_{Image source: BBC}

Armenia

Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan accuses the army of an attempted coup after the military, along with protestors, urged the Prime Minister to resign. The military was angered after Pashinyan fired the Chief of the armed forces Onik Gasparyan. as well as the Deputy Chief Tiran Khacharyan after they ridiculed the Prime Minister over his handling of the war with Azerbaijan last year, in which Azerbaijan now occupies new territory that belonged to Armenia. That occupied territory now belongs to Azerbaijan legally according to the peace deal brokered by Russia. Pashinyan urged his supporters to march with him in the Capital. Thousands have joined the Prime Minister in the streets in solidarity.

India and Pakistan

India and Pakistan agreed to a “strictly enforced” ceasefire over the disputed Kashmir region at their borders. Disputes in that region have been on-going since the mid-20th century immediately following India’s independence. Scrimmages have been a continuous on-again-off-again occurrence at the border ever since then with both sides claiming the rights to the region. This is not the first attempt at a ceasefire, but both nations hailed the move as “necessary for the security of the region”.

United States

According to the Department of Labor, 750,000 Americans filed for new unemployment benefits. The number was expected to be 825,000. This marks a new 7-week low of new filings but is still incredibly higher than the 200,000 level prior to the pandemic. The stock markets closed lower in the United States, with NASDAQ having its worst day since October 2020.

Kazakhstan

According to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kazakhstan will no longer allow foreigners to own or rent farmland. The move comes after protestors showed anger over the government’s intentions to open up its farmland to international investors. Protestors argued that neighboring China will buy all the farmlands and devastate the nation’s economy. Kazakhstan is a major producer of grains and meat; both of which it exports to its closest neighbor: China.

Niger

More than 450 people have been arrested and at least 2 have been killed in Niger after protests over election results turned violent. Mohamed Bazoum has been named the victor by the election commission of the country, after receiving 55% of the votes. However, Mahamane Ousmane claims he received 50.3% of the votes, not the 44% reported by the election commission. Protestors on both sides took to the streets, in some cases burning buildings and damaging private property. The current President of Niger has voluntarily decided to step down after serving 2 five-year terms.

Indonesia

23 people were trapped under rubble when a gold mine collapsed in Sulawesi island in South East Indonesia. 6 people have been confirmed as dead so far with at least 1 more person missing. Officials say that this operation was no approved and was being done illegally. Illegal mining operations are common in the nation that accounts for 3% of the world’s gold supply, most of which is produced in the Papua province. According to Bloomberg, there is estimated to $40 Billion of gold reserve in the island.