1.Finnish trade unions staged mass strikes,** labor market reforms and social security cuts.
Finnish trade unions launched a three-day nationwide strike on January 31 aimed at the center-right labor market reform and social security cuts plan proposed by Prime Minister Petri Orpo, according to the Associated Press on January 31. The strike is expected to affect around 300,000 workers and severely disrupt daily life in Finland. Strike action has led to the closure of kindergartens and preschools, the disruption of air and postal services, and the shutdown of public transport and factories across the country. In addition, grocery stores, hotels and restaurants, among others, will also be affected by the strike. National airline Finnair said it had been forced to cancel about 550 flights due to the strike and drastically reduce traffic at its main base, Helsinki Airport. The Finnish Confederation of Trade Unions** and the Finnish Confederation of Professionals and Technicians, who were the main initiators of the strike, said the measures proposed by the Orpo cabinet would increase social inequality, weaken the status of workers and harm the interests of low-income groups and the unemployed.
2.The influx of Chinese automakers into Mexico has ushered in a new change in the electric vehicle market.
Report: According to Germany's "Wirtschaftschafts" on January 22, in recent years, Chinese automakers have poured into the Mexican market, bringing more and more unfamiliar models to the local market. These car brands are usually from China and enter the Mexican market through trucks, buses, sedans and car dealerships. Some Chinese brands have set up their own factories in the region, while others are in talks to set up new factories. According to reports, multiple Chinese brands are already selling cars in Mexico, most of which are electric vehicles. Such investments are of particular significance in Mexico, where some Americans fear that Chinese companies may use Mexico as a gateway to North America, the world's largest producer of electric vehicles and the batteries they need.
Through satellite imagery, it can be observed that these car brands are opening more and more car dealerships in some cities in Mexico and producing them in some places. Chinese automakers are not only shipping finished vehicles to Mexico, but are also setting up factories in Mexico to localize production. While Mexico** has expressed concern about concerns that it could cause unhappiness on the U.S. side, a booming economy and a booming automotive industry have created new jobs in Mexico.
3.China's massive purchases**, driving gold prices** and reducing dollar reserves.
Report: According to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun on February 1**, China is buying ** on a large scale, and the ** purchase volume of the People's Bank of China and the Chinese people will increase significantly in 2023. At the same time, China is reducing its dollar holdings in its foreign exchange reserves. According to data released by the World ** Association, the net gold purchase volume of global central banks in 2023 is second only to the highest in history in 2022, among which China's increase in holdings is significant. China is increasing its holdings of U.S. Treasuries, which as of November 2023 are about 10% lower than the previous year. In addition, there is also a strong phenomenon of individual gold buying in China, with gold bars gaining popularity recently. Market analysts point to this as a sign of declining confidence in the international reserve currency, the US dollar. There is a view that China, which wants to promote the internationalization of the RMB, intends to get rid of the hegemony of the US dollar and expand the "circle of friends" of the RMB. While European and American investors are selling**, emerging countries, led by China, are buying** to support gold prices.
4.The Hungarian Prime Minister supported the peasants and called on the EU to pay attention to the "voice of the people".
Reported: On the eve of the EU summit, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban met with farmers at an event in Brussels to express support for what they call the "voice of the people," according to AFP on February 1. The EU summit is taking place against the backdrop of growing voices in Europe. In a paragraph posted on his social media, Orban said that the voices of the masses in the streets are not heeded by the leaders, which is a lack of democracy. Orban can be seen strolling through a procession of tractors blocking the streets of Brussels and shaking hands with demonstrators. He also called for the election of a new leader who truly represents the people in the upcoming elections to the European Parliament. At the same time, angry farmers arrived at EU headquarters in about 1,000 large tractors to express their dissatisfaction with excessive costs, harsh rules and bureaucracy at the EU summit. Farmers say these factors have weakened their produce's ability to compete with other countries.
5.Ukraine claims to have destroyed Russia**, and the situation in the Black Sea is tense again.
Reports: According to AFP on February 1**, the Ukrainian side said it had destroyed a Russian ship in the Black Sea near the Crimean peninsula. The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine said on social ** that "an enemy missile boat was destroyed during the night". The Russian side has not yet commented on this. The Ukrainian side also released a ** that allegedly shows the night attack. Although the ** and the description of the incident have not been independently verified, the news has once again sparked tensions in the Black Sea. The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine said the destroyed ** cost up to $70 million. In addition, a Russian account linked to the military on the Telegram software also referred to a Ukrainian drone attack on the Crimea region at night.
6.The EU quickly reached an agreement with Hungary to provide 50 billion euros in aid to Ukraine.
Reporting: At a major summit in Brussels, EU leaders reached an agreement with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban at an astonishing speed to provide 50 billion euros in financial aid to Ukraine, according to AFP Brussels, February 1**. European Council President Charles Michel announced the agreement on social media and said that the leaders of all 27 EU member states agreed to an additional aid package for Ukraine. The agreement provides stable, long-term and predictable financial support for Ukraine. It is unclear whether the parties at the meeting made a compromise to gain Orban's support, but Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmygal welcomed the EU's assistance and said the agreement showed the EU's unity and concerted efforts. At the same time, Ukraine** Zelensky also said that EU assistance will strengthen Ukraine's long-term economic and financial stability.
7.A hangar under construction at Boise Airport in Ida, USA, collapsed, killing three and injuring nine.
Report: According to CNN** on January 31, Boise, the capital of Idaho, said that in the afternoon, a private hangar under construction in the city's airport area collapsed, killing three people and injuring nine others. The Boise Fire Department said the accident occurred around 5 p.m. that day with a massive collapse of a metal-structured hangar on the edge of the airport. The cause of the accident is currently under investigation. Five of the nine injured survivors are in critical condition and are being hospitalized, the municipality revealed. Aaron Hemmel, head of operations for the Boise Fire Department, said at a press conference that it was a rather catastrophic collapse, but that the airport's operations were not affected. Information about the builders of the hangar has not yet been published.
The EU provides 50 billion euros to Ukraine