分类： politics

A former aide to two New York governors, Linda Sun, is set to stand trial on Wednesday, accused of selling her influence to the Chinese government and illegally profiting from the state’s bulk purchase of face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sun, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in China, served in various state government roles over a 15-year career, including as deputy chief of staff to Governor Kathy Hochul and deputy diversity officer under former Governor Andrew Cuomo. Sun and her husband, Chris Hu, were arrested last year during a U.S. crackdown on alleged secret agents working for the Chinese government. They were charged again in June as part of the government’s efforts to root out pandemic fraud. Sun has pleaded not guilty to charges of violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act, conspiring with her husband to commit money laundering, and aiding visa fraud. Hu has also pleaded not guilty to charges including money laundering, tax evasion, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and misuse of identification. Neither has been charged with espionage. Federal prosecutors allege that Sun acted at the request of Chinese officials to block Taiwanese government representatives from accessing the governor’s office and shaped New York governmental messaging to align with Chinese priorities. In return, Hu received assistance for his business activities in China, which prosecutors claim allowed the couple to purchase multimillion-dollar properties and luxury cars. Sun is also accused of reaping millions in kickbacks by exploiting her role on a Cuomo administration team that procured personal protective equipment during the pandemic. Sun’s lawyer, Jarrod L. Schaeffer, contends that the government charged Sun because she and her family “had too much money” and that the case is filled with “glaring inconsistencies.” Opening statements are set for Wednesday morning in Brooklyn federal court, with the trial expected to last several weeks.

The United States is reportedly considering a controversial plan to construct housing for thousands of ‘screened’ Palestinians in Gaza, specifically in areas behind the so-called yellow line currently occupied by Israeli troops. According to a report by The Atlantic, the initiative, termed ‘Alternate Safe Communities,’ would involve vetting Palestinians for ‘anti-Hamas’ sentiments before granting them entry. The proposal, discussed in an email by US Lieutenant General Patrick Frank, who oversees Gaza ceasefire coordination, envisions settlements equipped with medical centers, schools, administrative buildings, and temporary housing for up to 6,000 people—a significant reduction from the initial estimate of 25,000. The plan has drawn criticism and concern from Arab states and European countries, who view it as a potential step toward permanent Israeli occupation of parts of Gaza. The Trump administration has not committed US funds for the project, instead urging Gulf states to invest. Meanwhile, the plan raises questions about Palestinian land ownership, as Gaza’s land registry, previously managed by Hamas, remains a contentious issue. The proposal also involves Israel’s Shin Bet security agency screening applicants, focusing not only on individual ties to Hamas but also on their family connections. The broader US peace plan, which includes eventual Israeli troop withdrawal and the introduction of an Arab peacekeeping force, lacks a clear timeline and faces significant logistical and political challenges.

New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has revealed his top administrative picks, signaling a strong focus on his affordability agenda. At a press conference held at the Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute in Manhattan, Mamdani announced Dean Fuleihan as his first deputy mayor and Elle Bisgaard-Church as his chief of staff. Fuleihan, a seasoned civil servant with 47 years of experience in New York City government, is expected to bring fiscal expertise and operational stability to Mamdani’s administration. Bisgaard-Church, who has served as Mamdani’s chief of staff in the New York State Assembly and his campaign manager, will transition into her first city government role. Both appointments aim to address concerns about Mamdani’s relative inexperience and bolster his ambitious policy proposals. Fuleihan’s background includes roles in the Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget and as chief fiscal advisor to the New York State Assembly, while Bisgaard-Church is credited with shaping the Democratic Socialists of America’s legislative strategy. Despite early challenges, including pushback from state leaders like Governor Kathy Hochul, Mamdani’s team remains optimistic about advancing his vision for affordable public services and universal childcare.

Recent developments in East Asia have reignited tensions between Japan and China, centering on the contentious issue of Taiwan. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks suggesting that Japan could deploy its self-defence forces in response to a potential Chinese attack on Taiwan have sparked a diplomatic row. This statement, made during a parliamentary session, has drawn sharp criticism from Beijing, with China’s foreign ministry labeling it as ‘egregious’ interference in its internal affairs. The situation escalated further when Xue Jian, China’s consul general in Osaka, made a provocative comment on social media, which was later removed but not before causing significant diplomatic friction. Both nations have lodged formal protests against each other, highlighting the deep-seated historical animosities and strategic ambiguities that continue to shape their relations. Takaichi, known for her hawkish stance on China and strong support for Taiwan, has defended her comments as consistent with Japan’s traditional position, though she has pledged to be more cautious in her future statements. This incident underscores the delicate balance of power in the region, with Japan’s alignment with the US and its increased defence spending raising alarms in Beijing. The longstanding policy of ‘strategic ambiguity’ maintained by both the US and Japan regarding Taiwan’s defence has been a cornerstone of regional stability, but Takaichi’s recent remarks suggest a potential shift in this approach. As both nations navigate this latest flare-up, the implications for regional security and diplomatic relations remain uncertain.

Sir Declan Morgan, the former Lord Chief Justice of Ireland (2009-2021), has publicly criticized the UK government’s decision to revoke Shamima Begum’s citizenship. Speaking at the launch of a new report by the Independent Commission on UK Counter-Terrorism Law, Policy and Practice, which he chairs, Morgan argued that the practice of citizenship deprivation disproportionately affects British ethnic minorities and is inconsistent with human rights obligations. The report, unveiled at the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi) in Westminster, is the result of a three-year review and highlights significant flaws in British counter-terror legislation. Begum, a London-born woman who traveled to Islamic State-controlled territory at age 15 in 2015, was stripped of her British citizenship in 2019 by the Conservative government. Her legal team argued that the decision was unlawful, but the Supreme Court refused to hear her appeal. Morgan emphasized that under the commission’s proposals, Begum’s citizenship could not have been revoked. He urged the government to adopt the commission’s recommendations, which include repatriating British nationals from conflict zones and tightening the definition of terrorism. The report also criticizes the lowering of the threshold for citizenship deprivation and the weakening of procedural protections, noting that these practices disproportionately impact minority ethnic communities. Former attorney general Dominic Grieve, a commission member, pointed out that the UK stands out among countries like the US, Canada, and Australia for its refusal to repatriate citizens from conflict zones. The report calls for a more humane and consistent approach to counter-terrorism, emphasizing the need to protect human rights and avoid arbitrary decisions.

Turkish prosecutors have filed a nearly 4,000-page indictment against Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, seeking a staggering prison sentence of over 2,000 years. The charges, revealed in court documents on Tuesday, include allegations of running a criminal organization, bribery, embezzlement, money laundering, extortion, and tender rigging. Imamoglu, a prominent opposition leader from the Republican People’s Party (CHP), was arrested on March 19 and is described in the indictment as manipulating a widespread criminal network ‘like an octopus.’ The CHP has accused President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) of targeting Imamoglu following the opposition’s success in the 2024 local elections. Since his arrest, several other CHP mayors, officials, and politicians have also been detained, sparking widespread protests and accusations of politically motivated actions. Authorities have responded by detaining nearly 2,000 people, most of whom were later released. In a separate case last month, a court in Ankara dismissed a corruption case against CHP leader Ozgur Ozel, calling it ‘moot.’ Ozel reaffirmed that Imamoglu remains the party’s candidate for the next presidential election, denouncing the charges as baseless and politically driven. ‘His only crime is running for the presidency of this country!’ Ozel declared in a passionate address to parliament.