Author: dmitriy.vasyura@gmail.com

Gas prices in Europe continue to decline due to mild and windy weather. Storm Darrag increased wind power production, which reduced the use of gas for electricity.

Natural gas prices in Europe fell for the fifth consecutive day, as mild and windy weather helped protect stocks from faster depletion. Gas futures fell on Monday after falling 2.8% last week. This is reported by Bloomberg, reports UNN.

Details

Over the weekend, a road storm passed through the UK, which contributed to an increase in electricity production from wind and reduced the use of gas for electricity generation.

Temperatures are expected to drop slightly in the coming days and wind speeds will subside, but mild and windy weather will return next week. This could reduce gas consumption when new supplies start arriving in Europe, ensuring record imports of liquefied natural gas since January.

Some LPG supplies have been delayed in Wales due to a stormy weekend, but one ship is already being unloaded and four more are due to arrive this week, according to data provided by Bloomberg and port authorities.

Demand in Asia will remain low as China, the largest consumer, may resell more shipments of liquefied natural gas. This is due to weak domestic demand and better resale prices, according to Chinese importer ENN Group.

Gas futures in the Netherlands, the European benchmark, fell 0.7% to €46.16 per megawatt-hour as of 08:49 am in Amsterdam. The same indicator for the UK fell by 1.1%.

recall

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin canceled obligations for foreign companies to pay for Russian gas only through Gazprombank amid US sanctions.

Dmitry Peskov, the spokesperson for Russia's leader, stated on Monday, 9 December, that the Kremlin is working to establish contact in Syria with individuals or groups capable of ensuring the security of its military bases.

Source: Kremlin-aligned news agency RIA Novosti; CNN Turk; the Russian Latvia-based media outlet Meduza

Details: Peskov stated that it is too early to discuss Russia’s continued military presence in Syria, as this will be determined through negotiations with the country’s future authorities.

Quote: "It’s premature to address this now. In any case, this will be a matter of discussion with whoever holds power in Syria," said Putin’s spokesperson.

Media reports indicate that Russia has requested Türkiye’s assistance to ensure the safe withdrawal of its troops from Syria. The troops are expected to be moved to Turkish-controlled areas before being airlifted back to Russia.

CNN Turk reports that while Russia plans to retain its bases in Tartus and Khmeimim, it has sought Turkey’s help to withdraw forces from other parts of the region.

Peskov also confirmed that Moscow is in talks with Ankara regarding Syria.

Quote: "We are in dialogue with other regional states, particularly about developments in Syria. Syria is entering a very challenging period of instability, and maintaining dialogue with all regional countries is vital. We are committed to continuing consultations and analysing the situation," he said.

Background:

• On the morning of 8 December, Syrian rebels announced the liberation of Damascus, the capital of Syria, with President Assad reportedly fleeing.
• The Institute for the Study of War reports that the loss of military bases in Syria could significantly hinder the Kremlin’s ability to conduct operations in Africa. This setback would weaken Russia’s influence in Libya and Sub-Saharan Africa while also raising doubts about its sway over authoritarian regimes across the continent.

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Yoon Sok Yol was banned from leaving the country after a failed attempt to impose martial law. The president became the subject of a criminal investigation, and his party delegated powers to the Prime Minister.

South Korean President Yoon Sok Yol was banned from leaving the country due to an unsuccessful attempt to impose martial law. This led to a criminal investigation against him, as well as aggravated the political crisis, against which there are increasingly calls for his resignation.

This is reported by Reuters, reports UNN.

Details

The head of the high-ranking Corruption Investigation Office, Oh Dong-UN, said that Yoon Sok Yol was banned from leaving the country. A representative of the Ministry of Justice confirmed the implementation of this decision. The president was also the target of a criminal investigation on charges of treason after a failed attempt to impose martial law, which was lifted just six hours after parliament voted against.

Political crisis and resignation demands

Yoon apologized for his actions, but did not resign, leaving his fate to his power of the People Party. However, the party decided to delegate presidential powers to the prime minister, which caused a constitutional crisis. The opposition insists on immediate impeachment and bringing the president to justice.

At the same time, the arrest of former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun for his involvement in an attempt to impose martial law escalated the conflict. Many senior military officials, including the acting defense minister, have openly stated that they will not carry out such orders in the future.

Geopolitical influence

Yoon's decision to declare a state of emergency sparked protests in the streets and raised concerns among Seoul's allies. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin canceled plans to travel to South Korea, and US Secretary of State Anthony Blenken called his Korean counterpart, saying he expected the democratic process to win.

It is noted that the United States has 28,500 military personnel in South Korea, which is a legacy of the Korean War of 1950-1953.

Amid internal turmoil, the region remains tense: North Korea is providing military assistance to Russia in the war against Ukraine. This increases the challenges to security and stability in the region.

Economic consequences

The political crisis also poses a threat to Asia's fourth-largest economy. The Opposition warns of possible irreversible consequences for financial markets, while government agencies have already stepped up plans to stabilize the situation by the end of December.

Development prospects

The crisis in South Korea is at a critical stage. On the one hand, there is growing pressure on Yuna to resign, and on the other hand, the president's party is creating a working group for an orderly transition of power. There is a debate in society and among experts about whether the prime minister is capable of performing the functions of the head of state.

The fate of President Yoon is still uncertain.

recall

A special forces officer revealed the truth about a scandalous raid on the South Korean parliament.He stated that the soldiers acted on the orders of the former defense minister, who later resigned.

An off-road Toyota car has been blown up in the temporarily occupied city of Donetsk.

Source: RIA Novosti, a Kremlin-aligned Russian news outlet; Russian Telegram channels

Details: The propagandists also published a video from the scene. It shows a damaged car. The driver's seat suffered the most from the explosion.

В окупованому Донецьку вибухнув позашляховик "Тойота". Відео "РИА Новости" pic.twitter.com/05PpHVUYU4

— Українська правда ✌️ (@ukrpravda_news) December 9, 2024

It also shows several people trying to help the driver.

Russian Telegram channels reported that the explosion had killed Sergei Yevsyukov, the head of the Olenivka penal colony that was used as a torture chamber. His wife is in a serious condition in hospital – her leg was torn off.

Внаслідок вибуху в окупованому Донецьку загинув начальник Оленівської колонії Сергій Євсюков. Його дружині відірвало ногу, вона у важкому стані в лікарні, пишуть російські пабліки в Telegram. Відео з Telegram-каналу Mash pic.twitter.com/AayQCnGmL8

— Українська правда ✌️ (@ukrpravda_news) December 9, 2024

Mash, a Russian Telegram channel, said that an explosive substance, about 100 grams of TNT equivalent, was placed under the bottom of the Toyota Land Cruiser.

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