Morphed Kareena is the VHP’s new cover girl

Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor Khan face appears on Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s women magazine ‘Durga Vahini’ in an attempt to counter ‘love jihad’.

The cover page features the actress with morphed face half covered with a naqab (veil) has gone viral on the social networking sites.

Vahini’s Northern India regional coordinator Rajni Thukral justifying the use of Kareena’s face for the anti-love jihad campaignby saying: “She is a celebrity. The youth try to emulate celebrities. They think if she can do so, why not us?” The magazine’s editorial section further elaborates to add, “There has been much debate on love jihad and conversions. The nation was divided and Pakistan was created because of conversions. If a girl gets caught in love jihad and becomes Muslim by mistake and now wants to return to her original faith, isn’t it her right? It’s strange that some parties claiming to be secular call this conversion.”

VHP leader Prakash Sharma in a comment to news agency ANI said “If actress Kareena Kapoor has a problem with this, the doors of Court are always open for her.” There was no point in raising controversies on Kareena Kapoor’s morphed image

Redcar firm Tad Web Solutions urges more companies to take on apprentices

The boss of a Teesside web company has urged more firms to recruit young talent following a fall in the take-up of apprenticeships.

New Government figures showed the number of people starting apprenticeships in the region dropped by almost 1,300 in 2013-14 - despite a string of high profile business leaders backing this type of training.

Ian Elcoate, managing director of Redcar-based Tad Web Solutions, said some companies preferred to go with the “safe option” by hiring experienced staff who could hit the ground running.

But he said young people offered a fresh perspective that gave businesses a chance to grow.

Mr Elcoate, who started the business in 2011, has taken on apprentice Benjamin Watson and the 17 year-old has already made an impact by bringing his own style to graphics, animation and imagery on client projects.

He is the second apprentice to join the company after small business manager Peter Calvert started his Tad career as an apprentice in 2013.

Mr Elcoate, who wants to increase turnover from £40,000 to £100,000 next year, said: “Perhaps some businesses are looking for people with more experience but I look at it the other way. Taking on an apprentice gives me an opportunity to mould someone and give them the specific skills that are going to benefit my business.

“In the digital sector, technology is changing all the time so it’s best to be learning within a business that’s at the forefront of these changes.

“Sometimes digital graduates come to a company with skills that are three or four years out of date because the course is based on technology that might not be around anymore.

“Apprenticeships are great for business. We have a duty to develop young talent at a time when youth unemployment is way too high.”

Mr Elcoate hired Benjamin after receiving free help and support from Redcar and Cleveland Council’s Enterprise Team, which offers fledgling start-ups and entrepreneurs in the area a minimum 12 hours of free business support.

Councillor Mark Hannon, the council’s cabinet member for economic development, said: “It’s great to see businesses take on apprentices and help train and nurture people in their chosen career.

“I’m delighted to see Tad Web Solutions creating opportunities and going from strength to strength thanks to the support of the Enterprise Team.”

Aitor Karanka: 'Boro have transformed beyond all recognition since Reading defeat'

Aitor Karanka believes Boro have transformed beyond all recognition since their drab 1-0 loss to Reading in August.

The Spaniard watched his labouring side slump to back-to-back Riverside defeats five months ago after Simon Cox grabbed the Royals’ winner.

After the match Karanka accused his side of “lacking spirit and character”, and his team duly responded by losing only one of their next 17 matches.

A return to Championship action awaits Boro at the Madejski Stadium tomorrow, with Karanka admitting his team are now a completely different prospect.

“We are a much different team now. After that (Reading) game I said we’d lost our consistency,” Karanka said.

“Maybe we didn’t lose our identity, but we made a lot of mistakes. Now we are a completely different team.

“We have had all week to work and I’m confident about the game.

“We’ve shown everyone we’re a compact team and a consistent team. It is difficult to score goals past us and we have a lot of quality up front.”

But Boro face a defensive injury crisis for their trip to Berkshire with Ryan Fredericks ruled out due to his niggling thigh injury.

Rhys Williams begins his long road back to fitness after rupturing his Achilles’ tendon at Barnsley last weekend, while Damia Abella (cruciate) remains on the sidelines and Emilio Nsue is away on international duty.

That means Dean Whitehead could once again deputise at right-back, and loan signing Tomas Kalas could feature if required paperwork is completed in time.

But despite his limited options, Karanka will have no hesitation asking Whitehead to play in defence again, if needed.

“Deano is the kind of player who you can always expect his best”, Karanka said.

“If you put him as a goalkeeper you can expect 100% from him. He gives everything on the pitch and he’s a very important member of the squad.”

Adam Clayton is suspended for tomorrow’s match, meaning Milos Veljkovic could start alongside captain Grant Leadbitter in midfield.

This morning brought confirmation that Karanka has missed out on the Championship Manager of the Month gong, losing out to Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe for the second time this season.

Islamophobia: Thought Crime of the Totalitarian Future

In the wake of the horrifying Charlie Hebdo massacre in Paris, leftists and Islamic supremacists are, once again, moving swiftly to portray Muslims as victims and any attempts to examine the real motives and goals of the Jihadist killers in Paris as unjustified and “Islamophobic.”

To combat this pernicious tactic and the toxic delusion that impoliteness about the Prophet, and not planned Islamic terrorism, is somehow the cause of the Charlie Hebdo massacre in particular and the global jihad in general, Frontpage is running the Freedom Center’s pamphlet, Islamophobia: Thought Crime of the Totalitarian Future, written by David Horowitz and Robert Spencer.

The authors reveal how the word “Islamophobia” is used by the Muslim Brotherhood to inhibit opposition to jihad terror, and detail how the portrayal of Muslims as victims after every Jihadist attack is a carefully planned and skillfully executed program with the ultimate goal of curtailing the West’s freedom of speech and allowing the jihad to advance unimpeded.

To read the pamphlet see below. To order it, click here.

Freedom Center pamphlets now available on Kindle: Click here.

FBI director has ‘high confidence’ North Korea hacked Sony

The Federal Bureau of Investigation claims it has new evidence that shows North Korea was behind the recent cyber attack on the US-based Sony Pictures company.

FBI Director James Comey said Wednesday that a hacking incident in November against the company was traced to IP addresses used exclusively by the North Koreans.

“I have very high confidence about this attribution to North Korea, as does the entire intelligence community,” Comey said at the International Conference on Cyber Security at Fordham University in New York City.

“It was a mistake by them,” he said. “It made it very clear who was doing this.”

He predicted that North Korea would try to strike again and refused to reveal more details about how US officials learned that Pyongyang was the source of the cyber attack.

Also on Wednesday, the Director of National Intelligence James Clapper called on the US government to take measures to stop Pyongyang’s future attacks on the country’s interests.

In December, the FBI announced that it had enough information to conclude that North Korea was responsible for the attacks, which took place on November 24 and discovered by Sony on December 1.

American officials say Pyongyang targeted Sony Pictures to halt the planned release of the studio’s movie, “The Interview,” which depicts the fictional assassination of North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un.

The hackers threatened violence against American theaters that would screen the movie, and Sony delayed its release.

North Korea denies any involvement in the hacking. Following the accusations, Pyongyang threatened last month to launch strikes against the White House, the Pentagon and the whole US mainland.

AHT/AGB

Six die daily by alcohol consumption in US

Around 2,200 people died annually from alcohol poisoning in recent years, according to a federal report, which the CDC says means six people lose their lives every day by drinking too much.

On Tuesday, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention called for efforts to reduce excessive drinking in the country citing the report published after the New Year’s Eve celebrations, The Washington Times reported.

Three out of every four alcohol-poisoning deaths were of adult males while men aged between 45 and 54 had highest death rates.

Some 44 of the annual deaths were of drinkers younger than 21 years old.

The CDC said binge drinking — four or more alcoholic drinks at one session for a woman, and five or more drinks at one session for a man – is common among approximately 38 million adults around four times a month, with a typical consumption of about eight drinks per episode.

“Most binge drinkers — 90 percent — are not alcohol-dependent,” the CDC noted.

The agency added that the highest alcohol-poisoning death rates belong to Alaska, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Arizona, Wyoming, South Dakota, Utah, Minnesota, Colorado, Oregon, Oklahoma, and Massachusetts.

NT/N

Man brandished knife and demanded money in attempted robbery at Redcar takeaway

An attempted armed robbery has taken place at a Teesside takeaway.

At about 11.15pm yesterday a man entered Canton Delight Chinese takeaway on Broadway West in Dormanstown, Redcar.

The man brandished a knife and demanded money from staff before fleeing empty handed after being challenged by staff.

The suspect is described as white, aged between 40 to 50 and of stocky build.

He was also wearing a black ski mask.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact PC Craig Spenceley at Redcar CID on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Image released of man police want to speak to in connection with alleged racist incident at Boro match

Police are releasing a CCTV image of a man they want to speak to in connection with an incident at football match.

The game took place at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium on Saturday November 29 as Middlesbrough FC took on Blackburn Rovers FC.

As players were applauding away fans on the pitch at the final whistle at around 5pm, a Middlesbrough fan in the East Stand in block 40-42 was seen to make a gesture towards a Blackburn Rovers player which was perceived as racist.

Referee Mark Clattenburg included the complaint in his post-match report and the FA is now making further enquiries.

An FA spokesman added: “I can confirm the allegation has been reported to us and we are making enquiries.”

A Boro spokesman said: “The club is aware of an allegation made following the Blackburn game and as is normal procedure we are working to further investigate the matter.

“Middlesbrough FC has a zero tolerance approach towards the alleged behaviour, takes matters such as this very seriously, and will take action in proven cases.”

A Blackburn spokesperson said: “The club has been contacted by the FA and we will cooperate fully with their investigation.”

Anyone with information regarding the identity of the man in the images is asked to contact PC Chris Hilton on the non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Man taken to hospital after bed is destroyed in Saltburn house fire

A man has been taken to hospital after his bed was destroyed in a house fire.

Cleveland Fire Brigade were called at 4.40am today to a house fire on Garnet Street in Saltburn.

Two fire crews, one from Saltburn and one from Redcar, attended the scene at 4.47am to find the fire out on arrival.

An occupant, who had escaped the house, was taken by ambulance to James Cook University Hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.

The fire was concentrated in a first floor bedroom and had completely destroyed a bed and damaged other furniture.

Smoke damage was left throughout the remainder of the first floor of the house.

Firefighters used breathing apparatus, ventilation equipment and a hydraulic platform to assess the incident.

An investigation into the cause of the blaze is currently underway.

Controversial plans for 130 homes between Marske and Saltburn are refused

Controversial plans for 130 homes between Marske and Saltburn have been refused.

Housebuilder Taylor Wimpey had sought approval to build a development on a 14-acre site on land south of Marske Road.

But Redcar & Cleveland Council today rejected the bid, which had already provoked strong opposition among residents.

The refusal came despite a report by the authority’s own planning officials saying there would not be enough of an adverse impact on the “strategic gap” to warrant a refusal to grant approval.

In total, 11 councillors voted to refuse while one abstained.

The proposals had already attracted 222 letters of objection, with opponents claiming the development would erode the green wedge between Saltburn, Marske and New Marske.

Campaigners also held a protest ahead of today’s meeting at the Redcar Heart.

The development has also reignited the row over the council’s lack of a long-term plan to meet housing needs, known as a “local plan”.

Without such a policy, such developments could potentially still go ahead on appeal, despite the rejection by the council.

An attempt to approve a local plan last year failed and a new plan is now being drawn up.

Labour MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland Tom Blenkinsop said: “The lack of a Local Plan, which was voted down by a coalition of Tory, Lib Dem, Independent and Green councillors, is responsible for removing a series of objections as this site was not identified for housing in that plan. But the members of the planning committee have rightly seen sense and rejected this badly though out and unwanted development.

“I thank them for listening to my concerns and the concerns of the 220 residents who formally objected to the development which would have seen the green wedge between Saltburn and Marske eroded and was out of development limits

“Thankfully this development has been rejected, but this could be the start of a planning free for all where big companies can build unwanted developments because of the Tory, Lib Dem, Independent and Green councillors who rejected the local plan.

“The developers can still appeal the decision and this will be judged by Eric Pickles against the Tory-led government’s National Planning Policy Framework because the Tory, Lib Dem, Independent and Green councillors rejected Labours Local Plan which would have introduced tighter planning regulations in Redcar and Cleveland.

“Redcar and Cleveland urgently needs a Local Plan to stop more unwanted and unregulated planning applications, if Labours Local Plan was in voted for by Tory, Lib Dem, Independent and Green councillors it is very likely that this proposal would not have been made in the first place as the land was not identified for housing.”

Woman shot in the back with air weapon as she walked down Middlesbrough road

A woman was shot with an air weapon as she walked down a Middlesbrough road in broad daylight.

The 42-year-old was shot in the back as she walked along Ladgate Lane between Ormesby Road and Cargo Fleet Lane.

She did not see anyone fire the weapon.

The woman was near the Fountain Pub at 10am yesterday when she felt a sharp pain in her back. She then realised she had been shot.

The pellet remained lodged under her skin and she attended James Cook University Hospital for treatment.

Investigating officer PC Paul Forbes said: “This has been a particularly nasty incident in which the person responsible has had complete disregard as to the consequences of what they were doing.

“We are aware that the nearby woods is sometimes used by people carrying air weapons and we’d like to remind people that anyone in possession of an air weapon could face prosecution.”

Anyone with information regarding the incident or the person responsible is asked to contact PC Paul Forbes on the non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Yellow weather warning for strong winds in place across Teesside

A yellow weather warning for strong winds across Teesside has been put in place by the Met Office beginning tonight.

A vigorous depression is likely to produce a period of very strong westerly winds across much of Teesside starting at around 10pm tonight and continuing into the weekend.

A spell of rain will cross all parts this evening, clearing in the early hours of Friday to leave squally showers.

It is expected to become progressively very windy, with gales in places.

A brief drier interlude is expected tomorrow morning, before further wet and very windy weather spreads to all parts during the afternoon.

Despite this it will be unusually mild with a maximum temperature of 13C.

The very windy weather and rain is expected to continue throughout the weekend.

Gusts of 60-70mph are possible.

The Met Office has stated that “The public should be aware of the potential for disruption, for example to transport and power supplies.”

Comic Dylan Moran to play stand-up gig at Middlesbrough Town Hall in April

Irish stand-up comedian Dylan Moran is the latest high-profile comedy name to confirm a gig in Middlesbrough.

The Perrier-winning comic is well known after starring in Channel 4 sitcom Black Books and films including Shaun of the Dead, Notting Hill and Calvary.

But he also remains a popular stand-up, with his sharply sardonic observational comedy seeing him take a place amongst the comedy legends when he was voted 14th in Channel 4’s 100 Greatest Stand-Ups.

Tickets for Dylan’s new show Off The Hook go on sale at the Town Hall box office and online at 10am on Friday morning, and mark a welcome Boro return after he wowed a packed Town Hall crowd on his last visit in 2009.

Dylan’s new show adds to a strong comedy calendar at the Town Hall this year.

Top comics including Jimmy Carr (March 28 and August 9), Dara O Briain April 14 and 15), Alan Carr (April 19 and July 30), Katherine Ryan (May 16), Patrick Monahan (June 13), Kevin Bridges (July 16), and Dave Gorman (November 21) are all heading for the Town Hall this year.

Rob Guest, of Middlesbrough Town Hall, said: “The news just keeps getting better and better for Teesside’s comedy fans, and what a fantastic way to start the year.

“The comedy diary is already shaping up to be our best ever year here at the Town Hall.

“We’ve had some amazing nights here over the last few years, and Dylan’s gig in 2009 was right up there with the best of them.

“I think anyone who was at that gig will want to come back for more with this brand new show, and we’re in for a great night here. Definitely worth buying early for this one.”

• Dylan Moran: Off The Hook. Middlesbrough Town Hall, Friday, April 24. On sale: 10am Friday, January 9. Tickets £25/ £23 concessions. Age 15+.

Box Office: 01642 729729 or online at http://ift.tt/1edwSZT and http://ift.tt/rpL00j

Teenager caught brandishing piece of skirting board 'like a baseball bat' in street is released from custody

A teenager caught brandishing a piece of skirting board in the street has been released from custody with an order to do community work.

Mohammed Marboosh, 18, was seen when police went to a reported disturbance on Egerton Street, central Middlesbrough at 2.20pm on September 21 last year.

He was carrying a 5ft piece of white wood from a skirting board, contorting his face and shouting at people further up the street, Teesside Crown Court heard.

He held the implement aggressively, gripping it “a little like a baseball bat” with his arms outstretched, said prosecutor David Crook today.

Mr Crook said: “He appeared to be transfixed in the people he was shouting at.

“He didn’t notice the police officers approaching him.

“Exactly what led up to that confrontation is unclear.”

When police ran at him, the startled suspect ran away then turned back and said: “You’ll have to run faster than that.”

He was caught and arrested 30 yards down the road. He put down the weapon and stopped being aggressive.

Marboosh, of Granville Road, Middlesbrough, admitted affray and having an offensive weapon.

He had a short criminal record but had been under a youth rehabilitation order passed by magistrates two months earlier for a house burglary.

Duncan McReddie, defending, said Marboosh was supported in court by his mother - the victim of one of his previous crimes.

She was keen to have him home and wanted to support and help him lead a law-abiding life.

Mr McReddie said Marboosh was “still a very young and immature man” who regretted his behaviour and intended to behave better in future.

He said Marboosh’s time remanded in custody had been a lesson to him, and a letter written by the defendant was “heavy with remorse”.

Judge Simon Bourne-Arton QC, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, said: “He says he doesn’t want to be labelled a criminal or a thug.

“In my judgment he’s demonstrated that he’s both.”

Marboosh had already served three-and-a-half months remanded in custody - the equivalent of a seven-month sentence.

The judge said he could not pass a longer sentence than this anyway and his hands were tied.

He told Marboosh: “It’s sufficient punishment in that respect.”

He passed an 18-month community order with supervision and 120 hours’ unpaid work.

He warned the teenager: “If you breach this order you’ll be back before me and my powers will not be limited.

“You know very well what I’ll have in mind if you come back before me - prison.”

Your Pub: The Golden Smog, Stockton

VIEW GALLERY

Address: 1 Hambletonian Yard, Stockton, TS18 1DS

Landlord/manager:  John Christie

How long have you been at the pub? The Smog opened on August bank holiday weekend, last year.

What’s your recent history as a landlord? I have never been a landlord before opening The Golden Smog, or even worked in a pub!

Tell us three of your best-selling drinks: We have four real ales and two real ciders that change constantly.

The fastest-ever selling ale was the Zoffany from Truefitt Brewing Company. One of the more unusual bottles that we sell a lot of is a German smoked beer, it’s like bacon and beer!

Tell us why you think your pub is one of the best on Teesside: It’s more than a place where people come to drink.

In the short time we’ve been open a lot of friendships have been formed and there is already a proper community feel to the pub.

We have a massive range of Belgian beers, served in the correct glasses, and the constantly-changing real ales also mean that you can drink a different pint every day of the year if you wanted to.

What’s your most popular meal?  The pub is too small to do meals although we do sell pickled eggs, nuts and crisps. We also sell Meynell’s pork pies.

What is your most popular night and why do you think it is? The busiest nights are Friday and Saturday, but Sunday afternoon can be a busy one too.

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