Japanese economy enters recession Nov 17, 2008
That would make it one of the longest economic contractions here since World War Two. Even during the so-called Lost Decade in the 1990s, the Japanese economy seesawed between short recessions and stretches of anemic growth. (International Herald Tribune)
Will bleak Oscar films prove box office poison? Nov 16, 2008
More the date movies, I guess, as opposed to a World War Two drama or something, Shannon Marsnik, 34, of St. Paul, Minn. said at a theatre where she had taken her two daughters and two nieces to see High School Musical 3. (Globe and Mail)
Schindler author reveals genesis of novel Nov 15, 2008
Despite the title, and by the author's own admission, the new book fails to unravel the enigma of Oskar Schindler, a black-marketeering, womanizing Nazi who saved over 1,000 Jews from almost certain death in World War Two concentration camps. But it is a tribute to Leopold "Poldek" Pfefferberg, the Polish Jew and Holocaust survivor who encouraged and cajoled Keneally into writing Schindler's story and helped bully Hollywood into turning it into a movie. (MSNBC -- News)
Africa: How South Africa Should Handle G20 Summit [guest column] Nov 14, 2008
It is worth remembering that the original Bretton Woods conference, which laid the basis for the international monetary system after World War Two, took years to conclude and was led by senior officials, not heads of state. Furthermore, that conference was convened in the context of a global conflagration in the aftermath of the most serious economic meltdown in recent economic history - the Great Depression. (allAfrica.com)
East Congo war brings hunger to breadbasket Nov 14, 2008
(Corrects reference in paragraph 4 to World War Two) ... Over 5 million people have died since Congo's last war began in 1998, more than in any conflict since World War Two and nearly all from war-related hunger and disease. (AlertNet)
'James Bond too violent now,' says former 007 Roger Moore... Nov 13, 2008
The only child of a south London policeman, Moore also writes about growing up before and during World War Two, of evacuation to the country and air raids and getting - and being fired from - his first job with a cartoon film company. By the time he was called up, the war was over, but he served as an officer in Allied occupied Germany, where he ended up in the Army's entertainment regiment. (The Drudge Report)
Roger Moore dislikes more violent Bond Nov 12, 2008
The only child of a south London policeman, Moore also writes about growing up before and during World War Two, of evacuation to the country and air raids and getting and being fired from his first job with a cartoon film company. More on 007. (MSNBC -- News)
Europe marks 90th anniversary of armistice Nov 12, 2008
And we brought many of those World War Two veterans with us as well over here, so a very emotional day for all of here on the ground in France. Hundreds of people including veterans from other wars stood outside a huge stone ossuary in Douaumont, where the remains of unknown soldiers from both sides of the war are buried. (Globe and Mail -- International)
'Daniel Craig best Bond ever' Nov 10, 2008
Daniel Craig is the best James Bond ever, according to Liev Schreiber, his co-star in forthcoming World War Two film Defiance. "He is the best Bond ever in my opinion," said the actor, who plays Zus Bielski alongside Daniel and Jamie Bell in the movie about Jewish brothers who fought the Nazis in the Second World War. (Metro)
EXCLUSIVE - Holocaust group to lobby pope over Pius sainthood Nov 8, 2008
The Vatican says he worked silently behind the scenes and helped save many Jews from certain death during World War Two. Steinberg, who is also executive director emeritus of the World Jewish Congress, said survivors' groups around the world would seek meetings with Vatican nuncios (ambassadors) to express their concern. (The Star Online, Malaysia)
Naked Japan major nabbed with women's underwear Nov 8, 2008
The air force's top general was sacked last week for saying Japan was not an aggressor in World War Two, angering China and South Korea where bitter memories remain over Tokyo's past military aggression. (Reporting by Chisa Fujioka; Editing by Chris Gallagher). (Yahoo News)
Boris Johnson accused of fare unfairness Nov 8, 2008
"The latest costings of replacing bendy-buses is more than 60m.The mayor's office said Darren Johnson's response to "the biggest investment in public transport since world war two" was "astonishing".A spokesman said: "[The investment] will deliver an enormous 30% increase in transport capacity over the next decade, create thousands of jobs, and persuade - rather than persecute - people out of their cars. "It will not only deliver Crossrail and the desperately needed upgrade to the tube, but... (guardian.co.uk)
Global markets make moderate gains Nov 8, 2008
Markets have been volatile as big developed economies head for their first full-year contraction since World War Two. Industry surveys this week showed U.S. manufacturing suffered its worst slump in 26 years and a key gauge of the service sector posted the lowest reading in its 11 years. (Globe and Mail -- Business)
WWII code-breaker home Bletchley Park gets vital repairs Nov 7, 2008
He said of Bletchley Park: "Only the Cabinet War Rooms are of equal importance. It was in these two places that the outcome of World War Two was decided.". The grant will make the building water-tight and ensure its interior features - such as decorative plaster work, painted ceilings and timber panelling - do not deteriorate further. (Telegraph.co.uk)
Europe leaders to press for action Nov 7, 2008
European leaders will propose a new global financial framework on Friday after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned the world's richest economies face their first year of contraction since World War Two. South Korea lowered interest rates by 25 basis points, its third cut in a month, after a deep rate cut by Britain and one by the European Central Bank on Thursday. (International Herald Tribune -- Technology)
South Korea Cuts Rates Again Nov 7, 2008
Central bank action could not halt a slide in global stock markets and coincided with a warning by the International Monetary Fund that the developed economies were headed for the first full-year contraction since the World War Two in 2009. "Increasingly, the signs point to a deep and synchronized global recession that began last quarter and has gathered momentum," said Bruce Kasman, an economist at JPMorgan Chase in New York. (ABC News -- Wire)
UK interest rates slashed to 3% Nov 7, 2008
It predicted that developed economies as a whole would contract next year for the first time since World War Two. Mortgage fears. (BBC News -- Europe)
Europe cuts rates Nov 7, 2008
NEW YORK Britain and Europe slashed interest rates on Thursday amid recession fears deepened by some of the worst U.S. retail sales in decades and an IMF forecast for an economic contraction not seen since World War Two ... The IMF said the world's developed economies were headed for the first full-year contraction since World War Two and it now expects 2009 global economic growth of 2. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Business)
Farmers In Cyclone-Hit Delta Face Bleak Future Nov 6, 2008
The shortfall is likely to put pressure on the precarious food security situation in what was the world's largest rice exporter before World War Two. With less rice to sell as a surplus, many farmers worry about being able to afford the seed stock and fertilizer for the crucial "summer crop", whose yield is normally two to three times higher than the monsoon season crop just harvested. (Planet Ark, United States)
Wall St rallies on election day Nov 5, 2008
The last time you had an election with this level of focus in the market was on the eve of World War Two, said Doug Roberts, strategist at Channel Capital Research. Most observers agreed that equities did not prefer one candidate over another, although futures markets continued to indicate the strong likelihood of a Barack Obama presidency. (FT.com -- Markets)
Auto Sales Hit 25-Year Low, Europe Outlook Bleak Nov 4, 2008
October represented the weakest month for U.S. auto sales on a per-capita basis since the end of World War Two, GM said. Sales for Toyota Motor Co fell 25 percent, Ford Motor Co was off 30 percent, Nissan Motor Co tumbled 33 percent and Chrysler LLC sales fell 35 percent. (ABC News -- Wire)
BMW dumps 2008 outlook amid global autos slowdown Nov 4, 2008
On a per capita basis, GM said October was the weakest month for U.S. auto sales since the end of World War Two. Europe also suffered, with industry wide sales in Spain off 40 percent and down 19 percent in Italy. (International Herald Tribune -- Health)
Japan govt under fire over general's war comments Nov 4, 2008
TOKYO (Reuters) - The Japanese government fought off criticism on Tuesday over the appointment of an air force general fired last week for saying Japan was not an aggressor in World War Two and urging an end to tight controls on its military. Air force chief of staff Toshio Tamogami sparked anger in China and South Korea, where resentment simmers over Japanese military aggression before and during World War Two, with comments in a history essay published on a website. (Reuters India)
US auto sales hit 25-year low Nov 4, 2008
October represented the weakest month for US auto sales on a per-capita basis since the end of World War Two, GM said. Sales for Toyota Motor Co dropped 23%, and Honda Motor Co fell 25%, though a weaker yen helped the companies' shares gain in Tokyo on Tuesday. (India Times, India)
China condemns sacked Japan general's war comments Nov 2, 2008
SHANGHAI (Reuters) - China was strongly critical on Saturday of an essay by a Japanese air force chief of staff who said Japan was not an aggressor in Asia in World War Two and was later dismissed for airing those views ... General Toshio Tamogami, in an essay posted on the website of a Japanese hotel and apartment developer, said Japan was ensnared into World War Two by the United States and that Japan's military actions in China were based on treaties. (Reuters)
China expresses indignation over essay justifying Japan's military aggression Nov 2, 2008
BEIJING, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- China on Saturday voiced strong indignation over an essay written by former Japanese air force chief Gen. Toshio Tamogami which denied the country's World War Two aggression in Asia ... In the essay Tamogami claimed that Japan was wrongly defamed as an aggressor country in connection with the war in China and World War Two. (Xinhuanet, China)
Film on horrors of Bosnian war wins Rome festival Nov 1, 2008
"I think the public shared my point of view, and that is the anger, the pain toward the worst war since World War Two, a war that happened before our eyes," Battiato said at the awards ceremony. Ukrainian Bohdan Stupka, a former culture minister, scooped the best actor prize for his portrayal of a wealthy oligarch in need of a heart transplant in "With a Warm Heart," a grotesque Polish comedy. (Reuters)
Miss Ireland upstages lady in red Nov 1, 2008
Japan's defence minister said today he will sack the air force chief of staff for saying that Japan was ensnared into World War Two by the United States and was not an aggressor in the conflict in Asia. Friday, 31 October 2008. (Yahoo News -- Beauty Pageants)
Studs Terkel Dies at 96 Nov 1, 2008
A case in point - Terkel's book "The Good War." Those stories of World War Two troops won Terkel the 1985 Pulitzer Prize. Other books took an unflinching look at race, poverty and work in America - told in the words of the waitresses, truck drivers, fire fighters and others he interviewed. (W-USA News, DC)
Pope may freeze Pius sainthood process Oct 31, 2008
The Vatican says he worked behind the scenes and helped save many Jews from certain death during World War Two ... Benedict has repeatedly defended Pius, saying he worked "secretly and silently" during World War Two to "avoid the worst and save the greatest number of Jews possible.". (MSNBC -- International)
Rwanda: Age of Wisdom - World War Two Veteran Who Fears Not Death Oct 31, 2008
RWEMBEHO STEPHEN travelled to Ngoma District to one of the remotest villages in the Eastern Province of Rwanda, where he met and chatted with the World War Two veteran. Excerpts. (allAfrica.com)
Black Tuesday, Collapse of Canada's... Oct 29, 2008
After ten years of decline and misery, Canada was pulled out of the Great Depression by the call of war in 1939: World War Two. Soldiers and workers were urgently needed, factories opened to manufacture munitions and war supplies. (Suite101.com)
The Soham Train Explosion Oct 28, 2008
Village Saved by Bravery of Railwaymen During World War Two. In 1944 Soham village was almost obliterated by a train laden with bombs. (Suite101.com)
'Greed isn't good' Oct 24, 2008
During World War Two, the town suffered minimal damage. THE BUTCHER: MARTIN BARTSCH. (BBC News)
Japan PM wants to build trust in Asia amid crisis Oct 22, 2008
But the premier may try to score some points by toning down his image as an outspoken nationalist and keeping on track warming ties with China, where bitter memories remain of Japan's military aggression in Asia before and during the World War Two. The 68-year-old Japanese leader, who took office last month after his predecessor abruptly quit, is expected to meet with Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao as well as South Korean President Lee Myung-bak on Friday morning. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- News)
Germany's far-right draws new support from women Oct 21, 2008
Signs of increasing support for far-right parties, and a rise in violent crime by right-wing radicals more than 60 years after World War Two, have caused alarm among German politicians. "All couragous democrats must help us to fight the NPD," German Chancellor Angela Merkel said at a memorial event for victims of the Jewish Holocaust last year. (International Herald Tribune -- Health)
New commission seeks to bolster arms control pact Oct 21, 2008
In June Rudd had visited Hiroshima, one of two Japanese cities destroyed by an atomic bomb in World War Two. Today in Americas. (International Herald Tribune)
President Kufuor leaves for Netherlands Oct 20, 2008
It said other features of the visit include a wreath laying at the Dutch National Monument in memory of heroes of World War Two, a study tour of the Sitos facilities (an international soft commodity logistics company, with special focus on cocoa and Vitens-Evides, the largest drinking water company in The Netherlands. From The Netherlands President Kufuor will go to the United Kingdom where as a guest of the Royal Institute of International Affairs he will be decorated with the prestigious... (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Treating The Bends Underwater Oct 19, 2008
She was diving in Vanuatu in the 1980s and did some deep dives on World War Two wrecks; all within calculated limits. Other divers on the trip didn t have a problem. (Suite101.com)
Summit on financial crisis soon: Bush Oct 19, 2008
He said he expected a summit "in the near future." Sarkozy has called for an overhaul of the international financial architecture established just after World War Two at the 1944 Bretton Woods conference, and said on Saturday the summit could be held in New York before the end of November. "Why must we make haste?" Sarkozy said. (India Times, India)
EU to urge reform as Asia joins bailout Oct 15, 2008
The ructions of recent weeks have exposed glaring shortcomings in international financial structures developed after World War Two ... French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Britain's Brown say post-World War Two financial architecture is no longer adequate. (International Herald Tribune -- Health)
Wisden commemorate Bradman phenomenon Oct 14, 2008
" After World War Two, Bradman returned to England as an elder statesman to lead the unbeaten 1948 Australian side. His final test innings, when he was bowled for no score needing only four runs for an overall average of 100, is part of cricket folklore. "As one of the writers points out in one of the essays in the book, the fact that he didn't get a test average of 100 actually makes the average more romantic, more memorable as well," said Wright. "I think if he had got to a 100 people might... (International Herald Tribune)
Clintons campaigning for Obama... Oct 13, 2008
"I think it is safe to say we have not seen more troubles at one time since World War Two," Clinton told a rally in Little Rock, Ark. Friday. (The Drudge Report)
Veteran sportscaster-actor Gil Stratton dead at 86 Oct 13, 2008
Arriving in Hollywood in 1943, he landed work in radio and appeared with Mickey Rooney in the film "Girl Crazy," but his show business career was interrupted by a World War Two stint as a bombardier in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He later returned to films, playing the stuttering narrator "Cookie" Cook in Billy Wilder's 1953 war movie "Stalag 17," which starred William Holden, and appearing as an outlaw motorcyclist beside Marlon Brando in "The Wild One.". (Yahoo News)
Clintons launch campaign swing for Obama Oct 12, 2008
"I think it is safe to say we have not seen more troubles at one time since World War Two,'' Clinton told a rally in Little Rock, Ark., Friday. "Probably no president will inherit more challenges that President Obama will, since Harry Truman had to take over from Franklin Roosevelt. . (The Star Online, Malaysia)
A minor offence Oct 8, 2008
I mean prisoner of war camps and World War Two was no laughing matter but they still made Hogan s Heroes. Wed 08 Oct 08 (12:33pm) Hunter gatherer replied to Fenimore Cooper Wed 08 Oct 08 (02:16pm). (NEWS.com.au)
Hang out in Hawaii! Oct 8, 2008
Passing the occasional World War Two bunker, youll end up at the peak for the finest views on the island of Oahu and some beautiful photographs. Learn to 'hang 10' Hawaii's Waikiki Beach is one of the best known beaches in the world, with wide, white sands framed by the volcanic cone of Diamond Head in the background. (iAfrica.com)
Australia Fights Climate Change Threat to Rivers Oct 6, 2008
Water in the past came from the massive Snowy Mountains Scheme, a chain of alpine dams and underground pipes built after World War Two to hold and divert snow-melt from east to the western Murray-Darling. But irrigation is now threatened by what scientists say is the "accelerated climate change" already occurring in Australia and bringing more frequent storms, droughts and estimated average temperature rises of between 1. (Planet Ark, United States)
Dr Fredrick Toben's arrest should alarm us all Oct 5, 2008
The World War Two allies remain in power and Germany, who had its wings clipped, remains its willing accomplice. In the past Luther and Galileo were punished for 'Heresy. (Telegraph.co.uk)
The life of the WW2 'Great Escaper' Oct 4, 2008
The World War Two tunnel digger John Fancy, whose actions inspired the film the Great Escape, has died aged 95. Warrant officer Fancy helped dozens of his fellow inmates escape from prisoner-of-war camps in Poland, Lithuania and Germany. (BBC News)
LETTER: 'Obama will solve all our problems'; that's a laugh Oct 3, 2008
His grandfather, who was a world war two veteran, taught him, and they recited it often as a family. He has led the pledge many times in the senate. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
'Angry' voters aid Austrian right Oct 3, 2008
Apart from a series of coalitions between the conservatives and the far right between 2000 and 2006, the Social Democrats and the People's Party have run Austria since World War Two. But their last grand coalition was paralysed by internal fights and personal feuds. (BBC News -- Europe)
Jerusalem concert features violins saved from Nazis Sep 24, 2008
"The German officers heard him play in the streets one day and later brought him to perform every night in their compound in town," said Sefi Hanegbi, whose father played alongside Motele in a partisan camp in a forest during World War Two. After each performance, Motele hid his violin in the building and walked out with an empty case. (Yahoo News)
VC: Bailouts Are Communist Sep 24, 2008
The ad in the form of a cartoon -1 shows the trio planting a flag in the style of the Iwo Jima Memorial near Washington, a tribute to U.S. soldiers during World War Two. But the flag wielded by Bush, Bernanke and Paulson bears the hammer and sickle communist symbol, emblazoned with the words "big insurance," "Detroit auto" and "Wall St banks.". (Newsmax)
Great Park Night Flights Season Finale Features Pete Jacobs and His Wartime Radio Revue and Edgar Meyer and Chris Thile Sep 23, 2008
Interspersing the hits of the 30's and 40's, along with late-breaking news-stories from the war-years, as well as several original songs, and even some 1940-style radio commercials, listening to Pete Jacobs and His Wartime Radio Review, is like taking a time-machine back to a World War Two U.S.O. show. Their sound is both full and authentic with three young female vocalists, a hot driving rhythm section and an eight-piece horn section. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Wax Hitler returns to museum after beheading Sep 15, 2008
Critics argued it was tasteless to display the replica of the man who unleashed World War Two and ordered the extermination of Europe's Jews. Madame Tussauds said the museum avoided politics. (MSNBC -- International)
Many stayed behind on Texas coast... Sep 14, 2008
GALVESTON, Texas, Sept 13 (Reuters) - John Benge, who lives down the street from the Galveston seawall, has ridden out every major storm to hit the Texas city since 1929, except for one during World War Two, when he was in Scotland with the U.S. army. Hurricane Ike was no exception for the 91-year-old, who spent Friday night alone in his six-room frame house as Ike roared ashore in the barrier island city with 110 mph (175 kph) winds, crashing waves and pounding rain. (The Drudge Report)
Driver beware: Buckle up on these scary roads Sep 13, 2008
The Stilwell Road, India and MyanmarLocation: Jungle route from Ledo, India into MyanmarBuilt during World War Two at the cost of thousands of lives, the Stilwell Road (aka The Ledo Road) climbs mountain passes, snakes through the jungle, and crosses more than 100 rivers and streams in its 1,079-mile length. Constructed as a supply route by Western Allies, the road today is returning to jungle, little used and inaccessible for much of its length in Myanmar. (MSNBC -- Travel)
'Frannie' bailout heavy with irony Sep 9, 2008
Here is Team Dubya and the Republicans, the ultimate proponents of free-market capitalism, pulling off the biggest nationalisation since World War Two. The laissez-fair brigade which usually beys about the evils of big government is strangely silent as the taxpayer rides to the rescue of the banking system. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
WWII artillery shell found in southside home Sep 7, 2008
The discovery of a World War two artillery shell at a Tucson home this morning. Officers responded to a burglary call at the home, in the 4,00 block of east Dover Stravenue, near Drexel and Alvernon. (KOLD.com, AZ)
Extreme and risky action the only way to tackle global warming ... Sep 1, 2008
"At the moment it's almost like talking about how we could stop world war two with an atomic bomb, but we haven't done the research to develop nuclear fission.". Such geo-engineering options have been talked about for years as a possible last-ditch attempt to control global temperatures, if efforts to constrain emissions fail. (guardian.co.uk)
Europeans Back Tough Car Emission Targets - Poll Aug 29, 2008
5 litres of petrol per 100 km when produced just after World War Two. The 2008 Beetle Luna consumes a similar amount of fuel. (Planet Ark, United States)
Russia's Medvedev looks east for support on Georgia Aug 28, 2008
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev stands in front of a canon at a World War Two memorial in Kursk August 18, 2008. Medvedev looked east on Thursday for support for Moscow's tough line over Georgia, which has inflamed relations with the West and prompted talk of a new Cold War. (The Star Online, Malaysia)
The Last Cavalry Charges Aug 27, 2008
World War Two Saw the Final Hurrah of Horse Mounted Cavalry ... A few die hard regiments survived this transition and entered World War Two where they gave their last full measure and rode off into history ... The Polish Cavalry of World War Two fought the Germans hard and fast in historically controversial charges in 1939. (Suite101.com)
Russia 'Not Afraid' of a New Cold War Aug 27, 2008
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (L) stands in front of a tank at a World War Two memorial in Kursk. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (L) stands in front of a tank at a World War Two memorial in Kursk August 18, 2008. (ABC News)
