From flowers to vegetables, there are plenty of jobs to be done in the garden in May

May offers gardeners an excellent opportunity, with blooms flourishing and a wealth of tasks to tackle. But it also signals the end of late frosts, opening up numerous opportunities to start cultivating vegetables and plants that thrive in milder conditions.

Chris Bonnett, founder of GardeningExpress, said: “There are so many options when it comes to planting in May. The garden really starts to come to life at this time of year, and we generally see the last frost, which creates many opportunities to plant flowers and other plants that love the warmer weather.

“The last frost really is crucial for a lot of plants, so make sure temperatures near you are consistently over around 10C before planting tender summer crops like tomatoes and courgettes.”

Tomatoes

The expert suggests this is an ideal moment to plant tomatoes, provided the threat of frost has disappeared.

The expert said: “Tomatoes love full sun in a sheltered spot and well-drained soil. Ideally, plant them deep into the soil so they can establish a strong root system.”

It’s advisable to maintain regular watering as the crop develops and provide support using canes, reports the Express.

Courgettes

Another vegetable well-suited for planting during May is courgette, as it typically grows swiftly once warmer temperatures arrive.

The expert said: “Courgettes need regular, generous watering at the base, and they should be harvested regularly to encourage more growth. Plant courgettes in a warm and sunny location in the garden in moisture-retentive soil.”

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Lavender

Lavender makes a stunning addition to any garden during spring, bringing a delightful fragrance and proving ideal for pollinators.

Chris noted: “The warm soil in May helps lavender establish well. Be sure to plant it in a full-sun area and avoid overwatering, as they generally prefer dry conditions.

“When planting, keep space around the roots for airflow and continue to lightly trim the plant after flowering to keep it compact.”

Dahlias

May is a favoured month for planting dahlias, as they create an impressive summer display and come in a vast array of colours.

They should be positioned 10cm deep in fertile soil, in a sunny, sheltered area, with the shoots facing upwards.

The expert added: “Slugs also love dahlias, so consider creating barriers around young plants and use things like empty egg shells and coffee grounds to deter them.”

Sunflowers

Chris continued: “Those who are new to gardening should consider planting sunflowers. They’re easy for beginners to grow, and they often germinate quickly as the temperatures increase in May.

“Sow directly outdoors around 2cm deep in a sunny location and be sure to support any taller varieties with sturdy stakes.”

A haulage firm with a 50-year history is poised to enter administration, according to reports. Sunhill Transport Ltd, based on Deeside, was founded in 1972 and is currently operated by the third generation of the founding family.

Widely regarded within the industry, the company is understood to operate a fleet of approximately 30 vehicles and employs numerous long-serving members of staff. However, the firm has now filed a Notice of Intention to appoint an administrator.

Jeffrey Donaldson, 63, has pleaded not guilty to 18 alleged offences.

The historical sexual offences trial of former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson is “on track” to begin on May 26, a judge has said.

Judge Paul Ramsey told Newry Crown Court he is hopeful the process of swearing a jury in the case will begin on that date.

Proceedings against Donaldson and his wife Lady Eleanor Donaldson have been delayed twice due to medical issues related to her.

Jeffrey Donaldson, 63, has pleaded not guilty to 18 alleged offences.

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The charges include one count of rape and allegations of indecent assault and gross indecency, and span a time period between 1985 and 2008, involving two alleged victims.

Eleanor Donaldson, 60, of Dublinhill Road, Dromore, is facing charges of aiding and abetting, which she denies.

Neither of the Donaldsons attended Tuesday’s hearing in Newry courthouse.

During the brief hearing, the judge said the court had received a report relating to Eleanor Donaldson which would require some legal argument.

The judge said: “We are on track to commence the case next Tuesday.”

Prosecuting barrister Rosemary Walsh KC said the timeline worked “as far as the prosecution is concerned”.

Defence barristers also indicated they hoped to be in a position to begin the case next week. The judge said he hoped to make a start on swearing the jury in on Tuesday.

Jeffrey Donaldson, a former long-standing MP for Lagan Valley, was arrested and charged at the end of March 2024.

He resigned as DUP leader and was suspended from the party after the allegations emerged. Weeks before his arrest, he had led the DUP back into Stormont after a two-year boycott of the powersharing institutions.

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

Golfers are well-renowned for loving a gadget, especially one that promises to shave strokes off their scorecard, which the best golf watch could very well do. The best golf watches with GPS work similarly to rangefinders, providing useful real-time data and distance information which can shape your decision-making on the course and track scores, plus stats to help you analyse and identify areas to improve on once you’re back at the clubhouse.

Golf pro and founder of Urban Golf James Day explains that the core function of a golf watch is the “convenience of having the yardage effortlessly. You really don’t have to do anything but walk up to your ball, look at your watch and the yardage is there.” Even the most basic golf watches give you distance to the front, back and middle of the green.

The best golf watches range from less than £150 up to £1,700. Some can be used straight out of the box, while others require more complicated integration with a smartphone and apps. All come pre-programmed with tens of thousands of global course maps and most offer hazards and layup information with numbers. Others have detailed, colourful graphics and heat maps.

The GPS accuracy of most golf watches tends to be within five yards, but finding a model that’s quick to load the hole, boasts excellent battery life and has additional fitness metrics, such as to track heart rate and sleep, might also factor into your choice.

Which is the best golf watch in 2026? At a glance:

Which golf watch should I buy?

Whether you’re after the best golf watches for beginners or the best golf watches for tracking performance, according to James, the best golf smart watch to choose is the one that gives you the information you need quickly, accessibly and in a way that won’t cause you to get distracted and overwhelmed. Especially if you’re a relative newbie: “The danger with golf is always overthinking, so if you’ve got a beginner who needs to be focusing on striking the ball nicely, getting the ball out the middle of the club and getting it to go straight, sometimes having too much information can be a big distraction,” he says.

How I tested the best golf watches

I tested these golf watches over a period of a few weeks, taking them golfing around south London (Richmond, Duke’s Meadows, Walton Heath) and indoor golf centres to see how they felt comfort-wise. I wore them day-to-day to assess battery life, functionality beyond the golf course and additional health features.

My family of four children (aged seven to 14) and my husband are all very keen golfers, so I also shared the watches around when we were on the golf course: my husband, brother-in-law, friend and even my 11-year-old daughter – who managed to set up a couple of these watches on her own – all tried them as well. This meant that the watches were tested by golfers at varying ability levels and locations to help determine their GPS accuracy, convenience, ease of use and more.

Sometimes, I doubled up and wore two at the same time to see if the distance estimations were the same (they were usually identical or varied by one yard). I also spent a lot of time tinkering with the golf watches and their accompanying apps at home, downloading and registering myself on a multitude of golf GPS apps, watching ‘How To’ videos and studying my data off the course.

The best golf watches of 2026

1. Garmin Approach S70

£509.99, Decathlon

Best Buy golf watch, 9/10

We like: Course info displayed quickly at each hole, stunning graphics, intuitive and easy set-up, useful extra features like Virtual Caddie

We don’t like: An expensive model at £500, only pairs with the newest Garmin Approach Z70 rangefinder

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli forces intercepted one of the remaining Gaza flotilla boats, stopping the vessel when it was about 82 nautical miles (around 150 kilometers or 95 miles) from Gaza, according to the flotilla’s website tracker.

A livestream on the website showed Israeli forces in a dinghy pulling up to the boat, called the “Andros,” and activists with their arms in the air.

The screen then went dark with a message saying the boat had been intercepted.

A handful of ships were still within 100 nautical miles of Gaza and sailing toward it as of Tuesday afternoon.

The Israeli navy’s new action resumed a day after the Israeli navy interdicted the activist flotilla in international waters off Cyprus.

It was the latest attempt by the Global Sumud Flotilla to challenge Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza and underscore the grim living conditions of Palestinians living in the territory.

Dozens of vessels departed from the port of Marmaris, Turkey, last week in what flotilla organizers described as the final leg of their planned journey to Gaza’s shores.

Some 41 boats were intercepted on Monday with another 10 continuing to sail before the Andros interception, according to Global Sumud Flotilla’s tracker.

GoPro action cameras have evolved from enthusiast tools for extreme sports, to essential pieces of kit for on-the-go content creators, vloggers, and adventurers of all stripes.

Small but mighty, the best GoPro cameras are capable of capturing smooth, cinematic video clips and vibrant, wide-angle photos. With shock-proof shells, natively waterproof housings, and a vast range of dedicated mounts and accessories, you can be confident the camera can handle any activity you’re likely to encounter.

After a decade working as a professional creator, with more than five years dedicated to testing out the latest camera technology, I’ve seen exactly what separates the best from the rest. This guide is designed to cut through the jargon with answers to common FAQs, walk you through GoPro’s latest lineup in my reviews, and help you find the perfect camera for your next adventure.

The best GoPro action cameras: At a glance

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How to choose the best GoPro action camera

GoPro’s current lineup spans the latest flagship Hero 13 Black, through to the budget-friendly GoPro Hero (2024). The previous-generation flagship, the Hero 12 Black, now sits in the middle of GoPro’s Hero lineup, while the Max 2 is the firm’s latest dual-lens, 360-degree offering. Shop around, and you can still find deals on older Hero 11 Black units, but GoPro has now retired this option from its official roster.

GoPro’s higher-end Hero Black models offer the most impressive image quality, with high bit-rate, high frame-rate video recording at up to 5K60. The Hero Black models are also where you’ll find GoPro’s most effective HyperSmooth video stabilisation tech and the greatest degree of camera control.

Be mindful, however, that higher-resolution and higher-frame rate footage can be storage-intensive and can demand a powerful computer for efficient video editing. For casual sharing on social media, standard 4K and high-quality 1080p footage generally suffices and is easier to store, edit, and upload.

All of GoPro’s current-generation action cameras offer native waterproofing, smartphone app control, and USB-C battery charging. You’ll also find the same accessory “mounting fingers” throughout GoPro’s entire range, enabling you to pair your camera with an expansive range of mounts, harnesses, and selfie sticks.

How we test GoPro action cameras

Charles Flores has been on death row for 26 years, after he was convicted of the 1998 murder of Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Black in Texas.

However, he has always maintained his innocence, and his case is one of the most bizarre in recent history.

Why? Because his conviction relied heavily on testimony from Black’s neighbour, Jill Barganier, whose account changed after she underwent forensic hypnosis.

Now, after exhausting all his appeals, Flores has one last chance at freedom: a petition to the Supreme Court.

NBC News recently sat down with Flores in his first national TV interview, where he claimed to have had no part in the killing.

Speaking with reporter Dan Slepian, Flores said: ‘I’m getting set up. I had nothing to do with the murder of Mrs Black.’

So, what happened?

In January 1998, William Black returned home to find his property had been burgled and his wife, Betty, had been fatally shot.

It was later revealed that the Blacks had been hiding drug money for their son, who was incarcerated at the time.

After the shooting, a handful of neighbours told police that they had witnessed two men get out of a Volkswagen Beetle with a distinctive print and enter the Black’s home.

One day later, Black’s next-door neighbour identified a man named Richard Childs as the driver. Childs later confessed to murder and took a plea for 35 years in prison. After serving 17 years, Childs was released on parole in 2016.

Five days after Childs was arrested, neighbour Barganier was taken into the police station to create a composite sketch of the passenger. While she identified Childs as the driver, she didn’t identify Flores, who was shown in two lineups.

Barganier was then hypnotised by a police officer. During the session, Barganier said the passenger was a white male with long hair and a medium build. This did not fit the description of Flores, who was described as ‘Hispanic, short, stocky, with then shaved hair.’

Before the hypnosis ended, the officer told her that she would ‘be able to recall more of the events as time goes on.’

However, it was later reported by Houston Public Media that not all rules were followed when recording the session, stating that a Texas law was broken. Back when the hypnosis technique was allowed, the state didn’t allow officers involved in the case to be part of a hypnosis session.

Then, 13 months later, Bargainer made a 360 statement during Flores’ trial, identifying him as the passenger in the Beetle and telling the court she was ‘100% sure’.

This bombshell comment immediately condemned Flores, even though no physical or DNA evidence tied him to the murder.

Additionally, while Flores didn’t pull the trigger, he still received the death sentence under Texas law for being an accomplice, and he was convicted under the law of parties.

This is despite him having an alibi — Flores maintains that he was making breakfast with his wife at the time of the murder — and not matching the accomplice description.

NBC reported the car used in the murder was hidden behind Flores’ home. He set it on fire two days later and fled to Mexico.

When he returned he led police on a chase and crashed his car, being taken to hospital where he again tried to escape.

When Slepian questioned why he had fled if he was innocent, he said: ‘I’m here to tell you that you also run when you are afraid.

‘I had that thought: “They’re going to kill me, they’re going to kill me”. And you know what? I was right. Where am I?’, as he sat on death row.

Flores came within five days of execution in 2016 but was issued a stay after he put forward evidence from psy­chol­o­gy pro­fes­sor Steven Lynn, whose research linked the hypnosis method used with the cre­ation of false mem­o­ries.

An investigation in 2020 by Dallas Morning News found investigative hypnosis had been used in at least 1,700 cases in Texas since the 1980s, resulting in prison convictions and even death sentences.

After experts raised concerns, the method was banned from criminal proceedings as the process was acknowledged to be unreliable. However, it did not apply retroactively and Flores’ conviction stood.

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Good Morning Britain presenter Susanna Reid spoke to the director and actor from a new factual drama based around Madeliene McCann’s disappearance

Susanna Reid revealed that Madeleine McCann’s disappearance profoundly affected her.

The Good Morning Britain presenter was co-hosting the ITV programme with Ed Balls on Tuesday, May 19 when they interviewed the star and director behind the new Kate McCann factual drama.

Actress Laura Bayston portrays Madeleine’s mother in Channel 5’s Under Suspicion: Kate McCann, which examines the high-profile case surrounding three year old Madeleine’s disappearance from her family’s holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in the Algarve, Portugal in May 2007.

Kate and her husband Gerry McCann, who were exonerated of any involvement in 2008, became wrongly implicated in a cover-up. Kate experienced the agonising balance between cooperation and self-protection while enduring relentless hours of police interrogation.

Speaking with director Paula Wittig, mother-of-three Susanna acknowledged the case’s profound impact on her as a parent of young sons at that time, reports the Mirror.

Questioning Paula about her aims for the drama, Susanna stated: “This is such a high-profile case, I think it’s one we all remember about how it effected you personally when you found out.

“I remember I didn’t sleep for two weeks after Madeleine McCann went missing because one of my children was exactly the same age as Madeleine. I mean it was just devastating. So what do you want to convey through this drama?”

Paula replied: “We weren’t intending to retell the whole story or reinterrogate the whole case. We were very much foicused on this particular point in time and when I read the source material and when I looked through everything I felt that it had been hugely misrepresented and misunderstood and I saw an opportunity to really tell the truth about what happened also to look at it through a very human emotional lens.”

The factual drama picks up three months into the hunt for Madeleine. Portuguese police are without significant leads, concrete evidence, or any arrests.

As global scrutiny intensifies, they call in Madeleine’s mother, Kate, for questioning. In stark contrast to previous amicable exchanges, this encounter takes a confrontational tone from the outset.

When Kate questions why she is being treated in such a manner, officers inform her they do not believe her account. The drama draws upon official statements and recorded testimony, depicting Kate McCann’s interrogation as Portuguese investigators face mounting pressure to produce results.

Public sympathy has given way to suspicion as the world’s media seizes upon forensic evidence, leaked by police, which appears to implicate the McCanns. Kate now finds herself designated as an official witness.

Following eleven hours of questioning, Kate is informed that she will be formally named “arguida” – a formal suspect – the following day. Police then applied further pressure for a confession, warning that without one, she could face charges of murdering her own daughter. This bombshell not only puts Kate’s liberty at risk, but also extinguishes any remaining hope of locating Madeleine. With detectives convinced of her guilt, Kate fears the search for the true perpetrator will be abandoned.

During her final police interview, Kate rejects every accusation, responding “no comment” on the advice of her solicitor. The drama unfolds as she departs the police station, bringing viewers back to the story’s core — a mother desperately searching for her missing child.

Good Morning Britain is on ITV1 weekdays at 6am and ITVX. Under Suspicion: Kate McCann will air on Channel 5 on Wednesday May 20 at 9pm

A Co Antrim school has said that their doors will remain locked and pupils kept indoors until they receive further guidance from the PSNI after a sinister email was sent to a number of schools in the area.

In a Facebook post, St Benedict’s College in Randalstown said that “the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff remains our highest priority”.

An email was sent to a number of schools overnight claiming that pipe bombs had been left inside and outside their premises and that the sender would be travelling to every school it had been sent to “armed with multiple guns and knives to attack and hurt as many people as possible”.

In their social media post, St Benedict’s College said: “You may be aware of social media reports regarding a security threat received by a number of schools in the Antrim area this morning.

“The PSNI has been informed and, at this stage, the matter is not being treated as a serious threat. However, it is being addressed at a senior level, and we will continue to follow all guidance provided.

“As a precaution, school doors will remain locked throughout the day as normal. Pupils will remain indoors until we receive further guidance from the PSNI.

“The safety and wellbeing of our students and staff remains our highest priority. We will keep parents informed and will notify you immediately should the situation change. Thank you for your patience and understanding.”

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Cllr Leah Kirkpatrick said: “A number of schools across the area have received a security threat this morning. The PSNI are aware and are not treating it as a credible threat.

“Schools have activated security procedures and are keeping doors locked throughout the day as a precaution. I understand this will undoubtedly cause worry and concern for parents. I want to reassure parents that PSNI are dealing with this and are liaising with local schools. Please check your school’s communications for updates.

“I cannot get my head around why anyone would feel the need to do something like this.”

SDLP Antrim Councillor Roisin Lynch condemned the threatening email sent to schools in the area.

Councillor Roisin Lynch said: “This threatening message and reports of a hoax attack have caused understandable fear and anxiety among school communities and families across Antrim. It was a deeply sinister act clearly designed to cause disruption and distress and it is difficult to understand what could motivate someone to target children, parents and school staff in this way.

“I welcome the swift response from police, emergency services and schools to reassure pupils and parents and ensure people’s safety. No parent should have to fear for their child’s safety when sending them to school and no young person should have their education disrupted by threats of this nature.

“I would encourage anyone with information to cooperate fully with the police investigation. I hope this incident is confirmed to be a hoax as soon as possible, the person behind this is apprehended and that school communities can return to normal without any further disruption or concern.”

A PSNI spokesperson said: “Police received reports today, Tuesday 19th May, of an email having been sent to multiple schools and businesses in the County Antrim area.

“Officers are investigating the contents included within this email, and are conducting a number of enquiries. Reassurance patrols have also been increased in the areas affected, in order help keep our communities safe. We would urge anyone to report anything suspicious to police on our 101 number, always 999 in an emergency.

“Police will also be engaging with anyone affected including schools, businesses and our partner agencies throughout the course of today as our enquiries continue.”

A spokesperson for the Education Authority (EA) added: “We are aware of an email that a number of schools in the Co Antrim area have received a threatening email.

“The PSNI are investigating the contents and are conducting a number of enquiries. They have also stepped up reassurance patrols in the area.

“The EA will continue to work to liaise with local schools and PSNI and would encourage everyone to continue to be vigilant and report anything suspicious to police immediately by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency.”

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

Police would like to speak to two witnesses captured on CCTV

A man was injured after being attacked with an axe and baton. The victim was assaulted by two men armed with a climber’s axe and baton in Newmarket High Street on April 5.

The incident is thought to have happened between 1.15am and 1.50am. Suffolk Police would like to speak to two women captured on CCTV who may have witnessed the attack.

A police spokesperson said: “Officers would like to speak to these two female witnesses who might be able to assist their inquiries and ask them to come forward. Also, anyone who knows them can contact Suffolk Police via www.suffolk.police.uk/tell-us or call 101, quoting crime reference 37/19067/26.”

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