Britain is facing the threat of fuel shortages this winter without the approval of the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea, Labour has been warned.

Neil McCulloch, the boss of Adura – the company behind Jackdaw, said it was ‘hyper critical’ that the field 150 miles east of Aberdeen is given the go-ahead.

He said the UK had limited options in the event of a ‘gas supply emergency’ as he piled pressure on Ed Miliband, the Energy Secretary, to grant approval.

As part of his Net Zero agenda, Mr Miliband has banned new oil and gas exploration off Britain’s coastline.

But Andy Burnham, who is almost certain to replace Keir Starmer as prime minister on 20 July, has said he is ‘open-minded’ about ramping up drilling in the North Sea.

Mr McCulloch’s warning comes amid growing calls – including from Labour MPs and the party’s trade union backers – for Mr Miliband to soften his stance on fossil fuels.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said Mr Burnham faced a ‘choice’ when he becomes PM of either pushing for cheaper energy or allowing ‘Net Zero madness’ to ‘hold our country back’.

Industry regulator, the North Sea Transition Authority, is currently considering a revised application for Jackdaw, as well as the Rosebank field off Shetland.

As part of his Net Zero agenda, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has banned new oil and gas exploration off Britain’s coastline

Initial approval of both sites – which was given by the previous Tory government – was later withdrawn when a court ruled consent was granted unlawfully following a case brought by environmental campaigners.

This forced the owners to seek fresh permission to extract oil and gas from the fields, with a final decision set to fall to the Energy Secretary if the NSTA gives its approval.

Mr Miliband, who has been touted as Mr Burnham’s potential Chancellor, has repeatedly insisted that ramping up North Sea oil and gas production ‘won’t take a penny off’ domestic energy bills because fossil fuels are traded on international markets.

But Mr Miliband, who is bidding to decarbonise the UK’s electricity by 2030, is under increasing pressure to alter his position due to the impact of the Iran war on global energy prices.

Adura – a joint venture between Shell and Equinor – has been required to update its environmental impact assessment for Jackdaw, which was released on Wednesday as a public consultation was also launched.

Speaking to the BBC from the Jackdaw field, Mr McCulloch said the project was in its final stages and could meet 6 per cent of the UK’s gas needs from 1 October if given approval.

‘If I were the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, I’d be looking closely at where’s my next source of energy security, and you’re standing on it’, he said.

‘The wells are drilled, they’re hooked up. We’re just readying the systems. It will be ready for 1 October. Jackdaw will play a vital part of this winter’s gas supply.’

Mrs Badenoch said that opening Jackdaw was ‘common sense’, adding: ‘Britain needs cheap, abundant and reliable energy if we are going to grow.

‘Jackdaw alone could supply around 6 per cent of our gas needs this October.

‘Andy Burnham has a choice. Back British energy, British jobs and lower bills or let Labour’s Net Zero madness hold our country back.’

Whitehall sources dismissed claims that Britain faced the threat of fuel shortages this winter without the approval of the Jackdaw field.

They pointed to how the National Energy System Operator (NESO) said in a recent report that it expects to meet demand this winter.

‘Our current view is that the electricity system will remain secure and reliable through winter 2026/27,’ NESO said in its ‘Winter Watch’.

‘We expect a surplus of 5.5GW between 31 October 2026 and 31 March 2027, with an 8.8 per cent buffer over expected peak demand. 

‘The outlook is positive, but winter conditions can change. NESO will continue to monitor global gas markets, European electricity flows, weather conditions and periods where supply and demand may be more finely balanced, particularly in January.’

Neil Johnston, BBC Sport journalist

It’s going to require something extra special to stop this Les Bleus juggernaut from reaching a third straight World Cup final.

France have overcome a two-hour storm delay in Philadelphia, the loss of Deschamps for one match (he returned home for the funeral of his mother) and Paraguay’s ‘dark arts’ to reach the last eight.

They have been an absolute joy to watch, particularly against Sweden in the last 32 when they registered 25 attempts. The fear for their rivals is they still have another couple of gears we have not yet seen at this World Cup.

It’s not just Mbappe, Olise and Dembele – who have 20 goal involvements between them. Les Bleus have yet to fall behind.

They have conceded just twice in five games – when they were leading Senegal 3-0 and when they were 2-0 up against Norway, with Arsenal’s William Saliba and Olise’s Bayern Munich team-mate Dayot Upamecano marshalling the defence.

Who can stop France? They will meet Spain or Belgium in the semi-final if they get past Morocco. Spain, who have yet to concede, will be a huge test.

Les Bleus were frustrated by Paraguay before finding a way to win – and I suspect Deschamps’ side will have too much firepower for Spain, while their strength in depth from the bench is eye-watering.

He’s the smallest man left in the Wimbledon singles draw – as well as the youngest.

But far from holding him back, experts say Arthur Fery’s youth, shorter stature and relative Grand Slam inexperience could actually give the British wildcard an unlikely edge.

Scientists say the 23–year–old may have several hidden advantages over his more established rivals, including faster footwork and sharper changes of direction.

He came into the tournament ranked 114th in the world, having never progressed past the second round of a major before.

Now, he has become the first wildcard to reach a Wimbledon semi–final in 25 years.

He will need to utilise every advantage he can when he faces world number two Alexander Zverev in the semi–final tomorrow.

At 6ft 6in (1.98m), the German stands nine inches taller than Fery, who measures just 5ft 9in (1.75m).

However Adam Taylor, Professor of Anatomy at Lancaster University, told the Daily Mail: ‘Being shorter as a tennis player has a few advantages.’

British wildcard Arthur Fery (left), who measures just 5ft 11in, is the smallest man left in the Wimbledon singles draw

Professor Taylor explained that the continued change in direction required for the rallies in tennis can benefit players who are shorter.

‘Their lower centre of gravity means they are more agile and less likely to fall over,’ he said.

‘This gives them an advantage when moving around the court.’

He explained that shorter limbs can also be beneficial as the initial power generated is greater than in longer arms or legs.

‘This is key when changing direction or commencing movement to get to a return,’ he said.

‘Although taller players might be faster overall, the size of the tennis court means that there isn’t sufficient space for tall players to achieve their top speed which is generally faster.’

At just 23, Fery is six years younger than his 29–year–old opponent Zverev.

This could also work in his favour, the expert said.

Shorter limbs can also be beneficial as the initial power generated is greater than in longer arms or legs. Pictured: Fery plays a backhand against Flavio Cobolli of Italy

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Being a British tennis player at Wimbledon means the crowd will be behind you, triggering a huge release of endorphins which can have a positive impact on heart, lung and muscle performance

‘At an elite level the advantage would be less than for the average person,’ Professor Taylor said.

‘However, the recovery time for younger players is generally shorter and at an elite level younger players have typically accumulated less injuries and niggles which can have an impact on performance.’

He explained that individuals over the age of 30 have a lower VO2 max – the amount of oxygen your body can absorb during exercise – compared to younger people.

‘It peaks at around age 30 and declines after that,’ he added.

While this may not have an impact on the Zverev game, if Fery goes through to the final it could give him an edge against 39–year–old Novak Djokovic, who he could be up against.

Professor Taylor explained that being a wildcard entrant – rather than a favourite to win – could ease the pressure on Fery’s shoulders compared to higher–ranked players.

‘The expectations of the big names comes with pressure, which can sometime impact performance,’ he said.

‘One of the other advantages is as someone with limited grand slam experience is that opponents have less exposure to how you play.’

Arthur Fery celebrates his Wimbledon quarter–final victory against Italy’s Flavio Cobolli. Tomorrow he will play world number two Alexander Zverev

Finally, he said there is one key element with ‘huge potential’ for impacting performance – the crowd.

‘Being a British tennis player at Wimbledon with the crowd behind you will create a huge endorphin release in the body,’ he said.

‘This is the feel–good factor.

‘These endorphins can have a huge impact on how your heart, lungs and muscles perform.’

Michelle Spear, Professor of Anatomy at the University of Bristol, agreed with Professor Taylor’s analysis.

‘Height in tennis is often discussed as though taller is always better, but it is more nuanced than that,’ she told the Daily Mail.

‘A taller player may have an obvious mechanical advantage on serve… but being shorter can bring its own advantages, particularly in movement, balance and return of serve.

‘A lower centre of gravity can make it easier to change direction quickly, stay balanced when pulled wide, and recover position after a shot.’

She added: ‘Tennis is full of tiny accelerations, decelerations and split–second adjustments, so agility can matter just as much as reach.

‘A shorter player may also find it easier to get low to the ball, especially on lower–bouncing shots, slices and fast returns.’

She added that at 23, Fery is well placed to be able to recover between points and matches and to be able to tolerate repeated high–intensity efforts.

Being less experienced could also mean he is able to stay focused on the next point rather than the significance of the occasion.

‘The key point is that success in tennis is not determined by one anatomical feature,’ she added.

‘Height, limb length, strength, balance, reaction time, anticipation, emotional control and tactical intelligence all interact.

‘A shorter player may not have the same serve geometry as a much taller opponent, but if they move beautifully, read the game well and return effectively, that can become a very powerful set of advantages.’

BEIRUT (AP) — A deal between Lebanon and Israel was billed as paving the way for peace. But in Lebanon, it is deepening longtime divisions and raising fears of political paralysis or even a return to civil war.

The U.S.-brokered deal envisions an Israeli troop withdrawal from Lebanon and an eventual peace agreement between the two countries — which technically remain in a state of war nearly 80 years after Israel’s establishment. But the agreement says a full Israeli withdrawal will happen only after Hezbollah is disarmed, infuriating the Iran-backed militant group.

Lebanon’s Western-backed government and Hezbollah have exchanged angry words, and the militant group’s supporters have blocked major roads in protest. One Hezbollah lawmaker said the country would plunge into civil war if the government tries to force the group’s disarmament.

The tensions have stirred up memories of Lebanon’s devastating 1975-1990 civil war and reminded many of more recent clashes between Hezbollah gunmen and pro-government fighters in 2008. They also have raised deep questions over whether the U.S.-brokered deal will be able to get off the ground.

A resumption of the war between the U.S. and Iran would further complicate the deal’s prospects and raise the risk of renewed conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

The deal is expected to top the agenda when Lebanese President Joseph Aoun heads to the White House on July 21.

The deal is rooted in the US war against Iran

Lebanon’s political landscape has been divided for over two decades between one coalition that is Western-backed and another that is supported by Iran and led by Hezbollah. Both camps see the outcome of the new agreement as existential.

The latest war between Israel and Hezbollah erupted in March, triggered by the joint U.S.-Israel war launched against Iran days earlier.

Hezbollah, which entered the conflict without seeking approval from the government, has sought to link the end of its war against Israel to the outcome of broader U.S.-Iran talks. The Lebanese government, trying to minimize Iran’s influence, aimed to keep the two tracks separate and negotiate a ceasefire directly with Israel.

The Lebanon-Israel deal turned the tables

The pro-Hezbollah camp was jubilant when the ceasefire deal between Iran and the U.S. explicitly called for an end to the war in Lebanon.

That led to a truce that has substantially reduced the intensity of the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. But Israeli troops continue to occupy large swaths of southern Lebanon, and hundreds of thousands of people remain displaced from villages and city neighborhoods that have been almost entirely demolished.

The linkage to the U.S.-Iran ceasefire was widely seen as boosting Hezbollah’s standing and cementing Iran’s influence over Lebanon.

But days later, the tables turned as Israel and Lebanon announced their June 26 “framework agreement” in Washington. That deal conditioned withdrawal of Israeli forces on disarmament of Hezbollah throughout the country.

Lebanese government officials have hailed the deal as a step toward liberating occupied areas of the south and allowing the displaced to go home.

But with Israel giving no timeline for its withdrawal, Hezbollah and its supporters have accused the government of agreeing to an open-ended Israeli occupation.

Hezbollah supporters protested and blocked roads in Beirut. Some burned banners bearing the slogan “Lebanon First” — seen as a dig at the Iran-backed group. The group’s leader, Naim Kassem, called the deal a “humiliation” and said Hezbollah would not honor it.

Hassan Fadlallah, an influential Hezbollah legislator, went even further, saying the government “will not be able to enforce the agreement signed in Washington unless they go, with American support, to civil war.”

Such rhetoric brought back memories of May 2008, when the government decided to dismantle Hezbollah’s telecommunications network. The group sent gunmen to the streets and engaged in intense clashes with pro-government fighters in Beirut and elsewhere. The government was forced to annul its decision.

Hezbollah is now demanding that the government abolish its March 2 decision that considered Hezbollah’s military and security activities illegal.

Lebanon’s prime minister, Nawaf Salam, says the agreement with Israel will restore the state’s sovereignty over the entire country and has pushed back against Hezbollah’s rhetoric.

“I am not looking for a confrontation with Hezbollah but neither myself nor anyone in the government will accept to be blackmailed by Hezbollah,” Salam recently told the local LBC TV station.

In the meantime, the deal remains frozen

For now, there are no signs of the verbal threats spilling over into violence — in large part because the deal is deadlocked.

Israel and Lebanon have agreed to establish two “pilot zones” where the Israeli military is to turn over control to the Lebanese army after clearing the areas of any Hezbollah presence.

Salam has said the implementation could begin soon. But on the ground, there has been little movement.

“There is no schedule for the withdrawal or anything else,” said a Lebanese military official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment publicly. He said the army has received no information about when or how the Israeli withdrawal will proceed.

The initial pilot zones announced by Lebanese and Israeli officials include the towns of Froun, Ghandouriyeh and Zawtar. Israeli troops were not present in most of that area to begin with, raising questions about how a withdrawal could take place. The official said the Lebanese army had pushed for pilot zones that were larger and included more area occupied by Israeli forces.

An Israeli military official, speaking on condition of anonymity under briefing guidelines, said the army is still waiting for instructions from the political leadership on when the withdrawal will take place.

A possible political stalemate looms

Lebanon has a history of political violence, but its sectarian power-sharing system, divided among Shiite and Sunni Muslims, Christians and Druze, has also been prone to deadlock.

Powerful Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a Hezbollah ally, has warned the deal “will not pass, and it will not be implemented in its current form.”

Wissam Lahham, a constitutional law professor at St. Joseph University in Beirut, said that under Lebanon’s constitution, a treaty is not legally binding until it is ratified by a two-thirds majority of the country’s Cabinet. A Cabinet vote has not been scheduled. Lahham said it’s not clear if the treaty would require parliamentary approval, another potential obstacle.

Kassem, in a speech Wednesday, aimed a message at the government.

“Ultimately, not a single clause of the framework agreement will be approved, and there will be nothing you can do about it,” he said.

Michael Young, senior editor at the Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut, said the Lebanese government’s desire to keep Lebanon separate from the Iranian negotiations on national sovereignty grounds was correct “in principle” but unrealistic in practice.

“You cannot reach any kind of solution with regard to Hezbollah unless Iran is on board,” he said. “The Iranians will not give up on Hezbollah, and at the same time the Lebanese are not willing to enter into an armed conflict with Hezbollah.”

___

Associated Press writer Josef Federman in Jerusalem contributed.

There were multiple stabbings in the dramatic incident last year

The man accused of the attempted murders of 10 people during a mass stabbing on a train in Cambridgeshire has pleaded not guilty. People were seriously injured following multiple stabbings on a LNER service travelling from Doncaster to London on the evening of November 1.

Anthony Williams, 33, appeared at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday, July 9. Williams entered his pleas via video, wearing a white t-shirt, as he stated “not guilty” to each of the charges.

He also pleaded not guilty to 11 other offences, including four other attempted murder charges relating to other incidents. Other charges include affray at a barbershop in Peterborough on October 31, and theft of a knife set from an Asda store in Stevenage on the same date.

A trial is set to follow.

The Coastguard and Ambulance Service were both called to the scene

A swimmer in difficulty has been rescued on a Co Antrim beach. Two RNLI senior lifeguards rescued the swimmer on Portrush West Strand on Tuesday evening, July 7.

At 5pm, the lifeguards were alerted by a member of the public to the swimmer struggling against strong surging waves outside of the flags.

A RNLI statement said: “Lifeguard Annie Jagoe was the first to enter the water using a rescue board. On reaching the casualty Annie manoeuvred the woman onto her rescue board. Senior Lifeguard Jack Devenney came to assist on a rescue watercraft.

“The two lifeguards were able to get the casualty onto the rescue watercraft sled which helped them safely bring her into shore.

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“Both lifeguards performed casualty care. The casualty had no clear injuries. The Coastguard and ambulance were both called on reaching the shore.”

Senior lifeguard Jack Devenney added: “Rip currents can be hard to spot, and you will struggle to swim against them, no matter how experienced a swimmer you are.

“If you are caught in one, don’t try to swim against it or you’ll get exhausted. If you can stand, wade, don’t swim. Swim parallel to the shore until free of the rip and then head for shore. Always raise your hand and shout for help.”

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If you aren’t the strongest swimmer, the RNLI says ‘you can Float to Live’ and gives the following tips:

• Tilt your head back with ears submerged
• Relax and try to breathe normally
• Move your hands to help you stay afloat
• It’s okay if your legs sink we all float differently
• Spread your arms and legs to improve stability

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