Taiwan’s Lai Ching-te says defence of island’s sovereignty ‘will not change’

Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te speaks in the Presidential Office Building in Taipei, Taiwan, on June 24, 2024. Photo: Wang Yu Ching/Taiwan’s Office of the President. Taiwan celebrated National Day — also known as “Double Ten Day” — on October 10, 2024 with an annual military flypast. Photo: I Chen Lin/Office of the President.
| Defence & Foreign Policy, Politics & Protest, Taiwan

Benefit of AU data policy relies on harmonised legal frameworks

Can the AU Data Policy Framework (DPF) support Digital Trade in SACU? Approach: The DPF’s overemphasis on legal frameworks such as FRAND, and regulatory sandboxes as only positive aspects needs to be recalibrated with a more balanced approach to better support digital trade in Africa. CBDF should be prioritized alongside data sovereignty and mutual recognition agreements – greater flexibility and policy space
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New BBC ‘fight for truth’ self-promotion video breaks irony meters

State broadcaster’s record on disinformation is a mockery covered for the Tory government’s failure to achieve its covid testing promises during the pandemic and kept repeating the Tories’ claims about covid deaths among NHS workers even after they were shown to be false replaced footage of a dishevelled Boris Johnson at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday with footage of an earlier
| Analysis, Breaking, abuse

Streeting advertises for £45kpa campaign manager 5 years before next GE – frit much?

Starmer mini-me held seat by only 528 votes in July against British Palestinian Leanne Mohamad To develop and be responsible for delivering a constituency campaign plan making sure we have the infrastructure to run successful election campaigns. To recruit, develop and train teams of volunteers to deliver effective year round campaigning and organising using all available campaign methods. To organise regular campaigning sessions
| Analysis, abuse, appalling

The Graveyard Of Normalcy – New Report Uncovers Egregious Human Rights Violations In Indian-occupied Kashmir

A Facade of Peace Religious Suppression How can India claim normalcy when religious rights, a fundamental human freedom, are denied to millions? The people of Kashmir, who have long used their religious spaces for solace, protest, and spiritual renewal, now face barriers at every turn. The message from the Indian state is clear: your faith is a threat. Kashmir, which often
| #Current Affairs, Anti-Muslim Bigotry, Civil Rights

’Israel’ On Brink of Economic Crisis as Inflation Surges

Islam Times - "Israel" is approaching one year into its costly war with Gaza. With no end in sight, "Tel Aviv" is also concerned about a possible escalation in the northern region amid "Israeli" Prime Minister Benyajmin Netanyhu's constant threats against Lebanon. The economy has contracted, the fiscal deficit has expanded significantly, and Moody’s has downgraded the country's credit rating.
| Palestine

India’s milk industry struggles as the climate changes

Rajkumar Rajput, also a dairy farmer in Punawali Kalan, says his herd’s milk production plummets during heatwaves (Image: Sneha Richhariya) The direct and indirect threats of climate change Yunus is a dairy farmer in the Bulandshahar district of Uttar Pradesh, north India. Extreme rainfall and heat cause him to face both higher fodder prices and lower milk outputs (Image: Sneha Richhariya) This machine
| Climate, Food, Climate impacts

Hong Kong customs officer dies after car plunges off Shenzhen Bay Bridge while on way to work

The customs officer is being rescued after the traffic incident at the night of September 2, 2024. Photo: Screenshot of Cable TV. Bridge from Hong Kong to Shenzhen Bay control point. Photo: GovHK. Policemen investigates on the Shenzhen Bay Bridge at the night of September 2, 2024 after traffic incident takes place. Photo: Screenshot of CableTV.
| Community & Education, Hong Kong, Travel & Transport

Hong Kong seeks to recruit hospital nurses from Malaysia to ease ‘severe’ staffing shortage

A nurse walks through a ward of a Hong Kong hospital. Photo: Kyle Lam/ HKFP. Hospital Authority hosts recruitment briefing session in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on August 19 and 20, 2024. Photo: GovHK. A Hong Kong public hospital. File photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Non-locally trained medics Doctors working at a Hong Kong public hospital. File photo: The Hospital Authority.
| Community & Education, Environment & Health, Hong Kong

Reconnecting in a digital world: How Chinese youth navigate the decline of local communities

Reconnecting in a digital world: How Chinese youth navigate the decline of local communities Linda_Heyer Wed, 08/21/2024 - 13:28 picture alliance / CFOTO Comment Aug 30, 2024 9 min read Reconnecting in a digital world: How Chinese youth navigate the decline of local communities The search of Chinese netizens for lively shared experiences and human interactions speaks to a growing trend: as
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Hong Kong logs hottest day of 2024 following ‘exceptionally hot’ July

Cleaners share handmade lemon tea while working in the New Territories. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. People carry umbrellas to protect against the rain in Hong Kong, on May 21, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. 2024 forecast to be among hottest years Meow, 49, has been working as a food delivery courier since the Covid-19 pandemic. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Nine-day weather forecast for Hong Kong on
| Environment & Health, Hong Kong, CarbonCare InnoLab

Where Will Hamas Head Post-Haniyeh?

Islam Times - Though assassination of Hamas Political Bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh represented a big loss for this resistance movement, the fact is that he was not the first martyred leader of Hamas and since the assassination of Hamas founder Sheikh Ahmad Yassin in 2004, the movement lost a number of influential figures in Israeli terrorist assassinations. But these assassinations,
| Palestine

Hong Kong secondary students may soon be schooled in ‘Xi Jinping Thought’

A man reads a book compiling speeches and writings of Chinese president Xi Jinping on the first day of the annual book fair in Hong Kong on July 17, 2024. File photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Secondary school students in Hong Kong. File photo: Kyle Lam/ HKFP. Hong Kong Book Fair 2022. Photo: Peter Lee/HKFP. ‘Core values,’ including democracy, dropped A carnival featuring booths about
| Community & Education, Hong Kong, Politics & Protest

Israel prepares for possible Iranian and Iranian-proxy retaliation after killings of Hezbollah and Hamas leaders

The Israel Defense Forces targeted a building in Beirut and eliminated senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr on July 30. In the early hours of July 31, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Tehran. Israel did not take credit for the latter killing, but Iran and its proxies have blamed Israel and vowed to respond, and Israel is preparing for
| Long War Journal, Hamas, hezbollah

Hong Kong fencer Vivian Kong wins gold on first day of Paris 2024 Olympics

Hong Kong fencer Vivian Kong poses with her gold medal after triumphing in the women’s individual épée event at the Paris 2024 Olympics in France, on July 27, 2024. Photo” SF&OC. Hong Kong’s Vivian Kong (right) and Auriane Mallo-Breton of France in the Olympic final of the women’s individual épée at the Grand Palais, in Paris, France, on July 27,
| Hong Kong, Sport, Auriane Mallo-Breton

Chris Mokhiber – ICJ’s Advisory Opinion on the illegality of Israel’s occupation and its finding of racial segregation and apartheid

Listen HERE On July 19, the International Court of Justice, or ICJ, ruled that Israel’s occupation of Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem is illegal and must end immediately. Palestinians, of course, have been saying this for years. The court stated that Israel must halt all new settlement construction, evacuate settlers, and pay reparations to Palestinians, calling some of Israel’s
| Geopolitics, Craig Mokhiber, Mondoweiss

Hong Kong Book Fair exhibitors told to remove certain titles after ‘complaints’

Bookworms in Hong Kong visit the annual book fair on July 17, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Hong Kong independent bookstore and publisher Boundary holds a booth in the annual book fair for the second consecutive year. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. A man reads a book compiling speeches and writings of Chinese president Xi Jinping on the first day of the annual book fair
| Hong Kong, Law & Crime, Politics & Protest

Trump accepts Republican nomination as Biden teeters

Donald Trump promised Thursday to bring an end to raging international crises and restore American prestige on the world stage and predicted an "incredible victory" in accepting the Republican presidential nomination from a party euphoric over his escape from assassination and buoyed by the apparent implosion of Joe Biden's reelection campaign.
| World

Alabama executes Keith Gavin despite serious constitutional questions in his case

Gavin had argued that his attorneys were ineffective during his trial and that the prosecution lacked forensic or DNA evidence against him. Defense counsel failed to present mitigating evidence that might have led jurors to vote for a life sentence without the possibility of parole instead of a death sentence.
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Keir Starmer, “Israel’s” Closest British PM

Islam Times - The British Labor Party scored over the past week a major victory over the Conservative Party. It gained two-thirds of the British House of Commons while the number of seats of the Conservative Party declined to less than 120, which is below a quarter of the House members. This victory was led by Keir Starmer, a British
| UK

GAZA LIVE BLOG: Resistance Recruits Thousands | Netanyahu’s New Conditions | Haaretz: Hannibal Directive – Day 275

A Likud official said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may not proceed with ceasefire talks if they lead to early elections. This statement confirms the results of yesterday’s poll in Israel where the majority of Israelis believe that Netanyahu’s actions in Gaza are motivated by personal concerns. Meanwhile, Israel continued to bomb Palestinians throughout the Strip, including schools, refugee encampments
| Blog, News, Slider

Gov’t team behind new security law among 502 named in Hong Kong’s 2024 honours list

Hong Kong lawmakers gather for a group photo after the passing of Article 23, the city’s new security law, on March 19, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Government officials are in a break during meetings of the Bills Committee on Safeguarding National Security Bill at the LegCo on March 8, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Grand Bauhinia Medal Andy Lau. Photo: Wikimedia. Article 23
| Hong Kong, Politics & Protest, Andy Lau

Covid-19 left a deadly legacy, but poverty plays a prime role in growing disease burden – including in Hong Kong

People wearing face masks in Central. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Children at a Covid-19 vaccination centre. Photo: GovHK. Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau receiving a winter flu vaccine on September 22, 2022, after getting a Covid-19 jab on his other arm. Photo: Almond Li/HKFP. A restaurant in Hong Kong under the Covid-19 pandemic. Photo: GovHK. Children playing at a kindergarten. Photo: Kyle
| Environment & Health, Opinion, Covid-19

Guiltless Night – A Poem (Dedicated to Majed Abu Marahel)

Long-distance runner Majed Abu Marahel, the first Palestinian to compete at the Olympics in 1996, died in Gaza on Tuesday due to Israel’s inhumane blockade on medication and the destruction of Gaza’s healthcare system. — The Palestine Chronicle, June 16, 2024 Bombs from the sky, one way to kill— a pilot and crew return knowing the slaughter. Bullets flock from an automatic weapon— a gunner
| Articles, Features, gaza

On this day: 28 years on, Hong Kong artists and researchers bring a moment in 1996 back to life

In the centre of Hong Kong’s Asia Art Archive, newspaper clippings from 1996, posters and leaflets are displayed on a wall, in June 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Newspaper clippings from 1996, with reports on with a mainland Chinese artist who covered a statue of Queen Victoria in red oil and Tung Chee-hwa confirming his bid to become Hong Kong’s first
| Arts, Lifestyle & Events, HKFP Features, HKFP Reports

European Commission urged to probe Greek Coastguard actions causing alleged migrant deaths

A group of 33 European lawmakers have urged the European Commission (EC) to investigate Greek Coastguard actions that led to alleged migrant deaths in the Aegean Sea, Anadolu Agency reports. A documentary aired on Monday by the British public broadcaster, BBC, brought to light that violations by the coastguard may have been responsible for at least 43 migrant deaths in
| EU, Europe & Russia, Greece

Libya postpones opening of Ras Ajdir border crossing with Tunisia

Libya announced, Wednesday, that the re-opening of the Ras Ajdir border crossing with Tunisia, which has been closed for three months and was scheduled to open Thursday, has been postponed to 24 June, Anadolu Agency reports. The Interior Ministry made the announcement and said it has been delayed because necessary procedures have not yet been completed. The crossing remains open
| Africa, Libya, News

China’s intelligence agency says trial of Hong Kong 47 a ‘major test’ of national security, rule of law

A Correctional Services Department vehicle pulls into the West Kowloon Law Courts Building on May 30, 2024, where three judges will deliver their verdict to 16 defendants involved in the city’s largest national security case. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. The verdicts of 16 Hong Kong democrats who have pleaded not guilty in landmark national security case over unofficial primaries. Graphic: Shan
| Hong Kong, Law & Crime, Politics & Protest

Dengue fever: a future constant in South America?

Climate, dengue and health systems Recommended People sit in front of a cabin destroyed by floods in Estrela, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, in September 2023. Increased rainfall caused by El Niño may contribute to the survival of the Aedes aegypti mosquito and the spread of dengue fever (Image: Alamy) Mixed responses A woman placing a mosquito net over a window in Girardot,
| Climate, Global heating, Health

Africa Uncensored co-founder John-Allan Namu wins ICFJ Knight Award

The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) today announced three winners of the prestigious Knight Awards in recognition of the journalists’ exceptional impact and commitment to uncovering wrongdoing. John-Allan Namu, a reporter and media entrepreneur from Kenya, and Valeriya Yegoshyna, an investigative reporter from Ukraine, are the 2024 winners of the ICFJ Knight International Journalism Award. Rana Sabbagh, a renowned investigative
| General, ICFJ, International Center for Journalists

Turkiye’s 1st indigenous communications satellite set to launch to space

Turkiye’s first indigenous communications satellite is set to launch into space in July, Anadolu Agency reports. Turksat 6A was delivered Wednesday to the Space Centre in Cape Canaveral, Florida, following a more than 19-hour flight from Murted Airspace Command in Ankara. The satellite, which was then taken to the SpaceX hangar after four hours of preparations, is set to be
| Europe & Russia, News, Turkey

To stand up to US pressure, Europe needs better intelligence on China’s innovation system

To stand up to US pressure, Europe needs better intelligence on China’s innovation system  H.Seidl Wed, 06/05/2024 - 16:04 picture alliance / CFOTO Comment Jun 06, 2024 5 min read To stand up to US pressure, Europe needs better intelligence on China’s innovation system  EU export controls are narrower than those in the US Pooling resources and information will be essential  Author(s) Rebecca
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'Every reason' to think Netanyahu is extending Gaza war for self-preservation: Biden

US President, Joe Biden, has suggested that Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, could be extending the war for self-preservation, according to an interview released on Tuesday, Anadolu Agency reports. During an interview with Time magazine, Biden was asked if he believes that some of Israel’s suggestions that Netanyahu is prolonging the war for his own political self-preservation are valid. “I’m
| Asia & Americas, Israel, Middle East

French People Urge Macron to Recognize A Palestinian State

Islam Times - The ongoing “Israeli” genocidal aggression in Gaza has prompted several hundred prominent figures in France, including politicians, trade unionists, athletes, artists, and researchers, to call for the official recognition of the State of Palestine. They argued that such a move would serve as a strong diplomatic symbol and honor the French Republic.
| France

UN Security Council extends mission in Iraq for last time

The UN Security Council (UNSC), on Friday, unanimously adopted a resolution renewing the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) for the last time, Anadolu Agency reports. The resolution, penned by the US, called for renewing the mandate for a 19-month period until 31 December, 2025. It garnered overwhelming support in the Council, with all 15 member states
| International Organisations, Iraq, Middle East

After US, EU criticise first arrests under new security law and verdict in Hong Kong 47 trial, gov’t hits back

US’s CECC. Photo: CECC report. Diplomats in line outside the West Kowloon Law Courts Building ahead of the verdict hearing of 16 Hong Kong pro-democracy figures involved in the city’s largest national security case, on May 30, 2024. Photo: Kelly Ho/HKFP. Lee Yue-shun, one of the defendants among 47, walks out the West Kowloon Law Courts Building after a panel
| Defence & Foreign Policy, Hong Kong, Law & Crime

Israel’s Covert War on the ICC

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz speak during a news conference in the Kirya military base in Tel Aviv, Israel on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. (Abir Sultan/Pool Photo via AP, File) ‘The generals had a big personal interest in the operation’ ‘The army dealt with things that were completely non-military’ Official Opening of the Permanent
| Courts & Law, Middle East, Military

US boycotts UN tribute to late Iran President

The United States boycotted a United Nations tribute to Iranian President, Ebrahim Raisi, on Thursday because it said he was “involved in numerous, horrific human rights abuses” and that the world body should, instead, stand with the people of Iran, Reuters reports. Raisi, who had been seen as a potential successor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed when his helicopter
| Asia & Americas, International Organisations, Iran

Israel raids, forces medical staff to leave Gaza Al-Awda Hospital

The Israeli occupation military stormed Al-Awda Hospital in Gaza and forced the medical staff to evacuate after a four-day siege. According to Wafa news agency, Israeli occupation soldiers detained a medical worker and forced the remaining staff to evacuate towards the Western Gaza City area. However, several doctors have refused to leave without an ambulance to safely evacuate the 14
| Israel, Middle East, News

The Pact for the Future Must Include the Unique Needs of Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Persons

United Nations members in their ongoing negotiations on the Pact for the Future, must consider criminal justice reform and its implication to development and human rights. Until then, we will fail in the promise of leaving no one behind towards our collective goals for people and the planet Consider that there are over 2 million incarcerated people in the United
| Crime & Justice, Headlines, Human Rights

ACHPR urged to urgently develop principles for an AI policy framework

AI adoption, threats and opportunities Media viability Elections and the media Shrinking civil space Safety of journalists Access to universal rights online Call on State parties to develop and adopt principles of an AI policy framework, whose focus is on how new and emerging technologies can be used to promote democracy rather than undermine individual liberties Come up with a platform to engage very
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China’s manufacturing pushed emissions sky high. What’s next?

Why did emissions surge during zero-Covid? Shift to energy-intensive industry Missing the forest for the trees What are “strategic emerging industries”? Will rapid energy-demand growth continue? Recommended Clean energy: was 2023 an anomaly, or the new normal? Installing a wind turbine in Xinjiang, China’s north-west, in 2023. The number of wind, solar, hydro and nuclear power stations that went online in China in 2023 was enough to
| Climate, Carbon emissions, Energy consumption

Lai Ching-te’s inauguration: How a coal miner’s son became Taiwan president

Taiwan president-elect William Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party delivers his victory speech in Taipei, Taiwan, on January 13, 2024. Photo: Kelly Ho/HKFP. Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen (left) poses for photographs with President-elect Lai Ching-te after presenting him a medal of honour during a ceremony in Taipei on May 13, 2024. Photo: I Chen Lin/Office of the President, via Flick
| Politics & Protest, Taiwan, AFP

France: Parliamentarian boycotts diplomatic trip to Israel due to Gaza war

French newspaper Le Figaro reported that Aymeric Caron, of the left-wing Ecological Revolution for Living (REV) Party and who is considered vice-president of the Israel-France Parliamentary Friendship Group, will boycott the diplomatic trip that the French Parliament is scheduled to organise to Israel from 15 to 19 July. Caron, who has firmly established himself as one of the most prominent
| Europe & Russia, France, Israel

Israel settlers twice set fire to perimeter of UNRWA in East Jerusalem

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Middle East Monitor (@middleeastmonitor) The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said yesterday that Israeli settlers twice set fire to the perimeter of its headquarters in occupied East Jerusalem. “This evening, Israeli residents set fire twice to the perimeter of the UNRWA Headquarters in occupied East Jerusalem. This took place while
| International Organisations, Israel, Middle East

Explainer: Hong Kong’s national security crackdown – month 46

A carnival featuring booths about national security and showcasing police’s armoured vehicles at Victoria Park, Causeway Bay, on April 15, 2024 as part of the activities of National Security Education Day. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. National Security Education Day Xia Baolong, the director of Beijing’s Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, speaks at the opening ceremony for the National Security Education Day via
| Hong Kong, Law & Crime, Politics & Protest

UN gives update on 19 staff accused by Israel of 7 October involvement

UN investigators examining Israeli accusations that 12 staff from the UN Palestinian refugee agency, UNRWA, took part in the 7 October Hamas attacks have closed one case due to a lack of evidence from Israel and suspended three more, UN spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, said on Friday, Reuters reports. He said the inquiry by the Office for Internal Oversight Services (OIOS)
| International Organisations, Israel, Middle East

Sotheby’s Islamic art auction spotlights Ottoman gems

This year’s Arts of the Islamic World and India exhibition at Sotheby’s in London mesmerised visitors with a dazzling display of treasures from the Ottoman Empire and beyond, Anadolu Agency reports. From 19-23 April, enthusiasts took in a collection spanning over a millennium, leading up to an auction on 24 April, where bidders will be looking to sweep up a
| Europe & Russia, News, Turkey