Best of this week in our opinion pages: from the fintech world to a tax regime to sanction Putin to what social media are doing in the disinformation wars March 19, 2022 As Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove disclosed the Homes for Ukraine scheme to host people fleeing war in Ukraine, Ajaz Ahmed wrote about the countless refugees who have reached British shores and set up incredibly successful businesses, effectively contributing to the growth of this country. Ahmed also called for businesses to step up and do [...]
Nuclear energy leaders to meet Prime Minister Boris Johnson next week, as UK continues to wean itself off Russian fuel March 18, 2022 Nuclear industry leaders are set to hold talks with the prime minister next week, as Britain continues its bid to wean itself on dependence on Russian energy. It has been reported that executives from companies such as EDF and Rolls-Royce will meet Boris Johnson on Monday, alongside US industrial giant Westinghouse, according to Sky News’ [...]
UK solicitors watchdog says it will not tell law firms to drop Russian clients March 18, 2022 The UK solicitors’ watchdog has said it will not tell law firms to drop Russian clients. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) said its “general position is that firms can choose who they act for,” as it said the issue is “highly unlikely to be a regulatory matter.” “The current situation with the conflict in Ukraine [...]
Ukraine invasion crumbling fast as Russia is forced to defend supply lines and loses air control despite heavy Lviv bombing March 18, 2022 Russia is being forced to divert “large numbers” of troops to defend its supply lines rather than continuing its attacks in Ukraine, British defence intelligence analysts believe. The latest intelligence assessment published by the Ministry of Defence said: “Logistical problems continue to beset Russia’s faltering invasion of Ukraine.” “Reluctance to manoeuvre cross-country, lack of control [...]
Bitcoin shows signs of maturing as world economies look likely to worsen further March 18, 2022 Jason Deane digs through an avalanche of news narratives to decipher what's affecting the price of Bitcoin this week.
Business of Space: Sharing satellite imagery or an act of war? March 18, 2022 This week: Canadian firm enjoys revenue jump after snagging NASA contract To share or not to share? Ukraine asks Japan for satellite imagery over Russia OneWeb’s US proxy lines board with former US national security officials Canada’s MDA Space technology firm MDA has swung from its losses in the final three months of 2021, after [...]
Russians learn the only thing worse than social media is no social media March 18, 2022 This week, Instagram feeds in Russia went dark. With Facebook already blocked, Twitter access restricted and a threat of the same to Youtube, the Russian state is silencing fora of dissent. In this column, I have often criticised the social media giants. Their business models are built on their ability to surveil you. They have [...]
Has the Ukraine war sped up the clean energy revolution? March 18, 2022 As energy security rises up the political agenda, we look at what Russia’s invasion of Ukraine means for climate change investing. Russia’s shocking invasion of Ukraine is having horrendous consequences, and our thoughts are with the millions of people affected. As climate change investors, we also have to consider the impact of the conflict on [...]
M&S franchises remaining open in Russia is ‘buttressing Putin’s brutality’, Tory MP says March 18, 2022 Marks and Spencer has been urged to close its stores in Russia by a Conservative MP. Marks and Spencer has been urged to close its stores in Russia by a Conservative MP. The representative for Rutland and Melton, Alicia Kearns, made her comments while hosting four Ukrainian politicians on Thursday. This comes as major international [...]
Abramovich’s toxic Chelsea FC legacy must make us rethink ownership in our communities March 18, 2022 Chelsea football club is in limbo. It can’t sell tickets or shirts, it can’t even renew contracts. This is a London cup-winning team that has been sent to Coventry and has no idea how long it will stay cut off. Dozens of players, thousands of employees and millions of fans are all now suffering for [...]