Philippines grants US greater access to bases amid China concerns

Philippines, US agree to add four locations under EDCA Agreement comes amid tensions in South China Sea, over Taiwan EDCA allows US access to Philippine military bases MANILA, Feb 2 (Reuters) – The Philippines has granted the United States expanded access to its military bases, their defense chiefs said on Thursday, amid mounting concern over … Read more

India hikes spending, shuns ‘outright populism’ in last pre-election budget

Capex to rise 33% to 10 trillion rupees in 2023/24 Govt targets gross borrowing of 15.43 trillion rupees Eyes fiscal deficit of 5.9% in 2023/24, 4.5% by 2025/26 NEW DELHI, Feb 1 (Reuters) – India announced on Wednesday one of its biggest ever increases in capital spending for the next fiscal year to create jobs … Read more

New Zealand counts cost of Auckland floods, more rain forecast

WELLINGTON, Jan 30 (Reuters) – Flood-ravaged Auckland is forecast to receive further heavy rain in the coming days, authorities in New Zealand’s largest city said on Monday, as insurers counted the costs of what looks likely to be the country’s most expensive weather. event ever. Four people lost their lives in flash floods and landslides … Read more

UK regional airline Flybe ceases trading, cancels all flights

Collapses for the second time in three years 276 workers made redundant by administrators About 75,000 customers had future bookings Hurt by delayed delivery of aircraft Rivals seeing rebounding demand LONDON, Jan 28 (Reuters) – British regional airline Flybe on Saturday ceased trading for the second time in three years, with all flights canceled and … Read more

Thousands rally for ‘Invasion Day’ protests on Australia Day holiday

SYDNEY, Jan 26 (Reuters) – Thousands of Australians marked the country’s national day celebrations on Thursday with rallies in support of Indigenous people, many of whom described the anniversary of the day a British fleet sailed into Sydney Harbor as “Invasion Day”. In Sydney, the capital of New South Wales – Australia’s most populous state … Read more

New Zealand’s Ardern bids emotional farewell on last day as prime minister

WELLINGTON, Jan 24 (Reuters) – Jacinda Ardern on Tuesday bid an emotional farewell on her last day as prime minister, speaking of the kindness and empathy New Zealanders have shown her, but said she was ready to be a sister and a mother. Days after stunning the world by announcing she had “no more in … Read more

Tens of thousands of Israelis protest against Netanyahu’s justice plans

TEL AVIV, Jan 21 (Reuters) – Tens of thousands of Israelis joined demonstrations on Saturday against judicial reform plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s new government that protesters say will threaten democratic checks and balances on ministers by the courts. The plans, which the government says are needed to curb overreach by activist judges, have … Read more

China plays down COVID outbreak with holiday rush at full tilt

Top official says COVID at ‘relatively low’ level Hospital, critical cases dropping, authorities say More than 2 billion trips expected over Lunar New Year Some fear travel season could see infections surge BEIJING, Jan 20 (Reuters) – People across China crowded into trains and buses for one of its busiest days of travel in years … Read more

French strike nationwide to say ‘no’ to Macron’s pension reform

Government wants to raise retirement age by two years to 64 Railways, schools and refineries among those hit by strike Macron’s reformist credentials at stake in dispute Polls show widespread opposition to pension reform NICE/TOURS, Jan 19 (Reuters) – French workers went on strike and joined marches across the country on Thursday, halting trains and … Read more

China’s first population drop in six decades sounds alarm on demographic crisis

BEIJING/HONG KONG, Jan 17 (Reuters) – China’s population fell last year for the first time in six decades, a historic turn that is expected to mark the start of a long period of decline in its citizen numbers with profound implications for its economy. and the world. The country’s National Bureau of Statistics reported a … Read more