Welcome to NHK “Newsline.” I’m Gene Otani in Tokyo.
The newly-elected president of the main ruling Liberal Democratic Party, Shigeru, is currently developing his leadership slate. He hopes to launch new leadership on Monday and form a cabinet on Tuesday. Ishiba beat his opponent in a runoff vote. ..... He is expected to become Japan’s 102nd Prime Minister. Ishiba is considering appointing to key posts those who ran against him in the leadership race, including Takaichi. ..... Another is expected to be named to a key post. ..... Ishiba does not intend to accept recommendations from former party factions. Rather, his attention is focused on how to form a united party.
Russia’s Foreign Minister has criticized the United States, South Korea, and Japan for creating what it called serious regional security threats. He said that in light of this situation, the term denuclearization when applied to North Korea is meaningless. Sergei Lavrov also accused the three powers of openly acknowledging the U.S.-South Korea ties as a nuclear alliance similar to NATO. The comments were posted online on Thursday. Lavrov also said the United States and South Korea are attempting to form a tripartite pact with Japan. ..... He said denuclearization of North Korea under such conditions is off the table. Russia has strengthened ties with North Korea since it launched its invasion of Ukraine. In June, Moscow and Pyongyang signed a treaty pledging mutual assistance in case of emergency.
..... A Japanese Self-Defense destroyer took part in an exercise along with five other vessels from the United States, the Philippines, Australia, and New Zealand. The drill is the first maritime cooperative activity among the five countries. The Japanese Defense Ministry said the drill aims to actively uphold the freedom of navigation and overflight and respect maritime rights under international law. Informed sources said the Japanese destroyer and vessels from Australia and New Zealand sailed through the Taiwan Strait before the drill. The Chinese government protested the ships’ transit, calling it a provocative act that undermines China’s sovereignty and security. In August, Chinese government vessels collided with Philippine government ships and fired water cannons in the South China Sea.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says he expects a U.S.-China summit in the near future. Blinken made the remark after he held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly. “I emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and raised concerns about the dangerous and destabilizing actions in the South China Sea.” Blinken said he also expressed strong concern that China is providing Russia with materials that could be converted to military use, even though Beijing says it wants to see the Russia-Ukraine conflict ended. He added that the two diplomats agreed on the importance of the leaders communicating, saying he fully anticipates there will be a summit between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping in the weeks and months ahead. Meanwhile, China’s Foreign Ministry commented with respect to the meeting that the United States should not always approach China with two faces: on the one hand, encircling and suppressing China brazenly, and on the other hand, having dialogue and cooperation with China as if nothing is wrong.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed his willingness to help achieve peace between Ukraine and Russia if he wins the presidential election in November. Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in New York. Zelenskyy was visiting the city for the U.N. General Assembly. “Long before January 20th, before I would take the presidency, I think that we can work out something that’s good for both sides.” Zelenskyy said he had explained to Trump Ukraine’s newly-compiled path for victory. “After November, we have to decide, and we hope the United States will be very strong.” On the previous day, Zelenskyy met with Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate. Zelenskyy apparently aims to secure continued support from the U.S., regardless of who wins the presidency.
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Massive Israeli attacks sent thick smoke over the capital of Lebanon on Friday. Military commanders say they carried out a precise strike on Hezbollah’s headquarters, and tensions are rising as more Israeli troops head to the border. A video released on social media shows multiple airstrikes pounding the suburbs of Beirut. Israeli media reports the primary target was Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. “Nasrallah must be stopped. Israel is doing what every sovereign state in the world would do if they had a terror organization that seeks their destruction on their border.” Paramedics and rescue workers searched through the rubble for survivors. The Lebanese Health Ministry says at least six people were killed and 91 wounded. A U.N. relief official says more than 30,000 people have fled into neighboring Syria in just three days. Israel has also hinted at a possible operation on the ground. The IDF said on Friday it’s deployed two reserve brigades to northern Israel, raising fears of a wider conflict.
Japan is sending Self-Defense Force planes to Jordan and Greece, ready to evacuate citizens from Lebanon. The Defense Minister gave the order in light of fighting between Israel and the Lebanese-based Shia Hezbollah. The Defense Ministry said it’s arranging to send one plane to Jordan and one to Greece.
Those were the main stories for this hour.
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And that’s the news this hour. I’m Gene Otani. From all of us here at NHK Newsline to all around the world, thanks very much for joining us.
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