China
Oil prices fell on Friday.
The West Texas Intermediate for October delivery lost 89 cents, or 1.4 percent, to settle at 62.68 U.S. dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude for November delivery slipped 76 cents, or 1.13 percent, to settle at 66.68 dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.
Crude futures settle lower
Crude futures settle lower
A Chinese mainland spokesperson has accused the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities of abusing judicial power to silence dissent after Taiwan regional internet influencer Chen Chih-han was indicted.
Zhu Fenglian, spokeswoman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, spoke at a press briefing on Wednesday in response to a question about the prosecution of Chen, better known as "Guan Zhang" or "gym boss."
The New Taipei district prosecutors alleged on January 8 that Chen, who runs a YouTube channel, knowingly used "inflammatory language" during a livestream despite being aware of the channel's large and diverse audience and the likelihood that his remarks would spread widely, according to media reports.
She said the case exposed political manipulation of the judicial system.
"The DPP authorities is abusing judicial means to intimidate and suppress the Taiwan people who support cross-Strait exchanges, attempting to create 'green terror' and restrict the freedom of the Taiwan public. In essence, this serves the separatist agenda and will inevitably face opposition and rejection," Zhu said.
Mainland spokesperson slams DPP authorities over prosecution of internet celebrity
