meeting

FACTBOX-What do we know about the deadly attack at the concert hall near Moscow?

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FACTBOX-What do we know about the deadly attack at the concert hall near Moscow?

At least 139 people were killed and 182 wounded in an attack at the Crocus City Hall concert venue near Moscow. The attackers, armed with Kalashnikov automatic weapons, began shooting at terrified civilians in the venue. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, which Russian officials have cast doubt on. Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that the attackers were heading towards Ukraine when they were detained. The FSB detained 11 people, including the four gunmen who directly carried out the attack.

TIMELINE-Before Moscow shooting, US warnings and a Putin dismissal

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TIMELINE-Before Moscow shooting, US warnings and a Putin dismissal

– Gunmen attacked a concert hall outside Moscow, killing 137 people
– The U.S. and other Western countries warned of an imminent attack in Moscow, linked to Islamic State
– Russia accused Ukraine of being involved in the attack, which Ukraine denied
– Four suspects, citizens of Tajikistan, were charged with terrorism in connection to the attack
– France raised its security alert, linking the attack to Islamic State
– The U.S. and Russia traded accusations over the attack, with the U.S. denying any Ukrainian involvement and Russia questioning U.S. assertions

Big hotel chains and unbranded-hotel owners find they need each other

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Big hotel chains and unbranded-hotel owners find they need each other

Fact: Independent hotel operators and giant global chains are increasingly linking up in franchise agreements due to high-interest rates in the hospitality industry, which have slowed down new hotel construction.

UN Security Council demands immediate ceasefire in Gaza after US abstains

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UN Security Council demands immediate ceasefire in Gaza after US abstains

The United Nations Security Council demanded an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages after the United States abstained from the vote.

‘, Aim to conclude Vasiliko works by the end of 2024’

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‘, Aim to conclude Vasiliko works by the end of 2024’

Cyprus aims to conclude construction works for the LNG terminal in Vasiliko by the end of 2024 to reduce electricity generation costs.

An invitation to follow the music

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An invitation to follow the music

– A new project called Follow the Music by Larnaka 2030 brings together musicians and music lovers for secret live performances in undisclosed locations in the Larnaca region.
– The project aims to promote young and emerging musicians of the island.
– The next event will feature musicians Irene Hadjisophocleous and Earworms, blending romantic violin sounds with pop-rock music.
– The exact location of the concert remains unknown until two hours before the event, when registered participants receive a text message with the details.

Oil prices to keep on rising

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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.

Cyprus , ‘paved the way’ for Gaza aid corridor

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Cyprus , ‘paved the way’ for Gaza aid corridor

The Cypriot ‘Amalthia’ initiative aims to establish a maritime humanitarian aid corridor to Gaza, with a meeting attended by officials from 36 countries and international organizations discussing this effort. The initiative has received approximately EUR 80 million in pledges and has already dispatched one shipment from Larnaca port. U.S. army engineers plan to build a jetty in Gaza for receiving aid cargoes. Curtis Ried, Chief of Staff for the U.S. National Security Council, commended Cyprus for leveraging its strategic position for humanitarian purposes. The meeting focused on addressing the food crisis in Gaza amid ongoing conflict. The United States and other participants committed to addressing material and financial gaps, with plans for continued dialogue and collaboration. A secretariat is to be established in Cyprus to coordinate donor efforts effectively. The European Union is expected to contribute EUR 70 million, with the Netherlands pledging EUR 10 million. World Central Kitchen has shipped and distributed around 200 tonnes of food and aid to northern Gaza, with plans for more shipments. Preparations for a second vessel, the ‘Jennifer’, carrying about 500 tonnes of aid, are underway. U.S. troops are set to build a temporary port off the coast of Gaza to facilitate the delivery of supplies, with the mission expected to arrive around April 15. The temporary pier, part of a U.S. commitment to aid Gaza, will enable the transfer of humanitarian aid from larger to smaller ships for onshore distribution and is expected to be operational within sixty days, capable of offloading up to two million meals or bottles of water daily. Israel will assist in anchoring the pier, and security plans for the temporary port have been established.