French workers strike again to protest Macron’s pension reforms

A demonstrator carries a sing 'Macron, we want your retirement at 49.3 years' during the protest against the government's reform of the pension system in Paris, , 23 March 2023. EFE/EPA/YOAN VALAT

Paris, Mar 23 (EFE).- was bracing itself Thursday for hundreds of protests across the country against the government’s pension reforms. Authorities expect between 600,000 and 800,000 people to take to the streets, and police have deployed 12,000 officers across the country. The reforms, which were pushed through last week without a vote in parliament … Read more

UK banking system ‘safe and sound,’ says Bank of England

London's financial heart, the Bank of England in London, Britain, 14 March 2023. EFE-EPA/ANDY RAIN

London, Mar 20 (EFE).- The Bank of England has welcomed the Swiss government-brokered deal of UBS taking over the crisis-hit Credit Suisse, noting that the British banking system was “safe and sound” amid fears of a possible global banking crisis. “We welcome the comprehensive set of actions set out by the Swiss authorities in order … Read more

Australia to buy up to 220 Tomahawk cruise missiles from the US

A US Navy handout file picture showing a Tomahawk missile launched from the guided missile cruiser USS Cape St. George in the Mediterranean Sea. EPA/FILE/PHOTO US NAVY / KENNETH MOLL

Sydney, Australia, Mar 17 (EFE).- Australia confirmed on Friday its intention to buy long-range missiles from the United States as part of the AUKUS security pact, shortly after Washington announced that it authorized the sale of up to 220 Tomahawk cruise missiles to the Oceanic country. “Making sure we have longer-range strike missiles is a … Read more

French gov’t pushes through unpopular pension reforms without parliament vote

French Deputies of NUPES coalition (New Ecological and Social Union) show posters reading 'No to 64 years old' at the National Assembly in Paris, , 16 March 2023. EFE/EPA/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON

Paris, Mar 16 (EFE).- The French government on Thursday used special constitutional powers to push through controversial pension reforms, avoiding a vote in parliament. One of the most contentious issues in the reforms is an increase in the minimum retirement age, from 62 to 64. Prime minister Élisabeth Borne said the government could “not run … Read more

Relatives of Greece train tragedy to be compensated, fresh strikes planned

Empty platforms at the closed central railway station during a 24-hour general strike in Athens, Greece, 16 March 2023. EFE/EPA/KOSTAS TSIRONIS

Athens, Mar 16 (EFE).- Greece’s train operator has announced a 42,000 euros compensation plan for each family affected by February’s deadly train collision as anger continues to mount in the country amid a second general strike planned on Thursday. The families of deceased engers will receive an advance payment of 42,000 euros ($44,623), injured engers … Read more

Sri Lankan workers launch massive strike against IMF bailout plan

People wait inside the deserted Fort railway station, Colombo's main railway station, during a strike action, Sri Lanka, 15 March 2023. EFE-EPA/CHAMILA KARUNARATHNE

Colombo, Mar 15 (EFE).- Sri Lankan state employees on Wednesday launched a massive strike in protest against the conditions imposed by the International Monetary Fund to process a bailout package for helping the island come out of the serious economic crisis it has been witnessing since last year. “Today’s strike is a historic one. Through … Read more

Major Japanese banks suffer losses over fear of SVB exposure

View of the headquarters of the Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) in Santa Clara, California (US), 13 March 2023. EFE/FILE/George Nikitin

Tokyo, Mar 14 (EFE).- Three of the largest Japanese banks, Mitsubishi UFJ, Mizuho and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, recorded significant losses Tuesday along with other Japanese financial entities in the first half of trading on the Tokyo Stock Exchange due to fears of their exposure to the bankruptcy of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB). Tokyo’s main … Read more

Lineker set for Match of the Day return after agreement with BBC

Presenter Gary Lineker during an event in London, UK, on November 13, 2018.EFE-EPA/FILE/Will Oliver

London, Mar 13 (EFE).- Former football player Gary Lineker will return to his role as the presenter of the BBC’s highly popular Match of the Day after reaching an agreement Monday with the organization, which suspended the celebrity over tweets criticizing the British government’s controversial new migrant policy. Match of the Day was aired on … Read more

HSBC acquires UK subsidiary of collapsed Silicon Valley Bank

An HSBC bank branch in London, Britain, 21 February 2023. EFE/EPA/FILE/ANDY RAIN

London, Mar 13 (EFE).- The British subsidiary of the collapsed Silicon Valley Bank has been sold to HSBC in a private deal facilitated by the United Kingdom’s government and the Bank of England. Jeremy Hunt, the UK’s chancellor of the exchequer, said no taxpayer money was used in the private rescue package. “Today the government … Read more

Taiwan resumes direct flights to 10 Chinese cities

Taipei Songshan Airport in Taipei, Taiwan, 16 June 2020. EFE-EPA FILE/DAVID CHANG

Beijing, Mar 10 (EFE).- Taiwan on Friday resumed regular direct flights to 10 Chinese cities and another 13 cities by charter flight three years after connections with China were dropped to a minimum due to the coronavirus pandemic. The reinstated routes will link the Taiwan cities of Taoyuan, Taipei and Kaohsiung with Chinese cities Shenzhen, … Read more