Protests in Ukraine against new laws

On Jan. 19 thousands of protestors gathered in Kiev’s Independence Square in defiance of new laws that were passed that limited the right to protest. Both police and protestors accused the other of attacks during the protest, which left 60 police officers and 42 protesters hospitalized. Twenty people were arrested as clashes between police and protesters continue into Monday.

Baghdad bombings leave 13 people dead

On Jan. 20 car bombs in manly Shiite Muslim neighborhoods killed at least 13 people and left at least 53 others injured. In total six car bombs went off on Monday in five separate neighborhoods within a two hour time period. Two days prior, 19 people were killed in bombings in Baghdad and on Jan. 15 at least 61 people were killed and many wounded in other attacks in Baghdad and other cities across Iraq. According to the United Nations, 2013 was the deadliest year in Iraq since 2008

Blast at army checkpoint in Pakistan leaves 22 dead, Taliban claims responsibility

On Jan. 19 a blast at an army checkpoint in Bannu, a city in northern Pakistan, killed at least 22 people and injured 38 others. An army convoy, including both civilian and military vehicles, was traveling to Miranshah from Bannu when the blast struck. Intelligence officials say that an explosive device was planted into an 18-seater van in the convoy. The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, the main Pakistani Taliban faction, claimed responsibility for the explosion.

Central African Republic elects first woman as interim president as violence continues

The former mayor of Bangui, Catherine Samba-Panza, was elected the first women interim president of the Central African Republic (CAR). She beat Desire Kolingba in the second round of voting by the interim parliament. Samba-Panza urged Christian militants, also known as the anti-balaka, and Muslim fighters to end the violence. The previous President, Michel Djotodia, CAR’s  first Muslim leader, resigned on Jan. 10 due to pressure from regional leaders to stop the conflict.