Yellow vest protest in Brussels
Police in Brussels, Belgium, dispersed protestors wearing "yellow vests" (gilets jaunes) onto the side streets on Saturday.
The protestors were demonstrating against high taxes and costs of living in the city.
Hundreds of police officers were mobilized across Brussels, where yellow vest protesters last week clashed with police and torched two police vehicles.
Police took tight security measures in the city center and the area where the EU Commission and Council are located.
More than 70 people were detained. Ilse Van de Keere, a police spokesperson, said that arrests were carried out around the Brussels central train station and the Schuman area.
Protestors wearing the 'yellow vests' (gilets jaunes) stage a protest against high taxes and costs of living in Brussels, Belgium on December 08, 2018.
'Yellow Vests' protest in Brussels
Nearly 500 people were arrested in Paris ahead of planned Yellow Vest protests which started in mid-November, forcing the government to scrap plans to raise fuel prices, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said on Saturday.Protesters wearing bright yellow vests -- dubbed the Yellow Vests -- are gathering along the famous Champs-Elysees, where stores, restaurants, and banks were shut down as a precaution against possible violence.Security measures have been tightened in Paris ahead of the demonstrations. Dozens of armored vehicles and 89,000 troops -- including 8,000 in Paris -- will be on duty.France seeks way out of Yellow Vests protestsFrench government defends heavy-handed police tactics against studentsSome museums are also closed on Saturday. The Eiffel Tower announced on Twitter that it will be closed Saturday due to the protests, and offered refunds.Thousands of yellow vest protesters have been gathering in major French cities including Paris since Nov. 17 to protest President Emmanuel Macron's controversial fuel tax hikes and the deteriorating economic situation.Video: 'Yellow Vests' protests in ParisThe demonstrators, who generally live in rural areas due to high rents in the cities, have called on Macron to cut fuel taxes and ease their economic difficulties.At least three people have died during the riots while over 1,000 others have been injured, including 222 members of the security forces. Over 1,400 people have been arrested.According to a recent survey, 84 percent of the French people -- mostly from the middle-income group -- support the protests.Fuel prices in France have risen more than 20 percent this year.Galeri: 'Yellow Vest' protests continue to dominate ParisFrance braces for trouble, Macron to address 'yellow vest' angerFrance braces for more violence over high living costs
Nearly 500 arrested in relation to Yellow Vest protests in France
The last three weeks of protests in France have "created a monster", the country’s interior minister said Friday.Speaking to reporters ahead of the weekend, when a fresh round of anti-government protests will be held throughout the country Saturday against spiraling living costs, Christophe Castaner said that unlike past weeks, fewer people will likely be taking part. Castaner noted, however, that the number of protestors would likely reach several thousand.He stressed that pro-violence extremists are expected to be among the demonstrators, adding massive security measures would be taken.Castaner said there will be zero tolerance for violent acts and called on the demonstrators to take part in dialogue.Galeri: 'Yellow Vest' protests continue to dominate ParisProtesters wearing bright yellow vests, who have been dubbed the Yellow Vests, are expected to gather early Saturday at the famous Champs-Elysees avenue, where stores, restaurants and banks began taking their own measures, including covering their windows and doors with wooden planks and wire fencing.Police distributed notices to shops and restaurants along the avenue warning them of possible violent incidents during the demonstrations.Security officials asked them to keep doors and windows shut and not to leave chairs and tables outside. They also asked construction companies in the city not to leave building materials on streets.Security forces also began taking measures near the Elysee Palace in the capital.32 people arrested ahead of Yellow Vest protests in FrancePolice mobility has been enhanced in Paris ahead of the demonstrations. Dozens of armored vehicles and 89,000 troops will be on duty, including 8,000 in Paris.Many regional government offices throughout France have also prohibited the sale of fuel and other flammable materials.The demonstrations have also affected the cultural life of Paris. Museums will be closed Saturday, while opera performances and football matches have been cancelled in areas where protests area expected.Symbols of Paris such as the Eiffel Tower and the Triumphal Arch will be closed during the demonstrations.Many metro lines as well as roads and streets around the Champs-Elysees will also be closed to traffic.Palestine, France sign agreements in various fieldsThousands of Yellow Vest protesters have been gathering in major French cities, including Paris, since Nov. 17 to protest President Emmanuel Macron's controversial fuel tax hikes and the deteriorating economic situation in France.The demonstrators, who generally live in rural areas due to high rents in the cities, called on Macron to cut fuel taxes and make economic arrangements to ease their lives.The French government cancelled the fuel tax hikes late Thursday following weeks of violent demonstrations.At least three people have died during the riots while 1,043 others have been injured, including 222 members of the security forces. As many as 1,424 people have been arrested.Fuel prices in France have risen more than 20 percent this year.
Protests in France have 'created a monster': Minister