Latest news with #Qatar
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
US military aircraft no longer visible at base in Qatar: satellite images
Dozens of US military aircraft are no longer on the tarmac at a major US base in Qatar, satellite images show -- a possible move to shield them from eventual Iranian air strikes, as Washington weighs whether to intervene in Tehran's conflict with Israel. Nearly 40 military aircraft -- including transport planes like the Hercules C-130 and reconnaissance aircraft -- were parked on the tarmac at the Al Udeid base on June 5, according to images published by Planet Labs PBC and analyzed by AFP. In an image taken on June 19, only three aircraft are visible. The US embassy in Qatar announced Thursday that access to the base would be limited "out of an abundance of caution and in light of ongoing regional hostilities," and urged personnel to "exercise increased vigilance." The White House says US President Donald Trump will decide sometime in the next two weeks whether to join ally Israel's strikes on Iran. The Islamic republic could then respond by striking US bases in the region. Mark Schwartz, a former lieutenant general in the US Army and a defense researcher at the Rand Corporation, said the personnel, aircraft and installations at Al Udeid would be "extremely vulnerable" given its "close proximity" to Iran. Schwartz, who served in the Middle East, told AFP that even shrapnel could render the aircraft "non-mission capable." "You want to reduce risk to US forces, both personnel and equipment," he said. The planes that have left the tarmac since early June could have been moved to hangars or to other bases in the region. A US defense official would not discuss the specific positioning of assets but told AFP: "We remain committed to maintaining operational security while executing our mission with the highest level of readiness, lethality and professionalism." US forces in the Middle East have been mobilized since Israel's first strikes on Iran nearly a week ago, with an additional aircraft carrier en route and significant aircraft movement. An AFP analysis of open source data tracking aircraft positioning showed that at least 27 military refueling planes -- KC-46A Pegasus and KC-135 Stratotanker planes -- traveled from the United States to Europe from June 15-18. Twenty-five of them were still in Europe as of late Wednesday, with only two returning to American soil, the data showed. pa-ys-ube/sst/acb
Zawya
2 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Japan returns to long-term LNG deals on AI boom, national energy plan
TOKYO/SINGAPORE - Japan is back in the spotlight for liquefied natural gas producers as the boom in artificial intelligence, rising costs for cleaner energy and a new national energy plan drive appetite for long-term LNG deals. While imports by China, the world's biggest LNG importer, are expected to fall this year, buyers in number two Japan are securing long-term supply deals again, including a potential landmark deal with Qatar. Japan's LNG imports had fallen for a decade as nuclear power plants, idled after the Fukushima disaster, restarted and as renewable energy sources increased. Data centres are expected to use enormous amounts of power to sustain the AI boom, while Japan's 7th Strategic Energy Plan in February identified gas as a realistic transition fuel for the nation's goal of zero net carbon emissions by 2050 and "an important energy source even after carbon neutrality". "We had expected that electricity demand in Japan would decline, but the growth of data centres is bending that curve," Yukio Kani, global CEO of JERA, the country's top power generator and LNG buyer, told Reuters. "If we want quick solutions for data centres, Japan needs LNG. That is one external change." Rising costs have also dimmed prospects for alternative fuels like hydrogen and ammonia, Kani said. "Until two or three years ago, we expected faster development of ammonia, but now we have to pause," he said. "So we've been shifting back to LNG over the past year or so." 'STILL IN THE MIX' In Japan's energy plan, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry forecast annual LNG demand would fall to between 53 million and 61 million tons in 2040 if it met its emissions reductions target, from 66 million tons last year. But in a risk scenario where decarbonisation technologies lag, METI forecast demand could instead rise to 74 million tons. The plan calls for public-private cooperation to secure long-term contracts for the super-chilled fuel, given price volatility and supply disruption risks. Under Japan's previous decarbonisation-focussed energy plan, gas importers had hesitated to sign long-term contracts. The new plan makes it easier for buyers to commit to long-term contracts, said Takashi Uchida, chairman of the Japan Gas Association and top city gas provider Tokyo Gas. "It's very clear that LNG has a role to play as a transition fuel, and it's now firmly still in the mix for this investment cycle," said Lachlan Clancy, energy partner at law firm Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer. Japan has also been auctioning new gas-fired power capacity mainly to replace aging coal power plants, awarding 7 gigawatts (GW) over the past two years, according to the Organization for Cross-regional Coordination of Transmission Operators, Japan. In March the organisation projected LNG-fired capacity would rise to 85.75 GW by 2034 from 79.98 GW in 2024. Japan's energy plan projects power generation will increase by between 12% and 22% from 2023 levels to between 1,100 and 1,200 terawatt-hours in 2040. Consumption by Japan's data centres will soar 80%, or about 15 TWh, by 2030, the International Energy Agency forecasts. To feed this growth, Morgan Stanley sees Japan's LNG imports rising to 78 million tons in 2030 as gas-fired power generation rises amid high costs for generating solar and wind power. 'UNCERTAINTY AHEAD' Among the spate of deals since METI released the energy plan, Osaka Gas signed a 15-year pact with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, Kyushu Electric Power said it would sign a deal with Energy Transfer, its first long-term deal with a U.S. supplier, and JERA inked four 20-year deals with U.S. suppliers NextDecade, Sempra Infrastructure, Cheniere Marketing and Commonwealth LNG. By comparison, from late 2022 to early this year, Japanese buyers had announced only three deals longer than 10 years. More deals are likely soon, Rystad Energy analyst Masanori Odaka predicts, as some utilities seek to replace expiring volumes for supply security and meet seasonal demand. JERA and Mitsui & Co are in talks for long-term supply from QatarEnergy's North Field expansion project, Reuters reported last month. Uncertainty persists, however, over Japan's demand for LNG, tied to questions over its ability to meet its carbon neutrality targets and its pace of nuclear plant restarts. To address this, importers are enhancing trading operations and pursuing flexible-term contracts. "With the government presenting multiple future scenarios, it is no longer possible to provide a definitive outlook for energy supply and demand - highlighting the uncertainty ahead," said Tokyo Gas' Uchida. (Reporting by Yuka Obayashi in Tokyo and Emily Chow in Singapore; Additional reporting by Katya Golubkova in Tokyo and Marwa Rashad in London; Editing by Tony Munroe and William Mallard)
Zawya
3 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
World Bank projects Qatar's economy to grow at an average of 6.5% in 2026-2027
Riyadh: The World Bank projected that the economic growth in the State of Qatar is to remain stable at 2.4% in 2025, before accelerating to an average of 6.5% in 2026-2027 due to the expansion of LNG capacity. These improved prospects are supported by strong non-hydrocarbon growth, particularly in education, tourism, and services, the World Bank said in its report "Gulf Economic Update." The hydrocarbon sector is expected to growth timidly in 2025 (0.9%), before undergoing a significant boost in 2026 thanks to the North Field LNG expansion coming online, supporting a 40% rise in LNG output. Non-hydrocarbon growth is expected to remain robust thanks to infrastructure upgrades and international investments, the report said. "Economic growth across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is projected to increase in the medium-term to 3.2% in 2025 and 4.50% in 2026. This growth is likely to be driven by the expected rollback of OPEC+ oil production cuts and robust expansion of non-oil sectors," according to the report. According to the latest edition of the report, regional growth was 1.7% in 2024 - an improvement from 0.3% in 2023. The non-hydrocarbon sector remained resilient, expanding by 3.7% - largely fueled by private consumption, investment, and structural reforms across the GCC. At the same time, global trade uncertainty presents challenges, as a global economic slowdown remains a key downside risk for the region. To mitigate these risks, GCC countries need to accelerate economic diversification reforms and strengthen regional trade. "The resilience of GCC countries in navigating global uncertainties while advancing economic diversification underscores their strong commitment to long-term prosperity," Division Director for the GCC countries at the World Bank Safaa El Tayeb El-Kogali said. "Strategic fiscal policies, targeted investments, and a strong focus on innovation, entrepreneurship, and job creation for youth are essential to sustaining growth and stability," she added. © Dar Al Sharq Press, Printing and Distribution. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Al Arabiya
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
US military aircraft no longer visible at base in Qatar: Satellite images
Dozens of US military aircraft are no longer on the tarmac at a major US base in Qatar, satellite images show – a possible move to shield them from eventual Iranian air strikes, as Washington weighs whether to intervene in Tehran's conflict with Israel. Nearly 40 military aircraft – including transport planes like the Hercules C-130 and reconnaissance aircraft – were parked on the tarmac at the al-Udeid base on June 5, according to images published by Planet Labs PBC and analyzed by AFP. In an image taken on June 19, only three aircraft are visible. The US embassy in Qatar announced Thursday that access to the base would be limited 'out of an abundance of caution and in light of ongoing regional hostilities,' and urged personnel to 'exercise increased vigilance.' The White House says US President Donald Trump will decide sometime in the next two weeks whether to join ally Israel's strikes on Iran. Iran could then respond by striking US bases in the region. Mark Schwartz, a former lieutenant general in the US Army and a defense researcher at the Rand Corporation, said the personnel, aircraft and installations at al-Udeid would be 'extremely vulnerable' given its 'close proximity' to Iran. Schwartz, who served in the Middle East, told AFP that even shrapnel could render the aircraft 'non-mission capable.' 'You want to reduce risk to US forces, both personnel and equipment,' he said. The planes that have left the tarmac since early June could have been moved to hangars or to other bases in the region. A US defense official would not discuss the specific positioning of assets but told AFP: 'We remain committed to maintaining operational security while executing our mission with the highest level of readiness, lethality and professionalism.' US forces in the Middle East have been mobilized since Israel's first strikes on Iran nearly a week ago, with an additional aircraft carrier en route and significant aircraft movement. An AFP analysis of open source data tracking aircraft positioning showed that at least 27 military refueling planes – KC-46A Pegasus and KC-135 Stratotanker planes – traveled from the United States to Europe from June 15–18. Twenty-five of them were still in Europe as of late Wednesday, with only two returning to American soil, the data showed.
Malay Mail
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Satellite images reveal empty tarmac at major US air base in Qatar
ISRAEL, June 20 — Dozens of US military aircraft are no longer on the tarmac at a major US base in Qatar, satellite images show — a possible move to shield them from eventual Iranian air strikes, as Washington weighs whether to intervene in Tehran's conflict with Israel. Nearly 40 military aircraft — including transport planes like the Hercules C-130 and reconnaissance aircraft — were parked on the tarmac at the Al Udeid base on June 5, according to images published by Planet Labs PBC and analyzed by AFP. In an image taken yesterday, only three aircraft are visible. The US embassy in Qatar announced yesterday that access to the base would be limited 'out of an abundance of caution and in light of ongoing regional hostilities,' and urged personnel to 'exercise increased vigilance.' The White House says US President Donald Trump will decide sometime in the next two weeks whether to join ally Israel's strikes on Iran. The Islamic republic could then respond by striking US bases in the region. Mark Schwartz, a former lieutenant general in the US Army and a defence researcher at the Rand Corporation, said the personnel, aircraft and installations at Al Udeid would be 'extremely vulnerable' given its 'close proximity' to Iran. Schwartz, who served in the Middle East, told AFP that even shrapnel could render the aircraft 'non-mission capable.' 'You want to reduce risk to US forces, both personnel and equipment,' he said. The planes that have left the tarmac since early June could have been moved to hangars or to other bases in the region. A US defence official would not discuss the specific positioning of assets but told AFP: 'We remain committed to maintaining operational security while executing our mission with the highest level of readiness, lethality and professionalism.' US forces in the Middle East have been mobilized since Israel's first strikes on Iran nearly a week ago, with an additional aircraft carrier en route and significant aircraft movement. An AFP analysis of open source data tracking aircraft positioning showed that at least 27 military refuelling planes — KC-46A Pegasus and KC-135 Stratotanker planes — travelled from the United States to Europe from June 15-18. Twenty-five of them were still in Europe as of late Wednesday, with only two returning to American soil, the data showed. — AFP
