This is a thread specifically for the war, not a general megathread (use the pinned /c/genzedong thread for that).
Please keep related news in this thread rather than making separate posts. Remember to include sources and avoid spreading rumours.
This is a thread specifically for the war, not a general megathread (use the pinned /c/genzedong thread for that).
Please keep related news in this thread rather than making separate posts. Remember to include sources and avoid spreading rumours.
Maybe this is getting too much into weird knock-on effects of the war but that’s the part that interests me the most tbqh
Arrests as protesters hit the streets over high fuel prices, cost of living – NTV Kenya [2026-04-22]
Police on Tuesday arrested protesters demonstrating against high fuel prices and rising cost of living outside the Kenya National Archives in Nairobi.
Kenya: Amnesty Calls for Police Restraint As Fuel Price Demonstrations Loom – Capital FM via AllAfrica [2026-04-21]
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In a statement, the rights group noted that the planned protests are a response to rising fuel costs and their worsening impact on households and the wider economy.
The organisation reminded the National Police Service (NPS) that the Constitution guarantees the right to peaceful assembly under Article 37, stressing that police are obligated to facilitate not restrict demonstrations.
“The Constitution of Kenya guarantees every person the right to assemble, demonstrate, picket, and present petitions peacefully and unarmed. The police bear a primary responsibility to facilitate and protect this right, not suppress it.,” the statement read.
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Amnesty said protest notifications are meant for coordination of public safety, not for seeking permission from authorities.
The organisation also cautioned police against the use of excessive force, citing past protests in which it documented cases of brutality, arbitrary arrests, harassment of journalists, and obstruction of medical personnel.
It warned that officers and commanders could be held personally liable for violations of constitutional and international human rights standards.
“Individual officers and their commanders may be held personally and criminally liable for violations of human rights, the Constitution, and Kenyan law,” the human rights group said.
Amnesty further pointed to a recent High Court decision in Kisumu, which declared the use of live ammunition against unarmed civilians during protests unlawful and unconstitutional.
The court, it noted, condemned instances where civilians were shot in their homes, on streets, or while fleeing, describing such incidents as a “grave failure of policing” and a violation of life and dignity.
Against this backdrop, Amnesty issued a series of operational recommendations to police ahead of the demonstrations.
The group called on officers to ensure full facilitation of peaceful protests, warning against arrests or intimidation of demonstrators who are lawfully exercising their rights.
It further emphasised strict command responsibility, insisting that senior officers will be held accountable for misconduct by personnel under their supervision.
“All officers must be clearly identifiable, with uniforms, name tags, and service numbers visible at all times,” the advisory stated.
On use of force, Amnesty stressed that it must remain a last resort and strictly adhere to necessity and proportionality principles.
“The use of live ammunition, rubber bullets, tear gas, or water cannons against peaceful protesters is prohibited,” it said, adding that de-escalation and dialogue should be prioritised.
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The organisation also urged protection of journalists, warning against interference with media operations, internet access, or live broadcasts during the protests.
“Any shutdown or disruption of media would amount to unlawful restrictions on freedom of expression and access to information,” it warned.
Health workers, human rights observers, and other neutral actors, it added, must be guaranteed safe passage and protection at all times.
Amnesty also urged police to distinguish between peaceful demonstrators and individuals involved in isolated criminal acts, cautioning against collective punishment.
It further underscored legal safeguards for arrested persons, including timely access to legal counsel and appearance in court within 24 hours.
“All arrests must be lawful, targeted, and based on individual responsibility,” the statement said.
The rights body also called for immediate reporting of any deaths or serious injuries to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and full cooperation with oversight institutions.
“Public order and human rights are not mutually exclusive,” the organisation concluded. “There must be no further loss of life, no excessive use of force, and no suppression of media freedom during the exercise of the right to peaceful protest.”
Fuel prices continue sharp drop in latest adjustment – Nhan Dan [2026-04-21]
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The price of E5RON92 biofuel is capped at 21,934 VND (0.83 USD) per litre, down 658 VND per litre from the previous level, while RON95-III gasoline now costs no more than 23,042 VND per litre, a decrease of 719 VND per litre.
Retail fuel prices in Viet Nam were sharply reduced from 16:00 on April 21 following the latest adjustment by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) and the Ministry of Finance.
Accordingly, the price of E5RON92 biofuel is capped at 21,934 VND (0.83 USD) per litre, down 658 VND per litre from the previous level, while RON95-III gasoline now costs no more than 23,042 VND per litre, a decrease of 719 VND per litre.
The price of diesel 0.05S was reduced significantly to a maximum of 27,856 VND per litre, down 3,185 VND, while 180CST 3.5S mazut oil is capped at 19,631 VND per kilogram, a drop of 701 VND.
In this price management period, the authorities decided to allocate funds to the Petroleum Price Stabilisation Fund at 200 VND per litre for biofuel, 400 VND per litre for gasoline, and 600 VND per litre or kilogram for diesel and mazut oil. However, they opted not to disburse the funds for any petroleum products
Viet Nam’s fuel prices remain lower than those in several neighbouring countries, including Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and China, according to the MoIT.
VNA
Eurostat: EU fuel prices post fastest rise since 2022 – TASS [2026-04-22]
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Weighted average prices for gasoline and diesel fuel in the European Union rose sharply in March compared with the same period of 2025, by 9.4% and 19.8%, respectively. This marks the fastest increase since 2022, according to the European statistical agency Eurostat.
The sharpest increases in diesel prices were recorded in Czech Republic and Sweden (+27.6%), Estonia (+26.8%), Latvia (+25.4%), and Belgium and the Netherlands (+25.2%), while in other countries the increase was around 10%.
For gasoline, the largest increases were seen in Belgium, Sweden, Austria, Czech Republic, Estonia, and Lithuania, where prices rose by 14-15%.
Hungary was among the three countries with the smallest increases, with diesel prices rising by 7% and gasoline by 4.7%.
In November 2022, the weighted average price of diesel in the EU rose by 22.4%, while in October 2022 gasoline prices increased by 9.6%.
I constantly think about farmers & fishermen so I apologize if this is just inane to you
Boat building cost surges amid fuel price hike – Express Tribune [2026-04-22]
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A sharp rise in fuel prices has significantly increased the cost of boat building in coastal areas of Karachi, including Ibrahim Hyderi, placing additional financial strain on the community.
According to local boat makers, the cost of constructing a standard fishing launch has jumped from Rs500,000 to Rs700,000, while the cost of medium-sized boats has also increased by around Rs200,000, pushing their cost close to Rs900,000. The surge is attributed not only to higher fuel prices but also to the rising costs of wood, iron, paint, and other materials used in boat construction.
Karachi’s coastal regions are known for building a wide range of vesselsfrom small ‘tikri’ boats to large launches such as 100-foot ‘rach’ and 150-foot ‘goja’. High-quality and expensive woods like sheesham, Burma teak, deodar, partal, and imported African ‘balau’ are commonly used in their construction.
Pakistan’s traditional boat-building craftsmanship is highly regarded internationally, particularly in the UAE and Iran. The construction process begins by assembling curved base wood (pathan), beam-like structures (mehra), and the stern component (sukhan), after which the full structure of the boat takes shape.
The coastal settlement of Ibrahim Hyderi presents a vibrant scene, where hundreds of fishing boats are either anchored after returning from the deep sea or being prepared for departure. Activities include net weaving, fuel filling, ice loading, and minor repairs, alongside the construction of new boats and refurbishment of old ones. Skilled artisans add intricate paintwork and decorative designs upon completion.
However, this traditional industry is now under pressure. Local boat buildersknown as 'wada’are highly concerned about inflation. Renowned boat maker Imtiaz Sabri said that building new boats has become difficult for fishermen, as costs of materials and equipment have surged hugely.
Kamal Shah, spokesperson for the Coastal Media Centre, highlighted that fishermen are already struggling with increased operational costs, including fuel and ice for fishing trips ranging from daily to monthly expeditions. Now, with boat construction becoming more expensive, many are reluctant to invest in new vesselsraising concerns about long-term impacts on livelihoods and the sustainability of this traditional craft.
It is worth noting that at Karachi’s coastal hubs, including Karachi Fish Harbour, boats of various sizes are builtfrom small two-person vessels to massive launches capable of catching and storing up to 100 tons of fish. Smaller boats like ‘tikri’ carry two fishermen, while ‘hori’ boats can accommodate up to five. Larger vessels range from 1012 feet ‘donde’ boats to 1624 feet launches, culminating in massive ‘rach’ and ‘goja’ boats stretching up to 100 and 150 feet, respectively.