Japan passes law to spur more women into politics

TOKYO • Japan's Parliament yesterday passed a law to encourage female candidates to stand for elections in a country where women are vastly under-represented in politics.

Under the new law, political parties are urged to make the number of male and female candidates as equal as possible, and are encouraged to set targets for gender parity.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

HK journalist in Beijing arrested, hurt on the job

HONG KONG • A Hong Kong journalist was arrested and left injured while trying to interview a human rights lawyer in Beijing yesterday, the second violent incident against the city's reporters in China within a week.

TV footage showed police bundling cameraman Chui Chun Ming to the ground and dragging him into a van.

Mr Chui, who is from Hong Kong and works for the city's Now TV channel but is based in Beijing, was released hours later after signing a letter of remorse.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

China carpool murder: Didi to limit personal info

BEIJING • China's biggest ride-sharing company, Didi Chuxing, will disable features such as profile pictures, ratings and public tags from its carpooling service, as it looks to win back trust after the killing of a female passenger sparked questions about safety.

The 21-year-old's murder, allegedly by her driver, and revelations that drivers have been reviewing female passengers based on appearance, has marred Didi's image at a time when it is preparing to take on rivals such as Uber overseas.

REUTERS