Swiss voters reject 10 million population cap, early projections say
Swiss voters have rejected a proposal to cap the country's population at 10 million, according to early projections from Sunday's referendum. With not all votes counted, the trend showed 55% against and 45% in favour. The proposal was put forward by the right-wing Swiss People's Party and was closely tied to debate over immigration, labour shortages and Switzerland's relationship with the European Union.The measure would have forced Switzerland to end its free-movement agreement with the EU if approved. That agreement is central to Switzerland's access to Europe's single market, and more than half of Swiss products are sold into the... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 14 Jun 2026 12:33 LONDON
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Romania names Adrian Vestea as PM nominee after previous choice withdraws
Romania's president has nominated Adrian Vestea to try to form a new government after the previous prime ministerial choice withdrew his mandate. Nicusor Dan announced the move on Sunday, saying Eugen Tomac had stepped aside earlier in the day and that Vestea would now be asked to lead the next cabinet. The nomination comes as Romania continues efforts to restore political stability after a no-confidence vote in May toppled the previous government.Dan said Vestea, a National Liberal Party member and former mayor, was suited to the role because of his experience across local and national office. Vestea is currently county... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 14 Jun 2026 11:02 LONDON
Ukraine boosts defence spending and drone production amid war
Ukraine has committed to spending almost another €30bn on defence this year, taking total military expenditure for 2026 to more than €80bn. The announcement comes as the country continues to fight Russia's full-scale invasion and seeks to sustain its armed forces, equipment supplies and domestic weapons production. President Volodymyr Zelensky has also announced wage increases for uniformed personnel, linking pay more closely to combat missions.According to the figures provided, about a third of this year's defence budget will go on military wages, while roughly €45bn is earmarked for equipment. Ukraine's government said the new spending would push defence outlays to... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 14 Jun 2026 07:32 LONDON
Healey wanted UK to join global defence bank, BBC told
Former defence secretary John Healey was privately pushing for the UK to join an international investment bank designed to help countries raise money for defence spending, according to people familiar with the discussions. The idea centres on the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank, or DSRB, which is being promoted as a way to lower borrowing costs for defence projects. Allies of Healey say the Treasury tried to shut down negotiations over UK participation.Healey resigned as defence secretary on Wednesday, saying the money attached to the government's upcoming Defence Investment Plan fell "well short" of what was needed. In his resignation... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 13 Jun 2026 10:05 LONDON
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John Healey quits as UK defence secretary amid wider defence spending row
John Healey resigned as UK defence secretary after saying the government had failed to commit enough money to defence, deepening a dispute inside the Labour government over military funding. Hours later, the armed forces minister, Al Carns, and two ministerial aides also left their posts, according to the supplied report. The resignations have sharpened pressure on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at a time when the government is trying to settle its defence investment plans.Healey said the Treasury had been unwilling to provide the resources needed to defend the country at a time of rising threats. The row centres on... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 12 Jun 2026 20:34 LONDON
France and Germany terminate FCAS fighter jet project, dealing blow to European defence autonomy
France and Germany have ended their joint Future Combat Air System programme, a project intended to produce a sixth-generation fighter jet for Europe. French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed on Monday that the scheme is being terminated, according to the supplied material. The decision marks a significant setback for European defence cooperation and for efforts to reduce reliance on the United States for security.The move comes after years of disagreement over the project, which was designed as a landmark partnership involving France, Germany and Spain. The supplied material says the dispute centred on the role of France's Dassault Aviation, although the... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 12 Jun 2026 13:00 LONDON
UK economy shrinks 0.1% in April as services weaken
The UK economy contracted by 0.1% in April, according to official data released on Friday. The fall was driven by weaker output in the services sector, while construction partly offset the decline. Analysts had expected a small contraction, after stronger-than-expected growth in March.The Office for National Statistics said the economy grew by 0.7% in the three months to April compared with the previous three-month period. That suggests the monthly fall did not fully reverse the broader improvement seen over the quarter. The same data also showed the economy grew by 0.3% in the month, confounding forecasts of a small contraction,... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 12 Jun 2026 07:30 LONDON
UK defence funding row deepens after second ministerial resignation
The UK government is facing a deepening row over defence funding after armed forces minister Al Carns resigned on Thursday evening. His departure followed the earlier resignation of former Defence Secretary John Healey, who quit over the same dispute with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer about the military funding plan. The resignations have intensified pressure on the government as it tries to finalise its defence investment plan.Carns said in his resignation letter that the government's defence investment plan was "neither transformative enough nor sufficiently funded". He had only hours earlier suggested he might wait until the plan was finalised before... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 11 Jun 2026 23:29 LONDON
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Israeli cabinet weighs new funding for West Bank settlement expansion
Israel has set aside an initial 152 million shekels for planning work linked to settlements and outposts in the occupied West Bank, according to an anti-settlement group. The group said the money is part of a wider funding push that could eventually reach 1 billion shekels, but that the larger allocation has been delayed for further cabinet consideration. The reported plan would support infrastructure and public buildings in settlements that are already regarded as illegal under international law.Peace Now said the first tranche covers planning for 69 settlements and outposts in the occupied West Bank. It said the cabinet postponed... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 11 Jun 2026 20:05 LONDON
ECB raises eurozone rates to 2.25% as Iran war pushes inflation higher
The European Central Bank has raised its main deposit rate to 2.25%, the first increase since 2023, as it responds to inflation pressures linked to the war in Iran. The move comes as eurozone consumer prices continue to rise and markets adjust to the prospect of further tightening. The decision is being watched closely across the currency bloc because it affects borrowing costs for households, businesses and governments.The bank lifted the rate from 2% after eurozone consumer price inflation rose to 3.2% in May 2026, up from 3% in April. Financial markets are now pricing in two more rate rises... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 11 Jun 2026 14:02 LONDON
US inflation rises to three-year high as energy costs climb
US consumer prices rose at their fastest pace in three years in May, with inflation reaching 4.2%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The increase, from 3.8% in April, was driven largely by higher energy costs and petrol prices linked to the war in Iran. It was the third month in a row that the Consumer Price Index has increased, adding to pressure on households and reinforcing concerns about how quickly the shock is feeding through to the wider economy.The latest figures were accompanied by unusually direct political comments from President Donald Trump, who said at the White House... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 11 Jun 2026 02:31 LONDON
Mexico City fan festival disrupted as World Cup opening begins amid protests and tighter security
Mexico is opening the World Cup under heightened security and visible protest in Mexico City, where a teachers' union camp has blocked access to the plaza planned for the country's main fan celebrations. The disruption comes as the tournament's opening festivities begin and the host city prepares for a free fan festival and opening match events. President Claudia Sheinbaum has said it is unclear whether the fan festival can go ahead on opening night.The protests have been building for more than a week, with union activists blocking roads and toppling World Cup statues as part of an annual campaign for... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 11 Jun 2026 02:00 LONDON
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Kenya protests over US Ebola quarantine centre turn deadly amid court challenge
Police in Kenya have used tear gas and heavy deployments to disperse protesters opposing a planned US Ebola quarantine facility, as clashes in the town of Nanyuki turned deadly. Demonstrators set small fires and threw objects during the unrest, while residents voiced fears that the centre could expose local communities to Ebola. The dispute has become a major public health and political controversy in the country, where no confirmed Ebola cases have been recorded.According to the supplied material, at least three protesters have died during demonstrations over the past two weeks. More than 10 people have been detained as tensions... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 10 Jun 2026 16:03 LONDON
Global nuclear weapons spending hits record $119bn, report says
Global spending on nuclear weapons rose to a record $119bn in 2025, according to a new report from the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons. The report says the nine nuclear-armed states increased their combined spending by $16.8bn compared with the previous year. It also says the United States accounted for the largest share, with an estimated $69.2bn, more than all other nuclear powers combined.The report places China as the second-biggest spender at an estimated $13.5bn, followed by the United Kingdom at $12.6bn, Russia at $9.5bn and France at $7.7bn. India, Pakistan, Israel and North Korea were estimated to have... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 09 Jun 2026 08:05 LONDON
