Unwanted rodents can be removed without harm, according to the RSPCA.

The charity has shared advice on humane ways to deter rats and mice from homes and gardens to prevent property damage.

Rats and mice can be inconvenient visitors but they don’t have to die or be harmed if they invade your space – here’s how you can get rid of them.

Rats can cause costly damage to properties (Image: Getty)

The charity explains on its website: “Rats and mice commonly live in gardens and parks in the UK as they’ll have easy access to food sources, such as food put down for other animals.

“They can be attracted to spilt wild bird food, scattered by birds from feeders or tables. Compost heaps can also be a major attraction as they offer food, shelter and warmth.

You can find out more about rats and mice via the RSPCA website.

How to get rid of rats in your garden humanely

1 – Remove food sources

The RSPCA advises that you reduce or remove any food sources that are accessible to the rodents and you should make sure that any food containers or bins are airtight and rodent-proof.

If you feed wildlife in your garden, you’ll need to make sure you clean up any food and sometimes, it could be a good idea to stop leaving food out for a little while.

2 – Grow plants rats don’t like

You can also keep rodents at bay by planting wood hyacinth, allium and daffodils in your garden – these act as repellents.

3 – Remove possible shelter

If you’re unsure whether rats have made their way into your home or garden, pest control company Rentokil has shared some things to look out for.

These include rat droppings, rub marks and gnaw marks.

You might also spot small footprints, rat holes or even nests.

The experts advise acting fast if you have noticed any of these signs of a rat infestation.

Have you ever had rats in your home or garden? Let us know in the comments below.

Ysgubor Llwynneuadd is a beautiful barn conversion located in the heart of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park and has many guests wishing they can stay longer

With travel uncertainties looming, those looking to book a getaway might want to consider a holiday cottage escape in the UK. Wales is one of the UK’s most scenic staycation destinations, offering everything from rolling countryside to beautiful coastlines. Holiday cottages provide the ideal base for exploring the beautiful surrounding locations or to simply just unwind somewhere peaceful.

Positioned for exploring the breathtaking surroundings of the Brecon Beacons, the Ysgubor Llwynneuadd is a stylish countryside barn which sits in a secluded spot near the village of Sennybridge, known for its welcoming country pubs.

Guests can enjoy scenic walks through the Welsh countryside, keep an eye out for the area’s famous red kites, or climb up Pen y Fan.

The Ysgubor Llwynneuadd is currently available to book through holidaycottages.co.uk , with discounted offers available throughout the summer.

Inside, the spacious open-plan living area is bright and inviting, with floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing the valley views. There’s a cosy lounge with a Smart TV, a relaxing sunroom, and a fully equipped kitchen complete with everything needed for family meals. Love dreamy Welsh homes? Sign up to our newsletter here

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Sleeping up to ten guests, the Barn features four comfortable bedrooms, including doubles, twins and additional pull-out beds, alongside multiple bathrooms for convenience. Outside, guests can make the most of the enclosed garden and seating area, an ideal place to sit back and take in the scenery.

Another beautiful barn-conversion is the Y Granar located in Powys which can sleep up to six guests and is available to book on Sykes Cottages. It is a three bedroom, three bathroom property that has beautiful countryside views.

Another holiday homes site worth checking is Luxury Cottages which features beautiful Welsh properties within stunning locations, for example the Mill House in Powys which is dog-friendly and can sleep up to 10 guests.

Those who have stayed in the Ysgubor Llwynneuadd praised the holiday home highly. The most recent review states: “Beautiful cottage great location very comfortable and spacious for 6 adults and 2 dogs . Fully recommended.”

Another pleased visitor said: “We had an amazing time staying at the barn. The property itself is well thought out, the layout is great with so much space. Everything we needed was provided, and more! The enclosed garden was great for the dogs, allowing them some space to run around. The location is absolutely stunning – we miss waking up to those views each morning! It was amazing being so close to so many beautiful places.”

A third reviewer of the Ysgubor Llwynneuadd called it “a great place excellent for families to stay with great views. The barn is beautifully designed and well equipped. “

The visitor went on to say: “We only stayed for 3 nights but would definitely love to visit again and plan for some local walks. Would highly recommend this place to anyone who is thinking of booking this place.”

The swearing-in ceremony, held at the Scottish Parliament, marked the first formal business of the new parliamentary session, with all 129 MSPs taking the oath or affirmation of allegiance.

Angela Constance has been officially sworn in as the Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Almond Valley following her re-election, marking her fifth consecutive term representing the constituency.

The swearing-in ceremony, held at the Scottish Parliament, marked the first formal business of the new parliamentary session, with all 129 MSPs taking the oath or affirmation of allegiance.

Speaking after the ceremony, Ms Constance expressed her gratitude to constituents and reaffirmed her commitment to serving the people of Almond Valley.

She said: “I am incredibly grateful to everyone who placed their trust in me, and I will work hard every day to represent all constituents across our communities.”

READ MORE: Thousands of homes in West Lothian yet to benefit from major broadband upgrade

“Almond Valley is one of the best places to live, work, raise a family, and grow old, and my constituency team and I will continue to assist residents with a range of issues, including access to public services, cost of living concerns, transport, healthcare matters, and other local issues affecting our communities.”

Ms Constance also acknowledged the ongoing pressures faced by households, particularly rising living costs.

She added: “I am aware that living costs, especially food and energy bills, continue to affect households across Almond Valley. That is why over the course of this Parliament, the Scottish Government has set out ambitious plans for the next five years.

“For parents, childcare provision will be significantly expanded, while first-time buyers will benefit from up to £10,000 in support towards their house deposit.

READ MORE: West Lothian Pride won’t happen next year as it stands

Following the removal of peak rail fares, we will also introduce a nationwide £2 cap on bus fares across Scotland. In addition, measures will be put in place to help with food costs, including a price cap on a basket of essential items.

“Livingston will also benefit from a new walk-in GP centre, open seven days a week, making it easier to access care when it is needed most.”

Constituents seeking assistance can contact Angela Constance MSP’s constituency office by either emailing angela.constance.msp@parliament.scot or by Telephoning: 01506 460403 open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

READ MORE: West Lothian councillors to get twice yearly updates on pothole and road repairs

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The dress is easy to throw on when the weather is hot

As the weather starts to heat up in time for the summer, you might be on the look out for some new outfits for the season. You could pop to your local Tesco to check out what its clothing brand, F&F, has in stock.

The brand has just released the new F&F Striped Bandeau Midi Dress in Multi Brown, which is described as being a “timeless piece”. The striped dress has been “cut to flattering midi length for a stylish finish” and has a ruched bodice.

The item has a “pretty bandeau neckline” and “handy hidden pockets” that add a bit of utility to the dress. The dress is currently being sold for £25 and will be a staple in your summer wardrobe for 2026.

The dress was shared in a video to the Tesco F&F Instagram page, which currently has 890K followers. The post was captioned: “Dressing for the weather you deserve. #FandFClothing. #StyleItOut.”

Fans of the F&F brand have already started to share their opinions on the new dress via social media. One commenter said: “Stunning,” and another said: “I have just brought this and it’s lovely!!! can’t wait to wear.”

If you want to get your hands on the stylish dress, you can go to the Tesco F&F website to browse all of its clothes that are currently available. You could also go to a Tesco store with a clothing department in person.

If this piece is not quite what you are looking for, Boden has plenty of dresses to choose from. There is this Embroidered Shirt Dress, which would look perfect for a summer picnic or garden party, or this Naomi Short Jersey Dress that is described by reviews as being “very comfortable to wear”.

New Look also has lots of options in stock for the summertime. There is this Cream Hibiscus Chiffon Cowl Neck Midi Dress, which would look great on holiday, or this Light Yellow Cotton Button Through Mini Dress that comes in a few different colours.

Family-focused the CX-5 is hugely popular and it sits above the compact CX-30 and below its larger siblings the CX-60 and CX-80.

In this instalment of Drive Time, John tries out the brand new Mazda CX-5 – the company’s most important model globally and in the UK – and examines the new Design version of the Skoda Karoq.

The next few months are going to be hugely important for Mazda with no fewer than three new models being launched by the Japanese brand.

In the summer the all-electric 6e saloon/hatch will arrive followed in the autumn by the company’s first electric SUV the CX-6e but the most important model to launch is the new CX-5, the company’s global best seller.

It has sold over five million units since it went on sale back in 2012 and it is by far Mazda’s most successful car so it is crucial to the brand.

Family-focused the CX-5 is hugely popular and it sits above the compact CX-30 and below its larger siblings the CX-60 and CX-80.

Priced from £31,550 the new CX-5 which is now on sale, undercuts the starting price of its predecessor and is available in four trim levels named Prime-Line, Centre-Line, Exclusive-Line and the top Homura grade.

The newcomer will only be offered with one powerplant – an optimised version of the 2.5-litre Skyactiv G petrol engine, mated with 24V M Hybrid technology.

This replaces the former 2.0-litre petrol unit and there is no longer a diesel option.

It produces 141ps and 238Nm of torque and gives the front-wheel drive version an acceleration time of 0-62mph in 10.5 seconds.

The top two models offer a choice of two or four-wheel drive and every model in the range comes with a six-speed automatic gearbox as standard.

As the CX-5 is so popular Mazda has not messed too much with the car’s stylish looks.

It is a tad longer, taller and wider than its predecessor but it is still instantly recognisable as a CX-5 and the longer wheelbase results in a welcome increase in head, leg and shoulder space for rear passengers.

READ MORE: JOHN MURDOCH’S DRIVE TIME: We get behind the wheel of the BMW Electric SUV and find out how Mazda is using biofuel on new CX-5 launch

Boot space has increased to 583 litres, 61 litres more than the outgoing car, and when you fold the rear seats this goes up to 2019 litres – better than any of its main rivals.

The rear seats can also be split 40:20:40 to provide extra versatility.

While the exterior Kodo Soul of Motion design has not changed much, it is a different story in the cabin.

Sadly, the popular rotary control has been ditched but that leaves more space in the new centre console and the top two trims get a panoramic sunroof.

The Homura grade gets ambient lighting and the choice of black or tan leather, while Exclusive-Line customers can opt for black and white artificial leather.

A large touchscreen dominates the dash -12.9-inch on most grades and a larger 15.6-inch version on the Homura.

There is also a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and the centre display covers all the smartphone interaction with lots of menus which will take time to master.

For the first time the CX-5 gets Google built-in and all that it offers.

Mazda opted to launch the new car in Scotland with a testing 250-mile drive starting in Edinburgh and travelling through the lovely scenery of the Borders.

I sampled both two and four-wheel drive versions and found them both to be ideal on the twisting country roads and faster straight stretches.

The cars handled well with little roll and the suspension soaked up most bumps without fuss.

The steering is accurate with lots of feedback and all-round visibility is good.from the comfortable seats.

Certainly the new CX-5 is not the fastest in its class and it could be rather noisy if pushed too hard but it will have enough pace for most customers who won’t drive it as hard as journalists do on a launch.

READ MORE: JOHN MURDOCH’S DRIVE TIME: We get behind the wheel of the new Audi Q3 e-hybrid model and preview Kia’s Seltos SUV

As I mentioned last week, the cars used in the launch were filled with biofuel and there was no difference in the performance.

The new CX-5 is as stylish and attractive as the model it replaces and offers even more space and practicality and is sure to be a winner.

It comes with all the latest safety and driver aids and has already been awarded a five-star NCAP rating.

My only gripes are the loss of the rotary control and letters replacing the neat Mazda logo on the wheel and rump.

In further fresh developments, Skoda is to broaden the appeal of its best-selling Karoq with a new Design Edition featuring a striking exterior design package along with a high standard specification to give buyers even better value for money.

The new Design Edition sits between the existing SE Edition and SE L Edition models in the revised model range.

Priced from £31,610, the new Design Edition is £650 more than the SE Edition, yet comes with a host of additional equipment.

The Karoq Design Edition is distinguished by its dynamic exterior styling which features a host of elements designed to give it a strikingly dynamic look.

In addition to new 18-inch black alloy wheels, the Design Edition also features black door mirrors and radiator grille, black roof rails, extended rear spoiler and black Skoda and Karoq lettering on the tailgate.

Inside, the Design Edition features a Lodge interior design selection with black fabric upholstery, along with all the technology features buyers have come to expect from Skoda.

The new trim grade also comes with drive mode select with ECO function as standard.

In terms of other equipment, the Design Edition features an Amundsen touchscreen satellite navigation system with eight-inch screen, along with an eight-speaker sound system and a 10.25-inch Virtual cockpit driver display.

Heated front seats, a two-spoke heated leather multifunction steering wheel (with paddles for DSG), rear view camera and a keyless entry and start/stop system are also included as part of the Design Edition’s standard specification.

Customers ordering the new Karoq Design Edition can choose from two powertrain options: a 1.0 TSI 116ps or a 1.5 TSI 150ps unit.

Both are equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox with the 1.5 TSI 150ps additionally available with a seven-speed DSG transmission.

Prices for the new Karoq Design Edition range from £31,610 OTR for the 1.0 TSI 116ps manual variant to £34,235 OTR for the 1.5 TSI 150ps DSG variant.

First deliveries are expected at the end of July.

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Nearly three months after President Donald Trump took a hammer to Americans’ disposable income by launching an air war against Iran, it appears the Middle East nation has figured out the best way to handle the threats and intermittent bouts of bluster from Trump’s social-media-based diplomacy: Ignore it.

Trump was set to convene top advisers in the White House Situation Room Tuesday to discuss options for a return to the bombing campaign he has spent months claiming as a “total victory” over Tehran before he announced Monday on Truth Social that he’d be postponing renewed attacks at the request of Qatari, Saudi and Emirati leaders, who he claimed are involved in “serious negotiations” towards “a deal which will be very acceptable to the United States of America, as well as all Countries in the Middle East, and beyond.”

“Based on my respect for the above mentioned Leaders, I have instructed Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, The Chairman of The Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Daniel Caine, and The United States Military, that we will NOT be doing the scheduled attack of Iran tomorrow, but have further instructed them to be prepared to go forward with a full, large scale assault of Iran, on a moment’s notice, in the event that an acceptable Deal is not reached,” he said.

Trump’s latest eleventh-hour reversal comes a day after he told Axios that he believes Iranian leaders still want to come to some manner of agreement and warned that Tehran is “going to get hit much harder” if they don’t capitulate to his demands.

The president also cautioned that “there won’t be anything left of them” if they fail to rush through a deal to end the war, writing on Truth Social that “the clock is ticking” for Iran.

“They better get moving, FAST, or there won’t be anything left of them. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!

At the same time, the president remains fixated on demonizing news reporting on how the “total victory” he has been boasting of since mid-March isn’t nearly as “total” as he has claimed.

In the midst of a days-long stream of Truth Social posts about upcoming House and Senate primaries interspersed with AI-generated slop content showing him with captured aliens, among other things, Trump lashed out at the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and CNN for reporting about the war’s depletion of American munitions stockpiles that defense experts say will take years to rebuild as well as how Iran’s own capabilities remain largely intact despite Trump’s insistence that their forces have been “decimated.”

Meanwhile, Tehran is carrying on with its efforts to inflict as much economic pain on the global economy as possible without regard for anything Trump tells journalists or thumbs into his social media account. Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz leading to a spike in gas prices across the globe.

On Monday, Iranian officials created an X account for what the regime is calling the “Persian Gulf Strait Authority” — as prosaic and anodyne-sounding an organization as, say, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

A post announcing the establishment of the new agency described it as the “legal entity and representative authority of the Islamic Republic of Iran for managing the passage and transit through the Strait of Hormuz.”

It appeared to be a giant middle finger raised defiantly in Trump’s direction ahead of his reported war council session and came on the same day that Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei warned that his country is “fully prepared for every scenario” and “will not be subdued by contradictory behavior and threats” from the U.S. side of the conflict .

“In the event of any reckless action we will respond with full strength, and I assure you that our armed forces will definitely have new ‘surprises’ for the enemy,” he said.

There was a time when Trump’s Twitter tantrums could be said to have garnered at least some results.

His threats of “fire and fury” against North Korea and talk of a “nuclear button” arguably brought about a lull in Pyongyang’s provocations against South Korea and Japan during his first term, even as a pair of summits with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un failed to bring about anything remotely resembling progress towards the longstanding goal of denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula.

Not anymore.

By now, Iranian leaders can see Trump’s appetite for more war falling just as fast as his approval rating — or as fast as gas prices continue to rise while they choke off the world’s access to a fifth of its oil supply by seizing control of the Strait.

They know that Trump hasn’t had the fortitude to order American naval forces to reopen what is supposed to be an international waterway and clear any mines Tehran has laid. And because he’s alienated most of America’s allies — including those who could assist in mine-clearing or escorting civilian ships — they know they effectively control the strait and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

They can also read the same newspapers and polls that Trump and his aides can.

They see the American public is widely set against the war and disapproves of Trump’s handling of the entire matter.

And because they have managed to keep much of their own capabilities in reserve by hiding missile infrastructure and other military materiel deep underground, they can keep up a defense that will make Trump’s continued boasts of “total victory” look ever more ridiculous, even in the face of what could be a punishing renewed air campaign.

So long as they can hold the strait, to borrow a phrase from Trump, they “hold all the cards.”

Through no fault of its own, the beefsteak tomato may have the most unfortunate name of the summer.

Beef and tomato prices are soaring, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ April inflation report, likely leaving many consumers wondering if burgers with all the fixings are the best choice for summer barbecues.

The inflation report provides price movements for certain grocery and everyday items based on month-to-month and year-on-year comparisons.

And while beef prices have risen by double digits year on year, they aren’t even close to the increase tomatoes have seen.

Beef gets bougie

Beef prices are 14.8 percent higher year-on-year. Ground beef is 14.5 percent higher – it’s $6.90 per pound, on average, according to the Federal Reserve.

One year ago, a pound of ground beef was $5.80.

While the Iran war has contributed to higher prices – the diesel fuel needed to transport beef is around 48 percent higher than it was last year, Yahoo Finance reported – other factors are involved.

Limited supply has led to pricier beef. In February, the U.S. cattle supply reached its lowest point since the early 1950s, Texas-based bulk beef producer Circle J Meat Co. wrote.

The re-emergence of a dangerous pest, the New World screwworm, has contributed to higher prices, too. The worm threatens cattle populations across the globe, according to data from the federal Farm Bureau. The U.S. had to order a one-day stop to cattle imports from Mexico because of the screwworm threat.

Barbecue alternatives for beef

While there’s nothing that quite replaces the flavor and texture of beef, there are alternatives that can cut down on the cost of a backyard burger bash, said Christine Pittman, CEO of recipe site COOKtheSTORY.

Pittman recommends cutting beef with other ingredients. For example, ground beef can be cut with sautéed mushrooms. A half-and-half mix is surprisingly good, Pittman said.

“They have a lot of umami and great meaty flavor and texture, sometimes you can’t even really tell they’re in there, so you use half as much sautéed mushrooms as ground beef,” she told The Independent in an email.

Towering tomato prices

Month-on-month, tomatoes cost 15 percent more in April than they did in March, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Tomato prices have jumped 40 percent since April 2025, transforming it from an affordable option for salads and burgers to a far pricier addition in those dishes.

A pound of field-grown tomatoes cost an average of $2.89 in April, according to the Federal Reserve – $1.10 more than a year earlier.

Tomato prices have risen because of supply issues. Freezing temperatures in Florida, disease, and heavy rains in Mexico, and darker-than-normal winter months in Canada have diminished the tomato harvest, according to the fresh produce industry publication The Packer. The estimated losses in Florida alone as high as 80 percent.

High diesel prices due to the war in Iran are also contributing to the skyrocketing costs.

Tomato alternatives

While there’s no spot-on match for tomatoes, Jessica Randhawa, founder of family-friendly recipe site The Forked Spoon, said red peppers can be a solid alternative.

“Red bell peppers can add a similar sweetness and body to tomatoes in soups, sauces and stews,” she told The Independent in an email.

Bell peppers are missing the acidity that tomatoes provide – a splash of lemon juice or vinegar can suffice, Randhawa recommended.

Milk madness

The price of milk rose 1.6 percent from March to April, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A gallon of whole milk was up 2.9 percent month-on-month – it averaged $4.14 in April, up around six cents compared to a year before, according to the Federal Reserve.

The average price of whole milk reached $4.01 in April 2022, marking the first time it had surged past $4 a gallon in the 39-year history of the Fed tracking its price.

The dynamics behind milk’s high prices are complicated. Milk production has been booming over the past two years, which normally means prices go down since supply is plentiful.

However, foreign demand for U.S. milk and a consumer push to buy protein-heavy foods like yogurt have boosted demand and, in part, raised prices, noted the industry publication Dairy Herd Management.

Eggs are an exception

For the longest time during the pandemic, eggs were the poster child of inflation. Their price rose from $1.53 per dozen of large Grade A eggs in March 2020 to a record $6.23 in March 2025 – that’s more than a 400 percent increase.

While inflation played a part in eggs becoming so expensive, disease was the driver – a strain of bird flu killed some 20 million egg-laying chickens in 2024, according to the University of Nebraska’s Global Center for Health Security department.

Yet since reaching their highest point just over a year ago, egg prices have plummeted to $2.25 in April, thanks, in part, to fewer chickens dying from bird flu, the Farm Bureau noted.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “At around 11.50am today (Monday, May 18), three fire engines from across Greater Manchester attended an incident at Royal Bolton Hospital, Farnworth.

“Crews arrived quickly to a suspected lightning strike with reports of multiple electrical failures in the building.

“Four members of hospital staff presented themselves to A&E for suspected electric shock and one person was rescued from a lift by onsite engineers.

“Crews assisted in making the area safe before departing after roughly an hour in attendance.”

The incident has since been scaled down following the attendance of emergency services.

Rae Wheatcroft, Chief Operating Officer at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust said: “We can confirm that earlier today a lightning strike at Royal Bolton Hospital caused some electrical issues across the site.

“These have now been largely resolved, with the exception of some communication equipment, for which backup systems are in place.

“A small number of staff affected by the incident are being assessed as a precaution.”

It is hoped the new initiative will provide a boost to local tourism and nightlife

Key Belfast stakeholders have backed a new public engagement initiative to highlight Translink’s late night Metro services.

Running throughout 2026, the Late Night Services pilot programme operates across Belfast on Friday and Saturday nights across key Metro routes with departures between midnight and 2am.

Partners across Belfast’s business, cultural and political sectors have shown their support for a new initiative designed to enhance awareness of the extended services ahead of a busy summer of activity for the city.

Launched at City Hall, a custom-built, interactive mobile Metro bus installation will appear at key locations and high footfall areas throughout Belfast, offering the public an engaging way to learn more about late night travel options and the benefits of using public transport.

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With its eye-catching pink livery, the portable bus installation will also feature at major events and festivals in the city’s calendar, including Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in August. The transportation provider believes it will help connect people with safe and reliable transport during some of Belfast’s busiest nights.

Ian Campbell, Director of Service Operations at Translink said: “Strong collective support for extended late night public transport on Friday and Saturday nights is key to the success of this pilot. We’re delighted to have key partners help us launch our new interactive Metro installation, encouraging people to use the service at key events and venues across the city and giving people a simple and engaging way to see how it can help make Belfast better connected after dark.

“We’re also grateful for the support of the Northern Ireland Executive, Belfast City Council and our city partners in helping us deliver this year-long pilot.”

Deputy Lord Mayor Paul Doherty said: “We’re delighted to back this initiative to increase more awareness of Translink’s late night services programme over the summer. Having longer public transport hours on Friday and Saturday nights is fantastic news for our residents and visitors to key events in the city like Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in August.