at 18:00 (JST), November 04 (AI-CC by Clipchamp)

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20241104180000_english_1.mp3

Welcome to NHK Newsline. I'm Gene Otani in Tokyo. 

A group of major oil producing countries says it will delay an output increase planned for next month. The move is apparently intended to shore up oil prices. OPEC Plus made the announcement Sunday. The group comprises the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and other major producers, including Russia. It said it has agreed to extend voluntary production cuts until the end of December. Eight of its members have reduced their output by 2.2 million barrels per day. The latest delay follows one the group announced in September. OPEC Plus had planned to start increasing supply in October, but postponed it by two months. There is concern global oil demand may be affected as China's economy slows and Middle East tensions rise over tit for tat strikes between Israel and Iran. OPEC plus is apparently watching market moves going forward while propping oil prices with the delay in expanding supply. 

With Election Day and the U.S. approaching on Tuesday, candidates in the presidential race are making their closing pitches. Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican candidate former President Donald Trump are trying to gain a final edge in battleground states. Harris visited a church in the Midwestern state of Michigan on Sunday.

Kamala Harris, come on, let's receive.

She spoke to black voters who have traditionally shown strong support for the Democratic Party. 

What kind of country do we want for our children and our grandchildren? A country of chaos, fear, and hate, or a country of freedom, justice, and compassion?Let us answer then, not just with our words, but with our works. 

Donald J.

Trump held a rally in the eastern state of Pennsylvania, which has a larger number of electors than other battleground states. 

You like it better now or four years ago? And I've come today with a message of hope for all Americans. With your vote on Tuesday, I will end inflation.

People in the US are feeling the pressure of higher prices, even though the pace of inflation has slowed. Trump appears to be trying to tie the issue to the Biden-Harris administration. US political news website RealClearPolitics shows the race is neck and neck. The average for opinion polls in seven battleground states stands at 48.5% supporting Trump and 47.6% for Harris.

Senior military officers of Israel and the United States have held talks after Iran's Supreme Leader hinted at another retaliatory attack against Israel.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday warned of a crushing response to last month's Israeli airstrike on Iranian military targets. He did not elaborate on the timing or method of a possible strike.

But U.S. media are reporting that Iran could be preparing an attack in the coming days. The Israeli military announced on Sunday that the Chief of the General Staff, Hertzi Halevi, met with U.S. Central Command's General Michael Kurilla last Thursday to discuss responses to Iran. The US Central Command says additional B52 bombers have been deployed to the Middle East. U.S. news site Axios quoted sources as saying the Biden administration recently warned Tehran against launching another attack. Israel attacked Iran on October 26th in response to Tehran's missile strikes. There are concerns that if Iran strikes again, the cycle of retaliatory attacks between the two major powers in the Middle East could spiral out of control.

Pro-EU incumbent Maya Sandu has claimed victory in Moldova's presidential runoff over a candidate seeking closer ties with Russia. The focus of the election was on whether people in the former Soviet Republic would seek the continuation of Sandu's pro-EU policies.

Moldova's election board says, with most ballots counted Sunday, Sandu had garnered nearly 55% of the vote. She bested acts Senator Stoyanaglo, a former prosecutor general.

Moldova is still being at war. As grudge, Moldovan, as a ferry to elects the democracy, them the office, Chris Manuel de Historia, as boy at Salvat Moldova. 

Sandu also promised she would be a president for all of her people.Iin her second term Sandu is expected to continue pushing for Moldova's participation in the European Union. The country's EU membership bid accelerated after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. In June this year, Moldova formally started membership talks with the EU. Its government is criticizing Russia, which has been accused of meddling in the election to prevent Moldova from joining the EU.

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The king and queen of Spain were hit by mud thrown by flood survivors during their visit to the eastern region of Valencia on Sunday.
Record-breaking downpours from Tuesday through Wednesday flooded the region and elsewhere in the country. Vehicles and bridges were swept away. Local media report 217 peopleHave been confirmed dead. More than 60 people died in Pai Porta, some residents through some residents there through mud and shouted at King Felipe and Queen Letizia out of frustration over relief assistance delays. The royal couple were couple were protected by bodyguards. They continue to talk to the locals, but this caused a commotion. The AP News Agency called the incident unprecedented for a royal house that takes great care of crafting an image its monarch is liked by the nation. The Spanish military and police are stepping up search and rescue efforts for those who remain unaccounted for and to clear mud and rubble. Residents in some disaster-hit areas are increasingly frustrated with transportation disruptions, as well as insufficient supply of food and water.

A Zen Buddhist temple south of Tokyo has given visitors a glimpse of some of its most sacred cultural assets. They were brought into the open to air out as part of an annual tradition.

The exhibition at Engakuji Temple in Kamakura City. Displayed about 30 items, including calligraphy and paintings. The event coincides with Culture Day in Japan. One of the relics is a letter written by Hojo Tokimune, the patron of the temple. He was a Regent of the Kamakura Shogunate that lasted from the late 12th century to the 14th century. The document is nationally designated. as an important cultural property. In the letter, Hojo asked Chinese monks to come to Japan to help popularize Zen in the country.

Visitors were also let in to the temple's Sheridan Hall. It contains a collection of relics of Buddha and is designated as a national treasure.

I had a good experience that was just wonderful. 

Those were the main stories for this hour.

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And that's the news this hour. I'm Gino Tani. From all of us here at NHK Newsline to all around the world, thanks very much for joining us.