US calls on Hong Kong to release Tiananmen vigil activists
Al Jazeera
Tens of thousands defied a ban last year and gathered at the vigil’s traditional site as part of pro-democracy movement.
The United States has called for the release of four Hong Kong activists who were handed jail terms for taking part in a vigil for victims of Beijing’s 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown. The appeal by Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday was the latest condemnation by the US of a crackdown on protesters in Hong Kong, which has seen a growing pro-democracy movement in the face of a perceived erosion of liberties maintained by the semi-autonomous region under the “one country, two systems” framework. “The United States stands with the people of Hong Kong and rejects the sentencing of activists for attending a Tiananmen commemoration,” Blinken wrote on Twitter.
Human rights group Viasna reports 1,275 political prisoners still jailed and face harsh conditions.
The Department of Justice said Google had ‘deprived rivals’ of opportunities to expand their search engine market share.
Matt Gaetz has faced allegations of sex trafficking a 17-year-old girl, drug use, and misappropriating campaign funds.
British luxury automaker’s advertising campaign features models of varying ages, genders and races – but no cars.
After Ukraine strikes Russian territory with US missiles, what’s next?
Al Jazeera looks back at the most devastating period in Laos’s history, when the US waged a years-long ‘Secret War’ in the Southeast Asian country.
These were the key developments on the 1,001st day of the Russia-Ukraine war.
Trump allies say they will ‘liberate individuals and businesses from illicit regulations never passed by Congress’.
UN official warns millions of Haitians ‘being held hostage’ amid a surge in gang-related violence in the Haitian capital.
No respite for civilians in Gaza, Lebanon as US blocks UNSC resolution demanding a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.