January 1, Thursday, 2015 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. Jonathan Sear and Ms. Yuka Matsumoto
1. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says he will continue to focus on economic recovery in 2015.
2. More than 30 people died in a stampede during a New Year celebration at a popular tourist site in Shanghai’s waterfront area.
3. Tunisia’s first democratically elected leader was sworn in on Wednesday.
January 2, Friday, 2015 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Risa Shimizu and Mr. Maxwell Powers
1. The Japanese government will continue urging North Korea to issue a report on its renewed investigation into the fate of Japanese nationals abducted decades ago.
2. Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force is sending two of its ships to join the search for the AirAsia jet that went missing off Indonesia.
3. Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan have declared victory over the U.S.-led international forces.
January 3, Saturday, 2015 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. David Crystal and Ms. Fumiko Konoe
1. U.S. President Barack Obama has signed an Executive Order authorizing financial sanctions on North Korea. The action is a response to North Korean provocations, including a suspected cyber-attack on a U.S. subsidiary of Sony.
2. Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe plans to compile a statement this year to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.
3. Indonesian search crews have recovered the bodies of 30 people who were on board the AirAsia passenger jet that crashed near the country.
January 4, Sunday, 2015 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. Hirokazu Sakamaki and Ms. Keiko Kitagawa
1. Japan’s government plans to step up security measures in the face of a rising number of attacks on computers and smart phones.
2. Two vessels from Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force have joined search and rescue operations for the crashed AirAsia passenger jet.
3. A group of gunmen, believed to be members of the Islamic militant group Boko Haram, have kidnapped 40 boys and young men in Nigeria.
January 5, Monday, 2015 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. Yoshi Ogasawara and Ms. Yuka Matsumoto
1. British Prime Minister David Cameron may bring forward the referendum on Britain’s EU membership if his party wins in the next general election.
2. Japan’s Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida says he wants to attend an international conference set for this spring to review the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, or NPT.
3. Africa’s biggest oil producer, Nigeria, will hold a presidential election next month.
January 6, Tuesday, 2015 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Risa Shimizu and Mr. Mick Corliss
1. The price of U.S. oil briefly dipped below 50 dollars a barrel for the first time in more than 5 years on Monday.
2. Falling crude oil prices sent New York stocks tumbling over 300 points on Monday, as sell orders surged on energy-related shares.
3. Tokyo’s key stock index plunged below the 17,000-mark for the first time in about 3 weeks on Tuesday morning.
January 7, Wednesday, 2015 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. Michael Rhys and Ms. Fumiko Konoe
1. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said his administration will maintain the stance of past cabinets on historical issues.
2. The Hong Kong government plans to resume hearing opinions from the public on reforming the election system for the territory’s top post of chief executive.
3. The U.S. National Academy of Engineering has given its prestigious award to the pioneers of light-emitting diodes.
January 8, Thursday, 2015 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. Raja Pradan and Ms. Hiroko Kitadai
1. French media say the youngest of 3 suspects in the deadly shootings at a newspaper office in Paris has turned himself into police.
2. French President Francois Hollande has called for unity to protect freedom of speech after the shooting.
3. Criminal offenses in Japan have dropped for the 12th year in a row.
January 9, Friday, 2015 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. Raja Pradan and Ms. Fumiko Konoe
1. Police in France are hunting overnight for the two suspects wanted in the attack on the weekly Charlie Hebdo.
2. The United States will close 15 of its military bases in Europe while stressing continued commitment to security in the region.
3. Officials of the United States and Cuba will begin talks on normalizing bilateral ties on January 21st in Havana.
January 10, Saturday, 2015 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. David Crystal and Ms. Fumiko Konoe
1. French police have ended two hostage crises and killed three suspects. Four of the hostages have died.
2. Japan’s National Police Agency has ordered police stations across the nation to tighten security following the Paris shootings.
3. The Cuban government has freed 36 opposition activists from prison ahead of talks with the United States on normalizing bilateral diplomatic relations.
January 11, Sunday, 2015 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. Hirokazu Sakamaki and Ms. Keiko Kitagawa
1. Hundreds of thousands of people including a number of world leaders are expected to participate in a massive anti-terrorism rally in Paris after a 3-day series of attacks left 17 people dead.
2. North Korea’s state-run media says the government has told the United States of its intention to impose a moratorium on nuclear tests if the U.S. cancels joint military drills planned for this year.
3. A bomb has exploded at a busy market in Nigeria, killing at least 19 people and injuring many. Authorities suspect it was a suicide bombing by a young girl threatened by an Islamist militant group.
January 12, Monday, 2015 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. Raja Pradan and Ms. Yuka Matsumoto
1. Up to 1.6 million people marched through Paris to mourn the 17 victims of the recent series of terrorist attacks in France.
2. The U.S. government plans to hold an international conference to counter violent extremism in the wake of last week’s terrorist attacks.
3. Demonstrators in the U.S. have demanded President Barack Obama fulfill his promise to close the U.S. prison in Guantanamo Bay.
January 13, Tuesday, 2015 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. Mick Corliss and Ms. Risa Shimizu
1. Cabinet ministers have finalized the draft budget for fiscal 2015, which begins in April.
2. France’s defense minister says 10,000 troops will be mobilized for domestic operations to tighten security nationwide following the Paris attacks last week.
3. The U.S. government has welcomed the release of 53 political prisoners in Cuba ahead of talks for normalizing bilateral relations.
January 14, Wednesday, 2015 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Helen Lewis and Mr. Michael Rhys
1. Japan’s Cabinet has approved a record-high draft budget for the 2015 fiscal year, which starts in April.
2. The French weekly Charlie Hebdo has vowed to continue issuing its newspaper undeterred by terrorism.
3. Japan, the United States and South Korea are working out a schedule for high-level talks on North Korean issues later this month in Tokyo.
January 15, Thursday, 2015 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Yuka Matsumoto and Mr. Jonathan Sear
1. Government officials from Japan and China are negotiating to hold talks on maritime issues in Tokyo this month.
2. French government officials are vowing to clamp down on racist and terror-related remarks, raising concerns over freedom of expression.
3. An economic partnership agreement between Japan and Australia has officially come into effect as of Thursday.
January 16, Friday, 2015 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Risa Shimizu and Mr. Maxwell Powers
1. Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has left Tokyo for countries and territories in the Middle East on Friday.
2. Belgian authorities say they thwarted plans for massive attacks on police stations, one week after 17 people died in attacks by Islamist gunmen in France.
3. The top policy advisor to Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi says the nation will continue to boost output of crude oil to secure funds to fight Islamic State militants.
January 17, Saturday, 2015 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. David Crystal and Ms. Fumiko Konoe
1. Saturday marks the 20th anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake in western Japan that claimed the lives of more than 6,400 people.
2. Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has told his Egyptian counterpart Ibrahim Mehlib that he wants to boost ties with the country at various levels.
3. A U.S. agency says the year 2014 was the Earth’s warmest year on record.
January 18, Sunday, 2015 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. Hirokazu Sakamaki and Ms. Keiko Kitagawa
1. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will meet King Abdullah of Jordan on Sunday as part of his 6-day tour of the Middle East.
2. The foreign ministers of Japan and India have agreed to enhance dialogue between the countries on security affairs.
3. Members and supporters of Japan’s largest opposition party are looking for a fresh start as they worked for regaining power. They will gather on Sunday to choose the new leader for the Democratic Party of Japan.
January 19, Monday, 2015 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. Yoshi Ogasawara and Ms. Yuka Matsumoto
1. Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday during a 6-day tour in the Middle East.
2. Local media report that an Israeli air strike has killed a Hizbollah commander and several other fighters in Syria near the border with Israel.
3. The newly elected leader of the largest opposition Democratic Party of Japan has called on its members to work together to achieve a change of power.
January 20, Tuesday, 2015 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. Mick Corliss and Ms. Risa Shimizu
1. Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has visited the Old City of Jerusalem, home to Jewish Christians and Islamic holy sites. Abe is on a tour of 4 Middle Eastern countries.
2. Defense Minister Gen Nakatani has visited two African countries where Japan’s Self-Defense Forces are engaged in international anti-piracy efforts and a U.N. peacekeeping mission.
3. The foreign ministers of European Union countries are calling for an international conference to stop the flow of funds to terrorist organizations.
January 21, Wednesday, 2015 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. Michael Rhys and Ms. Fumiko Konoe
1. The Japanese government is using all available channels to gather information to help free two Japanese nationals believed to have been captured by Islamic State militants.
2. The foreign affairs and defense chiefs of Japan and Britain are expected to agree to work together to enhance counter-terrorist measures.
3. Shia Muslim insurgents have taken control of Yemen’s presidential palace.
January 22, Thursday, 2015 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. Raja Pradan and Ms. Hiroko Kitadai
1. The Islamic State militant group says it is aware of the move by the Japanese government to secure the release of two Japanese nationals taking hostage by the group.
2. British Prime Minister David Cameron has offered the country’s full support in efforts to free the two Japanese men.
3. The United States and Cuba have begun talks on normalizing diplomatic ties after being at odds for over half a century.
January 23, Friday, 2015 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. Raja Pradan and Ms. Fumiko Konoe
1. A spokesperson for Islamic State says the group will soon release a statement on the two Japanese hostages.
2. The Japanese government has allowed a Syrian who was denied refugee status to bring his family to Japan.
3. The head of the European Central Bank has announced a plan to inject cash into the ailing eurozone economy.
January 24, Saturday, 2015 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. David Crystal and Ms. Fumiko Konoe
1. Japanese government officials are still unable to ascertain the safety of 2 Japanese citizens believed to be held captive by the Islamic State militant group.
2. A leading member of the western-backed anti-government coalition in Syria says the group is helping Japan to win the release of its two nationals.
3. French President Francois Hollande has called on companies around the world to help fight terrorism.
January 25, Sunday, 2015 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. Hirokazu Sakamaki and Ms. Keiko Kitagawa
1. A video of one of the Japanese men apparently taken captive by the Islamic State militant group appeared online late on Saturday, Japan time.
2. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says a photo on the Internet showing what appears to be the killing of one of two Japanese captives looks highly authentic.
3. Politicians and business leaders from across the world have discussed the eurozone economy and the fight against terrorism at an annual meeting in the Swiss resort town of Davos.
January 26, Monday, 2015 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. Raja Pradan and Ms. Yuka Matsumoto
1. Islamic State militants have affirmed through their Internet radio station they killed one of the Japanese hostages, Haruna Yukawa.
2. The Jordanian government is apparently giving careful consideration to a demand by the group for the release of a prisoner in exchange for freeing the other Japanese hostage.
3. The head of Greek’s largest opposition party has given a victory speech following Sunday’s parliamentary election.
January 27, Tuesday, 2015 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. Mick Corliss and Ms. Risa Shimizu
1. The head of Japan’s hostage crisis task force in Jordan says he hopes to work together with the country to save both a Japanese hostage and a Jordanian captive.
2. Finance ministers from 19 eurozone nations have confirmed they will continue talks on Greece’s debt problem.
3. Top negotiators from 12 nations participating in talks on the Trans-Pacific Partnership started another round of negotiations in New York.
January 28, Wednesday, 2015 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Helen Lewis and Mr. Michael Rhys
1. People in Jordan are urging their government to quickly secure the release of a Jordanian pilot held captive by the Islamic State militant group.
2. Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida has reiterated that Japan will continue to work closely with Jordan and other countries to secure the quick release of Kenji Goto.
3. Armed men have attacked a luxury hotel in the Libyan capital of Tripoli.
January 29, Thursday, 2015 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. Jonathan Sear and Ms. Yuka Matsumoto
1. A new audio message by a man claiming to be Japanese captive Kenji Goto has appeared online.
2. Jordan’s foreign minister has reiterated the government’s stance that it’s ready to free an Iraqi death-row inmate in exchange for a Jordanian pilot held captive by Islamic State.
3. Russia has called on representatives of the Syrian government and the opposition to unite in the fight against the Islamic State militant group.
January 30, Friday, 2015 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. Maxwell Powers and Ms. Risa Shimizu
1. Another deadline set by Islamic State militants in the hostage crisis has expired, and there has been no word on the state of a Japanese or a Jordanian they are holding.
2. At least 25 people have been killed in dozens of attacks on military and police facilities in eastern Egypt. A militant group loyal to Islamic State is believed to be responsible.
3. U.N. member nations in the Asia-Pacific region have chosen Japan as their sole candidate for non-permanent membership of the U.N. Security Council for the next 2-year term.
January 31, Saturday, 2015 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. David Crystal and Ms. Fumiko Konoe
1. The hostage crisis has come to a standstill with no new apparent developments made. A deadline set by a group believed to be Islamic State militants passed nearly 40 hours ago.
2. Muslims in Jordan have prayed for the release of Air Force pilot Moaz Kasasbeh and Japanese journalist Kenji Goto.
3. A bomb attack in southern Pakistan has left at least 51 people dead and more than 70 others wounded.