Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai was remanded in custody on Thursday after being charged with fraud, the latest in a string of prosecutions brought against high-profile democracy campaigners and critics of Beijing.
Mr Lai, 73, is the owner of Apple Daily, a pro-democracy tabloid that is fiercely critical of authorities.
Mr Lai and two of the company's executives, Royston Chow and Wong Wai-keung, face fraud charges that court documents say are related to allegations that the paper's offices are being used for purposes not permitted by the building's lease.
Police raided Apple Daily's headquarters in August and arrested several senior company figures, including Mr Lai, on suspicion of "collusion with foreign forces" under a new national security law that Beijing imposed on the city.
None of them have so far been charged with any national security breaches.
But Victor So, the magistrate overseeing Thursday's hearing, is from a group of judges selected by Hong Kong's chief executive to try such cases.
Mr So denied Mr Lai bail but granted it to Mr Wong and Mr Chow, setting the next court date for April.
The decision means Mr Lai faces months behind bars as police continue their investigation.
Opposition politicians have been disqualified and dozens of activists charged or investigated since China imposed its sweeping security law in June.
On Wednesday, three prominent young democracy campaigners, including Joshua Wong, were jailed for taking part in last year's pro-democracy protests.
Mr Lai is also being prosecuted over allegations he played a part in those rallies in a separate case.
The policy was criticised in the West and raised concerns among the millions who last year took to the streets to protest against China's tightening grip on the semi-autonomous city.
Beijing says stability and order has been restored and dismissed the demonstrations as a foreign plot to destabilise China.
Mr Lai has long said he feared that authorities wanted to close his newspaper, one of the few local outlets still willing to take on Beijing.
He is routinely cast as a traitor in Chinese state media.
"I'm prepared for prison," Mr Lai told AFP two weeks before the security law was imposed.
"I'm a troublemaker. I came here with nothing, the freedom of this place has given me everything.
"Maybe it's time I paid back for that freedom by fighting for it."
Prosecutors tried to bring cases against him in the past.
In September he was acquitted of intimidating a reporter from a pro-government newspaper.
The corruption watchdog also dropped a case against him over political donations to pro-democracy supporters after four years of investigations.
Authorities deny targeting Apple Daily or Mr Lai and say police are simply enforcing the law.
How to volunteer
The UAE volunteers campaign can be reached at www.volunteers.ae , or by calling 800-VOLAE (80086523), or emailing info@volunteers.ae.
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Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
The specs
Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo and dual electric motors
Power: 300hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 520Nm at 1,500-3,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.0L/100km
Price: from Dh199,900
On sale: now
TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
The specs: 2018 Maserati Levante S
Price, base / as tested: Dh409,000 / Dh467,000
Engine: 3.0-litre V6
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 430hp @ 5,750rpm
Torque: 580Nm @ 4,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 10.9L / 100km
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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The Lowdown
Kesari
Rating: 2.5/5 stars
Produced by: Dharma Productions, Azure Entertainment
Directed by: Anubhav Singh
Cast: Akshay Kumar, Parineeti Chopra
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
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Various Artists
Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World (Habibi Funk)
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