How Russian Oligarchs Evade Sanctions | Nickel’s EV Impact | What Spurred The Great Resignation

Plus: Covid Year 3 Will Be Better, Experts Agree, Unless Rich Countries Ignore The Pandemic Elsewhere

Good morning.

The U.K. announced new sanctions against Russian oligarchs, including Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich. Business tycoons with close ties to the Kremlin, however, have long developed ways to shield their assets from foreign governments’ hands. We’re also covering the impact of volatile nickel prices on electric vehicle makers, and a survey highlighting the motivations behind the Great Resignation of 2021. Finally, we’re looking at what year three of the Covid-19 pandemic has in store for the world. 

In The News Today

A new round of sanctions by the U.K. government targeted seven Russian oligarchs, including Roman Abramovich. Follow our live blog for the latest news on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its repercussions.  

Conservative opposition candidate Yoon Suk Yeol, a former prosecutor, was elected South Korea's new president following a heated election.

Top Take-Aways

Russian oligarchs hit by international sanctions weren’t caught completely unprepared. Since their assets first became a target of retaliation against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aggression on neighboring countries, they’ve devised Matryoshka dolls-like ownership schemes to make it impossible for foreign governments to seize their prized possessions.

The war in Ukraine and sanctions against the Kremlin have caused volatility in commodity prices, especially that of nickel, a key component of advanced batteries of which Russia is a major producer, which could make electric vehicles more expensive.

Major crypto exchanges have so far resisted requests to ban Russian users. Kraken CEO Jesse Powell tried to strike a balance between keeping the exchange’s Russian market open and showing support for war-stricken Ukrainians, but his plan is not without controversy.

To stem the spread of misinformation about the war in Ukraine, TikTok announced a ban on new content from Russia that hit state media agencies, including RT, Sputnik and NTV. But one Kremlin-controlled news outlet, RIA Novosti, is still posting content on the platform.

Excessive workload was listed as a main reason why employees quit their jobs last year in what was dubbed “the Great Resignation,” according to a new survey by consulting firm McKinsey & Company.

Atlanta Falcons’ wide receiver Calvin Ridley was suspended for the 2022 season for wagering $1,500 on his own team, the first NFL player to receive a suspension for gambling since 2019. Sports betting legalization could expose more cases.

Today's Must Read

In Case You Missed It

Moderna’s new public health initiative aims to work with middle- and low-income countries to combat diseases, while working with scientists worldwide to develop vaccines for the next potentially deadly outbreak.

Tips You Can Trust

Working in a hybrid work environment requires learning how to set and maintain clear boundaries. Here are five ways to do so and thrive.

For organizations to create more equitable workplaces, they need to step up and acknowledge their power and responsibility to make a difference. Consider these four steps to help break gender bias.

Today's Must Watch

Recommendations
From Beyond The Newsroom