An open letter to the PM: Britain must build Sizewell C — nuclear sits at the heart of a green recovery July 12, 2020 An open letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, business secretary Alok Sharma, and chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak We are writing as engineers, nuclear experts, scientists and concerned citizens to applaud your commitment to fighting climate change through energy policy, in particular the commitment to proceed with new nuclear construction at the same time [...]
With its own Magnitsky Act, Britain can make it clear that international wrongdoers are not welcome here July 10, 2020 The new government sanctions regime, which has seen restrictions imposed on around 50 individuals accused of orchestrating human rights abuses, is a major step in Britain’s post-Brexit place in the world. Dubbed the “Magnitsky Act”, after the Moscow lawyer murdered after uncovering a massive tax fraud, this approach allows the UK to pursue a new [...]
Wirecard executive ‘touted Russian nerve gas documents’ July 9, 2020 Wirecard executive Jan Marsalek reportedly touted documents about the use of a Russian chemical weapon in the UK and bragged about ties to the intelligence services. Documents, which have been reviewed by the Financial Times and used in meetings in the summer of 2018, include the formula for the world’s deadliest nerve agent, novichok. The [...]
Magnistky Act: Who’s on the Foreign Office’s sanctions list? July 7, 2020 Foreign secretary Dominic Raab yesterday unveiled the first 49 foreign citizens facing sanctions for alleged human rights abuses under the UK’s new Magnitsky Act. The new sanctions include visa bans and asset freezes on individuals from Russia, North Korea, Saudi Arabia and Myanmar who are suspected of “serious” human rights abuses, including murder, torture, massacre [...]
Magnitsky Act: Dominic Raab unveils first foreign citizens facing visa restrictions July 6, 2020 Foreign secretary Dominic Raab has unveiled the first 49 foreign citizens facing sanctions for alleged human rights abuses under the UK’s new Magnitsky Act. Speaking in the Commons today, the foreign secretary said the UK was taking action against the “thugs of despots and henchmen of dictators” and those trying to launder their “blood-stained ill-gotten [...]
Russia remains dangerous, but don’t confuse it for a superpower July 6, 2020 It is one of those news stories where the incident perfectly fits the larger political risk profile. During the past week, the New York Times reported that a Russian military intelligence unit paid bounties to Taliban-linked militants in 2019 to kill American soldiers in Afghanistan. One imagines the reasoning for this was to decisively derail [...]
O’Brien to rewrite the record books with eighth Investec Derby success July 2, 2020 EPSOM is ready to stage the 241st running of Saturday’s Investec Derby (4.55pm) behind closed doors. The build-up has been like no other with the global coronavirus pandemic forcing the race to be delayed by a month. A dramatically revised racing schedule means that the majority have taken unorthodox routes to Epsom and plenty have [...]
4 July reopening: Soho to sizzle as street festival kicks off this weekend July 2, 2020 The West End is set to be the epicentre of 4 July reopening revelry this weekend with newly pedestrianised streets heralding what some are calling “The Summer of Soho”. Westminster Council have now confirmed that a number of streets in the famous entertainment district will be closed to motor traffic. That will allow venues to [...]
EU prepares ban on US travellers over high coronavirus case count June 24, 2020 The EU is said to be ready to issue a travel ban on US citizens and travellers from other countries, due to their high coronavirus infection rates. Documents seen by the New York Times showed American, Russian and Brazilian visitors to the EU would be unwelcome as their governments’ fail to control the virus’ spread. [...]
UK newspaper the Independent to launch Russian language edition June 17, 2020 British newspaper The Independent is set to launch an online Russian-language edition starting this month, according to Russia’s RBC media portal. Russian media magnate Alexander Lebedev, the financial backer of both the Independent and the Evening Standard, provided no specific date of the launch. Artem Artemov, the editor overseeing the roll out, told RBC that [...]