Eurotopics.net

After two terms in office, Jerome Powell will resign as US Federal Reserve Chair this Friday. His track record as head of the US central bank is mixed. Critics accuse him of mistakes, particularly in the fight against inflation. But when Donald Trump threatened to undermine the Fed's independence, he stood firm against the US president. Powell will be succeeded by Trump's preferred candidate, Kevin Warsh.

On Saturday, hundreds of hardcore Slavia Prague fans stormed the pitch carrying lit flares and attacked the team and fans of Sparta, their local rivals. A 3-2 lead shortly before the final whistle would have secured the league title for their club. Instead, the match was suspended and the opponents were declared the winners. Slavia must now play four home games without spectators and pay a hefty fine.

US President Donald Trump will meet with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping this Thursday and Friday to discuss key political and economic issues such as the Iran war, Taiwan, global trade and AI. Commentators look at whether the two-day visit could serve to ease tensions or resolve conflicts.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested that his friend, former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, could act as a mediator in the war between Russia and Ukraine. In an address after Saturday's military parade in Moscow, Putin said he could envisage the former SPD leader acting as an intermediary in talks with the European side. Commentators debate whether this is a good idea.

Despite Labour's heavy losses in local elections and demands that he step down, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer intends to remain in office. While acknowledging his responsibility for Labour's poor performance, he also emphasised that it was his duty to deliver the changes that the party had promised. But the pressure is mounting: four ministers have now resigned.