London can be a noisy and busy place, but one walk in a nature reserve could make you feel like you’ve left the city because it’s so calm – and it’s ideal for families
If you’re keen to swap the chaos of London city streets for a breath of fresh air, you might not need to venture as far as you think – nature is closer than you’d expect.
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Walking is one of the finest ways to keep fit, regardless of your fitness level. You can tackle any route at whatever pace suits you, and heading somewhere green means you can soak up some stunning scenery along the way, whether you’re taking a leisurely stroll or picking up the pace.
And you certainly don’t need to leave London to find it. The capital is well known for its sprawling parks and open green spaces, but it’s also home to some wonderfully tranquil nature reserves that can be explored on foot or by bike throughout the year – a proper antidote to the relentless buzz of city life.
A TikTok video posted by Londoners Helen and Andy showcases one of the city’s “easiest” walks – a route so stunning you’ll completely forget you’re still in the heart of the capital. It takes you straight through the much-loved Parkland Walk.
Parkland Walk holds the title of London’s longest linear nature reserve, tracing the route of a former railway line between Finsbury Park and Alexandra Palace. Stretching around 4km (2.5 miles), it’s a fantastic option for families, dog walkers, and cyclists alike.
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Helen explained in the video: “This walk takes you along London’s longest nature reserve. You’ll follow a former railway line connecting Finsbury Park to Alexandra Palace, which opened in 1873. It splits into two sections, north and south, with a short stretch through Highgate linking them together.
“Start at Finsbury Park, heading into the park, past the tennis courts, and you’ll find the start of the Parkland Walk on your left. You’ll follow the trail for around 3km. It’s so green and peaceful, it honestly feels like you’ve left London.”
While the railway tracks have long since disappeared, the platforms and graffiti so characteristic of railway lines across the country remain visible throughout the walk. Just before reaching Highgate, a dedicated path leads to a wildlife trail specifically established to enhance biodiversity in the local area.
If you time the walk close to sunset, you may even be lucky enough to spot bats in the nature reserve, as part of the old railway tunnel has been sealed off to safeguard the creatures.
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She added: “From here, you’ll need to walk on the road briefly to the northern section. Head past Highgate Station and turn right down Muswell Hill Road, between Queens Wood and Highgate Wood. Just past Highgate Wood on your right, you’ll join Parkland Walk north, and you’re straight back into the trees.
“There are lovely views over the rooftops and turrets of north London. Keep following the path, and you’ll arrive at Alexandra Palace. There are a few different paths, but as long as you’re heading uphill towards the big building, you’ll get to the right place. At the top, you’re rewarded with some of the best skyline views in London.”
While the Parkland Walk itself doesn’t have any cafes or rest stops, there’s no shortage of places to grab a bite or a drink in Highgate, Queen’s Wood, Highgate Wood and Finsbury Park, as well as at your final destination, Alexandra Palace.
The Parkland Walk website offers more information about the nature reserve, including additional walking route options and a detailed account of the site’s history.
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Part of the website reads: “The Parkland Walk is the longest linear nature reserve in London at 4km in length, and follows the former railway line connecting Finsbury Park to Alexandra Palace that opened in 1873. Its fame is now global, and it often features on ‘must-do’ lists for visitors from overseas.
“Sunny weekends bring out large numbers of ramblers, walkers with their dogs, runners and cyclists to escape the urban hullabaloo. Don’t get swept along by the crowd, though. Stop and take in the ambience that nature has to offer.”
Esteban Andrada punched Jorge Pulido in the dying moments of Real Zaragoza’s loss to Huesca (Movistar)
Real Zaragoza goalkeeper Esteban Andrada has issued a grovelling apology after his violent assault on Jorge Pulido in the side’s clash with Huesca.
The shocking incident played out after Andrada was shown a second yellow card for shoving over Pulido on the touchline, with Huesca holding a narrow one-goal lead in the closing stages of the Spanish second-tier match.
The moment referee Damaso Arcediano Monescillo brandished his red card, Andrada completely lost his cool, sprinting back towards Pulido as tempers escalated in Sunday’s bad-tempered clash between the two relegation-threatened teams.
Footage of what happened next have gone viral across social media, with the Argentina international pictured swinging his right fist into an unsuspecting Pulido from behind, sparking a mass brawl between both sets of players.
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Opposition goalkeeper Dani Jimenez and Zaragoza defender Dani Tasende were also given their marching orders for the part they played in the melee at Huesca’s Estadio El Alcoraz.
Centre-back Pulido, formerly of Atletico Madrid, was later seen holding a large ice pack to the side of his face. It is unclear at this stage if the injuries the Spaniard sustained in the attack are serious.
Andrada, meanwhile, issued a statement in the aftermath of Zaragoza’s 1-0 defeat, insisting he was ‘very sorry’ and claiming he was ‘here to face the consequences with the league’.
Andrada had earlier been shown a second booking for pushing over Pulido (Picture: Movistar)
‘The truth is, I’m very sorry for what happened,’ the 35-year-old – who has been capped four times by Argentina – said in a short video shared on Zaragoza’s social media pages.
‘It’s not a good image for the club, for the fans, or for a professional like myself, so I’m very sorry.
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‘Throughout my career, I’ve only had one red card for handling the ball outside the penalty area.
‘It was a critical situation where I lost control and reacted that way, but I’m very sorry and I know I wouldn’t do it again.’
The incident sparked a separate clash between both sets of players (Picture: Movistar)
Andrada added: ‘I know I’m a public figure, a professional with many years of experience, and all I can do is apologise to Jorge Pulido because we’re colleagues.
‘Honestly, it was my own actions and I lost focus in that moment.
‘I’m here to face the consequences with the league, or if they want me to come and explain, I’m available.’
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Andrada is likely to be slapped with a hefty ban (Picture: Getty)
A separate statement from Zaragoza, who sit second-bottom in La Liga 2, ‘strongly condemned’ Andrada’s behaviour and vowed to ‘take the appropriate disciplinary measures’ in due course.
‘We witnessed scenes unbecoming of this sport and which should never have occurred,’ it read.
‘These events do not represent the values of Real Zaragoza or its fans, who throughout its history have been characterised by sportsmanship, courage, and respect for the opponent.
Pulido was later pictured holding an ice pack to the side of his face
‘We are role models and examples for many fans, especially children, who cheer us on at every match and aspire to one day become one of their idols.
‘That is why these regrettable images should never have been seen.’
Zaragoza manager David Narrarro added: ‘There are lines we can’t cross.’
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Huesca head coach Jose Luis, meanwhile, stated: ‘It’s hard to explain. I think it’s a complete loss of control.
‘I can put myself in their shoes, given what was at stake and all. But it’s unjustifiable.
‘It’s ugly. This was supposed to be a celebration of Aragonese football. I’d like people to talk about the match, even though it was ugly, with little play but a lot of hard work.’
Oscar Sielva scored what proved to be the winning goal as 19th-placed Huesca clung on to move one point clear of Zaragoza in the Segunda Division table.
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Andrada should expect to be slapped with a lengthy suspension and appears likely to miss the remaining five matches of Zaragoza’s desperate fight for survival.
That victory, inspired by Eberechi Eze’s early goal, saw Arsenal regain their place at the top of the Premier League as they chase a first league title since 2004.
Saka has been nowhere near his best this season, scoring just twice since December, but Rooney believes his timely return till be ‘massive’ for Arsenal.
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‘Bukayo Saka has been great for Arsenal over the last few years – maybe this season he hasn’t hit the heights but he’s such an important player,’ Rooney said on his BBC podcast.
‘So to get him back at this time of the season is going to be massive, it’s going to be really important. He’s clearly one of the leaders in there so to have him back is huge.
‘An in-form Bukayo Saka is one of the best players in the Premier League, there’s no doubt about that.
Bukayo Saka returned in Arsenal’s win over Newcastle (Picture: Getty)
‘It will help the other players as well, he has a really good connection with Jurrien Timber and the midfield players.
‘Having someone you know you can rely on out there is really important and all those Arsenal players know they can rely on Saka and know what he brings to the team.
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‘It’s huge for Arsenal, absolutely huge.’
Arsenal are attempting to win the Premier League for the first time in 22 years after three successive second-place finishes.
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are chasing Arsenal (Picture: Getty)
Rooney believes ‘all the pressure’ is on Arsenal rather than title rivals Manchester City but still expects Mikel Arteta’s side to get over the line.
The Gunners have not been at this flowing best for weeks but Rooney believes Arsenal will benefit from having ‘easier’ fixtures than Man City.
‘I think Arsenal will win the title and I do think they will win it,’ Rooney added.
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‘I thought the Newcastle game was so important and thought if they won that they could go on to win every game. If they didn’t they could have fallen apart but to win that game was so big.
‘Man City have a couple of tricky games in there and I can see them slipping up once or twice. Man City have the trickier fixtures, if you look at Arsenal’s last four games they are really winnable, all four of them.
‘The City ones, there’s a couple you think they could slip up, like Everton and Bournemouth. I give the edge to Arsenal based on the fixtures.
‘Man City’s fixtures are a little bit trickier than Arsenal’s – I think Arsenal will win every game and Man City will mess up once or twice.’
TUI, easyJet and Jet2 have made pledges over fuel surcharges as the UK government issued guidance to travellers
07:48, 27 Apr 2026Updated 07:49, 27 Apr 2026
Three airlines and tour operators have made significant announcements in the past 48 hours for travellers who have already booked holidays – as well as those still weighing up their options for 2026. On Friday, the government issued a statement to passengers across the UK amid growing fears over jet fuel shortages and potential flight cancellations.
Anxiety has been mounting that those with flights already booked – or considering travelling abroad – could be hit with hefty additional charges from carriers to cover rising fuel costs triggered by the Iran crisis. Now TUI, easyJet and Jet2 have all responded – confirming they will not be imposing any such fees.
Neil Swanson, Managing Director at TUI UK&I, said: “We understand that customers want both confidence and clarity when booking a holiday. Our teams are here to support people who are thinking about booking, and those who have already booked with TUI can be reassured that their holiday price is fixed, with no fuel surcharges added.”
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easyJet has put out a fresh statement pledging that both the airline and its tour operator arm will not be adding surcharges to any pre-booked flights and package holidays, or future bookings. The company said holidaymakers can book with complete confidence thanks to its Best Price Guarantee and Ultimate Flexibility policy: “easyJet and easyJet holidays has confirmed that it will not introduce surcharges on its flights or package holidays, giving customers complete peace of mind when booking.
“No surcharges will apply to any pre‐booked easyJet holiday packages or to any new bookings for summer 2026.easyJet currently sees no disruption to its jet fuel supply and all flights and package holidays continue to operate normally.” Garry Wilson, CEO of easyJet holidays, said: “We know that holidaymakers may have questions about what recent global events might mean for their travel plans this summer so we are giving our customers absolute peace of mind that no surcharges will be added to their flights or package holidays.
“Our operations remain unaffected, so customers can be confident that not only will their holiday go ahead as planned, but there will be no surprise extra payments, and they can enjoy their brilliant holidays at unbeatable prices.”
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Jet2 has confirmed it won’t be adding surcharges to any pre-booked flights or holidays to cover rising costs, including those related to jet fuel. In an effort to calm growing anxiety, the Department for Transport on Friday released direct guidance to passengers with bookings through carriers including Jet2, Ryanair, Wizz, easyJet and British Airways.
Jet2 has axed surcharge provisions across all its flights and holidays, despite the carrier never having previously imposed them. The policy encompasses all flights and holidays booked through any channel, be it online, via the mobile app, contact centre or independent travel agent. It does not cover tourist taxes, which are payable at the resort during the stay and are settled directly with the accommodation provider.
Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2 said: “Holidaymakers should have every right to book their hard-earned break in the sun, without worrying about being hit with additional costs, and they can have that complete assurance when they book a flight or holiday with Jet2. As a result of today’s announcement, customers booking with Jet2 know that they are locking in their price without additional cost surprises later and we strongly believe that is the right thing to do by them. Ahead of a busy summer this is yet more evidence of why, on top of our incredible holidays and award-winning customer service, nothing beats a Jet2holiday.”
Dan Jorgensen, the EU energy commissioner last week said: “Unfortunately, it’s very likely that many people’s holidays will be affected, either by flight cancellations or very, very expensive tickets.
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“Even if we do everything we can do, if the jet fuel is not there, then it’s not there. Jorgensen added: “[Currently] it is primarily a crisis of prices and not yet a crisis of supply, but unfortunately we cannot be sure to prevent a crisis of supply, especially on jet fuel in the future, if the crisis continues.””
In response, the Department for Transport said on Friday: “There is no current need for passengers to change their travel plans. UK airlines buy jet fuel in advance, and airports maintain stocks to support their resilience. The government is working closely with the aviation industry to monitor risks and minimise disruption to passengers.
“If your flight is cancelled, you have clear legal rights, including the right to a full refund or re-routing. Read this factsheet for the full picture on the current situation and what it means for you.”
Meanwhile, IAG – the parent company of British Airways, Aer Lingus and Spain’s Iberia – has referred to “pricing adjustments to reflect these higher fuel costs”. A spokesperson said: “We are not seeing jet fuel supply interruptions, but fuel prices have risen sharply and, despite our hedging strategy, which gives some shorter-term mitigation, we are not immune to the impact.”
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Is there a shortage of jet fuel in the UK? DtT said: “UK airlines are clear that they are not currently seeing a shortage of jet fuel. It is typically bought in advance, with airports and their suppliers keeping stocks of bunkered fuel to support their resilience.”
Is there a shortage of jet fuel in the UK?
DtT said: “UK airlines are clear that they are not currently seeing a shortage of jet fuel. It is typically bought in advance, with airports and their suppliers keeping stocks of bunkered fuel to support their resilience.”
Do you need to change your travel plans?
Officials explained: “There is no current need to change upcoming travel plans. Government regularly meets with industry to monitor risks, understand pressures and ensure clear communication with passengers, should circumstances change.
“We recognise that families may be concerned, and that aviation and tourism businesses are operating in challenging global conditions. We are working hand‑in‑hand with industry to help flights keep operating.
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“We advise passengers to continue checking with their airlines before they travel, and to check the FCDO travel advice for the latest updates. You should also ensure you have appropriate travel insurance.”
How is the government protecting passengers?
Under UK law, if your flight is cancelled, you are entitled to either a full refund or to be booked onto an alternative flight if you:
depart from an airport in the UK on any airline
arrive at an airport in the UK on an EU or UK airline
arrive at an airport in the EU on a UK airline
For more information about your rights, you can:
What is government doing?
The UK Government said: “Since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, we have been closely monitoring UK jet fuel stocks and working with airlines, airports and fuel suppliers to ensure passengers keep moving and businesses are supported.
“We continue to plan for a range of contingencies, while focusing on securing a long lasting and workable solution to get shipping flowing freely again through the Strait of Hormuz.”
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How are airlines being supported?
In terms of carriers the DfT said: “At some UK airports, airlines are given scheduled times known as ‘slots’ in which to take off or land.
“Under normal rules, airlines must use at least 80% of their allocated slots during a season to keep them for the following year. If they fall below this threshold, those slots can be reassigned to another airline. This is known as the ‘use it or lose it’ rule.
“Airport Coordination Limited, the independent body that manages slot allocation at UK airports, has updated its guidance so that airlines will not lose their slots if fuel shortages prevent them from flying. Airlines can now apply for an exemption from the ‘use it or lose it’ rule in these circumstances.
“This means airlines can focus on minimising disruption for passengers, rather than feeling pressure to operate flights purely to protect their slots.”
A NEAS spokesperson said: “We received a call from police on Sunday (April 26) night at 10.53pm to reports of a serious road traffic collision on the A1(M) north near junction 62 at Chester le Street.
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“We sent six resources to the scene including a duty officer, hazardous area response team, a doctor and emergency ambulance crews, which began arriving at the scene from 10.59pm onwards.
“We took two male patients to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, one of which was in a critical condition, for further treatment.”
See where the road is closed
Diversion routes
Drivers travelling southbound should follow the Solid Diamond symbol on road signs.
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Exit the A1(M) southbound at Junction 63.
Join the A167 southbound and continue towards Chester-le-Street and Durham.
Continue on the A167 to Thinford Roundabout (near Spennymoor).
At Thinford Roundabout, turn left to join the A688 eastbound/northbound.
Follow the A688 towards Bowburn. Rejoin the A1(M) southbound at Junction 61.
Road users travelling northbound are advised to follow the Solid Triangle diversion symbol on road signs.
Exit the A1(M) northbound at Junction 61.
Join the A688 westbound and continue towards Thinford Roundabout (near Spennymoor).
At Thinford Roundabout, turn right to join the A167 northbound.
Continue on the A167 northbound towards Durham and Chester-le-Street.
Donald Trump erupted during his 60 Minutes interview with CBS presenter Norah O’Donnell after she quoted the suspected White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooter’s manifesto
Michael D. Carroll, Callum Hoare and Kirstie McCrum
07:28, 27 Apr 2026
Donald Trump has launched a blistering attack on CBS presenter Norah O’Donnell after she quoted excerpts from the suspected gunman’s manifesto during his 60 Minutes interview about the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting.
Trump tore into O’Donnell’s line of questioning in a manner typical of his relentless assaults on the media, which he has consistently labelled a “disgrace”. When she read from the document allegedly sent by Cole Tomas Allen shortly before the attack – in which Allen made reference to a “peadophile, rapist, and traitor” – Trump erupted, reports the Mirror.
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“I was waiting for you to read that because I knew you would because … you’re horrible people. Horrible people. Yeah, he did write that.
“I’m not a rapist. I didn’t rape anybody. I’m not a paedophile. Excuse me. Excuse me. I’m not a paedophile. You read that crap from some sick person? I got associated with all – stuff that has nothing to do with me. I was totally exonerated.
“Your friends on the other side of the plate are the ones that were involved with, lets say, Epstein or other things. But I said to myself, ‘You know, I’ll do this interview and they’ll probably … read the manifesto’. But you should be ashamed of yourself reading that because I’m not any of those things.”
Allen described his targets as “administration officials: prioritized from highest-ranking to lowest” – though he appeared to leave FBI Director Kash Patel off his list.
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In an apparent reference to Trump, Allen wrote: “I am no longer willing to permit a paedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes.”
Investigators also uncovered anti-Trump and anti-Christian material on Allen’s social media profiles.
In content reportedly handed to authorities by his brother, Allen allegedly wrote: “Turning the other cheek is for when you yourself are oppressed. I’m not the person raped in a detention camp. I’m not the fisherman executed without trial.
“I’m not a schoolkid blown up, or a child starved, or a teenage girl abused by the many criminals in this administration. Turning the other cheek when someone else is oppressed is not Christian behavior; it is complicity in the oppressor’s crimes.”
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Trump revealed that the First Lady had been visibly shaken by the shooting. When asked whether she had been frightened, he said: “Well, I don’t wanna say, and people don’t like having it said that they were scared. But certainly, I mean, who wouldn’t be when you have a situation like that?
“By that time I think she realized ahead of time that that was more of a bullet than it was a tray. And she was … I looked at her face just a little while ago before I came. I saw the scene. They played it for me and, you know, pretty good closeup. And she looked very upset about what just took place, you know? Why not?”
Trump went on to praise Melania for the way she had handled the situation, describing her as both strong and composed.
“She handled it great. I mean, she was, she’s very strong, smart. She got it. She knew what was happening. She listened. I did too, by the way.”
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Trump lashes out at questions over shooter’s manifesto
President Donald Trump reacted angrily when asked about White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting suspect Cole Tomas Allen’s alleged manifesto, which sharply criticized the Trump administration.
The president called CBS News “disgraceful” for quoting segments of the manifesto during an interview that aired on 60 Minutes on Sunday. Officials allege that Allen, a 31-year-old from Torrance, California, sent the anti-Trump manifesto to his family members moments before the shooting, calling himself the “Friendly Federal Assassin”.
“I am no longer willing to permit a paedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes,” the letter read.
Mr Trump hit back: “I’m not a paedophile” and “I’m not a rapist”.
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Gunshots were fired inside the Washington Hilton shortly after 8:30pm, prompting panic as Secret Service agents rushed the president and other Cabinet officials out of the ballroom, while others took cover under tables.
The suspect shot and injured one law enforcement officer, before being detained near the hotel screening area, officials said. The officer was treated and released from the hospital on Sunday.
Allen faces impending firearms and assault charges and is set to be arraigned on Monday. He is reportedly not cooperating with authorities.
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Chaotic scene unfolded minutes after gala began
The shooting at the security barricades happened minutes after the event got underway.The Secret Service and other authorities swarmed the room as guests ducked under tables by the hundreds.
Gasps echoed through the ballroom as guests realized something was happening. Hundreds of journalists immediately got on phones to call in information.
“Out of the way, sir!” someone yelled. Others yelled to duck. From one corner, a “God Bless America” chant began as the president was escorted offstage.
Law enforcement personnel patrol the venue, following a shooting incident during the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, in Washington, DC, US, 26 April 2026 (Reuters)
Outside the hotel, members of the National Guard and other authorities flooded the area as helicopters circled overhead.After an initial attempt to resume the event, it was scrapped for the night and will be rescheduled.
Donald Trump was unusually conciliatory after what he saw as a third attempt on his life in less than two years. He suggested that his personal politics had made him a repeated target, but he also called for unity and bipartisan healing in an increasingly violent world.
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“It’s always shocking when something like this happens. Happened to me, a little bit. And that never changes,” Trump told reporters in a hastily organized news conference at the White House late on Saturday.
Namita Singh27 April 2026 07:30
Video: Trump says he ‘wasn’t making it any easier’ for Secret Service during WHCD shooting
Trump says he ‘wasn’t making it any easier’ for Secret Service during WHCD shooting
Namita Singh27 April 2026 07:17
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Acting head of Justice Department says Trump officials were targets
Shooting suspect Cole Tomas Allen is believed to have traveled by train from California to Chicago and then onto Washington, where he checked himself in as a guest at the hotel where the gala dinner was held with its typically tight security, said acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. He is believed to have acted alone and is set to face criminal charges on Monday.
Law enforcement personnel detain Cole Tomas Allen, a suspect in the shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, in Washington, DC, US, 25 April 2026 (Reuters)
Authorities say Allen attempted to charge toward the cavernous ballroom at the Washington Hilton but was tackled to the ground in a violent scene that resulted in shots being fired, US president Donald Trump being hurried off the stage unharmed and guests ducking for cover beneath their tables.
“It does appear that he did in fact set out to target folks who work in the administration, likely including the president,” Blanche told NBC.
Namita Singh27 April 2026 06:24
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Suspect’s brother reached out to Connecticut police
Suspect Cole Tomas Allen’s brother contacted police in New London, Connecticut, after receiving the writings, according to the law enforcement official, who was not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity.
The New London Police Department said in a statement it was contacted at 10.49pm, about two hours after the shooting, by an individual who wanted to share information related to it. The police department said it then immediately notified federal law enforcement.
FBI agents canvass the neighborhood of the suspected White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooter on 26 April 2026 in Torrance, California (Getty)
Allen’s sister, who lives in Maryland, told investigators her brother had legally purchased several weapons from a California gun store and kept them at their parents’ home in Torrance without their knowledge, according to the official.
She described her brother as prone to making radical statements, the official said.
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Allen legally bought a .38-caliber semiautomatic pistol in October 2023 and a 12-gauge shotgun two years later, according to the law enforcement official and another one who also spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation.
Namita Singh27 April 2026 06:17
DC gala shooting suspect aired grievances against Trump in writings to family
The man accused of opening fire at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner railed against Donald Trump administration policies and referred to himself as a “Friendly Federal Assassin” in writings sent to family members minutes before an attack that authorities increasingly believe was politically motivated, according to a message reviewed by The Associated Press.
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The writings, sent shortly before shots were fired on Saturday night at the Washington Hilton, made repeated references to president Donald Trump without naming him directly and alluded to grievances over a range of administration actions, including US strikes on boats accused of smuggling drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean.
(Reuters)
Investigators are treating the writings, along with a trail of social media posts and interviews with family members, as some of the clearest evidence yet of the suspect’s mindset and possible motives.
Authorities uncovered what one law enforcement official described as numerous anti-Trump social media posts linked to the suspect, Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old California man accused of trying to breach a security checkpoint at the dinner while armed with multiple guns and knives.
Namita Singh27 April 2026 06:13
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Suspect armed with handgun, shotgun and multiple knives
Washington Interim Police Chief Jeffery Carroll said the suspect, Cole Tomas Allen, was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives.
Allen had purchased two handguns and a shotgun and stored them at his parents’ home, the White House official said.
(Reuters)
The suspect lived with his parents in a two-story house on a tree-lined street with picket fences and craftsman-style homes in the historic district of Torrance, a seaside town in the South Bay area of greater Los Angeles.
Neighbors in the middle-class neighborhood on Sunday said they were only casually acquainted with him and his parents, with most saying they never spoke to him beyond a brief hello or waving to them as they gave Halloween candy to trick-or-treaters.
Namita Singh27 April 2026 05:52
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Suspect Cole Allen sent anti-Trump manifesto to family before opening fire
The suspected shooter at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner sent a manifesto critical of President Donald Trump to his family before he allegedly opened fire at the Washington Hilton, The New York Post reports.
The Post reported that the manifesto showed that Allen allegedly wanted to kill officials from the Trump administration.
Namita Singh27 April 2026 05:44
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Most Americans believe political rhetoric is encouraging violence
Conservative political activist Charlie Kirk was shot dead at a rally last September, just months after the June 2025 slaying of Democratic Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband and the wounding of a Minnesota state senator.
(AFP/Getty)
A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted in the days following Kirk’s murder found Americans believe increasingly harsh rhetoric surrounding politics is encouraging violence in the US.
A White House official said law enforcement officials who interviewed suspect Cole Tomas Allen’s sister were told he had a tendency to make radical statements, had attended an anti-Trump “No Kings” protest and referred to a plan to do “something” to fix issues with today’s world.
Namita Singh27 April 2026 05:24
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Video: Trump says ‘NFL should hire’ WHCD shooting suspect
Trump says ‘NFL should hire’ WHCD shooting suspect
Namita Singh27 April 2026 05:22
What happened at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner?
Officials have said the suspect fired a shotgun at a Secret Service agent at a security checkpoint in the Washington Hilton hotel before being tackled and arrested.
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Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, vice president JD Vance and Cabinet officials were rushed out as the incident unfolded. The Secret Service agent who was shot escaped serious injury because the bullet struck his protective vest, Trump said.
Attendees leave the venue as a shooter opens fire during the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington, DC, US, 25 April 2026 (Reuters)
Trump, who had boycotted the media gala in the past, has requested that the dinner be rescheduled within 30 days. White House Correspondents’ Association President Weijia Jiang of CBS said the group’s board would determine their next steps.
The suspect will be charged in federal court on Monday with assault of a federal officer, discharging a firearm and attempting to kill a federal officer, acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche said, adding he did not know if there was an Iran connection to the attack.
Further federal indictments will be coming later, Blanche said.
The arrest is part of an ongoing counter terrorism investigation into a series of attacks on premises linked to the Jewish community in north west London, an attack on a Persian-language media organisation and the discovery of jars of a non-hazardous substance in Kensington Gardens.
BBC broadcaster Stephen Nolan has defended his salary amid proposed cuts at the corporation.
The 52-year-old is currently the seventh highest earner in the corporation with a salary of £405,000 in 2024-25, earning £10,000 more than former BBC Political Editor, Laura Kuenssberg. This figure excludes any earnings for programmes made through his own production company, Third Street Studios
Nolan is also the only regional star to make the list of the broadcaster’s top earners. Earlier this month, the BBC announced that they were cutting between 1,800 and 2,000 jobs in an attempt to make £500m in savings due to “significant financial pressures.”
Defending his salary, Stephen Nolan told Belfast Live: “I get a lot of flak for many different things, because of what the Nolan Show is. It’s a magnet for people to say it as it really is, right, every single day, and long may that continue.
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“I can tell you now, true bill, but the thing that I get the least hassle, stroke conversation about is my salary, and that’s the truth out in the street, and I think that’s because, I’m not too sure this is the corporate BBC, answer that they want, right, but there’s a working class guy from a working class estate in Northern Ireland that’s getting paid really well in the BBC. What’s wrong with that? What do you want it to be?
“So I’m actually very proud of where I came from, and guess what, I like to earn money and I’m trying to be as successful as I can be, and what I usually get is, you know, some punters, yeah, they’re joking with me and they’re they’re winding me up and all that, you know, lend us a few quid and all that kind of stuff, very few people resent it.”
‘My brother was never unkind or bitter. Nobody ever had a bad word to say about him – he was just so loveable,’ says Johnny (left – pictured with Philip)
Philip de Mouilpied never recovered after losing his mother to breast cancer at the age of 10.
When Kathleen died 37 years ago, there was no bereavement support, leaving Philip, his younger brother Johnny, and their sisters, Caroline and Andrea, struggling to cope.
Their dad, also called Philip, gave all the support he could alongside his wife’s sister Josie, who would also be taken by the disease six years later.
‘There was a lot of death growing up. We lived in a lot of grief and sadness. But to meet him, you’d never guessed Philip had lost so much,’ Johnny, 44, from Stockport, tells Metro.
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‘My brother was never unkind or bitter. Nobody ever had a bad word to say about him – he was just so loveable.’
Philip married young and, by 22, he and his ‘wonderful, gorgeous’ wife Lucy, his childhood sweetheart, had their first child. For decades, he carried his pain and anxiety largely in silence, until he died by suicide in October last year at the age of 46.
That day Lucy returned from work and found Philip, Emily arrived soon after and called Johnny before dialling 999.
‘I had an hour to kill so I was sitting alone in Brown’s Bar in Manchester with a quick glass of Merlot, to decompress after meetings when Emily phoned.
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The brothers – Johnny (left) and Philip – lost their mum to cancer when they were just children (Picture: Supplied)
‘I answered: “Hi baby girl.” And she told me what had happened,’ Johnny remembers.
In shock, he instructed her as best he could, telling her to check again for signs of life. When his worst fears were confirmed, Johnny had to break the heartbreaking news to his dad, also called Philip, and the rest of the family.
‘I was in an alleyway in Manchester phoning my sisters. Those were some of the worst conversations I’ve ever had in my life. I had to go home and then get the tram to Philip’s house. I just broke down in tears,’ he remembers.
Johnny rushed to his brother’s home to support Lucy, Jessica, 23, Emily, 22, and 19-year-old Callum.
Philip with his family (L-R: Lucy, Emily, Callum, Jessica)
Later, the whole family went to sit with Philip in the Chapel of Rest.
‘It was awful. But later I was glad I went,’ Johnny says.
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The brothers had been close growing up and both struggled after losing their mother.
When Johnny was 18, he suffered from panic attacks as he prepared to come out as gay. But he discovered honesty and openness were the best way forward, and has been mentally well ever since. Philip, on the other hand, kept his pain inside.
‘He was very different to me and because he was older, he protected me a lot and didn’t deal with his feelings. He suffered,’ Johnny says. ‘He had experienced so much grief, and he hated anybody feeling sad. Whenever they did, he just tried to take that feeling away from them. Which was to his detriment.’
Philip with his siblings Caroline, Andrea and Johnny
Philip, a steel work manager, fell into alcoholism in his twenties. When it emerged he was drinking before work, Johnny insisted he go into rehab, paying for treatment. In sobriety, Philip isolated himself from social situations.
‘There was always a reason he had to go home – to see to the dogs or something,’ Johnny remembers.
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And while he’d had therapy and took antidepressants, Philip ‘never got to the root cause’ of his sorrow, his brother, who works in banking, adds.
‘We knew he was poorly, but he didn’t always tell the truth about everything. He had crippling anxiety, and he would always block it out, rather than tackle it, hoping it would just disappear. And then it morphed into depression.
Five weeks before Philip died, the brothers had breakfast together alone. Johnny believes that was Philip’s way of saying goodbye
‘Looking back on it now, I think he was waiting until the kids were independent and older to end his life. Callum had just got his first job and passed his driving test.’
Philip’s anxiety was so deep-rooted that Johnny does not believe anything could have prevented his brother from ending his life when he did.
‘Nothing could have stopped him,’ he says starkly. ‘Even if I was there that day, I wouldn’t have been able to save him. He’d made his choice.
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‘But if anything could have been different, there should have been more focus on prevention, rather than cure. We spent years watching our mum die before our eyes – literally wasting away in front of us. We had no support whatsoever. If we had got to the root cause of it all, I think he could have been saved.’
Read more by Sarah Ingram
Five weeks before Philip died, the whole family were in Northern Ireland for a family wedding. At the hotel, the brothers had breakfast alone together. Nothing significant was said, but Johnny now realises that Philip was saying goodbye.
After his death, Johnny took on a fatherly role, promising to walk his nieces down the aisle and now takes Jessica, Callum and Emily out whenever he can.
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Married to Gareth, with their two cavapoos Henry and Buzz, Johnny lives ten miles from his family and remains close to Lucy. In trying to prevent the family from becoming overwhelmed by grief as their father was, Johnny tries to lead by example.
Philip and his daughter Emily in July 2025
Philip with son Callum and his other daughter Jessica
Five days after Philip died, he went to a Katy Perry concert, ‘because he would have gone mad had I cancelled’. A week later, he booked the whole family a holiday to Lanzarote so that, in the midst of funeral planning, they would have something to look forward to.
There was standing-room only at the church on the day of his send-off and Johnny gave Philip’s eulogy, paying tribute to his wicked sense of humour and devotion to his family.
‘We had the most wonderful funeral for him, and he was laid to rest with my mum, which brought everybody a lot of comfort,’ adds Johnny.
Jessica, Callum and Emily danced on chairs to Philip’s favourite music, holding pictures of him aloft, and they now take his photo around the world, visiting places his anxiety prevented him from seeing.
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The family also wanted to honour Philip’s life by helping prevent other suicides.
Johnny created the Bin Silence Foundation in Philip’s memory to help get people talking about mental health (Picture: Supplied)
Johnny has always done a lot of charity work and for years he had been mulling the idea about using household bins for good causes.
‘Bins are everywhere. There are 100 million across the UK. After Philip passed, we realised as a family that if we put stickers on bins, it would open up that everyday conversation, and provide us with a way of make money for mental health charities from the sales,’ he explains.
So last month the Bin Silence Foundation was born, selling stickers with house numbers and a logo encouraging people to talk.
They got the stickers printed and sat around each other’s kitchen tables cutting them out ready to be sent, as sister Caroline leads the logistics.
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‘Our hope is that it can start conversation, maybe even save some lives,’ Johnny says.
‘We want to bin silence around suicide. We’ve already had messages of thanks from people whose children are self-harming, whose husbands have been up on motorway bridges.
‘Even if you can’t speak to someone in your own circle, there is so much help out there. You aren’t alone. When you have anxiety or depression, it can feel very isolating. Philip didn’t realise how much he was loved.
‘If he had seen how many people were at the church, he never would have ended his life. The first time a man gets flowers is often at his own funeral, and that’s a tragic thing. We want people to know there is always hope, and always a way forward.’
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Find out more about the Bin Silence Foundation here.
Sandal season is here, and like us, you might need to give your feet some extra TLC. (Picture: Metro/Getty)
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Warmer weather is slowly but surely approaching, which means it will soon be time to make those all-important wardrobe swaps. Most importantly, we’ll have to say goodbye to boots and hello to sandals as the sun shows its face more. One dread that comes with this is that after being hidden away in your winter footwear, your feet might not be looking and feeling their best.
The good news is that you don’t have to rush to book a pedi appointment to get flip flop ready. With a few simple steps, and the right products, you can indulge in a little self care moment and create the salon-feel in the comfort of your own home, and at a fraction of the price.
With the addition of a nifty foot file to remove dead skin, a great moisturiser to nourish, and additional extras such as cuticle oils, a pedicure kit, and if you want to be fancy a foot bath, you can sit back and relax as you give yourself a mini makeover ready for that holiday you’ve got planned, or if you’re wanting to wear those cute sandals hiding in your wardrobe.
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Below is a simple at-home routine that will leave your feet feeling soft, refreshed and ready for the seasons ahead.
Step One: Foot Soak
Before jumping straight into scrubbing and nail maintenance, a good soak will help break down tough skin, and relax the muscles so you can have a little pamper before doing the following steps.
Simply soak your feet in warm soapy water for 10-15 minutes, and to elevate the experience you can add the likes of Epsom Salts, specific foot soak crystals, or a few drops of essential oils to give you a spa-like experience. Our personal favourite for this step is to invest in a trusty at-home foot spa.
Step 2: Remove Hard Skin and Calluses
As winter footwear is specifically designed to keep feet warm and protected against the elements, they aren’t often the most comfortable, meaning the hard skin is more likely to build on your heels and balls of your feet.
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After soaking, gently buff away rough areas using a foot file or eclectic callus remover. You can use these regularly to minimise the threat of cracks and future build up, and to keep them soft and smooth. Be aware as to not over-file as this can irritate the skin.
Step 3: Exfoliate with a Foot Scrub
Once the hard skin and calluses have been removed and buffed away, apply an exfoliating foot scrub that will banish the last remaining dead skin cells.
Foot scrubs often contain ingredients such as pumice, salt or sugar that work to fently buff away dead skin, without having to scrub with a tool. Whilst in the bath or shower, massage a small amount onto damp feet for a few minutes focusing on heels and soles, and then rinse thoroughly.
Step 4: Trim and Shape Your Nails
Once you’ve given your feet the best clean, it’s time to tidy up your nails. Top tip: trim your nails straight across as this will prevent ingrown nails, and then use a nail file to shape them to your desired look. Follow this by pushing back your cuticles with a special tool as this creates cleaner, healthier nails, and prevents any hangnails from forming. The best and most straightforward way of doing this is with a manicure kit.
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Step 5: Nourish Cuticles and Nails
This perfectly leads on to step five which is a step that many choose to either forget or ignore, and that’s applying a cuticle cream or oil. Using one of these will not only supply a boost of hydration to the nails and skin around them, but they help to strengthen them as well. Use a tiny amount on each nail before gently massaging in daily to keep them looking and feeling their best.
Step 6: Deep Moisturise Your Feet
The final step is locking in moisture. Foot creams and masks are designed to deeply hydrate dry skin and keep feet soft.
Foot masks are great as an overnight treatment or weekly pampering step, helping to restore moisture to dry heels and soles.
So, if you’re planning on giving yourself and your feet a pamper, then remember to moisturiser daily before bed, use a foot file once or twice a week, keep nails trimmed, and ultimately, opt for breathable footwear to prevent any dryness and irritation.
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