China unveils plan to drive economic growth above 5 per cent annually, IMF forecasts 3.5 per cent shrink
China started the year with a stock market rout and deflation at levels unseen since the global financial crisis of 2008-09. The property crisis and local government debt woes persisted, increasing pressure on China’s leaders to come up with new economic policies.
Report: World has entered era of instability as Africa becomes key market for new arms exporters
The combination of Russia’s war on Ukraine and rising tensions between China and Western countries have been principal drivers of military spending. Global defence spending is up 9 per cent to a record $2.2 trillion from the previous year and poised to rise further in 2024, based on already announced spending commitments.
Iran-made Shahed-136 is the ‘loitering munition’ of choice Houthis use to attack merchant ships
The Shahed-136 , which has been extensively used by Russian forces in Ukraine, can be fired from truck-mounted containers at a slightly upward angle. A small rocket booster helps propel the drone into the air before being jettisoned. Its main piston engine then takes over to power the flight.
How Houthi militants in Yemen attack ships in one of world’s busiest maritime trade routes
Houthi attacks have targeted ships in the southern Red Sea and the neighbouring Gulf of Aden, which are joined by the Bab al-Mandab strait, a chokepoint between the Horn of Africa and the Middle East.
Chinese hackers determined to ‘wreak havoc’ on US critical infrastructure, FBI director warns
China has called those accusations groundless even as multiple criminal indictments have laid out detailed evidence.
China warns Iran to rein in Houthi attacks in Red Sea or risk business relations with Beijing
Chinese officials have asked their Iranian counterparts to help rein in attacks on ships in the Red Sea by the Iran-backed Houthis or risk harming business relations with Beijing, four Iranian sources and a diplomat familiar with the matter said. The discussions about the attacks and trade between China and...
Bruised by fluid stock market, Chinese finance sector executives rush into banned bitcoin
After Hong Kong’s open endorsement of digital assets last year, Chinese citizens are also using their $50,000 annual forex purchase quotas to move money into cryptocurrency accounts in the territory. Under Chinese rules, the money can only be used for purposes such as overseas travel or education.
Ex-military scientists at Beijing University create Covid variant that kills victims in eight hours
Christina Parks, a science educator with a degree in cellular and molecular biology, posted a video about the study, saying, “This is gain-of-function research. There’s no two ways about it.”
Shanghai singles struggle to marry as China’s economy tanks, fertility rates plummet
Last year, President Xi Jinping said it was necessary to “actively cultivate a new culture of marriage and childbearing” to foster national development. Local governments have also announced various measures to encourage new families, including tax deductions and housing subsidies,
Why Sahel is attracting France, Russia, China and US, and a part of Africa to watch in 2024
Russia has openly backed military regimes in Mali and Burkina Faso and warned against any military intervention in Niger when the military took power. Furthermore, the Wagner group, the controversial private military company which is controlled by Russia, cooperates with some countries in the Sahel.
