Sebastien Lai spoke to AsiaNews about his father’s ordeal. The 78-year-old Catholic businessman, who fought for democracy in Hong Kong, has been in prison since 2020. Given his poor health as a diabetic, “the fear for his life is very real.” Too many diabetics “have died in that situation in Hong Kong prisons.” The former media owner “is in solitary confinement,” denied the right to attend Mass. US President Donald Trump said that he would speak with Chinese President Xi Jinping about his case and get him released. His mother’s meeting with Pope Leo XIV gave her strength.
Concern is growing around the world about the health of the 77-year-old businessman, a symbol of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement, who has been imprisoned for nearly 1,700 days under China’s national security law. The prosecution began its closing arguments in a trial that has dragged on since December 2023 and could end with a life sentence. The verdict, handed down by three judges specifically selected by the pro-Beijing camp, is expected in October.
The Hong Kong Observatory will invest in artificial intelligence to improve its forecasting of extreme weather events, following the positive results obtained during the recent record rainfall in August. Although the AI models did not accurately identify the areas that would be affected, they did enable timely warnings to be issued. The aim now is to also improve the forecasting of the path and intensity of tropical cyclones.
Some 21 young people aged 15 to 27 from Hong Kong’s St Patrick's Catholic Church are in Italy for the youth jubilee with Leo XIV. They also stopped off in Assisi, Milan, Florence, and Naples. For PIME missionary Fr Fabio Favata, the experience will help the group, which was recently formed, to "broaden their minds” and “discover the beauty of community”. Educational and psychological challenges await ahead. Friday's meeting with Card Chow Sau-yan is eagerly awaited.
The bishop visited a community that has grown nearly eightfold thanks to a wave of young families who arrived following the events of 2020. God is with them as they have “a fresh start.” The challenge now is to find a Cantonese-speaking pastor.
With a decree that the Legislative Council will be called upon to ratify, the authorities have decided to remove the 10-year limit on the storage of eggs and gametes from couples for assisted reproduction. The aim is to “better achieve reproductive autonomy”. But the causes of the decline in births are much deeper.
