Business

A day after hosting a rare prime-time press conference, France's President Emmanuel Macron heads to Davos this Wednesday, accompanied by some 20 business leaders. It's the second time he will attend the World Economic Forum in person since becoming president. A meeting with around 60 bosses of global firms is also on the agenda. Meanwhile, sluggish global growth continues to be at the top of attendees' minds.

British energy major Shell has said it will sell its problematic onshore operations in Nigeria to a consortium of mostly local companies as it exits part of its business that has operated since the 1930s.

Onion prices in some parts of the world are eye-wateringly high. India, one of the world's biggest producers, has limited exports, sparking smuggling and price hikes abroad.

Ryanair chief Michael O'Leary has repeated his support for Boeing's 737 Max jets. He told DW that a delay in Max 9 inspections could have an upside for his firm — faster delivery of other Boeing aircraft.

An unauthorized message posted to the US Securities and Exchange Commission's official X account briefly sent bitcoin prices soaring, forcing the market regulator to deny it had approved a new cryptocurrency product.

US crude climbed 4.2% to $75 a barrel in recent trading. Brent crude, the world benchmark, jumped 4% and crossed over the $80-a-barrel level. This comes after US-led strikes on multiple Houthi targets in Yemen in response to repeated attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea.

US electric car manufacturer Tesla will temporarily stop production at a factory outside Berlin. Attacks on ships in the Red Sea mean the factory cannot get the parts it needs to maintain operations.

The Federal Aviation Administration will check to see if Boeing’s final products are being made to the approved security standard. The aviation regulator has cited "additional discrepancies" in the Max 9 model.

In the first public acknowledgment of error since the mid-air flight blowout on Alaska Airlines, Boeing's CEO Dave Calhoun said the company is working with regulators to ensure it "can never happen again."

A fuselage panel blew out on an Alaska Airlines flight but fortunately, US air safety officials said, it had only just taken off and passengers were all still seated and wearing seatbelts.

Large protests have been held in Buenos Aires over sweeping economic reforms and deregulation measures. New President Javier Milei has vowed to transform Argentina's ailing economy and drastically reduce state spending.

If the last few years have taught us anything, it's to expect the unexpected when it comes to the global economy. Those hoping for some more stability in 2024 might just be disappointed.