Hong Kong media tycoon and pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai, 78, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for national security offences, including urging foreign sanctions and publishing “seditious” articles in his now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper. The ruling, the harshest under the Beijing-imposed law, sparked international criticism, with rights groups calling it “effectively a death sentence” and a blow to press freedom. Lai will serve 18 additional years after accounting for overlapping jail time (Pics/AFP)

From the iPhone 17 series and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra to foldables like the Galaxy Z Fold 7, 2025 saw some of the most advanced smartphone launches. Here’s a look at the devices that grabbed attention with cutting-edge AI, cameras, and performance (Pics/File pic: Samsung, Apple, Oppo, Google, Asus)