THREAD: mali capital crisis india protests

BANGLADESH CHAOS: Prime Minister Flees Amid Violent Protests

05 August 2024 — Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country Monday after weeks of protests turned violent. Thousands of demonstrators stormed her official residence, challenging her 15-year rule.

Her departure has sparked further instability in the nation already grappling with high unemployment and corruption. Dhaka’s main airport suspended operations amid security concerns as Hasina was seen boarding a military helicopter with her sister.

The military chief, Gen. Waker-uz-Zaman, promised to restore order and discussed forming an interim government with opposition leaders. Celebrations erupted in the streets, but some protesters attacked government buildings, setting fires and ransacking properties.

Haiti’s MAIN AIRPORT Under Siege: Armed Gangs Launch Shocking Takeover Attempt

05 March 2024 — In a startling rise in violence, armed gangs launched an audacious bid to seize control of Haiti’s primary international airport on Monday. The Toussaint Louverture International Airport was effectively shut down during the attack, with all operations suspended and no passengers in sight. An armored vehicle was spotted firing at the assailants in a desperate effort to keep them off airport property.

This assault is unprecedented in Haiti’s history concerning an airport. It remains uncertain whether the gangs were successful in their audacious takeover attempt. Just last week, stray bullets hit the airport during ongoing gang skirmishes.

This alarming incident unfolded merely hours after authorities imposed a nighttime curfew due to escalating violence. This surge saw armed gang members overrun two major prisons and liberate thousands of inmates.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric voiced grave concern about the rapidly deteriorating security situation in Port-au-Prince. He noted that attacks on critical infrastructure had escalated over the weekend.

PASSPORT PANIC: Zimbabweans Race Against Time Amid Looming Price Hike Fear

25 December 2023 — In Zimbabwe, currently grappling with economic woes, the most sought-after Christmas gift isn’t a gadget or toy, but a passport. The capital city’s passport office in Harare is teeming with citizens hoping to secure their travel documents before an expected price surge in the New Year. The looming increase and deteriorating economic conditions are driving a spike in migration.

Nolan Mukona, a 49-year-old father of three, was among those who rose at dawn to join the queue at the passport office. Despite his early start, he was greeted by over 100 people already waiting when he arrived at 5 a.m. “The only thing that can make my Christmas cheerful is if I manage to get a passport,” Mukona shared.

At present, passports cost $120 — an amount already burdensome for many Zimbabweans struggling to meet basic needs. However, according to 2024 budget proposals from the finance minister, these fees will rise to $150 in January — reduced from an initially proposed $200 after public backlash.

Over recent decades, millions of Zimbabweans have fled their homeland due to its crumbling economy. This exodus has accelerated recently as optimism for improvement following Robert Mugabe’s ousting from power in 2017 continues to wane.

California Democratic Convention GRINDS to a HALT: Protesters Stand UP for Palestinians

19 November 2023 — The California Democratic Convention in Sacramento came to an unexpected standstill due to the actions of protesters. These individuals were voicing their support for Palestinians, who they argue are suffering from a genocide funded by U.S. taxpayers.

Within the convention center, scheduled speeches were interrupted. Outside the venue, a poignant display of hundreds of children’s shoes served as a grim reminder of young Gazans who lost their lives.

Protesters made their stance clear with Palestinian flags and placards calling for an end to U.S. financial support for what they labeled as “genocide”.

Around 5:40pm, the protest escalated as demonstrators stormed into the convention center. Brandishing flags and beating drums, they echoed chants of “Resistance is justified when people are occupied”, making their way up escalators towards now-deserted voting rooms.

London PRO-PALESTINE Protests Ignite Controversy: Multiple Arrests and Shocking Symbols Unveiled

15 November 2023 — Central London witnessed a wave of pro-Palestine demonstrations on Saturday. The majority of the event was peaceful, but nearly 100 protesters were detained. An equal number of hard-right counter-protesters also faced arrests.

The Metropolitan Police are seeking six marchers for questioning, including one woman who displayed a contentious sign. This woman, identified as ex-Labour activist Kate Varnfield, held a placard stating “no British politician should be a ‘friend of Israel’,” with an alarming Swastika-Star of David symbol splattered with red.

Varnfield’s spouse defended the sign’s symbolism, claiming it wasn’t antisemitic but instead represented the emblem for Raelism — a UFO cult from the '70s that purports human life was engineered by extraterrestrials prepping for their return to Earth. Authorities have questioned two individuals regarding this controversial placard.