Tottenham v Newcastle: What the form showspublished at 11:13 British Summer Time 31 March 2022
Section of A1 southbound closed as drivers warnedpublished at 11:13 British Summer Time 31 March 2022
The A1 southbound in County Durham is closed between Bowburn and Bradbury to allow a lorry to be recovered following an accident.
Traffic was previously reduced to one lane, with heavy congestion as a result.
It is understood work to remove the lorry and repair barriers, which began at 09:30 BST, could take around four hours.
After snowfall and freezing temperatures in parts of the North East overnight, drivers and pedestrians have been warned to take extra care, with a Met Office yellow warning for snow and ice in place until 10:00 BST on Thursday.
Image source, PA MediaGritters have been out overnight with dangerous conditions reported on some routes.
Paul Jones, from Northumberland County Council, said there had been snow across most of the county with heavy snow showers on higher ground, particularly in the North Pennines.
Snowploughs were being used on the southbound A68 and in places such as Allendale and Whitfield, while the A69 was being hit by sporadic snow showers.
Newcastle MP urges universities to resolve staff strikespublished at 10:54 British Summer Time 28 March 2022
A Newcastle MP has urged the city’s universities to resolve a dispute which has seen staff strike over pay, pensions and workload.
The action, which is affecting 68 universities, is disrupting courses for students who have already seen Covid impact their studies. More strikes are planned this week.
The University and College Union claims a 35% fall in the value of pensions is being imposed, and also says wages are down 25% in real terms in just over a decade.
Chi Onwurah, Labour MP for Newcastle Central, says the universities need to offer an improved deal which can end the disruption.
Image source, Getty Images“You cannot get a good education unless the lecturers and researchers are properly paid,” she told BBC Politics North.
“I have been shocked by the level of transient work and insecurity we have in some of our great universities. The employers need to sort this out because we don’t want to see the students having their studies so impacted.”
Robert Goodwill, Conservative MP for Scarborough and Whitby, added students had endured "two very torrid years" and the two sides "should get round the table and sort it out".
The universities have condemned the strikes and say the unions need to think again as exams draw closer. The unions insist they are doing all they can to minimise disruption to students.
Miners' Gala returns after two-year absencepublished at 14:29 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2022
The Durham Miners' Gala will return this summer after being cancelled for two years due to the pandemic.
Durham Miners' Association (DMA) confirmed the Big Meeting - as it is known locally - will take place on Saturday 9 July.
It will be dedicated to key workers and could attract more than 200,000 people to see brass bands march through the city centre.
Carers, bus drivers, delivery workers, nurses, shop staff and teachers, who the DMA says "have risked their lives to keep society functioning throughout the pandemic", will be celebrated.
Image source, GettyDMA Secretary Alan Mardghum said: “For many it truly is the highlight of the year.
"The gala has been at the heart of the cultural life of the people of the Durham coalfield area for more than 150 years."
Only two world wars and two national strikes had previously stopped the gala.
Bowling clubhouse arson suspects identifiedpublished at 14:15 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2022
Two people suspected of starting a fire which destroyed a 100-year-old bowling clubhouse in Gateshead have been interviewed by police.
Inquiries are continuing into the blaze which started in Saltwell Park at about 20:05 on 13 March.
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) crews were on the scene within minutes but the building was severely damaged and may have to be demolished.
More than 150 homes in the surrounding area were visited by firefighters, police teams and Gateshead council officers, to try and identify those responsible.
Image source, TWFRSTWFRS district manager Paul Thompson thanked the public for providing information about the cause of the fire.
“The clubhouse was an iconic feature of the park and, having spoken to local residents myself, I know how devastating it has been for people who frequent the park."
Popular city centre 'container village' to closepublished at 14:01 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2022
A popular street food and live music hub in Newcastle city centre will close in May to make way for a hotel and offices.
STACK, a "container village" which has operated in Pilgrim Place for four years, will close at midnight on Monday 2 May so work can start on the redevelopment.
Staff and traders were told earlier that the site would be closing.
Image source, GoogleOwner of STACK Newcastle Neill Winch said: "We can’t thank them enough for all of their hard work and dedication to making STACK the huge success it has become.
"Wherever possible we will be relocating staff to our other venues or supporting them to find new jobs."
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End of twitter postCall handlers praised for saving woman 3,000 miles awaypublished at 10:54 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2022
Police call handlers who saved a woman from an intruder in her home 3,000 miles away in Canada after she contacted the wrong force have been honoured for their help.
The team at Durham Police were contacted via online chat by a woman who reported an intruder in her home in Durham, Canada.
She had typed "I need help, he is in the house" before falling silent.
Call handler Fiona Barker (left) - who was only on her second shift operating Durham Constabulary’s online live chat service - realised the woman was in Canada.
Image source, Durham ConstabularyHer supervisor, David Wallace, managed to contact officers at Durham Regional Police Service, in Ontario, who went to help.
They charged a 35-year-old man with a string of offences, including breaking and entering and disobeying a court order.
Ms Barker and Mr Wallace have been presented with an Inspector’s Recognition award from Durham Regional Police Service.
The citation from Insp Phil Hallett said: “Presented with sincere appreciation for your diligence and professionalism and assisting our police service in a true example of international co-operation.”
Five-day walkout for staff at universitiespublished at 15:42 Greenwich Mean Time 21 March 2022
Staff at three universities in the North East have started five days of industrial action.
The walkout of University and College Union (UCU) members is part of a long-running national campaign over pay, pensions and working conditions.
Lecturers and other employees at Durham, Newcastle and Northumbria universities will be on picket lines at various campus sites until Friday.
Image source, UCUThe union members want pension cuts revoked claiming they will result in a 35% reduction in typical retirement income.
UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: "The money is there to pay staff properly, tackle punishing working conditions and reverse pension cuts that will devastate retirement incomes.
"Instead, university bosses are choosing to sit on reserves worth tens of billions of pounds and make their own staff suffer. That’s why we are out on picket lines yet again."
Image source, UCUMen sought over punch outside nightclubpublished at 13:50 Greenwich Mean Time 21 March 2022
Police are searching for two men wanted in connection to a fight that left a man with serious head injuries.
The attack happened at about 03:20 GMT on 19 February outside Trilogy nightclub in Norfolk Street, Sunderland.
An argument between two men turned physical and when a third man intervened he was punched in the face.
Image source, Northumbria PoliceHe was knocked unconscious and fell, hitting his head on the pavement.
Both men left him lying in the street.
Northumbria Police released pictures of the two men they wanted to speak to.
Landmarks lit in orange to reflect refugees' plightpublished at 12:06 Greenwich Mean Time 21 March 2022
Landmarks across the North East- including Gateshead's Millennium Bridge, Penshaw Monument and Spanish City in Whitley Bay - are being illuminated in orange to show solidarity for people fleeing war and persecution.
Image source, Together With RefugeesTogether With Refugees, has organised a day of action as MPs get ready to vote on the Nationality and Borders Bill tomorrow.
The United Nations estimates more than three million people have fled the conflict in Ukraine, after Russia's invasion.
A huge orange heart has also been installed at Gateshead's Baltic.
Image source, Together With RefugeesGateshead council leader Martin Gannon said: “The conflict in Ukraine has made it as clear as ever that essential humanitarian aid must be available to those who need it most, without government legislation making it extremely difficult for those in need to find respite in the UK."
Image source, Together With RefugeesEvents are being held across the week in different parts of the region.
They include a rally outside the Spanish City in Whitley Bay, with speakers from local refugee charities and people with experience of the asylum system.
Event organiser Penny Henry said: "It will be an opportunity for people in North Tyneside to come together to show their support for Ukrainian refugees as well as other people seeking sanctuary.
"The current war in Ukraine has highlighted the need for a humanitarian response more than ever before."
Image source, Together with Refugees