William Wan
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WashPost investigative & narrative reporter. soon Temp Congress editor. Former beats: health, China, Obama, NatSec, religion. Send tips: wanw(at) washpost com
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Articles by William Wan
Toward community-driven visual proteomics with large-scale cryo-electron tomography of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Keywords cryo-electron tomography focused ion beam Chlamydomonas nucleosome clathrin ATP synthase open data EMPIAR segmentation visual proteomics Introduction The concept of “visual proteomics” was first proposed nearly two decades ago, before instrumentation was developed to enable it.1 At its heart is the idea of using cryogenic electron tomography (cryo-ET) to produce comprehensive structural inventories of macromolecular complexes inside native cells (in situ).
‘It broke me’: Inside the FBI hunt for the online predators who persuaded a 13-year-old to die
October 16, 2025 at 5:00 a.m. EDTToday at 5:00 a.m. EDT GIG HARBOR, Wash. — The early-morning fog had yet to rise when police found the 13-year-old boy in a parking lot behind a grocery store. His body was illuminated only by the ambient glow of lights on the loading dock. Around the boy’s neck was a white extension cord he had used to hang himself from a black chain-link fence.
Commentary: Singapore’s ‘super-aged’ society needs a place for its men
SINGAPORE: I’m 78 and I’ve seen how retirement has hollowed out the lives of some men my age. I still work and intend to continue working until my health prevents me from doing so. Not everyone has that option though. For those who leave the workforce, the challenge of finding purpose and connection can be daunting. That’s why when Prime Minister Lawrence Wong spoke about building Age Well Neighbourhoods during the National Day Rally, I found myself listening closely.
Commentary: How can we recognise heroic acts of Singapore’s migrant workers?
SINGAPORE: On Jul 26, migrant workers rescued a driver of a car that fell into the Tanjong Katong sinkhole. The men acted spontaneously without proper equipment or training. They exhibited humanity, selflessness and courage which generated an outpouring of praise from all quarters. This was not the first time migrant workers came to the rescue. In April, construction workers saved several children from the River Valley shophouse fire.
Readers react to stories of federal workers’ treatment under DOGE
Readers react to stories of federal workers’ treatment under DOGE (washingtonpost.com) Readers react to stories of federal workers’ treatment under DOGE By Hannah Natanson; William Wan; Alexandra Pannoni 2025052411001300 The Washington Post's investigation into the mental health of federal workers revealed many are now struggling with suicidal thoughts, panic attacks and deep anguish amid the Trump administration's mass firings and upending of government agencies.
Readers react to stories of federal workers’ treatment under DOGE
Scott Galloway says Musk's work at DOGE fueled 'one of the greatest brand destructions' of all time Scott Galloway, a prominent marketing professor at New York University, says Elon Musk's links to the cost-cutting White House DOGE Office fueled "one of the greatest brand destructions" of all time. Speaking on an episode of the Pivot podcast, which he cohosts with journalist Kara Swisher, Galloway …
White House officials wanted to put federal workers ‘in trauma.’ It’s working.
For this story, Post reporters interviewed more than 30 current and former federal employees. To confirm those workers’ stories, they reviewed agency badge credentials, layoff notices and internal agency emails. Sources who spoke to The Post anonymously did so to avoid retribution from their agency or the Trump administration. The president had called federal employees “crooked” and “dishonest,” and his deputies had vowed to purge them from government and make them suffer.
Arquivos de JFK revelam segredos familiares de parentes que eram ativos da CIA
Crescendo, John Smith conhecia seu avô como um acadêmico sério — um professor de óculos na Universidade de Maryland que escrevia livros sobre presidentes anteriores à Guerra Civil. Ele também sabia que E.B. Smith havia viajado pelo mundo em sua juventude. O que ele não sabia até esta semana era que seu avô já tinha sido um agente do governo dos EUA, fornecendo informações da era soviética para a CIA (Agência Central de Inteligência dos Estados Unidos, na sigla em inglês).
JFK files expose family secrets: Their relatives were CIA assets
Growing up, John Smith knew his grandfather as a serious academic — a bespectacled professor at the University of Maryland who wrote books on pre-Civil War presidents. He also knew E.B. Smith had traveled the world in his younger years. What he didn’t know until this week is that his grandfather had once been a U.S. government asset, feeding Soviet-era intelligence to the CIA. The Trump administration’s release of more than 77,000 pages related to the 1963 assassination of President John F.
White House scrambles after JFK files expose Social Security numbers
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After the Social Security numbers of more than 400 former congressional staffers and others were made public in files related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the White House acknowledged the breach Thursday and worked to mitigate the harm.
By William Wan Verified, Aaron Schaffer Verified, Clara Ence Morse Verified, Cat Zakrzewski Verified
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Anchorage Daily News
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Live updates: Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to deliver remarks from the Oval Office
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President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are scheduled to deliver remarks Friday morning from the Oval Office. The White House has not advertised the subject matter. Before the joint appearance, Elon Musk is scheduled to receive a briefing by Defense Department leaders focused on the threat posed by China and the billionaire’s work to slash the U.S. government bureaucracy, people familiar with the matter said.
By Maeve Reston, William Wan Verified, Aaron Schaffer Verified, Clara Ence Morse Verified, Cat Zakrzewski Verified, Alex Horton Verified, Ellen Nakashima Verified, Jeremy Roebuck Verified
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The Washington Post
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Trump administration moves to mitigate errant release of Social Security numbers
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After the Social Security numbers of more than 400 former congressional staffers and others were made public in files related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the White House acknowledged the breach Thursday and worked to mitigate the harm.
By William Wan Verified, Aaron Schaffer Verified, Clara Ence Morse Verified, Cat Zakrzewski Verified
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The Washington Post
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Social Security numbers and other private information unmasked in JFK files
President John F. Kennedy waves from his car in a motorcade in Dallas. Riding with Kennedy are first lady Jacqueline Kennedy, right, Nellie Connally, second from left, and her husband, Texas Gov. John Connally, far left. AP/Nov. 22, 1963 The Social Security numbers and other private information of more than 200 former congressional staffers and others were made public Tuesday in the unredacted files related to the assassination of President John F.
Social Security numbers and other private information unmasked in JFK files
The Social Security numbers and other private information of more than 200 former congressional staffers and others were made public Tuesday in the unredacted files related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, according to a review by The Washington Post. “It’s absolutely outrageous. It’s sloppy, unprofessional,” said former Trump campaign lawyer Joseph diGenova, 79, whose private information was included in the release.
Commentary: Will government grants make coffee shop toilets cleaner? | Video
Coffee shop toilets are consistently ranked as the dirtiest public toilets in Singapore. William Wan, former General-Secretary of Singapore Kindness Movement, weighs in on why that is and whether government grants are the solution.
Commentary: When we do nice things for social media content, is it inspiring or exploitative? Original
SINGAPORE: A TikToker named Kevin Wee recently made waves online when he flew a homeless elderly man from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore for a two-day tour that included stops at Haji Lane, a neon art jam studio and Universal Studios Singapore. The buzz generated by Mr Wee, who goes by Radical Kindness on TikTok, raises the question: Are such acts of kindness, intentionally curated for social media, inspiring or exploitative?
He spent 50 years fighting to leave prison. Now he helps others get out.
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He spent 50 years fighting to leave prison. Now he helps others get out.
Deep Reads Freddie Nole has helped scores of people when they are released from prison and need a ride home. (Caroline Gutman for The Washington Post) For those who can’t find anyone to pick them up from prison, John “Freddie” Nole is their ride. He knows many of them may wind up back there. 22 min By William Wan October 12, 2024 at 8:20 a.m. EDT NORRISTOWN, PA.
An approach for coherent periodogram averaging of tilt-series data for improved CTF estimation
Abstract Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) has become an indispensable technique for determining three-dimensional structures of biological macromolecules. A critical aspect of achieving high-resolution cryo-EM reconstructions is accurately determining and correcting for the microscope's contrast transfer function (CTF). The CTF introduces defocus-dependent distortions during imaging; if not properly accounted for, the CTF can distort features in and limit the resolution of 3D reconstructions.
Break The Silver Ceiling? Yes, We Can!
Stereotyping seniors as frail, disengaged and incapable of adapting to the fast-evolving environment is an unkind act. Regrettably, these stereotypical views still persist among some individuals. Growing older is almost always viewed through a negative lens of decline and decay where vigour, passion and capability seem absent. Such stereotypes are dangerous as they perpetuate ageism, marginalise seniors, and disregard the vast talents and capabilities we possess.
Visualizing chaperonin function in situ by cryo-electron tomography - Nature
Abstract Chaperonins are large barrel-shaped complexes that mediate ATP-dependent protein folding1,2,3. The bacterial chaperonin GroEL forms juxtaposed rings that bind unfolded protein and the lid-shaped cofactor GroES at their apertures. In vitro analyses of the chaperonin reaction have shown that substrate protein folds, unimpaired by aggregation, while transiently encapsulated in the GroEL central cavity by GroES4,5,6.
Commentary: Is there a right time for Singapore seniors to stop driving?
SINGAPORE: Recent car accidents in Singapore and overseashave stoked debate about elderly drivers. At least nine people were killed in South Korea on Jul 1 after a 68-year-old driver drove in the wrong direction, striking pedestrians near Seoul City Hall.Across the country, traffic accidents involving drivers aged 65 have been rising since 2020, prompting some districts to offer cash incentives for senior drivers to give up their licences.
TOMOMAN: a software package for large scale cryo-electron tomography data preprocessing, community data sharing, and collaborative computing
Abstract Cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) and subtomogram averaging (STA) are becoming the preferred methodologies for investigating subcellular and macromolecular structures in native or near-native environments. While cryo-ET is amenable to a wide range of biological problems, these problems often have data processing requirements that need to be individually optimized, precluding the notion of a one-size-fits-all processing pipeline.
The last hours of Baltimore’s Key Bridge: Dark. Quiet. Then chaos and tragedy.
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The trouble began at 1:24 a.m. Tuesday as a cargo ship almost the size of the Eiffel Tower steered southeast on the Patapsco River out of Baltimore. Just ahead, spanning more than a mile across the darkened water, stood the Francis Scott Key Bridge, 185 feet high, with a crew of overnight construction workers on the road deck, patching cracks and filling potholes.
By Peter Hermann Verified, Tom Jackman, Jasmine Golden Verified, Justin Jouvenal Verified, William Wan Verified, Emily Davies Verified
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The Washington Post
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Commentary: Engage public to identify litterbugs? We need not think of it as fine line between surveillance and vigilantism
SINGAPORE: One initiative in the recent debate on government spending estimates that created a bit of an online storm was that the National Environment Agency (NEA) may publicise the images of litterbugs so that members of the public can help identify then. The stated objective of the proposed measure is to "invoke collective community ownership to keep the common spaces clean, and also deter potential litterbugs", according to the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE).
Commentary: Void decks should not be void of people
RESPECT IS KEY Building a cohesive society is a collective community responsibility. No matter where we play and gather, it is vital to be mindful of the needs of others. We should also be aware that some noise is unavoidable when living in a community. When we know our neighbours, and should conflict arise, we can resolve the conflict without first going to the authorities. The bottom line is how best can we build a cohesive inclusive society?
Commentary: Void decks should not be void of people
SINGAPORE: The closure of a football court in Bedok North and the cordoning off of a void deck in Woodlands Ring Road have incited passionate responses from the public. In these cases, the complaints by residents resulting in their closure were about noise and potential safety hazards caused by those playing football in community spaces. These two cases represent a conflict between two different but equally important values.
STOPGAP, an open-source package for template matching, subtomogram alignment, and classification
Abstract Cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) enables molecular-resolution 3D imaging of complex biological specimens such as viral particles, cellular sections, and in some cases, whole cells. This enables the structural characterization of molecules in their near-native environments, without the need for purification or separation, thereby preserving biological information such as conformational states and spatial relationships between different molecular species.
It’s More Than a Wee Problem if Coffee Shop Toilets in Singapore are Dirty
Singapore often plays host to high-profile conferences and prominent events like the Formula 1 Grand Prix in September. It is consistently voted as a top Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) destination. On an international cruise last month, I listened to guest speaker and retired Canadian diplomat Terry Greenberg give a glowing picture of Singapore as an extremely clean and green nation as the vessel prepared to arrive in Singapore.
Commentary: It’s more than a wee problem if coffee shop toilets in Singapore are dirty
SINGAPORE: Singapore often plays host to high-profile conferences and prominent events like the Formula 1 Grand Prix in September. It is consistently voted as a top Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) destination. On an international cruise last month, I listened to guest speaker and retired Canadian diplomat Terry Greenberg give a glowing picture of Singapore as an extremely clean and green nation as the vessel prepared to arrive in Singapore.
D.C. woman is reunited with her stolen bulldog
Two days after her puppy was taken from her arms Saturday by a masked mugger on the front stoop of her Washington, D.C., apartment building, Teffiney Worthy said, she received an Instagram message from someone offering to return her beloved French bulldog for $900 in cash. If the whole affair was a dognapping caper, it quickly unraveled with the intervention of police, and now the purloined pooch, 6-month-old Hendrix, is safely back in Worthy's embrace.
D.C. woman is reunited with her stolen bulldog
Two days after her puppy was taken from her arms Saturday by a masked mugger on the front stoop of her D.C. apartment building, Teffiney Worthy said, she received an Instagram message from someone offering to return her beloved French bulldog for $900 in cash. If the whole affair was a dognapping caper, it quickly unraveled with the intervention of police, and now the purloined pooch, 6-month-old Hendrix, is safely back in Worthy’s embrace.
Her last puppy died in D.C. day care flood, and new one stolen Original
• Article content Teffiney Worthy was trying to unlock the door to her apartment in Northeast Washington on Saturday afternoon when a man ran up, his face covered by a black ski mask. Advertisement 2 Don't have an account? Create Account Article content We apologize, but this video has failed to load. Try refreshing your browser, or tap here to see other videos from our team. We apologize, but this video has failed to load. Try refreshing your browser, or tap here to see other videos from our team.
Her last puppy died in the D.C. day care flood. Her new one just got stolen.
Teffiney Worthy was trying to unlock the door to her apartment in Northeast Washington on Saturday afternoon when a man ran up, his face covered by a black ski mask. "Give me your dog, or I'm going to kill you," he yelled. She said she could tell from his voice he was young - maybe a teenager - but he spoke the words menacingly. She saw in his hand what appeared to be a Taser. She looked down at her puppy, a 6-month-old French bulldog named Hendrix.
Her last puppy died in the District Dogs flood. Her new one was stolen in D.C.
Comment Save Teffiney Worthy was trying to unlock the door to her apartment in Northeast Washington on Saturday afternoonwhen a man ran up, his face covered by a black ski mask. “Give me your dog, or I’m going to kill you,” he yelled. She said she could tell from his voice he was young — maybe a teenager — but he spoke the words menacingly. She saw in his hand what appeared to be a Taser. She looked down at her puppy, a 6-month-old French bulldog named Hendrix.
National Zoo's giant pandas leave for China, ending an era for animal lovers
There were tears, lingering goodbyes and broken hearts Wednesday at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. Under police escort and accompanied by their longtime keepers, Washington’s three giant pandas boarded a flight to China on Wednesday. Their departure marked the end of an era that spanned half a century, brought joy to millions and left an enduring black-and-white imprint on the D.C. region.
National Zoo’s giant pandas leave for China, ending an era for fans
There were tears, lingering goodbyes and broken hearts Wednesday at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. Under police escort and accompanied by their longtime keepers, Washington’s three giant pandas boarded a flight to China on Wednesday. Their departure marked the end of an era that spanned half a century, brought joy to millions and left an enduring black-and-white imprint on the D.C. region.
The National Zoo's giant pandas leave for China today
The National Zoo's giant pandas will board a flight to China on Wednesday, ending an era that spanned half a century, brought joy to generations of fans and left an enduring black-and-white imprint on the Washington region.
The hidden power of China's pandas and why the U.S. is losing them all
Advertisement 1 Instead of outright gifts, China's pandas became expensive loans, usually charging US$500,000 a year per panda • • Article content Sure, they’re cute and cuddly. But for more than 50 years, China’s giant pandas have also been powerfully strategic — a diplomatic tool methodically deployed to shore up alliances, woo new partners and build goodwill.
The hidden power of China’s pandas — and why the U.S. is losing them all
Comment Save Sure, they’re cute and cuddly. But for more than 50 years, Chinese giant pandas have also been powerfully strategic — a diplomatic tool methodically deployed to shore up alliances, woo new partners and build goodwill.
Should Commuters be Banned from Watching Loud Videos on their Phones on Public Transport?
SINGAPORE: In the cramped confines of a crowded bus or train, where personal space is a luxury, there are few things more infuriating than the shrill laughter or pulsating music of a TikTok video from a fellow commuter’s phone. It’s a scene that plays out all too often in public transportation. Just as in the realm of neighbourhood estates, where mahjong sessions or karaoke singing can disrupt the peace of others, noise in public transportation presents a unique blend of irritations.
Commentary: Should commuters be banned from watching loud videos on their phones while on public transport?
SINGAPORE: In the cramped confines of a crowded bus or train, there are few things more infuriating than the shrill laughter or pulsating music of a TikTok video from a fellow commuter's phone. It's a scene that plays out all too often in public transportation. Just as in the realm of neighbourhood estates, where mahjong sessions or karaoke singing can disrupt the peace of others, noise in public transportation presents a unique blend of irritations.
A trans woman joined a sorority. Then her new sisters turned on her.
LARAMIE, Wyo. - The morning sky was still dark as Artemis Langford's father hoisted the last of her belongings into her car for the drive back to college. "Be safe," he told her. "I will," she promised. She didn't mention how a day earlier, as she scrolled through social media comments, she saw someone had called her a "sicko" who should be torn apart in a woodchipper. Or how she discovered her name on neo-Nazi websites.
A trans woman joined a sorority. Then her new sisters turned on her.
Deep Reads features The Washington Post’s best immersive reporting and narrative writing. LARAMIE, Wyo. — The morning sky was still dark as Artemis Langford’s father hoistedthe last of her belongings into her car for the drive back to college. “Be safe,” he told her. “I will,” shepromised. She didn’t mention how a day earlier, as she scrolled through social media comments, she saw someone had called her a “sicko” who should be torn apart in a woodchipper.
A trans woman joined a sorority. Then her new sisters turned on her.
Deep Reads features The Washington Post’s best immersive reporting and narrative writing. LARAMIE, Wyo. — The morning sky was still dark as Artemis Langford’s father hoistedthe last of her belongings into her car for the drive back to college. “Be safe,” he told her. “I will,” shepromised. She didn’t mention how a day earlier, as she scrolled through social media comments, she saw someone had called her a “sicko” who should be torn apart in a woodchipper.
Yale settles in lawsuit alleging discriminatory mental health policies
Yale University has agreed to change some policies and revise training as part of a legal settlement after current and former students claimed the school discriminated against people with mental health problems. The lawsuitfiledlast year claimed school officials pressured students with suicidal thoughts to withdraw from the university.
Suicide took away her twin, but the midnight walk helps her keep living
She hated crying in public. Yet standing in front of the Lincoln Memorial on a June night amid a throng of nearly 2,000 people, Chloe Stevens gave up trying to hide her emotions. Others from the crowd shared their reasons for embarking on the 16-mile walk ahead, revealing losses long cloaked in guilt and shame. Chloe, a 25-year-old Texas elementary school teacher, thought of her twin brother, Clark. What he would look like today if he were alive? What kind of job would he have?
She lost her twin to suicide. A midnight walk helps her keep living.
Others from the crowd shared their reasons for embarking on the 16-mile walk ahead, revealing losses long cloaked in guilt and shame. Chloe, a 25-year-old Texas elementary school teacher, thought of her twin brother, Clark. What he would look like today if he were alive? What kind of job would he have? Who he would have become if he hadn't killed himself?
She lost her twin to suicide. A prevention walk helps her keep living.
She lost her twin to suicide. A midnight walk helps her keep living. June 21, 2023 at 7:00 a.m. EDT Chloe Stevens walks beside her best friend, Kayla Padol, during the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's overnight walk in Washington. (Tom Brenner) Comment on this story Comment She hated crying in public. Yet standing in front of the Lincoln Memorial on a June night amid a throng of nearly 2,000 people, Chloe Stevens gave up trying to hide her emotions.
Finding the "bigger and higher purpose" to cover transgender issues and suicide | Nieman Storyboard
By Trevor Pyle For state legislator Karen Berg of Kentucky, the fight against anti-trans legislation was entwined with the memory of her transgender son, Henry. For reporter Willian Wan of The Washington Post, telling both halves of that story was an opportunity, a challenge and an honor. The resulting story was published this past March: “She lost her trans son to suicide.
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