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☆ Could a Trump-Vance win reshape America’s relationship with China – and Taiwan?
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-18 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Vance was swift to name China the “biggest threat to our country,” in an interview with Fox News Monday as the RNC got underway. He’s made countering what Washington says is a security threat from China a cornerstone of his foreign policy, even as he’s worked to stabilize communications with Beijing. And Beijing – which is grappling with its own economic woes – may be preparing for more friction if Trump takes office. The substance of Biden’s China policy – in terms of sanctions, tariffs and competition – has not been that different from Trump’s, she noted, and Biden has been keener on strengthening alliances and coalitions to counter China together. “But the style of Biden’s China policy is more predictable and stabilizing.

Persons: Donald Trump, JD Vance, Vance, Joe Biden, “, ”, ” Vance, Trump, China –, That’s, ’ Vance, Sergey Lavrov, Vance doesn’t, Marco Rubio, Xi Jinping, He’s, he’s, ” Brian Wong, Qilai Shen, Biden, They’ve, Cho Jung, ” Cho, Yun Sun, –, keener Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Republican, Republican National Convention, Chinese Communist Party, Foreign, Trump, NATO, Ukraine, Fox News, RNC, University of Hong Kong’s, Contemporary, of, People, Bloomberg, Getty, Communist Party, Bloomberg Businessweek, US, China’s Foreign Ministry, Stimson Center, World Trade Locations: Hong Kong, Ohio, Washington, China, Asia, Beijing, Europe, Ukraine, Russia, Russian, America, Florida, Contemporary China, Taiwan, Taipei, Taiwan Strait, Japan, South Korea, US

☆ Selina Cheng: Hong Kong journalist says she was fired by WSJ after taking top post at union under attack by Beijing
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-18 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hong Kong CNN —A Wall Street Journal reporter in Hong Kong said she was fired after being elected to lead a press union that has come under attack by Beijing amid a national security crackdown. Selina Cheng, who was elected chair of the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) on June 22, said in a statement posted Wednesday on X that she had been terminated from her job covering China’s car sector earlier in the day. Both Hong Kong officials and Beijing state media have accused it of siding with protesters during the anti-government demonstrations in 2019, a charge the association has denied. But critics have increasingly bemoaned the territory’s shrinking press freedoms since Beijing imposed a national security on Hong Kong after the 2019 protests. “The Wall Street Journal has been and continues to be a fierce and vocal advocate for press freedom in Hong Kong and around the world,” he said.

Persons: Selina Cheng, ” Cheng, “, ”, Hong Kong’s, Cheng, Gordon Fairclough, Emma Tucker, Evan Gershkovich Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Hong Kong Journalists Association, Hong, CNN, The, CIA Locations: China, Hong Kong, Beijing, London, Singapore, Russia

☆ Asia’s 50 best bars for 2024 revealed
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-16 | by ( Lilit Marcus | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Hong Kong CNN —Bar Leone – an Italian cocktail spot in central Hong Kong – has been crowned the best bar in Asia. Bar LeoneBefore Bar Leone’s triumph, the top spot was held by another Hong Kong bar, mezcal-forward Coa, which spent a record three years atop the list. The list, which was first put together in 2017, added a new category this year recognizing best bar design. “Sustainability is also how we promote and preserve Korean bar culture.”Emma Sleight, head of content for 50 Best Bars and 50 Best Hotels, told CNN that Asia’s bar scene “is one of the best in the world, it’s incredibly young and dynamic and ever-changing. “Free drinks at Bar Leone for everyone tonight!” he shouted triumphantly, before leaning over to his colleagues and whispering, “The bar is closed tonight, right?”Asia’s 50 Best Bars for 20241.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN — Bar Leone –, Hong Kong –, “, ”, Lorenzo Antinori, Antinori, ” Lorenzo Antinori, Bar, Jay Khan, Hong Kong’s, –, Khan, ” Khan, Craftroom, Changsha’s, Demie Kim, Kim, Emma, Aubrey, Regis Organizations: Hong Kong CNN — Bar, CNN, Rosewood, Bar, Bar Leone, “, BKK Social, Hope, Sesame, Sago, Regis Bar, SG, Analogue Initiative, Employees, House, Chamber, Co Locations: Hong Kong, Hong Kong CNN — Bar Leone, Italian, Asia, Rome, Hong, Kowloon, Bar Leone, Singapore, Busan, Seoul, Tokyo, Bangkok, Penrose, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Vesper, Guangzhou, Bar Cham, St, Macao, Offtrack, Pantja, Osaka, Sri Lanka, Vender, Taichung, Taiwan, Manila, Taipei, Barc, Kathmandu, ZLB23, Bengaluru, India, Fura, CMYK, Changsha, China, Hanoi

☆ Jesse Owens’ achievements at 1936 Olympics were ‘thumb in the eye’ to Adolf Hitler, says US athlete’s grandson
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-04 | by ( Ben Morse | Don Riddell | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Owens’ grandson Stuart Owen Rankin describes the track and field great’s actions as a “thumb in the eye” to Hitler. Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images‘A bond, a brotherhood, a connection’Another enduring memory from the 1936 Games was Owens’ connection with the German long-jumper Luz Long. Owens and Long were seen as the two favorites to compete for the gold medal in the long jump at the Berlin Games. According to Rankin, Owens said Long offered him advice on how to not overstep, which was an issue the US athlete was having in the long jump qualifying competition. DHM/ullstein bild/Getty Images)StridesAfter the Berlin Games, widespread, institutionalized racism and segregation in the US meant Owens’ achievements weren’t fully appreciated when he returned home.

Persons: Jesse Owens, Adolf Hitler, White, Owens, Owens ’, Stuart Owen Rankin, Hitler, “, ” Rankin, CNN’s Don Riddell, ” Jesse Owens, Luz Long, Long, Rankin, ” Owens, Juergen, Shutterstock Rankin, ” Long, scrolled, Julia Long, Long’s, ”, Julia, weren’t, AP Owens, Gerald Ford, George H.W, Bush Organizations: CNN, Olympics, Nazi, Fox, Berlin Games, American, Games, AP, White Locations: Berlin –, Nazi Germany, Berlin, White, American, Munich, York, United States, America

☆ Judy Garland and ‘The Trolley Song’: Why an 80-year-old performance speaks to today’s LGBTQ community
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-26 | by ( Scottie Andrew | Sydney Bishop | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

“The Trolley Song,” a second-act standout from the 1944 movie musical “Meet Me in St. Louis,” was sung by Judy Garland in striking Technicolor. And yet it has found new life online nearly 80 years later as an unlikely anthem for LGBTQ Pride. “Happy pride month (sic) to Judy Garland in the trolley song. Kelleher likened it to Cher’s 1998 autotune fantasia “Believe” but “somehow even more gay.”Like Cher’s hit, “The Trolley Song” is dripping in artifice. “The Trolley Song” has been adopted by LGBTQ people since Garland first started singing it in concert.

Persons: ”, Louis, Judy Garland, Sabrina Carpenter’s, Oz, Dave Karger, Patrick Kelleher, Garland, ” Kelleher, “, huff, Esther Smith, ‘, clang ’, ’, zing ’, Paige Turner, … ” Turner, ” Paige Turner, Turner, Kelleher, Louis ”, Manuel Betancourt, “ Judy, Rufus Wainwright, –, Judy, Rufus, Wainwright, ” Wainwright, Garland’s, ” Karger, Dee Michel, Dorothy, ’ ”, Michel, ” Michel, Jim Bailey, Princess Diana, King Charles, Liza Minnelli, It’s, ” Turner, “ Gay Organizations: CNN, LGBTQ, Turner, TCM, Warner Bros ., Pride, Broadway, Carnegie Hall, Capitol Studios, Gay Boys Locations: St, Ireland, Missouri, New York, London, Los Angeles

☆ World’s best airline for 2024 named by Skytrax
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-24 | by ( Barry Neild | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

We look forward to more wins in the future.”Close-run contestSaudia was named by Skytrax as winner of the World's Most Improved Airline award. Singapore also won for Best First Class service and Best Airline in Asia. ANA, meanwhile, picked up the accolade for World’s Best Airport Services, as well as Best Airline Staff Service in Asia. Saudia was named World’s Most Improved Airline, beating Taiwan’s Starlux and Iceland’s Play into second and third places. Delta Air Lines was declared the Best Airline in North America, also picking up the award for Best Airline Staff Service for the region.

Persons: weren’t, ”, Edward Plaisted, Badr Mohammed Al, Meer, Saudia, Skytrax, Nicolas Economou, Tan, Tan Pee Teck, Taiwan’s Starlux, Singapore’s Scoot, Tony Fernandes, “, ISMOYO, Vistara, airBaltic Organizations: CNN, Qatar Airways, Hamad International, Dubai, Boeing, Airbus, Singapore Airlines, Dubai’s Emirates, ANA All Nippon Airways, Hong, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Air France, Swiss International Airlines, Singapore, Best, ANA, World’s Best, Services, Best Airline Staff Service, AirAsia, Airline, Airasia, Rai International, Getty, Bangkok Airways, Fiji Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Hainan Airlines, China . Delta Air Lines, Airlines, Emirates, Cathay, Air, Swiss International Air Lines, Korean, British Airways, Iberia, Virgin, Lufthansa, Etihad Airways, Saudi, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Garuda, Cathay Pacific Airways, Thai Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Transavia, Vueling Airlines, Ryanair, SKY, JetSMART, Aegean Airlines, Azerbaijan Airlines, Rex Airlines, Azul, Royal Air Maroc, Porter Airlines, . Alaska Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Asiana Airlines, China Airlines, Korean Air Locations: Qatar, London’s, Abu Dhabi, Qatar’s, Tan Pee, Asia, Denpasar, Bali, AFP, India, Australia, Pacific, Eastern, China ., North America, Singapore, Air France, Saudi Arabian, Garuda Indonesia, Transavia France

☆ Hate Apple’s ‘By the Seaside’ alarm tune? You’re not alone
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-23 | by ( Krystal Hur | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Then Apple’s “By the Seaside” alarm sound went off. Moktan chose the jaunty, cheerful tune available as a ringtone and alarm on many of Apple’s devices, thinking that the song’s easygoing melody would make waking up a peaceful experience. Gyaltsen Moktan, a 26-year-old English teacher in Tokyo, says that "By the Seaside" reminds him of horror movie music. Courtesy Gyaltsen Moktan“By the Seaside” is perhaps Apple’s most polarizing alarm and ringtone, evoking comparisons to nails on a chalkboard, the word “moist” and screaming children on a plane. Boston Flake, a 15-year-old high school student in Utah, is in a love-hate relationship with the controversial alarm tune.

Persons: Gyaltsen Moktan, Moktan, ”, Gyaltsen, Carlos Xavier Rodriguez, Levi Hutchins, Antoine Redier, Seth Thomas, Boston, I’ll, ” Apple, Rodriguez, There’s, Rodrigo, Adele, Ryan Meadows, Krystal Roxas, Roxas, “, ” Moktan, Bill Withers, Grover Washington, Jr’s “ Organizations: New, New York CNN, YouTube, University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance, Boston, Showbiz, CNN Locations: New York, Tokyo, Japan, ”, knocker, Britain, United States, Concord , New Hampshire, French, Utah, San Bruno , California

☆ A list of the songs vying to be 2024’s summer anthem
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-21 | by ( Scottie Andrew | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

It was easier even a decade ago to settle on the song of the summer. Now that summer has officially started, sample these musical confections and decide for yourself — what’s destined to become the song of summer 2024? Daniel Boczarski/Getty ImagesNot Like Us, Kendrick Lamar Credit: Kendrick Lamar, under exclusive license to Interscope RecordsHere’s a song of the summer that breaks all the rules. ‘A Bar Song (Tipsy),’ ShaboozeyShaboozey mashes up pop-country with the 2004 club classic "Tipsy" on his mournful yet singable hit, "A Bar Song (Tipsy)." Still, lyrics about dragging your increasingly drunk self from bar to bar in a desperate attempt to shed the stress of your 9-to-5 are not unrelatable.

Persons: it’s, Mike Errico, New York University’s, Errico, Sabrina Carpenter Sabrina Carpenter, Nina Westervelt, Sabrina Carpenter, “, Billie Eilish, Billie Eilish's, Arturo Holmes, Eilish, —, Randy Holmes, Tinashe’s, Janet Jackson, factly, Babe, ’ Chappell Roan Chappell Roan, Stephen J, Cohen, Chappell, ”, Kate Bush, Cyndi Lauper’s, Roan fantasizes, Roan didn’t, ’ Tommy Richman, Tommy Richman, Johnny Louis, Richman, ’ Kendrick Lamar, Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Daniel Boczarski, — Lamar, It’s, Lamar, Brett Carlsen, Carter, Shaboozey Organizations: CNN, New York, Davis, Island Records, UMG, Inc, Interscope, Disney, Life, Amusement Records, Getty, Tommy Richman Credit, Concord, Kendrick Lamar Credit, Interscope Records, Lamar, American Locations: New, TikTok, British, singalongs, Chappell Roan, LA, Nashville

☆ How the ‘song of the summer’ became a cultural phenomenon
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-20 | by ( Harmeet Kaur | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

And in an age where social media and streaming platforms have fragmented the cultural landscape, does the song of the summer even exist anymore? “It’s not like people were walking around in 1925 and saying, ‘You think that’s the summer song this year? New York Magazine’s 1995 Summer Fun issue devoted an article to examining the summer song as a unifying force — per the magazine, a summer song should be 1) released in the summer, 2) uncomplicated and 3) unforgettable. MTV’s Video Music Awards introduced a song of summer category in 2013, with One Direction’s “Best Song Ever” nabbing the inaugural award. Even as the song of the summer has become increasingly debatable, the idea that a single song could encapsulate a given summer continues to have a hold over our culture.

Persons: David Hajdu, “, ”, Hajdu, Phil Edwards, George Gershwin's, George Gershwin’s, Harry James ’, “ It’s, that’s, ’ ” Hajdu, Young, ’, ” Hajdu, Michael Ochs, Martha, Lovin, Sly, Stone, Robert Thompson, Ann Powers, Ricky Martin's, Frank Micelotta, ” Thompson, Thompson, gatekeepers, Vulture, Rolling Stone, It’s, Jason Lipshutz, Morgan, SZA, Armando L, Sanchez, Morgan Wallen’s “, Lipshutz, Miley Cyrus, Kylie Minogue, — Organizations: CNN, Day, Labor, Vox, Washington Post, Billboard, Beach Boys, Michael Ochs Archives, Vandellas, . Radio, Bleier Center for Television, Culture, Syracuse University . New, Bills, Backstreet Boys, Nielsen, American, Rolling, Social, Chicago Tribune, Tribune, Service Locations: America, Washington, Syracuse University . New York, “

☆ New high-speed sleeper train service connects Hong Kong with Beijing and Shanghai
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-16 | by ( Maggie Wong | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Hong Kong CNN —Interested in capping off your trip to Hong Kong with a long weekend in Beijing or Shanghai? A new high-speed sleeper train service is making that possibility easier than ever. Return trips depart from Beijing and Shanghai at around 8 p.m. and arrive in Hong Kong at 8.47 a.m. and 7.29 a.m. A passenger with a child boards the high-speed sleeper train in Beijing for its inaugural journey to Hong Kong's West Kowloon Station. Jia Tianyong/China News Service/VCG/Getty ImagesHong Kong’s controversial high-speed railwayOpened in 2018, the 26-kilometer Hong Kong high-speed railway is a part of the larger Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL).

Persons: ” John Lee, Hong, Jia Tianyong Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Hong Kong West Kowloon Station, China News Service, Passengers, China, ”, Hong, Hong Kong Express, Express Locations: Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong West Kowloon, Kowloon, Hong, China, cn, China , Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Shenzhen

Millions around the world caught a glimpse of the North Korean men’s team in two World Cups. The secrecy surrounding the North Korean national team was also evident in the case of star player Han Kwang Song. Carl Recine/Action Images/ReutersEarning respectWhen An joined the North Korean national team upon receiving a call-up letter in 2002, he remembers not being immediately accepted by teammates. To be accepted by the squad, newcomer An had to prove himself to the other North Korean players. Although, as fate would have it, An met his former teammate and current manager of the North Korean national team, Sin Yong Nam, last March.

Persons: –, Yong Hak, Han Kwang, Han, “, ”, Yong, Son Heung, Pak Kwang, Choe, I’ll, ” Han, Yong Nam, ‘ It’s, ’ ”, “ Han’s, ‘, …, Kim Jong Hun, Jong Tae, Philip Fong, Kim, Jong Tae Se, Carl Recine, didn’t, Sin Yong Nam, Sin Organizations: CNN, Korean men’s, CNN Sport, North, Korean, Juventus, Qatari, Al, UN, North Korean, –, SC, Cagliari, South, Tottenham Hotspur, Radio Free Asia, Tokyo's, Getty, Portugal, DPRK, Thailand Locations: North Korea’s, East, Italy, Middlesbrough, England, South Africa, Portugal, North Korean, Japan, Qatar, North Korea, Myanmar, China, Pyongyang, South Korea, Austria, Tokyo, DPRK, Brazil, Ivory Coast, Korean, AFP, Korea

☆ Vigilante Hong Kong cabbies went undercover to ensnare illegal Uber drivers. It backfired
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-08 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

They are vigilante taxi drivers taking direct action, having become increasingly frustrated about Hong Kong authorities’ failure to regulate the ride-hailing platform. Noemi Cassanelli/CNNA Uber app is seen on a mobile phone in Hong Kong, China, on May 24, 2024. Patrick Tam, secretary general of the Hong Kong Taxi & Public Light Bus Association, acknowledged the complaints against some unruly taxi drivers, and said he supported the police going after them. “We just want fair treatment.”So far, Hong Kong police have said they had not arrested any Uber drivers ensnared in the amateur sting operations. And CUHK’s Chan said that, after years of ambiguity, Hong Kong is already playing catch-up.

Persons: Ka Chun, “, Uber, Noemi Cassanelli, CNN Uber, ”, Oliver Chan, Hong, John Lee, Lau, tim, ” Jason Chan, Mo, “ Uber, Patrick Tam, CNN Estyn Chung, CUHK’s Chan Organizations: CNN, Hong, Chinese University of Hong, Taxi, Pictures, hackney, CNN Taxis, HK, Hong Kong Taxi, Light Bus Association, Uber Taxi, Uber Locations: Hong Kong, China, Central, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Jordan, Singapore

☆ China claims married couple working for government spied for UK’s MI6
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-02 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Hong Kong CNN —China on Monday accused Britain of recruiting a married couple employed by the Chinese central government to spy for its MI6 intelligence service, as the two countries trade allegations of espionage. Those charges in the United Kingdom came after China’s MSS said in January it had detained the head of a foreign consultancy who had allegedly spied for MI6. Under Xi Jinping, China’s most authoritarian leader in decades, the country’s notoriously secretive spy agency has drastically raised its public profile and broadened its remit. In its latest statement Monday, the MSS detailed its allegations against the married couple. According to the MSS, foreign spies are omnipresent and infiltrating everything – from mapping apps to weather stations.

Persons: Hong, Xi, Wang, “, –, Zhou, ” Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Ministry of State Security, Conservative Party, China’s, ”, CNN, Britain’s Foreign, Secret Intelligence Service, CIA Locations: Hong Kong, China, British, United Kingdom, Britain

He also warned that the death of any Filipino citizen at the hands of another country in the South China Sea would be “very close” to an act of war. It is also a rare opportunity to hear from, and pose questions to, senior Chinese military leaders. Robert Ward, IISS Japan chair, told CNN he felt Dong’s tone was “more shrill” than he’s seen in previous speeches by Chinese defense chiefs at the gathering. “The strategic environment in Asia has actually got more tense and I think we saw that in the Chinese defense minister’s speech today,” Ward said. “Every year for three years, a new Chinese defense minister has come to Shangri-La,” the official told CNN.

Persons: Dong Jun, ” Dong, ”, Xi Jinping, Dong, Lloyd Austin, ” China’s, “, Lai Ching, China, Ferdinand R, Marcos Jr, Austin –, China “, Robert Ward, he’s, ” Ward, they’ve Organizations: Singapore CNN, Taiwan, National Defense, Communist Party, Democratic Progressive Party, China’s Defense Ministry, South China, Austin, International Institute for Strategic Studies, CNN, US Locations: Singapore, Beijing, Taiwan, United States, China, Taiwan Strait, East, South, South China, Philippines, ”, American, The Hague, Philippine, Ukraine, Dong, Russia, Asia, Pacific, Japan

☆ Wall Street Lands on India, Looking for Profits It Can’t Find in China
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-31 | by ( Alex Travelli | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Mumbai, India’s financial capital, has seen a lot of new faces over the past year. The heads of global banks have been trooping through, visiting its stock exchanges, buying property and hiring new staff. A postpandemic boom has pushed the value of India’s stock market to about $5 trillion, putting it neck and neck with Hong Kong’s. Wall Street can’t ignore India anymore. Mumbai has been India’s commercial hub for eight decades, but it was relatively unfamiliar to global finance until the past two years.

Persons: Hong Kong’s Locations: Mumbai

☆ 14 pro-democracy activists found guilty of subversion in Hong Kong’s biggest national security case
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-30 | by ( Jennifer Jett | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

HONG KONG — A Hong Kong court on Thursday found 14 of 16 pro-democracy activists guilty of conspiring to subvert the state in the Chinese territory's single largest case under a sweeping national security law imposed by Beijing. Of those, 31 pleaded guilty in the hopes of a reduced sentence, while the remaining 16 pleaded not guilty. Hong Kong had had a 100% conviction rate in national security cases, which are prosecuted under rules that diverge from the city's legal norms, including presumption against bail. Almost 300 people have been arrested under the national security law, which came into force in the summer of 2020. The charges stem from an informal primary election held in July 2020 in which more than 600,000 voters selected pro-democracy candidates for a legislative election that was scheduled for that September.

Persons: Lau, Lee Yue, Critics, Eric Yan, Lai, Benny Tai, Claudia Mo, Joshua Wong, Leung Kwok, Raymond Chan, Gwyneth Ho, Hong Kong, Carrie Lam Organizations: Hong, Georgetown Center, Asian Locations: HONG KONG, Hong Kong, Beijing, Hong

On Today’s Episode:Trump Jurors to Review Evidence as They Consider a Verdict in His Trial, by Jesse McKinleyAlito Refuses Calls for Recusal Over Display of Provocative Flags, by Adam LiptakBiden Asks What Trump Would Have Done if Capitol Rioters Were Black, by Nicholas Nehamas and Maya KingHong Kong Convicts Democracy Activists in Largest National Security Trial, by Tiffany MayThe 47 Pro-Democracy Figures in Hong Kong’s Largest National Security Trial, by K.K. Rebecca Lai, David Pierson and Tiffany MayNew Delhi Sweats Through Its Hottest Recorded Day, by Hari Kumar and Mujib Mashal

Persons: Trump, Jesse McKinley Alito, Adam Liptak Biden, Nicholas Nehamas, King, Tiffany May, K.K, Rebecca Lai, David Pierson, Tiffany, Hari Kumar, Mujib Mashal Organizations: Capitol, King Hong Kong Convicts Democracy, Hong Locations: Delhi

☆ Hong Kong to Rule on Democracy Activists in Largest National Security Trial
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-29 | by ( Tiffany May | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A Hong Kong court will begin issuing verdicts on Thursday in the city’s largest national security trial, as the authorities use sweeping powers imposed by Beijing to quash political dissent in the Chinese territory. Most of the defendants have spent at least the last three years in detention ahead of and during the 118-day trial. On Thursday, judges picked by Hong Kong’s pro-Beijing leader were set to start handing down verdicts on 16 of them who had pleaded not guilty. Those who are convicted will be sentenced later, along with 31 others who had entered guilty pleas. The expected convictions and the sentences to follow would effectively turn the vanguard of the city’s opposition, a hallmark of its once-vibrant political scene, into a generation of political prisoners.

Persons: Benny Tai, Joshua Wong, Hong Kong’s Locations: Hong Kong, Beijing

The Hong Kong and Beijing governments have repeatedly denied the national security law is suppressing freedoms, arguing it has ended chaos and “restored stability” to the city. Since the national security law came into effect in 2020, civil groups have disbanded, and independent media outlets have been shut down. They are the first defendants to be acquitted in a national security law trial in Hong Kong. But that strategy is in doubt after another local national security law enacted earlier this year curtailed access to reduced sentences for guilty pleas. “It’s absolutely clear that the national security law reduced the independence and the autonomy of the judiciary.

Persons: Hong Kong’s, Hong, Gwyneth Ho, Leung Kwok, ”, Lawrence Lau, Lee Yu, –, “, Joshua Wong, Benny Tai, Claudia Mo, Eric Lai, John Burns, Hong Kong Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Beijing, British, Hong, Hong Kong’s Legislative, Georgetown Center, Asian Law, Communist Party, city’s, University of Hong Locations: Hong Kong, Hong, Beijing, Hong Kong’s, China, University of Hong Kong

☆ Hong Kong arrests six for social media posts in first use of new local national security law
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-28 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Hong Kong police have made their first arrests under a newly passed local national security law over social media posts deemed “seditious” by authorities. “Those who intend to endanger national security should not have the delusion that they can avoid police investigation by going anonymous online,” the statement added. The arrests marked the first time Hong Kong’s own national security law had been invoked since it was unanimously passed by the city’s opposition-free legislature in March. The legislation introduces 39 new national security crimes, adding to an already powerful national security law that was directly imposed by Beijing on Hong Kong in 2020 after huge and sometimes violent pro-democracy protests the year before. The local national security legislation covers a raft of new crimes including treason, espionage, external interference and unlawful handling of state secrets, with the most serious offenses punishable by up to life imprisonment.

Persons: netizens, “, Hong, John Lee, Lee Organizations: CNN, Hong, police Locations: Hong Kong, Beijing, China

☆ The Rolling Stones Really Might Never Stop
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( Lindsay Zoladz | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

The Stones’ first New York-area stadium gig in five years was sponsored, without a hint of irony, by AARP. I’ll have whatever vitamins the Stones are taking, please.) Ronnie Wood, the core group’s baby at age 76, still shreds on the guitar with a grinning, impish verve. Sprinting the length of the stage during a rousing “Honky Tonk Women” — the 13th song in the set! — he conjured no other rock star so much as Benjamin Button, as he seemed to become even more energetic as the night went on.

Persons: Mick Jagger, Ronnie Wood, Keith Richards, I’m, Jagger, Benjamin Button Organizations: MetLife, York, ”, AARP, verve, Hackney Locations: Manhattan, York City, New York

☆ Matthew Trickett: British man accused of spying for Hong Kong’s intelligence services found dead in park
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-21 | by ( Sharon Braithwaite | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

London CNN —A man charged by British police for allegedly spying for Hong Kong’s intelligence services, has been found dead in a park outside of London. Trickett had appeared alongside two other suspects at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on May 13, charged with national security offences. “Trickett was on court bail, awaiting court proceedings, which required him to register at a police station regularly,” the police said. Relations between Hong Kong and its former colonial ruler Britain have soured in recent years following mass pro-democracy protests in the Chinese city in 2019 and 2020. The British government has criticized Hong Kong’s Beijing-backed crackdown on almost all opposition in the years following the protests, while Hong Kong authorities have bristled at Britain providing a safe haven for pro-democracy leaders sought by the Hong Kong police.

Persons: Hong, Matthew Trickett, Trickett, “ Trickett, Trickett’s, John Lee, Hong Kong’s, Louisa Cieciora, Lee, Lucas Lilieholm, Chris Lau, Jerome Taylor Organizations: London CNN, British, London . Police, Thames, ’, The Times, Embassy, Hong, Hong Kong, Police, Hong Kong Economic, Trade Office, Economic, Trade Locations: London, Maidenhead , Berkshire, Sunday, Westminster, Hong Kong, Britain, Hong Kong’s Beijing

☆ Briton Charged With Aiding Hong Kong’s Intelligence Service Is Found Dead
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-21 | by ( Megan Specia | More About Megan Specia | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A former British marine charged with spying for Hong Kong’s intelligence service has died, according to a police statement released on Tuesday evening. The man, who was named by the Thames Valley Police as Matthew Trickett, was found dead in a park in Maidenhead, a town west of London, on Sunday. Mr. Trickett was one of three men charged last week under Britain’s National Security Act with assisting the Hong Kong intelligence service, and their case was expected to return to court on Friday. In the wake of the charges last week, Britain summoned the Chinese ambassador for a reprimand. Mr. Trickett, 37, who was a British immigration enforcement officer and a former Royal Marine, was also the director of a private security firm, MTR Consultancy.

Persons: Hong, Matthew Trickett, Trickett Organizations: Thames, Police, Britain’s National, Hong, Royal, MTR Consultancy Locations: British, Maidenhead, London, Hong Kong, China, Beijing

☆ Why a Tactic Used by Czars Is Back With a Vengeance
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Amanda Taub | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The day before, the police charged three men with aiding the Hong Kong intelligence service and forcing entry into a residential address. I’m not going to speculate on whether the three men are guilty or innocent, as their court case is ongoing. But the arrests have drawn attention to the phenomenon of “transnational repression,” in which autocratic governments surveil, harass or even attack their own citizens abroad. Last month, following a string of attacks on Iranian journalists, Reporters Without Borders proclaimed London a “hot spot” for the phenomenon. Although transnational repression is an old practice, it appears to be gaining prevalence.

Persons: ”, Hong Kong’s, I’m Organizations: Hong, Foreign, U.K, Borders Locations: London, Hong Kong, China, Britain

☆ China teases plan to buy unsold homes to fix property crisis. Markets are loving it
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The index has rallied nearly 30% from its January low, having entered a bull market earlier this month. Longfor Group, the ninth largest homebuilder in China, surged 11%, becoming the top performing stock on the Hang Seng Index. “We think this is a largely symbolic move to show support for the sector with a ‘national team’ for the housing market,” said Citi analysts. “We are cautiously optimistic about the ‘government-led buying on unsold units’ as it’s still being rolled out in more cities, “ said Jeff Zhang, an equity analyst at Morningstar. Nasdaq Golden China Index, which tracks Chinese companies listed on Wall Street, has gained 11% since the start of April.

Persons: ”, “, Jeff Zhang Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Longfor, China Holdings, National Development, Reform Commission, ’, Citi, ING Group, Morningstar, homebuyers, Communist Party, Nasdaq Locations: China, Hong Kong, Beijing, Hangzhou, Xi’an, Chengdu, Shanghai

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