Millions expected to mark fifth anniversary of Jo Cox’s murder


Nicky Harley
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It is five years since the murder of British Labour politician Jo Cox by a neo-Nazi extremist in a quiet Yorkshire market town.

The killing of the mother of two shocked the world and her family created the Jo Cox Foundation in an attempt to ensure some good came out of the tragedy.

Flowers surround a picture of Jo Cox at a vigil in Parliament Square, London, in 2016. Getty
Flowers surround a picture of Jo Cox at a vigil in Parliament Square, London, in 2016. Getty

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said his thoughts were with Cox's family and friends.

Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour party, said she would have been very proud of the foundation.

"Today is the fifth anniversary of our dear friend and colleague Jo Cox," he said.

"Jo had already changed so many lives for the better. She was passionate about creating a more fair and just world and I know she would have gone on to create so much more and that she would have been so proud of her foundation and what it is doing in her name.

"There is not a day that goes by that we do not miss Jo."

'Moved by her commitment to universal values of compassion'

Former UK home secretary Jacqui Smith, chairwoman of the Jo Cox Foundation, told The National Ms Cox's legacy would live on through the group's work in supporting causes that were close to her heart. At a series of nationwide events this weekend people will come together in community picnics as part of the Great Get Together initiative.

“I miss Jo’s friendship and spirit but I’m proud that the foundation set up in her name has achieved so much,” Ms Smith said.

“Through the Great Get Together and our community work, we’ve proved that we have more in common than that which divides us.

“Our international work has delivered projects Jo would have loved to work with. Jo’s approach to her time as an MP was passionate but respectful and our campaigning on public life will tackle the abuse that deters others from following in her footsteps. In her name we will continue to build the foundation’s work with her life and her values at its heart.”

Jo Cox is seen taking part in a charity event in 2016. Alamy
Jo Cox is seen taking part in a charity event in 2016. Alamy

In Cox's maiden speech to the British parliament a year before her death, she delivered her More in Common message, a phrase that has now been coined by the foundation to continue her legacy.

"Those who were fortunate enough to know her personally were touched by her humanity, kindness, good humour and tireless energy," Su Moore, chief executive of the Jo Cox Foundation, told The National.

“Those who know her only by reputation or have learnt about her since her death are moved by her commitment to universal values of compassion, selflessness and a belief that a fairer, kinder and more tolerant world is not just possible but achievable.

We hope it will be an occasion once again to remember how Jo lived, not how she died
Su Moore

“The words in her very first speech to parliament still ring true, that 'we are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us'.

“In the months after her murder, more than 40,000 people donated over £2 million ($2.8m) to the Jo Cox Fund. This was distributed to three organisations working on issues close to Jo’s heart – the Royal Voluntary Service, Hope not Hate and the White Helmets in Syria – and it also helped to establish the Jo Cox Foundation."

Ms Moore said the anniversary was an opportunity for people to reflect on everything Cox was – "an MP, a campaigner for human rights and social justice, an aid worker, but above all a mother to two young children, a daughter, a sister, a wife and a friend and colleague to so many".

“While the anniversary of Jo’s death is, of course, a moment of reflection, we hope it will be an occasion once again to remember how Jo lived, not how she died,” she said.

Millions expected to hold community events to mark MP’s death

A year after her death Cox's sister, Kim Leadbeater, set up the Great Get Together to encourage communities to join together and host events to help lonely people build support networks.

A Great Get Together event in memory of Jo Cox takes place in Brighton in 2019. Getty
A Great Get Together event in memory of Jo Cox takes place in Brighton in 2019. Getty

In its first year, held around the anniversary of her death and birthday, more than nine million people held events across the country and to date more than 18 million people have taken part.

This year, refugee groups are expected to participate.

"I would have much preferred for my sister to be here carrying on the work she started on loneliness and so much else, but while this is sadly a bittersweet moment for our family, I know that Jo would be extremely proud," Ms Leadbeater said.

First Minister of Loneliness

In continuing Cox's work helping people to feel less isolated, the Jo Cox Loneliness Commission resulted in the UK appointing the world's first Minister for Loneliness and £20 million ($28.2 million) has been invested in projects.

The work on tackling abuse suffered by politicians led to an overhaul of the system and a code of conduct expected by members of political parties who  signed up to it.

Members of the public attend a memorial event for Jo Cox at Trafalgar Square, London, in 2016. Getty
Members of the public attend a memorial event for Jo Cox at Trafalgar Square, London, in 2016. Getty

The Jo Cox Memorial Grant Trust, which aims to prevent atrocities and support women internationally, distributed £10m in grants in partnership with the UK's Foreign Office to more than 20 projects in 14 developing countries, benefiting more than 35,000 women.

"In Uganda we ran a forum for women and democracy," Ms Moore told The National.

“It helped 88 women and 66 actually won office as a result.

“So many people did not know Jo but have still been touched by what she has done. Her legacy will continue because it still resonates with everyone. People’s lives are still being changed in her name.”

Kate Ferguson, founder of Protection Approaches, is working with one of the groups.

“In October 2019 I flew to Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, as part of an international training team led by the Auschwitz Institute for Peace & Reconciliation,” she said.

“I was there because of a fund set up in memory of Jo Cox by the UK’s Department for International Development to improve the prediction and prevention of identity-based violence, including mass atrocities, around the world.

“From the moment of our first meeting, which was about what more the UK parliament could do for Syrians, as she clattered across the foyer of Portcullis House from a vote in the Commons on childcare access in Parliament, I felt I would want to work with Jo for the rest of our careers. As her friend John Bew said, she was perhaps the best foreign secretary we would now never have.”

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told The National: "The UK government is proud to support the Jo Cox Foundation to continue its vital work.

"The foundation ensures Jo’s memory lives on through their work to improve the lives of women around the globe, from supporting girls' education and women’s empowerment to preventing gender-based violence.

"Over the last year, thousands of women across Lesotho, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Uganda have benefited from their grants, giving them support and training they need to enter politics or secure leadership positions.

"By working together, we can help make the difference that Jo Cox wanted to see in the world.”

Jo Cox’s sister takes on political mantle

The former aid worker’s sister this year decided to take her work to the next level by standing as the Labour candidate in a by-election next month in Cox's former seat.

Ms Leadbeater told The National that following in her sister's footsteps was one of the hardest decisions of her life.

“Whether to stand was the most difficult decision I have ever had to make,” she said.

“In the end, what decided it for me was thinking how upsetting it would be if someone who doesn’t love this community got the job. I’d be really worried about the damage that would do to this community.

Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer with Batley and Spen by-election candidate Kim Leadbeater as the party faces concerns from Muslim voters. Getty
Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer with Batley and Spen by-election candidate Kim Leadbeater as the party faces concerns from Muslim voters. Getty

"As an MP I would be a strong local candidate, speaking up for the place where I was born and have lived in all my life. Whatever background people have, they have the same concerns when I speak to them."

She said her family would “never be the same” after the tragedy, but they have helped each other through the “dark times” and her parents are supporting her decision to become a politician.

“As Jo used to say to me: 'If good people don’t step up, then nothing will change',” she said.

Cox was a staunch campaigner on Syria and her supporters have criticised the government for failing to act on her calls for action.

Experts say she has not left a political legacy, but those at the foundation vowed to continue raising awareness of her causes.

“In response to her murder many people promised to do things differently and to help drive out the hatred and extremism that disfigured public life,” Ms Moore said.

“Not all those promises were kept. Divisions continued and, in some cases, deepened. Five years on and women, whether in public life or not, don’t always feel safe going about their daily lives.

Passion for the causes lives on

“Issues that Jo cared so passionately about – loneliness, the plight of civilians in conflict zones like Syria, the need to honour our commitments to those most in need around the world – still demand urgent action," her sister said.

“Jo can’t be with us as we face today’s challenges, but we can be guided by her spirit and her values. Jo’s family and the foundation that carries her name are determined to follow her inspiration and look ahead with optimism and a belief that the world Jo believed in so passionately remains within our grasp.

“We’ll continue to place Jo’s values and beliefs at the centre of all our work for the next five years and beyond.”

Analysis

Members of Syria's Alawite minority community face threat in their heartland after one of the deadliest days in country’s recent history. Read more

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The bio

Job: Coder, website designer and chief executive, Trinet solutions

School: Year 8 pupil at Elite English School in Abu Hail, Deira

Role Models: Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk

Dream City: San Francisco

Hometown: Dubai

City of birth: Thiruvilla, Kerala

While you're here
The%20specs%20
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

RESULTS

6.30pm UAE 1000 Guineas Trial Conditions (TB) US$100,000 (Dirt) 1,400m

Winner Final Song, Christophe Soumillon (jockey), Saeed bin Suroor (trainer).

7.05pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (Turf) 1,000m

Winner Almanaara, Dane O’Neill, Doug Watson.

7.40pm Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,900m

Winner Grand Argentier, Brett Doyle, Doug Watson.

8.15pm Meydan Challenge Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 1,400m

Winner Major Partnership, Patrick Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor.

8.50pm Dubai Stakes Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,200m

Winner Gladiator King, Mickael Barzalona, Satish Seemar.

9.25pm Dubai Racing Club Classic Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,410m

Winner Universal Order, Richard Mullen, David Simcock.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20WonderTree%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20April%202016%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECo-founders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Muhammad%20Waqas%20and%20Muhammad%20Usman%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Karachi%2C%20Pakistan%2C%20Abu%20Dhabi%2C%20UAE%2C%20and%20Delaware%2C%20US%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Special%20education%2C%20education%20technology%2C%20assistive%20technology%2C%20augmented%20reality%3Cbr%3EN%3Cstrong%3Eumber%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E16%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EGrowth%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Grants%20from%20the%20Lego%20Foundation%2C%20UAE's%20Anjal%20Z%2C%20Unicef%2C%20Pakistan's%20Ignite%20National%20Technology%20Fund%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
BOSH!'s pantry essentials

Nutritional yeast

This is Firth's pick and an ingredient he says, "gives you an instant cheesy flavour". He advises making your own cream cheese with it or simply using it to whip up a mac and cheese or wholesome lasagne. It's available in organic and specialist grocery stores across the UAE.

Seeds

"We've got a big jar of mixed seeds in our kitchen," Theasby explains. "That's what you use to make a bolognese or pie or salad: just grab a handful of seeds and sprinkle them over the top. It's a really good way to make sure you're getting your omegas."

Umami flavours

"I could say soya sauce, but I'll say all umami-makers and have them in the same batch," says Firth. He suggests having items such as Marmite, balsamic vinegar and other general, dark, umami-tasting products in your cupboard "to make your bolognese a little bit more 'umptious'".

Onions and garlic

"If you've got them, you can cook basically anything from that base," says Theasby. "These ingredients are so prevalent in every world cuisine and if you've got them in your cupboard, then you know you've got the foundation of a really nice meal."

Your grain of choice

Whether rice, quinoa, pasta or buckwheat, Firth advises always having a stock of your favourite grains in the cupboard. "That you, you have an instant meal and all you have to do is just chuck a bit of veg in."

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EShaffra%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDIFC%20Innovation%20Hub%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Emetaverse-as-a-Service%20(MaaS)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Ecurrently%20closing%20%241.5%20million%20seed%20round%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Epre-seed%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFlat6Labs%20Abu%20Dhabi%20and%20different%20PCs%20and%20angel%20investors%20from%20Saudi%20Arabia%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enine%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
CHELSEA SQUAD

Arrizabalaga, Bettinelli, Rudiger, Christensen, Silva, Chalobah, Sarr, Azpilicueta, James, Kenedy, Alonso, Jorginho, Kante, Kovacic, Saul, Barkley, Ziyech, Pulisic, Mount, Hudson-Odoi, Werner, Havertz, Lukaku. 

Ads on social media can 'normalise' drugs

A UK report on youth social media habits commissioned by advocacy group Volteface found a quarter of young people were exposed to illegal drug dealers on social media.

The poll of 2,006 people aged 16-24 assessed their exposure to drug dealers online in a nationally representative survey.

Of those admitting to seeing drugs for sale online, 56 per cent saw them advertised on Snapchat, 55 per cent on Instagram and 47 per cent on Facebook.

Cannabis was the drug most pushed by online dealers, with 63 per cent of survey respondents claiming to have seen adverts on social media for the drug, followed by cocaine (26 per cent) and MDMA/ecstasy, with 24 per cent of people.

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: ARDH Collective
Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
Number of employees: 4
Ticket prices
  • Golden circle - Dh995
  • Floor Standing - Dh495
  • Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
  • Lower Bowl premium - Dh795
  • Lower Bowl Plus - Dh695
  • Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
  • Upper Bowl Premium - Dh395
  • Upper Bowl standard - Dh295
Ashes 2019 schedule

August 1-5: First Test, Edgbaston

August 14-18: Second Test, Lord's

August 22-26: Third Test, Headingley

September 4-8: Fourth Test, Old Trafford

September 12-16: Fifth Test, Oval

The specs

A4 35 TFSI

Engine: 2.0-litre, four-cylinder

Transmission: seven-speed S-tronic automatic

Power: 150bhp

Torque: 270Nm

Price: Dh150,000 (estimate)

On sale: First Q 2020

A4 S4 TDI

Engine: 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel

Transmission: eight-speed PDK automatic

Power: 350bhp

Torque: 700Nm

Price: Dh165,000 (estimate)

On sale: First Q 2020

Scoreline

Syria 1-1 Australia

Syria Al Somah 85'

Australia Kruse 40'

The specs

AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)

On sale: Now

COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Grubtech

Founders: Mohamed Al Fayed and Mohammed Hammedi

Launched: October 2019

Employees: 50

Financing stage: Seed round (raised $2 million)

 

How to avoid crypto fraud
  • Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
  • Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
  • Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
  • Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
  • Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
  • Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
  • Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.

Company Profile 

Founder: Omar Onsi

Launched: 2018

Employees: 35

Financing stage: Seed round ($12 million)

Investors: B&Y, Phoenician Funds, M1 Group, Shorooq Partners

Getting there

The flights

Flydubai operates up to seven flights a week to Helsinki. Return fares to Helsinki from Dubai start from Dh1,545 in Economy and Dh7,560 in Business Class.

The stay

Golden Crown Igloos in Levi offer stays from Dh1,215 per person per night for a superior igloo; www.leviniglut.net 

Panorama Hotel in Levi is conveniently located at the top of Levi fell, a short walk from the gondola. Stays start from Dh292 per night based on two people sharing; www. golevi.fi/en/accommodation/hotel-levi-panorama

Arctic Treehouse Hotel in Rovaniemi offers stays from Dh1,379 per night based on two people sharing; www.arctictreehousehotel.com

Company%20profile%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EYodawy%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Egypt%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKarim%20Khashaba%2C%20Sherief%20El-Feky%20and%20Yasser%20AbdelGawad%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHealthTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETotal%20funding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2424.5%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAlgebra%20Ventures%2C%20Global%20Ventures%2C%20MEVP%20and%20Delivery%20Hero%20Ventures%2C%20among%20others%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20500%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
PROFILE OF HALAN

Started: November 2017

Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Sector: transport and logistics

Size: 150 employees

Investment: approximately $8 million

Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
If you go

The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Nairobi, with fares starting from Dh1,695. The resort can be reached from Nairobi via a 35-minute flight from Wilson Airport or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, or by road, which takes at least three hours.

The rooms
Rooms at Fairmont Mount Kenya range from Dh1,870 per night for a deluxe room to Dh11,000 per night for the William Holden Cottage.

THE%20HOLDOVERS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAlexander%20Payne%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Paul%20Giamatti%2C%20Da'Vine%20Joy%20Randolph%2C%20Dominic%20Sessa%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Ain Dubai in numbers

126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure

1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch

16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.

9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.

5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place

192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.

AGL AWARDS

Golden Ball - best Emirati player: Khalfan Mubarak (Al Jazira)
Golden Ball - best foreign player: Igor Coronado (Sharjah)
Golden Glove - best goalkeeper: Adel Al Hosani (Sharjah)
Best Coach - the leader: Abdulaziz Al Anbari (Sharjah)
Fans' Player of the Year: Driss Fetouhi (Dibba)
Golden Boy - best young player: Ali Saleh (Al Wasl)
Best Fans of the Year: Sharjah
Goal of the Year: Michael Ortega (Baniyas)

Asia Cup Qualifier

Final
UAE v Hong Kong

Live on OSN Cricket HD. Coverage starts at 5.30am

Directed by: Craig Gillespie

Starring: Emma Stone, Emma Thompson, Joel Fry

4/5