Friday Briefing: Fire put out at Europe's biggest nuclear plant after battle causes alarm
The Reuters Daily Briefing
Friday, March 4, 2022
by Linda Noakes
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Here's what you need to know.
The seizure of a Ukraine nuclear plant sparks worries about radiation monitoring, Nike and IKEA close their Russian stores, and Russia threatens jail for 'fake' news
Today's biggest stories
Surveillance camera footage shows a flare landing at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant during shelling in Enerhodar, Zaporizhia Oblast, Ukraine, March 4, 2022
WAR IN UKRAINE
A huge blaze at the site of Europe's biggest nuclear power station was extinguished, and officials said the plant in southeastern Ukraine was operating normally after it was seized by Russian forces in fighting that caused global alarm.
Russia's parliament passed a law imposing a jail term of up to 15 years for spreading intentionally "fake" information about the armed forces as Moscow fights back in what it casts as an information war.
Russia's communications watchdog has restricted access to several foreign news organizations' websites including the BBC and Deutsche Welle for spreading what it cast as false information.
As Russian troops slowly advanced on Ukraine's capital Kyiv, some people back in Moscow were attempting to flee to destinations abroad that have not banned flights from Russia, stomaching soaring prices in the rush to escape.
Customers shop in an IKEA store in Omsk, Russia, March 3, 2022
BUSINESS & MARKETS
Companies and investors across the world faced Russian dilemmas as they weighed up an offer from Moscow to fast-track their exits from the country and allow them to hand over holdings to local managers until they return.
Stocks extended their losses for the week as investors piled into government bonds and gold for cover. Industrial metals, grains and oil gained while Asian shares mined 16-month lows.
Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen poses for pictures with former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo after he was bestowed with an Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon at the presidential building in Taipei, March 3, 2022
IN OTHER NEWS
The United States should formally recognize Taiwan as a country, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said during a speech in Taipei, drawing a stern rebuke from China for his "babbling nonsense".
Two of Hong Kong's largest consumer retail chains started rationing some food and drug items to curb panic buying that has plagued the city over the past week amid fears of a citywide lockdown as COVID-19 cases soar.
Talks on reviving the 2015 Iran nuclear deal appeared to near a climax with talk of an imminent ministerial meeting as a U.N. report showed Iran is most of the way to amassing enough enriched uranium for one bomb if purified further.
A Kentucky jury acquitted a white former detective of endangering neighbors of Breonna Taylor during a botched raid that killed the Black woman in her home, clearing law enforcement of all criminal liability in a case that rocked the United States in 2020.
Britain's government awarded one of its highest honors, a knighthood, to Gavin Williamson, who was fired as defense secretary in 2019 over a national security leak.
BREAKINGVIEWS
Agenda-setting insight from the international commentary brand of Reuters
As many Ukrainians flee to neighboring countries, Kirill Trentin is staying put to help protect those with nowhere to go - the animals at the Kyiv zoo.
South Korean presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol got a boost when a rival dropped out, but if the conservative former prosecutor wins next week, it may also be thanks to 'deepfake' avatars and viral short videos.
