REUTERS: Linux users file EU complaint against Microsoft

西班牙Linux組織向歐盟投訴Microsoft，指Windows 8內置[安全系統]阻礙用戶安裝其他作業程式，歐盟指已留意到此系統，暫未見有違規情況。

Microsoft過去10年，限制安裝第三方瀏覽器，濫用Windows巿場地位拓展Media Player等，在違反歐盟競爭法上罰款累積達2.2億歐元，成為全球最大歐盟商業違規者。

================

咁某政黨濫用管治權力，阻礙參於選舉資格，及阻礙大眾公平選擇其他管治信念，又有無違反競爭法？

人地已經去到商業環境爭辯道德議題，我地就仲係基本社會運作上泥漿摔角。。。唉。。。

Exclusive: Linux users file EU complaint against Microsoft | Article | Technology
By Sarah Morris

By Sarah Morris
http://mobile.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSBRE92P0E120130326?irpc=932

MADRID (Reuters) - A Spanish association representing open-source software users has filed a complaint against Microsoft Corp to the European Commission, in a new challenge to the Windows developer following a hefty fine earlier this month.

The 8,000-member Hispalinux, which represents users and developers of the Linux operating system in Spain, said Microsoft had made it difficult for users of computers sold with its Windows 8 platform to switch to Linux and other operating systems.

Lawyer and Hispalinux head Jose Maria Lancho said he delivered the complaint to the Madrid office of the European Commission at 0900 GMT (4 a.m. EST) on Tuesday.

In its 14-page complaint, Hispalinux said Windows 8 contained an "obstruction mechanism" called UEFI Secure Boot that controls the start-up of the computer and means users must seek keys from Microsoft to install another operating system.

The group said it was "a de facto technological jail for computer booting systems ... making Microsoft's Windows platform less neutral than ever".

"This is absolutely anti-competitive," Lancho told Reuters. "It's really bad for the user and for the European software industry."

Microsoft said UEFI was an industry standard aimed at improving computer security and the approach had been public for some time.

"We are happy to answer any additional questions but we are confident our approach complies with the law and helps keep customers safe," Microsoft spokesman Robin Koch said in a statement.

A spokesman for EU Competition Chief Joaquin Almunia declined to comment.

But in written comments dated March 4 to a query from an European Parliamentary lawmaker, Almunia said his administration was aware of the Microsoft Windows 8 security requirements.

"The Commission is monitoring the implementation of the Microsoft Windows 8 security requirements. The Commission is however currently not in possession of evidence suggesting that the Windows 8 security requirements would result in practices in violation of EU competition rules," he said in the letter posted on the website of the European Parliament.

The European Commission has fined Microsoft, the global leader in PC operating systems, 2.2 billion euros ($2.83 billion)over the past decade, making it the world's biggest offender of European Union business rules.

Microsoft's relations with the EU executive have been tense since 2004, when the EU found that the company had abused its market leader position by tying Windows Media Player to the Windows software package.

The company took a more conciliatory approach in recent years, settling another antitrust investigation in 2009 related to the choice of a browser in its Windows operating system.

It also lodged its own complaints to the Commission about the business activities of rival Google.

But Microsoft broke its 2009 pledge and was fined 561 million euros by the EU Commission on March 6 for failing to offer users a choice of web browser.

(Additional reporting by Teresa Larraz; Editing by Julien Toyer, Tom Pfeiffer and Clelia Oziel)

scmp: Six reclamation sites shortlisted to boost Hong Kong land reserves

政府選出五個填海位置，包括人造島，增加地土供應，但官員提醒工程無助短期房屋供應。

Reclamation schemes include a plan for an artificial island, but officials say proposals will do little to address city's housing needs

Cheung Chi-fai chifai.cheung@scmp.com
http://m.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1195772/shortlist-six-sites-boost-citys-land-reserves

The city's quest to reclaim more land from the sea is not going to help home buyers in the short term, government officials warned yesterday.

Five reclamation sites and plans for an artificial island have made the shortlist from 25 sites earmarked by the Development Bureau for a "strategic land reserve".

One of the sites, at Sunny Bay in north Lantau, could provide up to 100 hectares of land. But it lies directly under the airport flight path, meaning residential development is not an option.

A site at Siu Ho Wan - with a potential supply of up to 150 hectares - faces the same problem as it would lie under the proposed third runway.

Officials said the two sites could be ready for development as early as 2019, but the locations meant uses would be restricted. They said the aim of the strategic reserve was to fill gaps in the long-term land supply in time to take account of development needs and population growth.

The bureau is launching a three-month public consultation today on the six proposals.

A consultation exercise in 2011 concluded that Hongkongers were divided over reclamation, but that there was overall support to build up a land reserve.

Officials remain reluctant to say what these reserves could be used for without knowing the exact scale of each site.

"We want the public to tell us what their concerns are, and we will present to them the opportunities and challenges facing each site," said an official who did not want to be named.

We want the public to tell us what their concerns are, and we will present to them the opportunities and challenges facing each site

The official said the bureau hoped to convince the public of the need for funding to further study reclamation feasibility.

The five near-shore reclamation sites could provide a total of around 600 hectares. One of them - Lung Kwu Tan in Tuen Mun - could supply at least 200 hectares. Officials believe the Tuen Mun site is suitable for residential use despite its proximity to power plants.

"There are two chimneys at the coal-fired power plants. If the building height is restricted, residential uses might be feasible," said an official who preferred not to be named.

Another shortlisted site potentially fit for housing is at Ma Liu Shui, near the Sha Tin sewage treatment works, with a potential land supply of up to 60 hectares.

But development might hinge upon relocating the sewage plant to a nearby cavern, freeing about 28 hectares of land. Officials said this plan could take decades to materialise.

A site at Tsing Yi is capable of supplying 100 hectares but is already being targeted for a proposed container terminal. A decision on whether that will go ahead may be two years away.

Officials say the artificial island could provide between 1,000 and 2,000 hectares. They are eyeing a spot between west Hong Kong Island and east Lantau. And they said they would not rule out using the island to relocate facilities that cause pollution from urban areas.

Detailed studies on infrastructure such as road links were still needed.

To address environmental concerns, officials plan to conduct a cumulative impact study for reclamation sites in western waters, to see if these projects would overburden the area due to other infrastructure works either ongoing or being planned.

"If these studies show any problems, we can adjust the size of reclamation or fine tune their locations," the source said.

Alan Leung Sze-lun, conservation manager of WWF Hong Kong, welcomed the studies but urged officials to reveal more details. "This is the right direction to go in and it shows they are willing to face the problem," he said.

scmp: Parents hit again as ESF raises fees by up to 5.9pc

英基學校學費調整計劃:
小學每年HK$66,100 -> HK$70,000.

中學Form7至Form11每年HK$98,000 -> HK$101,400.

中學Form12至13每年HK$102,000 to HK$106,300.

=============

我好想知英基如果搞私立大學，要幾錢一年~

Increases needed to fund pay rises and improve services, says chief executive Du Quesnay

Thomas Chan thomas.chan@scmp.com
http://m.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1195468/esf-fees-increase-59pc-september

The English Schools Foundation will raise its fees by up to 5.9 per cent as negotiations drag on over the size of the subsidy it receives from the government.

In a letter to parents yesterday, the ESF's chief executive, Heather Du Quesnay, said the increase was necessary to cover a 3.5 per cent pay rise for staff and the cost of improving services. Some parents complained that the fee rises were unaffordable.

Du Quesnay said the ESF Board of Governors had decided on an average rise of 4.5 per cent. Annual fees for primary pupils will go up by 5.9 per cent from HK$66,100 to HK$70,000. In secondary schools, pupils from Form 7 to Form 11 will face a 3.47 per cent rise, from HK$98,000 to HK$101,400. In Forms 12 and 13, fees will rise by 4.22 per cent, from HK$102,000 to HK$106,300.

The ESF also plans to raise the fees of its two independent private schools, Discovery College and Renaissance College, by an average of 9.5 per cent and 7.6 per cent respectively.

Fees for primary schools rose about 13.8 per cent from HK$58,100 in 2008/09 to HK$66,100 in 2012/13, and by 9.8 per cent and 14.3 per cent for Form 7-11 and Form 12-13 pupils.

The latest rises need the approval of the Education Bureau.

A spokeswoman for the ESF said the calculation of the increases had incorporated the ESF's annual subvention of HK$283 million from the government in the year 2013-14. The Education Bureau says it has been liaising with the foundation on the subvention review.

The authorities proposed in 2011 that the English-language school system consider turning private in the long run, amid concerns about whether public money is being effectively spent.

Du Quesnay, who retires in August, said in the letter that the subvention had been frozen at the same level for many years. She said salaries for all teaching and support staff had to be raised to keep pay competitive and to safeguard morale. She also said there were areas where improvement was needed, chiefly for children with special needs.

"The board has agreed to fund additional spending of HK$1.7 million to open or extend Learning Support Classes at Island School and Sha Tin College."

The letter said the board was conscious of the pressure the increases would place on families.

[Harry's view] Harry's view

scmp: Henry Tang wine auction clouded by doubts over authenticity

唐英年拍賣總值四千八百萬港元紅酒，當中三批被洛杉磯一律師行指屬假冒，其中一批已暫時下架不賣。唐指紅酒經英國著名紅酒商購入，沒原因去懷疑紅酒的真偽。

===============

佢識唔識紅酒架。。。。

Christie's withdrew one lot ahead of weekend auction after US lawyer raised questions

Joshua But joshua.but@scmp.com
http://m.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1194084/henry-tang-wine-auction-clouded-doubts-over-authenticity

Doubts have been cast on the authenticity of at least three lots of wine put up for auction by former chief secretary Henry Tang Ying-yen, with Christie's withdrawing one ahead of last weekend's sale.

A detailed counterfeit wine allegation by Los Angeles-based lawyer Don Cornwell has been circulating on Wine Berserkers, an online forum with more than a million registered wine buffs, and other forums since Saturday.

But Tang said he "has no reason to doubt their authenticity".

The three lots of wine in question are a Methuselah of 1971 DRC La Tache (lot 189), a 12-bottle case of 1978 DRC Montrachet (lot 256) and a three-bottle lot of 1959 Romanee-Conti (lot 165). Christie's confirmed that lot 189 was withdrawn as "a precautionary measure" and was no longer available in the sale catalogue.

Lot 256 sold for HK$847,000 - far more than the HK$400,000 to HK$600,000 estimate - and was the second most expensive item of all 809 lots. Lot 165 sold for HK$242,000. The wine collection fetched a total of HK$48 million.

In an e-mail Cornwell said he sent to David Elswood, global head of wine at Christie's, he noted that Tang's 1971 La Tache bears two signature labels, indicating it is a later version than the initial release, which bears a single signature label.

"Most significantly, [Tang's wine] bears bottle Number 0001," Cornwell wrote. "There is no logical explanation for how a bottle labelled and issued at least a year after the initial release of the 1971 vintage could have Methuselah No0001 on it."
There is no logical explanation for how a bottle labelled and issued at least a year after the initial release of the 1971 vintage could have Methuselah No0001 on it
Don Cornwell

Cornwell also cited issues with the bottles and wax, saying two other lots should be withdrawn. He said he had sent a copy of the e-mail to the FBI.

Tang said they were bought from a reputable British agent 20 years ago. "The agent has the records of them and I have no reason to doubt their authenticity."

Christie's said: "The information we have at this time supports the authenticity of these three lots and withdrawal of lot 189 was a precautionary measure whilst we clarified and confirmed the position," a spokeswoman said.

Barrister Albert Luk Wai-hung said that if the lots were proven to be counterfeit, customs and the police should step in. "If Tang truly believes the wines are authentic, he might not be liable," he said.

明報: 政治局俞正聲論普選特首﹕「抗中央者執政不利香港」

真係唔明，大陸治國理念，就係全世界都要先擁護自己，而唔係去反思自己點解還未被全世界擁護？

700萬人已經夠apply law of large number, 無可能要求全部人都等於平均值啦~~幾十個人舉港英旗就怕國家被推返？咁要返醒下點解國家基石N年打造至今，都繼續如此脆弱。

如果公司老闆搞生意嘅理念，都係要巿場擁護，意思就係無能力駕御，無做生意嘅能力。

news.mingpao.com
明報新聞網

前港區人大代表吳康民指中央正做「期望管理」，向港人預示不是「選什麼人也可」；中大社會系副教授陳健民警告，中央愈設限，愈會令務實的港人走向「佔領中環」陣營（見另稿）。

特首梁振英昨在北京被問到中央的普選門檻會否是要找出一個「愛國愛港」的行政長官時，他指自己對2017普選特首「絕對有承擔」。他說希望和社會和立法會70名議員共同商議，「按照《基本法》的要求，按照人大的相關決定」，選出合資格的特首。

「要確保愛國愛港力量長期執政」

俞正聲昨日與港區政協會面逾兩小時，會上共有8名港區政協、4名澳門政協發言，而俞正聲總結時則發表約20分鐘的言論，除談及奶粉、中港矛盾外，據了解，俞正聲亦提及去年特首選舉出現分歧，以及2017年普選特首的事。

據了解，俞正聲在會上表明希望愛國愛港力量要加強團結，他直言在實際操作上難免出現分歧，特別是去年特首選舉。他形容自己不了解當時情，但真誠地希望大家團結，又直言在2017年普選時，「如果出現和中央政府對抗的力量，離心離德的力量在香港執政，對香港不好，對國家也不好」。他表明「要確保愛國愛港力量在香港長期執政，這是改善香港人生活、經濟平穩發展的關鍵，也是中華民族復興的一件大事」。

指港有人在顛覆搞動作

俞正聲表示，兩地要互相配合、支持。據了解，他在會上表示，雖然香港實行資本主義、內地實行社會主義，但始終同屬一國，「香港不能成為顛覆大陸社會主義的陣地和橋頭堡」，更表明香港有人在顛覆，包括「跑到大陸來說三道四」，更在「搞動作」，批評這些做法是違憲、違法，故要確保有個愛國愛港力量執政是一件大事。

俞正聲坦言，共產黨內部也有不少矛盾，不少議題都有激烈爭論，但共產黨有組織、有黨性原則，在爭論過後「大家都維護大局」，在中央定局後便會支持、維護團結，故期望港澳也能同樣做到。

政協﹕不認同一國兩制者 中央不接受

對於俞正聲表示要由愛國愛港人士執政，政協常委陳永棋表示，香港實行一國兩制，俞正聲的說法代表中央不會接受不認同一國兩制的人任特首，「根本不愛國愛港的人，都不應去參選」。

民建聯陳鑑林認為，很多人最近只強調一國，特別是早前政協發言人呂新華提到要愛國愛港，便遭到民主派大肆批評，他認為俞正聲的言論反映中央不希望見到參選特首的人並不愛國愛港，強調中央對特首任命權有絕對性，他形容俞正聲言論「不是辣，而是講得坦白，是好事，讓香港人也能清楚中央想法」。

經民聯副主席林健鋒不回應誰在顛覆，只說相信市民會自行判斷，他直言在一國兩制下，任何人都不應做任何偏離、對國家有傷害的事，亦不容許外國勢力影響香港。

黃振豪、何曉勤、楊曦、陳子凌、李泉、麥俊、張聞文、楊歡、林迎

明報兩會採訪組 北京報道

明報新聞網「兩會新聞專輯」已推出，短連結如下：

specials.mingpao.com/NPC2013.htm

■明報報料熱線﹕inews@mingpao.com / 9181 4676

scmp: Two-tin milk rule 'a bad precedent' for Hong Kong

限制奶粉出口被質疑違基本法，唐英年指，香港人應該要容忍大陸人來港消費

又開金口~

Officials defend cap on formula after Basic Law expert says it may result in legal challenges

Colleen Lee, Gary Cheung in Beijing and Emily Tsang
http://m.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1180375/two-tin-milk-rule-bad-precedent-hong-kong

Hong Kong officials have defended the new two-tin restriction on infant formula exports against criticism by a Basic Law expert in Beijing who said the curb was "inconsistent" with the mini-constitution.

Basic Law Institute chairman Alan Hoo said the restriction on travellers out of Hong Kong might face legal challenges.

"This practice curbs Hongkongers' freedom to bring goods into and out of the city, which is protected by Article 115 of the Basic Law," Hoo said, on the sidelines of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing.

This practice curbs Hongkongers' freedom to bring goods into and out of the city, which is protected by Article 115 of the Basic Law

"This is a bad precedent. This is not only inconsistent with Article 115, but also threatens the reputation of Hong Kong as a free market."

But both Secretary for Food and Health Dr Ko Wing-man and Secretary for Security Lai Tung-kwok, responding to the criticism from Hong Kong, said the limit - imposed on Friday - was the only way to curb rampant parallel trading in the scarce commodity.

"We are being forced to put the restriction into practice as there is no alternative," Ko said. "The only reason we have implemented the new law is to guarantee a sufficient supply of infant formula for local parents."

Lai said the restriction was not aimed at any particular people and rejected suggestions that it was a half-baked solution that lacked thorough consideration.

He also said that cancelling the multiple-entry permit scheme for mainland travellers - blamed by some for encouraging the traders - was not the answer.

Under the new rules, passengers over the age of 16 can take two tins, or 1.8kg, of infant milk formula out of Hong Kong on their first trip out of the city in 24 hours. By yesterday, at least 87 people had been arrested for exceeding the limit, of whom 60 per cent were Hongkongers and others mainlanders. They face a maximum penality of a HK$500,000 fine and up to two years in jail.

Several deputies and delegates in Beijing for the annual meetings of the National People's Congress and the CPPCC criticised the change and said the penalties were too harsh.

Hong Kong delegate Henry Tang Ying-yen, former chief secretary and failed chief executive candidate, said he hoped it was a temporary move.

"I hope it won't stir up conflict between Hong Kong people and mainlanders," he said.

Tang said Hongkongers should be tolerant of mainlanders coming to the city to shop.