Hong Kong's leader celebrated the sentencing of pro-democracy campaigner Jimmy Lai to 20 years in prison, while in Australia, police faced scrutiny after a violent crackdown on pro-Palestinian protesters. Meanwhile, Pakistan ended its boycott of a cricket match against India, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer survived a leadership challenge. These events unfolded on February 10, 2026, according to multiple news sources.
In Hong Kong, the city's leader, John Lee, celebrated the sentencing of British media tycoon Jimmy Lai, who was given a 20-year jail sentence. Lee stated that Lai had "poisoned" the city, according to Sky News. This sentencing came as China released a white paper outlining plans to further enhance a national security law, which has been used to suppress free speech and dissent in Hong Kong.
Across the globe in Australia, police were under scrutiny following a violent crackdown on pro-Palestinian protesters during Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit to Sydney. Video footage showed protesters being beaten and pepper-sprayed, prompting authorities to defend officers' actions, citing volatile conditions, as reported by Al Jazeera.
In the UK, Prime Minister Keir Starmer managed to retain his position despite calls for his resignation. A key member of his Labour Party had called for his resignation over revelations concerning a former ambassador to the US, Peter Mandelson, in the Jeffrey Epstein files. Starmer had faced mounting pressure for over a week following the release of documents related to the criminal cases against the late sex offender, according to Al Jazeera.
In the world of sports, Pakistan agreed to end its boycott of a match against India at the T20 World Cup, ending a major crisis in cricket. The India-Pakistan match is the biggest fixture at every cricket tournament, bringing in record-breaking viewing figures and revenue, according to Al Jazeera.
In other news, Israel was accused of spraying chemicals on farmland in Syria and Lebanon to destroy crops, according to Al Jazeera. Farmers in southern Syria reported that the damage was threatening their livelihoods.
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