News / News Bulletin

Spain's Catalonia elects Puigdemont as leader

Monday, 11 January 2016 5:33 AM [ Last Update: Monday, 11 January 2016 5:34 AM ]

Carles Puigdemont, the new leader of the regional government in Catalonia, Spain. © AFP

Here is a round-up of global news developments:

Protesters in the eastern Saudi city of Awamiyah stage yet another rally to condemn the execution of prominent Shia cleric Sheik Nimr al-Nimr. Saudi Arabia's action has triggered outrage among Muslims worldwide since last Saturday. The cleric was convicted of terror-related charged.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has warned that Saudi Arabia’s support for extremism and terrorism poses the real threat to the world. In an op-ed published in the New York Times, Zarif cited the 9/11 attacks and extremist groups like al-Qaeda and al-Nusra Front as examples of Riyadh’s support for extremism.
The foreign ministers of Arab League states, except Lebanon, have denounced what they called Iran’s interference in Arab states’ affairs. At a press conference after the organization’s emergency meeting in Egypt, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir accused Iran of supporting terrorism, sectarianism and violence.
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has pledged to press ahead with security operations against the PKK militants. Meanwhile, in the restive southeastern regions, families of the victims have called for an end to the prolonged curfew so they can recover the bodies of their loved ones.
A second US police officer involved in last year’s death of Baltimore black man Freddie Grey, who died in police custody, is set to go on trial. The first officer’s trial ended with a hung jury. Six officers have received charges over the case in totals.
Bulgarians have gathered outside the US embassy in the capital Sofia to condemn the deadly bombardment of their capital during World War Two. The protesters also slammed what they called US military imperialism. Some 200 American and British bombers killed nearly one thousand people 72 years ago.
In Spain's Catalonia region, lawmakers have elected Carles Puigdemont as the new leader to succeed Artur Mas who stepped aside to avoid new elections. Puigdemont has pledged to press ahead with a drive to secede from Spain. Spain’s prime minister has warned against such moves.
The number of criminal cases committed during New Year celebrations in the German city of Cologne has risen to 516. Police say 40 percent of the cases related to sexual assaults. They also said asylum seekers and illegal migrants from North Africa comprise the majority of suspects.