Senior UN officials slam Israeli human rights abuses

Israel’s human rights abuses in the Occupied Palestinian Territory came under renewed attack by senior UN officials on Monday.

Addressing the Human Rights Council in Geneva, UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Palestinian Territories Occupied since 1967 Makarim Wibisono heavily criticised Israel’s assault on Gaza last year.

“The ferocity of destruction and high proportion of civilian lives lost in Gaza cast serious doubts over Israel’s adherence to international humanitarian law principles of proportionality, distinction and precautions in attack.”

Wibisono described the “lack of respect for human rights” as having “permeated almost every aspect of the daily lives of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza”, touching upon Israel’s “excessive use of force”, as well as settlement construction, threats of “forcible transfer”, and more.

The UN official also noted that “treatment of Palestinians, including children in Israeli detention, was an issue of grave concern” and that Israel “had done too little to follow up on the report [two years ago] by the United Nations Children’s Fund” on the ill-treatment of children in military detention.

The Council was also presented with a report of the Secretary-General on Israeli settlements in the OPT and Syrian Golan, which he said continued to expand.

The Secretary-General described how “Israeli settlements and acts of violence committed by Israeli settlers against Palestinians continue to underpin a broad spectrum of human rights violations against Palestinians.”

The report urged Israel to “cease all settlement activity in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, as well as in the occupied Syrian Golan, and implement relevant United Nations resolutions.”

A second Secretary-General report on the broader human rights situation in the OPT, covering the period from May 2013 to October 2014, further noted that settlements “undermine Palestinian territorial integrity, contrary to international law, and Palestinians’ right to self-determination.”

Obstacles to peace and to Palestinians’ enjoyment of their human rights, including their right to self-determination, must be removed. That means the ending and reversal of all settlement activity in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, the full lifting of the blockade on Gaza and the ending of the occupation of Palestinian land.

Mary McGowan Davis, Chairperson of the Commission of Inquiry on the 2014 Gaza Conflict, gave the Council an oral update on the progression of the Commission. Davis said that Israel had not responded to a request for access, and, that the written report would be presented in June.

Israel ‘boycotts’ UN rights council session on Gaza war: Maan

GENEVA (AFP) — Israel’s representative was conspicuously missing when the UN Human Rights Council started a special session Monday on the situation in the Palestinian territories and the 2014 Gaza conflict.

“I note the representative of Israel is not present,” said council president Joachim Ruecher.

Israel provided no immediate explanation for their absence at the session dedicated overwhelmingly to discussion of its policies and alleged abuses, but a source close to the council said it clearly amounted to a boycott.

“We won’t comment on that,” a spokeswoman with the Israeli mission in Geneva told AFP.

The United States was also absent from Monday’s discussions.

Asked to explain why the United States was not taking part, a spokesman said only that the US ambassador to the council Keith Harper was in Washington.

Monday’s session had originally been scheduled to discuss a probe on the 50-day war in Gaza last year, but the investigators obtained a delay after the head of the team quit under Israeli pressure.

“The process cannot be rushed,” former New York judge Mary McGowan Davis, who has taken over as head of the team, told the council.

Canadian international law expert William Schabas resigned as chair of the Commission of Inquiry on the 2014 Gaza conflict last month after Israel complained he could not be impartial because he had prepared a legal opinion for the PLO in October 2012.

Schabas strongly denied that he was beholden to the PLO but said he was reluctantly stepping down to avoid the inquiry into the July-August conflict — commissioned by the UN Human Rights Council — being compromised in any away.

Gaza in ‘stranglehold’

Israel was not satisfied, calling for the entire inquiry to be shelved, insisting the commission and the Human Rights Council which created it are inherently biased against it.

It is the only country in the world with a special agenda item dedicated to it, meaning its rights record is discussed at every session of the UN’s top rights body.

Its absence Monday does not mark the first time it has boycotted the council.

It cut all ties with the council in March 2012 over its plans to probe how settlements were harming Palestinian rights, and did not resume relations until late 2013.

Monday’s session came after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party scored an unexpected election victory last week.

The US absence Monday sparked speculation over whether it aimed to avoid having to stick up for Israel, as it usually does, amid cooling relations between the two allies.

Washington warned last week it could withdraw its unwavering support for Israel at the UN over Netanyahu’s tough stance on the Palestinians.

A number of states meanwhile saw the absence of the United States and most western nations from Monday’s debate in a different light.

This is “a deliberate attempt to undermine the credibility of the Human Rights Council,” said Pakistan’s representative, speaking on behalf of the Organization of the Islamic Conference.

Although the report on the 2014 Gaza war investigation was delayed until June, the UN’s new Special Rapporteur on the situation in the Palestinian territories did not hold back.

“The ferocity of destruction and high proportion of civilian lives lost in Gaza cast serious doubts over Israel’s adherence to international humanitarian law principles of proportionality, distinction and precautions in attack,” Makarim Wibisono told the council.

He lamented “acute” needs in Gaza, warning that Israel’s continued “blockade keeps Gaza in a stranglehold which does not even allow people to help themselves.”

The Gaza conflict ended with a truce between Israel and Hamas on August 26 after the deaths of more than 2,140 Palestinians, most of them civilians, and 73 people on the Israeli side, mostly soldiers.

Four of Teesside’s most talented singers performed to a online audience on YouTube

Four of Teesside’s most talented singers performed in an acoustic concert which was broadcast live on YouTube.

Former X Factor hopefuls Kerrianne Covell, Abi Alton and Bre Musiq shared a bill with talented Teesside two-piece Taylor Mayd for a concert that was broadcast to audiences worldwide via YouTube.

All four acts that performed tonight at Middlesbrough College’s performance theatre are former Middlesbrough College students.

Kerrianne Covell, 23, narrowly missed out on a place in the X Factor live shows last year.

She said: “I think this is a really good idea. People get to watch it all around the world.

“At the same time, the low stage and theatre makes it really intimate.”

Highlights of Kerrianne’s set included an acoustic version of Mary Mary’s classic Shackles (Praise You).

Danielle Ripley, 22, sings in Taylor Mayd backed by guitarist Si Smith, 33 and their performance included Alicia Keys’s If I Ain’t Got You.

Danielle, who also works as a learning support assistant at Middlesbrough College, said: “We’re doing some live lounge, modern soul songs.

“I was at college with Kerrianne and Bre Musiq. We’ve always gigged together.

“I’m planning on auditioning for X Factor this year - I thought I would take my chances.”

Abi Alton said: “I think this is a great idea.

“I’ve never done a live stream before. It makes it accessible to everybody who couldn’t necessarily make it out tonight.”

The concert was streamed live on Middlesbrough College’s official YouTube page and the comments section was packed with positive messages.

Jeff Atkinson said, “It’s really nice to just chill and watch/listen to these top artists,” while Calum Priestley wrote: “Show looks great. I’m a massive fan of Kerrianne and Abi.”

Teesside’s latest Deal or No Deal contestant wins just 50p - and he’s spent it already

Student Jack Sinclair hoped an appearance on a TV show would earn him enough cash to change his life.

But the 20-year-old was left just 50p better off thanks to Deal Or No Deal - and he’s already spent his winnings.

Psychiatric nursing student and part-time senior carer Jack Sinclair was left “gutted” when his game of on the Channel 4 show left him with just £1.

But things got even worse for Jack when he gambled his meagre winnings with one final swap, only to see his grand total slashed in half, leaving the former Nunthorpe School pupil with just 50p.

Despite his bad luck, he has remained philosophical about his big TV moment.

Jack, from Ormesby, Middlesbrough, said: “If you win £100 or more, it goes through by bank transfer which can take a couple of days. If you win less than £100 they give you it that day in cash.

“At least I got mine on the day, there’s that I suppose. I put it towards a bottle of champagne - it probably paid for about one sip.”

The show sees contestants opening a series of boxes each with a cash amount ranging from 1p to £250,000 written inside. Players eventually win the amount in a box they selected at the start or accept one of a number of offers from “the banker”.

Jack said: “I went in with the idea that I was going to win £75,000 - I’d had a dream about it. But things weren’t destined to be lucky on that day.

“I had no system - it’s a game of chance - I was just unlucky.”

TV Grab from Deal or No Deal featuring Jack Sinclair from Teesside who won 50p

But for upbeat Jack, the experience of appearing on the hit show was compensation enough.

“I’m massively thankful for the experience,” he said, “That meant more to me than the money.

“It was a kind of a big blur. I went down for 10 days, we stayed in a really nice 4-star hotel, they put a group together that gets on really well with each other and the company puts money behind the bar.

“You kind of go into a bubble where you live and breathe Deal or No Deal.”

While obviously disappointed not to have won a life-changing amount, Jack is now keen to move on and concentrate on his studies at York University.

He said: “We’re all a bit gutted but I’m going on holiday in three weeks which I’m looking forward to.

“My plan now is to get my head down at university, qualify, and go on from there.”

Neil Bausor delighted with 'terrific response' of Boro fans to season ticket renewal offer

Boro chiefs have thanked supporters for a show of faith as ‘early bird’ season ticket renewals soared through the 5,000 barrier.

The early bird deal offers a significant discount on season ticket prices and even though there are seven games to go and they don’t know yet what division their heroes will be playing in next term, fans have flocked to buy.

The renewal take-up rate among existing fans is well ahead of last season at the same stage and they have also been joined by over 600 new season ticket holders.

“The response so far has been terrific and we’re delighted that so many fans have already pledged their support for next season,” said Boro’s chief executive Neil Bausor.

“And to see so many new season card holders at this stage is particularly encouraging.

“We’d like to thank everyone for what has been a tremendous show of support and belief in what we are doing at the club.”

There are still 10 days until the early bird deadline expires and Boro expect a rush of renewals and new supporters as the cut-off looms.

“Early bird prices are available until Thursday April 2 and the final days before the deadline are usually the busiest in terms of processing renewals and new applicants,” said Bausor.

“We’re hoping fans will continue to show such fantastic support.”

For existing season card holders who renew, prices start at £397 for adults, £257 for over-65s and £125 for under-18s. For new fans they start from £461 for adults, £312 for over-65s and £150 for under-18s.

Prices for current season card fans would work out at £17 a shot over the 23 game campaign in the Championship or £21 a game if Boro are promoted to the Premier League.

After the deadline, sales close until the current season ends in May with those rates - and on day ticket prices - yet to be announced.

Existing season ticket fans were initially contacted by email and have had several email reminders this week.

Anyone who has not yet opened those e-mails are currently being contacted by post.

Fans who have not received e-mails or have recently changed their postal address, plus prospective new season ticket supporters can contact the Boro ticket office on 0844 499 1234.

Seven-year-old from Acklam becomes youngest black belt at gym - and possibly in the country

A dedicated martial artist has broken her brother’s record to become the youngest black belt at a Middlesbrough gym - and she could be the youngest in the country.

Seven-year-old Saran Hill scored an A+ in her six hour black belt exam on Saturday, beating her brother Morgan who was eight when he became the youngest member of the MAX training academy to earn the accolade two years ago.

The pint-sized puncher sparred with a 13-year-old boy, completed a five mile run, excelled in training exercises and performed a kata routine to achieve the black belt in Martial Arts Cross Training.

Mum Sara Davies, who works at James Cook University Hospital, and scaffolder dad Darren Hill take Saran and Morgan, now 10, to train five days a week.

They sometimes go more than twice a day as they work to perfect the discipline which incorporates kick-boxing, muy thai, boxing, karate, escrima, weaponry, self defence and krav maga.

Saran Hill, 7, who has achieved black belt in MMA - a year younger than her brother Morgan (pictured) managed it. She is also British and European champion. Training here at MAX gym, Bright Street, Middlesbrough

Sara said: “We are just so proud of the pair of them.

“We originally got Morgan involved as a way of teaching him self defence, and to get him out of the house and exercising.

“But what a lot of people maybe don’t realise about martial arts is the discipline, manners and respect that youngsters learn.

“Morgan started at four and Saran used to watch from the sidelines from 18 months old, and started joining in at three-and-a-half.

“We tried to take her dancing when she was younger but she just cried and said she wanted to do kickboxing!”

Saran Hill, 7, who has achieved black belt in MMA - a year younger than her brother Morgan (pictured) managed it

Sara said that Saran and younger brother Morgan have a “healthy rivalry” and love to spar.

And 10-year-old Morgan is happy for his sister - but slightly disappointed he has lost his record.

He said: “I was really proud of her, but I liked being the youngest one in the gym to have got a black belt.”

Gym manager Sam Johnson, who trains Saran alongside gym owner Matt Parker, said: “Saran is amazing. She is so dedicated and focused, and she is a perfectionist.

“I would say Saran is definitely the youngest black-belt in her discipline in the country. There may be some the same age in LA or Brazil.

Saran Hill, 7, who has achieved black belt in MMA

“She can go wherever she wants to in the sport, and so can Morgan.

“They help out around the gym and help train other youngsters, and they encourage each other.

“Saran always shows manners and respect, she is polite and well mannered. She and Morgan really are a credit to their family.”

Saran, who goes to Sacred Heart School in Middlesbrough, also earned a European silver medal and a British bronze medal in Kickboxing last year, facing girls in a seven to 13 age category.

But this year she wants to go one better and said: “I want a gold this year. I was very proud when I got my black belt, it was really good.

“When I grow up I want to represent England, and if Sam or Matt retire I’ll take their job!”

And next on the production line is baby brother Bentley who can already perform a guard pose and complete a hook kick - aged only one.

Appeal to find Middlesbrough man missing in East Yorkshire

Police are appealing for help in finding a Middlesbrough man who has gone missing in East Yorkshire.

Martin Leeds, 43 was last seen on Sunday at 8pm by a family member at the public house in Newport where he was staying while visiting the area.

He was reported missing the following day at 11.20am when he failed to return after leaving the previous evening.

A police spokesman said there was concern for Mr Leeds welfare as he has a medical condition which requires medication.

It is thought he might have travelled to the Sheffield area and may be using the rail networks.

Mr Leeds is white, 6ft 1ins tall and of medium build. He has short, light brown hair shaved at the sides. He was last seen wearing a blue t-shirt, blue denim jeans, a camouflage jacket and white Reebock trainers. He wears an earring in his left ear and has the word “FEZ” tattooed across the fingers of one hand.

Mr Leeds or anyone who knows his whereabouts is asked to contact Humberside Police on 101 quoting log number 209 of March 22, 2015.

White House officials say Israel spied on Iran talks to sink nuclear deal

Top White House officials have revealed that Israel began to spy on the closed-door nuclear negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 group last year in order to sink an agreement.

Current and former American officials told the Wall Street Journal the spying operation was part of a campaign by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “penetrate the negotiations and then help build a case against the emerging terms of the deal.”

The newspaper reported on Monday Israel was spying on the talks by eavesdropping and getting information from confidential US briefings, informants and diplomatic contacts in Europe.

According to the US officials, Israel shared information from the talks with American lawmakers and others to drain support from a nuclear agreement.

“It is one thing for the US and Israel to spy on each other. It is another thing for Israel to steal US secrets and play them back to US legislators to undermine US diplomacy,” an unnamed senior American official was quoted as saying by the Wall Street Journal.

American intelligence agencies learned Israel’s espionage operation when they intercepted communications among Israeli officials that carried details from the confidential talks.

However, Israel denied spying on the negotiation team of the Obama administration directly.

Tel Aviv has been persistent to undermine the talks and prevent a nuclear deal between Tehran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council – the US, Britain, Russia, China, France – plus Germany (P5+1 group).

Netanyahu travelled to the United States earlier this month and delivered a warning speech to the US Congress to stop a potential agreement.

On Monday, 367 members of the House of Representatives signed a letter, telling President Barack Obama that any nuclear accord must constrain Iran’s nuclear program for “decades” before Congress will roll back sanctions.

“A final comprehensive nuclear agreement must constrain Iran’s nuclear infrastructure,” the letter said.

In any agreement, “Congress must be convinced that its terms foreclose any pathway to a bomb, and only then will Congress be able to consider permanent sanctions relief,” according to the letter.

Netanyahu’s efforts to sabotage the nuclear negotiations have angered President Obama.

Obama said the re-election of Netanyahu would not affect his support for any possible deal with Iran.

“Our goal is to get this done in a matter of weeks, not months,” Obama said in an interview with the Huffington Post.

AGB/AGB

Teenager robbed and attacked in Middlesbrough with a knuckleduster

A teenager was attacked with a knuckleduster and robbed as he walked in Middlesbrough.

The 18-year-old was walking close to Ladgate Lane, on paths through to Marton Manor, when he was approached by three male youths at about 8.30pm yesterday.

The trio went on to threatened him for his phone before assaulting him with a knuckleduster. The three youths then made off with a black Berghaus rucksack.

The first suspect is described short, dark brown hair, and of a thin build. He was wearing a black jacket and black tracksuit bottoms and was riding a white mountain bike.

The second suspect had short, combed-over blond hair. He was wearing a bright blue puffer-style jacket and black tracksuit bottoms.

The final suspect had short, dark brown hair, and was wearing a grey jacket.

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said all three suspects are described as being white, aged between 16 and 18-years-old and between 5ft 6ins and 5ft 8ins tall.

The victim was taken to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough suffering from a deep cut to his eye. He has since been released following treatment.

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Marcus Cave on the non-emergency 101 number or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

New BHS owner reassures Teesside staff and claims job losses are unlikely

The new owner of BHS has downplayed reports the Middlesbrough store is earmarked for sale - and claims job losses are unlikely.

The Linthorpe Road store was on a list of 52 branches that are reportedly being primed for sale - netting around £30m for Retail Acquisitions Ltd.

The company says it’s “exploring options” including closures for the future of around a third of its 171 sites, but claims those options are “many and varied” - and are unlikely to result in staff facing the axe.

Retail tycoon Sir Philip Green sold the loss-making BHS business earlier this month, for a nominal sum reported to be as little as £1.

A spokesperson for Retail Acquisitions said: “As with any new owner, Retail Acquisitions, together with BHS management, is looking at options for the property portfolio and its structure.

“Property consultants have been appointed, but this does not mean that any leases under review will be sold, and certainly does not mean that store closure is the only option.

“Options could also include sub-letting under-utilised space or renegotiating payment terms. In addition, BHS management is exploring opening new stores in the right locations.

“BHS management has been clear, prior to the sale of the business, that certain loss-making stores may be sold at the right price, and in keeping with this the stores in Canterbury, Cardiff, Bath and Thanet have been closed over the last 18 months.

“Prior to Retail Acquisitions’ purchase of BHS, the decision had been made to close the Oxford and Fosse Park stores – this will happen in the coming months.”

BHS also has stores in Hartlepool and Darlington as well as Linthorpe Road in Middlesbrough.

Sir Philip sold BHS after buying it for £200 million in May 2000. It employs 11,000 staff.

He said last week that he was confident Retail Acquisitions “have a platform to grow the business and return it to profitability”.

The first British Home Stores opened its doors in Brixton in 1928.

Today, apart from its UK stores, it has 88 international franchise sites operating in markets such as Malaysia, Russia and the UAE.

Watch the adorable new arrivals hoping for baaa-lmy spring at Newham Grange Farm

Oh baby - tweeting has taken on a whole new meaning down on the farm.

And you can forget social media, for this is the real thing.

A host of new arrivals are hoping for a baaa-lmy spring at Middlesbrough’s Newham Grange Farm which is celebrating the start of the new season with chicks, lambs and piglets.

But the new arrivals don’t stop there. The wallaby has her own bouncing baby Joey - but you’ll have to hop to it to catch sight of the little ‘un which is calmly nestled in mum’s pouch.

VIEW GALLERY

“We have lots of new arrivals and there’s lots going on around the farm,” said farm manager Mark Saunders.

“We have more sheep still left to lamb so there will be more to come in the next few weeks too. Over the Easter holidays, visitors came come and bottle feed the lambs.

“There will be lots of activities and crafts going on too.”

The might of hit Disney film Frozen has also reached the Wykeham Way farm. The latest two lambs have been named Anna and Elsa in honour of the animated movie’s main sister characters.

10 baby piglets were born to one of the farm’s middle white pigs last month - and mother and babies have been doing well ever since.

The farm opened as Newham Grange Leisure Farm in 1976. It changed its name, replacing leisure with country, two years ago - when Middlesbrough Council bought it from Albert Hopper, whose family had owned Newham Grange farm since the 17th century. It is now managed by Askham Bryan College.

Once a traditional farm, the Wykeham Way site now houses all kinds of animals. Livestock includes pigs, cows, sheep, horses, ponies, chickens, ducks, geese, llamas, chinchillas, rabbits, guinea pigs and wallabies.

Newham Grange Farm is open every day 9.30am to 5.30pm, last entrance is 4.30pm. Admission is adult £3.50, Child/OAP £2.70, check the farm out on facebook, newhamgrangecountryfarm, for event details and more information.

Promotion company behind several high-profile Teesside gigs charged with mis-selling vodka

A promotion company which has hosted high profile live events and concerts across Teesside will appear in court accused of mis-selling vodka.

Loose Cannon Event Management, based in Linthorpe, Middlesbrough, will face trial in May after it denied possessing goods with a false trademark for sale, and selling a spirit mis-labelled as “Glen’s Vodka 37.5%”.

The case, which is being brought by Stockton Council, was due to be heard today at Teesside Magistrates’ Court, but was adjourned after a witness was unavailable to give evidence and has been re-listed until May 19.

The same charges were also listed against Neil David Winterbottom, 39, of Roman Road, Middlesbrough.

Not guilty pleas were entered at an earlier hearing.

Loose Cannon is accused of trying to sell a spirit mis-labelled as “Glen’s Vodka 37.5%” on January 24 this year, at a unit at the Bon Lea Trading Estate in Thornaby.

The charge also alleges a bottle had a “Glen’s” label attached, but the contents actually had an alcoholic strength of 32.7% by volume, and could not be sold as vodka which has a minimum strength of 37.5%.

The firm also faces three charges of possessing goods with a false trade mark for sale.

Loose Cannon Events is the promotion company behind several high-profile gigs in Teesside, including last year’s Snoop Dogg gig in Middlesbrough’s Centre Square.

Cleveland Fire Brigade, Cleveland Police and Middlesbrough Council are carrying out an investigation into a show in January by former UB40 stars at The Venue, on Linthorpe Road in Middlesbrough, which was promoted by Loose Cannon.

Police said they had received reports of overcrowding, but a spokesman for the company said that in 2013 “an independent fire safety consultant completed an independent fire risk assessment”.

“This assessment took into account several factors and came up with an occupancy figure based on national guidance,” said the spokesman.

“The occupancy on Saturday night was well below this figure, thus the venue was operating within its means.

“We then have in place our own risk assessments to work alongside the consultant’s paper.”

Nobody from the company could be contacted by The Gazette.

Stagecoach latest company to save bus routes after shock closure of a Leven Valley

Popular bus routes which were under threat due to the shock closure of a Leven Valley Coaches have been saved.

Stagecoach is the latest company to step in and introduce additional bus services across Teesside to make up for services which could have been lost.

Leven Valley Coaches ceased trading on March 20 - blaming “crippling insurance costs”. As a result, a number of bus routes were under threat.

But Stagecoach, along with other local bus companies, is working with Stockton and Middlesbrough councils to take over routes.

The temporary early morning services being saved include routes 12, Coulby Newham to Middlesbrough, and 36, Hartlepool via North Tees and Norton Glebe to Middlesbrough.

Robin Knight, commercial director, Stagecoach North East, said: “These journeys operate at times when there are limited passengers and therefore limited alternative services and we are pleased that by working with our local authority partners, we have been able to develop these options so quickly, thus minimising the disruption to passengers who rely on them. The morning services offer earlier arrivals into Stockton and Middlesbrough, providing important access to centres of employment.

“We encourage passengers to use these journeys as much as possible, so we can incorporate them into our Teesside network on a permanent basis.”

Councillor Charlie Rooney, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, said: “Stagecoach’s decision to operate an additional early morning service for Service 12 is a welcome move as it will help bus users access places of employment.

“The continuation of some of the Sunday morning services from Middlesbrough to Coulby Newham will also enable residents to access leisure and religious facilities.”

Stockton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Transport, Councillor Mike Smith, added: “We know many of our residents have been very concerned about Leven Valley ceasing operations and have been working hard, liaising with a number of bus operators to see if they are able to take on the routes previously provided by Leven Valley. This additional service provided by Stagecoach is excellent news for everyone who usually relies on these bus routes and we are delighted they are able to provide this link.”

Stagecoach is not alone in stepping in to support the running of services across Teesside.

Croft Coach Travel, Arriva and Stagecarriage are among the companies who have stepped in following Leven Valley Coaches’ closure.

The company blamed the decision to cease trading on the compensation culture, as well as tough economic conditions, lower-than-anticipated passenger numbers and the end of the last remaining public subsidies.

Jonathan Woodgate: 'I'm fit and I want to play a part in what could be a great end to the season'

Classy centre-half Jonathan Woodgate has declared himself fit and raring to go ahead of the promotion run-in.

The 35-year-old has confirmed he has a broken toe which ruled him out of the game at Bournemouth on Saturday but it won't stop him from playing a part in any more games this season.

"I have a broken toe, but I can play with that," he told the club's website.

"I trained on Tuesday morning and while it's painful, it's not keeping me out.

"I want to play a part in what could be a great end to this season.

"The lads were a bit down after what happened at Bournemouth, but on the day we were beaten by a very good team.

"Decisions didn't go for us and we know we are better than what we showed that day."

Woodgate had only started one league game this season before he was brought on to replace the injured Daniel Ayala against Ipswich.

Action Images

Jonathan Woodgate salutes the Boro fans at Derby

He kept Daryl Murphy quiet that day and put in a rock solid display against Derby four days later but was a big miss at the Goldsands as Bournemouth's attack ran Boro ragged.

Woodgate insists Boro will put that heavy defeat behind them and bounce back, but is urging the fans to play their part in four promotion-deciding games at the Riverside.

"I've been in squads for enough big games to know what it takes and I like what I see in our dressing room," said Woodgate.

"We need the fans, without any question. We need them as often as they can make it to our games.

"I don't think they realise what a difference they can make. We all really appreciate the part they have played in our season so far, we need them with us right at the end.

"There could be a great end to what has been a very good season.

"I want to be involved and I want the fans to be a part of it."

How well do you know your Championship grounds?

From the the New York Stadium to Craven Cottage - how well do you know your Championship grounds?

Boro fans should have no problem with this quiz. After all, they've packed out the away allocations at most grounds in the second tier so far this season.

So do you back yourself to get 24 out of 24?

Our friends at getreading.co.uk created this picture quiz of all the Championship grounds.

Over to you to get stuck in.

Alps plane crash: Plane made 8-minute descent before crashing into French Alps

The plane which came down in the French Alps went into an eight-minute descent before crashing.

All 150 people on board, including two babies, are thought to have been killed when the Germanwings Airbus A320 crashed near Digne on a flight from Barcelona to Dusseldorf today.

Germanwings chief executive Thomas Winkelmann said the aircraft began descending again shortly after it reached its cruising height, having taken off from Barcelona at about 10am local time.

This descent lasted eight minutes, he told reporters in Cologne. Radar and air traffic control contact broke off at 10.53am.

Germanwings said it was thought that 63 of the passengers on board were Germans, while reports from Spain suggest that around 45 Spaniards may have been on the flight.

As many as 148 people are feared dead after an Airbus A320 passenger plane crashed in the French Alps.

Mr Winkelmann said there was still some confusion as to whether a distress signal had been sent from the plane, which came down in a remote area near a popular ski resort.

He said the captain on board was experienced and been with the airline and with Germanwings' parent company Lufthansa for more than 10 years and had clocked up 6,000 flying hours on this particular Airbus model.

Mr Winkelmann said the plane had had a normal service at Dusseldorf yesterday and its last major check-up had been in the summer of 2013.

He added that teams from Germanwings were in Dusseldorf with the families of those on board and that Lufthansa and Germanwings' technical staff were on their way to the crash site to assist with the investigation.

Prime Minister David Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said their thoughts were with the families of the passengers.

French prime minister Manuel Valls said a helicopter had managed to land near the crash site. Gilbert Sauvan, an official with the local council, told Les Echos newspaper: "The plane is disintegrated. The largest debris is the size of a car."

Supreme Court strikes down Section 66A, says it violates right to speech

Written by Utkarsh Anand | New Delhi | Updated: March 24, 2015 11:25 am

In a landmark judgment on the Right to Freedom of Speech on the Internet, the Supreme Court on Tuesday quashed Section 66A of the Information Technology Act that empowers the police to make arrests over contentious social media posts. It ruled that the law violate people’s fundamental right to speech and expression.

READ: Everything you need to know about Section 66A

A bench of Justices J Chelameswar and Rohinton F Nariman held the provision to be “unconstitutional” and said it had to be struck down in its entirety. The bench said the provision had no proximate relationship with the public order and lacked defined criteria on its exercise

It said that Section 66A adversely impacted people’s right to know and didn’t make any distinction between advocacy, discussion on one hand and incitement on the other. It rejected the Centre’s plea that the Section could be read down and that the authorities will make sure the law is administered well.

“Government may come and government may go but Section 66A will always remain on the statute…whatever is otherwise invalid cannot be held to be valid by making a statement that it will be administered well,” said the bench.

The court held that Section 66A could not be seen as a “reasonable restriction” on an individual’s right to speech and expression.

The bench however upheld the provisions and the guidelines making intermediaries liable for removing objectionable content on being notified by the government

Kirklevington Primary School pupils learn about chemical industry on SABIC visit

Pupils of Kirklevington Primary have topped up on their industrial education after a trip to chemical company SABIC.

Year fours and fives visited the site in Wilton with the ambition to learn more about the industry, and to have a peek at how science works in real life.

The children from the Yarm school enjoyed a full trip around the site, and were even taught how to make pipes from scratch.

Jackie Johnstone, a HLTA at the school said: “The trip was organised by Children Challenging Industry as a treat. The children were buzzing - it’s something we’d never get to do ordinarily. We were very warmly received and well looked after during our trip”.

The pupils outside the centre before going on a tour round the site

The practical visit followed two in-class sessions with Children Challenging Industry, a UK based project which encourages the use of practical industrial work among students and teachers at primary level.

The project aimed to inject fun and motivation into the students’ recent science module, 'Water for Industry'.

When does Middlesbrough's Captain Cook Birthplace Museum re-open?

Middlesbrough’s Captain Cook Birthplace Museum will re-open to the public on March 31 for its 2015 season.

The museum, situated in Stewart Park close to the site of James Cook’s birth, follows the naval explorer’s life from his early years and education, through his time in the Merchant Navy, to Cook’s distinguished Royal Navy career, including his three great Voyages of Discovery.

The galleries, which were refurbished in 2013, are engaging for visitors of all ages and display many fascinating natural history and ethnographical objects from around the world including loaned items from the Horniman Museum, National Maritime Museum and Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.

2015 sees new features for visitors to enjoy, including a brand new temporary exhibition, ‘Pacific Predators’ looking at the lifestyle of three real-life ‘sea monsters’ and examines their significance to the traditional cultures Cook encountered.

The museum also showcases new objects, including a replica of an 18th century New Zealand Maori carving

Prices remain the same as in 2014, and are £2 for adults, £1 for children/concessions with a family ticket priced at £4.

One admission ticket will give visitors season pass allowing free visits to the museum for the rest of the 2015 season.

Comedy favourite Sarah Millican confirms Stockton and Middlesbrough dates

She's already described Teesside as one of her favourite places to play - and now she’s all set to make a return.

Comedy favourite Sarah Millican has confirmed three dates on her brand new tour including one night at Stockton venue Arc and two at Middlesbrough Town Hall.

The British Comedy Award winner will bring her brand new show Outsider to Arc in October following up in December with a double date at the Boro venue.

The shows mark a hugely welcome Teesside return for Sarah, who rocketed to fame after winning the if.comedy Best Newcomer Award for her debut solo show Sarah Millican’s Not Nice at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2008.

She has since has notched up countless appearances on a string of TV shows including QI, Mock the Week, Have I Got News for You, 8 Out of 10 Cats, Live at the Apollo and Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow all to her name.

She was also BAFTA nominated in 2013 and 2014 for her own self-titled BBC show, of which she has now made three series.

Graham Ramsay of promoters Ten Feet Tall said: “Sarah is absolutely amazing, and we’re chuffed to bits to be able to bring her back to both Stockton and Boro.

“The intimacy of ARC is a nice contrast with the Victorian grandeur of the Town Hall, and fortunately for us she loves both venues.

“Sarah’s gigs in this part of the world are always that little extra special – it’s pretty much home territory of course – and we’re always being asked at the box office when she’s coming back.

“It’s great to finally go public and give people the news that they have been waiting for. The best advice, as always with these big shows, is buy early to avoid disappointment!”

The announcement comes hot on the heels of a string of eye-catching Teesside comedy gigs announced over the last few months.

An ever-growing list of top comics including Jimmy Carr, Dara O’ Briain, Alan Carr, Kevin Bridges and Paddy McGuiness are all heading for the Town Hall this year.

Tickets for Sarah’s Teesside dates are £25 and go on sale on Friday.

Arc, Stockton. Thursday October 15, box office 01642 525199 or www.arconline.co.uk.

Middlesbrough Town Hall, Thursday 10 & Friday 11 December, box office, 01642 729729 or http://bit.ly/1v3xGja.

Jeff Winter: Boro were given a good hiding by a side that was better in every department

After the Lord Mayor’s show at Derby came Boro’s visit to Bournemouth, where for the first time this season we were well beaten.

In fact, we were given a good hiding by a side that looked better than us in every department.

Let’s be honest about that before we start looking for excuses.

Bournemouth didn’t just have a good day and ourselves an off day.

They have scored goals for fun all season long and play with pace and flair.

In my opinion, they fully deserve one of the two automatic promotion places.

Let’s hope that, yet again, we can bounce back and grab the other.

With Watford losing at home it’s once again back in our own hands and with rivals playing each other on Good Friday we can regain a top two spot over the Easter weekend.

Back to Saturday and the ‘penalty incidents’.

Much can be made of the second one, but in fairness the game was over and done by then.

The third goal only confirmed the difference in class between the sides on the day.

That doesn’t disguise the fact though that it was never a penalty.

Ben Hoskins/Getty Images

Adam Clayton of Middlesbrough holds off pressure from Marc Pugh of Bournemouth

It’s easy to lambast referee Anthony Taylor - reputedly the fittest whistler on the Premier League list - but the real culprit was Bournemouth’s Harry Arter.

Part and parcel of the game the pundits and former players will say - but my thoughts on his actions are a lot more basic than that.

No wonder Grant Leadbitter was incensed.

Aitor did very well to replace him, as he was going to get himself cautioned and pick up a two-match ban in the process.

Boro fans looking for excuses will say the first penalty was soft. Maybe it was, but it was still a penalty.

We were sadly caught out at the back and Wilson, who was a thorn in our side throughout the game, got goal side of Kalas whose ill-advised arm across his opponent gave him the opportunity to make the most of the situation.

Those complaining about that spot-kick may well have forgotten that the Cherries should have had another penalty even before that incident.

Ben Gibson clearly pulled back Wilson as he responded first to a save from Dimi.

I don’t know where the assistant referee was looking, but had he have been concentrating then we could well have been behind even earlier.

Let’s put it down as a bad day at the office and move on to the remaining games.

I am sure that in this crazy division there will be even more twists and turns, and penalties given and not given.

Your Club Scorpio Kickboxing Gym

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Club name:   Scorpio Kickboxing Gym

Address:   Varies, see details below.

Tell us about your club:  Our syllabus is a combination of taekwondo, akido and kickboxing. Students from six-year-olds to adults participate for fitness, competition, make new friendships, or the pathway to a blackbelt; our hidden curriculum embeds self confidence, respect, motivation, team building skills to mention only a few of the reasons to join. Our instructors are DBS clear, first aid qualified and black belt instruction.

How often does your club meet?   Tuesday and Thursdays, 7-8pm kids and 8-9.30pm adults - Palister Park gym (centre of park), Ormesby Road, Midddlesbrough; Tuesday 7.15-8.30pm mixed class The Settlement Centre, off Union Street, Middlesbrough; Tuesday and Friday 7-8.30pm mixed class, Redcar Academy, Kirkleatham Lane, Redcar.

No. of people in club:  Various.

When did the club start?  2000ish.

What are the club’s key achievements or have you or your members won any awards?  We have five World champions, seven European, one Swiss, three Five Nations, plus many British and area champions in light continuously and full contact kickboxing.

Contact name and number:  Gary Jowers on 07778 221676.

Owner of Yarm's Purple Pig admits being 'naive' as he is fined £4,357 for food hygiene breaches

The owner of the Purple Pig restaurant in Yarm took the blame in court today for a string of food hygiene offences - but admitted he had been “naive” in running his business.

Som Emadi, who owns four restaurants, pleaded guilty to eight breaches of food hygiene regulations and was fined a total of £4,357.

The charges were brought by Stockton Council after its officers carried out a check at the restaurant on Yarm High Street on August 8 last year.

Among the issues highlighted were a failure to keep the food preparation area clean, failing to ensure food handlers were instructed and trained in food hygiene and supervised and not having an adequate supply of hot water.

Michelle Stowe, prosecuting for Stockton Council, told Teesside Magistrates' Court, the defendant, who had no previous convictions, had also failed to implement or maintain a food management system.

She said the visit to the Purple Pig by environmental health officers “followed a complaint from a member of the public regarding suspected food poisoning on August 7.”

She told the court that follow-up visits did show improvements, but even at an inspection in February this year, at the request of Mr Emadi, “there were still areas of non compliance”.

The Purple Pig owner Som Emadi

In his defence 31-year-old Mr Emadi, of Low Lane, Brookfield, Middlesbrough, told magistrates: “It’s all on me, but I trusted people to do the job and didn’t check the work properly.

“I was trying to push myself running more restaurants instead of looking after the ones I had.”

Mr Emadi said he was “not trying to pass the buck to other members of the team”. He said: “The fault is mine, I was trying to expand too quickly.

“I was under the assumption my restaurants were compliant. It tuns out I was naive.

“I have learned from my mistakes and I’m doing the most I can to right my wrongs. Most of our problems with environmental health are behind us now.”

Mr Emadi told the court that since the August inspection he had instructed a leading UK environmental health consultant to “look after all our sites”.

He said he has also employed the operations manager of Loch Fyne restaurants “to take my company forward” and is also working closely with Middlesbrough Council, after spending £20,000 on a concept kitchen in Middlesbrough where most of the prep for the Purple Pig is carried out.

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Magistrates fined Mr Emadi £2,400 with £1,837 costs and a £120 victim surcharge.

After the case he said: “I have to take it on the chin. I’ve made massive improvements.

“Today’s magistrates' judgment relating to a visit conducted not long after we opened our doors shows exactly how much work we had to do to overcome the structural limitations that we have at the Purple Pig in Yarm.

“We are expecting this year’s re-inspection from Stockton Council to be of the highest standard.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank the people of Teesside for their continued support since we opened our doors in February 2014 and since my statement in November.”

Last November the Gazette reported how Mr Emadi had taken to his restaurant’s Facebook page to tackle “whispers” about its one-star food hygiene rating - and set out what he had done to turn it around.

He said he was torn over whether to post his frank appraisal of his Yarm restaurant - but said he feared losing his business had he done nothing.

Emmanuel Ledesma's immediate future to be decided in the next 48 hours

Emmanuel Ledesma’s immediate future is expected to be decided in the next 48 hours.

The Boro flanker has struggled to make an impact during his short stint at Brighton and started for only the second time in Albion’s 1-0 win at Blackburn on Saturday.

That game marked the end of the winger’s initial one-month loan spell with the Seagulls and boss Chris Hughton has until Thursday to decide whether he wants to extend the Argentinian’s stay.

“I thought there were some good parts to his game,” Hughton told the Brighton Argus following the clash at Ewood Park.

“We have until Thursday to see what we want to do in the market, whether we keep him or bring in somebody else in, so we’ll use the next couple of days to make those decisions.

“It’s a decision he will make as well.”

Emmanuel Ledesma

Ledesma struggled to break back into Aitor Karanka’s side after he sustained an injury in pre-season and has only made one appearance in the league - the home game against Blackpool back in September.

He enjoyed a spell at Rotherham and Steve Evans was keen to take him back to the New York Stadium in January but Karanka was reluctant to allow the winger to move on.

However, a month later he secured a loan move to Brighton.

“For Manu to be here when he finishes his contract in the summer would not be fair as he needs to play,” said Karanka at the time.

“I hope he plays well for Brighton because he deserves all the best.”

Iraq warplanes target ISIL positions in Tikrit

Iraq’s Ministry of Defense has released a footage of the army’s airstrikes and helicopter attacks against the positions of ISIL Takfiri terrorist group in the strategic city of Tikrit.

According to the ministry on Monday, the strikes inflicted heavy casualties on the ISIL, killing many of the Takfiri terrorists stationed in the embattled northern city in Salahuddin province.

The attack came a day after the commander of the Iraqi volunteer forces, Hadi al-Ameri, said that Iraqis do not need the US airstrikes in their operation to liberate Tikrit.

The army’s offensive marked the resumption of the Tikrit operation a week after Iraqi officials had announced its temporary halt to allow civilians to leave the embattled city.

“When we see that the time is right for the Tikrit alliance, we will storm in as quickly as possible,” said Iraq’s Defense Minister Khaled al-Obeidi, adding, “Tikrit is under full siege. We are taking caution to not take any losses and to protect civilians in the city.”

ISIL victims’ mass grave discovered

Earlier in the day, a mass grave was discovered in the town of Yathrib, about 170 kilometers north of the capital city of Baghdad.

An unnamed Iraqi security source said that the site contained the remains of Iraqi soldiers who had been murdered by ISIL terrorists.

The report, however, did not specify the exact number of the slain soldiers.

Tikrit operation

Earlier this month, some 30,000 Iraqi troops started a large-scale operation to recapture Tikrit, which is the birthplace of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. The volunteer forces, which include both Shia and Sunni members, also joined the operation.

Reports said the Iraqi army and volunteer forces regained much of Tikrit from the Takfiri militants following heavy firefight in the city.

Tikrit has a strategic position as it sits on the road to the ISIL stronghold, Mosul.

The ISIL terrorists, many of whom were initially trained by the US Central Intelligence Agency in Jordan in 2012 to destabilize the Syrian government, now control parts of Iraq and neighboring Syria. They have been engaged in crimes against humanity in the areas under their control.

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'Some people had written us off but I wasn't one of them': What the managers at the top are saying about the promotion race

Eight managers, all who still believe they could be celebrating promotion come May 2.

Picking a winner of the Championship now is no easier than it was a month ago.

Yet with seven games to go, bosses will be bracing their squads for the crucial run-in during the final international break of the season.

Steve McClaren believes Derby need to win all of their remaining games to gatecrash the top two while Mick McCarthy, a week after ruling his side out the automatic promotion race, now says they're back in it.

After another weekend of twists and turns in which Boro, Derby and Watford all suffered potentially damaging defeats, we take a look at what the managers at the top are saying about the run-in.

Eddie Howe - Bournemouth

The Cherries jumped back to the top of the Championship thanks to the comprehensive win over Boro.

"The minute you try to predict or analyse it (promotion race) too much you can look stupid," he said following that game.

AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe

"I still feel everyone has got a chance down to the 8th place team.

"I think everyone's in it, it's wide open.

"There are still potentially many twists and turns to come, we just want to make sure we concentrate on us."

Slavisa Jokanovic - Watford

Watford missed a big opportunity to open a gap at the top when they leaked a late sucker punch at home to Ipswich.

"We gave Ipswich a present because I made a mistake," Jokanovic told the club website.

Aitor Karanka and Slavisa Jokanovic

"Okay, this game is finished now. The players must step forward again with their heads up.

"We must keep learning and start thinking about the next game.

"This is always what we have been doing and we will continue with this focus."

Alex Neil - Norwich City

Norwich City closed the gap on the top two to just two points with their impressive 3-1 victory over Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

"There might have been a few people who had written off our chances of finishing in the top two," said Neil.

Norwich manager Alex Neil

"I wasn't one of them. I still felt we had a good chance before this game and now it's a one-match swing."

He added: "We've got to keep steady, because over these next seven games there is going to be ups and downs I can guarantee.

"That will be with us and with every other team. Hopefully we can have more ups than downs, and if we can do that then the top two is certainly achievable."

Steve McClaren - Derby County

The long-time league favourites lost at Wolves on Friday night, their sixth game on the bounce without a win.

"When we get players back after the two week break, we are very capable of turning this around," McClaren told the club's website.

“We will start winning games again and finish the season strong, that’s what we have to do,” he said.

“I am not going to criticise individuals, things like this happen.

“There is a still a long way to go in the season.

Middlesbrough's manager Aitor Karanka and Derby Manager Steve McClaren

“We are not dealing with situations and it is costing us.

“When we look back on this, whether we go up or not, we will look at this spell and know that it can define things.

“I’m still very confident that we will turn this around, get back to winning ways and finish the season strongly.”

He added: “There are still seven games to go and a lot of football still to play and we want to get stronger now.

“There is a great determination in the squad and it is something that we have just spoken about in the dressing room.

“Let’s start playing, let’s start getting results. The performances have been okay, we just haven’t had the results to match them.”

Mick McCarthy - Ipswich Town

After the heavy defeat at the Riverside, Mick McCarthy ruled his side out of the fight for the automatic promotion places.

That was until they bounced back with two 1-0 wins on the bounce.

"I ruled myself out two weeks ago. I keep saying to everybody it's how many points we end up with and who knows what we'll end up with," said the Ipswich boss.

Aitor Karanka and Mick McCarthy watch on

"We've got Bournemouth next. I said with the next two games we could be really out of it or really back in it. At the moment we're back in it."

Asked if the international break had come at a good time for the Tractor Boys, McCarthy joked: "It's a great time, I'm going on the lash for a couple of days I think.

"I'll certainly be giving the players some time off. They need a break, we've played a lot of games and they've been great."

Mark Warburton - Brentford

Brentford missed the opportunity to gain some ground at the top but did come back from two goals down to grab a point at home to lowly Millwall last time out.

“It's two points dropped but it could be a very valuable point come May 2," Mark Warburton told getwestlondon.

Aitor Karanka and Brentford manager Mark Warburton

“We knew Millwall would be scrapping hard and we started in a scrappy manner. We never dominated the football like we do and paid the price.

“We had great character to respond as we did get an important point.”

Kenny Jackett - Wolves

Confident Kenny Jackett believes his in-form side can still secure their second promotion in as many years despite the fact they remain on the edge of the play-off spots.

"We're still in with a good shout of taking one of those three promotion places,” Jackett told the club website after the 2-0 home win over Derby.

“And once again, the Easter weekend looks like it's going to prove vital.

“A lot of the sides have each other to play and it will be interesting to see how it all comes out.

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Wolves manager Kenny Jackett

“The only thing that will really matter is our performance level over the last seven games.

“We have to gather ourselves up again, recognise where we are and understand what we need to do to improve.

“We have to try to take the opportunity that we have.

“Our results are good but the break comes now for everybody. We haven’t got too many people away which is a good thing.

“We can rest and get some work done and make sure that when we come back for the Easter weekend we are ready.”