The country said it was to cease membership of both groups at the end of the month, arguing the decision would give it greater flexibility to chart its own path under its "long-term strategic and economic vision". The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries has been around since 1960. It expanded in 2016 to include the interests of Russia and other producers outside the Middle East but not the United States. Money latest: John Lewis's WFH message to partners These two groups collectively wield huge influence by setting production levels aimed at creating a semblance of balance between supply and demand in the market. That balance is supposed to produce price stability but the US-Iran war has brought tensions to the surface alongside the supply shock caused by Tehran's closure of the key Strait of Hormuz shipping route. Gulf states' energy infrastructure has also been targeted by Iran. They are reeling from the lost energy revenue and the repair bills which lie ahead despite some limited relief from oil price hikes to above $110 a barrel. In the case of the UAE, its two most powerful states, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, have suffered wider business damage from safety fears linked to the war, with Dubai's £60bn tourism sector currently in effective hibernation. By leaving the Vienna-based OPEC cartels, the UAE will have the freedom to set its own production limits and be free of the influence exerted by OPEC's dominant member, Saudi Arabia. Relations between the pair have become increasingly difficult as each diversifies from a dependency on oil and gas. Dubai began that shift decades ago but neighbour Saudi Arabia has only increasingly moved to hard to compete for foreign investment under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. A UAE-Saudi coalition to fight Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels in 2015 broke down last year. The UAE's statement said: "This decision reflects the UAE's long-term strategic and economic vision and evolving energy profile, including accelerated investment in domestic energy production, and reinforces its commitment to a responsible, reliable, and forward-looking role in global energy markets. "Following its exit, the UAE will continue to act responsibly, bringing additional production to market in a gradual and measured manner, aligned with demand and market conditions," the country added. Oil market experts were more forthright over the implications, flagging that the UAE's exit would take OPEC's share of the market below 30%. Saul Kavonic, head of energy research at MST Financial, said it was "the beginning of the end of OPEC". "With the UAE leaving, OPEC loses about 15% of its capacity and one of its most compliant members. "Saudi Arabia will struggle to keep the rest of OPEC together, and effectively have to do most of the heavy lifting regarding internal compliance and market management on its own." While Jorge Leon, an analyst at energy market research specialists Rystad, said of the UAE's decision: "Alongside Saudi Arabia, it is one ‌of the few members with meaningful spare capacity - the mechanism through which the group exerts ‌market influence. "While near-term effects may be muted given ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, the longer-term implication is ⁠a structurally weaker OPEC. "Outside the group, the UAE ​would have both the incentive and ​the ability to increase production, raising ⁠broader questions about the sustainability of Saudi Arabia's role as the market's ⁠central stabiliser and pointing to ​a potentially more volatile oil ​market as OPEC's capacity to smooth supply imbalances diminishes," he wrote.

The plot was thwarted but authorities still had to cancel three performances by the pop superstar in August 2024. The 21-year-old man, referred to as Beran A - as his full name cannot be published due to Austria's privacy rules - pleaded guilty to charges related to the terror plot. It is unclear what other charges he may have pleaded guilty to. Beran A faced charges including terror offences and membership of a terrorist organisation. He was arrested on 7 August 2024, the day before the first of three planned concerts. His defence solicitor previously said he planned to plead guilty to most of the charges. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison. Beran A is facing trial alongside Arda K, a Slovak national. They, along with a third man, planned to carry out simultaneous attacks in Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the UAE during Ramadan in 2024, authorities say. Beran A and Arda K did not carry out their attacks, and only Beran A is charged in connection with the Taylor Swift plot. Speaking at the start of his questioning by the presiding judge, Beran A said: "I plead guilty ⁠in part." When asked if he pleaded guilty to the charges relating to the planned concert attack, he said: "Yes." Authorities say he planned to target onlookers outside Ernst Happel Stadium - where up to 30,000 were expected to gather each night, with another 65,000 inside the venue - with knives or homemade explosives. He hoped to "kill as many people as possible", authorities said previously. Beran A is suspected of networking with other members of the ISIS terror group before his planned attack. Prosecutors said they discussed purchasing weapons and making bombs, and that Beran A also sought to illegally buy weapons, including a machine gun and a hand grenade, in the days ahead of the performance. Read more from Sky News:Mexican cartel leader capturedAt least 14 dead in Indonesia train crash Bomb-making materials were found at his apartment on the day before the concerts were scheduled to begin. "Having our Vienna shows cancelled was devastating," Swift wrote in a statement posted to Instagram two weeks later. "The reason for the cancellations filled me with a new sense of fear, and a tremendous amount of guilt because so many people had planned on coming to those shows." The trial is expected to last until 12 May.

Bridget Phillipson told Mornings with Ridge and Frost there would be "more action to keep young people safe online, including around social media". It will include restrictions on age or functionality, she added. However, she said there were no specific details yet because the government was still consulting with campaigners and families on what exactly the restrictions will look like. The House of Lords has proposed a complete social media ban for under-16s, but MPs have overturned that, saying that the government consultation needs to conclude first. Lords voted in support of a ban for a fourth time on Monday afternoon. But ministers proposed further amendments to end the stand-off with peers over the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill. Read more from Sky News:Judgement day for StarmerIran war could hit holidays, PM says Education minister Olivia Bailey told the Commons "some form of age or functionality restriction" will be brought in. Conservative shadow education secretary Laura Trott described the government's latest proposals as a "huge step forward in keeping children safe". Speaking to the Commons after the latest vote, Ms Bailey said ministers had "listened carefully to the concerns raised across both Houses about the importance of the government acting swiftly once the consultation has concluded". Read more: The countries that have social media bans She added: "The government has said repeatedly that it is a question of how we act, not if, but to put it beyond any doubt, we are playing a clear statutory requirement that the secretary of state must, rather than may, act following the consultation. "This brings forward regulations without pre-empting the consultation's outcomes and does not ignore the tens of thousands of parents and children who have already engaged with us." The education minister then said that "the status quo cannot continue" and added: "We are clear that under any outcome, we will impose some form of age or functionality restrictions for children under 16. "I can also confirm that consideration of restrictions such as curfews will be in addition, not instead of this." 'Huge step forward' The House of Lords voted 316 to 165 in favour of Conservative former minister Lord Nash's amendment to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which would have introduced an outright ban on social media for those under 16 years old. The Conservatives have been calling for a ban for months. It would see the UK follow in the footsteps of Australia, while other countries in Europe – including France and Spain – consider similar restrictions. Speaking before Monday's developments in parliament, a cabinet minister told Sky News a decision on a ban would come before the end of the year. Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said ministers would "act relatively quickly" once the government's consultation concluded in a few weeks.

The Atletico Madrid manager confirmed the interest at his press conference before the two sides meet in Wednesday's Champions League semi-final first leg at Metropolitano Stadium. "I'm not inside Julian Alvarez's head," he said when asked about reports linking him with the Gunners. "It's normal that an extraordinary player like Julian Alvarez is wanted by Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona. Transfer Centre LIVE! | Latest on YOUR PL club!Sky Sports Rewards - tickets, offers and moreDownload the Sky Sports app for expert analysis & best videoNo Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW "It's normal because he's very good." Alvarez has scored 48 goals in 104 games for Atletico Madrid since his £82m move from Manchester City, where he won back-to-back Premier League titles and was part of the 2022/23 treble. The 26-year-old is known to Arsenal's sporting director Andrea Berta, who oversaw his move to Atletico from the Etihad Stadium. Alvarez, who also won the World Cup with Argentina in 2022, has sat out of Atletico's last two games due to a minor injury but is expected to feature against Arsenal. The Gunners added Viktor Gyokeres to their front line last summer but the former Sporting striker, their top scorer this season with 18 goals, was dropped in favour of Kai Havertz before the Germany international picked up an injury against Newcastle. Sky Sports News understands Arsenal plan to be active in the summer transfer market and intend to add a forward, a central midfielder and a full-back. Atletico's asking price for Alvarez revealed Atletico do not want to sell the Argentina international and – even if he asked to leave – they value him at £130m. Alvarez is focused on winning the Champions League with Atletico and then the World Cup with his country. A source close to the situation has indicated Alvarez's preference, if he were to leave Atletico, would be joining Barcelona. However, other sources in Spain have cast doubt on whether he has a preference at all given the unlikelihood of a transfer this summer. Simeone aiming to make history Like Arsenal, Atletico head into Wednesday's game hoping to win the Champions League for the first time in their history. This is their fourth semi-final appearance under Simeone. "It's extraordinary that Atletico Madrid is in a Champions League semi-final again after nine years, and after doing it for the fourth time in 14 years, if I'm not mistaken," he said. "That really is wonderful, it's incredible. And I think that faith, the excitement, the contagiousness that our people transmit to us will do us a lot of good. "In terms of pressure, I don't feel the pressure. It is exciting to be as close as we are. We have never achieved it before. "It is a special excitement. Leadership defines these games and we need to be ready and take the game to where we believe we can punish them. We will have a very tough game, against a fantastic rival and we are very excited about it." Atletico were beaten 4-0 by Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium during the league phase in October and Simeone is wary of their dead-ball threat in particular. "We are going to face a tough game with a very good opponent and with a set-piece strategy that is very well worked," he said. "Let's go with all the excitement. "I don't think football owes anyone anything. Things are deserved and achieved and for that you have to work and seek them, and obviously have luck behind you too." Atletico captain Koke, whose contract is due to expire at the end of the season, also expressed his excitement at the challenge ahead against Arsenal. He said: "In the lead-up to these games, we are always excited. We feel butterflies in our stomach. "It is just like a first date. Then once you start warming up, it's all gone, it's just a football game, and you are as excited as you would be for any semi-final. "We expect a very strong Arsenal side. This is a Champions League semi-final and that is how we approach it."

A decision was made to stop using the Ajax after soldiers became unwell from noise and vibration during a training exercise in November. It came weeks after the minister, Luke Pollard, said the £6.3bn programme had "left its troubles behind" and declared the vehicle was ready to be deployed on operations. In a written statement published on Thursday, Mr Pollard said an investigation found "a combination of factors" was likely to have caused the symptoms reported by soldiers - including techincal issues, variability in training and experience, cold exposure and air quality in the Ajax. He said all personnel who reported issues during Exercise Titan Storm in Hampshire in November have returned to normal duties and the majority suffered "temporary symptoms". "I have now agreed to restart the acceptance of vehicles from [the manufacturer] General Dynamics. However, I accept that the experience for our soldiers using Ajax has not been good enough and that is not acceptable," he said. "I have implemented strict new controls on the reintroduction of the Ajax vehicles that is focused on providing a significantly improved user experience. "We have been engaging extensively and directly with our soldiers throughout this process - their experiences matter and they are shaping much of what we do next. "As a result, we are considering a phased approach to restarting the Ajax programme." Read more from Sky News:Man arrested after shootings leave several wounded in AthensJimmy Kimmel responds as Trumps call for his sacking The first phase will include the restarting of trials with a limited number of vehicles under "very controlled circumstances", he said. The Ajax was originally intended to enter service in 2017, but it suffered long delays after the soldiers became unwell.

Jam Master Jay, who was part of the group Run-DMC and whose real name was Jason Mizell, was fatally shot in the head in his New York recording studio in 2002. It was one of hip hop's most infamous killings, along with those of rap icons Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G. On Monday, Jay Bryant, 52, pleaded guilty to a federal murder charge, telling a judge that he helped other people get into a recording studio to ambush the DJ. "I knew a gun was going to be used to shoot Jason Mizell," Bryant told a federal magistrate. "I knew that what I was doing was wrong and a crime." His murder was motivated by a dispute over a drug deal, according to federal prosecutors. Bryant, who is being tried in Brooklyn, could face up to 20 years in prison. In 2024, two men - Mizell's godson Karl Jordan and his childhood friend Ronald Washington - were convicted of killing the DJ, with Jordan said to have fired the fatal shot, according to the prosecution. During the earlier trial, prosecutors claimed Jordan and Washington carried out an "execution" that was "motivated by greed and by revenge". But last year, a US federal judge overturned Jordan's conviction, ruling that prosecutors had ‌failed to satisfactorily prove their case. Washington has also challenged his conviction. Run-DMC - made up of Mizell, Darryl "DMC" McDaniels and Joseph Simmons, known as DJ Run and Rev Run - helped take hip-hop into the pop mainstream in the 1980s with hits including It's Tricky, My Adidas and a cover of Aerosmith's Walk This Way. They were the first rap group with gold and platinum-selling albums, a Rolling Stone cover, and a video on MTV. They were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2009. Despite the band's anti-drug message, Mizell turned to dealing cocaine to help fund his music career as his showbiz success waned in the 1990s, the court heard. Prosecutors say it was a 2002 cocaine deal worth $200,000 that caused the disagreement, which led to Mizell's death. Bryant is accused of opening a locked fire-escape door, allowing Jordan and Washington to enter Mizell's New York ⁠City recording studio. Read more:Hunt for suspect, 89, after Athens shootingCounter terror police probing suspected arson Evidence against Bryant includes his DNA on a hat at the crime scene and witness testimony that Bryant once claimed he fired the gun himself, the court heard. Bryant, who had little, if any, connection to Mizell, was added to the murder indictment nearly three years after the arrests of Jordan and Washington and was already jailed on a separate drug and gun case. A sentencing date has yet to be set.

A decision was made to stop using the Ajax after soldiers became unwell from noise and vibration during a training exercise in November. It came weeks after the minister, Luke Pollard, said the £6.3bn programme had "left its troubles behind" and declared the vehicle was ready to be deployed on operations. In a written statement published on Thursday, Mr Pollard said an investigation found "a combination of factors" was likely to have caused the symptoms reported by soldiers - including techincal issues, variability in training and experience, cold exposure and air quality in the Ajax. He said all personnel who reported issues during Exercise Titan Storm in Hampshire in November have returned to normal duties and the majority suffered "temporary symptoms". "I have now agreed to restart the acceptance of vehicles from [the manufacturer] General Dynamics. However, I accept that the experience for our soldiers using Ajax has not been good enough and that is not acceptable," he said. "I have implemented strict new controls on the reintroduction of the Ajax vehicles that is focused on providing a significantly improved user experience. "We have been engaging extensively and directly with our soldiers throughout this process - their experiences matter and they are shaping much of what we do next. "As a result, we are considering a phased approach to restarting the Ajax programme." Read more from Sky News:Man arrested after shootings leave several wounded in AthensJimmy Kimmel responds as Trumps call for his sacking The first phase will include the restarting of trials with a limited number of vehicles under "very controlled circumstances", he said. The Ajax was originally intended to enter service in 2017, but it suffered long delays after the soldiers became unwell.

United are closing in on a Champions League return after tightening their grip on a qualifying position with a 2-1 win over Brentford at Old Trafford on Monday. With four Premier League games remaining, third-placed United are now 11 points clear of sixth-placed Brighton and could make their qualification certain next weekend, when they face rivals Liverpool. Man Utd 2-1 Brentford - Match report and highlightsAs it happened | Teams | Stats | Live Premier League table Interim boss Carrick has now overseen nine wins in 13 games since taking charge in January and Carragher expects himto keep the job after a series of "sensational results". The former Liverpool defender said on Sky Sports: "He's going to be the Manchester United manager, certainly next season, no doubt about that - and you can't say he doesn't deserve it. "They are absolutely sensational results. They're the results of a title-winning team, or a team going for the league. "Now I know that pressure isn't on Manchester United right now, they haven't got European fixtures, all these other things will come into it, but I don't think anybody could have come in and done any better results-wise." "The biggest criticism of Ruben Amorin was that he never adapted, Carrick has shown he can adapt." Transfer Centre LIVE! | Man Utd news & transfers🔴Man Utd fixtures & scores | FREE Man Utd PL highlights▶️Got Sky? Watch Man Utd games LIVE on your phone📱Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW📺'Results under Carrick speak for themselves' Harry Maguire speaking to Sky Sports about the secret to Michael Carrick's success: "I think obviously the results help that the feeling [of confidence about Michael Carrick] massively. We had two tough fixtures when Michael first come in, and I think everyone was probably looking at them thinking 'oh no', with Arsenal and Man City, and we managed to get the six points. "Everyone's believed in it, and we've gathered together. We've got the confidence. We know that we can score goals from anywhere. I think we can still get a lot better at this formation as well. I think we can work as a back force, slide across the pitch a lot quicker, like we should have done. "The results speak for themselves, since the manager has come in, and the formation has changed, we just seemed to pick up results. I think that the games previous, when Ruben was here, the games were 50/50, but we always ended up on the back of a defeat. "Now it seems like it's the other way around, where we're a lot better in both boxes. We defend our box a lot better, and we're managing to be clinical in the other box." Neville: Carrick getting the maximum out of the United players Sky Sports' Gary Neville on The Gary Neville Podcast: "I think if Michael Carrick was speaking honestly, I think what he'd say at the moment is that he's getting the absolute maximum out of this group of players. "Is it 29 points now in 13 games since he came here? That's a brilliant job. It is a really brilliant job because they played fantastically well in those first two games against City and Arsenal. I mean, it was absolutely amazing. "Those two performances, they really were fantastic, but they've not really hit that height since. They're getting over the line in games now where they're not playing as well. And that's something that you've got to do. "I think you'll realise when he looks at the group of players out on the pitch, he said before the game that he thinks about the long term future of the club, even if he's not here at the end of the season, which I think he is more than likely to be. "What he did in the second half was saying, 'I've got the tactical nous to do this. It's not just about doing it one way. I can shut down a game,' which he very nearly succeeded in doing. Saying 'I'm a serious manager in other ways.' "I think he's proven that he's been agile in games. I mean, if Brentford had got level, you know, he'd have come under an enormous amount of criticism for going to that system. In hindsight, after a few minutes he said, 'this is working.' United's compactness wasn't as good as it should have been in that first half. And Michael Carrick will have seen that and he'll have thought, 'right, okay, I can't take that risk'." Carrick happy to see Man Utd sitting 'in good position' after latest win Meanwhile, Carrick recognises Manchester United are now "in a good position" after taking another step closer to Champions League qualification with victory over Brentford. United could now clinch a return to Europe's top competition when they host another of the contenders, rivals Liverpool, live on Sky Sports on Sunday. Carrick told Sky Sports: "It's another win. We've obviously got an important game coming up with the weekend, so we can look forward to that. "It's a big game for different reasons but we've put ourselves in a good position." Brentford fought back in the second half and struck late on through Mathias Jensen but United held on. Carrick said: "We could have scored more but it's the time of year when it's a result business. We needed to take the points and we've had a fantastic two games on the back of the Leeds defeat."