HK activist seeks legislature seat
Hong Kong: Pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong filed candidacy papers on Monday for upcoming legislative elections in Hong Kong, where the new national security law could prevent opposition candidates from taking seats.
Wong was one of the top candidates emerging from unofficial primaries held by the pro-democracy camp as it aims to win a majority of seats in the 70-seat legislature in the September elections.
We hope to let the world to know how we choose not to surrender, how we choose not to kowtow to China, Wong told reporters. (AP)
Queen plans summer holiday
London: Queen Elizabeth II, who has been isolating during the coronavirus pandemic lockdown at Windsor Castle in south-east England, is planning to head off to her palace in Scotland for her annual summer holiday, according to a UK media report.
The 94-year-old monarch and husband, 99-year-old Prince Philip, will head to Balmoral Castle next month, with many members of the royal family joining in a socially-distanced traditional summer gathering at the Queen’s 50,000-acre estate in Aberdeenshire. The Queen is said to be determined to make it to Balmoral in early August. (AP)
Thai activists hold protests
Bangkok: Thai political activists held small protests Monday outside the prime minister’s offices and an army installation, seeking to sustain momentum from a surprisingly large anti-government demonstration on Saturday.
The weekend protest in Bangkok, which drew more than 2,000 people, represented a revival of a movement that had been gathering steam until the coronavirus pandemic hit and a state of emergency declared to deal with it made political organizing virtually impossible by mid-March.
Smaller but spirited demonstrations were held in at least two other Thai cities. (AP)