In the headlines
UK inflation has risen to more than 10% for the second time this year, driven by a 14.5% rise in food prices. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has refused to commit to raising benefits and pensions in line with the September price increase, meaning millions could see their real income dive. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has made a “hastily-arranged” visit to Washington amid growing fears Vladimir Putin will use nuclear weapons in Ukraine, says Sky News. The Russian army is running low on conventional missiles, raising concerns that the embattled Russian leader could launch a strike. Astronomers have recorded the largest explosion ever detected in the universe. The gamma ray burst, caused by the birth of a black hole, released more energy than our sun will do in its 10-billion-year lifetime. The blast (below) has been dubbed the “BOAT” – the brightest of all time.