BATTLE OF IMPHAL

A memorial service has been held in northeastern India to remember victims of the Battle of Imphal, known as one of the most grueling campaigns of World War II.
In 1944, the Imperial Japanese Army launched an offensive to capture the area, then under British control.
An estimated 30,000 Japanese soldiers died as they fought with limited supplies. Many also succumbed to hunger and malaria. On Saturday, Japan's ambassador to India, Ono Keichi, visited the outskirts of Imphal and laid flowers at a monument just ahead of the 80th anniversary of the end of the war. At the ceremony, Ono expressed his condolences to those who lost their lives in the fighting. 

We must never forget that war takes everything and gives nothing in return. 

A 95-year-old local survivor who was displaced by the conflict stressed the importance of passing on the horrors of the war.

Many soldiers fought fierce battles here and lost their lives, but today they all rest in peace, friend and foe alike.

A peace museum built with Japanese support opened in the area six years ago.
Bayonets, canteens, and other personal belongings of Japanese soldiers are on display. Visitors can also read the names of civilian victims and their ages.

JAPAN'S ONISHI BACK ON EARTH AFTER 5 MONTHS ON ISS

Japanese astronaut Onishi Takuya and three crewmates have returned to Earth. They completed a roughly five-month mission aboard the International Space Station.
After leaving the orbital outpost, the four re-entered Earth's atmosphere on board the Crew Dragon, a US private sector spacecraft. The craft's parachutes were opened to slow its descent. It then splashed down off the US California coast on Saturday. As the capsule's hatch opened, Onishi emerged.
He appeared healthy as he greeted the attending staff. The astronauts had been on the ISS since March. Onishi conducted various experiments as ISS commander. These included a carbon dioxide removal system that was developed with future manned space missions in mind. He handed over duties to fellow Japanese Yui Kimiya, who had arrived at the space station on August 2.

And those were the top stories for this hour.

♫～　3-DAY FORECAST　～♫

And that is a wrap for this edition of NHK Newsline. I'm Ramin Mellegard. Thank you very much for joining us.