Morning Briefing: March 23, 2024

Anadolu’s recap of top stories from around the globe

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Saturday with, including concert hall attack near Moscow, Russia and China vetoing US-led UN resolution linking Gaza cease-fire to hostage release, and the latest tension between Serbia and Kosovo.

TOP STORIES

At least 60 killed in Russia concert hall attack

Gunmen killed at least 60 people and injured more than 145 in a concert hall near Moscow, Russian authorities said, and termed it a "terrorist attack."

The attack in Krasnogorsk, the administrative center of the Moscow region, took place as the music band Picnic was performing in the Crocus City Hall.

The Investigative Committee opened an investigation into the attack, while Moscow's special envoy for Ukraine said Russia will request a meeting of the UN Security Council.

Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova told reporters that President Vladimir Putin "wished everyone recovery and expressed gratitude to the doctors."

The attack was condemned by a number of countries and officials, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Russia, China veto US-led UN resolution linking Gaza ceasefire to hostage release

Russia and China vetoed the latest attempt at the UN Security Council, led by the US, which linked a cease-fire in Gaza to the release of hostages by Hamas.

The resolution garnered significant support in the Council, with 11 of its 15 member states voting in favor. However, Russia and China, as permanent members, voted against it, effectively knocking down the resolution. Algeria also voted "no," while Guyana abstained.

The resolution, which emphasized the importance of turning the cease-fire, to be achieved through diplomatic efforts, into a sustainable one, pointed out that "Hamas and other terrorist and extremist groups do not represent the Palestinian people."

Serbian army waiting for best opportunity to invade Kosovo: Premier

The Serbian army is "waiting for the best possible opportunity to invade Kosovo," the latter's prime minister said.

Albin Kurti raised the alarm with footage he shared on X showing Serbian army movements near the border with Kosovo.

"Days ago, Serbia's president (Aleksandar Vucic) issued an open threat: They are waiting for the best possible opportunity to invade Kosovo. Today, Serbian Army units have been detected just meters away from our border. We are closely monitoring the situation for any attempt to cross into Kosovo territory," said Kurti.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Israel has seized 8 square kilometers of land in the Jordan Valley, occupied West Bank for the establishment of hundreds of settlement units, public broadcaster said.
Princess of Wales Kate Middleton said she is receiving chemotherapy treatment for cancer.
The French president on Friday praised the US change of position on Gaza by supporting a cease-fire, including by sponsoring a UN Security Council resolution.
Moldovan Defense Minister Anatolie Nosatii said citizens are fighting alongside Ukraine's army in the conflict with Russia.
Gunmen killed 21 people in an attack at a busy market in Nigeria’s northwestern Niger state.
Russia puts the international LGBT movement on the national list of extremists and terrorists.
The Dnieper Hydroelectric Station, the biggest electric power station of its kind in Ukraine, stopped functioning following Russia's missile strike.
The World Health Organization said the Democratic Republic of the Congo is facing its "worst" cholera outbreak since 2017.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on Qatar to threaten Hamas with deportation from the capital Doha in case the group does not agree on a cease-fire and prisoner swap deal to end the war in Gaza.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned "in the strongest possible terms" a deadly attack targeting a concert hall northeast of central Moscow in Russia.
Finland said it will lift a freeze on aid to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).
Under the AUKUS pact with the US and Britain, Australia will pay UK defense firms around $3 billion for design work on nuclear-powered submarines.
Colombia's President Gustavo Petro ordered the arrest of Ivan Mordisco, a former leader of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC) rebels with whom cease-fire talks have been suspended.

SPORTS

Formula 1 fever to hit Australia this weekend

Formula 1 is set to travel to Australia as the Round 3 of the 2024 season will be held in Melbourne on Sunday.

The 2024 Australian Grand Prix will be run at the 5.278-kilometer (3.27-mile) Albert Park Circuit over 58 laps.

Former Brazilian footballer Robinho arrested

Former Brazilian footballer Robson De Souza, popularly known as Robinho, who was sentenced to nine years in prison for his involvement in a gang rape of a woman in Italy, has been arrested.

The country's top court denied Robinho's request for a stay of his arrest, ruling that the detention order could be maintained.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

Global natural gas investments to reach almost $9 trillion by 2050

The Gas Exporting Countries Forum's (2050) forecast report projects that global natural gas investments will total almost $9 trillion by 2050, with $8.2 trillion directed toward the upstream sector and $0.74 trillion for the midstream sector.

Global natural gas production is expected to reach 5.3 trillion cubic meters by 2050, up from the current 4 trillion cubic meters.

The realization of this target requires global natural gas investments in the upstream and midstream sectors up to 2050. The Asia-Pacific region and North America will lead these gas investments, followed by Eurasia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and Europe.