Timeline of events leading to the closure of Hong Kong’s Apple Daily

Key moments in the recent history of territory’s largest pro-democracy newspaperJune 2019 The first protests begin in Hong Kong, with millions of people taking to the street in protest against a proposed extradition bill, which critics fear will allow people to be sent to mainland China for trial.8 July The pro-democracy activist and media mogul Jimmy...

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‘The blackest day’: Apple Daily’s demise comes as no surprise

Analysis: a palpable chill has run through the Hong Kong media, amid warnings about ‘fake news’The fate of Apple Daily, one of Hong Kong’s bestselling tabloids, should not come as a surprise. On the day Jimmy Lai, its founder, was sentenced to 14 months in prison in April, a commentary in the pro-Beijing newspaper Ta Kung Pao called for a ban on Apple...

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Hong Kong’s Apple Daily, symbol of pro-democracy movement, to close

Tabloid founded by Jimmy Lai and targeted by police raid last week will print final edition on SaturdayApple Daily, Hong Kong’s pro-democracy tabloid targeted by a national security police raid last week, is to close and will print its final edition on Saturday, the company board has announced.The paper and its activist founder, Jimmy Lai, had become...

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Hong Kong police arrest editorial writer at Apple Daily newspaper

Arrest of journalist who publishes under the name Li Ping is the first of a writer at the pro-democracy newspaperThe editorial writer for Hong Kong’s Apple Daily newspaper has been arrested, the latest move in a media crackdown under the national security law that saw hundreds of police raid its newsroom and arrest senior figures last week.Police confirmed...

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Unesco and Australia dispute Great Barrier Reef's 'in danger' status – video

A senior Unesco official has rejected Australia’s claims it bowed to political pressure when recommending that the Great Barrier Reef be placed on the world heritage 'in danger' list. The decision met the ire of Australia's environment minister, Sussan Ley, who said: 'This decision was flawed. Clearly there were politics behind it … for the world...

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Beijing issues furious response after Canada condemns repressive actions

Canada leads more than 40 countries in voicing concern over Xinjiang, Hong Kong and Tibet, sparking clash at UNCanada has led more than 40 countries in expressing serious concerns over Beijing’s repressive actions in Xinjiang, Hong Kong and Tibet, prompting a furious response from Beijing over Canada’s colonial history.The exchange at the UN human rights...

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Australians have lost trust in Chinese government but don’t want to be dragged into war, poll finds

More people view China as a security threat than an economic partner, while US standing improves under Joe Biden, Lowy Institute survey suggestsThe Australian public’s trust in the Chinese government has collapsed after a year of trade sanctions while the Morrison government has received a mediocre score for its handling of the worsening relationship.The...

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China stepping up use of secret detention without trial, report warns

Rights activists say country has built one of world’s most far-ranging systems of forced disappearanceChina has ramped up its use of secret detention without trial, creating one of the most far-ranging systems of forced disappearance in the world, human rights activists warn in a report.Tens of thousands of people have been subjected to “residential...

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China’s ambassador to the US to leave after eight years

Longest-serving envoy Cui Tiankai says relations between the countries ‘at a crossroads’ China’s ambassador to the US, Cui Tiankai, has announced he will leave Washington after eight years, saying US-China relations are at a “crossroads” as the US recalibrates its engagement policies.Cui, whose departure has been the subject of speculation for months,...

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Hong Kong leader refuses to say how media can avoid arrest in wake of Apple Daily raids

Carrie Lam denies arrest of senior editorial figures at pro-democracy paper and seizure of its assets was an attack on press freedomHong Kong’s leader, Carrie Lam, has refused to clarify how journalists can avoid breaking the vaguely defined national security law following the raid and prosecution of journalists at a pro-democracy newspaper.At a regular...

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