WASHINGTON, Oct 9 — The administration of US President Donald Trump announced yesterday that a State Department employee has been dismissed for failing to disclose a romantic relationship with a Chinese national.
WASHINGTON, Oct 9 — The administration of US President Donald Trump announced yesterday that a State Department employee has been dismissed for failing to disclose a romantic relationship with a Chinese national.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the Foreign Service officer was terminated after admitting to concealing the relationship with a Chinese citizen known to have ties to the Chinese Communist Party.
He noted that the Chinese Communist Party plays a pervasive role in many aspects of life in China — including business and education — with many citizens maintaining connections for practical rather than ideological reasons.
According to the department, this marks the first dismissal under an executive order signed by Trump shortly after returning to office, which mandates all employees to “faithfully implement the president’s policy.”
“We will uphold a zero-tolerance policy against any employee found compromising our nation’s security,” Pigott said.
Earlier this year, the US government also imposed restrictions on its employees in China, prohibiting romantic relationships with local citizens — a move reminiscent of Cold War-era policies. — AFP
BANGKOK, April 24 — Thailand’s Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear a petition accusing 44 current and former opposition lawmakers of ethics violations over their 2021 move to amend a law protecting the monarchy from criticism, according to Thai media reports.
PUTRAJAYA, April 24 — The Court of Appeal today dismissed Kepala Batas MP Dr Siti Mastura’s appeal against a High Court ruling ordering her to pay RM825,000 in damages and costs for defaming three DAP leaders by linking them to former Communist Party of Malaya leader Chin Peng.
THE HAGUE, April 23 — Former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte will stand trial at the International Criminal Court after judges on Thursday confirmed charges of crimes against humanity over his controversial “war on drugs.”