China's Economy Grows Faster Than Expected in Q1 2026 Despite Iran War Impact
China's economy expanded by 5% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026, surpassing economists' forecasts despite ongoing global disruptions linked to the US-Israel war with Iran.Official data released on April 16 showed GDP growth exceeded the anticipated 4.8% figure.This marks the first official GDP release since Beijing lowered its annual growth target to between 4.5% and 5% in March, the lowest since 1991.The growth rebound from the previous quarter's 4.5% was primarily driven by manufacturing, with exports such as cars identified as a significant positive factor.However, the economy continues to face challenges, including a decline in property investment.The timing of... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 16 Apr 2026 06:42 LONDON
German intelligence warns of espionage and sabotage targeting defence industry
German authorities have reported multiple espionage cases involving suspected Russian spies targeting defence companies, including drone manufacturers.Two suspected spies were arrested in mid-March for allegedly passing secret information to Russia.A Ukrainian national was also arrested at the end of March on espionage charges related to intelligence gathering for Russia.The Federal Public Prosecutor General has accused the suspects of collecting information both on-site and online on behalf of the Russian secret service.The Ukrainian national's activities reportedly involved gathering intelligence on a former fighter in Ukraine, potentially to prepare further operations in Germany.In January, a businessman from Nuremberg was arrested for allegedly... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 14 Apr 2026 14:33 LONDON
Australia to Boost Defence Spending on Drones and Autonomous Systems
Australia is set to increase its defence spending on drones and autonomous systems by an additional $2 billion to $5 billion over the next decade.This move will raise the total investment in uncrewed systems to between $12 billion and $15 billion, according to Defence Minister Richard Marles.The announcement comes ahead of the release of Australia's new Integrated Investment Program (IIP) and the 2026 National Defence Strategy, both scheduled for publication later this week.The increased funding will support the development and acquisition of a range of drone technologies, including large uncrewed systems such as the Ghost Bat and Ghost Shark, as... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 13 Apr 2026 22:06 LONDON
US Court of International Trade hears case on President Trump's import tariffs following Supreme Court ruling
The scrutiny of US President Donald Trump’s import tariffs has intensified, as a three-judge panel of the US Court of International Trade recently began hearing a critical case aimed at overturning temporary tariffs implemented after a Supreme Court ruling invalidated his previous, more extensive tariffs. This moment marks a significant chapter in the ongoing legal battle over Trump’s controversial trade policies, which have profoundly affected international trade relations and domestic economics. The tariffs in question, set at 10 percent on global imports, went into effect on February 24. A coalition comprising 24 predominantly Democratic-led states and two small businesses is... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 10 Apr 2026 18:33 LONDON
China's financial institutions adopt cautious stance on AI amid U.S. discussions on emerging technologies
As concerns over developing artificial intelligence technologies rise, particularly regarding Anthropic's new AI model, Mythos, China's financial institutions are reportedly taking a measured approach. This comes as U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell convened with leading U.S. banks to address cybersecurity threats linked to AI. The discussions highlighted the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity assessments to mitigate potential economic disruptions that could reach into the hundreds of billions of dollars. In a recent report by Bloomberg, sources indicated that Bessent and Powell held an emergency meeting with major banking heads to discuss the implications of... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 10 Apr 2026 15:37 LONDON
