Premium: Russia recognizes independence of two breakaway regions in Ukraine

It appears that we can finally make sense of Russian president Vladimir Putin's seemingly irrational actions of the past few weeks. Last night Putin showed his hand by sending troops into the far eastern parts of Ukraine that, for three years already, have been controlled by Russian-aligned rebels. The territories will almost certainly now be absorbed back into Mother Russia. Perhaps that, rather than World War Three, was always Putin's intention. China's reaction certainly suggests it was in on the high stakes game..Similarly far-reaching news is Elon Musk switching Tesla away from current battery technology to the old fashioned, much cheaper iron-based alternative. The massive demand for nickel-based lithium phosphate batteries sent prices of related minerals through the roof. Perhaps his mining-rich South African roots reminded Musk the cure for a commodity's high price is its high price (like $100 oil now drawing frackers back into previously abandoned areas – see below)..___STEADY_PAYWALL___.Given his two-steps-ahead record, Musk's move is likely to have been based on a leapfrogging technology that will enable iron-based batteries to overcome their current disadvantages (see FT's story below). More to the point, in a single swoop, Musk is moving the world's biggest electric car maker away from structurally more expensive technology being embedded by competitors. Further entrenching Tesla's lead..Never bet against human ingenuity. Or, specifically, the inventive mind of Pretoria's most famous export..More for you to read today:.Putin Orders Deployment of Troops to Breakaway Regions in Ukraine. Russian president earlier recognized their independence; news met with cheering crowds in Moscow-aligned rebel-controlled areas.Frackers Push Into Once-Dead Shale Patches as Oil Nears $100 a Barrel. Oil producers drill in less-desirable areas like Anadarko Basin of Oklahoma and DJ Basin of Colorado, where activity virtually stopped during pandemic.The Science Behind Why Children Fare Better With Covid-19. Children's innate immune systems help fend off the virus more effectively than those of adults. Suggests vaccines only make sense for "vulnerable" kids..PS Join me for our traditional post-Budget webinar on Wednesday night where I'll share everything learnt in tomorrow's "lockup". Register by clicking here..Then on Thursday at noon I'm hosting the monthly BizNews Portfolio update webinar. Click here to register..NB FOR YOUR WALL STREET JOURNAL ACCESS….As a Premium subscriber you are entitled to full membership of wsj.com (normal price $29 a month). Be sure to action your access through the Premium link on the BizNews website. Because of The Wall Street Journal's credential requirements, be sure to create a password which has at least 8 characters and includes at least one letter and one number – NB it MAY NOT contain any special characters (ie #, !, @ etc). To maintain access to WSJ.com, you MUST enter our partner's website via BizNews Premium at least once a month. A final PS, if you had previously signed up for WSJ you'll need to clear the cookies from your device. Our help desk can assist – support@biznews.com..If you'd like to help sustain our independent voice, why not share the love by making a gift that keeps giving? Click here to access the BizNews Premium subscription signup form, and be sure tick the relevant box. At R100 a month and inclusive of full membership of The Wall Street Journal, it's a mind-expanding gift at an incredibly modest price.

Premium: Russia recognizes independence of two breakaway regions in Ukraine

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