Author: Steven Sahiounie

The United Nations has joined the European Union in condemning Twitter’s decision to suspend some journalists who cover the social media firm.Reporters for the New York Times, CNN and the Washington Post were among those locked out of their accounts.The UN tweeted that media freedom is “not a toy” while the EU has threatened Twitter with sanctions.A Twitter spokesman told a US tech news website the bans were related to the live sharing of location data.Melissa Fleming, the UN’s under secretary general for global communications, said she was “deeply disturbed” by reports that journalists were being “arbitrarily” suspended from Twitter.The…

December 18, 2022The decline comes as the country’s pandemic-hit economy reduces demand for the metalChina’s aluminum imports saw a drastic decline of 35.7% in November versus the same period a year ago, Reuters reported on Sunday, citing data from the General Administration of Customs.The decline is reportedly attributable to mounting domestic supply along with stagnating demand for the light metal amid Covid-related restrictions.The nation brought in 255,744 tons, including primary metal and unwrought, alloyed aluminum. Total imports in the first 11 months of the current year were 2.13 million tons, down 28.2% from the same period a year ago.Meanwhile, imports…

December 18, 2022Households are struggling amid the unfolding recession in the country, the study showsConsumer confidence in the UK has remained at its lowest level in almost fifty years for eight months now, as households across the country grapple with the cost-of-living crisis, data shared on Friday by research group GfK shows.The monthly consumer confidence index rose to -42 in December from -44 last month and a record low of -49 recorded in September. The index, which dates back to 1974, reflects how people view their personal finances and wider economic outlook and it had never fallen below -40 until…

December 18, 2022Holiday bookings have reportedly jumped on reopening newsDomestic flight activity in China has strongly picked up on the back of the latest Covid easing plan, soaring to around 65% of pre-pandemic levels at the start of this week, Bloomberg reported, citing aviation data. That’s equivalent to several thousand flights per day returning to the skies.Ticket sales for the upcoming Lunar New Year period have reportedly also surged. Holiday bookings are expected to reach their highest level in three years, rising to 80% of pre-pandemic levels, Guo Lechun, an analyst with Qunar’s data research arm Qunar, was cited by…

December 18, 2022 Companies from the EU, Norway, Ukraine, and the UK are not allowed to transport goods through Russia by roadThe Russian government will extend a ban on cargo transit by road for companies from countries that have placed similar restrictions on Moscow, RBK reported on Thursday, citing sources close to discussions on the matter.The ban, which was initially introduced in October and was due to expire on December 31, will now be extended until June 30, 2023, according to the report.Under the ban, companies from the EU, Norway, Ukraine, and the UK are not allowed to transport goods…

December 17, 2022The country’s share of imports may exceed 70% of all loadings this month as EU buyers shun Russian crudeIndia is expected to remain the top importer of Russian Urals crude oil in December for the second consecutive month, Reuters reported on Saturday, citing Refinitiv data and traders.In November, the populous nation accounted for about 53% of the total tanker shipments of the grade, marking an all-time high.India’s share of Russian crude exports and volumes purchased will increase month-on-month, despite a shorter loading plan for Russia’s western ports, traders told the news agency.In December, market participants expect India’s share to top…

Brussels expanded its list of sanctions-hit individuals and entities earlier this weekDozens of Russians and Belarusians have filed lawsuits at the EU Court of Justice, to challenge their inclusion on the sanctions list, the German newspaper Bild am Sonntag reported on Saturday.The Luxembourg-based court has reportedly received claims from one company and 61 individuals from Russia and Belarus, placed on the EU blacklist over their alleged support for Moscow’s military operation in Ukraine.The business figures are seeking to challenge what they view as a violation of their rights, and the freeze of their assets by EU authorities.According to the media report,…

December 17, 2022ICE has warned that the TFF trading platform may have to be relocated if a gas price cap is imposedA major natural gas trading platform may have to leave the European Union if Brussels adopts a plan to cap prices, the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), which operates the Dutch Title Transfer Facility (TTF) hub, said in a statement seen by Reuters.On Thursday, the EU Council announced that the bloc’s energy ministers had failed to reach an agreement on a proposed gas price limit following months of negotiations. Some member states want to lower the ceiling, while others are worried that…

December 17, 2022The southeast Asian country is a popular vacation spot for Russian touristsTrade between Russia and Indonesia has grown over 50% this year despite global tensions, the Russian ambassador to the southeast Asian country, Lyudmila Vorobyova, said in an interview with local newspaper Rakyat Merdeka.According to the official, the two countries are working on a number of projects together, and Russia is actively invested in Indonesia.“Relations between the two countries are very close … Despite the Covid-19 pandemic and general geopolitical tensions, last year we saw an increase of more than 50% in trade between our countries,” Vorobyova said,…

December 17, 2022The social media platform reportedly saw major advertiser exits over Musk’s tweet policiesElon Musk’s family office, which owns and runs Twitter, is currently searching for investors, according to the news site Semafor, citing two sources familiar with the issue. It follows media reports about the latest exodus of advertisers and the social media giant’s heavy debt burden.Jared Birchall, managing director of the Musk’s family office, is reportedly seeking cash injections for Twitter, in an attempt to make the social network financially viable.The fundraising effort was confirmed by Ross Gerber, president and CEO at Gerber Kawasaki Wealth & Investment Management, in response to…