In recent weeks, a wave of violence, political unrest, and natural disasters have shaken multiple regions around the world. From rising tensions in Palestine and massive anti-government protests in Israel and Serbia, to deadly attacks and natural disasters in Russia, Mexico, Myanmar, and Pakistan. Each event shows the complex relationship of conflict, governance, and humanitarian crises that continues to shape our world.
Serbia – “Sound from hell”
After nearly five months of anti-corruption protests, hundreds of protesters accused the police and military, under the tight control of authoritarian Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, of using an acoustic crowd control weapon to target peaceful protesters. The illegal weapons emit sound waves of irreversible hearing damage, eardrum ruptures, and disorientation. According to NPR, Illic Sunderic shared, “It was quiet and peaceful, and then we heard something we could not see … like a sound rolling toward us, a whiz,” about the March 15 incident. “People started rushing for safety toward the pavement, feeling that something was moving toward us down the street.”
“[It was] a subdued sound lasting only 2-3 seconds but very unusual and very frightening, like a sound from hell,” she said. Serbia initially denied possessing the U.S.-made Long Range Acoustic Device. However, after being shown evidence of the device installed on a vehicle and deployed at a rally of hundreds of thousands of protestors, officials admitted to owning the weapon but denied using it against the protestors.
Pakistan – Hijacked Train
Last week, a train in Pakistan was hijacked, killing at least 21 passengers. A militant group claimed responsibility for blowing up the tracks and starting a fire on the train as it was halfway down a tunnel. The train was carrying almost 400 passengers. The attack was carried out by the Balochistan Liberation Army, a militant group seeking Balochistan’s independence from Pakistan since the 2000s but has recently been more active, as stated by NPR. Studies show they’re now one of the region’s deadliest insurgent groups.
Israel – Anti-Netanyahu Protests
According to a report by The Times Of Israel, throughout March, nearly 100,000 people marched in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and other cities, demanding a ceasefire in Gaza and new elections. For many days, demonstrators marched to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s private residence, accusing him and his administration of destroying democracy, extending the conflict for political benefit, and working against the people. People carried Israeli flags and posters criticizing the government’s handling of the ongoing war and the fate of the 59 hostages still held by Hamas.
Russia-Ukraine War
A Russian missile attack on the Ukrainian president’s home city of Kryvyi Rih on Friday killed at least 19 people, including nine children, in one of the bloodiest strikes this year. Stuck in a conflict that shows no signs of ending soon, despite the Trump administration’s drive for peace, as reported by CNN.
Myanmar – Deadly Earthquake Kills 3,600 People
The 7.7 magnitude earthquake that recently struck Myanmar killed more than 3,600 people, according to Myanmar’s military. Hundreds have gone missing, with around 5,600 injured, and the toll is guaranteed to rise. Rescuers are still unable to reach areas of the country that have been destroyed by the earthquake. The United Nations cautioned that the damage imposed by the earthquake will worsen Myanmar’s already severe humanitarian crisis, where a civil war has displaced more than 3 million people.
Palestine – Attack on Medics
On March 23, Israeli forces opened fire on a convoy near Rafah, southern Gaza, killing 15 emergency workers. The convoy, which comprised ambulances from the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, a United Nations vehicle, and a Civil Defence fire truck, was responding to a call to assist the injured. As declared by BBC, “Initially, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated the vehicles approached “suspiciously” without lights and did not coordinate with the military. However, cell phone footage recorded by one of the victims showed that the trucks’ lights were on. While the IDF claims some medics were affiliated with Hamas, they were unarmed, and no evidence has been given.”
In a separate incident, Hamdan Ballal, the Palestinian co-director of the Oscar-winning film “No Other Land”, was reportedly beaten by Israeli settlers in the West Bank and jailed overnight by Israeli forces, only weeks after receiving his award.
These global instances show a concerning pattern of increased global instability and human suffering, emphasizing the critical need for international attention, accountability, and coordinated efforts to bring peace and justice.
