ＪＰＳ、サウジに電力海底ケーブルの新工場

ＪＰＳ、サウジに電力海底ケーブルの新工場

　住友電気工業と日立電線が折半出資する電力ケーブルメーカー、ジェイ・パワーシステムズ（ＪＰＳ、東京・港）は丸紅と共同でサウジアラビアに電力海底ケーブルの新工場を建設する。投資額は30億円。これまで日本から輸出していたが、沖合の油田やガス田の開発で需要が拡大していることを受け、現地生産に切り替える。中東で初の電力海底ケーブル生産拠点となり、アフリカへの供給も検討する。

　ＪＰＳが75％、丸紅の全額出資子会社である丸紅メタル（東京・千代田）が25％出資し、7月に新会社を設立する。資本金は約15億円。新工場は2011年1月の稼働を目指し、フル生産時の出荷額は年間30億円強になる見込み。(12:50)

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柱すっきり３分の１　大成建設、超高強度コンクリ開発

　大成建設は強度を従来比25％向上させた超高強度コンクリートを開発した。オフィスビルなどの柱の幅が従来比3分の1で済むようになり、フロア空間を有効活用できるという。柱となるコンクリート部材を量産する生産施設も整備。ゆとりある空間を確保できるビルなどの受注活動を始める。

　新型コンクリートは1平方センチメートル当たり2トンの荷重に耐える。水を減らしてセメントの量を増やす原料配合の工夫に加え、コンクリートを蒸気で加熱処理することで強度を向上させる技術も開発して性能を引き上げた。コンクリート製の柱や梁（はり）を製造する千葉ＰＣ工場（千葉県成田市）に生産ラインを設置し、部材を工事現場に供給できる体制を整えた。(10:08)

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新型プリウスの生産、月5万台超　トヨタ、6月以降に計画2割増

　トヨタ自動車は5月中旬に発売するハイブリッド車「プリウス」の新型車の生産計画を引き上げる。当初は月間4万台程度を予定していた6月以降の生産台数を5万台超と2割以上増やす。先行予約が予想を上回るペースで推移。発売前の受注は6万―7万台と、新型車としては異例の高水準となる見通し。予想される納車待ちを解消するほか、収益回復に向けた好機ととらえ供給能力を高める。

　新型プリウスは堤工場（愛知県豊田市）とグループ会社で生産する。計画見直しにより、台数の少ない立ち上げ時期の4、5月分を含めて、2009年度通期の生産台数は従来の30万台強から約50万台に増える見込みだ。(25日　07:00)

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大学研究者の支援へ新たな専門職　自民、法規定を検討

　自民党は大学での研究成果が速やかに実用化するよう大学に対する支援策を拡充する。研究者を支える新たな専門職として、知的財産の管理などを担う「研究管理専門職」、研究活動に必要なデータの収集などに携わる「研究技術支援専門職」を法的に規定することが柱。研究に専念できる環境を整えることで科学技術の振興につなげる。

　党科学技術創造立国推進調査会（船田元会長）はこうした内容を盛り込んだ「研究成果実用化促進法案（イノベーション促進法案）」を準備中。議員立法として、今国会の提出を目指す。(07:00)

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グーグルの書籍サービス、作家ら174人が和解案拒否

　著作権管理団体である日本ビジュアル著作権協会（東京・新宿）は25日、同協会に所属する著作権者の約半数にあたる174人の作家らが、米グーグルが進める書籍データベースへの収録をめぐる和解案から離脱すると明らかにした。

　同協会によると、離脱を表明したのは詩人の谷川俊太郎さん、脚本家の倉本聰さん、詩人・作家のねじめ正一さんら。同協会では「和解案の公表から回答期限まで2カ月強と短すぎるうえ、日本の著作権者の意見はまったく入っていない。必要なら今後、別の訴えを起こす」としている。

　グーグルの書籍データベース事業をめぐっては、米作家らが集団訴訟を起こした結果、閲覧サービスによる収入の63％を著作権者に支払うことなどで、昨年秋に和解が成立。著作権の国際条約により、日本もその対象に含まれるため、日本の著作権者も和解案を受け入れるかどうかを、5月5日までに判断する必要がある。(25日　17:17)

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外国人研修生、08年度の死者最多33人　健康管理体制不備の声も

　来日した外国人の研修生や技能実習生が病気などで死亡するケースが増えている。国際研修協力機構によると2008年度の死者数は33人で、前年度の21 人から大幅に増えて過去最多となった。心筋梗塞（こうそく）など心疾患による死亡が急増しており、健康管理体制の不備を指摘する声が出ている。

　昨年4月、ある中国人実習生の男性（33）は午前6時に鳴った目覚まし電話のアラームを止めると、そのまま再び寝入った。30分後、普段なら起きてくるはずの時間に起きてこないことを不審に思った同室の男性が様子を見に行くと、実習生の顔色は蒼白（そうはく）。病院に搬送したが急性心不全で死亡した。

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豚インフル：メキシコの死者８１人に　感染者は１３２４人

　【メキシコ市・庭田学】メキシコのコルドバ保健相は２５日、同国で発生している豚インフルエンザの状況について発表、同日までの感染者数は１３２４人で、死者数は８１人に達したと明らかにした。死亡者のうち死因が豚インフルエンザと確定した人数は２０人で前日と変わらない。

　また、もっとも感染が広がっているメキシコ市・州、中部サンルイスポトシ州の学校は、５月６日に再開する方針を発表した。メキシコ市などの学校は２４日から休校している。

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豚輸入検疫を強化　政府、帰国者の検査も拡充

　政府は25日、メキシコなどでの豚インフルエンザの感染拡大を受け、国内の安全対策に乗り出した。品種改良用などとして輸入されてくる生きた豚の検疫を強化するよう通知。メキシコから成田空港に到着する帰国者らへの検査体制も拡充した。世界保健機関（ＷＨＯ）の緊急委員会の結果次第では、一段と本格的な措置を講じることも検討中だ。

　関係省庁の連携を強めるため、政府は同日午前、首相官邸に情報連絡室を設置。午後には各省庁の担当者を集めた対策会議を開き、情報収集を急ぐことを申し合わせた。外務省はメキシコへの渡航を予定している邦人に対し、渡航の是非を再検討するよう呼びかけ始めている。(07:00)

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Russian tycoon Abramovich ranked 2nd on U.K.'s rich list - paper
13:18 | 26/ 04/ 2009

LONDON, April 26 (RIA Novosti) - Russian billionaire and Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich has kept his position as Britain's second richest man, although his fortune has fallen by more than 40%, a British paper reported on Sunday.

According to The Sunday Times 2009 Rich List, to be published soon, Abramovich's wealth has fallen from 11.7 billion British pounds ($17 billion) a year ago to just 7 billion British pounds ($10.3 billion) "on the back of collapsing shares in his steel and other investments."

According to the list, which includes persons born or based in the U.K., Indian-born steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal has kept his position as the U.K.'s richest man, although his wealth has plummeted by almost 17 billion British pounds ($24.9 billion) to 10.8 billion British pounds ($15.9 billion), down 61% in a year.

The richest British-born billionaire is the Duke of Westminster at number 3. His fortune has shrunk by just 7% to 6.5 billion British pounds ($9.6 billion), the paper said.

Overall, the number of billionaires in Great Britain has dropped from 75 to 43, The Sunday Times reported.

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15:56 GMT, Friday, 24 April 2009 16:56 UK
Russia military spy boss 'sacked'

Valentin Korabelnikov (left) speaks to Vladimir Putin and Sergei Ivanov (November 2006)

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has dismissed the head of the country's powerful GRU military intelligence service, the Kremlin has said.

Mr Medvedev signed a decree on Friday replacing Gen Valentin Korabelnikov with Gen Alexander Shlyakhturov. Officials gave no reason for the move.

Gen Korabelnikov had led the Main Directorate of Intelligence since 1997.

He reportedly tendered his resignation earlier this year over objections to proposed reforms of the agency.

The Main Directorate of Intelligence (GRU) of the General Staff is Russia's largest intelligence agency. It is believed to have six times as many agents in foreign countries as the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), one of the successors to the Soviet KGB.

Protest

In a statement on Friday, the Kremlin announced that President Medvedev had signed a decree that "released" Gen Korabelnikov from his post and from military service.

Logo of Main Directorate of Intelligence (GRU)

The BBC's Richard Galpin in Moscow says this is potentially one of the most significant decisions Mr Medvedev has taken since being sworn in almost a year ago.

It reinforces statements he made last month that he intends pushing ahead with a major overhaul of the armed forces despite opposition from some senior officers, and that those who do stand in the way such as the military intelligence chief risk being swept aside, our correspondent says.

Gen Korabelnikov had been the head of military intelligence for 12 years and was a four-star general.

Analysts say the 63-year-old was one of the main opponents of the planned military reforms, which could see the Russian armed forces shrink from 1.3 million serving men and women to one million.

The majority of those cuts would come from the officer corps, which could see the loss of around 200,000 posts, including many generals.

Some of the proposed reforms were said to have included the disbanding of several GRU-controlled army special forces (Spetsnaz) brigades and the redistribution of the command of some GRU structures to the SVR.

Gen Korabelnikov is reported to have submitted his resignation in protest last November. When rumours again circulated in March, defence officials announced that his term of service had been extended by two years.

Russian soldiers march during a Victory Day parade rehearsal (24 April 2009)

Unnamed GRU sources told Russian media that one of the reasons why the general's resignation had not been accepted at the time was that many of his deputies had refused to assume his post.

The Kremlin said the new GRU chief, Gen Shlyakhturov, had been one of Gen Korabelnikov's deputies. He is reportedly seen by some in the military as a more compliant figure who may not challenge ministers.

Although President Medvedev has insisted that the reforms of the military will go ahead, it is not clear when, our correspondent says.

The country is in the grip of a severe economic crisis which has already seen millions of people thrown out of work, he adds.

In a separate development, three districts in Chechnya have been officially designated zones of counter-terrorist activity only a week after Russia said it had ended its decade-long military campaign against separatist rebels in the southern republic.

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17:42 GMT, Thursday, 23 April 2009 18:42 UK
Lebanon general 'was Israeli spy'

BBC Map

A Lebanese prosecutor has charged a former general and three other people with spying for Israel.

Former Brig Gen Adeeb Al-Alam is accused of sending classified information to the Israeli secret service, Mossad.

The information came from Lebanon's Internal Security Forces headquarters.

He has been arrested with his wife and nephew, who are also charged. The authorities are still seeking a fourth person charged with involvement.

The case has been transferred to a military court, and Gen Alam and his co-accused could face the death penalty if they are found guilty.

An Israeli government spokesman said it was their policy not to comment on such cases.

The BBC's Natalia Antelava in Beirut says the retired general is thought to be the most senior member of the group.

He ran an agency which brought Asian domestic workers to Lebanon.

But he also kept an office at the headquarters of Lebanon's Internal Security Forces.

Prosecutors allege the general used the office to send classified information on to the Mossad.

Lebanese media say Gen Alam is believed to have been spying for Israel since 1984.

While most of the media are hailing the arrest as a major achievement, our correspondent says there are people who question why it took Lebanese intelligence so long to track down the suspects.

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3 more detained in Lebanon on suspicion of spying for Israel

Lebanese police continue arrests in case of pro-Israel spy ring that has allegedly infiltrated Hizbullah

Roee Nahmias
Published: 04.25.09, 16:48 / Israel News

Lebanon's security forces on Saturday detained three additional suspects in a case of espionage for Israel, in which a retired officer in the Lebanese army has already been charged. According to the report by Kuwait's news agency, the officer's testimony led to the three arrests.

Case History
Lebanon charges ex-general with spying for Israel / Reuters
Former general Adeeb al-Alam, wife, nephew charged with establishing contact with Israel's Mossad 'with aim of facilitating its aggressive acts' and 'visiting enemy country' without permission
Full Story
The suspects include two Lebanese and one Palestinian – Ibrahim Awad, nephew of the leader of Fatah al-Islam. The report says the three were arrested in a police raid on their homes in Sidon, in southern Lebanon.


Police are still searching for one more suspect in the case of the alleged espionage ring, which has already led to six arrests.

The report from Kuwait says security forces in Lebanon received information on the three men from Adeeb al-Alam, a retired brigadier general of the prominent General Security directorate, who was arrested along with his wife and nephew.

The arrests were described in local reports as an important achievement for Lebanese security, said to be cracking down on espionage rings allegedly tracking Hizbullah agents for the benefit of Israel.

Al-Alam was formally charged on Thursday with establishing contact with Israel's Mossad "and supplying it with information about military and civilian Lebanese and Syrian centers with the aim of facilitating its aggressive acts".

The Al-Hayat daily reported that the ring had succeeded in infiltrating Hizbullah's ranks and that the group has subsequently taken measures to prevent further espionage by advocating the arrests.

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Lebanese general admits spying for Israel
Published: April 15, 2009
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BEIRUT, Lebanon, April 15 (UPI) -- A retired Lebanese military general arrested by security officials in Beirut allegedly confessed to spying for Israel for more than a decade.

Retired Brig. Gen. Adeeb al-Alam had worked in the Lebanese Interior Ministry on security affairs.

Authorities had charged Alam with collaborating with the Israeli secret service, the Mossad.

Lebanese security officials said they had monitored Alam's activities for more than three months prior to his arrest Saturday, Lebanon's Naharnet news service reports, citing Arabic-language outlets.

Alam denied allegations he had worked with the Israelis to coordinate assassinations and bombing attacks on Lebanon.

His wife came forward with information he had initially withheld, though the nature of that information was unclear.

Alam said he served as a information collector for the Mossad. Several mid-ranking Lebanese officials were detained in recent months on suspicion of working with the Israelis to monitor the activity of the Lebanese Hezbollah.

© 2009 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.

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Report: Another Israeli spying cell uncovered in Lebanon

Posted: 25-04-2009 , 12:30 GMT

Lebanese security forces arrested on Saturday a cell linked to the Israeli Mossad in southern Lebanon, Future News TV reported. It added police detained three members of the cell during raids in Jezzine, Nabatiyeh and Sidon.

Voice of Lebanon radio said, however, that security forces arrested a suspect named Ali Mantash in Nabatiyeh and a Palestinian whose family name is Awad in Sidon. It added that authorities were still looking for the third suspect.

A source also told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that one of those arrested is Ibrahim Awad, the cousin of Abdul Rahman Awad, the successor of Fatah al-Islam leader Shaker Abssi.

Police lately uncovered an Israel spy network dubbed "al-Alam cell."

© 2009 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)

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23:42 GMT, Thursday, 23 April 2009 00:42 UK
Milk protein clue to big babies

Baby being bottle-fed

Breast milk has less protein than formula, which could be why bottle-fed babies grow faster, a study suggests.

There has been concern that formula-fed babies, who tend to be bigger, are "programmed" to store fat and so have a higher risk of childhood obesity.

The international study of 1,000 babies, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, suggests protein levels in formula should fall.

But UK manufacturers said action had already been taken to cut levels.

Measures

The study was carried out in Belgium, Italy, Germany, Poland and Spain on babies born between 2002 and 2004.

Parents were recruited to take part in the first few weeks of their babies' lives.

A third were given a low protein content formula milk (around 2g per 100kcal), a third had a formula with a higher level of protein (3-4g per 10kcal), while the rest were breast-fed during their first year.

"Limiting the protein content of infant and follow-on formula can normalise early growth and might contribute greatly to reducing the long-term risk of childhood overweight and obesity"
Professor Berthold Koletzko, Study author

To qualify as breast-fed, babies had to be either exclusively given breast milk, or have a maximum of three bottles per week.

The infants were all then followed up to the age of two with regular weight, height and body mass index measurements taken.

At the age of two, there was no difference in height between the groups, but the high protein group were the heaviest.

The researchers suggest lower protein intakes in infancy might protect against later obesity.

The children are being followed up further to see whether those given the lower protein formulas have a reduced risk of obesity later on.

Changes needed?

Professor Berthold Koletzko, from the University of Munich, Germany, and who led the study, said: "These results from the EU Childhood Obesity Programme underline the importance of promoting and supporting breastfeeding because of the long-term benefits it brings.

"They also highlight the importance of the continual development and improvement in the composition of infant formula.

"Limiting the protein content of infant and follow-on formula can normalise early growth and might contribute greatly to reducing the long-term risk of childhood overweight and obesity."

But writing in the American Journal of Nutrition, Dr Satish Kalhan of the Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, US, said: "On the basis of these data, should we consider prescribing low protein formula to infants?

"The answer most likely is a categorical no."

A spokesman for the UK's Infant and Dietetic Food Association said companies had already reduced protein levels to well below those mentioned in the study.

She added: "The scientific evidence reviewing the role of infant formula in the development of obesity in later life is unclear.

"Most studies in this area are short-term and very few look at the long-term effect into adulthood."

But she added: "Clearly further research is required and this is an area we follow closely to ensure that the product we represent are based on generally accepted scientific evidence."

New infant growth charts, to be introduced in the UK this summer, have been changed so they relate more closely to the growth patterns of breast-fed babies.

Existing charts are based on a 1970s study into the growth patterns of formula-fed babies, and many breast-fed babies fall short - often causing concern to their parents and to health visitors.