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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.
Illustration: Craig Stephens
United States

Opinion | Trump’s unpredictability and a fractured US are a dangerous mix

As Trump erratically escalates trade tensions with China and the Global South, his domestic behaviour only adds to geopolitical uncertainty.

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Britain

UK court grants bail to comedian Russell Brand amid rape, assault charges

Thailand

Thai prosecutors drop royal insult charge against US academic

Malaysia

Malaysia’s anti-graft agency seeks powers to claw back billions in illicit funds

The MACC is seeking new powers to negotiate the return of large sums of money without first having to press charges.

Malaysia attorney-general Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar (second left) and his team arrives to appeal against a royal addendum for jailed former prime minister Najib Razak at the Federal Court in Putrajaya, Malaysia on Monday. Photo: EPA-EFE
Hong Kong transport

Legal Tales | Hong Kong ride-hailing regulations can draw lessons from US, UK, Singapore

New framework should deter unhealthy competition and conflict, enabling taxis and ride-hailing services to complement each other.

China economy

New law to protect China’s private enterprise can spur greater growth

Firms have been at the mercy of opaque rules that have stifled innovation and development; that is now to change with greater legal clarity.

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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.

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
Hong Kong courts

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

Lim’s third wife, Koo Sui-ying, and daughter Pearl Lam hint at further action to determine ‘true value’ of estate after recent win in 19-year legal battle.

China’s Communist Party

China mulls law on standards for national 5-year plans

Draft legislation goes before the NPC, a decade after first being mooted.

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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?

Photos: @leahmccarthy/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/BwpL5f_Ae8s/?hl=en&img_index=1 https://www.instagram.com/p/Cs9QVbcv9xb/?hl=en&img_index=3
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’.

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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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.

Malaysiakini journalist B. Nantha Kumar has returned to work. Photo: Facebook/Nantha Kumar Balachandram
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.

A document made available at the High Court revealed that Lau Kai-ping, 42, had submitted an appeal against his conviction for one count of murder. Photo: Sun Yeung
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.

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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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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Activists wearing masks protest against deepfake porn in Seoul last year. The poster reads: “Repeated deepfake sex crimes, the state is an accomplice too”. Photo: AFP
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.

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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US President Donald Trump. Photo: Abaca Press / TNS
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.

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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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.

In Hong Kong, the rule of law and judicial independence are values which are cherished by lawyers and non-lawyers alike. Photo: Sam Tsang
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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A destroyed building in Ukraine’s Sumy region on Monday after Russian missile strikes. Photo: dpa
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.

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.

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