Today’s newsletter covers KFC in Kenya, alcohol prices in Ireland, Cuba’s infant mortality rate, Indonesia’s coal exports, and more.
In Kenya, KFC runs out of French fries
After December’s festivities, KFC Kenya said its restaurants were out of chips. The disruption of supply is due to the Covid-19 situation. KFC Kenya imports its potatoes and doesn’t work with local farmers.
Ireland introduces a minimum price on alcohol
Since January 4, Ireland has a floor price for selling alcohol in order to decrease alcohol consumption. It will mostly increase prices in retail stores, especially the most affordable spirits. Critics argue it will primarily penalize population with low income and will enrich large retailers.
In 2021, Cuba suffered from its highest infant mortality rate in 20 years
Cuban official statistics usually show infant mortality rates lower than Canada or the United States. But authorities reported a 55% increase in infant mortality in 2021.
Indonesia temporarily bans export of coal for a month
Indonesia is concerned it cannot meet its domestic demand. The vast majority of Indonesia’s coal production is dedicated to export markets.
Somewhere else in the world
- A court in Canada awarded CA$107 million (US$83.94 million), plus interest, to the families of six people who died when the Iranian Revolutionary Guards downed a plane near Tehran. Iran shot down the Ukraine International Airlines plane by mistake in January 2020 amid tensions with the United States. All 176 people onboard were killed, including 55 Canadians.
- The United States removed Mali, Guinea and Ethiopia from their African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) over recent coups or alleged human rights violations in the Tigray region. The program exempts African products and services from taxes to facilitate access to the U.S. market.