The Guardian

Exclusive: Findings cast doubt on claims new drilling would help cut bills and boost energy security, researchers say Hundreds of licences granted for new oil and gas projects in the North Sea under the Conservatives have so far produced only 36 days’ worth of gas, according to analysis. Research by the energy consultancy Voar and the campaign group Uplift found that between 2010 and 2024, the go…

Concern that supply chain disruption could hit health essentials – and prices – from painkillers to cancer treatment Britain is “a few weeks away” from medicine shortages ranging from painkillers to cancer treatment if the Iran war continues, according to experts, while drug prices could also rise. The conflict has disrupted the supply of a myriad of crucial raw materials, including oil, gas, cro…

From 6 April, low-income families can claim universal credit payments for all children living in the household The two-child benefit policy has been described as a “cap on childhood” and as it comes to an end, Claire* hopes to throw a birthday party for her son. It is a celebration most children may take for granted, but Claire and her partner run out of money at the end of every month, skipping …

Decision to choose small, wealthy – but very Catholic – state for first European trip has baffled some Vatican observers Pope Leo will travel to Monaco, the semi-enclave famous for casinos and superyachts, on Saturday on his first European trip since being elected pontiff, causing bemusement among some Vatican observers, not least because it comes 488 years after the last papal visit. Leo will tr…

Fears grow that Tehran may start activating sleeper cells across Middle East as part of war with US and Israel Middle East crisis – live updates Gulf countries have raised concerns over the prospect of attacks by Iran-backed militias and proxy armed groups in the region, which they fear could destabilise their regimes and escalate the war in the Middle East. In a joint statement this week, Qatar,…

Flash flooding threatens the wheatbelt region and Perth, as weather system expected to continue south-east from Geraldton on Saturday Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Ex-Tropical Cyclone Narelle was downgraded to a tropical low on Saturday morning after making landfall in Western Australia on Friday. Storm-ravaged communities were warned not to let their guard down, ho…

At least 77 people killed in anti-corruption youth uprising in September, which began over a brief social media ban Nepal’s former prime minister, KP Sharma Oli, was taken into custody on Saturday as police investigate whether he was negligent in failing to prevent dozens of deaths during Gen Z protests last September. This week, a Nepali panel which investigated violence during the anti-corrupti…

Albanese announces forthcoming legislation to guarantee private sector purchases of fuel and fertiliser The Australian government will take on the financial risk of importing essential products affected by the war in the Middle East to get additional supplies of petrol, diesel, and fertiliser into the country. The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, announced the new fuel security powers on Saturda…

Two others injured after sightseeing aircraft comes down on remote beach on Na Pali Coast A tourist helicopter crashed on a remote beach off the coast of Kauai, Hawaii, killing three people and injuring two others, authorities said. The helicopter was carrying one pilot and four passengers when it crashed on Thursday afternoon at Kalalau Beach, the Kauai fire department said. The beach is on the …

Actor outside Kennedy Center urges Americans to ‘stand tall against authoritarianism’ and resist free-speech threats The actor Jane Fonda joined journalists, musicians and writers outside Washington’s John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in urging US citizens to “break your silence” and “stand tall against authoritarianism”. At a damp but defiant rally hosted by Fonda’s Committee for the…

Joshua Jaynes and Kyle Meany were accused of lying on document used to enter Taylor’s house on night of shooting A federal judge has dismissed charges against two former Louisville police officers accused of falsifying the warrant used to enter Breonna Taylor ’s apartment the night police shot her to death. Charles Simpson, a US district judge, issued a one-page ruling on Friday throwing out char…

Mayor of Hartford has fired a white police officer who fatally shot a Black man in a mental health crisis nine times Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox A white Connecticut police officer who fatally shot a Black man 30 seconds after arriving at the scene, where three fellow officers had spent several minutes trying to de-escalate the situation, was fired…

Secretary of state’s remarks come as Israel threatens to expand its attacks on Iran and Tehran’s missiles and drones target Israel Middle East crisis – live updates Washington expects its operation against Iran to conclude in “weeks, not months”, the US secretary of state has said, despite spiralling violence across the region and a threat from Israel to “escalate and expand” its attacks against …

Law firm is preparing claim on behalf of 30,000 consumers who fear the FCA’s redress scheme will shortchange them Lloyds Banking Group is facing a court battle with 30,000 aggrieved car loan customers who are set to abandon the City regulator’s official redress scheme amid fears it will shortchange consumers and favour lenders. The claims law firm Courmacs Legal is planning to file a £66m omnibus…

School food has suffered at the hands of politics and economics for almost 50 years Almost a generation has passed since Jamie Oliver’s four-part Channel 4 documentary series Jamie’s School Dinners exposed the unhealthy reality of the food served to pupils at lunchtime, including – notoriously – fat-heavy, meat-light Turkey Twizzlers . It proved a shaming and effective intervention. His ensuing F…