... has reached unprecedented levels, with annual shortfalls in the federal budget measured in trillions of dollars. For instance, the Fiscal Year 2024 deficit was approximately $1.83 trillion, while in 2020, it surpassed $3.1 trillion due to emergency pandemic spending. According to the Treasury Department, total U.S. national debt exceeded $36.2 trillion by the end of 2024. This level of debt is nearly equal to the country's annual GDP, and its growth has accelerated significantly over the past two ...

... China's Economy in 2024 Key Successes GDP up 5% China’s economy grew strongly, with GDP expanding 5.4% in the fourth quarter, the best performance in a year and a half. This shows that economic activity is recovering from a slowdown caused by the pandemic and global economic turmoil. Record industrial performance Industrial production rose 6.2% in December, driven by a recovery in supply chains, government support for manufacturing, and increased demand for Chinese goods. Retail sales up Retail ...

... and blogs inspire Gen Zers to experiment with their lifestyles, demonstrating that alternative ways of living are possible. Why do Gen Zers Choose "Mini-Retirement"? Generation Z has grown up during an era of instability: economic crises, pandemics, climate change, and other global challenges have prompted them to reflect on the brevity of life and the importance of not spending it on unfulfilling work. They desire to live “in the moment” rather than postpone their dreams. Moreover,...

... media pushes investors to make quick decisions. Increased activity on platforms like Robinhood is fueling demand for tech stocks. What are the risks? Possibility of market overheating Long positions in tech stocks have reached 2014 levels (excluding the pandemic period). This may indicate excessive optimism among investors. Historically, such high positions have preceded market corrections. Risks of a bubble in the tech sector The current situation is reminiscent of 2000, when overheated dot-com stocks ...

... Recent financial reports from German automakers show a significant deterioration in performance. Specifically: Mercedes-Benz reported a 64% drop in profit to €1.2 billion, while profitability fell from 12.4% to 4.7% — the lowest level since the pandemic. BMW recorded a decline in profit from €4.352 billion in the third quarter of 2023 to €1.7 billion — a concerning signal for a company historically viewed as financially stable. Volkswagen is considering the closure of three plants in Germany ...