News Rush: 01/13/15

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

After Murde charges now corruption charges too over turned on Mubarak Conviction

CAIRO: An Egyptian court on Tuesday overturned former president Hosni Mubarak’s conviction on corruption charges and ordered a retrial, but the ex-strongman remained in detention pending a judicial order.

Supporters of the 86-year-old broke into cheers and chanted “Long Live Justice!” as the Court of Cassation in Cairo announced its decision, which concerns the last remaining of a series of charges laid against Mubarak following his 2011 ouster.

Another court in November dropped murder charges against Mubarak over the deaths of protesters during the uprising, which ended his three decades of autocratic rule.

If Mubarak walks free it would spur accusations against President Abdel Fattah El-Sissi that the former army chief is reviving the Mubarak era — something he has sought to deny.

A lower court had convicted Mubarak and handed him a three-year jail sentence last May on charges that he embezzled money earmarked for the maintenance of presidential palaces.

It had also given four-year jail sentences to the toppled leader’s sons, Alaa and Gamal, whose convictions were overturned as well on Tuesday. Four other defendants in the case were acquitted.

The Court of Cassation did not specify on Tuesday whether Mubarak was a free man following its judgment and did not set a date for a retrial.

State media quoted a security official saying the ousted leader would remain in detention absent a judicial order for his release.

His lawyer Farid Al-Deeb told AFP that Mubarak ought to be released as he “has already served” three years in detention, including the time he spent in custody awaiting trial.

But Deeb said that for now Mubarak would remain in the military hospital where he currently receives treatment.

The ruling sparked a rare protest in central Cairo, leading to clashes with police that left two people dead.

“The possible release of Mubarak is a double-edged sword for the Sissi administration,” said Issandr El Amrani, the North Africa director for the International Crisis Group think tank.

“On the one hand there is a group of Egyptians and Egypt’s foreign backers in the Gulf who might welcome it,” he said.

“On the other hand, this regime which is vulnerable to attacks that it is a continuation of the old regime, also has to keep in mind the symbolism of seeing Mubarak go free.”

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, Wednesday 14th January 2015.

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Teesside firm a Trailblazer for national apprenticeship scheme

A Teesside chemical company has become a trailblazer for a national apprentice scheme - amid calls for ‘more government clarity’ on plans to give employers greater powers over apprenticeship funding.

Chemoxy International, which has sites in Middlesbrough and Billingham, is one of the first companies in the country to advertise for an apprentice under the Trailblazers scheme, which gives bosses control over the design of apprenticeships.

But yesterday, the NECC warned bosses could be put off from investing in apprentices if a clearer plan on funding reforms, which will run in parallel with Trailblazers, was not made available soon.

The government claimed that putting employers in control of apprenticeship funding was ‘non-negotiable’ - but ‘detailed design work’ was needed before a final decision could be made on how it would function.

NECC Policy and Research Manager, Mark Stephenson, said although it was encouraging that ministers had appeared to listen to what businesses wanted, a lack of clarity on what happens next was ‘far from ideal.’

He said: “When NECC responded to this consultation, we argued that businesses will welcome a bigger say over how training funds are spent, but that some smaller companies in particular might struggle taking full control over apprenticeship funding.

“The government needs to clarify how apprenticeship funding will work herein with a focus on keeping the system simple and ensuring businesses provide an appropriate amount of steer. It is equally important that this is resolved quickly to ensure that no businesses are put off from investing in apprenticeships by the prolonged uncertainty.”

Official figures earlier this month showed a drop of 1,300 in North-east apprenticeships for 2013-14, meanwhile an EngineeringUK report yesterday claimed the number of apprentices and graduates entering the industry needed to double.

Trailblazers was created after employers and trade bodies across eight sectors put apprenticeships under the microscope.

The result was a raft of changes, which saw apprenticeships redefined and revised to better meet the needs of businesses.

Chemoxy invited applications for a QC Laboratory Technician, who will complete an Advanced Level Apprenticeship under Trailblazers, joining the eight apprentices already at the company.

Ian Stark, Chemoxy CEO, said: “This new position is the first we’ve advertised under the scheme and we are proud to be at the forefront of the new project.

“Trailblazers is about making sure young people embarking on their careers develop the correct skills-set to meet the changing needs of industry. Many of those who joined the company as apprentices have progressed to senior positions including our plant manager Daniel Arkle.”

Earlier this year Matthew Hancock MP, Minister of State for Business and Enterprise, told the Voice of Apprenticeships Conference that Trailblazers involved companies across eight sectors “rewriting the rulebook”.

He said the project resulted in hundreds of pages of complex apprenticeship frameworks being condensed to a two-side description of the skills, knowledge and attitude employees need to demonstrate in a particular industry, and how they

should be assessed.

Neil Carberry, CBI Director for Employment and Skills, said giving employers ‘real purchasing power’ under the reforms was ‘crucial’.

“We need as many companies as possible to be offering apprenticeships, but that can only happen if the system is simple and flexible enough to meet the needs of smaller businesses.”

Tata Steel's call for action ahead of Parliament debate

Representatives of steelworkers on Teesside were among those due to ‘stand up for steel’ at the Opposition Day debate on foundation industries..

Tata Steel, which employs hundreds on Teesside, says the industry faces a ‘number of urgent, critical challenges’ including low steel demand and the lack of a level playing field on costs.

It has urged MPs to ‘seriously consider’ the issues raised in a special report from the company, when they meet later today.

The report says: “The steel industry is a vital strategic foundation for the UK economy.

“Steel is fundamental to the country’s strategic sectors like automotive, construction and energy.

“It has the ‘potential to enjoy a long, sustainable, innovative and productive future in the UK.

“A meaningful partnership between the industry and Government is required to overcome these challenges and make it more sustainable. This would enable the value the sector contributes to the UK to be not just maintained but grow in future.”

The three key areas of action the company has outlined are:

* Maximising value capture for the UK.

Tata Steel claims the UK must review its strategic approach to supply chains to ensure that activity in ‘end use’ sectors like automotive or aerospace is robustly considered through to the foundation industries, like steel and chemicals.

* Providing a level playing field - on things like business rates and energy costs.

“Cost competitiveness is an essential prerequisite for success, both domestically and in exporting,” the Tata Steel report says. “The current focus on corporation tax rates is welcome but very narrow. Competitive, flexible employment frameworks are an advantage for the UK. But for asset and energy intensive businesses like steel these advantages alone will not be sufficient. The disadvantages in areas such as energy costs have been acknowledged by the Government.”

* Building the right conditions for long-term investment - including innovation, better national and Euro technology frameworks, reversing the Autumn Statement announcement to stop raw materials commercialisation, skills, sustainability, and ‘fundamental reform’ of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme.

Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland Labour MP, Tom Blenkinsop, who is chair of the All Party Parliamentary Steel Group, welcomed the event.

He said: “Steel in the UK without a proper state economic strategy for growth and industrial development will continue to drift.

“The industry is under pressure and yet it is fundamental to many of the UK’s strategically important supply chains.

“I will be proud to speak on behalf of Community’s steelworkers as I stand up for steel in Parliament on Wednesday.”

Roy Rickhuss, General Secretary of Community, said: “We have been making the case for some time to government that the UK steel industry needs more than warm words from ministers to overcome the challenges it currently faces.

“We are pleased that the Labour Party has chosen to make foundation industries the focus of an Opposition Day debate and we look forward to attending and lobbying MPs.”

The Charlie Hebdo Massacre and Jihad-Denial — on The Glazov Gang

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This week’s Glazov Gang was guest-hosted by PolitiChicks.com Editor-in-Chief Ann-Marie Murrell and joined by Becca Keating, Author of Impact Your World, Shari Goodman, Chapter Leader of Calabasas-West Valley ACT!, and Steve Amundson, president of the Counter Jihad Coalition.

The guests discussed The Charlie Hebdo Massacre and Jihad-Denial, analyzing the deceit and deflection about yet another Islamic terrorist attack. The panel also focused on Preaching Allah in Our Schools, unveiling the Islamic brainwashing that is occurring in American schools.

Don’t miss Jamie Glazov discuss what motivates Jihad Denial:

To watch previous Glazov Gang episodes, Click Here.

Subscribe to Jamie Glazov Productions and LIKE Jamie’s Fan Page on Facebook.

About Jamie Glazov

Jamie Glazov is Frontpage Magazine's editor. He holds a Ph.D. in History with a specialty in Russian, U.S. and Canadian foreign policy. He is the author of the critically acclaimed and best-selling, United in Hate: The Left’s Romance with Tyranny and Terror. His new book is High Noon For America. He is the host of Frontpage’s television show, The Glazov Gang, and he can be reached at jamieglazov11@gmail.com. Visit his site at JamieGlazov.com .

The Charlie Hebdo Massacre and Jihad-Denial — on The Glazov Gang

[Subscribe to the Glazov Gang’s YouTube Channel and LIKE it on Facebook .]

Don’t miss Jamie Glazov discuss what motivates Jihad Denial:

To watch previous Glazov Gang episodes, Click Here.

Subscribe to Jamie Glazov Productions and LIKE Jamie’s Fan Page on Facebook.

Erdogan raps Netanyahu for ‘daring’ to attend Paris rally

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has lashed out at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for partaking in an anti-terrorism rally in Paris.

At a Monday press conference with Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas in the Turkish capital Ankara, Erdogan hit out at Netanyahu for leading “state terrorism” against the Palestinian people, saying that he could “hardly understand how he (Netanyahu) dared to go” to the anti-terrorism march in Paris.

The Turkish president further called on Netanyahu to “give an account for the children, [and] women” he “massacred” during the latest Israeli onslaught on the besieged Gaza Strip.

Erdogan noted that the Israeli premier had no right to attend the march, during which he was seen elbowing his way to the front of the parade of world leaders and waving to the crowd, a gesture some commentators deemed to be at odds with the somber mood.

“How can you see this individual, who carries out state terrorism by massacring 2,500 people in Gaza, waving his hand?” Erdogan said, adding, “He is waving his hand as if people are very enthusiastically waiting for him.”

According to Israel’s Channel 2, French President Francois Hollande had sent a message to Netanyahu, asking him not to participate in the unity march as he believed the Israeli premier’s presence there would be “divisive.”

On Sunday, thousands of anti-terrorism protesters gathered for the rally, with world leaders and officials in attendance. The event came after days of deadly attacks, which claimed the lives of 17 people and three gunmen in France.

Israel unleashed aerial attacks on Gaza in early July and later expanded its military campaign with a ground invasion of the Palestinian coastal enclave.

IA/NT/SS

Same old story for struggling Tees Valley Mohawks as they are beaten by Kent Crusaders

A new year it may be, but Tees Valley Mohawks’ first match of 2015 had a familiar feel to it.

Narrow defeats were an almost weekly occurence for the the Middlesbrough-based side before Christmas and it was the same old story when Kent Crusaders left Teesside University’s Olympia Building with a 79-71 victory under their belts.

The defeat was Mohawks’ eighth in 10 EBL National League Division One matches this season and dropped them to just one place off the foot of the table.

Steve Butler’s side - who had performed promisingly in a friendly against BBL big guns Durham Wildcats the previous week - started the game slowly.

The visitors found it all too easy to score as Mohawks struggled and trailed 27-17 after the opening quarter.

In the second period Mohawks’ defence stepped up a gear and prevented Kent from scoring as prolifically.

But the hosts also found it difficult to score and by half-time they were just one point closer to their opponents at 40-31.

During the break Butler impressed upon his side the need to start the second half strongly and execute better offensively.

But it was Kent who stepped up a gear, producing some big shots and scoring freely from inside as Mohawks went into the final quarter staring at a big 17-point gap.

They did however show considerable improvement in the final session.

In a much-improved quarter Mohawks produced their best basketball of the game as Romonn Nelson scored 10 quick points while Bryan Hockaday dominated the boards, denying Kent any second chance points.

Their inspired fightback put them right back in it and with two minutes remaining the deficit had been slashed to just four points.

But three turnovers cost the Mohawks dearly as Kent took seconds off the clock and scored their free throws to win by eight points.

“What is frustrating is that we got ourselves into a position to win the game,” reflected Butler.

“But then costly turnovers cost us - we have been doing it all season and it’s a team thing, not just individuals.

“We were terrible in the third quarter then awesome in the fourth quarter.

“But you can’t play for only 30 minutes in this league and win.”

Having clung to the hope of sneaking into the play-off picture for so long, Mohawks’ aim now must be to simply climb away from the danger zone and preserve their top flight status.

They have an opportunity to begin their battle for safety at the Olympia on Sunday when fellow strugglers Westminster Warriors are the visitors.

And with Hemel Storm, the only team currently below them in the table, their opponents after that on February 7, it’s the start of a crucial period that could make or break their survival bid.

“The game this weekend against Westminster is even more important now if we are to get out of trouble in the lower half of the league,” said Butler.

Meanwhile Mohawks II also made a losing start to 2015, going down 85-62 at home to Nottingham Hoods in Division Three (North).

Iraq is worse than ever before, so what was the invasion and war all for?

Mustafa Al-Dabbagh

In March 2003 the US-led invasion of my country, Iraq, began. I remember sitting in front of the TV watching as the bombs rained down on Baghdad; my parents wept silent tears of heartache. I was too young to understand the reason for their tears. Now, though, I understand perfectly; looking back, I think that had I known then what I know now I would have surely also wept, probably even more than my parents did. I would have wept for my family; wept for the innocents caught up in the bombings; wept for all the civilians killed for no reason. Most importantly, I would have wept for my country, my birth place, the place that I once again hope to call home.

The alleged objective of the invasion was to find and destroy weapons of mass destruction and establish “democracy” in Iraq. To date no such weapons have been found and the intelligence used to support the invasion has been proven to be fabricated by Iraqi “defectors” who betrayed their country and people. Millions of innocent Iraqis have lost their lives and millions more have been displaced around the world. Saddam Hussain was removed from power, tried and executed; probably the real motive for the invasion all along. His replacements are “politicians” who cannot keep even simple promises made to their people; politicians who lie, cheat, kill and steal; politicians who have run the country into the ground and caused a whole population to suffer whilst they live a lavish lifestyle and steal the wealth of the nation; politicians who are Iranian and US puppets; politicians who have sold their people and country to the very nations against which the Iraqis have spent years at war. The nations in question have brought nothing but death and destruction to the Iraqi people. The once beautiful, strong country, the powerhouse of the region, is now a mere shadow of what it was. So what was the invasion and war all for?

Simple rights such as electricity, water, healthcare and medicine are not available. Security is non-existent. Car bombs, kidnapping and assassinations occur every day. Sectarian tensions have risen over the years. Terrorist groups such as ISIS, Al-Qaeda and Shia militias, unknown before the US invasion, now control large swathes of land across the country. They butcher and kill those who do not agree with them, bringing cities and civilians to their knees and causing them to lose all hope. The terrorists have caused millions to flee their homes and become refugees in their own land.

Iraq used to be a country where people lived in harmony and did not know what Shia, Sunni, Kurd or Arab meant, but it has been torn apart to such an extent that innocent people will be killed simply because of their identity or for having names such as Omar, Ali, Abu Bakr and Ayesha. Whole districts have been ethnically cleansed of one sect or another. People are being tortured, raped and murdered in prison for no reason except for who they are and what they believe in.

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New acts of vandalism target French mosques

POITIERS, France: A fire, probably of criminal origin, broke out briefly Sunday night at a mosque under construction in central France, officials said, the latest in a series of attacks on Muslim targets .

The fire Sunday at the mosque in Poitiers was extinguished before fire fighters arrived, and according to local officials appeared to be the work of arsonists.

The incident was the latest in a string of hostile acts against mosques in France since three attacks by armed jihadists in and around Paris last week left 17 people dead.

In other cases, buildings have been defaced with racist slogans, sprayed with gun shot, or otherwise degraded.

A mosque in the eastern city Aix-les-Bain was seriously damaged by arsonists Thursday night while another fire targetted a mosque in the southwest town of Albi.

In Corsica Friday night, bodies of wild pigs were dumped outside Muslim prayer halls, according to police, and the building housing the island’s main Muslim organization near Ajaccio was painted with the slogan “Arabi fora” (“Arabs out“).

A mosque in the Basque city Bayonne was defaced with green spray-painted racist slogans making reference to the Charlie Hebdo attacks.

The Poitiers mosque has also been attacked by vandals who spray-painted “Death to Arabs” on the gate Thursday. Following Sunday’s fire, the site will be placed under police guard.

Live: Police hunt on as balaclava-clad armed robbers raid jewellers with axe

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Armed robbers have raided a jewellery shop in Middlesbrough town centre.

Three raiders struck at Market Cross Jewellers - the same company targeted in November at its Yarm shop.

The raid today happened at 4.30pm at the shop in Linthorpe Road.

Police have confirmed that they are looking at whether the latest raid is linked to the previous one in Yarm

Reporter Toni Guillot is at the scene in Fleetham Street where police are on the scene. It is believed a car used in the robbery by the raiders has been found.

It was at the shop on Yarm high street. Four raiders wearing balaclavas and black gloves raided the shop and stole a significant amount of cash and jewellery including pre-ownded Rolex watches.

Market Cross Jewellers is the same company which was targeted in November at its Yarm shop.

Witnesses to the robbery said it was "all over in four minutes".

BREAKING: Armed police are in Fleetham Street, Middlesbrough, near Cannon Park where a car, believed to have been driven by the raiders, has been found.

A witness said the shop alarm went off. She said: "When the alarm went off the shop started filling with smoke and then the shutters came down. It was all over in four minutes.”

A witness said the men then started grabbing watches from the front window of the shop.

A witness said she saw one of the men "hacking" the window with the axe while the other two waited.

The woman, who was in the coffee shop with her daughter, said one of the men was carrying an axe.

A woman who was sat in Cafe Nero, opposite the jewellery shop, said she saw three men get out of the car. They were all dressed in black and were wearing black balaclavas.

Witnesses said they saw a silver 4x4 pull up outside the shop.

The armed robbers raided the Linthorpe Road shop at 4.30pm today.

Six men arrested after police launch drugs raid at property in central Stockton

Six men including two teenagers were arrested after a drugs raid in Stockton.

Police raided an address on Eleanor Place, in central Stockton, at about 5.50pm on Friday, January 9.

A quantity of suspected cocaine, amphetamine and heroin was recovered from the property and six men aged 17, 19, 20, 32, 37 and 41 were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

All have been released on bail pending further inquiries.

Sergeant Andrea Breeze, from Stockton Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “As a result of intelligence from the local community we have recovered suspected drugs and made six arrests.

"This has been an excellent example of officers working together with members of the local community to tackle the drugs activity that blights the lives of local residents.

“Cleveland Police will continue to tackle the issue and would encourage anyone with information regarding drugs activity to contact police.”

Parking after 1pm to remain free in parts of Redcar town centre - for now

Free street parking after 1pm is set to stay in parts of Redcar town centre for at least another month.

The current parking charges, introduced before Christmas in a bid to boost festive trade, sees free parking after 1pm throughout the town. And now, at least until after the Full Council meeting on February 12, four areas of Redcar will continue to have free afternoon street parking - High Street, Queen Street, Cleveland Street and Station Road.

The measure is part of a borough-wide review into parking arrangements.

Two main options for the future are suggested: maintain current rates and don’t implement any changes, or introduce an hour’s free parking in and around the town centre. That option, which is suggested for an initial one year trial, would be targeted at the four on-street parking areas. Parking charges would stay the same in council-owned car parks.

The option also includes drawing up plans for real time information displays on the number of parking spaces available, as well as the introduction of new payment methods.

The plans will be initially discussed by the council’s Cabinet on Tuesday, January 20 before being debated further by the borough’s 59 councillors on Thursday, February 12.

Councillor Steven Goldswain, Cabinet member for community safety, said: “We believe that extending the period of free parking within Redcar is the fair thing to do for visitors to the town while we look at plans for changes to charges in the coming weeks.

“Secondly, with the results of the parking review providing two clear options for a path forward, we need to work together as a council to ensure we make the right choice for the residents, visitors and businesses of Redcar.”

In November, Redcar Business Association handed in a 10,000 name petition, compiled by butcher John Gibbon, calling on the council to “address the issue of parking charges in Redcar to avoid further closure of shops in our town.”

Chair Pat Denney said of the latest development: “This is a step in the right direction and we await the outcome of the full council meeting in February.

“We cannot stress strongly enough how vitally important the parking offer is to Redcar and its business & customers.”

Freedom of speech is a French myth

Nicolas Sarkozy

Firoz Osman

Years of taunts, insults and humiliating caricatures of the revered Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and immigrants, by the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo has resulted in what the French authorities have long warned against, an explosion of violence leading to the tragic deaths and injuries of more than 20 people.

President François Hollande described the carnage as an assault on secular French values, democracy, freedom of speech and expression; he condemned “Islamic terrorists” for such heinous crimes.

The bloodbath in Paris, though, had nothing to do with freedom of speech nor, indeed, Islam.

The deliberate provocation of six million Muslims in France and their 1.8 billion co-religionists worldwide through constant racial vulgarity and indignity directed at the Prophet and Islam under the guise of freedom of speech is reckless and reprehensible. Do French “values” and democracy really confer the freedom to denigrate someone who is cherished so deeply by fellow human beings?

It is now being promoted that the French media is free to publish anything as a fundamental right without restrictions of any kind; this is a myth. For example, French law does not permit the publication of material that promotes the use of drugs; hatred based on race or gender; insults about the national flag and anthem; or questions about the Nazi Holocaust. Dieudonné M’Bala, a French comedian and satirist, was convicted and fined in a French court for describing Holocaust remembrance as “memorial pornography”.

In fact, in 2008, one of Charlie Hebdo’s famous cartoonists, Siné, wrote a short note citing a news item that former French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s son Jean was going to convert to Judaism to marry the heiress of a prosperous appliance chain. Siné added the comment, “He’ll go far, this lad.” For that, Siné was sacked on the grounds of his “anti-Semitism”.

When Sarkozy was the Interior Minister he ordered the sacking of the director of Paris Match because he had published photos of his wife Cécilia Sarkozy with another man in New York. He even had rapper “Joestarr’s” song censored because it criticised the politician.

A French court banned Closer magazine from re-publishing or distributing photographs in France of Britain’s Duchess of Cambridge sunbathing topless. Despite this, Muslim women have been ostracised and forbidden to wear the headscarves in educational institutions and are ridiculed, arrested and fined for wearing the face veil in public.

The “Quenelle” hand sign has been described as anti-establishment and anti-Zionist by French youth and famous footballer Nicolas Anelka. It has stoked serious controversy in France since first being used by anti-establishment comedian M’Bala in 2005. He has been barred from many theatres and convicted a number of times for exercising his “freedom of speech” and using the Quenelle.

Protests by Muslims about blasphemous films and cartoons have been banned by the French authorities; France was the first country in the world to ban demonstrations in support of the Palestinians massacred in Gaza. This has led to the further marginalisation of France’s Muslim and African minorities in the political and social life of the nation and increasing anti-Muslim bigotry and hate-crimes.

Many have seen through the hypocrisy of a nation outraged at the murder of 12 people at Charlie Hebdo’s office, and yet is complicit with Israel in the murder of 17 journalists and 2,300 men, women and children in Gaza last year.

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Wearside League: Redcar Athletic aiming to upset League Two York City in the cup

Redcar Athletic will try to succeed where they narrowly failed against Boro Reserves last season when they tackle York City in the quarter-finals of the North Riding Senior Cup at Green Lane tonight.

The Wearside League side lost on penalties to Boro last term after holding them to a 3-3 draw.

Redcar’s three scorers that February night - James Swann, Adam Preston and Jamie Lee - should all be available to face the Minstermen, who have included eight players with first team experience in their squad.

Redcar will look to bounce back after a disappointing weekend which saw them draw 2-2 at Boldon after throwing away a two-goal lead.

Goals from Kieran Stares and Adam Preston in the opening half an hour gave them control, but they conceded before and after the break and lost winger Sam Webster to a shin injury.

Will Turnbull and Jordan Kirk are two of the five youngsters in the mix to replace Webster if he fails to recover in time.

Tonight’s other games - which are also 7.30pm kick-offs - see Thornaby host Norton and Billingham Town entertain Chester-le-Street in the quarter-finals of the Ernest Armstrong Cup.

The Thornaby-Norton derby should be another hard-fought affair going by the two Northern League meetings between the sides this season.

Norton won 1-0 at Station Road in September and came from behind to claim a point in the reverse fixture, a physical 1-1 draw last month.

Former Spennymoor winger Craig Ruddy will make his final loan appearance for Thornaby before returning to parent club Shildon.

Billingham Town boss Darren Trotter has near enough a full squad to pick from against Chester-le-Street as his side look for a third win on the spin, but defender Harry Taylor won’t play as he is suspended.

Updates: Teresa Ryan murder trial - Day One at Teesside Crown Court

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Your Club: 1st New Marske Girls' Brigade

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Club name: 1st New Marske Girls’ Brigade

Address: New Marske Methodist Church, Gurney Street, New Marske

Tell us about your club: New Marske Girls’ Brigade is a fun and vibrant group.

We meet weekly in New Marske Methodist Church and welcome girls from the age of five. The girls are supported by committed and experienced leaders who bring with them a wide variety of skills, enabling members to take part in a variety of positive and fun activities.

We also have five girls aged 15 and 16 who are taking part in a young leader training programme and on Monday evenings they are a valuable help and support to the younger girls and the leaders.

Girls gain awards for all the activities they take part in and are presented with these at our annual Celebration of Achievement.

Monday evenings have a fun atmosphere and are a great place for girls to make friends, develop social skills and take part in a programme of informal learning.

How often does your club meet? Weekly on Mondays Age 5-7 - 5.45–7.15pm; Age 8-10 – 6.15–7.45pm; Age 11 and above – 7–8.30pm.

No. of people in club: 30 girls and seven leaders.

When did the club start? New Marske group has been running since 1977.

What are the club’s key achievements or have you or your members won any awards? Every year the girls work towards achieving Girls’ Brigade badges, and on top of this girls age 14 + can take part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.

Since the company started, more than 30 girls have taken part in the award scheme, with approximately 20 girls gaining gold award.

Contact name and number: Eileen Cowle on 01642 486315.

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Man remanded in custody after serious incident involving armed police in Billingham

A man has appeared in court in connection with a serious incident involving armed police.

Daniel Dack indicated he would plead not guilty to three separate charges of assault, affray and threats to commit criminal damage, when he appeared at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on Monday afternoon.

The 24-year-old was remanded in custody until he appears before Teesside Crown Court.

Dack, who lives on Cayton Drive in Billingham, was charged following an incident in Heaton Road, Billingham, on Saturday.

The case was adjourned until January 26.

Police collar burglar as he tries to wheel a SAFE out of office in broad daylight

A member of a gang spotted wheeling away a safe in broad daylight has been jailed.

The three men were disturbed inside offices in central Middlesbrough in mid-afternoon as they dragged it on a small trolley to a waiting car.

A woman from another office in the building challenged them and they told her that they were looking for the way out.

She told police, who arrested Michael Cronin, that they seemed to be under the influence of drink or drugs.

Prosecutor Paul Newcombe told Teesside Crown Court that the 45-year-old said they were disturbed on April 16 before they could put it into the boot of his car.

Mr Newcombe told the judge: “He has an appalling record for burglary since 1986.”

Cronin also had previous convictions for going equipped for burglary and possession of drugs including crack cocaine.

Mr Newcombe added: “There was a degree of planning and there was a gang which made it a category one offence.”

Kieron Rainey, defending, said that Cronin owed money to a drug dealer who had pressured him into committing the burglary.

He had a long-standing addiction to heroin and crack cocaine and he was told that he should go with others to the offices of student accommodation provider Campus Lifestyle on Borough Road.

Mr Rainey added: “He was in the grip of using quite a bit of crack cocaine at the time and he was not thinking clearly, but he has thought about it quite a lot since then.

“In October 1983 he was treated for an overdose and he has struggled for the past number of years.

“He is now with his partner and there have been no offences since April last year. He is on a Methadone reduction programme which is working for him.”

Judge Howard Crowson told Cronin: “This was a deliberately targeted burglary of commercial premises, directly or indirectly because of your drug habit.

“You have got a really bad record on and off for dishonesty.”

Cronin, of Amersham Road, Berwick Hills, was jailed for 18 months after he pleaded guilty to burglary.

Updates: Teresa Ryan murder trial - Day One at Teesside Crown Court

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Cannabis dealer who boasted of 'dynamite' product in texts to customers is jailed for a year

A cannabis dealer who boasted of his “dynamite” product in round-robin texts to his customers is in prison today.

Nathan Luke Husband advertised in his messages of “dynamite super silver, best around”, “proper pukka blues” and “hard tight nuggets, best had in ages, unreal!”.

His operation was exposed when a patrol police officer spotted him walking towards two other men on Richardson Road, Stockton.

Suspecting a drug deal was about to happen, the officer stopped Husband and found he had 2.39g of cannabis in five small bags.

Husband, 21, confessed “I have some more in the kitchen cupboard” when caught with the packages at about 7pm on May 21 last year.

He hung his head in the dock when Teesside Crown Court heard how police hauled 1.6kg of the Class B drug from his nearby home.

Bags of skunk cannabis including batches of 940g and 276g were discovered with £3,873 cash, scales and tick lists for “stock-taking”.

Prosecutor Paul Lee said the drugs found at the home on St Cuthbert’s Road had a total potential street value of £11,000 to £16,000.

Detectives believed Husband was “operating at a significant level in the drugs supply network”, dealing in half-ounces up to multiple ounces.

Husband, now of Prior Court, Billingham, admitted possession of Class B drugs with intent to supply. None of his previous 13 offences were for drugs.

Scott Taylor, defending, said Husband had never been to custody before and was “petrified” of the prospect.

He said: “He’s aware of the potential outcome of today’s hearing and he has prepared himself for that.

“There are certain suicidal thoughts passing through his mind.

“He’s aware that that’s of his own making, in relation to the offence itself, and how he’s leapt from relatively minor offending.

“He regards this as a shock to the system. Perhaps naively he didn’t realise how serious an offence he was getting himself involved in.

“What began as low level dealing just to fund his own habit just expanded from there.”

He said Husband was not an organiser making large financial gain.

The judge, Recorder Patrick Palmer, told Husband: “You were actively advertising the sale of good-quality cannabis as you boasted of this to your customer base.

“This wasn’t a one-off. You were actively and aggressively dealing in cannabis.

“You were engaged in a significant operation in supplying cannabis to others at a street level.

“There doesn’t seem to be any suggestion at all that you were under coercion or pressure to supply cannabis to others.”

He jailed Husband for a year.

The £3,923 seized cash was confiscated as Husband was ruled to have made £15,728 from crime.

Meenakshipuram, 33 years on: Muslims happy, Hindus not

A Ganesh Nadar/Rediff.com visits the village in Tamil Nadu that shot into national prominence in 1981 when half the Dalits there converted to Islam. He spoke to the Hindus and Muslims and came back with two very different stories.

In 1981, Meenakshipuram, a small village near Tenkasi in Tamil Nadu’s Tirunelveli district, leapt into the national limelight when half the Dalits there converted from Hinduism to Islam.

Now 33 years later, those who converted to Islam say they are happy, but don’t want anyone to know and those who remained Hindus say they are not and want everyone to know.

In Meenakshipuram you will find neighbours, belonging to different religions, but from the same family.

The Muslim story: ‘We are happy to be equals’

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Updates: Teresa Ryan murder trial - Day One at Teesside Crown Court

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Brotton Post Office: MP and local councillors raise concerns over relocation plans

Concerns have been raised after the Post Office began a consultation to relocate its Brotton branch.

The Post Office say relocating the branch from its current home on High Street to Foster Street would open it to customers for almost 50 hours more per week.

But Labour’s MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, Tom Blenkinsop, and Labour councillors Brian Hogg and Doreen Rutland are worried about the proposed new location.

The Post Office proposals are part of a major modernisation programme designed to make it easier for customers to do business through longer opening hours and modern open plan environments.

Should the move go ahead, the branch would open from 9am to 9.30pm Monday to Sunday at the Parkway Store in the Park estate.

Adrian Wales, Post Office regional manager said: “We understand how important having a Post Office is to residents and we are confident that this new modern service will meet the needs of the local community and secure services for the future.

“This modernisation is part of a major investment programme, the largest in the history of the Post Office and marks a commitment to no more branch closure programmes.”

But Mr Blenkinsop said: “The location, if they are correct, is well away from the existing High Street PO and the other shops and is not on a road where there are buses stopping within yards in both directions.

“Additionally it is a considerable 10-15 minute walk for people from the “top end” of Brotton or from the streets running off the High Street.

“I think we will have to oppose this and we are now making contact with the Post Office to get more details. In the meantime I would ask local residents who also may have concerns to contact the Post Office consultation team or drop letters in to the existing post office for forwarding to the Post Office consultation team”

Cllrs Hogg and Rudland said in a statement: “We are deeply concerned about this proposed move.

“We have questions as to why a location so remote to the rest of Brotton has been proposed.”

Cllrs Hogg and Rutland said that streets on the Park estate are narrow, which will cause parking problems and see customers who drive travelk to Post Offices in Skelton or Saltburn.

During the public consultation, Post Office Ltd is inviting feedback on the proposal until February 20, by email to comments@postoffice.co.uk, or by calling 08457 223344.

Egypt cancels planned opening of Rafah crossing

Rafah Crossing

Egyptian authorities today announced that they have cancelled the scheduled opening of the Rafah crossing between the Gaza Strip and Sinai, officials said.

Director of Gaza Crossings Maher Abu Sabha told Palestinian mass media that Egypt had informed the Palestinian side in Gaza that the Rafah crossing would be opened for three days starting tomorrow.

He then told Palestinian citizens in Gaza, who are ready to travel, to prepare themselves for tomorrow.

However, this morning he said that the Egyptian authorities had cancelled the plan to open the crossing after an Egyptian security officer was kidnapped in the Sinai city of Sheikh Zuweid.

“Unfortunately the suffering of tens of thousands of Gazans, including patients, students, visa holders and stranded wives, will continue,” Abu Sabha, who condemned the kidnapping, said.

Israel has imposing a strict siege on the Gaza Strip since mid-2007 and during this time it waged three wars that claimed the lives of thousands of civilians and wounded tens of thousands of others.

Gaza’s hospitals are suffering from a severe shortage of medicines and the spare parts urgently needed for medical equipment. In addition, the Strip is suffering from a severe shortage of electricity, which has resulted in blackouts that last 18 hours every day.

Hundreds of patients who are in urgent need for treatment abroad, students registered in universities abroad and work visa holders are unable to leave the Strip because the crossing is closed

St Gabriel's Primary Academy hopes your Wish tokens will help to improve playtime

Pupils at a Middlesbrough primary school are hoping this year’s Wish campaign will help improve their outdoor playtime.

St Gabriel’s Primary Academy on Allendale Road in Ormesby is a small Catholic school with a large heart and a great sense of community spirit.

The school continuously strives for excellence and actively encourages all of the pupils in a positive manner so that they can each reach their full potential.

In the past, the school has entered The Gazette’s Wish campaign in the hope of receiving support from readers.

This year, Eileen Donaghue, a teaching assistant at the school said: “We are hoping that the support we receive from this year’s Wish campaign will help to fund new outdoor play equipment for the children.”

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

Each registered group will be guaranteed a share of our £40,000 fund.

The more tokens a group collects, the bigger its share of the prize pot.

Tokens are now appearing daily in The Gazette.

The last token will appear on January 21.

Submissions for tokens will close at 5pm on Monday, February 23.

To help St Grabriel’s Primary Academy, send your tokens to: St Gabriel’s Primary Academy, Allendale Road, Ormesby, Middlesbrough, TS7 9LF.

Jack Frost Rally: Martin Peters still hoping it will snow at Croft this Sunday

For once it looks as though the Jack Frost Rally won’t live up to its name - and that’s a disappointment to Christmas Stages star Martin Peters.

Peters, who scored an eye-catching 19th place overall finish and first in class two (for 1400-1600cc cars) at the recent Christmas Stages Rally at Croft, was hoping for similarly icy conditions when he returns to the North Yorkshire venue for Sunday’s Darlington and District MC-organised event.

Ingleby Barwick ace Peters, a multi national rallycross title winner, relishes the wintry conditions which also suit his Citroen Saxo which has less power than many of the other cars in his class.

But unfortunately for him and co-driver Darren Wilcox from Stokesley, the weather forecast is above freezing and sunny.

“It doesn’t look like it’s going to snow, which is a shame because that’s what we were hoping for,” said Peters ahead of the Autogas 2000 and Cartersport-backed event.

“It means I’ll have to brake a little bit later and make up some time as we go.

“When the weather is good we can tend to struggle because we run with cars who have more power than ours.

“But it’s always an enjoyable event and we’ll have some fun whatever the outcome.”

Peters will again have Wilcox alongside him after enlisting his services at short notice for the Christmas Stages when regular co-driver Jason Leaf suffered a badly cut thumb at work.

And Wilcox has a pretty good Jack Frost pedigree himself - he was the top Teesside driver in last year’s event at the wheel of his Subaru Impreza.

But he’ll be hoping for a less traumatic day this time after almost passing out because of fumes from a car in front last year.

The rally - staged over 40 miles of Croft tarmac - has proved more popular than ever this year with a capacity 90-car entry signed up, with a bulging list of reserve entries eager to step up if there are any cry-offs.

Top seeds are Darlington and District MC members Chris Wise and Tracey Taylor-West in their Metro 6R4.

The pair are no strangers to the top step of the podium having won the event three times and they finished second to the Impreza of Steve Simpson and Patrick Walsh 12 months ago.

But with a strong field assembled, they will have plenty of competition.

Looking to make up for the disappointment of his last visit to Croft is Billingham businessman Peter Stephenson.

He and co-driver Ian Windress were running well in the Christmas Stages when the clutch slave cylinder failed on their 2.5 litre MG ZR as they were on their way to the very last stage.

That cost Stephenson the 2014 SG Petch ANECCC Stage Rally Championship, although he can be justifiably pleased with his runner-up berth in the overall positions.

Darlington’s Paul Swift and Jessica Bell meanwhile are the top class four seeds in their newly-built Millington-engined Escort Mark 2.

They debuted the car at the Christmas Stages and claimed a superb seventh place finish.

Sunday’s rally is a qualifying round of the AS Performance North of England Tarmacadam Championship, Fuchs Titan Race ANCC Stage Rally Championship and the SG Petch ANECCC Stage Rally Championship 2015.

Awards for the 2014 SG Petch ANECCC Stage Rally Championship will be presented in the evening at Croft after the prize-giving ceremony for the rally.

Scrutineering and documentation take place from 6am with the first car starting at 9.15am.

There are classes for cars up to 1400cc, up to 1600cc, up to 2000cc, over 2000cc and all four wheel-drive cars as well as pre-1981 classic rally cars.

French magazine to print 3 million copies

French magazine Charlie Hebdo's surviving staff are to print an unprecedented three million copies of its latest issue.

According to the newspaper Liberation, which loaned out office space to the satirical weekly, whose workforce was decimated at the beginning of three days of terror attacks in Paris last Wednesday, the run will be published tomorrow.

Late yesterday, Liberation posted an image of the Charlie Hebdo's next cover. It featured a cartoon of a bearded man in a turban with a tear streaming down his cheek, and holding a sign: "Je Suis Charlie" - "I Am Charlie."

Above it was the phrase: "All is forgiven."

French media interpreted that as meaning Muhammad is forgiving the cartoonists for lampooning him.

A total of 17 victims and all three gunmen died in three days of bloodshed at the magazine offices, a printing works and a Jewish supermarket.

Royal Mail launch special set of stamps in honour of Alice

The Royal Mail is producing a special set of stamps to mark the 150th anniversary of Lewis Caroll's classic adventures of Alice in Wonderland.

Award-winning illustrator Grahame Baker-Smith was commissioned to illustrate 10 scenes, featuring characters such as White Rabbit, the Cheshire Cat and Alice herself.

To coincide with the launch, the Royal Mail has collaborated with children's publisher Walker Books to create a book based on the stamp artwork.

Andrew Hammond, Royal Mail director of stamps and collectibles, said: "The story of Alice in Wonderland remains a perennial favourite of children, and indeed adults, around the world.

"It is fitting that in its 150th anniversary year it is celebrated with a wonderful set of stamps featuring striking images that do justice to such an iconic tale."

The story of Alice's Adventures In Wonderland, originally entitled Alice's Adventures Under Ground, came about as a result of a friendship between the Rev Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, a young don at Christ Church in Oxford, and the children of the dean of the college, one of whom was Alice Liddell.

Originally a story made up to entertain the children on a boat trip, Alice asked for it to be written down, which Dodgson did as a Christmas gift in 1864 with his own illustrations.