The global economy remained at the forefront of news over the weekend, as central banks and governments continued to navigate complex issues. The European Central Bank (ECB) found itself in a “good place” regarding interest rates, according to ECB Vice President Christine Vujcic, while French President Emmanuel Macron appointed a new cabinet in an effort to quell the ongoing crisis. Meanwhile, China maintained its stance against US tariff threats, and the US government continued to grapple with the ongoing shutdown.

In Europe, Vujcic expressed optimism about the ECB’s current interest rate stance, suggesting that the bank is in a good position to address any potential economic challenges. This comes as France’s new Prime Minister Jean Castex seeks to find a budget path after his predecessor’s resignation, and as the UK prepares for a crunch budget meeting.

In the US, the ongoing government shutdown continues to weigh on the economy, with bond traders eagerly awaiting news from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and the potential impact of tariffs on trade. In Canada, Minister of Finance Bill Morneau is looking to boost the country’s fiscal buffer amid concerns about the global economy, while in Germany, €1.3 trillion in government debt has become a battleground for possible reforms under new Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

In other news, Switzerland and China are set to accelerate trade talks as US tariffs continue to bite, while Australia mulls a potential deal with the US worth $777 million. The Pentagon is also looking to buy $1 billion in critical minerals, and President Joe Biden has opened the door to a potential China deal as the trade spat drags on.

In the Middle East, leaders from around the world are set to attend a peace summit in Egypt, while in Gaza, a ceasefire holds ahead of the release of Israeli and Palestinian prisoners. In Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has announced plans to visit Israel, and US Vice President Kamala Harris has warned of “deeper” cuts ahead with risks of a longer shutdown.

Finally, in Russia, President Vladimir Putin has relaxed rules for fuel subsidies to refiners amid ongoing strikes, while Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic expressed disappointment over a short-term gas deal offered by Russia. The global economy continues to face triple risks of tariffs, an AI bubble, and soaring debt, while UK household debt has reached a 23-year low, offering hope of a consumer revival.

In the world of technology, AMD has amped up the chip war, while the co-founder of Thinking Machines Lab has departed for Meta. Binance has also experienced glitches in the crypto selloff.