Hong Kong's Apple Daily says Thursday's paper will be its last - CNA

HONG KONG: Hong Kong's most vocal pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily said it will print its last edition on Thursday (Jun 23) after a stormy year in which it was raided by police and its tycoon owner and other staff were arrested under a new national security law.

The closure of the popular tabloid, which mixes pro-democracy views with celebrity gossip and investigations of those in power, marks the end of an era for media freedom in the Chinese-ruled city, critics say.

"Thank you to all readers, subscribers, ad clients and Hong Kongers for 26 years of immense love and support. Here we say goodbye, take care of yourselves," Apple Daily said in an online article.

READ: No jury as Hong Kong's first 'national security' trial gets under way

Apple Daily's support for democratic rights and freedoms has made it a thorn in Beijing's side since owner Jimmy Lai, a self-made tycoon who was smuggled from mainland China into Hong Kong on a fishing boat at the age of 12, started it in 1995.

It shook up the region's Chinese-language media landscape and became a champion of democracy on the margins of Communist China. Its demise leaves only a handful of small online outlets on that side of politics, including Stand News and Citizen News.

Staff unions at Citizen News and six other media groups said they would wear black on Thursday in protest at what they described as “the government’s blow against freedom of the press”. Management at Citizen News and Stand News could not be reached for comment outside of office hours.

DISSIDENTS

While viewed as tawdry at times by some of its critics, supporters championed Apple Daily as a beacon of media freedom in the Chinese-speaking world. It is read by dissidents and a more liberal Chinese diaspora - repeatedly challenging Beijing's authoritarianism.

Lai, whose assets have been frozen, has been in jail since December on charges of taking part in unauthorised assemblies, stemming from pro-democracy protests.

Some rights groups, media organisations and Western governments have criticised the action against the newspaper.

"It will put a lot of pressure on all those who write reports or editorials," said Ronson Chan, head of the Hong Kong Journalists’ Association. "We just don’t know what the red line is.”

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said on Tuesday criticism of the raid on the newspaper amounted to attempts to "beautify" acts that endangered national security. Chinese officials have denounced the criticism as interference.

Hong Kong and mainland officials have repeatedly said that media freedoms are respected but are not absolute.

Apple Daily, which is published by Next Digital and employs hundreds of journalists, said in its online article that the decision to close was "based on employee safety and manpower considerations".

Since being raided by police, the newspaper has suffered mass resignations and entire departments had to close.

Apple Daily and Next Digital management could not be reached to comment further.

In an interview with Reuters, an adviser to Lai said on Monday the paper would close “in a matter of days” as authorities had frozen company assets, leaving it unable to pay staff or operate.

'EMPLOYEE SAFETY'

About 200 police raided the paper's newsroom in August last year, when Lai was arrested on suspicion of colluding with foreign forces, and again last week, by 500 police, when five other executives were detained.

On both occasions, the paper said it increased its print run to 500,000 the following day from the usual 80,000, and residents of the city of 7.5 million queued up at news stands to buy it to show their anger at the crackdown.

Apple Daily, whose online version will stop updating, said it expected to print one million copies on Thursday.

READ: Crackdown brings resignations at Hong Kong pro-democracy paper Apple Daily

READ: Hong Kong leader says press must not 'subvert' government

“The arrests of Apple Daily staff, seizing of journalistic materials and freezing of its assets will send a shiver down the spine of all media outlets operating in Hong Kong," said Amnesty International's Asia-Pacific regional director Yamini Mishra.

The police action was seen as the most direct attack on Hong Kong's freewheeling media since Beijing regained control of the city in 1997.

Authorities in Hong Kong have said the moves against Apple Daily were not targeting the media industry or press freedom.

The security law imposed on the city last year was Beijing's first major move to put Hong Kong on a more authoritarian path.

Hong Kong leader Lam and other pro-Beijing officials have said it has restored stability after months of often-violent pro-democracy protests.

BANNER

The Taiwan arm of Apple Daily said it would continue to publish online given its independent finances.

Apple Daily has come under increasing pressure since Lai was arrested last year under the security legislation.

Police last week froze assets of companies linked to the newspaper and arrested five executives, effectively choking its operations. On Wednesday, police arrested a columnist on suspicion of conspiring to collude with foreign forces.

Authorities have said dozens of Apple Daily articles may have violated the security law, the first instance of authorities taking aim at media reports under the legislation.

Next Digital has been kept afloat by loans from Lai. In May, Reuters reported exclusively that Hong Kong’s security chief had sent letters to branches of HSBC and Citibank threatening up to seven years’ jail for any dealings with the billionaire' s accounts in the city.

A handful of Beijing supporters celebrated the paper's demise with champagne and a "Fake News" banner in front of its headquarters.

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiY2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vbmV3cy9hc2lhL2hvbmcta29uZy1hcHBsZS1kYWlseS1uZXdzcGFwZXItZW5kLW5leHQtZGlnaXRhbC0xNTA3MjkxMtIBAA?oc=5

2021-06-23 14:37:30Z
52781678443879

Hong Kong's Apple Daily says Thursday's paper will be its last - CNA

HONG KONG: Hong Kong's most vocal pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily said it will print its last edition on Thursday (Jun 23) after a stormy year in which it was raided by police and its tycoon owner and other staff were arrested under a new national security law.

The closure of the popular tabloid, which mixes pro-democracy views with celebrity gossip and investigations of those in power, marks the end of an era for media freedom in the Chinese-ruled city, critics say.

"Thank you to all readers, subscribers, ad clients and Hong Kongers for 26 years of immense love and support. Here we say goodbye, take care of yourselves," Apple Daily said in an online article.

READ: No jury as Hong Kong's first 'national security' trial gets under way

Apple Daily's support for democratic rights and freedoms has made it a thorn in Beijing's side since owner Jimmy Lai, a self-made tycoon who was smuggled from mainland China into Hong Kong on a fishing boat at the age of 12, started it in 1995.

It shook up the region's Chinese-language media landscape and became a champion of democracy on the margins of Communist China. Its demise leaves only a handful of small online outlets on that side of politics, including Stand News and Citizen News.

Staff unions at Citizen News and six other media groups said they would wear black on Thursday in protest at what they described as “the government’s blow against freedom of the press”. Management at Citizen News and Stand News could not be reached for comment outside of office hours.

DISSIDENTS

While viewed as tawdry at times by some of its critics, supporters championed Apple Daily as a beacon of media freedom in the Chinese-speaking world. It is read by dissidents and a more liberal Chinese diaspora - repeatedly challenging Beijing's authoritarianism.

Lai, whose assets have been frozen, has been in jail since December on charges of taking part in unauthorised assemblies, stemming from pro-democracy protests.

Some rights groups, media organisations and Western governments have criticised the action against the newspaper.

"It will put a lot of pressure on all those who write reports or editorials," said Ronson Chan, head of the Hong Kong Journalists’ Association. "We just don’t know what the red line is.”

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said on Tuesday criticism of the raid on the newspaper amounted to attempts to "beautify" acts that endangered national security. Chinese officials have denounced the criticism as interference.

Hong Kong and mainland officials have repeatedly said that media freedoms are respected but are not absolute.

Apple Daily, which is published by Next Digital and employs hundreds of journalists, said in its online article that the decision to close was "based on employee safety and manpower considerations".

Since being raided by police, the newspaper has suffered mass resignations and entire departments had to close.

Apple Daily and Next Digital management could not be reached to comment further.

In an interview with Reuters, an adviser to Lai said on Monday the paper would close “in a matter of days” as authorities had frozen company assets, leaving it unable to pay staff or operate.

'EMPLOYEE SAFETY'

About 200 police raided the paper's newsroom in August last year, when Lai was arrested on suspicion of colluding with foreign forces, and again last week, by 500 police, when five other executives were detained.

On both occasions, the paper said it increased its print run to 500,000 the following day from the usual 80,000, and residents of the city of 7.5 million queued up at news stands to buy it to show their anger at the crackdown.

Apple Daily, whose online version will stop updating, said it expected to print one million copies on Thursday.

READ: Crackdown brings resignations at Hong Kong pro-democracy paper Apple Daily

READ: Hong Kong leader says press must not 'subvert' government

“The arrests of Apple Daily staff, seizing of journalistic materials and freezing of its assets will send a shiver down the spine of all media outlets operating in Hong Kong," said Amnesty International's Asia-Pacific regional director Yamini Mishra.

The police action was seen as the most direct attack on Hong Kong's freewheeling media since Beijing regained control of the city in 1997.

Authorities in Hong Kong have said the moves against Apple Daily were not targeting the media industry or press freedom.

The security law imposed on the city last year was Beijing's first major move to put Hong Kong on a more authoritarian path.

Hong Kong leader Lam and other pro-Beijing officials have said it has restored stability after months of often-violent pro-democracy protests.

BANNER

The Taiwan arm of Apple Daily said it would continue to publish online given its independent finances.

Apple Daily has come under increasing pressure since Lai was arrested last year under the security legislation.

Police last week froze assets of companies linked to the newspaper and arrested five executives, effectively choking its operations. On Wednesday, police arrested a columnist on suspicion of conspiring to collude with foreign forces.

Authorities have said dozens of Apple Daily articles may have violated the security law, the first instance of authorities taking aim at media reports under the legislation.

Next Digital has been kept afloat by loans from Lai. In May, Reuters reported exclusively that Hong Kong’s security chief had sent letters to branches of HSBC and Citibank threatening up to seven years’ jail for any dealings with the billionaire' s accounts in the city.

A handful of Beijing supporters celebrated the paper's demise with champagne and a "Fake News" banner in front of its headquarters.

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiY2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vbmV3cy9hc2lhL2hvbmcta29uZy1hcHBsZS1kYWlseS1uZXdzcGFwZXItZW5kLW5leHQtZGlnaXRhbC0xNTA3MjkxMtIBAA?oc=5

2021-06-23 10:18:45Z
52781678443879

They relied on Chinese vaccines. Now they're battling outbreaks - TODAYonline

[unable to retrieve full-text content]

1. They relied on Chinese vaccines. Now they're battling outbreaks  TODAYonline
2. New universal coronavirus vaccine may help prevent future pandemics  Times of India
3. Inside China’s billion-dose vaccination drive  Telegraph.co.uk
4. Newly-opened mega PPV in Bukit Jalil ramps up vaccination drive  The Star
5. Media reports on homeless people barred from registering for Covid vaccination baseless: Govt  Times of India
6. View Full coverage on Google News

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiXGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnRvZGF5b25saW5lLmNvbS93b3JsZC90aGV5LXJlbGllZC1jaGluZXNlLXZhY2NpbmVzLW5vdy10aGV5cmUtYmF0dGxpbmctb3V0YnJlYWtz0gEA?oc=5

2021-06-23 10:13:57Z
52781687569461

Hong Kong's Apple Daily says Thursday's paper will be its last - CNA

HONG KONG: Hong Kong's pro-democracy Apple Daily newspaper confirmed on Wednesday (Jun 23) that the following day's newspaper will be its final edition after police froze its assets using a new national security law.

"Apple Daily decided that the paper will cease operations from midnight and tomorrow (Jun 24) will be the last publication day," the paper wrote on its website. "Apple Daily's website will stop updates from midnight."

That announcement came minutes after the paper's board said it would cease operations "no later than Saturday". 

The end of the popular 26-year-old tabloid, which mixes pro-democracy discourse with racy celebrity gossip and investigations of those in power, has escalated alarm over media freedom and other rights in the Chinese-ruled city.

In a statement on its website, Apple Daily's publisher Next Digital said the decision to close the newspaper, which employs about 600 journalists, was taken "due to the current circumstances prevailing in Hong Kong".

READ: No jury as Hong Kong's first 'national security' trial gets under way

Police last week froze assets of companies linked to the newspaper and arrested five executives. On Wednesday, it arrested a columnist on suspicion of conspiring to collude with a foreign country or foreign forces.

Authorities have said dozens of Apple Daily pieces may have violated the security law, the first instance of authorities taking aim at media articles under the legislation.

Rights groups, media organisations and Western governments have criticised last week's raid of the Apple Daily newsroom by about 500 officers and seizure of journalistic materials on national security grounds.

READ: Crackdown brings resignations at Hong Kong pro-democracy paper Apple Daily

Police, who typically do not disclose the names of those arrested, said they had arrested a 55-year-old man on the national security charges. A senior executive at Next Digital, which publishes Apple Daily, said a lead writer for editorials and a reporter were arrested, without identifying them. It was unclear why the reporter was arrested.

A police representative said they had no immediate information on a second arrest.

READ: Hong Kong leader says press must not 'subvert' government

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said on Tuesday that criticism of last week's raid and arrests at Apple Daily amounted to attempts to "beautify" acts that endangered national security.

Apple Daily has come under increasing pressure since its tycoon owner and staunch Beijing critic, Jimmy Lai, was arrested last year under the contentious legislation. Lai, whose assets have also been frozen under the security law, is already serving a prison sentence for taking part in unauthorised assemblies.

On Monday, an adviser to Lai told Reuters Apple Daily would be forced to shut "in a matter of days".

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiY2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vbmV3cy9hc2lhL2hvbmcta29uZy1hcHBsZS1kYWlseS1uZXdzcGFwZXItZW5kLW5leHQtZGlnaXRhbC0xNTA3MjkxMtIBAA?oc=5

2021-06-23 08:26:15Z
52781678443879

Delta Plus, a potentially deadlier coronavirus variant, causing concern in India - The Straits Times

NEW DELHI – The Delta coronavirus with a particular spike protein mutation - dubbed Delta Plus - has been labelled a "variant of concern" by the Indian government.

This decision was announced on Tuesday (June 22) after scientists working at a consortium of genomic sequencing labs told the government they had found evidence suggesting the new variant is more transmissible, with stronger binding to lung cells and a potential resistance to treatment by monoclonal antibodies.

There have been at least 22 cases of Covid-19 caused by the Delta Plus variant detected in the country so far, in the states of Maharashtra, Kerala and Madhya Pradesh.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has advised these states to take up "immediate containment measures" in the districts and clusters where this variant has been reported.

Measures suggested include preventing crowds and intermingling of people, widespread testing and prompt tracing as well as widespread vaccination.

"The (central government) has sent an advisory to these states about their public health response. The measures, while broadly remaining the same as have been implemented by them earlier, have to become more focused and effective. We don't want this small number to take a bigger form," Dr V.K. Paul, a member of a government policy think tank, told reporters.

The ministry has also directed the three states to "promptly" send adequate samples of those testing positive to government laboratories for further epidemiological studies.

The new variant, referred to as Delta with K417N, has been found in several other countries, including the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Japan, Nepal, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Switzerland and Turkey. A majority of these reported cases are from the US, UK and Portugal.

There is so far no publicly available data on how effective the vaccines currently being used in India are against Delta Plus and the government has said it will share this information as and when it becomes available.

Related Stories: 

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMifWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnN0cmFpdHN0aW1lcy5jb20vYXNpYS9zb3V0aC1hc2lhL2luZGlhLXNheXMtbmV3LWNvdmlkLXZhcmlhbnQtaXMtYS1jb25jZXJuLWluZGlhLWRlY2xhcmVzLWRlbHRhLXBsdXMtYS12YXJpYW50LW9m0gEA?oc=5

2021-06-23 07:45:53Z
52781686034158

Self-radicalisation main terror threat in Singapore; far-right extremism an emerging concern: ISD report - CNA

SINGAPORE: Self-radicalised actors influenced by extremist materials online are the main domestic terrorism threat facing Singapore, the Internal Security Department (ISD) said in a report released on Wednesday (Jun 23).

And while Islamist terrorism remains the primary concern, far-right extremism is an emerging threat, it said in the Singapore Terrorism Threat Assessment Report 2021.

ISD assessed that there is currently no specific nor credible intelligence of an imminent terrorist attack against Singapore, but the terrorism threat to Singapore remains high.  

"Globally, terrorist activities have persisted amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, with terrorist recruitment and propaganda efforts stepped up online," said ISD.

TREND OF SELF-RADICALISATION

ISD said that 54 people have been dealt with under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for terrorism-related conduct since 2015. Of these, 44 were self-radicalised.

Over the last two years, 14 out of 16 people issued with terrorism-related ISA orders were self-radicalised. They include 10 Singaporeans and four foreigners - three Indonesians and a Bangladeshi who were working in Singapore.

The majority of the 14 self-radicalised individuals were supporters of Islamic State.

"Most of them remained staunchly supportive of ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and Syria) even with the group’s territorial losses and eventual military defeat," said the report.

Two individuals were inspired by other causes.

One of the 14 is a 16-year-old Singaporean who was inspired by far-right extremist ideology - the first such case detected in Singapore. He had targeted two mosques in planned copycat attacks of New Zealand's Christchurch attacks. 

READ: 16-year-old Singaporean detained under ISA after planning to attack Muslims at 2 mosques

Overseas, far-right extremist groups have reportedly become more organised and capable of mounting attacks. However, ISD said that there is currently no indication that far-right extremism has gained significant traction in Singapore. 

"However, this does not mean that we are immune to far-right/anti-Islam ideologies, which are prevalent on social media," it said. 

"We have to stay vigilant and take a firm stand against any rhetoric that promotes hatred or animosity towards other communities, and draw the line at the pursuit of any violent action, regardless of how it is justified."

It noted that there is a also wider trend in recent years for lone actors to use "easily available means", such as knives and vehicles, in terrorist attacks. While Singapore has strict regulations on firearms, attackers can resort to weaponising readily accessible items.

Machete which 16-year-old youth intended to purchase for his attack against Muslims at two mosques. (Photo: Ministry of Home Affairs)

READ: 20-year-old detained under ISA after planning to attack Jews at a Waterloo Street synagogue 

Another case not linked to Islamic State was a 20-year-old Singaporean - the first self-radicalised individual detained under the ISA who was primarily driven by the Israel-Palestine conflict.

A detention order under the ISA was issued against him on Mar 5 this year.

He had wanted to travel to Gaza in the Palestinian territories to join Hamas’ military wing in its fight against Israel. He had also made plans and preparations to attack Jews at a synagogue.

EXTERNAL THREATS

Within Southeast Asia, Islamic State remains the primary terrorism threat actor, said ISD. The region remains part of Islamic State's decentralised "global caliphate", with southern Philippines and Myanmar’s Rakhine state as potential theatres of extremism.

ISIS' declared wilayah (provinces) around the world. (Source: Ministry of Home Affairs)

The number and scale of terror attacks and plots by regional pro-Islamic State terror groups fell in 2019 and 2020 due to strong counter-terrorism measures and COVID-19 travel restrictions also appeared to have hampered the movement of terrorists in the region.

But despite losing its last territorial stronghold in March 2019, the terror group remains an active insurgent force in Syria and Iraq.

"It reportedly still has some 10,000 fighters in the conflict zone and tens of millions of dollars in cash reserves," said the report. 

"Over the past year, ISIS has escalated its insurgent activities in the conflict zone, taking advantage of the security vacuum left by reduced military operations due to COVID-19 and the reduction in US troops in Iraq."

Since the demise of its so-called caliphate, Islamic State has repositioned its propaganda narrative, calling it a “battle of attrition”. 

"In line with this narrative, it has stepped up calls for its affiliates and supporters worldwide to conduct attacks wherever they are."

The "Islamist terrorism" threat in Southeast Asia. (Source: Ministry of Home Affairs)

Jemaah Islamiyah, the terrorist group aligned with Al-Qaeda remains a latent terror threat, ISD said. There are recent signs that it is rebuilding its military capabilities and may re-engage in terrorist violence in Indonesia.

ISD said that it remains on high alert although there is no specific or credible intelligence of an imminent terrorist attack against Singapore.

"The recent cases involving the two Singaporean youths who had made detailed plans and preparations to kill Muslims and Jews in Singapore, are a sobering reminder that the threat of lone actor attacks remains very real," it said.

As Singapore is an open society, Singaporeans are susceptible to being influenced by external developments and events abroad can have an impact on the domestic security landscape, it added.

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMidmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vbmV3cy9zaW5nYXBvcmUvc2VsZi1yYWRpY2FsaXNhdGlvbi1tYWluLXRlcnJvci10aHJlYXQtc2luZ2Fwb3JlLWZhci1yaWdodC1pc2QtMTUwNzIzMTTSAQA?oc=5

2021-06-23 04:01:48Z
CBMidmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vbmV3cy9zaW5nYXBvcmUvc2VsZi1yYWRpY2FsaXNhdGlvbi1tYWluLXRlcnJvci10aHJlYXQtc2luZ2Fwb3JlLWZhci1yaWdodC1pc2QtMTUwNzIzMTTSAQA

No jury as Hong Kong's first 'national security' trial gets under way - CNA

HONG KONG: The first trial under Hong Kong's new national security law begins on Wednesday (Jun 23) without a jury, a landmark moment for the financial hub's fast-changing legal traditions.

Tong Ying-kit, 24, was arrested under the new law the day after it came into effect when he allegedly drove his motorbike into a group of police officers during protests on Jul 1 last year.

Footage showed his motorbike was flying a flag that read "Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times", a popular protest slogan now deemed illegal under the security law.

Tong faces charges of inciting secession and terrorism, as well as an alternative charge of dangerous driving.

Two courts rejected Tong's plea to have his case heard by a jury, which his legal team had argued was a constitutional right given that he faces a life sentence if convicted.

Trial by jury has been a cornerstone of Hong Kong's 176-year-old common law system and is described by the city's judiciary on its website as one of the legal system's "most important features".

But the national security law, which was penned in Beijing and imposed on Hong Kong last year after huge and often violent democracy protests, allows for cases to be tried by three specially selected judges.

READ: Hong Kong seeking closer integration with mainland China: Chief Executive Lam

The city's justice secretary invoked the no jury clause for Tong's trial arguing that juror safety could be compromised in Hong Kong's febrile political landscape, a decision first revealed by AFP.

Tong's legal team has yet to decide whether to bring their case to Hong Kong's Court of Final Appeal.

However, the wording of Beijing's security law makes clear that it trumps any local regulations in the event of a dispute, something successive court rulings have already upheld.

Tong's case is unusual because he is the only Hong Konger so far charged under the security law with an explicitly violent act.

More than 60 people have now been charged under the provision, including some of the city's best-known democracy activists, but their offences are related to political views or speech that authorities have declared illegal.

READ: Hong Kong leader says press must not 'subvert' government

READ: Crackdown brings resignations at Hong Kong pro-democracy paper Apple Daily

Hong Kong and Chinese authorities have hailed the security law as successfully restoring stability after the demonstrations that convulsed the finance hub in 2019.

But it has also transformed the city's political and legal landscape - which was historically firewalled from the authoritarian mainland.

The law also grants China jurisdiction over some cases and empowers mainland security agents to operate openly in the semi-autonomous city for the first time.

Critics, including many western nations, say China has broken its "One country, two systems" promise that Hong Kong could maintain key freedoms after its handover from Britain.

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiamh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vbmV3cy9hc2lhL2hvbmcta29uZy1uYXRpb25hbC1zZWN1cml0eS1sYXctdHJpYWwtZGVtb2NyYWN5LXByb3Rlc3QtMTUwNzA3MzjSAQA?oc=5

2021-06-22 22:52:30Z
52781684163123