News about World markets
Poland has filed a complaint with the Court of Justice of the European Union (EU) against the free trade agreement between the EU and Mercosur (a trade and economic union comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay).
An unusually large rough stone weighing about 2,200 grams (about 11,000 carats) has been discovered in Myanmar’s Mogok region, known as one of the world’s largest sources of rubies. The find was made in April this year, and the official confirmation of its significance was published on May 8 by the state broadcaster Global New Light of Myanmar.
U.S. businesses, labor unions and lawmakers from both parties have stepped up pressure on Donald Trump ahead of his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, urging against even a partial opening of the U.S. market to Chinese cars.
World Plant Health Day is observed today, May 12. The day emphasizes the critical role of plants in ensuring food security, fighting hunger, reducing poverty and preserving the environment.
OPEC oil production continued to decline in April to its lowest level in more than two decades, according to a Reuters poll. Crude oil production by OPEC, which consists of 12 member countries, fell by 830,000 bpd in April. The March figure was revised down by 700,000 bpd due to Saudi Arabia’s output estimate.
Staking yields are declining across all major chains. In ethereum it has dropped to the level of about 3% per annum, and this is not a temporary phenomenon. The reason is the growth in the number of participants, changes in the revenue structure and other factors.
US President Donald Trump is seriously considering making Venezuela the 51st state.
The Hungarian real estate market and under former Prime Minister Viktor Orban was the fastest growing in the EU: according to Eurostat, in 2025 it grew by 23.7%.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held from June 11 to July 19 in three countries – the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The Vatican has once again found itself at the center of fashion discussions. The new pope – Pope Leo XIV – has suddenly attracted attention not by preaching, but by wearing shoes. In the trailer of the documentary “Leone a Roma” published by Vatican News, the pontiff appeared in traditional white vestments… and vintage Nike sneakers.
One of the largest aluminum producers in the world has taken an interest in the Nikolaev alumina refinery in Ukraine, which was nationalized from Russian businessman Oleg Deripaska.
After weeks of Russian Urals crude benefiting from a global supply shortage, the market has suddenly changed direction. The Urals discount to benchmark Brent crude increased for the first time since the start of the war in Iran.
The European Union could send Ukraine the first tranche from a 90 billion euro loan package as early as next week.
The National Energy Regulatory Agency (NERA) has released the new maximum fuel prices that will be in effect tomorrow, May 12.
Germany’s Puma is going through a difficult period, with the company recording a loss in 2025 and warning that 2026 could remain unprofitable due to weak demand and business restructuring.
Potato acreage in Moldova has decreased by 10-20% this year, according to potato seed suppliers. The reasons are many – from radical cost reduction due to the rise in the price of all inputs, to the relatively low selling price of this product throughout the 2025/26 marketing season.
European oil and gas companies have benefited from rising energy prices. Shell on Thursday reported a 24% rise in first-quarter profit. BP also reported higher profits, while France’s TotalEnergies said its net profit jumped 51% to $5.8 billion.
American Kontoor Brands has started the process of selling the Lee jeans brand. The bidding procedure started in the first quarter of 2026 and has already attracted the interest of a number of potential buyers. The deal is expected to close before the end of the year.
The main flight routes were in the vicinity of Havana and Santiago de Cuba. The operations involved P-8A Poseidon patrol aircraft designed for maritime reconnaissance and surveillance, as well as RC-135V Rivet Joint electronic surveillance aircraft and MQ-4C Triton high-altitude drones. The Pentagon declined to comment on the developments.
The decision of the German authorities to introduce a tax on sweet drinks as part of a package of health care reforms has sparked a debate about government interference in the diet of citizens. However, a number of countries around the world already levy such a tax for one reason or another. But is this a sufficient argument and are these reasons so objective?
