EU lawmakers on Tuesday called on Beijing to implement stricter checks on exports during their first visit to China in eight years. "We have repeatedly stressed that it is important for exports to be subject to stronger controls on the Chinese side," said Anna Cavazzini, chair of the European Parliament's Internal Market Committee, in Beijing.

UK consumer confidence is weakening as the escalating Iran conflict drives uncertainty across global energy markets and economic outlooks.

The Astronauts for NASA's Artemis 2 mission to fly around the moon have arrived at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, just five days before their historic mission is scheduled to lift off.