Million protesters demand South Korean president’s resignation
Over a million people took to the streets in central Seoul on Saturday to once again demand South Korean President Park Geun-hye’s immediate resignation over an influence-peddling scandal. The civic groups behind the protest said the attendance was 1.3 million, but the numbers could not be independently verified, Yonhap news agency reported. It is the 14th candlelight vigil to take place since the scandal broke in late November. A much smaller rally of President Park’s supporters also took place in the capital on the same day, with no incidents reported between the two groups.
Windy Storm in France
Winds reaching speeds of up to 148kph (92mph) caused a massive blackout in the departments of Gironde and Charentes on France’s southwestern Atlantic coast on Saturday, leaving more than 250,000 homes without power, the national electricity grid Enedis reported, according to AFP. The neighboring region of Landes saw at least another 1,000 homes affected. Local firefighters received more than 140 calls overnight, mostly due to fallen trees, damaged power lines, and blocked roads, officials said. A less powerful storm is expected to occur on France’s western coast on Sunday.
Greek public debt climbs to €326.4 billion
The Greek public debt has increased by five billion over the past year, and now totals €326.358 billion (approx. $352 billion), RIA Novosti reports, citing the country’s Ministry of Finance. In 2015, Athens managed to slightly reduce the figure to €321.332 billion, compared to just over €324 billion in 2014. Greece has been facing a deep economic crisis for nearly a decade now, with public debt more than tripling compared to the prior crisis figures, RIA says. In January, a confidential report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which is one of the main creditors for Athens, said that the country is likely to face an “explosive” surge in public debt with only significant debt relief capable of easing the situation.
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