News in Asia

Hello friends, and welcome back to another edition of “News in Asia.” We’ve got good news, bad news and some pretty awesome news. Pull up a chair and let’s get started.

First up, the latest news on Flight MH370 is that search ships have been dispatched to verify signals picked up by a Chinese vessel. The HMS Echo, which has highly sensitive detection capabilities, is heading to the area in hopes of recovering the plane’s black box.

Afghanistan

A German news photographer, Anja Niedringhaus, was killed by a Pakistani police officer and her Canadian colleague, Kathy Gannon, was seriously injured.  Niedringhaus won the 2005 Pulitzer Prize with ten other journalists for her coverage of the Iraq War.

Women and young people will have a significant influence in the Afghan elections.

Pakistan

The Pakistani Taliban announced that it’s extending its ceasefire in order to continue peace talks with the government. This comes after the government released 16 Taliban prisoners.

The animated series Burka Avenger (which I wrote about in this column many moons ago) and follows the adventures of a burka-clad schoolteacher who fights those seeking to shut down a girl’s school, has won the prestigious Peabody Award.

Solomon Islands

Deadly flash floods have killed at least 16 people and left thousands homeless.

India

U.S. ambassador to India Nancy Powell has resigned.

If he is elected Prime Minister, the U.S. will lift the visa ban on Narendra Modi.

In a really brilliant idea, the World Health Organization is using Mumbai’s meal delivery drivers, known as dabbawalas, to spread health information among the city’s residents.

North Korea

A boat carrying North Korean crew members capsized off the coast of South Korea.

Speaking of North Korea, they’ve conducted missile tests over the last couple of weeks so the Japanese government has told the Self Defense Force to shoot down any missiles heading towards Japan.

Thailand

Unrest over a new leader is still boiling with protests continuing.

Finally, in news I can semi-relate to, the New York Times has a story on wine buyers in Asia. I can relate because good wine can be hard to find and it is expensive. I can’t relate because I’ve never spent $82,333 on a case of wine.