14 December, 2014 20:36 Thousands flood Cologne streets in protest against racism Some 15,000 people marched through Cologne on Sunday afternoon under the motto “You are Cologne, no Nazis here,” Deutsche Welle reported. The demonstrations, organized in response to the recent spike in anti-Muslim and anti-immigration protests staged by far-right groups across the country, called for tolerance and an end to anti-Islamic sentiment. Various groups in cities such as Dresden and Dusseldorf held rallies against the “Islamization” of Europe throughout the fall. In October, a far-right protest against Islamic fundamentalism degenerated into a riot in Cologne, leaving 49 police officers injured. 19:26 Libya’s two largest oil ports shut down due to militant clashes The Tripoli-based National Oil Corps (NOC) has announced that Libyas two biggest oil export ports, Es Sider and Ras Lanuf, will be granted force majeure – a legal waiver freeing the ports from obligation and liability – due to fighting between rival militant factions representing the country’s dueling governments. The NOC declared that oil production flowing to the ports is to be slowly phased out, and that the ports staff will be reduced to a minimum. 16:24 250 protesters march in Moscow against education, medical reforms Some 250 protesters took to the streets in the Russian capital to demand a stop to education, medical and public utilities’ reforms, which would make these services less affordable. The figures outlined by protesters were presented by Russia’s Interior Ministry in a statement on Sunday. The rally was scheduled for November 30, but was postponed as the city’s authorities authorized only 700 participants instead of the 7,000 requested. In November, at least 1,500 protesters rallied against the reform of the capitals medical care system, which seeks the closure of some hospitals and that doctors requalify. 15:09 129 feared dead after boat sinks in DRC At least 129 people have drowned after a boat overloaded with passengers and freight capsized on Lake Tanganika in the south-east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), AFP reports. The vessel was travelling from Kalemie in the Katanga province to Uvira in the South Kivu province when it sank in the early hours of Friday, survivors speaking by telephone told AFP. 221 passengers have been rescued, according to Katanga’s transport Minister Laurent Kahozi Sumba, who said the boat was carrying excess weight when it sank. 14:02 Clashes close largest Libya oil export port Libya’s eastern Es Sider oil export terminal has been shut this Sunday due to fighting between forces representing the country’s two governments, according to an oil official, Reuters reports. Air strikes on Saturday, launched by forces loyal to Libya’s recognized government, hit targets at the port in an attempt to stop an advance by troops of the rival administration in Tripoli, who want to take control of the oil facilities. Libya’s recognized prime minister has been forced into the East of the country since the Libya Dawn militia seized Tripoli in August. 13:41 Japan’s Abe re-elected with two-thirds majority – exit polls Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe comfortably secured re-election on Sunday, according to exit polls. He called the snap election, which he billed as a poll on his economic policies. Media exit polls showed his ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its junior partner Komeito had swept the ballot with a two-thirds majority in the lower house of parliament. A low turnout, partly due to heavy snow across the country, will cast doubt on Abe’s claim that the win is an endorsement for his economic policies, which have not been as successful as earlier thought. 05:47 US Senate approves $1.1 trillion spending bill A $1.1 trillion government funding bill has been passed by a 56-40 vote in the US Senate. The bill would provide financing for most US government agencies through September 30, 2015. The exception is the Department of Homeland Security, which only gets money through February 27. The approval of the 1,603-page, long-term bill comes hours after the Senate voted for a short-term one, funding the government only through Wednesday night. The $1.1 trillion spending bill now needs to be signed by President Barack Obama.
Posted on: Mon, 15 Dec 2014 02:27:10 +0000
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