Claim on delayed flight

Beijing has declared that only "patriots" should rule Hong Kong - and unveiled plans to change the city's electoral system to ensure just that. Candidates for election to the Legislative Council - Hong Kong 's parliament - will be vetted, according to the proposed changes. And elections scheduled for 2020, already postponed for a year, will be pushed back to 2022. "The rioting and turbulence that occurred in the Hong Kong society reveals that the existing electoral system in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has clear loopholes and deficiencies," said Wang Chen, vice chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, according to state media. The NPC, China 's annual parliament, is meeting in Beijing this week. The changes to Hong Kong's electoral system are only a proposal but will almost certainly be approved given the rubber stamp nature of the NPC. "Loopholes" is one of Beijing's favourite terms for describing aspects of … [Read more...] about Beijing declares only ‘patriots’ should rule Hong Kong as elections delayed again

The women's activist Maria Makrami has been forced into hiding, seeking refuge in a safe house. She is the director of the Afghan Women Network (AWN), a nongovernmental organization that has fought for years to empower women and ensure their equal place in Afghan society. "I know I'm on the death list," she said in an interview with DW. The well-connected activist has received several threatening emails and messages in recent months. "Our situation is frightening. Many women in our networks no longer leave their homes and are completely demoralized. After what happened yesterday in Jalalabad, I’m also completely devastated." On March 2, three women were murdered : Mursal Wahidi, Sadia Sadat and Shahnaz Roafi. They worked as announcers for Enikass, a private television station in the city of Jalalabad. On Tuesday, while walking home in broad daylight they were attacked by two armed men and shot dead in the street. Jalalabad, with a population of about 240,000, is the capital of … [Read more...] about Afghan women journalists and human rights activists are being forced into hiding

Singer Ian Brown has pulled out of a music festival claiming the event was demanding COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of entry. The ex-Stone Roses star, who has previously spoken out against coronavirus vaccines , lockdowns and face masks, had been due to headline the Neighbourhood Weekender festival in Warrington in September. He tweeted: "My Saturday night headline show at NHBD Weekender Festival will now not happen! I refuse to accept vaccination proof as condition of entry. Refunds are available! X." My Saturday night headline show at NHBD Weekender Festival will now not happen! I refuse to accept vaccination proof as condition of entry.Refunds are available! X — Ian Brown (@ianbrown) March 3, 2021 While festival organisers have not confirmed that such proof will be needed, they have said they "will comply with the conditions outlined by the government through the local authority". Promoters also said: "No decisions will be taken by government until … [Read more...] about Ian Brown: Ex-Stone Roses star pulls out of Neighbourhood Weekender festival in COVID-19 vaccination row