Tory backbencher calls on government to close ‘loopholes’ letting London firms work for the Kremlin April 11, 2022 Tory backbencher Kevin Hollinrake has called on the government to close the “loopholes” that have allowed UK professional services firms to continue carrying out bankruptcy proceedings on behalf of the Russian state. In a letter to Rishi Sunak, the Conservative party MP accused accountancy giant Grant Thornton, litigation funder Harbour, and London law firm CMS [...]
‘Cosmic’ borrowing costs stop Russian bond sales as debt teeters on brink of default April 11, 2022 “Cosmic” borrowing costs have forced Russia to stop bond sales for the rest of the year, as its debt teeters on the brink of defaulting. Sanctions on the Kremlin continued to bite, as its finance minister revealed drastic action this week. This comes after Western sanctions forced it to pay bondholders in roubles, despite it [...]
Priti Patel condemns ‘eco mob’ for forcing closure of one in three petrol stations in southern England April 11, 2022 Hundreds of environmental activists have taken part in direct action against petrol terminals, causing one in three fuel stations in the south of England to close. Campaigners from Just Stop Oil continued direct action against fossil fuel-linked firms, targeting three major fuel depots in Hertfordshire, Essex and Warwickshire over the weekend. The group said more [...]
UK warns Russia may use phosphorous bombs during assault on besieged city of Mariupol April 11, 2022 The UK has warned Russia may use phosphorous during its continued assault on the besieged city of Mariupol, based on its “prior use” while attacking the Donetsk. In an intelligence statement by the Ministry of Defence, it said previous usage of the chemical weapon “raises the possibility of their future employment”, as fighting over the [...]
Russian economy plunged into turmoil by rampant inflation after exodus of household brands April 10, 2022 Russian consumers are being squeezed by the ripple economic effects of President Vladimir Putin’s brutal invasion of Ukraine. A host of western corporates pulling out of Moscow, a severe depreciation in the rouble and sharp supply and demand imbalances has sent inflation in the country soaring. Russian firms have been scrambling to secure supplies of [...]
UK slaps asset freezes and travel bans on the daughters of Putin and Lavrov to finish off their ‘lavish lifestyles’ April 8, 2022 The UK is sanctioning Vladimir Putin’s daughters Katerina Vladimirovna Tikhonova and Maria Vladimirovna Vorontsova under measures to target the “lavish lifestyles” of the Russian President’s inner circle, the Foreign Office has said. The Foreign Office was also targeting the daughters of Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov with travel bans and asset freezes. A statement said: [...]
War enters new phase: Nato agrees to arm Ukraine to the teeth with heavier weapons as Putin ‘has changed his tactics’ April 8, 2022 As Nato foreign ministers met in the Belgian capital of Brussels to hear the demands from Ukraine for more equipment, they agreed to arm Kyiv to the teeth with much more modern weapons. Nato allies have agreed to supply “new and heavier” weapons to Ukraine as Kyiv warned it needs immediate reinforcement in its struggle [...]
British embassy guard facing nine charges of spying for Russia under official secrets act April 7, 2022 A British man who was an embassy guard in Germany is facing nine charges under the Official Secrets Act, accused of spying for Russia. David Ballantyne was extradited from Germany, where he was living in Potsdam and working as a security guard. The 57-year-old will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court today, over alleged offences committed [...]
Days after comparison to ‘negotiating with Hitler’, Macron’s dialogue with Putin is ‘splitting Nato’ April 7, 2022 Days after Poland accused France’s president of “negotiating with Hitler” by speaking to Vladimir Putin, France has now been accused of “splitting Nato” with its continued attempts to talk with Russia. Its president Emmanuelle Macron has been keeping an open dialogue with Moscow’s leader, along with Germany. Putin has been accused of war crimes, a [...]
Nikita Mazepin: I lost my seat in Formula 1 because of ‘cancel culture against Russia’ April 7, 2022 Russian motor racing driver Nikita Mazepin says he is a victim of “cancel culture” following his sacking by Formula 1 team Haas. Mazepin lost his seat at the US outfit on the eve of the 2022 season when Haas cut all ties with Russia in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine. Haas’s main sponsor [...]