The warning comes from publican Andrew Hields, who runs three Yorkshire Dales venues – including the UK’s highest pub, the Tan Hill Inn near Richmond.

Mr Hields also runs the Green Dragon Inn at Hadraw and the Station Inn at Ribblehead.

Pubs with stunning views, large beer gardens and strong community ties could soon face higher tax bills under new HMRC guidance.

Mr Hields said: “At best they lose money for four months, break even for four months and usually only make money for four months – the latter becoming more difficult due to recent Government decisions.”

He argued the tax fails to consider the seasonal nature of such businesses and places further strain on an already struggling hospitality sector.

He said: “Most ‘nice pubs’ are rural which means they already have higher costs and often have less access to a local workforce, so have to pay more to get staff, more on service and increased marketing costs to create awareness and appeal.”

Mr Hields questioned how HMRC would define what qualifies as a ‘nice pub,’ whether by architecture, the street it’s on, or its history.

He also noted additional costs for rural pubs, such as higher insurance due to remoteness from emergency services and increased overheads like those faced by the off-grid Tan Hill Inn, which relies on generators for electricity.

He said: “We are also a lifeline for other businesses in the area we operate, from tradespeople to local producers.

“Nice in this context seems to defined by what something looks like or its setting – not taking into account the challenges and expenses these particular businesses are facing.

“Also who visits a pub that is not nice? All pubs are arguably nice or people wouldn’t go to them.

“This is an absolutely nonsensical, badly thought out scheme which will ruin lots of businesses and communities.

“The Government need to seriously reconsider before making this move, along with other recent decisions which are having a detrimental effect on the hospitality industry.”

Available for over a year

Today, the Prime minister says he “felt sick” as he watched the body cam footage of a student who was handcuffed as he lay dying.

The 18-year-old Southampton student Henry Nowak was handcuffed after Vickrum Digwa, 23, lied to police at the scene of the 2025 stabbing, claiming he had been the victim of a racist attack. Shabana Mahmood described the murder as an “an act of pure evil” and described bodycam footage of officers handcuffing Nowak as “disturbing and tragic”.

Adam and Joe are joined by BBC News’ special correspondent Lucy Manning to go through the details of this case.

And, Peter Murrell, the estranged husband of Nicola Sturgeon, had the details of his embezzlement laid out in court. Murrell pleaded guilty to embezzling more than £400,000 from the party over a 12-year period to buy a string of goods including soaps, a motorhome and… mug warmers? Adam and James discuss.

You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say “Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers.

You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscord

Get in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.

New episodes released every day. If you’re in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd

Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Anna Harris and Gabriel Purcell-Davis. The social producer was Jem Westgate. The technical producer was Philip Bull. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

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If you’re struggling to get a soft and fluffy texture on your scrambled eggs, chefs say there’s one common fridge ingredient you should be adding for the best results

Eggs are a breakfast staple, with everyone having their own preferred method of preparation. Scrambled eggs remain a perennial favourite, and both professional chefs and home cooks have developed their own techniques for perfecting them.

However, if you’re finding it difficult to achieve a soft, fluffy texture with your scrambled eggs, chefs have revealed there’s one ingredient you should incorporate before cooking in the pan. Christina Manian, a registered dietitian and writer, explored whether dairy products have a place in scrambled eggs.

Writing for Simply Recipes, she said: “One classic add-in is milk, which got me wondering if the dairy actually belongs in scrambled eggs. So, I asked four chefs with plenty of scrambled egg experience under their belts, and they all said the same thing.”

The chefs unanimously agreed that incorporating milk can significantly enhance the texture of homemade scrambled eggs. The quantity of milk, however, can differ according to individual taste.

Michelle Doll Olson, head chef at HelloFresh US, explained that it’s the water content within the milk that transforms the flavour and consistency.

She said: “When you whisk a splash of milk into your raw mixture, you’re introducing moisture. As the eggs hit the hot pan, that liquid evaporates, creating steam that pushes against the egg proteins. This results in a fluffier scramble.”

Home cooks should ensure they don’t add excessive milk to avoid the scrambled eggs becoming watery. Nelson Serrano-Bahri, chef and director of innovation at the American Egg Board, suggests incorporating one tablespoon of milk for every two eggs.

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Combine the milk and eggs in a bowl, whisk thoroughly, then transfer the mixture to a pan. Any variety of milk will do, though a higher-fat option will produce a more indulgent texture.

Some culinary experts even go as far as adding a dash of cream. Gordon Ramsay, for instance, incorporates crème fraîche into his scrambled eggs.

Achieving that perfectly fluffy consistency isn’t solely down to adding milk, however — mastering the cooking technique is equally crucial. Serrano-Bahri advises cooking the eggs over a low to medium-low heat, with patience being the key throughout the entire process.

He explained: “Cook the eggs gently over low to medium-low heat, stir them slowly, and pull them from the pan just before they look fully set. Eggs continue cooking from residual heat, so that helps keep the final scramble soft and tender.”

Services were disrupted throughout Tuesday until the strike ended just before midnight, with no trains on some lines and delays or part suspensions on others, after Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) Union members walked out over plans for a 35-hour, four-day week for drivers.

For captive animals, engaging in natural behaviour is a pillar of the animal welfare framework. But when it comes to sex, one important behaviour has
been largely ignored, and sometimes even punished: masturbation.

Solo sex is surprisingly common across the animal kingdom. It is well documented in primates. Tortoises are surprisingly vocal during their solo lovemaking endeavours, if not very graceful. Camels masturbate by rubbing their penises in the sand and porcupines make inventive use of all sorts of objects.

Our new study could change how other scientists view masturbation in birds and improve their welfare.

Masturbation also seems to be common in birds. A quick internet search brings up an abundance of video clips on social media and dedicated posts on bird-keeping forums, largely from worried or bemused hobbyist bird keepers.

It has often been treated as an abnormal problem behaviour in captive birds (particularly parrots). Folklore husbandry has assumed it is the undesirable outcome of stress, bad health or poor environment. Bird keepers often therefore discourage masturbation via punishment or veterinary interventions such as diet or care changes and, sometimes, even drugs and surgery. Despite the welfare implications, masturbation in birds had been largely unexplored by the scientific community.

We set out to change that, by investigating the distribution and evolutionary history of masturbation in birds for the first time. We studied 120 species of bird across 22 major groups, gathering data from the scattered scientific literature, online reports and community forums, and surveys of bird experts.

Our study found that masturbation is widespread across birds with a strong evolutionary history, meaning that it’s an ancient trait probably similar in closely related species. Although we found more records of masturbation in male birds, it occurs in both sexes and across all age groups.

Solo sex also seems to be linked to species that mate with multiple partners, supporting the idea that it might help to increase reproductive success when there is a high degree of competition over fertilisation. For instance, in males it may flush out old sperm to leave newer (better condition) sperm for mating. In females it may increase sexual arousal to help with sneak mating with males other than their partner.

Wild behaviour

Crucially, we discovered that masturbation is actually less common in captivity than the wild, and more common in birds reared by their own parents than by humans.
What this tells us is that masturbation in birds is neither an unnatural
behaviour, nor a consequence of captivity. Given this finding, it is important
that birds are not prevented from masturbation. Of course, as with any behaviour, there may be extreme cases where chronic masturbation could indicate underlying health or husbandry issues.

Avian self-pleasure is usually a rather inelegant affair, in which a bird rubs their cloaca (a shared orifice for both excretion and reproduction) against an object, like a branch, twig or toy. This is often accompanied by a lot of flapping and self-satisfied vocalisation.

One potential reason for the lack of scientific studies exploring avian masturbation may be because the cloaca is thought to have fewer nerve clusters, and therefore lower sensitivity, than our own genitals.

Clearly however, birds are getting some satisfaction from masturbation, so perhaps there is more to a bird’s sensations during sex than has previously been recognised. Further exploration of this could have important implications for both welfare and captive breeding programmes. While sexual pleasure may not be exactly the same experience as for mammals, it is wildly premature to dismiss the idea that birds also feel pleasure.

The Bee Network put a message out on social media stating that due to a police incident all tram service has been cancelled between Bury and Whitefield.

There is, however, bus services operating in the area.

The Bee Network said: “Due to a police incident, there are no services operating between Bury and Whitefield.

“There is ticket acceptance in place on the following bus services: 17, 41, 52, 53, 90, 95, 97, 98, 99, 112, 117, 118, 119, 135, 156, 163 and 524.

“Simply show the driver your Metrolink ticket or pass when boarding.

“To continue your journey by bus, please visit our journey planner

“Please select ‘options’ and check only the bus icon is highlighted. This feature is also available on the Bee Network app where you can also find bus tracking information.”

The UK could see a warmer-than-average summer with the potential for more heatwaves, according to latest forecasts.

The Met Office released its three-month summer outlook on 1 June – the first day of meteorological summer – citing higher-than-normal chances of hotter weather during the month.

And for the whole summer – which runs through to the end of August – the outlook suggests “an increased chance of heatwaves and heat-related impacts”.

It comes after a late spring heatwave saw temperature records shattered across the UK.

A new all-time May record of 35.1C was set in Kew Gardens, London, replacing the previous record of 32.8C from 1944.

Yellow and amber heat health alerts were also issued for the first time this year.

Now, long-range forecasts from the Met Office and MeteoGroup – the latter being providers of BBC Weather data – suggest the summer ahead will bring the risk of additional heatwaves.

A “few notable high temperature spikes” are also possible according to MeteoGroup.

They also go on to say that “above-average temperatures” are expected for each of the months of June, July and August, and “significant bursts” of heat are expected in the UK, and across Europe.

But, according to the Met Office, the higher than average temperatures forecast comes as having a hotter summer is now twice as likely than the reference averaging period of 1991-2020, consistent with our warming climate.

The warrant was carried out in partnership with Manchester City Council Trading Standards, Licensing and Anti-Social Behaviour teams, with support from Greater Manchester Police’s Specialist Operations Branch, including the Tactical Aid Unit (TAU) and Specialist Dog Unit.

Following the execution of a warrant at a business on Tib Street, one man, aged 56, was arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods, possession of an offensive weapon, and possession with intent to supply Class C drugs.

At a separate address in North Manchester, a second man, aged 23, was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class B drugs and possession of an offensive weapon.

A third man, aged 23, was also later arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class B drugs.

Enquiries remain ongoing, and the three men have been released on bail.

A closure notice for the business for an initial 48-hour period has been secured, with an application for a Closure Order to be heard at the Magistrates’ Court.

The action follows concerns raised by residents and businesses across Piccadilly Gardens and the Northern Quarter, particularly in relation to drug dealing, drug misuse, and associated anti-social behaviour.

Officers say they have been working closely with partners to gather intelligence and take targeted enforcement action.

Inspector Kam Hare, from the City Centre Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “We have listened carefully to the concerns raised by residents and businesses across the Northern Quarter, who have been reporting various typed of anti-social and drug criminality.

“Acting on that information and intelligence, officers executed a warrant yesterday, targeting those believed to be linked to criminal activity in the area.

“This action demonstrates our commitment to tackling the issues that matter most to our communities, disrupting criminal networks and improving safety in the city centre.

“We will continue to work closely with local partners, residents, and businesses to ensure Manchester City Centre remains a safe and welcoming place for all.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Greater Manchester Police or report anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The Capricorn Moon links with Venus in Cancer, giving the day a sense of balance and equilibrium. Make sure you extend this security to your relationships.

Cancer, Leo and Virgo, friends and family may need you to find some common ground today. You can take some time out, but don’t be totally absent.

Don’t up the pressure. The cosmos primes you for positive interactions, if you do your own work too.

Ahead, you’ll find all star signs’ horoscopes for today: Wednesday June 3, 2026.

Like checking your horoscope every morning? You can now sign up to our free daily newsletter to get a personalised reading for your star sign delivered straight to your inbox.

To order your unique personal horoscope based on your time, date and place of birth, visit patrickarundell.com.

Aries

March 21 to April 20

Today’s Moon-Venus face-off could find you discouraged if you can’t get enough done. Be good to yourself at work by taking breaks and eating properly. Also, look to leave your home organised so you don’t feel bad about returning to an untidy scene. Want to be more productive? Write a to-do list and think of ways you can weave acts of self-care into the day.

Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aries

Taurus

April 21 to May 21

Wondering or worrying about someone who is going on a long trip, or taking on a challenge? It’s natural to feel like this, but being overly concerned could leave them a tad deflated. A thoughtful conversation could help reshape your perspective and allow them room to get on with their plans. Looking for a restorative? A get-together with friends could perk you up.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Taurus

Gemini

May 22 to June 21

Feel in need of a little retail therapy? With Venus in your money zone, shopping could feel rewarding if you invest wisely rather than spend wildly. The Moon in Capricorn encourages you to keep an eye on your outgoings, but not to the extent that you feel deprived. Do something nice for yourself, even if it’s only a small treat. It can be a real boost.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Gemini

Cancer

June 22 to July 23

The Capricorn Moon opposes Venus in your sign, so relationships may seem like a finely balanced scale. You can feel pulled between meeting your needs and those of someone close to you. Don’t go too far either way, as caring for others doesn’t mean forgetting about yourself. Equally, focusing on you doesn’t exclude true connection. Find the middle path and relax.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Cancer

Leo

July 24 to August 23

There’s a lot to gain by taking time out of your daily routine to explore your spiritual side. Sometimes the best ideas come when you’re doing nothing but meditating and relaxing. If you’ve felt jaded by daily tasks, today’s Moon-Venus tie encourages you to see nurturing and rest as an investment. It could open a space for wonderful ideas to emerge.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Leo

Virgo

August 24 to September 23

Tempted to ignore your social group and do your own thing? You might feel guilty for letting some friends down, especially if they’re looking forward to you all going out together. Consider a compromise or maybe find a way to do both. You could feel deeply inspired by your inner muse; if so, note those ideas down and return to them later.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Virgo

Libra

September 24 to October 23

Your ability to make others feel at ease and your warm, engaging way with people in authority can work to your advantage now. It’s a good time to socialise with those in your professional sphere. Yet responsibilities at home could clash with duties at work, so make informed decisions. Your natural diplomacy will smooth over possible tensions.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Libra

Scorpio

October 24 to November 22

Beliefs could be at the heart of an unsatisfactory conversation. You’ll be ready to compromise and find a way around a thorny subject, but someone may want to stick to their principles. Don’t bend yourself into a pretzel, as your views count too. Having an honest discussion makes it easier to embrace other ideas and see things from a new perspective.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Scorpio

Sagittarius

November 23 to December 21

You may question what you truly need versus what you feel obliged to buy. The Moon in Capricorn opposes Venus in Cancer, so a desire to take the easiest route around finances can be tempting. It’s best to do some in-depth research. Need to pare back spending? Go for treats that you know you will enjoy, without spending so much that you’ll regret it.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Sagittarius

Capricorn

December 22 to January 21

You’ll want to focus on your own path, but you may need to address other people’s issues first. No matter how keen you are to complete something, you’ll likely have to sit down with someone and talk to them. You’ll also need to tap into your sensitive side to offer the right words or wise advice. Then you can get back to tackling practical plans and tasks.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Capricorn

Aquarius

January 22 to February 19

You may feel productive on the surface but be aware that something deeper is asking for attention or care. Don’t brush this aside; rest and reflection can aid progress rather than disrupt it. Small, thoughtful changes to your routine can ease buried tension, which can be key to feeling happier and more relaxed all around. A little self-care works wonders now.

Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aquarius

Pisces

February 20 to March 20

A firmer boundary can help you enjoy a leisurely space. You may have a new romance on the go, be about to initiate one, or want to get out the art or craft equipment or a musical instrument, as you’ll be keen to make something beautiful. Such ideas can conflict with a group activity you’re supposed to support but would honestly rather avoid.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Pisces

Your daily Metro.co.uk horoscope is here every morning, seven days a week (yes, including weekends!). To check your forecast, head to our dedicated horoscopes page.

Head here for this week’s tarot horoscope reading, and see what the cards have in store for you!

Check out the tarot horoscope reading for the month of June here.

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Political satire has mocked the powerful for centuries. But in an age of endless headlines, rolling news and social media outrage, satire can often feel strangely powerless.

In Georgian Britain, satire had the power not just to entertain the public, but to shape reputations and destroy careers. Satire meant a scandal could define a politician for decades. Few figures embodied this more completely than Charles James Fox, as my research explores.

Fox was one of the most famous politicians of his age. He was a brilliant parliamentary speaker, early supporter of the French revolution, notorious gambler and political celebrity long before the term even existed.

Though technically a Whig (a former political party), Fox transcended party labels. Admirers celebrated him as a champion of liberty and the “man of the people”. Critics saw him as reckless, corrupt and morally unfit for office.

He fascinated the public because politics itself was changing. The late 18th century was an age of expanding print culture, coffeehouse debate and increasingly personality-driven politics. The boundary between the public and private lives of politicians was beginning to erode. Rumour, gossip and scandal became central to political life in ways that feel remarkably modern.

What made scandals like these so politically potent was the rise of the caricature and visual satire. In Georgian Britain, political scandal was not just reported but also illustrated, exaggerated and displayed for public consumption.

London print shops filled their windows with satirical prints mocking politicians, royalty and public figures. Crowds gathered outside to laugh, gossip and debate the latest controversy. Those who could afford the prints bought and collected them, while others encountered them in coffeehouses and public spaces.

À lire aussi :
How 18th-century politician Charles Fox mastered personality politics long before Trump and Farage

Fox’s public image was shaped as much by scandal as by policy. Even as a child, he was associated with allegations of corruption surrounding his father, Henry Fox, who had served as paymaster of the armed forces, the sole domestic banker of the army. Henry Fox was accused by critics of enriching himself in office, which led to satirical prints of him being drawn and distributed.

As Fox entered politics himself, the accusations followed him. During elections, he was repeatedly accused of bribing voters with food and drink through his ally Sam House, who was a popular publican and political organiser. Other rumours claimed Fox had illegally transported labourers into his constituency to secure extra votes.

Rumour and infamy

The most infamous stories surrounded Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, one of Fox’s most devoted supporters. According to persistent rumours, she canvassed for Fox by exchanging kisses for votes, and, in more scandalous versions of the story, sexual favours too.

The allegations became political theatre, feeding a public appetite for scandal that blurred entertainment and politics. Caricatures were drawn up and shared among the population.

But Fox’s greatest controversy came in 1783, when he entered a coalition government with his former rival Lord North. North was the prime minister widely blamed for losing the American colonies after the war of independence in 1776. Many viewed the alliance as cynical and hypocritical.

The deeper scandal, however, centred on the East India Company. This was the vast trading corporation that effectively functioned as Britain’s colonial arm in India. Fox attempted to reform the company through legislation that would transfer oversight to a board of commissioners appointed by parliament.

Critics accused Fox and North of using the reforms to place political allies and family members into positions of power. Opponents portrayed the scheme not as reform, but as naked political patronage. The controversy proved disastrous. Public outrage contributed to the collapse of the government after less than a year in office.

Because caricatures were visual, artists could ridicule politicians in ways written journalism could not. Fox was regularly depicted as grotesque, drunken or corrupt. Following the East India Company controversy, critics nicknamed him “Carlo Khan”, portraying him as a despot attempting to seize imperial power for himself.

These images travelled slowly compared with modern media, but that slow speed gave them lasting force. Prints had to be designed, etched, published and physically distributed before reaching audiences. People spent time with them. Scandal lingered in public consciousness for years rather than days.

Fox himself recognised their power, admitting that caricatures had “certainly a vast effect upon the public mind”. Even after returning to government in 1806 as foreign secretary in the Ministry of All the Talents, he could not entirely escape the reputational damage inflicted more than two decades earlier.

The speed of scandal

Today, scandal moves at a radically different speed. News cycles turn over within hours, and outrage competes constantly for public attention. Satire remains everywhere – on television, online, across social media feeds and in endless memes – but its very abundance can dilute its effect.

The 18th century reminds us that political scandal is nothing new. Nor is the public fascination with flawed, theatrical politicians. But it also suggests that satire once possessed a greater ability to linger, shaping how political figures were remembered long after the immediate scandal had passed.

For Charles Fox, scandal was not simply a temporary embarrassment. It became part of his identity. That may be the greatest difference between the world of Georgian satire and our own. It’s not the existence of scandal itself, but the length of time we are able to remember it.