He is still set to appear on the ballot paper despite the suspension

A Conservative candidate who is set to run in the upcoming local elections has been suspended by his party. Ishfaq Hussain has been dropped by the Conservatives as a candidate councillor for Dogsthorpe ward following criticism of posts he made on social media that have been described as antisemitic.

The former councillor caused offense when he used the word “Zio” to respond to an anti-Islam post on social media. “Zio” is a pejorative shortening of the word Zionist popularised by former Ku Klux Klan Grad Wizard, David Duke.

A Conservative party spokesman told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “These apparent comments are wholly unacceptable, and this individual has been suspended from the Conservative Party pending an investigation. Whilst this process is rightfully confidential, the Party has withdrawn support from their campaign with immediate effect.”

Hussain was briefly suspended in 2021 after posting comments on Facebook which said Jewish people living in Israel are not “true Jews” and that Israel is part of a “Zionist trilogy” alongside America and Saudi Arabia which “breed terrorists”.

Despite exhibiting language the Jewish Leadership Council described at the time as “abhorrent and antisemitic,” Hussain was readmitted to the party after he issued a public apology.

Even though the Conservatives are withdrawing their support, Hussain will still appear as a candidate on the Dogsthorpe ballot paper for the upcoming local elections as it is now too late to make any changes.

An assessment done as part of plans to achieve energy independence found 175 rooftops on City of York Council-owned buildings where panels could be installed, along with other renewable power projects.

A council report stated it came as demand for energy in York is forecast to more than double by 2050 which would cost an extra £100m to supply power for.

But it added only 2.24 per cent of York’s power needs were supplied from renewable energy sources as of 2023 and significant developments in infrastructure would be required.

It comes as proposals outlining how the council could achieve energy independence are set to go before an executive decision meeting on Tuesday, May 5.

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A report on the plans stated they came after energy costs had been significantly volatile in recent years due to global events such as the war in Ukraine.

It added generating more energy locally would help York be less reliant on outside power sources which would protect the council and households from price spikes and grid outages.

The council is also aiming to become net zero in carbon emissions by 2030, ahead of the national target date of 2050.

National Power Grid forecasts estimate York will reach net zero by 2050, falling short of the council’s goal according to the report.

York’s total demand for energy 703.29 gigawatt hours (GWh) as of 2023.

The total is forecast to rise to 869.13GWh by 2030 and 1,427GWh by 2050.

York and North Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority funding worth £430,000 has also been offered to support renewable energy schemes.

They include the Harewood Whin Green Energy Park which was approved to progress in September, a feasibility study into a city district heat network and assessments for other renewable opportunities.

An extra 139.16GWh is forecast to be generated once all renewable energy projects planned in York by the council and other businesses and organisations are completed.

The council has a pipeline of upcoming projects across a number of buildings it owns and runs which would generate around 4.5GWh of renewable energy a year.

It would be the equivalent of around 16 per cent of the forecast energy demand in 2030 and 9.75 per cent of 2050’s.

The council report stated a mass rollout of solar panels was one of the additional opportunities available to York to help achieve energy independence.

The installation of solar panels across all 175 buildings identified could potentially generate an extra 59.79GHw.

Events such as the Ukraine war have fuelled global volatility in energy (Image: Agency)

That would equate to 8.19 per cent of 2030’s forecast total energy demand and 4.64 per cent of 2050’s.

Work under the Energy Generation Accelerator Programme (EGAP) is ongoing to find potential sites in York for large-scale renewable projects.

Future opportunities for ground-mounted solar panels in York would generate around 52 per cent of 2030’s forecast total energy demand and 29.5 per cent of 2050’s.

The council’s report stated that energy independence would reduce York’s reliance on outside power sources and keep more revenues in the local area.

But it added there were challenges including the cost of some projects, competing demand for land for food and housing and potentially making existing inequalities worse.

The report stated: “Energy Independence has the potential to provide financial savings for households by installing self-generation which can significantly reduce utility bills and insulate consumers from price spikes.

Localised energy also allows homes to maintain power during grid outages, providing protection against extreme weather.

“Producing our own energy reduces vulnerability to global supply chain disruptions and geopolitical instability. “

Specialist business property adviser Christie & Co is retailing The Plough Inn in Sleights, for £375,000 freehold.

The Plough Inn is a Grade II listed public house with a main bar, lounge, and dining area, traditionally decorated throughout and with distinctive features such as coped gables and shaped kneelers placing it firmly within the heritage character of the North Yorkshire region.

Upstairs, there are three en suite B&B rooms, as well as three-bedroom owner/manager living accommodation. The property is being sold with vacant possession.

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The dog-friendly venue received good ratings on reviews websites.

Google awarded 4.4 stars out of five, based on 614 Google reviews. Tripadvisor awarded 4.2 stars out of five, based on 424 reviews.

One recent Tripadvisor comment said: “Just moved to Sleights and wanted to try our village pub. Quiet night but the food was excellent. Dog friendly so our fox red was welcome. Would recommend it.”

Marslie McGregor, Senior Business Agent at Christie & Co, is managing the sale process and said, “The sale of The Plough presents an exciting opportunity for an operator to re‑establish a valued village pub and develop a sustainable hospitality business rooted in its historic character.

How to subscribe to The Press (Image: NQ)

“The building’s layout and beer garden with Esk Valley views offer practical spaces for food, drink, and events, while the presence of letting rooms with en suite facilities provides potential for additional revenue through accommodation. We encourage interested parties to get in touch for more information.”

For more information, visit: https://www.christie.com/6450584/

Samuel West, who plays Siegfried Farnon, and Anna Madeley, who plays Mrs Hall in the television series, planted the tree at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Visitor Centre in Grassington on Monday (April 27).

Mark Corner, member champion for natural environment at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, said: “This new generation of trees reminds us that conservation is about our commitment to future generations.

1 Sam West and Anna Madeley planting the Sycamore Gap sapling (Image: YDNPA)

“From one iconic tree to 15, its legacy will now grow in every National Park, and we are proud to play our part in this story of resilience and renewal here in the Yorkshire Dales.

“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Sam and Anna for taking time out of their busy filming schedule to help us celebrate this landmark moment in the continuation of the Sycamore Gap tree’s legacy.

“Their involvement is especially fitting here in the Yorkshire Dales – home of All Creatures Great and Small – a place long associated with compassion for animals, landscapes, and rural communities.

“It’s a reminder of how deeply our stories, our places, and our care for nature are linked.

Sam West and Anna Madeley doing the spadework (Image: YDNPA)

“The location at Grassington National Park Visitor Centre ensures visitors can watch the sapling grow in the heart of the National Park – a place where thousands begin their exploration of the Dales every year.”

The sapling is one of 15 being planted across the UK, each in a national park, as part of a legacy project following the felling of the original Sycamore Gap tree in 2023.

Anna Madeley and Sam West (Image: YDNPA)

The cuttings were propagated by the National Trust as part of a scheme led by National Parks UK in partnership with the trust.

Each sapling is a direct cutting from the original Sycamore Gap tree, ensuring its story continues to grow in landscapes cared for by National Park teams, communities, farmers and landowners.

The Yorkshire Dales site is especially meaningful as a filming location for All Creatures Great and Small and a starting point for many visitors exploring the national park.

The Red Lion in Norton, on the junction of Norton Road and Harland Place, will soon reopen after briefly closing earlier this year, following a short-lived stint under previous management.

Now, the County Durham team behind another successful local pub have stepped in, hoping to breathe new life into the well-known venue.

The family-run team previously took over The Village Tavern in Coxhoe, to prevent it from closing, and is about to celebrate the first anniversary there on May 9.

One of the owners, Leanne Storr, 44, from Coxhoe, said: “We took over The Village Tavern last year, and to be honest, we just kind of winged it. We didn’t really know what we were doing at first, but we loved it.

“It’s our local pub – we didn’t want it to close and wanted to make it work. Since then, we’ve been looking for somewhere else because we have a great team and some really good staff, and we thought now’s the time to branch out.”

The family will officially take over the Red Lion on May 18, bringing with them a year of experience.

Leanne will run the pub with her sister Jill Shaw and both of their partners, Andrew Shaw and Matthew Storr.

She said she was “excited” to be bringing the popular pub back to life.

“Some of us are familiar with the village, and some of us weren’t, but we really liked it,” she said.

“It’s a lovely place, and when we went to look at The Red Lion, we felt it was something we could take on. After the checks and formalities, we got offered it recently, so we decided to take the risk and see if we can do it again.

The Red Lion (Image: Parker Barras)

“It’s definitely a bigger place than the one we’ve got, so it feels a little intimidating, but we’re all really excited to see where we can take it. We’ve got lots of plans, and we want to make it welcoming for everyone in the village.”

Those plans include scrapping the previous dress code, introducing happy hours and all-day offers, and putting on live music and events.

The 44-year-old said: “We want to have local bands and artists, maybe some karaoke nights, and put in a pool table and darts board. It’s about giving people a reason to come in, enjoy themselves, and feel like it’s their pub.”

Leanne and her team said they hope to make it a hub for the village once again.

She said: “We’re all about keeping things simple – good prices, good people, and a pub you’ll want to come back to.

“We want to make it a proper, welcoming pub atmosphere for everyone to enjoy.”

International Dawn Chorus Day (May 3 for 2026) is a great time to hear the UK’s birds at their most vocal. While we can enjoy the variety and beauty of birdsong, for the birds themselves it serves more practical purposes – to attract a mate and establish and defend a breeding territory.

Birds can produce complex vocal sounds, which we refer to as “song” because they have a vocal organ called the syrinx – which, unlike the larynx possessed by mammals like the human, can make two distinct notes simultaneously. This ability to generate notes in rapid succession is helpful because birds hear their song and the songs of other birds differently to humans.

Research suggests that they are able to perceive small and rapid changes in sound much more clearly than we can, meaning what we may hear as a single or buzzy note will be distinguished by them as multiple notes. Birdsong to a bird is something of much greater complexity than we can apprehend.

International Dawn Chorus Day brings casual bird appreciators, ornithological experts and dedicated twitchers together in a celebration of birdsong. In our series, experts give their insights on nature’s chorus.

While I understand that I hear bird song very differently to the creatures that make it, my background as a music producer, field recordist, sound artist – and keen amateur birdwatcher (and listener) – has made me think about which notable musicians and pieces of music might have something in common stylistically with the songs of certain birds. The following is both speculative and entirely subjective and I would welcome other ideas and opinions.

Blackbird

Whether delivered from rooftop or treetop, their sweet, tender and calming song, which has been likened to human whistling, can often be heard book-ending our daylight hours. Bobby McFerrin’s whistled introduction to Don’t Worry Be Happy captures something both of the blackbird’s performance and sense of ease it can create in the listener.

Though joined by visitors from colder climes in autumn and winter, our breeding population of blackbirds are common year-round residents in UK gardens and woodlands.

Nightingale

There are few wildlife experiences in the UK that can match hearing a nightingale singing at close range, and this summer visitor – a scarcer cousin of the blackbird and song thrush – should be in full voice by International Dawn Chorus Day. The dynamics, dexterity and variation in its song are extraordinary, and it is no surprise that it has inspired poets such as Keats, Milton and Rossetti, and composers including Stravinsky, Beethoven and Rimsky-Korsakov.

When thinking about a musician who can get some way to matching the expressiveness of the nightingale, Italian American operatic soprano Amelita Galli-Curci’s 1927 recording of the Russian popular song The Nightingale (Solovey) by Alyabyev
captures something of the bird’s style with her nimble and vivid flourishes.

However, the nightingale is known for never performing the same song twice, and as
one of nature’s great musical improvisers, a better match might be the solos of jazz saxophonist John Coltrane.

In Bye Bye Blackbird Coltrane combines fast-paced bursts of melody with more thoughtful and lyrical sections, evoking something of the nightingale’s song. Coltrane is also quite a loud player and nightingales, as anyone who has heard one in the flesh will know, are loud – you can’t miss them.

Reed warbler

A wetland reedbed bird that arrives in the UK in mid-April, the reed warbler
couldn’t be further from the melodic and rhythmic variation of the nightingale. It prefers an almost monotonic song.

The hypnotic main riff on New York DJ and producer Joey Beltram’s Energy Flash comes to mind for its rhythmic solidity, while its subtle filter adjustments evoke the bird’s buzzy modulation.

Sedge warbler

The reed warbler, or at least its sound, might not be out of place in a subterranean Berlin techno club at 4am, but its reedbed neighbour the sedge warbler is much more of a bebop hep cat. Its fast and complex patterns combining staccato sections with more melodic phrases could recall the sharp accents and raid trills of “the Bird” himself – legendary saxophonist Charlie Parker.

But for me, the sedge warbler is too buzzy and raspy for the smooth tones of a tenor sax, and the rapid-fire delivery of trumpeter Fats Navarro on cuts like Wail or The Chase is a better fit.

Blackcap

One of our more common migrant warblers in the UK, the blackcap’s loud and
frequent song can be heard in wooded areas across the country. To my ears, its
volume and power is matched only by its tunelessness, with every note sounding just
a little flat or sharp in relation to what proceeds and follows.

It is reminiscent of an enthusiastic singing talent show auditionee belting out Anastasia’s I’m Outta Love. Nine out of ten for effort, but a much lower score for the precision of its pitching.

Bittern

The elusive bittern is usually a bird to be heard but not seen. Another denizen of the reedbed, its booming song can be likened to someone blowing across the top of a very large bottle or beginning to play a giant didgeridoo and then thinking better of it. Like the reed warbler, it prefers to stay hidden among the reeds where it provides some serious sub bass accompaniment to that other bird’s techno riffing. Think of a bleep-and-bass classic like LFO by LFO.

I hope you enjoy the variety and virtuosity of song on offer in your own garden, local park or woodland on International Dawn Chorus Day. Or like me, you can head for the rave going on at your nearest wetland nature reserve.

The Night Manager creator David Farr has shared an exciting update on the highly-anticipated third season

There’s good news for fans of The Night Manager.

Devotees of the BBC and Prime Video hit thriller The Night Manager have been treated to an exciting update from the show’s creator.

David Farr spoke at Deadline’s Contenders TV panel, where he disclosed some thrilling news regarding the highly-anticipated third series.

Fans endured a decade-long wait for series two, which had an epic finale, with Farr conceding that plans for a second instalment were never originally intended.

However, given the spy thriller’s remarkable success, the decision was taken to press ahead with Jonathan Pine’s (played by Tom Hiddleston) story.

Now, Farr has confirmed that work is already underway on a third instalment, revealing: “Right now, I feel the deep weight of doom of stress about it because I’m the one who has to actually do the writing of the damn thing.”

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“It’s a huge challenge. It’ll be very exciting.” He also offered some encouraging news regarding the wait, adding: “And it won’t take as long as the last one, I promise.”

As for what viewers can expect from a third series, Farr revealed it will tackle the second season’s dark, troubling conclusion, which “was important to us all because the world is a tough place at the moment, and it didn’t feel right not to reflect that”.

He continued: “But of course, all of us want to see justice, redemption and we want to see something change, so I feel like season three, there is actually a deep emotional and moral imperative to honour that.”

The second season finale saw Teddy Dos Santos (Diego Calva) killed off and Jonathan Pine left stranded and abandoned for dead in the Colombian jungle, laying the groundwork for a revenge-fuelled third series.

Hiddleston spoke during the same panel about his enthusiasm for revisiting Pine’s story, adding: “He’s managing the world’s darkness because he believes the light should win.

“And it’s all comes from him in a way, and it’s such a thrill that we get to do it again. A trilogy feels tidy. And I hope I’m not that much older by the time we start.”

The actor was delighted to step back into the role after a decade away, sharing: “I was so thrilled to get to do it again because I’m 10 years older, the world is 10 years older. I’ve been in the same world that he had been in.”

Fans flocked to X to voice their anticipation for the third instalment, with one writing: “I need The Night Manager season 3 like yesterday.”

Another posted: “Final episode of The Night Manager Season 2 was a banger! Totally unexpected ending. Can’t wait for Season 3!!”

The Night Manager is on BBC and Prime Video

David Barnes, 74, sadly passed away at his home on Bolton Road on Monday, April 20.

Officers are now looking to contact his next of kin and say there are no suspicious circumstance around his death.

Sharing on social media, a spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police (GMP) shared: “Do you know the next of kin of a man from Bolton?

“David Barnes (74), sadly died at his address on Bolton Road, Bolton, on 20/04/2026.

“There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.

“Any info? Call the Police Coroner’s Office on 0161 856 4687.”

Until a couple of seasons ago, it was usually an outfield player who would go to ground to stop play.

It was being used for two distinct reasons.

Either to break up the momentum of the opposition by causing a stoppage in play, or for the coach to give instructions to his players. Sometimes it has been both.

English football attempted to combat this by insisting that any player who receives treatment must leave the field for 30 seconds.

It had some positive results, but managers just switched focus and told the goalkeeper to ask for treatment.

A team cannot play without a goalkeeper, so it became a risk-free method of impacting the opposition, or getting the opportunity to talk to your team.

There is nothing a referee can do about it, as they cannot accuse a player of faking an injury. If it turned out the player was genuinely injured there could be serious repercussions.

So the game has been stuck in a doom loop.

Goalkeepers go down, the other 10 players rush to the technical area for a team talk.

As soon as the coach has delivered his message, the keeper miraculously gets to his feet.

It has been a theme during Leeds‘ season, starting in November when Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down as the West Yorkshire club were in the ascendancy at Etihad Stadium.

Manager Daniel Farke accused Donnarumma of feigning injury to “bend the rules” and break up play.

But this is not a Leeds issue, it is a football issue. It is happening at all levels of the game and is particularly prevalent in the women’s game.