TikTok shuts down US access as Trump seeks app's reinstatement

14 Sept 05:36 Key points summarised by AI

TikTok ceased operations for US users after the Supreme Court upheld a ban, mandating its Chinese owner, ByteDance, sell the app or face permanent shutdown.
President-elect Donald Trump, a TikTok advocate, indicated he would likely activate a 90-day reprieve to reinstate the app upon taking office, despite legal experts questioning the enforceability of such an executive order against existing law.
While ByteDance has refused an outright sale, new proposals have emerged, including a merger offer from Perplexity AI and a $20 billion bid for TikTok's US operations from investors, seeking alternative solutions to the ban.
The ban requires Apple and Google to remove TikTok from their app stores and obligates service providers like Oracle to enforce the shutdown, potentially boosting rival platforms such as Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts.

Nationwide crackdown launched on illegal nominee shareholders and land holdings

Yesterday 15:20 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul initiated a nationwide crackdown on illegal Thai nominee shareholders in foreign-run businesses and land holdings to safeguard national interests.
The government will integrate efforts across all relevant agencies to target illicit foreign operations, forced sales of illegally acquired property, and high-risk land ownership schemes.
Key strategies include auditing suspect land and building holdings, establishing a long-term monitoring system, and cross-referencing data from various authorities to trace ultimate beneficial owners.
Prime Minister Anutin emphasized that no influential figures or corrupt officials are above the law, promising straightforward prosecution, asset seizures, and protection for enforcing officers.
Beyond land ownership, the integrated crackdown will also extend to tackle transnational crimes, including drug and human trafficking.