Herald section
The latest business reporting from The Belfast Herald.
Tata Steel has announced the closure of both blast furnaces at its Port Talbot site, resulting in approximately 3,000 job losses across the UK, with unions warning of severe economic and social consequences for the region.
Gerry Murphy of ICTU states unions will evaluate next steps following a planned one-day strike across public sectors, though civil disobedience calls are not currently endorsed by all union bodies.
Colombia approves regulations that encourage local communities and indigenous groups to produce energy using renewable sources and sell the energy to the national grid.
A 24-hour strike by transport workers in Northern Ireland caused widespread disruption to bus and train services on 22 December 2023. The action followed previous strike days in December and affected commuters, businesses, and shoppers across the region.
The Royal College of Midwives has announced a half-day strike on 18 January 2024 for midwives and maternity support workers across Northern Ireland's five health trusts.
The Civil Aviation Authority has granted SaxaVord Spaceport on Unst in the Shetland Islands approval to conduct vertical rocket launches, marking the UK's first licensed spaceport for orbital missions. The site is expected to begin orbital launches in 2025, with sub-orbital tests from August 2024.
A 48-hour strike by public transport workers in Northern Ireland has begun, affecting bus, rail and Glider services. The action is part of a dispute over pay and follows previous strike action on 1 December.
Myanmar produced an estimated 1,080 metric tonnes of opium in 2023, surpassing Afghanistan, according to a UNODC report released on 12 December 2023.