Hong Kong police arrested dozens of demonstrators in a further escalation of the street protests that have shaken the city’s government and residents.
Police brought out water cannon for the first time when hardline protesters took over the main street in the Tsuen Wan district on Sunday. Officers then pulled their guns after a group chased them with sticks and rods, calling them “gangsters”.
The authorities said that one officer fell to the ground and six others drew their pistols after they were surrounded, with one firing a warning shot.
The firing of a live round provoked an angry response from social media users, who mocked a Hong Kong police spokesman who had praised the officers’ “valiant and restrained” actions.
Police defended the warning shot, with Assistant Police Commissioner Mak Chin-ho saying that the officers’ use of force “was indeed necessary and reasonable”.
Mr Mak called the actions of the hardline protesters reckless and a grave threat to public safety. He said 21 officers were injured on Sunday.
“The police have zero tolerance for violent acts,” Mr Mak said. He asked citizens to ask themselves: “Is this the Hong Kong you would like to see?”
Sunday’s procession was made up of mostly black-clad protesters carrying colourful umbrellas who shouted slogans as they moved swiftly towards Tsuen Wan district.
They chanted: “Fight for freedom, stand with Hong Kong,” the South China Morning Post newspaper reported.
Police said they arrested 36 people, including a minor aged 12, for offences such as unlawful assembly, possession of an offensive weapon and assaulting police officers.
Some protesters said they were resorting to violence because the government had not responded to their peaceful demonstrations.
Pro-government MPs condemned the protesters, but pro-democracy members of Hong Kong’s Legislative Council said that the authorities and the police needed to take responsibility.
Demonstrators said they remained as determined as ever in their fight for political rights.
The Hong Kong protest movement is demanding that the city’s leader, Carrie Lam – chosen by a pro-Beijing committee – step down, although that demand has since evolved into a broader call for fully democratic elections.
Demonstrators have also asked for the complete withdrawal of the now-suspended bill that would allow extraditions to China, an independent body to investigate police violence and political reform that would allow for the free election of Hong Kong’s leader and legislature.
A large group of protesters also clashed with police on Saturday after a march in the Kowloon Bay neighbourhood, building barricades and setting fires in the streets.
Police said they arrested 29 people, ranging in age from 17 to 52, for various offences, including unlawful assembly.
With almost-daily protests planned throughout the week and another major rally expected on Saturday, the turmoil shows no sign of abating.
Before Hong Kong became a Chinese territory, it was under British rule for 150 years. When Hong Kong was handed back to China in 1997, Beijing promised that the territory could retain its own laws for 50 years under the “one country, two systems” framework.
Activists are planning a citywide strike and boycotts of classes at universities and schools in the coming weeks.
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Abu Dhabi traffic facts
Drivers in Abu Dhabi spend 10 per cent longer in congested conditions than they would on a free-flowing road
The highest volume of traffic on the roads is found between 7am and 8am on a Sunday.
Travelling before 7am on a Sunday could save up to four hours per year on a 30-minute commute.
The day was the least congestion in Abu Dhabi in 2019 was Tuesday, August 13.
The highest levels of traffic were found on Sunday, November 10.
Drivers in Abu Dhabi lost 41 hours spent in traffic jams in rush hour during 2019
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Changing visa rules
For decades the UAE has granted two and three year visas to foreign workers, tied to their current employer. Now that's changing.
Last year, the UAE cabinet also approved providing 10-year visas to foreigners with investments in the UAE of at least Dh10 million, if non-real estate assets account for at least 60 per cent of the total. Investors can bring their spouses and children into the country.
It also approved five-year residency to owners of UAE real estate worth at least 5 million dirhams.
The government also said that leading academics, medical doctors, scientists, engineers and star students would be eligible for similar long-term visas, without the need for financial investments in the country.
The first batch - 20 finalists for the Mohammed bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Distinction.- were awarded in January and more are expected to follow.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
The five pillars of Islam
What are NFTs?
Are non-fungible tokens a currency, asset, or a licensing instrument? Arnab Das, global market strategist EMEA at Invesco, says they are mix of all of three.
You can buy, hold and use NFTs just like US dollars and Bitcoins. “They can appreciate in value and even produce cash flows.”
However, while money is fungible, NFTs are not. “One Bitcoin, dollar, euro or dirham is largely indistinguishable from the next. Nothing ties a dollar bill to a particular owner, for example. Nor does it tie you to to any goods, services or assets you bought with that currency. In contrast, NFTs confer specific ownership,” Mr Das says.
This makes NFTs closer to a piece of intellectual property such as a work of art or licence, as you can claim royalties or profit by exchanging it at a higher value later, Mr Das says. “They could provide a sustainable income stream.”
This income will depend on future demand and use, which makes NFTs difficult to value. “However, there is a credible use case for many forms of intellectual property, notably art, songs, videos,” Mr Das says.
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Ten10 Cricket League
Venue and schedule Sharjah Cricket Stadium, December 14 to 17
Teams
Maratha Arabians Leading player: Virender Sehwag; Top picks: Mohammed Amir, Imad Wasim; UAE players: Shaiman Anwar, Zahoor Khan
Bengal Lions Leading player: Sarfraz Ahmed; Top picks: Sunil Narine, Mustafizur Rahman; UAE players: Mohammed Naveed, Rameez Shahzad
Kerala Kings Leading player: Eoin Morgan; Top picks: Kieron Pollard, Sohail Tanvir; UAE players: Rohan Mustafa, Imran Haider
Pakhtoons Leading player: Shahid Afridi; Top picks: Fakhar Zaman, Tamim Iqbal; UAE players: Amjad Javed, Saqlain Haider
Punjabi Legends Leading player: Shoaib Malik; Top picks: Hasan Ali, Chris Jordan; UAE players: Ghulam Shabber, Shareef Asadullah
Team Sri Lanka Cricket Will be made up of Colombo players who won island’s domestic limited-overs competition
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Schedule for Asia Cup
Sept 15: Bangladesh v Sri Lanka (Dubai)
Sept 16: Pakistan v Qualifier (Dubai)
Sept 17: Sri Lanka v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 18: India v Qualifier (Dubai)
Sept 19: India v Pakistan (Dubai)
Sept 20: Bangladesh v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi) Super Four
Sept 21: Group A Winner v Group B Runner-up (Dubai)
Sept 21: Group B Winner v Group A Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 23: Group A Winner v Group A Runner-up (Dubai)
Sept 23: Group B Winner v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 25: Group A Winner v Group B Winner (Dubai)
Sept 26: Group A Runner-up v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 28: Final (Dubai)
