1/ Hong Kong beverage firm Vitasoy has confirmed that Leung Kin-fai - the suspect who stabbed a policeman in Causeway Bay on Thur and died after knifing himself - was their employee.
2/ In a Weibo statement on Fri, it said it "fully supported" a probe under the national security law, adding it was committed to supporting the stability, prosperity and development of Hong Kong and mainland China.
3/ It came after Chinese netizens accused the firm of "supporting a terrorist," following an internal memo that said Leung's passing was "unfortunate." Vitasoy also expressed "deepest condolences" to Leung's family and said it would assist staff who were troubled by the incident.
4/ On Friday, prior to Vitasoy's statement, Chinese actor Gong Jun announced on Weibo that he decided to terminate all collaborations with the brand.
5/ "Our company and Mr Gong Jun resolutely boycott all forms of violence, terrorist radical acts. [We] resolutely safeguard social stability and the interest of our motherland, and insist on having zero tolerance towards any violence and behaviour supporting violence,“ ir read.
6/ Another Chinese actor Ren Jialun also announced he would cut ties with the brand. Ren said he "resolutely opposed" speech and behaviour that harmed China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
7/ In a second Weibo statement, Vitasoy said the language of its initial internal memo was highly inappropriate and not approved by the firm. It said it would conduct an investigation and potentially take legal measures against the employee.
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2/ Hongkongers who travel to 30 European countries including France and Germany will need to apply for prior authorisation from the first half of next year, the EU has said.
3/ The new policy requires visitors to Europe from 59 currently visa-exempt countries or territories, including Hong Kong and Macau, to apply online for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) ahead of their trips.
1/ Exclusive: The University of Hong Kong (HKU) has not arranged an election study tour to Taiwan this year, despite running previous trips to witness the self-ruled island’s presidential and parliamentary polls.
2/ The university cited periodic “changes in destinations.” However, a source told HKFP that manpower shortage, as well as politics, were among the considerations.
Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
3/ A source at the Centre of Development and Resources for Students said they were unaware of any direct pressure, but that they felt they should be "careful in this kind of political atmosphere."
1/ Facebook group Free Food Flow, which facilitates food swaps between Hongkongers, began as a university project 10 years ago. It now has more than 60,000 members.
2/ Members donate food items - including homemade cakes, leftovers, pre-packaged snacks, takeaway food from fast food chains that people could not collect in time, even one single apple - for others to collect.
3/ Food waste accounted for 30 per cent of all municipal solid waste dumped in the city’s landfills in 2021, according to the Environmental Protection Department. That is an average of 3,437 tonnes of food waste per day.
2/ Small instant-photography stalls have long been part of the vibrant scene at Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, frequented by tourists – and sometimes locals – who want high-resolution snapshots of themselves against Hong Kong’s iconic skyline and Victoria Harbour.
3/ But the government recently stopped issuing licences to photographers offering such services outside the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, meaning all those operating there must now do so unofficially.
2/ Hong Kong's Covid-19 face mask mandate was in place for more than 2.5 years, leaving some young children with no memory of life without masks.
3/ “Masks have become a part of them. It will take time for them to get used to life without masks,” kindergarten principal Reann Lau told HKFP, “especially the younger ones.”
Chow Hang-tung, Tang Ngok-kwan and Tsui Hon-kwong appeared on Saturday at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts in front of designated national security judge, Principal Magistrate Peter Law. They now face up to six months in jail and a HK$100,000 fine. hongkongfp.com/2023/03/04/bre…
At next Sat's sentencing, the trio face up to six months in jail and a HK$100k fine.
Principal Magistrate Peter Law ruled that the notice issued by police was legal, & that only the info at the point when the police chief made his decision was relevant to the matter of legality.