Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Monday following his conviction under a national security law imposed by Beijing, according to Al Jazeera and Sky News. The sentence concludes a legal saga of almost five years, marking one of Hong Kong's most high-profile national security cases. Lai, a pro-democracy campaigner and British citizen, was found guilty of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and publishing seditious materials in December of the previous year, as reported by Sky News.
The 78-year-old had denied all charges. His family, lawyer, supporters, and former colleagues have appealed for his release, warning that his health conditions, including heart palpitations and high blood pressure, could lead to his death in prison, Al Jazeera reported.
The sentencing comes after Lai's arrest in August 2020, following China's imposition of the national security law in response to massive anti-government protests in Hong Kong, as detailed by Sky News.
In other international news, Antonio Jose Seguro of the centre-left Socialist Party secured a landslide victory in Portugal's presidential election, winning a five-year term, according to Al Jazeera. With 95 percent of the votes counted, Seguro garnered 66 percent, beating his far-right rival, Andre Ventura, who trailed at 34 percent.
Meanwhile, in Japan, the ultra-conservative Prime Minister is set to seize more power after an exit poll suggested she secured a large majority in the lower house following a snap election, Sky News reported. Sanae Takaichi's coalition is predicted to win between 302 and 366 of the 465 seats in the chamber, well above the 233 needed for a majority, according to national broadcaster NHK.
In sports, thousands of Nepalese cricket fans turned out at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, India, to support their team in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, Al Jazeera reported. The stadium felt closer to Kathmandu than Mumbai as fans sang, danced, and cheered for their team.
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