Trump Doubts Release of Hong Kong Publisher Jimmy Lai; US Political Updates

In a live blog update on US politics under President Donald Trump's second term, several key developments are reported. President Trump stated he does not expect the release of imprisoned Hong Kong publisher and democracy activist Jimmy Lai, despite previous campaign promises and diplomatic efforts. Trump cited negative responses from Chinese authorities regarding his appeals based on Lai's age and health. Lai, sentenced to 20 years in prison in February 2026, remains a symbolic figure for the democracy movement. Domestically, the US Supreme Court rejected a Democratic attempt to redraw electoral districts in Virginia for the upcoming midterm elections, a decision that preserves the Republican majority in the House of Representatives. The court upheld a lower ruling that the referendum question was misleading and procedurally invalid. Additionally, the US Department of Justice announced an impending indictment against former Cuban leader Fidel Castro for a 1996 incident involving the shooting down of exile group planes. This move coincides with tightened US sanctions against Cuba, aiming to pressure the Havana government amid severe economic struggles on the island.