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Geopolitics

Quebec Students Make Ruckus To Demand Right To Make Ruckus

LE DEVOIR (Canada)

MONTREAL - Student demonstrations in Quebec took a new, loud turn last night in Montreal, as demonstrators crowded city streets and banged on pots and pans in response to a new law limiting protests, Le Devoir reported.

Demonstrators started their noisy procession around 8 p.m local time in Montreal and other cities. Students were joined by other groups such as seniors to protest the new measure, called law 78, which was hastily voted this Wednesday in order to restrict the right to protest without police authorization, and bans large demonstrations near school premises.

Quebec officials are hoping to quell the on-going student protests, which have swelled in recent weeks. On Wednesday night more than 700 people were arrested for violating the new law, which is attached with heavy fines.

The protest Thursday night was peaceful and did not result in similar mass arrests. Watch an amateur video of the demonstrators below.

Students in Quebec have been on strike since last February when Prime Minister Jean Charest announced a 75% increase of university fees, or approximately $250 per year over seven years. Annual university tuition rates currently stand at $2,150, one of Canada's lowest.

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Geopolitics

D.C. Or Beijing? Two High-Stakes Trips — And Taiwan's Divided Future On The Line

Two presidents of Taiwan, the current serving president, Tsai Ing-wen, and her predecessor, Ma Ying-jeou from the opposition Kuomintang party, are traveling in opposite directions these days. Taiwan must choose whom to follow.

Photo of Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen

Tsai Ing-wen, the President of Taiwan

Pierre Haski

-Analysis-

PARIS — Tsai Ing-wen, the President of Taiwan, is traveling to the United States today. Not on an official trip because Taiwan is not a state recognized by Washington, but in transit, en route to Central America, a strategy that allows her to pass through New York and California.

Ma Ying-jeou, a former president of Taiwan, arrived yesterday in Shanghai: he is making a 12-day visit at the invitation of the Chinese authorities at a time of high tension between China and the United States, particularly over the fate of Taiwan.

It would be difficult to make these two trips more contrasting, as both have the merit of summarizing at a glance the decisive political battle that is coming. Presidential and legislative elections will be held in January 2024 in Taiwan, which could well determine Beijing's attitude towards the island that China claims by all means, including force.

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