Twenty years for Jimmy Lai: the outcome of Hong Kong’s sham trial
A death sentence, the end of the legal system in Hong Kong, and the final nail in the coffin for freedom in the former British colony. A lesson for Taiwan. These are the initial reactions to the sentence handed down to Jimmy Lai, a Catholic entrepreneur and publisher who has become a symbol of the struggle for democracy. The sentence was read out in an emotional and packed courtroom attended by his wife, Teresa, and Cardinal Zen.
- EXCLUSIVE: The testimony of a former journalist of Apple Daily
- DOSSIER: Jimmy Lai, a Roman Catholic against the Power
Left-wing billionaires fund the anti-ICE and anti-Trump protests
The highly organised demonstrations against ICE in Minnesota, against Trump and in favour of Palestine are funded by huge sums of money from billionaire philanthropists and contacts in China. Nothing is spontaneous.
‘This is how Brussels is trying to influence the elections in Hungary’
Gergely Szilvay, writer and political analyst for the conservative newspaper Mandiner, analyses the upcoming Hungarian election on 12 April. The choice is not just between Orbán and his rival Magyar, but between two systems: a Europe of nations or an ever-closer Union, which Orbán's Hungary has so far tried to resist.
From France, a European initiative to stop the Muslim Brotherhood
The National Assembly has committed the French government to asking the EU to include the 'Brotherhood' in its list of terrorist organisations. This is an unprecedented parliamentary initiative, which, if implemented, would also mark a turning point for other European countries.
Undemocratic and corrupt Africa does not deserve aid
One cannot expect investments in corrupt countries where democracy has been replaced by plebiscitary dictatorships and coups have become commonplace. As many as 15 states are 'flawed democracies' (failed states), and almost all of the rest are dictatorships.
Musk’s troubles over Grok’s deep fake porn foreseen by Vatican
AI's sleep produces technological monsters. This is evidenced by the scandal surrounding Grok, the X chatbot that generated over 6,700 sexualised images per hour. Musk's embarrassed defence, the silence of US feminists, and Pope Leo's 'prophecy'.
Lebanon divided over DJ-priest
The Lebanese tired of crises and threats, and are now divided over Father Guilherme's show. Already a star of World Youth Day in Lisbon, the priest believes that he can connect with young people through techno music. Notably, he attracts more followers at the DJ booth than at the altar.
Islamised British universities alarm Abu Dhabi
Forget Islamophobia; it is the United Arab Emirates that is warning London about the advance of the Muslim Brotherhood. The UAE no longer trusts British universities, which have become fertile ground for radicalisation, to educate its children.
New York will survive even the Islamo-socialist mayor Mamdani
Mamdani inaugurates his term as mayor of New York by swearing on two copies of the Koran. His Muslim faith is mixed with a strong socialist ideology. But the “Big Apple” has always survived even the worst administrations.
US attack on Venezuela: the illusion that force solves problems
Trump has launched a blitzkrieg on Venezuela to arrest President Maduro and put him on trial in New York today. While there is no sympathy for a criminal dictator, the fundamental question to ask is whether the end justifies the means. The answer is no.
Iran, students join the merchant's rebellion
The bazaar revolt in Iran spreads and involves students. Among the main causes: the collapse of the rial (the Iranian currency) and the continuing executions, both consequences of the war lost with Israel in June.
The EU has bet 90 billion on Russia's defeat
The EU has frozen Russian financial assets in Europe indefinitely. Although this is a less drastic measure than the proposed seizure, it is still dangerous because we will only get that money back if Russia is defeated, which is not currently likely.