African Voice Newspaper issue 591

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Friday, 7 August - Thursday, 13 August 2015 ISSUE 591

SINCE 2001

B R I TA I N ’ S N O . 1 A F R I C A N N E W S PA P E R Dangote Commissions $400 Million Cement Plant in Zambia

£1.00

DISCOVER DESIGNERS FROM AFRICAN AT OLYMPIA LONDON THIS WEEK END

SEE PAGE 18

SEE PAGE 11

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IRC DETENTION TIMES STILL A CONCERN

MSP lays blame at the gates of Westminster

By Alan Oakley

A surprise spot check of Dungavel Immigration Removal Centre (IRC) in South Lanarkshire, Scotland has raised concerns over detention times.

Despite finding the facility to be safe, well-run and supportive of its 249 detainees during the unannounced visit in February, inspectors were concerned about delays resulting in the lengthy detention of very vulnerable asylum seekers.

A July 2015 report on the findings published by Nick Hardwick, the Chief Inspector of Prisons, revealed that his inspectors were very concerned about, what they deem to be, ‘avoidable case work delays.’ Aside from avoidable case work delays, inspectors also reported that contractors continue to transport detainees at night, which they consider to be poor practice.

He said: “At recent inspections we have reported on good outcomes for detainees at this institution and these positive outcomes were maintained.

Continued on page 2

Chief Inspector of Prisons, Nick Hardwick, is the author of the latest report on Dungavel IRC

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Unqualified Immigration Adviser Convicted Mr Rais Nawaz Malik, 40, of Remedy Legal, Dudley Road, Birmingham, pleaded guilty at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on Monday 3rd August 2015, to two charges of providing unregulated immigration advice or services since May 2013.

He was sentenced to a community

order for 24 weeks, concurrent for each

offence, and made subject to a curfew between 2000 hrs and 0600 hrs, with an

electronic tag fitted, also for twenty four weeks’.

He was also ordered to pay compensation

of £4400 within fourteen days, for which a collection order was made.

On sentencing, District Judge Crane

said: “You have minimised the seriousness of what you have done. You weren’t authorised and you misled your clients”.

Publisher and Editor-In-Chief Mike Abiola Editorial Board Adviser Dr Ola Ogunyemi Managing Editor Alan Oakley News Editor Peter Olorunnisomo Sports Editor Abiodun Teriba Arts Editor Golda John Columnists Milton Tella Yemi Dipeolu Photo Journalist Isaac Adegbite Graphic Designer Edward Mirza Accountant Fanla Agboola London Office: Unit 7 Holles House Overton Road London SW9 7AP

Tel: 020 3737 3077

Email: africanvoicenews@gmail.com

African Voice is published by African Voice UK.

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Friday, 7 August - Thursday, 13 August 2015

News UK to help Ghana clamp down on tax avoidance The UK will work with the Government of Ghana to tackle tax evasion so the country can raise revenues and build stronger public services, International Development Secretary Justine Greening and Financial Secretary David Gauke MP has announced.

The partnership will allow Ghana to automatically receive tax information from HMRC on the UK holdings of Ghanaian taxpayers and vice versa - helping to detect undeclared assets, catch tax evaders and deter potential tax evaders.

By tackling tax evasion head on, Ghana can maximise domestic resources and ensure people pay their fair share of tax. This will enable revenues to be invested into public services such as health, education and infrastructure.

Delivering on the UK’s commitment to help developing countries tackle international tax evasion, HMRC is partnering with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to develop their expertise on tax legislation, compliance and data privacy so they are ready for the automatic exchange of

tax information in 2018.

International Development Secretary, Justine Greening said: The UK is committed to helping developing countries get their tax systems in order so that as their economies grow they are able to increasingly fund their own health and education programmes and reduce aid dependence.

This excellent new partnership will also help Ghana clamp down on tax evasion and reclaim millions of pounds in lost revenue.

Today’s tax deal marks a significant milestone, and I look forward to working closely with colleagues in Treasury to ensure that this is a real opportunity to tackle corruption and poverty and contribute to DFID’s efforts to reduce corruption in some of the world’s poorest countries.

Financial Secretary to the Treasury David Gauke said: The UK has been at the forefront of tackling international tax avoidance and evasion. We committed to helping developing countries increase their tax transparency and improve their tax systems, so I’m delighted to announce our new partnership with Ghana.

Sharing our tax expertise will help the Ghanaian taxman have the systems in place to make the most of the tax information they recieve

Financial Secretary David Gauke MP from over 90 countries come 2018.

Ghanaian Finance Minister, the Hon. Seth Terkper said: Ghana believes in the united international onslaught on tax evasion through transparency and exchange of information because this menace can effectively be eliminated only through international cooperation.

In order to boost revenue generation Ghana is ready to join the global effort to control tax evasion. The collaboration with UK is bound to profit the two countries and Ghana’s revenue generation efforts will be enhanced.

MSP lays blame at the gates of Westminster

Continued from front page “Our main concern was about matters that were largely outside of the control of the contractor, namely some very long periods of detention and some decisions to maintain detention of very vulnerable detainees.

One such instance of a vulnerable detainee being held is a female torture victim suffering with serious health problems. Hardwick said: “To the centre’s credit, despite some negative feedback from detainees, the confidential surveys and discussions we carried out with those being held described their treatment as good.”

Data from other recent reports on Dungavel show that dozens of detainees have been held at the facility for months at a time, and in some instances for over a year.

In June [2015] around 400 protesters - including human rights groups, religious organisations and trade union groups – gathered outside Dungavel calling for the detention of immigrants to cease. The groups said they will continue to campaign outside the facility until a ‘fair, effective and humane asylum immigration policy’ is in place.

Linda Fabian, the East Kilbride MSP

Protesters call for Dungavel to cease operations (Member of the Scottish Parliament) whose The way the system is operated by the constituency includes Dungavel, said she Westminster Government remains the key supports calls from Parliament for changes issue.” to be made to the UK asylum system.

She added: “This latest report She said: “I’m glad that the recent highlights that people who are extremely Dungavel report is reasonably positive vulnerable are being detained, often for a to the extent that people detained there duration that surpasses anything that can are treated well on a day-to-day basis. be considered humane. The UK is the only However, the issue has never been about the EU member state that does not cap the local staff or visiting professionals, which length of time a person can be detained is made very clear by Nick Hardwick. under immigration powers.”

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News

UK funding against illegal wildlife trade

By Milton Tella

The UK is set to play a leading role in global efforts to tackle the illegal wildlife trade, which involves international criminal networks and undermines the economies of trading partners in Africa, Latin America and Asia.

Defra is managing a £13 million fund over four years (2014-2018). This Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) Challenge Fund Round 2 (2015) application form is currently open. The deadline for submitting IWT application is midnight on Monday 12 October 2015.

Up to £5 million of UK Government funding will made available to initiatives around the world to help tackle the cruel trade in rhino horn, elephant ivory and other illegal wildlife products, according to Defra Minister Rory Stewart.

The illegal wildlife trade is a serious criminal industry worth more than £6 billion each year threatening both wildlife

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Defra Minister Rory Stewart

and people. Poaching is rife in parts of Africa, with 1,293 rhinos killed last year and over 20,000 elephant deaths attributed to poaching in 2013.

The Defra’s Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund will support practical action against wildlife crime by strengthening law enforcement, reducing demand for illegal products and by helping communities develop sustainable conservation schemes.

Speaking at a meeting on the illegal wildlife trade at the Zoological Society of London, Defra Environment Minister Rory Stewart said: The illegal trade in animal products is putting some of our most iconic species like elephants, rhinos and tigers in severe danger. This is not just an environmental challenge: tackling this trade means tackling corruption, strengthening security and improving livelihoods.

This funding will help to reduce the supply of illegal wildlife products by supporting local communities to find new ways of earning a living and stopping poachers and criminal networks from controlling this barbaric trade. It will also support action to reduce demand for these products.

International Development Minister and FCO Minister for Africa Grant Shapps said: The illegal wildlife trade is a global problem, and is not confined to any one country or even continent. The range of projects helped by this Challenge Fund already is testament to that, and demonstrates valuable work being done

worldwide to stop the killing.

It’s absolutely right that the UK’s development budget is tackling international wildlife issues, giving communities a real alternative to this horrific trade and helping to protect the world’s most endangered animals.

I am determined that the UK will keep raising the illegal wildlife trade at every opportunity to ensure that we have a world worth leaving to the next generation.

Director of Conservation Programmes at ZSL Professor Jonathan Baillie said: The 2014 London Conference on the Illegal Wildlife Trade greatly escalated political will to address this crisis, but greater effort is needed on the ground if we are to stop the needless slaughter of iconic species such as elephants, rhino and pangolins.

ZSL and the conservation community greatly welcome Defra’s Illegal Wildlife Challenge Fund, which will provide essential resources to help curb demand, sustainable livelihoods to communities effected by illegal wildlife trade and help to strengthen the criminal justice system and enforcement on the ground.’

Since its launch in 2014, Defra’s Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund, with support from the Department for International Development, has supported 19 projects in developing countries to protect endangered species such as rhinos, elephants and snow leopards, and stop the criminality and conflict associated with international trafficking of illegal wildlife products.

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Friday, 7 August - Thursday, 13 August 2015

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News Crackdown on illegal immigrants renting properties New measures to crackdown on rogue landlords and make Britain an even harder place for illegal migrants to operate has been announced.

Measures to be included in forthcoming legislation will ensure anyone without the right to live in this country will find it more difficult to rent a home.

Measures will also be introduced to crack down on the unscrupulous landlords who exploit the most vulnerable.

The government has made clear its commitment to reducing illegal immigration, with the Prime Minister chairing a taskforce dedicated to holding every part of Whitehall to account on tackling the issue.

Communities Secretary Greg Clark said: We are determined to crack down on rogue landlords who make money out of illegal immigration exploiting vulnerable people and undermining our immigration system.

In future, landlords will be required to ensure that the people they rent their properties to are legally entitled to be in the country.

We will also require them to meet their basic responsibilities as landlords, cracking down on those who rent out dangerous, dirty and overcrowded properties.

Quicker eviction of illegal immigrants Legislation introduced in 2014 made it harder for people to live in the UK illegally – with nearly 36,000 immigration offenders removed from the UK last year.

Measures in the forthcoming Immigration Bill will go further, and will enable landlords to evict illegal immigrant

tenants more easily, by giving them the means to end a tenancy when a person’s leave to remain in the UK ends - in some circumstances without a court order.

This will be triggered by a notice issued by the Home Office confirming that the tenant no longer has the right to rent in the UK. The landlord would then be expected to take action to ensure that the illegal immigrant tenant or occupant leaves the property.

And under plans to extend across the country a successful pilot scheme started in the West Midlands, landlords will be also required to conduct “Right to Rent” checks on their tenants’ immigration status before offering a tenancy agreement.

Blacklisting and banning rogue landlords Alongside creating a bigger and better private rented sector there will be a crackdown on those unscrupulous landlords who exploit migrants.

There will be a new criminal offence targeted at unscrupulous landlords and agents who repeatedly fail to conduct the “right to rent” checks or fail to take steps to remove illegal immigrants from their property. These landlords may face a fine, up to 5 years imprisonment and further sanctions under the Proceeds of Crime Act. Forthcoming legislation will create a blacklist of persistent rogue landlords and letting agents, helping councils to focus their enforcement action on where it is most needed, and keeping track of those who have been convicted of housing offences.

And new measures will prevent a landlord or letting agent from renting out of properties if they are repeat offenders.

Communities Secretary Greg Clark

Other measures include: • a new tougher fit and proper person test for landlords of properties that have to be licenced, to ensure they do not pose a risk to the welfare or safety of tenants • extending Rent Repayment Orders so local authorities can claim back rent payments from landlords who abuse the Housing Benefit system by failing to ensure the property is maintained to a good standard • enabling local authorities to issue penalty notices for certain civil offences,

with the money retained by the council

The main priorities of the European Regional Development Fund programme are research and innovation, supporting

and promoting small to medium sized enterprises and the creation of a low carbon economy.

and used for housing purposes •

permitting

the

sharing

of

Tenancy Deposit Protection data to help councils crack down on rogue landlords who knowingly rent out unsafe and overcrowded accommodation •

enabling landlords to recover

abandoned

properties

more

quickly

without the need to go to court.

European Funds to help small businesses Local organisations working with small firms will now be able to apply for a share of funding from the latest round of the European Regional Development Fund.

The funding will support innovation, boost businesses and create jobs across local economies and bring economic benefits to the wider area that will be felt beyond the area’s boundaries.

Across the country Local Enterprise Partnerships and other local partners will play a key role in shaping how the money is allocated and invested.

Local Growth and Northern Powerhouse Minister James Wharton said: This funding will give the places a chance to contribute more to the national economy and unlock local potential. It will ensure we can build up local economies around the country and the Northern Powerhouse that will have a big and real and positive 6

impact on people’s lives, delivering more jobs, more opportunities and a better future for all.

We want local partners to come forward with how they want to use this money to drive forward their economy. As part of our long-term economic plan this money will provide a big boost to businesses and help create numerous jobs locally that will also benefit people living in towns and villages nearby.

Around the country a total of £5 billion is being made available from the 2014 to 2020 round of the European Regional Development Fund and the European Social Fund to fund local projects.

The new programme is built from the local priorities of England’s 39 Local Enterprise Partnership areas who know best what is needed to boost growth locally. All funding decisions will be taken within this framework.

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Ethiopia plans Africa’s largest geothermal well Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) is buying up to 500MW of electric power generated from the Corbetti geothermal source near Hawassa from Corbetti Geothermal Plc.

The power purchase agreement was signed by Azeb Asnake, CEO of EEP and Edward Njorge, one of the investors from Berkeley Energy, in the Corbetti geothermal project along with Reykjavik Geothermal & Iceland Drilling. Berkeley Energy and Reykjavik Geothermal are Power Africa partners; the former is also manager of the Africa Renewable Energy Fund (AREF), currently amounting 200 million dollars, given by the African Development Bank (AfDB).

Power Africa is an initiative of US President Barack Obama, “which seeks to increase electricity access in sub-Saharan Africa by 30,000MW and 60 million connections”, according to a press release from the US Embassy in Addis Abeba.

Geothermal projects in the initiative include Corbetti, Tulu Moye and Abaya.

EEP and Reykjavik Geothermal are also negotiating to sign a Heads of terms

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agreement, a preliminary agreement setting the grounds for a contract, to develop an additional 500MW in the Tulu Moye and Abaya areas.

The total investment on these three projects, when completed in eight to 10 years, could reach four billion dollars, according to the press release, “making these projects collectively by far Africa’s largest independent geothermal power production investment to date. The Corbetti agreement by itself is expected to double the previous largest independent power producer agreement of any kind made in Africa.”

In the Heads of terms agreement for Corbetti signed between Ethiopia and Reykjavik Geothermal in 2013, the Edward Njorge (left), non-executive investment committee member of Berkeley Energy Ethiopian government agreed to pay and Azeb Asnake, CEO of EEP, signing the agreement at Sheraton Addis Hotel.

630.7 million dollars a year. The price per The agreement signed then was reached and distribution of electricity is monopolised kilowatt hour was then said to be 0.079 after negotiations for 18 months and the by the government, the agreement with dollars for the first phase and 0.065 for the current one came after two years since Corbetti is the first of its kind letting a second phase. It was after that agreement the first Heads of terms agreement was private company in the sector. that the company began exploration on an signed.

According to Meheret Debebe, area of 6,500sqkm. The area has steam with “The Ethiopian Great Rift Valley has temperatures up to 350 degrees Celsius Energy Policy, Strategy & international lots of potential for the geothermal electric making it feasible for geothermal power Affairs advisor for the Ministry of Water, power generation and the current one is to generation.

Irrigation & Energy, the investments in be planted in the Rift Valley,” said Azeb.

According to the Geological Survey geothermal, hydropower and wind energy of Ethiopia, the country’s geothermal generation, are open for any of the private energy is found scattered along the “Main sector investors. “The major issue is being Ethiopian Rift and in the Afar Depression competitive to engage,” he told Fortune. that covers an area of 150,000sq Km.” Meheret believes that finding such kind of Ethiopia’s geothermal power potential is investment is even an opportunity for the estimated to be over 7,000MW. Currently, country. power generated from all power sources The 1,000MW of geothermal electricity stands at 2,300MW. Despite massive failure of the GTP I, which had aspired generation is said to be capable of providing to attain 10,000MW by the end of the last power to two million households.

According to the Geological Survey fiscal year, the government has gone on to target 17,347MW by 2020, when the GTP of Ethiopia, the country could possibly II ends. The country also sees a long term generate more than 5,000MW of electric generation hope of 37,000MW by the year power from geothermal resources alone.

2037, according to Azeb.

Aluto Langano is the only geothermal “We’re working to unlock Ethiopia’s plant in Ethiopia, generating about 7.3 potential for geothermal energy with MW. Expansion work at Aluto Langano to the nation’s first private sector energy boost capacity to 70MW in two phases was agreement,” stated President Obama during a joint press briefing with Prime launched on December 2, 2013 at a cost of Minister Hailemariam Desalegn. “This will over $30 million.

The Aluto Langano expansion is help the government meet its ambitious goal of significantly increasing access to financed by the government of Japan, the electricity across Ethiopia and help open World Bank and the Ethiopian government. the market to developing Ethiopia’s other It entails the drilling of 24 geothermal vast renewable energy sources.” wells to a depth of 2,500 metres.

Ethiopia gets much of its electricity Ethiopia wants to have installed a supply from hydropower, so the major generation capacity of 37,000 MW by push towards getting the agreement was to 2037, and thus become the major exporter diversify the power source as Azeb said.

“There has not been a year like this of electricity in the region.

Edward Njoroge, chairman of the one when the water level in our dams has significantly fallen,” she said. “Diversifying Corbetti Geothermal Power project, said power source in addition to the increment Ethiopia has taken major steps to exploit of the energy generation is very important its geothermal resources. “Renewable for reliability.” energy is clean. We are happy to be part of In a country where the total generation the effort,” he said.

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Friday, 7 August - Thursday, 13 August 2015

Theatre, Shows and Musicals

Arts Culture

By Edward Mirza

MEMPHIS Now – Oct 18th

The producers of hit Broadway musical MEMPHIS are delighted to officially announce that multi award-winning recording artist Beverley Knight will star as club singer ‘Felicia Farrell’ when the show comes to London’s West End this autumn. MEMPHIS, winner of four 2010 Tony Awards® including Best Musical has Grammy® Award-winning original score

by Bon Jovi founding member David Bryan and book by Joe DiPietro.

Inspired by true events from the underground dance clubs of 1950s Memphis, Tennessee, MEMPHIS follows the fame and forbidden love of a radio DJ who wants to change the world and a club singer who is ready for her big break.

“David Bryan evokes the powerhouse funk of James Brown, the hot guitar riffs of Chuck Berry, the smooth harmonies of the Temptations and the silken, bouncy pop of the great girl groups of the period” Charles Isleworth, New York Times.

Directed by Christopher Ashley and with Choreography by Sergio Trujillo, MEMPHIS has Scenic Design by David Gallo, Costume Design by Paul Tazewell, and Lighting Design by Howell Binkley.

Shaftsbury Avenue Theatre, 210 Shaftesbury Avenue London WC2H 8DP

THRILLER LIVE Now - September 25th 2015

Thriller - Live, the spectacular concert show that celebrates the music of the world’s greatest entertainer and undisputed King of Pop, Michael and the Jackson 5, is celebrating its 2,000th West End performance on Thursday October 24.

Smashing all previous records at the Lyric Theatre, where it recently celebrated becoming the longest-running production in the theatre’s 125-year history, Thriller - Live first moonwalked into the West End in January 2009 after three acclaimed UK tours. It has just extended its West End booking period to Sunday 28 September, 2014 Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue London W1D 7ES

theatre on the touring circuit. Spun together with a blend of Indian music and movement, this brand new production from one of the UK’s leading cross-cultural theatre companies sees Shakespeare’s tragedy reimagined in a contemporary context, as a brew of treachery and ambition sets an Asian family on a road to destruction. The production sees the engineers of Macbeth’s downfall depicted as three Hijras. A strand of Indian society little-known in the west, Hijras are a centuries-old “third gender” community (including transsexuals, transgender people, eunuchs and cross-dressers).

Tara Arts Artistic Director Jatinder Verma, who will direct Macbeth said “Spirits in Indian traditions combine vivacity with viciousness. By casting the Witches in Macbeth as provocative Bollywood queens, I aim to explore the dangerously vain ambition driving Macbeth.”

For information on Black Theatre Live: www.blacktheatrelive.co.uk | For information on Tara Arts: www.tara-arts.com .

THE ETIENNE SISTERS

BY CHÉ WALKER September 10 - Oct 3

‘I can’t believe my own sister would come with this thievery and anarchy to my door...’

Tree and Ree Etienne are laying their mother to rest when an unwelcome arrival at the graveside intrudes on their grief. It’s Bo, their troublesome estranged half-sister.

To comfort her sisters Bo moves in for a while and things begin to look up. But can a leopard ever change her spots? Cracks appear as childhood memories, deep resentments and long put away dreams come to the fore. Tensions build before erupting in a confrontation during which harsh truths are said that cannot be unsaid. Will the sisters destroy all that is left of their family and each other?

This thought-provoking and honest is new play is written by Chè Walker with songs by Anouskha Lucas (Klook’s Last Stand). Set to a contemporary soulful jazz soundtrack, The Etienne Sisters explores what it means to be part of a family today.

By Chè Walker, with songs by Anoushka Lucas Additional songs by Sheila Atim Theatre Royal Stratford East, Gerry Raffles Square, London E15 1BN

MACBETH, TARA ARTS IN ASSOCIATION WITH QUEEN’S HALL ARTS & EAST END BOYS, WEST BLACK THEATRE LIVE END GIRLS Now- October 31st July 28th –August 15th Macbeth is the first production from Black Theatre Live, a pioneering consortium of 8 regional theatres committed to increasing the amount of Black and Ethnic Minority

East meets West across the education divide when four London teenagers compete for a prestigious scholarship. As they venture across the capital into unfamiliar territories,

from ‘East end Boy, West end Girls’

friendships are tested, aspirations are challenged and each is forced to decide what matters most.

Will the best candidate win or will their postcodes keep them in their place?

This vibrant, timely and touching new work, by award-winning playwright Ade Solanke, takes the pulse on coming-ofage in an increasingly divided city., Ade Solanke’s previous play, Pandora’s Box, premiered at Arcola in 2012 and returned as part of a national tour in 2014. It was nominated for Best New Play in the OffWestEnd Theatre Awards and for the 2014 Nigeria Prize for Literature.

Directed by Ade Solanke Producer: Hannah Tookey Set and Costume Designer: Anna Lewis Lighting Designer: Peter Small Sound Designer: Tim Shaw Assistant Director: Maa-Yarkor Addo Stage Manager: Drew MacNeil Casting Director: Caley Powell Cast: Jennie Eggleton, Alhaji Fofana, Ismail Kamara and Montana Mascoll (for date, times, tickets - see pagge 10)

NINE LIVES BY ZODWA NYONI NATIONAL TOUR Now - Jan 2016 Presented by Leeds Studio in association with West Yorkshire Playhouse Performed by Lladel Bryant Directed by Alex Chisholm Fleeing from his home in Zimbabwe where a fresh wave of homophobia threatens his life, Ishmael has sought sanctuary in the UK.

Dispersed to Leeds, Ishmael waits to hear his fate, he waits for a new life to begin amongst strangers. Strangers who don’t trust him and don’t want him there. But not everyone is bad… can he find a place to call home again?

Some of us wanted to stop being afraid.

Some of us wanted to find ourselves.

Some of us wanted to belong.

Zodwa Nyoni (West Yorkshire Playhouse/Channel 4 Writer in Residence 2014) threads together humour and humanity to tell the real personal story behind asylum headlines.

25 September 2015 Taliesin, Swansea 26 September 2015 Wakefield Lit Festival, Wakefield 28-29 September 2015 Oxford Playhouse, Oxford 12 October 2015 The Bikeshed Exeter, Exeter 17 October 2015 Trinity Bristol, Bristol 23 October 2015 The Cube, Malvern 06 November 2015 Upstairs at Western, Leicester 12 November 2015 Cast, Doncaster 16 November 2015 Waterside Arts Centre, Trafford 19 November 2015 Arc Stockton, Stockton on Tees 10 December 2015 Brighton, Brighton January 2016 Arcola, London 9

Friday, 7 August - Thursday, 13 August 2015

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News

South Africa

A little sun shines on Oscar ahead of release Oscar Pistorius, who is due to be released into “corrective supervision” later this month, has won the latest round of his legal battles.

This week, state advocate Gerrie Nel tried to convince the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) it should read every word of the trial to determine whether Pistorius was guilty of the murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, rather than of the culpable homicide (manslaughter) charge on which he was convicted. But Pistorius’ advocate, Barry Roux SC, argued that the appeal court judges should read only the “relevant parts” of the court record.

SCA president Judge Lex Mpati agreed with Roux that the 31 volumes should be shortened, meaning “a good many” fewer volumes were handed to the court.

Nel now has until August 28 – a week after Pistorius is set to be released from prison – to file the state’s appeal application papers.

Pistorius was sentenced to five years in prison in October last year after he shot and killed Steenkamp through the bathroom door of his luxury home on Valentine’s Day in 2013. Earlier this year, the parole board decided he could be released on corrective supervision after he had served a sixth of his sentence.

Pistorius was jailed in October last year

If the SCA rules Pistorius was not merely negligent but that he intended to shoot Steenkamp, his sentence may be adjusted.

Criminal lawyer Jaco du Plessis said it was too bad the SCA did not want to study the complete court record because it would

have given them a more complete picture of the events.

“However, in my opinion, this appeal is purely academic. I think the state is wasting its time and the appeal is sour grapes,” he said.

Llewelyn Curlewis, also a criminal lawyer, said a different sentence could be imposed on Pistorius if the state successfully convinced the SCA that it was murder rather than culpable homicide.

“In that case, his sentence has to be reconsidered and he could be sent to prison for a much longer time.

“It’s possible that the appeal court judges see things in the court record that Nel, Roux and [Judge Thokozile] Masipa missed. Whether they read 31 volumes or 20, read they will,” he said.

However, Advocate Johann Engelbrecht SC said a lot of evidence was presented to Masipa that would play no role in the appeal court judges reaching a decision on whether Pistorius was correctly convicted of culpable homicide or not.

Although Nel has continually asked the court to look at “the whole picture”, the rules of the SCA allow the parties to limit the court record to the heart of the matter, he said.

Meanwhile Pistorius’ fans are excited about his impending release.

On a support website for him, ‘Andrea’ wrote him a poem called Just Run. ‘Noccy Mthembu’ said she loved Pistorius and wished him the best, and ‘Amanda’ said it couldn’t rain on him forever, and sooner or

Anglo-French deal to send migrants back to Africa Britain and France have struck a deal to remove illegal immigrants from Calais, returning them to West Africa. UK Home Secretary, Theresa May revealed the plans at the same time as announcing that the UK will inject £7 million into security at a Eurotunnel terminal.

Mrs May described the deal as an ‘important step forward.’ Following a meeting with the French interior minister, Bernard Cazeneuve, she announced fresh plans to repatriate illegal immigrants who are currently setting up temporary camps in their thousands outside the port of Calais.

Improving security The £7 million cash injection will be spent on boosting security at the Eurotunnel terminal in the town of Coquelles, northern France. However, Mrs May did not disclose details of how the plan to return illegal immigrants to western Africa would work.

Attempts by the French to remove migrants at Calais from the country will represent a significant shift in policy.

Previously, French authorities have faced criticism by MPs and some haulage firms for releasing migrants originally held in 10

detention and giving them another opportunity to get to the UK. Theresa May said: “The meeting with Mr Cazeneuve was very constructive.

We’ve come to the conclusion that Britain and France will work together towards returning migrants, particularly West Africa, so that we can facilitate breaking the link between people making the perilous journey and assuming they can live in the UK.” At the conclusion of the Anglo-French summit in London it was announced that the two nations will deploy additional intelligence officers, police and other law enforcement agents across Calais in order to tackle criminal gangs involved in smuggling migrants.

The deal between France and the UK comes following an announcement made

by Eurotunnel that one night this week, thousands of migrants stormed the French side of the Channel Tunnel.

Targeted by illegal immigrants A spokesperson for Eurotunnel said that its premises were swamped by 2,000 illegal immigrants on Monday, 27 July, all of them attempting to reach Britain. The spokesperson added: “This was the biggest invasion of our premises in the past month-and-a-half, definitely.”

Migrants in Calais protest during a visit to their camp by the French interior minister

According to Eurotunnel officials migrants scaled fences located at the perimeter of the terminal at Coquelles in an attempt to board trains within the complex.

Calais “safe” Contrary to reports that immigrants are running riot in Calais, the commercial director of P&O ferries, Janet Bell, issued a statement saying that ‘Calais is safe and open for business.’ She said: “The company’s services have not been impacted by problems at Eurotunnel. At no point are

migrants coming into contact with our customers.”

She added: “Tourist and freight customers travelling to Europe can rest assured that we will be operating 58 sailings a day to or from Calais because the port is safe.

Should circumstances change, our customers would be informed immediately.”

The Foreign Office has advised that haulage firms and any drivers heading to Calais should check with ferry and train operators prior to travelling due to continued disruption.

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Fashion Culture

DISCOVER DESIGNERS FROM AFRICAN AT OLYMPIA LONDON THIS WEEK END

This summer, London Olympia will be transformed into a stunning

showcase of African – inspired design.

Highlighting a unique and fashion - forward catwalk collective ; daily eye -catching runway shows and vibrant exhibitions, this day event brings together fashionistas and industry professionals from around the world to Europe’s largest and most important African - inspired fashion even . Since debuting in 2011, AFWL has gone from strength to strength; championing new and emerging designers who are inspired by the rich culture of Africa and incorporate this heritage into their contemporary design.

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Friday, 7 August - Thursday, 13 August 2015

News

Racist troll charged with harassing Muslim lawyer A female supporter of right-wing activist group Reclaim Australia has been charged with threatening to slit the throat of a prominent campaigner against Islamophobia.

Sydney lawyer Mariam Veiszadeh reported the online threat to New South Wales police, who last week charged a mother-of-three from the Sydney suburb of Guildford with “using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend”.

In a private message sent to Ms Veiszadeh on Facebook, the 37-year-old woman allegedly said she would “find you and hunt [Ms Veiszadeh] down”.

“Watch as we come for you in your sleep [and] cut your throat as you do [to] the animals you torment,” continued the rambling message sent at 11.06pm on July 12.

The message allegedly included a threat to “kill your family for you to see [and] kill your uncle which (sic) is now your husband”.

Ms Veiszadeh requested that newspapers not publish the woman’s name because she was concerned about vilifying her children, but she said she decided to report the incident as a deterrent to those who think they can get away with cyber-bullying.

The woman started an online petition in February calling for the banning of Muslim head scarves and stricter immigration laws concerning Muslims only. In it, she called on people to join her at the Reclaim Australia rally in Sydney on July 19, a week after she allegedly sent the message to Ms Veiszadeh.

The woman’s Facebook profiles show

Mariam has had to endure threatening messages, including her image ‘photoshopped’ to appear dismembered

an increasing interest in opposing Islam and she recently voiced her support for Reclaim Australia rallies in Newcastle (New South Wales) and Cairns (Queensland), as well as campaigns to ban halal certification and “Islamisation”.

She will appear in Hornsby Local Court in north Sydney on September 8.

Ms Veiszadeh, founder of the Islamophobia Register, said she is often inundated with abusive and vile social media messages when she speaks out about what she believes are incidents of bigotry and Islamophobia in Australia.

Fairfax Media, publishers of the Sydney Morning Herald, has seen a private message Ms Veiszadeh received on Sunday via Facebook from a Reclaim Australia

supporter and anti-Islam campaigner, Paul Barnes, who said, “count your days”. Mr Barnes’s Facebook profile says he is 68 years old and helped to organise a recent rally in Darwin.

In February, Queensland woman JayLeighsa Victoria Bauman was sentenced to 180 hours of community service after sending a string of threatening messages to Ms Veiszadeh. Ms Bauman said she was “not scared of a bit of judgment” and would refuse to stay silent.

Ms Veiszadeh told Fairfax Media she believes prejudice, bigotry and far-right extremism is “flourishing” due to the “current political landscape”.

“Our government’s ongoing silence about the Reclaim Australia movement

and the rise in far-right extremist organisations, is deafening,” she said.

She said movements like Reclaim Australia have been gaining momentum and sprouting “vitriol, preaching hatred and ultimately inciting violence towards Australian Muslims”.

“These threats issued against me are proof of it,” she said.

NSW police force deputy commissioner, Nick Kaldas, recently told a University of Western Sydney conference that police were confronting problems arising from extremism, discrimination and racial tension.

He said community engagement efforts and multi-cultural strategies had been stepped up.

South Africa

Malema case dropped after delays frustrate judge A court in Polokwane has thrown out the corruption case against Julius Malema, the leader of the opposition Economic Freedom Fighters and a former leader of the ANC youth wing.

Following several earlier delays, the judge said on Tuesday that he would rather dismiss the trial than set aside another date.

The trial, which was scheduled to begin on Monday after being adjourned in September last year, had been postponed until Tuesday because one of the four ‘business associates’ facing trial with Malema was too ill to appear in court.

An outspoken critic of corruption, Malema is accused of receiving $400,000 from involvement in corrupt road construction projects. The charges include fraud, corruption, racketeering and money-laundering. If convicted, Malema could have spent a maximum of 15 years in prison, paid a 12

Julius Malema was a highly visible protester against what many see as Jacob Zuma’s profligacy.

large fine and would have lost his seat in parliament.

Under South African law, the accused are not immune from being charged again in the future.

Malema and his supporters have repeatedly dismissed the allegations as politically motivated, saying his prosecution is a punishment for accusing President Jacob Zuma of corruption. In August last year, Malema led “pay back the money” chants against Zuma, triggering scuffles in parliament. He demanded that Zuma repay the $24m of taxpayers’ money spend on “security upgrades” at his extravagant private campus.

Malema himself, along with four associates, is accused of lying to win a public works construction contract in his home province of Limpopo, worth $4.6m. The proceeds are alleged to have been used to help buy Malema a luxury Mercedes Benz Viano and a large farm.

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Friday, 7 August - Thursday, 13 August 2015

Bangladesh

Chowdhury war crimes sentence upheld Bangladesh’s top court has upheld the death sentence on a top opposition politician for atrocities committed during the 1971 independence war, including the slaughter of around 200 Hindus.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court dismissed Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury’s appeal against the sentence passed by a controversial war crimes tribunal two years ago. It was the first time a senior politician of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) had been sentenced for his role in the conflict, which saw what was then East Pakistan secede from Islamabad.

The 66-year-old was originally found guilty by the International Crimes Tribunal, a domestic war crimes court, of nine charges including genocide, torture and rape. Chowdhury, whose father was a former Speaker of Pakistan and also served as its acting president, has previously served as an adviser to BNP leader and two-times former premier Khaleda Zia. Police stepped up security in Dhaka and Chowdhury’s home city of Chittagong before the judgement.

Although the BNP had condemned the war crimes trials as politically motivated, major protests against the verdict were seen as unlikely. The party was weakened by a major crackdown earlier this year when it launched a futile three-month nationwide transport blockade to try to topple the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Previous verdicts against Islamist politicians have sparked the country’s deadliest political violence since independence.

Hundreds of people were killed as police brutally suppressed tens of thousands of

Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury is the first senior BNP official to be sentenced for atrocities committed during the 1971 Independence War

rioting Islamists.

Hundreds of police have been deployed in the Hindu-dominated areas in Chittagong, the country’s second largest city, to prevent “any untoward incidents and anarchy”, said Police commissioner Abdul Jalil Mondal.

Prosecutors said Chowdhury would go to the gallows within months unless his case is reviewed by the same court or he is

granted clemency by the president.

All previous attempts to review war crimes cases or obtain a presidential reprieve have failed. Attorney General Mahbubey Alam told reporters he was “satisfied” with the verdict.

But defence lawyer Khandaker Mahbub Hossain said Chowdhury’s legal team was disappointed and would seek a review of the judgement at the same court.

“My father is innocent. One day it will be proved to the people of Bangladesh,” Chowdhury’s son Hummam Q Chowdhury told French news agency AFP. Hundreds of people staged “victory processions” as news of the verdict reached the capital’s Shahbagh Square, where they had been massing since dawn.

Hundreds more joined celebrations in Chittagong, where pro-government groups held victory marches and handed out sweets. Pradip Kumar Das, police chief in Chowdhury’s Chittagong constituency of Raozan, said there were no protests against the verdict.

Prosecutors had described Chowdhury, a minister in the previous BNP-led government, as a merciless killer who murdered more than 200 Hindus, including the owner of a well-known herbal medicine company.

The trial heard that he had dragged owner Nutan Chandra Sinha out of his prayer room and Pakistani soldiers had then shot him.

“Chowdhury then shot him again to make sure he was dead,” prosecutor Zead Al Malum told AFP after the original verdict.

The BNP and its Islamist allies have described the war crimes tribunal as a tool for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League to silence its opponents. Bangladesh has struggled to come to terms with its violent birth.

The government set up the tribunal in 2010, saying trials were needed to heal the wounds of the 1971 war, in which it says three million people were killed and 200,000 women raped. Independent estimates put the death toll at between 300,000 and 500,000.

Pakistan

‘Child killer’ hanged despite forced confession claim Ignoring an international outcry, Pakistan has gone ahead with the execution of a man who claims he was tortured when he was a juvenile into confessing to the murder of a 7-year-old boy.

Shafqat Hussain was hanged on Tuesday at a jail in Karachi for allegedly killing the boy in 2004.

His lawyers and family say he was only 15 years old at the time of the killing although federal investigators say he was 23.

After the sentence was carried out, prison officials handed the body over to his brothers, who allege the execution was not carried out properly.

“There is a cut mark on his neck and half of his neck is separated from his body,” Abdul Majeed, his brother, told AFP. In Hussain’s hometown in the Pakistaniadministered part of Kashmir, his family was distraught.

“My son was innocent, only Allah will prove his innocence in his court,” said Makhni Begum, Hussain’s mother. Beating her chest and weeping, Hussain’s sister Sumaira Bibi said, “Why did they hang my

innocent brother, only because we were poor?”

“We can’t do anything but [the executioners] will face Allah on the day of judgement,” his mother added.

United Nations rights experts have said Hussain’s trial “fell short of international standards” and urged Pakistan to investigate claims he confessed under torture, as well as his age.

Lawyers for Hussain said school records showed he was 17 in 2004 when he was burned with cigarettes and had fingernails removed until he confessed to killing the child.

Hussain was originally due to face the noose in January but won four stays of execution as his lawyers fought to prove he was under 18 at the time of his offence and could therefore not be executed under Pakistani law.

Pakistan has hanged nearly 200 people since December, when a massacre by the Taliban at an army-run school in Peshawar prompted the government to lift a de facto ban on capital punishment.

Only Iran and China have executed more people than Pakistan this year, says Amnesty International.

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Friday, 7 August - Thursday, 13 August 2015

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CRIME

Man jailed for murdering his girlfriend A man whose girlfriend fell to her death from a 14th floor window has been sentenced to 17 years’ imprisonment.

David Douglas, 44 of Elizabeth Blackwell House, Progress Way, Wood Green, N22 was today, Wednesday 5 August, found guilty at Southwark Crown Court of the murder of 43-year-old Dora Matthews.

Police were called just before 05:00hrs on 19 December 2013 following reports of an unconscious woman outside Elizabeth Blackwell House.

Officers and London Ambulance Service attended but the woman - later identified as Dora Matthews - was pronounced dead at the scene.

An investigation was launched by detectives from the Homicide and Major Crime Command.

Detectives discovered that Dora had visited Douglas’ flat - on the 14th floor on 18 December 2013 and had stayed the night.

Residents told officers that they had heard the couple arguing over the course of the evening and into the early hours of the morning. Dora had been heard to shout “stop”, “let me go” and “get off me” and there was a sound similar to furniture being dragged across the floor shortly before her death.

CCTV footage showed Douglas leaving his flat at 04:56hrs and looking

David Douglas

towards where Dora’s body was lying before walking away.

Later that day, Douglas attended Tottenham police station with a prepared statement. He was arrested in connection with the investigation and bailed pending further enquiries.

A post-mortem examination held on 20 December 2013 gave the cause of death

as multiple injuries, consistent with a fall from height. It was not clear whether Dora had sustained any injuries prior to the fall.

Douglas was charged with murder on Tuesday, 17 February.

Detective Chief Inspector Noel McHugh, of the Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: “I would like

to thank all of our brave witnesses who supported us.

“Dora Matthews was wearing a coat and had her car keys in her hand when she was found; this clearly indicates that she had been trying to leave.

“It is clear from witness accounts that Dora was subjected to sustained verbal, physical and psychological abuse by Douglas throughout the course of their volatile five-year relationship.

“I would urge anyone who is suffering domestic abuse not to suffer in silence and to have the confidence to contact the police or a recognised charity. Dora’s family are keen that her death shines a light on abusive relationships. The abuser will always make you feel that you were in the wrong - it’s part of their psychological control - but we are here to protect you.”

The court heard that Douglas had previously been convicted five times of domestic abuse against Dora and was subject to a restraining order at the time of her death.

Dora’s daughter Bianca, 24, said: “Today is justice for my mum, Dora Matthews. She died at the hands of someone who should have made her feel safe. The murder squad and the CPS have been exceptional and it’s only through our tragedy that you realise how hard they all worked. Through one person’s actions we have been robbed of an amazing mum, grandmother and friend.”

Murder Victim Named Woman sentenced for using relative’s passport The body of Jenny Foote, 38 a care worker of Craven Park, NW10; was discovered in a nonresidential property in Perryn Road, W3.

A man has appeared in court charged with her murder. + A statement from the family of Jenny Foote: “We were devastated to hear of the tragic death of our daughter, sister and cousin, Jenny Ann-Marie Foote. Jenny was a loving and caring person who always saw the good in people. As a young woman Jenny was a creative individual with a love of fine art and she had the ability to see the beauty in everyone.

“It comes as a shock to find that someone like Jenny could be killed in such horrific circumstances for doing the job she loved, caring for vulnerable people. Jenny was aware of the risks in her chosen occupation, nonetheless she carried out her work with dedication, compassion, love and understanding for those less fortunate then herself.

“Jenny always greeted you with a smile and had a calming and placid na14

A woman has been sentenced to 12 months imprisonment suspended for two years for using a relative’s passport when trying to get to the Syrian border.

Jenny Foote

ture about her. She was loved by all her family and friends and her absence will be like a hole in our hearts.

“During this time of sadness we would like our privacy to mourn her death and respectfully request that we are given that time to reflect and remember the wonderful and beautiful person that she was, without any further intrusion.”

Jamila Henry, 22 (25.06.93) of Walthamstow, E17 was detained in Ankara, Turkey by the Turkish authorities on Monday, 16 March whilst en route to the Syrian border.

She was deported from Turkey on Thursday, 19 March, arriving at Luton Airport at 11:00hrs where she was arrested.

On Saturday, 21 March, Henry was charged with possession of an identity document with intent, contrary to Section 4 of the Identity Documents Act 2010 and remanded in custody.

On Friday, 3 July, at the Old Bailey, Henry entered a plea of guilty.

Commander Richard Walton, Head

of the MPS Counter Terrorism Command (SO15), said: “We don’t know Henry’s motivation for trying to get to Syria but we do know the dangers she was putting herself in.

“We continue to be concerned about the number of Muslim women and girls who are currently being enticed to Syria. Those that travel, risk being sexually assaulted or enslaved by the terrorist group Islamic State.”

Anyone who is worried that a family member may be considering travelling can get advice and help by visiting: www.preventtragedies.co.uk This is a dedicated webpage, created as a one-stop-shop for concerned families to visit to access further information and advice on this issue. The website also provides links to a range of further organisations working in this field.

Friday, 7 August - Thursday, 13 August 2015

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Sounds of Diaspora People of America

Uneasy truce as Bobbi Kristina is laid to rest

Police officers in close attendance as Bobbi Kristina Brown’s casket is loaded into a hearse

Monday’s burial of Bobbi Kristina Brown, 22-year-old daughter of Whitney Houston who died in tragically similar circumstances to her mother last week, was notable for the presence of police officers and security guards, though not, as you might have imagined, to keep the plebs and the celebs apart.

Incredibly, given the solemnity of the occasion, it seems they were there to prevent tensions between the two sides of Bobbi Kristina’s family from spilling over into violence.

A member of father Bobby Brown’s family allegedly told a journalist that their conflict with the Houstons created an atmosphere that was like “a circus.”

“There were security guards who stood between everyone to make sure that no one got out of the control,” the source apparently revealed.

The Browns and the Houstons had several public disagreements about care arrangements for Bobbi Kristina during her six-month-long coma, so it was perhaps unsurprising that they could find little to agree on regarding the burial arrangements. According to the same source, the two sides of the family could only find common ground on a single aspect: the pink-and-purple colour scheme.

“Those were Krissy’s favourite colours,” the source said. “Her bedroom wall was in those colours. We all agreed we should honour Krissy.”

At the funeral service on Saturday in Alpharetta, Georgia, Bobbi Kristina’s aunt, Leolah Brown, had to be escorted out after shouting out: “You know you are wrong for doing this,” while another aunt, Pat Houston, was addressing the mourners. Outside the church, Leolah Brown told reporters that Whitney Houston would haunt Pat Houston.

“This has only just begun,” she said.

“We are on to Pat and she will be found

out. She is a Garland, not a Houston.

Whitney will rise from her grave to haunt her.” Pat Houston is Bobbi Kristina’s aunt by marriage to Whitney Houston’s halfbrother Gary Garland, who also uses the name Gary Houston.

Brown posted on her Leolah Prayerworks Facebook page: “The Brown family has just learned that Marion Patricia Houston, AKA: Pat Houston, is asking for the public to send money to her foundation (The Marion P Foundation) on behalf of my niece Bobbi Kristina.

“PLEASE DO NOT SEND ONE RED CENT! As she has not even sat down & spoken to my brother Bobby, who is Bobbi Kristina’s father, about this. This is part of the proof that her intentions are very ill.

This is nothing more than another scheme of Pat Houston, to try to get money put into her account for her personal gain.

There is much evil hidden behind this foundation.

“Furthermore, there is evidence of serious “issues” that is prepared for the authorities of child trafficking and many other charges involving so called Pat Houston and those that are involved.

“PLEASE keep your money in your pockets and give absolutely NOTHING to the Marion P foundation. Unless you don’t mind supporting such an evil and dirty foundation!

“Lastly, keep your eyes & ears open as THE TRUTH is being revealed! God is in control today!”

Bobbi Kristina died on July 26, surrounded by her family. The Browns and the Houstons had been publicly disagreeing over Bobbi Kristina ever since she was found unresponsive in a bathtub in her Roswell, Georgia, home on Jan. 31.

She was buried at Fairview Cemetery, in Westfield, New Jersey, next to her mother, who died in 2012, and her maternal grandfather John Russell Houston, who died in 2003.

Gossip police scotch Will Smith divorce rumours Self-appointed righter of wrongs Gossip Cop (gossipcop.com) claim to have put to bed rumours of a permanent split between Will Smith and his wife, actress Jada Pinkett Smith.

According to RadarOnline, Will and Jada have decided to “pull the plug” on their 17-year marriage and already have a “secret divorce deal” in place to divide their $240 million fortune. A so-called “insider” allegedly told RadarOnline that Will and Jada are “exhausted from trying to maintain the facade of a happy union,” and have “decided to pull the plug in a carefully choreographed manner, [and] agree announcing their split at the end of the summer is the right move.” The story was picked up by several news sites and tabloids around the world.

RadarOnline then regurgitated two rumours that Gossip Cop claim to have previously corrected. The site said Will “romanced his Suicide Squad co-star Margot Robbie,” while Jada allegedly “cheated in 2011 with ‘HawthoRNe’ co-star Marc An-

Will Smith and wife Jada have each said in the past that they have a relaxed attitude to each other’s indiscretions

thony.” Gossip Cop claim to have exclusively debunked both these rumours.

RadarOnline ended its piece by quoting one of its supposed sources as saying, “They’re already moving on with their lives. All that’s left is the inking of the divorce papers.”

Gossip Cop is looking forward to seeing what RadarOnline posts at the end of the summer when there is no announcement of a divorce. Clearly not fans of RadarOnline, Gossip Cop boasts of busting the site when it wrongly reported two years ago that Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith were on a “trial separation.”

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Friday, 7 August - Thursday, 13 August 2015

Gospel

DESIRE TO FINISH WELL!

By Michael Adekoya

“You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?” Gal. 5;7

My friend, do you know that the Christian life is like a race (2 Tim 4:7)? Paul said, the Galatians had started well but the false preachers had hindered them. Not only that, the Galatians had even begun running in the wrong direction. They had taken their eyes off Jesus and had stopped obeying the truth of the Gospel. That’s serious! But longer have a burning passion for the lost. and services are worthless. There is no that’s what we do today.

There are churches are regularly on 21 or substitute for fervent, undivided, undying

Imagine, for a moment, that we are competing in a race. Suppose when the starter’s pistol is fired, we take off, and I leave you in my dust. That could mean that I’m running really well. Let’s say we are going for 10 laps, and in the last one, I say to myself, “I am creaming the competition. I am going to get a Big Mac meal and a cold milk shake.” So, I wander off the track and disappear into the crowd!

My friend, let’s say that you cross the finish line 10 minutes later. Though, it is clear that I was leading initially, but if I didn’t do the final lap and cross the finish line, then I have lost the race. It doesn’t matter if I led for nine out of 10 laps. As long as I wandered off the track, I have not finished the race and there will be no prize, medal or crown. Even if I allow myself to be distracted from the race by someone in my life, someone in the church, someone in the crowd, some people I hang around with, or even by any official or leader; as long as I wandered off the track, I have not finished the race. As long as I allow false or fake people to hinder or block me from running well, I may not finish the race well. And I have to finish the race which I began.

In the same way, there are people today who started off their Christian race with a great burst of energy as they followed the Lord but have lost the momentum. Today, there are people who were on fire for God when they first became Christian but have now lost their first love and the fire of the Holy Spirit. There are people who pray so fervently in the past but now prayer has become a burden instead of delight. Today, there are people who witness to others on a regular basis in the past but now they no

40 days corporate fasting and prayer at the beginning but now have lost the zeal and desire to continue. There are people who are now professional Pastors than real shepherds. My friend, are you in any of these categories?

In our society today, there are people who receive Christ by grace but after a while turn away (Matt. 4:16-17). My friend, is Christ still the central focus and the Lord of your life, marriage, home, business, church, ministry, career, desire, pursuit or ambition? Maybe you now allow your spouse, family, friends, job, business, sport and your own desires to come between you and your relationship with God. Maybe you run away from sin in the past but now you are more tolerant of sin and feel indifferent towards it. Are you full of the Holy Spirit before but now your wine has run out? There are people who spend quality time everyday in the presence of God at the beginning of this year but now too busy to do that. Are you in any category of these people? Have you lost your first love and passion for God and His Word and compassion for people?

Maybe you have not forgotten or lost your first love for Christ but have left it.

You still love the Lord but you had lost the fervency and intensity of your love for Him. My friend, is this where you are now?

Have you replaced your love for God with your work for God? Is your ministry or work more important to you than spending time with God? Are you still doing good works but your works are no longer motivated and fuelled by your love for Christ but instead by what you’ll gain? Listen!

Without a passionate love for Christ and a compassionate love for souls, our works

­­

Are you looking for a church?

Not settled in any particular congregation?

Perhaps now is the time to pray about it If you are not yet saved try one of the following: Jubilee International Churchmeets at 2,30pm on Sundays at Kings Avenue School, Park Hill. London SW4. Part of Jubilee International Churches Worldwide. For information, you may call (020)8697 3354 New Wine Christian Church- 11am holds meeting at Ringcross Tennants Club, Lough Road, Holloway, N7. a member of the Icthus Fellowship

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Worldwide. For more information call 020 7609 959 or 07957 757 663.

Praise Tabernacle- 10:30am holds meetings at 620 Western Avenue (A40), Park Royal Business Centre, opposite Warner Bros. Cinema Complex, W3. part of The Redeemed Christian Church of God. For information you may call 020 8993 3010 New Life Christian Centre 10.30am & 6.00pm. meetings at Cairo New Road, Croydon. The church has

and unconditional love for Jesus Christ and souls whom He came to save.

Maybe you came to Christ during the days of the Jesus Movement. Or perhaps you came more recently. That is great! But that was then and this is now. Maybe you were on fire for Christ in January 2015 but this is August 2015. My friend, how you were running, anointed, witnessing, praying, giving, worshipping God and serving Him in January is no longer significant. But how you are praying, studying the Word of God, obeying God and His Word, helping others, witnessing, giving, worshipping God, and serving Him and serving others now is so significant. It matters how you finish this year well! How are you running your race right now? Are you keeping up the pace? Are you going to make it across the finishing line? Do you still have the passion to run or you’re now just too comfy to run? The choice is yours!

We have thirty more days before this year come to a close. There is still enough time to repent or make amendment, gain momentum and keep up the pace with what God is doing today on earth. God is now releasing a powerful spiritual force within the Body of Christ that will bring about the greatest manifestation of His power that the world has ever seen. Multitudes of souls are coming to Christ. God is now releasing a new wave of His divine healing power to heal people who are emotionally, physically, psychologically, financially and mentally sick; even the power to deliver those people who find it hard to turn away from drug, alcohol, pornography, masturbation or prostitution addictions. God has started bringing His people into a wealthy place!

a Bible school, primary, is involved in extensive mission work in Eastern Europe, Italy and India. For information you may call 020 8680 7671 Ruach Ministries - holds meeting at 9am, 11am and 6pm. For information you may call 020 8678 6888 International Central Gospel Church - Battersea Chapel, holds meetings on Sundays from 2.00pm. . For information you may call 020 8684 4934 Jesus Arena International- Sunday service at 11.00am at Broadwater Farm Centre, Adams Road N17 The Bible Life Church UK- They meet on Sunday mornings at 2.30pm at St Giles Centre, Camberwell

What we touch will turn to gold. But, are you positioned to receive these promises?

Are you keeping up the pace at which His Spirit is moving in this last days’? Do you forgive others in order to run light?

My friend, let me warn you ahead of what is coming! As you live the Christian life, there will be times when it may be tough. And there are tough days ahead! In such situation, you will have to hold on to God’s Word and the promise that He will complete the work He has begun in your life (Phil 1:6). Don’t faint or give up but you should make the effort to cross the finish line? Stand firm therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made you free and do not be entangled again with any yoke of bondage. Lay aside every weight and the sin that easily ensnares you and don’t allow anyone or anything to side-track you. Remember that “much is required from those to whom much is given.” (Luke 12:48) Always refuse anything or anyone that distracts you from doing the will of God. Be careful with relationships that will ground you! Satan’s goal is to separate you from your faith in God and in His Word. Don’t give him a place. Without faith we cannot please God (Henb 11:6). Faith makes you an overcomer (1 John 5:4).

A little yeast (leaven) can cause a whole lump of dough to rise. My friend, it only takes one wrong person, one wrong relationship, one wrong connection, one ungodly soul-tie, one wrong church, one wrong preacher, one lying word, one act of sin, one manipulative or deceptive persuasion that can infect your life negatively and cause you to backslide, miss the mark or wander off the track in your Christian race.

I pray that you will have no other mind than the mind of Christ to finish your race well.

I pray that those who trouble you, weakens you or sent to side-track or distract you would even cut themselves off from you in Jesus name (Amen). Make an effort to finish well this year and always. It is not the start that matters but the end. Solomon says, “Better is the end of a thing than its beginning.” (Eccle 7:8) May God give you the power, divine eyes, listening ears, strength and energy, boldness and courage, discernment and discipline and the push to finish well and receive the crown due to you! Remain blessed!

Church Street, London SE5 Christ Apostolic church (Full Gospel & Pentecostal) Surrey Docks District 163 Ilderton Rd South Bermondsey London SE16 2UT. Tel. 020 7252 2086.

Time of worship: Sunday English service 9- 11.30am. Yoruba service 11.30 -2.30pm. Prophetic counselling: Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 12noon- 5pm, Saturday only 5- 7pm.

Holy Cross Church InternationalSunday 10.am- 1 pm at Crown House 71-73 Nathan Way London SE28 0BQ Tel: 07904 234 126, 07809 381 886 Times of service:Bible study: Thursdays 8pm. Night Vigil: Friday Forth-

nightly 12am Sunday Service: Sundays 10am - 1pm Winners’ Chapel London- part of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, at 1 Churchill Close, Green Street, Green Road, Dartford, Kent, DA1 1QE meets Sunday 7.30am, 9.15am and 11am and Wednesdays at 7pm.

For details call: 01322 292097 Christ Apostolic Church, Surrey Docks District, Solution Centre, 47-47 High Street, Swancombe, Kent, DA10 0DA Tel: 07956 38 38 70 Time of worship: Wednesday Bible study: 7:30pm to 9:00pm Friday, Night Vigil: 9pm to 11pm Sunday Worship: 12:30pm to 3:00pm

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Friday, 7 August - Thursday, 13 August 2015

Africa Newsround

Uganda

Museveni targets five more years To nobody’s real surprise, Uganda’s 70-year-old president since 1986, Yoweri Museveni, picked up nomination forms last week to run for re-election in 2016.

“The historicals [party leaders] agreed that as a way forward, I come and pick these nominations forms and I offer myself for the position of party chairman and NRM presidential candidate for the period 2015-2021,” he said to his supporters.

Museveni secured the presidency through a coup three decades ago, and has been re-elected three times since 1996. A recent poll suggests that 71% of Ugandans will vote for him again for another term, which will move him up the ranking table of Africa’s longest serving leaders.

His thirty years in power have been a mixture of the good, the controversial and the realpolitik. In his early years in office, Museveni was feted by foreign governments, who branded him a reformist.

His government received global praise for reducing the rates of HIV infections in the 1990s, which analysts declared could act as a model for how governments fought the spread of AIDS. The economy was growing fast and education levels improved. All these achievements culminated in a stamp-ofapproval visit by then US president Bill Clinton who declared him one of a “new breed” of leaders on the continent.

But the decision to amend the constitution in 2005 to allow him to seek a

Yoweri Museveni has claimed the Ugandan people won’t let him stand down

third term put a dent in this reputation. This shift was accompanied by the stifling of the opposition and the press, including the jailing of political rivals and journalists.

Meanwhile, the UN has accused Uganda—with Rwanda’s help—of supporting the M23 rebels, who are engaged in an armed struggle against the government of Joseph Kabila in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Museveni’s government has strongly denied such

involvement. Not the actions of a new breed of leader, analysts argue.

But Museveni has remained an important ally of the US in the region, especially in its counter-terrorism efforts in east Africa.

The Ugandan army has contributed forces to the Africa Union-backed efforts to fight al Qaeda affiliated Somali militants alShabaab, for example, which the Americans want to neutralize. It is no surprise then that Uganda is a major recipient of US military

training in sub-Saharan Africa, and got close to half a billion dollars of economic and military aid in 2014/2015.

In 2013, Museveni hinted that he might not run again only to then declare that Ugandans won’t let him leave. “I don’t think the Ugandans are as obsessed with my retirement, because whenever I go for elections, five million tell me not to go, but stay,” he was quoted as saying.

The elections will see Museveni challenged by his longtime rival Kizza Besigye, at one time Museveni’s personal doctor during the five-year armed struggle that overthrew President Milton Obote.

He contested the last three elections as well, which he lost claiming the results were rigged. Another contestant, Amama Mbabazi, a former prime minister, is expected to run as an independent. Soon after declaring their candidacies, they were put in jail under “preventative arrests” but were released twelve hours later without charge.

Museveni released a rap song earlier in the week titled “Yengoma”—drum in Runyankore, a language spoken in south-western Uganda—to announce his candidacy.

“That is his song, the voice is his,” his press secretary Tamale Mirundi confirmed to French news agency AFP. “The president uses many forms to relay messages he considers important, music and proverbs being part of that.”

Morocco

Four perish in quest to swim to Europe Four more migrants died on Sunday after trying to swim to Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta from northern Morocco, the government in Rabat has said.

A statement carried by the official MAP news agency said: “The interior ministry deplores the deaths on Sunday of four illegal sub-Saharan immigrants off the town of Belyounech.”

It said the migrants, whose names and nationalities were not given, had tried to swim around a maritime fence separating the Spanish territory from Morocco. Three others were rescued by the Moroccan navy, the statement added.

Since last year, 15 migrants have died trying to reach Ceuta by sea, and Spain has come under fire from rights groups after its border guards used rubber bullets against people trying to enter illegally.

Ceuta and Melilla, another Spanish enclave on Morocco’s northern coast, form

Though physically part of Africa’s mainland, Cueta (inset) is part of Spain

the only land border between Europe and Africa.

Last year, the Spanish authorities said

they had rescued 3,500 migrants sailing aboard makeshift boats, an increase of 55 percent compared with 2013. More than

5,000 migrants have died trying to reach Europe’s shores in rickety boats over the past 18 months.

17

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Friday, 7 August - Thursday, 13 August 2015

News

Immigration officers set upon by local youths Immigration officers raiding a shop in Shadwell, East London last Wednesday were pelted with eggs and had their vehicles vandalised by a gang of youths.

Three ‘immigration enforcement’ vans and a car had their tyres slashed by the gang, described in a number of news reports as consisting of “Muslims”.

It’s understood that the immigration officers were at the shop to apprehend three suspected Bangladeshi illegal immigrants.

When they returned to their official vehicles in the next street, they discovered that the tyres had been slashed and paintwork had been damaged.

Police were called, but not before the officials were attacked with eggs, apparently by youths from a nearby tower block.

Earlier in the week Prime Minister, David Cameron, had called on the Muslim community to do more in the fight against extremism, and ‘support the British way of life.’ We are not sure how relevant the speech is when it comes to the recent events in Shadwell. However, the Daily Mail mentioned the speech in their report about the Shadwell incident.

An eyewitness to the attack, said: “Five or six youths appeared from nowhere heading towards the vehicles that the immigration officers arrived in. They were armed with kitchen knives and began slashing the tyres and damaging the paintwork. The attack was so quick.”

The eyewitness added: “It looked like they were some of the local Muslims all wearing hoodies and pulling this stunt as a prank, but this is no laughing matter. This kind of behaviour will create problems in the local community now.”

Residents of Shadwell who witnessed the commotion claim that the vans had to be towed because a local garage refused to offer any assistance; an accusation denied by the garage in question.

Shadwell community leaders condemned the attack. However, a flurry of social media posts showed a significant wave of support for the gang’s actions.

Nur Choudhury posted on Facebook: “Immigration Enforcement officers in Shadwell. Tyres slashed, valves taken and cars scratched. Local garage refused them

help, then they were egged from the local tower block, a few hit them on their heads.

Welcome to Shadwell?”

Jenny Hussain, who posted a video link of the damaged vehicles on Facebook, posted: “LOL [laughs-out-loud]. I heard about this. They were trying to get some wheels, but everyone said no to them.”

A local shopkeeper said to the Mail on Sunday: “The cops deserve it. They are always up and down this street giving us hassle.”

An employee at Bigland Tyres, which is directly opposite where the events occurred, denied claims that they refused to help the immigration officers. He said: “We tried to offer assistance, but the fact is we didn’t have the right size tyres to fit their vehicles. We would have given them air, but it was pointless because the tyres were cut to pieces.”

A spokesperson for Scotland Yard said: “No one has yet been arrested, but inquiries are ongoing.”

A Home Office spokesperson said: “This kind of abuse or criminal damage will not be tolerated. Such offences will be reported to police.”

Dangote Commissions $400 Million Cement Plant in Zambia

Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote has inaugurated a new cement plant in Zambia and had the honour of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the ceremony.

At the ceremony on Tuesday, Osinbajo said that human capital development, political stability and economic integration are central to the rapid development of Africa and the emancipation of its people from poverty.

The VP said this in Ndola, Zambia, at the inauguration of the $420 million cement plant and 30 KV coal-powered station built by Nigerian business mogul, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

The vice president said that the continent needed to free itself from issues that impoverished the people and begin to use its resources to develop the continent.

“One of the key challenges to rapid growth in Africa is extreme poverty; Africa unfortunately remains the poorest continent in the world; the implications are illiteracy, poor health, and low income per capita.

“Consequently, despite our large population our markets are not deep; most cannot afford goods and services; this is a cross-cutting Africa problem but the only solution is substantially investing in human capacity development.

“We simply must spend money on the people; we must spend more on education, technology and healthcare; we must invest in technology, infrastructure to enable our

18

bright boys and girls to hone their skills in the competitive world of technology.

“We must provide benefit for the disabled poor, the elderly poor and otherwise vulnerable; we cannot afford to leave any one behind.”

“With 54 countries and well over a billion people, and the economic bloc cooperating through enabling trade agreements, collaborative tariff regimes, multilateral trade concessions and agreements will open up the fastest growing economy in the world,” said Osinbajo.

Osinbajo added that Africa must challenge its policy intellectuals, entrepreneurs and politicians to think through what seemed to be the most logical course of action.

He identified “neighbor principle“, a legal jargon, as one that could ensure that the continent derived maximum benefits from proximity and affinities.

“Enough has been said about Africa Economic integration, it is time to act,” he stated.

Osinbajo thanked the Zambian government for providing the environment that would enable Africans to invest in Zambia.

“Mr President, your foresight in approving this project and facilitating its development is commendable indeed and it exemplifies the kind of African leadership that out continent today needs very badly.

“Leadership that understands that a pri-

Nigeria’s Vice President Yemi Osinbajo commissions the new cement plant

vate sector-led economy working collaboratively with a knowledgeable bureaucracy is the way of the future.”

In his address President Edgar Lungu of Zambia congratulated Dangote Group for its courage to invest in his country and for being the most diversified African investor.

He said that his administration would expand trade and investment relations with Nigeria, and called on other Nigerian companies to emulate Dangote Group by investing in his country as his administration was poised to providing investment incentives.

Aliko Dangote, in his address said that the project, the sixth integrated plant com-

missioned outside Nigeria, was in furtherance of the company’s plan to invest massively in Africa bearing in mind the impact it would have on Africans.

Dangote announced plans by the group to create 16 cement plants across Africa to produce at least 80 million tons of cement and address the infrastructure needs of the continent, half of which would be produced in Nigeria.

He said that the company had set aside $500,000 to support community development in Ndola and that plans were on to immediately set up schools, hospitals, and scholarships for the host community as part of its corporate social responsibility.

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Nigerian News Buhari sacks heads of NNPC, NCC; appoints replacements

Emir Sanusi And President Buhari Meet At Aso Rock Villa

Emmanuel Kachikwu as the new Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

Umaru Danbatta as the new Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC

Mr. Danbatta, who holds a Doctorate DePresident Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Emmanuel Kachikwu as gree in Electronic Engineering, takes over the new Group Managing Director from Eugene Juwah whose tenure expired on (GMD) of the Nigerian National Pe- July 29, 2015.

Mr. Juwah had been granted a controversial troleum Corporation (NNPC).

Mr. Kachikwu, who was the Executive Vice Chairman and General Counsel of ExxonMobil (Africa), is to take over from Joseph Dawha, who was appointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

A first class graduate of law from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and the Nigerian Law School, Mr. Kachikwu hails from OnichaUgbo in Delta State.

The new NNPC Chief Executive also holds Masters and Doctorate Degrees in Law from the Harvard Law School.

He began his working career with the Nigerian/American Merchant Bank before moving on to Texaco Nigeria Limited from where he joined Exxon-Mobil.

A statement by Presidential Spokesman, Femi Adesina, said the president has also approved the appointment of Umaru Danbatta as the new Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC. His appointment as Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC is for five years in the first instance.

appointment by the outgone administration for a second tenure before the expiration of his first tenure.

The new NCC Chief Executive’s other academic qualifications include a Bachelors Degree in Electronic Engineering and Telecommunications as well as a Masters Degree in the same field.

He is a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and has had a meritorious career in which he rose to become Professor of Electrical Engineering and Electronics at Bayero University, Kano, specializing in Telecommunications Engineering and Information and Communications Technology.

Before his new appointment, Danbatta held top management and leadership positions at different times including Head of Department, Dean Of Faculty, Director, Centre for Information Technology, Chairman of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (Kano Branch), Deputy Vice Chancellor and Acting Vice Chancellor.

19

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Russia and Kenya refute doping accusations Russia and Kenya, the two nations implicated most seriously in the latest doping allegations to rock the athletics world, have both hit back over the claims.

The Sunday Times and the German broadcaster ARD/WDR said at the weekend that they had been given access to the results of more than 12,000 blood tests provided by 5,000-plus athletes between 2001 and 2012. The media organisations said the results showed that more than 800 athletes had given blood samples that were “highly suggestive” of doping or “abnormal”. Of the 800 cases, 415 were Russian athletes, while 77 were Kenyans, according to the reports.

Kenya’s athletics body said the allegations, which included the suggestion that 18 medals given to its nation’s athletes had been won with the help of performanceenhancing drugs, were a smear campaign ahead of the World Championships in Beijing this month.

Russia’s Sports Minister equally dismissed the allegations, linking the reports to the forthcoming elections for the presidency of athletics’ ruling body, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

“This scandal has nothing to do with Russia, it is about the global system of athletics,” said Vitaly Mutko, who was alluding to the battle between the Ukraine’s Sergey Bubka and Britain’s Sebastian Coe to succeed Lamine Diack. “There are pres-

idential elections in August, so just a common battle for power is taking place.”

The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) said it was alarmed by the size and extent of the allegations, which it said should be investigated.

In a documentary, aired on 1 August, ARD/WDR showed footage from a hidden camera purportedly revealing athletes being injected with performance-enhancing drugs. ARD also alleged corruption among Kenyan officials who wanted to cover up doping by runners.

Athletics Kenya (AK) said claims of widespread doping among Kenyan runners was “suspect and ill-motivated. We cannot fail to point out the documentary is an attempt to smear our runners with unwarranted suspicion as they prepare to undertake duty for their country in Beijing, China.

“The unwarranted claims are deliberately aimed at derailing the preparations and participation of the Kenyan team in the World Championships.”

Kenya boasts some of the world’s best middle and long-distance runners but dozens of its athletes have failed drug tests over the past few years.

In February, Rita Jeptoo, winner of the Boston and Chicago marathons, was banned for two years after a failed test in the biggest doping scandal to hit Kenya in recent years.

David Rudisha, 800m Olympic champion and Kenya’s best-known runner, in December said that AK should have done

David Rudisha says inaction by Athletics Kenya risk tarnishing the country’s reputation

more to root out cheats as persistent doping claims risked tarnishing reputations of clean Kenyan runners.

Kenyan government officials have blamed the growing number of doping cases on foreign agents and AK’s failure to educate its athletes properly.

AK said it was working closely with the IAAF, Wada and the Kenyan government

to counter doping.

Of the claims against Russia, Mutko added: “Russian athletes are being checked for doping the same way as athletes from other countries are. Given that we are leaders in many disciplines, the checks are even more frequent. Everyone has issues with doping – Russia, and America, and France.”

Bucs look to bounce back against Sfaxien South Africa’s Orlando Pirates will look to bounce back to winning form when they host CS Sfaxien at Orlando Stadium on Saturday night for a match day four CAF Confederation Cup group stage match.

Pirates come into the game under something of a cloud after suffering a 1-0 loss to Ajax Cape Town in their MTN8 quarterfinal on Tuesday night, and with several key players doubtful due to injuries.

The Buccaneers find themselves placed second in Group B of the continental competition, having claimed two wins from their three matches thus far.

Should Pirates claim a win on Saturday and group leaders Zamalek avoid defeat in 22

their match away to AC Leopards on Sunday, then the South Africans and the White Knights will both seal a place in the final four with two games to spare.

Bucs’ last outing in the Confed Cup was a 1-0 win away to Sfaxien on July 26, with Thabo Rakhale scoring a brilliant individual goal to seal their second win on the road in the group stage. Their only home game thus far was a 2-1 loss to Zamalek almost a month ago.

Coach Eric Tinkler has admitted that he is worried over the negative consequences of the congested fixture list that his side is facing at the moment.

“Fatigue is a major concern for me. We have tried to rest the players as much as possible. Our fixtures don’t help us,” Tinkler said.

“If the players are in good condition

Pirates celebrating a victory

then obviously I will continue to use those players.”

As for the Tunisian visitors, they must claim a positive result from this match to revive their hopes of a semifinal berth.

Thus far, the ‘Juventus of the Arabs’ have just one point to their name from three

matches.

Sfaxien have been boosted by the signing of Ezechiel N’Douassel and claimed their first competitive win since May when they beat CA Bizertin 3-2 in the Tunisian Cup on Tuesday night, a much-needed fillip for under-fire coach Paulo Duarte.

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Relieved Aluko steers Blues to first trophy Continued from back page

....Saturday’s match was the first Women’s FA Cup final to be played at Wembley. The 30,000 crowd were not, it has to be said, served up the kind of spectacle many of them feasted upon during the World Cup; but it was Aluko who provided much of what excitement there was with her superior pace.

Along with Gemma Davidson on the right, Aluko repeatedly got beyond the Notts County defensive line but the twin threats found nobody able to latch onto their probing crosses. Indeed the two combined for one of the best chances of the game when an Aluko cross from the left found Davidson sliding in at the far post.

Davidsons attempt somehow went agonisingly back across the goal to safety.

Minutes later, a ball won in midfield found Aluko, who strode into the Notts County penalty area before cleverly switching the ball to her preferred right foot and poking the ball into the path of South Korean international Ji So-yun, whose initial shot was repelled before she was quickest to react to the loose ball and prodded it into an empty net.

After the interval, as the East Midlanders began to push more players forward in search of an equaliser, there was space for Chelsea to exploit on the break. Following a pacey run down the right, Aluko saw her low drive across goal parried to safety

by Telford – the second time in the match the Notts County ‘keeper had repelled a goal-bound effort from the Nigeria-born striker.

Chelsea had another chance to extend

Eni Aluko (left) shares the moment with outstanding strike partner Gemma Davidson as both kiss the Women’s FA Cup

their lead soon after when Gilly Flaherty was found inside the box from Aluko’s deft flick, but with little time to react, she could only turn the ball over the bar from a couple of yards out.

A slight injury picked up during a raid on the Notts County defence saw Aluko withdrawn late on in favour of Portuguese winger Ana Borges, who immediately made her intentions clear by pressing when appropriate and heading straight to the corner flag when not. Her freshness and the guile of Davidson, who had by now switched to the left flank, frustrated the opposition, and the expected desperate bombardment of the Chelsea penalty area in the closing stages never really materialised.

Nominated Player of the Match by BBC pundit Sue Smith, Eni Aluko was visibly moved by being part of Chelsea’s first real success when she was interviewed after the game. But now it is back to the bread and butter business of the Women’s Super League – a competition over which Chelsea have lost their grip following two successive defeats and one which, last year, was so identified by Aluko’s disconsolate image.

A point behind leaders Sunderland and with the Women’s FA Cup safely in the trophy cabinet, Aluko and her teammates will be hoping they can get back on track and secure the title that so cruelly eluded them last season.

Tigers give young gun his chance to roar Despite scoring a hat-trick against a Singapore Select XI in the Barclays Asia Trophy for Arsenal last month, Academy graduate Chuba Akpom is unlikely to turn out for the Gunners in the Barclays Premier League this season. This does not mean, however, that the teenager will not play Premier League football.

Hull City have signed the 19-year-old striker on a season-long loan, following in the footsteps of teammate Isaac Hayden, who arrived at the KC Stadium last Friday.

Canning Town-born Akpom progressed through Arsenal’s academy and has made nine first-team appearances. He has also had loan spells at Brentford, Coventry and Nottingham Forest, for whom he featured

Chuba Akpom hit the headlines by netting a hat-trick for Arsenal pre-season

on seven occasions at the end of last season.

The Hull manager, Steve Bruce, has now made four summer signings. The defender Ryan Taylor joined on a free from Newcas-

tle United while the midfielder Sam Clucas cost a reported £1.3m from Chesterfield.

Hull also expect to complete the permanent signing of the defender Moses Odubajo from Brentford.

Coach Oliseh advises Moses, Mikel to go out on loan

Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh, has told Nigerian players at big clubs, to try and get more playing time by going out on loan.

The national team boss said he was worried that some of his key men like Victor Moses and John Mikel Obi, were spending more time on the bench.

“The football in our nation has never been so low,” he told BBC World Service.

“The only philosophy I think I can have now is to try to get the players to get results as a team and not individuals.

“Players not playing regularly at their clubs is a huge problem because they might struggle with the rhythm.

“I’ve spoken to the majority of the players that may come into the reckoning to play, to be in the first pool of players that we are building, but they have to do something about it.

“They are still young; they need to think about playing now and it might not be bad for them to go out on loan and play and maybe get to a level where Chelsea will have them back to play and not just sit and watch.

“The player will decide his fate, it’s not for the national team to impose but I would advise them to play as much as possible.

“They will have to try and play as much as possible”.

Oliseh also confirmed his plans to speak to players of Nigerian heritage, to play for the Eagles. Some of the names on his list include Arsenal duo of Chuba Akpom and Alex Iwobi and Liverpool’s Jordon Ibe. He said: “You can bet your money that I’m looking at players with Nigerian heritage who have been born or brought up in other countries, I have no choice.

“Most of these players, let’s be honest, very few of them get to play in other nations for a long time, whereas with Nigeria, these players have the chance of regularly, if they are good, to play in the World Cup. “It’s definitely something we are looking at and we’ve started making moves.

“They are welcome with open arms and we’ll do all we can to put them in the best situation if they decide to play for Nigeria because Nigeria needs them and they also need Nigeria to become top, world class players”.

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Friday, 7 August - Thursday, 13 August 2015 ISSUE 591

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Bucs look to bounce back against Sfaxien SEE PAGE 22

Relieved Aluko steers Blues to first trophy

Eni Aluko’s first Chelsea honour is her third FA Cup winners’ medal overall

By Alan Oakley

England striker Eniola Aluko put her Women’s World Cup disappointments behind her last weekend to help her club side Chelsea win their first major trophy with a Player of the Match performance.

Eniola, who would have been disappointed to lose her place as starting centre forward after two games during England’s most successful FIFA Women’s World Cup

campaign ever, provided the assist for the winning goal in Chelsea’s 1-0 Women’s FA Cup win over Notts County on Saturday.

Eniola was happy to be part of England’s history-making campaign in Canada, but she was inconsolable last season when Chelsea, with the Women’s Super League title in their grasp, lost out on the final day of the season after a tame and nervous defeat.

After Saturday’s win, the law graduate and Chelsea number 9 was quick to express her feelings.

“The overwhelming emotion right now is just relief,” Aluko told BBC Sport. “It has been a long time coming.

“After coming so close last season [to the WSL 1 title] everyone has talked about it, will Chelsea do it? How will we play under pressure? But we certainly played under pressure.

“We were disciplined and got the win.

This is history in the making I couldn’t be more proud of this group of players.”

Continued on page 23

African Voice Newspaper is published by African Voice Communications. Unit 7 Holles House Overton Road London SW9 7AP. Tel: 020 3737 3077 Registered at the British Library as a newspaper. ISSN 1475-2166.Email: africanvoicenews@googlemail.com