Eurotopics.net

The Chinese probe Chang'e 4 has landed on the dark side of the moon, a first in the history of lunar exploration. Commentators predict that China will become the new space power and ask what consequences this will have for the balance of power on Earth.

According to recent polls by the Ifop opinion research institute, Marine Le Pen's Rassemblement National stands to gain 24 percent of the vote in the European elections. Emmanuel Macron's party La République en Marche is trailing behind at just 18 percent. Can the president regain the people's trust in the aftermath of the yellow vest protests?

iPhone producer Apple's share prices have plummeted after the US company issued a profit warning. Apple is blaming poor Christmas trade and declining sales in China for the downturn. Commentators see this as a symptom of a decisive change in trend.

Everywhere in Europe the number of citizens who believe that 2019 will be worse than 2018 from an economic point of view is growing. The trade dispute between the US and China, the Brexit and the European elections are causing uncertainty and damping optimism. But commentators also see some hopeful signs for the coming year.

Romania's EU Council presidency remains controversial. Bucharest has been under fire for months over its legal reforms, which are also heavily criticised within the country. Commission President Juncker also recently voiced doubts about Romania in an interview. Some commentators agree, others say the country shouldn't be prejudged.