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Filibuster_HK
Kenyan government on collision course with courts as lawyer detained
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/02/kenyan-court-orders-government-to-free-opposition-lawyer
Kenya’s high court has ordered authorities to release an opposition lawyer arrested on Friday, setting the scene for a new confrontation between the judiciary and Uhuru Kenyatta’s government.
Miguna Miguna was detained in a dawn raid on his Nairobi home, associates said. His current whereabouts are unknown but he is believed to be in police custody.
This week’s arrests and broadcast bans are a shock to Kenyans who have grown used to the free-wheeling media and irreverent political culture that have grown since decades of autocratic rule ended in 2002.The government’s failure to act on the court order over the TV ban raises questions about the rule of law in the country.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/02/kenyan-court-orders-government-to-free-opposition-lawyer
Kenya’s high court has ordered authorities to release an opposition lawyer arrested on Friday, setting the scene for a new confrontation between the judiciary and Uhuru Kenyatta’s government.
Miguna Miguna was detained in a dawn raid on his Nairobi home, associates said. His current whereabouts are unknown but he is believed to be in police custody.
This week’s arrests and broadcast bans are a shock to Kenyans who have grown used to the free-wheeling media and irreverent political culture that have grown since decades of autocratic rule ended in 2002.The government’s failure to act on the court order over the TV ban raises questions about the rule of law in the country.
Filibuster_HK
Trump accuses FBI leadership amid row over memo
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42914961
US President Donald Trump has accused top officials of politicising FBI and justice department investigations to damage his Republican party.
Later on Friday, he is expected to approve the release of a memo that is thought to suggest the FBI abused its powers to spy on one of his aides.
Controversy over the memo has railed for days in US politics and the two main parties are divided on it.
Democrats say the document is aimed at derailing investigations into Mr Trump.
They portray the memo, commissioned by the Republican head of the House Intelligence Committee, Devin Nunes, as an attempt to undermine a federal inquiry into allegations that the Trump campaign colluded with Russia during the 2016 election campaign.
However, another top Republican, House Speaker Paul Ryan, played down the potential impact of the memo's publication on the inquiry led by Special Counsel Robert Mueller. He said Congress had a duty to see surveillance powers were used correctly.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42914961
US President Donald Trump has accused top officials of politicising FBI and justice department investigations to damage his Republican party.
Later on Friday, he is expected to approve the release of a memo that is thought to suggest the FBI abused its powers to spy on one of his aides.
Controversy over the memo has railed for days in US politics and the two main parties are divided on it.
Democrats say the document is aimed at derailing investigations into Mr Trump.
They portray the memo, commissioned by the Republican head of the House Intelligence Committee, Devin Nunes, as an attempt to undermine a federal inquiry into allegations that the Trump campaign colluded with Russia during the 2016 election campaign.
However, another top Republican, House Speaker Paul Ryan, played down the potential impact of the memo's publication on the inquiry led by Special Counsel Robert Mueller. He said Congress had a duty to see surveillance powers were used correctly.
Filibuster_HK
'Nunes memo' published after Trump declassifies controversial document
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/feb/02/nunes-memo-trump-clears-path-for-release-of-controversial-document
Republicans on Friday released a controversial memo that alleges an abuse of power by the FBI in its investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election, after Donald Trump declassified the document and accused top officials of bias.
The four-page memo, released with a letter from the White House, alleges that the FBI omitted key information when it applied for a wiretap on an adviser of Trump’s campaign. The findings “raise concerns with the legitimacy and legality of certain DOJ and FBI interactions” with the court that approves surveillance requests, the memo says. It also claims they “represent a troubling breakdown of legal processes established to protect the American people from abuses”.
The memo’s central claim is that the FBI omitted context in its application to surveil the Trump adviser, Carter Page. The document notes that the FBI used material compiled by former British spy Christopher Steele, whose work was funded by Democrats, and who the memo says was “desperate that Donald Trump not get elected and was passionate about him not being president”.
The memo also claims that the FBI “terminated” Steele as a source because he spoke with the media, and that texts between an FBI agent and FBI attorney “demonstrated a clear bias against Trump”. The agent was removed from the investigation in December.
The memo:
http://docs.house.gov/meetings/IG/IG00/20180129/106822/HMTG-115-IG00-20180129-SD001.pdf
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/feb/02/nunes-memo-trump-clears-path-for-release-of-controversial-document
Republicans on Friday released a controversial memo that alleges an abuse of power by the FBI in its investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election, after Donald Trump declassified the document and accused top officials of bias.
The four-page memo, released with a letter from the White House, alleges that the FBI omitted key information when it applied for a wiretap on an adviser of Trump’s campaign. The findings “raise concerns with the legitimacy and legality of certain DOJ and FBI interactions” with the court that approves surveillance requests, the memo says. It also claims they “represent a troubling breakdown of legal processes established to protect the American people from abuses”.
The memo’s central claim is that the FBI omitted context in its application to surveil the Trump adviser, Carter Page. The document notes that the FBI used material compiled by former British spy Christopher Steele, whose work was funded by Democrats, and who the memo says was “desperate that Donald Trump not get elected and was passionate about him not being president”.
The memo also claims that the FBI “terminated” Steele as a source because he spoke with the media, and that texts between an FBI agent and FBI attorney “demonstrated a clear bias against Trump”. The agent was removed from the investigation in December.
The memo:
http://docs.house.gov/meetings/IG/IG00/20180129/106822/HMTG-115-IG00-20180129-SD001.pdf
Filibuster_HK
Nunes: I did not read material summarized in the memo
http://thehill.com/homenews/house/372119-nunes-admits-he-did-not-view-the-surveillance-warrant-applications-that-form
Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) on Friday admitted that did not personally review the applications for surveillance warrants that provide the basis of the classified memo released earlier in the day.
Nunes said he relied on the review of committee member Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.).
“No, I didn’t,” Nunes told Fox News’ Brett Baier, when asked if he saw the applications.
Nunes, the chairman of the committee, brushed off news reports that accused him of not seeing the underlying documents as “bogus.”
He explained that the committee set up an agreement with the Justice Department that would allow just one person to review the documents.
http://thehill.com/homenews/house/372119-nunes-admits-he-did-not-view-the-surveillance-warrant-applications-that-form
Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) on Friday admitted that did not personally review the applications for surveillance warrants that provide the basis of the classified memo released earlier in the day.
Nunes said he relied on the review of committee member Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.).
“No, I didn’t,” Nunes told Fox News’ Brett Baier, when asked if he saw the applications.
Nunes, the chairman of the committee, brushed off news reports that accused him of not seeing the underlying documents as “bogus.”
He explained that the committee set up an agreement with the Justice Department that would allow just one person to review the documents.
Filibuster_HK
North Korea earned $200 million from banned exports: UN
http://www.dw.com/en/north-korea-earned-200-million-from-banned-exports-un/a-42437240
North Korea earned nearly $200 million (€160 million) in 2017 by exporting a wide range of banned goods in violation of international sanctions, according to details of a confidential United Nations report seen Friday.
Pyongyang was able to sell coal, steel, iron and petroleum products between January and September to multiple countries, monitors said, despite UN sanctions barring their export.
North Korea has been developing nuclear weapons and sophisticated long-range missiles. Multiple sanctions dating back to 2006 have tried to choke off funding for the nuclear and missile programs.
The 213-page report — seen by multiple news agencies — said North Korea used false paperwork to hide the origin of the coal it shipped to other countries, including Russia, China, South Korea, Malaysia and Vietnam. Pyongyang also appeared to have cooperated with Syria and Myanmar in ballistic missile development, according to monitors.
http://www.dw.com/en/north-korea-earned-200-million-from-banned-exports-un/a-42437240
North Korea earned nearly $200 million (€160 million) in 2017 by exporting a wide range of banned goods in violation of international sanctions, according to details of a confidential United Nations report seen Friday.
Pyongyang was able to sell coal, steel, iron and petroleum products between January and September to multiple countries, monitors said, despite UN sanctions barring their export.
North Korea has been developing nuclear weapons and sophisticated long-range missiles. Multiple sanctions dating back to 2006 have tried to choke off funding for the nuclear and missile programs.
The 213-page report — seen by multiple news agencies — said North Korea used false paperwork to hide the origin of the coal it shipped to other countries, including Russia, China, South Korea, Malaysia and Vietnam. Pyongyang also appeared to have cooperated with Syria and Myanmar in ballistic missile development, according to monitors.
Filibuster_HK
Germany
Germany's Angela Merkel says 'serious differences' remain in coalition talks
http://www.dw.com/en/germanys-angela-merkel-says-serious-differences-remain-in-coalition-talks/a-42431402
Merkel's Christian Democratic Union (CDU), the Bavarian Christian Social Union (CSU) and the Social Democratic Party (SPD) are locked in talks aimed at creating a "grand coalition" government after last year's inconclusive general election.
One of the differences concerns labor policy. The SPD is seeking to expand labor rights by giving employees the right to move between full-time and part-time work in the event they must care for children or elderly parents. However, the CDU and CSU have expressed reservations, saying it would be a costly measure.
Anti-Christian crime causes increasing concern in Germany
http://www.dw.com/en/anti-christian-crime-causes-increasing-concern-in-germany/a-42430403
Germany's federal police recorded almost 100 attacks on Christians or Christian institutions in Germany in 2017. Most violent incidents occurred among asylum seekers living together in refugee homes.
According to the reports, a quarter of the 97 cases comprised attacks on churches and Christian symbols, and there were 14 cases of violent "anti-Christian crimes" among asylum seekers or refugees. That number includes the murder of a Christian convert by a fellow refugee in Prien, Bavaria. There were also nine cases of bodily harm.
The new figures also show that Islamophobic attacks remain much more widespread in Germany. The government revealed last year that there were around 200 recorded Islamophobic crimes in both the first and second quarter of 2017, mostly committed by far-right extremists.
German court bans mosque from call to prayer in Oer-Erkenschwick
http://www.dw.com/en/german-court-bans-mosque-from-call-to-prayer-in-oer-erkenschwick/a-42432256
A German court on Thursday ordered a mosque to stop broadcasting its weekly call to prayer after the complaint of a Christian couple who live about a kilometer (0.6 miles) away.
The couple in the town of Oer-Erkenschwick, near Dortmund, said the muezzin's call violated their religious rights.
The Gelsenkirchen Administrative Court ruled the town had not properly assessed the 2013 request of the local Turkish Muslim community to broadcast the call to prayer. However, the mosque is still free to reapply for permission.
Germany's Angela Merkel says 'serious differences' remain in coalition talks
http://www.dw.com/en/germanys-angela-merkel-says-serious-differences-remain-in-coalition-talks/a-42431402
Merkel's Christian Democratic Union (CDU), the Bavarian Christian Social Union (CSU) and the Social Democratic Party (SPD) are locked in talks aimed at creating a "grand coalition" government after last year's inconclusive general election.
One of the differences concerns labor policy. The SPD is seeking to expand labor rights by giving employees the right to move between full-time and part-time work in the event they must care for children or elderly parents. However, the CDU and CSU have expressed reservations, saying it would be a costly measure.
Anti-Christian crime causes increasing concern in Germany
http://www.dw.com/en/anti-christian-crime-causes-increasing-concern-in-germany/a-42430403
Germany's federal police recorded almost 100 attacks on Christians or Christian institutions in Germany in 2017. Most violent incidents occurred among asylum seekers living together in refugee homes.
According to the reports, a quarter of the 97 cases comprised attacks on churches and Christian symbols, and there were 14 cases of violent "anti-Christian crimes" among asylum seekers or refugees. That number includes the murder of a Christian convert by a fellow refugee in Prien, Bavaria. There were also nine cases of bodily harm.
The new figures also show that Islamophobic attacks remain much more widespread in Germany. The government revealed last year that there were around 200 recorded Islamophobic crimes in both the first and second quarter of 2017, mostly committed by far-right extremists.
German court bans mosque from call to prayer in Oer-Erkenschwick
http://www.dw.com/en/german-court-bans-mosque-from-call-to-prayer-in-oer-erkenschwick/a-42432256
A German court on Thursday ordered a mosque to stop broadcasting its weekly call to prayer after the complaint of a Christian couple who live about a kilometer (0.6 miles) away.
The couple in the town of Oer-Erkenschwick, near Dortmund, said the muezzin's call violated their religious rights.
The Gelsenkirchen Administrative Court ruled the town had not properly assessed the 2013 request of the local Turkish Muslim community to broadcast the call to prayer. However, the mosque is still free to reapply for permission.
Filibuster_HK
Russian fighter jet 'shot down' in Syria
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-42932616
A Russian Sukhoi 25 fighter jet has been shot down in a rebel-held area near Idlib in north Syria, reports say.
The pilot was said to have ejected before the crash and been captured, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said.
Video posted on social media appeared to show the plane being hit, while other video showed burning wreckage on the ground, with a red star on a wing.
Russia has acted alongside its Syrian allies targeting rebels in the area.
Video:
https://twitter.com/QalaatAlMudiq/status/959805458000293888
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-42932616
A Russian Sukhoi 25 fighter jet has been shot down in a rebel-held area near Idlib in north Syria, reports say.
The pilot was said to have ejected before the crash and been captured, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said.
Video posted on social media appeared to show the plane being hit, while other video showed burning wreckage on the ground, with a red star on a wing.
Russia has acted alongside its Syrian allies targeting rebels in the area.
Video:
https://twitter.com/QalaatAlMudiq/status/959805458000293888
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Filibuster_HK
Winter Olympics: North Korea presses ahead with military parade
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-42930587
North Korea has defended plans for a large-scale military parade scheduled for the day before the Winter Olympics in South Korea.
Pyongyang's annual military parade to mark the founding of its armed forces has taken place in April for 40 years.
From 2018, however, it has been changed to 8 February - when athletes will gather in Pyeongchang for the opening ceremony the following day.
North Korea said that no-one had the right to take issue with its plans.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-42930587
North Korea has defended plans for a large-scale military parade scheduled for the day before the Winter Olympics in South Korea.
Pyongyang's annual military parade to mark the founding of its armed forces has taken place in April for 40 years.
From 2018, however, it has been changed to 8 February - when athletes will gather in Pyeongchang for the opening ceremony the following day.
North Korea said that no-one had the right to take issue with its plans.
Filibuster_HK
Defence minister: Saudi, UAE intended to invade Qatar
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/02/defence-minister-saudi-uae-intended-invade-qatar-180203091422735.html
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates had intentions to invade Qatar at the beginning of a diplomatic crisis that erupted in June, according to Qatar's defence minister.
In an interview with the Washington Post on Friday, Khalid bin Mohammad Al Attiyah said his Gulf neighbours have "tried everything" to destabilise the country, but their intentions to invade were "diffused" by Qatar.
"They have intentions to intervene militarily," said Attiyah.
When asked to confirm whether he thought such a threat still existed today, he responded: "We have diffused this intention. But at the beginning of the crisis, they had this intention.
"They tried to provoke the tribes. They used mosques against us. Then they tried to get some puppets to bring in and replace our leaders."
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/02/defence-minister-saudi-uae-intended-invade-qatar-180203091422735.html
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates had intentions to invade Qatar at the beginning of a diplomatic crisis that erupted in June, according to Qatar's defence minister.
In an interview with the Washington Post on Friday, Khalid bin Mohammad Al Attiyah said his Gulf neighbours have "tried everything" to destabilise the country, but their intentions to invade were "diffused" by Qatar.
"They have intentions to intervene militarily," said Attiyah.
When asked to confirm whether he thought such a threat still existed today, he responded: "We have diffused this intention. But at the beginning of the crisis, they had this intention.
"They tried to provoke the tribes. They used mosques against us. Then they tried to get some puppets to bring in and replace our leaders."
Filibuster_HK
Brexiteers plot to install ‘dream team’ at No 10: Boris Johnson, Michael Gove — and Jacob Rees-Mogg as chancellor
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/brexiteers-plot-to-install-dream-team-at-no-10-boris-johnson-michael-gove-and-jacob-rees-mogg-as-chancellor-g6szw0p69
Theresa May will face a coup that would install a “dream team” of “three Brexiteers” if she persists with plans to keep Britain in a customs union with the European Union, Tory MPs warned last night.
Eurosceptics contacted Boris Johnson, the foreign secretary, on Friday and urged him to agree a pact that would see Michael Gove, the environment secretary, become his deputy prime minister and Jacob Rees-Mogg — the shop steward of the backbench Brexiteers — appointed chancellor if the prime minister is forced out.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/brexiteers-plot-to-install-dream-team-at-no-10-boris-johnson-michael-gove-and-jacob-rees-mogg-as-chancellor-g6szw0p69
Theresa May will face a coup that would install a “dream team” of “three Brexiteers” if she persists with plans to keep Britain in a customs union with the European Union, Tory MPs warned last night.
Eurosceptics contacted Boris Johnson, the foreign secretary, on Friday and urged him to agree a pact that would see Michael Gove, the environment secretary, become his deputy prime minister and Jacob Rees-Mogg — the shop steward of the backbench Brexiteers — appointed chancellor if the prime minister is forced out.
Filibuster_HK
所有media基本上都係各說各話，係the Hill相對持平講吓份memo，politico都有份annoted memo都可以睇吓。
可能因為拖咁好耐，而份野唔算好爆，Nunes認咁冇睇過份FISA application都令到份memo冇咁有公信力
遲D Democrats 個一份都應該會公開，到時可能又有其他野睇
可能因為拖咁好耐，而份野唔算好爆，Nunes認咁冇睇過份FISA application都令到份memo冇咁有公信力
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遲D Democrats 個一份都應該會公開，到時可能又有其他野睇
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Filibuster_HK
Syria war: Turkey suffers deadliest day in Afrin offensive
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-42934041
The Turkish military has suffered the deadliest day in its offensive against Kurdish militias inside northern Syria, with seven soldiers killed.
Five of the troops died when their tank was attacked in the Afrin region.
The military said in a statement that the US-backed YPG attacked the tank in Sheikh Haruz, north-east of Afrin city.
PM Binali Yildirim vowed to make the militias "pay for this twice as much" and jets later struck Kurdish targets north-east of the city of Afrin.
Two other soldiers were killed earlier, the military said, one in Afrin and another on the Turkish side of the border in an attack blamed on the YPG.
Turkey has now lost 14 soldiers in fierce clashes during the offensive.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-42934041
The Turkish military has suffered the deadliest day in its offensive against Kurdish militias inside northern Syria, with seven soldiers killed.
Five of the troops died when their tank was attacked in the Afrin region.
The military said in a statement that the US-backed YPG attacked the tank in Sheikh Haruz, north-east of Afrin city.
PM Binali Yildirim vowed to make the militias "pay for this twice as much" and jets later struck Kurdish targets north-east of the city of Afrin.
Two other soldiers were killed earlier, the military said, one in Afrin and another on the Turkish side of the border in an attack blamed on the YPG.
Turkey has now lost 14 soldiers in fierce clashes during the offensive.
Filibuster_HK
North Korea’s Berlin embassy used to acquire nuclear tech, says spy chief
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/04/north-korea-berlin-embassy-nuclear-tech-germany-spy-chief
Germany’s domestic intelligence agency chief has claimed North Korea has been acquiring equipment and technology for its nuclear and weapons programmes through its Berlin embassy.
“We have noticed that so many procurement activities have taken place from the embassy,” said Hans-Georg Maassen, head of the Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz (BfV), or Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution.
“From our point of view, they were for the missile programme but also partly for the nuclear programme,” Maassen added in an interview with German public television channel ARD, to be aired on Monday.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/04/north-korea-berlin-embassy-nuclear-tech-germany-spy-chief
Germany’s domestic intelligence agency chief has claimed North Korea has been acquiring equipment and technology for its nuclear and weapons programmes through its Berlin embassy.
“We have noticed that so many procurement activities have taken place from the embassy,” said Hans-Georg Maassen, head of the Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz (BfV), or Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution.
“From our point of view, they were for the missile programme but also partly for the nuclear programme,” Maassen added in an interview with German public television channel ARD, to be aired on Monday.
Filibuster_HK
唔係用Nunes Memo咩，大部分地方都係用"Nunes Memo"，不過究竟仲有幾多人睇CNN，個台墮落到同Fox有得揮
FISA application好有可能唔會公開，我估單野會係House的closed meeting處理，如果佢地會去查。
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FISA application好有可能唔會公開，我估單野會係House的closed meeting處理，如果佢地會去查。
:^(
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https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/02/rafael-correa-ecuador-referendum-ban-re-election
When Ecuadorians vote this weekend on barring former president Rafael Correa from re-election, they will also be choosing whether to buck a trend across South America in which overbearing former presidents just can’t let go of power.
After Lenín Moreno was elected Ecuador’s president in 2017 he was expected to keep the seat warm for his predecessor’s return in 2021. Over a decade in power, Correa allied with the leftist governments of Venezuela and Bolivia, ploughed public money into social spending – and also sheltered the WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. For half of that period, his vice-president was Moreno.
But since taking office, Moreno – the world’s only wheelchair-using head of state – has made good on his pledge to be his own man. He sacked the former vice-president Jorge Glas, a close ally of Correa who was later sentenced to six years in jail for corruption. He has also repeatedly hinted he wants to remove Julian Assange from the Ecuadorian embassy in London.