To pass the time while filming, before her eyesight deteriorated, actor Judi Dench could often be found sewing. The picture of submissive femininity, she sat bent over her needlework. The finished work however, which she gave as gifts, were actually expletive-filled insults worked in ornate embroidery.

There has been a resurgence of people taking up needlecrafts of all kinds in recent years, including knitting, crochet, embroidery and sewing, as a hobby.

Much has been made of the mindful qualities of needlework. As a stitcher myself, I know how much pleasure and relaxation can be gained from the flow of yarn and thread through needles. But beyond the mindful benefits of needlework, there is a long history of needlecraft as a form of expressive protest.

Hobbies can bring joy, wellbeing and focus to our busy lives, but so many of us don’t have one. If you’re ready to replace scrolling with stitching, or hustle with horticulture, The Hobby Starter Kit (a new series from Quarter Life) will help you get going.

In December 2024, textile artist, Sue Spence posted a photograph on Facebook. It showed the words “Middle class WOMAN of a certain age” embroidered in rudimentary stitches onto a small piece of fabric. It was a response to comments made by former MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace, who claimed allegations of sexual misconduct against him came from “a handful of middle-class women of a certain age”. She later turned the design into brooches reading: “Middle class WOMAN of a certain RAGE.”

Spence subverted Wallace’s original insult so it instead became a celebration of her identity. In doing so, she was participating in a long tradition of subversive stitching. For hundreds of years, silenced women have turned to needlecraft to express taboo emotions and protest their position in the world.

Her materials – needle and thread – are significant to her act of protest. Like the words being reclaimed, the medium she is using is also being reclaimed from its containment within the sphere of patriarchal domesticity as a submissive activity for genteel women.

Art historian Rozsika Parker’s seminal book The Subversive Stitch (2019) traces the history of women and needlework. In it, she identifies how from the 17th century, needlecraft – particularly the embroidering of samplers – “had been employed to inculcate obedience, submission, passivity and piety”. Samplers were used to practise embroidery stitches and frequently involved the stitching of Bible passages and devotional images.

Resisting patriarchy

By the 19th century domestic needlework was widely practised by middle- and upper-class women. It was understood as an activity that tied mothers and daughters to the service of home, husbands and fathers. This is illustrated in the character of Rose Pargiter in Virginia Woolf’s novel The Years (1937).

At the opening of the novel, in the 1880s, Rose is a little girl. Rose’s sewing – she is embroidering roses onto a boot bag for her father – solidifies her position as “a good girl”, performing submissive obedience to a patriarchal order. Rose is literally stitching the flowers with which she shares a name at the feet (or at least the footwear) of her father. When she refuses to finish her sewing, she also refuses to accept her position in the order of society.

In The Subversive Stitch, Parker identifies more subtle ways in which women could subvert this dominant meaning of needlework. The bent head and quiet activity gave the appearance of passivity, allowing their resistance to hide in plain sight.

The Changi Quilts provide a good example of this from the 20th century. Changi, a prison in Singapore, was used by the Japanese army during the second world war to detain people from Allied countries on the island.

Men and women prisoners were separated. Denied access to writing materials, they could not communicate with each other. The women prisoners were, however, allowed to sew.

They set about making a series of patchwork quilts to be sent to the military hospital. Each woman made a square, including an embroidered picture and her signature. Once they were sent to the hospital, the male patients could read the quilts to get both a list of the women who had survived and some insight, through their artwork, of their feelings about internment. Preserved by the Red Cross Society, the quilts are a testament to the women’s resistance.

A more overt challenge to the submissive meanings attached to women’s needlework can be seen in the Suffragette banners of the early 20th century. They were created by women who, like Rose Pargiter, would have been brought up with the obligation to be good girls through domestic stitching. Through the banners, they used their craft as a tool in their fight for the vote.

Much contemporary textile work draws on this subversion of the historical consignment of needlework to patriarchal domesticity. The Craftivist Collective, a global movement founded by Sarah P. Corbett in 2008, combines craft and activism to intervene for social change. Corbett defines it as “gentle activism”, but upends the meaning of gentle, not to mean “passive or weak, but gentle as in compassionate and nuanced”.

So, the next time you see someone, quiet, still and with bent head, wielding needle and thread, consider how they might be using incisive and creative tools to make a sophisticated point.

And if you’re a stitcher, you can try it yourself. Try reimagining traditional patterns or adding bold text or symbols to transform your mindful hobby into a quiet but powerful form of creative expression.

This article features references to books that have been included for editorial reasons, and may contain links to bookshop.org. If you click on one of the links and go on to buy something from bookshop.org The Conversation UK may earn a commission.

The Ipsos poll says over half of Welsh voters are yet to decide who they will vote for

A new poll projects Plaid Cymru has a slight lead over Reform in terms of voting intentions, but says Reform voters are more committed ahead of the Senedd election on May 7. It also projects that over half the electorate could still change their mind.

The poll, carried out by Ipsos, also highlights widespread public frustration with the performance of the Welsh Government and a lack of trust in any of the parties to tackle the nations top priorities.

The poll suggests that 30% of the electorate intend to vote for Plaid Cymru, closely followed by 25% for Reform UK. Just 15% of respondents said they intend to vote for the third-placed Labour party, and 12% for the Welsh Conservatives.

It’s the third poll of the week after YouGov found Plaid and Reform neck and neck, while More in Common also gave Plaid a narrow lead.

Over half of Welsh voters, 52%, say they could still change their minds about who they will vote for. At 32%, the least likely to change their minds appeared to be Reform voters.

When it came to trust, Plaid Cymru appeared to be the most trusted party to grow the Welsh economy and stand up for the interests of Wales, with 22% indicating they trusted them with the economy and 33% with the latter.

Meanwhile, Reform UK came out on top on the issue of immigration, with 25%. Make sure you never miss Wales’ biggest updates by getting our daily newsletter.

When respondents were asked about the leaders, the public were most likely to say Plaid leader Rhun ap Iorwerth would make the most capable First Minister of Wales. This figure was however only 20% and more people said they didn’t know if he would, or that there wouldn’t be much difference.

A vast 67% believe services in Wales have deteriorated over the last five years and blame is largely attributed to the Welsh Government (64%) and local councils (50%). The Welsh Government’s overall performance satisfaction was therefore a bleak 23%.

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For voters in Wales, the poll found that the NHS (74%) and the cost of living (67%) were the key issues. Meanwhile, there was a strong divide between those who thought immigration was a key issue, and those who did not.

Those considering voting for Reform were significantly more likely to say immigration and asylum was a top-tier voting issue, while those considering voting for Plaid Cymru are driven more by the NHS and the cost of living.

The results of the poll are based on a representative probability sample of 747 Welsh adults aged 16+. The poll was carried out online between Thursday, April 2, and Wednesday, April 8.

“The metal wire was placed intentionally across the path and represented a significant danger to walkers, cyclists, dogs, horses and their riders.”

An investigation is under way after metal wire was found tied across a path on a woodland trail near Oban, weeks after metal spikes were found in the same area. Police said the wire represented a “significant danger” to users of the trail, which runs through Glencruitten Woods, and it had the potential to cause “serious injury”.

The wire was reported to police on Saturday while the metal spikes were found in the same area on April 2. Inspector Kirsty Moore said: “One line of inquiry is that these two incidents are linked and patrols are being carried out in the area.

“The metal wire was placed intentionally across the path and represented a significant danger to walkers, cyclists, dogs, horses and their riders. This kind of behaviour is not acceptable. If not seen, it could have caused serious injury.

“We are urging the public using the area to be vigilant and report any similar incidents to us. You can speak to our officers on patrol, contact us on 101 or make a call anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Anyone with information is asked to quote incident number 1000 of Saturday April 25.

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He added: “There are a lot of victims of state violence, state violence can take the form of people in a uniform or people not necessarily in a uniform, and they are being asked to entrust in a process where the very British government that is legislating for this is going out of their way, bending over backwards, to very cynically protect veterans as a result of their own self interest.”

Arsenal would move six points clear of second-placed Manchester City if they beat Fulham in their home game next week, though City, who were in FA Cup semi-final action this weekend, would have two games in hand.

That is because Manchester City were playing in the FA Cup semi-final earlier on Saturday against Southampton and are not back in league action until Monday, 4 May when they play Everton.

Having that buffer of points built up by the time of City’s next game at Everton on Monday 4 May would be a huge boost for Arteta’s side given they went into this weekend off the top for the first time since October.

According to Opta, Arsenal have a 72.44% chance of lifting the Premier League trophy at the end of the season compared to the 27.56% chance of Manchester City.

“You can’t question their fight. Arsenal have given absolutely everything on that pitch today,” former Crystal Palace and Brighton striker Glenn Murray said on BBC Radio 5 Live.

“Another huge three points for Arsenal to keep them top of the league.”

Arsenal are without a major trophy since the FA Cup triumph of 2020 which came in Arteta’s first season in charge.

And captain Martin Odegaard said that the effort the players put in is because every member of the team is doing what they can to get over the line.

“It was tough, very intense, very physical,” he told Sky Sports. “We did everything we could and we got the win, the most important thing was to bounce back with a win and get over the line with the three points.”

But for Odegaard, who played the full 90 minutes, and the rest of the squad attention quickly switches to the Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.

“This schedule is crazy,” Odegaard added. “We just have to keep going. It is the end of the season, just leave everything out that we have inside, fight every single game and we just have to keep going.

“That’s where we want to be but it is going to go all the way to the end. We are ready for it and we will fight every single day.”

Welcome to live coverage of the snooker World Championship from The Telegraph as Ronnie O’Sullivan takes on John Higgins in the second round.

The pair meet in the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield as they meet for the first time in over two years.

The match-up saw O’Sullivan a 4-0 winner against the Scottish former world No. 1 at the World Masters, but this best-of-25 is not so likely to be as one-sided.

Both are now veterans of the sport, amongst a handful of players who have won each of the Triple Crown events.

At 50, O’Sullivan is back in contention for his eighth world championship. With seven under his belt in his career so far, he currently shares the record of seven with former foe Stephen Hendry, though the pair now have a far warmer relationship.

Higgins and O’Sullivan have a competitive rivalry going back to October 1994, when Higgins secured his own whitewash, a 5-0 win at the Grand Prix.

O’Sullivan has been missing from several high profile fixtures over the last season, preferring to focus on events in Saudi Arabia and China. His appearances in Britain have been limited partly due to what he says is a declining interest in the sport, and also due to his new life in Dubai.

His last ranking title came in 2024 at the World Grand Prix, but earlier this month he defeated Higgins 6-0 at the John Virgo Trophy, an invitational event held in Ireland.

His opponent, meanwhile, won the World Open and Tour Championship last year, and was a beaten finalist in this year’s Masters when he lost 10-6 to Kyren Wilson.

For the victor, a match against the winner of Chris Wakelin vs Neil Robertson awaits in the quarter-finals.
 

Jimmy Bullard is said to be considering suing ITV as he feels he’s been ‘scapegoated’ over his row with Adam Thomas in the Rancid Run trial

Jimmy Bullard is reportedly considering suing ITV after a shocking and chaotic I’m A Celebrity final.

During last night’s final episode of the All Stars series, the former footballer came face to face with Adam for – what is believed to be – the first time in six months.

A row soon ensued when Jimmy accused Adam of being “abusive, aggressive and intimidating”. He then asked what hosts Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly thought of what happened, but Jimmy wasn’t happy with Ant’s response.

“He wanted everyone to see the shocking unedited version of the fight. Adam swore at him multiple times and most bystanders were shocked by his actions so Jimmy felt it was the last chance for viewers to see the full extent of his behaviour,” a source said.

“He was hugely disappointed in Ant and Dec for appearing to take Adam’s side and feels like he has been made a scapegoat. “Jimmy isn’t an angry person but he will stand up for what’s right.”

Jimmy was also said to be disappointed that Gemma Collins appeared to back Adam during the show.

The source told The Sun: “He was also disappointed his show buddy Gemma sided with Adam despite not even being present during their row. He thinks it feels performative on her part.

“He is talking to lawyers and looking into his ITV contract to see what grounds there are to sue.”

A spokesman for ITV said: “We showed an accurate and fair representation of events.”

Gemma doubled down on her comments on Instagram this morning, where she praised Adam. She wrote: “THE WINNER @adamthomas21. What a show up !!! Absolutely disgusted with jimmy and David’s behaviour the biggest show up in tv history !!! What an EMBARRASSMENT !

“To all the took part in the show it was a discredit to the production crew cast Ant and Dec biggest disrespect ever !!! Last night was meant to be a celebration instead it was very upsetting !! X Let’s hope Adam will find some energy to absorb his victory ! X”

During last night’s episode, Jimmy said: “Listen, Adam and all of you can be upset with me and I absolutely threw him under the bus, I get it and I’ll wear that. But what I don’t stand on, is someone being abusive, aggressive and intimidating, I don’t stand on that.” He then asked Ant and Dec – who were hosting the show – to share their opinions.

“You [Ant and Dec] were there and you didn’t show any of that footage. You didn’t show any of the C-bombs, it’s a liberty,” Jimmy told them. Ant then argued back: “The reason we didn’t air the C-bomb is because that is unbroadcastable. I was there and I didn’t think it was intimidating. I was there Jim.”

Adam then said: “I take full responsibility for my actions and yes emotions were definitely running high in that moment. I have nothing but love for Jimmy in that moment. I have apologised to Jimmy on numerous occasions and I do take everything that he is saying into account and the only thing I can do is apologise.

“That is not how I want to show myself off and I have never shown myself off like that before or after that. I do apologise Jimmy.”

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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.”

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.

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

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

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

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’?

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

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

Larne defeated Dungannon 8-0 at Inver Park to clinch the Gibson Cup for the third time in four seasons

Sports Direct Irish Premiership: Larne 8 Dungannon Swifts 0Gary Haveron said Larne have still “got a lot of history to write” after taking delivery last night of the Gibson Cup, flown in by helicopter that touched down in the centre circle at Inver Park.

The Larne boss enjoyed a dream finish to a wonderful season, as his side secured the title with a hammering of Dungannon Swifts.

Three league crowns in four years, with a historic European run in their only fallow season, has made this Larne’s era, but Haveron insists they are hungry for more.

“It was far from a straightforward season with the injuries and suspensions we had,” said the hometown hero.“People were talking about the demise of Larne Football Club but they underestimated what we have as a group, as a club, and a community.

“I love this town, I love the people, and I’m so lucky to have so many friends and family here to be part of it.

“We reset now though, it goes back to zero. We’ll enjoy the next few days but we’ll be ready to start all over again.

“We’ve got a lot of history to write at this football club.”

The opener arrived in the 12th minute when Jordan McEneff swung a peach of a cross in from the right and the ever-reliable Andy Ryan rose to plant a header past Swifts keeper Dylan Glass.

It was 2-0 nine minutes later when Leroy Millar doggedly won possession before freeing Matty Lusty to dink a lovely finish over the exposed Glass.

The livewire striker added another just before the half-hour mark when the ball ricocheted into his path and he rounded Glass then rolled the ball into the empty net as the party atmosphere continued unabated to the break.

Lusty rounded off his hat-trick two minutes after the restart, manipulating the ball adroitly on the edge of the box until he had space to spank a low shot across goal and into the bottom corner.

Ryan had his brace in the bag shortly after, firing past Glass after a well-worked set-piece routine saw McEneff roll the ball into his path from a corner.

The sixth arrived just past the hour mark as Sean Graham hared through to get in on the act, clipping a tidy left-foot finish to the net.

Ryan’s relentless hunger for goals was rewarded in the 71st minute when Paul O’Neill unselfishly squared the ball for the Scot to claim his hat-trick from ten yards out.

Karma repaid O’Neill soon after as the striker scored the goal of the game by lifting a gorgeous lob over Glass from a narrow angle to complete the demolition job.

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James Justin heads back to Wembley with Leeds United, having missed Leicester City’s shock FA Cup win in 2021 due to injury, and wants to make amends this time round

James Justin is on a mission to pile on the pain for Chelsea – and make up for one of the lowest moments of his career.

Justin was left devastated in 2021 when an ACL injury forced him to miss Leicester City’s shock FA Cup final triumph over Chelsea. The full back received a winners’ medal, having played in some of the previous rounds before getting injured, but admits he doesn’t even know where it is.

And now he wants to get his hands on another one on behalf of Leeds United, who meet managerless Chelsea in a crunch semi final showdown on Sunday.

Justin said: “It was a bittersweet moment, to be honest. Obviously I had played in a couple of rounds before and did well, but to be injured while my team-mates were out there, it was a bitter pill to swallow.

“At the end of the day it’s a team sport, and I’ve still got a medal to show for it. I don’t know where the medal is. It’s somewhere at home. It was a bad time in my career in terms of the injury, so I was just happy they got it over the line.

READ MORE: Ethan Ampadu on mission to bury ghosts and settle old scores in Chelsea showdownREAD MORE: Leeds United star in disagreement with Daniel Farke ahead of FA Cup semi-final

“But it was one of the lower points. Everyone plays their part, though, whether you play in the third round or in the final. Everyone has a helping hand, so I’d played a part, but obviously not as much as I wanted to.

“Hopefully I can change that this time. Chelsea in the semi-final, it might be the same outcome, hopefully.”

Justin insists Leeds can beat Chelsea, and that Daniel Farke’s men will look to exploit weaknesses in opponents who head into the game having sacked Liam Rosenior, after losing seven of their last eight games in all competitions.

He said: “With the squad that we’ve got, obviously, we’ve had good results against some big sides this season. So nothing’s out of the question. And we’re going there with confidence after the last couple of wins.

“They’re obviously a top side with top talent. And since the manager came in, they’ve obviously changed their style a little bit. But they’ve still got the same tendencies. And hopefully, we can figure out a game plan to push on their weaknesses.”

Justin, who won his one England cap back in 2022, has never played at Wembley. And he is relishing the chance to finally grace one of football’s greatest stages.

Justin, who joined Leeds from the Foxes last summer for £10m, added: “Hopefully I can get the chance to be out there in an FA Cup final, which would be a dream for me. It’s an exciting prospect. Everyone hears about how big the pitch is, how grand it feels, so yeah, I’m excited to get the chance to play.

“I played for Luton growing up and and grateful for everything they taught me over the years. I was lucky enough to travel when I was a kid and played in high-pressure moments -and hopefully I handle them well now.

“Definitely it could be a career high, this season. I feel like this has been a fresh start for me and my family. I’ve played a lot over the second half of this season and I’m really enjoying it, enjoying living in the city.

“Hopefully we can achieve our main goal, which is staying in the Premier League – and then see what happens in the cup.”

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