Speaking on the BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Labour MP Phillips said: “For those young women going through a rape trial like this will not have been a simple thing to do, it will have been many, many months if not years to achieve any sort of justice and I am afraid to say it sends a bad message.”

Protesters demanding the return of the body of someone who died of Ebola virus set a hospital on fire.

A lethal strain of the virus killed at least 130 people in the Democratic Republic of Congo amid a wider outbreak in central and eastern Africa.

With tensions high, the relatives of a young man who died of Ebola tried to take his body ‘by force’ from Rwampara Hospital in Ituri yesterday.

Family members lobbed stones and set two hospital tents on fire where six people were receiving treatment.

At least one worker at the hospital near the city of Bunia was injured and all have since been given military protection.

The man who died was a beloved local footballer who played for several local teams.

Yet his family as well as locals believe that ‘Ebola is a lie’, Luc Mambele, vice president of Congolese political party A2RC, told CNN.

His mother says that he died of typhoid fever, a disease caused by dirty water, not Ebola.

Mambele added: ‘The population is not sufficiently informed or made aware of what is happening.

‘To members of the most remote communities, Ebola is a White man’s invention; it doesn’t exist.’

Some locals see Ebola as a money-grab by NGOs and hospitals.

What is Ebola?

Ebola is an illness caused by a group of related viruses, known as orthoebolaviruses.

Infections come in two parts – dry and wet.

The so-called dry symptoms, which include fever, aches, pains and fatigue, can progress to ‘wet’ ones such as diarrhoea, vomiting and bleeding.

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As the first round of symptoms, which show within 21 days, resemble the common cold or flu, many Ebola cases go undiagnosed.

Ebola is mainly spread through contact with the bodily fluids of an infected, sick or dead person, or contaminated objects like clothing.

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Health officials refused to release his remains as the body of a dead Ebola victim is highly infectious

Officers from the national police force who were deployed to the scene.

Everything we know about the Ebola outbreak

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak a ‘public health emergency of international concern’ but a pandemic is unlikely.

The type of Ebola virus behind the outbreak, known as Bundibugyo, is rare. There is no vaccine or treatment.

It’s not clear when the outbreak began but Africa’s leading public health authority said last week that 65 deaths from Ebola had been reported.

The authority, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suspects as many as 671 people could be sickened with Ebola.

The Bundibugyo strain is also tearing through Uganda, where two cases and one death have been reported so far in Kampala, it added.

The first known case involved healthcare worker whose symptoms began on April 24 and who later died at a medical facility in Bunia.

As test results continue to come in, health officials expect this number to rise to as many as 1,000 – if it’s not already that high.

Fears of spread are high as many in Ituri have been displaced by a conflict which has gouged hospitals and slowed down efforts to contain the virus.

Ituri is also home to migrant laborers, drawn to the province’s gold mines who often hop borders.

Public transport, flights and ferries between Uganda and the DRC have been suspended.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

MORE: Rare incurable Ebola outbreak sparks emergency response by global crisis group

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MORE: Wes Streeting quits government – what happens next?

Agatha Christie’s Poirot, based on Agatha Christie’s famous crime fiction series, was a mystery drama that aired on ITV from 1989 to 2013.

The show revolved around the fictional private investigator Hercule Poirot, with David Suchet starring as the titular character.

Now, according to reports, a new Poirot series is in the works at the BBC.

ITV’s Poirot being ‘rebooted’ on BBC after 13 years

The BBC has committed to reimagining Hercule Poirot in a “major” new TV series, according to Deadline.

The publisher is reporting that the broadcaster secured the adaptation in a “highly competitive situation”, with other networks and streamers also keen.

They added: “The BBC is understood to have made a significant commitment to the project, meaning it could run for up to three seasons over the coming years.”

The first series is rumoured to premiere in the second half of 2027.

Deadline reports that the Poirot reboot is housed at Mammoth Screen, with founder Damien Timmer having been an executive producer of many episodes of Poirot on ITV.

Casting for the role of Poirot is underway, with several high-profile actors having played the detective in the past.

As well as David Suchet, who played the character in the ITV series, he has also been played by John Malkovich and Kenneth Branagh.

The beloved ITV show ran for 13 series and 70 episodes in total, spanning four decades.

Each episode was adapted from a novel or short story by Christie that featured Poirot.

The final series aired from  June to November in 2013, averaging more than five million viewers in the UK.

ITV reviving classic show after 28 years

Poirot is not the only classic series that is being brought back, with ITV also working on a reboot of Game show Name That Tune.

The British version first aired on UK TV back in 1976 and became a 15-minute slot on the popular entertainment series Wednesday at Eight, which went on to become London Night Out.

However, because the game was so popular, producers Thames Television decided to turn Name That Tune into a half-hour weekly series in 1983.

From 1976 until 1983, it was hosted by Tom O’Connor, with Lionel Blair taking over in 1984 until the series was dropped from the ITV schedules in 1988.

In 1997, the series was revived on Channel 5 with Jools Holland as the host for two series in 1997 and 1998.

The new series will be its first return to television since then.

The new series, hosted by Alison Hammond, will see contestants go up against each other as their music knowledge is put to the test in a series of fast-paced rounds.

It will feature tracks from the world’s best-loved artists and bands from across every genre – all building towards the finale. 

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Alison said:  “As a massive music lover, my biggest challenge as a host will be trying not to grab the mic and start singing along when one of my all-time favourite tunes comes on!

“And trust me… that will take serious self-control!

“I grew up absolutely loving the original show, so being part of this now feels like a real full-circle moment.

 “I cannot wait to get into the studio, put the contestants through their paces, and see who really knows their music.”

Did you watch the original Poirot series on ITV? Let us know in the comments.

Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.

HELSINGBORG, Sweden (AP) — NATO allies and defense officials expressed bewilderment on Friday at U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to send 5,000 U.S. troops to Poland just weeks after he had ordered 5,000 troops to be pulled out of Europe.

“It is confusing indeed, and not always easy to navigate,” Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard told reporters at a meeting she was hosting of her NATO counterparts, including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

U.S. defense officials were also confused. “We just spent the better part of two weeks reacting to the first announcement. We don’t know what this means either,” said one of two officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military matters.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said “I am pleased to announce that the United States will be sending an additional 5,000 Troops to Poland.” He said this was due to his strong ties with Polish President Karol Nawrocki, whom Trump endorsed in elections last year.

The apparent change of mind came after weeks of conflicting statements from Trump and his administration about reducing — not increasing — the American military footprint in Europe.

NATO allies have been blindsided, despite a U.S. pledge to coordinate troop deployments. “We’re going to stay well-synchronized with our allies moving forward,” NATO’s top military officer, U.S. Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich, promised on Wednesday.

Ministers from the Netherlands and Norway were sanguine about Trump’s latest move but underlined that these matters should happen in a “structured” way. Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže said allies knew the U.S. troop “posture was being reconsidered, and now there is no change of posture. For now. So we will see.”

Earlier this month, the Trump administration said it was reducing levels in Europe by about 5,000 troops, and U.S. officials confirmed about 4,000 service members were no longer deploying to Poland. The dispatch to Germany of U.S. personnel trained to fire long-range missiles was also halted.

Grynkewich said that “several hundred” more troops would be shifted elsewhere, without elaborating. The commander of the world’s biggest military alliance said he had huddled with defense chiefs from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland at NATO headquarters to discuss options.

It all started as Trump fumed over remarks by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who had said that the U.S. was being “humiliated” by the Iranian leadership and criticized what he called a lack of strategy in the war.

Trump then told reporters that the U.S. would be “cutting a lot further than 5,000.” He also announced new tariffs on European cars. Germany is the continent’s biggest auto producer.

About 80,000 U.S. troops are stationed in Europe. The Pentagon is required to keep at least 76,000 troops and major equipment stationed in Europe unless NATO allies are consulted and there is a determination that such a withdrawal is in U.S. interests.

The withdrawal of 5,000 troops might drop numbers below that limit.

Trump’s latest post suggests that troop numbers in Europe might not be changed at all. The forces that were already rotating into Poland from Germany are likely to continue doing so. Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski welcomed the decision, and said it ensures that “the presence of American troops in Poland will be maintained more or less at previous levels.”

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte also welcomed the move. On Thursday, before Trump took to Truth Social again, Rutte had underlined that it was important for Europe to take care of its own security. “We have a process in place. This is normal business,” he told reporters.

Friday’s NATO meeting in Helsingborg, Sweden, was aimed at preparing for a summit of Trump and his counterparts in Turkey in July.

——

Cook reported from Brussels. Emma Burrows in London contributed.

Thomas Tuchel is set to confirm his England squad with the Three Lions poised for a World Cup 2026 challenge in the USA, Mexico and Canada.

England enter the tournament among the strong favourites, with Tuchel eager to break a 60-year wait for silverware for the men’s senior team since the 1966 World Cup, starting with the 26 names to travel to the United States next month.

England have been drawn in Group L with Croatia, Ghana and Panama, with the first game against Luka Modric’s side on 17 June in Arlington, Texas.

Further tests against Ghana on 23 June in Boston and Panama in New York on 27 June will decide England’s fate as they bid to advance to the last 32 in this 48-team tournament. Here’s everything you need to know about the squad announcement as the countdown to the World Cup reaches its conclusion, while you can use our World Cup 2026 squad tracker to find every player playing at this summer’s tournament.

When will England’s World Cup 2026 squad be announced?

England’s squad for the 2026 Fifa World Cup will be revealed on Friday 22 May from Wembley Stadium, London.

The announcement event will begin at 9.45am BST, with all 26 names set to follow soon after.

How can I watch the England World Cup squad announcement live?

The Independent will bring you a live stream of the event, while the official England app will also bring live coverage of the major announcement.

Former England internationals Daniel Sturridge and Theo Walcott will be part of the broadcast, which will be hosted by presenter Kyle Walker.

When will we hear from Thomas Tuchel?

Tuchel is due to speak with the media following the announcement from around 11am BST.

What next for England after the squad announcement?

Once the squad is named, Tuchel and his Three Lions will travel to Florida in early June to complete a pre-World Cup training camp, including two friendly internationals against New Zealand (9pm BST, Saturday 6 June) and Costa Rica (9pm BST, Wednesday 10 June).

It comes as the Met Office warned mercury could climb to 30C on Saturday, 32C by Sunday and a sweltering 33C on Monday for the May Bank Holiday, which could break the record for the hottest ever May temperature

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A series of urgent health alerts have been issued across the UK as the nation braces for a potentially record-breaking Bank Holiday heatwave.

It comes as the Met Office has forecast temperatures of up to 33C in the coming days. On Saturday, the mercury could climb to 30C, with temperatures of 32C on Sunday, and a sweltering 33C on Monday. This would break the record for the hottest temperature recorded in May.

It has prompted the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to issue a string of yellow heat warnings from 9am today. With the temperatures rising, it says it poses a “greater risk to life” for vulnerable people.

Temperatures today are set to climb to around 27C today. The yellow heat alerts will last until 5pm on May 27, covering the East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London and the South East reports the Mirror.

The warning indicates that significant impacts are likely across health and social services, including heightened demand on healthcare services from vulnerable people, a greater risk to life for those most at risk, and an increased likelihood of indoor environments becoming dangerously warm.

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Met Office forecaster Tom Morgan suggested a 40% chance the south of England could reach 33C on Sunday, breaking the current record for the hottest May (32.8C) recorded in Camden Square, London, back in 1922.

Temperatures throughout the weekend are anticipated to surpass heatwave thresholds — which range from 25C to 28C across different counties — for three consecutive days.

Met Office deputy chief forecaster, Steve Kocher, warned that as well as it being hot, Brits would see lots of dry and sunny weather across the country.

“Temperatures will climb through the weekend, especially in the south, where 30C is likely to be recorded on Saturday and 32C on Sunday,” Kocher said. “Temperatures are forecast to peak on Monday when we could see 33C recorded in southern England and the Midlands.

“It is likely that the May and Spring UK temperature records will be broken over the Bank Holiday weekend, with forecast temperatures surpassing the existing record of 32.8C.

“As well as it being hot, there will be lots of dry and sunny weather for much of the UK. There will however be more cloud and some showers in Northern Ireland and western Scotland through the weekend. With relatively low sea surface temperatures there is also likely to be some low cloud and sea fog clinging closely to western coasts.”

The British Red Cross has released advice aimed at helping the public remain safe as temperatures soar in the days ahead. Dafydd Beech, National Community Education Manager at the British Red Cross, said: “As we come into the summer months, warm weather gives us a chance to get out a bit more and enjoy ourselves.

“It’s important to take care while you have fun with friends and family to avoid becoming dehydrated, getting sun burn or even heat stroke.

Kadie Johnson left her terrified mother curled up in a ball to protect herself as she ‘lashed out’ at her

A volatile young woman “lost it” and dragged her petrified mother to the ground before throttling her following a fierce altercation that turned physical.

Kadie Johnson “lashed out” after flying into a rage, leaving her mother cowering in a ball on the floor before eventually retreating to lock herself in the bathroom.

The mother managed to alert the police, and an eight-minute telephone call she placed during the ordeal was described as “harrowing” to listen to, Hull Crown Court was told. Johnson, 19, of Walliker Street, off Anlaby Road, west Hull, pleaded guilty to intentional strangulation, assault and causing criminal damage on September 26.

Prosecutor Bede Porter outlined how Johnson was woken up by the sound of her mother preparing to leave their Hull home. Johnson yelled from her bedroom: “Do you mind keeping the f***ing noise down?”

Her mother fired back: “It was all right for you to be banging around at 20 past 12 this morning.” Johnson came downstairs and said: “You’re not going anywhere.”

She blocked her mother’s path and continued to yell and swear directly in her face. Her mother, aged 41 at the time, warned Johnson to step aside or she would call the police, reports Hull Live.

“She did call the police,” Mr Porter told the court. The eight-minute recording was played to those present.

The mother could be heard reporting that Johnson was throwing glass, candles and ornaments, while repeatedly seizing her mother by the hair and yanking her backwards and forwards. At one stage, the mother fled upstairs and retreated into a bedroom, where she curled herself into a ball.

“The defendant grabbed her by her head again and pulled her on the floor,” Mr Porter told the court.

While she lay on the floor, Johnson seized her by the neck, placed her hand around the back of her head and squeezed, limiting her mother’s capacity to breathe.

“She didn’t at any point lose consciousness,” Mr Porter explained. “She was able to get herself into the bathroom, where she was able to lock the door.

“That’s where she was when the police arrived. She was able to leave the bathroom.” Johnson proceeded to destroy items belonging to her mother, including a TV and a mobile phone.

Following her arrest and transfer to the police station, Johnson denied strangling her mother but acknowledged attempting to prevent her from leaving. She had no prior convictions.

Hannah Turner, mitigating, described the recording of the 999 call as “harrowing” to hear, with the mother clearly distraught when Johnson “lashed out” at her. “There is perhaps little that can be said in terms of the offence itself,” Miss Turner stated.

Addressing the court, Johnson said: “It was a blur that day. I do feel bad for what I did to her.” She acknowledged that she “lost it”.

Johnson received 26 sessions of a probation service Building Choices programme and 20 days’ rehabilitation.

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Use our interactive widget to fill your car for less

The cheapest place to fill up your car with petrol in Greater Manchester today (22 May) is at a Costco Wholesale garage in Oldham.

According to the latest data supplied by retailers, a driver in an average family car could save up to £8 by filling up at this forecourt – compared to the most expensive petrol station.

The Costco Wholesale garage at The Broadway in Chadderton is charging motorists 148.9p per litre, which means it would cost £97 to fill up an average 55 litre tank. This is based on a feed of live petrol prices which is published by the government.

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Here are the cheapest places to top your car with petrol today:

• 148.9p – Costco Wholesale, The Broadway, Oldham, Greater Manchester, OL9 8AU
• 149.7p – Asda, Atherleigh Way, Leigh, WN7 5RZ
• 149.9p – Sainsbury’s, Trinity Street, Bolton, BL3 6DH
• 150.7p – Asda, Cavendish Street, Ashton-under-lyne, Greater Manchester, OL6 7PF
• 150.9p – Tesco, Tesco Extra, Leigh, WN7 4BA
• 150.9p – Tesco, Tesco Stores Ltd, Manchester, M46 0AG
• 150.9p – Valero, Stalybridge, Tameside, SK15 1PD
• 151.7p – Asda, 43-53 The Linkway, Horwich, BL6 6JA
• 151.9p – Tesco, Victoria Ave E, Manchester, M9 6HP
• 151.9p – Tesco, Tesco Stores Ltd, Stalybridge, SK15 2BJ

The most expensive filling station in Greater Manchester is a Esso station at 172-6 Buxton Road in Stockport. The cost of standard petrol at this station is 165.9p, meaning it would cost a total of £106 to fill up an average family car at this forecourt.

For the owners of diesel cars, the cheapest place to fill up is the Valero garage on Caroline Street in Stalybridge. The cost of a litre of standard diesel at this forecourt is 176.9p, according to prices supplied by retailers.

Here are the cheapest places to fill up your car with standard diesel today:

• 176.9p – Valero, Stalybridge, Tameside, SK15 1PD
• 176.9p – Costco Wholesale, The Broadway, Oldham, Greater Manchester, OL9 8AU
• 177.9p – Sainsbury’s, Trinity Street, Bolton, BL3 6DH
• 177.9p – Tesco, Tesco Stores Ltd, Stalybridge, SK15 2BJ
• 177.9p – Tesco, Central Park, Wigan, WN1 1XE
• 177.9p – Tesco, Tesco Extra, Leigh, WN7 4BA
• 177.9p – Tesco, Tesco Stores Ltd, Manchester, M46 0AG
• 177.9p – Morrisons, Mottram Road, Hyde, Cheshire, SK14 2NG
• 177.9p – Morrisons, Foundry Street, Dukinfield, Greater Manchester, SK16 5PJ
• 177.9p – Morrisons, Black Horse Street, Bolton, Greater Manchester, BL1 1PQ

You can use our interactive widget to find out the price of fuel at the petrol stations near you.

UK drivers are currently paying 159.5p per litre of petrol, while people who own diesel vehicles are paying 187.3p on average.

In Greater Manchester, owners of petrol cars are currently being charged 3.2p less than the national average of 159.5p. Diesel car drivers in the region are paying 3.9p less than the national average.

The cheapest place to buy petrol in the country is at a Costco Wholesale garage in Leeds, where a litre of standard petrol is 147.9p. The most expensive petrol station in the country is a Steisean Connaidh Chrosabol garage in Crossapol, Scotland, where motorists are charged 204.0p a litre.

The prices quoted are for standard grade petrol (E10) and for standard grade diesel (B7).

The figures are supplied by the major retailers under a scheme operated by the government to ensure motorists are given a fair deal at the petrol pumps.