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More drilling in the North Sea will not enhance the UK’s energy security, a group of former senior military leaders told The Guardian on Monday, as the Conservative Party’s energy minister Kemi Badenoch launched a campaign to revive offshore oil and gas licences. The veterans, including retired Rear Admiral Neil Morisetti, a climate‑security professor at University College London, warned that extracting the remaining hydrocarbons “is not the answer” to the country’s rising energy costs and geopolitical vulnerability. Morisetti emphasized that global market forces, not domestic production, set fuel prices and that reliance on imports leaves the UK exposed to “structural chokepoints” such as the Strait of Hormuz or insurance withdrawals. He urged the government to focus on a rapid transition to a diversified mix of wind, solar, tidal and nuclear power, alongside a major renewal of the electricity grid and expanded storage capacity. A recent E3G think‑tank report supports this view, stating that “structural chokepoints” in oil and gas supply chains mean that increasing fossil‑fuel output anywhere does not improve national security. The report highlights that reducing reliance on imported hydrocarbons through electrification, efficiency, and domestic clean energy offers the most durable protection against supply shocks. Maria Pastukhova, senior policy adviser at E3G, explained that while clean‑energy systems are not immune to disruptions, they shift control “under domestic ownership,” lowering exposure to geopolitical and market volatility. Data cited by the report show that the North Sea is a “mature basin” whose output has fallen 75 % since its peak. New licences granted between 2010 and 2024 have produced only 36 days of gas, according to research by the Uplift campaign and consultancy Voar, underscoring the limited impact of further drilling. Retired Lt Gen Richard Nugee compared the UK’s situation to recent developments in Spain, where electricity prices are increasingly set by renewables rather than fossil fuels, reducing dependence on vulnerable chokepoints. He argued that “going for renewables gives greater independence, greater sovereignty, less vulnerability to attack and more opportunity,” contrasting it with the finite and externally‑controlled nature of gas supplies. Experts such as Khem Rogaly of the Transition Security Project warn that reliance on “expensive and volatile fossil fuels” makes British households vulnerable to shocks from global conflicts, including US‑led oil wars. James Meadway, director of the Verdant think‑tank, added that the war in Iran has revealed the fragility of large, centralized power systems to both kinetic attacks and cyber‑threats, reinforcing the case for a more distributed energy architecture. In sum, the former military leaders and independent analysts concur that the only credible route to lasting UK energy security lies in **accelerating renewable deployment, improving efficiency, and modernising the grid**, rather than expanding North Sea drilling.

NASA is planning to send four astronauts on a 10-day loop around the moon on the Artemis II mission, marking a significant step towards returning humans to the lunar surface. The mission comes nearly 57 years after the last human visit to the moon during the Apollo 17 mission in 1972.The Apollo 11 moon landing, which took place on July 21, 1969, captivated the world as Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to set foot on the moon's surface. Armstrong's iconic words, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind," echoed globally, symbolizing a historic achievement in space exploration.However, the current Artemis missions lack the same level of political and rhetorical urgency that drove the Apollo program. NASA has shifted its focus between the moon and Mars over the years, with Donald Trump justifying the mission in terms of "lunar economic development" and preparing for a future visit to Mars.Despite the challenges in replicating the excitement of the first moon landing, the moon remains a source of fascination throughout history, inspiring artistic expression and captivating the imagination of people worldwide. The Artemis missions, including the Artemis II crew, which includes Victor Glover, the first black astronaut, and Christina Koch, the first female astronaut, to reach the moon, may still spark public enthusiasm.As the world waits for the Artemis II mission to launch, it's clear that while it may not have the same world-historical importance as Armstrong's "giant leap," it still represents a significant step forward in space exploration and could potentially ignite a new wave of interest in lunar exploration.

Italy's national football team secured a crucial win over Northern Ireland, 2-0, to advance to the World Cup playoff final. The match, held at the Stadio di Bergamo, saw Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean score the decisive goals.The Italian team, under coach Gennaro Gattuso, dominated possession but struggled to create clear chances in the first half. However, the team's performance improved significantly after halftime, with Tonali's terrific low drive from 18 yards giving them the lead.Northern Ireland's hopes were dashed when Moise Kean scored Italy's second goal, cutting inside Ruairi McConville and shooting into the net via a post. This sealed the win for Italy and sent them through to the playoff final.The victory marked a significant step for Italy, who are seeking to return to the World Cup for the first time since 2014. Coach Gattuso emphasized the importance of the win, stating, 'We have to win, we have no other choice.'Northern Ireland's manager, Michael O'Neill, expressed pride in his young team's performance, noting, 'The average age of that team was 22, which is incredibly positive.' Despite the loss, O'Neill remains optimistic about the team's future, particularly with Euro 2028 in sight.

Italy and Northern Ireland are set to clash in a pivotal World Cup 2026 qualifier, with both teams eager to reassert their presence on the global football stage. For Italy, it's about regaining their footing after consecutive World Cup failures in 2018 and 2022, while Northern Ireland aims to return to the tournament for the first time in four decades.Gennaro Gattuso, Italy's coach, emphasized the significance of the match, stating, 'This is the most important game of my coaching career so far.' Italy's players, including Mateo Retegui, are equally determined, with Retegui asserting, 'Now is the time to show everyone exactly who we are.'Northern Ireland's manager, Michael O'Neill, faces challenges with a depleted squad, particularly the absence of Conor Bradley and Dan Ballard. Despite these setbacks, O'Neill remains optimistic, highlighting the team's youthful energy and lack of fear.The match, set to take place at Atalanta's Bergamo Stadium, promises to be intense. Gattuso noted Northern Ireland's direct playing style, saying, 'They typically 'toss the ball into the box' and thrive on latching on to second balls.' A win for Italy would likely seal their spot in the World Cup, while a loss could spell the end of O'Neill's tenure as Northern Ireland's manager.As both teams prepare for the crucial encounter, the pressure is palpable. Italy's four-time World Cup wins and football-crazed nation add to the weight of expectation. Will Italy overcome their recent struggles and secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup, or will Northern Ireland pull off a surprise?

The Pakistan Super League (PSL), the country's top domestic T20 cricket tournament, will take place in empty stadiums due to the recent surge in oil prices. The decision was announced by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi, citing a fuel shortage caused by the Middle East conflict.The league, set to start on Thursday, will now be hosted in only two cities: Lahore and Karachi. The opening match will be played at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The PCB has also cancelled the opening ceremony that was scheduled to take place in Lahore.Pakistan is facing soaring oil prices due to the conflict in the Middle East, prompting the government to advise citizens to restrict their movements. Naqvi stated that it wouldn't be feasible to have 30,000 people in stadiums daily while people are being asked to limit their travel.The PCB will refund tickets to fans who had purchased them and will also compensate franchise owners for the loss of revenue from gate receipts. Naqvi apologized to the four cities – Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Multan, and Peshawar – that will no longer host PSL games this season.Several foreign players, including Australians Jake Fraser-McGurk and Spencer Johnson, South African Ottneil Baartman, and West Indian Gudakesh Motie, have pulled out of the PSL due to personal reasons. The PCB consulted with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who is also the PCB patron, and the eight franchises before making the decision to stage the games without spectators.

South Yorkshire is on the cusp of a significant transformation, driven by a surge in creative industries and investments. The region, once known for its steel industry, is now home to the UK's biggest podcast festival, Crossed Wires, and Persephonica, a leading independent podcast producer. The success of Adolescence, a Netflix hit produced by Warp Films, has been a catalyst for this change. The show's multiple awards at the Emmys and Golden Globes have brought international recognition to the region. Oliver Coppard, the Labour mayor of South Yorkshire, attributes the region's renewed confidence to a shift in mindset. He believes that the area's leaders have finally begun to offer an ambitious vision for its future. The region's economic growth is also driven by investments in defence and manufacturing. BAE Systems and Sheffield Forgemasters are among the companies contributing to this growth. However, experts caution that the region's future cannot rely solely on these industries. Jim O'Neill, a leading economist, emphasizes the need for a diversified economy and a strong public transport system. Despite challenges, the mood in South Yorkshire is optimistic. The region's young people are choosing to stay and work in the area, driven by the availability of high-skilled jobs and new opportunities.