Welcome to NHK Newsline. I'm Morishita Erika in Tokyo.
Iran Conflict : Strait of Hormuz 'Completely Closed' After US Strikes
Iran's joint military command says the country has completely closed the Strait of Hormuz.
It says all vessels, including oil tankers and commercial ships that try to transit the waterway will be targeted.
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says it has already struck two vessels attempting passage. The IRGC says the strait is closed until further notice.
This comes just hours after US Central Command announced it had launched another wave of attacks on Iran.
CENTCOM later said it had completed strikes targeting surveillance capabilities, communication systems, and air defense sites.
It also said the strait remains open and that ships continue to transit it.
US President Donald Trump told Fox News the US had used 49 Tomahawk missiles in the strikes.
He said Iranian top officials had called him directly and asked for the bombing to be stopped.
He added the US would bomb Iran again tomorrow night if it did not sign an agreement put forward by Washington.
IAEA Passes Resolution Demanding Iran Allow Inspections
Tensions are also mounting on the nuclear front.
The International Atomic Energy Agency adopted the resolution on Wednesday, demanding that Iran disclose information about its enriched uranium stockpile and allow inspections.
The resolution was submitted by the United States, Britain, France and Germany.
It urges Tehran to swiftly provide complete information about its nuclear material inventories and related facilities.
It also calls on Iran to give IAEA inspectors access to verify it.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi accused the US of bringing verification activities to an end.
He said on social media before the vote that inspections had been halted because of US
and Israeli attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities.
Those attacks were carried out in June last year.
In a report, the IAEA said it had been unable to inspect the affected sites or assess Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium.
Zelenskyy: Ukrainian Missiles Struck Deep Into Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says his country's forces have carried out missile attacks on targets deep inside Russia.
Zelenskyy posted a video of the attacks on social media on Wednesday.
He said Ukrainian-made FB-5 Flamingo cruise missiles hit a metal plant in the Cherevash Republic and an oil refinery in the Samara region. Both are in central Russia.
Zelenskyy said the targets were more than 900 kilometers from the front line and stressed the success of the long-range strikes.
Zelenskyy also said Ukrainian forces struck two oil infrastructure facilities in the Vladmir region near Moscow.
The governor of the Vladmir region confirmed on social media that drone attacks had caused fires at 2 infrastructure facilities but said there were no injuries.
In a separate video addressed Wednesday, Zelenskyy said he had signed a decree designating June 11 as a day of the unmanned systems forces, marking Ukraine's specialized drone branch.
He said Ukraine would continue developing the capabilities of its unmanned systems.
US Defense Chief Warns Cuba Against Procuring Arms
The United States continues to ramp up pressure on Cuba. US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth visited an American military base there Wednesday.
He warned Havana against procuring weapons that could reach the US. Hegseth made the comments while addressing troops at the Guantanamo Bay naval station.
00:04:32 話者 2/Pete Hegseth
It would be unwise for the government of Cuba to try to procure or get access to the types of weapons that could reach this base or the American homeland.
They would be inviting the kind of confrontation not only do they not want, but they could not stand.
00:04:49 話者 1
But he also said the US seeks no enemies.
Instead, he suggested Washington could be a friend to Cuban leadership.
Hegseth is the latest major official to visit the region.
Last month, the director of the CIA made a trip to Havana, and the commander of US
Southern Command also recently visited the Guantanamo base.
The visits come as Washington continues to put pressure on the island nation.
In May, the US indicted former Cuban President Raul Castro over the downing of two civilian planes 30 years ago.
Bill Gates Testifies in Congress Over Epstein Links
Microsoft founder Bill Gates has testified before the US Congress about his ties to financier Jeffrey Epstein. He died after being indicted on sex abuse charges.
00:05:43 話者 3/Bill Gates
I hope my testimony is helpful to the important work of the committee to find justice for the victims. Thank you.
00:05:51 話者 1
Gates spoke before the House Oversight Committee in a closed hearing on Wednesday.
He said in a prepared statement that he had never witnessed Epstein engaging in criminal conduct. Gates also said that he himself had never victimized anyone.
Gates said they were introduced in 2011 through people he trusted but broke off ties in 2014.
Gates claimed that Epstein used information about his infidelities to pressure him into re-engaging with him.
Gage said he never should have met with Epstein and that he was deeply sorry if his association with the late sex offender lent him any credibility.
Epstein has been linked to many so-called elites, including politicians, business leaders and university professors.
Public pressure has been mounting for them to be held accountable.
Unusual Bear Sightings in Japan's Urban Areas
As summer approaches in Japan, active bears are causing problems in the country even in urban areas.
Several bigger cities that don't usually encounter bears have been reporting more sightings recently.
And for officials, safely capturing them in those communities is proving to be a challenge.
NHK has found at least 27 people in nine prefectures have been attacked by bears since April. According to the environment ministry, four of them died.
Utsunomiya city, north of Tokyo, has seen a series of bear sightings in its central areas.
One was filmed taking a swim in a waterway and climbing fences.
It was also spotted wandering freely through the city.
Eventually, officials caught a meter-long bear on Tuesday that had come into the city.
City-run elementary and junior high schools resumed classes on Thursday after a three-day closure.
Analysis: Why Bears Are Going Into Japan's Urban Areas
For more on this story, earlier I spoke to NHK World's senior science correspondent Saito Motoki.
Motoki, it feels like we are hearing reports almost every day now about bears appearing in urban areas. Why has this become so frequent?
00:08:31 話者 4/Saito Motoki
Yes, and in Japan, bears have been seen as a creature that symbolizes the deep mountain.
So it has been common to caution people when heading into mountains saying, you'd better not go, there are bears about.
But now they are increasingly moving closer to areas where people live, sometimes right outside our doors. Experts point to several possible reasons for why this is happening.
So first, Japan's population decline and shrinking rural communities have left more farmland and orchards unmanaged. This creates favorable environments for birds.
And second, researchers say that some of these bears are becoming more comfortable around humans and starting to rely on human food sources.
In addition, it's currently breeding season for bears.
Their movements naturally become more active during this time, and that is believed to be another contributing factor.
Our researcher specializing in bear ecology explained it this way.
00:09:43 話者 5/Sato Yoshikazu/Professor, Rakuno Gakuen University
Adult males roam across wide areas searching for females.
As a result, mothers with cubs and younger bears tend to avoid those males.
In the process, young bears that have recently left their mothers are more likely to appear near human settlements and residential areas.
Sightings of mother bears with cubs also become more common.
00:10:09 話者 1
I see. So bears are becoming more visible in areas where people live.
But how exactly are they making their way into the middle of the city?
00:10:19 話者 4
Researchers believe bears are using riverside forests and waterways that connect to their habitats to get to urban areas, almost like highways.
And as Professor Sato pointed out, females with cubs and younger bears may leave their usual habitats to avoid adult males during the breeding season.
In those cases, riverside woods and waterways provide ideal travel routes.
And as the bears continue moving along those routes, and some may eventually end up in the very center of cities.
00:10:54 話者 1
So what types of countermeasures can be taken to control the bears?
00:11:00 話者 4
I think the key is to be proactive and not just react after the bears appear.
Towns and cities need to develop ways to become more resistant to bear intrusions during normal times.
And the specific measures proposed by experts include cutting back riverside vegetation and undergrowth, and in some areas, installing electronic fencing or physical barriers.
That being said, there is no single solution that works everywhere.
Communities need to consider measures that fit their local environment.
00:11:37 話者 1
And what is the government doing to address this issue?
00:11:41 話者 4
Yes, this past March, the Japanese government formulated a roadmap for bear countermeasures through fiscal 2030.
One of its key goals is creating an appropriate separation between human and bears.
Achieving that will require action across a wide range of areas that includes accurately estimating bear populations, improving environment so bears do not enter human living spaces, and training personnel for bear capture and control.
This is not a problem that can be solved quickly.
What's needed is a long-term approach based on scientific evidence.
Business
00:12:25 話者 1
Now, let's see what's happening in the world of business.
Here's Ramin Mellegard from The BizDesk.
00:12:31 話者 6/Ramin Mellegard
Thank you very much indeed.
Now, let's see how the markets reacted to an update on the Middle East situation.
Yuko Fukushima at the Tokyo Stock Exchange has all the details.
Iran Conflict
Nikkei 225 Volatile as Middle East Tensions Unnerve Investors
00:12:44 話者 7/Yuko Fukushima
Thursday's trading in Tokyo was quite volatile. Investors were offloading shares early in the session with concerns over the Iran conflict mounting.
As we reported, the US launched another wave of attacks on Iran, which responded by blocking the Strait of Hormuz.
But the benchmark Nikkei 225 index recouped its early losses as of the close.
The index finished the day at 64,217, almost unchanged from Wednesday's close.
It fell more than 1,800 points, or about 2.8 percent at one stage in the morning.
But in the afternoon session, bargain hunting kicked in and some stocks returned to positive territory.
We're hearing that some investors are buying backed shares that have declined, such as those related to AI and semiconductors.
But most stocks closed lower and investors are increasingly trying to reduce risk.
Yuko Fukushima, NHK World from the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
Toyota Chairman Pockets ¥2.1 Bil. in Pay, Up 8% Y/Y
00:13:41 話者 6
A Toyota Motor Annual Report has revealed that Chairman Toyoda Akio received 2.1 billion yen, about $13 million, as a board director for fiscal 2025.
The figure is up 8% from a year before and the most ever paid to a Toyota executive.
The automaker says it revised the amount after discussing pay levels commensurate with the role of chairman and also comparing salaries of top officials of other global automobile firms.
Former CEO Sato Koji, who became vice chairman in April, received just over 800 million yen or roughly $5 million.
Media Report: Starbucks Mulling Stake Sale in Japan
Starbucks is reportedly in discussions on options for his Japan business that include selling stakes to private equity investors or the public.
Bloomberg cited sources saying on Tuesday that the US-based coffee giant held preliminary talks with investment banks on the matter.
The report says a stake sale may draw industry players or private equity firms and could be valued at 400 to 500 billion yen or about 2.5 to 3.1 billion dollars.
It also said an initial public offering is an option and that no final decisions have been made.
A Starbucks spokesperson told NHK that the company declined to comment on speculation.
Now, the chain opened its first Japan outlet in 1996.
It had over 2,100 stores across the country as of March 2026.
Starbucks has seen a slump in its business in the United States, the chain's largest market.
It sold a 60% stake in its China retail operations to a local fund in April as part of restructuring efforts.
Iran Conflict : US Sees Fastest Rise in Inflation in 3 Years
Consumer prices in the United States rose at the fastest pace in more than three years in May. Surging energy costs due to the Middle East crisis are a major factor.
Figures released on Wednesday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics show the index climbed 4.2% from a year ago. That's the sharpest rise since April 2023.
Compared to the previous month, it marks an increase of 0.4 points.
Spiking energy prices are the primary driver of the increase.
Gasoline prices jumped 40.5% amid the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The core CPI also rose 2.9 percent, up 0.1 point from April.
The index excludes volatile food and energy costs.
The view is spreading in financial markets that the Federal Reserve could raise its policy rate this year to tackle resurgent inflation.
Energy Exporters Seek New Future as AI Hub
The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has choked off tanker traffic from the region, forcing many nations there to address the risks of basing their economies on oil exports.
Now, that's adding momentum to a well-financed drive to develop new industries with a strong focus on artificial intelligence. NHK World's Teshigawara Yoshino has the story.
00:17:03 話者 8/Teshigawara Yoshino
This Saudi startup is working to build systems best suited for the more than 400 million Arabic speakers in the world.
To date, the global trend in AI development has been to focus on English.
Arabic varies significantly by region, making it difficult for existing AI systems to handle well. Creating a better one is a challenge that the firm sees as a business opening.
00:17:36 話者 14/Abdullah Alsaeed/Co-Founder, Mozn
There's a lot of people who speak this language.
That language doesn't have enough data online. There is a market opportunity.
00:17:46 話者 8
Two years ago, the Saudi Arabian government boosted its investment in emerging technologies, including AI, by more than 50%.
It also designated 2026 as the year of AI as part of efforts to accelerate growth.
00:18:04 話者 18/Majid Ali AlShehry/Spokesperson, Saudi Data & Al Authority
Today, Saudi Arabia is playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of AI globally.
We have been working on many initiatives and to continue providing the best for our nation.
00:18:20 話者 8
With the vast financial resources in the region, Part of the strategy is attracting top talent from around the world.
Established in 2019, this United Arab Emirates University specializes in AI research and training. Students here enjoy generous support, including free tuition.
They also receive a monthly stipend of up to nearly $12,000.
The student body currently has more than 650 people from around 60 countries.
Only 5% of applicants make it through the competitive selection process.
00:19:08 話者 12/Constantine Smirnov/Russian student
I think it's a very prosperous environment for students.
00:19:13 話者 8
Faculty members are also recruited from across the globe.
Professor Inui Kentaro is a specialist in natural language processing from Japan's Tohoku University. He's been teaching here for the past three years.
00:19:34 話者 13/Inui Kentaro
Researchers from genuinely world-leading institutions are coming here.
Over the past few years, they've gathered rapidly while remaining connected to their home universities. This place has, quite literally, become a hub.
00:19:50 話者 8
The UAE government is investing heavily in AI development and talent to build its international presence.
00:20:03 話者 13/Timothy Baldwin/Provost, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence
The AI marketplace is a global marketplace, both in terms of admitting students, but also in terms of where they go after that.
I want them to be global ambassadors for responsible AI based on the research that they've done here and ambassadors for the university and the country.
00:20:22 話者 8
Increasingly, oil-rich nations are betting on artificial intelligence becoming their next driver of growth.
With global energy dynamics so uncertain, governments across the Middle East are pouring money into the field. Teshigawara Yoshino NHK World.
Markets
00:20:44 話者 6
Okay, let's get a check in the markets.
♪
And that is it for Business News.
♫～
Anti-Immigration Protests Spread in Northern Ireland
00:21:47 話者 1
Anti-immigration protests have taken place in Northern Ireland for a second night.
The unrest comes after a Sudanese refugee was arrested on suspicion of carrying out a knife attack in Belfast.
The 30-year-old was charged with attempted murder after his arrest on Monday for allegedly stabbing a man in his 40s.
Local police say the attack has left the victim with significant injuries.
Footage showing the attack went viral online, triggering protests against refugees and immigrants.
Some of the protesters became violent on Tuesday night, setting homes and vehicles on fire. The BBC reported that demonstrations also occurred in Scotland.
00:22:37 話者 23/Keir Starmer
The acts of violence and arson that followed are totally unjustified.
00:22:44 話者 1
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also said in a social media post that there was no justification for encouraging this type of disorder online or elsewhere.
Pope Blesses Sagrada Familia's Newly Built Spire
Pope Leo has denounced war at the mass celebrating completion of the main spire of the iconic Sagrada Familia.
Construction of Barcelona's famous basilica began in 1882 and has been a work in progress ever since.
Leo visited the church on Wednesday, the 100th anniversary of the death of his architect, Antoni Gaudi.
More than 4,000 guests attended the mass.
Spain's king and queen, as well as the country's prime minister, were among them.
Many others watched on screens outside.
00:23:42 話者 32/Pope Leo XIV
Nopodemos create Jesus y promo ver la guera.
Nopodemos create Jesus y matara de innocente.
Nopodemos create Jesus y abandonar aquien suffre, aquien llora, aquien lle de la miseria.
00:24:00 話者 1
The pope is believed to have made the remark with the conflicts in Iran, Ukraine and elsewhere in mind.
The pontiff then blessed the newly built tower of Jesus Christ, which stands more than 170 meters tall.
Morkan Gaudi's unfinished masterpiece has faced many challenges, including the Spanish civil war, financial problems and delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
completion is still another 10 years away.
Weather
It's time for a check on the world weather.
Taiwan and Japan's Okinawa have been experiencing heavy rain.
Our meteorologist, Yuni Hirano, has the details.
00:24:47 話者 9/Yuni Hirano
Northern Taiwan had almost 500 millimeters of rain this week.
Due to a rainy season front, the system is expected to stay along Taiwan and Japan's Okinawa into Friday up to 120 millimeters of rain is possible.
For the north, another system is moving across northern China, so thunder showers are possible in Beijing.
Tokyo may see dry conditions, but people should watch out for sudden weather changes.
A combination of warm surface temperatures and cold air will trigger thunderstorms.
The possibility is high from Hokkaido to Tokai.
Kanto could see the highest chance of thunder showers on Friday afternoon.
Moving to the Middle East, June is typically part of the dry season in Iraq.
People are starting to deal with scorching conditions.
Extreme heat has forced many people in Iraq to find creative ways to cool down.
Makeshift water sprinklers have been set up in several areas in street markets to help shoppers cool down.
Some residents say going to water parks is a good way to beat the heat amid power outages.
Many young and older people flocked to swimming pools or even ate cold watermelons to escape the scorching weather.
Not only Iraq, but also western Russia has been covered by warm air.
Moscow, so 30 degrees on Wednesday, and the heat will continue on Thursday with a high of 31. For the West, the Ibelian Peninsula is also facing intense heat.
The highs will be 36 in Lisbon and 33 in Madrid.
That's all for now. Have a nice day.
♫～ 3-DAY FORECAST ～♫
00:27:40 話者 1
So that's all for this edition of NHK Newsline.
I'm Morishita Erika in Tokyo. Thank you for joining us.
checked.
NHK World
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