By SHERIN ZADA and MUNIR AHMED Associated Press MINGORA, Pakistan (AP) — Pakistan’s Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai returned to her hometown on March 31, for the first time since receiving a gunshot wound to the head there in 2012 for her work as an advocate for young women’s education. Yousafzai and her family […]
Chinese insurer founder tried for alleged fundraising crimes
By JOE McDONALD AP Business Writer BEIJING (AP) — The founder of the Chinese insurer that owns New York City’s Waldorf Hotel went on trial on March 30, on charges of improperly raising billions of dollars from investors and abusing his position to benefit himself. Wu Xiaohui, chairman of Anbang Insurance Group, was detained last […]
Canada’s Consul General Lee skillfully navigates international waters
By Jessica Kai Curry Northwest Asian Weekly Brandon A. Lee has been Canada’s Consul General in Seattle for about six months, and he has spent almost all of that time traveling. His responsibilities representing the Prime Minister of Canada in the Pacific Northwest region are wide-reaching and varied. With most of the passport and visa […]
Vancouver mayor to apologize to residents of Chinese descent for past wrongs
Gregor Robertson, the mayor of Vancouver, B.C., will formally apologize in April for past discrimination against residents of Chinese descent, The Canadian Press reported. The apology will acknowledge the wrongdoings of past legislation, regulations and policies of previous city councils. “The historical wrongs of Vancouver City Council need to be addressed, particularly as the city […]
MeToo takes off in South Korea, but justice harder to attain
By YOUKYUNG LEE Associated Press SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The (hash)MeToo movement has taken off with surprising rapidity in South Korea, toppling male celebrities and a prominent politician in a country where men have long brushed off sexual misconduct allegations and continued with their careers. How far will it go? South Korea largely remains […]
Malaysia looks to punish fake news with 10 years in jail
By EILEEN NG Associated Press KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysia’s government proposed new legislation on March 26, to outlaw fake news and punish offenders with a 10-year jail sentence, a move slammed by critics as a bid to crack down on dissent ahead of a general election. Prime Minister Najib Razak has been dogged […]
Bali’s Day of Silence shuts airport, clears beaches, streets
BALI, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia’s normally bustling Bali shut down social media, closed the airport and shuttered all shops for a Day of Silence that marked New Year on the predominantly Hindu resort island. “Nyepi’’ began at 6 a.m. on March 17, emptying streets and beaches for 24 hours except for special patrols to ensure […]
‘Mr. Fix-It’: China’s new VP has tackled thorniest of crises
By CHRISTOPHER BODEEN Associated Press BEIJING (AP) — Wang Qishan is known as China’s “Mr. Fix-It,’’ a trustworthy official deployed to tackle the thorniest of crises — from crumbling banks to deadly illness to high-level corruption. Those who’ve met him describe him as bold and probing, a problem solver who enjoys philosophical debates and has […]
In patriarchal Japan, saying ‘Me Too’ can be risky for women
By MARI YAMAGUCHI Associated Press TOKYO (AP) — Japanese women who say “Me too’’ do so at their own risk. Online comments accused Rika Shiiki of lying and being a publicity hound when she tweeted that she lost business contracts after refusing to have sex with clients. Some said that by agreeing to dine with […]
Hunt for missing Malaysian plane likely to end in June
By EILEEN NG Associated Press KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — The search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 by a U.S. company will likely end in June, a Malaysian official said, as families of passengers marked the fourth anniversary of the plane’s disappearance with renewed hope that the world’s biggest aviation mystery will be solved. Malaysia […]