Macroeconomics

Danish Energy Minister Lars Ogor urged the country’s citizens not to get behind the wheel of a car unless absolutely necessary to save energy resources amid rising fuel prices.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has agreed the largest ever release of strategic oil reserves – 400 million barrels – to curb the rise in oil prices caused by the war with Iran. The decision to release the reserves was made unanimously by the IEA’s 32 member countries on March 11.

The release of strategic oil reserves by the G7 countries and the US has not yet led to a drop in fuel prices. Despite large-scale interventions, the cost of Brent oil continues to hold at around $100 per barrel.

According to preliminary data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the GDP in 2025 will amount to 353.5 billion lei (in current market prices) and will increase in real terms by 2.4% compared to 2024.

There is a simple rule in the global financial system: money runs away from risk. Today, this principle may affect one of the richest regions of the planet. Sovereign wealth funds in the Gulf countries control trillions of dollars. And if the war over Iran changes their investment strategy, the consequences could be felt by markets around the world.

Obtaining assurances that war will not be resumed, the right to possess a full nuclear fuel cycle and fair compensation for damages are three tough conditions Iran has set for resuming talks with the United States.

China’s consumer price growth increased to the highest level in more than three years. Deflation in the industrial market slowed again after a rebound in energy markets and a boom in consumer spending during the Lunar New Year holiday.

Amid US President Donald Trump’s predictions about the imminent completion of the active phase of the operation against Iran, oil prices fell by 6.5%. Brent futures fell to $92.45 per barrel and US WTI to $88.65. He sees the temporary rise in oil prices as a small price to pay for security.

A majority of Swiss citizens in a referendum supported an initiative to enshrine the right to use cash in the constitution, Logos Press reports.

Overcoming the 2025 energy crisis by about two-thirds has been financed by the EU and European bilateral partners to the tune of €215 million, mainly in the form of grants for electricity procurement and support to households, businesses and social institutions. External support to the energy sector will be significantly reduced in 2026.

Approximately 50% of the price of gasoline and diesel fuel sold at gas stations in Moldova are taxes, in particular excise duties and VAT.

In February, the annual inflation rate surpassed last month’s figures, amounting to 5.1%, which is higher than in January. In January, annual inflation in Moldova decreased to 4.8% (from 6.8% in December 2025), which was the lowest level over the last 1.5 years.

Rapidly rising prices for gas and oil products are becoming a serious social problem and may result in irreparable economic losses for businesses.

Since the EUR became the base currency of the National Bank of Moldova (NBM) for determining the exchange rate of the MDL and conducting currency interventions (January 2, 2025), the country’s national currency has depreciated by 5.58%.

Elon Musk continues to surprise and shock. In a post on X early Monday morning, the billionaire responded to X user Bojan Tunguz, who wrote that he has “a fact-based feeling that we will have a full-fledged general artificial intelligence” (AGI) by the end of this year.

French President Emmanuel Macron has just delivered what may be Europe’s most significant security speech since the end of the Cold War. Drawing on lessons from the long cycle of conflict that began four years ago in Ukraine, Macron announced sweeping changes to France’s nuclear doctrine and unveiled a new framework for nuclear cooperation with key European allies.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is “at war” amid Iranian attacks but will come out of this situation stronger than before, UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has said. Abu Dhabi TV and Emirates News Agency quoted excerpts from the president’s first statement since the start of hostilities.

Poland’s central bank governor has unveiled a proposal to raise up to 48 billion zloty ($13 billion) from the sale of gold reserves to finance defense spending as part of a plan backed by the country’s president.

Scientists from the University of Oulu (Finland) have developed epoxy and polyester resins based on sawdust, straw and other organic waste, which have greater strength compared to materials made of petroleum, Logos Press reports.

US President Donald Trump said today that Iran could be hit “very hard” and the list of potential targets for attacks could be expanded.