How Europe is losing Moldova in silence

The European Union struggled hard to pull Moldova on its side. However now the tide is turning, Europe remains silent on the ongoing protests in Chisinau. The country is being torn apart by anti-government protests, protesters who are quietly supported by Russia. The EU is losing face, showing how it only cares about democracy if anti-EU forces are being displayed. It can lose even more, if the moldavian government is overthrown.

Two years ago, the West was broadly involved in the „Maidan” protests in Kiev, aimed at former Ukraine’s President Viktor Yanukovych. Since early September, people in the Moldavian capital, Chisinau, are demanding a governmental and presidential resignation. Following the disappearance of a billion dollars from the banking system (1/8 of Moldova’s GDP¹). Former prime minister Vlad Filat has been detained for his involvement in the theft². The political elite has lost its public trust as they are associated with the country’s oligarchy (and their leader Vladimir Plahotniuc). Continue reading →

U.S. exports its greenhouse-gas emissions — as coal. Profitable coal.

The Obama administration is seeking to curb the US’ appetite for the basin’s coal. Yet each year, nearly half a billion tons of this U.S.-owned fuel are hauled from the region’s vast strip mines and millions of tons are shipped overseas for other countries to burn. Source: The Washington Post

Australia poised to ratify China trade deal

Australia is poised to ratify a trade deal with China after the opposition Labor party proposed a compromise. The breakthrough comes as Malcolm Turnbull, the prime minister, seeks to build a national consensus on reforms to stimulate growth even as the economy of China. Source: FT

France signs deals worth $10 bn with Saudi

France on Tuesday announced a series of deals worth 10 billion euros ($11.4 billion) with Saudi Arabia, during a visit by Prime Minister Manuel Valls. The deals include contracts and letters of intent between the two countries whose economic and political bonds have been strengthening. Source: Al Arabiya

Japan, Iran ministers agree on bilateral investment pact during Tehran talks

Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Zarif, on Monday struck an agreement on a bilateral investment pact. They have agreed to set up a council for Japan-Iran cooperation to discuss a variety of issues ranging from economic cooperation to the environment and medical care. Source: Japan Times

Turkey, Singapore sign free trade declaration

Turkey and Singapore signed a joint declaration to establish a free trade agreement on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit in November. Speaking at the signing ceremony in Istanbul, Turkish Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci said the countries had “come a long way in just 1-1.5 years.”. Source: Hurriyet Daily