ニュースで学ぶ現代英語 23/11/13-17

ニュースで学ぶ現代英語 23/11/13-17
ニュースで学ぶ現代英語 23/11/13(月) イスラエル軍 “戦争の第２段階”に
‘NETANYAHU: ISRAEL IN ‘SECOND STAGE OF WAR’

‘Netanyahu: Israeli in ‘Second stage of war’
2023年10月29日のニュース

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the ongoing ground operation in the Gaza Strip is “the second stage of the war” against the Islamic group Hamas.

(Benjamin Netanyahu / Israeli Prime Minister)
“We are only at the beginning. The battle within the Gaza Strip will be difficult and long; this is our second war of independence.”

Israel announced the expansion of its ground operation in Gaza. Netanyahu said additional Israeli ground forces entered Gaza on Friday night.
Satellite images near the border between Israel and the Gaza Strip show that a large number of military vehicles were on standby on Wednesday, while many of them were missing on Saturday. It suggests Israeli military vehicles may have been deployed for the operation.
Israeli forces have also been unleashing punishing airstrikes, mainly on northern parts of the Palestinian territory. The prime minister also said the troops are trying to ensure Israel’s “existence in its land.”

ニュースで学ぶ現代英語 23/11/14 (火) 徳島 木頭ゆずの収穫始まる
YUZU CITRUS FRUIT HARVEST BEGINS IN WESTERN JAPAN

Yuzu citrus fruit harvest begins in Western Japan
2023年10月26日のニュース

Citrus farmers in western Japan are gearing up for their busy season. They’ve started harvesting Tokushima Prefecture’s famed yuzu fruit, which has been gaining popularity overseas.
One company grows the crop in mountainous areas with a wide temperature range and lots of rainfall, which provide ideal conditions. Precipitation has been lower than usual this year, meaning smaller yuzu. But the grower still expects to ship its usual 150 to 200 tons of fruit for the year.

(Kamiyo Koji / Managing Director, Ogon no mura)
“The best thing about our yuzu is its strong and sour flavor. We hope consumers will enjoy its robust taste.”

The fruit appears to be gaining traction overseas, with international orders for the company’s yuzu tripling this year compared to last year.

ニュースで学ぶ現代英語 23/11/15(水)米下院 議長不在２２日ぶりに解消
U.S. HOUSE LAWMAKERS ELECT SPEAKER

U.S. house lawmakers elect speaker
2023年10月26日のニュース

Lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives have been caught in a state of paralysis trying to decide who should be their leader. After three weeks, they’ve chosen their speaker, a Republican few Americans have even heard of.
Mike Johnson represents Louisiana and is deeply conservative. He’s among those who refused to accept former President Donald Trump’s loss in the 2020 election. He’s called for national bans on abortion and on educating children about LGBTQ topics.
He was elected with no opposition from within his party.
Earlier this month, hard-right members managed to force Kevin McCarthy from the speaker’s chair. Republicans nominated three other candidates, but none of them could win enough support.
Now lawmakers can finally discuss legislation on funding needed within weeks to avoid a government shutdown. They’ll also take up aid to Israel and to Ukraine, something Johnson has opposed.

ニュースで学ぶ現代英語 23/11/16(木)性別変更の手術要件は“違憲”
TOP COURT: SURGERY REQUIREMENT FOR GENDER CHANGE UNCONSTITUTIONAL

Top court: surgery requirement for gender change unconstitutional
2023年10月25日のニュース

In a landmark ruling, Japan’s Supreme Court has decided that requiring people to undergo surgery to remove their reproductive functions when they wish to officially change gender is unconstitutional.
A person registered as a man but living as a woman asked a family court to allow a gender change without surgery, claiming that enforcing it would violate their human rights and the Constitution.
Both the family court and then a high court dismissed the case. But the Grand Bench of the Supreme Court said on Wednesday that the requirement does indeed violate the Constitution. The Supreme Court has ordered the high court to retry the case.
Under current Japanese law, a person’s gender on official documents can only be changed if certain conditions are met, such as the individual no longer having the reproductive functions he or she was born with. That effectively requires the person to undergo surgery. The Diet will be forced to review the law.

ニュースで学ぶ現代英語 23/11/17(金)来年のえと “たつ”の置物づくり始まる
CERAMICS MAKER PREPARES FOR YEAR OF THE DRAGON
Ceramics maker prepares for year of the dragon
2023年10月25日のニュース

The start of 2024 is still a couple of months away. But a traditional ceramics maker in southern Japan is hard at work producing figurines for the Year of the Dragon in the Chinese zodiac.
Amakusa ceramics are designated as one of Japan’s traditional crafts. One maker in Reihoku, Kumamoto Prefecture, started turning out miniature dragons in early September.
Locally procured stones are used in the process. The head potter says he found it difficult to come up with the design because dragons are imaginary creatures. He said he expects the figurines’ compact size will appeal to many people.

(Kiyama Kentaro / Uchidasarayamayaki)
“We are working hard and hope that everyone will stay positive as the New Year approaches.”

The pottery plans to produce about 3,000 of the dragons.