By Elaine Kurtenbach AP Business Writer SENDAI, Japan (AP) — Mankind is powerless to prevent calamities such as typhoons and earthquakes, but in Japan where the devastating 2011 tsunami still looms large, there’s a flourishing industry in devising ways to cope with catastrophe. Some of the products on display at an exhibition on the sidelines […]
Filipino devotees nailed to crosses in Good Friday rites
By Joeal Calupitan Associated Press SAN PEDRO CUTUD, Philippines (AP) — Screaming in pain, Filipino devotees had themselves nailed to wooden crosses to mimic the suffering of Jesus Christ on Good Friday in Asia’s largest Roman Catholic nation. Church leaders have spoken against the annual practice mixing Catholic devotion with folk belief, but it continues […]
Fast-growing Asian aviation confronts safety challenges
By Kelvin Chan Associated Press HONG KONG (AP) — For Asia’s aviation industry, the growing pains have just begun. A year of disasters, the disappearance of Flight 370 and financial turbulence highlight the challenges confronting the world’s biggest air travel market, where governments, regulators and airlines are struggling to keep up after a decade of […]
Indian minister complains of camera peeping in changing room
By Mayabhusan Navenkar Associated Press PANAJI, India (AP) — Indian police on Friday investigated a federal government minister’s complaint that a niche boutique in the southwestern resort of Goa had a closed-circuit TV looking into a changing room where she was trying out clothes. Police officer Nilesh Rane said Human Resources Development Minister Smriti Irani […]
Indonesian court rejects appeal by Australian drug smugglers
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — An Indonesian court on Monday rejected appeals by two Australian drug traffickers who challenged President Joko Widodo’s decision to refuse them clemency and spare their lives. The complaints by Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan were tried separately with the same three-judge panel at the Jakarta High Administrative Court, which agreed with […]
Canada police: 7 arrested in massive Asian prostitution ring
MONTREAL (AP) — Seven members of an Asia-based organized crime syndicate have been arrested for exploiting more than 500 women mostly from China and Korea in a prostitution ring that spanned Canada, authorities said Thursday. The ring operated in Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver, authorities said after a year-long investigation. Two […]
Women’s group gets North Korea support to walk across DMZ
By Cara Anna Associated Press UNITED NATIONS (AP) — North Korea has decided to support a proposed walk across the demilitarized zone between the two Koreas by prominent women including Gloria Steinem, and organizers say they hope South Korea will give its approval as well. Co-organizer Christine Ahn told The Associated Press that North Korea […]
Vietnam meets demands to end strike in Nike, Adidas factory
By Tran Van Minh Associated Press HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Workers at a major Vietnamese footwear factory for Nike and Adidas ended a weeklong strike last Thursday after the government agreed to their demands on retirement payouts. The stoppage by thousands of workers at the Taiwanese-owned Pou Yuen factory in southern Ho Chi Minh City […]
The streetcar gets a test run
Mayor Ed Murray tested out the first of the new First Hill streetcars Friday, March 27. The baby-blue street car was tested on the Jackson route in the International District. Mayor Murray and news media were invited to get on board. The project cost $134 million. There are currently 30 electrician and machinists Pacifica […]
Sakura-con 2015: Costumes everywhere
Over 20,000 individuals from around the world swarmed the 18th annual Sakuracon in spectacular costumes on April 3 to 5 at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle. Many cosplayers slaved away for hours sewing and assembling to make sure their costumes were perfect. This convention consisted of Anime theaters, gaming, cosplay, cultural panels, dances, concerts, […]