20 stories that changed our world in 2010
From Wikileaks to potential war in Korea to red shirts in Thailand, these were some of the big stories we couldn't stop talking about in Asia this year
Taj Mahal Palace’s heritage wing took flight on Independence Day.
20. Taj Mahal hotel’s heritage wing reopens
After nearly two years of rueful rehabilitation following its destruction at the hands and rifles of terrorists, the Taj Mahal Palace’s heritage wing triumphantly reopened on Independence Day.
The renovations required Rs 1.75 billion (US$37 million) and the invaluable diligence of workers who used old photographs to scrupulously recreate the unique trappings of the oldest portion of the 107-year-old hotel.
A marble plaque memorializing the 32 people killed in the hotel during the terrorist attack of 2008 reads, “For now and forever you will inspire us.”
Pacquiao took on a new kind of fight.
19. Pacquiao wins congressional seat
The fighter of the last decade could be the politician of the next. In his second run at public office in May, Manny Pacquiao beat a heavily favored opponent from a powerful political family by a landslide in congressional elections held in the Philippine province of Sarangani.
The beloved Filipino fighter was sworn in to the House of Representatives in June, but requested a leave of absence two months later to train for an upcoming bout with Antonio Margarito.
iPhone paper effigies were burnt during a protest near Foxconn's office in Hong Kong.
18. iPhone worker suicides
Foxconn, manufacturer of the iPhone, offered workers at its Shenzhen facility in China a 66 percent performance-based wage increase in June following a series of suicides blamed on worker burnout.
The raise accompanied a 30 percent cash hike awarded a week earlier, more than doubling wages to RMB 2,000 (US$300) a month, and provoking what economists suspect will become a larger trend in compensation across China.
Twelve workers committed suicide at the plant, while 20 more attempts were halted by the company.
Hong Kong sit-in for rail line.
17. HK-Shenzhen-Guangzhou rail link funded
In January, LegCo approved HK66.9 billion (US$8.6 billion) in funding for the Hong Kong portion of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong high-speed rail link.
The decision came after 25 hours of heated debate and amid clashes outside between police and pro-democracy protestors, who viewed the move as a steamrolling maneuver by the mainland.
The plan, projected to wrap in 2015, links Hong Kong with China’s high-speed rail network, and promises to cut travel time to Guangzhou in half.
Alleged Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout arrives at a criminal court in Bangkok.
16. Merchant of Death deported from Bangkok to United States
After months of fighting extradition, alleged Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout was released from prison in November, and flown to the United States to face trial on terrorism charges.
The so-called “Merchant of Death” had made a fortune delivering arms to Africa, South America and the Middle East.
Bout had enjoyed a cell at Bangkok’s Bang Kwang maximum security facility since March 2008, after being arrested in a sting operation by U.S. undercover agents posing as Colombian FARC rebels.
Russia was not pleased about the extradition. The United States was ecstatic.
