As warmer weather approaches, homeowners are taking their garden furniture out of storage to prepare their gardens for summer

A garden expert is urging Brits to not make this ‘common mistake’ with their outdoor furniture as it could cause damage to your lawn. As warmer weather approaches, homeowners are taking their garden furniture out of storage to prepare their gardens for summer.

But green-thumbed individuals are being urged not to commit a common mistake with their tables and chairs that can lead to mould, rust or rotting and could damage your grass. Matthew Lock, a garden furniture specialist at Luxus Home and Garden, revealed that placing wooden furniture on the lawn can cause damage to the item and your grass.

This is because prolonged exposure to moisture from the grass can damage the wooden legs or table and chairs which can lead to damp stains, mould or rot. If you place metal outdoor furniture on grass, Matthew also warns it could cause these items to rust too.

Mathew also warns that putting your table on grass in the summertime can damage your lawn as the heavy item can prevent sunlight and air reaching it. This may eventually lead to your grass dying, leaving you with ‘dead patches’ all over your lawn. To combat these issues, Matthew says garden furniture should be placed on a decked area or patio if possible.

If you’re not able to avoid putting your table and chairs on the grass, you should use protective gliders and make sure the wooden feet don’t directly touch the damp earth below. To prevent your lawn from dying, he suggests rotating your garden furniture regularly to ensure all your grass gets exposure to the elements.

Matthew said: “Garden furniture can be an integral part of making our outdoor spaces a comfortable and enjoyable place to be. However, it’s important to consider where you can maximise its functionality and keep it protected from the elements.

“A common mistake many homeowners make is to place wooden garden furniture on the lawn, which can damage both the item and the grass. Prolonged exposure to moisture can damage a wooden item’s legs and can lead to damp stains, mould or rot, while metal furniture can be prone to rusting.

“On top of that, leaving heavy items on the lawn can harm the grass, preventing sunlight and air from reaching it and eventually leaving behind dead patches. The best place to locate garden furniture is on a stable surface such as a decked area or patio. If this isn’t possible and it must be on the lawn, it’s best to choose items that have protective gliders or feet at the bottom to prevent wood from being directly exposed to damp turf.

“It’s also a good idea to rotate locations regularly to prevent dead patches on your lawn.” Now that spring is in full swing, attention is seeing more Brits spending more time in outdoor spaces.

Homeowners are being advised that it now appears to be a good time to take garden furniture out of storage if it has been kept inside or under covers through the winter. Good-quality wooden items can last decades if cared for properly, including regular cleaning and maintenance.

Matthew said: “A deep clean with warm, soapy water and a soft bristle brush can make a world of difference, while an equal parts white vinegar and water solution can be used to tackle stubborn dirt or grime. When the item has dried, it may be worth applying a protective sealer, which is recommended every 12 to 18 months, depending on the type of wood.”

For more information, visit https://www.luxushomeandgarden.com/

British-born Olaolukitan Adon Abel, 26, has been charged after a string of brutal attacks on Monday, April 13 left two women dead and a man fighting for his life

A British-born man is at the centre of an alleged killing spree described as “pure acts of evil”.

Olaolukitan Adon Abel, 26, has been charged after the string of brutal attacks on Monday leaving two women dead and a man fighting for his life.

The killing of the DHS worker, Lauren Bullis, and shootings of the two other victims on Monday led the homeland security secretary Markwayne Mullin to issue a statement raising concerns that the 26-year-old suspect, British native Olaolukitan Adon Abel, was granted US citizenship in 2022.

Mr Mullin’s statement reads: ” On Monday, a DHS employee, Lauren Bullis, was brutally shot and stabbed to death by Olaolukitan Adon Abel, a 26-year-old, born in the United Kingdom, who was naturalized by the Biden Administration in 2022. Since President Trump took office, @USCIS has implemented measures to ensure individuals with criminal histories and who otherwise lack good moral character do not attain citizenship.

Mr Mullun added: “He [Olaolukitan] stands accused of murdering @DHSgov employee Lauren Bullis by shooting and stabbing her while she walked her dog. He has also been arrested for the murder of an unidentified woman whom he reportedly shot outside a Checkers, before randomly shooting a homeless man multiple times outside a Kroger in Brookhaven.

“These acts of pure evil have devastated our Department and my prayers are with the families of the victims.”

The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement: “We are deeply saddened to confirm that Lauren Bullis, a beloved member of the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General team, has tragically passed away.

“She was a respected colleague whose contributions and presence will be greatly missed. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends, as well as to the families, friends, and communities of the additional victims.”

The Brookhaven Police Department have confirmed all three attacks were connected and issued the following statement: “The Brookhaven Police Department has arrested and charged Olaolukitan Adon Abel, 26, of Atlanta with Aggravated Assault and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony in connection with the shooting that occurred earlier this morning at Cherokee Plaza, located at 3855 Peachtree Road.

“On April 13, 2026, at approximately 1:59 a.m., Brookhaven officers responded to the Cherokee Plaza Shopping Center in reference to a person being shot. Upon arrival, officers located a 49-year-old male suffering from gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment, where he remains in critical condition.

“Through the use of the Brookhaven Police Department’s Operation Plugged In Camera Network, along with coordinated law enforcement efforts, detectives were able to quickly develop leads and positively identify the shooter.

“This afternoon, Adon Abel was taken into custody without incident by the Georgia Department of Public Safety in Troup County following coordination with Brookhaven detectives. Further investigation has revealed that Adon Abel is also responsible for other shootings that occurred earlier in unincorporated DeKalb County.

“This remains an active and ongoing investigation. The Brookhaven Police Department is working closely with the DeKalb County Police Department and state partners to ensure all aspects of these incidents are thoroughly investigated.”

The eastern United States is bracing for an unseasonably long heat wave, with a furnace-like weather pattern threatening to shatter record-high temperatures in major cities including New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.

Forecasters predict the nation’s capital will reach 93 degrees (33.9 Celsius) late Wednesday afternoon, with similar highs expected on Thursday.

This intense heat is highly unusual for April, not only due to its early arrival but also its anticipated duration, with near-record temperatures forecast to persist into the upcoming weekend.

While inland areas saw temperatures soar into the 80s, the Jersey Shore offered a slight reprieve. Hundreds took advantage of the pleasant spring day Wednesday, strolling along boardwalks where a gentle breeze kept temperatures approximately 15 degrees cooler by the water.

“After all the nasty cold and snow we had to deal with this winter, this is our payback,” New Yorker Javier Estrada, 19, said while taking a break from a beach football game in Seaside Park, New Jersey.

“I’m here with my buds, we’re having a blast and God is smiling on us,” he said. “What more can you ask for?”

The potentially dangerous heat comes as pieces of the roof of Yost Ice Arena, one of the nation’s oldest college hockey arenas, were found scattered by a storm Wednesday in nearby yards in Ann Arbor, Michigan. That arena and another one in the same community — a city ice rink — were both damaged by the severe weather that struck Michigan overnight Tuesday into Wednesday morning. Severe storms earlier this week also tore through Kansas, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

While it’s not unprecedented to see high temperatures climb toward 90 degrees (32 Celsius) on an April day, the length of such an April heat wave is rarely seen, experts say.

“That’s borderline unprecedented as far as the duration of it this time of year,” said John Feerick, senior meteorologist at the forecasting firm AccuWeather.com.

Feerick said that starting Wednesday “we’re going to have records challenged from basically Georgia all the way up through the New York City area and back toward the Ohio Valley.”

The National Weather Service is projecting a high temperature of around 86 degrees (30 Celsius) for Central Park in New York City on Wednesday. The record high for the date is 87, set in 1941.

Even hotter weather is expected in Philadelphia, where Wednesday’s high is expected to be 92 degrees (33 C). Other likely hot spots include Washington, D.C., which could see a high of 94 (34 C); and Atlanta, where the high is projected to be 88 (31 C).

“It’s really some very impressive heat for the middle of April, for sure,” Feerick said.

“The good thing about this is that the humidity is not summertime levels,” he added. That means it won’t feel as hot as a sizzling July day.

The early-season heat can be more stressful on people’s bodies since they haven’t had a chance to acclimate.

Heat is the No. 1 weather-related killer in the U.S., the weather service warns. Infants and young children; older adults, people with chronic medical conditions and pregnant women are especially vulnerable to heat-related injuries and death.

A strong ridge of high pressure fueling moisture into the southern plains was responsible for bringing the unusual heat to the eastern U.S., the weather service said.

Though Wednesday is a day when many records could fall, the heat wave will continue through Friday in many areas, forecasters said.

“Widespread lower to even middle 90s are expected Friday across the lower elevations of the Carolinas, which could set additional daily records and perhaps come close to some monthly records,” the agency’s Weather Prediction Center wrote in a memo.

The heat wave should finally be breaking down by Sunday as a strong cold front moves toward the Eastern Seaboard, and then it should be “pleasantly cooler” by Monday with the front heading out to sea, the weather service said.

In Seaside Park, Tom Larkin, 48, of Toms River, New Jersey, and his 3-year-old Labrador retriever, Vader, were among those strolling on the boardwalk.

“He just loves to see people and get petted, so what should be a 20-minute walk usually ends up taking about an hour and a half at least,” Larkin joked as Vader made friends with passersby.

“But on a day like this I don’t mind the extra time here,” he said. “The people are great and the scenery is gorgeous, and it’s not too crowded yet, like it will get after Memorial Day.”

The advancement in North Korean nuclear weapons comes at a time when the topic of nuclear warfare is rife amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East over nuclear capabilities

The United Nations’ nuclear watchdog has said that North Korea has made “very serious” progress in its ability to produce nuclear weapons.

This comes at a time when the topic of nuclear warfare is rife amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East over what the US says is a result of Iranian nuclear capabilities.

North Korea is believed to have assembled about 50 nuclear warheads, but some experts are sceptical of its claims that it is able to miniaturise them to be attached to long-range ballistic missiles, the Guardian reported.

Speaking during a visit to the South Korean capital, Seoul, on Wednesday, April 15, Head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi confirmed reports of a rapid rise in activity at the country’s main nuclear complex, Yongbyon.

He said work had intensified at Yongbyon’s 5MW reactor, reprocessing unit, light water reactor and other facilities. North Korea is believed to possess several dozen nuclear warheads.

Since conducting its first nuclear test two decades ago, the regime has acquired what some experts say is a workable nuclear capability that includes intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching the US mainland.

Under leader Kim Jong Un, the country has ramped up its nuclear weapons programme in defiance of UN sanctions.

Observers view this as attempt to reduce the likelihood that it could one day be a target for regime change by the US.

Grossi’s comments came as a US thinktank said North Korea appeared to have completed a building intended for uranium enrichment at the nuclear complex.

Beyond Parallel, at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, said this week that satellite imagery indicated the new facility was nearing operational readiness, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported.

The thinktank said the suspected new enrichment facility at Yongbyon and another at a site in Kangson near the capital Pyongyang had not been declared to international nuclear authorities.

It said production of enriched uranium “would significantly increase the number of nuclear weapons North Korea could possess”.

The report matched an assessment issued by the IAEA in June last year in which it said the regime was building an enrichment facility at Yongbyon that could be used to produce weapons-grade material.

In March, Grossi said there was no evidence of “significant change” at the North’s main nuclear testing site at Punggye-ri, but added that it was still capable of supporting nuclear tests.

He called North Korea’s nuclear programme a “clear violation” of UN security council resolutions.

He also said that the agency “continues to maintain its enhanced readiness to play its essential role in verifying [North Korea’s] nuclear programme”.

The country has not conducted a nuclear test since 2017, but it has demonstrated advances in its missile technology and increased its stockpile of weapons. This is in line with Kim’s comments last August to pursue a “rapid expansion of nuclearisation”.

Diplomatic efforts to rein in North Korea’s nuclear ambitions have faltered after unsuccessful summits between Kim and US President Donald Trump during his first term and a deterioration in ties between the regime and neighbouring South Korea.

The Banks Group, first formed commercial ties with the club more than three decades ago and continues to play a key role in its growth and development.

Its sponsorship includes naming rights to the Banks Homes Riverside Stadium in Chester-le-Street and branding on the men’s, women’s and junior pathway teams’ kits.

Harry Banks OBE DL, chairman and chief executive at the Banks Group, said: “The start of a new cricket season is always a landmark time in our business year and the connection with our 50th anniversary celebrations makes this season an especially important one for us.

“We’ve been part of the Durham Cricket story for over 35 years and are looking forward to seeing all the club’s teams and players succeeding through the summer.”

Founded in Tow Law in 1976, Banks first backed Durham Cricket before it achieved First Class county status.

The company sponsored the under-19 team in 1989 and later helped the club gain First Class status after a 70-year wait.

Banks has long supported junior cricket development, helping to create the nursery ground at the Riverside and sponsoring boys’ and girls’ age group teams for many years.

Russ Hall, managing director at Banks Homes, said: “Our partnership with Durham Cricket has helped to increase our brand visibility as we’ve expanded our portfolio of high-quality residential developments across the North East and Yorkshire, and we’re excited to be taking our place for a new season at the iconic Banks Homes Riverside ground.”

The company’s support for cricket extends well beyond Durham.

Banks has invested in grassroots cricket throughout the North East by sponsoring league and cup competitions and providing grants to clubs.

It recently renewed its sponsorship of the North East Premier League, a partnership that dates back to the league’s formation 27 years ago.

Banks has also sponsored Northumberland County Cricket Club for the past eight years, with the team wearing the Banks Homes brand in National Counties Cricket Championship matches.

Tim Bostock, chief executive at Durham Cricket, said: “It is great to celebrate our second year with Banks Group as Durham’s principal partner.

“Banks Group has been a long-term partner of Durham Cricket who have supported us for over 30 years, and it is fantastic to continue to work alongside the group.

“Banks Group is a progressive, community-minded partner that aligns with our Northern culture, sharing our passion for community spirit and cricket.

“Everyone at the club is excited about the coming years, in what is an exciting time for English cricket, as we continue to move forward both on and off the field.”

The Trump administration has shared renderings for the proposed gold-accented giant victory arch, dubbed by some as the “Arc de Trump”.

The structure is planned to be roughly 250 feet (76.2 meters) tall – one foot for each year since the United States’ independence. Its height would make it more than twice as high as the Lincoln Memorial, which is right across a landmark bridge from the arch’s proposed location. It would be the tallest triumphal arch in the world.

BBC’s Ione Wells explains why the plan is controversial.

Video by Meiying Wu

The two teenagers accused of the murder of Baye Bireme Fall will face court on Thursday (April 16)

Two teenagers have been charged with murder in connection with the stabbing of a teenage boy in Peterborough on Sunday (April 12). Baye Bireme Fall died after an attack just before 7pm near the Orton Centre, but was pronounced dead just before 9.30pm in hospital.

Emidas Krutkevicius, 18, of Garton End Road, Peterborough, and a 15-year-old boy from Peterborough, who cannot be named for legal reasons, are accused of murdering 16-year-old Baye.

Both teenagers have been remanded and are due to appear at Huntingdon Magistrates’ Court on Thursday morning (April 16).

A post-mortem examination carried out at Peterborough City Hospital on Wednesday concluded Baye had died from a single stab wound.

Anyone with information about the murder is urged to report it via an online reporting portal or via 101, quoting Op Whitby. They can also contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111 or online.

An urgent safety notice was issued last year for a range of tumble dryers manufactured by Haier, and those also sold under the Baumatic, Candy, Caple, Vacuum, Iberna, Lamona and Montpellier brands.

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has now announced that a national remedial programme is under way to make the appliances safe.

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In a statement the regulator said: “The UK manufacturers have initiated a modification programme for products in scope of the safety issue.

“The companies will visit every home containing affected tumble dryers and make them safe.

“OPSS is urging all affected members of the public, including those unsure whether they are impacted or not, to check the model links and contact the manufacturer.”

A Product Safety Report page has been produced for each product, available via the OPSS website, which provides further information on the affected models, the risks presented by the product, and corrective action.

According to the alert, the products present a risk of fire as it is possible for an internal short circuit to occur within the tumble dryer during normal use.

This can cause the tumble dryer to ignite, causing a fire.

The OPSS said the products did not meet the requirements of the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016.

Consumers can contact 0808 178 0516 for further information or visit Product Safety – Haier Europe online.

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Joe Cole has rated Arsenal’s chances of beating Atletico Madrid and reaching the Champions League final.

Mikel Arteta’s Premier League leaders edged out Portuguese champions Sporting 1-0 in a tight and cagey quarter-final.

Arsenal will meet Spanish giants Atletico in the semis after Diego Simeone’s side beat La Liga rivals Barcelona 3-2 on aggregate.

Champions League holders PSG face German champions Bayern Munich in the other semi-final tie after wins over Liverpool and Real Madrid respectively.

Following a brilliant first-half to the season, Arsenal appear to be stuttering towards the finish line, winning just one of their last five games in all competitions.

But former England star Cole still believes Arsenal fans should be ‘very confident’ about their chances of overcoming Atletico Madrid and reaching the Champions League final.

‘Arsenal fans should be very, very confident,’ Cole said on TNT Sports. ‘They always knew they were on the better side of the draw.

‘The Premier League is one entity but I think they will turn up against Sporting and perform and get through.

‘A semi-final against an Atletico Madrid team that we saw tonight, Arsenal are a lot stronger than so many different areas.

‘The only thing that Atletico Madrid have got over them is experience but I still think the double is on for Arsenal, I really do.

‘It will be chaos but Arsenal can’t be gentlemen in a game like that. There will be dark arts from Atletico so Arsenal need to manage that.’

Arsenal beat Sporting 1-0 in Lisbon last week courtesy of Kai Havertz’s injury-time goal and that proved to be enough to send the Gunners into the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Speaking after the victory over Sporting, Gunners boss Arteta said: ‘It’s a massive moment. To be part of those four teams is great work.

‘It’s a great night. I’m very happy for all our people. We are making steps that haven’t been done at this club for 140 years [back-to-back Champions League semi-finals].

‘You have to earn it. You have to go through a lot of work. Gratitude to the players.’

On Arsenal’s semi-final opponents Atletico Madrid, Arteta added: ‘I watched them yesterday – that stadium is special.

‘Those are the moments we want to live together as a team right now, so enjoy tonight. Tomorrow we will start to prepare for the weekend and then we will think about that.’

Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli also discussed the semi-final tie against Atletico Madrid, telling reporters: ‘We played them in the group stage but this will be a completely different game.

‘We have to earn the right, we have to do things right in the game as well. Let’s keep it up and try to win both games.’

Arsenal, sitting six points clear at the top of the Premier League, face title rivals Manchester City in a huge clash on Sunday.

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