Israeli forces injure 13 Palestinians in Gaza Strip

At least 13 Palestinians have been injured by Israeli forces in the northern Gaza Strip one day after a 26-year-old man was killed by Israeli gunfire.

The incident occurred on Friday when Israeli soldiers opened fire on a group of Palestinian youths in the northern town of Jabalia, a few kilometers north of Gaza City.

The latest in the string of Israeli shootings against Gaza residents came as Palestinians laid to rest Ibrahim Suleiman Mansur, 26, who was killed by Israeli forces on Thursday.

Ibrahim and another Palestinian man were collecting gravel and scrap metal when they came under attack.

He was shot in the head and died on impact. His companion was injured in the leg.

Israel’s shootings against Palestinians can be seen as a common occurrence in Gaza, and the shooters are rarely prosecuted for their crime.

Israel established a so-called buffer zone along the border with the Gaza Strip in 2008 for alleged security reasons, damaging a large portion of Palestinian farmland.

The zone officially extends 300 meters into Gaza territory, but reports indicate that the Israeli regime is in effect forcing a much larger no-go zone.

Israeli troops target Palestinian civilians, including children wandering close to the border fence, farmers, and scrap metal collectors trying to make ends meet.

Gaza remains under a crippling blockade which has been in place for over seven years. The closure – which in effect cuts off the populated sliver from the rest of the world – has caused a decline in the standards of living, unprecedented levels of unemployment, and unrelenting poverty.

MRS/AB/SS

The Islamic Grinch Who Stole the Olympics — on The Glazov Gang

This week’s Glazov Gang was joined by Ann-Marie Murrell, the National Director of PolitiChicks.tv, Tommi Trudeau, the Producer of Groovy Foods, and Nonie Darwish, the author of The Devil We Don’t Know .

The Gang gathered to discuss The Islamic Grinch Who Stole the Olympics. The discussion occurred in Part I and analyzed why the Olympics strike at the heart of Islamic ideology — and why jihadists yearn to annihilate them. The segment went on to focus on Radical Islam Migrating to Red States With Obama’s Blessings.

In Part II, the gang discussed A Day in the Life of Trying to Sign Up for ObamaCare and The Lawless Presidency .

Watch both parts of the two-part episode below:

Part I:

Part II:

To watch previous Glazov Gang episodes, Click here .

To sign up for The Glazov Gang : Click here .

120-plus Irish academics in anti-Israel boycott

More than 120 Irish academics have boycotted Israeli academic, research and the regime’s institutions in response to Tel Aviv’s contravention of the international law.

The academics took the measure in response to the “call from Palestinian civil society for an academic boycott of Israel,” pledging “not to engage in any professional association” with the institutions and those representing them, Palestine News Network reported on Friday, citing the text of the boycott pledge.

They said they would observe the boycott “until such time as Israel complies with international law and universal principles of human rights.”

“The conflict in Palestine has now reached its ‘South African moment’ – the point at which Israeli apartheid has been recognized as such by the international community,” said Professor Haim Bresheeth, a noted London-based film-maker and academic from Israel.

“The US, EU and other states have protected Israel and financed its occupation ever since 1967, making it impossible to resolve the conflict through the UN or international diplomatic channels,” Bresheeth said.

Israel occupied the Palestinian territories of East al-Quds, the Gaza Strip, and the West Bank during the Six-Day War of 1967. The Tel Aviv regime conducted a withdrawal from Gaza in 2005, but Israeli forces have been carrying out regular deadly forays into the sliver ever since the pullout.

Ghada Karmi, a Palestinian doctor of medicine, scholar and lecturer at the University of Exeter, said, “Israel’s well-documented repression of Palestinian academic life and victimization of Palestinian teachers and students is a scandal to be denounced by all those who claim to care about academic freedom.”

Earlier in the month, US Secretary of State John Kerry pointed to “an increasing de-legitimization” campaign building up against Israel internationally and “talk of boycotts” if the Israeli-Palestinian conflict did not end.

Last month, a major Dutch pension fund, PGGM, which is one of the world’s largest pension asset managers, said it would divest from five Israeli banks it says are involved in financing construction of Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.

In January, two of Europe’s largest banks, Nordea Bank of Sweden and Danske Bank of Denmark, announced they would terminate all joint operations with Israeli banks which deal with the settlements that Israel is building in the West Bank.

The American Studies Association (ASA), an alliance of US professors, has also said it would refuse formal collaborations with Israeli academic institutions or with scholars who represent those institutions or Israel until “Israel ceases to violate human rights and international law.”

HN/HSN/HRB

France to blame for CAR bloodshed, ethnic cleansing: Analyst

The French government is to blame for the ongoing carnage and ethnic cleansing in the Central African Republic (CAR), an analyst writes in a column for the Press TV website.

“The ethnic cleansing of an entire community has already happened, and for the French government to now say that it is taking remedial action is beneath contempt. France has already overseen the slaughter,” Finian Cunningham wrote on Thursday.

He said French officials had prepared the grounds for the wave of killings in the African state through their media announcements that CAR was on the brink of “genocide.”

Cunningham said Paris has fanned the flames of “sectarian fire” in Central Africa, adding that “now other people are being horribly burned.”

He said the crisis in the Central African Republic has spun out of control, forcing the French government to call on the UN and other European countries for troops’ deployment there.

“The hidden agenda for Paris has always been about securing the rich natural resources of this Central African country,” he said.

On Friday, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said more than 130 children have been killed and mutilated in the country over past two months, some of them in horrific ways.

On February 12, the interim president of the Central African Republic, Catherine Samba-Panza, declared war against the Christian militia behind the “ethnic cleansing” campaign against Muslims in the country.

More than 1,000 people have been killed in the Central African Republic since last December, when Christian militia launched coordinated attacks against the mostly Muslim Seleka group, which toppled the government in March 2013.

KA/HSN

Pampering Mubarak and starving Morsi

It is cruel and very painful to hear news of deposed President Mohamed Morsi, who begged his lawyer, Mohamed Salim Al-Awa, for “a bit of money” just so he would be “able to live”. Broadcasters affiliated with the security sector’s media spoke of this subject and took it as an opportunity to ridicule the former president.

The sad truth of the matter is that these broadcasters appeared to be very happy over this news despite the fact that it is a great insult to Egypt as a country as well as to the institution of the presidency, along with the millions of voters who elected Morsi as President in 2012.

For these individuals, Egypt’s reputation is not nearly as important as slandering its former president, which completely ignores the fact that his dignity, even after isolation, is inevitably tied to Egypt’s dignity.

For the first time in history, the media is showcasing intellectuals, liberals and normal people in Egypt as they rejoice over the loss of their dignity. The public is being exposed to contrasting images of Mubarak, who is being spoiled and pampered in his prison cell and Mohamed Morsi, as he begs for anything that will satisfy his hunger behind prison bars.

Hosni Mubarak, who was overthrown during the January 25, 2011, revolution, was preparing his son to “inherit” the country. He was permitted to enjoy the heavenly beaches in Sharm Al-Sheikh after he was thrown out of the presidential palace and when it was decided that he would be incarcerated, he experienced a five star imprisonment in one of Egypt’s legendary hospital suites.

Despite his crimes, Mubarak would not have been sent to trial were it not for the immense pressure from the country’s streets and squares. Were it not for the revolution’s youth, Mubarak would still be enjoying the warmth of life in power as he kept company with oligarchs and old institutions.

Even as he resides in prison, Mubarak is still being treated like a pasha and receives nothing more than respect from anyone he encounters. In fact, people are currently working towards washing his reputation clean and he is being acquitted of the charge of killing protestors.

Mubarak’s witnesses claim that he showed nothing but mercy to the peaceful protestors and the revolution’s martyrs were killed by some type of alien or ghost who came to Egypt in a UFO, from an unknown outside world, one which we know absolutely nothing about!

Mubarak’s pictures are once again being raised in Egyptian squares and his era’s servants of corruption have once again returned to Egypt, to dictate their conditions to the state. Those who protested against Mubarak are being sent to prison in large groups as the January 25 revolution is now considered one of the many conspiracies that was drawn up in some international intelligence bureau.

Nothing more can be done for Mubarak except for the people to say: “We are sorry dear president! Go back to your palace with dignity and honour for you have been forgiven for your sins.”

On the other hand, we have all heard the recording that was leaked after a poor spying operation, in which there was talk of how the former president-elect was being starved to death in prison. Soon after, images emerged of an emaciated Morsi in a loose and shabby white garment. We heard him as he begged for a small amount of money to be put for him in the canteen so that he would be able to live.

We also learned that Mubarak recorded one of Morsi’s stays in hospital, with the help of his doctor, as part of a business deal for one of the newspapers that remains affiliated with the security sector, and the doctor who helped him with this recording was sent to trial.

As for Morsi, everyone is aware that certain individuals spied on him and his lawyer; however, no one wants to talk about him or even hint that they empathise with his situation because he has been assassinated morally, liquidated politically and sentenced to death while staying alive.

Morsi’s life is too cheap whereas Mubarak’s life is too precious because the former comes from a line of peasants while the latter has the blood of pashas running through his veins. A farmer has no right to stand shoulder to shoulder or on equal footing with the country’s inheritors, because an eye can never be placed above an eyebrow.

This is a translation of the Arabic text published by Al Mesryoon newspaper on 14 February, 2014

Even if 50 Modis come, we are not afraid: Jamiat Ulema

The Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind today said it was not worried about the safety and security of Muslims if Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister.

“We are not worried about any Modi. Even if 50 Modis come, we are not afraid. We are not afraid of anyone,” Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind President Maulana Syed Arshad Madani told reporters here.

He was asked whether there was any fear among Muslims if Modi became Prime Minister on account of the Gujarat riots.

Modi was given a clean chit by an Ahmedabad court after the SIT report did not name him of involvement in the Gujarat riots of 2002.

“Hindus and Muslims both are originally from this country and they have been living peacefully for centuries. Fighting does not solve any problem. Everyone should live with love and affection,” Madani said.

He, however, said that a number of innocent Muslims have been killed in fake encounters after being labelled terrorists.

Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind is organising a religious conference on February 28 at Amoni in Nagaon district.

It will be attended by the Grand Imam of Madina Munawara Mosque Abdul Mohsin al-Qasim.

—PTI

Watford 1 Boro 0: Match report from Vicarage Road

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Boro's goal drought was stretched into a fifth game as they went down fighting at Watford.

They dominated for long spells without troubling the Watford keeper in a cautious first half but the game exploded into life in the second period.

Watford went ahead from the spot after Ben Gibson conceded a cheap penalty on 55 minutes then both sides had a man sent off, Diakite for the home side followed shortly by Gibson for a silly second yellow.

Boro piled on the pressure in the closing stages but couldn't break through and now need to regroup and rethink after taking just three points – and failing to score – in five games.

Boro made one change as Albert Adomah returned to replace Mustapha Carayol, on the bench after picking up a slight hip knock in last week's goalless draw at home to Blackburn.

They had one time Watford goal ace Danny Graham and last season's Hornets' player of the year Nathaniel Chalobah in the team as they went looking to end a goal drought that stretched back five games and stood at seven hours and 15 minutes on kick-off.

After a patient early passing move Boro probed first in the third minute as Emmanuel Ledesma chipped forward to pick out Albert Adomah's well timed run into the box but defender Doyley was quickly in to stoop and head clear.

Then Grant Leadbitter picked out Ledesma on the right with a searching 40 yard crossfield pass and the Argentinian fired it first time into the box but it was scrambled clear.

Then, on seven minutes, after a neat move picked down the left, Leadbitter sent a hopeful 30 yard effort well wide of the far post.

And soon after Graham barged past a defender and made a powerful run into the box before being shepherded out wide and when he cut it back to the edge Adomah was muscled aside and Cassetti cleared easily.

There was a half-chance on 13 minutes as Ledesma latched onto a quick Varga throw on the right and cut past his marker and towards the edge of the box then curled a low effort a foot outside the near post.

Watford pushed forwards for the first time on 17 minutes but Boro were quick to break up their move then countered quickly as a delightful chip by Ledesma sent Adomah free down the left and he cut inside to drill a low shot that was smothered at the far post by keeper Bond.

Watford's first chance came on 19 minutes as they swarmed forward and Pudil squared for Forestieri but his speculative effort hit Jonathan Woodgate and deflected well wide for a corner which was easily cleared.

Then on 22 minutes as a cross into the box was only half headed clear it fell to Murray but his 20 yard effort screwed well wide.

Boro quickly back on the attack again and went close as Adomah weaved in from the left and hammered in a low shot that came back off a defender's shins and then as he went to collect the rebound George Friend was sent sprawling but hopeful penalty cries were waved away.

And Boro went close again on 27 minutes as lively Adomah wriggled in from the left and skipped past Tozser then pushed the ball into the feet of Graham in the box and he turned well but his chip was just over.

Gibson was booked for a late challenge on Deeney on 32 minutes and when the free-kick found Forestieri in the box there was a nervous scramble before it was cleared.

Two minutes later Watford's Cassetti was booked for a foul on Leadbitter.

From the free-kick Leadbitter lofted the ball into a crowd at the far post for Friend to send a downward header bouncing inside the far post but the flag was up for offside.

Watford had a good spell and threatened as Deeney sent a looping header straight into Shay Given's hands.

Then on 42 minutes as Tozser floated in a free-kick from wide on the right and when it dropped at the far post where unmarked Forestieri connected with an overhead kick but it looped harmlessly high over the bar.

And just before the break Angella squeezed past three Boro men before Gibson put a tackle in then when the ball rolled free Forestieri hammered the loose ball well wide from 30 yards out.

HALF-TIME: WATFORD 0 BORO 0

At the break Boro brought on Mustapha Carayol for Ledesma and Watford replaced Doyley with Hoban.

After a scrappy start to the second half Boro found themselves behind after conceding yet another penalty.

Forestieri cut past Gibson inside the box and headed to the byline then as he cut back the defender brought him down and when the referee pointed to the spot TROY DEENEY slammed home low and to Given's left on 50 minutes.

But Boro were given a boost on 52 minutes as Watford were reduced to 10 men, Samba Diakite shown a straight red card for a two footed challenge on Whitehead.

Boro almost snatched an equaliser as Leadbitter picked out Grahanm in the box and his first time shot deflected behind off defender Cassetti.

Boro were down to 10 men too as the keeper collected and as he tried to clear Gibson obstructed him and was shown a second yellow on 57 minutes.

As tempers threatened to boil over Boro's Nathaniel Chalobah and Forest's Forestieri were both booked on 59 minutes after squaring up.

Boro almost levelled on 61 minutes as Carayol wriggled in from the left and hooked the ball across the face of goal but despite a clutch of red shirts racing in no-one could connect.

Watford put on Anya for Faraoni on 64 minutes then on 69 minutes Battocchio came on for Forestieri.

Boro kept on pressing and went close on 71 minutes as Leadbitter carried the ball forward and squared for Carayol who checked inside then rifled in a low shot that sent the keeper full length to first block then gather before Adomah could arrive.

Boro put on Curtis Main for Varga on 73 minutes.

Boro threatened again as Friend overlapped onto a Carayol pass and got into the box but his cross was turned behind by a sliding block by Hoban

Watford almost got a second on 74 minutes as they cleared the corner quickly and Anya raced forward with Whitehead tracking him but his shot from the edge of the box flew wide of the far post.

Boro probed again but Graham's header looped straight to the keeper from Whitehead's cross then a low ball from Friend into a crowded box was scrambled away and soon after Graham fired over from 18 yards.

Boro put Kei Kamara on for Woodgate on 82 minutes.

In a frantic finale Boro threw everything – and everybody forward – as first Graham then Adomah had shots blocked then a powerful run from Friend won a corner that the keeper spilled and the loose ball was hooked away before Graham could pounce.

In stoppage time Watford broke forward as Deeney raced to the edge of the box but Given was out to block his shot and the whistle had already gone for a foul in the build-up.

Then with time running out Friend crossed and Leadbitter flicked it on for Graham to head straight at the keeper and with almost the last action of the game Carayol poked wide.

BORO (4231): Given, Varga (Main 73), Woodgate © (Kamara 82), Gibson, Friend, Whitehead, Chalobah, Adomah, Leadbitter, Ledesma (Carayol 46), Graham.Subs: Konstantopoulos, Hines, Butterfield, Omeruo

WATFORD (352): Bond; Angella, Cassetti, Doyley (Hoban 46); Faraoni (Anya 64), Murray, Tozser, Diakite, Pudil; Forestieri (Battocchio 69), Deeney (C). Subs: Woods (GK), Bellerin, Merkel, Park.

Ref: Oliver Langford (West Midlands)

Att: 15,391 (1,258)

UK government has to act now on climate change

Floods and extreme weather will become more intense, so Britain needs a long-term plan. The time for buck-passing is over.

The harrowing pictures of flood victims, ruined property and stranded stock have brought home the damage the forces of nature can wreak even in our gentle and temperate climate.

We must expect this extreme weather to become more frequent, made worse by the warming of the atmosphere. The UK’s floods, Australia’s record heat, the intense cold in the US, and the unparalleled force of Asian storms remind us that the real issue is intensity.

We have to prepare, not just for too much water, but too little; not just for rain but for record tides and winds. The cost of adaptation to the effects of climate change is significant and so far hardly recognized.

It’s all too typical of our short-term perspectives that so many have concentrated on easy answers and facile blame. We won’t solve our problems by indiscriminate dredging or sacking the chairman of the Environment Agency. Nor is it a simple matter of resources.

We have to have a programme of long-term adaptation that enables the UK to cope with these fundamental and irreversible changes.

Of course, some of that will involve increased spending on flood prevention and coastal defence. John Krebs, who chairs the adaptation sub-committee of the climate change committee, estimates a £500m shortfall in spending over the four years to 2015, if we are to avoid flood risk increasing over time.

It would be utterly unacceptable to take foreign aid funds from the poorest people on Earth, as some have now suggested, instead of finding the proper resources for flood prevention. I entirely support the prime minister in saying that we are a nation rich enough to provide the funds to deal with flooding.

However, beyond capital spending, we will need much more fundamental change. Both flooding and the effects of drought are made significantly worse by some modern farming practices. The compaction of the soil means less absorption of rainfall. When the rainfall is too little, the aquifers are not sufficiently replenished. When it’s too much, the run-off swells the rivers and makes flooding worse.

With so much more land being drained, the quantity of water driving down our watercourses is much increased and simply overwhelms their carrying capacity.

The historic methods of flood alleviation – of wash meadows and other soft defences – have largely been abandoned and we are not encouraging the kind of cultivation higher up our rivers that can help to hold back the water.

But the built environment too will be affected. All those front gardens concreted over and the fashion for hard landscaping mean the natural absorption of water in our towns is much reduced. The result is that sewerage systems are overwhelmed.

Worse still is our arrogant insistence of building on flood plains so that the natural mechanisms of flood alleviation are inhibited.

So, if we are properly to face up to the flooding threat, someone has to be in charge. At the moment, no one is ultimately responsible. Local authorities and the Environment Agency, Defra, the Department for Transport and the Department for Communities and Local Government all have a finger in the pie. The water companies, the Highways Agency, Network Rail and the internal drainage boards are also crucial to a solution.

Before people try to make party political points, it’s been like this for 20 years.

Back in Margaret Thatcher’s time, the Treasury resisted a single system for coastal defence and then the last government’s reorganization made a muddled system significantly worse.

No party has been prepared properly to count the cost of adaptation to climate change.

Nicholas Stern’s warning should remind this government – and all future ones – that the old ways are no longer adequate.

We have to act now to protect Britain against the effects of the changes – the flooding, storms and drought that will become more frequent and severe.We have to start anew.

From my experience both as minister of agriculture and secretary of state for the environment, I have long believed we should have a single department of planning and land use. This would take in all of Defra and add planning from DCLG.

The resultant department would directly take control of the coastal defence element in the Environment Agency and then use coastal local authorities as their agents, thus unifying the present fragmented jurisdiction.

The Environment Agency would remain as present, but it would report to the new department as it now does to Defra. Such a department would be responsible for implementing the necessary long-term programme. The buck would stop there and we might finally get something effective done.

GMA/AB

1 in 4 in US unaware Earth circles Sun

Only 74 percent of US citizens know that the Earth revolves around the Sun.

A recent poll has shown that nearly 26 percent of Americans do not know that the Earth revolves around the Sun.

The poll, which was conducted by the National Science Foundation and released on Friday, surveyed more than 2,200 people in the United States.

Ten questions on physical and biological science were included in the survey and the mean score of the participants was 6.5, which was almost a failing score.

Only seventy four percent of the respondents were aware of the nature fact, according to the results released at the American Association for the Advancement of Science meeting in Chicago.

Also, one in three respondents said more funding should be allocated to science by the US government.

In addition, almost ninety percent of the people surveyed said that the benefits of science outweigh any hazards and almost the same number showed interest in learning about medical discoveries.

The results of the survey, which is carried out every two years, form part of a National Science Foundation report which will be submitted to President Barack Obama and members of US Congress.

AT/ISH

The media needs to understand reality, not a general’s dreams

Something remarkable happened in Egypt this week. The military junta that deposed the country’s first democratically-elected president, Mohamed Morsi, and is now putting him on trial for a plethora of politicised charges, not only filmed the president meeting with his attorney to discuss legal strategy but also released the tape to the public.

Why didn’t this send shockwaves through the Western media and human rights circles? The president has not been allowed to have the normal level of access to counsel. One would have expected news stories to focus on this vulgar breach of confidentiality when he was finally allowed a few minutes with his attorneys to prepare for court.

Some journalists chalked this up to the “normal” excesses of military juntas that cannot reasonably be expected to adhere to international standards of rights let alone civility, but there were a number of other promising angles to cover. For a start, the banter and frequent laughter between the president and his attorney were striking given the treatment to which Dr Morsi has been subjected. He seemed not only in high spirits but also in command of his jailers. At one point an officer walked into the room to tell the president that the presiding judge was ready for them. The president dismissed the officer, saying, “Tell him we’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”

Or one could focus on the integrity of the president. He is completely dismissive of all the legal proceedings against him except for a notice received from the public prosecutor that they will investigate him for financial corruption. The president is adamant that in this one case he must have access to his legal counsel to prepare a proper financial disclosure because, “God knows, but the people must also know.”

Another interesting line was the president’s analysis of the general who ousted him. He asked incredulously whether Al-Sisi is serious about pursuing the presidency and leaving the military. He also asked why the man felt the need to promote himself to the rank of Field Marshal. Both the president and his attorney see this as the general’s attempt to bring himself out from under Morsi’s shadow.

Yet another story exposed by this tape is the extent to which the junta still fears Morsi’s influence. The man once mocked by his political detractors as a “spare tyre” and “lacking in charisma” commands so much respect that he has to be placed in a soundproof enclosure during the trial. He cannot receive visits from legal counsel or family members because, as his lawyer puts it, one word from him could set off street protests and “the street is already an incredible mess”.

Instead of exploring these or other interesting issues brought into the frame by the release of the tape and by its contents, followers of the situation in Egypt were shocked by the coverage of several media organisations that simply toe the junta’s line. It seems that they did not check the dialogue independently.

The junta’s line is that the president is “broken” and asking for “money”. It is shocking how they have deduced this from a conversation where the president instructs his lawyer to demand the court to overrule the draconian measures instituted by prison authorities whereby they have refused to accept deposits from Morsi’s family into his prison account.

Egypt’s prisons provide very limited food and almost no services to a prisoner free of charge. Prisoners have to purchase food from the canteen using a prison account. The junta apparently wished to humble the president by blocking him from receiving funds that he could use for such purposes, and broadcasting to the public his protest against these conditions. To call him “broken” for protesting against this treatment is more wishful thinking than accurate reporting.

These biased media outlets also report that the president admitted the defeat of his supporters and agreed that their protests are futile. This is in reference to some dialogue where the attorney said that negotiations with the military are needed because the current strategy is not “producing results”. The president’s response was that they are not producing results “for either side”.

At that point the president brought up Al-Sisi’s promotion to Field Marshall and told his attorney that the general should be worried because having led a coup he is now likely to be subject to a coup. It is clear to anyone who reads the dialogue that the president is sending a message. Far from admitting defeat he actually told the general that he, more than the pro-democracy camp, needs to seek a negotiated solution before it is too late.

It has been said that one should not explain by malice something that may simply be explained by incompetence. Those Western media outlets that have swallowed the junta’s line wholesale, seemingly without checking the original video at all, appear to be engaging in very sloppy journalism.

In this they do a disservice not only to Egypt but to the international community which needs to understand the reality in the country and to distinguish that reality from a petty general’s dreams.

Movie review: Her (15)

15 Feb 2014 13:51

Set in the Los Angeles of the slight future, the story follows Theodore Twombly, a complex, soulful man who makes his living writing touching, personal letters for other people

Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara in Her

While Endless Love is aimed at slush-puppy romantics, Her is a deeply melancholic alternative.

RoboCop might be the future of law enforcement, but is this the road to true love?

Writer-director Spike Jonze has fashioned a heartfelt, moving but often very wry look at the life of lonely author Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix).

He’s about to fall in love with Samantha, the husky voice of his new computer operating system.

“I have intuition and a DNA based on millions of programmers,” she tells him. “Every moment I’m evolving, just like you.”

Samantha is voiced by Scarlett Johansson, sounding weirdly like Jeff Goldblum.

And she’s so seductive that Theo scarcely notices when friend Amy (the fascinatingly versatile Amy Adams) leaves her own man.

“When I talk to her,” Theo tells Amy, “I feel like she’s with me. At night, when the lights are off... I feel cuddled.”

As well as having the best piano-driven score since The Hours (2002) and a script which will prick up your ears, Her is also a visual treat with ace production design – reasons why it has five Oscar nominations, including best picture.

Phoenix mumbles like Kevin Costner, but is much the better actor to quietly articulate this degree of emotional depth.

Her is a provocatively-relevant film about how technology can make people dangerously introspective, a mesmerising update and fusion of scientific themes previously tested in The Truman Show (1998), Bicentennial Man (1999), Stranger Than Fiction (2006) and Robot & Frank (2012).

Jonze spends much of his time making short films, but even as a man with Being John Malkovich (1999), Adaptation (2002) and Where The While Things Are (2009) already on his own CV, he hasn’t probed our collective consciousness quite like this before.

Tata Steel's fears if UK leaves the EU

15 Feb 2014 13:50

Tata Steel warned that an EU exit would leave the UK isolated and weakened

Tata Steel

A steel firm which employs about 1,500 people on Teesside says there’s a danger the UK could become “isolated” if it leaves the European Union.

In a submission to the Government’s review of Britain’s relationship with the EU, Tata Steel warned that an EU exit would leave the UK isolated and weakened.

The submission states: “In revenue terms, approximately 50% of the steel Tata Steel produces in the UK is sold into continental Europe.

“As the largest single market in the world, the EU has a strong bargaining position in trade negotiations. Conversely, on its own, as a relatively small market, the UK would not be as attractive for third countries to negotiate with and would not have the same bargaining power.

“Outside Europe other countries are becoming more integrated and forming other trading blocs, and there would be a danger that the UK would find itself isolated and without the necessary power to successfully negotiate trade deals.

“The UK is very successful in attracting investment from non-EU companies setting up facilities in Europe, and one of the selling points is access to the EU internal market.”

Tata has Teesside sites at Redcar, Hartlepool and Skinningrove. The company recorded post-tax losses of £840m in its 2013 annual company results, but this week reported a rise in earnings and output in its quaterly results.

The Indian steel producer reported EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation) for its European operations at £87m in the three months to December 31. It reported a loss of almost £50m in the same period last year.

Tata’s stance has been welcomed by the Liberal Democrats.

Angelika Schneider, the Lib Dems’ lead North-east Euro candidate, said: “As Tata make clear, being part of the world’s biggest trading bloc means we’re able to negotiate much better deals with other countries than we could manage on our own. And that makes us a more attractive destination for companies looking to invest. If we were to leave the EU it would be much tougher for companies based here to compete with continental or global rivals operating under more favourable trade terms.”

Movie review: The Lego Movie 3D (U)

15 Feb 2014 13:45

This original 3D computer animated story follows Emmet, an ordinary, rules-following, perfectly average LEGO minifigure who is mistakenly identified as the most extraordinary person and the key to saving the world

The LEGO Movie. Pictured: Unikitty (Alison Brie), Benny (Charlie Day), Emmet (Chris Pratt), Batman (Will Arnett), Vitruvius (Morgan Freeman) and Wyldstyle (Elizabeth Banks)

You won’t need a cement mixer to enjoy watching this daring construction of a whole new cinematic world.

Just a giant tub of popcorn and a willingness to lose yourself inside a mostly computer-generated environment of plastic bricks.

Indestructibly bonded by a clever script and ‘Everything is Awesome’, the best three-word song since Bob The Builder, The Lego Movie oozes warmth and class.

Not since Toy Story (1995) and Wallace & Gromit (2005) has there been an animation this ground breaking.

Nor one that will stand up to as many repeat viewings by fans of all ages.

I’ve seen a ‘different’ film both times I’ve already watched it, but there’s so much happening on screen I doubt if I’ve even scratched the surface of its hidden depths.

Chris Pratt voices Emmet, a regular guy whom the Master Builders believe can save their world.

Elizabeth Banks is Wyldstyle, a heroine with a backbone of steel.

And Morgan Freeman is hilarious as the visually-impaired wizard Vitruvius, who keeps trying to persuade Emmet that he really is ‘The Special’.

Throw in the Lord Business (Will Ferrell) as the tyrant who wants to glue their world together and the stage is set for Emmet to capture the heart of the most inventively-crazy movie in years.

Directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller (Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs), it’s brilliantly animated and incredibly well shot – whether it’s the dazzling ‘Busytown’ cityscapes that children's author-illustrator Richard Scarry might once have created or simply two characters defying the breathtakingly shallow depth of field.

The Lego Movie is saturated with movie references galore both visually and on the page, but it's a twin load carried with effortless, child-like glee.

Look out for everyone from Batman / Bruce Wayne (Will Arnett), C-P30 (Anthony Daniels), Abraham Lincoln (Will Forte), Gandalf (Todd Hansen), Green Lantern (Jonah Hill), Shakespeare (Jorma Taccone) and Superman (Channing Tatum) as you’ve never seen them before.

And, if you’re wondering who is voicing Bad Cop / Good Cop / Pa Cop, that’ll be Schindler’s List star Liam Neeson.

Although plastic bricks didn’t go on sale until 1949, the LEGO Group was originally founded by Danish carpenter Ole Kirk Kristiansen in 1932.

That was a year after Boris Karloff’s Frankenstein and a year before King Kong.

Thanks to Warner Bros, Lego has a new kind of cinematic ‘monster’: Emmet.

Even without legs, he's set to run away with the box office.

Pentagon threatens released Afghan prisoners

The Pentagon has threatened 65 Bagram prisoners released by the Afghan government on Thursday that they would be “legitimate targets” if they fight US forces in Afghanistan.

“If they choose to return to the fight, they become legitimate enemies and legitimate targets,” the Pentagon’s press secretary, Navy Rear Admiral John Kirby said on Friday.

“Should one of these detainees rejoin the fight, they need to know that they do it at their own peril,” he added.

The threat came after Kabul released the prisoners from the former US prison in Afghanistan despite pressures from Washington.

The US has described the released prisoners as “dangerous criminals” who have been involved in wounding and killing of US-led forces.

However, the Afghan government says a review of the released inmates’ cases by Afghan intelligence and judicial officials found no or not enough evidence of wrongdoing against them.

The Pentagon’s threat comes as Afghan President Hamid Karzai urged Washington on Thursday to “respect Afghanistan’s sovereignty” saying, “If the Afghan judicial authorities decide to release the prisoners, it is of no concern to the US and should be of no concern to the US.”

The release of the prisoners has put further strain on Washington-Kabul relations as the administration of President Barack Obama is seeking to sign a bilateral security deal with the Afghan government that could allow thousands of US troops to stay in Afghanistan for up to a decade beyond 2014.

Despite pressures from the Obama administration and Congress, Karzai has so far refused to sign the deal. The White House says the agreement is not renegotiable and “ought to be signed.”

Meanwhile, US National Intelligence Director James Clapper has indicated that it would be better for the US to wait until after Afghanistan’s presidential elections in April, hoping a new Afghan president might sign the deal.

ISH/ISH

More than 1300 riot affected families from BTAD are yet to be rehabilitated

By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,

Guwahati: Even as Assam government has admitted that over 1,300 families, who were affected during the ethnic clashes in the Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD) in 2012, were yet to be rehabilitated, several organizations and representatives of the civil society have expressed their anger at the negligence of the government.

In a written reply to the Assam Legislative Assembly during the budget session, state revenue and disaster management minister Prithibi Majhi said that a total of 18,823 families lost their houses completely, while 999 houses were partially damaged.

Riot affected people from BTAD during their one of the protests in Guwahati recently.

“This is what the reality is. We have been urging the state government to do all the necessary action so that the effected people can be rehabilitated. But they were numb. The surprising thing is that they have not doing anything in spite of knowing the reality,” Hafiz Ahmed, president of Char Sapori Sahitya Parishad, a literary body of the state told TwoCircles.net.

Till now, 1,327 families are yet to be rehabilitated. Necessary instructions have already been given to respective Deputy Commissioner’s to take steps to rehabilitate them, minister Majhi had said. Of the completely affected families, 15,983 have received a financial assistance of Rs 22,700 from the state government along with three bundles of roof-shed (tin), while the Centre gave Rs 30,000 to each household from the Prime Minister’s relief fund, according to the government record.

Hafiz Ahmed, who had written to Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi several times seeking proper action for the rehabilitation of the effected people, further said that riot effected people in other states of the country are be handled in a better way than Assam.

“We have realized that the riot effected people could have been handled in a better than this. Even during the winters, there was no body to ask these people about their plight. Even the opposition political parties did not feel once to go to see these people or they even never raised any issues on behalf of these people,” Ahmed added.

The Central and state government gave Rs 20,000 separately to all of the 999 owners of partially damaged houses. Besides, 1,507 families whose houses were completely destroyed during the clashes were also provided with Rs 50,000.

Clashes between Bodos and Muslims in July-August 2012 had claimed more than 100 lives and displaced several lakh people in several districts of western Assam.

“The people in the BTAD area are suffering from a lot of problems. There is no safety and security of lives and properties. Youths are still being kidnapped. A section of anti-social elements are doing their jobs like extortion freely making the common people’s life hell. We need a solution to all these problems. The state government should have felt ashamed to declare such deplorable condition. They should have worked to rectify the things,” said Jamsher Ali, president of BTAD Citizen Rights Forum.

Fore more

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Source: TCN

Whinney Banks assault: Two women arrested in connection with 'wooden implement' attack

15 Feb 2014 11:50

Total of six people have now been arrested in connection with the attack on dad-of-three Gerard Williams in Weatherhead Avenue

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Whinney Banks assault victim Gerard James Williams

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Detectives investigating the serious assault on a 42 year old man in Weatherhead Avenue, Whinney Banks in Middlesbrough on 30th January arrested two more people in connection with the incident yesterday.

One woman was arrested on suspicion of section 18 wounding and another woman was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit section 18 wounding.

Both are in their 40s and both have been bailed pending further enquiries.

Four other people arrested in connection with the assault have been released on bail pending further enquiries.

Gerard Williams was discovered with potentially life-threatening injuries in Whinney Banks just over two weeks ago.

The 42-year-old dad-of-three from the area had suffered a fractured skull, arms and legs.

Sea scene: Family fortunes for the Smiths at Skinningrove

15 Feb 2014 11:25

Mick Smith, his brother Phill, and Phill's wife Julie all headed for Skinningrove Jetty and latched onto whiting

Saltburn Pier was one of the marks to produce fish for hardy sea anglers over the past week

Keeping it in the family - the Smith trio claimed the first three places in the latest St Mary’s match.

Mick, his brother Phill, and Phill’s wife Julie all headed for Skinningrove Jetty and latched onto whiting.

Mick came out on top with 15 whiting for 9lb 10.5oz. Phill was runner-up with 10 whiting for 6lb 14.5oz, and Julie was third with three whiting and a rockling for 1lb 15.5oz.

Phill caught the heaviest fish of the match, a whiting of 1lb 3oz, pipping Andy Burton, who came fourth with a single fish, a flounder of 1lb 2.5oz.

Of the 15 who fished the match, eight weighed in.

The weather was very cold, with a powerful southerly wind, which had brought torrential rain which caused flooding in the south of the country.

However the anglers braved the elements to record a total of 30 whiting, two sand dabs, a flounder and a rockling.

Tomorrow’s match is a full rover, fished between Hartlepool and Whitby from 4-8pm. Register at the Boys’ Club in Grangetown between 2.45 and 3pm.

The club is still taking new members, having attracted five so far this month. The annual subscription is £8.

WHITING and dab brought a win for Stan Preston in the Saltburn club’s match.

He caught three of each species from Saltburn Pier to win the Stockdale Cup with 2lb 11.75oz.

He caught the biggest fish of the match, a whiting of 12.75oz.

Chris Wood also fished from Saltburn Pier. He was the only other angler to weigh in, after a hard match in a calm sea over low water.

He registered 11oz, made up of two whiting.

The club’s next match is for the Johnson No 1 Trophy. It is a high water match fished from 5-9pm on Sunday, February 23.

The club is seeking new members and forms are available from tackle shops.

Adult membership costs £10 a year, while pensioners can join for £2 a year. Children aged under 16 are free.

SALTBURN Pier was also the hot spot in the Redcar N and G match.

Brad Morris found whiting to top a match fished by 10 with seven weighing in.

He caught nine and a dab for a weight of 7lb 13oz.

Runner-up George Goldsborough was not far behind with eight whiting for a weight of 7lb 3oz, also from Saltburn Pier.

Denis Hall also opted for the pier and came third. He caught five whiting and a dab for a weight of 4lb 11oz.

Dan Redling caught a codling from the Goat Track area, the biggest fish of the match at 3lb 1oz.

In The Redcar N and G heaviest fish match, fished by eight with four weighing in, Chris Wood came out on top with a codling of 3lb 10oz caught from Staithes.

Stuart Gardiner was runner-up with a whiting weighing around 9oz caught at the South Gare.

George Goldsborough fished the same mark and caught a whiting of 8.5oz

In rain, snow and a gusty wind only the keenest anglers fished.

CODLING will again be the target species for match and pleasure anglers if the sea roughens up, though in flatter conditions dabs and whiting can still be caught.

Coarse angling: Hardy anglers battle on as weather takes its toll on rivers again

15 Feb 2014 11:20

Hardy anglers battle on where possible, and Sunday’s Verouillet fundraiser, produced enough fish to make for a decent match

Angling on the River Tees at Yarm

The Tees is again a torrent, while today’s big Swale Masters event has been called off because of the state of the Yorkshire river and the adjacent fields.

With banks sodden and rivers a swirling mass of muddy water, the going is tough for anglers, and probably not much fun for the fish.

But hardy anglers battle on where possible, and Sunday’s Verouillet fundraiser, produced enough fish to make for a decent match.

Andy Hamilton pegged at 175 between the Leven Mouth and the golf course, won with 5lb 1oz made up of roach and skimmer bream.

He tamed the conditions by fishing pole and feeder in around 12 to 15 feet of water. Worm was the key bait.

There was just an ounce between the next two anglers, Ian Lumb taking runner-up spot with 4lb 14oz from peg 183 on the golf course section.

Dave Smiddy had to settle for third spot from peg 188. He weighed in 4lb 13oz in a match which relied mainly on roach, which were prepared to feed in the highly coloured, rising water.

Of the 25 who fished, 16 weighed in.

Worm is a natural bait, for fish will pick up worms washed from the river banks and surrounding land.

Last year in similar conditions the going was tougher, probably because the water temperatures were lower, and with more frost and ice, roads had been treated and salt and grit had washed into the river.

Tomorrow’s Yarm AL match on the lower Tees is for the Harry Wilson Memorial Trophy, and another high, coloured river is anticipated, perhaps with colder water as there has been snow on the hills.

On the plus side anglers are hoping that the high water will wash the troublesome seal back over the barrage and out to sea.

Further upriver the NYSD Thompson Memorial match at Over-Dinsdale was called off because of the conditions, so ten of the would-be competitors again descended to the steadier waters of the lower Tees at Bowesfield to fish a sweepstake opposite horseshoe bend.

However, the river level rose and the current increased gradually throughout the match, as the colour and amount of debris in suspension, which clung to the anglers’ terminal tackle at every cast, got progressively worse, making the detection of bites very difficult.

From peg 71 just downstream of the bend, Stockton’s Billy Leonard, presenting a maggot and worm cocktail with swimfeeder well out into the flow, beat the conditions to conjure out five roach and two small skimmer bream for a winning 1lb-2oz.

Billingham’s in-form Bobby Preston came a close second from peg 67 with 10 small roach caught on maggot close in on a light feeder.

The only others to catch were Brian Stobbs (6oz), Anth Smith (4oz) and Paul Stainsby (2oz).

Some anglers have continued to opt for the stillwaters of Oaks and Woodlands, where carp and silver fish have produced match weights to over 50lb.

Trout topics: Action is hotting up despite wet weather

15 Feb 2014 11:15

Black lures, Buzzers, and Orange Zonker have all caught at Jubilee Lakes, in water remaining clear despite the wet weather

Angling at Lockwood Beck

At Jubilee Leakes the rod average has been up to five in the last week, with several anglers catching rainbows of over 5lb.

Black lures, Buzzers, and Orange Zonker have all caught, in water remaining clear despite the wet weather.

LURES and nymphs fished below indicators have accounted for rainbows to over 15lb at SHARPLEY SPRINGS. Search for the right depth as fish will move up and down depending on water temperatures. Top patterns include: Cruncher, black nymph, Bloodworm, Damsel, Black Zonkers, Minkies, Blobs.

SEASON tickets are available for the LOCKWOOD BECK season which starts on March 1.

There’s early season competition action when a heat of the Airflo World Masters Bank competition come to Lockwood on March 16. There are heat winner prizes.

The final at Elinor on April 13 carries a first prize of £2000.

All anglers who reach the final get an Airflo 40 fly line and a selection of World Champions Choice Flies worth over £50.

Early season courses are available at Lockwood. Four places remain for a beginners course on April 6, while there is room for a further five anglers on a junior course on April 11.

For details of all events and tickets contact Gordon Byers on 01287 660501 or 07973 779527. Email: info@lockwoodfishery.co.uk

Judge gives sixth last chance to repeat offender who waved knife in street and spat blood at police

A repeat offender who waved a knife in the street and spat blood at police walked from court after flouting a suspended prison sentence SIX TIMES.

Keith Sheraton carried on offending with a prison sentence hanging over his head, and the courts kept giving him chances.

By the time he appeared in the dock this week, he wanted to be locked up.

A Teesside judge said people might be “astonished” to think someone could breach a suspended jail term so many times and not go to prison.

But he gave Sheraton a community order, saying this would benefit him and the public more than a short spell inside.

Sheraton, 32, was given a nine-month prison sentence suspended for two years in April 2012 for affray and possessing an offensive weapon.

He’d drunk 20 pints of lager, waved a craft knife in the street and a man was slashed in a struggle.

He breached the suspended sentence three times for drunken behaviour, twice for shoplifting.

He was at Teesside Crown Court this week after admitting assaulting a PC on the night of December 16 last year.

He was seen bleeding at his home in Letitia House, Letitia Street, Middlesbrough, when police were called to reports of a fight.

He was drunk, abusive and aggressive, clenching his fists and grinding his teeth, said prosecutor Jenny Haigh.

He struggled as he was arrested, spitting blood and phlegm at officers at the house and police station cells, falsely claiming he had hepatitis C.

Sheraton, now of Oakworth Green, Beechwood, Middlesbrough, had 35 previous offences and had served prison sentences.

Jonathan Walker, defending, said: “His conduct towards the police officers was ugly, inexcusable and deplorable.”

But he asked the court to give Sheraton “one final opportunity”.

He said Sheraton had good sides but his appetites for drink and drugs made him volatile.

He’d tried to give up his crutch of alcohol, but ended up in “a place of considerable intoxication”.

Sheraton told a probation officer he’d be better off “detoxifying” in prison.

Mr Walker said this was “looking for the easy way out” and he’d leave without supervision or measures for rehabilitation.

Sheraton was now living back with his mother, free of heroin and managing his alcohol intake.

The judge, Recorder Toby Hedworth QC, told Sheraton he had a duty to prevent further offences and do something to turn Sheraton’s life around.

He said if he jailed Sheraton, it would be a short sentence, Sheraton would be released with no support and resume drinking.

He passed a one-year community order with nine months’ supervision and six months’ drug rehabilitation.

He said this was best both to tackle Sheraton’s problems and for society as it was more likely to deter him from crime.

The judge added: “Some will say that looks as if you’re being let off.

“I assure you, it does not indicate you’re being let off. It’s going to involve some very hard and intensive work on your behalf.”

If Sheraton breached it, he said: “There will not be any further largesse on the court’s behalf.”

Paul Brown, chairman of the Cleveland Police Federation, said Sheraton’s assault on police was “very disturbing and quite appalling”.

He said: “I am astonished that this man has not been sent to prison for what he’s done.

“I would ask the question, does this reflect the crime that’s actually been committed?”

Tributes paid to animal-loving teacher who died after freak riding accident

15 Feb 2014 09:30

Jayne Goodwin, originally from Stockton, suffered massive head injuries when she fell from her horse while riding with friends

Jayne Goodwin, 44, on one of her horses

Tributes have been paid to an animal-loving teacher who died after she fell from her horse in a freak riding accident.

Jayne Goodwin, 44, who was originally from Stockton, suffered brain injuries and died three weeks later after the decision was taken to switch off her life-support machine.

Riding companion, Georgie Adkin, 20, described Jayne as “the most kind hearted person I’ve ever met.”

Jayne, had been out for an evening ride with two friends when her six-year-old Freisian, Kali, suddenly bolted as she tried to mount her.

The horse is believed to have darted off with Jayne not properly attached and she was found bleeding and unconscious on the ground just yards from the stables.

Georgie, a law student who had been riding with Jayne for seven years, said: “Kali was Jayne’s baby, she was her pride and joy.

“She knew she was a bit flighty and spooky but she always said she wouldn’t have her any other way.”

She said they were making their way back to the stables when the accident happened on January 9.

Georgie added: “The ironic thing is Jayne knew of the dangers and was the most safety conscious person I have met.

“She always wore a body protector in case of a fall, and she was even wearing a new helmet that night.”

Jayne, who was a teacher at Half Acres school in Castleford, West Yorks, leaves behind her parents, Audrey, 76, and Frank, 82.

She was an experienced rider who won a number of local dressage competitions.

She had seven horses and kept many animals including six cats, three dogs and three gerbils.

Georgie, said: “She was the most kind hearted person I’ve ever met. I don’t think I will ever know generosity like hers again.

“There will be a Jayne-shaped hole in my life forever.

“But I hope I can make her proud.”

Her close friend and fellow stable owners, Eric Petty and Janet Heald, 50, who often helped Jayne out, said: “She was a lovely, beautiful person who was dedicated to all her animals.

“It is such a tragedy that something like this has to happen to such a special person.”

Coulby Newham man jailed for 10 years after pleading guilty to rape and sexual activity with a child

15 Feb 2014 09:00

Sentencing Arron Richardson, 21, Judge Howard Crowson, said the defendant's actions will have had 'a big impact' on his victim

Teesside Crown Court

A rapist who forced himself on an underage girl has been jailed for 10-and-a-half years.

Arron Richardson’s crime was revealed when the schoolgirl told her father what he’d done to her.

She said they’d had sex and she’d told him to stop, Teesside Crown Court heard yesterday.

The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was interviewed by police last August.

She said Richardson knew her younger age when he made sure they were alone together in a field.

She consented to kissing but made it clear she did not want to go further, said prosecutor Oliver Thorne.

Richardson, 21, replied: “Oh you can’t stop me now” and had sex with her without her consent.

She cried during the sexual attack, the court was told.

Richardson, who had learning difficulties, at first denied having sex with the girl.

Then he accepted they had sex but suggested it was consensual and instigated by her.

Richardson, of Willowbank, Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough, later pleaded guilty to rape and sexual activity with a child, in breach of a suspended sentence imposed in May 2012.

He accepted he pressured her into sex.

He and the girl went on to have sex again on other occasions. The prosecution accepted that he believed this was consensual.

The girl’s view of the other sexual encounters was “more acquiescence than consent, brought about by threat”, the court heard.

Richardson said he was surprised at the rape allegation as he believed they’d had consensual sex.

Graham Silvester, defending, told the court that although he was 21, Richardson suffered psychological problems, special education needs, dyslexia and global learning difficulties.

“Although in years he is 21, he is probably some age group below that,” he said. “We are not dealing with a 21-year-old man who is mature and an adult at that age.”

Mr Silvester added that Richardson knew the girl’s age: “He knows it was wrong at the time and continues to accept that.

“There was an element of a consensual agreement in terms of kissing but matters went beyond that.

“It is the next stage on and that puts him where he is and he knows that.”

Sentencing Richardson to 10-and-a-half-years, Judge Howard Crowson, said the defendant’s actions will have had “a big impact” on his victim.

“You forced yourself upon her,” he said.

“You were aware she was not consenting.”

Judge Crowson added that it was common for girls of her age to hope to be more mature than they are. “That is why we must protect them,” he said.

There were cries from the gallery as Richardson, who was also given a sexual offences prevention order, was led away.

Marvin Emnes aiming to show what he's capable of in the Premier League

15 Feb 2014 08:45

Marvin Emnes has said 'It's great to be back' after returning to Swansea on loan for the remainder of season

Marvin Emnes

Marvin Emnes is enjoying life at Danny Graham’s former club Swansea.

The Dutch playmaker , who spent a month at the Liberty Stadium in October 2010, re-joined City on loan for the remainder of season on January 31.

“It’s great to be back,” said Emnes.

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Gallery: Marvin Emnes

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“I had a good time when I was on loan here a few years ago.

“I have followed the club’s results since.

“It was great to see Swansea being promoted at Wembley later that season - it was a great achievement for the club.

“I played a small part then, and hopefully I can play a bigger part now.

“It’s a great opportunity for me to show my talent on the biggest stage with Swansea.

“I like the way the team play and I have some close friends here too.

“The Spanish and Dutch influence is still here too, so it’s easy to settle in as it’s a similar environment.

“And it’s great for me to play again in the Premier League. I spent my first year with Boro in the Premier League, and I’ve had a few years in the Championship.

“But now I’m back in the top flight and I want to show what I’m capable of in the best league in the world.”

“I want to help the team as much as I can and make an impression.”

Harltepool boss Colin Cooper keen to extend Luke Williams' loan stay

15 Feb 2014 08:40

Luke Williams has settled in well at Hartlepool and Cooper would like to retain his services for as long as possible

Luke Williams in action for Hartlepool

Harltepool boss Colin Cooper is keen to extend Luke Williams’ loan stay at Victoria Park as soon as possible.

The gifted Boro playmaker joined Pools, initially for a month, on January 23 and has settled in extremely well.

Naturally, Cooper wants to retain the services of Williams and his fellow 20-year-old Jack Barmby - the son of former Boro star Nicky who is on loan from Manchester United - for as long as possible.

“I’ve spoken to both clubs this week and all they would both commit to is that they will have conversations about the players and let me know as quickly as possible,” he told the Hartlepool Mail.

“I’m very, very keen to do something with both players for as long as we possibly can – until the end of the season - great - or for another month - great.

“Hopefully it will be positive for both players.”

Cooper fears that Boro goal drought may harm his chances of retaining Williams, who would seem a potential candidate to slot into the ‘No 10’ position in Aitor Karanka’s starting XI.

He made two appearances for his parent club following the Spaniard’s appointment before being loaned out to Pools.

Prior to today’s home clash with Newport County, Williams had played four games for Hartlepool, scoring his first goal for the club last weekend away to Dagenham and Redbridge.

His current contract with Boro lapses in the summer, so the next few weeks could be crucial to his long-term career prospects.

Washington: Choosing the next Egyptian president is not Putin’s call

On Thursday, the United States warned that choosing the next Egyptian president is not Russian President Vladimir Putin’s call after Putin backed Egyptian Defence Minister Field Marshal Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi’s bid to for presidency.

Washington also stressed that a potential rapprochement between Cairo and Moscow will not hurt the “historic” relations between Egypt and the United States, which have witnessed a chill over the past few months.

U.S State Department spokeswoman, Marie Harf, said “Of course we don’t endorse a candidate and don’t think it’s, quite frankly, up to the United States or to Mr Putin to decide who should govern Egypt; it’s up to the Egyptian people to decide”.

The spokeswoman was responding to a question on the position of the U.S. president towards Russian President’s public announcement backing the strongman in Egypt, Field Marshal Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, who is visiting Moscow.

In her daily press conference, Harf stressed, “It’s not up to us to endorse a candidate, and really not up to anyone else outside of Egypt to either”.

In remarks broadcast on Russian television, Putin spoke with Sisi about his presidential ambitions, saying “I know that you have made a decision to run for president; that’s a very responsible decision: to undertake such a mission for the fate of the Egyptian people. On my own part, and on behalf of the Russian people, I wish you success.”

Egyptian Defence Minister, Field Marshal Al-Sisi, has not yet officially announced his candidacy for the presidency, but he did not hide his intentions to do so since the army deposed the Islamist President Mohamed Morsi last July.

Marshal Al-Sisi Moscow has been visiting Moscow since Wednesday, accompanied by Egyptian Foreign Minister, Nabil Filmy. The two ministers met with their Russian counterparts, Sergei Shogun and Sergei Lvov on Thursday, to improve the cooperation between the two countries, especially in the military field.

Russia, which is considered one of the largest weapons exporters in the world, hopes to enhance its military cooperation with Egypt, which was its ally at the time of the Soviet Union, especially in light of the chill in Cairo and Washington’s relationship.

The United States granted Egypt billions of dollars in aid since the signed in 1979 a peace agreement with Israel, as a way to ensure Egypt adheres to the treaty, secure its own access through the Suez Canal, and gain the support of the greatest Arab county, in terms of population, amid the “war on terror”.

But after months of tension, in October, Washington ultimately froze a portion of its military aid to Cairo in October as punishment for Egypt’s bloody crackdown on Morsi supporters.

However, the U.S. State Department also denied that growing ties between Moscow and Cairo would hurt Washington’s “long-standing, strong, historical relationship with Egypt.”

It also stressed that, “Egypt is free to pursue relationships with other countries. It doesn’t impact our shared interests,” adding that the United States brings “unique capabilities to bring to bear militarily and economically” for Cairo.

Source: MEMO

Even its friends aren’t allowed to criticise Israel: Samira Shackle

This week, the head of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, travelled to Israel and addressed the Knesset. It did not go according to plan. During Schulz’s speech, several far-right members of the Knesset (MKs) walked out.

Speaking in his native German, Schulz stressed the importance of remembering the Holocaust, and said that the European Union had no intention of boycotting Israel. He also stressed the suffering of the Palestinians, highlighting the “siege” of Gaza and the discrepancy in water consumed by Israeli settlers and Palestinians. Speaking of a visit to Ramallah, he said: “One of the questions these young people asked me which I found most moving – although I could not check the exact figures – was this: how can it be that an Israeli is allowed to use 70 litres of water per day, but a Palestinian only 17?”

It was these comments that proved too much for some ultra-nationalist politicians. Naftali Bennett, the economics minister and leader of the Jewish Home Party, led the walk-out and condemned Schulz’s comments as “lies”. Later, Bennett used his Facebook page to call for an apology: “I call on the prime minister to demand an immediate correction in the name of the state of Israel. I will not accept an untrue sermon on morality directed at Israel in Israel’s parliament. Definitely not in German.”

Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister, accused Schulz of “selective hearing”. Like Bennett, he took issue specifically with Schulz’s comments on water consumption. The issue is controversial and hotly debated. A 2009 World Bank study found that in 2007 Israelis had access to 4.42 times as much water as Palestinians in the West Bank; not far off Schulz’s figures. The Israeli water authority says that settlers consume just 1.7 times more water than Palestinians. “Schulz admitted that he didn’t check if what he said is true, but he still blamed us,” says Netanyahu. “People accept any attack on Israel without checking it. They plug their ears.”

Bennett and his colleagues in Jewish Home also took umbrage at Schulz’s assertion that the blockade of Gaza is preventing growth. This is despite the fact that Schulz’s comment is supported by the facts: unemployment in the Gaza Strip rose 6 per cent to 38.5 per cent in the final quarter of 2013, following a ban on transferring construction materials to Gaza’s private sector.

Following the incident, Schulz said that he was “surprised and hurt by the harsh reaction, because the speech I delivered was pro-Israel.” Describing the Jewish Home members who walked out as “extremists”, Schulz stressed that he had “presented to the Knesset the position of the European parliament”. He added: “I cannot only say things that would be pleasant to everyone’s ears. I must also present the controversial side.” On the water comment, Schulz’s spokesman said that he was raising questions about “a claim that was brought to him…That’s legitimate.”

Response to the incident has been mixed. The EU has had a difficult relationship with Israel in recent months. Israel has accused Europe of meddling in peace negotiations by deciding to block funds from reaching illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank. Germany, in particular, has had a complex relationship with Israel; in part because of the Holocaust, it has been one of the country’s staunchest supporters in Europe. As such, some German politicians have been critical of Schulz. Phillip Missfelder, a foreign policy spokesperson for the German government and a member of the centre-right Christian Democrats (Schulz is a member of the centre-left Social Democrats) said: “I regret what Mr Schulz did in the Knesset yesterday. I think it was a mistake. Mr Schulz would be well advised to try to repair the situation.”

Left-wing Israeli parliamentarians, though, have criticised the walk-out. “The behaviour of the Jewish Home MKs was shameful and scandalous,” said Isaac Herzog, leader of the Labour Party. “I think some of the [MKs] didn’t even hear the speech. My colleagues and I were embarrassed. We know Martin Schulz. He defends Israel’s position, including in the European Parliament.”

In part, Schulz had used his visit to Israel to stress that Europe was not planning to boycott Israel. (“My personal view is that a boycott is not a solution for anything,” he said. “And, therefore, as president of the European parliament I was strongly in favour, for example, of upgrading the scientific cooperation between the European Union and Israel.”) A fortnight previously, the US Secretary of State John Kerry was eviscerated in Israel for warning that Israel would face more calls for boycotts if the current round of talks with Palestinians collapsed.

Ironically, shortly before his Knesset speech, Schulz had complained about Israeli sensitivity to European criticism. “Mutual criticism is quite normal in a democracy,” he told Israeli journalists. “The EU stands by its special relationship with Israel, but that does not mean that it has to agree with every decision of the Israeli government.” Clearly, Naftali Bennett and his party do not agree.