Billionaire Motsepe announces Caf presidential bid

South African Patrice Motsepe, one of Africa's richest men, has announced his intention to become the next president of the Confederation of African Football (Caf).

The chair of 2016 African club champions Mamelodi Sundowns becomes the third person to bid for the role, after incumbent Ahmad and Jacques Anouma of Ivory Coast.

Motsepe is Africa's tenth richest man, according to Forbes magazine which estimates his wealth at $2.4 billion. 

South Africa FA president Danny Jordaan said: "Caf must improve its global standing.

"He is the most appropriate person we could offer for the leadership of Caf. We do not want any compromise on governance or ethics in football."

Motsepe, who is in quarantine at home after contracting Covid-19 according to Jordaan, was not present at the press conference in Johannesburg to announce his bid, with Jordaan - flanked by South Africa's Sports Minister Nathi Mthethwa - doing so instead. In a related development, one expected challenger - Amaju Pinnick of Nigeria - has decided against standing for the Caf presidency and given his backing to Motsepe instead. The South African is the second candidate to announce in less than 48 hours, after Anouma - a former member of Fifa's Executive Committee (now Fifa Council) between 2007 and 2015 - was formally backed by the Ivorian federation.

It is understood that reigning president Ahmad submitted his candidacy in October but his ability to contest March's elections is in doubt given he is set to face a ban from football after being found to have breached various Fifa's ethic codes.

The 60-year-old from Madagascar, who was questioned by French anti-corruption authorities last year without being charged, has previously denied any wrongdoing.

Motsepe's bid, which comes ahead of the deadline for candidates to formally register their interest, breaks the traditional contestants for the Caf presidency, which has been restricted to high-ranking members of African football's ruling body in the past. He is able to contest the position since he fulfils the requirements of having been involved in football for the past five years, with the South African having led Pretoria-based Sundowns since 2004, and has received the backing of his own federation.

Having made his fortune in mining after starting out as a lawyer, Motsepe - whose elder sister is the wife of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa - is already receiving support from across Africa, with Botswana, Nigeria and Sierra Leone among those to have already publicly backed him.

Pinnick said: "He has more superior qualities than me.

"It's not about me, it's about African football. If you have someone with superior qualities, you have to learn from him and queue behind him and wait for your time."

"The key to successful governance starts from the point where the right person or persons are put in the right positions for the right reasons," said Sierra Leone FA president Isha Johansen. "African football and the African continent needs to be on the global platform for the right reasons."

Botswana, Nigeria and Sierra Leone were among the eight countries - with Anouma's Ivory Coast another - that refused to give their backing to Ahmad last month when 46 other African FA presidents called on the Malagasy to contest a second term.

With countries only able to nominate one candidate for Caf's Executive Committee, including the presidency, Motsepe's bid means South Africa FA president Danny Jordaan can no longer apply for the Fifa Council role that he has long coveted.

"It's a deferred ambition," Jordaan said.

Caf's elections are set to take place in Morocco next March.

Billionaire Richard Branson to Open His Caribbean Private Island to the Public

With summer holiday travel set to return to full force post-pandemic, British billionaire Richard Branson is set to open one of his private islands in the Caribbean to the public this summer.

The 70-year-old Virgin Group founder owns three islands, two in the Caribbean and one in Australia. The island he’s going to open to the public is Moskito Island, a 125-acre property just two miles away from Necker Island, a 30-hectare property which Branson famously bought in 1978 at the age of 29.

Both islands are part of the British Virgin Islands. Branson bought Moskito in 2007 and ordered a renovation project starting 2010. The island is made up of a collection of luxury private villas which can be rented by guests looking for the ultimate island hideaway with exceptional service, just like you’d expect from a five-star hotel, according to the private island’s website. His own three-villa, 11-bedroom estate on the island is already accepting reservations.

With COVID-19 vaccines rolling out globally, the travel industry is expecting a busysummer. In fact, demand for luxury vacation experience is higher than ever as the “screw you 2020” mentality sets in, said Roman Chiporukha, cofounder of Roman & Erica, a New York-based luxury lifestyle and travel management firm.

Chiporukha said: “People are looking for different and unforgettable experiences. The bystander vacation is no longer an option or a want for our members, and they are racing to book private islands, villas, and yachts without hesitation to avoid losing the property to another.” Roman & Erica serves an exclusive clientele who pay an annual membership fee ranging from $62,500 to $180,000 for arranging vacation, travel, kids’ birthday parties and other lifestyle events.

“Our member base are seeking a disconnect from the conventional vacation that exclusive private islands can provide. These exclusive properties bring forth the opportunity for a robust getaway while avoiding flooded tourist traps,” Chiporukha continued.

According to Bloomberg’s Billionaire Index, Branson’s net worth reached an all-time high of $7.3 billion in 2020 just before the global coronavirus outbreak. He lost a third of his fortune, on paper, last summer as Virgin Group grappled with pandemic-related losses. However, thanks to a booming stock market in the second half of 2020, Branson’s net worth quickly recovered to over $7 billion by February 2021. He is said to be worth $6.5 billion.

Moskito is a favourite vacation spot of A-lister celebrities, including former U.S. President Barack Obama and the late Princess Diana amongst others.

Birmingham 2022 and CGF Partnerships sign deals with The Royal Mint and Royal Mail

Birmingham 2022 and CGF Partnerships have signed a licensing deal with The Royal Mint and Royal Mail to produce commemorative coins and stamps to mark the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Birmingham 2022 marks the third time the Games have been hosted in England in its ninety-two year history, and each of those Games have been commemorated through the release of collectable Royal Mail stamps and Royal Mint coins, anchoring this significant event in history and contributing to the celebration of the Commonwealth Games.

Birmingham 2022 launches free digital Queen’s Baton Relay educational resources for primary schools

The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games has launched free online learning resources for primary schools, themed around Queen’s Baton Relay.

The Queen’s Baton Relay is a tradition that celebrates, connects and excites communities from across the Commonwealth during the build up to the Games.

Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay arrives in Canada with University of Birmingham

University of Birmingham experts joined their Canadian counterparts to lead a series of high-profile public events exploring how researchers can help to solve global challenges.

Organised in partnership with McMaster University, in Hamilton, the events covered research areas including healthy aging and air pollution and celebrated the arrival in Canada of the Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay, of which the University of Birmingham is an official partner.

Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay Tours West Africa

In the days since launching at Buckingham Palace, the Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay has visited six Commonwealth nations, spanning two continents.

The Queen’s Baton Relay is a tradition that celebrates, connects, and excites communities from across the Commonwealth during the build up to the Games. It is now embarking on a 294-day journey, visiting all 72 nations and territories of the Commonwealth, before returning to the Opening Ceremony of Birmingham 2022 on 28 July 2022.

Birmingham chosen to participate in the Carter Centre’s Inform Women, Transform Lives campaign

Birmingham has been chosen by the Carter Centre as 1 of 12 international cities to participate in its Inform Women, Transform Lives campaign, which aims to ensure women can access information. Birmingham is the only UK city to be included in this global campaign, led by the US-based organisation, which aims to educate and enable women to play an active part in the public sphere as well as in their local communities.

Black Muslims: An important part of America’s story

Black Muslims have been part of America’s story since the beginning as they continue to weave colour into the fabric of diversity in U.S. culture today.

Black Sabbath’s heavy metal bench used by global debt-climate protesters

Global debt and climate protesters this week decided to use the famous Black Sabbath ‘heavy metal’ bench on Birmingham's golden mile of Broad Street to highlight their campaign. The activists placed placards around the necks of the metallic images of Geezer Butler and Bill Ward, with the latter reading ‘G7: TURN DEBT INTO CLIMATE ACTION’.

Blind Indian painter's forgotten scroll found after 100 years

A 44-foot-long Japanese style handscroll painted by a famous Indian blind artist nearly 100 years ago has resurfaced and gone on public display for the first time in the city of his birth, Kolkata. Benodebehari Mukherjee, born in 1904, was blind in one eye and severely myopic in the other. He lost his vision entirely at 53. Mukherjee, who died in 1980, created trailblazing works as a painter of landscapes and frescos. He was also a sculptor and muralist and came to define modern art in 20th Century India.

Blinken celebrates ‘deep bonds’ connecting U.S. and India

The U.S. partnership with India drives security, innovation and prosperity for both countries, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.

In June 12 remarks at an event organized by the U.S.-India Business Council, Blinken celebrated the two nations’ deep economic and cultural ties. He also echoed President Biden’s description of the U.S.-India partnership as the “defining relationship” of the 21st century.

Boatyard receives prestigious industry award for innovation

Boatyard, the first customer experience platform designed for the marine industry, announced that the company was chosen as one of the Top 10 Most Innovative Marine Companies by leading industry media outlet, Soundings Trade Only. 

“To be named among iconic brands like Brunswick, Garmin, Volvo, and all of the other innovative marine companies is a humbling moment for our team,” said Boatyard founder and President Nathan Heber.

Boatyard stacks its bench with Fortune 500 tech leader

Boatyard, the first customer experience platform designed for the marine industry, announced today that Joe Lingerfelt, former product leader for YachtWorld and more recently for the Fortune 500 company Expedia, has joined their team as Principal Product Owner. 

“We are excited that Joe has brought his years of leadership experience at one of the largest tech companies in the world to Boatyard,” said Boatyard founder and president Nathan Heber.

Bob Marley grandson found dead

Joseph “Jo Mersa” Marley, son of musician Stephen Marley and grandson of reggae icon Bob Marley, has died, his representative confirmed to Rolling Stone. A cause of death was not disclosed by the representative, although, a report suggested that Marley suffered an asthma attack and was found in a vehicle.

Bob Marley's Jamaican hotel hideaway and tropical 47-acre property on sale after featured in One Love biopic

Bob Marley's Jamaican hotel hideaway Strawberry Hill and tropical 47-acre property is on sale after being featured in One Love biopic.

Boeing and Airbus want to push back 5G rollout in the U.S.

The world's biggest commercial airplane manufacturers are telling the Biden Administration to delay the rollout of 5G cell service next month.

Boeing (BA) CEO David Calhoun and Airbus Americas CEO Jeffery Knittel sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to say the January 5 rollout could cause interference that could "adversely affect the ability of aircraft to safely operate."

Boeing donates $1m to assist with tornado recovery

Boeing is committing $1 million to assist with disaster recovery and relief efforts across the Midwest and Southern United States in the aftermath of the recent, unprecedented, tornado outbreak.

"The damage caused by these tornadoes is devastating, and Boeing and our employees stand ready to assist our neighbours and colleagues who have been affected," said Ziad S. Ojakli, executive vice president of Government Operations.

Bola Tinubu wins Nigeria's presidential election

Bola Tinubu, the candidate from the ruling party of Nigeria has been declared the winner of the disputed Nigerian Presidential Election with 37% of the vote.

With rivals Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar polling 25% and 29% respectively, after their parties had previously declared the poll 'a sham', demanding a rerun.

Bonsai trees strengthening U.S.-Japan friendship

For almost 50 years, the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington has been home to a collection of bonsai trees that is among the finest in the world and a symbol of the United States’ and Japan’s enduring friendship.

Born Free calls for reform of exotic pet keeping in the UK

The recent two-part ITV documentary Britain's Tiger Kings - On The Trail With Ross Kemp highlighted the growing problems associated with the keeping of wild animals as pets.

In response to the documentary, Born Free’s co-founder and Executive President Will Travers OBE said: “I think most people will have found it unbelievable that, in this day and age, so many dangerous animals, including big cats, bears, crocodiles and venomous snakes, are being kept as pets by private individuals across the UK. Increasing demand for all kinds of wild animals as exotic pets puts owners and the wider public at risk of injury or disease. It can also cause serious animal suffering, and the demand may increase the pressure on many wild populations which are often already under threat.”

Born Free believes the documentary provided further evidence of the need for far greater restrictions on the trade in and keeping of wild animals as pets in the UK. For many years Born Free has been highlighting the fact that obtaining a Dangerous Wild Animals (DWA) licence is far too easy, and calling for reform. As well as failing to keep the public safe, the Dangerous Wild Animals Act does not adequately address animal welfare and takes no account of wildlife conservation or owner suitability.

Earlier this year, Born Free revealed almost 4,000 wild animals were being kept privately under DWA licenses across Great Britain. This number is believed to be the tip of the iceberg, given many species don’t currently require a licence, and long-standing concerns that there is widespread non-compliance with the Act. 

Some of these animals are kept for commercial purposes, however the majority are believed to be kept by individuals as pets, a practice that is on the increase; Born Free’s data suggests an increase of at least 59% in dangerous wild animals kept as pets since 2000.

At the time of its inception, the Dangerous Wild Animals Act was intended to make the private keeping of dangerous wild animals an exceptional circumstance. However the ongoing increase in wild animals kept as pets flies in the face of the intention of the Act.

While modest changes have been made to the Schedule (species covered by the Act) over the years, the Act itself has not been substantially updated for more than 40 years. There are still species absent from the Schedule which, under other legislation, including the Zoo Licensing Act, are regarded as a risk to the public, such as large varanid lizards like Komodo dragons, large python & boa species, and a number of birds of prey.

Will Travers continued: “It’s high time for a comprehensive review of the Dangerous Wild Animals Act and its Schedule, and far greater restrictions on the trade in and keeping of wild animals as pets in the UK.

“As a minimum, we are calling for full consideration of whether the welfare needs of individual animals can be met, and owners have necessary qualifications and experience; a guarantee that the trade does not compromise conservation of species in the wild; due consideration of potential environmental concerns (such as the establishment of invasive species through escapes, the deliberate releases of unwanted pets, and the possible spread of zoonotic diseases); and confirmation there is no risk to wider health and safety of animals or people.”

As part of its campaign on this issue Born Free, in collaboration with the RSPCA, has launched a petition calling on the Government to review and reform laws on the private keeping of Dangerous Wild Animals. Born Free has also created an interactive map detailing the dangerous wild animals licensed to be kept privately by local authority.