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Filibuster_HK
Germany Social Democrats back coalition talks with Merkel's conservatives
[url]http://www.euronews.com/2018/01/21/germany-social-democrats-back-coalition-talks-with-merkel-s-conservatives?utm
[/url]
SPD (S&D) delegates: 645
Support: 362
Against: 279
Abstain: 1
[url]http://www.euronews.com/2018/01/21/germany-social-democrats-back-coalition-talks-with-merkel-s-conservatives?utm
[/url]
SPD (S&D) delegates: 645
Support: 362
Against: 279
Abstain: 1
誰家柒頭無閪摸
GOP congressman reveals House Intel Committee will release top secret FISA memo to public
The secret memo detailing alleged government surveillance abuses will be released to the public soon, according to a House Republican.
What’s happening?
Rep. Dave Joyce (R-Ohio) said Saturday the House Intelligence Committee “plans to begin” the release process very soon, if not immediately.
The process, he said, might take up to 19 congressional working days. According to the House’s 2018 calendar, that means the earliest the document could be released is sometime in mid-March.
Source confirmed to the Washington Examiner that a meeting has taken place to discuss the memo’s potential public release.
News of the memo broke last week and immediately became the top story behind the impending government shutdown. House members who have viewed the highly classified Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court document allege it provides evidence the Obama administration used the FISA court to unlawfully spy on the Trump campaign and Trump transition — something former administration officials have long denied.
Because of that, numerous GOP congressman have demanded the memo be released to the public. They allege the document could even lead to the end of special counsel Robert Mueller’s Trump-Russia investigation and to senior FBI and CIA officials being sacked.
Led by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), 65 GOP lawmakers wrote to House Intelligence Committee chairman Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) on Friday demanding the memo’s release.
Gaetz said on Fox News Saturday that the memo will “shock the conscience of this country.”
“There are four pages of a memorandum prepared by the intelligence committee that will shock the conscience of this country when it comes to the horrific abuses that occurred during the last administration and that I believe continue to pose a threat to Donald Trump’s presidency,” he said.
Why does the process take so much time?
Aside from the fact that it must be reviewed by federal records reviewers given that it contains highly classified information, the memo must receive multiple levels of approval before it can be released.
On Thursday, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) explained on Fox News the document’s release would first need approval from the House Intelligence Committee and then President Donald Trump would have to give it the green light.
冇得花生
The secret memo detailing alleged government surveillance abuses will be released to the public soon, according to a House Republican.
What’s happening?
Rep. Dave Joyce (R-Ohio) said Saturday the House Intelligence Committee “plans to begin” the release process very soon, if not immediately.
The process, he said, might take up to 19 congressional working days. According to the House’s 2018 calendar, that means the earliest the document could be released is sometime in mid-March.
Source confirmed to the Washington Examiner that a meeting has taken place to discuss the memo’s potential public release.
News of the memo broke last week and immediately became the top story behind the impending government shutdown. House members who have viewed the highly classified Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court document allege it provides evidence the Obama administration used the FISA court to unlawfully spy on the Trump campaign and Trump transition — something former administration officials have long denied.
Because of that, numerous GOP congressman have demanded the memo be released to the public. They allege the document could even lead to the end of special counsel Robert Mueller’s Trump-Russia investigation and to senior FBI and CIA officials being sacked.
Led by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), 65 GOP lawmakers wrote to House Intelligence Committee chairman Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) on Friday demanding the memo’s release.
Gaetz said on Fox News Saturday that the memo will “shock the conscience of this country.”
“There are four pages of a memorandum prepared by the intelligence committee that will shock the conscience of this country when it comes to the horrific abuses that occurred during the last administration and that I believe continue to pose a threat to Donald Trump’s presidency,” he said.
Why does the process take so much time?
Aside from the fact that it must be reviewed by federal records reviewers given that it contains highly classified information, the memo must receive multiple levels of approval before it can be released.
On Thursday, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) explained on Fox News the document’s release would first need approval from the House Intelligence Committee and then President Donald Trump would have to give it the green light.
冇得花生
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誰家柒頭無閪摸
https://www.theblaze.com/news/2018/01/21/gop-congressman-reveals-house-intel-committee-will-release-top-secret-fisa-memo-to-public
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Filibuster_HK
Senate to vote Monday on plan to reopen government
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/21/government-shutdown-2018-trump-senate-354113
The Senate will vote at noon Monday on a bill to reopen the government through Feb. 8, though passage is not assured. Senate leaders Mitch McConnell and Chuck Schumer are continuing to negotiate on a deal to reopen the government and begin legislative work on protecting some young immigrants, but Schumer said "we have yet to reach a path forward."
McConnell and Schumer then met privately for more than 30 minutes. Aides refused to divulge details, but there was no agreement announced and another failed vote to fund the government is now likely to be held at 1 a.m. on Monday. Though an imminent breakthrough looked improbable, bipartisan talks continued.
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/21/government-shutdown-2018-trump-senate-354113
The Senate will vote at noon Monday on a bill to reopen the government through Feb. 8, though passage is not assured. Senate leaders Mitch McConnell and Chuck Schumer are continuing to negotiate on a deal to reopen the government and begin legislative work on protecting some young immigrants, but Schumer said "we have yet to reach a path forward."
McConnell and Schumer then met privately for more than 30 minutes. Aides refused to divulge details, but there was no agreement announced and another failed vote to fund the government is now likely to be held at 1 a.m. on Monday. Though an imminent breakthrough looked improbable, bipartisan talks continued.
Filibuster_HK
Greeks rally over name row with neighbor Macedonia
http://www.dw.com/en/greeks-rally-over-name-row-with-neighbor-macedonia/a-42246009?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
More than 100,000 nationalist protesters crowded along Thessaloniki's waterfront on Sunday to demand that neighboring country Macedonia change its name.
Athens argues that the use of the term "Macedonia" suggests the former Yugoslav state has territorial claims to a northern Greek region of the same name.
Greece and the Republic of Macedonia last week returned to the United Nations in a bid to put the name row to bed. UN negotiator Matthew Nimetz said that although the talks had yielded no concrete results so far, he added that he was "very hopeful" a solution was within reach.
http://www.dw.com/en/greeks-rally-over-name-row-with-neighbor-macedonia/a-42246009?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
More than 100,000 nationalist protesters crowded along Thessaloniki's waterfront on Sunday to demand that neighboring country Macedonia change its name.
Athens argues that the use of the term "Macedonia" suggests the former Yugoslav state has territorial claims to a northern Greek region of the same name.
Greece and the Republic of Macedonia last week returned to the United Nations in a bid to put the name row to bed. UN negotiator Matthew Nimetz said that although the talks had yielded no concrete results so far, he added that he was "very hopeful" a solution was within reach.
Filibuster_HK
FBI unable to preserve some text messages from agent removed from Mueller probe
http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/370027-fbi-unable-to-preserve-certain-text-exchanges-from-agent-removed-from-mueller
The FBI was unable to preserve some text messages between two agents who have been accused of anti-Trump bias, including one who previously served on special counsel Robert Mueller’s team, according to a letter from the bureau to lawmakers.
The FBI said it did not have a record of messages exchanged over a six-month period between Peter Strzok and Lisa Page because many of its issued mobile phones had problems related to “rollouts, provisioning, and software upgrades.”
http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/370027-fbi-unable-to-preserve-certain-text-exchanges-from-agent-removed-from-mueller
The FBI was unable to preserve some text messages between two agents who have been accused of anti-Trump bias, including one who previously served on special counsel Robert Mueller’s team, according to a letter from the bureau to lawmakers.
The FBI said it did not have a record of messages exchanged over a six-month period between Peter Strzok and Lisa Page because many of its issued mobile phones had problems related to “rollouts, provisioning, and software upgrades.”
Filibuster_HK
Carles Puigdemont: new bid to arrest Catalan ex-president
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/22/carles-puigdemont-new-bid-to-arrest-catalan-ex-president-independence
Spanish prosecutors have asked the country’s supreme court to reactivate the international arrest warrant for Carles Puigdemont after the deposed Catalan president flew to Denmark from Belgium. He has been living in Brussels for the past three months following the regional parliament’s unilateral declaration of independence.
Puigdemont, who fled to Brussels at the end of October after being sacked by the Spanish government, is facing possible charges of rebellion, sedition and misuse of public funds over his role in the push to split from Spain. He faces arrest the moment he sets foot on Spanish soil.
Early on Monday morning, the ousted leader flew to Copenhagen to take part in a conference on Catalonia.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/22/carles-puigdemont-new-bid-to-arrest-catalan-ex-president-independence
Spanish prosecutors have asked the country’s supreme court to reactivate the international arrest warrant for Carles Puigdemont after the deposed Catalan president flew to Denmark from Belgium. He has been living in Brussels for the past three months following the regional parliament’s unilateral declaration of independence.
Puigdemont, who fled to Brussels at the end of October after being sacked by the Spanish government, is facing possible charges of rebellion, sedition and misuse of public funds over his role in the push to split from Spain. He faces arrest the moment he sets foot on Spanish soil.
Early on Monday morning, the ousted leader flew to Copenhagen to take part in a conference on Catalonia.
Filibuster_HK
These Are 2018’s Most (And Least) Attractive Emerging Markets
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-01-21/emerging-market-scorecard-supports-mexico-and-turkey-over-india?
Mexico and Turkey scored higher because their real effective exchange rates are more competitive than the average of the past 10 years, according to the analysis. India and China’s valuations are relatively expensive in historical terms. Their economic growth is unlikely to be as fast as it has been in the past decade, estimates show.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-01-21/emerging-market-scorecard-supports-mexico-and-turkey-over-india?
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Mexico and Turkey scored higher because their real effective exchange rates are more competitive than the average of the past 10 years, according to the analysis. India and China’s valuations are relatively expensive in historical terms. Their economic growth is unlikely to be as fast as it has been in the past decade, estimates show.
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Filibuster_HK
Drug violence blamed for Mexico's record 29,168 murders in 2017
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/21/drug-violence-blamed-mexico-record-murders-2017
Mexico recorded more than 29,000 murders in 2017, the highest annual tally in decades, government figures have shown.
The country has struggled with years of violence as the state has battled drug cartels that have increasingly splintered into smaller, more bloodthirsty gangs.
The record 29,168 murders in 2017 is higher than the homicide rate at peak of Mexico’s drug war in 2011, when there were 27,213.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/21/drug-violence-blamed-mexico-record-murders-2017
Mexico recorded more than 29,000 murders in 2017, the highest annual tally in decades, government figures have shown.
The country has struggled with years of violence as the state has battled drug cartels that have increasingly splintered into smaller, more bloodthirsty gangs.
The record 29,168 murders in 2017 is higher than the homicide rate at peak of Mexico’s drug war in 2011, when there were 27,213.
Filibuster_HK
Philippine volcano expected to erupt, authorities raise security alert
http://www.dw.com/en/philippine-volcano-expected-to-erupt-authorities-raise-security-alert/a-42248802
Philippine authorities raised the alert level around its most active volcano Mount Mayon on Monday, after it started emitting plumes of grey smoke and ash.
"Alert level 4 was raised over Mayon Volcano," the Philippine Red Cross tweeted. "This means extension of danger zone to 8 kilometers (5 miles) or more is recommended in the sector where the crater rim is low. The public is advised to wear protective masks and continue to be safe and vigilant."
http://www.dw.com/en/philippine-volcano-expected-to-erupt-authorities-raise-security-alert/a-42248802
Philippine authorities raised the alert level around its most active volcano Mount Mayon on Monday, after it started emitting plumes of grey smoke and ash.
"Alert level 4 was raised over Mayon Volcano," the Philippine Red Cross tweeted. "This means extension of danger zone to 8 kilometers (5 miles) or more is recommended in the sector where the crater rim is low. The public is advised to wear protective masks and continue to be safe and vigilant."
桜の抹茶刺身
東京今日除左落大風雪，仲有導彈避難演習，但點解會有人反對演習
話應該用對話解決問題，心諗一路對話一路做好準備以防萬一唔得既
黑人問號.jpg
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話應該用對話解決問題，心諗一路對話一路做好準備以防萬一唔得既
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黑人問號.jpg
Filibuster_HK
Japanese govt. submits record budget plan
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20180122_19/
The Japanese government has submitted a record draft budget of 97.7 trillion yen, or more than 880-billion dollars, for the fiscal year starting in April.
The budget plan was officially approved at a Cabinet meeting on Monday and submitted to the regular session of the Diet that opened on the same day.
The plan allocates a record of nearly 300 billion dollars for ballooning social security spending as the population ages. It includes funding for childcare facilities to help working parents.
Another record of about 47 billion dollars is tagged for defense amid continued efforts by North Korea to develop nuclear weapons and missiles.
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20180122_19/
The Japanese government has submitted a record draft budget of 97.7 trillion yen, or more than 880-billion dollars, for the fiscal year starting in April.
The budget plan was officially approved at a Cabinet meeting on Monday and submitted to the regular session of the Diet that opened on the same day.
The plan allocates a record of nearly 300 billion dollars for ballooning social security spending as the population ages. It includes funding for childcare facilities to help working parents.
Another record of about 47 billion dollars is tagged for defense amid continued efforts by North Korea to develop nuclear weapons and missiles.
Filibuster_HK
UKIP leader Henry Bolton hit by multiple resignations
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-42770361
UKIP leader Henry Bolton is facing a wave of resignations from key positions as pressure mounts on him to quit.
The local government, education, trade and immigration spokesmen have all resigned, along with the deputy leader and assistant deputy leader.
It comes after the national executive committee backed a vote of no confidence in him.
Mr Bolton has faced repeated calls to quit over offensive texts sent by his ex-girlfriend.
Six senior Ukip figures quit in protest at Henry Bolton's refusal to resign as leader - Politics live
Live on the Guradian:
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/live/2018/jan/22/brexit-tory-mps-oppose-compromises-likely-to-be-involved-in-brexit-transition-deal-survey-suggests-politics-live
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-42770361
UKIP leader Henry Bolton is facing a wave of resignations from key positions as pressure mounts on him to quit.
The local government, education, trade and immigration spokesmen have all resigned, along with the deputy leader and assistant deputy leader.
It comes after the national executive committee backed a vote of no confidence in him.
Mr Bolton has faced repeated calls to quit over offensive texts sent by his ex-girlfriend.
Six senior Ukip figures quit in protest at Henry Bolton's refusal to resign as leader - Politics live
Live on the Guradian:
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/live/2018/jan/22/brexit-tory-mps-oppose-compromises-likely-to-be-involved-in-brexit-transition-deal-survey-suggests-politics-live
Filibuster_HK
Syria offensive: Turkish troops 'capture villages' in Afrin
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-42771469
Turkish forces have captured a number of villages in north-western Syria, on the third day of an offensive to oust Kurdish fighters, Turkish media report.
Turkish troops, accompanied by allied Syrian rebels, reportedly seized control of several areas in the region of Afrin on Monday.
But Kurdish fighters later said they had recaptured two of the villages.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-42771469
Turkish forces have captured a number of villages in north-western Syria, on the third day of an offensive to oust Kurdish fighters, Turkish media report.
Turkish troops, accompanied by allied Syrian rebels, reportedly seized control of several areas in the region of Afrin on Monday.
But Kurdish fighters later said they had recaptured two of the villages.
Filibuster_HK
French prisons blockaded as minister meets union leaders
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/22/french-prisons-blockaded-as-minister-meets-union-leaders
French prison officers have blockaded dozens of prisons after new attacks by inmates increased fears for wardens’ safety.
The justice minister, Nicole Belloubet, was holding a crisis meeting with union leaders on Monday afternoon as industrial action by increasingly angry prison staff entered a second week.
Strikers had called for a “total blockade” of the country’s 188 prisons from 6am on Monday until the government met their demands for increased safety and wages. Around two-thirds of French jails were said to have been affected by protests, with 35 of them reportedly blockaded.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/22/french-prisons-blockaded-as-minister-meets-union-leaders
French prison officers have blockaded dozens of prisons after new attacks by inmates increased fears for wardens’ safety.
The justice minister, Nicole Belloubet, was holding a crisis meeting with union leaders on Monday afternoon as industrial action by increasingly angry prison staff entered a second week.
Strikers had called for a “total blockade” of the country’s 188 prisons from 6am on Monday until the government met their demands for increased safety and wages. Around two-thirds of French jails were said to have been affected by protests, with 35 of them reportedly blockaded.
Filibuster_HK
US shutdown ends as Congress passes bill
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42781880
The US government partial shutdown is ending after Republicans and Democrats voted to approve a temporary funding bill.
Senator Chuck Schumer said Democrats agreed to back the bill if Republicans would address a programme that shields young immigrants from deportation.
Democrats refused to vote for the bill unless they secured protections for recipients of the Obama-era programme.
The government is expected to re-open on Tuesday.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42781880
The US government partial shutdown is ending after Republicans and Democrats voted to approve a temporary funding bill.
Senator Chuck Schumer said Democrats agreed to back the bill if Republicans would address a programme that shields young immigrants from deportation.
Democrats refused to vote for the bill unless they secured protections for recipients of the Obama-era programme.
The government is expected to re-open on Tuesday.
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Filibuster_HK
Trump imposes 30 percent tariff on solar panel imports
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/370171-trump-imposes-30-tariffs-on-solar-panel-imports
President Trump on Monday imposed tariffs of 30 percent on imported solar panel technology in a bid to protect domestic manufacturers while signaling a more aggressive approach toward China.
The move is a major blow for the $28 billion solar industry, which gets about 80 percent of its solar panel products from imports. The Solar Energy Industries Association predicted the tariffs would increase prices and kill 23,000 jobs.
The tariffs unveiled Monday apply to all imported solar photovoltaic cells and modules, the main technology on panels that convert solar energy into electricity. While the action is targeted at imports from China, Trump’s tariffs apply to all imports, since Chinese manufacturers have moved operations to other countries.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/370171-trump-imposes-30-tariffs-on-solar-panel-imports
President Trump on Monday imposed tariffs of 30 percent on imported solar panel technology in a bid to protect domestic manufacturers while signaling a more aggressive approach toward China.
The move is a major blow for the $28 billion solar industry, which gets about 80 percent of its solar panel products from imports. The Solar Energy Industries Association predicted the tariffs would increase prices and kill 23,000 jobs.
The tariffs unveiled Monday apply to all imported solar photovoltaic cells and modules, the main technology on panels that convert solar energy into electricity. While the action is targeted at imports from China, Trump’s tariffs apply to all imports, since Chinese manufacturers have moved operations to other countries.
Filibuster_HK
Greece secures billions as bailout enters final stages
[url]http://www.dw.com/en/greece-secures-billions-as-bailout-enters-final-stages/a-42265318
[/url]
The new €6.7 billion ($8.22 billion) bailout is the latest from Greece's third financial rescue package from eurozone countries and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) since 2010.
Monday's decision also puts Greece on track to exit its current bailout program when it expires in August this year. Afterwards, the country is expected to finance itself by directly borrowing from investors.
[url]http://www.dw.com/en/greece-secures-billions-as-bailout-enters-final-stages/a-42265318
[/url]
The new €6.7 billion ($8.22 billion) bailout is the latest from Greece's third financial rescue package from eurozone countries and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) since 2010.
Monday's decision also puts Greece on track to exit its current bailout program when it expires in August this year. Afterwards, the country is expected to finance itself by directly borrowing from investors.
Filibuster_HK
Japan: avalanche engulfs skiers after volcano erupts at ski resort
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/23/japan-avalanche-engulfs-skiers-after-volcano-erupts-at-ski-resort
A member of Japan’s self-defence forces has died and around a dozen skiers were injured after a volcano erupted near a ski resort, triggering an avalanche and sending rocks raining down on the slopes.
At least 12 skiers were injured when they became trapped by the avalanche or were hit by falling volcanic rocks from Mount Kusatsu-Shirane, according to local media. Five were seriously injured, but none were in a critical condition, rescuers said.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/23/japan-avalanche-engulfs-skiers-after-volcano-erupts-at-ski-resort
A member of Japan’s self-defence forces has died and around a dozen skiers were injured after a volcano erupted near a ski resort, triggering an avalanche and sending rocks raining down on the slopes.
At least 12 skiers were injured when they became trapped by the avalanche or were hit by falling volcanic rocks from Mount Kusatsu-Shirane, according to local media. Five were seriously injured, but none were in a critical condition, rescuers said.
http://www.dw.com/en/germanys-spd-gives-the-go-ahead-for-coalition-talks-with-angela-merkels-cdu/a-42242452
Delegates from Germany’s Social Democratic Party have voted in favor of possibly entering another coalition with Merkel’s conservatives. But many within the party remain opposed to the idea.