**__ Diplomatt’s Daily Digest – March 15, 2022__**
Good morning and happy Tuesday, everyone! U.S. stock futures fell as investors continue to monitor developments in the Russia-Ukraine conflict along with a fresh Covid-19 spike in China. The Federal Reserve is slated to kick off an important two-day meeting Tuesday, with investors expecting a quarter-point rate hike to be announced Wednesday. Mounting inflationary concerns will weigh on the Fed meeting. A lockdown in China could worsen supply chain issues after a surge in coronavirus cases suspended production in cities such as Shenzhen, a key manufacturing city. The Russia-Ukraine conflict had already led to a spike in commodities prices. With these factors driving prices higher, the government has no choice but to increase rates to absorb the accelerating inflation.

Quote of the week: „Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom.“ – George S. Patton

**General News:**
• The city of Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, has announced a 35-hour curfew that starts at 8 p.m. local time following Russian missile strikes. Russia and Ukraine were also set to resume talks on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Russia is approaching a series of deadlines to pay its debt.
• The heads of state representing NATO’s 30 member countries are discussing a meeting in person in Brussels next week as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine reaches the alliance’s doorstep with missiles fired just miles from the border of Poland.
• Officials from the United States and China met on Monday to discuss a range of challenges facing their bilateral relationship, including Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi says Beijing wants to avoid being impacted by U.S. sanctions over Russia’s war with Ukraine.
• Covid cases are rising in Europe, with an increasing number attributed to the prevalence of the omicron strain’s „stealth“ subvariant.
• Tesla has hiked the prices of its electric vehicles in the U.S. and China after CEO Elon Musk warned of inflation pressure on the business.
• Dubai’s state water and power company DEWA will list on the Dubai Financial Market as soon as April, after announcing an ambitious share prospectus that could make it the largest public offering of its kind in the emirate.
• As Google prepares to bring most employees back to the office, the company faces a workforce that’s increasingly unhappy when it comes to key issues such as compensation and an ability to meet career goals.

**StockTwits Top 10 Trending Tickers of the Day:**
1. BABA
2. NIO
3. XPEV
4. POET
5. BIDU
6. JD
7. AAPL
8. KWEB
9. WETF
10. TCEHY