NHK World News - August 7, 2011

MOF introduces hibakusha stories to the world

Japan's Foreign Ministry has posted stories by hibakusha, or atomic bomb survivors, on its website, with translations into several languages. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Aug 5:15 JST).

Readings depict A-bomb tragedies

Actresses have read stories by mothers who lost their children in the 1945 atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Aug 5:15 JST).

Ban to visit Japan to meet disaster survivors

UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon will visit Japan later on Sunday to meet disaster survivors and stress the importance of safety at nuclear power stations. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Aug 5:15 JST).

G7 finance ministers to hold emergency talks

The Group of Seven finance ministers and central bank governors are to hold emergency talks by phone to discuss coordinated efforts to stabilize the global financial system. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Aug 5:15 JST).

NATO helicopter crash, deadliest in Afghanistan

A NATO helicopter has crashed in Afghanistan, killing 30 US troops and 7 Afghans -- the deadliest single incident for US military in the country. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Aug 5:15 JST).

White House defends debt cap deal as key step

The US government has defended as an important step a ruling and opposition agreement to raise the national debt. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Aug 9:05 JST).

Bruce Lee's memorabilia fetch US$220,000

A fur-lined coat worn by Bruce Lee and 12 other items linked to the martial arts film star sold for 220,000 US dollars at an auction in Hong Kong. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Aug 11:02 JST).

7-month-old Somali baby saved in rare success

As the drought and famine is Somalia continues to kill more children, we have a rare success story. A 7-month-old Somali baby who was severely malnourished has been saved at a refugee camp. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Aug 9:05 JST).

Islamist militants withdraw from Somali capital

An Islamist militant group in Somalia has announced a withdrawal from the capital, Mogadishu. The group has hampered UN aid activities in the famine-struck country. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Aug 11:02 JST).

New digital broadcast satellite launched

A Japanese digital broadcast satellite to replace the existing one has been successfully launched from South America. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Aug 11:02 JST).

Decontamination system stops at Fukushima Daiichi

The operator of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant is facing yet another problem with its wastewater filtering system. The system came to a halt again on Sunday. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Aug 12:46 JST).

London protest against police turns violent

A protest against police over the fatal shooting of a man in north London turned violent on Saturday. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Aug 13:09 JST).

UN chief urges Syrian president to end crackdown

UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon has urged Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to immediately end the use of military force against civilian protesters. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Aug 14:58 JST).

Todaiji Buddha undergoes annual dusting ritual

The Buddha statue at Todai-ji temple in the Japanese ancient capital of Nara has undergone a traditional dusting. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Aug 14:58 JST).

US downgrade invites concern over economic outlook

Concern is growing in the United States that the recent downgrade of US government bonds could lead to a further economic slowdown. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Aug 22:58 JST).

Astronaut sends Tanabata video message

A video message from a Japanese astronaut on the International Space Station has been shown to about 300 children and parents from areas affected by the March 11th disaster. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Aug 22:58 JST).

S.Korea trying to limit damage from US downgrade

South Korea's financial and monetary authorities are trying to limit the negative impact of the US bond downgrade on the country's economy. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Aug 22:58 JST).

Fukushima evacuees briefly return home

Some evacuees in Fukushima Prefecture have briefly returned to their homes to prepare for the Bon holidays in mid-August. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Aug 22:58 JST).

UN chief arrives in Fukushima

UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon is in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, to meet survivors of the March 11th earthquake and tsunami. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Aug 22:59 JST).