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President paid tribute to fallen soldiers at Arlington cemetery, and also veered off into rally-style remarksDonald Trump honored the sacrifices of US military veterans in the traditional presidential Memorial Day speech at Arlington national cemetery, but also peppered his address on Monday with partisan political asides while talking up his own plans and achievements.The US president laid a wreath and paid tribute to fallen soldiers and gave accounts of battlefield courage as tradition dictates, from prepared remarks, after saluting alongside his vice-president, JD Vance and defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, who both served in Iraq. Continue reading...

Fast-food chain's plan on back of booming fried chicken market includes opening 500 new restaurantsKFC is to invest almost 1.5bn and create thousands of jobs in the UK and Ireland over the next five years, as the fast-food chain seeks to capitalise on the booming popularity of fried chicken.The chain, which is celebrating its 60th year of operations in the UK, said it plans to invest 1.49bn to grow and upgrade its existing 1,000-outlet estate. Continue reading...

Independent MP for Kiama has pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting a 24-year-old in 2015 and an 18-year-old in 2013

Premier says he is disappointed' after Rosehill decision and it feels like a golden opportunity has slipped through our fingers'

Health official calls iGAS an absolutely devastating illness' that can result in catastrophic' outcomes

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A man has been arrested after a car ploughed into the crowd at Liverpool FC's Premier League victory parade

Man restrained by police after placing items in clothing and stopped breathing while still in supermarket

Exclusive: Victorian premier confronted at Labor caucus meeting after budget forecasts $5.9bn in taxes from poker machines over next four yearsThe Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, has faced a backlash from really upset" Labor MPs after her government delayed key reforms designed to reduce gambling harm from poker machines, with one MP confronting her at a caucus meeting.Last year, the government introduced a bill to parliament to set up cashless gaming, with a trial to begin at 40 venues in mid-2025, but it has stalled for months. Continue reading...

Australian woman, 50, has pleaded not guilty to three charges of murder and one charge of attempted murder after a mushroom lunch at her house in regional Victoria in 2023. Follow live updates

Gersham Williams, 74, was deported to Jamaica in 2016 but should have been exempt from order, Home Office decidesA Windrush generation man who was wrongly excluded from the UK by the Home Office has had his deportation order revoked in the second case of its kind to come to light in the space of a week.Gersham Williams, 74, who first arrived in the UK in 1961 at the age of 10, was deported in August 2016 after being convicted of and serving a sentence in relation to a firearms conspiracy conviction. Continue reading...

Lawsuit by 11,000 claimants calling for 6,000 a truck compensation follows 2016 EU ruling manufacturers were guilty of long-term price-fixingThe UK's largest truck maker has been accused of stringing out" legal proceedings to deny justice" to about 11,000 truck hauliers seeking compensation for the manufacturers' historical price fixing.The comments from the head of the Road Haulage Association (RHA) came almost nine years after the world's largest truck companies, including UK leader DAF, Volvo, MAN and Iveco, were fined about 3bn by the European Union for colluding for 14 years on pricing and passing on the costs of compliance with stricter emission rules. Continue reading...

Police confirmed the 19-year-old died in hospital on Monday night after he suffered a critical head injuryA New Zealand teenager has died after playing a tackling game, believed to have been inspired by a controversial new high impact collision sport trending on social media.Police confirmed the 19-year-old died in hospital on Monday night after he suffered a critical head injury while playing a tackle game with friends in the North Island city Palmerston North on Sunday. Continue reading...

The change is designed to halt the use of kirakira (shiny or glittery) names that have proliferated among parents hoping to add a creative flourishParents in Japan will no longer have free rein over the names they give their children, after the introduction this week of new rules on the pronunciation of kanji characters.The change is designed to halt the use of kirakira (shiny or glittery) names that have proliferated among parents hoping to add a creative flourish to their children's names - creating administrative headaches for local authorities and, in some cases, inviting derision from classmates. Continue reading...

Mitchells & Butlers pubco boss says home delivery boom and social media have changed attitudes to going out lateA social media and a home delivery boom has shifted younger people's attitude to going out and risks shrinking the late night entertainment market, the boss of one of the UK's biggest pub companies has warned.Phil Urban, the chief executive of the pub operator Mitchells & Butlers, said that the toughest part of the market right now is late night" as younger people abandon the traditions of previous generations, who would be more inclined to go out late night and stay out". Continue reading...

Relatives of those killed in March attacks on Alawite towns worry perpetrators are still at large as investigation draws outHaider* hid in the attic as gunmen rifled through his cousins' belongings. Is anyone upstairs? Don't come down or I will kill you!" yelled a masked man wearing military fatigues. Haider waited in silence for an hour before fleeing his cousins' house in the village of al-Sanobar on Syria's coast.He emerged to find his home ablaze and 11 members of his family shot dead, including his 22-year-old brother and 16-year-old cousin. His family were some of the more than 200 al-Sanobar residents killed in sectarian massacres in north-west Syria on 7 March which mostly targeted members of the minority Alawite religion, a sect of Islam. Continue reading...

Former senator Rex Patrick praises ATO whistleblower who exposed heavy-handed debt collection tactics

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) said truckloads of food had been delivered amid uncertainty about how effective the group would beA US-backed foundation tasked with supplying aid to Gaza said it had begun operations on Monday, delivering truckloads of food to designated distribution sites a day after its executive director resigned because the operation could not fulfil its mission in a way that adhered to humanitarian principles".The aid plan, which has been endorsed by Israel but rejected by the UN, unfolded amid uncertainty about whether any assistance had actually reached civilians. Continue reading...

This blog is now closed. See our full report here: Dozens injured as car ploughs into crowd at Liverpool FC victory paradeSteve Rotheram, mayor of the Liverpool city region, has thanked first responders for their swift action" on a difficult day".He said: Our hearts go out to all of those affected, especially those who have been injured. Thank you, as ever, to the first responders for their professionalism and swift action. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Letter to PM signed by retired supreme court justices among others says lack of action will imperil international legal systemThe UK must impose sanctions on the Israeli government and its ministers and also consider suspending it from the UN to meet its fundamental international legal obligations", more than 800 lawyers, academics and retired senior judges, including former supreme court justices, have said.In a letter to the prime minister, they welcome Keir Starmer's joint statement last week with the leaders of France and Canada warning that they were prepared to take concrete actions" against Israel. But they urge him to act without delay as urgent and decisive action is required to avert the destruction of the Palestinian people of Gaza". Continue reading...

Yaqeen Hammad offered tips for surviving in war zone and is one of dozens of minors who have died in recent attacksEleven-year-old Yaqeen Hammad, Gaza's youngest influencer, is among the dozens of children killed by Israel in recent strikes, as its forces intensify their military offensive across the Palestinian territory.Known for her bright smile and volunteering efforts, Yaqeen was killed on Friday night after Israeli forces shelled the al-Baraka area of Deir al-Balah in northern Gaza, amid intense fighting in the region. Continue reading...

Approximately 30 people treated for injury or shock after collision following Premier League title celebrations

State-backed flag day march shut down Palestinian life in Old City to celebrate Israel's 1967 annexation of East JerusalemThousands of Israelis have joined a state-funded march through the Muslim quarter of the Old City in Jerusalem, where large groups chanted racist slogans including Gaza is ours", death to the Arabs" and may their villages burn".The annual march, paid for and promoted by the Jerusalem city government, celebrates Israel's capture and occupation of East Jerusalem and its holy sites in the war of 1967. The Israeli takeover is not recognised internationally. Continue reading...

Removal of restrictions, which is backed by UK, France and US, improves Ukraine's ability to defend itself against RussiaThe German chancellor has said that Germany, along with Ukraine's other main western supporters, will remove range restrictions on weapons delivered to Kyiv for the first time, to enable it to defend itself against Russia.Friedrich Merz said Germany, Britain, France and the US had lifted the restrictions to enable Ukraine to be better able to hit military targets on Russian territory. Continue reading...

Exclusive: EHRC insiders believe process could drag on until after its chair is replaced in November

The Kremlin says giving Ukraine long range missiles is a dangerous move' as German chancellor says Kyiv can now hit Russian targetsKremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has held his regular media briefing with journalists. When asked for reaction to Donald Trump's criticism of Vladimir Putin (see post at 08.41) by the BBC's Russia editor Steve Rosenberg, Peskov thanked the US for its role in trying to bring an end to the war through its mediation efforts, which have so far faltered, but suggested Russian strikes against Ukraine are being launched for security and self-defence. He said in the conference call with reporters:It's a very important achievement. Of course, at the same time this is a very important moment which is connected to an emotional overload of everyone involved and emotional reactions.We carefully monitor all the reactions. However, President Putin takes those decisions which are necessary for the security of our country.Only a sense of total impunity can allow Russia to carry out such strikes and continue increasing their scale. There is no real military logic to this, but there is significant political meaning.In doing this, Putin shows just how much he despises the world - the world that spends more effort on dialogue" with him than on real pressure. Like any criminal, Russia can only be constrained by force. Continue reading...

Scotland's first minister criticises byelection campaign video that claims his rival will prioritise Pakistani community'The SNP leader John Swinney has demanded that the owner of Facebook act on Reform UK's racist" byelection advert that attacks the Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar.The Facebook video, which incorrectly claims Sarwar has promised to prioritise Pakistani communities, is now subject to formal complaints from Scotland's two main political parties. Scottish Labour contacted Meta, Facebook's parent company, about the video two weeks ago and has yet to receive a reply. Continue reading...

French president denies quarrelling with Brigitte Macron after footage is seized on by Russia and far-right accountsEmmanuel Macron has denied he and his wife, Brigitte, had an altercation after a viral video promoted by Russian state media and French far-right accounts appeared to show her pushing him in the face as they prepared to get off a plane in Vietnam.The video, shot by an Associated Press camera operator, shows the French president appearing in the doorway of the plane at the start of a visit to Hanoi. His wife's hand appears to shove him, causing him to step back before recovering and waving. Continue reading...

At least six people die in what Kyiv claims is largest drone attack since Moscow launched full-scale invasion in February 2022

Critics say phallic' 38-storey commercial tower next to state parliament is the wrong building in the wrong place'

Exclusive: Heidi Clutterbuck's public campaigning after anonymity breach cited in argument for reduced damagesA police force that admits negligently breaching the anonymity of an alleged victim of child sexual abuse has been accused of victim shaming" after citing her subsequent public campaigning as reason for reduced compensation.The identity of Heidi Clutterbuck, 53, was revealed in error to a witness by a West Mercia police detective in 2015 as the officer carried out an investigation into her claims of being abused by her late brother. Continue reading...

Exclusive: A majority of females currently want to avoid pregnancy but survey reveals very few use most effective birth control method

Exclusive: Whitehall sources say model in early planning after criticism of schemes to redress victims of scandalsA proposal by the Post Office campaigner Sir Alan Bates for an independent body to oversee future public sector compensation schemes is being worked on" in government, after criticism of the treatment of victims of scandals.Whitehall sources said a model was in planning in light of the traumatic experiences of those who had struggled to secure redress after scandals such as Horizon, contaminated blood and Windrush. Continue reading...

Exclusive: They consult only with those who have contracts with them,' Megan Davis says as Reconciliation Week begins

Airlines including Ryanair and easyJet have been accused of exploiting consumers' and ignoring a ruling over chargesCampaigners are calling for EU lawmakers to intervene in the row over whether budget airlines should be allowed to charge customers who want to take hand baggage on to a flight.Last week European consumer groups called for Brussels to investigate the pricing policies of seven airlines, including Ryanair, easyJet and Wizz Air. Continue reading...

Strike targeted Fahmi al-Jarjawi school, where families have been sheltering, says Gaza's civil defence as Israeli military says militants were operating from schoolUS homeland security secretary Kristi Noem has been in Israel in the wake of the killing of two Israeli embassy staff in Washington last week. Today she has visited the Black Arrow memorial site and an overlook on the Israel-Gaza border.Reuters has a quick snap reporting that Germany's chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has said he is to speak to Benjamin Netanyahu later this week, and will tell him that Israel should not take its attacks on Gaza too far. Continue reading...

Tanaiste to announce draft legislation on Tuesday, covering trade in goods such as olives, oranges and datesThe Irish government is to unveil a bill to ban imports from the occupied Palestinian territories in the first move by an EU member to curtail trade in goods produced in Israeli settlements illegal under international law.Simon Harris, the tanaiste (deputy prime minister), confirmed he would unveil draft legislation on Tuesday. Continue reading...

High pressure and hot, dry air from north Africa to bring temperatures 5-10 degrees above normal for time of yearSpain is bracing for another sweltering end to May, with the mercury in southern parts of the country set to hit 40C (104F) as high-pressure areas and a mass of hot, dry air bring temperatures more than 10C above the seasonal norm.The high temperatures come almost exactly three years after some areas of Spain experienced their hottest May since records began and the temperature at Seville airport reached 41C. Continue reading...

Firm accused of inflating billing costs for staff working on high-speed rail route's West Midlands sectionThe company building the high-speed rail line between London and Birmingham is investigating claims that one of its labour suppliers on the project charged overinflated rates for staff.HS2 Ltd launched an investigation into a subcontractor providing workers to build the West Midlands section of the line, which has been beset with delays and cost overruns, amid allegations about its billing practices. Continue reading...

Analysts say US and Israeli attacks failed to weaken rebels and are only pushing the country to the brink of famineLate last month, a suspected US airstrike levelled four homes on the fringes of the Yemeni capital, Sana'a, killing at least 11 people. A video posted by an eyewitness shows a frightened man carrying a young child on his back as they run through the darkness, warning people away, before the roar of a jet and the white flash of a blast.Local people quickly circulated notifications of funerals for the many killed in the airstrike on the outlying Thaqban neighbourhood, listing the whole families that had died in an instant. Continue reading...

Leftwingers say the shallow initiatives that now define DEI have diluted more radical attempts to achieve equality

Charles to open parliament in show of support at a crucial time - but that has not quieted a chorus of critical voicesThe decision by King Charles to formally open Canada's parliament on Tuesday reflects his role as a steadfast defender" of the country amid threats to its sovereignty, says prime minister Mark Carney.But Indigenous leaders say the rare visit is also a reminder that Canada's founding relationship between the monarchy and the country's first peoples cannot ever be forgotten or displaced or broken". Continue reading...

Medicine shortages plus limited testing and hospital capacity exacerbated by withdrawal of USAID as outbreak gathers pace across countries in the regionMalawi's ministry of health has announced three new cases of mpox in the capital, Lilongwe, bringing the number of confirmed cases to 11 since the country's first was reported in April.Malawi is one of 16 countries in Africa reporting mpox outbreaks as health officials battle with vaccine shortages as well as limited testing and hospital capacity. Continue reading...

Health department witness tells Victorian supreme court of efforts to glean information from Patterson in days after fatal mushroom lunch

Jury in case of Lewis Johnson, who died in 2016 when his scooter collided with a van after a high-speed police chase, found failings by officersThe mother of a gifted young footballer who died after police chased him at high speed while he was riding his moped has welcomed the findings of an inquest jury that found there were multiple failings by officers involved in the case.Lewis Johnson, 18, a former Crystal Palace youth player, died in February 2016 when the white Vespa scooter he was riding collided with a van in Clapton, east London, after a three-minute high-speed police chase. Officers were pursuing him after reports that he had been snatching mobile phones. Continue reading...

Nationals leader says he is relaxed about leadership speculation and denies the party is divided. Follow today's news live

Figures revealed by Lib Dems also show cancellations not rescheduled within required 28 days doubled in nine yearsAlmost a quarter of elective operations in NHS hospitals in England that were cancelled at the last minute took longer than the required 28 days to rearrange, figures show.They also reveal that the number of cancellations breaching the 28-day standard for a new date has more than doubled within a decade, from 9,000 in 2015-16 to 19,400 in 2024-25. Continue reading...

Two-year-old died after doctors assumed she had an acute viral illness, rather than bacterial infection that resulted in her death, a coronial inquest has heard

Campaigners say homes with RTS meters could be left with heating that is permanently off, or on, from 30 JuneThe adverts featuring Lorraine Kelly paint a worrying picture of people left without heating or hot water or, perhaps worse in mid-summer, their radiators on full blast.Either outcome could be possible when the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS), which controls an old type of electricity meter found in almost 400,000 homes across Great Britain, is switched off from 30 June. Continue reading...

Steve Webb says long-term plan is needed as experts warn 8% of earnings is not enough for decent retirement incomeA former minister says the UK government needs to think big" about retirement saving amid growing calls for minimum pension contributions to be increased.Under the auto-enrolment regime, an employee and their employer must pay into a pension and the government has set mandatory minimum contribution levels. But experts argue that for most people, the current figures are not enough to fund a decent retirement income. Continue reading...