The Trump administration is set to meet with U.S. oil company executives later this week to discuss the potential increase of Venezuelan oil production after the ousting of President Nicolas Maduro.
The meetings aim to facilitate the return of major U.S. oil companies, including Exxon Mobil, ConocoPhillips, and Chevron, to the country, following the nationalization of U.S.-led energy operations nearly two decades ago. Despite Trump’s claims of prior talks, oil executives have denied having any discussions regarding operations in Venezuela.
The administration hopes to invest in Venezuela’s oil infrastructure, which has been severely impacted by sanctions and underinvestment. However, analysts warn that rebuilding the industry will take years and require significant financial commitments.
Researchers at Princeton and North Carolina State University have developed a technique that substantially improves the ability to convert low-energy light into a high-energy version. The method has immediate applications in lighting and…
There are just a few days left to have your say on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Greater Essex.
The Government’s consultation invites the views of residents, businesses, partners and those working in the area. It closes at midnight on on Sunday 11 January 2026.
Our proposal, supported by Braintree District Council and Epping Forest District Council – ‘Three new councils, one bright future’ – is one of four proposals being consulted on. It recommends moving from the current 15-council structure to a more streamlined, sustainable model of three new unitary councils.
All proposals were submitted to Government on 26 September 2025 following extensive collaboration, evidence gathering and engagement across Greater Essex.
After reviewing all four submissions against set evaluation criteria, Government confirmed they would invite views on all of them.
Councillor Kevin Bentley, Leader of Essex County Council, said: “We are one step closer to creating a more effective, empowered and community focused local government system.
“This consultation is a vital opportunity for people across Greater Essex to tell the Government what they think of the proposals and I would urge them to have their say before the deadline on Sunday.”
The Government is expected to decide on the final model for Greater Essex in the spring.
Find out how to take part in the consultation.
Read all the LGR proposals for Greater Essex submitted to the Government.
Six people have died as snow, ice and freezing temperatures continue to wreak havoc across parts of Europe.
Authorities in the Landes region of south-west France said three people died and 15 were injured in road accidents on Tuesday, while two more were killed in accidents in the Paris area. One driver died in hospital on Monday night after veering into the Marne River and another was killed after a collision with a heavy goods vehicle in the east of the French capital.
In the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo, a woman died on Monday after a snow-covered tree branch fell on her head.
Many flights will be cancelled from Paris’s two main airports, Roissy-Charles de Gaulle and Orly, early on Wednesday to allow ground crews to clear snow from runways and de-ice planes. About 40% of flights at Charles de Gaulle were expected to be scrapped and 25% at Orly.
Snowfall has blanketed Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images
Paris awoke on Tuesday to a blanket of snow on rooftops and monuments.
In the Netherlands, hundreds of flights were cancelled at Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport as staff worked to clear runways and de-ice planes. Rail travellers in the country faced chaos after domestic services were suspended early on Tuesday due to an IT outage, compounding the disruption caused by the weather.
Utrecht central station after rail services in the Netherlands were suspended early on Tuesday due to an IT outage. Photograph: ANP/Shutterstock
Eurostar services to Paris from Amsterdam were either cancelled or running late.
Freezing temperatures have gripped much of Europe, with the thermometer plunging well below -10C (14F) in south and east Germany early on Tuesday. German meteorologists have forecast a storm in the country on Friday, with heavy snowfall expected in the north and east.
In Britain, temperatures fell to -12.5C overnight, with snow disrupting rail, road and air travel and forcing the closure of hundreds of schools across northern regions.
Temperatures in lowland areas of northern Italy have fallen below freezing, with snow expected in the medium- to low-altitude areas of Emilia-Romagna, Marche and Tuscany on Tuesday.
Bologna in Italy. Temperatures in lowland areas of the north of the country have fallen below freezing. Photograph: Guido Calamosca/LaPresse/Shutterstock
Central and southern regions in Italy are experiencing mild winds that are bringing heavy rain. Incessant rain in Rome has swollen the banks of the Tiber River, putting a dampener on Pope Leo’s Epiphany blessing in St Peter’s Square, which was only partly full as a few thousand people crowded under umbrellas.
Roberto Gualtieri, the mayor of Rome, issued an ordinance for Tuesday limiting public access to parks and other areas at risk of falling trees and flooding. Two huge pine trees have fallen in recent days due to the severe weather in the Italian capital – one on Via dei Fori Imperiali, close to the Colosseum, the other on Via Appia Nuova.
Parisians ski and sledge down snowy Montmartre slope – video
Heavy snow and heavy rain have swept through Balkan countries, swelling rivers and causing traffic problems and disrupting power and water supplies.
In Serbia, some local authorities in the country’s west introduced emergency measures due to the severe weather while warning drivers to take care as many set off toward skiing resorts or elsewhere for Orthodox Christmas on Wednesday and the upcoming weekend.
People walk in Maksimir park in Zagreb, Croatia. Photograph: Antonio Bronić/Reuters
Heavy wind and stormy seas have battered the Adriatic coastline in Croatia and Montenegro.
Retired Senior Master Sgt. Michael Currey, a former Air Force Independent Duty Medical Technician, spent the afternoon answering questions and sharing stories about his experiences from decades ago with IDMT course instructors…
