“Yellow vest” protests erupt in Austria and Italy; US judge declares Obamacare unconstitutional

Russia submits draft resolution to the United Nations to "save" the INF Treaty

Russia submitted a draft resolution to the United Nations General Assembly to preserve the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF). Illustration photo: Reuters

Spokesperson for the Russian Permanent Mission to the United Nations Fyodor Strzhizhovsky said on December 15 that Russia submitted a draft resolution to the United Nations General Assembly to preserve the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. According to spokesman Strzhizhovsky, unilateral actions by the United States to initiate procedures to suspend compliance with the Treaty have put the future of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty in jeopardy. Russia calls on all parties to comply with their obligations under the Treaty.

On the same day, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Konashenkov said that Russia had not received a response from the US regarding the proposal of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to discuss the disagreements on the INF Treaty. Russia emphasized that it was ready for a detailed and open dialogue with the US Department of Defense on all outstanding bilateral issues, but three days after Russia sent the notice, the Russian Defense Ministry had not received an official response from the US.

Protests in Italy. Source: World Bulletin

As the wave of protests against fuel tax increases in France has shown signs of cooling down, on December 15, thousands of Italians took to the streets of Rome to protest against the new immigration and security law that was passed by the country's parliament on November 28. The protesters also wore yellow vests and held banners with the slogan "Stand up for your rights".

Meanwhile, Austrian police said about 17,000 people took to the streets of Vienna on December 16 to take part in an anti-government protest, exceeding the 10,000 estimated by protest organizers. The protesters mainly protested against the Austrian authorities' immigration policy, as well as demands for a shorter working day and the abolition of austerity measures.

A federal judge in Texas ruled on December 14 that the Affordable Care Act (commonly known as Obamacare) is unconstitutional, a decision that will likely be appealed to the Supreme Court.

A 2017 tax law change eliminated the penalty for not having health insurance, and Fort Worth District Judge Reed O'Connor agreed with 20 other states that this invalidated Obamacare. Republicans have strongly opposed Obamacare, which was introduced in 2010 and is considered the signature domestic achievement of Obama's presidency. Republicans have tried repeatedly to repeal it without success.

UN urges investigation into Khashoggi murder

Candlelight vigil for journalist Jamal Khashoggi outside the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul, Türkiye on October 25. Photo: AFP/TTXVN

United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for a "credible" investigation into the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Arabian Consulate in the Turkish city of Istanbul.

Speaking to reporters in the capital Doha (Qatar) on December 16, Mr. Guterres said he had no information about this incident other than what was published in the media. He said that a credible investigation was needed as well as punishment for the criminals.

Huawei faces a wave of "boycott" around the world

Illustration photo: Reuters

Huawei, which sells smartphones and telecommunications products, is facing skepticism from the United States and other countries as officials there warn of potential national security threats from using the Chinese company's products.

Last week, French telecoms company Orange removed Huawei from its 5G network equipment list, while German telecoms company Deutsche Telekom announced it was reviewing its cooperation with the Chinese company. In addition, two major US telecoms companies, Sprint (a subsidiary of Japan's Softbank) and T-Mobile (a subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom), announced last week that they would abandon Huawei equipment. New Zealand and Australia have banned telecoms companies in both countries from importing Huawei products for 5G projects. UK's BT Group also announced last week that it would not buy Huawei equipment for its upcoming 5G plans.

Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe (left) takes the oath of office. Source: newsfirst.lk

Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as Sri Lanka's Prime Minister on December 16, ending a nearly two-month political crisis after he was abruptly dismissed. MPs from Wickremesinghe's National Unity Party told reporters that Wickremesinghe's re-appointment as head of government had restored democracy, and the new government would now work to boost the economy and offer new proposals for the country.

Previously on December 15, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse, who was previously appointed by President Sirisena, officially announced his resignation.

Nicaraguan police accused of beating journalist

Riot police chased away journalists. Photo: Reuters

Nicaraguan police have been accused of beating at least seven journalists with batons following a series of protests against President Daniel Ortega. Journalists gathered outside the National Police headquarters in the capital Managua on December 15 to protest the police raid on the Confidencial weekly newspaper, confiscating its equipment, papers and books on the night of December 14.

Confidencial editor-in-chief Carlos Fernando Chamorro and other reporters demanded information from the police about the raid. However, riot police appeared and beat Chamorro, the reporters and other colleagues who were there to cover the story with batons.

Russian President speaks out to defend rappers

A rapper at a performance in the Russian capital Moscow. Photo: Reuters

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the recent move to ban rappers from performing was a “bad idea” and that authorities should instead focus on fighting drugs. In a speech at a meeting of the government’s Council on Culture and the Arts, President Putin said any attempt to prevent rappers from performing would be “at best ineffective and even counterproductive”.

Rap culture was one of the hotly debated issues at the meeting. In recent months, Russia has banned a number of rap shows on the grounds that singers promoted drugs, used obscene language and incited violence, according to RT.