Kyiv to tighten security after ballistic missile attacks
Security measures in Kyiv will be tightened after a series of Russian ballistic missile attacks and threats of escalation.
strikes
Israeli strikes on Rafah raise fear assault could begin
Israel bombed at least three homes in Rafah overnight, killing 11 people from a family. Residents fear a ground assault could be coming despite a U.N. Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire. In the West Bank, three Palestinians were killed and four wounded by Israeli fire during a raid in Jenin. Israeli forces have imposed a blockade on hospitals in Gaza, claiming they have been used by Hamas fighters. Residents report hearing explosions and seeing smoke coming from buildings inside the medical facility.
British satisfaction with healthcare drops to new low
Fact: British satisfaction with the state-owned National Health Service (NHS) dropped to a record low for 2023, with only 24% of people being satisfied with the service.
Protecting Palestinians a moral imperative, Pentagon chief tells Israeli counterpart
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasized the need to protect Palestinian civilians in the war between Israel and Hamas, stating that the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza was worsening.
Guys, who is Pelekanos?
– A terrorist attack in Moscow resulted in the death of 137 people
– Marios Pelekanos is leaving DISY and joining ELAM in Cyprus
– A commercial ship struck a bridge in Baltimore causing it to collapse
– Battles continue in Ukraine for two years
– A princess in Britain announces she has cancer
– Pelekanos is a former banker with far-right views joining ELAM in Cyprus
– The rise of the far-right is a dangerous phenomenon worldwide
CyBC employees to strike after payments delayed for over a month
CyBC employees are going on strike due to delayed payment of salaries for over a month, caused by late submission of the national broadcaster’s budget to Parliament. The strike will be held daily from 1.30pm-2.30pm and 8pm-9pm until employees are paid.
Oil prices to keep on rising
– The oil price is now over /barrel due to tight supply, increasing demand, Middle East conflict, and Houthi attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, with expectations of further increases.
– The International Energy Agency (IEA) now predicts a global oil supply deficit throughout 2024, reversing its earlier forecast of a surplus.
– The IEA and OPEC agree on supply deficits due to OPEC+ cuts and rising global demand.
– The IEA forecasts a crude consumption increase of 1.3 million barrels per day (b/d) this year, while OPEC maintains its growth estimate at 2.25 million b/d for 2024.
– The US is producing more crude oil than any other country, averaging 12.9 million b/d in 2023, with Saudi Arabia and Russia close to 10 million b/d.
– Oil and gas executives expect a slower transition to net-zero due to geopolitical turmoil, macroeconomic conditions, and AI.
– Shell aims to reduce its net carbon intensity by 15%-20% by 2030, adjusting from its previous goal of 20%.
– Adnoc and BP suspended their billion bid for a stake in Israel’s NewMed Energy due to the conflict in Gaza but remain interested.
– Adnoc and BP announced a new joint venture centered on Egypt on 14 February.
– European refineries may have a profitable future due to elevated margins for refined oil products like diesel and gasoline, amidst war in Ukraine and Red Sea tensions.
– On 13 March, Ukraine conducted drone strikes on Russian refineries, reducing refining capacity by 370,500 b/d.
– Falling refining capacity has increased diesel premiums ahead of crude by about /b.
– By 2026, Europe will have reduced its crude distillation capacity by about 7% compared to 2020, becoming more reliant on imports of refined products and more vulnerable to supply shocks.
– The IEA and OPEC continue to have contrasting biases in oil market forecasts.
– CERAWeek in Houston saw top oil executives and ministers discuss the energy sector, with less pressure for a large-scale move to clean fuels.
– ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods emphasized the cost concerns in reducing emissions.
– Shell CEO Wael Sawan highlighted the critical role of LNG in Shell’s future.
– Saudi Aramco’s CEO criticized the energy transition approach, advocating for efficient hydrocarbon use.
– US Secretary of Energy Granholm emphasized meeting current energy needs while preparing for future realities.
– Wind turbine blades, which can’t be recycled, are accumulating in landfills.
– Methane emissions from the energy sector remained near a record high in 2023, according to the IEA.
– Germany has opened its first EUR 4 billion bidding round for ‘Carbon Contracts for Difference’ for industrial users to switch to green hydrogen or other low-emissions technology.
– Engie urges caution on the pace of hydrogen deployment in hard-to-abate industries.
– Global greenhouse gas emissions from food systems are growing, with livestock being the biggest driver.
– Jim Skea of the IPCC stated the world is in ‘unknown territory’ after heat records were broken, indicating more science is needed to understand extraordinary temperatures.
Missile debris falls in Kyiv, building badly damaged, say Ukrainian officials
A three-storey building in central Kyiv was severely damaged due to a Russian missile attack. The incident occurred on a Monday morning and resulted in missile debris scattering across three other districts of the city. The affected building, located in the Pechersk district, was initially reported as residential but later clarified to be non-residential. Two individuals were injured in the attack. Debris from the missile also landed in the Solomyansky, Holosiyvsky, and Dnipro districts. The U.S. ambassador to Kyiv, Bridget Brink, stated that Russia utilized hypersonic missiles for the attack on the Ukrainian capital. This attack is part of a recent escalation in missile strikes by Russia on Ukraine.
Russia stages major airstrike on Ukraine; one missile enters Polish airspace
– Russia conducted a missile strike on critical infrastructure in Lviv, Ukraine, and also targeted Kyiv.
– One Russian cruise missile entered Polish airspace according to Warsaw.
– Moscow launched 57 missiles and drones in the attack.
– Lviv’s regional governor, Maksym Kozytskyi, reported two hits on a critical infrastructure facility in Lviv using Kinzhal hypersonic missiles.
– The energy ministry reported a critical energy facility in Lviv was attacked, causing a fire and power loss.
– Ukraine’s air defenses destroyed 18 of 29 inbound missiles and 25 of 28 attack drones.
– The attacks on Ukraine’s energy system led to widespread blackouts and a halt in electricity exports from Ukraine.
– In Kyiv, air defenses destroyed about a dozen missiles, resulting in only minor damage.
– The attacks are portrayed by Moscow as retaliation for Ukrainian actions during Russia’s presidential election.
– A downed Kh-55 cruise missile was found in a Kyiv park.
– Poland reported a Russian cruise missile violated its airspace, staying for 39 seconds and traveling about 2 km inside.
– Poland demanded an explanation from Moscow and pledged continued support for Ukraine.
Israel besieges two more Gaza hospitals, 5 doctors killed
Israeli forces besieged two Gaza hospitals, leading to the evacuation of patients and displaced people sheltering there. The Palestinian Red Crescent reported heavy gunfire and shelling around Al-Amal and Nasser hospitals in Khan Younis, resulting in the death of one of its staff and a displaced Palestinian. Israeli forces demanded the complete evacuation of Al-Amal Hospital and fired smoke bombs to facilitate this. The Red Crescent evacuated patients and displaced people to Al Mawasi. Israeli forces also formed a cordon around Nasser Hospital. The Israeli military claimed to have captured 480 militants in a raid on Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, where dozens of patients and medical staffers were detained, and five Palestinian doctors were reported killed. The health ministry in Gaza reported over 32,226 Palestinians killed and 74,518 injured since the beginning of the conflict on October 7, triggered by a Hamas-led incursion into southern Israel. Concerted mediation efforts for a ceasefire and aid to Gaza civilians have not yet been successful.