“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 (INF) Treaty. Illustration photo: Reuters

Russia has submitted a draft resolution to the UN General Assembly to preserve the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, spokesman for the Russian Permanent Mission to the United Nations Fyodor Strzhizhovsky said on December 15. According to Strzhizhovsky, the unilateral actions of the United States in initiating 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 disagreements on the INF Treaty. Russia emphasized that it is 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 has 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 showed signs of cooling down, on December 15, thousands of Italians took to the streets of Rome to protest against the new immigration and security laws that were passed by the country’s parliament on November 28. The protesters also wore yellow vests and held up banners with the slogan “Stand up for your rights.”

Meanwhile, Austrian police said about 17,000 people took to the streets of the Austrian capital Vienna on December 16 to take part in an anti-government protest. This number exceeded the 10,000 estimated by protest groups. The protesters mainly protested against the Austrian authorities' immigration policy, as well as calls 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 is likely to be appealed to the Supreme Court.

A 2017 tax law change eliminated the penalty for not having health insurance, and U.S. District Judge Reed O'Connor of Fort Worth 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 perpetrators.

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, while German telecoms company Deutsche Telekom said it was reviewing its partnership 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 their 5G projects. Last week, UK's BT Group also announced 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 sacked. MPs from Wickremesinghe's United National Party told reporters that Wickremesinghe's reinstatement 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.

Nicaragua police accused of beating journalist

Riot police chase 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 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 has said a recent move to ban rappers from performing is a “bad idea” and that authorities should instead focus on fighting drugs. Speaking at a meeting of the government’s Council on Culture and the Arts, 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.