Signs indicate Beijing may be shifting on next HK leader

HONG KONG (AP) — Just days before Hong Kong’s elite chooses the southern Chinese financial hub’s next leader, there are signs that Beijing wants to dump its first choice for the winner as it tries to keep pace with public opinion. 

On Sunday, a 1,193-person committee will vote on the semi-autonomous region’s next chief executive, while the rest of Hong Kong’s 7.1 million residents have no vote. The committee is made up of business leaders and other elites, most of whom are expected to vote according to Beijing’s wishes.

Link (submitted by Johannes)

UAE: Activists Planning Hunger Strike

(Abu Dhabi) – Five activists jailed seven months ago for “publicly insulting” United Arab Emirates officials plan to begin a hunger strike on November 13, 2011, Human Rights Watch said today. The activists said the hunger strike will continue until authorities release them unconditionally and end all judicial proceedings against them.

Link (submitted by Jordan)

Tensions Beneath the Stability in the U.A.E.

Amid the upheavals that have roiled the Middle East this year the United Arab Emirates has remained an island of stability — an achievement that has paid dividends as business and tourism have fled neighboring unrest to refocus on the federation. 

The allegiance of emiratis — who make up an estimated 20 percent of the 8.26 million population — to their rulers is underpinned by a social pact in which they receive benefits including free health care, education and even housing, along with guaranteed monthly salaries and subsidized food and fuel, paid for from the federation’s vast oil revenues.

Link (submitted by Jordan)

Swiss make New Year's regulations

On January 1, hundreds of new laws came into force. Most will have little effect on everyday life – the biggest changes are in the social security system. 

According to the Federal Health Office, in 2012 health insurance premiums will go up by an average of 2.2 per cent for adults and 4.4 per cent for 19- to 25-year-olds. For most people this will translate into several hundred francs per year.

Link (submitted by Leo)

DPP should update cross-strait policy: Hsu

"The China Post--Former Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) chairman Hsu Hsin-liang (許信良) yesterday urged the party to build Tsai Ing-wen's cross-strait policy into its official platform.

Tsai ran a great campaign that faltered only in the last mile — that is, when it came to cross-strait policy, said Hsu."

Link (submitted by Anna)