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

France hit by new wave of strikes against Macron’s pension reform

Reform would raise retirement age to 64 Schools, transport networks, refinery deliveries hit Macron: Reform vital to ensure viability of pension system SAINT-NAZAIRE, France, Jan 31 (Reuters) – Striking workers disrupted French refinery deliveries, public transport and schools on Tuesday in a second day of nationwide protests over President Emmanuel Macron’s plan to make people … Read more

India blocks BBC documentary on Modi from airing in India

MUMBAI, Jan 22 (Reuters) – India has blocked the airing of a BBC documentary which questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership during the 2002 Gujarat riots, saying that even sharing of any clips via social media is barred. Directions to block the clips from being shared have been issued using emergency powers available to the … 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

EXCLUSIVE Former Amazon India seller says antitrust raid illegally detained employees

Amazon sellers raided in April over suspected favoritism Cloudtail says antitrust body conducted raid illegaly Antitrust body says raid was in line with regulatory process India regulators, foreign enterprises tussle over e-commerce NEW DELHI, June 10 (Reuters) – A former top seller for Amazon (AMZN.O) in India, Cloudtail, has accused India’s antitrust agency of illegally … Read more

Beijing extends work-from-home ‘requirement’ for millions as COVID spreads

Capital sees biggest daily caseload in month-old outbreak ‘We’ve been massively hit’ – Beijing store owner Fears virus could return as Shanghai eyes lockdown end Curbs damaging China’s economy, global supply chains BEIJING / SHANGHAI, May 23 (Reuters) – The Chinese capital extended its work-from-home requirement for many of its 22 million residents to stem … Read more