Vietnam’s parliamentary elections are underway, and a striking aspect of this political exercise is the overwhelming presence of candidates from the Communist Party. With nearly 93% of those vying for seats being party members, the election landscape presents a unique picture of representation and political participation. This significant proportion of Communist Party candidates shapes the entire electoral process, from the initial vetting of individuals to the ultimate outcomes.
The vetting process itself is a crucial element in understanding the electoral dynamics in Vietnam. All candidates, including those who might be considered independents, must pass through the scrutiny of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (MTTQVN).… Continue reading
Economic growth significantly decelerated in the final quarter of 2025, with Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rising at a mere 0.7% annual rate, a downward revision from previous estimates and a sharp decline from the prior period. This slowdown was exacerbated by a substantial decrease in government spending due to a prolonged shutdown. Concurrently, the start of 2026 saw core inflation accelerate, with the personal consumption expenditures price index for January indicating price increases at a 2.8% annual rate, remaining a concern for the Federal Reserve. Revisions to consumer and government spending, alongside adjustments in exports, contributed to the weaker GDP performance for the quarter and the full year.
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Friedrich Merz has urged Germans to work longer and harder, citing limited working hours and high sick leave as detrimental to economic growth. He pointed to Greece, which has a longer average working week, as a model for increased productivity. However, Merz faces domestic opposition and limited political power to enact significant labor reforms, as Germany grapples with rising unemployment and declining industrial output.
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As approximately one-eighth of the world’s species face extinction and human activity has significantly altered 75 percent of Earth’s land surface, future prosperity is jeopardized. This degradation is attributed to businesses failing to value biodiversity, “perverse incentives,” insufficient regulatory support, and models promoting increased consumption. While businesses can contribute to solutions, policy, legal frameworks, and collective action are essential to reverse biodiversity loss, even as some regions pursue deregulation and others withdraw from international cooperation.
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Russian leader Vladimir Putin acknowledged a significant economic slowdown in 2025, with growth reaching only 1%, falling short of projections. This marks a departure from the war-driven expansion seen in preceding years. While Putin attributed the slowdown to deliberate anti-inflationary measures, the reduction in growth coincides with the prolonged war in Ukraine, which has strained the economy and led to decreased revenues. The Russian economy now faces stagflation, a challenging environment where inflationary and recessionary pressures coexist.
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According to a recent report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Canada’s economy could see a nearly seven percent increase in real GDP, equivalent to $210 billion, by removing internal trade barriers between provinces and territories. These barriers act as a nine percent national tariff on average, with significantly higher rates in service sectors like healthcare and education. The report highlights that smaller provinces and northern territories are disproportionately affected by these costs, and that services, which constitute the majority of trade costs, were largely exempt from the recent agreement to drop trade barriers on goods. The IMF emphasizes that removing these barriers is a cost-effective way to boost productivity, strengthen economic resilience, and promote inclusive growth.
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The U.S., for the first time in 50 years, experienced negative net migration in 2025: Report, and that’s a pretty big deal, signaling a significant shift in the country’s demographic landscape. The report indicates that in 2025, more people left the U.S. or didn’t arrive compared to those who did, resulting in a negative net migration. The last time this happened was half a century ago, so it’s not something we’ve seen in a long time.
This trend is concerning because the report suggests that this decline could lead to weaker economic growth. With fewer people entering the country, the workforce shrinks, and that can have knock-on effects, impacting employment, gross domestic product (GDP), and consumer spending.… Continue reading
India has recently surpassed Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy, with a GDP of approximately $4.18 trillion. The nation’s economic review projects India to potentially reach $7.3 trillion by 2030, possibly becoming the third-largest economy in the world within the next three years. Growth, fueled by strong domestic demand, is expected to continue with a revised growth forecast of 7.3% for the 2025–26 financial year. Although India faces challenges like a wide GDP per capita gap and the need to create more jobs for its young population, the government remains optimistic about sustained expansion, with plans to reach a high middle-income status by 2047.
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Xi Warns Officials Against Chasing ‘Reckless’ Expansion in GDP is a fascinating turn of events, especially considering the context of China’s economic trajectory. It’s almost as if the very person who likely set those GDP targets is now signaling a shift in priorities. The implication is clear: the relentless pursuit of growth at all costs might be causing more harm than good. It’s a move that suggests a focus on quality over sheer quantity, a sentiment that resonates with the idea of long-term sustainable development rather than short-term gains. The warning also seems to implicitly acknowledge that perhaps some of the reported GDP figures might be, shall we say, a bit embellished.… Continue reading
In October, the Canadian economy added a surprising 67,000 jobs, causing the unemployment rate to fall to 6.9%. While much of the job growth was in part-time positions, there were notable gains in wholesale and retail trade. Though the jobless rate decreased, it remained elevated and concentrated in specific sectors, signaling a labor market still recovering. Economists predict that the Bank of Canada will likely pause on rate cuts in December due to this data, and continued slow growth in employment overall.
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Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker