PROMOTING DIVERSITY FOR BIRMINGHAM COMMONWEALTH GAMES 2022
MARCH 2021
Connecting Communities - Inspiring A New Generation
CHEF KANO CHANGING UP THE
GAME F
by Daniel Riley
rom rock legends Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath and Duran Duran, presenters Cat Deeley and Richard Hammond, to celebrity chefs including Glynn Purnell, Birmingham has produced some of the most iconic and talented individuals across nearly every sector of our lives. Now there is a new face in town, his name is Chef Kano, and the level of attention to detail he brings to his preparation, cooking and presentation when plating up, has gathered him quite the reputation already, and it’s only a matter of time before his name is uttered in the same breath as those mentioned previously.
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IS TAKING THE KNEE LOSING ITS SIGNIFICANCE? By Dr Tony Talburt
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hen the National Football L e a g u e (NFL) star and activist Colin Kaepernick knelt down during the pre-game national anthem in the NFL in 2016, in protest at police violence against black people in the United States, this was seen as a significant symbolic act which sparked intense debate all over America. Even the then President of the United States, Donald Trump, got involved in the argument, declaring such an act as unpatriotic to the American anthem, flag and nation. Four years later, this simple act of kneeling, as a sign of protest against racial discrimination, as become universal. Since the start of the current football season in England, the Premier League footballers and match officials have been taking the knee before the start of matches. Is this act really making a significant difference in the fight against racial discrimination in football or in the wider society? While Kaepernick’s actions in 2016 fuelled powerful debates, it has to be asked whether this gesture is having a significant effect on raising debates or changing attitudes in the UK. During the summer there were a number of
demonstrations across some cities and towns in the UK in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter (BLM) Movement. In a powerful gesture at the start of the current season in September 2020, it was decided by the football league that players would take a knee before the start of matches. Coming just a few weeks after the BLM protests, this move seemed to signal a positive change in attitude on the part of the football league. The idea was to send a strong and unambiguous message that racial discrimination would not be tolerated in the sport. Raheem Sterling, for example, claims taking the knee is a massive step and the sport is moving in the right direction. Similarly, Gareth Southgate, the England manager, has recently insisted the gesture is still hugely powerful in keeping the fight against racial inequality and injustice at the forefront of people’s minds. Nearly six months into the football season, the players are still taking the knee but a few of them players have begun to question its impact and significance. Wilfried Zaha, the Crystal Palace Premier League striker, has recently said he no longer plans to take the knee before the start of football matches because he believes the protest is no longer sufficient. In a recent article in theGuardian.com, he said the meaning behind the whole
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thing is becoming something that we just do now. That’s not enough. Les Ferdinand, of Queens Park Rangers, believes football is paying lip service to racism with footballers taking the knee. He believes the message behind taking the knee has been lost and the players are simply going through the motions. it is not clear whether this single act will help tackle racial discrimination in football or in the wider society. This is perhaps why, a few months ago, Neil Warnock, The Middlesbrough manager, said his players did not take the knee prior to their Championship match against Blackburn because they are focusing on their work attending schools and conveying the message that there is no room for racism. In other words, rather than taking the knee, the players took the collective decision to focus on their work in schools aimed at anti-racist initiatives and programmes. At the same time, while some are calling for the taking of the knee to continue, this has not significantly curbed the number of reports of racism in the sport. Kick it Out reported in theguardian.com (3 September 2020) there had been a 42% rise in reports of racism in football. Two Arsenal footballers, Eddie Nketiah and Willian, recently experienced racist abuse on social media. Perhaps, therefore, what is needed is not an emphasis on kneeling down, but rather, how footballers can get more involved in anti-racist campaigns and initiatives when they get up from their knees. Of course, footballers on their own will not solve racial discrimination either in the sport or in the wider society. As John Barnes has said a few times, racism is a much wider issue than football. Whilst taking the knee is a useful symbolic act, what is needed is more long term community involvement and education drives by footballers and other celebrities designed to raise awareness. Taking the knee will lose its impact if there continues to be no new follow ups after footballers rise from their knees.
Post-Vaccine Life Update By Daniel Riley Assistant Editor
IT HAS been just over a week since both my mother and I received the first dose of our COVID19 Vaccinations. For those uncertain as to if they should get the vaccine or not when they are called, I decided to document how I felt before, during and after the procedure. I received my vaccination at the Queen Elizabeth in Birmingham, and after confirming my name and appointment time on arrival, I was shown through to someone who took my details and booked my second vaccination in 12 weeks time right there and then. When it was my turn, I was shown to a sectioned off area, where one administration assistant reconfirmed my details and ran through some basic checks before handing me over to the nurse administering the jab. She asked the basic questions of allergies, other medications specifically blood thinners, and if I’d had any recent COVID test results/symptoms. Following the jab, which I barely felt apart from the initial sharp scratch, very similar to having blood taken, I was given my vaccination card and leaflet, then shown to a waiting area where I sat for 15 minutes to check there were no allergic reactions. Since that day, I had a dull muscle ache in my arm which subsided in a few days, and thankfully no other side effects or symptoms, and Mum has had the same experience despite receiving a different vaccination at a different location. I would strongly recommend anyone who is able to get the vaccination, does so. The sooner this is rolled out, the sooner life can get back to some semblance of normality. I hope you all stay safe, and protect yourself and your loved ones.
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NEWS
PREMIERE OF BIOPIC FOCUSES ON THE MISSION & LIFE OF ABDUL SATTAR EDHI
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ontinuing its successful transition to digital production since the onset of the pandemic, award-winning Khayaal Theatre Company premiered the screening of Edhi Means Love – featuring Ezra Faroque Khan as Edhi Sahib. Celebrating Edhi’s birthday, the performance casts light on the life and mission of Abdul Sattar Edhi, the late Pakistani philanthropist (d. 2016) who was nominated several times for the Nobel Peace Prize. An incredible humanitarian who founded the Edhi Foundation, Abdul Sattar Edhi was registered as a parent or guardian of almost 20,000 children by the time of his death and had founded the largest volunteer ambulance service. His legacy lives on through not only his foundation, which is now run by his son Faisal Edhi,
but through the countless people he inspired and will continue to inspire through his selfless work. Called the “Angel of Mercy”, the “Richest Poor Man”, and the “World’s Greatest Living Humanitarian”, Edhi’s life has now excitedly been made into an incredible storytelling experience, based on the autobiography A Mirror to the Blind. Edhi will be played by the actor Ezra Faroque Khan – who has been in films and television shows such as The Kite Runner, Doctor Strange, and Eastenders, amongst others. Luqman Ali, the Director of Khayaal Theatre, states: “In this time of global crisis when issues of welfare, health, inequality, and poverty have been cast into sharp relief, we at Khayaal believe that the epic story of a contemporary
humanitarian legend whose incredible love for humanity led him to scale the heights of selfless service and dedication will resonate with and inspire viewers to greater compassion, empathy, and care for the most vulnerable in our societies. “Edhi Sahib, as he was affectionately and respectfully known, was the key worker in chief of a nation for whom nothing was more important than putting one’s self aside for the sake of others all the while understanding that there are no others, only reflections of one human self.”
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CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF POSITIVE NEWS
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NEWS
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l Michael Willis with his Champion Award
BIRMINGHAM WELCOMES YEAR OF THE METAL OX WITH ONLINE CONCERT
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l Left-Right:Vocalist Tazmin Barnes, pianist Di Xiao and cellist Jiaxin Cheng usic lovers had the chance to attend a special online concert from the University of Birmingham which marked the Chinese New Year with a magical fusion of East and West with world-class pianist Di Xiao joining renowned cellist Jiaxin Cheng and 18-year-old singersongwriter Tazmin Barnes to help the University’s China Institute to celebrate the Year of the Metal Ox with a mix of traditional Chinese and Western pieces. The event streamed on
YouTub also premiered on the University’s Facebook page. Recorded in the Elgar Concert Hall, in a COVID-safe setting, the event highlighted the University’s engagement with China, which ranges from research collaborations with the country’s best universities to working alongside the municipal government in Guangzhou. Professor Jon Frampton, Deputy Pro Vice Chancellor (China) and Director of the China Institute, said: “Chinese New Year offered the perfect opportunity for the University of Birmingham
to reflect upon our proud and longstanding relationship with China, which spans over 100 years. “We would have loved to continue the China Institute’s tradition of marking Chinese New Year with our concert on campus, but current circumstances mean that we had to move our musical celebration online. “We’re delighted that these exciting musicians joined us for this outstanding event. Moving the concert online gave more of our friends in Birmingham, China and around the world, the chance
to share in a fantastic musical experience that brought us all a little happiness in these difficult times.” Birmingham’s relationship with China dates back to the foundation of the University. The first Chinese student joined the University in 1907 and there are now over 14,000 Chinese alumni. There is also a strong musical connection with China, as the first original Chinese violin composition was Difficult Road (Xinglu Nan), composed in 1919 by Birmingham’s famous geology alumnus Li Siguang.
Michael’s Gratitude For Life Following Transplant Success
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i Phoenix Readers, just want to take a minute to show my Gratitude for Life. In August 2016 I was given 6 months to live if I didn’t get a transplant, and now it will be my 64th Birthday on 4 March. In 2019 I was blessed & honoured to receive this magnificent Phoenix Champion Award for promoting Organ Donation amongst the BAME Community. Covid 19 has taken many
of our loved ones, I have lost many friends, but God has spared me. I won’t waste a minute. My message today is “treasure every moment, make your life count, and make the rest of your life the best of your life.” Words by Michael Willis The Phoenix Newspaper would like to thank Mr Abu-Omar for giving up his valuable time to attend the Phoenix Newspaper Gala awards to create awareness for organ donation.
l This is a beautiful memory too of Mr Yasir Abu-Omar, my Surgeon, still feel like I’m dreaming
More Than £4m Of Walking And Cycling Improvements To Be Delivered BIRMINGHAM City Council has been awarded circa £4.5m as part of the second tranche of funding from the Department for Transport’s Active Travel Fund; part of a £13m allocation to the West Midlands Combined Authority. An engagement programme with residents and businesses on how they would like to see the funding used in their communities is already underway. Councillor Waseem Zaffar MBE, Cabinet Member for
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Transport and Environment at Birmingham City Council, said: “This second tranche of funding gives Birmingham a real opportunity to continue transforming our transport network, reduce air pollution, and provide our citizens with more opportunities for active travel.” “In the second half of 2020 we delivered a wide range of emergency transport measures to support walking, cycling, public transport and social distancing across the city.”
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Give your family the gift of certainty about organ donation The choice about whether to become an organ donor will always be a personal decision. It’s important that as a family you talk about organ donation and whether you’d want to be a donor. That way, if your family are ever involved in discussions about organ donation, they will have the certainty they need to support your decision at a difficult time.
More people from Black backgrounds are receiving transplants than ever before, but Black patients will still wait up to a year longer than white patients for a transplant. Although people can receive a transplant from someone of any ethnicity, the best match will often come from a donor of the same ethnicity. Hair to donate is a community investment project (CIS) set up by Abiola Okubanjo and funded by NHS Blood and Transplant. The project aims to train hairstylists and barbers in black hair salons across London and Essex as ambassadors so they can discuss organ donation with their customers and encourage them to talk to their families.
Abiola says: “Conditions that make people more likely to need an organ transplant – like high blood pressure, diabetes and hepatitis – are more prevalent in our community than in others. Whilst Black people with these conditions can receive organs from white donors, the best Abiola match will usually come from someone with the same ethnic background – so another Black person. If more Black people consider organ donation, more Black patients will get organs and more Black patients will survive. It’s that simple. The ability to turn this situation around lies with us. WE – the Black community – are the solution to THIS problem.” Donating organs and tissue in line with personal faith and values is important to many people. To ensure your faith and beliefs are respected and discussed with your family, you have the opportunity to give details on them when registering a decision to donate on the NHS Organ Donor Register.
Lloyd Dalton Brown, said yes when asked about organ donation after his sister, Jane, died after being knocked down while crossing the road.
Jane
“It is something positive for your loved ones to hold onto, which I personally do after my sister donated. I think that it is more important than ever to tell your closest family what your decision would be in regards to organ donation, as they could be asked and therefore if they know in advance they would know what was wanted.”
Visit organdonation.nhs.uk
“ None of us knew how each other felt, until we’d talked about it as a family.” Let’s give the people we love, the certainty they need. Talk to your loved ones about organ donation.
Visit organdonation.nhs.uk
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BUSINESS AND FINANCE
CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF POSITIVE NEWS
DOES A 4 DAY WORKING WEEK BOOST EMPLOYEE SATISFACTION?
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ith the majority of us still working from home a year after the outbreak of Coronavirus, employee satisfaction has plummeted. In fact, in a recent survey conducted by Forbes, revealed that 80% of employees would consider quitting their current position for a job that focused more on employees’ mental health. It’s clear that employers need to take a pro-active approach to combat this statistic. With the rise in hybrid working, the 4-day working week is a trend that is becoming increasingly popular and helping to actively tackle the intermittent crisis we face. Those companies implementing it are seeing a significant increase in employee satisfaction rates, as we continue to work from home and filter back into agile working. AI technology will significantly disrupt every aspect of every industry in every country including how and when we work.
Within the near future, we’re likely to see an increase in remote and more flexible work schedules like the 4 day work week. In fact, TUC thinks that a 4 day work week could become a reality within this century if businesses are forced to share the benefits of new technology with their employees. Some companies are already realising the benefits of a 4 day work. Not only does a 4 day work week increase employee satisfaction, company commitment and teamwork, but it also decreases stress levels. Even better, reducing employees’ work schedules to a 4 day work week doesn’t harm their productivity or company output. One business that has taken this stride is Verriberri, a multi award-winning marketing agency who are seeing huge improvements to productivity and staff wellbeing since implementing the 4-day working week.
Businesses are being urged to remain patient and not duplicate applications, as this may result in a business’ original application being delayed, investigated or rejected. Councillor Stephen Simkins, Cabinet Member for City Economy, said: “This latest funding relates to businesses forced to close in the current lockdown. We also continue to work hard to process applications from hundreds of businesses impacted in all sorts of ways by national Covid-19 restrictions since November. “Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and
Pandemic-Driven Home-Based Working Units Set To Become The New Norm
with Dr Christopher Johnson
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Wolverhampton Businesses Receive £6m In Vital Grants MORE THAN £6million in small business grants has already been paid to over 900 eligible City of Wolverhampton businesses within a month of the latest round of Government funding going live. This relates to financial support for businesses forced to close due to the current national lockdown and includes the mandatory Local Restriction Support Grant (Closed) and oneoff business support payment. Hundreds of applications continue to be dealt with and details on any of the grants, eligibility criteria and how to apply can still be found.
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we are doing everything we can to make it as quick and easy as possible for them to access the grants available, this includes redeploying staff with appropriate financial systems knowledge from other parts of the council. I am urging Wolverhampton businesses to head to the business grants web page and find out what funding is available to them. “Over the course of the pandemic we have ensured thousands of eligible businesses have had quick access to vital funding to help them through this most difficult time. We are
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ensuring the latest grants are allocated swiftly and that no business is left behind as our city looks to recover from the financial impact of Covid-19.” City of Wolverhampton businesses not eligible for the Government’s Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed) under the current lockdown can apply for the Council’s discretionary schemes. They include an additional one-off payment and the latest Additional Restrictions Grants and are available to businesses that are open but have been significantly affected due to the current lockdown restrictions.
s global pandemic L o c k d o w n measures become more constant – today and possibly in the near future - online working as well as businesses and service sector organisations are set to break the mould of occupational norms. Employers are already invoking this ‘rite’ of industrial relations phenomenon. The BBC Worklife quizzed several organisations and individuals on the effects of the pandemic on their normalisation of life, living, work and service. Many explained that the impact of the virus’ emergency measures will influence a ‘hybrid way of working’. Measures will affect communication methods -both interpersonally and organisationally. The perception too, is that because the coronavirus is ‘a great leveller’, gender equity and diversity principles are more likely to be attained than previous times of occupational normality. In its January 2021, the International Labour Organisation (ILO), observed that it is important that employers seek to improve the understanding of “home work as well as to offer guidance that can pave the way to decent work for homeworkers, both old and new”. The report also suggested that industrial homework, is being accompanied by telework, with digital platforms illuminating tensions between working at home and earning a living. It underscored the essentials of social protection and labour standards for teleworkers and the benefits such safeguards can have for the increasing numbers of workers moving towards the new gig economy. Several membership business organisations such as the British Chamber of Commerce, have been advising its members
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ward-wInnIng journalist, editor and publisher Dr Christopher Johnson writes his monthly column in The Phoenix aiming to inform, educate and entertain.
since April 2020, to do the following: • Look after one’s wellbeing. • Set clear expectations. • Observe health and safety precautions. • Ensure that pandemic rules and regulations are observed by all staff. In polling more than 1,100 business recently, the organisation’s findings made sobering reading. For instance, 61% of firms have seen their revenue in the UK plummet in the last three months of trading. About 31% of business-toconsumer (B2C) companies say they expect to run of cash in the next quarter. A quarter or 25% say they will have to make staff obsolete if financial support stops in March and April 2021. Analysts are predicting that existing inequalities in income are likely to be reinforced. Highly skilled ‘homeworkers’ will earn more since they possess high-tech competencies and are better organised because of their organisational capacityleverage. Employees operating in sectors; inter alia retail, health and social care, transport or other customerfacing services, will see their prospects becoming somewhat grim. Then there is the tension between increased productivity vis-à-vis isolation and stress, as the line between work and home, becomes more blurred. The lack of interaction between and among workers, can also lead to the gradual stifling of creativity, innovation and impede team cohesion. The Royal College of Occupational Therapists, has suggested that ‘rehabilitation is fast becoming the new priority with the impact of this pandemic’. Little wonder that sections of minority ethnic community are clamouring for [culturally sensitive] occupational counsellors, to help millions manage the current health crisis.
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Sandwell Council says #ItsNotOk to Sexual Abuse and Violence #It’sNotOK is the message that Sandwell Council is spreading this week as they show their support to the latest campaign against Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week this week. 20% of women and 4% of men have experienced some type of sexual assault since the age of 15, equivalent to an estimated 3.4 million female victims and 631,000 make victims.
The Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) showed that around 5 in 6 victims (83%) did not report their experiences to the police, and so we need to look at why. Understanding the myths is a key part of reframing our understanding of why victims don’t always come forward. They act as additional barriers, meaning someone who needs support doesn’t always know they can or want to ask for help, and perhaps don’t have anyone they can talk to about it. This week aims to encourage organisations from various sectors
to collectively stand against sexual violence and abuse, while raising awareness of how sexual violence has devastating consequences for victims and their families, leaving individuals feeling isolated and traumatised. As part of National Sexual Violence Awareness Week staff at Black Country Women’s Aid (BCWA) are inviting the public to be part of a movement for change that needs to happen to better support victims of rape and sexual violence, by challenging the persistent myths and stereotypes.
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CHARITY BRINGING THE CITY TOGETHER THROUGH STITCHED ART
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he Threads Together Charity is aiming to draw the city’s diverse communities together to produce a unique piece of high-quality stitched art, to celebrate and commemorate the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games. Due to Covid their planned visits to clubs, churches and community hubs to meet and talk about this project have changed and will be done virtually in various forms. Through a simple
questionnaire, already being distributed and available at www.threadstogether.org. uk, families and communities with connections to any of the 71 participating countries are invited to share their personal recollections and impressions of their home nation and their lives in Birmingham. The Threads Together Charity’s experienced designer will translate this information into images to be colour printed onto fabric panels which, in turn, will be enhanced with
decorativeembroidery. Members of every community will be encouraged to “stitch their bit”. They can be complete novices or an experienced stitcher, everyone is welcome to try. Those who are beginners and those with forgotten talents are especially welcome. Following the Games, the panels will form a cultural trail across the City, ensuring the project’s longevity and worth, whilst illustrating the rich diverse history of Birmingham’s citizens.
Family Wins National Valentine's Competition THE DAVIS family from Bromsgrove who couldn’t be together this Valentine’s, won the chance to be part of a national photography competition that brought them together digitally, courtesy of OPPO. Susan, Rebecca and Rhys Davis were remotely captured on their OPPO smartphones prizes, by acclaimed photographer, Pixie Levinson, as they cooked up a storm for Valentine’s Evening.
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Rebecca entered the OPPO competition, with a request to have a Valentine’s picture with her brother (Rhys), who missed her birthday because of lockdown, along with their Mother (Susan), who they hadn’t seen for over a year as she was high risk / shielding. Research from smartphone brand OPPO revealed that Brits wanted time with friends and family (78%) this Valentine’s, compared to just 10% who
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said their partners as lockdown continued to keep our wider social circles socially distanced. Many Brits haven’t seen friends or family since Christmas, staying in touch via social media, video or phone calls and as a result, nearly half (49%) now feel more positive about technology now than before the pandemic. In a series of quirky remote photoshoots with separated Brits from across the UK, Pixie digitally bought all kinds of couples together from friends, family members to long-distance lovers. Friendship was captured between best mates Katie, from Epsom and Shannon, from Banstead, as well as Matt and Alice (both from Plymouth) who have spent lockdown playing Call of Duty. Lockdown love was in the air between Grace from Kidderminster and Matthew from Liverpool, Alia from Rotherham and her boyfriend Hashim from Cheshire, as well as Joanna and Adrian (both based in London), who met in Warsaw seven years ago.
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The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2021 - Page 9
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MEDIA REACH LITERALLY REACHES NEW HEIGHTS
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ver the past year Covid-19 has dominated the headlines, numerous influencers have made videos conveying the government’s message in various ways. But media house Media Reach was sought after by the UK government to form a TV partnership whereby 22 unique ads were made with the intention to air them on more than twenty BAME focused channels ranging from well-known Indian channels such as Star (now Utsav), Sony Pictures, ZEE TV to popular Pakistani channels such as Hum and Geo to name a few. Even young ethnic channels such as Brit Asia participated and called upon Apache Indian BEM to convey the UK government’s key message to young British Asians. All of the Presenters used for the campaign were specifically chosen as they truly appealed to the audiences who needed to understand that the government had made huge progress and the vaccine would be primarily rolled
out to the most vulnerable. Each person would be contacted accordingly when it was their turn. “It is vital to accommodate all cultures and communities when building a successful campaign,” explained Media Reach’s CEO Saad Al Saraf. “Creating something to tick a box, does not serve any purpose. A successful campaign is not always about the number of views. But the physical impact it
has.” Within four weeks all ads were filmed, edited, approved and on air. Undoubtedly the campaign has proven to be a raging success so far and has been appreciated by people from across the board, old, young and middle aged. Having created something so unique and bespoke is unlike something done solely by one media house and Media Reach were the only ones to historically fulfil such a task. The fact they did not solely focus on the South Asian Community, they included the Portuguese community, the Black and Afro Caribbean community as well as the Chinese demographic is unique and the first of its kind. “The success of this campaign was down to understanding the editorial needs of the people and creating relevant content and I am delighted by the response so far,” added Media Reach’s Director Javed Hussain
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NEWS
A POIGNANT SCULPTURE OF CAPTAIN SIR TOM MOORE WILL SUPPORT CORNWALL HOSPICE CARE
l Chief Inspector Pete Shaw HQ and Covid Lead Central East BCU (Hackney & Tower Hamlets)
Twelve People Fined For Playing Dominoes In Tier 4 Breach TWELVE people were fined after they were caught playing dominoes in a restaurant in east London. Police officers found the group hiding in a dark room when they entered the building in Whitechapel, in the capital. The owner of the restaurant initially claimed those inside were workers, before admitting they were playing the game. Tower Hamlets Council has been asked to consider issuing a fine to the owner for breaching tier four Covid-19 restrictions, the Metropolitan Police said. A video released by the Met shows the restaurant owner saying: "They're playing dominoes." Chief Inspector Pete Shaw HQ and Covid Lead Central East BCU (Hackney & Tower Hamlets) said: "The rules under tier four are in place to keep all of us safe, and they do not exempt people from gathering to play games together in basements. "The fact that these people hid from officers clearly shows they knew they were breaching the rules and have now been fined for their actions."
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Windrush Compensation Scheme Offering Over £8 Million
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bust of the late Captain Sir Tom Moore by West Cornwall sculptor Penny Lally, will be at the centre of an exciting online auction being held by Cornwall Hospice Care in March. A number of artists have donated 100 items to the Cornish healthcare charity, including Ken Howard OBE RA who’s given a stunning oil on canvas of St Michael’s Mount. Penny explains: “I was amusing myself in the first lock down sculpting famous people’s faces when Captain Sir Tom started his walk. It was meant to be as the sculpture came together really quickly and I decided to cast it in bronze resin. “I’m very proud of my work as it’s a hobby really and people are surprised when I tell them I’ve sculpted 111 faces of all sorts of people during this pandemic.” Her links to Cornwall Hospice Care and St Julia’s Hospice go back a long way. In 2008 she and a friend were part of a team who raised £90,000 on a trek to Peru for the charity. Both had husbands who died from cancer and now Penny visits the hospice with her dog. “I care passionately about the hospices,” she says. “I love going there with my dog and have had the privilege of experiencing some very special and magic moments with extremely poorly people. “I hope someone will purchase the Captain Sir Tom bust. I know he’d approve of it being auctioned to support a healthcare charity,” she said. The auction will run from the 14th to the 21st of March .
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l Home Secretary, Priti Patel FOLLOWING the Home Secretary’s overhaul of the Windrush Compensation Scheme it is said to have led to more than £8 million being offered or paid – with provisional figures released showing that since December 2020, a further 238 offers have been made worth more than £4.5million. Up until the end of November 2020, the scheme had paid or offered £3.7 million. The Home Secretary, Priti Patel, conducting mass changes to the Scheme - in close consultation with Bishop Derek Webley, co-chaired of the cross-government Windrush Working Group - and members of the Windrush generation, community leaders, stakeholders - by increasing the minimum award under the Impact on Life category to £10,000. Ms Patel said: “It’s important that the changes to the Scheme make immediate impact, with far more people being able to receive significantly higher payments more rapidly. It’s equally important that we keep up that momentum and make sure that more people get the compensation that they overduly deserve.”
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Warehouse fined £60k for unsafe working practices A FOOD warehouse has been fined £60,000 after pleading guilty to four offences under health and safety legislation at Birmingham Magistrates Court. The City Council prosecuted Pearl Food Distribution Ltd – based at Unit 33 Middlemore Industrial Estate, Middlemore Road, in the city – after a safety inspector saw an employee raised up on a pallet balanced on a forklift truck to pass items up to a mezzanine level during a visit in March 2019 to sign off Improvement Notices. The officer also witnessed an employee using the loading bay incorrectly. The company pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing in December 2020 and prosecuted under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and Work at Height Regulations 2005 and was ordered to pay £64,392 during sentencing including the fine, court costs of £4,222 and £170 victim surcharge.
CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF POSITIVE NEWS
The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2021 - Page 11
MEGHAN AND HARRY I ANNOUNCE BABY NO 2
l Harry and Meghan’s second pregnancy photo by Misan Harriman - @misanharriman on Twitter
NEWS
t has been announced that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expecting their second child. A spokesperson for the couple said that Harry and Meghan are preparing to welcome a new sibling for their son Archie Mountbatten-Windsor. A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace said the Queen and Prince Philip, as well as the Prince of Wales, as well as the other members of the Royal Family are delighted and wish them well. Their child will be eighth in line to the throne, and it comes after Meghan revealed that she had suffered a miscarriage last July. The spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex said: "We can confirm that Archie is going to be a big brother. "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are overjoyed to be expecting their second child." A friend of the Duke, Misan Harriman, who is also the photographer who took the photo that accompanied their pregnancy announcement, tweeted: "Meg, I was there at your wedding to witness this love story begin, and I am honoured to capture it grow. Congratulations to The Duke and Duchess of Sussex on this joyous news!" For Harry and Meghan – who now live in California - their second child will be the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh's 10th or 11th great-grandchild depending on whether he or she arrives before or after Zara Tindall's baby, which is also due in 2021. The couple’s baby is entitled to be a Lord or a Lady. The news comes after the Duchess revealed in November that she had suffered a miscarriage during the summer. She was praised for sending a powerful message to others who have lived through the same trauma by speaking about the issue. The announcement comes soon after the royal family celebrated the arrival of Princess Eugenie's first child - a baby boy and a grandson of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and Sarah, Duchess of York.
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Page 12 - The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2021
BUSINESS AND FINANCE
Foodhub Leapfrogs Uber Eats In Rankings LOCKDOWN has seen UK consumers takeaway habits change dramatically during 2020, with more people than ever relying on food delivery services. Foodhub, one of the UK’s largest food ordering platforms grew substantially throughout this period, adding new partners across the UK and overseas to process a total of 47M orders during the year. This rapid expansion saw it leapfrog Uber Eats to become #3 in the UK, by the number of takeaway restaurant partners. It’s huge growth when you consider that, at the end of 2019, Foodhub was partnered with 12,000 food outlets. But now, in January 2021, that number has risen by 70% to over 20,000 total, thanks largely to Foodhub’s unique partner offering. Of all the major market players, including Just Eat and Deliveroo, Foodhub is the only food aggregator that does not charge a commission per order, instead partners sign up to a flat-fee monthly subscription model, resulting in a significant saving for them. Since its launch, Foodhub has encouraged partners to pass this saving on to the customers – which they do.
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HOW THE CHINESE NEW YEAR WAS CELEBRATED IN LOCKDOWN T he usually bustling Chinatown was described as “quiet and empty" during what should have been the busiest time of the year as families prepared to welcome the New Year at home. The normally vibrant lion dances were missing as festivities moved online. The Lunar New Year, which begins on Friday, is the biggest festival in the lunar calendar and it is when many extended families from east and South East Asian communities will come together. But this year, they stayed indoors, relying on video calls to meet loved ones. Birmingham’s Chinatown businesses hope the year of the ox will bring back some kind
of normality and prosperity, but many are not expecting much of an uplift in business during the start of the new year. Restaurateur James Wong says: “There’s nobody in Chinatown.” The owner of Chung Ying, the oldest Chinese restaurant in the city’s Southside district, believes his business is at just 30 percent of what it used to be before the pandemic, despite continuing as a takeaway. He said: “A lot of the Chinese aren’t coming out. For them, coming out to eat is a social experience. A lot of Chinese people who come over here, they already know how to cook. “Last Chinese New Year, it was bad already. Because the pandemic just started, it caused a lot of panic within the Chinese
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community so not many people came out. It was a slow decline until lockdown, and we were left in a bit of a predicament. “There was a lot of uncertainty. I’ve closed one of my restaurants in the financial district. It was just the fact that I could not see the light at the end of the tunnel.” Chinese New Year festival chair for Birmingham Southside, James, planned a lion dance, singing and dancing videos from previous years, and newer videos from experts teaching calligraphy, painting and Chinese greetings. Mr Wong added: “We all knew it’s what it is. People understood the risk of the virus. We all want to make sure we can fight it.”
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AUNT JEMIMA TO REBRAND AS PEARL MILLING COMPANY
A
fter 130 years on kitchen tables, Aunt Jemima products will have a new name: Pearl Milling Company. The announcement from PepsiCo-brand comes almost eight months after the company said it would remove the Aunt Jemima name, acknowledging it was "based on a racial stereotype". The new name is a nod to the original mill that began producing the self-rising pancake mix in 1889. The rebranded products will be available starting in June 2021. The new Pearl Milling brand was "developed with inclusivity in mind", PepsiCo said. In images released by the company, the new products bear the familiar red and yellow colour scheme of the existing products. They include a printed label that says, "New Name Same Great Taste, Aunt Jemima". The original image used on Aunt Jemima products - a smiling Black woman with a bandana in her hair - had been widely criticised for romanticising the antebellum South, a time before
the US Civil War. The first Aunt Jemima character was based on Nancy Green, a storyteller, cook and missionary born into slavery in Kentucky in 1834.
The name itself was taken from a character from minstrel shows in the 1800s that mocked African-Americans. Quaker Oats, a division of PepsiCo Inc, bought the Aunt Jemima brand in 1925 and updated the image over time
- replacing the kerchief on the character's head with a plaid headband and later adding pearl earrings and a lace collar. The changes were "intended to remove racial stereotypes", the company said in a press release. This summer, as racial justice protests swept across the US following the death of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man who died in police custody, the brand was faced with renewed criticism. In June 2020, it became one of the first major brands to announce it would change its name to avoid racial stereotypes. The company also pledged a $5m (£3.6m) "commitment to support the Black community". It announced an additional $1m (£720,000) investment aimed at Black girls and women. Mars Food recently announced it would rename Uncle Ben's rice products to Ben's Original and remove the image of a smiling, grey-haired Black man from its packaging. Uncle, like aunt, was used in southern US states to refer to Black people, instead of the more formal "Miss" or "Mister".
The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2021 - Page 13
NEWS
Teacher Becomes Youngest Solo Female To Row Atlantic A 21-YEAR-OLD swimming teacher has become the youngest woman to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean. Jasmine Harrison, from Thirsk in North Yorkshire, set off on her 3,000-mile (4,828km) journey from La Gomera in the Canary Islands in December. She docked in Antigua, completing the journey in 70 days, three hours and 48 minutes. After arriving in the Caribbean she said the experience had been "amazing" and "everything I wanted it to be". Ms Harrison, a part-time
swimming teacher and bartender, decided to sign up for the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge three years ago after watching the finale of the 2017 event. Asked about her epic challenge, she said it had been a mix of "good and bad memories", but said she had relished the chance to escape from day-to-day life. "There's nothing like it, actually getting away from everything - social media, bad news, from literally everything," she said.
B CANEY GROCERS FRESH CARIBBEAN FRUIT AND VEG
Sapphire Community Group Presents Employabilty Academy THE SAPPHIRE Community Group announced their initiative to lower unemployment rates among youth with the expansion of their Employability Academy. The academy is helps young people to build their confidence and skills and supports them into jobs, education and training. They are working with two colleges to help give young people a chance to succeed. We have successfully trained over 150 young people in the past 12 months. SEA aims to provide personal development and career opportunities to disadvantaged young people and their families, particularly those who are NEET or who
have been stigmatised by negative experiences. A representative from the Sapphire community Group said: “The Sapphire Foundation is here to tell you that you are good enough! And that there is nothing you cannot achieve if you are willing to go the extra mile to achieve the unattainable today.” The programme also aims to support young people from
similar backgrounds who already have a passion for a particular cause and who need additional support to turn their personal passions into building their own business. The Programme will consist of: Training, Recruitment, Education, Skills Development, Accreditation Courses, Workshops and Summer School.
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EDUCATION, TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT
g n i t o Prom xcellence E
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.
‘I’LL RECRUIT R MORE INNER-CITY SPECIALS’ - CAPT. JAY SINGH-SOHAL
ecruiting a new generation of Special Constables from Black and Asian communities to serve in Birmingham’s diverse communities can help tackle gang violence, says the local man vying to be the next Police and Crime Commissioner of the West Midlands when elections are held in May 2021. It comes amid growing calls for an emergency response to prevent rising gang-related violence over spring and summer when Covid lockdown is eased, following the murder of a 15 year old teenager in Handsworth. Now Capt. Jay SinghSohal, who was born and raised in Handsworth, says recruiting more local Specials would ensure a strong uniformed presence on the ground, made up of people representative of diverse communities, who understand and can better engage with residents and youth about gangs and the
ality u q h Hig rom f e r ld ca child e years o iv f o t irth
b
sub-culture behind it. He sees Specials drawn from inner-city areas as an important element of work the PCC should be doing within the community to defuse and deter gang violence. He says: “I believe we need a police force that better represents the communities they serve, and we need it now. Under my plan, Specials will be a key part of that. “We must move quickly to increase representation within our on-street police presence ahead of the potential for rising crime in the summer. Public trust and confidence in policing has been badly damaged, but we cannot stand idly by and let rising violence affect our youth.” In the West Midlands, the number of Special Constables across the region has declined dramatically, from 937 in 2007 during the last Labour government to 591 in 2010 before the Coalition came to power.
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HS2 Construction Worker Stars In ‘Railway Heroes’ Museum Exhibition LIN QI, a 26-year-old assistant project manager from Birmingham who works for HS2’s construction partner Laing O’Rourke and J. Murphy joint venture (LMJV), is one of 16 ‘Railway Heroes’ chosen to star in a brand-new exhibition at the National Railway Museum to celebrate the vital role played by railway key workers during the pandemic. The new exhibition launched online ahead of the National Railway Museum in York and Locomotion in Shildon reopening to the public and Lin’s story is one of the first to feature, charting the crucial role she’s playing in the delivery of Britain’s new low-carbon, high-speed railway, High Speed Two (HS2). Work to deliver Europe’s biggest engineering project has continued at pace during the pandemic and Lin’s role, managing the programme of
a construction build, has been no exception. As part of the team that delivered the very first permanent infrastructure components for the HS2 project, which saw the installation of two giant modular bridges spanning the M42 and A446 in Solihull and Warwickshire, her job within the engineering project is complex, but she likens it to constructing a bicycle – taking in all elements including the design, sourcing of materials, agreeing costs, making the components and then putting them all together. A proud Lin said: “It was an honour to be asked to take part and fly the flag for LM and the region, and I hope to inspire more young people, particularly women, to consider a career in the construction and engineering industry. “Five years ago, I wouldn’t have
l Lin Qi, assistant project manager imagined I’d be working in this sector and on a project the sheer scale of HS2, but I love being part of a big team and helping to deliver this unprecedented UK railway.” Simon Russell, Project Director at LMJV said: “Lin is part of a generation of bright and confident young people that are building their careers on this exciting project. She’s an excellent role model and we’re hugely proud of her being chosen to be part of this exhibition, to demonstrate how we’re preparing the route for Britain’s new highspeed railway”.
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The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2021 - Page 15
EDUCATION, TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FIRMS INSPIRE OVER 15K STUDENTS AT CAREERS FESTIVAL
F
orward-thinking business, professional and financial services firms including PwC, HSBC, Arcadis and Pinsent Masons have joined forces with social enterprise Ahead Partnership to launch an exciting new careers and skills initiative. The programme is designed to build young people’s aspirations and support the sector’s talent pipeline and recovery across Greater Birmingham and Solihull. The exciting, year-round Growing Talent in #BPFS programme is now well
underway, with Ahead Partnership leading the delivery of virtual and pre-recorded activities enabling young people to get involved from home throughout lockdown. The initial launch festival brought together 760 students and 58 volunteers spanning 23 regional employers to engage in online activities from skills workshops to meet-the-employer events, while sign-ups for accessible digital resources indicate plans to continue facilitating sector learning with over 15,000 additional students. Enabling aspirations in areas with opportunities – the regional
value of BPFS is forecasted to double to £50bn over the next 10 years – the launch festival alone inspired 91% of students that provided feedback to say that they had increased awareness of different roles in the BPFS sector. Key employer activities include the virtual delivery of the PwC Skills Academy; Capsticks virtual work experience; and HSBC’s Investing in Futures. The timely initiative is made possible by important funding from Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP, the CEC, Birmingham Enterprise Partnership and committed private sector employers. Stephanie Burras CBE, Chief
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Schools to be given free anthology of Black authors
Executive of Ahead Partnership, said: “We were delighted to see such a positive response from both keen students and committed volunteers that engaged in the launch of Growing Talent in #BPFS, and are now busy delivering this exciting programme. “Initiatives that help inspire young people to look ahead, develop their skills and aspire to sectors with opportunities available are really crucial at this time.” Head of Skills at GBS LEP, Spencer Wilson, said: “Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP
is proud to support Ahead Partnership in delivering this vital intervention that inspires our young people and supports our businesses.” The Ahead Partnership-led initiative follows four years of successful Professional Services Weeks across Birmingham, extending activity to an exciting year-round programme. From SMEs to global firms, businesses of all sizes are still welcome to join the impressive line-up of regional employers already committed to sponsoring valuable activities.
A FREE anthology of books by Black British authors is to be provided to every primary school in England. Reading charity BookTrust said the initiative was part of a drive to increase the diversity of voices in children's literature. The collection, called Happy Here, is aimed at children aged seven and older and will be published on August 5 featuring writers including Yomi Sode, Clare Weze, Dean Atta, Patrice Lawrence and Sharna Jackson. The project is a collaboration between BookTrust, publisher Knights Of and charity Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE). Jill Coleman, director of children's books, said: "Happy Here is going to thrill and inspire children in families and schools across the country and we want to make sure it is read by thousands of children. "We are proud to be working with Knights Of and CLPE as part of our effort to drive a long-term, sustainable increase in the diversity of voices published in children's literature." Aimee Felone, co-founder of Knights Of, said: "Being able to commission work that has no motive other than to amplify, uplift and celebrate what it means to exist in the UK today as Black British is liberating for our team.”
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WOMEN OF EXCELLENCE
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NGOZI OKONJO-IWEALA BECOMES A ‘FIRST’ AT THE WORLD TRADE ORGANISATION N gozi Okonjo-Iweala is set to become the first woman and the first African to lead the World Trade Organisation (WTO). An economist and former finance minister of Nigeria, the news comes after the South Korean candidate, Yoo Myung-hee, pulled out of the race for the job. The south-east Asian country’s trade minister announced her withdraw following a televised briefing. Enjoying support from WTO members including the EU (European Union), China, Japan and Australia, Okonjo-Iweala did not manage to gain the support of the United State who, under the Trump administration, voted for Yoo. This, at the outset, complicated the decision-making process as a new leader needs total backing
from all WTO members. However, with a new administration in place in the White House, Okonjo-Iweala's formal selection may have to wait until after President Biden’s government appoints a new trade representative. In a speech to the State Department, he pledged to put diplomacy back at the centre of US foreign policy, but was also careful to emphasise that foreign policy should benefit middle-class Americans. The first woman to become Finance Minister of Nigeria, and first woman to serve in that office twice, recently Okonjo-Iweala, who is a global finance expert and is an economist and international development professional with over 30 years of experience working in Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America, insisted that trade would play an important
role in the recovery from the worldwide coronavirus pandemic. In 2005, Euromoney named her global finance minister of the year Married to neurosurgeon husband, Dr Ikemba Iweala, the Nigerian-American, 66, who was education at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University is a former World Bank vice-president, and she is aiming for trade body to focus on raising living standards in the wake of the pandemic. Ngozi, who succeeds Kemi Adeosun, has four children including one daughter, Onyinye Iweala (AB, MD, PhD, Harvard) and three sons, Uzodinma Iweala (AB, Harvard, MD, Columbia), Okechukwu Iweala (AB, Harvard) and Uchechi Iweala (AB, MD, MBA, Harvard). Uzodinma Iweala, who is the author of the 2005 novel Beast of No Nation, said of his upbringing:
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"My mum is a very powerful woman. She knows how she wants things done, and if you don't it her way, you are in trouble." Nominated by President Mohammadu Buhari as candidate for director-general of the WTO in June 2020, Ngozi OkonjoIweala also sits on the boards of Twitter, Standard Chartered Bank and GAVI (the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation). "The World Trade Organisation needs a leader at this time,” she says. “It needs a fresh look, a fresh face, and an outsider. It needed someone with the capability to implement reforms and to work with members to make sure it comes out of the partial paralysis that it's in."
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MUSIC FASHION FILM GADGETS HOLIDAY EDUCATION HEALTH AND FITNESS
MARCH 2021
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JOSS IS A
BANGER! THE BRITISH SONGSTRESS THAT BLEW THE JUDGES AWAY
Page 18 - The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2021
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'BILLIONAIRE BOY' COMING TO BRUM THIS EASTER
T
he bestselling children’s author David Walliams, the award-winning Birmingham Stage Company and Coalition Agency have teamed up for a brand-new COVID-safe Car Park Party production of Billionaire Boy, coming to a site this Easter! Billionaire Boy started life as a David Walliams novel for children in 2010, published by HarperCollins Children’s Books. In 2016 it was adapted into a BBC production and has since become a firm Christmas television favourite. It tells the story of Joe Spud, who is twelve years old and the richest boy in the country.
He has his own sports car, £100k a week pocket money and two crocodiles as pets. But what Joe doesn’t have is a friend. So he decides to leave his posh school and start at the local comprehensive. But things don't go as planned for Joe and life becomes a rollercoaster as he tries to find the one thing money can't buy. David Walliams said: “I am delighted that families will have the opportunity to see some live theatre again. The show is hilarious and I hope spreads some happiness in these difficult times.” Car Park Party was launched summer 2020 and quickly became the nation’s favourite family drive in with Horrible Histories ‘Barmy Britain’. It then helped to save Christmas with the hugely successful Car Park Panto, performing ‘Horrible Christmas’ to forty thousand family members in their cars across 16 wintery towns and cities.
Whilst the UK continues its fight back against the pandemic, children continue to miss out on live arts and so Easter presents the perfect time to bring live theatre to families across the country. Adapter and director of Billionaire Boy, Neal Foster, said: “It was wonderful to be part of a magical enterprise in 2020 bringing live theatre to families desperate for the joy and connection theatre provides, so we are delighted to be presenting our production of one of David Walliams’ most popular stories which began its national tour in 2019 and was abruptly halted by Covid-19. The show’s actors are thrilled with the opportunity to return to a new stage with a story that demonstrates the importance of friends and family at this critical time for the world.” Performance times for Billionaire Boy are 2pm and 5pm.
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The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2021 - Page 19
ENTERTAINMENT
Birmingham Hippodrome selects New Young Advocates
B
irmingham Hippodrome has selected 16 young people for their new Young Advocates pilot programme. The new group, all aged 14-22 and from the West Midlands, comprises of; Aadil (aged 18), Amal (aged 15), Annabel (aged 21), Beth (aged 22), Bolu (aged 17), Deborah (age 17), Ellie (aged 18), Harley (aged 16), Harvey (aged 14), Hiba (aged 17), Liam (aged 18), Niamh (aged 17), Noor, (aged 15), Radhika (aged 14), Sanskar (aged 17) and Shreya (aged 14).
Over 300 young people expressed interest and 150 applied to be part of the pilot programme which will initially run until the end of March. The Young Advocates will receive mentoring, training and skills development to build the group into future leaders as they help shape the future of Birmingham Hippodrome’s work with and for young people. They will meet for the first time for a special digital live launch event, hosted by Worcestershire based Creative Communications agency DRPG who are
supporting the programme. Over the course of the evening they will learn more about the Hippodrome’s work through an exclusive Q&A session with Fiona Allan (Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Birmingham Hippodrome) and Chris Sudworth (Director of Artistic Programme of Birmingham Hippodrome). They will also hear more about DRPG’s work from Ruan Sarris (Junior Creative Director at DRPG). Zaylie-Dawn Wilson, Head of Learning and Participation at Birmingham Hippodrome commented: “We are hugely grateful to DRPG for supporting this important programme including hosting the digital launch in their covid-safe studios, training for our Young Advocates and digital expertise to realise the ambitious plans for the programme as we develop these talented young people. “With this partnership they will host and play a part in mentoring the Young Advocates in digital communications and giving an insight into careers in the creative industries.”
British Independent Film Award Won By Drama Starring Schoolgirls A FILM that cast unknown east London schoolgirls in most of its main roles has been honoured with five prizes at the British Independent Film Awards. Rocks won best British independent film, and one of its stars, Kosar Ali, 17, was named both best supporting actress and most promising newcomer. It got glowing reviews when it came out last year and is now on Netflix. Its other winners included D'Angelou Osei Kissiedu, who was just seven when he played little brother Emmanuel. He was named best supporting actor, with a seven-decade age gap between him and the winner of the best actor award - Sir Anthony Hopkins, 83, who was recognised for playing a man struggling with dementia
in The Father. To find the young stars of Rocks, director Sarah Gavron and casting director Lucy Pardee auditioned about 1,300 students, most of whom had no acting experience. The chosen cast then improvised much of the film's dialogue. After the virtual awards ceremony, Ali, who plays Rocks' best friend Sumaya, said that the film had made her understand myself as a person as well as an actor. She said: "Before this whole experience I never thought I would be who I am today, winning awards and even pursuing this acting career." Producer Ameenah Ayub Allen said Rocks was a celebration of female filmmaking. "We were making this film that really had a truly independent spirit. She said: “It had a truly independent
methodology". "When we were filming, we always thought the film was imbued with the spirit of a teenage girl and it is just phenomenal that it has come here and that the spirit of a teenage girl has won best film, with a completely different way of film-making, with all these incredible women." Bukky Bakray, 18, who plays the title character, was nominated for best actress. That award went to Wunmi Mosaku for refugee horror His House, which had four wins in total. The Father won three, while psychological horror Saint Maud won two. Actor Riz Ahmed claimed the award for debut screenwriter for Mogul Mowgli, which also won best music, while Ahmed's The Long Goodbye won best short film.
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Joss stone is a banger!
J
oss Stone fooled us all with her incredible vocal talent in The Masked Singer as she excited the audience and panel week after week leaving them speechless. Nicola Roberts fom Girls Aloud joined panelists Davina McCall, Rita Ora, Jonathan Ross, Mo Gilligan, as a guest panelist for its final show, where she unmasked the singer Ne-Yo who gave an award winning performance. An average of 8.6m viewers watched the final of The Masked Singer last night, the biggest live TV audience of the year outside of news and sport. As usual Rita Ora was miles out but somehow cleverly stole the limelight from others with a good ear for awesome talent. The rest of the panel helped her to guess who was behind the mask every time. The Masked Singer has also attracted the biggest 16-34 audiences on TV across 2021 so far outside of news programming - with a peak of 1.7million 16-34 viewers last night, a 61% share of viewing. Joss Stone simply nailed it! Cool as a cucumber proving
that we Brits do deliver some of the best talent in the world of entertainment. Apart from our late queen Amy Winehouse, Joss Stone is undoubtably one of the best vocalists in the music industry. She gave us all goose bumps with her performance of Rise Up by Andra Day - what else can we say, it was simply magical. On top of that, Joss did this while being heavily pregnant. Now we know you don’t have to take your clothes off to have a good time. Ladies, your voice is what we love to hear. The British public has proved again they have a brilliant ear for great musicians. Keep it coming, bring on the next series!.
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Lunchtime concerts hitting the right note
S
ix new dates have been added to Royal Birmingham Conservatoire’s popular Lunchtime Music series. The free Monday series has been proving a real hit with online audiences missing the live concert experience. Lasting just under an hour, the filmed concerts are the perfect lunchtime break and are performed by musicians from the Conservatoire (part of Birmingham City University) who are at the very highest level of study and already launching their professional careers. From the many comments from audience members, it is clear the series is filling a void in people’s lives right now. One said: “These performances are an absolute joy and help me face yet another week in
lockdown”. Another commented: “My heart goes out to all the superb talent at RBC during these times, including those behind the scenes. Thank you to everyone for finding a way to bring this wonderful concert to us!” As well as being enjoyed by viewers, the concerts are giving students a high quality, professionally filmed performance opportunity and providing a connection with virtual audiences at a time when physical concerts are not possible. The new dates in February and March continue the existing series and showcase a wealth of talent and variety of music with concerts featuring the harp and saxophone departments; operatic arias; mixed recitals of music for trumpet, bassoon, guitar, flute and piano; and a solo piano recital.
The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2021 - Page 21
ENTERTAINMENT
Icon Film Channel To Launch On Prime ICON FILM Distribution have announce that The Icon Film Channel will be launching as a brandnew streaming service on Amazon Prime in the UK this month. This fantastic new monthly subscription channel will initially showcase more than 150 of the longstanding distributor’s most exciting, unique and entertaining films all made with a fiercely independent spirit. Additional titles both catalogue and new, will then be added to the service monthly. With every film handpicked to deliver a special cinematic experience, often award-winning, frequently critically acclaimed, the channel will showcase titles including Academy Award Nominated
Drive and triple Academy Award nominated features Apocalypto and The Passion of the Christ. Critically acclaimed additions include Buried, The Butterfly Effect Trilogy, La Vie En Rose and Looking For Eric. Remastered titles such as Academy Award-winner Gosford Park and double Academy Award nominated Malcolm X are also included, with many being only available to stream in the UK through The Icon Film Channel.
New Zealand Lockdown Challenge Success l Thomas Poole, aged 10, who top scored in his team with
O
a total of 100 miles
ver 500 members and supporters from Camp Hill Rugby Club, in the West Midlands, have completed a mammoth Lockdown 3 Challenge to virtually travel the distance from Solihull, West Midlands, to Eden Park stadium in Auckland, New Zealand - a total of 11,374 miles - by walking, running, cycling or swimming. The challenge, sponsored by Make UK, saw 11 teams and 242 players from the clubs Mini and Juniors sections (ages 5-19) take part, smashing the six-week target by half, logging a final mileage of 11,940 miles. The team award went to the under 9s, who recorded an
impressive 1,631 miles between them. The challenge has proved so popular that it has become a circumnavigation of the globe, taking in Fiji and Samoa before crossing the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans via the USA - a further 14,435 miles. Russell Beale-Burchell, Minis lead at Camp Hill Rugby Club, commented: “The idea behind the Lockdown Challenge was simply to get members active; we had a disastrous season last year due to flooding, and lockdown has badly affected this season. We also wanted to keep everyone engaged - it’s been brilliant to see how competitive the young players have been.”
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Champeon unleashes his ‘J’ouvert Powers’ EVEN WITH no physical Carnivals set for 2021, Caribbean entertainer Champeon is paying tribute to the annual festival tradition of J’ouvert with his latest musical release appropriately titled ‘J’ouvert Powers’. The Trinidad & Tobago-born, South Carolina-based Champeon, real name Ronnel Ramirez, describes his new track as the musical vehicle for transporting J’ouvert lovers back to that fun, energetic state of spiritual euphoria which is usually experienced when partaking in the early morning pre-Carnival ritual. J’ouvert Powers which features pulsating bass lines and percussions alongside eerie synthesizer melodies and electronic effects was written by Champeon and produced by Jelani Harris of Studio 23 Music Group Studio. To deliver the J’ouvert effect Champeon channelled his Caribbean roots to deliver the song’s infectious lyrics with influence from Trinbagonian
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Rapso artistes and Grenadian Jab Jab performers. He shared: “I created a song that reminds people that no matter where in the world we are, J’ouvert as well as fetes and mas help us to celebrate life. To me the history of this tradition should always be a significant part of the Carnival culture. “As a Trini, the spirit of J’ouvert runs in my blood and to me it is the best part of the season. It was always a huge part of me growing up, so now as an adult and as an artiste I can express my love for it musically.” For Champeon, the goal is to have this ‘dutty mas ditty’ in rotation for years to come for fans of the festival to enjoy whether in their homes, cars, on the radio, at virtual fetes or eventually during in-person events in the post-Covid era. Regardless, Champeon plans to continuously release and perform various genres of music and aspires to try his hand at professional event hosting in the near future.
ALL ABOUT DOGS PAWS AT THE PALACE 2021
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ll About Dogs is bringing its biggest ever show to Blenheim Palace this summer (3-4 July 2021). The UK's largest and fastest growing festival devoted to dogs and their owners is bringing its unique brand of family-friendly canine fun and games to the Oxfordshire UNESCO World Heritage Site. Packed with everything dogrelated, Paws at the Palace includes arena displays, dog training experts, have-a-go activities, breed clubs and loads of fun competitions where visitors' dogs can win a rosette. Among the show's highlights will be K9 Aqua Sports, scent work for dogs, hurdles and lure racing, obedience classes, trick training and special appearances
by canine stars the Watermill Wolves, who have featured in everything from Vikings and Penny Dreadful to Ripper Street and Horrible Histories. From fun dog show classes for everything from the cutest pup and favourite rescue to best fancy dress and waggiest tail, to talent shows for gifted pooches, Paws at the Palace will be a joyous celebration of man's best friend. World class arena displays showcase the extraordinary skills and bonds of both the dogs and their handlers and there's the chance to chat with renowned dog experts at the Village Green. There will also be a huge range of products on offer and dogbrands represented, with around 150 exhibitors selling everything from leads, pet food and treats, diet and health advice, toys, health
supplements, coats, grooming products, photography and much more. 'Meet the Breeds' sessions provide a fascinating insight into the individual characteristics, requirements and personalities of different breeds and there will be a host of rescue centres, owners, charities and clubs on hand to answer questions. Visitors will also be able to enjoy 'walkies' in the stunning surroundings of Blenheim's 'Capability' Brown landscaped grounds and gardens, home to amazing backdrops including the finest view in England. For the first time this year, All About Dogs is also running special dog first aid courses offering potentially life-saving advice including canine CPR.
Bollywood star Shahid Mallya sings Pune To Goa film’s romantic song
THE UPCOMING Bollywood film Pune To Goa which marks the debut of the young director Amol Bhagat and produced by Adityaraje Marathe Production and Morya Production House Pune. It is a nice cocktail of several genres like comedy, romantic, action, suspense and thriller. In it a romantic song has been sung by the popular singer Shahid Mallya. Mai Raat Bhar
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Tumhe Pyar Du Romantic song Enjoy Shahid Mallya and giving best wishes to the all pune to goa film team .this song music director is given by sanmeet waghmare arrangement by amogh inamdar lyrics write by Santosh khadse (rapper bros). The makers of the film comprise Adityaraje Marathe ,Prahlad Taware and co produce by nava nisarag Production (Kishor Kharat).
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Tru Powell to join Birmingham Hippodrome board
B
i r m i n g h a m Hippodrome Theatre Trust (BHTT) has announced the appointment of Tru Powell to its Board of Directors. Deputy Chair of BHTT and Chair of the BHTT Nominations Committee, Ann Tonks said: “I am delighted that we have appointed such a standout, highly accomplished individual who will strengthen the skills on our board. “Tru is a successful entrepreneur with great experience in events planning, marketing and communication who will bring
further commercial acumen to our business. His work with young people in the arts is exemplary and we are very excited to have him joining our Board. Tru brings with him great energy and enthusiasm.” He is the Founder & Managing Director of The Alternative Events & Wedding Company, an event management company that specialises in coordinating high quality corporate, youth events and weddings. In addition, Tru is also the Director of the UK’s first kids’ salon, Kandy Girl and the Creative & Events Director for
Aston Performing Arts Academy, a community interest organisation that exists to empower young people through performing and creative arts. Since the organisation’s inception in 2004, the company has impacted the lives of thousands of young people in the Midlands. Speaking of his appointment he said: “I am really excited to have joined the Hippodrome board. I am even more excited at the prospect of championing the arts and contributing to the mission of making the Hippodrome inclusive and accessible for all.
I am hoping to bring my wealth of knowledge in enterprise, the arts and marketing to this role to compliment the board’s existing skills and expertise.” In 2014 Tru was recognised as one of Birmingham’s most inspirational young leaders and in 2018 was crowned Birmingham’s Young Professional of the Year – Marketing and Communications. In 2019 he was also named the Greater Birmingham Future Face of Entrepreneurship as well as winning the prestigious Great British Entrepreneur Award from Natwest. Chair of BHTT, Glenn Howells, said: “On behalf of the board here at the Hippodrome we are thrilled to announce that Tru Powell is joining us a Trustee. His experience and track record as a ground-breaking, creative entrepreneur will be a great addition to the Hippodrome in exploring new ways to realise the opportunities that are beginning to emerge as we enter the next stage of our development as a regional cultural hub for performing arts.”
l Tru Powell
World’s First .com Radio Station For Entrepreneurs And Emerging Musicians BUSINESS LIVE GLOBAL and Spectrum Elite together with Elite Live Group have launched the first .com radio station. Billed as ‘Where Music Meets Business’ the station will broadcast to entrepreneurs, business leaders and business owners whilst introducing them to emerging and unsigned musical talent. The idea is the brainchild of Victoria Beale, Founder and CEO of Business Live Global together with Suzanne Letting an influencer, presenter, musician and speaker. Commenting on Elite Live Radio Victoria said: “Suzanne and I had the idea for a radio station focussed purely on entrepreneurs and unsigned
l Victoria Beale, Founder & CEO of Business Live Global
musical talent back in July 2020 whilst on the train back from London after interviewing celebrity sculptor Guy Portelli. “It was too great an opportunity to miss, with the rise of the internet and significantly improved technology that’s now in just about everyone’s home we found that it could be done online, hence the world’s first .com radio station targeted at entrepreneurs, business leaders and emerging musicians.” With an official launch at an online event - co-sponsored by Tweebaa, Elite Live Group and Kylie Anderson – Victoria continues: “We’re always open to receiving new music submissions from non-signed artists with full details of how to upload music made available. “This is genuinely ground breaking and I’m thrilled to see my vision come into fruition!”
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Introducing Chef Kano
E M A THE G Continued from Front Page
With queues down the street for his takeaway offerings, and a VIP Guest list for his in-home Private Dining featuring the likes of rapper Mist, Chef Kano is a man on a mission. Born in Nechells, Birmingham, Chef Kano, real name Kane Blake, had a passion for cooking from a very early age. “I used to help mum in the kitchen when I was young, and I was always making things for myself too.” Attending Nechells Primary Schools and Hodge Hill Secondary, it wasn’t until Chef Kano was accepted for a course at UCB Birmingham, which is, in his own words “the best culinary chef college in the UK.” That his journey truly began. Kano completed a Professional Level 3 Diploma Cookery Course, learning everything about the industry, from the restaurant side and fine dining, to basic and advanced chef skills in the kitchen, as well as placements in his third year.
“I picked up on the skills and knowledge that I needed at college, they drilled into your head the French Culinary skills and the top Kitchen tricks you need to know. When the now 24 year old graduated from UCB, Kano became an Agency Chef, going between top hotels, restaurants, horse racing tracks and football stadiums, cooking for royalty and celebrities as well as in mass catering for events. “I’ve worked for lots of hotels in Birmingham including Hotel Malmaison, Radisson, Moor Hall and I got the opportunity to go to Germany to work for two weeks in a mass catering kitchen for 6,000 people which was an amazing experience.” It was after a few years of this that Kano started to get bored of the Fine Dining side of the culinary scene. “I always wanted to do comfort food, like the American kind of style, but with my own twist on it, including the level of presentation and attention to detail I’m known for,” reminisced
Chef Kano. “I started to do some things in my kitchen and start recording it on my phone for social media, at which point everyone was messaging me like ‘Oh my god, you should start doing something proper, we would come for this if you did it’ which really made me think I could actually do it.” “JointsTV came about because I would always say ‘Welcome to Joints’ or ‘Welcome to Joints TV’ at the beginning of my videos, and the name just stuck!” In June 2017, JointsTV was born, and from there his followers started growing. From creating popup events at friends shops, as well as some temporary setups across the country, Kano would religiously create new menus week in week out to tantalise and entice his viewers. Putting out the menu and the location of where he’d be set up the next day was an ingenious marketing strategy which has paid dividends for him, judging by the queues outside
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R E G N E CHA waiting for him every day he’s cooking. Since the start of the pandemic, which saw many restaurants and takeaways shut, Kano has been thriving through his in-home Fine Dining experiences. “I basically bring the restaurant to peoples houses and cook the meals in their house while they sit back and enjoy!” explained Chef Kano. “I cook for rappers and celebrities and other VIP clients, everything from starters to desserts and cocktails.” For groups of 10+, or intimate His&Hers style dining, Chef Kano helps decide on the perfect menu for the occasion, adds his own little twists, and gives them the meal of their lives. “I cooked for a couple on Valentines Day, where the guy was going to propose to her. Thankfully she said yes, otherwise that could’ve been a very awkward end to the evening!” Chef Kano is currently a resident chef at Jam N Vibez on Slade Road,
Birmingham a couple of days a week, and has become known for the premium quality food with that added care and attention, with queues for his food snaking down the road, socially distanced of course. “Everyone loves my gourmet burger with the Hennessey wings, I started that blueprint in Birmingham, and now a lot of people have taken it and copied it. Because I change the menu every week it’s always different and fresh. “One week it’ll be salmon, tempura prawns, or lobster mac & cheese, and another it’ll be all different types of wings, lamb chops, tenderstem broccoli, cheesecakes and mocktails. It intrigues people how I can change the menu every week!” It’s not just in Birmingham that Chef Kano is in huge demand, recently Manchester has been his adopted home for extended periods. “Manchester is kinda hot for me right now, I’ve been there the last few weekends and for 5 days the
week before that. I’m starting to think I should open up a shop there because they’re loving me.” The pandemic has made Chef Kano very cautious about his next steps, and for now, he’s just having fun with the private dining and takeaway offerings in the city. “Right now, I’m just a young chef having fun and a great time enjoying what I do.” “It won’t be long before you see a dedicated Joints establishment, although where it will be based is a different question.” You can find Chef Kano on Instagram at instagram.com/_jointstv_ although we’ll warn you advance, make sure you’ve eaten, else you’ll get very hungry, very quickly! Chef Kano. Remember the name, because this one is changing the game.
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Line-up of Hollywood’s greatest set for new Amazon Original series
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cademy Awardwinning actors Morgan Freeman, Anne Hathaway and Helen Mirren, Emmy Award-winning actor Uzo Aduba, Nicole Beharie, Anthony Mackie, Dan Stevens and Constance Wu will star in the new Amazon Original dramatic anthology series Solos, from executive producer and showrunner David Weil (Hunters). Solos will launch later in 2021 exclusively on Amazon Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. "I am beyond thrilled to be bringing Solos to life alongside this group of artists who I so deeply admire. I created this piece with a desire to capture stories about connection, hope and the
search for that common hum of humanity that binds us all. “I’m immensely grateful to Jennifer Salke and my incredible partners at Amazon for their unwavering support and collaboration on this special project,” said Weil. Solos is a dramatic and thought-provoking sevenpart anthology series that explores the deeper meaning of human connection, as explored through the lens of the individual. Solos will tell unique character-driven stories – each from a different perspective and moment in time – that illuminate that even during our most seemingly isolated moments, in the most disparate of circumstances, we are all connected through the human experience. Amazon Studios’ Solos is executive produced by Weil, Sam Taylor-Johnson and Laura Lancaster with Pixie Wespiser serving as a producer. Taylor-Johnson will be directing two episodes and Weil will be making his directorial debut. Additional directors include Zach Braff and Tiffany Johnson.
Celeste Announces First Headline UK Tour Celeste has announced details of her first headline UK tour. The ascending soul star, who released her debut album ‘Not Your Muse’ to high acclaim, will perform six headline shows in spring 2022, culminating at London’s Roundhouse on April 21st. The tour news follows the announcement of her first London shows since December 2019. The five dates, which will take place at Union Chapel in July this year, sold out in less than 4 minutes. Despite the ensuing pandemic putting paid to all touring and festival plans, including a sold-out show at London’s Shepherds Bush Empire and a tour with Michael Kiwanuka, Celeste continued her remarkable rise throughout 2020.
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African stars up for Kids Choice Awards T
he nominees for annual Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards are out, and several African stars – both renowned and rising – are in the running for honours at the 34th ceremony that will be held virtually on March 13. The awards celebrate fan favourite stars in film, television, music, sports and more, and this year’s edition is hosted by actor and comedian Kenan Thompson, himself a past winner of an award. “Jerusalema” hit-maker Master KG of South Africa is up for the Favourite Global Music Star Award. He will have to shrug off competition from BTS, Sebastian Yatra, Savannah Clarke, David Guetta and Taylor Swift. In the Favourite African Star category, Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi (South Africa) will vie for
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honours against Thuso Mbedu (acting, South Africa), Siya Kolisi (rugby, South Africa), Sheebah (music, Uganda), Sadio Mane (football, Senegal) and Mo Salah (football, Egypt). In the Favourite African Social Star category, South African celeb Bonang Matheba is up against comedienne Emannuella (Nigeria), Ugandan dance group Ghetto Kids, social media comedy group Ikorodu Bois, magician Wian Van De Burg, and Kenyan social media ribcracker Elisa Majimbo. To bring colour to this year’s virtual ceremony, the show will feature live and interactive fan walls that bring celebrities and families at home to the “main stage”, while a lucky family will be chosen to present an award.
Ahmed, Coel & Mulligan among Independent Spirit Awards nominees BRITISH ACTORS Riz Ahmed, Michaela Coel and Carey Mulligan were among the nominees for this year's Independent Spirit Awards. The awards honour the best in independent film; and often indicate who could win an Oscar. Ahmed was nominated in the male lead category for his portrayal of a heavy metal drummer struggling with losing his hearing in Sound Of Metal. He is nominated in the same category as the late Chadwick Boseman for Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. The drama, about a blues singer, is up against First Cow and Minari for the best feature gong, as well as Never Rarely Sometimes Always and Nomadland.
Rapper And Producer Master P And Son Romeo To Launch New Supercar Brand RAPPER, actor and record producer, Percy ‘Master P’ Miller and his son Romeo are partnering with designer Richard Patterson to launch a new automotive brand called Trion SuperCars. Patterson, a former Tesla designer, has already created the Nemesis RR, and is the founder of the first Blackowned supercar manufacturer in the U.S. In a statement, the entrepreneur and former basketball player said: "Richard Patterson is a genius. He has created the blueprint for the next era of supercars. “It's time for us to change the narrative for our culture by offering economic empowerment with this partnership. “This is history. We have come a long way to be a part of innovative technology, manufacturing and producing our own automobiles." Trion SuperCars is being engineered by Patterson, who served as the developer of the Tesla Model S design from scratch. He is also the designer of the landing gear on the Boeing 777 and the folding seat system in the Dodge minivan.
The new auto company is another addition to Miller's long list of businesses including his record label, his apparel lines, his cereal brand, as well as his professional wrestling league. Miller's son, Romeo, and business partner James Lindsay are also joining the company that promises to produce highend, luxury sports cars. He commented: "In addition to the high-end line of models, we will be producing a line of affordable luxury vehicles. With the advanced technology that Trion has developed, we are poised to bring this unique product to the mass market."
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ENTERTAINMENT MOTORS
New Classic Car Visitor Attraction to Open in Derbyshire A BRAND-NEW classic car visitor attraction is set to open in Derbyshire later this year. Great British Car Journey will open in summer 2021. The announcement follows the signing of a lease on the former Wire Works site in Ambergate, Derbyshire. The site, which is located just off the A6 in between Derby and Matlock, is currently undergoing an extensive refurbishment ahead of Great British Car Journey opening. Originally due to open in 2020, plans for the attraction had to be shelved following serious health issues with two of its founders. Now back to full health, Great British Car Journey is out of the garage, back on the road and all set to open later this year with even more cars joining the original line up. Located beside the River Derwent and within the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, more than 150 classic British cars which were at the forefront of a global transport revolution, will be exhibited at the new familyfriendly attraction.
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Phantom Tempus
R
o l ls-Royce Phantom, the marque’s pinnacle product, which resides at the apex of the luxury world, has today become the subject of an exclusive and rare collection, the Phantom Tempus Collection. This arresting new iteration of Phantom is inspired by Time – how it passes, and how it can be made seemingly to stand still.
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The Collection is strictly limited to just 20 examples, all of which have already been allocated to clients. The design of the Phantom Tempus Collection encompasses various aesthetic and intellectual themes relating to time and the cosmos. A key component is a rare astronomical phenomenon, the pulsar, unknown until 1967 and found only in the deepest reaches of space (the nearest yet discovered is 280 light
years, or 1,680 trillion miles, from Earth). These very dense, white-hot stars emit electromagnetic radiation in extremely regular pulses, making them some of the most accurate clocks in the universe. In Phantom Tempus, this remarkable force of nature is rendered as a centrepiece in a Bespoke Starlight Headliner consisting of fibre-optic lighting and intricate Bespoke embroidery, creating the
unique and beautiful Pulsar Headliner. “The events of the past year have caused many people, not least our clients, to re-evaluate their sense of, and relationship with Time,” explains Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, “At a moment in history when so much in life seems ephemeral, our patrons are seeking solace in the unique timelessness, longevity and permanence offered by a
Rolls-Royce motor car. “It is thus the perfect moment for Phantom Tempus Collection – a magnificent incarnation of our pinnacle product, inspired by a mysterious celestial phenomenon and Time, which Albert Einstein, one of the greatest minds in human history, defined as a persistent illusion.”
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T.50S NIKI LAUDA EDITION
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ordon Murray Automotive has unveiled its T.50s Niki Lauda track-focused supercar for the first time. Developed in parallel with the T.50, the most driver-centric supercar ever built, the T.50s Niki Lauda has been conceived, designed and engineered to offer the ultimate ontrack driving experience. Like the T.50, the T.50s Niki Lauda has been designed and engineered without compromise, but with an even more extreme specification. It weighs just 852kg and will be powered by a substantially redesigned version of the T.50’s Cosworth-engineered 3.9-litre V12, producing 725bhp, revving to 12,100rpm and going through a newly-designed Xtrac six-speed paddle-shift gearbox. Advanced aerodynamics, aided by a 400mm rear-mounted fan, will produce up to 1500kg of downforce for optimum track performance. Just 25 T.50s Niki Laudas will be made, costing £3.1m (before taxes). Production will start in January 2023 at Gordon Murray Automotive’s manufacturing centre in Dunsfold, Surrey, UK, after the run of 100 T.50 supercars is completed.
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Virtual Bespoke Configuration: The New Bentley Mulliner Visualiser With the introduction of the Bentley Mulliner Visualiser, it is now easier for customers to work with their retailer remotely to fulfil their personal commissioning requirements. The Bentley Mulliner Visualiser is a digital application that allows customers to view images of bespoke hide, veneer and stitching options tailored by them – and ultimately to envision their own bespoke Bentley. Working with the retailer or Bentley’s own Mulliner designers, customers are able to configure up to three different colours to create their own interior design. The digital application guides the customer, via their retailer, through the process and produces images of the final design in real time, providing feedback and confidence that their personalised design matches their vision and is part of the same on-screen experience.
l Laurence & Prime Minister David Cameron
PEUGEOT ROARS INTO 2021 PEUGEOT has launched a new logo and brand identity in only the 11th update to its iconic lion emblem since 1850. Created by the Peugeot Design Lab and featuring a roaring lion’s head inside a coat of arms, the new design is part of Peugeot’s latest brand identity developed around the concept of ‘time’ and living in the moment. The new visual language reflects Peugeot’s bold electrification strategy and its desire to enhance the ownership experience through pioneering new technologies.
The new Peugeot logo features an all-new take on the iconic Peugeot lion, with a roaring lion’s head inside a new Peugeot coat of arms. The emblem has been created to acknowledge Peugeot’s evolution as a brand, its innovative and successful model line-up and its continuing transition to electrification, having committed to offering an electrified variant across its entire model line-up by 2025. The new look will be accompanied by an international campaign and
new-look website, as well as a new lifestyle collection of clothing and accessories later this year. The new logo also showcases Peugeot as a timeless brand, celebrating its more than 210year history, while also looking to the future, towards new technologies and innovations provided by the new Stellantis partnership. The logo has been designed to last and will feature proudly across all new models, starting with the all-new Peugeot 308, which will make its world premiere later this year.
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Universal Music Joins K-Pop Livestreaming Platform UNIVERSAL Music Group has said it will join a livestreaming platform set up by K-pop's major record labels. As the world's biggest music label - represents superstars such as Taylor Swift, Rihanna and Lady Gag, it said it would invest in the platform launched last year by Big Hit Entertainment, the company behind K-pop superstars BTS. YG, the record label representing Blackpink, is also investing in the platform called VenewLive. Big Hit set up VenewLive as part of a joint venture called KBYK Live. Following the investment, a statement by the record labels said VenewLive now has with ambitions on a global scale. South Korean - K-pop music has grown massively in popularity on a global scale. Last year BTS became the first K-pop band to have a number one on the US Billboard charts.
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Exhibition set to celebrate the influence of 2-Tone
M
embers of the public are being asked to contribute to a major exhibition on the 2-Tone era of music. An event, at the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum in Coventry from 14 May, is the first major exhibition about the scene in the UK, say organisers. The style started in Coventry
in the 70s with the name coming from the 2-Tone record label founded by Jerry Dammers of The Specials in 1979. The exhibition will explore 2-Tone's influences and social impact. Fans are being asked to share photos and their experiences. Curator Martin Roberts described the style as "a great aspect of Coventry culture that has gone all over the world". Groups
that were part of the label The Specials, The Selecter and other ska-influenced bands such as Madness, The Beat and The Bodysnatchers - will be showcased at the exhibition. Pauline Black, from The Selecter, said that said social cohesion was difficult in the 1970s and the bands were "ahead of their time" in talking about multiculturalism. She added:
"There's a new generation who appreciate the music." Cultural and creative director of the museum, Francis Ranford, added: "We are incredibly excited to celebrate the 2-Tone phenomenon through this blockbuster exhibition. The support we have received so far from band members, fans and industry experts has been incredible - however we would still like more contributions from fans." Organisers say that the display will also look at the scene's philosophical and political impact at the time and the continuing influence it has had on music and fashion. Fashion items and memorabilia already donated include a 2-Tone suit, Roddy Radiation's pork pie hat, a Fred Perry polo shirt and a Harrington jacket. The exhibition will run until September and culminate in an "immersive 2-Tone experience celebrating the energy and legendary sound of the bands' performances".
Prime Video announces new ‘All or Nothing’ AMAZON Prime Video and Italian giants Juventus Football Club today announced a brand new Italian Amazon Original exclusive behindthe-scenes docu-series, ‘All or Nothing: Juventus’, following the team through the current 2020/21 season. The new Amazon Original series will launch exclusively on Prime Video this year in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. It will take viewers on a behind the scenes journey with the illustrious, iconic football club during a pivotal season and follow all of the key events, including the arrival of Andrea Pirlo as the club’s new Head Coach and will focus on the unique aspects of the Club Bianconero “white and black” - and its identity; deeply-rooted in Italian culture and history, though always looking to the future. ‘All or Nothing: Juventus’ will unpack the level of perseverance, the effort and the dedication needed to compete at the very highest level, granting fans close-up access to the players, the staff and the management.
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TIME TO ADAPT
The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2021 - Page 31
BIG DAVE’S SAFE PAGE
MADE BIRMINGHAM I
IN
Mind, Body & Soul
Amazing Crystals C
I
n all the time I have physically trained which has been most of my adult life from bodybuilding to power lifting to my incredible world strength records. In all that time of intense training I am very lucky that I have never needed any gym or training equipment at home as I have always been welcomed at a good hardcore gym (The Fitness Factory) in Birmingham. Then all of a sudden it was like cutting off one of my limbs in a major earthquake moment, I had to think what am I going to do without access to all the equipment and weights. I need to maintain my strength and conditioning, which has become a huge part of my life. As it is a major part of my multi award winning work with children and young
people around combating issues of negative pathways. So I was in a dilemma and had to think how I could adapt to this major change in my life. So the first thing I tried was training in the house, this proved very difficult to achieve so I then decided to spring clean my garage to create the necessary space I required for my training. After a major throw out of unwanted clutter I had a safe space large enough to train in. So now I had to think what equipment was easily available and how I could adapt to using this in my workout routines and was heavy enough. I needed to find a way to compensate for the weight plates, bars and dumbells that I usually lift and luckily in my garden I had two heavy concrete planters, so after cleaning them out and filing them with cement and
attaching two harnesses to them this went some way to my needs but was still not heavy enough so I added six house bricks on to the top of each planters. Then I was able to thread a large crowbar and together these formed my barbell, which gave me something heavy to lift. Using other items that you would not normally associate with being used as training equipment , I managed to put Big Dave’s Training Garage together using various items i.e. a piece of solid lead for bicep curls and some car wheel inner tubes and was able to use these as resistance bands and a couple of car batteries as dumbells. Utilising these items that I found tucked away I was able to adapt to my new surroundings. Luckily the garage had some large support beams so
I was able to tie and loop two harnesses around the beam which held a scaffold bar so I could do chin up exercises in my garage. Now Big Dave’s Training Garage has been adapted and being used for my heavy duty training regimes. So the moral of this story, if you want and need something badly enough, you will find a way to make it happen through perseverance and adaptability. All of our lives have been impacted in a sideways direction and we have all had to think, what am I going to do to get through this epic change in our lives, to be able to adapt to new situations and changes around us. Big Dave says “If we chose to stand still we go nowhere and if we chose to adapt we move forward. Let us all move forward together”. Stay Safe, Stay Strong, Stay Fit And Spread The Love
RYSTALS have been around in the Earth for billions of years and humans have been reaping the benefits of their many uses. We are drawn to crystals for various reasons and our ancestors would use them in healing rituals, for divination, burial rites and the ancient Egyptians used the beautiful Crystal Lapis Lazuli for blue cosmetics. Each and every crystal has a different, individual purpose, whether it’s to heal your body, mind or spirit, in meditation, adorn your home or as a beautiful piece of jewellery for you to wear. There is a crystal out there to benefit everyone. I have advised many people over the years to carry a crystal with them to help them overcome an issue they may be struggling with. Keeping the chosen crystal close to you allows that crystal to work with you more intensely. The three most commonly known crystals are clear quartz, amethyst and rose quartz. Clear quartz is a master healer crystal and is very popular as it has numerous benefits. Amethyst goes from lilac to purple in colour and is excellent for relieving stress, fear, anxiety etc . Rose quartz is pink in colour and opens the heart to encourage self-love, friendship, inner calmness and peace. Crystals are readily available to purchase in shops and on line . They will need cleansing as soon as you buy them, as they will be carrying the energy of everyone who has touched them. There are various ways of cleansing a crystal, but make sure it’s not detrimental to the
crystal as some are extremely fragile and can damage easily. You can place your crystals outside when there’s a full moon or in the sunshine to cleanse, charge and rejuvenate them. Also cleansing under running water, with salt, sound or smudging with a smudge stick. Any of these methods will clear and prepare your crystals ready to work with you. Have fun and enjoy your crystal journey. This months Oracle card is ‘Transformation’ from the Goddess Guidance Oracle by Doreen Virtue. This card is very apt at the moment, as we have been and still are going through times of transformation whether it be on a personal level, career /work, relationships, moving home etc. As humans we tend not to like change, we like to stay the same in our comfort zones. But change is necessary. It is something we should all be thankful for now. We need things to drastically change so that we can all move forward and come together once more . We need people and people need us ... Celebrate these changes, embrace the new opportunities that are coming your way . A new era is beginning for us all. The ‘Butterfly Maiden’ is a Springtime Goddess which is the time of the year we are entering . If you’re feeling stuck or finding it difficult to move forward , then call upon this beautiful goddess to help you . Ruth G Soul Butterfly
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ENTERTAINMENT
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Star of Six - The Musical launches Hippodrome’s Digital MasterclasseS
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his week, star of SIX – The Musical in London’s West End, Birmingham’s very own Alexia McIntosh, launched Birmingham Hippodrome’s Digital Masterclasses with the first of 25 online workshops for young people aged 7-25. The series of live digital workshops are designed especially for young people to access leading insight from industry experts all from the comfort of their own homes. Alexia McIntosh said; “It was an honour to be the first to lead one of Birmingham Hippodrome’s Digital Masterclasses with my fellow brilliant Brummies. “It’s always inspiring to see the young, raw talent of my hometown and it was a real pleasure getting to know the young people taking part and help them on their journey in the arts. Birmingham Hippodrome are doing a fantastic job in engaging young people in a time
where access to the arts is limited by ongoing restrictions.” Upcoming workshops include a dance and movement workshop with Hairspray star Lauren Stroud, a Writing for Musical Theatre workshop with Artistic Director of Fat Rascal Theatre and writer of Fringe hit, Unfortunate – The Untold
Story of Ursula the Seawitch, Robyn Grant and a Spoken Word Workshop with leading artists from Apples and Snakes. Other workshops will be based around musical theatre blockbusters such as We Will Rock You and Sister Act plus Alexia McIntosh will return for a Six – The Musical workshop on
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19 February. Robyn Grant said; “After working and collaborating with Birmingham Hippodrome on a number of projects, I can’t wait to once again work with this city’s exceptionally talented young people. “I’m excited to share some musical theatre magic with those attending these exclusive online masterclasses from Birmingham Hippodrome.” Zaylie-Dawn Wilson, Head of Learning and Participation at Birmingham Hippodrome added; “Our latest series of digital masterclasses continues Birmingham Hippodrome’s ongoing commitment to enabling easy access to the arts for young people and the employment of freelance artists and practitioners. “These workshops provide a brilliant opportunity to access guidance and techniques from industry experts.”
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100th birthday. NHS Charities Together said that would rise to £39m when Gift Aid was taken into account. He was knighted by the Queen last July in a special ceremony at Windsor Castle. He also became the oldest person to have a UK number one single when he recorded You’ll Never Walk Alone with Michael Ball last year. He died with coronavirus.
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he co-founder of The Supremes, the Mississippi-born singer remained a member of the group until they split up. Known for hits such as Baby Love and You Can’t Hurry Love, the group was founded in Detroit as The Primettes in 1959, when she was 15 before fame and fortune came under the Motown banner. The group disbanded following her 1977 departure and she then
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as presiding judge of the Northern Circuit until his retirement in 1996. He also served in the Scots Guards between 1944 and 1947, transferring to the 21st Special Air Service Regiment (Territorial Army) until 1965. He also served as the Honorary Colonel of the 21st SAS from 1983 onwards. Leaving two sons and a daughter with his wife, he died age 94.
Chief Chimezie Francis Okwudiri Diele
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idely known as CBN, he worked with the central bank of Nigeria - once at the head office in Abuja as the deputy director of human resources - before transferring to Portharcourt as the branch controller working until his death. Called ‘a father’, ‘an angel’ ‘a friend’, ‘a rock’, and a man fiercely loved by all, he stood
tall and sure, whose strength and values were inestimable. He was seen as the only one who people felt they could count on. He left a big hole in people’s hearts. God used him to be a vessel to a source of joy and inspiration. A man of honour, he was seen as a pillar of strength - His presence will be felt always.
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became a bestselling author with the release of her autobiography, Dreamgirl: My Life As a Supreme. The Supremes were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. In 2019, she took part in Dancing With The Stars on US TV. She was working on releasing new solo material just before she died age 76.
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orn Ewart Beckford, in Jones Town, Kingston, he is credited with popularising the vocal style known as ‘toasting’ - a rhythmical vocal style performed over reggae and dancehall tracks. He recorded a number of singles and albums, with some of his most popular being Dread in a Babylon in 1975 and Natty Rebel in 1976. He later featured on the Toots and the Maytals’ Grammy awardwinning True Love album.
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star of US sitcom Saved by the Bell, he was best known for playing Samuel ‘Screech’ Powers in the popular 1990s show. Born in San Jose, California, he attended Zion Lutheran School before the actor, director, comedian, musician also formed an alternative metal band Salty The Pocketknife where he played bass and wrote much of the music.
He also appeared on truTV’s The Smoking Gun Presents: World’s Dumbest... as a commentator and appeared in Celebrity Big Brother in the UK in 2013. He was evicted on Day 16. He completed a first round of chemotherapy after being diagnosed with lung cancer before his condition deteriorated fast. He was 44.
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orn in St Louis, he won gold at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal before turning professional and being known as ‘the man who shocked the boxing world.’ A former US marine, the younger brother of fellow world champion Michael achieved one of the greatest upsets when he beat Muhammad Ali in 1978, in just his eighth professional fight - seven
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Tennessee. Winning a host of awards celebrating Gospel music, his first #1 song, ‘The Champion,’ in 1985, solidified his place in music history and defined his soulwinning career. He was planning to embark on a 60-city tour before passing away at a Las Vegas hospital, after fighting a series of complications following surgery to repair a hiatal hernia. He was 65.
months later, though, Ali regained the title. He had shrinkage in the brain in 2012 before his cancer diagnosis was confirmed a few years later. His brother Michael was undisputed light-heavyweight champion in the 1980s, before moving up to heavyweight, where he won the IBF title and avenged Leon’s loss to Larry Holmes. He was 67.
Tony Collins
Carman Dominic Licciardello
orn January in New Jersey, in the US, the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame member began his career playing drums in his mother’s band at the age of 15. He holds the world record for having the largest audience to see a single Christian artist, setting the record for the largest concert at Texas Stadium (over 71,000 fans) and led more than 80,000 fans in worship in Chattanooga,
Described as “the iconic toaster who changed the paradigm of Jamaican music,” in 2007, the Jamaican government awarded him the Order of Distinction for his contribution to music. Frequently receiving treatment for diabetes and high blood pressure, he also suffered with kidney problems an issue of internal bleeding. He had been undergoing surgery at a hospital, in Kingston, before he later died, age 78.
Leon Spinks
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Sir William Macpherson of Cluny
orn of the Clan Macpherson, he produced the Macpherson Report following the inquiry into the murder of Stephen Lawrence which described the Metropolitan Police as “institutionally racist”. The 27th Chief of Cluny and Blairgowrie, the Judge of the High Court of England and Wales (Queen’s Bench Division) served
OBITUARIES
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Captain Sir Tom Moore
riginally from Keighley in West Yorkshire, the celebrated 100-year-old raised almost £33m for NHS charities. The former soldier who joined the Army at the beginning of World War Two, served in India and Burma. He raised £32,794,701 from more than 1.5 million supporters, by walking 100 laps of his garden in Bedfordshire and was given the honorary title of colonel on his
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nglish football’s first Black manager, he spent seven years in charge of Rochdale A.F.C. and led them to a League Cup final in 1962, before working as chief scout at Leeds United and Manchester United. After a playing career with Sheffield Wednesday, York City, Watford, Norwich City, Torquay United, Crystal Palace and Rochdale, he managed at
Rochdale in the old Division Four - now League Two, initially while playing, until 1967, but worked again as a manager - as caretaker - in 1980 at Bristol City, where he was chief scout and assistant. He then scouted for Don Revie at Leeds, and Ron Atkinson and Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United. When Revie became England manager he provided dossiers on the opposition. He was 94.
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AZUZA STREET
MCB ELECTS FIRST FEMALE LEADER
Court Tells Holocaust Historians To Apologise
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court in Poland ordered two Holocaust historians to apologise to the niece of a dead village mayor, for having accused him of collaborating with the Nazis in World War Two. Despite finding them guilty of defamation in a book, the Warsaw court did not order them to pay damages. The World Holocaust Remembrance Centre, Yad Vashem, called the case "a serious attack on free and open research". Professors Barbara Engelking and Jan Grabowski can appeal. It was a civil case brought against them by 80-year-old Filomena Leszczynska. About six million Jews died in the Holocaust, half of them Polish Jews. Some 90% of Poland's pre-war Jewish community were killed. The book Night Without End quoted testimony from a Holocaust survivor who said the mayor, Edward Malinowski, had betrayed the whereabouts of a group of 22 Jews to German soldiers. The group was subsequently executed. Ms Leszczynska said the authors had omitted to say a post-war trial had acquitted
her uncle of the charge of collaboration with the Nazis. Poles constitute the largest national group honoured by Yad Vashem as Righteous Among the Nations, for having helped save Jews from the occupying German Nazis' anti-Semitic extermination campaign. It honours 7,112 Poles, estimating that they saved about 35,000 Jews. Despite their heroism, Yad Vashem says historical research shows that such help "was relatively rare, and attacks against and even the murder of Jews were widespread phenomena". More than five million Polish citizens in total died in the war. A controversial 2018 law in Poland makes it an offence to link the Polish nation to Nazi crimes. It was not invoked however in the present case. The niece is backed by an organisation called the Polish League Against Defamation, which aims to defend "Poland's good name". She demanded 100,000 zloty (£19,600; $27,000) in damages and a formal apology in the media. The League is close to the ruling nationalist Law and Justice Party (PiS), which champions traditional Polish Catholic values.
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he Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) has elected its first female leader. Zara Mohammed said it was an "honour" to be appointed as the new secretary general after winning the most votes in a poll of affiliate groups of the UK's largest Muslim umbrella organisation. She succeeds Harun Khan, who completed a maximum of four
years as the head of the MCB. The Glaswegian, 29, said that she hoped more women and young people would be inspired to seek leadership roles. She said: "I think women sometimes hesitate to take on leadership roles even though they are more than qualified to do so. "It is really important to engage young people, engage more women and diversify the
organisation and the work we are doing." Mayor of London Sadiq Khan tweeted that Ms Mohammed's appointment was "terrific". He said: "I wish the very best of success to Zara Mohammed may she continue to lead this organisation to greater heights for the betterment of our communities across the country." Ms Mohammed is a Masters
graduate in human rights law and a training and development consultant and she said that she aimed to "continue to build a truly inclusive, diverse and representative body", driven by the needs of British Muslims "for the common good". She previously served as an assistant secretary general for the MCB.
Christian Group Fined £10k For Meet In Car Park POLICE have handed a £10,000 fine to the organiser of a church meet-up in a pub car park. Officers from Nottinghamshire Police said the Church on the Streets service, involving about 30 people in Bulwell, in Nottingham, broke lockdown rules. They said when officers arrived there were tents, food and a sound system. But the church's pastor, Chez Weir, has said she will contest the fine. Inspector James Walker said they were advising the group
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for a number of weeks about how and where they could worship during lockdown. He said: "Whilst the rules stated you can attend places of worship, this car park is evidently not a place of worship. Despite the warnings given, the event continued to go ahead and that is why we implemented our last resort of enforcement." The pastor said those attending Church on the Streets gatherings stayed in their cars and the food, tents and sound system were all part of the service.
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NEWS
Coming Unstuck!
CHINA NOW BIGGEST EU TRADING PARTNER C hina is now the EU's biggest trading partner, overtaking the US in 2020 as it bucked a wider trend, as trade with most of Europe's major partners dipped due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Trade between China and the EU was worth $709bn (€586bn, £511bn) last year, compared with $671bn worth of imports and exports from the US. Although China's economy cratered in the first quarter due to the pandemic, its economic recovery later in the year fuelled demand for EU goods. China was the only major global economy to see growth in 2020, stoking demand for European cars and luxury goods. Meanwhile, China's exports to Europe benefited from strong demand for medical equipment and electronics.
"In the year 2020, China was the main partner for the EU. This result was due to an increase of imports (+5.6%) and exports (+2.2%)," according to Eurostat, the EU's statistical office. The figures were similar to China's official data published in January, which showed trade with the EU grew by 5.3% to $696.4bn in 2020. The EU's trade deficit with China also grew from $199bn to $219bn according to Eurostat figures. Although the US and the UK remain the EU's largest export markets, trade with both countries dropped significantly, the statistics showed. "Trade with the United States recorded a significant drop in both imports (-13.2%) and exports (-8.2%)," the data agency said. Transatlantic trade has been hit by a series of tit-for-tat disputes that have resulted in tariffs on
A TOP Ghana-born plastic surgeon in the US has successfully removed Gorilla Glue from the scalp of a woman who sprayed it on her hair last month mistaking it for hairspray, TMZ videos show. It took Dr Michael Obeng four hours to remove the glue from Tessica Brown’s head, the celebrity gossip site said. The Harvard-trained, Beverly Hills-based doctor offered to perform the $12,500 (£9,000) procedure for free when he heard about Ms Brown’s plight after she shared a video on TikTok last week. Nothing she had tried to remove the waterproof glue, which is usually used for fixing bathroom tiles, wood flooring
and decking, had worked - and she had been forced to cut off her ponytail as it was pulling her scalp so much. After the treatment, an emotional Ms Brown can be seen running her fingers through her hair. Asked how she felt, she replied that she wished she hadn’t had to cut off her ponytail. Dr Obeng, who has a chemistry background, said that he used various things to break down the polyurethane, which is the main ingredient in Gorilla Glue. He did some research and came up with a mixture of medical-grade adhesive remover, aloe vera, olive oil and some acetone.
steel and products such as French Cognac or American HarleyDavidson motorcycles. In 2020, the US had a trade volume of $671bn with the EU, down from $746bn the previous year. It's not year clear if new US President Joe Biden will reevaluate the US approach to trade with Europe. The EU and China, however, are trying to deepen their economic ties, with both sides seeking to ratify an investment deal that would give European companies better access to the Chinese market. Analysts are tipping global trade to turn around in 2021 after a lacklustre 2020. The real value of global trade is set to rise by 7.6% after an an estimated contraction of 13.5% in 2020 to $16.4tn, according to research firm IHS Markit.
Council Leader Welcomes Historic Government Move WOLVERHAMPTON city has welcomed the historic government announcement that it has chosen the city as the location to house the first ministerial department based outside of London. Councillor Ian Brookfield, Leader of City of Wolverhampton Council, has welcomed the news that the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is to create a new dual headquarters in the city, which will include the presence of ministers and senior civil servants. He said: “This is a huge vote of confidence in our city and we are
delighted to have been chosen to host this historic move away from Whitehall. The kudos of being the first place outside of London to host a government department will create a real buzz and interest, attracting further investment which is exactly what we want to be able to ‘relight’ Wolverhampton after the pandemic.” Wolverhampton is ideally placed to benefit from HS2 which will cut journey times to the capital and elsewhere dramatically. It is also becoming one of the most digitally connected cities
in the UK, with 5G and gigabit speed, full fibre broadband being rolled out at pace. Cllr Brookfield added: “It wasn’t hard to sell Wolverhampton as the ideal location in the heart of the country, with enviable connectivity to the rest of the West Midlands and beyond, the city’s connectivity is being further boosted by the soon to be completed £150m single integrated city centre transport hub including a brand new railway station and creating an attractive commercial gateway to the city.
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HEALTH AND WELLBEING
CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF POSITIVE NEWS
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HOSPICE GAMING CHALLENGE RECEIVES INDUSTRY SUPPORT B irmingham St Mary’s Hospice is asking supporters to ‘game for good’ and turn their hobby into a fundraiser to support their Raise Your Game campaign this month. Board-gamers and console players alike are being encouraged to ‘plug in and play’ to pledge their support to Hospice care by hosting virtual gameathons. Players are being encouraged to hold household board game tournaments or livestream their favourite games with their Twitch followers in exchange for donations. The Hospice, which provides support free of charge to people and their families living with a life-limiting illness every day across Birmingham, Sandwell and Solihull, has been forced to cancel events and close its retail shops over the last 12 months in line with Covid-19 restrictions. During this time, Birmingham St Mary’s has relied more than ever on the support of the local community, with supporters taking part in virtual events and challenges such as Raise Your Game to raise essential funds. This year’s campaign is being sponsored by award-winning
l Sherril Donaldson – NU:GEN CARE CIC
Voice For Our Black Elders
l Birmingham Team Photo 2020 British video game developer and publisher, Codemasters, makers of the award-winning official F1 Series. Ian Flatt, VP Executive Producer at Codemasters said of their support: “Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice was the obvious charity to support for everyone at the Birmingham studio, both for the great work they do in the local community, and how they have positively touched the lives of so many.
Social Care Staff Urged To Get Life-Saving Covid-19 Jab SOCIAL CARE staff in the West Midlands are being urged to make sure they have their Covid-19 vaccine. Frontline health and social care staff are already eligible for the life-saving jab, and thousands of residential and home care staff in Wolverhampton already had theirs Covid jab too. However, it is estimated that around a third of social care staff nationally are yet to do so – and are putting themselves and the people they care for at risk from coronavirus. Councillor Linda Leach, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Services, said: “It’s really important that everyone gets their vaccination as
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soon as they are able to, but particularly social care staff – not just to protect themselves from Covid-19 but also to enable them to continue doing their vital work. “It’s great news that so many social care staff have already been vaccinated, but I would encourage all health and social care staff to make sure they get a weekly rapid Covid-19 test because, while we know the vaccine offers a great deal of protection if someone were to catch coronavirus, we don’t yet know how effective it is at preventing them from passing it on to someone else, for instance the person they are caring for.
“We hope to increase awareness of Raise Your Game and encourage our players to get involved and raise funds to enable the Hospice to help more people and continue to enrich our local community.” The Birmingham studio will also be planning their own exciting Raise Your Game event to help raise further funds for the Hospice. Maria Goodwin, Community
Fundraiser at Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice added “We are thrilled to have Codemasters sponsor our Raise Your Game campaign and excited to build a fantastic and longlasting relationship with their Birmingham studio. “In what has been a challenging year, they have already provided a wealth of knowledge to continue to grow this campaign and help make it the best year yet.”
Pandemic Motivates Brits To Improve Their Physical Health MORE than half of Brits (54%) are determined to get more physically active as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a British Heart Foundation (BHF) survey released to kick-off National Heart Month. The figures reveal the toll that repeated lockdowns have had on many people’s view of their health. Most respondents said they were more concerned about their physical (63%) and mental health (56%) because of the pandemic, and around half said they feel unhealthier (48%) as a result. In response, the BHF, backed by multi-medal winning Olympian Roger Black MBE, used National Heart Month to encourage the public to do at least one thing to improve their heart health. The charity launched a range of challenges including MyCycle and My Step Challenge - to encourage people to make
gradual improvements to their lifestyle while raising vital funds for its work. Roger, who was diagnosed with a congenital heart condition aged 11, said: “During lockdown, many of us are looking for new ways to boost our health while following the government’s guidelines, which is why National Heart Month was the ideal time to start looking after our heart. You don’t have to run a marathon to keep fit - the BHF had a variety of virtual challenges such as MyCycle and My Step Challenge to help get you started.”
Dotage’ is a word my daughter uses frequently when we discuss the subject of my aging. We have always had a little chuckle when we imagine me at that stage. This last month I have thought more about what the word really means, and according to the Oxford Dictionary it means, “ .a state or period of senile decay marked by decline of mental poise and alertness”. I was a little startled by the definition as it made me think about the many ways in which that ‘dotage’ can make its presence felt and at what point do we recognise that decline in ourselves or in a loved one? Over the last year it has become very clear that we, as a community, go through long periods of denial when it comes to recognising there is a problem and even longer before we take action to mitigate the difficulties coming down the line. Last Summer I came face to face with an acute example of exactly that situation and it haunts me every day as I know the situation has not changed. As a part of the Carryit Come Project, we were asked to deliver meals to an elder in the community three times a week and in doing so we would also provide some companionship. However, after a couple of weeks it became very clear there was an issue with her memory and grasp of the daily life. The issue was raised with the family and it became clear they were aware there was a problem, but, did not believe they needed to do anything about it as she was fine ‘most’ of the time. Fast forward nearly a year, her situation has worsened and due to the lockdown the family are in a desperate situation as they try to work with the medical practitioners to get some medical help and assistance. Whilst they try to work on
solutions to deal with her now very acute illness, the Elder has to be locked in her home to keep her safe from wondering the streets. Unquestionably, a horrible situation for all concerned. The situation and circumstance is not an isolated one, maybe, it is more severe than most I am aware of, but, it remains a set of circumstances that needs to be faced by all of us as elders or the relative that has some responsibility for an elder. On university shelves across the country, there are many Alzheimer and similar research papers’, reporting on the challenges our community needs to get to grips with, and there are many professionals working on those challenges. But, do we know who they are or how we can help? We need to find and work with those professionals to help them to shine a light on our issues. Now, the meaning of ‘dotage’ comes into blinding focus, right? At what point do we recognise there is an issue and at what point do we take some action to address the concerns? I’ll leave you to draw your own conclusions and make your own decisions. In my mind, and to ensure my daughter has no issue with dealing with my encroaching ‘dotage’, I have made it known that I need to be made aware of any deteriorating symptoms and I want action to be taken earlier rather than later. WE need to work together to identify our pressure points and the existing organisation in a position to lead a movement to alleviate our challenges. So, I ask you to contact me with your thoughts on the way forward and topics for discussion in this column to ensure we work to change the landscape of care for our elders.
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HEALTH AND WELLBEING
RESEARCH REVEALS THE HUMBLE GUINEP AS POSSIBLE AID FOR A HEALTHIER HEART
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esearch has just revealed that the humble guinep fruit could be a leading aid in the fight against blood pressure. It is also understood to be a conduit in managing complications such as cardiac arrests, plus other medical problems that affects heart muscles. And tests are now being carried out in preparation for clinical trials. The research, which have been exploring how, and why, the chemical properties induce
positive effects on health is offering hope for the development of cheaper, more accessible medicines for the pharmaceutical industry worldwide. And, where treatment options are often expensive and out of the reach of many, for certain heart conditions, the small, sweat and fulfilling fruit can prove to be an affordable relief to many people. Central to the findings was lead researcher Dr Chukwuemeka Nwokocha, a lecturer in medical sciences at The University of West Indies (UWI) who has said
that he is tapping into natural and easily accessible products for medicine, potentially limiting the risk of side effects and insulating the vulnerable from out-of-reach costs. “We are seeking a greater understanding of the scientific evidence from our research,” he said “and to validate the mechanism of action, toxicology analysis. “We are looking to isolate the medical principles of the extracts of guinep.” Scientifically named Melicoccus bijugatus Jacq, the
pulpy drupe bears seasonally, usually in the summer months and is similar to the lychee, which is often called Chinese guinep. The research team have also conducted studies on mango and soursop.
Be Fighting Fit To Ward Off Or Battle COVID
DURING the pandemic there has been a lot of information regarding wearing masks etc, but not what other internal precautions to take to help prevent contracting COVID, or at least being in the best place to fight it off should the worst happen. Whilst some of these things may sound quite basic, taken together, they may make a difference and ensure your body is in the best health to be able to fight and recover from any infection. 1. Vitamin D - official advice is to supplement during the winter months in the UK as our bodies can't produce enough from sunlight and diet tends to be a poor source as food contains only low levels. 2. Zinc is also important for immune function, deficiency leads to immune dysfunction and increases susceptibility to infectious diseases. 3. Vitamin C - there is some evidence to support its use with studies showing reduced incidence of pneumonia in vitamin C supplemented groups. 4. Fruit and vegetable intake -the Mediterranean diet with good intake of vegetables, fish, lean meat, nuts, beans, olive oil and whole grains is the
diet most associated with good health. 5. Dietary diversity - a diverse diet increases microbiotadiversity ("good" bacteria in the gut) and research shows this is associated with improved markers of health including lower inflammatory markers andreduced frequency of infection. 6. Probiotic foods -70% of immune function resides in the gut and a healthy digestion is important for a healthy immune system. 7. Vegetarians usually need to supplement with B12, iodine, omega 3 and often zinc and iron. 8. Stress - take steps to mitigate stress and worry where possible as stress can affect immune function. 9. Exercise - moderate exercise supports good immune function with inactivity and excessive exercise both being potentially detrimental. 10. Sleep -poor quality sleep impacts immune function so aim to get adequate, good quality sleep Before taking any of the supplements in this list, always speak to your doctor, nurse or other healthcare professional for their advice.
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HEALTH AND WELLBEING
CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF POSITIVE NEWS
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TROPICAL SUN SUPPORTS BAME NHS DONOR DRIVE
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s many of our readers will know, there is currently a shortfall of blood and organ donations from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities, which results in members of these communities having to wait longer for transplants,
facing increased chances of health complications and even death. To remedy this, The NHS has partnered with World Food pioneers Tropical Sun, a company with a long history of serving the UK’s BAME communities. Committing their creative
talents, networks and funding, Tropical Sun have put their brand power behind the NHS to drive an increase in blood and organ donations for the benefit of their customers, many of whom come f r o m African, Asian
and Caribbean backgrounds. “As Tropical Sun grows and evolves, we are always looking at new ways we can support our customers. The pandemic has shown us just how vital the NHS is to maintaining healthy and prosperous communities. “We want no-one to have to wait for an organ donation or blood transfusion. That is our aim.”, said Paul Harrison, Tropical Sun’s Head of Community. As well as putting calls to action on their jackfruit and rice packaging, Tropical Sun have organised a vast social campaign, supported by the likes of fitness guru Mr. Motivator, 101-year-old fundraising hero Dabirul Islam Choudhury and British Gold Medal
Olympian Kelly Holmes, all of whom jumped at the chance to support the NHS. To arrange your blood donation, which takes only an hour or your time and is permitted during the
lockdown, head to blood.co.uk. To register your organ donation decision, which takes a mere 2 minutes, head to organdonation.nhs.uk. Thank you for your support!
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The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2021 - Page 39
MONTHLY COLUMN
GETTING TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER WITH DR TONI LUCK
THINKING CORRECTLY WILL SAVE LIVES, YOURS INCLUDED
I
almost missed my deadline because with so many things going on around the world and in Africa, I just could not pin down the topic I wanted to share with you this month.
Not to mention the fact that I was confronted with the reality that we are already in March 2021, almost a fourth of the year will be gone shortly. Just as I was about to decide on what I wanted to share this month, I received an incredible note from a dear sister-friend of mine from Tanzania, who is an amazing Global Thought Leader & Mind Body Energy Medicine Practitioner. She brought to mind the reality that with so many confusing messages about the Corona Virus Pandemic that our hearts and minds must be reeling.
Part of the serious difficulty is partly due to trying to understand the media’s fascination in letting us know every minute that the virus is surging, the various variants, the death toll is rising. Although she is in Tanzania and I in South Africa, we both thought that we needed to use our voices and platforms to encourage the people in our lives to be healthy, to be aware, to be wise. We felt compelled to consider ways and means to distil fact from fiction and exaggeration, especially exaggeration that is driven by ignorance, stupidity, poor management, and political and/or economic ulterior motives. Dr. Scholastica’s nailed it on so many levels, so with her permission I have incorporated many of her thoughts with my own that I pray will help us to see clearly, so that we do not panic but live wholistic and well-balanced lives, no matter what others may be trying to tell us. So, let us begin by acknowledging
that the Covid Virus is a disease, and as with other viruses that affect the lungs, it is one that can make some very sick, and others may even die from it. Therefore, we should take the precautions that God dictated to Moses, thousands of years ago: Wash your hands (Ex.30:18-21); If one has symptoms of an illness, they must keep their distance, cover their mouth and avoid contact (Lev.13:4,5,46); and If one is infected, they must remain in quarantine for 7-14 days. (Leviticus 13: 4, 5). # So we see that there is nothing new under the sun and God surely gave us amazing solutions way in advance. However, the critical thing to remember is that these Godly health and care measures are for those who are sick or infected, so when man tries to improve on the directions of God, we run into real trouble which is why there is so much resistance, push back and cause for concern among the
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peoples of the world, who are not ill but are being treated as though they were, causing much difficulty both personally and economically. Secondly it is critical to realized and acknowledge that many of the people that have died from corona were in very poor health, and had Pre-existing poor health conditions and diseases, were older and thus, in reality did NOT simply die from corona. Now, please understand that does not make their deaths any less painful and hurtful, especially if we have been restricted from seeing them and comforting them in their last hour. But this fact of who is succumbing to the virus and why is of utmost importance for balance of information and response. It has now been almost 15 months since the corona virus was visited on Planet Earth. “During this time, it is a fact that the LARGE MAJORITY of people who catch covid-19 actually GET CURED and are well. But instead of celebrating this fact in news reports and other communications, the WHO and the Global Owners of Capital and the Media keep telling us about how fast the virus is spreading and mutating, how many people are dying,” so Dr. Scholastica informs us. This is why it is so important to have the full information about the deaths so that we are not thinking that Corona is just going about killing and killing but rather we are actually winning the overall fight, again not to discount those who are sick or have died but balance and perspective are critical in understanding how to respond. As a holistic health professional, she rightly pointed out that anther critical reason is the poor medical treatment of the manifestations of corona: especially through the
GETTING TO THE
Heart OF THE MATTER
with Dr Toni Luck administration of anticoagulants and anti- inflammatories to eliminate blood clots as well as the swelling of arteries and veins; coupled with the administration of antibiotics to address secondary infections, etc. It is truly shocking to the both of us, that with all that is now known, how often patients are STILL being taken to ICUs these days, for oxygen treatment through ventilators. She read my mind when she asked a crucial question: “ How can air flow through vessels and arteries which are blocked by swelling and blood clot???” And for those of us who know the answer is it can’t. You have heard me say on many occasions that FEAR – which I refer to as False Evidence Appearing Real is a serious emotional, physical and spiritual issue. Dr. Scholastica rightly points to the fact that “It is a fact that FEAR lowers the body’s immune system, therefore making people more susceptible to infectious diseases. This is why each and every political, religious, media and other vocal personality who discuss the corona virus are very unwise when they make inflammatory utterances which continues to instil PANIC, apprehension and FEAR.” So my dear reader, please continue to educate yourself, and PLEASE LOOK AT THE AFRICA STATS, (I have put the world meter link below) your eyes will be opened and your mind cleared of fearfulness and mental slavery that keeps telling us that white people's ice is colder and their water wetter, when in fact we have better WISDOM than the Western powers and Mainstream media do in this matter which we can offer to them as it concerns Africa, pandemics and how to survive. And please be reminded that Africa has NEVER invented a viral pandemic. https://www.worldometers.info/ coronavirus/ I wonder daily, is anyone who is supposed to be in charge of our lives and wellbeing really paying attention to the stats for Africa,
because these numbers just serve to point up the actual virus, we are faced with is FEAR, NWO and Media Misinformation. Moreover Africa has come up with its own solutions that are based on African indigenous WISDOM and it has been ignored or ridiculed, but we as Africa must show respect to what has worked for us for eons. Finally, Dr. Scholastica implores us with this admonishment, “We need to Claim Our Right to Own Our challenges, as well as the solutions to those challenges beginning with taking charge of our own health and wellness!!!” I could not agree more. There are so many ways to feel well and to get well. I have made some suggestions, you may already be using some of them, and a few may be new and continue to read and study. In any event it is important to take your health and life seriously and avoid the madness that the world is trying to put us under. Firstly, please note that the pH of coronavirus varies from 5.5 to 8.5; therefore one of the important ways to avoid the virus or eliminate the virus is to consume more alkaline foods above the acidity level of the virus. Helpful foods such as :Yellow Lemon - 8.2 pH; Avocado - 15.6 pH; * Garlic - 13.2 pH * Mango - 8.7 pH; * Tangerine - 8.5 pH; * Pineapple - 12.7 pH * Watercress - 22.7 pH; * Oranges - 9.2 pH to name a few. Please make sure that in your home Wellness cabinet you have Vitamin C- 1000, Vitamin E, Zinc, Vitamin D, Vitamin A. Take at least 20 minutes of Sun each day, please get at least 7 hours of sleep each day, 8 would be ideal. Have warm tea a couple times a day, and Steam with Eucalyptus for 3-4 minutes a couple times a day. Please Africa PLEASE WAKE UP before it is too late and we have sacrificed our future on the altar of greed and control of others. Know you are loved forever.
0208 865 1922 (London)
Page 40 - The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2021
OVERSEAS NEWS
French Mayor Criticised For Keeping Meat Off School Menus THE French government has criticised Lyon's mayor after he removed meat from school lunches in the city. Gregory Doucet, a member of the Green party, has said the move allows service to be streamlined and quickened amid coronavirus restrictions. But the government has hit back, accusing him of risking children's health. Agriculture Minister Julien Denormandie wrote: "Let's stop putting ideology on our children's plates." In a post on Twitter he added: "Let's just give them what they need to grow well. Meat is part of it." Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said it was an "unacceptable insult" for French farmers and butchers.
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BARBADOS TO TIGHTEN MEASURES AS UK COVID VARIANT POPS UP
B
arbados is all set to enact new measures in a bid to stave off the spread of coronavirus on the island after cases of the new U.K. variant were detected. According to Prime Minister
Mia Mottley in a televised address to the nation this week, the country's borders will remain open, but a lockdown period from Feb. 3 to 17 includes an expanded national curfew from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Mask wearing will be mandatory in public.
Visitors will be required to take a rapid antigen test upon arrival, quarantine for five nights at an approved hotel, villa or guesthouse and take a second PCR test during that time. Once they test negative, they can move about, although attractions and excursions will be limited. Only supermarkets, gas stations and pharmacies will be open, with limited hours; shops, bars, restaurants and
gyms will be closed. The beaches will be open but only for exercise or swimming. Mottley said that the Caribbean Public Health Agency had confirmed that in 10 samples recently sent to the agency, three were positive with the U.K. variant. These cases, along with a community spread of Covid-19, led to the prime minister's announcement that the country had to "act decisively."
Flight schedules are likely to be reduced, as well. Current entry regulations require visitors to apply through an online government portal at travelform.gov.bb and submit proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival. The new regulations from the CDC also require proof of a negative Covid test done within three days of departure for all travelers entering the U.S.
Let's Stop A Crisis Becoming A Humanitarian Disaster
T
he Deol Foundation has put together an urgent Open Letter to the United Nations regarding the issues facing the Indian Farmers. “This is an appeal for the immediate creation of United Nations Observation Posts at Farmers Protests Sites surrounding New Delhi, India. Namely Singhu Border, Ghazipur border, and Tikri border. An urgent proactive United Nations approach is needed to prevent the current crisis from turning into a humanitarian disaster. The rights and freedoms set out in the UDHR include the right to freedom from torture, the right to free speech, and the right to a fair trial. It further includes the right to live in freedom and safety, civil and political rights, like the right to life, liberty, and privacy. The right to form groups and organize peaceful meetings, as well as the rights of journalists, social/political activists, artists, and musicians to have their work and themselves protected are also present within these articles. During its heavy-handed response to the farmer's agitation, the Government of India is in • Breach of Articles 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21, 27, 28, 29 and 30 of
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the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights Act. • Breach of Articles 2, 3, 6, and 8 of the United Resolution of the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas. • Breach of Articles 14, 32, 21, 20 (1), 25(1), 19, 29 (1) of the Constitution Of India. • Breach of Articles PT1: 1, PT2: 2, PT3: 6, 7 ,9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 26 , of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. We have grave concerns regarding the government of India’s use of propaganda, the media, the judiciary, & the police and paramilitary forces. Over 230 people have died during this current crisis and if the national government does not change direction in its response against protest and dissent this will likely run into the many thousands
in the coming months. Currently, there are tens of thousands of farmers encamped at the three farmers' protest sites. The numbers have been steadily rising since their initial arrival on the 26th November 2020. People have left their homes, in many cases hundreds of miles away. Multitudes are sleeping in make-shift tents, under tractors, and in tractor trolleys during the coldest winter in Delhi's recorded history. A large amount of protestors comprise of women, children, and the elderly. A number have succumbed to the bitter conditions. They are now surrounded by barbed wire, barricades, spikes, and scores of police and paramilitary officers. Ambulances and vehicles are being restricted access to the sites. On the 26th January 2021 during the republic day protests, an American Aid worker, Dr Swaiman Singh and his team were brutally beaten by Delhi Police whilst they were administering medical aid to protestors and police officers. Their ambulance was also smashed.” The full 12 page document can be viewed on the foundations website at https://deolfoundation.org/ campaigns.
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MICHELLE OBAMA TO LAUNCH NEW CHILDREN’S COOKING SHOW
F
irst Lady Michelle Obama has confirmed that she is launching a new cooking show for children on Netflix called ‘Waffles + Mochi’. The 10-episode series will debut in March 2021. The 57-year old wrote her Instagram page: “It’s all about good food, discovering it, cooking it, and of course, eating it. “These two will take us on adventures all around the world to explore new ingredients and try out new recipes.” In 2018, both Michelle and her husband former President Barack Obama entered into a multi-year agreement to produce films and series with Netflix, the world’s leading internet entertainment
service. A synopsis released by Netflix states that the show will focus on two best puppet friends, Waffles and Mochi, who after being hired as “employees of a whimsical supermarket”, travel to kitchens around the world with the help of a “magical flying shopping cart”. The puppets will be joined in the 20-minute episodes by “renowned chefs, home cooks, kids and celebrities”, while Mrs Obama will feature as a series regular in appearances as the supermarket manager. Mochi is a small pink round puppet, resembling the Japanese rice cake, while Waffles is a bigger furry creature with waffles as ears. Writing about the show, the former First Lady said: “Kids will love it, but I know that adults
will also get plenty of laughs – and some tips for the kitchen. “In many ways, this show is an extension of my work to support children’s health as first lady – and to be quite honest, I wish a programme like this had been around when my girls were young.” Both Mrs and Ms Obama production company, Higher Ground Productions, which she owns with her husband, will produce a diverse mix of content, including the potential for scripted series, unscripted series, docu-series, documentaries, and features. All of their projects will be accessible to more than 125 million households in 190 countries.
The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2021 - Page 41
OVERSEAS NEWS
l Former First Lady, Michelle Obama on the set of her new cooking show
China Declare Victory In Ending Extreme Poverty CHINESE PRESIDENT Xi Jinping says his country has achieved the "miracle" of eradicating extreme poverty. His government says that over an eight-year period, nearly 100 million people have been lifted out of poverty. Speaking at a ceremony in Beijing, Mr Xi said it was a "complete victory" that would "go down in history." But some experts have questioned the way this has been measured. In China, extreme poverty is defined as earning less than $620 (£440) a year. In his speech, Mr Xi said: “The arduous task of eradicating extreme poverty has been fulfilled. According to the current criteria, all 98.99 million poor rural population have been taken out of poverty, and 832 poverty-stricken counties as well as 128,000 villages have been removed from the poverty list." Eradicating rural poverty has been a key initiative of Mr Xi's since he came to power in 2012. China announced late last year that it had removed the last remaining counties from a list of poor regions, which officials
l Chinese President Xi Jinping said meant it had achieved the goal of eliminating extreme poverty by the end of 2020. At the ceremony, Mr Xi handed out medals to key figures in the poverty fight. But some experts say that China has set a low bar in its definition of poverty, and that ongoing investment is needed in its
poorest areas. The threshold set by China to define extreme poverty amounts to $1.69 a day at current exchange rates, compared to the World Bank's global threshold of $1.90, Reuters news agency reports. Wide income inequalities also continue to exist in the country.
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Page 42 - The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2021
HOLIDAY AND TRAVEL
JetBlue to launch Newark, New Jersey flights to St. Thomas THE U.S. Virgin Islands will welcome new flights from the New York tri-state area this summer when JetBlue Airways begins service between Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Cyril E. King Airport (STT) on St. Thomas. JetBlue announced the new flights will operate four times a week, beginning July 1, 2021. According to the airline, the new service in operation is a result of a new Northeast Alliance with American Airlines, which will see JetBlue add more than a dozen new markets in greater New York City with new destinations offered from both LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and EWR. The routes, which include Newark to St. Thomas, help to strengthen JetBlue’s position as a dominant airline player in the New York market.
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THE MALDIVES RECORDS OVER 100k TOURIST ARRIVALS FOR 2021
T
he Maldives has recorded over 100,000 tourist arrivals to the Indian Ocean destination in 2021, during the same month it has launched the rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations in the country. On 17 February 2021, a total of 147,744 tourist arrivals were recorded in the Maldives, and according to the Ministry of Tourism, 29,591 of these arrivals took place between 1 – 10 February. At present, the top source
market for tourist arrivals is Russia, followed by India. Other top markets include France, Germany, Kazakhstan, Romania, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States. During the same month, on 1 February 2021, the Maldives commenced the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and First Lady Fazna Ahmed were two of the first to receive doses of vaccine, along with other government officials, and frontline workers.
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The vaccine was administered at a special ceremony held at the Malé Social Center, launching the COVID-19 vaccinations in the Maldives. Vaccines will initially be administered in Malé City, Addu City and Kulhudhuffushi. President Ibrahim Solih explained the government aims to provide free COVID-19 vaccinations to all citizens and residents of the Maldives in the coming months and emphasised the importance of individual responsibility and caution even during this time of
renewed hope. As of 10 February 2021, 20,161 people have been vaccinated in the Maldives, with the process ongoing vigilantly. The Ministry of Tourism also launched an initiative to vaccinate workers in the tourism sector to create an even safer scenario for the industry. The Minister of Tourism, Dr Abdulla Mausoom, stated that vaccination arrangements will be made in resorts for the convenience of resort employees and added that
vaccination teams will travel to bigger resorts in the coming months. The initiation of the vaccination drive aims to bring hope to the local population, as well as ensure the safety of holidaymakers in order to drive a surge in tourism to the destination, alongside the current health and safety measures already in place. Currently, there are over 140 resorts and over 330 guesthouses in operation in the Maldives, along with over 135 liveaboards and 11 hotels.
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The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2021 - Page 43
HOLIDAY AND TRAVEL
Time to Plan a Maine Summer Getaway
QATAR AIRWAYS TO RESUME ATLANTA SERVICES AND INCREASE OTHER FREQUENCIES
Q
atar Airways is pleased to announce it will add its 12th gateway in the U.S. with the resumption of fourweekly Atlanta flights starting 1 June. The carrier will also significantly increase frequencies adding an additional 13 weekly flights to operate a total of 83 weekly flights across its 12 gateways. Having become the largest international carrier during the early stages of the pandemic, the airline has applied its unrivalled knowledge of global passenger flows and booking trends to rebuild its global network and cement its position as the leading Middle East airline connecting the U.S. with Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “We are proud to be the leading Middle East airline providing safe and
reliable connectivity to and from the United States via the Best Airport in the Middle East, Hamad International Airport. Having never stopped flying to the U.S. throughout the pandemic, we have steadily rebuilt our network, gradually resuming destinations and adding more frequencies. With the upcoming launch of Seattle and the resumption of Atlanta, we will reach 12 gateways in the U.S, two more than what we operated preCOVID-19. “Our commitment to the U.S. market has also seen us add and expand strategic partnerships with American carriers, offering our passengers hundreds of additional flight connections with Alaska Airlines, American Airlines and JetBlue. “As we look forward to global travel recovering in 2021, we will remain focused on providing seamless, safe and reliable connectivity to our millions of
passengers and ensuring we continue to earn their trust every time they choose to fly with Qatar Airways.” In line with the airline’s steady rebuild of its U.S. network, Qatar Airways plans to resume services and increase frequencies to several destinations: • Atlanta (four weekly flights starting 1 June) • Chicago (increasing to 10 weekly flights from 4 March) • Dallas-Fort Worth (increasing to 10 weekly flights from 2 March) • Houston (increasing to daily flights from 14 March) • Miami (increasing to three weekly flights from 3 July) • San Francisco (ramping up to daily flights by 2 July) • Seattle (four weekly flights starting 29 January and ramping up to daily flights by 1 July) Seattle is the seventh new
destination and the second in the U.S. to be added by Qatar Airways since the start of the pandemic. The launch of flights to Seattle and resumption of Atlanta will increase Qatar Airways’ U.S.
network to 12 destinations in the U.S., connecting onwards to hundreds of American cities through strategic partnerships with Alaska Airlines, American Airlines and JetBlue.
WHETHER you're into visiting Maine's fabled coastline, exploring the Western lakes and mountains or spending time in the state's lively cities, now is when you have plenty of time to make plans and get first dibs on reservations for a summer getaway. This is the land of social distancing, because being outdoors is what summer in Maine is all about. That said, the ongoing Covid-19 situation means that there will still be restrictions. The state has taken a multilayered approach to protect Mainers and visitors, and reduce, to the greatest extent possible, COVID-19 risks associated with travel. Thanks to 6,000 lakes and ponds, Maine is the place for kayaking, paddle boarding and sailing, not to mention water skiing and canoeing.
Canada's Fantastic Beasts and Where to See Them MAJESTIC, playful, cuddly, powerful… wild animals are endlessly fascinating, and numerous days dedicated to them – International Polar Bear Day (February 27), World Wildlife Day (March 3), National Wildlife Week (April 10-17) and World Bee Day (May 20), for starters – point to the importance of the world's wildlife.
In Canada, wild animals are a key element of the nation's identity, with a mosaic of ecosystems housing moose, beaver, bison, polar bears, killer whales and tens of thousands more. Did you know? There are 80,000 animal species living in Canada. A report by the Nature Conservancy of Canada and NatureServe Canada
catalogued 308 species, sub-species and varieties of plants and animals found in Canada — and nowhere else on the planet. Only here: They include everything from the Vancouver Island marmot, to the Pacific Steller's jay, to the Gulf of Lawrence aster, to the maritime ringlet butterfly. Many have small ranges and populations, making them vulnerable.
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Page 44 - The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2021
PROPERTY AND REAL ESTATE
CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF POSITIVE NEWS
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How much first-time buyers are paying for their homes
T
he average price paid by a first-time buyer in the UK last year was £256,057, up by £22,939 or 10 per cent from a year earlier. The fact that deposits increased more than property prices suggested that buyers were paying for a larger portion of their home upfront. This may have been because many lenders pulled their 10 per cent deposit mortgages from the market at the beginning of the pandemic. These only began to return in the autumn, and the number of products available is still much lower than it was pre-Covid. London saw the biggest monetary increase in the average price paid by firsttime buyers in 2020. The value of the typical home bought increased by £33,486, or 7 per cent, to £489,098. However, the greatest
percentage growth came in the West Midlands, where first-time buyers paid 11 per cent more for their homes on average, an increase of £19,565. The average house price in that area is now £205,246. The smallest price increase was recorded in Scotland, where first-time buyers saw house prices rise by just over one per cent or £2,133, reaching £155,411.
STAMP DUTY HOLIDAY ON VERGE OF ENDING A ccording to estate agents house hunters are taking advantage of lockdown rules to travel hundreds of miles to view homes with many buyers keen to take advantage of the stamp duty holiday which is due to end on March 31. In July, the government suspended stamp duty on the first £500,000 of all property sales in England and Northern Ireland to help boost the market. Anyone completing a purchase on a main residence costing up to £500,000 before the deadline will not pay any stamp duty, and more expensive properties will only be taxed on their value above that amount. This can save buyers as much as £15,000, if they are buying a property of £500,000 or more. In Scotland, the normal rates on Land and Buildings Transaction Tax are: 2% on £145,001-
£250,000, 5% on £250,001£325,000, 10% on £325,001£750,000 and 12% on any value above £750,000. However, until the end of March, the threshold at which the tax starts to be paid has been raised to £250,000, under measures brought in by the Scottish government. Scottish landlords pay an extra 4% Land and Buildings Transaction Tax on top of standard rates. In Wales, the normal rates on Land Transaction Tax are 3.5%
on £180,001-£250,000, 5% on £250,001-£400,000, 7.5% on £400,001-£750,000, 10% on £750,001-£1.5m and 12% on any value above £1.5m. However, the Welsh government also introduced a temporary relief on the first tier, meaning that until the end of March people buying their main homes in Wales costing less than £250,000 will not pay any tax. Welsh landlords pay an extra 4% Land Transaction Tax on top of standard rates.
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Specialising in Caribbean Produce Fresh Meat & Vegetables TEL : 0121 551 1736 250 LOZELLS RD, BIRMINGHAM B19 1NP
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EXTRA £3.5BN PROMISED TO TACKLE UNSAFE CLADDING ISSUE
A
n extra £3.5bn has been promised by ministers to remove unsafe cladding from high-rise buildings over 18m high in England at no cost to residents. Many thousands of flat-owners face huge bills for fire-safety improvements, brought in after 2017's Grenfell Tower fire when flames spread via combustible cladding, killing 72 people. Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said it was the largest ever government investment in building safety. Labour said it was "too late for many". The £3.5bn comes on top of funding of £1.6bn that was announced for the
removal of unsafe cladding last year. Ministers have come under growing to increase the pot as leaseholders have been hit by building improvement costs and soaring insurance costs. Some say they have effectively become trapped in their own homes unable to sell until the work is carried out yet in danger of bankrupting themselves to meet the costs. The Housing Secretary told the Commons leaseholders in high-rise buildings above 18m, or with six storeys or more, would face no costs for cladding works. He said the risk was "significantly lower" for lower-rise blocks of flats. However, where cladding needed to
The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2021 - Page 45
PROPERTY AND REAL ESTATE
Over-65s earn £9,200 in a year from their homes
be removed, Mr Jenrick announced a long-term scheme to protect leaseholders which would mean no leaseholder would pay more than £50 a month for the removal of unsafe cladding. He also said a new levy would be placed on future developments. “It cannot be right the costs fall solely on tax payers,” he said adding that the government would develop a levy targeted at developers seeking to build certain high-rise buildings in England. “He added that a new tax for the UK residential property sector would be introduced from 2022, raising money to help pay for the removal of cladding.”
OVER-65S saw their property wealth increase by more than £9,200 each on average in the past year as the housing market benefited from strong demand partly driven by the temporary Stamp Duty holiday, analysis from UK’s leading independent equity release adviser Key shows. Total property wealth owned by over-65s who have paid off mortgages is valued at £1.224 trillion and has increased by £46.135 billion in the past year equivalent to a gain of £9,214 for homeowners, Key’s Pensioner Property Equity Index reveals. Will Hale, CEO at Key said: “The property market has performed strongly despite the economic uncertainty caused by the pandemic with the Stamp Duty holiday on homes worth under £500,000 providing a material boost to demand.”
Manchester City star Raheem Sterling building on new property development career
ENGLAND’S RAHEEM Sterling is the latest in a long line of football stars to embark on a new career away from the pitch - as a property developer. The Manchester City winger, together with his partner Paige Milian, launched a property company with projects including a row of modern two-bed townhouses in nearby Stockport. The couple’s first row of properties they acquired described 'an exciting new development of 6 luxury mews styles homes within a much sought after location with
strong rental demand' – were, recently, said to be valued at £166,000 each. "We plan to add more projects to our portfolio," Paige said on her social media post. For 26-year-old Manchester City winger, Raheem, the row of six homes in Stockport is just the start, with further properties set to be developed at home and abroad. And he is just another sporting personality whose intelligence and forethought should be highlighted much more. ‘Property developer - Raheem Sterling’; it certainly has a ring to it.
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Page 46 - The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2021
SPORT - WITH STEVE WILLIAMS
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FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP WIN FOR FC BAYERN MÜNCHEN BBL funding Confirmed THE BRITISH Basketball League (BBL) and its women’s equivalent, the WBBL, have had significant funding confirmed in the latest round of government funding. This is the second tranche of funding to be announced from the £300 million Sport Winter Survival Package that is focused on helping those major spectator sports severely impacted by coronavirus restrictions survive the winter. The package has allowed the BBL and WBBL to undertake the 2020/21 season with the leagues playing consistently since last November behind closed doors, with the outcomes of both Cup Finals, already determined. In addition, the respective Championship campaigns are already proving evidence they will be amongst the most competitive and exciting ever.
Q
atar Airways, official airline partner of the FIFA Club World Cup 2020, congratulated FC Bayern Munich who secured a 1–0 win in the final, concluding an action-filled tournament that featured the world’s continental club champions.
The finals, at The Education City Stadium, saw the European representatives defeat Mexico’s Tigres UANL in a thrilling contest. Qatar Airways cabin crew graced the prize distribution ceremony, presenting the individual player awards and trophies, with Group Chief
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Executive His Excellency Mr Akbar Al Baker saying: “We have witnessed the artistry of players capturing the excitement of fans around the world. I congratulate FC Bayern Munich for emerging as worthy victors after their match winning display. “I would also like to commend Tigres for their spirited
performance and for coming this far. Our partnership with FIFA remains tied to the mission of utilising the power of football to unite people of all ages and backgrounds. We look forward to welcoming the world to Qatar, as we prepare to host a memorable FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.” In addition to being the Official
Airline Partner of FIFA, the Qatar Airways football family of top global clubs includes Al Sadd SC, AS Roma, Boca Juniors, FC Bayern München, K.A.S. Eupen and Paris Saint-Germain.
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CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF POSITIVE NEWS
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urrounded by 33,643 red roses - one for each and every point he scored in his 20-year Career - athletes, musicians, actors, and adoring fans gathered together to mark a year since the tragic passing of one of the NBA’s greatest ever. Comedian Jimmy Kimmel, WNBA superstar Diana Taurasi, Connecticut Women's Basketball Coach Geno Auriemma, fellowNBA Hall of Famers Shaquille O'Neal, and Michael Jordan all spoke to pay their homage one year after the tragic helicopter crash which took the lives of Kobe Bryant, his daughter, Gianna, and seven other people who on board. Showered in a purple, and with spotlights shining on his two gold jerseys hanging in the rafters, thousands gathered inside and out on the corner of Chick Hearn Court and Figueroa Street for a celebration of life. February 24, 2020 was a symbolic day combining both Gianna and Kobe Bryant's jersey numbers with the 20 years he played for the all-conquering LA Lakers. And with every major television network around the world carrying the event live, millions of people watched with tears in their eyes for a send-off the likes of which has never been recorded before. Legends of the music industry too made their telling and heartfelt emotions known too with superstars Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, and Beyoncé all performing – all remembering Kobe Bean Bryant. All reflecting back on the year that was, and the legacy he leaves behind. During the celebration of life ceremony at the Staples Centre, widow and mother, Vanessa, still grieving a year on said: "God knew they couldn't be on this earth without each other. He had
The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2021 - Page 47
SPORT - WITH STEVE WILLIAMS
THE LEGACY OF KOBE AND GIANNA CONTINUES
to bring them home together." Reflecting on first hearing the news of the tragic accident, current Lakers' forward Anthony Davis mused: "I knew he was known and popular, but I didn't know how impactful he was worldwide. "He inspired so many people, and that's why so many people feel the pain the basketball community felt last year. As we approach his one-year anniversary, it saddens our hearts to actually come to the realization that he's gone." But Kobe's legacy goes on - beyond basketball. After retiring, age 37, he became a filmmaker and won an Oscar. He also became a storyteller – and published many books. He also became a philanthropist and established the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation and even began coaching
13-year-old Gianna's youth basketball team. On the day they died, he was travelling to a basketball tournament to coach her and her teammates. Michael Jordan, who ‘wore’ the G.O.A.T. (greatest of all time) tag just as Kobe was establishing himself as a Lakers all-time geat, said: "Kobe gave every last ounce of himself to whatever he was doing. After basketball, he showed his creative side. “In retirement, he seemed so happy. He found new passions and continued to give back as a coach to his daughters. More importantly, he was an amazing dad and an amazing husband. He loved his daughters with all his heart." The memories of Kobe and Gianna Bryant will live on in the hearts of people the world over for what they represented – on and off the court – for generations to come.
GB Giles Claims Record Team GB's Elliot Giles ran the second-fastest indoor 800m in history as he set a new British record at the World Indoor Tour in Torun, Poland. The 26-year-old clocked one minute 43.63 seconds to beat compatriot Jamie Webb, who finished second in 1:44.54. The British record had been held by Sebastian Coe since 1983 with this being Giles' third victory of the series. This victory follows wins for him in the season opener in Karlsruhe and the tour's second meet in Lievin on 9 February. He said: "I'm still trying to process what even happened. It really felt like a blur. I couldn't believe I ran 1:43 indoors. I couldn't put into words how it felt. I was so overwhelmed by it all. It felt like I was on cloud nine."
Cristiana Pace Appointed Chair Of eSC Sustainability Commission ESKOOTR Championship has appointed Dr Cristiana Pace – one of the motorsport world’s leading authorities on sustainability – as chair of its Sustainability Commission, the body that will oversee the growth and development of sustainable and environmental practices within the series and via its technical partnerships. Initially working in race, strategy and performance engineering she was the first woman to work trackside as a member of the FIA’s Formula 1 technical department, developing her role as a consultant for the Federation’s Institute for Sustainability and Safety in Motor Sport, where she advised on motorsport safety and the wider deployment of safety systems within FIA championships. She said: “I’m looking
forward to driving eSC’s contribution to sustainability best-practice and sustainable innovation within both motorsport and the micromobility industry with it having a crucial role to play in tackling the climate crisis – both on and off the track. “I’ve been really impressed
by the commitment shown by board members and shareholders to sustainability – ensuring it’s not only central to our business strategy, but also to our decision-making processes in procurement, logistics, material supply chain and events.”
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Kobe & Gianna Legacy Continues - Page 47
FIFA Club World Cup Win For Bayern - Page 46
ARENA BIRMINGHAM SET FOR NEW INDOOR TRACK IN £1.2M COUNCIL INVESTMENT
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rena Birmingham is set to receive a £1.2m council investment for a new indoor athletics track with the aim of hosting more international sporting events following the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Plans to invest in a new track, which will replace the
original one installed almost 30 years ago, will be reviewed by Birmingham City Council's cabinet on February 9. The £1.2million purchase will see the original track installed almost 30 years ago replaced as it worn and at the end of its useable life. A replacement will ensure Birmingham is well-placed to
achieve its aim of hosting more major international sporting events in the coming years following the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games – and help support the city’s events and hospitality industries by providing the infrastructure that ultimately acts as a catalyst for those sectors.
The Cabinet report also details the fact that the track will only be purchased once any contracts are secured for future indoor events. Councillor Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “The city of Birmingham is one of the pre-eminent locations globally for indoor and outdoor athletics, having
staged two fantastic Indoor World Championships in 2003 and 2018. “This is a competitive sector of the events market and we need to ensure we can offer international federations and governing bodies the best facilities if they are to continuing coming here. We know that competitors and
spectators love their time in Birmingham and this investment will ensure there are many more memorable events in the future, supporting the many local businesses in the events and hospitality sectors, which have been devastated by the impact of COVID-19.”
Ahmad Restored As CAF President MADAGASCAR'S Ahmad Ahmad was dramatically restored as Confederation of African Football (CAF) president following a ruling by CAS (the Court of Arbitration for Sport). He was banned by Fifa, in November, for five years after football's world governing body found him to have breached several of its ethics codes. Ahmad is still ineligible to contest CAF's presidential elections in March however, since the CAS decision came after both CAF's Governance and Fifa's Review committees sat earlier this week to approve
candidates' eligibility. The Malagasy - who will now resume his role as a Fifa vice-president - is appealing his ban at CAS, which issued a preliminary ruling. Sport's highest legal body says it will hear the appeal in full this month, with a decision issued before the coming CAF presidential elections. "Due to a risk of irreparable harm for Mr Ahmad if the disciplinary sanction is maintained during the period prior to the CAF elections, the CAS panel has upheld the request to temporarily stay the effects of the Fifa ban," CAS
said in a statement. This effective suspension of the Fifa ruling will be in place 'until the day that the final CAS award is issued'. Fifa adjudged Ahmad, who took charge of CAF in 2017, to have broken ethics rules relating to duty of loyalty, the offering and accepting gifts, abuse of position and misappropriation of funds. These were primarily related to a decision to approve deals totalling $4.4m with a French company run by a close friend of Ahmad's then attaché and the financing of a religious pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia for Africa's Muslim FA presidents.
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