China says never asked TikTok to violate laws to provide information

People use their cellphone on the street in Beijing, China, 24 March, 2023. EFE/EPA/WU HAO

Shanghai, China, Mar 24 (EFE) .- The Chinese government claimed Friday it has never asked and will never ask companies or individuals to collect information or provide it in other countries in violation of local laws. The statement from the government at Beijing came ahead of a possible ban on the social media and video … Read more

India opposition leader Rahul Gandhi disqualified as lawmaker

Indian congress ers hold placards during a silent protest in Mumbai, India, 23 March 2023. EFE-EPA/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

New Delhi, Mar 24 (EFE).– India’s parliament on Friday disqualified opposition leader Rahul Gandhi as a lawmaker, a day after a court found the scion of the once-dominant Nehru-Gandhi political dynasty guilty of defamation and sentenced him to two years in prison. Gandhi, 52, was convicted on Thursday for asking “why all the thieves” share … Read more

Philippines urges China to curb coercion, intimidation over sea dispute

Filipino Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Maria Lourdes Lazaro (L) speaks while Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong (R) listens during a bilateral meeting in Manila, Philippines, 24 March 2023. EFE/EPA/FRANCIS R. MALASIG / POOL

Manila, Mar 24 (EFE).- The Philippines urged China on Friday to curb “coercion and intimidation” in their dispute over islands in the South China Sea during a meeting in Manila between the vice foreign ministers of each country. The two nations dispute several islands and reefs in the South China Sea, which are claimed almost … Read more

TikTok CEO to Congress: Ban would harm US economy

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew testifies on 23 March 2023 before the US House of Representatives' Energy and Commerce Committee in Washington DC. EFE/EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS

Washington, Mar 23 (EFE).- The chief executive officer of video hosting service TikTok said here Thursday that a ban on that social platform in the United States would hurt American businesses, damage the economy and curtail freedom of expression. “Our app is a place where people can be creative and curious and where close to … Read more

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

Uefa opens probe into FC Barcelona’s Negreira payments scandal

FC Barcelona players celebrate their victory against Real Madrid at the Camp Nou, Barcelona on March 19, 2023. EFE/Enric Fontcuberta.

Madrid, Mar 23 (EFE).- Europe’s football governing body Uefa on Thursday said it had opened an investigation into FC Barcelona over a “potential violation” of its legal framework in relation to an alleged corruption scandal that has rocked the Catalan club. Barcelona and former club officials including presidents have already been indicted on corruption charges … Read more

India opposition leader Rahul Gandhi gets 2-year jail in 2019 defamation case

Rahul Gandhi addresses the media in New Delhi, India, 06 March 2012. EPA-FILE/STR

New Delhi, Mar 23 (EFE).- An Indian court on Thursday found opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, a scion of the once-dominant Nehru-Gandhi political dynasty, guilty of defamation for questioning “why all the thieves” share the Modi surname during a political campaign in April 2019. The court in Gujarat, the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, … Read more

South Korea, US, UK hold t infiltration drills

South Korean and US Marines take part in combined airborne and maritime infiltration drills with British troops in Pohang, South Korea, 22 March 2023 (issued 23 March 2023). EFE/EPA/YONHAP SOUTH KOREA OUT

Seoul, Mar 23 (EFE).- Marines from South Korea, the United States and Britain were carrying out “high intensity” air and marine infiltration exercises on Thursday, the South Korean Marine Corps said amid high tension with neighboring North Korea. The annual Ssangyong (Double Dragon) exercise takes place near the city of Pohang to strengthen t operational … Read more

Tokyo, Seoul agree to closely coordinate response to North Korea

People watch the news at a station in Seoul, South Korea, 19 Februany 2023. EFE-EPA FILE/JEON HEON-KYUN

Tokyo, Mar 23 (EFE).- Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and South Korea’s Unification Minister Kwon Young-se agreed Thursday to closely coordinate their response to the North, which has stepped up its missile tests. “North Korea’s unprecedented frequency and manner of launching ballistic missiles and other missiles is a serious and urgent matter for regional security. … Read more

Australia reveals details of referendum to recognize indigenous peoples

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese looks at artwork during the official opening of the exhibition of Aboriginal artist Mirdidingkingathi Juwarnda Sally Gabori at the Cartier Foundation in Paris, , 01 July 2022. EFE-EPA FILE/LUKAS COCH AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT[AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT]

Sydney, Australia, Mar 23 (EFE).- Australia’s prime minister on Thursday outlined the proposal to modify the constitution and revealed the referendum question that will be asked this year in order to recognize the country’s indigenous peoples. Australians will be asked: “A Proposed Law: to alter the constitution to recognize the First Peoples of Australia by … Read more

US Federal Reserve raises interest rates a quarter-point

US Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell holds a press conference in Washington on 22 March 2023. EFE/Shawn Thew

Washington, Mar 22 (EFE).- The United States Federal Reserve Bank announced Wednesday a quarter-point increase in the federal-funds rate, bringing the target range for its benchmark interest rate to 4.75 percent to 5 percent. This is the ninth rate hike since the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), the Fed’s policy-making body, embarked on monetary tightening … Read more