By Tim Kelly TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan said on Tuesday North Korea still posed a dire threat to its security despite a halt to ballistic missile tests and a pledge by leader Kim Jong Un to denuclearise the Korean peninsula. "North Korea's military activities pose the most serious and pressing threat our nation has faced," said an annual white paper published on Tuesday by Japan's Ministry of Defence. The document outlines security concerns about nuclear-armed North Korea, China's growing military might and territorial ambitions, and Russia's intent to rebuild its power that paint a picture of Japan surrounded by potential adversaries in East Asia. The latest security assessment also comes after U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly cancelled a planned fourth trip by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to Pyongyang this week as part of a fresh bid to push North Korea to abandon nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles following the unprecedented summit between Trump and Kim in Singapore in June. … [Read more...] about Japan says North Korea still poses a dire threat to its security
Threat to national security
Ryan calls threat to yank security statuses ‘trolling’
WASHINGTON -- House Speaker Paul Ryan on Tuesday played down President Donald Trump's threat to revoke security clearances of former top officials who have criticized him. "I think he's just trolling people, honestly," Ryan told reporters Tuesday with a laugh. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., was surprised to learn that some of the former top national security and intelligence officials still had access to classified information. But both GOP leaders were leaving the president's plan to the White House. "I don't have any particular advice to give the president," McConnell said Tuesday. "It's an interesting question I'll look forward to seeing what the president decides on it." Ryan said it is "something that's in the purview of the executive branch." Democrats and some Republicans, though, viewed the threat against the six former officials with much more concern. Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., noted the list of those named by the White House "exactly coincides with those … [Read more...] about Ryan calls threat to yank security statuses ‘trolling’
Uranium makes feds’ list of minerals ‘critical’ to national security, setting off a debate in Utah and beyond
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The Interior Department has identified 35 “nonfuel” mineral commodities that are essential to national security, including uranium and several others found in Utah. “Given this administration’s commitment to fighting ‘secret science,’ it is particularly hypocritical for DOI to hide the data showing how noncritical minerals (as identified by the USGS screening tool) were added to the critical minerals list,” wrote Grijalva, the ranking Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee. No one would blame those who don’t know many of the elements on the list, such as hafnium, gallium, rhenium and tantalum, but many are lightweight metals used in aerospace and electronics. Others are familiar metals vital to everyday life, such as aluminum, tin, magnesium and chromium. Utah produces magnesium, beryllium and potash, and holds significant deposits of lithium, uranium, vanadium, helium and some rare earth minerals. The … [Read more...] about Uranium makes feds’ list of minerals ‘critical’ to national security, setting off a debate in Utah and beyond
‘Threat to privacy, security’: Lawmaker slams national ID bill
MANILA - Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Carlos Zarate on Monday criticized the proposed national ID system, citing fears it could be used to silence critics of the administration and may be a possible threat to privacy. "We believe that the national ID system is not the solution to, again, the failure or problem in the delivery of social services, even on the issue to deter the commission of crimes and even acts of terrorism," he said on ANC's "Talkback". Zarate also said the proposed bill may create discrimination against the country's indigenous people. "We believe that this will even create some sort of discrimination later on. Can you imagine the logistical requirement, for example, in Mindanao, our indigenous people, forcing them to get these biometrics and to obtain this ID," he said. "What if, even if with these requirements now, they cannot obtain an ID, then they can't already avail services from the government? Is that what the government is saying?" But for Muntinlupa Rep. … [Read more...] about ‘Threat to privacy, security’: Lawmaker slams national ID bill
Trade as National Security Issue? Here’s the U.S. Law: QuickTake
Democracy Dies in Darkness Sections Home Try 1 month for $1 Username Sign In Account Profile Newsletters & Alerts Gift Subscriptions Contact Us Help Desk Subscribe Account Profile Newsletters & Alerts Gift Subscriptions Contact Us Help Desk Accessibility for screenreader BloombergQuickTake Analysis Analysis Interpretation of the news based on evidence, including data, as well as anticipating how events might unfold based on past events by Thomas Biesheuvel, Jonathan Stearns and Andrew Mayeda | Bloomberg May 24 at 10:26 AM U.S. President Donald Trump turned to a Cold War-era law to stem the flow of steel imports, part of a campaign pledge to save American industrial jobs. He may do the same on autos. At issue is a little-used part of 1962 trade legislation sometimes called the “nuclear option” or the “big sledgehammer,” which invokes national security to counter … [Read more...] about Trade as National Security Issue? Here’s the U.S. Law: QuickTake