Media and foreign policy narratives of ‘the new world order’ are misleading

Richard Falk:

There is no more reliable guardian of entrenched conventional wisdom than The Economist. And so its cover recently proclaimed “the new world order”, and removed any ambiguity from its intentions, by its portrayal of Russian President Vladimir Putin as a shirtless tank commander with menacing features. No such iconography accompanied the last notable invocation of the phrase by George H W Bush in mobilising support for a forcible response to the Iraqi invasion and annexation of Kuwait in 1990, the dirty work of Saddam Hussein.

There the elder Bush was seeking to suggest, with the Cold War winding down, that finally the UN Security Council (UNSC) could act, as originally intended, and meet Iraqi aggression with a collective response. With some reluctance the Security Council mandated the use of force to repel Iraq, and restore Kuwaiti sovereignty.

In this central respect, there was some merit in claiming newness for this latest response to provocative moves by Russia. In the Cold War period, it is unlikely that Baghdad would have acted without a green light from Moscow, and it is even more unlikely that the Kremlin would allow its junior ally to embark on such a risky adventure. In the highly improbable event that Iraq would act on its own or win approval from Moscow, the resulting crisis would have been of a purely geopolitical character with no claim to initiate “the new world order”. It would have meant confrontation, escalation, and a showdown similar to that which almost produced a nuclear World War III during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962

As it unfolded, this so-called First Gulf War of 1991 resulted in a successful launch of this earlier edition of the new world order. The Security Council mandate was quickly fulfilled in a one-sided desert war, Saddam Hussein surrendered, accepting the most punitive peace imposed upon a defeated country since the burdens accepted by Germany in the Versailles Treaty after World War I – an international arrangement often given a large share of the blame for tipping the internal German balance in an extremist direction.

Bush claimed victory over Iraq with the purely geopolitically slogan, “we’ve kicked the ‘Vietnam Syndrome’ once and for all” meaning that the US had shown that it could win wars quickly and at minimum cost in lives and treasure. Some ventured to suggest that this was the real new world order.

There were questions raised at the time about this use of UN authority to wage war. Was it really, as required by international law and the UN Charter, an instance of war as a last resort? The argument of critics was that sanctions agreed upon after Iraq invaded and annexed Kuwait were working and should have been given a longer time to achieve results. There were also credible reports that Saddam Hussein was ready to withdraw prior to being attacked if assured that an attack would not occur in any event. Such assurance was never given by the US and its coalition partners, but only an ultimatum delivered by the then UN Secretary General.

Also, there were questions about the failure of the US-led military campaign to give the Security Council any supervisory role in relation to the military undertaking during its operational phases. Questions were raised as to whether the US command had used excessive force well beyond the limits of “military necessity”, an allegation given weight by a respected UN report concluding that the industrial infrastructure of Iraq had been destroyed and the country bombed back “to the stone age”.

And then there were questions raised repeatedly about maintaining for 12 years harsh comprehensive sanctions on a defeated country with a badly damaged water treatment systems. In the decade following the war as many as 700,000 Iraqi civilians died due to these post-war sanctions, which was quite widely condemned as a form of indiscriminate warfare that was not consistent with international customary law, and seemed oblivious to the lessons of Versailles.

As well, the idealistic side of the new world order was quickly put back “on the shelf” – in the words of Thomas Pickering, a prominent US diplomat – in effect, informing the world that the US was not prepared to repel aggression unless warranted by its national and strategic interests, and certainly not willing to allow the UN Security Council to make the call as to when international force should be used. Or in other words, business as usual!

James Baker, visiting Princeton for an off the record meeting on foreign policy not more than a year after this war in the Middle East, gave invited faculty the chance to ask questions. When my turn came, I asked, “Whatever happened to ‘the new world order’?” His response was interesting: “We made a mistake. We should not have associated the new world order with the UN, but with the fact that the whole world

For More:

http://ift.tt/1kbrPCq

Egypt anti-coup alliance accuses regime of orchestrating Cairo bombings

The Egyptian Alliance for Supporting Legitimacy and Opposing the Coup (aka Anti-Coup Alliance) accused the current regime of perpetrating the latest Cairo University bombings.

In a statement Saturday, the Anti-Coup Alliance stressed that “security solutions will fail to distort the peacefulness of revolutionaries.”

The Alliance criticized the so-called anti-terrorism laws “designed to ban peaceful expression of opinion.”

The statement saluted Mohamed Morsi and all political detainees for their steadfastness behind bars, and stressed that the protesters’ adherence to peacefulness is embarrassing the regime.

The statement addressed those unjustly detained saying: “The Putschists believe that the absence of judicial independence is an opportunity to circumvent justice. However, your are drafting a new history of struggle that would put an end to the injustice of prisons for good.”

BJP Gen Secy Amit Shah gives hate speech in Muzaffarnagar

On Thursday, Amit Shah, BJP general secretary and Narendra Modi’s man in Uttar Pradesh, met leaders of the Jat community at Raajhar village, 40 km from Muzaffarnagar, and delivered a speech brimming with vitriol. With him was BJP legislator Suresh Rana, who is accused of instigating the riots last year.

“This election is about voting out the government that protects and gives compensation to those who killed Jats,” Shah said. “It is about badla (revenge) and protecting izzat (honour).”

The village is politically significant because it is the base of the Batteesaa Khap, a sub-group of the Jat community that dominates the sugarcane belt of western Uttar Pradesh.

Not many in Muzaffarnagar knew that Amit Shah was in town. While travelling, he usually stays away from the main roads, choosing instead to travel through smaller, less-frequented lanes. Only the Gujarat Police vehicle that follows him everywhere gives away his presence.

On Friday, after spending the previous night at a hotel just outside Muzaffarnagar, where the entire second floor was booked for him and his supporters, he met by turn the leaders of three communities — Gurjjars, Rajputs and Dalits — at a farmhouse in the town’s Gandhi Colony. Here too, he spoke of “badla”.

“A man can live without food or sleep. He can live when he’s thirsty and hungry. But when he’s insulted, he can’t live. Apmaan ka badla toh lena padega,” he said.

A senior BJP leader who handles Shah’s campaign in western Uttar Pradesh, said, “The idea is to meet some influential people who will then go and spread the word in their communities. That works better than rallies.”

At the Muzaffarnagar farmhouse, he spoke about the “problems facing the country”. Apart from price rise, he said, “our country’s boundaries are being breached, heads of soldiers are being chopped off and then played football with, Bangladeshis are infiltrating India, our women aren’t safe because the government is too busy with other things, and riots keep happening in Uttar Pradesh.”

“Kisi maa ke laal mein himmat nahin hai ki woh Gujarat mein dange karaye… wahaan Narendra Modi ki sarkar hai (No one has the courage to instigate riots in Gujarat, Narendra Modi runs the government there),” he told Dalits who had just spoken against the Samajwadi Party government’s handling of the Muzaffarnagar riots.

Under Mulayam Singh Yadav, he said, certain communities had been “rendered second-class citizens” because of the “favourable treatment he gives to minorities”.

A few minutes later, addressing Rajput leaders, he said, “Mullah Mulayam’s government” should be booted out because they “have allowed people who kill cows to prosper. In Gujarat, we don’t have any water, but we have milk. Here, you’re blessed. You have so much water. But all your cows are being killed, all your animals are ending up at the butchers’,” he said

Match report: Boro 1 Derby County 0

SCROLL DOWN TO RATE THE PLAYERS

CLICK STATS TAB ABOVE FOR MATCH OVERVIEW (desktop website only)

There was no homecoming gift for Steve McClaren as battling Boro beat his Derby side 1-0.

The former manager was given a warm reception before the game but once the whistle went Boro went out of their way to spoil his return.

It was a close fought game with both sides missing chances before Boro grabbed victory with a well worked second half strike by Nathaniel Chaolbah.

Boro made one change as Chalobah returned in an anchor role in place of banned Dean Whitehead.

Local left winger Mark Kitching, 17, made his first appearance on the bench.

There was a generous and lengthy pre-match round of applause for former boss Steve McClaren who guided Boro to Carling Cup victory in 2004 and the 2006 UEFA Cup final and now manager of Derby.

That was followed by a minute's silence in memory of the 20 anniversary of the tragedy at Hallgarth School.

Boro showed first in the third minute as a fine cross field ball from Albert Adomah sent George Friend storming down the left to cut inside but his angled shot screamed high over.

Then after a cagey spell Boro won a corner that led to a sustained spell of probing passes before Grant Leadbitter chipped in for Danny Graham to head wide.

Derby almost broke through on 14 minutes as Martin burst towards the box onto a Bryson pass but then he fell after as he jumped over a challenge from Ben Gibson that never arrived and then Kenneth Omeruo cleared the danger.

Boro then swept forward and a neat reverse pass by Lee Tomlin sent Graham into the box but he fired over.

Boro threatened again on 16 minutes as a Luke William cross into the box glanced a defender's head then Friend nodded it goalwards but it was deflected wide for a corner that was easily cleared.

Straight down the other end Derby threatened as full-back Wisdom over-lapped and sent a cross skidding through the box before Friend collected and cleared the danger.

Derby carved out a good chance on 27 minutes when a quick ball from Bamford picked out a good run that took Martin to the edge of the box but his shot was blocked by a sliding challenge from Gibson then looped up kindly into the arms of keeper Dimi Konstantopoulos.

Boro pressed on 31 minutes as a Leadbitter cross picked out Friend who lost then won back the ball and headed towards the box but when he tried to pick out Tomlin's run into the box it was cut out by the stretching Buxton.

Then Boro went close on 33 minutes as Williams fired a half cleared corner into the crowd and it fell to Omeruo but as he turned to shoot it was blocked by Wisdom on the ground.

And on 35 minutes Graham slotted a ball into the feet of Tomlin and he turned his man and darted clear to the edge of the box then with the goal gaping he fired a weak shot straight at the keeper.

On 36 minutes Leadbitter was booked for a foul on Bryson.

Derby then had a good spell as first a Forsyth cross was whipped into the box for Martin to flick wide of the far post then another cross bounced across the face of goal and clipped Omeruo before being hooked away at the far post by Chalobah.

And on 43 minutes they threatened again as Bamford squared into the box for Martin but Omeruo arrived with a crunching tackle as he shaped to shoot then when the loose ball was touched on to Thorne he cracked in a 30 yard shot that Konstantopoulos palmed down then gathered.

HALF-TIME: BORO 0 DERBY 0

The first chance of the half came as Bryson carried the ball forward and as the defence backed off he slammed in a 22 yard effort that was well held by Konstantopoulos.

Then Bamford got to a deep cross to the far post but put his looping header high over.

Boro probed on 49 minutes as neat slotted pass from Tomlin found Friend's run into the box but his attempted angled effort was charged down.

Then Williams did well to wriggle into the box from the left but as he tried to play a close one-two with Tomlin he was muscled out as he went for the return.

On 57 minutes Bamford was booked for a foul on Adomah wide on the right and from the free kick Tomlin headed over at the far post.

On 58 minutes Emmanuel Ledesma came on for Tomlin with Williams switching inside into the role behind the striker.

A minute later Derby put on Sammon for Russell.

Derby went close on 62 minutes as Bamford cut in from the right and skipped past Friend then drilled in a low shot that was cleared and if fell for Wisdom lurking outside the box but his first time effort curled just outside the far post.

Straight up the other end Chalobah knocked a ball over the top for Adomah to chase into the box to stab just wide under pressure.

But Boro broke the deadlock on 69 minutes with a well worked opener.

Ledesma cut down the right then slotted a low diagonal ball to the far side of the box where NATHANIEL CHALOBAH to take a touch then drill a low shot beyond the diving keeper and just inside the far post, his first goal for the club.

They had a great chance for a second on 75 minutes when a good move took Friend into the box from the left to square to Adomah but the ball was too strong and the winger failed to control an dthe losoe ball was cleared.

On 77 minutes Friend was booked for a hefty challenge on Wisdom.

On 78 minutes Derby brought Hughes on for Bamford and Boro put on Jacob Butterfield for Williams.

On 81 minutes Derby's Thorne was booked for bringing down Adomah as he raced clear.

Derby should have levelled on 85 minutes when Sammon sent a free-kick bouncing at the far post for defender Buxton to stretch and somehow poke it high and wide from three yards out

Derby put Naylor on for Thorne on 86 minutes. In stoppage time Curtis Main came on for Adomah.

There were some nervous moments in the five minutes of stoppage time as Derby piled bodies forward but Boro did well to head and block and scramble clear.

BORO: Konstantopoulos, Varga Omeruo, Gibson Friend, Chalobah, Leadbitter (c), Adomah (Main 90+2), Tomlin (Ledesma 58), L Williams (Butterfield 78), Graham. Subs: Steele,Kamara, Atkinson, Kitching

DERBY: Grant, Wisdom, Keogh, Buxton, Forsyth, Thorne (Naylor, 86), Hendrick, Bryson, Russell (Sammon 59), Bamford (Hughes 78), Martin. Subs: Legzdins, Whitbread, Eustace, O’Brien

Ref: Andy Haines (Tyne and Wear)

Att: 15,234 (1108)Match report starts here

The Voice final live: Latest news, updates and commentary, as it all happens on BBC 1

Chris was appointed editor of the Evening Gazette in January 2012. He is also a former Gazette news editor. Chris has more than 20 years experience as a journalist and has previously worked in senior positions in Newcastle, Exeter and Nottingham.

Highlights of the Cobrapost investigation: TCN

Source: TCN

Some of the findings of the Cobrapost investigation are:

 The conspiracy was hatched at the level of two Hindu outfits, VHP and Shiv Sena, but not jointly.

 Both these outfits had trained their cader as part of an action plan, many months before it was implemented on December 6.

 A Balidani Jatha, or suicide squad, was formed with the trained RSS workers.

 Bajrang Dal, the youth wing of VHP, had its training in Surkhej of Gujarat, while Shiv Sena trained its cader in Bhind–Morena.

 The training regime included imparting skills such as climbing taller structures with help of grappling hooks and ropes and digging earth with implements like pickaxes and spades, apart from regular drills and physical exercises.

 Traditional implements such as chisels, heavy-duty hammers, pickaxes, spades, sabbals, and other tools were procured in large numbers and put to use on December 6, to pull the disputed structure down.

 A Sankalp, or an oath, was administered to the lakhs of karsevaks in the presence of all the frontline leaders of the movement like L. K. Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Ashok Singhal, Giriraj Kishore and Acharya Dharmendra, apart from the entire galaxy of Hindu sants. The Sankalp conducted from the Ram Katha Manch gave a call for the construction of a grand Ram Temple at the disputed site after removing the structure. The assault on Babri was begun as soon as the Sankalp was conducted by Mahant Ram Vilas Vedanti.

 VHP cobbled together a band of 1200 RSS workers secreted from their respective zones a few days before the demolition. This secret formation was given the name of Laxman Sena and Ramji Gupta was given charge of this army which was formed to dismantle the Babri. It’s clarion call was “Jai Sheshavtaar”.

 Shiv Sena, on the other hand, had a similar band of local workers at Ayodhya, called Pratap Sena, which provided all the logistics for the action plan.

 The RSS–VHP–Bajrang Dal combine held a secret meeting at Hindu Dham at Ayodhya a day before the demolition. Attended by Ashok Singhal, Vinay Katiyar, V. H. Dalmia, Moropant Pingle and Mahant Avaidyanath, it was decided in the meeting that the Babri masjid will be razed down.

 The RSS and BJP had held a secret meeting at Hanuman Bagh which was attended by H. V. Sheshadri from the RSS and all senior leaders of BJP present at Ayodhya, Vinay Katiyar, Uma Bharti and L. K. Advani.

 Shiv Sena had its secret parleys at North Avenue in Delhi in November 1992 which was attended by senior leaders such as Jai Bhagwan Goel, Moreshwar Save, Satish Pradhan, Anand Dhige and others in which a strategy was chalked out before making a move to Ayodhya. Both Balasaheb Thackeray and Raj Thackeray kept a close tab on all these activities.

 Shiv Sena had planned to use dynamite to bring down Babri if traditional methods failed.

 Apart from traditional tools, the Bihar team used petrol bombs to dismantle the structure.

 The local administration goaded and helped the frenzied mobs of karsevaks in removing the “headache” the Babri had become for them.

 Many antique artefacts were secreted from the Babri. For instance, two pieces of the stone engraving erected there by Mir Baqi in 1528 that fell apart are lying with Pawan Pandey who wants to sell them.

Boro v Derby County: Match report from the Riverside Stadium

SCROLL DOWN TO RATE THE PLAYERS

CLICK STATS TAB ABOVE FOR MATCH OVERVIEW (desktop website only)

THERE was no homecoming gift for Steve McClaren as battling Boro beat his Derby side 1-0.

The former manager was given a warm reception before the game but once the whistle went Boro went out of their way to spoil his return.

It was a close fought game with both sides missing chances before Boro grabbed victory with a well worked second half strike by Nathaniel Chaolbah.

Boro made one change as Chalobah returned in an anchor role in place of banned Dean Whitehead.

Local left winger Mark Kitching, 17, made his first appearance on the bench.

There was a generous and lengthy pre-match round of applause for former boss Steve McClaren who guided Boro to Carling Cup victory in 2004 and the 2006 UEFA Cup final and now manager of Derby.

That was followed by a minute's silence in memory of the 20 anniversary of the tragedy at Hallgarth School.

Boro showed first in the third minute as a fine cross field ball from Albert Adomah sent George Friend storming down the left to cut inside but his angled shot screamed high over.

Then after a cagey spell Boro won a corner that led to a sustained spell of probing passes before Grant Leadbitter chipped in for Danny Graham to head wide.

Derby almost broke through on 14 minutes as Martin burst towards the box onto a Bryson pass but then he fell after as he jumped over a challenge from Ben Gibson that never arrived and then Kenneth Omeruo cleared the danger.

Boro then swept forward and a neat reverse pass by Lee Tomlin sent Graham into the box but he fired over.

Boro threatened again on 16 minutes as a Luke William cross into the box glanced a defender's head then Friend nodded it goalwards but it was deflected wide for a corner that was easily cleared.

Straight down the other end Derby threatened as full-back Wisdom over-lapped and sent a cross skidding through the box before Friend collected and cleared the danger.

Derby carved out a good chance on 27 minutes when a quick ball from Bamford picked out a good run that took Martin to the edge of the box but his shot was blocked by a sliding challenge from Gibson then looped up kindly into the arms of keeper Dimi Konstantopoulos.

Boro pressed on 31 minutes as a Leadbitter cross picked out Friend who lost then won back the ball and headed towards the box but when he tried to pick out Tomlin's run into the box it was cut out by the stretching Buxton.

Then Boro went close on 33 minutes as Williams fired a half cleared corner into the crowd and it fell to Omeruo but as he turned to shoot it was blocked by Wisdom on the ground.

And on 35 minutes Graham slotted a ball into the feet of Tomlin and he turned his man and darted clear to the edge of the box then with the goal gaping he fired a weak shot straight at the keeper.

On 36 minutes Leadbitter was booked for a foul on Bryson.

Derby then had a good spell as first a Forsyth cross was whipped into the box for Martin to flick wide of the far post then another cross bounced across the face of goal and clipped Omeruo before being hooked away at the far post by Chalobah.

And on 43 minutes they threatened again as Bamford squared into the box for Martin but Omeruo arrived with a crunching tackle as he shaped to shoot then when the loose ball was touched on to Thorne he cracked in a 30 yard shot that Konstantopoulos palmed down then gathered.

HALF-TIME: BORO 0 DERBY 0

The first chance of the half came as Bryson carried the ball forward and as the defence backed off he slammed in a 22 yard effort that was well held by Konstantopoulos.

Then Bamford got to a deep cross to the far post but put his looping header high over.

Boro probed on 49 minutes as neat slotted pass from Tomlin found Friend's run into the box but his attempted angled effort was charged down.

Then Williams did well to wriggle into the box from the left but as he tried to play a close one-two with Tomlin he was muscled out as he went for the return.

On 57 minutes Bamford was booked for a foul on Adomah wide on the right and from the free kick Tomlin headed over at the far post.

On 58 minutes Emmanuel Ledesma came on for Tomlin with Williams switching inside into the role behind the striker.

A minute later Derby put on Sammon for Russell.

Derby went close on 62 minutes as Bamford cut in from the right and skipped past Friend then drilled in a low shot that was cleared and if fell for Wisdom lurking outside the box but his first time effort curled just outside the far post.

Straight up the other end Chalobah knocked a ball over the top for Adomah to chase into the box to stab just wide under pressure.

But Boro broke the deadlock on 69 minutes with a well worked opener.

Ledesma cut down the right then slotted a low diagonal ball to the far side of the box where NATHANIEL CHALOBAH to take a touch then drill a low shot beyond the diving keeper and just inside the far post, his first goal for the club.

They had a great chance for a second on 75 minutes when a good move took Friend into the box from the left to square to Adomah but the ball was too strong and the winger failed to control an dthe losoe ball was cleared.

On 77 minutes Friend was booked for a hefty challenge on Wisdom.

On 78 minutes Derby brought Hughes on for Bamford and Boro put on Jacob Butterfield for Williams.

On 81 minutes Derby's Thorne was booked for bringing down Adomah as he raced clear.

Derby should have levelled on 85 minutes when Sammon sent a free-kick bouncing at the far post for defender Buxton to stretch and somehow poke it high and wide from three yards out

Derby put Naylor on for Thorne on 86 minutes. In stoppage time Curtis Main came on for Adomah.

There were some nervous moments in the five minutes of stoppage time as Derby piled bodies forward but Boro did well to head and block and scramble clear.

BORO: Konstantopoulos, Varga Omeruo, Gibson Friend, Chalobah, Leadbitter (c), Adomah (Main 90+2), Tomlin (Ledesma 58), L Williams (Butterfield 78), Graham. Subs: Steele,Kamara, Atkinson, Kitching

DERBY: Grant, Wisdom, Keogh, Buxton, Forsyth, Thorne (Naylor, 86), Hendrick, Bryson, Russell (Sammon 59), Bamford (Hughes 78), Martin. Subs: Legzdins, Whitbread, Eustace, O’Brien

Ref: Andy Haines (Tyne and Wear)

Att: 15,234 (1108)Match report starts here

My Sister's Place hopes to expand premises in Middlesbrough due to demand

A domestic violence charity based in Middlesbrough is hoping to double in size to cope with a surge in demand

A domestic violence charity based in Middlesbrough is hoping to double in size to cope with a surge in demand.

My Sister’s Place, which has been based on Borough Road since 2002, is a “one stop shop” for women aged 16 and over who are experiencing domestic violence.

To meet demand, the service has grown considerably over the last 10 years from 3.5 staff to 14 paid staff members, 10 volunteers and 14 student placements from Teesside University.

The charity is hoping that a 25-year transfer deal from Middlesbrough Council will be approved so they can take over the building next door.

The Executive Sub-Committee for Property at Middlesbrough Council will discuss the proposal at a meeting next week.

The CAT (community asset transfer) would increase the support the charity can provide across Teesside. They have an agreement in place to acquire the property next door to 123 Borough Road and hope to merge the two buildings. It would also allow the charity to access capital grants which would allow them to carry out further improvements to the building.

Officers have recommended in a report that will be presented to the meeting that the transfer is approved.

My Sister’s Place chief officer Becky Rogerson said: “This is massive for us. We are bursting at the seams. We are desperate for more staff and we are desperate for more interview rooms.

“In the last three years cases have gone up 75%. This year there’s been a 52% increase.”

She said it will cost about £180,000 to expand the premises and make it “fit for purpose”.

“Northern Rock Foundation have already thrown their hat in and pledged £50,000 to get us started. They have supported us for 10 years.

“If it all gets approved then we can apply for capital grants to get more funding. We’re also putting on events to raise funds ourselves.”

Developers appeal for 550 Ingleby Barwick homes refusal to be overturned

Tiviot Way Investments application for 550 houses on land at Little Maltby Farm, Low Lane, was refused by Stockton Council in February

Developers have appealed against a decision stopping them from building 550 houses.

The controversial plans for 550 homes and associated infrastructure at the Little Maltby Farm scheme, near Low Lane in Ingleby Barwick, were unanimously rejected by Stockton Council’s planning committee in February.

Jersey-based Tiviot Way Investments have now appealed to the Planning Inspectorate.

But James Wharton, MP for Stockton South, has written to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles, asking him to “recover the appeal” - which would see the Minister make a final decision on the plan.

Mr Wharton said: “I do not support or want to see any additional houses on this site. In recent years, Stockton Council have approved far too many applications in the south of the borough.

“I will do everything I can to support residents who are opposed to any more housing in Ingleby Barwick.

“It is vitally important that Stockton Council fight this application with everything they have got.”

Mr Wharton believes that, by asking the Secretary of State to recover the appeal, it provides another opportunity for opponents to impose their points and fight the plans.

Mr Pickles last year overturned Stockton Council’s decision to refuse planning permission for a free school and 350 homes on the site.

Council leader Bob Cook said: “As we predicted all along, Eric Pickles’ approval of the free school in Ingleby Barwick all but paved the way for further development and has been swiftly followed by applications from developers to build around 1,000 homes nearby.

“The Government stands to receive financial contributions from any homes that are built around the school but we will firmly contest the appeal and I hope that Mr Pickles finds in our favour.”

Labour’s candidate for Stockton South, Louise Baldock, said: “Ingleby Barwick is creaking at the seams.

“Ever since Mr Pickles approved the application for a free school and the first 350 houses, we have been inundated with plans to build an ever increasing number on these green fields. The Government needs to make the right decision this time.”

Tiviot Way Investments had said in their application that the proposals would boost the supply of housing and affordable housing and contribute to achieving economic growth through investment and job creation.

However, in February this year, the council’s planning committee voted 13-0 to refuse the plans, citing highway, archaeological and green wedge concerns as reasons.

Hindu right wing RSS joint general seceretary was in live in relationship with woman

At its Pratinidhi Sabha in Bangalore last week, the RSS announced the exit of its Sah Sarkaryavah (joint general secretary) K C Kannan, 52. Sources said he was removed from the post after he was reportedly found to be in a relationship with a woman.

The Sah Sarkaryavah ranks third in the RSS hierarchy. Kannan, who became one of the four Sah Sarkaryavahs in 2012, is the first leader to be removed from such a high-level position .

Many had believed Kannan, a promising leader, would make it to the top post in the RSS.

Although RSS pracharaks are usually bachelors, there are married pracharaks as well, but only at the lower levels. Kannan was learnt to have been involved in the relationship even when he was made Sah Sarkaryavah. He was not available for comment.

When contacted, Manmohan Vaidya, RSS Prachar Pramukh, said: “Kannan has decided to return home because of health problems. He will start a family life and had conveyed this to our leadership a few months back… He will now work at the local level.’’

RSS sources said the secret relationship of one of its top pracharaks has shocked the organisation. “The most shocking fact is that nobody was aware of his relationship for so long,” said an RSS leader.

“For the RSS, the post of pracharak is an institution. He should remain single and celibate. By maintaining a secret relationship, Kannan has insulted that institution. If he wanted family life, he could have given up the role of pracharak in a transparent manner much earlier,’’ said a Sangh insider.

Sources said during the RSS national executive in Kochi in October, Kannan had communicated his intention to go back to family life after his relationship came to the notice of the national leadership. He said he wanted to look after his ailing father.

Sources said no decision was taken on whether Kannan should be accommodated as an ordinary worker. But later, Sarkaryawah Suresh Bhaiyaji Joshi announced his removal from all responsibilities.

Source:

http://ift.tt/1fslMFv

Cleveland Police officer under investigation as son Darryl Williams jailed for child sex offences

Darryl Williams, 19, was locked up for almost three years for a string of sex offences against younger girls

A Cleveland Police officer is under investigation today as his son was locked up for a string of child sex offences.

The officer has been suspended and is one of three people arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

His son Darryl Williams, 19, was sent to a young offenders’ institution for two years and nine months yesterday.

Judge John Milford QC said the teenager sexually exploited younger girls. He told Williams: “You had a high sex drive and were persistent. I am satisfied that you are an ongoing risk to underage females, and that risk does need to be managed.”

A probation report said Williams’ behaviour was “predatory and manipulative” towards young impressionable girls.

The teenager, who was a member of a youth organisation, admitted six sexual offences against five girls spanning a three-year period when he was 14 to 18.

All but one of the girls were several years younger than him.

Prosecutor Rosalind Scott Bell said Williams targeted mostly younger girls who were “vulnerable to his attentions”.

He usually started by texting the girls and, in some cases, continued to do so after the offences.

The court heard of the impact on the victims. Parents spoke of girls’ sleepless nights, panic attacks, fear, stress and effects on their mental health and relationships.

One mum said it had destroyed the life of her daughter, who said she felt sickened and used.

One girl wouldn’t leave the house alone and told her mum: “It will never end.”

Williams, of Windsor Road, Redcar, pleaded guilty to offences of sexual assault, sexual activity with a child and sexual activity in the presence of a child - his first convictions.

Nigel Soppitt, defending, said Williams had been a foolish, naive “class clown” who didn’t take things seriously.

He said Williams was otherwise caring, thoughtful and decent with a supportive family.

Williams had devastated his own life, ruined his career and “had the stuffing knocked out of him”, said the barrister.

Williams accepted responsibility, faced the music, was ashamed and remorseful and tried to better himself, it was said.

Mr Soppitt added: “It seems the behaviour went unchecked for quite a considerable period of time.

“He’s gone out of control and nobody’s brought him to book until some time later.”

Williams was also given a five-year sexual offences prevention order governing his use of the internet. He will be on the sex offenders’ register and banned from working with children.

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said: “On Friday, November 8, 2013, two men, aged 48 and 42, and a woman, aged 45, were arrested from the Redcar area on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. The 48-year-old man is the father of Darryl Williams and is a serving police officer.

“He is currently suspended and all three have been released on police bail pending further inquiries. The matter was referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission, who then referred the matter back to Cleveland Police for a local investigation to be carried out.

“The file is currently with the Crown Prosecution Service awaiting their decision.”

Generous gift in memory of schoolgirl could be a life saver for Stockton school

A lifesaving piece of medical equipment has been donated to a school in memory of a former pupil who died suddenly

A lifesaving piece of medical equipment has been donated to a school in memory of a former pupil who died suddenly.

Demi Sharif was just 13 when she collapsed in the bathroom at the family home in Camden Street, Stockton, after her heart stopped beating.

Attempts were made to revive Demi before she was taken to hospital by ambulance. She was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

An inquest later heard that the Our Lady and St Bede School pupil was a fit and healthy teenager when she died, but her heart was the most likely cause of death.

More than three years on from the tragedy in January 2011, Demi’s parents Vicky Porritt and Naeem Sharif presented a defibrillator to their daughter’s school in the hope it could help save the lives of other young people.

The equipment, worth £1,200, was donated to her parents by the North East Hearts and Goals charity.

Jackie Devine, Key Stage 4 mentor at the school and a first aider, said staff would be trained in using the defibrillator by the St John’s Ambulance.

“If one small act of kindness saves somebody’s life that’s wonderful,” she said.

Vicky said it was an emotional day returning to her daughter’s school to make the presentation, but it was for a very good cause.

“There is a 50% chance of survival if a defibrillator is used,” she said. “We’d like to see every school have one.”

Vicky and Naeem set up a memorial fund in their daughter’s name to help save teenage lives on Teesside. Money raised will be spent on ECG tests for local teenagers to detect undiagnosed heart conditions.

The popular schoolgirl, who left brothers Ben, Lewis and Cameron and sisters Bethany, Chloe and Jade, was described by friends on a tribute page after her untimely death as “Our brightest star in the sky. Our perfect angel.”

Some six weeks ago Demi‘s parents were left sickened after heartless thieves stole a metal plaque for their daughter from Durham Road Cemetery in Stockton.

Her dad said: “When something like that happens it really knocks you back.

“We’ve told police.”

Anyone with any information on the theft can contact Cleveland Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Man sought in connection with serious assault on woman in Middlesbrough

A man is being sought by police in connection with an assault which left a woman with serious facial injuries

A man is being sought by police in connection with an assault which left a woman with serious facial injuries.

Cleveland Police has issued an appeal to trace Peter Quinn, 29, pictured.

He is wanted in connection with an incident in the Thorntree area of Middlesbrough on March 6 in which a 29-year-old woman was injured.

A Cleveland Police spokesman said: “Officers have made several attempts to locate him; however they are now looking for help from members of the public.

“They believe he may still be in the Cleveland area, being housed by someone who knows him.”

• Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Tools stolen from Redcar charity brings renovation project to a halt

Burglars have stolen tools being used by a Teesside charity to renovate flats for homeless young people

Burglars have stolen tools being used by a Teesside charity to renovate flats for homeless young people.

Redcar’s Coatham House project, which has arranged temporary accommodation for hundreds of homeless young people since 1991, has bought an end-terrace, two bedroomed house in central Redcar for conversion into two flats.

The flats would be used by young people who are moving on from direct Coatham House help, but need somewhere to live independently.

The house was bought for £60,000 in December and needs about £40,000 spent renovating it.

But that work has now suffered a massive setback with the theft of the tools, thought to be worth about £3,000.

Coatham House manager Bridget Collins said the “gut-wrenching” theft was discovered yesterday morning.

And she says not only will the conversion work be delayed until replacement gear is sourced, but young people helping with the work as part of their NVQs in building construction now face massive disruption of their studies.

Drills, grinders, trowels, chisel sets, plumbing fixtures and even a small cement mixer were among the items taken.

Bridget said: “We have a list of about £3,000 worth of gear that’s gone. All the tools were our maintenance manager Terry Lonsdale’s.

“It’s soul destroying.

“These tools cost a lot of money yet someone just walks in and helps themselves.

“And because we’re a charitable project, we just don’t have the resources to quickly replace them.”

Bridget added: “We’d appeal for people to be on the lookout if they’re offered cheap tools.

“And if anyone has any spare tools they could donate, they would be gratefully accepted.”

Last year, Coatham House helped 21 young people in supported housing and had six in permanent flats.

The charity has a staff team of 21, manages a shop/café, employs apprentices and undertakes accredited training with all residents - but to keep it running costs £500,000 a year.

Anyone with information on the tool theft is asked to call Cleveland Police on 101.

And if anyone can donate any tools, call the charity on 07974 442235 or 01642 486844.

Vote for BJP if you want revenge: Amit Shah at Muzaffarnagar

NEW DELHI: BJP’s general secretary and prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi’s close aide Amit Shah triggered a fresh row when he reportedly delivered a speech calling for ‘revenge’ in a village near riot-hit Muzaffarnagar.



On Friday, Amit Shah met leaders of three communities, gurjjars, rajputs and dalits, at a farmhouse in Muzaffarnagar’s Gandhi Colony and apparently spoke of revenge.

“A man can live without food or sleep. He can live when he’s thirsty and hungry. But when he’s insulted, he can’t live. We must seek revenge for the insult heaped on us,” he said.

He did the same thing a day before on Thursday while he met leaders of the jat community at Raajhar village, 40km from Muzzaffarnagar and delivered a similar vengeful remark.

“This election is about voting out the government that protects and gives compensation to those who killed jats. It is about revenge and protecting honour,” Shah said.

“If you want to take revenge, vote for the Bharatiya Janata Party,” Amit Shah said.

Teenagers raise the roof at Redcar event in memory of Marske' Georgina Anderson

Talented teenagers performed self-penned songs at Redcar event to raise money in memory of Marske teenager Georgina Anderson

Talented teenagers performed their self-penned songs at a special event in Redcar to raise money in memory of one of their friends.

Last night was the 12th anniversary of the Can U? music night at Tuned In! on Majuba Road.

The evening of live music called Write On is the latest event to raise money in memory of brave Marske teenager Georgina Anderson.

We reported earlier this week how more than £40,000 has already been raised since the 15-year-old lost her battle with cancer in November.

The Bydales School pupil touched the hearts of people across the world after one of her videos went viral online and a song she wrote, Two Thirds of a Piece, hit the iTunes top 40 chart.

Georgina regularly used to attend the group, and proceeds from the evening will be donated to the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Georgina’s dad Paul said: “They were absolutely brilliant when Georgina was diagnosed with cancer and arranged a special day for her to sing there, in the studio, which she thoroughly enjoyed. It turned out to be the last time she was able to sing.”

The teenagers, aged between 13 and 18, have been working with Allan Hyslop, a community musician at the University of Sunderland and the lead singer of the band Kosoti, and musicians from Sage Gateshead to write their own songs and perform them for the first time.

Jane Cuthbert, project leader of CanU?, said: “Georgina was a big part of our group and when she died we wanted to do something to remember her.”

Allan Hyslop, who has worked with the teenagers for the last 12 weeks, said: “It’s great to see the development and the creative spark in young people. It’s nice to see them all clicking and finding their own way.”

Belle Uemlianin, 14, who worked with Chloe Lance, 17, on two songs, said: “I like writing but this has made me think more about writing.”

Selin Gumus, 16, said: “I wrote Heartstrings for the show, I’ve been told it’s one of the best ones I’ve written. I love performing.”

Can U? was set up by Sage Gateshead in 2002 to provide opportunities for young people to make music. They run an open session on Mondays 6pm to 8pm at Tuned In!. The next one is April 28.

Middlesbrough young gun Ryan Brobbel in talks over new deal

Aitor Karanka has confirmed that Boro have opened talks with hot prospect Ryan Brobbel over a new deal

Aitor Karanka has confirmed that Boro have opened talks with hot prospect Ryan Brobbel over a new deal.

The midfielder is currently on loan at League Two play-off contenders York City where he has scored three goals in 14 games this term.

But the Boro staff have kept a close eye on his progress and Karanka recalled him earlier this year to get a closer look at how he fared in first team squad sessions.

The Hartlepool-born schemer, 21 last month, even made an appearance on the bench for the trip to Doncaster in February.

His contract is up in the summer but the boss admitted Boro are now talking about a new deal.

Karanka added: “He is going to be a good player and we need to work with him. We need to see what happens.

“He was training with us and in the squad and he is a player that I like.”

Brobbel is qualified for England, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and has been called up for training camps with both the latter squads.

The player says he is working hard and enjoying life at York but is aiming to secure a future at Boro.

“When I went back to Middlesbrough, I got a few sniffs of the first team but didn’t really get a chance to play,” he told the York Press.

“Obviously, at York I will be playing in an environment where it’s all about winning, which is good for me.

“After I left York before I’m not too sure if anybody else came in for me because I just wanted to stay at Middlesbrough and work on getting a contract there.

“But the chance to return here came up, it was a great opportunity and, if we can push on and get to Wembley, it would do so much for my career and, obviously, York as a club.

“I have been offered a contract at Middlesbrough and I just need to sort out some clauses and stuff.

“Hopefully, if I do well here, it will help me push on at Boro and help with my contract situation too.”

Give Steve McClaren a warm welcome says Boro boss Aitor Karanka

Aitor Karanka believes Steve McClaren deserves a warm welcome when he walks out of the Riverside tunnel this afternoon

Aitor Karanka believes Steve McClaren deserves a warm welcome when he walks out of the Riverside tunnel this afternoon.

The Derby boss will make his first appearance in the stadium’s technical area since leaving the club to manage England almost eight years ago.

He enjoyed great success on Teesside, winning the Carling Cup, qualifying for Europe twice and guiding the club to the 2006 UEFA Cup final, which was his last game in charge.

Paying tribute, Karanka said: “Steve is Middlesbrough’s most successful manager

“People who worked with him here at Middlesbrough tell me a lot of good things about him and his professional approach to doing things.

“I think that is the right way, when you work hard and enjoy your work the success will arrive.

“I hope our supporters give him a very good welcome because he deserves it.”

Karanka’s ambition is to restore Boro to the lofty level they competed at under McClaren but he’s not getting ahead of himself.

“Steve is the most successful manager in the history of the club and I want to mirror that success,” he added. “For that I will have to work every day to achieve that success.

Cuba demands US cease anti-government activity

Havana: Cuba Friday demanded that Washington stop its covert plans to subvert the island’s communist government, a day after a US news agency exposed such a scheme.

“The US government must respect International Law and… cease its illegal and covert actions against Cuba,” Xinhua quoted the Cuban foreign ministry as saying in a statement.

The statement was issued after an Associated Press report Thursday revealed that Washington launched a covert plan in 2009, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), to establish an online service in Cuba, similar to Twitter, that they could eventually use to sow political discontent among Cubans.

“The information contained in the article… confirms the Cuban government’s repeated claims” of covert anti-Cuban activity, and “once again shows the US government has not renounced its subversive plans against Cuba”, the ministry said.

Such schemes aim to “destabilise the country and provoke change in the political order,” it said, adding the US “continues to earmark multimillion-dollar budgets each year” to what US legislators call “regime change”.

Washington has admitted that USAID funded and installed the online service, called “Zunzuneo” (Spanish for “twitter”), but denied its covert objective.

The programme, Washington insists, aims to deliver unrestricted news and information to Cubans.

The US has maintained an economic blockade against Cuba since 1962

Sangh Parivar stands exposed on Bari Mosque demolition:Bhushan

April 04:

Terming the new “revelations” on Babri Masjid demolition as “serious matter”, senior AAP leader Prashant Bhushan today said the alleged role of Sangh Parivar in the destruction of the historical structure stands exposed.

“The truth, which emerges out of it is that a lot of very senior leaders of the entire Sangh Parivar were involved in a meticulous planning and conspiracy to demolish the Babri Masjid and the stand they are taking publicly and in court is totally to the contrary,” Bhushan told reporters here after witnessing the screening of “Operation Janmabhoomi” a sting operation carried out by Cobrapost which had recorded interviews of some low rung leaders of BJP, VHP and Shiv Sena.

He said that that the timing of the sting operation was “irrelevant”.

The news portal Cobrapost claimed that the 1992 Babri Mosque demolition was an “act of planned sabotage” and not by a frenzied mob of Hindu outfits.

These low rung leaders claimed in the interview that the 1992 Babri Mosque demolition was carried out with precision by volunteers of Hindu outfits after going through intensive training and mock drills.

Bhushan wondering why the investigating agencies could not unearth what a lone journalist had found.

“This kind of investigation, by one journalist, was not done by a huge commission of inquiry and the whole team of CBI. The inquiry went on for 17 years and on which crores were spent,” Bhushan said.

“It raises very serious questions about what is happening in this country. What are the authorities doing? Particularly in the light of some evidence which has come, which shows that the then Prime Minister Narasimha Rao was not only aware but he kind of awaited the demolition of the Masjid,” Bhushan said.

He added that the entire episode involved a conspiracy to plunge this country into communal conflict and derive political mileage out of it.

He, however, declined to comment when asked whether his party will use the sting operation as a poll issue

Volume of global Halal products trade estimated at $2 trillion

The Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry plans to launch a number of initiatives including the “Halal” project and the International Center for Operation and Development to assist in the creation of new jobs, as part of its 2014-2017 strategy.

The chamber is also looking into adopting regulations pertaining to the fund supporting members of the chamber. The decisions came on the sidelines of the 19th meeting of the Board of Directors of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the 52nd session of the Finance Committee of the Islamic Chamber, and the 30th session of the General Assembly of the Chamber, which concluded recently in Tunisia.

Fahad Al-Rabiah, deputy chairman of the Council of Saudi Chambers, stressed the need for the chamber to issue certificates for Halal products and put in place certain fees to strengthen the role of the chamber. He estimated the trade volume of halal products worldwide to be worth about two trillion dollars, of which 700 billion dollars is in the Islamic markets.

The vice-president of the Council of Saudi Chambers, who took part in the meeting as head of the Saudi delegation noted to the formation of a sub-committee to discuss the revitalization of the membership and the development of the financial resources of the chamber.

He acknowledged that the economic challenges facing the Arab and Islamic region require the interaction of all countries in the Islamic Chamber to push for Islamic economic cooperation efforts, overcome economic challenges, and address issues of community development in an active manner. Al-Rabiah also pointed to the importance of the development of the financial resources of the Islamic Chamber to enable it to play its role toward these issues.

He called for the strengthening of economic cooperation between Islamic countries and doubling the volume of trade exchange between them via the spread of greater trade and investment opportunities available in Islamic countries. For his part, Omar Bahalioh, secretary general of the International Trade Commission, stressed the need to collect dues from member states.

Regular payments or contributions would help meet the expenses of the activities and programs of the chamber in order to help it achieve its objectives in the region

N Korea says US ‘hell-bent’ on regime change

North Korea has accused the United States of being “hell-bent on regime change” and warned that any manoeuvers with that intention will be viewed as a “red line” that will result in countermeasures.

Pyongyang’s deputy UN ambassador, Ri Tong Il, also repeated that his government “made it very clear we will carry out a new form of nuclear test” but refused to elaborate, saying only that “I recommend you to wait and see what it is.”

His comments came at North Korea’s second press conference at the United Nations in two weeks, a surprising rate for the reclusive Communist government.

Ri blamed the US for aggravating tensions on the Korean Peninsula by continuing “very dangerous” military drills with South Korea, by pursuing action in the UN Security Council against his country’s recent ballistic missile launches and by going after Pyongyang’s human rights performance.

Ri also accused the US of blocking a resumption of six-party talks on its nuclear program by settling preconditions and said Washington’s primary goal is to maintain tensions and prevent the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.

A US diplomat who was not authorised to comment publicly later told the Associated Press news agency: “We have long made clear – in close consultation with our allies – that we are open to improved relations with the DPRK if it is willing to take clear actions to live up to its international obligations and commitments.”

North Korea walked away from the six-party nuclear disarmament talks in 2009 over disagreements on how to verify steps the North was meant to take to end its nuclear programs. The US and its allies are demanding that the North demonstrate its sincerity in ending a drive to acquire nuclear weapons.

Nuclear tests

Since pulling out of the six-party talks, the North has conducted two nuclear tests, at least two long-range rocket tests and most recently short-range rocket launches.

Using the initials of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the country’s official name, Ri said, “The DPRK has been making strenuous, hard efforts, very generous, toward easing the tensions on the Korean Peninsula, but ignoring all this generous position of the DPRK and its proposals, the US went ahead with opening the joint military drills, [in a] very aggressive nature, and they’re now expanding in a crazy manner the scale of this exercise.”

He also rejected as “illegal” a Security Council statement last week that condemned North Korea’s test-firing of two medium-range ballistic missiles as violations of council resolutions.

The deputy ambassador did not answer questions on detained American Kenneth Bae or on his country’s drone program, which it has been promoting recently.

South Korean experts this week claimed that two small, camera-equipped drones had been flown across the border by the North, calling them crude and decidedly low-tech. Both drones crashed in South Korea

Source: Al Jazeera / AFP