Portal:Current events/2011 December 8

Current events of December 8, 2011 (2011-12-08) (Thursday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

• An oil pipeline near the Syrian city of Homs is blown up. (The Telegraph)
• Fighting breaks out in the Somali capital Mogadishu between militants and government troops. (UPI)

Business and economy

• The European Central Bank reduces interest rates to 1%. (BBC)

Disasters

• A storm causes damage, flooding and power cuts across the north of the British Isles with winds up to 165 mph (264 km/h). (BBC)

International relations

• Philippines officials claim that the People's Republic of China has executed a Filipino man for drug trafficking despite a plea for clemency from the President of the Philippines Benigno Aquino III on humanitarian grounds. (Washington Post)
• Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin accuses the United States of sponsoring the opposition in the country, following protests over the outcome of the recent elections. (RIA Novosti)

Politics and elections

• Security is increased in the Congolese capital Kinshasa prior to the announcement of results from presidential and parliamentary elections. (Al Jazeera)