The governmentfunded body that promotes the UKs
The government-funded body that promotes the UK’s culture and education abroad has sacked a disabled teacher, despite its own internal investigation concluding that it failed to provide her with the reasonable adjustments she needed to do her job.The British Council, which proclaims itself a Disability Confident employer – under the discredited employment scheme run by the Department for Work and Pensions – was able to dodge its Equality Act duties by arguing that the legislation does not apply because Emily Frisby worked in Morocco and so was subject to local employment law.Internalinvestigations upheld her complaint about the failure of managers to provide her with thereasonable adjustments she needed and even concluded that “management may havecrossed a red line in terms of intimidation/bullying” of Frisby.But althoughthe British Council then agreed to provide the adjustments she needed, managersrepeatedly refused to provide details of the provisions they would make, shesaid, and ignored her emails asking for clarification.She hadexperienced months of disability discrimination at the hands of British Councilmanagers after transferring to Morocco from Vietnam in 2017.She wasdenied the reduced hours she had in her previous British Council job, whichworsened her health condition, and was forced to take a “protracted anddehumanising” grievance procedure because of the refusal to provide her withthe reasonable adjustments she needed.Hercondition affects her hearing and balance, and symptoms include vertigo,hearing loss and tinnitus, all of which can be triggered by stress.But when shetried to secure the reasonable adjustments she needed, managers refused toprovide them and instead questioned her impairment, and, she said, bullied andharassed her.As a resultof her treatment, she was signed off work with stress and anxiety and anexacerbation of the symptoms of her condition.She wasforced to drop a legal claim for discrimination because the British Councilargued that the Equality Act does not apply to its actions in Morocco, eventhough it is a UK charity, receives funding from the UK government, issponsored by the Foreign Office, and has signed up to Disability Confident.Now theBritish Council has given Frisby three months’ notice under the “Moroccan laborcode”, blaming her for her failure to return to work and telling her they aretreating this as a resignation, even though her GP and an occupationaltherapist advised her to make sure the adjustments were in place before shereturned to work. She has beenoff sick for more than a year and received sick pay only until August. She hasnot been paid since. She said: “Ihaven’t had any indication of how the adjustments would work in practice…despite repeatedly asking for and obviously needing confirmation and clarification.“My GP andoccupational health advised to have the adjustments in place before I returnedto work to avoid further stress and delays and it seemed sensible consideringit would be impossible for me to return to work without any discussion or knowledgeof my working hours and classes. “All Iwanted was to reduce or change my timetable and have a level of support andunderstanding about my health condition.”She added:“My emails and sick notes are often ignored entirely, or they just repeat thatadjustments will be made on my return to work, ignoring the otherquestions and concerns.“It’s hardnot to see this as part of the same hostile environment for disabled peoplecoming from the UK government, and as retaliation for speaking out and complaining.”The BritishCouncil argues that it does not need tocomply with the Equality Act because Frisby was employed in Morocco and wassubject to local employment law. It also says that “thespirit” of the Equality Act is captured in its “equality policy, values andbehaviours”, which apply to all staff globally. A BritishCouncil spokesperson refused to say whether it would provide Frisby with anapology and compensation for the treatment she has received.She alsofailed to say why the British Council could not go beyond Moroccan law andtreat disabled people as fairly as they would be treated in the UK, and she refusedto say if the British Council believed it could continue as a DisabilityConfident Employer in the light of her treatment.But thespokesperson said in a statement: “Our own internal investigation into thisfound that we didn’t handle some aspects of the adjustments required verywell. “Althoughthe changes were later put in as requested, we are sorry for the upset thissituation caused.“We hadsuccessfully made adjustments for Ms Frisby in a previous role, in a differentcountry. “We have nowshared how we handled these requests with our Disability Facilitators –speciallytrained staff in global teams – so they can help assist employees and managersin these situations. “As an organisation, we fully recognise that people with disabilities face discrimination and barriers, and we are committed to identifying and removing those barriers so we can improve our practice.”Picture: The laptop that was refused for four months as a reasonable adjustment by the British Council despite it being agreed in Frisby’s previous role, shortly before moving to Morocco A note from the editor:Please consider making a voluntary financial contribution to support the work of DNS and allow it to continue producing independent, carefully-researched news stories that focus on the lives and rights of disabled people and their user-led organisations. Please do not contribute if you cannot afford to do so, and please note that DNS is not a charity. It is run and owned by disabled journalist John Pring and has been from its launch in April 2009. Thank you for anything you can do to support the work of DNS…
Tags: crime • sports Share this: FacebookTwitterRedditemail,0% 0% At this point, the victims claimed they turned and ran like hell, inducing the alleged assailants to retreat, empty-handed, driving eastbound on Post Street. Foster and Armstrong ended up at the St. Francis Hotel, where they called the police. Neither was injured nor lost any possessions. The incident took place around 2 a.m. Monday, Oct. 16. City leaders were informed by police of the robbery attempt by 6:30 a.m. Monday. Team spokesman Bob Lange said the players are off today, and that he is looking into the incident.“We are aware of the reports regarding the robbery and are very thankful no one was harmed. Reuben and Ray-Ray have been, and will continue to be, cooperative with any further police investigation,” Lange said in a statement.ADVERTISEMENT 5 Below Market Rate (BMR) Rental Apartments available at 3000 23rd St., San Francisco, CA 94110. Applications must be received by 5PM, Nov. 7, 2017, and must either be submitted online here or mailed in with a self-addressed stamped envelope to: 3000 23rd St. BMR, P.O. Box 420847, San Francisco, CA 94124. Applications available here or picked up from an agency listed here.Veteran police officers praised Foster and Armstrong for their quick thinking. “They did the right thing,” said an SFPD veteran. “They were smart enough to have the security guard escort them to their car. But you don’t want to take on [high-powered weaponry]. Better to get out of there.”As for whether to run or submit to the robbers, another veteran cop said that running is “simply human nature.” For those who run more slowly than young NFL players in prime condition, however, it may be a riskier move. “You’re betting that the robbers aren’t so committed that they’re going to shoot,” says the officer. “But you’re gambling with your life.” Armstrong and Foster are hardly the first pro athletes targeted for armed robbery in this city. In January 2015, then-Warriors player Marreese Speights was waylaid by a “group of gang members” outside the now-closed Cellar night club on Sutter, who demanded his gold chains. A gun was pulled on the 6-foot-10 center, but he sprinted to safety. An arrest was made in that case. None has yet been made in the more recent incident. Police said video evidence is being analyzed. 
Hours after a close loss on the football field to the Washington Redskins, two San Francisco 49ers players managed to stave off a second loss — at gunpoint. Early Monday morning, linebackers Ray-Ray Armstrong and Reuben Foster were at the Love and Propaganda nightclub, located 85 Campton Place, when Foster noticed a white Audi with tinted windows repeatedly casing the premises. This left him feeling “like he was going to be robbed,” according to a subsequent police report. Foster, a rookie, presciently handed his watch and rings to a female friend within the club, and he and Armstrong, a fifth-year player, asked a security guard to walk the two of them and another man to their car. Despite the presence of the guard, the players claim the Audi driver was undeterred, pulling up in close proximity to them. Two masked men wearing white hoodies emerged, carrying an assault rifle and a handgun. The police report states the would-be robbers pointed their guns at the four men. 
SAINTS finally got the Stobart Stadium ‘hoodoo’ off their backs as they comfortably beat Bradford Bulls.Paul Wellens and Jamie Foster led the way with two tries apiece as Royce Simmons’ men put together a good performance to win 28-16.Saints led 16-6 at half time after they weathered an early Bulls storm.Marc Herbert’s peach of a kick put Shaun Ainscough in before Jamie Foster pulled one back.Paul Wellens then stretched the lead and when Paul Sykes saw yellow he added another.In the second half, Foster added his second and moments later Jonny Lomax zipped through a gap to feed Chris Flannery for his fourth of the season.Patrick Ah Van brought the Bulls back into it on the back of a very forward pass, but Foster’s accurate boot added a penalty late on to quell any hope of a comeback.Saints had Sia Soliola and Michael Shenton sinbinned in the final stages and although Ainscough grabbed his second, late on the homesters were never in danger.Pre match, Saints welcomed back Sia Soliola and Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook to the line-up with Paul Clough missing out for a couple of weeks with a neck problem.Josh Perry recovered from his knock last week whilst Jon Wilkin – although in the 19 – missed out.Mick Potter retained a strong looking line up, but freshened up his team by moving Paul Sykes to full back and having Shad Royston in the centres.Saints got underway with a strong set and immediately pinned the Bulls back on their line. They then put in another good set but Jonny Lomax’ kick on the last was just tipped forward as Michael Shenton patrolled the wing.But – and against the run of play – Bradford scored first – and it was a piece of genius from Marc Herbert to open up the defence. His chip from inside his own half found Shaun Ainscough running at pace – and the former Wiganer collectied the bouncing ball and outpaced Jamie Foster.Patrick Ah Van with the conversion.Saints had to weather Bradford’s next six but then got down the field with some fine handling. Two strong drives had them close but Roby was held up over the line.On 17 minutes though, Saints got the try their possession deserved – even though it was slightly fortuitous. Strong passing and running got them within range and then Lomax’ pass to Foster – although forward – was collected and put down.Foster pulling his conversion left of the posts.It was the lift Saints – and their fans – needed as two sets later Paul Wellens showed bags of strength to get over under pressure.Foster adding the extras from a tough angle.As good as Saints were in attack – moving the ball with speed and skill – they were in defence as gaps found in the middle by a quick Bulls’ pack were closed with some excellent scrambling defence.But Saints always looked like they would get over again and they did.With five minutes to go Paul Sykes was sinbinned for dissent and with space on the wings Wellens bagged his second.Foster tagging on the extras.Half Time: Saints 16 Bradford 6Saints forced a drop out early in the second half and made the pressure pay – moving the ball left and into the grateful hands of Jamie Foster.And Sykes returned to the pitch moments later only to see Jonny Lomax zip through a massive hole and feed Chris Flannery.Foster tagging on the two.Saints continued to dominate but it was Ah Van who grabbed one for the Bulls with 19 minutes left – profiting from the most forward pass you’ll ever see outside American Football.Sia Soliola was then sinbinned for lying on but Saints soon stretched their lead once more as Foster added a penalty from distance.Michael Shenton joined Sia in the bin for ‘giving a facial’ and with him off the field Ainscough added his second.Ah Van making it 28-16.But that try came in the final two minutes and Saints had already done more than enough to clinch a vital victory and go second in the table.Match Summary:Saints:Tries: Foster (2), Wellens (2), FlanneryGoals: Foster (4 from 6)Bradford:Tries: Ainscough (2), Ah VanGoals: Ah Van (2 from 3)Penalties:Saints: 8Bradford: 4HT: 16-6FT: 28-16REF: Richard SilverwoodATT: 7676Teams:Saints:1. Paul Wellens; 2. Ade Gardner, 3. Michael Shenton, 5. Francis Meli, 22. Jamie Foster; 25. Lee Gaskell. 20. Jonny Lomax; 10. James Graham, 9. James Roby, 8. Josh Perry, 4. Sia Soliola, 13. Chris Flannery, 11. Tony Puletua. Subs: 15. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 17. Gary Wheeler, 18. Matty Ashurst, 21. Shaun Magennis.Bradford:3. Paul Sykes; 18. Shaun Ainscough, 1. Michael Platt, 25. Shad Royston, 5. Patrick Ah Van; 6. Brett Kearney, 7. Marc Herbert; 10. Andy Lynch, 14. Matt Diskin, 15. Bryn Hargreaves, 11. Olivier Elima, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Jamie Langley.Subs: 8. Nick Scruton, 9. Heath L’Estrange, 16. Craig Kopczak, 23. Tom Olbison.
KYLE Amor is sure Saints will come back stronger and tougher following the disappointment of last week’s semi-final.The big prop – who was stellar in the 20-13 loss – believes lessons will be learnt ahead of the 2016 season.“I thought we were probably the better side for large parts of the game but unfortunately it was one that got away,” he said. “Leeds are a quality side and showed it. The 40:20 gave them the momentum back but we have to learn from this and come back stronger next year.“We have to use it as fuel to galvanise and get stronger.”He continued: “There were times this season when we should have won a couple of more games and that is the difference between a home semi and an away one.“We’re massively disappointed. I came here to play in these big games and of course we had a taste last year.“We are a young team and will use this as a stepping stone to becoming a real force. In the coming years we will be a real tough team to crack.”
CASTLE HAYNE, NC (WWAY) — A murder on Christmas Eve almost twenty years ago remains a mystery to investigators.It was Christmas Eve 1999.- Advertisement – “She always put her Christmas tree up in October,” Ethel Greimann said.Ethel Greimann said everyone knew how much her niece, Tera Tracy, 25, loved Christmas.“She was always ahead of the game when it came to her tree,” Greimann said.Related Article: Man arrested following high-speed crash in Pender CountyThat year, Tracy had to work the over night shift on Christmas Eve.“She worked the third shift, so she could watch the kids during the day and her husband worked during the day,” Detective Justin Varella said.Detective Justin Varella with the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office said Tracy was a clerk at The Pantry on Castle Hayne Road. The Pantry has since been replaced by a BP Gas Station. Varella also said Tracy lived right across the street from where she worked. Her house is no longer there. It has been replaced by a CVS.That Christmas Eve shift would be her last.“The bread delivery man was making the morning delivery and walked into the store only to find Tera’s body and there was a lot of blood,” Varella said.Varella said the delivery man called 911 and when first responders arrived Tracy was still holding onto life. He said they did everything they could to try to save her life. She was pronounced dead later at the hospital.“It was awful,” Greimann said. “It was something that should not have happened.”What happened is something investigators are still trying to piece together.“Tera actually suffered from multiple stab wounds,” Varella said. “She was stabbed in the head and the chest and the torso.”Was it a robbery gone wrong?“The cash register was knocked over in the store and an undisclosed amount of cash had been taken from the register, as well as probably some packs of cigarettes, because some cigarettes had been knocked over,” Varella said.Something did not add up.“The weapon that she was stabbed with was unique,” Varella said. “I won’t go into detail as to what that weapon was. It’s not something you see every day and it’s not something that’s typically used in the course of a robbery.”There were no surveillance cameras, but Varella said they found evidence of a vehicle parked nearby.“This is based on a K9 track that was done that leads to where what appear to be some tire impressions parked at a nearby church,” Varella said.“Did she have enemies? Do you guys have any kind of motive?”“To our knowledge, she didn’t have any enemies at the time,” Varella said.Varella said Tracy’s husband at home right across the street when it happened.“Fortunately her kids were actually with their grandparents or with another family member,” Varella said.Varella said they do not know who did it, but he said they do know Tracy did not make it easy for them.“Tera definitely defended herself,” Varella said. “She had defensive wounds where more than likely she had a shot on the killer as well and from what I’ve been able to determine about Tera and the type of person she was. She was a fighter.”“She was definitely without a doubt a hard worker and she always put her children first,” Greimann said.This dedicated mother, who spent her life fighting for her kids, was killed on Christmas Eve. It is time of year that now has a very different meaning for her family.“This is a tough time of year for her mom,” Greimann said. “Her mom and I are really close and it’s been an absolute nightmare.”It is a nightmare that has been going on for 18 years.“Two years ago her mother was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer and of course speaking on her behalf nothing would be better than to have this case solved,” Greimann said.Greimann said someone has the answer.“There is no doubt in my mind that someone knows who did this,” Greimann said. “After 18 years , I think it’s time to come clean.”If you know anything about this case, please contact the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office.
That is the meaning of Christmas to Syler, the director of Faith-Building Missions in Ocean Isle Beach.Today he and his daughter Rachel along with countless volunteers spent their Christmas day living up to that message.“We have the opportunity to share God’s love with people in a tangible way,” Rachel said.Related Article: Burgaw to host first-ever blueberry drop to ring in the new yearThat way being providing hundreds of people in need with home-cooked meals filled with southern staples, including pork, mac and cheese, baked beans and green beans.While the non profit has been delivering these meals for the last 14 years, their work extends farther in time and..distance.“Faith building missions started about 24 years ago,” Dean said. “We’ve also been doing a lot of work in Mexico.”After the meals were packaged volunteers hit the roads to surprise families across the region.The reactions were priceless.“We’ve just been blessed to reach out and have God saved the souls through what we’ve been blessed with to do,” Dean said.Volunteers from Faith-Building Missions cooked all 418 meals themselves, but they say it’s never about them. Instead it’s about showing the love of Christ this Christmas. OCEAN ISLE BEACH, NC (WWAY) — It’s the season of goodwill, and one local non-profit is making sure those in need stay full with food and hope this Christmas.“It’s not about receiving; it’s about giving,” Dean Syler.- Advertisement – 
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY/StarNews) — A man who reportedly overdosed behind the wheel on Saturday crashed into three vehicles, including an ambulance with a patient inside.According to the Wilmington Police Department, Terry Lee Ramsey, 31, apparently suffered a heroin overdose Saturday evening while driving in the 800 block of South Third Street. New Hanover County jail records show the incident happened at 6:58 p.m.- Advertisement – After overdosing, Ramsey reportedly caused a three-vehicle crash in the area. Wilmington police spokeswoman Jennifer Dandron said that among the vehicles struck was a New Hanover Regional Medical Center ambulance transporting a patient.Dandron said that responding officers found several bags of heroin and drug paraphernalia in Ramsey’s vehicle.Ramsey was charged with DWI, possession of heroin, possession of drug paraphernalia, reckless driving to endanger and driving while license revoked.Related Article: CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Driver intentionally hits woman, takes offRead more here.
A young man is in critical condition after almost drowning while swimming in St. Julian’s.The 19-year old Brazilian was pulled to shore by another man in the vicinity at around 3pm in Balluta Bay. An ambulance took him to Mater Dei Hospital.Police investigations are ongoing.WhatsApp SharePrint <a href=’http://revive.newsbook.com.mt/www/delivery/ck.php?n=ab2c8853&cb={random}’ target=’_blank’><img src=’https://revive.newsbook.com.mt/www/delivery/avw.php?zoneid=97&cb={random}&n=ab2c8853&ct0={clickurl_enc}’ border=’0′ alt=” /></a>
Advertisement The Government Gambia has come out and shed more light on the issue following a press release issued by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) prohibiting companies and/or individuals operating through Internet Cafes and offering Dating services and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services.The government has called on its citizens to continue to enjoy Skype to reach their loved ones at home and abroad. This was contained in a press release sent from the Ministry of Information and Communication Infrastructure.The release reads: – Advertisement – The Government of The Gambia is calling on citizens of The Gambia to continue to enjoy Skype to reach their loved ones at home and abroad. Contrary to local press and cyber publications that the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) has banned the use of Skype and Viber facilities in The Gambia, the Ministry of Information and Communication Infrastructure has described the claim as a complete misconstruction of the press release communicated by PURA in the regulator’s bid to stop the massive loss of revenue to registered internet suppliers by the criminal unscrupulous individuals who use and Internet cafes that charge the unwitting public for international calls.In the bid to protect consumers and the national interest, PURA have found it necessary to draw the attention of all operators of Internet cafes of the criminal act that deprives registered internet service providers of revenue vital to their operations and to the revenue of the national treasury.Individuals can continue to use Skype or Viber on their personal devises in the enjoyment of the Gambia’s full integration into the ICT culture. The regulator and other concerned units of government are investigating these individuals and Internet cafe owners in order to put in place measures to protect our young users from entrapments of online dating services which leave our vulnerable citizens to pornographic sites, paedophilia, child-trafficking and sex tourism. The Ministry urges all media whose publications have misunderstood this to do the right thing in service to their country and to their readership to re-read the PURA press release, publish retractions, and report correctly on the intervention by the national regulator to protect citizens and a fair business environment in The Gambia.Credit: Daily Observer
Pope Francis. Image Credit: Guardian Advertisement Eric Schmidt, former Google CEO and executive chairman of Google’s parent company, Alphabet, is going to meet Pope Francis on Friday at the Vatican in Rome, the Guardian reports.The Silicon Valley billionaire, thought to be worth around $10 billion (£6.9 billion), will meet with the Pope for just 15 minutes, according to a Guardian source.The private meeting will also be attended by Jared Cohen, a former US state department official who is now head of Google Ideas, according to a different source cited by The Guardian. – Advertisement – Business Insider has contacted Google to confirm the meeting but the company is yet to respond.Pope Francis, aged 79, has previously said that he does not own a computer but he seems to be aware of the internet’s power, describing it as a “gift from God” because of its ability to offer “immense possibilities for encounter and solidarity.”“This is something truly good,” he said in a speech on World Communications Day in 2014.Despite not owning his own computer, the Pope has an official Twitter account with 8.4 million followers. He’s also participated in two live Google Hangouts from the Vatican.[BusinessInsider]