When economists talk about “weak states,” they usually mean central government – its inability to collect taxes, enforce contracts, and produce public goods.
Governance without levers: what the mayor can do when he has neither budget nor authority
The EU has started preparations for possible talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in case conditions for a political settlement of the conflict over Ukraine emerge.
The EU has started discussing what to say to Putin “at the right moment”
The National Bank of Moldova increased the prime rate by 1.5 p.p. at once. – From 5% to 6.5% – to prevent inflation growth against the background of rising world prices caused a lot of questions and comments of experts.
A prime rate hike could slow already weak economic growth
AmCham Moldova presented the third edition of the METRIX survey (Moldova Economic Transformation and Reform Index). The survey showed an increase in the index of business environment perception while macroeconomic problems persist.
METRIX: plus business climate while structural problems persist
Infrastructure financing, transport corridor development, logistics modernization, digitalization of transport processes and the use of innovative technologies to improve efficiency and connectivity were the focus of discussions at the annual summit of the International Transport Forum (IFT).
Moldova participated in the summit on financing sustainable transport
A large-scale forest fire has started in the Chernobyl exclusion zone. The State Service of Ukraine for Emergency Situations reported that the area of the fire has already exceeded 1.1 thousand hectares. The radiation background has not changed.
Fire in Chernobyl zone breaks out, but radiation background unchanged
The representatives of AGCO international group of companies discussed the agro-technological policy of the Republic of Moldova with MAIA Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Ludmila Catlabuga during their visit to Moldova.
AGCO Corporation chose Moldova
The Russian pavilion at the Venice Biennale has once again found itself at the center of an international scandal. During a VIP preview of the exhibition, activists from Pussy Riot and the Ukrainian FEMEN movement held a loud protest against Russia’s participation in the world’s largest contemporary art show.
“Blood is the art of Russia”: Pussy Riot staged a loud protest at the Venice Biennale
Some 76% of the world’s largest organizations have formally introduced the position of Chief AI Officer (CAIO) in 2026.
IBM report confirms companies are moving towards an era of ‘AI CEOs’
The actors and writers who will be competing for the 99th annual Academy Awards must be human.
Oscar organizers have banned AI-generated actors and scripts
On May 4, the Asian Development Bank announced a project that could change the way we use technology forever. It’s about creating a giant network that connects energy and the Internet across the continent, from Tokyo to the remote corners of Southeast Asia. This is not just a construction project, but an attempt to turn the entire region into a single supercomputer. The bank is ready to allocate $70 billion for this by 2035.
Asia is building a $70 billion “digital superhighway”
European experts will assist Moldova in drafting by-laws for a new law on geographical indications, guaranteed traditional specifications and optional quality conditions. They will also assess the existing institutional framework and make the necessary recommendations to ensure an effective system for the protection, management and valorization of products with geographical indications.
EU experts will help with the implementation of the law on the protection of geographical indications
The problem of trade in theses and dissertations in Moldova has become so obvious that the authorities are forced to bring it to the level of parliamentary discussions and prepare systematic measures for its suppression.
Business on diplomas will be discussed in parliament
The Ministry of Energy initiated the process of granting the status of a strategic object of national interest for the country’s energy security to the construction of the 400 kV Straseni-Gutinas transmission line, as well as the modernization of the 330 kV power plant in Straseni.
The Straseni-Gutinas line will be given the status of a strategic project
Our Party deputy Sergei Ivanov criticized the position of the National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE) and the reaction of state institutions to the problems reported by farmers in the context of the diesel fuel crisis, citing a specific case of supplying fuel at a price higher than what was originally paid.
ANRE criticized for inefficiency in diesel crisis
Moldovan President Maia Sandu will receive in Chisinau on May 9 Cypriot President Nicos Christodoulidis, who will pay an official visit to the country at the invitation of the head of state.
Cypriot president to visit Chisinau on May 9
Baku is preparing to host one of the most prestigious global platforms on urban planning and sustainable development. The capital of Azerbaijan will host the 13th session of the UN World Urban Forum (WUF13) from May 17 to 22, 2026. According to the Organizing Committee, more than 28,000 participants from 177 countries have already registered for the Forum, of which about half are foreign delegates.
Global housing crisis to be one of the main topics of WUF13 in Baku
On the eve of the new marketing season, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAIA) recalls the success of Moldovan fruits on the EU market.
Moldovan fruits on the EU market: evolution of supplies
The Zambian government has canceled at the last minute the RightsCon 2026 conference that was to be held in Lusaka from May 5 to 8. The forum is considered the largest global platform at the intersection of technology, human rights and digital politics.
Scandal amid digital rights: Zambia canceled RightsCon’s biggest forum
Work has begun on laying pipelines for Romania’s Neptun Deep gas project in the Black Sea, one of the European Union’s largest energy fields with estimated reserves of 100 billion cubic meters of recoverable gas.
Pipeline laying work has begun for Romania’s largest offshore gas project in the Black Sea
A Chinese company that produces festive fireworks for the U.S. market has reported an increase in interest in its products amid preparations for U.S. Independence Day celebrations and Donald Trump’s expected visit to China.
Chinese fireworks makers hope demand rises in anticipation of Trump’s visit
Paris is still the most expensive city on the secondary housing market in France. The average price here reaches about 10 thousand euros per square meter, and this is almost twice as high as in most major cities of the country.
Paris holds maximum house prices
The Republic of Moldova now has a roadmap, a GIS database and a set of technical tools to bring the Emerald Network in line with Natura 2000 standards, developed under the first LIFE project implemented in the country.
There are more than 60 “emerald sites” in Moldova
The Republic of Moldova plans to expand the system of human biomonitoring, including newborns. The initiative is implemented by the National Agency of Public Health within the framework of the scientific program on chemical risk assessment.
Experts will study the effects of lead on newborns
Infrastructure financing, transport corridor development, logistics modernization, digitalization of transport processes and the use of innovative technologies to improve efficiency and connectivity were the focus of discussions at the annual summit of the International Transport Forum (IFT).
Moldova participated in the summit on financing sustainable transport
The inauguration of Central African Republic (CAR) President Faustin-Arkange Touadera on March 30, 2026 in the capital Bangui has suddenly become one of the high-profile topics of international politics.
African and Caribbean countries demand billions of dollars in reparations from Europe
Today, May 8, European stock markets fell sharply after a new round of escalation between the United States and Iran. Investors began to withdraw from risky assets amid fears that the fragile truce between the parties could finally break down and the conflict could hit global oil supplies.
European stocks declined amid escalating Iran-US conflict
The government proposes to change the rules of operation of the company “Moldova HiTech Park” in order to start using the 80 million lei budgeted for 2026. Currently, due to the lack of a clear mechanism, this money is virtually “frozen”.
Government unblocks 80 million lei for “Moldova HiTech Park”
PARIS/LOVELAND-The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced in early April a plan to deliver half of its government services using agent-based artificial intelligence (AI) within the next two years. According to the plan, AI will play the role of an “executive partner” that “analyzes, decides, executes and improves in real time” without human intervention.
Watch out for AI government
The National Energy Regulatory Agency (NERA) has set new maximum fuel prices that will be in effect from May 9-11.
Diesel fuel and gasoline became cheaper
The town of Cricova, part of the Chisinau municipality, is facing an acute shortage of burial places, forcing the local authorities to look for a solution to expand the existing cemeteries. In this context, a group of deputies proposes to transfer a land plot of 0.8754 hectares from the state property to the Cricova City Hall.
There are not enough cemetery spaces in the town of Cricova
The increase of the prime rate by the National Bank of Moldova from 5% to 6.5% has caused mixed reactions among MPs. Some consider the measure necessary to curb inflation, while others warn of negative consequences for investment, lending and living standards.
Loans will become more expensive, investment and demand will shrink – MPs’ views on prime rate hike
In October 2025, the Moldovan government imposed a de facto ban on sugar imports from Serbia to the Moldovan market for a period of 200 days under the pretext of protecting the sector. This measure was presented as a supportive measure to give local sugar producers another hypothetical chance to “perk up”. Even at the cost of quite real sacrifices imposed on the entire food industry of Moldova. Let us assess what happened in the end.
How to clog the market: the unseemly story of one Moldovan government project
In the Republic of Moldova, the country’s largest electricity storage system with a total capacity of 60 MWh was put into operation in Radeni.
The largest green energy storage system in Moldova was put into operation in Radeni
Customers in Moldova this spring are increasingly choosing not specialized sports equipment, but universal clothing and footwear that are suitable for city, travel, office and training at the same time. Against this background, Adidas is strengthening its position in the lifestyle-fashion segment, where demand is growing faster than in the classic performance sport segment.
Retro and lifestyle: how the demand for Adidas is changing in Moldova
The number of newborns in Moldova continues to steadily decline, and this is increasingly affecting the health care system.
Maternity hospitals are being closed in Moldova due to declining birth rates
Legendary British naturalist and broadcaster Sir David Attenborough turns 100. In more than seven decades on television, his voice has become one of the most recognizable in the world of documentary filmmaking, and the programs he has produced have set the standard for the nature-centric and science-focused genre.
Sir David Attenborough celebrates his 100th birthday and remains an active author of nature films
The reigning winner of the Champions League last season, PSG, will play in the final of Europe’s premier club tournament for the second time in a row. On the evening of May 6 in Munich, the club from Paris played a draw with local Bayern Munich in the return match of the semifinal of the Champions League 2025/26 – 1:1 and on the sum of the two meetings reached the final.
The second finalist of the Champions League was Paris Saint-Germain
The Institute of Cardiology was equipped with a modern digital system for receiving, recording and direct transmission of images from the cardiac catheterization room. The project worth 1.35 million lei was implemented within the investment program financed by the National Health Insurance Company (NHIC). The funds were allocated from the fund for the development and modernization of public medical institutions.
Digital imaging of minimally invasive cardiac interventions now available in Moldova
The figure of 3,000 inhabitants per administrative center, proposed as a minimum threshold within the framework of the local self-government reform, has no scientific justification. This opinion was expressed by expert Viorel Rusu during the public discussion “Administrative-territorial reform in Moldova. Concept”.
Expert: The threshold of 3,000 inhabitants per mayor’s office is not scientifically confirmed
A direct rail line will be built between the two airports in Istanbul, Turkey, separated by the Bosphorus Strait, which will make it much easier to travel when transferring, Logos Press reported.
Istanbul has made it easier to transfer between airports
