2013年1月16日星期三
a lot of.Recently
computer and mobile phone and other complex operation of high threshold the feelings of the people, the senior generation as the center, a lot of.Recently, the customer network booking can freely use travel or telephone service on the computer sales or travel Call Center grant it, IT beginners to support enterprise to increase.The year without a notebook computer "Hugh NEC computer in November last year sold strongly support PC".High frequency of use of the Internet and e-mail, postcard production dedicated button to start, features simple operation.The purchase, the NEC staff customers home visit, initial setting and network access, computer mail settings, the printer is connected and provided free of charge.Since there is free for call center the restless telephone consultation.New use to remember every day to call people are refined and courteous.Customer praise, not only in the question by family "saved" voice mail (shift).Pavement for the price of 100000 yen and usually more expensive computer models, but the first senior and retired, housewives, students and other wide generation buy.Suzuki Jungyi PR full-time secretary "easy to use design at the same time, professionals can tell me directly, so the machine is not good person also expand the use of the target language".< the previous page next page > 12;
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agitation make meeting scenes are.
released on the first day of the event ushered in the "Space Battleship Yamato 2199 the fourth chapter" the Milky Way "and" border premiere 12, Tokyo, Shinjuku Piccardi Leigh held, helmet · Mr Zoellick's role in the role of Wakamoto Kio, Da Ji, once, once you harmed RA group, in the election, directed by Izu Yu attended the.
[expand portraits and other paintings]
"Space Battleship Yamato 2199", is based on the 1974 in the Yomiuri TV series broadcast "Space Battleship Yamato" first works, the new staff completely new animation.Star nation and Michiru RA, attack the polluted earth, Unknown Space Battleship Yamato,,,, "Museum of stars and crew as the target point is on the way, completely new story.In addition, this work is the TV animation series of ideas, in 2012 April, the first release of activities in the National Theatre, in 2013 April at MBS TBS on Sunday afternoon 5: 00 broadcast file issued yesterday.
stage greeting, standing audience "- based, and Noyes, Michiru as!! (and Michiru RA, shouted long live the Empire.)" the voice of the echo, if, Momoka, on 3 yuan by the general director of the.His helmet to star in · Zoellick if the, "Zoellick is be set in one's way, wild and intractable imperials.President Disla has what a thing of stomach.That interpretation skills from lines knock or Zu was like "in.Momoka 'original (1974 Edition) to play Fowlerken in Mr. Oki Tamio's lovers, so honored.Fowler likes to fight Ken dimension submarine captain, narrow ship stubborn guy face air feeling like.".The conversation is composed of the deep head coach 2 people play the role of the office and other supplementary down, but if the "Zoellick was the Liberal Democratic Party's words who ah" agitation make meeting scenes are.
casting and included in the speech, the general director of the abyss "Zoellick and scraper to Mr. Wakamoto and Mr. Momoka decided to play in thinking, a formal decision after if sir, I, that tone" insider also revealed.If included field and Michiru RA, and large and lateral staggered time distinction is, "and Michiru RA, older many people not circulation (laugh).The different President Disla.Unlike the original Iraq Wu Ya knife two generation through Paul did, however, this is Yamate Hiroshi a soft and delicate as a president, quite different.Fell so silently.".Temple on the use of the yuan, total supervision works OP painting as Ano Hidea decided to.The big elder surrounded by recording Momoka is "big and the group of Ono Daisuke and Mr. Suzumura Kenichi, miss Houko Kuwashima in the refreshing feeling, and Michiru RA, many aspects of authority.Midway where his story to reason, so nervous, failure and the vision of Mr. Wakamoto.Wry smile.
the the "Space Battleship Yamato 2199", in 2013 April MBS TBS ground wave broadcast yesterday announced.By the deep director is on the ground reported, "from the beginning of April decided to play in MBS system.This work is the TV series imagine things, theatrical activities, the thing, the theater to quality.The TV play will see thank "shows the joy can also in large and do not know who."Space Battleship Yamato" release 2199 activities will continue to matter, also work and look forward to 3 people speak with theater in luxurious surroundings.
, "Space Battleship Yamato 2199 the fifth chapter" from intergalactic space "" first cutting
"Space Battleship Yamato 2199 the fourth chapter", January 12th ~ 25 day, 12 national public hall theatre.Television animation in 2013 April MBS TBS on Sunday afternoon 5 points of a predetermined play.And the fifth chapter "should come from intergalactic space" in April 13th (soil) than the release began activities.Related articles:
but the surrogate is different
Elton John second children also welcomed.Have you I-mode, between data at once: the tap tap, fierce friend 2 year-old son Za "Li you have Elton, but the surrogate is different, this became the second children in the.
the data you I-mode, once said: the tap tap, fierce & Elton John image
New York Post reports, Elton and David, 2010 was born on Christmas day, "the number Li Nisheng living in California province with the surrogate mother, this also requests.Delivery and birth baby please unpublished.
in 2012 November, Elton and David has second children will meet more clear, but the 2 surrogate mother will not reveal their intentions with.The relevant personnel "Elton and David the surrogate mother. My sister is as important as.2 are her kindness, seem to feel Oh "" of course the surrogate mother to receive the corresponding reward.Her identity was not disclosed.But pregnant news, 2 people are very happy."Said at the time.
father industry love Royal year Elton of 65 years old, had no children regret and previous advertising."Children with people are changing.The best and most beautiful things in life "," more to get children have no regrets.Our life number "Li changed.Now the center of life is the number of "Li", "number" Li Haohua.Travel can also be courteous and accessible, anyway the problem.We have the pleasure of life things oh.""Every morning I most the thing," Li Za breakfast thing ah.My branch do yo.I eat anything you want. "[] and related reports, Harbin Noyes, fierce, major,, literature,, major, the fund activities and the portable bar design conflict began 7 years ago...Elton John, Madonna Elton and his John, the first time in 22 years the UK albums chart No.1 Elton John chest disease recovered from LIVE play Elton John, Madonna attacks don't stop
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has become a problem of AKB48 Kasai Tomomi
cover "hand bra photos" has become a problem of AKB48 Kasai Tomomi (21) personal album "love?"(Kodansha), large mail-order site "the Amazon bestseller" first shine.
list is updated every 1 hours, 12 days afternoon 4 point now, second of the "DVD perfectly understand!Miki Ryosuke's long breath lose weight will thin strongest inhibitory breathing program "first."Hand bra photos" of the impact, or because the fury also influence it, the first rule.
Kodansha 11 days, in the Hexi upper body naked chest young hands covered with the cover "hand bra photos" decided not to use.The reason is "the social conception, improper performance." ".Amazon's appointment page, West Bikini posture photos are used.
"hand bra photos" event, told the report published in the "Journal of predetermined young people" are also on sale 12 to 21 day extension.Related articles [] Kodansha AKB Kasai Tomomi "hand Bra" selling album "blank" reported negative also to "hand bra photos" album released in white AKB Kasai Tomomi "hand Bra" album release, with white - sale delayed AKB48 Zhimei Hexi photos "not happy mood embrace the West let", the AKB48 survey, Miki Ryosuke
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10121
66 birthday in January 8, 2013, to the whole world suddenly issued a new single, "David Bowie, major, and wonder, group, said: Na?"In 119 countries, iTunes of the whole world all had not published, together with the letter began.At the same time, after 10 years the thirtieth studio album, "· a number Vinh phuc,, design," also received in the iTunes reservation are suddenly, unexpectedly in 24 hours 27 national top album charts at position first of the throne of ran up.
◆ David Bowie image
sales in 100000000 of the world's more than 30000000 albums, the London 2012 Olympic Games closing ceremony as a finale performance was. And David Bowie, but without all the precursor to sudden published works, beautiful things.Surrounded by modern network was on the SNS WEB site and gossip, David Bowie is how information disclosure is not new made?.The studio and see not, nor Twitter read relevant personnel.Leaks also granted source, rumours are to stand.
social era, how Baz opened for state modus operandi to make painful, but he is common sense, these actions are not number, Vinh phuc,, design the "," in 2013 the biggest attention to work sewing improve.Is worthy of David Bowie.
"KEK, wonder, and for all, group, Na?"Is Bowie your own music, was recorded in New York works.Toni: Director Bowie frame, RA, the Berlin times impressive video, a live-action version, peep Half Doll Bowie apartment under the auto repair factory desolate scenery."Where Are We Now (where are we now?") continue to spread the words impressed.This piece of music, has been all over the world celebrities, musicians, artists and creators of other fields, the media praised.
Telegraph (UK): "this new song slightly sad, rock history the most surprising, his return ring for singles.Bowie, pop culture when he needs most, suddenly the front back."
Paul Trynka (writer): so-called "culture where people?Elvis is dead.The Beatles are already not in.That is to say, this is just a single you.In modern times, the cultural creation."
new album "number, Vinh phuc,, the data", Toni · Weiss continue to serve as producer.Usually, 2 forms completely production limit disc, complete production limit disc 3 song bonus truck, 17 curved into.In the whole world is in March 12th, March 13th in Japan is scheduled for sale.In addition, the disc is a high quality format of ordinary CD player renewable, Blu-ray spec CD style book.
David Bowie "number, Vinh phuc,, the data.
$plate sale March 12, 2013 book
Japan plate sale March 13, 2013 (high quality Blu-ray spec CD style book)
complete production limited disk: SICP - 30127
usually disk: SICP - 30128
1 The Next Day
2 Dirty Boys
3 Stars (The Are Out Tonight)
4 Love Is Lost
5 Where Are We Now?
6 Valentine's Day 's Day
7 If You Can See Me109
8 I 'd Rather Be High 9
Boss clear
Me109 10 Dancing Out In spaces
How Does 11 the Grass Grow?
12 (You Will) Set the World on Fire
13 You Feel Lonely You Could Die
14 Heat
the following complete production Limited Edition Bonus truck
15 so She
16 I 'll Take You There
17 Plan [Association] David Bowie reports the · official website; David Bowie, the new song, David Bowie was born in the process of art, design new album "number, Vinh phuc, data", the cover is minimaru David Bowie in March, the new album new album issued data there at the I-mode,, issuance, the son also twitter
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2013年1月13日星期日
comics field
Kyoto Seika University started from April this year popular music learning "in popular culture," the new.Music and fashion package consisting of 2 lines, a common curriculum has also been prepared.Knowledge area, as one of the 2 regions are arranged together, the existing beyond the kinds of new culture creation, to train young creation.
sound thing assist contributions, "the essence of the management of College students"
the "fashion × music" for the next generation of creators of culture
the first comic, set up, art, design, comics field, all kinds of talented people in Kyoto Seika University, April 13 more popular culture of the new.The biggest feature is the "fashion" and "music" course.Visiting teacher Hosono Haruomihoji and Fujiwara Ahiro.Music curriculum is the Mr. Sakuma, Chikada Haruoji, Ryuta Takashi and Mr. Yamaken Yoshikazu fashion line, active in the first line creators taught.1 grades each fashion package and music course, basic education, technology learning exercises and other common items will also be carried out.
"university is established comics, comics to learn this stuff, established.Secondly, university knowledge and very cultural phenomenon, should be considered when, manga anime and light novels, music of diverse content factors, the status quo is popular culture, more widely to learn the necessary conclusion.I am in fashion and music is a young person's daily grounded.In recent years, intelligent mobile phone and other equipment popularization, as well as fashion "music in" feel a strong feeling.Then, two kinds of elements in the framework of the learning environment created. "
the purpose of establishing such interpretation is Kyoto seika university popular culture is long in a predetermined Mr. Saito Hikaru.The same faculty is the concept of "production, to, thinking"."Send" on this point, "music commercialization" and needs a marketing perspective also harvest.In addition, "thinking", attached to the idea of also contains criticism.
"to work in the spirit of criticism is the all the students hope.On this basis, more deeply to researchers, journalists training as target.Fashion, music have patterns begin to erode, criticism gradually over concepts both concepts to show also."
the industry-university alliance product development
can be active on the creator of the world culture is also subject to fashion.The existing brands such as work, industry support personnel, but the Paris collection, to the world of scale models of the cutting-edge designers hardly debut.
"new creators of culture" is very difficult.Especially now popular music and style was established, transection of the activity status also found it very difficult to.Everyone should be so did not consider, however, the system, through a variety of species can raise from feeling, completely new genre established talent debut things are also looking forward to. "
in addition, Mr. Saito, the future music producer and production also actively seek cooperation to say.
"fashion music also permeate everyday every corner of life considerations, demonstrated no left the field.Every day, economic activities must be on the scene to, it is very difficult to find Chougongfu.On the other hand, University is such a time, can take the verification system.Mutual mutual cooperation to many. "
have a new feeling to the creator of the debut look is of course, produce learn joint product development, also the same faculty is likely to hide.(original reputation than) [] Association reported in film school "Japanese film University" to start making force bred (April 4th 11) Becky, his alma mater, · Asia University, "a day of Professor" (December 12th 12 "volunteer) to university", for 4 consecutive years of Meiji University (12 years 07 months 25 days information request) also active as preparatory school to register for examination of university ranking of test preparation, began!Preparatory school to register for examination of university ranking
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.The United States Apple Corp intelligent mobile phone dedicated application
Hitachi 6, 15 seconds of voice information sharing SNS (social, network service) announced the development of.Future career, BS TBS started empirical experiments.At the press conference the actor played Mari Yaguchi said: "with the fans, the sound also used personal experience.".The United States Apple Corp intelligent mobile phone dedicated application (application software) is the focus of use.
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Chris ·
leader charisma · producer, doctor · card (Dr. Dre) "Beats by Dre", a few days ago Tim Baran (Timbaland) Capital Partners for topic 50 cents (50) Cent "Street by 50", as well as Ludacris (Ludacris Soul by). "Ludacris", the hip-hop world audio associated sideline rising, here just reached 20 year-old young rappers, Lir· drawing test (Lil Twist) also participated in.
Lille · drawing test, popular rappers, Lir· Wayne (Lil Wayne) led by Young Money legion, 17 years young binding contract.YMCMB "colleagues".Drake (Drake), Ni have, the have (Nicki Minaj), tiger (Tyga), Justin Bibb (Justin Bieber), Chris · Brown (Chris Brown) now attend the debut album "Don t Twisted It" 'get time to prepare for the things are published no signs, step office headset, business into.
this week just turned 20 years old in Lille · drawing test, this glass in January 7th to 10 at the Consumer Electronics Show (International Consumer Electronics Show) before, own headphones / headset, brand "Swag by Lil Twist" published.Earphone 34.99 dollars (about 3120 yen (about $99.99), the headset 8920 yen) price 3 color spread.Yellow, purple and black × × yellow prevalence was proposed the use of color and, for the teen's goods.Audio manufacturer Nikura USA companies limit line, formally started in April sales began."I and artist studio feel, in my studio artist making music when I listen to feel directly heard" figure test reviews.But these about music, but begin from last year is scheduled only be published mix tape "Wake up" and debut album "Don t Twisted It 'acquisition" about specific it seems not.Related articles [] Lil Twist artist information
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the following phrases into the moment of "
in January 1st of this year, the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra New Year Concert held under.1939 began more than 70 years of history and proud of this concert, TV and radio through more than 70 countries world, 400000000 people watched the classical music world's biggest activities.This ticket, is the world's most proceed with difficulties and was said (more than 200000 yen).This year is the local Austria, how television average viewing rate of 61% records, big success.
this command, in 2011 after the second stage, Austria born Frantz · suitable for have = (Franz Welser Most).Karajan and his test have since, this concert debut in the first Austria command.The 2011 concert is "Karajan and test have since the most beautiful new year concert.Suitable for have = Strauss is a, runner, Hermes Berger how music should hold "echoes of perfect (" Austria "magazine) was praised, this also is expressed very big debut.
the immediately local music critics, Mr. Nomura Miro reports arrived, to introduce.
pure Austria, suitable for have = has the ability to play
Vienna national opera music director of excellence, Frantz · suitable for have =, since 2011 second in the 2013 new year concert.Sent to the state.
first John 2 world's brother, Joseph · Strauss "have, suitable for".From the beginning of enthusiastic young enthusiastic, 2013 Vienna new year is dawning."Hot" word is used 3 times, that is the best pitch.Sue Brett this is Mozart's "the marriage of Figaro" the protagonist, the same head turning fast maid roles.A playing.
to twenty-first Century Vienna J. Phil completely renew one's youth, vibrant feel strong.Replace sb.'s Cello Barr as test Schultz, flute, clarinet have suitable for Iraq, trombone have dozens of years has been good. Look too lonely, this is when the flow of things, the Vienna Philharmonic is alive.
it is the conductor Frantz · suitable for have = very pure Austria.Vienna Phil and his wand to take if good, suitable for have = each other the Vienna Philharmonic, and Vienna Waltz rhythm as from the moment.At the end of last year, suitable for have =, Vienna · Colonel Clemence loves Lele health suitable for doctor said the two chance, at that time suitable for have = "Switzerland and London in the meat Waltz dumped, but Vienna flow can not ah.The last time (11 years) new year concert when honestly very tense, however, the real Vienna accent meat Waltz hometown back feeling "left a deep impression.
the significance, in the Encore "beautiful green The Danube", suitable for have = ability is played.Vienna Phil the music playing, who under the command of the course of wonderful, but the people of Austria suitable for have = command to "genuine" listen care.Meat Waltz rhythm, the following phrases into the moment of "power" to say anything, Vienna wind.Clemence · Claus, at an have, have, suitable for, suitable for,, once Austria master who died, now I feel it is rare.But John II made its debut in · coffee; Maier suitable for have = great-grandfather business!
Wagner and Beldy Ni have those have an origin of program
"this year's Wagner, Beldy's Ni have about an have.Then two people associated with the procedure. "Health food suitable for.Meat Waltz prevails, the two master their Vienna command.So this new year concert, the first time in the history of opera, from their 1 music programs.Wagner "Green" Ron is third act prelude, Verdy "Tang · Carlos" third starts, you won't be playing not ballet debut.Especially the "Ron Green" prelude is overwhelming power, applause raised.Related articles:
10167
the end of last year, "Cherry communications JAPAN 12 / 13" debut, splendid stage announced DIR EN GREY.Higashi Osaka hair · at the end of the month; travel control, early in the next tour their "tour 2013 TABULA RASA 'details!
'tour 2013 TABULA RASA ", was in December 25th last year held in Tokyo" Tokyo International Forum hall A performance after the end title only to be published.The April 3rd issue of the mini album "THE UNRAVELING" with "TOKYO, April 5th at the Tokyo DOME CITY HALL" show began.In addition the place now, Osaka, Kochi, Nagoya, Kyoto, Kobe, Tokyo held a predetermined, ultimately shin-kiba "STUDIO COAST".
ticket was started in March 9th by general sale, before this "a knot" fan club members also implementation of first appointment.Before January 20th, new regulations for membership or updated, advance booking application can.Related articles [] DIR EN GREY, domestic and international music festival in new & published 2013 action at DIR EN published GREY restart!The long-awaited new "profile" Mu - Mo exclusive first began with letter![Yngwie Malmsteen] test test J· Ma suitable for "have their assault at the interview!"YOUNG GUITAR", DIR EN GREY the latest available approximation for the full 20 page special set!"GiGS" the latest TOKYO DOME CITY HALL on sale, the Tokyo International Forum, cherry communications JAPAN survey
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2013年1月7日星期一
東京の小学生 「われは海の子」プロジェクト 「国境の島」学んで日本考える
東京の小学生が日本の国境の島について学び、現地を取材してその成果を広く伝えることを目的としたプロジェクト「われは海の子」が今秋、スタートした。国境に近い島の暮らしぶりなどを学ぶことで、子供たちに「海から日本を考える視点」を持ってもらうのが狙い。島の関係者から具体的な話が聞けるとあって子供たちの関心も高い。取り組みをきっかけに全国各地で国境について考える機運の広がりが期待される。(平沢裕子)海洋国家 プロジェクトは、「ウーマンズフォーラム魚(WFF)」(白石ユリ子代表)のメンバーらが今年発足させたNPO法人「海のくに・日本(にっぽん)」が企画。WFFは、都市部に住む子供たちに海と魚を身近に感じてもらう活動を19年間続けている。今回のプロジェクトはその延長で、海洋国家としての日本の姿を子供たちに伝えることが目的だ。 9、10月には、都内4小学校の5年生を対象に、「日本の国境」について考える授業と、学校ごとにテーマの島(与那国島、沖ノ鳥島、対馬、北方領土のいずれか)について学ぶ授業が行われた。 大田区立相生小学校では、長崎県対馬市の財部能成(たからべやすなり)市長が講師として登壇。財部市長は、対馬と韓国の距離は最短49・5キロで九州との距離132キロより近い▽韓国からの観光客は1日500人▽西暦663年の白村江(はくすきのえ)の戦いから始まる朝鮮半島と対馬の関係-など対馬をめぐる過去から現在までの出来事を説明した。授業の中で財部市長は「日本を学ぶために周辺部の島々を学ぶことはすごく大切なことだと思う。周りの島々の国土があるから日本という国がある」と話した。< 前のページ12次のページ >
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「財政の崖」回避、日本経済に安堵感 景気浮揚策なお急務
米国で「財政の崖」がひとまず回避され、昨年末の円安株高で先行きに明るさが出てきた日本経済に急ブレーキがかかる懸念はなくなった。ただ、抜本的な税財政改革が先送りされ、世界経済の牽(けん)引(いん)役と期待されていた米経済の不透明感は残ったまま。海外への輸出をてこに春先以降の緩やかな景気回復を目指す日本の視界も晴れず、安倍晋三政権の景気浮揚策の実現は待ったなしだ。 米経済が「崖」から転落し、急激な財政緊縮が現実となれば、金融緩和期待で進んでいた円安も再び円高方向に反転する可能性が高かった。当面、「崖」が回避されたことで、円安株高の基調は当面続くという見方が強まっている。 ただ、今後の議論の進展次第では、再び不安が高まる懸念もある。日本経済は「米国経済の回復力と中国経済の底堅い成長」(大手邦銀)を背景にした輸出の回復で、春先以降の景気浮揚を見込んでいる。 しかし、沖縄県・尖閣諸島をめぐり悪化した中国との関係は長期化の可能性も否定できず、日本の経済成長は米国頼みのシナリオを描かざるを得ない。 その中で米国の財政問題が重しになり、景気回復のきっかけを逃せば、日本経済への影響は甚大だ。「米国の財政問題が深刻化しても個人消費には崖は生じない」(外資系証券)と楽観的な見方もあるが、米国債の格下げに伴い財政懸念に拍車がかかり、米経済全体が「負の連鎖」(大手証券)に陥る可能性も指摘される。 新興国の失速懸念に加え、米国がつまずけば世界経済はエンジン役が不在の状況となる。そうなれば円安株高で回復の兆しをつかんだばかりの日本経済が再び低迷する懸念は強い。安倍政権と日銀は、景気下支えのための具体策の早期実行を迫られそうだ。
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憲政求める社説すり替え 習近平体制、メディア統制の強化相次ぐ
中国広東省の週刊紙、南方週末の編集部は4日、社説が共産党広東省委員会の検閲で一方的にすり替えられたとして、同委宣伝部トップの辞任を求める異例の声明を発表した。「憲政」実現を求める内容だったが、党賛美の社説に変えられた。また、政治改革を主張する有力月刊誌、炎黄春秋のサイトも今年に入り閉鎖された。国営新華社通信によると、党中央で宣伝を担当する序列5位の劉雲山政治局常務委員が4日、全国宣伝部長会議で「メディアは党と政府の主張をしっかり広めよ」と要求。習近平指導部が報道機関への締め付け強化に動き出した。(上海 河崎真澄、北京 矢板明夫) 4日の香港紙、明報(電子版)によると、南方週末の編集部は当初、「中国の夢、憲政の夢」と題する3日付の社説を出稿した。だが印刷直前になって党広東省委宣伝部トップの●(=度の又が尺)震(たくしん)部長が、「われわれは民族復興の偉大な夢に最も近づいた」とする原稿に差し替えるよう命じた。 新たな社説では、憲政や民主、自由、平等などの表現はすべてカット。暴徒化した反日デモ参加者に理性的な行動を求めた部分も削られたという。 ただ、新社説には、4千年前とされる治水工事を2千年前としたり、「城」と書くべき字を「誠」としたりするなど誤記も目立っており、編集部側が抗議として間違いを修正しなかった可能性も指摘されている。< 前のページ123次のページ >
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【時論】朴槿恵、韓国のニクソンになれ(2)
問題は解決策だ。 北朝鮮の核問題は軍事的に解決できない限界を持つ。 北朝鮮がすでに保有しているかもしれない核兵器と首都圏を打撃できる北朝鮮砲兵能力を完全に潰滅できないかぎり、いかなる軍事的な解決努力も天文学的な被害が伴うしかない。 すなわち北核問題を武力で解決できる選択権が私たちにはない。 また、北朝鮮の裏門が中国側に開いているかぎり、北朝鮮を政治経済的に絞殺させることもできない。 中国が韓国哨戒艦「天安」爆沈と延坪島(ヨンピョンド)砲撃後に見せたように、北朝鮮体制の維持を主要国家利益と見なして北朝鮮の手を握っているかぎり、北朝鮮への制裁はいかなる効果も得られないからだ。
昨年7月の「韓半島フォーラム」は、「北朝鮮の国家性」を認めることで北朝鮮の危機感を根本的に解消すると同時に、非核-平和-協力という3重軸の対北朝鮮政策を推進することを提案した。 北朝鮮が「反国家団体」「侵略者」として残っているかぎり、北朝鮮の安保は根本的に脅威を受けるしかない。 国連と欧州の多くの先進国が北朝鮮の国家性を認めたという事実を、まだ韓国だけが知らずにいるという外国学者の指摘は痛烈だ。 北朝鮮の国家性が認められる時、初めて非核-平和-協力の道は開かれるだろう。
この道が必ず成功につながるという保証はない。 しかし外交安保政策の基本守則である慎重性を基礎に、緻密なアルゴリズムを作り出せば、望みの計算結果を得ることができるはずだ。 過去の政府は理念的な偏向のため、小さいながらも開かれているこの機会の窓に気づかなかったり、無視してしまった。 ニクソン政権のように、保守政権の朴槿恵政権こそ、むしろ国民の未来の利益のために積極的な対北朝鮮政策を推進できる条件がそろっているわけだ。 朴槿恵政権はこうした主観・客観的条件を十分に活用し、画期的な南北脱冷戦化を成就できると期待する。
権万学(クォン・マンハク)慶煕大教授・国際政治学【関連記事】 <韓国大統領選>朴槿恵候補「日本記者の“独島問題解決策”質問に…」(1) <韓国初女性大統領・朴槿恵が歩んできた道>(上)34年ぶりに青瓦台に戻る大統領の娘(1) 朴槿恵・習近平・安倍晋三に意外な共通点が… 安倍総裁、韓日関係改善のために朴槿恵次期大統領に特使派遣 【社説】朴槿恵・安倍晋三・習近平は過去ではなく未来を見よ
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尖閣、北方領土、竹島…国境、大人でも正解1割未満 日本JC調査
北方領土と尖閣諸島、竹島周辺の地図上に、わが国の国境を正しく描けた大人は1割にも満たないことが5日、「日本青年会議所」(日本JC)が行った調査で分かった。一昨年の高校生への同じ調査で、ほとんどの生徒が国境を正しく描けなかったことを踏まえ、調査対象を大人にも広げて調べていた。結果について日本JCは「国民全体の領土問題に対する関心の低さを払拭していく取り組みが必要だ」と警鐘を鳴らしている。 調査は昨年1月から11月にかけて全国50カ所で行われた領土・領海に関する啓発イベントで実施。北方領土と竹島、尖閣諸島周辺が描かれた地図3枚を示し、国境を実際に書き入れてもらった。サンプル数は5616人、平均年齢は44・4歳だった。 その結果、北方領土など周辺の国境を正しく書き入れることができたのは19・8%。竹島など周辺の国境線の正答率は20・8%で、尖閣諸島の周辺の国境について正答した者は29・4%。全問正解者は9・8%にとどまった。 日本JCでは平成23年7月、高校生約400人を対象に同じ形式の調査を実施。全問正解者は2%に満たないという結果が出ていた。 今回の調査結果について、日本JCは「高校生の国境に対する理解が浅い背景には、国民全体の無関心に一因があるのだろう」と指摘。その上で、「領土への国民の正しい理解は、領土問題における全ての前提となるだけに非常に危惧している。国民への地道な周知策が必要なことはいうまでもないが、特に学校教育では近隣諸国の反発を嫌って遠慮しがちになっている領土教育の充実を図る必要があるだろう」としている。【主張】官房長官発言 河野談話の見直しに期待
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2013年1月5日星期六
Reporting by Khalid Abdelaziz and Ulf Laessing
KHARTOUM (Reuters) - Two Jordanian peacekeepers abducted in Darfur four months ago were freed on Wednesday, the international force overseeing the conflict-torn region said.
A plane carrying the pair landed at Khartoum airport, the force led by the African Union and United Nations said in a statement that did not identify the kidnappers or say where the soldiers were released and whether a ransom was paid.
Conflict has raged in Darfur since insurgents took up arms against Sudanese government forces in 2003, complaining that Khartoum had neglected the vast, arid region.
The U.N. says as many as 300,000 people may have died in the fighting. Sudan's government has put the death toll at about 10,000.
The two Jordanians were kidnapped in Kabkabiya in northern Darfur in August. Both men were in good health after their release, the international force said.
(Reporting by Khalid Abdelaziz and Ulf Laessing; Editing by Tom Pfeiffer)
laying off thousands of public workers with slashed spending and stripping Medicaid to the bone.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Shortfall and sacrifice: that's how the Texas Legislature two years ago defended gutting $5.4 billion from public education, laying off thousands of public workers with slashed spending and stripping Medicaid to the bone.
The new budget s-word this time around? Surplus.
But when lawmakers next week begin the 83rd legislative session with a potentially record amount of unspent revenue — more than $8 billion, according to many observers — that money won't last long or go far.
Nor has Texas' far rosier economic picture put budget-writers in the mood to spend more or reverse historic cuts. The battle in 2013 will be over how much bigger — not smaller — the budget will get.
"The basic needs look like they can be taken care of," said Dale Craymer, president of the Texas Taxpayers and Research Association and former state official who has worked in the budget offices of both the governor and comptroller. "It's just going to be a fight for the icing."
The Texas economy is humming. Unemployment is at a four-year low of 6.2 percent, sales tax receipts are skyrocketing and money is pouring in to state coffers behind a new energy boom, fueled by oil gushing in West Texas and a fracking frenzy from North Texas to San Antonio. Even the Rainy Day Fund, the state's emergency piggybank, has replenished most of the $3.2 billion borrowed during the last session after much hand-wringing by reluctant conservatives.
Contrast that with 2011. As the country began lurching out of the Great Recession, lawmakers gathered at the Capitol facing a $27 billion shortfall and unemployment at a decade-high peak of 8.2 percent. They left after passing a budget that was $15 billion lighter than the previous one in a state that has thousands of new residents to serve by the day and is among the nation's fastest-growing.
"We're in a very different place than we were two years ago," said John Heleman, the chief revenue estimator for the state comptroller's office.
That may be true, but still in place from two years ago are expensive IOUs the state needs to settle.
Medicaid is the biggest one. Lawmakers must pay a $4.7 billion tab on the state's health program for its poorest residents and the disabled before writing a new budget for 2014-15. They'll write that check in a supplemental spending bill that will also need to pay for the $600-million cost of fighting devastating wildfires of 2011.
Once those bills are paid up, lawmakers can begin writing the budget for the next two years.
But no one is betting on a spending spree.
Exactly how much money lawmakers will have at their disposal won't be known until Monday, when Comptroller Susan Combs releases a two-year revenue estimate. Republicans — who don't have the House supermajority they enjoyed in 2011, but will still be calling the shots — already want new restraints on how much lawmakers can spend.
Gov. Rick Perry and other top GOP leaders want to limit spending increases to a formula of population growth plus inflation. That would be less than the $77.9 billion cap set by the Legislative Budget Board, which is a 10 percent increase over current levels.
Democrats and others view such self-imposed restrictions as unnecessary. The Center for Public Policy Priorities, a progressive-leaning think tank in Austin, said the state has enough money on the table now to undo the steep cuts in 2011 and retain current services if the lawmakers were willing to exhaust the Rainy Day Fund that now has a balance of about $8.1 billion.
But there is little appetite to do so.
"That's a tough, tough challenge for the makeup of the new legislature," said Eva DeLuna Castro, a senior budget analyst for the CPPP. "And it's also not letting us undo all the other smoke and mirrors the legislative leadership has said is a priority."
Republican House Speaker Joe Straus, who has pledged to pump money back into schools this session, is signaling more optimism than two years ago.
"I don't want to be misleading and say 'Oh we're back to complete blue skies,'" Straus said. "But certainly our economy has recovered nicely. But you need to keep it in perspective that we were in a serious hole."
___
Follow Paul J. Weber on Twitter: www.twitter.com/pauljweber
the Earth is exactly 91
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If the sun looks a little larger than usual today, you're not seeing things. Today (Jan. 2) marks the time when the Earth is at perihelion, the point in its orbit at which it is closest to the sun.
During perihelion, the Earth is exactly 91,402,560 miles (147,098,161 kilometers) from the sun.In actuality, you most likely can't see any difference between the apparent size of the sun today and its appearance at aphelion (when the Earth will be farthest from the star).The difference is only 3.4 percent, too small to be detected with the naked eye.
On average, the Earth is about 93 million miles (150 million km) from the sun. It will be farthest from the sun on July 5, when the Earth reaches aphelion, a point 94,508,960 miles (152,097,427 km) from the sun. The closest and farthest differences from the sun are very similar because the Earth’s orbit is very close to being circular. In fact, as planetary orbits go, ours is close to perfect.
The eccentric Earth
Only Venus and Neptune have more circular orbits than the Earth. On the other hand, if you look at the diagram of the orbits of the four inner planets accompanying this story, you may easily see that Mercury and Mars have orbits which are seriously eccentric.
Astronomers use the term "eccentric" in its original mathematical sense, meaning "away from the center." A perfect circle has an eccentricity of 0. A straight line would have an eccentricity of 1. Everything else in between is an oval of some kind.
Here's a look at the innermost planets of the solar system in order of increasing eccentricity:
Venus: 0.006785Earth: 0.016677Mars: 0.093277Mercury: 0.205649
Looking at the diagram, the orbits of Earth and Venus look almost perfectly circular, while that of Mars is slightly closer to the sun towards the bottom. Mercury's orbit is very much closer to the sun on the right. If you look closely, there is a little tick mark on the orbits to indicate where perihelion lies. Don't confuse this mark with the little wedges which denote the orbital nodes, the points where the orbits cross the plane of the ecliptic. The Earth appears right next to the tick mark on its orbit marking perihelion in the image.
Closer to the sun
So what is the difference for the inhabitants of Earth when our planet is at perihelion instead of aphelion? The Earth is slightly warmer than it would be otherwise, about 4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 degrees Celsius). [Earth Quiz: How Well Do You Know Our Planet?]
This perihelion effect is very minor compared to the effects of the tilt of our planet's axis. During December in the Northern Hemisphere, the North Pole is tilted away from the sun so that we receive less sunlight every day.
At the same time, the South Pole is tilted towards the sun, so the Southern Hemisphere receives more sun and experiences summer. In June, the situation is reversed and we have summer in the northern hemisphere and winter in the southern hemisphere.
The only effect of perihelion is that the winters in the Northern Hemisphere are very slightly milder than the winters in the southern hemisphere at the equivalent latitudes. Not as many people live as close to the South Pole as do close to the North Pole, so humanity isn't affected much.
So enjoy that "big" January sun, and look forward to the longer days to come as Earth moves around its orbit to the point where we really receive more sun and spring arrives.
This article was provided to SPACE.com by Starry Night Education, the leader in space science curriculum solutions. Follow Starry Night on Twitter @StarryNightEdu.
50 Interesting Facts About The Earth Black Marble: Amazing Earth at Night Photos from Space Look Up! 13 Must-See Stargazing Events in 2013 Copyright 2013 SPACE.com, a TechMediaNetwork company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.2013年1月4日星期五
Chavez's abrupt exit from the political scene would be a shock for Venezuela
20 hrs ago
CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela's opposition on Wednesday demanded the government tell "the whole truth" about the health of cancer-stricken President Hugo Chavez, who has not been heard from in three weeks after undergoing a grueling operation in Cuba.
Officials have acknowledged the usually garrulous former soldier's health is delicate after his fourth cancer surgery in 18 months, but they have offered scant details on his condition.
He has not spoken in public in more than three weeks.
Ramon Aveledo, head of the opposition Democratic Unity coalition, slammed the government for not keeping its word about keeping Venezuelans informed.
"The official version (of Chavez's health) hides more information than it gives," Aveledo said at a press conference.
"The vice president himself has promised to tell the truth, whatever it is. Fine, he should tell it. He should tell the whole truth," said Aveledo.
Vice President Nicolas Maduro, whom Chavez last month designated as his heir apparent, on Tuesday said in an interview from Havana that Chavez had recognized the complexity of his post-operative condition.
Maduro said he was returning to Venezuela after several days visiting with Chavez and his relatives, which may quell rumors his trip to Cuba signaled the president was in his final days.
The president's son-in-law and Science Minister Jorge Arreaza, who is in Havana, said via his Twitter account on Wednesday that the medical team told him Chavez's condition "remains stable" but that his health is still delicate.
"Commander Chavez is fighting hard and he sends his love to the people. Dedication and patience!!!" he tweeted.
Chavez's abrupt exit from the political scene would be a shock for Venezuela, where his oil-financed socialism has made him a hero to the poor majority but a nemesis to critics who call him a dictator.
He is still set to be sworn in on January 10, as laid out in the constitution. If he dies or steps aside, new elections would be held within 30 days, with Maduro running as the Socialist Party candidate.
DELICATE HEALTH
Chavez suffered unexpected bleeding and a respiratory infection after a six-hour operation on December 11. Terse official statements have said nothing about when he might be expected back or whether his life is in danger.
The government has provided none of the signature videos or pictures released after Chavez was diagnosed with cancer in June 2011 and his relapse in 2012. And allies have refused to discuss the possibility that he could hand over power or resign.
Chavez last year staged what appeared to be remarkable comeback from the disease to win reelection to a third six-year term in October despite being weakened by radiation therapy. He returned to Cuba for new treatment within weeks of his win.
Officials from the ruling Socialist Party are now suggesting his inauguration could be postponed indefinitely to accommodate his health.
Aveledo insisted the government should stick to the January 10 timeline called for in the constitution.
"Trying to make the country believe that the president is governing is absurd to the point of being irresponsible," he said. "January 10 marks the end of one presidential term and the start of another. As such, there is no continuation of the current government."
Aveledo said if Chavez cannot make it back in time, he should hand power over to the president of Congress - who would temporarily run the country while elections are called.
Congress, controlled by Chavez allies, on Saturday elects a new president. Current Congress chief Diosdado Cabello, a close Chavez ally who could be reelected to head the legislature, has at times been considered a rival of Maduro. The two have taken great pains in recent weeks to publicly deny this.
While the constitution cites January 10 as the start of the new term, it does not explicitly state what happens if the president does not take office on that date.
Chavez's condition is being watched closely by Latin American countries that have benefited from his generous assistance, as well as Wall Street investors who are drawn to Venezuela's lucrative and heavily traded bonds.
(Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
She also faulted world powers for not finding a way to stop the violence.
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BEIRUT (AP) — The United Nations gave a grim new count Wednesday of the human cost of Syria's civil war, saying the death toll has exceeded 60,000 in 21 months — far higher than recent estimates by anti-regime activists.
The day's events illustrated the escalating violence that has made recent months the deadliest of the conflict: As rebels pressed a strategy of attacking airports and pushing the fight closer to President Bashar Assad's stronghold in Damascus, the government responded with deadly airstrikes on restive areas around the capital.
A missile from a fighter jet hit a gas station in the suburb of Mleiha, killing or wounding dozens of people who were trapped in burning piles of debris, activists said.
Gruesome online video showed incinerated victims — one still sitting astride a motorcycle — or bodies torn apart.
"He's burning! The guy is burning!" an off-camera voice screamed in one video over a flaming corpse.
It was unclear if the government had a military strategy for attacking the gas station. At least one of the wounded wore a military-style vest often used by rebel fighters. Human rights groups and anti-regime activists say Assad's forces often make little effort to avoid civilian casualties when bombing rebel areas.
Syria's conflict began in March 2011 with protests calling for political change but has evolved into a full-scale civil war.
As the rebels have grown more organized and effective, seizing territory in the north and establishing footholds around Damascus, the government has stepped up its use of airpower, launching daily airstrikes. The escalating violence has sent the death toll soaring.
The U.N.'s new count of more than 60,000 deaths since the start of the conflict is a third higher than recent estimates by anti-regime activists. One group, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, says more than 45,000 people have been killed. Other groups have given similar tolls.
"The number of casualties is much higher than we expected, and is truly shocking," U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said in a statement.
She criticized the government for inflaming the conflict by cracking down on peaceful protests and said rebel groups, too, have killed unjustifiably. Acts by both sides could be considered war crimes, she said.
She also faulted world powers for not finding a way to stop the violence.
"The failure of the international community, in particular the Security Council, to take concrete actions to stop the bloodletting shames us all," Pillay said. "Collectively, we have fiddled at the edges while Syria burns."
The U.S. and many European and Arab nations have demanded that Assad step down, while Russia, China and Iran have criticized calls for regime change.
The new death toll was compiled by independent experts commissioned by the U.N. human rights office who compared 147,349 killings reported by seven different sources, including the Syrian government.
After removing duplicates, they had a list of 59,648 individuals killed between the start of the uprising on March 15, 2011, and Nov. 30, 2012. In each case, the victim's first and last name and the date and location of death were known. Killings in December pushed the number past 60,000, she said.
The total death toll is likely to be even higher because incomplete reports were excluded, and some killing may not have been documented at all.
"There are many names not on the list for people who were quietly shot in the woods," Pillay's spokesman Rupert Colville told The Associated Press.
The data did not distinguish among soldiers, rebels or civilians.
It indicated that the pace of killing has accelerated. Monthly death tolls in summer 2011 were around 1,000. A year later, they had reached about 5,000 per month.
Most of the killings were in the province of Homs, followed by the Damascus suburbs, Idlib, Aleppo, Daraa and Hama. At least three-fourths of the victims were male.
Pillay warned that thousands more could die or be injured, and she said the danger could continue even after the war.
"We must not compound the existing disaster by failing to prepare for the inevitable — and very dangerous — instability that will occur when the conflict ends," she said.
The U.N. refugee agency said about 84,000 people fled Syria in December alone, bringing the total number of refugees to about a half-million. Many more are displaced inside Syria.
While no one expects the war to end soon, international sanctions and rebel advances are eroding Assad's power. Rebels recently have targeted two pillars of his strength: his control of the skies and his grip on Damascus.
Rebels in northern Syria attacked a government helicopter base near the village of Taftanaz in Idlib province, activists said. Videos posted online showed them blasting targets inside the airport with heavy machine guns mounted on trucks.
All videos appeared genuine and corresponded with other AP reporting on the events.
In recent weeks, rebels have attacked three other airports in north Syria. They clashed Wednesday with forces inside the Mannagh military airport near the Turkish border as well as near the Aleppo international airport and adjacent Nerab military airport, halting air traffic there for the second straight day.
The fall of those airports to the rebels would embarrass the regime but not fully stop the airstrikes by government jets, many of which come from bases farther south.
In another blow to the regime and to Syria's economy, a company based in the Philippines that handled shipping containers at Syria's largest port said it was canceling its contract, citing an "untenable, hostile and dangerous business environment."
The Manila-based International Container Terminal Services Inc. said the amount of port traffic had gone down, hurting business, while conditions in Syria grew more dangerous.
The company's departure will significantly limit cargo services at the Tartus port.
Also, Wednesday, the family of American journalist James Foley revealed that he has been missing in Syria for more than a month. Foley was providing video for Agence France-Press when he was abducted Nov. 22 by unknown gunmen, his family said in a statement.
"His captors, whoever they may be, must release him immediately," said AFP chairman Emmanuel Hoog.
Covering Syria has been a challenge for journalists. The government rarely gives visas to journalists, prompting some to sneak in with the rebels, often at great danger.
___
Jordans reported from Berlin. Associated Press writers Bassem Mroue in Beirut, Elaine Ganley in Paris, Jim Gomez in Manila, Philippines, and Juergen Baetz in Geneva contributed reporting.
Obama urges House Republicans to quickly pass Sandy aid package
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama urged Republicans in the House of Representatives to vote Wednesday on a $60.4 billion Superstorm Sandy disaster aid bill, saying hard-hit states need the federal aid urgently to help rebuild after the October 29 storm.
"When tragedy strikes, Americans come together to support those in need. I urge Republicans in the House of Representatives to do the same, bring this important request to a vote today, and pass it without delay for our fellow Americans," Obama said in a statement.
(Reporting by Roberta Rampton; Editing by Bill Trott)
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SWABI, Pakistan (AP) — Hundreds of villagers in northwest Pakistan turned out Wednesday to bury five female teachers and two health workers who were gunned down a day earlier by militants in what may have been the latest in a series of attacks targeting anti-polio efforts in the country.
The seven had worked at a community center in the town of Swabi that included a primary school and a medical clinic that vaccinated children against polio. Some militants oppose the vaccination campaigns, accusing health workers of acting as spies for the U.S. and alleging the vaccine is intended to make Muslim children sterile.
As mourners carried the coffins through the town for burial Wednesday, family and friends expressed horror that such an attack had struck their community.
"I told her many times at home 'be careful as we are poor people and take care of yourself all the time,'" said Fazal Dad, whose daughter was among the seven killed. "And always in response she said: 'Father, if I am not guilty, no one can harm me.'"
The group was on their way home from the community center where they were employed by a non-governmental organization when their vehicle was attacked Tuesday. The four militants on motorcycles spared the young son of one of the women who was riding in the van, pulling him from the vehicle before spraying it with bullets. The driver survived and was being treated at a Peshawar hospital.
There has been no claim of responsibility, and police have not made any arrests.
The director of the NGO said he suspected the attack might have been retribution for the group's work helping vaccinate Pakistani children against polio. Javed Akhtar said the community group has suspended its operations throughout the province.
Despite the killings, polio vaccination workers will be out in force this Saturday in four areas in the northwest considered at high risk for the disease in an effort to keep it from spreading.
Police will give extra protection to the workers taking part in the campaign in Peshawar, Nowshera, Charsadda and Mardan, said the commissioner of Mardan, Adil Khan.
Many local residents view the girls' primary school and medical clinic run by the NGO at the community center as saviors for the community's poor. Now many are worried about what will happen if those services are cut off.
Gul Afzal Khan, a villager whose children studied at a community center run by the group, said the attack was a big loss.
"What is their crime?" he asked. "They were just giving free education and health assistance to our children."
The attack also was another reminder of the risks to women educators and aid workers from Islamic militants who oppose their work.
Last month, nine people working on an anti-polio vaccination campaign were shot and killed. Four of those shootings were in the northwest where Tuesday's attack took place.
___
Associated Press writer Riaz Khan in Peshawar contributed to this report.
Mississippi River nears historic lows
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(Reuters) - The drought-drained Mississippi River will rise slightly later this week between St. Louis and Cairo, Illinois, but later continue its decline toward historic lows, according to a National Weather Service forecast.
Low water, due to the worst U.S. drought since 1956, has already impeded the flow of billions of dollars worth of grain, coal, fertilizer and other commodities between the central United States and shipping terminals at the Gulf of Mexico.
A further drop in river levels could halt commercial shipping traffic entirely by this weekend, the American Waterways Operators and the Waterways Council Inc said in a statement on Wednesday.
Last week, the council said the river along the Cairo-St. Louis stretch would be too low for navigation by January 7 but on Wednesday it said shipping may come to a halt between January 5 and 15.
A shutdown could affect more than 8,000 jobs, cost $54 million in wages and benefits, and halt the movement of 7.2 million tons of commodities valued at $2.8 billion, the two industry groups said.
The Army Corps of Engineers, which is spearheading a project to remove river-bottom rock that could impede shipping if the river becomes too shallow, remains optimistic that the nine-foot-deep channel, which most commercial vessels need, can be maintained.
Forecasts for warmer weather, which would limit river-choking ice from forming, and the potential for rain next week bolstered that outlook.
The Corps is removing the most threatening rock pinnacles near the Illinois towns of Grand Tower and Thebes first, hoping to deepen the shipping channel by about two feet by mid-January, just before the river was forecast to hit critically low levels.
"The Corps rock removal contractors are making excellent progress in removing the rock obstructions from the primary area of concern," said Major General John Peabody, the Corps' Mississippi Valley Division Commander.
"We believe we will deepen the channel ahead of the worst-case river stage scenario, and I remain confident that navigation will continue," he said.
The Corps has also been dredging various soft-bottom sections of the river nearly round-the-clock for months to maintain a deep enough shipping channel. The vast majority of commercial vessels need a depth of at least nine feet so shippers are closely monitoring river gauges and forecasts.
The Mississippi River gauge at Thebes fell from a reading of 4.45 feet late last week to four feet late on Wednesday. It was forecast to rise to 4.2 feet on Friday morning before slipping to 3.2 feet by next Wednesday, the lowest level at Thebes since 1988 and the second lowest on record.
Gauge readings do not reflect the actual depth of the river at a certain location because the gauges are fixed and the river's bottom is steadily changing with the current. But they do aid navigation as a shorter term reference point.
The Army Corps has said once the Thebes gauge reads 2 feet, boats with a nine-foot draft, or distance between the water's surface and the lowest point of the vessel, would be at risk of hitting rock pinnacles there.
"We lose 9 feet of depth for the navigation at about 2 feet on the Thebes gauge," said Army Corps spokesman Mike Petersen. "That's when those rocks become an issue."
(Reporting by Karl Plume in Chicago; Editing by Steve Orlofsky and Bob Burgdorfer)