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Feb 9 (Reuters) - Hong Kong's most vocal China critic, media tycoon Jimmy Lai, was sentenced on Monday to 20 years in jail, ending the city's biggest national security case which drew international concern about Beijing's clampdown on the city's freedoms and autonomy.

Here is ​reaction to the sentence from domestic and world figures:

YVETTE COOPER, BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY:

"For the 78-year-old, this is tantamount to a life sentence.

"I ‌remain deeply concerned for Mr Lai's health, and I again call on the Hong Kong authorities to end his appalling ordeal and release him on humanitarian grounds, so that he ‌may be returned to his family. Following today's sentencing, we will rapidly engage further on Mr Lai's case."

JOHN LEE, HONG KONG LEADER:

"Jimmy Lai's crimes are heinous and utterly unforgivable.

"His 20‑year sentence demonstrates the rule of law, delivers justice, and is gratifying to the public."

RICK SCOTT, U.S. REPUBLICAN SENATOR:

"Tonight, my friend Jimmy Lai was unjustly sentenced by Communist China to 20 years in prison for the 'crime' of daring to think differently from the CCP and refusing to use his ⁠newspaper to spread CCP propaganda.

"We will not forget what ‌Xi and his thugs have done to Jimmy and so many political prisoners. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! The world is watching, and we know the truth: Jimmy Lai is innocent, and he should be home with his family tonight, ‍not in the hands of Xi's thuggish regime."

SEBASTIEN LAI, JIMMY LAI'S SON:

"Sentencing my father to this draconian prison sentence is devastating for our family and life-threatening for my father.

"It signifies the total destruction of the Hong Kong legal system and the end of justice.

"After more than five years of relentlessly persecuting my father, it is time ​for China to do the right thing and release him before it is too late."

TAIWAN'S CHINA POLICY-MAKING MAINLAND AFFAIRS COUNCIL:

"Taiwan's people should take ‌Hong Kong's painful experience as a lesson and safeguard the hard-won freedoms of daily life."

STEVE LI, CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT, NATIONAL SECURITY DEPARTMENT OF HONG KONG POLICE:

"Regarding the discussion about whether Jimmy Lai will spend the rest of his life in prison, I believe that no one can tell right now, only heaven knows. But I would like to say that the sentence he received, he deserves it very much."

JODIE GINSBERG, CEO, COMMITTEE TO PROTECT JOURNALISM:

"The rule of law has been completely shattered in Hong Kong.

"Today's egregious decision is the final nail in the coffin for freedom of the press in ⁠Hong Kong. The international community must step up its pressure to free Jimmy Lai ​if we want press freedom to be respected anywhere in the world."

CAOILFHIONN GALLAGHER, LEAD COUNSEL ​ON LAI'S INTERNATIONAL LEGAL TEAM:

"Today marks the final blow to the rule of law in Hong Kong.

"Sentencing Jimmy Lai, already aged 78, to two decades behind bars is an affront to justice, and the culmination of over five years of ‍malicious lawfare against a courageous, elderly British ⁠citizen and prisoner of conscience.

"Now that this sham trial is finally over, we call on leaders from around the world to speak with one voice in their demand for China to free Jimmy Lai."

ELAINE PEARSON, ASIA DIRECTOR, HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH:

"The harsh 20-year sentence against ⁠78-year-old Jimmy Lai is effectively a death sentence. A sentence of this magnitude is both cruel and profoundly unjust.

"Lai's years of persecution show the Chinese government's determination to crush independent ‌journalism and silence anyone who dares to criticise the Communist Party."

(Reporting by Jessie Pang, James Pomfret and Farah Master; Comprised by ‌Anne Marie Roantree; Editing by Michael Perry, Christian Schmollinger and Clarence Fernandez)

REYKJAVIK, Iceland (AP) — As rising global temperatures speed up the melting of sea ice in the Arctic Ocean, it's set off a boom of ships taking routes that previously were frozen and not traversable.

The increase in marine Arctic traffic, which received increased attention as President Donald Trump pushed for the United States to take overGreenland, has come with a heavy environmental cost: black carbon, or soot, that spews from ships and makes the ice melt even faster. Several countries are making a case for ships in the Arctic to use cleaner fuels that cause less pollution in meetings this week with international shipping regulators.

Glaciers, snow and ice covered in the soot emitted by ships have less ability to reflect the sun. Instead, the sun's heat is absorbed, helping to make the Arctic the fastest warming place on Earth. In turn, melting Arctic sea ice can affectweather patternsaround the world.

"It ends up in a never-ending cycle of increased warming," said Sian Prior, lead adviser for the Clean Arctic Alliance, a coalition of nonprofits focused on the Arctic and shipping. "We need to regulate emissions and black carbon, in particular. Both are completely unregulated in the Arctic."

In December, France, Germany, the Solomon Islands and Denmark proposed that the International Maritime Organization require ships traveling in Arctic waters to use "polar fuels," which are lighter and emit less carbon pollution than the widely used maritime fuels known as residuals. The proposal includes steps that companies would take to comply and the geographic area it would apply to — all ships traveling north of the 60th parallel. The proposal was expected to be presented to the IMO's Pollution Prevention and Response Committee this week and possibly another committee in April.

A 2024 ban on using a type of residual known as heavy fuel oil in the Arctic has had only modest impacts so far, partly because of loopholes.

Concerns about shipping pollution are overshadowed by geopolitics

The push to reduce black carbon, which studies have shown has a warming impact 1,600 times that of carbon dioxide over a 20-year span, is happening at a time of conflicting interests, both internationally and among the countries that have coastlines in the Arctic.

In recent months, Trump's periodic comments about the need to "own" Greenland to bolster U.S. security have raised many issues, from Greenland's sovereignty to the future of the NATO alliance. Pollution and other environmental issues in the Arctic have taken a backseat.

Trump, who has calledclimate changea "con job," has also pushed back against global policies aimed at fighting it. Last year, the IMO was expected to adopt new regulations that would have imposed carbon fees on shipping, which supporters said would have pushed companies to use cleaner fuels and electrify fleets where possible. Then Trump intervened, lobbying hard for nations to vote no.The measure was postponed for a year, its prospects at best uncertain. Given that, it's hard to see the IMO making fast progress on the current proposal to limit black carbon in the Arctic.

Even inside Arctic nations, which are most impacted by black carbon and other shipping pollution, there are internal tensions around such regulations. Iceland is a good example. While the country is a world leader in green technologies such as carbon capture and the use of thermal energies for heating, conservationists say the country has made less progress on regulating pollution in its seas. That is because the fishing industry, one of the country's most important, holds huge sway.

"The industry is happy with profits, unhappy with the taxes and not engaged in issues like climate or biodiversity," said Arni Finnsson, board chair of the Iceland Nature Conservation Association.

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Finnsson added that the costs of using cleaner fuels or electrifying fleets have also prompted resistance.

"I think the government is waking up, but they still have to wait for the (fishing) industry to say yes," he said.

The country has not taken a position on the pending polar fuels proposal. In a statement, Iceland's Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate said the proposal was "positive with regard to its purpose and basic content," but that further study was needed. The statement added that Iceland supports stronger measures to counter shipping emissions and reduce black carbon.

Arctic ship traffic and black carbon emissions both rise

Soot pollution has increased in the Arctic as cargo ships, fishing boats and even some cruise liners are traveling more in the waters that connect the northernmost parts of Iceland, Greenland, Canada, Russia, Norway, Finland, Sweden and the United States.

Between 2013 and 2023, the number of ships entering waters north of the 60th parallel increased by 37%, according to the Arctic Council, an intergovernmental forum made up of the eight countries with territory in the Arctic. In that same period, the total distance traversed by ships in the Arctic increased 111%.

Black carbon emissions have also increased. In 2019, 2,696 metric tons of black carbon was emitted from ships north of the 60th parallel compared with 3,310 metric tons in 2024, according to a study by Energy and Environmental Research Associates. The study found that fishing boats were the biggest source of black carbon.

It also found that the 2024 ban on heavy fuel oil would only result in a small reduction in black carbon. Waivers and exceptions allow some ships to continue using it until 2029.

Environmental groups and concerned countries see regulating ship fuel as the only way to realistically reduce black carbon. That is because getting nations to agree to limit traffic would likely be impossible. The lure of fishing, resource extraction and shorter shipping distances is too great. Ships can save days on some trips between Asia and Europe by sailing through the Arctic.

Still, the path known as the Northern Sea Route is only traversable a few months of the year, and even then ships must be accompanied by icebreakers. Those dangers, combined with Arctic pollution concerns, have driven some companies to pledge to stay away — at least for now.

"The debate around the Arctic is intensifying, and commercial shipping is part of that discussion," wrote Søren Toft, CEO of Mediterranean Shipping Company, the world's largest container shipping company, in a LinkedIn post last month. "Our position at MSC is clear. We do not and will not use the Northern Sea Route."

The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP'sstandardsfor working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas atAP.org.

By Karen Sloan

Feb 8 (Reuters) - Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell intends to refuse to answer ​questions at a Monday deposition before the House's ‌Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, according to a Sunday letter ‌from U.S. Representative Ro Khanna.

Maxwell, who was found guilty in 2021 for her role in helping Epstein sexually abuse teenage girls and is currently serving a ⁠20-year prison sentence, plans ‌to invoke her Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination and decline to answer all substantive ‍questions, according to Khanna's letter to Representative James Comer, the committee chair.

Maxwell's attorney did not immediately respond to a ​request for comment on Sunday.

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Instead of answering individual ‌questions, Maxwell plans to read a prepared statement at the beginning of her deposition, Khanna, who serves on the committee, said without detailing the source of his information.

"This position appears inconsistent with Ms. Maxwell's prior ⁠conduct, as she did not ​invoke the Fifth Amendment when ​she previously met with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche to discuss substantially similar subject matter," ‍Khana, a California ⁠Democrat, wrote in his letter seeking clarification on her testimony.

Maxwell's deposition comes as the U.S. Department ⁠of Justice has released of millions of internal documents related ‌to Epstein.

(Reporting by Karen Sloan; Editing by ‌Sergio Non and Lincoln Feast.)

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The "Dark Side" was not going to let history repeat itself. Instead, the Seattle Seahawks' self-nicknamed defense more than returned the favor.

Eleven years after New England beat Seattle in Super Bowl XLIX with a clinching interception in the end zone, the Seahawks forced a pair of fourth-quarter turnovers to send Seattle to a 29-13 win over the Patriots on Sunday in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium.

It is the second Super Bowl title in franchise history -- 12 years after the Seahawks beat the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII.

Running back Kenneth Walker III rushed for 135 yards to earn Most Valuable Player honors, Jason Myers connected on all five field-goal attempts and quarterback Sam Darnold threw a touchdown pass while Seattle's offense didn't turn the ball over.

But it was the "Dark Side" that provided the real fireworks, setting the tone from the outset and closing the door when New England threatened to serve Seattle a second heartbreaking defeat on the game's biggest stage.

The Seahawks, who led the NFL in allowing an average of 17.2 points per game during the regular season, held the Patriots to 51 total yards in the first half and off the scoreboard until the fourth quarter. And when New England twice appeared to have generated significant momentum, twice the Seahawks' defense responded with turnovers.

The final blow came with the Patriots trying to rally from a 22-7 deficit with 4:27 remaining in the game. Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon hit Patriots quarterback Drake Maye on a blitz, popping the ball in the air. It was intercepted by linebacker Uchenna Nwosu, who returned it 45 yards for his first career touchdown, all but cementing the second Super Bowl title in Seahawks history.

The final tally for Seattle's defense was six sacks, eight tackles for loss, three forced turnovers and the touchdown. Three quarterback hits came courtesy of Witherspoon, while Derick Hall and Byron Murphy II each recorded a pair of sacks.

"They just made a decision that they're going to play a certain way," Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald, who also serves as the defensive play-caller, said in accepting the Lombardi Trophy. "They lived up to the 'Dark Side' today. It's going to go down in the history books.

"We love our players, but they made it happen. They made it come to life, and we won the game."

Sam Darnold threw for 202 yards and a touchdown, and while he led the offense to only one touchdown, he also completed Seattle's three-game playoff run without throwing an interception.

"I have to give a shout out. Our offensive line, our tight ends, our receivers and, of course, the running backs for everything they did tonight. It's special in the run game," Darnold said. "But the defense!"

Three of Myers' field goals came in the first half, when Seattle took a 9-0 lead to the locker room. However, the Seahawks left the Patriots in the game by failing to reach the end zone despite two trips inside the red zone.

With less than 100 yards in total offense and just 12:58 left in the game, the Patriots quickly capitalized in a break in the action when a fan streaked across the field. After the fan was wrestled to the ground and removed by several security personnel, Maye hit Mack Hollins with a 24-yard completion on the next play.

It was the biggest play of the game for New England's offense to that point, and Maye immediately went back to the well. He hit Hollins again on a perfectly-thrown 35-yard touchdown strike to the left side of the end zone, beating tight coverage from Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen.

The Patriots appeared to have fully switched the momentum when they forced a punt and Maye marched them to their 44-yard line on the ensuing drive with a 16-yard scramble and a 7-yard toss to Kyle Williams. However, he threw an ill-advised pass into coverage on the next play that was intercepted by Seahawks safety Julian Love.

Love returned it to the Patriots' 38-yard line. Six plays later, Myers connected on his fifth field goal to extend Seattle's lead to 22-7.

New England quickly moved the ball back into Seattle territory. But that's when the Seahawks' defense struck the decisive blow with Nwosu's touchdown.

"I'd like to have it back," Maye said. "I'd like to go back to the beginning and redo it. So many plays that decide and change the game. What was it, 19-7 or 22-7, I had the fumble or throw for a touchdown? It comes down to who makes the plays and who doesn't."

Maye added that he required a pain-killing injection in his shoulder in order to play, despite saying that the shoulder was fine all week leading up to game day. A Seattle defense that racked up 11 quarterback hits and forced three turnovers certainly didn't help. Maye finished 27-of-43 passing for 295 yards, two TDs and two interceptions. He also rushed five times for a team-best 37 yards. New England finished with 79 yards on the ground.

"The plan was to get to Maye. Disrupt him," Nwosu said. "We knew -- he was their whole team. He was the MVP runner-up, could've been MVP. We knew if we get to him, their game plan was nothing."

Patriots rookie left tackle Will Campbell was charged with 16 pressures allowed, per NFL Next Gen Stats, a single-game high for any player this season, including the regular season.

"We can sit here and try to put it on one guy," Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said. "You'll be disappointed. That'll never happen. It starts with us. The coaching staff making sure that we're doing our part and, obviously, we've got to be able to protect. And we do protect we have to progress through, get guys open, help the quarterback."

New England's initial first down of the second half didn't come until Seattle was flagged for defensive holding with 1:23 left in the third quarter. It was also the Seahawks' first penalty of the game.

The Seahawks opened the scoring on a 33-yard field goal by Myers on their opening drive. Seattle took the kickoff and moved the ball 51 yards in just over three minutes, with Darnold sharp on completions to tight end A.J. Barner and Cooper Kupp in tight coverage, but the drive stalled on the Patriots' 14-yard line.

That proved to be the only scoring of the opening quarter. New England penetrated Seattle territory on both of its first two drives, only to suffer three negative plays -- including a pair of sacks -- that resulted in two punts. The Seahawks managed only one more first down in a pair of drives after the field goal.

NOTES: Seattle wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba was taken to the locker room to be evaluated for a concussion after making a reception in the third quarter, but returned in the fourth quarter and made a catch on Seattle's final drive. ... Seahawks rookie defensive tackle Rylie Mills, who entered the game with one career solo tackle, recorded his first NFL sack when he dropped Maye for a 10-yard loss in the second quarter. Mills suffered a torn ACL toward the end of his 2024 season at Notre Dame, causing him to slide to the fifth round of the 2025 draft. Mills was activated by the Seahawks in November but played only a modest role in the line rotation. ... The first penalty of the game wasn't called until 3:09 remaining in the second quarter, when Patriots left tackle Will Campbell was flagged for a false start.

--Derek Harper, Field Level Media

SANTA CLARA, CA − In the event you didn't believe theSeattle Seahawks' 29-13walkover againsttheNew England PatriotsinSuper Bowl 60was a captivating football game, then you must have missedRashid Shaheed's record-setting performance.

That's right, Seattle's No. 3 wideout andreturn man extraordinairedid something never seen on Super Sunday – etching his name into the record book with ... six fair catches. That's the kind of game it was Feb. 8, numerous punts and kicks, not a boatload of highlights.Seahawkskicker Jason Myers also established a new Super Bowl mark by drilling five field goals.

As for thePatriots? Their record 12th Super Bowl appearance also resulted in their sixth loss in the Roman Numeral showcase − breaking their tie with theDenver Broncosfor most by any franchise.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Rashid Shaheed sets Super Bowl record for fair catches