This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 17 MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday attended commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi forces in the battle of Stalingrad, a long and grueling fight that resonates in the current conflict in Ukraine. Putin laid a wreath at the eternal flame of the memorial complex to the fallen Red Army soldiers in Volgograd, the current name of the city, which stretches along the western bank of the Volga River. The memorial is dominated by an 85-meter (279-foot) sculpture of a sword-wielding woman, Europe's tallest statue. The Russian leader is set to speak at a memorial event and have a meeting with activists later in the day. The city was renamed in 1961 as part of the Soviet Union’s rejection of dictator Joseph Stalin’s personality cult. But the name … [Read more...] about Putin commemorates Stalingrad battle, echoing Ukraine fight
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Bank of England rate hike says ‘too soon to declare victory’
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 15 LONDON (AP) — The Bank of England announced another “forceful” increase in interest rates Thursday, saying it was too soon to declare victory against inflation that has slowed slightly but is still fueling a cost-of-living crisis, public-sector strikes and fears of recession. The bank raised its key rate by half a percentage point, to 4%, resisting the temptation to follow the U.S. Federal Reserve in easing its response to the crisis. The British central bank has approved four straight increases of a half-point or more since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine triggered sharp rises in food and energy prices. “We have done a lot on rates already … but it is too soon to declare victory just yet,” bank Gov. Andrew Bailey said at a news conference. “Inflationary pressures are still there … and we need to be absolutely sure … [Read more...] about Bank of England rate hike says ‘too soon to declare victory’
Ex-UK leader Truss to urge tougher China stance in Tokyo
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 LONDON (AP) — Former British Prime Minister Liz Truss will join the former leaders of Australia and Belgium at a conference in Tokyo later this month to call for a tougher international approach to China. The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, an international group of lawmakers concerned about how democratic countries approach Beijing, said Friday that Truss will speak alongside former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison at the Feb. 17 event in the Japanese Diet. Former Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, who is also a European Parliament lawmaker, will attend as well. Conference organizers hope the event would help spur more coordinated diplomacy on threats raised by China ahead of the next Group of Seven richest democratic countries' summit, scheduled in May in Hiroshima. Truss is expected to address growing concerns over Beijing's threats to Taiwan, which China … [Read more...] about Ex-UK leader Truss to urge tougher China stance in Tokyo
Otmar Szafnauer has another dig at Oscar Piastri, vows to ‘eliminate loopholes’ in junior contracts
Otmar Szafnauer has vowed to “eliminate the loopholes” that allowed Oscar Piastri, as he put it, “to get out” of the contract Alpine thought they had. Alpine’s plans for their 2023 driver line up were thrown into confusion last season when Fernando Alonso opted against signing a one-year extension and instead committed his future to Aston Martin. The team wasn’t too fazed as they had reserve driver Piastri waiting in the wings and almost immediately announced him as Esteban Ocon’s new team-mate. The Aussie, though, took to social media to refute that and, as the saga played out, F1’s Contract Recognition Board declared the only contract Piastri had with any team for the 2023 F1 season was with McLaren. Alpine finally completed their line up with Pierre Gasly having done a deal with Red Bull to release the Frenchman . But while the CRB declared Alpine definitely did not have a contract with Piastri, only a terms sheet, Szafnauer bills it as a “loophole” that allowed the … [Read more...] about Otmar Szafnauer has another dig at Oscar Piastri, vows to ‘eliminate loopholes’ in junior contracts
Red Bull eclipsing Ferrari as Mercedes’ greatest threat · RaceFans
On lap ten in Melbourne it seemed the 2016 season has begun very well for Ferrari. Sebastian Vettel led the field and the team’s other car was two-and-a-half seconds behind. Kimi Raikkonen had the leading Mercedes of Nico Rosberg covered, and the second silver car belonging to Lewis Hamilton was boxed in behind Max Verstappen’s Toro Rosso. Had it not been for a slip-up in the pits, Ferrari could have converted that strong start into a victory in the opening round of the championship. But six races later that flying start has been largely forgotten. There has been little sign of Ferrari’s Mercedes-rivalling pace we glimpsed in Melbourne since then. Vettel’s move to Ferrari last year seemed perfectly timed. He enjoyed a honeymoon season, taking three victories in what otherwise would have been a Mercedes rout. We quickly became accustomed to his exuberant shouts of ‘grazie ragazzi’ on the team radio. But recently the Ferrari radio has been characterised by explosive bursts of … [Read more...] about Red Bull eclipsing Ferrari as Mercedes’ greatest threat · RaceFans