China as peacemaker? Russia’s invasion of Ukraine pulls Beijing’s position into question March 2, 2022 China’s foreign minister has said today that it is “concerned about the damage done to civilians” in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, pulling Beijing’s position on the war into question. Six days into the conflict, Russian president Vladimir Putin has been accused of war crimes for indiscriminately targeting civilians, residential areas and hospitals. Speaking to his [...]
‘Zero-Covid’ measures: US warns against Hong Kong travel due to child separations March 2, 2022 The US has cautioned against travelling to Hong Kong, as the city records record Covid-19 cases, with cautions of children having to isolate alone if they test positive for the virus. The State Department said in a statement: “In some cases, children in Hong Kong who test positive have been separated from their parents and [...]
Swiss billionaire receives offer to buy Chelsea as Roman Abramovich is pushed to sell Stamford Bridge club quickly March 2, 2022 A Swiss billionaire has been approached to buy Chelsea football club, according to various reports this morning. 86-year-old Hansjorg Wyss reportedly confirmed he is interested in purchasing the Stamford Bridge club from Roman Abramovich, but only in a consortium. Russian-Israeli billionaire Abramovich is understood to want to retain his ownership of Chelsea but that could [...]
UK releases additional £80m aid to Ukraine March 1, 2022 The UK Government has released an additional £80m in aid to Ukraine, bringing Britain’s total humanitarian package to £120m. The funding comes after the UK announced in early February a £100m economic package to bolster the Ukrainian economy and reduce its reliance on Russian gas, adding £40m last weekend to help aid agencies respond to [...]
City minister John Glen outlines changes to ‘liberate businesses’ from EU regulations March 1, 2022 City minister John Glen has said his changes to EU financial services regulations will “liberate businesses” in the UK as he further outlines his package of reforms. Speaking to the Association of Financial Markets in Europe today, Glen said the post-Brexit changes “will remove unnecessary duplication and red tape for firms that want to raise [...]
Government gears up to introduce tougher telecoms security to defend UK against cyber attacks March 1, 2022 Mobile and broadband networks may be forced to provide better protection from cyber attacks under stronger security rules for telecoms firms proposed by the government. In a new public consultation on draft regulations, the government have outlined the specific measures telecoms providers would need to take to fulfil their legal duties under the new Telecommunications [...]
A friend of Putin: Former German chancellor’s staff quit March 1, 2022 Former German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has reportedly watched all the staff in his taxpayer-funded office walk away, while he resists growing pressure to cut his ties to the Kremlin. It comes amid the Kremlin-backed invasion of Ukraine, which has seen Schroeder – a long-time friend of Putin – fall under scrutiny. Leaders of Germany’s Social [...]
‘Humanitarian catastrophe’ looming in Ukraine as Russia attacks men, women and children, UK envoy warns March 1, 2022 Ukraine is on the brink of a “humanitarian catastrophe”, Britain’s UN Ambassador Dame Barbara Woodward has warned an emergency meeting of the Security Council. As Russia continues its assault on the eastern European country, Dame Barbara was among those at the UN to accuse the Kremlin of launching “indiscriminate attacks against men, women and children” [...]
Johnson accuses Putin of ‘indiscriminately killing children’ as Russia accused of war crimes March 1, 2022 Boris Johnson has accused Vladimir Putin of indiscriminately “sending missiles into tower blocks to kill children” as evidence of widespread Russian war crimes against Ukrainians begins to mount. The Prime Minister today said after a meeting with Polish PM Mateusz Morawiecki that “I’m more convinced than ever as this hideous conflict progresses that Putin will [...]
Belarus joins invasion of Ukraine as troops cross border while 40 mile long Russian convoy nears Kyiv March 1, 2022 Mad March begins in Moscow: ICC to open war crime probe while Shell pulls $3bn out of Russia and Ukraine applies for EU membership.