UK – KMAUPDATES

Sep62020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

UK seeks to boost trade with Taiwan

INTERNATIONAL

TAIPEI — The U.K. is looking forward to strengthening its trade relationship with Taiwan, a senior trade official said this week. “I take a very strong interest in our superb bilateral trade relationship with Taiwan,” said Greg Hands, minister of state in the Department of International Trade, during a parliamentarian session Thursday (Sep. 3). He mentioned that both sides will commence bilateral trade talks in autumn, which have been held almost annually since 1991. “Taiwan through its membership of the World Trade Organization is committed to the same values of free trade and free markets as we are, and we look forward to deepening our relationship with Taiwan in the coming trade talks,” said Hands. He also commended Taiwan for providing assistance to the U.K. during the coronavi...

Sep42020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

Man Utd agree with Borussia Dortmund over Jadon Sancho transfer

Sports

Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund have agreed to go about Jadon Sancho negotiations in a ‘more respectful manner’, reports say. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have already signed Donny van de Beek. And they’re hoping the England international will follow the Dutchman to Old Trafford this summer. Manchester United secured Champions League qualification back in July, beating Leicester 2-0 on the final day of the season to finish third in the Premier League table. And, ever since, they’ve been heavily linked with a move for Sancho. The club’s interest in the England international dates back to 2017. The Red Devils tried to lure him to Old Trafford from Manchester City but ultimately missed out, with the player choosing to prioritise first-team football with Do...

Aug302020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

Aubameyang pays tribute to the ‘Black Panther’ as arsenal lifts the FA Community shield

Sports

Arsenal player Aubameyang scored against Liverpool in the community shield and honor ed late Avengers actor Chadwick Boseman who had been confirmed dead earlier yesterday. After opening scoring in the 12th minute in the 1 - goal draw against Liverpool which arsenal later won in penalty shootout 5 - 4, Pierre Aumbameyang gave the favorite posture of the Black panther actor as he honored him. Arsenal captain, Aubameyang pays tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman after scoring a goal against Liverpool in the FA Community shield yesterday as Eddie Nketiah (right) watched on. Liverpool got an equalizer from Takumi Minamino in the 73th minute, but arsenal got the last laugh as they finally lifted the title after winning in penalties. Pierre fulfilled the wish of his fans who had ...

Aug182020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

White man knocked down for racist comments

INTERNATIONAL

Police are investigating after a man who was caught on camera hurling racist abuse at black passengers on the London Underground was then knocked out with a single punch. Videos posted to social media on Saturday show the man, who is white, shouting at a group of young black men in the same tube carriage for several minutes. He can be heard telling them: “This is my home and you’re all going back” before exclaiming “You’re black!” when one of the group demands his name. As the Central line train pulls into Bank station the victims of the prolonged racist rant walk past him to leave the train, prompting their accuser to stand up to them and ball his hands into fists. As they step onto the platform, one of the men reaches back and throws a single sudden punch to the jaw of the w...

Jul172020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

Court allows a woman who ran to join ISIS as a teenager to return to the UK

INTERNATIONAL

Shamima Begum, the woman who ran away from her London home as a teenager to join ISIS in 2015, has won the right to return to the U.K. from a refugee camp in Syria. Begum, now 20, will be able to appeal in person against the U.K. government’s 2019 decision to revoke her British citizenship, which has been criticized by human rights groups who said she had been denied the right to a fair trial. Begum was 15 years old when she was radicalized by ISIS recruiters online and flew to Turkey with two school friends, before slipping into Syria where she was married to a militant. Shamima Begum, ran away from her London home as a teenager to join ISIS in 2015 After ISIS was forced to give up most of its territory after a series of military defeats&nbs...

Jul172020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

UK Scientists announce a boost Hopes for a coronavirus vaccine this year

HEALTH

UK scientists racing to develop a coronavirus vaccine believe they've made a breakthrough in early trials of an experimental vaccine that could offer "double defense" against the virus, The Daily Telegraph reported this week. Researchers at Oxford University began human trials of a coronavirus vaccine in April. Blood samples taken from a group of volunteers in the UK who got a dose of the vaccine showed both antibodies and T cells, a source told The Telegraph. T cells can kill a virus and the cells it has infected, providing an important part of the body's response to viral infections. The discovery is promising because two recent studies have indicated that antibodies may disappear within weeks or months while T cells may stay in the body for much longer, The Telegraph reporte...

Jul132020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

Britain finalizes plans to build EU border infrastructure

INTERNATIONAL

LONDON - Britain will spend 705 million pounds ($890 million) on border infrastructure to help keep trade flowing after its transition deal with the European Union expires at the end of the year, Cabinet Secretary Michael Gove said on Sunday. The funding includes 470 million pounds to build port and inland infrastructure, including in the south-east of England to serve major freight crossings to France. "There will be specific pieces of infrastructure that we put in place in order to smooth the flow of traffic," Gove told the BBC's Andrew Marr. Britain, which is still in talks with the European Union about a post-Brexit trade deal, said it would shortly set out in detail how the British-EU border would operate. Gove's cabinet colleague International Trade Secretary Liz Truss,...

Jul132020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

UK-China ties freeze with debate over Huawei, Hong Kong

INTERNATIONAL

LONDON — Only five years ago, then-British Prime Minister David Cameron was celebrating a “golden era” in U.K.-China relations, bonding with President Xi Jinping over a pint of beer at the pub and signing off on trade deals worth billions. Those friendly scenes now seem like a distant memory. Hostile rhetoric has ratcheted up in recent days over Beijing’s new national security law for Hong Kong. Britain’s decision to offer refuge to millions in the former colony was met with a stern telling-off by China. And Chinese officials have threatened “consequences” if Britain treats it as a “hostile country” and decides to cut Chinese technology giant Huawei out of its critical telecoms infrastructure amid growing unease over security risks. All that is pointing to a much tougher stance ...

Jul122020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

Kenya and the UK to negotiate a post Brexit trade agreement

AFRICA

Nairobi, Kenya ---- On 4th July, 2020, His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta at State House, Nairobi held private talks with British Prime Minister The Rt. Hon. Boris Johnson during which the two leaders agreed to start negotiations for a Kenya-United Kingdom (UK) post Brexit trade agreement. The negotiations, which are expected to be finalized ahead of the UK's exit from the European Union (Brexit) on 31st December 2020, will be conducted within the Kenya-UK Strategic Partnership Framework established by the two leaders in January 2020 and the East African Community (EAC) parameters in order to enhance regional integration. In the telephone conversation, President Kenyatta and Prime Minister Johnson also discussed several Kenya-UK bilateral interests among them the two nation's r...

Jul42020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

UK PM Johnson says statue of colonialist Rhodes should not be pulled down

INTERNATIONAL

LONDON - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Thursday that a statue of 19th century colonialist Cecil Rhodes should not be pulled down from an Oxford University college because history should not be edited. Oriel College, Oxford, said last month it wanted to remove a statue of Rhodes after a campaign by those who argue the statue glorifies racism and is an insult to black students. Johnson told the Evening Standard newspaper he did not want to see the statue pulled down. A statue of Cecil Rhodes, a controversial historical figure, is seen outside Oriel College in Oxford It would, he said, be like "trying to bowdlerise or edit our history ... like some politician sneakily trying to change his Wikipedia entry," the Standard reported. "I’m pro-heritage, I’m pro-histo...

Jun272020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

Teenager sentenced to 15 years in prison for throwing a child from a building

INTERNATIONAL

LONDON, UK --- A teenager who threw a six-year-old child off a viewing platform at the Tate Modern gallery in London will serve at least 15 years in prison, the Old Bailey was told on Friday. Jonty Bravery pleaded guilty to attempted murder after he picked up the French boy and dropped him over the railings in August last year. The boy was on holiday with his family and survived a 30-metre (100ft) fall, but he sustained life-changing injuries. He suffered a bleed on the brain and various broken bones, and he remains in a wheelchair. He will require round-the-clock care and support until at least 2022. Jonty Bravery Mrs Justice McGowan said: “The fear he must have experienced and the horror his parents felt are beyond imagination. You intended to kill someone that day. You almo...

Jun252020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

Coronavirus – Africa: Commonwealth leaders hold virtual meeting on COVID-19 crisis

INTERNATIONAL

LONDON, United Kingdom, June 25, 2020/ -- Leaders and representatives from across the Commonwealth yesterday held a virtual meeting to share solutions and ways of working that can help to combat the impacts of COVID-19.Many member countries are facing unprecedented challenges due to the global health emergency and its economic and social ramifications. These issues combined with the long-term threat of climate change and the ongoing cyclone, and impending hurricane season, means that COVID-19 is seen as a substantial “tipping point” threat that has the potential to push member states into a period of significant crisis if swift and coordinated action is not taken.The meeting was held after the Commonwealth Secretariat received significant support for such a meeting from a majority of Comm...

Jun232020 by Ronald KabuubiNo Comments

Burnley apologizes to Manchester city after a plane carrying a banner declaring “white lives matter Burnley” flew over Etihad stadium before the match started

Sports

A plane carrying a banner declaring "White Lives Matter" has been flown over Manchester City's home ground the City of Manchester Stadium at the start of the English Premier League game against Burnley. The plane appeared shortly after players from both teams took a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. There was no indication who had organised the plane and banner. Burnley issued a statement at half-time during the game saying the club "strongly condemns" the actions, adding that they will work with authorities to identify those behind the move and issue lifetime bans. A plane carrying a banner declaring "White Lives Matter" has been flown over Manchester City's home ground the City of Manchester Stadium at the start of the English Premier League game against Burnl...

Jun212020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

Police arrests a Man after killing three in Reading

INTERNATIONAL

Reading, UK --- Three people have died and another three have been seriously injured after a stabbing attack on Saturday night in Reading, just outside London, police have confirmed. A 25-year-old man from Reading was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder and is in custody, Thames Valley police said. They are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident. The attack is “not currently being treated as a terrorism incident”, however Detective Chief Superintendent Ian Hunter said they were keeping an open mind on the motive and were being supported by counter-terrorism police. Hunter said: “There is no intelligence to suggest that there is any further danger to the public, however we urge people to remain vigilant and report anything suspicious by calling police...

Jun202020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

UK Prime Minister gets involved in an accident outside parliament

INTERNATIONAL

London --- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's car was involved in a minor accident as he left the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday. As Johnson's car left Parliament to drive the short distance to Downing Street following the weekly session of Prime Minister's Questions, a group of protesters ran towards the car, prompting it to come to a sudden halt. A security car following the Prime Minister's vehicle then ran into the back of Johnson's car, leaving a visible dent.The story came to light after a video of the crash circulated on social media. Bois Johnson in car crash at Parliament. Just now. Security drives into back of his car as Kurdish protester runs into road. pic.twitter.com/k1kCplzyZ5— Steve Bray #HoldThemToAccount (@snb19692) June 17, 2020 The Prime Min...

Jun182020 by Ronald KabuubiNo Comments

Ian Wright sends message to David Luiz after Arsenal’s 3-0 loss to Man City

Sports

Ian Wright took to social media to blast David Luiz after the Arsenal defender conceded a penalty and was sent off during the Gunners’ 3-0 loss to Manchester City on Wednesday night. David Luiz did not start Arsenal’s first game since the season was put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic – but he was called into action in the 24th minute when he was brought on to replace the injured Pablo Mari. The Brazilian centre-half was at fault in the lead-up to Raheem Sterling’s opener in the second minute of first-half stoppage time. And David Luiz was caught out once again early in the second half when he found himself the wrong side of Riyad Mahrez and fouled him in the box. The Arsenal defender was sent off and Kevin De Bruyne converted the resulting penalty to put Manchester Ci...

Jun142020 by Ronald KabuubiNo Comments

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said colonialism in Africa should never have ended

INTERNATIONAL

MPs call on prime minister to explain whether he still believes 'the problem is not that we were once in charge, but that we are not in charge any more Boris Johnson said colonialism in Africa should never have ended and downplayed Britain's role in the slave trade, an article written by the prime minister while he was a Tory MP reveals. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson Critics are urging Mr Johnson to explain whether he still holds the views expounded in the 2002 piece, where he argued that Africans would not have grown the right crops for export without British direction. "The continent may be a blot, but it is not a blot upon our conscience," he wrote "The problem is not that we were once in charge, but that we are not in charge any more." The prime minister this week arg...

Jun82020 by Ronald KabuubiNo Comments

Tyson Fury talks about how he suffered from Racism

Sports

The two-time World Champion Tyson Fury also called Gypsy King by friends and fans. Said it not only blacks that suffer Racism. He said as a traveller he has been a subject of racism also. He has once refused entry to a Restaurant in the United Kingdom for his ethnic background. The Gypsy King made this disclosure while speaking on the program Good Morning Britain. As regards the subject of racism and The Black Life Matters Protest in the US and other parts of the world. Fury added that anyone can still suffer racism no matter the colour of your skin. He said as a traveller he still suffers racism because of his ethnic background. He also said today in 2020 there are still restaurants, pubs, and bars that have a sign on doors that says travellers and gypsy are not allowed in. ...

Jun82020 by Ronald KabuubiNo Comments

Britain’s first black archbishop speaks about his long struggle against injustice

INTERNATIONAL

London, UK --- John Sentamu tells the story of walking in to lead an assembly at a primary school in London when he was Bishop of Stepney: “As I entered the school hall, a child from the nursery class, who had never seen a bishop wearing a cope and mitre, piped up and said, ‘Is that God?’ His near neighbour angrily replied, ‘No, it’s Desmond Tutu!’ Today, the Church of England loses one of its most powerful, prophetic and joyous voices as Archbishop John Sentamu, the 97th Archbishop of York, retires on the week of his 71st birthday after 15 years as the C of E’s second in command. The journey from Uganda to York, via Cambridge, London and Birmingham, has been marked by an extraordinary contribution to the life and faith of both church and nation. Archbishop John Sentamu In the m...

Jun32020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

Premier league players show solidarity to the killing of George Floyd

Sports

Chelsea have followed Liverpool's lead in taking a knee to show solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement amid protests against the death of George Floyd. Liverpool have released a photograph of their first-team squad taking the knee in a show of solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. The Reds’ backing of the movement comes after a sixth day of protests in the United States over the death of American citizen George Floyd. Liverpool players kneeling while in training to show solidarity in the killing of George Floyd Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta tweeted a photo of the squad taking a knee at Cobham on Tuesday. Along with the photo, Azpilicueta wrote: "Enough is enough. We are all HUMANS. Together we are stronger. #BlackLivesMatter". Chelsea's stance fol...