Latest news with #WorldWarII
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
U.S. Navy ship renamed to honor Oscar V. Peterson
The U.S. Naval ship previously named after Harvey Milk will be renamed Oscar V. Peterson, a World War II hero, as announced by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The Mainichi
2 hours ago
- Business
- The Mainichi
Century-old former Russian Consulate in Hokkaido reborn as hotel
HAKODATE, Hokkaido (Kyodo) -- The former Russian Consulate in Hakodate, Hokkaido, built in 1908 by the Russian Empire and featured in the popular manga "Golden Kamuy," will reopen as a luxury hotel in July after remaining vacant for nearly 30 years. The redbrick building, perched on a hill with sweeping views of Hakodate Port, has been reborn as Hotel Biaclyn Hakodate, a six-suite wellness retreat featuring a blend of Western architecture and Japanese design. After serving as a consulate for 36 years, it was acquired by the city following World War II and is the only surviving building of its kind in Japan from the imperial Russia era. The building was used as a youth training facility until 1996 and then remained closed to the public. In 2021, Nagoya-based automotive chemicals wholesaler Sovereign Corp. purchased the property and set the gears of restoration in motion, starting renovations around two years later. The company's president, Hiromasa Murase, and his wife Shiho Tanimura both have a strong connection to Hakodate as they previously lived in the city. They also studied at Hokkaido University. The project was overseen by Tanimura, an author who featured the former Russian Consulate in her novel "Kurokami" (Black Hair). Opening on July 12, Hotel Biaclyn Hakodate will feature two suites in the consulate wing and four in a newly added wellness wing, all equipped with private saunas. A one-night stay with two meals costs 319,000 yen ($2,200) for two adults. The main dining restaurant, which launched in May together with a sushi restaurant and bar, offers dishes paying homage to Hokkaido ingredients, as well as Russian piroshki pies served as an amuse-bouche. Hotel manager Yuichi Haseyama, 56, said that in addition to the building exterior, elements like the original fittings of the bar and wooden wainscoting have also been preserved. "We want to protect and nurture this historical building that is loved by the local community," said Haseyama. "I believe this (hotel) will become a new attraction for Hakodate tourism."
Kyodo News
3 hours ago
- Business
- Kyodo News
Century-old former Russian Consulate in Hokkaido reborn as hotel
KYODO NEWS - 13 minutes ago - 09:29 | All, Japan The former Russian Consulate in Hakodate, Hokkaido, built in 1908 by the Russian Empire and featured in the popular manga "Golden Kamuy," will reopen as a luxury hotel in July after remaining vacant for nearly 30 years. The redbrick building, perched on a hill with sweeping views of Hakodate Port, has been reborn as Hotel Biaclyn Hakodate, a six-suite wellness retreat featuring a blend of Western architecture and Japanese design. After serving as a consulate for 36 years, it was acquired by the city following World War II and is the only surviving building of its kind in Japan from the imperial Russia era. The building was used as a youth training facility until 1996 and then remained closed to the public. In 2021, Nagoya-based automotive chemicals wholesaler Sovereign Corp. purchased the property and set the gears of restoration in motion, starting renovations around two years later. The company's president, Hiromasa Murase, and his wife Shiho Tanimura both have a strong connection to Hakodate as they previously lived in the city. They also studied at Hokkaido University. The project was overseen by Tanimura, an author who featured the former Russian Consulate in her novel "Kurokami" (Black Hair). Opening on July 12, Hotel Biaclyn Hakodate will feature two suites in the consulate wing and four in a newly added wellness wing, all equipped with private saunas. A one-night stay with two meals costs 319,000 yen ($2,200) for two adults. The main dining restaurant, which launched in May together with a sushi restaurant and bar, offers dishes paying homage to Hokkaido ingredients, as well as Russian piroshki pies served as an amuse-bouche. Hotel manager Yuichi Haseyama, 56, said that in addition to the building exterior, elements like the original fittings of the bar and wooden wainscoting have also been preserved. "We want to protect and nurture this historical building that is loved by the local community," said Haseyama. "I believe this (hotel) will become a new attraction for Hakodate tourism." Related coverage: FEATURE: A reopened nuke launch site in Okinawa reveals a dark legacy FEATURE: Condemned manor house gets reprieve as important cultural property Castle in west Japan with 400-year history opened for overnight stays
The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Stepping out on a 250km trek to Crescent Head in honour of fallen heroes
IT started with a knock at the door. It was supposed to be routine. Two police officers in uniform, responding to a domestic violence dispute. It was about 1am on July 9, 1995, when Senior Constables Robert Spears and Peter Addison, both aged 36, left Kempsey police station. They were heading out to see 35-year-old John McGowan, in a quiet street in Crescent Head. The officers, who had moved to Kempsey about six months before with their young families, had no idea what they were in for. McGowan, who neighbours later described as "just a normal bloke", had kitted himself out in sniper's attire and was armed with a semi-automatic rifle. The police had been to speak to McGowan's girlfriend before pulling up into the driveway in their 4WD. The two cops were carrying standard-issue Smith and Wesson .38 calibre revolvers. They were no match for McGowan's modified, high-powered weapon, about which there'd been no warning. What happened next changed policing. It shattered the lives of two families, and sent shockwaves through a sleepy, surfside community. And it struck deep into the hearts and souls of serving policemen across the state, including Newcastle-based, former homicide detective Pat Gleeson. Mr Gleeson, who was on scene later that day, said there was some kind of verbal exchange between McGowan and the two police when he opened the front door. Moments later, he opened fire. His rifle, a modified Ruger 14 with two magazines, could fire 30 rounds without reloading. Constable Spears was shot in the first salvo while attempting to get back to the car to radio for help. Constable Addison made it into a house across the road, hoping to find a phone there to call for help. "There was an old fellow in there, Noel, who was hiding in the fridge," Mr Gleeson said. He was hiding because shots had been coming through the World War II veteran's house. But he didn't have a phone, he told Constable Addison, because it was his holiday house. So, knowing his partner had been shot, Constable Addison went back out into the street to either stop the gunman or to find a phone to call for help. He, too, was shot in the line of duty. "They would have thought they were going out to a run-of-the-mill type of job ... there's no way you would have been expecting to be confronted by that," Mr Gleeson said. McGowan later shot himself. That was nearly 30 years ago, and tomorrow (June 29) Mr Gleeson will set off on a 250km ten-day walk from Port Stephens to Crescent Head in honour of their sacrifice, and to raise money for police legacy. He has already surpassed his initial goal to raise $15,000, but is still accepting donations. Mr Gleeson says by the time he got to the scene of that crime in Walker Street, a police command had been set up, the tactical operations unit was there, and Polair was in the air above. Being attached to the homicide unit, he'd seen a lot of bodies, but here he was confronted for the first time with the murder of two men in uniform - two of his own. Family. It was a moment of realisation for Mr Gleeson, bringing into sharp focus for the first time the peril police place themselves in every day to protect the community. "It gave me a new level of respect for first responders who turn up to every job," Mr Gleeson said. It changed his view of the potential dangers of the job. There is another side to the story, which has its beginnings in Mr Gleeson's own childhood, very close to home. In fact, he says he can't remember when Legacy wasn't a part of his life. Mr Gleeson's father served in the 1st Australian Mountain Battery, fighting at Kokoda and Milne Bay before joining the occupation forces in Japan. He died when Pat was eight years old, and Legacy was there. They helped with school fees, ensured the family had what they needed, and always checked in on his mum, himself, and his brother Jim, Mr Gleeson said. "'They never missed a birthday or Christmas, ensuring we felt supported and remembered," he said. "Being a single mum raising two boys in the 1970s was a tough gig, but Legacy ensured we never felt alone," Mr Gleeson said. "That support shaped who I am today." This is his way of giving back. The deaths of Senior Constables Spears and Addison were subject to a coronal inquiry headed by Former State Coroner Derrick Hand. He found the two officers had been "massively outgunned", lacked bulletproof vests, and were hampered by poor radio communications. He was told that a speedloader, a round device used to load all six bullets into the then-standard police weapon, would have let Constable Addison reload more efficiently under pressure. The incident sparked a transition from revolvers to automatic pistols, bulletproof vests for first response officers, and improved radio coverage and equipment, as well as state-of-the-art tactical training for uniformed police. Both men were posthumously awarded the Commissioner's Medal for Valour and the National Police Service Medal. All are welcome to join Mr Gleeson for the last 30 kilometres of the walk from Port Macquarie to Crescent Head. Among those who are keen to join in is Constable Spears' widow, Kathy Spears. To find out more or to support his fundraising efforts, visit NSW Police Legacy's website. IT started with a knock at the door. It was supposed to be routine. Two police officers in uniform, responding to a domestic violence dispute. It was about 1am on July 9, 1995, when Senior Constables Robert Spears and Peter Addison, both aged 36, left Kempsey police station. They were heading out to see 35-year-old John McGowan, in a quiet street in Crescent Head. The officers, who had moved to Kempsey about six months before with their young families, had no idea what they were in for. McGowan, who neighbours later described as "just a normal bloke", had kitted himself out in sniper's attire and was armed with a semi-automatic rifle. The police had been to speak to McGowan's girlfriend before pulling up into the driveway in their 4WD. The two cops were carrying standard-issue Smith and Wesson .38 calibre revolvers. They were no match for McGowan's modified, high-powered weapon, about which there'd been no warning. What happened next changed policing. It shattered the lives of two families, and sent shockwaves through a sleepy, surfside community. And it struck deep into the hearts and souls of serving policemen across the state, including Newcastle-based, former homicide detective Pat Gleeson. Mr Gleeson, who was on scene later that day, said there was some kind of verbal exchange between McGowan and the two police when he opened the front door. Moments later, he opened fire. His rifle, a modified Ruger 14 with two magazines, could fire 30 rounds without reloading. Constable Spears was shot in the first salvo while attempting to get back to the car to radio for help. Constable Addison made it into a house across the road, hoping to find a phone there to call for help. "There was an old fellow in there, Noel, who was hiding in the fridge," Mr Gleeson said. He was hiding because shots had been coming through the World War II veteran's house. But he didn't have a phone, he told Constable Addison, because it was his holiday house. So, knowing his partner had been shot, Constable Addison went back out into the street to either stop the gunman or to find a phone to call for help. He, too, was shot in the line of duty. "They would have thought they were going out to a run-of-the-mill type of job ... there's no way you would have been expecting to be confronted by that," Mr Gleeson said. McGowan later shot himself. That was nearly 30 years ago, and tomorrow (June 29) Mr Gleeson will set off on a 250km ten-day walk from Port Stephens to Crescent Head in honour of their sacrifice, and to raise money for police legacy. He has already surpassed his initial goal to raise $15,000, but is still accepting donations. Mr Gleeson says by the time he got to the scene of that crime in Walker Street, a police command had been set up, the tactical operations unit was there, and Polair was in the air above. Being attached to the homicide unit, he'd seen a lot of bodies, but here he was confronted for the first time with the murder of two men in uniform - two of his own. Family. It was a moment of realisation for Mr Gleeson, bringing into sharp focus for the first time the peril police place themselves in every day to protect the community. "It gave me a new level of respect for first responders who turn up to every job," Mr Gleeson said. It changed his view of the potential dangers of the job. There is another side to the story, which has its beginnings in Mr Gleeson's own childhood, very close to home. In fact, he says he can't remember when Legacy wasn't a part of his life. Mr Gleeson's father served in the 1st Australian Mountain Battery, fighting at Kokoda and Milne Bay before joining the occupation forces in Japan. He died when Pat was eight years old, and Legacy was there. They helped with school fees, ensured the family had what they needed, and always checked in on his mum, himself, and his brother Jim, Mr Gleeson said. "'They never missed a birthday or Christmas, ensuring we felt supported and remembered," he said. "Being a single mum raising two boys in the 1970s was a tough gig, but Legacy ensured we never felt alone," Mr Gleeson said. "That support shaped who I am today." This is his way of giving back. The deaths of Senior Constables Spears and Addison were subject to a coronal inquiry headed by Former State Coroner Derrick Hand. He found the two officers had been "massively outgunned", lacked bulletproof vests, and were hampered by poor radio communications. He was told that a speedloader, a round device used to load all six bullets into the then-standard police weapon, would have let Constable Addison reload more efficiently under pressure. The incident sparked a transition from revolvers to automatic pistols, bulletproof vests for first response officers, and improved radio coverage and equipment, as well as state-of-the-art tactical training for uniformed police. Both men were posthumously awarded the Commissioner's Medal for Valour and the National Police Service Medal. All are welcome to join Mr Gleeson for the last 30 kilometres of the walk from Port Macquarie to Crescent Head. Among those who are keen to join in is Constable Spears' widow, Kathy Spears. To find out more or to support his fundraising efforts, visit NSW Police Legacy's website. IT started with a knock at the door. It was supposed to be routine. Two police officers in uniform, responding to a domestic violence dispute. It was about 1am on July 9, 1995, when Senior Constables Robert Spears and Peter Addison, both aged 36, left Kempsey police station. They were heading out to see 35-year-old John McGowan, in a quiet street in Crescent Head. The officers, who had moved to Kempsey about six months before with their young families, had no idea what they were in for. McGowan, who neighbours later described as "just a normal bloke", had kitted himself out in sniper's attire and was armed with a semi-automatic rifle. The police had been to speak to McGowan's girlfriend before pulling up into the driveway in their 4WD. The two cops were carrying standard-issue Smith and Wesson .38 calibre revolvers. They were no match for McGowan's modified, high-powered weapon, about which there'd been no warning. What happened next changed policing. It shattered the lives of two families, and sent shockwaves through a sleepy, surfside community. And it struck deep into the hearts and souls of serving policemen across the state, including Newcastle-based, former homicide detective Pat Gleeson. Mr Gleeson, who was on scene later that day, said there was some kind of verbal exchange between McGowan and the two police when he opened the front door. Moments later, he opened fire. His rifle, a modified Ruger 14 with two magazines, could fire 30 rounds without reloading. Constable Spears was shot in the first salvo while attempting to get back to the car to radio for help. Constable Addison made it into a house across the road, hoping to find a phone there to call for help. "There was an old fellow in there, Noel, who was hiding in the fridge," Mr Gleeson said. He was hiding because shots had been coming through the World War II veteran's house. But he didn't have a phone, he told Constable Addison, because it was his holiday house. So, knowing his partner had been shot, Constable Addison went back out into the street to either stop the gunman or to find a phone to call for help. He, too, was shot in the line of duty. "They would have thought they were going out to a run-of-the-mill type of job ... there's no way you would have been expecting to be confronted by that," Mr Gleeson said. McGowan later shot himself. That was nearly 30 years ago, and tomorrow (June 29) Mr Gleeson will set off on a 250km ten-day walk from Port Stephens to Crescent Head in honour of their sacrifice, and to raise money for police legacy. He has already surpassed his initial goal to raise $15,000, but is still accepting donations. Mr Gleeson says by the time he got to the scene of that crime in Walker Street, a police command had been set up, the tactical operations unit was there, and Polair was in the air above. Being attached to the homicide unit, he'd seen a lot of bodies, but here he was confronted for the first time with the murder of two men in uniform - two of his own. Family. It was a moment of realisation for Mr Gleeson, bringing into sharp focus for the first time the peril police place themselves in every day to protect the community. "It gave me a new level of respect for first responders who turn up to every job," Mr Gleeson said. It changed his view of the potential dangers of the job. There is another side to the story, which has its beginnings in Mr Gleeson's own childhood, very close to home. In fact, he says he can't remember when Legacy wasn't a part of his life. Mr Gleeson's father served in the 1st Australian Mountain Battery, fighting at Kokoda and Milne Bay before joining the occupation forces in Japan. He died when Pat was eight years old, and Legacy was there. They helped with school fees, ensured the family had what they needed, and always checked in on his mum, himself, and his brother Jim, Mr Gleeson said. "'They never missed a birthday or Christmas, ensuring we felt supported and remembered," he said. "Being a single mum raising two boys in the 1970s was a tough gig, but Legacy ensured we never felt alone," Mr Gleeson said. "That support shaped who I am today." This is his way of giving back. The deaths of Senior Constables Spears and Addison were subject to a coronal inquiry headed by Former State Coroner Derrick Hand. He found the two officers had been "massively outgunned", lacked bulletproof vests, and were hampered by poor radio communications. He was told that a speedloader, a round device used to load all six bullets into the then-standard police weapon, would have let Constable Addison reload more efficiently under pressure. The incident sparked a transition from revolvers to automatic pistols, bulletproof vests for first response officers, and improved radio coverage and equipment, as well as state-of-the-art tactical training for uniformed police. Both men were posthumously awarded the Commissioner's Medal for Valour and the National Police Service Medal. All are welcome to join Mr Gleeson for the last 30 kilometres of the walk from Port Macquarie to Crescent Head. Among those who are keen to join in is Constable Spears' widow, Kathy Spears. To find out more or to support his fundraising efforts, visit NSW Police Legacy's website. IT started with a knock at the door. It was supposed to be routine. Two police officers in uniform, responding to a domestic violence dispute. It was about 1am on July 9, 1995, when Senior Constables Robert Spears and Peter Addison, both aged 36, left Kempsey police station. They were heading out to see 35-year-old John McGowan, in a quiet street in Crescent Head. The officers, who had moved to Kempsey about six months before with their young families, had no idea what they were in for. McGowan, who neighbours later described as "just a normal bloke", had kitted himself out in sniper's attire and was armed with a semi-automatic rifle. The police had been to speak to McGowan's girlfriend before pulling up into the driveway in their 4WD. The two cops were carrying standard-issue Smith and Wesson .38 calibre revolvers. They were no match for McGowan's modified, high-powered weapon, about which there'd been no warning. What happened next changed policing. It shattered the lives of two families, and sent shockwaves through a sleepy, surfside community. And it struck deep into the hearts and souls of serving policemen across the state, including Newcastle-based, former homicide detective Pat Gleeson. Mr Gleeson, who was on scene later that day, said there was some kind of verbal exchange between McGowan and the two police when he opened the front door. Moments later, he opened fire. His rifle, a modified Ruger 14 with two magazines, could fire 30 rounds without reloading. Constable Spears was shot in the first salvo while attempting to get back to the car to radio for help. Constable Addison made it into a house across the road, hoping to find a phone there to call for help. "There was an old fellow in there, Noel, who was hiding in the fridge," Mr Gleeson said. He was hiding because shots had been coming through the World War II veteran's house. But he didn't have a phone, he told Constable Addison, because it was his holiday house. So, knowing his partner had been shot, Constable Addison went back out into the street to either stop the gunman or to find a phone to call for help. He, too, was shot in the line of duty. "They would have thought they were going out to a run-of-the-mill type of job ... there's no way you would have been expecting to be confronted by that," Mr Gleeson said. McGowan later shot himself. That was nearly 30 years ago, and tomorrow (June 29) Mr Gleeson will set off on a 250km ten-day walk from Port Stephens to Crescent Head in honour of their sacrifice, and to raise money for police legacy. He has already surpassed his initial goal to raise $15,000, but is still accepting donations. Mr Gleeson says by the time he got to the scene of that crime in Walker Street, a police command had been set up, the tactical operations unit was there, and Polair was in the air above. Being attached to the homicide unit, he'd seen a lot of bodies, but here he was confronted for the first time with the murder of two men in uniform - two of his own. Family. It was a moment of realisation for Mr Gleeson, bringing into sharp focus for the first time the peril police place themselves in every day to protect the community. "It gave me a new level of respect for first responders who turn up to every job," Mr Gleeson said. It changed his view of the potential dangers of the job. There is another side to the story, which has its beginnings in Mr Gleeson's own childhood, very close to home. In fact, he says he can't remember when Legacy wasn't a part of his life. Mr Gleeson's father served in the 1st Australian Mountain Battery, fighting at Kokoda and Milne Bay before joining the occupation forces in Japan. He died when Pat was eight years old, and Legacy was there. They helped with school fees, ensured the family had what they needed, and always checked in on his mum, himself, and his brother Jim, Mr Gleeson said. "'They never missed a birthday or Christmas, ensuring we felt supported and remembered," he said. "Being a single mum raising two boys in the 1970s was a tough gig, but Legacy ensured we never felt alone," Mr Gleeson said. "That support shaped who I am today." This is his way of giving back. The deaths of Senior Constables Spears and Addison were subject to a coronal inquiry headed by Former State Coroner Derrick Hand. He found the two officers had been "massively outgunned", lacked bulletproof vests, and were hampered by poor radio communications. He was told that a speedloader, a round device used to load all six bullets into the then-standard police weapon, would have let Constable Addison reload more efficiently under pressure. The incident sparked a transition from revolvers to automatic pistols, bulletproof vests for first response officers, and improved radio coverage and equipment, as well as state-of-the-art tactical training for uniformed police. Both men were posthumously awarded the Commissioner's Medal for Valour and the National Police Service Medal. All are welcome to join Mr Gleeson for the last 30 kilometres of the walk from Port Macquarie to Crescent Head. Among those who are keen to join in is Constable Spears' widow, Kathy Spears. To find out more or to support his fundraising efforts, visit NSW Police Legacy's website.
UPI
4 hours ago
- Politics
- UPI
Trump heralds 'tremendous breakthrough' in Rwanda, Congo peace accord
1 of 5 | President Donald Trump holds a signed peace agreement during a meeting with Democratic Republic of the Congo Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner and Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe in the Oval Office of the White House on Friday. Photo by Yuri Gripas/UPI | License Photo June 27 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump on Friday signed a peace deal between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo that ends 30 years of conflict in central Africa that the U.S. leader described as "one of the worst wars anyone's ever seen." Congo Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner and Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe appeared at a signing ceremony in the White House's Oval Office. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Qatar began negotiations with the two foreign ministers in April. The agreement was announced by the State Department on June 18. It is officially named the Washington Accords. "At least 6 million people were killed during that period of time," Trump said. "It's incredible. And somebody said that was actually, it's the biggest war on the planet since World War II. It's a shame but we're going to bring it to an end." The treaty ends the conflict and provides access to critical minerals for the U.S. "This is a wonderful day," he added. "Hopefully, there can be a lot of healing." Rubio, calling Trump a "president of peace," said: "This was not easy. And there's still work to be done, obviously, in terms of implementation, but we're very honored you're both here, and it's been an honor to work with both of you. " The two leaders thanked Trump, with Nduhungirehe describing the treaty as a "remarkable milestone." But they urged the United States ensure the peace agreement remains in place. "There have been many mediations in the past but none of them succeed," Nduhungirehe said. "We believe that it is because of your leadership and steadfast commitment the treaty was made possible." Wagner said: "This moment has been long in coming. It will not erase the pain, but it can begin to restore what conflict has robbed many women, men and children of: safety, dignity and a sense of future." Democratic senators also urged the treaty to be enforced and humanitarian assistance provided. "While signing an agreement is important, implementation will be essential, and we urge both parties and all international partners to ensure its enforcement," Sens. Chris Coons of Delaware, Corey Booker of New Jersey and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire said in a statement. "We are keenly watching how today's agreement shapes the future of eastern DRC. This is where the hard work begins, and following through on each component of the deal will be essential to its success." In the accord, both sides agreed to recognize and respect each other's territorial borders, committed to not supporting any armed groups and to establish a joint security mechanism to target militias. And they plan to expand trade and investment opportunities. Around 7 million people have displaced in Congo, which has a population of 106 million. Rwanda's population is 14 million. They both gained independence from Belgium in the early 1960s. In January, M-23 rebels were aided by Rwandan forces in escalating the conflict, according to a United Nations expert panel. They seized the strategic cities of Goma and Bukavu. M23 first emerged in 2012. The region has been reeling from one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. The rebels overwhelmed government forces, killing U.N. peacekeepers, fired on U.N. humanitarian facilities and sent people fleeing from displacement camps. The United Nations has called it "one of the most protracted, complex, serious humanitarian crises on Earth." Congo wants the U.S. to provide security support needed to fight the M23 rebels. They want them to withdraw from Goma and Bukavu, and from the entire region where Rwanda is estimated to have up to 4,000 troops. The United States imposed sanctions on key Rwandan officials involved in the conflict. The European Union cut military aid to Rwanda.
