Erdogan lashes out at Charlie Hebdo magazine

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has lashed out at Charlie Hebdo, the French satirical magazine, for its “provocative” publications about Islam, saying the weekly paper incites hatred and racism.

“This magazine [is] notorious for its provocative publications about Muslims, about Christians, about everyone,” Erdogan told a meeting of businessmen in Ankara on Friday.

“This is not called freedom. This equates to wreaking terror by intervening in the freedom space of others. We should be aware of this. There is no limitless freedom,” he said.

In its first issue since the attacks by gunmen last week on its headquarters that killed 12 people, the magazine featured an image of the Prophet Muhammad weeping on its front cover.

The cover sparked fresh controversy and protests in some parts of the Muslim world, where many find any depiction of the prophet, let alone satirical ones, highly offensive.

Erdogan said Muslims expected respect for their prophet the same way as they valued the prophets of Judaism and Christianity.

“They may be atheists. If they are, they will respect what is sacred to me,” said Erdogan.

“If they do not, it means it is a provocation, which is punishable by laws. What they do is incite hatred, racism,” he added.

A total of 17 people, including journalists and police officers, died in the assault on Charlie Hebdo‘s office in Paris last week and in a bloody hostage-taking at a kosher supermarket two days later.

Turkish version

In solidarity with Charlie Hebdo, Turkish daily Cumhuriyet published a four-page pull-out, translated in Turkish, including some Charlie Hebdo cartoons.

Although Cumhuriyet chose not to publish the cover in its news pages, two writers put the cartoon in their columns.

A small version of that cartoon however was included twice inside the newspaper to illustrate columns on the subject, prompting prosecutors to open an investigation into two commentators writing for Cumhuriyet

Erdogan said the publication of the cartoons in predominantly Muslim Turkey was against law.

“Which country do you live in?” asked Erdogan in a thinly-veiled jab at the Turkish daily.

“What you did goes against law … You are inviting provocation.”

T24, a Turkish liberal news website, published the whole Charlie Hebdo special issue “to support freedom of speech” and “to stand solidarity against terror”.

Two Turkish daily newspapers, Sozcu and Yurt, also published the Charlie Hebdo cover

Source: Al Jazeera

Swedish minister: Israel crossed the line in its response to Stockholm’s recognition of Palestine

Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom said Friday that Israel upset its close allies with its exaggerated reaction to Stockholm’s recognition of the Palestinian state and its rhetoric “crosses all lines.”

In an interview with Dagens Nyheter newspaper, Wallstrom said that “It is not acceptable the way they talked about us… It has angered not only us but also the Americans and everyone else who is dealing with them right now.”

The relationship between Israel and Sweden deteriorated since the Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, leader of the Social Democrats Party, announced in his first speech before the parliament after becoming prime minister that his country would recognise the Palestinian state.

Israel claimed that the Sweden was moving hastily and its decision did not contribute to bringing peace. It recalled its ambassador to Stockholm for consultations, but he returned a month later.

The US described Sweden’s recognition of Palestine as being too soon.

Wallstrom also said in the interview, “I am for Israel. I am for Palestine. I am for peace”, but directed sharp criticism towards Israel’s policies, adding that “Israel is extremely aggressive.”

She added, “Israel has continued its settlement policy, continued with its demolitions, continued with its policy of occupation” which aims to humiliate the Palestinians, thus making the peace process difficult.”

Wallstrom was scheduled to visit Israel this week but she postponed her trip indefinitely. The Swedish government said that the reason for her postponement was her busy schedule, but the Swedish Radio quoted an official from the Israeli Foreign Ministry saying that Wallstrom would not be officially welcomed by Israel.

Paul Hershon, Deputy Spokesman of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Reuters “we said it would be difficult to have these meetings; any diplomatic meetings of any sort due to the fact that elections are approaching.”

He added, “I will add that the situation between Israel and Sweden is not at its best and this contributed to the decision. However, the main issue is the timing and nothing else.”

Prison electrician who sexually terrorised schoolgirl from age of nine is jailed for 13 years

A prison electrician who raped a schoolgirl for years has been jailed for more than 13 years.

Brian Hanley, 55, worked at Holme House Prison, Stockton, when he sexually terrorised the youngster from the age of nine after leaving notes for her to find.

The victim, who is now married, told her husband in May last year after living with the torment since 1996.

Prosecutor Sarah Mallett told Teesside Crown Court that the abuse went on for seven years.

The victim contemplated suicide for many years after it stopped but she decided that she could not put her children through it.

A statement from her which was read out in court said: “After suffering this abuse for eight years I believe that it had a severe impact on my life and my mental health.

“I questioned myself for a long time ‘Why me ?’ Did I do anything to cause it?

“I have contemplated suicide many times but I would never put my children through that.

“As a child I used to pull out my eyelashes and my hair. I am still a suspecting person when it comes to men. He played psychological mind games and blackmailed me. I know now that I have to live with these memories for the rest of my life.

“I feel that my life in any sense is ruined and changed because of dark memories. I feel cheated out of my childhood.”

The woman said that she is still receiving counselling and she was on anti-depressants so that she can sleep at night.

Hanley confessed to his crimes when he was interviewed on May 27 last year.

Andrew Turton, defending, said that Hanley had no previous convictions prior to then, and he had shown remorse by indicating early guilty pleas.

Judge Howard Crowson told Hanley: “I am persuaded that there is evidence of genuine remorse.

“I hope that during your prison period you will receive whatever treatment will be helpful to you and when you are released you will receive assistance as a sex offender.”

Hanley, formerly of Stockton Street, Billingham, and latterly of Newcommen Court, Redcar, was jailed for 13 years and four months, with an indefinite Sexual Offence’s Prevention Order and ordered to register as a sexual offender for life.

He was banned for life from associating with girls under 16.

He pleaded guilty to eight offences of rape, five of indecent assault and one of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. The Crown accepted his not guilty pleas to another indecent assault and an attempted rape.

OFFICIAL, 2014 was the hottest on record

2014 was the hottest on record globally, confirmed climate experts.

Global temperatures were 0.69C (1.24F) above 20th century averages, making 2014 the warmest year in records dating back to 1880, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said.

Areas around the world experienced record temperatures, including most of Europe stretching into northern Africa, parts of eastern and western coastal Australia, and the western United States, the experts from NOAA's National Climatic Data Centre said.

The Met Office has already announced that 2014 was the hottest year for the UK in records dating back to 1910, and was also the warmest in the Central England Temperature series, the longest-running temperature record in the world dating back to 1659.

Two separate analyses by US government agencies NOAA and Nasa Goddard institute for Space Studies both showed 2014 was a record warm year.

Global average land and sea temperatures for 2014 "easily" broke the previous record warm years of 2005 and 2010, and last year was also the 38th year in a row when global temperatures were above the long-term average, a report by NOAA said.

Nine of the 10 warmest years since 1880 have all occurred in the 21st century, with 1998 now ranked as the fourth warmest year on record, the experts said.

The experts have attributed the hot year largely to record high global sea surface temperatures, which were 0.57C (1.03F) above the 20th century average. Land surface temperatures were the fourth highest recorded, at 1C above average.

Six months of 2014 were also record breakers, with a record-warm December finishing off a year which also saw May, June, August, September and October experience new highs.

The new figures confirm expectations announced in early December to coincide with the latest round of UN climate change talks, that 2014 was on track to be one of the hottest, if not the hottest, year on record.

David McCabe accused of murdering disabled woman in her North Ormesby home to cover his tracks

A murder trial defendant answered “no comment” to police as they accused him of setting a fatal fire in a woman’s home to cover his tracks.

David McCabe, 32, initially denied burgling the home of Teresa Ryan on Warton Street, North Ormesby, Middlesbrough in police interviews.

Then he admitted burgling her home, walking in through an ajar front door while she was out on July 8 last year, then selling her belongings to buy drugs.

He said he stole a TV and phone from her property the day before she died from smoke inhalation in a fire at the house.

He said he sold the television for £25 then overdosed on six diazepam tablets, “flaked out” and ended up in A&E.

He told officers: “I woke up in hospital and all the family were saying ‘you’ve died for 26 minutes’ off the tablets.”

Asked why he burgled her house, he said: “Just to get some gear. That’s as far as I’ve done. I haven’t caused a fire or anything.”

VIEW GALLERY

He was asked whether he wanted to be friends with Ms Ryan because she was a vulnerable person living alone.

“You saw her as a soft touch,” a detective said to him. McCabe replied: “No, not at all.”

He maintained he did not go to her home on July 9, the day she died and her 50th birthday, Teesside Crown Court heard today.

The prosecution says he got into Ms Ryan’s house and robbed her of her handbag after a struggle that night.

It is alleged she was rendered unconscious, McCabe set fire to her bed and left her to die from smoke inhalation.

“This is possibly the most important couple of days of your life. You’ve been arrested for murder,” he was told in the interview three days after the fire.

In another interview the next day, McCabe was asked whether he set fire to the home, accidentally or deliberately.

The interviewing detective said McCabe’s account of helping Ms Ryan made him seem like “a real knight in shining armour”.

“That’s a lie, isn’t it?” he was asked. “You just wanted her to think you were helping her so you could steal from her to feed your drug habit.

“Did you hit her? Did you fling her on the settee? Was she looking scared? How did it make you feel the last time you saw her?

“Skinny drug-ravaged body from heroin addiction, still more than a match for a weak lady with Huntington’s disease, aren’t you?

“Is that why you picked on her because she was an easy target? You’d be no match for the average man. She wouldn’t be able to fight back, would she?

“What happened, David? This is your last chance to tell us what happened if you want to.

“Did you panic? Is that why you set the fire, or was the fire an accident?”

It was put to him that Ms Ryan had her phone on the day she died as her son topped it up.

McCabe was told: “The only way you could have that phone is if you went around there at the time Teresa died, at the time you murdered her.”

To all of these questions, he answered: “No comment.”

He was interviewed again on August 27 and said “no comment” when asked whether he was responsible for Ms Ryan’s death.

He said: “I’ve given my account of my whereabouts, my movements. I’ve given the truth about everything.

“If I had any information to help with the case I would help you, but I don’t know anything about it.”

The interviewing officer said: “You went to the house, fought with her and ripped the handbag from her. Is that true?

“You panicked as she fell, and set this fire to cover up your tracks.”

McCabe replied: “No comment.”

Donovan Moore, the partner of McCabe’s cousin Tina McCabe, told how McCabe came to their home on the night of July 9.

He said McCabe had cigarettes, a phone and money which he said he had got from a woman friend in North Ormesby.

In a statement at the time, he quoted McCabe as saying: “I dragged the handbag and ran and she fell.”

He also said McCabe claimed he took the handbag from the woman while she was asleep.

In the witness box, he said he could not remember or be sure what was said, or by whom, and he was not paying attention as he was watching television at the time.

He added: “The words were put in my mouth.

“There were that many people talking. Different people were telling me different things.

“I didn’t want to make a statement but I was coerced into making one.”

McCabe, of Barrington Crescent, Thorntree, Middlesbrough, denies murder.

Proceeding

Transatlantic war games to be staged

David Cameron said cyber-hackers pose a "real threat" to the City of London, as he prepared to strike an "unprecedented" deal to tackle network attacks with Barack Obama in talks at the White House today.

Transatlantic war games will be staged to test resilience, starting with assault on Wall Street and London's Square Mile.

The simulated attacks will target some of the largest institutions in the financial sector, including the Bank of England and a number of commercial banks.

A cyber-cell of British and American intelligence and security agents will be created as part of the agreement being backed by the Prime Minister and US president.

Pressed on the vulnerability of the City, Mr Cameron told reporters: "It's a real threat. This figure, that eight out of 10 of the larger companies in Britain have been attacked, is significant.

"We've seen in the Square Mile some very large attacks - I think there was one case where it cost a firm over £800 million. So there have been some very serious attacks.

"There's no need for a panic about this because Britain is in a very strong position. With GCHQ we have got one of the most expert bodies in cyber-security anywhere in the world. What we need to do is to bring together our knowledge and the US knowledge and make sure - as we are - we work with companies across the country to enhance their cyber-security."

"I'm confident we are one of the most advanced countries in terms of these capabilities, but there is always more you can do."

It comes as a report by government listening post GCHQ warns the computer networks of British companies are under attack on a daily basis by hackers, criminal gangs, commercial rivals and foreign intelligence services.

President Obama is toughening up the American response in the wake of the embarrassing and damaging North Korean hack on Sony Pictures and the infiltration of Pentagon Twitter and YouTube sites.

Under the plans GCHQ and MI5 will join forces with NSA and FBI to turn an American cyber cell into a transatlantic operation, to improve information sharing about threats.

A new generation of cyber-agents will be trained up and a new Fulbright Cyber Security Award created to allow the most talented researchers to carry out research placements for up to six months.

Ahead of the meeting in the Oval Office, Mr Cameron said: "Just as we have worked with our closest ally, the US, to protect our people and our countries from traditional threats, so we must work together to defend ourselves from new threats like cyber-attacks.

"This is an evolving threat which poses a real risk to our businesses and that's why we're taking our co-operation with the US to an unprecedented level. This is about pooling our effort so we stay one step ahead of those who seek to attack us.

"The joint exercises and training of our next generation of cyber experts will help to ensure that we have the capability we need to protect critical sectors like our energy, transport and financial infrastructure from emerging threats."

Boro owners have financial 'plan B' if club fails to secure Premier League promotion

The parent firm of Middlesbrough FC has a financial “plan B” if the club fails to secure promotion to the Premier League, it emerged today.

Accounts posted by Boro supremo Steve Gibson’s Gibson O’Neill said plans are in place if Aitor Karanka’s men fail to secure a return to the top flight.

A move into the Premier League could be worth more than £100m and provide a massive boost to the club’s coffers.

But the club are also prepared if the promotion push falters.

A statement in Gibson ONeill’s annual results said: “MFC are hoping to mount a serious challenge for promotion to the Premier League with all the attendant benefits but with a clear cost management plan in place in the event of the club continuing to perform in the Championship.”

Boro have been forced to slash their wage bill and curb transfer spending in the years since relegation.

The Gibson O’Neill results show the combined performance for Boro, chemical transport firm Bulkhaul and luxury hotel and spa Rockliffe, near Darlington.

They indicate how pressure on the club’s finances continues to offset strong performances at the group’s other businesses.

Accounts filed at Companies House revealed that the group made a pre-tax profit of £5.91m in the 12 months to June 30 last year.

The surplus was down from £12m a year earlier and came as income slipped from £202m to £193m.

The accounts said: “Bulkhaul has continued to perform strongly in the year covered by these accounts.

“MFC has suffered the challenge of continued Championship football.

“Rockliffe has continued to perform well in difficult economic conditions.”

The accounts do not break down the performance of the individual businesses, which publish separate financial figures.

In December The Gazette reported that Middlesbrough-based Bulkhaul posted annual profits of £31.5m for the year to June 30.

No figures for the performance of the football club have yet been released for the period covered in the latest Gibson O’Neill results.

The club’s most recent figures, published last March and covering the year to June 2013, revealed losses of £14m.

Gibson O’Neill said Rockliffe is expected to deliver an operating profit in the coming financial year.

The results added that the business completed a “significant restructuring of its borrowings”, which cut the number of its lenders and provided better lending terms.

The firm said the move freed both Middlesbrough FC and Rockliffe from “external debt” while allowing Bulkhaul to continue to make long-term investments.

The highest paid Gibson O’Neill director, who was not named, received £1.9m.

The firm’s combined workforce increased from 856 to 839, while total staff costs, including player wages, fell from £41m a year to £36.8m.

'Cold weather can kill' warning as Teesside braces itself for sub-zero temperatures

A cold weather alert has been put in place for Teesside as forecasts predict sub-zero temperatures for this weekend.

The Met Office forecasts a spell of colder weather for the next few days across the North-east - with Teesside temperatures set to plummet to around -2C on Saturday night.

Frank Saunders, chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: “After less cold conditions overnight Wednesday and for a time on Thursday, increasingly cold air will spread from the northwest across England on Thursday night and during Friday, with showers turning more wintry from the north.

“Average temperatures are expected to continue falling through the weekend, with a northerly airstream likely to be established by Sunday.

“Frost and ice are expected to become increasingly widespread through the period, with some severe overnight frosts likely in the north over any snow cover by Monday.”

Because of the warnings Public Health England is reminding people to look out for others, to keep warm indoors and to take care when walking on icy or wet surfaces when out and about.

Dr Roberta Marshall, director of the North East Public Health England Centre, said: “Cold does kill, even in places where the temperatures aren’t at their lowest.

Most of our advice on keeping warm in cold weather may seem like common sense, but it’s important that we make the point that people should think about how cold can affect them.

“Our advice is that when indoors, have plenty of warm food and drinks to stay warm and try to maintain indoor temperatures to at least 18C, particularly if you are not mobile, have long term illness or are 65 or over.

“If mobility isn’t an issue keep active as best you can.

“If you need to go out wear lots of thin layers and wear shoes with a good, slip-resistant grip to prevent any accidental falls."

She added: “This is also a good time to think about how the bad weather may affect your friends and family, particularly if they are older or very young or have pre-existing health conditions.

“These groups can be particularly vulnerable to the ill-effects of cold so think now what you could do to help.”

The Cold Weather Plan for England sets out a series of actions that health and social care organisations, voluntary and community groups, and individuals can take and plan for cold temperatures to help reduce cold-related illnesses and deaths.

Top tips to prepare for colder weather

:: Look out for friends and family who may be vulnerable to the cold and ensure they have access to warm food, drinks and managing to heat their homes adequately.

:: Try to maintain indoor temperatures to at least 18C, particularly if you are not mobile, have long term illness or are 65 or over

:: Stay tuned for weather forecasts, ensure you are stocked with food and medications in advance, have deliveries or ask a friend to help

:: Take weather into account when planning your activity over the following days

:: Avoid exposing yourself to cold or icy outdoor conditions if you are at a higher risk of cold related illness or falls

:: Discuss with friends and neighbours about clearing snow and ice from in front of your house and public walkways nearby, if unable to do so yourself

More Boro fixture upheaval possible as Football League confirms TV selection time frames

Boro fans could be set for even more fixture frustration as TV bosses look to broadcast the Championship promotion race.

This morning brought confirmation that Boro's trip to Bournemouth on Saturday, March 21 has been moved to a 12.15pm kick-off , with the match to be shown live on Sky Sports.

The early kick-off will force some Boro fans to set off in the early hours of the morning for the 318-mile trek to Dorset.

Boro's match with Ipswich seven days earlier has also been moved to 12.15pm, while this month's visit to Brentford and February's home clash with Leeds United have also been rearranged for the early kick-off slot.

And the rearrangements may not end there for Aitor Karanka's side, with the Football League today confirming to The Gazette that changes could be made only 28 days in advance of the match.

The Teessiders face a number of long away trips in the final few weeks of the season, with Watford, Norwich and Fulham all following March's visit to Dean Court.

A Football League spokesperson said: "We’ll continue selecting live games for the rest of the season until roughly the end of February.

"Wherever possible the League endeavours to give at least 28 days notice for fixture movements for live TV selections."

The news comes as little help to Boro fans looking to make early plans for the away trips, with train fares and accommodation booked far in advance potentially being scuppered by any rearrangement.

Rail tickets are generally available 12 weeks in advance, meaning fans could book now for the journey to Vicarage Road knowing that fixture and subsequent games could yet be changed.

This season Sky Sports have shown some Championship matches on Friday evenings, as well as the Saturday and Sunday lunchtime slots.

Boro's final game of the season, at home to Brighton, will kick off at 12.15pm along with all fixtures in the Championship that day.

For Boro's full fixture list click here.

Luke Williams set to leave Boro on loan with Scunthorpe United among possible suitors

Boro forward Luke Williams will be sent back out on loan with Scunthorpe United among the possible suitors.

The 21-year-old spent the last two months of 2014 on loan at Glanford Park and impressed for Mark Robins’ League One side.

A thigh injury saw Williams return to Teesside prematurely last month, but Aitor Karanka has opened the door for the versatile front man to secure another short-term loan move away from the Riverside.

“Luke is here but he’s injured,” Karanka said in yesterday’s press conference. ”In the case of Luke we are thinking of sending him out on loan again.”

Karanka’s comments are likely to grab the attention of Scunthorpe chiefs, with Robins already stating publicly he hopes to bring Williams back to the club.

“I want to try to bring Luke Williams back in, but I’ll see what I can do,” Robins told the Scunthorpe Telegraph last week.

“We will try to do the deal at some point but whether it is possible yet I don’t know.”

Williams started this season in Karanka’s first-team picture, scoring a 30-yard screamer at Oldham in Boro’s Capital One Cup third round tie back in August.

Luke Williams

But the signings of Patrick Bamford and Jelle Vossen before the summer transfer deadline pushed Williams down the pecking order, and led to him spending a long period with Boro’s Under-21 side.

Williams is one of a handful of Boro youngsters expected to secure loan moves to the Football League this month.

Bryn Morris has been linked with a return to Burton Albion, while the likes of Ryan Brobbel, Charlie Wyke, David Atkinson, Seb Hines and Bradley Fewster have all tasted life away from the Riverside already this season.

Yesterday Bradley Halliday extended his loan spell at York City until the end of the season, while Andy Halliday scored one goal and assisted another in midweek as Bradford City dumped Millwall out of the FA Cup and booked a fourth round tie with Chelsea.

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

A murder trial is taking place following the death of Teresa Ryan in a house fire in North Ormesby in July last year.

David McCabe, of Barrington Crescent, Thorntree, Middlesbrough, has pleaded not guilty to her murder.

The 32-year-old is this week on trial at Teesside Crown Court.

The trial of David McCabe, who denies the murder of Teresa Ryan, begins its second day at Teesside Crown Court.

Steven Hodgman, Ms Ryan's son, said her Huntington's disease affected her physically and mentally, her movement and speech.

He went to her North Ormesby home on July 9, her 50th birthday, to find her home had been burgled.

Her television, phone, charm bracelet and bank cards had been taken.

She had not reported it to the police so he reported it and rang the landlord to fix the front door, which had been forced.

He celebrated his mum's birthday at the Central Park restaurant that evening, and she seemed fine.

Under questioning from defence QC Toby Hedworth, he says he enquired about assisted living for her.

He says she had falls and he thought she needed help with housework, but she was still independent.

He said she ended up In hospital "quite a few years ago" after she dropped a cigarette and her bedding caught fire.

She had been persecuted by local kids after she told them to get off some scaffolding, the jury hears.

She told him on July 9 that someone had kicked her door in and she tried to chase them off as they made off on a bike.

She fell pursuing the culprit, grazed her elbows and cut her nose.

Mr Hodgman says if she had known who it was, he would have expected her to tell him.

David Hodgman, Ms Ryan's other son, went to her home on the evening of July 9 and was told about a burglary.

He says her television, handbag, purse, phone and jewellery had been stolen.

She took a handbag to the restaurant containing house keys, cigarettes, purse and phone.

He dropped her home at 9.50pm.

He says: "She said when she got in the house she was going to hide the bag under the mattress."

"She was afraid in case somebody burgled the house again."

The court is now hearing evidence from fire investigator Noel Cornforth.

Nightlife in Pictures - The Empire, Atik, Hidden Bar and The Keys

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Photographers Nicola Thompson, Brian Woodcock, Eddy Maynard and Barrington Dent provide you with a snapshot of Teesside nightlife.

This week features nights from four venues across Middlesbrough, Stockton and Yarm.

We have scenes from Sumo at The Empire, Contagion at Atik, Vault in Hidden Bar and Cannonball at The Keys.

Take a look and see if you are one of the many captured on a night out.

Find dozens more nightlife pictures on our About Town page.

Psychopathic Middlesbrough sex fiend loses human rights claim after being forced to wear tag

A psychopathic sex fiend who objected to wearing a GPS tag has failed to convince top judges that the device violated his human rights.

‘Manipulative’ Paul Richards, 48, from Middlesbrough, has a terrifying list of 12 sex convictions going back more than 30 years.

He has also served time for kidnapping, dishonesty, harassment and drugs possession.

He has been diagnosed with an anti-social and narcissistic personality disorder and ‘severe psycopathy’, London’s Appeal Court heard.

Cleveland Police decided that forcing him to wear a tag whenever he leaves his home was the only way of protecting women, particularly prostitutes.

Richards, now in custody for breaching a sexual offences prevention order (SOPO), argued the tag breached his fundamental right to privacy.

But his campaign hit the buffers today when Lord Justice Beatson ruled that forcing him to wear a tag was ‘in accordance with the law’ and justified.

The judge, sitting with the Master of the Rolls, Lord Dyson, and Lord Justice Fulford, said Richards posed a ‘high risk of sexual recidivism’.

“The medical evidence also indicated that he manifests high levels of deceit and manipulation and shows minimal empathy or remorse for his offending’.

The court heard Richards has been subject to close police monitoring since his first sex conviction in 1983.

His list of crimes includes convictions for failing to comply with sex offender register notification requirements.

And he is subject to restraining orders to protect three specific women who had suffered harassment or violence at his hands.

Police said there was only so much they could do to keep tabs on him and a tag was needed to ensure that he does not stray into ‘red light’ districts.

Richards was arrested in September 2012 - just a month after Teesside Magistrates ordered him to wear a tag - after he was detected in an area frequented by prostitutes.

He was jailed for three breaches of his SOPO in November 2013 and remains in custody.

His barrister, Hugh Southey QC, argued that the magistrates simply had now power to order him to wear a tag.

The device also breached his right to respect for privacy and personal autonomy under Article 8 of the Human Rights Convention, he argued.

He objected to police obtaining data about his ‘lawful activities’ about which they had no right to know.

But Lord Justice Beatson pointed out that Richards had at first volunteered to wear a tag, before changing his mind.

He said he was ‘concerned he could not control himself’ and that a tag would ‘help him set boundaries’ and keep him away from red light districts.

Although the magistrates had no specific statutory power to make him wear a tag, the judge ruled the requirement was ‘in accordance with the law’.

His tagging would be kept under regular review and was ‘proportionate’ to the extreme risk to women he posed, the judge concluded.

Nathan Porritt moves on to Thornaby as Billingham Synthonia continue battle for survival

Billingham Synthonia will continue their fight for Northern League First Division survival without Nathan Porritt after allowing the former Boro winger to join Thornaby.

Porritt has scored 13 of his 29 Synners goals this season but has been unable to train or play in midweek games lately due to work commitments.

Thornaby will be the 25-year-old’s sixth Northern League club following his Boro exit in 2010 and brief spells in Portugal and Belgium.

Synners manager Conrad Hillerby said: “Nathan has left because his work means he hasn’t been able to fully commit to football lately, not because of his ability.

“He’s a lovely lad and when he’s on his game he can look like a world-beater.

“But we’ve got to be realistic. We need all hands on deck where we are at the moment.”

Synners are at Penrith tomorrow with Hillerby seeking the intensity they missed in last week’s shock 2-0 Durham Challenge Cup defeat at Wearside League Hartlepool.

The result was an eyebrow-raiser following back-to-back league wins against Celtic Nation and Jarrow Roofing.

“We had a disappointing result and workrate in bad conditions,” Hillerby said.

“We need to have that work ethic for everything we are going into a game for because, hopefully, we are starting to get somewhere towards where we can get safe.”

Stevie Huggins and Andrew Burton will be among those back in the starting line-up.

Form side Guisborough can make it nine league games unbeaten at home to Newcastle Benfield tomorrow, but the Priorymen are going to be without top scorer Danny Earl until the back end of February or early March.

Earl has scored 18 in the league this season but tore a medial ligament at Bedlington.

Promising teenager Connor Smith scored Guisborough’s third goal and his first for the club after replacing him in that game and will take Earl’s starting spot tomorrow.

“Losing Danny is a blow without a doubt,” said Guisborough boss Chris Hardy.

“He was scoring week in, week out. But it provides an opportunity for others.

“Nathan Mulligan is back in the squad tomorrow but has been out a while, so Connor will start.”

Marske have Danny Brunskill back from a ban at Morpeth, although Josh MacDonald is still out for another two games following his Boxing Day red card against Guisborough.

Second in Division Two Norton will revert to full strength at Heaton Stannington even though they put five past Thornaby in the Ernest Armstrong Cup on Tuesday.

Captain Michael Jameson and defender Jack Proctor will be among the returnees, although the game may come too soon for Karl Charlton (knee).

Thornaby will give Porritt his debut at home to Ryton and will make a change in goal as keeper Michael Duff is unavailable.

Billingham Town’s perfect start to 2015 will be tested at Bedford Terrace by leaders Seaham Red Star.

Fit-again Ian Bishop, Thomas Sweeney and Joel Callender could all be drafted into a winning team.

Stokesley will have new signing Joe Carter in their squad at in-form Hebburn and they will travel well with only Ryan Grier, Paul Clements and Greg Peel on the missing list.

Rugby preview: Stockton target third away win, while Guisborough and Redcar look to heap pressure on leaders

Stockton are eyeing a third straight victory on the road when they travel to Blyth in Durham and North One tomorrow.

The Station Road outfit have secured good wins at Consett and Darlington in recent weeks, and will be confident of another good result.

In the pack they should be boosted by the return of Joe Green, but centre Ritchie Brown is unavailable, while Steven Tampin (illness) faces a late test.

Winger Dan Phinn is available along with Joel Simpson and forward Sam Toulson, who has recovered from a broken shoulder.

In the same division Guisborough could seize top spot if they beat Ryton and Morpeth slip up at Medicals. Trevor Edwards’ side will be massive favourites to clinch victory at Belmangate, having won 12 of their last 13 league matches.

In Yorkshire One, Boro entertain Heath at Acklam Park, but last week’s thrashing at Malton and Norton has all but extinguished the team’s promotion hopes.

That isn’t the case for high-flying Redcar, who can maintain their Durham and North Two charge at Winlaton Vulcans.

Acklam (white) lose the ball to a crunching Redcar tackle

Last weekend saw the Seasiders claim a league double over third-placed Acklam, but coach Richie Young is wary of any promotion talk yet.

“Saturday’s result was really pleasing for everyone,” he said. “We achieved one of our targets for the season, winning both local derbies.

“But promotion talk at this stage would be ridiculous. Winlaton have picked up some good results at home, so we’ll have to be at our best to get a result.”

Stephen Wilson and Rob Pallister are unavailable so in comes James Toward and Andrew Wills (front row).

Acklam have the chance to bounce back from that derby defeat when they take on Wallsend at Talbot Park.

Ricky Scott starts with Ross Everett continuing in the absence of captain Stephen Chambers.

Meanwhile in Durham and North Three Yarm can clinch back-to-back wins when they travel to Richmondshire.

Rugby preview: Billingham hope for home comforts as they target top five

Billingham player-coach Chris Hyndman has warned his side not to rest on their laurels until mathematically safe from relegation.

Three straight victories before Christmas all but secured Billingham’s National League status for a fourth successive season, as the club edged over the 40-point milestone.

The team have started the New Year with tough trips to Sheffield Tigers and Sandal, and despite playing well for periods in both matches, came away on the losing side.

With basement boys Beverley arriving at Greenwood Road tomorrow, Hyndman believes complacency is the biggest danger to Billingham’s season.

And as a result, Hyndman has rallied his team-mates to grind out “two or three” more victories to make their league status absolutely certain.

“We’ve had a tough start to 2015 with the two away games but in both we have been pretty happy with our performance overall.

“At Sheffield a fortnight ago we played well other than the first 10 minutes of each half, and then at Sandal we attacked well but they seemed to make us pay for every mistake.

Billingham v Lymn earlier in the season

“Beverley may be bottom of the league but they only just lost (22-19) against Sheffield Tigers last time out, so we aren’t taking anything for granted.

“Whenever you’re coming up against the bottom side, that’s all people talk about during the week.

“But this is a tough league where anybody can beat anybody on their day.

“Looking ahead we’ve got a run of games now that we feel are all winnable but we have to make sure we play at our best.

“We probably want two or three more wins to put ourselves in a really strong position.

“Even if you’re 20 points ahead, in this league all it can take is four bad results and you’re right back in the relegation mix.

“Another few wins will make us safe and our aim at the beginning of the season was to make sure that, by February, we were away from the relegation fight. We’re on course to do that.”

Greenwood Road has become a tough ground for opponents to visit in recent months with Billingham winning four of their last five on home soil.

Peter Evans, with ball, in action for Billingham

Hyndman revealed the team have no major injury worries ahead of tomorrow’s match, with a victory likely to fire Billingham within touching distance of the top five.

The two sides last met in October when Billingham ran out 32-21 winners, and Hyndman is expecting another physical test against Beverley tomorrow.

“The forecast is windy which is always a bit of a pain for rugby sides and it will certainly impact on the match,” he said.

“When we played Beverley away from home they set out to make our life a nightmare at the breakdown, and they managed it.

“They have two big, robust centres - one of which used to play in the Super League with one of the Hull teams.

“So we have to match that, make sure we get our hands on the ball and play our game.”

World class new hospital in Stockton is 'desperately needed', says council leader

A world class new hospital in Stockton is “desperately needed,” says the head of Stockton Council .

Senior councillors are calling on health authorities to bring forward an urgent plan after plans for a new super hospital in Wynyard were shelved in October last year .

Council Leader Bob Cook , and chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board, Jim Beall, say a “deliverable plan with clear timescales” is “desperately needed.”

Cllr Cook said: “It is obvious that the Wynyard plan is dead in the water, yet we are still to hear if there is any form of Plan B.

“It is simply unacceptable that we have had to endure such a prolonged period of uncertainty and indecision.

“Stockton Council serves 195,000 residents and we believe every single one of them deserves access to a new, world-class hospital within the borough.

“We do not want to see a lowering of sights towards the refurbishment of the dated North Tees hospital while other parts of the country benefit from brand new facilities designed and built to deliver state-of-the-art healthcare in the 21st century.

“Reassurance in the shape of a deliverable plan for a new hospital in Stockton-on-Tees, and with clear timescales, is desperately needed. We are calling on the North Tees and Hartlepool Foundation Trust to provide one as a matter of urgency.”

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust first announced proposals for a new hospital to replace its ageing sites in Stockton and Hartlepool in 2003, but the development, which has so far cost £6.8m to plan, has been dogged by delays and controversy.

They announced a “pause” on planning for the development last October, blaming “a lack of support” from Government.

Cllr Jim Beall added: “Ours is an area with some of the worst health inequalities in the country and the fear is that any further indecision will only see those inequalities widen.

“Since the council took on public health responsibilities we have made encouraging progress in tackling health issues like cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, weight management, alcohol-related conditions and fuel poverty.

“We are seeing strong take-up of NHS Health Checks and lung checks, particularly in our most deprived areas, and this is helping with early diagnosis of a range of conditions.

“Chronic liver disease death rates are falling and childhood obesity rates are now below the national average. We have contributed funding to a project to make more than 850 of our most fuel-poor households more energy efficient.

“These are significant strides, which makes the current situation especially frustrating. We know there is still much work to do and if we are to build on this promising foundation we need to support and complement service delivery with real investment in top quality hospital and community-based health facilities.”

Boro's Championship clash with Bournemouth changed to 12.15pm kick-off and live on Sky

Boro's crunch clash with Bournemouth in March has been changed to a 12.15pm kick-off after it was confirmed the game will be live on Sky.

It's a decision not likely to go down well with Boro fans planning to make the 318-mile trip to the Goldsands Stadium on Saturday, March 21.

It means Boro will be on the box on consecutive weekends after it was confirmed yesterday that the game against Ipswich the week earlier has also been changed to an early-kick off.

Aitor Karanka's promotion hopefuls will be regulars on the small screen in the coming months with the trip to Brentford and the visit of Leeds also live on Sky.

Israeli forces detain dozens of Palestinians in Jerusalem, Hebron

JERUSALEM (Ma’an) – Israeli forces launched multiple dawn raids across East Jerusalem and Hebron districts Wednesday detaining 32 young Palestinian men including minors.

East Jerusalem detention raids were reported in Sur Bahir, al-Isawiya, al-Tur, Ras al-Amoud and the Old City. Lawyer of the human rights group Addameer Muhammad Mahmoud said most of the detainees in East Jerusalem were minors.

He identified them as Qusay Daana, Ahmad Abu al-Hummus, Muhammad Jumaa, Ibrahim Dandis, Ibrahim Shamasnah, Muhsin Attun, Muhammad Bkeirat and Hamza Milhis.

Amjad Abu Asab, who chairs an East Jerusalem committee representing families of prisoners, also confirmed the detentions. He said Israeli forces apprehended Mahmoud Awsha Muna, Murad Bkeirat, Rami Bkeirat and Wahid al-Bakri from Sur Bahir village. He added that the Israeli troops handed a summons to Muhammad Awshaa Muna demanding that he appear at an Israeli interrogation center for questioning.

Also Wednesday, Israeli news sites quoted Israeli police as saying that a young Palestinian man was detained in the al-Sawahira al-Sharqiyya neighborhood of East Jerusalem. Two firearms were allegedly found in his house as well as ammunition. Another young Palestinian man was detained in El-Izariya and weapons were allegedly found in his house as well, according to Israeli police.

Hebrew-language news site Walla reported that police officers from the Maale Addumim settlement stormed al-Sawahira al-Sharqiyya and arrested a Palestinian man after they inspected his house and found weapons. The same report added that Israeli troops raided the home of a young Palestinian man in al-Izariyya and he assaulted the soldiers before they inspected the house and found weapons. He was taken into custody for questioning.

Furthermore, Israeli troops raided the town of Beit Ummar north of Hebron in the southern West Bank and detained 18 young men after several predawn raids across the town, a local committee spokesman said.

Muhammad Ayyad Awad of the local committee against Israeli settlements and the separation wall named the detainees as Mahmoud Yousif Nasri Alqam, 17, Imad Ahmad Abu Hashim, 24, Omar Ahmad Ayyad Awad, 28, Muhammad Ibrahim Abu Mariyya, 19, Ayish Abd al-Nasser Ikhlayyil, 19, his brother Muhammad, 18, Hamza Muhammad Ikhlayyil, 18, Amir Muhammad Abd al-Jawwad Ikhlayyil, 16, Salah Salih al-Allami, 25, Muayyad Walid Tumar, 22, Yahya Adam Ikhlayyil, 25, his brother Muhammad, 22, Yousif Mahmoud Abu Mariyya, 38, Jihad Raed Muqbil, 18, Shadi Ibrahim Bahar, 24, Mahmoud Imad Ikhlayyil, 21, Malik Bassam al-Teet, 16 and Mahmoud Badir Ikhlayyil, 28.

Awad added that Israeli troops broke into dozens of homes and vandalized them before the detentions. He added that soldiers smashed windshields of several cars parked outside.

Clashes broke out between local young men and Israeli troops in several neighborhoods. Awad said young men pelted the soldiers with stones, and the soldiers fired rubber-coated bullets and tear-gas canisters as well as stun grenades. Five Palestinians including a young girl were lightly hurt by rubber-coated bullets and tear-gas inhalation.

The invading Israeli soldiers, added Awad, distributed a statement warning the residents of Beit Ummar of the consequences if young men hurl stones at Israeli vehicles which travel on the bypass road near the town.

An Israeli army spokeswoman confirmed eight arrests in the West Bank.

She said seven “involved in terror activities” were detained from Beit Ummar.

A Hamas member was detained in Hebron, she added.

Middlesbrough family suffer barrage of 'disgusting' racial abuse while on holiday in Blackpool

A Middlesbrough family cut its holiday to Blackpool short after suffering a “disgusting” barrage of racist abuse.

Imtiaz Hussain, his English wife Barbara and their three daughters had just arrived in the seaside town and were taking their first walk on the beach when they were confronted.

Mrs Hussain was racially abused and two of her daughters who were wearing headscarves were taunted with “Ban the Burka” chants.

The racially aggravated abuse came from two 23-year-old women from Blackpool, Lancs.

Then the incident next to Blackpool’s North Pier escalated with young men joining in shouting “EDL” and “BNP”.

At one stage the family was surrounded and had nowhere to escape until Coastguard officers intervened and called police.

The Hussain family’s three daughters were all in tears as both their mother and father were challenged to fights and threatened with being bottled.

Natalie Wilkinson of Boundary Court, Blackpool, appeared at Blackpool Magistrates’ Court and admitted three charges of racially aggravated threatening behaviour and disorder.

She was sent for sentence at Preston Crown Court because she is already on a suspended jail term.

Nicola Lloyd, of Claremont Court, Blackpool, was found guilty in her absence and the magistrates issued a warrant for her arrest.

The court heard that the Mr Hussain, director of Sola UK Ltd, in Marton Road, Middlesbrough, and his family were so upset by what happened that they returned home after just one day of their week-long holiday.

The youngest daughter will no longer wear a headscarf because of what happened.

Prosecutor Alison Quanbrough told how the two women abusers had been drinking before they targeted the Hussain’s with a barrage of foul language and racist threats and comments.

Giving evidence Mr Hussain said: “It was a lovely day and we were just walking down the beach on our first day in Blackpool.

“There were shouts of Ban the Burka - two of my children were wearing scarves of their own free will but one of them won’t any more because of this.”

“We had done nothing to deserve this - we had done nothing.

“The two women looked drunk or on drugs.”

His wife Barbara said in court “We felt victimised and intimidated.

“One of them wanted to fight.”

And their 17-year-old daughter Sabrina said in evidence: “We were scared.

“The woman with black hair was screaming. They seemed to want my Dad to hit them. They were egging him on. I was embarrassed everyone on the beach which was packed was watching what was going on.”

“There was nowhere for us to go and lads were shouting BNP and EDL.”

“It was only when the Coastguard officers turned up it all stopped.”

Chairman of the magistrates’ bench Ron Bell said: “We find the cases against the absent defendant proved and issue a warrant for her arrest.

“What happened here was disgusting. Blackpool prides itself on being a family resort.”

'We were considering signing Fran Merida', admits Aitor Karanka

Aitor Karanka was considering handing ex-Arsenal midfielder Fran Merida a short-term Boro contract - but any deal is now dead in the water.

Reports emerged earlier this week that the Spanish free agent was training at Rockliffe Park, but Boro chiefs told The Gazette on Tuesday nothing would be happening with regard to a contract offer.

The 24-year-old is well-known to Karanka and was a member of the Spain Under-20 team that also included future Boro signings Tomas Mejias, Emilio Nsue and Kike Garcia.

As a result, Karanka said he was happy to invite the Barcelona-born midfielder in to train with the team, with the view to becoming a back-up squad player if Albert Adomah had joined Emilio Nsue at the African Cup of Nations.

“Yes he was training with us because I know him,” Karanka said.

“He’s a good player but when I said yes to him we expected Albert (Adomah) to be away for a month in the African Cup of Nations, we expected Emilio (Nsue) for another two or three weeks and we didn’t have (Tomas) Kalas.

“At that moment we maybe were thinking of signing him but with Albert here, Tomas here and Emilio back in two or three weeks, we felt it wasn’t necessary.”

Boro are set to delve in the January transfer market to bring in a new midfielder, after Milos Veljkovic returned to Tottenham yesterday.

Action Images / Paul Burrows

It was Karanka’s decision to send the versatile Serbian back to North London, with Spurs keen for him to remain on Teesside.

But the Spaniard felt it wasn’t good for the 19-year-old’s development, and will again look to utilise the loan market to his advantage this month.

Karanka admitted a permanent move for a midfielder is unlikely this month, with clubs reluctant to sell their prized assets half way through the season.

“I don’t think in January you can find a very good player to pay money for. The good players are playing,” Karanka said.

“The ones that can come are not playing, so i think we are thinking about the same way. We are not looking to spend a lot of money on a new player. We will look for the best available player.

“Nothing compares to last January. Last year we had to build a squad, this time the squad is 100 per cent built except for a midfielder.

“The squad is totally different now to what I had one year ago.

“I like to have two players for every position (so) we need one more in midfield. We have players in mind.”

Hope Animal Shelter hopes your Wish support will help them to continue caring for animals in need

An East Cleveland animal shelter is hoping you will help them care for animals in need in this year’s Wish campaign.

Hope Animal Shelter is a privately-run shelter in Loftus, which rescues and cares for a variety of abandoned and stray animals.

They also offer their services to injured animals and offer a home for animals when their owners go on holiday.

Run by volunteers, the shelter receives no funding and relies heavily on donations from the public.

After entering The Gazette’s Wish campaign last year, the shelter used the money they received to help fund work on a block of stables, as well as general running costs including veterinary care and animal feed.

The money also went towards funding new fences which gives the animals more room to graze.

With regards to this year’s campaign, Clifford Spedding, from the shelter, said: “We intend to spend this year’s Wish money on vet bills, animal feed, materials for fences and to help finish off the stables.”

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 Hope Animal Shelter, send your tokens to: 1 White Cliffe Cottage, Loftus, Cleveland, TS13 4AN.

Is HS2 value for money ask MPs?

Doubts have been cast by MPs on whether the £50 billion HS2 high-speed rail project is good value for money for taxpayers.

The £50 billion figure includes contingency funding but this could be used to mask cost increases, said a report by the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee.

"We are sceptical about whether the Department for Transport (DfT) can deliver value for money for the taxpayer on HS2," the committee said.

The report said HS2 was one of a number of "ambitious, expensive transport infrastructure programmes" for which the DfT was responsible.

The report continued: "We are not convinced that these programme are part of a clear strategic approach to investment in the rail network.

"In particular, recent proposals for a railway connecting cities in the north of England - a possible HS3 - suggest that the department takes a piecemeal approach to its rail investment, rather than considering what would benefit the system as a whole and prioritising its investment accordingly.

"The department told us it will deliver the full HS2 programme within its overall funding envelope of £50 billion. However, this funding includes a generous contingency and we are concerned that, without appropriate controls, it could be used to mask cost increases."

The committee also spoke about expansion at Ebbsfleet in Kent following the building of the Channel Tunnel high-speed rail link now known as HS1.

The report said: "When it comes to the wider regeneration benefits, insufficient planning meant that regeneration benefits in Ebbsfleet did not flow from HS1 as expected.

"Although the department told us that it has learned and is applying these lessons on HS2, it needs to set out clearly who is responsible for ensuring that benefits are realised, and how that work will be co-ordinated."

Launching the report today, the committee's chairman Margaret Hodge (Lab, Barking) said: "Investment in major rail infrastructure programmes takes a long time and costs a lot of money.

"It is therefore hugely important to ask the right questions and make properly informed judgments on priorities. Yet the Government takes decisions without a clear strategic plan.

"For instance, the Government recently announced proposals for HS3. It did not carry out an assessment of HS3 before it gave the go-ahead to HS2 and it therefore did not test whether improved connectivity in the North was a greater priority.

"The department has still to publish proposals for how Scotland will benefit from HS2, including whether the route will be extended into Scotland."

She said the DfT "should set out a long-term strategy covering the next 30 years for transport infrastructure in the UK, and use this strategy to inform decisions about investment priorities and specific investment decisions".

A DfT spokesman said: "It is the role of the public accounts committee to ask questions that major projects like HS2 need to address as they move from planning to delivery.

"This scrutiny is welcome. The report sets out some of those questions in detail and acknowledges that progress is being made."

He went on: "HS2 will have a transformational effect, rebalancing the economy and helping secure the UK's future prosperity, providing high value for money to the taxpayer.

"With Sir David Higgins as chairman of HS2 Ltd, we are fully focused on keeping costs down and are determined that this vital part of the Government's long-term economic plan will be built on time and within budget. As the project moves forward towards construction we will continue to address the issues raised by the committee, and in particular value for money."

Mick Cash, general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union, said: "The lack of strategic planning on rail infrastructure projects identified in this report comes as no surprise to us, and is yet more damning evidence of the consequences of 20 years of fragmentation since our railways were broken apart and privatised.

"From rail infrastructure projects to other major investments, like fleet replacement, Britain has been left in the slow lane through years of inertia, incompetence and profiteering."

He went on: "As a result the travelling public are left paying the highest fares in Europe to travel on over-crowded and unreliable services.

"It is no wonder 70% of the British people now support the return of our railways to public ownership and we will continue to fight for that pragmatic alternative to the current chaos."

Shadow transport secretary Michael Dugher said: "This report highlights the Government's piecemeal approach to transport investment and shows once again why we need a long-term infrastructure plan rather than a short-term politically driven approach.

"Labour has repeatedly called for the establishment of an independent National Infrastructure Commission to ensure we can better identify and deliver our long-term infrastructure needs, but the Government has blocked this."

He went on: "The Government needs to maximise the benefits for the whole country from HS2 and ensure it helps to regenerate our great cities and counties, gets young people into work and helps our small businesses to grow.

"And we will continue to hold the Government to account for keeping costs down on HS2 - there can be no blank cheque."

Jim Steer, director of high-speed rail promotional body Greengauge 21, said: "The committee should be aware that it is the private sector that will design, build and operate HS2, creating a much stronger UK-based rail capability in the process."

David Ginola to run against Sepp Blatter for FIFA presidency

David Ginola is to announce on Friday that he wants to stand against Sepp Blatter for the FIFA presidency.

The former France international, who played club football in England for Tottenham, Newcastle Aston Villa and Everton, is due to make the announcement in London and that he is being backed by bookmaker Paddy Power and Twitter-based campaigner changeFIFA.

"It is time that football was refreshed," Ginola said. "We have to be brave and deal with what is going on in this game we love."

He added: "I know it will not be easy for me to be elected but I have to try. I always did my best on the pitch and I will do the same now."

However, it is uncertain whether Ginola will even be eligible to stand. He needs to have played an active role in football administration for two of the last five years and he also needs to be publicly nominated by five national associations before January 29, which may prove an impossible task.

Ginola did campaign for England's unsuccessful bid for the 2018 World Cup in 2010 which attracted only two votes.

FIFA's eligibility rules on standing for FIFA president state: "The candidate shall have played an active role in association football as a board member, committee member, referee and assistant referee, coach, trainer and any other person responsible for technical, medical or administrative matters in FIFA, a Confederation, Association, League or club or as a player) for two of the last five years before being proposed as a candidate.

"The candidate shall present declarations of support from at least five member associations."

Blatter is seeking a fifth term as president and will face opposition from Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein from Jordan, who is a FIFA vice-president.

French former FIFA executive Jerome Champagne has also declared but he conceded this week it would be easier to secure 50 votes in the secret ballot in May than the five public nominations.

Morning news headlines: Cyber cell to fight online attacks, images to reveal Beagle 2's fate

CYBER CELL TO FIGHT ONLINE ATTACKS

A cyber cell of British and American intelligence and security agents is being created to defeat online attacks in an "unprecedented" deal to be struck by David Cameron and Barack Obama in talks at the White House today.

A rolling programme of war games will be staged across the Atlantic starting with attacks on the City and Wall Street to test their resilience.

It comes as a report by government listening post GCHQ warns the computer networks of British companies are under attack on a daily basis by hackers, criminal gangs, commercial rivals and foreign intelligence services.

IMAGES TO REVEAL BEAGLE 2'S FATE

Images showing that the British Beagle 2 space probe landed successfully on Mars 12 years ago are set to be revealed, a scientists who worked on the project has said.

David Rothery, professor of planetary geosciences at the Open University, said he believed pictures will be published today proving that the spacecraft's lander successfully touched down on the Red Planet in 2003 but that a malfunction prevented it from beaming information back to Earth.

The UK Space Agency says it will provide an "update" on the ill-fated craft, which vanished while attempting a Christmas Day landing on the planet, but will not discuss in advance what will be revealed.

CLEGG FACES FRESH 'BETRAYAL' CLAIMS

Ed Miliband will accuse Nick Clegg of a fresh "betrayal" of students today after the Liberal Democrat leader's broken pledge at the last general election to oppose any increase in tuition fees.

In a calculated incursion onto Mr Clegg's political home turf in Sheffield, the Labour leader will denounce the coalition for allowing hundreds of thousands of young people to "fall off" the electoral register in the run-up to this year's election.

In a speech to students at Sheffield Hallam University- in the next door constituency to the Deputy Prime Minister's - Mr Miliband will describe the loss of voting rights as a democratic "scandal" and call on ministers to ensure young people are not denied a voice on polling day in May.

HEALTH ALERT AS FREEZE TAKES HOLD

The Met Office has issued a severe weather alert across large swathes of the country, prompting warnings of health risks to the young, old and ill.

Social and healthcare services had been put on high alert, the forecaster said, as the UK faces no let-up in the winter conditions which claimed one life and caused chaos on roads and rail yesterday.

Yorkshire and Humber, the North East and the North West are subject to a level three amber alert, the second highest, with average temperatures set to fall below 2C, while the West Midlands, the East Midlands and the east of England are on a yellow warning.

EBOLA FEAR NURSE IS AIRLIFTED TO UK

An Australian nurse treating Ebola patients in Sierra Leone has been airlifted to the UK for observation, her government has said.

The nurse, reported to be a woman, has not been diagnosed with Ebola and was transferred to Britain following what the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said was a "low risk clinical incident".

It comes as a patient admitted to hospital in Scotland after returning from Ebola-hit west Africa has tested negative for the killer virus.

ARMY RECRUITS WITH VIRTUAL REALITY

The Army has launched a new recruitment campaign for the reserves that involves an immersive experience involving the Oculus Rift virtual reality headset.

The wraparound headset will enable wearers to experience some of the tasks carried out by reservists, and is being used for the first time at recruitment events in London and Manchester today.

The first "experience" being launched by the Army will drop the wearer into a live fire exercise with the Army Reserve on Salisbury Plain.

CARE HOME PATIENTS FOUND DEHYDRATED

Elderly care home patients are at least five times more likely to be dehydrated when admitted to hospital than those living independently, putting them at greater risk of death, according to new research.

Doctors monitored the sodium levels in more than 21,000 patients over 65 admitted to leading London hospitals during a two-year period and compared those who had come from care homes with those who lived in their own home.

Their findings, published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, suggested 12% of nursing home residents presented with hypernatraemia - high sodium levels associated with a lack of fluids - against 1.3% of others.

'DRUG DEATH' MEN INQUESTS TO OPEN

Inquests into three men whose deaths may be linked to a rogue batch of ecstasy are expected to be opened today.

Suffolk Police issued a warning over the red triangular pills with a Superman logo on them after two men died in Ipswich on Christmas Eve and New Year's Day. The death of a third man in Rendlesham is also being investigated in connection with the pills.

Suffolk Police confirmed the man who died on Christmas Day was Justas Ropas, 23, of Bramford Lane, Ipswich.

TWO KILLED IN TERROR RAID SHOOT-OUT

Two suspected terrorists have been killed and a third arrested in a shoot-out with police in Belgium, prosecutors have said.

The fire-fight - in the town of Verviers close to the German border - broke out as police mounted a series of raids amid fears an "operational cell" was about to mount a major terrorist attack.

A spokesman for the Belgian Federal Prosecutor said that they had been investigating a group involving individuals who had recently returned from Syria.

ISA 'ROLLOVER' BOOST URGED

Savers should be allowed to roll over any portions of their Isa allowance that they do not manage to use up in any one year, a think-tank has argued.

Policy Exchange said that instead of losing any Isa allowance that goes unused in any particular year, people should instead have the power to transfer any of their annual allowance that they do not manage to use into a "bonus Isa" or Bisa - which they can then top up at a later date.

There could be a cap, initially set at £10,000, on the total amount that savers could roll over into their Bisa, which would act as a "flexible add-on" to their main annual allowance the think-tank suggested. The cap would help to control the cost of introducing the scheme.