PARIS, France — Rioters looted and torched shops and businesses on the famed Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris on Saturday, on the 18th weekend of French “yellow vest” protests, characterized by a sharp increase in violence after weeks of dwindling turnout. The rioters also looted several clothing stores and set fire to barricades in scenes reminiscent of the worst yellow-vest riots in Paris in December. “Like the vast majority of French people, I feel very angry today,” tweeted French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, who visited the scene. He has loosened the state’s purse strings to the tune of 10 billion euros ($11.2 billion) to try defuse the protests. Yellow vest protests also took place several other French cities.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer March 16, 2019 23:37 UTC