Pedantic Panda
@dwelk.bsky.social
Reposted by Pedantic Panda
Rare footage from trial of Chinese general who defied Tiananmen crackdown order leaked online
Rare footage from trial of Chinese general who defied Tiananmen crackdown order leaked online
Video shows Gen Xu Qinxian explaining why he refused to deploy troops to crush 1989 student-led demonstrations
Rare footage of a People’s Liberation Army (PLA) general who defied orders to lead his troops into Tiananmen Square and crush the 1989 student protesters has been leaked online, offering a highly unusual glimpse into the upper echelons of the military at one of the most fraught moments in modern Chinese history.
General Xu Qinxian’s refusal to take his troops from the PLA’s prestigious 38th Group Army, a unit based on the outskirts of Beijing, into the capital has been the stuff of Tiananmen lore for decades. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
December 24, 2025 at 1:06 AM
Rare footage from trial of Chinese general who defied Tiananmen crackdown order leaked online
I was also struck by the complete omission of any mention of the Bill of Rights Ordinance.
It was interpreted so that it wouldn’t repeal inconsistent legislation but the principle of lex posterior derogat priori still applies so that the newer law (the BoRO) takes priority.
It was interpreted so that it wouldn’t repeal inconsistent legislation but the principle of lex posterior derogat priori still applies so that the newer law (the BoRO) takes priority.
Ex-Court of Final Appeal judge Jonathan Sumption:
• Hong Kong's rule of law applies in principle, but does not apply on issues which Beijing has a political agenda
• Those who criticize China/GovHK or organize to press for more democracy are liable to go to jail
www.newstatesman.com/internationa...
• Hong Kong's rule of law applies in principle, but does not apply on issues which Beijing has a political agenda
• Those who criticize China/GovHK or organize to press for more democracy are liable to go to jail
www.newstatesman.com/internationa...
The West has abandoned Hong Kong to totalitarianism
With the conviction of Jimmy Lai, can Britain offer the city anything more than moral lectures and second passports?
www.newstatesman.com
December 22, 2025 at 9:37 AM
I was also struck by the complete omission of any mention of the Bill of Rights Ordinance.
It was interpreted so that it wouldn’t repeal inconsistent legislation but the principle of lex posterior derogat priori still applies so that the newer law (the BoRO) takes priority.
It was interpreted so that it wouldn’t repeal inconsistent legislation but the principle of lex posterior derogat priori still applies so that the newer law (the BoRO) takes priority.
But some Hongkongers are angry about the focus that has been put on bamboo as a potential accelerant of the fire. On Thursday afternoon, much of the bamboo scaffolding remained standing, with the green mesh between the poles having been incinerated.
Anger swelling in Hong Kong over deadliest fire in more than 70 years
Some think leader John Lee’s focus on blaming bamboo scaffolding deflects from actual cause
www.theguardian.com
November 29, 2025 at 9:48 AM
But some Hongkongers are angry about the focus that has been put on bamboo as a potential accelerant of the fire. On Thursday afternoon, much of the bamboo scaffolding remained standing, with the green mesh between the poles having been incinerated.
Reposted by Pedantic Panda
I drew North London
November 23, 2025 at 6:23 PM
I drew North London
Grave concern over the disciplinary proceedings and subsequent disbarment of Hong Kong solicitor Kevin Yam.
Disbarment and reprisals against Hong Kong lawyer Kevin Yam amid a broader pattern of intimidation of lawyers defending the rule of law - Lawyers for Lawyers
Lawyers for Lawyers, the Law Society of England and Wales, the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute, the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe, Asian Lawyers Network, Lawyers’ ...
www.lawyersforlawyers.org
September 4, 2025 at 6:25 AM
Grave concern over the disciplinary proceedings and subsequent disbarment of Hong Kong solicitor Kevin Yam.
Reposted by Pedantic Panda
6 years old, more relevant than when it was made:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptfm...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptfm...
Patrick Stewart sketch: what has the ECHR ever done for us?
YouTube video by The Guardian
www.youtube.com
August 27, 2025 at 10:48 PM
6 years old, more relevant than when it was made:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptfm...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptfm...
The Law Council of Australia’s statement on Kevin Yam being struck off from the roll of solicitors in Hong Kong
Law Council concern regarding disbarment of Hong Kong solicitor Kevin Yam - Law Council of Australia
Law Council concern regarding disbarment of Hong Kong solicitor Kevin Yam
lawcouncil.au
August 23, 2025 at 2:43 PM
The Law Council of Australia’s statement on Kevin Yam being struck off from the roll of solicitors in Hong Kong
Reposted by Pedantic Panda
Seriously
Britain and Europe need to get serious about air conditioning
In a rapidly warming world, a former extravagance is becoming a necessity
on.ft.com
July 11, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Seriously
Reposted by Pedantic Panda
Maybe the tweeting didn’t help?
NEW: ABC, Associated Press & the Washington Post are all confirming tonight’s CNN story.
The official damage assessment shows that US strikes did not destroy Iran’s nuclear program. It likely only set it back a few months.
And Iran’s enriched uranium is now missing.
Trump lies as he breathes.
The official damage assessment shows that US strikes did not destroy Iran’s nuclear program. It likely only set it back a few months.
And Iran’s enriched uranium is now missing.
Trump lies as he breathes.
June 24, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Maybe the tweeting didn’t help?
Reposted by Pedantic Panda
Congratulations to David Webb, now David Webb MBE, on his Order of the British Empire award, for services to Raising Standards of Corporate Economic Governance, particularly in Hong Kong.
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
buff.ly/2s1ndWd
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
buff.ly/2s1ndWd
June 14, 2025 at 5:26 AM
Congratulations to David Webb, now David Webb MBE, on his Order of the British Empire award, for services to Raising Standards of Corporate Economic Governance, particularly in Hong Kong.
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
buff.ly/2s1ndWd
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
buff.ly/2s1ndWd
The Streisand effect
Hong Kong authorities have said people who download or share the game Reversed Front: Bonfire could be prosecuted under national security laws.
Hong Kong warns people over mobile game 'advocating armed revolution'
Hong Kong authorities have said people who download or share the game Reversed Front: Bonfire could be prosecuted under national security laws.
l.euronews.com
June 12, 2025 at 12:19 AM
The Streisand effect
Makes me want to consider admission in my old hometown
Law Society deeply concerned by correspondence to one of its Members
The Law Society is deeply concerned by the content of correspondence circulating in respect of one of its members, Mr Ted Hui.
www.lawsocietysa.asn.au
June 3, 2025 at 3:56 AM
Makes me want to consider admission in my old hometown
Reposted by Pedantic Panda
The Law Society of South Australia has spoken out against attempts to intimidate lawyer Ted Hui, which coincides with Hong Kong’s ruthless authoritarian turn in recent years. I’m not holding my breath for the Law Society of Hong Kong to speak out in my defence.
June 3, 2025 at 12:48 AM
The Law Society of South Australia has spoken out against attempts to intimidate lawyer Ted Hui, which coincides with Hong Kong’s ruthless authoritarian turn in recent years. I’m not holding my breath for the Law Society of Hong Kong to speak out in my defence.
Reposted by Pedantic Panda
harrowing.
"One third of my friends and students are now in exile, another third of my friends and students are in jail, and I'm sort of… in limbo,"
www.bbc.com/news/article...
"One third of my friends and students are now in exile, another third of my friends and students are in jail, and I'm sort of… in limbo,"
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Hong Kong security law informers: 'We're in every corner, watching’
Ex-banker Innes Tang has established a hotline for reporting behaviours deemed disloyal to Beijing.
www.bbc.com
May 9, 2025 at 8:42 AM
harrowing.
"One third of my friends and students are now in exile, another third of my friends and students are in jail, and I'm sort of… in limbo,"
www.bbc.com/news/article...
"One third of my friends and students are now in exile, another third of my friends and students are in jail, and I'm sort of… in limbo,"
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Pedantic Panda
“Strong governments listen to the public and their MPs who are telling them they are making grave mistakes...Strong governments admit mistakes and change”
Labour MP Emma Lewel
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Labour MP Emma Lewel
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
'Labour doesn't need to be welded to plan for change - we need a change of plan'
Labour MP Emma Lewell writes: "Strong governments listen to the public and their MPs who are telling them they are making grave mistakes...Strong governments admit mistakes and change."
www.mirror.co.uk
May 4, 2025 at 3:47 PM
“Strong governments listen to the public and their MPs who are telling them they are making grave mistakes...Strong governments admit mistakes and change”
Labour MP Emma Lewel
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Labour MP Emma Lewel
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Reposted by Pedantic Panda
"Thank you, Donald Trump. Australians are much better at defining who they are by identifying what they are not, rather than by making lofty statements. And they have now said unequivocally that they are not angry little Americans, cultural warriors or self-interested libertarians."
Australians have soundly rejected Trump-style culture wars. Now Albanese must act with courage and vision | Julianne Schultz
We can no longer rely on the rest of the world to provide the lead – the future is ours to make
www.theguardian.com
May 4, 2025 at 11:03 AM
"Thank you, Donald Trump. Australians are much better at defining who they are by identifying what they are not, rather than by making lofty statements. And they have now said unequivocally that they are not angry little Americans, cultural warriors or self-interested libertarians."
Reposted by Pedantic Panda
Labour have a very easy option, rejoin the EU, get £42bn a year to spend, add £250bn a year to the economy.
Lose ZERO voters, gain millions.
It would win them the next election by itself.
Why won't they do it?
Lose ZERO voters, gain millions.
It would win them the next election by itself.
Why won't they do it?
May 2, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Labour have a very easy option, rejoin the EU, get £42bn a year to spend, add £250bn a year to the economy.
Lose ZERO voters, gain millions.
It would win them the next election by itself.
Why won't they do it?
Lose ZERO voters, gain millions.
It would win them the next election by itself.
Why won't they do it?
Reposted by Pedantic Panda
Australian justice Robert French resigned from Hong Kong’s top court on Friday, saying the role of overseas non-permanent judges at the Court of Final Appeal has become “increasingly anachronistic and arguably cosmetic." In full: hongkongfp.com/2025/04/11/a...
April 16, 2025 at 4:23 AM
Australian justice Robert French resigned from Hong Kong’s top court on Friday, saying the role of overseas non-permanent judges at the Court of Final Appeal has become “increasingly anachronistic and arguably cosmetic." In full: hongkongfp.com/2025/04/11/a...
Reposted by Pedantic Panda
Harvard redid its whole homepage to push back against the administration’s demands. I mean, this is just a website but I think it’s kind of a great PR move: www.harvard.edu
Harvard University
Harvard University is devoted to excellence in teaching, learning, and research, and to developing leaders who make a difference globally.
www.harvard.edu
April 14, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Harvard redid its whole homepage to push back against the administration’s demands. I mean, this is just a website but I think it’s kind of a great PR move: www.harvard.edu
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Dentons correctly identified Client A as high risk, but then “relied on internet searches and Mr Chateau’s knowledge of Client A’s employment”, and “mistakenly believed” that prior to the merger he had already asked Client A about the source of his wealth
SRA wins appeal to prosecute Dentons again
Over very dodgy client
www.rollonfriday.com
March 14, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Dentons correctly identified Client A as high risk, but then “relied on internet searches and Mr Chateau’s knowledge of Client A’s employment”, and “mistakenly believed” that prior to the merger he had already asked Client A about the source of his wealth
Reposted by Pedantic Panda
Operator of OKX crypto exchange enters guilty plea, to pay more than $504 million, US says reut.rs/3Xfz5DZ
February 24, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Operator of OKX crypto exchange enters guilty plea, to pay more than $504 million, US says reut.rs/3Xfz5DZ
“The president’s surrender is pathetic and weak.” This is the right language to use. Trump may be the greatest showman, but he is the weakest strongman the world has ever seen.
Trump is the world’s greatest showman – and the weakest strongman it has ever seen | Jonathan Freedland
His capitulation to Putin over Ukraine reveals a pattern. He’s the patsy: giving everything away, getting little in return, says Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland
www.theguardian.com
February 22, 2025 at 9:59 AM
“The president’s surrender is pathetic and weak.” This is the right language to use. Trump may be the greatest showman, but he is the weakest strongman the world has ever seen.
