Construction is finished on a major Massachusetts offshore wind farm, the first project to reach this stage during President Donald Trump’s time in office.

Offshore construction was completed Friday night on Vineyard Wind with the installation of the final blades, Craig Gilvarg, a spokesperson for the project, said Saturday.

Trump, who often talks about his hatred of wind power, has said his goal is to not let any “windmills” be built. Vineyard Wind was one of five major East Coast offshore wind projects the Trump administration halted construction on days before Christmas, citing national security concerns. Developers and states sued, and federal judges allowed all five to resume construction, essentially concluding that the government did not show that the national security risk was so imminent that construction must halt.

Another one of the five, Revolution Wind, began sending power for the first time to New England’s electric grid on Friday and will scale up in the weeks ahead until it is fully operational.

While Revolution Wind just began delivering power, Vineyard Wind has been doing so for over a year as more turbines were finished. Vineyard Wind is a joint venture between Avangrid and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, located 15 miles (24 kilometers) south of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, Massachusetts. It has 62 turbines that will generate a total of 800 megawatts. That is enough clean electricity to power about 400,000 homes.

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell has said the completion of this project is essential to ensuring the state can lower costs, meet rising energy demand, advance its climate goals and sustain thousands of good-paying jobs.

The Trump administration has been particularly critical of the Vineyard Wind project because of a blade failure. Fiberglass fragments of a blade broke apart and began washing onto Nantucket beaches in July 2024 during the peak of tourist season. Manufacturer GE Vernova agreed to pay $10.5 million in a settlement to compensate island businesses that suffered losses.

Vineyard Wind submitted state and federal project plans to build an offshore wind farm in 2017. Massachusetts had committed to offshore wind by requiring its utilities to solicit proposals for up to 1,600 megawatts of offshore wind power by 2027. In what might have been a fatal blow, federal regulators delayed Vineyard Wind by holding off on issuing a key environmental impact statement in 2019. Massachusetts Democratic Rep. William Keating said at the time the Trump administration was trying to stymie the renewable energy project just as it was coming to fruition.

The Biden administration signed off on it in 2021, as it sought to ramp up offshore wind as a climate change solution. Construction began onshore in Barnstable, Massachusetts.

The first U.S. offshore wind farm opened off Rhode Island’s Block Island in 2016, at the end of President Barack Obama’s tenure. But with just five turbines, it’s not a commercial-scale wind farm. The nation’s first commercial-scale offshore wind farm officially opened in March 2024, when President Joe Biden was in office. Danish wind energy developer Orsted and the utility Eversource built that 12-turbine wind farm, called South Fork Wind, 35 miles (56 kilometers) east of Montauk Point, New York.

Trump began reversing the country’s energy policies his first day in office with a spate of executive orders aimed at boosting oil, gas and coal. White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said Friday night that Trump “reversed course on Joe Biden’s costly green energy agenda that gave preferential treatment to intermittent, unreliable energy sources and instead is aggressively unleashing reliable and affordable energy sources to lower energy bills, improve our grid stability and protect our national security.”

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Trump has performed a climbdown of epic proportions, used dead soldiers as a grift for donations – and his Secretary of War has given an illegal order. Here’s everything you need to know about the last 24 hours in Trumpworld

Since returning to office last year, Donald Trump has earned a new nickname – TACO. Which is short for “Trump Always Chickens Out”.

It started in the wake of his disastrous “Liberation Day” Tariffs – with Wall Street types using it to remind themselves that many of the nonsense announcements he makes end in a climbdown.

Today has seen him perform a climbdown of epic proportions – admitting for the first time that Operation EPIC FURY alone probably won’t be enough to protect the oil traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, and that actually it wouldn’t be a bad idea if Britain and others sent some warships after all.

Meanwhile, in Trumpworld…

• He blew up at an interviewer for his scary accuracy in predicting his next move in the Middle East,
• He used dead soldiers as a grift for donations
• Pete Hegseth gave what could amount to an illegal order.

Here’s what you need to know

1. Trump has changed his tune on the UK sending ships to help in the Middle East

Donald Trump has performed a humiliating u-turn, begging the UK and others to send warships to the Middle East to help police the Strait of Hormuz.

Less than a week ago, the US President declared the war in Iran was “already won” – dismissing reports the UK was preparing the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales to deploy to the region.

“The United Kingdom, our once Great Ally, maybe the Greatest of them all, is finally giving serious thought to sending two aircraft carriers to the Middle East,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social website.

“That’s OK, Prime Minister Starmer, we don’t need them any longer — But we will remember. We don’t need people that join Wars after we’ve already won!”

But today he appeared to have completely changed his tune as Iran continued to threaten ships attempting to sail the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for seaborne oil.

“Many Countries, especially those who are affected by Iran’s attempted closure of the Hormuz Strait, will be sending War Ships, in conjunction with the United States of America, to keep the Strait open and safe,” he wrote.

“We have already destroyed 100% of Iran’s Military capability, but it’s easy for them to send a drone or two, drop a mine, or deliver a close range missile somewhere along, or in, this Waterway, no matter how badly defeated they are.”

He went on to call on other countries to help the US police the Strait: “Hopefully China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and others, that are affected by this artificial constraint, will send Ships to the area so that the Hormuz Strait will no longer be a threat by a Nation that has been totally decapitated.

“In the meantime, the United States will be bombing the hell out of the shoreline, and continually shooting Iranian Boats and Ships out of the water. One way or the other, we will soon get the Hormuz Strait OPEN, SAFE, and FREE!”

2. Trump blew up at interviewer who suggested he bomb Kharg Island…which he did 24 hours later

Trump announced last night that he had given the order to bomb Kharg Island, which is home to Iran’s main oil export terminal – and is critical to the country’s economy.

The US targeted military installations on the island, but Trump warned the oil facilities would be next if Iran continued to block the Strait of Hormuz – the main shipping route for oil heading to the west.

He wrote on Truth Social: “Moments ago, at my direction, the United States Central Command executed one of the most powerful bombing raids in the History of the Middle East, and totally obliterated every MILITARY target in Iran’s crown jewel, Kharg Island.

“Our Weapons are the most powerful and sophisticated that the World has ever known but, for reasons of decency, I have chosen NOT to wipe out the Oil Infrastructure on the Island. However, should Iran, or anyone else, do anything to interfere with the Free and Safe Passage of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider this decision.”

What makes it even more interesting is an interview Trump recorded 24 hours earlier, which was published just hours before the attack took place.

Trump spoke to (who else?) Fox News Radio host Brian Kilmeade, who asked him whether he had plans to “take” the island.

And he got pretty shirty with Kilmeade about the question.

“I can’t answer a question like that. You shouldn’t ask it. It’s not high on the list, but it’s one of many different things, and I can change my mind in seconds,” Trump said.

He then asked Kilmeade: “Who would ask a question like that, and what fool would answer it?

“It’s sort of a foolish question. A little surprising for you, because you’re a smart man,’ he told the host.

“Let’s say I was going to do it or let’s say I wasn’t going to do it, why would I tell you?”

3. So one of two things has happened here…

This leaves us with two possible scenarios. Either Kilmeade got incredibly lucky, and accurately predicted the Trump administration’s next move.

Or, Trump ordered the Island be taken …because Fox News Radio host Kilmeade suggested it. Which is…way worse, right?

4. Trump uses dead soldiers to grift for donations

It’s nice that even in 2026, Donald Trump can still find ways to shock and disgust people. Last night, a fundraising email from Trump’s Political Action Committee used an image from last Saturday’s ceremony that saw six US soldiers who died in the Iran war returned to the US.

Trump had already been accused of showing disrespect to the fallen by showing up to the event wearing a white USA baseball cap. The one he wears when he goes to play golf.

But he managed to make matters yet worse by taking a photo taken at the event and using it in a begging bowl email to his most gullible supporters, and offering them the chance to be included in his “private national security briefings”, which is obviously illegal as well as distasteful.

5. Pete Hegseth gave an illegal order

Pete Hegseth, the Secretary of War, urged troops to show “no quarter, no mercy for our enemies”. Which is super, super illegal.

Hegseth, in the middle of the thing he literally got Trump to add to his job title, spent more time berating the media for not giving him an easier ride than he did on the actual things happening in the conflict that will no doubt replace the time when he almost accidentally killed a military drummer with an axe on telly as the thing he’s best remembered for.

But the directive to show “no quarter” is notable, because it’s not just a macho declaration, it’s an actual war crime. It has a specific meaning in the law of armed combat – and means killing your enemies instead of capturing them.

Senator Mark Kelly was quick to point this out on Twitter – pointedly so, given Hegseth has been trying to take his military pension off him for making a video reminding US servicemen and women that they’re not required to follow illegal orders. Like this one.

Here are six ways the conflict in the Middle East could hit the pockets of Brits

The US and Israeli war on Iran has now surpassed two weeks – and there is no end in sight. Shockwaves from events unfolding thousands of miles away in the Middle East are already being felt here in the UK.

Fuel prices have shot up in recent weeks due to a rise in the cost of oil, the costs of a new mortgage have risen, and the conflict has the potential to drive up the cost of energy bills, goods in shops, flight prices, and motor insurance premiums.

The Mirror has explored what the cost to Brits has already been so far over the past two weeks, and how ‘Trumpflation’ could impact us here in the UK if the conflict continues.

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Little over two weeks ago, inflation was easing, wage growth was slowing and the smart money was on its Monetary Policy Committee voting to reduce its base rate from 3.75% to 3.5% – with the hope of more to come as 2026 went on. Lenders were busy reducing fixed rate mortgages in anticipation, in welcome news for those looking for a new home loan or coming off often cheap deals and needing to re-mortgage.

Now, an interest rate cut next week looks unlikely, with talk of possible rate rises later in the year. This in itself has been a blow for borrowers with variable rate mortgages or home loans linked to the Bank’s base rate.

Meanwhile, lenders have been rapidly pulling cheap fixed-rate deals and replacing them with ones that cost more. Industry experts Moneyfacts says the average new five-year fixed rate mortgage has now hit a near 12-month high of 5.19%, up from 4.95% just before the conflict erupted.

The average two-year fix has jumped to 5.10%, from 4.83% a couple of weeks ago. For someone applying a typical two-year fixed rate deal, and borrowing £180,000, that means an extra £336 on their annual repayments. With all important swap rates – which determine lenders’ costs – rising, the hit to borrowers will likely worsen.

And to make matters worse, the number of fixed deals on offer has crashed by 530 since the chaos caused by the conflict began on February 28..

Adam French, Head of Consumer Finance at Moneyfacts, said: “Even the very cheapest deals are shooting higher, with the lowest available mortgage rate climbing from 3.51% at the start of March to sit at 3.78% today, its highest level since April 2025.

“It’s unwelcome news for borrowers, as hopes of steadily falling mortgage rates have collapsed and given way to a much more uncertain outlook. The destination is now heavily dependent on how global markets and inflation expectations evolve in response to the conflict the Middle East.”

Estate agents fear the war could shatter hopes of a fragile recovery in the housing market. A survey from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors showed new buyer enquiries had already weakened further in February.

Tarrant Parsons, RICS’ head of market research and analytics, said: “The recent rise in oil and energy prices has increased the likelihood that mortgage rates will remain higher for longer.”

Here are six ways the Iran war could affect UK household costs.

House prices and rents

Drone strikes on Dubai has spooked British expats living there, leading to speculation that they – along with property investors – may look for safe havens to put their money. That could include the UK, and especially London, which has the potential to push up house prices.

Even in the short term, it could lead to a spike in rents in some upmarket areas. According to reports, Brit who settled in Dubai are contacting luxury property agents to arrange emergency £5,000-a-week rentals in London.

If even a few thousand of the wealthiest British expats among 240,000 who live in the UAE come home as a result of the war, it could have a big impact property prices and rents in certain postcodes.

Fuel prices

Petrol and diesel prices have risen sharply, causing fresh misery for motorists here in the UK. And the price of heating oil has doubled, with households in rural areas among those left reeling.

Data from the RAC revealed the nationwide average for unleaded has reached 140.60p a litre. Diesel has risen even faster, surging to 158.23p. The surge has added nearly £9 to the cost of a typical fill-up for a diesel driver, and £3.85 a go for unleaded.

RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “Households, especially those that depend on the car, are under increasing financial pressure as a result of the conflict in the Gulf.

“The average price of a litre of unleaded has now risen by 6%, or nearly 8p, to 140.6p since the start of the conflict and is it at its highest in 18 months. Diesel has rocketed by 12% – or almost 17p – to 159.18p a litre, a price we’ve not seen since November 2023. Filling a family car is now £4 and £9 more than it was less than two weeks ago.

“The fact the cost of a barrel of oil has exceeded $100 and wholesale fuel prices continue to rise is concerning, but it’s the speed at which drivers are feeling the effects which is under the spotlight now.

“Drivers deserve – and should expect – to be treated fairly when it comes to filling up, especially with pump prices still heading north.”

To add to concerns, a report from experts at Fathom Consulting warned a prolonged blockage of the Strait of Hormuz could lead to oil prices above $170 per barrel and a global recession.

Energy bills

Another big threat is a potential surge in energy bills for both households and businesses. As it is, most households are protected for now because of Ofgem’s price cap, which limits how much suppliers can charge per unit of energy.

The cap will actually fall from April 1, with average annual bill coming down by on average £117 a year, to £1,641. That’s mostly due to Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ announcement in the last Budget that an average £150 worth of policy costs were being removed from what customers pay.

This was before events in Middle East blew up, and wholesale costs – which account for the biggest chunk of customers’ bills – soared. The problem will hit when Ofgem’s price cap next changes, in July. It’s early days but the surge in wholesale costs is likely to mean the cap going back up.

The price cap is determined by the average cost of wholesale gas over the next three months. Industry experts Cornwall Insight has estimated the cap could jump back up by £186 a year to around £1,827. That was based on the closing price of gas on March 3, since when prices have risen a further 10%.

Holidays

Even many families’ precious week or so in the sun could cost more this year. The cost of jet fuel has leapt by about 80% since the start of the Middle East crisis a week ago.

The Middle East and its Gulf states is a major source of aviation fuel, accounting for about 50% of Europe’s imports, meaning ticket prices could rise, further fuelling inflation.

Some Brits are putting holiday plans on hold and making big changes because of the Middle East crisis. Leading holiday firm On the Beach reported a “significant” drop in demand from families for getaways to normally popular hotspots Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, and Egypt.

While higher jet fuel prices will put upward pressure on fares, falling demand for certain destinations could work the other way.

Data from the website Travelsupermarket shows people are already making different booking decisions because of events in the Middle East. Online searches for holidays to the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean soared 123% in the first 11 days of March, it said, with Cape Verde and Antigua both doubling. Higher prices for foreign breaks could prompt more people to holiday at home.

Richard Young, chief executive of holiday company selfcatering.co.uk, told the Mirror: “Global uncertainty and rising fuel prices can quickly influence how people plan their holidays, and when overseas trips become more expensive and potentially dangerous, many start looking closer to home. We saw this during the pandemic, periods of airline disruption and previous fuel price spikes, and at times like this interest in self catering breaks tends to rise as they offer families a chance to enjoy a proper getaway with more space and flexibility, without the stress, anxiety, rising costs and unpredictability of travelling abroad.

”Yorkshire Dales and Norfolk – not always at the top of people’s list, but likely to see a spike as people venture out of the hot spots. Northumberland always popular (Alnwick, Bamburgh), Devon popular and crowded (Salcombe, Dartmouth), Cotswolds (expensive anyway but will likely see a further increase), anywhere around the Lakes and Highland hot spots such as Braemar, Fort William and Inverness.”

Insurance

It might not be an obvious impact, but it is claimed the conflict could also drive up the cost of getting your motor insured.

Kara Gammell, car insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket, explains: “The conflict could disrupt supply chains, which in turn could lead to higher shipping costs and make some raw materials used in car parts harder to source. If replacement parts become more expensive or take longer to arrive, repair costs could rise too.

“When insurers set premiums, they look at how much it costs to repair vehicles and settle claims, so any increase in those areas may put some upward pressure on what drivers pay. You might not notice any big changes straightaway, but if your renewal is coming up, it’s always worth shopping around.”

The PSNI are asking the public for help following a midweek burglary in Co Tyrone

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Detectives are appealing for information following the report of a burglary in Cookstown on Wednesday, March 11.The incident was reported to police around 9pm after the resident of a property in the Rathmore area returned home to discover that they had been burgled.Officers attended and it was observed that entry had been gained via the back door of the property which had been smashed. A number of rooms had been disturbed, with jewellery and personal items being stolen during the burglary.

READ MORE: Derry vs Tyrone: Live stream and TV information, throw-in time, betting odds and all you need to know ahead of today’s National Football League Division Two clashREAD MORE: Free street parking on St Patrick’s Day announced for 3 NI cities

The incident is believed to have happened sometime between 11:30am and 9:00pm.Police are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed anything or who may have any information that could assist in the investigation to get in contact on 101 quoting reference 1714 11/03/26.

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Good afternoon and welcome to Telegraph Sport’s live coverage of Ireland vs Scotland from the final round of this year’s Six Nations at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, with both teams still in contention for the title. 

Heading into ‘Super Saturday’, France are top of the pile on 16 points, but they lead Scotland on points difference alone after being stunned by Gregor Townsend’s side at Murrayfield last weekend. 

It is an extremely healthy points-difference advantage for Fabien Gaelthje’s side, though, 58 points better off than Scotland in that respect, which could prove decisive. 

Ireland, meanwhile, start the afternoon in third place, but only two points adrift of the two pace-setters, with a points difference only marginally worse than their opponents this afternoon. 

With France hosting an out-of-sorts England this evening, the title cannot be clinched by full time in Dublin, but the two teams can certainly put some pressure on the defending champions. 

If Scotland can beat Ireland – for the first time since 2017 – and France fail to beat England, the Scots will clinch a first-ever Six Nations title, while a bonus-point win would be enough for Townsend’s men if France win, but without a bonus point.

A 12th successive victory for Andy Farrell’s side against Scotland would almost certainly take them to the top of the standings by full time, and if France then fail to win in Paris, the title could well be going their way. 

However, there is the remarkable scenario in which Ireland could win this afternoon without a bonus point, and France could still retain their title with defeat – and one fewer win than Ireland – should they claim two losing bonus points in the process. 

Both Ireland and Scotland have beaten England and Wales so far this campaign, meaning the Triple Crown title is also up for grabs, with Scotland hoping for their first since 1990. 

There are serious concerns about fire safety

Crucial fire safety works are set to go ahead at a prominent waterfront apartment block in Cardiff. Adventurers Quay, in Cardiff Bay, has received permission to redo its outdated cladding over a potential fire risk at the property.

According to planning documents, a fire engineer was appointed to prepare a “comprehensive” FRAEW (fire risk appraisal for external wall) report which outlined deficiencies that need to be brought up to current standards. The issues identified in the report include insulation that used combustible spandrel panels, insulation with the lowest rating for building materials, other combustible insulation, and “aluminium decorative mullions on spandrel with adhesive bonding”.

The works will be carried out in such a way that allows the building to remain operational throughout the construction period, minimising disruption for residents. Never miss a Cardiff story by signing up to our daily newsletter here

The application reads: “The upgrade of the materials outlined in this document is essential for the long-term safety of the building.

“The design approach is sensitive to the architectural character of the development.”

In addition to the full removal and replacement of the render, cladding and spandrel works, work will also include replacing timber on the balconies.

Internal layouts, doors and window arrangements will remain by any external work the site will undergo.

Originally built in the late 1990s, Adventurers Quay is a gated residential complex containing flats and townhouse properties in Cardiff Bay.

It was built as part of the wider regeneration of the area.

The remedial works will take place on the southern edge of the property.

It is within walking distance of the Cardiff Bay Barrage and Mermaid Quay which consists of retail and restaurant premises.

During the works, site access will remain unchanged from its current state and will continue to operate during the works.

Planning documents read: “Replacing the proposed materials would enhance the visual aspects of the external façade which include giving a renewed look, with durable materials.”