Hull Named As UK City Of Culture 2017

Hull has been named as the UK City of Culture 2017, beating Leicester, Swansea Bay and Dundee to the title.

The city will hope to see an economic boost from the accolade, which is handed out every four years.

Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Maria Miller said: "This is brilliant news for Hull and everyone involved in the bid there.

Famous abolitionist William Wilberforce is among Hull's famous sons

"This year's UK City of Culture, Derry-Londonderry, demonstrates the huge benefits that the title brings. These include encouraging economic growth, inspiring social change and bringing communities together.

"It can produce a wonderful mix of inward investment and civic pride, and I hope Hull's plans will make the most of all that being UK City of Culture can bring."

Ms Miller praised the three losing cities for the "time, effort and determination" they put into their bids.

"I hope they will still take forward many of the fantastic ideas and events they had planned so that their communities can enjoy these innovative cultural plans," she said.

Referencing Hull band The Housemartins' first big hit, Happy Hour, former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, who was a Hull MP for almost 40 years, responded to the news on his Twitter page, writing: "It's Happy Hour again! #HullYes Well done."

TV producer Phil Redmond, who chaired the advisory panel that helped choose the winner, said all four shortlisted cities showed a "real understanding" of what the award was about.

But he said: "Ultimately it was the unanimous verdict of the panel that Hull put forward the most compelling case based on its theme as 'a city coming out of the shadows'.

Hull Marina is a popular attraction in the city

"This is at the heart of their project and reminds both its people and the wider world of both its cultural past and future potential.

"We were particularly impressed with Hull's evidence of community and creative engagement, their links to the private sector and their focus on legacy, including a commitment to enhance funding beyond 2017, and I'd like to congratulate all involved."

Previous holders of the title have sought to improve the image of their city, holding various artistic and cultural events in an effort to increase visitor numbers and offer a boost to the local economy.

Hull's Princes Quay shopping centre

Hull's city council admits one of the aims of the bid is to "change the perceptions" of the city.

It is often derided - up until this year regularly featuring in the comic book Crap Towns - and last month an Economist article cited Hull as one of "Britain's Decaying Towns".

But the current city of culture, Londonderry, has seen visitor numbers double over the course of this year and had around £120m of capital investment pumped into the city since winning the title in 2009.

The Guildhall in the centre of Hull and the city's Prince Street

Its mayor, Councillor Martin Reilly, said: "I am confident that an amazing year awaits Hull as the winning city for 2017.

"I wish them every success and look forward to forming a working relationship with Hull to share our experiences and learning."

Leicester's mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said he was surprised and disappointed at the result.

"I can only guess that Hull desperately needed a shot in the arm while the judges decided we in Leicester are making our way successfully and didn't need it as much," he said.

Meanwhile, Welsh Secretary David Jones said: "As much as today's announcement will come as disappointing news to those who have supported Swansea Bay's bid, they should be rightly proud of all that they have achieved."

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Henry Radel Pleads Guilty To Cocaine Possession

A Republican politician has been sentenced to one year's supervised probation after pleading guilty to possessing cocaine.

Florida Representative Henry "Trey" Radel said in an earlier statement he was "profoundly sorry".

He admitted he struggled with alcoholism and said he planned to seek treatment and counselling.

The 37-year-old congressman, who is serving his first term in the US House, made no mention of his political future but said he had made an "extremely irresponsible choice" and had let down his family and his constituents.

He bought cocaine from an undercover agent in Washington on October 29, according to a Drug Enforcement Administration official.

Appearing in court in Washington, he admitted one count of misdemeanour cocaine possession after being charged on Tuesday in Washington DC.

Radel, who was arrested late last month, said: "Believe me, I am disappointed in myself, and I stand ready to face the consequences of my actions."

"However, this unfortunate event does have a positive side: it offers me an opportunity to seek treatment and counselling," he added, requesting prayers for his family.

"As the father of a young son and a husband to a loving wife, I need to get help so I can be a better man for both of them."

Radel is a former television news anchor and conservative radio talk show host who represents southwest Florida.

His election last year marked his first foray into politics.

House Speaker John Boehner said of the arrest: "Members of Congress should be held to the highest standards and the alleged crime will be handled by the courts.

"Beyond that, this is between Republican Radel, his family and his constituents."

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Tory Rebels Warned: 'Do Not Put Army At Risk'

By Becky Johnson, North of England Correspondent

The Defence Secretary has warned rebel Tory backbenchers that if they put the recruitment of Army reservists on hold they will put regular soldiers at risk.

Philip Hammond told Sky News that any move to "pause" the recruitment drive for part-time soldiers would not reverse the cuts being made to the regular force.

Instead, he said, it "would put at risk our ability to support the regular Army properly in any further enduring operations like the one we have been carrying out in Afghanistan."

Tory rebels led by Basildon MP John Baron are preparing to vote against the Government plans to axe 20,000 Army jobs and replace them with reservists on Wednesday afternoon.

Under the plans, the newly named Army Reserve, formerly the Territorial Army (TA), would increase in size to 30,000 by 2020.

Armed Forces reservists sign up

Mr Baron told Sky News the Government's plans needed to be put on hold so they could be "properly scrutinised" to see if they are viable and cost effective.

He said: "There are so many questions that remain unanswered, let's stop for a moment and properly scrutinise these plans. If they pass that scrutiny test by Parliament then, fine, they can proceed."

But Mr Hammond issued a robust warning to Mr Baron and his fellow rebels, saying: "What they are trying to pause is the recruitment of the reservists.

"Reduction in the size of the regular Army is already under way and it cannot be reversed, so the effect of this amendment today would not be to make the regular Army larger - it (would) be to prevent us recruiting the reserve that will support that regular Army in the future."

A gunner carrying out a training exercise in Northumberland

He admitted that training a reservist was about a fifth of the cost of a regular soldier.

However, he said it was not about getting an Army on the cheap but holding a force in reserve for times of "stress".

Mr Hammond said the expanded reserve force would give the Army a "surge" capability.

Figures released earlier this month showed the Army's reserve numbers fell from 19,220 in October 2012 to 19,090 in October 2013, raising further concerns about the ability to meet the Government's target.

This week, soldiers from 1st Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, were cheered by crowds in Rochdale and Bury as they marched through the towns following their return from a six-month tour of Afghanistan.

They face the possibility of job losses as the Government restructuring proposals involve axing their sister 2nd Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, and merging the two together.

Regular and reserve army units prepare for operations in Afghanistan

Captain Rex Anderton told Sky News: "There's a lot of disappointment but we're a very reactive force (and) we've learnt to deal with change as it comes.

"One of the good things about the British Army is that we adapt and overcome whatever the decisions (that) are made at a higher level."

Veteran Fusilier Stephen Taylor, who served for six years in the regular Army and 10 years in the TA, told Sky News: "When you're a regular you're training every day of your life, seven days a week. When you're in the TA, you're allowed to go home.

"Reservists can only do so much. You need the regular Army to train the other people up, but the reservists can only do half the job."

Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Peter Wall, said: "To reverse course at this stage would be destabilising and damaging. Increasing and rebuilding the Army Reserve is crucial to delivering the fighting force of the future.

"To do otherwise would leave a gap in our capability and deprive talented young people of an opportunity to benefit from military service."

:: Watch coverage of the debate on Sky News

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Lottery Couple Divorce: £148m Bayfords Split

Top 10 National Lottery Winners

Updated: 7:29am UK, Wednesday 05 December 2012

1. Colin and Chris Weir: £161,653,000

The Scottish husband and wife said they were "tickled pink" after becoming Europe's biggest lottery winners in July 2011. The couple have reportedly bought a fleet of cars for friends since their win, as well as a mansion.

2. Adrian and Gillian Bayford: £148,656,000

The couple, from Suffolk, decided to go public after scooping nearly £150m on the EuroMillions August 10 draw.

Mr Bayford said he would carry on running his music shop in Haverhill. Mrs Bayford, a children's ward healthcare assistant at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, said she would treat herself to her dream car, an Audi Q7.

3. Anonymous: £113,019,926

One British ticket scooped the massive prize on October 2010 but decided not to go public.

4. Dave and Angela Dawes: £101,203,600

The Cambridgeshire husband and wife hit the EuroMillions jackpot in October last year. It was only the third time the couple had played the lottery.

5. Anonymous: £84,451,320

The haul was won in May 2010 but the winner kept their identity secret.

6. Nigel Page: £56,008,113

Self-confessed white van man Nigel Page took home the win in February 2010. The skydiving enthusiast, who lived in a three-bedroom semi near Cirencester, Wiltshire, married his girlfriend Justine and moved into a mansion in the Cotswolds.

7. Anonymous: £46,432,285

A British ticket scooped the massive prize in February this year but also decided not to go public.

8. Les and Sam Scadding: £45,570,835

Unemployed mechanic Les Scadding and his wife Sam from South Wales bought one of two winning tickets which shared a £90m jackpot in November 2009. The other £45m-winning ticket was bought by a syndicate of seven office workers based in Merseyside. They each banked £6.5m.

9. Cassey Carrington: £45,160,170

The 22-year-old from Nottingham banked the staggering total after matching all five numbers and two Lucky Stars in a EuroMillions draw in February this year. The Iceland store supervisor said she planned to marry painter fiancee Matt Topham this September.

10. Gareth and Catherine Bull: £40,627,241

The Mansfield husband and wife scooped the bumper prize in January this year. Mr Bull, a self-employed builder, said he planned to splash out on an executive box at Manchester United and a new carpet.

His wife said she might go back to her job as a health insurance worker. The couple also said they planned to take their two sons, aged nine and 10, to Florida's Disneyland.

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Ferry Firm Rescues 'Too Fat To Fly' Frenchman

A ferry company has stepped in to help a 32-stone Frenchman who was told he was too heavy to board a plane or a Eurostar train.

Kevin Chenais was left stranded in Britain after being banned from travelling through the Channel Tunnel on the grounds he posed a safety risk.

But ferry firm P&O said it would transport the 22-year-old back across the English Channel on its Spirit of Britain vessel.

A P&O spokesman said: "We're delighted to help. It's not difficult for us.

"We're used to carrying ambulances across the Channel, so we're set up for this type of thing.

"It's difficult to imagine the frustration that this gentleman has gone through. But for us, it's very straight-forward as we're set up to carry people who have medical needs."

Mr Chenais' travel problems began when he was left stuck in the United States after British Airways refused to carry him on his return ticket. In the end, Virgin Atlantic flew him into London.

P&O said it was "delighted" to help Mr Chenais

But Mr Chenais, who uses a mobility scooter, then encountered more difficulties when trying to travel to France when Eurostar declined to transport him because of safety regulations.

A spokesman for Eurostar said: "This is a terrible situation.

"Our heart goes out to Mr Chenais and his family who are understandably desperate to return home after being stranded in America.

"Unfortunately, there was no question that he would have been able to travel with Eurostar as we must observe very strict safety rules which govern travel through the Channel Tunnel.

"Those provisions require that all passengers are able to be evacuated into the Channel Tunnel in the event of an emergency.

"As a consequence of Mr Chenais's immobility, this would simply not have been possible and would have posed a safety risk to himself, our crew and all of the other passengers on board.

"We simply cannot ignore these safety regulations, nor would we want to."

A British Airways statement said: "We will always try to accommodate someone if it's possible and safe to do so.

"Our customer service team worked diligently to find a solution and have exhausted all options."

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Co-Op: Cameron Pledges Flowers Inquiry

David Cameron has said there will be an inquiry into the appointment of the disgraced Methodist minister Paul Flowers as chairman of the Co-operative Bank.

The Prime Minister told the House of Commons there were "a lot of questions that have to be answered" about Mr Flowers' time at the head of the bank for three years.

Mr Flowers is under investigation by police after being filmed allegedly buying and using illegal drugs including crystal meth, crack cocaine and ketamine - a horse tranquilliser used as a party drug.

Police raided the home of Mr Flowers in Bradford on Tuesday amid the deepening scandal over his appointment to the bank and his association with the Labour party.

It came as it was disclosed that Mr Flowers had resigned as a Bradford councillor in 2011 after inappropriate adult material was found on his computer.

The Mail On Sunday filmed Mr Flowers allegedly buying drugs

On Tuesday the Co-op boss Len Wardle resigned with immediate effect because he had led the board that appointed Mr Flowers.

Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, Mr Cameron said: "The Chancellor will be discussing with the regulators what is the appropriate form of inquiry to get to the bottom of what went wrong here.

"But there are clearly a lot of questions that have to be answered. Why was Rev Flowers judged suitable to be chairman of a bank? Why weren't alarm bells ringing earlier, particularly by those who knew?

"I think it will be important in the coming days that if anyone does have information they stand up and provide it to the authorities."

He added: "The first priority is to safeguard this bank and to make sure that it is safeguarded without using taxpayers' money."

There are questions over what Ed Balls knew about Mr Flowers' resignation

Mr Flowers has apologised for doing things that were "stupid and wrong" in relation to the drugs claims - but has not elaborated.

Labour Party leader Ed Miliband is also under pressure over when he and shadow chancellor Ed Balls knew that Mr Flowers had resigned as a councillor in Bradford after adult material was found on his computer.

In a letter to Mr Miliband, Conservative Party chairman Grant Shapps wrote: "Was your shadow chancellor, Ed Balls, aware of this when he accepted £50,000 to fund his personal office?

"When you met Mr Flowers on 6 March, 2013, did you discuss the £1.2 million loan agreement that the Labour Party entered into with the Co-operative bank, just weeks later?"

Mr Shapps also challenged Mr Miliband to give details of his private meetings with the minister and explain what advice the former Co-op chairman gave as a member of Labour's business advisory group.

Mr Flowers has also been accused of incompetence and resigned his post as chair in June after a £1.5bn black hole was discovered in its finances.

Mr Flowers was criticised for a stumbling performance in front of MPs

The bank found a massive gap following the purchase of Britannia Building Society in 2009 and abortive attempts to take on hundreds of Lloyds branches.

It now faces a rescue which will see 50 branches close and investors including US hedge funds take control of 70% of the business.

During an appearance before the Commons Treasury committee earlier this month, Mr Flowers stumbled over basic facts and figures relating to the bank.

He was also pressed on whether he had approved the £50,000 donation to Mr Balls while a member of the bank's board.

"My recollection is that we paid for a particular researcher to assist the shadow chancellor in the work that he needed to do, and that we believed to be a legitimate and proper use of resources," he replied.

Co-operative group chairman Len Wardle has resigned over the scandal

A spokesman for Mr Balls said: "The Co-op Group, not the bank, donated £50,000 to the shadow chancellor's office, which was declared in the normal way at the time.

"Ed (Balls) has never discussed the donation with Paul Flowers. Ed's been to a few events which Rev Flowers has also been at, but he's never had a meeting or phone conversation with him."

It has also emerged that the Methodist minister was convicted of gross indecency in 1981, reportedly over a sex act in a public toilet.

A church spokesman said that at the time he went through the "usual procedures" before being allowed to continue in his role. He is currently suspended from his role as minister.

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Chester Train Crashes Into Buffers At Station

A train has derailed and smashed into the buffers at Chester railway station, leaving one man in hospital with back injuries.

Emergency services were called to the station shortly after midday following reports that the five-carriage train had partially derailed.

Among the passengers was Jake Pickering, who wrote on his Twitter page: "The @VirginTrains train I was on from London has just crashed at Chester station. I believe everyone is okay."

A Virgin Trains spokeswoman said: "We can confirm an incident took place earlier today at Chester Station.

"The incident took place at approximately 12.10pm and the train involved was the 10.10am Virgin Trains service from London Euston to Chester. No other train was involved.

"The emergency services have been called, but at this stage it is believed that there are no serious injuries."

A statement from British Transport Police said: "All coaches of the five-car train have remained upright.

"One man has been taken to a local hospital by North West Ambulance Service, with reported injuries to his back."

The statement said the crash was "being investigated to establish the full circumstances surrounding the derailment".

"The Office of Rail Regulation and Rail Accident Investigation Branch have been informed," it added.

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Derbyshire House Fire: Four People Killed

Two women and two boys have died in a house fire in Derbyshire, police have confirmed.

A third child, a seven-year-old girl, is in hospital with minor injuries after escaping into the back garden.

The fire broke out at an address on Williamthorpe Road in North Wingfield, a village about four miles south of Chesterfield.

Police said they were still working to identify the victims and told reporters it was too early to say what caused the fire.

Four people were "rescued" by firefighters but later died

 Kam BasiKKamKamKam Basi from Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service said crews rescued four people after they were called to the scene at 5am.

Chief Inspector Rick Gooch, of Derbyshire Police, added: "I can confirm that two women and two young children were taken to hospital (where they were) pronounced dead.

"I can also confirm that a seven-year-old girl survived the fire and has minor injuries consistent with smoke inhalation."

Police and the fire service are now investigating the cause of the fire, with Mr Basi saying that particular attention was being paid to the first floor.

Sky News correspondent Gerard Tubb, who is at the scene, said the house showed little sign of fire damage from the outside apart from "smoke-blackened windows".

"They (investigators) won't say whether or not they are looking at this as a suspicious fire, although the suggestion is quite possibly not," he said.

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Greenpeace Protest: Britons Released On Bail

Three Britons have been freed on bail after they were arrested following attempts by Greenpeace to occupy an oil platform in the Arctic.

Activist Alexandra Harris was the first to be given the news at a court in St Petersburg after spending two months in custody following the protest at the Prirazlomnaya platform in September.

Journalist Keiron Bryan was released about an hour later and a second British activist Anthony Perrett was told he could go free just before 3.30pm UK time.

Journalist Kieron Bryan shows his relief at the news

It is not immediately clear what will happen next, but it is understood that it is unlikely any of the group will be allowed to leave Russia.

All still face charges relating to the initial protest, during which the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise engaged in a non-violent attempt to disrupt Arctic drilling activities by a Russian oil company.

Mr Perrett was given the news as the first of the so-called Arctic 30 - 28 activists and two journalists who were arrested by Russia two months ago - walked free from jail.

British activist Iain Rogers was denied bail at a hearing in October

As she heard the news, Ms Harris skipped for joy and said: "This has been the hardest experience of my life. I'm really happy. It's not over yet but there's light at the end of the tunnel.

"It's nice the Russians made the right decision. I love my parents and look forward to speaking to them soon."

Ms Harris' father Chris said: "We're incredibly proud of how she has conducted herself throughout this ordeal.

Russian special forces arrested the protesters at gunpoint in September

"I can see when she came into court she was smiling and happy as she'd heard the news the others had been granted bail, but as the hearing progressed she became emotional.

"I think she'll make her own mind up what she does in life. She's always been passionate about the Arctic and we're proud of her.

After his release Mr Bryan said: "This has been really difficult and it has been made a lot easier hearing how much support I have in the UK. To my family, 'I love you and I hope to see you soon'."

The ship's Captain, Pete Willcox, was also freed on bail

Speaking of his detention, he said: "I had a couple of phone calls with my girlfriend and that's it. It's the worst possible isolation.

"The conditions were terrible in Murmansk. I think we're very lucky in the UK. Things were better in St Petersburg because they decorated my cell and made it look nice."

Mr Bryan said the moment of his arrest when Russian special forces abseiled onto the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise was like something out of a Hollywood movie.

Anthony Perrett before he learned that his bail application was successful

"They didn't declare who they were they just pointed their guns at us and took over the ship. I had no idea it was going to carry on like this. If I knew that was the beginning of this nightmare I would have behaved differently."

The group were initially charged with piracy but are now accused of hooliganism, which carries a maximum jail term of seven years.

Greenpeace spokeswoman Birgitte Lesanner said she was "proud" of the protesters, including six Britons, and said their resilience had been "amazing".

Earlier, as she was led into the courtroom by police, Ms Harris told supporters she felt "trapped inside a political game".

Brazilian Greenpeace activist Anna Paula as she is freed from jail on bail

Speaking from inside a metal cage, she told Sky News correspondent Katie Stallard: "I will not dishonour Greenpeace or my country by trying to flee Russia or the investigation."

Ms Harris, whose bail was set at two million rubles (£38,098), said she was nervous and that the past two months had been "horrible".

"When I talk about the last two months, it's hard not to get emotional," she said.

"The conditions (in prison) at first were awful and the food was disgusting.

"They're better now but it's still prison. I'm still trapped, I can't speak to anyone (and I'm) cut off from the world. It's no better."

Ms Harris' father said her family were overjoyed at news of her release

All 30 people aboard the Arctic Sunrise were detained after the protest in September. Six of them were British.

A fourth Briton, Iain Rogers, the Arctic Sunrise engineer, was refused bail at a hearing in October.

Russian courts have granted bail this week to a total of 17 of the detainees and hearings are scheduled for another 12.

Brazilian Ana Paula Alminhana Maciel was the first to leave detention, walking out of a St Petersburg pre-trial jail holding a sign reading "Save The Arctic."

However, Australian activist Colin Russell was denied bail at an earlier hearing and will be kept in detention until February.

:: Watch Sky News for live coverage of the hearing.

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Algeria's World Cup Celebrations Turn Deadly

At least 12 people have been killed and 240 injured as Algerians celebrated the national football team securing a place in the 2014 World Cup.

The casualties came during nationwide festivities in the wake of Algeria's 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso, which will take the team to Brazil next year on the away goals rule after an earlier 3-2 defeat in Ouagadougou.

All across Algeria people poured into the streets to celebrate the so-called Desert Fighters' first qualification for the World Cup finals, with young men driving their cars down the streets and honking their horns.

Five fans were killed when a van slid off the road into a ravine in the mountain town of Bejaia, east of Algiers, while four others died in the southern city of Biskra in a car accident, officials said.

Three more died in other towns, although no further details were provided.

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