Updated Nov 30, 2019

Iraqi prime minister resigns after two months of bloody protests

Photo: Ahmad Al-Rubaye/AFP/Getty Images

Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi formally submitted his resignation on Saturday after two months of bloody protests killed over 350 Iraqis, AP reports.

Why it matters: Protesters have been calling for Mahdi to resign since the protests first started in early October over corruption, mass unemployment and failing public services. Mahdi's announcement comes after almost 50 people were killed on Thursday and Iraq's top Shia leader Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani called for a change in leadership, Al Jazeera reports.

  • Yes, but: Protesters told Al Jazeera that Mahdi's resignation is not enough, and they plan to continue protesting until all of their demands are met.

The big picture: Mahdi's resignation will leave a major hole in the government unless he is quickly replaced by somebody the people trust — even as the protest itself remains a largely leaderless movement.

  • The protesters want the entire political class, that's led the country since 2003, out of office, per AP.

Go deeper: Protests burning in Iraq and Lebanon could singe Iran

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Coronavirus dashboard

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  1. Global: Total confirmed cases as of 5 a.m. ET: 5,595,091 — Total deaths: 350,752 — Total recoveries — 2,300,985 — Map.
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Why it matters: This is poised to be the next big challenge in the American economy: workers may be forced to chose between their health and their livelihood.

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Minneapolis unrest as hundreds protest death of George Floyd

Tear gas is fired as police clash with protesters demonstrating against the death of George Floyd outside the 3rd Precinct Police Precinct in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Tuesday. Photo: Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

Minneapolis police used tear gas during clashes with protesters demonstrating Tuesday night over the death of George Floyd, an African American who died in police custody, according to multiple news reports and images shared to social media.

Driving the news: The FBI is investigating Floyd's death after video emerged of a Minneapolis police officer kneeling on his neck for several minutes, ignoring protests that he couldn't breathe. Hundreds of protesters attended the demonstration at the intersection where Floyd died, per the Guardian.

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