Dozens hurt as "yellow vests" riot in Paris on May DayMay 2, 2019 - 12:10 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Clouds of tear gas billowed near the Montparnasse Tower on Wednesday, May 1 as police used force to suppress violence during annual May Day demonstrations marking workers' rights in Paris, Al Jazeera reports. The marches came less than a week after French President Emmanuel Macron announced he would lower taxes and raise pensions in response to the ongoing "yellow vest" protests. The measures were in large part dismissed by the movement's leaders and protesters, who echoed their stance on Wednesday at the demonstrations. "He didn't give us anything concrete," said Corinne Sion, a 57-year-old yellow vest protester who has been unemployed for more than a year now. Sion, who came from the Paris suburbs with her husband to join the demonstrations, said she also wanted to see lower value-added taxes (VAT) so she could afford basic needs such as bread and milk. The yellow vests joined France's national labour unions and other groups, bringing in at least 164,500 people across the country, according to the French interior ministry. The CGT union claimed the number of protesters was higher, at 310,000. In Paris, divisions quickly grew between demonstrators as some started using force. Police responded by sending waves of tear gas into the crowd. In advance of the Paris protests, police ordered nearly 600 shops along the official demonstration route from the Boulevard du Montparnasse to Paris d'Italie to close, and told other cafes and restaurants to carry out bag searches and identity checks. Other parts of the city, including the Champs-Elysees and area surrounding Notre Dame, were blocked off entirely to protesters as well as tourists. 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. |