Strikes

Sri Lanka declares state of emergency for second time in five weeks

Sri Lanka's President Gotabaya Rajapaksa invokes the tough laws to "ensure public order" after a nationwide strike brought the South Asian island nation of 22 million people to a standstill amid weeks of unrest.

Myanmar junta condoles deaths but blames anti-coup protests for violence

Myanmar military expresses sadness for protest death toll, which it puts at 164, and airs video testimony of a former top Yangon official alleging corruption by ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi, including receiving cash, gold bars and silk.

US piles sanctions on Myanmar junta leaders, threatens with more action

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said, "we are also prepared to take additional action should Burma's military not change course," as anti-coup rallies continued in the country following the ouster of the government of Aung San Suu Kyi.

Regime air strikes in Syria kill at least seven in past two days

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that Russian and regime strikes hit two hospitals in two different towns in northeastern Syria and they were both closed due to the heavy damage.

Macron vows to push through pension overhaul despite strike

In his New Year's speech, French President Emmanuel Macron pledged to push through an overhaul of the pension system, after weeks of nationwide strikes by trade unions.

Over half a million march as France paralysed by strike

The Eiffel Tower shut down, France’s vaunted high-speed trains stood still and teachers on the job walked off as unions launched nationwide strikes and protests over the government’s plan to overhaul the retirement system.

Over 25 civilians killed by regime, Russian air strikes in northwest Syria

Air strikes carried out by the Syrian regime and Russia targeted multiple towns in Idlib and Hama provinces.

Is Algeria facing a late bloom of Arab Spring uprisings?

A complex political configuration and the scars of civil war helped Algeria avoid the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings. But eight years later, the country faces political turmoil as the President Abdel Aziz Bouteflika seeks a fifth term in office.

Israeli air assault on Gaza kills at least one Palestinian

The assault targeted at least 20 areas throughout Gaza, killing 25-year-old Naji al Zaanin and injuring at least 3 others.

Israel kills two Palestinian teenagers in air strike – Gaza ministry

Gaza health officials say the missile hit an empty building in Gaza City and the casualties were passers-by after Israeli troops and Hamas fighters exchanged missiles and rockets in a worst flare-up of fighting since 2014.

UN envoy warns Gaza on the brink of war

The warning from the UN envoy for the Middle East comes after the worst military flare-up between Israel and Palestinian Hamas since 2014 war. Meanwhile, a fragile calm returned to Gaza Strip on Wednesday.

UN says eastern Ghouta 'hell on earth' as fresh attacks kill at least 19

Syrian regime continues to target the besieged civilians in the opposition-held enclave which the UN body for children describes a "hell on earth." Meanwhile, ICRC says a convoy of 13 aid trucks was allowed to enter a town of enclave.