at 18:00 (JST), November 09 (Ai-CC by Clipchamp)

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20241109180000_english_1.mp3

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

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says the EU will explore common interests with the United States under President-elect Donald Trump.
European Union leaders discussed the incoming U.S. administration at an informal meeting in the Hungarian capital Budapest on Thursday and Friday.

The United States is our biggest economic and trading partner. We share a unique historical bond and our citizens share millions of friendships across the Atlantic. So it is important to build good relations with the new administration from the very beginning on. 

The EU experienced trade friction with the former Trump administration, with each imposing high tariffs on the other's steel and additional products. Trump has been promoting his America First policy. 
Von der Leyen spoke with Trump over the telephone and discussed imports of US liquefied natural gas, among other topics. She said the EU still gets much of its LNG from Russia. But suggested it could consider replacing it with American LNG, which is cheaper and would bring down energy prices. She said she wants to continue discussions on the matter.

The incoming Trump administration is starting to come into better focus.
U.S. media are reporting on possible choices for some key posts. The reports say two names are being floated for Secretary of State. They include a former US ambassador to Japan, Bill Hagerty, and Florida Senator Marco Rubio. Possible picks for Secretary of Defense include former Director of National Intelligence John Radcliffe and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. 

Let me tell you, we have a new star. A star is born, Elan.

Reports say Tesla CEO Elon Musk is also under consideration. He emerged as a key supporter during Trump's presidential campaign. Reports say he may be chosen to lead a new committee that would oversee spending and budget cuts.
A  spokesperson for the Kremlin says Russian President Vladimir Putin does not intend to alter Moscow's goals in Ukraine.

Dmitri Peskov told reporters on Friday that Putin has never said the goals of the special military operation are changing. He stressed that Putin has repeatedly said they remain the same. Peskov was speaking in response to questions from the media on Putin's comment the previous day that he is ready to speak with Trump. Putin said he will work with any head of state who is trusted by the American people. In June, Putin set his conditions. For peace talks, including for Ukraine to drop its bid to join NATO, he reiterated this stance on Thursday. Putin insisted that Russia's sovereignty should be accepted over the four regions and Crimea, which were unilaterally annexed by Russia. He said the border between Ukraine and Russia should run along the line determined by the sovereign decision of the residents, Kiev has rejected Moscow's conditions, calling for the restoration of Ukraine's territory and the withdrawal of Russian troops.

Japan's Prime Minister Ishiba Shigaru vowed to members of the self-defense Forces. That he will work to fundamentally reinforce the country's defense capabilities in light of the severe security environment.
Ishiba addressed about 600 SDF personnel on Saturday at a review ceremony at the Ground self-defense Forces Asaka Training Ground in Saitama Prefecture near Tokyo.
He referred to the intrusions by Chinese and Russian military aircraft into Japan's airspace earlier this year. He said they are serious violations of the country's sovereignty and are totally unacceptable.

Japan is facing the toughest and most complex security environment in the post-war era. I will strengthen Japan's diplomacy and defense capabilities in a balanced manner.

The Prime Minister also spoke about his telephone conversation With American president-elect Trump and said the two agreed to work together to raise the Japan US alliance to new heights, Ishiba pledged to boost the country's defense capabilities, such as deploying standoff missiles and that can strike targets from outside enemy range.

You know Protecting Japan's independence and peace is the pillar of our efforts.
I am determined to take the lead in protecting Japan and the people.

Ishiba also indicated he would work to improve the working conditions of SDF personnel.

Ousted Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant is heaping pressure on the man who fired him just days ago. Gallant reportedly accuses Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of keeping troops in the Gaza Strip for no reason.
The two had reportedly disagreed over military operations. Multiple media outlets in Israel say Gallant met with families of people held captive. By Hamas, he reportedly said there is no reason why a hostages for peace agreement cannot be reached. The media also quote him as saying there was number security reason for Israeli forces to remain in areas of Gaza bordering Egypt. Criticism is mounting against Netanyahu's hardline approach to the conflict, and Gallant's remarks could spark more calls in Israel for a peace deal. Still, Israeli troops are intensifying their offensive in northern Gaza. Military officials said on Thursday that they had launched an airstrike on a school being used by Hamas fighters. Palestinian media say the attack killed 10 people, adding that the building housed displaced civilians. Reports also say bombardments in the city of Jabaliya left 27 people dead, including women and children. Negotiations on a peace deal between Israel and Hamas remain stalled.

Saturday marks 35 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall. A political scientist who spoke to NHK on the eve of the anniversary is stressing the need to protect freedom and democracy in light of attempts in Europe to sow new division.
The wall measured 160 kilometers and surrounded what was then West Berlin. It was built during the Cold War and dismantled on November 9, 1989.
A Polish civic movement called Solidarity spearheaded a pro democracy campaign in the Eastern Bloc. End is widely recognized as instrumental in bringing the wall down. Here are 5000 posters drawn by citizens and others. They emphasize the importance of freedom and democracy, as well as support for Ukraine.
Basel Khersky is a political scientist and museum director in Poland. He continues to teach people about Solidarity's activities and reiterated the significance of the wall's collapse. He also expressed concern about the spread of far right parties in Europe that advocate nationalism and reject diversity.

This is an international division between, yes, societies that are still interested in creating an order that is based on on freedom, the idea of open societies, democracy, and unfortunately, big players that are interested in dividing the world in influences of spheres. We have once again to tell the people the story. 
Why are we believing in human rights, for example?
Why are we believing in in peace? 

Karsky urged the world to champion the importance of peace and human rights.

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.