Rosebank Offshore Development Gets Green Light Despite Environmental Outcry
Regulators have sparked fury by approving the Rosebank offshore oil project, 80 miles west of Shetland. Run by Equinor and Ithaca Energy, the scheme will tap into the UK’s largest untapped oil field, boasting a massive 500 million barrels of oil.
The decision sparks fierce debate amid mounting climate worries. Last month, 50 MPs and peers slammed the project in a letter to then-energy secretary Grant Shapps, warning the field could pump out 200 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. They demanded the plans be scrapped, highlighting the hefty taxpayer bill.
The nod comes as the UK government opens the floodgates for more North Sea oil and gas licences, ramping up questions about Britain’s green credentials.
“We have approved the Rosebank Field Development Plan, allowing the owners to proceed,” said a North Sea Transition Authority spokesperson. “Approval aligns with our guidance and considers net-zero impacts throughout the project.”
Critics say this move rekindles the fight over profit versus planet in the UK’s energy future.
Donald Trump Hit With Fraud Ruling Over Property Valuations
Donald Trump suffered a major legal blow as a New York judge ruled he repeatedly inflated his wealth by hundreds of millions. The civil fraud ruling targets Trump, his family, and the Trump Organization, accusing them of cheating banks and insurers.
New York Attorney General Letitia James’s September lawsuit alleges Trump and his two sons exaggerated property values by more than $2 billion to snag better loan deals, insurance, and tax breaks. Trump denies all wrongdoing.
Judge Arthur Engoron’s ruling slams the key fraud claim and shifts the trial focus to six remaining charges and penalty decisions. The trial kicks off on October 2, with James demanding a $250 million fine and barring Trump from doing business in New York.
Hollywood Writers Call Off Five-Month Strike; Actors Stay Out
Hollywood writers have ended their walkout after nearly five months, sealing a new deal that raises pay and limits AI dangers. The Writers Guild of America voted unanimously to call off the strike that began in May but the Screen Actors Guild continues striking since July.
The lengthy stoppage cost the US economy an estimated $5 billion, shuttering hit shows like “Billions,” “The Handmaid’s Tale,” and “Stranger Things.” Now some hit series can return, with HBO’s Bill Maher announcing new “Real Time” episodes soon.
The three-year agreement marks a major breakthrough in a stand-off over fair wages and fighting the rising threat of artificial intelligence in Hollywood.
