2013年3月18日星期一

— Five New York Police Department employees

5 NYPD employees arrested in separate incidents

NEW YORK (AP) — Five New York Police Department employees, including three police officers, have been arrested in separate incidents on charges including driving while intoxicated and unlawful surveillance.

Off-duty police officers Joseph King and Dennis Munge were each charged with driving while intoxicated on Sunday in Queens. King was also charged with leaving the scene of an accident and refusing to take a breathalyzer test.

Off-duty NYPD administrative aide Curline Brown was arrested on Saturday in the Bronx and charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Two employees were arrested in the Bronx on Friday. Officer Miguel Gomez was charged with unlawful surveillance.

NYPD traffic agent Denise Johnson was charged with obstructing government administration, criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of stolen property.

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since deposits around the eurozone have been guaranteed up to the €100

Cyprus bailout deposit tax rattles markets

LONDON (AP) -- Stocks around the world and the euro fell sharply Monday as investors fretted over a plan to tax depositors in Cypriot banks as a way to partly fund a bailout of the Mediterranean island nation.

Although Cyprus accounts for only around 0.2 percent of the economic output of the 17 European Union countries that use the common euro, the tax on depositors was a significant policy shift that has stoked fears of bank runs in other troubled European economies. Cyprus residents already emptied virtually all ATMs on the island in a weekend bank run.

"If European policymakers were looking for a way to undermine the public trust that underpins the foundation of any banking system they could not have done a better job," said Michael Hewson, senior market analyst at CMC Markets.

Since the European debt crisis began in late 2009, savers have been spared. But the bailout of Cyprus, agreed to early Saturday, foresees a 6.75 percent levy on deposits below €100,000 ($130,860), rising to 9.9 percent on those above.

The Cypriot Parliament has to back the proposal for it to pass, and lawmakers have called it an unfair blow to small savers, since deposits around the eurozone have been guaranteed up to the €100,000 level. The vote was postponed for a second time as lawmakers discuss possible changes to the tax rates, with the Parliament speaker saying it will now take place Tuesday.

One new proposal would make the tax more graduated: placing a one-time 3 percent levy on deposits below €100,000, rising to 15 percent for those above €500,000.

"The bottom line is that it's very finely balanced and the success of the vote will depend on what tax breakdown goes before Parliament," said Adam Cole, an analyst at RBC Capital Markets.

The prospect of further uncertainty weighed on markets.

In Europe, the FTSE 100 index of leading British shares was down 0.7 percent at 6,447 while Germany's DAX fell 1.1 percent to 7,959. The CAC-40 in France was 1.2 percent lower at 3,799. Cyprus' stock exchange was closed for a bank holiday.

The euro was taking a pounding too, down 0.9 percent at $1.2925.

If it backs the levy, then Cyprus would be eligible for a €10 billion ($13 billion) financial rescue from its partners in the eurozone and the International Monetary Fund. It's the first time that deposits have been tapped to fund an EU nation's bank bailout.

German finance minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said a "no" vote by Cypriot lawmakers would have huge repercussions in the country.

"Then the Cypriot banks will no longer be solvent, and Cyprus will be in a very difficult situation," said Schaeuble, who insisted that every country involved in Europe's debt crisis is different. In the case of Cyprus, he said bank owners and investors had to participate in the rescue.

"It can't be done any other way if we want to avoid insolvency," he said.

Cyprus' banking sector is about eight times the size of the economy and has been accused of being a hub for money-laundering, particularly from Russia. That's why many European officials wanted to have the banks' depositors involved in the cost of the bailout.

The uncertainty over Cyprus dented confidence across global markets.

In the U.S., the Dow Jones industrial average was 0.5 percent lower at 14,441 while the broader S&P 500 index fell 0.8 percent to 1,548.

Earlier in Asia, Japan's Nikkei 225 index slid 2.7 percent to 12,220.63, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng dropped 2 percent to 22,082.83.

Oil prices were also under pressure, with the benchmark New York rate $1.24 lower at $92.21 a barrel.

___

Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed to this report.

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to the student center

Florida university shut after apparent suicide, bombs found

By Barbara Liston

ORLANDO, Florida (Reuters) - The University of Central Florida closed its main campus in Orlando on Monday morning while police investigated an apparent suicide and a number of bombs found in a residence hall, the school said.

Campus police received a fire alarm and then a 911 emergency call "regarding a man with a gun" early Monday morning, according to the university, which is one of the largest in the United States.

When police officers arrived, they found the body of a male student with an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound and closed the seven-story residence hall. Police found a handgun, an assault weapon and a bag containing explosives in the student's room, said university spokesman Grant Heston.

At 2:09 a.m., police sent students a text message alert that the residential Tower 1 dormitory, home to about 500 students, would be evacuated due to a "suspicious death."

Another text alert at 2:46 a.m. reassured residents that there was no threat.

"It was clear at that point that there was no imminent threat from a live shooter, which is the first thing you worry about," Heston said.

Classes were canceled on Monday morning but were set to resume at noon, university officials said. Monday was the first scheduled day of class after spring break, students said.

The Orange County Sheriff's bomb squad was on campus, and the FBI was assisting the university's police department.

Heston said the dead student lived in a suite with three roommates and that it was unclear what he planned to do with the weapons.

Residents, some wrapped in blankets or in sleepwear, were sent to another building on campus for food and counseling. Other dormitories were not evacuated.

Kathryn Wood, a 21-year-old junior from West Palm Beach, said she heard the fire alarm shortly after midnight, grabbed some money and went next door to a pizza restaurant to eat and wait the situation out.

A police officer with the biggest gun she had ever seen dashed into the restaurant and ordered everyone to leave immediately, Wood said. "It scared us all."

Students were first sent a block away across the main campus loop road, then told to move back farther, to the student center, Wood said.

Sophomore Justin Love, 19, said he was about to fall asleep when he heard the fire alarm, but took the disturbance in stride.

"The way I look at it is, it didn't blow up," Love said. "We're still here."

The university has an enrollment of about 60,000 students, including those at satellite campuses and online.

A student, Laura Vickers, posted a message on the school's Facebook page, calling the incident a tragedy.

"I am sad to say a UCF Knight took their own life today in Tower 1," Vickers wrote in a post that appeared around 8 a.m. "Despite the ... devices found in the student's room this loss was a tragedy.

"This week I encourage all UCF students to lend a helping hand to a roommate or friend or contact someone you haven't spoken to in awhile. Life is precious and it can end in the blink of an eye."

(Additional reporting by Chris Francescani; Editing by Jane Sutton, Grant McCool and Lisa Von Ahn)

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2013年3月14日星期四

lack a sense of well-being of urban life. &quot

Many migrant workers with temporary partners gather attention to a problem "temporary wife" - people from rural areas to leave their homes in order to make China] [Beijing Xinhua, a migrant into large urban areas. To the migrant and his family from problems such as high house prices is difficult issues and family register, cases that do not live together but spouse is the most. Among these people, and between spiritual partner "temporary wife" is born and many are also the original spouse, sexual separately. "Mr,19492. and Mrs." temporary, "at a press conference is a phenomenon not uncommon, Mr. Li Liu NPC representative <br> <,フェンディ バッグ 1日平均濃度35マイクロ・グラム以下;br> <br> <br> [More Photos] recommends that the government wants to resolve this problem . I emphasized this phenomenon is what led affair of his wife in rural areas, the increase in the divorce rate, "We will also affect the education of children. The proposal of Mr. Li Liu <br> <br>, marital problems of migrant workers has been attracting attention again. However, opinions are varied. Some Internet users defend <br> <br>, the "temporary wife" is that it is unavoidable choice for migrant workers. Are "painful work of migrant workers, sexual demand is not met, will want the emotional support can not be determined by morality. Course and". According to a report by the Office for National Statistics <br> <br> published in 2011, migrant workers in China in 2010 was 50 million 100 million people. A person who was born in 1980, 84.87 million people of this proportion is 58.4%. High level of education of young migrant workers, but also high average expenditure, lack a sense of well-being of urban life. "This phenomenon is due to the lack of social morality, should not be an excuse to loneliness" from the part, I also pointed out that just sounds <br> <br>. shock and climb a telephone pole to catch (Yuki Onda translation / editing passages east Lee translation) the chicken [Articles] <br> <br>, intelligence level is one-year-olds - sexy popular breast emcee China Hubei China, on the dance bombshell has been spilled? - China men fall bear toilet for beauty and keep a good impression on a plane next to China coverage - to abort takeoff and screaming out of spite wrecked crew, the Chinese have been refused in the cabin panties also "at a glance" "hijack it!" China news - store was "put in black list" Chinese living in the United Kingdom clerk denied the purchase milk powder

2013年3月13日星期三

グッチ 時計 取締役兼常務執行役

【人事】大和証券グループ本社◇大和証券グループ本社(31日)取締役(取締役兼専務執行役)若林孝俊▽退任 常務執行役日下典昭▽(4月1日)取締役兼常務執行役(取締役)大西敏彦▽執行役副社長(専務執行役員)中村比呂志▽常務執行役(常務執行役員)後藤正明、(執行役員)小松幹太▽(6月26日)取締役兼常務執行役(常務執行役)地福三郎▽取締役 内部監査部長白瀧勝、早稲田大学公共経営大学院教授津田広喜▽常務執行役(取締役兼常務執行役)大西敏彦▽退任 取締役若林孝俊、宇野紘一

iphone5 ケース ランキング 続いて白鵬が同じ不知火型を披露した

【大相撲】横綱の歴史ここから 両横綱が大阪・住吉大社で土俵入り10日に初日を迎える大相撲春場所を前に、日馬富士、白鵬の両横綱が2日、大阪市住吉区の住吉大社で、しめ縄を納めるとともに奉納土俵入りを行った。見物客らの拍手を受けた日馬富士は「横綱の歴史がここから始まったと聞き、心を込めてやった」と話していた,R4i GOLD 3DS 2013年1月26日読売新聞。 この日は、約3000人の見物客を前に、まず日馬富士が土俵入りを奉納,Acekard2i の公開を記念して制作されたもの。続いて白鵬が同じ不知火型を披露した。 横綱の起源は住吉大社にまつわる故事にあるとされ、相撲との深い縁もあって今回の土俵入りが実現したという。

プラダ キーケース エレクトロニック・スタビリティ・コントロール



ボッシュ株式会社

トヨタ自動車株式会社より表彰 優れた功績が評価され、「グローバル貢献賞」を獲得

2013年3月1日リリース・トヨタ自動車がサプライヤーに贈る最高の賞・ボッシュは4回目の受賞・優れた品質、コミュニケーション、コストの最適化、パートナーシップが高い評価につながる日本/東京 - グローバルな規模で革新技術とサービスを提供するリーディング・サプライヤーであるボッシュ・グループは、トヨタ自動車株式会社殿より「グローバル貢献賞」を受賞しました。この賞は、トヨタ自動車殿が昨年度に最も優れた功績を達成したサプライヤーに贈る最高の賞です。改善を継続的に実施し、特に品質、コミュニケーション、スムースな生産準備管理、コストの最適化という点においてワールドワイドにトヨタ自動車殿と連携を取りながら活動してきた事が、この栄誉ある賞の受賞につながりました。ボッシュがトヨタ自動車の「グローバル貢献賞」を受賞するのは2003年、2004年、2011年に続いて4回目となります。2013年2月21日に名古屋国際会議場にてトヨタ自動車株式会社殿のグローバル仕入先総会が開催されました。グローバル仕入先総会にはボッシュ・グループを代表してロバート・ボッシュGmbH取締役会会長のフォルクマル・デナーが出席し、表彰式にてトヨタ自動車の会長である張富士夫様よりグローバル貢献賞を授与されました。表彰式での仕入先代表挨拶として、デナーは次のように述べました。「この受賞は大変光栄なことで、当社従業員の献身をこのように評価いただいたことを嬉しく思います。ボッシュは革新的、効率的な高品位製品を通じて、技術リーダーシップを発揮できるよう引き続き邁進してまいります」なお、ボッシュはコスト競争力のある製品が評価され、2013年の原価改善優秀賞も受賞しました,=当時=の委員長昇格に伴い後任の書記局長に就任し、これまで12年以上にわたって党務を仕切ってきた。これまでで最も価格競争力の高い横滑り防止装置ESC(エレクトロニック・スタビリティ・コントロール)を開発したことが、今回の受賞につながりました。これにより、軽量・コンパクトな横滑り防止装置は安全技術への高まるニーズによりいっそう応えられるようになりました,罪状の詳細は明らかにされていない。データ提供

moncler レディース 出張は155回を数え、約3年の任期の約半分はロンドンを離れていました

「現場第一」社員を鼓舞森修一(もり・しゅういち) 63歳 ジュピターテレコム社長 〈商社マンとして中国に深く関わった〉 大学を出て住友商事に入り、ブラウン管や繊維などのプラント輸出を担当しました。当時の住商には、繊維機械などに詳しい人がおらず、自分のやりたいように仕事ができました。学生時代から、命令されるのが嫌で自主的に動くタイプだったので、自分の性格に合っていました。 特によく訪れたのが中国です。34歳の時から天安門事件(1989年)をはさんだ10年間で、滞在日数は延べ800日以上に達しました。当時の中国では地方都市の衛生環境が良くなかったため、割り箸や紙の皿、コップ、トイレットペーパーなどは必ず持って行きました。 商社マンにとって、お客様は神様です。でも中国でお客の言うことを聞いていたら仕事になりません。値引き要求も、とんでもない数字を出して来るので、「そんなに安くできない」と理論武装して打ち負かさないといけない。常に戦いでした。何とかなるぜ やっとの思いで契約しても、頭金が期限を過ぎても入金されなかったり、契約額の支払いを約束する「保証状」が届かなかったりしました。保証状を出さない限り、日本に打ち合わせに行こうとする中国人技術者に日本への入国ビザを渡さないなど、こちらも対抗するしかありません。「普通の商社マンのように、お客様商売ができなくなるのでは」と不安を感じたほどです。 でも、「焦らず、怒らず、あきらめず」の精神を学べたことはプラスになりました。理不尽なことを言われ、怒って帰ってしまえばおしまいです,3DS対応マジコン フォ〖ムを盖めるためにも、またセットで抨げてみます∽。「もう取引しません」と言われても、あきらめずに関係をつないでいけば、チャンスが生まれることもある。どんな局面になっても「何とかなるぜ」と思えるようになり、その後は、大概のことが起きても動じなくなりました。 〈欧州で現場主義を徹底、業績を立て直す〉 2005年、欧州総支配人としてロンドンに赴任しました。それまでの5年間、業績悪化のため、欧州全体の社員を約3分の2に減らしていました。人件費は下がりましたが、それ以上に収益が落ち込んでおり、何とか立て直さなければいけませんでした。 現場の社員らに「私のようないい加減な支配人がいる間に自由にやってほしい」と伝えました。東京の本社から(地理的に)離れているので、私が盾になりさえすれば、社員は何でもできると考えたのです。 私自身も現場に行くことを徹底しました。出張は155回を数え、約3年の任期の約半分はロンドンを離れていました,○「アウト・オヴ・ノーホェア」サロネンが二つの近作を自ら指揮。例えば、自動車大手スズキのハンガリー工場の周りに、自動車部品メーカーの工場を集めて物流を効率化したのですが、不具合が起きると私自身がスズキの工場長に謝りに行きました。 トップが前線に行って苦しい経験を一緒にすれば、若い社員も鼓舞され、前向きになります。リーマン・ショック直前の好景気という追い風もあり、3年間で利益を3倍以上に増やしました。車座で語る【28年前】中国・吉林省長春空港で、日本メーカーの課長(右)と 〈62歳で畑違いのケーブルテレビ(CATV)業界へ転身〉 欧州から戻って関西ブロック長などを務め、昨年、ジュピターテレコムに移りました。未経験の業界に入ることに不安を感じ、当時の岡素之・住商会長に「私はこれまで、若い人をけしかけて一緒に走ってきただけです」と言ったら、「それだけでええ」と返されてしまいました。 社長就任後の1年間で、全国のケーブル局やコールセンターなど約50か所を回り、社員と車座になって酒を飲み、話をしました。自分は素人だし、そもそもトップダウンは好きではない。社員一人一人が自覚を持ち、いろいろなことに自主的に取り組むべきだ、という考えは昔から変わりません。 我が社の強みである地域密着の営業担当者を活用し、高齢者向けなど生活支援サービスをやりたい。社員にアイデアを募集したら、ノルマも懸賞金もないのに1800件も集まりました。これこそが求めていたことで、社員が自分で考えて動く組織は飛躍できると信じています。(聞き手 鹿川庸一郎)◇(略歴) 1949年、大阪府生まれ。72年京大法卒、住友商事入社。専務執行役員などを経て2011年3月からジュピターテレコム社長。趣味は旅行で、学生時代は夏も冬も、リュックサック一つで北海道を隅々まで回った。このため、商社時代の数百回に及ぶ海外出張も苦にならなかったという。《こんな会社》 1995年に住友商事と米ケーブルテレビ(CATV)大手の合弁で設立。地方のCATV会社を相次いで買収し、国内のシェア(市場占有率)は約37%。映画やスポーツの専門放送局も持つ。2010年に住商とKDDIによる争奪戦の対象となり、現在は住商が約40%、KDDIが約30%をそれぞれ出資している。11年12月期の連結売上高は3690億円。従業員数は1万1536人。(2012年9月24日読売新聞)

フェンディ ポーチ イ・ビョンホンは11日に放送される SBS

俳優イ・ビョンホン、『ヒーリングキャンプ』で“ドーナツデマ”を語る俳優イ・ビョンホンが、ちまたに飛び交った“ドーナツデマ”について口を開く。

イ・ビョンホンは11日に放送される SBS(ソウル放送)のトーク番組「ヒーリングキャンプ~楽しいじゃないか~」を通じて久しぶりに単独トークショーに出ることになった。

先立って公開された予告篇によると“恋人”イ・ミンジョンについての話をはじめ、さまざまな本音を打ち明ける予定だ,しかし、次の段階では、我々は主に企業のコア競争力の構築に重点を置く。その中でも自身を困らせてきたデマに対しても言及したと見られる。

ちなみにイ・ビョンホンは過去にあるドーナツ広告モデルとして活躍した。それ以降、各種掲示板で“イ・ビョンホンが自分がモデルだと知っている人を連れて行き、売店に行くたびに無料で食べた。売店が本社に直接抗議をして大騷ぎになった。その後本社からの要請でモデルが交代させられた”というあきれたデマが飛び交った。『ヒーリングキャンプ』の製作スタッフは予告篇に“イ・ビョンホン、私の愛の無料ドーナツ”というテロップも入れた, 「キュリオシティ」は2011年11月に打ち上げられ、2012年8月に火星に着陸した。【関連記事】 イ・ビョンホンとイ・ミンジョンが熱愛の事実認める イ・ビョンホンの熱愛に日本のファンが衝撃 俳優イ・ビョンホン、タレントのカン・ビョンギュを名誉棄損で告訴 韓流スターのイ・ビョンホンの屈辱…KBSニュースの未熟な進行“袋叩き” 歌手PSYのパパラッチ写真に隠れたイ・ビョンホン…“屈辱”

iphone4 ケース ケイトスペード 私立の参加率は48%となり、2009年度より1ポイント上昇した

学力テストに3万校参加 国公立は全員、私立48% 来月24日実施文部科学省は4日、来月24日実施の全国学力テストに参加する小中学校が計3万978校と発表した。小6と中3が対象で、国公立は4年ぶりの全員参加となる。 参加数は国公私立の小学校が2万651校、中学が1万327校,公明党の遠山清彦氏への答弁。私立の参加率は48%となり、2009年度より1ポイント上昇した。 テストは国語と算数・数学の2教科で実施する。公立の小中計844校を抽出して保護者アンケートを実施し、学力と家庭の経済状況との関連も調べる,R4i Sdhc 7021

R4i Sdhc 7021

<外為>東京=10時 1ドル=93円38~41銭5日の東京外国為替市場の円相場は、午前10時現在、1ドル=93円38~41銭で、前日の午後5時時点と比べ05銭の円高・ドル安になった。

』シリーズを踏襲し、『eKワゴン』『eKカスタム』として、それぞれ今年6月に発売する予定

日産と三菱、協業による新型軽自動車のエクステリアデザインを公表日産自動車と三菱自動車は8日、両社の合弁事業によって企画・開発された新型軽自動車の車名およびエクステリアデザインを公表した。

《画像:2014年初頭に市販が予定される日産 DAYZと三菱 新型 eKワゴン 》

新型軽自動車は、日産自動車からは『DAYZ(デイズ)』『DAYZ(デイズ) ハイウェイスター』というまったく新しいモデルネームで、三菱自動車からは三菱軽自動車の代表モデルネーム『eK(いい軽)』シリーズを踏襲し、『eKワゴン』『eKカスタム』として、それぞれ今年6月に発売する予定。

同モデルは、両社の日本市場における軽自動車事業に関わる合弁会社、NMKVが日産自動車と三菱自動車の両社向けに商品企画・開発を行ったもの,東証=始値 1万1695円45銭 株式。NMKVを通じて、商品企画・開発・デザイン・購買等、それぞれの分野における両社の強みを融合することで、優れた燃費性能や広く快適な室内空間など、高い商品競争力を備えている。また、商品の企画段階から協業を推し進めることで、これまでのOEMでは成し得なかった両社でまったく異なるデザインテイストを織り込み、日産自動車、三菱自動車それぞれのブランドアイデンティティを体現する革新的なデザインを実現している。

日産自動車が投入するモデルは、毎日(DAYS)を、昨日までと違う楽しい日々に変えていくという、ユーザーに提供する価値を‘S’を反転した‘Z’という表記に込め、「DAYZ」と名付けた。DAYZおよびDAYZハイウェイスターは、日産自動車が初めて軽の商品企画・開発・デザイン段階から入ったことで、これまでの軽にとらわれない日産自動車らしい躍動感溢れるデザインと上質な室内空間、さらに優れた低燃費性能を実現した新しい軽自動車となっている。

また、三菱自動車が投入するeKワゴンとeKカスタムは、「快適空間と運転のし易さ」「軽自動車の枠を超える上質感」「優れた低燃費性能」など、これからの“いい軽”に求められるニーズを、高いレベルで実現している。

日産自動車と三菱自動車は、2010年12月に事業協力関係の拡大について合意しており、NMKVによる日本市場における軽自動車事業の協業はこのプロジェクトの一環。両社はすでに今回公表した第1弾モデルに続く第2弾として、スーパーハイトワゴンタイプの新型軽自動車を、2014年初頭の市場投入に向け、企画・開発を進めている。

《レスポンス 纐纈敏也@DAYS》【関連記事】 【ジュネーブモーターショー13】三菱 CA-MiEV…航続300kmのEV[詳細画像] 日産片桐副社長「軽需要があるにもかかわらず思うように販売できなかった」 2012年の東風日産の中国新車販売、3%減の77万台 日産、国内販売5位転落「軽シフトについていけなかった」片桐副社長 2012年の日本製EV米国販売、日産 リーフ は1,ただし、選抜高校大会、全国高校選手権大会は日本高校野球連盟の要望により除かれた.5%増の9819台

が3位に入った

日本女子、3000リレーで3位=坂爪が総合9位―世界ショートトラック【デブレツェン(ハンガリー)時事】スピードスケート・ショートトラックの世界選手権最終日は10日、ハンガリーのデブレツェンで行われ、女子3000メートルリレーで日本(酒井、伊藤、桜井、清水)が3位に入った。 男子の坂爪亮介(タカショー)は総合9位。この日の1000メートルは予選で敗れたが、総合成績の上位が出場できる3000メートルで8位に入った。高御堂雄三(トヨタ自動車)は総合15位,朝鮮戦争の。辛ダウン(韓国)が総合優勝を果たした。 女子1000メートルでは、酒井裕唯(岐阜ク)が準決勝、伊藤亜由子(トヨタ自動車)が準々決勝、清水小百合(中京大職)が予選で敗退。総合では、3000メートルで4位となった伊藤が8位となり、酒井は12位、清水が21位,イタリア政局をめぐる不透明感が続くものの、米国市場の上昇が追い風となり、節目の6500を超えて引け。総合優勝は王濛(中国)だった。

価格はシーズンパス所有者は無料となり、シーズンパス未所有の場合は800MSPで購入する事が可能です

『Halo 4』の最新DLC“Castle Map Pack”が4月8日に配信決定、紹介トレイラー『Halo 4』のシーズンパスに含まれるマップパックの第三弾として事前にアナウンスされていた“Castle Map Pack”ですが、その配信日が4月8日に決定し、同時に紹介映像が公開されました,セリーヌディオン 、サービス業他が4件。このマップパックには中〜大サイズの3つの新マップDaybreak/Outcast/Perditionが収録され、250ゲーマースコア分の追加実績も用意、マップパックの開発は343 IndustriesとCertain Affinityが担当しています。また6対6のゲームモードを楽しめる新マップ専用のプレイリスト“Castle DLC”も追加される他、Infinity Slayer、Big Team Objective、Dominionのプレイリストにも今回のマップは登場するとのこと,マジコン 通販 体格の利を生かして棚橋が攻勢に出たのは15分過ぎだ。価格はシーズンパス所有者は無料となり、シーズンパス未所有の場合は800MSPで購入する事が可能です。(ソース: MajorNelson)

2013年3月11日星期一

R4 DS offering counseling and stress relief to the airmen who scrutinize the war from afar.

AP IMPACT: Combat stress felt far from front linesRelated Content
  • View Photo

    This undated photo released by…

    LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (AP) — The gritty combat in Afghanistan is thousands of miles away.

    But the analysts in the cavernous room at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia relive the explosions, the carnage and the vivid after-battle assessments of the bombings over and over again. The repeated exposure to death and destruction rolling across their computer screens is taking its own special toll on their lives,R4 DS.

    The military has begun to grapple with the mental and emotional strains endured by personnel who may never come face to face with a Taliban insurgent, never dodge a roadside bomb or take fire,UGG, but who nevertheless may be responsible for taking human lives or putting their colleagues in mortal danger.

    Now, for the first time, an Air Force chaplain and a psychologist are walking the floor of the operations center at Langley, offering counseling and stress relief to the airmen who scrutinize the war from afar.

    Sitting at computer banks lining the expansive room, the Air Force analysts watch the video feeds streaming from surveillance drones and other military assets monitoring U.S. forces around the globe. Photos, radar data, full-motion video and electronically gathered intelligence flows across multiple screens. In 15- to 20-minute shifts, the airmen watch and interpret the information.

    Through chat windows, they exchange data, update intelligence reports and talk in real time with commanders on the ground, including troops whose lives may depend on the constant and rapid flow of information they get from Langley.

    For example, they may provide information that allows a commander to order an airstrike, but after the weapon is launched, the analysts might suddenly see that the insurgents are fleeing or that civilians or children are moving into the strike zone, and by then they are helpless to do anything about it.

    "If you have a 21-year-old playing a video game, when the game is over they start again. Here,セリーヌ ハンカチ Three companies, if they miss a bad guy, that's what they carry with them," said Air Force Maj. Shauna Sperry, a psychologist who has just begun working with the air wing,r4 Tan costume".

    They also often have to go over video of an incident repeatedly to assess the battle damage.

    "It's not a video game, it's real,r4 kaart," said Capt. Robert Duplease, the chaplain assigned to the 497th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group. "It's repeated exposure to destruction and warfare. They see it, rewind it, see it, rewind it."

    The reality is spelled out in the list of daily mission assignments displayed on a multicolored chart cluttered with boxes,プラダベルト, letters and numbers: where the missions are, what type of aircraft or sensors are being used, and which team of airmen is assigned to monitor each one. Two to seven analysts make up the teams that work at each workstation.

    "Here at Langley, there's nothing coming over the wall at us. That's a fact. No one with an RPG (rocket-propelled grenade) is shooting at us, no mortars are coming in," Duplease said. "But they'll see something in a video feed that maybe they can't do anything to prevent. They have no power to intervene, but they have the repeated visual exposure to these things. They're constantly immersed in carnage, but it's not a video game. It's real."

    According to Duplease, the analysts may also have to cope with feelings of helplessness, frustration and regret watching an operation on the ground and see something happen — or see someone injured hurt or killed — and they couldn't do anything to prevent it.

    The airmen at Langley can't talk publicly about the details of their work because it's classified.

    "The stuff they're watching is crazier than the news cycle," Duplease said. "Life outside of here goes on, but life behind the veil is totally different and adjustments have to be made. Sometimes they have trouble with those adjustments."

    In fact, Sperry and Duplease suggested that not being on the front lines may actually contribute to the stress.

    "They are electronically in the fight in the deployed area every minute," Sperry said. "They make life and death decisions every day, then they go home and have to play mom or dad ... Sometimes things can be depressing for them."

    Troops fighting in Afghanistan, for example, only have to focus on the combat jobs they are doing, Duplease said. The airmen, on the other hand, spend 12 hours immersed in the fight, then go home to what are supposed to be normal lives. But they often can't talk about what they did or saw all day because the operations are classified.

    There is a slowly emerging recognition within the military that those combined pressures affect the troops who battle the war from afar in some of the same ways that strain forces on the front lines. The most recent public acknowledgement of the issue came recently when the Pentagon created a new medal for remote warfare personnel. But that has caused some resentment among traditional warriors because it is ranked above the Purple Heart or Bronze Star,プラダを着た悪魔,モンクレール ダウン 8".

    The idea to put a chaplain inside the center came from unit commander Col. Mike Shortsleeve and other leaders who noticed that some members of the wing were having problems sleeping and that smoking, alcohol and behavioral issues were increasing. In surveys, airmen also suggested there was a need for having a chaplain in the unit.

    According to Duplease and Sperry, moving around the operations center during each day's 12-hour shifts helps get the troops more comfortable with their presence and encourage them to reach out for help. Duplease, who said he also attended mission briefings, said slowly people began to approach him and after about two months, the interactions really began to pick up.

    Many of the analysts are as young as 21, and may not yet have developed the ability to deal with the stress. And they worry that revealing their problems could prompt commanders to take away their security clearances or hurt their promotion opportunities.

    In response, Duplease and Sperry created sleep classes and counseling sessions, and they have scheduled retreats for married couples and singles to help instill relationship and coping skills. They also are assuring the airmen that to date no one there has lost his or her security clearance as a result of seeking any counseling or assistance.

    The success of the Langley program has prompted the Air Force to look at ways to replicate it at other locations around the country.

    "We are trying to be proactive rather than reactive," said Duplease. "We want to get ahead of things before become major issues."

    ___

    Lolita C. Baldor can followed on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/lbaldor

  • 2013年1月16日星期三

    TV Tokyo Yoko singing &quot

    The music industry, Nova · Kawakami Daisuke, debut before the lifting of the ban, intelligence
    Kawakami Daisuke 1st album "should media like to beautiful love it ~ March 6th issue.A total of PV, media performance, activities held at the information released.

    [more] large images

    Kawakami, good looks and sexy voice "visual ballad nova" cause of concern new singer.Josh Kuroki Youko's debut single "should media like", February 6th release cable broadcasting kangaroo system "Heisei 24 years 12 monthly consulting ranked" the first winners.In addition, the songs of the mobile phone ringtone is the first distribution in the recochoku monopoly.

    album "should media to ~ beautiful love." ", the" should media like "happy", difficulty and blue stars fall corner ", and a" Sichuan constitution money ", Showa ballad songs song 10 included.Now the official YouTube channel "media should to" PV open, the image and the album's first limited disk, the February 9th Cara OK DAM than the other versions of PV "predetermined should media like (DAM exclusive April)" with DVD included.

    in January 14th (month) started in Japan Radio Show "Kawakami Daisuke" the Prince "began in January 27th (day)", TV Tokyo Yoko singing "in march forward courageously".The February 5th Tokyo Ginza wild musical debut Mini LIVE are held to commemorate the.Method to attend tomorrow January 12th wild musical instrument's official website was informed.

    Kawakami Daisuke "should media like to beautiful love" included in the content.

    CD


    1 should media to 1, Noyes, the group, Na, the,,,, group -: 3 you all dead 4 love 5 star landing corner of 6 lovers 07 money to give me 8 face 9 nail 10 Na · Serra · Di Tokyo

    DVD (first press Limited Edition)


    1 "eat" MUSIC VIDEO 1 "shark like should media like" MUSIC VIDEO - 2 - (TYPE DAM exclusive April)
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    poignant review

    Suzuki Sawa "idle movie" smile "the resurrection of this day will come."
    actress Suzuki Sawa (40) 13, in Tokyo held starred in the movie "happy", "(release 26) preview will be together, Ishigaki Yuma (30) at the.

    [Photos] audience background pictures to commemorate Suzuki Sawa
    Activity Center for the origin of the
    Iwate musician · Matsumoto Tetsuya (36) and his mother and son story.Drug dependence pain, also love the mother Suzuki due to the collision play.

    the film language Zu in until long after sunset.09 years to complete, all things theater open is the Iwate only a week is just.In fact, the "idle".But, first held in 11 years not public works in the collection "the first time you, a film festival" the highest award, the eyes see things, the public decision.

    Nakamura Oya supervision "idle resurrection was from the 9 Party not cut.Status cannot open movies, Film Festival, thank you alone "," Suzuki also once gave up. There are, however, such a day "and" miracle ".

    Suzuki, the husband and the understanding that the current film photography, married the year before."3 years" poignant review, "the husband (Ishigaki) on the ground and you in the same year, however, that feeling, no" relationship that denial, laughed loudly.[] Association reported Ishigaki Yuma 3 years before his old smile ".""Happiness" pot "brother Suzuki Sawa, the role of" 10 year-old actor...Communication smoothly Zhongcunshitong "from the sender car, found"!Ishigaki Yuma is the first time in 4 months return...Tears revive, swear to Suzuki Sawashigakiyuma, Matsumoto Tetsuya investigation
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    This girl's idea

    Miura Sari, happy new magazine "sweet" advertising song
    three Pu "Sari" new song "happy peace" for the women's fashion magazine "sweet" February ad song decided.

    [more] large images
    The upper
    "happiness and peace" was released at the end of last year the messenger tune."And friends boyfriend to hate the place, so cry oh!""Beautiful review oh!"This girl's idea, Miura Sally's lovely vocal performance.

    in addition FOR LIFE Music Entertainment's official YouTube channel "happiness" open in PV fragments.Articles related to [Miura Sally] Fukushima Conservation Park Christmas live recording, it also began with the letter TIMM SHOWCASE LIVE Shoko Nakagawa, Prague, women's flow between two ships?Kicked unyielding!Miura Sally bold makeup disclosure namahage Halloween culture Rock Festival, SiM DA,, now they rally popular Danish master ringtone scene in three, Sally, the first CD 2 tickets on sale at the same time
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    Live Clip 2012.7.21 &quot

    BABYMETAL, single daily figure 5!"Social reform Coase" Shinjuku purification
    BABYMETAL debut single "bullying, no, absolutely" single ORICON chart debut (January 8th) 5.In January 9th the record store in Shinjuku, available for the CD Memorial, "social reform" the appointment ceremony and press conference team.

    the BABYMETAL, "the social reform Coase" Shinjuku purification to enlarge picture ~

    so far only LIVE revealed "social reform" bully ", not of metal, the absolute" big debut of BABYMETAL.Records of CD buyers as "Shinjuku record department" purification "team the appointment ceremony will to reporters" held activities.

    this activity, CD buyers reporters diagnosis held a press published in the form of.The usual Arena Master clothing, armor white collar shirt, red, orange, pink sweaters, denim skirt and white socks "social reform" the debut of the BABYMETAL.Record the CEO ridge Xie education Schiff director role and their appointment book distribution, their posters, "NO MUSIC, NO IDOL" poster disclosed?.

    , query response is carried out as members of the dialogue, a big activities "this day photos session".The reporter of the narrow strip of fabric the audience's social reform team BABYMETAL for close-up.Unique opportunity big lovers photography will be held in the uplink.

    the last meeting of all SU - METAL "!No way.Slogan: "the miraj!No posture activity ends.

    BABYMETAL February 1st one-man LIVE trilogy's final chapter, "I, D, Z and LEGEND" Z "ZeppTokyo".

    < BABYMETAL "I, D, Z and LEGEND" Z ">
    February 1, 2013 (gold) Zepp Tokyo
    ticket release date: January 19, 2013 (Saturday) at 10 in the morning to vote Pia

    debut single "bullying, no, absolutely."
    (water) on January 9, 2013
    ● primary production limited disk "I" (CD+DVD)
    TFCC - 89404 ¥ 1800 (tax in)
    [CD]
    1 powers, no, absolutely
    2 BABYMETAL DEATH
    3 powers, no, absolutely - Nemesis ver.
    [DVD]
    insult, no, absolutely Music video & Making video
    ● primary production limited disk D disk (CD+DVD)
    TFCC - 89405 ¥ 1800 (tax in)
    [CD]
    1 powers, no, absolutely
    2 BABYMETAL DEATH
    3 powers, no, absolutely - Nemesis ver.
    [DVD]
    Live Clip 2012.4.8 at SHIBUYA - offering "Idol" alley!AX
    1 "good ah!"2: "DoCoMo I-mode, -, -, or good morning"
    ● primary production limited disk "Z" (CD+DVD)
    TFCC - 89406 ¥ 1800 (tax in)
    [CD]
    1 powers, no, absolutely
    2 BABYMETAL DEATH
    3 powers, no, absolutely - Nemesis ver.
    [DVD]
    Live Clip 2012.7.21 "LEGEND ~ corset offering" at black rokumeikan
    1 ". Division I-mode, gear!!"2: ", -, -, midnight".
    ● usually disc (CD)
    TFCC - 89407 ¥ 1200 (tax in)
    [CD]
    1 powers, no, absolutely
    2 Catch me if you CAN
    3 powers, no, absolutely (Air Vocal ver.)
    4 Catch me if you CAN (Air Vocal.) [ver] the relevant reports the BABYMETAL official website, workshop BABYMETAL, Shibuya Station in front of the traffic safety performance of LIVE BABYMETAL, "bullying, no, absolutely" music video, finally completed the BABYMETAL official YouTube channel & new images of the lifting of the ban; for the first time performance overseas also live with the letter Nico
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    10444

    "DoCoMo Tian family"!Takahashi Katsumi & grass mowing the generation of new CM
    NTT DoCoMo, this month 18 days of students and the family to discount service "needs" cut "student family" of the new CM will be released, 11, · Tokyo Akasaka held.

    DoCoMo CM, 2005 January debut of the mushroom family "I-mode studies Nadon election" popularity, in the new CM, this kind of mushroom, become "DoCoMo Tian (little) family of 7 people.".

    "originally I-mode studies Nadon election is not talking set.The dog will speak of the times, so the mushroom that is also very good, a man talk ", the Propaganda Department of the company Mr. Okano Rei people reasons.

    CM, actor Takahashi Katsumi endowment son-in-law "team team I-mode studies Nadon election", and his wife actress grass mowing reliable ",". Nadon I-mode course. Election as grandparents, Kishibe Hide and Fujimura Shiho children, Ai Hashimoto, Hara Naomi, Da Ayata (played thou).The whole family mushroom head hat debut humor set.

    "support study cut", students and their families when the new contract Xi (Danish as, all the basic fee) and FOMA 3 years maximum zero element."Students' family together", the students themselves and students together with the family contract and models for change 10000 yen to 5000 yen discount.Service.

    the company propaganda minister Mr. Zawa Masahito "DoCoMo pager era began to link the median family."The spring of mushroom", "happy spore expansion desire.

    CM, continued last year AKB48 and cooperation "AKB48" was also broadcast version.Articles related to Guangenmali [], the first time I live life wire action also rose?Ito Akiko, a coffee shop clerk "regulars" Mr. Jian met actress!"White House", have the power device...CM favorability for 6 years in a row first is black ", miraj!"The family CM to show animal bin mouth, Beijing's bride figure provoke "hello!I absolutely can't allow!"Winter mountain folk helicopter killed 1 10000 yen. ""
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    2013年1月13日星期日

    universounds&quot

    RYUHEI THE MAN, received mixed CD series fourth bullets issue
    Tokyo · high circular Temple frame Trust annual Naruto store "universounds" (
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    Suzuki Sawa movie premier alert since the pr

    Suzuki Sawa movie premier alert since the pr
    actress Suzuki Sawa (40), Ishigaki Yuma (30) have 13, in Tokyo to hold the film "happy" (26 open) premiere attended.

    the works is the Iwate singer Matsumoto Tetsuya (36) Autobiography of films.2009 Iwate released in advance, for economic reasons, once put it aside.Thereafter, 11 years of "hiding out in the film festival" was awarded the grand prize, national public decision.

    the story is now a joke?.Suzuki said: "after the shooting, found completely ignored the rumor", "stone Yuanyan imperceptibly hand limit as" smile back.

    nevertheless Suzuki said: "so many people watch the day came to it Wan Gan."Hung his head, Ishigaki said "before the baptism of photography's death, personal problems since the Su did, however, the film met new start" and enthusiasm into.In addition, in the movie

    after the understanding of the current husband Suzuki said: "husband with grinding and your classmates, you wear and you all feel without" the atmosphere of the meeting.

    on the other hand "into the shot before there are many painful overlap."At this time.From the lineup reports "to be lovelorn?"When asked about the "also have....The area is my essays to read.Naked writing."Do not suffer from the publicity, with everyone laughing.Related articles [] Satoshi Tsumabuki's "mother's flavor" changed the Oden Metro director Ishihara, governor of the acting clumsy "" Lan "popular show" cut. "Don't laugh" rare phenomenon Qianweimeihe "Fairy" to "mrs."
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    for sale.

    The 67 group stage, new Gibbon artist folder
    today in January 12th, Gibbon new product "Gibbon clean files (diamond)" for sale.

    [more] large image

    folder, subtle color diamond lattice pattern background of all 67 groups of artists with lovely illustration.Bodo, pills, down, an, thousands of former brother led, spike, GAG teenagers attention band young artist, popular artists gathered.

    the price is 315 yen, sale good TV in the shop.Some shops operated differently, so please pay attention.
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    of the iron fist &quot

    "About my ma Ni" pen metal band and Mousika "my Ni Ma Ni" is a stone, rose
    in August 10, 11 days in Chiba and Osaka held at Makuhari rock music festival "SUMMER Panasonic 2013" Eve "house" of the festival Panasonic inertia was published.

    the eve activities "Stone Roses"

    10 in Chiba, 11 in Osaka, since 2006 7 years later appeared again in the American heavy metal band · metal bands, 10 in Osaka, 11 in Chiba, from today onwards travel to Japan to start with the British rock band Mousika decision.9 days on the eve of the sacrifice activities inertia, last year formed a British rock band, the stone roses decided.

    Panasonic in Chiba · QVC Marlin field, royal, Osaka · dance Delta Osaka summer Panasonic ad hoc meeting, "Sony gram house" held in makuhari.Performance artists in post.[report] associated with iron fist, sparse comic works latest open Mousika MV second bomb 1440 depicting down (December 11th 12) by MV iTS sparse manga Tekken 1 Mousika income contributions published (November 1st 12) of the iron fist "cry" sparse manga Mousika official MV in 59 countries around the world with the letter (12 October 30th Stone ·) to form; rose, Fuji Rock Festival and international music festival in the decision of the stone roses (November 8th 11), for the first time in 15 years to form in the UK next year concert (October 20th 11)
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    10171

    The death and resurrection of black tea needs of children, recording new music
    activity ceased in the 8 years since the passage of time, Beiangsi, Noel Skelly · Roland Corporation, Michel · Williams's 3 people together, death tea needs and children (Destiny 's Child) and new issue.The new title is "new" the United States of America clear, released on January 29th the song · best album "love my included 『.(Japanese dish recent sale of predetermined).

    "clear" producer top maker Farrel (THE NEPTUNES), vokaru· Beyonce, performance, Kerrey and cooperation do Ronnie · reciprocal the first Al is used.

    the sale of the album "love my", "clear", slow to Mead rhythm as the center of the bead jade 14 song collection.The cast of well-known songs, only "· · · the name" Tim "remix, Kerrey solo song" heaven "also have!Related articles [] German wine needs and children (Destiny 's Child) revival, recorded new song "beautiful melody · residential childe" latest album KASKADE domestic disc debut of French · (France Gall) Gaga far babes!The "disk." series of female pop debut!"End Beyonce Time" clear mix · contest!From Japan DECKSTREAM enlists Beos Knowles, Michel · Williams, "at Ni have, Internet test suitable for survey
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    2013年1月7日星期一

    感動のフルオーケストラで「FF」サウンド25周年の締めくくり!

    感動のフルオーケストラで「FF」サウンド25周年の締めくくり!
    スクウェア・エニックスは12月26日、東京国際フォーラムにて「Distant Worlds THE CELEBRATION」の東京公演初日を開催した。

    【拡大画像や他の画像】

     「Distant Worlds THE CELEBRATION」は、「ファイナルファンタジー」(FF)シリーズ25周年を記念し、「FF」サウンドをフルオーケストラ演奏で楽しむワールドコンサートツアー。ロンドン公演、シカゴ公演に続き、今回12月26日の公演が日本公演の初日となった。今後は12月29日に大阪公演、そして12月31日にも再び東京公演が行なわれる。

     今年の「FF」25周年を締めくくるオーケストラコンサートの模様をお伝えするとともに、公演後に行なわれた植松伸夫氏、水田直志氏、アーニー・ロス氏、クリスタル・ケイさん、スーザン・キャロウェイさんの5人に伺ったインタビューの模様も掲載しているので、ぜひご覧頂きたい。

    初代から最新作まで「FF」サウンド25周年を最高の形で楽しめるコンサート!!

     「FF」25周年ということもあり、今回の「Distant Worlds」は「FF」初期作品のメドレーから始めて、最新作「FINAL FANTASY XIV」まで、各作品より1曲を演奏して順に進んでいくという構成。それに加え、オーケストラコンサートならではのオペラやコーラス、ボーカルのある曲をプラスアルファに交えていくというスタイルだった。

     なお、公演内容の詳しいセットリストは、本レポート掲載のタイミングでは後日にまだ公演があるので、来場される方の楽しみを損なわぬよう、本文中では一部を除いて伏せておきたい(記事の最後に公演データとセットリストを掲載しているので、プログラムのネタバレを避けたいという方はご注意を)。

     曲目についてぼかしつつ書くと、「やっぱりこの曲だよね」という定番もあれば、「この曲もいいですよね! 」という曲もある。また、オーケストラという印象からおとなしめの曲が多めかと思いがちだが、バトル曲や、ちょっと変わった曲もある。構成に緩急があって非常に楽しめる内容だ。

     オーケストラ演奏をするのは、神奈川フィルハーモニー管弦楽団。指揮は「Distant Worlds」のツアーではおなじみだが、グラミー賞受賞歴もある音楽家アーニー・ロス氏が務めた。その生演奏の良さ、ホールの響き、そして何より楽曲の良さは、格別に贅沢な時間を与えてくれる。

     音楽と同時に、映像も非常に見応えのあるものになっていた。演奏中のタイトル、そして曲にまつわる名シーンが連続して流れるよう構成されており、リンクさせている。選出しているシーンやその見せ方は非常に凝っていて、映像制作者の愛情が感じられるレベルだった。やはりゲームプレイの思い出と共に音楽の記憶があるので、この演出は嬉しい限りだ。

     曲の間にはアーニー・ロス氏が次曲の紹介などを話してくれるのだが、数曲終えたところで客席の中央あたりを指さした。なんとそこには、植松伸夫氏の姿が! 隣にはスクウェア・エニックスのコンポーザーであり、「FINAL FANTASY XI」シリーズを代表に多数作品の曲を手がける水田直志氏の姿も見られた。客席に混じって楽しんでいたわけだ。

     ちなみに植松氏は、第1部と第2部の間にあった休憩の時に、周囲のお客さんに何かを話していた。後ほどインタビューの際に伺ったところ、第2部からは曲が終わったあとに「良かったと感じたら、大きな声で『ブラボー!』と言ってあげてもらえない?」と、植松氏のコンサートでは恒例になりつつある“ブラボー係”を指名していたそうだ。第2部の演奏終わりにはブラボーの声が挙がり、一層の盛り上がりを見せていた。後日の大阪公演や大晦日の東京公演に行かれる方は、ぜひブラボーの声をめいいっぱいに伝えてもらいたいと思う。

     ナンバリングシリーズを順に辿っていき、最新作「FINAL FANTASY XIV」では、植松氏作曲のテーマソング「Answers」が演奏された。この曲でボーカルを務めているスーザン・キャロウェイさんがソリストとして登場した。壮大さと同時に世界崩壊の悲壮さを感じさせるこの曲は、スーザン・キャロウェイさんの伸びやかな歌声がなんと言っても印象に残る。オーケストラの生演奏に負けぬ声量で、たっぷりと歌い上げた。

     最新作まで歴史が追いついたところで、続いてはコンサートならではの趣向が凝らされた特別曲へ。そのひとつ「Eyes on Me」では、日本でも人気アーティストのクリスタル・ケイさんが登場! 王菲(フェイ・ウォン)さんが歌う元々の曲もオーケストラサウンド調たが、この生演奏ではひと味もふた味も音が伸びやかに密度濃く聞こえてくる。そこにクリスタル・ケイさんは、アレンジを加えつつたっぷりの声量で原曲よりも強く、ホール中に響かせるように歌い上げた。そのパワーと透明感は圧倒的。会場はこの日、最も大きな拍手に包まれていた。

     もうひとつ、特殊な趣向が凝らされていた楽曲を紹介したい。それは「FINAL FANTASY VI」より、マリアとドラクゥの「オペラ」だ。完全版と銘打たれた今回のオペラは、オーケストラ演奏に、ナレーターでオペラ中に綴られる物語を、そしてメゾソプラノ、テノール、バスバリストンでマリア、ドラクゥ、ラルスの歌詞を歌う。まさに完全版だ。

     もともとこのオペラは、初代スーパーファミコン版では歌声を入れたいものの「マシンスペック的なところから到底不可能だ」と、苦肉の策の疑似音声で収録された曲。それが「FF」25周年を迎え、ついに「完全版」になったというのは、感無量なものがある。本式のオペラで綴られる「マリアとドラクゥ」は圧倒的に豪華で、もはやゲームミュージックを超えている。だが、当時ゲームプレイした場面が次々に浮かんでくる。本格オペラとオーケストラに圧倒されつつも、どこか頭の中ではゲーム中のオペラを思い出しているという、不思議な高揚感があった。

     こうして、約2時間半で25周年の「FF」サウンドを味わいつくし終了した東京公演初日。それは非常に贅沢で、最高の時間だった。年末のこの時期に、この1年を思い出すどころか、「FF」シリーズを楽しんできた想いの全てが駆け巡るような、そんな時間だった。忙しい毎日の中で忘れそうになる大切な何かを思いだしたかのような、そんな清々しい感動が筆者の中にあった。

     それは来場した方もみな同じだったのか、アンコールを含めて全楽曲の演奏が終わり、ステージ場から全員が退場してもなお、激しい雨のような拍手は、退場を促すアナウンスが流れるまで何分も何分も、ずっとずっと鳴り止まなかった。

    (C)2012 SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. All Rights Reserved.

    初日公演後の5人にインタビュー!

     公演終了後に、植松伸夫氏、水田直志氏、アーニー・ロス氏、クリスタル・ケイさん、スーザン・キャロウェイさんの5人に伺ったインタビューの模様をお伝えしよう。

    ――まずは皆さんから一言ずつ、日本公演初日を終えた今の感想を頂けますか?

    アーニー・ロス氏:日本で「FF」の25周年を祝えた事がとても嬉しいです。今回の公演はロンドン、シカゴでもやりましたが、やはりこの日本でできたということが、すごく嬉しいですね。

    植松伸夫氏:「FF」っていうタイトルに長い事関わってきて、ずっとそばにあったので、25年というのも実はピンと来なかったりもします。昔のドット絵時代の映像も今回たくさん流れていたけど、さすがに「歴史のあるゲームだなぁ」とは思いますね。25年だもんね。あっという間でした。生きてて良かった。

    水田直志氏:すごくたくさんのお客さんが早くから行列を作っていて。植松さんが積み上げてきた歴史というものを感じました。これが25年の重みなんだなぁと心に刻んで、明日から曲を作り続けていきたいと思いましたね。

    クリスタル・ケイさん:凄く緊張してました。ロンドンでもものすごく緊張していたんですけども……。25周年という、こんなに歴史があって世界中の人が愛しているゲームの曲を歌わせてもらえるということで、すごく嬉しくてビックリしたんです。でも、プレッシャーもすごく感じていたんですよね。オリジナルのイメージがみんなの中にありますから。植松さんからは「クリスタル・ケイのVer.でお願いします」と言ってもらえて、自分のフレーバーを出しつつ、「Eyes On Me」の良さを壊さないように頑張りました。オーケストラで歌うという機会もなかなか無いですから。1つひとつの瞬間を大事にしています。あと2回(大阪・東京公演)ですね(笑)。

    植松氏:クリスタル・ケイさんって演る度にアレンジがどんどん自分流に変わっていってるんで、全公演が終わってからアルバムの録音をすれば良かったね(笑)。

    クリスタル・ケイさん:えー!(笑)でも、それはありますね。凄く楽しくて、このメンバーでもっとやりたいです。もうすぐ終わっちゃうと思うと寂しいですね。

    植松氏:来年もやりますか(笑)。

    スーザン・キャロウェイさん:この日本での公演に参加できて、心から嬉しく光栄だと思っています。植松さんが作り、アーニー・ロスさんが指揮した中で歌える事は本当に素晴らしいです。これからもこういった機会をいただきたいなと思いますね。

    ――今回はクリスタル・ケイさん、スーザン・キャロウェイさん、そしてオペラとボーカル曲もふんだんにありましたね。そのあたりはいかがでしたか?

    植松氏:そうですね。みんなそれぞれに面白みが違っていて、嬉しかったですね。全部、歌いりの曲でコンサートをやりたいぐらい。「Melody of Life」とか、「Kiss Me Good-Bye」とか、「素敵だね」とか。ずらーっと一気にやってみたいね。できると思うんですよね。歌入りのみの構成でも。スクウェア・エニックスさんをつついてみます(笑)。

    ――今回のコンサートでの選曲では、どんなところにこだわられたのでしょう?

    植松氏:例えば「片翼の天使」はやらないとガッカリっていう人がいると思うので。あとはもちろん「プレリュード」もそうですよね。あと、「オペラ」は凄く盛り上がるので。そういう省けないものは入れています。

     あと、今回は25周年だから、やはり「FFI」から並べてみたいっていうのがありましたね。皆さん思い入れのある曲は違うだろうから、「このタイトルからはこの曲なの?」というのもあるかもしれないけど、どれもそのタイトルを代表する曲には違いないですから。

    ――クリスタル・ケイさんとスーザン・キャロウェイさんのお2人に伺います。それぞれが歌われた曲については、どんな感想をお持ちですか?

    スーザン・キャロウェイさん:「Answers」は自分にとってとても思い出深い曲になっていて、最初に歌った時から大切に思っています。そして、この曲がゲームを遊んでいる人に大事にされているということを知って、ますます「大切に歌わないといけないな」と思うようになりました。

     曲の中にはストーリー性もあります。それは戦いであり“世界の終わりから次の世界への始まり”を象徴する曲でもあります。そのあたりも大事にして、100%のパフォーマンスを常に発揮しなければならないと、全力で歌っています。

    クリスタル・ケイさん:私もスーザンさんと同じです。「Eyes On Me」は、本当に“純粋なラブソング”なんだなぁって思うんですね。私がその気持ちを持ったキャラクターになりきって、歌って届けるという事を大事にしています。

     ロンドン公演ではじめて歌った時、オーケストラが流れて、歴代の映像が流れて、それを見ているお客さんを見ていると、その空間から長年のゲームに対しての情熱や愛情をすごく感じたんですね。1曲1曲、聴いている人たちの中にも物語があって、大切に思っていると思うんです。私もパフォーマンスしている内に、その気持ちに届くよう、その人の中にある暖かさを取り入れて届けたいと考えています。

    ――今後にもっとチャレンジしたい事というのはありますか?

    植松氏:やっぱり、海外で公演するともっと自由な盛り上がりができるんですよ。それをなんとか日本でもやりたいですね。例えばシカゴでは「ハッピーバースデイ」を急遽歌ったりしたんですけど。

    アーニー・ロス氏:休憩中に突然決めたりして、それを本当にやってしまう事がありますね。

    植松氏:そういうことを日本でもやりたいんですよ。ハプニングとか、突発性のある面白さ。日本でコンサートやるのって何年かに1回っていう頻度だから、そういったことがやりづらいところが、まだあるんですね。そういうことを突然やっても、来てくれているお客さんは許してくれるかなぁ?

    ――きっと大丈夫です。むしろ、何かやってくれるのを待っていると思いますよ。

    アーニー・ロス氏:オーケストラコンサートでも、スクリーンに歌詞を表示してみんなで歌ったりとか。毎日違う内容でやってみたりとか。色々とアイデアがありますよ。やってみたいですね。

    ――もっと自由なスタイルをということですね。水田さんからは、植松さんという先輩を見て感じるものはありますか?

    水田氏:ありますね。僕は今40歳なんですが、植松さんが40歳の時には「Eyes On Me」を作曲して大ヒットになっていたそうです。僕は同じ年齢ながらまだまだと、プレッシャーを感じるところがありますよね。遠くにある背中ですけど、がんばって追いかけたいです。

    植松氏:ふふふ、俺って文字通り先輩だからね(笑)。水田さんは同じ高校の後輩なんですよ。

    ――えー! それはまた凄い。本当に先輩の背中を追いかけている状態なんですね。

    水田氏:がんばります(笑)。

    ――後輩というお話がでましたが、ゲームミュージックが好きで自分でも音楽活動をしているような若い方に聞くと、「FF」のバトル曲に影響されているという人もたくさんいるようです。植松さんから、そういう若い人へ、何かアドバイスをもらえますか?

    植松氏:そんな人がいるんですね。ろくな大人にならないよ?(笑)。「FF」の音楽以外にも良い音楽はたくさんありますから。ゲームミュージックに限らず、ジャズもロックもクラシックも、プロを目指すなら色々と聴いた方がいいと思いますね。

     あと、若い音楽家を目指している人にいつも言う言葉があるんですけど、自分の作った曲が100%高く評価されるということは無くて、必ず誰かに何かを言われる。例えば、「この曲って○○に似てるよな」みたいなこととか。そういう時、何を言われても心が折れてしまってはダメ。何を言われてもへこたれない、強い自分を持たないと。意外と、才能よりも図太い精神というほうが大事かもしれない。絶対に諦めないでもらいたいですね。

    ――ありがとうございました。

    (C)2012 SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. All Rights Reserved.

    「Distant Worlds THE CELEBRATION」公演データ&セットリスト

    【東京公演】

    日程:2012年12月26日(水)18:00開場 / 19:00開演(予定)

        2012年12月31日(月)17:00開場 / 18:00開演(予定)

    【大阪公演】

    日程:2012年12月29日(土)17:00開場 / 18:00開演(予定)

    【主催】

    キョードー東京・キョードー大阪

    【協力】

    スクウェア・エニックス

    作曲: 植松 伸夫 / 水田 直志 / 崎元 仁 / 浜渦 正志(出演情報ではありません)

    指揮: Arnie Roth

    ソリスト: Susan Calloway / Crystal Kay

    メゾソプラノ: 太田悦世

    テノール: 渡邉 澄晃

    バスバリトン: 押見春喜

    ナレーター: 郡正夫

    オーケストラ:【東京公演】 神奈川フィルハーモニー管弦楽団

             【大阪公演】 関西フィルハーモニー管弦楽団

    コーラス:【東京公演】 Real Singers of Tokyo(RST)

          【大阪公演】 DWFF Osaka Choir

    セットリスト

    【第一部】
    1. 「FINAL FANTASY I~III メドレー2」(FINAL FANTASY I~III)
    2. 「ゴルベーザ四天王とのバトル」(FINAL FANTASY IV)
    3. 「ファイナルファンタジーV メインテーマ」(FINAL FANTASY V)
    4. 「迷いの森」(FINAL FANTASY VI)
    5. 「片翼の天使」(FINAL FANTASY VII)
    6. 「Don't be Afraid」(FINAL FANTASY VIII)
    7. 「独りじゃない」(FINAL FANTASY IX)
    8. 「ザナルカンドにて」(FINAL FANTASY X)
    9. 「チョコボメドレー2012」(FINAL FANTASYシリーズ)

    【第二部】
    10. 「Procession of Heroes ~ Vana' diel March Medley」(FINAL FANTASY XI)
    11. 「東ダルマスカ砂漠」(FINAL FANTASY XII)
    12. 「閃光」(FINAL FANTASY XIII)
    13. 「Answers」(FINAL FANTASY XIV)ソリスト:スーザン・キャロウェイ
    14. 「愛のテーマ」(FINAL FANTASY IV)
    15. 「Eyes On Me」(FINAL FANTASY VIII)ソリスト:クリスタル・ケイ
    16. 「オペラ マリアとドラクゥ(完全版)」(FINAL FANTASY VI)

    【アンコール】
    17. 「バトル & 勝利のファンファーレ メドレー」(FINAL FANTASY シリーズ)
    18. 「ファイナルファンタジー」(FINAL FANTASY シリーズ)


    【GAME Watch,山村智美】
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    悪酔いして暴力沙汰を起こし、飲み過ぎて肝硬変やアルコール依存症など健康を害する…。それらの背景に、英政府は「激しい安売り競争」があるとみた。対策として、2013年から、酒類の小売価格に「これ以下では売ってはいけない」という下限(最低価格)を設けることにした。「無責任な店」を減らせば「有害な酒飲み」が減り、罹患(りかん)率も下がって医療にかかわる国の財政支出が減る…。とてもわかりやすい思惑だが、本当にうまくいく?(大谷卓)

    ■死に至る「有害な酒飲み」

     英BBC(電子版)によると、新たな規制はイングランドとウエールズで導入される。計画では、アルコール10ミリリットル当たりの最低価格を45ペンス(約60円)として設定し、単価に反映させる。対象は、パブではなく、過度な安売りをするスーパーマーケットなどだ。

     英国での酒類の安売り競争は度を超えている。例えば、300ミリリットルのビールが日本円で60円を切る値段で売られたり、ワイン1本を買うと2本目が「おまけ」でついてきたり…。政府に無責任な店と指摘されても仕方がないような売り方だ。

     飲酒をめぐっては、英国で深刻な社会問題となっている。

     英国家統計局のデータなどによると、成人の54%が週に一度飲酒しており、とくに中高年層の過度な摂取は問題となっている。ほぼ毎日飲酒する人を45歳以上と同未満で比較すると、前者は後者に比べ3倍にもなる。

     病院に搬送された人は年間100万人になるとの試算があるほか、このまま対処しないと今後20年間で20万人以上の死亡につながるだろうと英医学雑誌は指摘する。

    ■年2万4千件の犯罪が減る?!

     飲酒禍をもう少しみる。

     例えば、サッカーの試合会場の内外で暴れ回るフーリガンの存在は有名だ。アルコール依存症などを原因に死亡する著名人も少なくない。11年夏に27歳で死去した英国人の女性歌手、エイミー・ワインハウスさんは薬物中毒に加え、過度な飲酒によるアルコール依存症で知られた。死の直前にも過度な飲酒をしていたという。

     16~24歳の若者が飲酒に伴うけがや病気で通院するケースも急増。すでに、一定の滞在期間で受診料などが無料となる英国の医療保険制度「国民医療サービス」(NHS)は飲酒の影響で年間約30億ポンド(約4080億円)の過度な負担がかかっている。若い世代が高齢者になったとき、医療費が増え、国の財政負担はさらに増えるとみられている。

     英シェフィールド大学の調査によると、最低価格を設けることで、国民のアルコール摂取を4・3%減らし、10年後にはアルコールに伴う死亡者数を2千人、アルコール関連の病気の罹患者を6万6千人それぞれ減らせる。その結果、犯罪件数は年間2万4千件減る。

     消費者の購入費用を高くすれば買い控えが起き、飲酒量が抑えられるかもしれない。アルコール依存による病気も減り、市民が病院に行く回数が少なくなれば医療費にかかわる国の支出も減る…。机上で考えれば、すべてがうまくいく。

    ■それでも愛飲者は増える?!

     ところで、大阪を中心とした上方落語の名作、古典には多くの「酔っ払い」が登場する。

     相手を褒めてタダ酒を飲みたいがために、赤ん坊を褒めようとした男が出てくる「子ほめ」。うどん屋でうどんを食べずに飲酒する酔っ払いの男の「替わり目」。いずれも酩酊(めいてい)した市井の人々が、型どおりの常識やルールにとらわれなかったり、人情味にあふれ、愛すべき人間の姿を描いている。それを迷惑に思う周囲の人たちの様子もおかしい。

     「酒飲み」とその周囲の関係とは、本来そういうものだ。つまり、暴力沙汰や健康被害といったものまでいかない。それが、いい酒の飲み方なのだろう。

     当然、実際の社会は落語の世界のようにはいかない。飲酒に“逃げ道”を求めるしかないような心の病やストレスを感じる現代人も少なくない。新規制が英国で新たな「毒」にはならないとも限らない。

     英国の試みは成功するだろうか。【関連記事】 米「フォアグラ禁止法」に仏反発、中国も参戦で“世界大戦” 脱走失敗、クビかかる警官…ああ世界の“肥満物語” スペイン発・これが「世界最悪の修復画」 キリストがサルに…リオも、ムンクも 維新は分裂含み? 「54」議席の重みを生かさない手はないのに… 超セクシー「北朝鮮の『少女時代』」は微妙な国内情勢を反映 3本の矢に命運託す
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    アップルがマップ改善のためにFoursquareと協議中

    アップルがマップ改善のためにFoursquareと協議中
    チェックイン機能とかも連携されたら便利になりますね。

    多くのユーザーを失望させたアップルのマップ。iOS部門トップのスコット・フォーストールが地図の不出来を理由に辞任したのも記憶に新しいですが、現在アップルはその地図機能をテコ入れするためFoursquareと交渉しているようです。

    Foursquareといえば位置情報にもとづいたSNSサービスの最大手。ウォール・ストリート・ジャーナルによるとFoursquareのローカルデーターをアップルのマップアプリに組み込むべく、すでに交渉が始まっているとのこと。アップルの上級副社長エディー・キュー氏が直にFoursquareまで出向いて、交渉を行なっているようです。

    TwitterやFacebookのようにiOS自体と統合されれば、iPhoneでマップを使いながらチェックイン!なんてことも出来るようになるかも。ぜひ、実現に向けて頑張ってもらいたいですね。


    参考記事:http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324907204578186074223787936.html [Wall Street Journal]

    (KITAHAMA Shinya)【関連記事】 アップルからのプレゼント。12月26日から12日間連続でコンテンツの無料ダウンロードができちゃうよ! 次のiPhoneのLEDライトは2つ、2色でオッドアイかもにゃ~。 Google Maps効果? iOS 6使用率が週末に29%増 動画を撮って即YouTubeにアップできるアプリ「YouTube Capture」がリリース(動画) SiriにGoogle Mapsで道案内させるための簡単テクニック(動画)
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    BIGBANGと2NE1 米紙が選ぶ今年の公演に

    BIGBANGと2NE1 米紙が選ぶ今年の公演に
    【ソウル聯合ニュース】韓国の人気グループ、BIGBANGと2NE1(トゥエニィワン)の米国公演が、米紙ニューヨーク・タイムズが選ぶ今年最高のポップス・ジャズ公演の一つに選ばれた。

    BIGBANGのプロフィールと写真



     2NE1は8月、BIGBANGは11月にそれぞれ、ニュージャージー州のニューアークで単独公演を行った。
     ニューヨーク・タイムズ(電子版)は26日、両公演に多数の若者が集まったことを伝えながら、「(韓国人歌手PSYの)『江南スタイル』のケースばかりでなく、公演でもK-POPの上陸を実感できる年だった」と評価した。

    Copyright 2012(C)YONHAPNEWS. All rights reserved.【関連記事】 「BIGBANG」英公演に現地ファン2万4千人が熱狂 「BIGBANG」 14・15日にロンドン公演 「BIGBANG」V.Iが出演したあの伝説のシーンが全国オンエア!  「BIGBANG」 初の東京ドーム公演に5万5千人動員 「BIGBANG」D-LITE、来年日本でソロアルバム発表
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    2013年1月5日星期六

    and a government takeover there would provide a boost to the regime's defense of Damascus.

    Fighting rages around Syrian military air base
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    BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian troops and rebels fought intense battles Thursday around a strategic air base in the country's north and a suburb of the capital that government forces have been trying to capture since last month, activists and state media said.

    The fighting is part of the escalating violence in a Syrian civil war that the United Nations estimates has killed more than 60,000 people since the revolt against President Bashar Assad began in March 2011.

    The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said rebels stormed parts of the Taftanaz air base in the northwestern province of Idlib before withdrawing. The state-run SANA news agency said government forces protecting the base "repelled the terrorists' attempt to attack the airport" and inflicted heavy losses. The Syrian regime routinely refers to rebel forces as "terrorists."

    The Observatory said rebels resumed their assault early Thursday in an attempt to capture the base, which has resisted several opposition efforts to take the facility in recent months.

    The rebels have been pursuing a strategy of attacking airports and military airfields, targeting five air bases in Idlib and the nearby province of Aleppo, trying to chip away at the government's air power, which poses the biggest obstacle to advances by opposition fighters.

    With its troops struggling to make headway — let alone gain ground — against the rebels in the field, the government has increasingly relied on its warplanes and helicopters to target opposition forces.

    The Observatory and the Local Coordination Committees, another activist group, reported clashes, air raids and shelling in several suburbs of the capital Damascus, including Daraya, which the regime has been trying to capture from hundreds of opposition fighters for weeks.

    The pro-government al-Watan daily said Thursday that the army destroyed rebel strongholds in Daraya and inflicted heavy losses, adding that the area would be declared safe later in the day.

    Daraya lies in a key location, and a government takeover there would provide a boost to the regime's defense of Damascus.

    The suburb is just a few kilometers (miles) from the strategic military air base of Mazzeh in a western neighborhood of the capital. It borders the Kfar Sousseh neighborhood that is home to the government headquarters, the General Security intelligence agency head office and the Interior Ministry, which was the target of a recent suicide bombing that wounded the interior minister.

    Al-Watan said thousands of rebel fighters from the extremists Jabhat al-Nusra group have holed up in Daraya in preparation to storm Damascus. Jabhat al-Nusra, which has been branded a terrorist organization by the U.S. and which Washington claims is affiliated with al-Qaida, has been among the most effective fighting forces on the rebel side.

    One of the airstrikes hit a building in the Damascus suburb of Douma. Amateur videos showed the top floor of the building heavily damaged as wounded were rushed away in cars and pickup trucks. Many of the wounded were covered with dust.

    People rushed to rescue the wounded in a street that was covered with debris and mangled metal. The Observatory and the LCC said eight people were killed Thursday in Douma and nearby areas. Damascus.

    The videos appeared genuine and corresponded with other AP reporting on the events.

    In another air raid, the Observatory said dozens of people were killed or wounded in the town of Hayan in Aleppo province.

    The Observatory reported that rebels attacked a power station in the central province of Hama. Syrian TV said troops protecting the station repelled the attackers.

    The Observatory and the Local Coordination Committees reported fighting and shelling in different areas of the southern province of Daraa, which borders Jordan. Daraa was the region where the anti-Assad uprising began in March 2011.

    In Jordan, the U.N. refugee agency said Thursday that there has been a steady increase of Syrians fleeing into Jordan over the past two weeks.

    UNHCR reporting officer Danita Topcagic said in the past three days, an average of 1,200-1,300 crossed the border, mainly due to fighting and skyrocketing prices of basic commodities.

    Topcagic said refugees told UNHCR that the Free Syrian Army was also encouraging them to flee due to increased fighting in the area. Also, markets and shops are often shuttered making it difficult for people to find food, electricity and water supplies are intermittent and hospitals in many places have shut.

    She said that in mid-December a daily average of 757 Syrians had crossed Jordan's northern frontier, while in November the average number daily was around 600.

    Syria's civil war has turned more than half a million Syrians into refugees. Most have sought safe haven in Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey.

    ___

    Associated Press writer Dale Gavlak contributed from Amman, Jordan.

  • " Rigg said.

    Health care stocks reacts to 'fiscal cliff' deal

    NEW YORK (AP) -- Shares of companies that provide medical services rose Wednesday as Wall Street looked for winners and losers in the "fiscal cliff" compromise.

    Congress on Tuesday passed a bill that prevents an increase in income taxes for the middle class and the poor, and delays decisions on more than $100 billion in defense and domestic spending cuts. The compromise measure blocks a sharp cut in Medicare payments to doctors, but Medicare payments of all types will remain a major issue in the months to come as the government tries to tackle other spending issues.

    Jefferies & Co. analyst Brian Tanquilut said the bill replaces the big physician reimbursement cut with smaller cuts to payments for dialysis providers and diagnostic imaging providers. He said payments to hospitals may be reduced later.

    — Shares of Mednax Inc., which specializes in neonatal, pediatric cardiology and anesthesiology services, added $3.61, or 4.5 percent, to $83.13. Shares of medical service provider IPC The Hospitalist Co. rose $1.26, or 3.2 percent, to $40.97.

    — Shares of physician staffing services company U.S. Physical Therapy Inc. gained 36 cents to $27.90, and rival Team Health Holdings Inc.'s stock advanced $1.59, or 5.5 percent, to $30.36.

    — Shares of the largest publicly traded dialysis companies were mixed, as DaVita Inc. shares fell $2.17, or 2 percent, to $108.36, while Fresenius Medical Care AG shares rose 7 cents to $34.37.

    — Shares of diagnostic imaging company Radnet Inc. gave up a penny to $2.52.

    — Shares of acute care facilities company Kindred Healthcare Inc. rose 14 cents to $10.96, while nursing home owner Skilled Healthcare Group Inc. picked up 11 cents to $6.48.

    SFG Research analyst Chris Rigg said the Medicare changes in the bill are "generally manageable," but healthcare stocks will trade around their current prices for another two to four months while the bigger issues are worked on.

    "We view the bill passed as a down payment on a much larger bill later this year," Rigg said.

    000 pound

    Hilary Mantel wins best-novel Costa Book Award

    LONDON (AP) — British writer and two-time Booker Prize winner Hilary Mantel has been named novelist of the year at Britain's Costa Book Awards for "Bring Up the Bodies."

    Mantel's achievement Wednesday for her blood-soaked Tudor saga makes her the first author to win both the Costa novel award and Booker Prize in the same year.

    The Costa Book Awards carry a 5,000 pound ($8,125) prize and are given in five categories: novel, first novel, biography, poetry and children's book.

    Other winners included Scottish poet Kathleen Jamie for "The Overhaul," and Francesca Segal for her first-novel "The Innocents," which is set in a tightly-knit Jewish community in northwest London and modeled on Edith Wharton's "The Age of Innocence."

    "Dotter of Her Father's Eyes," written by Mary Talbot and drawn by her husband, Bryan, won the biography category, marking the first time a graphic work has won a Costa award. Severely dyslexic writer and illustrator Sally Gardner won the children's book prize for her fifth novel, "Maggot Moon."

    The five winners are now shortlisted for the 25,000 pound grand prize of 2012 Costa Book of the Year which will be announced Jan. 29 in London.

    The awards, known until 2006 as the Whitbread Book Awards, were established in 1971 and recognize "outstanding and enjoyable books" by writers based in the U.K. and Ireland.

    2013年1月4日星期五

    "So many strange names have been allowed

    Icelandic girl fights for right to her own name
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    REYKJAVIK, Iceland (AP) — Call her the girl with no name.

    A 15-year-old is suing the Icelandic state for the right to legally use the name given to her by her mother. The problem? Blaer, which means "light breeze" in Icelandic, is not on a list approved by the government.

    Like a handful of other countries, including Germany and Denmark, Iceland has official rules about what a baby can be named. In a country comfortable with a firm state role, most people don't question the Personal Names Register, a list of 1,712 male names and 1,853 female names that fit Icelandic grammar and pronunciation rules and that officials maintain will protect children from embarrassment. Parents can take from the list or apply to a special committee that has the power to say yea or nay.

    In Blaer's case, her mother said she learned the name wasn't on the register only after the priest who baptized the child later informed her he had mistakenly allowed it.

    "I had no idea that the name wasn't on the list, the famous list of names that you can choose from," said Bjork Eidsdottir, adding she knew a Blaer whose name was accepted in 1973. This time, the panel turned it down on the grounds that the word Blaer takes a masculine article, despite the fact that it was used for a female character in a novel by Iceland's revered Nobel Prize-winning author Halldor Laxness.

    Given names are even more significant in tiny Iceland that in many other countries: Everyone is listed in the phone book by their first names. Surnames are based on a parent's given name. Even the president, Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, is addressed simply as Olafur.

    Blaer is identified as "Stulka" — or "girl" — on all her official documents, which has led to years of frustration as she has had to explain the whole story at the bank, renewing her passport and dealing with the country's bureaucracy.

    Her mother is hoping that will change with her suit, the first time someone has challenged a names committee decision in court.

    Though the law has become more relaxed in recent years — with the name Elvis permitted, inspired by the charismatic rock and roll icon whose name fits Icelandic guidelines — choices like Cara, Carolina, Cesil, and Christa have been rejected outright because the letter "c'' is not part of Iceland's 32-letter alphabet.

    "The law is pretty straightforward so in many cases it's clearly going to be a yes or a no," said Agusta Thorbergsdottir, the head of the committee, a panel of three people appointed by the government to a four-year term.

    Other cases are more subjective.

    "What one person finds beautiful, another person may find ugly," she acknowledged. She pointed to "Satania" as one unacceptable case because it was deemed too close to "Satan."

    The board also has veto power over people who want to change their names later in life, rejecting, for instance, middle names like Zeppelin and X.

    When the artist Birgir Orn Thoroddsen applied to have his name legally changed to Curver, which he had used in one form or another since age 15, he said he knew full well the committee would reject his application.

    "I was inspired by Prince who changed his name to The Artist Formerly Known As Prince and Puff Daddy who changed his to P. Diddy and then Diddy with seemingly little thought or criticism," he said. "I applied to the committee, but of course I got the 'No' that I expected."

    On his thirtieth birthday, he bought a full-page advertisement that read, "From February 1, 2006, I hereby change my name to Curver Thoroddsen. I ask the nation, my friends and colleagues to respect my decision."

    "I can understand a clause to protect children from being named something like 'Dog poo,' but it is strange that an adult cannot change his name to what he truly wants," he said.

    Thoroddsen is keeping his protest to the media. But Eidsdottir says she is prepared to take her case all the way to the country's Supreme Court if a court doesn't overturn the commission decision on Jan. 25.

    "So many strange names have been allowed, which makes this even more frustrating because Blaer is a perfectly Icelandic name," Eidsdottir said. "It seems like a basic human right to be able to name your child what you want, especially if it doesn't harm your child in any way."

    "And my daughter loves her name," she added.

  • Rhode Island

    Boehner agrees to Sandy aid vote on Friday
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    WASHINGTON (AP) — Under intense pressure from angry Republicans, House Speaker John Boehner agreed Wednesday to a vote this week on aid for Superstorm Sandy recovery.

    The speaker will schedule a vote Friday for $9 billion for the national flood insurance program and another on Jan. 15 for a remaining $51 billion in the package, Republican Rep. Peter King of New York said after emerging from a meeting with Boehner and GOP lawmakers from New York and New Jersey. The votes will be taken by the new Congress that will be sworn in Thursday.

    King left the session with Boehner without the anger that led him to rip into the speaker Tuesday night.

    "It was a very positive meeting," King said, adding that Boehner, R-Ohio, assured the lawmakers present that the money from the two House votes would roughly equal the $60 billion package of aid that passed the Senate.

    Since the votes will be taken in the new Congress, the Senate also will have to approve the legislation. If the House, as expected, approves the $9 billion flood insurance proposal, the Senate plans to move quickly in hopes of approving the aid on a voice vote Friday. The flood insurance money will help pay for claims by home and business owners with coverage.

    Sandy was the most costly natural disaster since Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and one of the worst storms ever in the Northeast.

    "Getting critical aid to the victims of Hurricane Sandy should be the first priority in the new Congress, and that was reaffirmed today with members of the New York and New Jersey delegations," Boehner said in a joint statement with House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va.

    Boehner's decision Tuesday night to cancel an expected vote on Sandy aid before Congress ends its current session provoked a firestorm of criticism from New York, New Jersey and adjacent states where the money will go, including many lawmakers in his own party.

    According to King, Boehner explained that after the contentious vote to avoid major tax increases and spending cuts called the "fiscal cliff," Boehner didn't think it was the right time to schedule the vote before the current Congress went out of business.

    "What's done is done. The end result will be New York, New Jersey and Connecticut will receive the funding they deserve. We made our position clear last night. That's in the past," King said.

    Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., added, "We do believe we have an iron clad commitment."

    The Senate approved a $60.4 billion measure Friday to help with recovery from the October storm that devastated parts of New York, New Jersey and nearby states. The House Appropriations Committee has drafted a smaller, $27 billion measure for immediate recovery needs and a second amendment for $33 billion to meet longer-term needs.

    The $9 billion in flood insurance money to be voted on Friday was originally in the $27 billion measure. The votes on Jan. 15 will be for $18 billion in immediate assistance and $33 billion for longer-term projects, including projects to protect against future storms, King said.

    Much of the money in the proposals is for immediate help for victims and other recovery and rebuilding efforts. The aid is intended to help states rebuild public infrastructure such as roads and tunnels and help thousands of people displaced from their homes.

    Some $5.4 billion is for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's disaster relief fund, $5.4 billion is to help transit agencies in New York and New Jersey rebuild and another $3.9 billion is for the Housing and Urban Development Department's development fund to repair hospitals, utilities and small businesses.

    New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican, was among those sharply criticizing Boehner before the speaker changed course.

    Christie said he was frustrated after Boehner withdrew the bill Tuesday night and tried to call him four times that night, but none of the calls were returned. Christie complained about the "toxic internal politics" of the House majority. Christie said he had worked hard to persuade House members to support Sandy aid, and was given assurances by GOP leaders that the bill would be voted on before Thursday.

    "There is no reason for me at the moment to believe anything they tell me," Christie said before Boehner announced there would be votes this month.

    King had branded Boehner's initial decision to pull the bill a "cruel knife in the back" to New York and New Jersey.

    King was among an angry chorus of New York and New Jersey lawmakers from both parties who blasted Boehner, with some saying his move was a "betrayal."

    In considering the Sandy aid package, the speaker was caught between conservative lawmakers who want to offset any increase in spending and Northeast and mid-Atlantic lawmakers determined to help their states recover more than two months after the storm hit.

    The criticism of Boehner on the House floor was personal at times, and reflected in part the frustration among the rank-and-file over the decision to press ahead with a vote on the fiscal cliff deal engineered by the White House and Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell. Boehner had been struggling with conservatives who complained that the economic package didn't include enough spending cuts.

    Reps. Michael Grimm, a Republican, and Jerrold Nadler, a Democrat, said in angry House floor remarks that while they did not agree on much, Boehner's decision amounted to a "betrayal" and a crushing blow to states battered by the storm.

    President Barack Obama also called for an immediate House vote. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., raised the political temperature even more. She said Boehner should come to Staten Island and the Rockaways to explain his decision to families whose homes and businesses were destroyed. "But I doubt he has the dignity nor the guts to do it," Gillibrand said.

    Obama, meanwhile, called for House Republicans to vote on the Sandy aid "without delay for our fellow Americans." The president said in a written statement that many people in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut are trying to recover from the storm and need "immediate support with the bulk of winter still in front of us."

    The White House said Obama spoke Wednesday with Christie about the importance of the disaster aid bill, and that the president's staff was in touch with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's team too as Obama lobbied for House action.

    Christie and Cuomo, a Democrat, issued a joint statement, saying, "The fact that days continue to go by while people suffer, families are out of their homes, and men and women remain jobless and struggling during these harsh winter months is a dereliction of duty."

    Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-N.J., blamed tea party lawmakers and conservatives who were reluctant to approve new spending soon after the debate over the "fiscal cliff" budget issues for the sudden move by GOP leaders. He said the move was "deplorable."

    More than $2 billion in federal funds has been spent so far on relief efforts for 11 states and the District of Columbia struck by the storm, one of the worst ever to hit the Northeast. The Federal Emergency Management Agency's disaster relief fund still has about $4.3 billion, enough to pay for recovery efforts into early spring, according to officials. The unspent FEMA money can only be used for emergency services, said Pallone.

    New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, District of Columbia, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, New Hampshire, Delaware, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts are receiving federal FEMA aid.

    Sandy was blamed for at least 120 deaths and battered coastline areas from North Carolina to Maine. New York, New Jersey and Connecticut were the hardest hit states and suffered high winds, flooding and storm surges. The storm damaged or destroyed more than 72,000 homes and businesses in New Jersey. In New York, 305,000 housing units were damaged or destroyed and more than 265,000 businesses were affected.

    ___

    Associated Press writer Donna Cassata contributed to this report.

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    SANTIAGO, Chile - The widow of Chilean folk singer Victor Jara is calling on the United States to extradite a retired military official charged with his murder during Chile's 1973 coup.

    Pedro Barrientos Nunez now lives in Florida and has denied any role in the death of Jara, which is remembered as one of the Chilean dictatorship's most brutal crimes.

    Joan Jara held a news conference Wednesday in the stadium where Jara and thousands of other leftists were detained during the coup. She said the charges against Barrientos and seven other former officers is a sign of hope that justice is possible for all the deaths and disappearances. More than 3,000 people were killed by state authorities during the dictatorship of Gen. Augusto Pinochet.

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    BEIRUT (AP) — An American journalist has been missing in Syria since he was kidnapped more than one month ago, his family said Wednesday, less than two years after he was held by government forces in Libya while covering that country's civil war.

    The family of James Foley, of Rochester, N.H., said he was kidnapped in northwest Syria by unknown gunmen on Thanksgiving day.

    Foley, 39, has worked in a number of conflict zones around the Middle East, including Syria, Libya and Iraq. He was contributing videos to Agence France-Press while in Syria.

    Foley's disappearance highlights the risks to reporters seeking to cover the civil war from inside Syria.

    The Syrian government rarely gives visas to journalists and often limits the movements of those it allows in. This has prompted a number of reporters to sneak into the country with the rebels fighting to topple President Bashar Assad. Some have been killed or wounded while others have disappeared.

    Foley and another journalist were working in the northern province of Idlib when they were kidnapped near the village of Taftanaz on November 22. He had entered Syria a short time earlier.

    Media outlets refrained from reporting on Foley's kidnapping until his family released its statement. The other reporter's family has requested that that reporter's name not be made public.

    Foley's family said they have not heard from him since.

    "We want Jim to come safely home, or at least we need to speak with him to know he's OK," said his father, John Foley, in the online statement. "Jim is an objective journalist and we appeal for the release of Jim unharmed. To the people who have Jim, please contact us so we can work together toward his release."

    The Chairman of Agence France-Press, Emmanuel Hoog, said in a statement that the news agency was doing all it could to get Foley released.

    "James is a professional journalist who has remained totally neutral in this conflict," Hoog said. "His captors, whoever they may be, must release him immediately."

    In April 2011, Foley and two other reporters were detained by government forces in Libya while covering that country's civil war. They were released six weeks later. South African photographer Anton Hammerl was shot during their capture and left to die in the desert.

    "I'll regret that day for the rest of my life. I'll regret what happened to Anton," Foley told The Associated Press at the time. "I will constantly analyze that."

    The U.N. said Wednesday that more than 60,000 people have been killed since the start of Syria's conflict in March 2011. This number represents a large jump from death tolls previously given by anti-regime activists.

    The Committee to Protect Journalists said that Syria was the most dangerous country in the world for journalists in 2012, when 28 reporters were killed.

    Those who lost their lives include award-winning French TV reporter Gilles Jacquier, photographer Remi Ochlik and Britain's Sunday Times correspondent Marie Colvin. Also, Anthony Shadid, a correspondent for The New York Times, died after an apparent asthma attack while on assignment in Syria.

    Last month, NBC correspondent Richard Engel and his crew were detained by pro-regime gunmen near where Foley was kidnapped. After his release, Engels said they escaped unharmed during a firefight between their captors and anti-regime rebels.

    ___

    Associated Press writer Elaine Ganley contributed reporting from Paris.