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☆ Who is Jimmy Lai, the Hong Kong media tycoon facing a life sentence in a national security trial?
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-21 | by ( Kwan Wei Kevin Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Now 77, he's facing a life sentence in a national security trial in Hong Kong. I would just relay to him what happened in Hong Kong when he asked me," Lai said in court, per Reuters. This mass sentencing of Hong Kong's activists was also based on charges under Hong Kong's national security law. Related storiesThe imposition of the national security law marked the effective end of Hong Kong's political autonomy from China. "Above all else, the implementation rules have the potential to radically criminalize online speech in Hong Kong," Woodhams said.

Persons: Jimmy Lai, Kong's, Lai, Hong Kong's, Mike Pence Organizations: Hong Kong, Apple, China, White House, Democracy Locations: Hong, Hong Kong, China, Northern California

☆ Former Hong Kong publisher Jimmy Lai begins to testify in his national security trial
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-20 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Ap-Live-Blog-Byline-Image.Png | The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

HONG KONG — Former Hong Kong publisher Jimmy Lai began testifying Wednesday in his landmark national security trial that is widely seen as a measure of press freedom and judicial independence in the Chinese territory. He is fighting charges of colluding with foreign forces to endanger national security and conspiring with others to issue seditious publications. Lai, 76, faces up to life in prison if convicted under a national security law imposed by Beijing. But critics say that promise has become threadbare under the rubric of maintaining national security. It added that judges remain independent and partial when handling national security cases.

Persons: Jimmy Lai, Lai, Roman Catholic Cardinal Joseph Zen, Anthony Wallace, Mike Pence, Mike Pompeo, William Wong, Wong, Kongers, “, ”, Donald Trump, Xi Jinping, Hong, John Lee, Lai ., Keir Starmer, Xi, Chris Tang, Sebastien Lai, Doughty, Chambers, Jodie Ginsber Organizations: Roman Catholic, Catholic, Apple Daily, Getty, British, Authorities, Prosecutors, Beijing “, U.S, American, United Nations, Capitol, Protect Journalists, Hong Locations: HONG KONG, Hong Kong, Beijing, AFP, United States, U.S, Lai . British, British, Brazil, Hong, Britain, Washington

☆ 45 Hong Kong pro-democracy activists are sentenced to jail in city’s biggest national security trial
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-19 | by ( Jennifer Jett | Jennifer Jett Is The Asia Digital Editor For Nbc News | Based In Hong Kong. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +7 min

HONG KONG — A Hong Kong court sentenced dozens of leading pro-democracy figures to up to 10 years prison Tuesday in the single largest trial under a national security law that critics say has been used to all but eliminate political dissent in the Chinese territory. Lawyers for the defendants have argued that such action was within the bounds of Hong Kong law. In March, Hong Kong’s opposition-free legislature also enacted local national security legislation. Among the 47 are “second-tier pan-democrats” who were previously active members of the Hong Kong legislature, Burns said. Hong Kong officials said last month that there was no time limit for prosecuting the cases, noting that it takes time to gather evidence.

Persons: Benny Tai, Tai, Carrie Lam, Hong Kong’s, Hong, Maya Wang, ”, Tai —, John Burns, Burns, Jimmy Lai, “, Jonathan Sumption, ” Sumption, Kong’s, of Organizations: University of Hong Kong, Hong, Authorities, Human Rights, University of Hong, Apple Daily, Pew Research Center, Financial Locations: HONG KONG, Hong Kong, Beijing, British, U.S, China, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong’s

He was the founder of Apple Daily, a pro-democracy, anti-Beijing newspaper that was forced to shut down in 2021. The trial, which began in December 2023, is the most high-profile prosecution of a Hong Kong media figure since the city was handed over from British to Chinese control in 1997. Like all national security trials in Hong Kong, Lai’s trial does not have a jury and is presided over by three judges picked from a national security committee that is approved by Hong Kong’s leader. “Jimmy Lai is a key instigator of anti-China activities, and his collusion with external forces to disrupt Hong Kong and incite division is well-known,” China’s foreign ministry office in Hong Kong said in a statement last week. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) ranked Hong Kong at 135 out of 180 places in its annual press freedom ranking.

Persons: Jimmy Lai, hasn’t, Hong Kong’s, Joshua Wong, “, Donald Trump, Lai, Keir Starmer, Xi Jinping, “ We’re, Jimmy Lai’s, ” Starmer, Xi, Daniel Suen, ’, Chiu Mei, “ Lai, ”, Chris Lau, CNN Lai, Trump Lai, Mike Pence, Trump, you’re, ” Lai, Hong, Anthony Kwan, John Lee, Lee, Trump’s, Hugh Hewitt, I’ll Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Apple, White, Apple Daily, Getty, Hong, CNN, “, ” Prosecutors, Kowloon Law, Trump, Beijing, Hong Kong . Police, ” Police, HK, Hong Kong Locations: Hong Kong, China, Britain, British, Brazil, AFP, Beijing, Kowloon, Washington, “ Hong Kong, China , Hong Kong, Hong

HONG KONG — Hong Kong’s top leader on Tuesday warned President-elect Donald Trump not to interfere in the Chinese territory’s internal affairs after he said he would “100%” free the imprisoned pro-democracy activist and tycoon Jimmy Lai. He said Hong Kong, whose government denies that judicial independence is under threat, also valued the rule of law. “In these respects, I hope that all countries will respect the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and avoid political interference that could affect the judiciary and normal commercial activities in Hong Kong,” he said. Hong Kong also enacted its own national security legislation in March. Pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai being escorted out of court in Hong Kong in 2021.

Persons: Hong Kong’s, Donald Trump, Jimmy Lai, Lai, Hong, Trump, Hugh Hewitt, I’ll, Lee, ”, “, Hong Kong, . Lai, John Burns, ” Burns, ” Lai, Burns, Sen, Marco Rubio, ” Lee Organizations: Apple, Hong, Administrative, AFP, Getty, University of Hong, NBC News, “, Trump, Republican, Fraser Institute Locations: HONG KONG, Hong, China, Hong Kong, United States, U.S, Beijing, British, ., University of Hong Kong, ” Hong Kong, Washington , New York, San Francisco, Vancouver, Singapore

☆ UK's Cameron Raises Red Sea, Human Rights Issues With Chinese Counterpart
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

(Reuters) - British foreign minister David Cameron met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Munich Security Conference on Friday, the Foreign Office said in a statement. Cameron told his counterpart that China should use its influence on Iran to pressure the Houthi militants over their actions in the Red Sea, the statement on Saturday said. Cameron also set out Britain's position on human rights issues in Xinjiang and Hong Kong, raised the case of British parliamentarians sanctioned by China, and again called for the release of media tycoon Jimmy Lai. War in Israel and Gaza View All 209 Images(Reporting by Rishabh Jaiswal in Bengaluru; Editing by Sandra Maler)Photos You Should See View All 33 Images

Persons: David Cameron, Wang Yi, Cameron, Jimmy Lai, Rishabh, Sandra Maler Organizations: Reuters, Foreign, Munich, China Locations: China, Iran, Red, Xinjiang, Hong Kong, Israel, Gaza, Bengaluru

☆ China, HK Sign Arrangement on Reciprocal Recognition of Civil, Commercial Cases
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

HONG KONG (Reuters) - China's Supreme Court and Hong Kong's Department of Justice said on Monday that they signed an arrangement on the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgements in civil and commercial cases effective immediately in both places. It is unclear how the reciprocal recognition and enforcement arrangement would work in practise as there has been no previous precedent with the mainland. Hong Kong is the only jurisdiction to have an arrangement with the mainland on reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgements with such a wide coverage, it said. Justice Secretary Paul Lam said that the new civil and commercial arrangement showcased the unique advantages enjoyed by Hong Kong under the "one country, two systems" formula that the city is governed under. "This will be conducive to enhancing Hong Kong's status as an international legal and dispute resolution services centre.

Persons: Hong, Jimmy Lai, Paul Lam, Lam, Farah Master, Tom Hogue, Michael Perry Organizations: Reuters, Hong Kong's Department of Justice, Hong, European Union Locations: HONG KONG, Hong Kong, Beijing, China, U.S, Britain, Canada, Australia

☆ First Prosecution Witness Testifies Against Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Jessie Pang and Edward ChoHONG KONG (Reuters) - The first prosecution witness to testify in a landmark national security case against Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai said on Wednesday he had been instructed by Lai to call people to join protests in 2019 and draw the attention of western democracies. The witness, Cheung Kim-hung, said Lai believed a proposed law that would allow people in Hong Kong to be sent to China to face trial in courts controlled by the Communist Party would be used to crackdown on the territory's democracy and freedoms. He told the court that the image of Lai "was all along very clear, who pursued democracy, freedom and was anti-totalitarian". Hong Kong officials say Lai will receive a fair trial. Both Chinese and Hong Kong officials have said the national security laws were vital to restoring stability in Hong Kong.

Persons: Jessie Pang, Edward Cho HONG, Jimmy Lai, Lai, Cheung Kim, Cheung, Hong, Apple, Chan Pui, Yeung Ching, kee, Andy Li, Chan, Edward Cho, Dorothy Kam, Greg Torode, Neil Fullick Organizations: Reuters, Hong, Communist Party, Apple, Next Locations: Edward Cho HONG KONG, Hong Kong, China, Beijing, Britain, United States

Agnes Chow, 27 - a core member of a now-disbanded group of younger activists including Joshua Wong who helped drive Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement - said in posts on her Instagram account late on Sunday that she had left Hong Kong for studies in Canada. Their group, Demosisto, dissolved hours after Beijing passed a sweeping national security law in 2020. Beijing says the law has brought stability to Hong Kong after mass pro-democracy protests in 2019. There was no immediate response from the Hong Kong police. Chow was due to report to Hong Kong's security police later this month but decided not to return out of consideration for her personal safety and wellbeing.

Persons: Agnes Chow, Tyrone Siu, Hong, Joshua Wong, Chow, Jimmy Lai, hadn't, Chow couldn't, David Holmes Organizations: REUTERS, Hong, Reuters, Hong Kong, Thomson Locations: Hong Kong, China, HONG KONG, Canada, Beijing, Toronto, Shenzhen, Hong

☆ The Incoherence of Pope Francis
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( William Mcgurn | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

Main Street: Hong Kong’s Jimmy Lai goes to jail—and Pope Francis says nothing. (12/07/20) Images: Reuters/Zuma Press Composite: Mark KellyPope Francis called President Biden on Sunday to talk about Gaza. The papal phone call came amid Israel’s public criticism of the Vatican’s tendency to treat the Israel Defense Forces as morally equivalent to the Hamas terrorists who targeted, attacked and butchered unarmed Israeli civilians. Israel’s irritation was kicked off by a joint statement on Oct. 7, the day of the Hamas attack, from the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem. But the statement didn’t name Hamas, and it called for the “cessation of all violent and military activities that bring harm to both Palestinian and Israeli civilians.”

Persons: Hong, Jimmy Lai, —, Pope Francis, Mark Kelly Pope Francis, Biden, Jerusalem, “, ” Organizations: Zuma, Israel Defense Forces Locations: Gaza, Jerusalem

☆ Son of jailed tycoon Jimmy Lai says it's in Hong Kong's interest to free him
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Sebastien Lai, son of Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai, holds a sign calling for the release of his father on the sidelines of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, September 27, 2023. Sebastien Lai, who was in Geneva to take part in a British-organised event on media freedom in Hong Kong, has not seen his 75-year-old father in three years. This week he marked his 1,000th day in a Hong Kong prison on charges related to a law on national security that Beijing imposed on Hong Kong in 2020 after months of anti-government protests. He fears," Sebastien Lai said. Reporting by Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber in Geneva; Additional reporting by Farah Master in Hong Kong; Editing by Andrea RicciOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Sebastien Lai, Jimmy Lai, Gabrielle Tetrault, Farber, he's, Xi Jinping, Rebecca Vincent, Gabrielle Tétrault, Farah Master, Andrea Ricci Organizations: United Nations Human Rights, REUTERS, Rights, Apple Daily, China's Communist Party, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hong, Thomson Locations: Hong Kong, Geneva, Switzerland, British, Beijing, United Kingdom, United States, China

☆ China urges countries to boycott Hong Kong media freedom event - document
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Emma Farge | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The flag alley at the United Nations European headquarters is seen during the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, September 11, 2023. The event on Wednesday titled 'Media Freedom in Hong Kong' is being held on the sidelines of the five-week meeting of the U.N. Human Rights Council. Britain released a report this month saying that Hong Kong authorities have extended the application of a Beijing imposed national security law "beyond genuine national security concerns". China, one of the 47 members of the Geneva-based Human Rights Council and seeking re-election next month, has in the past sought to counter criticism of its human rights record. Reporting by Emma Farge; Additional reporting by Greg Torode and Jessie Pang in Hong Kong; Editing by Jacqueline WongOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Denis Balibouse, Sebastien Lai, Jimmy Lai, China's, Jimmy Lai's, Michelle Bachelet, Emma Farge, Greg Torode, Jessie Pang, Jacqueline Wong Organizations: United Nations, Human Rights, REUTERS, Rights, British, Reuters, Rights Council, Thomson Locations: Geneva, Switzerland, China, British, Hong Kong, United States, France, Germany, Britain, Beijing, Xinjiang

☆ China says Britain's plans to disrupt Hong Kong 'doomed to fail'
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Jason Lee/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsHONG KONG, Sept 20 (Reuters) - China's foreign ministry in Hong Kong slammed a six month report on the financial hub by Britain, saying it ignored "good" societal conditions, a more stable business environment and instead supported "anti China" chaos. While some Western governments have criticised the laws as curbing social and political freedoms in the city, both Chinese and Hong Kong officials have said they were vital to restore stability. Hong Kong, which returned to China in 1997 from Britain, has had "universal success" in implementing the practise of 'one country, two systems', China's foreign ministry said. "Plans to disrupt Hong Kong are doomed to fail." The British report said that authorities continue to try to use legal routes to suppress the protest anthem 'Glory to Hong Kong' while media tycoon Jimmy Lai's national security trial has been further delayed.

Persons: Mao Zedong, Theresa May, Jason Lee, Hong, Jimmy Lai's, Farah Master, Michael Perry Organizations: British, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: China, Beijing, HONG KONG, Hong Kong, Britain

☆ China Says Britain's Plans to Disrupt Hong Kong 'Doomed to Fail'
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

HONG KONG (Reuters) - China's foreign ministry in Hong Kong slammed a six month report on the financial hub by Britain, saying it ignored "good" societal conditions, a more stable business environment and instead supported "anti China" chaos. While some Western governments have criticised the laws as curbing social and political freedoms in the city, both Chinese and Hong Kong officials have said they were vital to restore stability. Hong Kong, which returned to China in 1997 from Britain, has had "universal success" in implementing the practise of 'one country, two systems', China's foreign ministry said. "Plans to disrupt Hong Kong are doomed to fail." The British report said that authorities continue to try to use legal routes to suppress the protest anthem 'Glory to Hong Kong' while media tycoon Jimmy Lai's national security trial has been further delayed.

Persons: Hong, Jimmy Lai's, Farah Master, Michael Perry Organizations: Reuters Locations: HONG KONG, Hong Kong, Britain, China, Beijing

☆ Hong Kong pro-democracy radio closes in face of "dangerous" pressure
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-30 | by ( Jessie Pang | Thomson Reuters | Jessie Pang Joined Reuters In After An Internship. She Covers Hong Kong With A Focus On Politics | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

HONG KONG, June 30 (Reuters) - Hong Kong's pro-democracy online Citizens' Radio station will cease operations on Friday owing to what its founder described as a "dangerous" political situation and the freezing of its bank account. Tsang also said his radio station's bank account had been frozen, without giving specifics. Hong Kong authorities have repeatedly said that media freedoms are respected and enshrined in city laws. In 2019, four masked men wielding bats and hammers barged in to the radio station after smashing through its glass door. Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" agreement aimed a preserving its freedoms for 50 years.

Persons: Kong's, Tsang Kin, Tsang, Hong, Cédric Alviani, OFCA, Jimmy Lai, Hong Kong, Jessie Pang, James Pomfret, Robert Birsel Organizations: Citizens, Apple Daily, Radio, Media, Hong Kong, Communications Authority, Reuters, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, Hong, China, Hong Kong, East Asia

☆ Hong Kong tycoon Jimmy Lai loses appeal against phone search
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-19 | by ( Jessie Pang | Thomson Reuters | Jessie Pang Joined Reuters In After An Internship. She Covers Hong Kong With A Focus On Politics | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

HONG KONG, June 19 (Reuters) - A Hong Kong appeal court on Monday blocked jailed media tycoon Jimmy Lai's bid to challenge in the city's highest court a warrant obtained by national security police to scrutinise the contents of his mobile phones. Lai, 75, is the founder of the now shut pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily and is due to face trial in September on three charges under the city's sweeping national security law, including collusion with foreign forces. Lai is one of the most prominent Hong Kong critics of China's Communist Party leadership, including President Xi Jinping. Lai lost a bid to end his national security trial in May. Beijing imposed the national security law on Hong Kong in 2020 after months of anti-government protests.

Persons: Jimmy Lai's, Lai, Xi Jinping, Hong, Jessie Pang, Greg Torode, Robert Birsel Organizations: Apple Daily, China's Communist Party, Monday, Apple, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, Hong Kong, Beijing, China

HONG KONG, June 16 (Reuters) - China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong said resolutions passed by the European Parliament on Thursday related to the Chinese controlled territory were a "despicable act" and "trampled" on the principles of international law. The European Parliament's resolution titled "The deterioration of fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong, notably the case of Jimmy Lai" urged Hong Kong's government to release and drop charges against the pro-democracy tycoon and other activists. It also called for the European Council to introduce "targeted sanctions" against city leader John Lee and other officials "responsible for the ongoing crackdown on human rights in Hong Kong". Government officials in Beijing and Hong Kong say that the law only targets a small number of "troublemakers" who threaten national security and that the rights and freedoms of ordinary Hong Kong people are protected. Lai, who is in prison, is facing four charges under the security law and a colonial era sedition law.

Persons: Jimmy Lai, Hong, John Lee, Lee, Lai, Lai's, Sebastien, Farah Master, Jessie Pang, Anne Marie Roantree, Gerry Doyle Organizations: China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Council, United, Government, National Security Law, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, Hong Kong, United States, Beijing, China

☆ Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai loses bid to terminate national security trial
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-29 | by ( Jessie Pang | Thomson Reuters | Jessie Pang Joined Reuters In After An Internship. She Covers Hong Kong With A Focus On Politics | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

HONG KONG, May 29 (Reuters) - A Hong Kong Court on Monday rejected an application to terminate a landmark national security trial against media tycoon Jimmy Lai, a case that could see him spend the rest of his life in prison if convicted. Jimmy Lai, 75, is the founder of now shut pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily and one of the most prominent Hong Kong critics of China's Communist Party leadership, including President Xi Jinping. Lai and his three companies, Apple Daily Limited, Apple Daily Printing Limited, AD Internet Limited faced a total of three charges under the national security law, including collusion with foreign forces. Beijing imposed the national security law on Hong Kong in 2020 after months of anti-government protests. The security law gives the power of the Chief Executive to select a panel of judges who can hear national security cases.

☆ Hong Kong court rejects challenge by jailed media tycoon Lai over British lawyer
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( Jessie Pang | Thomson Reuters | Jessie Pang Joined Reuters In After An Internship. She Covers Hong Kong With A Focus On Politics | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

HONG KONG, May 19 (Reuters) - A Hong Kong court on Friday dismissed an attempt by jailed media tycoon Jimmy Lai to challenge a decision by security officials to effectively bar his British lawyer from representing him in a landmark national security trial. Lai's legal team filed a judicial review after Hong Kong's National Security Committee (NSC), headed by senior Hong Kong and Chinese officials, ruled that the admission of senior British barrister Timothy Owen could harm national security and advised Hong Kong authorities to reject his visa. Chief High Court judge Jeremy Poon, in dismissing Lai's challenge, said Hong Kong courts essentially had no authority over the National Security Committee. "You cannot have a body which can simply say magic words (on) national security, and be able to be free from any challenge," Pang said. Beijing imposed the national security law on Hong Kong in 2020 after months of anti-government protests.

☆ Hong Kong restricts foreign lawyers from national security cases
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Jessie Pang | Thomson Reuters | Jessie Pang Joined Reuters In After An Internship. She Covers Hong Kong With A Focus On Politics | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

HONG KONG, May 10 (Reuters) - Hong Kong's legislature passed a legal amendment on Wednesday to prevent foreign lawyers working on national security cases, a restriction critics say will undermine fair trials and the right of defendants to choose their lawyers. The amendment enshrines in law a ruling from China's top lawmaking body last December that Hong Kong courts must get the approval of the city's leader before admitting a foreign lawyer without Hong Kong qualifications for national security cases. It would also discourage some foreign lawyers from getting Hong Kong restricts foreign lawyers from national security casesinvolved, he said. "The vague definition of 'cases concerning national security' in the bill implies that the government can arbitrarily use the new powers to allow or prohibit foreign lawyers from taking up local cases, whatever civil or criminal, on the over-broad ground of 'national security'," Lai said. Beijing imposed the national security law on Hong Kong in 2020 after months of anti-government protests.

☆ Opinion | Hong Kong’s Memory Is Being Erased
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-25 | by ( Louisa Lim | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

In Hong Kong the silence has set in much more quickly. I worked in Hong Kong’s once-cacophonous newsrooms and covered its boisterous protest rallies. Now most Hong Kong journalists I know have fallen silent. After a draconian national security law was imposed on Hong Kong in 2020, at least 12 news outlets closed down, including the popular, pro-democracy Apple Daily. History is identity, and to challenge this foundational tenet of Hong Kongers’ experience is to assault their identity.

WASHINGTON, March 15 (Reuters) - Forty of the 100 U.S. senators co-sponsored a resolution on Wednesday urging a strong U.S. government response to any Chinese efforts to clamp down on dissent in Hong Kong, including the use of sanctions and other tools. The resolution is non-binding, but is intended to convey a strong sense that lawmakers are closely watching events in China and will respond. China imposed a national security law on Hong Kong in 2020 outlawing acts including subversion with up to life in prison. The law has been criticized by some Western governments as a tool to crush dissent, but the Chinese and Hong Kong governments say it has restored stability to the city after protracted pro-democracy protests in 2019. Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Stephen CoatesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ ‘Shrinking’ Review: When a Therapist Needs Therapy
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( John Anderson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

The delicate polarities that exist within the world of “Shrinking” would certainly include the close-to-antic performance of Jason Segel vs. that of a dryly hilarious Harrison Ford. And the comic dynamic between the glorious Jessica Williams and the askew characters played by Messrs. Ford and Segel. But more essential to the 10-episode series is the seesawing sensation it maintains between profoundly dysfunctional people and feel-good comedy. But the overall sense is a little like laughing at a funeral; the human impulses are familiar, a little perverse and somehow comforting. Ms. Miller is wonderfully droll; Liz’s good deeds do not go unpunished.

☆ British minister met Hong Kong tycoon Lai's legal team, Downing Street says
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

LONDON, Jan 10 (Reuters) - The legal team of Jimmy Lai, the pro-democracy Hong Kong tycoon sentenced to over five years in jail last month, met a British junior foreign office minister on Tuesday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's spokesperson said. "The British government will always support rights and freedoms and the rule of law," the spokesperson told reporters. "The foreign office ... has provided support for Jimmy Lai for some time, and Minister for Asia Anne-Marie Trevelyan has met his legal team today." Reporting by Andrew MacAskill, writing by Alistair Smout, editing by Elizabeth PiperOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ China gives Hong Kong leader power to bar overseas lawyers in national security cases
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-31 | by ( Industry Insight | Saw Law Firms Move Past The Pandemic Into A More Client-Focused Service Environment | Thomson Reuters Institute | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The NPCSC ruling said Hong Kong courts must now obtain approval from the chief executive before admitting any foreign lawyer without local qualifications to work on national security cases. Under the national security law, the decisions made by the committee cannot be challenged by a judicial review. "Beyond national security cases, then they are most welcome, provided that they satisfied the procedure to obtain an ad hoc admission approval by the court," Lee said. The founder of now shut pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, Lai is one of the most prominent Hong Kong critics of China's Communist Party leadership, including Xi Jinping. Reporting by Hong Kong newsroom; Editing by Anne Marie Roantree and Kim CoghillOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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