Industry experts are warning that food prices may climb, despite the UK’s current rate of inflation holding steady.

While inflation has not increased in recent months, the Bank of England says global events could soon put pressure on supermarket bills.

Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said: “While the war in the Middle East pushes prices up globally, we have got the right economic plan and inflation has held steady.”

However, Karen Betts, chief executive of the Food and Drink Federation (FDF), said the impact of Middle East disruptions on food prices has not yet filtered through.

Ms Betts told The Sun: “It’s good to see an easing of food inflation in May, but consumer prices still don’t reflect the inflation caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

“It generally takes several months for the increased costs paid by farmers, processors and manufacturers to filter into raised prices at the tills… and we expect food inflation to pick up this year and into next.”

Economists had forecast that inflation would rise to three per cent in May, making the latest figures a relief for many households.

Jim Mellon, chief executive of Agronomics, said: “Global conflicts, along with climate change, are causing food shortages, supply chain issues and price spikes in the UK and beyond.”

George Philips, commercial director at Wains, the UK’s largest World Food distributor and wholesaler, said items at risk of price rises include bottled water, cooking oil, washing up liquid, tea, coffee, rice, sugar, meat, milk, bread, pasta, and cereal.

Retail analysts at Omnisend noted that rising oil and gas prices are making the transport of goods more expensive.

Marty Bauer, a retail analyst, said: “That extra cost rarely disappears, and most of Britain’s biggest retailers will likely do anything to avoid it impacting their margins, so unfortunately, it tends to be passed down the chain, while making sure to avoid deterring consumers entirely.”

The ONS said that food inflation is slow compared to other areas of consumer spending.

Have you noticed a rise in prices? Let us know in the comments

Two roadside bombs in restive northwestern Pakistan killed at least seven people on Saturday, authorities said.

The first targeted a vehicle, while the second went off as rescuers responded to the blast in Bannu, a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan, senior police official Yasir Afridi said, adding both were controlled remotely.

Mr Afridi said five people were killed in the first blast and two in the second. Three people were also wounded, he said.

A search operation to find those responsible is underway.

“A private pick-up truck carrying passengers was targeted with a remote-controlled IED,” said Mr Afridi, using a common acronym for a homemade bomb.

“The injured were being transported to hospital in a car for emergency treatment when a second IED exploded,” he said, adding that three people were wounded.

No group immediately claimed responsibility, but suspicion is likely to fall on the Pakistani Taliban, who have been blamed for similar attacks in the past.

President Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned the bombings. In a statement, he conveyed condolences to the families of those killed and prayed for the speedy recovery of the wounded.

Without naming any group, Mr Zardari issued a warning to “internal and external handlers of terrorism” who provide safe havens, logistical support and financial assistance to militant networks.

Pakistan has experienced a surge in militant violence in recent years, much of it claimed by the Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP. The group is separate from, but allied with, Afghanistan’s Taliban, who seized power in Kabul in 2021.

Pakistani officials say many TTP leaders and fighters have found sanctuary across the border in Afghanistan, although the Taliban government in Kabul has repeatedly denied these accusations.

Relations between the two neighbours have deteriorated sharply in recent months, with tensions spilling over into military confrontations, including Pakistani air strikes inside Afghanistan.

Earlier this month, Pakistan said air strikes near the frontier killed at least 26 Taliban fighters. Afghan authorities, however, said the attacks left 12 civilians dead.

The main border crossings have remained largely shut since violence intensified in October, hampering trade and restricting the movement of people and goods between the two countries.

North Yorkshire Police is appealing for information after the Yamaha, with a black and yellow fuel tank, was stolen in Bleriot Way, Clifton Moor, at around 1pm on Friday, June 12.

The force said the motorcycle was taken from the car park of the owner’s workplace.

A police spokesperson said a man had taken the motorcycle and “wheeled it away from the area”.

They urged anyone who has seen the bike to contact North Yorkshire Police.

“If anyone has seen the bike in the image attached or has any information as to who may currently be in possession of it please could you get in touch,” the police spokesperson said.

“If you can help our appeal, please email peter.henderson@northyorkshire.police.uk

“Or call 101 and ask for PC1668 Henderson.

“If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

“Please quote reference 12260109032 when passing on information.”

Japan will raise visa fees for foreign nationals from next month, marking the first increase in nearly 50 years, authorities said.

The cabinet approved the change on Friday, and it will apply to visa applications submitted on or after 1 July.

Under the new fee structure, the cost of a single-entry visa will rise from 3,000 Japanese yen to 15,000 Japanese yen, while the cost of a multiple-entry visa will rise from 6,000 Japanese yen to 30,000 Japanese yen.

“The current visa fee was set in 1978, and we have recently revised it to reflect inflation and exchange rate fluctuations since then,“ foreign minister Toshimitsu Motegi told a news conference on Friday.

“We made this decision after carefully considering various factors, and we do not anticipate that it will have an immediate impact on inbound tourism,” he added.

The fee increases follow legislation approved by parliament last month that allows the government to raise a range of immigration-related charges. Officials say the additional revenue will help cover the growing costs associated with managing Japan’s expanding foreign resident population and improving immigration services, according to The Japan Times.

As part of the broader overhaul, the legal ceiling for fees related to residency status changes and visa extensions will be increased significantly, while the maximum charge for permanent residency applications will also rise. The government has proposed lifting fees for residency status modifications and stay extensions to between 10,000 Japanese yen and 70,000 Japanese yen, depending on the application type.

Charges for permanent residency applications are expected to increase from 10,000 Japanese yen to 200,000 Japanese yen. Authorities aim to introduce those changes before the end of the fiscal year in March 2027, Nippon reported.

Officials say the extra funds will support immigration processing, expand Japanese-language education programs and strengthen efforts to tackle visa overstays.

Japan’s foreign resident population reached a record 4.13 million people by the end of 2025, according to government data.

The government has also argued that the revised fees will bring Japan’s immigration-related charges closer to those imposed by other advanced economies, where visa and residency application costs are often substantially higher.

The Parklife 2026 weekend at Heaton Park is finally here!

The annual event kicks off on Saturday (June 20) and will continue into Sunday (June 21), with a varied line-up of DJs and performers, including the likes of Calvin Harris, Zara Larsson, Skepta and Sammy Virji. There will also be lots of homegrown talent represented on the roster, including Josh Baker and Morgan Seatree.

Each year, the festival attracts over 82,000 attendees with many coming from outside of Manchester for the good times and atmosphere.

Click here for the latest on Manchester’s food & drink scene, gigs and more in our CityLife newsletter

Parklife 2026 will consist of five different stages, with a new Panorama stage making its debut this year. Described as an evolution of the fan-favourite Hangar, it will consist of multi-level dance platforms, a massive 100-metre curved LED screen that wraps around the stage, and exclusive behind-the-booth access for VIPs.

In addition to Parklife, the city is set to be busier than usual with fans also attending the Take That concert at the Etihad Stadium. In addition, Lily Allen will also be performing at the AO Arena this evening whilst the Soft & Gentle Netball Super League will continue at at Co-op Live. Because of this, fans have been asked to plan ahead when it comes to travel.

Today’s Parklife line-up will be fronted by Skepta and Sammy Virji, with Mozey, East End Dubs, Dean Turnley, Daria Kolosova, Rossi., Andy, Jamback, Mall Grab, and K Motionz amongst the performers later on tonight.

We’ll be sharing all the latest on day one of Parklife 2026 in our live blog below which you can follow for updates and photos.

Law changes mean the consequences for crossing the line could be more serious than many realise

With the World Cup now in full swing, workplaces across the country – from offices to building sites – are buzzing with football-related conversations and group chat activity, most of which remains harmless fun.

However, HR specialist Kate Underwood warns that major sporting events can sometimes spark issues when banter oversteps the mark from lighthearted ribbing into conduct that leaves colleagues feeling uneasy. Following recent amendments to employment legislation, the ramifications for both staff members and businesses can be far graver than many people appreciate.

Kate Underwood, who established the Southampton-based Kate Underwood HR and Training, explained: “The good banter is easy. Office sweepstakes, winding up a colleague after a bad result or debating whether football is coming home. The problem starts when comments become personal, targeted or continue after someone has made it clear they are uncomfortable.”

Kate noted that numerous workplace difficulties emerged because individuals concentrated on their intentions rather than the impact of their words.

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She added: “One of the biggest misconceptions is that saying ‘I was only joking’ somehow solves everything. It doesn’t. What matters is how the comment lands with the other person, not what the speaker meant by it.”

She cautioned that football tournaments could turn into “flashpoints for inappropriate comments about gender, appearance or personal characteristics”. Remarks such as “do women even like football?” or persistent jokes aimed at a single individual can rapidly become an issue, particularly when alcohol flows at post-match gatherings.

Kate said: “The workplace version of ‘it was just banter’ is often where things start going wrong. Most people know where the line is. The issue is when someone keeps pushing after it has stopped being funny.”

UK employment law change in 2026 now in force

The stakes have risen following amendments brought in through the Employment Rights Act. Since April 2026, reporting sexual harassment has qualified as a protected disclosure under whistleblowing legislation, affording workers greater legal protections when raising concerns.

Kate said: “A complaint that starts with somebody saying they felt uncomfortable can now potentially carry whistleblower protection. The bigger risk for employers is often not the original incident but how they react when someone raises a concern.”

She cautioned firms against brushing off complaints, sidelining staff or treating them differently once they have spoken out.

She added: “Employers need to remember that the law protects the person raising the concern. The worst response is to punish the messenger.”

For employers, the answer isn’t to prohibit football banter entirely, but rather to ensure managers are clear about appropriate boundaries and that employees have a straightforward mechanism to voice concerns should issues arise.

Kate explained: “For almost everyone, the football is exactly what it should be: a bit of fun and a good excuse to wind up the desk next to you. The job for employers is simply making sure that if something stops being a joke, there is a safe place for people to speak up.

“Employers must take reasonable steps, such as adding a simple process like an independent reporting line, to ensure whistleblowing is taken seriously.”

Gary, 65, has been reported missing after his van was found near Aldi in Newton Aycliffe.

Gary was last seen several weeks ago (Image: DURHAM CONSTABULARY)

He has not been seen for several weeks, police said.

Gary and is described as being of average height, with dark hair and a full beard. He is often seen wearing workwear.

He is said to have links to Newton Aycliffe and Whitby.

Anybody with any information relating to Gary’s whereabouts is asked to contact Durham Police quoting incident number 389 of June 14.

BUNIA, Congo (AP) — Mourners gathered Friday to bury a 6-month-old girl who died from Ebola earlier this week, the third child to die at an orphanage in eastern Congo as authorities have struggled to contain the latest outbreak.

Carrying a cross, people stood at a distance as the small coffin was lowered into the ground by masked and gloved health workers, and a Catholic priest prayed over her body.

“It’s a feeling of sadness because we have lost one of our own, a daughter of the church,” said Father Innocent Ndogo.

“As we have always said, the Lord gives, and the Lord takes away.”

Ituri, the region at the center of the current outbreak, has reported more than 90% of the cases. The response has been complicated by residents clashing with healthcare professionals over disrupted burials and the response to the outbreak, which has been militarized at times.

The impersonal nature of safe burial practices and the severity of the epidemic were evident on Friday as only healthcare workers in protective gear were allowed to handle the coffin and the burial.

Bundibugyo, the type of Ebola in this outbreak, has no approved treatment or vaccine, and even some health workers have said they don’t have the masks, gloves and other gear to protect themselves.

During a visit to Bunia on Friday, Congolese Health Minister Roger Kamba said that there were now 933 confirmed cases and 245 deaths from the current outbreak. Kamba also stated that all health centers will be free in Ituri and that healthcare workers bonuses will be doubled.

There are 35,000 suspected potential contacts, Africa’s Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said on Thursday.

Despite the rapid spread of the current outbreak, it is still not nearly as deadly as a 2014 outbreak of Ebola that killed more than 11,000.

With no approved vaccines or treatments, the Bundibugyo strain was not tested for in the early days. This lack of testing is one of the reasons the outbreak has spread to such an extent. The more common Zaire virus, for which there is a vaccine, was responsible for most of Congo’s past 16 outbreaks of the disease.

Alex Lock, a communications officer at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, asked people to resist feeling indifferent.

Rory McIlroy carded a one-over 71 in the second round of the US Open at Shinnecock Hills after a chaotic back nine

Rory McIlroy’s turbulent back nine amid challenging conditions at Shinnecock Hills saw him slip away from US Open second-round pacesetter Wyndham Clark.

Just as the Masters winner appeared poised to mount a serious challenge to the American, his round unravelled dramatically.

Failing to convert a six-foot birdie opportunity at the turn, which would have left him three shots adrift of the 2023 champion, proved the least of the world number two’s troubles.

Battling intensifying winds, he struggled to judge distances accurately, overshooting the greens at the 10th, 11th and 12th holes, dropping a shot at each.

A brief resurgence followed with consecutive birdies: nearly holing his 108-yard approach at the 13th for a simple tap-in, before the cup rescued a scorching 40-footer to restore him to two under par.

After another overhit approach at the 15th, his recovery chip failed to hold and trickled into a bunker, resulting in his group’s first double bogey of the tournament while playing alongside Ryder Cup colleagues Tommy Fleetwood and Ludvig Aberg.

That setback returned him to level par, seven strokes behind Clark but – given Shinnecock’s notorious difficulty – still very much in contention in a share of 10th place.

His outward half proved far steadier, featuring seven pars alongside birdies at the fifth and eighth for a 33, though his inward 38 for a one-over 71 fell well short of expectations.

“If there’s a course where you feel like you still have a chance if you’re seven back going into the weekend like I am, it’s definitely this one,” said McIlroy.

“I know that everyone else in the field is going to make bogeys so if I can limit my mistakes and pick off a few birdies here and there, hole a couple more 20 to 25-footers than other guys, that’s really the strategy.

“You can’t go chasing pins around here. You can’t try to be too aggressive; today for me was a prime example.

“I was a little too aggressive to the pin on 11, a little too aggressive to the pin on 12 – all of a sudden just two bogeys in a row out of nowhere.

“I think you still have to play smart, try to keep the ball under the hole, hit it into the middles of the greens and take your chances when they present themselves.”

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