BBC News

British police declared a major incident near RAF Fairford, a Gloucestershire base used by the US Air Force, after receiving a call about three suspicious vehicles travelling towards it. Armed officers arrested five men in the Whelford area on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act, and counter-terrorism police led the investigation. A 400-metre cordon was placed around the vehicles while Army explosive ordnance disposal experts examined them, about 85 households were advised to evacuate, and a leisure centre was opened for those unable to stay with family or friends. Assistant Chief Constable Richard O'Connell said the men remained in custody and urged the public not to speculate. President Donald Trump praised the UK police response, said the men were looking to do big damage, and claimed they had been under investigation and under view for a long time, which the BBC noted had not been corroborated by UK police or intelligence services. A military analyst discussed the base's role for US bomber aircraft, previous Iranian threats, and the need for better preparedness.

In Northern Ireland, protesters continued to block Garvaghy Road as a controversial Orange Order parade waited for the go-ahead. PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said the priority was keeping everyone safe, that police were evidence-gathering and would be proportionate, and that a longer-term conversation was needed to resolve the issues. Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant called on political leaders to bring the temperature down and cooperate with police. The standoff in County Armagh involved an Orange Order parade authorised to march down a road in a largely Irish nationalist area, blocked by hundreds of nationalists including First Minister Michelle O'Neill; the parade had been banned for almost 30 years and was associated with violence in the past.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham told the BBC he wanted to offer access to free social care services to everyone in England and would put his plans before voters at the next general election, saying he had to tackle a threadbare social care system that could break the NHS. The Conservative Party said any tax increases to fund social care were a red line. In Thailand, heavy rains and rising flood waters led to more than 10,000 troops being deployed for evacuations and rescues, with the whole of Bangkok declared a flood disaster zone and nearly 5,000 people moved to shelters; more than 30 centimetres of rain fell over three days, overwhelming drainage and causing what was described as one of the worst flooding incidents in Bangkok in 15 years.