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US-Russia war of words

On Day 22 of Russia’s offensive in Ukraine, major cities are the scene of clashes, with dozens of casualties reported by Ukrainian officials. Heavy fighting is underway near the capital Kiev. One person was killed and several people were wounded after a missile hit a residential building there. In a town near the eastern city of Kharkiv, local officials said artillery fire killed over 20 people and injured more than two dozen. Several Ukrainian cities including Sumy and Mariupol are still under siege. Meanwhile, Moscow has dismissed as a lie Kiev’s accusation that Russian forces had bombed a theater in Mariupol, where hundreds of civilians were sheltering. Russia says its armed forces do not bomb cities and towns. Russia began the military operation in Ukraine on February 24. The two sides have held several rounds of talks on a ceasefire, without a major breakthrough.

UK rising inflation

The Bank of England warns inflation rates could reach 8% in the coming months and perhaps even climb higher later in the year. The warning comes after the Central Bank raised interest rates to 0.75 percent. The Bank of England has been working to contain the rising inflation. It blames the increasing consumer prices on the conflict in Ukraine, saying any further tightening of monetary policies depends on the circumstances there. Britain was already experiencing a 30-year high inflation prior to Russia’s offensive in Ukraine. Rising energy and food prices have been taking a toll on the British households, with average wages falling at the same time.

UK Iran debt

Iran says the UK’s overdue debt to Tehran has been deposited to the Iranian Treasury and is not withheld by the Swiss government. Foreign Ministry Spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh says Iran was able to retrieve London’s debt after more than 40 years through an intense negotiation process and despite the UK’s obstructionism. He said Tehran managed to reclaim the rights of the honorable people of Iran after decades of unreasonable resistance from Britain. Khatibzadeh said the debt was related to an incomplete Pahlavi regime tank-purchase deal with the UK and the British government had used political issues as a pretext to avoid repaying. Earlier, Iran also said the UK repaying its debt was in no way related to the case of the two prisoners who were released on the basis of Islamic leniency and humanitarian considerations.

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