NHK World News - June 4, 2011

US payroll growth disappoints in May

US employment figures for May show that the number of nonfarm jobs grew by 54,000. That is far worse than the markets' expectation of 150,000. (NHK World Daily News, 04 Jun 9:05 JST).

Yemen president reportedly hurt in shelling

The president and other senior government officials in Yemen were reportedly injured on Friday when the presidential palace in the capital was shelled. (NHK World Daily News, 04 Jun 9:05 JST).

Japan, US reaffirm US base relocation plan

Japan and the United States have reaffirmed that they will work to implement an agreement to relocate a US Marine Corps air station in Japan's southernmost prefecture of Okinawa. (NHK World Daily News, 04 Jun 9:05 JST).

Globe with next-generation technology unveiled

A gigantic globe made of thousands of organic electroluminescent lighting panels has been unveiled at a Tokyo museum. (NHK World Daily News, 04 Jun 9:05 JST).

Massive anti-government demonstrations in Syria

Tens of thousands of anti-government demonstrators in Syria have marched in protest against the death of a boy allegedly tortured by police. Many of the protesters are reported to have been killed when security forces opened fire. (NHK World Daily News, 04 Jun 9:05 JST).

Asia-Pacific security talks focus on S. China Sea

Territorial disputes in the South China Sea look set to dominate discussions at a regular regional security conference in Singapore. (NHK World Daily News, 04 Jun 9:05 JST).

Gov't failed to release some radiation projections

The Japanese science ministry has admitted failing to release some of its projections of how radioactive substances would spread if they leaked from the Fukushima Daini nuclear power plant. (NHK World Daily News, 04 Jun 9:05 JST).

White House issues statement on Yemen violence

The White House issued a statement on Friday, calling on all sides in Yemen to immediately cease hostilities. (NHK World Daily News, 04 Jun 9:05 JST).

Eurozone to consider additional aid for Greece

Eurozone countries are to consider providing additional loans to debt-stricken Greece. (NHK World Daily News, 04 Jun 9:05 JST).

Berlin Philharmonic performs for quake survivors

Members of the Berlin Philharmonic have held a charity concert in Japan in support of survivors of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. (NHK World Daily News, 04 Jun 9:05 JST).

Iraq explosions kill 21

Two explosions in northern Iraq left 21 people dead and over 60 wounded on Friday. (NHK World Daily News, 04 Jun 9:29 JST).

Tunisia soon to begin trial in absentia of Ben Ali

Tunisia plans to begin a trial in absentia of ousted President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and his wife in several weeks. (NHK World Daily News, 04 Jun 10:55 JST).

UN urges Sudan to withdraw troops from Abyei

The UN Security Council has urged the Sudanese government in the north to pull its troops out of the disputed region of Abyei. (NHK World Daily News, 04 Jun 11:23 JST).

200-year-old Champagne sells for record price

A bottle of 200-year-old champagne has been auctioned for a record-setting 44,000 dollars after being salvaged from a shipwreck in the Baltic Sea. (NHK World Daily News, 04 Jun 11:23 JST).

US asks China to investigate Google hacking

The United States has asked China to investigate Google's allegations that hackers got into its e-mail system and stole passwords and other personal information on hundreds of users. (NHK World Daily News, 04 Jun 12:02 JST).

Steam, high radiation detected at No.1 reactor

The operator of the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant says steam was observed coming out of the floor of the No.1 reactor building, and extremely high radiation was detected in the vicinity. (NHK World Daily News, 04 Jun 13:23 JST).

Edano: Kan to resign 'in not-too-distant future'

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano says Prime Minister Naoto Kan will likely step down in the not-too-distant future. (NHK World Daily News, 04 Jun 12:53 JST).

Gates lays out increased US presence across Asia

US Defense Secretary Robert Gates says the United States will expand its military presence in Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean. (NHK World Daily News, 04 Jun 15:27 JST).

Edano on Kan's resignation

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano says Prime Minister Naoto Kan will likely step down in the not-too-distant future. (NHK World Daily News, 04 Jun 13:23 JST).

Gov't didn't release radiation data after accident

The Japanese government has expressed regret for not disclosing some important results of the radiation monitoring conducted near the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant soon after the accident. (NHK World Daily News, 04 Jun 15:27 JST).

Kitazawa proposes international relief base

Japanese Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa has proposed an international conference in which defense authorities discuss cooperation in an emergency. (NHK World Daily News, 04 Jun 16:00 JST).

Kitazawa calls for party unity

Japan's defense minister has called on the ruling Democratic Party of Japan to unite instead of carrying on an internal feud. (NHK World Daily News, 04 Jun 21:55 JST).

Sony Pictures hacked

Sony Pictures Entertainment on Friday confirmed a security breach by a hacker group. (NHK World Daily News, 04 Jun 21:59 JST).

A glimpse of home

A group of evacuees from the no-entry zone around the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant has returned from brief visits home. (NHK World Daily News, 04 Jun 22:07 JST).

Tiananmen 22 years on

The Chinese government is tightening security on Saturday, the 22nd anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests. (NHK World Daily News, 04 Jun 21:55 JST).

Kan implies step-down in not-too-distant future

Prime Minister Naoto Kan says he may step down in the not-too-distant future, as he understands the essence of the memorandum he exchanged with former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama. (NHK World Daily News, 04 Jun 21:57 JST).

US criticizes China's human rights

The US State Department criticized China's human rights record ahead of the 22nd anniversary on Saturday of the 1989 Tiananmen Square incident. (NHK World Daily News, 04 Jun 21:55 JST).

TEPCO to install additional storage tanks

Tokyo Electric Power Company will install more tanks to store the radioactive wastewater that is accumulating at its troubled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. (NHK World Daily News, 04 Jun 21:57 JST).

Sumo wrestlers tour devasted areas

Sumo Yokozuna Grand Champion Hakuho and other wrestlers are touring northeastern Japan offering encouragement to the survivors of the March 11th earthquake and tsunami. (NHK World Daily News, 04 Jun 21:57 JST).

Japan, China to resume defense exchanges

Japan and China have agreed to resume defense exchanges, which have been suspended since last September when a Chinese fishing boat collided with Japan Coast Guard vessels near the Senkaku Islands. (NHK World Daily News, 04 Jun 21:57 JST).