Bill payers are being urged to submit a meter reading as household energy prices rise by 13% for millions of people in England, Scotland and Wales on Wednesday.

Anyone whose tariff is affected by regulator Ofgem’s price cap and does not have a smart meter should take a reading to avoid previous usage being charged at the new, higher rate.

Price rises, driven by the higher cost of gas, may have a relatively limited impact owing to warm weather and lower energy use during the summer months.

But higher energy prices caused by the fall-out of the US-Israeli war with Iran are likely to persist into the winter, according to analysts at the consultancy Cornwall Insight.

It has predicted a very slight 0.5% dip in Ofgem’s price cap in October, adding renewed pressure on the government to step in to help those in need.

Ministers point to reforms to cut bills earlier this year. Chancellor Rachel Reeves had also indicated some targeted support could be provided in the autumn, although she may be replaced in the job under new Labour leadership, and prices have not risen as high as feared before the US-Iran truce.

“The Iran ceasefire gave the markets some breathing room, but this is a pause, not a resolution to the conflict. What comes out of the final agreement, if there is one, will matter enormously for energy prices,” said Craig Lowrey, principal consultant at Cornwall Insight.

“Even in the best-case scenario, the enduring effects from the conflict will be with us for a while.”

In central Manchester, 23‑year‑old Ashleigh agrees with Joel that the state pension is unlikely to be coming her way: “At this rate I don’t think anyone’s ever going to retire, I think everyone will just have to fend for themselves in the end.”

But as someone on a lower income, her pension choices are less squirrel‑like. When working for a big retailer, she says that she chose to stop contributing to her employer’s auto-enrolment pension.

“I opted out of it. I need the money now.” She explains: “I’d rather save for a house and then at least I have something to show for it”.

Some experts warn that the gap between rich and poor in retirement could widen significantly for this generation.

Dr Suzy Morrissey, deputy director at the Pensions Policy Institute (PPI), believes that alongside how much Gen Z save privately, another factor will widen the divide: far more of them will be renting.

“Renting in retirement increases your chances of pensioner poverty, and they do face challenges to save, as younger people, that previous generations didn’t face when they were at the same age,” she says. “If we have people paying rent in retirement who don’t have large pension pots to cover those expenses, then that equals higher risk of pensioner poverty.”

But Morrissey sees a silver lining: pensions auto-enrollment, the system that automatically puts most employees into a workplace pension unless they opt out. If they’ve been employees, “they will have spent their working life contributing into a pension pot, and they will be the first generation that will have spent their whole life doing that.”

It’ll be a backstop for many, but the minimum contribution rate is unlikely to be enough for a comfortable retirement. It’s not automatic for the self-employed and people like Ashleigh have opted out because of immediate financial pressures, so it looks like plenty won’t see the benefit of that silver lining.

Ford Motor Co. is recalling more than 741,000 vehicles in the United States after discovering a transmission defect that could damage the vehicles’ park system, potentially allowing them to move unexpectedly even when drivers believe they are safely parked.

According to a report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the recall covers certain Ford F-150 pickup trucks, Ford Explorer and Ford Expedition SUVs, along with Lincoln Aviator and Lincoln Navigator models from the 2018 through 2021 model years. The affected vehicles span some of Ford’s most popular and high-volume nameplates, meaning the recall touches a substantial cross-section of the automaker’s recent lineup.

The underlying problem stems from a transmission issue that can cause temporary engagement of the vehicle’s parking pawl, a mechanical component responsible for locking the transmission and preventing the vehicle from rolling once it has been shifted into park, while the vehicle is still in motion. According to the NHTSA report, this can occur when certain gear shifts are commanded by the transmission while the vehicle continues moving, potentially damaging components within the park system itself.

If that damage occurs, the consequences can extend well beyond a simple mechanical malfunction. Once the park system has been compromised, the transmission’s ability to hold the vehicle stationary in park may be affected, particularly in situations where the driver has not also engaged the parking brake. The NHTSA report warns that this creates the risk of unintended vehicle movement even after a driver has shifted into park and exited the vehicle, a scenario the agency said increases the risk of a crash or injury.

The scope of real-world consequences tied to the defect is already documented in regulatory filings. According to the NHTSA, Ford has acknowledged 24 allegations of property damage connected to the issue, along with nine alleged injuries. Of those nine injury allegations, two specifically involve claims of emotional injury, suggesting that beyond physical harm, some affected owners have reported psychological distress tied to experiencing unexpected vehicle movement.

Ford’s remedy for the defect centers on a software update rather than a full mechanical overhaul for most affected vehicles. Owners whose vehicles are included in the recall will receive notification by mail directing them to bring their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealership, where technicians will update the vehicle’s Powertrain Control Module to the latest available software version. As part of that same dealership visit, technicians will also inspect the transmission for any existing park system damage and replace damaged components as necessary. Ford has confirmed that both the software update and any required component replacement will be performed at no cost to vehicle owners.

The recall adds to what has been a recurring pattern of safety actions affecting Ford’s full-size truck and SUV lineup in recent years, as the automaker continues working through various mechanical and software-related issues identified across its most popular vehicle platforms. The F-150, in particular, has remained one of the best-selling vehicles in the United States for decades, meaning recalls affecting that model tend to carry an outsized impact simply due to the sheer number of vehicles on American roads.

For owners uncertain about whether their specific vehicle is included in the recall, Ford has set up a dedicated customer service line at 1-866-436-7332 to field questions and provide guidance on next steps. Owners can also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration directly through its Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236, a federal resource that fields inquiries related to vehicle recalls, safety defects and broader automotive safety concerns across all manufacturers, not just Ford.

Federal regulators have continued to emphasize that consumers should not wait for any visible symptoms before addressing an active recall, given that defects like this one can remain undetected during normal driving conditions until the specific circumstances that trigger the malfunction actually occur. Because the issue specifically involves the parking pawl engaging unexpectedly while the vehicle is still moving, drivers may have limited warning before a malfunction affects their ability to safely park the vehicle using the transmission alone.

This recall underscores the continued importance of using a vehicle’s parking brake in conjunction with the transmission’s park setting, a practice that safety officials have long recommended as a general precaution regardless of any specific known defect, since it provides a secondary mechanism for keeping a vehicle stationary even if the primary transmission-based park function were to fail for any reason. In this particular case, NHTSA’s report specifically noted that the risk of unintended movement is heightened in situations where the parking brake has not also been applied, reinforcing that general safety guidance as a meaningful interim precaution for owners awaiting their dealership appointment.

Vehicle recalls of this scale are not uncommon across the broader auto industry, where manufacturers routinely identify and address defects affecting hundreds of thousands or even millions of vehicles as part of ongoing safety monitoring required under federal law. Automakers are generally required to notify NHTSA and initiate a recall once a safety-related defect has been identified, regardless of how many real-world incidents have actually been documented, since the regulatory threshold for action is based on the existence and nature of the defect rather than solely on the volume of confirmed incidents.

Owners of affected Ford F-150, Explorer, Expedition, Lincoln Aviator and Lincoln Navigator vehicles from the 2018 through 2021 model years are encouraged to watch for official recall notification by mail and to schedule a service appointment with their local Ford or Lincoln dealer as soon as that notice arrives, given the safety risks associated with potential unintended vehicle movement while parked.

Ford Motor Co. shares edged higher Tuesday morning, trading around $14.17 as the automaker continued to draw investor attention amid its strategic pivot toward hybrids and ongoing efforts to strengthen its financial position in a competitive automotive landscape.

The Dearborn, Michigan-based company, one of the Big Three U.S. automakers, has faced a complex operating environment marked by shifting consumer preferences, supply chain dynamics and regulatory pressures. Tuesday’s modest gain of about 0.93 percent reflected cautious optimism as Ford executes on its Ford+ plan focused on profitable growth across trucks, commercial vehicles and electrified offerings.

Ford has emphasized hybrids and extended-range electric vehicles as key components of its near-term strategy while maintaining investments in full battery-electric models for the longer term. This balanced approach aims to address current customer demand for efficient powertrains while preparing for broader electrification.

The company’s truck business, anchored by the F-Series, remains a cornerstone of profitability. Strong demand for Super Duty and other commercial variants has supported revenue stability even as passenger car segments face headwinds from imports and changing tastes.

Recent financial results highlighted both progress and challenges. Ford reported solid performance in its Ford Pro commercial segment, which benefits from fleet sales and connected services. However, losses in the electric vehicle unit prompted restructuring charges and a recalibration of production plans.

Executives have outlined expectations for the Model e division to reach profitability by the end of the decade. In the interim, hybrid offerings like the Maverick and F-150 hybrid have gained traction, providing a bridge for customers seeking efficiency without full electric infrastructure requirements.

Industry analysts note Ford’s advantages in North American manufacturing and brand strength in trucks and SUVs. The company has invested in U.S. plants to support domestic production goals and benefit from incentives under various policy frameworks.

Global operations present both opportunities and risks. Ford’s presence in Europe and emerging markets requires navigating tariffs, currency fluctuations and local competition. Supply chain resilience has improved post-pandemic, though raw material costs and semiconductor availability continue to influence margins.

Product launches remain central to Ford’s narrative. Updates to core models, including refreshed Super Duty trucks and new hybrid variants, aim to maintain leadership in key segments. The company has also expanded its BlueCruise hands-free driving technology, enhancing appeal in the advanced driver assistance space.

Investor sentiment around Ford has been influenced by broader automotive sector trends. Electrification mandates in multiple regions create long-term tailwinds, yet near-term execution on cost control and demand forecasting is critical.

Ford’s balance sheet management includes debt reduction efforts and capital allocation toward high-return projects. Dividend payments provide income for shareholders while the company invests in future technologies.

Tuesday’s trading occurred against a backdrop of mixed economic signals. Consumer spending resilience supports vehicle demand, but high interest rates have pressured auto financing and affordability for some buyers.

Competitive dynamics with General Motors, Stellantis and foreign manufacturers keep pressure on pricing and innovation. Ford’s focus on software-defined vehicles and connected services seeks to create recurring revenue streams beyond traditional hardware sales.

Analysts maintain a range of views on Ford’s valuation. Some highlight undervaluation relative to cash flow generation from core operations, while others cite execution risks in the transition to electrified fleets.

The stock’s performance year-to-date has reflected these crosscurrents. Modest gains align with cautious sector positioning as investors await clarity on tariffs, interest rates and consumer trends.

Ford’s dealer network and brand loyalty provide a foundation for stability. Customer satisfaction metrics in trucks and commercial vehicles often rank highly, supporting repeat business and residual values.

Sustainability initiatives, including commitments to reduce emissions across operations and products, align with investor expectations for environmental, social and governance factors. Progress on these goals can influence capital access and partnerships.

Labor relations remain important, with contracts negotiated to balance workforce needs and competitiveness. Recent agreements have focused on flexibility for new vehicle programs and technology integration.

As Ford advances its product roadmap, attention centers on upcoming launches and capital spending efficiency. Management guidance for profitability metrics will be closely watched in future updates.

The automotive industry’s capital-intensive nature requires careful resource allocation. Ford’s decisions on EV infrastructure versus hybrid acceleration reflect adaptation to real-world adoption rates.

Tuesday’s price action around $14 demonstrated resilience in a session where broader markets assessed various economic data points. Volume was in line with recent averages as traders positioned for potential catalysts.

Longer-term forecasts for Ford incorporate growth in commercial and hybrid segments alongside measured EV expansion. Success depends on cost discipline and market share retention in core areas.

Ford’s century-plus history in American manufacturing underscores its role in the industrial economy. Adaptation to new mobility paradigms will determine its trajectory in coming decades.

Investors continue monitoring macroeconomic variables that influence vehicle sales cycles. Employment trends, credit availability and fuel prices all factor into demand forecasting.

Ford’s participation in motorsports and performance vehicles maintains brand visibility while testing technologies applicable to production models. The company’s racing heritage contributes to engineering expertise.

As the trading day progressed, Ford shares held modest gains, contributing to a stable session for automotive names. The company’s strategic choices position it to navigate industry evolution while leveraging strengths in trucks and commercial solutions.

Market participants will await further details on production ramps, pricing strategies and partnership developments. Ford’s ability to deliver consistent results amid transformation efforts remains key to sustained investor confidence.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued a public health alert for ready-to-eat chicken Caesar wraps sold at Holiday convenience stores in Minnesota and Wisconsin after routine testing found the products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) said a recall was not requested because the products are no longer available for purchase. However, the agency warned consumers who may still have the wraps in their refrigerators not to eat them.

The alert covers 8.7-ounce “Fresh Seasons Kitchen Chicken Caesar Wrap” packages produced on June 16, 2026, with a “Sell By: 6/24/2026” date printed on the back label. The products bear establishment number “P-45091” inside the USDA mark of inspection.

NEARLY 100K HYUNDAI VEHICLES RECALLED AFTER SOFTWARE GLITCH RAISES CRASH RISK

Fresh Seasons Kitchen Chicken Caesar Wraps are the subject of a USDA public health alert after routine testing detected Listeria monocytogenes. (FSIS / Unknown)

According to FSIS, the wraps were shipped to Holiday convenience stores in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

The issue was identified during routine FSIS product testing after a sample tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes.

There have been no confirmed reports of illnesses linked to the products, the agency said. Consumers concerned they may have become sick should contact a healthcare provider.

SUPPLEMENTS SOLD ONLINE THROUGH MAJOR RETAILERS RECALLED NATIONWIDE OVER POTENTIAL SALMONELLA RISK

The back label of the affected Fresh Seasons Kitchen Chicken Caesar Wrap identifies the “Sell By: 6/24/2026” date and USDA establishment number associated with the public health alert. (FSIS / Unknown)

Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, pregnant women and their newborns, and people with weakened immune systems. Symptoms can include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions. In pregnant women, the infection can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery or life-threatening infection in newborns, according to the USDA.

FSIS urged consumers who purchased the wraps not to eat them. Instead, the agency said the products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a public health alert for ready-to-eat chicken Caesar wraps sold at Holiday convenience stores in Minnesota and Wisconsin. (Thomas Fuller/SOPA Images/LightRocket / Getty Images)

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A representative for Taher Inc. did not immediately respond to FOX Business’ request for comment.

Consumers with food safety questions can contact the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-674-6854 or submit a complaint through the agency’s Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System.

We’re getting close to our July 4th, 250th anniversary. Which means we should all be thinking and talking about the greatest sentence in the English language and probably in all history: “That all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” That sentence is the epitome of freedom and our natural rights. And that we don’t work for government bureaucrats, they work for us. 

Even more, we don’t work for big government socialists, or still worse, we don’t work for big government socialist communist bureaucrats. None of the above. At the moment however, it seems like the Democratic Party is endowed by antisemitic Mamdani socialists or communists.

There’s a New York Post article that Mayor Zohran Mamdani actually admitted on one of the Sunday talk shows that his anti-Israel fervor truly helped secure their New York City election sweep. And then he went on in the interview to repeat his opposition to Israel as a Jewish-led state. Of course he does. His hatred of and bigotry toward Jews is well known. It animates his whole movement. And I believe that movement is also anti-American. 

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, endowed by our Creator, is exactly the reverse of what Mr. Mamdani is trying to pull off. Our Founding Fathers strove for equality and prosperity through hard work and individual initiative unencumbered by oppressive taxes or monarchical government.

Here’s what President Trump said yesterday: “I think it is a big threat to our nation, actually, because it’s not socialism, it’s really communism.” He added that: “They used the word social democrat because it sounds so nice, but it’s really communism you’re talking about. I think it’s the biggest threat to our nation there is, maybe since our founding, that includes World War I, World War II, September 11th. It includes the Pearl Harbor attack.”

So this is serious business. The president is completely right. And in case you’ve forgotten, the Democratic Socialists of America wish to abolish the United States Senate, defund the military, defund the police, open borders, and universal amnesty for illegal immigrants. 

They want a national takeover of large companies. Free-government everything including health care and abortion. Criminals can vote. Stack the Supreme Court and confiscatory taxation of wealth and income. And end Israel. And, by the way, persecute Jewish people right here in New York City as well as across the country. July 4th is coming. God bless America. Yet this Mamdani-ism is not life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

This article was written by

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NEW YORK — A self-exiled Chinese billionaire once counted among China’s wealthiest men was sentenced Monday to 30 years in federal prison for orchestrating a sprawling financial fraud that a federal judge said cost more than 1,000 people worldwide hundreds of millions of dollars.

Guo Wengui, who fled China roughly a decade ago and reinvented himself as a U.S.-based critic of the Chinese Communist Party, received his sentence in a Manhattan courtroom packed with supporters. U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres delivered the punishment, telling Guo he “preyed on those seeking to bring Democracy to China,” using their money to fund an extravagant personal lifestyle.

Before sentencing, Guo protested his treatment while in jail, telling the court he had been taken to the hospital earlier that morning. He disputed a prosecutor’s characterization of him as malingering or faking illness, insisting he had repeatedly vomited as he was transported back to jail before later being brought to court.

“When I came here, I said: ‘I have a tummy ache, I need to go to the bathroom, I don’t feel well,’” Guo said through an interpreter, describing his arrival at the courthouse. He wiped his mouth repeatedly with a tissue throughout the proceeding.

Guo addressed the underlying criminal case only briefly, defending his motivations by framing his move to the United States in political terms.

“The reason I came to the US was to destroy the CCP,” Guo said.

In handing down the sentence, Judge Torres read excerpts from letters she had received from victims, who described losing their life savings, experiencing severe anxiety and shame, and in some cases having family members turn against them over what those relatives viewed as poor investment decisions. Torres was sharply critical of Guo’s lack of contrition throughout the proceedings.

“He takes no responsibility for his actions and instead insists incredibly his conduct caused no loss and harmed no one,” Torres said, adding that Guo “has called upon supporters to harass and intimidate those who dare to speak out against him.”

Torres ordered Guo to forfeit $889 million in restitution as part of the sentence. Wei Chen, one of the victims who testified during Guo’s trial, told the judge that the fraud had devastated both her and her family.

“It destroyed my life,” Chen said.

As Guo was led out of the courtroom following sentencing, supporters in attendance applauded and shouted toward him, underscoring the loyal following he had cultivated during his years living openly in the United States.

Before his arrest and subsequent detention without bail three years ago, Guo had built an unusually high-profile life in American political and social circles. He grew close to conservative political strategist Steve Bannon, and the two announced a joint initiative in 2020 aimed at overthrowing the Chinese government. Guo lived in a luxury apartment overlooking Central Park and had joined President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago golf club in Florida, cultivating an image as a wealthy, politically connected dissident.

Prosecutors had pushed for a sentence of at least 30 years, describing Guo’s fraud, which they said spanned from 2018 to 2023, as “astonishing” and asserting it had “destroyed hundreds of lives,” leaving behind what they called “a wreckage of victims and families who have been devastated financially, emotionally, and psychologically.” In court filings, prosecutors detailed how Guo’s ill-gotten wealth funded what they described as “a lifestyle of extraordinary excess and indulgence, a gilded life of mansions, yachts, race cars, designer clothes and luxury furnishings.”

Guo was convicted on nine of 12 criminal charges following a seven-week trial, during which prosecutors said they presented extensive evidence detailing his deception of thousands of investors through a series of fraudulent investment schemes that ultimately financed his personal extravagance. According to prosecutors, Guo convinced hundreds of thousands of people to invest more than $1 billion combined into entities he controlled, including his media company, GTV Media Group Inc., along with the so-called Himalaya Farm Alliance and the Himalaya Exchange.

Guo’s defense team offered a starkly different account of his actions, arguing in court filings that he was the target of a “grand, pervasive, and life threatening” campaign by the Chinese Communist Party to silence him. His lawyers alleged the party had recruited elites across U.S. business, entertainment and political circles to conspire against their client. In presentence filings, the defense argued that a lengthy prison sentence would only validate what they characterized as China’s ongoing smear campaign against Guo and would “embolden further efforts to eliminate Chinese dissidents from public life,” noting that defendants in comparable cases had typically received sentences of just two to four years.

Guo’s lawyers also pointed to findings from a court probation officer, who wrote to the sentencing judge that Guo bore scars and physical disfigurements stemming from torture he endured in China, along with the lasting effects of multiple surgeries performed between 1993 and 2022 to repair those injuries. According to the defense, Guo’s wealth originally grew as his family became the largest shareholder in China’s largest publicly traded securities company, a position that the lawyers said eventually made him a target of Chinese government officials after he began exposing alleged corruption within their ranks. Guo’s lawyers said he subsequently relocated from China to Hong Kong, then London, before ultimately settling in New York in 2017. Chinese authorities have accused Guo of rape, kidnapping, bribery and other crimes over the years, allegations he has consistently denied as politically motivated and false.

Prosecutors, for their part, portrayed Guo as having exploited what they described as lax U.S. asylum laws to build and sustain his fraudulent enterprise once in America, characterizing him in presentence filings as “entirely unrepentant” for the harm his actions caused to the thousands of investors who placed their trust, and their money, in his hands.