Explained: What Roman Abramovich sanctions mean for Chelsea sale, matches and transfers March 10, 2022 The future of Chelsea FC has been plunged into uncertainty after owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned by the UK government today. Abramovich has had his assets frozen because of his links to Russia and its prime minister Vladimir Putin, and that has major ramifications for the Premier League club’s operations and his plan to sell [...]
Ukraine war backfires as Russia’s economy is expected to take dramatic 10 per cent hit this year March 10, 2022 Analysts this morning revised their economic forecast for Russia in light of international sanctions imposed following the invasion of Ukraine. Experts at the Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU) said they expect economic activity to be severely disrupted with both domestic demand and the external sector taking a hit. “While the full impact of international sanctions and [...]
Russia confirms use of vacuum bombs and is expected to deploy private mercenaries in Ukraine March 10, 2022 The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said this morning Russia has confirmed the use of thermobaric rockets – often called vacuum bombs – in Ukraine and is also “likely” deploying private mercenaries. The MoD said its Russian counterpart had confirmed the use of thermobaric rockets creating “incendiary and blast effects” in the invasion. A video posted [...]
Saudi Arabia’s PIF and Amanda Staveley should have waited to buy Chelsea instead March 10, 2022 I can’t help thinking that Amanda Staveley and her consortium have bought the wrong football club. Had they waited just five months they could have had Chelsea FC rather than Newcastle United. A mooted £3bn price tag may be 10 times the price paid for the Magpies, but still well within the means of Saudi [...]
Russian forces intensify siege: Three hospitals hit as Ukraine war turns uglier two weeks in March 10, 2022 Bombs reportedly fell on three hospitals across Ukraine overnight. An airstrike on a maternity hospital in the port city of Mariupol wounded women waiting to give birth and buried children in the rubble as Russian forces intensified their siege of Ukrainian cities. The World Health Organisation (WHO) said it has confirmed 18 attacks on medical [...]
Google searches for ‘WW3’ up 75-fold since Russian invasion of Ukraine March 10, 2022 Google searches for ‘WW3’ have skyrocketed by 75-times the usual rate in wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As tensions continue to mount between Moscow and Kyiv, UK internet users expressed their fears about it engulfing the rest of Europe, by asking the search engine giant if it might spell the start of a third [...]
Smoking them out: Cigarette giant Imperial Brands halts Russian operations March 9, 2022 Maker of JPS and Winston cigarettes Imperial Brands has suspended all operations in Russia, including production at its factory in Volgograd, as well as sales and marketing activity. It comes as countless Western brands boycott Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, with the likes of Apple and Netflix recently pulling the plug. “This decision comes amid [...]
Tokyo exploits global anti-Russia sentiment to announce Kremlin-controlled Kuril Islands belong to Japan March 9, 2022 Fumio Kishida, Japan’s prime minister, said that southern Kuril Islands are a sovereign part of his country, and not part of Russia, which has controlled the group of islands since 1945. Speaking in the Diet earlier this week, Kishida told lawmakers the Kuril Islands are “original territories of Japan”. The islands have been a point [...]
Battle for Kyiv begins as residents flee into bomb shelters: Kharkiv, Sumy and Mariupol also suffering heavily March 9, 2022 An air alert has been declared in and around Kyiv, where residents in Ukraine’s besieged capital city are urged to get to bomb shelters as quickly as possible as it appears the battle for the capital is beginning. “Kyiv region – air alert. Threat of a missile attack. Everyone immediately to shelters.” regional administration head [...]
Russia warns West of $300 oil prices and gas supply cuts if countries impose energy sanctions March 8, 2022 Russia has warned the West it could close pipelines and that oil prices will spike to over $300 if countries impose energy sanctions.