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Figure is acceleration in casualties, with most troops killed in brutal trench warfare for eastern city of Bakhmut

Party wants greater taxation on North Sea profits to fund freeze on council tax for cash-strapped UK households

Historic regalia includes Imperial Mantle worn by George IV in 1821 and a white gauntlet made for his grandfather in 1937The king will be attired in historic vestments worn at past coronations during numerous costume changes at Westminster Abbey on 6 May, Buckingham Palace has said.The ceremony will see him layered in heavy shimmering gold cloth, with the oldest item being the Imperial Mantle, spun from gold, silver and silk thread, with a gold bullion fringe and gold clasp, and dating back to the opulent coronation of George IV in 1821. Continue reading...

Exclusive: up to 10 disused cruise liners, ferries and barges sought to help tackle processing delaysThe Home Office is planning to use 10 redundant cruise ships, ferries and barges to house asylum seekers in ports around the country, with Liverpool expected to be next in line as ministers struggle to get to grips with the asylum backlog.Officials have been told to look at “all options” to find housing for people caught up in processing delays, including former military camps and prisons, with the total backlog more than 1,500 higher than in December when Rishi Sunak pledged to clear it within a year. Continue reading...

Move by senior party figures comes after fellow MP said she was worried about how force was handling crimes against womanLabour MPs have spoken to Leicestershire police after Stella Creasy expressed concern about how the force was “dealing with crimes against women” in response to their handling of her harassment case.Jonathan Ashworth, the shadow secretary of state for work and pensions, and Liz Kendall, the shadow health secretary, spoke to police after Creasy criticised their handling of a harassment case against a troll who made a baseless complaint about her to social services. Continue reading...

Carl O’Keeffe was taken to hospital after incident at Kong Adventure Centre but died from his injuriesThe family of a man who died after getting stuck in a cave at an indoor climbing centre in the Lake District say they have been left “broken-hearted”.Carl O’Keeffe, a 49-year-old man from Lancaster, was attending a birthday party with his niece in the Kong Adventure Centre in Keswick, Cumbria on 22 April, Sky News reported. Continue reading...

Fatalities underline dangers in government efforts to evict thousands of miners who have devastated Indigenous territoryBrazil’s battle to reclaim its largest Indigenous territory from tens of thousands of illegal miners has taken a deadly turn after at least five people were reportedly killed during 36 hours of violence in the Amazon’s sprawling Yanomami territory.The bloodshed began on Saturday afternoon when masked illegal miners allegedly launched an attack on a Yanomami village called Uxiu. Continue reading...

Critical shortages of basic goods including water, and bodies piling in streets creating ‘environmental catastrophe’Sudanese medics have described seeing piles of bodies in the streets of the capital, Khartoum, people drinking polluted water, and doctors working under bombardments as the battle between the country’s two warring generals continues despite a threadbare ceasefire.Intense explosions and shelling were audible in Omdurman, Khartoum’s twin city across the Nile, on Monday and there were reports of further explosions and clashes in the Bahri and Kafouri districts of Khartoum North. In the south of Khartoum, residents reported that the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) fired anti-aircraft missiles in response to bombardments by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). Continue reading...

Photographer Ken Pretty from the town of Dildo spotted an unusual ice formation at sea – an avalanche of risque puns ensuedIt was a calm spring day when Canadian photographer Ken Pretty spotted an interestingly shaped 30ft iceberg off Newfoundland’s east coast.As he flew his drone overhead, Pretty, who hails from the town of Dildo, realized the hulk of ice bore a distinct resemblance to a characteristic part of the male human anatomy. Continue reading...

Labour leader insists party is cutting through with voters as he chats to locals and visits an ice-cream parlourOf all the people Keir Starmer should meet on a bank holiday visit to Blackpool, it was a former neighbour from decades ago who wanted to chat about Kentish Town.Starmer and Carol Morgan, visiting from Potters Bar, had a really warm, nostalgic chat about house numbers and where they had lived in relation to the local swimming pool as the Labour leader ordered ice-creams. Continue reading...

RCN leader urges health secretary to resolve ongoing pay dispute as one-day strike affects cancer and emergency care for first time. This blog is now closed

Women’s rights groups and trade unions write to business secretary over worker protection billWomen’s rights groups and trade unions have written to Kemi Badenoch to plead for her not to scrap the new worker protection bill, saying new laws are badly needed to tackle “endemic” sexual harassment in the workplace.The Fawcett Society and Pregnant Then Screwed were among the groups to call on the business secretary not to allow the legislation to time out, after it became a rare example of a private member’s bill winning government backing. Continue reading...

Country’s largest public sector strike in history ends with most set to return but over 35,000 revenue agency workers still negotiatingCanada’s government struck an agreement with 120,000 federal workers on Monday, effectively ending the country’s largest public sector strike in history, which had crippled services from passport renewals to immigration.While most strikers are set to return to work after almost two weeks of deadlock, more than 35,000 revenue agency workers who also went on strike on 19 April are still negotiating, the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) union said. Continue reading...

Ukrainian man’s licence had picture of former UK PM and correct birthdate – but officers did not fall for itDutch police who arrested a man in connection with a drink-driving incident were surprised to find that the name on his driving licence was Boris Johnson.The Ukrainian driver’s fake licence, complete with the former British prime minister’s picture and correct birthdate, was purportedly issued in 2019 and valid until the end of the year 3000. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Ombudsman has received 18 official requests to examine grievances against Sciensus since August last yearThe watchdog responsible for investigating unresolved healthcare complaints has been warned repeatedly for nine months about problems with Sciensus, a private company paid millions to deliver vital medicines to NHS patients, the Guardian can reveal.The parliamentary and health service ombudsman (PHSO) is charged with reviewing disputes between patients and the NHS or companies providing NHS services in England. Patients have the right to send formal reports to the watchdog if an organisation has acted improperly, provided a poor service or not put things right. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Increases since 2019 also outstrip funding for free school meals as costs jump, Lib Dems findThe price of school lunches has increased by more than a third in parts of England, increasing the pressure on school finances and family budgets during the cost of living crisis, according to figures revealed by the Liberal Democrats.

Ukraine intercepts 15 out of 18 missiles as Moscow launches strikes apparently designed to hamper Kyiv’s plans for a counteroffensive

Ferdinand Marcos Jr and Joe Biden are expected to discuss the security situation in the South China SeaThe president of the Philippines is meeting his US counterpart in Washington as the two countries draw closer together against what they say is growing aggression and harassment by China.Ferdinand Marcos Jr and Joe Biden will meet in the Oval Office on Monday, during the Philippine president’s four-day US tour. They are expected to discuss the security situation, with the US hoping to strengthen longstanding ties between the two nations as it battles Beijing for influence in Asia. Continue reading...

Prof Marian Knight says action needed to improve diagnosis of condition in which fertilised egg implants itself outside womb

Even stories on cost of living leave journalists facing assault, threats and arrest under Digital Security ActFour weeks ago, a reporter in Bangladesh was hauled from his office, badly beaten – and then thrown from the roof of his building, leaving him with fractures in his back, three broken ribs and a machete wound on his head.The journalist, Ayub Meahzi, believes he was targeted for reporting on alleged local government ties to a criminal group. Continue reading...

Sir Charles Trevelyan was Treasury official during great famine in 19th century when potato crops failedThe former BBC journalist Laura Trevelyan has said her family would consider paying compensation to Ireland because of an ancestor’s role in the Great Famine of the 19th century.Her great-great-great-grandfather Sir Charles Trevelyan, a senior British government official, was among those who “failed their people” during the humanitarian catastrophe in the 1840s, she said. Continue reading...

The measure will deliver a ‘more dignified retirement to more Australian workers’, treasurer Jim Chalmers says

Government hopes prominent notifications will be hard to miss as it plans to begin testing new system soon

Unclear whether all British evacuees will be able to reach city more than 500 miles from KhartoumBritish forces will oversee an additional evacuation flight out of Port Sudan as fighting continues to rage in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum.British passport holders, as well as doctors with leave to remain in the UK and their dependents, were told to arrive at Port Sudan international airport on the Red Sea coast before midday local time (11am BST). Continue reading...

Writers Guild of America could call stoppage as early as Tuesday if pay agreement is not reachedNegotiators for Hollywood writers and film and television studios are engaged in 11th-hour talks in an effort to avert a strike that would disrupt TV production across an industry grappling with seismic changes.The Writers Guild of America (WGA) could call a work stoppage as early as Tuesday if it cannot reach a deal with companies such as Walt Disney and Netflix. A strike would be the first by the WGA in 15 years. Continue reading...

The $50 daily rate will rise at first only for people over 55 as ministers target cost of living relief at women and long-term unemployed

The actor, who was diagnosed aged 29, said advancing disease had caused him a string of injuries but he was still able to remain optimisticBack to the Future star Michael J Fox described Parkinson’s as a “gift that keeps on taking” in an interview on CBS Sunday Morning, in which he described his struggles with the illness.The 61-year-old activist and former Hollywood actor was diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson’s disease a year after Back to the Future Part III was released in 1990. Continue reading...

South-east Asia must not become ‘an arena for proxy wars’, the nation state’s foreign minister said

Pearson says reconciliation efforts would be ‘dead’ if the proposal is rejected, while a yes vote would have ‘tectonic’ positive change

Union leaders anticipate authority to help redeploy workers ahead of looming coal-fired power station closures

Everything you need to know about man who became heir to British throne 71 years ago today

Paetongtarn, 36, is leading polls to become Thailand’s next prime minister, boosted by the popularity of the Shinawatra namePaetongtarn Shinawatra, the frontrunner in the upcoming Thai election, has given birth to a baby boy two weeks before voters go to the polls.Paetongtarn, the youngest daughter of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, posted a picture of her baby, named Prutthasin Sooksawas, nickname Thasin, on social media on Monday. Continue reading...

Santiago Peña of the Colorado party is elected, defeating Efraín Alegre who wanted to switch diplomatic recognition to ChinaParaguay’s ruling party candidate, Santiago Peña, 44, has scored a big win in the presidential election, tightening the conservative Colorado party’s political grip and defusing fears that diplomatic ties with Taiwan might have been cut.Peña, who has pledged to maintain Paraguay’s longstanding Taiwan relations, had 42.7% of the vote with more than 99% of ballots counted – a more than 15-point lead over centre-left rival Efraín Alegre, who has argued for switching allegiance to China. Continue reading...

Independent MP says unless the NSW One Nation leader apologises he will begin defamation proceedings

Calls for stronger punishments after alleged assault of Khodr Yaghi during amateur game in Padstow

Fair Judgement raises funds for case in response to death of Berkshire primary headteacher Ruth PerryA group of senior school leaders is calling on teachers to donate £1 each to launch a legal challenge against Ofsted, pledging to hold the inspectorate to account for “ending careers” and causing a mental health crisis.The vice-president of the Conservative education society, John Bald, a former Ofsted inspector, is fronting a crowdfunding page for the group, which is called Fair Judgement. The leaders fear the inspectorate may seek to punish their schools if they go public.In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is at 988 or chat for support. You can also text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis text line counselor. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org Continue reading...

Project hopes Beatles classic will ‘unite the world’ and show victims of the conflict that they’ll never walk aloneAn ambitious campaign to create the world’s biggest sing-along as an expression of solidarity with Ukraine during the Eurovision song contest is gaining momentum.The #HelpUkraineSong project is aiming to “unite the world through music” by getting as many people as possible to sing the Beatles’ With a Little Help from My Friends at noon on Saturday 13 May. Continue reading...

With one of the lowest fertility rates in the EU and fewer women to have children, classrooms are emptying and the future of communities is in doubtFor centuries, the infant school in Champorcher, in the Aosta Valley, has been an integral component of the community, with the sound of children’s voices in the playground providing a beacon of hope for the mountain village’s survival.In September last year, however, the school fell eerily silent. It was forced to close after just two pupils enrolled. Continue reading...

Taskforce to examine consequences of bus privatisation as well as other issues plaguing sector such as driver shortagesFollow our Australia news live blog for the latest updates

Zonfrillo’s death was confirmed by his family, who said they were ‘devastated’ after he died on SundayJock Zonfrillo, judge on MasterChef Australia, chef and author, has died at the age of 46.His family confirmed his death on Monday, saying “our irreplaceable husband, father, brother, son and friend” died on Sunday in Melbourne. Continue reading...

UK singer tracks down Ian Smith after he pulled out bold breakdancing moves at the Prince’s Trust Gala in New York

Shadow housing secretary Lisa Nandy says dumping 300,000-homes-a-year policy will leave behind a generation of rentersLabour has said ministers’ decision to scrap housebuilding targets in England could cost renters an extra £200 a year by 2030.The shadow housing secretary, Lisa Nandy, said Labour is “the party of homeownership” as the local elections campaign entered the final straight. Continue reading...

Complexity of system and perception of government handouts as ‘shameful’ stopping people from accessing much-needed supportMillions of UK households are collectively missing out on at least £19bn a year in unclaimed welfare benefits, at a time when many are forced to use food banks or run up debt as they struggle with rising living costs, according to new estimates.Lower income households are failing to claim benefits and other cash support for which they are eligible, according to a study by the consultancy Policy in Practice. Some families could be forgoing as much as £4,000 a year. Continue reading...

Two injured by rocket attacks in Kherson after heavy shelling and homes hit by anti-aircraft missiles in KharkivShelling through the night in the city of Kherson has injured two people, deputy head of Kherson Oblast Council Yuriy Sobolevsky said this morning.More than 27 attacks were reported on residential areas of the wider Kherson region on Saturday, according to its authorities, with some 135 shells fired. Continue reading...

Opposition leader says party would change current system, in which PM has final say on who gets jobKeir Starmer has said Labour would make sure the BBC chair is independently appointed after Richard Sharp’s resignation following his failure to declare that he had helped Boris Johnson get a loan.The Labour leader suggested the party would reform the system, in which the prime minister currently has the final say on who gets the job. Continue reading...

Overhaul of constitution would include allowing Shavkat Mirziyoyev to stay in powerPolls have closed across Uzbekistan, ending a day of voting in the central Asian nation in a constitutional referendum that could allow President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to remain in power until 2040.Voting stations closed at 8pm (3pm GMT), after being open for 12 hours. The Election Commission has to announce the result within 10 days. Continue reading...

Mark Harper and Labour MP back ‘homage of the people’, but republicans say it ‘holds people in contempt’A cabinet minister has said he “hopes people do” swear the proposed oath to the king on the day of his coronation, as republicans described it as “an offensive and tone-deaf gesture that holds the people in contempt”.The transport secretary, Mark Harper, said he would be swearing the oath, to be known as a “homage of the people” and pointed out that MPs already “pledge allegiance to his majesty” on taking their seats. Continue reading...

Crimea navy oil depot fire extinguished after reported Ukrainian drone strike on fuel tanks; Nancy Pelosi speaks about her ‘dangerous’ Kyiv visit

FCDO asks any British nationals hoping to leave war-torn country to reach airport in Port Sudan by noon local time on MondayThe government has announced plans to carry out an additional evacuation flight from Sudan on Monday, after previously suggesting that efforts to bring British nationals out of the war-torn country had concluded.In a statement on Sunday, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) urged any UK nationals still hoping to leave Sudan to make their way to the airport in Port Sudan, on the Red Sea coast, by noon local time (11am BST) on 1 May. Continue reading...

UN refugee agency ‘extremely concerned’ about effect on ‘fragile’ region, as evidence emerges of widespread destructionFighting has erupted in Sudan’s Darfur region – including the use of heavy weaponry, and attacks on civilians and essential healthcare infrastructure – escalating a crisis now in its third week that was sparked by two rival generals.Across the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, the sound of gunfire echoed through the streets throughout Sunday and airstrikes hit its twin city Omdurman. Continue reading...