Reuters, Madrid
Catalonia’s regional government on Monday voted in favor of a resolution to split from Spain, launching a so-called roadmap towards independence which the central government in Madrid has vowed to block.
The declaration on secession, the first step which pro-independence parties hope will lead to the northeastern region splitting from Spain within 18 months, was backed by a majority in the regional parliament.
Lankan minister quits over arms scandal
AFP, Colombo
Sri Lanka’s police minister resigned today following allegations he tried to shield a private security firm under investigation for gun running and money laundering.
Law and Order Minister Tilak Marapana said he quit to protect the government of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who was under intense pressure from cabinet colleagues to sack him.
Pope pledges to continue reforms in face of leaks
AP, Vatican City
In his first public comments on the latest scandal rocking the Vatican, Pope Francis told followers in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday that the theft of documents describing financial malfeasance inside the Holy See was a “crime” but pledged to continue reforms of its administration.
The pope said that publishing the documents in two books released last week “was a deplorable act that doesn’t help.”
Protests continue in Romania, fire death toll reaches 45
Reuters, Bucharest
Protests continued for a sixth straight day in Romania on Sunday as the death toll from a fire at a rock concert in a night club nine days ago reached 45.
Four people died on Sunday from burns and organ failure due to inhaling toxic fumes, doctors said.
Palestinian woman shot dead
AP, Jerusalem
Israeli troops shot and killed a Palestinian woman at a West Bank checkpoint after she pulled a knife in an attempt to stab guards on Monday, the Defense Ministry said.
The woman – who was identified as 23-year-old Rasha Owaisi from the West Bank town of Qalqilya – ignored calls to stop and also warning shots that were fired in her direction as she walked toward a checkpoint near the Alfei Menashe settlement in northern West Bank, said ministry spokeswoman Arielle Heffez.
China smog around 50 times WHO
recommendations
AFP, Beijing
A swathe of China was blanketed with dangerous acrid smog Monday after levels of the most dangerous particulates reached around 50 times World Health Organization maximums, with energy use for heating blamed as winter sets in.
Pictures showed smog so thick that buildings in Changchun, the capital of Jilin province in the northeast, were rendered invisible.
