A leading offshore trade group has urged the UK government to allow more North Sea oil and gas activity, warning that shrinking domestic output is leaving the nation exposed to volatile global markets.Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) said recent supply shocks and rising crude prices have underlined the need for more home-grown hydrocarbons to reduce import dependence.The trade body pointed to...

Two Russian men are set to stand trial in Angola, accused of running a covert campaign to sow dissent, spread false information and interfere in next year’s presidential vote.Igor Ratchin and Lev Lakshtanov were detained in August and face 11 counts including terrorism, espionage and illicit influence.Angolan prosecutors say their activities were part of a wider operation tied to a network that...

A major trade agreement signed this week will send more Australian beef to Europe by removing most export tariffs and easing market access.The pact, negotiated over about eight years, is valued at roughly A$10 billion and was finalised on Tuesday.Nearly all EU duties on a range of Australian farm products will be eliminated, covering wine, fruit and vegetables, olive oil, seafood, most dairy, and...

Ministers are considering slowing HS2 trains as a way to reduce costs after the high-speed rail project ran into delays and ballooning budgets.The transport department has asked the company building the London-to-Birmingham section to study whether trains could initially operate at a lower top speed.A formal update on the programme’s timetable and cost is now expected only after the May...

A fresh shock from the Middle East has sent energy markets reeling and reopened a debate Europe hoped it had settled.Months after stepping away from Russian fuels, EU capitals now face sharp price jumps and renewed political pressure as supplies tighten.After Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the EU moved quickly to cut dependence on Moscow. Oil flows from Russia have almost disappeared for...

Households face a sharp rise in energy costs from July, with consultancy Cornwall Insight projecting an increase of roughly £332 a year for a typical dual-fuel home.The firm estimates the annual bill under Ofgem's price cap for July to September would reach about £1,973, up from the current level of £1,641.Cornwall Insight is updating its outlook weekly because of large swings in wholesale...

King Charles has officially opened a new walking route that runs all the way around England’s shoreline.At 2,689 miles, Natural England says it is the longest managed coastal trail on the planet.Officially named the King Charles III England Coast Path, the route links beaches, salt marshes, cliffs, dunes and historic seaside towns. One highlight is the chalk downland of the Seven Sisters in...

A new feature in Variety has sparked fresh debate about the Sussexes’ relationship with Netflix — and Piers Morgan was quick to pounce.The magazine’s cover story examines more than five years of the couple’s deal with the streaming giant, suggesting the partnership has not gone smoothly and pointing to underwhelming audience figures for projects such as With Love, Meghan.Morgan, a...

Stacey Solomon has moved to quash talk that she and husband Joe Swash have quietly split after fans noticed she’d been photographed without her wedding ring.The 36-year-old appeared on This Morning to discuss her role on Britain’s Got Talent when presenters Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley steered the conversation towards her personal life.Stacey admitted she hadn’t even seen Joe’s recent...

When Frances Tophill told colleagues she might end up living in a van after losing out on house bids, veteran gardener Alan Titchmarsh admits he was alarmed.The Love Your Garden star eventually secured a home in Devon, but she hasn’t ditched the van she once joked she could live in.Tophill, 34, from Kent, shot to fame after joining ITV’s Love Your Garden with Titchmarsh, Katie Rushworth and...