On 26^th of July CASTELBUONO, Italy  had an amazing line up of Olympic Marathon gold medallist Samuel Wanjiru of Kenya against four-time world road running/half-marathon champion Zersenay Tadese of Eritrea. But less than three kilometers into the 85th Giro Podistico Internazionale de Castelbuono where Wanjiru was reduced to a walk, Tadese had an insurmountable lead, and the race was essentially over.

Wanjiru, as like Tadese was running this 11.3 km road race over a snaking and hilly 1130m cobblestone circuit for the first time, who later felt a little tightness in his chest. After the first lap, in which Tadese had already established a lead over primary chasers Vincent Kipruto and Abreham Cherkos, Wanjiru had already fallen well behind. He did not appear amongst the leaders in the Piazza Margherita (where the race starts and finishes) on the third lap, but later jogged slowly into the piazza before being helped to the sidelines by race officials.

Wanjiru  Later said “I feel (something) in my breathing,” coughing and pointing to his chest. “Yesterday, I noticed a problem.”

Tadese looked like he had no problems. The world half-marathon record holder was leading by 19 seconds after the fifth of ten laps. Race announcer Paolo Mutton rallied the crowd every time Tadese rounded the fountain in the piazza to head out on another lap. Tadese did his best to put on a good show.

Tadese was crowded and cheered on by a group of Eritreans that had came to see him. He added by saying. “The course is very hard” “Its good its the first time I run here, I win and I’m very happy.

Behind Tadese there was Kipruto of Kenya and Cherkos of Ethiopia who were working together to catch up Tadese. But the pair were unable to gain any ground. Tadese was able to slow down on the final lap, enjoy the cheers of the crowd, and even high-five several fans before breaking the long blue finish tape in 34:20. Cherkos was able to pull away from Kipruto, the defending champion, in the final meters finished second in 34:31. Kipruto got third, who was seconds behind.

For Tadese, his next challenge is the Bogotá International Half-Marathon next month in Colombia, then he’ll train to defend his IAAF World Half-Marathon title in Nanying, China, in October. He said he had no plans to run a marathon in the fall.

Chalice Gold has agreed to form a joint venture with US-based gold major Newmont to explore for gold in Eritrea.

The proposed joint venture would enhance Chalice subsidiary Keren Mining and Newmont explore and evaluate regional gold opportunities over about 24 000 km2 in the African country.

Chalice is already developing the 840 000-oz Koka Gold deposit, part of the Zara project in Eritrea.

Mr Chalice MD Doug Jones stated “We are very pleased to welcome Newmont as a partner in Eritrea. We see this venture as beneficial to both companies, providing Newmont with our in-country presence and knowledge base and Chalice with Newmont’s financial strength and cutting-edge technological expertise,”

Newmont would fund an initial $1-million dollar program for exploration of an area and after both parties would select areas that will be held in the venture.

Newmont would hold 75% of the joint venture, while the remaining 25% would be held by Chalice.

The parties would then contribute to exploration on a pro-rata basis, subject to process of making weaker or less concentrated. An interest falling below 10% would revert to a net smelter royalty interest of between 1% and 1, 25%.

If the joint venture declared a gold mineral resource that is greater than 500 000 oz, but less than one-million ounces, and the venture did not advance within 18 months, either party has the right to carve out from the venture.

Chalice could increase its interest in the joint venture to 30% if the Eritrean government elected does not exercise its rights under Eritrean law, to gather a further 20% in the event of mining.

Chalice would further have the right to gather any of the areas the parties decided not to pursue jointly, with Newmont having the rights of first refusal on the disposal of any of the areas that it took up.

Jones said on Friday that the joint venture was in line with Chalice’s commitments to Eritrea and its ongoing commitments to the country and its people.

“It also reflects the growing recognition amongst the gold majors that the Arabian Nubian Shield, which underlies a large part of Eritrea, is a highly prospective yet underexplored geological province, with tremendous potential for new gold discoveries.”

The joint venture would exclude Chalice’s Zara gold project, where a feasibility study was currently nearing completion and mining should go under way early next year.

A number of 6 immigrants from Somalia and Eritrea left Malta early this morning where they will be relocated as part of a new EU pilot project to Luxembourg.

This group consists of an Eritrean couple who wear saved from drowning in 2005 and two Somali mothers together with their one year old infant, they had arrived in Malta in 2006.

In Luxembourg the immigrants will be assisted to integrate through an assistance package which will include two Apartments to live in for a year, as well as a teaching program to the French Language. Their Progress will be noted and followed by the Minister for Family and Integration.

Last Year Luxembourg had taken part in the Frontex operations.
The Home Affairs Ministry thanked Luxembourg for the degree of integration with Malta and the International Migration Organisation for its flow of good assistance.

Less than a month ago, a group of around 100 immigrants who had also been based in Malta started a new life in France, they were also a part of EU Pilot Project.

Most immigrants find themselves outside the EU Member State without resettlement, documents and assistance. This is a good opportunity for them to progress and be a part of a society which accepts them.