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Arsenal ‘on a mission’ – is another special season on the horizon?

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Olivia Smith nicks ball away from Lyon goalkeeper Christiane Endler

The conditions that led to Lyon’s two costly mistakes were created by Arsenal’s intense pressing.

Lyon goalkeeper Christiane Endler should have collected Mariona Caldentey’s free-kick as it bobbled towards her, but the presence of Blackstenius put her off and she fumbled the ball backwards.

Seven minutes before time, Ingrid Engen let a pass roll past her, lost a foot race with Smith, and collided with Endler to give Smith an open goal.

However, they were still the kind of errors you would not expect a vastly experienced goalkeeper and a two-time Champions League-winning defender to make.

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During her post-match news conference, Slegers did not entertain the idea that her side’s goals were fortunate.

“The first goal, it’s hard for the goalkeeper because the ball goes in front and there are runners so it’s hard to see. I think it caught the opposition off guard a bit,” Slegers said.

“The second goal is a good moment that we wanted to create. Sometimes you score the most brilliant goals – but you score all sort of goals in football.”

The Caldentey free-kick that Endler misjudged and was bundled into her own net by Engen was one of several low Arsenal set-piece deliveries aimed to cause maximum disruption.

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It was clearly a rehearsed training ground ploy, although Slegers gave little away.

“Lyon is extreme with their physical power and height, so you always look at what we have, what the opposition has, and what the opportunities are for us,” she said.

They were the kind of moments that go your way when things are going well and everything is beginning to click – as was Lyon’s Kadidiatou Diani hitting the crossbar when played through on goal with the score 1-1.

“I thought the momentum we came out of the second half with was massive and hopefully we can take it into the next few games,” striker Alessia Russo said.

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“Football is about fine margins, sometimes things go your way, sometimes they don’t – it doesn’t matter how you score.”

In football, as in life, you make your own luck – and Arsenal’s season could be set for a thrilling conclusion.

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Donald Trump says he feels like a ‘pinata’ after multiple assassination attempts | News US

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Donald Trump says he feels like a 'pinata' after multiple assassination attempts | News US
US President Donald Trump feels like he has been targeted (Picture: AFP)

President Donald Trump compared himself to Abraham Lincoln after confronting what he saw as a third attempt on his life in less than two years.

Trump suggested the latest apparent attempt on his life was a sign of how successful his presidency was, even joking with Fox News ‘I feel like a pinata’.

He added ‘wasn’t making it that easy’ for the Secret Service as it responded when shots rang out at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, because he wanted to see what was going on.

He told 60 Minutes: ‘I was saying “wait a minute, I want to see”.’

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‘I was standing up and turned around and started pretty much walking out – I was pretty tall but bent over – I’m not looking to be standing too tall – but then [agents] asked me please go down to the floor, so I dropped to the floor, and so did the First Lady.’

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‘I’ve studied assassinations, and I must tell you the most impactful people — the people who do the most, take a look at Abraham Lincoln,’ Trump at a hastily organised press conference just 30 minutes after the shooting.

He added: ‘The people that make the biggest impact, they’re the ones that they go after. They don’t go after the ones that don’t do much.’

The Washington Post reported the Trump administration provided a lower level of security for the White House correspondents’ dinner than it has for other gatherings of high-ranking officials.

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A man with guns and knives tried to rush past the security perimeter inside the Washington hotel where the Republican president was about to address the glitzy event.

TOPSHOT - This image released by US President Donald Trump via his Truth Social account (@realDonaldTrump) shows a person he claims to be the alleged suspect in the shooting incident at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on the ground after being apprehended on April 25, 2026. US Secret Service agents bundled Donald Trump from the stage as shots rang out Saturday evening at a media gala, in what the president later described as an attack by a "would-be assassin." Armed guards opened fire at the gunman who charged through security screening just outside the ballroom of the hotel, where Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, many senior government officials and hundreds of other black-tie guests had gathered. (Photo by @REALDONALDTRUMP / TRUTH SOCIAL / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / @REALDONALDTRUMP - TRUTH SOCIAL " - HANDOUT - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS
An image posted on Donald Trump’s Truth Social account showing the suspect (Picture: @RealDonaldTrump/Truth Social/AFP via Getty Images)

Authorities are trying to determine what happened and why. A suspect was taken into custody and identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California.

‘When you read his manifesto, he hates Christians,’ Trump said on Fox.

Officials have said that the suspect fired a shotgun at a Secret Service agent at a security checkpoint in the Washington Hilton hotel before being tackled and arrested.

The agent who was shot escaped serious injury because the bullet struck his protective vest, Trump said.

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Allen legally bought a .38-caliber semiautomatic pistol in October 2023 and a 12-gauge shotgun two years later.

Trump said he himself was undoubtedly the target. The presidency is ‘a dangerous profession,’ he said, noting that violence associated with politics had escalated in the US and around the world. ‘No country is immune.’

U.S. President Donald Trump is escorted out after a man opened fire with a shotgun on security personnel outside the room, during the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 25, 2026, in this still image from video. REUTERS/Bo Erickson THIS IMAGE WAS PROCESSED BY REUTERS TO ENHANCE QUALITY, AN UNPROCESSED VERSION HAS BEEN PROVIDED SEPARATELY.
Donald Trump being escorted from the stage by Secret Service officers (Picture: Reuters)

The president called for Americans to put aside their differences and unite — a break from his usual gleefully combative political tack.

‘We have to, we have to resolve our differences,’ Trump said. ‘I will say, you had Republicans, Democrats, independents, conservatives, liberals and progressives. Those words are interchangeable, perhaps, but maybe they’re not. But yet everybody in that room, big crowd, record-setting crowd, there was a record-setting group of people, and there was a tremendous amount of love and coming together. I watched, I watched, and I was very, very impressed by that.’

Trump says if the event was able to continue he would have changed course and made ‘a speech of love’

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‘But I didn’t get a chance to do that,’ Trump said.

‘Probably I was better off, if I didn’t. I don’t know.’

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 25: Attendees hide under tables after an incident at the annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner April 25, 2026 in Washington, DC. According to reports, President Donald Trump, along with other government officials, were evacuated from the Washington Hilton after what sounded like gun fire. (Photo by Nathan Howard/Getty Images) ***BESTPIX***
The event was attended by some of the most influential media bosses and personalities in the US (Picture: Nathan Howard/Getty Images)

There was still some of his old edge, especially when he spoke about the suspect: ‘I hated a guy like this — a sick, bad person — I hated somebody like that changing the course of our country.’

Trump also wrote on social media that the attack ‘would never have happened with the Militarily Top Secret Ballroom currently under construction at the White House. It cannot be built fast enough!’

Timeline of Trump assassination attempts and major security threats

June 18, 2016: Assassination attempt at Las Vegas rally

While Trump was giving a presidential campaign speech at the Treasure Island Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, a British man, Michael Steven Sandford, attempted to grab a Las Vegas police officer’s pistol.

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September 6, 2017: Forklift attack, North Dakota

On September 6, 2017, in North Dakota, Gregory Lee Leingang stole a forklift and attempted to drive it toward the presidential motorcade while Trump was visiting.

September 20, 2020: Ricin poisoning attempt

On September 20, 2020, Pascale Cécile Véronique Ferrier was arrested in Buffalo, New York, after a ricin-laced letter was intercepted, intended for Trump.

July 12, 2024: Murder-for-hire plot

A Pakistani national, Asif Merchant, was arrested and later convicted of running a murder-for-hire plot on behalf of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to kill Trump.

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July 13, 2024: Assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania

On July 13, 2024, shooter Thomas Crooks fired eight shots from an AR-15–style rifle at Trump while speaking at a rally near Butler, Pennsylvania.

Trump was shot and wounded in his upper right ear before dropping to the ground and being shielded by the Secret Service.

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Crooks also killed one member of the audience, Corey Comperatore, and critically injured two others, before being shot and killed by a member of the Secret Service.

September 15, 2025: Assassination attempt in West Palm Beach, Florida

On September 15, 2024, Ryan Routh was sighted with a rifle at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, while Trump was golfing at the club.

Routh was arrested after fleeing the scene and was sentenced to life in prison earlier this year.

February 22, 2026: Mar-a-Lago intruder

An armed intruder was shot dead on Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in February.

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Austin Tucker Martin was named as the gunman killed by the Secret Service at the president’s Florida retreat.

April 25, 2026: White House Correspondents’ dinner

Gunshots rang out at the Washington Hilton hotel, where the formal White House Correspondents’ Dinner was taking place on Saturday April 25, withTrump and Melania being rushed off stage.

The suspect, Coel Tomas Allen, was arrested on the scene.

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After the shooting in 2024 during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, when Trump was wounded in the ear and a supporter was killed, the president strode into the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee two days later. That same week, he gave a speech featured a softer and deeply personal message, drawing directly from his brush with death.

‘The discord and division in our society must be healed. We must heal it quickly,’ Trump said then.

‘As Americans, we are bound together by a single fate and a shared destiny. We rise together. Or we fall apart.’

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Ronnie O’Sullivan ‘not the same player’ as John Higgins closes in at the Crucible

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Ronnie O'Sullivan 'not the same player' as John Higgins closes in at the Crucible
John Higgins has hauled in Ronnie O’Sullivan in their second round clash (Picture: Getty Images)

Stephen Hendry felt Ronnie O’Sullivan was ‘not the same player’ in the second session of his clash with John Higgins at the Crucible, as the Scot closed the gap to 9-7 behind on Sunday night.

The second session of their World Championship second round meeting began with O’Sullivan in command at 6-2 ahead after an impressive performance on Saturday night.

Higgins showed he meant business with an 83 in the first frame of the evening, but then it looked very ominous for the Wizard of Wishaw as the Rocket knocked in breaks of 116 and 80 to re-establish his dominance.

Hendry did not have high hopes for his compatriot at this stage, saying Higgins looked ‘weak’ but even when the Wizard doesn’t have his best spells available to him, he has one of the greatest mindsets in the sport.

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The four-time world champion dug in, sharing the next two frames before claiming three tight ones on the spin, so O’Sullivan ended the evening just 9-7 up.

The 15th frame was pinched by Higgins from behind before incredible drama in the 16th as both spurned chances to get over the line and the Scot eventually did after O’Sullivan went in-off on the final red.

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We will only know how big that moment will be on Monday afternoon, but 9-7 feels a hugely different scoreline to 10-6.

O’Sullivan did falter in those last three frames, with frustration setting in during the last of the evening as he missed a red and punched the rail.

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Hendry felt there was something missing in the Rocket on Sunday night, saying on the BBC: ‘He’s not looked the same player tonight, Ronnie. He’s not had that look in his eye.

‘Last night he just looked so intense, so focussed. Tonight, whether it’s because he’s got a lead, or for whatever reason…but when we see Ronnie showing frustration, it’s important that John punished him for that.’

Higgins wasn’t producing the spectacular, but Hendry was impressed with the fight he showed, as he has always shown on the baize.

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‘He’s not played anywhere near the snooker he’s been playing this season but he’s in this match, it’s just incredible,’ said the seven-time world champion.

‘Last night I thougt John really struggled. Ronnie played outstanding and that’s going to put anyone on the back foot, but John looked un-John Higgins-like. A little bit nervous, a little bit intimidated but tonight he’s just battled, he’s just battled to stay in this match.’

Halo World Snooker Championship - Day Eight
Higgins will be thrilled to be in touching distance without playing his best (Picture: Getty Images)

As Higgins clings on, failing to find form, and O’Sullivan throws a fist at the table even when in front, this was just the latest demonstration of the intense pressure of the Crucible.

The pair are both 50 years old and have 11 World Championship titles between them, but no one is immune from wobbling on the Sheffield stage.

‘It shows you, the amount of times these guys have played, the amount of titles they won, the amount of world titles, the pressure on any given night can be absolutely huge,’ said Hendry.

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Halo World Snooker Championship - Day Eight
O’Sullivan is bidding to win a record eighth world title (Picture: Getty Images)

The pair return to complete their contest at 1pm on Monday, with the first to 13 frames booking their spot in the quarter-finals.

The winner will take on Neil Robertson or Chris Wakelin in the last eight, with the Australian 10-6 up after their first two sessions.

A late burst from Robertson on Sunday afternoon saw him knock in breaks of 65, 66 and 101 to take a very good lead heading into Monday.

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Ronnie O’Sullivan loses temper during John Higgins clash in dramatic World Championship scenes

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Wales Online

Ronnie O’Sullivan was left angry during his World Snooker Championship match against John Higgins

Ronnie O’Sullivan was visibly angered during his World Snooker Championship clash against John Higgins. O’Sullivan was taking on the Scot in the last-16 encounter at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, with a quarter-final berth at stake.

O’Sullivan had established a commanding 6-2 advantage heading into the evening session, but watched his lead whittled down to three frames as Higgins clawed the score back to 9-6 going into the final frame of the night.

As the seven-time world champion attempted to pot a red into the top corner pocket, his effort narrowly missed its mark, handing Higgins a lifeline in the frame.

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READ MORE: Chris Wakelin disagreement sparks World Championships review in tense Crucible scenesREAD MORE: Kyren Wilson speaks out on wife’s health battle after his World Snooker Championship ends

Following the missed pot, the Rocket made no attempt to hide his frustration, slamming his hand down on the side of the table.

The miss proved to be a costly one, as Higgins went on to claim the frame and narrow the gap to 9-7 ahead of Monday’s sessions.

Former world champion John Parrott reflected on the decisive final frame secured by Higgins, highlighting the significance it could have on the outcome of the match.

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“A brilliant final frame and what a session of snooker that was – full of tension,” Parrott told BBC Sport.

“Both players had chances but John Higgins just refused to go away.”

Six-time world champion Steve Davis also weighed in on the closing session between, particularly the standard that both players showed in the match.

“The standard dropped tonight, but isn’t it amazing that when it gets worse sometimes it can be more exciting because of the unexpected misses,” he said.

He also waded in on O’Sullivan losing his temper, saying: “All of a sudden Ronnie O’Sullivan bashes the table with frustration, what a boost for John Higgins to know the other guy is feeling it as well.”

Whoever emerges victorious from the clash will subsequently face either Neil Robertson or Chris Wakelin in the quarter-final at the Crucible later in the week.

Robertson currently holds a 10-6 advantage over Wakelin following Sunday’s afternoon session and will head into Monday’s play as the frontrunner to secure a quarter-final berth.

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In the other evening session fixture, Wu Yize carved out an 9-7 lead over four-time world champion Mark Selby. The victor of this encounter would then face either Judd Trump or Hossein Vafaei in the quarter-final, with that particular match standing at 9-7 in Trump’s favour going into Monday.

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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.

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How many points do Man Utd need to guarantee Champions League qualification?

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How many points do Man Utd need to guarantee Champions League qualification?

Man Utd are currently level on points with Liverpool and Aston Villa in the Premier League table, but crucially have played a game fewer than their direct rivals for a Champions League spot.

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Roy Keane to be grandad again as son Aidan expects first child with wife Patsy

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Belfast Live

The couple had a stunning October wedding in Wales six months ago

Aidan and Patsy Keane are expecting their first child together!

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The couple had a stunning October wedding in Wales six months ago, and they both looked fabulous: Aidan wore a tailored black suit, while Patsy chose a stunning off-the-shoulder bandeau dress with delicate lace sleeves and a classic veil.

Now, their family is growing, as they prepare to welcome their first child together. Patsy has started to share her pregnancy journey so far with her followers on TikTok, and now she has posted a heartwarming video of the moment she told Aidan the wonderful news.

She captioned the video, which features footage of the couple sharing a kiss at the altar before walking down the aisle and a more recent clip of Aidan finding out he was going to be a dad: “Six months ago you made me a wife… and now you’ve made me a mummy.

“The past 6 months you’ve held my hand through the hardest days I’ve ever had. but you also gave me my happiest ones. I love you more than you’ll ever know”.

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In the short clip, Aidan can be seen gently hugging Patsy, while their excited dog jumps up on the couch next to them, trying to offer the couple a toy to play with.

The video already has some lovely comments, with people noticing the dog’s reaction. One wrote, “When dogs know they know…and yours certainly does”.

Another said, “omg, the dog stole the show. congratulations from Cork”.

Aidan is the third child of Roy Keane and his wife, Theresa.

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Last year, Roy welcomed two more grandchildren into the family. The footballer is currently a grandad to four.

His daughter Leah, who is engaged to Southampton defender and England international Taylor Harwood-Bellis, had her first baby, a little girl called Iris, last December.

In April, he shared on social media that he had become a grandad again with the arrival of his third grandson. He wrote: “My new grandson, big baby.”

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

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Keir Starmer to call time on ‘disgraceful’ shop theft ‘free-for-all’

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Keir Starmer to call time on ‘disgraceful’ shop theft ‘free-for-all’

Sir Keir Starmer will set out new plans to crack down on retail crime, promising to call time on the shop theft “free-for-all”.

Speaking on Monday, the prime minister will hit out at “disgraceful” attempts to “cheat the system” through high street shoplifting, saying the government has put an extra 3,000 neighbourhood police officers on the streets.

The government has scrapped the effective immunity for thieves stealing goods worth less than £200. Meanwhile, ministers are also attempting to introduce a standalone offence for assaulting a retail worker in the Crime and Policing Bill going through Parliament.

But the two Houses of Parliament are currently in a tussle over the final draft of the Bill as the end of the parliamentary session nears.

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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will promise to crack down on shoplifting
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will promise to crack down on shoplifting (PA Wire)

Sir Keir is expected to say: “Working people – grafters – go to work, do the right thing, keep our high streets thriving and yet too often they are abused or assaulted by people who think they can get away with it and just cheat the system. It’s disgraceful.”

Pointing to previous immunity for thieves stealing goods worth less than £200, he will say: “That was a shoplifters’ charter, and we’ve ended it.

“We’ve toughened up punishment too. We’re giving police stronger powers, making the abuse and assault of retail workers a specific crime and giving you the same protections as emergency workers.”

Almost 80 per cent of shop workers said they experienced verbal abuse, more than half said they were threatened by a customer and 10 per cent said they were assaulted in the latest annual survey by retail trade union Usdaw.

Last year, there were more than 500,000 incidents of shoplifting – down 1 per cent on the previous year, but the drop may reflect a change in how such offences are recorded.

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Offences where someone has entered a retail premises, steals, then either uses or threatens violence against staff or other people should be classed as robbery of business, police forces were advised in April last year.

This may account for the steep increase in the number of such robberies recorded, which rose 78 per cent to 26,158 in 2025.

Praising the incoming legislation, Joanne Thomas, Usdaw general secretary, said it delivers “much-needed protection of retail workers’ law”.

“While there has been a welcome small decrease in shoplifting across last year, the fact is retail crime continues to be a significant issue for the sector and particularly staff”, she said.

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“Usdaw’s last survey found that this is in no way a victimless crime, with two-thirds of attacks on retail staff being triggered by theft or armed robbery.

“Having to deal with repeated and persistent offences can cause issues beyond the theft itself, like anxiety, fear and physical harm to retail workers.”

Ministers are working with police and the sector on efforts to combat retail crime, and the government has invested £5m in a specialist policing intelligence unit called Opal that aims to identify the most harmful offenders and disrupt shoplifting gangs.

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May bank holiday supermarket opening times for Aldi, Tesco, Waitrose and more

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Cambridgeshire Live

Times will differ slightly on Monday May 4!

The early May bank holiday means the opening times of your favourite supermarket may be a little different next weekend. The early May bank holiday is on Monday, May 4.

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The second May bank holiday, which is also known as the Spring bank holiday, in later this month on Monday, May 25. The good news is, stores are generally open this Monday – but some are operating under shorter opening hours.

Here is everything you need to know about when supermarkets are open and closed on Monday, May 5. As a general rule, you should also double check the opening times of your local store online just to avoid disappointment, as each store can be different!

Sainsburys

Opening times seem like they will be business as usual on May 2 and May 3. However, on May 4, most big stores will be open from 8am until 8pm.

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Tesco

Normal operating hours will apply on May 2 and May 3 at large Tesco branches. However, on May 4, most big stores will be open from 8am until 6pm.

M&S

M&S typically operates reduced hours on May Bank Holiday Mondays, generally opening at 8.30am. Larger stores will close at 6pm, with some Foodhalls open later.

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Morrisons

On the bank holiday Monday, most larger supermarket stores will be opening at 7am and will be closing earlier, with the majority of stores pulling down the shutters at 8pm.

Morrisons petrol stations will be open on the Early May bank holiday, although opening times will vary across the country. However, the majority will be open from 8am until 10pm.

Lidl

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Lidl stores in England and Wales are expected to operate reduced hours on the May Bank Holiday Monday (typically 8am–8pm), while Scotland operates normal hours. To confirm the opening time of your local store, head over to their shop locator here.

Aldi

On the bank holiday Monday, Aldi shops will close slightly earlier than normal, closing at 8pm, instead of the usual time of 10pm. As for Saturday and Sunday, all Aldi stores will be open as usual. To confirm the opening time of your local store, head over to their shop locator here.

Waitrose

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Most Waitrose branches will be open on the May Bank Holiday Monday, typically operating reduced hours from roughly 8 am to 8 pm, while some smaller Little Waitrose stores may open from 7 am to 10 pm.

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Cambridgeshire primary school where children are ‘proud’ and ‘celebrate’ differences

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Cambridgeshire Live

The headteacher said that they are “all incredibly proud” of their “wonderful pupils who impressed the inspectors so much”

A Cambridgeshire primary school where children are “proud of their school” and “celebrate” their differences has been praised by inspectors in its latest Ofsted report. Oakdale Primary School in Peterborough has been rated ‘strong standard’ and ‘expected standard’ in its report published on Thursday, April 23.

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The primary school, on Oakdale Avenue, earned a ‘strong standard’ rating in four categories assessed including in attendance and behaviour, inclusion, leadership and governance as well as in personal development and wellbeing. The school, described as a “high achieving school”, said it offers a “unique family feel” with an “exciting and inspiring” curriculum.

Inspectors found that pupils are “proud of their school” and they describe it as “fun, kind and caring”. The report said: “Pupils are highly motivated to attend school regularly. They enjoy warm, respectful relationships with staff and each other. Pupils celebrate the differences between them and say everyone is welcome here.”

It added: “The values of ‘care, respect, collaboration, aspiration and challenge’ are woven through everything they do. These values equip pupils with invaluable knowledge and skills for later life.”

Children were found to achieve “very well” and are well prepared for their next steps by the time they leave Oakdale. The headteacher at Oakdale, Ilona Wrigley, said that these high grades are “due to the commitment and hard work” of the team and school community.

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Ms Wrigley added that they are “all incredibly proud” of their “wonderful pupils who impressed the inspectors so much”.

The school was also praised for maintaining “a sharp focus on pupils’ experiences” during a period of change seeing a major building project and a significant increase in pupil numbers.

Ms Wrigley said: “We are thrilled with the outcomes of our recent inspection under the new framework. We achieved the strong standard in four areas, attendance and behaviour, leadership and governance, personal development and well-being, and inclusion with all other areas rated at the expected standard demonstrating the high quality education we are providing for our pupils. The report recognised the skilled teaching and impact of the extra experiences we offer the children.”

In its next steps, inspectors asked leaders at the school to ensure that staff promote pupils’ progress and even higher achievement and ensure that provision in the early years continues to develop and strengthen through consistently high-quality teaching and staff interactions with children.

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US state visit for Charles will go ahead after foiled Trump assassination attempt

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Daily Record

King Charles and Queen Camilla are due to visit the United States from Monday

King Charles and Queen Camilla’s four-day state visit to the US will proceed with operational adjustments following what the White House has called the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump.

The visit was under scrutiny following the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting.

In a statement, Buckingham Palace said: “Following discussions on both sides of the Atlantic through the day, and acting on advice of Government, we can confirm the State Visit by Their Majesties will proceed as planned.

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“The King and Queen are most grateful to all those who have worked at pace to ensure this remains the case and are looking forward to the visit getting under way tomorrow.”

Earlier today, the King had said he was “greatly relieved” that President Trump, the first lady and other guests at a media dinner were unharmed after a gunman tried to charge the venue, Buckingham Palace said.

The White House Correspondents’ Association dinner was thrown into chaos by the attack on Saturday night, with video footage showing the president stumbling as he was bundled from the room by secret service agents who also grabbed vice-president JD Vance by the shoulders and escorted him to safety.

The King and Queen are understood to have reached out privately to the president and his wife, Melania, to express their sympathies with all those affected on the night, and their gratitude to the security services who prevented further injury. The suspect, said to have been carrying a shotgun and handgun, has been identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California. One officer who was shot but protected by his bulletproof vest was taken to hospital.

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The 31-year-old is understood to have been a guest in the Washington Hilton hotel where the dinner was being held. He faces charges including assaulting an officer with a dangerous weapon, but acting US attorney general Todd Blanche said additional charges will be filed.

Mr Trump survived an attempted assassination in 2024 when he was shot in the right ear by a gunman during a campaign rally.

Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme that discussions on the King’s security during his visit to the United States would take place on Sunday.

Asked if that meant there would be any escalation on what had already been planned, he said: “There’ll be appropriate security in place in relation to the risk.”

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The historic visit, the King’s first visit to the US as monarch, will mark the 250th anniversary of American independence and herald the start of celebrations across the US. Charles and Camilla will mark the milestone at a “block-party”.

The royal couple, who will begin their visit with a private tea hosted by the president and first lady, will also commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks that brought down New York’s Twin Towers.

Mr Jones told Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips on Sky News Sir Keir Starmer had been in touch with the White House: “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.

“As you would imagine, with the visit of His Majesty the King this week, our teams are working closely to ensure that security arrangements are put appropriately in place.”

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Asked if there are any extra concerns for the King’s safety during the state visit that begins on Monday, Mr Jones said: “As you would imagine, the Government and the Palace take the security of His Majesty very seriously, and there were already extensive discussions taking place, which will continue over the coming days.”

Sir Keir said he was “shocked” by the incident overnight.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister said: “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 @POTUS, the First Lady and all those attending are safe.”

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The prime minister later spoke to the US president and extended his best wishes while wishing a speedy recovery to the injured officer.

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said the incident was “an attack on democracy”.

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Bluey’s Big Play at Belfast’s Waterfront Hall was a heartwarming family affair

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Belfast Live

The show ran at Belfast’s Waterfront Hall across April 23-26 and drew in big crowds as families enjoyed a new way of watching their favourite programme

In the last year, everyone in our home has become a big fan of Bluey, one of those shows that is a delight for kids and adults alike.

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So when we heard the stage show of the popular TV programme was coming to Belfast, we knew we had to take the kid along to see what it was all about.

Our pair are six and two and both just love the show, the giggles that come from them when they are watching it is something else. It’s probably the one show they both agree on.

The strangest thing I have found is how drawn to it I am as an adult, it just gets you and poignant moments can catch you off guard.

Bluey’s Big Play is no different and is a wonderful way to introduce children to the joys of theatre through the medium of their favourite show.

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On Sunday morning, families flocked towards the Waterfront, with many (even the adults) decked out in Bluey clothing.

The play is an entirely new story and sees mum Chilli, dad Bandit and Bluey and Bingo get up to some mischief around the house. The idea behind the story is that Bluey want to keep their dad off his phone so he will play with them. An important message to us adults in this day and age to put the phone down and engage with our children.

For the kids, they see Bluey and Bingo face problems when Bingo copies her big sister. A lesson then ensues, in the usual humorous way, for us all.

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The staging set as you walk in is the familiar landscape of the area surrounding the Heeler home and moves seemlessly to inside the family home and into their garden.

It is incredible how they can make a cartoon come to life on stage and between the staging and the team behind the puppets, it really is a magical experience.

The giant puppet characters of each member of the family are brought to life by a team on stage who manage to blend in and it is amazing how they make them move around the stage.

Our kids were enthralled by it and there were plenty of giggles when Chattermax and Lucky’s dad also made guest appearances.

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And with a run time of 50 minutes and no interval, it is the perfect length for little ones, especially if they find sitting still for too long tricky.

The show ends with a giant game of keepy uppy for the whole audience which was a huge highlight for our son in particular and a lovely way to get everyone involved.

But I have to say they were great at getting the audience involved throughout and you could tell how much the young ones in the crowd loved the show.

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It really was a heartwarming experience for all, and as with Bluey itself, there was something for young and old to take away from it.

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