【名言か迷言か】ねじれ国会、４月補選、７月参院選…今年は参院に注目

【名言か迷言か】ねじれ国会、４月補選、７月参院選…今年は参院に注目
第２次安倍政権が発足して初の新年を迎えた。安倍晋三首相は円高・デフレ経済脱却を主眼に、今年度補正予算案や来年度予算案の編成作業を本格化する考えだ。ただ、昨年１２月の衆院選で２９４議席と大勝した自民党も、参院での議席は８３。公明党を足し合わせても１０２議席だ。与党で過半数には達しておらず、衆参で与野党の勢力が異なる「ねじれ国会」は依然として続く。今年は４月に参院補選（山口選挙区）、７月に参院選が控えていることもあり、参院が注目される１年となりそうだ。　参院の定数は２４２。ただ、昨年の衆院選でくら替え出馬が相次いだため、欠員が６生じており、現在の議員の数は２３６だ。議長は採決に加わらないため、過半数は１１８議席となる。自公両党がねじれ国会を解消するためには、１６議席の上積みが必須。統一会派を組む無所属議員を与党に算入しても１５議席足りない。この数は、野党に対する引き抜き工作で補えるものではなく、参院選まではねじれ国会が続くことになる。　自公両党は先の衆院選で計３２５議席を獲得。参院が否決した法案を衆院で再可決できる３分の２以上を確保している。このため、ねじれ国会の対応に苦しんだ民主党政権のようにはならず、与党主導の国会運営が続く可能性が高い。ただ、再可決を連発すれば野党から「強行採決」「数の横暴だ」などと批判を受けるため、民主党をはじめとした野党に協力を要請する場面も多くなりそうだ。　参院選の前に政局の焦点となりそうなのは、日本銀行総裁の人事だ。現職の白川方明氏の任期は４月８日だが、後任を決めるには衆参両院の同意が必要で、衆院での再可決はできない。　日銀総裁人事をめぐっては福田康夫内閣の時、野党の民主党が反対し、総裁ポストが一時空席になった経緯もある。安倍政権が至上命題とする日本経済再生のためには、空席は避けたいところ。野党への協力要請は不可欠だ。菅義偉官房長官は４日の産経新聞社などのインタビューで「野党に根気強く粘り強く説明し、賛同してもらう努力をしっかりしたい」と語っている。< 前のページ1234次のページ >
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＜2013年新春特集・中国ヘンテコ建築―その10＞「シドニー・オペラハウス」の模倣建築物―江蘇省

＜2013年新春特集・中国ヘンテコ建築―その10＞「シドニー・オペラハウス」の模倣建築物―江蘇省
中国各地で独創性あふれる建物や海外の有名建築を模倣したものと思われる建物が話題を集めている。芸術的な視点から見れば素晴らしいデザインなのかもしれないが、“ヘンテコ”な印象を与えてしまう建物が多い。そこで今回は新春特集として中国の全国にある“ヘンテコ”な建物10カ所を紹介したい。

【その他の写真】

最後の10カ所目は、江蘇省塩城市阜寧県「シドニー・オペラハウス」のパクリ建築。同県は2010年4月、市民広場に「上海万博中国館」のミニチュア版を建設。貧困県として知られる同県が350万元（約4700万円）という巨費を投じて、現実的な用途がない建物を建てたことに多くの批判が寄せられた。しかし、批判にもめげず、今度は世界遺産のオペラハウスに似せた建物を建設。同施設も用途は不明だという。打たれ強い精神は感心するが、意味のない建築物を建てるという浪費は感心できないだろう。（編集/内山）【関連記事】 「パクリの里へようこそ」上海万博中国館パクったあの貧困県が今度は世界遺産を……―江蘇省塩城市 西洋の都市や観光地を模した街づくりが流行の中国、そのパクリ行為は自己顕示欲の裏返し―米誌 デザイナーズ物からパクリまで…ヘンテコ建築大集合―中国 中国よ、革新国を目指すならまずは「パクリ」の習慣を何とかしろ―米メディア ＜ビックリ中国事情＞究極のパクリ登場！―パクリ天安門
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11月豪企業景況感指数は前月から変わらず＝ＮＡＢ

11月豪企業景況感指数は前月から変わらず＝ＮＡＢ
［シドニー　１１日　ロイター］　ナショナル・オーストラリア銀行＜NAB.AX＞が１１日公表した調査によると、１１月の豪企業景況感指数はマイナス５となり、２００９年５月以来最低となった前月から変わらずだった。

企業信頼感指数は８ポイント低下のマイナス９で、０９年４月以来最低となった。

部門別では、建設、製造業、卸売りが特に厳しい状況となった。

ＮＡＢのチーフエコノミスト、アラン・オスター氏は「今月のキーワードは悲観主義だ。産業全体を通して広範囲に数字が低調で、オーストラリア準備銀行（ＲＢＡ、中銀）による最近の利下げがまだ需要面で反映されていない」と述べた。

ＲＢＡは先週、政策金利のオフィシャルキャッシュレートを０．２５％ポイント引き下げ、過去最低水準に並ぶ３．０％とすることを決めた。【関連記事】 10月豪貿易赤字が4年半ぶり高水準に、交易条件の悪化が響く 豪中銀が鉱業ブームのピーク見据え利下げ、市場は来年の追加緩和予想 ドル82円前半、豪ドルは利下げ休止意識され上昇 豪財務相が利下げを歓迎、「一足早いクリスマスプレゼント」 豪中銀、政策金利を3.0％に引き下げ：識者はこうみる
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【科学】ｉＰＳ細胞 臨床指針の見直しが急務

【科学】ｉＰＳ細胞　臨床指針の見直しが急務
ｉＰＳ細胞の臨床応用は通常、治療法の研究などを目的に細胞移植を行う「臨床研究」を実施した後、製品化を目指して有効性と安全性を確かめる治験（臨床試験）が行われる見通しだ。　臨床研究は研究機関が少数の患者を対象に行うのに対し、治験は企業が一定数の患者に実施するもので、より多くの費用と時間を要する。いずれも厚生労働省への承認申請が必要だ。　臨床研究に実施義務はないが、ｉＰＳ細胞のような新しい技術を使う場合、いきなり治験に入るとリスクが大きすぎるため、大半は臨床研究からスタートするとみられる。加齢黄斑変性という目の病気の再生医療を目指す理化学研究所も、来年度からの臨床研究を計画している。　治験で有効性と安全性が確認されると、薬事法に基づく承認を経て実用化される。ただ、医療として広く普及するには「何年かかるか分からない」（厚労省）という。　この流れとは別に、臨床研究の実施後、最先端の医療を例外的に実施する先進医療の枠組みで治療が行われる可能性もある。　いずれのケースでも臨床研究は最初の重要なステップになるが、国の指針が十分に整備されていない課題を抱えている。< 前のページ12次のページ >
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Obama touts Hagel, says no decision on defense secretary job

Obama touts Hagel, says no decision on defense secretary job

Article: Little Republican support for Hagel for Defense post-senator

15 hrs ago

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama offered strong support for former Republican Senator Chuck Hagel as the potential next U.S. defense secretary but said in remarks aired on Sunday that he had not yet decided on a nominee for the Pentagon post.

Hagel is considered a leading candidate to replace outgoing Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, but the former Nebraska lawmaker has come under criticism for his record on Israel and for a comment that being gay was an inhibiting factor for being an ambassador.

"I've served with Chuck Hagel. I know him. He is a patriot. He is somebody who has done extraordinary work both in the United States Senate, somebody who served this country with valor in Vietnam," Obama told NBC's "Meet the Press" in an interview taped on Saturday and broadcast on Sunday.

Any nomination for defense secretary must be approved by the Senate where some lawmakers have voiced criticism about their former colleague.

"I think a lot of Republicans and Democrats are very concerned about Chuck Hagel's positions on Iran sanctions, his views toward Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah, and that there is wide and deep concern about his policies. All of us like him as a person," Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said.

"There would be very little Republican support for his nomination, at the end of the day, there will be very few votes," Graham said on Fox News Sunday.

Republican Senator Tom Coburn from Oklahoma said bluntly: "I cannot vote for Chuck Hagel."

Aside from his controversial statements, "he does not have the experience to manage a very large organization like the Pentagon," Coburn said on CBS' "Face the Nation." "If there's a place that we need great management it's the Pentagon."

Senator Richard Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois, said on the same television show that Hagel deserved "respect for the service he's given our country in the military and in the Senate" and should be given consideration. "He at least deserves a hearing and an opportunity," he said.

Obama said he had seen nothing that would disqualify Hagel.

The president said Hagel had apologized for his comments related to homosexuality, referred to by NBC's David Gregory in the interview.

"With respect to the particular comment that you quoted, he apologized for it," Obama said.

"And I think it's a testimony to what has been a positive change over the last decade in terms of people's attitudes about gays and lesbians serving our country. And that's something that I'm very proud to have led," he said.

Obama came out in favor of gay marriage in the middle of his re-election bid this year. Earlier in his term he presided over the end of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy that prohibited gay men and women from serving openly in the U.S. military.

Hagel, who left the Senate in 2008, has faced questions about his record on Israel.

Some of Israel's leading U.S. supporters contend that Hagel at times opposed Israel's interests, voting several times against U.S. sanctions on Iran, and made disparaging remarks about the influence of what he called a "Jewish lobby" in Washington.

Obama, who has strained relations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has faced questions of his own from the American Jewish community about his approach to the U.S. ally.

Obama said Hagel was doing an "outstanding job" serving on an intelligence advisory board and gave no indication on when he would make his final decision about the defense chief job.

The president has already backed down once from a contentious nomination, choosing Democratic Senator John Kerry to replace Hillary Clinton as secretary of state rather than going with his presumed first choice, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice, whom many Republicans opposed after she made controversial remarks about the September 11 attacks on a U.S. mission in Benghazi, Libya, that killed four Americans.

(Editing by Sandra Maler)

South Africa: 7 die during fitness tests

South Africa: 7 die during fitness tests

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South African media say provincial authorities are investigating the deaths of seven job-seekers who collapsed in the heat while undergoing a fitness test for positions as traffic officers.

The chief transport official for KwaZulu-Natal province, Willies Mchunu, has suspended further test in the meantime.

The state-owned South African Broadcasting Corporation reported that several tens of thousands of people took the fitness test late last week, even though only 90 jobs were available. They were required to run four kilometers (2.5 miles) in temperatures of more than 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit), and many collapsed from dehydration and heat exhaustion. Some received hospital treatment.

South Africa's official statistics show that the unemployment rate is 25 percent, an indication why so many were applying for the 90 jobs.

Obama wants gun violence measures passed in 2013

Obama wants gun violence measures passed in 2013

Article: In gun debate, two sides speak different languages

15 hrs ago

Article: Ag secretary sees common ground on gun control

15 hrs ago

Article: Fearful of ban, frenzied buyers swarm gun stores

Fri, Dec 28, 2012

Article: New York newspaper to list more gun permit holders after uproar

Sat, Dec 29, 2012

Article: Claim seeks $100 million for child survivor of Connecticut school shooting

Fri, Dec 28, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) — Recalling the shooting rampage that killed 20 first graders as the worst day of his presidency, President Barack Obama pledged to put his "full weight" behind legislation aimed at preventing gun violence.

Obama voiced skepticism about the National Rifle Association's proposal to put armed guards in schools following the Dec. 14 tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. The president made his comments Saturday in an interview that aired Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press."

Instead, the president vowed to rally the American people around an agenda to limit gun violence, adding that he still supports increased background checks and bans on assault weapons and high-capacity bullet magazines. He left no doubt it will be one of his top priorities next year.

"It is not enough for us to say, 'This is too hard so we're not going to try,'" Obama said.

"I think there are a vast majority of responsible gun owners out there who recognize that we can't have a situation in which somebody with severe psychological problems is able to get the kind of high capacity weapons that this individual in Newtown obtained and gun down our kids," he added. "And, yes, it's going to be hard."

The president added that he's ready to meet with Republicans and Democrats, anyone with a stake in the issue.

The schoolhouse shootings, coming as families prepared for the holidays, have elevated the issue of gun violence to the forefront of public attention. Six adult staff members were also killed at the elementary school. Shooter Adam Lanza committed suicide, apparently as police closed in. Earlier, he had killed his mother at the home they shared.

The tragedy immediately prompted calls for greater gun controls. But the NRA is strongly resisting those efforts, arguing instead that schools should have armed guards for protection. Some gun enthusiasts have rushed to buy semiautomatic rifles of the type used by Lanza, fearing sales may soon be restricted.

Obama seemed unimpressed by the NRA proposal. "I am skeptical that the only answer is putting more guns in schools," he said. "And I think the vast majority of the American people are skeptical that that somehow is going to solve our problem."

The president said he intends to press the issue with the public.

"The question then becomes whether we are actually shook up enough by what happened here that it does not just become another one of these routine episodes where it gets a lot of attention for a couple of weeks and then it drifts away," Obama said. "It certainly won't feel like that to me. This is something that - you know, that was the worst day of my presidency. And it's not something that I want to see repeated."

Separately, a member of the president's cabinet said Sunday that rural America may be ready to join a national conversation about gun control. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the debate has to start with respect for the Second Amendment right to bear arms and recognition that hunting is a way of life for millions of Americans.

But Vilsack said Newtown has changed the way people see the issue. "I really believe that this is a different circumstance and a different situation," Vilsack said on CNN.

Vilsack said he thinks it's possible for Americans to come together. "It's potentially a unifying conversation," he said. "The problem is that these conversations are always couched in the terms of dividing us. This could be a unifying conversation, and Lord knows we need to be unified."

Besides passing gun violence legislation, Obama also listed deficit reduction and immigration as top priorities for 2013. A big deficit reduction deal with Republicans proved elusive this month, and Obama is now hoping Senate Democratic and Republican leaders salvage a scaled-back plan that avoids tax increases for virtually all Americans.

In addition, he issued a defense of former Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, who has been mentioned as one of the leading candidates to replace Leon Panetta as defense secretary.

Hagel supported the 2002 resolution approving U.S. military action in Iraq, but later became a critic of the war. He has been denounced by some conservatives for not being a strong enough ally of Israel. Also, many liberals and gay activists have banded against him for comments he made in 1998 about an openly gay nominee for an ambassadorship.

Obama, who briefly served with Hagel in the Senate, stressed that he had yet to make a decision but called Hagel a "patriot."

Hagel "served this country with valor in Vietnam," the president said. "And (he) is somebody who's currently serving on my intelligence advisory board and doing an outstanding job."

Obama noted that Hagel had apologized for his 14-year-old remark on gays.