Latest news with #securityConcerns
The Independent
9 hours ago
- Business
- The Independent
UK will handle US security concerns over new Chinese embassy plan, says Kyle
Security issues over plans for a Chinese embassy near London's financial centres will be 'taken care of assiduously', a minister said after the White House warned Downing Street against allowing the project to go ahead. Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said the UK would offer a 'fulsome response' to any concerns raised by allies amid suggestions that US opposition could undermine transatlantic trade negotiations. Mr Kyle sought to reassure the public that the Government deals with similar 'infrastructure issues' relating to embassies 'all the time'. 'These issues will be taken care of assiduously in the planning process,' he told Sky News's Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips programme. He added: 'These are the issues that we talk about as two countries all the time… we're in the Five Eyes agreement, America and Britain share intelligence… If people raise security issues even though it relates to planning, then I'm sure we will have a fulsome response for them. 'But look, the key thing is these are issues which are quite routinised in the way that we deal with the security of our country.' A senior US official had told the Sunday Times: 'The United States is deeply concerned about providing China with potential access to the sensitive communications of one of our closest allies.' The matter is believed to have been discussed during US-UK trade talks, with diplomats saying the Trump administration would have reservations about intelligence sharing with the UK if the building went ahead. More than a thousand demonstrators gathered earlier this year for a rally against the proposed Chinese 'super-embassy' because of concerns about its proximity to Canary Wharf and the City of London. The redevelopment plans at the former site of the Royal Mint were 'called in' last year, which means the Government will make the final decision following a report from the Planning Inspectorate. The plan was initially refused by Tower Hamlets Council in 2022. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said the embassy was likely to become a base for spying activity and insisted permission should not be given for its development. 'I agree with the United States. We think it is a security risk. 'In government the Conservatives were very clear, we should not be allowing the Chinese to build this super-embassy,' he told Sky News's Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips show. 'We've seen the Chinese government cracking down on dissidents, running secret police stations in the UK, even putting bounties on the heads of dissidents, some of whom I've met. We should not be giving permission to this.'
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
UK will handle US security concerns over new Chinese embassy plan, says Kyle
Security issues over plans for a Chinese embassy near London's financial centres will be 'taken care of assiduously', a minister said after the White House warned Downing Street against allowing the project to go ahead. Technology Secretary Peter Kyle indicated the UK would offer a 'fulsome response' to any concerns raised by allies amid suggestions that US opposition could undermine transatlantic trade negotiations. Mr Kyle sought to reassure the public that the Government deals with similar 'infrastructure issues' relating to embassies 'all the time'. 'These issues will be taken care of assiduously in the planning process,' he told Sky News's Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips programme. He added: 'These are the issues that we talk about as two countries all the time… we're in the Five Eyes agreement, America and Britain share intelligence… If people raise security issues even though it relates to planning, then I'm sure we will have a fulsome response for them. 'But look, the key thing is these are issues which are quite routinised in the way that we deal with the security of our country.' A senior US official had told the Sunday Times: 'The United States is deeply concerned about providing China with potential access to the sensitive communications of one of our closest allies.' The matter is believed to have been discussed during US-UK trade talks, with diplomats saying the Trump administration would have reservations about intelligence sharing with the UK if the building went ahead. More than a thousand demonstrators gathered earlier this year for a rally against the proposed Chinese 'super-embassy' because of concerns about its potential proximity to Canary Wharf and the City of London. The redevelopment plans at the former site of the Royal Mint were 'called in' last year, which means the Government will make the final decision following a report from the Planning Inspectorate. The plan was initially refused by Tower Hamlets Council in 2022.
Globe and Mail
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Globe and Mail
Poles vote for a new president as security concerns loom large
Poles were voting Sunday in a presidential election at a time of heightened security concerns stemming from the ongoing war in neighbouring Ukraine and growing worry that the U.S. commitment to Europe's security could be weakening under President Donald Trump. The top two front-runners are Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski, a liberal allied with Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and Karol Nawrocki, a conservative historian with no prior political experience who is supported by the national conservative Law and Justice party. Recent opinion polls show Trzaskowski with around 30 per cent support and Nawrocki in the mid-20s. A second round between the two is widely expected to take place on June 1. The election is also a test of the strength of other forces, including the far right. Sławomir Mentzen, a hard-right candidate who blends populist MAGA-style rhetoric with libertarian economics and a critical stance toward the European Union, has been polling in third place. Ten other candidates are also on the ballot. With such a crowded field and a requirement that a candidate receive more than 50 per cent of the vote to win outright, a second round seemed all but inevitable. Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. (0500GMT) and close at 9 p.m. (1900GMT). Exit polls will be released when voting ends, with results expected by Tuesday, possibly Monday. Polish authorities have reported attempts at foreign interference during the campaign, including denial-of-service attacks targeting parties in Tusk's coalition on Friday and allegations by a state research institute that political ads on Facebook were funded from abroad. Although Poland's prime minister and parliament hold primary authority over domestic policy, the presidency carries substantial power. The president serves as commander of the armed forces, plays a role in foreign and security policy, and can veto legislation. The conservative outgoing president, Andrzej Duda, has repeatedly used that power over more than the past year to hamper Tusk's agenda, for example blocking ambassadorial nominations and using his veto power to resist reversing disputed judicial and media changes made during Law and Justice's time in power from 2015 to late 2023. A Trzaskowski victory could be expected to end such a standoff. He has pledged to support reforms to the courts and public media, both of which critics say were politicized under Law and Justice. Tusk's opponents say he has also politicized public media. Monika Laskowska-Dzierbicka, a 36-year-old clinical psychology, voted in Warsaw for Trzaskowski. She said she feels 'he would be able to resolve disputes, that he would not divide Poles.' 'Rafał Trzaskowski is a competent person, he knows languages, so he will try to get along with everyone,' she said. Nawrocki, who leads a state historical institute, has positioned himself as a defender of conservative values and national sovereignty. At the same Warsaw polling station, 88-year-old Jerzy Iwiński said Mentzen has a 'sensible program' but that he didn't want to 'waste' his vote on him, so he cast his ballot for Nawrocki. He said he views Nawrocki as a greater patriot than Trzaskowski. Another Nawrocki supporter, Irena Kuczyńska, 79, shared her view: 'From the old days of my family, God, Honor and Fatherland are the most important. And that's why I'm with Mr. Nawrocki.'
Arab News
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Poles vote for a new president as security concerns loom large
WARSAW: Poles are voting Sunday in a presidential election at a time of heightened security concerns stemming from the ongoing war in neighboring Ukraine and growing worry that the US commitment to Europe's security could be weakening under President Donald Trump. The top two front-runners are Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski, a liberal allied with Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and Karol Nawrocki, a conservative historian with no prior political experience who is supported by the national conservative Law and Justice party. Recent opinion polls show Trzaskowski with around 30 percent support and Nawrocki in the mid-20s. A second round between the two is widely expected to take place on June 1. The election is also a test of the strength of other forces, including the far right. Sławomir Mentzen, a hard-right candidate who blends populist MAGA rhetoric with libertarian economics and a critical stance toward the European Union, has been polling in third place. Ten other candidates are also on the ballot. With such a crowded field and a requirement that a candidate receive more than 50 percent of the vote to win outright, a second round seemed all but inevitable. Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. (0500GMT) and close at 9 p.m. (1900GMT). Exit polls will be released when voting ends, with results expected by Tuesday, possibly Monday. Polish authorities have reported attempts at foreign interference during the campaign, including denial-of-service attacks targeting parties in Tusk's coalition on Friday and allegations by a state research institute that political ads on Facebook were funded from abroad. Although Poland's prime minister and parliament hold primary authority over domestic policy, the presidency carries substantial power. The president serves as commander of the armed forces, plays a role in foreign and security policy, and can veto legislation. The conservative outgoing president, Andrzej Duda, has repeatedly used that power over more than the past year to hamper Tusk's agenda, for example blocking ambassadorial nominations and using his veto power to resist reversing judicial and media changes made during Law and Justice's time in power from 2015 to late 2023. A Trzaskowski victory could be expected to end such a standoff. He has pledged to support reforms to the courts and public media, both of which critics say were politicized under Law and Justice. Tusk's opponents say he has also politicized public media. Nawrocki, who leads a state historical institute, has positioned himself as a defender of conservative values and national sovereignty.
BreakingNews.ie
18-05-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Poles vote for a new president as security concerns loom large
Poles are voting on Sunday in a presidential election at a time of heightened security concerns, stemming from the ongoing war in neighbouring Ukraine and growing worry that the US commitment to Europe's security could be weakening under US President Donald Trump. The two frontrunners are Warsaw mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, a liberal allied with Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and Karol Nawrocki, a conservative historian with no prior political experience who is supported by the national conservative Law and Justice party. Advertisement Recent opinion polls show Mr Trzaskowski with about 30% support and Mr Nawrocki in the mid-20s. A second round between the two is widely expected to take place on June 1. The election is also a test of the strength of other forces, including the far right. Supporters of conservative presidential candidate Karol Nawrocki rally in Warsaw (Czarek Sokolowski/AP) Slawomir Mentzen, a hard-right candidate who blends populist rhetoric with libertarian economics and a critical stance towards the European Union, has been polling in third place. Ten other candidates are also on the ballot. With such a crowded field and a requirement that a candidate receive more than 50% of the vote to win outright, a second round seemed all but inevitable. Advertisement Polling stations opened at 7am and close at 9pm. Exit polls will be released when voting ends, with results expected by Tuesday, possibly Monday. Polish authorities have reported attempts at foreign interference during the campaign, including denial-of-service attacks targeting parties in Mr Tusk's coalition on Friday and allegations by a state research institute that political ads on Facebook were funded from abroad. Although Poland's prime minister and parliament hold primary authority over domestic policy, the presidency carries substantial power. The president serves as commander of the armed forces, plays a role in foreign and security policy, and can veto legislation. Advertisement The conservative outgoing president, Andrzej Duda, has repeatedly used that power over more than the past year to hamper Mr Tusk's agenda, for example blocking ambassadorial nominations and using his veto power to resist reversing judicial and media changes made during Law and Justice's time in power from 2015 to late 2023. A Trzaskowski victory could be expected to end such a standoff. He has pledged to support reforms to the courts and public media, both of which critics say were politicised under Law and Justice. Mr Tusk's opponents say he has also politicised public media. Advertisement Mr Nawrocki, who leads a state historical institute, has positioned himself as a defender of conservative values and national sovereignty.
