New York has become the latest state to suspend its gas tax in an effort to give drivers some relief at the pump. The suspension of the 16-cents-per-gallon tax runs from June 1 through the end of the year.

New York suspends gas tax by 16 cents a gallon for rest of 2022

Here is a timeline of the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/french-police-clash-with-yellow-vest-protesters-in-paris-169-arrested-180785"> "yellow vest" movement</a> in France, from the first online rumblings against a fuel tax hike to nationwide protests that led to the worst Paris riots in decades.

A new day of high-risk demonstrations is planned on Saturday. So far four people have died and hundreds have been injured during the protests.

Viral video&nbsp;

A video posted on Facebook on October 18 quickly goes viral. It shows a woman, Jacline Mouraud, addressing<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/france-fuel-protest-president-emmanuel-macron-to-address-next-week-on-yellow-vest-movement-182168"> French President Emmanuel Macron </a>"Monsieur Macron", she says from her living room.&nbsp;

In it she lists the grievances of drivers in the face of the fuel price hike.

A petition to bring down the price of fuel is posted online.

&nbsp;Mass protests&nbsp;

Saturday, November 17 is the first day of road blockades across France with nearly 290,000 demonstrators wearing the fluorescent yellow vests motorists are required to carry in their cars.

The protests are spontaneous, and not organised by political parties or unions.&nbsp;

The next day Prime Minister Edouard Philippe says the government will not back down.

Violence breaks out in the French Indian Ocean island of La Reunion, led mainly by armed youths.

&nbsp;Second Saturday&nbsp;

The next protests take place the following Saturday, November 24. Thousands of demonstrators clash with police on the Champs-Elysees in Paris.

More than 106,000 demonstrators are recorded across France, including 8,000 in Paris. Revised official numbers count 166,000.

Aborted meeting&nbsp;

On November 27 Macron offers minor concessions, saying he would propose a mechanism to adjust the tax increases and calls for a three-month national consultation.&nbsp;

Unimpressed, the "yellow vests" call for a new protest on December 1 on the Champs-Elysees.

On November 29 Philippe meets a "yellow vest" protester. A day later two accept his invitation, but one walks out.

Chaos in Paris&nbsp;

The third day of protests takes place on Saturday, December 1 with widespread violence erupting particularly in Paris around the Arc de Triomphe and several upscale neighbourhoods.&nbsp;

The government says some 136,000 people protested across the country.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Crisis meetings&nbsp;

On his return from the G20 summit in Argentina, Macron immediately calls a crisis meeting at the Elysee Palace on December 2.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/france-pm-philippe-confirms-fuel-tax-suspensions-calls-for-calm-181453">Philippe</a> meets with political party leaders on December 3. "Yellow vests" representatives announce they will not go to a meeting with Philippe planned the following day&nbsp;later cancelled as some say they have received death threats.&nbsp;

Blockages of roads, shopping centres and fuel depots continue.

Seizing on the momentum from the protests, students start demonstrating over education reforms, disrupting dozens of high schools every day from December 3.

Six-month suspension&nbsp;

On December 4 the government retreats.&nbsp;

The prime minister says planned tax increases on petrol and diesel on January 1 will be<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/macron-makes-u-turn-on-fuel-tax-increases-in-face-of-yellow-vest-protests-181577"> suspended for six months</a> and hikes in regulated electricity and gas prices will be frozen during the winter.

The "yellow vests" reject the moves as insufficient and press ahead with plans for the fourth day of protests on Saturday, December 8.

The government fears the new protests could lead to a new explosion of violence, anticipating participation by the far left and far right.

2019 tax hikes scrapped&nbsp;

On December 5 Macron announces that all planned fuel tax hikes for 2019 will be scrapped.

However, he rules out re-imposing a "fortune tax" on high-earners.

Farmers say they are planning to hold demonstrations next week, to support their own demands.

High risk demonstration&nbsp;

For the fourth day of protests on Saturday, 89,000 security force members will be deployed, including 8,000 in Paris. Armoured vehicles will also be mobilised in the capital.

The government, as well as most opposition parties and unions, have called for calm.

On the eve of a demonstration, "yellow vest" representatives advise against demonstrating in Paris where museums, monuments, big shops and many metro stations will be closed.

Here is a timeline of the "yellow vest" movement in France, from the first online rumblings against a fuel tax hike to nationwide protests that led to the worst Paris riots in decades.

Here is a timeline of the "yellow vest" movement in France, from the first online rumblings against a fuel tax hike to nationwide protests that led to the worst Paris riots in decades. A new day of high-risk demonstrations is planned on Saturday. So far four people have died and hundreds have been injured during the protests. Viral video A video posted on Facebook on October 18 quickly goes viral. It shows a woman, Jacline Mouraud, addressing French President Emmanuel Macron "Monsieur Macron", she says from her living room. In it she lists the grievances of drivers in the face of the fuel price hike. A petition to bring down the price of fuel is posted online. Mass protests Saturday, November 17 is the first day of road blockades across France with nearly 290,000 demonstrators wearing the fluorescent yellow vests motorists are required to carry in their cars. The protests are spontaneous, and not organised by political parties or unions. The next day Prime Minister Edouard Philippe says the government will not back down. Violence breaks out in the French Indian Ocean island of La Reunion, led mainly by armed youths. Second Saturday The next protests take place the following Saturday, November 24. Thousands of demonstrators clash with police on the Champs-Elysees in Paris. More than 106,000 demonstrators are recorded across France, including 8,000 in Paris. Revised official numbers count 166,000. Aborted meeting On November 27 Macron offers minor concessions, saying he would propose a mechanism to adjust the tax increases and calls for a three-month national consultation. Unimpressed, the "yellow vests" call for a new protest on December 1 on the Champs-Elysees. On November 29 Philippe meets a "yellow vest" protester. A day later two accept his invitation, but one walks out. Chaos in Paris The third day of protests takes place on Saturday, December 1 with widespread violence erupting particularly in Paris around the Arc de Triomphe and several upscale neighbourhoods. The government says some 136,000 people protested across the country. Crisis meetings On his return from the G20 summit in Argentina, Macron immediately calls a crisis meeting at the Elysee Palace on December 2. Philippe meets with political party leaders on December 3. "Yellow vests" representatives announce they will not go to a meeting with Philippe planned the following day later cancelled as some say they have received death threats. Blockages of roads, shopping centres and fuel depots continue. Seizing on the momentum from the protests, students start demonstrating over education reforms, disrupting dozens of high schools every day from December 3. Six-month suspension On December 4 the government retreats. The prime minister says planned tax increases on petrol and diesel on January 1 will be suspended for six months and hikes in regulated electricity and gas prices will be frozen during the winter. The "yellow vests" reject the moves as insufficient and press ahead with plans for the fourth day of protests on Saturday, December 8. The government fears the new protests could lead to a new explosion of violence, anticipating participation by the far left and far right. 2019 tax hikes scrapped On December 5 Macron announces that all planned fuel tax hikes for 2019 will be scrapped. However, he rules out re-imposing a "fortune tax" on high-earners. Farmers say they are planning to hold demonstrations next week, to support their own demands. High risk demonstration For the fourth day of protests on Saturday, 89,000 security force members will be deployed, including 8,000 in Paris. Armoured vehicles will also be mobilised in the capital. The government, as well as most opposition parties and unions, have called for calm. On the eve of a demonstration, "yellow vest" representatives advise against demonstrating in Paris where museums, monuments, big shops and many metro stations will be closed.

France 'yellow vest' protests: Timeline of unrest

Yellow Vest Protests: Paris on lockdown as anti-Macron puts France on edge

French government scraps all plans to hike fuel taxes following yellow-vest protests

French government appeals nationwide protesters against high pump prices for calm

WION Gravitas: Anti-govt protests grip Paris

French leader<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/french-president-macron-begins-crisis-talks-with-ministers-a-day-after-yellow-jacket-protest-turned-violent-180962"> Emmanuel Macron</a> faced growing pressure Monday to find a way out of the worst crisis of his presidency after shocking scenes of<a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/gangs-of-yellow-vest-militants-set-heart-of-paris-ablaze-180834"> rioting in Paris </a>at the weekend.

As more than 100 people prepared to appear in court over the worst clashes in central Paris in decades on Saturday, Macron's government was preparing its response.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/france-fuel-protest-as-worst-unrest-hit-paris-macron-tells-pm-edouard-philippe-to-hold-talks-181016">Prime Minister Edouard Philippe</a>, who cancelled a scheduled trip to Poland, was set to meet the heads of the main political parties, many of whom sense opportunities in Macron's woes.

But the 40-year-old president appeared determined not to roll back the unpopular hikes in fuel tax which sparked the protests, or announce state handouts for poor families.

"Thinking that, as we have always done for 30 years, that you make a little symbolic gesture and then we sweep the dust under the carpet, that doesn't resolve the fundamental, structural problem," spokesman Benjamin Griveaux said on France Inter radio.

The protests erupted over fuel taxes but have since morphed into a wider wave of resistance to Macron's economic reforms, with the third round of demonstrations called for Saturday in Paris.

Macron, a 40-year-old centrist, was elected in May 2017 on a pro-business platform that promised measures to incite companies to invest to create jobs.

Immediately after coming to power, he pushed through tax cuts for entrepreneurs and high-earners -- policies that have become a lightning rod for anger among the so-called "gilets Jaunes" or "yellow vests".&nbsp;

Macron's task now is also complicated by his own desire not to yield to France's street protests, which in the past have repeatedly forced his predecessors into U-turns.&nbsp;

Jacline Mouraud, one of the protest movement's prime instigators, told AFP that scrapping the fuel tax was a "prerequisite for any discussion" with the government.

Government paralysis

After his meeting political rivals on Monday, Prime Minister Philippe is set to hold talks with representatives of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/french-police-clash-with-yellow-vest-protesters-in-paris-169-arrested-180785">"yellow vests"</a> on Tuesday.&nbsp;

He would then announce "measures" aimed at taking the heat out of the protests, his office said.

"Mr President, we need a response," demanded the front-page headline of Le Parisien newspaper on Monday.&nbsp;

"Swamped" read the headline of left-leaning Liberation newspaper which said the government seemed "paralysed by the yellow vest movement that it can't stop and that risks boiling over".

Amid criticism of policing methods on Saturday that saw dozens of cars torched and shops vandalised, the government ruled out imposing a state of emergency which had been mooted.

Deputy interior minister Laurent Nunez said that emergency measures were "one option among others," but he said it was "not on the table for now".

Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire said that solution for tackling low purchasing power for struggling families lay in reducing the tax burden in France, which is among the highest in Europe.

"We must speed up the reduction of taxes," he said. "But for that, we must speed up the decrease in public spending."&nbsp;

Business losses

Macron, a former investment banker, was booed on Sunday by onlookers while surveying the damage caused during the rioting.

The president assessed the Arc de Triomphe, the massive monument to France's war dead at the top of the Champs-Elysees avenue, where rioters scrawled graffiti and ransacked the ticketing and reception areas.

He also saw the wreckage of burnt-out cars and damaged buildings from rioting at other sites but has not spoken publicly about the destruction since his return from a G20 summit in Argentina.

Paris police said 412 people were arrested on Saturday during the worst clashes for years in the capital and 363 remained in custody, according to the latest figures.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A total of 263 people were injured nationwide, including 133 in the capital, 23 of them members of the security forces.

The violence has caused deep concern in the French business community which claims it has already lost billions of euros, and representatives are set to attend a meeting at the economy ministry on Monday.

"Our worst fears have been confirmed: this is the third consecutive weekend of (protest) blockades which amounts to a major loss for the whole business community," Jacques Creyssel, representative of a federation of retail businesses, told AFP.

Three people have died in incidents linked to the anti-government protests which began on November 17.

On Saturday, the Champs-Elysees, the Louvre museum, the Opera and Place Vendome were among the ritzy areas where shop windows were smashed and dozens of cars torched by rioters.

One person was in a critical condition after protesters pulled down one of the huge iron gates of the Tuileries garden by the Louvre, crushing several people.

Nearly 190 fires were put out and six buildings were set alight, the interior ministry said.

&nbsp;

French leader Emmanuel Macron faced growing pressure Monday to find a way out of the worst crisis of his presidency after shocking scenes of rioting in Paris at the weekend.

French leader Emmanuel Macron faced growing pressure Monday to find a way out of the worst crisis of his presidency after shocking scenes of rioting in Paris at the weekend. As more than 100 people prepared to appear in court over the worst clashes in central Paris in decades on Saturday, Macron's government was preparing its response. Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, who cancelled a scheduled trip to Poland, was set to meet the heads of the main political parties, many of whom sense opportunities in Macron's woes. But the 40-year-old president appeared determined not to roll back the unpopular hikes in fuel tax which sparked the protests, or announce state handouts for poor families. "Thinking that, as we have always done for 30 years, that you make a little symbolic gesture and then we sweep the dust under the carpet, that doesn't resolve the fundamental, structural problem," spokesman Benjamin Griveaux said on France Inter radio. The protests erupted over fuel taxes but have since morphed into a wider wave of resistance to Macron's economic reforms, with the third round of demonstrations called for Saturday in Paris. Macron, a 40-year-old centrist, was elected in May 2017 on a pro-business platform that promised measures to incite companies to invest to create jobs. Immediately after coming to power, he pushed through tax cuts for entrepreneurs and high-earners -- policies that have become a lightning rod for anger among the so-called "gilets Jaunes" or "yellow vests". Macron's task now is also complicated by his own desire not to yield to France's street protests, which in the past have repeatedly forced his predecessors into U-turns. Jacline Mouraud, one of the protest movement's prime instigators, told AFP that scrapping the fuel tax was a "prerequisite for any discussion" with the government. Government paralysis After his meeting political rivals on Monday, Prime Minister Philippe is set to hold talks with representatives of the "yellow vests" on Tuesday. He would then announce "measures" aimed at taking the heat out of the protests, his office said. "Mr President, we need a response," demanded the front-page headline of Le Parisien newspaper on Monday. "Swamped" read the headline of left-leaning Liberation newspaper which said the government seemed "paralysed by the yellow vest movement that it can't stop and that risks boiling over". Amid criticism of policing methods on Saturday that saw dozens of cars torched and shops vandalised, the government ruled out imposing a state of emergency which had been mooted. Deputy interior minister Laurent Nunez said that emergency measures were "one option among others," but he said it was "not on the table for now". Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire said that solution for tackling low purchasing power for struggling families lay in reducing the tax burden in France, which is among the highest in Europe. "We must speed up the reduction of taxes," he said. "But for that, we must speed up the decrease in public spending." Business losses Macron, a former investment banker, was booed on Sunday by onlookers while surveying the damage caused during the rioting. The president assessed the Arc de Triomphe, the massive monument to France's war dead at the top of the Champs-Elysees avenue, where rioters scrawled graffiti and ransacked the ticketing and reception areas. He also saw the wreckage of burnt-out cars and damaged buildings from rioting at other sites but has not spoken publicly about the destruction since his return from a G20 summit in Argentina. Paris police said 412 people were arrested on Saturday during the worst clashes for years in the capital and 363 remained in custody, according to the latest figures. A total of 263 people were injured nationwide, including 133 in the capital, 23 of them members of the security forces. The violence has caused deep concern in the French business community which claims it has already lost billions of euros, and representatives are set to attend a meeting at the economy ministry on Monday. "Our worst fears have been confirmed: this is the third consecutive weekend of (protest) blockades which amounts to a major loss for the whole business community," Jacques Creyssel, representative of a federation of retail businesses, told AFP. Three people have died in incidents linked to the anti-government protests which began on November 17. On Saturday, the Champs-Elysees, the Louvre museum, the Opera and Place Vendome were among the ritzy areas where shop windows were smashed and dozens of cars torched by rioters. One person was in a critical condition after protesters pulled down one of the huge iron gates of the Tuileries garden by the Louvre, crushing several people. Nearly 190 fires were put out and six buildings were set alight, the interior ministry said.

France fuel protest: Macron seeks way out of crisis after Paris riots

WION Dispatch: President Macron orders PM to hold talks to calm Fuel protests in France

Ambulance drivers stage protest against president Macron's reforms

'State of insurrection' as rioters run amok in Paris

Watch: WION Fineprint, 27th November, 2018

In a move that would bring down the fuel prices for the country's ailing aviation industry, the government on Wednesday decided to slash the factory gate tax on jet fuel to 11 per cent from 14 per cent.

The new reduced tax will be effective from Thursday.

The government said that the move was initiated as it was in the "public interest".

(With inputs from Reuters)

&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

In a move that would bring down the fuel prices for the country's ailing aviation industry, the government on Wednesday decided to slash the factory gate tax on jet fuel to 11 per cent from 14 per cent.

In a move that would bring down the fuel prices for the country's ailing aviation industry, the government on Wednesday decided to slash the factory gate tax on jet fuel to 11 per cent from 14 per cent. The new reduced tax will be effective from Thursday. The government said that the move was initiated as it was in the "public interest". (With inputs from Reuters)

Government cuts jet fuel tax to 11% from 14% 'in public interest'

fuel-tax

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