Two Hong Kong pro-democracy activists have pleaded not guilty in a landmark national security trial.

Democracy is deteriorating across the world, with countries notably taking undemocratic and unnecessary actions to contain the coronavirus pandemic, an intergovernmental body said in its new report Monday.

One of Hong Kong's most established pro-democracy civic organizations says it's letting go its paid staff and halving the size of its steering committee.

A Hong Kong court has sentenced five leading pro-democracy advocates to up to 18 months in prison for organizing and participating in a massive march during the 2019 anti-government protests that triggered an overwhelming crackdown from Beijing.

Pro-democracy lawmaker Martin Lee arrives at a court in Hong Kong Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021. The two who pleaded guilty were Au Nok-hin and Leung Yiu-chung, both former members of the Hong Kong legislature. Au pleaded guilty to both charges, while Leung pleaded guilty just to participating in an illegal assembly. The arrests were condemned by the United States and other countries, which have grown increasingly at odds with China over its Hong Kong policy. AdChina's legislature then approved a national security law for Hong Kong in June that further clamped down on dissent.

Hong Kong police tightened their grip on the city's embattled democracy movement, making 53 arrests Wednesday. Lee faces charges of unlawful assembly for organizing a banned pro-democracy rally in Hong Kong last year. Exiled in London, Hong Kong activist Nathan Law says the U.S. system demonstrated its resilience against mob violence. But in Morocco, human rights activist Abdellatif El Hamamouchi was excited by what he saw as a stunning failure for Trump. —-Soo reported from Hong Kong; Leicester reported from Le Pecq, France.

FILE - This April 18, 2019, file photo shows a sign for Zoom Video Communications ahead Nasdaq IPO in New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)HONG KONG Video app company Zoom said Thursday it regretted that some meetings involving U.S.-based Chinese dissidents were disrupted, as meanwhile a prominent Hong Kong activist said his account was blocked despite the citys guarantees of free speech. Zoom is headquartered in San Jose, California, but conducts much of its research and development in mainland China. We regret that a few recent meetings with participants both inside and outside of China were negatively impacted and important conversations were disrupted," Zoom said in a statement. Asked at a regular briefing, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said she was not aware of issues involving Zoom.