EU calls for 'immediate and unconditional' release of Jimmy Lai after his jail sentence
The European Union has demanded the "immediate and unconditional" release of pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai following his sentencing to 20 years in prison, marking the most severe penalty imposed for national security offenses in Hong Kong.
In a strongly worded statement, a spokesperson for the EU's diplomatic service expressed that the EU "deplores the heavy prison sentence" and urged his immediate release, "also in consideration of his advanced age and health condition."
"The politically motivated prosecution of Jimmy Lai and the former Apple Daily executives and journalists harms Hong Kong’s reputation.
The EU calls on the Hong Kong authorities to restore confidence in press freedom in Hong Kong, one of the pillars of its historic success as an international financial centre, and to stop prosecuting journalists."
Germany charges Ukrainian national over alleged Russian-inspired parcel bomb plot
In a separate development, German prosecutors have charged a Ukrainian national, identified only as Yevhen B., in connection with an alleged plot linked to Russian intelligence to detonate parcel bombs in Europe.
Authorities allege that Yevhen B. collaborated with Russian intelligence services and two others to send GPS-enabled tracking devices from Cologne to Ukraine to "gather information about shipping routes and transport procedures at the parcel service provider and later to send packages containing incendiary devices."
"These packages were meant to ignite in Germany or elsewhere en route to parts of Ukraine not occupied by , causing as much damage as possible to undermine the public’s sense of security," prosecutors stated.
EU leaders send congratulations to Portugal's president-elect Seguro
Several European Union leaders have extended congratulations via social media to António José Seguro following his decisive victory over his far-right opponent in Portugal's presidential election.
European Council president António Costa, who previously competed against Seguro for the Socialist Party’s prime minister candidacy in 2015, said:
"I congratulate António José Seguro on his election as President of the Portuguese Republic and wish him every success in the exercise of his mandate. Today, the Portuguese people demonstrated their commitment to democracy, reaffirming Portugal as a pillar of European humanism."
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen added:
"Congratulations, António José Seguro, on your election as President of Portugal. The Portuguese citizens have spoken and, in the face of devastation caused by the storms, demonstrated remarkable democratic resilience. Portugal’s voice for our shared European values remains strong."
Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sánchez commented:
"Congratulations, António José Seguro, the new President of Portugal! Social democracy advances with your victory."
Other national leaders, including Romania’s president Nicușor Dan and Croatia’s Andrej Plenković, also offered their congratulations.
Portugal elects socialist as president but far-right rival takes record vote share
In Portugal, moderate socialist António José Seguro secured a commanding victory in the second round of the presidential election held on Sunday, defeating far-right candidate André Ventura, whose Chega party achieved a record vote share.
The election to succeed outgoing president Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa was marked by significant political dynamics, with senior right-wing figures endorsing the centre-left candidate to prevent Ventura from assuming office.
Seguro won 66.8% of the vote compared to Ventura’s 33.2%, despite disruptions caused by severe storms in the weeks leading up to the election.
"The response the Portuguese people gave today, their commitment to freedom, democracy, and the future of our country, leaves me naturally moved and proud of our nation," Seguro said.
Ventura, who founded Chega seven years ago, stated that the election results indicated a clear message from the Portuguese electorate, asserting that Chega is now the principal right-wing party and will "soon be governing Portugal."
Earlier on election day, Ventura accused "the entire political system" of uniting against him.
Media watchdog RSF says 'outraged' by 'harsh' Lai sentence
Reporters Without Borders (RSF), a media watchdog, condemned the 20-year prison sentence imposed on Jimmy Lai, urging the United Kingdom and other nations to intervene.
"Today, the curtain falls on press freedom in . We are outraged by the harsh sentences handed down to Jimmy Lai," RSF director general Thibaut Bruttin said in a statement, as reported by AFP.
"Democracies, such as the UK and the US, must stop prioritising the normalisation of relations with China and instead exert pressure on the Chinese regime and Hong Kong authorities to ensure that Jimmy Lai and all other journalists are released from prison," he added.
Lai's son warns Hong Kong court decision amounts to 'life sentence' as 'time is running out'
Sebastien Lai, son of Jimmy Lai, spoke to following his father's sentencing, expressing his reaction to the ruling.
"It’s obviously heartbreaking, but unfortunately it’s not unexpected. Look, I think that what was unexpected was that it took five years to get to this point. The last five years, my father has spent in solitary confinement in the maximum security prison."
He cautioned that considering his father's age and health, the sentence could effectively be a "life sentence."
"Unfortunately, time is running out for my father. The clock is ticking at his age, given the conditions and he’s got heart issues. He’s lost ten kilos over the last year alone. Time is not on his side."
"In a time when we’re talking about closer relationships to China, a normalisation of relationships … despite all the national security concerns that we have, rightly so, in this country … if they can’t even put a 78 year old man who’s guilty of nothing more than giving all that he has to stand up for freedom and liberty for the people of Hong Kong on a plane and sending him back here now, especially given his deteriorating health, that tells you all you need to know about the relation that we have with China."
Ukraine faces 'one of most challenging electricity situations' during war, Lviv mayor warns
Lviv mayor Andriy Sadovyi stated this morning that Ukraine is confronting "one of the most challenging electricity situations in the past four years" as the country approaches the fourth anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion later this month.
Recent overnight Russian strikes resulted in at least three fatalities in Odesa and Kharkiv, according to local authorities.
Ukraine is seeking to expedite peace negotiations with Russia and the United States after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that the US administration has set a new deadline for a peace agreement, proposing that the conflict should end by June.
Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha expressed readiness to accelerate peace efforts and thanked the US for its leadership on the matter.
"It is up to Russia to demonstrate its willingness to advance diplomacy instead of war. So far, we can only see new strikes and disregard for peace efforts," he said.
He also reiterated his call to increase pressure on Moscow "so that it starts treating peace efforts seriously."
Elsewhere, reactions to last night’s presidential vote in Portugal and other breaking stories across Europe will be monitored.
It is Monday, 9 February 2026. Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
