Kate Dearden says reforms such as enhanced sick pay simply bring UK into line with other big economiesLabour's radical workers' rights reforms have simply put the UK on a level playing field" with other big economies, the employment minister, Kate Dearden, has said.The government's Employment Rights Act became law last year, with specific provisions being implemented this year and next. Continue reading...
Alarm over the judgment and behaviour of the world's most powerful man, and the consequent risks to the world, can only get worseThe main Nuremberg trial ended, Winston Churchill warned of an iron curtain descending across Europe, It's a Wonderful Life received its premiere and, at Jamaica hospital in the borough of Queens, New York, Donald John Trump was born.It was 1946, also the birth year of George W Bush and Bill Clinton, but on Sunday the current US president celebrates his 80th birthday in a style uniquely his own. Trump will stage a night of cage fighting on the once-pristine White House south lawn as part of events marking the 250th anniversary of US independence. Continue reading...
Convenience store employee Eileen Fox, 56, said suspect banged into metal stand' but no one was injured in incident Waitrose employee sacked after stopping shoplifter from taking Easter eggsA convenience store worker was sacked after trying to tackle a woman who she suspected was shoplifting bacon.Eileen Fox said the suspected thief was well known" in Bootle, Merseyside, and claimed she had been stealing from the shop for years. Continue reading...
by Patrick Butler Social policy editor on (#769NG)
Chris Farrell was given benefit for six months despite his repeated requests for payments to stopA former unpaid carer has urged welfare officials to get their act together" after they continued to pay him carer's benefit for six months after the death of his husband, potentially landing him with debts of more than 1,300.Chris Farrell, 65, who claimed carer's allowance for four years while providing full-time care for his late husband repeatedly tried to get the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to stop paying him the 86.45 a week benefit.A carer who has accumulated more than 2,000 of unwanted carer's allowance since their mother went into a care home 10 months ago. They said they had contacted the DWP to cancel the benefit five times, by phone and online form, to no avail.A carer who found it impossible to get the DWP to stop carer's allowance payments despite reporting over a year ago she had taken on a new work contract and was no longer eligible for the benefit. She had been overpaid more than 2,650.A man trying to manage work and care for his father, who claimed carer's allowance for several months after being made redundant, has been unable to stop the benefit despite telling officials repeatedly he no longer needed it after finding a new job. Continue reading...
Exclusive: Research in England shows people a third less likely to reoffend under decriminalisation-style schemesDrug diversion schemes led by police that steer people away from the criminal justice system and into treatment and education services are significantly more effective in reducing reoffending than prosecution, according to a new analysis.Researchers examined outcomes across 13 English police forces and more than 62,000 criminal incidents over the past four years, finding that people whose cases were dealt with through decriminalisation-style diversion schemes were a third less likely to reoffend than similar individuals prosecuted for drug possession. Continue reading...
Appearance of a western reef heron in north Wales is unlikely to be the last, as heating temperatures mean species can survive Britain's winter, say expertsIt is a tropical bird typically encountered between west Africa and India, but last week a western reef heron arrived in north Wales in what is believed to be the first ever sighting in the UK.The heron was first spotted in Foryd Bay at the weekend before flying to nearby Caernarfon harbour where it fed among the boats. Continue reading...
The far-right proposal would require the government to put restrictions in place to limit the population by 2050A national ballot on an unprecedented far-right proposal to limit Switzerland's population to 10 million concludes this weekend, amid warnings of devastating consequences for the country's economy if voters back the initiative.A yes" vote would require the Swiss government to take steps to cap the population at 10 million by 2050, enacting tough restrictions on family reunification, residency permits and asylum if the number reaches 9.5 million before that date. Continue reading...
The violent disturbances occurred in a nationalist area yet played out against a backdrop of union jacksAs the racially motivated violence unfolded in Northern Ireland this week, a striking dissonanace could be seenbehind the mobs and flames and smoke.The knife attack that triggered the disturbances occurred in a nationalist area yet the mayhem played out against a backdrop of union jacks and loyalist murals. Continue reading...
Constable Marc Pinizzotto, 43, was killed while executing search warrants related to a shooting at US consulateAuthorities in Canada are investigating whether the killing of a Toronto police officer while he was executing search warrants related to a shooting at the city's US consulate is linked a broader series of global terror attacks.Constable Marc Pinizzotto, 43, a member of the emergency taskforce, was killed on Thursday during a dawn search of an apartment building in the west of the city. Continue reading...
by Julian Borger Senior international correspondent on (#7692H)
Amid rhetoric, market uncertainty and tit-for-tat exchanges, the two sides are still trying to find a way out of the impasseGreat news! Donald Trump has said the US and Iran are on the verge of a peace agreement. Oil prices are down, and the stock market is up. This comes only hours after Trump warned Iran was about to be struck VERY HARD", a threat that had sent oil prices up and stocks down.It has been another ride on the Trump rollercoaster, keeping traders on edge, most of the world poorer, and people of the Middle East constantly whiplashing between fear and hope. But whether the ride veers up or down, the management always makes money. Continue reading...
by Nadeem Badshah (now) with Andrew Sparrow and Anees on (#767XF)
Government confirms Jarvis's move from role as security minister to replace John HealeyRyan Henderson, assistant chief constable for the Police Service of Northern Ireland, is about to hold a press conference about last night's rioting.Andy Burnham is facing criticism after saying that he thinks the Waspi women should be entitled to some" compensation.I'll stick by the Waspi women because they deserve some recompense for the unfairness.One government figure decried Burnham's intervention as pathetic", adding: He can't say no to anyone."An ally of Sir Keir Starmer likened Burnham's economic agenda to that of hard-left former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, and argued that the mayor's intervention would harm his chances of manoeuvring the prime minister out of Downing Street.Andy Burnham's continued support for Waspi women is both welcome and hugely refreshing. While some politicians have broken their promises, it takes real courage to speak out and say what millions of people across the country and hundreds of MPs from all parties already know - that 1950s-born women deserve justice.Andy has always recognised the unfair way in which state pension equalisation was introduced.As mayor of Greater Manchester, he supported Waspi women in the city-region with early access to concessionary travel, providing some recompense to them within affordability limits. Continue reading...
Long-awaited course to examine human effects on natural world and explore everyday ways to aid biodiversitySchool pupils will learn how to plant a wildflower-friendly garden, according to long-awaited plans announced on Thursday for a natural history GCSE in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.Campaigners have for more than a decade called for the study of biodiversity loss and global heating to be introduced as a dedicated subject in classrooms across the country, but despite a curriculum being previously drawn up, its launch has faced repeated delays. Continue reading...
by Jessica Elgot Deputy political editor on (#7688T)
Hundreds of Labour activists and MPs have made the pilgrimage' to the seat, where they are pounding the streetsFor a few short weeks, the centre of political gravity in Britain has shifted from the Palace of Westminster to the bar of a former Labour club in Wigan.In London, even as Keir Starmer insists he will fight to stay in No 10, the walls seem to be crumbling around him, especially with Thursday's resignation of the defence secretary, John Healey. Continue reading...
State admits former Greens candidate entitled to damages and agrees to pay medical costs, but denies malicious prosecution and malfeasance in public office
Platner, whose campaign was hit by series of negative headlines, to face Susan Collins in key midterm contestGraham Platner, a Marine veteran, oyster farmer and progressive activist, has scaled a mountain of personal controversies to win the Democratic nomination for the US Senate in Maine.His victory on Tuesday caps a remarkable rise for a candidate who has never held elected office and whose campaign was shadowed by negative headlines that might have ended a more conventional political career. Continue reading...
Texas trial, which lasted a week, drew national attention due to race, as Anthony is Black and Austin Metcalf was whiteFollowing a trial that lasted just one week from jury selection to verdict, a Collin county, Texas, jury found Karmelo Anthony, now 19, guilty of murder in the fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf last year.The closely watched trial drew national attention, with viral social media posts that highlighted the racial composition of the case: Anthony is Black; Austin was white. Attorneys selected 12 jurors and six alternates for the trial; none of the jurors was Black. Continue reading...
Thirty-nine people taken near Magamin Diddi village in Maradun municipality, north-west Zamfara state, police sayArmed bandits in north-west Nigeria abducted dozens of villagers whom they invited to a meeting about potential peace negotiations, authorities and residents said on Monday, highlighting the region's worsening security.According to local police, 39 people were seized on Sunday during a meeting in the forest near Magamin Diddi village in the Maradun municipality of north-west Zamfara state. But some residents and officials believe the number of those abducted could be as high as 50. Continue reading...
by Vivian Ho (now); Serena Richards, Aneesa Ahmed, Yo on (#765BN)
This live blog is now closed. For the latest, read more of our coverage on the Middle East conflict here.Iranian media is reporting that there were no immediate casualties following apparent Israeli strikes on the Karun petrochemical plant in Mahshahr, a city in Iran's southwestern Khuzestan province.According to the Fars news agency, Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they responded to what they described as an American-Israeli strike on the Iranian petrochemical site by launching a missile attack on a similar plant in the northern Israeli city of Haifa. Continue reading...
Pontiff urges followers to dedicate themselves to our brothers and sisters, to the poor, to those who suffer'More than a million people filled the streets of Madrid to join Pope Leo in an open-air mass where the American pontiff appeared to emphasise the disconnect between Christian values and far-right politics, telling worshippers: No one can kneel before the Lord and despise their brother."Queues to access the mass began forming hours before the sun rose on Sunday as people scrambled to secure a spot for what was billed as the biggest gathering of the pope's week-long visit to Spain. Continue reading...
Pontiff to make marginalised a focus of first papal visit since 2011 including meeting with migrants in the CanariesPope Leo has urged political leaders to seek unity, rather than divide their populations for political gain, and said they must fight for peace, in the opening speech of his tour in Spain.The pope has made the marginalised a focus of his visit - his first tour of an EU country, apart from Italy - including meeting homeless people in Madrid and migrants in the Canary Islands. The pope, who has clashed with the US president, Donald Trump, over his immigration policies and war with Iran, said his visit was aimed at setting an example of respecting every human being". Continue reading...
Daniel Frost admits throwing bins at police and Matt Styler pleads not guilty to assaulting officerA man has admitted throwing bins at officers and arming himself with a makeshift knuckle duster during the disorder in Southampton after the sentencing of a man for the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak.Daniel Frost, 44, from Southampton, admitted violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon when he appeared before a district judge on Thursday. Continue reading...
The economy was slowing even before the Middle East conflict and interest rate hikes started to bite, while the boom in datacentres was a rare bright spot
Mackenzie Swift entered the River Don in Mexborough on Saturday evening and failed to emergeA body has been found in the search for an 11-year-old boy who went missing after entering the River Don in South Yorkshire on Saturday.Mackenzie Swift entered the river in Mexborough at around 8pm and failed to emerge, prompting a police search. Continue reading...
by Tiago Rogero South America correspondent on (#760BV)
Lawyer and Trump admirer has risen rapidly in the polls and will face Ivan Cepeda in election runoff in three weeksThe far-right lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella won the first round of Colombia's presidential election on Sunday and will face senator Ivan Cepeda, the candidate backed by leftwing president Gustavo Petro, in the runoff.With 100% of ballots counted, the outsider and Donald Trump admirer Espriella secured 43.7% of the vote - just over 10.3m votes - compared with 40.9% (about 9.6m votes) for Cepeda, a philosopher and human rights activist who has served as a senator since 2014. Continue reading...
Interior minister says 57 officers injured as rioters set fires and vandalise shops in about 15 citiesFrench police have detained 780 people involved in violent clashes in Paris and other French cities that erupted on Saturday night after Paris Saint-Germain defeated Arsenal to win the Champions League.The interior minister, Laurent Nunez, said 57 officers were wounded, with most suffering minor injuries, as football fans set off fires and vandalised shops. One small group even tried to storm a Paris police station. Continue reading...
Proposal requires Rene Haas to steer US-listed British company to exceptional growth metrics'The chief executive of Arm is in line for a pay package that would make him a billionaire if he hits targets to turn the microchip firm into the UK's first trillion-dollar company.Arm, which is listed in New York but retains its global headquarters in Cambridge, has proposed a pay scheme for Rene Haas in which he will receive generous annual share awards plus a maximum bonus of $800m if he can hit certain exceptional growth metrics". Continue reading...
The $1,000 tax deduction, $250 working Australians tax offset', and CGT and negative gearing changes will benefit most young people, Treasury secretary says
Outdoor clothing company is suing US environmentalist drag performer for $1 plus legal fees, claiming we wish we didn't have to do this'Patagonia has launched a trademark lawsuit against an environmentalist drag queen named Pattie Gonia, who has accused the outdoor clothing company of trying to erase an activist".Wyn Wiley, who performs as Pattie Gonia, has accumulated millions of followers online for their environmental activism, raising almost $4m for non-profits so far. Last year they raised $1m while hiking 100 miles in full drag from Point Reyes national seashore to San Francisco. Continue reading...
by Presented by Nosheen Iqbal with Francesca Albanese on (#75XR3)
The UN's special rapporteur for Palestine, Francesca Albanese, on the war in Gaza, living under US sanctions and accusations of antisemitismFor a brief period this month, the human rights lawyer Francesca Albanese seemed to have some relief.In an extraordinary move in July last year, the Trump administration placed sanctions on the UN's special rapporteur for Palestine - placing her alongside figures such as Vladimir Putin and Bashir al-Assad - over her engagement with the international criminal court. Continue reading...
Channel quietly debuts over weekend with Only in Monroe video days after Thursday's final Late Show episodeStephen Colbert hasn't even been off the air for a week, but is already causing some hubbub with the launch of a new YouTube channel that has garnered more than 120,000 subscribers.The popular late-night host, who aired his final episode of The Late Show last Thursday, quietly debuted the channel over the weekend with a single video titled: Only In Monroe --- May 22, 2026." Continue reading...
Police officer in charge says budget could reach 19.3m and nearly 100 more investigators are neededThe police criminal inquiry into the Post Office Horizon IT scandal faces a five-year delay unless it is handed millions in extra funding and nearly 100 more staff, according to the chief officer in charge.The Metropolitan police commander Stephen Clayman said he needed to nearly double the number of investigators to 210 to meet a deadline of late next year or early 2028 for submitting files to prosecutors. Continue reading...
by Peter Walker Senior political correspondent on (#75WPT)
Analysis of party's proposed cuts also suggests it would get rid of two-thirds of psychologists who support prison staffA Reform UK plan to cut the size of the civil service would involve sacking more planning officers than exist and getting rid of at least two-thirds of the psychologists who support prison officers' welfare, it has emerged.The policy paper, led by the Reform MP Danny Kruger and published in December, promises to save more than 5bn a year by cutting civil service roles, with the full-time-equivalent (FTE) headcount falling by 13%. Continue reading...
by Haroon Siddique Legal affairs correspondent on (#75W78)
Animal and Plant Health Agency forced to release reports showing scale and cause of deaths on some fish farmsMillions of fish deaths caused by accidental poisoning and suffocation on Scottish salmon farms have been revealed after the inspection agency was forced to share its reports.The UK government's Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) had refused to release inspection reports, claiming it would cause significant detriment" to companies, including to their reputations. Continue reading...
One of the last stars of the bebop generation, Rollins was an genius of melodic invention and improvisation, working with Davis, Monk, Coltrane and othersSonny Rollins, one of the greatest jazz saxophonists of all time, has died aged 95.His death was announced on his website on Monday, with deep sorrow and profound love". His publicist Terri Hinte also confirmed the news. Continue reading...