Cheat sheet: protests in Ukraine, Venezuela and Thailand

Televisions, computer screens and mobile devices flashed disturbing images before our eyes: packed public squares, cities on fire, homemade weapons, bodies carried away. And yet, as each story grew more gory than the last, it became more and more difficult to understand exactly what each battle involved. What united these people and what divided them. Here we present a catch-up cheat sheet guide to the protests in Ukraine, Venezuela and Thailand: Ukraine Protestors in Kiev have demanded that their government forge closer ties with the EU, rather than Russia. Protests began in November after President Yanukovych back-pedalled on a trade pact with the EU which had been years in the making. Protestors have also called for the resignation of the President, which appears near - he was stopped trying to board a plane to Russia on Saturday his main rival, Yulia Tymoshenko, was released from prison and he was ousted from parliament by his peers. After more than 100 people - protestors, police and civilians - were killed in last week's protests, many police have turned to side with the protestors, some of whom have entered Yanukovych's property to make a mockery of his wealth. Venezuela Demonstrators are calling for an end to shortages of goods, protected free speech and better security. Many of the protestors are students, but opposition leaders have also been involved. Lat Thursday opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez turned himself into authorities and was put in a military prison, as the government pressed terrorism and murder charges against him in connection with the protests. Thailand For months now, protests in Bangkok have been demanding the removal of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. They claim she is the puppet of her brother, exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Protests began in November after her government tried to pass a bill that would enable her brother to return to politics. The protestors, who have been clashing with police, have called for an unelected "people's council" to help move Thailand through politics changes.