Moving and Changing

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Click below to visit our new blog-site
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There are also alternative options for update subscriptions using RSS feed readers. See the easy-to-follow details on the new site for further information.

All posts on Window on the World have already been transferred to the new site for your reference, and will also be retained on the old site for up to a year.

We would like to thank all of our readers and subscribers for their interest and support over the last few years, and we will continue providing breaking news and updates from 'The NewsSpotter' well into the future.

Naphtali Associates & 4WardEver UK
.....................................................................

Marley's Mother Dies

Cedella Booker passes away in Miami
10th April 2008
All credits: Jamaican Gleaner

Cedella Booker, mother of pop icon Bob Marley and matriarch of reggae's most famous family, died at her Miami home on Tuesday evening. She was 81 years old. Jerome Hamilton, a spokesperson for the Marley’s, told The Gleaner that Booker passed away in her sleep. No cause of death has been given.  Booker was a popular figure in the South Florida area she called home for more than 30 years. Since 1993 she was integrally involved in promotion of the annual Bob Marley Movement Festival there, which raised funds to buy food for the indigent.

The live show attracted major stars including Carlos Santana and Wyclef Jean.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Bruce Golding paid tribute to Booker, saying she was a star in her own right. "Her life was one of hardship, struggle and fulfilment and through it all she exuded hope, strength and confidence." Information Minister Olivia Grange described Booker as a 'true heroine'.

Booker, who is survived by two of her four children, last visited Jamaica in February for the annual celebrations marking Bob Marley's birthday. A thanksgiving service for her life will be held in Miami on Sunday, a statement from the Marley family said.

Cedella Malcolm was born in Rhoden Hall, St Ann. At 18, she gave birth to her first child Robert Nesta Marley; his father was Norval Marley, an Englishman 35 years her senior.
Shortly after Norval Marley died in 1955, Cedella moved with Bob to Kingston. She lived in Trench Town, then an expansive slum bursting with musical talent.

Marley achieved relative success with The Wailers group in the early 1960s. During that period, Booker married an American and immigrated to the United States in the early 1960s, settling in Delaware.

After Marley's death from cancer in May 1981, Booker launched her own musical career, recording two albums: Awake Zion and Smilin' Island of Song.

She also wrote two biographies on her famous son.

Visit the Bob Marley website >

Victory for Family

Campaigning victory for Sukula famliy
all credits IRR News Team
10th April 2008

Three years after contacting IRR News and launching their anti-deportation campaign, the Sukula family have won indefinite leave to remain in the UK.

Daniel Sukula, then aged 15 and living in Bolton, wrote to IRR News in 2005 telling of his fears of being deported. 'I am writing this because me and my family face deportation to Congo,' he wrote. 'I don't want to go back to Congo because there is a war there and, if I go back, my life will be finished.' IRR News visited Daniel and his family in their home in Bolton and spoke to them about their intention to launch an anti-deportation campaign.

That campaign went on to win the support of the local newspaper, trade unions and over 3,000 people who signed a petition calling for the Sukulas to be allowed to remain in Bolton.

Over the last three years, the family were also threatened by the notorious Section 9 of the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, etc.) Act 2004, under which parents were made destitute while their children risked being placed in the care of social services. But the strength of the local campaign meant that supporters were ready to physically blockade any attempt to evict the Sukulas from their home. And Bolton Unison backed social workers who refused to initiate care proceedings against the family.

This defiance of government policy by local authority workers later spread to other councils in Greater Manchester and Yorkshire, where the 'Section 9' policy was undergoing trials. Similarly, an attempt to expel Daniel's sister Flores from Bolton Sixth Form College - purely on the grounds of her being a 'failed asylum seeker' - was successfully opposed by Bolton NUT and the NUS.

On hearing the news of the campaign victory, mother Ngiedi Lusukumu, aged 42, said: 'I slept properly for the first time since arriving in this country after I found out we were allowed to stay. For the first time I feel my family, my beautiful children, are safe and have a future. We are no longer living in fear of being sent to a place where our lives would be in danger. The threat to my family was very real.'

The family and campaign thank everyone who supported them and have pledged to continue fighting against all deportations.

Goodbye Mikey

Mikey Dread Gone from the Control
25th March 2008
all credits: BLINK

It is with great sadness that we have to report that Michael 'Mikey Dread' Campbell who was always 'The Dread At The Control' has passed away.

Mikey Dread passed away at approximately 6:50pm Eastern Standard Time on Saturday, 15th March 2008. He was surrounded by his family in the home of his sister in Connecticut at the time of his passing.

In October 2007 Mikey was diagnosed with a brain tumor which he fought with all his might to recover from. He constantly remained upbeat and hopeful for a full recovery so that he could continue doing what he loved: “spreading Jah music to the world”.

NUBIART EDITORIAL
Obituary
Read full article >

Visit: www.mikeydread.com

Race Advisor, Lee Jasper, suspended

Jasper Asks Mayor To Refer Allegations To Police
all credits: BLINK

Lee Jasper, Ken Livingstone's advisor on race and policing, has requested that the Mayor refer allegations made against him in recent weeks to the police for thorough investigation.

In a statement issued by the Greater London Authority Jasper said:
"I am being prevented from clearing my name, black organisations across London are being weakened by a systematic campaign in the Evening Standard from seeking funds, and a deliberate attempt is being made to divert attention from the real issues confronting London at the Mayoral election."

"This is being done deliberately and consciously - far from seeking clarity the Evening Standard for ten weeks has been running stories of false allegations against me without taking alleged 'evidence' to the police."

"Members of the London Assembly claim they wish to investigate 'a tide of corruption' while in fact they have prevented me from testifying before it. They have refused my repeated offers to appear before them to explain my work and disprove these allegations and they are now refusing to hold any hearings until 5th March."

"The deliberate aim of this delay is not to achieve clarity but to string out a series of unfounded and poisonous allegations in the media and investigation by the police will clear my name and put a stop to this."

In the same statement Mr Livingstone said: "I want to make completely clear the police have made no approach to me to refer these allegations. We are seeing an attempt at a trial by the media with the London Assembly not merely refusing to scrutinise but also preventing Lee Jasper answering these allegations even when he volunteers to do so and a police investigation will put a stop to this disgraceful political charade."

"The Evening Standard should immediately take any evidence it claims to have to the police or stop making these false allegations - in the good old phrase put up or shut up."

"In agreeing Lee's request I have also made the extremely difficult decision that like any GLA officer subject to a police investigation, Lee Jasper will be suspended pending the outcome of the police investigation."

"I believe this investigation will exonerate Lee Jasper and show this to be a shameful campaign. As the interests of London are best served by putting an end to this malignant political charade I have concluded that a full police investigation is the most authoritative way to end this story once and for all."


Related articles:

Livingstone suspends race adviser as he calls in police to investigate corruption allegations
16th February 2008

Mayor's statement on new allegations made by the Evening Standard
21st December 2007

4WardEver UK Launches 'OutCry'

4WardEver UK launches a new service in February 2008

OutCry International

www.outcry-international.moonfruit.com

The interactive website for families affected by deaths and abuses in custody including police, secure units, prisons and death row.

Subscribers get their campaign listed, and can chat live and share their news to fellow campaigners and families worldwide using the chat and blog/news facilities.

• Provides a shared blog where families can quickly and easily post their own news, updates and photos
• Has a live chat messaging service so families and campaign activists can chat in real time 24 hours a day across the globe
• Members can post details of events, meetings and memorials etc in the OutCry calendar
• A shared email bulletin service. Members just submit their information to 4WardEver and it is circulated on the site members listing

Sign-up up for FREE membership

We are trialling this site for approximately 1 year – continuation will be based upon popularity and demand of the service

“Together we are stronger”

South Africa mourns the death of reggae musician and activist Lucky Dube

Reggae superstar Lucky Dube will be remembered for musical genius and efforts to create a better world, writes Sholain Govender and Gabi Khumalo.

Lucky Phillip Dube was shot and killed by would-be hijackers Thursday evening in Rosettenville, Johannesburg and friends, fans and fellow musicians of Mr Dube are in shock at the loss of such a great South African. Mr Dube was born in Ermelo on 3 August 1964. After a few failed pregnancy attempts by his mother Sarah, Lucky came into the world. Giving birth to a boy was considered a blessing and his mother considered his birth so fortunate that she aptly named him "Lucky".

This luck followed him for decades as he accumulated an incredible 21 albums under his musical belt, and proved himself one of not only South Africa's, but also the world's greatest reggae according to the Gallo Music Group. His recording company said he was "a man with superb musical taste and genius, an artist with a message, with a reason and a rhyme behind everything he does".

"As one can judge by listening to his music, he has a message on every album. His songs are based on three main things - political issues, social issues and personal issues - things that play an important role in everyone's lives." When asked what inspired him Mr Dube answered: "People! Looking at people, watching people's movements, the things they do. My songs are based on real life situations and experiences."

Read full article >

News Digest

Why not Caribbean?

It's been 45 years since Jamaican independence and the UK Caribbean community is stronger than ever, so why is Caribbean cuisine still the poor relation in this country?

We've adopted Thai, Indian, Mexican, Italian, Chinese and Japanese cooking (to name but a few other countries' cuisine) and taken them to our hearts (and more importantly our stomachs).
Read more >

School deaths that stunned black America

After four model students were gunned down in a playground, outrage spread: if the brightest and best are not safe, then who is? Paul Harris in New York reports on the killings that have galvanised a community. Read more >

Seven held in Rhys murder inquiry

Police hunting the killer of 11-year-old Rhys Jones have arrested a seventh person.

The 19-year-old is being questioned by detectives on suspicion of murder. A second 19-year-old suffered minor injuries as he tried to escape arrest. Read more >

News Digest - 19th August 07

Jamaica alert as Dean threatens

Jamaicans are frantically stocking up on supplies and tourists are scrambling to leave, as Hurricane Dean bears down on the Caribbean island.

Jamaica is braced for a direct hit from Dean, the season's first major storm.
The country's authorities have closed airports and imposed curfews, and the US has said it is prepared to fly in aid if necessary.

Winds of 230km/h (145mph) from the hurricane have battered the eastern Caribbean, leaving at least four dead.
Haiti and the Dominican Republic have also been affected, with heavy rain and high seas causing flooding in some coastal areas.
Read More >

Zimbabwe, Secret Lives

Secret Lives: Street children, Harare. Under the government initative Murambitsvina (Operation Restore Order), many homes and places of work belonging to the capitals poor were destroyed. Since the operation there has been a marked increase in the number of street childen on the streets of Harare. Read More >

Gilly Mundy - Our Bright Star

A tribute to our brother and comrade, Gilly Mundy, a bright star that gave hope, comfort and strength

About our brother, Gilly Mundy
20^th March 2007

In the end, it’s not simply the number of years in a life that counts, but the amount of life that is packed into those years.

As a campaigner and activist, Gilly Mundy, who died suddenly on 17 March 2007 aged only 36, managed to cram so much into his own life and touch the lives of so many others that it is almost too painful to imagine what more he could have achieved.
Visit the memorial web page and read more >>

From 4WardEver & The Mikey Powell Campaign:

Gilly the Rock
21st March 2007

Gilly was a rock to our family when Mikey Powell, died in police custody in 2003, and his support and interest in the case had been continued throughout all these past years. We were shocked and dismayed by this tragic news and stand with Gilly's family, friends and associates through your grief.

We send these few lines on behalf of all of Mikey's family who were all very fond of Gilly who made several trips to Birmingham to see us during those early painful months. He will be sorely missed, but the legacy of compassion and care that was at his core will live on through all those whose lives he touhed.

Rest in peace dear Gilly.

Tippa Naphtali
on behalf of the Powell family & friends

President Kufuor under fire over knighthood

all credits - Black Britain


Rumours that the Ghanaian President could be knighted by the Queen have met with fierce opposition both on the continent and in the Diaspora who feel that it goes against everything that African independence stands for.

Insight Newspaper reported that rumours were circulating that President Kufuor could be offered a knighthood by the Queen, but the paper said that if accepted, this would make him “an obedient servant of the Queen,” which would be “a huge insult,” to Africans who fought for the country’s independence.

Whilst the British establishment prepares to commemorate the Abolition of Slavery Act in 1807, descendants of Africans in the Diaspora are organising their own events throughout the country to educate people on the role that Africans played in their own liberation, which is continually downplayed by the mainstream, led by the British government.

The fact that Ghana celebrates just 50 years of independence serves as a reminder that 150 years after the Abolition Act was passed, former colonies only just started to gain independence after the British Empire had continued to invade African countries and dispossess Africans from their land, most of which is still occupied by wealthy white minorities throughout the continent.

Insight also reminds President Kufuor that the same British Empire plotted with the CIA to remove Dr Kwame Nkrumah, the first President of Ghana and a key player in the Pan African liberation movement.

Whilst speculation continues to fuel debate on the continent over the Knighthood, Africans in the UK Diaspora are equally enraged at the prospect of a knighthood being accepted by President Kufuor. Kofi Mawuli Klu, Joint Co-ordinator of Rendezvous of Victory and Chair of the Pan Afrikan Task Force for Internationalist Dialogue, who was born in Ghana told Black Britain:

“You cannot, right after commemorating the 50th anniversary of Ghana’s independence come and pledge allegiance to the Queen and even contemplate receiving this preposterous knighthood, which formally puts you among the servants of the Queen and at the same time claim that you are the head of a sovereign Ghana.”

China masters the African game

First published - February 2007

The pristine Chinese gateway at Chambishi in northern Zambia was supposed to celebrate the arrival of President Hu Jintao of China and the launch of a new $200m smelter at the town's Chinese-owned copper mine. But when protesting African miners surrounded the site last Friday, the event was abandoned.

Chambishi exemplifies China's questionable involvement in Africa. Conditions are poor, the area remains undeveloped and 46 miners died in an explosion there two years ago - all of which explain the protests. But mining accidents happen elsewhere, and, under Zambian (mis)management, the mine was failing until the Chinese arrived in 1998.

The cancelled photo-op is vaguely embarrassing, but changes nothing. China imports 63 per cent of its base metals from Zambia alone. And Zambia needs
China; 64 per cent of its exports are metals, and the Chinese have invested $600m in Zambian hydro electrics. The economic needs of both countries will inevitably trump details such as minimum wages or health and safety standards (rare in Africa, anyway).

Read more >>