Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

BBC News - Awema scandal: Naz Malik and Saquib Zia are dismissed The chief executive and finance director of a race relations charity at the centre of a funding scandal have been dismissed following allegations of mismanagement. The sackings of Naz Malik and Saquib Zia were announced by the All Wales Ethnic Minority Association (Awema). The charity has been at the centre of allegations of financial irregularities and bullying.

BBC News - Unemployment figures down for second month in a row Unemployment in Wales has fallen for the second consecutive month. The number of people out of work between October and December last year fell by 3,000 to 134,000. The previous three-month figure from the Office for National Statistics showed a slight drop of 1,000.

BBC News - Awema scandal: Charities must not lose out - Wales Council for Voluntary Action Work is underway to ensure grassroots charities in Wales do not lose out after a leading race equality body had its funding stopped. The All Wales Ethnic Minority Association (Awema) has been at the centre of allegations of financial mismanagement and bullying. The Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) says it is important others are not disadvantaged.

BBC News - Awema race charity faces 'orderly exit' after funding axed Trustees of a race relations charity beset by financial mismanagement allegations meet later to consider how to wind up the organisation's affairs. Public funding to the All Wales Ethnic Minority Association (Awema) was ended after a Welsh government report found "significant and fundamental failures". Awema chair Dr Rita Austin said she would manage its "orderly exit".

BBC News - Tories question Labour Wales links to Awema charity's boss The Conservatives in Wales have raised concerns about links between Labour and the boss of a charity facing allegations of financial mismanagement. The Welsh government is investigating the All Wales Ethnic Minority Association (Awema) and its chief executive Naz Malik. Pictures on Facebook show Mr Malik on the 2011 campaign trail with First Minister Carwyn Jones. Labour accused the Tories of trying to "muddy the waters with smear".