Business
Economic cost of natural disasters estimated
Devastating earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria were the most destructive events of 2023, according to Munich Re
Egypt’s Suez Canal revenues plunge
Egypt’s revenues from the Suez Canal dropped 40% from the beginning of the year compared to 2023, canal authority head Osama Rabie said
'No more barbecue' for Argentinians as prices soar
Households in Argentina have been struggling with skyrocketing meat and vegetable costs
France melts down millions of coins
The Paris Mint was forced to destroy and remint 27 million coins after the EU said stars were hard to read on them
Red Sea blockade undermining global commerce – report
Houthi attacks on cargo ships in the Red Sea have been undermining global trade, the IfW Kiel institute says
Russia’s seafood exports soaring
The fish-rich Primorsky and Sakhalin regions saw a 70% surge in seafood exports last year compared to 2022, data shows
McDonald’s has an Israel problem
McDonald’s faces a boycott in Muslim countries over its perceived support for Israel amid the mass killing of Palestinians in Gaza
Inflation in Latin American nation tops 200%
Argentina’s annual inflation rising to 211.4% sees it hit highest rate since early 1990s, as the nation struggles with a deepening crisis
EU dependent on Russian fertilizers – competitor
The EU is increasingly food dependent on Russia, Yara International’s CEO, Svein Tore Holsether, has warned
Suez Canal tolls rise by 300% – Sky News
Tolls to use the Suez Canal and overall shipping costs see 300% rise since November as freight in the Red Sea is disrupted by Houthi attacks
New car sales soar in Russia – data
Sales of new passenger vehicles in Russia spiked by nearly 70% last year, according to Autostat analytics agency
Real wages grew in only three G20 countries – UN
China, Russia, and Mexico were the only leading economies that saw real wages rise in 2023, a study reveals
Russia boosting trade with fellow BRICS nation
Trade between Russia and Brazil surged in December as businesses in both countries have adapted to sanctions, data shows
Citigroup announces mass layoffs
Citigroup will lay off 20,000 employees over the next two years after reporting a $1.8 billion net loss for the fourth quarter of 2023
Russia piling up forex reserves
Moscow has continued to boost its foreign currency reserves, adding over $5 billion in two weeks, according to the Bank of Russia
Ukraine conflict prompts decline in stolen cars in Russia
Car thefts in Russia dropped sharply in 2023 due to the closure of borders with Ukraine and the Baltic countries, an insurance lobby says