Moises Naim

According to the Hungarian sociologist Balint Magyar, in a 'mafia state' "The state itself, at the top, works as a criminal organisation."

The global economy is in better shape than it's been in years. Stock markets are booming, oil prices are on the rise again and the risks of a rapid economic slowdown in China, a major source of concern a year ago, have eased.

Bulgaria has appeared in Russian news outlet Vedomosti's list of states where certain people "concentrate political power and basic economoic assets".

Other countries mentioned as part of studies by several scholars include Guinea-Bissau, Montenegro, Burma, and Venezuela.

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Chief Christine Lagarde refered to Greece in an interview with seven large European newspapers, including Italy's La Repubblica. Moises Naim writes that she is worried about the short-term prospects of the Greek economy and that a great deal of work still needs to be done for Greece to get back on track.

Mark Zuckerberg wants to add a little more "book" to Facebook.

The Facebook founder and CEO announced on his page recently that he has vowed to read a book every other week in 2015, with an emphasis on learning about different beliefs, cultures and technologies.