just now (275+ words) A former Hull fish and chip shop, which has stood empty since 2021, could soon be turned into a new restaurant. A ground floor food offering and first floor eatery has been proposed for the vacant Bob Carver's fish and chips, which was housed in the listed Corporation Chambers building. Hull City Council, which owns the building, awarded the lease to Maytree Catering, which is set to spend "150,000 on its new venture. Councillor Jackie Dad, deputy leader of the council, said the new venue would "provide a welcome boost to the hospitality sector operating across the Old Town". As well as a restaurant, the plans include new offices on the building's second and third floors. The development is expected to create up to 15 new jobs, as well as apprenticeships. Maytree Catering was selected after the property was put on the open…...

9+ min ago (771+ words) Each year, starting in the late autumn, a cultural phenomenon known as "cuffing season" creeps onto the modern dating scene, when single people seek out a romantic relationship for the cold, dark winter months. But is there any science to it? 'Tis the season to be cuffed. Perhaps, to find out if dating really is seasonal, we could turn to our animal friends for guidance. Some species " not all " reproduce seasonally. Have humans evolved to do the same? "There are species who reproduce very strictly on a seasonal basis, let's say cows, because cattle have a very long gestation and they have to have fresh grass at the time their babies [are] born," says Sue Carter, distinguished university scientist and professor emerita of biology at Indiana University. Birds are another species that reproduce seasonally. Humans, however, do not. "Humans are…...

18+ min ago (674+ words) A "violent and controlling bully" severed his partner's spinal cord in a brutal attack, leaving her paralysed, after she said she was leaving him. Lancashire Police also said Robert Easom subjected her to a "relentless eight-year campaign of coercive and controlling behaviour", as well verbal and physical abuse. The force said the "horrific climax" came on 17 February when the woman, who had noted all of the abuse she had suffered on her phone, was attacked and left needing continuous specialist care. Easom, 56, of Chipping, near Preston, was convicted of Section 18 wounding with intent after a trial at Preston Crown Court. He will be sentenced in February. This story contains details of physical and emotional abuse. A range of advice and support can be found on the BBC Action Line Easom had previously admitted engaging in coercive and controlling behaviour between…...

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32+ min ago (485+ words) An Inverness primary school was forced to cancel its Christmas show after receiving "racist and abusive" online messages. Cauldeen Primary planned to stage a musical that included a scene telling the story of refugee children caught up in the Syrian conflict, according to the Press and Journal newspaper. Highland Council said there was "negative feedback" on social media and "racist and abusive" messages - some of them directed at the school and staff. Police Scotland said it had received a report of threatening and abusive communications online and its inquiries were ongoing. A Highland Council spokesperson said: "Following negative feedback on social media, including racist and abusive messages - some of which were directed at the school and staff - the school has made the wellbeing of staff and pupils its main priority. "Instead of a Christmas show, classes will enjoy other festive…...

32+ min ago (485+ words) An Inverness primary school was forced to cancel its Christmas show after receiving "racist and abusive" online messages. Cauldeen Primary planned to stage a musical that included a scene telling the story of refugee children caught up in the Syrian conflict, according to the Press and Journal newspaper. Highland Council said there was "negative feedback" on social media and "racist and abusive" messages - some of them directed at the school and staff. Police Scotland said it had received a report of threatening and abusive communications online and its inquiries were ongoing. A Highland Council spokesperson said: "Following negative feedback on social media, including racist and abusive messages - some of which were directed at the school and staff - the school has made the wellbeing of staff and pupils its main priority. "Instead of a Christmas show, classes will enjoy other festive…...

42+ min ago (432+ words) Tanzania has cancelled celebrations next month to mark the country's independence with the funds to be spent instead on rebuilding infrastructure damaged in recent election unrest, Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba has said. His announcement comes as the opposition and others have been calling for people to gather on independence day - 9 December - to demonstrate about killings that took place following last month's disputed poll. The opposition believes hundreds of people died in the crackdown. The government has yet to give a death toll and has set up commission of inquiry. President Samia Suluhu Hassan won the poll with 98% of the vote, described by the opposition as a "mockery of democracy". Her key opponents were unable to contest the poll: Tundu Lissu has been in detention on treason charges, which he denies, while Luhaga Mpina's candidacy was rejected on technical grounds. Election…...

42+ min ago (432+ words) Tanzania has cancelled celebrations next month to mark the country's independence with the funds to be spent instead on rebuilding infrastructure damaged in recent election unrest, Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba has said. His announcement comes as the opposition and others have been calling for people to gather on independence day - 9 December - to demonstrate about killings that took place following last month's disputed poll. The opposition believes hundreds of people died in the crackdown. The government has yet to give a death toll and has set up commission of inquiry. President Samia Suluhu Hassan won the poll with 98% of the vote, described by the opposition as a "mockery of democracy". Her key opponents were unable to contest the poll: Tundu Lissu has been in detention on treason charges, which he denies, while Luhaga Mpina's candidacy was rejected on technical grounds. Election…...

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1+ hour, 32+ min ago (351+ words) An island on the River Thames that went under the hammer for almost "100,000 may have been bought for leisure purposes, the auctioneers have said. Gary Murphy coordinated the sale of Hallsmead Ait, a triangular island or eyot in Berkshire which lies close to Shiplake Lock in Oxfordshire. The 1.9-hectare (4.7-acre) site fetched "99,470 after it was sold through agents Savills which said it was a "unique opportunity". Mr Murphy said the sale was "risky" as the island was "very hard to value" and did not have a reserve price. "It's a really interesting thing to own, particularly if you are a boat owner on the River Thames," Mr Murphy told the BBC. "You could take your friends and family out on the river, then just stop at your own island for a barbeque and some relaxation." He said he "very much…...