After seizures, sanctions and collapse, can Venezuela ever win back Big Oil’s trust?
US President Donald Trump says removing President Nicolas Maduro is about reclaiming Venezuela’s oil. But as Washington pushes for access, major oil companies are hesitating. Why is Venezuela being labeled “uninvestable,” and what does that skepticism reveal about power, instability and the future of Venezuela’s vast oil reserves?
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Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé and Melanie Marich, with Tamara Khandaker, and our host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Ney Alvarez and Noor Wazwaz.
Wu Yize produced a devastating exhibition of potting to thrash an out-of-sorts Xiao Guodong 6-0 as he progressed into the semi-finals of the Masters at Alexandra Palace.
The 22-year-old opened the match with a superb 112 break and followed up with a 93 and 60 as he established a commanding 4-0 lead over his Chinese compatriot at the mid-session interval.
It was a far from faultless display from debutant Wu, who won his first ranking title at the International Championship in November.
However, he was aided considerably by the performance of his practice partner Xiao, who looked a shadow of the player that defeated Mark Selby 6-2 in the first round.
World number 11 Xiao had opportunities in the first frame but when he missed a routine blue to the middle and split the pack for his opponent it set the tone for the entire match, with some terrible misses and poor safety contributing greatly to his downfall.
Wu constructed a break of 84 as he took the fifth frame and rounded off a comprehensive victory with a run of 97.
“It is definitely a dream stage for me from since I was a little kid,” Wu told BBC Sport.”
“I just told myself to enjoy every moment of this match and give my best and obviously it is a great performance.”
Five pro-Palestinian activists have pleaded not guilty to breaking into a British military airbase and damaging two planes in protest against the UK’s support for Israel’s war in Gaza.
The five are accused of breaking into the Brize Norton Royal Air Force base in central England in June and spraying red paint over two Voyager aircraft used for refuelling and transport.
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The campaign group Palestine Action, which has since been banned by the government, said it was behind the incident.
Lewie Chiaramello, Jon Cink, Amy Gardiner-Gibson, Daniel Jeronymides-Norie and Muhammad Umer Khalid appeared on Friday at London’s Old Bailey court by videolink from prison.
They pleaded not guilty to damaging property for a purpose prejudicial to the interests or safety of the United Kingdom. Their trial is due to start in January 2027.
No applications for bail were made, despite it having been one of five key demands put forward by the activists. The others included the right to a fair trial – which they say includes the release of documents related to “the ongoing witch-hunt of activists and campaigners” – ending censorship of their communications, “de-proscribing” Palestine Action and shutting down Elbit Systems, which operates several UK factories.
Palestine Action launched in July 2020 and describes itself as a movement “committed to ending global participation in Israel’s genocidal and apartheid regime”. The UK parliament voted in favour of proscribing the group on July 2, 2025, classifying it as a “terrorist” organisation.
More than 1,600 arrests linked to support for the proscribed group were made in the three months following the ban’s introduction. The ban has been challenged in court.
Hunger strike
This week, Chiaramello was one of three activists allegedly linked to Palestine Action who ended their hunger strike in prison, according to campaign group Prisoners for Palestine.
Chiaramello had fasted every other day, as he is a Type 1 diabetic, for 46 days.
Cink and Gardiner-Gibson – the latter now known as Amu Gib, also took part in a hunger strike in detention.
“We have never trusted the government with our lives, and we will not start now. We will be the ones to decide how we give our lives to justice and liberation,” Gardiner-Gibson said in a statement issued by the group on Wednesday.
Love Island stars Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury split in August 2024 over his drinking problems, but the couple have since reconciled and she’s dropped a huge engagement update
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Molly-Mae Hague has given a massive clue that her engagement to Tommy Fury is back on track . The reality star turned business mogul revealed she’s started wearing her ring again in a recent episode of her Amazon Prime docuseries, Behind It All.
The telly star, 26, and the boxer, 26, who are parents to daughter Bambi, first crossed paths on ITV’s Love Island in 2019, where they ended up as runners-up.
However, after a five-year relationship, the pair parted ways in 2024, with Tommy later confessing that his excessive drinking was the catalyst for their breakup.
Now, the social media influencer has confirmed to her sister Zoe in the latest episodes of the show that she’s begun wearing her engagement ring again.
In the last three episodes of series two, which premiered on Prime Video on Friday, Molly-Mae and Zoe share a final meal together before Zoe and her husband Danny move into their new house.
During the chat, Zoe observed that Molly-Mae has been sporting her ring again, to which she responded: “Yeah, I’ve been wearing it a little bit.”
Zoe then queried if she plans to continue wearing it, and Molly-Mae answered: “Yeah, I feel in a place where I want to wear it again and we are fully back together and that’s a symbol of that.”
Zoe further asked: “And you’re not waiting for anything, are you?” to which Molly-Mae simply said: “No.”
The Mirror has contacted Molly and Tommy’s representatives for comment.
In another part of the docuseries, Molly-Mae disclosed that she sought therapy to heal from the ‘trauma’ of her split from Tommy. She confessed: “It was deep. The past does affect me. I’m an avoider and I struggle to face things head-on. My biggest trauma would be my break up last year.”
After patching things up with Tommy, Molly-Mae also shared her apprehensions about history repeating itself.
She continued: “Therapy has helped me clear my head and go into this next chapter with a strong mindset. I feel confident in my decision and how amazing this will be for us as a family.”
This fresh batch of episodes sees Molly-Mae conquering her insecurities to strut the runway for L’Oreal Paris, as well as kick-starting her lucrative collaboration with Adidas. In the series, Molly-Mae also revealed that moving back in with Tommy Fury was ‘bittersweet’ after reigniting their romance.
The influencer, who spent Christmas and New Year holidaying in the picturesque Maldives with Tommy and their daughter Bambi, confessed she still harbours ‘fear’ over their future together months after they rekindled their relationship.
Molly admitted that she never envisioned packing up her home and moving back in with Tommy following their split in August 2024. The former Love Island stars ended their relationship due to Tommy’s alcohol addiction, which he later admitted had ‘cost’ him his ‘entire family’.
Tommy, who has consistently denied allegations of infidelity, stated that his ‘problems’ with alcohol, triggered by a boxing injury, led to their break-up, adding that he ‘couldn’t be the partner that I wanted to be anymore’.
Reflecting on giving their year-long romance another shot, Molly described her move from her Cheshire home as ‘bittersweet’ and expressed her ‘fear’ of the uncertainty in their relationship.
In a snippet from the series, Molly shared: “I am very proud of me and Tommy for working through things. It’s just going to bring us even closer as a family. When I move into Tommy’s house, I am closing the door and leaving behind such an incredible chapter in my life, it’s very bittersweet. It’s also just that fear of not knowing what’s round the corner so, just a few things going on.”
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When questioned if she could have predicted a year ago that she would be moving back in, she responded: “Big no, I really don’t want to, honestly.”
Although Tommy doesn’t physically appear to film scenes for Behind It All, he is featured through videos and FaceTime calls.
If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to get rid of fake tan without resorting to scrubbing, Vicky Pattison has shared her go-to that she says is the ‘best on the market’
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If the lack of sun and the dreary winter weather has you fed up with looking pale and pasty, you’ll no doubt have reached for your favourite fake tan at some point this winter. Perfect for boosting your glow and making you look a little healthier whilst waiting for spring and summer to roll around, it’s a staple for many of us in our winter beauty routines.
However, we all know the struggle of trying to get rid of the remnants of your last tan application, which is why we’re heeding Vicky Pattison when she claims she’s found the “best” tan remover around. One Instagram Vicky praised the Rose & Caramel Purity Excel 60 Second Self Tan Remover, saying: “The BEST tan remover on the market… and trust me I’ve tried them ALL!!!! Don’t sleep on Rose & Caramel lads…”
READ MORE: A first look inside Love Island’s new All Stars glam room and the beauty brands making their debut
READ MORE: Emily Atack’s hydrating face oil creates an instant glow and ‘changed her life’
The Purity Excel 60 Second Self Tan Remover promises to strip off your fake tan in under a minute, leaving your skin soft, smooth and tan-free ready for the next time you apply it. Unlike other methods which end up leaving your skin feeling scrubbed raw or still with patchy areas of tan, this helps buff it away gently without leaving a trace of self tanner behind.
Currently the tan remover is on sale with 20% off at Debenhams, with the larger 440ml reduced from £29.99 to £23.99, whilst the smaller 200ml is £15.99 down from £19.99. As well as getting rid of your all-over tan, it’s also a must-have for fixing fake tan disasters and streaks, restoring your skin back to normal in 60 seconds.
It’s packed with perlite, which is a natural exfoliant to draw out impurities, remove dead skin cells and unclog pores. The Purity Excel 60 Second Self Tan Remover contains urea which gives your skin a light chemical exfoliant and naturally moisturises it to loosen up your tan layer and leave you with soft, smooth skin.
You simply mask the areas you want to remove your tan from with the Self Tan Remover and leave it to sit on your skin for 60 seconds, then hop in the shower and use the included exfoliation mitt to gently buff it away. You can then either reapply a fresh layer of tan onto your skin, or leave it natural until the next time you want to boost your glow.
You can also snap up similar products at LookFantastic, where the 200ml Bondi Sands Self Tan Eraser is £17.49. The cleansing formula works in five minutes, foaming up to help break down your tan which can then be gently wiped away with a face cloth, although you might need an exfoliating mitt for more stubborn areas.
Alternatively, Sosu’s Dripping Gold Tan Remover Mousse is just £13, although you do need to leave it on your skin for between five and 10 minutes. It contains vitamins A and E to lift your tan without aggressive scrubbing, and can then be buffed away with an exfoliating mitt.
At Debenhams the Purity Excel 60 Second Self Tan Remover has only one review, with the five star rating saying: “Cant believe how well this product worked. Amazing.”
However there are more reviews at Boots, where it’s also on sale. One said: “Literally worked just like the videos shown online! Followed the instructions and it did come off in 60 seconds!”
Whilst another agreed: “Bought this as a last minute resort to fixing some patchy tan and I wasn’t disappointed, it worked so well I was very impressed!”
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However one negative review warned: “I wouldn’t use this product again, first time using and done what instructed on tub, I have been left with burns over my body with sore scabs and red irritated skin. I do not have sensitive skin and I find this product to be very harsh, would not recommend to anyone, especially people with sensitive skin, I’ve also seen I’m not the only person who has experienced this and there is no answer to why this is happening. Also does not take my tan off as easy as you see in videos. Wouldn’t recommend and if you do buy, be careful as my skin has never felt so irritated and sore!”
Helen, who found fame playing Rosie Webster on ITV’s Coronation Street, split from ex-Bristol Rovers ace Scott in 2022
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Helen Flanagan has been warned that her feud with ex Scott Sinclair “could get more heated” following reports the footballer is forcing her out of her home. Helen, who found fame playing Rosie Webster on ITV’s Coronation Street, currently lives in a lavish six-bedroom home with her and Scott’s three children.
Scott is said to be keen for Helen to downsize and live in a smaller property, but sources claim that the 35-year-old actress will not be going quietly. While the couple share Matilda, ten, Delilah, seven, and son Charlie, four, their relationship is non-existent, and they’re reportedly no longer on talking terms. Instead, any communication is reportedly going through their relatives.
According to an psychotherapy expert, the increasing tension between Helen and Scott is at risk of becoming “the new normal” if they don’t seek intervention.
READ MORE: Helen Flanagan ‘forced out of home by ex Scott Sinclair’ as feud reaches new lowREAD MORE: Coronation Street Lucy Fallon’s emotional relationship update months after engagement
Marygrace Anderson, psychotherapist, certified hypnotherapist and founder of MG Hypnosis, tells The Mirror: “The fact that communication appears to have broken down to the point where everything is going through Helen’s parents suggests just how strained things have become between Helen and Scott. The concern psychologically is that if this dynamic continues, it risks becoming increasingly the new normal.
“The current conflict around the house is likely about far more than the property itself. For Helen, the home may represent stability, routine, proximity to family support and continuity for the children, particularly given how young they are. From Scott’s perspective, the house may feel financially unsustainable or necessary to sell in order to fund the next stage, which can leave both parties feeling stuck and unheard.”
Helen and Scott decided to split in 2022 after 13 years together. However, although the former couple never walked down the aisle together, Helen’s home in Belmont, near Bolton, is in Scott’s name. The lavish property was last year put on the market for a staggering £1.5million, but it was later reduced to £995,000.
While Scott is keen for Helen to downsize, it’s said that the actress is a fan of the area where she currently lives, and she doesn’t want to disrupt her children and their education. Helen also lives in close proximity to her parents.
“Scott pays for the house and all the bills, and he’s decided a six-bedroom place is way too big for Helen on her own with the kids,” a source said. They went on to tell The Sun : “Helen doesn’t want to move and is digging her heels in. She loves the place, the kids are settled at the local school, and her mum and dad live around the corner.”
Reports claim Scott has even offered to buy Helen a new home. They added: “Scott wants to buy Helen a four-bedroom home. He’s even offered to put it in her name, but wants to stop the maintenance payments.” However, the source went on to say that Helen added value to the property. They claimed that Scott wanted to sell the home to “take the money out,” before adding that he was “not being reasonable.”
Over the Christmas period, Helen took aim at her ex-fiancé for failing to show up for their son’s nativity. Instead, Scott was at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. She fumed on social media: “You really are a piece of sh*t. How dare you not turn up to Charlie’s nativity.”
Scott had posted snaps of his weekend in the United Arab Emirates, where he saw British driver Lando Norris win the title. “What a weekend – Abu Dhabi F1,” he wrote. “Happy Days, blurry nights.” Marygrace explains Helen’s reaction could be a sign of feeling “unheard”.
She says: “When a long-term relationship breaks down, particularly one involving young children, nervous systems can remain in a heightened state for a long time. That often makes practical matters, such as housing and finances, feel far more emotionally charged than they otherwise might.
“For Helen specifically, this seems to be a very difficult period. She has experienced the end of a long relationship and now faces uncertainty around the family home and stability for the children. It’s common in situations like this for emotions to spill over, particularly at times such as Christmas, when family expectations, absence and perceived unfairness can feel amplified.
“Publicly expressing frustration or hurt can often be a sign of feeling unheard, rather than an intention to escalate conflict – as she already acknowledges there is communication issues.”
Marygrace warns that without therapy, Helen – who has set her sights on finding love again -might struggle to move forward.
She explains: “It’s unlikely to be practical or healthy long term to rely on grandparents as the go-to, and rebuilding some form of direct, supported communication would be important for future decision-making around the children’s needs. If they don’t, things could get more heated and spill out into the media.
“As well as this, individual therapy could also help at this stage of life. Therapies that focus on emotional regulation and coping mechanisms – including hypnotherapy – can support individuals in managing stress, reducing impulse reactions and feeling more calm and grounded during periods of uncertainty or instability.
“The further apart and disillusioned both sides become with each other, the harder it is to move forward in an amicable manner. However, with the right support and intention, it is possible to reduce conflict which ultimately benefits everyone involved. After all, the ‘relationship’ will continue for the rest of their lives.”
The Mirror has approached representatives for both Scott and Helen.
