Love thy neighbour: Pakistani cricket fans cheer India in the World Cup

The cricketing rivalry between India and Pakistan is no secret. But what happens when one of the two crashes out of the most celebrated cricket tournament?

Surprisingly, a growing number of Pakistanis are now saying they will back M S Dhoni’s men in blue for the semi-final on Thursday, simply because they’d like the World Cup to remain in the subcontinent.

“Since team Green is out of the world cup…India is my favorite team now,” tweeted @MariamMustafa from Islamabad after Pakistan lost to Australia on Friday.

And Mustafa isn’t the only one. Scores of Pakistani cricket fans have pledged their support for India and the new-found love probably has something to do with them wanting India to teach Australia a lesson for defeating their national team.

“Go India and give Aussies a taste of their own medicine as Wahab Riaz did during Pak vs Aus QF! Good Luck!” read a comment by Salman Shakeel on Facebook.

“I will pray to ALLAH that you guys win and make this subcontinent proud. Regardless of all the differences I wholeheartedly want you guys to win. Bless you all. Regards from a Pakistani brother,” read another post by Mohammad Ali Chaudhary.

Sample some more:

Many Indians cheered Pakistan during its match with Australia, especially appreciating Riaz’s bowling.

“God bless you mate! You kept the spirit of cricket alive! Pleasure seeing you bowl with such aggression!” tweeted Bangalore’s Siddhant Malik, tagging Riaz’s official Twitter handle.

Support also poured in from India for Pakistani captain Misbah-ul-Haq who bid goodbye to cricket after the team’s ouster.

“Great man great leader, Ur resolve will inspire many. Wishes from India #ThankYouMisbah #PakvsAus,” tweeted Nikhil Chopra from Delhi.

Haq has placed his money on India to beat Australia.

While some Pakistani fans are supporting India out of neighbourly love, others clearly have payback on their minds.

“Now u have to take revenge for us,” wrote Hashir Sehto in a Facebook comment. And for many Indians, the feeling is mutual.

“Our Sweet Bitter love- #India is now obliged & has big responsibility to take revenge of neighbour #Pakistan,” read a tweet by Nitin Yadav.

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The students juggling drugs, books and resistance in Gaza

No matter how pessimistic the prospects may seem to Palestinians, parents in Palestine refuse to give up on educating their children. Education is valued as a step to resisting Israel’s brutal occupation, in addition to being an important tradition for generations. In Gaza, 93% of children are in primary education. The average enrolment rate drops to 67% at secondary level, with around a 75% enrolment rate for girls and a 59% enrolment rate for boys (many are sent to work earlier to support their families). Even after the last attack on Gaza in the summer of 2014, over half a million children bravely returned to their schools which were scarred with the marks of war.

However, Palestinians in Gaza face a further challenge when it comes to education; the impact of psychological trauma. Children endure a siege which has prevented basic humanitarian supplies from entering Gaza and those aged six and above have lived through three wars. The latest psychological assessment amongst students in Gaza by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2010 showed that 60% of primary school children were constantly angry. After the 2012 attacks, cases of children suffering from PTSD spiked to 92%. United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories Makarim Wibisono stated that there was not a single child that was not been adversely affected by the violence during the recent attack. He announced in his press release that as a result children are suffering from bedwetting, nightmares, insomnia and a loss of appetite, in addition to behavioural issues at school.

The stress on teachers has also been heightened with the extra responsibility of supporting increasingly traumatised children, as well as dealing with their own personal trauma. Each day, they face the challenge of trying to comfort children and building hope for Gaza’s future while putting aside their own grief and stress. They juggle extra hours, the added responsibility of acting as parents to orphaned children and the important role of instilling some hope in the minds of the children. Although the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has recognised the extra stress on teachers and trained them to deal with the trauma of children, teachers continue to suffer with little help.

Secondary school students and university students are not exempt from the psychological impacts of the ongoing violence in Gaza. The UNESCO study on Gaza’s students showed that 67.2% of university students did not feel safe at university, 86.2% of them constantly felt nervous and 71.8% of them were not hopeful about the future. As well as trauma being a basic part of their environment, their adolescence and early adulthood gives them an insight into the struggle of unemployment that they may face. In August 2014, it was recorded that the unemployment rate in Gaza was at 41% and the poverty rate was at 39%.

This feeling of imprisonment within teenagers and young adults in Gaza is leading them to resort to drug abuse, including tramadol. Tramadol is usually used as a strong painkiller but young people in Gaza are now using the drug on a regular basis. It can lead to severe addiction when misused, with side effects of nausea, dizziness, epileptic seizures, abnormal cardiac activities, hallucinations and comas.

From 2008, tramadol misuse increased in Gaza dramatically; it was found that 30% of males between the ages of 14 and 30 were using tramadol regularly. Despite Hamas’ efforts to tackle the problem through increased security in the tunnels that the drugs are smuggled through and the imprisonment of smugglers, tramadol is still commonly used as a drug that helps users forget about the conditions imposed on them by Israel. Occurrences of tramadol abuse have even been found in

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Haniyeh: Hamas still interested in unity, partnership

GAZA CITY (Ma’an) — Deputy chief of the Hamas politburo Ismail Haniyeh said on Sunday morning that his movement would continue to seek national unity and political partnership.

Haniyeh made his comments at a news conference at the former home of Hamas founder Sheikh Ahmad Yasin, commemorating 11 years since the spiritual leader’s assassination.

Haniyeh urged “all Palestinian people to achieve real reconciliation and put into effect the agreements reached in Doha, Cairo and al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza.”

He explained that the partnership with Fatah should apply to the political decision-making process, to management and to the Palestinian national program.

In his speech, he also highlighted that Hamas was still interested in “openness to our Arab and Islamic surroundings” and urged the Arab world to embrace the question of Palestine, Jerusalem, Palestinian refugees and Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.

Hamas, he reiterated, is not involved in any battles with its Arab brothers and never interferes in the internal affairs of others. “Resistance is practiced on the land of Palestine and we are interested in balanced relations with all countries.”

The division between Palestine’s two largest parties Fatah and Hamas began in 2006, when Hamas won Palestinian legislative elections.

The following year clashes erupted between Fatah and Hamas, leaving Hamas in control of the Strip and Fatah in control of parts of the occupied West Bank.

Several attempts at national reconciliation in the years that followed ended in failure, including two agreements in 2012, in Cairo and subsequently in Doha, neither of which were implemented.

In April last year, a national unity deal was announced ending seven years of political division, with a national unity government to be set in place within five weeks.

However, the 50-day conflict between Hamas and Israel severely strained relations between the two parties, particularly over Palestinian Authority security co-ordination with Israel in the West Bank.

On Friday, Hamas politburo member Mahmoud al-Zahar said that resistance as manifested in the Gaza Strip would “reach the West Bank in spite of Israel and its allies,” in reference to the Fatah-led PA.

Separately, Hamas also used the anniversary of Sheikh Yasin’s assassination on Sunday to launch its official website.

Sheikh Yasin was assassinated by Israeli forces on Mar. 22, 2004.

He was killed along with nine others by Israeli helicopters as he was being wheeled from a Gaza mosque following the early morning prayer

Abbie's Love charity donates £50,000 towards 100k James Cook children's ward revamp

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A £100,000 project to upgrade a children’s intensive care ward is being made possible thanks to a £50,000 donation from epilepsy charity Abbie’s Love.

The upgrade to the paediatric intensive care unit at Middlesbrough’s James Cook University Hospital will mean the addition of four private assessment rooms and four parents’ overnight stay rooms - making it more comfortable for poorly youngsters and their worried families.

And the newly revamped unit will be named after the little girl who inspired fundraisers with her kind nature, Abbie Clarke, whose parents Richard and Tracy set up the charity following her tragic death aged just 10 in December 2006.

Given the honour of helping hand over the money - poignantly on Epilepsy Awareness Day - were two of the youngest members of Abbie’s family, Richard and Tracy’s niece Amelia, who turns one next month, and great niece Lily, six months.

The cheque was to be officially handed today, Epilepsy Awareness Day, when many of the staff were wearing purple in aid of awareness.

Richard, 51, said: “The NHS Trust had put £50,000 in but needed to raise the other £50,000. When we heard we just thought well, we have it here already.

“Some people might think it’s not directly for children with epilepsy, but it will benefit all kids including those with epilepsy. There are about 900 children a month going through there.

“The work will hopefully mean children will not be assessed on a trolley, which is what happened with Abbie.

“It’s a fantastic project and we’re so proud to be part of it.”

Richard also said it wasn’t the case that he and wife Tracy would be wrapping up the charity this year.

The pair had earlier posted information on their charity Facebook page to say they planned 2015 to be Abbie’s Love’s final year, but quickly had a change of heart.

Abbie Clarke

The dedicated pair have to date raised more than £300,000, £135,000 of which has gone to the hospital, including the latest sum.

Richard said: “After we posted that on the page, loads of people said to us how much it had helped them, so we’ve decided to keep it going.”

It is hoped the work on the hospital unit will begin in April.

Additionally, Abbie’s Love plans to fund another roof hoist for the unit, used to safely lift larger children or teenagers. The hoist is estimated to cost around £12,000.

Richard added: “People say to use ‘you should be proud’ and yes we should be, but so should everyone who’s put money in the pot. I want to say thank you to everyone who has donated to our charity - you have all made this possible.”

Clinical matron for paediatrics and neonates, Cathy Brammer said she was overwhelmed by the couple’s generosity.

She said: “Richard and Tracy have worked so hard over the last nine years to fundraise for local children with epilepsy and other neurological disorders.

“It is amazing how, following such a sad and painful event, they have been able to channel their energy into creating a legacy in Abbie’s memory that has benefited so many children and families. This latest donation far exceeds anything we could have expected and we are so grateful to everyone at the charity for everything they are doing for the Children’s Unit.”

England Coast Path could be extended from Middlesbrough to Filey as part of nationwide project

Plans have been put forward to improve public access along the part of the Teesside coastline as part of a nationwide project.

The England Coast Path is the new long-distance national trail that will allow people to walk 4,500km around the whole of the English Coast.

Natural England has put forward proposals for improving an 111km stretch between Newport Bridge in Middlesbrough and Filey Brigg in North Yorkshire.

If approved, this route will form part of the England Coast Path.

Natural England is working to complete the route, which would be the longest section of coast path to be developed so far, in five years.

The first North-east section was opened last April, running along 55km of coastline between North Gare in Hartlepool and South Bents in Sunderland.

Members of the public are now being asked for any views on the plans before the Secretary of State makes a final decision as to whether to approve them.

Malcolm Hodgson, national trails officer for the Cleveland Way, which runs along much of the proposed route, said: “The England Coast Path will use part of the existing Cleveland Way National Trail and the proposals include taking the route through the urban areas of Whitby and Scarborough for the first time – a plus for businesses in those towns.

“It’s important though that everyone with a view on where the route should go has a chance to see the plans and submit a formal response if they wish. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with Natural England and the local authorities to help improve the route for walkers in our area.”

As well as recommending new sections to the route, the report outlines improvements to existing access to the coast between Filey Brigg and Newport Bridge.

Natural England’s area manager David Shaw said: “We have had discussions with landowners and key organisation along the proposed route; their input has been essential and helped shape the draft proposals - we thank everyone for their time and input so far.

“Over the next eight weeks, we are inviting all organisations, farmers, residents, visitors and businesses to have their say.

“It’s important that all responses are taken into account and we look forward to hearing people’s views.”

Natural England expects the new path to be ready at some time in 2016.

Copies of the report and details of how to respond can be viewed in Redcar and Cleveland House, Middlesbrough Town Hall and Central library, as well as libraries in Scarborough, Filey, Whitby and Saltburn.

All representations must be received by Natural England no later than 5pm on May 21.

Bomb scare search in Thornaby stood down after 150 people evacuated from Teesdale building

More than 150 people were evacuated from a Thornaby business after a bomb hoax.

Staff at Westminster House in Teesdale Business Park were forced to leave work yesterday, as police searched the building.

Firefighters responded to an automatic fire alarm at around 3.40pm and police were also on scene at St Mark’s Court and Westpoint Road, after staff called to say they had received a bomb threat.

Two fire engines, a police van and several firefighters and police officers remained until around 6.30pm.

Terry Blackburn

Emergency services at Westminster House, Tessdale, Thornaby for suspected bomb scare

A fire brigade spokeswoman said they were “on protective standby” while a police team carried out a search of the building and reviewed CCTV footage.

Management at the building - where Atos Origin is based - evacuated around 150 members of staff “as a precautionary measure”.

Employees were allowed back into the building to collect their possessions and leave at around 4.45pm.

A spokesman for Cleveland Police said: “The search was stood down at around 6.30pm. Nothing was found.

Terry Blackburn

Emergency services at Westminster House, Tessdale, Thornaby for suspected bomb scare

“It is being treated as a bomb hoax, and enquiries will need to be made into where that came from.

“Police left the scene in control of the building management, and I believe it will be open again as normal on Thursday.”

Employees at the nearby HMRC building at George Stephenson House were also believed to have been sent home for the day.

Can you identify the missing men from these famous Boro line-ups?

You'll remember all the games well but do you remember the starting line-ups?

From the day when the Riverside glistened and opened its doors to the Premier League to that unforgettable night against Steaua.

Oh, and there's Gordan Strachan's final game as well, a moment of celebration in itself.

Anyway, we've compiled Boro's starting line-ups from five momentous games but left one player out of each team.

Over to you to identify the player who's missing.

Is this Teesside's oldest married couple? Eddy and Anne from Fairfield celebrate 75 years

Their love story spans three-quarters of a century.

And today, great-grandparents Eddy and Anne Appleby, believed to be the oldest married couple on Teesside, are celebrating an incredible milestone - their 75th wedding anniversary.

The pair first met when Anne was just 15 and Eddy 20 at Portrack Lane where they both worked - Eddy at Smith’s butchers, Anne at her brother’s fish and chip shop.

Eddy, who turns 102 in July says he will never forget the moment their paths crossed.

“I was serving customers in the shop when I saw Anne and she was looking back at me,” he said.

“I thought she was beautiful. She still is now.”

The couple married on Easter Monday in 1940 at Holy Trinity Church in Seaton Carew. From there they jumped on the bus to Port Clarence with a few guests from the party before catching the Transporter to get to their home in Fairfield.

Anne, 96, said: “We had a fantastic day.

“We were three months into the Second World War, and it was the last day people could be on the beach before it closed. Everyone heard the bells ringing for us and came off the beach to greet us. It was magical.”

Eddy spent 50 years as a butcher - 43 of those at Stockton Co-op until his retirement in 1977.

Anne worked at Hills Joinery Company in Norton Road where they made propellers for Spitfires and left in 1943 when their daughter Delia was born.

She returned to work in 1959 when she took a job at Jacksons the Tailors in the High Street until she retired in 1974.

Once the couple reached their 40s they decided to take up old time dancing as well as a spot of ballroom.

Under dance teacher Bill Lipthorpe, they learned the “Teesside Tango”, which they once performed in Jersey on a trip there.

The pair are also enthusiastic gardeners, and Eddy has won a number of awards for his vegetables and flowers, as well as one for having one of the best kept gardens in Stockton.

A party was held at Churchview Nursing and Residential Care Home, on Thompson Street, where they live, to mark the special day.

The couple, who have two grandsons and two great-grandsons, put the secret of their long marriage down to love and happiness.

Anne said: “We never wanted anyone else.

Eddy added: “It’s amazing to think we are still here, having a party to mark three quarters of a century spent together.

“It’s a long time, but then it still feels like yesterday to me.”

150 people evacuated from Thornaby due to bomb scare in Teesdale business park

More than 150 people have been evacuated after a bomb scare in Thornaby.

Firefighters responded to an automatic fire alarm at 3.40pm today to Westminster House in Teesdale Business Park.

Police also arrived at the scene at St Mark’s Court and Westpoint Road after staff called to say they had received a bomb threat.

Terry Blackburn

Emergency services at Westminster House, Tessdale, Thornaby for suspected bomb scare

Two fire engines, a police van and several firefighters and police officers remained at the scene this evening.

A fire brigade spokeswoman said they are “on protective standby” while a police team carries out a search of the building.

A police spokeswoman said they evacuated around 150 members of staff from the building - where Atos Origin is based - “as a precautionary measure”.

Terry Blackburn

Emergency services at Westminster House, Tessdale, Thornaby for suspected bomb scare MUST BYLINE TERRY BLACKBURN

Employees at the nearby HMRC building at George Stephenson House are believed to have been sent home for the day.

Staff members were allowed back into the building to collect their possessions and leave at around 4.45pm.

Middlesbrough takeaway closed due to mice infestation and poor standards of cleanliness

Mice have been busy munching their way through another Middlesbrough takeaway.

An infestation of the rodents was discovered in The Shawarma House in Linthorpe Road prompting health officials to shut down the premises.

It follows a previous emergency closure in May when the former owner was later fined £1,000 (pictures relating to this closure below).

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On the latest occasion, environmental health officers from Middlesbrough Council’s Public Protection Service served a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice on the takeaway’s operator after they found mouse droppings and poor standards of cleanliness throughout the premises.

And on Wednesday Middlesbrough Council was granted a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order at Teesside Magistrates’ Court.

The order confirmed the council’s actions and requires the business to remain closed until environmental health officers are satisfied that the premises is pest-free and has been effectively sanitised.

Environmental Health manager Judith Hedgley said: “The owners of food businesses must ensure their premises are kept free from pests, clean at all times and well maintained.

“Mice and other rodents can get in through small holes and poor fitting doors. They are looking for food and harbourage so they are attracted to premises that are not clean.

“Pest problems in food businesses can and do present serious risks to public health. We regularly remind owners about this and most of the businesses in Middlesbrough are well managed and hygienic.”

“However, where officers find unhygienic conditions, it is necessary to take prompt action to remove health risks. Pest infestations and poor hygiene standards are the main reasons for closing food businesses.”

Councillor Julia Rostron, Middlesbrough Council’s executive member for adult social care and public health, said: “The council’s environmental health officers work closely with local food businesses to help them understand their obligations under food laws and achieve good standards of hygiene.

“However, where serious health risks are discovered they are required to put the interests of consumers first and take action to protect public health.

“Every year more than 500 visits are made to food outlets in Middlesbrough as part of the council’s food premises inspection programme and more than 85% of businesses have achieved the top two hygiene ratings in recognition of their good hygiene standards and effective management of food safety.”

Office staff evacuated after 'bomb scare' in Thornaby

More than 150 people have been evacuated after a bomb scare in Thornaby.

Westminster House staff contacted the police earlier this afternoon after receiving a bomb threat, a Cleveland Police spokeswoman said.

Officers evacuated around 150 members of staff from the building “as a precautionary measure” at around 3.40pm.

Scene at Westminster House in Thornaby

Employees at the nearby HMRC building at George Stephenson House are believed to have been sent home for the day.

The force spokeswoman confirmed police were still on scene just before 5pm.

Staff members were allowed back into the building to collect their possessions and leave at around 4.45pm.

Aitor Karanka: 'Fernando Amorebita is a very good player and very experienced, this is a good challenge for him'

Fernando Amorebieta knows how difficult it will be to break into the Boro side but Aitor Karanka feels the defender’s experience could be invaluable in the final weeks of the season.

The Venezuelan international completed his loan switch to Boro this morning with full-back James Husband moving in the other direction.

Amorebieta suffered a serious knee injury playing against Boro earlier this season and has struggled to force his way back into a struggling Fulham side.

But Karanka knows the centre-half from his time in Spain and believes the 30-year-old will be a useful addition to his squad.

“He’s a very good lad,” said the head coach.

“I’ve known him for 12 or 13 years now.

“He played with me in Bilbao, we were team-mates and his career has been brilliant.

Fulham's Fernando Amorebieta is shown a red card against Bournemouth

“This season has been difficult for him because he got injured at the Riverside for Fulham and after that it took time for him to play again, but as a player he is a very good player.

“The main thing that he is going to bring is his experience.

“He has made 200 appearances in the Primera League and two years ago he was playing in a Europa League final so he is a very experienced player.”

Amorebieta has left Fulham, the side with the second worst defensive record in the league, to join Boro, the side with the best.

And Karanka says his new signing knows he has a job on his hands to force his way into the starting XI.

“He knows how difficult it will be for him to play because our players are doing well,” he told the club website.

“I explained he needs to be at his best, but he wants to support us because this is a very good challenge.

“Fulham weren’t in a good position and now he has the opportunity to get promotion so it’s good news.”

US halts plans of troops withdrawal from Afghanistan

US President Barack Obama has revised plans to reduce the number of American troops in Afghanistan.

Washington was initially supposed to reducing the forces to 5,500, but following a meeting with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai Obama announced a reversal of the decision, which would leave the number at the current level of 9,800 troops.

“My national security team and I have decided to maintain our posture of 9,800 troops through the end of this year,” said the US president at a joint press conference with his Afghan counterpart.

Based on the revision, the American troops “will continue to train, advise, and assist Afghan security forces,” Obama said.

The announcement came after the Afghan president reportedly asked Obama to slow the withdrawal as security forces are bracing for a tough spring fighting season.

Last May, Obama had announced a reduction of forces as he laid out a schedule for ending the 14-year war.

In testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee last month, General John Francis Campbell said there was evidence the ISIL terrorist group was recruiting in Afghanistan and that some Taliban members were declaring allegiance to the Takfiri group.

The United States and its allies invaded Afghanistan as part of Washington’s so-called war on terror. The offensive removed the Taliban from power but insecurity continues in the country.

According to the website icasualties.org, 3,486 foreign soldiers, including 2,356 Americans have been killed in Afghanistan since the war began in October 2001.

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More women in the boardroom a step 'in the right direction' says NECC boss Nickie Gott

A North-east Chamber of Commerce boss says latest figures that show Britain’s top companies have doubled the number of female directors are a step ‘in the right direction.’

A report by Lord Davies of Abersoch show Britain’s top companies have made progress on gender diversity.

Almost a quarter of FTSE 100 board positions are now being filled by women, the annual report has shown.

Female representation has now reached 23.5%, almost double the level it was four years ago.

Nickie Gott, Chair of NECC’s Women’s Advisory Board, said: “The Davies report definitely shows UK business is heading in the right direction.

“We strongly support the view that a much better balance should be encouraged on boards and encourage businesses to move outside established networks to make their organisations more diverse. Not to tick any boxes, but to prevent women from missing an opportunity they deserve, due to an outdated culture.

“As we have relatively few FTSE companies in the North-east, Lord Davies’ Report does not realistically reflect our businesses. Nevertheless, we recognise the symbolic importance of these statistics.

“Our members continue to tell us the positive impact having a diverse workforce is having on their company performance and we will use these stories to encourage smaller firms to follow this lead. It’s important for this trend to continue in the North-east.”

The 'Hangover' lads: Holiday album of men who travelled 7,000 miles after going for quiet pint

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So...how’s the hangover?

That’s the question on the world’s lips after news of Middlesbrough lads Phillip Boyle and Jamie Blyth’s last-minute trip to Thailand made headlines across the globe.

But - perhaps surprisingly - the pair are feeling pretty dapper.

“I’m feeling okay now,” says Phillip, speaking to The Gazette after their booze-fuelled jaunt to Thailand.

“I was worse when we came!”

Jamie and Phillip with his upgraded bag

“It’s been crazy,” says 33-year-old company director Phillip from Nunthorpe.

The Gazette first broke news of the story on Monday after learning that the pair - who started their Friday night at The Southern Cross in Marton for a ‘quiet pint’ - had ended up jetting out to Thailand in a drunken haze.

But the boozy plan paid off and - despite a few moments of hesitation as the drink wore off - they’ve had the time of their lives.

“It was around the bend there,” says Phillip of the holiday resort of Pattaya.

“It’s been non-stop as we were only there for a couple of days.

“We went out for meals and to bars and didn’t really sleep that much.

“If we were there for a week or so we might have travelled around a bit.

“I have fallen behind with a few things at work though,” admits Phillip.

Phillip had initially jetted out with just a carrier bag stuffed with a few T-Shirts and pairs of boxer shorts.

But he did manage to upgrade - buying a new backpack and a pair of trainers whilst out there, that were unfortunately swiped.

Phillip forced to wear work shoes after trainers were pinched

Pal Jamie, 33, a rigger from Marton and instigator of the trip, said: “On the way out there we sobered up on the flight and thought ‘what have we done!’

“We were a bit confused in Abu Dhabi at the stop over but just thought ‘We’re here now so we should just make the most of it'.

“The guys that we knew from school were shocked to see that we’d turned up!

“It’s been great.”

Jamie, who has a new girlfriend, said: “She was a bit annoyed, but it was only two days - a short break.

“She’s just been laughing about it and thought we were daft.”

And Phillip has some advice for others wanting to follow in their footsteps.

“I would recommend it - it’s been brilliant fun.”

Lottery win just what the doctor ordered for 13 lucky hospital staff

A lottery win was just what the doctor ordered for 13 lucky hospital staff.

The mix of health care and catering workers at Redcar Primary Care Hospital successfully matched five numbers and the bonus ball during Saturday’s Lotto draw.

And while the £3,202.23 they each receive won’t change their lives, it will certainly be a healthy boost for their bank balances.

The syndicate was started five years ago by three workers, but only food assistant on Zetland ward, Lynne Ruff, remains from the original trio.

On the catering side - all OCS (Outsourced Client Solutions) staff - the winners were Lynne, catering manager Julie Goldsbrough, team leader Nick Bowden - whose winning numbers came up - food service assistants Gill Anderson, Barbara Harrison and Lynne’s 19-year-old granddaughter Tiffany Irwin, recently married kitchen porter Nathan Oakley, chef Denise Wheater and senior housekeeping supervisor Jayne Matthews.

Making up the syndicate are Zetland ward health care assistants Carol Maude, Debbie Barker, Jayne Canwell, Karen Rooney and Cindy Bayliss.

Lynne, 57, said: “I was phoning around people to tell them we’d won but they thought it was a wind-up.

“The syndicate only started off with three of us, but it has grown over the years and we’ll have even more now!

“Until this, we’d only won £25 all year and last year it was about £60 each.

“We all choose a line of numbers and it was Nick’s which came up, although I don’t think he even knows what his numbers are.

“A couple of the nurses are moving on soon, so it’s a nice leaving present for them.”

The Big Teesside Meat Draw: Take our pub quiz for your chance to win

It’s National Butchers’ Week!

And what better way to celebrate than a pubby pub quiz?!

If you can answer all of our Teesside pub-themed questions correctly then you could be in with a chance of winning our meat-lover’s prize - with £100 hamper from Country Valley Foods.

Enjoy!

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey , the world's leading questionnaire tool.

If you're viewing this on the GazetteLive app, please click here to enter

:: You can also get 10% off at http://bit.ly/1LYjgZ8 by entering the code FIRST10 at the checkout

Points will be awarded for every question answered correctly. The entrant with the highest number of points will be deemed the winner. In the event of a tie we will randomly select one of the entrants who will be deemed the winner. Standard Trinity Mirror terms and conditions apply and are available on http://bit.ly/1LYjgZi. Editor's decision is final.

Jonny Taylor romps to victory in the Thirsk 10 and soars to the top of the UK rankings

Jonny Taylor has been somewhat of a stranger to the road-running scene over the last few years.

In fact, the last time he toed the start line of a road race any further than two miles was three-and-a-half years ago.

In that time, Taylor’s focus has been on cross-country and improving his PBs on the track.

But he demonstrated he’s just as at home on the road as he is on the mud or the track with a superb display of solo running to romp to victory at the Thirsk 10 mile race on Sunday.

His time of 48 minutes 45 seconds was not only enough to see him coast to victory by more than three and a half minutes, it also sent the 27-year-old soaring to the top of the 2015 UK rankings.

“I was pleased, it was a solid performance,” said the modest Morpeth Harrier from Middlesbrough.

“As far as 10 mile courses go, Thirsk isn’t the fastest and to be honest I would have been happy with anything under 49.30.

“But I felt strong which was pleasing because I didn’t ease down at all for the race. “It’s just a shame that the performance was two weeks late.”

Jonny Taylor on his way to winning the Thirsk 10

Taylor was referring to the World Cross Country Championship trials at Birmingham a fortnight ago.

After a stunning performance to finish 31st at the World Championships in Poland two years ago, Taylor was looking to book his flight to China for another crack at the global stage.

But a niggling knee injury that forced him out of action for two crucial weeks in the build up to the trial put paid to that.

“Obviously that was frustrating,” admitted Taylor, who works at Teesside University.

“I felt like I was in pole position and I was running really well.

“But these things happen, that’s in the past now.”

Taylor won’t be waiting another three years before he returns to the roads.

In fact, his timely return to form at Thirsk sets him up nicely for the Brighton 10k in three weeks’ time, a popular race which will attract a stacked field at the top end.

“That was the pleasing thing about Thirk, I didn’t go there trying to break any records or with my eye on the clock, I just want for a hard run-out,” he said.

“It should stand me in good stead for Brighton and for the Manchester 10k in May.”

'Hands off Mustapha Carayol', say Boro fans ahead of loan deadline

More than 2,000 fans have voted on the future of five Boro players who could leave the Riverside before Thursday’s loan deadline.

With Football League clubs eager to land a last-gasp bargain, a number of Boro stars could leave Teesside for pastures new in the next 24 hours.

Among those include Mustapha Carayol, Yanic Wildschut, Luke Williams and Ryan Brobbel.

But do Boro fans think the club should allow these players to go out on loan? Supporters have voted over the last two days, and here are your responses.

1) James Husband

Earlier today James Husband moved to Fulham as part of a deal that sees Fernando Amorebieta join Boro on loan until the end of the season.

It’s been a tough season for Boro’s deputy left-back, who has struggled to oust George Friend from his defensive flank.

Husband was recruited from Doncaster Rovers in the summer for £500,000 but has made just four league appearances this campaign.

A lack of first-team matches has seen Husband regularly feature for the Under-21s this year - and Boro fans believe a loan move would be good for the 21-year-old.

Nearly 77% of fans believe Husband will benefit from his spell at Craven Cottage, with the other 23% perhaps concerned about a lack of cover, should Friend pick up a knock.

Both Tomas Kalas and Ben Gibson are capable of filling that void, however, so Boro fans are generally supportive of the club’s decision.

2) Mustapha Carayol

The clock is ticking for Boro to find a club for Mustapha Carayol, after Aitor Karanka revealed the winger will be allowed to leave the Riverside on loan before Thursday’s deadline.

The 26-year-old finds himself out of Boro’s first-team picture after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in the 0-0 draw at Bournemouth 12 months ago.

After battling back to fitness, the winger was an unused substitute in Boro’s 1-0 win over Bolton last month - but has yet to make a competitive return.

Karanka questioned whether Carayol could cope with the intensity of a promotion run-in and last week confirmed the club will hand him a loan move, should the right suitor come in.

But that news has received a mixed reception from Boro fans, with 63% of fans stating in our poll that Carayol should remain on Teesside.

Supporters saw a glimpse of Carayol at his best last season, and many believe he should be challenging the likes of Albert Adomah and Adam Reach for a starting berth.

3) Yanic Wildschut

Aitor Karanka insists Yanic Wildschut could play a big part in Boro’s promotion run-in, despite having started only three matches this season.

The last of those came in December, and his last Boro outing was a seven-minute cameo in the 3-0 win over Millwall on March 3.

The Dutch flyer made quite an entrance on his first start at Rotherham back in November, but it’s been a tough time for the summer signing since then.

But Boro fans agree with Karanka that Wildschut does have a role to play this season, with 64% voting against a loan move for the Ajax Academy graduate.

“Yanic is doing really well in the training sessions but at the moment it’s hard to find a space,” Karanka admitted.

“After the international break we have five games in 14 days. All of the players will be important”.

With Carayol seemingly heading out on loan, Boro fans should have their wish to keep Wildschut in the North-east.

4) Luke Williams

Nearly 2,000 of you think Boro forward Luke Williams should be granted a loan move away from the Riverside before tomorrow’s deadline.

The 21-year-old started the season as part of Boro’s first-team squad, and fired in a 30-yard rocket at Oldham Athletic in the cup.

But the arrival of Jelle Vossen and Patrick Bamford knocked the 21-year-old further down the pecking order, and he subsequently enjoyed a loan spell at Scunthorpe United before Christmas.

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At Glanford Park, Williams caught the eye with two goals in six appearances - but injury ended his time at the League One club prematurely.

A loan spell to Coventry City followed last month, but Williams found himself out of favour following the arrival of ex-Boro boss Tony Mowbray and was recalled early.

Both Karanka and Boro fans believe he needs to clinch another loan move before tomorrow’s deadline.

5) Ryan Brobbel

Winger Ryan Brobbel is another who the majority of Boro fans feel would benefit from a loan move away from Teesside.

The 22-year-old enjoyed three months at Hartlepool United earlier this season, but his loan spell at Victoria Park was ended early by former manager Paul Murray.

Ian Cooper

Since then it’s been Under-21s football for Brobbel, and despite being linked with a number of clubs, a short-term move has yet to come to fruition.

Nearly 2,000 fans voted in our poll and agreed that Brobbel should clinch a loan move before the deadline.

Stockton man jailed after he supplied pills that helped kill mother of three

A man was jailed after he gave pills to a mother of three which helped kill her.

Clare Pearson, 34, from Billingham, was battling heroin addiction when she took the pills which had been prescribed for Graham Plant, 42, by his GP.

She was on a prescribed Methadone reduction programme but the combination of that and Plant’s Pregablin pills to treat his anxiety proved fatal.

Prosecuter Harry Hadfield told Teesside Crown Court today that she fell asleep on a couch at her home and her partner found her dead in the morning.

Police found a text message from Plant on her mobile phone telling her “I’ve got them now”.

He said that she often asked him for tablets and he had supplied them to her free.

In November 2013 she asked him to lend her some of his tablets because she had missed a doctor’s appointment.

She went to his home with her partner and he gave her four or five 100 mgm tablets, which was more than he had been taking as a daily dose.

At 8pm on November 22, 2013 her partner noticed that she had fallen asleep on the couch at their home in central Billingham and he covered her with a blanket before going upstairs to bed.

When he could not wake her the following day he called the ambulance service, and paramedics could find no sign of life.

Police later found a series of text messages between her and Plant, and he told them that he had sent her a text saying that he had got his pills.

Mr Hadfield said that Ms Pearson’s mother reported in a victim impact statement that she was still in shock over her death and the effects on her grandchildren aged six, eight and 11.

She said: “This is something that will live with me for ever.

“It has made me so sad and left a loss that can never be filled.”

Gary Wood, defending, said Plant thought at the time that he was helping her out, but he was not aware that it could have have such tragic consequences and he did not seek to justify his action.

He was a recovering drug addict and an isolated individual living in supervised accommodation who had been shunned by his peers because of the outcome.

Mr Wood added: “The consequences of his actions are very tragic indeed and this is a very sensitive case, but he should be given full credit for his guilty plea and the length of time it has taken to come to a conclusion.”

The judge told Plant that the eloquence of Mrs McKenna could not fail to move anybody who heard it.

Recorder Tim Gittins QC said: “You thought that you were helping out a fellow drug user but you were not.

“You had done similar acts of supplying as a friend in the past and without any apparent ill-effect in the past.

“Importantly it was not a fatal dose that you supplied.

“It was her own voluntary decision to take a combination of medication that she had obtained unaware of the potential consequences but this was the supplying of a drug that you should not have engaged in .... the result of what you did contributed to the worst consequences.”

The judge added: “The message must go out loud and clear that sentences of imprisonment will follow for the supplying of drugs particularly as in this example when the potential consequences can be dire.”

Plant, of Spring Street, Stockton, was jailed for four months after he admitted supplying a prescribed medicine to another.

Boozed up burglar jailed after raiding garage - just hours after walking free from court

A boozed-up burglar who was chased by police as he fled with a stolen bike chained to a bed headboard was jailed for 18 months.

Jason Hackett downed half a bottle of vodka in celebration after walking free from court on motoring offences.

But while drunk, the 21-year-old broke into a garage and made off with the chained-up £250 mountain bike.

The homeowner heard the racket made by Hackett and two other men and he took off in pursuit, alerting police along the way through Elmtree estate, Stockton.

Hackett, who was eventually collared by a plain clothes officer, after the midnight raid on January 13.

He had been wearing rubber-coated working gloves, but the two other men escaped.

But prosecuter Harry Hadfield told Teesside Crown Court the victim worked shifts and his wife was now scared to be alone at home.

Hackett, who had 34 convictions for 70 offences, had breached a suspended 15 months jail sentence for inflicting grievous bodily harm on his girlfriend which left her with a broken wrist and in severe pain.

Duncan McReddie, defending, said that Hackett’s criminal offending started when he was 10 and he had still not reached maturity.

He said being under the influence of alcohol explained Hackett’s behaviour at the house in Celandine Way, Stockton, but it did not excuse it.

He said that Hackett had shown during the period of the suspended sentence that he could comply with supervision and he had been doing well under the order.

The judge told Hackett that the 60-year-old burglary victim had the courage to try to recover his bike, but his wife had been badly affected by the experience.

Recorder Tim Gittins QC said that Hackett had been celebrating with his mates after walking free from Teesside Magistrates’ Court earlier that day when he was dealt with for motoring offences.

The judge added: “You were given a golden opportunity of a suspended sentence in July last year and you demonstrated some limited ability to comply with it.”

Hackett, of High Newham Road, Stockton, was jailed for 18 months after he pleaded guilty to breach of a suspended sentence and burglary.

Port Clarence residents welcome start of £19m flood defence scheme

Work has started on a £19m flood defence scheme designed to protect hundreds of homes and businesses in Port Clarence.

Today’s news will come as a relief for the small community which was devastated by a tidal surge that wreaked havoc in December 2013.

Up to 32 homes suffered severe internal flooding as a result of what was later described as an “almost perfect storm” that tore through Teesside.

The flooding brought with it contaminated salt water laced with oil, sludge, silt and human slurry. A total of 140 properties were affected and 80 cars were written off in Port Clarence.

The incident also hit 20 businesses in the Clarences, Billingham Reach Industrial Estate and Seal Sands.

At the peak of the flooding, which is still fresh in the minds of local residents, around 250 residents were evacuated to Billingham Forum which had been set up as a rest centre.

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The Environment Agency alleviation scheme is designed to lessen the flood risk to around 350 homes and 32 businesses, with work on the first phase expected to be complete in the winter.

Local business Wilton Engineering will manufacture part of the flood defences to help protect its local community in Port Clarence.

Environment Agency flood and coastal risk manager, Phil Welton, said: “The work at Port Clarence will improve on existing defences, and will be a mixture of embankments, flood walls and ground raising.

“There will also be a section of removable defence along the River Tees so that Wilton Engineering is still able to operate from the river.

“We’ve been working closely with Wilton throughout the development of the project and they’re playing a key role in protecting their local community.”

Mr Welton added: “The works are not in the middle of the community so they won’t really get that much disruption here.”

The start of work came as a relief to local residents. Tom Gamble, assistant manager at AJ Stores on Clarence Road in the village, helped barricade the doors of the shop before going to nearby streets to help others in the December 2013 flood.

He said: “It’s a relief the flood defences work is starting. It’s about time. You start worrying every time it starts raining.”

Funding for this first phase of the scheme at Port Clarence, which is costing £3m, has come from government Flood Defence Grant Aid and Wilton Engineering’s participation and co-operation.

Wilton Engineering’s chief executive, Bill Scott said: “This is a fantastic project which secures the houses and businesses within the community of Port Clarence.

“We have formed a partnership with the Environment Agency to ensure this project is a successful one and one which benefits everyone here.

“Having been through the recent flood which impacted on our business we’ve learned first hand the importance of protecting our assets, our people and the community, so this project is close to our hearts and we are therefore determined to ensure its success.”

The second phase of the project will focus on reducing the risk of flooding to Greatham South from Greatham Creek and is likely to begin next year.

Jobs lost as Johnsons Cleaners announce that three Teesside stores are set to close

Three Johnsons Cleaners stores are set to close on Teesside with the loss of around 10 jobs.

The national firm announced plans to close 109 of its 307 branches across the UK in January in a move that would affect hundreds of staff, after struggling to increase sales.

The company’s Marton store on Stokesley Road will close today, followed by High Row in Darlington tomorrow and Yarm High Street on Friday.

But the company says many of the staff affected have been found alternative jobs, either at another Johnsons branch or elsewhere.

A further three North-east and North Yorkshire branches - Hexham, Acomb and Skipton - will also close their doors.

A company spokesperson said: “We can confirm that these six stores (Hexham, Acomb, Skipton, Marton, Darlington and Yarm) are those affected.

“These branches will close. Originally, this meant that team members from the branch would have been at risk of redundancy, however we have found in a lot of cases that our employees have successfully secured alternative roles.

“During the consultation period we have provided company support to all employees at risk of redundancy, including one on one coaching and advice sessions, interview preparation and CV writing workshops and guidance.

“This has led to many members of our branch teams starting new roles before the consultation period has ended, either within the company at another branch or externally.”

In its latest trading update, Johnsons said sales growth achieved in 2013 had not been repeated in 2014, although full-year results were thought to be in line with expectations.

The company said it has established collection and delivery points in office premises with high staff concentration. A new online home collection and delivery service will also be available from mid 2015 for higher value or bulky items.

The planned restructuring of the drycleaning business is estimated to cost the group £6.5m.

A partnership with Waitrose has extended the Johnsons brand into 78 supermarkets so far.

The company also has branches on Norton High Street and in Guisborough, with other North-east branches including Jesmond and Gosforth in Newcastle, Durham and Boldon.

1987 Hashimpura massacre was painful, says court. Investigating agency failed to establish the identity of culprits

A court here has expressed concern over the deaths in the 1987 Hashimpura massacre and said it was “painful” to observe that several innocent people have been traumatised but the investigating agency failed to establish the identity of culprits.

The observation by the court of Additional Sessions Judge Sanjay Jindal came while it acquitted 16 policemen in the case of 42 people’s massacre in Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut city.

“It is very painful to observe that several innocent persons have been traumatised and their lives have been taken by the state agency, but the investigating agency as well as the prosecution have failed to bring on record the reliable material to establish the identity of culprits,” the court said in its order which was made available to the media on Tuesday.

The court on Saturday freed 16 personnel of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) from charges of murder, attempt to murder, tampering with evidence and conspiracy, by giving them the benefit of doubt for want of sufficient evidence about their identity.

The court observed that facts disclosed that several hundreds of people belonging to different areas of Meerut were arrested by PAC and other forces from Hashimpura on May 22, 1987, of whom about 40-45 people from Hashimpura were abducted in a yellow coloured PAC truck.

It noted that the abducted people were shot and thrown into the waters of the Gang Nahar in Murad Nagar and Hindon river in Ghaziabad.

Some of them survived, some died and some were still missing, the court observed.

But it has not been proved beyond reasonable doubt that the accused people facing trial were the PAC officials who abducted and killed the people from Hashimpura or the truck belonged to the PAC 41st battalion.

“All the circumstances relied upon by the prosecution to connect the truck number and the accused people are capable of raising some suspicion but the same have not been proved conclusively beyond reasonable doubt,” the court said.

“The statements of the witnesses relating to identity of the truck and identity of the accused people are non-conclusive and do not inspire confidence.”

The court said that virtually, there was no clinching evidence on record without infirmities on the circumstance relating to the identity of the truck and the accused.

The accused cannot be convicted on the basis of scanty, unreliable and faulty investigation which has gaps and holes, the court said.

The court observed that “not a single circumstance relied upon by the prosecution inspires confidence to establish the guilt of the accused persons”.

There were 19 accused in the case. Three of them died during trial.

The killings had allegedly occurred during riots in Meerut when the victims were picked up from Hashimpura by personnel of the PAC 41st Battalion during a search operation.

A charge sheet was filed before the chief judicial magistrate’s court in Ghaziabad in 1996. The case was transferred to Delhi in September 2002 on the order of the Supreme Court following a petition by the families of the massacre victims and survivors.

A sessions court here in July 2006 framed charges of murder, attempt to murder, tampering with evidence and conspiracy against all the accused.

–IANS