Chinese rights lawyer jailed for ‘subversion’

Beijing: Prominent Chinese human rights lawyer Wang Quanzhang was sentenced on Monday to four and a half years in prison for state subversion, sealing the fate of another attorney swept up in a 2015 crackdown. Wang, 42, who defended political activists and victims of land seizures, disappeared in a sweep known as “709” crackdown aimed at courtroom critics of Communist authorities. Charged in January 2016 with alleged state subversion, Wang had been the last of over 200 lawyers and activists arrested in the crackdown to be tried or released. AFP

Thai girl band singer apologises for swastika shirt

Bangkok: A popular Thai music act has apologised after one of its members wore a shirt showing the swastika flag of Nazi Germany during a performance. The incident involving girl group BNK48 occurred just two days ahead of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, marked on Sunday with sombre ceremonies in other parts of the world to remember the 6 million Jews and others killed in Adolf Hitler’s death camps. The performer, 19-year-old Pichayapa ‘Namsai’ Natha, blamed her own ignorance for her actions as she delivered a tearful apology and asked for forgiveness. In the video apology, she dropped to her knees as she finished her brief statement and was comforted by fellow band members. Her apology was also posted on her Instagram account. AP