Pro-democracy advocate Jimmy Lai sentenced in Hong Kong

In another apparent blow to the democracy movement in Hong Kong, media tycoon Jimmy Lai, 73, was sentenced Friday to up to 18 months in prison. [Forward to a friend]( | [Subscribe]( | [View in your browser]( [Top of The World]( --------------------------------------------------------------- In the news today Pro-democracy advocate Jimmy Lai sentenced in Hong Kong [Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai, center, is arrested by police officers at his home in Hong Kong, Aug. 10, 2020.] Credit: AP/File photo In another apparent blow to the democracy movement in Hong Kong, media tycoon Jimmy Lai, 73, [was sentenced Friday]( to 14 months in prison. The pro-democracy advocate was sentenced alongside other leading activists for their role in organizing and participating in a 2019 anti-government protest. At the same time in Hong Kong, former lawmaker Martin Lee, 82, and three others had their sentences suspended — age and other factors were taken into consideration. The imprisonment of Lai, who founded Apple Daily newspaper, which is known for regular anti-Communist Party coverage, is another example of Beijing’s [ongoing crackdown]( on Hong Kong — once a bastion of free speech. In one of his last interviews as a free man, Lai remained an [outspoken critic of Beijing](. What The World is following Raúl Castro is [set to step down from his post]( as the secretary-general of his party's eighth Congress, which begins on Friday. Raúl Castro, the brother of former longtime party leader Fidel Castro, who died six years ago, said he would hand over the reins to Miguel Díaz-Canel, who took over as president in 2018. If he stands by what he said three years ago, Raúl Castro [would complete a transition of power]( that put the Castro brothers in charge since the 1959 revolution. And, in his first face-to-face meeting with a foreign leader, US President Joe Biden will [hold talks with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga]( on Friday. The meeting with Shuga is meant to demonstrate a strong US alliance with Japan. Meanwhile, [concerns about China’s]( strident military expansion in the Asia-Pacific region and economic weight continue to grow. Many around the world [will be watching the two leaders]( for statements about the sensitive territorial issue of Taiwan. --------------------------------------------------------------- From The World [Australians stranded amid the pandemic take their case to the UN]( [Stranded Australian citizens arrive to catch a bus to take a rescue flight from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal, April 1, 2020.]( Credit: Niranjan Shrestha/AP For a year, tens of thousands of Australian citizens were left stranded outside their country during the pandemic due to strict border closures and flight caps. Many have been trying to raise awareness about their situation — with little impact. A[group of them went to the United Nations for help](, arguing that Australia has failed to uphold their human rights. The [UN says that Australia needs to act immediately]( to get those stuck abroad back home. [Istanbul’s mega-canal poses threats to surrounding villages, wildlife]( [Tahir Babacan's cows graze near the waters of the Sazlibosna river, which was widened in the 1990s by a downstream dam. For older residents of the town, Kanal Istanbul is the second time they have faced a looming eminent-domain project.]( Credit: Durrie Bouscaren/The World Turkey is planning a billion-dollar canal project along the Bosphorus, [but environmentalists and local villagers say]( it could threaten the way of life there. --------------------------------------------------------------- Bright spot You may have heard rumors that there is a global shortage of boba, the main ingredient for bubble tea. But, put your worries to rest, the suppliers of those chewy tapioca pearls — imported mostly from Taiwan — [are just dealing with shipping backups at West Coast ports](, like many other household items (🎧). Patience, friends. Maybe try some meditation to calm that anxiety 🙏 [A screen grab of a tweet from USA Today]( Credit: Courtesy of Twitter --------------------------------------------------------------- In case you missed it from The World --------------------------------------------------------------- Don't forget to subscribe to The World's Latest Edition podcast using your favorite podcast player: [RadioPublic](, [Apple Podcasts](, [Stitcher](, [Soundcloud](, [RSS]( [The World logo]( [The World on Facebook]( [The World's Twitter account]( [Donate]( | [Forward to a friend]( | [Subscribe]( | [Edit your subscription]( | [Unsubscribe]( | [View in your browser]( Top of the World is written weekday mornings by the team at [The World](. [The World]( is produced by [PRX]( and [GBH](.