Plus: Hongkongers share worries about new security law, and the story behind 'Amazon on steroids'. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
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| Hello. Today we're looking into the $464m (£365m) penalty Donald Trump is facing in his New York civil case and what it means for the finances of the former US president (and current presidential candidate). We're also hearing from Hongkongers who tell us why they are worried about the city's new security law. I have another Chinese story - on the e-commerce platform Temu - as well as updates on Russia, James Bond, and punk politics. | |
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QUESTIONS ANSWERED | What if Trump can't get a $464m bond? |
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| | | Mr Trump's lawyers say they have approached dozens of bond companies but cannot secure one. Credit: Getty Images
| Donald Trump's lawyers are asking a New York court to put a $464m (£365m) penalty in a civil fraud case on hold. If Mr Trump wants to continue his appeal in the case, he must submit the full amount in cash or secure a bond from a private company by 25 March. Here's what could happen next in the case. |
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| Madeline Halpert | BBC News, New York |
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| What would be the best-case scenario for Donald Trump? | Appeals court judges will decide by 25 March whether the penalty can be paused while Mr Trump appeals. The fact that Mr Trump has assets in the state of New York that can be seized could reassure a court that he would be able to pay the penalty even if he lost, according to Prof Will Thomas. | What about the worst-case scenario? | New York Attorney General Letitia James said she would begin to collect the fee and take his assets if Mr Trump cannot find a way to pay the fraud judgement or secure a bond. Ms James would likely not sell these assets until the appeals process is over, Mr Thomas said. | Can a compromise be found? | The court could require Mr Trump to post a bond of a smaller amount while he appeals against the ruling. However, he has already asked an appeals court to allow him to post a bond covering $100m instead. A judge rejected that request. | | | Trump's other cases: The former president is also facing four criminal cases - but he might not stand trial before November's presidential election. Read our simple guide to Donald Trump's next months in court.
Property bothers: Here's a look at the New York buildings Mr Trump could lose. | |
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| The Hongkongers worried by new security law | | Article 23 targets new offences like treason and espionage. Credi:t Reuters | Hong Kong's pro-China parliament has passed a tough security law which authorities say is necessary for stability, but which critics fear will further erode civil liberties. Article 23 targets new offences like external interference and insurrection, and penalties include life sentences. |
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| | | Hongkongers have voiced concerns over Article 23, particularly over the use of broad and vague definitions in the legislation. Civil servant George told the BBC he was most concerned about its definition of "state secrets". "Let's say a group of colleagues go out to lunch and discuss how to handle some work matters. Will it constitute leaking a state secret? Will we be arrested if someone eavesdrops and spreads the information?" he said. "I am very afraid that we can be accused [of the offence] easily."
George said he had observed an "informant culture" among his colleagues since the earlier law came into force. He estimates that about one-fifth of the employees in his department have resigned in the past three years, with many of them moving overseas. "I won't talk so much about work with friends any more. Just focus on eating, drinking and having fun," George said. |
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THE BIG PICTURE | The story behind 'Amazon on steroids' |
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| | | It's estimated that 152 million Americans use Temu every month. Credit: Getty Images | In only a few years, Chinese e-commerce platform Temu has found its place on smartphones and households in the West, thanks to aggressive marketing and a low-cost shipping model. But, as Sam Gruet explains, it's also facing criticism from US and UK politicians, who say some of its products could be made with forced labour. Temu says it "strictly prohibits" this. |
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FOR YOUR DOWNTIME | Zoroastrian holiday | Millions of people with roots in the former Persian Empire are celebrating Nowruz. | |
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And finally... in New Zealand | Some of you might remember Chumbawamba's Tubthumping, the 90s sticky-table pub anthem that goes like this: "I get knocked down, but I get up again. You're never gonna keep me down." (If it still fails to ring a bell, try shouting the lyrics.) In any case, Chumbawamba are trying to knock down New Zealand's Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, who has used the song at several events, with a cease and desist letter. The views of the former anarchist act do not really align with those of the populist politician. | |
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In History Newsletter | The past comes to life through the BBC's unique audio, video and written archive, each Thursday. | |
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MORE BBC NEWSLETTERS | Football Extra: Latest news, insights and gossip from the Premier League, weekdays. Subscribe. | | Royal Watch: The full story from royal correspondent Sean Coughlan, every Thursday. Subscribe. | | Tech Decoded: Timely, trusted tech news from global correspondents, twice-weekly. Subscribe. | |
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