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UK

Fuel theft surges across UK as rising prices drive daily losses

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Fuel theft

LONDON: Petrol stations across the United Kingdom are losing an estimated £200,000 worth of fuel every day as thefts have risen sharply amid higher fuel prices, according to industry data.

Analysis by fuel theft prevention company Forecourt Eye found that incidents of drivers leaving petrol stations without paying increased by 20% in the five months following the onset of the Iran-related fuel crisis, compared with the previous five-month period.

The company said higher fuel prices have pushed the daily value of stolen petrol up by 48% to an average of £194,000 across the UK’s 8,359 petrol stations.

Forecourt Eye reported a 23% increase in first-time fuel theft offenders, while repeat offenders rose by between 17% and 20%. The volume of stolen fuel also increased by 26%, based on reports from 550 representative petrol stations nationwide.

Average petrol prices have climbed to around 160 pence per litre, up 27 pence from pre-crisis levels, while diesel prices have reached 179 pence per litre, an increase of 37 pence.

To help tackle the problem, Forecourt Eye said it will provide free anti-theft technology to customers, including a facial recognition alert system designed to identify suspected fuel thieves.

Petrol Retailers Association Executive Director Gordon Balmer said incidents of abuse against petrol station staff have also increased, despite employees having no control over rising fuel prices.

UK imposes emergency measures as severe drought triggers water restrictions

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UK imposes

LONDON: The United Kingdom has introduced emergency measures amid severe drought conditions and growing concerns over water shortages, with restrictions imposed on water usage across several areas.

According to reports, more than 20 million people in the UK have been affected by restrictions on the use of garden hoses, including residents in London.

Authorities have banned the use of hoses for watering gardens, washing vehicles, and filling swimming pools as part of efforts to conserve water supplies.

Violators of the hosepipe restrictions could face fines of up to £1,000, officials said. The measures come after prolonged heatwaves and below-average rainfall placed significant pressure on water reservoirs.

Several regions, including the Thames Valley, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Devon, Cornwall, Wessex, and West Midlands, have been affected by drought conditions.

Experts warned that if rainfall does not return soon, the water shortage could worsen, creating serious impacts on agriculture, the environment, and daily life.

UK calls for FIFA investigation over Argentina’s Falkland’s banner

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UK calls

LONDON: Britain has called on FIFA to investigate Argentina after its players displayed a banner referring to the disputed Falkland Islands following their victory over England in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinal.

After Argentina’s 2-1 win, players celebrated with a banner reading “Las Malvinas Son Argentinas” (“The Falkland Islands are Argentine”), reviving the decades-old sovereignty dispute between the two countries.

British Business Secretary Peter Kyle said displaying political messages on the field could violate FIFA regulations, which prohibit political statements and symbols during official competitions.

He urged world football’s governing body to conduct a full investigation and take appropriate action if rules were breached.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office also backed calls for an inquiry, saying that while England may have lost its place in the World Cup final, “the Falkland Islands are British.”

The Falkland Islands, known as Islas Malvinas in Argentina, have been disputed by the two countries for decades. Argentina invaded the islands in 1982 before Britain regained control following a 74-day war that killed 649 Argentine and 255 British military personnel.

FIFA had not issued an official response to the incident as of Thursday. Meanwhile, Argentina’s Foreign Minister Pablo Kirno said the government had lodged a diplomatic protest with Britain over the reported movement of the Royal Navy vessel HMS Medway near the Falkland Islands.

The latest dispute follows comments by Argentine Vice President Victoria Villarruel, who referred to Britain as an occupying power ahead of the semifinal, further escalating tensions.

UK deploys fighter jets to Qatar amid rising US-Iran tensions

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UK deploys fighter jets

LONDON / DOHA: The United Kingdom has deployed four Typhoon fighter jets to Qatar in response to escalating tensions between Iran and the United States, British media reported.

According to the UK Ministry of Defence, the jets have been sent to Qatar strictly for defensive purposes.

The move comes after US President Donald Trump told journalists aboard Air Force One that a large US force is moving toward Iran, with several aircraft en route, as a precautionary measure near Iranian territory. He added, “We’ll see what happens next.”

Earlier, President Trump stated that the US would not launch further military action against Iran, but warned that any restart of Iran’s nuclear program would prompt a response.

UK faces harsh winter spell with temperatures dropping below -12°C

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UK faces harsh winter

LONDON: The United Kingdom is witnessing record-breaking cold nights, with minimum temperatures dropping to historic lows across several regions.

According to media reports, the temperature in Marham, Norfolk, fell to minus 12.5°C overnight, marking one of the coldest nights recorded this winter. The severe cold has significantly disrupted daily life, particularly affecting schools and transportation.

Foreign media reports state that due to extreme winter conditions, children’s Christmas holidays have been extended, while hundreds of schools remained closed for a second consecutive day. Commuters travelling by road, rail, and air are also facing serious difficulties.

British media further reported that, calls for assistance due to car breakdowns surged by 40 percent, highlighting the impact of freezing conditions on vehicles.

In northern Scotland, heavy snowfall has led to major disruptions in rail services, which are not expected to return to normal until later in the evening. Eurostar services between London and the Netherlands have also been affected, with trains reportedly unable to travel beyond Brussels.

Additionally, severe snowfall has forced the cancellation of flights at Aberdeen and Inverness airports, while Liverpool John Lennon Airport has been temporarily closed to passengers.

Authorities have urged the public to exercise caution, as freezing temperatures and snow continue to pose risks across the UK.

Illegal migrants in UK to wait 30 years for permanent residency

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Illegal migrants

LONDON: The United Kingdom(UK) has announced major changes to its immigration rules following a revision of its asylum policy, significantly extending the timeline for obtaining permanent residency.

Under the new proposals, immigrants who arrive legally in the UK may have to wait up to 20 years for permanent residency, while those entering illegally could face a wait of up to 30 years.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, addressing Parliament, said that applicants seeking permanent residency must meet strict requirements: they must have no criminal record, demonstrate A-Level standard English proficiency, and must not owe any debt within the country. The revised rules will also apply to individuals already living in the UK.

According to the proposed framework, the settlement period will vary based on category. Mahmood stated that the minimum residence requirement before applying for settlement will increase from five years to ten years for most categories.

However, doctors and nurses serving within the NHS will remain eligible to apply after five years, while highly skilled individuals may qualify through a fast-track route, and high-income professionals or entrepreneurs may apply after three years.

Shabana Mahmood said her aim is to replace the UK’s “broken immigration system” with one that is fair and focused on integration, adding that her own parents migrated to Britain in search of a better life before becoming citizens.