Petition urges gov’t to halt use of ‘plastic wood’ steps and railings on Lantau’s hiking trails

Synthetic “plastic wood” used for steps and handrails on Lantau’s country trails. Photo: Concern Group on Concretization of Hong Kong Natural Trails. Synthetic “plastic wood” used for steps and handrails on Lantau’s country trails. Photo: Concern Group on Concretization of Hong Kong Natural Trails. Plastic method green and fast, claims gov’t A nature trail on Lantau Island using natural construction materials. File photo:
| Environment & Health, Hong Kong, Travel & Transport

COVID Made Us All a Little Insane

For the record, the constant liberal insistence that trigger warnings “are just warnings” is demonstrably false; at both UC-Santa Barbara and Brown, for example, students pushed hard for policies that would allow them to skip any material they deemed triggering, at any time, as many times as they felt appropriate, without penalty. ︎There are compelling arguments that food allergy rates are dramatically
| Health & Wellness, Opinion, Politics

Israel passes law for families of dead Israelis to get compensation from PA

The Israeli parliament, the Knesset, approved the second and third readings of a law yesterday that will allow the families of Israelis who are disabled or killed in “terrorist” attacks to demand financial compensation from the Palestinian Authority. According to Haaretz, 19 Knesset members supported the bill and two voted against it. The law will no doubt have a huge
| Israel, Middle East, News

‘I am not alone’: Victims of ‘hidden’ sexual violence on Hong Kong’s streets find solace in sharing, mutual support

Charlene, who was reportedly harassed last July in Wan Chai MTR station when an unknown liquid was splashed on her trousers, in February, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. People walk in the Hong Kong’s bustling Mong Kok district in March 2023. File photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Charlene, a victim of liquid splashing sexual harassment, takes a picture of herself soon after she is harassed
| Community & Education, HKFP Features, HKFP Reports

Turkiye dispatched 40,000 tons of humanitarian aid to Gaza so far: President Erdogan

Turkiye has dispatched some 40,000 tons of humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip through 19 aircraft and seven civilian aid vessels so far, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Saturday, Anadolu Agency reports. Erdogan also stated that these aids include food, water, hygiene, medical, and shelter supplies, along with 53 ambulances, 1551 generators, 8 field hospitals, and 3,000 tents. Another
| Europe & Russia, ICJ, International Organisations

Houthi leader says group targeted 7 ships with 19 missiles, drones since Friday

Yemen’s Houthis have launched 19 missiles and drones against seven ships since Friday using modern weaponry that went undetected by the US and UK navies, leader Abdul Malik Al-Houthi announced on Thursday. In a televised speech, Al-Houthi added that the group had launched 403 drones and missiles against 61 ships in the Red Sea, Bab Al-Mandab Strait and the Gulf
| Middle East, News, Yemen

No response from GMB to recording of Smith ‘threatening’ sexual harassment victim

Union fails to confirm, deny or even acknowledge scathing #MeTU accusations from abuse victim A secret recording of what appears to be GMB boss Gary Smith told a friend to tell her that if she didn’t sign an NDA by the end of the day he’ ‘open a process on her’ told her that the secret services were watching her told her
| Analysis, abbuse, abuse

Hong Kong gov’t slams self-exiled democrat Ted Hui over ‘intimidating’ public officers

Central Government Offices. Photo: Kelly Ho/HKFP. Ted Hui in the UK. File Photo: May James/HKFP. High Court. File photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Doxxing From left: Secretary for Justice Paul Lam, Chief Executive John Lee and Secretary for Security Chris Tang take a seat ahead of a press conference to announce the opening of the public consultation period for Hong Kong’s homegrown security law, Article 23,
| Hong Kong, Law & Crime, Politics & Protest

Explainer: Hong Kong’s national security crackdown – month 44

A security guard walks through Chi Lin Nunnery in Hong Kong on June 2, 2022. Photo: Isaac Lawrence/AFP. Hong Kong’s proposed new security law Article 23 consultation period ends Members of the League of Social Democrats hold a banner saying “the people are greater than the nation, human rights are above state power. How can there be national security, without democracy
| HKFP Reports, Hong Kong, Law & Crime

Yemen: Houthis vow military ‘surprises’ in Red Sea

Yemen’s Houthis have vowed to introduce military “surprises” in their Red Sea operations, the group’s leader Abdul Malik Al-Houthi warned in a televised speech on Thursday, Reuters reported. “Our military operations will continue and advance and we have surprises that our enemies will not expect at all,” Al-Houthi declared. He added that the group has targeted 54 ships with 384
| Asia & Americas, Europe & Russia, Israel

Hong Kong Budget 2024: City expects HK$101.6 billion deficit as land sales revenue dip

Finance Secretary Paul Chan delivers the 2024 budget on February 28, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Covid and stamp duty Hong Kong Budget 2024 in full: City expects HK$101.6 billion deficit as land sales revenue dip City’s economy grew by 3.2% last year, inflation ‘moderate’ Finance chief asks for ‘understanding’ over lack of sweeteners Costly transport subsidy schemes face review amid HK$100 billion deficit Artificial islands project delayed,
| Business, Hong Kong, Politics & Protest

Trade and investment: EU responses show China’s own de-risking is backfiring

Trade and investment: EU responses show China’s own de-risking is backfiring Christine_Krüger Tue, 02/27/2024 - 19:10 picture alliance / CFOTO | CFOTO Comment Mar 04, 2024 6 min read Trade and investment: EU responses show China’s own de-risking is backfiring China, the EU and the US have diverged geographically in terms of supply chain dependencies  De-risking from China means reducing trade dependencies  Trust
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Palestine health ministry warns of ‘catastrophic’ situation in north Gaza

The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza warned on Sunday evening that the health situation in the north of the Gaza Strip is “extremely catastrophic and indescribable”. The ministry explained that hospitals across the besieged enclave, especially in the north, have no fuel, which threatens the lives of dialysis and intensive care patients. The ministry added that the Israeli army
| Israel, Middle East, News

Hong Kong Free Press Transparency Report: See our income, spending from the past year

Income Current Revenue Streams Spending Investing in People Patrons Support HKFP Download HKFP’s Annual Report [PDF] HKFP income 2016-2023 Income2023* 820172016Direct contributionsHK$3,618,236.94HK$3,587,606HK$4,497,890HK$6,357,972HK$6,056,859HK$2,463,408HK$1,769,760HK$1,063,125Ads & content salesHK$233,699.46HK$418,957HK$143,695HK$110,247HK$271,066HK$136,084HK$328,759HK$92,276EventsHK$0HK$0HK$0HK$0HK$263,361HK$24,390HK$0HK$8,352Bank interest, insurance claim, exchange gainTBCHK$6,516HK$3,945HK$10HK$226HK$21HK$1HK$12Gov’t Covid subsidyHK$0HK$96,000HK$0HK$216,000HK$0HK$0HK$0HK$0Total:HK$3,844,936.40HK$4,109,079HK$4,645,530HK$6,697,010HK$6,591,512HK$2,623,903HK$2,098,520HK$1,163,765*2023 predicted, not yet audited How is HKFP funded? Current revenue streams: ♻️ Surplus recycled: As a non-profit, with no shareholders, investors or umbrella company overseeing it, any surplus is recycled back into the HKFP newsroom for
| HKFP Announcements, Hong Kong, hong kong free press

Report: Weapons given to Israel settlers were sold to Palestinian Resistance fighters

A large portion of the weapons given to Israeli settlers in the Occupied West Bank were sold to Palestinian Resistance fighters who used them in recent attacks inside Israel, the Hebrew newspaper, Israel Hayom, reported on Thursday. The paper said senior Israeli police officers do not hide their concern, where many Israelis do not keep their weapons in accordance with
| Israel, Middle East, News

US State Department scrutinised for inconsistency over sexual assault allegations

During an exchange with Associated Press reporter Matt Lee at the Tuesday press briefing, US Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller said the US ‘cannot independently confirm’ UN charges of rape and sexual assault of Palestinian women in detention committed by Israeli soldiers. Lee questioned him on whether he had received ‘confirmation of what Hamas allegedly did to Israelis,
| Asia & Americas, International Organisations, Israel

IDF Chief urges Israel army not to film 'revenge videos' amidst genocide case at ICJ

In a message to the Israeli army, IDF Chief of Staff, Herzi Halevi, instructed them “not to film revenge videos” after footage was used as evidence in the case against the Israeli regime for genocide before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague. According to the Times of Israel, Halevi addressed the accusations levelled against Israel at the
| Africa, ICJ, International Organisations

Hillary Clinton ‘war criminal’ faces public backlash in Berlin

Members of the audience called Hillary Clinton a ‘war criminal’ and a ‘hypocrite’ and condemned her complicity in Israel’s war on Gaza. During the World Forum event in Berlin on 19 February, organised by Cinema for Peace, where Clinton was invited to speak, protesters called out her hypocrisy in speaking about human rights while being supportive of Israel’s war
| Asia & Americas, Europe & Russia, Germany

Uncovering Lebanon's hidden histories of violence in The Soil and the Sea

“What is happening in Gaza is genocide, perpetrated as the world watches,” lamented filmmaker Daniele Rugo during our recent discussion about his impactful new documentary The Soil and the Sea. As Israel’s bombs have rained down death and destruction across the besieged coastal enclave, Rugo reflected on the suffering unfolding today. In too many ways, Lebanon’s anguished past foreshadows the
| Israel, Lebanon, Middle East

French ship transits Red Sea under naval escort

French shipping and transport company CMA CGM said today that its Jules Verne container ship transited the Red Sea under French naval escort, after suspending crossings for security risks earlier this month, Reuters reports. “In coordination with French naval forces, the CMA CGM Jules Verne transited the Red Sea without incident, escorted by the frigate Alsace,” CMA CGM said in a statement. The decision
| Europe & Russia, France, Israel

Egypt to submit oral argument before ICJ on Israel practices in Palestinian territories

Egypt said yesterday it will give an oral argument before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Wednesday regarding Israeli practices in the occupied Palestinian territories, Anadolu news agency reported. The Hague-based court is set to hear a Palestinian request for an advisory opinion on the legal consequences of the 57-year-long Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories this week. A total
| Africa, Egypt, ICJ

Hong Kong Free Press Annual Report: Our achievements, best coverage, & accounts from the past year

Our Mission & Impact. The Best of HKFP 2023. HKFP Awards. 2023 Ethics Revamp. 2023 Achievements. Impact & Positioning. Staff & Structure. Transparency Report 2023. Press Freedom in 2023. How to Support HKFP. Download the 2023 Annual Report [PDF] Mission and impact: The Best of HKFP 2023: Awards Photo: Courtesy of Britt Clennett. YearAwardTitlePrize2016Human Rights Press Awards: University English language writingSexual harassment at Hong Kong’s universities – rarely reported, but not rareMerit2019Human Rights Press Awards:
| HKFP Announcements, Hong Kong, hong kong free press

Hong Kong gov’t uses 2019 protests to justify new security legislation without fully learning from them

Protest scenes in Admiralty, Hong Kong on September 29, 2019. Photo: Studio Incendo. A mass protest against a proposed amendment to Hong Kong’s extradition bill on June 19, 2019. Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP. The public consultation document of Hong Kong’s homegrown security law, Article 23, on January 30, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. File photo: GovHK. The second reading of the Legal Practitioners (Amendment)
| Law & Crime, Opinion, Politics & Protest

US Secretary of State Blinken, French foreign minister discuss Gaza conflict

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a meeting on Saturday with French Foreign Minister Steph Sejourne on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, Anadolu Agency reports. They discussed “efforts to prevent the conflict in Gaza from expanding, continued support for Ukraine, and the upcoming NATO summit in Washington,” Blinken said on X. He did not share further details
| Asia & Americas, Europe & Russia, France

Rafah residents: ‘We will not leave our land, we will protect the resistance’

A number of residents and those displaced in the city of Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip, announced on Friday that they were: “Aware of some of the calls promoted by the occupation against the resistance with the aim of striking its popular support and spreading division and conflict.” They confirmed in a statement received by Quds Press: “The residents
| Israel, Middle East, News

Illegal aliens as threat to nation's survival

This article was originally published in Pravda.Ru on November 21, 2008. Since then illegal immigration all over the world has only gotten worse. I have made a few changes and additions to reflect current events. When I see articles written about the benefits of "Undocumented Immigrants” and how Americans are not tolerant or are racist bigoted xenophobes, all I see is
| Opinion

'Genocide without any doubt' in Gaza, says UN special rapporteur

Food, water, sanitation and other basic needs are in unprecedented short supply for over one million Palestinians who have fled across the Gaza Strip to the territory’s southern city of Rafah, a UN special rapporteur has told Anadolu. “More than one million people are concentrated in Rafah, having fled from other parts of Gaza. They are lacking very seriously in
| Europe & Russia, ICJ, International Organisations

Bahrain hackers target US Fifth Fleet, obtain confidential documents

A group of hackers from Bahrain have successfully infiltrated the computer systems of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, obtaining access to confidential documents, reports PressTV. A group known as Al-Toufan (Flood) Team claimed yesterday to have carried out the operation against the fleet, which is based in Manama and is, they allege, undermining maritime navigation in the region. The group
| Asia & Americas, Israel, Middle East

London prepares plan for NATO forces to enter Ukraine. The hour is near

London initiated a plan to introduce a NATO contingent to the right bank of the Dnieper, as well as to the border with Belarus in order to free up Ukraine forces to confront Russia. The UK came up with an idea to secretly transfer large and highly manoeuvrable NATO forces to Ukraine to occupy positions on the right bank of the
| Incidents

Explainer: Hong Kong’s national security crackdown – month 43

From left: Secretary for Justice Paul Lam, Secretary for Security Chris Tang and Chief Executive John Lee announce the opening of the public consultation period for Hong Kong’s homegrown security law, Article 23, on January 30, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Article 23 The public consultation document of Hong Kong’s homegrown security law, Article 23, on January 30, 2024. Photo: Kyle
| HKFP Reports, HKFP Voices, Hong Kong

US says it dismantled China-backed hacker network that targeted American infrastructure

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels.com Christopher Wray, Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation, USA, speaks in Ransomware: To Pay or Not to Pay at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2023 in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland on January 19 2023. Photo: Michael Calabro/World Economic Forum, via Flickr CC2.0. US Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen. File photo: Erin Scott/CNAS, via Flickr CC2.0.
| China, Defence & Foreign Policy, Politics & Protest

Higher fees won’t cure what ails emergency rooms at Hong Kong’s public hospitals

Public hospital. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Chief Executive John Lee meets the press after announcing 2023 Policy Address on October 25, 2023. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau meets the press on February 28, 2023, when the Hong Kong government announces to axe the Covid-19 mask mandate after more than 2.5 years since the curb was imposed. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
| Environment & Health, Opinion, John Lee

Beaten, Strip Searched – Female Palestinian Detainees Tell Harrowing Stories

Female Palestinian detainees have shared testimonies of gross violations at the hands of Israeli prison guards including beatings and strip searches, according to the Palestinian Prisoners Society. “The mattresses and blankets are not suitable for use because they are dirty and have a very foul odor, and anyone standing at the cell door can see those using the bathroom.” These arrests
| Blog, News, gaza

Ukraine's wishful thinking: EU prepares decision to confiscate Russian assets

Ukrainians official said that the European Union would unveil a joint decision for the confiscation of frozen Russian assets by February 19. Borrell's personal opinion Ukrainian sources reported that the European Union was ready to make a joint decision on the issue of confiscation of frozen Russian assets. "Regarding the blocked Russian assets. We can say that we have a political agreement
| World

The Global South takes Israel to court: The Third Newsletter (2024)

On 11 January, Adila Hassim, an advocate of the High Court of South Africa, stood before the judges of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and said: ‘Genocides are never declared in advance. But this court has the benefit of the past 13 weeks of evidence that shows incontrovertibly a pattern of conduct and related intention that justifies a plausible
| Newswire, Global South, International Court of Justice (ICJ)

China calls for an end to ‘harassment’ of civilian ships in Red Sea

Yemeni coastguard members loyal to the internationally-recognised government ride in boats in the Red Sea off of the government-held town of Mokha in the western Taiz province, close to the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, on December 12, 2023. Photo: Khaled Ziad/AFP. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning. File Photo: China Gov’t. — محمد البخيتي(Mohammed Al-Bukhaiti) (@M_N_Albukhaiti) January 18, 2024
| China, Defence & Foreign Policy, Politics & Protest

Taiwan’s election creates opportunities for Europe

Taiwan’s election creates opportunities for Europe H.Seidl Tue, 01/16/2024 - 14:46 picture alliance / ASSOCIATED PRESS | Louise Delmotte Comment Jan 19, 2024 7 min read Taiwan’s election creates opportunities for Europe Taiwan chooses continuity Beijing’s pressure campaign An opportunity for Europe Author(s) Helena Legarda Lead Analyst Author(s) Helena Legarda Lead Analyst Related content about Geopolitics Outlook on 2024 MERICS Briefs Jan 18, 2024
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Charge against student accused of conspiring to wound Hong Kong police and anti-epidemic workers dropped

Wanchai Law Courts. Photo: Candice Chau/HKFP. Caritas Medical Centre in Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong during the fifth-wave Covid-19 outbreak. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Police flags warning the public against violating Covid-19 social distance regulations outside Victoria Park on June 4, 2021. Photo: Jimmy Lam/HKFP. No proof of conspiracy Pedestrians on a Hong Kong street. File photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
| Environment & Health, Hong Kong, Law & Crime

Law on associations: a bill that threatens civil society

“W e’re probably heading towards a collapse of associative life, especially at the level of small associations working in the field, which is the most dangerous scenario,” warned Lamine Benghazi, Program Coordinator at Lawyers Without Borders (ASF). Put forward by a group of members of parliament, a bill designed to regulate the organization of associations seems to jeopardize the freedom
| Non classé

2023 was China’s hottest year on record, with extreme weather events battering world’s largest carbon emitter

(Files) People sit in front of a fan as they wait for seats at a restaurant during heatwave conditions in Beijing on July 19, 2023. Photo: Greg Baker/AFP. Embed from Getty Images Tianjin’s integrated gasification combined cycle power plant, hailed as the “greenest coal plant” in China. Photo: Asian Development Bank, via Flickr. Expansion of renewables The United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. Photo:
| China, Environment & Health, Climate Crisis

Best of HKFP 2023: Our top 15 features and most popular stories of the year

File photo: Philip Fong/AFP. 11 hospitalised as Cathay Pacific flight aborts take-off at Hong Kong Int’l Airport Furious pilots and a lack of trust: Why aircrew at Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific are quitting what was once a dream job Cathay Pacific pilots, crew removed from flight duties after aborted take-off as Hong Kong gov’t expresses concern Two shoppers dead in brutal stabbing at Hong
| Community & Education, HKFP Reports, Hong Kong

Gig Economy Project – ‘Macron is poisoning an entire continent’: EU member-states refuse to support Platform Work Directive deal

Yolanda Díaz, Spain’s Minister of Labour and Vice-President Reaction Fundraiser 2023 We reached our fundraising goal of 10,000 £/€/$. Thank you to all donors. The finances for BRAVE NEW EUROPE for the coming year are secure. That was a minimum to survive. We shall continue the fundraiser in the hope of having a bit of a financial buffer for eventualities or realising new
| Finance, Gig Economy, Article

‘Stirring up social conflicts’ against the rules for Hong Kong’s incoming district councillors under new guidelines

Posters for the 2023 Hong Kong District Council election on November 27, 2023. File photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP A polling station for Hong Kong’s “patriots-only” District Council election in Yau Ma Tei, on December 10, 2023. File photo: Irene Chan/HKFP. Ballots are counted in the “patriots only” 2023 District Council elections on December 11, 2023. File photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Chief Secretary for Administration
| Community & Education, Hong Kong, Law & Crime

In Pictures: Vast wetlands and habitat for migratory birds on the verge of destruction due to gov’t San Tin tech hub

Great egrets and little egrets in a fishpond in San Tin, an area which will be redeveloped into a large-scale tech hub. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Black-faced spoonbills, an endangered large wading bird, in a pond in San Tin. Photo: Hong Kong Bird Watching Society (HKBWS). A bird flies over San Tin. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. A grey heron in the wetland in San Tin.
| Animals, Community & Education, Hong Kong

At least 116 dead after earthquake strikes northern China’s Gansu, Qinghai provinces

Rescue workers search a house for survivors after an earthquake in Kangdiao village, Dahejia, Jishishan County, in northwest China’s Gansu province on December 19, 2023. Photo: AFP/China Out. — People's Daily, China (@PDChina) December 19, 2023 Haidong Shi — China Xinhua News (@XHNews) December 19, 2023 Freezing temperatures Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images
| China, Environment & Health, Earthquake

Hong Kong issues over 120,000 work visas in first 11 months of year, with nearly 78% going to mainland Chinese

People cross a street in Central district. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Secretary for the Labour and Welfare attends the opening ceremony of Hong Kong Talent Engage on October 20, 2023. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. People pass by the headquarter of HSBC in Central District, Hong Kong. File photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. New office serving talents The opening ceremony of Hong Kong Talent Engage, an
| Business, Hong Kong, Travel & Transport

Taiwan’s election and cross-strait relations – three candidates, one goal: maintaining the status quo

Taiwan’s election and cross-strait relations – three candidates, one goal: maintaining the status quo H.Seidl Mon, 12/11/2023 - 13:31 picture alliance / Wiktor Dabkowski Comment Dec 12, 2023 4 min read Taiwan’s election and cross-strait relations – three candidates, one goal: maintaining the status quo The election race has tightened to become too close to call Whoever wins the election, risk of escalation
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Less than dogs

All it takes is an absent-minded search on the Internet to obtain endless results on the incredible love that many human beings feel for animals. Whether they are dogs, cats, pigs or hippos, porcupines or monkeys hanging from a tree, there is always someone who loves them with an impossible love and feels they must defend them regardless of the
| Opinion