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Latest news, analysis and opinion on the law and legal issues, including Hong Kong extradition law. Follow the latest on trials, court cases and justice.
China has passed a highly anticipated new law to promote the private sector, in a move that is aimed at boosting the morale of private companies. Photo: Xinhua
China’s private sector

China passes private sector law, addressing gripes of beleaguered businesses

The highly anticipated law aims to inject dynamism into China’s private sector amid a trade war with the United States.

Hong Kong courts

‘Late Hong Kong tycoon Lim Por-yen’s estate much larger than HK$2.9 billion’

China’s Communist Party

China mulls law on standards for national 5-year plans

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Fame and celebrity

6 celebrities currently doing time behind bars

From R&B legends and a Real Housewife to a former sitcom star – these famous folks sensationally went from riches to rags overnight … and are still paying for their crimes.

Danny Masterson, Elizabeth Holmes and R. Kelly are all serving time in prison. Photos: AP, AFP, TNS
Fame and celebrity

Meet Gigi Hadid’s BFF, Leah McCarthy – who went to her birthday with Will Arnett

Actor Will Arnett, 54, was seen arriving at model Gigi Hadid’s birthday bash with her 30-year-old influencer pal Leah McCarthy last Friday – so who is she exactly?

Singapore general election 2025

Singapore orders curb on 3 foreigners’ Facebook posts for election interference

The authorities say the posts ‘intended to promote or prejudice the electoral success or standing of a political party or candidate’.

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Legal Tales | Do we still need overseas judges in Hong Kong’s top court?

Role played by overseas non-permanent judges in connecting Hong Kong to the rest of the legal world is arguably more important than ever.

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Hong Kong has nurtured sufficient talent to fill the highest judicial offices, the chief justice has said. Photo: Robert Ng
Malaysia

Malaysian journalist in bribe scandal returns, vows to report ‘without fear’

B. Nantha Kumar has been allowed back to Malaysiakini after an internal inquiry cleared him, although he still faces a criminal trial.

Hong Kong courts

Hong Kong father who shook 3-year-old daughter to death appeals conviction

Lau Kai-ping, 42, admitted that he had shaken her a few times, but claimed he did not know his actions would harm her.

Hong Kong workers/labour rights

Hong Kong airport subcontractor charged by ICAC for allegedly exploiting workers

Subcontractor director Chan Sin-tai is accused of taking a cut from salaries of 21 workers, amounting to HK$1 million.

The ICAC headquarters building in North Point. Photo: Jelly Tse
New Zealand

New Zealand party pushes for ‘biological’ definition of men, women

The populist New Zealand First Party, which forms part of the country’s governing coalition, introduced the bill to parliament on Tuesday.

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New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters shakes hands with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington last month. Peters leads the New Zealand First party. Photo: Reuters
South Korea

‘The law didn’t protect me’: South Korea’s losing battle against AI sex crimes

Victims lament a lack of police help to resolve their cases, while sex educators call for a change in gender attitudes to tackle the scourge.

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United States

LGBTQ book controversy in Maryland schools spills over to US Supreme Court

Montgomery County parents are upset over ‘sexual’ content of books which school district say are representative of families in the area.

United States

US Supreme Court hits pause on deportations of Venezuelan migrants

Lawyers had filed urgent requests saying the men were at imminent risk of removal without the judicial review previously mandated by the court.

The US Supreme Court Building in Washington. The court early on Saturday ordered the Trump administration not to remove Venezuelans held at the Bluebonnet Detention Facility “until further order of this court”. Photo: TNS
Artificial intelligence

They sold their likenesses to AI companies. Now they regret it

Actors can make good money licensing their images to AI companies, but many are later shocked to see where their digital clones turn up.

Many actors license their likenesses to AI marketing firms, but some end up unpleasantly surprised by how their images are used. Photo: Shutterstock
Donald Trump

Supreme Court keeps hold on Trump’s restrictions on birthright citizenship

Trump said he is ‘so happy’ the Supreme Court will hear arguments in May. ‘I think the case has been so misunderstood,’ he said on Thursday.

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United States

US judge rules Google monopolised online ad markets in antitrust case

Google will now face the possibility of two different US courts ordering it to sell assets or change its business practices.

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Japan

Japan weighs new legislation to tackle illegal gambling via online casinos

High-profile scandals involving baseball stars and comedians have exposed a ‘shocking’ lack of public awareness about the law, observers say.

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A study by Japan’s National Police Agency shows online gamblers are mostly in their 20s and 30s, with about 40 per cent saying they did not know that online gambling is illegal. Photo: Shutterstock
Hong Kong Basic Law

Legal Tales | We should all speak up to defend judicial independence from any interference

It is unacceptable in any civilised society governed by the rule of law to seek to pressurise judges to reach a particular decision or to resign.

Ukraine war

Ukrainian lawmakers extend martial law until August

The extension allows Ukraine to continue mobilising troops and suspends the election cycle.

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Hong Kong courts

Hong Kong court rejects appeal by head of dissolved party over secession charge

Judges rule minimum sentences apply to all conspiracy offences under national security law even when penalty not explicitly provided.

The national security law stipulates a prison sentence of five to 10 years for a serious offence of inciting secession, but provides no express mechanism for penalising a conspiracy to commit the crime. Photo Dickson Lee
Indonesia

Indonesia’s new rule for foreign reporters raises concerns about press freedom

The introduction of police certification is yet another indication of the challenges of reporting in Indonesia, critics say.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto speaking to the local media. Photo: Reuters
Indonesia

US tourist deported from Bali after rampage at medical clinic

Footage depicts the 27-year-old man screaming and destroying property in the clinic in Badung despite attempts to stop him.

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Cambodia

Cambodia’s tougher ban on genocide denial: ‘another tool to silence dissent’?

Critics fear the move to further criminalise denial of the Khmer Rouge’s horrors will stifle opposition to Hun Sen’s dynasty.

The Philippines

Majority of Filipinos want Duterte held to account in ICC drug war case: survey

Support for Duterte’s drug war once exceeded 80 per cent, but a new poll indicates 62 per cent now want him to stand trial for it.

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Demonstrators hold placards as Filipino students and activists demand the conviction and imprisonment of former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte during a protest in Quezon City, the Philippines, last month. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong society

Editorial | Legal basketball bets in Hong Kong must come with warnings, education

Many in Hong Kong are already wagering on NBA games through bookmakers, so allowing the Jockey Club to step in offers a chance to properly regulate such activities.

The Hong Kong government has proposed the legalisation of betting on basketball. Photo: Shutterstock
Meta Platforms

Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg testifies at landmark US antitrust trial

Meta is accused by Federal Trade Commission of abusing its market power to acquire Instagram, WhatsApp before they could become competitors.

Indonesia

Indonesia’s Bali raises alarm over rise in sham marriages to evade legal curbs

Lawmakers urge action after viral social media posts alleging that foreigners are exploiting legal loopholes to acquire land and property.

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