Live: Breaking news, traffic and travel across Teesside

The Evening Gazette's live breaking news blog brings you regular updates, pictures, video, tweets and comments covering the latest Teesside and North Yorkshire traffic, travel, weather, crime and council news for today, Friday 19th September, 2014.

You can contribute to the live blog by posting your comment below, and you can also tweet us @EveningGazette to share breaking news stories, pictures and opinions.

Our Teesside breaking news live blog begins at 07:00am every weekday and is updated throughout the day and into the evening.

NSA shared Americans’ private communications with Israel: Snowden

Former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden has accused the United States of routinely passing private and unedited communications of American citizens to Israel.

Snowden told James Bamford from the New York Times that the intercepts included communications of Arabs, and Palestinian-Americans, whose relatives in Israel and the Palestinian territories could become targets based on the information.

The material included “unevaluated and unminimized transcripts, gists, facsimiles, telex, voice and Digital Network Intelligence metadata and content,” according to documents leaked by Snowden.

The whistleblower said the data was routinely transferred to the Israeli intelligence organization known as the Unit 8200.

The Israeli intelligence used the info to force the Palestinians into becoming collaborators.

The snooping has been carried out based on a deal between the US spy agency and the Israeli intelligence since 2009.

Snowden began leaking classified intelligence documents in June 2013, revealing the extent of the NSA’s spying activities.

He revealed that the spy agency has been collecting the phone records of millions of Americans and foreign nationals as well as political leaders around the world.

Following the revelations, Snowden fled the United States to avoid espionage charges.

In August 2013, Russia granted him asylum for one year and last month it granted him permission to stay in the country until August 2017.

A US Department of Defense report said the extent of damage to the US national security from the leak of secret NSA documents by Snowden is staggering.

AGB/AGB

Israeli soldiers kidnap at least six Palestinians

Israeli troops have kidnapped at least six people, including two children, in a series of raids across the occupied Palestinian territories.

Palestinian sources say four Palestinians were abducted after soldiers raided and ransacked their homes in al-Khalil (Hebron).

Local Palestinian officials say a former political prisoner is said to be among the detainees. Local residents say they were taken to an unknown location.

The raids were part of an ongoing Israeli military campaign in the volatile region.

Meanwhile, two other Palestinians were kidnapped in a town in the north of al-Quds (Jerusalem) and sent to an Israeli military base for interrogation.

The abductions come three weeks after a truce took effect between the Israeli regime and the Palestinian resistance movement, Hamas, in the Gaza Strip to end a 50-day war.

More than 2,100 Palestinians, mostly women, children and the elderly, were killed in the Israeli onslaught on Gaza. Around 11,000 others were injured.

Approximately 2,000 of the Palestinian have been arrested over the past three months.

Palestinian Ministry of Detainees says Tel Aviv withholds identification information on Gazan detainees. The ministry has also expressed growing concern that some of the detainees have been executed.

Several international bodies and human rights organizations have condemned Israel’s increasing use of arrest and so-called administrative detention – a form of imprisonment without trial or charge that allows Israel to incarcerate Palestinians for up to six months.

Back in June, tens of Palestinian prisoners, who were on a hunger strike in protest against administrative detention, were hospitalized over health concerns.

JR/AB/SS

Ebola epidemic potential threat to world: US

US President Barack Obama has said the Ebola epidemic could become a threat to global security and assigns 3,000 personnel from the country’s military to West Africa.

“This is an epidemic that is not just a threat to regional security. It’s a potential threat to global security, if these countries break down, if their economies break down, if people panic. That has profound effects on all of us, even if we are not directly contracting the disease,” he said on Tuesday.

Obama ordered 3,000 troops to the region, including medics and corpsmen for treatment and training, engineers to help build treatment facilities and logistics specialists to assist in patient transportation.

“If the outbreak is not stopped now, we could be looking at hundreds of thousands of people affected, with profound economic, political and security implications for all of us,” said the US president.

The virus has so far killed 2,461 people, half of the 4,985 people infected, and the death toll has doubled in the past month, the World Health Organization Assistant Director-General Bruce Aylward has said.

Ebola spreads through contact with bodily fluids such as blood, saliva, and sweat. It has killed around two-thirds of those it has infected over the last four decades.

There is currently no known cure for Ebola. Nigeria has also been hit by the epidemic in addition to Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.

HN/HN/IA

Puppy has to have its leg amputated after being found abandoned in Yarm

This adorable puppy has had a tough start in life after having to have its leg amputated days after being found abandoned.

The male cocker spaniel pup was found cold, lethargic and covered in oil and dirt in a hedge on The Larun Beat, Yarm, at 8.45am last Friday.

Stockton Council’s animal welfare officers were alerted and took the dog, which has since been named Bungle, to a vet. X-rays then revealed its front right leg was dislocated.

Bungle later had an operation to save his leg but unfortunately the surgeon was left with no option but to amputate it.

The charity, Dogs Trust, has agreed to fund the treatment and will also take steps to find him a new home.

Councillor Steve Nelson, Stockton Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Community Safety, said: “The puppy is being well cared for now but we are very keen to find out who owned the dog or saw anything suspicious prior to the dog being found.

“We need to investigate whether any offences have been committed because the vet believes it may have suffered the dislocated leg three to four weeks ago and should have received appropriate veterinary attention at that time.

“We are keen to establish how and when the injury happened and are appealing for anyone who may have information to get in touch with us in confidence.”

Councillor Nelson added: “Our animal welfare staff have nursed the dog round the clock since Friday and our close working partnership with Dogs Trust, who have been absolutely brilliant with their assistance, will ensure the long term welfare of the dog.”

Anyone who has any information regarding the puppy should call 01642 526575.

Israel to destroy Bedouins livelihood

The Israeli regime is seeking to force thousands of Palestinian Bedouins out of East al-Quds (Jerusalem) to the Jordan Valley, where they cannot keep up with their pastoral lifestyle, Press TV reports.

Over 40 Palestinian and international rights groups said that Tel Aviv was planning to displace more than 12,000 Bedouins who have pledged to resist eviction.

The regime wants to expel the ethnic group to the city of Jericho near the Jordan River in the occupied West Bank.

“We are Jahalin Bedouins who came to this land 50 years ago… The Israelis have been trying to steal our land. They have been planning to grab more land but day after day the Bedouins fight for their land, refuse this project, and will campaign against the move,” said Attula Jahalin, a Bedouin.

The Bedouins said Tel Aviv’s move is aimed at expanding the nearby Ma’ale Adumim settlement through annexation of their land.

“Last week, a huge number of Israelis came… and handed us notices to leave the area because they consider this land to be Israel’s. This is not true because we have lived here since 1948. They’ve said they would demolish the area and force us to leave,” said another Bedouin, Sami Abu Ghali.

The Bedouins are supposed to live in cramped small areas in new towns that will be constructed near al-Nuweima, north of Jericho, and al-Rashayda, south of Bethlehem.

Tel Aviv has so far refused to recognize the rights of the Palestinian Bedouins and denies them access to basic services.

According to a letter signed by more than 50 public figures in Britain in late 2013, what Tel Aviv intends to do is “forced displacement of Palestinians from their homes and land, and systematic discrimination and separation.”

Rights groups say such measures will lead to the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians living there.

NT/MAM/MHB

Pakistan army kills 40 ‘militants’ in air raids

The Pakistani army says it has launched fresh airstrikes against pro-Taliban militants near the border with Afghanistan, killing 40 suspected militants there.

The military said in a statement that “precise” airstrikes were carried out on five militant hideouts in the town of Datta Khel, a stronghold of pro-Taliban fighters in the troubled North Waziristan region.

The air raids also destroyed the militants’ ammunition depots, the military said, giving no details about the identity and nationality of those killed in the strikes.

Pakistan says it has killed more than a thousand militants since it launched a massive clean-up operation along its border with Afghanistan in mid-June.

The tribal region of North Waziristan has long been home to al-Qaeda-linked militants who carry out cross-border attacks in neighboring Afghanistan.

Seeking to overthrow the Pakistani government, the pro-Taliban militant groups in Pakistan have carried out numerous attacks against Pakistani security forces and civilians.

Thousands of Pakistanis have lost their lives in bombings and other militant attacks since 2001, when the Pakistani government entered an alliance with Washington in its so-called war on terror.

NGD/AB/SS

PD Ports to carry out 'internal investigation' into serious blaze

An internal investigation will be carried out into the cause of a serious blaze at Teesport last night.

Firefighters were called at around 4.50pm to port operator PD Teesport in Middlesbrough after reports a reach stacker truck had caught fire.

No-one was hurt in the incident, which led to the closure of Tees Dock Road at the junction of the A66 as a precaution.

Now a spokeswoman for PD Ports has confirmed that the company will investigate.

She said: “There were no toxic issues in terms of hazardous containers, and nobody was injured during the incident.

“Everything had been brought under control by 10pm, and it is business as usual today.

“The reach stacker was burnt out by fire, as well as an empty tank container.

“An internal investigation will now be launched.”

A spokeswoman for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said it was aware of the incident and making enquiries, before deciding whether to launch a full investigation.

Fire crews were at the scene for about three hours to tackle the blaze on Wednesday, which spread to a number of containers storing non-hazardous materials.

Tony Suggitt, incident commander for Cleveland Fire Brigade at the scene, said: “On arrival there was a large industrial forklift truck alight.

“Crews gained information that storage containers nearby may contain hazardous materials.

“They then withdrew until getting further information.”

Mr Suggitt said the fire sent large plumes of smoke across the River Tees and adjacent roads.

He added that said fire crews worked with Cleveland Police and port staff during the incident while emergency planning teams were also placed on standby.

Firefighters were sent in to douse the blaze after the port confirmed no hazardous materials were being stored in the tanks.

Fire crews left the site about 8pm.

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman confirmed no injuries had been reported as a result of the fire, which saw Tees Dock Road to the A66 closed as a precautionary measure.

An eyewitness was reported as saying the forklift truck was lifting a tanker, which then caught light while it was in the air.

Cleveland Fire Brigade investigators have now begun a probe into how the blaze started.

A total of eight appliances attended the incident, including two each from Grangetown, Redcar and Stranton.

A further two from Middlesbrough and Marine attended while a “foam unit” was also on the scene.

Teesport is one of the largest container ports in the north of England, handling more than 38 million tonnes of cargo a year.

Petition launched against closure of haematology unit at University Hospital of North Tees

A petition has been launched against a decision to close an inpatient unit which treats Teesside cancer patients.

The haematology unit at the University Hospital of North Tees is being axed as a result of an ongoing struggle to recruit new consultants.

But the news has outraged some locals and a petition has been set up. Within 24 hours it collected nearly 2,000 signatures.

“We want them to cancel this closure and to vigorously renew their efforts to recruit the necessary staff,” reads the petition.

“Although there are currently no plans to close the haematology day unit at North Tees, the loss of the haematology ward will mean that patients will not receive the vital continuity of care that they must have when their condition requires a stay in hospital.”

As reported, the haematology unit has eight beds and treats patients with malignant and non-malignant diseases of the blood including cancer and leukaemia.

It is likely to be phased out by November and the trust’s management is now in talks with two other hospitals, including the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, to see if they can take new patients who would previously have been treated at North Tees.

One person who signed the petition said: “The staff on this ward have saved my life on many occasions. We must keep it open.”

Another wrote: “I know people who have benefited from this ward and believe that it is necessary to keep the ward open in order to meet the unique needs of the people in the area.”

Medical director of North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust Dr David Emerton said: “Most of our haematology patients are treated as outpatients and as day patients. These services on both sites are unaffected.

“However in the past few years we have been unable to recruit the number of consultants we need to meet the complex needs of patients requiring care as an inpatient at the unit at the University Hospital of North Tees. In the future different arrangements will be needed for the small number of patients with the most serious haematological conditions who need to be admitted as an inpatient to a specialist haematology unit.

“Patients currently in our unit will continue to be looked after there but we are in discussions with the hospitals north and south of us to ensure that any new patients can be admitted to hospitals near to their home.”

To read the petition, visit you.38degrees.org.uk and search for haematology ward.

Middlesbrough man arrested during Rotherham EDL march

A Middlesbrough man was arrested during an English Defence League march in Rotherham.

Reports suggest that up to 1,000 people - EDL members and supporters, and members of other groups such as the British National Party, National Front and Combat 18 - descended on South Yorkshire on Saturday, to protest in the wake of the recently exposed child abuse scandal in the town.

South Yorkshire Police have confirmed that a 39-year-old man from Middlesbrough was one of the 12 people arrested by police during the demonstration.

A spokeswoman for the force said: “The 39-year-old was arrested on suspicion of assault and released on bail. Seven of the other 12 arrested were charged by police with various offences.”

Hundreds of police officers were drafted in to police the event and to ensure the safety of local residents and those taking part in the protests.

The march came in the wake of a recent report, which found that at least 1,400 children had been abused in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013.

South Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Shaun Wright has resigned since the scandal was uncovered.

As previously reported, about 350 people took part in an EDL demonstration in Middlesbrough on Corporation Road, while a further 150 people took part in a counter demonstration, both on June 28.

Two men were arrested during that march.

Jamie Ray appeared at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, August 27, where he was given a 12-month conditional discharge for a charge of drunk and disorderly, after being arrested during the protest.

The 26-year-old, of Park Road North, Middlesbrough, was also charged with two counts of failing to surrender to custody at court - on July 28 and July 23 - using threatening or abusive words or behaviour and possessing a Class B drug.

A charge of possessing a bladed article in a public place was withdrawn.

The other man arrested - Andrew David Johnson, 37, of Moorcock Close, Eston - previously pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly.

He was fined £35 and ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge.

North East car retailer Sherwoods grow profits to more than £600,000

Car retailer Sherwoods has increased profits after tax to £611,114, its latest set of accounts show.

The North East chain, which operates branches in Darlington, Stockton and Northallerton, revealed it had grown turnover to £61.1m in the year to December 31, 2013 - up from £54.9m the year before.

Sherwoods is the largest privately owned Vauxhall dealer in the North of England and operates its three branches as franchises of the General Motors brand.

The 11% rise in turnover for the group marked a strong year for the car dealers who also offer repair and servicing, along with other ancillary services.

Within Sherwoods’ strategic report, director Alasdair MacConachie OBE said he was confident that new models from Vauxhall would continue to be competitively priced and of a high quality.

The firm said the retreat of Chevrolet, another one of General Motors’ brands, from Europe would not have a significant impact on its sales.

Sherwoods also promised to continue servicing Chevrolet vehicles for its customers despite the action.

The firm employs around 150 staff in the region and offers new and used cars as well as commercial vehicles from its forecourts.

Sherwoods was established in 1928 and is the largest privately-owned Vauxhall retailer in the North.

Scholars back plan to crush IS 

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Boro have options to cover for injured Damia Abella, says Aitor Karanka

Aitor Karanka is confident that Boro can cope without Damia Abella.

The Spanish right-back suffered a nasty knee injury during Tuesday night’s win in Cardiff.

It looks like he will be sidelined for the foreseeable future, opening the door for Ryan Fredericks.

The 21-year-old loan signing from Spurs is favourite to replace Abella, though Emilio Nsue can play at right-back.

Karanka said: “It is a position where we had a problem last season but now we have two options in Damia and Ryan and I trust in them 100%.”

Aitor Karanka and Ryan Fredericks

Read: Three things to know about Ryan Fredericks

The Boro boss said when he signed Nsue that he would only play him at right-back as a last resort.

But he has added that he has complete faith in the 24-year-old.

“Emilio can play in several positions,” he added.

“He can play at right-back, on the right-wing, on the left-wing and that’s very important when you don’t have a very big squad.

“Ryan’s a very good kid,” Karanka continued, “he played 14, 15 games with Millwall last season so he knows the Championship.

"We have two options now for Saturday and I will try to choose the best one.”

Thornaby residents 'to be polled over break from Stockton Council' - as authority votes down Yarm's bid

As Scotland goes to the polls over independence, another separatist dream was dashed in the town hall of Stockton last night.

Stockton councillors voted overwhelmingly against an official review into whether Yarm should be transferred into Yorkshire.

The motion to reject an official review into whether the town should be transferred into Yorkshire was carried by 28 votes to 15.

But it was also mentioned that the borough council could face a new breakaway bid - from Thornaby.

Campaigners have been fighting to transfer Yarm from the control of Stockton to that of Hambleton Council and want an official boundary review to take place.

In May this year, a parish poll was carried out and more than 89% of voters said they would prefer the town to be under Hambleton’s control.

But Stockton Council leader Councillor Bob Cook told last night’s meeting there was no evidence of a case being made by campaigners against the criteria needed to the refer the issue to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England.

He said the original estimate of a such a review costing £100,000 was an “underestimate” and that the final cost could go up to £250,000 because of the work needed to be done by all three councils involved.

“It’s this council that would have to pay it, not the other councils because we would be requesting this work,” he said.

Conservative Councillor Ken Lupton said he could “fully understand the frustration felt by residents of Yarm and Kirklevington”.

He added: “The vote for change was overwhelming”.

Thornaby Councillor Steve Walmsley said the cost issue was a “red herring”.

And he added that a postal vote was also planned for the people of Thornaby about being governed by Stockton Council.

But UKIP Yarm councillor Mark Chatburn said it would be “absolutely absurd” to ask other residents of the borough to foot the bill “to indulge a whim based on a parish poll.”

Live: Scottish independence referendum vote - latest updates as 4.2million vote in historic poll

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Chris was appointed editor of the 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.

Billingham 'must steer away from complacency trap' ahead of home clash

Billingham player-coach Chris Hyndman has warned his side not to fall into the same complacency trap that has caught them out before.

Unbeaten Billingham have started their National Three North campaign in scintillating form after notching back-to-back victories.

The club endured a nervy end to last season after flirting with relegation, but this season appears to be a fresh start after the team followed up a 41-24 opening day win over Lymm with a disciplined 34-20 victory at Burnage last weekend.

Ahead of tomorrow’s home clash with bottom club Sheffield Tigers, Hyndman has challenged his side to remain level-headed and believes over-confidence is the biggest threat to his side’s perfect start.

“It’s been a great start and I think we’ve shown some good composure”, Hyndman said.

“In the opening two games when the points have been on offer we’ve taken them, and that’s really pleasing.

“Last season we made some good opportunities but just couldn’t finish them off. That’s why the season went down to the wire.

“Also in the last half hour of games this season we’ve looked strong. We look like we have a lot of rugby left in us at a time when most teams get tired and drop off.

“The most important thing in this league is to win your home games and then try and pick up some points away.

“It’s important we’re not complacent. Sheffield will bring a focused set of lads here and will be looking to pick up a first win.

“Historically we’ve been quite bad (with complacency) and after a win on a Saturday we’ve tended to have a poor training session on the Tuesday.

“Sometimes it just happens and the lads forget about all the hard work they need to put in to win games at this level.

“But this week we’ve worked them hard in training and stressed how we need to concentrate on the task ahead.”

Sitting fourth in the league at this early stage, Billingham will be confident of a third successive win against a team that has limped to consecutive home defeats against Burnage and Sandal.

But with the Tigers possessing a dangerous weapon in full-back Alex Graham who has established himself as Mr Reliable with the boot, Hyndman is well aware that tomorrow’s opponents are capable of rediscovering their bite.

“I expect another tough game”, Hyndman said.

“Sheffield came from the league above so they are a side with great experience behind them.

“They won’t be happy to have lost their first two games, and from a coach’s point of view, that makes them more dangerous to us.

“It’s often said, but it’s true. There aren’t any easy fixtures at this level.

“At Burnage we were up against a very physical team on a narrow pitch. But we did our homework and dealt with them well - and that’s what we’re looking to do again tomorrow.”

Meanwhile in Yorkshire One Middlesbrough have been licking their wounds this week after Saturday’s 23-10 home defeat against Doncaster Phoenix.

Ian Heslehurt’s side will be desperate to make amends and return to winning ways when they travel to Hullensians tomorrow afternoon.

With most of their players fully fit, Boro will be confident of another away-day success after opening their season’s account with a 25-21 success at Bridlington.

Captain Rob Bellerby, scrum-half Conner Foley and winger Rhys Kilbride are all likely to start on Humberside.

Redcar thriving under new running rugby philosophy

What Redcar’s forwards lack in size they more than make up for in heart.

That is the view of player-coach Neil Young, who has seen his young side hit the ground running in Durham and North Two with back-to-back wins.

Looking ahead to a home tie with Hartlepool tomorrow, the Seasiders pack will once again come up against an opposition far bigger than themselves.

But Young remains upbeat about the challenges ahead. He said: “We are a young squad and with some household names hanging up their boots along with others who can’t commit to training, it feels like we’re starting fresh with a new-look squad this season.

“We have been hit hard in the front row and in the past three seasons we have lost eight front row forwards for various reasons.

“Since coming back from Darlington Mowden Park I have adopted their philosophy of moving the ball and keeping it alive at all costs, avoiding driving mauls and the kicking game and replacing them with running rugby.

“Over the past two seasons the club’s junior section has began to flourish and we are now looking much further into the future, showcased as we gave eight Colts their senior debuts on the first weekend of the season.”

Anth Coulson is will make his Redcar debut in the front row tomorrow alongside the returning Steve Wilson.

Colt James Cochrane returns to the back row, while Matt Curry comes in on the wing with Danny McIlvenny moving to inside-centre.

Elsewhere Acklam, who have also started their Durham and North Two campaign with two wins, travel to Seaton Carew tomorrow looking to close in on top spot.

Unbeaten Yarm will also be full of confidence as they face Prudhoe & Stocksfield, targeting a third successive victory in Durham and North Three.

Firefighters spend an hour tackling blaze after couple and children evacuated from family home

A family were evacuated after their Stockton home caught fire in the early hours of this morning.

Three appliances - two from Stockton and one from Middlesbrough stations - were called to the scene of the blaze on Romsey Road, Roseworth, Stockton just after 1.10am on Thursday morning.

A couple and their two children escaped without injury after they were evacuated from the house.

Firefighters spent more than an hour tackling the blaze, and remained on scene for around two and a half hours making the area safe.

The roof of one property was completely damaged by fire, while the property suffered heavy smoke damage to the first floor.

Stuart Simpson, watch manager at Stockton fire station, said: “The house was severely damaged. We believe the fire started in the roof space, and they will need a new roof unfortunately. The ceiling rafters were also completely damaged.

“There was a family in the house at the time of the call - a couple and two children - who actually thought that it was the house next door that was on fire.

“They got out and were not injured.

“With the fire being in the roof space, we had to take part of the roof away to get at it which always makes it trickier.

“The cause of the fire is not thought to be suspicious, but a level two fire investigator will visit the house this morning (Thursday) to try and find out what caused it.”

Firefighters also had to force entry to an unoccupied property next door, after they saw thick smoke billowing out of the roof, but the fire had not spread.