A second dissident who took part in the 1989 pro-democracy protests at Beijing's Tiananmen Square was denied entry to Hong Kong ahead of the 20th anniversary of China's brutal crackdown, an activist said today.
The Chinese government has been rounding up dissidents before the sensitive anniversary - a taboo topic on the mainland. By contrast, the event is openly commemorated in Hong Kong, a Chinese-ruled former British colony that enjoys freedom of speech.
However, the local government has turned away some Tiananmen dissidents. The latest, American citizen Xiang Xiaoji, was deported back to the US after arriving from New York City by plane late Tuesday, activist Richard Tsoi told the Associated Press.
Asked about Mr Xiaoji's case at a meeting of Hong Kong's legislature today, secretary for security Ambrose Lee said he wouldn't comment on invidiual cases but denied that the government kept an immigration blacklist, Hong Kong's radio RTHK reported on its website.
Immigration officials did not explain why they denied entry, Mr Xiaoji's lawyer, pro-democracy legislator James To said. Hong Kong's Immigration Department did not immediately return a reporter's call. US Consulate General spokesman Dale Kreisher said he had no immediate comment on Mr Xiaoji's case.
Mr Xiaoji planned to attend Hong Kong's annual candlelight vigil to honour victims of the Tiananmen crackdown on Thursday, June 4 - the 20th anniversary of the military action - and an academic conference about changes in China since Tiananmen today, Mr To said.
In a statement issued through To, Mr Xiaoji called his deportation "a wrong decision".
"Hong Kong people encourage Chinese people to keep pursuing democracy by remembering June 4 every year."
Mr Xiaoji is the second Tiananmen dissident to be denied entry in recent weeks. US permanent resident Yang Jianli was turned away at the airport several weeks ago, according to an academic who invited him to the conference about changes since Tiananmen.
A Danish artist who created a sculpture depicting its victims was also denied entry to the territory on Saturday. Jens Galschiot said immigration officials did not explain why he was deported. The Hong Kong government said it acted legally but did not give details.
* AP
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
How to vote
Canadians living in the UAE can register to vote online and be added to the International Register of Electors.
They'll then be sent a special ballot voting kit by mail either to their address, the Consulate General of Canada to the UAE in Dubai or The Embassy of Canada in Abu Dhabi
Registered voters mark the ballot with their choice and must send it back by 6pm Eastern time on October 21 (2am next Friday)
Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Cricket World Cup League 2
UAE squad
Rahul Chopra (captain), Aayan Afzal Khan, Ali Naseer, Aryansh Sharma, Basil Hameed, Dhruv Parashar, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Waseem, Omid Rahman, Rahul Bhatia, Tanish Suri, Vishnu Sukumaran, Vriitya Aravind
Fixtures
Friday, November 1 – Oman v UAE
Sunday, November 3 – UAE v Netherlands
Thursday, November 7 – UAE v Oman
Saturday, November 9 – Netherlands v UAE
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed
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