On March 19, Ras Laffan, the largest liquified natural gas (LNG) terminal in the world, supplying one-fifth of the world’s super-chilled fuel, was hit by Iranian missiles and drones. The Qatari terminal suffered substantial damage in the strikes – fires were raging across the gas-to-liquids facility within the complex, which covers 295 square kilometres – the size of a large city.

Investments worth tens if not hundreds of millions of dollars disappeared into thin air. Damage was estimated to be so extensive that QatarEnergy’s CEO, Saad Sherida al-Kaabi, said the company may have to declare a “force majeure” (non-fulfilment of orders due to circumstances outside their control) on long-term contracts. He said this could affect LNG supplies to Italy, Belgium, Korea and China “for up to five years”.

Similar to oil, gas exports from the Persian Gulf supplied about 20% of world demand. But gas (mostly methane) is a very different fuel from crude oil. To move it in liquified form, methane must be chilled to below -162°C.

But at these temperatures steel becomes brittle and shatters. So storing and transporting LNG in ships is expensive and very energy-intensive. Liquefaction and transportation of methane can easily consume 15% of the initial natural gas extracted.

It also means that the infrastructure that enables a highly flammable and explosive fuel to be handled at these extreme conditions has to be complex and consequently very expensive. Ras Laffan, for example, was built over decades and in several phases, costing tens of billions of dollars.

No quick fix

Interestingly, Qatar’s North Field and Iran’s South Pars gas field are part of the same massive geological structure, separated only by a maritime border in the Persian Gulf. Together, they form the world’s largest natural gas field.

So, Iran and Qatar are essentially exploiting the same gas reservoir the same way two people would use straws to drink from the same bottle. The US president, Donald Trump, now appears to have retreated from his threats to blow up “the entirety” of the Iranian gas field – but this geological fact had always made his comments quite ridiculous.

While Qatar exports most of its production, Iran uses the bulk of its gas domestically (although some exports go via pipeline to Turkey and Iraq).

But the damage to the complex has been done, and it affects some 17% of the country’s LNG infrastructure. Repairing it will take a long time, precisely because of the complexity of LNG projects.

The plant must be warmed up slowly before repairs and cooled down slowly after. Rapid temperature changes can cause pipes to bend or even snap. And parts of the plant are bulky and hard to transport. The main heat exchangers can be more than 50 metres long, and compressors, turbines and liquefaction trains can easily weigh 5,000 metric tonnes. Storage tanks must be built of special alloys with double walls and customised insulation.

In other words, gas is very different to oil. Recent events have shown just how vulnerable the LNG supplies from the Gulf region are. They are going to affect Asia most, as about three-quarters of Qatar’s LNG ends up there – particularly China, India, Taiwan, South Korea and Pakistan, as well as others.

Most of the rest ends up in Europe – Italy, Belgium, Poland and a small amount to the UK (the UK imported only about 1% of its supply from Qatar last year). The majority of the UK’s imports come from its own UK production in the North Sea and imports from Norway and the US.

However, LNG is a part of the global energy market and the shortfall in production will result in higher prices globally. Gas will end up with the highest bidder, while some nations will probably go back to using coal. This may especially be the case with India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and a few other Asian countries that are very sensitive to high fuel prices.

Some European countries may even see coal as a cheaper option. Following the events in the Gulf, this “spark spread” (the profit margin from gas-fired electricity generation) has fallen, narrowing the gap in Europe with the “dark spread” (profit from generating power using coal).

The benchmark for European gas prices, the Dutch Title Transfer Facility, has more than doubled since mid-January. Coal prices have picked up due to higher demand, but not as much. Unlike oil, the LNG shortage has turned from a logistical problem – the closure of the strait of Hormuz – into a structural one. The damage to the Qatari production facility may take several years to repair. This means that gas prices – already high – are likely to remain elevated for some time.

Wayne Rooney has downplayed the importance of Arsenal’s Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City on the Premier League title race.

Man City secured the first piece of silverware of the season courtesy of a 2-0 win over Arsenal at Wembley on Sunday.

The Gunners were hoping to lift their first major trophy since 2020 but were undone by Nico O’Reilly’s quickfire second-half brace.

Speaking after the final, Gary Neville suggested Man City had ‘landed a psychological blow’ on Arsenal as they attempt to reel in the Premier League leaders.

Arsenal boast a nine-point lead at the top of the table but are aware City have a game in hand and a home match against them to close the gap.

Rooney doubts the Carabao Cup final will have a huge impact on the title race, however, and is still backing Arsenal to lift the Premier League trophy for the first time in 22 years.

Asked how big an impact Man City’s win will have on the title race, Rooney said on his BBC podcast: ‘I don’t think it will.

‘Arsenal are still in a very good position, as good a position as you can be at this stage of the season.

‘For Man City to catch them I think they have to win every game and Arsenal drop seven points. City will need to beat them at home as well.

‘So I think it’s a tough ask. You never know but I just think Arsenal need to dust themselves down and move on from this quickly.

‘I’m sure they will go back to winning games and see the title out. I just think Arsenal are too good, too efficient and too strong defensively to let it slip from here.’

Asked whether he felt Arsenal could ‘bottle’ the Premier League title, the Manchester United and England legend added: ‘I think this team is different. From all the things I have seen, they look mentally stronger.’

Jamie Carragher also still expects Arsenal to beat Manchester City to the Premier League title despite the Carabao Cup final blow.

Cinderella has been kicked out of the dance early for the second straight season.

Following a madness-promising first day of upsets, the NCAA Tournament has turned into a high-major affair.

The Sweet 16 invite is for power-conference programs only.

Advocates for fewer automatic qualifiers and bracket expansion will have a field day with this one.

“I think parity is great for the game, but things change,” said Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd, who spent 21 seasons as an assistant at Gonzaga.

The Big Ten is the big conference on the block, pushing through a league-record six teams into the Sweet 16 — three in the same region.

The SEC has four Sweet 16 teams, the Big 12 three, the Big East two, the ACC one.

Mid-majors: zero for the second straight season.

East Region

The top three seeds made it through the East.

St. John’s is the Darling.

The fifth-seeded Red Storm (30-6) blew a 12-point lead against Kansas, but Dylan Darling, who hadn’t hit a shot all day, scored at the buzzer for a 67-65 win that sends St. John’s to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1999.

Next up for the Johnnies is a date with Duke on Friday in Washington.

The Blue Devils (34-2) and star freshman Cameron Boozer had an opening 1-vs.-16 scare against Siena but took it out on TCU with an 81-58 win to reach the Sweet 16 for the third straight season.

The second regional semifinal likely will leave both teams bruised and battered.

UConn (31-5) lost in the second round last season following consecutive national championships but clamped down on UCLA to earn a Sweet 16 return.

Michigan State (27-7) is in the Sweet 16 for the 17th time under coach Tom Izzo, led by the dynamic duo of Jeremy Fears Jr. and Coen Carr.

South Region

No. 2 seed Houston avoided having to play reigning national champion Florida — Iowa made sure of that — and will be playing at home for the South Region.

The Cougars (30-6) will be surrounded by Big Ten teams, starting with a 2-mile trip from campus against Illinois on Thursday.

The Illini (26-8) are big — bigger than any team in the country.

They used that size to their advantage, clobbering Penn and VCU to reach the Sweet 16 for the second time in three seasons under coach Brad Underwood.

The second East semifinal will be the battle of the corn.

No. 4 seed Nebraska (28-6) is the closest thing the Sweet 16 has to an underdog — only because it had never won an NCAA Tournament game prior to this season.

No. 9 seed Iowa (23-12) finished 10-10 in the Big Ten but has bullied its way through the bracket so far, reaching the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1999 by ending Florida’s repeat bid.

Midwest Region

Michigan has looked every bit a top seed, winning its first two games by an average of 22 points.

Next up is a showdown with No. 4 seed Alabama on Friday in Chicago.

The Crimson Tide (25-9) washed away Texas Tech by raining down 19 3-pointers in a 90-65 thrashing to reach the Sweet 16 for the fourth straight season.

No. 2 seed Iowa State took a big hit when All-America forward Joshua Jefferson sprained his ankle in the Cyclones’ opener and didn’t play against Kentucky.

It did little to slow them down; the Cyclones (29-7) spun away from Kentucky 82-63 to reach the Sweet 16 for the third time under coach T.J. Otzelberger.

Iowa State hopes to have Jefferson back for Friday’s game and will likely need him against Tennessee.

The No. 6 Vols (24-11) have been Sweet 16 regulars under coach Rick Barnes and made it four straight by outlasting Virginia 79-72.

West Region

The West has an SEC team disguised as Cinderella.

Texas has a world of resources and plays in the SEC yet found itself in Dayton, Ohio, as a No. 11 seed.

The Longhorns (21-14) pulled it together at just the right time in their first season under coach Sean Miller, knocking off No. 3 seed Gonzaga to become the sixth First Four team to reach the Sweet 16.

That earns them a spot in the West semifinals against No. 2 Purdue on Thursday in San Jose, California.

Coach Matt Painter has molded the Boilermakers (29-8) into a model of consistency, reaching the Sweet 16 seven times the last nine seasons — including the 2024 title game — with their 79-69 win over Miami.

The showdown between No. 1 Arizona and No. 4 Alabama will be an NBA scout’s delight.

The Wildcats (34-2) go eight deep in potential future pros and guard Jaden Bradley has a knack for making the biggest plays at the biggest moments.

John Calipari set the standard for recruiting NBA lottery picks at Kentucky, and it’s been no different in his second season in Fayetteville. Fabulous freshman Darius Acuff Jr. was the star in Arkansas’ 94-88 win over High Point, scoring 36 points as the Razorbacks secured their second straight Sweet 16 berth.

___

AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness

In this episode, host Tamara Kormornick speaks to Niva Yadav, the Standard’s trainee journalist, who has been investigating the world of rogue cosmetic practitioners in Harley Street. The two discuss the medical status of dermal filler, whether the government’s attempts to regulate the industry go far enough, and tips on what to ask a cosmetic practitioner before undergoing a treatment.

The UK’s most recent general election in 2024 certainly contained its share of drama – think Rishi Sunak’s D-Day blunder, or Nigel Farage’s dramatic return to the fray.

But for truly bizarre politics, Hungary really takes the Dobosh.

On April 12, the eastern European nation will go to the polls for its first parliamentary elections since 2022.

Last time around, incumbent Prime Minister Viktor Orbán – a strong ally of Donald Trump with a distinctive centre-parted haircut – achieved a romping victory for his party Fidesz.

He’s spent the last four years yanking his country further to the right and doing his best to stop support being sent to Ukraine in its fight against Russian invaders.

However, a worsening Hungarian economy has hampered his chances of scoring a fifth term as PM.

Polls suggest his party has been overtaken by a relatively new challenger called Tisza, which has rocketed in popularity since Orbán critic Péter Magyar took over in July 2024.

Magyar – whose surname literally translates to ‘Hungarian’ – was once a loyal member of Fidesz, but resigned in February 2024 with a blistering attack on Orbán’s record.

Unsurprisingly, there is no love lost between the two men, which may explain why the latest election has become a little… messy.

Even before campaigning had fully kicked off, Magyar attracted international headlines with claims his opponents were plotting to blackmail him with a sex tape.

The opposition leader said Fidesz was ‘planning to release a recording, recorded with secret service equipment and possibly faked, in which my then-girlfriend and I are seen having intimate intercourse’.

The accusation stemmed, he said, from a picture of a bedroom that had been shared with journalists, captioned ‘coming soon’.

Fidesz denied any involvement in such a plot, and no such video appears to have been published.

Then, on Sunday, the Washington Post published an explosive story suggesting the stakes in the election were being felt far beyond Hungary’s borders.

As mentioned above, Orbán has made a name for himself as a rare voice opposing support for Ukraine within the European Union and Nato.

That has endeared him to Moscow, who allegedly offered some help to tip the scales of the election in his favour – with extraordinarily melodramatic methods.

Citing an internal report for Russia’s foreign intelligence service the SVR, the US newspaper said officers considered a strategy they called ‘the Gamechanger’.

It involved, bluntly, ‘the staging of an assassination attempt on Viktor Orbán’.

Their alleged plan may have been inspired by the impact of the attempted killing of Donald Trump during the 2024 US presidential election, which resulted in an iconic picture and rallied support.

This report was dismissed by Hungarian foreign minister Péter Szijjártó as ‘insane conspiracy theories that are beyond imagination’.

Questions have also been asked about the decision to appoint a former interpreter for Vladimir Putin to a top role monitoring the parliamentary election.

Daria Boyarskaya will help co-ordinate the work of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe overseeing the democratic process next month.

But in a previous life, she worked for years in Russia’s foreign ministry and helped to interpret meetings including one between Putin and Donald Trump in 2019, according to the Guardian.

The choice was criticised by rights group the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, but OSCE secretary general Roberto Montella said Ms Boyarskaya retains his ‘full trust and confidence’.

A spokesperson for the group added: ‘The Russian government does not pay Ms Boyarskaya’s salary, nor has it done it so in the past.’

Meanwhile, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk accused Orbán’s team of ‘inform[ing] Moscow about EU Council meetings in every detail’ in an X post on Sunday.

Political news site Politico reported the EU was limiting the amount of confidential material passed to Hungary’s leaders out of concern it would end up in the hands of the Kremlin.

János Bóka, the Hungarian Europe Minister, described the story as ‘fake news’.

And Russia is not the only source of foreign support for Orbán and his government ahead of the crucial elections – President Trump has his back too.

In a video message shown at a conference on Saturday, Trump said: ‘He’s a fantastic guy and it’s such an honour to endorse him.’

In less than two weeks, we’ll know whether that had an impact – but who knows what could happen before then?

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

The mum of a man paid thousands of pounds by former BBC newsreader Huw Edwards for sexual images wrote an open letter to him ahead of his sentencing in 2024

Huw Edwards paid thousands of pounds to a young man for sexual images, but before the newsreader was sentenced in September 2024, the young man’s mother wrote an open letter to the disgraced presenter.

The woman, who is not being named to protect the anonymity of her son, said he was a “normal, happy teenager” before Edwards came into his life. In a heartbreaking account, the woman told Edwards he’d caused her son to change from a “normal, happy teenager” which led him to take a “dark path”. She said he caused her family “immense pain and suffering” in the pursuit of “sick pleasure”.

The former BBC News host later appeared in Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday, September 16, after admitting to having 41 indecent pictures of children. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here.

The mother’s letter reads: “I am today writing this open letter to make you understand the immense pain and suffering you have caused me, my son, my family, your own family – and all of your victims over the years. In doing so I hope I am giving a voice to the mothers of the poor children who were abused for your twisted gratification.

“Those very young children who were robbed of their innocence forever for your sick pleasure. Who knows what eternal damage you and your paedophile friends have done to them? My heart breaks for every one of them – and their families. Their grief is mine, too.

“You will receive your punishment in court. I won’t be able to tell that court the full details of what you did to my family. But in writing this letter I hope to take back the power and control which you so cruelly stole from us. I want you to see exactly what your behaviour did to us.

“My son was a normal, happy teenager before you wormed your way into his life. He wanted to be a lawyer, to be a success. Instead you sent him down a dark path. He started having problems with drink and drugs. You knew that but kept pestering him for pictures.

“You sent him more money, knowing that he was likely to spend it on his addiction. You sent him tens of thousands of pounds. Sent text messages calling him “Princess” to control him and keep him on side. And when we tried to stop this toxic relationship – to save our boy from your clutches – you tried to bribe us and set lawyers on us.

“Your friends in the media tried to smear us as liars. Our own family turned against us – even though everything we said was true. You drove a wedge between me and my son. Only now are we able to try to repair the damage you did. I want you to know that while there were times when you came close – you never wholly destroyed me.

“I will not let you destroy us. You have trashed your career and reputation and will never be on television again. You have wrecked your relationship with your own family – and betrayed the BBC colleagues you worked for.

“That you have lost everything is no consolation to us. All we care about is that we stopped your predatory grooming and saved our boy. For now, that is enough.”

On July 31, 2024 the father-of-five pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children. Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard the 62-year-old was involved in an online chat with convicted paedophile Alex Williams from south Wales on WhatsApp between December, 2020, and August, 2021.

Williams sent him 377 sexual images – of which 41 were indecent images of children – and the bulk of these, 36, were sent during a two-month period. Edwards faced charges of seven Category A, the worst category, 12 Category B, and 22 Category C indecent images of children.

Huw Edwards was later sentenced to a six-month jail sentence suspended for two years at Westminster Magistrates’ Court after pleading guilty to three charges of making indecent images of children.

Former Manchester United Mason Greenwood endured a thrilling 18 minutes in action for Marseille as he was body checked before picking up an injury

Mason Greenwood was knocked to the floor during an angry bust-up just 13 minutes into Marseille’s Ligue 1 clash with Lille on Sunday. The former Manchester United star picked up the ball in his own half but was taken out by Calvin Verdonk which saw a yellow card shown.

Greenwood did not take too kindly to the foul and quickly got up to confront Lille’s left-back, but he was body checked to the floor by Hakon Haraldsson, who rushed to the scene which sparked a mass brawl between more players. Both the latter and Greenwood were booked for their parts in the fracas.

The 24-year-old was only on the pitch for a few more minutes after that as he was substituted due to an injury with Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri replacing him. He went on to open the scoring for Marseille with close-range finish just before half-time.

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However, two goals in the second half from Thomas Meunier and late substitute Olivier Giroud saw Lille depart Stade Velodrome with all three points. Despite the defeat to their Champions League qualification rivals, it has been a impressive season for Marseille thus far as they sit third in the table.

Greenwood has been key to their strong form as he has managed 25 goals in all competitions with eight assists also arriving over that period. Though he has not played for United in over four years, there remains interest in how he is performing and if transfer suitors take note of his displays.

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That is because United included a sell-on clause when he completed a £26.6million move to Marseille which entitles them to receive up to 50 per cent of the profits coming from a potential sale.

Serie A side Juventus are believed to be interested in signing Greenwood this summer with £60million mooted as the potential transfer fee required to sign him.

United could therefore take in a maximum of £30million from such a move, with just under half that coming as profit, though Marseille are likely to be keen for more given the clauses surrounding his future.

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Previous loan club Getafe will also be keeping tabs on Greenwood as it is believed the Spanish club negotiated around 20 per cent of United’s potential windfall.

Marseille securing Champions League football for next season could have bearings on Greenwood’s future with the added funds perhaps making him want to stay.

Now led by Habib Beye, following the departure of Roberto De Zerbi, Marseille occupy the final guaranteed Champions League qualification spot. They sit one point ahead of fourth-placed Lyon and now just two in front of Lille.

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It’s claimed the 25-year-old also beat the woman over the head with his phone and kicked her repeatedly in a row over him buying cocaine

A man allegedly punched his pregnant girlfriend in the stomach and said he hoped the baby died, the High Court heard.

Oisin McDonald also beat the woman over the head with his phone and kicked her repeatedly in a row over him buying cocaine, it was claimed.

Police found the 25-year-old accused from Co Armagh hiding under cushions at a blood-spattered flat in Lurgan earlier this month.

McDonald, of Killough Gardens in the town, was refused bail on charges of causing grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and possessing Class A drugs.

Prosecution counsel Mark O’Connor said on Monday the woman was spotted running from apartments at William Street on March 11 with her face covered in blood. Police called to the scene discovered blood on walls of the stairway area and on the kitchen floor inside the debris-strewn flat.

McDonald was located hiding behind a sofa, concealed under cushions while sweating profusely and in an agitated state. He had blood all over his hands and claimed a relative had taken his girlfriend to hospital after she fell down the stairs.

As officers spoke to him a small bag of white powders suspected to be drugs was observed on a television cabinet. The woman was 12 weeks pregnant at the time of the alleged attack, the court heard.

In hospital she was initially reluctant to make any complaint, but later claimed McDonald had been physically and verbally abusive during their relationship. She told police an altercation broke out on March 11 over him purchasing cocaine.

“During this he beat her to the back of the head with his phone, causing a laceration, and punched and slapped her face,” Mr O’Connor submitted.

“He punched her to the back of the head, and kicked her all over her body.”

At one stage McDonald allegedly pulled the woman by the hair to get her back into the property. Counsel further contended: “He punched her to the left side of her stomach and told her that he hoped the baby died.”

McDonald faces further charges of theft, criminal damage and fraud over claims he smashed the woman’s phone and took £355 from her universal credit account.

During his police interviews he denied all of the allegations against him. He claimed his girlfriend had tripped over a bicycle in a communal area of the flats, fell backwards on to stairs and hit her head off a wall.

According to McDonald’s account, he tried to stem the bleeding before calling a relative to take her to hospital.

Lord Justice Colton was told the defendant has long-term mental health problems, including ADHD, autism and a sensory processing disorder.

But despite accepting there were addiction-related issues to be addressed, the judge ruled that McDonald must remain in custody to protect the alleged victim.

He said: “I would be concerned if released he would not comply with conditions and that would put the complainant at significant risk.”

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Shonnel Malani, managing partner at Advent and chairman of the board at Ultra Electronics, said: “During what has been a time of major geopolitical tension and uncertainty, we are proud that the investments made in Ultra Cyber, under Advent’s ownership, have supported efforts to help protect the country and its allies from electronic warfare, and contributed to strengthening the UK’s sovereign capabilities.”

Shouksmiths, which offers full large-scale mechanical and electrical packages to the construction industry, opened Park 18Twenty, on Murton Way, Osbaldwick.

The scheme combines a modern office complex with six newly built industrial units, offering high-quality space for businesses seeking to establish or expand their presence in the area.

The development was officially opened by The Rt Hon Lord Mayor of York, Cllr Martin Rowley BEM and the Lady Mayoress, Mrs Elizabeth Rowley.

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Shouksmiths to open Park 18Twenty at Murton on Thursday

Park 18Twenty holds particular significance for Shouksmiths. The site has been home to the company since 1966, when J H Shouksmith & Sons Ltd moved from Micklegate where the company had been based from the 1820s. The old offices were demolished in 2024, to make way for Park 18Twenty.

The name Park 18Twenty pays tribute to the company’s founding year, reflecting both its heritage and its continued investment in the future of the region.

During the opening, Director Richard Shouksmith thanked the Civic Party, in particular Cllr Rowley for his support in his capacity as Councillor for the Osbaldwick and Derwent ward. He then went on to map out the heritage of Shouksmiths from 1820 to today.