Results for: National Security

Hong Kong’s Article 23 Safeguarding National Security Ordinance has sparked concerns about civil liberties and its impact on foreign relations. Despite no arrests under the law yet, some Hongkongers have taken precautionary measures, and foreign governments have expressed worries. The government aims to shift the narrative towards the economy and emphasize the high threshold for prosecution, while avoiding direct confrontations with Western powers. The effectiveness of mega events and engaging with expatriate Hongkongers are seen as potential strategies to address international skepticism.

An associate of former President Donald Trump had advised him to return classified documents held at Mar-A-Lago almost a year before the FBI searched his property. Federal prosecutors unsealed legal filings on Monday, detailing multiple warnings given to Trump years before his indictment on charges of willfully retaining national security materials. The associate, identified as “Person 16,” approached Trump in November 2021, urging him to “give everything back” to avoid potential prosecution. Trump’s trial date for the classified documents case remains unset.

Legislation requiring TikTok to be sold or face a nationwide ban is rapidly moving through Congress and is expected to become law this week. The move has sparked concerns over the app’s national security risks, with lawmakers citing fears that Chinese government officials could gain access to data on millions of Americans or manipulate the platform for disinformation campaigns. TikTok has denied these claims and is preparing to challenge the law in court, arguing that it violates the First Amendment rights of its American users. The ban would mark an unprecedented step by the US government to shut down a social media platform, and it remains uncertain how quickly or if it will be implemented.

The House of Representatives has approved a bill that could potentially ban or force the sale of TikTok in the United States. The bill, packaged with foreign aid packages to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, has bipartisan support and is expected to be considered by the Senate this week. TikTok has stated its intention to challenge the bill in court if passed, arguing that it violates free speech rights.

Two men from London and Oxfordshire, Christopher Berry, 32, and Christopher Cash, 29, have been charged with spying for China under the Official Secrets Act. The charges allege that they passed on information prejudicial to the safety or interests of the state. The investigation was described as extremely complex and involved serious allegations. The men have been bailed to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on April 26th. One of the accused, Cash, was identified as a Parliamentary pass holder at the time of the alleged offenses. The Speaker of the Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, reminded MPs of the sub judice rule and urged them to refrain from commenting on the case.