Latest news with #Nazi-occupied
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Historic ship visit 'a poignant reminder'
The visit of a historic Norwegian cargo ship to the River Tyne has a special significance for one local man. The S/S Hestmanden, which served as a convoy vessel during World War Two, will be berthed in Newcastle until Thursday as part of a UK tour marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day. For Chris Flanighan, its arrival is a poignant reminder of his grandfather, Karluf Thorsen, who fled Nazi-occupied Norway and served throughout the war in the merchant navy. He said: "This ship symbolises the life he lived, and the risks he took". Built in 1911, S/S Hestmanden played a vital role in transporting medicine, food, fuel, ammunition, and weapons during the war. It also formed part of a covert flotilla of fishing boats used to smuggle soldiers, agents and freedom fighters between Norway and Shetland, and on return trips helped to evacuate refugees and Allied soldiers. Now a national treasure in Norway, it serves as a floating war sailors' museum, preserving the legacy of those who kept the supply lines open. Mr Flanighan, from Wallsend, North Tyneside, has spent years uncovering the legacy of his grandfather. "He left Norway around the age of 17 or 18 and didn't return home until he was 22," he said. "Germany had occupied Norway, and he was part of the convoys supplying the Allied effort from Britain. "This ship symbolises the life he lived, and the risks he took". In a tribute to his grandfather's legacy, Mr Flanighan has been invited to join the Maritime Volunteer Service on one of their vessels as part of a ceremonial escort up the river. "When I heard the ship was coming to Newcastle - the last stop on her UK tour - I was over the moon," he said. "It's not just a ship visit. For me and my family, it's like she's coming home." During the visit, people have a chance to go on board the floating museum until Wednesday and explore its interactive exhibitions. There will also be events including a wreath-laying ceremony at Norwegian war graves in Jesmond. Capt Stephen C. Healy of Trinity House, Newcastle, said: "This historic visit reaffirms the deep maritime bonds between Norway and the north-east of England. "It is a tremendous privilege to help honour the legacy of the war sailors." Follow BBC Newcastle on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. How the 'Shetland Bus' helped Norway resist Nazi Germany Maritime Volunteer Service
Chicago Tribune
3 days ago
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Richard Rung, D-Day veteran who taught at Wheaton College, dies at 100
Richard Rung was a 19-year-old sailor on a Navy vessel approaching the shores of Omaha Beach in Nazi-occupied France just after dawn on June 6, 1944. Rung was one of 160,000 Allied troops landing in Normandy that day, which marked a turning point in World War II and paved the way for Europe's liberation. As part of the 80th anniversary of D-Day, Rung returned to Omaha Beach last year to receive the French Legion of Honor from France's president, Emmanuel Macron, and reflected on the horrors of war. 'D-Day was terrible,' Rung told the Tribune. 'You can't even describe it. Everywhere, there were guys floating in the water. There were guys trying to get on the beach before they were hit. It was a terrible experience.' After surviving D-Day, Run served in the Pacific Theater and took part in Allies' occupation of Japan. Back home, he became a popular history and political science professor at Wheaton College for 27 years. Rung, 100, died of natural causes on May 23 at the Covenant Living at Windsor Park retirement community in Carol Stream, where he had lived for the past 20 years, said his son-in-law, Carl Pickard. He previously lived in Wheaton. Born and raised in Buffalo, NY, Rung was drafted a month after his high school graduation and received training as a diesel engine mechanic at the U.S. Naval Institute in Richmond, Va. He was assigned to work as a motor machinist mechanic on a landing craft carrying supplies, ammunition and troops. Codenamed Operation Overlord, the liberation of Western Europe was launched with the Normandy landings. Rung considered himself very fortunate to have survived the bloody invasion. 'Why did I live through this and I saw all these other guys that didn't get through?' Rung asked in last year's Tribune interview. 'I always asked the question, 'Why did it happen to them and not me?' I've never forgotten what happened there.' The Allies secured the beaches and then Normandy before capturing the rest of France and invading Germany. Rung remained in Normandy for about five months as he and fellow troops captured a large deep water harbor at Cherbourg, France, and solidified Allied control of Western Europe. Rung returned to Buffalo for a month in late 1944, and then his landing craft shipped out for the Pacific Theater by way of the Panama Canal. He served in Okinawa, Japan and also in the Philippines before being honorably discharged in March 1946. Again back in Buffalo, he worked for a natural gas company, laying gas pipelines, then attended Gordon College in Massachusetts, receiving a bachelor's degree in 1953 and played on the baseball team. Rung then picked up a master's degree in history from Boston University and taught social sciences and served as dean of students at King's College in Briarcliff Manor, N.Y. In 1963, Wheaton College President Hudson Armerding recruited Rung to join the college's faculty as a history professor. Rung later moved into the college's political science department. Rung often took students on summer tours to Europe, and in 1977, he brought a group behind the Iron Curtain to Russia. 'He was a great professor, and a great guy to learn from. And he didn't toot his own horn,' saidBill Seitz, a former student advisee of Rung's who kept in touch with Rung after college. 'What I admired most was his service.' About 30 years ago, Seitz cofounded Cornerstone Academy, an alternative high school now located in Oak Park, and Seitz taught there as well. He recalled Rung speaking to his students. 'He came to my class and talked, and the students…didn't want to leave,' Seitz said. 'He was telling the stories of Omaha Beach.' After retiring from Wheaton College in 1990, Rung traveled and went on short missions trips, his son-in-law said. He taught English to students in China, volunteered for several local charities and taught Sunday school at area churches. At age 84, Rung took up painting, and he went on to create more than 50 pieces, most of early Americana scenes and historical ships, Pickard said. 'He was just a wonderful human being, with an impish sense of humor,' said Russ Bishop, 93, a longtime friend and retired Gordon College professor. Rung visited Normandy four times after World War II. On his first return upon the 50th anniversary of D-Day, in 1994, he refused to walk in the sand, fearing leftover mines of the sort that had killed and injured many of his fellow 'I wasn't going on the beach,' he told the Tribune last year. 'I said to myself, 'I wonder if they missed one mine.'' Last year, French President Emmanuel Macron presented Rung with the French Legion of Honor award at the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of D-Day. 'For me, it's not 80 years ago,' Rung told the Tribune. 'Periodically it (feels like) yesterday.' Ralph Peeters, a Netherlands-based caregiver with the Best Defense Foundation, took Rung to Normandy for visits in the last several years. 'He was such an easygoing person,' Peeters said. 'He was always respectful to the people around him. My most beautiful memory with him was standing with him being honored with the Legion of Honor at the official France ceremony for the 80th anniversary (of) D-Day. Seeing him get this honor from Macron was very emotional for me but also for him.' On Memorial Day 2024, Rung spoke about D-Day and his service in World War II during a ceremony in Winfield. 'Death and destruction were all around me. War is hell. It truly is,' he said, according to a Tribune article last year. 'Take that from someone who was there….Let us strive to be peacemakers and, to the degree possible, to live in peace with our fellow man.' Rung's wife of 76 years, Dorothy, died in March at 98. Rung also is survived by his daughter, Judy Pickard; a son, Richard; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. A visitation is set for 2 p.m. until 3 p.m. on Friday, June 6, followed by a 3 p.m. memorial service at Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 29W260 Batavia Road in Warrenville.
Arabian Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- Arabian Post
Israeli Genocide In Gaza Is A Reminder Of Atrocities Perpetrated By Nazis On Jews
By P. Sudhir Yaqeen Hammad, a 12-year-old Palestinian girl, was shredded into pieces by an Israeli missile attack on her residence. Yaqeen has been aptly called the Anne Frank of Gaza. Like Anne, who kept a diary in an attic in a Holocaust-ravaged, Nazi-occupied neighbourhood, Yaqeen documented the horrors around her. Her diaries – digital this time – became a record of the brutalities faced by her people. Ironically, the present-day Israeli Zionists, who invoke the Holocaust to justify their moral rationale for the State of Israel and recount their suffering, are now adopting similar oppressive attitudes. Yaqeen moved from one refugee camp to another, shot videos, and posted them on Instagram, bringing global attention to the gruesome realities in Gaza. More than a media activist, she was also involved in humanitarian aid, helping thousands of hapless Palestinians in war-ravaged Gaza. The phrase 'live-streamed genocide' has gained currency – coined by Amnesty International – thanks to brave social media activists like Yaqeen. The targeting of children in Gaza is not accidental; it is the outcome of a sinister ideology that labels even innocent children as collaborators of Hamas. This notion is deeply ingrained in the hysteria whipped up by Zionist politicians. Moshe Feiglin, a close associate of the Netanyahu government, even stated emphatically: 'Every baby in Gaza is an enemy.' The depravity of such statements is unprecedented. Some extremists have gone so far as to support wiping out all such children as a military objective. The latest Israeli plan reportedly involves deploying reinforced army units to capture and 'clean out' Gaza's 365 square kilometres – 70 per cent of which has already been turned into 'no-go zones' for Palestinians. Most of Gaza's population could be pushed to Rafah, the southernmost city, which has itself been virtually razed. Cities like Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah are now synonymous with daily destruction. Perhaps the most disturbing element of the Israeli plan is the forced relocation of Palestinians into Israeli-controlled zones, ironically termed 'humanitarian zones.' There, ration packets are distributed by private security contractors tied to Israeli-vetted aid organisations. Aid has been politicised and militarized – used as a tool for coercion. This design enables a protracted occupation, with Palestinians confined to increasingly smaller areas and Israel controlling all access to necessities. Reportedly, Donald Trump even involved himself personally in setting up an aid organisation outside UN oversight to carry out this militarised aid programme. Netanyahu's cabinet has code-named the military mission 'Gideon's Chariots.' Whether it is truly intended to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages or simply a cover for collective punishment is clear from the scale of destruction. However, the intensity of the military operation has forced some changes in western leadership's tone. In a joint statement, the UK, France, and Canada condemned the humanitarian crisis, calling it 'intolerable.' They questioned the inadequacy of the food aid plan and said: 'We condemn the abhorrent language recently used by Israeli government officials. Permanent forced displacement is a breach of international humanitarian law.' While initially supporting Israel's right to self-defense after Hamas' October 7 attack, they now strongly oppose the expansion of military operations in Gaza. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated: 'Humanitarian aid must never be politicised,' emphasizing that the only viable resolution is a two-State solution. Yet, in the absence of US pressure – especially with Donald Trump's silence – it is uncertain whether Netanyahu will heed this advice. Francesca Albanese, the UN's Special Rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, was forthright: 'Most member states remain inactive at best or are actively aiding and abetting Israel's criminal conduct.' She referred particularly to western and some Gulf nations. She also warned that Israel risks becoming a pariah state, given its relentless assault not only on Palestinians but also on the United Nations. It is clear that this tragedy stems from the complicity – wilful or not – of nations that backed the 1948 UN plan creating Israel. The Zionist ideology of ethnic cleansing was evident from the outset. Jewish historian Ilan Pappé, whose family suffered during the Holocaust, detailed these intentions in his book The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine, beginning with the 1948 Nakba. This design is now unfolding – with Donald Trump's grandiose plan to turn Gaza into a tourist riviera adding insult to injury. We must understand why Israel is pursuing this hysterical campaign in Gaza post–October 7. Regardless of Hamas' military capacity, their actions challenged the myth of Israel's security invincibility. This campaign could not have proceeded without active western complicity – especially from the US. Without a civilized State-to-State relationship between Israelis and Palestinians, military might can never secure lasting peace. What we have witnessed in India is also unprecedented. Historically, Indian leadership – from Gandhi to Nehru – unambiguously supported the Palestinian cause. There was a national consensus. However, the rise of Hindutva forces has changed this completely. Hindutva and Zionism share a common ideology: religious identity-based nationhood morphing the very nature of the State. They are ideological soulmates. From the early days of the RSS, its leaders admired Zionist ideology. Contemporary Hindutva, fuelled by Islamophobia, is now supporting Israel's campaign of destruction. This alliance seeks to redefine the conflict – not as one for Palestinian liberation, but as a religious war between Jews and Muslim Palestinians. This narrative is bolstered by growing military and security partnerships between Modi's India and Netanyahu's Israel. The task ahead is clear: international solidarity with Palestine is growing. Signs of shifting western response suggest that in the 21st century, Gaza has become an existential test for modern civilization. Indian people must mobilise and pressure the Modi government to denounce Israel's intolerable actions. The responsibility rests with us all. (IPA Service)
Daily Mirror
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Netflix quietly adds 'one of the best war films ever'
Eight years after its release, the film is gaining a second life on Netflix. Netflix UK has added a real gem to its collection with the wartime drama Defiance, featuring the star power of James Bond's Daniel Craig and Ray Donovan's Liev Schreiber in an incredible true story from WWII. Daniel Craig and Liev Schreiber team up in the enthralling historical drama Defiance, the 2008 offering that's been garnering a cult following and is now thrilling Netflix UK audiences who hail it as "one of the best films ever." Set against the backdrop of Nazi-occupied Belarus, Defiance follows the extraordinary tale of the Bielski brothers - Tuvia, Zus, Asael, and Aron - four Jewish rebels who defiantly took on the Nazis by forming a vigilante group in the wilderness. Based on Nechama Tec's factual book Defiance: The Bielski Partisans, the film recounts their heroic saga of providing sanctuary to over 1,200 Jews in forest hideouts, building a veritable secret village threatened with constant jeopardy. The cast features Daniel Craig as Tuvia Bielski, the group's appointed head, whilst Liev Schreiber portrays his combative sibling Zus. Jamie Bell appears as their younger brother Asael, and a pre-1917 George MacKay plays the junior member of the clan, Aron, reports the Express. Helmed by Edward Zwick of The Last Samurai fame, Defiance had its US debut just shy of the 2009 awards season and was tipped for an Oscar for Best Original Score by composer extraordinaire James Newton Howard, with a Golden Globe nod to match. Filmed right in the heart of Lithuania, merely 200 kilometres from the original saga's setting, 'Defiance' took storytelling to the next level, utilising authentic forest backdrops and even enlisting extras with personal ties to Jewish kin saved by the Bielskis. The movie started off with a low key in selected theatres, but once it spread its wings for a wider showing, it managed to rake in an impressive $52 million across the globe. Reviewers sent out mixed signals, however, as time passed, it has only received more adulation from movie-goers. A gleaming review on Letterboxd enthused: "Must watch 10/10. Whenever you have Daniel Craig (Bond) and Liev Schreiber (Ray Donovan) play two Nazi-hunting Jews navigating a group of a thousand displaced Belorussian Jews through the Yarden forest, facing the ultimate adversity - you have me sold". Another chimed in with high praise: "Action-packed, great quotes, accurate, and a thrill ride from start to finish. You'll be rethinking how powerful a sense of community is. (People forget! )" Scores of cinema enthusiasts have lauded the film's potent narrative, a blend of vast survival themes and deeply personal character journeys. Defiance further delves into the intense pressure of steering a multitude amidst dire straits, especially as the numbers swell from a mere band to a throng surpassing one thousand souls. One viewer mused: "For me, one of the best films ever. So inspiring and tragic at the same time. Worth watching." Another queried its lack of wider acclaim, stating: "I still find it crazy that this film is not considered a modern classic, with its stunning cinematography, fantastic performances, and gripping story." Defiance can now be streamed on Netflix UK.
NZ Herald
12-05-2025
- Politics
- NZ Herald
Labour Party Facebook page reposts - then deletes - image of Brooke van Velden as Nazi
The original post was made after the Government changed thresholds that allow for pay equity claims to be made by female-dominated workforces, reform that van Velden is leading. Labour general secretary Rob Salmond, who deemed the image 'inappropriate', said a leader in Labour's Whangaparāoa volunteer team deleted the post on the same day it was posted. 'We agree with our local team's decision to immediately remove the content, as the image was not appropriate.' Labour leader Chris Hipkins has been approached for comment. Van Velden told the Herald the post showed Labour had 'lost all perspective' and had resorted to 'nasty personal attacks'. She noted the post was particularly offensive given her grandfather had lived under Nazi occupation. In several speeches in the House, van Velden had referenced the atrocities witnessed by her ancestors living in Nazi-occupied Holland. In a statement, van Velden reinforced the Government was not reducing anyone's pay and was not removing equal pay legislation, which ensured women were not paid less than a man for the same job. 'This is not changing, this Government is committed to women. 'We have improved the pay equity system to give greater confidence in genuine equity issues and correctly identify them so that we have a robust, workable and sustainable system for all New Zealanders.' Van Velden announced the legislative changes on Tuesday last week, stating they would be rushed through the House under urgency as she argued the pay equity claim process needed adjusting so current claims were judged consistently. The 33 claims currently being progressed would have to restart under the new framework. The announcement prompted a snap protest followed by several more on Friday as hundreds opposed the Government tightening the claim criteria and changing the legislation without consultation. Many accused van Velden and Finance Minister Nicola Willis of making the changes to improve this year's Budget. The Government was set to save billions as a result of the reform. Amid the condemnation from Opposition parties and unions, Government MPs claimed to have fielded questions from members of the public concerned the changes would impact equal pay arrangements.
