Helen Davidson
@heldavidson.bsky.social
Foreign corro previously for the Guardian in Taiwan. Via Guardian Australia covering immigration and the Pacific and three wild years as the Northern Territory corro. https://www.theguardian.com/profile/helen-davidson helendavidsonreports@gmail.com
My final Taiwan byline for the Guardian with a scoop on Beijing’s latest creative pressure campaign: telling Europe they’ve misunderstood their own border laws, actually www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
China pressing European countries to bar Taiwan politicians or face crossing a ‘red line’
Exclusive: Chinese officials are using a ‘highly specific’ interpretation of EU rules to suggest Taiwanese figures should not be granted visas, officials say
theguardian.com
Forensic analysis of objective video evidence. This is how you serve readers searching for clarity.
Mike Hixenbaugh@mikehixenbaugh.com · 7mo agoThe New York Times states it plainly in display type: Videos Contradict Trump Administration Account of ICE Shooting in Minneapolis
I am gonna make it through this year if it kills Smee
When you get the reputation of being the guy with the encouraging words on New Year's Eve, it can start to come through as a little pressure -- what if the situation on the ground is worse than usual? what if people are more scared than they usually are, and with cause? what use are good vibes then?
Over 5500 camp victims added to the archive, and with them over 1500 new faces.
“What I care deeply about is building this kind of bridge for veterans to go home.” @heldavidson.bsky.social reports on a Taiwan borough chief who brings the ashes of KMT veterans back to their final resting place in the PRC.
‘Ferryman of the souls’: the man who helps Taiwan’s dead return home to China
Liu De-wen operates at a sensitive space in Taiwan’s history, as Beijing demands reunification with the island
theguardian.com
Loved reporting this story, looking at the deeper ties and complications in the history and fallout of the cross-Strait relationship
The Guardian@theguardian.com · 7mo ago‘Ferryman of the souls’: the man who helps Taiwan’s dead return home to China
One month after the deadly fire broke out at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po on Nov 26, survivors are still reeling from the psychological trauma of losing their homes and loved ones while struggling to adapt to life amidst displacement and bereavement. In full: buff.ly/PgBJu1y
HK fire: 1 month on, residents reel from trauma, pondering their future
One month after the deadly fire broke out at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po on Nov 26, survivors are still reeling from the psychological trauma of losing their homes and loved ones while struggling to adapt...
buff.ly
Australia had local council elections and friends were bemoaning that they had no idea about any of the candidates or what they did. It was a lightbulb moment - local newspapers had shut down in the last 5 years. State/national outlets aren't sending reporters to local council meetings.
Evan Simko-Bednarski@simko-bednarski.bsky.social · 8mo agoWhen I was on CNN's northeast desk, the first job at 6a every morning was to read the local papers. That guided some of what the massive CNN machine followed every day. When those papers die, CNN doesn't hire new regional reporters. What you get instead is more panel shows, more punditry.
'Since July more than 200 people have already been arrested, including for merely liking social media posts criticising the vote.' www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
‘Not for the people’: Myanmar junta prepares for elections designed to legitimise grip on power
Elections will be first since military seized power in 2021, but analysts say vote is far from a step toward democracy
theguardian.com
US drops plan to deport Chinese national who exposed Xinjiang abuses, apnews.com/article/chin...
US drops plan to deport Chinese national who exposed Xinjiang abuses, rights activists say
The Department of Homeland Security has dropped its plan to deport a Chinese national who entered the country illegally after his plight raised public concerns that the man, if deported, would be puni...
apnews.com
'Should she return to China to be nearer to her husband, but risk arrest herself? Should she stay in Thailand, a country that has... a history of complying with deportation requests from Beijing? Should she seek refuge elsewhere?' By @amyabides.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
‘Is this real?’: wife of detained pastor describes anguish as China cracks down on unofficial churches
Church leaders and members detained as government tightens controls on underground Christian gatherings
theguardian.com
Taiwan is home to four major language groups. This map shows which language is most commonly used in everyday conversations in each district, reflecting dominant use, not exclusivity.
The outcome of Honduras’ 30 November election is yet to be called. But there is a clear winner beyond the Central American nation’s borders: Taiwan. From Mat Youkee and me.
The Guardian@theguardian.com · 8mo ago‘Better off with Taiwan’: Honduras joins other Latin American countries rethinking ties with China
"Sky's analysis, based on data from internet registry APNIC, suggests that one in five Starlink users (21%) are accessing the service from countries where the company has no licence to operate – such as Sudan, Myanmar and Iraq."
Sascha Meinrath@saschameinrath.bsky.social · 8mo agoI've been working with the incredible Data & Forensics team over at Sky News for the last couple months on this analysis of Starlink's activities. Definitely eye-opening, and raises substantial questions over corporate accountability and rule of law: news.sky.com/story/elon-m...
Syrian home town of Ahmed al-Ahmed rallies around the Bondi hero, amid the rubble of civil war
Syrian home town of Ahmed al-Ahmed rallies around the Bondi hero, amid the rubble of civil war
In Nayrab, a town near the Syrian city of Idlib, the family of Ahmed al-Ahmed have been overwhelmed by the global response to his act of bravery
theguardian.com
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“I always had the knowledge that my dad was doing the right thing and not the easy thing”, says Sebastien Lai, whose father Jimmy was convicted of national security charges today. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
The rise and fall of Jimmy Lai, whose trajectory mirrored that of Hong Kong itself
The rise and fall of Jimmy Lai, whose trajectory mirrored that of Hong Kong itself
Progressing from child labourer to billionaire, Lai used his power and wealth to promote democracy, which ultimately pitted him against authorities in Beijing
theguardian.com
Police and government now addressing media outside court, following national security conviction of Jimmy Lai
Jimmy Lai verdict: Hong Kong court finds pro-democracy figure guilty of all charges – live
Jimmy Lai verdict: Hong Kong court finds pro-democracy figure guilty of all charges – live
Incarcerated activist and media owner has been on trial for more than two years on national security charges * Jimmy Lai verdict: Hong Kong judges set to rule on national security charges The three high court judges have entered the courtroom and taken their seats. The hearing is due to begin and Lai has entered the court, news reports are saying, adding that he waved to his family. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
I’m in Hong Kong for the verdict in Jimmy Lai’s national security trial. Dozens queued outside court overnight. Some passersby noted longrunning allegations that people are paid by pro-Beijing groups to reserve seats that might be taken by supporters. I tried asking but no one would speak.
“From Beijing’s point of view, there is only one measure that will determine whether Lee will keep his job: will he be able to prevent any protests and snuff out any signs of dissent? By that measure, his performance so far has been faultless.” @antd.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/world/commen...
Silenced by China, Hong Kong struggles to voice its grief over the Tai Po fire disaster | Antony Dapiran
The pain is visceral, but civil society, media and the creative community have been in retreat since the 2019 pro-democracy protests, says author Antony Dapiran
theguardian.com