The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2024

By Dr Tony Talburt

In May 1997 the Labour party, under Tony Blair, won what was described at the time as a landslide majority election victory over the Conservative Party led by John Major. That election brought an end to 18 years of Conservative government and was regarded as the political party’s worst defeat since 1906. One hundred and thirty three conservatives lost their parliamentary seats. Some of the reasons for such a catastrophic Conservatve defeat included: the dwindling influence or ability of the party leader and Prime Minister to command the confidence of the members, Conservative Parliamentary members publicly failing to follow the party line, by election defeats, sleaze and scandals, and disunity over Europe. Fast forward to 2024, and the question has to be asked whether the Conservative Party might be about to experience another defeat similar to the one in 1997. What is particularly worrying is the fact that a number of the challenges witnessed towards the end of the 1990s seem to be at play in the current period.

The biggest problem could be about the leader of the party himself. Although Rishi Sunak can be pleased that the government’s economic forecast for the country to bring down inflation have largely been met, his other four goals or achievements have not been as favorable. This has affected his overall popularity.

For example, in a recent IPSOS Poll, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s popularity was found to be rapidly declining since 2023. Another report in the Independent Newspaper, claimed Rishi Sunak’s popularity had plunged to an all-time low. To make matters worse, there appears to be in-fighting in the party. Some senior members of the Conservative Pary were angered by comments made by Sir Simon Clarke when he was reported to have asked for Rishi Sunak to step down now, so the party can avoid being ‘massacred at the next election. The fact that ministers had to quickly respond to the statement urging party members to remember their loyalty to the country and not to allow tribalism to take hold in the party, speaks volumes and implies there are divisions in the camp. Of course, although Sir Simon Clarke can be considered a lone wolf, in the coming weeks and months, we might see more members publicly speak against

IS THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY FACING NOTHER 1997-SCALE DEFEAT?

the Sunak in the same they did with Boris Johnson. The Conservatives have had a love-hate relationship over Britain’s position regarding its affinity and membership within the European Union. It was present in the 1990s and seems to be ever present in the background. Again, the IPSOS Polls found that 61% of people felt the situation in Britain is heading in the wrong direction while 18% thought things were heading in the right direction. Furthermore, 54% of the people polled thought Brexit has had a negative impact on the country and 21% say positive. Although Boris Johnson’s mantra was to ‘get Brexit done’, as we have seen recently with the Irish question, things were clearly not finalised. The Conservative Party also has to come to terms with a series of

bad by election results. It must. Of course, be taken into account that local and by elections are often used by some as protest votes and it is also true that voter turn out tends to be low. Despite this, it cannot hide the fact that the Labour Party won two seats of Wellingborough and Kingswood from the governing Tories in the recent by elections. This means the Conservatives have lost ten consecutive by elections since 2019, making it the highest number of Tory losses in one parliamentary term this side of the Second World War. The final issue that has plagued the part is scandals. Nowhere was this more evident than in the Partygate Scandals. The Tory Party was caught up in several scandals related to breaches of the lock down rules during the Covid-19 pandemic. During

the year 2020, various senior Conservatives were found to be engaging in social gatherings which at the time were illegal. These reports started with the then Prime minister Boris Johnson down to junior ministers. These reported breaches of the law, coming at a sensitive time when thousands of people were dealing with shocks and deaths of their loved ones, left a bitter taste and further created a chasm between them and the ruling party. It is unfortunate that the Conservative Party finds itself repeating or falling for the same mistakes as in the 1990s. Of course, miracles and surprises can happen, but there is no doubt the Conservatives have a major uphill battle if they are to avoid a repeat of the 1997 defeat.

BIKE4LIFE RIDE OUT & FESTIVAL SPONSOR CONFIRMS SECOND YEAR OF SUPPORT

Following the success of the Bike4Life 2023, leading motorbike insurance price comparison website, The Bike Insurer, has announced its second consecutive year of headline sponsorship for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s huge motorcycle Ride Out & Festival, Bike4Life.

Taking place on Sunday 28th April 2024, one of the UK’s largest motorcycle Ride Outs will be returning to Shropshire’s roads for its twelfth year. Usually attracting 6,000 enthusiastic bikers and pillions on the ride out and 10,000 visitors to the festival, the 26-mile ride will start at Meole Brace in Shrewsbury and will finish at the festival’s new home at Weston Park in Shropshire for its highly anticipated, family-friendly festival.

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s pre-hospital emergency service rapidly reaches and provides advance treatment to a motorcyclist each week on average, giving them the best chance of survival and good recovery from major traumatic injuries. Aiming to promote biker safety, with support from West Mercia Police, attendees at last year’s event helped to raise more than £116,000, helping to fund an impressive seventy-five lifesaving missions.

Ed Bevis, commercial and marketing director for The Bike Insurer, said: “Last year, we were blown away with the unwavering commitment for the event from bikers across the country. It feels only fitting to be returning for a second year, offering our support to further contribute to the lifesaving work of

the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, which invaluably helps to protect the biker community.”

Emma Wood, head of fundraising and engagement for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, added: “The Biker’s Insurer’s sponsorship for last year’s incredible ride out and festival ensured the event’s most successful year to date. We are really excited to have their support for a second year, which has helped us secure our perfect new venue which will no doubt make the festival bigger and better than ever!

“We hope that our loyal biker community, along with enthusiastic family-event goers turn up together and help raise vital awareness and funds for our lifesaving helicopter-led emergency service.” To find out more about the event and to book tickets visit bike4lifefest.com.

CITY COUNCIL BACKS CLIMATE & ECOLOGY BILL

Birmingham City Council has formally backed the Climate & Ecology Bill, after passing a motion earlier this month in support of the bill.

Birmingham’s Environment cabinet member Councillor Majid Mahmood has called on politicians of all parties to give their backing to the bill and ensure that

local authorities across the country have the support they need to deliver its aims.

Councillor Mahmood said: “Birmingham City Council declared a climate emergency in 2019, and set an ambitious target to become net carbon neutral by 2030, or as soon after as a just transition allows. Now, we’re backing the Climate & Ecology Bill and calling

on the government to do more to tackle the twin crises of climate and nature.

“As a nation, we need to play our part in limiting global temperature rises, and in protecting and restoring nature. The Climate & Ecology Bill would require the UK Government to develop and achieve a new environmental strategy, putting this at the heart of

the government’s work.

“We’re also calling on the government to ensure that local authorities are given the resources that they need in order to deliver this strategy in neighbourhoods right across the country, as whilst the fight against climate change is global, it will be won or lost at a local level.”

PAGE TURNER AWARDS OPENS ITS DOORS TO LITERARY EXCELLENCE FOR A FIFTH YEAR

The renowned Page Turner Awards, an international writing competition that celebrates exceptional storytelling, proudly announces its opening to submissions for the 2024 season.

The commencement of its annual writing competition invites wordsmiths from every corner of the globe to submit their captivating narratives. Now in its fifth year, Page Turner Awards extends a warm invitation to enthusiasts of unique passions and niche interests.

Whether you're an aficionado sharing stories of niche pursuits, a collector illuminating the tales behind unique treasures, or an expert in a particular field offering insights, Page Turner Awards welcomes your extraordinary narratives that delve

into the world of specialized hobbies, activities, and expertise. The competition encompasses three distinct categories: the Book Award for published works, the Writing Award for unpublished manuscripts, and the Screenplay Award for unproduced scripts.

A distinguished judging panel, comprising different industry experts, including literary agents, publishers, and film producers, looking for scripts to option, will meticulously assess each submission, ensuring that the highest standards of literary excellence are upheld. Once reviewed, they will select the winners, who will receive a range of valuable prizes, including book deals, literary consultations, and more.

In its commitment to promoting diversity and inclusivity, Page Turn-

er Awards is introducing two new Equality Awards: the Culture Award and the Phoenix Award. The Culture Award will recognize a work that celebrates diversity and promotes understanding between different cultures. The Phoenix Award will honour a writer who has overcome adversity and emerged with stronger writing.

Psychosocial expert and humanitarian for over 25 years, Pramudith Rupasinghe, said: "What an incredible piece of thought! This is a humanitarian dream come true.

“I am wholeheartedly with you in this endeavour. It fills a significant void I have been noticing in writing contests around the world.”

Entering the Page Turner Awards is a great opportunity for writers to get their work noticed and to take their

writing careers to the next level, said Paula Sheridan, founder of the Page Turner Awards. The judging panel is always impressed by the high quality of submissions we receive.

With our new Equality Awards, the Culture Award and the Phoenix Award, both reflect a commitment to amplifying voices that deserve to be heard. There’s an excited in seeing new and exciting stories this year's competition will bring.

Writers, irrespective of their background or experience, are encouraged to submit their entries and vie for the chance to be recognized on a global stage. This is a great opportunity to have your work recognized by a prestigious panel of judges.

The London centurion who was friends with Bob Marley A

man who came over from Jamaica in the 1950s and knew Bob Marley has just celebrated his 100th birthday with a bottle of rum and a song. Reminiscing on the life he’s lived, Carl Berry, who was born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1924, recalls his 50 plus years he’s spent living in England. He recalls: “I didn’t come over with the Windrush – my ship was after that. “I wanted to come to England after I saw a photo of a group of women drinking in a pub.” During the war, he said over in Jamaica they weren’t really involved. “I remember when warplanes were coming over, we all used to turn all the lights off and hide – but we didn’t see the war like that,” he said. One of three brothers, his family ran a commercial print company in Jamaica. He went on: “We were comfortable. I had a lovely life. I started working with my uncle on the printing machine when I was sixteen. I made more money than he did because every night my uncle went home, I used to print the labels for the cigar boxes.”

He continued: “I was the only guy in Jamaica doing it.” Remembering his youth, he said: “We call this ‘bend down rum’ in Jamaica.” Back then it was illegal to sell rum of a certain proof there, so it was kept behind the bar, “so the bartender had to bend down to get it.”

When he came to England he

worked at a printer in Birmingham before settling in London, first in Paddington and then Peckham – where he’s been since 1977. When arrived in the UK he was printing menus whilst working at the Savoy Hotel. It was whilst living in London where he met his wife, Peggy, of 34 years (she sadly passed away in 1995).

“I still say ‘goodbye Peg’ every time I leave the house,” he said. Carl worked in printing until he was 82. Along with watching snooker, cricket and horse racing, singing is a great hobby of Carl’s that he still does every day.

On music, he recalls memories of the great Bob Marley. “I knew Bob – we weren’t friends like that, but I knew him from parties.” Carl said he remembers watching him perform in his hometown often. “He was always singing. Anywhere he and the Wailers sang was always packed,” he remembers.

“Bob used to play football barefoot near where we all were in Kingston. That’s how he hurt it (his foot) and that’s how he got blood poisoning.” In Peckham, Carl said he regularly meets his friends at the Prince Albert pub for a pint of bitters.

He also heads to the betting shop to put some money on the horses. 100-years-old, but feeling 65, Carl’s advice for staying young echoes that of Marley himself –“Don’t worry about anything.” He adding: “As soon as you worry, that’s when you get old.”

CELEBRATIONS AS CITY’S YOUTH COUNCILLORS ELECTED

Another group of young people have joined the City of Wolverhampton Youth Council as the 46 successful candidates – who attend schools across the city – were officially announced at a special event in the Council Chamber.

The Mayor of Wolverhampton Councillor Dr Michael Hardacre was joined by the Leader of the Council Councillor Stephen Simkins, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People Councillor Christopher Burden, Alison Hinds, Director of Children’s Services, Andrew Wolverson, Deputy Director of Commissioning and Transformation of Children’s Services, and others to welcome the new youth councillors.

The event, chaired by the Youth Council Chair Harleen Nahal, also provided an opportunity to launch the voting for this year’s Make Your Mark ballot. The national campaign, run by the British Youth Council, gives 11 to 18-year-olds in the UK the chance to have a say on the biggest issues facing young people,

and all 21 secondary schools in Wolverhampton are taking part in this year’s ballot.

At the same time, the event marked the start of this year’s UK Youth Parliament elections, announcing the six candidates who are standing to become the city’s next Youth MP – Japjot Ghotra, T'Liyah Spencer, William Gosnell, Sienna Ahir, Hephzibah Kalapala and Jobe Thompson. Councillor Burden said: "The council takes the views of young people seriously and we are keen to co-produce the development of our services with them.

“I and my fellow councillors welcome the level of challenge and scrutiny the Youth Council provides. It was a pleasure to meet our new youth councillors and speak to them about what the role of being a councillor involves and we are really looking forward to working with them over the next 12 months."

He added: “The Youth Council has been in operation in the city for over 20 years and the skills developed by the group are being passed on and built on, year after year.”

PIC - Mayor Councillor Dr Michael Hardacre, Mayoress Lynn Plant and Harleen Nahal, Chair of the Youth Council, with the new youth councillors and council officers

Business & Finance

GXO PILOTS AI-ENHANCED ROBOTICS IN WAREHOUSE

GXO Logistics, Inc.

(NYSE: GXO), the world’s largest pureplay contract logistics provider, announced today that it is partnering with California-based robotics developer Dexterity to pilot AI-enhanced robotics in a warehouse to make operations for a leading beauty brand safer and more efficient.

“We’re leading the charge on integrating automation into our customers’ supply chains to help them grow and meet their strategic objectives,” said Adrian Stoch, Chief Automation Officer, GXO.

“This pilot is especially exciting as it combines advanced robotics with artificial intelligence and machine learning into a practical application to make warehouse operations safer, more productive and more efficient.” GXO is working with Dexterity, which leverages AI to power robots with human-like capabilities to depalletize, label and repalletize packages, optimizing the inbound and outbound processes in the warehouse.

Because these smart robots utilize AI, they require virtually no instructions or setup prior to implementation, and they self-train on the job, improving their perfor-

mance with every pick. Deploying robotics for these functions increases operational efficiency and safety, while freeing up team members to focus on higher-value-add activity.

Samir Menon, Dexterity’s CEO, said: “GXO is at the forefront of using technology to enable superior operations performance. We are proud to support them with robots that are smart, fast, and easy for their team to deploy in their warehouse operations.”

The robots’ adaptability means they can be swiftly deployed into operations across a range of industries. This adaptive technology is highly flexible and can be deployed either as a standalone solution in a previously manual operation or in a highly automated warehouse, representing the next chapter in supply chain automation.

UK Top 10 accountancy firm responds as company failures reach highest annual number since 1993

Andy McGill, Restructuring and Insolvency Partner at UK top ten accountancy and advisory firm Azets, comments on the company insolvency statistics for Q4 2023. In 2023, there were 25,158 registered company insolvencies, the highest annual number since 1993. This includes 20,577 creditors’ voluntary liquidations (CVLs), 2,827 compulsory liquidations, 1,567 administrations, 185 company voluntary arrangements (CVAs) and two receivership appointments.

CVLs increased by 9% from 2022 to a new record high number.

Andy (pic) said: “This time last year, we warned that business

owners ought to be a bit more nervous. Forced injections of liquidity into the economy often create complacency, and despite some recent easing of financial pressures, many businesses are still battling the long-term effects of economic and geopolitical events that began during the pandemic.

“Even before then, in the decade following the financial crash, 300-year low-interest rates created thousands of ‘zombie’ businesses that were able to live off cheap borrowing without any significant growth. The high level of insolvencies throughout 2023 is driven by a vast number of busi-

The Importance of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to Industry

In today’s world of business industry, the need for formalities is more urgent than ever as technology becomes a perceived challenge and opportunity to circumvent proper ways of conducting business transactions. Micro to small firms including not-for-profit firms, are finding themselves ‘wanting’ as they trade formalism for informal means of doing business including funding or investment endeavours. Having a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) can provide great dividends for companies or firms of any composition, size or stature. Besides service level agreements (SLAs) and other legally-binding contracts, MOUs are worth their ‘weight in gold’ based on a set of widely-held principles.

Firstly, there are two types of MOU -bilateral and multilateral. The bilateral deals with an agreement between two Parties while the multilateral is an agreement comprising over two Parties. They represent implic-

it agreements where mutually inclusive and beneficial expectations and interests that are reflected in such agreements. Specifically, using covenant/ statute formats, MOUs usually include approximately nine areas of concern including:

• Names of Parties involved in the citation or being named in MOUs.

• The mutual interests they have in the provision of periodic goods and services.

• Roles and responsibilities of each Party.

• The process of dealing with confidential information including data.

• Level and type of financial commitments involved.

• Manging the non-solicitation of goods and services by third Parties.

• The process of implementing the agreement.

• Secondly, although an MOU is not legally enforceable, it defines the resources (financial, human and technical) that are needed to ensure that goods and

Aw a r d - w I n n I n g journalist, editor and publisher Dr Christopher Johnson writes his monthly column in The Phoenix aiming to inform, educate and entertain.

by Dr. Christopher A. Johnson

services are delivered to specification. For example, if there is an agreement to deliver X amount of goods and Y unit of services, and one party fails to deliver, then such action may constitute a breach in an MOU.

Thirdly, an MOU is different to a traditional contract. The former is based on a common understanding involving different Parties and it is legally binding. Most of interests have economic and financial implications or ramifications for either Party. If for example, contracts are not met, there are certain penalties that can be administered to ensure contract compliance. MOUs on the other hand, can be seen as ‘gentleman’s or gentlewoman’s agreements. They rely on qualities such o-operation, dedication, honesty, flexibility and intent – of all Parties concerned.

nesses unable to service a more meaningful interest bill.

“Unfortunately, the outlook for 2024 is not much better and we can expect business failures to rise at much the same rate. However, companies that recognise financial issues & obtain robust professional advice & help sooner have a much greater chance of identifying options available & implementing strategies to preserve their business and protect jobs.

“Time has well and truly run out for those that continue to bury their heads.”

Fourthly, there are costs and benefits of establishing MOUs. The costs comprise risk reduction and a sense of surety, laxity of concluding agreements and they provide a framework for future transactions. The downside pertains to confusion and

double-meaning about the legitimacy of MOUs in general, bearing in mind that they are not enforceable. Then there are the unrealistic expectations if Parties are unable to deliver or perform. In the end, companies and charities can use MOUs

to navigate their way through rather complex or tortuous legal agreements. Everything of course, depends on the honest intentions of all Parties concerned. Some will even say; the rest is up to GOOD FORTUNE!

DIFC'S 20TH ANNIVERSARY TAKES FLIGHT WITH STRONG CONTRIBUTION TO DUBAI'S ECONOMY AND RECORD-BREAKING ANNUAL RESULTS

Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) continued to differentiate its position as the leading global financial centre for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region during 2023. His Excellency Essa Kazim, Governor of DIFC, commented: "DIFC's 2023 performance reflects the Centre's standing as the leading global financial hub in the region, central to Dubai's

Economic Agenda (D33).

“Reflecting DIFC's position as the primary choice for financial services related companies and innovation firms over the last 20 years, the results catapulted DIFC towards its Strategy 2030 targets which include doubling its contribution to Dubai GDP."

Home to 5,523 active companies, with 1,451 new companies established in 2023, the highest number of new registrations annually in the Centre's history,

DIFC announced it is ahead of target to double its GDP contribution by 2030. 2023 combined revenues grew at their fastest levels since inception, approaching AED 1.3bn, 23 per cent higher than 2022. Operating profit reached AED 859mn, up 27 per cent. Reflecting the strength of DIFC's financial position, total assets were AED 18bn, an increase of 18 per cent.

The total of financial and inno-

vation related active companies now stand at 1,674. During the year, 316 FinTech and Innovation firms established a DIFC presence, taking the net total to 902. DIFC also continues to be a magnet for talent attraction. The total workforce grew to 41,597, a 15 per cent year-on-year increase, creating 5,514 new jobs.

DIFC built the MEASA region's biggest hub for wealth and asset management of over 350 firms primarily from the GCC,

BODY SHOP ADMINISTRATION HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANCE OF ROBUST SUPPLIER CONTRACTS

The Body Shop’s collapse into administration is a reminder to suppliers to ensure that their contracts are watertight, according to a leading commercial lawyer.

Established in 1976 by the late

Dame Anita Roddick, The Body Shop was only acquired recently by private equity firm Aurelius – the third time the business has changed hands since 2006. The Body Shop currently has more than 200 shops across the UK and around 3,000 globally, employing around 10,000 staff, plus another 12,000 via franchises.

Rebecca Hallam (pic), an associate in the commercial team of national law firm Clarke Willmott LLP, says the failure of major retailers like The Body Shop should serve as a wake-up call to their myriad of suppliers. “Insolvencies are on the rise again across the UK and The Body Shop is the latest big name casualty on the High

Street, following the demise of Wilko last year,” she said.

“English law provides very little protection for suppliers trading with insolvent companies and these situations always highlight the importance for suppliers of having robust contracts in place to protect against a worst case scenario. If your business is owed money by an insolvent company, your options to secure payment are likely to be limited.

“Instead, your business may look to try and mitigate its losses by suspending future supplies or reclaiming goods which have not been paid for (where title to those goods has not passed to the insolvent company). Ultimately you may also feel that your business has no option but to terminate its contract with the insolvent company.

“Unfortunately, none of these options may be available, or easy to exercise, if they are not contained in the contract.”

Europe, UK and US. There are now 50 hedge fund related firms in DIFC's wealth and asset management ecosystem.

DIFC-based family business foundation structures also surged by 53 per cent to 443, reflecting a significant uptake during 2023. DIFC owned and managed properties continue to be in high demand. At the end of 2023, occupancy stood at 99.5 per cent. DIFC

Living, the Centre's first resi-

dential offering, sold out within 48 hours of being launched. DIFC continued to support growth of the sustainable debt market within Nasdaq Dubai. The DIFC exchange emerged as the world's largest ESG sukuk market with more than 60 per cent of US-denominated ESG sukuk and close to 50 per cent of all-currencies ESG sukuk.

Bilkul Football WBA reach agreement for Baggies takeover

Bilkul Football WBA, LLC –a company ultimately owned by Florida-based entrepreneur Shilen Patel and his father Dr Kiran C. Patel – has reached an agreement to acquire an 87.8% shareholding in West Bromwich Albion Group Limited, the parent company of West Bromwich Albion Football Club.

The takeover has been approved by the EFL, with exchange and completion to take place next week. Shilen Patel, who will also be named Chair of the Baggies, is a serial investor with experience in technology, healthcare, sport, real estate, finance, food & beverage, and numerous other sectors across five continents. He has owned a minority share-

holding in Serie A club Bologna FC 1909 since 2014. Shilen Patel (pic) said: “I am thrilled and grateful to have reached an agreement to become the custodian of West Bromwich Albion Football Club.

“The club’s exceptional history, support, and potential set it apart even here in the cradle of football. My goal is to help the club achieve a future worthy of its history as a pioneering top-flight club that marshals the pride and passion that have defined the Albion for generations.

“I am excited to get started at The Hawthorns and look forward to the deal completing next week.”

PromotingExcellence

As part of our ongoing commitment to promoting the positive and inspirational individuals and organisations in our communities, The Phoenix Newspaper presents Promoting Excellence - a closer look at our role models, entrepreneurs, community figures and success stories.

NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK: MARKETING APPRENTICE FORGES DREAM CAREER WHILE BALANCING FAMILY LIFE

Joanna Reynolds, Apprentice Marketing Assistant at Platform Home Ownership, has recently been able to start her career as part of National Apprenticeship Week.

Joanna, 29, who lives in Nuneaton, in Warwickshire, works for Platform four days a week on a work from home contract, to allow her to balance her family life; spending the remaining day of the week at Cambridge Marketing College, after starting in August 2022 with 7 years left. She said: “The thing I enjoy the most is actually getting to do the job.

“I am not really a theory person so being able to work and learn from others on the job is a better way for me to learn and I look after our website. It’s become my baby since I joined, and I really enjoy it.

“To get everything across the line, I have to work with lots of external companies, other team

members and other departments, a lot goes on!” Platform Home Ownership are one of the largest housing associations in the Midlands, owning and managing over 48,000 homes.

The ever-expanding apprenticeship strategy has been the starting point for many individuals now working and making their careers in the industry. Providing Shared Ownership homes across the West Midlands, Platform allows customers to purchase a home at between 10% and 75% of the property’s full market value depending on the model purchased with. Platform has seen an increase in popularity in the Shared Ownership scheme. They have sold 55% more Shared Ownership homes between April 2021 and March 2022 compared to the previous year.

Joan added: “This apprenticeship has given me a door into a proper career and allowed me to tailor my work around my family.

Previously I just had jobs to pay the bills. Now I can see myself progressing in this industry and having a fruitful career.

Outside of work, Joanna has two little girls who love to dance, and spends a great deal of time helping them to pursue that passion. She concluded: “I guess that makes my hobby being a dance mum, taking them to their practises, competitions, and everything. “I just want to make sure I can give them the life that they deserve, and that I didn’t have growing up.” Sabina Cox, Marketing Manager at Platform Home Ownership, said: “It’s been a pleasure getting to know and working with Joanna.

“Her skills and work are improving all the time. It’s very exciting getting to witness her career journey as she starts out, and we all can’t wait to see what she accomplishes in the future.”

PIC - Catherine Furnival from Adoption@Heart appeals for new adopters at an information event at Portway Lifestyle Centre, Oldbury

ENTERPRISE MOBILITY AND NATIONAL LITERACY TRUST DONATE OVER 5,000 BOOKS TO CHILDREN

AS BOOK OWNERSHIP

FALLS TO

FIVE-YEAR LOW

E71 schools in Birmingham.

The donation is part of a larger initiative distributing 25,000 books across the UK. This comes amid findings from the National Literacy Trust that book ownership is at a five-year low among children and young people, with those from less advantaged backgrounds twice as likely to not have any books at home.

Tolá Okogwu’s Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun was chosen for this book drive. This captivating tale featuring a Black protagonist aims to promote diverse

representation in children's literature, allowing young readers to see themselves reflected in the stories they read and providing a glimpse into the lives and experiences of those who may be from different backgrounds.

Accompanying the book donations are free classroom resources and videos hosted by Cbeebies presenter Gyasi Sheppy and actress Sarah Lewis Obuba. Jason Vit, Head of Local Areas at the National Literacy Trust, emphasised the importance of fostering a love for reading among children: "Engaging children in the joy and fun of reading is an essential part of building those key literacy skills that will help them thrive at school, and for the rest of their lives.

“At the National Literacy Trust, we work across the UK in places facing the biggest challenges, including literacy levels. Through our partnership with Enterprise Mobility, we can reach more children who need the most support and fire their imaginations and love of reading with thrilling books like Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun."

Ryan Johnson, Managing Director for the UK and Ireland at Enterprise Mobility, said: “At Enterprise Mobility, we’re committed to supporting the communities where we operate, and we recognise the profound impact that access to books can have on a child's development and future opportunities.

“Through our partnership with

the National Literacy Trust, we are addressing the concerning decline in book ownership among children across the UK. Together, we are working to inspire young minds, promote diversity in literature, and empower children to unlock their full potential through reading.”

Through their partnership, Enterprise Mobility and the National Literacy Trust have now donated approximately 75,000 books to children across the UK, fostering a brighter future through the power of literature. This project is made possible by Enterprise Mobility's global ROAD Forward initiative, a £43 million commitment over five years aimed at advancing social and racial equity in communities

ST MARTIN'S CELEBRATES POSITIVE SIAMS INSPECTION RESULTS

Staff and pupils at St Martin's CE Primary School are celebrating the outcome of their recent Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS).

The SIAMS inspection evaluates how effective a school is in delivering a high-quality, distinctively Christian education. Inspector Beverley Roberts visited the Bradley school in December and, in her report published recently, found that 'love and care flows throughout St Martin’s, embracing all.' Her report highlights the school's strengths in several key areas, demonstrating its ongoing dedication to providing a nurturing and spiritually rich learning environment, and acknowledges the staff’s efforts in fostering an inclusive and supportive community, reflecting

the core values of compassion, respect, and resilience. And she concluded that St Martin’s Church of England Primary Academy is 'living up to its foundation as a Church school.'

Lauren Smith, Head of School, said: "We are immensely proud of our school's achievements in the SIAMS inspection. It reflects our commitment to integrating our Christian ethos in every aspect of school life, from curriculum to community engagement.

“Whilst we continuously strive for academic excellence, it is equally important for us to nurture our children’s moral development and ensure they have exciting, memorable experiences at school. The success of the SIAMS inspection is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the staff, pupils, and

the wider school community.

“The positive feedback serves as a motivation to the team at St Martin’s to further enhance provision for the children so they can let their light shine." Councillor Jacqui Coogan, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Work, said:

"This is a very good SIAMS report which demonstrates the positive impact that St Martin's is having on its pupils.

"SIAMS inspections are very exacting, and I would like to congratulate Lauren Smith and everyone connected to St Martin's on their success." The SIAMS inspection is an Ofsted Section 48 inspection that all schools designated as having a religious character have to undergo on a regular basis.

PIC - PIC - Pupils join Head of School Lauren Smith and Assistant Headteacher Sonja Brookbanks to celebrate St Martin’s Church of England Primary Academy’s successful Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS) outcome.

ADOPTION & FOSTERING

APPEAL FOR MORE ADOPTERS TO COME FORWARD TO GROW THEIR FAMILY

The regional adoption agency for the Black Country, Adoption@Heart, is appealing for more families to come forward this new year to adopt a child into a loving and permanent home.

Adoption@Heart is calling for all those who are considering growing their family, or would like some more information, to take the next step and get in touch.

Adopters are needed from all walks of life and families are particularly needed for older children, groups of brothers and sisters, children from an ethnic minority background, and children with additional needs.

There are some misconceptions around who can adopt, and many people mistakenly rule themselves out. Adoption@Heart - the Regional Adoption Agency for the Black Country, providing adoption services for City of Wolverhampton Council, Walsall Council, Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council and Sandwell Children’s Trust - wants to help combat those misconceptions by encouraging more people to come forward to find out more.

Lots of people adopt, whether single, living together, married, LGBTQ+, have a disability, in employment or not working, or already have children. Potential adopters must legally be a UK resident and have been

Fostering for Wolverhampton goes on tour in recruitment drive

The Fostering for Wolverhampton team is out and about with their upcoming Recruitment Roadshow from Monday 22 January, to Friday 2 February 2024.

There will be drop-in events in a variety of locations across the city and current foster parents as well as members of the Fostering for Wolverhampton team will be on hand to provide information and answer any questions people have about fostering. Councillor Chris Burden, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for

so for at least 12 months, as well as being aged 21 or over. There is no upper age limit.

Adoption@Heart’s Head of Service, Simon Green, said: “As the new year begins, we often find people enquire into adoption as they look back on the last year and consider the year ahead.

“We are always looking for people who can give children a secure home; giving them lots of individual time, understanding and love to help them reach their full potential. We welcome a diverse range of people, irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity or whether they have a faith or not.

"Being an adoptive parent may bring some challeng-

Children and Young People, said: “Giving children and young people the best possible start in life is a priority to the council.

“That’s exactly what being a foster parent for Wolverhampton is all about. Fostering can truly be a life-changing experience, both for foster parents and the young person they care for, and with, currently over 200 fantastic fostering households, we are very lucky to have so many dedicated foster parents here in our city.

“But we have more children who

es, but the rewards far outweigh any difficult moments. So, we are asking anyone who has thought about adoption, to get in touch or register for one of our information events to find out more and have a chat, as we are always here to support you every step of the way.”

It is easy to find out more about adoption at an information event which take place every two weeks. The events are the perfect place for those who are ready to start their adoption journey or would simply like more information.

need a foster home and so we’d love to hear from people who have both a spare room and of course love in their heart to give the most vulnerable children and young people in our city a family home.”

The upcoming Recruitment Roadshow is the perfect time for people to find out more about Fostering for Wolverhampton. For a detailed list of dates, times and locations, visit www.fosteringforwolverhampton.com/events.

Councillor Burden added: “At both the roadshow and during

online information sessions, Fostering for Wolverhampton staff and existing foster parents will provide an opportunity for you to find out more about this rewarding career, including the support and financial benefits on offer.” For people unable to attend the roadshow, the Fostering for Wolverhampton team hold regular online information events. The next takes place on Thursday 1 February 2024, from 6.30-7.30pm.

To book a place, visit https://bit. ly/47xpmuK.

PIC - Catherine Furnival from Adoption@Heart appeals for new adopters at an information event at Portway Lifestyle Centre, Oldbury

Fans rejoice at ex-One Direction's

Zayn’s Urdu single

EDITORS NOTE

Yes Street Credders, how are you all!

Have to say 2023 is looking amazing for the world of entertainment as the big old skool artists are coming over to UK and of course we are well in to get the exclusives.

We celebrate 25 years of Street Cred a true Birmingham legacy, a magazine that has been the eye of entertainment and letting you know whats hot and not whats not because that doesnt matter, if its in Street Cred you know its the top flavour.

Look out for the best places to go right here from Restaurants, to Bars and Concerts.

This is the lifestyle

Always cutting edge and representing the street culture positively!

Mark Dwayne

NOLLYWOOD BLOCKBUSTER BECOMES HIGHEST-EARNING NIGERIAN FILM

ANollywood film has smashed box office records, becoming the first Nigerian movie to earn 1bn naira ($1.1m; £900,000) in domestic theatres.

‘A Tribe Called Judah’ achieved the historic feat in just three weeks. Its creator - Nigerian actor, director and producer Funke Akindelehas thanked her fans for the milestone.

"Thank you, Lord! Thank you, Nigeria! Thank you, Ghana!" she posted on Instagram, garnering thousands of congratulations. The record cements Akindele,

46, as Nollywood's highest-grossing director.

‘A Tribe Called Judah’ is set to eclipse Hollywood hits in Nigerian theatre earnings, including the acclaimed superhero film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, which previously held the record as the top-grossing film in the country.

"This achievement isn't just about numbers; it's a testament to the power of storytelling, cultural pride, and the unyielding spirit of Nollywood," the film's distributor, FilmOne Entertainment, said on Instagram. It has hailed the film as a "cultural

RUPAUL’S DRAGCON 2024 HOSTS THE BIGGEST EVER CELEBRATION OF DRAG CULTURE IN THE UK

gem".

The company also praised Akindele, saying her commitment to storytelling has "etched a significant chapter in the vibrant tapestry of Nigerian cinema". ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ has received rave reviews from both critics and fans and is basking in high ratings on movie review platforms. The film - which portrays a scheme to rob a mall by five brothers whose mother was battling financial hardshipwas inspired by Akindele's late mother, whom she also dedicated the film to.

RuPaul’s DragCon UK, presented by World of Wonder, launched 2024 in spectacular style, welcoming a record-breaking 180 Drag Race queens from around the globe, thousands of delighted fans, and celebrities to ExCeL London.

The weekend of 14th and 15th January saw an abundance of style, talent and inclusivity as the best of the best of the world of drag came together from North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. On day one of the epic convention, RuPaul’s Drag Race Emmy-nominated judge and Executive Producer Michelle Visage ceremoniously cut the coveted pink ribbon, before the hottest queens from the global franchise strutted down the pink carpet to officially open the weekend of drag-tastic entertainment. The sparkling RuPaul’s Drag Race UK VS The World lineup was then revealed on stage, giving fans the exclusive first look at the cast which includes Choriza May, Hannah Conda, Keta Minaj and Le Grande Dame. Queens taking to the pink carpet for the iconic Queen’s Walk included Lawrence Chaney (UK Season 2 winner), Krystal Versace (UK Season 3

Phantom Parrot new film on top-secret British surveillance + Q&A with Director and Composer - in cinemas soon

Phantom Parrot unravels a secret British government surveillance programme and follows human rights activist Muhammad Rabbani as he is prosecuted under terror laws for refusing to hand over the passwords to his electronic devices, unveiling unsettling questions about the rule of law, modern espionage and digital privacy.

In this non-fiction thriller, Director Kate Stonehill has crafted a razor-sharp analysis that unravels the threads and interrogates our privacy in the era of information. If British police ask for the password to your phone or computer, you must hand it over to them in accordance with an anti-terror law that came into force prior to 9/11.

When human rights activist Muhammad Rabbani refuses and is prosecuted, a journalist is able to uncover documents proving the existence of

winner), Danny Beard (UK Season 4 winner) and the newly crowned winner of UK Season 5, Ginger Johnson.

RuPaul’s DragCon UK then played host to an amazing 100 Main Stage performances across the weekend which brought all the charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent to thousands of attendees.

Iconic Main Stage performances from Baga Chipz, Black Peppa, ChelseaBoy, Clover Bish, Divina De Campo, Drag Syndrome, Elektra Fence, Endigo, Fontana, Ginny Lemon, Joe Black, Kendall Gender, Keta Minaj, LaLa Ri, Nicky Doll, Pixie Polite, River Medway, Scarlett Harlett, Sister Sister, Tia Kofi, Tyomi Banks, Vanity Milan, Victoria Shakespears and many more, captivated fans.

Fans delighted in exclusive merchandise, signings and meet & greets with the queens at their booths plus a range of family fun activities in the Kids Zone sponsored by WildBrain’s Teletubbies. In a RuPaul’s DragCon UK first, WOW Presents Plus’ ‘Bring Back My Girls’ Series 3 hosted by Ts Madison reunited casts from around the globe to reflect on their seasons and catch up with where they are now.

The weekend saw two After Hours

a top-secret surveillance programme, codenamed Phantom Parrot, designed to copy the personal data of individuals at airports and border crossings. And from there, the dominoes start falling in all directions in a dark detective film about technology, surveillance and structural racism in a time where knowledge might still equal power but where data is even better.

Director Kate Stonehill said: “We are approaching a watershed moment when it comes to privacy.

“Whether it's the government or Google, institutions are encroaching on parts of our lives that they never previously had access to. How has this fundamental shift altered the way we relate to these powerful entities?

“Phantom Parrot is a story about how technology has redefined the relationship between the citizen and the state.”

Parties – one on the Friday night with an exclusive show by the UK season 5 cast and then on Saturday might with the Global Glamazons taking to the stage as the biggest party in drag continued.

Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato, Co-Founders of World of Wonder, said: "What a landmark weekend.

“No better way to celebrate 15 years of Drag Race than at DragCon UK. So grateful to everyone who was a part of this amazing celebration. Huge thanks to every single one of the fabulous 180 queens who came from all over the world, to Michelle Visage for hosting the Queens Walk on the pink carpet streaming exclusively on WOW Presents Plus, to TS Madison for hosting our first edition of Bring Back My Girls, and to the Teletubbies who truly represent the spirit of love and inclusiveness that DragCon is all about.

“And, of course, a big thank you to everyone who joined this joyous celebration and for being a part of this incredible family." Series 16 of RuPaul’s Drag Race is available exclusively in the UK via the streamer of all things drag, WOW Presents Plus at https://uk.wowpresentsplus.com/

Food & Fine Dining

JA MANAFARU MALDIVES

BRINGS BACK JAPANESE FLAMES WITH TEPPANYAKI GRILL

After a four-year hiatus this most exciting of dining experiences makes a comeback to JA Manafaru's island paradise.

The culinary team has employed a brand new, highly skilled master chef who is set to slice, dice and juggle before the very eyes of 12 lucky resort guests three nights per week from February 1st. After winning “Best Culinary Resort” award from TTM in 2023, Executive Chef Moosa Nazeer is excited to introduce The Tep-

panyaki Experience, offering a delectable menu starting with traditional miso soup before a selection of tempting entrées are presented including Nori Tempura Taco's.

Diners can then choose from the best seafood the Indian Ocean has to offer or a choice of meat from the resorts carefully selected Ethical Meat program including Cape Grim beef and Hazeldene's Chicken.

JA Manafaru introduced this program in 2023 to cater to the growing demand of travellers to know where their food

Gudrun, a leader in the development, production, packaging and marketing of real Belgian chocolates and truffles, has won the silver medal at ISM Cologne.

ISM is one of the world's leading trade shows for the sweets and snacks industry. Gudrun claimed the prize with UPPA, an innovative and sustainable cacaofruit

bite that is not only plant-based and delicious, but also comes in unique packaging made from agricultural waste.

Gudrun's cacaofruit bite is a confection with a special filling: the master chocolatiers at the Lier-based company have upcycled the white pulp that surrounds the cocoa bean – which is usually discarded with the waste – and incorporated it into the filling. The

comes from and that animals are treated humanely during the rearing process. This program is just one part of the resort's new sustainability and wellness initiatives. One of these programs, Wellness Your Way, which launched at the resort in 2023 with a gala dinner on World Food Day, 18th November, also features in the Teppanyaki Experience. As with all six restaurants on offer at this 5-star Maldives island, there are dedicated versions of the menu catering to Vegan/Vegetarian, Gluten

result? A fruit bite with a fruity, tangy flavour that balances the intense 76% dark chocolate.

And that flavour is one of the things that impressed the members of the independent and specialized jury at ISM Cologne. The jury – experts from industry, trade and science – presented awards to the three best innovations at the fair.

"This award is a tremendous recognition of Gudrun's pledge to do more for our planet and our future generations," said Sofie De Lathouwer, CEO of Gudrun.

"Our UPPA cacaofruit bites are a delicious and sustainable confection. It is a tribute to the unwavering commitment of our employees, who work hard every day to ensure that Gudrun, together with its customers and partners, contributes to a greener world."

One of the most exciting things

Free, Dairy Free and low carb eating lifestyles so all guests can enjoy the live cooking action at the Teppan grill.

Chef Moosa Nazeer commented: “I am beyond thrilled to reintroduce our Teppanyaki at JA Manafaru. This was previously one of our most popular dining experiences and we have taken the hiatus to refine and develop our offering and we can't wait to see our guests enjoying this once again”.

Dr Julia Sen is a Consultant Ophthalmic Plastic, Reconstructive & Cosmetic Surgeon.

Every month she shares her own observations from her 30 years of medical practice and over 50 years of life experience. Alongside her valuable observations, she shares monthly delicious and healthy recipes for you to recreate in your own kitchen.

Who doesn’t love hummus? It’s one of those rare foods that manages to be both indulgent and healthy. From its first documented description in 13th century Egypt, it has been a staple of Middle Eastern and East Mediterranean cuisine but enjoyed a mainly cult following in the UK until quite recently.

about UPPA is that Gudrun is actually minimising waste with this product. Normally, only 30% of the cocoa fruit – the bean in the centre of the fruit – is used to make chocolate.

The white pulp around the bean is perfectly edible but is usually thrown away. Given that 14 million tonnes of cocoa beans are harvested worldwide each year, this means that 70% of the crop ends up in the waste stream.

By upcycling, Gudrun has ensured that the pulp of the fruit plays a valuable role in the UPPA filling. The sustainability aspect of the product is one of the reasons why the jury at ISM Cologne selected Gudrun's creation for the award.

UPPA perfectly meets the expectations of the younger generations and other consumers concerned about the planet.

Now it’s a family favourite, whether dining out or simply raiding the fridge when the munchies strike; a treat that we can enjoy, guilt free. One of the reasons for its superfood status is the inclusion of olive oil, either within or served atop, so many people are dismayed to discover that few supermarket brands use this rich source of monounsaturated fat and anti-oxidants, substituting it for cheaper rapeseed. Also known as canola, this oil does not confer comparable health benefits. Studies suggest that, Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) especially, may reduce the risk of developing a multitude of chronic ailments, including diabetes, dementia, stomach ulcers, heart disease, inflammatory disorders and

even some cancers.

The great news is that hummus is as quick and easy to make as it is yummy! In this recipe I have used roasted red peppers but there are so many ways you can pimp it up both in terms of taste and health benefits by adding your own twist. Don’t worry about being generous with the EVOO – it will not lead to weight gain and may in fact help weight control. Chick peas (aka garbanzo beans) are high in protein and fibre.

They are also an excellent source of Tryptophan, the amino acid essential for making happy hormone, serotonin.

Ingredients

1 tin Chick Peas (drain and reserve aquafaba)

1 tbsp Tahini (sesame seed paste)

1/2 jar Roasted Red Peppers (approx 175g drained weight)

1 clove Garlic, crushed

2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil Juice of 1 Lemon*

Salt & black pepper

Spices (optional – here I used 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp paprika and some chilli flakes)

You should place all ingredients, except seasoning, into a food processor and blitz to your desired consistency. Add seasoning to taste. To increase fluidity, add some of the reserved aquafaba, water or additional olive oil.

* You can substitute for 1-2tbsp apple cider vinegar

One portion of this hummus recipe gives up to 11 of your 30 different weekly plants target. It’s just as delicious after freezing and defrosting.

Do feel free to exchange the peppers for cooked beetroot, green olives, sundried tomatoes or artichokes – the only limit to the possibilities is your imagination! Eat and be happy!

BELGIAN CHOCOLATE GROUP GUDRUN WINS SILVER AT LEADING TRADE FAIR WITH CACAOFRUIT BITES

MOTORS

KGM MOTORS UK DEALER PARTNERS CELEBRATE LONG SERVICE AWARDS CEREMONY

KGM Motors UK has awarded its longest serving dealers at a “Dealer Recognition Awards” event held at the Royal Lancaster hotel in London. The award recipients earned praise for their length of service of up to 20-years with the brand.

Kevin Griffin, managing director at KGM Motors UK, extended heartfelt congratulations and thanks to all the accolade recip-

ients: “Recognising our dealers for their exceptional commitment to our brand, and to our mutual customers, is important to us. We give thanks to their quality of service, dedication, and representation of KGM, and we are immensely proud of all of our dealer partnerships.

“Together we enter a very exciting phase as we rebrand from SsangYong to KGM Motors UK, and launch not one, but two fantastic new SUV models

imminently to our line-up – Torres and Torres EVX.” Formerly known as SsangYong Motors UK, KGM Motors has an exciting product portfolio with upcoming vehicle launches, starting with Torres in a 1.5 petrol variant, and Torres EVX pure electric variant. Both, which share the same platform, are C+ segment SUVs and embody the brand's new design philosophy, 'Powered by Toughness,' whilst retaining distinct

and authentic SUV characteristics. The event also launched new criteria for the brands ‘Dealer of the Year’ awards for early 2025, which will recognise KGM dealer excellence, and celebrate performance from across its network of 80 KGM dealer partners, honouring outstanding results in sales, aftersales, customer experience, and an overall dealer of the year category.

The full list of recipients for this years “Dealer Recognition

Awards” are:

• Chandlers of Grantham

• C S G Pollitt

• Frasers of Falkirk

• Klic Cars

• SERE Motor Group

• Autovillage Cheltenham

• Ullswater Road Garage

• Hepworth Motor Group

• Maple Garage

• Ian Allen Motors

• Westaway Motors

• B V Rees

• 20-years of service

• 20-years of service

• 10-years of service

• 10-years of service

• 10-years of service

• 10-years of service

• 10-years of service

• 10-years of service

• 10-years of service

• 10-years of service

• 10-years of service

• 10-years of service

The brand congratulates them all and looks forward to an exciting 2024.

RETROSPECTIVE OF PIONEERING SOUTH

AFRICAN ARTIST ESTHER MAHLANGU WITH HER BMW ART CAR ON VIEW

The Iziko Museums of South Africa and BMW have just presented ‘Then I Knew I Was Good at Painting:’ Esther Mahlangu. A Retrospective.

The exhibition, curated by Nontobeko Ntombela, highlights Esther Mahlangu's over 50-year long career and her rise as a contem-

porary artist, earning her global acclaim. The retrospective will be on view at Iziko South African National Gallery until August 11, 2024.

From there it will begin its global tour, stopping first at the Wits Art Museum in Johannesburg, South Africa, before moving to the United States in early 2026. Mahlan-

gu became the first African and woman to paint a BMW Art Car in 1991.

This collaboration marked a significant moment in the art world, blending African art with contemporary automotive design. Included in this exhibition will be Mahlangu's BMW 525i Art Car, returning to South Africa for the

ered art and the next addition to the legendary BMW Art Car Collection. Just as Roy Lichtenstein's (1977) and Jeff Koons' (2010) ‘rolling sculptures’, the 20th BMW Art Car will also celebrate its official world premiere at the Centre Pompidou in Paris on May 21, before competing with starting number 20 a few weeks later in the 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 15/16, 2024.

On the design process of the 20th BMW Art Car, she said: "It wasn't until after going to the 24 Hours race in Daytona last year that the idea of how to approach the BMW Art Car really crystallised.

“I was thinking about Frank Stella's grid and how this could also be a shout-out to former BMW Art Car artists. And I kept thinking of this painting in my studio that I had just finished, and the model of the Art Car was in my studio and I thought maybe we can try to have the car move through this painting."

first time in over 30 years.

The artist has been also recently selected to participate in the 60th International Art Exhibition - La Biennale di Venezia, curated by Adriano Pedrosa. "Mahlangu's journey is a testament to passion, innovation, and resilience," Curator Nontobeko Ntombela remarks.

She says: "The retrospective pays

homage to Esther Mahlangu's unique approach to art, which intersects African cultures with modernity and the contemporary. The exhibition celebrates Mahlangu's voice, agency, and pioneering spirit, symbolising her self-enunciation, self-determination and creativity."

Through the language of colour

and form, the exhibition charts Mahlangu's contribution to contemporary art close to seven decades. More than 100 artworks have been gathered from global collections. They have been placed alongside historic photographs and a short film.

Julie Mehretu

for the 20th BMW Art Car.

For this project, the internationally renowned artist combines her artistic work with a personal enthusiasm for automotive design and speed. She translates

dynamism into form and applies one of her monumental motifs from a two-dimensional picture plane onto a three-dimensional industrially designed object.

In the course of this creative process, the BMW M Hybrid V8 racing car prototype becomes the canvas of Julie’s multi-lay-

For the first time, Julie Mehretu (pic) is working with BMW on a three-dimensional format. The interplay of the surfaces and geometry of the vehicle design creates a remix of elements of her painting and opens up new perspectives for the artist in her process.

presents her first design studies

FANS REJOICE AT EX-ONE DIRECTION'S ZAYN’S URDU SINGLE

kistani immigrant to the UK. The song was quick to gain fans online - with some social media users urging Malik to release "more Urdu songs please".

"Some languages just make you feel things... I hope [Zayn] does more fully Urdu songs," said one user on X. Many Urdu speaking fans also celebrated the track, with one calling it a "gift for his fellow Pakistanis".

"Desi girls, wake up, Zayn Ma-

lik's one Urdu verse literally changed our lives," another X user chimed in. Malik's music career began in 2010 as part of One Direction, a boy band formed on British TV music competition, The X Factor. He released his debut album, Mind of Mine, in 2016. A song in his 2021 album, Nobody is Listening, also included Urdu lyrics. Aur, which comprises three members Ahad, Usama,

and Raffey, said the collaboration shows that "music has no boundaries".

"We're taking Pakistani music global, and we can't wait for the world to vibe to our music," Aur said. The Karachi-based band broke into Pakistan's music scene only in 2020, but have already proven a success in the region, with their music that blends R&B and Hip-Hop elements.

ZMalik said he was "incredibly

ayn Malik's collaboration with popular Pakistani band Aur has given fans much to celebrate - with many psyched that the British singer is fluent in Urdu.

A remake of Aur's breakout hit

Tu Hai Kahan features the exOne Direction singer providing vocals in Urdu. The original version of the song has more than 95m views though the remake, released last Friday, is fast catching up, with 3m views.

humbled" when Aur reached out to him. "I love the song and have brought some of myself to it. I hope people love what we've done," he said.

The 31-year-old was born in Bradford, England, but has Urdu roots - his father is a Pa-

PEOPLE CALLING FOR BOB MARLEY TO BE JAMAICA’S NEXT NATIONAL HERO

While Jamaicans’ love for a good, emotional legacy from their national heroes, Bob Marley is just as good a representative of their people as their heroes, Sam Sharpe, Nanny, George William Gordon, Alexander Bustamante, Norman Manley, Paul Bogle, and Marcus Garvey.

He was not a politician and did not engineer the country’s quest for independence; neither was he a freedom fighter who gave his life for a cause. But he was a man of courage and will, ready for the challenge of change. Since two former premiers, Manley and Bustamante, were bestowed National Hero status, many say Michael Manley, who was loved and regarded as the most strategic Prime Minister, should also be in the conversation about the country’s next National

Hero. Michael Manley was said to have significantly changed the vision, status, mental landscape, and outlook of a nation and got the world as a whole to fall behind, but that is for another article.

Also, since there is yet to be a push for Michael Manley to be a National Hero, many are continuing their quest to help bring awareness to why Bob Marley deserves this national honour. The decision, it’s said, should not be political or emotional.

Instead, it should be a logical and transparent committee decision. The facts should be examined critically so that the people can feel satisfied and proud that the efforts of our leadership and the bestowing of national honours are in congruence with their wishes.

Understanding more about life today, people can decide what they will. Paul Bogle put himself

in harm’s way, was arrested, and died for freedom and the abolishment of slavery.

The same happened to George William Gordon, who received an early release from enslavement from his father. He was arrested and killed because he supported Paul Bogle, wanted better treatment for Black people, and disagreed with the Governor on the matter, and as a result was hung.

Nanny fought against oppression and for the freedom of enslaved people. Over a 30-year period, she was credited with freeing more than 1000 people from enslavement.

There was immense pressure in the 1970s from citizens who called for a female National hero.

Nanny was named the sixth hero in 1975, in a move that was also aligned with encouraging equality in salaries for women at the time.

Care organisations warned on bed safety deadline

injuries to patients.

National law firm Clarke Willmott LLP medical negligence specialists are drawing attention to the National Patient Safety Alert issued by the Medical and Healthcare Regulations Agency (MHRA) in August last year.

The alert gives organisation until March 1 this year to take action.

This followed cases of death and serious injuries to children and adults of small stature using beds that are designed for adults with typical body dimensions. Isabel Harper (pic), clinical negligence solicitor at Clarke Willmott, said: “It is vital that everyone involved in the issue and operation of medical beds takes the action required in the days left before the deadline.

“There were 18 deaths between January 2018 and December 2022 and the impact of those deaths is still being felt by the families concerned. The deaths and serious injuries are being caused by entrapment in the beds.

“The National Patient Safety Alert has a seven-point action demand for organisations. They must update their policies, develop training plans for staff, update risk assessments and implement maintenance and service regimes.

“But the most vital part of the alert calls on them to review any children or adults with atypical anatomy that have been issued with beds to ensure they have a bed that meets the required standard and does not put them at risk. Many children are issued with beds to be used at home with families given little or no warning of the danger.

“Non-compliant beds should be replaced as soon as possible - organisations will struggle to stand up to scrutiny if these actions are not taken. These are preventable deaths and often there are reasonably low-cost bed guards or other pieces of equipment that can prevent them happening.”

Clarke Willmott is acting for a family following the death of a loved one as a result of the inappropriate issue of their bed and mattress and the subsequent Inquest. The case also involves a lack of maintenance and risk assessment of the prescribed equipment. Full details of the actions to be taken can be found on the Government website MHRA National Patient Alert.

HOW TO GET HEALTH INFORMATION AND ADVICE AT YOUR FINGERTIPS WITH FREE NHS APP

Residents in Wolverhampton are being encouraged to download the latest version of the free NHS app so they can access health services and information at their fingertips.

The app, available from the AppStore and Google Play, was launched in December 2018, and provides a digital route to a wide, and increasing, range of NHS health and care services.

Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City

of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing, said: "The NHS app is a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services and information on your smartphone or tablet.

“Millions of people are already using the NHS app to manage their health the easy way from the comfort of their homes. If you are over the age of 16 the app enables you to view your GP health record to help you better understand and manage your

condition, without having to phone your GP surgery.

“With the app you can access your consultation notes, letters and test results. It also enables you to manage repeat prescriptions and easily change your nominated pharmacy, so you can send orders when it’s convenient for you.

“Each prescription ordered electronically saves GP practices three minutes of time and a patient 18 minutes, making it more convenient for people and free-

ing up frontline staff to do other important duties. The app makes it easy to access your appointment information and manage your hospital appointments.

“You can also find out your NHS number and access NHS 111 online to get instant advice or medical help near you. So, if you aren't already, why not start using the NHS app today?"

For more information, including how to download the app, please visit www.nhs.uk/nhsapp.

Help Harry Help Others’ Georgie Moseley marks Harry’s 24th Birthday with 24hr dance challenge

Thursday 22nd February 2024 would have been the 24th birthday of the inspirational, Harry Moseley (pic).

It is also six years since Harry's mum, Georgie Moseley, launched the ‘Help Harry Help Others’ cancer support centre. To mark the special day, she is completing a sponsored 24-hour dance challenge at the centre, raising funds to support the charity’s services and driving awareness of their latest appeal, Hero365.

The Hero365 appeal is searching for 365 people to raise £850 over 365 days, the cost for one day's running of the centre. Georgie will be joined by a number of local community dance groups; from Bollywood inspired performances, Street Dance, Zumba and even Burlesque. Georgie will be dancing non-stop at the centre - stopping only for comfort breaks. You can find out more on the Help Harry Help Others website.

NIGERIAN BANK APPOINTS

NEW CEO

MS. BOLAJI AGBEDE

NIGERIAN BANK APPOINTS NEW CEO

Access Bank, one of Nigeria's largest banks, has appointed a temporary replacement for CEO Herbert Wigwe, who died alongside five others in a helicopter crash last Friday. Bolaji Agbede, Access Bank's most senior founding executive director, will assume the CEO position in acting capacity, the bank's parent company, Access Holdings Plc, announced in a statement.

Ms Agbede joined Access Bank in 2003 and has nearly 30 years of experience in banking and business consultancy, the company said.

In a statement, Abubakar Jimoh,

chair of Access Holdings, said: “The appointment of Bolaji Agbede is in alignment with our robust succession planning practices. We are strongly convinced that with her being the company’s most senior executive would provide the much-needed leadership to steer the company towards the attainment of its strategic vision.”

Wigwe's chartered helicopter was on its way from Palm Springs to Boulder City in Nevada in the US when it went down, about 96km (60 miles) from Las Vegas.

According to Nigerian media, the 57-year-old banker was on his way to Las Vegas to attend Sunday's Super Bowl. Wigwe founded

Access Bank in 1989. It became the largest bank in Nigeria in 2018 after it acquired its main competitor, Diamond Bank. The share price of Access Holdings tumbled 6.26% following the news of Wigwe’s death along with his wife, son, and three other passengers, including Abimbola Ogunbanjo, the former chair of the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX), aboard a helicopter identified as a Eurocopter EC130 by the US Federal Aviation Administration which was bound for Las Vegas. Access Holding (ACCESSCORP) was the highest traded stock on the Nigerian Exchange week.

Appeals Court lifts U.S. ban on latest Apple Watch models

Tech giant Apple Inc. has successfully lifted the ban on the sale of its latest smartwatch models in the US, following a 11th hour appeals court ruling. The decision allows the company to resume its smartwatch business across US stores and online platforms.

Apple’s smartwatch sales had been on a pause due to a ruling made by the US International Trade Commission (ITC). Acting in favour of a claim by medical device manufacturer Masimo Corp., the ITC had ordered a halt on the import and sale of certain Apple smartwatch models in the US.

The ban followed accusations by Masimo Corp. that Apple infringed on its patented blood-ox-

ygen technology in the manufacturing of their smartwatches. This resulted in the ITC’s decision to suspend the sale of these products in the US to protect the interest of Masimo Corp.

However, following an appeal court judgement on Wednesday 27th Dec, Apple has announced the resumption of sales for its Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2. US retail outlets are set to have the smartwatches back on shelves this Wednesday. Meanwhile, online sales are expected to resume by Thursday noon Pacific time.

The decision to lift the ban acts as a quick relief for Apple’s wearables, home, and accessories segment, which includes Apple Watch, generating $8.28 billion in revenue in Q3 2023.

With a love for all things tech and a gift for breaking down complex subjects into bite-sized pieces, I aim to dish out smart and practical tips to help my readers conquer the ever-shifting digital landscape. I hope to enlighten and inform (and sometimes amuse) my readers with the intel they need to make savvy decisions.

In conversation with Dee Burrowes

The Life Changing Power of Love: Delving into the Psychology Behind Valentine's Day Celebrations

Love is the light, chasing darkness away.

Love, an all-embracing emotion that has enchanted our hearts and minds throughout history that has been noted in various forms of art, literature, and psychology.

Valentine's Day often brings the centre of attention sharply onto the concept of love. What if we could make use of this powerful emotion beyond just one day?

Valentine's Day, a day dedicated to expressing love and affection, has become a global actuality

celebrated by millions each year. Can we decipher what really lies beneath the surface of this romantic holiday?

Why is it that mankind feels so compelled to shower their loved ones with gifts and fondness on this particular day?

Love holds so much strength and intensity. It inspires us, motivates us, frightens us, enlightens us, brings us together, and sets us apart.

In a world, often overshadowed by disruption and friction, there exists a force so profound, so in-

trinsic to the human experience, that it has the power to shape destinies, heal wounds, and go beyond barriers.

Love, in its countless forms serve as a beacon of hope, a guiding light that illuminates the very fabric of our lives with warmth and meaning. From the bonds of familial affection to the tender embrace of romantic partnership, love weaves its threads through our existence, reminding us of our shared humanity and the interrelatedness of all beings.

Love can be an enriching emotion that can be practiced toward friends, families, romantic partners, the universe, God, or oneself. Losing any form of love may be considered one of the most painful experiences. Gaining it may be considered one of the happiest moments of your life?

Let's delve into the psychology behind Valentine's Day celebrations and how they impact our lives.

Love, the most captivating and enchanting emotion, that can

revolutionise our lives in unthinkable approaches, touching the chasmic essence of our souls and kindling a spark of hope within us. It is a magical journey that takes us on a whirlwind of emotions, leaving us breathless yet exhilarated, as we navigate the highs and lows with resilience and grace. Falling in love is like unearthing a treasure chest filled with joy, happiness, and inner peace, as it opens our hearts to new possibilities and connects us with the soul of our existence.

“Let us not only fall in love, let us live life as if life is our love affair.” Debasish Mridh. Love, in all its forms, holds the mythical power to shape and nourish our lives. Its mind-blowing quality goes beyond individual experiences and extends into relationships. Love has a imaginative power that can bring about positive changes in our lives. As we started to have familiarity with love, our brains release hormones like oxytocin, which promotes feelings of bonding, trust and happiness.

Though love for others is indispensable, it is justly valuable to cultivate self-love. Self-love necessitates accepting, believing and valuing oneself, recognising

our strengths and weaknesses, and practicing self-care as a regular routine. When we love ourselves, we are better equipped to love and care for others, shaping

a positive ripple effect in our relationships and the world around us. Love gets hold of the power to rise above boundaries and remold even the most challenging

relationships. It outstrips differences and prefers to focus on shared humanity. Love is not a passive feeling however it is an active commitment to treat yourself and others with kindness, respect, and compassion. When we choose to love our enemies, we break the cycle of hostility and create an atmosphere where healing and restoration of harmony become possible.

When souls come together in love, they forge an unbreakable bond, fortified by shared experiences, trust, and affection.

One significant aspect of Valentine's Day is the social pressure to participate in the societal activities. From advertisements to social media posts, the message is clear: if you're in a relationship, you should celebrate it lavishly. This societal expectation can lead to feelings of obligation and anxiety, especially for those who may not have a romantic partner or are in long-distance relationships.

Valentine's Day provides an opportunity for people to express their feelings openly. Psychologically, expressing love and affection has numerous benefits, including strengthening bonds, boosting mood, and enhancing overall well-being. Whether it's through heartfelt cards, thoughtful gifts, or romantic gestures, the act of expressing love can deepen emotional connections and foster intimacy in relationships.

For many individuals, Valentine's Day can evoke a wide range of emotions, depending on their relationship status and past experiences. While some may feel joy, excitement, and appreciation, others may experience loneliness, sadness, or disappointment. These emotional

responses can be influenced by factors such as past traumas, societal comparisons, and personal expectations.

Rituals and traditions associated with Valentine's Day, such as exchanging gifts, going on romantic dates, or writing love letters, play a significant role in shaping our experiences and perceptions of the holiday. These rituals not only serve as symbolic gestures of love but also help reinforce social norms and expectations surrounding romantic relationships.

Although Valentine's Day is often associated with romantic love, it's also an opportunity to practice self-love and self-care.

Engaging in activities that promote self-care, such as pampering oneself, practicing mindfulness, or spending quality time alone, can be empowering and nurturing, regardless of relationship status.

Valentine's Day serves as a reminder of the power of love in our lives, both romantically and emotionally. It's essential to remember that love comes in many forms and should be celebrated year-round. Whether you're showering your partner with affection or indulging in self-care, the most important aspect of Valentine's Day is the opportunity to express and experience love in its many beautiful manifestations.

Beyond its capacity to soothe and console, love possesses the remarkable ability to catalyse transformation within us and others. It is through love that we find the courage to confront our fears, to embrace vulnerability, and to strive for personal growth. Whether through the nurturing bonds of parenthood or the transformative power of

romantic devotion, love inspires us to transcend our limitations, to aspire towards greatness, and to become the best versions of ourselves.

Like pebbles cast into a tranquil pond, acts of love have a ripple effect that reverberates far beyond their initial gesture. A kind word spoken, a selfless deed performed – these seemingly small acts have the power to create profound and lasting change in the lives of others. Through our capacity to love and be loved, we become agents of positive change, imbuing the world with greater compassion, understanding, and goodwill.

As we are often fraught with division and discord, love stands as a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit. It is a force that knows no boundaries, transcending differences of race, religion, and creed. As we navigate the complexities of existence, let us heed the call of love – to cherish one another, to cultivate empathy and understanding, and to embrace the transformative potential that lies within each one of us. For in the end, it is love that sustains us, that gives meaning to our lives, and that binds us together in a tapestry of shared humanity.

Love, in its purest form, is an inexhaustible source of healing and transformation. As we extend the spirit of Valentine's Day throughout the year, we open ourselves to the endless possibilities that love brings to our healing journey. Let's embrace love not just as an emotion, but as a vital component of our energy healing practices.

Contributor’s BioDee Burrowes, Certified Professional Coach, NLP Practitioner, Speaker, Trained Teacher, International Awards Judge, Associate Governor, Mental Health and Behavioural Disorder Coach.

In 2020, Dee was featured in global publications, awarded for her work in Life Coaching and Hotel, Tourism Education 2022.

Newly awarded winner in the Caribbean Global Awards in the category of Journalism and Literary September 2023.

“Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.” —Princess Diana.

Holiday and

Travel

Secretary-General of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO), Dona Regis-Prosper, has welcomed 2024 by recognizing January as the organisation’s 35th anniversary and inviting regional tourism stakeholders to join the CTO in a yearlong journey of celebrating the rich tapestry of cultures, landscapes and experiences that define the Caribbean.

Introducing the CTO’s theme for this year; ‘Connecting the Globe, Celebrating Diversity’, Regis-Prosper explained that it underscores the CTO’s commitment to inclusivity, cultural exchange, and sustainable tourism practices. “This is a call to embrace the uniqueness of each destination while recognizing the shared thread that binds us together as one vibrant and diverse Caribbean family,” she stated.

The Secretary-General reflected on the resilience and recovery of the Caribbean tourism sector in 2023, acknowledging the challenges faced and the collective strength demonstrated. “Our Caribbean tourism sector demonstrated remarkable strength and adaptability in the face of challenges and uncertainties,” she noted. She added: “We persevered, worked together, and welcomed

CTO CELEBRATES 35 YEARS BY ANNOUNCING 2024 THEME

visitors back to our beautiful destinations.” Regis-Prosper highlighted the successful reintroduction of hallmark CTO events, including Caribbean Week in New York and the State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC), and the revitalization of tourism offerings in the region, “ensuring the safety and satisfaction of all who chose to experience the magic of the Caribbean.”

The Secretary-General also noted the strides made by members in sustainable tourism, and the

CTO’s ongoing focus on effective communication. She emphasized the critical role of research in reimagining Caribbean tourism and positioning the CTO as a leading research authority in the field.

She underscored the importance of the region hosting the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in June, describing the tournament as an opportunity to showcase the region’s hospitality, cultural richness, and sporting prowess to the global community. The tourism executive invited stakeholders to

join the CTO in its endeavours to promote the region, expressing eagerness to engage with industry officials at upcoming CTO events such as the Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development, April 22-24, 2024, in Grenada.

The 25-member intergovernmental organisation’s priorities for the new year include sustainable tourism, membership services, communication and market engagement, research, and the revitalization of the CTO.

Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape launches exclusive women's retreat with Beyond

This exclusive retreat is a celebration of womanhood, crafted by women for women. The programme blends a holistic approach to personal empowerment and self-discovery with the serene natural splendour of Bali to nurture mind, body and soul. The retreat is led by two distinguished practitioners: Beata, a life coach and psychologist known for her expertise in guiding individuals towards a deep-

Costa Rica's tourism poised to grow by $1.34b in 2028

The tourism market in Costa Rica is estimated to grow by USD 1.34 billion from 2023 to 2028, growing at a CAGR of 5.76%.

The tourism market in Costa Rica is concentrated owing to the presence of many global and regional companies. A few prominent companies that offer tourism market in Costa Rica are American Express Co., BCD Travel Services BV, Bella Aventura Costa Rica, Booking Holdings Inc., Carlson Inc., Costa Rican Trails, Direct Travel Inc., Expedia Group Inc., Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd., G Adventures, Imagenes Tropicales S.A., The Costa Rican Tourism Institute, Thomas Cook India Ltd., Thrillophilia, and Intrepid Group Pty Ltd.

The international segment will contribute the largest share of the market. The country has emerged as a popular international tourism destination in recent years be-

cause of its rich biodiversity, stunning landscapes, and commitment to sustainable ecotourism.

The country offers a unique experience to travellers from around the world, attracting a diverse range of visitors. Zip-lining, white-water rafting, and surfing are some of the popular activities that adventure seekers prefer to do in the country.

Similarly, nature enthusiasts enjoy wildlife spotting, birdwatching, and exploring Costa Rica's many nature reserves. Furthermore, wellness and yoga retreats have also gained popularity, where tourists can indulge in relaxation and rejuvenation amidst the country's serene surroundings.

Hence, owing to the country's natural beauty, commitment to sustainability, well-developed infrastructure, and diverse range of activities, Costa Rica's tourism is estimated to flourish at an international level.

er understanding of themselves and the empowerment to shape their reality; and Kimberley, a yoga and meditation expert who guides participants on a dynamic journey of inner peace, self-connection, and personal growth through movement and mindfulness practices.

A curated tapestry of activities will include including mindset reframing, mind training and somatic practice. The daily itinerary will include a curated tapestry of activities such as:

• Grounding Vinyasa

• Breathwork

• Ice Bath

• Restorative Yoga

• Jungle Trekking

• Fire Ritual

• Evening Meditation

• Canang Compass

• Soul Freedom Journey Nestled in the Buahan valley of Bali, Banyan Tree Escape is the perfect backdrop for this life-enhancing experience, directly engaging with nature in its unique no walls, no doors concept. Beyond is a digital wellbeing companion with a meticulously curated retreats programme, guided by distinguished practitioners applying its codified framework of eight pillars of wellbeing.

A place on the seven-day Buahan Women's Retreat starts from £4,600 based on two sharing.

The retreat includes: accommodation in a jungle pool; daily brunch, dinner and refreshments; roundtrip airport transfers; a pre-retreat wellbeing assessment call; daily group sessions and workshops; wellbeing activities; one massage and local Balinese cultural experiences.

A further programme of retreats is planned for 2024/2025 with dates to be announced.

VIRGIN GORDA EASTER FESTIVAL ABOUNDS WITH ACTIVITIES FOR 57TH YEAR

The unique Virgin Gorda Easter Festival Celebration kicks off the annual hurrah when a bevy of beautiful and talented teens vie for the title of Miss Teen Virgin Gorda Easter Festival this month.

The Virgin Gorda Easter Festival, now in its 57th year, is an annual event that culminates over the Easter Weekend and showcases BVI culture in pageantry, cuisine, musical entertainment, exhibitions

and pure revelry. The pageantry continues with the Prince and Princess Show on Saturday, 16th March and the Miss Virgin Gorda Show on Saturday, 23rd March.

The action begins to heat up from Saturday, 30th March, with a car show, a cultural food fair and the opening of the Festival Village featuring live entertainment, mouthwatering local cuisine and beverages. Action continues Sunday, 31st March, with the family-friendly Ralph T. O’Neal Hat

Parade and the Annual Easter Egg Hunt.

The evening concludes with Village Entertainment and a Wet Fete.

The Virgin Gorda Easter Festival will culminate with revelry in high gear on Easter Monday, 1st April with the Rise and Shine Tramp, Easter Festival Parade and the Last Lap with the final night of entertainment at the festival village.

Extending an open invitation to the festival, British Virgin Islands Director of Tourism Clive McCoy

said: “The BVI Tourist Board is pleased to work in tandem with the community of Virgin Gorda to host the 57th Virgin Gorda Easter Festival Celebrations. We will soon announce an exciting lineup of regional and local entertainment which, combined with pageants for all ages and other activities, will make this an Easter Festival to remember.

“We look forward to welcoming visitors from our neighbouring islands and beyond the region to

The Moorings and Sunsail welcome new fleet delivery to BVI

The Moorings, the world’s premier yacht charter provider, and its sister company Sunsail are thrilled to announce positive developments for their charter operations in BVI (the British Virgin Islands) to kick off the 2024 calendar year.

The Moorings & Sunsail operate the largest fleet of charter yachts in the BVI, and recently welcomed the arrival of 78 new yachts: 19 new monohulls, 35 new sailing catamarans, and 24 new power catamarans to their BVI fleet, with a combined value of $70M. This brings the operators’ combined charter fleet to 254 yachts – a welcome influx of inventory in time for peak sailing season in the Caribbean and another step in the continuous renewal of the sister companies’ fleets.

In addition, The Moorings & Sunsail operation has undergone an extensive hiring process, also in response to increased demand. One of the largest employers in the Virgin Islands, The Moorings & Sunsail Marina now boasts a workforce of 300 employ-

ees. “As a business we have invested heavily in our BVI operation,” says Josie Tucci, VP of Sales & Marketing for The Moorings and Sunsail.

“As the largest charter operator in the world’s most popular charter destination, we take great care to ensure a welcoming experience for our guests and have gone to great lengths to maximize the guest experience through our marina revitalization project, and new fleet replenishment. Ultimately our aim is to provide an unparalleled customer experience to the many thousands of visitors we welcome each year.”

Charter business in the British Virgin Islands is enjoying double-digit growth annually, reinforcing the notion that this is the “sailing capital of the Caribbean”. Visitors are also enjoying the improved ease of access with new direct flights from Miami to Tortola. Ultimately, with demand for charter vacations in the islands soaring, The Moorings & Sunsail remain primed to help usher this demand into a successful 2024 and beyond for the territory.

Prominent Virgin Gorda businessman Rupert “Buck” Vanterpool Sr. has been named as the honouree of the 57th Virgin Gorda Easter Festival.

Each year, the Virgin Gorda Easter Festival Committee names the festivities in honour of someone who has made significant contributions to the success of the festival over the years. A statement from the Virgin Gorda Easter Festival Committee commended Mr. Vanterpool saying: “Rupert's commitment to community extends far beyond the aisles of his supermarket.

“He and his company (Buck’s Food Market) have been steadfast supporters of the Virgin Gorda Easter Festival, generously sponsoring village events, pageants, and Festival Troupes, ensuring that this cherished tradition continues to flourish and enrich the lives of all who partake in its festivities.” The statement also noted Mr. Vanterpool’s progression from humble beginnings with a small superette at the Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour, to further expansion at that venue, and lastly, the establishment of a supermarket on Tower Road in Valley, Virgin Gorda. Director of Tourism Clive McCoy commended the Festival Committee on their continued hard work and collaboration and stated: “I have known Mr. Vanterpool for many years and respect and admire him not only as a businessman but as a community man, an individual who loves and supports his community with or without fanfare. It is quite fitting to bestow honour on such individuals when they can appreciate it and enjoy the celebration.

“I extend congratulations to Mr. Vanterpool on receiving this

Japanese Defence Ministry eases haircut rules for troops

New recruits to the Japanese military will be allowed to have longer hair in a bid to attract more young people, the country's defence ministry has said.

The announcement comes as Japan struggles with a shortage of soldiers in the face of growing concerns about China and North Korea. Only buzz cuts were allowed for male recruits, and short hair for females. But from April, the rules will be relaxed to allow troops to have longer hair. Under the new rules, male troops will be allowed to have short back and sides with longer hair on top.

Female personnel will be allowed to have longer hair - but cannot fall onto the shoulders when it is tied up while in uniform - and does not interfere with the wearing of a helmet.

According to the Kyodo news agency, news of the relaxed rule was first reported in January during an expert panel meeting tasked with boosting troop numbers for Japan's Self-Defence Forces (JSDF).

Defence minister Minoru Kihara said during that meeting: "As our nation faces a serious workforce shortage, we recognize competition with others, including the private

well-deserved honour.” In describing Mr. Vanterpool’s endearing qualities the statement continued:

“Beyond his entrepreneurial endeavours, Rupert Vanterpool Sr. is a beacon of warmth and hospitality, a man whose infectious smile and genuine warmth have endeared him to locals and visitors alike.

“He is not merely a purveyor of goods but a purveyor of goodwill, fostering lasting friendships and

sector, to secure talent has been intensifying." The role of Japan's military since World War Two has been exclusively defensive in line with the country's pacifist constitution. The bid to drive up recruitment comes as Japan grapples with China's rapid military build-up and North Korea's expanding missile and nuclear programs. Last year, Japan announced it would substantially boost its defence spending over the next five years, but the JSDF has been struggling to hit recruitment targets, with officials saying the army is operating at 10% below capacity.

The Japan Times has reported that on top of a declining birth rate and having the world's oldest population, low morale due to poor pay and allegations of sexual harassment has also hindered recruitment.

Last year it was reported that the country's defence ministry was also considering moves to allow people with tattoos to join the JSDF.

Tattoos have long been taboo in Japan, where they are associated with yakuza organised crime gangs. Officials have acknowledged that many people who have tattoos are not gangsters and the ban was hindering recruitment.

meaningful connections with all who cross his path.” Virgin Gorda Easter Festival will be celebrated throughout March beginning with Miss Teen Virgin Gorda Easter Festival Pageant on Saturday, 2nd March 2024, continuing with pageants, festival village entertainment, cultural food fair, hat parade, Easter Egg Hunt, and culminating with the Easter Monday Parade on 1st April, 2024.

People calling for Bob Marley to be Jamaica’s next National Hero

While Jamaicans’ love for a good, emotional legacy from their national heroes, Bob Marley is just as good a representative of their people as their heroes, Sam Sharpe, Nanny, George William Gordon, Alexander Bustamante, Norman Manley, Paul Bogle, and Marcus Garvey. He was not a politician and did not engineer the country’s quest for independence; neither was he a freedom fighter who gave his life for a cause. But he was a man of courage and will, ready for the challenge of change.

Since two former premiers, Manley and Bustamante, were bestowed National Hero status, many say Michael Manley, who was loved and regarded as the most strategic Prime Minister, should also be in the conversation about the country’s

next National Hero. Michael Manley was said to have significantly changed the vision, status, mental landscape, and outlook of a nation and got the world as a whole to fall behind, but that is for another article.

Also, since there is yet to be a push for Michael Manley to be a National Hero, many are continuing their quest to help bring awareness to why Bob Marley deserves this national honour.

The decision, it’s said, should not be political or emotional. Instead, it should be a logical and transparent committee decision. The facts should be examined critically so that the people can feel satisfied and proud that the efforts of our leadership and the bestowing of national honours are in congruence with their wishes.

Understanding more about life today, people can decide what they will. Paul Bogle put himself in harm’s way, was arrest-

ed, and died for freedom and the abolishment of slavery.

The same happened to George William Gordon, who received an early release from enslavement from his father. He was arrested and killed because he supported Paul Bogle, wanted better treatment for Black people, and disagreed with the Governor on the matter, and as a result was hung.

Nanny fought against oppression and for the freedom of enslaved people. Over a 30-year period, she was credited with freeing more than 1000 people from enslavement.

There was immense pressure in the 1970s from citizens who called for a female National hero. Nanny was named the sixth hero in 1975, in a move that was also aligned with encouraging equality in salaries for women at the time.

Rupert “Buck” Vanterpool Sr. named 2024 Virgin Gorda Easter Festival honouree

CATA WINS EXCELENCIAS AWARD FOR FOSTERING AI IN CENTRAL AMERICA’S TOURISM

The Central American Tourism Promotion Agency (CATA) received for the fifth time the Award for Excellence in Tourism, granted by the Excelencias Group, during the 44th edition of the International Tourism Trade Fair FITUR, which is being held at the IFEMA venue in Madrid, Spain. The award is given to tourism projects, companies or institutions that stand out throughout the year for relevant actions, significant ideas or creative plans that made a difference in the tourism sector during the year 2023, becoming a benchmark for the field of tourism and gastronomy in Ibero-America. On this occasion, CATA was selected for its significant contribution to the digitalization and innovation of the industry through the implementation of a workshop to pro-

mote a new generation of tourism products in Central America and the Dominican Republic through the use of artificial intelligence. This initiative fostered collaborative work among more than 30 tour operator companies in the region for the conceptualization and development of unique tourism products through new technologies. The use of artificial intelligence helped to optimize tourism experiences, stimulate innovation in the industry and contribute to the positioning of Central America and the Dominican Republic as a cutting-edge destination.

For its high impact and contribution to the strengthening of tourism MSMEs in the region, it was awarded in the category Tourism Excellence Awards 2023. The award was received by Mr. Boris Iraheta, Secretary General of CATA, together with

Ms. Anasha Campbell, Minister of Tourism of Nicaragua, Ms. Reizel Vilorio, Vice Minister of Tourism of Honduras, Mr. Edwin Alberto Guerra, Chargé d'Affaires Economiques of the Embassy of El Salvador in Spain, Ms. Silvia Orozco, Executive Director of CATA, and Ms. Silvia Orozco, Executive Director of CATA. Silvia Orozco, Executive Director of the Salvadoran Chamber of Tourism (CASATUR) and Mr. Carlos Umaña, President of CASATUR and President Pro Tem pore of the Federation of Central American Chambers of Tourism (FEDECATUR).

The Excelencias Awards were created in 2005 by the Excelen cias Group with the purpose of promoting excellence in different fields related to tourism, gastron omy and culture in Ibero-Amer ica.

JAMAICAN CONSULATE MOVING TO NEW ADDRESS IN NEW YORK

The Jamaican Consulate in New York, located in Manhattan, has announced that it will be moving to a new location in the city.

The new address will be 300 East 42nd Street, at the intersection of 42nd Street and 2nd Avenue, a 237,000 square feet 18-storey full block office building just two blocks from Grand Central train station. As a result, the consulate’s location at 767 Third Avenue, at the corner of Third Ave and East 48th Street is closed to the public - March 8.

In a notice posted to its social media sites, the consulate said that all consular services to the public will be temporarily suspended during the period of closure. However, for people requiring emergency services, assistance will be available via

email.

The move was originally planned for this month, but a number of finishing touches are being done to the new location.

The relocation will end some 20 years at its current location in Manhattan, New York to which it had moved in 1993.

The new location will provide much more space than exists at the current location, with the consulate slated to occupy two and a half floors in the building.

Consul General Alsion Wilson said that the new waiting room will be larger and the space will provide more comfort. Several enhanced security features are also expected to allow for the safety of the staff and visitors to the consulate offices.

While she did not give details, it is understood that one of the security features will be bullet-

Samba school pays tribute to Black women a winner at Rio Carnival

The Viradouro samba school has won Rio de Janeiro's hotly contested Carnival parade competition with its tribute to Black women.

Viradouro was the last samba school to parade in the two-day contest held before Ash Wednesday. Viradouro said it wanted to honour a cobra which is considered sacred in some parts of the African country of Benin. The group said it wanted to highlight Brazil's historic ties with Benin, from where many of the

people who were taken to Brazil as slaves came from. The Unidos da Viradouro samba school emerged as the 2024 Rio de Janeiro Carnival champion, marking the 40th anniversary of the Marquês de Sapucaí Sambódromo as the parade's venue.

Snakes featured heavily in their parade, not just in the form of floats, but also in the dancers' headgear. The group also celebrated voodoo beliefs, its artistic director said. Drums featured heavily as the group paraded through the Sambadrome, the

venue which hosts the annual competition.

Viradouro's performance earned them 270 points, the highest score among the 12 samba schools in the Special Group, securing their third title. Their previous win was in 2020.

Following Viradouro in the top five were Imperatriz Leopoldinense, Grande Rio, Salgueiro, Portela, and Vila Isabel. These schools joined Viradouro for the Parade of Champions, which was scheduled for the Sambódromo.

proof glass in the waiting area. Also moving to the new location will be JAMPRO and the American Foundation for The University of the West Indies.

On his last visit to New York, Prime Minister Andrew Holness toured the space to see the progress.

The relocation of the consulate has been a matter of discussion for some time but the necessary steps to facilitate this were only recently put in place. Consul General Wilson pointed out that costs at the present location had become prohibitive.

The move by the consulate follows that by Jamaica’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations which moved into its new location at the end of December. A spokesperson described the move as smooth.

It was a call from the BBC TV asking if I could take a World War Two veteran to a primary school to meet some 9 and 10 year students on the 18th October 2023. Some of the students had researched and made a film about the path of life of Prince Albert Jacob, age 98, and were about to show their handy work to the rest of the school.

They did not know that Prince would be in attendance and Prince had no knowledge of them making a film about him.

As a veteran myself I naturally agreed to facilitate the meeting of generations, especially with such a fantastic story of historical significance. In my military mind

The film was duly shown, and the minds of the young individuals were bursting with numerous questions to ask Jake, and in turn Jake was equally enthusiastic to answer and pose his own questions to them. Some of the students who helped to research and make the film were privileged to meet Jake after the assembly. They were given the opportunity to speak about their experiences in researching such an iconic character and to hear from Jake of his resilience in the face of the discrimination and adversity that he and his wife of 76 years encountered.

To say that the meeting of the generations, especially under

MEETING OF GENERATIONS AT WELFORD PRIMARY SCHOOL

later on the local TV.

Jake, I and another two veterans were invited back to Welford Primary School, weeks later, to participate in their annual Remembrance Assembly. The vision of military men cladded in their uniform with numerous glistening medals had the whole school wide-eyed with smiles to match. Some of the children were just speechless and others were bursting with numerous questions about our experiences of life in the Armed Forces. You could see that some were ready to enlist there and then.

Respect was duly paid in remembrance of those who served and

such circumstances, was a success would be an understatement. The whole occasion left an indelible imprint on the mind of everyone who witnessed it, but in particular those who spent numerous hours bringing such an historical and significant tale to the fore. The BBC captured the essence of the occasion which was aired days

this was an operation that had to be executed, without fail, because of the future potential impact and of course the amount of effort expended by the children and staff in researching and making the film. The day eventually arrived when the generations met in the assembly hall of Welford Primary School. The BBC was in position to record the meeting of Jake, as he is commonly known, and the children seeing him, in the flesh, for the first time. There was a very generous round of applause to welcome Jake who was in his Royal Air Force veterans uniform, including wearing his medals that he had only recently received after nearly 80 years.

and of course the children were in turn applauded by us veterans for such an enthusiastic and memorable occasion.

Jake could not contain himself after witnessing such great efforts and endeavour by everyone at the school, especially the children,

deserving student at the end of the academic year.

Jake proudly holding the trophy he donated to the school. It was all arranged for another visit to the school where Jake presented the Prince Jacob Trophy, Welford Primary

our future generation. He became determined to do something in return to encourage the children to strive for excellence or simply to achieve their best individual efforts. In order to encourage them to do so he decided to donate a trophy to be awarded to the most

are currently serving by playing the Last Post and saluting them with of our Battle Standards. This was followed by a rendition by the school choir, with an outstanding performance of ‘Wind Beneath My Wings’, which was very appropriate as we were all Airmen, RAF veterans. The whole school, the Head, all teachers and staff,

Blog by Donald Campbell 3rd February 2024

School, Student

of The Year trophy to an assembly of students and teachers. It was indeed another momentous occasion to witness the anticipation and delight on the faces of students and teachers, but none more so than Jake as he witnessed the joy of the meeting of generations.

Prince Jacob Trophy Welford Primary School Student of The Year

Trophy designed to recognise “EXCELLENCE” or simply “BEST EFFORTS”

l PIC - Prince Albert Jacob, age 98, WWII Veteran RAF at Welford Primary School

l PIC - Jake with staff and students who researched his story.

l PIC - Celebrating Remembrance Service at Welford Primary School

Remembering the story of Easter

As the commercial aspect remains a driving force, the question remains: “What is the story of Easter?”

As one of the central holidays, or Holy Days, of Christianity, it’s worth remembering that it honours the Resurrection of Jesus three days after His death by crucifixion.

For many Christian churches, Easter is the joyful conclusion to the Lenten season of devoted prayer, fasting, and penitence. Along with the Nativity of Christ, Easter is one of the most important celebrations in the Christian calendar.

The significance of Easter is Jesus Christ's triumph over death. His resurrection means the eternal life that is granted to all who believe in Him.

The purpose of Easter also means the full confirmation of all that Jesus taught and preached during His three-year ministry. If He had not risen from the dead or simply died and not been resurrected, He would have been thought of as just another teacher or prophet.

However, His resurrection rebuked all that and provided final and undeniable proof that He was the Son of God and that He

had overcome death once and for all. The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the core of the Christian gospel.

Saint Paul says that if Christ is not raised from the dead, then our preaching and hope are in vain (1 Cor. 15:14). Certainly, without the resurrection, there would be no Christian preaching or faith.

The apostles of Christ would have continued as the disheartened group, which the Gospel of John depicts as being in hiding for fear of the Jews. They were in total despair until they met the risen Christ (John 20:19).

Then they touched Christ's wounds of the nails and the spear; they ate and drank with Him. The resurrection became the foundation of everything they said and did (Acts 2-4): “...for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have” (Luke 24:39).

The resurrection affirms Jesus of Nazareth as the prophesied Messiah of Israel and the King and Lord of a new Jerusalem: a new heaven and a new earth. This year, Easter will be on March 31st, 2024.

It’s always worth remembering the true story behind Easter!

CHIEF MINISTER WANTS 'UNITY' OF GOVERNMENT IN 2024

Jersey's chief minister has said the government must "reconcile" competing interests and focus on delivering its priorities.

The Chief Minister for Jersey, Deputy Kristina Moore, outlined her top priorities for 2024 which include building more homes and improving the island's health services for children and families, as

well as promoting the economic growth and productivity. During a meeting with business officials in St Helier, Ms Moore said she wanted to give islanders confidence in Jersey's economy and future. She also addressed issues within government, including the rejection of the Les Sablons project - which was then approved in December.

She said: "I recognise that the issue created an uncomfortable moment for some of my colleagues and caused the public to question our unity. My job is to keep us all on track and ensure that such issues do not arise again."

Having faced a vote of no confidence after Deputy Tom Binet listed a series of what he considered "failings" by Ms Moore, the Chief Minister said that the government

was faced with a difficult economic environment, but that it provided them with many opportunities, as well as challenges.

"That decline,” she said, “is a huge worry for business... but it should also be a huge worry for every islander because we have full employment, and our public finances depend on income tax.

To improve the issue, the government will give every employer an extra work licence to employ people who are not from Jersey.

To prioritise children and families, Ms Moore said a new town school would be built, hot meals would be provided to every primary school pupil and an increase in the number of foster places would be made.

Ms Moore said she expected is-

landers to "hold the Council of Ministers and I to account on delivering those goals".

She said: "It has not been easywith external and internal events affecting our ability to deliver effectively - but we will accelerate progress this year.

"Through collaboration with islanders and industry, the Council of Ministers is focused on delivering and prioritising projects that get results and we will deliver." In order to make haste on the new projects, Ms Moore said the government would be reducing the number of public sector projects to give it the "capacity to deliver" on those "desperately" neededreturning £30m into the island's rainy day fund.

greater for younger generations, who are likely to see a higher proportion of their disposable income taken up by housing costs, with the figures showing that over eight in ten (85%) of 18- to 34-year-olds across the UK agree with the statement.

Mortgage rates continue to fluctuate and remain elevated from the level borrowers have become used to over the past 15 years.

The Bank of England2 recently revealed the pressure that mortgage holders are facing in the coming years. As a result of rising interest rates, nearly one million borrowers will have to pay an extra £500 a month or more by 2026 and the average homeowner faces an increase in monthly mortgage payments of around £220 when

MORTGAGE AND RENT COSTS FORCE A FREEZE ON FINANCIAL PLANS

As renters and homeowners stretch their budgets to meet ever-increasing housing costs, new research1 from Fidelity International shows the adverse impact this is having on

people’s financial futures.

Sixty-seven per cent of people in the West Midlands with £1,000 in assets say the rising cost of rent and mortgages is a barrier to their plans when it comes to investing, hindering their long-term finan-

cial goals. This is hitting women in the West Midlands harder, with almost three-quarters of women in the West Midlands (73%) agreeing it is a barrier, compared to 62% of men.

Nationwide, this battle is much

renewing their fixed-rate deals, while nearly another half a million households potentially seeing payments climb by £750 a month.

It's these household costs that people are really grappling with. Fidelity International’s research shows that if people in the West Midlands saw a reduction in bills and mortgage payments, 36% would be able to save more each month.

Emma-Lou Montgomery, associate director for Personal Investing at Fidelity International commented: “Household budgets are incredibly difficult to manage right now. Both homeowners and renters are seeing their monthly outgoings rocket, as higher interest rates push up the cost of borrowing.

“The good news is that the rate at which inflation is increasing is starting to ease, and this should eventually reduce household outgoings. When people start to see these costs coming down a little, they will be more able – and more inclined – to start putting something aside into their savings and investments again. And that ability and drive to save is really important because it’s fundamental to everyone’s future financial security.

“The unknown right now is just how deeply the cost-of-living crisis is impacting us all, and just how much it will hurt our financial futures. Taking steps today, regardless of how small they feel, will go some way towards easing the financial challenges we’re all

RESEARCH REVEALS MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT SOLAR PANELS

Research just released revealed the misconceptions about solar energy - with many residents believing energy from the sun can only be produced in the summer months, is only available in the desert, and can’t be produced when its overcast. The findings reveal a lack of awareness of how solar energy works and that understanding has not increased significantly in the past two years.

Research revealed from Project Solar UK reveals 21% of Birmingham residents think that you cannot get solar energy if it’s overcast – a figure higher than the 15% who thought this statement was true when the research was first run in summer 2021. One reason that may be putting people off finding out more is that they have concerns about investing in solar panels, with residents thinking solar energy is more ex-

pensive than fossil fuels when in fact investing in this sun powered system can save money over time. This figure was 19% back in 2021 – again underlining the need for further education around the costs and savings to be had with solar energy. There is also a misunderstanding around storing solar energy (which can be done simply through having a battery as part of a domestic solar panels set up) with 17% of residents thinking that solar energy can only be stored if its above 20 degrees Celsius.

The figure is more than that reported in the previous piece of research when 10% stated that it could only be stored when above 20 degrees Celsius. Awareness of how the battery works is clearly low and an awareness raising exercise will need to be undertaken if people are to actively consider moving from gas and oil to energy from the sun.

Simon Peat, CEO of Project Solar UK, who commissioned the two sets of research, has worked in the solar industry for over a decade was not surprised by the results. “There is a lot of work to do to help people understand that we can all take advantage of the sun’s energy to help heat and light our homes and run our appliances,” he said.

“It’s concerning that even now 16% of people polled in Birmingham consider that you need to live in the desert to access the full benefits of the sun to create energy. We have thousands of examples of domestic installations where people who live in towns and cities that may be considered to be mainly overcast and not particularly sunny, have taken full advantage of solar panels and are saving money on energy bills and doing their bit for the environment.”

ZBAY SIGN KUNDANANJI IN WORLD RECORD FEE FROM MADRID

ambia's Racheal Kundananji has become the most expensive women's footballer in history after joining Bay FC from Madrid CFF for $860,000 (£685,000).

The forward, who scored 33 goals in 43 Liga F games for Madrid, has agreed a four-year deal with the American club, with the option of a further year. Bay FC will make their National Women's Soccer League debut this year.

Kundananji, 23, becomes the first African player, male or female, to break a world transfer record. England midfielder Keira Walsh was previously the most expen-

sive women's player following her £400,000 switch from Manchester City to Barcelona in 2022. That could be surpassed by Chelsea's deal to sign Colombia striker Mayra Ramirez from Levante for an initial £384,000, with addons potentially taking it up to £426,600.However, that fee will now be a distant second following the landmark deal to take Kundananji from Spain to San Jose, where Bay FC will play their home games."People in Zambia will be surprised but they will be so happy," Kundananji said. "I want to give the fans what they want - to enjoy the games, to enjoy seeing me playing and scoring."

Bay FC will pay an initial $785,000 for Kundananji, with a further $75,000 in add-ons. She began her career with Zambian side Indeni Roses before moving to BIIK Kazygurt in Kazakhstan in 2019, where she first played in the Women's Champions League.

Two years later, she joined Spanish top-flight side Eibar and eight league goals in her only season with the Basque club earned the pacey forward a move to Madrid. She scored 25 goals in 29 league games to help Madrid CFF to a fifth-placed finish, the best in their history, last season and has added another eight in 14 league matches this campaign.

Kundananji also played - and scored - at the 2023 Women's World Cup and has 10 goals in 18 games for Zambia. The latest big-money move adds to the record spending in the women's game with world governing body Fifa reporting that transfer fees totalled $2.1m in January, a 165.5% increase on January 2023.

That is despite the number of international transfers rising by just 0.3% from 12 months ago. Kundananji joins Nigeria striker Asisat Oshoala and former Arsenal defender Jen Beattie at Bay FC after they recently signed deals with the club.

What to expect at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Tokyo 2020 was postponed by a year because of the Covid pandemic but now, three years later with the crowds back to fill the stands, what can we expect from Paris 2024 Olympic Games?

Although the opening ceremony to signal the official start of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will be held on Friday, 26 July, the sporting action begins on July 24, with pool matches in football, rugby sevens, handball and archery and will run until 11 August. Most of the sporting events are in and around the heart of Paris, and the opening ceremony is set to be a spectacle, taking place along the Seine, the first time in Olympic history that the event will be held outside the main stadium. The Stade de France will host the athletics and the closing ceremony. The Parc des Princes, home to Paris St-Germain, will be hosting football matches, and Roland Garros will stage tennis and boxing, while surfing will take place

in Tahiti, an island in French Polynesia nearly 10,000 miles away from Paris.

Some 95% of the venues already exist or are temporary, with the aquatics centre being the only new venue specifically built for the Games, with the only sport making its debut in Paris being breaking, having first being introduced at the 2018 Youth Olympics and due to the combination of athleticism and urban dance, it secures a spot on the programme. The competition will take place as solo battles and the breakers will improvise to the DJ's tracks, and will include moves such as windmills, the 6-step and freezes. The modern pentathlon will be changing format with show jumping being replaced with obstacle course racing. Karate and baseball have been dropped from the Olympics since Tokyo 2020. There will be 329 medal events across 32 sports in Paris.

PROFESSIONAL HORSE RIDER AND TRAINER SECURES £25,000 TO ACQUIRE A HORSE AND ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT

Asports horse training and sales company, MJF Equestrian, has secured £25,000 funding from First Enterprise – Enterprise Loans, from the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme, to purchase a horse to train, as well as to purchase specialised equipment.

MJF Equestrian, based in Leicestershire, offers a range of horse training services to the public such as the breaking in of young sports horses, preparation of horses for competitions, owner training livery, and coaching services to new riders. The business, founded by accredited German professional rider and trainer, Maren Fischer, also sells, trains and sources horses for potential buyers. She has over 10 years of experience working in the industry with dressage horses, show jumpers, event horses and racehorses in Germany, Australia, the US and the UK. From a young age, Maren was captivated by horses but could not afford to own one, which gave her the opportunity to ride a variety of challenging and “less talented” horses. Her ability to transform these

horses into capable partners motivated Maren to establish her own horse training business. The funding from First Enterprise – Enterprise Loans has been allocated for acquiring a horse which Maren will train and resell, with the remainder used to purchase specialised equipment and cover working capital needs.

First Enterprise – Enterprise Loans provides government-backed business loans ranging from £500 – £250,000 for start-ups and SMEs that are unable to borrow from traditional high-street lenders. The not-for-profit organisation reinvests any surplus into loan funds to further support economic growth and job creation in the local communities.

Maren Fischer, Founder of MJF Equestrian, comments: “Securing funding to kickstart my business, given the substantial overheads involved in running a yard, was the biggest challenge for me.

“Fortunately, I found First Enterprise – Enterprise Loans through the British Business Bank, and their support was truly exceptional. They not only helped me revise my business plan but also went the extra mile in ironing out specific

wording, making this business a reality.”

Angie Krawczyk, Business Adviser at First Enterprise – Enterprise Loans, said: “Maren was fantastic to work with. Her passion and expertise shone through tremendously each step of the way, which made the application process easier for us both. I’m confident her business will be a success in the equestrian world.”

Start Up Loans, part of the British Business Bank, has recently announced Enterprise Loans East Midlands (ELEM) as the new regional Business Support Partner (BSPs) for the scheme. Richard Bearman, Managing Director of Small Business Lending, British Business Bank commented: “Supporting people like Maren to grow their lifelong passion into a viable business venture is a perfect example of what the Start Up Loans programme is all about.

“Securing a loan from the British Business Bank can make a huge difference for smaller businesses looking to establish themselves.

I’m confident MJF Equestrian can do just that and I look forward to seeing more about Maren’s success.”

Amir Omarkhanov, a 16-year-old tennis player from Kazakhstan, made history during his debut at the Australian Open Junior Championships.

Omarkhanov, No. 27 in the ITF Junior rankings, became the first Kazakh junior player ever to reach the tournament's quarterfinals. In the first round, Amir sensationally defeated the tournament's top-seeded player. However, due to a muscle strain, he couldn't play at his best in the quarterfinals, and lost to a strong opponent. After the match, Omarkhanov expressed gratitude to the fans, the President of the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation, Bulat Utemuratov, and his team for their unwavering support.

Kazakh juniors enjoy success at tennis tournaments in Australia

In another junior tournament held in Australia, the Asia-Pacific Elite 14U Trophy, Kazakhstan's Eva Korysheva reached the girls' final. Eva won all her group matches and secured a straightset victory against an Australian player, whom she faced again in the finals.

It was a highly intense and emotional match where luck ultimately favoured her opponent. Another talented Kazakh player, Asylzhan Arystanbekova, reached the quarterfinals of the junior doubles tournament. These victories mark significant milestones for young Kazakh players on their journey towards achieving even greater success on the international stage. Their success on the global tennis stage is no coincidence.

Since 2007, the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation led by Bulat

Utemuratov has built 41 modern tennis centres, increasing the number of courts in the country sixfold to 364. The number of children participating in tennis reached 30,000 last year, with 3,500 of the most talented young players being granted the opportunity to train free of charge, along with access to tennis equipment and tournament support. The Federation also runs a targeted programme that offers financial support to more than 100 young players aged 11–14 from across Kazakhstan. Another integral component of the junior development system is the Team Kazakhstan Academy, established in 2008 for promising juniors aged 14 and older.

More than 300 of the country's most talented young players have already received training at the Academy.

What to expect at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games - page 31