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⁣Police in central Japan escort spot-billed ducks to safety Newly-born spot-billed ducklings have been found in the parking lot of a police station in Kanazawa City, in the central Japanese prefecture of Ishikawa. Police officers escorted the duck family to a nearby irrigation canal. The 10 ducklings and their parent stayed for a while in front of the police station, but about 15 officers guided them to safety. The duck family waited for a traffic light to turn green and crossed the road. Encouraged by the officers, they reached an irrigation canal about 100 meters away and jumped into the water. Police officer Senda Itta said he cheered the ducks on while guiding them, and that they must have been scared because everything was new to them. He said seeing the ducklings jump into the water encouraged him to do his best. He added he wants people to follow traffic rules like the ducklings. #Japan,#Animals Read Full Article @NHKworld

⁣WHO: More than 1,300 excess deaths in Europe due to extreme heat The chief of the World Health Organization says the number of deaths linked to the ongoing heatwaves in Europe is increasing, and urged countries to take action to protect people's health. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on social media on Sunday that more than 1,300 "excess deaths" have been recorded since June 21, which were linked to high temperatures in Europe. Temperatures have topped 40 degrees Celsius in France, Germany and the Czech Republic. Many deaths have been attributed to the extreme heat. Transportation and power supply have also been affected. Tedros went on to say, "Europe is the fastest-warming continent on Earth, heating at twice the global average," adding that a "once-in-a-generation" heatwave is now occurring nearly annually. He also noted, "Heat stress is often called the 'silent killer' -- and European homes, workplaces and schools were not built for these temperatures." He urged countries to implement "heat health action plans" to protect people's health against climate change. #World,#Europe,#Climate_Change Read Full Article @NHKworld

⁣Putin and Lukashenko reportedly discuss economic and security cooperation Russia's state-run news service has said that President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko have discussed economic cooperation and security. This comes amid reports that Moscow is pressuring Belarus to step up cooperation in its invasion of Ukraine. Tass news agency reported that Putin welcomed his Belarusian counterpart to his official residence in the northwestern region of Novgorod on Friday and Saturday. The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday quoted Russian and European officials as saying that Moscow is putting pressure on Belarus in hopes of using it to expand its operations against Ukraine. The Kremlin denies the reporting. But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has recently expressed concern over Belarus. On Thursday, Zelenskyy wrote on social media that along the Belarusian border with his country, the construction of storage bases for ammunition, fuel and lubricants is nearing completion. He said, "these facilities have no purpose other than a military one." Belarusian state-run media reported on Thursday that Lukashenko noted that Belarus will stand alongside Russia, but added it does not want to fight Ukrainians. #World,#Europe,#War_in_Ukraine,#Russia Read Full Article @NHKworld

⁣Man missing in northern Japan, bear sighting confirmed by police search A man has been reported missing in Japan's northern city of Aomori after going to pick bamboo shoots in a mountainous area. A bear has been sighted near the area where his baggage was. A friend of the missing 63-year-old man alerted police on Sunday afternoon that the man had not appeared at their agreed meeting location even after the designated time. Police say the two people entered the Hakkoda mountain range together at around 6 a.m. and searched separate areas for bamboo shoots. According to the police, the friend went to the agreed upon meeting place about two and a half hours later to find the man's baggage ransacked. The friend returned to the location 30 minutes later and spotted a bear nearby. Police searched the area by helicopter on Sunday. They confirmed a bear in the search area, but could not find the man. Police and fire officials have resumed the search operation since Monday morning. #Japan,#Animals,#Bears Read Full Article @NHKworld

⁣South Korea president slams head coach over early World Cup exit South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung has criticized the head coach of the national soccer team after it was eliminated from the men's soccer World Cup. South Korea ended third in Group A, failing in its bid to advance to the knockout stage. Head Coach Hong Myungbo has said he will step down. Lee wrote in a social media post on Sunday that he feels not only bewildered but also baffled by the unexpected result. He said it has been proven that personnel decisions determine everything. Lee said if an incompetent person is chosen as commander, the outcome will be predictable. He added that the failure to qualify for the knockout stage, which left people disheartened, appears to be due to organizational and personnel failures. Lee offered a deep apology, and expressed his intention to swiftly promote sports administration reform. The Korea Football Association is also under intense fire for the selection process that led to Hong's appointment. #Asia,#Politics,#Sports,#South_Korea Read Full Article @NHKworld

⁣China adds 20 Japanese entities to export control list China's Commerce Ministry says 20 Japanese companies and organizations have been added to the country's export control list. They include the National Institute for Defense Studies and subsidiaries of Mitsubishi Electric and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Beijing bans exports of civilian-military dual-use items, including rare earth minerals, to entities on the list. The Commerce Ministry on Monday said the 20 are involved in enhancing Japan's military capabilities. The Chinese ministry also announced tighter export controls on 20 other Japanese companies by adding them to a watch list. It cited what it called a failure to confirm the end-use purposes of items sold to the firms. The latest announcement follows one in February when China also added 20 Japanese entities to the export control list. #Biz_Tech,#Trade,#Japan,#China Read Full Article @NHKworld

⁣Baby bottlenose dolphin enchants crowds at aquarium near Tokyo A baby bottlenose dolphin born earlier this month is delighting visitors at an aquarium in Kanagawa Prefecture, south of Tokyo. The male calf was born on June 19 at Enoshima Aquarium in Fujisawa City. It was estimated to be around 1.3 meters long and weigh about 30 kilograms immediately after birth. It is kept together with his mother in a breeding pool. Visitors are taking photos of the baby swimming alongside his mother or sticking his head out of the water to breathe. The aquarium has been working on breeding bottlenose dolphins using artificial insemination since 2017. The latest birth was the second successful case in the project. A woman in her 30s visiting from Shizuoka Prefecture said compared with his mother, the baby is tiny and cute. She said she wants him to grow steadily without any problems. A curator at the aquarium, Amemiya Yuka, said the calf sometimes tries to swim on his own, separately from his mother, and is really adorable. She added that she hopes people will warmly watch him grow. #Japan,#Tourism Read Full Article @NHKworld

⁣Japan, S.Korea defense ministers agree to further cooperation and exchanges #NHKworld Read Full Article @NHKworld

⁣Japan group wants youths to join efforts toward world without nuclear arms A group of atomic bomb survivors called hibakusha and other people has confirmed that it should expand its activities among younger generations to realize a world without nuclear weapons. About 60 people attended a meeting in Tokyo on Sunday to mark two years since the foundation of the group called the Japan Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons. Its head, Tanaka Terumi, delivered a speech. He is also co-chairperson of another hibakusha group, Nihon Hidankyo, which won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2024 for its efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons. Tanaka said he expected the honor for Nihon Hidankyo to boost momentum toward the abolition of nuclear arms. But he acknowledged that he feels a rapid shift toward waging war. Tanaka highlighted the need to change what he described as the current challenging situation. He also stressed the importance of letting younger people learn nothing is more absurd than war. Members of the Japan Campaign held discussions afterwards. The session heard the opinion that abolishing nuclear weapons is a tough theme but the group's activities are rewarding as many younger people are taking part. A proposal was also raised that children be encouraged to learn of the existence of people who are working hard, believing that war must never happen. Nihon Hidankyo is also known as the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations. #Japan,#The_pursuit_of_PEACE,#WWII Read Full Article @NHKworld

⁣Japanese singer and actor Miwa Akihiro dies at 91 Iconic Japanese singer and actor Miwa Akihiro has died of natural causes. He was 91 years old. Miwa was born in Nagasaki City in 1935. He debuted as a professional singer at the age of 16 and developed his career at the music cafe Ginpari in Tokyo's Ginza district and elsewhere. His 1957 song "Me Que Me Que" was a big hit. As a singer-songwriter, he is best known for "Yoitomake no Uta," a ballad that depicts a mother as a day laborer. He also left a mark as an actor when he dubbed the character Moro, the Wolf Goddess, in the international hit anime film Princess Mononoke by Miyazaki Hayao. He frequently published books and appeared on TV and other media as a life coach, drawing from his own turbulent life experiences such as dealing with discrimination and poverty. He also survived the 1945 atomic bombing of Nagasaki when he was 10 years old. People from various generations sought out his strict but warm advice based on his rich life experiences. He has appeared on TV programs and continued writing even after suffering a stroke in 2019. He reportedly died on June 20. Editorial Note: An earlier version of this story said the ballad "Yoitomake no Uta" depicts Miwa's mother as a day laborer. But the song does not depict his mother. #Japan,#Arts_Culture Read Full Article @NHKworld

⁣BOJ survey expected to show worsening business sentiment Most analysts predict a Bank of Japan survey this week will show a worsening of business sentiment among large manufacturers. The main reason is persistent concerns about the Iran conflict. The central bank is due to publish the results of its quarterly Tankan survey on Wednesday. It covers about 9,000 businesses nationwide. Ten private-sector research firms have announced projections. Eight forecast a deterioration in sentiment at major manufacturers from the March survey. The other two predict the reading will be unchanged. The researchers say artificial intelligence- and semiconductor-related demand likely remained firm. But they believe profits fell in many other sectors as the hostilities in the Middle East raised prices of oil-related products and pushed up distribution costs. The picture is a little different for large non-manufacturers. Six of the 10 research firms predict no change in sentiment. Four forecast a dip due to higher distribution costs and other factors. #Biz_Tech,#Japan,#Iran Read Full Article @NHKworld

⁣Train derails at Kyoto Station, no injuries reported A train derailed at Kyoto Station early on Monday morning. The railway operator says no one was injured. A local train with four cars on the Kintetsu Kyoto Line derailed at around 5:13 a.m. It was the day's first train and was bound for Kashiharajingu-mae Station in Nara Prefecture. An NHK camera installed near Kyoto Station recorded the train's second and third cars coming off the tracks shortly after departing from the station. Kintetsu Railway says the train was carrying about 10 passengers, but no one, including crewmembers, was injured. Fire authorities also say they have not received any report of injuries. The operator says the passengers were taken off the train and guided to Kyoto Station. The Kintetsu Kyoto Line service has been suspended between Kyoto and Kamitobaguchi stations. It is reportedly unknown when it will resume. The accident has caused delays for the line's other sections and some cancellations as well. #Japan,#Crime_Accidents Read Full Article @NHKworld

⁣Surface-to-ship missile launcher deployed on Japan's easternmost island Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force says it has deployed a surface-to-ship missile launcher on the nation's easternmost island for the first time. Analysts call the deployment part of the country's attempt to reinforce its Pacific-side defenses. The GSDF announced in a social media post on Sunday that it deployed a Type-12 surface-to-ship missile launcher and target-acquisition reconnaissance drones on Minamitorishima Island this month. Type-12 surface-to-ship missiles have a range of over 100 kilometers. The projectiles themselves were not brought to the island this time. Minamitorishima forms part of Tokyo's Ogasawara island chain and is roughly 2,000 kilometers southeast of Japan's main island of Honshu. The GSDF said it has confirmed the deployed equipment functions normally on the island. The GSDF hopes to begin firing drills from as early as the next fiscal year, which starts in April 2027. A private-sector ferry contracted by the Defense Ministry was seen departing from a port in Chiba City, east of Tokyo, on June 8, carrying the deployed equipment. #Japan,#Security Read Full Article @NHKworld

⁣Pig-to-human kidney transplant clinical trials to start in Japan A Japanese venture company says it will launch clinical trials in Japan for practical transplantation of pig kidneys into humans with serious renal failure. A research group involving the Meiji University startup and a US bio firm is working to conduct the transplants. It plans to use kidneys from pigs genetically modified to reduce the likelihood of rejection in the human body. The Japanese company says it will start the clinical trials as early as 2028 to verify the safety of the transplants. It adds that the procedures will take place at two institutions in Japan -- Hokkaido University Hospital and Shonan Kamakura General Hospital. The US firm has a track record of performing pig-to-human kidney transplants on a trial basis in the United States. Patients who underwent the surgery reportedly have not needed dialysis for more than six months at the longest. Hokkaido University Associate Professor Hotta Kiyohiko is scheduled to be a surgeon in the clinical trial project in Japan. He said he hopes the program will eventually lead to a solution to the roughly 15-year waiting list for kidney transplants in the country. Another group in Japan also has a research plan on transplanting pig kidneys into human fetuses with severe renal conditions. The team consists of staff from the Jikei University School of Medicine and the National Center for Child Health and Development. #Japan,#US,#Science_Medical Read Full Article @NHKworld

⁣US, Iran agree to stop attacks against each other, hold talks in Qatar The US news outlet Axios reports that the United States and Iran have agreed to stop attacking each other and plan to hold talks on Tuesday. Axios cited a senior US official in its report on Sunday. The talks are expected to take place in the Qatari capital, Doha. The two sides continued to exchange fire over the Strait of Hormuz after Iran attacked a cargo ship sailing along the coast of Oman on Thursday. Tehran justifies strikes on vessels that do not take routes designated by Iran, based on a memorandum of understanding signed by the two countries. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told reporters on Sunday in Iraq that the Strait of Hormuz is under Iran's management. He added that no other country or institution bears any responsibility. Araghchi warned that any attempt to navigate ships without following the Iranian procedures will only complicate the situation, delay the reopening of the strait and increase tensions. US President Donald Trump is condemning Iran's attacks as a violation of the ceasefire agreement. #World,#US,#Iran,#Donald_Trump Read Full Article @NHKworld

⁣Search for survivors faces challenges after twin quakes in Venezuela Rescue teams and neighbors are searching for survivors of Wednesday's devastating twin earthquakes in Venezuela. 1,450 are known dead and thousands more remain missing. National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez gave the figures. He added that 3,150 people have reportedly been injured, with 12,721 others displaced. More than 750 buildings have been damaged. Satellite images of the hardest-hit state of La Guaira show the scale of devastation in the urban area. Some buildings have completely collapsed. Starlink, which is managed by SpaceX, announced that the company is offering free internet access in affected areas of Venezuela. Many rescue workers have arrived from various countries to search for people believed to be trapped under collapsed buildings. However, their efforts are becoming a race against time, as chances for survival drastically decrease after 72 hours. #World,#Disasters,#Earthquake,#Venezuela Read Full Article @NHKworld

⁣Media: Small plane hits Beijing skyscraper A small plane in China has reportedly crashed into Beijing's tallest building. Chinese authorities have not provided any information, and additional details are unknown. Multiple Hong Kong media outlets said a two-seat aircraft hit the CITIC Tower at about 6 p.m. local time Friday. The building, located in the central business district, is 528 meters tall. Online videos show debris falling, and photographs show what appears to be parts of the aircraft on the ground. Photos from Reuters captured an apparent hole in the building's glass facade. However, social media posts were quickly removed from Chinese platforms, and a heavy police presence was seen around the building on Friday evening. Read Full Article HERE or click watch clip button if available #Asia,#China #More_to_read @NHKworld

⁣US forces strike Iranian targets US President Donald Trump said in a social media post on Friday that Iranian forces attacked several vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. He criticized the move as a "foolish violation" of their ceasefire agreement. The US Central Command said it conducted airstrikes in response. CENTCOM announced on social media on Friday that it struck Iranian missile and drone storage sites, as well as coastal radar facilities. It described them as a "powerful response" to a drone attack on a Singapore-flagged vessel on Thursday, adding that Tehran's "dangerous behavior" threatens freedom of navigation. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi posted on social media on Friday that the safety of ships passing through the strait will not be guaranteed if they stray from designated routes without Tehran's consent. Meanwhile, Iran's state-run Press TV said on Friday that the two sides have established a "communication line" in the waterway. It said the move is part of the memorandum of understanding and that it is intended to prevent military escalation. However, other Iranian media said the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps calls the claim a "complete lie." Read Full Article HERE or click watch clip button if available #World,#US,#Middle_East,#Iran,#Donald_Trump #More_to_read @NHKworld

⁣Death toll from Venezuela earthquakes rises to 920 Venezuela is dealing with the aftermath of two massive earthquakes. Officials say at least 920 people are dead, and more than 3,300 injured. The two quakes struck on Wednesday evening within a minute of each other. They both had a magnitude of more than 7. The epicenters were about 160 kilometers west of Caracas. Officials report severe damage there and in the country's northern states. One man told NHK that people are staying outside in open spaces because they are afraid buildings may collapse. Officials say over 200 buildings have been damaged or destroyed, mainly in the northern coastal state of La Guaira. Some countries are providing help. The US military says it will deploy troops, aircraft and an amphibious ship to transport personnel and supplies. Mexico and El Salvador have also dispatched rescue teams. Read Full Article HERE or click watch clip button if available #World,#Disasters #More_to_read @NHKworld

⁣UN maritime agency: Estimated 80 mines in Strait of Hormuz must be cleared The head of the International Maritime Organization, or IMO, says about 80 mines could lie in an international waterway of the Strait of Hormuz, stressing the need to demine the route. The secretary-general of the UN specialized agency, Arsenio Dominguez, held an online news conference about the situation in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday. Dominguez said the number of estimated mines in the conventional shipping lanes of the strait was based on information from several countries, including the United States. He said the area needs to be cleared of mines to restore the safe navigation of ships. Regarding the efforts to clear the waterway, Dominguez added that Iran agreed to demine the area. He also said countries, such as Britain, France and the US, are also ready to provide assets to verify such efforts as well as to conduct further demining. But he said, prior to the work to remove mines, about 500 stranded vessels and their crews must be evacuated. He said getting them to safety is his top priority and it will take a few weeks to complete the evacuation. The evacuation effort has been put on hold after a vessel came under attack on Thursday. The IMO said it is currently working with several parties, including the US and Iran. Dominguez indicated that there is no prospect of starting demining operations at this point, saying the situation in the strait is "very fluid" and he can't provide a specific timetable. Editorial Note: In an earlier version of this story, we said "it will take a few weeks before the evacuation to begin." We should have said "it will take a few weeks to complete the evacuation." Read Full Article HERE or click watch clip button if available #World,#Middle_East,#US,#Iran #More_to_read @NHKworld