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Hong Kong university dismantles Tiananmen statue, sparks outcry

13 Sept 12:44 Key points summarised by AI

Hong Kong's oldest university dismantled the 'Pillar of Shame' statue, a memorial for the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, in a night-time operation.
The removal marks a significant step in Beijing's campaign to suppress dissent and erase the memory of the Tiananmen events in Hong Kong, which once enjoyed greater freedoms.
Democracy activists and the Danish artist behind the sculpture condemned the act, calling it 'despicable' and an attempt to rewrite history.
University officials cited unspecified legal risks and lack of approval for the statue's 24-year presence, reflecting the city's diminishing civil liberties under China's authoritarian influence.

Yesterday 12:56 Key points summarised by AI

President Macron condemned widespread rioting and looting during nationwide protests, blaming far-left activists and criminals for the "unrestrained violence" and vowing accountability for those who "sought to bring down the Republic."
Over 2,400 arrests were made as protests against rising living costs and poor school conditions escalated, causing extensive damage to public buildings and businesses in cities like Paris, Limoges (where City Hall burned), Marseille, and Lyon.
The unrest, which organizers hoped would revive the "yellow vest" movement, saw political leaders trade blame, with Macron instructing prefects to protect public buildings and potentially ban future protests to prevent further disorder.