Linfield are now eight points behind leaders Larne after one of their worst displays of the season at Solitude

Linfield’s unlikely title charge looks to have run aground as clinical Cliftonville put them to the sword in north Belfast.

Blues boss David Healy claimed afterwards that their away form has been ‘nothing short of disgraceful’, while adding that there was a sense of embarrassment over their display.

“Our away form this year has been nothing short of disgraceful,” Healy fumed afterwards. “We’ve put ourselves in a predicament in terms of winning the league.

“But if we’re not going to win the league, we need to finish second. And if we’re not going to finish second, you’re going to have to work hard to finish third.

“The players will be disappointed of course. I think they will be a little bit embarrassed about the level of performance and the way we lost today.

“As I always say, it’s always on to the next game. The players need to stick together, look after each other and hopefully be better.”

Linfield are now eight points behind leaders Larne after one of their worst displays of the season at Solitude.

Brian Healy’s powerful front running was on display early on as he drove at Darragh Leahy before firing a low shot at goal that Linfield keeper Chris Johns got fully behind to save.

Linfield began to take control though, and Adebayo Fapetu put in a pair of brave blocks to repel fierce efforts from Matthew Fitzpatrick and Kyle McClean.

Kirk Millar was next to try his luck for the visitors, curling an effort over from distance after being teed up by the busy McClean.

Millar did better with his next effort after Reds keeper PJ Morrison went walkabout, bending a smart effort in on goal from a narrow angle that Shaun Leppard had to head clear, leaving the sides locked in stalemate at the break.

Joe Toole impressed with his industry for the Reds in the first half, and he made a lung-busting run up the right flank soon after the restart before sending a lovely cross to the far post, where Liam McStravick volleyed over.

McStravick was growing into the game well, and the livewire winger nearly came up with a spectacular goal when he weaved in from the left before letting fly from distance, forcing Johns into a brilliant tip over the bar at full stretch.

From the resultant corner, Cliftonville broke the deadlock in the 64th minute. Micheal Glynn clipped a dangerous in-swinger towards the back post and Leppard outmuscled Isaac Baird to get his head on the ball, diverting it down and past the exposed Johns.

Liinfield had a chance to quickly draw level from a corner of their own when Euan East’s ball in found Ethan McGee lurking with intent, but the full-back looped a poor header over the bar.

Blues boss David Healy threw forward Chris McKee on for McClean to bolster his attack, and the former Rangers man was quickly into the action, drawing a great stop from Morrison after he smashed a left-foot shot at goal.

Luke Conlan then came up with a super block to stop Kirk Millar scoring from close range after the ball broke kindly for the Linfield winger but the pressure was mounting.

Millar was left with his head in his hands in the 90th minute after showing great technique to connect with a left-foot volley from a McGee knockdown only for the ball to whistle just over.

It was left to Joe Gormley – on as a late sub for Healy – to apply the coup de grace, bundling the ball in after Ryan Curran flashed a shot across goal as Solitude erupted.

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The Monday letters page thinks there’s less crossover between console and PC gamers than publishers pretends, as one reader tries to imagine a Capcom console.

Games Inbox is a collection of our readers’ letters, comments, and opinions. To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.uk

Evil weekend
Been playing Resident Evil Requiem over the weekend and I’m loving it so far. I was surprised how relatively serious it was at first and then the bit with Leon and the chainsaws is… I think that may be one of my top five Resi moments ever.

Grace’s longer section after that was amazing too and I’ve just finished that and very much looking forward to the rest of the game. I think it’s obvious the game has lived up to the hype and I’m only sorry it’s not going to last me that long, but there’s no way to make a game of this intensity last forever.

Resident Evil games have neve been long and they’re definitely not going to get any longer given how expensive games are to make now. Plus, the appeal would probably wear off if they were 60 hour epics. I mean, how many times can you go searching for weird-looking keys?!

But it gets top marks from me so far: great graphics, great atmosphere, and Leon’s gameplay (and one-liners) are great. Roll on Resident Evil 10!
Bouncer

Each to their own
So just finished Resi, 12 hours to complete. And while it was good I was left a little disappointed as I’d been looking forward to it for a while. I really enjoyed the Grace parts, especially with my headphones on. I did also really like 7 and Village and the 2, 3, and 4 remakes.

However, I did find this to be a step backwards, personally. I also found it to be a little bit grey in places, taking me back to Xbox 360 days. I’m glad I got it on disc, as I can now trade it in. I will say I’m still happy I played it and I did enjoy it, but it’s got me in the mood to play through The Last Of Us again now, which In my opinion is a better game.
P B

On a roll
Capcom are on great form recently. Resident Evil Requiem looks really good, but it’ll have to wait for me, I’m mid-game replaying the great Resident Evil 4 remake again, which brings me to… Dragon’s Dogma 2, another great game.

I played the first game all those years ago and while the base game was good, the Dark Arisen DLC made it better. It was brutal! I was hoping for similar DLC to be released for Dragon’s Dogma 2, but it appears Capcom have forgotten about it.

Damn shame really. It would be great to go back to Bitterback Isle on the PlayStation 5 but it appears the ferrywoman on the pier is busy elsewhere…
Chevy Malibu (PSN ID)

GC: They do run hot and cold on that franchise in a very peculiar manner.

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Pre-console pre-order
There is a Kickstarter to bring Bit.Trip ReRunner to the Switch 2 currently live on said crowdfunding website.

I first played the games on the Wii, where you play Commander Video jumping, dodging, and kicking to a funky soundtrack. It’s currently a third funded with 16 days left to go. If you back it at $25 dollars and above you get a Switch 2 code for the ReRunner game and your name in the credits of the Switch 2 version. There are optional add-ons for the previous games on Steam and PlayStation 5 at half price their usual store prices.

On PlayStation 5 there is only one game available but on Steam four different Bit.Trip games are available at 50% off to help fund bringing ReRunner to Switch 2. I’ve backed at the $25 level and also added an add-on for one of the other games. I haven’t got a Switch 2 yet, but when I do the code will be sitting there waiting for me.
Andrew J.

Second sequel
A couple of people wrote in about it and whether Kitana is in the original Mortal Kombat film. I picked up the Mortal Kombat Legacy Collection really cheap (massive nostalgia) and it got me in the mood for the films. Kitana is in the first film a lot and plays a major part in the plot and Talisa Soto is gorgeous too.

I’m also really looking forward to the Karl Urban Mortal Kombat 2 film in the summer, as everything he is in is usually great.
Simon

Very important people
Is there many electronic industries where we seem to take an obsessive interest in who the new boss is, etc.? Do we buy a mobile phone and wonder who is in charge of Motorola or Nokia? Do we buy a TV from LG or Hisense and wonder whom is on their board? Or do we buy a PC and really care about Asus, Nvidia changing their boss?

Personally, as someone who has owned an Xbox Series X for four years, I could not care less who the Xbox CEO is. Or whether she likes or plays games; why is that important to me? Saying that though, I think Peter Moore was great for Xbox, but was he a gamer? I doubt it.

And I totally agree with your comments in one article expressing reservation about the new CEO trying to appeal to gamers online. One suspects that some of it feels forced and she would be best not bothering and focusing on strengthening the Xbox brand.

Why does she need to bother but instead make decisions that will put the fun back into Xbox and make it a strong contender again. Perhaps price cuts for Xbox Series X/S before next gen Xbox arrives and free multiplayer for Series consoles.

Regarding exclusives, I’m content with what’s been on offer from Xbox, because I only have so much time and money to play them. For example, this year I will get Resident Evil Requiem and GTA 6, which leaves little room for anything else.

So, in summary I would rather most business heads were kept in the background and allow the product to do the talking. Maybe that was an issue with Phil Spencer as Xbox seemed at times to be more about him and not the consoles itself.
Stephen

Capcom Entertainment System
Great to see Resident Evil Requiem being launched multiplatform, scoring high and selling tremendously well. Even on their worst days Capcom makes decent games, a standard they’ve maintained since the ‘80s in the heyday of arcades.

When the Street Fighter franchise was at its most popular in the ‘90s/‘00s Sony (and Sega before) must have been thanking their lucky stars that Capcom never entertained the idea of entering the console market. If they had, they would have truly ruffled a few feathers and who knows how the market would look today.
Sam

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Separate formats
Seeing Ishi’s comment that Sony exclusives should remain exclusive I had some thoughts.

Personally, as a PC exclusive gamer, I think Sony (and Microsoft) porting games to PC is a good thing. But then I would say that I guess!

They do have very different strategies – Microsoft release games on PC at the same time as Xbox. Whereas Sony only release games on PC a few years after the original release, where, let’s face it, if you haven’t bought a PlayStation to get a specific game by that point, you are very unlikely to!

I personally am extremely unlikely to buy a console. I have already spent enough on my PC and its various peripherals that I’m not going to invest in another ecosystem. I also have a huge amount of games to choose from. I have literally hundreds of games I have never even downloaded thanks to Epic giveaways and Humble Bundles and the like.

There are games in the Sony ecosystem I would like to play, sure! But there isn’t a single one I would buy a whole new console for. I am currently playing Spider-Man on PC. I’m a huge Spidey fan and it looks fantastic in super-ultrawide 5120x1440p.

But if it hadn’t been released on PC I simply wouldn’t have ever played it. I also have The Last Of Us and Uncharted on my Steam wishlist that I will buy eventually, and if Wolverine ever comes to PC (and if GC reviews it well) I will probably buy that.

I honestly don’t think there is a huge crossover between PC gaming and console owning. Most PC gamers I know, if they do have a console, will usually have a Switch to play Mario Kart with their kids.

Obviously my view is entirely biased though! So perhaps take it with a pinch of salt.

Whatever you game on, enjoy!
The Dude Abides

Inbox also-rans
Just beaten got to Racoon City in Resident Evil Requiem and that whole bit was great. Fantastic game so far and I think the two character thing works really well. It’s like a best of hits for the whole series.
Toni

A Pokémon game with good graphics? What an incredible innovation that no one could possibly have anticipated. Let’s just hope that trailer is accurate to what it will actually look like.
Ant

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MORE: Games Inbox: Is Resident Evil Requiem worth getting?

MORE: Games Inbox: Would you pay £90 for GTA 6?

MORE: Games Inbox: Will Xbox start having exclusives again?

But if the regime survives, and it may well, then Washington’s triple demands of Tehran will come back into focus, namely: a curb on Iran’s suspect nuclear programme, including a return to inspections; an end to Iran’s ballistic missile programme; and an end to Iran’s support for proxy militias around the region, such as the Hezbullah, Hamas, and the Houthis.

Which? consumer champion analysed 86 products in total and found some contain up to 20g of sugar per 100g

Some mueslis sold in UK supermarkets may not be any healthier than chocolate cereal, according to a new Which? investigation.

The consumer champion analysed 86 products in total and found some contain up to 20g of sugar per 100g.

Which? scored the muesli out of 100 based on positive nutrients, such as fibre and protein, and negatives, including sugar, saturated fat and calories.

The least healthy item in the Which? study was Raw Gorilla Keto Mighty Muesli, which scored 46.

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This is because while it is a specialist keto product and low in sugar (1.5g per 100g) it is higher in calories than standard muesli and is high in saturated fat (12.2g per 100g) due to coconut chips.

Eat Natural Gluten Free Buckwheat Toasted Muesli was the next least healthy, with a score of 50. This contains 15.3g of sugar per 100g and is also high in saturated fat from coconut (7.4g per 100g).

In comparison, Which? found that Nestlé KitKat cereal – which is almost a quarter sugar at 24.9g per 100g – scored 56 out 100.

Which? found that some value mueslis, built around simple wholegrains with modest amounts of fruit and nuts, scored top marks.

The healthiest mueslis on test – six out of 86 muesli products – achieved a score of 80 out of 100. Three of them are from supermarket value ranges including Asda, Morrisons and Sainsburys.

The own-brand products were also the cheapest, costing less than 10p a bowl (20p per 100g) – eleven times cheaper than one of the priciest products Which? looked at.

However, Which? found that muesli is still generally a healthy choice as core ingredients deliver fibre, and if eaten with milk or fortified plant-based milk alternatives, it can also contribute to daily calcium intake.

Which? rated the mueslis using the 2004 Nutrient Profiling Model (NPM).

Shefalee Loth, Which? Nutritionist, said: “Muesli remains a solid option for a balanced breakfast, thanks to its combination of convenience and fibre. However, not all blends are created equal.

“Expensive price tags, premium branding, and wellness buzzwords don’t guarantee nutritional value.

“In fact, the healthiest options are often the simplest and the cheapest, so it’s worth reading the small print if you are worried about sugar or saturated fat.”

A Mornflake spokesperson said: “Mornflake produces a wide range of breakfast cereals to offer choice for different consumers.

“More than 90% of our range is HFSS compliant; the product reviewed is one of only a small number classified as HFSS, but it contains no added sugar and is high in fibre.

“We provide clear ingredient and nutritional information, including front-of-pack labelling, so shoppers can make informed choices. We have not received consumer complaints regarding the nutritional content of this product.

“Reformulation to help shift taste preferences takes time, but we are actively reducing HFSS across our range and working with UK Government departments to support long-term improvements in diet and health.”

A spokesperson from RawGorilla said: “Comparing a specialist KETO product to sugary ultra-processed cereals highlights the limits of the NPM method, a ‘one-size-fits-all’ mathematical model.

“RAWGORILLA KETO Mighty Muesli is a 100% organic whole-food product, made with activated seeds and nuts, with zero added sugar.

“It is designed for a KETO diet. While the system penalises the natural energy density and the fat content of our seeds and nuts, it ignores the vital difference between unprocessed whole foods and ultra-processed products.

“Unlike refined cereals, which cause a quick sugar spike, our ingredients provide slow-release energy. We urge shoppers to look past the maths and read the ingredients list; real health is about the quality of the food, not just a calorie count.”

A Waitrose spokesperson said: “There’s absolutely no added sugar in this muesli.

“All sugars come from wholefoods including sultanas, raisins, dried apricots and dates – in fact, the product contains 10 different plants varieties, which when eaten as part of a balanced diet, is beneficial for health.”

Eat Natural declined to comment.

Top 6

• Asda Just Essentials: 5.3g sugar; 0.8g saturated fat; 366 calories; 9g fibre; 12g protein – TOTAL SCORE 80
• H&B 15 Plant Fruit & Nut: 8.3g sugar; 1.4g saturated fat; 337 calories; 9.2g fibre; 11.5g protein – TOTAL SCORE 80
• Morrisons Savers: 5g sugar; 0.9g saturated fat; 360 calories; 8.9g fibre; 10.7g protein – TOTAL SCORE 80
• Sainsbury’s Fruity: 23.1g sugar; 0.5g saturated fat; 339 calories; 7.2g fibre; 8g protein – TOTAL SCORE 80
• Sainsbury’s Stamford Street Co: 4.9g sugar; 0.8g saturated fat; 353 calories; 9g fibre; 11.2g protein – TOTAL SCORE 80
• Tesco Finest Fruit Nut & Seed: 12.7g sugar; 1g saturated fat; 374 calories; 7.1g fibre; 14.7g protein – TOTAL SCORE 80

Bottom 4

• Waitrose Essential No Added Sugar: 19.5g sugar; 3.5g saturated fat; 387 calories; 8.9g fibre; 9.7g protein – TOTAL SCORE 62
• Mornflake Classic Fruit & Nut: 18.5g sugar; 3.1g saturated fat; 379 calories; 8.4g fibre; 9.3g protein – TOTAL SCORE 60
• Eat Natural Gluten-Free Buckwheat Toasted: 15.3g sugar; 7.4g saturated fat; 482 calories; 7.8g fibre; 12.3g protein – TOTAL SCORE 50
• Raw Gorilla Keto Mighty Muesli: 1.5g sugar; 12.2g saturated fat; 594.7 calories; 10.2 fibre; 21.4g protein – TOTAL SCORE 46

New figures show the average time to receive a diagnosis in NI is over nine years

A woman from Belfast has opened up about her 19 year wait to be diagnosed with endometriosis, describing it as “hell.”

Kathleen Mulholland said the pain she experienced was so bad she had to visit A&E on multiple occasions before being listened to. She said the condition has impacted every area of her life.

New data from Endometriosis UK has revealed the average time to receive a diagnosis of endometriosis in Northern Ireland has now reached 9 years and 10 months. Alarmingly, this figure has increased from an average of 8 years 6 months reported in 2020.

READ MORE: Lisa McHugh says losing the use of her legs changed her life forever – and she feels gratefulREAD MORE: ‘I was left anxious and worrying about the future after a life-changing heart diagnosis’

The findings, from a survey by Endometriosis UK, highlight the struggles of individuals seeking diagnosis and treatment to reduce the severity of symptoms. 39% of UK respondents reported needing to visit their GP ten times or more before endometriosis was suspected. Additionally, 55% of respondents attended A&E with their symptoms, but 46% of these were sent home without treatment.

Endometriosis is a long-term (chronic) condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows elsewhere in the body. It’s common, affecting around 1 in 10 women.

Symptoms vary from person to person and can be severe and debilitating. Common symptoms include: pelvic pain, painful periods that interfere with everyday life, heavy menstrual bleeding, and pain during or after sex. Around 1.5 million women in the UK are currently living with endometriosis.

Kathleen Mulholland from Belfast said the condition has impacted all areas of her life. The 40-year-old said: “It took me 19 years to be diagnosed with endometriosis. The pain got so bad that I had to go to A&E seven times over two weeks before someone would listen to me.

“It’s something which has affected every area of my life; my education suffered, I’ve had to give up jobs, I’ve stopped being involved in hobbies, sports or socialising, my mental health has been badly hit and, sadly, it’s meant I haven’t been able to have children. It’s been hell.”

Emma Cox, CEO of Endometriosis UK, said: “It is unacceptable that those living with endometriosis in Northern Ireland have to endure years of pain and uncertainty before receiving a diagnosis.

“Our findings underscore the urgent need not only for increased awareness and understanding of endometriosis and menstrual health among healthcare providers, but for this to be translated into action, with appropriate levels of resources allocated by the NHS to overcome far too long waiting lists and enable access to care where and when it’s needed.

“Endometriosis care has been neglected for too long and the situation is getting worse. Governments across the UK must treat endometriosis as a common, chronic condition that requires systematic action and we want an unequivocal commitment to reduce average diagnosis time to one year or less by 2030.”

Endometriosis UK is calling on all UK governments to commit to reducing the average time for diagnosis to one year or less by 2030.

This will need targeted action to reduce waiting lists for gynaecology services, appropriate levels of funding and resources, mandatory and effective endometriosis and menstrual health training for healthcare practitioners, menstrual health education in schools and an acknowledgement endometriosis is a common chronic condition that must be treated as a long-term condition by the NHS.

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The Foreign Office has issued new travel advice for Cyprus as UK terror threat is reviewed following Iranian missile strikes in the region.

The Foreign Office has updated its guidance for British travellers following missile launches directed at UK military installations.

Yesterday saw US-Israeli forces conduct ‘Operation Epic Fury’ strikes against Iran, resulting in the death of the nation’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei. Tehran responded swiftly, targeting American air bases in Dubai, Kuwait and Bahrain with retaliatory missiles.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer clarified the UK has “played no role in these strikes” whilst confirming British aircraft “are in the sky”. With the crisis continuing to unfold, Defence Secretary John Healey revealed the UK’s terror threat level is “absolutely” being reassessed amid fears of Iranian reprisals.

Two Iranian missiles appeared to be on course for Cyprus yesterday – home to a pair of UK military installations. These bases accommodate thousands of British service personnel on permanent deployment to the Mediterranean island.

The missiles ultimately fell short of their apparent target, plunging into the Eastern Mediterranean Sea instead. Nevertheless, the Foreign Office maintains there remains an ongoing risk in Cyprus, urging British nationals to exercise “sensible precautions” whilst in the territory, reports the Mirror.

The updated guidance warns: “There is a heightened risk of regional tension. Escalation could lead to travel disruption and other unanticipated impacts. British nationals should take sensible precautions, considering their own individual circumstances”. Recommended safety measures include consulting government guidance regarding overseas crises, registering for FCDO travel advisory email notifications, keeping abreast of domestic and international news coverage, and subscribing to additional local information services and resources.

Defence Secretary John Healey, however, stated the UK government does not believe the missiles were deliberately aimed at the bases. He said: “We don’t believe they were targeted at Cyprus, but nevertheless it’s an example of how there is a very real and rising threat from a regime that is lashing out widely across the region.

“It demonstrates how our bases, our personnel, military and civilians at the moment are at risk with a regime that is increasingly indiscriminate, widespread and uncontrollable in the attacks it’s mounting,” Mr Healey added.

The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), which continues to update its travel guidance as the conflict intensifies, has now recommended against all travel to Turkey, one of Cyprus’s bordering nations.

It recommends against all travel to areas within 10km of the Syrian border owing to “fighting and a heightened risk of terrorism”. The department has additionally issued guidance “against all but essential travel” to Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE, urging British nationals in these countries, along with Palestine and Israel, to “should shelter in place” and “register your presence” with the UK foreign office.

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Global oil prices have surged and stock futures have plunged following US-Israel military strikes on Iran that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, sparking retaliatory attacks

Global oil prices have already climbed following strikes across the Middle East after the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran over the weekend.

Roughly 15 million barrels of crude oil per day — about 20% of the world’s oil — are shipped through the Strait of Hormuz, making it the world’s most critical oil chokepoint, according to Rystad Energy. Tankers traveling through the strait, which is bordered in the north by Iran, carry oil and gas from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, the UAE and Iran.

West Texas Intermediate, the light, sweet crude oil produced in the United States, was selling for about $72 a barrel Sunday night, up around 8% from its trading price of about $67 on Friday, according to data from CME group.

A barrel of Brent crude, the international standard, was trading at around $79 per barrel Sunday night, according to FactSet, up about 8% from its trading price of $72.87 on Friday, which had been a seven-month high at the time.

READ MORE: Donald Trump tells Iran ‘better not’ strike after Ayatollah Khamenei killed

READ MORE: Dubai airport chaos: Emirates confirms when flights will resume as Brits scramble to flee

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The price spike happened almost instantly after the military action as stock futures tumbled in overnight trading, raising alarm among equity investors. Futures on the Dow fell 517 points, roughly 1%, with comparable figures recorded across the S&P and NASDAQ, whilst gold futures jumped 2% in reaction to the oil price surge.

It comes as Iran continues retaliatory strikes in response to US and Israeli strikes which led to the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday. At least three civilians have been killed in the UAE.

US President Donald Trump announced Saturday that the US and Israel carried out a joint military operation targeting Iran overnight, which resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iran launched retaliatory strikes on Israel and US military bases throughout the Middle East in response to the attack, in which several dozen, including more than 50 primary school children, were killed.

Trump urged the Iranian people to seize this rare opportunity to overthrow its religious fundamentalist regime as the Iranian government pledged to unleash devastating attacks for what they described as a criminal assault, reports the Express US.

In a video statement on Truth Social, President Trump vowed to “avenge” US military deaths and “deliver the most punishing blow the terrorists who have waged a war against basically civilisation”.

“Combat operations continue in full force and will continue until all of our objectives are achieved,” he said in the six-minute clip upon his arrival back to Washington this evening.

The president continued to say that “sadly there will likely be more” US casualties, adding: “That’s the way it is.”

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Northern Ireland has seen a 26% increase

Experts have revealed that rat activity has significantly increased over the last year and it’s thought to be due to a record hot summer and exacerbated by recent wet weather.

Rentokil Pest Control said it had recorded a 10% year-on-year increase in confirmed rodent activity, with large regional spikes in Northern Ireland and northern England.

Northern Ireland recorded the largest increase of 26%, followed by Yorkshire (20%) and north-west England (19%).

READ MORE: NI man’s warning after rat in his car sees vehicle ‘written off’READ MORE: Lisburn mum ‘forced to leave home’ as rats chew large hole in her kitchen

Several other regions, including the West Midlands (16%) and Scotland (14%), also had double-digit rises.

Rentokil said longer-term climate patterns could be contributing to the increase, including 2025 being the UK’s warmest year on record.

It said milder weather could increase rat reproduction by extending their breeding season and leading to larger populations.

Rentokil warned that the record-breaking wet start to 2026 across the UK could also lead to higher levels of rat activity.

Sustained heavy rain can flood burrow systems and drainage networks, displacing rats and increasing the likelihood of infestations as they seek higher, drier shelter, it said.

Paul Blackhurst, from Rentokil, said: “Rats are highly capable swimmers. They can navigate strong currents, enter exposed pipes and sewers, and swim considerable distances in open water.

“However, what they cannot tolerate is prolonged submersion. When burrow systems and sewer networks flood, rats are forced to seek higher, drier ground, increasing the risk of infestations in properties.

“With northern regions already reporting notable increases in reported activity, continued wet weather may push more rats into properties. Early prevention and professional support are key.

“Simple steps such as proofing entry points, managing waste effectively and responding quickly to early signs of activity can make a significant difference. If a problem does become unmanageable, professional pest control experts are always on hand to provide safe and effective solutions.”

After periods of heavy rain, storms and flooding, property owners are advised to take proactive steps to reduce the risk of rodent activity, including:

• Clearing debris promptly by removing fallen branches, leaves and other items that may have accumulated around the property, as these create ideal hiding and nesting spots for rats.
• Sealing potential entry points.
• Inspecting the walls and foundations of the property for gaps, as rats can squeeze through “surprisingly small” openings
• Removing sources of food by ensuring outdoor bins are sturdy, fitted with tight lids and positioned away from building walls where possible.

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DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Some Palestinians say they fear the widening war sparked by U.S. and Israeli attacks against Iran could overshadow the fragile situation in Gaza, just over a week after U.S. President Donald Trump rallied billions of dollars in pledges for the territory’s reconstruction and tried to nudge a ceasefire forward.

Residents say they are scared of neglect and deprivation, with Israel in the wake of the weekend strikes closing all crossings into their shattered territory of over 2 million people.

Palestinians told The Associated Press they were rushing to markets, haunted by memories of painful food scarcity last year under months of Israel’s blockade. Part of Gaza, around Gaza City, was found to be in famine.

“When the crossings shut down, everything was suspended from the market,” said Osamda Hanoda from Khan Younis. “The prices go up, and people live in misery.”

Reports show prices of goods rising sharply

The shaky Israel-Hamas ceasefire had led to more humanitarian aid and other supplies entering Gaza, even as the United Nations and aid partners say more of everything from basic medical supplies to fuel is needed.

Now, Palestinians are hoarding again, with reports of prices rising sharply for basic goods such as bags of flour.

“We are afraid of not finding milk” and diapers for the kids, or food and water, said Hassan Zanoun, who was displaced from Rafah.

COGAT, the Israeli military body overseeing civilian affairs in Gaza, did not respond to a request for comment Sunday. In its announcement of the closings, it asserted that the food supply inside the territory “is expected to suffice for an extended period.” It added that the rotation of humanitarian workers in and out of Gaza is postponed.

It was not clear when any crossing might reopen. Israeli authorities focused on Iran, and citizens dashed repeatedly for shelter as sirens wailed.

Ramadan is disrupted

The war in Gaza began with the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and it’s been marked from the start by restrictions on people and supplies being allowed into the territory — and terrified people, including medical evacuees in need of treatment, getting out.

A month ago, Gaza’s main Rafah border crossing with the outside world — its only crossing not with Israel — reopened, allowing a small and tightly controlled flow of Palestinian traffic in both directions. No cargo was allowed through.

Now all crossings are closed again in the middle of the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, a time of chosen deprivation, evening feasts and prayer. Images have shown Palestinians lined up at long tables in the middle of bombed-out debris.

The strikes on Iran shook that routine.

“All the people rushed to markets, and they all wanted to shop and hide,” said Abeer Awwad, who was displaced from Gaza City, as word of the explosions in Tehran began to spread.

Under the Oct. 10 U.S.-brokered ceasefire, the heaviest fighting has subsided, though regular Israeli fire continues in Gaza. The U.N. World Food Program has noted progress in the enclave but said in its latest food security analysis last week that hunger remains.

“Households reported an average of two meals per day in February 2026, compared to one meal in July,” it said. “Still, one in five households consumed only one meal daily.”

A challenge for aid groups and others

Refocusing the world’s attention on Gaza is a challenge for aid groups and others as Iran scrambles for new leadership and explosions continue in Tehran, Israel and around the Middle East.

Trump has said bombing in Iran could continue through the week or longer, and warned Tehran of “A FORCE THAT HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE!” if it escalates attacks.

It’s a dramatic turn from Trump’s launch less than two weeks ago of his new Board of Peace, a gathering of world leaders that is aimed at ending the war in Gaza but has ambitions of resolving conflicts elsewhere.

Even with that bump in momentum on Gaza, major challenges remain for the ceasefire. They include disarming Hamas, assembling and deploying an international stabilization force, and getting a newly appointed Palestinian committee meant to govern Gaza into the territory.

As the Middle East turns to another war, some Palestinians see a benefit: Israel’s military is distracted.

“The good thing is that the sound of booms and demolitions is rare now near the yellow line,” said Ahmed Abu Jahl, of Gaza City, speaking about the line dividing Gaza and marking out roughly half the territory controlled by Israeli forces.

“Even the drones, they are still flying overhead, but their number has gone down.”

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Ezzidin reported from Cairo and Anna from Lowville, New York.

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Find more of AP’s coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war

Hydrolysis, also known as water cremation, has been dubbed “boil-in-the-bag” funerals by some and has been effectively banned in the UK until now

“Boil-in-the-bag” funerals are coming to the UK, it has been announced. Hydrolysis provides an eco-friendly option to conventional cremations or burials.

Formally called water cremation, the process has been labelled “boil-in-the-bag” funerals by some observers. Until now the method has been essentially prohibited in the UK, though it’s already established in Ireland, Canada and the United States.

Scotland has now become the first nation within the UK to adopt the technique following regulations introduced by the Scottish Government, which gained approval from the Scottish Parliament. In confirming the development, officials said it would provide choice for those seeking alternatives to burial or cremation for the first time in over a century.

Public Health Minister Jenni Minto said: “The choices people make about their remains prior to death are deeply personal, shaped by individual values, beliefs and the wishes of their families. Hydrolysis offers a new, environmentally friendly alternative to burial or cremation, responding to significant public support for greater choice, and it will be the first new option available for over 120 years.

“The process will be subject to the same assurances and regulatory requirements as existing methods, giving bereaved families confidence that their loved ones are treated with care, dignity and respect.”, reports the Mirror.

Hydrolysis sees the body wrapped in a silk or woollen shroud, or alternative biodegradable fabric, before being positioned in a vessel containing heated water and chemical solutions, accelerating the decomposition process. The remains can be given back to relatives, much like ashes after traditional cremation.

According to cremation.green the advantages include eliminating fossil fuel usage, lowering carbon dioxide emissions and, when compared to conventional burial, it’s considerably quicker. The website states that traditional burial methods require up to 25 years for complete human decomposition, whilst water-based cremation can be completed in merely two to three hours.

Already operating across 30 American states, plus Canada and South Africa, Europe’s inaugural water cremation centre, or resomation facility, launched in early 2023 in Navan, Co Meath, Ireland. The initial procedures in Scotland are anticipated to commence this summer once all required permissions are secured.

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