DotDotWeekly | Jimmy Lai transferred large sums of money to US officials, court was told

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News of the Week

HK research team unveils novel disease mechanisms of ALS

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) announced on Monday that its research team, collaborating with the University of Oxford, recently uncovered a novel molecular mechanism that leads to the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Researchers said the underlying disease mechanisms will not only allow researchers to better understand ALS pathogenesis but, more importantly, will also direct the development of new drug candidates against this devastating neurodegenerative condition.

Jimmy Lai's national security trial ongoing

Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai Chee-ying's national security trial, which was postponed three times, started on December 18 last year and is expected to last 80 days. The following is the summary of the proceedings this week.

On Monday, day 7 of the trial, the prosecution read out a set of undisputed facts and revealed national security police had earlier obtained a court order forcing Japanese newspaper Nikkei's Hong Kong office to explain its dealings with activist Agnes Chow Ting and another regarding a political advertisement in August 2019.

On Tuesday, the prosecution and defense discussed the trial's schedule, including when to call the case's key witnesses to the stand, after Lai's lead counsel took a two-week leave of absence for personal reasons. The prosecution also read out a statement from an information security academic about the features and operations of a variety of social media platforms.

On Wednesday, the prosecution read out a police financial investigation report and revealed Lai, either directly or indirectly through his right-hand man Mark Simon and companies under their control, had transferred large sums to Hong Kong and US political entities, including a former senior United States official, an American think tank and various opposition parties.

Cathay Pacific criticized over flight cancellations

As regards the recent cancellations of some Cathay Pacific flights within a short period, the Chief Executive, John Lee as well as the transport bureau have expressed deep concern about the situation. The government has urged Cathay Pacific should take the matter seriously and step up its work in communicating and following up with passengers. The airline, in response, said they underestimated the impact of flu among its staff and had to cancel flights.

Vice-chancellor of CUHK Rocky Tuan to resign next year

Rocky Tuan, the vice-chancellor of the Chinese University (CUHK), announced his resignation on Tuesday (Jan. 9). He will step down from his position in January 2025. In a statement, Tuan said he would do his best to ensure a smooth transition over the next twelve months. The university said it was grateful to Tuan for his leadership and service. A committee will be set up to advise the university's council on the appointment of its next vice-chancellor.

HKO: 2023 one of second warmest years

The Hong Kong Observatory said with all 12 months warmer than usual, 2023 was among the second warmest years on record, with the annual mean temperature reaching 24.5 degrees Celsius, 1.0 degree above the 1991-2020 normal. Notably, the mean temperature for summer reached 29.7 degrees, the highest on record.