Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Monday, February 8, 2026, in Hong Kong, marking the longest punishment given so far under a China-imposed national security law. Lai, a staunch critic of Beijing, was convicted in December of conspiring with others to collude with foreign forces to endanger national security, and conspiracy to publish seditious articles. The sentence has further silenced dissent in the city.
According to the Associated Press, Lai, 78, was a pro-democracy figure. The maximum penalty for his conviction was not specified. The sentencing comes as concerns about the erosion of freedoms in Hong Kong continue to grow.
In other news, Portugal's presidential runoff election saw center-left Socialist candidate António José Seguro triumph over far-right populist André Ventura. Seguro secured a five-year term with 66.7% of the vote, compared to Ventura's 33.3%, according to official results. The election took place on Sunday, February 8, 2026, in Lisbon.
Meanwhile, in the realm of healthcare, Asia faces significant challenges, including aging populations, rising disease, and strained infrastructure. While the Asia-Pacific region accounts for 60% of the world's population, it represents only 22% of global healthcare spending, according to Fortune. Most developing Asian countries spend just 2-3% of their GDP on health, with public funding often less than $150 per person annually, compared to over $4,000 per person in OECD countries. Government procurement bottlenecks further exacerbate the situation, delaying nearly 40% of major health projects.
In a separate development, a man was kept alive for 48 hours using an external, artificial-lung system until a transplant became available, according to Nature News. This highlights advancements in medical technology.
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