China’s economic reform pioneer Li Yining dies at 92

Li Yining, Standing Committee Member of the 12th PCC National Committee, attends a press conference of the fifth session of the 12th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (PCC) National Committee at the Great Hall of the People (GHOP) in Beijing, China, 06 March 2017. EFE-EPA FILE/WU HONG

Shanghai, China, Feb 28 (EFE).- Li Yining, one of the most influential economists during the period when China began to reform and open up its economy in the late 1970s, has died at the age of 92, official news agency Xinhua reported Tuesday. The economist, who was widely known as “Mr Stock Market Li” due … Read more

Japan sanctions more politicians, military personnel, Russian bank

A file picture of Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno. EFE/FILE/Kimimasa Mayama

Tokyo, Feb 28 (EFE). — The Japanese government announced Tuesday fresh sanctions against political and military officials, as well as a Russian bank, in addition to an additional ban on Japanese exports of components that can be used in the war in Ukraine by Moscow. The latest measures were approved by the Cabinet, and include … Read more

Antitrust authorities take legal action over Tokyo 2020 bribery

The emblem at Japan Sport Olympic Square is displayed on the wall of the building near the National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, 29 November 2022. EFE-EPA FILE/KIMIMASA MAYAMA

Tokyo, Feb 28 (EFE).- The Japan Fair Trade Commission sued six companies Tuesday, including the country’s largest advertising agency, Dentsu, for allegedly rigging bids for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games test events. Japanese financial authorities believe the companies, which also include the second-largest national advertising company Hakuhodo and event management firm Cerespo, colluded with Tokyo … Read more

North Korea’s Kim urges ‘radical change’ in agricultural production

A photo released by the official North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) shows North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un presiding over the 7th enlarged plenary meeting of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) at the office building of the WPK Central Committee in Pyongyang, North Korea, 26 February 2023 (issued 27 February 2023). EFE-EPA/KCNA EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Seoul, Feb 28 (EFE).- North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un, called for “a radical change in the agricultural production within a few years” during an important meeting of the country’s ruling party aimed at improving crop yields and rural development, state media reported Tuesday. Kim delivered a speech to conclude the discussion on the first item … Read more

Messi wins The Best FIFA men’s player of the year honors

Argentine great Lionel Messi holds his trophy after winning the 2022 The Best FIFA men's player of the year award at a ceremony in Paris, , on 27 February 2023. The 35-year-old Messi won the prize just over two months after leading his country to victory in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, a tournament where he was named the most outstanding player. EFE/EPA/YOAN VALAT

Paris, Feb 27 (EFE).- Argentine great Lionel Messi added a new trophy Monday night to his massive collection, taking home honors for the 2022 The Best FIFA men’s player of the year. The 35-year-old Messi won the prize just over two months after leading his country to victory in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, … Read more

Yellen to Zelenskyy in Kyiv: US will keep helping Ukraine as long as needed

Kyiv (Ukraine), 27/02/2023.- A handout photo made available by the Ukrainian presidential press service shows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) shaking hands with US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen (R) in Kyiv, Ukraine, 27 February 2023. Yellen arrived in Ukraine to meet with top officials amid Russia's invasion. EFE/EPA/PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE HANDOUT HANDOUT HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES

Kyiv (EFE).- US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Monday in Kyiv told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Washington will continue helping the beleaguered East European country to defend itself against the Russian invasion as long as necessary. “I bring to Kyiv a clear message from President Biden and the American people: We will stand with … Read more

Growing rift between Taliban supreme leader, senior officials

Afghan second deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Salam Hanafi (L), and Interior Minister of Afghanistan Sirajuddin Haqqani (R) look on during a ceremony in Kabul, Afghanistan, 03 April 2022. EFE-EPA FILE/STRINGER

Kabul, Feb 27 (EFE) – Public criticism of Taliban supreme leader Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada’s government by senior officials reveals an apparent rift among the fundamentalists who seized power in Afghanistan in August 2021. Despite the united image projected to the world, experts and the international community have always identified two currents among the fundamentalists – … Read more

Guterres: Russian invasion has triggering ‘massive’ violations of human rights

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres adresses his statement, during the opening of the High-Level Segment of the 52nd session of the Human Rights Council, at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, 27 February 2023.EFE/EPA/SALVATORE DI NOLFI

Geneva, Feb 27 (EFE).- As the United Nations marked the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on Monday, secretary-general António Guterres warned that human rights globally were “under assault from all sides.” “The Russian invasion of Ukraine has triggered the most massive violations of human rights we are living today,” Guterres said … Read more

Beijing condemns US sanctions on Chinese firms with alleged Russia ties

China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning gestures during a press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing, China, 27 February 2023. EFE-EPA/MARK R. CRISTINO

Beijing, Feb 27 (EFE).- China on Monday strongly criticized the United States’ decision to add some Chinese firms to its exports black list – banning them from purchasing articles such as semiconductors built in the US and accessing American technology – over their alleged links to Russia. “We deplore and reject the move,” Chinese foreign … Read more

South Korea’s parliament rejects opposition leader’s arrest

Head of the main Opposition Democratic Party Lee Jae-myung is seen on a screen as he speaks to assert the injustice of the prosecution's request for parliamentary consent on his arrest on a series of corruption charges, before voting during a plenary session of the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, 27 February 2023. EFE-EPA/JEON HEON-KYUN

Seoul, Feb 27 (EFE).- South Korea’s lawmakers narrowly voted Monday against the arrest of the main opposition party leader, Lee Jae-myung, who is accused of corruption. Of the 299 lawmakers, 139 voted against the government’s request for consent to arrest Lee compared to 138 who voted in favor, while nine abstained and 11 votes were … Read more

Taiwan to compensate family of girl who died from Covid-19

Medical staff wear protective clothing at the Emergency Department of a hospital in Taipei, Taiwan, 24 January 2020. EFE-EPA/DAVID CHANG/FILE

Beijing, Feb 27 (EFE).- The Taiwanese government will compensate the family of a girl who died days after receiving the second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine with TWD 3.5 million ($114,100), local media reported Monday. This case was included in a list published by the Taiwanese Health Ministry detailing the beneficiaries of compensation for having … Read more