These are the new global economy drivers and disrupters

Putin's war on Ukraine is having a devastating economic impact. Countries across Europe face spiralling prices and shrinking markets. Guests: Katja Gloger (Russia expert), Vendeline von Wedekind (The Economist), Vladimir Esipov (DW)

Following independence in 1991, Ukraine's economic development was hamstrung by corruption, capital flight and a lack of reforms. Recent improvements are now being threatened by Russia's war in the country.

French car giant Renault announced Wednesday it was immediately suspending operations at its Moscow factory after Kyiv called for a boycott of the company for remaining in Russia.

Amid supermarket food rationing, a truck drivers' strike over petrol prices and rising inflation in Spain, the country's economy minister tells FRANCE 24 that it's "essential" for Madrid to be allowed to take measures to bring electricity prices down. "We're working with the Commission to have an authorisation to decouple our energy market and thus stop this price increase […] It doesn't make sense that Spanish and Portuguese citizens do not benefit from the fact that we have for instance at least 50 percent of our generation from renewables. This is very cheap and clean energy and our citizens should benefit from these low prices," Nadia Calviño explains.

Costa Rica is considered a model country in Central America. But the pandemic and corruption have exacerbated inequality and poverty.

The war in Ukraine means a worsening of Poland’s economic outlook, an increase in inflation and possible stagflation. But it also means a big hole in the country’s labor market is being filled.

As more Ukrainians flee the Russian invasion, European governments are trying to meet the initial cost of supporting those refugees. One estimate puts the figure at $30 billion for this year alone. In this special show, we examine how a refugee crisis impacts the economy of host countries. Economist Emmanuelle Auriol from the Toulouse School of Economics shares her insights. We also speak to the founder of SEP, a group that's giving women refugees at the Jerash Camp in Jordan a fresh start through embroidery.

The coronavirus pandemic forced many companies to halt business travel almost overnight. The economic consequences for airlines and hotels have been dramatic, leaving many to wonder if corporate travel will bounce back.

The World Bank has estimated Ukraine's economic output will almost halve this year, slumping 45% as a result of the war with Russia. DW discussed that with Dmytro Los, chairman of Ukraine Business & Trade Association.

Beating expectations, Chinese economy grows 4.8% in first quarter of 2022. Over the first three months of the year, China's economy expanded at an annual rate of nearly 5 percent when compared to the same stretch last year. But as Covid-19 lockdowns roll on, the country's annual growth target looks hard to reach.

Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen have outlined differing visions for the French economy ahead of Sunday's election. The presidential candidates want to tackle the top issue for French voters: the rising cost of living. Daniela Ordonez, Chief French Economist at Oxford Economics, breaks down the different proposals and what they would cost the French state.