Ukraine crisis deepens as 100 Russian lorries begin “direct invasion” August 22, 2014 The head of Ukraine's security service Valentyn Nalyvaichenko has said the unauthorised crossing of 100 Russian lorries into Ukrainian territory is tantamount to a "direct invasion", adding it was "under the cynical guise of the Red Cross – these are military vehicles". According to the Red Cross, the lorries crossed the border on Friday without [...]
State reputation riskier than sanctions for Russia’s oil and gas companies August 21, 2014 The Russian government’s reputation is a greater threat to the cred it worthiness of the country’s energy companies than the sanctions levied against the sector by the US and Europe, according to a report released yesterday. Credit ratings agency Standard and Poor’s (S&P) argued in research yesterday that sovereign risk is the largest factor weighing [...]
Russia partially abandons food ban as minister claims it could cost country €10bn August 21, 2014 Russia has dropped part of the ban on EU food imports after its agriculture minister claimed the policy could cost the Russian economy €10bn (£8bn) over the next few years. Russia's food authority has removed a host of products from the black list, including: trout and salmon hatchlings; potato and onion seeds; hybrid sugar maize [...]
iPhone 6 pictures leaked: Apple’s new smartphone flaunts curves and a higher resolution screen August 21, 2014 As the hype surrounding the iPhone 6 reaches fever pitch ahead of its supposed unveiling on 9 September, new images claim to show the complete design of Apple’s new device for the first time. The leaked pictures reveal a return to the design of Apple’s original iPhone model, flaunting its curves as one website might [...]
Carlsberg share price dips as Russian tension takes the fizz out of profits August 20, 2014 Copenhagen-listed brewer Carlsberg saw its shares fall as much as 4.6 per cent during trading yesterday after warning its 2014 profit would drop due to the deteriorating Russian market. The Danish firm, which generates 35 per cent of its profits from Russia, said it now expected operating profit to fall by low- to mid-single digit [...]
Heineken shares rise as World Cup helps to offset eastern woes August 20, 2014 Shares in Heineken rose nearly seven per cent yesterday after the Dutch brewing giant played down concerns over Russia and delivered better-than-expected beer sales in the Americas, Africa and the Middle East. The company said group beer volumes were up 3.1 per cent in the first six months, thanks in part to the World Cup [...]
Moscow McDonalds shuttered as Russian government intervenes August 20, 2014 THE RUSSIAN government closed down four McDonalds outlets in Moscow yesterday, following a round of sanctions against western agricultural products. The government said that the closures, which included the first McDonalds ever opened in the country, were due to unsanitary conditions discovered by the Russian public health authority. The Russian arm of McDonalds said in [...]
Norway to keep $8.2bn Russian assets despite sanctions – for now August 20, 2014 Norway’s massive sovereign wealth fund yesterday announced that it was likely to hang on to its $8.2bn (£4.93bn) worth of Russian assets despite Western sanctions on Moscow. However, the $885bn fund – one of te world’s biggest investors said it did not plan further purchases because of political risk. The fund has $8.2 billion invested [...]
Spurs target a Champions League place via back door August 20, 2014 TOTTENHAM boss Mauricio Pochettino is focused on the bigger picture as Spurs take their first step towards securing Europa League football this season with a first-leg qualifier against AEL in Cyprus tonight. Pochettino dismissed the Europa League as an unattractive competition while in the Southampton hotseat but has changed his tune now a rule change [...]
Poland wants to take Russia to court over food ban August 20, 2014 In the wake of Russia's ban on some European food products, Poland has asked the European Commission to complain to the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Poland sent the request to European Trade Commissioner Karel De Grucht, who represents the EU in WTO cases. Marek Sawicki, Poland's agriculture minister has said that preliminary consultations are underway, and [...]