Bank Negara successor likely named by end-Jan

KUALA LUMPUR • Bank Negara Malaysia governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz says her successor should be identified by end-January, three months before she is due to retire in April next year.

Towards this end, the governor is encouraging the central bank's governance committee to convene and conclude the search at least three months before she retires.

THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

China's last surviving 'comfort woman' dies

TAIYUAN • China's last surviving "comfort woman", who sued the Japanese government over its wartime atrocities, has died in northern Shanxi province at the age of 89.

Ms Zhang Xiantu died at home on Thursday, according to Mr Zhang Shuangbing, a campaigner for her claim.

Ms Zhang had said that she was only 16 when she was taken away by Japanese soldiers and thrown into a military brothel.

XINHUA

Shutdown in Sri Lanka over Tamil prisoners

COLOMBO • Sri Lanka's Tamil provinces staged a shutdown yesterday, the first time since the crushing of the Tamil Tiger rebels six years ago, over the government's failure to release 30 prisoners.

Tamil political and civil society groups organised the shutdown, with northern capital Jaffna grinding to a halt. Businesses, schools and state offices were closed, and public transport halted.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE