A major search was carried out before a body was recovered by rescue crews

The body of a 12-year-old boy has been found in a Lancashire river after swimming with friends. A major search was carried out of the River Ribble on Tuesday (May 26) after the boy was reported as missing.

Fire crews, police and paramedics, along with underwater search teams, scoured the river in the Ribchester area throughout the evening after the alarm was raised shortly after 2pm. An air ambulance was also called to the scene.

A body was then recovered hours later, at around 7.50pm. Lancashire Police say it is believed to be that of the missing boy, with formal identification still due to take place.

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The death is not being treated as suspicious. The family of the young boy is being supported by specialist officers, Lancashire Police added.

A force spokesperson said: “At 2.06pm today (26th May) Lancashire Police received a report of a concern for safety after a boy had gone into the River Ribble at Ribchester. The boy, aged 12, had got into difficulty while swimming with friends in the river.

“A large-scale search involving officers from Lancashire Police’s underwater search unit and colleagues from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service was launched, with colleagues from North-West Ambulance Service providing support.

“Very sadly, a body was recovered from the river around 7.50pm. While formal identification has not yet taken place, we believe it to be the body of the missing boy.

“His family are being supported by specially trained family liaison officers, and our thoughts are very much with his loved ones at this extremely distressing time. The death is not being treated as suspicious, and a file will be passed in due course to HM Coroner.”

The war between Iran, the US and Israel has escalated into a major global crisis, with consequences that are reaching far beyond the Middle East. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which around 25% of the world’s oil ordinarily passes, has rattled global energy markets.

This has only been worsened by the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, which was imposed on April 13 in an attempt to restrict Iran’s ability to export its oil. In early May, the US Defense Department estimated that Iran had been denied nearly US$5 billion (£3.7 billion) in oil revenue due to the blockade.

But Iran’s role in the global economy is not merely centred on oil, as the conflict has shown. From methanol to pistachios and cement, the war is choking trade in a range of Iranian exports that underpin supply chains across Asia and the Middle East.

Methanol

Methanol is one of the war’s most consequential commodity stories. It is used in a variety of industrial and household products, including windshield cleaning fluids, antifreeze, plywood, plastic and fuel. Iran produces roughly 10 million tonnes of methanol a year, manufactured from its vast natural gas reserves, making it the world’s second-largest supplier after China.

But since hostilities began in February, Iranian methanol exports have effectively ceased. Strikes on Iran’s gas infrastructure have cut off both the feedstock and energy needed to run the country’s methanol plants. Combined with the closure of Hormuz and suspension of operations at Qatar’s Ras Laffan and Mesaieed natural gas complexes, over 30% of global seaborne methanol supply has been removed from the market.

China is being affected by the disruption most severely. It imported around 14 million tonnes of methanol in 2025, with much of it entering the country through coastal ports. For China, importing methanol has historically been more cost effective than hauling domestic production overland from its remote western regions to demand centres in the east.

Domestic producers have lifted output to offset part of the shortfall. But this alternative supply comes at a substantial cost for eastern industrial users, who are now paying up to 500 yuan (£55) per tonne more for methanol produced domestically than methanol sourced from overseas.

Pistachios

Iran is the second-largest producer of pistachio nuts globally, sandwiched between the US in first and Turkey in third. Pistachio prices reached US$4.57 (£6.10) a pound in March, their highest level since 2018.

Iran’s pistachio orchards are concentrated in the north-eastern province of Khorasan, where US and Israeli strikes have been less intense than in the west and south. But key ports near the Strait of Hormuz have been severely disrupted, with reports suggesting that Iranian pistachio exports have fallen by around 30% on the year.

The war has added pressure to a market that was already under strain. Harvests among the three major producers fell short of expectations in 2025 due to drought. Iranian exports were further constrained from January 2026, when the government in Tehran responded to internal unrest by shutting down the internet. This limited contact between exporters and foreign buyers.

The clearest beneficiary of constrained Iranian supply is the US. A 40-year-old US tariff on Iranian in-shell pistachios, introduced after the 1979 revolution, gradually helped California’s domestic industry develop into a global leader. The vast majority of the pistachios consumed in the US are now grown there.

The impact is instead falling on south Asian retailers in places like Kashmir and on the Gulf-driven “Dubai chocolate” boom, which relies heavily on Iranian kernels for the pistachio cream filling. In the six months to March 2025 alone, Iranian pistachio exports to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) rose by 40% compared with the previous year as confectioners scrambled to meet rising consumer demand for Dubai chocolate.

Cement

Iran also ranks as one of the world’s largest cement producers. Its annual output of 70 million tonnes is largely exported to neighbouring countries. Iraq has historically been the main buyer of Iranian cement. Next in line are Kuwait, Afghanistan and Syria.

Iranian cement output was already constrained before the conflict by domestic gas shortages and electricity rationing. Exports of clinker, the main constituent of cement, were down 17% in 2024 compared with the previous year. During the 2024 summer power crisis, 70% of cement kilns also halted operations.

Reliable wartime figures are not yet available, but the strikes on Iran’s gas infrastructure have worsened the feedstock problem. Temporary suspensions of port operations, as happened in the southern Iraqi city of Basra in March following attacks on two tankers off the coast, have further hampered Iran’s ability to export cement.

Meanwhile, Iraq and Kuwait face a double bind. As Iranian cement supplies tighten, both countries are losing the means to compensate. Iraq ships 97% of its energy exports through the Strait of Hormuz and Kuwait 100%. Both have shut down production.

The collapse in state revenue is straining infrastructure budgets in these countries. So even where alternative supply exists – from Turkey, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the UAE – Iraq and Kuwait lack the fiscal capacity to absorb the higher costs.

For years, much analysis of Iran has focused on the country’s isolation. But, in reality, Iran is involved in supply chains all over the world – from food to chemicals and building materials. The war has made this abundantly clear.

The greater flamingo chicks emerged between late April and early May and have quickly begun exploring their surroundings, typically venturing from their nests within a week of hatching.

Covered in soft grey down, the young flamingos will gradually turn pink over the next two years as they mature, a transformation caused by carotenoids in their diet.

The new arrivals remain with the flamingo flock and are being looked after by the adult birds (Image: Lisa Wilkinson-Gamble)

The chicks remain with the main flock and are cared for by both adult flamingos and the centre’s living collection team.

Visitors may notice the chicks gathered in a “crèche,” a form of flamingo day care where a small group of adults act as babysitters while the chicks stay close by.

Chicks are fed “crop milk,” a nutrient-rich substance regurgitated directly into the chick’s beak from the parents.

This milk is high in fat, protein, and carotenoid pigments.

Adult flamingos caring for chicks can often be identified by their paler pink colouring, a result of nutrient loss while feeding their young.

As the chicks grow, their beaks will begin to develop the characteristic downward curve of adult flamingos, allowing them to filter-feed on brine shrimp, insect larvae, and algae.

The arrival of the chicks is just in time for the May half-term, with visitors able to spot them at the Greater Flamingo habitat throughout the break.

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Victoria Fellowes, Visitor Experience Manager at Martin Mere, said: “Flamingos at Martin Mere have been wowing visitors since not long after opening in 1975.

“Some of the flamingos in the flock are even around 50 years in age.

“We’ve seen generations of chicks successfully hatch into the flock, and we’re hopeful for many more years of adorable chicks to come.”

Dorset Police were responding to a large group of people near Bournemouth pier

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Police have slammed ‘violence’ after officers were allegedly attacked in a ‘brawl’ on a popular UK beach. Parts of the holiday hotspot have been shut down as a result, the incident also happened on the ‘hottest day of the year’.

DailyStar reports Dorset Police said officers had been “assaulted” while responding to a large group of people near Bournemouth pier on Tuesday (May 26) afternoon. Despite the heavy police presence, there are still crowds of people in the area.

Witnesses have said that emergency services are trying to get people away from the the incident. Flight trackers also show a police helicopter circling the area and a police dog has also been spotted.

Around 35 officers have descended upon the area and are policing a cordon around Pier Approach. Paramedics from Southwest Ambulance Service have also arrived.

Police have revealed they are dealing with “disorder involving a large number of people”, and that a number of their officers had been assaulted.

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Assistant Chief Constable Mark Callaghan of Dorset Police said: “I would like to thank the law-abiding members of the public for their support, but I am sending a clear message to those who are intent on causing harm or using violence to leave the vicinity. There will be a large police presence in the area while we seek to keep the public and our officers safe.

“We have commenced an investigation into the disorder and we will continue to identify those responsible and bring them to justice. I would also like to thank our officers for their professional and courageous actions during this incident.”

It’s not yet known how many, if any at all, members of the public have been hurt in the incident.

Dorset’s police and crime commissioner David Sidwick has also issued a comment regarding tonight’s incident. He said: “I have been in contact with senior officers regarding the disorder in Bournemouth this evening and I want to make clear that those involved in violence and criminality will be dealt with robustly.

“I will ensure our officers have the support and resources they need to respond effectively to this situation and keep the public safe. I would also like to thank all officers and emergency services personnel for their professionalism and dedication during this incident.”

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council added: “We are aware of the incident on Bournemouth beach this evening and are working closely with Dorset Police to support their response.

“Incidents like this are taken extremely seriously, and we take a joined-up approach to antisocial behaviour and criminality, working alongside agencies to share intelligence, act quickly and target issues when they arise.

“While the overwhelming majority of people enjoy our coastline responsibly, incidents do occur. We’re grateful to the police for their swift action this evening and their dedication to keep residents, businesses and visitors safe.”

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration said Tuesday that it will admit an additional 10,000 white South Africans into the U.S. as refugees this year, increasing its historically low annual cap but still blocking people from other countries from entering through the program.

Trump suspended the refugee program on his first day in office and, since then, has turned it into a vehicle to allow Afrikaners — a group of white South Africans descended mainly from Dutch settlers — into the U.S. Advocates say the decision to focus a decades-old program on one group has left people around the world fleeing war and strife stranded and with few options.

The administration says Afrikaners are subject to persecution in their home country, a charge the government in South Africa denies.

In the Tuesday announcement on the Federal Register, President Donald Trump said that because of “an unforeseen emergency refugee situation” he was raising the refugee cap. He blamed the South African government for “recent increases in the incitement of racially motivated violence” but gave no specific information.

“I hereby determine that the admission to the United States of Afrikaners from South Africa in response to this emergency is justified by the grave humanitarian concerns and is otherwise in the national interest,” Trump said in the announcement.

Democrats criticize refugee cap

The administration indicated last year that it would approve up to 7,500, mostly Afrikaners, during the fiscal year stretching from October 2025 through September 2026, but last week, in a notice to Congress informing it of the increase, the administration said that “unforeseen developments in South Africa created an emergency refugee situation.” The change raises the limit to 17,500.

Christopher Landau, the deputy secretary of state, and Troy Edgar, the deputy secretary of Homeland Security, met with key congressional committees on Thursday as part of the legally required consultation process with lawmakers, according to two people who were granted anonymity to discuss a private meeting.

During the hour-long session, Landau told lawmakers that one of the ways that Afrikaners had faced persecution at home was the erasure of their history in school textbooks, according to the people with knowledge of the meeting. The discussion infuriated Democrats, who called the approach and the consultation “indefensible.”

The State Department did not return a request for comment on the interaction.

“The administration’s shameful approach to refugee resettlement is organized around prioritizing white-only Afrikaners and betraying everyone else, including thousands of Afghan allies who risked their lives for our nation, and thousands of other approved and vetted refugees twisting in the wind,” said Democratic Sens. Dick Durbin of Illinois and Alex Padilla of California, and Democratic Reps. Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Pramila Jayapal of Washington in a statement.

Inside the meeting, Democrats also pressed the administration on religious minorities in other nations, particularly in Iran, and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan indicated that it was an issue the administration should look at, the people said. Jordan raised the case of Saleh Mohammadi, a 19-year-old star wrestler who was hanged in Iran with two other young men in March after being sentenced on charges of “moharabeh,” or “waging war against God,” another person with knowledge of the meeting said.

Thousands of mostly white South Africans already admitted

The State Department has already approved more than 6,000 people through the refugee program since the beginning of the fiscal year in October, according to official data. All of those were from South Africa except for three people from Afghanistan.

Presidents set the cap on how many refugees the U.S. will approve through the program each year, and historically, they’ve allocated those numbers across various geographic regions while factoring in wars or conflicts that spark humanitarian needs around the globe.

The refugee program, administered by the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security, is distinct from asylum. People hoping to come through the refugee program must be living abroad and undergo vetting and other checks before being admitted to the U.S., whereas those seeking asylum are already on U.S. soil. A visa, however, is not a guarantee that the holder will be allowed to enter the U.S.

During his first administration, Trump slashed the number of refugees approved every year. Then the Biden administration built the system back up, setting a goal of admitting 125,000 refugees in his last year in office.

Groups that have for decades helped resettle refugees in the U.S. have sued to allow people who were in the refugee application process but are now stranded to be allowed to come to the U.S.

“For nearly half a century, the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program embodied a simple but powerful, bipartisan idea: that the United States would offer safety to the world’s most vulnerable refugees,” said Beth Oppenheim, President & CEO of HIAS, in a statement. “This administration is now dismantling that legacy in plain sight.”

A ranch seasoning sold at Walmart has been recalled due to potential salmonella contamination.

According to a recent notice from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, certain lots of Blackstone Parmesan Ranch seasoning products contained a dry milk powder that was recalled in April by California Dairies, Inc because it may have been contaminated with salmonella.

“The affected milk powder ingredient was supplied to a third-party manufacturer and used in the seasoning product,” Blackstone Products said in the announcement shared by the FDA.

The recall affects 7.3-ounce bottles of Blackstone Parmesan Ranch, with the number 4106 in the product name and Best If Used By dates between July 2, 2027, and August 12, 2027 on the label. Affected seasonings can be identified by one of three lot numbers: 2025-43282, 2025-46172 and 2026-54751.

Recalled products were sold at Walmart stores nationwide and through the Blackstone Products website.

Although there haven’t been any illnesses reported to date, customers with the recalled product should dispose of it immediately and contact Blackstone Products for a replacement.

People with salmonella infections can develop symptoms within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food, according to the FDA. Symptoms — which last from four to seven days and usually go away without treatment — can include diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. However, salmonella can “cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.”

The ranch seasoning wasn’t the only product that contained the recently recalled dry milk powder. On Saturday, SKS Copack recalled a variety of its specialty beverages because they were made with the dairy-based ingredient.

Drink and dessert mixes from the company’s Angel Specialty Products, Royal Gold, Boba Time, Fanale and Denda brands were affected, with individual products including matcha green tea, taro, caramel latte, horchata, milk tea and Dutch mocha cappuccino. Yogurt powders, ice cream mixes and smoothie bases from these brands were also impacted. All products were distributed through cafes, restaurants and direct delivery via Angel Specialty’s website in 25 states.

Earlier this month, Sugar Foods LLC recalled multiple lots of its Kroger Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons that had the recalled dry milk powder in them. Affected croutons were packaged in five-ounce pouches and distributed between March 7, 2026, and April 7, 2026, to Kroger stores in 17 states.

In addition, several types of frozen pizzas containing the potentially contaminated milk powder were recently recalled, including Mama Cozzi’s Biscuit Crust Sausage & Cheese Breakfast Pizza and Biscuit Crust Cooked Pork Belly Crumbles, Cooked Bacon Topping, Pepper & Onion Breakfast Pizza. They were both sold at Aldi stores nationwide.

Three Great Value frozen pizzas — Thin Crust Chicken Bacon Ranch, Ultra Thin Crust Chicken Bacon Ranch and Stuffed Crust Chicken Bacon Ranch — were included in that recall as well. They were sold at Walmart stores across the country.

The suspect was arrested on Tuesday (May 26) on suspicion of failing to disclose information regarding terrorist activity after the attack at the synagogue during Yom Kippur last year

A man has been arrested by counter terror police investigating the attack at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue last October.

The suspect was arrested on Tuesday (May 26) after a property was raided in on St James’ Road, in Higher Broughton, Salford. The warrant was carried out with Greater Manchester Police officers and Counter Terrorism Policing North West.

A 49-year-old man has been arrested and taken into custody to be questioned on suspicion of failing to disclose information regarding terrorist activity, contrary to S38B of the Terrorism Act 2000.

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Greater Manchester Police confirmed the arrest relates directly to the attack which took place on the morning of October 2 2025. Terrorist Jihad Al-Shamie targeted the temple, which at the time was full of people marking Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. The attacker was shot dead.

Adrian Daulby and Melvin Cravitz both died in the incident, with three other men were treated in hospital for serious injuries. All three have since been released.

The latest update brings the total number of people arrested in connection with the investigation to eight.

GMP said this includes a 30-year-old man who was arrested on October 9 last year on suspicion of failing to disclose information regarding terrorist activity, contrary to S38B of the Terrorism Act 2000. He remains under investigation.

It also includes a man, Mohammad Bashir, 31, of Shaftesbury Road, Cheetham Hill, who has since been charged with terrorism offences that are not directly linked to the attack.

Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts, who holds operational responsibility for Counter Terrorism Policing North West, said: “This evening we have arrested a 49-year-old man in the Salford area on suspicion of failing to disclose information regarding terrorist activity, contrary to S38B of the Terrorism Act 2000.

“The suspected offence relates directly to the terrorist attack that took place at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in October. The loved ones of Mr Daulby and Mr Cravitz, as well as those seriously injured in the attack, have been updated on this latest development.

“We remain unwavering in our commitment to establishing the full picture behind the attack and getting answers for those affected, including the local community. We are prepared to take swift, firm action where we suspect criminal offences may have occurred.

“Our investigation is continuing, and I would once again urge anybody who may have information that could assist us to please contact police.”

“Seamus’s mother, from the time he went missing until her passing, she searched tirelessly to try and recover and find where Seamus was, so I would ask people to put yourselves in her shoes – how would you like it if your mother was out trying to search for you, and that there were people out there with information that can help.

Counter Terrorism Policing North West, working with Greater Manchester Police, arrested the 49-year-old on the evening of Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at an address on St James’ Road in Higher Broughton.

He was arrested on suspicion of failing to disclose information regarding terrorist activity, an offence under Section 38B of the Terrorism Act 2000.

The man is currently in custody and being questioned by police.

The arrest is linked directly to the attack that occurred on Thursday, October 2, 2025.

During the incident, Adrian Daulby and Melvin Cravitz were killed, and three other men sustained serious injuries.

All three injured men have since been discharged from hospital.

Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts, who has operational responsibility for Counter Terrorism Policing North West, said: “This evening we have arrested a 49-year-old man in the Salford area on suspicion of failing to disclose information regarding terrorist activity, contrary to S38B of the Terrorism Act 2000.

“The suspected offence relates directly to the terrorist attack that took place at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in October.

“The loved ones of Mr Daulby and Mr Cravitz, as well as those seriously injured in the attack, have been updated on this latest development.

“We remain unwavering in our commitment to establishing the full picture behind the attack and getting answers for those affected, including the local community.

“We are prepared to take swift, firm action where we suspect criminal offences may have occurred.

“Our investigation is continuing, and I would once again urge anybody who may have information that could assist us to please contact police.”

This brings the total number of arrests in connection with the investigation to eight.

Among those previously arrested is a 30-year-old man detained on October 9, 2025, also on suspicion of failing to disclose information regarding terrorist activity.

He remains under investigation.

A separate individual has been charged with terrorism offences not directly linked to the synagogue attack.

Police continue to appeal for information from the public.

The Consumer Council has offered advice as telecoms costs continue to rise for NI households

As costs connected to broadband and phones continue to rise for households in Northern Ireland, people may have options available to secure a cheaper tariff.

The Consumer Council has offered advice to some households saying they may be eligible for social tariffs that could lower the costs they pay every month.

This follows the release of its Northern Ireland Household Expenditure Tracker, which monitors changes to income and expenditure, has shown that despite a slight increase in available spending money for the lowest-earning households in NI, they are still left with less than £53 a week on average after buying essentials and paying bills.

It found that telecom costs, or Broadband and phone services, continued to grow as an expenditure for households and now makes up 10% of weekly spending for low-earning households. The Consumer Council said this is the highest level since it began monitoring this.

It has now offered some advice to families regarding Social Tariffs that may be available to them and could help to bring their costs down.

Philippa McKeown-Brown, Acting Director of Strategy & Emerging Markets at the Consumer Council, said: “Being connected online is essential for accessing work, education, services and support. However, research conducted by the Consumer Council shows that many consumers in Northern Ireland are unaware that social tariffs are available through most well-known providers. These lower cost broadband and mobile packages offer the same as normal packages but typically cost between £10-£24 per month.

Philippa continued: “In an increasingly digital world, it’s important that people are not excluded. If you or someone in your household receive certain benefits, you may be eligible for these discounted packages through your current provider, or you can shop around.

“For more information, please visit our website: Social tariffs: can you save money on your internet? | Consumer Council The Consumer Council has a range of practical support and information to help reduce household bills at www.consumercouncil.org.uk.”

It also offered some advice on social tariff eligibility, stating: ‘