Venezuela opposition seeks to paralyze country in anti-Maduro strikeJuly 20, 2017 - 14:57 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Foes of Venezuela's unpopular President Nicolas Maduro are calling for a national shutdown on Thursday, July 20 to demand a presidential election and the abandonment of a new congress they fear would cement dictatorship, Reuters reports. The majority-backed opposition want Venezuelans to close businesses, halt transport and barricade streets as part of a civil disobedience campaign they have called "zero hour" to try and end nearly two decades of Socialist Party rule. Student and transport groups said they would heed the call and many small businesses vowed to stay shut. Neighbors coordinated blocking off streets and families planned to keep children behind doors in case of trouble. "I've no doubt Venezuelans will paralyze the nation in rebellion," opposition lawmaker and street activist Juan Requesens told Reuters of the strike planned for 24 hours from 6 a.m. (0600EST) across the oil-producing nation. "The dictatorship wants to impose an illegal Constitutional Assembly by force to perpetuate itself in power," Requesens added of the government's plan for a July 30 vote for a legislative super-body that could re-write the constitution. Bosses at state-run companies - including oil company PDVSA which brings in 95 percent of Venezuela's export revenue - ordered nearly 3 million public employees to ignore the strike. No oil disruptions were expected. With Venezuela already brimming with shuttered stores and factories amid a blistering economic crisis, even a successful strike would have limited financial impact. 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. |