Democratic Republic of Congo Senate Amends Controversial Census Bil

The Democratic Republic of Congo senate has amended a controversial census bill following four days of violent nationwide protests.

The new version, to be approved by the lower house, removes the requirement to hold a census before the next election.Under the senate's amendment, the elections could be held in 2016 as planned, before a census is conducted.

The opposition had said this was a way for President Joseph Kabila to extend his time in office rather than stand down next year as planned.

Hundreds of students took to the streets to celebrate the news.

Human rights groups say that dozens of people have been killed during the protests. The government puts the figure at 12 - a policeman shot by a sniper and 11 looters killed by security guards