International boycott costs Israel $30 million: Report

The international boycott of Israeli products has cost the regime 30 million dollars so far, a report says.

According to the report by Israel’s Maariv newspaper on Friday, the regime sources believed that the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign caused Israel’s economy financial losses commensurate to about 100 million shekels.

One source said the boycott was a “constant war” against Tel Aviv while others added that they expected an increase in the number of boycott calls.

The report said calls to boycott products made in Israel’s illegal settlements would probably grow in Europe, which would shrink European imports from Israel.

The overall amount of settlement exports to Europe is estimated to be around 90 million dollars (300 million shekels).

On Wednesday, US historian Rashid Khalidi and philosopher Judith Butler launched a campaign to condemn intimidation of Israel’s critics, especially those who support boycotting the regime.

“It is important to recognize that boycotts are internationally affirmed and constitutionally protected forms of political expression,” they said in a statement.

The BDS campaign is part of international efforts to pressure Tel Aviv to stop illegal constructions in the occupied Palestinian territory.

Over half a million Israelis live in more than 120 settlements built since Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and East al-Quds in 1967.

The Israeli regime has been under fire from the international community, including its own allies, over its expansionist policies.

However, the Tel Aviv regime defies calls to abandon its illegal settlement activities.

NT/MHB/MAM

Match report: Boro 2 Ipswich Town 0

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Boro finally broke their long goal drought thanks to a first half brace from Danny Graham.

The on-loan striker stabbed home after the keeper spilled to grab the first Boro goal in 12 hours and 14 minutes and then glanced home a header for his second inm first half stoppage tinme.

The welcome win was Boro's first victory since January's 1-0 defeat of Charlton.

Aitor Karanka shuffled his pack with six changes. With keeper Tomas Mejias injured Dimi Konstantopoulos started his first league game ahead of fit again Jason Steele and Ben Gibson started in place of injured Jonathan Woodgate and Grant Leadbitter returned in place of banned Dean Whitehead.

Elsewhere Mustapha Carayol returned from the naughty step to replace Kei Kamara on the left, Emmanuel Ledesma replaced Albert Adomah on the right and new signing Lee Tomlin made his full debut in place of Jacon Butterfield.

Ipswich launched two early probes but Boro showed first with a promising opening in the third minute.

A neat Tomlin touch sent Ledesma cutting in from the right to pick out Danny Graham on the edge of the box then he darted onto the back-heeled return to rifle a low 20 yard shot just outside the near post.

There was a hold-up in play as Omerou needed treatment after a tackle by Taylor.

Ipswich then threatened on eight minutes as a ball Nouble chased a ball into the box and when Jozsef Varga failed to clear it, Taylor crossed it quickly back in to spark a scramble before it was untidily cleared.

Then Boro pressed as Tomlin went on a weaving run past three Ipswich men before being sent spawling.

From the free-kick on 12 minutes Boro went close as Gibson challenged for Ledesma's ball into the box and the loose ball fell to George Friend 12 yards out but although he brought it down well his shot flew high over the bar.

Then on 18 minutes Boro threatened again as Carayol sent Friend storming down the left to cut inside and into the box then with time and space curled his shot above the far top corner.

Boro pressed again on 20 minutes as Friend knocked a diagonal ball into the path of Ledesma's run in from the right and the flanker's low shot was pushed behind for a corner.

Ipswich broke forward soon after as Taylor seized onto a poor clearance and crossed to the right of the box for Murphy but Friend stood him up then put in a crunching tackle to end the threat.

Boro went close on 25 minutes as a searching ball from Ledesma sent Graham to the edge of the box and defender Berra stretched to poke it away sending the keeper scrambling across to save.

But they had a huge let off on 28 minutes as a Murphy effort hit Omerou and fell at the feet of Taylor 12 yards out but with time and space he scooped his shot over.

Boro finally ended their long goals drought on 29 minutes.

Carayol cut in from the left to fire a stinging shot in and when the keeper spilled it, the ball feel nicely for DANNY GRAHAM to stab it home from three yards out.

It was Boro's first goal in 12 hours and 14 minutes.

They threatened again within two minutes as Carayol again scythed in from the left flank and tried to pick out the run of Chalobah but defender Cresswell tried to cut it out and turned it goalwards sending keeper Gerken full length to block.

And a minute later livewire Carayol again surged in from the left to beat a defender and head towards the byline and cut inside but Gerken was out quickly to block.

There was a scrappy spell then Boro broke out to win a corner on 43 minutes that was only half cleared and when Tomlin sent a 20 yard shot skidding through the crowd it clipped a defender and went out for another flag-kick that was easily dealt with.

But Boro were back to grab a second goal in first half stoppage time from another flag-kick, DANNY GRAHAM glancing home a head from Leadbitter's corner.

HALF-TIME: BORO 2 IPSWICH 0

At the break Ipswich put on Hyam for Nouble.

The substitute was booked on 51 minutes for a foul on Carayol as he raced down the flank in one of the first threatening moves after a sluggish start to the half.

Ipswich won a corner on 54 minutes after Omerou turned behind an attempted Taylor cross and that was easily cleared.

From that Carayol streaked forward down the right to put a low ball across the face of goal but a defender just got there before it arrived for Chalobah.

Ipswich then a spell of pressure as from a long range free-kick first Taylor sent an effort bouncing through the crowd wide and then soon after Green put a speculative shot from distance well wide.

Boro won a free-kick on 62 minutes as Smith barged over Carayol but Leadbitter's ball into a crowd at the far post was punched clear by Gerken.

There was a long spell of Boro possession and passing then Friend broke out to charge down the flank and shrug off a crunching tackle by Berra that left the Ipswich man injured.

Ipswich had a rare chance on 66 minutes as Green crossed to the edge of the box for Murphy to turn quickly but his shot was weak and straight at Konstantopoulos.

On 69 minutes Ipswich put on Ebanks-Blake for Taylor.

On 70 minutes Ledesma was booked for dissent after conceding a free-kick then a minute later Ipswich's Murphy was booked for a foul on Carayol.

On 71 minutes Kei Kamara came on for Graham and Ipswich put on Williams for Tabb.

On 76 minutes Tomlin put a 20 yard effort just over, his last action before being replaced by Jacob Butterfield.

Boro almost broke through on 79 minutes as Kamara streaked down the right and cut inside to drill in a 20 yard effort that came back off the shins of a defender.

On 80 minutes Boro put Curtis Main on for Carayol.

Boro almost snatched a third in stoppage time as Kamara broke down the right and crossed to the far post wher Main had arrived unmarked but he fired into the side netting from close range.

BORO (4231): Konstantopoulos, Varga, Gibson, Omeruo, Friend, Chalobah, Leadbitter, Carayol (Main 80), Tomlin (Butterfield 76), Ledesma, Graham (Kamara 71). Subs: Steele, Williams L, Atkinson, Morris

IPSWICH (442): Gerken; Chambers, Berra, Smith, Cresswell; Skuse, Green, Taylor (Ebanks-Blake 69), Tabb (Williams 71); Nouble (Hyam, 46), Murphy. Subs: Loach, Anderson, Hunt, Mings.

Ref: Iain Williamson (Berks)

Att: 13,965 (450 visitors)

Egyptians protest military-backed government

Egyptians have poured into the Cairo streets staging a fresh rally against the newly-appointed government and its foreign backers.

Demonstrators gathered Friday for the first day in a planned week of protests against the government of Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab, who is accused of being a puppet of the army trying to legalize corrupt policies.

Protesters chanted slogans against Egypt’s foreign backers including Middle Eastern and Arab states, which they say are supporting the military-installed government.

The demonstrators also shouted slogans against the interference of Israel and the United States in Egypt’s internal affairs.

The week of protests was announced by Egypt’s National Alliance to Support Legitimacy on Thursday.

“We will continue our peaceful resistance in another revolutionary week of protests called ‘We will not be ruled by Zionists or Americans’,” the group said in a statement.

Photos of Field Marshal Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi along with the flags of the United States, Israel and the UAE, will be burned at the rallies, the alliance added.

This is while an Egyptian court on Tuesday banned Hamas activities in the country and ordered its assets seized.

Anti-government protesters have held rallies almost on a daily basis in Egypt, following the army’s toppling of the country’s first democratically-elected president, Mohamed Morsi, in July.

Egypt’s new military-installed government has launched a deadly crackdown on protests, killing more than 1,000 people so far.

GMA/AB/SS

Lawyers continue campaign of action against 'savage' cuts to Legal Aid system

8 Mar 2014 09:25

Barristers and solicitors gathered outside Teesside Magistrates' Court before making their way to Teesside Crown Court for a demonstration

Solicitors and barristers protest outside Teesside Crown Court

Lawyers have continued their campaign of action against “savage” cuts to the Legal Aid system.

Barristers and solicitors refused to go to court on Teesside as part of a nationwide protest.

They gathered outside Teesside Magistrates’ Court before making their way to Teesside Crown Court for a demonstration yesterday.

The protesters, who included a part-time judge, were taking part in what one barrister described as “the most civilised protest you are ever going to get”.

They were joined by Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald.

Barrister Ian West, of Middlesbrough’s Fountain Chambers, said they were making a stand outside the court for “only the second time in history”.

Mr West said they were sad that clients would go unrepresented that day, but proud because “we are doing essentially that which we are trained to do, to fight to see that justice is done”.

He said: “We are angry that a government which professes to engage with its constituency has chosen to press ahead with savage cuts to the Legal Aid system.”

Lawyers claim the cuts to Legal Aid will lead to miscarriages of justice and hit ordinary people who can’t afford to pay privately.

They say it will also have a devastating impact on local solicitors and law firms.

Solicitor Scott Taylor, of Middlesbrough-based Taylor Goodchild, said it wasn’t just an attack on lawyers but “an attack on the ability of citizens to bring the state to account”.

He pointed out the important part played by legal aid lawyers in cases such as the Stephen Lawrence and Hillsborough inquiries.

Solicitor advocate Rachel Dyson, of Freers solicitors in Middlesbrough, said people didn’t realise the amount of preparatory work that goes into court cases.

She said solicitors and barristers spent a lot of time working outside of office hours, in the evening or at weekends, for little or no pay.

Mr West said: “We have warned the Ministry of Justice that we will take measures of ever increasing severity to save our system of justice.

“They have not listened. They have been warned.”

Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald said the barristers and solicitors he met had chosen to protest “not for themselves but for the public interest”.

And he urged Justice Secretary Chris Grayling to take heed of what they were saying and not go ahead with the “unparalleled” cuts.

He said: “The legal profession has reached a tipping point, no longer with the capacity to absorb diminishing returns and provide the public with services that are not only vital but their right.”

Aitor Karanka: 'If we score goals and win games people will come to support us'

8 Mar 2014 09:15

Boro head coach is acutely aware that the supporters need something to cheer and it's his job to ensure this happens

More scenes like this will have a positive impact on crowds, says Aitor Karanka

Aitor Karanka insists the best way to boost Riverside attendances is for Boro to score goals and wins games.

In the week the club announced a season card price freeze, the head coach is acutely aware that the supporters need something to cheer.

“I’ve said since arriving here that the support is unbelievable,” said Karanka. “Our fans give the team tremendous backing wherever we play, home and away. They deserve from us more than we are doing at the moment.

“The best way to encourage people to come to the matches is to play well and to win matches.

“To achieve this we need to continue to work hard, score goals and win games. If we score goals and win games people will come to support us.

“I know where we deserve to be,” he added, “in the Premier League. It’s my job to make sure that happens, and step by step we are building a new future for our club.

“I promise I’m going to work every day to achieve this dream.”

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Boro began their 2014/15 season card campaign by announcing that prices would be frozen for the ninth successive campaign and the free drink offer would be retained.

Letters will begin dropping through letterboxes next week specifically tailored with messages from chairman Steve Gibson for supporters depending on which area of the stadium they sit.

The price freeze is available to all existing and new season card holders who take advantage of the club’s ‘Early Bird’ offer by buying before 6pm on Monday, April 21.

In his message to the fans, the chairman echoed the spirit of Karanka’s quotes, writing: “We believe the package we offer our season card holders is very competitive. We’ve got to earn the right to your support and put a team out there that wins games and entertains people.

“Together we will get this club back into the Premier League. It’s what Teesside wants, it’s what you as fans deserve and it’s what I want more than anything.”

Chief executive Neil Bausor added: “We recognise that the support of the people of Teesside is of paramount importance if we are to achieve our ambitions. I know that your loyal backing is highly valued by Steve, Aitor Karanka, the players and everyone at the club.”

Season cards are on sale now. Five-month and 10-month zero interest payment option instalment plans are available to spread the cost of buying a season card (an arrangement fee applies).

Fans can buy online by visiting www.mfc.co.uk and following the links.

Existing holders can also purchase by sending their application forms by post, by handing them in to the Riverside ticket office or by bringing their existing season cards to the ticket office or they can renew over the phone by calling 0844 499 1234.

New applicants can visit www.mfc.co.uk and follow the links or download a form, which can then be submitted by mail or by hand.

To request an application pack, email your details to supporters@mfc.co.uk, call on 0844 499 1234 or collect an application form from the ticket office.

Teesside firefighters out in force in protest over 'dangerous' plans to axe 114 jobs

8 Mar 2014 09:00

The Fire Brigades Union urged the authority to retract the cuts and consider other ways of saving money

Firefighters and unions have challenged fire chiefs to do more to head off budget cuts that could put public safety at risk.

In an extraordinary meeting at the Cleveland brigade's Hartlepool headquarters yesterday, Cleveland Fire Authority confirmed it would close the Marine fire station and cut 114 full-time firefighter jobs as part of measures to save almost £5.8m over the next four years.

Angry firefighters and their supporters demonstrated outside the headquarters and lobbied councillors to protect fire services from the cuts.

Lee McNeill, a 40-year-old firefighter who has spent 20 years in the profession, said: “I just think that they should do something to reverse the cuts. Cleveland is one of the hardest hit brigades in the country. Safety is paramount and it’s the people of Cleveland who will suffer.”

The Fire Brigades Union urged the authority to retract the “dangerous” cuts and consider other ways of saving money.

Davy Howe, FBU secretary for Cleveland, said: “We’re very disappointed with the decision today. We want the fire authority to take a step back and tell Government that we’re not prepared to run the fire service with this amount of money.

“We’ve put forward alternative proposals but the authority hasn’t listened to us.

“This is not the end of our campaign. We will leave no stone unturned in our fight against these cuts.”

Alternative plans put forward include a pooling of existing resources, such as back-office services and training facilities, with other organisations.

The FBU also said pay cuts for senior managers and a reduction in the size of the management team could save “significant” amounts of money.

The fire authority said it was doing all it could to cushion the impact of the cuts.

Chief Fire Officer Ian Hayton said: “Clearly you can’t take £6m out of an organisation without it having any impact at all. We are 67% funded by grants and when that grant is cut we have to take appropriate steps.

“We have looked at all of the alternative options - we’re introducing 60 on-call firefighters and we’re already sharing some back-office services with organisations like Hartlepool Council.”

Mr Hayton said he would discuss the issue of “disproportionate” funding cuts with the Fire Brigades Minister, Brandon Lewis, at the Local Government Association’s annual fire conference and exhibition next week. The conference takes place on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Movie review: The Grand Budapest Hotel (15)

8 Mar 2014 08:16

The Grand Budapest Hotel recounts the adventures of Gustave H., a legendary concierge at a famous European hotel between the wars, and Zero Moustafa, the lobby boy who becomes his most trusted friend. The story involves the theft and recovery of a priceless Renaissance paintingand the battle for an enormous family fortune -- all against the back-drop of a suddenly and dramatically changing Continent.

The Grand Budapest Hotel. Pictured: Sir Ralph Fiennes as M. Gustave

Opening in the lobby of a famous European hotel, director Wes Anderson’s colourful new inter-war film plays out in a fantasy world of yellows, oranges and reds.

And yet it has a sudden relevance to the dark side of the current Ukraine crisis, too.

Everything from tanks in newspaper headlines to the corrupting nature of status, wealth and power make his self-penned script feel like it’s sitting on top of a contemporary powder keg.

The story is set between the two world wars in a typical spa town of a fictional Eastern European land known as The Republic of Zubrowka.

Society is changing rapidly so when the 84-year-old Madame D (Tilda Swinton) dies there’s a mad scramble to inherit her wealth - especially as she hasn't left her priceless Renaissance painting Boy With Apple to her avaricious son.

Freed from the responsibility of directing his last two movies, Ralph Fiennes has never enjoyed himself more on screen as the hotel’s legendary concierge, Monsieur Gustav.

Especially when teaching lobby boy Zero Moustafa (Tony Revolori) how to be discreet.

Inspired by the writings of Viennese writer Stefan Zweig, the film’s style is far removed from Sacha Baron Cohen’s vision of Borat.

It’s more a cinematic cross between the inventiveness of the French cinema pioneer Georges Méliès (who inspired Scorsese’s Hugo), The Pink Panther and Benny Hill – hence the pervading sense of fun, optimism, speed and lightness of spirit.

Told in different flashback periods with production design by Adam Stockhausen (from the Oscar-winning 12 Years A Slave), much of The Grand Budapest Hotel is shot in old fashioned square format – yet you are unlikely to even notice the cleverness of the initial switch of styles.

More noticeably, Budapest Hotel also has a truly all-star cast including the youngest best actor Oscar winner Adrien Brody as Madame D’s villainous son Dmitri, Willem Dafoe (henchman Jopling), Jeff Golblum (attorney Vilmos Kovacs) and French star Mathieu Amalric (trusted butler, Serge X).

Other stars include Saoirse Ronan as bakery apprentice Agatha; Edward Norton as Lutz Military Police Captain Albert Henckels; Jude Law as Young Writer; Harvey Keitel as a tattooed convict called Ludwig and Owen Wilson as a military concierge.

And you can throw in everyone else from Anderson regulars like Bill Murray and Jason Schwartzman to Bob Balaban and F Murray Abraham.

What is remarkable is that instead of overcooking this film, the big names add value to a remarkably inventive and wholeheartedly fun, cinema-going experience, powered by another fine score from Alexandre Desplat (six Oscar nominations since 2007, including Philomena).