Sunday, March 15, 2015

Blackburn boss Gary Bowyer praises Karanka's response to Boro Jordan Rhodes link


Blackburn boss Gary Bowyer has praised Aitor Karanka’s refusal to be drawn on Boro’s reported interest in Jordan Rhodes.


The in-demand striker scored two goals - taking his tally to three in two games - as Rovers beat Charlton 3-1 on Saturday.


The win leaves Blackburn eight points adrift of sixth-placed Brentford.


The Gazette understands that the Lancashire club are reluctant to allow Rhodes to leave while there’s an outside chance of claiming a play-off position.


Defeat to Brentford tomorrow night at Ewood Park would leave Rovers 11 points adrift of the top six and with just eight games to play, surely consign the club to another season in the Championship.


That could open the door for Boro, who are believed to have agreed a loan deal with Blackburn for Rhodes which would become permanent in the summer.


© CameraSport


Middlesbrough's manager Aitor Karanka greets Gary Bowyer

Karanka has played a straight bat to any questions about Boro’s alleged interest and Bowyer appreciates his stance.


He’s been less impressed with rival bosses who have spoken on the record about the 25-year-old hitman.


Nottingham Forest manager Dougie Freedman confirmed that he’s made an approach for Rhodes and Derby boss Steve McClaren said Rovers would be “crazy” to allow the striker to leave.


Bowyer has said all along that as far as he is concerned, Rhodes would be going nowhere.


He added: “One or two managers conducted their business publiclly, which I think is poor.


“I think Mr Karanka was outstanding in his press conference when he didn’t want to talk about Jordan Rhodes. Full respect to him for that.”


The final decision on Rhodes’ future will come down to the club’s Indian owners.



Glenn Beck to NRA: It’s Norquist or Me


Grover-Norquist Glenn Beck has declared that he will leave the National Rifle Association (NRA) if Republican Party kingmaker Grover Norquist remains on the Board of Directors.


This is long overdue: it has now been over eleven years since FrontPage Magazine first published revelations about what David Horowitz described as Norquist’s “alliances with prominent Islamic radicals who have ties to the Saudis and to Libya and to Palestine Islamic Jihad, and who are now under indictment by U.S. authorities.” Horowitz added:



“Equally troubling is that the arrests of these individuals and their exposure as agents of terrorism have not resulted in noticeable second thoughts on Grover’s part or any meaningful effort to dissociate himself from his unsavory friends.”



Nothing has changed in the intervening years. Norquist has dismissed concerns about his ties to Islamic supremacists as “bigotry” and “hatred,” and this has apparently satisfied the Republican establishment and prominent conservative spokesmen – until now, with Beck breaking ranks.


Beck’s peers and Republican leaders could have and should have ended Norquist’s baneful influence on the Republican Party and the conservative movement years ago. The November 1, 2001 issue of The New Republic (hardly a “right-wing” organ) noted that right after 9/11, President Bush met with several Muslim leaders with unsavory ties to the global jihad:


To the president’s left sat Dr. Yahya Basha, president of the American Muslim Council, an organization whose leaders have repeatedly called Hamas “freedom fighters.” Also in attendance was Salam Al-Marayati, executive director of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, who on the afternoon of September 11 told a Los Angeles public radio audience that “we should put the State of Israel on the suspect list.” And sitting right next to President Bush was Muzammil Siddiqi, president of the Islamic Society of North America, who last fall told a Washington crowd chanting pro-Hezbollah slogans, “America has to learn if you remain on the side of injustice, the wrath of God will come.” Days later, after a conservative activist confronted Karl Rove with dossiers about some of Bush’s new friends, Rove replied, according to the activist, “I wish I had known before the event took place.”


Why didn’t he? Because of Norquist, who



“helped orchestrate various post-September 11 events that brought together Muslim leaders and administration officials…Indeed, when Jewish activists and terrorism experts complained about the Muslim invitees to Adam Goldman, who works in the White House public liaison’s office, Goldman replied that Norquist had vouched for them.”



In 1999, the prominent American Muslim leader Abdurrahman Alamoudi, who is now in prison for financing al-Qaeda, wrote two $10,000 checks to Norquist’s Islamic Institute (aka the Islamic Free Market Institute). Alamoudi is also notorious for proclaiming to a Muslim rally in Washington in 2000: “I have been labeled by the media in New York to be a supporter of Hamas. Anybody support Hamas here? … Hear that, Bill Clinton? We are all supporters of Hamas. I wished they added that I am also a supporter of Hizballah.” There is no indication that Norquist denounced Alamoudi, or returned his checks, after Alamoudi’s open embrace of jihad terror groups.


Even closer to Norquist is Suhail Khan, Norquist’s American Conservative Union (ACU) colleague. The ACU hosts the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), the nation’s largest annual gathering of conservatives, and many observers have charged that Norquist and Khan have foreclosed on any honest discussion of the jihad threat at CPAC. Investigative journalist Paul Sperry revealed in the New York Post in January 2011 that Khan accepted an award from Alamoudi in 2001, commenting: “Abdurahman Alamoudi has been very supportive of me. . . . I hope, inshallah, we can keep working together.”


Sperry also noted that



“in September 2001, four days before the 9/11 attacks, Khan spoke at the Islamic Society of North America’s convention….At the event, Khan shared his experiences from ‘inside’ the White House, and praised his late father, Mahboob Khan, for helping found ISNA — which the government now says is a front for the radical Muslim Brotherhood and has raised money for jihad….Khan vowed in his speech to carry on his father’s ‘legacy.’”



There is much more on Norquist’s unsavory associations and activities, as you can see in these articles on Norquist by Daniel Greenfield, Pamela Geller, Patrick Poole, Jamie Glazov (interviewing Paul Sperry), and David Horowitz. Conservatives have suffered from being in Norquist’s shadow for too long. Particularly in these dark latter days of the Obama Administration, it is imperative that conservative candidates establish themselves as a genuine loyal opposition formulating a realistic and coherent alternative to Obama’s disastrous pro-Muslim Brotherhood policies.


Grover Norquist is the biggest single obstacle preventing that from happening. Glenn Beck is to be commended for being the first major figure on the Right to stand up and say that Grover must go. We can only hope that others will soon follow suit.


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Obama’s Deal With a Cheating Iran?


obama2 In an interview with CBS-TV on Saturday, March 7, 2015, President Barrack Obama stated,



“If we cannot verify that they (Iranians) are not going to obtain nuclear weapons, that there is a breakout period so that even if they cheated we would be able to have enough time to take action – if we don’t have that kind of deal, then we’re not going to take it.”



The Islamic Republic of Iran signed on to the United Nations (UN) Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) on July 1, 1968, then on May 15, 1974, signed the NPT’s Safeguard Agreement with the UN International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that allowed inspections for the purpose of verifying that nuclear enrichment is used for peaceful nuclear energy and not diverted to nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices. Since the advent of the Islamic Republic, the Iranians have repeatedly cheated despite inspections by the IAEA.


The National Council of Resistance of Iran, (NCRI) an exiled opposition group revealed on August 15, 2002 that Iran was building two secret nuclear sites. A uranium enrichment plant at Natanz and a heavy water production plant in Arak.


The IAEA found Iran in noncompliance with the NPT Safeguards Agreement on September 24, 2005, and decided to refer Tehran to the UN Security Council for further action. The decision followed Iran’s repeated failure to fully report its nuclear activities. Iran then announced that it will suspend its voluntary implementation of the additional Protocol that allowed more intrusive and sudden inspections. In January, 2006, Iran broke open internationally monitored seals at the Natanz enrichment facility, and on February 4th, 2006, the IAEA voted to report Iran to the UN Security Council for its non-compliance with its NPT Safeguard Agreement obligations.


An IAEA report on February 22, 2008, concluded that Iran had not fully answered the international community’s questions about its nuclear program and testing of new centrifuges technology for faster uranium enrichment. The report was based on intelligence acquired by the Bush administration, and pointed to Iranian efforts to weaponize nuclear materials. The data was extracted from a laptop smuggled out of Iran in 2004.


Iran’s president Ahmadinejad announced on February 12, 2010, that Iran had produced 20% enriched uranium, up from 3.5%, a move that signaled a major increase in Iran’s capabilities. On February 25, 2011, the IAEA reported that it found new information that suggested that Iran may have worked on nuclear weapons research. On September 2, 2011, an IAEA report found that Iran had not suspended its uranium enrichment, and was not cooperating with the IAEA.


Another IAEA report on November 8, 2011, claimed that Iran had continued nuclear weaponization work since 2003, and that Iran had a secret project to enrich uranium. It also indicated that there were 8,000 centrifuges installed at Natanz, 6,200 of which were operating. Iran claimed that the US had fabricated the evidence.


IAEA inspectors left Iran on February 21, 2012, after being denied access to the Parchin military base. Three days later, the IAEA reported that it found that Iran has significantly increased its uranium enrichment program, and expressed “serious concern” about potential military uses. The IAEA further reported (May 25, 2012) that inspectors found traces of uranium enrichment to 27% at Fordow, and concluded that Iran is “unable to provide credible assurances about the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities in Iran, and therefore to conclude that all nuclear material in Iran is for peaceful activities.”


Iran refused to allow inspectors to investigate nuclear and military facilities in spite of allegations that they carried out tests on atomic weapons triggers. In May, 2013, the IAEA reported that Iran installed advanced IR-2m centrifuges that could significantly upgrade its enrichment capabilities.


The information above has been discovered and made known to the public. The vast unknown machinations of the Iranian regime are still unknown, however. The Iranians are masters in the art of deception, better known as Taqiah. Conversely, western negotiators are too eager to conclude an agreement now. Success for them means a signed agreement, and future consequences are to be left to others.


The Iranians have no need to cheat. The “Sunset clause” in the impending agreement between the P5+1 and Iran allows them the freedom to acquire and spin as many centrifuges as they wish, or build as many nuclear bombs as possible after a 10 year period. For a nation like Iran, waiting for a decade is “a piece of cake.” Charles Krauthammer of the Washington Post (February 26, 2015) explained: “President Obama had accepted the Iranian demand that any restriction on its program be time-limited. After which, the mullahs can crank up their nuclear program at will and produce as much enriched uranium as they want. Sanctions lifted. Restrictions gone. Nuclear development legitimized.”


If the “Sunset clause” was not bad enough, the leaked information on the agreement includes no restriction on Iran’s Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) program. The Iranians announced last month the successful testing of an ICBM. Americans must know moreover, that Iran does not need ICBM’s to hit Tel Aviv, Dubai, or Riyadh. The ICBM’s are intended for the US and its western allies.


President Obama failed to explain in the above-mentioned interview the free reign the Ayatollahs would have in the development of ICBM’s, and possibly carrying nuclear payloads. He also did not explain why Iran would have the right to enrich and spin thousands of centrifuges, and continue to construct the Arak plutonium reactor. All the while, Iran is stonewalling the IAEA on the existence of additional secret facilities that are developing nuclear weapons.


The president did mention in the interview his concern over unleashing a nuclear arms race in the most volatile region in the world. Yet, given the nature of what we know about the deal with Iran, it very well means an end to non-proliferation. After all, if a rogue nation like Iran (another rouge nation, North Korea already did just that) can defy the world by continuing to enrich uranium, and gets a ‘green light’ from the P5+1 to keep thousands of centrifuges, eventually, the unrestricted ability to enrich uranium will lead to a bomb. Other regional powers including Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Egypt will then seek protection by going nuclear as well.


At a NCRI Washington DC press conference late last month, Alireza Jafarzadeh, deputy Director of NCRI’s Washington DC office declared, “There is no way in the world you can assure Tehran is not developing nuclear weapons if you cannot inspect those sites, especially if you are talking about a regime that has over two decades of a track record of lying and cheating and deceiving the whole world.” NCRI had just revealed the existence of a vast complex outside of Tehran called Lavizan-3, deeply buried underground facilities and tunnels with “radiation proof doors,” to prevent leaks that could be detected by the IAEA inspectors.


One wonders what kind of verification President Obama thinks he can get, when decades of IAEA “intrusive” inspections did not stop the mullahs. Sanctions may constrain the mullahs of Iran but won’t stop them from reaching the bomb. President Obama committed to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear bomb, and when Iran cheats, as it has all along, will he go to war against Iran?


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New name revealed for the home of Redcar Bears


Redcar Bears fans won’t be going to South Tees Motorsports Park to watch their team this season - they’ll be going to the Media Prima Arena.


The Ecco Finishing Bears won’t be leaving their home on Dormer Way - the stadium, opened in 2006, has been given a new name.


Dubai-based Media Prima have agreed a one-year naming rights deal with the club.


And the company, who have previously sponsored Bears meetings and backed riders, have a a rolling option to extend the arrangement into the future.


Media Prima produces documentaries and works with Oscar-winning actor Morgan Freeman and X Men star Sir Patrick Stewart among others. The company’s publishing arm has produced authorised biographies for the leaders of several countries.


Bears promoter Brian Havelock welcomed the deal, and said: “To my knowledge, Redcar is the only speedway club in Britain to have backing from a Middle Eastern firm.


“I have always said that the sport can attract commercial deals from far afield, as speedway may not hold the cache of football, for example, but it remains as attractive and as thrilling as it ever has, and as commercially viable.”


Media Prima finance director Paul Wilkin said: “In the past we have enjoyed hospitality at events like horse racing, tennis, football and while the likes of Ascot and the Emirates Stadium offer a more recognisable environment, speedway at Redcar offers something different.”


The team take to the track for the first time in next Saturday’s press and practice day at the Media Prima Arena with a meet the riders evening in the Bears Bar from 7pm.


Their opening meeting is against Workington on Thursday week.



Eston Hills: Twelve youths interviewed by police in connection with fires


Twelve youths have been interviewed by police in connection with the fires at a Teesside beauty spot.


Eston Neighbourhood Police Team interviewed the youngsters under caution following the fires on Eston Hills on Sunday March 8.


Police believe the fires, the latest in a string of similar incidents, were started maliciously and have since been hunting those responsible for starting them.


Police helicopter was dispatched to monitor fires started by youths on Eston Hills VIEW GALLERY


A statement issued by Cleveland Police said: “Eston Neighbourhood Police Team today interviewed 12 youths under caution in respect of last week’s fires on Eston Hills.


“This would not have been possible without the assistance and information provided by the community in response to our appeal for information.


“We thank all members of the community who provided us with valuable information.


“It’s your area, we can’t police it without your help. Thank you.


“Inquiries will continue and more interviews are expected in the coming week.”


Officers and firefighters were called to Eston Hills at about 4.30pm on Sunday March 8 following reports of “from several members of the public” who had seen youngsters setting fires.


As a result there were several pockets of flames and one large blaze on the north side of the hill.


Fire crews, led by Grangetown Fire Station, were at the scene for several hours battling the flames.


Speaking at the time, a Cleveland Police spokeswoman said: “We would like to remind children that deliberately setting fires is extremely dangerous and they are putting themselves and others at risk in doing so.


These fires also cause damage to the natural environment which is there for everyone’s enjoyment. We would urge parents to check where their children are and what they are doing - and to speak to them about staying safe.”


A spokesperson for the force also urged parents to be proactive.


“If your child returns home smelling of smoke, or you come across potential suspects, I would urge you to ring the police,” they said.


Over the years, campaigns to deter youngsters from starting fires there have been carried out.


Cleveland Fire Brigade has also used a specialist 120ft high CCTV camera to look for suspicious behaviour and fires.


Speaking last year, John Feeney, Cleveland Fire Brigade’s district manager, said: “Deliberate grass and moorland fires are reckless in the extreme. They damage our beautiful countryside and divert our resources away from dealing with real emergencies where lives may be at risk.”


Anyone with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.



Boro boss Aitor Karanka pleased to open gap on seventh place Ipswich


Boro's 4-1 victory over Ipswich not only keeps the club level with the leaders, it strengthens their bid to secure a top six finish, according to a delighted Aitor Karanka.


Following another round of Championship fixtures, Boro have 69 points and moved up a place to third, trailing top club Bournemouth by goal difference and Watford, in second, by goals scored.


Perhaps the most significant statistic, though, is the fact that Karanka’s men are eight points clear of seventh-placed Ipswich with nine games remaining.


With a play-off finish being Boro’s chief aim at the start of the season, it would take a catastrophic loss of form for the club to drop out of the top six.


Karanka isn’t looking beyond Tuesday night’s crucial clash at Derby, but he was nevertheless pleased to open up such a big gap on the team in seventh.


He said: “The main thing is we are eight points above them (Ipswich) and seventh position and it’s the best way to start this week.”



Middlesbrough College lecturer misses out on million-dollar Nobel-style teaching award


A Billingham teacher who was named as one of the top 10 teachers in the world has missed out on a million-dollar Nobel-style teaching award.


Dr Richard Spencer, of Middlesbrough College, was one of the final 10 shortlisted to receive the first ever Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize, which recognises an “exceptional” individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the profession.


The winner was announced during a ceremony at the Global Education and Skills Forum in Dubai today.


Nancie Atwell from Maine in the United States was crowned the overall winner.


Nancie will receive one million US dollars, around £630,000, paid over 10 years, and will be asked to serve as a global ambassador for the Varkey GEMS Foundation, attending events and speaking about their work.


The Middlesbrough College head of science was the only British teachers to reach the final 10 in the Varkey GEMS Foundation Global Teacher Prize after being selected from more than 5,000 nominations and 1,300 final applications from 127 countries.


Dr Spencer trained as a secondary school biology teacher after completing a PhD in Molecular Biology and becoming a post-doctoral reseacher.


He has been a chartered biologist and science teacher for more than 22 years and has a host of educational achievements and has received numerous awards for innovative science teaching, including Further Education Teacher of the Year.


He was also given an MBE for services to science communication in 2010.


Dr Richard Spencer & Pope Francis Dr Richard Spencer & Pope Francis


In addition to teaching, Dr Spencer, of Wolviston Court, Billingham, contributes to education conferences and festivals across Europe.


He has won a number of awards for science teaching, trains science teachers internationally and takes part in conferences and workshops.


In January he was named in an elite list of the UKs top 100 practising scientists selected by the Science Council to highlight the diverse roles in the profession.


Working teachers who teach pupils who are in compulsory schooling, or below the age of 18, were eligible to apply, as were heads who also teach. The prize was open to teachers in every country in the world.


The Foundation said it had set up the award as part of a bid to improve the status of the teaching profession.


Sunny Varkey, founder of the Varkey GEMS Foundation, said: “The thousands of applications we received from all around the world is testimony to the achievements of teachers and the enormous impact they have on all of our lives.”



A19 reopens six hours after serious road accidents saw man arrested and eight people taken to hospital


The A19 has reopened following two smashes which saw a man arrested and eight people taken to hospital.


Police are appealing for witnesses after a section of the A19 was closed for about six hours between the A179 Hartlepool juntion and the A181 Wingate turn off following the two serious collisions.


The first incident happened at the Castle Eden turn-off just after 10am when it is believed a vehicle turned onto the A19 to travel North on the Southbound carriageway and was in collision with another vehicle.


Two people were taken to hospital with none life-threatening injuries.


A19 closed in both directions between the A179 near Sheraton and the A181 near Wingate due to a serious incident on each carriageway A19 closed in both directions between the A179 near Sheraton and the A181 near Wingate due to a serious incident on each carriageway


The second incident happened at 10.30am near Sheriton where it is believed that a VW Polo was in collision with a Ford Ka and a Mini Cooper.


Six people were taken to nearby hospitals and it is believed that one person is in a critical condition.


Emergency services attended the two incidents including appliances from Cleveland Fire Brigade and County Durham and Darlington Fire Rescue.


As well as road ambulances, the Great North Air Ambulance also attended.


One person was arrested for dangerous driving.


Sergeant Wells of Durham Constabulary road policing unit would like to speak with anybody who may have seen the collisions.


Anybody with any information is asked to contact the collision investigation unit on 0191 3752159 or Durham Police on the non-emergency number 101 quoting reference DHM-15032015-0135.



Drinks licence granted for first pub in Nunthorpe - but sale up to midnight refused


Grey Towers development in Nunthorpe. VIEW GALLERY


The first pub in Nunthorpe has had its drinks licence granted.


Mitchells and Butlers Leisure Ltd applied to sell alcohol at its proposed to-be-built venue in the new housing development at Grey Towers Farm in Middlesbrough.


The pub chain - the largest operator of restaurants, pubs and bars in the UK with brands including Vintage Inns, Harvester and Toby Carvery - submitted an application for a premises licence to Middlesbrough Council.


It hoped to supply alcohol and play recorded music from 11am to midnight daily and supply late night refreshment from 11am to midnight daily at Vintage Inn Country Pub and Restaurant, which is yet to be built.


But Middlesbrough Council’s licensing subcommittee has agreed to grant the licence on condition the sale of alcohol ends at 11pm daily.


Artist impression from Cygnet Planning of how the Grey Towers pub could look Artist impression from Cygnet Planning of how the Grey Towers pub could look


The subcommittee - chaired by Cllr Bernie Taylor - said: “Residential areas are sensitive to the impact of noise generated by licensable activities especially by patrons departing either on foot or in cars which is particularly intrusive at night when ambient noise levels are much lower.


“In residential areas, where ambient noise level is lower later at night, noise disturbance from activities becomes more probable.


“The committee considered that the premises are in a predominantly residential area and do not meet the criteria in the policy for premises to be considered for hours of 12am and beyond.”


Other conditions imposed by the subcommittee are, except for patrons entering and leaving the premises, the inner doors and windows should be kept closed when recorded music (other than background music) is played within the premises; a digital colour CCTV system with recording equipment shall be installed and maintained; and an incident book shall be kept at the premises at all times and used to record any incidents that occur at the premises.


Nunthorpe Parish Council had objected to the application citing concerns of anti-social behaviour and noise.


The pub would be located just off the Poole roundabout, south of the 295 homes currently being built by David Wilson Homes.


Currently the only pub in the area is the Brunton Arms, on Gypsy Lane, although this is officially classed as being in neighbouring Marton. The Southern Cross, on Dixons Bank, is also in Marton.



Acklam couple shed nine stone between them in less than a year ahead of fifth wedding anniversary


The lives of one Acklam couple have changed forever after they shed nine stones in weight between them ahead of their fifth wedding anniversary.


Mum of two, Cheryl Main, 29, decided to do something about her weight after feeling unhappy in herself for some time.


Having joined her local Slimming World class less than a year ago, Cheryl weighed in at 17st 12 1/2lbs. She has now dropped eight dress sizes and is now six and a half stone lighter at 11st 5lbs.


Not only this, but her husband, Alan, has also lost two and a half stone, taking him from 16st to 13st 7lbs as a result of following Cheryl’s eating habits at home.


Cheryl in April 2014, just before she joined Slimming World and Cheryl now Cheryl in April 2014, just before she joined Slimming World and Cheryl now


Cheryl, who is mum to Harvey, seven, and Gracie, two, said: “A few of my friends had done it. I was not happy in myself.


“I got up on on April 24, our wedding anniversary, last year and said I was going to do it.


“I have never looked back. I have loved very minute of it. It has been amazing.”


The pair of them still can’t believe how much their lives have changed - not only in terms of how they look but how they spend their time as a family too.


Cheryl said: “I am more active with the kids and I am more confident. I love going out. I feel like a totally different person and I have a whole new wardrobe to go with it. I used to hate going clothes shopping.”


During the past year, Cheryl has received various Slimming World accolades for her weight loss including ‘Woman of the Year’ and ‘Greatest Loser.’


As a couple, Cheryl and Alan were also crowned the ‘Couple of the Year’ last month for their joint weight loss efforts.


Alan in April 2014 and Alan now Alan in April 2014 and Alan now


Offshore worker, Alan, 38, said: “I have been eating what Cheryl has been eating.


“I thought I would end up eating more because of the little portions but it is not like that - you can eat as much as you need.”


Cheryl added: “I hate looking at old photos but it reminds me of how far we have both come.


“We went on holiday before I started Slimming World and I was probably at my biggest then. It was things like going on the aeroplane and going on the rides with the kids. It’s lovely being able to do everything with them now.”


Despite their dedication and hard work, the couple’s amazing weight loss might not have materialised if it wasn’t for the support from Slimming World consultant, Sue Collin.


Sue, who has been a consultant for 22 years, said: “I love helping everyone and I love supporting them. They are not allowed to leave my group until they have a smile on their face.


“Cheryl is so enthusiastic about it. It is lovely to see.”


Cheryl added: “I would like to say thank you to Sue. It’s nice to have the support. I honestly think she is my angel. Alan’s support has been amazing.


“It has definitely been a life-changer.”



Watch talented Coulby Newham youngster picked from thousands for place at Royal Ballet School


A gifted young Middlesbrough ballerina is celebrating after being accepted into the prestigious Royal Ballet School.


Coulby Newham youngster Maddie de Andrade, 10, will be heading off to the London-based boarding school, which is known as one of the world’s leading centres for classical ballet training, in September.


Maddie, currently a pupil at Rose Wood Primary School in Coulby Newham, will stay at the school during term-time, and hopes to make it into the Royal Ballet company at the end of her training aged 18.


She will study there full-time, with four hours of ballet and four hours of academic lessons each day.


Maddie De Andrade Maddie De Andrade


Maddie’s mum Pamela, 47, said: “She’s absolutely ecstatic. We found out on Monday and she hasn’t stopped smiling since.


“There were only 12 places for girls and thousands of applicants from all over, including Italy and France, so she’s done really well.”


Maddie has trained with the Thompson School of Ballet in Great Ayton since the age of three, and has parents who have both studied ballet.


Dad Daniel, 50, teaches at the Leeds-based Northern Ballet, and sister Ellise, 14, a student at King’s Academy, is also a ballet dancer.


Pamela said Maddie, who also has three brothers, Dale, 25, Lewis, 23 and 20-year-old Kieran, is looking forward to the challenge of being away from her family.


She said: “I am worried, but she’s doing what she wants to do. We can’t move as we have other children. In the first term there are no weekend classes so she could come home every Friday and stay until Sunday night, and after that she can come home every three weeks if she wants to. I don’t think she’ll be homesick - she’ll be enjoying herself too much.


“It’s been her dream since she was three. She’s really focused and determined.”



Daughter raffling off collection of Easter chicks for asthma unit that helped her mum


A mother's love has inspired a daughter to raise vital funds for a hospital asthma unit in her memory.


The idea to raffle off a collection of Easter chicks was the brainchild of Nasreen Younis who lost her mother to asthma 16 months ago.


The 36-year-old wanted to show her gratitude to staff at the University Hospital of North Tees in Stockton and raise funds for the local NHS Trust’s Respiratory Fund.


Rehana Nazir was 68 when she passed away in November 2013 while on her way home from a holiday in Pakistan.


Nasreen, a regeneration project manager with Middlesbrough Council, said her mother had lived life to the full in spite of the condition.


“She was a smart, clever and ‘full of life’ character who was loved by all from little kids to elderly people and from all walks of life,” she said.


“She was the lady who would befriend someone on a train journey or bus as they instantly warmed to her.


“She left a big hole when she died, not just for her immediate family but many of her friends throughout the world including Pakistan and Canada.


“We lost our father at a young age so mum spent 20 years without him bringing us up - she dedicated all her energy, time and effort to us.


“She could be so ill some days and you could see that in her face, but she wanted to get dressed, put on her favourite lippy, matching accessories and cook us all a meal.”


Nasreen’s daughter Zoya was just four months old when her nanny died but will find out all about her as she grows up.


A collection of soft toy chicks - started as something of a joke when Nas was in her 20s - grew and grew, finally giving Nas her fundraising idea.


“My mum was always giving to charity here and in Pakistan, so I wanted to do something positive in her memory,” she said.


“I felt the chicks deserved to go to good ‘homes’ and to be enjoyed and loved by others, hence the raffle.


“The care given to my mum by the staff at the ICU department and on the respiratory ward at North Tees was invaluable, and afterwards we were supported by the asthma nurses, in particular Catherine Hodge who would frequently visit my mum at home.


“Asthma is prevalent in my mum’s family, her mum and sister also passed away from the disease, so it is a worry for us all, but I don’t think people realise just how dangerous it can be.


“Special thanks must go to my friend Brenda who volunteered to wrap the prizes and sell tickets, as well as all the local businesses who have done their bit to support a good cause.”


Asthma specialist nurse Catherine Hodge said: “Nasreen’s mum was a lovely lady who we got to know very well during her illness.


“It is really lovely of her to fund raise for our service in her mum’s memory.”


The raffle is due to be drawn in early April. Tickets are £1 a strip and are available from: Party Planners 52a Cargo Fleet Lane, Mon-Sat, 9am-5pm; Aspire Hairdressing and Beauty, 155 Linthorpe Road, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, 9am-6pm, Thursday, 10am-8pm; Nasreen Younis email nasreen.nazier@gmail.com or ring 07814 635717 or donations can be made via http://bit.ly/1MDjEr0.



Watch all the goals from Boro's 4-1 win over Ipswich at the Riverside


Boro briefly blasted back to the top of the league with a potent televised show against promotion rivals Ipswich .


After a shaky but entertaining first half full of end-to-end attacking Boro gradually gained a strangle-hold and finished off the visitors with an impressive second half show .


Boro went ahead after only three minutes as Daniel Ayala headed home from a corner then after a long break for treatment to the Ipswich keeper the visitors hit back 26 seconds after the restart as Daryl Murphy stabbed home from a rebound.


VIEW GALLERY


Boro were denied two good penalty calls but Albert Adomah blasted Boro ahead before the break.


Then in the second half Patrick Bamford showed his class with two well worked solo goals that demanded class and composure.


The win put Boro top of the pile before the afternoon fixtures kicked-off and the goals took them above Derby and Watford in the goal-difference stakes too.



Deadly blasts hit Pakistan churches in Lahore

Deadly blasts hit Pakistan churches in Lahore

Two bomb blasts have killed at least 10 people near two churches in a Christian neighbourhood of the Pakistani city of Lahore, local officials say.


At least 50 people were reportedly hurt in the explosions at the Catholic church and Christ Church in the city’s Youhanabad area.


Violent protests erupted after the blasts, with large crowds already in the area to attend Sunday mass.


Pakistan’s Christian community has often been targeted by militants.


An offshoot of the Pakistan Taliban, calling itself Jamatul Ahrar, has said it carried out the attack.


Witnesses say suicide bombers were responsible for the explosions but police have not confirmed this.


The bombers are said to have detonated their explosives at the gates of the churches. Local media say the death toll has reached 14.


Christians protest in Faisalabad


As news of the attack spread, Christians in other parts of Pakistan took to the streets in protest


A large crowd gathered at the scene of the blasts, protesting about the lack of security.


The crowd also attacked two men it accused of involvement in the explosions, killing both of them.


Photographs from the scene showed a crowd setting the men’s bodies alight.


Protesters carrying sticks blocked Lahore’s Ferozepur Road. Local television pictures showed a bus station being attacked.


‘Scuffle at church gate’


Amir Masih, a witness quoted by Reuters news agency, said he had heard an explosion near one of the churches.


“I rushed towards the spot and saw the security guard scuffle with a man who was trying to enter the church,” he said.


The man blew himself up after failing to enter the church, Mr Masih told Reuters.


For More:


http://bbc.in/1EPyLhX



Multiple injuries after serious road accidents leave A19 closed in both directions


A MAN was arrested and eight people taken to hospital following two accidents this morning.


Police are appealing for witnesses after a section of the A19 was closed in both directions between the A179 Hartlepool juntion and ther A181 Wingate turn off following two serious collisions.


The first incident happened at the Castle Eden turn-off just after 10am when it is believed a vehicle turned onto the A19 to travel North on the Southbound carriageway and was in collision with another vehicle.


Two people were taken to hospital with none life-threatening injuries.


The second incident happened at 10.30am near Sheriton where it is believed that a VW Polo was in collision with a Ford Ka and a Mini Cooper.


Six people were taken to nearby hospitals and it is believed that one person is in a critical condition.


A19 closed in both directions between the A179 near Sheraton and the A181 near Wingate due to a serious incident on each carriageway A19 closed in both directions between the A179 near Sheraton and the A181 near Wingate due to a serious incident on each carriageway


Emergency services attended the two incidents including appliances from Cleveland Fire Brigade and County Durham and Darlington Fire Rescue.


As well as road ambulances, the Great North Air Ambulance also attended.


One person was arrested for dangerous driving.


The road is expected to remain closed for a further two hours with all northbound traffic advised to leave the A19 at the junction of the A179 and follow the solid triangle diversion symbol.


Drivers should then head east on the A179 then take the A1086 north. At Blackhall Colliery, drivers can then take the B1281 west past Castle Eden and re-join the A19.


The southbound diversion is the reverse of the above but following the hollow square diversion symbol.


Sergeant Wells of Durham Constabulary road policing unit would like to speak with anybody who may have seen the collisions.


Anybody with any information is asked to contact the collision investigation unit on 0191 3752159 or Durham Police on the non-emergency number 101 quoting reference DHM-15032015-0135.



Dog walker returns to Norton home to find bathroom on fire


A homeowner came home from walking her dogs to find her bathroom on fire.


Cleveland Fire Brigade were called at 9.51am on Friday to reports of a house fire on Wiltshire Walk, Norton.


Two fire crews attended and found the blaze raging in the first floor bathroom of the terraced house.


Neighbours described seeing a lot of smoke and flames visible from the upstairs windows of the house.


One resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “It’s lucky that the lady who lives there wasn’t inside when it started.


“Thankfully she was out walking her dogs and she hasn’t been hurt.


“The fire brigade arrived very quickly to put it out.”


Norton Fire Station watch manager Gordon Young said: “When we attended we found a developed fire on the first floor and the occupant of the property outside along with a couple of dogs.


“Two fire fighters using breathing apparatus entered the building and extinguished the fire.


“We vented the property and are currently undertaking an investigation into the cause of the fire. At this stage it is believed to have started with faulty electrical equipment.”


After the fire was extinguished, the bathroom was left severely fire and smoke damaged while the rest of the house had sustained smoke damage.


Mr Young said the house had a smoke alarm fitted but it was not though to have sounded.


He added: “It’s important that you check your smoke alarm every 48 hours - it could save your life.


“If you’ve got a smoke alarm great, but there’s no point in having it if it isn’t working.”


To book a free Home Fire Safety Visit call 01429 874063 or visit http://bit.ly/1CjbmoA and complete the online form.



Petition launched to reopen Middlesbrough community centre after charity had to pull out


A petition has been launched to reopen a Middlesbrough community centre.


Brambles Farm Community Centre closed just weeks ago after the charity which ran it for more than two years has had to pull out.


Len Junier, ward councillor for North Ormesby and Brambles Farm, said: “Despite the best efforts of a third sector organisation - The Hope Foundation - they were unable to make a go of running the centre and now it’s once again closed.


“Residents are looking to the council to make best use of the centre for nursery provision during the day and community use in down times and evenings/weekends.


“The petition is a call to arms for local residents to become a part of the solution.”


He said the centre is used by an elderly group of residents for meetings, families and a parent and toddler group.


He said it would make an ideal venue for a nursery to be used by children in the community.


“We’re calling on the council and Mayor Ray Mallon to support the reopening of the centre,” he said.


“We’re not asking them to throw lots of money at it. What we’re asking for is their support so we can reopen it and apply for funding.


“We have a pot of money as a community that we can use towards the running of it.”


Cllr Junier said scores of signatures had been collected so far but expects it to be more as petitions had been left in local shops.


Val Pearce, from Brambles Farm, said: “I’ve used this centre since the 1960s when it was a shed.


“I can’t believe that the council would leave us with nothing.”


Debbie Whithead, also from Brambles Farm, said: “We haven’t got much, now they want to take away the little we have.”


A spokesman for Middlesbrough Council said: “The running of Brambles Farm Community Centre on Marshall Avenue was transferred to local charity The Hope Foundation under a community asset transfer arrangement in 2012.


“The council has been informed by the charity, which continues to have its base in central Middlesbrough, its presence in Brambles Farm was to end. As a result the community centre has been closed for two weeks.


“We are now working very closely with the local community to resolve the situation and are investigating several options that will potentially provide a sustainable community based use of the centre.”


No one was available for comment from The Hope Foundation.



Mosque not a religious place, just a building, can be demolished any time: Swamy


The desperate opportunist Subramanaim Swamy has once again courted controversy by making statements that a mosque is not a religious structure and could be demolished any time.


The BJP leader made the controversial statement at a function in Guwahati which led to protests and a criminal case being filed against him.


Swamy was quoted in Hindustan Times as saying, “A mosque is not a religious place. It is just a building. It can be demolished any time. If anyone disagrees with me on this, I am ready to have a debate on the issue. I got this information from people of Saudi Arabia.”


The statements have received wide spread condemnation from all the parties. Even the BJP distanced itself from Swamy’s statements with state BJP president Siddhartha Bhattacharjee quoted in Times of India, saying “Every time he comes to the state, he makes such statements only to be in the news. I am sending video clippings of his statements to our national leadership. Whatever he said are his personal views.”


Acting on a complaint filed by Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) the police have registered a FIR under IPC sections 120 (B) [criminal conspiracy] and 153 (A) [promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion] against Swamy.


Swamy had previously stirred up controversy when he had said that the 1985 Assam Accord had become outdated and needed major amendments.



Watch: Patrick Bamford says he should have scored four in Ipswich win


Two goal hero Patrick Bamford says he should have scored four goals in the win over Ipswich at the Riverside.


The Chelsea-loanee showed his class with two well worked solo goals that demanded class and composure.


While he admits he can be happy with scoring two goals for the first time this season , he will also go home and think about the missed chances.


Looking ahead to Derby, Bamford says Boro would rather play against their promotion rivals than teams scrapping against relegation.



Happy Mother's Day: Hundreds of messages inside Gazette pull out


We asked our readers to send in their Mother's Day wishes, and we received a total of 3,938 loving messages.


They were published in a pull-out with Saturday's newspaper, and now you can view them by clicking on the pages above.



Mum of four-year-old boy hit by car in Pallister Park tells of his brave fight for life


From left to right, Carlos, Nathaniel and Lennox VIEW GALLERY


The mother of a four-year-old boy who was left on a life support machine after being hit by a car has told of his fight for life.


Mum Katrina Verrill has barely left her youngest son’s bedside since the accident that left him on a life support machine.


Nathaniel Verrill suffered horrific head and internal injuries after being hit by a taxi on Cotswold Avenue, Pallister Park, at about 5.20pm on Sunday in an accident that residents said “shook the street”.


Katrina, 35, explained how, in the blink of an eye, her world was turned upside down after Nathaniel noticed an ice cream van park up on his road.


“He’d just had his tea and he kept saying he wanted an ice cream,” she said, “He’d seen the ice cream van - he probably hadn’t seen an ice cream van for months.


“I told him you’ve already had an ice cream. Then a moment later I thought, ‘what’s going on with that front door?’


“I don’t know what happened outside - I didn’t see the accident. I just ran out and I saw him laid on the floor face down. I could see that his ankle had been hurt so I picked him up and turned him around. I just sat on the floor with him and screamed.


“When he heard me scream he tried to take a breath. One of his arms came up and he looked at me - the look in his eyes - it was like he was saying, ‘Mam I’m dying.’”


Within minutes, emergency services had arrived on the scene and Nathaniel was taken straight to hospital. He was put on a life support machine at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Hospital.


Katrina said: “I just can’t believe the state he was in. The injuries to his head are horrific. My poor baby.


“His little body has been smashed into pieces. He has skull fractures, bleeding on the brain, two collapsed lungs, a hole in his stomach, a damaged liver and spleen and his ear was ripped - it’s horrendous.


“When I saw the scar from his chest to his abdomen from where they had to operate on him, I couldn’t handle that.


“I can’t bare to think that my baby went through that. You can see his little eyes scrunch up in pain. He doesn’t deserve it.”


Nathaniel’s condition was described as critical in the days following the accident.


Katrina, also mum to Carlos, 10, Lennox, eight and Rebecca Mary Morrison, 16, could only watch as her youngest little boy fought for his life.


She said: “I can’t believe how strong he is. How hard it was for him to take that first breath. I don’t think he would have taken it if I hadn’t have taken him up.


“But he’s been through a lot. This happening to my baby makes me feel sick. I’m supposed to protect him.


“I was prepared for the worst but I’ve been told he is going to survive, I’m overwhelmed. The hospital staff have been absolutely amazing. They’ve been caring for him around the clock.


“Because of his injuries, I’ve been told he’s going to have brain damage - it’s going to be a case of taking it day by day - but he’s alive.”


Police are still appealing for the driver of the ice cream van to contact them as he may have valuable information on the circumstances leading up to the collision, or even have had CCTV on board which could help.


Police inquiries into the collision are ongoing and anyone with information who has not yet spoken to police is asked to contact PC Amanda Stokes of the Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit on the non-emergency number 101 quoting event 38489.


Friends of Nathaniel’s family have set up a gofundme page to raise money to help with Nathaniel’s recovery. To donate visit Nathaniel’s Recovery Fund at http://bit.ly/1G7j0jx .



Thank you mum! Watch Teesside school children's on-camera messages


What's better than a parmo?


One cooked by your mum or nana of course!


That's what one little boy from Lakes Primary School says about one of the people he wants to thank this Mother's Day.


The other on-camera messages from the Redcar pupils are just as cute.


Are any of these clips aimed at you?



Watch adorable Mother's Day messages from Teesside nursery children


Aww!


How cute are these Mother's Day messages?


The nursery children from Lakes Primary School speak to their mums on camera, leading to some hilarious comments.


"I like her to paint with me," says one little girl from the Redcar school. Another says the thing she likes best about her mum is when they play together.


Enjoy.



UKIP's Stockton South candidate criticised after suggesting storms were 'God's reply' to gay marriage bill


A UKIP parliamentary candidate has been criticised after he made a comment online suggesting wild storms were “God’s reply” to gay marriage laws.


UKIP accused political rivals of “trawling Facebook” attempting to find material that could embarrass Ted Strike in the run up to the general election, as the post was made in 2013.


Mr Strike, who was selected by Nigel Farage’s party to stand in Stockton South, was forced to take down the post after the party launched an internal investigation.


His post reads: “Britain is being battered by storms yet again, not long after the worst storms in over 100 years, whilst I feel for those affected by these “Acts of God”, is it God’s reply to Cameron’s Coalition Government’s un-Godly change in the law on marriage?”


The post was made in 2013 after the same-sex marriage bill was passed in that July.


The first ceremonies were able to take place last year after the law came into force.


UKIP said the party took action and accused political opponents of attempting to find potentially embarrassing by Mr Strike, who has run for the Christian Party in the same constituency in 2010.


Facebook post by Ted Strike Facebook post by Ted Strike


Louise Baldock, Labour’s prospective parliamentary candidate for Stockton South, said the post showed Mr Strike had “old-fashioned views”.


She added: “He is expressing out-of-date, out-of-touch and homophobic views.


“These are views from the 19th Century and it isn’t the way a modern parliamentarian who represents a diverse community should be speaking.”


James Wharton, the Conservative MP for Stockton South, said he had found Mr Strike to be a “decent person” but said the UKIP candidate should clarify his comment as soon as possible.


“There are many things I disagree with Ted on and this is a clear and unusual example of that,” he said.


“I am not sure why he felt the need to say such a thing but I’ve always found him a decent person when I’ve met him so I hope he is able to clarify his comments and they are not as first appears.”


A UKIP spokesman said the post was from a long time ago.


He said: “After this posting on Christmas Eve 2013, it was investigated internally and the post was taken down.


“It does seem that there are those that spend more time trawling old Facebook posts rather than campaigning for a better Britain, that is a shame.”


The Sunday Sun attempted to contact Mr Strike directly but he did not return our calls or emails.



Yarm mum tells of the agony of losing her baby boy and watching his twin brother fight for life


Charlotte King should have still been pregnant this Mother’s Day, looking forward to the arrival of her twin boys in May.


Instead, she is grieving for Leo, the baby boy she lost seven weeks ago, while spending every moment possible in the high dependency unit of North Tees Hospital with his twin brother, Oska, who is doing everything he can to make his mum feel better.


“He’s putting on weight really well, he has started to breastfeed and graduated from intensive care last week, so I couldn’t ask him to be doing any more,” says the 26-year-old, who also has a three-year-old son, Dax, with partner, Simon Feasey, 29.


It was on New Year’s Day when Charlotte, who lives in Yarm, realised something was wrong.


“I woke up thinking ‘why is the bed wet?’,” she says. “I came into hospital and they found I’d lost all the water around one of the babies. They weren’t identical twins, so they each had their own sack. I was only 21 weeks pregnant and I was terrified.” Doctors told Charlotte she had an infection which had probably caused one of the sacks to rupture.


“They said there was an 80% chance I would go into labour, but I didn’t, so they said we could go home.”


For the next three weeks, Charlotte spent her time resting, drinking water and eating as healthily as she could, while taking her temperature every four hours and coming into hospital for regular tests and scans.


“I’d been really healthy throughout the pregnancy, but I thought if I could just up my game...” Charlotte says. “We had three weeks of scans where both heartbeats were good. Then I had a scan on a Thursday and we found out there was no water around Leo. It was devastating. I kept thinking ‘how is he going to manage?’


“The midwives were trying to be positive, saying some babies can go on like that for weeks, but Leo didn’t. I went into labour on the Sunday.”


Thankfully Charlotte had called Simon, who is a submariner in the Navy and based in Plymouth, to say he needed to come home. “I don’t know what I would have done if we hadn’t been able to go through it together.”


Oska King, who is at North Tees Hospital in Stockton Oska King, who is at North Tees Hospital in Stockton


Leo was born on Monday, January 19 at just 24 weeks and three days.


“I think I only pushed three times and there he was,” she says. “He was rushed straight to intensive care.


“There would have been a chance - albeit a very low one - of survival had he had his waters. They did everything they could. He was just too poorly.”


Tragically, Leo lived for just four hours.


“When they said we could come up to see him, that was the first and last time I saw him properly. I got him out of the incubator and he was left with us - me, Simon and my mum. We all got a chance to say goodbye and I held him while he went.


“Everyone here was so respectful of us and of Leo, allowing us to have that time together and have those moments as a family. I’ll always be grateful for that, and for the photos they took for us. At the time, we couldn’t have taken any, we were too distraught. But they knew how treasured those photos would be.”


Still pregnant with Leo’s twin brother, Charlotte was kept in hospital and placed on strict bed rest in the hope that he would stay where he was for as long as possible to give him the best chance.


“They were born at the same time of the evening, four days apart. It was strange being pregnant for those four days,” says Charlotte. “Leo hadn’t made a sound when he came out. Oska gave out an almighty cry when he was born. It was like he was saying: ‘I’m here!’”


Although the family were able to take comfort in the “honeymoon period” for a couple of days after his arrival, it wasn’t long before Oska, who weighed in at just 1lb 15oz, had the first of many fights on his hands. He had an enlarged PDA - a valve in the heart which normally closes when babies are born; he suffered a bleed on the brain, which is common with pre-term babies; and then he got pneumonia.


“We were told he probably wasn’t going to make it,” says Charlotte. “We were at a point when they said the ventilation he had to be on to keep him alive also had a chance of killing him. How on earth do you deal with that?”


Thankfully for Charlotte, Simon, Dax and their wider family, who Charlotte says have been amazing throughout, Oska, who has Leo as a middle name, has come through everything life has thrown at him. “He’s our little fighter,” says Charlotte, who is looking forward to Simon coming home on leave next month.


“He won’t be able to believe how much Oska has come on. Of course there’s still a long way to go and we won’t know the effects of everything he has been through until he comes home and starts to develop, but at the moment, we’re just thankful for every day and for everything which has kept him with us.”