Christian Palestinians reject calls to join Israeli army

Representatives of orthodox national institutions in Jerusalem and the Palestinian territories have rejected the recruitment of Christians in the Israeli army yesterday.

At a meeting in Jerusalem the foundations emphasised that the churches, Christian institutions and members of Christian denominations strongly reject recruiting their children in the Israeli army on the basis of ethical, humanitarian and national considerations.

They stressed that “those who call for recruitment and encourage Christian youth to join the occupation army do not represent the church and do not represent Christians of whom the majority reject the army recruitment in its entirety.”

The Orthodox institutions called on the Christian youth who receive forms requesting them to volunteer in the Israeli army to “shred them and throw them in the bin because dealing with these requests is not permitted in any way”.

They stressed the importance of young people collectively rejecting and confirming their allegiance to Palestinian Arabs. They have also approved a series of activities and events that call for the rejection of recruitment as well as a media campaign to explain the seriousness of this phenomenon.

The idea of Christian youth recruitment was raised in June last year when a hundred or so supporters of the military service met in the town of Jaffa; they were mostly Christian soldiers in the ranks of the Israeli army and police. The group was in the presence of the bishop Gabriel Nadav of the Greek Orthodox community and a number of security men.

In response to this, the Greek Orthodox community spokesman in Jerusalem Father Issa Musleh said: “We reject the recruitment of our Christian children in the Israeli army in Nazareth, Jaffa or anywhere else in the country and we have stated so in the past.”

Musleh added: “It is not permitted for any Priest or anyone of the priesthood to tarnish the reputation or, through giving a political opinion, offend the Arab Orthodox Christian community, which has led and continues to play a role in the Palestinian struggle and has numerous historical accounts in doing so.”

Source: Al Araby

Egyptian court jails 19 anti-govt. protesters

An Egyptian court has sentenced 19 anti-government protesters to ten years in prison each, judicial sources say.

This comes as a court in Tanta city in the province of al-Gharbiya found the defendants guilty of organizing street protests and provoking violence.

This is the latest in an ongoing government crackdown on opponents of the military-backed government, especially supporters of ousted president, Mohamed Morsi, and the Muslim Brotherhood movement.

Also on Wednesday, injuries and arrests were reported after Egypt security forces attacked students protesting against the military-backed government in Cairo, Alexandria and Fayoum.

The students were protesting against Egypt’s former defense minister, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s presidential bid. The latest protest rallies come after el-Sisi officially submitted his bid to run for president.

Sisi led the overthrow of Morsi, suspended the constitution and dissolved the parliament in July last year. He is also accused of leading a severe crackdown against the supporters of Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood.

The army-backed government has detained hundreds of students since former president was ousted. More than 500 people have also been handed death sentences and hundreds of others have been handed lengthy jail terms.

The students are also calling for the release of all the detained students and the dismissal of police guards from universities.

Several international bodies and the UN Human Rights Council have expressed concern over the Egyptian security forces’ heavy-handed crackdown and the killing of peaceful anti-government protesters.

Rights groups say at least 1,400 people have been killed in the political violence since Morsi’s ouster in July last year, “most of them due to excessive force used by security forces.”

JR/AB/SS

Infuriated Israel reacts to Palestinian unity deal

A Palestinian unity deal has irked the Israeli regime, with Tel Aviv canceling a scheduled meeting with the Palestinian Authority (PA).

“Israel cancelled the negotiations meeting that was supposed to take place this evening,” Ofir Gendelman, a spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said on his Twitter feed on Wednesday.

The decision came after the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas and Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) pledged to form a joint government.

Chief Palestinian Authority negotiator Saeb Erakat, however, told reporters that no meeting with the Israelis had been planned.

Erakat blamed Netanyahu for sabotaging the so-called peace talks by persisting in the continued expansion of illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.

“Netanyahu stopped the negotiations a long time ago,” he said. “He chose the settlements instead of the peace. He is demolishing the peace process.”

The PA official also stressed that the Palestinians would meet bilaterally with US envoy Martin Indyk in Ramallah on Thursday.

Meanwhile, acting PA chief Mahmoud Abbas said that the deal between Hamas and the PLO, which includes his Fatah party, does not contradict the negotiations he is pursuing with Israel, and an independent Palestinian state remains his goal.

At a news conference earlier in the besieged Gaza Strip, Hamas and the PLO announced the deal for a coalition government to end seven years of separate administrations in the West Bank and Gaza.

Under the long-awaited deal, the rival Palestinian factions are to form a unity government within five weeks and hold national elections six months later.

The rival Hamas and Fatah parties signed a reconciliation agreement in Egypt in 2011, which was not implemented due to some differences.

MRS/MAM/MHB

Israel not to freeze al-Quds settlement: Israeli official

Israel says it will not freeze settlement building in al-Quds (Jerusalem), as nine-month deadline for a deal between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) approaches.

An Israeli official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, on Tuesday rejected conditions proposed by acting Palestinian Authority (PA) chief Mahmoud Abbas for the extension of the so-called peace talks.

Abbas said during a meeting with journalists at his PA headquarters in Ramallah that he would agree to extend the negotiations if Tel Aviv frees a group of Palestinian prisoners.

“There must be a total freeze of settlements,” by Israel in the occupied West Bank including east al-Quds (Jerusalem), Abbas also said.

He further noted that if Israel wants to extend the talks beyond the April 29 deadline, “The borders between Israel and the state of Palestine must also be defined within a month, two or three.”

The Israeli official, however, said that the settlements in al-Quds (Jerusalem) would not be frozen and that “It is impossible to define borders before an agreement on the other issues.”

“He who makes such conditions does not want peace,” the official added.

The talks between the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli regime reached a new deadlock when Tel Aviv refused to free the last tranche of the 104 Palestinian prisoners in late March as part of a deal for the resumption of the US-sponsored negotiations.

Since the resumption of the direct talks in July 2013, Palestinians have objected to a number of issues, including the Israeli regime’s illegal settlement expansion in the occupied Palestinian territories.

According to the Palestinian sources, the issue of the settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territories remain as the main obstacle to the peace in the region.

SAB/PR/HRB

Actor Robert Powell heading to Billingham in latest stage role

Actor Robert Powell will take to the stage at Billingham Forum Theatre next month as Hercule Poirot in Agatha Christie's Black Coffee

An esteemed actor most famous for playing Jesus Christ is heading to Teesside in his latest role.

Actor Robert Powell will take to the stage at Billingham Forum Theatre next month where he will bring to life Agatha Christie’s great detective Hercule Poirot.

Best known for his title role in 1977 film Jesus of Nazareth, for which he received a Bafta nomination, the 69-year-old is well known among drama and comedy fans, having starred alongside comedian Jasper Carrott in 1990s sitcom The Detectives and most recently appearing in the BBC’s medical drama Holby City.

Now in his latest role on stage, Robert will return to life as a detective – albeit a very different one – to play the eponymous Poirot in the first play Agatha Christie wrote, Black Coffee.

After his debut in novel The Mysterious Affair at Styles, the Belgian investigator went on to become one of world’s most cherished fictional characters, appearing in 33 novels, one play – Black Coffee – and more than 50 short stories published between 1920 and 1975.

To this day he remains the only fictitious character to receive a front-page obituary in the New York Times.

Robert, who has been touring in the role since January, said: “It’s great fun to play the character. I’d never read an Agatha Christie novel before. I’ve read the play now of course. It’s the only play where Poirot is the protagonist so it’s interesting.”

“Poirot in the play is rather different in some ways to the TV version people are used to.

“Christie wrote it herself so it’s the character she meant him to be. He’s not quite as glum as the one on TV.”

The story is set around the murder of eccentric inventor Sir Claud Amory and the theft of his new earth-shattering formula, which throws a quintessential English country estate into chaos.

The production is by Bill Kenwright and the Agatha Christie Theatre Company.

Robert added: “I have no preference between TV or theatre, though theatre is 10 times harder than TV. It’s eight shows a week and you only get one day off which isn’t very much.

“For me this time it’s only until the end of May but for some of the others it’s a longer stint. Also you’re away from home and travelling a lot; we’re in a different place each week; so it’s tough.

“It has its benefits though. It’s been packed houses. It’s a compliment to our show that it’s such a success and it shows the support of the audience is pretty high.”

Big Mouth Comedy Club: Fun way to start the month

Comedy fans throughout Teesside and East Cleveland can look forward to Big Mouth bringing more top comics to the region

Comedy fans throughout Teesside and east Cleveland can look forward to a flying start to next month with Big Mouth bringing more top comics to Redcar, Guisborough, Saltburn and Middlesbrough on the first weekend in May.

Scouse scally Nige and Geordie charmer Kai Humphries share headline duties at Big Mouth’s brand new gigs at Redcar’s Coatham Memorial Hall and Guisborough Quoit Club on Friday, May 2, before nipping over to Middlesbrough Town Hall Crypt and Saltburn’s Spa Hotel on Saturday, May 3.

Big Mouth legend Matt Reed is special guest MC at Redcar and Saltburn, Andrew Ryan from Russell Howard’s Good News hosts Guisborough, and Big Mouth favourite Danny McLoughlin is MC at Boro.

The comic creation of Kev Carter, shell-suited genius Nige has supported Johnny Vegas and Ricky Gervais.

Fellow headliner Kai Humphries is rapidly shooting up the comedy ladder after supporting big-hitters including Rhod Gilbert and Milton Jones.

The Redcar and Guisborough shows follow barnstorming sold-out first nights a few weeks back, joining Big Mouth’s already popular gigs in Middlesbrough and Saltburn in hosting a mix of familiar TV faces and some of the best comics on the circuit every month. Carmel Ramsay of Big Mouth Comedy said: “Boro and Saltburn are always fantastic, and our first nights in Redcar and Guisborough were phenomenal last month.

“The comics all absolutely love playing up here, and tell us that our audiences are the best you’ll find anywhere. We can’t argue with that, and we’re looking forward to another great weekend here.”

Big Mouth Redcar: Friday, May 2, Coatham Memorial Hall starring Kai Humphries, Nige, Adam Staunton and Matt Reed (MC), £10 from Blink Eyewear and Fatso’s in Redcar town centre, or online at http://ift.tt/1cc6aqc

Big Mouth Guisborough: Friday, May 2, Quoit Club starring Nige, Kai Humphries, Rob Thomas and Andrew Ryan (MC), £10, from Fatso’s and Guisborough Bookshop, or online at http://ift.tt/1cc6aqc

Big Mouth Middlesbrough Saturday, May 3, Town Hall Crypt, starring Nige, Kai Humphries, Danny McLoughlin (MC), £12.50 from the Town Hall Box Office on 01642 729 729 or online at http://ift.tt/1cc6aqc

Big Mouth Saltburn: Saturday, May 3, Spa Hotel, starring Kai Humphries, Nige, Nina Gilligan and Matt Reed (MC), £12.50, from Saltburn Health Foods, The Spa Hotel on 01287 622 544, or online at http://ift.tt/1cc6aqc

Shed Seven join the line up at Stockton Weekender

Britpop innovators Shed Seven are heading a string of new names added to the bill at this year’s Stockton Weekender

Britpop innovators Shed Seven are heading a string of new names added to the bill at this year’s Stockton Weekender.

The North east’s biggest outdoor music festival, which starts on July 26, has just announced additions to its stellar line up which include the indie band alongside Hyde&Beast, Laurel, New Electric Ride, Weird Shapes and Red Kites.

They’ll join headliners Public Enemy, Happy Mondays and Martha Reeves and The Vandellas at the event which also features comedian Lee Nelson.

Hailing from York, quintet Shed Seven celebrated an impressive 15 Top 40 Singles and four Top 20 albums in a career that has spanned across two decades.

Mammoth, genre-defining hits such as Going For Gold, Chasing Rainbows, Disco Down and On Standby have given the band longevity that has seen them continue to sell out tours and headline festivals across the UK and Europe since reforming in 2007.

Stockton Weekender is well known for pulling in acts on the rise.

This welcomes haunting pop sensation Laurel, who after uploading just one demo online was signed to Ellie Goulding and Rita Ora’s management and flown out to LA to record further tracks.

Aussie post-punk trio Dark Bells also head to the Riverside on a tidal wave of music industry excitement.

Teesside’s talent is well represented too with acts such as melodic Hartlepool rockers Palace, Saltburn baroque racketeers By Toutatis, and recent 6Music Festival performers Weird Shapes.

Stockton Weekender festival director Paul Burns said: “It’s great to add more artists of this calibre to our already fantastic line up. We have a history of programming some real surprises who go on to become huge names, and this year’s no exception.

“We think the 2014 Stockton Weekender will prove to be a festival that Teesside can be proud to call its own.”

Early Bird Weekend tickets, £35, will be available until Thursday April 30, day tickets will be released on Thursday May 1, <a href = 'http://ift.tt/1oXtmZt'>http://ift.tt/1pymw2a; for more information.

New show The Real Thing comes to Middlesbrough Theatre

Tom Stoppard's The Real Thing takes to the stage at Middlesbrough Theatre next week and runs until May 3

It definitely is the real thing at Middlesbrough Theatre next week when the curtain goes up on a new production.

For taking to the stage is a father and daughter team who are playing – yes, you’ve guessed it – a father and daughter in Tom Stoppard’s play The Real Thing.

The play within a play takes to the stage on Wednesday, April 30, for a run which lasts until Saturday, May 3.

Fans of Stoppard will know the tale involves an investigation of truth, lies, betrayal and love as we follow playwright Henry who is looking for the real thing in art and in love.

His wife Annie is an actress and his latest play is about relationships and adultery – what he’s searching for is not easy to find as friends and family are eager to criticise both his plays and his romantic choices.

Expect funny and incisive dialogue as the author teases the audience with the differences between semblance and reality.

The performance is being directed by Julia Armstrong.

“Middlesbrough Little Theatre members were extremely relieved last week when a young, local actress stepped in to take over a role in Tom Stoppard’s The Real Thing,” she said.

“Rebecca Stockdale, the new Debbie, will not be short of help in learning her lines, since her father, Andrew Stockdale, is not only in the production, but will be playing the role of her father, which hopefully should not prove too difficult.”

She enjoyed reading the play when it was put forward as one of the candidates for production, she added, and she has put together a strong cast of local actors for the performances.

Stoppard’s play was first performed in 1982 – Felicity Kendal created the role of Annie and Roger Rees created the role of Henry. Glenn Close played Annie and Jeremy Irons played Henry in the Broadway production.

:: The Real Thing, Wednesday, April 30 - Saturday May 3, 7.30pm, Middlesbrough Theatre, £9/£10

Marske United's Cup heroes give boss a selection dilemma

Marske boss Ted Watts says he has a pleasant selection poser for their league-closing home game against Newcastle Benfield

Marske boss Ted Watts says he has a pleasant selection poser for their league-closing home game against Newcastle Benfield, after an under strength side reached the Northern League Cup final with a 4-1 Easter Monday drubbing of Ashington.

Marske were without key men Craig Gott, Jamie Clarke, Glen Butterworth and Andy Jennings, who is out for the season, for a game which they tried to get rescheduled after finding out about it on short notice.

But they used a sense of injustice to motivate them and rose to the occasion, with Austin Johnston scoring a hat-trick which included a rasping opener and Chris McGill on target.

Marske’s victory set up a glamour tie at Barclays Premier League Newcastle’s St James’ Park ground on Tuesday, May 6.

But they have got their last league fixture against Benfield to negotiate first, and although three of the four absentees who were unavailable at Ashington are back, Watts said picking a starting line-up will not be easy.

He said: “Ashington had more pressure than us and a lot of possession, but they never really hurt us.

“I knew that would happen because it was a cup tie semi- final where we are away from home and were down to the bare bones, numbers-wise.

“The lads who came into the side put in a performance and make it hard for me to pick the next team.”

Watts said Johnston had his best game of the season against Ashington.

He added: “I thought all 12 players performed well, but obviously man-of-the-match for us was Austin Johnston whose performance was outstanding.

“His shot for the opening goal was terrific; his header for the second was directed with power and although he doesn’t usually take penalties, he took one which enabled him to complete his hat-trick.”

After winning their Easter Monday derby at relegated Billingham Town 3-0 with a Matthew Dixon own goal and strikes from Fred Woodhouse and Michael Sweet, Billingham Synthonia wrap up their season with a Central Avenue clash against Penrith.

Synners surpassed last season’s 61 points total with their one-sided win at Bedford Terrace, although Town should have been awarded a consolation goal when Leigh Guthrie’s late shot hit the crossbar and bounced over the line.

And Synners can still finish in the top 10 if they do a season double over Penrith and other results go their way.

Synners assistant Lee Tucker said: “We’ve already beaten last year’s points total, and another three against Penrith would help us in terms of a top 10 finish.

“Bishop Auckland are a place above us in 10th but have still got to play West Auckland and Dunston.

“Whitley Bay are a place and a point behind but have got games left as well.

“There’s a chance of a top 10 finish and that would be a good end to the season for us.

“We are depending on other teams slipping up, but to stay on course for that target we have got to win tomorrow.”

Tucker was pleased with a clinical Synners win at demoted Town, which included a 30th goal of the campaign for Sweet.

“We should have probably won more convincingly, but we have got to be pleased with three goals and a clean sheet. It was a chance for Town to go down with a bang in a derby.”

Fourth-placed Guisborough are at title-chasing leaders Spennymoor in their penultimate league game.

In the second division, Norton, Thornaby and Stokesley sign off against Northallerton, West Allotment and Whitehaven.

James Smuk determined to get off the mark for Redcar Athletic

Centre half James Smuk has five games left to score his annual goal for Wearside League Cup runners-up Redcar Athletic

Centre half James Smuk has five games left to score his annual goal for Wearside League Cup runners-up Redcar Athletic and will be looking to get into the opposition penalty area as often as he can, starting with tomorrow’s derby at Wolviston.

Smuk had to wait until the last home game of the season against Kirkbymoorside to net his first goal last term - then went on to score a second in the same game.

Central defensive partner Jamie Lee has had fewer problems finding the back of the net this season, grabbing his sixth in Easter Monday’s cup final defeat to Ashbrooke.

Lee pulled a goal back in the 73rd minute after Redcar had gone two down.

But the comeback proved short-lived as Mark Green got a third for the home side before Adam Preston made the scoreline more respectable with the last kick of the game.

Team captain Lance Skelton and defender Lee Blackburn were injured in the cup final reverse and their replacements Liam Wood and Craig Marsay are favourite to step in if they miss out.

Leaders Stockton Town play their penultimate home game as Seaton Carew visit Bishopton Road West.

A win against them and a further six points against Prudhoe and Wolviston should put Stockton past the finishing line.

Simon Walton sits out of Hartlepool United's trip to Plymouth

Hartlepool United make their longest trip of the season tomorrow when they head for Plymouth

Hartlepool make their longest trip of the season tomorrow when they head for Plymouth - but the hours on the road come without the pressure of a relegation showdown.

That is because Pools’ win over Morecambe on Monday means that League Two football is guaranteed next season at Victoria Park.

Simon Walton will miss the trek to his former club as he is suspended after his sending off on Monday, Pools losing an appeal against the dismissal.

Jack Compton and Jack Barmby hope to be in the starting line-up after coming off the bench to score the goals on Monday, both of which came with Pools down to 10 men.

Striker Luke James has an ankle problem and is unlikely to be rushed back as the club won’t want to risk him aggravating the injury.

Gareth Lodge and the Guisborough lads to stay sober for big test

Guisborough seek play-off glory tomorrow - which means a sober night tonight

Guisborough seek play-off glory tomorrow - which means a sober night tonight.

Former England star Brian Moore is guest speak at a club dinner, but the players have pledged not to drink.

“The decision was made by the lads and I’m happy with it,” said Guisborough skipper Gareth Lodge. “We wanted the date of the play-off game changed, but the authorities said they couldn’t do it.”

Guisborough know they are in for a tough game at Yorkshire One runners-up Dinnington, for the division is of a higher standard than Durham and North One, in which Guisborough have finished runners-up for the last two years.

In the play-off for a place in North One East last year, they lost 33-12 at Huddersfield YMCA, who this year stormed to second place in the division above, proving how strong Yorkshire rugby is.

“We’re underdogs, so all the pressure is on Dinnington,” said Lodge. “We know what to expect because we have been through this before.

“We have learned from our mistakes last year when we didn’t take our chances but Huddersfield did. Around 90% of our team is the same as in last year’s game but I feel we are a bit stronger now.

“Dinnington are very much a forward based side, with a strong pack, so we will have to be ready physically and get our tackles in.

“It’s about enjoying the occasion. If we enjoy ourselves we will win. But if we don’t win, we will be better prepared next year. What matters most is that we are going forward as a club.”

Middlesbrough, relegated from North One East this season, await the result as it may have a bearing on where they play next season. A decision on Acklam’s status - they were in Yorkshire One this season - is also awaited.

Redcar Bears keen to turn up the heat on Plymouth Devils

Same again please - that’s the orders Redcar Bears have been given ahead of their long trek to Plymouth tonight

Same again please - that’s the orders Redcar Bears have been given ahead of their long trek to Plymouth tonight.

The Devils’ tight St Boniface Arena track provided one of the Ecco Finishing Bears’ highlights of 2013, with Aaron Summers romping to a 15-point maximum in a stunning 50-42 Premier League victory.

Now they’ll be aiming for more of the same in this evening’s KO Cup first round, first leg clash in the West Country (7.15pm start).

Finnish star Kalle Katajisto has given Plymouth a real sting in the tail so far this term and is likely to be their key man, but Bears team manager Jitendra Duffill believes they can counter that threat with their own flying reserve, Jan Graversen.

“Plymouth have been a bit up and down this season,” noted Duffill, whose side reached the cup semi-finals last season.

“They’ve given one or two below par performances so we have to look at that and see if we can take advantage.

“They seem to be relying a lot on Kalle Katajisto at reserve.

“He’s been in excellent form and he’s been rattling up double figure scores regularly.

“They’ve obviously got a powerful No 1 in Ben Barker, but Katajisto is their dangerman so we’ll have to keep him in check.

“But we have our own in-form reserve in Jan Graversen who has been been going really well fo us.

“He’s probably been our most consistent rider this season. He’s been producing some good scores and that’s putting pressure on the top five to perform.

“If he’s going well, neither I nor Brian Havelock would have any hesitation in giving him an extra ride, and no-one wants to be pulled out of one of their rides.

“We had a good win there in the league last season so hopefully we can repeat that this evening.”

Because it’s a Friday evening, No 1 Richard Lawson will be missing as he’s in action for his Elite League parent club, Lakeside Hammers, who get first call on him when there is a clash of fixtures.

Glasgow’s Theo Pijper is the guest replacement.

Although Lawson’s average is 8.28, he’s been scoring far higher than that and, as Duffill acknowledges, he is a hard act to replace.

“You just can’t get a guest to do what Richard has been doing,” he admitted.

“It means we need contributions from everyone - we can’t afford to carry anyone.”

Plymouth could be without Kyle Newman, who is still recovering from a torn thigh muscle following his crash at Peterborough last Tuesday, and pulled out of last night’s British Semi-final at Sheffield.

“Kyle is having special physiotherapy treatment on the injury but if he is not ready in time we will use the rider replacement facility to cover his absence,” said Devils co-promoter Ashley Taylor.

DEVILS: Ben Barker, Roland Benko, Rasmus Jensen, Kalle Katajisto, Kyle Newman (R/R if unfit), Ben Reade, Sam Simota.

BEARS: Luke Crang, Jan Graversen, Rafal Konopka, Theo Pijper, Hugh Skidmore, Aaron Summers, Carl Wilkinson.

For a report and reaction from last night’s Bears v Glasgow Premier League match, log on and visit <a href = 'http://ift.tt/1md60Qe'>http://ift.tt/1k2TrcJ;

Read Martin Neal’s blog - speedwayblog.gazettelive.co.uk

Bhavnagar model: Muslim buys house, can’t move in

In a section of Krishna Nagar, a posh area of Bhavnagar city, a signboard declares the address as “Hindu Sanatorium”. It is a predominantly Hindu area — till recently, only three of the 150-odd bungalows belonged to Muslims. A fourth bungalow was purchased by a Bohra Muslim, Ali Asghar Zaveri, in January this year, but he has not been able to move in due to protests by Hindu residents.

For the last two months, the Hindu residents have been holding “Ram Darbars” outside Zaveri’s bungalow every evening, gathering there and playing recordings of “Hanuman Chalisa” and bhajans.

VHP leader Pravin Togadia visited the area during the darbar on Saturday. Addressing the gathering, he reportedly warned Zaveri to vacate the premises within 48 hours and asked residents to forcibly occupy the bungalow. An FIR has been filed against him.

When The Indian Express visited the area on Tuesday, two policemen were standing guard outside the bungalow. Zaveri, who deals in scrap from the Alang ship breaking yard, was not around. When contacted on the phone, Zaveri said, “I am out for some personal work and shall call you back when I get free.” At his house in the Muslim-dominated Haluriya Chowk area, his mother said he was not home. His office in Bhadevani Street also remained closed throughout the day.

The bungalow next to Zaveri’s belongs to the family of Razak Lakhani. While Lakhani is dead, his family continues to live there. Both the Muslim families that owned the other two adjoining bungalows shifted out after the 2002 riots. The remaining residents are mostly Patels, Sonis and Brahmins. The Swadhyay Parivar, followers of the late Pandurang Shastri, also owns a bungalow in the area.

Zaveri bought the bungalow from Kishoresinh Gohil, a hotelier and real estate developer. According to records availble with the deputy registrar’s office, the sale of property was registerd on January 10 this year.

“Three years back, I bought the property for my sons for Rs 45 lakh. They did not like it so I put it on sale. I offered to sell it to residents of the area at a lower rate, but nobody came forward. Some months back, I issued a public notice in local dailies announcing sale of the property to Ali. Nobody raised any objection, so we finalised the deal,” said Gohil, who is also a local Congress leader and chairman of the Bhavnagar district land development bank.

“Gohil showed the bungalow to many people but got no buyers as it is believed to be unlucky,” said a resident. Neighbours said they came to know that the property, spread over 657 square metres, had been sold to Zaveri when he turned up at the bungalow about two months back.

“We asked him not to buy the bungalow for the sake of peace in the area, but he said he had already bought it and would live in it. There are many religious places in the surrounding area and we thought their food habits may offend us. So we decided to protest and hold ‘Ram Darbars’ outside the gate of his bungalow,” said a garment trader who lives in the area.

“As a matter of principle, I am not opposed to Muslims living in our area. A family has been living among us for the past four decades. But we fear their food habits can offend us, and it may lead to other Muslims buying properties here. That is why I am protesting,” said another Hindu resident on condition of anonymity.

“The residents told us they are opposed to a minority community member buying residential property in their locality. This is the reason why they have been holding ‘Ram Darbars’ outside the bungalow,” said Police Inspector Chandubha Dodiya

Israeli forces abduct 14 Palestinians

Israeli forces have abducted at least 14 Palestinians after carrying out raids across the occupied West Bank.

Reports indicate that a number of Israeli armored vehicles invaded Burqa village, located west of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, early Wednesday.

The Israeli forces caused property damage and kidnapped six Palestinians in the village.

Israeli soldiers also reportedly invaded the village of Deir Samet, situated southwest of the southern West Bank district of Hebron, where they abducted a Palestinian.

At a roadblock near al-Fawwar refugee camp in Hebron, two others were also kidnapped.

Five others were abducted in similar instances in different parts of Hebron and Borqeen town.

Such invasions and kidnappings happen on an almost daily basis, as Tel Aviv continues its aggressions against Palestinians in different parts of the occupied West Bank, including in East al-Quds (Jerusalem).

On April 21, Amnesty International said in a letter to the Palestinian Ministry of Information that it was collecting evidence to prosecute Israeli leaders and soldiers “before the international fora” over the regime’s killings in the West Bank.

According to Palestinian rights groups, over a dozen Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces in the first half of 2013 and nearly 1,800 Palestinians, including women and children, were arrested during the same period.

SZH/AB/SS

Watch: Police trainee throws live hand grenade among crowd of fellow cadets

Terror in Rio as training class goes wrong

In a scene straight out of the Police Academy films, a police trainee in Brazil threw a live hand grenade into the middle of a class of fellow cadets.

The officer was training with the Police Pacification Unit in Rio De Janiero ahead of the World Cup when the accident happened.

She was attempting to throw the grenade towards an open field in front of her on a practice range, but managed to lob it into into the group of people watching behind her, causing a mass panic to get away from the explosive device.

Thankfully no-one was injured by the accident.

Bernie Slaven: The sharks are always circling - and football has more than most

Boro legend says the way that former colleague Tony Mowbray was fleeced out of £30k shows anyone can be hoodwinked

Reading the Gazette the other day, I was sad to see Mogga had been fleeced out of £30,000 by a lifestyle coach who arranged a luxury Dubai holiday for him and his family.

That must have been some holiday, by the way.

But it’s sad to see.

The sharks are always circling if you let your guard down, and football attracts its fair share.

It’s blunt to say it, but some players have a lot of money and the perception is that they don’t have the intelligence to go with it.

I’m not saying that’s the case with Mogga, because even the brightest individuals can be hoodwinked by scammers who appear to be genuine.

I always handled my own affairs in my playing career and didn’t have an agent.

I pretty much used to ask Gary Pallister what he was on at Man United, and asked for the same.

Mogga’s case is a reminder to us all: Some people aren’t what they seem.

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Man pinned girlfriend on sofa and smashed wine glass over her head, court hears

David Scott, 28, then tried to persuade woman to wash her hair and pretend nothing had happened when he realised police were coming

A man who attacked his girlfriend - smashing a glass over her head - could be jailed after he was convicted by a jury.

David John Scott was arrested after a concerned neighbour reported noise from his flat to police at about 5am.

A woman was heard screaming for help and crying in the commotion at the home on Old Station Mews, Eaglescliffe.

Police received another call which was cut off minutes earlier.

When they rang back, Scott, 28, answered the phone.

A woman was heard crying in the background.

Scott said it was his girlfriend after a dispute with someone else and no one was hurt.

Officers found Scott’s partner with blood-stained hair and smashed glass in the living room, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Prosecutor Rachel Masters said the injured woman was crying, irate, aggressive and refusing medical treatment.

The victim told an officer that Scott pinned her down on the sofa and punched her a number of times in a heated argument.

She said he smashed a wine glass over her head, causing a cut which later needed to be stapled at hospital.

Scott tried to persuade her to wash her hair and pretend nothing had happened when he realised the police were coming, the court was told.

She suffered a broken nose in the assault in the early hours of January 10.

The couple had been drinking that evening.

Scott denied assaulting her.

He claimed her injuries were self-inflicted after she became aggressive from taking medication mixed with alcohol.

Scott told police she “went wild” with him and he pushed her and asked her to leave.

He said she told him “the only place you’re going is the police station” and smashed the glass over her own head.

Ms Masters said the victim did not want to come to court.

Neither she nor Scott gave evidence in a short trial.

Jurors considered verdicts for almost three-and-a-half hours after the three-hour trial.

They found Scott guilty unanimously of inflicting grievous bodily harm.

He was cleared of the more serious charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

The defendant had denied both charges.

Duncan McReddie, defending, said Scott had only one previous conviction, for perverting the course of justice.

He was under a suspended sentence at the time of the assault.

Mr McReddie added: “There is the use of a weapon, in drink. It’s not the most serious injury of its type. He has affairs to put in order.”

Judge Simon Bourne-Arton QC, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, bailed Scott for a pre-sentence report, until he learns his fate on May 16.

He told the defendant: “The fact that I’m adjourning for such a report should not lead you to the view that anything other than a custodial sentence is likely in your case.”

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Firefighter strikes: More industrial action set to be held during May bank holiday

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has declared that there will be another round of national walkouts as part of long-running row over pensions

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Ian McIntyre

Gallery: Cleveland Fire Brigade strike action in November 2013

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Firefighters are set to launch fresh strike action in their long-running row over pensions, it has been announced.

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has declared that there will be national walkouts on the weekend of the early May bank holiday.

It will take place on:

:: Friday, May 2, between noon and 5pm

:: Saturday, May 3, between 2pm and 2am

:: Sunday, May 4, between 10am and 3pm.

A ban on voluntary overtime is also set to take place from 3pm on the Sunday until noon on Friday, May 9.

Cleveland Fire Brigade’s firefighters last took strike action over pensions on January 3.

However negotiations between the FBU and the Department for Communities and Local Government – as well as the devolved governments – have been taking place for three years.

Following the last strike, both the union and government have undertaken work examining financial, technical and legal issues and at recent meeting of the union’s executive council, it was decided if no proposals had been received by April 24, they would conclude that the Government was unwilling or unable to offer any improvement.

As a result, at a meeting yesterday, the union’s executive council unanimously decided to take further industrial action.

No one was available for comment at Cleveland Fire Brigade yesterday. But speaking previously, Chief Fire Officer Ian Hayton said they were “very disappointed that a negotiated settlement still has still not been reached”.

He added: “The safety of our communities is, and always will be, our number one priority.

“I can reassure the public we will continue to provide a professional emergency response throughout any period of disruption.

“We will respond promptly to all emergency calls received and the community volunteers who have come forward to be trained as auxiliary firefighters will play a large part in that response.”

Number of violent crimes reported on Teesside drops by more than 500

Latest figures show that Cleveland Police recorded an overall reduction in recorded crime of 1.4%

The number of violent crimes on Teesside has dropped - with more than 500 fewer reported incidents in the last year.

Cleveland Police has again seen a slight drop in recorded crime as a whole - with a 1.4% reduction.

Violent crime was the biggest improvement with a drop of 7.8%.

In total there were 6,092 reports of violent crimes on Teesside between April 2013 and March 2014 - including 3,597 with injury.

This is a drop of 514 reported incidents from the previous year when there were 6,606 reports of violent crime.

The figures were released by Cleveland Police.

They come after annual data from NHS hospitals released by Cardiff University showed that there was a 12% fall in injuries from violent incidents in 2013 in England and Wales.

Despite an overall drop in crime for Cleveland Police, the number of reports of rape offences increased by 17% - with 30 more reports of the sexual offence than the previous year.

In total there were 204 reported rapes in the Cleveland Police force area last year. Shoplifting has also risen with 366 more incidents reported in the last year.

In total Cleveland Police received 5,365 reports of shoplifting between April 2013 and March 2014. The previous year’s figure was 4,999.

Deputy Chief Constable Iain Spittal said: “To bring about a small reduction in crime, faced with the level of financial challenge and organisational change experienced over the last year, is extremely positive.

“We have had some good reductions in a number of crime categories including burglary and violent crime.

“Our officers, staff, and our police partner staff have worked tirelessly during the course of the year to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour, and to make a difference.

“Our priority for next year is to make our communities safer.

“We will achieve this by protecting people, protecting property and tackling serious and organised crime.

“I know that we have further challenges to face over the coming years but I have every confidence that the people who make up Cleveland Police will continue to work with partners and local residents to make our communities safer.”