Octopus Energy calls on government to speed up wind power developments March 16, 2022 Octopus Energy (Octopus) has called on the government to cut red-tape and speed up the building process for ramping up wind power in the UK.
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, [...]
Sweden refuses to launch research satellite on Russian Soyuz rocket March 16, 2022 Sweden has cancelled the launch of a research satellite via a Russian rocket, following the Kremlin-backed attack on neighbouring Ukraine. The launch was scheduled for the end of this year, after its initial scheduled launch in 2019 was delayed. “Preparing for a launch from Russia is unthinkable under the current circumstances,” a spokesperson for the [...]
IEA warns of supply deficits with Russian oil isolated from global markets March 16, 2022 The world is set for a supply deficit of 700,000 barrels per day in the second quarter of this year, according to the IEA.
Retail investors spooked as equity sell-off continues March 16, 2022 Retail investors have shunned US stocks in the past week as a bargain-hunting frenzy began to falter amid a continuing slide in equity markets.
Zara owner Inditex warns of challenges ahead after shutting Russian shops March 16, 2022 Zara owner Inditex has reported sales surpassing pre-Covid levels but warned of looming challenges after severing ties with Russia. The world’s largest fashion retailer said Russia was a major market, after it shut its 503 shops and suspended online sales in the country amid its war in Ukraine. Russia and Ukraine accounted for five per [...]
Nigel Farage hits back at claims he accepted more than half a million pounds from Russia: ‘Nonsense’ March 16, 2022 Former UKIP and Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage has called suggestions that he received hundreds of thousands of pounds from the Russian state “nonsense”. Labour MP Chris Bryant told a parliamentary debate that he wanted to “point out” payments for Mr Farage amounting to almost £550,000, which he said came from the Kremlin-backed broadcaster RT [...]
Explainer-in-brief: A Net Zero torpedo in a fresh energy policy March 16, 2022 The government’s energy strategy has been postponed for another week. Boris Johnson has been forced to rethink his approach to net zero, as the urgency of moving away from Russian gas has changed cards on the table. Johnson will pay a visit to Saudi Arabia and the Gulf this week to try and convince regional [...]
Johnson says he will push Saudi Arabia on human rights as he lands in Middle East March 16, 2022 Boris Johnson has defended his decision to meet with the Crown Princes of Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi today, vowing to bring up their human rights records. Johnson arrived in the United Arab Emirates this morning and will hold a meeting with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed, before travelling to Riyadh to meet [...]
What is the outlook for UK dividends in a less certain world? March 16, 2022 Russia’s invasion of Ukraine looks set to exacerbate economic trends which had already been influencing markets. Amid the uncertainty, experienced investors Sue Noffke and Graham Ashby give their views on the outlook for UK dividends. Investors had already been viewing markets in a more cautionary manner, even before Russian troops amassed on the border with [...]