
NORWAY announced approval of 19 oil and gas projects off its continental shelf today, dismaying environmental campaigners.
Petroleum and Energy Minister Terje Aasland said the 200 billion kroner (£14.6bn) investment would be “an important contribution to Europe’s energy security,” helping reduce dependence on Russian imports.
Norway, western Europe’s only net exporter of oil and gas, saw its revenues from the fossil fuel exports more than triple in 2022 to 1.5 trillion kroner (£110bn) compared to 498bn (£36bn) in 2021, as sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine led to soaring prices and rising demand.

Morning Star editor BEN CHACKO reports from the start of Kunming’s Belt and Road media forum, where 200 journalists from 71 countries celebrated a new openness and optimism, forged by China’s enormous contribution to global development

Morning Star editor BEN CHACKO reports on TUC Congress discussions on how to confront the far right and rebuild the left’s appeal to workers