Global imbalances have been a major topic in international economic policymaking since at least the 1970s. Although they decreased after the global financial crisis (GFC) of 2008, they have begun to widen again in recent years. As the 2008 crisis demonstrated, the sudden unwinding of current account surpluses and deficits ('disorderly adjustment') can have major consequences not only for the countries directly involved but also for many third countries through spillover effects, particularly in financial markets. Against this background, developments in the Chinese economy have become particularly important for global economic stability: while China played an important stabilising role in overcoming the GFC, its economic model has largely focused on export promotion and, more recently, import substitution. This has led to substantial current account surpluses, both as a percentage of GDP and in nominal terms, given the size of China's economy. International organisations have been trying for some time now to convince China's authorities that the country's growth model is shifting the burden of adjustment to its trading partners and risks becoming globally unsustainable. Prior to the adoption of China's 15th Five-Year Plan by the two houses of Parliament (the 'Two Sessions') in March 2026, the IMF, in particular, proposed strategies to render China's economic expansion more sustainable for its partners while reducing the risk of a disorderly adjustment. However, a more detailed analysis of the new plan suggests a continuation of the current economic policy trajectory. At the same time, the ongoing crisis in the Middle East/Iran seems to have prompted some within China to reconsider priorities, at least in the short term. It remains to be seen, however, whether recent, more accommodating statements by the Chinese side are merely for external consumption, especially in view of the summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping (currently planned for mid-May 2026). Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Some House races are newly competitive, and three Republican incumbents are now endangered.

As U.S. envoys pursue peace talks, the president confronts persistent sticking points: sanctions relief, enrichment limits and the risk of empowering Tehran.

The measure puts Democrats ahead in the battle for the House, but attention now shifts to Florida, where Republicans could regain the gerrymandering advantage.

Survivors testified at the trial of a man charged in the 2021 suicide bombing at the Kabul airport that killed 13 U.S. troops and nearly 170 Afghans.

The ruling sets up a likely Supreme Court battle over whether the Texas law violates the constitutional separation of church and state.

The referendum creates as many as four Democratic-leaning districts in Virginia ahead of the midterm elections.

Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick was indicted last year on charges that she stole and laundered federal disaster money and used it to support a congressional campaign.

The civil rights group is being investigated over how it has sought to infiltrate extremist groups, its CEO says, adding that it “will not be intimidated.”

The European Parliament is due to adopt its negotiating mandate for the EU's 2028-2034 budget during the April plenary session. The report adopted by the Committee on Budgets (BUDG) defends a budget set at 1.27 % of EU gross national income (GNI), with the debt servicing for the Next Generation EU (NGEU) recovery fund (0.11 % of GNI), set outside the budget ceilings. This is a 10 % increase compared with the Commission proposal. Adequate and distinct funding for EU priorities, proper democratic oversight and respect for EU values and the rule of law are the key elements of Parliament's position. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The party is aiming for upsets in districts that the president safely won — including some where the incumbents have been hit by scandals.

After Eric Swalwell’s exit, a letter from 30 ex-staffers of former representative Katie Porter seeks to blunt attacks as Democrats fear getting locked out of the race.

Voters hit the polls Tuesday in Virginia’s redistricting referendum, which could determine control of the House of Representatives amid a national redistricting arms race.

The rare move comes after recent scandals raised questions from lawmakers and others about how Congress handles investigations involving its members.

The president has made conflicting comments on questions both large and small related to the war.

Federal prosecutors allege Mohammad Sharifullah helped orchestrate the 2021 bombing by scouting out a potential route for the suicide bomber on behalf of ISIS-K.

The rare move comes after recent scandals raised questions from lawmakers and others about how Congress handles investigations involving its members.

The Colorado schools say they’re being excluded from funding because of their denial of enrollment to children of LGBTQ parents, which the state deems discriminatory.

Europe's southern arc, spanning the Middle East, North Africa and the Sahel, is increasingly viewed as a potential arena for renewed great-power rivalry, with some observers contending that such competition is already underway. In parallel with the European Union's broad engagement in the region, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has, since its founding, developed a range of initiatives aimed at its southern periphery, to deepen situational awareness, strengthen its regional presence and assist partner countries. This approach is grounded in the understanding that instability, armed conflict, terrorism, demographic growth, climate change, irregular migration, and intensifying geopolitical contestation across the southern flank carry direct consequences for Euro-Atlantic security and NATO's defence posture. As actors such as Russia and China promote alternative governance and security models in the region, the Alliance faces growing incentives to deepen its engagement in the southern neighbourhood. Strengthening existing cooperation frameworks would enable NATO to contribute to addressing shared security challenges while responding to the concrete needs and threat perceptions identified by its southern partners. NATO's heightened attention to the southern neighbourhood(s) has been progressively reflected in successive Strategic Concepts and reinforced in recent summit declarations. The Alliance has also relied on established partnership framework mechanisms, notably the Mediterranean Dialogue and the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative, to advance political dialogue, capacity building and tailored cooperation on mutually relevant issues, consistent with its comprehensive 360-degree approach to defence and security. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Bob Brooks, a firefighter who appeals to the White working class, engaged with right-wing content. His endorsers in the Pennsylvania House race stand by him.

Acting attorney general Todd Blanche has moved quickly to put his stamp on the department, but other Trump loyalists also appear to be vying for leading roles.

The Washington Post’s essential guide to power and influence in D.C.

The United States' 2026 National Defense Strategy (NDS) continues the foreign-policy reorientation set out in the 2025 National Security Strategy (NSS). It frames the United States (US) as confronting intensified threats at home and abroad and sets four lines of effort: defending the homeland, deterring China in the Indo-Pacific, increasing allied burden-sharing, and 'supercharging' the United States' defence industrial base. Russia is portrayed as a persistent yet 'manageable' threat, mostly to NATO's eastern members, and the strategy argues that European allies should assume primary responsibility for their conventional defence with 'critical but more limited' US support. It presents this approach as 'flexible realism', and a deliberate shift away from earlier US strategy. The NDS has prompted divergent expert opinions. While some argue that it introduces more focused prioritisation and seeks to prevent 'strategic overstretch', others warn that its approach to alliances could actually increase strategic risks. Other concerns include the lack of clarity on implementation, the emphasis on burden-sharing without specifying consequences for shortfalls, and the possibility that a stronger focus on the Western Hemisphere could detract from preparing for major conflict contingencies relevant to allies and partners. The European Parliament views the evolving US posture as reinforcing the need for Europe to assume greater responsibility for its own security. This includes taking concrete steps to build a stronger and more credible European pillar within NATO. It reaffirms NATO's central role in collective defence, and calls for deeper EU-NATO cooperation, enhanced European capabilities, and contingency planning in case of a reduced US military presence in Europe. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

DOJ official Harmeet K. Dhillon wrote that she is seeking ballots to investigate election law compliance. Democratic state officials call the request baseless.

In Luanda, Catholics expressed love and admiration for Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, but not so much for President Trump because of the war in Iran.

The president has publicly highlighted his ballroom project on roughly a third of the days this year.

“I think we’re going to see Theodore Roosevelt inducted,” Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said at an event on Thursday.

The president is directing federal agencies to boost research into the drugs and support clinical trials, moves championed by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The president is directing federal agencies to boost research into the drugs and support clinical trials, moves championed by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The resignations of two lawmakers facing ethics investigations have drawn comparisons to the #MeToo movement. Some House members say it’s time to revisit their rules and culture.

As Trump pursued an unpopular war, Beijing positioned itself as a peacemaker, with little incentive to pressure Iran or annoy the U.S.

Tehran put limits on the Strait of Hormuz’s opening, as the United States issued a new sanctions exemption on the sale of Russian oil.

President Trump and his family are suing federal agencies over leaks of their tax information. Court filings say they’re in talks to find a solution instead of heading to trial.

Despite some empty seats, Trump projected confidence in his party’s ability to win the midterm elections. Some in the crowd focused on GOP divisions.

The president will direct federal agencies to boost research into the drugs and support clinical trials, moves championed by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.