700 students detained in Canada protests over tuition hikeMay 24, 2012 - 20:42 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Nearly 700 people have been detained in two Quebec cities in the biggest single night of mass arrests since student protests over fees began in February, BBC News reported. Police invoked a controversial new law designed to curb demonstrations as they detained 518 people in Montreal and another 176 in Quebec City. The protests against a planned rise in tuition charges escalated after Bill 78 passed last week. The Quebec government insists it will not change its mind on the fee hike. The march in Montreal late on Wednesday, May 23 began peacefully, as several thousand demonstrators flooded the central square of Quebec's largest city. Police later penned in the protest - adopting a controversial European police tactic known as "kettling" - after reporting they had been pelted with rocks and other projectiles. Those arrested were released on Thursday and issued with fines of more than C$600 (£370), AFP news agency reports. Authorities invoked Bill 78, which requires eight hours' notification before public demonstrations. Bill 78, passed last Friday, requires marches to follow pre-approved routes, but protesters say it infringes their democratic rights, and have pledged to legally contest it. Since the passing of the public assembly law, more than 300 people were arrested overnight at a protest in Montreal last Sunday and another 100 were detained in the city on Tuesday. Quebec currently has the lowest tuition rates in Canada, but the government's proposal would raise the fees by 80%, in increments of $254 per year (£160) for seven years. Talks between the government and student unions have broken down several times. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |