This media is not supported in your browser
VIEW IN TELEGRAM
#FirstHand #Video
Riot Police entered shopping mall after retreat
2215 | #TuenMun
A large group of riot police re-entered the shopping mall, marching towards Atrium of the mall. Some went up the escalators and stationed on different floors.
#May5 #HongKongProtest #SingWithYou
Riot Police entered shopping mall after retreat
2215 | #TuenMun
A large group of riot police re-entered the shopping mall, marching towards Atrium of the mall. Some went up the escalators and stationed on different floors.
#May5 #HongKongProtest #SingWithYou
⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️
However, they arrived outside the control room and saw the presence of security personnel. After the security guard called for reinforcements, a large number of riot police officers arrived. Some officers even had the key to the security control room of the shopping mall, and several district councilors were brought into the control room to be searched.
In similar "Sing with You" and "Shop with You" activities in past few weeks, riot police have handed out tens of penalty tickets to civilians onsiye, arbitrarily charging them for violating the gathering ban.
It has been reported that a surprising number of only two tickets were issued for tonight's activity.
Source: Apple Daily;
Graphic: #FirstHand; PSHK
#May5 #ShopWithYou #HongKongProtest
However, they arrived outside the control room and saw the presence of security personnel. After the security guard called for reinforcements, a large number of riot police officers arrived. Some officers even had the key to the security control room of the shopping mall, and several district councilors were brought into the control room to be searched.
In similar "Sing with You" and "Shop with You" activities in past few weeks, riot police have handed out tens of penalty tickets to civilians onsiye, arbitrarily charging them for violating the gathering ban.
It has been reported that a surprising number of only two tickets were issued for tonight's activity.
Source: Apple Daily;
Graphic: #FirstHand; PSHK
#May5 #ShopWithYou #HongKongProtest
#DailyUpdate #May5 #COVID19
COVID-19 Updates (5/5)
At the time of writing, 3,671,540 cases of the coronavirus had been confirmed with 253,218 deaths.
China reports 1 imported coronavirus case.
The US records more than 22,000 new cases bringing the total to 1,213,855 cases including 69,956 deaths nationwide.
Russia's coronavirus cases surpass 150,000 as the country confirms 10,102 new cases of the virus. The country have reported more than 10,000 cases for 2 consecutive days.
Japan reports 174 new coronavirus cases and 11 additional deaths on Tuesday. That brings the country's total infections to 15,943 and 534 deaths.
Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo extends the state of emergency, he apologizes to Japanese nationals.
Germany's infection rate is around 0.71, number of transmitting cases 'continues to fall'.
UK infection reproduction rate is still between 0.6 and 0.9.
South Korea reports 3 new imported infections in lowest daily case tally for 77 days, the country has reported 10,804 cases of the virus.
Pakistan reports more than 1,300 coronavirus cases in largest single-day spike, the national tally is now 21,501 cases, while the total death toll stands at 486.
India reports 3,900 new coronavirus cases, a record high, bringing the total to 46,433 cases including 1,568 deaths nationwide.
New Zealand reports no new coronavirus cases for the second day in a row.
The British death toll may have neared 30,000 before end of April, UK data shows.
Spain can't rely on hopes for a vaccine, top health official says.
French president warns summer vacation plans should remain on hold.
Studies suggest first coronavirus case in France dates back to late December.
Many early Covid-19 cases in the UK came from Europe, not China, says chief scientific adviser.
India will begin evacuating stranded citizens this week.
Outdoor restaurants in Bavaria, Germany to reopen.
108 potential Covid-19 vaccines in the works worldwide.
Belarus will hold an annual military parade despite coronavirus.
Hong Kong reports 0 cases today. It has been 16 days since the last local case reported.
Hong Kong will start relaxing social distancing measures from Friday, including allowing up to 8 people groupings and reopening of certain entertainment including cinema and gym.
Migrant workers stuck in lockdown have clashed with police in 2 Indian states.
India will begin evacuating citizens stranded abroad on Thursday.
15 children hospitalized in New York with an inflammatory syndrome that could be linked to COVID-19.
In India's capital, people buying alcohol must pay a "special corona fee".
The most likely origin of the coronavirus was a wildlife wet market, says Australian PM.
For the first time in over 75 years, New Zealand's PM joined Australia's national Cabinet meeting.
More than 100 million people have flocked to tourist sites in China during a nationwide holiday.
China pushes back against US claims that coronavirus originated from Wuhan lab.
US Alaska's governor says a large PPE shipment from China has arrived.
The US’s ODNI has evidence to support both lab and market theories of Covid-19's origin, says senior official.
US FDA warns 2 sites to stop selling HIV and flu drugs to treat coronavirus.
First new antibody test independently verified, FDA says.
Source: CNN, Worldometer, Now News
COVID-19 Updates (5/5)
At the time of writing, 3,671,540 cases of the coronavirus had been confirmed with 253,218 deaths.
China reports 1 imported coronavirus case.
The US records more than 22,000 new cases bringing the total to 1,213,855 cases including 69,956 deaths nationwide.
Russia's coronavirus cases surpass 150,000 as the country confirms 10,102 new cases of the virus. The country have reported more than 10,000 cases for 2 consecutive days.
Japan reports 174 new coronavirus cases and 11 additional deaths on Tuesday. That brings the country's total infections to 15,943 and 534 deaths.
Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo extends the state of emergency, he apologizes to Japanese nationals.
Germany's infection rate is around 0.71, number of transmitting cases 'continues to fall'.
UK infection reproduction rate is still between 0.6 and 0.9.
South Korea reports 3 new imported infections in lowest daily case tally for 77 days, the country has reported 10,804 cases of the virus.
Pakistan reports more than 1,300 coronavirus cases in largest single-day spike, the national tally is now 21,501 cases, while the total death toll stands at 486.
India reports 3,900 new coronavirus cases, a record high, bringing the total to 46,433 cases including 1,568 deaths nationwide.
New Zealand reports no new coronavirus cases for the second day in a row.
The British death toll may have neared 30,000 before end of April, UK data shows.
Spain can't rely on hopes for a vaccine, top health official says.
French president warns summer vacation plans should remain on hold.
Studies suggest first coronavirus case in France dates back to late December.
Many early Covid-19 cases in the UK came from Europe, not China, says chief scientific adviser.
India will begin evacuating stranded citizens this week.
Outdoor restaurants in Bavaria, Germany to reopen.
108 potential Covid-19 vaccines in the works worldwide.
Belarus will hold an annual military parade despite coronavirus.
Hong Kong reports 0 cases today. It has been 16 days since the last local case reported.
Hong Kong will start relaxing social distancing measures from Friday, including allowing up to 8 people groupings and reopening of certain entertainment including cinema and gym.
Migrant workers stuck in lockdown have clashed with police in 2 Indian states.
India will begin evacuating citizens stranded abroad on Thursday.
15 children hospitalized in New York with an inflammatory syndrome that could be linked to COVID-19.
In India's capital, people buying alcohol must pay a "special corona fee".
The most likely origin of the coronavirus was a wildlife wet market, says Australian PM.
For the first time in over 75 years, New Zealand's PM joined Australia's national Cabinet meeting.
More than 100 million people have flocked to tourist sites in China during a nationwide holiday.
China pushes back against US claims that coronavirus originated from Wuhan lab.
US Alaska's governor says a large PPE shipment from China has arrived.
The US’s ODNI has evidence to support both lab and market theories of Covid-19's origin, says senior official.
US FDA warns 2 sites to stop selling HIV and flu drugs to treat coronavirus.
First new antibody test independently verified, FDA says.
Source: CNN, Worldometer, Now News
#AsiasFinest #Corruption #HongKongPolice #ChrisTang
Third controversy amongst the top brasses of the Police Force, involving Commissioner PK Tang
Previously,
This newspaper first enquired with the police at about 3 pm, last Friday (#May1). At 9 pm, the police replied that Tang had rented the unit, "but moved out of the site last year." At about 1 am the next day, the police added a reply, saying that if the newspaper had relevant information or evidence on the matter, "please inquire or file a complaint to the relevant department, and the relevant personnel will cooperate with the investigation held by that department."
At 5:30 p.m. on the same day, the reporter asked the police again of the time when Tang moved out last year. He also mentioned that the unit was issued a statuary removal order by the Housing Department and asked whether Tang was informed. However, the police's final reply was a repeated one, that the reporter should submit the evidence to the relevant departments.
The police responded to the incident by drop-feeding information.
There are still many doubts that have not been explained to the public regarding on whether Tang leased unauthorized units. This also includes questions of whether the tenant was informed of the illegal modifications when they signed the lease and if they were aware of the existence of the unit before receiving a notification from the Buildings Department, whether the unauthorized unit been used during the entire rental period, and whether in 2017, after learning from the Buildings Department that he had to deal with the problem of unauthorized construction, did he actively assist the Department in contacting the owners and request that it be dealt with as soon as possible, along with other questions regarding the unauthorized building. All of them remained unanswered.
Tanya Chan, the convener of the Democracy Camp Caucus and a member of the Civic Party, criticized Tang for his lack of political sensitivity. She stated that Tang as a senior official, should be more prudent in dealing with the unauthorized building issue, seeing that it is a recurring political scandal, and that "after notifying the owner, he should've tried other methods."
“If he knew that it wasn't legal and that there is a safety issue with the construction, he shouldn't have used it at all."
Chan thinks that Tang cannot be excused just because he is not the owner, or simply because the illegal structures were not built by him.
Council Members now questioning this series of scandals
The Democratic Legislative Council member Lam Cheuk Ting bluntly stated that the police's "clarification" is in fact an attempt to "warp reality".
"Him moving out because of the illegal construction is not a fact."
He believes that if Tang knew of the illegal construction before renting, strictly speaking, he should not have rented it at all. The Security Committee of the Legislative Council will hold a meeting this afternoon, with Tang attending the briefing "Hong Kong Public Security in 2019" and answer questions from the legislators.
It is expected that he will respond to the recent series of scandals of the "one department, three controversies" of the police force. It is difficult to guarantee whether or not he will be questioned. Lam made it clear that he will ask Tang to explain the serious corruption of the police under his management.
Source: Apple Daily #May5
#Scandal
Third controversy amongst the top brasses of the Police Force, involving Commissioner PK Tang
Previously,
This newspaper first enquired with the police at about 3 pm, last Friday (#May1). At 9 pm, the police replied that Tang had rented the unit, "but moved out of the site last year." At about 1 am the next day, the police added a reply, saying that if the newspaper had relevant information or evidence on the matter, "please inquire or file a complaint to the relevant department, and the relevant personnel will cooperate with the investigation held by that department."
At 5:30 p.m. on the same day, the reporter asked the police again of the time when Tang moved out last year. He also mentioned that the unit was issued a statuary removal order by the Housing Department and asked whether Tang was informed. However, the police's final reply was a repeated one, that the reporter should submit the evidence to the relevant departments.
The police responded to the incident by drop-feeding information.
There are still many doubts that have not been explained to the public regarding on whether Tang leased unauthorized units. This also includes questions of whether the tenant was informed of the illegal modifications when they signed the lease and if they were aware of the existence of the unit before receiving a notification from the Buildings Department, whether the unauthorized unit been used during the entire rental period, and whether in 2017, after learning from the Buildings Department that he had to deal with the problem of unauthorized construction, did he actively assist the Department in contacting the owners and request that it be dealt with as soon as possible, along with other questions regarding the unauthorized building. All of them remained unanswered.
Tanya Chan, the convener of the Democracy Camp Caucus and a member of the Civic Party, criticized Tang for his lack of political sensitivity. She stated that Tang as a senior official, should be more prudent in dealing with the unauthorized building issue, seeing that it is a recurring political scandal, and that "after notifying the owner, he should've tried other methods."
“If he knew that it wasn't legal and that there is a safety issue with the construction, he shouldn't have used it at all."
Chan thinks that Tang cannot be excused just because he is not the owner, or simply because the illegal structures were not built by him.
Council Members now questioning this series of scandals
The Democratic Legislative Council member Lam Cheuk Ting bluntly stated that the police's "clarification" is in fact an attempt to "warp reality".
"Him moving out because of the illegal construction is not a fact."
He believes that if Tang knew of the illegal construction before renting, strictly speaking, he should not have rented it at all. The Security Committee of the Legislative Council will hold a meeting this afternoon, with Tang attending the briefing "Hong Kong Public Security in 2019" and answer questions from the legislators.
It is expected that he will respond to the recent series of scandals of the "one department, three controversies" of the police force. It is difficult to guarantee whether or not he will be questioned. Lam made it clear that he will ask Tang to explain the serious corruption of the police under his management.
Source: Apple Daily #May5
#Scandal
#PoliceState #PoliceBrutality
Police Darken Glass on Vehicle, Fear Over Further Loss of Rights of Arrestees
Some netizens found that the police recently introduced a new type of police car with black glass in the center and rear windows.
The police confirmed that the designed police car is in the approval stage. The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) will ensure that the vehicle is suitable for driving on the road before it is delivered to the police.
Some in the automobile industry said that tinted glass can reduce the amount of air-conditioning, but human rights organizations said some arrested persons claimed that they were beaten in police cars in the past. They worry that darkening the police car glass would lead to further loss of the rights of the arrestees.
The police said it was being approved; Group: Many complained about being beaten in a police car
Recently, some netizens uploaded pictures on Facebook, showing that the middle and rear glass of a police car were black, different from the common transparent glass. Last week, the newspaper asked the police if tinted glass was being phased onto police vehicles.
The police responded last night to confirm that the police car in the photos circulating on the Internet is still in the approval stage and has not been delivered to the police. The police said that all vehicles of the Police Force were purchased, inspected, repaired, and maintained by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD). The Department will refer to the requirements of the Transport Department to confirm that the vehicles are suitable for driving on the road before delivering them to the Police Force.
The police have not provided explanations regarding how many police cars will use black glass and why they made the switch.
Promote consultation with the Legislative Council first
Human Rights Watch spokeswoman Ms. Claudia Yip said that there have been complaints about being beaten in police cars, such as the case of social activist Chow Nok Hang. In many cases, the police will pull the curtains or turn off the lights so that people outside the car cannot observe inside. There were no witnesses in the car, making it impossible for the victims who complained of being beaten in the police car to follow up with investigations. Yip believes that blackening the glass may cause even more complaints, and that the police should first consult the IPCC and the Legislative Council.
Yip also said that the Coroner’s Court had recommended that the police install CCTV in police cars. The IPCC also supported the proposal, but the police did not follow up and instead, turned the window glass to black. This is a "big step backwards" for transparency and accountability of the police force.
According to the "Road Traffic (Vehicle Construction and Maintenance) Regulations" and the regulations of the Transport Department, the minimum light transmittance of a car windshield is 70%, and that of a rear window glass is 44%.
Lee Yiu-pui, President of the Automobile Industry Association, said that the relevant regulations do not apply to police cars. As for private cars, many are manufactured with tinted glass to block direct sunlight and reduce air conditioning costs; however, the rear glass must not be too dark, because the drivers must look through the car’s rear glass to check for “blind spots".
Source: MingPao #May5
Further reading:
Protesters were violently abused and humiliated by Hong Kong Correctional Services Department staff during detention
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/20614
Policing and accountability: the working of police authorities
https://bit.ly/2SI9diB
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 5 to 9
https://bit.ly/3cbCnyq
#PoliceVehicle #ArresteesRights
Police Darken Glass on Vehicle, Fear Over Further Loss of Rights of Arrestees
Some netizens found that the police recently introduced a new type of police car with black glass in the center and rear windows.
The police confirmed that the designed police car is in the approval stage. The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) will ensure that the vehicle is suitable for driving on the road before it is delivered to the police.
Some in the automobile industry said that tinted glass can reduce the amount of air-conditioning, but human rights organizations said some arrested persons claimed that they were beaten in police cars in the past. They worry that darkening the police car glass would lead to further loss of the rights of the arrestees.
The police said it was being approved; Group: Many complained about being beaten in a police car
Recently, some netizens uploaded pictures on Facebook, showing that the middle and rear glass of a police car were black, different from the common transparent glass. Last week, the newspaper asked the police if tinted glass was being phased onto police vehicles.
The police responded last night to confirm that the police car in the photos circulating on the Internet is still in the approval stage and has not been delivered to the police. The police said that all vehicles of the Police Force were purchased, inspected, repaired, and maintained by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD). The Department will refer to the requirements of the Transport Department to confirm that the vehicles are suitable for driving on the road before delivering them to the Police Force.
The police have not provided explanations regarding how many police cars will use black glass and why they made the switch.
Promote consultation with the Legislative Council first
Human Rights Watch spokeswoman Ms. Claudia Yip said that there have been complaints about being beaten in police cars, such as the case of social activist Chow Nok Hang. In many cases, the police will pull the curtains or turn off the lights so that people outside the car cannot observe inside. There were no witnesses in the car, making it impossible for the victims who complained of being beaten in the police car to follow up with investigations. Yip believes that blackening the glass may cause even more complaints, and that the police should first consult the IPCC and the Legislative Council.
Yip also said that the Coroner’s Court had recommended that the police install CCTV in police cars. The IPCC also supported the proposal, but the police did not follow up and instead, turned the window glass to black. This is a "big step backwards" for transparency and accountability of the police force.
According to the "Road Traffic (Vehicle Construction and Maintenance) Regulations" and the regulations of the Transport Department, the minimum light transmittance of a car windshield is 70%, and that of a rear window glass is 44%.
Lee Yiu-pui, President of the Automobile Industry Association, said that the relevant regulations do not apply to police cars. As for private cars, many are manufactured with tinted glass to block direct sunlight and reduce air conditioning costs; however, the rear glass must not be too dark, because the drivers must look through the car’s rear glass to check for “blind spots".
Source: MingPao #May5
Further reading:
Protesters were violently abused and humiliated by Hong Kong Correctional Services Department staff during detention
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/20614
Policing and accountability: the working of police authorities
https://bit.ly/2SI9diB
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 5 to 9
https://bit.ly/3cbCnyq
#PoliceVehicle #ArresteesRights
明報新聞網 - 每日明報 daily news
新警車轉黑玻璃 人權組織憂損被捕者權利 - 20200505 - 港聞
【明報專訊】有網民發現，警方近日引入新款警車，車身中排及後排玻璃為黑色，警方證實該款設計的警車正在驗收階段，機電署會確保車輛適宜在道路上行駛才交付警務處使用。有汽車業人士稱，有色玻璃可減少冷氣用量，但有人權組織稱過去有被捕者投訴在警車被毆打，憂慮將警車玻璃轉為黑色會有損被捕者權利。
#May5 #FirstHand
Hongkongers in Solidarity Show Support for Local Shop Targeted by National Security Police
On May 6, 2021, #Chickeeduck, a kidswear shop owned by a pro-democracy entrepreneur Hebert Chow in Hong Kong was raided by the national security police. The police accused the shop of reportedly violating the national security law.
Just as the owner told the reporters that he would keep operating the store, many Hongkongers visited the shop on the same evening to support local business with conscience.
A queue was formed and the shop was overcrowded with customers.
#YellowEconomy #Solidarity #PoliticalSuppression
#PoliceState
Hongkongers in Solidarity Show Support for Local Shop Targeted by National Security Police
On May 6, 2021, #Chickeeduck, a kidswear shop owned by a pro-democracy entrepreneur Hebert Chow in Hong Kong was raided by the national security police. The police accused the shop of reportedly violating the national security law.
Just as the owner told the reporters that he would keep operating the store, many Hongkongers visited the shop on the same evening to support local business with conscience.
A queue was formed and the shop was overcrowded with customers.
#YellowEconomy #Solidarity #PoliticalSuppression
#PoliceState
‘I’m Very Anxious’: China’s #Lockdowns Leave Millions Out of Work
Source: New York Times #May5
Read more
⬇️⬇️
Source: New York Times #May5
Read more
⬇️⬇️
‘I’m Very Anxious’: China’s #Lockdowns Leave Millions Out of Work
//Migrant workers and recent college graduates have been hit hardest by shuttered factories, closed construction sites and an anemic job market.
As China battles its worst coronavirus outbreaks, its uncompromising determination to eliminate infections has left millions unable to work. Stringent lockdowns, hitting city after city, have forced factories and businesses to shut, sometimes for weeks, including in some of the country’s most important economic centers.
Two groups have been especially hard-hit: migrant workers — the roughly 280 million laborers who travel from rural areas to cities to work in sectors such as manufacturing and construction — and recent college graduates. Nearly 11 million college students, a record, are expected to graduate this year...
Yang Jiwei, a 21-year-old from Anhui Province, worked as a waiter in Shanghai when the lockdown began. His residence, shared with four other people, had no kitchen supplies, so they could not cook the few packages of vegetables and meat that local officials had provided. He had been eating a dwindling supply of instant noodles...
But the official unemployment figures are widely considered an undercount. They do not capture many migrant workers, and they also count people as unemployed only if they are able to start working within two weeks. That would exclude people under extended lockdowns or the growing numbers of young people deferring job searches...//
Read the full article:
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/05/business/china-shanghai-covid-lockdown-economy.html
Source: New York Times #May5
#Unemployment #Discontent #Pandemic #ShanghaiLockdown #Covid19
//Migrant workers and recent college graduates have been hit hardest by shuttered factories, closed construction sites and an anemic job market.
As China battles its worst coronavirus outbreaks, its uncompromising determination to eliminate infections has left millions unable to work. Stringent lockdowns, hitting city after city, have forced factories and businesses to shut, sometimes for weeks, including in some of the country’s most important economic centers.
Two groups have been especially hard-hit: migrant workers — the roughly 280 million laborers who travel from rural areas to cities to work in sectors such as manufacturing and construction — and recent college graduates. Nearly 11 million college students, a record, are expected to graduate this year...
Yang Jiwei, a 21-year-old from Anhui Province, worked as a waiter in Shanghai when the lockdown began. His residence, shared with four other people, had no kitchen supplies, so they could not cook the few packages of vegetables and meat that local officials had provided. He had been eating a dwindling supply of instant noodles...
But the official unemployment figures are widely considered an undercount. They do not capture many migrant workers, and they also count people as unemployed only if they are able to start working within two weeks. That would exclude people under extended lockdowns or the growing numbers of young people deferring job searches...//
Read the full article:
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/05/business/china-shanghai-covid-lockdown-economy.html
Source: New York Times #May5
#Unemployment #Discontent #Pandemic #ShanghaiLockdown #Covid19
NY Times
‘I’m Very Anxious’: China’s Lockdowns Leave Millions Out of Work
Migrant workers and recent college graduates have been hit hardest by shuttered factories, closed construction sites and an anemic job market.