Thank you for joining us. From our studio here in Tokyo, this is NHK Newsline.
MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT
TRUMP WILL 'NOT ALLOW' ISRAELI ANNEXATION OF WEST BANK
US President Donald Trump says he's against an Israeli annexation of the West Bank. Arab countries are sounding the alarm over potential plans to take over the territory. I'm not allowing Israel to annex the West Bank. There's been enough. It's time to stop now.
The West Bank has long been under Israeli occupation, but the area is home to many Palestinians and constitutes Palestinian territory, along with the Gaza Strip.
Some in Israel have been calling for annexation. The Palestinian side says that would threaten a potential two-state solution. The Wall Street Journal said Trump's recent comments were a rare escalation of pressure on Israel, as it continues to expand its offensive in Gaza.
And it comes just days after Trump met with the leaders of Arab countries on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
He reportedly proposed a broad ceasefire plan at that meeting. The move to recognize Palestinian statehood has recently gained momentum among some countries, including Western nations.
MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT
ABBAS CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE IN GAZA
Now, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. He spoke at the United Nations General Assembly...
and thanked members who recently recognized Palestinian statehood.
Abbas delivered his address via video on the third day of the general debate. The United States refused to give him a visa to enter the country. He criticized Israel throughout the speech.
What Israel is carrying out is not merely an aggression. It is a war crime and a crime against humanity that is both documented and monitored, and it will be recorded in history books.
Palestinian health officials say the death toll in the enclave has risen to over 65,000, and Abbas pointed to the suffering there.
I speak to you today after almost two years in which our Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip have been facing a war of genocide, destruction, starvation, and displacement waged by the Israeli occupation forces.
In addition to calling for an immediate and permanent end to the war in Gaza,He said humanitarian aid should be allowed entry without conditions.
Abbas also criticized the October 7th attacks led by the Islamic group Hamas.
He called on the UN to support efforts by the Palestinian Authority to reform and conduct presidential and parliamentary elections within a year after the end of the war. He stressed that Hamas will not have a role to play in governance.
Some countries that have recognized Palestinian statehood are calling for the Palestinian Authority to be reformed and for Hamas to be excluded from elections.
MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT
ISRAEL CONTINUES GAZA STRIKES
Meanwhile, on the ground in Gaza, the Israeli military has continued its offensive against Hamas. The attacks reportedly included a deadly strike on a home where evacuees were taking refuge.
An Israeli media outlet reported Thursday that the country's air force had struck more than 170 targets throughout the Gaza Strip over the previous 24 hours.
It said the targets had included what they termed terrorists, as well as weapons depots.
Palestinian news agency Wafa said Israeli forces bombed a home in the central Gaza Strip on Thursday, while displaced people were sheltering there.
It said 11 people died in the attack.
Over 20 people, including nine children, were reportedly killed on Wednesday when buildings in Gaza City that were housing displaced people were bombarded.
MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT
ISRAEL ATTACKS HOUTHI TARGETS IN YEMEN
Separately, the Israeli military said on Thursday that its aircraft had struck Houthi military targets in Yemen's capital, Sana'a. Houthi anti-government forces pledged solidarity to Hamas.
The Israeli military added that it will conduct additional offensive operations against the Houthi regime in the near future. The announcement comes after at least 20 people were injured in a drone attack by the Houthis on the southern Israeli Red Sea resort of Eilat on Wednesday.
WAR IN UKRAINE
ZELENSKYY: TRUMP BACKS STRIKES ON ENERGY TARGETS
Ukrainian President Volodino Zelenskyy says the US backs Kiev's plan to strike Russian energy targets. He's also asking Washington for more long-range weaponry. News site Axios released the interview on Thursday.
Zelenskyy says if they get the weapons, they will use them. And he says that should serve as a warning to leaders in Moscow. They have to know where they are. bomb shelters are. If they will not stop the war, they will need it in any case. But he says his forces will not target Russian civilians because, in his words, we are not terrorists. And he dropped a hint about his future, saying he's ready to step down as president after they finish the war. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev issued a reaction on social media. He says his forces could use weapons that a bomb shelter won't protect against. He warned Americans to keep this in mind.
Zelensky's interview comes just days after he met with Trump at the UN headquarters.
RUSSIAN GASOLINE SHORTAGES EXTEND EXPORT BAN
Ukrainian drone strikes appear to be having an impact at the Russian gas pump.
Gasoline shortages in some regions prompted the Kremlin to extend its ban on gasoline exports.
The shortages began in the Russian Far East and other areas last month. They've since spread to the western regions.
Some gas stations have run dry in areas near Moscow. Russia's statistics service said the average retail price of gasoline rose 10 percent for the year through August. Reuters reported about 17 percent of Russia's petroleum refining capacity was lost after attacks by the Ukrainian military last month.
TRUMP URGES TURKEY'S ERDOGAN TO STOP BUYING RUSSIAN OIL
Meanwhile, the US president has called on Turkish President Rajiv Tayyip Erdogan to stop buying Russian oil. It's part of his push to cut off funds for Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Trump made the remarks during talks with Erdogan at the White House on Thursday. I'd like to have him stop buying any oil from Russia while Russia continues its rampage against Ukraine. Trump also said he hopes Erdogan can play a mediating role between Russia and Ukraine. President Erdogan is very respected by both of them. I think he could have a big influence if he wants to. Trump criticized China and India for buying Russian oil in his speech at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday. He said they are supporting the war by doing so. He added that NATO member nations have not reduced energy imports from Russia either... and demanded action.
UKRAINE TURNS TO JAPAN FOR WAR RECONSTRUCTION SUPPORT
Now, Ukraine, battered by years of Russian missile attacks and bombings, is asking Japanese companies to invest and help in rebuilding efforts.
The Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce in Japan and other organizations held a forum in Tokyo to explain investment opportunities.
Businesses are relocating to safer regions in Ukraine. New supply chains are being built from the ground up.
Large-scale reconstruction initiatives in forms of build back better and build back greener are already underway.
A government official outlined various types of preferential treatment for investors, including tax relief.
As a company, we want to contribute to the rebuilding of Ukraine.
So we decided to take part in this event and hope we can find some opportunities.
One estimate compiled by the World Bank and others says it will cost 524 billion dollars to rebuild Ukraine over the next decade.
JAPAN POLICE ARREST CHINESE DRIVERS WITH FAKE TAIWAN LICENSES
Police in Tokyo have arrested two Chinese tourists who they believe used fake Taiwanese driver's licenses when trying to get permission to drive in Japan.
Police said the two suspects obtained the fake Taiwanese licenses through a Chinese online shopping site... and believe one of them drove a rental car in Japan.
The two are reportedly denying the allegations. Driver's licenses from Taiwan can be used in Japan. But the user must apply for a Japanese translation. Police say these applications were illegal because the licenses themselves were fake, and these were the first such arrests anywhere in Japan.
FORMER FRENCH PRESIDENT SARKOZY SENTENCED TO 6 YEARS IN PRISON
A French court has sentenced former President Nicolas Sarkozy to five years in prison for criminal conspiracy. The French media say he will become the first former president of modern France to go to jail. He was found guilty of allowing his associates to obtain or try to obtain funding from Libya for his 2007 presidential bid.
Sarkozy had been charged with offenses, including corruption, for allegedly receiving illicit contributions from then-Libyan leader Muammar al-Qaddafi.
However, the court acquitted him of other charges, including corruption, citing insufficient evidence. I am innocent. This injustice is a scandal. And I will not apologize for something I did not do. He added that he will naturally appeal.
He is expected to be imprisoned in the near future, even if he appeals.
DANISH PM APOLOGIZES FOR FORCED CONTRACEPTION IN GREENLAND
Denmark's prime minister has apologized to women in Greenland who were the victims of a government birth control campaign, mostly during the 1960s and 70s.
Matej Frederiksen visited Greenland's capital, Nuuk, on Wednesday. Her apology follows recent revelations that women in the autonomous territory have been fitted with intrauterine contraceptive devices... largely without consent. Why? Dear women, dear families and dear Greenland, today there is only one right thing to say.
Sorry. Sorry for the wrongs committed against you because you were Greenlandic.
Sorry for what was taken from you and for the pain it caused on behalf of Denmark. Sorry.
She added that Denmark would have to open the darkest chapters in its history with Greenland if it hoped to build an equal relationship with the territory.
Greenland's public broadcaster reported that more than 4-thousand women had been given IUDs by the end of 1970. That figure is reportedly half the population of Greenlandic-born women of childbearing age at the time. The alleged purpose of the program was to limit population growth. The Danish government says it wants to create a fund to provide compensation to the victims. The scandal could increase support for independence in Greenland, which is already high among residents.
BUSINESS
Now let's see what's happening in the world of business. Here's Gene Ohtani from our biz desk. Kyoko, thanks. In our top business story this hour,
AMAZON TO PAY $2.5 BIL TO SETTLE CLAIMS IT CHEATED CUSTOMERS
Amazon has agreed to pay $2.5 billion to settle allegations that it deceived users into joining its Prime subscription service.
The US Federal Trade Commission said on Thursday it had reached a settlement with the e-commerce giant. The FTC filed a lawsuit in 2023. Claiming that the firm knowingly duped millions of consumers into unknowingly enrolling in its Amazon Prime service while emphasizing its free shipping benefit, the regulators also allege that Amazon also knowingly complicated the cancellation process for Prime subscribers. Under the settlement, Amazon will pay $1 billion as a civil penalty and provide $1.5 billion in refunds for an estimated.
35 million affected customers.
The settlement also acquires requires rather Amazon to simplify the prime cancel. process. Amazon released a statement saying the firm and its executives have always followed the law, and the settlement allows them to move forward and focus on innovating for customers.
TRUMP MOVES TIKTOK US OPERATIONS UNDER AMERICAN CONTROL
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to approve the transfer of TikTok's US operations to a joint venture in the country.
The order says the venture will be majority owned and controlled by United States persons. The decision leaves China's ByteDance and its affiliates with less than 20% of the venture.
ByteDance is the developer of the popular video sharing app. US operations of the app's algorithm Code End content moderation will also fall under the joint venture. Local user data will be stored in a cloud run by a US company. Vice President J.D. Van says the new US company will be valued at around $14 billion.
Oracle, I guess, is going to be a very play a very big role in terms of security, safety and everything else. So Trump says that Chinese President Xi Jinping also approved the deal.
TRUMP TO IMPOSE 100% TARIFF ON IMPORTED DRUGS
President Trump has announced another round of tariffs, this time taking aim at the pharmaceutical industry.
Trump announced on social media Thursday that some imported drugs will be hit with a 100% levy from next Wednesday. He said companies building manufacturing plants in America will be exempt. The 100% tariff is on any branded or patented pharmaceutical product. US media say low-cost generics could be spared. The pharma tariffs were part of a raft of new levies on items ranging from heavy trucks to kitchen cabinets. bathroom vanities, and upholstered furniture.
BIZ PICKS
Now, NHK World's Yanaka Marie is here with BizPix.
CHINA'S SUPPLY GLUT, PRICE SLUMP ADD TO ECONOMIC ALARMS
Let's take a look at the business and economic stories we'll track in the week ahead. On Wednesday, the Bank of Japan releases its closely watched quarterly survey of business sentiment. On Friday, the US announces job figures for September.
Nonfarm payrolls in August rose by 22,000 from the previous month, but the gain was far below market expectations.
And on Tuesday, China's National Bureau of Statistics releases the Purchasing Managers Index for September. The index is a gauge of sentiment in manufacturing and service industries. In August, manufacturing activity dipped belowthe expansion-contraction line for the fifth straight month. The trend shows us how China's property market slump and US import tariffs are dragging on the economy. This week on BizPigs, we're taking a look at China and the structural challenges the country faces.
Professor Fukumoto Tomoyuki of Osaka University of Economics says the country's economy faces a slump in demand at the same time as supply capacity is climbing.
The main reason for weak demand is the prolonged slump in the property sector.
Prices have fallen and investment has shrunk over the past four years. Local governments that relied on land sales and related revenue are also hurting.
Households that hold homes as assets are spending less. Weak demand would normally lead to lower production, but competition with the US is driving China to build its own supply chains.
This is causing capacity to expand.
Fukumoto stresses that the imbalance between supply and demand is leading to competition that's hurting China's economy.
Domestically, excessive competition is wearing down companies and eating into profit margins, driving prices on a downward spiral. Producer prices have been negative for nearly three years, while consumer prices are hovering near zero. This raises deflation concerns, which could in turn further weaken overall demand.
Fukumoto says this development is now causing trade tensions.
Fierce domestic competition pushes companies to sell overseas. This boosts exports and gradually creates trade friction, not only with developed countries, but also with emerging economies.
The Communist Party of China will hold its Central Committee Fourth Plenary Session in October to discuss the next five-year economic plan through 2030. Fukumoto says the critical challenge for Beijing is to implement policies to stabilize the property market and to bring supply in line with demand to counter the deflation threat. I'm Yanaka Marie, and that wraps it up for this week's Biz Picks.
Marie, thanks. All right,
MARKETS
let's have a look at the markets.
♪
And that's a look at business news.
Kyoko, I'm going to hand it back to you.
Right. Thank you for that, Gene.
FLAVORS TO LAST BEYOND A LIFETIME
Now, local restaurants are a flavorful part of any community. But as time goes by, many establishments face a succession crisis and more than the menu is lost when they close their doors for the last time. However, a new concept has emerged to ensure that regional recipes live on. We take a closer look in this next report.
Located in central Tokyo, this restaurant is known for featuring dishes from local diners across Japan that are at risk of disappearing.
The recipes come from restaurants that have either closed down or may soon go out of business.
Its menu offers dishes with a home-cooked flavor that local restaurant owners have proudly served for generations.
What a unique concept. I love having the chance to try local dishes from all over the place.
Takagi Kazuko now serves as an advisor to the restaurant. She and her husband used to run a small cafe together, but she closed it down shortly after his passing. The restaurant's menu also features Takagi's famous crab coquettes.
Takagi usually just eyeballs things when making them, but for the sake of consistency, the restaurant staff take detailed notes on everything.
If something comes out not tasting right, it's almost impossible to know where things went wrong. So we don't just follow the cooking instructions. We even use the exact same kitchenware.
It was my husband's recipe, so I'm thrilled to know that it's going to live on.
This diner is located on the outskirts of Takasaki City.
Since opening 53 years ago, it's been a popular place for college students to gather and grab a hearty meal.
Oyama Mizue prepares every dish by herself.
Fried chicken cutlets smothered in tomato sauce is her signature dish.
Loaded with bell peppers and onions, she wanted to make sure that growing young students would eat plenty of vegetables.
It's like coming home for a meal. The food tastes just like mom's cooking.
Oyama's sister, Nobuko, also helps out at the diner. Recently, however, health issues have been both feeling a bit worried about the restaurant's future.
We want to keep it going as long as we possibly can.
Amidst the uncertainty, Oyama decided to sell her recipe to the Tokyo-based restaurant.
In exchange for the recipes, the originators are paid 5% of the sales the restaurant makes from their dishes. The food looked so good, I forgot to take a picture.
Okubo Nobutaka came up with the idea of offering a menu full of unique local dishes. With more and more major chains offering mass-produced food, he thinks there's value in niche menus with limited offerings. I think there's demand for things that chain restaurants can't offer, and that includes handmade dishes that take a lot of time and effort to prepare.
Meanwhile, back in Takasaki, Oyama says that providing her recipes has also resulted in a new type of customer visiting her diner. They'll come in and say things like, 'I tried your dish there and it was so good. I absolutely had to come here to try the original. I think it's great that recipes from tiny shops from out in the middle of nowhere are now being served in the big city.
And that is great legacy the original local customers can appreciate.
WEATHER
And now, a check on the world weather. An active storm has been affecting parts of the Philippines. Our meteorologist Yu Mihirano has the details.
Powerful Storm Buoloy made landfall in the eastern Bissayas. Strong winds and intense downpours have caused severe damage.
The disaster agency said more than 50-thousand families had to leave their homes for safety. At least 14 people died and at least 17 are injured. The local power company says its workers are working to restore electricity to thousands affected by the storm. The storm is expected to affect not only the Visayas but also the Luzon area Friday night.
Gusts of over 110 kilometers per hour and downpours of more than 200 millimeters are still possible. The system is expected to move away from the country on Saturday and then will approach southern China and northern Vietnam by Sunday.
The area has already received downpours from Storm Ragasa this week.
Additional rainfall could cause flats and landslides. Further north, high-pressure systems are likely to cover eastern China, the Korean Peninsula and Japan, so sunny skies are expected in Seoul and Tokyo with highs of 28. Heat is still a concern in Taiwan, where recovery efforts from Ragasa continue. The high in Taipei will be 35.
Dry weather is likely to return to Manila. Finally, in Europe, a couple of systems are expected over the Atlantic. One is former hurricane Gabrielle. It's expected to move towards the Ibellian Peninsula over the weekend, bringing heavy downpours.
And isolated thundershowers are still likely over Italy and the Balkans.
That's it for now. Stay safe.
♫～ 3-DAY FORECAST ～♫
That's all for this edition of NHK Newsline. Thank you very much for watching and hope you'll join us again.
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