πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦ The #Ukraine war may be miles away from families in the Middle East. But many fear it will be felt in their kitchens.

🌾 Russia and Ukraine export 29% of world's wheat. The crisis has sent food prices to a 13-year high.

Here’s how 3 countries are facing dire consequences. 🧡
πŸ‡ΎπŸ‡ͺ Yemen

🌾 The war-torn nation is almost entirely dependent on food imports, buying at least 27% of its wheat from Ukraine and 8% from Russia.

πŸ₯– 7 years of conflict has already left more than half of its people hungry. Now the #RussiaUkraineConflict is making things worse.
πŸ“‰ Late last year, funding cuts forced the @WFP to shrink aid to eight million Yemenis.

🍞 A further surge in international wheat prices means Yemenis could be more vulnerable than ever, said @afrah_alzouba, who heads a nonprofit working to improve humanitarian access.
πŸ‡ͺπŸ‡¬ Egypt

🌾 90% of Egypt's wheat come from Ukraine and Russia - and the conflict is now having a devastating impact.

πŸ“ˆ The government has been forced to raise the price of bread for the first time since the 1980s despite existing caps.

tmsnrt.rs/3sx93gw
🌻 Russia and Ukraine are also major suppliers of sunflower oil in Egypt.

πŸ‘¨β€πŸ³ Bakers are already feeling the sting of more expensive flour and cooking oil.

πŸ“ˆ One baker said his business had been hurt by a 50% jump in flour prices and a smaller spike in cooking oil prices.
πŸ‡±πŸ‡§ Lebanon

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦ Ukraine provides about 60% of Lebanon's wheat imports.

πŸ‡±πŸ‡§ Minister @AminSalamMET said the country would explore alternative supply options following the #UkraineRussiaWar.

πŸ₯– There are only enough stocks to meet a month's requirements, he warns.
⭕️But even before the Ukraine invasion, bread was a luxury for some.

The 2020 #BeirutBlast had destroyed Lebanon's largest storage space for grains.

πŸ₯–Though wheat imports are subsidised and bread prices capped, many worry about the future as the #RussianUkrainianWar continues.
πŸ‡·πŸ‡Ί The #RussiaUkraine war is affecting many in Russia as the ruble drops following sanctions.

But as the crisis pushes up wheat prices, food is becoming more expensive across the Middle East too.

✍️ @GebeilyM, @MennaFarouk91 and @TalaRamadan report. tmsnrt.rs/3sx93gw

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More from @TRF_Stories

Feb 28
πŸ’° Millions in crypto donations
πŸ“± @Pussyrrriot selling #NFTs
⚑️ @ElonMusk activating Starlink internet

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦ People and companies are using new tech to support #Ukraine as Russia continues its invasion.

Here are 5 ways the world is rallying online to help Ukrainians in crisis. 🧡
1️⃣ Crypto donations

πŸ’° Ukraine's government has raised almost $13 million in #cryptocurrency to help their military, says analysis firm @Elliptic. Funds to volunteer and hacking groups have also spiked.

⭕️ Charities like @Save_Children are also accepting #Bitcoin donations.
2️⃣ #NFT sales

🀘 Russian punk band @Pussyrrriot joined forces with #crypto groups @TrippyLabs and @Ukraine_DAO to auction off an NFT of a Ukrainian flag.

They say the $3.5m raised so far will go to "Ukrainian civilian organizations who help those suffering from the war."
Read 7 tweets
Feb 7
β˜€οΈ Sun, sea and... NFTs?

πŸ‡΅πŸ‡Ό Pacific nation Palau is kicking off a digital residency scheme for so-called 'crypto-citizens.'

It hopes to revive its economy during COVID-19. But some are skeptical about what this means.

Here's what experts @PeterJHowson and @OJutel told us. πŸ§΅πŸ‘‡
1️⃣ Why is the scheme happening?

πŸ›₯ Palau used to be a magnet for tourists and welcomed about 100,000 yachting enthusiasts each year.

πŸ’ΈBut COVID-19 restrictions mean people have stayed away - and Palau’s cash is drying up.

⚑️ Now, it’s turning to #crypto to boost its economy.
2️⃣ How does it work?

πŸ’° For just $248, anyone anywhere can apply for a limited edition #NFT ID card.

⭕️ This means they can:
πŸ‡΅πŸ‡Ό Use a Palauan business address
πŸ“œ Apply to change their name legally
⚑️ Open online accounts to trade #cryptocurrencies

news.trust.org/item/202202040…
Read 8 tweets
Feb 4
⚑️ Forget the Olympic athletes, it's the tech that's going for gold at #Beijing2022.

⭕️ But could some of the new gadgets and tools lead to a privacy nightmare?

πŸ‡¨πŸ‡³ We look at 5 innovations creating a buzz at the #Olympics. πŸ§΅πŸ‘‡

news.trust.org/item/202201311…
1️⃣ Robot chefs

πŸ‘©β€πŸ³ Visitors can expect some of their food to be prepared and served by friendly robots.

πŸ” They can make hamburgers, serve ice cream and coffee, and even deliver room service.

⭕️ They also ensure social distancing and help sanitise areas.
news.trust.org/item/202201311…
2️⃣ Digital yuan

🏦 The Olympics will be the first major test for foreigners to use the digital yuan, a central bank digital currency.

The digital coin has been trialled across China.

πŸ‘ But CBDCs are vulnerable to cyber attacks and can increase surveillance, tech experts warn.
Read 7 tweets
Jan 27
πŸ’° #Crypto could be revolutionising the way we pay.

🚨 But is it doing more harm than good?

πŸ‡ΈπŸ‡» While nations like El Salvador are embracing crypto like #Bitcoin, others such as Russia are starting to crack down.

Here’s why countries and authorities are sounding the alarm. 🧡
1️⃣Crypto could weaken the economy

@IMFNews has urged El Salvador to drop #Bitcoin as a legal tender, citing "large risks".

πŸ‡΅πŸ‡°Pakistan's central bank argues cryptocurrency trading could mean more money flowing out of the country.

news.trust.org/item/202201260…
2️⃣ Citizens may need more protections

πŸ‡ΈπŸ‡¬ Singapore's @MAS_sg has deemed crypto "highly risky and not suitable for the general public".

β˜ͺ️ In Indonesia, top clerics say that paying using crypto is unlawful in Islam, because they carry elements of uncertainty and harm.
Read 9 tweets
Jan 25
πŸ‡¦πŸ‡« Five months since the Taliban seized power, Afghan companies are battling to stay afloat.

πŸ“‰ International sanctions and curbs against the hardline Islamist group are fuelling a deepening economic crisis.

⭕️ Here's how businesses in the country have been affected. πŸ‘‡ ImageImage
1️⃣ Dynamic Vision

⭕️ Dynamic Vision was one of the country's top infrastructure companies.

It had more than 300 projects, some 1,200 employees and an annual turnover of $10 million.

⛔️ But the Taliban takeover meant millions stuck in unpaid dues and limited cash. Image
🀝 Now, Dynamic Vision has shifted from infrastructure to humanitarian work.

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡³ It's currently doing research for the @UNmigration.

πŸ’Ό CEO @AbdulEhsanMohma warns that unless jobs are created, the poor will suffer the most. Image
Read 8 tweets
Jan 18
πŸ“ˆ The #NFT market has exploded over the past year.

πŸ’° Sales soared past $24.9 billion in 2021, according to market tracker @DappRadar.

⚠️ But more artists are sounding the alarm over thieves stealing their digital work.

⭕️ How big is the industry's fraud problem? 🧡
1️⃣ What are NFTs?

πŸ–₯ NFTs represent a digital item like an image or video.

⚑️ They're usually bought with #crypto and transactions are recorded on a blockchain.

πŸ“± On some marketplaces, anyone can create and sell NFTs, without showing proof of ownership of the original image.
2️⃣ Who is embracing them?

✨ More celebrities are joining the craze like rapper @SnoopDogg who unveiled his first collection in 2021.

🦧 TV host @JimmyFallon bought @BoredApeYC NFTs while actress @ReeseW voiced her support for more women in NFT spaces.
Read 11 tweets

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