Furious Putin lashes out at ‘scum and traitors’ as Ukraine invasion stalls and yet another Russian general is killed March 17, 2022 Russia’s president Vladimir Putin appeared on Russian state television late last night to excoriate Russians who do not back him, even as both sides expressed optimism over efforts to negotiate an end to the fighting. Russians “will always be able to distinguish true patriots from scum and traitors and will simply spit them out like [...]
Explainer: What is the Economic Crime Act and how will it help the government tackle oligarchs? March 17, 2022 The government’s Economic Crime Bill, which gives the UK new powers to tackle oligarchs, has gained Royal Assent after being fast tracked through parliament. In a statement, the government said the new laws will make it easier for the government to “tackle corrupt elites” and crack down on “Putin’s cronies.” Notably, the law will require [...]
Lord Coe enters race to buy Chelsea from Abramovich and eyes seat on the board March 17, 2022 World Athletics chief and long-time Chelsea fan Lord Coe has joined Sir Martin Broughton’s bid to buy the club. London 2012 boss Coe, 65, would take a seat on the club’s board if the consortium is successful, according to reports. Best bids are due in tomorrow with US bank the Raine Group, which is selling [...]
Kremlin in sudden U-turn as ceasefire seems likely: Russia ‘changing tone’ as isolated Putin drops demands for Ukraine to surrender March 16, 2022 Despite fierce fighting in the last 24 hours, with Russia’s military forces blasting Ukraine’s capital region and other major cities. Russia has softened its stance in the talks over a possible settlement and is rapidly ‘changing tone’, according to people close to the Ukraine-Russia peace talks. In fact, a ceasefire seems increasingly likely. Ihor Zhovkva, [...]
Women’s tennis chief ‘strongly’ opposed to bans for Russian and Belarusian players over Ukraine March 16, 2022 Steve Simon, the head of elite women’s tennis tour the WTA, says he “feels very strongly” that players from Russia and Belarus should not be prevented from playing because of the invasion of Ukraine. It comes after UK government ministers said assurances should be sought from Russian players that they do not support Vladimir Putin [...]
Kremlin cronies face more sanctions while furious Putin fires eight generals: ‘Clusterf**k’ invasion not going well’ March 15, 2022 More family members of Russian oligarchs can expect to be targeted with sanctions, a UK official said this afternoon. The official, asked about the potential to sanction family members of Russian elites, said: “Yes, there is actually quite a wide range, out of the 370, who are family members. “There is a number of members, [...]
FA to consider Chelsea appeal to play Middlesbrough cup tie behind closed doors March 15, 2022 The Football Association has said it will consider Chelsea’s request for Saturday’s FA Cup tie at Middlesbrough to be played behind closed doors. Chelsea appealed to the FA after being denied permission to sell further tickets to its travelling supporters under the terms of its special licence from the government. The Premier League club said [...]
Spain seizes Russian oligarch’s £107m superyacht March 15, 2022 A $140m (£107m) superyacht owned by Russian oligarch Sergei Chemezov has been taken by Spanish authorities. The vessel’s seizure was announced by its Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who said “there will be more” to come, with two yachts docked in Barcelona owned by non-sanctioned oligarchs, being monitored. Luxury boats linked to Russian oligarchs have been [...]
Russian judge rolls back Peppa Pig copyright in retaliation against Western sanctions March 15, 2022 Peppa Pig has been dragged into the conflict between Russia and the West, after a Russian judge said Russians are free to use the children’s cartoon character in retaliation against Western sanctions. A judge in the Russian city of Kirov said Russian businesses are free to copy Peppa Pig and create their own versions of [...]
Justice in Russia: Journalist who crashed country’s state news show dragged to court the day after March 15, 2022 A Russian journalist who interrupted a state broadcast with a sign saying it was “lying” about the war in Ukraine, has now appeared in court the following day. Lawyers for Marina Ovsyannikova accompanied her to court, after saying she had been “imprisoned for more than 12 hours” with no contact. Ovsyannikova was detained after the [...]