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, Thursday 2nd October, 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.

Citizenship if Rohingya identify as Bengali

Myanmar has confirmed to the United Nations that it is finalising a plan that will offer minority Rohingya Muslims citizenship if they change their ethnicity to suggest Bangladeshi origin, a move rights groups say could force thousands into detention camps.

Most of Myanmar’s 1.1 million Rohingya are stateless and live in apartheid-like conditions in Rakhine State on the western coast of the predominantly Buddhist country. Almost 140,000 Rohingya remain displaced after deadly clashes with ethnic Rakhine Buddhists in 2012.

“An action plan is being finalised and will soon be launched,” Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin said in an address to the U.N. General Assembly on Monday, requesting the United Nations to “provide much-needed development assistance there”.

The Rakhine State Action Plan outlines projects including rehabilitation and promoting reconciliation, according to a draft obtained by Reuters.

More controversially, the plan contains a section on a process to determine whether Rohingya are citizens. Rohingya would be required to register their identities as ‘Bengali,’ a term most reject because it implies they are illegal immigrants from Bangladesh despite having lived in the area for generations. The plan proposes that authorities “construct temporary camps in required numbers for those who refuse to be registered and those without adequate documents”.

It states that the government will ask the U.N. Refugee Agency, the UNHCR, for help to resettle overseas those who fail to obtain citizenship. But a UNHCR spokeswoman told Reuters it would be impossible for the agency to do so, because they would not be “recognised refugees who have fled persecution and conflict across international borders”.

That raises the possibility that Rohingya could be forced from their villages and detained indefinitely, warned Phil Robertson, deputy director for Asia at Human Rights Watch.

Source: The Hindu

Saudi Arabia transfers $60 million to PA

BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — The Saudi Fund for Development has transferred $60 million to the Palestinian Authority, the desert kingdom’s Ambassador to Egypt and the Arab League said Monday, according to Saudi media.

Ahmad Ibn al-Aziz was quoted by the official Saudi news agency as saying the money was a lump sum of Saudi Arabia’s monthly donations to the PA for July, August, and September.

He said the country was committed to giving the PA $20 million per month

US-led strikes leave 6 dead in eastern Afghanistan

At least six people have been killed after US-led foreign forces in Afghanistan carried out separate airstrikes in the eastern part of the war-ravaged country during the past 24 hours, Press TV reports.

Local officials said an unmanned aerial vehicle launched an airborne attack in the mountainous eastern province of Khost on Monday, leaving four people dead.

Two other people lost their lives in a similar airstrike in the eastern province of Laghman earlier in the day.

The US-led forces have recently increased their air raids against civilian areas in Afghanistan.

On September 26, a drone attack in the eastern province of Nangarhar left at least six people, including two women, dead and a woman injured.

Four people were also killed in a US drone strike in Afghanistan’s northeastern province of Kunar on September 23.

According to local officials, the airborne assault in the Ghaziabad district of the province targeted the Taliban and those killed in the raid were members of the militant group.

Civilian casualties have long been a source of friction between the Afghan government and US-led forces, and have dramatically increased anti-US sentiments in the country.

The United States and its allies invaded Afghanistan in October 2001 as part of Washington’s so-called war on terror. The offensive removed the Taliban from power, but insecurity continues to rise across the country, despite the presence of thousands of US-led troops.

MP/KA/SS

Al-Sudais: Don’t tarnish Haj with sectarianism

President of the Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque, Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, has warned that pilgrims risk deviating from Islamic injunctions if they use the Haj for political and sectarian gatherings. There is no room for arguments and disputes during the pilgrimage, he reportedly said recently. Muslims should use the time at the holy sites to contemplate how to unify and solve problems in the Islamic world, which is currently weak and fragmented, he said.

He said the presidency would deploy 15,000 employees in day and night shifts to help pilgrims perform their rituals. Al-Sudais said the Haj has specific rules that have to be followed by pilgrims if they want a successful journey. They should focus on monotheism as taught by Islam and not gather for other purposes.

He said Muslims must ignore reports falsely claiming that the expansion of the mosques in Makkah and Madinah would result in the destruction of Islamic heritage sites. He said the yards of the Grand Mosque would have electronic signs to guide pilgrims. There would also be additional air-conditioning spread around the mosque.

One-hundred doors would be opened around the Grand Mosque to ease the movement of pilgrims, he said. The presidency has opened a new office where people with disabilities can hire wheelchairs. In addition, it will translate the Friday and Eid sermons into four languages

Former Navy special forces medic from Long Newton to help launch Poppy Appeal

A former medic who was blown up by a landmine while serving with the Royal Navy Special Forces is helping to launch this year’s Poppy Appeal.

Ian “Roger” Bannister, the president of the Stockton and Yarm Royal British Legion, says it’s now more vital than ever that the public supports the Appeal.

Mr Bannister, 78, of Long Newton, said: “The donations collected through the Poppy Appeal, every penny, goes to support former service men and women who fall on hard times.

“In the past year Poppy Appeal case workers, who are volunteers, have answered more than 220 cases of veterans needing help in the Stockton area.

“That help ranges from the need for a new pair of shoes, to someone needing a washing machine or a fridge.”

After a year of initial medic training in the 1950s, Mr Bannister found himself involved with the Cyprus dispute between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots, for three years.

“It was all about guerrilla warfare and you never knew what was going to happen next,” he said.

“And that’s where I had a very close escape after we drove over a pressure mine. I was passenger in a Jeep and we had just left a monastery where around 40 soldiers were based when we drove over the mine.

“We were blown out of the Jeep and the driver suffered a broken pelvis. Fortunately I had just had burns and grazing to my backside and was otherwise unhurt. But it was a hell of a shock.”

After Cyprus he ended up in Aden during the Suez Crisis, dealing with a lot of injuries.

Mr Bannister, who retired having been presented with my Naval General Service medal with three bars and his 1962 General Service Medal with two bars, said he wouldn’t change anything about his time in the Royal Navy.

After leaving in 1966, he served for more than 20 years as a detective and firearms instructor in Cleveland Police.

Mr Bannister has served as either chairman or president of Stockton and Yarm RBL, one of the oldest associations, for 26 consecutive years

He will attend a special service of remembrance at the Pavilion Shopping Centre, in Thornaby, at 2pm on Saturday, October 25.

Oliver Westley, manager of the Pavilion Shopping Centre, said: “The Appeal is so important and I know many of our customers and visitors will be keen, as they always are, to support it.”

There will be similar services at Stockton at 10am and at Yarm at noon.

Livestock killed and buildings destroyed in Saltersgill allotment fire

Chickens were killed and two sheds were destroyed in an allotment blaze.

A total of 15 chickens kept at the site in Saltersgill, Middlesbrough, were destroyed in the fire - with only three surviving.

Nearby trees were also stripped of foliage by the blaze on Tuesday night, which is the latest in a series to hit the Saltergill Avenue site.

Nigel Reed, 51, has had an allotment at the site for almost five years.

He said: “I got here about 7.25am on Wednesday morning. Police said they had a phone call last night. “We’ve had some problems before. About two years ago our shed got burnt down, but it’s different when it’s livestock.

“They were only four-month-old chicks, they had just starting to lay - 15 chickens of them have been roasted.”

The cause of the fire is being investigated but is believed to have been started some time between 7pm and 11.05pm on Tuesday night.

Peter Whelan, chairman of the Saltersgill Allotment Association, said: “Over the past two months or so we’ve been hit badly.

“We used to have a big community meeting hut, it could hold about 70 to 80 people - eight weeks ago that was destroyed by fire.

“There’s three other site members who have had their belongings burnt down.

“We’re going to have to ring the Crime Prevention Team to ask them what to do.”

Cleveland Police appealed for witnesses who may have seen anything to contact them.

Two fire engines from Middlesbrough Fire Station attended the scene and firefighters used a single hose reel to tackle the blaze.

Any one with information is asked to contact PC James Gallafant on the non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Teesside firm says oil and gas played large part in UK economy boost

A teesside firm says continuing investment by UK oil and gas companies is a key part of the UK’s positive GDP.

Latest official figures have shown the UK economy is now 2.7% bigger than at its pre-recession peak and also grew more strongly in the second quarter of the year than thought.

Wynyard-based Nortech Oil & Gas, which is part of professional engineering design and project management company Nortech Group, says its sector has played a large role in the boost to the economy - and the North-east is ‘perfectly positioned’ to support further growth.

Willie O’Neil, Contract Lead at Nortech Oil & Gas, said: “The very positive GDP results for the second quarter this year reflect the continuing climate of positivity and strong record of growth in the oil and gas market.

“Continuing investment by UK oil and gas companies is a key component of this growth. Investment creates a momentum to service the growing supply chain, which is also a key contributor to the UK economy.”

Nortech’s turnover has steadily increased to £10m and the company has taken on 86 new members of staff since starting up with a team of four in 2011.

Willie added: “As an increasingly significant part of the supply chain, Nortech Group is undergoing strong growth and development.

“The oil and gas sector has plenty of scope for additional growth, and the North-east and its supply chain are perfectly positioned to support that growth.”

Major data revisions by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed the economy had recovered all the ground lost since the 2008/09 recession about nine months earlier than was believed.

The figures also revealed gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 0.9% in the second quarter of this year, up from a previous estimate of 0.8% - though for the first quarter growth was revised down from 0.8% to 0.7%.

They immediately prompted speculation about whether the improved picture for the economy would put fresh pressure on Bank of England policy makers to raise interest rates from the historic low of 0.5%.

The figures were published by the ONS following major changes to its methodology to bring it into line with international standards as well as its usual periodic revisions. Its latest GDP data now includes spending on illegal activities such as drugs and prostitution, and other areas such as research and development, for the first time.

The revisions show the economy is now 2.7% larger than it was in the first quarter of 2008, the last period before the recession took hold - revised up from 0.2%.

David Kern, chief economist at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “While the strength of the recovery will support business confidence, these figures reinforce the need to rebalance the economy towards exports and investment.

“Interest rates must be kept low until there is a clear need to start increasing them, and government must do more to support exporters and improve access to finance for growing businesses.”

Live: Crathorne Hall fire 'smouldering' after blaze sweeps through historic hotel

Eighteen fire engines have been called to a fire at Crathorne Hall in Yarm.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue service and Cleveland Fire Brigade are both at the scene.

The fire is reportedly in the roof space of the hotel, and staff and guests have been evacuated.

Northumbrian Water has advised people in the area that they may experience discoloured supply.

Live updates from this event will appear below.

Major Gateway Middlehaven supermarket scheme is rubber-stamped

A major supermarket scheme for Middlesbrough’s flagship regeneration area has reached financial close.

Osprey Equity Partners has agreed to forward fund the £50m deal to develop a Sainsbury’s store and adjoining petrol station, KFC and Costa coffee at Gateway Middlehaven.

The first phase of work for the project, which is being developed by Terrace Hill, is already underway.

The development, which lies between the A66 and the Riverside Stadium, is part of a £35m retail and leisure scheme.

VIEW GALLERY

The Osprey Terrace Hill deal includes the 125,000 sq ft supermarket, a nine-pump petrol station and kiosk, the 3,650 sq ft KFC drive-through restaurant and the 1,846 sq ft Costa drive-through.

A 7,276 sq ft Marston’s family pub will also be built at the site.

John White, co-founding director of Osprey Equity Partners Ltd, which is a London-based private investment company, said: “This deal means the project can go ahead.

“We have been discussing this proposition for the last four to five months.

“Our client is looking for long-term secure income, they’re building the Sainsbury’s store with a view to them taking a 25-year lease.

“We are delighted to be investing in the locality, and the building will be open in time for Christmas 2015.”

As a result of the development, the current Sainsbury’s store on Wilson Street will close, with the site turned into a £20m retail and commercial development including an 80-bed hotel and car park. This is expected to open in spring 2016.

According to Terrace Hill, the current Sainsbury’s store is unable to “compete effectively” with larger stores in the area and the supermarket chain wants to relocate to a site which can accommodate a modern store to better meet its customers’ needs.

A spokesperson said: “This scheme will see the development of a prominent 16 acre site, fronting the A66.

“The development will create an impressive entrance to the Middlehaven regeneration area on the banks of the Tees.”

The scheme is expected to create up to 340 new full and part-time jobs alongside temporary construction jobs, as well as safeguarding 230 jobs from the existing store.

Osprey has also funded a similar sized Sainsbury’s in Sunderland, also acting for Terrace Hill, which is part of Urban & Civic plc.

Terrace Hill is also developing a mixed-use retail and leisure scheme at Darlington on the former Arriva bus depot site, adjacent to the River Skerne and Darlington’s Town Hall.

The company’s portfolio also includes initial development of the Asda site at Skelton, which was completed last year.

Modi indicted by ‘Citizens Court in Washington’ for abetting murder of Muslims

Washington: The US based Sikh Foundation for Justice (SFJ) in coordination with the American Gurudwara Prabhandak Committee (AGPC), Tuesday held a Citizens’ Court in Lafayette Park, a small park infront of the White House to indict PM Narendra Modi for the human rights violations in 2002 in Gujarat.

The one hour well organized ceremony was conducted following US legal procedure.

SFJ organized a grand jury of 24 citizens comprising of people of various colors, white, black, desi etc. The judge was a white American woman lawyer.

An effigy of Modi with his face photo, stood in a dock on the left side of the judge’s desk. The prosecutor was an Indian-American lawyer. The mock court room was set up in the park just like it happens in court rooms. It looked like a professional setting.

The attending audience of about one thousand people consisting of men and women of all races and colors, but mostly Sikhs, stood behind the prosecutor’s desk in the park. Lots of TV cameras and media people were in attendance.

The proceedings began at 1:30 PM on Tuesday (Sept 30) when PM Modi was actually in the White House building, that is right infront of the court setting and ended at 2:30 PM.

The prosecutor read out the charges against Modi and informed that the charge sheet was handed over to an official of the Indian embassy in Washington DC a few days ago, and that Modi has been given an opportunity to defend himself.

But he has chosen not to attend even though right at this time he is in the White House building, just a couple of hundred yards away.

All charges of abetting murder of 2000 Muslim people, raping of a large number of Muslim women, destruction of their houses in February, March 2002 were read out in detail.

The lady judge then turned the matter over to the grand jury and asked them to indicate their opinion by writing on pieces of paper infront of them.

The judge then polled the grandjury members and with their concurrence announced that Modi has been indicted of the charges levelled against him by the prosecutor.

Laying the factual details of Narendra Modi’s crimes and culpability, the charge sheet filed in the Citizens’ court listed crimes of genocide; murders in the first degree; rapes and sexual assaults; torture; tempering with the witnesses, victims and informants; and obstruction of criminal investigations.

– See more at: http://ift.tt/1ozOJQW

K Home International celebrates 2.5 million hours safety milestone

Teesside engineering firm K Home International Limited (KHI) is celebrating 2.5 million man-hours without a lost-time accident.

It covers all its 200 employees, which are based at various chemical, petrochemical, energy and nuclear clients’ project sites across Teesside and the North-west, and the company’s head office at Allensway in Thornaby.

The company says the achievement reflects its ‘continual commitment’ to Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) management.

A spokesperson said: “Excellent HSE compliance ensures everyone can go home at the end of the day without injury, and has established an ethos of competency and safety-focus throughout the company.

“The requirement to ‘design to avoid risk to health, safety and the environment’ is inherent in KHI’s procedures.”

KHI provides engineering design consultancy, project management and construction supervision services to industry sectors worldwide.

The company also works in other heavy industries such as minerals extraction and metals manufacture.

And as recognition of reaching the 2.5m man-hours milestone, the company has made a donation to stillbirth and neonatal death charity, Sands.

Lee Anderson, Operations Director for K Home International, said: “We are pleased to be able to mark this achievement by donating to a worthwhile cause within our local community and we would like to thank all our personnel for their contribution in achieving another milestone in our HSE performance programme.

“People are our greatest asset and we always emphasise that HSE is our number one priority as part of the execution of our works.

“The Health, Safety and Environmental culture is well established in the company, and we have proudly achieved the RoSPA Gold Award in three consecutive years.”

Sands, which operates throughout the UK to support anyone affected by the death of a baby and promote research to reduce the loss of babies’ lives.

A Sands group has been set up on Teesside for the first time by bereaved parents.

The group’s first support meeting is on Tuesday, October 7 and the first Tuesday of every month thereafter, from 7-9pm at Low Grange Community Centre, Low Grange Avenue, Billingham.

Family pay tribute after woman who was hit by a bus on Stockton High Street dies in hospital

A "bubbly and loving" Stockton woman who was left fighting for her life after being hit by a bus on Stockton High Street has died.

Kelly Marie Evis was rushed to James Cook University Hospital with serious injuries including a fractured skull after the collision on Monday, September 15.

But the 28-year-old lost her fight for life late last night.

Kelly's devastated family have paid tribute, saying: "Kelly was a bubbly, lovely and loving daughter and sister who will be sadly missed.

"It hasn't sunk in yet that she has gone."

Police are still appealing for witnesses to the incident.

They particularly want to speak to a female passenger who was travelling on the bus at the time of the collision.

The accident happened at around 11.05pm on Stockton High Street, opposite Ropery Street.

Any witnesses who have not yet spoken to police are asked to contact PC Lee Benson from the Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit on the non-emergency number 101, quoting event number 162776.

Roe and McKenzie keep up title challenge in Trackrod Forest Stages

Chris Roe and Bob McKenzie kept up their challenge for the ANCC Championship with a strong finish in the Trackrod Forest Stages over the North Yorkshire Moors.

Driver Roe, from Redcar, and Skelton navigator McKenzie took their Vauxhall Nova to sixth in class and 37th overall.

“During the day we did experience a few problems but in general the day was good,” reported Roe.

“The stages were mainly good with just a few rough parts but that’s rallying.

“We started the event with some strong times and although we finished the day well it could have ended up very differently after heading over a crest into a 90 degree left in Gale Rigg.

“We were carrying far too much speed running wide and off the road.

“Fortunately the outside of the corner there was soft brash and we managed to bounce our way over it back onto the stage, losing very little time at all.

“Then on the final stage we lost charge from the alternator and could only hope the power in the battery would see us to the end.

“With everything crossed we managed to make it over the final control.

“The resulting charging problem turned out to be a missing fan belt! So I guess it should be easy to repair.

“We should have again scored some great points to keep us in with a chance of claiming the title.”

Victory went to Steve Perez and Paul Spooner in their Ford Focus WRC, ahead of Paul Bird and Aled Davies, also in a Focus.

Reigning Motoscope Northern Historic Champion Steve Bannister saw his chances of a third successive title fade when his Escort Mark II crashed out at speed less than a mile from the end of the opening Staindale stage.

Castleton’s Ryan Champion, Trackrod winner in 2006, also suffered a frustrating evening when his Porsche 911 snapped a fan belt forcing him to stop, to prevent the rear-engined car overheating, and take a maximum time penalty.

Tom Leonard bounces back to form in Buffheadwear Thundersport 500 Championship

Comeback king Tom Leonard bounced back to form in the penultimate round of the Buffheadwear Thundersport 500 Championship at Donington Park.

The Hartburn rider, who retured to the saddle after a long break this year, is a clear second in the standings behind newly-crowned champion Carl Smalley with just one race weekend to go.

The previous weekend at Anglesey was a disaster for Leonard.

But a win and a second place on day one at Donington hoisted him back up to second in the table and a third and a fourth on day two kep him there.

With just a second separating the top 11 in qualifying, it was always going to be a weekend of close action.

“Over the weekend we had groups of between six and eight riders all dicing for the lead, three,” said Leonard.

“Four and five abreast into the Esses on most of the laps was not an uncommon sight.

“It’s been a top weekend for us,” he added, “especially after the disappointments of Angelsey.

“Win lose or draw, being able to take part in races like this over the weekend has been an honour and a pleasure.

“It was uncertain until close to the line who was going to end up where, but enough can’t be stressed about the entertainment factor this series brings for riders and spectators.

“I’d like to wish Carl all my congratulations from myself and the team in his magnificent championship win. We’ve had some great battles.”

Stockton’s Kevin Liddle marked his comeback by taking the scalp of Smalley in his third race.

He clocked a second, two thirds and a fourth in the Senior Championship races.

Colin Mooney, also from Stockton, wrapped up second place in the Seniors series while Liddle’s nephew Jak was never out of the top 20.

Gaza sends lions to Jordan after war damages zoo

GAZA CITY: Three traumatized lions entered Israel from Gaza Tuesday on their way to a safer home in Jordan after their zoo was largely destroyed during the conflict in the Palestinian enclave. Austrian veterinarians from international animal welfare group Four Paws took charge of bringing the animals from the Al-Bisan zoo in the Gaza Strip to a zoo in Amman, obtaining special permission to pass through Israeli territory.

Amir Khalil of Four Paws said the lions — two males and a female — were in desperate need of help after their zoo came under heavy fire during the 50-day conflict, which ended with an August 26 cease-fire.

“The animals are stressed, violent and afraid of the slightest movement,” he said. “The animals are very sensitive and the detonations from the bombings and explosions had a very strong impact on them.”

The Al-Bisan zoo had four lions before the conflict but one of them — a female — was killed by Israeli bombardment. Khalil said the vets had treated several animals that will remain at the zoo and are suffering from a lack of food and water. They also removed shrapnel from the bodies of several dead animals.

The zoo is hoping to rebuild its lion enclosure so the animals can one day return to Gaza but no potential date has been set for their return.

The animals were caught in the crossfire during a conflict that killed more than 2,140 Palestinians, most of them civilians, and 73 on the Israeli side, almost all soldiers. It is also estimated to have caused some six billion euros ($7.6 billion) in damages.

The zoo — part of Al-Bisan City — was built by the Hamas government in 2008 as a tourist village to give Gazans some relief from the hardships of life in the Strip. The animals were all smuggled through tunnels that connected Egypt to Gaza, before the passages were shut last year with the ouster of Egyptian President Muhammad Mursi, a key ally of Hamas.

Concerns have previously been raised about the welfare of animals at the zoo, especially given Gaza’s limited resources. Last year two lion cubs died at the zoo shortly after birth due to a lack of experienced vets, food and medicine

Crathorne Hall: What do we know about the hotel's historic building?

Crathorne Hall is famous across Teesside and beyond as one of the area’s most exclusive wedding venues and hotels.

Overlooking the Leven Valley on the edge of the Yorkshire Moors, it was owned by the Dugdale family until 1977.

It was built in 1906 and is believed to be one of the most recently built country halls in the UK.

So what else do we know about Crathorne Hall?

:: It is set in 15 acres of private grounds and has been awarded four Red Stars - placing it among the top 200 hotels in the UK and Ireland;

:: The hotel has 37 bedrooms, all of which have recently been refurbished;

:: Minnie Driver is a fan of the hotel, staying there in February 2013 - and tweeting a picture of Lord Crathorne’s Old Bathroom. She was filming Who Do You Think You Are? for the BBC;

She said at the time: “I’m having a lovely time; it’s just gorgeous here. I’m staying at the lovely Crathorne Hall. We drove through Yarm and it was so beautiful, I just wanted to get out and walk around, but I couldn’t because I had to go to work.”

Minnie Driver -

:: The hall was once owned by Richard Branson and given a refurbishment to its original Edwardian standard - the Virgin Group bought it in 1989. It is now owned by Handpicked Hotels;

:: Crathorne village - where the hall is set - is in the Hambleton district of North Yorkshire, England. The River Leven flows through the parish.

Live Crathorne Hall: Total of 18 fire engines called to hotel blaze near Yarm

A dozen fire engines have been called to a fire at Crathorne Hall in Yarm.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue service said that twelve appliances have been called to the incident, after they received a report of a fire at 10.02am today.

Cleveland Fire Brigade are assisting by sending four appliances to the hall, along with the hydraulic platform.

A spokesperson for the North Yorkshire brigade said: "We had a report of smoke coming from the roof space and dispatched a crew to investigate.

"Crews on the ground requested more appliances and 12 are currently there, or on route to the hall."

"There are no further details about the fire at this time."

Northumbrian Water has advised people in the area that they may experience discoloured supply.

Live updates from this event will appear below

Jamrat bridge can hold 500,000

The newly expanded Jamrat bridge in Mina can accommodate 500,000 pilgrims per hour during the Haj season, said Prince Mansour bin Miteb, minister of municipal and rural affairs.

“The streets leading to Jamrat, however, cannot hold these many pilgrims. As a result, only 300,000 pilgrims can use the bridge per hour now,” he said, while stressing his ministry’s plan to expand Mina’s streets. Meanwhile, Makkah Gov. Prince Mishaal bin Abdullah said preparations are complete for Haj. “The plan for welcoming pilgrims was successful,” he said, urging all government and private agencies to mobilize their human and technical resources to make the annual event a big success.

Prince Mishaal, who is chairman of the Central Haj Committee, instructed security officers not to allow pilgrims without Haj permits into the holy sites and impose sanctions on violators. Prince Mansour said the Jamrat expansion would help pilgrims perform the “Satan-stoning” ritual easily without risking being stampeded.

The government implemented the SR4.2 billion multilevel hi-tech Jamrat bridge project a few years ago to facilitate the stoning ritual in Mina, which used to witness stampedes, causing several deaths in the past.

“The expansion of Mina streets will enable Tawafa organizations to send large numbers of pilgrims to the Jamrat in coming years,” the minister said. Security forces will be deployed around the Jamrat to ensure a smooth flow of pilgrim movement.”

He said the Jamrat bridge has been handed over to specialized companies for its operation and maintenance after the completion of works.

More than two million pilgrims, including 1.4 million foreign Hajis, are expected for the annual pilgrimage, which will start on Oct. 2, with the faithful assembling in the tent valley of Mina. A number of foreign heads of state, including Sudanese President Omar Bashir, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud and Maldives President Abdulla Yameen, have arrived for Haj.

According to the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment, the weather in Makkah, Madinah and other holy sites would be milder this season, with temperatures reaching below 36 degrees Celsius. All foreign pilgrims have already arrived in Makkah. Pilgrims who arrived in Madinah have left for Makkah in preparation for Haj

Tax disc changes: How you will be affected and what you need to do

The paper tax disc is soon to become a thing of the past.

The DVLA is retiring this iconic, but slightly old fashioned way of proving you've payed your car tax, in favour of an online database.

From October 1st, everything changes. You won't have to display the disc any more, you'll be able to pay by direct debit in installments - and there's big changes to what happens when you buy or sell a car.

Here's our guide to the changes.

Do I still have to tax my vehicle?

Afraid so. Even though you don't have to put a tax disc on the windscreen, you'll still have to pay vehicle tax.

From October 1st, you'll be able to rip your tax disc off your windscreen - only it's probably best not to actually rip it, it'll be worth holding onto in case there's any confusion or complications when the new system comes in. (You could be fined £1,000 for failing to comply with the new system)

How do I do it?

In the new system, you'll be able to pay in installments by direct debit. You can choose to pay annually, every six months or monthly. These can be set up at the Post Office or on the DVLA website.

The direct debit option is only available for tax discs starting November 1st, but you can set up the direct debit online from October 1st, or at a Post Office from October 5th.

You can also pay for a year as a one off on the website.

If there's no tax disc to check, how will anyone know if I've taxed my vehicle or not?

The DVLA keep a database of the tax paid on every vehicle, and the Police and DVLA will check this to make sure you're up to date on your payments.

Traffic cameras with Automatic Number Plate Recognition will also actively cross-reference number plates with untaxed vehicles.

You'll get a reminder by post when you tax is due for renewal, telling you how to renew and how much it'll cost.

What happens if I sell my car?

You have to tell the DVLA that you're selling your car, and they'll give you a refund for any full months. If you're even a day into the month, you don't get that back.

On the upside, you used to have to apply for this refund if you sold your car. You don't any more.

What happens if I buy a second hand car?

Gone are the days of buying second hand car with "tax and test". From tomorrow, vehicle tax ceases to transfer with ownership of the car. You'll need to tax it yourself.

You can do this when you register as the new owner on the car, either online at the DVLA website, by filling out a 'New Keeper Supplement at the DVLA, or over the phone on 0300 123 4321

Unfortunately, because you only get full months refunded, if you sell your car part way through the month, both seller and buyer have to pay a full month each. Bah.

What if my car's off the road?

If your vehicle is registered as off the road (SORN) - for which you need to inform the DVLA - you'll automatically receive a refund, but again, only for any full months remaining.

Andy Halliday challenged to kick-start his Boro career by clinching loan move

Forgotten man Andy Halliday has been challenged to kick-start his Boro career by hitting top form for the Under-21s.

The 22-year-old was signed by Gordon Strachan in 2010 and has made more than 30 appearances for Boro as a left-back and left-winger.

However, following loan spells at Walsall and most recently Blackpool last season, Halliday now finds himself on the fringes of Boro’s first-team picture and has started in all five Under-21s matches this season.

Having put in a string of impressive performances for Boro’s young guns, Under-21s manager Paul Jenkins has challenged the Scot to add further consistency to his game - with the view to clinching a loan move away from the Riverside.

Jenkins said: “In the Under-21s we’ve set out our stall and said that players have to earn the right to have the shirt and to keep the shirt.

“Then sometimes the manager could have players in his first-team squad who need a game or are not featuring.

“Andy is one example of that. I must compliment Andy because he’s obviously found it difficult not being around the first-team on a match day, but his application and the way he’s approached his game has been an absolute credit to the club.

“Hopefully Andy’s challenge will now be to get himself out on loan at some point.

“The only way he can do that is by performing in the Under-21s, and he has done that so far this season. I can only commend him for that.”

Halliday put in another impressive performance during Boro Under-21’s 2-0 win against West Brom on Monday and helped his team charge to the top of the league following a fourth successive win.

But his future on Teesside remains uncertain with his contract due to expire next summer.

Redcar's Friendship Group For Widowed People hopes to continue support with help of Wish

A support group is hoping for token success in this year’s Wish campaign.

The Friendship Group For Widowed People meets fortnightly, allowing widowed people to socialise.

Based at Redcar Cricket Club, the group arranges outings to the theatre, day trips and garden shows, as well as quiz nights, buffet nights and parties.

Even if there are no planned events, those who have lost loved ones are welcome along to the group for a chat.

Relying on members’ donations to keep running, the group is grateful for any extra support they can get which helps to fund the social events for the group.

Following previous successful entries into The Gazette’s Wish campaign, the group has joined in again this year and hopes for a share of the £40,000.

Group spokesperson Ann Robinson said: “Any money the group receives will contribute towards our 2014 Christmas party.”

Every year, The Gazette’s Wish campaign gives away thousands of pounds to not-for-profit groups and organisations benefiting the Teesside community.

To get involved, groups must first register online at http://ift.tt/XA3Wdt. All registered groups will receive confirmation in writing as well as a free starter pack to get supporters ready to start collecting tokens. Every registered group will be guaranteed a share of our £40,000 fund.

There are no losers in the Wish campaign but the aim is to collect as many tokens as possible. The more tokens a group collects, the bigger its share of the prize pot.

Tokens will start appearing in The Gazette on Monday, October 13, with the last token appearing on Wednesday, January 21. Submissions for tokens will close at 5pm on Monday, February 23.

• To help the Friendship Group for Widowed People, send your tokens to: Ann Robinson c/o Redcar Cricket Club, Kirkleatham Street, Redcar, TS10 1QH.

Geoff Parling: Concussion setback will sideline Teesside rugby star until December

Teesside-born rugby union international Geoff Parling has been ruled out of England’s autumn series and looks set to be sidelined until December with concussion.

The former Stockton Rugby Club star saw a specialist this week after being concussed for the second time in three games during Leicester Tigers’ 45-0 drubbing at Bath 10 days ago.

While the British and Irish Lions second row is facing a spell on the sidelines, his club yesterday dispelled concerns over his long-term playing career.

Director of rugby Richard Cockerill said: “Geoff saw the relevant specialist this week and will have time out of the game now.

“He’ll probably have three or four weeks of complete down-time and then he’ll be reintegrated into training.

“You’d like to think that by December he’ll be playing again. And there’s no doubt about that, he will play again.

“It’s more that he’s had successive concussions in a short period of time. You have to take that very seriously, as we do.

“I need him out on the playing field from a rugby point of view, but it’s not a bump, bruise or strain that you can play through. Ultimately there are more important things than playing rugby and you have to look at the bigger picture.

“We’ve all got injuries from playing rugby, whether it’s a worn out back or knackered something. You can deal with that, but you can’t deal with head injuries.

“If you take a bang on your head and you don’t feel quite right, you know in yourself you have to deal with something because it’s serious.”

Parling will miss England’s clashes with New Zealand, South Africa, Samoa and Australia at Twickenham.

The lock will hope to return in time for selection in England’s 2015 Six Nations squad.

Drop in profits for Tioxide Europe

Manufacturers Tioxide Europe suffered a significant downturn in 2013, caused by weakening demand for titanium bearing ore from its Huntsman affiliates.

The makers of titanium dioxide pigments, which are used in paints, plastics, and fibres, saw operating profits fall from £111.4m in 2012 to a £7.6m loss last year.

Tioxide’s Greatham manufacturing facility operates pigment production using a chloride process to separate titanium from its ores.

Turnover in 2013 fell to £275.9m from £430.5m the year before due to a reduction in titanium dioxide prices and reduced demand from its old stablemates in the Huntsman group.

In 2009 the firm brought 60 years of production to a close at its iconic Grimsby site which led to some £2m costs in its 2013 accounts.

The firm employs 502 people at its Greatham site and its headquarters on Wynyard Business Park.

A statement within the firm’s strategic report read: “The business has faced significant challenges in recent years due to the global downturn and dramatic volatility in the pigments industry.

“A strong turnaround was recognised in 2010 due to the effects of the Transform Programme, Management has implemented a strategy to grow sales revenue in differentiated markets and transform asset competitiveness through restructuring and co-product beneficiation. This programme continued in 2013.”

Tioxide Europe Limited manufactures and sells titanium dioxide pigments used in the the production of paints, plastics, paper, printing inks, fibres and ceramics.

Middlesbrough entrepreneur secures £40,000 in Regional Growth Fund cash

A Middlesbrough entrepreneur is going for big growth after successfully securing £40,000 in Regional Growth Fund cash.

Since 2012, Russell Jameson has gone from a one-man, one-van operation to employing four staff and a projected £750,000 turnover.

Now he’s planning to employ a further eight staff at least, after winning a £620,000 deal to become the main contractor plumbing and heating contractor on a 60-property Barratt Homes’ development in Durham.

But the boss of Lorne Street-based firm R. Jameson Plumbing & Heating Ltd had almost ‘reached the end of his tether’ after being refused help by a series of banks.

He said: “I visited banks with the contract in my hand, it was hard evidence but I was still knocked back because I was a young business with no credit history.

“It was incredibly frustrating. I was at the end of my tether, with everything we’d gone through.

“I thought ‘we’re going to lose this contract’ because we couldn’t get anyone to help us.”

A Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) business account manager pointed him in a different direction.

The Five Lamps organisation in Thornaby had recently secured funding through the Regional Growth Fund (RGF) from The Community Development Association (CDFA).

Russell got in touch with the team - and successfully unlocked the much-needed cash that secured his latest contract.

Director of Economic Development & Finance at Five Lamps, Bill Erskine, supported him through the RGF application.

He was awarded £40,000 towards new premises, job creation, staff uniform, tools, vans, and publicity material including updating his current website.

Now Russell is hoping it can be the springboard to further large contracts - and the business is waiting to hear about two further jobs with Barratt Homes, including one for a 100-property scheme.

He said: “We are putting all our efforts into this contract, and there are others in the pipeline.

“We will take on another eight staff, but that’s a conservative estimate - it could be as many as 20.

“We also have a domestic side to the business as well as commercial, which is also very busy. I am at the point where I’m having to take a step back from the tools and actually run the business.

“The RGF money was life-saving,” he added.

“Without it, we wouldn’t have been able to do this contract - it’s as simple as that.

“I would have had to go back to being a one-man band without any prospect of growing the business and attracting new commercial contracts.

“Luckily for me, I met Bill Erskine, who was very helpful.

“There is a real gap in support available for existing businesses as a lot of support is focused on start-ups. It feels great to be able to take on new staff and create much needed employment opportunities locally.

The Regional Growth Fund is a government backed scheme to support SMEs and social enterprises struggling to access high street bank lending. The aim of the funding is to help to create and safeguard jobs in the area, helping local businesses and the economy grow.

Arguing With Sharia-Supporting Muslims — on The Glazov Gang

[Don't miss: Hollywood Republicans Event With Jamie Glazov, Wednesday night, Oct. 1, in North Hollywood. For more info, click here.]

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This week’s Glazov Gang was joined by Louis Lionheart, a Christian preacher who engages in open-air debates, dialogues and evangelism on 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica, Ca. For information on his ministry visit his web site: TruthDefenders.com.

Louis came on the show to discuss “Arguing With Sharia-Supporting Muslims,” sharing his experience of being told that Islam is peaceful and then being threatened in the same conversation. The dialogue occurred within the context of a focus on “The Battle Over Islam on the Streets of L.A.,” in which Louis discussed his experience of engaging Muslims about their religion on 3rd St. Promenade:

Don’t miss this week’s second Glazov Gang episode with Mark Tapson, a Shillman Journalism Fellow at the David Horowitz Freedom Center. He is a Hollywood-based writer and screenwriter who focuses on the politics of popular culture.

Mark came on the show to discuss “Fighting the Culture War,” emphasizing why Conservatives need more filmmakers, songwriters and novelists instead of political lecturers.

Don’t miss it:

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Gaza unable to rejoice this Eid

Eid Al-Adha is a few days away and the Palestinians in Gaza still live under siege after surviving a war that has killed thousands and destroyed homes.

Palestinian families are unable to rejoice this Eid or sacrifice animals, as is the tradition at this time, as the blockade isongoing, their homes are still destroyed, and workers have not received their salaries from the national unity government. This has disrupted the local markets as it has stopped citizens from being able to prepare themselves for Eid