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Filibuster_HK
[size=4][US President Donald Trump sacks Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, replacing him with CIA chief Mike Pompeo/size=4]
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-43388723
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-43388723
y4t7sds12
Donald J. Trump
@realDonaldTrump
Mike Pompeo, Director of the CIA, will become our new Secretary of State. He will do a fantastic job! Thank you to Rex Tillerson for his service! Gina Haspel will become the new Director of the CIA, and the first woman so chosen. Congratulations to all!
Rex Tillerson
@realDonaldTrump
Mike Pompeo, Director of the CIA, will become our new Secretary of State. He will do a fantastic job! Thank you to Rex Tillerson for his service! Gina Haspel will become the new Director of the CIA, and the first woman so chosen. Congratulations to all!
Rex Tillerson
:^(
:^(
:^(
海龜先生
Russia will not respond to UK's midnight ultimatum 'until it is given nerve agent samples'
Russia will not respond to Theresa May's midnight ultimatum over the poisoning of a former spy in Salisbury, the Russian foreign ministry has said, unless it is given samples of the nerve agent used in the attack.
In a statement, the foreign ministry said British threats to punish Moscow over the poisoning would not go unanswered, and described the allegations of Russian involvement as a provocation.
The UK Prime Minister had given Russia until midnight on Tuesday to explain why a Soviet-era nerve agent, produced in Russia, was used in the attack on former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia, who remain in a serious condition in hospital.
READ MORE
Russia summons British ambassador over nerve agent attack allegations
David Miliband says Corbyn 'sounded like Donald Trump' over Skripal
May says it's 'highly likely Russia was responsible' for spy attack
Sergei Skripal is a 'traitor', says Russian spy Anna Chapman
Ms May said the only two explanations for the finding were that the attack was ordered by the Kremlin, or that the Russian government had lost control of the military grade chemical weapon and let it fall into the hands of the perpetrators.
Russia insists it had nothing to do with the attack and said it will ignore the ultimatum to explain itself until London both hands over samples of the Novichok agent used and begins to comply with its obligations under the Chemical Weapon Convention, which oversees joint investigations of such incidents.
"Any threats to take 'sanctions' against Russia will not be left without a response," the foreign ministry said in a statement. "The British side should understand that."
Sergei Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, said earlier on Tuesday that his country "is not to blame" for the poisoning of Sergei Skripal.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/russia-nerve-agent-samples-spy-uk-ultimatum-theresa-may-poison-salisbury-a8253811.html?utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook
Russia will not respond to Theresa May's midnight ultimatum over the poisoning of a former spy in Salisbury, the Russian foreign ministry has said, unless it is given samples of the nerve agent used in the attack.
In a statement, the foreign ministry said British threats to punish Moscow over the poisoning would not go unanswered, and described the allegations of Russian involvement as a provocation.
The UK Prime Minister had given Russia until midnight on Tuesday to explain why a Soviet-era nerve agent, produced in Russia, was used in the attack on former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia, who remain in a serious condition in hospital.
READ MORE
Russia summons British ambassador over nerve agent attack allegations
David Miliband says Corbyn 'sounded like Donald Trump' over Skripal
May says it's 'highly likely Russia was responsible' for spy attack
Sergei Skripal is a 'traitor', says Russian spy Anna Chapman
Ms May said the only two explanations for the finding were that the attack was ordered by the Kremlin, or that the Russian government had lost control of the military grade chemical weapon and let it fall into the hands of the perpetrators.
Russia insists it had nothing to do with the attack and said it will ignore the ultimatum to explain itself until London both hands over samples of the Novichok agent used and begins to comply with its obligations under the Chemical Weapon Convention, which oversees joint investigations of such incidents.
"Any threats to take 'sanctions' against Russia will not be left without a response," the foreign ministry said in a statement. "The British side should understand that."
Sergei Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, said earlier on Tuesday that his country "is not to blame" for the poisoning of Sergei Skripal.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/russia-nerve-agent-samples-spy-uk-ultimatum-theresa-may-poison-salisbury-a8253811.html?utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook
海龜先生
Russian exile Nikolai Glushkov found dead at his London home
A Russian exile who was close friends with the late oligarch Boris Berezovsky has been found dead in his London home, according to friends.
Nikolai Glushkov, 68, was discovered by his family and friends late on Monday night. The cause of death is not yet clear. One of his friends, the newspaper editor Damian Kudryavtsev, posted the news on his Facebook page.
Without confirming the man’s name, the Metropolitan police said the counter-terrorism command unit was leading the investigation into the death “as a precaution because of associations that the man is believed to have had”.
It said there was no evidence at present to suggest a link to the incident in Salisbury, where the Russian former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, were poisoned and remain in a critical condition.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/mar/13/russian-exile-nikolai-glushkov-found-dead-at-his-london-home
再死多個
A Russian exile who was close friends with the late oligarch Boris Berezovsky has been found dead in his London home, according to friends.
Nikolai Glushkov, 68, was discovered by his family and friends late on Monday night. The cause of death is not yet clear. One of his friends, the newspaper editor Damian Kudryavtsev, posted the news on his Facebook page.
Without confirming the man’s name, the Metropolitan police said the counter-terrorism command unit was leading the investigation into the death “as a precaution because of associations that the man is believed to have had”.
It said there was no evidence at present to suggest a link to the incident in Salisbury, where the Russian former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, were poisoned and remain in a critical condition.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/mar/13/russian-exile-nikolai-glushkov-found-dead-at-his-london-home
再死多個
:^(
Filibuster_HK
The Hill 整合咁Tillerson 同侵侵由上任後至今的一連串矛盾意見，兩都由北韓，巴黎協定，到伊朗協定都有唔同睇法
http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/378149-timeline-tillersons-rocky-relationship-with-trump
:^(
http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/378149-timeline-tillersons-rocky-relationship-with-trump
Filibuster_HK
除咗Tillerson，仲可能有其他人事改變
Even as the reverberations continued in Washington and beyond, yet more drama bubbled up in the administration before Tuesday was out. The veterans affairs secretary, David Shulkin, is reported to be hanging on to his job by a thread after ethics violations concerning a trip to Europe with his wife and new allegations that he had a member of his security detail go shopping with him at a branch of Home Depot and then cart the purchases into his house.
Trump is considering replacing Shulkin with the energy secretary, Rick Perry, according to the New York Times. Meanwhile, the interior secretary, Ryan Zinke, was questioned by a congressional committee on Tuesday about a habit of using charter flights on government business. This follows a recent scandal over the housing secretary, Ben Carson, overspending on office refurbishments and longstanding criticism of the EPA administrator, Scott Pruitt, regularly flying first class at taxpayers’ expense.
Even as the reverberations continued in Washington and beyond, yet more drama bubbled up in the administration before Tuesday was out. The veterans affairs secretary, David Shulkin, is reported to be hanging on to his job by a thread after ethics violations concerning a trip to Europe with his wife and new allegations that he had a member of his security detail go shopping with him at a branch of Home Depot and then cart the purchases into his house.
Trump is considering replacing Shulkin with the energy secretary, Rick Perry, according to the New York Times. Meanwhile, the interior secretary, Ryan Zinke, was questioned by a congressional committee on Tuesday about a habit of using charter flights on government business. This follows a recent scandal over the housing secretary, Ben Carson, overspending on office refurbishments and longstanding criticism of the EPA administrator, Scott Pruitt, regularly flying first class at taxpayers’ expense.
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Filibuster_HK
昨日同時係 Pennsylvania’s 18th Congressional District, 目前Lamb(D)領先Saccone (R)不足600票，而且有可能要recount。
重點係呢個區之前係總統選舉侵侵以雙位數勝出，反而今個選舉係共和黨用大量資源下依然咬得咁緊，對十一月的中期選舉不是好消息。
https://www.vox.com/2018/3/14/17118540/pennsylvania-18-election-too-close-to-call
https://www.politico.com/election-results/2018/pennsylvania/special-election/mar-13/?lo=ap_a1
重點係呢個區之前係總統選舉侵侵以雙位數勝出，反而今個選舉係共和黨用大量資源下依然咬得咁緊，對十一月的中期選舉不是好消息。
https://www.vox.com/2018/3/14/17118540/pennsylvania-18-election-too-close-to-call
https://www.politico.com/election-results/2018/pennsylvania/special-election/mar-13/?lo=ap_a1
Filibuster_HK
Angela Merkel elected to fourth term as German chancellor
http://www.dw.com/en/angela-merkel-elected-to-fourth-term-as-german-chancellor/a-42966453
Merkel's election by Germany's lower house of parliament, the Bundestag, ends 171 days of waiting after Germany's national popular election on September 24, 2017. Merkel was elected by deputies from her own conservative CDU-CSU and her junior coalition partners, the Social Democratic Party (SPD).
In all, 364 members of the Bundestag voted for Merkel, while 315 voted against her. There were nine abstentions, and 21 parliamentarians were either absent or didn't cast valid ballots. That's hardly a ringing endorsement considering that the grand coalition accounts for 399 votes in the Bundestag.
http://www.dw.com/en/angela-merkel-elected-to-fourth-term-as-german-chancellor/a-42966453
Merkel's election by Germany's lower house of parliament, the Bundestag, ends 171 days of waiting after Germany's national popular election on September 24, 2017. Merkel was elected by deputies from her own conservative CDU-CSU and her junior coalition partners, the Social Democratic Party (SPD).
In all, 364 members of the Bundestag voted for Merkel, while 315 voted against her. There were nine abstentions, and 21 parliamentarians were either absent or didn't cast valid ballots. That's hardly a ringing endorsement considering that the grand coalition accounts for 399 votes in the Bundestag.
前路在何方
自從trump上台後Republican幾次補選唔係唔係贏得好險就係直頭輸埋，當然Republican的候選人表現未必好，但係唔係反映了一個全國性現象，其實trump冇陶傑，本土派kol,或者連登仔所講咁受美國人歡迎
:^(
Filibuster_HK
The UK sanctions imposed on Russia by Theresa May
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/mar/14/the-uk-sanctions-imposed-on-russia-by-theresa-may
The expulsion of 23 Russian diplomats. They will be given one week to leave. May described it as the biggest single expulsion in 30 years.
The government will enact a new targeted power to detain people suspected of hostile state activity at borders. This power was previously limited to suspected terrorists.
The UK will increase checks on private flights, customs and freight from Russia.
The UK will freeze Russian assets if there is evidence they are being used to compromise British security.
There will be legislation to protect the UK from hostile state activity. This will include increasing powers in the sanctions bill.
The government will look at whether new counter-espionage powers are needed.
The UK has suspended all high-level diplomatic contact with Russia. This includes revoking an invitation to the Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, and there will be no attendance by government ministers or members of the royal family at this summer’s World Cup in Russia.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/mar/14/the-uk-sanctions-imposed-on-russia-by-theresa-may
The expulsion of 23 Russian diplomats. They will be given one week to leave. May described it as the biggest single expulsion in 30 years.
The government will enact a new targeted power to detain people suspected of hostile state activity at borders. This power was previously limited to suspected terrorists.
The UK will increase checks on private flights, customs and freight from Russia.
The UK will freeze Russian assets if there is evidence they are being used to compromise British security.
There will be legislation to protect the UK from hostile state activity. This will include increasing powers in the sanctions bill.
The government will look at whether new counter-espionage powers are needed.
The UK has suspended all high-level diplomatic contact with Russia. This includes revoking an invitation to the Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, and there will be no attendance by government ministers or members of the royal family at this summer’s World Cup in Russia.
Filibuster_HK
係Dem的支持者比總統選舉時更積極去投票，同時Pen 18th的Lamb (D)係贏在比較中產的區域，當然係藍領較集中的侵侵區，Lamb都有所進帳。
同時Lamb也好，上次Alabama的Jones也好，佢地係立場上係冇咁自由派，唔少地方都偏保守，Lamb更加唔接受Dem的PAC捐款，campaign講經濟，就業，甚至支持steel tariffs，而得到工會支持。 上次Alabama的Jones (D)同樣係Senate唔係同侵侵針鋒相對，下次GOD是否可以重奪都要再睇。
侵侵支持度有限，GOP同樣係national level的poll比Dem低，但唔大機會好似今次反攻+20的地區而得手，但GOP的形勢顯然甚差，仲要一大堆人退休，不過佢地比Dem有錢，就睇吓點叫支持者出黎投票，因為Dem的支持者係Primary已經非常湧躍。
The Pennsylvania 18th Result Tells Us What Everything Has Been Telling Us For A While
https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/pennsylvania-18-district-lamb-results/
Republicans sound the alarm about Democratic fervor
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-republicans/republicans-sound-the-alarm-about-democratic-fervor-idUSKCN1GQ1BR
Democratic smiles in Pennsylvania’s special election
https://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2018/03/pa-18
同時Lamb也好，上次Alabama的Jones也好，佢地係立場上係冇咁自由派，唔少地方都偏保守，Lamb更加唔接受Dem的PAC捐款，campaign講經濟，就業，甚至支持steel tariffs，而得到工會支持。 上次Alabama的Jones (D)同樣係Senate唔係同侵侵針鋒相對，下次GOD是否可以重奪都要再睇。
侵侵支持度有限，GOP同樣係national level的poll比Dem低，但唔大機會好似今次反攻+20的地區而得手，但GOP的形勢顯然甚差，仲要一大堆人退休，不過佢地比Dem有錢，就睇吓點叫支持者出黎投票，因為Dem的支持者係Primary已經非常湧躍。
The Pennsylvania 18th Result Tells Us What Everything Has Been Telling Us For A While
https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/pennsylvania-18-district-lamb-results/
Republicans sound the alarm about Democratic fervor
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-republicans/republicans-sound-the-alarm-about-democratic-fervor-idUSKCN1GQ1BR
Democratic smiles in Pennsylvania’s special election
https://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2018/03/pa-18
Filibuster_HK
Slovenia: Prime Minister Miro Cerar resigns over court ruling on referendum
http://www.dw.com/en/slovenia-prime-minister-miro-cerar-resigns-over-court-ruling-on-referendum/a-42981064
Slovenian Prime Minister Miro Cerar announced his resignation on Wednesday shortly after the country's Supreme Court annulled the results of a referendum held last year.
Over 53 percent of voters in September voted in favor of a government railway project that was set to cost €1 billion ($1.25 billion), making it the center-left government's biggest investment program.
Slovenia is due to hold a parliamentary election in June, but the date will now likely be bumped up by a few weeks.
The civil society group Taxpayers Don't Give Up brought the case to Slovenia's Supreme Court, arguing the government had an unfair advantage in the referendum because it used €95,000 of public funds to support its campaign. The court agreed with them in a ruling earlier on Wednesday.
Cerar's government also faced a recent wave of strikes by public sector workers amid Slovenia's economic recovery. Many schools in the country were closed on Wednesday as teachers went on strike for the second time in a month.
http://www.dw.com/en/slovenia-prime-minister-miro-cerar-resigns-over-court-ruling-on-referendum/a-42981064
Slovenian Prime Minister Miro Cerar announced his resignation on Wednesday shortly after the country's Supreme Court annulled the results of a referendum held last year.
Over 53 percent of voters in September voted in favor of a government railway project that was set to cost €1 billion ($1.25 billion), making it the center-left government's biggest investment program.
Slovenia is due to hold a parliamentary election in June, but the date will now likely be bumped up by a few weeks.
The civil society group Taxpayers Don't Give Up brought the case to Slovenia's Supreme Court, arguing the government had an unfair advantage in the referendum because it used €95,000 of public funds to support its campaign. The court agreed with them in a ruling earlier on Wednesday.
Cerar's government also faced a recent wave of strikes by public sector workers amid Slovenia's economic recovery. Many schools in the country were closed on Wednesday as teachers went on strike for the second time in a month.
Filibuster_HK
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico 'ready to resign'
http://www.dw.com/en/slovak-prime-minister-robert-fico-ready-to-resign/a-42979882
Slovakia's prime minister, Robert Fico, said Wednesday he was prepared to resign on the condition that his social democratic Smer-SD party gets to choose a successor.
"Today I have offered my resignation to the president of the republic," Fico said. "If the president accepts it, I am ready to resign tomorrow."
The shock announcement is seen as an attempt by the embattled prime minister to keep his three-party coalition in power and avoid snap polls.
Fico's government has been plunged into crisis following the murder of Slovak journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee in February. The 27-year-old reporter had been investigating high-level corruption and alleged Mafia links to politicians and businessmen in Slovakia.
http://www.dw.com/en/slovak-prime-minister-robert-fico-ready-to-resign/a-42979882
Slovakia's prime minister, Robert Fico, said Wednesday he was prepared to resign on the condition that his social democratic Smer-SD party gets to choose a successor.
"Today I have offered my resignation to the president of the republic," Fico said. "If the president accepts it, I am ready to resign tomorrow."
The shock announcement is seen as an attempt by the embattled prime minister to keep his three-party coalition in power and avoid snap polls.
Fico's government has been plunged into crisis following the murder of Slovak journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee in February. The 27-year-old reporter had been investigating high-level corruption and alleged Mafia links to politicians and businessmen in Slovakia.
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Filibuster_HK
Corbyn under fire from own MPs over response to PM's Russia statement
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/mar/14/jeremy-corbyn-under-fire-over-response-to-pms-russia-statement
Jeremy Corbyn’s reaction to the prime minister’s Russia statement has sparked a Labour party row, as his spokesman questioned the evidence that Moscow was behind the Salisbury attack.
The Labour leader came in for sustained criticism, including from his own MPs, after he failed to condemn the Kremlin directly for carrying out the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia.
Corbyn called the incident “an appalling act of violence”, saying on Wednesday: “Nerve agents are abominable if used in any war. It is utterly reckless to use them in a civilian environment.”
But he left open the possibility – as Theresa May did on Monday – that the nerve agent could have been used by someone else other than the Russian state.
His comments brought shouts of “shame” from the Conservative benches.
The row later intensified when Corbyn’s spokesman appeared to compare the evidence for direct Russian involvement, with the shaky case for war in Iraq.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/mar/14/jeremy-corbyn-under-fire-over-response-to-pms-russia-statement
Jeremy Corbyn’s reaction to the prime minister’s Russia statement has sparked a Labour party row, as his spokesman questioned the evidence that Moscow was behind the Salisbury attack.
The Labour leader came in for sustained criticism, including from his own MPs, after he failed to condemn the Kremlin directly for carrying out the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia.
Corbyn called the incident “an appalling act of violence”, saying on Wednesday: “Nerve agents are abominable if used in any war. It is utterly reckless to use them in a civilian environment.”
But he left open the possibility – as Theresa May did on Monday – that the nerve agent could have been used by someone else other than the Russian state.
His comments brought shouts of “shame” from the Conservative benches.
The row later intensified when Corbyn’s spokesman appeared to compare the evidence for direct Russian involvement, with the shaky case for war in Iraq.
Filibuster_HK
Australia warned against 'dancing with dictators' at Asean summit in Sydney
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/15/australia-warned-against-dancing-with-dictators-at-asean-summit-in-sydney
Australia is not a member of Asean, nor is it planning to be, but this weekend’s Asean summit in Sydney is a significant step in binding Australia closer to its regional neighbours through trade and increased counter-terrorism cooperation.
Despite the possible diplomatic benefits, Australia has been warned against “dancing with dictators” at this weekend’s summit, and urged by rights groups to raise the issue of human rights abuses across the region, not just focus on trade and counter-terrorism.
Every Asean leader, with the exception of the Philippines president, Rodrigo Duterte, will be in Sydney for the Australia-led summit.
The focus of this weekend’s summit is geared heavily towards increasing trade and business links, as well as combating the regional threat of terrorism.
But much of the action will be away from the carefully-staged photo opportunities, set-pieces speeches, and heavily-managed press conferences.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/15/australia-warned-against-dancing-with-dictators-at-asean-summit-in-sydney
Australia is not a member of Asean, nor is it planning to be, but this weekend’s Asean summit in Sydney is a significant step in binding Australia closer to its regional neighbours through trade and increased counter-terrorism cooperation.
Despite the possible diplomatic benefits, Australia has been warned against “dancing with dictators” at this weekend’s summit, and urged by rights groups to raise the issue of human rights abuses across the region, not just focus on trade and counter-terrorism.
Every Asean leader, with the exception of the Philippines president, Rodrigo Duterte, will be in Sydney for the Australia-led summit.
The focus of this weekend’s summit is geared heavily towards increasing trade and business links, as well as combating the regional threat of terrorism.
But much of the action will be away from the carefully-staged photo opportunities, set-pieces speeches, and heavily-managed press conferences.
Filibuster_HK
打選戰真係好貴
Money isn't everything: Rick Saccone's $11m election failure – in numbers
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/mar/14/pennsylvania-election-conor-lamb-win-rick-saccone-numbers-money-spent?
The district where Lamb triumphed is known for being staunchly conservative. What’s more, over $10m of outside spending, in addition to $1m from his own campaign, was put behind Saccone leading up to the election. But by the final count it did not matter.
:^(
Money isn't everything: Rick Saccone's $11m election failure – in numbers
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/mar/14/pennsylvania-election-conor-lamb-win-rick-saccone-numbers-money-spent?
The district where Lamb triumphed is known for being staunchly conservative. What’s more, over $10m of outside spending, in addition to $1m from his own campaign, was put behind Saccone leading up to the election. But by the final count it did not matter.
Filibuster_HK
Russia 'will expel British diplomats soon'
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-43412702
Russia will expel UK diplomats "soon", its foreign minister has said, in response to the expulsion of 23 Russian envoys by Britain.
Sergei Lavrov told Russian media the expulsions would "definitely" happen.
The UK took its action after Moscow refused to explain how a Russian-made nerve agent was used on a former spy and his daughter in the UK.
Moscow denies any responsibility. Its foreign ministry called the allegations by PM Theresa May "insane".
When asked when the expulsions would happen, Mr Lavrov was quoted as saying: "Absolutely. Soon. I promise you that."
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-43412702
Russia will expel UK diplomats "soon", its foreign minister has said, in response to the expulsion of 23 Russian envoys by Britain.
Sergei Lavrov told Russian media the expulsions would "definitely" happen.
The UK took its action after Moscow refused to explain how a Russian-made nerve agent was used on a former spy and his daughter in the UK.
Moscow denies any responsibility. Its foreign ministry called the allegations by PM Theresa May "insane".
When asked when the expulsions would happen, Mr Lavrov was quoted as saying: "Absolutely. Soon. I promise you that."
http://www.dw.com/en/qualcomm-donald-trump-blocks-broadcom-takeover-bid-over-security-concerns/a-42949877
US President Donald Trump has barred Singapore-based Broadcom's unsolicited attempt to take over US-based telecommunications company Qualcomm, the White House announced on Monday.
Trump made the call to block the takeover following a recommendation from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), which assesses foreign purchases of US entities.
Broadcom's $121-billion (€98 billion) bid for the US smartphone chipmaker would have been the most expensive takeover to occur in the technology industry.
Broadcom's Singapore connections and China's potential future influence over the US chipmaker raised concerns when the unsolicited takeover deal was announced last November.