York Council planning officers have approved an application for Stableside, off Tadcaster Road, Dringhouses, to be legally used as a hotel and accommodation for racing staff.

Council officers stated the property had been used by racing staff and let out to schools, church groups and others continuously since 2008.

The decision to approve York Racecourse’s bid for a certificate of lawful use follows their submission of the application in February.

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The building which houses the hotel was built in 1992 on the site of dormitories for jockeys constructed in the 1960s.

Stableside features 26 rooms, a kitchen, dining room and offices on a 2.3 hectare site.

A horse box park and quadrangle of four stable blocks is also on the site.

The accommodation itself is in an L-shaped building next to a grassed communal area.

Planning permission for the current building was granted in 1991 for accommodation for stable boys and girls.

York Racecourse’s Stableside hotel, off Tadcaster Road Dringhouses (Image: Google)

The site now provides accommodation for travelling racing stable staff which is required by the British Horse Racing Association.

Stableside is offered to the general public as a budget hotel for bookings outside of the racing season.

It is also available for functions and conferences and features onsite food and drinks facilities.

A council report on the plans stated the site had been functioning as a hotel for the last 17 years.

The report stated: “The evidence submitted creates a convincing profile of the application property being let out to racing staff, school groups, church groups and other third parties for a continuous period.

“It has been confirmed by the Racecourse team that the stable staff must fill out a form which indicates the length of stay, contact details and seniority of staff.

“The form requests information on the horses staying at the adjacent stables and the date of the race day which the stable staff and the horses are competing in.”

The White House Correspondents’ Dinner has had multiple iterations since it began a few years after World War I.

Washington’s premier soiree on Saturday is most identified by its modern form: a red carpet for the capital’s journalism elite, political staffers and an assortment of American business leaders and celebrities — with the leader of the free world and a comedian offering roasts.

Some years are forgettable and relegated to C-SPAN archives. Others produce viral moments — funny, cringeworthy or undeniably tense — and endure across social media.

Here’s a look at some of that history as Donald Trump prepares for the first time to attend as president:

Ronald Reagan once gave up the chance to rebut a comedian

As a former Hollywood actor, the 40th president had a magnetic stage presence and easy manner with a joke, and it was during Reagan’s presidency that comedians became an annual part of the dinner.

In 1983, Mark Russell, whose satire was a PBS staple, offered relatively tame jabs at Reagan. “There is another speaker following me,” he opened, “and so it is quite an honor for me to be doing the warmup for my chief writer here.”

When it was the president’s turn, Reagan demurred. He reminded the audience that he’d made “a sad journey” to Andrews Air Force Base earlier that day to receive the remains of the Americans killed in the April 18 bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon.

“I realize the original plan was that I would, in a sense, sing for my supper. In fact, I was prepared, not really to sing, but to do what you expected,” Reagan said, before explaining that it would be inappropriate for him to deliver humorous remarks. “If you’ll forgive us,” he said, “I’ll keep my script, and I hope you’ll give us a rain check, and it’ll still be appropriate next year.”

Dana Carvey and George H.W. Bush: A rare friendship

Bush became a fan. He and Carvey sat together at Bush’s last dinner as president, in 1992. After he lost to Bill Clinton that November, the president invited Carvey to the White House for a Christmas party. The two remained friends.

George W. Bush jokes about weapons of mass destruction

During his first White House term, Trump broke the long streak of presidential attendance. Comedian Michelle Wolf targeted him anyway.

If you’ve found a dating app that feels right for you and have set up your dating profile, the next step is finding possible matches and starting a conversation (or two). Your first contact is a really important part of the process and will help you get off to a positive start on your dating journey. 

But how do you open a conversation without sounding too keen, not keen enough, even cheesy or bland? Below, we share our top tips on starting a conversation on a dating app along with expert advice from sex and relationship coach, Angela Vossen. 

What makes a good first message on a dating app?

How to start a conversation on a dating app

Taking the time to read someone’s dating bio and profile information will help you lead with genuine questions and get the conversation off to a good start. Try not to get too personal too quickly, though. For instance, if their profile states that they are a widow or are divorced, don’t lead the conversation with questions about this. Sensitive subjects are better discussed in person when you have got to know one another better. 

Identify key details to personalise your message

The dating profile of a potential match should have lots of key information, such as their hobbies, interests and photos. Use these nuggets of information to ask questions and start a genuine conversation. ‘I see you’re a keen runner and go to regular park runs. So do I,’ shows genuine interest while offering detail about yourself too. You could also ask them questions about photos they have shared on the app or something simple such as how their weekend was. 

Step 2: Craft a unique opening line

Avoid generic greetings: Stand out with something specific

Starting a conversation with a very generic opening line such as ‘Hey, how are you?’ or just ‘Hello’ leaves the work of starting the conversation to the other person. Instead, lead with something more specific such as a warm introduction and an explanation as to why their profile stood out to you. 

You can then ask a question that is specific to your match, such as, ‘I see from your profile that you’ve travelled a lot. Where did you go on your last trip? I recently got back from two weeks in France.’ In this example, you’re showing interest in them without asking anything too intrusive, and sharing more detail about your own life. 

Using humour wisely to break the ice

Humour can be a great way of breaking the ice when used in the right way. For instance, you could say something playful such as, ‘I saw your profile and it looks like you’re a tennis player too. Maybe we should plan a game and see who has the better backhand?’ Alternatively, lead with something such as ‘I’m new to online dating. How are you finding it? Hopefully it’s about to get a lot better.’

Be mindful of being too sarcastic or dry initially as this may not always translate well over text or direct message. Humour such as this is best left until you have met in person and become more acquainted with each other’s tone and personality.

Discover more of the best pick-up lines

Step 3: Use open-ended questions to encourage dialogue

Open-ended questions encourage deeper conversation and allow the conversation to flow more naturally. Here are a few examples that will help you to get to know each other better:

Examples of effective open-ended questions

• How would your friends describe you?
• What are most people surprised to learn about you?
• What’s the best place you’ve ever visited?
• What are you most looking forward to over the next few years?
• What are you most proud of?
• What’s your idea of the perfect day?

Step 4: Introduce light-hearted and fun topics

Using ‘this or that?’ questions to spark interest

“This or that?” questions can be a really fun way of getting to know someone and are ideal for first dates or getting the conversation started. Take it in turns to answer questions such as ‘tea or coffee?’, ‘beach or mountains?’, ‘cats or dogs?’, ‘podcast or playlist?’ or ‘stay in or go out?’. The options are countless. 

Fun discussion topics to make it reciprocal

Additionally, ‘this or that?’ questions will also bring up lots of different discussion topics too where you can expand further on your answers. For instance, if you chose mountains over a beach, you can explain more about why this is. Perhaps you went on an unforgettable hike that you would love to share more about. You could even use this game to decide where you go on your next date.

Questions such as ‘romantic dinner or active adventure?’ for instance, will make your dating experience fun and reciprocal. 

Step 5: Be authentic and playful

Share a fun fact about yourself

Sharing a fun fact about yourself allows you to get more personal in a light-hearted way. This keeps the initial stages of conversation authentic without getting on to topics such as past relationships that may be too serious. This could be anything from a hidden talent to something unusual that happened to you such as meeting a film star or appearing on TV.

How to balance playfulness with genuine interest

Being playful and asking fun questions is a great way of getting to know someone new. Asking further follow-up questions about a light-hearted answer they have given shows genuine interest and a willingness to know more about them. 

Step 6: Don’t hesitate to shift the conversation if necessary

Recognising when the flow dims

If you’re sensing that the person you’re messaging is losing interest on a certain topic, don’t be afraid to shift the conversation to something else. We all have hobbies and areas of interest that we’re passionate about, but it’s important to know when to change course. Have they started answering more briefly or less frequently? Ask them something about themselves to get the conversation flowing again. 

Suggestions for smooth transitions to new topics

If you feel the need to move to a new topic of conversation, try and do this subtly and naturally. Saying something such as ‘On a completely different topic…’ before changing tack keeps things flowing without the chat grinding to a halt. If you feel you’ve overshared too early and sensed the other person feels uncomfortable, move on gently by saying, ‘on a lighter note…’ or ‘that’s enough about me. I’d love to know more about you.’ 

Step 7: Knowing when to move on

Understanding when interest is lacking

If you’ve been messaging frequently with a potential match and you feel that the interest is one-sided or they won’t commit to meeting in person, take note of this and don’t force it. There is no harm in making your intentions clear (such as that you would love to meet for a coffee etc) but if they don’t reciprocate or are vague in their response, place your focus on making other connections.

How to gracefully exit a conversation

If things aren’t going well (perhaps the conversation has started to slow or even made you feel uncomfortable), it’s absolutely fine to leave. The graceful way to do this is by thanking them for the chat and wishing them all the best in their dating journey. This makes it clear you’re moving on without being rude or leaving them feeling ghosted.

Likewise, if you want to keep the door ajar to a slow responder, write something such as ‘let me know if you ever fancy grabbing that coffee’ before leaving the conversation. This allows you to preserve your dignity without completely shutting down a potential connection. 

Why is this important? Angela explains that not every faded thread is a rejection. “Sometimes it’s just someone who got busy and felt too awkward to re-engage,” she says. Ending with a comment like this leaves the ball in their court and doesn’t sound rude or dismissive.

What to avoid with dating app openers

No one likes to feel as if they are just another number in someone’s dating experience, so avoid sending generic and impersonal messages. You may think it’s a good idea to send ‘Hi, how are you?’ messages to lots of different people, but low-effort greetings such as this may not inspire the recipient to reply and engage further.

2. Being overly forward

Angela says that asking for a connection’s number before you’ve established any real chemistry or commenting solely on their appearance are two common ways of being overly forward on dating apps. Both can seem arrogant and shallow and may be off-putting to a potential match. 

3. Not giving enough time for responses

Try not to send multiple messages before the recipient has had a chance to reply to one. Receiving a barrage of messages from someone they don’t know can come across as overly intense and place unnecessary pressure on a new connection. 

4. Complaining or being negative

Complaining, being overly negative or so self-deprecating that it becomes a burden for a potential match to carry are all key things to avoid on dating apps. Try to keep the chat upbeat, positive and fun.

For more dating advice, head to Telegraph Media Group’s dating hub. If you’re single and interested in meeting like-minded people, join Telegraph Dating. With more than 220,000 single people, Telegraph Dating is the perfect place to find romance.

The Attorney General has warned the public about social media posts and commentary on active criminal proceedings

The public has been warned that they could face a two year prison sentence if they make social media posts regarding the upcoming Jeffrey Donaldson sex offence trial.

The trial of former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and his wife on charges relating to alleged historical sexual offences is set to begin next month after it has been delayed twice because of her medical issues.

Jeffrey Donaldson, 63, has pleaded not guilty to 18 alleged offences. 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, 59, of Dublinhill Road, Dromore, is facing charges of aiding and abetting, which she denies.

The trial is scehduled to begin on Tuesday, May 26, with a review hearing taking place on May 5.

Ahead of the start of the trial, the Attorney General for Northern Ireland has issued a statement on the need for caution around social media posting and commentary on active criminal proceedings, warning people could face two years in prison.

“As mentioned in my previous Media Advisory Notice I am concerned about the potential impact of social media postings and commentary on members of any jury as the hearing date for the trial approaches.

“I would remind members of the public that they can be found in contempt of court if something they publish creates a substantial risk that the course of justice in the criminal proceedings would be seriously impeded or prejudiced.

“A sentence of up to two years imprisonment can be imposed.

“Users of social media should therefore take great care before posting or re posting clips or commentary and may wish to delete material at this point rather than risk proceedings being brought against them.

“Further, it is a criminal offence to identify the complainants, who must remain anonymous.”

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

One of the easiest ways to look stylish on a run is to add a statement piece or accent to an otherwise simple, neutral outfit. “This season especially, we are seeing runners express themselves through considered, styled outfits — co-ords, bold colour palettes, animal print designs, statement sunglasses and accessories like bandannas that bring personality,” says Culling.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department has ended its probe into Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell, clearing a major roadblock to the confirmation of his successor, Kevin Warsh.

U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeannine Pirro said on X on Friday that her office was ending its probe into the Fed’s extensive building renovations because the Fed’s inspector general would scrutinize them instead.

The decision ends an investigation, one of several undertaken by the Justice Department into President Donald Trump’s perceived adversaries, that for months had failed to gain traction as prosecutors struggled to articulate a basis to suspect criminal conduct.

A prosecutor handling the case conceded at a closed-door court hearing in March that the government hadn’t yet found any evidence of a crime, and a judge subsequently quashed subpoenas issued to the Federal Reserve. The judge, James Boasberg, said prosecutors had produced “essentially zero evidence” to suspect Powell of a crime. Boasberg prosecutors’ justification for the subpoenas as “thin and unsubstantiated.”

More recently, prosecutors made an unannounced visit to a construction site at the Fed’s headquarters but were turned away, drawing a rebuke from a defense attorney in the case who called the maneuver “not appropriate.”

The move could lead to a swift confirmation vote by the Senate for Warsh, a former top Fed official whom Trump, a Republican, nominated in January to replace Powell, whose term as chair ends May 15. Sen. Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican, has said he would oppose Warsh until the investigation was resolved, effectively blocking his confirmation.

Warsh said Tuesday that he never promised the White House that he would cut interest rates, even as the president renewed his calls for the central bank to do so.

“The president never once asked me to commit to any particular interest rate decision, period,” Kevin Warsh, a former top Fed official, said under questioning by the Senate Banking Committee. “Nor would I ever agree to do so if he had. … I will be an independent actor if confirmed as chair of the Federal Reserve.”

Warsh’s comments came just hours after Trump, in an interview on CNBC, was asked if he would be disappointed if Warsh didn’t immediately cut rates and responded, “I would.”

It comes after Paul Ward, 73, of Stainburn, south-west of Harrogate, drove away from Harrogate Magistrates’ Court having just been banned from driving.

When a court bans someone from driving the senior magistrate or judge reads out a standard warning about what the defendant  must not do.

This is the warning. “You cannot drive any motor vehicle on a road or public place from this moment until the end of the disqualification.

“If you drive whilst disqualified you commit a serious offence and may be sent to prison and disqualified again.

“Your licence will not be returned to you.

“You must apply to the DVLA if you wish to drive once the disqualification is ended. You should not drive until you have received your new driving licence.”

The DVLA may require medical or other evidence that a driver is a fit and proper person to be given a driving licence before issuing a new licence after a driving disqualification ends.

Ahmed Alid, 47, is accused of attempting to murder Roderic Vassie at HMP Full Sutton, on August 8 2025 after Friday prayers, the Old Bailey heard on Friday.

He is accused of causing serious injury, Philip McGhee, prosecuting, said.

Mr McGhee said Alid “shouted words which suggest ideological alignment with Isis”.

Alid is also charged with possession of an offensive weapon, namely a piece of metal, inside HMP Full Sutton, near York.

He was transferred to HMP Wakefield where he is accused of attacking prison officer Sarah Mitchell on October 21 last year, causing a broken nose and bruising among other injuries, the court heard.

Alid has been charged with assaulting Ms Mitchell occasioning her actual bodily harm.

The defendant appeared at the Old Bailey on Friday via video link from HMP Wakefield.

Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb said his trial will take place at Sheffield Crown Court on November 30 this year.

A plea hearing will take place on August 28 at the Old Bailey.

Through his lawyer, Alid indicated he will be entering not guilty pleas.

Alid was remanded in custody.

Gerry Butler collapsed while taking part in a tournament in Portugal, with heartbroken friends and teammates praising his kindness, generosity and dedication to walking football.

Tributes have poured in for a much-loved Edinburgh dad described as “one of life’s good guys” following his sudden death in Portugal.

Gerry Butler, 62, became unwell and collapsed while taking part in the EuroCopa Football Tournament in the Algarve on Monday, April 20.

A hugely respected figure in the Edinburgh sport scene, he served as South East Regional Manager for the over-65s and over-70s with Walking Football Scotland. He also played a major role at Oriam, Scotland’s national performance centre for sport, and contributed to the development of Currie Youth Football.

Paying tribute, Matt Ramsay, trustee of Walking Football Scotland, said: “Gerry was a tremendous supporter of the walking football community and a constant source of encouragement to so many.

“He always took a genuine interest in the development of others and, importantly, in how he could offer his support.

“He embodied the true spirit of walking football — respect, inclusion, encouragement, and looking out for others whilst never losing sight of the enjoyment the game brings.

“Walking Football Scotland is sincerely grateful for the contribution Gerry made to the organisation and to the wider game. His impact will not be forgotten, and his kindness and generosity of spirit have touched many lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with Lorna, his family, teammates, and friends at this very difficult time.”

The organisation added he “embodied everything that walking football stands for” and described him as a “true gentleman”.

A heartfelt social media post read: “Gerry was one of life’s good guys. The walking football family is certainly poorer for his loss, and those of us who knew him are better for it.”

Friends and teammates also shared their grief, with one writing: “Sending heartfelt love and condolences to Lorna and family – this is a huge loss.” Another added: “Such a shock. Thoughts are with his family and the guys out in Portugal – they must be devastated.”

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