Three people were wounded in a shooting in Texas

Three people have been wounded in a shooting at a college near the city of Houston, Texas. Police say a student and another person were arguing Tuesday at Lone Star college. They took out guns and shot at each other. One gunman was wounded. Two people nearby were also shot. It is not clear if the wounds are serious. Police say both people who are believe to be the gunmen have been arrested. Tuesday's shooting come as the United States is debating the issue of gun control. President Obama has called for stricter gun control. But opponents say the American Constitution permits the right to have weapons.

（日本語訳）
テキサス州のヒューストン近郊にある大学で起きた銃撃事件で三人が負傷した。警察の発表によると、ローン・スター大学で、学生ともう一人の人物は火曜日口論していた。彼らは銃をとり、お互い撃ちあった。撃ちあったうちの一人がけがをし、近くにいた二人がけがをした。負傷の程度は重大なものかどうかは明らかでない。銃を使ったと思われる二人を逮捕したと警察は発表した。合衆国が銃規制の問題を議論を始めた矢先に火曜日の銃撃事件が起きた。オバマ大統領はより規制された銃規制を求めている。しかし、反対派はアメリカの憲法は武器を所有する権利を認めていると言っている。

My opinion on this issue
I have picked up this news because the incident happened in a city of USA where my friend lives.

Japan has started to investigate the hostage crisis in Algeria

Japan's Prime Minister gathered a group of government officials Sunday to investigate the hostage crisis in Algeria. Shinzo Abe says he called the meeting after Algeria's government said Japanese nationals may have died in the attack on the natural gas production center. A spokesman for Japanese engineering company said four more workers at the gas center have been found alive, bringing the total found to seven. The company has 78 workers at the gas center. The company's  president went to Algeria on Saturday.

（日本語訳）
日本の総理大臣はアルジェリアの人質問題を調査するため日曜日政府高官を集めた。阿部晋三首相はアルジェリア政府が天然ガス採掘所への攻撃で日本国籍の人が死んだかもしれないと発表したことを受けてその会議を招集したと言っている。日本の技術系の会社のスポークスマンはガス採掘所でさらに4人の労働者が生存していたと語り、全部で７名の生存が確認された。その会社では78人の社員がガス採掘所で働いている。土曜日、会社の社長がアルジェリアに向かった。

My thought/opinion on this issue
This terrible news has shown that Japan is in very difficult situation in these cases. Many Japanese have worked aboard and some are in such places that might be targeted by terrorists. In some meaning, they are working to strengthen Japan's economy. But, there are not more important things than humans's life. all Japanese may think.

"Michi no Eki"

                            

We often see a place called "Michi no Eki"（道の駅）.along major roads in local area. In my direct translation, it is "a station on road". It gives a place for drivers to stop and have a short rest. It often has attracting places like souvenir shop, farmer's market and "Onsen"（温泉）.

Last Sunday, I visited a "Michi no Eki" called "おおとう桜街道" in Ootou Machi with my wife and daughter. It took about 50 minutes by car from my house. Our main purpose was to use its "Onsen".

We were surprised to see its big colored lights. But we could not understand that one of them shapes a form of Mt. Fuji.

The "Michi no Eki" is famous for having a very luxurious rest room that costs one hundred million yen. Unfortunately, I could not use it because its closed time.

French Air Force has carried out an airstrike in Mali to support the government forces(20130113)

The French Air Force has carried out an airstrike in Mali to support government forces in their campaign against Islamist militants. Late Friday, Malian officials said the airstrike has stopped the rebel offensive. On Friday, France said it had deployed troops to Mali at the request of the country's government. French President Francois Hollande said French forces are helping to fight what he called "terrorist elements" in Mali. He said the operation will last as long as necessary. Mali is a former French colony. Troops from Nigeria and Senegal are also in Mali to help government forces. Officials in Mali declared a national state of emergency Friday. And Thursday, officials ordered all schools in the capital to close.   

original news・日本語のニュース

（日本語訳）
フランス空軍はイスラム武力集団に対して攻撃しているマリ政府軍を支援するためマリ濃くなくて空爆を行った。金曜日遅くマリ当局は空爆により反乱軍の攻撃が止まったと発表した。また、フランスは、金曜日、マリ政府の要請にこたえてマリへ軍隊を位置すると発表した。フランス大統領のフランソワ・オランデは、フランス軍はマリ国内で、彼が呼ぶところの「テロリスト要因」との戦いを助けており、攻撃は必要な間は続くと言った。マリは、フランスの元植民地である。ナイジェリアとセネガルの軍隊もまた、マリ政府軍を支援するためマリに駐屯している。マリ政府当局は金曜日国家の緊急事態を宣言している。また、木曜日当局は首都のすべての学校に対して休校を命じた。

My thought/opinion on this issue
Ｔhe attack against Islamist militants might cause another terrorism against West、I think.

平成25年1月12日朝日新聞（夕刊）

Japan's government approved a program to strengthen economy

In Japan, the government has approved a program to try to strengthen the world's third largest economy. The program is expected to cost about 117 billion dollars. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says the plan will bring immediately help to Japan's economy which fell back into recession last year. He said the plan will create about 600,000 new jobs.

original news

（日本語訳）
日本政府は世界第三位の経済を強めるプログラムを承認した。そのプログラムは1,170ドルの支出が見込まれている。安部晋三首相はその計画は昨年落ち込んだ日本の経済を速やかに立ち直らせ、60万の新雇用を創出すると言った。

My thought/opinion on this issue
I am not an economist, so I don't know how the program works well. But, I think there is a large amount of surplus money that elder people in Japan have and law makers should create measures to get rid of their anxiety on their daily life and to urge them to spend their money, I think.

Google's chairman has a plan to visit North Korea

The chairman of the Internet company, Google, is reported to be planing a trip to North Korea. The Associated Press reported Wednesday that Eric Shmidt will take part in a private humanitarian visit led by former New Mexico governor, Bill Richardson. The trip could come as soon as this month. It is unclear whom the delegation will meet in North Korea. The country does not have diplomatic relations with the United States. The communist state, North Korea, is considered to have the most severe Internet restrictions in the world.

original news

（日本語訳）
インターネット会社、グーグルの会長が北朝鮮への訪問を計画していると報道されている。ＡＰは水曜日、エリック・シュミット会長が元ニューメキシコ州知事のビル・リチャードソンによって実施される個人的な、人道的訪問に参加すると報道した。訪問は今月早く実現される。北朝鮮で、代表団が誰と会談するかは明らかではない。北朝鮮は、合衆国と外交関係がなく、またこの共産主義国は世界で最もインターネットが制限されている国と考えられている。

Turkey has begun talk with Kurdish rebel leader in jail(20130105)

The Turkish government is in talks with the jailed Kurdish rebel leader, Abdullah Ocalan. An adviser to Turkish Prime Minister has confirmed that Turkish intelligence officers have begun talks with the leader of the Kurdiｓh group, PKK. PKK, or Kurdistan Workers Party, has been fighting the Turkish state since 1984. The fight for a separate Kurdish territory has claimed almost 40,000 lives. Turkey would like the rebel to surrender their weapons this spring.


original news

（日本語訳）
トルコ政府は、投獄中のクルド反乱軍のリーダー、アブドラ・オジャラン氏と話し合いを始めた。トルコ首相のアドバイザーはトルコの情報機関職員がクルド人グループ、ＰＫＫのリーダーと話し合いをしたことを認めた。ＰＫＫ，クルド労働者党は1984年以降（クルド人国家の）独立を求めて闘っている。その戦いでは、分離されたクルド自治領域では約4万人が住んでいると主張している。トルコは反乱軍に対して、この春には武力解除を望んでいる。

Burma admits air strikes targeted Kachin rebels(20130104)

The Burmese government has confirmed thaｔ it carried out air strikes this week against rebels in northern Burma. The government officials told VOA on Wednesday that "training jets" were used against ethnic rebels in Kachin state. He says the air strikes were meant to answer attacks by the Kachin independence organisation. Some government officials have early denied carrying out an air offensive in rebel-held territory. But officials later said the army have used air strikes to help recapture a base during an increase in fighting that began last week. Each side has blamed the other for increased violence. Tens of thousands of people have been displaced in northern Burma since June of 2011.That was when the fighting between the army and Kachin rebels began, ending a 17-year ceasefire.     

original news・日本語のニュース

（日本語訳）

ミャンマー政府は、ミャンマー北部の反乱軍に対して今週空爆を行ったことを認めた。政府高官は水曜日カチン州の民族反乱軍に対して訓練機を使用したとＶＯＡに語った。彼は、空爆はカチン独立組織による攻撃への反撃であると言っている。当初政府高官たちは反乱軍が支配している地域での空爆の実施について否定していたが。後になって軍隊が先週始まった戦闘が激化する中で基地を奪回するため空爆を使用したことを認めた。お互い（政府軍と反乱軍）が、戦闘が激化した責任は相手にあると言っている。北部ミャンマーでは、17年の停戦が終わり、軍隊とカチン反乱軍が戦闘を始めた2011年の6月以降数万人の人々が避難を強いられている。

My thought/opinion on this issue

I have paid attention to the development of the country after military rule had ended. But I have first learned that the country has this kind of problem. Ethnic problem is often uncovered after rule by  strong power has ended, I think. 

"gantan" January 1,2013

This year started with snow in my area, northern Kyushu. The cold weather has continued recent days, although it had been relatively warm in winter a few years ago. (we call it "dan-tou"（暖冬）.)

I went to "Aeon, Wakamatsu-Futajima"（イオン若松二島店） on the day to buy several foods that I brought to my mother's house. It opened at 8:30 am. A lot of people were waiting in line for its open when I arrived there at 8:20 am.

Almost all stores were closed January 1 to 3 about 20 years ago. People's life style has changed. Now, people get easily things whenever they want. But, I don't know whether this is really good.