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As the cost of living crisis continues to bite, finding ways to lower your grocery bill has become more important than ever. Retail workers are sharing their insider knowledge on how to save money at supermarkets, street markets, and charity shops.Be Savvy About Store DiscountsMany supermarkets offer yellow-stickered items that are reduced in price due to nearing their expiration dates. These discounts can be significant, with reductions of up to 75% off. Alasdair Baker, who runs The Penny Pincher, advises shopping for these items in the late afternoon or early evening when the biggest reductions are typically applied.View image in fullscreenTiming matters … you’ll find the biggest reductions on yellow-sticker items in the late afternoon and early evening. Be AppySome grocery stores use apps such as Too Good To Go and Olio to offer discounts or free food to avoid food waste – but it can be a gamble as to what you get.Use Common SenseIf you buy something reduced on the day it is expiring, that doesn’t mean you need to eat it that day. There is a difference between “best before” dates, which are about food quality and the more important “use by” dates, which are about food safety.Be Cautious About ‘Bogof’ Deals“There aren’t as many buy one, get one free [bogof] deals now, because of new rules that came into place last year,” says Baker. These restrict promotions of products high in fat, sugar or salt.Avoid Big BrandsThe ends of supermarket aisles often feature big brands, says Baker. “They are not placed there randomly: the companies pay an awful lot of money. The idea is to try to coax people into buying those products more often.”Sign Up for a Store Card“It’s sad that we now have to essentially sell our data to the supermarkets in exchange for affordability – but such is life in 2026,” says Jenny Rogers. “If you have a store card, it is also worth getting the supermarket app, as a lot of stores will give you one or two personalised offers a week, or periodic free delivery for members.

Janett and Erika Liriano, growing up in Queens as daughters of Dominican immigrants, were encouraged to dream big. By their late 20s, Janett had been named a Forbes 30 Under 30 Listmaker and was chief of staff at a biopharmaceutical firm, while Erika was making a name for herself in venture capital.However, feeling unfulfilled, they decided to leave their lucrative jobs and move to the Dominican Republic to start a chocolate company. Inspired by their parents' homeland and the country's rich cacao resources, they aimed to create a vertically integrated cacao company that would benefit local farmers.The Dominican Republic produces about 60% of the world's organic cacao, but most of its export is raw beans, with the majority of profit made in countries like Belgium, Germany, and the US. The sisters saw an opportunity to change this and create a more equitable supply chain.After months of research and planning, they launched Inaru Chocolate, a company that contracts directly with farmers and pays them a fixed rate, ensuring fair prices and better livelihoods. The company pays farmers 3% of every product sold, resulting in 30 to 50% higher earnings than what most other buyers offer.In 2023, they opened a 7,000-sq-ft chocolate factory outside Santo Domingo, employing 35 people and producing high-end chocolate. Their business model has attracted brands like the W Hotel and Zingerman's, with 80% of their business coming from B2B sales.The sisters' journey hasn't been easy, facing challenges like securing funding and navigating language barriers. Despite these obstacles, they have raised $12m in investments and are committed to creating jobs and empowering local farmers in their parents' homeland.

It's been 20 years since the passing of Muriel Spark, a celebrated Scottish novelist, short story writer, poet, and essayist. With a career spanning over two decades, Spark left an indelible mark on literature with her 22 novels, which are characterized by their uncanny, astute, and witty storytelling. James Bailey, author of the biography Like a Cat Loves a Bird: The Nine Lives of Muriel Spark, provides a guide to Spark's oeuvre, highlighting her unique narrative style. A typical Spark novel begins by introducing an enclosed community, such as nuns, schoolgirls, or desert island castaways, filled with gossip, deceptions, and conflicts. This setup is then disrupted by a dramatic event, like a murder or scandal, allowing Spark to explore the consequences. For readers new to Spark's work, Memento Mori (1959) is a great starting point. This darkly comic novel follows a cast of bickering pensioners who receive anonymous phone calls with the ominous message: 'Remember you must die.' The novel raises questions about mortality, fear, and the human condition. Spark's debut novel, The Comforters (1957), is a remarkable example of her innovative storytelling. The protagonist, Caroline Rose, believes she can hear the clanking typewriter keys of an entity she calls the Typing Ghost, which dictates the events of her life. This novel showcases Spark's ability to blend diabolism, diamond-smuggling, and supernatural elements. One of Spark's most famous novels, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, is known for its quotable lines, such as 'Give me a girl at an impressionable age and she is mine for life.' This novel explores themes of favouritism, fascism, and the seductive power of belonging. Spark considered The Driver's Seat (1970) her finest achievement, describing it as her creepiest work. This novel follows Lise, a protagonist whose holiday romance takes a dark and unexpected turn. Spark's works often explored the contrast between public personas and private lives. Her 1968 novel, The Public Image, is a prime example, delving into the world of a film star struggling to maintain her reputation amidst paparazzi and self-absorbed relationships. Spark's short stories, collected in her Complete Short Stories, offer a glimpse into her versatility as a writer. These tales often feature unquiet spirits and explore themes of mortality, guilt, and redemption.

Gentleman's Relish, a traditional British condiment, has been discontinued by its manufacturer, AB World Foods. However, Simpson's restaurant in London and Fortnum & Mason have stepped in to keep the spread alive. Jeremy King, who reopened Simpson's in the Strand last month, has instructed his chef to create a version of Gentleman's Relish almost identical to the original.The relish, made from anchovy fillets, rusk, butter, and a secret selection of herbs and spices, was created by John Osborn in 1828. It was a favourite condiment of James Bond writer Ian Fleming and has been named as one of the 10 foods that Nigella Lawson cannot live without. Simpson's serves the relish on toast for £6.50, while Fortnum & Mason offers it in a Tiffany blue pot for £14.95.King's version of the relish is based on a classic Victorian recipe for patum peperium, which he prefers to the mass-produced version. While he would like to sell it as a takeaway product, health and safety regulations prevent this. Nigella Lawson has expressed her love for the relish, saying it's a savoury version of cinnamon toast and just as comforting.

The recent ceasefire between the United States and Iran may provide temporary relief, but the oil crisis triggered by their conflict is far from over. After 40 days of fighting, the two nations agreed to a two-week ceasefire, with negotiations set to begin in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad.One of the key points in Iran's 10-point proposal is allowing shipping to resume through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway through which 20 percent of the world's oil and gas is shipped during peacetime. The strait has been effectively closed since the start of the war, causing global oil and gas prices to soar.Following the announcement, oil prices dropped to $92 on Wednesday, down from over $110 for much of the war. However, delays in restarting production and transport mean the energy crisis is far from over. For ships to continue operating, they need certainty about security during the next two weeks of the ceasefire.Even with the waterway reopened, it will take weeks for large oil tankers – now scattered thousands of miles away – to return to the Gulf to collect the millions of barrels sitting in large reservoirs. With very few tankers able to load or unload and their onshore storage full, producers began shutting wells, causing regional oil output to plummet despite efforts to reroute limited volumes via overland pipelines.Economists warn that the true impact on grocery bills will likely persist throughout 2026 and into 2027. Additionally, it will take years for the Gulf energy industry to repair facilities damaged or destroyed during the war.Shipping data shows that combined exports from Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates fell from 469 million barrels in February to 263 million barrels in March – a decline of 206 million barrels, or 44 percent. Iraq's crude exports have been hit the hardest, falling 82 percent from 94m barrels in February to 17m in March.The 206 million barrels of Gulf oil lost since the start of the war would fill approximately 103 Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs), the workhorse supertankers of the global energy trade. A single VLCC stretches nearly 330 metres (1,080 feet) in length, nearly the same height as the Eiffel Tower in Paris.To put that in more practical terms, if you drove a pick-up truck that averages 24 miles per gallon (or 10 litres per 100km), one barrel of crude oil would carry you about 730km or 450 miles. That is about the distance from New York City to Cleveland, Ohio.For much of the war, oil has traded above $100 per barrel, hitting a peak of nearly $128 on April 2. The value of 206 million lost export barrels at various oil prices is significant, with Brent crude being the global benchmark.

Since its inauguration in 1875, Mumbai’s Sassoon Dock has transitioned from a Gulf‑bound trading hub to the beating heart of the city’s fishing sector. Today, the once‑bustling harbour is marked by an unsettling silence.Rows of fishing boats sit idle under the morning sun, their colourful flags fluttering against the skyline. The familiar chorus of net‑unloading, diesel‑engine rumble, ice‑hauling and fish‑monger shouts has faded.Boat owner Shekhar Chogle, weather‑worn from years at sea, has been compelled to keep his vessel moored since the conflict began. Plummeting earnings, relentless labour costs and diesel prices soaring above $1.20 per litre ($4.54 per US gallon) have rendered fishing operations virtually impossible.The dock’s diesel pump now sits abandoned, draped with a wilted marigold garland. A worker returns from the petrol station empty‑handed, his wooden barrow holding six unfilled containers, underscoring the fuel shortage that has crippled cooperatives that normally supply affordable fuel, ice and equipment to fishers.This fuel crisis reverberates beyond Mumbai, affecting fishing communities throughout India and wider Asia. Fishers confront a stark choice: stay ashore and forfeit income, or brave the sea at the risk of further financial loss, jeopardising both individual families and entire coastal economies.A recently announced two‑week ceasefire between Iran, the United States and Israel offers a glimmer of hope, yet analysts warn that normalising fuel supplies will take time.For Chogle, the clock is ticking. “Our income has dropped significantly since we have not been able to take our boat out to sea,” he lamented.Despite the soaring fuel costs, a few boats still venture out. Morning markets persist, though catches are modest. Women in vibrant saris haggle over the limited fish, and a mother balancing a baby on her hip scrutinises each purchase, weighing cost against necessity.“If diesel prices don’t come down soon, I don’t know how we’ll survive,” Chogle warned, encapsulating the precarious future of Mumbai’s once‑thriving fishing trade.

The Guardian is calling on readers to share their personal stories of how they have been impacted by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. With Iran and the US agreeing to a two-week conditional ceasefire, the situation remains volatile and uncertain.Whether you are living, working, or traveling in the region, or have been impacted in other ways, the Guardian wants to hear from you. Your experiences can help provide a deeper understanding of the human impact of the conflict.Please note that your security is the top priority. The Guardian recognizes it may not always be safe or appropriate to record or share your experiences, so please consider this when deciding whether to get in touch.To share your story, you can:Fill out the online form provided, which is encrypted and confidential.Message the Guardian on WhatsApp or Signal at +447766780300.The Guardian assures readers that all responses will be kept secure and anonymous if desired. The information collected will only be used for the purpose of this feature and will be deleted when no longer required.Key form fields include:NameLocationBackground information (optional)Country locatedPersonal experience with the conflictPhoto upload (optional)Publication consentContact details (optional)For more information, readers can visit the Guardian's tips guide or privacy policy.

János Bődey's photograph of two elderly ladies dressed as bride and groom in a Hungarian retirement home has captured the essence of joy and love in old age. The image is part of his series Carnival at the Retirement Home, which showcases the fulfilling lives of pensioners who have overcome difficulties.In Hungary, the average pension is approximately £500 a month, making it challenging for retirees to afford leisure, culture, or travel. Additionally, the health of Hungarian pensioners often falls short of Western standards, and securing a spot in a retirement home can be a lengthy process.Bődey's subjects, Magdolna, 87, and Irén, 86, have lived with their husbands for over 50 and 62 years, respectively, until their spouses passed away. They attribute their long and happy lives to a combination of good genes, an active lifestyle, and a healthy marriage.The photographer's series aims to serve as a role model for both peers and the middle generation, demonstrating that it's possible to lead a fulfilling life in old age. The elderly ladies recommend a healthy, active life with plenty of walking and traveling, as well as avoiding debt.Bődey's work is a departure from his usual coverage of conflicts and social issues. He finds inspiration in the happiness and playfulness of the carnival celebrations, which begin in February to mark the end of winter.The photographer's experience has taught him the importance of preparing for retirement by gathering emotional and financial resources, setting goals, and being creative. His series has been shortlisted for the Sony World Photography Awards 2026 and will be exhibited at Somerset House in London from April 17 to May 4.

Opening new oil and gas fields in the North Sea would send a shock wave around the world, senior climate diplomats warned, saying the move would imperil international climate targets, erode the United Kingdom’s reputation as a climate leader and embolden developing countries to exploit their own fossil‑fuel reserves.The UK government faces intense lobbying from the oil industry, Conservative MPs, Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party, certain trade unions and factions within the Treasury. Yet research shows that new drilling would do little to lower energy prices and would have almost no impact on gas imports.Two of the remaining large North Sea prospects – the Rosebank and Jackdaw fields – sit in a basin that is over 90% depleted and increasingly costly to develop. Even if fully exploited, they would displace only about 1% and 2% of the UK’s gas imports respectively, according to recent analysis.Senior figures in international climate diplomacy described the prospect of new drilling as dangerous for global emissions‑reduction efforts and a step back from the phase‑out of fossil fuels.Lord Nicolas Stern, professor at the London School of Economics, warned that “new drilling and a slowdown in climate action would be bad for growth and for energy security in the UK, and a damaging signal for the world.” He added that the UK’s pioneering climate legislation and its role as the first G7 nation to commit to net‑zero by 2050 give its actions “extra weight” on the global stage.An anonymous senior African negotiator reacted angrily to the proposal, stating that Africa would “reject any proposal for the UK to expand oil drilling” because it is “fundamentally inconsistent with both the letter and spirit of the Paris Agreement” and would “weaken trust with climate‑vulnerable nations”.Christiana Figueres, former UN climate chief and co‑founder of the Global Optimism think‑tank, argued that true energy independence lies in “scaling clean, domestic energy, not in extending the life of declining industries”. She cautioned that reverting to old‑fashioned oil expansion would lock in infrastructure at odds with the direction of the global energy system.The UK has been a vocal supporter of an upcoming conference in Colombia on the “transition away from fossil fuels”, a pledge made three years ago at COP28 that remains largely unfulfilled. However, the Guardian learned that Ed Miliband, the UK secretary of state for energy security and net‑zero, will not attend; the government’s climate envoy, Rachel Kyte, will travel in his place.Campaigners had urged Miliband’s presence, citing his pivotal role in securing a last‑minute deal at COP30 in Brazil last November.Experts caution that licensing new fields before the Colombian summit could undermine progress in persuading developing nations to forgo fossil‑fuel‑based economies and adopt cleaner energy pathways.Mohamed Adow, director of the Power Shift Africa think‑tank, warned that a UK approval would “send a shock wave around the world that short‑term interests are being prioritised over long‑term responsibility”. He stressed that many African countries are being asked to leapfrog to clean energy with limited financial support, and that wealthy nations continuing to invest in fossil fuels “undermine this message and diminish their credibility”.Several developing‑country officials echoed this concern, asking, “Why shouldn’t we tap into our own fossil‑fuel resources if the UK is doing so?” They argued that leadership on climate must be consistent with actions.An ally of Miliband praised the UK’s stance, calling “no new exploration licences” a “landmark global leadership position” that shows a major oil‑producing country can align policy with climate science to avoid a 3‑4°C warming scenario.A government spokesperson reaffirmed the administration’s commitment, stating that the UK has placed “clean energy and climate at the heart of its agenda”, and that it will continue to “stop issuing licences to explore new fields, in line with the science and in securing a just transition in the North Sea”.