The Observer: Main section

Leading critic of Brown says a breakthrough for extremist parties could be tipping point for a revolt

Former Europe minister accuses PM of 'using' women for his own political convenience

US president reminds guests at memorial service 'that human beings determine the course of history'

Veterans gather at Normandy to hear President Obama while others remember traumas time never healed

With an average age of 85, for many veterans it was a last opportunity to honour fallen comrades

More news from around the UK

UK's biggest restaurant chains use service charge paid by cards as part of waiters' wages

Pregnant smuggler spared death sentence in Laos claims fellow prisoner acted as sperm donor

Emails sent last year by Mandelson reveal that he thought PM lacked a natural touch with voters, it has emerged

Exit polls show Taoiseach's party falling to 24% of the vote, as Greens are urged to quit coalition

Thursday's election upset in the South Yorkshire town offers lessons for the whole country

Hypnotherapy addresses patient's own ability to bring about physical changes to improve their wellbeing

US calls for doctors to be taught to use hypnosis instead of general anaesthetic during some operations

Suspended deputy head and adviser to David Cameron is accused over Mary Fedden paintings

Arline Kercher gives evidence at trial of American student Amanda Knox, accused of murdering her daughter

Sri Lankan officials claim Damilvany Gnanakumar may have been brainwashed by rebels

Families of those who died say Tories and Fine Gael would have 'clean hands' for joint probe if they won power

But Home Office report criticises Sir Ian Blair's part in interviewing ski partner for £3m tender

Hopes fade as rescue teams say there is now no chance of finding any Air France survivors

Agreement resolves diplomatic row between Iceland and UK that has raged since the banking crisis

Discovery explains how bats remain in a group when flying at high speeds in darkness, say scientists

Mother critically ill as number of people in UK with swine flu exceeds 500, Health Protection Agency claims

Henry Allingham, the last surviving founder member of the RAF, celebrates his 113th birthday

Almost 12,000 teachers will have their pension payments cut because they have been mistakenly overpaid

Infamous American-born doctor may secure posthumous pardon 99 years after he was hanged

The reintroduction of great bustards and many other species is invigorating the countryside

Two bishops have begun legal proceedings to evict defrocked cleric squatting in their property

Authors want to break 'conspiracy of silence' over fatherhood's guilt, misery and pretence

Nigerian awarded compensation after pub staff falsely alleged his drink had been bought elsewhere

Global warming causes an explosion of plant life leaving homeowners with huge bills

Study suggests that the end of O-levels led to a gender achievement gap

Concerns raised about jail security after number of home made explosive devices revealed

Foreign Office prepares document effectively suspending the constitution of the Turks and Caicos Islands

American Sara Ziff's film reveals how predatory middle-aged men target girls in an industry where harassment and sexism are rife