ニュースで学ぶ現代英語 24/3/4(月)-3/8(金)

ニュースで学ぶ現代英語 24/3/4(月)ロシアナワリヌイ氏死亡
SPECULATION ABOUT NAVALNY CAUSE OF DEATH
2024年2月20日のニュース

The death of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has many in the country demanding to know the circumstances. Navalny was an outspoken critic of President Vladimir Putin.
Russian authorities announced on Friday that Navalny had died in the prison colony where he was serving his sentence, but gave no details about the cause of death.
Navalny’s support group says his mother and lawyer were told by the prison that the cause was “sudden death syndrome.” But his mother has not been allowed to see the body. Investigators reportedly told her it will take 14 days to complete tests on the body.
The independent Russian newspaper, Novaya Gazeta Europe, quotes another inmate as saying a “mysterious commotion” broke out on Thursday evening, then security was tightened, and vehicles could be heard driving into the compound.
A Russian human rights group says that as of noon on Monday, over 50,000 people had called for investigators to release Navalny’s body to his family.

ニュースで学ぶ現代英語 24/3/5(火) Ｈ３ロケット２号機打ち上げ成功
JAXA CONFIRMS SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH OF FLAGSHIP H3 ROCKET
2024年2月17日のニュース

Japan’s space agency JAXA has confirmed that its new H3 rocket has successfully entered orbit.
The flagship rocket lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center in the southwestern prefecture of Kagoshima on Saturday morning. Officials at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency say the craft reached its planned orbit less than 20 minutes later. This is the second launch of an H3 rocket. The first attempt last March was aborted after its second-stage engine failed to ignite.
In a news conference, JAXA President Yamakawa Hiroshi said he couldn’t be happier or more relieved. He said he truly appreciates the efforts of everyone involved.
Project manager Okada Masashi said Saturday’s results prove the launch was clearly a success. He described it as a perfect score. Okada said the H3 rocket has only been launched twice and that the real challenge is only now about to begin.

ニュースで学ぶ現代英語 24/3/6日(水)生鮮食品の海上輸送に新技術
NEW TECH CAN KEEP PERISHABLE FOOD FRESH FOR LONGER
2024年2月19日のニュース

Major Japanese trading house Sumitomo is set to introduce new container technology that keeps perishable food fresh for a longer time. The innovation is timely, as many shipping firms are taking lengthy diversions to avoid the Red Sea due to attacks on vessels.
The technology creates an electric field inside temperature-controlled containers. That causes water molecules in the food to move and slows down the process of decay.
Sumitomo says transportation times can be doubled or even tripled for many foodstuffs. Sumitomo plans to tie up with Hong Kong-based shipping firm Orient Overseas Container Line for the world’s first commercial application of the technology.
The Japanese company also says the service can help curb rising shipping costs.

ニュースで学ぶ現代英語 24/3/7(木) 中国への直接投資３０年ぶりの低水準
FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT IN CHINA PLUNGES TO 30-YEAR LOW
2024年2月19日のニュース

In more bad news for China’s economy, foreign direct investment in the country tumbled to a 30-year low in 2023. The figures released on Sunday indicate foreign companies are increasingly worried about the outlook for the world’s second-biggest economy.
China’s State Administration of Foreign Exchange says foreign direct investment fell to 33 billion dollars, down 82 percent from the previous year. The number dropped for the second straight year to the lowest since 1993.
The clouds over China’s economy include debt-ridden real estate developers and the trade conflicts with the U.S., including over advanced semiconductors. Enforcement of China’s revised anti-espionage law and its possible effect on businesses also appear to have discouraged investment from overseas.

ニュースで学ぶ現代英語 24/3/8(金)「ゴジラ－１.０」山崎貴監督がＬＡで講演
GODZILLA MINUS ONE’ DIRECTOR APPEARS ON HOLLYWOOD PANEL
2024年2月17日のニュース

Ahead of this year’s Academy Awards ceremony, the Japanese director of the blockbuster movie “Godzilla Minus One” has spoken about the making of the movie.
The film tells the story of Godzilla as it goes on a rampage in the aftermath of World War II. The movie has been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.
During a panel discussion in Hollywood, director Yamazaki Takashi explained his amazement at his Oscar nomination.
(Yamazaki Takashi / Film director)
“The nomination left me with a feeling of happy bewilderment. If someone had told me I was dreaming, I would have answered I thought so too.”
Yamazaki told the audience that he had a small set, which he then expanded using digital technology. He said the Oscar nomination is probably acknowledgment for his producing so much on a limited budget.