The King’s security is being reviewed ahead of his state visit to the United States next week after a gunman tried to storm a Washington dinner attended by Donald Trump on Saturday night.

The White House Correspondents’ Association dinner was thrown into chaos on Saturday night after an attempted attack, which saw shots fired, prompting the US President to be swiftly evacuated by Secret Service agents along with other senior members of his administration.

Speaking about the attempted attack, chief secretary to the prime minister Darren Jones told Sky News: “As you would imagine, with His Majesty the King, this week our teams are working closely to ensure that security arrangements are put appropriately in place.”

Asked by the BBC whether further security measures will be put in place ahead of the visit, Mr Jones said: “As you would imagine, the government and the Palace were in close cooperation with American counterparts in advance of the visit anyway, and further discussions will be taking place today, ahead of next week.”

Pressed on the issue, he said: “There will be appropriate security in place in relation to the risk, yes.”

He also said the prime minister, who has had an increasingly fractious relationship with the US president as a result of the UK’s refusal to be dragged into the Iran war, has sent a message to Mr Trump “in solidarity” after the incident.

“These are remarkable scenes. The prime minister has this morning sent a message to the President of the United States in solidarity for the events that took place”, Mr Jones said.

And in a statement on social media, Sir Keir Starmer wrote: “I am shocked by the scenes at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington overnight.

“Any attack on democratic institutions or on the freedom of the press must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. It is a huge relief that [the President], the First Lady and all those attending are safe.”

The suspect, said to have been carrying a shotgun and handgun, has been identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California.

He is understood to have been a guest in the Washington Hilton hotel, where the event was being held. He faces charges including assaulting an officer with a dangerous weapon, but acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said additional charges will be filed.

The president posted pictures on his Truth Social platform of the alleged assailant handcuffed on the ground following his detention, and described him as a “lone wolf whack job”.

Mr Trump – who was attending the annual dinner for the first time as president – vowed to reschedule the disrupted event at a late-night press conference following the shooting, which he said had “unified” political opponents and the media.

The state visit, which begins at the end of the month, will mark the 250th anniversary of American independence and herald the start of celebrations across the US, with Charles and Camilla marking the milestone at a “block party”.

The first time Charles and Camilla will meet the president and the first lady will be at a private tea, captured by cameras only.

Later, Mr Trump and the King will sit down for talks in the White House’s famous Oval Office while Camilla and Melania Trump take part in an event together.

Buckingham Palace said it does not comment on security matters.

Another day, another emphatic win for England.

The Red Roses jamboree roared into Bristol, attracting a record crowd for their third consecutive match at this Six Nations and bringing with it a sea of white shirts, red cowgirl hats and rose-petal headwear galore. And, most importantly, tries.

Fresh from crossing 12 times against Scotland at Murrayfield last week, England scored another 10 tries in a 62-24 victory over Wales – a result that leaves John Mitchell’s side top of the table with maximum points from three matches.

With a fifth consecutive Triple Crown secured, they remain on course for a record eighth straight Women’s Six Nations title.

Impressive statistics. But attack coach Emily Scarratt told BBC Two the dressing room was a little “muted” after the game.

Yes, England won comfortably and without ever losing control to extend their record unbeaten run to 36 Tests, but this wasn’t the steamrollering many expected, with Wales – to use Mitchell’s word – “surprising” them.

The visitors scored four tries – including two in the final 10 minutes as England’s concentration wandered – to pick up a valuable bonus point, and twice profited after bamboozling England with their line-out routine.

England were, at times, guilty of poor discipline – giving away nine penalties – and sloppy handling. Improvements will need to be made by the time they face title rivals France in round five.

“You’re always in a Test match when you play a team like Wales,” said Scarratt. “I thought they really brought it today and posed some different challenges for us, which is pretty awesome in our development.

“We still got a pretty good job done. There’s a muted sense in the group, which is obviously a really good feeling when you put a score on like that.”

But while Wales fired a couple of warning shots, this was another routine win for England and one that does little to assuage concerns the Six Nations is too predictable and their dominance may not benefit themselves and the game.

Little T-Rex is searching for a new home after being returned to kennels on numerous occasions through no fault of his own – earning him the title of one of the unluckiest dogs in the world

An adorable dog has been dubbed one of the ‘unluckiest’ in the world after being returned to kennels. T-Rex has been in and out of rescue shelters for the last four years through no fault of his own – and is again searching for a forever family.

The 11-year-old has been described as a “sweet and gentle boy”, who has been extremely unlucky in his life. On TikTok, @seeandsavethedog said: “Volunteer favourite T-Rex has a heartbreaking story. This sweet and gentle 11-year-old guy has been in and out of the shelter numerous times since 2022 because his owner struggles with housing instability.

“Most recently he was turned in right before Christmas because the person stated they lost their housing. Poor T-Rex spent Christmas in the shelter, and has been waiting here ever since.

“The shelter is hard on any dog, but it is especially hard on seniors. T-Rex recently got an eye infection and recovered, and we hate to think of him stuck in a cold concrete cell during these rain storms.”

The Los Angeles shelter in the US explained how T-Rex has a few jumps and skin issues and could do with some TLC.

They added: “This guy is super mellow – he loves to roll on his back in the warm grass, soak up all the pets from his volunteer friends, and has done well with other dogs in playgroups (slow intros always recommended).

“We’re hoping that someone who can give him the love, stability, and attention he needs in his golden years sees this video and falls in love like we did!”

Commenting on his rehoming appeal, one user said: “Poor baby. I hope he gets a loving home.”

Another added: “He needs a loving home.”

A third chimed in: “Loving arms to hold him close to the heart.”

One more person exclaimed: “OMG. He is adorable. Let’s find his fam.”

Sharing their expert advice, Dogs Trust explained the number one step new owners should take when welcoming a rescue dog into your home.

A statement reads: “While most puppies are relaxed and inquisitive, adult dogs may be worried when they arrive at your home.

“You may find they hide at first and don’t seem to want to interact with you. Don’t worry – this is perfectly normal. To help them relax you should let them go at their own pace.

“Allow them to spend time on their own without disruptions and come to you when they are ready. They may come over and look at you, sit nearby or drop a toy at your feet.

“Avoid any visitors to the home during this time and make sure it is calm and quiet, so they get familiar with their new surroundings in peace.”

If you’re interested in rehoming T-Rex, contact North Central Animal Services Center via laanimalservices.com.

On Sunday, Ukraine marks the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear accident. Reactor number 4 at the plant exploded on 26 April 1986, spewing out radioactive material that would spread across swathes of Europe.

The official death toll from the incident in Chornobyl – as it is known in Ukrainian – is 31, but the wider impact of the accident remains contested and difficult to determine.

In 2005, a study by several UN agencies concluded 4,000 people could die as a result of the accident. Other estimates suggest the number could be higher.

The BBC’s Jessica Parker visited the nearby city of Pripyat where Chernobyl’s workers lived, but was abandoned shortly after the disaster.

An annual Washington DC dinner descended in chaos after the Donald Trump was evacuated and guests hid under tables after shots were fired late on Saturday night

Mayhem took over the annual White House correspondents’ dinner when a gunman stormed the lobby outside the ballroom and Donald Trump was swiftly evacuated.

A Secret Service agent was shot at close-range but he survived due to his bulletproof vest, while guests inside the ballroom at the Washington Hilton Hotel dived under tables. Trump wad uninjured and quickly rushed off stage as shots were fired. Police later identified the shooting suspect as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, from Torrance, California. Cops added the man was armed with multiple weapons, including a handgun, shotgun and multiple knives.

At a press conference after the attack, Trump described the suspect as a “lone wolf whack job”.

READ MORE: Trump live: Suspect identified after shots fired at White House correspondents’ dinnerREAD MORE: Donald Trump shooter Cole Thomas Allen ‘sneaked in as guest’ – all we know on gunman

8:35pm: The incident unfolded at around 8:35pm local time (1:35am UK time) as shots were heard in the hotel and guests were told to take cover. The Secret Service rushed to the US President and quickly removed him from the stage.

9:17pm: The US President posts on Truth Social for the first time since the incident and revealed the suspected gunman “has been apprehended”. He said: “Quite an evening in D.C. Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job.”

9:36pm: Trump said law enforcement officials told the President to leave the hotel “which we will do, immediately”. In a post, he said: “The First Lady, plus the Vice President, and all Cabinet members, are in perfect condition.”

10:29pm: The President shared CCTV footage online from the hotel lobby, outside the ballroom where 2,500 guests were present, which appeared to show the suspect running past several officers and towards the hall. Trump also shared images of the suspect being detained inside the hotel.

10:30pm: Trump held a news conference from the White House and said the suspect was a “lone wolf whack job”. The President was joined at the news conference by FBI chief Kash Patel and Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche.

10:50pm: The suspect was named as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, from California, by US media outlets.

11:10pm: Images from Torrance, California, showed police searching a home believed to be linked to the suspect as dozens of cops were pictured outside the property late at night.

11:15pm: The US Attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, said authorities plan to formally charge the suspect in court on Monday with several offences, including using a firearm during a crime of violence.

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It was the third time since 2024 that the president had been under threat by an attacker in his immediate vicinity – including the assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, that injured him and killed a local firefighter.

Trump, after the attack, said: “Today we need levels of security that probably nobody has ever seen before.” He also said: “We’re not going to let anybody take over our society.”

Misinformation about the Epsom incident began to circulate online, with many accounts on social media making false suggestions the suspects were asylum seekers or migrants. Others commented that they were distressed by reports of such a serious crime taking place in their local area, and expressed support for the alleged victim.

LK Bennett, founded back in the 90s, entered administration in January, with John Noon and Mark Firmin of Alvarez & Marsal Europe LLP appointed joint administrators.

Immediately following their appointment, the LK Bennett brand and related intellectual property were sold to US firm Gordon Brothers, which also owns Laura Ashley and Poundland.

However, LK Bennett’s nine stand-alone and 13 concession stores were not included in the deal, leaving them at risk of closing.

Its website explains: “The LK Bennett stores were not included in the transaction and continue to trade under the Administration.”

All LK Bennett stores “are now closed”

All LK Bennett stores have now closed, according to the retailer’s website.

In an Instagram post on Saturday (April 25), the fashion retailer said: “We’re nearly at the end.

“With only 2 days remaining, tomorrow is your last moment to shop our collections in-store with everything up to 90% off.”

“Our boutiques will remain open today as long as stock lasts, but once it’s gone, our doors will close.”

But it appears all stock has been sold, as the LK Bennett website reads: “Website and stores are now closed.”

Full list of LK Bennett stores

The full list of LK Bennett stores that have closed is:

Stand-alone stores

• Lower Guildhall Mall (Bluewater)
• Canary Wharf (London)
• Eastgate Square Shopping Centre (Chester)
• Duke of York Square (London)
• Harrogate
• Knightsbridge (London)
• New Bond Street (London)
• Richmond
• White City Westfield (London)

Concession stores

• Arnotts (Dublin)
• The Bentall Centre (Kingston upon Thames)
• Brown Thomas (Dublin)
• De Gruchy (Jersey)
• Hoopers (Tunbridge Wells)
• Hoopers (Wilmslow)
• Jarrold (Norwich)
• John Lewis (Edinburgh)
• John Lewis (High Wycombe)
• John Lewis – Oxford Street (London)
• John Lewis (Manchester)
• John Lewis (Oxford)
• John Lewis (Cheadle)

‘Very sad day’ – shoppers react to closure of LK Bennett stores

Shoppers were quick to react to the closure of the remaining LK Bennett stores, taking to the Instagram post to share their thoughts.

One person commented: “Very sad day indeed. I will miss the lovely collection and the staff who was always attentive no matter which boutique you shopped.”

Another added: “Very sad day for the high street and more importantly the staff who have worked their shoes! Off- good luck to all of you.”

Other major UK companies that have closed or entered administration in 2026

It has been a tough start to 2026 for the UK high street, with a wide range of businesses entering administration or closing down.

Major high street retailers have been forced to close stores, including:

Several other retailers have fallen into administration, including:

Meanwhile, four UK travel companies have closed in 2026:

EcoJet Airlines, billed as “the world’s first Electric Airline”, also entered liquidation after just three years, resulting in the cancellation of all planned flights.

What has a nose, wings and runs off of hydrogen? Ecojet 😎 pic.twitter.com/y8QGiBdFe2

— ecotricity (@ecotricity) July 17, 2023

UK delivery company Yodel is set to be phased out over the coming months after being acquired by InPost.

It’s also been reported that Morrisons is looking to sell some of its in-store pharmacies as it continues to cut costs.

It’s not been all bad news for the UK high street, with several major brands announcing new store openings for 2026, including Aldi, M&S, and Superdrug.

Are you saddened by the closure of all LK Bennett stores? Let us know in the comments below.

But if you’re looking at the region on a map, you’d be forgiven for doing a double take or getting a sense of de ja vu, as some towns share names or are awkwardly similar.

If you don’t know your Stanley and Crook from your Stanley Crook, or your Easington from your Easington, you could easily end up in the wrong place.

Last month the Echo told how a Barcelona fan heading to his side’s Champions League clash at St James Park in Newcastle was left red-faced after turning up at the stadium of the same name in Exeter.

But within the region there are plenty of names which could leave tourists, or locals, making a similar error.

Stanley, Crook and Stanley Crook

Stanley in North West Durham and Crook are almost a half-hour drive further south.

But Stanley Crook is its own village in itself, just north of Crook itself.

Miss a comma in a text and your mates could be waiting in the wrong pit village, wondering which Stanley you’re in.

Elwick and Elswick

Elwick is the quiet village just outside Hartlepool, while Elswick sits on the banks of the Tyne in west Newcastle.

One wrong vowel and you’ve swapped country lanes for city dual carriageways.

Easington

If you key Easington into your sat nav, make sure you check twice where you’re heading.

There’s one by Peterlee and another near Saltburn, and picking the wrong one can leave you 25 miles out, staring at the sea and thinking, “that cliff definitely wasn’t here last time.”

Newbiggin

Head for the coast and you’ve got Newbiggin‑by‑the‑Sea in Northumberland with its chips, promenade and sea air, versus Newbiggin Hall in west Newcastle, which is very much not a seaside resort, however optimistic you are with your bucket and spade.

Hemlington and Helmington Row

Head to Middlesbrough and you’ll find Hemlington with its lake and housing estates.

But be careful not to make a typo and mix up the M and L, as you’d find yourself heading to Helmington Row near Crook.

The Trimdons

If you’re looking for an East Durham pit village with Trimdon in the name, make sure you get the right out.

Trimdon, Trimdon Station, and Trimdon Colliery all lie so close together they’re often dubbed “the Trimdons”.

Bowes

If you’re looking for Bowes in Teesdale, a pretty village with an old castle, you’ll want to make sure you aren’t heading towards Gateshead and the Bowes Incline, near the Angel of the North.

Hetton-le-Hole and Hutton-le-Hole

Even your tongue can get tied with Hetton‑le‑Hole in Sunderland and Hutton‑le‑Hole over in North Yorkshire.

One misplaced vowel and you’re a national park away from where you planned to be.

The US President described the shooter as a ‘lone wolf whack job’ while posting footage from the event online.

A gunman carrying “multiple weapons” attempted to storm a Washington dinner attended by Donald Trump on Saturday night. The White House Correspondents’ Association dinner descended into chaos as the US President, who had previously been the target of an assassination attempt, was swiftly evacuated by Secret Service agents.

One officer, who was shot but protected by his bulletproof vest, was hospitalised. The suspect, who was allegedly armed with a shotgun and handgun, has since been identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen from Torrance, California.

It is understood that he was a guest at the Washington Hilton hotel, where the event was being held. As reported by the Mirror, Allen faces charges including assaulting an officer with a dangerous weapon.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has announced that additional charges will be filed.

Trump addressed the media following the shooting and posted images on his Truth Social platform of the suspected shooter handcuffed on the ground.

The President stated: “My impression is he was a lone wolf whack job. These are crazy people.”

Trump praised the work of the Secret Service, adding that the suspected gunman was not close to breaching the ballroom where he was seated on stage at the time of the incident.

He continued: “I saw a room that was just totally unified. It was, in one way, very beautiful, a very beautiful thing. To see a man charge a security checkpoint armed with multiple weapons, and he was taken down by some very brave members of the Secret Service, and they acted very quickly.”

He added: “It is always shocking when something like this happens.” Washington mayor Muriel Bowser stated she had “no reason” to believe anyone else was involved.

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Mr Blanche said: “Tonight you saw the very worst and the very best of this country. You saw the very worst by the actions of that coward… but you also saw the very best because you saw law enforcement do exactly what they’re supposed to do. I promise you justice will be served.”

Trump added that the event would be rescheduled in the next 30 days. The Washington Hilton has been the site of a previous attempted presidential assassination when then president Ronald Reagan was shot by John Hinckley Jr outside the hotel in 1981. This led to security being heightened at the property.

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Cole Tomas Allen, 31, has been identified as the suspect who was armed with guns and knives when he stormed the Washington Hilton on Saturday night.

Stunning footage shared by Donald Trump has shown the moment a suspect was seen dashing through the hotel lobby at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner before he was taken down by secret service agents.

Cole Tomas Allen, 31, has been identified as the suspect who was armed with guns and knives when he stormed the Washington Hilton on Saturday night.

Video posted by the US President on his Truth Social platform showed the suspect running past security barricades as Secret Service agents ran towards him. Officials said that one officer was shot in a bullet-resistant vest but is recovering.

Police confirmed the gunman was tackled to the ground and was not injured, but was being evaluated at a hospital. Allen, from Torrance, California, has been arrested and he is facing two firearm-related charges, including a count of assaulting an officer with a deadly weapon.

As reported by the Mirror, the suspect – who officials said was a guest at the Washington Hilton where the dinner was being held – has been taken into custody and is expected in court Monday.

Officers believe he opened fire and acted alone but did not say who was his intended target or describe a motive. Trump appeared to agree, describing him as a “lone wolf whack job” at a press conference afterwards.

The US President was uninjured and was rushed off the stage. Secret Service agents, including the heavily-armed counter assault team, swarmed the stage after the incident.

Vice President JD Vance was removed from the room first, while agents initially covered Trump in place, before escorting him and First Lady Melania Trump from the room. Trump briefly stumbled on his way offstage before being assisted by his security detail.

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He was held for some time in the secure presidential suite at the hotel as the president and organisers initially sought to resume the event — hotel staff refolded napkins and refilled water glasses, and aides adjusted the teleprompter for the president — before Trump was returned to the White House on the advice of the Secret Service.

“When you’re impactful, they go after you. When you’re not impactful, they leave you alone,” Trump, still in his tuxedo, said at the White House two hours later. “They seem to think he was a lone wolf.”

The shooting unfolded just outside the vast subterranean ballroom holding thousands of dinner guests, disrupting minutes after it began an annual event meant to honour journalism and the First Amendment that was being especially scrutinised this year because it was the first time since Trump became President that he had attended.

The President told reporters later that he hoped the event would be rescheduled within 30 days, though the fact that an armed man was able to rush toward the ballroom raised instant questions about security precautions at an event attended each year by senior government officials.

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