http://www.newser.com/2008 - Newseren-usNewser Feed GeneratorThu, 20 Nov 2008 3:41:57 CSThttp://www.newser.com/story/29742/under-fire-japans-pm-wont-bow-to-election-calls.html?refid=rss_all_defaultJapan's prime minister suffered a humiliating blow today in a no-confidence motion passed by the upper house of the country's legislature—a post-war first, the BBC reports. Although the measure isn't politically binding, it's the latest step by the opposition to force Yasuo Fukuda to call new elections, a call Fukuda has repeatedly dismissed.http://www.newser.com/story/29742/under-fire-japans-pm-wont-bow-to-election-calls.html?refid=rss_all_defaultWed, 11 Jun 2008 10:21:17 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/23959/us-reports-some-progress-in-north-korean-nuke-talks.html?refid=rss_all_defaultSix-country negotiations aimed at producing a formal disclosure of North Korea's nuclear activities have advanced, Reuters reports, but aren't close to being settled. "We've definitely made some progress," said US envoy Christopher Hill today. "We still have a lot of work ahead of us. I don't want to suggest there's been any major breakthrough."http://www.newser.com/story/23959/us-reports-some-progress-in-north-korean-nuke-talks.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTue, 15 Apr 2008 20:15:48 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/23867/opposition-finally-backs-new-chief-for-bank-of-japan.html?refid=rss_all_defaultThe Democratic Party of Japan has accepted a new central banker just in time for the crucial meeting of G7 finance leaders in Washington on Friday, reports the International Business Times . The top spot has been vacant since March 19, leaving the bank vulnerable during an unsteady economic time. Masaaki Shirakawa is expected to be formally nominated today as Bank of Japan chief.http://www.newser.com/story/23867/opposition-finally-backs-new-chief-for-bank-of-japan.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTue, 15 Apr 2008 20:15:48 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/23696/japanese-women-turn-to-geisha-guys.html?refid=rss_all_defaultA new breed of companion is the rage in Japan, entertaining women with lavish compliments, conversation and undivided attention—the male geisha. Businesswomen pay upwards of $1,000 a night for these men, CNN reports—with, industry reps say, nothing physical being exchanged. Hundreds of such services have sprouted across the country, driven in part by the increased spending power of Japanese women.http://www.newser.com/story/23696/japanese-women-turn-to-geisha-guys.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTue, 15 Apr 2008 20:15:48 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/23309/japan-busts-us-sailor-in-murder-robbery.html?refid=rss_all_defaultJapanese police arrested a US sailor today on suspicion of stabbing a taxi driver to death and then robbing him, Reuters reports. The 22-year-old Nigerian national serving in the American Navy was already in US custody on charges of desertion. The American ambassador to Japan was forced to apologize for yet another US serviceman implicated in a crime in recent months.http://www.newser.com/story/23309/japan-busts-us-sailor-in-murder-robbery.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTue, 15 Apr 2008 20:15:48 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/23176/world-attitudes-toward-us-improving-poll.html?refid=rss_all_defaultA worldwide wave of anti-Americanism appears to be abating a bit, though global views toward the US continue to be mainly negative, according to a BBC World Service poll. The average percentage of people saying the US is a negative global influence dropped to below 50% for the first time in three years. Those who believe the US is a positive influence increased to 35% from 31% a year ago.http://www.newser.com/story/23176/world-attitudes-toward-us-improving-poll.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTue, 15 Apr 2008 20:15:48 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/22930/top-10-historically-flawed-flicks.html?refid=rss_all_defaultMost historical films forgo a few facts for dramatic flair, but these flicks leave truth to the cutting room floor. Yahoo lists the most inaccurate movies ever: 10,000 BC : Woolly mammoths weren't around to help build the pyramids. Gladiator : Emperor Commodus didn't kill his dad... chickenpox did. 300 : Spartan warriors wore bronze armor, not leather Speedos. The Last Samurai : 19th-century Japan did have war advisers, but they weren't American. Apocalypto : Mel's Mayan saviors actually killed off 90% of the indigenous people.http://www.newser.com/story/22930/top-10-historically-flawed-flicks.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTue, 15 Apr 2008 20:15:48 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/22882/japanese-swindle-could-cost-lehman-250m.html?refid=rss_all_defaultPossible fraud involving forged documents from a Japanese trading firm may have cost Lehman Brothers $250 million, the Wall Street Journal reports. The investment bank loaned funds to a Japanese biotech firm last year; the transaction was secured by top trading company Marubeni Corp. But the biotech firm filed for bankruptcy March 19, and the funds still haven’t been paid back.http://www.newser.com/story/22882/japanese-swindle-could-cost-lehman-250m.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTue, 15 Apr 2008 20:15:48 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/22838/your-phone-may-soon-know-if-youre-sick.html?refid=rss_all_defaultYour cell phone might soon be able to tell you if you’ve caught the flu. Researchers with Japan’s NTT DoCoMo have developed a workable method of “molecular communications”—a system for the transport of microscopic samples from a user’s sweat into their phone for analysis, Computerworld reports.http://www.newser.com/story/22838/your-phone-may-soon-know-if-youre-sick.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTue, 15 Apr 2008 20:15:48 CDT