But as spring has sprung, there is no better time than now to pour care into your outdoor space to prepare for an ‘ideal summer’.

March is an important month to lay the groundwork for more frequent usage, with a range of important jobs to carry out.

Matthew Lock, director of Luxus Home and Garden, a luxurious garden furniture specialist, has revealed five key tasks to carry out this month to get ready for summer.

Best flowers to plant in spring

His list includes deep cleaning, preparing outdoor furniture, reseeding your lawn and looking out for bargain outdoor items in the shops.

Matthew said: “Spring is a time of renewal and many of us will be beginning to think of what we need to do in our gardens to prepare for the brighter days ahead. 

“March is a great time to get organised and lay the foundations for returning your outdoor space to its best after winter has left its mark. 

“A deep clean is one of the key tasks to complete, with patios, lawns and surfaces among the priorities to tackle. 

“It’s also a good time to look for bargains on outdoor items such as garden furniture, with many companies running spring sales. 

“Don’t be daunted if you have a lot of work to do, in which case it can be useful to draw up a plan of what to do and when, breaking your to-do list into smaller tasks and completing them whenever you get the chance. 

“Putting the groundwork in now is a great way to give your garden the best chance of becoming the summer haven you want when warmer weather arrives.”

Here are Matt’s top five tasks to get ticked off your list this month.

Deep cleaning your garden 

Many people tend to neglect their gardens during the darker months and the harsh weather can leave outdoor spaces looking worse for wear. 

A deep clean of patios, furniture and lawns when spring arrives is the perfect way to help outdoor spaces thrive again as temperatures soar. 

This often includes power washing the patio and removing weeds and debris from the lawn. 

Preparing outdoor furniture 

Whether you want to give your existing garden furniture a new lease of life or purchase new items, March is a good time to get going. 

Refresh existing wooden surfaces with a damp cloth and a gentle soap solution and cover from the elements when not in use for maximum longevity. 

Plants that could damage the value of your home

And if you want to give your garden a makeover with new items, ordering now can help you beat the rush and make sure you get what you want before it sells out. 

Reseeding your lawn 

A lush, green lawn is a source of pride for many homeowners, and March is a great time to put in the groundwork. 

Start by removing weeds, moss and other debris that may have accumulated during winter, then aerate the lawn using a spike or garden fork to poke holes of between two to six inches. 

Then it is time to apply grass seed evenly followed by a light covering of soil. 

Maximising space by rearranging 

Creating an outdoor haven can be as simple as rearranging what you already have, rather than spending money on new items. 

It may be that you want to create a focal point for outdoor dining closer to your house or take advantage of suntraps to maximise your enjoyment of the sun. 

Revive outdoor fabrics 

Winter can leave even the best outdoor fabrics caked in mould and mildew. 

Brush away loose dirt and debris before applying a solution of equal parts water and white vinegar, work it into the affected areas and leave for 20 minutes. 

Rinse well with water and leave it to air dry.  

Wensleydale Railway is running a ‘kids for a quid’ scheme for children aged three to 15, who can travel for just £1 with a paying adult.

Nick Keegan, marketing and fundraising manager at Wensleydale Railway, said: “With free activities to entertain the children, and our ‘kids for a quid’ travel offer, a visit to our volunteer-led heritage railway is a fun and great value family day out this Easter.”

The Easter Bunny Rail Trail will run from April 1 to 8, encouraging children to find hidden bunnies around the railway.

Trail sheets can be collected from Leeming Bar or Leyburn stations, and completed sheets earn a chocolate reward.

Free Easter-themed craft activities will also take place at Scruton Station on April 1 and 8.

Children can take part in egg painting, making bunny faces, and crafting chicks on sticks.

Visitors are encouraged to start their day at Leeming Bar, take the train to Scruton for the craft activities, then jump back on the train to Leeming Bar, and then Leyburn, to find the hidden bunnies on the Bunny Rail Trail.

The crafts will run from 11am to 2pm at the restored 1910 station.

Tickets and further details are available at wensleydale-railway.co.uk or by calling 01677 425805.

CBS News is set to start major layoffs Friday and will shut down the nearly 100-year-old CBS News Radio later this year as new editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, under Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison, reshapes the network.

The Tiffany Network’s news division could cut its workforce by as much as 6 percent, people familiar with the matter told the New York Post and Variety.

An insider told The Post that the current round of layoffs is expected to affect approximately 60 employees. Earlier reports suggested that the network might cut up to 15 percent of its total workforce.

A CBS News spokesperson did not address the specifics of the layoffs when contacted by The Independent. They did, however, provide the internal memo sent to employees Friday from Weiss and CBS News president Tom Cibrowski.

“Today we are reducing the size of our workforce, and employees who are affected will be notified by the end of the day,” the memo reads. “We recognize that this is a difficult time for those who will be leaving CBS News. Because these aren’t just names on a list. They are talented, committed colleagues who have been critical to our success. We’ll treat them all with care and respect.”

Weiss and Cibrowski also sent out another memo to CBS News Radio staffers Friday, according to The Hollywood Reporter, that reads, “Today, we informed our CBS News Radio team and approximately 700 affiliated stations that we will end the service on May 22, 2026.”

“Unfortunately, this decision means that all positions within the CBS News Radio team are being eliminated. We understand how difficult this news is for our staff and their colleagues, who have worked side by side with us to cover some of the most significant stories of our time,” it continues.

As the memo explained, CBS News Radio has been bringing original reporting to Americans since 1927. Its early days included historic reports like Edward R. Murrow’s World War II coverage from London, and it continues to this day with daily updates from the White House. Its main program, “World News Roundup,” is the country’s longest-running newscast.

“While this was a necessary decision, it was not an easy one,” executives said in the memo. “A shift in radio station programming strategies, coupled with challenging economic realities, has made it impossible to continue the service. We are sharing this announcement now to fulfill our commitments to our radio partners and affiliates, which require advance notice of the service’s conclusion.”

Weiss, 41, became CBS News’ editor-in-chief after Paramount acquired her media startup, The Free Press, in October 2025.

The current round of cuts comes as Weiss pushes to make CBS News more appealing to younger, digitally focused viewers. As part of her plan, she’s moving the network away from its traditional focus on regular TV broadcasts and is putting more attention and resources into digital and streaming platforms.

“It’s no secret that the news business is changing radically, and that we need to change along with it,” Friday’s memo reads. “New audiences are burgeoning in new places, and we are pressing forward with ambitious plans to grow and invest so that we can be there for them. That means some parts of our newsroom must get smaller to make room for the things we must build to remain competitive.”

Before these latest layoffs, 11 staffers from CBS Evening News, about a quarter of the show’s team, had already accepted voluntary buyouts last month, according to The Post. These offers were first announced back in January, when CBS management called them an “extraordinary chance” for employees to leave ahead of company-wide reductions.

Weiss’ time in charge has also stirred some controversy beyond staffing changes, including the cancellation of a high-profile interview with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Mamdani reportedly withdrew from a planned interview with CBS News, due to concerns over the network’s coverage. He had been scheduled to meet with “CBS Sunday Morning’s” Robert Costa but hesitated due to critical reporting from The Free Press, the pro-Israel digital outlet run by Weiss. Mamdani had condemned U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran as a “catastrophic escalation” of an illegal war, criticizing the bombing of cities and civilian casualties while urging Americans to focus on domestic issues.

CBS News contributor Masih Alinejad, who survived an assassination attempt by Iranian agents in 2025, rebuked Mamdani for ignoring real threats to Iranian dissidents in New York and misdirecting anger toward innocent Iranians. Weiss amplified Alinejad’s criticism on X, sharing the clip of Alinejad’s and adding the “fire” emoji, which Vanity Fair reported as the “nail in the coffin,” prompting Mamdani to back out of the interview.

Earlier this week, it was reported that CBS Evening News ratings had fallen below four million viewers for the first time since Tony Dokoupil became host following Weiss’ network overhaul.

Arsenal co-chairman Josh Kroenke is expected to attend the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley Stadium

Arsenal co-chairman Josh Kroenke is reportedly planning to attend this weekend’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester City. The Gunners will face City at Wembley Stadium as they aim to conclude their lengthy trophy drought.

Mikel Arteta’s squad enter the fixture having overcome Bayer Leverkusen in their Champions League last-16 encounter earlier this week, while City suffered defeat against Real Madrid.

Arsenal continue their pursuit of all four major honours this season and talk of a potentially historic quadruple has been raised in the lead-up to the Carabao Cup final.

READ MORE: Gabriel Jesus LAUGHED AT by Arsenal teammates for title ambitionsREAD MORE: David Raya’s wife shares life update as Arsenal star says ‘we are so lucky’

Prior to the match, BBC Sport reported that Josh Kroenke has travelled to London from the United States and is expected to watch Arsenal take on City at Wembley.

The report also suggests that there is a possibility that Stan Kroenke, founder of the Kroenke Sports and Entertainment, could also attend Arsenal’s visit to Wembley.

It has been suggested that Stan Kroenke could make the journey if his schedule permits, and it has not yet been dismissed that the Arsenal owner could be in attendance for the showpiece occasion on Sunday afternoon.

While the attention for Arsenal will be on this weekend’s cup final, the report also delivers an update on prospective transfer strategies for the summer.

FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news and more on our dedicated Facebook page

The report says that while Josh Kroenke is in London, he will meet with Arsenal’s sporting director Andrea Berta to discuss plans for the upcoming transfer window.

Advertisement

Though it’s still uncertain which players Arsenal will target in the summer, the Gunners are reportedly prepared to invest in additional new signings, with a new midfielder, left winger and a full-back pinpointed by the club.

The Carabao Cup final will be Arsenal’s final match before the March international break, with the Premier League taking a pause for the next month.

Arsenal will resume action on April 4 when they journey to Southampton for the FA Cup quarter-final, before facing Sporting Lisbon in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final a few days later.

The next time Arsenal will participate in a Premier League match will be on Saturday, April 11, at home against Bournemouth.

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

The crash happened on Wigan Road last night, leaving the bus stop badly damaged and debris scattered across the road.

Emergency services were called to the scene at around 7:21pm on Wednesday, March 19 following reports of a road traffic collision involving the two vehicles.

@nikesxiii7 POV: You arrive seconds after this crash in Bolton, Wigan Road. 19/03/2026 #bolton #crash #policevan ♬ original sound – NikesXIII

The impact caused the police van to crash into a bus stop outside the Co-op, shattering glass across the pavement and carriageway.

The Police van collided with a bus stop completely shattering the glass (Image: NikesXIII)

Images and videos from the scene show the front of the car completely destroyed, while the police van also sustained significant front-end damage.

A man was seen getting out of the car appearing shaken but uninjured.

Both the driver and police officers involved were later seen speaking at the roadside.

A video of the aftermath of the crash can be found here .

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: “At 7:21pm we were made aware of a road traffic collision, involving a police van and another vehicle that subsequently hit a bus stop.

“There was glass on the pavement from the bus stop, but this was cleared along with the vehicles.

“Only minor injuries reported.”

The incident happened on Wigan Road, near Deane, outside the Co-op.

Both vehicles faced front damage (Image: NikesXIII)

It is one of several collisions to have taken place on this stretch of road in recent months.

In January, four people died after a car collided head-on with a taxi on Wigan Road in Deane in the early hours of Sunday, January 11.

The bird will be auctioned by Tennants Auctioneers on April 22, as part of its Natural History and Taxidermy Sale.

This display, estimated to fetch between £15,000 and £25,000, includes a selection of North and South American birds dating from around 1880 to 1900.

Robbie Bright, natural history specialist at Tennants, said: “It is very rare to come across a specimen of the Carolina parakeet on the open market, and even rarer to find a juvenile example, which has yet to develop the distinctive solid yellow head of the adult bird.”

The display was once housed at Kilmurry in County Kilkenny, the Georgian family home of Irish artist Mildred Anne Butler.

Their diet of crops and noisy flocking also made them targets for hunters.

READ MORE: Praise for introduction of new North East bus service taking to the road this month

. Darlington man remanded in prison after unlawfully escaping custody

. Council pledges to use ‘every tool’ to tackle County Durham empty shops issues

After 1860, the birds were rarely seen outside Florida.

The last known wild Carolina parakeet was killed in 1904, and the final captive bird died at the Cincinnati Zoo in 1918.

In 1939, the species was declared extinct.

The Cognitive Reflection Test has a pass rate of just 17 per cent, leaving the majority who attempt it boggled.

It was originally part of a research paper published in 2005 by MIT Professor Shane Frederick, and has recently resurfaced online with many people giving it a go.

As part of his research, Professor Frederick had more than 3,000 participants from a range of educational backgrounds complete the test, but even those attending top American universities such as Yale and Harvard struggled to work out all the answers.

Professor Frederick said: “The three items on the CRT are ‘easy’ in the sense that their solution is easily understood when explained, yet reaching the correct answer often requires the suppression of an erroneous answer that springs ‘impulsively’ to mind.”

So how will you get on?

What are the questions?

1. A bat and a ball cost $1.10 in total. The bat costs $1 more than the ball. How much does the ball cost?

2. If it takes five machines five minutes to make five widgets, how long would it take 100 machines to make 100 widgets?

3. In a lake, there is a patch of lily pads. Every day, the patch doubles in size. If it takes 48 days for the patch to cover the entire lake, how long would it take for the patch to cover half of the lake?

What are the answers?

These are the three most common answers that people guess, but they are actually incorrect:

1. 10 cents

2. 100 minutes

3. 24 days

Professor Frederick said: “Anyone who reflects upon it for even a moment would recognise that the difference between $1 and 10 cents is only 90 cents, not $1 as the problem stipulates.

“In this case, catching that error is tantamount to solving the problem, since nearly everyone who does not respond ‘10 cents’ does, in fact, give the correct response.”

The correct answers are:

1. Five cents

2. Five minutes

3. 47 days

Here are the answers explained

Presh Talwalkar, the author of The Hoy of Game Theory: An Introduction to Strategic Thinking, explained how to work out the correct answers for each of the three questions on his blog, Mind Your Decisions.

1. Say the ball costs X. Then the bat costs $1 more, so it is X + 1. So we have bat + ball = X + (X + 1) = 1.1 because together they cost $1.10. This means 2X + 1 = 1.1, then 2X = 0.1, so X = 0.05. This means the ball costs five cents and the bat costs $1.05

2. If it takes five machines five minutes to make five widgets, then it takes one machine five minutes to make one widget (each machine is making a widget in five minutes). If we have 100 machines working together, then each can make a widget in five minutes. So there will be 100 widgets in five minutes.

3. Every day FORWARD the patch doubles in size. So every day BACKWARDS means the patch halves in size. So on day 47 the lake is half full.

Can you solve one of the toughest GCSE questions ever set?

As recent research revealed that 5.3 million adults in the UK still feel a pang of panic when recalling their exam experience, could you solve one of the toughest GCSE questions ever set?

The question has sparked intense debate on Reddit, where users admitted they were completely stumped, even years after leaving school.

One user summed it up perfectly: “The last three questions on Edexcel always left me hopeless.”

A 2025 survey of UK students found that 85% experience exam anxiety, with one in four describing it as nearly unbearable during exams.

Lindsey Wright, Head of Maths Education at Tutors Valley, said: “Exams are designed to challenge students, but parents can make a real difference.

“Understanding how your child learns and providing one-to-one support gives them a safe space to make mistakes, ask questions, and build confidence.

“Research shows 71% of students do not seek any support at all, so this guidance is more important than ever.”

So can you solve this impossible question?

null (Image: Tutors Valley)

Lindsey Wright, Head of Maths Education at Tutors Valley, said: “Exams are designed to challenge students, but parents can make a real difference.

“Understanding how your child learns and providing one-to-one support gives them a safe space to make mistakes, ask questions, and build confidence.

“Research shows 71% of students do not seek any support at all, so this guidance is more important than ever.”

So can you solve this impossible question?

The above video explains how to solve it, and whether or not you found the correct solution.

In his latest outburst against Nato allies on Truth Social, the US president said: “Now that fight is Militarily WON, with very little danger for them, they complain about the high oil prices they are forced to pay, but don’t ‌want to help open the ​Strait of Hormuz, a simple military ‌maneuver that is ⁠the single reason for the high oil ⁠prices. So easy for them to do, ‌with so ​little risk,” he wrote.

Scarlett Moffatt paid a special visit to the Puzzling World of Professor Kettlestring on Merchantgate yesterday (Wednesday), delighting guests and staff alike.

Visiting alongside her mum, sister, and young son, Scarlett spent time exploring the attraction’s immersive illusions and interactive exhibits.

Scarlett, a York St John University graduate, had already heard about the attraction prior to her visit.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Experiencing it first-hand, she described the Puzzling World of Professor Kettlestring as “really cool,” clearly enjoying its playful and mind-bending environment.

Scarlett first found fame on Channel 4 favourite Gogglebox before being crowned ‘Queen of the Jungle’ in the 2016 series of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!

The operators of the attraction which opened just over a year ago said her visit highlights the attraction’s growing reputation as a must-visit destination for families and visitors of all ages.

With its unique blend of optical illusions, puzzles, and hands-on experiences, the Puzzling World of Professor Kettlestring won New Tourism Business of the Year at the Visit York awards last week.

The actor’s Instagram page confirmed Norris’ death on Friday, March 20.

“It is with heavy hearts that our family shares the sudden passing of our beloved Chuck Norris yesterday morning,” the statement read.

“While we would like to keep the circumstances private, please know that he was surrounded by his family and was at peace.”

“To the world, he was a martial artist, actor, and a symbol of strength.

“To us, he was a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, an incredible brother, and the heart of our family”

“He lived his life with faith, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to the people he loved.

“Through his work, discipline, and kindness, he inspired millions around the world and left a lasting impact on so many lives,” it concluded.

⚠️Breaking News ⚠️

Chuck Norris has passed away at the age of 86!!

Advertisement

Rest easy Legend🙏 pic.twitter.com/5I5dPmkzSj

— Brandon (@LibOrNormal) March 20, 2026

The actor, who turned 86 earlier this month, was hospitalised in Hawaii on Thursday, March 19, TMZ reported.

This came just days after Norris celebrated his birthday with an Instagram post of himself boxing and training on March 10.

Norris served in the US Air Force and went on to win multiple martial arts championships.

The Delta Force actor is a black belt in Karate, Taekwondo, Tang Soo Do, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Judo.

Norris founded his own discipline, Chun Kuk Do, and he went on to train celebrities in martial arts.

Chuck Norris, the martial arts champion who became an iconic action star and led the hit series “Walker, Texas Ranger,” has died. He was 86.

Norris was hospitalized in Hawaii on Thursday, and his family posted a statement saying he had died Friday morning:

Advertisement

It is with heavy… pic.twitter.com/eZnLC6o3kl

— Variety (@Variety) March 20, 2026

His late friend, actor and martial artist Bruce Lee, cast him as villain Colt in 1972’s The Way of the Dragon, and late Hollywood legend Steve McQueen then encouraged Norris to continue acting.

His most popular role came in 1993 as the titular character Ranger Cordell Walker in Walker, Texas Ranger.

After the CBS show ended in 2001, Chuck continued playing lead roles in movies until 2006, while his last major film appearance came in 2012 with The Expendables 2.