Hong Kong lawmakers walkout over media ‘persecution’ at city leader’s policy address
Hong Kong lawmakers demonstrated on Wednesday in support of media freedoms following Hong Kong’s rejection of a work visa for a senior British journalist, as city leader Carrie Lam was about to give her annual policy address.
Hong Kong lawmakers walkout over media freedoms at city leader’s policy address
Hong Kong lawmakers protested in support of media freedoms on Wednesday ahead of city leader Carrie Lam’s annual policy address laying out policy priorities for the coming year.
China launches anti-halal campaign in Xinjiang
The capital of China’s Xinjiang region, home to the mostly Muslim Uighur minority, has launched a campaign against halal products to stop Islam penetrating secular life and fuelling “extremism”.
Five dead, 30 injured after train derailment in India: reports
At least five people died and 30 were injured on Wednesday when a passenger train derailed in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, media reported.
Taiwan to enhance national security in face of Chinese pressure
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen vowed on Wednesday to enhance national security, warning her government will not submit to Chinese suppression as Beijing ramps up pressure to assert sovereignty over the island.
China’s Urumqi takes aim at “extremist” religious practices
Urumqi, capital of the largely Muslim Chinese region of Xinjiang, will crack down on activities that blur the boundary between religion and secular life and encourage “extremism”, the local government said.
China Communist Party to take action against excessive inspections
China’s ruling Communist Party said late on Tuesday that it would impose limits on the number of central government inspection campaigns directed at local authorities, saying local officials were at risk of being “overwhelmed”.
Canada welcomes new citizens in sky-high ceremony
Suspended more than a 1,000 feet (300 meters) above downtown Toronto, six new Canadians took the oath of citizenship on Tuesday from the edge of one of the world’s tallest structures.
UK’s May plans Brexit discussion at Tuesday’s cabinet meeting: The Times
British Prime Minister Theresa May is planning to have an extended discussion on Brexit at next Tuesday’s cabinet meeting in hopes of outlining a compromise deal on the Irish border, The Times reported on Wednesday.
Japan’s women sailors serve on frontline of gender equality
Women serving on Japan’s biggest warship, the Kaga, are a tight-knit group on the frontline of a push to transform the Japanese navy into a mixed-gender fighting force, where men outnumber them more than 10 to one.
