land

Wood: building on an abundant natural resource

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Wood: building on an abundant natural resource

Forests in the EU can contribute to greening the European construction industry and support architectural improvements. In the Gironde department of France, a secondary school was built in 2022 using wood from local pine trees, aiming to utilize wood from nearby forests while preserving them. This project is part of the BASAJAUN research initiative, funded by the EU, which promotes the use of wood as a versatile and recyclable material. The initiative’s flagship is a wooden apartment building near the Pian-Médoc school, designed to demonstrate sustainable forest management and the potential for greening the construction industry. The building, made from non-local wood, features a disassemblable facade and uses natural wood fibre for insulation, highlighting the environmental benefits of using wood in construction. BASAJAUN aligns with the European Green Deal’s goals and the New European Bauhaus initiative, emphasizing sustainability, aesthetics, and inclusion in architecture. Buildings in the EU account for significant energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, with traditional materials like concrete and steel being energy-intensive. Using wood in construction can reduce the carbon footprint and even turn buildings into carbon sinks. The EU aims to ensure sustainable sourcing of wood to support biodiversity, ecosystems, and local communities. The potential carbon storage of new residential wood buildings in the EU is significant, and bio-based materials, including wood, currently represent a small fraction of building materials used in Europe. BASAJAUN has partners across 11 EU countries and has developed a system for digitally tracking wooden materials in construction. Another EU-funded project, WOODCIRCLES, focuses on recycling wood waste, aiming to address the challenge of its variable quality and promote the reuse of wood in a sustainable manner.

Only effective way to ramp up Gaza aid is by road, Guterres says

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Only effective way to ramp up Gaza aid is by road, Guterres says

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated that the only effective and efficient method to deliver heavy goods to meet Gaza’s humanitarian needs is by road, which requires a significant increase in commercial deliveries. Guterres highlighted the global impact of the war in Gaza and criticized the international community for failing to uphold Palestinian human dignity. During his visit to Egypt and Jordan, part of an annual Ramadan solidarity tour, he expressed outrage at the backlog of aid for Gaza at Egypt’s border. Despite over five months of conflict between Israel and Hamas, with aid accumulating in Egypt’s Sinai, efforts to deliver aid through air drops and ships have been proposed, but U.N. officials insist on scaling up deliveries by land. Guterres emphasized the need for Israel to facilitate relief by removing obstacles and increasing crossing points. He also mentioned the U.N.’s efforts to maintain funding for UNRWA, the main humanitarian aid agency in Gaza, despite funding pauses from countries like the United States and Britain due to accusations against UNRWA staff. UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini expressed regret over the continued U.S. funding ban until at least March 2025.

Seeking a new role in the region

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Seeking a new role in the region

After six months of Israeli airstrikes and ground operations in Gaza, countering the deadly October 7 Hamas attacks, EU leaders called for a cease-fire. The Palestinians in Gaza have been suffering from starvation, lack of medical supplies, and the harsh rule of Hamas militants, with hospitals and schools being constantly targeted. The Cypriot ‘Amalthia’ initiative has opened a maritime aid corridor to Gaza, with the first supply of food relief reaching the Palestinians and a second shipment ready. Air drops continue from Jordan, and efforts are ongoing to open more land border crossings from Egypt. Cyprus has a history of humanitarian relief efforts and has evacuated foreign nationals from Lebanon, Sudan, and helped end the siege of the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem in 2002. Cyprus has developed diplomatic channels and trust with neighboring countries, primarily focused on energy issues. The U.S. views Israel as a key ally in the region, while western powers tolerate Turkey’s actions, including its involvement in Syria and the Russia-Ukraine war. Cyprus has not invested in major defense purchases and lacks air and naval support to safeguard its Exclusive Economic Zone. Cyprus aims to remain proactive in regional matters, seeking full support from EU partners and western powers, aiming to lead in diplomatic and humanitarian initiatives without nepotism influencing appointments.

Blinken pushes for more aid for Gaza in talks with Israel’s Netanyahu

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Blinken pushes for more aid for Gaza in talks with Israel’s Netanyahu

– U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss aid flow into Gaza amid tense relations due to the six-month-old war.
– Israel claimed to have killed or captured hundreds of Hamas fighters in a five-day operation at the Al Shifa hospital complex in Gaza, which Hamas and medical staff deny.
– Blinken has been engaging in diplomacy in the Middle East, including meetings with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Saudi Arabia and officials in Cairo, aiming for a ceasefire.
– U.S. President Joe Biden criticized Israel’s campaign in Gaza as “over the top” due to its toll on civilian lives.
– The war started with a Hamas raid into southern Israel, killing 1,200 and taking 253 hostages. Over 32,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli bombardments.
– Blinken emphasized the need for increased and sustained aid deliveries to Gaza, where the entire population faces severe food insecurity.
– Israeli Colonel Moshe Tetro denied food shortages in Gaza, claiming sufficient food enters daily.
– Discussions include Israel’s intention to launch a ground offensive on Rafah, with Washington objecting to the plan.
– An airstrike on a house in Al-Naser, east of Rafah, killed eight people, including a family with five children.
– Senior Israeli and U.S. officials are set to meet in Washington to discuss alternatives to a full-on assault on Hamas.
– Talks in Qatar focus on a proposal for a six-week halt to fighting, exchanging Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners.
– Israel aims to eradicate Hamas, while Hamas wants a permanent end to the war and Israeli troop withdrawal.
– Israeli troops claim to have killed or detained hundreds in the Al Shifa hospital, including senior Hamas and Islamic Jihad members, though Hamas denies fighters were in the compound.

Ambassador optimistic over LNG terminal

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Ambassador optimistic over LNG terminal

The liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Cyprus is expected to be completed by the end of the year, as stated by China’s ambassador to Cyprus. The project, located at Vasiliko, had been delayed due to a dispute but has now resumed. The floating, storage, and regasification unit (FSRU) for the project is more than 99% complete and is in Shanghai, with delivery to Cyprus expected by April or May. The land-based infrastructure at Vasiliko is 50% complete. The completion of this project is anticipated to lower the cost of generating electricity in Cyprus and strengthen the relationship between Cyprus and China.

Robinho, ’s defense appeals to avoid prison after rape sentence

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Robinho, ’s defense appeals to avoid prison after rape sentence

Robinho’s defense has requested Brazil’s Supreme Court to prevent his immediate arrest following a ruling that he must serve a nine-year prison sentence in Brazil for rape. A Milan court in 2017 found Robinho and five other Brazilians guilty of gang raping a 22-year-old Albanian woman in 2013. The conviction was confirmed by an appeals court in 2020 and validated by Italy’s Supreme Court in 2022.

Robinho’s defense appeals to avoid prison after transfer of rape sentence to Brazil

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Robinho’s defense appeals to avoid prison after transfer of rape sentence to Brazil

Robinho’s defense has requested Brazil’s Supreme Court to prevent his immediate arrest following a ruling for him to serve a nine-year prison sentence in Brazil for rape. This comes after a Milan court in 2017 found him and five others guilty of gang raping a 22-year-old Albanian woman in 2013, a conviction confirmed by an appeals court in 2020 and Italy’s Supreme Court in 2022. The Brazilian court confirmed the validity of the Italian sentence in Brazil, focusing solely on its applicability rather than reopening the rape case. Robinho’s lawyers argue that his imprisonment contradicts both the Brazilian Constitution and Supreme Court jurisprudence, emphasizing that there was no Brazilian law at the time of the crime for enforcing foreign sentences, and such a law cannot be applied retroactively.

Somali pirates’ return adds to crisis for global shipping companies

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Somali pirates’ return adds to crisis for global shipping companies

A speed boat carrying more than a dozen Somali pirates attacked a Bangladeshi-owned bulk carrier in the western Indian Ocean, taking the captain and second officer hostage. The ship, named the Abdullah, later anchored off the coast of Somalia. This incident is part of a resurgence of piracy in the region, with more than 20 attempted hijackings since November. The increase in piracy has led to higher costs for shipping companies due to the need for armed security guards, insurance coverage, and the potential for ransom payments. The Indian Navy recently intercepted and freed another hijacked ship, the Ruen, capturing 35 pirates and rescuing 17 hostages without injuries. The resurgence of piracy is attributed to a reduction in international naval operations off the coast of Somalia and the distraction provided by Houthi militia strikes in nearby waters. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud emphasized the importance of stopping piracy early to prevent it from escalating. The global economy suffered approximately billion in costs due to Somali pirate activities at their peak in 2011. The current rate of attacks is significantly less, but the threat persists, especially with the end of the monsoon season. Insurers have extended the area in which additional war risk premiums are imposed, and the demand for private armed guards has increased, driving up prices. No ransom payments have been reported for the recent hijackings, but negotiations have taken place. International efforts to combat piracy have been hampered by reduced naval patrols and the lapse of a U.N. resolution authorizing foreign vessels to patrol in Somali waters. Somali President Mohamud highlighted the need to bolster Somalia’s law enforcement capacity at sea and on land to contain the piracy threat.

Blinken begins new Middle East trip as U.S. strains with Israel show

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Blinken begins new Middle East trip as U.S. strains with Israel show

– U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken embarked on a Middle East mission, with no initial stop in Israel announced.
– Intense fighting occurred around Al Shifa hospital in Gaza City, with Israel claiming to have killed 90 gunmen and Hamas stating those killed were civilians.
– Blinken was scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia and Cairo to discuss efforts to secure a truce in the conflict.
– Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a plea from President Joe Biden to call off plans for a ground assault of Rafah.
– Netanyahu aims to complete the elimination of Hamas battalions in Rafah through a ground assault.
– The war between Israel and Hamas began on October 7, with Hamas killing 1,200 people and capturing 253 hostages, and nearly 32,000 Palestinians confirmed killed since then.
– Ceasefire talks have resumed in Qatar, with discussions on a truce involving the release of around 40 Israeli hostages in return for hundreds of Palestinian detainees.
– Israel launched an operation against Al Shifa hospital, claiming Hamas fighters regrouped there, and reported killing 90 gunmen and detaining 160 at the hospital.
– Hamas acknowledged a senior police commander was killed in the hospital but stated he was responsible for civilian security.

Greece must bolster flood defences and reduce water-guzzling crops, experts say

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Greece must bolster flood defences and reduce water-guzzling crops, experts say

Greece is advised to enhance river flow space and defenses in the Thessaly plain to prevent future floods. Thessaly, contributing 25% to Greece’s agricultural output and 5% to its GDP, was severely affected by Storm Daniel’s record rains last year. A plan by HVA suggests moving dykes, deepening riverbeds, and restricting construction on floodplains. Despite potential water shortages due to groundwater extraction for irrigation, HVA recommends planting less water-intensive crops. Thessaly faces a 500 million cubic meter annual water deficit, expected to rise with climate change. The proposed plan, costing about 4.5 billion euros, aims to address flood risks and water scarcity, potentially enhancing Thessaly’s agricultural competitiveness. The government is reviewing the plan for implementation. HVA also proposes tripling Lake Karla’s size to support agriculture. Public consultation on these proposals ends on March 29.