Hello, and welcome to NHK Newsline. I'm Yoshikawa Ryuichi in Tokyo.
Trump Hails Columbus Amid Backlash over Explorer's Legacy
US President Donald Trump has marked Columbus Day by hailing the 15th-century Italian explorer as a hero, despite growing criticism of his legacy.
Italian-Americans and others held a parade in New York on Monday to celebrate the holiday, which commemorates Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas.
At a White House ceremony on Friday, Trump praised Columbus.
00:00:43 話者 12/Donald Trump
Christopher Columbus changed the future of humanity forever.
And in this administration, we know that Christopher Columbus is to us, he's a hero.
He's a hero.
00:00:55 話者 1
The Trump administration has also installed a statue of Columbus on the White House grounds and launched a website celebrating his legacy.
The moves come amid growing criticism of Columbus over the killing of indigenous peoples and the seizure of their lands during European colonization.
A New York-based group campaigning to abolish Columbus Day held an event on Sunday ahead of the parade.
A representative accused the Trump administration of showing a lack of respect for indigenous peoples and their ancestral ties to the land.
US Agents Search Home of Democrat Critical of Trump
US federal agents have reportedly searched the home of a Democratic representative.
Ilhan Omer has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration.
US media outlets say homeland security investigations raided her home in the capital on Monday.
The search reportedly stems from an investigation into her immigration paperwork.
Omar was born in Somalia. The congresswoman responded on social media.
She called it an attempt to target political enemies and weaponize federal law enforcement.
She says Trump has spent 10 years targeting her with baseless lies and smear campaigns.
Reporters at the White House asked Trump about the incident.
00:02:25 話者 12/Donald Trump
I understand they're looking at her very carefully. I think she is a terrible person.
00:02:30 話者 1
Omar is running for re-election in the November midterms.
He wants me to say it is unusual for a search to be conducted so close to an election.
War in Ukraine Zelenskyy: Strikes Continue Despite Trump Claim
Ukraine's president is accusing Russia of continuing attacks on energy infrastructure, despite US President Trump saying there is an energy ceasefire.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy says that on Monday alone, Russian attacks hit six energy facilities.
He added that if other countries are serious about ending the war, they need to exert more pressure on Russian entities.
Zelenskyy also responded to Trump's comment that it is time for Ukraine to get a new president.
He said Ukraine would organize elections if Russia agrees to a 60-day total ceasefire.
But a Kremlin spokesperson rejected that proposal, saying President Vladimir Putin would be ready to halt strikes only on election day.
War in Ukraine: Merz, Macron Push Back Against Trump's Announcement
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also pointed out on Monday, Russia's massive attacks on Ukraine's civilian energy infrastructure had continued.
Russia is clearly not willing to respond to peaceful proposals or suggestions for current negotiations.
Merz criticized the agreement between the US and Russia on diesel exports as well.
He declared such a decision is out of the question for Germany and Europe.
The Chancellor said Moscow will negotiate in good faith if it is under pressure.
French President Emmanuel Macron weighed in by expressing skepticism about the effectiveness of the deal.
He also mentioned Russia's continued attacks when he spoke with reporters on Monday.
Macron reiterated his support for efforts aimed at exploring a ceasefire and resumed peace negotiations. but he noted countries must resist giving in to Russia's threats.
Trump May Meet N.Korea's Kim During Asia Tour
US President Trump says his tour of Asia next month could include a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
Trump spoke to reporters about the possibility at the White House on Monday.
00:05:01 話者 12/Trump
I may, I may. That'll be exciting, but I get along with it.
00:05:08 話者 1
Trump is scheduled to be in China this November for the Asia-Pacific economic cooperation summit.
South China Morning Post says he may stop in the Philippines beforehand.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is also holding its own summit in Manila.
Latest on Okinawa Murder Case Involving US Marine
There are new details in the murder investigation involving a US Marine stationed in Okinawa Prefecture in southwestern Japan.
Devin Jacob Ballard was arrested earlier this month on suspicion of robbery and murder in the deaths of a 39-year-old woman.
According to police, 20-year-old Ballard is suspected of killing Yagi Anna and stealing her wallet and other belongings in a hotel room in Naha City on October 3.
Police investigators have determined that Yagi died of asphyxiation.
Sources close to the investigation told NHK that a cord-like object had been wrapped around her neck and that there were signs she had been strangled.
Following the incident, Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae voiced her concern and called for change.
00:06:31 話者 24/Takaichi Sanae
It is extremely regrettable that such a heinous crime has occurred.
The government has lodged a strong protest with the US and called on those involved to fully cooperate with the investigation.
We also demanded that discipline be tightened among US military personnel and measures be taken to prevent a recurrence.
00:06:51 話者 1
Japan's Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimizu spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio over the phone on Saturday.
He reiterated that the situation is regrettable and confirmed that Japan and the US will discuss measures to prevent similar incidents from recurring.
For more on this investigation, earlier, I spoke to NHK World's Yatsugi Maho, who has been covering this case from Okinawa.
So Maho, let's begin with the latest on the investigation.
00:07:28 話者 5/Yatsugi Maho
According to investigative sources, Devin Jacob Ballard continues to deny the allegations.
Meanwhile, the US military in Okinawa appears to be taking the incident very seriously.
Two days after Ballard's arrest, a 48 halt to military operations was announced, and a 30-day overnight curfew for US service members was put in place.
These restrictions had an instant impact on the entertainment district known as Gate Street in front of Kadena Air Base.
The street was unusually quiet for the first weekend following the incident.
Few military personnel were seen going out in the area, and many businesses closed earlier than usual.
At the same time, there was a heightened security presence as military personnel conducted joint patrols alongside local residents and municipal officials.
00:08:29 話者 1
And what has the official response been from Okinawa's governor?
00:08:35 話者 5
Following the incident, Okinawa governor Koja Genta summoned US lieutenant General Benjamin Watson and another military official to the prefecture government office.
He urged them to implement measures to prevent occurrence and to review the Japan-US status of forces agreement.
Koja was the first conservative governor elected in Okinawa in 12 years.
The incident occurs just three days after he took office.
He then promptly traveled to Tokyo and made similar requests directly to Prime Minister Kakaichi Sanae.
00:09:18 話者 1
And how have local residents reacted to what has occurred?
00:09:24 話者 5
Shortly after the suspect's arrest, many responded with anger and outrage.
A protest was held in Naha City, where demonstrators voiced their frustration and held posters that led Enough is enough.
There is a strong call for stricter discipline within the US military.
Some people interviewed near the military base said they hoped tighter restrictions would encourage service members to reflect on their conduct.
But others expressed concern about the decline in business due to the reduced presence of military personnel. Both those views reflect Okinawa's complicated history.
The prefecture was home to fierce battle during World War II, in which one in four residents lost their lives.
After the war, Okinawa remained under US administration until 1972.
it has relied on the economic benefits generated by the many military bases stationed here.
Through this incident, it's clear that today the bases continue to have a significant impact on the local life and economy in the region.
Business
00:11:03 話者 1
And now for Business Stories, here's Ramin Mellegard.
00:11:08 話者 6/Ramin Mellegard
Thank you very much indeed.
Physical AI in Focus at CEATEC
Now, an annual exhibition of leading edge digital technologies kicked off near Tokyo on Tuesday. One thing getting plenty of buzz is autonomous physical AI.
Over 800 companies and organizations from at home and abroad are taking part in CEATEC 2026.
Mitsubishi Electric is demonstrating AI-supported robots that stock products on store shelves. The AI recognizes a variety of items stored in baskets.
The robots then pick them up and place them on designated shelves.
Mitsubishi says the robots should help relieve the shortage of labor.
00:11:55 話者 31/Nakajima Keisuke/Mitsubishi Electric
We've developed the technologies for retail stores and are thinking about extending them to factory automation.
00:12:04 話者 6
Electronics maker NEC is showcasing a system that simulates ransomware attacks.
It allows businesses to work through the initial responses they should make in case their networks are hit.
NEC also has an AI system on display that detects signs of imminent cyber attack.
CEATEC is on through Friday.
IMF Upgrades 2026 Global Growth Forecast
Now, the International Monetary Fund has upwardly revised its forecast for this year's World Economic Growth. It cites strong investment in artificial intelligence.
But the IMF warns that geopolitics and technology are interacting in a way that has created a split global economy.
The IMF published its latest World Economic Outlook report on Tuesday.
It upgraded its 2026 global growth forecast by 0.1 percentage point to 3.1% from the previous forecast.
In July, the IMF pointed to the fighting in the Middle East and continuing trade tensions.
But it argues that strong investment in AI along with measures such as rerouting energy shipments have helped economies weather the shocks so far.
The IMF expects the US to grow by 2.3% this year, the same as in the previous assessment.
The fund estimates the eurozone's growth at 1.1%, up by 0.2 points.
It puts Japan's growth at 0.7% up by a tenth of a point.
Now the organization says 32 economies now account for 95% of global growth.
It downgraded its forecast for about 47% of economies.
The IMF noted that growth is being reallocated across countries.
Now the main factors are exposure to the war induced supply shock and the strength of AI related demand.
It warned that AI related investment could plunge if there is a reassessment of prospects for profitability and productivity.
The IMF also said that in light of high debt levels and spending commitments, governments need to refocus on building their fiscal space.
China Opens New HK-Shenzhen Border Crossing
China has opened a new border crossing between Hong Kong and the mainland city of Shenzhen.
It comes ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit to be held in Shenzhen in November.
The redeveloped port facility opened to passenger travel on Monday.
Chinese media say it's the world's largest land-based boundary crossing with about 690,000 square meters of floor space.
They say the 24-hour crossing can handle 200,000 passenger trips per day.
Now, travel between the mainland and Hong Kong has so far required separate departures and entry checks on each side. The new port simplifies this into a single process.
Reports say it reduces the required time from 30 minutes to 5 minutes.
00:15:35 話者 47
I've been looking forward to the facility opening. It will cut commuting time significantly.
00:15:42 話者 6
The crossing is expected to encourage international travelers to arrive at the Hong Kong airport, a major hub, for the onward journey to Shenzhen.
Nikkei 225 Falls Sharply on AI, Chip Sell-Off
Okay, now, Tokyo's benchmark stock index fell sharply on Tuesday.
The broader sell-off came as AI and chip stocks came under selling pressure.
The Nikkei 225 fell 1.8% to close at 67,777.
The sell orders mounted in the morning session amid concerns that intensifying competition in the AI and semiconductor sectors could lead to a deterioration in corporate earnings.
Now, analysts say rising geopolitical uncertainty after Yemen's anti-government forces attacked an international airport in Saudi Arabia also weighed on the index.
Markets
Okay, let's have a look at some of the other markets.
♪
And that's it for Biz News.
♪
In Focus
00:17:30 話者 1
At the turn of the 20th century, an estimated 500,000 rhinos roamed Africa and Asia.
In recent decades, however, poaching has been a persistent threat.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the global population is now estimated at around 27,000.
Japanese Safari Guide Helping Save African Rhinos
In South Africa, home to the world's largest rhino population, one Japanese woman is part of efforts to protect these gentle giants.
And this report contains images some viewers may find disturbing.
00:18:07 話者 8/Reporter: Yokota Daiki/Narrator: Bill Sullivan
Ota Yuka serves as a government-certified safari guide.
In addition to guiding visitor tours, Ota dedicates herself to rhino conservation.
Today she leads a team of veterinarians and rangers on a dehorning mission, an essential measure against poaching.
00:18:41 話者 4/Ota Yuka
Poachers target rhinos because of their horns, which are worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Rhinos are killed for profit.
Efforts to shorten their horns are being carried out in many areas of South Africa.
00:18:56 話者 8
Though international commercial trade in rhino horn is strictly banned, the material still fetches high prices in some Asian countries for use in traditional medicine and decorative crafts.
A vet prepares to shoot a rhino with an anesthetic dart.
00:19:23 話者 53
These drugs are like super dangerous.
It's like a thousand times stronger than morphine.
00:19:38 話者 8
A direct hit.
The next 10 minutes are vital as the team tracks the rhino until the drug takes effect.
The team moves swiftly to minimize the animal's stress.
00:19:58 話者 59
And then I just want to push him over, get this rope off.
00:20:01 話者 58
A little bit more.
00:20:07 話者 4
The anesthesia can cause breathing problems, or their own body weight can put pressure on their organs. So it's important to finish as quickly as possible.
00:20:18 話者 8
This rhino was previously dehorned two years ago.
Made of the same material as human nails, rhino horns regrow over time.
Without them, rhinos can be at a disadvantage in territorial fights, but their lives are not directly endangered.
Across the country, dehorning has been carried out regularly to protect rhinos.
00:20:44 話者 4
This is a moisturizer to prevent the surface from drying out or cracking.
00:20:52 話者 8
Ota dreamed of working with animals since she was a child.
While at university, she discovered safari guiding and trained in South Africa to earn her certification.
She became more involved in rhino conservation after a mother rhino and her calf were killed in a reserve where she worked.
Across Africa, some 500 rhinos are still killed by poachers every year.
A former poacher agreed to speak with us.
00:21:41 話者 57/Former poacher
I was a shooter, very accurate.
The Rhino, if you have the Kalbar rifle, it makes a hell of noise. It's audible.
It can be heard as far as three, four kilometers away.
So we have to be quick in slashing the horn off.
It doesn't take too long to hack it off. It takes less than five, seven minutes.
00:22:07 話者 8
Fueling this persistent poaching are the deep-rooted problems of inequality and poverty.
00:22:15 話者 56
Obviously I had a taste of money and the things that the life was and it became a lot more easier for me and then I was able to pay for my children's school fees and I was able to buy myself a car and build myself a nice house.
00:22:32 話者 8
Recent research estimates that dehorning has reduced rhino poaching by almost 80%.
However, the conservation work requires vast resources, some of which Ota raises through crowdfunding. Nevertheless, she still has concerns.
00:22:57 話者 4
As we remove their horns, I can't help feeling a sense of sorrow.
In this region seeing a rhino in its natural form has become rare.
Because of human greed they can no longer live the way they naturally would.
I do not want a future where we have to keep carrying out these procedures for the rest of their lives.
00:23:19 話者 8
Ota feels a profound frustration that these majestic animals remain at risk without human intervention.
Her hope is that one day the demand for rhino horn disappears entirely, wiping out poaching at its root.
World Weather
00:23:45 話者 1
Central Tokyo is covered by cloud and it's been like this pretty much all day Tuesday.
Our meteorologist Jonathan Oh tells us if we will see any changes for Wednesday in our weather update.
00:23:58 話者 10/Jonathan Oh
Hello, we did see a bit of a cloud day, kind of a low-level cloud that was around the Kanto Koshin region. Some people even saw a little bit of sprinkle activity.
But in general, a relatively stable pattern has been across Japan on Tuesday.
Changes still are in the way.
We have a low pressure system and a cold front that's approaching from the west, and that's going to bring some wet weather as you go through Wednesday.
So you'll probably want to have your umbrellas anywhere from Sapporo down to places like Niigata, Nagano, and Osaka all looking as wet weather coming up.
Sendai looking as rain with a high of 21.
Tokyo may see a little bit of a break in the clouds, but then we'll approach later this week and that front pushes on through.
bring a chance for some wet weather coming up as we go forward in time.
We broaden up the view.
Koguma is on its way out to open water, so that's not something we have to worry about.
Back toward the west, high pressure is keeping these on the drier side across China into the Korean peninsula. Seoul at 19, Beijing at 20.
It looks like we're going to be seeing relatively mild weather as we go through the day on Wednesday.
Meanwhile we're looking at what's happening across North America of course. Over the weekend we had East areas moving up toward the north and the remnants of that kind of scattered across portions of Canada and some rain possible into the Great Lakes region.
But it looks like that down to the southeast they could use a break high pressure is going to keep things relatively dry there back toward the west we have a low pressure moving across the Rockies there. But partly cloudy skies in Denver with high of 18 tend to pick up to the north some rain thunderstorms into Toronto. Down to the south, highs into the 30s coming up so a little bit on the warmer side as we go throughout the day on Tuesday.
Wrapping things up with a look at Europe.
High pressure is the main dominant force keeping things relatively dry here we do have a cold front that's going to try pushing from the north. But in the meantime ahead of that 10 in Stockholm 16 Berlin showers into Paris with a high of 23 we'll also be looking at the possibility of some thunderstorms down to the south and east from Athens to Istanbul with a high topping off around 20 degrees in those locations as we go through Tuesday. That's look at your forecast hope you have a good day.
♫～ 3-Day Forecast ～♫
Babies Take on Shinto Deity in Sumo Bout
00:26:40 話者 1
And one last story before we go.
Sumo is Japanese tradition loved by many across the country.
One city in Kyoto prefecture has given it an unusual twist by holding ritual bouts between babies and an invisible Shinto deity.
About 300 infants attended the event at Miyazu City's Sugisue Shrine on Japan's Sports Day holiday.
The children were made to stomp the ground like sumo wrestlers.
The referees then simulated a bout with the deity that included each infant falling on the bottom.
Touching the sacred ring with one's bottom is believed to ensure health.
00:27:28 話者 63
I hope my child will grow up strong and true to themselves.
00:27:34 話者 1
This ritual is believed to date back to the Edo period from the 17th through 19th century.
And that wraps up this edition of NHK Newsline.
I'm Yoshikawa Ryuichi in Tokyo. Thanks for watching.
checked.
NHK World
00:28:01 話者 99
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