1 week ago Bad Bad Girl by Gish Jen review – why was my mother so cruel to me?

The American author uses fiction to explore the life of her Chinese mother as she seeks to understand the violence that marked their relationshipAt first glance, the protagonist of Gish Jen’s latest novel seems like many of the other Chinese American immigrants Jen has portrayed so astutely in her decades-long career. Loo Shu-hsin is born into privilege in 1924 – her father is a banker in the largely British-run International Settlement of Shanghai – but her life is marked by her mother’s constant belittlement. “Bad bad girl! You don’t know how to talk,” she’s told, after speaking out of turn. “With a tongue like yours, no one will ever marry you.” Her only solace in the household is a nursemaid, Nai-ma, who vanishes one day without warning – a psychic wound that lingers even as she grows up, emigrates to the US and enrols in a PhD programme.In one striking way, however, Loo Shu-hsin is different from Jen’s previous protagonists: she happens to be Jen’s own mother. Bad Bad Girl...

Politics

2 w. ago Green groups decry EU ‘betrayal’ after vote to reduce oversight of firms

Social and environmental reporting to be required of fewer companies after EPP aligns with far right to achieve goalsEurope live – latest updatesFewer companies operating in Europe will be made to carry out due diligence on the societal harms they cause, in what green groups have called a “betrayal” of communities affected by corporate abuse.The gutting of the EU’s sustainability reporting and due diligence rules, which was greenlit by MEPs on Tuesday, slashes the number of companies covered by laws to protect human and ecological rights, and removes provisions to harmonise access to justice across member states. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Sarwar appeals to SNP and Green MSPs ahead of no confidence vote in Constance

Scottish Justice Secretary Angela Constance is facing a vote of no confidence, which is expected to take place on Tuesday.

Politics

2 w. ago Brits think Father Christmas is a lefty who would vote GREEN

Santa was seen as most likely to back Zack Polanski's party if he backs anyone at the next election, in a poll by YouGov.

Politics

2 w. ago Anas Sarwar calls on Green and SNP MSPs to vote to sack Angela Constance as Justice Secretary

The Scottish Labour leader urged the pro-independence parties to support a motion of no confidence in the embattled Justice Secretary.

Politics

3 w. ago Brit victim killed in Bondi Beach terror attack was rabbi and father of five

London-born rabbi Eli Schlanger has been confirmed as a British victim of the Bondi Beach terror attack. The father of five was killed as he celebrated at ‘Chanukah by the Sea’ on the first night of Chanukah

Events

3 w. ago Footage shows drunk British backpacker speeding along pavement on an e

Alicia Kemp from Redditch, Worcestershire, was jailed for four years after hitting 51-year-old Thanh Phan while riding through Perth 's city centre.

Culture

4 w. ago Lando Norris crowned F1 World Champion after lifetime of privilege and talent

Lando Norris has become Formula 1 World Champion at 26, delivering McLaren's first drivers' title in 17 years - funded by his millionaire father, the British racer is more than just another pay driver

Politics

4 w. ago Boy, 2, is mauled to death by pit bull on Greek holiday island as British mother is arrested

The devastating incident took place in Zakynthos while the child, along with his father and British mother, returned from a shopping trip. (File image: Pit bull)

Events