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Rising food prices are going to be a global catastrophe and few are working to stop it

• The coming food crisis is the most obvious global catastrophe in decades

Transmission of Putin's speech cuts out but attendee videos don't show any drama

• What happened to Putin?

Poland is pushing for Russian energy sanctions but the bar is high = Eurasia group analyst

• Eurasia group analyst Mujtaba Rahman on the state of sanctions

China's foreign ministry: China, Russia met on March 17 to discuss security cooperation

US media report Putin has placed some of his intelligence officials under house arrest

• As always, treat reports such as this with the knowledge that truth can be a scarce commodity during war

Australia says it has now covered the majority of Russia's banking assets with sanctions

• Australia's foreign minister statement

More on the potential of a Russian debt default

• Reports re that coupon payments on Russian sovereign bonds due this week were received by correspondent bank JPMorgan

S&P lowers Russia rating even further

• Russia's rating has been cut to CC from CCC- by S&P and may be cut further (i.e. still on negative watch)

US House votes to revoke 'most-favored' trading status from Russia

• More tariffs coming

Russia warns Bosnia and Herzegovina against joining NATO

• Russia warning on Bosnia

Putin: We do not want to occupy Ukraine

• Comments from Putin

Fitch on how Russia could default on bond payment due today, Wednesday 16 March 2022

• Re Russia US dollar Eurobond coupons due on 16 March

More sanctions on Russia coming from Japan - "most-favored nation" trade status no longer

• The Japanese government is set to revoke Russia's "most-favored nation" trade status

Putin: Ukraine is not serious in finding mutually-acceptable solution

• Putin downplays positive sentiment

US Treasury official - investors see high probability of a Russian sovereign bond default

• Says there is limited direct exposure in the US financial system