Suspected Kamikaze Drone Strikes Oil Plant in Russia’s Rostov Region
(FT) A drone attack, has hit an oil refinery in the Rostov region, southern Russia. Fragments of two drones were found at the refinery, which caused a fire that ranged…
World Bank Downgrades Global Growth to 3.2% on Ukraine War Impacts
(Bloomberg) The World Bank projects a global growth of 3.2% this year, down from an earlier prediction of 4.1%. The World Bank cites impacts emanating from the Ukrainian war as…
US Defense Department Seeks to Meet Top Arm Makers for Further Aid to Ukraine
(FT) The Pentagon is expected to host a meeting on Wednesday with eight largest defense contractors in the US for more weapons to Ukraine soldiers battling Russian invasion. Some of…
OPEC to Maintain Output Policy, Sees Balanced Impact from Missing Russian Output
(OPEC) OPEC has indicated sticking with its output increase policy, as the cartel sees any reduced supply due to the Russian-Ukraine conflict being offset by dampened global demand. OPEC+ expects…
Russia’s Sberbank Put Under Full Sanctions by the US, Putin and Family Also Targeted
(Reuters) America has placed Russian Sberbank under a total ban, including banning all US citizens from investing in Russia following what it believes to be war crimes in Ukraine. Energy…
Apple to Make 20% Fewer iPhone SEs on Impacts of Ukraine War, Inflation
(NIKKEI Asia) Apple is reportedly planning to cut its production of iPhone SEs by 20% next quarter as consumer electronics demand falls. The iPhone giant has also reduced orders for…
Ukraine Legalizes Crypto as War Donations Top $100 Million
(Twitter) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed into law a bill on virtual assets, making cryptocurrencies legal in the country. The legalization means that exchanges will operate legally in the…
Ukraine Unveils Plan For a “War Bond” in Support of Its Military
(FT) The Ukraine finance ministry says it plans to float a “war bond” to raise funds for its defense forces as it wrestles the Russian invasion. The government, through the…
Ukraine to Offer Crypto Rewards for Tip-Offs of Russian Politician Addresses
(Twitter) The Ukrainian government has received over 500 tips in accelerated moves targeting addresses of crypto assets of Russian politicians. The country’s Minister of Digital Transformation, Mykhailo Fedorov, says the…
Russia’s Stocks Fall by a Record Rate After Ukraine Attack, Gazprom Down 30%
(Bloomberg) Shares of Russian gas processor Gazprom plunged 30% on Thursday while the country’s MOEX stock index edged lower by 41% following Moscow’s attack on Ukraine. The 41% decline on…
Putin To Recognize So-called Eastern Ukraine Republics. Is China Waiting to Capitalize on Russian Energy Infrastructure?
(FT) Russian RTS Index drops 14% as Russia is ready to recognize terrorist organizations in eastern Ukraine. Geopolitical analysts are reading a neutralizing stance by China over tensions in Ukraine,…
Nato Calls for More Forces as it Readies Troops Against Russia on Ukraine
(FT) Nato alliance secretary-general, Jens Stoltenberg, has called for more allies to contribute additional military forces, as troops remain on standby to counter potential attack on Ukraine by Moscow. Nato…