A Hong Kong court's decision to sentence media tycoon Jimmy Lai to two decades in prison on national security grounds has sparked global condemnation and raised concerns about the future of the region and its potential impact on Taiwan. Simultaneously, a Republican congressman called for an investigation into Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show, while the U.S. mixed doubles curling team secured a spot in the Olympic gold medal game. In other news, Indonesian filmmaker Joko Anwar's horror-comedy "Ghost in the Cell" is set to premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival, and investigations are intensifying around the Trump-Epstein scandal.
The sentencing of Jimmy Lai, a pro-democracy leader, was described as a "death sentence" by his son, given Lai's age and health, according to Time. Critics view the sentence as a sign of the diminishing freedoms in Hong Kong and a potential indicator of China's intentions toward Taiwan, as Mark Clifford, president of the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation, told Time. A Human Rights Watch spokesperson echoed this sentiment, also speaking to Time.
Meanwhile, Rep. Andy Ogles (R, Tenn.) called for an inquiry into the NFL and NBCUniversal regarding Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show, citing the singer's political outspokenness, including his condemnation of Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the Grammy Awards. The show, which many fans lauded, drew criticism from former President Donald Trump, who called it "absolutely terrible."
In the world of sports, the U.S. mixed doubles curling team, featuring Korey Dropkin and Cory Thiesse, advanced to the Olympic gold medal game after a tense semifinal match against Italy. Dropkin's energetic presence has brought a new dynamic to the sport, according to Time.
On the film front, Joko Anwar's "Ghost in the Cell" is set to premiere at the Berlinale Forum, where Anwar aims to expose societal anxieties through horror-comedy. "Laughter should come with discomfort," Anwar stated, according to Variety.
Finally, multiple news sources reported that a U.S. judge blocked the deportation of a Turkish student detained for criticizing her university's stance on the Gaza war. The Trump administration is also considering actions that could escalate nuclear tensions. Additionally, former President Trump threatened to obstruct the Gordie Howe International Bridge project, and new allegations against Prince Andrew are under investigation, raising concerns about security breaches and the impact of AI-driven information, according to Time.
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