On February 8, the law enforcement authorities attempted to shut down unlicensed street stalls. However, street vendors decided to assert themselves. Angry vendors threw bricks and bottles at police. Over 90 people have been injured and 61 arrested, the local media reported. Police said dozens of officers and four journalists were among those hurt.
The raid turned out into violent clashes. The police responded with rubber sticks and pepper spray.
Police fired live warning shots into the air as demonstrators and activists set fire to rubbish bins.
Police said the vendors and activists were told to leave but ignored the warnings. Nine women and 52 men have been arrested, all aged between 15 and 70. They are suspected of offences including unlawful assembly, assaulting police and possession of offensive weapons.
Ahead of the clearance operation, hundreds of people had gathered in the area to support the hawkers. Clashes erupted after dozens of local activists gathered to defend the vendors.
Mong Kok is a densely populated district of Hong Kong. It looks like a blend of modern skyscrapers and ancient houses. The district is popular owing to street food stalls and stores.
The underlying tensions go deeper. Many "localist" groups, who want greater autonomy for Hong Kong, turned up to support the vendors. Besides, people from Yougspiration, a youth organization, joined the protest. They argue that Hong Kong's identity is under threat.
On the photo, policemen in riot gear
On the photo, some participants were detained.
On the photo, policemen are leading an arrested protester to a police car.
On the photo, protesters are armed with hand-made shields.
On the photo, a local journalist is wounded in the head by a stone. He is being rescued by policemen.
Economic inequality remains one of the most pressing issues in today's world. To measure the gap between the rich and the poor in each country, the Gini index is used. This coefficient reflects how income is distributed within a society: the closer the index is to 100, the greater the inequality. Let's explore which countries currently have the highest Gini index values
This year has been pivotal for Bitcoin, the world's leading cryptocurrency. One of the key milestones was the approval of Bitcoin spot ETFs by the US Securities and Exchange Commission. In April 2024, Bitcoin also experienced a halving event, which is typically seen as a positive development for the digital asset. This year, the cryptocurrency is up 57%, and analysts remain optimistic about its future. However, they highlight four key factors that could influence Bitcoin's trajectory, both for better and for worse
Analytical periodical US News and World Report has presented its ranking of the best countries in the world in terms of quality of life, based on a survey of nearly 17,000 people. The list considers factors such as economic and political stability, a strong labor market, income equality, family-friendliness, safety, the quality of education, and healthcare systems. Let's find out which countries made it to the top of this list.
