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Trump will leave press ‘absolutely in love’ with him after White House Correspondents’ Dinner, says insider: Live updates

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Trump will leave press ‘absolutely in love’ with him after White House Correspondents’ Dinner, says insider: Live updates

President Donald Trump will head to the Washington Hilton hotel this evening for the annual White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, his first time at the glitzy gala as president.

The Republican broke longstanding norms by skipping the event multiple times during his previous years in office.

The president is reportedly plotting a revenge-focused speech for the event, though his daughter-in-law Lara Trump promises the address will be more of a charm offensive.

“He’s one of the funniest people I’ve ever met,” she told Fox & Friends on Saturday. “If they don’t leave there absolutely in love with Donald Trump, I will be shocked.”

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The president may be aiming for some punchlines, but this year’s Correspondents’ Dinner won’t feature a top comedian as MC, as has been typical in the past. Instead, mentalist Oz Pearlman will host.

Arrivals to the dinner are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Eastern time.

Trump’s return to the Correspondents’ Dinner comes as his administration continues to lock horns with the press.

Earlier this week, FBI Director Kash Patel filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic over a bombshell exposé alleging he drinks excessively and has performed erratically in the job, claims he strongly denies.

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Trump attacks ‘failing’ New York Times on eve of Correspondents’ Dinner

Lafayette Park
Lafayette Park (AP)

President Donald Trump is attacking The New York Times over a recent article, even as he prepares to toast (or maybe roast) the press at this evening’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

Trump claimed the paper was attempting to “grossly mischaracterize” recent government efforts to restore Lafayette Park, which sits across from the White House.

The outlet reported that the Trump administration gave an unusually lucrative no-bid contract to spruce up the park to a Maryland construction firm, bucking the usual procedure for government projects, which typically solicit multiple bids before spending taxpayer funds.

“I made a multimillion contribution to the effort, and got others to do the same, but was not in charge of handing out the contract,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “That was done by the National Parks Service, and they gave it to the largest and most respected Construction Firm, for many years, in D.C., Clark Construction — A greatly respected firm, by far, the biggest in D.C.”

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The administration previously told the paper the awarding of the contract was done in an “above board” manner.

Josh Marcus25 April 2026 22:05

The journalists boycotting the White House Correspondents’ Dinner

(Reuters)

The White House Correspondents’ Dinner has always had its critics in journalism circles — some take issue with the chummy socializing between reporters and government officials they spend their days covering — but President Trump’s return to the dinner this year has provoked a different level of controversy.

Journalists across the industry have vowed to boycott the event or use their attendance to protest what they see as the president’s attacks on the press.

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“The collective weight of the administration’s actions — retaliatory access bans, coercive regulatory investigations, frivolous lawsuits against the press, defunding of public broadcasting, dismantling of international broadcasting, physical restrictions on journalists, personal verbal attacks on reporters, assaults on the media in official White House press releases and social media posts, the arrests of journalists, and the pardoning of those who committed violence against the press — represent the most systematic and comprehensive assault on freedom of the press by a sitting American president,” a group of prominent media figures wrote in a letter to the White House Correspondents’ Association, calling on attendees to “speak forcefully” in defense of the press while Trump was in the building.

Others say they’re skipping the event entirely.

“We will not join our media colleagues in partying with Donald Trump, an authoritarian who seeks to curtail the First Amendment and criminalize journalism, who puts masked agents on the street to racially profile and kidnap people and kill people, who jails foreign students for their pro-Palestine speech, who seeks to denaturalize US citizens, who has made it US policy to summarily execute people at sea, who is massacring children and threatening the global economy with his disastrous war in Iran,” the progressive outlet Zeteo wrote in a Saturday note. “There is no reason to don a tuxedo and celebrate this racist wannabe tyrant. There is nothing to be gained by showing up to the dinner with the hopes of offering any small act of protest.”

Journalist David Shuster took a similar tack.

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“With the White House Correspondents Association declaring Donald Trump an ‘honoree’ at tonight’s dinner, I declined an organization’s invitation to attend,” he wrote on X. “The sane washing of Trump and his war on the press is dangerous. And the [White House Correspondents’ Association] is an absolute disgrace.”

Josh Marcus25 April 2026 21:50

A new chapter in Trump’s battle with the media

President Trump’s appearance at today’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner comes at a low ebb in his already-fraught relationship with the press.

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Earlier this month, President Trump threatened to jail an unnamed reporter after details about the rescue of a downed U.S. pilot in the Iran war made it into the press.

“We’re going to go to the media company that released it,” Trump said during a press conference, “and we’re going to say, ‘National security — give it up or go to jail.’ And we know who, and you know who, we’re talking about.”

The president, who helped mainstream the idea that journalists are the “fake news,” has attacked the press throughout his time in office.

Last year, he filed a $10 billion lawsuit against the owners of The Wall Street Journal after the paper published details about a lewd letter Trump allegedly sent the sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein. (The suit was dismissed this month.)

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Josh Marcus25 April 2026 21:29

Press will be ‘absolutely in love’ with Trump after WHCD

(AFP/Getty)

Donald Trump will finally charm the media during his speech at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, according to his daughter-in-law, despite years of Trump bashing the press.

“He has been preparing to go into this snake pit of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner his entire life,” Lara Trump told Fox & Friends on Saturday. “He’s gonna have jokes. He’s one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. If they don’t leave there absolutely in love with Donald Trump, I will be shocked. They’ve been trying not to love him for so long.”

Trump previously told The Hill that her father-in-law has been working with some “great people” to craft his WHCD routine, a speech which has typically involved a mix of presidential stumping and light roasting of members of the press.

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Trump, of course, has a far more fraught relationship with the media than most presidents.

He’s demonized mainstream journalists for years as the “fake news,” and he’s sued major outlets for critical coverage throughout his career.

Josh Marcus25 April 2026 20:41

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Is the Correspondents’ Dinner a ‘bad look’?

Joe Biden cheers at the 2024 White House Correspondents’ Dinner
Joe Biden cheers at the 2024 White House Correspondents’ Dinner (AFP/Getty)

Each year, the White House Correspondents’ Dinner revives the debate: Is it an ethical red flag for journalists and policymakers to celebrate together?

Some outlets argue that the dinner is an important one for the media and elected leaders alike, highlighting a shared respect for each other and the First Amendment. Hosts at the dinner have regularly pointed out that in many other nations, top entertainers and journalists would not be able to comedically roast their sitting leader.

Others, however, take issue with the appearance of top journalists hobnobbing with the political officials they are supposed to be covering impartially. The New York Times is among the outlets whose reporters do not attend the event.

“What was once (a fairly long time ago) a well-intended night of fundraising and camaraderie among professional adversaries is now simply a bad look,” Kelly McBride, an ethics expert at the Poynter Institute journalism think tank, wrote in a recent piece.

Josh Marcus25 April 2026 20:15

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Newsom likely to skip WHCD as host makes Trump joke: report

(Getty)

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Donald Trump’s frequent liberal foil, will not likely be in the crowd at this evening’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

“I don’t think so,” he told Vanity Fair on Friday, at a pre-WHCD event thrown by the magazine.

Newsom, seen as a likely 2028 presidential hopeful, was reportedly mobbed with glad-handers and barely made it into the event.

Elsewhere at the party, WHCD host Oz Pearlman reportedly made a joke about Donald Trump, the kind of crack that would normally happen at the dinner, back when comedians were still hosting.

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A guest reportedly asked Pearlman whether Trump had the stamina to speak for an hour at the dinner.

“Unfortunately,” he said.

Josh Marcus25 April 2026 19:55

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Catch up: A history of the White House correspondents’ dinner, from cringeworthy jokes to presidential fury

The White House Correspondents’ Dinner, an annual fixture in Washington’s social calendar since its inception shortly after the First World War, has evolved into a unique spectacle. It now serves as a red-carpet event for the capital’s journalistic elite, political staffers, and a diverse array of US business leaders and celebrities, all gathered to witness the US president and a comedian deliver their respective roasts.

Josh Marcus25 April 2026 19:33

Trump starts his day with Iran update and Senate demands

President Trump hasn’t yet sounded off today about the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, but he’s still been plenty busy so far.

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Most notably, the president said he called off plans to send a U.S. delegation to Pakistan for negotiations to end the Iran war.

“I just cancelled the trip of my representatives going [to] Islamabad, Pakistan, to meet with the Iranians,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Too much time wasted on traveling, too much work! Besides which, there is tremendous infighting and confusion within their ‘leadership.’ Nobody knows who is in charge, including them. Also, we have all the cards, they have none! If they want to talk, all they have to do is call!!!”

In another post, he called on the Senate to eliminate the filibuster and pass the SAVE America Act, a Republican-backed package of new voter ID requirements.

Without these measures, Trump warned, the Republicans could face a major loss in the 2026 midterms.

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“Not passing the SAVE AMERICA ACT will lead to the the worst results for a political party in the HISTORY of the United States Senate,” he wrote. “An Unrecoverable Death Wish!!! Likewise, the FILIBUSTER – TERMINATE IT NOW!!!”

Josh Marcus25 April 2026 19:04

Trump plans ‘revenge’ speech and hasty exit for WHCD: report

President Trump reportedly plans to slam the media in a speech at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner then swiftly leave the event.

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The president’s speech will be aimed at taking “revenge” on the Washington press, a group the White House regularly calls the “fake news media,” The Daily Beast reports.

Trump will then leave the event, according to the outlet, sparing him the embarrassment of watching as The Wall Street Journal accepts an award for its coverage of how Trump allegedly sent a bawdy birthday card doodle to Jeffrey Epstein.

Last week, Joe Sommerlad had this piece on the award and the potential for an awkward Trump moment at the dinner.

Josh Marcus25 April 2026 18:42

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Reporters should ‘walk the f*** out’ if Trump attacks media in speech, Jim Acosta says

If Donald Trump lashes out at the media in his White House Correspondents’ Dinner speech, as he very well could, journalists should simply leave the event, according to former CNN anchor Jim Acosta.

“I think if Trump starts doing that, the reporters in the room should walk the f*** out,” Acosta said during a Friday episode of his show with fellow journalist Katie Couric. “They should get up and leave.”

Acosta’s comments were in response to reports that Trump is planning a “revenge” speech for the dinner, which traditionally celebrates the work of the Washington press and champions the importance of the free press and the First Amendment.

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“The media is one of the last institutions in this country that has come to the realization that you have to stand up to the bully…You have to stand up for something and stand up for our profession and stand up for the First Amendment,” Acosta said.

Some have called for reporters to boycott the dinner entirely.

Josh Marcus25 April 2026 18:22

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Darlington family on ITV The Neighbourhood host watch-along

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Darlington family on ITV The Neighbourhood host watch-along

The Lozman-Sturocks are taking part in The Neighbourhood hosted by Graham Norton.

The show sees households compete for a £250,000 cash prize.

The family is made up of Katie Lozman, 29, and Jordan Lozman, 34, from Darlington and Jordan’s mum Christine Sturrock, 71, and her partner Dave Sturrock, 66, who live in Redcar.

The Lozman-Sturrocks hosted a watch-along for the first episode of The Neighbourhood (Image: ANDY FUTERS)

The first episode aired last night, with the first three episodes available to stream on ITV X.

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The Lozman-Sturrocks hosted a watch-along party with family and friends, including fellow competitors The Kandolas and Samra.

The families dressed up for the occasion in suits and dresses, with members of The Kandolas and Samra families wearing Graham Norton facemasks.

The Lozman-Sturrocks were pictured holding a Babul’s jumper, the well-known south Asian restaurant in Darlington.

The Lozman-Sturrocks hosted a watch-along for the first episode of The Neighbourhood (Image: ANDY FUTERS)

The Neighbourhood sees six households move onto the same street where they must socialise and build relationships with their neighbours.

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However, the twist is that the households will also vote each other out while taking part in a series of challenges designed to test them as they try to eliminate rivals without becoming unpopular enough to be removed themselves.

The winning household will take home a £250,000 prize.

Jordan previously said: “There is never really going to be another chance where you can move back into a home with your family, go back to your youth and have no social media, no phone anything like that so it was something I definitely wanted to get on board with.

The Lozman-Sturrocks hosted a watch-along for the first episode of The Neighbourhood (Image: ANDY FUTERS)

“We were honest, maybe too honest at times but we are straight talking and that’s the way of the North East.”

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The family are safe from the first elimination after not receiving any votes at the end of the first episode.

The second episode airs at 9pm on ITV One tonight.

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Update after firefighters tackle Trafford Park blaze

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Update after firefighters tackle Trafford Park blaze

The blaze, which at its height was visible from Mount Snowdon in Wales, broke out on the afternoon of Friday April 24 at an industrial site on Trafford Park.

Firefighters from across Greater Manchester were called and after many hours of tackling the blaze, the fire service said on Saturday morning that there had been a significant reduction.

Speaking on Saturday morning, a Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “Firefighters remain at the scene of a large fire at an industrial premises on Clarence Avenue in Trafford Park, which was first reported at around 1.25pm on Friday April 24.

The huge blaze broke out at Trafford Park (Image: Newsquest)

“Overnight, crews continued working to damp down hotspots and monitor the affected buildings, following significant progress made during the evening. The fire is now contained within the premises, and there has been a continued reduction in smoke.

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“This morning, firefighters are continuing to make the area safe and carry out further checks, while working closely with partner agencies, including local authority building inspectors and utility providers.

“Precautionary cordons remain in place while assessments are completed.

“Nearby residents and businesses are advised to continue keeping windows and doors closed as a precaution while crews remain on site.

“We would like to thank the local community for their patience and cooperation as firefighters continue their work.”

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How Sadiq Khan’s former power hub is being turned into London’s next shopping and restaurant destination

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How Sadiq Khan's former power hub is being turned into London's next shopping and restaurant destination

“The proposed changes aim to create a forward-looking, mixed-use destination that contributes to the vibrancy of London Bridge City, with ground-floor cafes, shops, and restaurants to generate employment opportunities and increase tourism footfall,” Gensler says on its website.

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North Yorkshire farm shop hailed for being the best around

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North Yorkshire farm shop hailed for being the best around

Beadlam Grange is located just outside of Helmsley and breeds its own “award-winning” Limousin beef cattle.

Also within the farm shop, there is a butchers, a delicatessen, a greengrocers and a bistro set out over two floors.

There is also a dog-friendly seating area and a toddler play area in the undercover fold yard.

@ell.dickinson Lets visit one of the best farm shops in Yorkshire – Beadlam Grange… From the cutest live-in dog, fresh meat, fruit and vegetables, gifts and a delicious bistro, it’s not one to miss! #york #yorkshire #farmshop #yorkfarm #yorkfarmshop #beadlam #beadlamgrange #northyorkshire #uoy #uniofyork #ysj #yorkstjohn #universityofyork #yorkstudent #fyp ♬ Summer day – TimTaj

North Yorkshire farm shop hailed ‘best around’

The Beadlam Grange website shares that the farm shop has “a passion for providing good, real, honest, tasty, local feel good food.”

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In the farm shop and deli, there is a “tasty selection of locally produced fresh food, dairy, fruit and vegetables to tickle your taste buds.”

Beadlam Grange adds: “Fresh fruit and vegetables are delivered daily together with bread and cakes from local bakeries and fresh farm milk and dairy products.

“To compliment the fresh and seasonal produce we have frozen fruit and vegetables, patisseries, savoury and fish products.

“We sell ‘COOK’ frozen ready meals together with their amazing desserts. All are excellent quality and very good value.

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“We have many Yorkshire suppliers, too numerous to mention who keep us well stocked with great tasting and exceptional quality produce.

“We have many old favourites but are always on the lookout for new tasty products.”

Customers can also find a “tempting display” of popular Yorkshire gins and liqueurs, beers, cider, wine and prosecco, as well as all the mixers.

Meanwhile, The Bistro serves freshly prepared home-cooked food for customers every day.

Guests can enjoy breakfast, lunch, scones, cakes and a wide selection of drinks.

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Someone who visited for Sunday lunch recently left this review on Tripadvisor: “We go for Sunday lunch most Sunday its become our favourite place to go for this.

What's your favourite farm shop to visit in York and North YorkshireWhat’s your favourite farm shop to visit in York and North Yorkshire? (Image: Tripadvisor)

“The food is out of this world with generous portions and a good choice is on offer. The service is exceptional very professional and very attentive staff. We can highly recommend it.”

Another posted: “Had a lovely lunch here today. The fresh salad bar was great and they serve a proper coffee. Lovely staff and a great atmosphere. Love coming here the best farm shop around! Thank you.”

Fancy a chippy? This person commented: “We visited today for my birthday at the Beadlam Grange. We had the fish and chips for two at £25 . They were superb. Definitely worth a visit.”

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Beadlam Grange can be found at Beadlam, York, YO62 7TD.

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Scotland can vote ‘no confidence’ in Keir Starmer at Holyrood election, says Stephen Flynn

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Daily Record

The SNP’s Westminster leader has said the May 7 election is the chance for Scotland to escape the “constant chaos of Westminster control”.

The Holyrood election is “Scotland’s opportunity to vote ‘no confidence’ in Keir Starmer”, the SNP’s Westminster leader has said. Stephen Flynn said the May 7 election is the country’s chance to secure a “fresh start with independence” and escape the “constant chaos of Westminster control”.

Mr Flynn said it is a “disgrace” that the UK Government is “completely consumed by the Peter Mandelson scandal and distracted from the issues that matter to voters” amid the cost-of-living crisis.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has faced calls to resign amid the fallout from the Lord Peter Mandelson vetting scandal which was sparked after it emerged he had not passed vetting checks but had still been appointed British ambassador to the US.

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The Prime Minister fired Foreign Office chief Sir Olly Robbins over the issue and has said he has been exonerated over accusations he misled MPs by evidence from Sir Olly.

Mr Flynn said: “The election on May 7 is Scotland’s opportunity to vote ‘no confidence’ in Keir Starmer and secure a fresh start with independence. If Labour MPs won’t do the decent thing, and bring forward a vote of no confidence themselves, Scottish voters can take action on May 7 – by voting SNP to sack Keir Starmer and escape the constant chaos of Westminster control.

“It is a disgrace that, at a time when families need a government that is fully focused on tackling the cost-of-living emergency, the Labour government is completely consumed by the Peter Mandelson scandal and distracted from the issues that matter to voters.

“While John Swinney’s SNP government is laser-focused on helping families – Keir Starmer is only interested in saving his own skin and hasn’t lifted a finger to help households with the soaring cost of living under the Labour Party.”

Lord Mandelson was sacked last year, less than a year into the job, after details of his association with the paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein emerged in files published by the US government.

The Prime Minister has been under pressure over the vetting issue in recent days.

Mr Flynn said: “Keir Starmer is doing more damage with every day that he clings on to power. His position is completely untenable and Labour MPs are doing voters a disservice by keeping him in place.

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“The election is the key moment that can seal Keir Starmer’s fate. On May 7, people in Scotland can vote SNP to show Keir Starmer the door and secure that fresh start of independence.”

Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said “The SNP’s endless attempts to deflect attention from its own shameful record in government is getting embarrassing.

“This election is about Scotland’s government, our NHS, our schools, our local services, our community safety and our transport system – but Stephen Flynn seems to think these issues don’t matter.

“Anas Sarwar has been clear that a vote for Scottish Labour in this election is not an endorsement of Keir Starmer – it is a vote to change the government here in Scotland. The SNP is letting Scotland down but only Scottish Labour can beat them.

“The choice on the ballot on May 7 is between more of the same with John Swinney and the SNP and change with Anas Sarwar and Scottish Labour. A Scottish Labour government will fix the mess, get the basics right and deliver a better future for Scotland.”

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Bluey Meet and Greet at Glenarm Castle Tulip Festival this May Bank Holiday

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Belfast Live

Enjoy Blue Meet and Greets, Mini Land Rover rides, carnival attractions, live music, great food and drink and much more

The countdown is well and truly underway for 20 Years in Bloom at Glenarm Castle, and this year, there’s something for everyone, including a special meet and greet with popular children’s TV character Bluey.

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This May Bank Holiday Weekend (2nd–4th May), the public is invited to stroll through the stunning Walled Garden, alive with thousands of colourful tulips, and immerse themselves in a vibrant festival atmosphere brimming with music, colour and fun for all the family.

Youngsters will also be thrilled by a Meet & Greet with Bluey, who will appear at intervals on Sunday 3rd and Monday 4th May. It’s not to be missed – so make sure you have your cameras ready to capture the moment with everyone’s favourite Blue Heeler pup!

Throughout the weekend, visitors can look forward to live music and entertainment, browse craft stalls and exhibitions, and treat themselves to a fantastic array of food and drink from local traders. For those seeking a bit of excitement, the festival boasts family-friendly carnival rides and the ever-popular Mini Land Rover Experience, guaranteeing a brilliant day out for all ages.

Festival Highlights

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  • Meet & Greet with the Official Bluey – the fun loving, adventure seeking Blue Heeler pup
  • Show-stopping tulip displays
  • Live music and family entertainment – Including K-POP Dance with Don King
  • Carnival rides
  • Mini Land Rover Experience for young adventurers
  • Artisan craft market
  • A wide selection of delicious food and drink

Lady Antrim said: “We are delighted to be celebrating 20 years of the Glenarm Castle Tulip Festival this year. The garden team worked tirelessly over the winter months, planting in excess of ten thousand tulips, which are now in their bold, colourful prime. It’s always a wonderful way to herald the start of the summer season and we hope our visitors will come and enjoy the tulips, as well as the rest of the garden, as much as we do.”

This year’s Tulip Festival is set to take place over the May Bank Holiday Weekend, running from Saturday 2nd to Monday 4th May 2026, with much-loved children’s character Bluey making appearances throughout Sunday 3rd and Monday 4th May. Gates will open daily at 10:00AM, with last admission between 4:00PM and 4:15PM, and the festival wrapping up at 5:00PM each evening.

Tickets on sale NOW via www.glenarmcastle.com Members Go Free! Complementary tickets can be purchased online.

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

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Ronnie O’Sullivan leads John Higgins; Mark Williams loses to Barry Hawkins at World Snooker Championship

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John Higgins (left) and Ronnie O'Sullivan

After two sessions of their match, Hawkins led 10-6, but Williams, a champion in 2000, 2003 and 2018, was unable to fight back as the six frames went alternate ways, with Hawkins securing the victory.

Eleventh-seed Hawkins, who turned 47 on Wednesday, was helped by two breaks of 85 – one in frame 18 and one in frame 20 – to reach the Crucible quarter-finals for the seventh time.

“I just had to try my best over the three sessions. In two I played OK but the second session, I didn’t play very well and that’s when he got a good lead,” said Williams.

“I tried to come back but he was just the better player. I just don’t make enough breaks any more. I broke down on 40 or 50.

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“It was the best reception I’ve ever seen here. They were all on their feet. It probably won’t happen again with all three of us [of the ‘Class of 92’] in the same session.

“There’s nothing else I can really do, I can’t practise for hours each day and I can’t get better – as you go on, you get worse and worse.”

Hawkins, who will play Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen in the quarter-finals on Tuesday and Wednesday, said: “This is definitely up there [as his best Crucible experience]. It’s not easy beating someone like that to get to the quarter-finals.

“I didn’t just fall over the line so I’m quite happy with the way I played and my game – I enjoyed every minute of it.

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“I used to have too much respect and would crumble against these sorts of players but over the last four or five years I’ve got more belief.”

On the standing ovation at the start of the session, he said: “They were not standing for me, they were standing for the Class of 92 but when I walked out, what a feeling. It’s the best place to play when it’s like that.”

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Trump rants over claims his administration gave secret no-bid contract to his favorite building company at inflated price

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Trump rants over claims his administration gave secret no-bid contract to his favorite building company at inflated price

The federal government quietly awarded a no-bid contract — with a massively inflated price tag — to one of President Donald Trump’s favorite construction firms, according to a new report, which the president has strongly disputed.

The contract was to fix a pair of decades-old fountains in Lafayette Park, located across from the White House, which have sat idle for more than 10 years due to deteriorating equipment.

In 2022, the Biden administration reportedly estimated the work would cost $3.3 million. But, in January, the Trump administration agreed to pay more than five times that figure — $17.4 million — to Clark Construction, a Maryland-based firm that is also building the massive White House ballroom, according to The New York Times.

“They just took the cover page of my estimate and just added a bunch of money onto it,” Stephen Kirk, an independent consultant who calculated the cost of the refurbishment for the National Park Service in 2022, told the outlet. “I didn’t add those extra millions on there.”

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The significantly higher cost estimate was reportedly partly a result of inflation being accounted for twice.

President Donald Trump ranted over a New York Times report, which claimed his administration awarded a secret no-bid contract to a construction firm at an inflated price
President Donald Trump ranted over a New York Times report, which claimed his administration awarded a secret no-bid contract to a construction firm at an inflated price (AFP via Getty Images)

The National Park Service awarded the lucrative contract to Clark without soliciting competing bids, invoking a rarely used “urgency” exception typically reserved for natural disasters or wartime needs, the paper said. Contracting experts described this as unusual.

Unlike the president’s $400 million ballroom, which is funded by private donors, the fountain repairs are being paid with taxpayer dollars.

The Interior Department, which oversees the Park Service, defended its contracting process.

“The way this contract was awarded is above board,” department spokesperson Katie Martin told the NYT. “The urgency is to ensure this project is done well ahead of America’s 250th anniversary.”

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Clark Construction told the outlet: “Our track record reflects the quality of our work and our commitment to integrity. We bid on work we are qualified to deliver and we follow prescribed procurement processes.”

The Independent has contacted the construction firm and the Park Service for comment.

On Friday, President Trump shared a video of the fountains working, writing that it was his 'Great Honor to have funded this project'
On Friday, President Trump shared a video of the fountains working, writing that it was his ‘Great Honor to have funded this project’ (Truth Social)

On Friday, Trump posted a video on Truth Social showing the fountains in operation, with jets of water lit by colorful lights. “My Great Honor to have funded this project,” he wrote.

The following day, after the NYT story was published, the 79-year-old billionaire fired off a 334-word broadside accusing the outlet of misrepresenting the facts.

“Once again, The Failing New York Times has attempted to grossly mischaracterize what should be hailed as the restoration of Beauty and Grandeur to our Nation’s Capital as something else completely,” he wrote.

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He added: “We want to have it complete by July 4th. Once again, people will come to the front door of the White House by walking through a magnificent Park befitting these Hollowed Grounds, not a dead, dirty, rusting, and very dangerous place like it was before we got involved.”

He said he was not responsible for overseeing the contract, adding that Clark is “highly respected” and completed the work under budget and ahead of schedule. “The New York Times should congratulate us, instead of trying to make us look bad,” he concluded.

The president’s attack came just hours before he was set to appear at the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, where scores of reporters will be in attendance.

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Grey and orange Hitachi digger stolen from Oswaldkirk

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Grey and orange Hitachi digger stolen from Oswaldkirk

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Gary Neville calls out Arsenal star for performance vs Newcastle – ‘You can’t have that’

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Daily Mirror

Arsenal claimed a crucial 1-0 win over Newcastle to move back to the top of the Premier League on Saturday, but Gary Neville was not impressed by one player’s performance

Gary Neville has criticised Martin Zubimendi for his recent performances, claiming the Arsenal midfielder’s struggles are undermining his team’s Premier League title push. Arsenal beat Newcastle 1-0 to move top of the league on Saturday, yet Neville was extremely unimpressed by what he saw from the home side’s midfield.

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Eberechi Eze curled in from the edge of the box following a short corner to give Arsenal the lead early on and it proved enough to earn a crucial three points. The Gunners had lost their last two games in the league to allow Manchester City back into the title race but got back on track against the Magpies.

They needed some good saves from David Raya and a dreadful miss from Yoane Wissa to get over the line on a nervy evening at the Emirates Stadium. Neville watched the match from the commentary box and identified a specific problem Mikel Arteta needs to address.

“I thought at the start of the season that Zubimendi was a great signing,” Neville told Sky Sports. “He’s been a good player for Arsenal but right now I was expecting that this would be where Zubimendi would be the player. Who’s going to be the difference player?

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“I thought [Viktor] Gyokeres would get the goals for them in the big moments and get to 2-0. His lack of quality at the end was poor on that counter-attack. He’s got to do better than that.

“But I thought… you think of what [Andrea] Pirlo is, or [Paul] Scholes or Rodri, Bernardo Silva – the player who can dictate play in a game like this, get Arsenal on the ball, organise and get them with authority and he’s not demonstrating that. He’s struggling in the games and he has been for a few weeks now.

“[Martin] Odegaard does it better. Odegaard went deeper (today), but the problem is when Odegaard goes deeper, [Declan] Rice then goes deeper and Zubimendi is already deep. Then you’ve got three players, or certainly two in deep areas. You can’t have that.

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“You want them to be rotating with each other, and you want one back there to link play with the defence and the full-backs. It felt to me today that Zubimendi, Rice and Odegaard got outplayed by that Newcastle midfield. It was 55 per cent possession to Newcastle, 45 per cent to Arsenal, surprising.”

Zubimendi joined Arsenal from Real Sociedad for £51million in the summer transfer window and has been a key player for Arteta’s side this season. He has made 50 appearances across all competitions, contributing six goals and three assists.

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The 27-year-old midfielder has started all but one of Arsenal’s 34 league games and is sure to feature for Spain at the World Cup this summer, if he gets through the final month of the season without picking up an injury.

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