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Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Unity Cup returns after two decades celebrating Black heritage with football
Its been over 20 years since the first Unity Cup and since then it has yet to return however this year that all changed - The friendly competition is back but this time starring more countries than before. This week, four nations with deep roots in the UK brought community, culture and football to Brentford's Gtech Community Stadium for the long-awaited return of the Unity Cup. From steel pans and DJs to flags waving proudly in every direction, this was more than a football cup, it was a full on cultural link up and one that had been missing from the scene for twenty one years. On Tuesday 27th May, Jamaica's Reggae Boyz beat Trinidad and Tobago's Soca Warriors in a fierce Caribbean clash. The following day, Nigeria's Super Eagles edged past Ghana's The Black Stars, securing their place in the final. With the third-place match and final showdown happening on Saturday , fans showed up not just to support their teams but to celebrate community, culture and shared roots. What is the Unity Cup? The Unity Cup is an international friendly football tournament originally launched in 2004, when teams from Nigeria, Jamaica and Ireland faced off at Charlton Athletic's ground. Then it was a moment, now it's a movement. Two decades later, the tournament returned with clearer purpose: to celebrate the cultural impact of African and Caribbean communities in the UK, particularly in London. Where those communities have helped shape the city's identity through food, music, language and history. This year's line-up features Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Nigeria and Ghana - four nations chosen for their heritage, their undeniable pride and their presence in the UK's multicultural landscape. From the food we eat, to the rhythms we dance to each of these cultures have left a mark in British identity in countless ways. The Unity Cup is a tribute to that legacy. Why Brentford? It's no coincidence that the tournament was hosted by Brentford FC. West London is known for its multicultural spirit, and Brentford's commitment to inclusion made it the perfect stage. Just weeks ago, the club was awarded the Premier League 's Intermediate Level for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (PLEDIS), highlighting their work both on and off the pitch - the decision to bring the Unity Cup her shows this wasn't just a football event - it was a celebration designed to reflect the city. From start to finish, the vibes were immaculate. On one end, a steel pan band played sweet melodies throughout the match. On the other, artist performances and DJs kept the energy high, soundtracking the day with bashment, afrobeats, gospel and everything in between. Crowds were filled out in jerseys and flags, the crowd came with whistles ready. It wasn't just a game - it felt like a mini carnival, with football as the headliner. But beyond the party, there was a powerful undercurrent of unity. Because although every player on that pitch shares a Black identity, the cultural nuances between African and Caribbean communities are deep but the Unity Cup created space for both and what came from that space was a beautiful sight. Brentford FC and NHS Blood & Transplant also used the event to host a 'Bee A Hero' blood donor drive - encouraging attendees to get their blood type tested and sign up as donors. This wasn't a side initiative. It was central part of what made the Unity Cup feel different and deeply necessary. This is especially important for Black communities, where conditions like sickle cell disproportionately affect lives. It the fastest-growing genetic condition in the UK. It causes excruciating pain, organ damage, and in many cases, lifelong complications. Treatment often relies on blood transfusions - but only 2% of donors in the UK are Black, even though over 55% of Black Londoners have the rare Ro subtype, which is crucial for sickle cell patients. The Unity Cup didn't just bring people together. It reminded them how they can help keep each other alive. Before the big final, the third-place playoff saw Ghana beat Trinidad & Tobago 4-0, securing the bronze position after dominating both halves. But what most people really came to see is the fight for the first place title - Jamaica vs Nigeria. The first half saw both teams scoring once, but in the final half the pressure was evident, the tackles were fiercer, the chants were louder - both teams were battling for the crown. The friendly competition started to look not so friendly. But when the final whistle came, both teams had scored twice. Which left no option, but a penalty shootout - all eyes were peeled. In a tense final few minutes, Nigeria came out on top, edging past Jamaica after the Reggae Boyz missed a crucial spot-kick. Whether it was the Reggae Boyz or the Super Eagles lifting the trophy, or you call it plan-tain or plan-tin, the real win was seeing the stands full of colour, culture, and connection in Brentford FC.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Nigel Farage savaged with brutal comment over his maths skills
Nigel Farage's maths skills were questioned after newly release figures on diversity, equality and inclusion programmes suggest the Reform UK leader's costings don't add up Nigel Farage has been savaged over his maths skills after newly release figures suggest the Reform UK leader's costings don't add up. The outspoken politician earlier this week announced a raft of eye-catching policies, which he said in part would be paid for by scrapping diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) policies in the public sector. Reform UK said scrapping 'the DEI agenda' would save taxpayers £7billion. But the Cabinet Office last night published the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion review, commissioned by the previous Tory government, which told a different story. It found that EDI spending across the Civil Service was just £27.1million in 2022/23. A Cabinet Office source said: 'Maths is clearly not his strong suit. It's terrifying to think what he'd do to the family finances of working people if he ever got near power.' Reform UK said it had sent thousands of freedom of information requests and insisted billions in savings could be made. It said the £7bn figure was not just from government departments or the civil service, but across public bodies including universities, school boards, emergency services and the Armed Forces. It comes after Keir Starmer yesterday launched a ferocious attack on Mr Farage - branding him " Liz Truss 2.0". The Prime Minister turned his fire on the Reform UK leader in a speech in the north west, accusing him of planning a 'mad experiment' that will hammer family finances. He compared Reform's uncosted pledges to Tory disaster Liz Truss, who triggered market chaos and sent mortgage rates rocketing with her tax-slashing mini-Budget. The PM was reacting to a major speech by Mr Farage on Tuesday where he announced a series of headline-grabbing plans. Among them, the right-wing politician tried to outflank Labour by committing to fully reinstating the winter fuel payments and reversing the two-child benefit limit. It comes after the PM announced at least a partial U-turn on winter fuel cuts, while ditching the Tory-era two-child benefit policy is 'on the table' for the Government. The Reform leader also said his 'biggest aspiration' was for Brits to avoid paying tax on any earnings up to £20,000 (a plan that could cost up to £80billion). Labour analysis suggests the policy could lead to increased mortgage payments of £5,500 for the average family because it could require billions of pounds of additional borrowing every year. Mr Farage said he'd pay for announcements by scrapping plans to reach net zero carbon emissions, closing asylum hotels and ditching diversity programmes - but he gave little detail on how any of this would work. A furious Mr Starmer said the Reform UK leader is doing a 'Liz Truss 2.0' and wants to 'blow up the economy'. 'We're once again fighting the same fantasy, this time from Farage,' he said. 'The same bet in the same casino: That you could spend tens of billions of pounds on tax cuts without a proper way of paying for them. Using your monthly finances, your mortgage, your bills as the gambling chip on this mad experiment.' A Reform UK spokesman said: 'Under a Reform government DEI spending in the civil service and across public sector bodies will drop to zero. DEI agendas are divisive and inconsistent with British values. We believe in a meritocracy where privileges are given out based on merit rather than skin colour or gender.'
New York Post
16-05-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Verizon axing DEI programs as it seeks FCC approval for $9.6B Frontier deal
Verizon Communications said Friday it is ending diversity, equity and inclusion programs after the Trump administration opened a probe and as the US telecom carrier seeks approval to purchase Frontier Communications. Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr in February criticized Verizon for its promotion of DEI programs and said it could be a factor in the Frontier deal. Verizon said in a letter to Carr seen by Reuters the company was removing its 'Diversity and Inclusion' website and removing references to DEI from employee training and making other changes to hiring, career development, supplier diversity and corporate sponsorship practices. Verizon said it was removing references to DEI from employee training and making other changes to hiring, career development, supplier diversity and corporate sponsorship practices. Christopher Sadowski The company will no longer maintain any workforce diversity goals and will drop a component of its management compensation plan that historically included a goal to increase the representation of women and minorities in the company's US workforce. 'Verizon recognizes that some DEI policies and practices could be associated with discrimination,' said Verizon chief legal officer Vandana Venkatesh in the letter saying the change were effective immediately. Carr, a Republican designated by President Trump in January, told NBC News parent Comcast in February he was opening a similar probe into the company's promotion of DEI programs. Carr said in a statement he was pleased Verizon is ending its DEI policies outlined in the letter. 'This is a good and important step forward — one that promotes equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, and the public interest,' Carr said. FCC Chair Brendan Carr told NBC News parent Comcast in February he was opening a similar probe into the company's promotion of DEI programs. AFP via Getty Images Verizon is nearing FCC approval for its $9.6 billion purchase of Frontier. Trump in January issued sweeping executive orders to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion programs in the US and pressured the private sector to join the initiative.
The Star
16-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Verizon ending DEI programs as it seeks US approval for Frontier deal
(Reuters) -Verizon Communications said Friday it is ending diversity, equity and inclusion programs after the Trump administration opened a probe and as the U.S. telecom carrier seeks approval to purchase Frontier Communications. Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr in February criticized Verizon for its promotion ofDEI programs and said it could be a factor in the Frontier deal. Verizon said in a letter to Carr seen by Reuters the company was removing its 'Diversity and Inclusion' website and removing references to DEI from employee training and making other changes to hiring, career development, supplier diversity and corporate sponsorship practices. (Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Verizon ending DEI programs as it seeks US approval for Frontier deal
(Reuters) -Verizon Communications said Friday it is ending diversity, equity and inclusion programs after the Trump administration opened a probe and as the U.S. telecom carrier seeks approval to purchase Frontier Communications. Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr in February criticized Verizon for its promotion ofDEI programs and said it could be a factor in the Frontier deal. Verizon said in a letter to Carr seen by Reuters the company was removing its 'Diversity and Inclusion' website and removing references to DEI from employee training and making other changes to hiring, career development, supplier diversity and corporate sponsorship practices. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
