Court to dismiss suit against Texas law to limit Chinese property rights: lawyer
The law, signed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott in June and set to take effect on September 1, restricts real estate purchases by companies, individuals and government entities linked to countries that the federal government or Texas governor designates as a threat to the US. The legislation identifies China, Iran, North Korea and Russia, but provides for the addition of other countries.
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The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
It's 'Datuk Fan Bingbing' from this Sunday
MELAKA: Chinese actress Fan Bingbing, credited with raising the historic city's profile among tourists from her home country, will receive a Datukship at this Sunday's (Aug 24) investiture ceremony in conjunction with the birthday of Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Dr Mohd Ali Rustam. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh confirmed this on Thursday (Aug 21) during the groundbreaking ceremony for SM Pay Fong's new hostel building here. He said the award was in appreciation of Fan's influence in drawing visitors to Melaka and creating unprecedented visibility for the state on the global tourism stage. 'She has helped catapult the historic city into the global tourism spotlight, and we deeply appreciate her efforts,' he said. State officials at the event told The Star that Fan would be conferred the 'Datuk Kehormat' (Honorary Datuk), which also carries the title "Datuk". She was appointed as Melaka's Tourism Friendship Ambassador in conjunction with Visit Melaka Year 2024. Since then, her involvement has driven considerable online engagement, with the state recording more than 1.5 billion impressions on China's popular WeChat platform. The figure is viewed as one of Malaysia's most significant digital tourism milestones. On the ground, Chinese tourist arrivals to Melaka rose sharply from 204,818 in 2023 to 664,687 last year. Regarding Thursday's ceremony, Ab Rauf said the SM Pay Fong hostel project was an effort by the community to ensure educational excellence. He said the RM40mil development on a 2.43ha site is expected to be completed by February. Ab Rauf said the hostel will comprise four three-storey blocks with 170 rooms, providing accommodation for more than 700 students. 'What we are witnessing today is not merely an infrastructure project, but a long-term investment in the future of Melaka's children, ensuring they have access to quality and inclusive education,' he added.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Russia fines internet users for searching extremist content online
MOSCOW: Russian authorities are implementing new legislation that fines internet users for searching online content deemed extremist by the government. This law represents a significant expansion of digital surveillance following Russia's offensive in Ukraine in 2022, which already restricted press freedom and online speech. It will slap fines on internet users who search for web pages, books, artwork or music albums that the authorities deem 'extremist'. The term has a very broad definition and in Russia can refer to terrorist groups and political opponents alike. Browsing information on the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny or on the 'international LGBTQ movement', both classified as 'extremist', could lead to fines of up to 5,000 rubles ($63). Russian teenager Artyom, who spends half his life online, believes this legislation will force him to change his browsing habits and avoid sites from unfriendly countries. Another Moscow resident Sergei expressed fear that yesterday's legal research could become tomorrow's criminal offense under the new regulations. The legislation has drawn rare opposition from approximately 60 lower house State Duma lawmakers, including some Kremlin supporters. A Moscow history professor noted that even young pro-government figures oppose this censorship, speaking anonymously to avoid repercussions. A computer security expert warned that searching on the Internet is now simply dangerous, adding that the government wants to make everyone afraid. According to the expert, Russia is inching closer to Chinese levels of surveillance and control. Prominent rights activist Svetlana Gannushkina stated that the Kremlin's goal was to sow fear and stifle any will of resistance through these measures. The law also bans advertising for virtual private networks (VPNs), widely used in Russia to access blocked Western sites and circumvent censorship. Separate legislation taking effect in September will allow an entire online community to be branded extremist if one member has been classified as such. Natalia, a school administrator, criticised the law as stupid for holding entire groups responsible for individual members' activities. The digital security expert noted that nationwide internet censorship will be difficult to implement effectively in practice. According to him, the law would primarily target individuals who had already been targeted by the authorities for their political views. We know well that the severity of Russian laws is often mitigated by the possibility of their non-enforcement, the expert concluded. – AFP
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
China's Xi promotes ethnic unity and development in rare Tibet visit
LHASA: President Xi Jinping called for ethnic unity and religious harmony during his first visit to Tibet since 2021, attending ceremonies marking the region's 60th anniversary as an autonomous area. The Chinese leader emphasised that safeguarding political and social stability remains fundamental to governing and developing Tibet. 'To govern, stabilise and develop Tibet, we must first safeguard political stability, social stability, ethnic unity and religious harmony,' Xi told regional officials according to state broadcaster CCTV. Thursday's grand ceremony occurred before the Potala Palace, the historic residence of Dalai Lamas, with 20,000 participants including military personnel and Tibetan community members in traditional dress. Wang Huning, China's fourth-ranked leader, reinforced the message by calling for 'deepening the anti-secession struggle and ensuring the consolidation and security of the border areas'. The event featured Tibetan dancers, slogan-bearing floats, and military formations celebrating the region's progress under Chinese administration. Xi's visit precedes potential tensions regarding the succession of the 90-year-old Dalai Lama, who lives in exile in India and recently stated his spiritual institution would continue after his death. China insists the next Dalai Lama must receive government approval in Beijing, potentially creating competing leadership claims within Tibetan Buddhism. Xi advocated for 'guiding Tibetan Buddhism to adapt to socialist society in accordance with the systematic Sinicisation of religion' without mentioning the Dalai Lama in official coverage. The president also promoted completing the massive Yarlung Tsangpo dam project, a 1.2 trillion yuan ($167 billion) hydropower initiative that began construction in July. This project, potentially the world's largest dam, has raised concerns from downstream nations India and Bangladesh, with India confirming it discussed the matter during recent talks with Chinese officials. Border discussions between India and China also addressed advancing negotiations on their disputed Himalayan boundary, site of deadly clashes in 2020. – AFP
