Yemen’s Brotherhood reject Houthi declaration

Yemen’s Al-Islah Party, the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood movement in the country, on Saturday rejected a constitutional declaration announced by the Shia Houthi group on Friday.

The party called for abolishing the declaration, which dissolved the Yemeni parliament, formed a national assembly instead and created a presidential council to run Yemen during its transition.

Al-Islah Party described the declaration in a statement on its website as a “unilateral step” saying it did not recognise the consequences of this move.

“There can be no way out without abolishing all unilateral moves and returning to dialogue,” the party said.

It accused the Houthis of staging a “coup” against a United Nations-sponsored dialogue among Yemen’s political forces.

Yemen’s Shia Houthis, who have controlled Yemeni capital Sanaa in September of 2014 and extended their control to other provinces, on Friday took an additional move to consolidate their power in Yemen by forming a presidential council and dissolving parliament.

There are fears that the growing power of the Houthis would open the door for more violent confrontations in Yemen.

#OnThisBoroDay 2005: Boro winger Stewart Downing makes his England debut

Teesside beamed with pride on this day in 2005 as Boro-born wing wizard Stewart Downing made his England debut.

Young, gifted, exciting and playing for the national team. And he belonged to Boro!

When the 20-year-old flanker was brought off the bench in the 61st minute of the friendly against Holland, he became the first Middlesbrough-born player to be capped while still playing for Boro since Alan Peacock 43 years earlier.

If anyone deserved to put an end to that long wait it was Downing.

The fearless winger had burst on to the Premier League scene, frightening the life out of defences up and down the country.

England had been crying out for a natural left-sided midfield player. It was only a matter of time until Downing got the call.

The butterflies were undoubtedly fluttering around Downing’s stomach but the youngster put in an assured display as he made his bow on the international stage.

Now it was a case of building on that and making sure he became a regular in the England set-up.

Asked if he’s ready for another run-out at that level, Downing replied: “Definitely, why not?

“But I have to keep working hard and doing the business in the Premiership.

“You’ve got to make that adjustment but I thought I did OK.

“I’m not just a one-cap wonder, I hope there’s some more to come and hopefully I’ll keep playing well for Boro.”

If Downing needed any injection of confidence after his debut, he will have got it in the form of David Beckham’s post-match comments.

“Andy Johnson and Stewart Downing - what they are doing for their clubs is very good and I’m sure they will get another chance,” said the skipper.

“The manager won’t just give them one chance, but as many chances as it takes.”

Downing took those chances and went on to establish himself as a regular in Sven’s squads.

Even the best efforts of the national press who quickly installed Boro’s flanker as the new scapegoat wouldn’t dislodge him from Sven’s party of players.

A decade on and Downing is an experienced campaigner on the international stage - even if he did have a two year hiatus during a tough spell at Liverpool.

He’s since added 34 more caps to the one he picked up 10 years ago today.

Congressional Oversight on Immigration Is Actually Congressional Overlook

This past month the Center for Immigration Studies released a report authored by Jessica Vaughan, that organization’s director of policy studies.

The title of the report was, “Government Data Reveal 5.5 Million New Work Permits Issued Since 2009.”

Jessie is an old friend and colleague. I contacted her to discuss her astonishing report. I was more than a bit curious as to how she had come to focus on how millions of aliens were granted employment authorization when, under existing immigration laws, they would not qualify to be granted this important immigration benefit. I was especially interested to know if any official reports issued by the GAO, at the behest of an appropriate congressional oversight committee, had been behind the initial findings. She was crystal clear in her response- there were no such reports, she came to do the study on her own.

Here is how her report begins:

Government data reveal that about 5.5 million new work permits were issued to aliens from 2009 to 2014, above and beyond the number of new green card and temporary worker admissions in those years. This is a huge parallel immigrant work authorization system outside the limits set by Congress that inevitably impacts opportunities for U.S. workers, damages the integrity of the immigration system, and encourages illegal immigration.

Approximately 1.8 million new work permits were issued to aliens with temporary visas or those who entered under the Visa Waiver Program. Of these, about 1.2 million (67 percent) had a visa status for which employment is not authorized by law. For example, more than 470,000 work permits were issued to aliens on tourist visas and 532,000 were issued to foreign students. More than 156,000 were issued to dependents of students and guestworkers, all in categories not authorized for employment by law.

In addition, 963,000 new work permits were issued to aliens who have been granted permanent status or have a status that will lead to a green card. These are primarily refugees (418,000), fiancés of U.S. citizens (164,000), and approved asylum applicants (174,000).

About 982,000 new work permits were issued in this time period to illegal aliens or aliens unqualified for admission. Of these, 957,000 were aliens who crossed the border illegally (Entered Without Inspection). Inexplicably, 1,200 new work permits were issued to aliens who were denied asylum, were suspected of using fraudulent documents, were stowaways, or were refused at a port of entry.

A huge number of work permits, 1.7 million, were issued to aliens whose status was unknown, not recorded by the adjudicator, or not disclosed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the agency that processes the applications. This should be a concern; work permits are gateway documents to driver’s licenses and other benefits, and if the government agency issuing them does not know or will not disclose how the bearer arrived in the country how can others rely on the authenticity of an individual’s identity? It is equally disconcerting if the government does know and chooses not to disclose it.

This begs the obvious question- what in the world is going on with our elected “representatives” in the House of Representatives and the United States Senate? They are supposed to exercise oversight over the Executive Branch of our government. How could such a monumental betrayal of America and Americans be carried out by an integral component of the Department of Homeland Security, over a period of more than five years yet go unnoticed by our supposed “watchdogs?”

While Republicans denounce the administration’s ongoing plans to implement an immense temporary amnesty program for five million- or perhaps even more illegal aliens, that would provide these foreign nationals whose simple presence in the United States represents a violation of our laws designed to protect America and Americans, they somehow managed to overlook what this administration has already done and has been doing since 2009. The administration has provided 5.5 million aliens with employment authorization even though there is no legal justification for doling out these Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) to this huge number of illegal aliens. EADs are “breeder documents.” An alien who has been issued such a document is immediately able to obtain a Social Security Card, a driver’s license, credit cards and other such documentation.

Among the aliens who have been provided with these employment documents are aliens who applied for immigration benefits such as political asylum were denied those benefits. Immigration fraud, especially among aliens who claim political asylum, was identified by the 9/11 Commission as a favored means of entry and embedding for terrorists- and not just the terrorists who attacked our nation on September 11. 2001. Indeed, it would certainly appear that the most recent example of terrorists who engaged in committing political asylum fraud were the Tsarnaev brothers who attacked the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2013.

These EADs have clear implications for national security.

On December 19, 2014 Californians for Population Stabilization (CAPS) posted my commentary:

“Obama’s ‘Gift’ to International Terrorists: Immigration Executive Action.” The concerns I articulated about the impending administration’s plans to use executive orders to provide temporary lawful status apply to the practices of the administration as reported above.

Additionally, consider how many times various news programs focus on “job creation” and unemployment numbers and new jobless claims. Consider how frquently the “talking heads” on the various news programs express confusion at how we can have such low unemployment numbers and yet average family incomes continue to decline as increasing number of middle class families lose their tenuous grip on solvency and their place in the middle class.

Just about every candidate for nearly every elected office in the United States on the local, city, state and federal level all promise to help create jobs and/or bring jobs to their jurisdictions.

Prior to the Second World War the enforcement and administration of our nation’s immigration laws were primarily the responsibility of the United States Department of Labor. The goal was to shield American workers from unfair competition. This is how our middle class was created and nurtured. America’s middle class is synonymous with “The American Dream.”

On February 4, 2015 NewsBusters published the report, “Gallup CEO Blasts Press’s Complacency in Covering Unemployment and Underemployment.”

The final paragraphs of the hard-hitting article sum up the opinions and facts stated by Jim Clifton, the CEO and chairman of Gallup:

Of all the key figures BLS presents, the unemployment rate is probably the one which can be most easily manipulated without leaving telltale tracks. The key lies in determining whether a person is considered to be looking for work.

Translating what my (Census Bureau) informant has told me into layman’s terms — while emphasizing that this person cannot specifically describe how the perceived rigging is occurring after surveyors electronically submit their data — it appears that taking what many people would see as an acceptable level of unsuccessful action to find work is no longer enough to place one into the ranks of the unemployed. The surveyed person apparently must have taken multiple specific steps during a given week to try to get a job. Surveyors believe that the bar to be considered actively looking for work has been artificially raised, and that many people who are somewhat diligently but not constantly seeking employment are not being classified as unemployed, and are therefore not even considered members of the civilian workforce.

From here, it seems that this manipulation could be perpetrated with relatively minor computer programming changes. The IT people involved in implementing these changes would likely not grasp their significance unless they happened to be very well versed in the bureau’s detailed survey compilation procedures and rules.

Even with minor changes, the unemployment rate can change significantly. If only two million of the record 92.6 million Americans classified as not in the labor force (that figure was 92.9 million in December — Ed.) really should be considered workforce members and therefore unemployed under consistently applied rules, the official unemployment rate would be more than a full percentage point higher.

Clifton is contending that perhaps six times as many Americans (his 30 million is 12.5 million higher than BLS’s official 17.5 million) should be considered part of the labor force, and therefore reported as unemployed — at the very least in the U6 sense (which would raise that rate to 17.8 percent), with many of them, probably beyond my 2 million lowball example, also included in the official U3 rate.

Clifton’s “Big Lie” contention revolves around the press’s near-complete refusal — there are rare exceptions , but they don’t get wide circulation — to dig beneath the surface of the official unemployment rate or to question the nature of the jobs the economy is generating. Thus, President Obama now laughably claims that he “saved the economy,” and that the economy is now so great that the federal government can once again turn on the federal spending spigots without negative consequences.

The current press treatment is in stark contrast to the historically proven false “hamburger flipper” claims the press and the left (but I repeat myself) made with absolutely no supporting evidence during the Reagan administration’s boom years. As to Wall Street, longtime observers are finally acknowledging that the stock market’s fortunes are entirely in the hands of the Federal Reserve — “Any metric you followed 20 years ago doesn’t matter, because you’re dealing with massive central bank manipulation and accommodation in an attempt to keep everything steady.”

Any truth to the allegations of BLS data manipulation I have reported would confirm that it’s not just a big lie as Clifton described it. It would then also be a carefully orchestrated one.

A succession of reports has shown that almost invariably, new jobs are most often taken by the newly arrived aliens and most new jobs pay minimum wage or minimally above minimum wage.

Meanwhile members of Congress, in both parties, continue to push for greatly expanding the number of H-1B visas for high tech workers, undermining Americans who have the skills, education and experience to do those jobs.

On July 22, 2014 FrontPage Magazine published my article, “Immigration ‘Reform’: Engineered Destruction of the Middle Class” The real reason high-tech titans are lining up behind the amnesty effort.

Currently politicians and talks show hosts who call for reducing “ income inequality” or the corollary of promoting “income equality” are acting as little more than shills for the mega-wealthy executives of Silicon Valley. While most folks naively think that income equality would narrow the gap between America’s middle class and the mega-wealthy, the truth is far different. This is about narrowing the income gap between America’s middle-class and poor by lowing middle-class wages by forcing the highly skilled and educated Americans to have to compete with foreign workers.

On January 23, 2015 CAPS (Californians for Population Stabilization) posted my most recent commentary: “For America to Do Well, Americans Must Do Well.” It is time for our elected representatives to accept that premise and act on it on behalf of the citizens of the United States.

Only then would they truly earn the title “Representative.”

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The Law Is Under Trial Here

“If the government does not do anything in the next few days, I will do what even Damini did not do. I will set myself and my sons on fire in the middle of Muzaffarnagar city,” says S on the phone, two days after two rape accused in her case were granted bail. When I had met her in July, S was about to start her ‘Stitching Training Centre’ along with her husband, determined to fight her case till justice was hers.

The Damini she refers to you may know as Nirbhaya, or more baldly as the “Delhi gangrape victim”. S was gang­raped by three men from her village in Lankh on September 8, 2013, in Shamli district (see Outlook story Shadow Lines, Aug 4, 2014), but her ordeal, as well as that of hundreds of women sexually abused and gangraped, was subsumed within a broad category that came to be called ‘the Muzaffarnagar riots’. It was a madness that—according to the ‘official’ record of the Uttar Pradesh government—led to 60 deaths, seven rapes and the displacement of 40,000 people. Never mind if we could actually be looking at some 200 deaths, 1,20,000 people displaced and hundreds of unreported mass rapes.

S’s trajectory has crossed the Nirbhaya case in several ways. The Criminal Amendment Act, 2013, drafted by the Verma Commission set up in the wake of the protests following the December 16, 2012, Delhi gangrape, came into force in February 2013. While the Act introduced multiple amendments in laws related to sexual violence, lawmakers for the first time also took cognisance of the systematic violence against women during communal riots in India. As a result, a crucial amendment—Section 376(2)(g)—­was included in the Indian Penal Code

Among other things, the section states, “Whoever commits rape during communal or sectarian violence shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than ten years, but which may extend to imprisonment for life, which shall mean imprisonment for the remainder of that person’s natural life, and shall also be liable to fine.”

The Muzaffarnagar riots broke out five months after this vital addition to the law. The violence erupted on September 7 and continued well into the next day. Seven women, all gang­raped on the morning of September 8, filed cases. These would be the first in Indian history to be tried under Section 376(2)(g). The legal trajectory of these cases needs to be examined in the light of its precedent-setting import.

FIRs: The first information report for five out of the seven petitioners was filed within three weeks of the gang­rapes. The sixth case was filed on October 9, 2013, while the seventh case, that of S, took the longest to register. S had sent her FIR on October 22, 2013, five weeks after the incident, to the Fugana police station in Muzaffarnagar through registered post in which she also named the three accused. The police neither filed the FIR nor ack­nowledged receipt of her complaint. It was only when her counsel, Vrinda Grover, who is representing the seven women in court, handed over a copy of her complaint to the lawyer representing the UP government that the FIR was filed on February 18, 2014.

Medical examination: The law mandates a medical examination within 24 hours of filing the complaint. All the seven women were gangraped on Sep­tember 8, 2013. Their medical examination, however, was conducted bet­ween September 29, 2013, and February 22, 2014. It is because of this gap between the dates of the incident and the tests that the medical reports remained inconclusive in ‘proving’ rape.

The Allahabad High Court made the delay in the filing of FIRs and medical examination to grant bail on October 15, 2014, to the gangrape accused in the case of Fm, one of the seven women. It did so on grounds that “there was an inordinate delay of 14 days in filing FIR and that her testimony could not be accepted as it was not corroborated by medical evidence in the marks of injury on her body”. The state authorities chose not to appeal against this order.

Compensation: The Supreme Court, on March 26, 2014, while responding to several writ petitions related to the Muzaffarnagar communal violence, including one by Vrinda Grover and Kamini Jaiswal on behalf of the seven women, directed the UP government to pay compensation to all the seven gangrape survivors within four weeks, before April 26, 2014. The seven women had filed applications for compensation on April 9, 2014.

This compensation amounted to five lakh rupees in addition to other benefits. While five of them received the compensation on May 8, 2014, the sixth got it on May 22, 2014, and the seventh only on October 25, 2014, more than a year after the incident when counsels Grover and Jaiswal filed a contempt of court petition in the Supreme Court on September 15, 2014.

The apex court had, in addition to this compensation, also asked the UP government to provide financial and other assistance to these women to help them rehabilitate themselves. The state government, however, provided the same blanket compensation for loss of moveable and immoveable property that it provided to all families who were victims of the communal violence

For More:

http://bit.ly/16DHmF9

A Padma award from Modi government has reopened an old rift in Ayodhya

By: Dhirendra Jha

The conferment of a Padma Vibhushan award on Chitrakoot-based Swami Rambhadracharya has reignited an old feud among the ascetics of the Ramanandi order, a sect that was founded by the 14th century philosopher Ramandacharya and accounts for the largest number of Hindu sadhus in India.

The feud had erupted in 2005, when Rambhadracharya, a blind Ramanandi preacher known for his leanings towards the Vishva Hindu Parishad, published a critical edition of Tulsidas’s Ramcharitmanas.

His book greatly incensed Ramanandi sadhus, who worship Lord Ram as their titular deity and consider the Ramcharitmanas as their most sacred text. They accused Rambhadracharya of committing “blasphemy” by changing the wording of several verses. Ever since, they have not allowed Rambhadracharya to enter Ayodhya, which is considered the birthplace of Lord Rama and is therefore the nerve centre of the Ramanandi order.

“Ramcharitmanas is like mantra (sacred words) for us,” said Satyendra Das, chief priest of the Ramjanmabhoomi temple, who was incensed at Rambhadracharya getting the Padma Vibhushan. “How can anybody dare to play around with it?”

Rambhadracharya told Scroll.in that he had merely edited Ramcharitmanas. “Nothing in it has been altered,” he said. “The sadhus of Ayodhya are fools. They want to malign me and extort money.”

’Appropriate lesson’

In November 2009, the sadhus of Ayodhya asked him to withdraw the edited version of the Ramcharitmanas. Rambhadracharya refused, though he expressed regret for any annoyance or pain caused by the book.

The feud peaked during the Haridwar Kumbha Mela of 2010. There, one morning, while Rambhadracharya was preaching to his followers, a group of Ramanandi sadhus entered into his camp and assaulted him badly. They removed his tents, threw out his belongings and debarred him from the Ramanandi order.

“He later acknowledged his mistake and sent an apology,” says Baba Hathyogi, a Haridwar-based Ramanandi sadhu, who was part of the group that taught Rambhadracharya “an appropriate lesson”. “But we didn’t allow him to return to the Ramanandi order till he gave us a bhandara (community feast) of [Rs] 5 lakh.”

For More:

http://bit.ly/1C8u4cG

Muzaffarnagar riot accused dies of injuries

Written by Manish Sahu

A riot accused who surrendered before police and was sent to the Muzaffarnagar district jail barely a week ago has died of head injuries. His family alleged that jail officials assaulted him and delayed medical treatment, causing his death. But the jail officials said the injuries were self-inflicted — he banging his head on the walls. They, however, failed to explain why he would do that.

Brijpal Malik (47) sustained the injuries on Wednesday morning, but was referred to Meerut hospital next day only after his wife visited the jail and came to know about the injuries. She created a ruckus over the delay in medical treatment following which Malik was sent to hospital. He was declared brought dead by doctors at Meerut hospital on Thursday.

Malik, a resident of Hasanpur village in Shamli district, surrendered at a police station on January 30 in a riot case lodged against him on September 8, 2013 at the Phugana police station in Muzaffarnagar. His 17-year-old son is also an accused in the case; he is absconding. The two faced charges of arson and dacoity, said Malik’s lawyer Chandraveer Singh.

Inspector General, UP Prisons Department, R R Bhatnagar said, “According to information, there was no delay in providing treatment to him as the jail doctor had stitched his wounds and given him medicines soon after he was brought to the jail hospital. Malik complained about severe pain next morning following which he was referred to the district hospital from where he was shifted to Meerut hospital.”

He said Malik appeared disturbed since he came to jail. Other inmates had seen Malik banging his head on the wall in the barrack, he said, dismissing the allegations of his family. However, Bhatnagar said an inquiry would be conducted by DIG Jail, Meerut range, Raghubeer Lal.

Muzaffarnagar District Jail Superintendent Seva Ram Choudhury said that on February 4 morning Malik suddenly started hitting his head against the iron grills and the walls. Some inmates tried to stop him but he ran out of the barrack and banged his head against a tree on the jail campus. By the time the jail staff arrived, he had suffered injuries on his head.

For More:

http://bit.ly/1KxRZss

Bhai Ka To Encounter Hua, Par Meri Bhabhi Ke Saath Jo Hua Woh?

He has absolute faith in the written word, having once got the telephone lines to work at their village in Madhya Pradesh by writing to the authorities. So when Rubabuddin suspected that policemen had killed his brother Sohrabuddin, he wrote to the Chief Justice of India, seeking that the Supreme Court and top central agencies investigate the fake encounter.

That was in November 2005. He wrote every month till his voice was heard. He attended every court hearing. In the end, in December last year, a special CBI court discharged Amit Shah, who was minister of state (home) in Gujarat when the killing took place and one of the accused in the case.

“The CBI is like a courtesan, a prostitute. It has to go with whoever is in power,” Rubabuddin says. “I’m disappointed, but we won’t give up.” Tall and lean, Rubabuddin is a successful farmer. He says his children go to good schools and that he doesn’t need much money to live comfortably. He has had police protection since 2007, and the Jan Sangharsh Manch, a rights group, supports him in his fight for justice for his brother and sister-in-law. Every time there is a case hearing, he travels from his village Jhirniya, in Ujjain district of Madhya Pra­desh, spending his own money. He wants to see that justice is done to his brother and his “missing” bhabhi.

“Mere bhai ka toh encounter hai, par meri bhabhi ke saath jo hua uska kya? Aaj tak koi thos baat samne nahin aai jab ki unka koi kasoor nahin tha. Unke baare mein toh koi bol hi nahin raha (My brother may have been killed in an encounter, but what about my sister-in-law? She was innocent, but till today nothing has been uncovered about her disappearance, or how and why it happened. No one says anything about her?),” Rubabuddin says.

But he has not stopped raising questions—whether it is about the case or about transfers or the deaths of the previous two CBI judges. All his questions and doubts are set out in black and white—in letters addressed to the Supreme Court.

For More:

http://bit.ly/1CISxuk

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From a fax machine error to playing with Juninho: Defender turned primary school headteacher looks back on life at Boro

Now happily retired from the game he can look back and smile but the admin error that blighted Phil Whelan’s Boro career was no laughing matter at the time.

Indeed, the defender would quickly become accustomed to quips about Keith Lamb’s fax machine.

Not that Boro’s chief executive was in the wrong.

It was January 1995. Boro were in need of defensive cover. Phil Whelan, at Ipswich at the time, was open to the offer of a move.

In fact, the chance to play for Bryan Robson was something the 23-year-old was never going to turn down.

The strapping centre-half didn’t have much time to think about the move after discovering Boro were interested on deadline day but didn’t need any convincing.

He took a phone call at 2pm and learnt a fee had been thrashed out by the two clubs. By 4pm the deal was done and he was a Boro player. Or so he thought.

This is where the fax machine comes in. But not Keith Lamb’s.

“I think it was Steve Vickers who’d got a two-match suspension and Boro wanted to bring in cover at the back,” says Whelan.

“The two clubs had agreed a fee, I spoke to Bryan Robson on the phone about a few things and agreed terms by which time it was about 4pm.

“As far as I was concerned the deal was done and I was delighted. The papers were then faxed to the FA but there was an issue there and they didn’t receive the papers until 5.30pm time.

“It wasn’t until the next day when I realised what had happened. I was on my way up to Boro when I got a phone call to say there’d been a problem.

“I got to the training ground and they told me I wouldn’t be able to play until the following season.”

Phil Whelan in action for Boro against Dion Dublin for Coventry

It was far from ideal for the big centre-half.

While Boro finished the job in such impressive fashion and won promotion to the Premiership, Whelan was a frustrated spectator in the stands - delighted for his team-mates but unable to shirk off the feeling of disappointment that he hadn’t been able to play a part.

“When we got promoted we didn’t sign any more defenders so I thought it would be an opportunity for me but the manager started with the players who had played for him the season before, which you can understand.

“Getting promoted that season was fantastic for the club but there was a little niggling feeling that it could have been me on the pitch playing a part.”

Regardless of who you speak to, all of those who were part of that 1994/95 title winning side speak of a special time for the football club.

Those who attended the recent reunion of the squad at the Riverside, including Bryan Robson, John Hendrie, Derek Whyte, Craig Hignett and Curtis Fleming, all look back on that campaign and the first two seasons in the Premier League as a stand-out time in their career.

Whelan is no different. He went from joining a club gunning for promotion to playing alongside the likes of Ravanelli and Juninho in less than two years.

Phil Whelan playing for Boro

“It was unbelievable,” said the 42-year-old.

"An incredible time for the club.

“I came in in 1995 and it was about that time that everything just exploded, the town was absolutely buzzing.

“I’ve never known anything like it anywhere else.

“The players who came in, you honestly couldn’t have made it up.

“Ravanelli, Juninho, Emerson, these are players who every club in Europe would have wanted to sign.

“Looking back, I think it was the signing of Nick Bamby that started it all off.”

Ravanelli and Juninho

And Whelan is in no doubt as to how Boro attracted the superstars to Teesside.

“Steve Gibson is a man who is completely and utterly passionate about his football club, you couldn’t fail to get drawn in by his passion,” he said.

“But the reason for all of those players coming to the club was Bryan Robson, players wanted to play for him.”

“He was a fantastic bloke. He was still actually a player when I signed and he still wanted to be on the pitch.

“On the pitch he was so passionate, was never afraid to tell you exactly what you should be doing.

“Off the pitch he was a really nice bloke but at times he could have maybe done with that edge that he had when he was on the pitch.”

Whelan says he has a soft spot for all of his former clubs so would love to see Boro and Ipswich win promotion this year.

This season, he says, is by far Boro’s best chance of getting back to the big time since they suffered relegation six years ago.

From the football pitch to the classroom. He’s got some incredible stories to tell the youngsters. For Mr Whelan is now a primary school headteacher.

While other players deliberate over whether or not to go into the coaching side of the game, Whelan had an accounting degree to fall back on when finished playing.

New head teacher at Millfields Primary, Phil Whelan, with members of the school football team, from left to right, Jodie Malone, Ceris Owen, Will Dunn, Fin Wilson-Gillies, Azhar Nazir and Will West.

But he admits he didn’t fancy going from spending his days on the training pitch to sitting in an office all day, every day.

Instead, a chance conversation with a friend who was a teacher led to him being invited into a school for the day. He was hooked.

“I had an operation in January 2003 when I was at Southend and my contract was up at the end of the season,” he explained.

“That’s when I knew I would have to call it a day. It was my fifth operation.”

He moved to Cheshire the year later where he got his first teaching job and just over a decade on he’s now the head teacher at Millfields Primary School, in Nantwich.

“I love it,” he beamed.

“There’s a lot that transfers from football to education.

“Motivation is the most important. If you can master self-motivation and realise you are the most important person in your future you’re well on the way to success.

“There’s things I miss about playing football.

“If you watched me at Boro then you’ll know playing the game was never my forte so training was always hard work,” he laughed.

“The thing that I miss most is going into the training ground every day when you’re a young lad and having an absolute ball.

“There’s so much banter flying about and it’s brilliant.

“I can’t imagine any other career when you get that on a daily basis.

“But I love what I’m doing now.

“I plan to coach the football team and I’m very keen to raise the profile of sport within school.”

He never went into management but you can bet his primary school team will be successful.

There aren’t many youngsters who can quiz their headteacher on what it’s like to play alongside a World Cup winner, after all.

Hunt for gunman who shot at Park End pub over as Cleveland Police close investigation

An investigation into a pub shooting has been closed.

Cleveland Police has confirmed the hunt for a gunman who shot at the Park End pub on Penistone Road, Middlesbrough, is now over.

The incident happened in the early hours of February 1, 2013.

No one was injured in the incident, although two windows were damaged by a firearm.

A man was arrested in the following month on suspicion of conspiracy to commit criminal damage with intent to endanger life.

But the 27-year-old from North Ormesby was later released without charge.

A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police has now told The Gazette: “The investigation was closed as undetected, unless any further information should come to light.”

Police were called to the Penistone Road bar at 8.30am after reports of a shooting.

It is believed the gunshots were fired about four hours earlier.

No one was injured although two windows were damaged.

The pub was taped off throughout the day as forensic officers carried out investigations.

Speaking at the time of the shooting, Detective Inspector Matt Murphy-King, was keen to stress that the incident was rare for Teesside and that police were “committed to finding those responsible and bringing them to justice”.

“I want to reassure the local community that we are taking this incident extremely seriously and that there will be an increased police presence in their area, including extra patrols,” he said.

When The Gazette approached locals about the incident at the time, many remained tight-lipped.

But people took to social media to express their worry that a gun had been used in the attack.

One person said: “It scares the hell out of me that we’ve got guns on our patch, with the amount of idiots around the place who will think it’s big and clever to wave them around and mess about with them.”

Another person said: “It’s the point someone has got a gun where we all live and what if one of the kids find it then what will happen then?”

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Middlesbrough CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Corporal Roberts Close: Street named after fallen soldier unveiled in Hemlington

Memories of a fallen Teesside soldier are set to live on in Middlesbrough after a road on a new estate was named in his honour.

The sign for Corporal Roberts Close was unveiled today in memory of Corporal Andrew Roberts from Hemlington, who died in Helmand Province on May 4 2012 aged 32 during his second tour of Afghanistan.

The road is situated in Hemlington between Stainton Way and Hemlington Hall Academy - Andrew’s former primary school.

Andrew’s family and friends, including his parents, Stephen, 59 and Pauline 63, attended the unveiling which was done by Andrew’s nieces and nephews.

Stephen said: “This means a lot. Not just to us but to the whole family.

“I am going to walk this way to the shop every day.

“Andrew would have been chuffed to bits. This would have been the icing on the cake for him.”

Middlesbrough Mayor, Ray Mallon attended the event. He said: “The Afghan war has been particularly brutal. As a country we have lost many servicemen, two of who are from Middlesbrough. They lost their livers fighting for freedom and democracy.

“I think it is very important that we remember Corporal Andrew Roberts and Squadron Sergeant Major Charlie Wood and therefore fitting memorials should be located within the town.

“I can’t think of a greater sacrifice than a soldier laying down their life for the country and that is exactly what Corporal Roberts and Sergeant Wood did.

VIEW GALLERY

“This has been a traumatic experience for Stephen and Pauline Roberts, the parents of Andrew and I know that they get great comfort from the support they have received. Today’s memorial assists with them coming to terms with their tragic loss.

“There will be a similar memorial for Sergeant Wood. I am hoping that we will have other memorials closer to the Cenotaph to remember these brave soldiers as well as other soldiers we have lost in other conflicts since World War Two.”

Andrew left behind his three children Jessica, Kyle and Kayla and his girlfriend, Paula Ewers. He also left brothers Mark, Darren and Michael and sisters Tracey and Emma.

A covenant will be placed on the land once it has been adopted by Middlesbrough Council. This means that whatever happens to the road in years to come, the name ‘Corporal Roberts Close’ will always be attached to the land.

65% of secondary schoolgirls of Saudi Arabia smoke

The number of smokers among Saudi secondary schoolgirls reached 65 percent, while the rate among intermediate schoolgirls stands at 45 percent, a recently-published survey said.

The survey, conducted by the Faculty of Medicine at the Jeddah-based King Abdulaziz University, said the phenomenon poses a real threat to the health of Saudi women in the long term.

In a similar study earlier, Najran University founded that one-third of the Saudi population smoked on a regular basis.

The Kingdom ranked second and fifth at the GCC and global levels respectively, in terms of the number of female smokers, Al-Madina daily said. However, the GCC countries have taken steps to curb the increasing number of smokers by raising the prices of cigarettes by 200 percent.

The move did not have the desired effect, and the number of smokers has risen alarmingly.

The reasons for the rising number of smokers among teenage girls has been attributed to wider exposure to the culture of foreign countries in light of the increased use of social media, mobile applications and the spread of e-cigarettes.

Nagwa Mousa, mother of two daughters, said smoking is the outcome of lack of guidance and monitoring by parents at home. She pointed out that parents should befriend their children and listen attentively to their needs to ensure a healthy relationship

Vishwa Hindu Parishad wants Akbar’s fort in Allahabad to be replaced with night shelter

Kicking up a controversy, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad on Saturday said the fort built by Mughal emperor Akbar on the banks of the river Yamuna in Allahabad is a “symbol of subjugation of Hindus” and wanted the imposing structure to be replaced with a night shelter for poor pilgrims visiting to have a dip in the holy Sangam.

“During Muslim rule in India, countless temples were pulled down and replaced with mosques. These mosques were erected as symbols of subjugation of Hindus. The VHP had sought to remove only three of such symbols – at Ayodhya, Kashi and Mathura. The Fort situated nearby is another such symbol,” VHP patron Ashok Singhal said.

Singhal was speaking at a ‘Virat Hindu Sammelan’ organised at Parade Ground in the vicinity of the Sangam and the fort, to mark the golden jubilee of the establishment of the Sangh Parivar outfit.

“Why should there be a fort so close to the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and mythical river Saraswati, where Hindus come from across the country every year to take a holy dip on festivals and where millions converge whenever the Kumbh Mela is organized?” the VHP patriarch asked.

“Everybody knows that this fort was built to commemorate a Mughal emperor’s victory over Hindus,” Singhal said, alluding to the Second Battle of Panipat in which Akbar had defeated Hemu, a Hindu king, thereby establishing the hegemony of the Mughal Empire across north India.

He alleged that the “Akshayvat” – a banyan tree which is held sacred by Hindus – was “made inaccessible to devotees through the imposing structure”.

“Even today, people are being fooled in the name of allowing worship at the Akshayavat as the original sacred tree is situated in deep, inaccessible corners of the fort. Why should not the structure be replaced with a ‘rain basera’ (night shelter) for poor pilgrims who sleep in the open in cold weather to have a holy dip at the crack of dawn on bathing festivals,” Singhal added.

A 'Benefits Street-style' show will no longer be filmed in a Scottish town following protests

TV producers will no longer film in a Scottish town for a 'Benefits Street-style' show.

In December TV bosses were keen to feature Stevenston in a Channel 5 show highlighting the lives of those living on benefits, reports The Daily Record and Sunday and Sunday Mail.

Researchers had been in the area and posted out flyers asking locals about life on benefits.

But now, reports the paper, producers have confirmed they will no longer film in the area.

Labour councillors had sent a letter to the channel - and said they would launch a campaign to prevent filming.

Speaking to the paper, Labour councillor Joe Cullinane said: "We couldn't sit back and allow Stevenston to become the next victim of TV bosses obsession with divisive 'poverty porn' programmes.

"Launching this campaign has put pressure on Channel 5 to bin their plans and I am pleased that by standing up to them we have won this campaign on behalf of the community."

The second Channel 4 series of Love Productions' Benefits Street has been filmed in Kingston Road on Stockton's Tilery Estate - and is set to hit our screens next month.

:: You can keep up to date with all the latest Benefits Street news here

Marton woman praises hospital and ambulance staff who cared for her after broke her hip

An elderly woman has praised hospital and ambulance staff who helped care for her after she suffered an agonising hip break.

Jean Knaggs, 89, and her husband Kenneth Knaggs, 89, were at home on Boston Drive in Marton, Middlesbrough when Jean suffered a serious fall that left her in agony.

The ambulance service has faced criticism in recent months after a number of stories revealing long waits for an ambulance.

But Jean and Kenneth were so delighted by the swift and professional service they received from ambulance and hospital staff that they wanted to publicly thank them.

“I’d been ill before, so I was just getting over that. I was at home when I just stumbled and fell,” said Jean.

“I landed and felt a big crack - the pain was horrible.”

Still recovering on ward 34 at James Cook University Hospital, Jean said: “We rang an ambulance and it there in minutes. They were absolutely marvellous.

“There was this very tall paramedic and she was so gentle.

“We’ve came into this ward and when we did, we noticed how very calm and helpful all of the nurses are.

“They help you whenever and however they can - the only problem is the shortage of them.

“I want to say a big thank you to everybody who’s helped look after me.”

Anne Tate is a specialist nurse on ward 34 which is an orthopaedic ward that specialises in hip breaks, especially in elderly patients.

She said: “We’ve had a massive improvement project for broken hips since 2010.

“Because of the many different health problems elderly patients can have, we ensure that they are looked after from a medical point of view as well as an orthopaedic perspective.

“Surgery should be performed within 36 hours of being admitted to the ward.”

Sean Dolan raises almost £4k for James Cook Hospital after losing half his skull after freak football accident

A determined teacher says he can now “put the past behind him” after getting back to work one year on from a horrific accident.

Sean Dolan, from Billingham, had almost half his skull removed after he tripped and hit his head off a wall during a game of football.

The 26-year-old spent five days in a coma while doctors fought to save him after the freak accident caused a fractured skull and bleed on the brain.

But he vowed to fight back and went on to complete an Olympic-sized triathlon and raised a staggering £3,831.65 for Middlesbrough’s James Cook University Hospital.

And in January, just a year after he had a titanium plate fitted to replace the missing skull, Sean secured a job teaching Year 5 pupils at Shotton Hall Primary School in Peterlee, and now says he can now look forward to the future.

“For the past 14 months people have said to me, ‘Everything happens for a reason’ or ‘It’s all part of a bigger plan’, but I never believed there was a happy ending to what I’ve been through.” Sean said.

“But I find it incredible that I have returned to teaching exactly one year to the day I was released from hospital. It almost seems too perfect and it has made me believe. I can finally say I am excited about the future, and I can put the past behind me.”

Sean Dolan had half his skull removed after suffering a bleed on the brain when he hit his head playing football

Sean spent weeks in intensive care before moving to rehabilitation where he received occupational and physiotherapy. He said raising funds for the hospital “was the least he could do” to thank those who saved his life.

He said: “Without the staff at James Cook Hospital I wouldn’t be here today. The surgeons saved me, and the nurses made my stay bearable, so I was glad to give a little back.”

A spokesperson for South Tees NHS Trust said: “Sean has raised such a fantastic amount which has been donated to our Neurosciences fund to help enhance patient care at James Cook.

“Donations like this help us provide the extras over and above what the NHS provides and we really appreciate all his efforts. Consultant neurosurgeon Mr Nitin Mukerji was delighted to receive this fantastic donation.

To find out more about fundraising for South Tees Hospitals Charity please visit http://bit.ly/1zLkn5x .

Stockton student impresses at prestigious event to mark the life and legacy of Sir Winston Churchill

For many people, the thought of public speaking is enough to get the boots quivering.

But Stockton student, Nathania Ewruje, did Teesside proud when she delivered a word-perfect speech at the Houses of Parliament in front of the Prime Minister and other notable politicians.

The 17-year-old was tasked with delivering the same speech Sir Winston Churchill made when he unveiled a statue of himself at the London Guildhall in 1955 at an event to mark his life and legacy.

And if that was not nerve-racking enough, she followed on from the Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, and David Cameron, who both also paid tribute to Churchill in front of members of Churchill’s family.

“My reading went a lot better than I thought it would. I was a lot calmer than I thought I’d be,” said the Stockton Sixth Form College student.

“It was a really scary moment knowing I would have to follow David Cameron. It was intimidating at first as I listened to those before me.”

Nathania Ewruje

Nathania was chosen to take part after winning the English-Speaking Union’s (ESU) Winston Churchill Cup for public speaking last year.

For that event, the teenager had written a speech based around the Winston Churchill quote from 1953 on the occasion of his award of the Nobel Prize for literature: “The power of man has grown in every sphere, except over himself.”

At the remembrance service, Nathania was also among those who laid wreaths in Churchill’s honour before a breakfast reception was held in the Churchill Dining Room.

“It was fascinating to see inside the Houses of Parliament,” she said.

“Ed Miliband approached me first, congratulating me on my reading. All of the party leaders commented that I didn’t seem nervous. David Cameron in particular was talking to me about the speech that I gave, and how relevant and influential Churchill’s words still are.

“I am still stunned to have been given such an amazing opportunity. It all feels very surreal.”

Nathania Ewruje

Joanna Bailey, principal at Stockton Sixth Form College, said: “Nathania can deliver readings which are not only technically excellent, but warm, passionate and engaging.

“Being invited to commemorate Sir Winston Churchill at a national event is a remarkable opportunity and testament to Nathania’s exceptional talents.”

Cause of Thornaby gearbox garage blaze being investigated by fire crews

A blaze that raged in the roof void of a gearbox garage is being investigated today by fire crews.

At 11.19pm yesterday Cleveland Fire Brigade was called to reports of a fire at a commercial premises in Thornaby.

Three fire crews from Stockton Fire Station along with a hydraulic platform attended the blaze at Easi Gears garage on Sun Street in Thornaby.

Both police and fire crews attended and a cordon was put in place.

Some residents were advised they would have to leave their homes if the situation became worse. The fire was put out by about 12.10am.

The building was unoccupied at the time of the incident and nobody was injured.

Scene of a fire at a garage at Sun Street, Thornaby

Parcel courier Peter Capaldi, 43, lives at one of the houses next to Easi Gears that received police advise to leave his home for his own safety if the flames got out of control.

Mr Capaldi said: “I know that there wasn’t a fire there when I looked out at 11.10pm, but at about 11.50pm I had the police knocking on my door.

“When I opened it, the street was full of fire engines, police and firemen.

“They asked if I had anywhere I could go because they were advising residents that they should leave their homes if it gets any worse.

“I went out round our back you could see flames coming out of the roof and there was plenty of smoke coming out as well.

“It was a good hour while they got it under control.”

Scene of a fire at a garage at Sun Street, Thornaby

Across the street Helen King, 27, and carer Vicky Chekoldina, 40, were awoken by the flashing lights and commotion.

Ms King said: “We were in bed but we were woken up by the flashing lights and sirens.

“Some people over the road were outside but the police didn’t come over to us.”

Ms Chekoldina said: “I opened the window and there was a lot of noise.

“We didn’t see any smoke or anything until the fire brigade came. They opened the door and there was a lot of flames inside.”

A Cleveland Fire Brigade spokeswoman said: “Although this incident was resolved, because of the nature of the fire being in the roof void of the property, fire crews will be attending the scene again to check the property and investigate the cause of the fire.”

The investigation is expected to resume today. The cause of the fire is still unknown.

GCC condemns ‘coup’ in Yemen

RIYADH: The Gulf Cooperation Council has accused the Houthi movement of staging a coup in Yemen after they announced they were dissolving parliament and forming a new government, Kuwait’s news agency said.

“The Houthi coup marks a grave and unacceptable escalation… and endangers the security, stability, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Yemen,” the GCC said in a statement from its Riyadh headquarters.

The GCC had urged the Houthis to pull out of Sanaa, which the militia overran in September.

The GCC said its own security was linked to that of Yemen and vowed to take “all the necessary measures to defend their interests.”

The Gulf states called on the UN Security Council to intervene and put an end to the “coup which has placed Yemen and its people in a dark tunnel.”

The turmoil in Yemen has raised fears that the country could become a failed state. The opposition of the GCC may signal growing isolation for Yemen and reflects Sunni Muslim hostility toward the Houthi group.

“This Houthi coup is a dangerous escalation which we reject and is unacceptable. It totally contradicts the spirit of pluralism and coexistence which Yemen has known,” the GCC statement added.

Thousands of demonstrators gathered in three cities in central Yemen to protest the Houthis seizing power. Houthi gunmen dispersed dozens of activists near the capital’s main university by firing into the air.

Protesters chanted slogans calling the Houthi moves a “coup” and demanded the group withdraw its forces from major cities.

The Houthis dissolved parliament on Friday and set up a five-member presidential council to form a transitional government to govern for two years.

Abdel Malik Al-Houthi, the group’s leader, said he was open to all parties playing a role in Yemen’s future.

“Our hand is extended to every political force in this country … the space is open for partnership, cooperation and brotherhood and now everybody bears their responsibility for building, not destruction,” he said in a televised speech.

Tensions ran high in Sanaa on Saturday, with armed Houthis out in force near main government buildings.

A rudimentary bomb exploded outside the republican palace in Sanaa, wounding three militiamen, eyewitnesses said.

Yemen’s Houthi movement dissolved parliament on Friday and said it would set up a new interim government.

The Houthis entered Sanaa in September and began to fan out into more cities in Yemen’s south and west.

Tributes after death of Middlesbrough former headteacher who inspired thousands with his teaching and guitar playing

Heartfelt tributes have been paid to a former special school headteacher who was also a hugely talented rock guitarist.

John Whittingham, who has died, aged 64, spent 32 years at Middlesbrough’s Tollesby School, including 19 as headteacher.

During his time in charge, the school, and its pupils, flourished, earning Tollesby exceptional Ofsted reports and an invitation for John to meet the Queen in an event recognising teachers’ exceptional achievements.

But in his spare time, music was his first love - and he when he played his guitar, he rocked.

From the 1960s onwards, his skilfully passionate playing made him an invaluable member of various North-east bands, starting with The Down and Outs in 1965 and progressing to The Elastic Band, Cycle, Desperado and, since 1994, Raised On Rusks.

But perhaps it’s his time with Cycle when John was most in his element, the band supporting the likes of Joe Cocker, Mott the Hoople, Van der Graaf Generator and Atomic Rooster at the famous Redcar Jazz Club nights.

And after Desperado backed Canadian duo Bill and Su-An Hillman on their track Lady Luck - a track written by John - he even received a royalty cheque from Canada for the grand total of 22p!

Middlesbrough born and bred, John was educated at Stainsby School before going on to teacher training at Teesside Polytechnic and a philosophy degree at Newcastle. His first teaching job was at the old St Thomas’s RC School before he moved, as an art teacher, to Tollesby, where he stayed until his retirement in 2006.

His first deputy, Dick Stokoe, said: “He cared passionately about the kids and the staff.

“He gained a bit of a reputation in the authority because if he thought a meeting wasn’t of benefit to the school, he’d leave, saying ‘I’m better off back with the kids.’

“But he was all things to all people - he could inspire a kid who had severe difficulties and he could talk to the Queen.

“With the kids, he changed so many lives and with the music, he enriched so many lives.”

He met his wife, Catherine, while playing a Cycle gig at Thornley Club in County Durham. They married in 1974 and had two sons, Paul, now 37, and James 33. The couple have three granddaughters - Lucy, Emily and Grace.

As well as music, he also enjoyed family holidays, fishing - he took some pupils fishing in Faceby on his last day at Tollesby - tending his allotment, going to the gym and football (he was a Boro season ticket holder).

An inquest will be held into his death after he was found collapsed at the bottom of stairs at his Linthorpe home on January 23. But for now, family and friends are finding comfort in remembering the devoted family man, talented musician, loyal friend with a wickedly dry sense of humour and inspirational headteacher.

Catherine, 63, said: “Sometimes, we were more like brother and sister in the way we knew what each other was thinking.”

And his old bandmates are predicting quite a turnout of musicians for his funeral on Monday at 11am at Teesside Crematorium. Donations in lieu, if desired, will be to the Zoe’s Place baby hospice.

Teesside children's writer receives thanks from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

A children’s writer from Teesside has received thanks from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge after he sent Prince George some copies of his books for Christmas.

Children’s author Peter Brunton sent Prince George a copy of all three of his Sally the Oil Rig Seal books as a present for Christmas.

After sending the books Peter more or less forgot about it until he received a letter through the post which had a rather exclusive postmark on it.

Peter said: “I noticed the postmark was different - it said, Buckingham Palace.

“At first I thought it was a wind-up. But then I the opened the envelope and looked at the letter and I realised it was the real thing.”

With an official Kensington Palace letterhead and addressed to Mr Brunton, the letter reads: “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have asked me to thank you for your kind letter and gift sent to Prince George at Christmas.

“Their Royal Highnesses are most grateful to you for taking the trouble to send Prince George three of the ‘Sally the Oil Rig Seal’ children’s books.

“It really was most thoughtful of you and The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have asked me to send you their warmest thanks and best wishes for the New Year.”

Peter Brunton

Peter drew on his experiences working on an oil rig and wrote his first book, Sally the Oil Rig Seal, in 1993 and got friend and colleague Trevor Kirton, a diving superintendent to illustrate the story.

It has since been translated into Norwegian and has spawned two sequels, Sally To The Rescue and Sally And Her Pups.

The 66-year-old former offshore worker, who lives in Stainton, but is originally from Middlesbrough, was delighted at the Royal response.

“I was absolutely amazed,” said Peter, adding, “I was so pleased that somebody took the time to say thank you and write to me.

“It’s nice to know that they actually care about the people in this country.”

Peter will be reading from his books at Guisborough Book Shop on Chaloner Street, Guisborough, from 11am-1pm on Saturday February 28 - for details call 01287 610179.

Six taken to hospital after taking ecstasy tablets at Middlesbrough nightspot

Six young people were taken to hospital after taking ecstasy tablets at a Middlesbrough nightclub.

The young people were at a “RIFF RAFF” night in the Medicine Bar on Corporation Road last night and were later hospitalised having taken what is believed to have been a high strength form of MDMA (ecstasy) tablet marked with a “UPS” logo.

Cleveland Police are warning young people of the dangers of taking the tablets. The force have also issued a photograph of the tablets so that parents and young people are aware of what the tablets look like and ensure they avoid them.

A force spokeswoman said: “Taking this type of tablet can prove dangerous and is potentially life-threatening.

“Young people and parents should be aware of the harm these tablets pose.”

Redcar cricketers are on the ball at 24-hour table tennis marathon

A cricket club staged a 24-hour sponsored table tennis marathon to boost funds.

Supporters aged from 15 to 50 took part in the event, which began at Redcar Cricket Club at 6pm on Friday.

More than £1,800 was raised for new bats, balls, nets and upkeep of the facilities.

“We’ve been struggling for a while now for equipment and facilities especially for the junior team,” said club captain Dale Metcalfe.

“We rely heavily on volunteers to keep the club up and running so we decided it was time to try and raise funds to give us a boost.

Organiser, Dale Metcalfe with the rest of the team who were taking part

Dale was one of about 20 players to stick it out until the very last round and said he was amazed by his club’s efforts to keep the ball moving throughout the entire time.

He said: “Believe it or not we have had a lot of fun with it. We’ve had a laugh with it and if it means us raising enough to buy a portable net so we can play on grass then it will have all been worth it.”

The marathon - believed to be the first held by a cricket club in the UK - was streamed live on Twitter.

“We didn’t want anyone to doubt us during the 24 hours so we thought the best way would be to live stream the whole thing.

“It’s been a long day, but we’ve had a great time. We are aiming to raise at least £4,000 so we’ve made a good start.”

Redcar Cricket club hold a 24 hour table tennis event to raise money for improvements to the clubhouse

To make a donation or to find out more information about the club, email Dale at: d-metcalfe1@hotmail.co.uk.

Egypt’s Nero burns his country

Dr Amira Abo el-Fetouh

The leader of Egypt’s coup stood proudly amid his supporters, including politicians, decision-makers, and intelligence and media agencies that flow in and out of his office. “I will not hold you back from avenging the officers and soldiers who were killed in Sinai,” he said. “You chose to go down my path and I will not die alone.” Minutes later, his media mouthpieces and supporters called on the people to pull out their knives, saying it is either “us” or “them”; that’s how one TV presenter put it, while another called for the killing of civilians and anyone promoting the Muslim Brotherhood ideology. “I want to see blood,” said yet another, while a fourth called for the destruction of Sinai. This crazy thirst for blood continued to be broadcast by the media outlets and no one stopped them.

Unfortunately, there are no longer any wise men in power to curb this craziness in Egypt. The leader’s calls and incitement for civil war were clear and explicit. It wasn’t essential for him to turn the people against the Brotherhood and get them to take to the streets and burn and kill all those opposed to the brutal, fascist regime, but he did it. The coup leader is trying to escape like the murderer Bashar Al-Assad, who turned the people’s revolution into a civil war in which Syrians are killing their fellow citizens. Now Egypt’s Killer-in-Chief is calling on fellow Egyptians to kill each other in order to save himself at the expense of their lives. He will then be able to enjoy life amongst the ashes after the country is burned to the ground.

That’s right: Egypt’s Nero wants to burn the country after burning the hearts of millions and fragmenting the social fabric of the Egyptian people, splitting them into two camps. You either support him, in which case you will be popular; or you oppose him, in which case you won’t be. It doesn’t matter if you were in opposition from the beginning of the coup or have just woken up to the cruelty and injustice of the regime and turned against it. Either way Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi will turn his media dogs on you for being with the “others”, who are killed on the streets or tortured to death in prison.

Egypt must be saved from its home-grown Nero who wants to burn the country and its people so that he may stay in power, even if this means the ruin of the nation. The Egyptian people must wake up. Tyrants do not distinguish between supporters and the opposition; everyone is a slave in their eyes, to be commanded or killed at will. They live on the skulls of their own people and it is a dangerous path down which Al-Sisi is walking. The man is bent on killing and annihilating his opponents in order to rid the world of them but, unfortunately for him, they won’t just disappear, no matter how many are killed. Instead, they are multiplying, day by day. Thus will God defeat all arrogant unjust sinners.

Eddy Eats: Muse Continental Cafe , Yarm

Muse has a distinctly Parisian feel, with its licensed pavement cafe, but rumour had it they also excelled at that most English of traditions - the Sunday roast.

Mrs E and I were excited to visit; we’d heard a lot about the place since it opened in 2012, especially after it became the first in Yarm to get a mention in the coveted Michelin Guide.

The owners wanted to bring a bit of European street cafe culture to the town, but the day we visited was steel-grey and wintry and, alas, there was to be no al fresco vibe for us.

Inside, however, is very impressive - think smart, chic and ultra modern; metro tiles and bright yet tasteful pop art.

Muse can get very busy and we’d pre-booked the table, but we got there 20 minutes late due to unforeseen circumstances. I don’t usually like to apportion blame but it was, in fairness, entirely Mrs E’s fault.

She was apologetic on arrival but the staff were spot on, taking our tardiness very much in their stride and greeting us with big smiles.

We ordered a glass of Shiraz for her and an even bigger one for me. There was no ale on draught; although you could get it by the bottle if you so desired. The wine was first rate and there was a very good selection.

Given the freezing weather outside, Mrs E went for a warming Onion Soup to start. It was thick and creamy, not the classic French soup she’d envisaged - but the dish was packed full of flavour and it got the thumbs-up anyway.

I decided on the Potted Crab Pate with a crouton and beetroot puree, a simply presented starter which came in a jam jar with a thin crispy slice of toast.

Other starters included the Chorizo and Haricot Beans on Toast with a Poached Egg and a Chicken and Pea Risotto.

We both chose the Beef Dinner, which I thought was excellent - and the other half agreed with me. It came with a crisp Yorkshire pudding, seasonal veg, perfect roasties and a delicious side, which I can only describe as creamy cabbage and leek. The meat was flavoursome and tender, the only fault I could find was there weren’t enough potatoes for me but they soon brought me an extra helping free of charge.

Also on the menu was the Roast Loin of Pork with crackling, apple sauce and mash, a Roast Chicken Breast with bacon, black pudding and baby onion fricassee, tarragon mash and Madeira jus, and Hake with Samphire, cherry tomatoes, caper crush and shellfish cream.

Mrs E wanted to sample the tempting desserts on offer, so after much deliberation we went for the Spotted Dick with creme anglaise and a chocolate and orange ice-cream.

I’d never have thought those flavours would work so well together in a million years, but they did - and the whole lot disappeared in no time.

The dessert menu also included a Fruit Cake Sundae with brandy cream, orange and sultana ice cream, a White Chocolate Parfait with fig and apple chutney and Mixed Ice Creams.

Muse is North Yorkshire chef Marcus Bennett’s second joint venture following on from the success of his gastro-pub, the Bay Horse at Hurworth. It’s proved so popular, he’s opened a third venue - Italian eaterie Cena - opposited on Yarm High Street.

At £18.95 for two courses, Muse is not the cheapest Sunday lunch you’ll ever eat - but the quality is excellent and you certainly get what you pay for.

We’ll definitely be making a return visit to try the evening menu - or maybe when the sun’s shining to soak up some of that pavement cafe culture right here on Teesside.

UN chief calls for donors to fulfil Gaza pledges

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called on Friday for international donors to fulfil their pledges to rebuild the Gaza Strip, Anadolu has reported. The financial assistance was pledged at a donor conference held in Egypt following the Israeli war against the people of Gaza last summer.

Ban made the appeal jointly with the Secretary General of the Arab League, Nabil Elaraby. “The Secretaries-General of the United Nations and the League of Arab States express their deep concern over the situation in Gaza,” a UN statement said. “They appeal urgently to donors to honour and disburse as soon as possible their financial commitments made at the October 2014 Cairo Conference.”

Pledges worth $5.4 billion were made at the conference, half of which was allocated for the reconstruction of Gaza’s infrastructure destroyed by the Israeli attack on the besieged coastal territory. The balance was intended for the urgent needs of the Palestinians in Gaza, who have lived under a strict Israeli-led blockade and three deadly wars waged by Israel since 2006.

Last month, the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which looks after Palestinian refugees, announced that it was halting certain operations in Gaza due to a lack of funds. UNRWA revealed that it has received just $135m out of the $724m that it had sought from donors. It warned that the problems facing displaced Palestinians in Gaza are getting worse.

“The pace of reconstruction in Gaza remains slow,” said UNRWA. “It is crucial now to expand the scope of reconstruction efforts thus far to bring hope to the people of Gaza and ensure stability, based on international responsibility in reconstruction and lifting the siege.”

Such support, added a spokesman, should also include funding for UN agencies that are carrying out vital operations in Gaza, in order to prevent a further deterioration in the already dire humanitarian situation there.

Government has to draw a line between “nationalism and jingoism”: Delhi High Court to Govt

Greenpeace activist Priya Pillai cannot be allowed to travel to London as she would indulge in anti-national activities there, government told the Delhi High Court on Friday.

However, the court termed her not being allowed to visit London as inappropriate, saying the government has to draw a line to distinguish between “nationalism and jingoism”.

Pillai, who was on January 11 offloaded from a flight to London at the IGI airport here, had sought permission again to visit the British capital to make a presentation before British MPs on alleged human rights violation at Mahan in Madhya Pradesh.

During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Sanjay Jain, appearing for the Centre, told Justice Rajiv Sakhdher that a lookout circular issued against Pillai on the advice of the Intelligence Bureau was in national interest.

But the court said the government has to draw a line between “nationalism and jingoism”. It said there are many who indulged in anti-national activities but were travelling abroad.

Jain, however, said Pillai’s visit to London was “a serious threat to the nation” and her tickets were from a group on the Home Ministry watchlist. Submitting a set of documents, he said the government was stopping her only for this trip as it has specific IB inputs. The next hearing is on February 18.