By Matthew Pennington Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic lawmakers and rights groups on July 27 accused the State Department of politicizing its annual rankings of nations on their efforts to combat modern-day slavery, as key trading partner Malaysia was taken off a blacklist. Cuba was also given an upgrade, a week after the U.S. […]
Economy hit as MERS keeps Koreans indoors, deters tourists
By Youkyung Lee AP Business Writer SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — For a South Korean tour agency, the outbreak of Middle East respiratory syndrome feels like a bigger threat to business than a North Korean attack or nuclear reactor meltdown. Kim Chun Choo’s company, which has provided tour services for the last quarter century, is […]
6th person dies of MERS virus in South Korea
By Tong-Hyung Kim Associated Press SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A sixth person in South Korea has died of the MERS virus, as the government announced last week that it was strengthening measures to stem the spread of the disease and public fear. Sixty-four people in South Korea have been infected by Middle East Respiratory […]
EDITORIAL: Empowering women and the work left to be done
Women have made huge strides in just one generation. Now, the average college campus has more women attending than men. More women are also getting into business, now virtually matching the amount of men that do.
Point, click, and send packages to loved ones in Philippines
By James Tabafunda Northwest Asian Weekly Pia Dizon, a Filipino American woman, is a hero.
Slain Pakistani’s daughter takes up his cause
By Nahal Toosi The Associated Press KARACHI, Pakistan (AP) — A day after her father was gunned down by an Islamist extremist, a grieving Shehrbano Taseer wrote on Twitter, “A light has gone out in our home today.” It wasn’t long before the 22-year-old realized something else. Her father’s death had lit a fire in […]
U.S. tries to contain damage from ‘Sept. 11 of world diplomacy’
WASHINGTON (AP) — Bristling over the unauthorized release of more than a quarter million classified State Department documents, the White House ordered a
Editorial: Why all the fuss over Obama’s bow?
Last weekend, during a trip to Asia that was designed to build U.S. influence in the area, President Obama bowed to Japan’s Emperor Akihito. This single action caused a storm of controversy. Responses have been polarized, divided down party lines. Obama’s Republican critics say it was a sign of subservience, and the president was showing weakness. The State Department, however, has stressed that “the president was simply showing respect.”
Indonesia’s Aceh to allow stoning for adulterers
BANDA ACEH, Indonesia (AP) — Lawmakers in a devoutly Muslim Indonesian province voted unanimously that adulterers can be sentenced to death by stoning, just months after voters overwhelmingly chose to throw conservative Islamic parties out of power.
SOUND OFF: Palestinian couple in Alabama fights deportation
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — An immigrant couple with six children are trying to block the government’s attempt to deport them and their oldest son from Alabama, arguing they are stateless Palestinians with nowhere else to go …