let s start in china, where the latest figures just released show the world s second largest economy grew faster than expected in the first three months of the year at 4.5%. this is the first set of quarterly gdp figures following the end of strict covid 19 restrictions in december. they also follow the easing of a three year crackdown on tech firms and property. lets get reaction from julian evans pritchard, head of china economics at capital economics. this is better than expected. most people are saying we re looking at 4% growth, give us your take on this number? really the strength is all about the consumer centre, we saw the vigors beads on the retail sales numbers are more generally in qrs or the household savings rates, so households are feeling more comfortable, households are feeling more comfortable, spinning again, they have comfortable, spinning again, they have the comfortable, spinning again, they have the possibility - comfortable, spinning again, they ha
plea for reform in wake of the mass shooting in his hometown. we ll have an exclusive interview with mcconaughy in just a bit. we start with mark meredith. good evening, mark. the white house is optimistic that congress can reach a compromise when it comes to new gun control laws. the actor matthew mcconaughy is urging both washington and the country to act. these regulations are not a step back. today from a white house podium texas native american and hollywood activist matthew mcconaughy delivered an impassioned plea urging the country to support efforts to curb gun violence. we have a chance to reach for a higher ground above our political affiliations. the actor s white house visit comes after the tragic shooting at rob elementary school in his hometown of uvalde, texas. today the president ignored reporters questions about gun control, while on capitol lawmakers pressed the administration for answers on another urgent matter, the u.s. economy. we re seein
saw the vigors beads on the retail sales numbers are more generally in qrs or the household savings rates, so households are feeling more comfortable, households are feeling more comfortable, spinning again, they have comfortable, spinning again, they have the comfortable, spinning again, they have the possibility - comfortable, spinning again, they have the possibility to l they have the possibility to spend again given that the virus restrictions are no longer in place and that is driving the recovery. on top of that, industry is doing pretty well. we had some strong export data out in might which has helped a bed but we have seen quite a lot of infrastructure stimulus as well this year, so overall the recovery seems to be going very strong, stronger than people expected. we came into the set of data with a relatively upbeat growth forecast, 4.5%, but we will write provides that up to 6.5% with the strength of the data today. 6.596 with the strength of the data today-
control, while on capitol lawmakers pressed the administration for answers on another urgent matter, the u.s. economy. we re seeing high inflation in almost all developed countries around the world. treasury secretary janet yellen says despite soaring inflation, record gas prices and a sagging stock market, the u.s. economy remains strong overall. we ve experienced a robust recovery, characterized by strong economic growth, historically low unemployment, and high household savings rates. critics argue inflation is hurting the savings. they re hurting the poorest family, people on fixed income, people retiring having to go back to work. overnight ogas prices climbed another five cents, establishing a national average of nearly $4.92 a gallon. it s painful to go to the gas station. the white house insists it s doing everything to control