FBI raids £91m luxury yacht of Putin oligarch ally in Mallorca: ‘We are coming for your ill-begotten gains’ April 4, 2022 Spanish Civil Guard officers, together with agents from US intelligence agency FBI, are searching a yacht owned by an oligarch with close ties to the Russian president Vladimir Putin, Spanish media report. They descended on the vessel at the Marina Real in the port of Palma de Mallorca, the capital of Spain’s Balearic Islands, this [...]
Mass graves found: Russian Army denies civilian massacre despite ‘horror’ scenes in Ukrainian villages of Irpin and Bucha April 4, 2022 Russia is increasingly under fire as its army is accused of massacring civilians in several villages across Ukraine, with scenes akin to a “horror movie”. UK’s Prime Minister responded by saying he will this week seek to galvanise a tough response from allies to the crisis in Ukraine as reports of the latest massacre were [...]
Watch Zelensky tell Grammy Awards: ‘Our musicians wear body armour instead of tuxedos’ April 4, 2022 Ukraine’s president rallied for support at the prestigious Grammy Awards, telling guests to support his people “in any way you can” but “not silence”. The embattled leader, Volodymyr Zelensky, appeared in a pre-recorded message to the glittering music ceremony on Sunday night, as news of civilian casualties, and mass graves, was reported in the country. [...]
Investors suing Russia say Kremlin will use law firm’s exit to delay $57bn Yukos Oil proceedings April 3, 2022 Investors suing the Russian state have raised concerns their case will be delayed after the New York City law firm acting on behalf of Russia exited the country and cut its ties with the Kremlin. A consortium of investors said they fear Russia will use delays to avoid paying a $57bn (£43bn) claim, by arguing [...]
Russian Army pulls back as weekend fightback picks up: Ukrainian forces retake Kyiv suburbs despite fear of booby-traps April 2, 2022 Ukrainian forces are taking back suburbs and other areas surrounding capital Kyiv this weekend, and they have reportedly moved to retake territory north of the country’s capital amid fears that Russian forces might have set booby-traps before leaving. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned in his nightly video address hours earlier that departing Russian troops were [...]
Ukraine unmasks two generals as Moscow saboteurs while tired Putin is stuck in ‘Kremlin cage’ with Russian Army ‘exhausted’ April 1, 2022 Two Ukrainian generals have been unmasked as Russian saboteurs and stripped off their ranks with immediate effect, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky told his nation under siege. In his daily video address to the nation, Zelensky said “today another decision was made on anti-heroes, gradually all of them will be punished.” “That is why Andriy Olehovych [...]
Clash between Japan and Russia looms as Tokyo steps up Kuril Island claims: ‘Russian Army is illegal occupier’ April 1, 2022 After several Japanese politicians recently stated the disputed Kuril Islands are part of Japan’s territory, Tokyo has now moved to officially declare that the entire Kuril Island chain is Japanese sovereign territory. In fact, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said the islands are illegally occupied by the Russian Army. Over the last few decades, [...]
Q&A: will the gold price surge continue? March 31, 2022 | City Talk James Luke explains the effect that Russian sanctions and Fed rate rises are having on gold, and what may lie ahead for the precious metal. Gold prices have been on an upward trend since mid-January, accelerating sharply upon Russia’s shocking invasion of Ukraine towards the end of February as investors flocked to perceived safe haven [...]
Ed Warner: Commonwealth Games should consider dropping restrictive colonial ties March 31, 2022 This week, Ed Warner argues that the Commonwealth Games must adapt if it’s to survive, ponders English cricket’s leadership vacuum and hopes Russia remains in exile. Depending on your media outlet of choice, Wills and Kate’s Caribbean sojourn was either a triumph of charming diplomacy or another nail in the coffin of empire – as [...]
London arm of Russia’s VTB on brink of collapse as sanctions bite March 30, 2022 The London arm of Russia’s VTB Bank is on the brink of insolvency proceedings after sanctions have curbed its ongoing operations. As reported by Mark Kleinman for Sky News, British banking regulators have called in advisers to help address Russia’s second-largest lender’s presence in the capital. Sources told Sky that the bank could fall into [...]