Business
Confiscating Russian assets has ramifications, IMF warns
Seizure of frozen Russian funds could undermine the global financial system, according to the International Monetary Fund
Impending event could push price of Bitcoin into stratosphere
Bitcoin has surged as industry experts are weighing in the cryptocurrency’s upcoming ‘halving’ process
Israel downgraded by another rating agency
S&P Global has lowered Israel’s long-term credit rating, citing the risk of military escalation with Iran
Russians fear losing jobs to AI – poll
Almost 40% of Russian employees fear they could be replaced by AI, a survey has found
Apple removes popular messaging apps in China
The iPhone maker says it was ordered by Beijing to remove WhatsApp, Threads, Telegram, and Signal from the local marketplace
Oil prices spike after Israel strikes Iran
Global prices for crude oil jumped by more than 3% on Friday after Israel carried out a military attack on Iran
Euro hits historic low in SWIFT transactions
The euro’s share in international payments via SWIFT totalled 21.93%, a drop to the lowest mark ever
Major bank says EU trying to force it out of Russia
Raiffeisen Bank says it is being pressured by the European Central Bank to more rapidly scale back its presence in Russia
US reimposes Venezuela sanctions
The Biden administration has announced the end of a sanctions waiver on Venezuelan oil sector over concerns about “democratic principles”
SWIFT must be ‘killed off’ – top Russian banker
VTB chief Andrey Kostin says Western-dominated payment systems should be avoided to free up international commerce
Bank of America issues $130 oil warning
A direct Israel-Iran war could drive oil prices up by $30-$40 per barrel in the second quarter, BofA’s research says, as quoted by CNBC
Colombia wants to join BRICS
Colombia wants to join BRICS as soon as possible and Brazil will promote its bid, a joint statement from the countries’ leaders says
ECB fires back at plans to seize Russian assets
US-backed proposals to use frozen Russian assets in Ukraine could hurt the international order, the ECB president has warned
Staunch critic of Russia resumes grain purchases
Lithuania reportedly imported over 12,000 tons of Russian grain in February
Russian court to consider terminating Starbucks trademark rights
A businessman who has bought Starbucks assets in the country has asked a court to terminate the US coffee chain’s trademark rights
IMF sharply raises Russia’s economic growth forecast
The International Monetary Fund expects Russia’s GDP to grow 3.2% this year, significantly more than the UK, France and Germany