Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has announced the Labour government's plan to introduce legislation that would permanently ban fracking across the United Kingdom. The announcement, made during Miliband's speech at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, represents a significant escalation from the current moratorium that has been in place since 2019. The proposed law would enshrine the prohibition in statute, making it substantially more difficult for future governments to reverse the policy.

Fracking, formally known as hydraulic fracturing, involves drilling deep into the earth and injecting a high-pressure mixture of water, sand, and chemicals to fracture shale rock and release natural gas. The practice has proven controversial in Britain due to concerns about seismic activity, with the Oil and Gas Authority concluding in 2019 that accurately predicting earthquake risks was not possible. The temporary ban was briefly lifted under Prime Minister Liz Truss in 2022 but was quickly reinstated by her successor, Rishi Sunak.

The Labour government's move sets up a direct confrontation with Reform UK, which has championed the revival of fracking as part of its energy platform. Miliband stated the legislation would be introduced "at the earliest opportunity" as part of the North Sea transition plan scheduled for publication this autumn. The energy secretary emphasized that the ban would protect the 187 constituencies situated above shale gas areas from potential drilling operations.

Environmental campaigners have welcomed the announcement, with Veronica Hawking, campaigns director at 38 Degrees, calling it "an amazing result for our environment, our local communities, and the thousands of committed people and groups right across the country who've spent years fighting for fracking to be banned for good." The legislation would require any future government seeking to reverse the ban to secure parliamentary approval, a politically challenging task given the widespread opposition to fracking in affected constituencies.

Police in Newry are investigating a violent altercation that occurred outside the Buttercrane Shopping Centre on Francis Street on Saturday evening. The incident, which involved a group of young males, took place at approximately 5:40 pm on October 18, prompting emergency services to respond to the scene.

Three teenagers were arrested in connection with the disturbance, including two 17-year-olds and one 16-year-old. Law enforcement officials confirmed the arrests were made on suspicion of multiple offenses, including attempted grievous bodily harm with intent, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and possession of an offensive weapon.

Two of the detained males, aged 16 and 17, have been released on bail pending further police inquiries, while the other 17-year-old was released unconditionally. The Police Service of Northern Ireland continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the altercation that began at the shopping center and continued onto the adjacent street.

Authorities are particularly concerned about a male youth believed to have been assaulted during the incident who left the scene before officers arrived. Inspector Ritchie stated that police have concerns for the individual's wellbeing and are urging him to come forward. Witnesses or anyone with dash-cam or CCTV footage are asked to contact Ardmore police station quoting reference number 1120 of 18/10/25.