News Rush: 12/04/14

Thursday, December 4, 2014

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 5th December, 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.

Good morning all. Reporter James Cain here kicking off the live blog for Friday December 5, 2014.

As always, if you're out and about and see something, get in touch and let us know - comment on the live blog, tweet us (@EveningGazette) or call us on 01642 234 391.

Thanks for joining us, whether you're on your way to work, just getting in, or simply an early bird, we hope you have a great day.

Pub market turbulence can't stop profit growth at Vianet

Stockton data management firm Vianet Group has reported a rise in profits and turnover in its latest annual results.

The company, which employs more than 230 staff, said revenues had increased by 1.44% to £9.14m in the six months to September 30, 2014.

Pre-tax profits rose from £0.57m to £0.77m on the back of a strong performance by Vianet’s core beer monitoring and vending telemetry businesses.

The vending division saw a near five-fold increase in profits while the growing popularity of Vianet’s iDraught beer monitoring system boosted revenues in its leisure operation.

The company, which provides real-time monitoring data management systems for the leisure, vending and forecourt services industries, said it was pleased with the results although the six-month period had not been without its challenges.

Pub closures and cut-backs on capital spend in the sector had impacted on revenues, while Vianet’s future financial performance could be affected by continuing uncertainty surrounding the Government’s proposed statutory code for pub companies.

Last month MPs voted for a new bill to introduce a market rent only option (MROO) for tied pub tenants, which means tenants of pub companies with more than 500 venues could ditch subsidised rent and buy beer from the wider market instead.

The move has triggered fears of widespread pub closures, significant job losses and reduced investment in the sector. But Vianet said it was unlikely the MROO would result in substantial take-up from pub tenants because they would be faced with higher rents and potential cashflow difficulties.

Chairman James Dickson said: “There won’t be many who want to commit to the market rent only option. Also, the change may be some way off; it could be two years down the line before it is implemented and even then it could take another two years for an adjudicator to be set up.

“It’s not business-critical but it might impact on profits at little bit. We’re in good shape to handle it.

“Generally we’re pleased with the (interim) results. We think we’re in a pretty good position.

“Our strategic direction won’t change. We will focus on growth areas and on what we are trying to do internationally.”

Vianet’s US division, Vianet Americas, reduced operating losses from £0.23m to £0.17m due to the continued roll-out of its iDraught technology. It said it had been “encouraged by continued strong interest” from national retail chains but warned that “further traction” was required to break even in 2015-2016.

Mr Dickson said he had no plans to pull out of the US as there were growth opportunities in the market.

He also said the aim was to cross-sell Vianet products to existing customers. As well as its core beer monitoring systems, the business also provides vending machine telemetry technology and forecourt petrol monitoring services. It employs around 120 at its Stockton headquarters on Surtees Way and a further 110 at other UK bases including Halifax and Bolton.

Teesside engineers and manufacturers in call for better Government support

Teesside business leaders are among those sending a call to action for Government to ramp up support for SME manufacturing and engineering firms in the North-east.

A Roundtable event, hosted by accountancy firm Tait Walker, saw issues such as industry perception, the education experience gap and upskilling of existing workforces take centre stage.

Chairman of Ford Aerospace and ambassador for North East manufacturing, Geoff Ford, was joined by representatives including from Redcar-based ElringKlinger (GB) and Tees Valley Unlimited for the aptly named ‘People Agenda’ session.

A report outlining key findings - and a framework for future manufacturing support - will now be delivered to both local and national bodies.

Ian Malcolm, managing director of Redcar-based automotive parts manufacturer Elring-Klinger GB, said: “Recruitment is an ongoing and increasingly worrying issue for the sector. Engineering is viewed as a desirable profession across Europe and further afield, yet closer to home the statistics are worrying, with around 60 percent of graduates not actually going on to take up work in the industry. This, combined with the sometimes confused and underplayed teaching of engineering as a topic in schools, draws into serious question the current perception of manufacturing as a career choice.

“As industry ambassadors it is our responsibility to work with local education providers to ensure academic application of manufacturing in the real world. The opportunities are many and they are there for the taking.”

Andrew Moorby, managing partner at Tait Walker, said: “The skills gap is clearly something our manufacturers feel very passionately about.

“They are taking steps to create their own academies and training facilities to try and fill the workforce void, which is becoming more and more key to this industry. We are privileged to have been able to drive an event like this and we’re committed to turning the session into positive actions.”

Paul Stewart, managing director of North Tyneside-based Chirton Engineering Ltd, said: “We have an advanced machine academy set to launch in 2015, however one of the biggest barriers to getting this off the ground is access to funding and investment from Government. Without this essential support from Whitehall, our dream to have a ‘conveyer belt of talent’ feeding into the North East’s manufacturing industry hangs in the balance.”

Andrew Moorby added: “Whilst there are clearly concerns with issues which are difficult to fix in the short term – such as the skills gap, education and funding – the passion and commitment demonstrated by the attendees strongly indicates that, as a region, we can make a difference in the long term.

“Off the back of the roundtable’s report findings, Tait Walker will be trying to push for a combined effort from Government and local SMEs to really focus on how we bring new talent to our regions manufacturing businesses and how we upskill our existing workforce”.

Tees Valley Mohawks told to cut out schoolboy errors

Frustrated coach Steve Butler has warned his Tees Valley Mohawks side they must cut out the “schoolboy errors” if they are to turn their season around.

The Middlesbrough-based side go into tomorrow’s EBL National League Division One clash away to Leicester Warriors on the back of three straight defeats.

After a poor start to the season it has left them in the bottom three - but each of their last three defeats have been agonisingly close.

And the fine margin of those results has given Butler cause for optimism that they can recover sufficiently to mount a challenge for the play-offs.

“Last weekend and the previous two have been frustrating,” reflected Butler.

“We have played the best teams in the country and have thrown away victories which should have been ours.

“I know we can compete and beat the best this league has to offer but we need to show that on the court, starting tomorrow.

“We made some schoolboy errors last week that I wasn’t impressed with but with Romonn Nelson struggling with flu plus Lee McLaughlin and Alvaro Pontes out due to injuries, we showed we can still compete and challenge these top teams.”

Tomorrow’s hosts have started the league campaign reasonably well and are currently in eighth spot with a 3-2 record.

They beat Mohawks 84-79 in the National Trophy earlier in the season after Butler’s men controlled the first three quarters and led by 11 points going into the final session.

However Mohawks collapsed late on and missed out - something which has since become an alarming habit.

“We played really well last time we played Leicester but a 24-8 collapse in the final quarter saw them take home the victory,” said Butler.

“We didn’t have Charles Rhodes or Bryan Hockaday for that game, though, so I’m confident those two players can help us get the victory we need.”

There is certainly a determination in the Mohawks camp to put things right, as Rob Donaldson confirmed.

“Last time we threw away the victory and we have to stop allowing teams back into games,” he said.

“We need to be more focused towards the end of games and kill teams off.

“The coach keeps saying how close we are at being a great squad but we have to gain that confidence to get across the winning line and start moving up the league quickly.

“It’s a long season and we will get this right and start getting the results we need.”

Mohawks’ final league game before the Christmas break is a week tomorrow at Teesside University’s Olympia Building against Manchester Magic.

Saudi Arabia and Malaysia: Key driving markets for Islamic banking

Islamic banking assets with commercial banks in international markets are set to exceed $778 billion in 2014, according to EY’s World Islamic Banking Competitiveness Report 2014-15: Participation Banking 2.0. Global Islamic banking assets witnessed a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 17 percent from 2009 to 2013.

Approximately 95 percent of international Islamic banking assets of commercial banks are based out of nine core markets, five of which are in the GCC (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain). The market share of Islamic banking assets in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Malaysia is now between 20 percent and 49 percent. The analysis excludes Iran.

Islamic banks in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain represent more than 48.9 percent, 44.6 percent and 27.7 percent market share respectively. Positive progress has been has made in Indonesia, Pakistan and Turkey, with 43.5 percent, 22.0 percent and 18.7 percent CAGR respectively from 2009 to 2013.

Gordon Bennie, MENA Financial Services Leader at EY, says: “The six rapid-growth markets (RGMs) — Qatar, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, UAE and Turkey (QISMUT) — commanded 80 percent of the international Islamic banking assets at $625 billion in 2013. QISMUT Islamic banking assets are expected to continue to grow at a five-year CAGR of 19 percent to reach $1.8 trillion by 2019.”

Listening to customers

Ashar Nazim, Global Islamic Finance Leader at EY, says: “The Islamic banking industry has gone mainstream in several core markets. This presents new opportunities as well as new challenges, and demands a fundamentally different approach to profitable growth. Customers have mixed emotions about their experiences of dealing with Islamic banks. In the future, growth will be most significant for the banks that are able to strengthen customer experience through the use of digital technology. Banks that do not keep pace with technological advances are expected to face serious pushback from mainstream customers who will gravitate toward the larger conventional players who can deliver on digital.”

EY analyzed the sentiment of over 2.2 million customers’ social media posts on their banking experiences with Islamic banks in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, UAE, Malaysia, Indonesia, Turkey, Qatar and Oman. The results showed that customer satisfaction is mediocre for many Islamic banks.

Ashar says: “Customers are increasingly active online and vocal about their experiences. Going mainstream and building a customer base that is based on added value to the customer has not been easy for Islamic banks. Bridging the performance gap requires listening to customers. The transformation of customers’ banking experience across channels and all touch points is going to be crucial as digital and social banking and customer expectations continue to evolve. Understanding and analyzing changing customer patterns can help anticipate needs, and encourage desired behaviors. Most importantly, user experience conversations have to be an ongoing activity and not a discrete project. Institutionalization of these core capabilities requires boards and executives to efficiently shift their spending from running the bank to developing the bank.”

Saudi Arabia and Malaysia, and increasingly Turkey and Indonesia, will drive the future of the industry

Trade finance, mobile payment solutions and managing the cost of regulatory compliance will drive the next phase of profitability. Most Islamic banks remain underweight when it comes to their role in trade finance business.

Ashar says: “The key driving markets for Islamic banking will continue to be Saudi Arabia and Malaysia, with Turkey and Indonesia also establishing themselves as large Islamic banking centers. With increasing market size and greater propensity for the adoption of technology-based, customer-centric solutions, the industry can be expected to further reduce its profitability gap with respect to conventional benchmarks. The challenges of going mainstream will be eliminating operational silos and leveraging customer insights to improve risk management, pricing and channel performance.”

Community Champions 2014: Teesside's unsung heroes honoured at awards night

An emotional night was had in Teesside tonight as the region’s unsung heroes were honoured at The Gazette’s Community Champions Awards.

Celebrating the extraordinary people living across our area and what makes Teesside so great, the ceremony saw some of our most deserving people take the stage in recognition for their exceptional efforts.

Held at Middlesbrough FC’s Riverside Stadium, the evening was attended by finalists shortlisted in 11 different categories - with one overall winner from each being chosen.

You can read the stories of all of this year's entrants here and we will publish pictures from tonight's event tomorrow.

Green Champion Award

Children and Young People’s Champion

Champion Ambassador

Champion Parent

Outstanding Act of Bravery

Young Community Champion

Sponsored by the University of Sunderland

Winner

Owen Swift

Teenager Owen not only helped with the creation of the successful Middlesbrough Powerchair Football Club but is an ardent player, coach and fundraiser for the team.

The 16-year-old underwent five operations last year but still helped his team to second place in the national league.

Runners up

Grace Franklin and Roseworth Young People’s Steering Group

Armed Forces Champion

Winner

John Podzukites

Veteran seaman John, from Ingleby Barwick, risked his life on the perilous Arctic Convoys during the Second World War - at one point coming under 18 attacks in 48 hours.

The convoy arrived safely without loss with its cargo of war materials.

South Bank-born John, 91, was this year awarded the Arctic Star in recognition of his services.

Champion Fundraiser

Community Champion

Champion Carer

Sponsored by NHS Hartlepool and Stockton on Tees CCG and NHS South Tees CCG

Winner

Naiomi Wise

When soldier James Rose lost both his legs serving in Afghanistan, his fiancee Naiomi helped keep him going and since the incident in 2009 the Marton couple have overcome obstacles that nobody should have to face.

Runners up

Mary Bilous and Jean Briggs

Champion Child of Courage

As it happened: Air ambulance lands in Stockton High Street after woman involved in collision with bus

An elderly woman has been involved in an accident with a bus on Stockton High Street.

The air ambulance landed in the street, a section of which was closed as a result of the accident which happened at 1.37pm outside the British Heart Foundation shop.

Elderly woman fighting for life after serious road accident in Stockton

An elderly woman has suffered life-threatening injuries after a serious road accident involving a bus.

The 75-year-old suffered serious head and chest injuries after the accident on Stockton High Street this afternoon.

She is the third person to be involved in an accident with a bus on the High Street - which is undergoing major redevelopment - in less than three months.

This latest accident happened at 1.37pm outside the British Heart Foundation shop.

The Great North Air Ambulance attended the incident alongside ambulance crews and Cleveland Police.

A GNAA spokesman said: “The trauma team from the helicopter worked with road medics to assess, treat and stabilise the patient before she was taken to the major trauma centre at James Cook hospital by road (due to the incident being a relatively short distance from the hospital)”

GNAA said the nature of the injuries were “critical/life-threatening”.

On arrival at hospital, the woman’s condition was described as “critical but stable”.

Adam Harding works in the British Heart Foundation shop. He went to the woman’s aid and called emergency services.

The 20-year-old, from Billingham, said: “I was standing outside the shop on my lunch break when I heard a thump, it was really loud.

“I turned around to see what had happened and saw a lady on the floor.

“I was one of the first to go over to her so I rang the paramedics.

“As I was on the phone a police car with its lights on went to drive past, so me and another man flagged it down and one of my colleagues went back to the shop to get some sheets to help make her comfortable.

“I am a trained first aider and I just hope that my actions helped her and that she is OK.”

Amanda Bowels, 24, from Acklam, works in Costa Coffee and witnessed the aftermath of the accident.

She said: “She is the third person to get knocked down here.

“The area is very confusing as there are two lanes you can go down.

“The roads are fine but nothing is signed well enough.”

Her colleague, Adam Just, 22, from Stockton, added: “It’s like being abroad when you are trying to cross, you have to look the other way.”

The air ambulance left the High Street at 2.25pm.

The road was closed while police collision investigators examined and photographed the Arriva bus involved.

The High Street reopened at about 3.30pm.

The incident is third involving a female pedestrian and a bus on Stockton High Street in less than three months.

Kelly Marie Evis, 28, died in hospital 15 days after being hit by a bus on Stockton high street on Monday, September 15.

Hannah Baxter, 32, from Thornaby , sustained multiple injuries after being knocked down by an at the spot known as Maxwell’s Corner on October 21.

Stockton Council declined to comment on the frequency of the accidents.

A spokesman said: “It would be inappropriate to comment at this time.”

ettler’s false alarm takes the life of Amal Taqatqa

AL-KHALIL, (PIC)– Amal Taqtaqa, 22, was shot and killed Monday in cold blood while on her way from Beit Fujar town to al-Khalil city center to prepare for her wedding planned to be held a few weeks later.

Israeli forces suddenly opened their machine-gun fire at the young woman after receiving a false alarm saying that she plans to carry out a stabbing attack.

Israeli settlers and soldiers have received orders to open fire at the entrance to Beit Fujar town in case of any suspicious attack. Unfortunately, Amal was walking alone at the meantime.

Eyewitnesses confirmed that a group of settlers and Israeli soldiers chased a young woman at the main road leading to the town before opening fire at her.

The young woman was hit with twenty bullets by Israeli soldiers and settlers and transferred in an Israeli ambulance vehicle to Haddasah hospital after preventing the Palestinian Red Crescent from reaching her after the shooting.

Shortly after the cold-blooded murder, Israeli and Arab media outlets published false information about the victim, claiming that she is an ex-detainee who had previously carried out a similar stabbing attack in the same place.

Amal’s family denied the media allegations, confirming that their girl was never been arrested.

Amal was on her way to the city’s shopping center to prepare for her wedding a month later, the family clarified.

Large numbers of IOF soldiers raided Amal’s home a few hours after the gun-fire attack and arrested her father.

Israeli media outlets later published photos from the scene showed a wood-handled steak knife allegedly used as the attack weapon, and conducted interviews with the settler who claimed being injured during the attack.

However, eyewitnesses confirmed that the settler narrated a fabricated story.

The incident was carried out at the major crossroad near the Gush Etzion bloc that is located between al-Khalil and Bethlehem. The mentioned area is considered a hot spot where Palestinian citizens are usually arrested for allegedly being involved in stone-throwing attacks.

During the past two years, a big number of minors were nabbed in Beit Fujar town, while several military campaigns were carried out in the town

Elderly woman fighting for life after serious road accident in Stockton

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UK weather: Snow set to fall as temperatures plunge and gritters put on alert

Up to four inches of snow is expected to fall over the weekend as an icy blast hits the country, sending temperatures plunging to -6C.

As the bitter Polar chill is forecast to sweep through Britain tomorrow, bringing with it the first wintry showers for the north.

Two thousand gritters are on standby for the weekend, ahead of blizzards set to be caused by an Atlantic storm next week.

The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning for “widespread” ice until after rush-hour tomorrow morning in parts of Northumberland and Cumbria and all of Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Other areas could see hail and sleet as chill winds bring daytime temperatures down to just above freezing and plunge them into the blue overnight.

Read our guide to staying warm for less this winter

Rain showers will move south east across the rest of the UK tomorrow, and are likely to linger in the south east until after dark.

The mercury is expected to drop to as low as -6 tomorrow night, making some parts of the country colder that Moscow.

Forecasters say up to an inch of snow will fall on high ground over 200m in the South-West, West and North-West tomorrow, with up to four inches in western Scotland - and a "repeat" on Tuesday.

Councils and volunteer snow-shovellers are also preparing to tackle severe weather, local authorities chiefs said.

Meanwhile the RAC is readying it 1,700 patrol teams to work overtime to cope with increased breakdowns. It also warned drivers to check vehicles and pack winter emergency supplies.

The Met Office said gales are due from Tuesday in the North and West - meaning blizzards on higher ground, while Netweather said forecast models show “quite a storm.”

MeteoGroup blamed Arctic air from Iceland for the "raw" windchill that many parts will experience.

Met Office forecaster Mark Wilson said: “An ice warning is out for Friday morning, but Friday, Sunday and Monday nights look coldest, with -6C possible locally in the North and -4C in the South.

“On Friday, a covering of snow is expected on ground above 200m in the West and North, including north Wales, north-west England and western Scotland and possibly Dartmoor. 5-10cm could fall in western Scotland, with 1-2cm elsewhere.

“Snow is also expected on Sunday in the same areas and same height, with the risk of 2-5cm on Dartmoor, 5-10cm in Cumbria and 10-20cm on the highest ground of western Scotland.

“Next midweek sees a repeat for the same areas, with the risk of snow at lower levels at times, but not settling.

“It looks very windy with gales at times in the North and West, so snow could blow around on higher ground with the risk of blizzards.”

Temperatures tomorrow will reach a high of 9C (48F) in the south west but are likely to average between 3C and 6C (37F to 43F) across the country.

Tomorrow night will be clear and frosty with temperatures as low as -3C (27F) in rural parts of southern Scotland, northern England, Norfolk and the Home Counties.

Saturday will start fine and crisp but chill winds will bring in cloud over England and Wales, with rain in Northern Ireland and Scotland and possibly snow on high ground, forecasters said. Temperatures will reach a high of 11C (52F).

Although snow is expected into next week, forecasters say Super Typhoon Hagupit, which is making a beeline to the Philippines with significant destruction possible, makes any longer term forecast difficult.

Boko Haram attack kills at least 150 in Nigeria

At least 150 people including 38 policemen have been killed in an attack by Boko Haram Takfiri militants in Nigeria’s northeastern city of Damaturu.

The attack was carried out on December 1.

The Damaturu morgue received 115 bodies, although authorities failed to identify if they belonged to civilians or militants, a senior rescue official and a medical source at the Sani Abacha Specialist Hospital confirmed on Wednesday.

Among the dead were two medical doctors and a staff member of the federal polytechnic in the Yobe state capital as well as his two children.

A senior medical official claimed that the majority of the 115 bodies were Boko Haram militants.

Authorities said six Nigerian soldiers and 38 policemen were also killed in the assault. Most of the police were from the mobile police base in the Gujba Road area on the outskirts of Damaturu.

The Nigerian army says it has repelled Boko Haram’s offensive in Damaturu.

The heavy loss of life follows an upsurge in mass casualty attacks blamed on Boko Haram, which has claimed responsibility for a number of deadly shooting attacks and bombings in various parts of Nigeria since the beginning of its operations in 2009.

More than 10,000 people have been killed and over 1.6 million have been displaced in Boko Haram attacks so far.

Boko Haram means “Western education is forbidden.” The group says its goal is to overthrow the Nigerian government.

GMA/HSN/HRB

BJP says science a pygmy compared to astrology

NEW DELHI: An apparently “non-controversial” bill passed on Wednesday in Lok Sabha became a platform for exchange of barbs and jibes between the government and opposition who sparred over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s and HRD minister Smriti Irani’s alleged inclination towards mixing mythology with education.

The second half of the lower house, which saw introduction of The School of Planning and Architecture (SPA) Bill, was rocked by Congress and TMC attacking government for eroding scientific temper in the country and mixing religion with education, even as all supported the bill. The discussions were made even more interesting by a BJP MP Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank claiming that astrology was far ahead of science and that the latter was actually a pygmy compared to the former.

In a passionate and articulate answer to the house, Irani herself retorted by saying that members were making personal attack on her and argued for a balance between education and tradition.

Ironically the discussion began with TMC MP Saugata Roy calling the bill “non-controversial” while objecting to its introduction without its inclusion in the Business Advisory Committee meeting that gave little time to members to read the bill. The first salvo was fired by Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi who was otherwise praised by one and all, including the government, for making a passionate and useful speech on the bill.

Concluding his speech Gogoi said, “It is very important in our current environment that we must promote a scientific temper in education. We are gradually seeing that this is gradually being eroded, and science is being mixed with religion and mythology. We must accord due respect and understand that there is a separation that exists.”

He even accused the government of forcing IITs to turn vegetarian, a charge that Irani later denied saying it was a demand from the students who found the prices too high. “We must ensure the sovereignty of these institutes and not dictate what students should eat, whether it is vegetarian food or non-vegetarian food. We should not dictate what students should wear. I do not think by promoting vegetarian food in IITs, we are going to make sure that the IITs become the top-ranked engineering institutes.”

Taking a dig PM’s recent statements, Gogoi also said that he hoped the PM would respect the reality of climate change and not confuse genetic research with mythology.

TMC’s Saugata Roy seemed to just take the baton from Gogoi soon after. “A scientific temper cannot be levelled up through either astrology or mythology. Science is a system which is certain and systematic. In science we say that unless something can be proved experimentally that is not accepted as truth. Now, the Prime Minister goes on saying that in ancient India Ganesha’s head was attached by plastic surgery. We all worship Ganpati Baba but that does not mean that we all agree that there was plastic surgery done at that time. Similarly, if we take the Ramayana and Mahabharata seriously and if we really believe that those things existed, it would be playing truant with science,” Roy said.

Taking a swipe at Irani for visiting an astrologer, Roy said, “When an HRD minister spends four hours with an astrologer, it sends a wrong signal. Please do this more privately next time.”

BJP MP from Haridwar RP Nishank soon came up with the most interesting twist to the discussion. “In Discovery of India Jawaharlal Nehru has spoken eloquently about Indian traditional knowledge. Centuries ago Rishi Kanad had conducted the first nuclear test. And if Ganesha’s head transplant was not plastic surgery, what was it? Astrology which can predict the future is far ahead of science. Science in fact is a pygmy compared to astrology,” Nishank said to thumping of desk by BJP members.

Smriti Irani in her reply was equally passionate and obliquely expressed anguish at personal attacks on her. Maintaining the tone of house in the afternoon, she said, “Shri Roy was kind enough to accept that he did not get into the depths of the Bill and hence used his time judiciously to mount a personal attack to which I have absolutely no problems about. There was time when Albert Einstein said that science without religion is lame. Thankfully, he did not have to pass through the scrutiny of Prof. Saugata da, otherwise he would have to wonder if he was communal.”

Alluding to Roy questioning Ramayana and Mahabharata, Irani said that the house had doubted existence of god itself but she was not responsible for providing any proof. He also spoke on the issue of no-German-language-in-Kendriya-vidyalaya. Reiterating her stance that she was only following the constitution where German was not an Indian language, Irani said, “I do not, in anyway, deny their contributions to the Indian political system or for that matter, the Indian educational system. But when I am accused of only upholding Sanskrit because I am saffron, I would like to remind my learned friends that I was upholding an aspect of the National Policy on Education.”

David v Goliath clashes in North Riding Senior Cup

The quarter-finals of the North Riding Senior Cup have thrown up a number of mouth-watering David v Goliath clashes.

Marske United of the Northern League have been drawn away to Boro - who field a development team in the competition - while Wearside League outfit Redcar Athletic have a plum home tie against League One club York City.

And Guisborough Town, who won the trophy with a win over Boro at the Riverside last spring, will entertain Whinney Banks of the Teesside League.

A third Northern League club, Thornaby of Division Two, face opponents higher up the pyramid when they visit Evo-Stik First Division outfit Scarborough Athletic, who currently play in Bridlington.

Dates for the fixtures have yet to be announced.

Teesside kickboxing promoters Contender planning big 2015

Stockton's up and coming K-1 rules kickboxing promoters Contender are going on tour in 2015 with events planned both in and beyond Teesside as well as abroad.

Inspired by the success of their talent search event in Amsterdam earlier this year which saw them sign six Dutch fighters, Stockton-based Contender are getting their passports out again early in the New Year.

This time the Teesside group are heading over to Dublin in search of hot prospects as they hold Contender Fight Star Hunt Ireland at Dublin Thai Boxing on Saturday, January 17.

They are then back at Eston Sports Academy for their next show on February 28 with Thomas Daniel headlining against Jack Layton, before promoting bills in Bradford and Nottingham.

Further talent-spotting events are also being considered for Italy and the USA as they build towards a November 2015 show at Eston which will feature a four-man, one-night 70kg World Grand Prix tournament final.

Angola’s Reinaldo Santos has already booked his place in the final after winning last month’s four-man international qualifying tournament at the Sports Academy by way of dramatic knockout.

Contender president Garry Bell said: “It’s going to be a big 2015 for us as we look to showcase some of the best and most promising kickboxers on our events.

“We’ve put ourselves on the map this year after bringing fighters of the calibre of MMA and kickboxing star Paul ‘Semtex’ Daley to Middlesbrough.

“And we are determined to build on it in 2015 as we look to grow and put on further quality fighters and fights.”

Bell believes his decision to go to Dublin in a bid to discover new fighters makes perfect sense.

“The Irish are real fight fans and fighting people,” he said.

“And Irish combat sport and interest in martial arts is on a high at the moment with Conor McGregor doing so well in the UFC and getting so much publicity. We want to tap into that as we look to expand and grow further next year.”

Skillful bouts the order of the day at Phil Thomas School of Boxing show

Skillful contests and a crowd-pleasing heavyweight brawl entertained a full house at the first Phil Thomas School of Boxing show of the amateur season.

Thirteen bouts went ahead at the BEADS Club in Easterside, with the home club collecting seven wins and dominating the main trophy count.

Welterweight Connor Bailey made a winning return from four years out and was named Best Senior Boxer.

The welterweight had a big ask against substantially taller Jamie Atcheson from District Youth in Washington, but closed the distance well and claimed a unanimous win.

Taylor Green was named Best Overall Junior as the 12-year-old son of former ABA semi-finalist Andy Green posted another unanimous points victory, over Horden’s Ali Shear.

Ellis Myers was named Best Phil Thomas Junior for beating Tyler Jacques (Spennymoor BA) on unanimous points.

Benny Smith also shone as the younger brother of multiple title winner Peter Smith won by first round stoppage on his debut against Bridlington’s Cameron Connelly.

Other Phil Thomas winners on the night were senior light- heavyweight first-timer Blain McCarthy - on unanimous points against Washington’s Michael Doda; schoolboy Zack Swalwell, a unanimous winner against Cameron Ormonde from Horsley Hill; and Asif Ishaque, who beat Dunston’s Hamza Asam, unanimous.

Middlesbrough ABC’s national novices champion Muzzi Fuyana, 19, got one back against Andrew Winter after two previous defeats to his familiar Shildon opponent, taking a split decision victory.

Albert Hill, Darlington’s Liam Copping closed the show with a split points win against Kevin Devine in a novice heavyweights punch-up containing three standing counts.

Phil Thomas head coach Ron Cave was delighted with what he saw.

He said: “It was a good show, one of the best I’ve been to this season.

“And I’m not just saying it because it was ours.

“We got a full house and a lot of positive comments from those who attended.

“There was a lot of skilful bouts, especially with the juniors, some classy stuff.

“Benny Smith will win a National Schoolboys title, without a doubt.

“The lad he boxed had had three bouts and won them.

“His coach rang up the next day and said ‘where did you get him from?’

“Connor Bailey did well after so long out.

“He was clever against a lad who was about 6ft 2in. He did well to figure him out.”

Other results (PTSOB names first). Skills bout: Patrick Kieran vs D Wardale (Horsley Hill); Adam Swalwell lost split pts C Byrne (Bishop Auckland); Faisal Hussain lost rsc 2 C Barton (North Shields); Walad Hussain lost rsc 1 D Plant (Horden).

:: Former Phil Thomas amateur turned pro John Green is boxing for the second time in eight days on Sunday.

Green rebounded from his Northern Area title defeat to Peter Cope with a win at Rainton Meadows Arena last weekend, outscoring Jamie Quinn.

And the 25-year-old super- featherweight gets another pay day before Christmas in Leicestershire this Sunday when he boxes Jordan Gill, who is 11-0 against journeymen.

Drug-addicted burglar back together with man whose home she raided for two TVs

A troubled woman is back together with the partner whose home she burgled.

Heather Anne Gill, 36, enlisted the help of two men to kick their way into her ex’s home and haul away a 50-inch £700 TV.

Yet the victim showed sympathy towards her after she committed the crime in the grip of drug addiction and life-threatening illness.

And he has allowed her to live with her again at the same home, the court was told today.

Gill and the man separated after a one-year relationship while living together on Earsdon Close, Norton.

He asked her to move out but she did not, and he let her stay longer when she became ill, prosecutor Emma Atkinson told Teesside Crown Court.

She repeatedly threatened to steal his belongings as he asked her to find somewhere else to live.

Gill, who did not have a key to the home, admitted she and two male associates broke in on the morning of September 4.

The householder returned to find two televisions worth £1,000 had been stolen.

He later said he was disappointed in Gill as he had tried to help her.

He said in a victim personal statement read out in court: “I feel very sorry for Heather Gill.

“She’s been very ill and she’s had problems with drugs.

“I hope that whatever punishment she receives helps her with her drug addiction.

“I’m sure the offence was motivated by her needing money for drugs, and if she gets help with this she will stop committing offences.”

Gill, later of Sandport Walk, Portrack, Stockton, admitted the burglary. She said she used its proceeds to buy cocaine and was tearful and remorseful in police interview.

Julian Gaskin, defending, said: “She tells me they’re together. They’re living together.

“She tells me she’s been living back at the property where the burglary took place.

“She does seem to be a very vulnerable individual who has behaved in a shameful manner.

“She is completely, utterly ashamed of what she’s done.

“It’s quite clear this is an individual that needs some help.

“She clearly wasn’t thinking straight.”

Judge Howard Crowson told Gill: “You’re a pretty rare visitor to these courts.

“I hardly ever do anything but lock up house burglars because house burglaries usually result in great misery to householders who lose very valuable property.

“They never get all of their losses back and they feel as if they are unsafe in their homes. Immediate prison is what happens.”

He said this case was unusual as Gill burgled the home where she had lived and the victim immediately knew she was responsible.

He said she acted partly in anger at a time of crisis, and was still being treated for her life-threatening illness which was not specified in court.

“All of these features persuade me to take what is, for me, an extremely unusual course,” he added.

He gave her an 18-month community order with supervision and ordered her to pay £100 compensation.

Nativity 2014: Red House School, Norton

VIEW GALLERY

This was the scene at Red House School in Norton, as the school held its nativity.

Pupils took part in the school's nativity recently and you can see pictures from the occasion in the galley above.

The Gazette's photographers will be taking pictures at nativities at schools across Middlesbrough, Stockton and Redcar and Cleveland in the build-up to Christmas.

You can see all the pictures we have taken so far - as well as last year's pictures - by clicking here .

Grant Leadbitter: 'I want to play in the Premier League with Boro'

Grant Leadbitter believes Boro are going places and that’s why he’s committed the best years of his career to the club.

The skipper would have been a free agent next summer had he opted not to pen a new three-and-a-half-year contract.

But Leadbitter, who is 29 in January, was never in any doubt that he was going to sign a contract extension with Boro, whom he joined in June 2012.

“I’m pleased for myself and my family,” he said, when asked about today’s news that ties to the club until the summer of 2018.

“It wasn’t worrying me, I was calm about the whole situation, it was always going to get done and I’m pleased it’s done.

“The advice I’ve always had is when you enjoy being at the club you are playing for, why move?

“Football is a funny game and you never look too far ahead but I think it’s good for myself and I think it’s also good for the football club that I’ve signed long term.”

Former Sunderland and Ipswich midfielder Leadbitter is desperate to play in the Premier League.

He had a taste of the top flight during his time at the Stadium of Light and is keen to be back in the big time with Boro.

“I’m 28 and want to be in the Premier League. I could have held out but I believe this club is going places and I want to get there with this football club,” he said before modestly taking the topic back to on-field matters.

“I don’t want to make the weekend all about me, it’s about us going to Millwall, getting three points and keeping the run going.”

Updates: Air ambulance lands in High Street after woman involved in collision with bus

An elderly woman has been involved in an accident with a bus on Stockton High Street.

The air ambulance landed in the street, a section of which was closed as a result of the accident which happened at 1.37pm outside the British Heart Foundation shop.

Traffic is currently queuing between Darlington Lane and South Road.

We will be updating this story below.

'Oi, you', man shouted in The Deck before shoving glass into victim's face

A shop fitter who shoved a glass into a man’s face outside a nightclub’s toilets was this afternoon jailed for almost nine years.

Robert Stubbs, 28, shouted “oi, you” at the victim outside the gents’ of The Deck in Redcar, then lunged at his face and neck.

The glass smashed, leaving the victim covered in blood with wounds that needed three hours’ surgery and 28 staples.

The injured man said it was a totally unprovoked attack from a stranger two weeks before his child was born, Teesside Crown Court heard today.

He said in a statement: “It upsets me that I will be scarred for life. I’m lucky to be alive. I could have died and not seen my child.

“I’m a quiet person who does not get into trouble or confrontation.”

He told how his injuries later affected his life and made tasks like feeding his baby son difficult.

After the attack, Stubbs got on his hands and knees, begged the victim not to press charges and said he was sorry before fleeing the club.

Prosecutor Emma Atkinson told how Stubbs was convicted for obstructing or resisting a PC in the same club last November.

Stubbs, of Jackson Street, Brotton, admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent - his first offence of violence for 13 years.

Alex Bousfield, defending, said Stubbs had been drinking and sniffed a “legal high” he’d never taken before, thinking it was cocaine.

He said Stubbs could not remember much of what happened at 3.54am on April 18.

Stubbs told a probation officer that he was the real victim of his own crime, the court was told.

Mr Bousfield said Stubbs did show remorse and said in a letter he wanted to apologise for “inflicting this vicious assault”.

Judge Howard Crowson told Stubbs - whose pregnant partner sat in court - the injuries could have been much worse.

He said the victim was behaving “entirely appropriately” while Stubbs rowed with someone else in the corridor outside the toilets.

Then he said Stubbs deliberately swung at the innocent man’s face using the glass as a weapon.

He jailed Stubbs for eight years and eight months - his first prison sentence.

Halal food market stands at $2 trillion worldwide

Halal food products stand at $2 trillion globally with Muslim countries accounting for $700 billion, according to a communique issued by the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) during its meeting held in Istanbul (Turkey).

ICCI adopted its budget for 2015 during its 20th session recently in Istanbul which was attended by Turkey Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Organizations of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary-General Iyad Amin Madani.

The summit, which also featured the Palestine Trade and Business Expo, looked at resolutions and explored ways of boosting membership and financial resources through an appropriate mechanism.

ICCI’s finance committee also had its 53rd session during which they agreed on the proposed budget for the 2015 project. It discussed the committee’s report for the promotion of an organic meeting and the development of the chambers resources, which was held in Jeddah last June, in addition to a brief report on the chamber’s activities and future events.

The meeting of the Finance Committee, held under the chairmanship of Omar Bahlaiwa, secretary general of the International Trade Commission, focused on a number of issues related to the revitalization of organic development of the ICCI financial resources.

The ICCI’s council session, held under the chairmanship of Saleh Kamel, discussed, among other issues, halal food and its significance for Muslims as recognized by ICCI. This includes the issuance of certificates for the products with a certain fee due to the volume of trade in halal products around the world.

The commission concluded with a number of resolutions, including the need to accelerate the implementation of the agreed recommendations, such as organizing a forum of the private sector and investors in one of the member countries annually to realize the appropriate financial revenue in support of the ICCI.

The annual forum will also organize exhibitions on the sidelines of every forum, and work to create a commercial arbitration center with the formulation of rules along the lines of the arbitration rules of the Paris-based International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) with the preparation of data and terms of the arbitrators of each member chambers.

The Istanbul recommendations also included the possibility of adopting trademarks of the ICCI’s products, halal certificates, trade shows and other proposed projects to achieve added value and as a means to enhance the ICCI resources.

The council agreed to convene the next session of both the assembly and the board of directors of the Islamic Chamber in Uganda from April 25 to 27

Dream Home: Sections of £500k farmhouse date back to 17th Century

If history and tradition, complete with a rustic feel and countryside living, sound like your ideal home, then this week’s Dream Home is right up your street.

Nestled in an idyllic elevated position in the heart of the North York Moors National Park, Maltkiln House boasts a rich history all of its own.

Dating as far back as the 1642, the stone built former farmhouse in Chop Gate near Stokesley still has many of its original features on show including stunning exposed beams - one of which the owners believe to be part of a ship in the dining room - and dry lined walls which do much to enhance the rustic charm which is extended throughout the home.

But it is the location which originally caught the current owner’s attention.

“It is in a super location,” the owner, who lives at Maltkiln House with her husband, commented.

“Although there are houses nearby, it is actually very private.

“We have brought four children up here and it was an ideal place. We love this house.”

The substantial home is set on a plot of around an acre-and-a-half, which includes a mature garden and woodland area, complete with its own stream.

And the owners have made substantial improvements to add more comfort and space, while keeping with the historical building.

Double glazing has been added, but tastefully so in a traditional style, while permission was granted by the National Parks authority to incorporate the original stables and outbuildings into the main house.

The deceptively large home, which is set over almost 2,000 square feet, boasts a sitting room, dining room, kitchen and utility area and two of the bedrooms.

Upstairs is another sitting room, study, four large bedrooms - one with en suite shower and WC - as well as a family bathroom and additional shower room.

But it is the kitchen which is the owners favourite room, complete with its multi-fuel range cooker, which she says is the ideal place for people to gather during social occasions.

Outside space comes in the shape of gardens incorporating formal lawns and woodland areas just perfect for enjoying the great outdoors. Open views over the neighbouring countryside stretch out as far as the eye can see.

Even though Maltkiln House is secluded in a small village location, modern essentials are still available, allowing for the best of both worlds for work and commuting.

Situated just six miles from Stokesley, the Chop Gate home has excellent road links to the A19, A66 and A1, while the village itself has plenty to offer for the village-lover, complete with its own school and church - which is Maltkiln House’s nearest neighbour.

It also offers a cricket pitch, village hall and pub - The Buck Inn - which the owner comments is a must for some excellent food.

However, after 40 years of happy memories, the owners are looking to move closer to family hence the house is on the market.

Maltkiln House is for sale for £499,950. For more information, contact the Stokesley branch of estate agent GSC Grays on 01642 710742.

Watch: Philip Tallentire discusses Grant Leadbitter's new Boro contract

Grant Leadbitter’s new Boro contract is great news for the whole club, according to Boro editor Philip Tallentire.

The Boro midfielder has been in fine form this season and is top scorer with nine goals in all competitions.

Leadbitter, who was due to be out of contract at the end of the season, has now signed a new deal which will keep him at the Riverside until 2018.

He follows Ben Gibson, George Friend, Albert Adomah and Adam Reach in signing long-term deals at Boro.

The revelations come as a huge boost for the club ahead of Saturday’s trip to Millwall, with Boro looking to end a run of three consecutive draws in the Championship.

This week has also been marred by the departure of assistant head coach Craig Hignett, while Aitor Karanka has until tomorrow to respond to an FA improper conduct charge following his behaviour during Boro’s draw with Blackburn.

Good news at last.

Aitor Karanka: 'There is no timescale for replacing Higgy as assistant head coach'

Boro will be in no rush to replace departed assistant head coach Craig Hignett and do not have someone already primed for the role.

That’s according to Aitor Karanka, who admitted there is no timescale for replacing his number two.

Hignett’s departure came as a shock to Boro fans on Tuesday, with Karanka admitting a difference of opinion sparked the ex-player’s exit.

Yesterday’s revelation that Pablo Mastroeni, an ex-team mate of Karanka’s and Colorado Rapids coach, has arrived on Teesside on a short placement to help his technical development sparked rumours that he was set to be Boro’s new assistant.

But Karanka has today poured cold water on the rumours.

“Pablo is head coach of Colorado Rapids and is not coming here to work with us”, Karanka told the club’s website.

“He is an old team mate and a friend. We were talking about a player we have been looking at and from that conversation it was agreed that Pablo could come over to watch the coaching methods in this country for a week to develop his own education, no more than that.

ColoradoRapids.com

“When the Colorado Rapids website said Pablo was coming to work with me, everyone over here jumped to conclusions that he would be coming to work as Higgy’s replacement.

“That is simply not the case.

“There is nothing to report regarding Higgy’s replacement. There is no timescale. It could be tomorrow, it could be next week, it could be next month.”

£10m scheme to improve stretch of Teesside-Whitby road set for approval

A scheme to restore a key stretch of road between Teesside and Whitby looks set to be given the go-ahead.

The project - to restore and improve protection for part of the A174 north of Whitby - is recommended for approval when it is considered by North Yorkshire County Council’s executive.

The proposals involve measures to repair and protect the stretch between Sandsend and Whitby, and to prevent it being hit by landslips from above.

The £10m scheme’s cost will be split between the county council, the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Environment Agency.

A report to be considered by councillors on Tuesday says: “The scheme is essential for the long-term future of the A174 between Teesside and Whitby.”

It comes after it was announced this week that the A19 was to be widened to three lanes between Norton and Wynyard.

Grant Leadbitter pledges long-term future to Boro after signing new contract

Midfield general Grant Leadbitter has pledged his long-term future to Boro after signing a new contract.

The 28-year-old, who is Boro’s top scorer this season with nine goals, has signed a new deal that will run until 2018.

The midfielder's new contract is music to the ears of Boro fans who had feared they could lose their inspirational schemer for free at the end of the season.

The ex-Ipswich Town man has captained Boro in the absence of club skipper Jonathan Woodgate this season, and has formed a formidable partnership with Adam Clayton in the Teessiders’ engine room.

After a turbulent week at the Riverside which has seen assistant head coach Craig Hignett depart and head coach Aitor Karanka receive an FA improper conduct charge, the deal is a welcome respite for the club.

“I’m very pleased Grant has signed his new contract,” Karanka told the club’s website.

“Firstly, he is a very important player for the team, but he is also someone who is finishing his contract and can have offers from other clubs. So it is great news that he has decided to stay with us.

“He believes in the project at the club, and that is something I want to see from my players. Grant is a very good example to everyone as a professional.”

He joins Ben Gibson, George Friend and Adam Reach who have already penned new long-term contracts this season.

Car owner 'shocked and angry' after wing mirrors kicked off during spate of attacks

A man said he was “shocked and angry” when his car was damaged by vandals during a spate of attacks.

Jamie Cuthbert’s Vauxhall Zafira was parked outside his home in Caithness Road, Teesville, Middlesbrough, when both wing mirrors were damaged.

His car was one of a number targeted on the same night in the Teesville area. Cars on Park Avenue and Braemer Grove were also damaged.

Cleveland Police are appealing for information in connection with the criminal damage which happened between 9pm and 10pm on Monday.

Mr Cuthbert said: “Both of the wing mirrors on my car were hanging off.

“I noticed in the morning when I got up. I was so angry.

“At first I thought my car had been targeted and whoever did it wanted a Zafira wing mirror.

“I was worried they might come back as they didn’t manage to get them off, but then I heard other cars have been damaged too.

“I was shocked. This is a quiet area and it’s not something you expect.”

A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said a group of about six youths aged about 16 or 17 were seen in the area around the time of the incidents.

Mr Cuthbert, 39, said: “I never really see many groups of youths around here. Not recently anyway.”

Sarah Dobson, who lives on Park Avenue, said her next door neighbour’s car was damaged.

She said: “It was a Ford Focus. It is such a shame. We could see smashed glass on the pavement the next morning.

“It’s a quiet area, I’ve never heard of this type of thing happening here. I see youths hovering around sometimes but it’s not often for long.”

Anyone with information regarding any of the incidents is asked to contact PC Steven Williams on the non-emergency number 101. Alternatively contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Woman facing 'inevitable' jail term as she admits taking drugs into Holme House Prison

A Grangetown woman has been told to get her affairs in order ahead of being sent to prison after she admitted taking drugs into a prison.

Amanda Keenan pleaded guilty yesterday to conveying drugs into Holme House Prison on July 14.

The 43-year-old denied possessing Class C drugs - diazepam and buprenorphine - with intent to supply.

Prosecutor Paul Lee said: “It’s accepted by the defendant she brought these drugs into the prison.”

Amy Dixon, defending, told Teesside Crown Court: “She has one previous conviction for a dishonest offence dating back to 2011.

"There is significant mitigation.”

Judge Michael Taylor adjourned the case for pre-sentence reports until January 7 and bailed Keenan, of Cresswell Road.

He told her: “A prison sentence is inevitable, do you understand? Put your affairs in order.”

Police linking theft of four cars left unattended to de-ice with engines running

Police are linking four separate cars thefts from Teesside driveways which occurred early on Wednesday and Thursday mornings.

After three vehicles were stolen from driveways yesterday morning after being left unattended with the engine running to de-ice, a black Audi was taken from a driveway in Billingham at around 7.30am today.

The Audi A4 had been left unattended on Wallington Road with its engine running to heat up, but within the short time the owner went inside the house it was stolen.

The vehicle was recovered 19 minutes later in the Hardwick area of Stockton using a GPS tracking system.

Grandfather Linton James was "absolutely gutted" when his Vauxhall Corsa was taken from his Eaglescliffe home yesterday morning.

He started his engine to warm the car before going back inside to get a cup of coffee.

The car was gone when he went back outside just moments later.

"I was gone 20-30 seconds at most," Mr James said. "It was literally a matter of seconds.

“I went back out and the car was gone. There was no one around. It was just gone.”

Police today reminded members of the public not to leave their cars unattended with the engines running.

A spokeswoman said: “We have had four very similar incidents, all within the Stockton area, over the last couple of days.

"At this time the incidents are being linked, however, it is important to remember that an unattended vehicle can be stolen within a matter of seconds and that it can happen in any area so please do not leave vehicles unattended with the engine running.”

No arrests have been made at this time and none of the three vehicles stolen yesterday have been recovered.

Officers also warned that owners who do have their unattended vehicles stolen may not be able to make an insurance claim.

Israel refuses Turkish offer to supply Gaza with electricity

Israel has refused a Turkish offer to send a floating power-generating ship to the Gaza coast to supply the coastal enclave with electricity, Arabs48 reported yesterday.

In the wake of the recent Israeli war on the Gaza Strip, Israel targeted the sole electricity plant in the Strip and massively damaged electricity infrastructure, Turkey offered to cover the electricity shortage.

According to Israeli reports, Turkey has officially asked Israel to issue a permit for a Turkish ship carrying huge electricity generators to be stationed off the Gaza coast.

Arabs48 reported Israeli security sources saying that specialists had found that the infrastructure in the Gaza Strip is not suitable for such a connection and that is why the Turkish offer was refused.

The same sources said that other ideas to solve the electricity crisis in Gaza were proposed, including mobile generators carried by trucks, but all were refused.