North Sea

Iran is shifting its trade routes north to the Caspian Sea as the ongoing war impairs shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, the main artery for its oil and goods exports. The Strait's disruption has forced Tehran to seek alternatives, including transit via northern ports and routes through Central Asian neighbours. The change signals how the conflict is reshaping Iran's commerce and regional logistics.

Iran is exploring moving its oil and trade flows north to Caspian Sea routes as the war and US pressure impair shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, the chokepoint for most of its crude exports. Analysts question whether Caspian corridors, reliant on limited ports and neighbouring states' cooperation, can realistically replace the Gulf route at scale.

North Korea launched an unidentified projectile toward the sea off its east coast, according to South Korea's military in Seoul. The type of weapon fired has not been confirmed. The launch follows a pattern of repeated missile and projectile tests by Pyongyang, which typically draw condemnation from Seoul, Tokyo and Washington and prompt scrutiny of regional security.

North Korea has fired an unidentified projectile toward the sea off its east coast, according to South Korea's military. It is not yet known what type of weapon was launched. The test comes amid ongoing tensions on the Korean peninsula, and officials in Seoul are analysing the launch for further details.

A restaurant manager from Norddeich, a seaside resort on Germany's North Sea coast, has spoken about how he can recognise tourists when they visit his establishment. The remarks have drawn attention locally, as the resort relies heavily on seasonal visitors, and observations about tourist behaviour in North Sea holiday towns tend to resonate with both locals and travellers.

Former Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf has claimed that approving the Rosebank oil field would 'facilitate illegal Israeli settlements' in the West Bank, in comments reported exclusively by The Scotsman. The remarks tie the North Sea drilling debate to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, linking oil extraction to settlements in occupied territory. The intervention is drawing attention amid ongoing controversy over both the Rosebank project's environmental impact and the West Bank situation.

Campaign groups say businesses supporting further North Sea oil and gas drilling are increasingly out of step, amid ongoing debate over the UK government's energy policy. The claim, reported by the Evening Standard, highlights growing tension between industry backing for new drilling licences and environmental campaigners calling for a faster shift to renewable energy.

A quarrel has broken out surrounding restaurant Het Booze Wijf in Lauwersoog, according to reporting by the Leeuwarder Courant. The establishment, located on the Groningen coast near the Wadden Sea, is the subject of an ongoing conflict, though the exact nature of the dispute remains unclear from available reporting. Locals and regional readers in the north of the Netherlands are following the story closely.

A rainbow sea slug has been found in waters outside its usual Mediterranean range, a sighting experts say is a warning sign of warming seas. The colourful nudibranch's presence further north is being read as further evidence that marine species are shifting habitat as ocean temperatures rise, underlining the wider effects of climate change on coastal ecosystems.

Footage is circulating of the Queen Mary 2, Cunard's transatlantic cruise liner, being struck by enormous North Atlantic swells estimated at around 40 feet. The video shows walls of water slamming against the ship's bow during a crossing, drawing reactions from ocean and sailing enthusiasts impressed by the raw power of the sea and the liner's ability to withstand it.

ConocoPhillips is exploring a sale of its Norwegian business and its Teesside asset in the United Kingdom, according to Reuters. The potential divestment would mark a pullback from parts of the company's North Sea portfolio, though no buyers or price expectations have been announced. The news has drawn attention in energy and market circles as investors watch how major oil producers reshape their European assets.

North Korea launched a ballistic missile that flew over 700km into the East Sea, a day after a diplomatic row with South Korea. The launch followed Pyongyang's rejection of Seoul's accusations that mines in the Demilitarized Zone wounded South Korean soldiers. The test escalates tensions on the peninsula and is drawing attention as a sign that the dispute is spilling into military provocation.

North Korea launched a ballistic missile from the port city of Wonsan, firing it toward the sea, according to early reports. The launch is being tracked by regional monitors, with updates noting the projectile was specifically identified as a ballistic missile. Such tests routinely draw condemnation from South Korea, Japan and the United States and raise concerns over escalating tensions on the Korean peninsula.

Typhoon Choi-Wan is tracking northward near the Mariana Islands, bringing strong winds and rough seas to the region, while its outer rain bands are dumping heavy rainfall over parts of the Philippines. Residents and authorities in both areas are monitoring the storm's path closely, with warnings of possible flooding and disruption as the system continues to develop and move.

South Korea's military says North Korea has fired a projectile toward the sea. The launch adds to a string of weapons tests by Pyongyang, and South Korean authorities are analysing the type of projectile and range. Further details, including exact launch location, have not yet been confirmed.

A potentially record-strength El Niño, sometimes called a Super El Niño, may be forming in the Pacific, and analysts are weighing what it could mean for the US housing market. Strong El Niño patterns can shift weather across North America, affecting construction schedules, insurance costs, regional demand and home damage risks. Housing industry watchers are watching sea surface temperatures closely, since a super-sized event could complicate an already strained market.

The UK Prime Minister has been warned that the Rosebank oil field could breach sanctions linked to the West Bank, according to BBC News. The warning raises questions over whether approval or involvement connected to the North Sea field conflicts with UK sanctions obligations. The story touches on energy policy, politics and sanctions enforcement, and is drawing attention amid ongoing debate over new oil and gas projects.

Arctic sea ice reached its lowest extent of the year on 12 September, marking the end of the summer melt season. The figure, reported with reference to the EU's Copernicus monitoring service, is being watched by climate observers as a key indicator of long-term warming in the polar north.

Germany's first offshore wind farm is set to change hands, with Ocean Breeze named as its new owner. The deal concerns the pioneering Alpha Ventus project in the North Sea, a milestone of the country's early offshore wind development. The move highlights continued consolidation and investor interest in Germany's offshore wind sector as the energy transition advances.

The head of EDF's UK operations has described new gas and oil projects in the North Sea as a 'no-brainer', arguing domestic production makes sense. The remarks put the energy company's leadership at odds with climate campaigners and add fuel to the ongoing debate over Britain's licensing of new fossil fuel developments amid net zero targets.

Lidl is moving forward with a development on the German island of Sylt that combines a supermarket with residential housing, putting retail and living space on one site. The project reflects a broader push in tight housing markets to build homes above or alongside commercial premises, and it is drawing attention on the popular North Sea holiday island.

A Chinese expedition to the Arctic Ocean has returned with new discoveries, according to a report carried by TV Brics. The findings add to China's growing scientific presence in the polar north, where several countries are expanding research into climate change, sea ice and ocean conditions. Details of the specific discoveries were not immediately given in the report.

Green Party leader Zack Polanski has written to Foreign Secretary David Miliband urging him to block the development of the Rosebank oil field, citing the project's ties to Israel. Israeli-controlled Ithaca Energy holds a 20% stake in the North Sea field. The call links climate policy with the Israel debate, drawing attention amid ongoing controversy over UK energy licensing.

The Royal Navy frigate HMS Portland has test-fired the Naval Strike Missile and Sea Venom anti-ship missiles during exercises in the North Atlantic, demonstrating the ship's upgraded strike capabilities. The firings showcase the frigate's ability to engage surface targets at range, and come amid heightened NATO naval activity and monitoring of Russian vessels in northern waters.

The University of North Carolina Wilmington held a conference bringing together innovators to address coastal challenges such as erosion, sea-level rise and storm impacts. The event aimed to connect researchers, entrepreneurs and community leaders working on solutions for vulnerable coastlines. Details on specific projects or outcomes discussed at the conference were not immediately available.