Political News
Putin demands gas payments in roubles or will stop Europe supplies
Russia President Vladimir Putin on Thursday signalled he could override European gas supply contracts unless “unfriendly” states pay in roubles from Friday.
UK sanctions Russian media organisations
The UK has sanctioned a number of media organisations and individuals, including the owner of RT, as it moves to tackle Russian propaganda, it was announced on Thursday.
Gazprom mulling ways to stop supplying 'unfriendly' countries - report
Gazprom is looking at ways to halt gas supplies to so-called "unfriendly" countries, it was reported on Thursday.
Russia pledges to scale back military activity around Kyiv
Russia is to "dramatically" scale back military operations near the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, it was reported on Tuesday.
Ferry operators face minimum wage law changes in wake of P&O sackings
The UK government is to close a loophole allowing ferry operators to pay less than the national minimum wage, it was reported on Monday, as it moves to force P&O Ferries to rehire the 800 workers it fired earlier in March.
Zelensky says Ukraine ready to discuss 'neutrality', seeks compromise on Donbass
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his country was ready to discuss the official adoption of neutrality and wanted to reach a compromise over the eastern Donbass region.
Weekly US jobless claims hit half-century low
A key gauge of labour market slack in the US plumbed its lowest level in over half a century during the preceding week.
UK widens sanctions against Russia
The UK has imposed fresh sanctions on a number of Russian businesses and individuals, including a private paramilitary organisation and the stepdaughter of Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s foreign minister.
Sunak gambles with election-year tax cut as poor face living squeeze
UK Finance Minister Rishi Sunak placed a long-term bet on the 2024 General Election by pledging a cut in income taxes, while trying to ease the immediate financial pain of Britons with a reduction in fuel duty and threshold rise for National Insurance contributions.
UK govt cuts fuel duty by 5p a litre
The UK government will cut fuel duty by 5p per litre, at a cost of £5bn, with the reduction to take effect from 6pm on Wednesday, Finance Minister Rishi Sunak has announced.
Two EU officials tell CNBC an immediate Russian oil embargo is unlikely
It's unlikely that Brussels will impose an immediate embargo on Russian oil, European Union officials said.
Gazprom UK being primed for 'special administration'
The government is making plans to take over the running of Gazprom’s UK retail division, it was reported on Tuesday, as the Russian state-backed energy giant faces increasing pressure over the invasion of Ukraine.
Turkey says positions of Russia and Ukraine now nearer on 'critical' issues, hopeful for ceasefire
Russia and Ukraine were nearing agreement on "critical" matters and a ceasefire is possible if neither side backtracks, Turkey's foreign minister said.
BoA says ultimate low for risk assets in 2022 not yet in place
Strategists at Bank of America told clients that the ultimate low for risk assets in 2022 had not yet been seen, notwithstanding the recent "violent" bear market rally triggered by cease-fire talks between Russia and Ukraine.
Report of 'substantial progress' in Russia-Ukraine talks is 'wrong', Kremlin says
A Financial Times report of "substantial progress" having been made in talks between Kyiv and Moscow were wide of the mark, the Kremlin's spokesman said.
Ukraine and Russia draw-up neutrality plan, FT reports
Russia and Ukraine have drawn up a neutrality plan to end the war after making significant progress, including on a cease-fire and the withdrawal of Russian troops.
West tightens sanctions against Russia
The US, UK and European Union have tightened sanctions on Russia, including a ban on the export of luxury goods and increased import tariffs.
Russia-Ukraine talks have reportedly made 'some progress'
"Some progress" had been made in negotiations to stop the war, a senior lawmaker in Moscow said.
BATS announces exit from Russia, calls on governments to help find peace in Ukraine
British American Tobacco called on all leaders and governments to find a peaceful and sustainable resolution of the conflict, even as it announced its exit from Russia.
Potential Chelsea FC buyers asked to approach government
Potential buyers of Chelsea Football Club have been told they can approach the government with proposals, after its operations were essentially put on ice by the sanctioning of oligarch owner Roman Abramovich.