European Central Bank holds interest rates amid inflation surge
The European Central Bank (ECB) decided to keep its main interest rates unchanged on 30 April 2026 despite a rise in inflation across the Eurozone.Headline inflation increased to 3% in April, driven primarily by a sharp jump in energy prices.Energy inflation alone rose by 10.9% in April, contributing significantly to the overall inflation figure.However, the ECB's governing council opted against raising borrowing costs due to concerns that higher rates could further weaken economic growth.ECB President Christine Lagarde explained that the ongoing conflict is weighing on economic activity, with high energy costs reducing household and business incomes, leading to lower consumption... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 30 Apr 2026 17:03 LONDON
US economy grows 2% in Q1 2026 amid Iran war clouds
The United States economy expanded at a 2 percent annual rate in the first quarter of 2026 despite emerging uncertainties linked to the ongoing war in Iran.Official data released by the Commerce Department showed a rebound from the previous quarter's modest 0.5 percent growth.Government spending and investment surged by 9.3 percent, contributing significantly to the overall growth.Business investment also rose sharply by 8.7 percent, likely driven by increased spending on artificial intelligence technologies.Consumer spending, which accounts for about 70 percent of US economic activity, slowed to 1.6 percent growth compared to 1.9 percent in the last quarter of 2025.The housing... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 30 Apr 2026 15:33 LONDON
US President Trump Maintains Naval Blockade on Iran as Rial Hits Record Low
The United States has intensified its naval blockade of Iran, with President Donald Trump confirming no plans to lift the siege amid ongoing economic turmoil.The blockade, in place since late February, aims to exert maximum economic pressure on the Iranian regime.On April 30, the Iranian rial plummeted to a historic low of 1.8 million rials per US dollar, marking a significant depreciation since the conflict began.The euro also traded at 2.1 million rials, reflecting the accelerated collapse of the currency.This currency freefall has exacerbated Iran's inflation crisis, with annual inflation reaching 53.7% in the first month of the Iranian calendar... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 30 Apr 2026 15:31 LONDON
Jerome Powell to Remain Federal Reserve Governor After Chair Term
Jerome H.Powell will continue as a governor at the Federal Reserve after his term as chair ends, aiming to protect the central bank's independence from political interference.Powell's decision follows concerns about the Trump administration's attempts to influence the Federal Reserve.He will remain on the board for an undetermined period, potentially until January 2028.This move prevents President Donald Trump from appointing a new member to the Fed's seven-member board, maintaining continuity amid ongoing legal and political pressures.Powell cited unprecedented legal attacks from the Trump administration as a key reason for his continued presence, expressing concern that these could undermine the institution... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 29 Apr 2026 21:01 LONDON
Staycations on the rise for French travellers this summer amid geopolitical crisis and inflation
French holidaymakers are adjusting their summer 2026 travel plans due to ongoing geopolitical tensions, a global energy crisis, and inflation impacting purchasing power.Many are opting for shorter, less expensive trips closer to home.A recent study by Ifop for Alliance France Tourisme found that 68% of French people plan to take at least a week-long holiday this summer, a decrease of 9 percentage points compared to 2025.Only 37% are certain they will travel, down from 50% last year, indicating increased uncertainty.The study also revealed that 71% of respondents intend to travel within France, up 3 points from the previous year.Travel within... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 29 Apr 2026 14:34 LONDON
US-Iran Peace Talks Collapse as Trump Cancels Envoys' Visit
Diplomatic efforts to end the US-Israeli war with Iran have stalled after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi left Pakistan without reaching an agreement.US President Donald Trump cancelled a planned visit by his envoys to Islamabad, further diminishing hopes for a resolution.Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that Tehran would not enter "imposed negotiations" under threats or blockade.He insisted that the United States must first remove "operational obstacles," including its blockade on Iranian ports, before any groundwork for negotiations can proceed.The deadlock has increased tensions in the region and contributed to rising energy prices, inflation, and concerns... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 26 Apr 2026 04:00 LONDON
Shadows of Fire: The Long Arc of Iran–United States Tensions
A Region on Edge: The Latest Escalation In recent months, tensions between Iran and the United States have intensified once again, fueled by disputes over regional security, nuclear development, maritime incidents in the Persian Gulf, and the broader strategic balance in the Middle East. Officials in Washington have expressed renewed concern over Iran’s uranium enrichment levels, while leaders in Tehran have accused the United States of economic warfare through sanctions and diplomatic isolation. The fragile equilibrium that followed earlier rounds of indirect negotiations appears increasingly strained, with both sides engaging in sharp rhetoric at the United Nations, reinforcing military postures... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews-Opinion | 19 Feb 2026 08:49 LONDON
There Is Good in Every Bad
Power, Greed, Oil, and the Theater of Modern Geopolitics The Business Model of Power Donald Trump does not govern like a traditional politician. He governs like a negotiator who believes every geopolitical crisis is leverage, every war threat is a bargaining chip, and every market panic is an opportunity. When markets tremble, someone profits. The question is, who? Global markets react instantly to political tension. Gold rises when conflict looms. Oil spikes when instability threatens production. Stock markets collapse on fear, then rebound on reassurance. Volatility is not chaos, it is opportunity. Historically, gold has surged during major geopolitical crises,... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews-Opinion | 18 Feb 2026 17:11 LONDON
