Russians protest death of Kremlin critic March 1, 2015 TENS of thousands of Russians marched through central Moscow yesterday, carrying banners declaring “I am not afraid” and chanting “Russia without Putin” in memory of murdered Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov. Families, the old and young walked slowly, with many holding portraits of the opposition politician and former deputy prime minister who was shot dead on [...]
India rising: The re-awakening of this sleeping giant is the best news of 2015 March 1, 2015 “The Indian economy is a super giant, which moves slowly but surely.” – Arun Jaitley, Indian finance minister. After starting the year perpetually commenting on the gloomy tidings of the Greek crisis, Isis, and Putin, it is with palpable relief that I turn to what remains the single most positive international development of recent months [...]
Government blocks Russian oligarch and Lord Browne-run fund buying North Sea oil fields over sanctions worries March 1, 2015 The government has blocked the sale of North Sea oil and gas fields to Russian oligarch Mikhail Fridman and his LetterOne fund run by former BP man Lord Browne due to worries over Russian sanctions. Energy secretary Ed Davey warned it would not approve the sale of 12 oil and gas fields by the German [...]
Boris Nemtsov: Key facts about the Russian politician shot dead in Moscow this morning February 28, 2015 Boris Nemtsov, a fierce critic of the Putin administration, was killed just metres away from the Kremlin in Moscow late last night. The 55-year-old opposition politician was shot four times by a gun from a passing car, just hours after trying to garner support for a march against the crisis in Ukraine. Nemtsov was [...]
The UK might have an ambassador for the Arctic – but what would they actually do? February 27, 2015 There will certainly be no fancy parties with circling plates of Ferrero Rocher – just freezing ice, which occasionally melts, and plenty of polar bears waiting for a meal. The Arctic is far from being the most pleasant place in the world, but its abundance of fossil fuels has attracted interest from countries around the [...]
European shares soar to seven-year high as Germany approves Greece bailout February 27, 2015 European markets soared this morning after Germany approved plans to extend Greece's bailout loan by four months – causing investors to shed concerns about a Grexit. For the time being, anyway. The German Bundestag approved Greece's bailout deal, which will prevent it from defaulting when its current programme of loans ends on Saturday. The FTSEurofirst [...]
Peter Hambro wins battle for miner’s rescue February 26, 2015 INVESTORS in Russia-focused gold miner Petropavlovsk yesterday voted in favour of the board’s proposed restructuring plan, rejecting an alternative proposal from activist shareholder Sapinda. The troubled London-listed miner will now proceed with a deeply discounted $235m (£152m) rights issue underwritten by founders Peter Hambro and Pavel Maslovskiy. Hambro. the chairman, said: “Our shareholders have voted [...]
Which countries would be affected if Vladimir Putin and Russia turn off the gas? February 26, 2015 Vladimir Putin could be considering closing the taps on Europe’s gas supply. Yesterday, Russia threatened to trim gas supplies to Europe in a matter of days, an action that could have a severe effect on the region. Although some countries have moved to cut their dependence on Russia, much of the continent’s gas is on the [...]
EU takes a stand against high Russian import taxes at the World Trade Organisation February 26, 2015 The European Union (EU) is upping its battle against high import taxes imposed on it by Russia. On Thursday, the bloc posted a request for the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to establish a dispute settlement panel over the matter, accusing the Kremlin of placing unreasonably high import duties on a wide range of products. [...]
The Lego Movie’s blockbuster gift lifts toy maker February 25, 2015 LEGO is aiming to build upon the success of the summer hit The Lego Movie and close the gap between it and the world’s number one toy maker Mattel. Lego’s bid for a larger chunk of the market was helped by it outperforming rivals last year and a stronger sales of toys aimed at girls, [...]