In the headlines
Energy costs are on track to nearly double this winter, as Vladimir Putin squeezes gas supplies. Average yearly household bills, already at a record £1,971, are forecast to hit £3,850 by January. The West risks a “collapse into uncontrolled conflict” with China or Russia, according to Britain’s National Security Adviser. Sir Stephen Lovegrove says the world’s superpowers understood each other better during the Cold War, but a subsequent breakdown in communications has increased the threat from dangerous new tech including genetic weapons, “space-based systems” and lasers. McDonald’s has raised the price of a cheeseburger for the first time in 14 years, says The Sun, hiking the cost of the 99p favourite to £1.19. “We ain’t lovin’ it!”