Probe of the company is connected to rising gas prices
The German offices of Russian state energy giant and major gas exporter Gazprom were searched by European officials, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday, citing sources that “wished to remain anonymous.”
The raid was conducted amid the investigation into the company’s role in the rise of natural gas prices in Europe, which have soared over the past month.
Authorities searched the offices of Gazprom's subsidiaries in Germany, Gazprom Germania and Wingas, which, according to Bloomberg, account for roughly 20% of Germany’s gas supplies.
The publication notes that Europe has been grappling with an energy crisis since last fall, which, officials claim, kicked off when Gazprom stopped booking additional supply volumes at a time when gas supplies in EU stores were already running low. Back then, Gazprom was accused of “abuse of power,” with EU officials claiming it deliberately reduced supplies in order to pressure politicians to speed up the launch of Russia’s newly built, but still uncertified, Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.
Russia has repeatedly stated that it cannot be blamed for the rise in European gas prices and that Gazprom fulfills its contractual obligations to European buyers, which was also confirmed by European utilities on a number of occasions.
European Commission members refused to comment on the search of Gazprom’s subsidiaries, the publication adds.
The French general that headed military intelligence was reportedly fired due to the Russian operation against Kiev
The French government has decided to replace the head of the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DRM), national media reported on Wednesday citing sources. General Eric Vidaud was fired just seven months after getting the job, allegedly for being blindsided by Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
Vidaud was appointed military intelligence chief last summer. He previously headed the French Special Operations Command (COS) and was credited with the killing of the leader of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) in June 2020.
According to French media, the general’s short tenure at the helm of military intelligence was ended by the mismanagement of the Ukraine crisis and the government’s intention to drastically reorganize the agency in the wake of Russia’s attack on the country, last month.
The termination was first reported by the newspaper L’Opinion and later covered by other outlets, including state-backed Agence France-Presse (AFP). They cited sources familiar with the situation.
According to AFP, rumors about Vidaud’s imminent resignation were circulating in the French military for several days. Some expected him to receive another high-ranking position, but apparently the general will not have that option.
Earlier this month, the chief of staff of the French Army, General Thierry Burkhard, told Le Monde that French intelligence failed to predict Russia’s military operation, unlike their American counterparts.
One source cited by AFP suggested that sacking the DRM chief over Ukraine was not particularly reasonable, because the agency’s job is to assess military capabilities, not the intentions of foreign governments – and the agency correctly said Russia had the means to attack Ukraine.
“We can’t boil this change of leadership down to the Ukrainian situation alone. It is also about reorganizing the service,” the source said.
The news agency said the Ukraine crisis is making the French government rethink how it treats military intelligence. It will likely have a more prominent role as a geopolitical tool in the future, so relevant reforms are required in the agency supplying it, according to an expert cited by AFP.
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March 30, 2022 at 11:17PM
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Whole industries will stop operating almost instantly, the groups warned
Germany will see its major industries like steel, chemicals and paper shut down in a matter of weeks if it’s left without gas, oil and coal from Russia, the country’s top industrial unions have said.
The heads of IG Metall, IGBCE and IG Bau unions held a joint press-conference in Berlin on Tuesday to warn about the potential fallout of the German government’s push to cut reliance of Russian energy in response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
“Exploding energy prices, but above all a possible gas embargo, would hit energy-intensive industry – the mother of the industrial network – hard,” Michael Vassiliadis, president of Germany’s IGBCE chemical workers union, pointed out.
“The consequences would not only be reduced work hours and job losses, but also the rapid collapse of the industrial production chains in Europe – with worldwide consequences,” he added.
Halting Russian gas, oil and coal imports will put 3.4 million employees in the German construction industry at risk, as it totally relies on lime and cement, which requires a lot of energy to produce, Robert Feiger, who heads IG BAU construction workers union, pointed out. “The federal government must do everything in its power to ensure energy supply despite the current crisis situation,” he insisted.
His colleague from the metalworkers’ union IG Metall, Jörg Hofmann, also spoke about the danger of disrupting industrial production chains due to them being “of fundamental importance for Europe as a place of business.” He called upon the German government to provide support to companies and protect the employees in the event of production cuts caused by “excessive energy costs.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered gas payments from “hostile” countries, which include the EU, to be made only in Russian rubles from March 31.
Moscow said it can’t rely on the dollar and euro anymore after its central bank reserves were frozen in the West, as part of draconian sanctions over the military activity in Ukraine.
The EU and G7 have so far rejected the new rules, with Kremlin warning on Tuesday that Russia isn’t going to supply gas to Europe “for free.”
Germany, which is EU’s largest economy, gets more than half of its fossil fuel from Russia. The country’s economy minister Robert Habeck said earlier that Berlin will be able to cut reliance on Russian oil and coal by the end of 2022 but giving up on gas won’t be that easy.
According to Habeck, at least two LNG terminals will be built to help reduce Germany’s dependence on it. Berlin plans to turn to Qatar and the US to compensate for Russian gas despite it being a more expensive option.
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March 29, 2022 at 11:30PM
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Egypt’s World Cup dreams were shattered in a penalty shootout defeat to Senegal
Mo Salah was targeted with laser beams before blazing his penalty over the crossbar in Egypt’s World Cup qualifying defeat in a controversial match against African rivals Senegal.
Preparing to take his team’s first penalty in the shootout in Dakar, Egyptian captain Salah was seen with green dots strewn across his face and body as fans in the stands directed laser pens at him.
The Liverpool star fired his effort wildly over the bar before teammates Ahmed Sayed and Mostafa Mohamed also missed their spot kicks as Senegal won the shootout 3-1 to book a spot at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Salah was just one of a host of Egypt stars, including goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy, who were targeted with lasers throughout the encounter, starting as soon as the teams lined up for the pre-match anthems.
The clash was a repeat of last month’s Africa Cup of Nations final – which Senegal also won on penalties – but this time had a place in Qatar at stake.
Egypt led the tie 1-0 on aggregate after the first leg in Cairo, but Senegal leveled the scoreline after just four minutes at the Diamniadio Olympic Stadium on Tuesday thanks to an own goal from Hamdi Fathi.
In a contest blighted by fouls and gamesmanship, Senegal had much the better of the match, dominating possession and managing 25 shots but without making another breakthrough.
Egypt substitute Zizo spurned two opportunities after being introduced in the 70th minute, while Senegal’s Ismaila Sarr was also culpable of an extra-time miss as the tie headed to a shootout.
All four of the first spot kicks were missed – including Salah and Senegal skipper Kalidou Koulibaly – before Sarr put Senegal ahead.
Amr El Solia registered Egypt’s first effort, but Bamba Dieng then made it 2-1 before Edouard Mendy saved from Mostafa Mohamed.
Salah’s Liverpool teammate Sadio Mane hit the decisive penalty as Senegal ensured they will make successive appearances at the World Cup finals following their trip to Russia four years ago.
It will be the third time in the nation’s history that they have reached the FIFA showpiece.
Salah did not respond to the laser provocations but he and fellow Egypt stars were pelted with objects in fiery scenes as they left the pitch.
The furious Egyptian FA claimed players had been targeted by “racism” from sections of the 50,000-strong crowd in Dakar as well as attacks prior to the match.
“The Egypt national team have been exposed to racism with offensive signs in the stands against the Egyptian players in general, and Mohamed Salah in particular,” read a statement.
“The crowd also intimidated the players by throwing bottles and rocks on them during the warm-up.
“The Egyptian group’s busses have also been exposed to assaults that led to broken windows and injuries; filed with pictures and videos as proof in the complaint submitted.”
Egypt failed to follow up their appearance in Russia, and will be forced to sit out a seventh World Cup out of the last eight editions of the tournament.
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March 29, 2022 at 11:00PM
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