Daily English News   

 

November

 

 

November 30, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Kaori Nimura and Mr. Michael Rhys

1.      Young Iranians stormed the British embassy in Tehran to protest Britain’s new economic sanctions over Iran’s nuclear program.

2.      Japan’s envoy to the U.N. conference on global warming has reiterated the country’s opposition to extending the 1997 Kyoto Protocol.

3.      Vote counting has begun in Egypt’s first elections since public protests brought down the government of former president Hosni Mubarak.

 

November 29, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Yuriko Yamada and Mr. Mick Corliss

1.      The operator of the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant says there was no explosion at the No.2 reactor, denying an earlier report that there was.

2.      The first day of Egypt’s parliamentary elections in the post-Mubarak era ended on Monday with no reports of violence.

3.      Industrialized and developing nations remain at odds on the first day of a U.N. conference on climate change.

 

November 28, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Asumi Ukon and Mr. David Crystal

1.      Egyptians go to the polls on Monday in the country’s first parliamentary election since the thirty-year rule of former president Hosni Mubarak ended in February.

2.      Senior officials from Japan, the United States and India will hold a meeting to discuss strengthening their relations in Asia-Pacific region.

3.      Former Osaka Prefectural Governor Toru Hashimoto beat incumbent Kunio Hiramatsu in Sunday’s Osaka city mayoral election.

 

November 27, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. Hirokazu Sakamaki and Ms. Keiko Kitagawa

1.      The Pakistani government says it has closed the supply routes of NATO-led forces in Afghanistan in retaliation for the killing of 24 Pakistani troops in northwestern Pakistan.

2.      The election to choose Hong Kong’s next leader is expected to be a face-off between two pro-China candidates.

3.      Several thousand anti-nuclear protesters have clashed with police in Germany, trying to disrupt a shipment of reprocessed nuclear waste.

 

November 26, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. Mark Robinson and Ms. Fumiko Konoe

1.      Japan has pledged to help Africa make plans to tackle its environmental problems at an upcoming U.N. conference for climate change.

2.      Japan’s Toyota Motor is in talks with Germany’s BMW to form a partnership to make eco-friendly vehicles.

3.      Three children in the U.S. state of Iowa have recently contracted a new type of swine flu.  U.S. health authorities say it may have spread by human contact.

 

November 25, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. Raja Pradan and Ms. Hiroko Kitadai

1.      Three bombs exploded in a market in the southern Iraqi city of Basra on Thursday, killing 19 people and wounding over 60.

2.      In Syria, a battle between government troops and army defectors and other violence left at least 51 people dead on Thursday.

3.      Japanese Foreign Minister Koichi Gemba is scheduled to arrive in Okinawa on Friday and plans to meet Governor Hirokazu Nakaima.

 

November 24, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Hiroko Kitadai and Mr. Raja Pradan

1.      Yemen’s President Ali Abdullah Saleh has signed a deal, proposed by neighboring countries, to transfer his power to the vice president.

2.      Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba and his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi have agreed that the two countries will strengthen ties.

3.      The debt crisis in euro-zone countries is now affecting German government bonds.

 

November 23, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Hiroko Kitadai and Mr. Michael Rhys

1.      Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda has pledged new loans of about 870 million dollars for Iraq to help develop its oil resources.

2.      Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba has left for Beijing on his first trip to China since assuming the post.

3.      Libya’s National Transitional Council has announced the formation of the new government that will lead the country after the end of the 42-year regime of Muammar al-Qadhafi.

 

November 22, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Hiroko Kitadai and Mr. Mick Corliss

1.      Tokyo prosecutors have arrested the former chairman of Daio Paper Corporation in connection with this massive personal loans from group firms.

2.      Egypt’s Cabinet has offered to resign after days of protests against the country’s military rulers.

3.      The U.S. government is imposing fresh sanctions on Iran, this time targeting the entire Iranian financial sector by alleging its role in money laundering.

 

November 21, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. David Crystal and Ms. Hiroko Kitadai

1.      Japan’s Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence handed down by lower courts to a senior member of Aum Shinrikyo for sarin gas attacks carried out by the religious cult.

2.      Spain’s largest opposition People’s Party has declared victory in Sunday’s general election.

3.      A Japanese government panel says a project to build an experimental fast-breeder nuclear reactor should be thoroughly reviewed before a decision is made on its future.

 

November 20, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. Hirokazu Sakamaki and Ms. Keiko Kitagawa

1.      In Egypt, clashes between security forces and protestors against the governing military have killed at least one person and wounded at least 750.

2.      The East Asia Summit has closed after adopting a joint declaration concerning the importance of international laws in maintaining peace and stability in the region.

3.      Myanmar’s President Thein Sein has said he was encouraged by U.S. President Barack Obama to continue with his democratic reforms.

 

November 19, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. Mark Robinson and Ms. Fumiko Konoe

1.      The leaders of Japan, China, and South Korea have held trilateral talks in Bali, Indonesia.  Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda intended to express his desire to promote economic partnership in East Asia, while pursuing the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

2.      The United Nations nuclear watchdog is urging Iran to clearly explain its nuclear program.

3.      A U.N.-backed report confirms the link between climate change and an increase in extreme weather events, such as heat waves and heavy rain.

   

November 18, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Risa Shimizu and Mr. Raja Pradan

1.      Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda has pledged two trillion yen, or about 26 billion dollars, to help the Association of Southeast Asian Nations strengthen its unity.

2.      The United States has urged Myanmar to make greater efforts for democratization.

3.      Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti has called for a “government of national commitment” in its first policy speech, setting a course for austerity and economic growth.

 

November 17, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. Raja Pradan and Ms. Risa Shimizu

1.      The Cabinet of Italy’s new Prime Minister Mario Monti has been inaugurated and now faces the urgent task of reforming the debt-ridden country.

2.      U.S. President Barack Obama has vowed to strengthen ties with the Asia-Pacific region as part of his country’s national security policy.

3.      Leaders of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations have begun a series of regional summit meetings on the Indonesian island of Bali.

 

November 16, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Helen Lewis and Mr. Michael Rhys

1.      New York police have detained more than 140 anti-Wall Street protesters after they resisted eviction from a park used as a campaign base.

2.      A survey team of the International Atomic Energy Agency has drawn up final recommendations on how to remove the radioactive substances released from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

3.      The king and queen of the Himalayan nation of Bhutan, now visiting Japan, have attended a welcome ceremony in the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

 

November 15, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. Mick Corliss and Ms. Yuriko Yamada

1.      Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda says the government will not necessarily join negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP, if it means risking Japan’s interests.

2.      A team of researchers says radioactive cesium discharged from the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant may have contaminated soil in Hokkaido and areas of western Japan more than 500 kilometers from the plant.

3.      The king of the Himalayan nation Bhutan and his wife have arrived in Japan on a five-day state visit.

 

November 14, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. David Crystal and Ms. Asumi Ukon

1.      Leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum have wrapped up their two-day meeting in Hawaii after agreeing to slash taxes on green goods.

2.      Japan’s economy grew for the first time in exactly a year in the July-September quarter.

3.      Economist Mario Monti has been nominated to replace Silvio Berlusconi as Italy’s new prime minister.

 

November 13, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Hirokazu Sakamaki and Ms. Keiko Kitagawa

1.      Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda has conveyed to the U.S. president Japan’s intention to begin consultations with member countries of Trans-Pacific Partnership toward joining negotiations on the free-trade framework.

2.      Prime Minister Noda and Chinese President Hu Jintao have agreed to deepen their strategic and mutually beneficial relationship.

3.      Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi formally submitted his resignation to President Giorgio Napolitano on Saturday.

 

November 12, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. Mark Robinson and Ms. Fumiko Konoe

1.      The Japanese government has announced its decision to begin consultations with participants in the Trans-Pacific Partnership toward joining the free trade framework.

2.      Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda left for Hawaii on Saturday to attend the APEC summit there.

3.      The Japanese government has lodged a protest over a visit by South Korean lawmakers to islets involved in a territorial dispute with Japan.

 

November 11, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. Raja Pradan and Ms. Hiroko Kitadai

1.      Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda is to announce on Friday that Japan will join negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement.

2.      A new Greek cabinet will be sworn in on Friday.

3.      Japan’s Financial Services Agency may investigate the auditing firms used by scandal-hit optical machinery maker Olympus, if irregularities are found in the company’s past financial statements.

 

November 10, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Hiroko Kitadai and Mr. Raja Pradan

1.      Tension is growing over the credit crisis in Europe’s bond market after the yield on Italy’s benchmark government bonds topped seven percent.

2.      A magnitude-5.6 quake has struck eastern Turkey just two weeks after a deadly tremor hit the region.

3.      Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda is set to announce that Japan will join negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement, despite some reluctance within his ruling Democratic Party.

 

November 9, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. Michael Rhys and Ms. Hiroko Kitadai

1.      Japanese securities watchdog says it will investigate Olympus over questionable payments made to investment funds to cover up huge losses.

2.      Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda intends to convey Japan’s policy for a Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement when he meets U.S. President Barack Obama later this week.

3.      Japan’s current account surplus in September fell for the seventh month in a row.

 

November 8, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. Mick Corliss and Ms. Hiroko Kitadai

1.      Japanese optical equipment maker Olympus has admitted to covering up investment losses to fees paid to a consulting firm for the purchase of a British medical equipment maker.

2.      Japan’s nuclear agency has confirmed that sustained nuclear fission did not take place at the Fukushima nuclear power plant last week.

3.      A working group of the governing Democratic Party is due to compile a draft proposal on Tuesday on whether the nation should join talks for the Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP.

 

November 7, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Hiroko Kitadai and Mr. David Crystal

1.      Greece’s Prime Minister George Papandreou and the leader of the main opposition party have reached an initial agreement on forming a coalition government to implement the EU bailout package.

2.      Japan’s Crown Prince Naruhito is temporarily taking over the state duties of his father, the Emperor, who has been hospitalized with bronchitis.

3.      The Nigerian Red Cross says at least 100 people have died in a series of terrorist attacks in northern Nigeria.

 

November 6, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. Hirokazu Sakamaki and Ms. Helen Lewis

1.      Thousands of Italians rallied in Rome on Saturday, opposing the government’s austerity measures and demanding Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi step down immediately.

2.      Greek Prime Minister Papandreou is calling on opposition parties to form a coalition government in order to implement the European Union’s bailout package.

3.      A series of bombings and shootings have killed more than 60 people in Nigeria.

 

November 5, 2011(2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. Mark Robinson and Ms. Fumiko Konoe

1.      The cabinet of Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou has survived a confidence vote in parliament.

2.      Leaders of the Group of 20 advanced and emerging economies have welcomed an E.U. bailout package for Greece and other debt-ridden countries.

3.      Experts from the International Monetary Fund will monitor belt-tightening measures in debt-stricken Italy.

 

November 4, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Risa Shimizu and Mr. Raja Pradan

1.      In Greece, the tense confrontation continues between Prime Minister George Papandreou and opposition parties before parliament holds a vote of confidence on the Cabinet on Friday.

2.      Japanese Finance Minister Jun Azumi has urged Greece to accept the European Union’s bailout package.

3.      Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda has told the Group of 20 leaders that he intends to submit bills to the Diet early next year on raising the consumption tax.

 

November 3, 2011(2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. Raja Pradan and Mr. Risa Shimizu

1.      Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou says the nation will probably hold a referendum on the EU’s rescue package on December 4th.

2.      Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda has arrived in France to attend a summit meeting of the G-20 nations.

3.      Official campaigning has begun in Egypt’s first parliamentary elections since a popular uprising overthrew President Hosni Mubarak in February.

 

November 2, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Helen Lewis and Mr. Michael Rhys

1.      Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou has again emphasized that he will go ahead with his plan for a national referendum on the EU bailout for his country.

2.      The operator of the Fukushima Daiichi power plant says the No.2 reactor may have recently again gone critical.

3.      Local government officials and researchers from Fukushima

Prefecture are now in Belarus to learn how residents dealt with radiation from the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear accident.

 

November 1, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Yuriko Yamada and Mr. Mick Corliss

1.      On the Tokyo Foreign Exchange, the dollar is hovering in the lower 78-yen range on Tuesday.

2.      Japan has decided to send an engineering unit of its Ground Self-Defense Force to South Sudan as part of the UN peace-keeping operation.

3.      The UNESCO, the United Nations cultural organization, voted Monday to give Palestine full membership.  It was the first vote on the matter by a U.N. agency.