The obscure Jimmy Lai ruling that exposed the erosion of Hong Kong’s rule of law

The moves that barred the media mogul’s choice of lawyer are immune from legal challenge, giving the national security committee what one expert called ‘the powers of a police state’

The dwindling freedom in Hong Kong over the past few years has been described as “death by a thousand cuts”. Critics have been jailed, elections have been transformed into “patriots only” affairs, journalists have been harassed and hundreds of thousands of people have left.

This week, an obscure legal development has, in the eyes of some legal experts, inflicted another cut on the city’s once revered legal system.

Topics

British workforce assesses US backlash against diversity rules

Companies in American-owned groups are most exposed, although UK law will make it difficult to remove all safeguards
Financial Times - Mar. 10
Democrats: Defend the rule of law, not oligarchs

Enforcing the laws on behalf of consumers, workers and small businesses isn’t just the right thing to do — it is also a powerful political signal.
The Hill - Mar. 14
Hong Kong's leader swipes at Trump

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Inside the downfall of Hong Kong trading titan Simon Sadler

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Financial Times - Mar. 14
Hong Kong property developer Lee Shau Kee dies at 97

Hong Kong property developer Lee Shau Kee, who led one of the biggest real estate empires in the former British territory, has died
ABC News - 5d
Lee Shau-Kee, Hong Kong Real Estate Tycoon, Dies at 97

Sometimes called the Warren Buffett of Hong Kong, he made his billions by initially building apartments for middle-class descendants of mainland refugees.
The New York Times - 4d
Hong Kong Adds to China’s Growing Criticism of Panama Canal Deal

The city’s chief executive said a deal between the Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison and BlackRock, a major American investment firm, requires “serious attention.”
The New York Times - 4d
Australia raises concerns with China over letters targeting Hong Kong dissident

The Australian foreign minister raised concerns with China over anonymous letters sent to Australians offering a reward for information on the whereabouts of a Hong Kong dissident.
NBC News - 3d
DOGE likely subject to open records law, judge rules

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is likely covered under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), a federal judge ruled late Monday, rejecting the Trump administration’s position that ...
The Hill - Mar. 11
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Even if the supreme court were to resist the president’s onslaught, it has little means to enforce its decisions. When the chief justice of the US supreme court , John Roberts, delivered his ...
The Guardian - Mar. 9
Chinese battery giant CATL posts annual revenue drop ahead of Hong Kong listing

The world's largest electric-vehicle battery maker has filed for a listing in Hong Kong, without disclosing the exact size and timeline.
CNBC - Mar. 14
Garcia wins in Hong Kong; Phil on 1st LIV podium

Sergio Garcia carded a 7-under 63 to capture a double victory at LIV Golf Hong Kong, winning both the individual and team titles. Phil Mickelson shot a 64 to stand on his first podium as a LIV member.
ESPN - Mar. 10
A social worker who tried to mediate during the 2019 protests in Hong Kong is convicted of rioting

A social worker who tried to mediate during the peak of Hong Kong's mass anti-government protests in 2019 has been convicted of rioting at a retrial
ABC News - Mar. 11
A Pentagon Nomination Fight Reveals the New Rules of Trump’s Washington

When Elbridge A. Colby’s nomination for an obscure but important Pentagon job drew resistance, President Trump’s most ardent backers rallied to his defense.
The New York Times - 5d
Philippine ex-President Duterte brushes off possible arrest by ICC on a trip to Hong Kong

An unannounced trip by former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to Hong Kong has set off speculations that he may be trying to evade a possible arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court ...
ABC News - Mar. 9
Mainland Chinese investors snap up a record amount of Hong Kong stocks to play AI

Mainland Chinese investors are piling into the Hong Kong stock market at record volumes as its tech-heavy Hang Seng Index trades around three-year highs.
CNBC - Mar. 11
Art Basel Hong Kong 2025

What makes the city an art world mystery? Plus: interviews with Pearl Lam, Pierre Chen and Lu Yang; and much more
Financial Times - 1d
Trump has ‘no respect for the courts or the rule of law’: Fmr. Trump WH attorney

Former Trump White House attorney Ty Cobb joins Meet the Press NOW to react to President Trump pushing back against the judicial system as courts challenge his executive orders. NBC News’ Aaron ...
NBC News - 3d
EU lays out how Apple must open its tech up to competitors under bloc's digital rules

The European Union on Wednesday outlined that steps that Apple must take to open up its iPhone and iPad operating systems to work better with competing technologies
ABC News - 3d
Hong Kong’s best views? From the water

Set sail on a ferry, junk or yacht for some of HK’s most spectacular sights
Financial Times - 4d
Hong Kong’s cargo sector faces a tariff test

City’s strategic position makes it increasingly vulnerable to escalating geopolitical tensions between US and China
Financial Times - 4d
Supreme Court Rules for Chicago Politician in Bank Fraud Case

The justices unanimously said a law prohibiting “any false statement or report” did not cover misleading assertions that fell short of outright lies.
The New York Times - 1d
Conservative former federal judge says Trump has ‘declared war’ on US rule of law

J Michael Luttig said a constitutional crisis is brewing due to Trump’s defiance of a court order over deportations. Never miss global breaking news. Download our free app to keep up with key ...
The Guardian - 3d
Inside Trump’s Crackdown on Dissent: Obscure Laws, ICE Agents and Fear

President Trump is clamping down broadly on dissent using the tools of the federal government.
The New York Times - Mar. 12
NFL rules proposal changes carry some interesting suggestions

There are interesting suggestions and proposals by teams for rules changes in the upcoming NFL season
Yahoo Sports - 3d
How would proposed NFL rule changes impact the Commanders?

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Yahoo Sports - 2d
U.S. Said to Tell Canada That It Will Enforce a Visitor Registration Law

The United States had not been enforcing the rule for Canadians who entered via land borders. That is changing amid an escalating fight between the North American neighbors.
The New York Times - Mar. 11
Watchdog investigating whether Defra breaking laws on cleaning up English rivers

Office for Environmental Protection says targets for water quality likely to be missed, and clarifying rules may help. The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) watchdog has launched an ...
The Guardian - 2d
ETFs set to be high on the menu for Hong Kong pension funds

Launch of digital retirement platform market creates opportunity, say industry experts
Financial Times - Mar. 14
China criticises Hong Kong firm’s sale of majority stake in Panama ports

Commentary urged CK Hutchison to ‘think twice’ about ‘what position and side they are on’ in sale to US investors. Business live – latest updates China has criticised the sale of the business ...
The Guardian - Mar. 14
Trump and China Clash Over Panama Canal in Test of Hong Kong’s Status

Beijing’s threat to stop a tycoon’s sale of his ports business has dealmakers wondering if they can still operate without political interference.
The New York Times - 1d
Hong Kong’s golden age of cinema charmed the world — and left an enduring legacy

Populated by hawkers, lovers and gangsters, classic films expressed the melting-pot city’s soul — and are now being celebrated anew
Financial Times - 1d
Why Hong Kong has become the art world’s enigma

Local gallerists, advisers and collectors urge a more nuanced look at a city in transition
Financial Times - 22h
DM: Milan exploring Hong Kong friendlies with Newcastle, Liverpool and more earmarked

AC Milan are looking ahead to the summer, and it extends past potential incomings, with friendly games still needing to be decided and organised.Last summer, Milan jetted off to America on their ...
Yahoo Sports - 10h
Eagles proposed an idea for NFL OT rules that could prevent games from ending in a tie

The Eagles proposed to align the regular-season overtime rules with the postseason rules, potentially eliminating ties in NFL games
Yahoo Sports - 3d
Charlotte Hennessey: “It Is Infuriating” – Why Hillsborough Law Must Be Passed in Full

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Yahoo Sports - 2d
House Rules Committee advances GOP’s stopgap ahead of shutdown deadline

The House Rules Committee voted Monday night to advance the GOP's bill to avert a government shutdown, dispatching the measure to the full chamber for consideration ahead of Friday's deadline. The ...
The Hill - Mar. 11
Uefa to discuss penalty rules after Alvarez 'miss'

Uefa says it will enter discussions with football's lawmakers over rules around penalties after Julian Alvarez's spot kick was controversially disallowed in Atletico Madrid's Champions League exit.
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 13

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Turkey’s protests over Istanbul mayor grow into ‘fight about democracy’

Anger over detention of Ekrem Imamoğlu becomes a touchstone for opposing President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. When demonstrators gathered at Istanbul’s city hall last week in outrage at the arrest of ...
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One killed and seven wounded in attack as freed hostages and families of those still held in Gaza urge end to fighting. Israel carried out a strike in Tyre, south Lebanon, on Saturday, killing one ...
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Pope Francis to be discharged from hospital and convalesce at Vatican

Officials say pontiff will come to the window of his room on Sunday to offer a greeting and blessing. Pope Francis , who is recovering from pneumonia in both lungs, will be discharged from Rome’s ...
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Trump revokes security clearances for Biden, Harris and other political enemies

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