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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Malala receives high honor from Harvard

Malala Yousafzai speaks during a news conference at Harvard University on Friday. (Associated Press)

A Pakistani girl who survived an assassination attempt by the Taliban has been honored as Harvard University’s humanitarian of the year.

Malala Yousafzai, an outspoken proponent for girls’ education, was at Harvard on Friday to accept the 2013 Peter J. Gomes Humanitarian Award. Harvard President Drew Gilpin Faust said she was pleased to welcome Malala because of their shared interest in education.

The 16-year-old Malala was shot in the head last October. “The so-called Taliban were afraid of women’s power and were afraid of the power of education,” she told hundreds of students, faculty members and well-wishers who packed Harvard’s ornate Sanders Theater for the award ceremony.

Militants said she was attacked because she was critical of the Taliban, not because of her views on education.

Recovering Nelson on the road again

An improving Willie Nelson will make his festival date today in Nashville, Tenn., after all, and he’s bringing a friend.

A news release from festival organizers said Nelson has recuperated enough from a shoulder injury that he’s able to keep his evening slot at the Zac Brown Band’s Southern Ground Music & Food Festival. Guitarist Warren Haynes will sit in with Nelson and his band for a handful of songs as well.

Nelson pulled out of the festival and postponed three other dates earlier this week after doctors advised him to rest his shoulder for a week.

Anderson heading back to London

Former “X-Files” star Gillian Anderson is returning to the London stage next year as Blanche DuBois in “A Streetcar Named Desire.”

Anderson will play the fading beauty who relies on the kindness of strangers in a Young Vic production of Tennessee Williams’ steamy Southern drama. The theater said Friday that the production, directed by Benedict Andrews, will open in summer 2014.

Anderson was nominated for an Olivier Award – British theater’s highest honor – for her performance in Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House” in 2009.

The birthday bunch

Actress Brigitte Bardot is 79. Singer Ben E. King is 75. Actress-comedian Janeane Garofalo is 49. Actress Mira Sorvino is 46. TV personality Moon Zappa is 46. Actress Naomi Watts is 45. Writer-producer-director-actor Bam Margera is 34. Actress Hilary Duff is 26.