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Jimmy Lai pleads not guilty to national security, sedition charges

Jimmy Lai pleads not guilty to national security, sedition charges

Media tycoon is the most prominent individual to face trial under the law imposed by China in 2020. Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai has pleaded not guilty to all charges in his closely-watched trial under the territory’s national security law that could see him jailed for life. Lai, 76, has been in prison since December 2020 and faces two counts of “conspiracy to collude with foreign forces” under the China-imposed security law as well as “conspiracy to publish seditious publications” under a colonial-era sedition law. His trial was delayed by a year – after the Hong Kong government questioned his choice of lawyer – seeking Beijing’s intervention – and finally got under way in December. The founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper is one of Beijing’s most vocal critics and has already been convicted on lesser charges related to the management of the media firm and his involvement in a vigil to mark the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. “Not guilty,” Lai responded in English as each of the three charges was read out. Wearing a white shirt and a navy blue jacket, Lai was surrounded by three prison guards in the defendant’s dock. He wore headphones to help him hear the trial more clearly, according to his lawyer. Other defendants in the case include three Apple Daily companies that have been taken over by the Hong Kong government, six former executives of the newspaper and two young activists related to an advocacy group called Stand With Hong Kong Fight For Freedom (SWHK). Journalists try to get a shot of Jimmy Lai as the prison van arrives at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts [Billy HC Kwok/AP Photo] Beijing imposed the broadly-worded national security law in June 2020, saying it was necessary to restore stability following the mass protests the previous year, which began amid popular opposition to a plan for an extradition bill with the mainland. Amnesty has said the law has “decimated” Hong Kong’s freedoms and many pro-democracy politicians and activists have left the territory. The United States and the United Kingdom have called for Lai’s immediate release and raised concerns about whether he will receive a fair trial. Lai is also a UK citizen. “This case is about a radical political figure… who conspired with others to bring into hatred and stir up opposition to the government of ([Hong Kong] and the central authorities and to collude with foreign countries or external elements to endanger national security,” lead prosecutor Anthony Chau told the court on Tuesday. Chau labelled Lai “the mastermind” who used his media business “as a platform to pursue his political agenda… and orchestrated a conspiracy with the so-called democracy and freedom advocacy group Stand with Hong Kong Fight for Freedom”. The prosecution cited 161 publications of Apple Daily between April 2019 and the newspaper’s last day in June 2021 as “examples of seditious publications… with a view to polluting the minds of the impressionable ones”. Lai was also accused of providing instructions and financial support for SWHK to lobby foreign countries for sanctions, including the US, UK, Australia, Japan and Portugal. The trial is being heard by three specially-selected security law judges and there is no jury. It is scheduled to continue for 80 days until March next year. Adblock test (Why?)

Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 678

Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 678

As the war enters its 678th day, these are the main developments. Here is the situation on Tuesday, January 2, 2024. Fighting Russian President Vladimir Putin promised to intensify strikes on Ukraine after the death toll rose to 25 in Saturday’s unprecedented raid on the Russian city of Belgorod, not far from the border. Moscow has blamed Kyiv for the Belgorod attack, which came a day after Russia launched some 158 missiles and drones on Ukrainian cities killing 30 people in Kyiv and elsewhere. Ukraine held a day of mourning for Friday’s attack, the deadliest on the capital since Russia began its full-scale invasion in February 2022, as five more bodies were recovered from the rubble in Kyiv. Ukraine’s air defence systems destroyed 87 of 90 drones launched on the country by Russia, some of which targeted port infrastructure in Odesa. Oleh Kiper, the head of the region’s military administration, said a 15-year-old boy was killed and seven people injured after falling debris from one of the drones hit a residential building in the southern city. Drone strikes and artillery fire also killed three people in Ukraine’s Kherson, Kharkiv and Sumy regions, according to officials. Four people were killed by artillery fire in the Russian-occupied eastern city of Donetsk, according to Denis Pushilin, the Russian-installed head of the broader Donetsk region, adding that 14 people had been injured. One person was also killed and another wounded in shelling on the Russian border town of Shebekino, regional Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said. Adblock test (Why?)

South Korean opposition leader stabbed in neck, rushed to hospital

DEVELOPING STORYDEVELOPING STORY, Lee Jae-myung was attacked as he spoke to reporters during a visit to the southeastern port city of Busan. South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung has been rushed to hospital after he was stabbed in the neck during a visit to the southeastern port city of Busan. Lee, who heads the main opposition Democratic Party, was stabbed on the left side of his neck as he walked with journalists on Tuesday morning answering their questions. Citing witnesses, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported the suspect had approached Lee for an autograph pretending to be a supporter. He then attacked him with a weapon that was between 20 and 30 centimetres (7.9 – 11.8 inches) long. The unidentified man was arrested at the scene, the agency added. Pictures in South Korean media showed 59-year-old Lee lying on his back on the ground with his eyes closed, as officials crowded around him and one pressed a cloth against his neck. Yonhap said the politician was bleeding, but remained conscious. He was taken to hospital by helicopter. Lee, who had earlier toured the site of a new airport under construction on Busan’s Gadeok Island, ran for the presidency in 2022, but lost narrowly to conservative Yoon Suk-yeol in a fiercely-fought campaign. Yoon expressed “deep concern” at the attack on Lee and called for an immediate and thorough investigation. Although South Korea has strict gun laws, politicians have been attacked with other weapons, and there is normally a police presence at major events involving high-profile political leaders. Lee’s predecessor, Song Young-gil, was attacked in 2022 at a public event by an assailant who hit him in the head with a blunt object. Park Geun-hye, who later became president, was attacked with a knife at an event in 2006 while she was conservative opposition party leader and needed surgery for the wound on her face. Born into a poor farming family, Lee entered politics when was elected mayor of Seongnam, a satellite city of Seoul, in 2010. He worked in a factory to put himself through night school and become a human rights lawyer. His recent career has been overshadowed by a number of scandals. He faces trial on charges of bribery in connection with a firm that is suspected of illicitly transferring $8 million to North Korea, and is also accused of breaching his duties as Seongnam mayor after one of the city’s companies made a loss of 20 billion won ($15 million) while he was mayor. Adblock test (Why?)

Japan lifts tsunami warnings but warns quake damage ‘widespread’

Japan lifts tsunami warnings but warns quake damage ‘widespread’

At least 20 people reported dead since the 7.6 magnitude quake struck the west coast on New Year’s Day. At least 20 people have been reported dead after a massive earthquake hit the coast of central Japan on New Year’s Day with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida warning that damage was “widespread” and casualties were likely to rise. The 7.6 magnitude quake struck on Monday afternoon near the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture, triggering the country’s first major tsunami warning since the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami that left about 18,500 people dead or missing in the northeast. Speaking on Tuesday, Kishida said “extensive damage” had been confirmed with the quake bringing down buildings and triggering fires. Casualties were “numerous” he said, adding that it would be a “race against time” to rescue victims. The tsunami warning, which was later downgraded, was lifted on Tuesday morning. Citing local authorities, Kyodo news agency reported more than 20 deaths from the disaster. Public broadcaster NHK said 15 had died in the hard-hit town of Wajima near the epicentre, where 14 people were reported to be trapped in collapsed buildings. In nearby Suzu, it said some doctors were unable to reach a hospital that was relying on a backup generator for power. Japan’s disaster management agency said it had received unconfirmed reports of 19 deaths earlier on Tuesday but official updates on the toll have been infrequent. The Japan Meteorological Office said the country had been hit by 155 earthquakes since the initial tremor on Monday. A huge fire burned near the port of Wajima following the earthquake before it was eventually extinguished [Jiji Press via AFP] Wajima was hit by a tsunami of at least 1.2 metres (4 feet) and aerial news footage showed devastation from a major fire as a seven-storey building collapsed at the port. The fire engulfed a row of houses with people being evacuated in the dark, some with blankets and others carrying babies. Nobuko Sugimori, a 74-year-old resident of Nanao city in Ishikawa, said she had never experienced such a quake before. “I tried to hold the TV set to keep it from toppling over, but I could not even keep myself from swaying violently from side to side,” Sugimori told the Reuters news agency from her home, which had a large crack down its front wall and furniture scattered around the inside. Across the road, 73-year-old Fujiko Ueno, was counting her blessings. She said nearly 20 people were in her house for a new year celebration when the quake happened but nobody was injured. “It all happened in the blink of an eye” she said, standing in the street among debris from the wreckage and mud that oozed out of the cracked road. Nearly 100,000 people across nine prefectures were evacuated and spent the night in sports halls and school gymnasiums, commonly used as evacuation centres in emergencies in Japan. Almost 33,000 households remained without power in Ishikawa prefecture early on Tuesday morning, according to Hokuriku Electric Power’s website. NHK said most areas in the northern Noto Peninsula were also without water. As a result of the disaster, the Imperial Household Agency cancelled Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako’s New Year’s appearance, which had been expected to take place on Tuesday. Houses collapsed in the town of Nanao in Ishikawa prefecture [Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters] Japan’s allies expressed their concern at the disaster and said they were ready to offer assistance. “As close allies, the United States and Japan share a deep bond of friendship that unites our people. Our thoughts are with the Japanese people during this difficult time,” US President Joe Biden said in a statement. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed “solidarity”, while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offered condolences and assistance. United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was monitoring developments. “My thoughts are with all those affected by the earthquakes in Japan which have caused such terrible damage,” he said. Adblock test (Why?)

Maryland county claims school board can create seat only illegal immigrants can vote on: reports

Maryland county claims school board can create seat only illegal immigrants can vote on: reports

A Maryland county claims under the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, it can create a school board seat that only illegal immigrants can vote for, according to reports. The Washington Times reported that Howard County officials appeared before a federal court of appeals last month and defended its current process of having a school board seat occupied by a student, in which only public school students are allowed to vote for. Some Howard County residents are challenging the practice on the basis of it being unconstitutional discrimination in voting, particularly against the county general electorate and students at religious schools who cannot vote for the student seat. An attorney for the challengers, Michael Smith, told the publication it is a “zero-sum game.” He explained that empowering students to choose one of the eight school board members takes away power from the general electorate. ATTEMPT TO BAR TRUMP FROM 2024 BALLOT GAINS STEAM DESPITE ‘DUBIOUS’ AND ‘DANGEROUS’ LEGAL ARGUMENTS: EXPERTS “You have 12.5% of the voting authority of that board that’s removed from registered voters,” Smith said. Eight counties in Maryland have a student serving on their respective board of education. In Howard County, officials argue the selection of a student is more of an appointment because, despite students casting a vote for their student candidate of choice, the board and school officials narrow down the candidates. A county attorney, Amy Marshak, explained to the publication that the election is not just a popularity contest. DECISIONS IN 14TH AMENDMENT CASES COULD IMPACT PENDING COLORADO, MICHIGAN EFFORTS TO REMOVE TRUMP FROM BALLOT “While students do vote, they do it as part of a very limited process,” she said. The case has been through several courts at this point. A lower court sided with the county and determined the process violates the First Amendment religious rights and 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause of those students who are shut out of voting. The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, though, questioned the decision, asking if a vote is not being taken, is it really an appointive process? TRUMP CAMPAIGN SAYS 14TH AMENDMENT ADVOCATES USING ‘LAWFARE’ TO ‘DEPRIVE’ VOTERS OF CHOICE IN 2024 The appeals court also argued if it is not an appointment, but it is an election, the process gets tangled with voting rights guaranteed by the 14th Amendment. “You’ve got this additional seat that is not subject to the one-person, one-vote rule,” Chief Judge Albert Diaz reportedly said. “That’s a problem.” The seat held by the student does not have the power to vote on the budget or personnel matters, though plaintiffs in the case say a student board member was able to cast the decision-making vote to close school longer because of the pandemic. The appellate court ruled reportedly determined the constitution does not guarantee the right to vote for a school board, adding if a student is appointed, the matter is closed. CASES IN COLORADO, MINNESOTA SEEK TO STOP TRUMP FROM BECOMING PRESIDENT AGAIN When the process is deemed an election, though, it is up to the county to prove restrictions on who is allowed to vote. Judge A. Mavin Quattlebaum Jr. questioned what other populations may be eligible to have a school board member designated for them, particularly immigrants in the country illegally. “So, if Maryland decided, or the school board decided that undocumented aliens aren’t adequately represented, constitutionally could a board member be selected by undocumented aliens in town,” Quattlebaum asked. Marshak said it would not go against the 14th Amendment. “I think it would not violate the one-person, one-vote principle of the Equal Protection Clause,” she reportedly said, though she questioned if additional parts of the law could come into play. Maryland allows immigrants, even those in the country illegally, to vote in local elections if communities allow them to do so. At this time, though, no elections are reserved specifically for them. No decision has been made, and both sides are waiting for the court of appeals to rule on the matter.