https://europechinese.blogspot.com/2020/02/cdu.html
漢堡州選 CDU因圖靈根事件遭懲罰
德國漢堡州昨天（23日）舉行州議會選舉，SPD和綠黨是大贏家，前者繼續是漢堡最大黨，2018年由現任聯邦財長兼副總理蕭茲（Olaf Scholz）接過州長一職的Peter Tschentscher可望連任，而綠黨得票率增加超過一倍，超越CDU成為漢堡第二大黨。
兩個主流右派政黨CDU和FDP是大輸家。CDU出現該州最差成績，得票率跌至11.2%，瀕臨跌至單位數字；而FDP也僅僅達陣，只有當選門檻5%。極右的AfD同樣勉強躋身議會，得票5.1%。
CDU和FDP明顯受圖靈根州長「被當選」事件所打擊，再加上臨投票前數天發生哈瑙（Hanau）極右份子槍擊案，立場一向左傾、偏向對外開放而不太喜歡反移民立場的漢堡選民，借這次州選懲罰了兩個右派政黨。
SPD得票率其實也大跌6.6個百分點，但選前民調曾一度顯示SPD和綠黨拉鋸，綠黨有望成為最大黨，而且在這個環境，就算漢堡有多左傾，仍指望SPD可以45%得票率是不切實際，所以如今有39%得票，成績已十分可喜。
但整體、全國而言，綠黨才是這次州選最大贏家。SPD勝出，更多是Tschentscher選戰策略成功，多於聯邦黨總部的加持，該黨在漢堡的勝出效應及經驗很難應用至其他州及聯邦層面；反而綠黨持續在多州支持度上升，進一步鞏固他們的全國第二大黨地位，如果大家覺得CDU/CSU不再適合在聯邦執政，想找個替代品的話，大家會轉為投向綠黨。
【文首各黨漢堡州選結果圖片來自ARD】
國際時事政治選舉新聞張貼及討論區（七）
Filibuster_HK
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Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has tendered his resignation, confirmed the Prime Minister's Office.
The PMO said the resignation letter was delivered to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at 1pm.
???????
The PMO said the resignation letter was delivered to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at 1pm.
???????
又去返巫統
馬來人至上根本無變改
係咪又開始準備搞鳩安華
隨著土著團結黨25名國會議員與公正黨11名國會議員退出希盟，希盟政府已經垮台。
那麼，接下來會發生什麼事？
國家元首將需要決定，誰掌握議會多數支持，以成立新政府。又或者，元首諭令解散國會，以舉行大選。
目前，元首蘇丹阿都拉正在會晤公正黨主席安華。安華將需要向元首証明，他獲得議會多數支持以成立新政府。
若安華無法證明，國家元首就需要鑑定誰能掌握多數支持，又或者解散國會。
https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/511976
那麼，接下來會發生什麼事？
國家元首將需要決定，誰掌握議會多數支持，以成立新政府。又或者，元首諭令解散國會，以舉行大選。
目前，元首蘇丹阿都拉正在會晤公正黨主席安華。安華將需要向元首証明，他獲得議會多數支持以成立新政府。
若安華無法證明，國家元首就需要鑑定誰能掌握多數支持，又或者解散國會。
https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/511976
呢個post理念係好
但我見9成都係張貼
得一成討論喎
可能係內容太多太難消化
會唔會試下分拆
集中討論下某啲issue先？
但我見9成都係張貼
得一成討論喎
可能係內容太多太難消化
會唔會試下分拆
集中討論下某啲issue先？
無乜人黎呢度
黎緊美國大選應該會熱鬧啲
黎緊美國大選應該會熱鬧啲
Britain could give Hong Kong BN(O) passport holders right of abode, former top UK adviser says
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3051995/britain-could-give-hong-kong-bno-passport-holders-right-abode
Former attorney general says the United Kingdom would not be breaching its agreement with China by changing the rules
Only Britain decides what rights are extended to holders, Peter Goldsmith says
Demonstrators take part in a rally outside the British consulate in Admiralty, Hong Kong, calling on London to annul the Sino-British Joint Declaration in December. Photo: K. Y. Cheng
A former British attorney general says Hongkongers holding British National (Overseas) passports should be allowed to resettle in the United Kingdom, accusing the government of depriving them of full citizenship with misleading claims.
In a letter sent to Home Secretary Priti Patel, seen by the South China Morning Post, Peter Goldsmith QC said Britain would not be breaching the Sino-British Joint Declaration by changing the rules and granting this group of Hongkongers the right of abode.
As the main author in charge of a 2008 government review on citizenship, Goldsmith is the strongest legal voice to date in support of what would essentially be a path to full citizenship for hundreds of thousands of Hongkongers with a BN(O) passport.
The passport functions only as a travel document and does not grant the holder the automatic legal right to live or work in Britain. The Sino-British Joint Declaration signed on September 26, 1984, between the British and Chinese government set out the terms of Hong Kong’s return to Chinese sovereignty on July 1, 1997.
Why some Hongkongers are taking a fresh look at their British National (Overseas) passports
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3051995/britain-could-give-hong-kong-bno-passport-holders-right-abode
Former attorney general says the United Kingdom would not be breaching its agreement with China by changing the rules
Only Britain decides what rights are extended to holders, Peter Goldsmith says
Demonstrators take part in a rally outside the British consulate in Admiralty, Hong Kong, calling on London to annul the Sino-British Joint Declaration in December. Photo: K. Y. Cheng
A former British attorney general says Hongkongers holding British National (Overseas) passports should be allowed to resettle in the United Kingdom, accusing the government of depriving them of full citizenship with misleading claims.
In a letter sent to Home Secretary Priti Patel, seen by the South China Morning Post, Peter Goldsmith QC said Britain would not be breaching the Sino-British Joint Declaration by changing the rules and granting this group of Hongkongers the right of abode.
As the main author in charge of a 2008 government review on citizenship, Goldsmith is the strongest legal voice to date in support of what would essentially be a path to full citizenship for hundreds of thousands of Hongkongers with a BN(O) passport.
The passport functions only as a travel document and does not grant the holder the automatic legal right to live or work in Britain. The Sino-British Joint Declaration signed on September 26, 1984, between the British and Chinese government set out the terms of Hong Kong’s return to Chinese sovereignty on July 1, 1997.
Why some Hongkongers are taking a fresh look at their British National (Overseas) passports
The political question about BN(O)s resurfaced last year during violent protests against the Hong Kong government’s extradition bill, when London came under international pressure to consider opening the doors to Hongkongers born before the colonial era came to an end in 1997.
“From the materials I have been able to review, it is my view that the UK government can extend full right of abode to BN(O) passport holders without breaching its side of the Sino-British Joint Declaration,” Goldsmith wrote in the letter dated February 14, a similar version of which was also sent to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
“I said in the 2008 citizenship review that it would be fair to grant greater rights to BN(O) passport holders. I continue to hold this position.”
A Home Office spokesman said: “We continue to believe that the best solution for Hong Kong, and the British National (Overseas) passport holders that live there, is full respect for the rights and freedoms guaranteed in the Sino-British Joint Declaration.”
According to a 2015 British government estimate, 3.4 million people hold BN(O)s, which Hongkongers could apply for before the 1997 return to Chinese sovereignty. Those born after the handover are not eligible.
Last year, in rejecting British citizenship for Hongkongers with BN(O)s, the government cited the 2008 report: “Lord Goldsmith recognised that to automatically give BN(O)s full British citizenship would be a breach of the commitments made between China and the UK in the 1984 joint declaration on the future of Hong Kong.”
In his letter to the home secretary, Goldsmith – who was the British government’s chief legal adviser from 2001 to 2007 under Labour prime minister Tony Blair – said the assertion was “a mischaracterisation of what I said”.
“I want to make it clear: I never intended my report on citizenship to be a statement on any opinion by me that there would be a breach of the arrangements with China if the UK were to offer greater rights,” he said.
“I do not see why the UK government would be in breach of any obligation undertaken in the joint declaration were it to resolve to extend full right of abode to BN(O) passport holders while continuing to honour their side of the Sino-British Joint Declaration.”
Activists have compared the British government’s refusal to change BN(O) status to the Windrush scandal, where the Home Office threatened to deport thousands of people who arrived as children in Britain from the Caribbean decades ago.
“Goldsmith’s powerful letter has unmasked the UK and shown they have learnt nothing from the Windrush scandal,” said Luke de Pulford, fellow at the London-based Hong Kong Watch group and the campaigner who first contacted the former attorney general for clarification.
“It is time for the home secretary to dismiss baseless legal objections from the Foreign Office and to give British nationals in Hong Kong what they need and deserve.”
Goldsmith also suggested that the British government had been relying on a clause that bound it only up to the 1997 handover to justify their denial of BN(O) citizenship today.
At question is a memorandum on the right of abode for BDTCs – British Dependent Territories Citizens – that the British negotiation team presented to their Chinese counterparts in the 1980s.
It was under this unilateral memorandum, which Goldsmith said the Chinese side “neither accepted nor agreed to”, that BDTCs were converted to BN(O)s without the right of abode.
“The exchanged memoranda cannot be interpreted as imposing a permanent restriction on how the United Kingdom should treat the status of BN(O)s,” Goldsmith said.
The intention for the BDTC conversion to BN(O) “has already been discharged”, he said, adding: “The memorandum has no relevance to the UK’s present consideration of what rights should be enjoyed by holders of the BN(O) passports in the future. That is a matter solely for the UK.”
“From the materials I have been able to review, it is my view that the UK government can extend full right of abode to BN(O) passport holders without breaching its side of the Sino-British Joint Declaration,” Goldsmith wrote in the letter dated February 14, a similar version of which was also sent to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
“I said in the 2008 citizenship review that it would be fair to grant greater rights to BN(O) passport holders. I continue to hold this position.”
A Home Office spokesman said: “We continue to believe that the best solution for Hong Kong, and the British National (Overseas) passport holders that live there, is full respect for the rights and freedoms guaranteed in the Sino-British Joint Declaration.”
According to a 2015 British government estimate, 3.4 million people hold BN(O)s, which Hongkongers could apply for before the 1997 return to Chinese sovereignty. Those born after the handover are not eligible.
Last year, in rejecting British citizenship for Hongkongers with BN(O)s, the government cited the 2008 report: “Lord Goldsmith recognised that to automatically give BN(O)s full British citizenship would be a breach of the commitments made between China and the UK in the 1984 joint declaration on the future of Hong Kong.”
In his letter to the home secretary, Goldsmith – who was the British government’s chief legal adviser from 2001 to 2007 under Labour prime minister Tony Blair – said the assertion was “a mischaracterisation of what I said”.
“I want to make it clear: I never intended my report on citizenship to be a statement on any opinion by me that there would be a breach of the arrangements with China if the UK were to offer greater rights,” he said.
“I do not see why the UK government would be in breach of any obligation undertaken in the joint declaration were it to resolve to extend full right of abode to BN(O) passport holders while continuing to honour their side of the Sino-British Joint Declaration.”
Activists have compared the British government’s refusal to change BN(O) status to the Windrush scandal, where the Home Office threatened to deport thousands of people who arrived as children in Britain from the Caribbean decades ago.
“Goldsmith’s powerful letter has unmasked the UK and shown they have learnt nothing from the Windrush scandal,” said Luke de Pulford, fellow at the London-based Hong Kong Watch group and the campaigner who first contacted the former attorney general for clarification.
“It is time for the home secretary to dismiss baseless legal objections from the Foreign Office and to give British nationals in Hong Kong what they need and deserve.”
Goldsmith also suggested that the British government had been relying on a clause that bound it only up to the 1997 handover to justify their denial of BN(O) citizenship today.
At question is a memorandum on the right of abode for BDTCs – British Dependent Territories Citizens – that the British negotiation team presented to their Chinese counterparts in the 1980s.
It was under this unilateral memorandum, which Goldsmith said the Chinese side “neither accepted nor agreed to”, that BDTCs were converted to BN(O)s without the right of abode.
“The exchanged memoranda cannot be interpreted as imposing a permanent restriction on how the United Kingdom should treat the status of BN(O)s,” Goldsmith said.
The intention for the BDTC conversion to BN(O) “has already been discharged”, he said, adding: “The memorandum has no relevance to the UK’s present consideration of what rights should be enjoyed by holders of the BN(O) passports in the future. That is a matter solely for the UK.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government was understood to have revisited citizenship issues for Hongkongers last year, but no public announcement has been made.
Lm
大選出面一定有post，呢個post都係想搵個位貼咗再睇有冇人有興趣
香港時間下星期三super Tuesday ，一定要記得睇
睇左星期六South Carolina先
Health insurer shares pummeled by Sanders surge, virus worries
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-healthinsurers-stocks-idUSKCN20I2A1?utm
NEW YORK (Reuters) - As concerns over the spreading coronavirus outbreak hammered U.S. stocks, one corner of the market was confronted with another potentially game-changing prospect: a Bernie Sanders nomination.
The S&P 500 managed healthcare index of health insurance stocks .SPLRCHMO tumbled over 7% early Monday afternoon, compared to a 3.5% fall for the overall S&P 500 .SPX. Shares of industry bellwether UnitedHealth Group Inc (UNH.N) dropped 7.6% and were the biggest individual drag on the Dow Jones Industrial Average .DJI, while shares of Centene Corp (CNC.N) fell more than 10%.
Sanders, a U.S. senator whose progressive agenda includes a national Medicare for All health plan, scored a dominant win in the Nevada caucuses over the weekend, adding momentum in his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination to face off against U.S. President Donald Trump in the November general election.
The Vermont senator authored Medicare for All legislation that would essentially abolish private insurance in favor of a single government-run plan that covers every American. The ambitious proposal would cost more than $30 trillion over 10 years, according to independent analyses.
His dominant performance has taken some market participants by surprise.
“It wasn’t clear that it was going to be that big of a win for him,” said Sarah James, a healthcare analyst at Piper Sandler, adding that the senator “is still pushing his Medicare for All, anti-health insurer platform.”
James said most investors doubt Sanders’ health-reform plan will receive enough support to pass in Congress and would be too disruptive to even be feasible to implement.
“But you have two scenarios,” James said, “one, an acknowledgement that the chance isn’t absolutely zero; or two, an extension of the uncertainty, neither of which is a great setup.”
Health insurer stocks have proved volatile throughout the Democratic presidential race, sometimes falling as polls showed improvement for Sanders and fellow progressive candidate Elizabeth Warren.
(GRAPHIC: Health insurer shares lag in 2020 - here)
Reuters Graphic
On Monday, the stocks also felt pressure from news that the coronavirus was accelerating its spread outside China, with Italy, South Korea and Iran reporting sharp rises in cases on Monday.
“If it were to become a pandemic in the United States, that would be a significant impact to the operations for managed care,” said David Heupel, healthcare analyst at Thrivent Investment Management.
“Obviously you would have a massive increase in ER visits ...,” Heupel said. “There’s a lot of expenditures associated with that, so this would be a pretty significant increase in cost trend. That plays directly to the managed care group.”
Among other health insurer shares, Humana Inc (HUM.N) dropped 6.4%, while Anthem Inc (ANTM.N) was off 5.6%.
Shares of hospital operators were also under pressure, with HCA Healthcare (HCA.N) down 5.6% and Tenet Healthcare Corp (THC.N) off 4.6%.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-healthinsurers-stocks-idUSKCN20I2A1?utm
NEW YORK (Reuters) - As concerns over the spreading coronavirus outbreak hammered U.S. stocks, one corner of the market was confronted with another potentially game-changing prospect: a Bernie Sanders nomination.
The S&P 500 managed healthcare index of health insurance stocks .SPLRCHMO tumbled over 7% early Monday afternoon, compared to a 3.5% fall for the overall S&P 500 .SPX. Shares of industry bellwether UnitedHealth Group Inc (UNH.N) dropped 7.6% and were the biggest individual drag on the Dow Jones Industrial Average .DJI, while shares of Centene Corp (CNC.N) fell more than 10%.
Sanders, a U.S. senator whose progressive agenda includes a national Medicare for All health plan, scored a dominant win in the Nevada caucuses over the weekend, adding momentum in his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination to face off against U.S. President Donald Trump in the November general election.
The Vermont senator authored Medicare for All legislation that would essentially abolish private insurance in favor of a single government-run plan that covers every American. The ambitious proposal would cost more than $30 trillion over 10 years, according to independent analyses.
His dominant performance has taken some market participants by surprise.
“It wasn’t clear that it was going to be that big of a win for him,” said Sarah James, a healthcare analyst at Piper Sandler, adding that the senator “is still pushing his Medicare for All, anti-health insurer platform.”
James said most investors doubt Sanders’ health-reform plan will receive enough support to pass in Congress and would be too disruptive to even be feasible to implement.
“But you have two scenarios,” James said, “one, an acknowledgement that the chance isn’t absolutely zero; or two, an extension of the uncertainty, neither of which is a great setup.”
Health insurer stocks have proved volatile throughout the Democratic presidential race, sometimes falling as polls showed improvement for Sanders and fellow progressive candidate Elizabeth Warren.
(GRAPHIC: Health insurer shares lag in 2020 - here)
Reuters Graphic
On Monday, the stocks also felt pressure from news that the coronavirus was accelerating its spread outside China, with Italy, South Korea and Iran reporting sharp rises in cases on Monday.
“If it were to become a pandemic in the United States, that would be a significant impact to the operations for managed care,” said David Heupel, healthcare analyst at Thrivent Investment Management.
“Obviously you would have a massive increase in ER visits ...,” Heupel said. “There’s a lot of expenditures associated with that, so this would be a pretty significant increase in cost trend. That plays directly to the managed care group.”
Among other health insurer shares, Humana Inc (HUM.N) dropped 6.4%, while Anthem Inc (ANTM.N) was off 5.6%.
Shares of hospital operators were also under pressure, with HCA Healthcare (HCA.N) down 5.6% and Tenet Healthcare Corp (THC.N) off 4.6%.
今次應該真係到sanders
巴打覺得Sanders有無贏面
Former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak dies aged 91
https://www.thejournal.ie/hosni-mubarak-death-egypt-5020934-Feb2020/
He ruled Egypt for over 30 years.
FORMER EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT Hosni Mubarak has died aged 91.
The politician, who was ousted from power during the 2011 Arab Spring, had been in intensive care for the last two days.
He was released from jail three years ago having been imprisoned during the 2011 uprising. He had ruled Egypt for three decades until he was removed from power.
Mubarak was accused of inciting the deaths of protesters during the 18-day revolt in 2011, in which about 850 people were killed as police clashed with demonstrators.
He was sentenced to life in jail in 2012 in the case, but an appeals court ordered a retrial which dismissed the charges two years later.
His successor Mohamed Morsi, an Islamist, ruled for only a year after his 2012 election before the military overthrew him, prompted by massive protests against his Muslim Brotherhood group.
Morsi’s removal ushered in a deadly police crackdown that killed hundreds of protesters demanding his reinstatement.
The military chief who toppled him, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, won election as president the following year. He currently remains in power.
https://www.thejournal.ie/hosni-mubarak-death-egypt-5020934-Feb2020/
He ruled Egypt for over 30 years.
FORMER EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT Hosni Mubarak has died aged 91.
The politician, who was ousted from power during the 2011 Arab Spring, had been in intensive care for the last two days.
He was released from jail three years ago having been imprisoned during the 2011 uprising. He had ruled Egypt for three decades until he was removed from power.
Mubarak was accused of inciting the deaths of protesters during the 18-day revolt in 2011, in which about 850 people were killed as police clashed with demonstrators.
He was sentenced to life in jail in 2012 in the case, but an appeals court ordered a retrial which dismissed the charges two years later.
His successor Mohamed Morsi, an Islamist, ruled for only a year after his 2012 election before the military overthrew him, prompted by massive protests against his Muslim Brotherhood group.
Morsi’s removal ushered in a deadly police crackdown that killed hundreds of protesters demanding his reinstatement.
The military chief who toppled him, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, won election as president the following year. He currently remains in power.
I mean VS Trump
Hosni Mubarak: Former Egyptian President dies aged 91
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-51630142
Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak – ousted by the military in 2011 – has died in Cairo at the age of 91.
Mubarak spent three decades in office before a popular uprising swept Egypt.
He was found guilty of complicity in the killing of protesters during the revolution. That conviction was overturned and was freed in March 2017.
His death was confirmed by Egyptian state news on Tuesday. Earlier in the day, the Al-Watan website reported that he died at a military hospital.
Mubarak underwent surgery in late January and was photographed with his grandson as he recovered.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-51630142
Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak – ousted by the military in 2011 – has died in Cairo at the age of 91.
Mubarak spent three decades in office before a popular uprising swept Egypt.
He was found guilty of complicity in the killing of protesters during the revolution. That conviction was overturned and was freed in March 2017.
His death was confirmed by Egyptian state news on Tuesday. Earlier in the day, the Al-Watan website reported that he died at a military hospital.
Mubarak underwent surgery in late January and was photographed with his grandson as he recovered.
Donald Trump in India: Key deals signed on defence but not on trade
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-51625503
India and the US have signed defence, energy and telecoms deals but failed to reach a much-talked about trade accord.
President Donald Trump hailed a "very productive visit" but said he would keep working with Indian PM Narendra Modi for "a comprehensive trade deal".
The US is one of India's biggest trade partners. The two leaders hope the visit will mend a rift over tariffs.
Mr Trump's visit to Delhi has been marred by the deadliest religious unrest in the capital for decades.
Asked about the violence, he told reporters that the incident was "up to India" to handle.
However, he said he had brought up the issue of religious freedom in the country and was impressed by Mr Modi's response.
"He [Modi] was incredible, he told me- 'In India we have worked very hard to have religious freedoms'," Mr Trump said.
Ten people, including a policeman, have been killed and about 150 injured in protests against a controversial new citizenship law, which critics say discriminates against Muslims.
Mr Modi's Hindu nationalist government denies this, saying the law only seeks to give amnesty to persecuted minorities.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-51625503
India and the US have signed defence, energy and telecoms deals but failed to reach a much-talked about trade accord.
President Donald Trump hailed a "very productive visit" but said he would keep working with Indian PM Narendra Modi for "a comprehensive trade deal".
The US is one of India's biggest trade partners. The two leaders hope the visit will mend a rift over tariffs.
Mr Trump's visit to Delhi has been marred by the deadliest religious unrest in the capital for decades.
Asked about the violence, he told reporters that the incident was "up to India" to handle.
However, he said he had brought up the issue of religious freedom in the country and was impressed by Mr Modi's response.
"He [Modi] was incredible, he told me- 'In India we have worked very hard to have religious freedoms'," Mr Trump said.
Ten people, including a policeman, have been killed and about 150 injured in protests against a controversial new citizenship law, which critics say discriminates against Muslims.
Mr Modi's Hindu nationalist government denies this, saying the law only seeks to give amnesty to persecuted minorities.
Coronavirus: Iran's deputy health minister tests positive as outbreak worsens
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-51628484
Iran's deputy health minister has tested positive for the new coronavirus disease, as it struggles to contain an outbreak that has killed 15 people.
In a video, Iraj Harirchi said he was self-isolating and starting medication following his diagnosis.
He was seen mopping his brow repeatedly at a news conference on Monday, when he denied the authorities were lying about the scale of the Covid-19 outbreak.
They have reported 95 cases, but the actual number is thought to be higher.
The director general of the World Health Organization (WHO) has said the sudden increase in cases in the country is "deeply concerning".
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-51628484
Iran's deputy health minister has tested positive for the new coronavirus disease, as it struggles to contain an outbreak that has killed 15 people.
In a video, Iraj Harirchi said he was self-isolating and starting medication following his diagnosis.
He was seen mopping his brow repeatedly at a news conference on Monday, when he denied the authorities were lying about the scale of the Covid-19 outbreak.
They have reported 95 cases, but the actual number is thought to be higher.
The director general of the World Health Organization (WHO) has said the sudden increase in cases in the country is "deeply concerning".