FINLAND

Fur exports

FINLAND is Europe’s largest fur-producer and importer although a large proportion of its imports are re-exported to South Korea and Vietnam amongst others. According to animal protection charity, Humane Society International (HSI), Finland exported fur worth €126 million in 2021, compared with €477 million in 2013.

Ireland

Jobs axed

MICROSOFT will cut 120 jobs from its Irishbased workforce as it carries out the global cost-cutting plan affecting 10,000 global jobs announced last month. The company employs more than 3,500 people in Ireland in different roles that cover operations, sales, engineering and product development.

Italy

Left out

GIORGIA MELONI, Italy’s prime minister criticised France and Germany for excluding her from a Paris dinner with Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky. This was in marked contrast to 2022 when Meloni’s predecessor, Mario Draghi, cooperated with Macron and Scholz on Ukraine.

Portugal

Joint effort

PORTUGAL’S prime minister Antonio Costa suggested that Portugal and Spain should join forces and work together to exploit the large reserves of lithium that are located on both sides of the border. Instead of separate battery factories, both countries should develop a common strategy, Costa said.

Ukraine

Ukraine helps

KYIV sent 88 rescue workers to assist in rescuing Turkey’s earthquake survivors and build temporary shelters. “There is a war in our country, but we have to help. There is no other way to do it,” said Oleksandr Khorunzhyi, a spokesman for the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.

Sweden

Wolf clash

HUNTERS shot 54 wolves last in Sweden’s largest cull ever, provoking the ire of conservationists and satisfying farmers. The Swedish government has authorised the shooting of 75 wolves this year, while scientists warned that wolf numbers were insufficient for a healthy population.

STAT OF WEEK €257 billion

is the record-breaking amount paid to Spain’s tax authority Hacienda last year, just over 15 per cent more than in 2021, and outstripping a predicted 8 per cent.