International
Hong Kong Police Battle Protesters on College Campus as Chinese Students Flee the City
Published
1 year agoon
By
Cory Ray
- University students in Hong Kong won control of a bridge from riot police Tuesday night after a day of dramatic and violent clashing.
- The situation follows the first official death in Hong Kong where a student fell from a parking garage while protesters were being dispersed by police.
- Some universities have canceled their semesters early and others have suspended classes, prompting many students originally from mainland China to flee over the Hong Kong border.
Battle at the Chinese University of Hong Kong
Pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong gained control over a bridge near the Chinese University of Hong Kong Tuesday night after a day-long dramatic clash with police.
The incident started when police began to occupy the bridge, signaling a shift in an unspoken rule to leave universities alone.
Student protesters then set up a barricade on campus to keep police from entering. Following that, the two groups began to clash, with students throwing bricks and Molotov cocktails while police fired multiple rounds of tear gas at the protesters. Police also physically wrestled some of the protesters to the ground as students yelled at police to leave the campus.
After the first clash, the protesters retreated to an athletic field and locked the gate. Police then continued to fire tear gas by lobbing it over the gate. At one point, the field reportedly caught fire and the students retreated to bleachers.
This is not a battle field but Chinese University in Hong Kong, the best University in Hong Kong. Today HKPF attack into the campus and student try their best to defend their school land. #HKPoliceTerrorists #HKPoliceBrutality #StandwithHK pic.twitter.com/GwsErWgOzG
— Nam Yeung (@NamYeung1) November 12, 2019
#HK police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to the students of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (#CUHK) today. HKPF claimed campus is not private area so they can enter without warrant. This is a sport field inside campus. I see war.#HongKong #HongKongProtests pic.twitter.com/PZmGmQq4H6
— Hana Tse 😷 (@TseHana) November 12, 2019
The ongoing violence then prompted the university’s president, Rocky Tuan, to try and act as a common ground between students and police.
At one point during those negotiations, a man walked down the street while revving a chainsaw, but a group of protestors then convinced that man to put down the chainsaw and enveloped him in a hug.
A protester just came down the street w a chainsaw revving, walking toward where police are stationed— a group of protesters stopped him, convinced him to put it down, turn it off and encircled him in a huge hug pic.twitter.com/FNdUQ454yj
— Rosalind Adams (@RosalindZAdams) November 12, 2019
Later, Tuan struck a deal with police, saying that university security would guard the bridge instead of police if students dispersed and stopped throwing objects onto the highway below the bridge. That then prompted students to ask why police were even on campus. Refusing to disperse, protesters then asked about the safety of those who had been arrested.
The battle over the bridge continued into the night as more clashes broke out with protesters carrying umbrellas, shields, barricades while police filled the area with tear gas and fired rubber bullets.
Other protesters threw more Molotov cocktails at police in an attempt to gain ground while people used leaf blowers to blow away the tear gas. Some students even practiced firing flaming arrows from bows.
We’re almost to the other side of the bridge now pic.twitter.com/oELMRXlGnk
— Rosalind Adams (@RosalindZAdams) November 12, 2019
#HongKong protesters are practicing how to use bow to attack police. They alsp set the arrow on fire. #HongKongProtests pic.twitter.com/m9wiV5ZMnJ
— Duvets (@142753G) November 13, 2019
Students later retreated after police fired a water cannon.
We’re almost to the other side of the bridge now pic.twitter.com/oELMRXlGnk
— Rosalind Adams (@RosalindZAdams) November 12, 2019
Soon after, however, they then came back and ultimately forced police to retreat. Students pushed forward and built more barriers with golf carts and a burned-out car to hold their ground gained.
I legit don’t even know how they did this but protesters just carried the burnt out car that was on fire earlier this afternoon to the bridge?? And added it to the barrier, and cheered when they lifted it and tipped it on its side pic.twitter.com/sEs5yHslDR
— Rosalind Adams (@RosalindZAdams) November 12, 2019
Protesters remained on the bridge throughout the night while passing supplies to each other and making more Molotov cocktails in case police came back.
Chinese Students Flee Hong Kong
On Wednesday morning, the Chinese University of Hong Kong ended its semester early. It was originally scheduled to end its semester on Nov. 30.
Another university also suspended its on-campus semester and switched to online classes. At the same time, other universities suspended classes for a week.
Additionally, Hong Kong canceled all schools in the city on Thursday due to transportation and safety reasons.
As universities canceled classes, students originally from mainland China fled over the Hong Kong border with the help of police.
While those students said they had felt safer on campus than in the streets, some said many of them didn’t openly express pro-China views on campus. Those students also said they felt the need to avoid talking loudly in Mandarin, which is the main language in China.
On the other side of the border, hotels offered those students free rooms, with some of those hotels filling to near capacity.
What Led to Tuesday’s Clash?
Tuesday’s clash between student protesters and riot police comes after the death of student Chow Tsz-lok, who went by the name Alex. Chow’s death is the first death from clashes that have been consistently escalating since they began nearly six months ago.
Chow died while demonstrating with other protesters at a parking garage on Nov. 4. When police tried to break up that crowd, Chow reportedly fell one story from the structure.
Chow sustained head and pelvis injuries and was rushed to the hospital; however, he died from his injuries on Nov. 8.
Later that same day, students at Chow’s university held a vigil and an on-campus march for him. Protesters held other vigils across the city, including at the parking garage where Chow fell.
Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone. Let the mourners come#ChowTszLok #HongKongProtests pic.twitter.com/De7WkjaaqE
— Victor Ting (@VictorTing7) November 8, 2019
Protesters called for an investigation into the use of force by riot police, which has been one of the five key demands of the protesters.
As protesters called for revenge, some of the demonstrations that night once again became violent.
On Monday, another protester was shot several times, this time at point-blank range. Other protesters shouted at that officer and called him a murderer. That officer then doused the crowd with pepper spray.
That same day, protesters set a different man on fire after he reportedly yelled at them, telling them they lacked patriotism for mainland China.
Hospital officials said both those men were in critical condition.
In October, both an 18-year-old man and a 14-year-old boy were shot by police.
What is the Hong Kong Government Doing?
Last month, the extradition bill that sparked the protests was finally formally withdrawn. Still, that’s not enough for these protesters. They are also calling for complete amnesty, a retraction of the official characterization of the protests as “riots,” and the resignation of Chief Executive Carrie Lam.
On Nov. 24, Hong Kong is scheduled to hold elections; however, those elections have also faced controversy as Hong Kong has barred a prominent pro-democracy activist from running. Other pro-democracy lawmakers and candidates have been arrested, and one pro-China lawmaker was stabbed.
Also because of all of the violence, there is some worry that those elections might not end up happening. Lam has said she will do everything possible to ensure that elections are fair and safe, saying on Tuesday that the government “hopes that the elections can continue as planned.”
Also on Tuesday, the pro-China newspaper The People’s Daily—which has acted as a mouthpiece for Beijing—said that elections should only proceed if calm is restored to Hong Kong.
See what others are saying: (Washington Post) (Wall Street Journal) (BuzzFeed News)
International
Saudi Arabia To Require Vaccine for Hajj Pilgrims
Published
23 hours agoon
March 3, 2021
- Saudi Arabia will require all pilgrims participating in the Hajj this year to be vaccinated against COVID-19, according to local media.
- The Hajj is a pilgrimage to Mecca that all Muslims are required to take at least once in their lifetime if they are physically or financially able to.
- Many believe the inoculation requirement may help allay suspicions over vaccines within certain Muslim communities.
- Those suspicions have persisted despite Muslim leaders clarifying that there are no theological problems with taking any of the COVID-19 vaccines available.
COVID-19 Vaccines for Pilgrims
Saudi Arabia’s health ministry will only allow people vaccinated against COVID-19 to attend the Hajj this year, according to local outlet Okaz.
The Hajj is a mandatory pilgrimage to Mecca for all Muslims at least once in their lifetime – assuming they are physically and financially able to. However, requiring a vaccine before taking part in the Hajj isn’t a new thing. In fact, Saudi Arabia already has a list of necessary vaccinations for pilgrims.
For a virus that is among the most virulent in recent history and requiring a COVID-19 vaccine makes sense, especially since the Hajj is among the most densely populated events in the world.
In an effort to combat COVID-19, Saudi Arabia has also introduced restrictions over how many pilgrims can come to Mecca for the first time in modern history.
Requiring the COVID-19 vaccine to partake in the Hajj will likely have the added benefit of allaying fears about COVID-19 vaccines in Muslim communities, which account for nearly 2 billion people in the world. While Muslims overall support vaccinations and their religious leaders openly support vaccination efforts, some do doubt vaccines for either political reasons or religious ones.
Changes in Vaccine Hesitancy
Suspicions have arisen due to recent history, notably after Osama bin Laden was located through a vaccine program that acted as a front for the C.I.A. That incident led to a wider-anti vaccine movement in parts of Pakistan that have seen vaccine clinics burned to the ground.
Others are worried over more religious concerns, such as whether the vaccines are Halal, which is roughly the Muslim version of Kosher. To that, most major vaccines say that they are Halal and contain no animal products, such as Pfizer’s, Moderna’s, and AstraZeneca’s,
While other possibly non-Halal vaccines, such as Sinovac’s, have been given the okay from major Islamic authorities, such as Indonesia’ Ulema Council.
The concerns over whether a vaccine is Halal or not may be mute as most imams and Islamic councils have clarified that such dietary restrictions are trumped by the need to save human lives.
While the Health Ministry’s statement is for 2021, it’s possible that the decision will last beyond that based on the pandemic’s progress.
See what other are saying: (Al Jazeera) (The Hill) (Middle East Eye)
International
E.U. and U.S. Sanction Russian Officials Over Navalny Detention
Published
2 days agoon
March 2, 2021
- The E.U. and U.S. coordinated new sanctions against seven Russian officials tied to the current fate of activist and Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny.
- More efforts are expected to follow, with officials claiming that 14 Russian entities tied to the manufacturing of Novichok – the rare nerve agents that supposedly poisoned Navalny – are the next to be sanctioned.
- Despite the sanctions, Biden’s administration hopes to be able to work with Russia on other world issues, such as nuclear arms in Iran and North Korea.
- Navalny himself isn’t likely to benefit from the sanctions as he’s serving a 2.5-year prison sentence in one of Russia’s most notorious penal colonies.
Coordinated Efforts by E.U. and U.S.
The U.S. and E.U. both announced coordinated sanctions against Russia Tuesday morning over the poisoning, arrest, and detention of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny.
In particular, seven senior officials are targeted by the sanctions.
- Federal Security Service Director Aleksandr Bortnikov
- Chief of the Presidential Policy Directorate Andrei Yarin
- First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Sergei Kiriyenko
- Deputy Minister of Defense Aleksey Krivoruchko
- Deputy Minister of Defense Pavel Popov
- Federal Penitentiary Service director Alexander Kalashnikov
- Prosecutor General Igor Krasnov.
Both the E.U. and U.S. also plan to add fourteen entities that are involved in making the extremely deadly Russian nerve agent Novichok.
First Step For Biden
These sanctions are the first such action by the Biden administration against Russia and seem to be a tone shift from the previous administration. The Trump administration was considered relatively soft on Russia and only enacted a few sanctions over election interference, which were only softly enforced.
One U.S. official, according to NBC News reportedly said, that “today is the first such response, and there will be more to come.”
“The United States is neither seeking to reset our relations with Russia nor are we seeking to escalate,” the official went on to add.
The man at the center of all this, Alexei Navalny, has been an outspoken critic of Putin who was arrested when he returned to Russia from Germany after being treated for Novichok poisoning.
He was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison over alleged fraud crimes and is reported to have been sent to one of Russia’s worst penal colonies outside of the city of Pokrov to serve out his term.
See what others are saying: (CNN) (NPR) (NBC News)
International
Biden Faces Criticism Over U.S. Airstrike in Syria
Published
3 days agoon
March 1, 2021
- On Friday, the U.S. conducted an airstrike against an Iranian-back militia in Syria after it shot rockets into northern Iraq and injured U.S. service personnel.
- The airstrike marks the first in Biden’s presidency, and while normally a routine response, it caused particular backlash against the president, who campaigned on getting out of “forever wars” in the region.
- Many felt like Biden was more concerned with bombing people in the Middle-East than he was with passing his $1.9 trillion stimulus package, which was being debated by Congress at the time.
- The targeting of an Iranian-backed militia likely didn’t help efforts to start informal talks with Iran on Sunday in an effort to reignite the Iran Nuclear Deal.
Striking Back Against Militias
The U.S. military conducted an airstrike on an Iranian-backed militia in Syria on Friday, marking it as the first such airstrike under President Joe Biden’s term.
The airstrike was conducted as retaliation after the militia launched rockets into northern Iraq; killing civilians, contractors, and injuring a U.S. service member as well as other coalition troops.
Despite airstrikes being a routine response for such situations over the last 20 years, the decision caused Biden to face intense backlash in the U.S.
For many, it set the tone and seemed to contradict some of his earlier stances when running for office. In 2019, for instance, Biden made it clear that he wanted to get out of Iraq as soon as possible, as well as speed up the removal of U.S. troops in Afghanistan. However, such airstrikes are often blamed for further entrenching the U.S. in the region.
Biden received criticism across the political spectrum, with only a few conservatives praising the airstrike as a necessary move to protect U.S. troops.
In Congress, many Democrats called the move unconstitutional, a stance the party has had since at least 2018 when Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said a similar airstrike conducted by President Trump required the approval of Congress. The Biden administration pushed back against this, sending a letter to Congress on Sunday saying the president had the power to use limited force without the body’s approval via the War Power Act.
Public Perception in a Downward Spiral
Many Americans have mocked Biden for seemingly feeling comfortable enough to use his executive power to bomb militias while also expressing apprehension toward using that same power to forgive student loans.
Others pushed back against the idea that the airstrike was a form of defensive retaliation
“This latest Biden airstrike is being spun as “defensive” and “retaliatory” despite its targeting a nation the US invaded (Syria) in response to alleged attacks on US forces in another nation the US invaded (Iraq),” wrote one user on Twitter, “You can’t invade a nation and then claim self-defense there. Ever.”
This latest Biden airstrike is being spun as "defensive" and "retaliatory" despite its targeting a nation the US invaded (Syria) in response to alleged attacks on US forces in another nation the US invaded (Iraq). You can't invade a nation and then claim self-defense there. Ever.
— Caitlin Johnstone ⏳ (@caitoz) February 26, 2021
Some of the biggest criticism the president received came from those who said it seemed like his priorities were off-base. Because while the airstrike was conducted, Congress was debating his $1.9 trillion stimulus package.
Civil Rights activist Ja’Mal Green, for instance, tweeted, “We didn’t flip Georgia Blue for Biden to air strike Syria. We flipped Georgia Blue for our $2,000 Stimulus Checks.”
We didn’t flip Georgia Blue for Biden to air strike Syria. We flipped Georgia Blue for our $2,000 Stimulus Checks.
— Ja'Mal Green (@JaymalGreen) February 26, 2021
However, it’s worth noting that there’s not much Biden can do right now to push his stimulus package through Congress, other than attempt to convince some on-the-fence senators like Joe Manchin (D-WV). Still, the perception of confused priorities was enough to anger many.
All of this likely didn’t help when the E.U. foreign policy chief, on behalf of all the countries who signed the Iran Nuclear deal, attempted to convince Iran to engage in informal talks to try and restart the deal on Sunday. A proposal was shot down by Iran.
“Considering the recent actions and statements by the United States and three European powers, Iran does not consider this the time to hold an informal meeting with these countries,” said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh
See what others are saying: (BBC) (NBC) (CNN)

House Passes Landmark Elections Bill To Expand Voting Rights

Kings of Leon Will Become One of the First Bands To Offer an Album as NFT

Netflix Launches “Fast Laughs,” a TikTok-Like Feed of Funny Clips

Court Sides With Sofia Vergara, Says Ex Cannot Use Embryos Without Permission

Saudi Arabia To Require Vaccine for Hajj Pilgrims

Texas Governor Will Reopen State “100%” and End Mask Mandate Against Expert Advice

Twitch Shares Its First-Ever Transparency Report, but Critics Want More Accountability

Chris D’Elia Accused of Soliciting Child Pornography in New Lawsuit

Epic Games Acquires “Fall Guys” Maker Tonic Games Group

Please Don’t Do This! I’m Begging You! Dr. Seuss “Cancelled” Explained, DeFranco LA Mayor, The Rock

E.U. and U.S. Sanction Russian Officials Over Navalny Detention

Cosplay Instagram Star Belle Delphine Trolls Followers With PornHub Account

Mia Khalifa Shuts Down Death Rumors, Sparks Conversations About Plastic Surgery and Adult Film Industry

Instagram Users Tell Skai Jackson to Stop Posting About Cameron Boyce

Billie Eilish Fans Call Out Twitter User for Sexualizing the Underage Singer

Ace Family’s Austin McBroom and Team Accused of Rape

YouTuber MrBeast Responds to Criticism of Massive Tree Planting Project

Man Kills 17-Year-Old Bianca Devins and Posts Photos Online

Joe Rogan Denies Spotify Censorship Rumors, According to Alex Jones

Netflix Apologizes and Changes Marketing Materials for “Cuties” After Backlash

YouTuber Coffee Break Accuses Kurzgesagt of Being Untrustworthy, Founder Responds

Trisha Paytas Accused of Exploiting Transgender Community

Please Don’t Do This! I’m Begging You! Dr. Seuss “Cancelled” Explained, DeFranco LA Mayor, The Rock

James Charles Exposed? Taylor Swift Slut-Shaming Scandal Sparks Backlash! Joe Biden Being a Coward.

WOW! This Insane Lady Gaga Robbery, Jschlatt, Twitter Fights OnlyFans, Cuomo Allegations & More News

David Dobrik Jason Nash Assault Accusations, Vlog Squad Fallout, Grand Theft Auto Bill, & More News

The PewDiePie Cocomelon Double Standard, Joe Rogan is a Smart Man Asking Smart Questions & More News

Why The Internet Is Freaking Out About Demi Lovato, Rihanna, Ted Cruz Fail, NASA Perseverance Rover

DISGUSTING! Why We Need To Talk About Tim Boyd, The Truth About Texas Blackouts, Rush Limbaugh Dead

He’s Trying To Shut Down My Channel?! Harry Styles, Olivia Wilde, Cuomo Nursing Home Scandal, & More

Corpse Husband Defies, “Gorilla Glue Girl” Denies, Gina Carano Star Wars Controversy, & More News

WOW! Belle Delphine Exposed, Kitten Zoom Filter Scandal, Asian Hate, Impeachment Trial & More

Why This “Gorilla Glue Girl” Situation is DISGUSTING, Tom Holland Denial, & More News

6 Dr. Seuss Books Won’t Be Published Anymore Because of Racist Imagery

Internet Users Defend Woman With Gorilla Glue in Her Hair From Bullies

Tessica Brown Says She Never Hired Attorney To Sue Gorilla Glue Over Hair Incident

Texas Mayor Tells “Lazy” Residents “No One Owes You” Anything Amid Power Outages

Britney Spears Documentary Prompts Many To Re-Evaluate the Singer’s Reputation

Austin McBroom Launches “How I Became a Millionaire” Program for $50/Month, But Some Think It’s Just Another Scam

Lady Gaga’s Dog Walker Shot, Singer’s 2 French Bulldogs Stolen

Former Member of David Dobrik’s Vlog Squad Says He Was Sexually Assaulted by Jason Nash on Video

Key Takeaways From Day 1 of Trump’s Impeachment Trial

Tessica Brown’s Hair Is Finally Free of Gorilla Glue

Rihanna Sparks Outrage After Posing Topless With Necklace of Hindu God

House Passes Landmark Elections Bill To Expand Voting Rights

Kings of Leon Will Become One of the First Bands To Offer an Album as NFT

Netflix Launches “Fast Laughs,” a TikTok-Like Feed of Funny Clips

Court Sides With Sofia Vergara, Says Ex Cannot Use Embryos Without Permission

Saudi Arabia To Require Vaccine for Hajj Pilgrims

Texas Governor Will Reopen State “100%” and End Mask Mandate Against Expert Advice

Twitch Shares Its First-Ever Transparency Report, but Critics Want More Accountability

Chris D’Elia Accused of Soliciting Child Pornography in New Lawsuit

Epic Games Acquires “Fall Guys” Maker Tonic Games Group

Please Don’t Do This! I’m Begging You! Dr. Seuss “Cancelled” Explained, DeFranco LA Mayor, The Rock

E.U. and U.S. Sanction Russian Officials Over Navalny Detention

Please Don’t Do This! I’m Begging You! Dr. Seuss “Cancelled” Explained, DeFranco LA Mayor, The Rock

James Charles Exposed? Taylor Swift Slut-Shaming Scandal Sparks Backlash! Joe Biden Being a Coward.

WOW! This Insane Lady Gaga Robbery, Jschlatt, Twitter Fights OnlyFans, Cuomo Allegations & More News

David Dobrik Jason Nash Assault Accusations, Vlog Squad Fallout, Grand Theft Auto Bill, & More News

The PewDiePie Cocomelon Double Standard, Joe Rogan is a Smart Man Asking Smart Questions & More News

Why The Internet Is Freaking Out About Demi Lovato, Rihanna, Ted Cruz Fail, NASA Perseverance Rover

DISGUSTING! Why We Need To Talk About Tim Boyd, The Truth About Texas Blackouts, Rush Limbaugh Dead

He’s Trying To Shut Down My Channel?! Harry Styles, Olivia Wilde, Cuomo Nursing Home Scandal, & More

Corpse Husband Defies, “Gorilla Glue Girl” Denies, Gina Carano Star Wars Controversy, & More News

WOW! Belle Delphine Exposed, Kitten Zoom Filter Scandal, Asian Hate, Impeachment Trial & More
