News Wire | March 17, 2023 Archive

Emmanuel Macron to Force Pension Reform Without Vote as Protests Sweep France

By Leila Abboud | Financial Times (free)

Emmanuel Macron, president of France, failed a critical parliamentary test Thursday and chose to override lawmakers to pass his unpopular plan to raise the retirement age, risking a political crisis and backlash on the streets.

More from WPR: France Isn’t Buying Macron’s Pension Reform

Xi Heads to Russia Next Week After China Touts Ukraine Peace Plan

By Eduardo Baptista | Reuters

Chinese President Xi Jinping will travel to Russia next week to hold talks with President Vladimir Putin, the two countries said Friday, as Beijing touts a plan to end the grinding Ukraine war that has received a lukewarm welcome on both sides.