French taxi drivers on strike over govt. deregulation proposalsJanuary 10, 2013 - 18:48 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A strike by taxi drivers has hit travellers across France. The drivers are striking over government deregulation proposals they fear will damage their business, Belfast Telegraph reported. Thousands of protesting taxi drivers lined up in single file on roadsides across the country, refused fares or drove on major roads at a crawl. At one point in the late morning, a trip into Paris that would normally take 20 minutes was listed on traffic signs at more than two hours. The drivers called it Operation Escargot. Taxi associations oppose government proposals to allow private companies to transport the sick to medical appointments and allow for new chauffeur businesses. At Paris's Orly airport, with riot police on hand, scores of taxi drivers prevented access to the drop-off point at the West terminal, forcing air travellers to walk further to get inside. French government officials were negotiating with drivers' associations, hoping to put an end to the strike. A senior official said the government was confident it could reach a resolution, but stood firm on some measure of deregulation. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. 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". Partner news | International cybercrime ringleaders arrested in Armenia, Ukraine Europol, Europe's crime agency, has arrested four ringleaders of several cybercrime networks that used botnets. Armenia skips CSTO Defense Ministers meeting A meeting of the Council of Defense Ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization countries began in Almaty. Armenian, Iranian foreigh policy chief talk over the phone The Foreign Minister of Armenia once again expressed condolences to his counterpart on the death of the President of Iran. Armenia, U.S. customs authorities to boost assistance with new deal The government has approved an agreement with the U.S. government on mutual assistance between the customs authorities. |