France: 15th yellow vest protests see thousands on the streets
Thousands of people marched on Saturday in Paris and other French cities for a 15th straight weekend of yellow vest protests in which dozens of people were arrested.
protests
US calls to ‘stand with freedom’ in Venezuela as EU gives ultimatum
The United States pressed all nations on Saturday (Jan 26) to “stand with the forces of freedom” in Venezuela, encouraged by a tougher European line as Russia stood in the minority in backing embattled leader Nicolas Maduro.
After Hamas rejects Qatari aid, Israel girds for violent surge on Gaza border
The Israeli military was gearing up Friday for renewed violence on the Gaza border, a day after Hamas rejected millions in Qatari aid money, ratcheting up tensions on the volatile frontier.
Federal Reserve raises rates, over Trump protests, but signals it will slow rate hikes in 2019
Federal Reserve officials voted Wednesday to raise the central bank’s interest rate target, the fourth such rate increase of the year, but also signaled that they will slow the pace of rate hikes in 2019.
Macron plans ‘important announcements’ after fourth week of protests
More than 1,000 people were arrested during another weekend of protests in France, as President Emmanuel Macron plans to hold talks with business leaders and trade unions Monday.
Armored vehicles deployed in Paris as France hit by fresh ‘yellow vest’ protests
Armored vehicles rolled through central Paris on Saturday as riot police clashed with ‘yellow vest’ demonstrators, who set fire to barricades and hurled rocks in the latest demonstrations against French President Emmanuel Macron.
France to deploy 89,000 security personnel ahead of Saturday protests
French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said 89,000 members of the security forces would be deployed nationwide on Saturday, including 8,000 in Paris, where armored vehicles will also be out on the streets.
France suspends fuel tax, utility hikes amid large-scale rioting
After days of unrest that included widespread rioting in Paris, the French government relented Tuesday and agreed to suspend utility hikes and a controversial fuel tax, the country’s prime minister announced.
France: Macron holds crisis talks after worst urban riot in 50 years
The French government did not discuss the possibility of declaring a state of emergency to prevent future riots at ‘yellow-vest’ protests across the country, an Elysee Palace spokesman said on Sunday.
Asia Bibi: Deal to end Pakistan protests over blasphemy case
Pakistan’s authorities have struck a deal with a hard-line Islamist party to end a protest over the acquittal of a Christian woman convicted of blasphemy.
Report: Hamas agrees to curb Gaza border violence to facilitate truce with Israel
Hamas has decided to scale back the violent weekly protests along Gaza’s border with Israel in an effort to bring down the number of casualties among the protesters, the London-based Arabic-language newspaper Al-Hayat reported Thursday.
Israel warns Hamas of ‘painful’ strikes if protests go on
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday threatened ‘very painful blows’ against Gaza’s Hamas rulers if they don’t halt protests along the perimeter fence that have led to clashes with Israeli troops.
Hundreds of Palestinians riot in Saturday’s protests in Gaza
About 500 Palestinians demonstrators, who massed at several points near the Gaza border fence Saturday, burned tires, and threw stones and explosive devices toward IDF forces.
Hamas leader admits Marches of Return were staged to avert internal crisis
Gaza’s Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar openly admitted on Tuesday that the weekly ‘March of Return’ protests staged on the Gaza border in recent months were intended to avert an internal crisis and divert pressure onto the Israelis.
Thousands join rival migrant protests in Germany’s Chemnitz
Thousands of opponents and supporters of Germany’s immigration policy marched Saturday through the eastern city of Chemnitz after a wave of racist violence that followed a knife killing.
Egypt: Mob attacks prevent Coptic church’s recognition for ‘security’ reasons
A Coptic community in Egypt’s Minya governorate, whose church was closed in July following protests by local Muslims, continues to be a target of mob attacks and hostility.
With Abbas sidelined, Israeli-Palestinian conflict enters new territory
It is unlikely coincidental that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas this weekend restated a call for ‘popular resistance’ against Israel, as the PA boss, back up against the wall, is seen by critics as having resorted to the often-used tactic of deflecting blame away from his own shortcomings and onto the ‘occupation.’
Charlottesville anniversary: Few arrests, peaceful protests
Thousands of people wanting to send a message that racism isn’t welcome in the United States gathered in a park outside the White House to protest a white nationalist rally on the anniversary of the deadly violence in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Annual Pride Parade takes over Jerusalem
In a rainbow of color and diversity, an estimated 35,000 people took to the capital’s streets Thursday for the 17th-annual Jerusalem March for Pride and Tolerance, with numerous groups, organizations and public officials participating in the parade.
Zimbabwe’s hopeful election gives way to deadly violence
Zimbabwe’s hopes to move past the long, damaging reign of ousted President Robert Mugabe hung in the balance Wednesday amid expanding violent protests and charges of ballot fraud over the results of the first post-Mugabe presidential election Monday.