Progressive economists generally consider the huge economic stimulus package adopted by China in response to the 2008-2009 global financial crisis (it was as large as 12.5 percent of GDP) to be a bold and masterful Keynesian decision: any government should try to replicate it. The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund also sang China’s praises, and with them the developing countries that benefited from the commodity boom that soon began.
In late March, a French court banned Marine Le Pen from being elected to public office for five years on the grounds that her party, the far-right Rassemblement Nationale, had systematically embezzled more than 4 million euros in public funds. The money, intended for staffers of the European Parliament in Brussels, was used to cover the party’s expenses in France.
Over the past year and a half, insurers have begun to pull out of high-risk areas at an alarming rate. This is most evident in the state of California, where wildfires have become more frequent and intense.
Donald Trump’s second presidential term has coincided with a period of rapid structural and technological change defined by three trends. First, pandemic shocks, new wars, climate change and geopolitical tensions are still shaking the entire global economy. Second, broad “secular” trends continue to hamper economic growth and create new inflationary pressures. Third, scientific and technological breakthroughs are transforming many industries, from digital services and biotechnology to energy.
President Donald Trump is radically changing US foreign policy. Many now suspect that in the long term he wants to bring America closer to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The U.S., China and Russia are expected to share the world with each other, similar to the victors of World War II at the 1945 Yalta Conference. Trump has abandoned America’s 80-year commitment to protecting a world order based on rules and laws, so the world is returning to an era where “the strongest man is right.” But because Trump sees diplomacy as transactional, he is depriving America of a major force multiplier – its ability to form and manage alliances.
Europe should not be fooled. US President Donald Trump will inevitably sacrifice Ukraine on the Russian altar. The newest statements by top Trump administration officials leave no doubt about their deeply contemptuous attitude toward Europeans. As long as most EU countries are committed to a traditional liberal orientation, they will be seen as adversaries rather than allies.
Last week, heads of state, finance and energy ministers, investors, civil society groups and energy industry leaders gathered on the island of Barbados for the Sustainable Energy for All Forum (SEforAll for short). The chosen theme – Sustainable Energy for Equality, Security and Prosperity – reflects a reality that is often ignored: a clean energy transition is important not only to protect the planet, but also to increase economic resilience and energy security in the face of global uncertainty.
In January 2025, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to stop the “weaponization” of federal law enforcement agencies, i.e. their use as weapons. Allegedly, the previous US administration used law enforcement and intelligence agencies to persecute political opponents. Critics called the decree a spectacle, but Trump’s supporters rejoiced at this, as they believe, bold fight against political overreach. Behind the legal spectacle, however, lies a much bigger story involving pipelines, sea lanes, global trade and financial flows.
From the pages of the New York Times, veteran Democratic Party strategist James Carville recently suggested to his colleagues a “bold political maneuver” in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s chosen tactic of shock and awe: “roll over and play dead.” His proposal, naturally, drew roars of condemnation and caustic rebukes from Democrats across the political spectrum. But one could argue (especially after that party’s helpless response to Trump’s message to Congress) that Democrats have already heeded his advice.
It is now clear that the administration of US President Donald Trump will betray Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. Trump himself has either become a victim of disinformation or is voluntarily trying to deceive Americans about the causes and consequences of this war.
The victory of Friedrich Merz’s party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), in the recent German federal elections virtually guarantees that Merz will become the country’s new chancellor, and this is an optimistic development for the European Union. A high degree of policy coherence between the German and EU leaders will make it possible to implement economic reforms in Europe, find ways to increase public spending in critical areas, and develop new budget rules.
It has never been clearer that Europe must become self-reliant. But in discussing how to achieve this, European leaders should not make a deceptive choice between security and competitiveness on the one hand and climate goals on the other. Such a move would deprive Europe of one of its main strategic advantages: a significant lead in the pace of transition to a low-carbon economy.
Moldova celebrated the National Reading Day on February 14. The date coincides with the International Book Giving Day, as well as the birthday of poet Grigore Vieru, who would have turned 90 this year.
This week, several news portals in Moldova reported about a significant increase in the price of products of one of the largest domestic producers of confectionery and sweets, Bucuria. Representatives of this company explain the price increase, first of all, by the actions of distributors and trade networks. In addition, they refer to the fact that cocoa and sugar are becoming more expensive.
