Protesters storm airport: Anti-government protesters took control of the Bangkok airport this week, forcing the cancellation of dozens of flights. “These brave democracy activists are peaceful citizens whose only crime was to challenge the regime’s illegitimate rule,” said U.S. The U.N., the U.S., and several European countries condemned the trials as a travesty of justice. Brushing off international condemnation, courts in Myanmar convicted several high-profile defendants a popular comedian known as Zarganar received a sentence of 45 years, while Ashin Gambira, the leader of the monks’ group that led last year’s uprising, got 68 years. Dissidents jailed: Myanmar’s ruling junta has sentenced more than 100 opposition activists to long prison terms, in a crackdown on protesters who took part in pro-democracy demonstrations last year.