Europe
Penal reforms carry risks for Spain’s Sanchez
Penal reforms benefiting Catalonia’s pro-independence leaders carry risks for Sanchez ahead of this year’s election
SpainFar-right security threat will persist in Germany
The arrests of dozens of far-right supporter last month was one of Germany’s largest-ever counterterrorism operations
GermanyNorthern Kosovo will require international security
Though Serb protests in northern Kosovo have ceased, a settlement between Kosovo and Serbia is not in sight
KosovoBusinesses will face a tougher environment in Hungary
Both multinationals and big Hungarian firms in sectors including pharma, banking and energy face higher tax bills
HungaryEastern EU may target those vulnerable to inflation
The New Year is proving hard for the EU's east, where food costs 20-45% more year-on-year and war continues in Ukraine
EUContainer shipping faces a normal down-cycle this year
Supply disruptions are easing in the container shipping market, demand has dropped sharply and freight rates will fall
InternationalChip tensions to fuel high-purity quartz market growth
Quartz, a key component of the semiconductor value chain, is escaping the constraints of US-China sanctions
InternationalUK employment and nominal wage growth will weaken
The labour market remains tight but will gradually weaken while reduced wage demands will ease wage-price spiral fears
United Kingdom
