Early Bird: China's economy is the slowest in a decade. A Czech involved in a murder was shot in Spain.
On Thursday, China set the lowest economic growth target in a decade, with weak domestic demand, especially for cars, being a major issue. A Czech citizen was killed in Spain, and at the same time, he could not leave the country due to the investigation of a murder of which he was a suspect.
China's Economic Growth Slows
On Thursday, China set its lowest economic growth target in a decade, announcing that it will aim for 4.5–5% growth in 2026, as the world's second-largest economy grapples with weak domestic demand and uncertain global outlooks.
This modest estimate follows three consecutive years of efforts to achieve growth "around 5%" from 2023 to 2025, a target it managed to meet despite slow recovery from strict Covid-19 measures and the trade offensive by US President Donald Trump last year. Overall, China's growth has slowed, driven by a prolonged crisis in the real estate market, declining investments, weak consumption, and deflation, according to CNN.
Czech man murdered in Spain was suspected of murder
"On the morning of Sunday, March 1, the murder of a thirty-three-year-old Czech national occurred in (the area of) Punta Prima in the municipality of Torrevieja," the press department of the Spanish police told CTK. The Czech citizen was suspected of murdering a man from Great Britain. The Czech police have not yet provided further information about the case. Due to the investigation, the suspect was unable to leave the south of Spain, but he was cooperating with investigators and his guilt was not proven.
Gasoline Prices Rise, People Line Up at Pumps
The average price per gallon of gasoline in the USA jumped 11 cents overnight, and drivers in Europe were waiting in lines to refuel as war engulfed the Middle East and oil and gas supplies were stuck in the Persian Gulf. Depending on the duration of the war, issues with higher prices could worsen in the coming weeks. Currently, the worst situation is in Europe, as it is a net importer. Diesel prices in Europe have increased by 27% since Friday, representing a significant rise, as reported by AP.
Sea Level Rising Faster Than Expected
According to new research, sea levels along coastlines worldwide are much higher than previously anticipated, in some areas even by more than 3 feet, raising concerns that the world is underestimating the extent of this threat and the speed at which coastlines could disappear.
Rising sea levels are one of the most visible and troubling impacts of the human-induced climate crisis, threatening hundreds of millions of people living along coastlines worldwide. Scientists estimate that by 2050, global sea levels will have already risen by approximately 15 cm, reported CNN.
Sources: CNN, AP, ČTK
