Business
EU agrees to tap profits from frozen Russian assets
EU diplomats have agreed to direct the income generated by the frozen reserves of Russia’s central bank
BRICS’ share in global economy overtakes G7 – Russian central bank
The BRICS group now boasts 35% of global GDP in PPP terms, surpassing the G7 group, according to the Bank of Russia
Most Russian companies reporting staff shortages – recruiters
About 86% of Russian businesses are short of workers in areas including transport, financing, IT and biotechnologies, survey says
EU pledges to spend billions on trade route bypassing Russia
Brussels is seeking to raise funds to create a transport corridor to Central Asia
EU living standards depend on Russia – deputy PM
The bloc’s spurning of Russian energy has triggered a slowdown of its economy
Debt-ridden Chinese developer Evergrande liquidated
A Hong Kong court has ordered the liquidation of Chinese property giant Evergrande, which is over $300 billion in debt
Western Europe’s energy supply ‘vulnerable’ – Bloomberg
Having jettisoned Russian gas, the EU has increasingly relied on US LNG for its energy needs
Nuclear power generation to hit all-time high – IEA
Global nuclear power output is set to break records in 2025 as more countries move toward a low-carbon economy, the IEA forecasts
UK poverty deepens – charity
Levels of hardship have deepened for millions of people across the UK since the mid-1990s, according to research
Freight via Suez Canal down 45% – UN
Houthi rebel attacks on container ships have reduced traffic through the Suez Canal by nearly half, according to the UN’s trade body UNCTAD
Russia’s planned gas pipeline to China hit by delay – Mongolian PM
The construction of a mega-pipeline linking Russia to China via Mongolia is expected to be held back, Mongolia’s prime minister says
Trump planning massive tax on Chinese imports – media
Donald Trump will impose a 60% tariff on all Chinese goods and escalate his trade war if re-elected, the Washington Post reports
iPhone sales drop in China
Apple’s smartphone sales in China dropped in the fourth quarter of last year amid increased competition from local brands led by Huawei
Foreign tourism in Russia projected to soar
A simplified visa-issuance process has reportedly boosted demand for trips to Russia, particularly from Asia
Top Wall Street banker issues dire warning on US economy
Mounting US debt is sending the US economy towards a cliff-edge, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon has told Fox News
EU state steps closer to banning Russians from buying property
Finland is preparing to prohibit Russian citizens from purchasing real estate in the country, according to Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen