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amira Salim was the first Pakistani to travel to the North and South pole and now aims to go into space.... ...continued on page 7

Indian Origin Doctor Wins Miss England

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mong hundreds of glamour and famehungry women who entered the competition, a 23-year-old Indian born Doctor has been awarded first place in one of the country’s biggest pageants....

...continued on page 10

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August 2019

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Asian World’s – Hot Picks LOCAL

GLOBAL

BUSINESS

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SPORTS

NHS Celebrates Race Equality

Pakistan Re-Opens Air Space After 5 Months

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The Growing Industry of Turban Tying

Cricket Helps Set the Field for Diversity Sports

Ambassadors

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ngland’s most senior NHS leaders have come together to recognise the work of staff leading the way in improving race equality across the health service... Page 14

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akistan has decided to re-open their air space 5 months after former Indian attack...

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Birmingham

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rtists have shown new visuals displaying the 1.4-mile-long route which will operate using 20-metre-long carriages....

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agdeep Singh Grewal runs ‘Pagh Vala’, a turban-tying service in London with his friend and business partner, Barinder Singh Bath...

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ngland’s heroic triumph in the ICC ODI cricket world cup has put cricket more in the public conscience than any other time in living Page 55 memory...

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Editor’s Note

Hello to our readers and welcome to another edition of Asian World Newspaper!

We hope you’ve all been enjoying the blazing hot weather! With school out until September and many of us taking time off work we know you’ll have tons of free time on your hands. That’s why we’ve jam-packed this edition for you to read over about the freshest news and happenings in your local community. So don’t waste another second in boredom and read across the next few pages to find out how you can stay updated, and find the best spots to be in your city this summer!

In this edition, we will be telling you how local authorities are cracking down on forced marriages in airports across the UK! Definitely something to be looking out for when you’re jet-setting off on your next holiday, take a look at this un-missable story on page 5! We will also be assessing the criminal cases in which local Sikhs have been arrested in relation to terrorism offences. And one hearing in which an admired police officer has been unveiled as committing acts of sexual offence and harassment. For more on these incidents, read through pages 8 and 9.

In our Glam section, we have the latest showbiz gossip and insider info from the likes of actors, producers and models all across the industry! For an up-close QnA with Solihull’s very own Mrs India UK, flick through to page 32. For the behind

August 2019

AW Team:

the scenes story of India’s first upcoming space film Mission Mangal, turn to page 30.

Stuck on where to go on Holiday this August? Don’t worry; we have you covered with our amazing travel reviews in our usual categories. This month’s we’re featuring an amazing insight into the scenery and architecture of Incredible Istanbul.

Also not to miss - the marvellous experience of sailing the seas on a gigantic luxurious cruise liner, with all you can eat gourmet dining and Scandinavian excursions to see inside the breath-taking former land of the Vikings. For more on these reviews, read across pages 44-45!

Whichever section you choose, there is a story to keep everyone entertained. So, pick up a copy of the West Midland’s most popular Asian paper, make yourself a chilling fruit cocktail and find yourself a cool corner to read through the next few stories at your leisure. Take a look at the rest of this issue NOW! For latest and exciting advertisement offers for 2019 please don’t hesitate to Contact us: on 0121 771 4545 or email: sales@asianworldnews.co.uk Have a great read!

Editor: Manisha Bhanot editor@asianworldnews.co.uk Visit us online www.asianworldnews.co.uk

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4

August 2019

Religious Vandalism: Two Statues Destroyed Outside Hindu Temple

Religious vandalism has recently occurred in Walsall, West Midlands.

The vandals have reportedly broken up the religious statues outside of a Hindu temple. The vandals took a bat and broke the statues in two separate attacks outside the Shree Ram Mandir located in the area.

The temple leaders were completely devastated on finding that the two statues had been destroyed in the vandal attacks. A face of one statue was completely broken off.

Rajan Zed, President of the Universal Society of Hinduism, described the event as heartbreaking and shocking

for the entire Hindu community living in the area. He issued a statement and mentioned that it was indeed disheartening for the Hindus all over the world to hear about such grave incidents happening in a Hindu temple. The signals emitted by the attacks include hatred and intimidation towards the peaceful Hindu community living in Walsall. The Hindus it must be noted have made significant contributions towards the society and the country as a whole. The barbarous deed has left the Hindu community deeply saddened.

According to the temple manager, it

will be very difficult to replace these two statues. This is because both the statues have to be imported from India. The statues are over twenty two years old and the shipping cost will be huge.

The temple also is a community centre for the people in the area since the 1980’s. The attack is a first of its type and the manager was clueless about why this temple was targeted.

A staff member, Jagu Patel described the attack after seeing CCTV footage of the incident. He described that he saw an individual coming from the side of the temple with a hockey stick

or a cricket bat. He constantly hit the statue many times while conversing to his colleagues over the phone who were sitting in a car. He came back and then hit the two statues several times. The vandal also ran away with the face of one of the statues that he had destroyed.

A few statues were destroyed in a first incident that took place outside the temple in Ford Street, Pleck on 10th June at 10 am. A second vandal attack took place nine days later at 11 pm.

The police are looking for information about the vandals who damaged the statues. A staff member was clueless as to why such an attack was done on the temple and also by whom. The act seemed senseless to the temple authorities as this temple is located in a peaceful area of Walsall.

The temple authorities mentioned that they always wanted the people to live peacefully and this act is heinous and against their preaching of peace.

West Midlands Police authorities have confirmed that anyone having valuable information about the acts of vandalism must contact the police on 101, quoting crime reference 20WS/147794M/19 or 20WS/137218F/19.

With such barbaric acts happening in the peaceful locality, this will indeed be a shock for the peaceful Hindus living in Walsall.

By Priyanka Dutta

Eid ul Adha

Eid ul Adha is one of the two Eid celebrations; Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr, and it is widely considered the holier of the two. This year, it will begin on 11th August and will end four days later on 15th August. It is also known as the feast of the sacrifice or the Greater Eid. The first day of Eid ul-Adha will mark the end of the yearly Hajj pilgrimage to Makkah.

The background story behind this event is believed to be that Allah (Islamic name for God) appeared to Ibrahim in a dream and requested him to sacrifice his son, Ismael, as a sign of his faith.

This is related to the Christian and Jewish stories in which God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac but spared him. In this festival, men and women will dress up in new and clean clothes for the occasion.

Family and friends gather together to give gifts, money and eat traditional food. It is a custom to give gifts and be given new clothes during Eid al-Adha. Sacrifice is a huge part of the culture. In some countries, families buy animals at the time of Eid and slaughter them, and as the Islamic rules state the animal must be an adult with good health. The meat from the sacrificed animal is split into three parts. The family keeps a third, another third is given to relatives and friends, and the last third is donated to the poor.

By Tauseef Asif

LOCAL 2-15

GLOBAL 16-21

BUSINESS 22-26

GLAM 27-35

WEDDINGS 36-41

HEALTH 42-43

TRAVEL 44-45

TECH 46-47

FOOD 48-49

MOTORING 50-53

SPORTS 54-56

August 2019

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Border Force Agents crack-Down on Forced Marriages in the UK

By Manisha Bhanot

With the holiday season now being in full swing, officials are maximising their efforts in identifying and halting forced marriages before they take place.

Police across airports in England and Wales have been working with the support of immigration agents and local charities. The scheme is in contribution to a special task force to stop young children and adults being dragged into marital unions against their will.

Individuals and groups who appear particularly vulnerable are being stopped for checks and private interrogation before they board their outgoing flights, and also before they disembark into the UK. The definition of a forced marriage is one in which either or both sides disagree or cannot agree to the union.

Often pacification, blackmail, threats and violence are involved. They are not to be confused with arranged marriages, where either party’s family or close friends may introduce them to one another. In this case, either individual can refuse the marriage should they wish.

Forced Marriages were outlawed in Britain from 2014, and offenders can receive a maximum jail sentence of 7 years for perpetuating the offence. They are a type of crime which comes under the anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

Earlier in 2019, the Home Office reported that it had documented approximately 1,764 cases of forced marriage in the UK last year. This was almost a 50%

increase from the previous year. From this number, roughly 769 cases were found to be involving travel to Pakistan, 157 were involved with flights to Bangladesh, and 110 to India. Among them, 2/3 being pressurised into marriage were female.

In their recent cases, special agents stopped a young woman with bruises on her arm and a teenage girl who seemed especially quiet and afraid. However, since both these females checked out as safe, they were allowed to pass back into the UK without any further inter-

rogation.

However, border force agents did discover that the parents of the young woman previously mentioned had found her a fiancé in her home state of Kerala just a few weeks ago. The man may also require a trip to the UK in the upcoming months. Trained task force officers respectfully took the woman aside to remind her of her rights, and that she may withdraw from the marriage if she chooses to do so at any time.

Commander Balhatchet voiced his concerns over the growing issue of

forced marriages. He said: “Police will investigate every case fully and take all available steps to detect and prosecute those involved in this heinous crime.

Forcing someone to marry is punishable by up to seven years in prison.

“I urge anyone with concerns around forced marriage, or any other harmful practices affecting our children or vulnerable adults to come forward and tell police. We will treat each individual case sensitively and confidentially.”

Individuals of any gender and age group may be subjected to a forced marriage.

If your family or peers are threatening you or using violent force against you, or if you are a victim of sexual assault or emotional abuse, help is always available.

You can contact the Freedom Charity on 0845 607 0133 or Childline on 0800 1111 directly. You can remain anonymous while on the line, and all of your concerns will be taken seriously.

In the case of an emergency, you should dial 999 immediately, and trained professionals will be on hold to help. You will be offered free advice, a place of shelter, and if you have been forced to sponsor another individual, the UK Visa will be stopped.

If you are overseas and fear you may be forced into a marriage, contact your nearest British embassy as soon as you can and they will assist you in protecting your rights and providing you a safe return to the UK. If you believe you or someone you know may be being subjected to forced marriage, you can arrange for a forced marriage protection order.

AW Facts Did you know?

There are over 100 independently owned sellers in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter.

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August 2019

This month in History

Pakistan’s Independence Day

The Indo-Pak remained a British colony from 1849 to 1947. The population did not approve of the British rule in India. A rebellion occurred in 1857, which shows attempts of the people in gaining their independence.

Muslims had ruled before the British and had suffered due to 1857 rebelling against the East India Company, and leaders such as Sir Syed Ahmed Khan and Syed Ameer Ali worked together for the Muslim people’s political progress.

The Indian National Conference was formed in 1885, later became British India’s largest political party. Muhammad Ali Jinnah was one of the members of the Indian National Congress and had worked towards the Hindu-Muslim union and India’s independence. On December 30 1906, The All India Muslim League was established, and there was a growing request for an independent Muslim state in India.

In 1930 Muhammad Iqbal presented an idea of a separate Muslim country, that would involve a majority of Muslims. The word Pakistan itself is a combination of two words Pak meaning Pure and Stan, meaning Land, a name created by Choudhary Rahmat Ali. In 1940, the Pakistan Resolution was announced in Lahore demanding greater Muslim autonomy in British India.

The Pakistan Program was led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, resulting in creating a Muslim country. Pakistan received independence from the British reign on August 14, 1947. At its birth, Pakistan had two parts including East and West Pakistan.

In 1971 East Pakistan parted way from West Pakistan, which became Bangladesh.

Coca-Cola in Britain

One hundred and nineteen years ago, Coca-Cola was sold in Britain for the first time on 31st August 1900, and since then, people have been enjoying the soft drink. Many other companies were making similar products, and Coca-Cola wanted to make it easy to discriminate their product from plagiarism. They held a contest for the bottle companies to create the best bottle.

Indiana from the Root Glass Company of Terre Haute had won the competition. Their design was found in the dark by its different feel when held, and it was the same company that went into producing the famous bottle we all know of today. After Candler stopped neglecting the sales of the bottle and moved his focus away from soda fountains, the company boomed. In 1900 there were two bottling factories, but by 1920 there were roughly 1,000.

Fourteen years after the creation of the product, Coca-Cola made the trip across the Atlantic Ocean to Britain. Charles Candler, the son of Asa Griggs Candler, brought 5 gallons of the Coca-Cola syrup with him to London. By the 1920s, Coca-Cola was sold regularly in buildings, such as Selfridges and the London Coliseum. Coca-Cola is now the only product in the United Kingdom to ever have had sales worth over £1 billion.

01922 646224

By Tauseef Asif

India’s Independence Day

In Meerut, the fight for India’s Independence began in 1857 with the Sepoy Uprising. In the 20th century, the Indian National Assembly and other political organisations, under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, launched a countrywide independence program. Foreign powers were transferred to India on August 15, 1947.

The Essential Assembly, to whose power was to be transferred, met to celebrate India’s independence on August 14, 1947, at 11 pm. India gained its freedom at midnight between August 14 and August 15, 1947. It was then India’s first prime minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru gave his famous speech “Tryst with Destiny”.

People across India are recalled of the meaning of this event, and it is marked the start of a new period of deliverance from the British that took place in India for more than 200 years.

The sport of flying kites symbolises Independence Day. The skies are scattered with countless kites flown from the rooftops and fields to signify the free spirit of India. Kites of several styles, sizes and shades, including the tricolour, are available in the local stores. The Red Fort is also an essential symbol in India as part of Independence day, as it is where the Indian Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru unveiled India’s flag on August 15, 1947.

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August 2019

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Namira Salim to Be Birmingham bids to become a Tree City of the World the First Pakistani to Travel into Space Talks to establish Birmingham as the first officially designated “Tree City” of the UK held between the city council and an international foundation.

Pakistani artist and diplomat set to break boundaries Front Page Story Cont’d...

Namira Salim was the first Pakistani to travel to the North and South pole and now aims to go into space. She told the Orlando Sentinel, while on a trip to Cocoa Beach for the Apollo 11 moon landing’s 50th anniversary, that, “I’ve been inspired to do more.

So first of all, I think I should go as far as possible on Earth before I break the orbit.” She already holds a $200,000 ticket on Virgin Galactic’s suborbital flights.

In 2006, Salim became one of the founding members of billionaire, Richard Branson’s, space tourism company. From tens of thousands of people who applied to go on these flights, she was adamant about being selected and spent around a year in negotiations.

After receiving her bachelor’s degree from Hofstra University in International Business and her masters from Columbia University in International Affairs, she travelled back to Pakistan and became the founding president of the nation’s first International Association of Students in Business and Economics Management, which is a cultural exchange program which works alongside the United Nations.

Salim then moved to Monaco in 1997 and worked towards improving dip-

lomatic relations. In 2011, she became the first Honorary Consul of Pakistan to the Principality in Monaco.

Within the 13 years from when Salim first debuted with Virgin, she consistently promoted space tourism and privatization of space. In 2015, she launched, Space Trust, to promote peace through space travel and it also set up the 0G Summit to encourage international cooperation in space.

The aim is to set up the first peace summit in orbit by 2030.

In addition to all of this, Salim may be finally heading into space. Earlier this year, Virgin sent their first passengers – members of staff- into space on test flights from the Mojave Air and Space Port in California.

By Navkiran Bains

Council officers and Cabinet Members Cllr John O’Shea and Cllr Waseem Zaffar have met a delegation from the US-based Arbor Day Foundation about the possibility of becoming a member of the Tree Cities of the World Network.

The bid has been formally launched during the talks, which were on the first day of Love Parks Week. Achievement of the status requires the city and the council to meet five core standards.

If achieved, the status opens up access to a wealth of knowledge on urban tree management through the Arbor Day Foundation and the global network of Tree Cities. This would help further develop the city’s Urban Forestry programme.

Birmingham currently has over one million trees (equivalent to one per citizen). There are 1,398 hectares of woodland (equivalent to 2,097 football pitches) within Birmingham’s 591 parks and open spaces. Across the city, tree canopies cover 48.81 sq km.

In addition, Birmingham’s woodlands scrub over 7 tonnes of harmful PM2.5 particulates from the air each year.

Cllr John O’Shea, Cabinet Member for Street Scene and Parks at Birmingham City Council, said: “The people of Birmingham know that our parks and open spaces are some of our greatest assets.

They add huge value to all aspects of our daily lives.

“That isn’t recognised enough outside our city, but becoming a world “Tree

City” would raise our green profile and hopefully attract many more visitors to our great city, to see what we have to offer.

“Following the review of our tree policies in early 2018, linked to a developing tree and woodland strategy, we feel we meet the required standards and are confident that the status is within our reach.”

Stakeholders including Trees for Cities, Birmingham Trees for Life and the council’s recently-formed Tree Warden Group (The Birmingham Tree People) were also in attendance at the meeting.

Cllr Waseem Zaffar, Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment, added: “Our challenge with air quality in this

city is well-documented. We have recently declared a climate change emergency and know that poor air quality contributes up to 900 premature deaths per year in Birmingham.

“There are many things that can help ensure clean air but they are all part of a bigger picture. Our trees, along with our parks and open spaces, are the city’s natural lungs and play a major role in this effort. The formal status as a “Tree City” would underline the important role they play in the public health of Birmingham.”

It is hoped that a final decision on “Tree City” status could be made later this year.

8

August 2019

Boris Johnson Becomes Tory Leader and UK PM

Jailed tobacco fraudster ordered to repay £494k

A jailed shopkeeper, who imported, stored and sold thousands of illegal cigarettes, has been ordered to repay more than £490,000 he made from his crimes, or spend more time in jail.

Karim Heabah, 29, of Jenkin Road, Sheffield, was jailed for three years in December 2017 for excise fraud offences after an investigation by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

At a confiscation hearing in July of 2019, at Sheffield Crown Court, Heabah was told he must repay £494,296 within three months, or spend a further four-and-a-half years behind bars and still owe the money.

Diccon Wood, Assistant Director, Fraud Investigation Service, HMRC, said: “Selling illegal cigarettes creates an uneven playing field for legitimate businesses and is theft from the taxpayer. This is money which should be used to fund our vital public services and now Heabah must pay it back.

“The majority of tobacco retailers are law abiding, but we will continue pursue those who smuggle, store and profit from illegal tobacco. Our actions don’t stop once someone is convicted and we will always look to reclaim the stolen money.

“We encourage anyone with information about tobacco fraud to report it online, or call our Fraud Hotline on

Karim Heabah imported, stored and sold thousands of illegal cigarettes 0800 788 887.”

HMRC and Trading Standards made a number of tobacco seizures from Heabah’s shop, Baghdad Stores, on Page Hall Road, Sheffield, between 2011 and 2016. The largest haul consisted of more than 29,900 illegal

cigarettes and 10.5 kilos of handrolling tobacco.

A number of parcels containing illicit tobacco goods, addressed to Heabah, were also seized by HMRC at delivery depots in Sheffield and Coventry in 2015.

HMRC officers found another batch of illicit tobacco goods at his shop just days before he was sent to prison.

Heabah was jailed for excise fraud at Sheffield Crown Court on 15 December 2017.

Married Police Officer Who Had Sexual Relations With 4 Victims Sentenced

By Charlie Murray

Palvinder Singh, 39, a police officer who had sexual relationships with 4 crime victims he was assigned to protect, has received a sentence of 14 months.

The Wednesbury-based police officer, who has been married for 16 years, spent a large amount of time last year (both on and off-duty and during annual and sick leave) using his police-issued phone to call escorts and build sexual relationships with 4 female victims, including a revenge porn victim he sent a nude shower selfie to.

He sent “hundreds and hundreds” of flirty messages to these women “on a daily basis”, some of which mentioned bondage and threesomes. He even sent a selfie beside his locker at Smethwick Police Station, where he was based. One of the women said in her statement that Singh treated his job “as a dating agency”, and Prosecutor Jennifer Josephs said that one of the victims claimed Singh treated her in a way that made her feel “undervalued”, “very low” and “miserable”. She claimed that “he very quickly turned any contact into one of a sexual nature.”

Out of the 4 women, Singh engaged in sexual activity with 2 of them.

At least one of these occurrences happened at his family home while his wife was away. Singh also used

police systems that belonged to West Midlands Police to search for local sex workers and visited an

escort in a police uniform following an inquiry about a “Smethwick massage”. However, the court was

told that there was no evidence to prove he actually engaged in sexual activity with any prostitutes.

He was first arrested in November 2018 after he was suspected of improperly using his police powers, which resulted in an allegation being made against him. In April of this year, he was suspended from policing duties, and on Wednesday 3rd July he attended a disciplinary hearing which resulted in him being dismissed from West Midlands Police a week before his court appearance. Yvonne Bruton, the force’s Professional Standards team’s Chief Inspector, said that there was “no place for officers like this in West Midlands Police.” He has pleaded guilty to 5 counts of improper exercise of police power and privileges between May and October 2018.

At Singh’s court appearance, Judge Roderick Henderson told him, “You have a fine record as a police officer over 14 years and you have thrown it away. Over five months you went off the rails and committed these offences.” He also stated that Singh’s behaviour will have made “people, women in particular, reluctant to call on police during a crisis,” due to his abuse of power.

In addition to his 14-month sentence, he has also been ordered to pay a victim surcharge.

As determined by a ballot of party members, Boris Johnson has been elected head of the Conservative Party and has become the new Prime Minister of the UK. Mr Johnson beat Jeremy Hunt comfortably, gaining 92, 153 votes to his opponent’s 46, 656. He also won the majority 67% of votes from the cabinet.

Mr Hunt declared his disappointment at not winning the race for candidacy as Prime Minister. However, he said he was sure his rival would do a “great job.” Mr Hunt himself had been a remain voter in the Brexit referendum, which he declared as a hurdle during his campaign.

The ex-London Mayor said he has 3 top priorities to fulfil during his time as Prime Minister. In his victory speech, he declared that these would be to: “deliver Brexit, unite the country and defeat Jeremy Corbyn”.

Speaking at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in London, he stated: “We are going to energise the country.

“We are going to get Brexit done on 31 October and take advantage of all the opportunities it will bring with a new spirit of can do… We are once again going to believe in ourselves, and like some slumbering giant, we are going to rise and ping off the guy ropes of selfdoubt and negativity.”

Mr Johnson’s stepping up as Prime Minister follows Theresa May’s resignation, who he formerly worked under as Foreign Secretary until he resigned over her Brexit Policy. Nevertheless, he appraised her for her time as PM and Tory leader, declaring it had been a “privilege” to be a part of her cabinet.

In turn, she wished him her full support from the sidelines.

American President Donald Trump also wished Mr Johnson the best following his win. He spoke at an event in Washington, saying: “a really good man is going to be the prime minister of the UK now,” and Mr Johnson would “get it (Brexit) done.”

The President also added: “They call him Britain Trump. That’s a good thing.”

However, others have responded to Mr Johnson’s victory with bitter disappointment and voiced their concerns.

Jeremy Corbyn of the Labour Party responded to the result by writing a twitter post that said Mr Johnson had “won the support of fewer than 100,000 unrepresentative Conservative Party members”. He argued that the UK general public should “decide who becomes prime Minister”, not voting from within Parliament itself.

Mr Johnson’s promotion to UK PM also came with the resignation of no-deal Brexit opponent David Guake from his position as Justice Secretary. Others to leave their roles in Parliament were Culture Minister Margot James, Chancellor Philip Hammond and Foreign Office minister Sir Alan Duncan. They all admitted to de-aligning with Mr Johnson’s Brexit strategy too greatly to work with him.

By Manisha Bhanot

LOCAL 2-15

GLOBAL 16-21

BUSINESS 22-26

GLAM 27-35

WEDDINGS 36-41

HEALTH 42-43

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August 2019

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10

August 2019

Indian Origin Doctor Sikhs Arrested in with Genius IQ Wins Birmingham during Miss England Probe into Terrorism Front Page Story Cont’d...

Winner Bhasha Mukherjee was born in India and immigrated with her family to the UK when she was just nine years old. She stands out from the usual beauty queen contestant, as far from being average, the multi-talented resident of Derby has two medical degrees and is fluent in 5 languages.

Miss Mukherjee has an outstanding IQ of 146 and was marked as a ‘genius’ by the competition’s panel of judges in front of a fully-booked in crowd.

It was indeed a hectic few hours during the closing of the competition for the young graduate. Just hours after winning the competition, she set off on a 4am train in an urgent rush not be late on her first day as a Junior Doctor in Lincolnshire.

One of her captions on an Instagram post shortly after her crowning read: “still getting used to being the first British Indian Miss England”, “very proud to be representing Miss England and Miss World.”

“It’s been quite hectic, this week has been one with so many changes for me.

I start work today and I’m supposed to be moving house to a brand new city on Sunday,” she said in a report to the Daily Mail.

“It’s been really nerve-wracking, I

Offences

couldn’t tell if I was more nervous about the competition or about starting my job as a junior doctor,” she continued.

As first place winner of Miss England.

Mukherjee will get the opportunity to represent her country in the Miss World pageant. She has already secured herself a holiday to Mauritius, which she is set to depart on some time soon.

In recent months, several raids took place in Sikh households across Birmingham under police suspicions of terrorism and extremist activity. The evidence seized from these raids has since uncovered alleged fraud, specifically within the organisation of the Sikh Youth Activists UK. The leader of this organisation, Deepa Singh, has since been arrested, along with a 49-year old female relative of his.

Deepa, as the leader, would have overseen the running of the organisation, ensuring legal duties and responsibilities were exercised. However, the Charities Commission believe this was not the case, and have since acted in conjunction with the police to investigate.

Whilst the Sikh Youth Activists are not a registered organisation, their charitable funds mean that the Charities Commission have jurisdiction to investigate the group under the Charities Act 2010.

The Commission therefore exercised their powers, gaining access to the bank statements, which has now enabled them to investigate their allegations.

However, the handling of these arrests

and investigations by the police has angered Singh. He has since stated that his arrest was handled poorly, being dragged unnecessarily from his bed to the police station at an unsociable hour. Deepa feels he has been targeted specifically due to being so vocal with regards to the September raids and his open support of Scottish Sikh Jaggi, who has been imprisoned in India due to his involvement in murders in Punjab.

His regular confrontation, according to Singh, has made him a victim to this arrest, despite a clear cause from the

By Grace Lea

evidence seized.

The original allegation of terrorism and extremist activity has since been disregarded as there has been no evidence in support. Deepa Singh has since been released and the charges against him have been dropped. He and his family declared that they were “expecting” the harsh reaction they received from UK Police up to his arrest. He believes he was treated as such as a form of retaliation, due to his resistance against police raids upon the Sikh community last year.

New Town Centre to Open in Cannock

A new development prospectus has revealed how the city council of Cannock, Staffordshire, plans to renovate its struggling town centre to market it to investors. This prospectus has also been funded by Staffordshire County Council and the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP).

A key part of the redevelopment plan is a new outlet to hold a cinema, shops, a gym and food and drink venues. The outlet will also hold apartments and a hotel or office space on upper levels.

The outlet will replace a disused multi-storey car park area (including the nearby market hall and retail units) in the town centre that has been called an “eyesore” by council leader George Adamson. It was built in 1977 and closed in August after a structural engineer raised safety concerns in a report. However, plans to demolish the car park still need to be approved.

For the past few years, improvements to Cannock’s Town Centre to bring in more investments have been planned.

Councillor Gordon Alcott has described it as a “long term aspiration of the council” due to its failures in the retail sector. Back in 2017, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate Amanda Milling stated on her visit that the town centre was “a cause of concern to local residents” despite its potential.

The beginnings of the development of the new prospectus started with consultants looking at key sites they believed they could utilise to increase investment in the town centre. The multi-storey car park and indoor market and the bus station were chosen from this purpose. Beecroft Road car

By Charlie Murray

park was also identified as having potential for a new car park as well as residential, retail or commercial office space being built on it. Additionally, Danilo Road car park may be used for apartments or senior living. These observations also stated that there was enough demand to create a new “destination area”, although “the viability of cinema/restaurant schemes can be

challenging.”

The draft prospectus was approved by the council’s cabinet, and will start to be distributed to developers, investors and agents. Councillor Gordon Alcott stated that the development is “intended to promote Cannock and to try and secure future investment in Cannock town centre,” and is the next town centre improvement now they

have completed improvement work in Rugeley and Hednesford. This is believed to be essential work as council leader George Adamson expressed concerns that Cannock town centre has “been struggling as most town centres have”, resulting in a need to attract visitors or the town centre “will decline further”.

The council estimates that the new

floorspace, jobs, leisure and cultural uses brought by the £160 million McArthurGlen outlet, which they hope to be built in 2020, will bring 3 million annual visitors to Cannock. It is hence an opportunity they do not wish to miss out on.

A launch event for the renovation is planned to take place in October this year.

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August 2019

Interview with Dr Sohom Das

By Navkiran Bains

Dr Sohom Das is a mental health expert and a Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist who assesses and rehabilitates mentally ill offenders in criminal courts and prisons. He has worked in psychiatry for over 15 years in a variety of settings and also writes short stories, mostly humorous and surreal genres.

Lack of Diversity in Birmingham Courts

1. What inspired you to pursue a career in Forensic Psychiatry?

After medical school, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I got drawn to psychiatry because I was interested in hearing people’s back stories. In other fields of medicine like surgery, you don’t get to know the patients personally like their lives, upbringings and families. So that’s what got me into psychiatry!

2.What is it like working as a Forensic Psychiatrist, and what do you love the most about your job?

It varies, sometimes it can be a bit of a routine and a bit dull because you see the same cases over and over again but then once in a while you get a fascinating case with very serious events, for example, a murder case, sexual assault or child sex crimes. But really disturbing cases tend to be more interesting. So I do a lot of different things like I go to courts sometimes and write reports and visit people in prisons as well.

3. Your job can be extremely stressful! How do you manage your own mental wellness?

I do a few things outside of work, and I keep changing them every once in a while too. I also exercise every day and spend time with my wife and two

young sons. I have different creative outlets like I regularly write short stories and publish them. I’m also starting a novel, which I’m currently in the middle of writing.

4. What are the biggest difficulties you have faced in your career so far, and how have you overcome these?

One of the most difficult situations that I have faced is a patient committing suicide. I was a junior doctor at the time, and a middle-aged woman who had a family herself just got a lot worse really quickly. It couldn’t have been predicted, but she killed herself in the ward while I was there, so I had to phone her husband and tell him which was so difficult. And generally some of the patients can be quite aggressive and violent. In terms of overcoming it, I think I’m quite good at having boundaries between what is work and what is life, so I very rarely think about my job outside of my working day.

5. It is known that in BAME communities, mental illnesses are not as recognised or spoken about. Why do you think this is, and do you feel like this issue is getting better?

There is already a stigma with mental health for most people, but I think it’s more apparent in specific communities, for example, the female Asians.

Following the recent Census of Judges published by the Ministry of Justice, the continued lack of diversity within court has been highlighted.

The “white, middle-class, middleaged, male” courtrooms do not reflect the diverse communities they serve, according to Lady Hale, who stated that we should be ashamed of the inequality within the Supreme Courts.

The inequality issue was found to be particularly prominent within the Midlands’ courts, in which the judicial system still has half the way to go to reflect its local population.

Within the courtroom, the people of Asian minority make up 6% of those working for the Law, but within the local community, they represent 9%.

Within the Midlands judicial system, there are only two black judges, despite black people making up 3% of the population. This shows the apparent disparity between the diversity of the judicial court system and the In their communities, they’re seen as potential marriage material, so if anybody has issues with their mental health, it’s seen to decrease their value, so instead, it is hidden or dismissed. Another reason is that there are different beliefs about what causes mental illnesses. For example, some African and Asian communities believe in black magic opposed to illnesses, so it’s dealt with using alternative medicines which don’t work. And the longer somebody stays untreated, the worse they get.

6. In your opinion, do you think there is a significant over-representation of BAME people within secure psychiatric units for offenders and why do you

diversity of the local people.

There is also a lack of diversity in age. As Lady Hale stated, the majority of the Supreme Court is held by those that are middle-aged. However, within the judicial system of the Midlands, 199 of the 453 judges were aged 60 years and over, the system in this area, therefore, weighted towards the older generation. This has meant that the younger judges are underrepresented within the courtroom. Of these 453 judges, only 28 are under 40, the youth making up only 6% of the whole judicial system. There clearly needs to be an increase in the younger generation to provide any chance of age equality. Each age group needs to be correctly represented for the system to be regarded as diverse.

There has, however, also been a positive development with regards to diversity. The number of female judges has increased since 2018, think this is?

Absolutely I do, 23% of all admissions in the country for general mental health units come from BAME backgrounds.

The reasons for this is because of all of the things I spoke about before, so the stigma. Also, in some ethnic backgrounds, African and black communities, especially, they are over-represented in terms of the criminal justice system, for example, being arrested or ending up in prison. I think all of these have significant overlaps as people that end up in prisons are seen to then eventually end up in these wards. It’s a combination of all of those factors.

7. You have published several suc-

By Grace Lea and now half of the judges under 50 are women. The Lord Chief Justice is “encouraged to see the number of women judges has increased”, and recently, Dame Victoria Sharp succeeded Brian Leveson as the President of the Queen’s Bench Division, both of which show the positive steps towards closing the sex gap.

However, the women still only make up 30% of the courtroom population, and whilst there has been an improvement, this is still far below the boundary for male-female equality.

Each of these indicates a significant disparity between the courtroom statistics and the population demographic that the system serves. This means that those within the judicial system are not representative of their communities, and therefore, don’t reflect the diversity. This is an issue that, by 2019, we should have resolved, but remains prominent.

cessful short stories and are currently working on your debut novel, what can readers expect from this novel?

My novel is going to be set from the perspective of a young woman in a female psychiatric unit for offenders. She is really unwell and psychotic, so she kills her sister but doesn’t understand what she has done. She also hears voices and has delusions. So it’s just about her journey over a few years as she gets better and comes to terms with what has happened.

It’s only a few months away from being finished, but then I have to start the long journey of trying to get it published.

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August 2019

NHS Celebrates Race Equality Ambassadors

England’s most senior NHS leaders have come together to recognise the work of staff leading the way in improving race equality across the health service.

Chief executive Simon Stevens and NHS Improvement chair Dido Harding yesterday joined more than 30 NHS employees who have successfully completed a programme to become Race Equality Experts.

The programme is part of the NHS’ Workforce Race Equality Standard programme, intended to ensure health service employees from black and ethnic minority backgrounds are treated fairly at work, and to close the gaps in treatment between them and white staff.

The 37 new WRES Experts – drawn from NHS staff working in different roles across the organisation – will help to ensure each part of the health service is helping to address inequalities between different groups of staff, and brings the total number of ambassadors for the WRES programme to more than 80.

Prerana Issar, Chief People Officer, NHS England said: “Ensuring every member of NHS staff is treated fairly is the right thing for our staff and the right thing for our patients.

“The NHS Long Term Plan can only be delivered if we continue to have a world-class workforce. This is both about getting the right people to

Take It Back: Review The subject matter of this courtroom drama is intense - The sexual assault of a disabled teen girl with facial deformities. Four boys from immigrant backgrounds – all Muslim are accused of committing an offence against the young girl who has been neglected by her alcoholic mother. A community is sent reeling. The story features intriguing characters and explores a deep social divide. It includes the pivotal character of the Lawyer Zara, a racialised woman forced to face a unique firestorm alongside her client.

Overall, the book presents a story of enormous tension and showcases a prominent build-up of suspense.

Take It Back is a thrilling, brave and explosive novel. It is perfect for fans who love investigation, crime and thriller-type books.

‘Razor-sharp...Much more than a courtroom thriller’ Christina Dalcher, Sunday Times bestselling author of VOX. It seems as if the book actually lives up to its blurb unlike most works of fiction today.

By Tabasam Mehmood The Victim: A sixteen-year-old girl who accuses the boys of something unthinkable?

The Defendants: Four good-looking teenage boys from hard-working immigrant families. All with corroborating stories.

Whose side would you take?

Zara Kaleel, one of London’s sharpest young legal minds, shattered the expectations placed on her by her family and forged a dazzling career at the Bar. All before putting aside her barrister’s wig to help the crime victims who needed her support. Victims like Jodie Wolfe.

Jodie’s own best friend doesn’t even support her allegations that their classmates carried out such a crime. But Zara does. And Zara is fixated on fighting for her.

Jodie and Zara become the focus of the most nerve-wracking criminal trial of the year, in which shocking divisions within British society are revealed. As everything around Zara begins to unravel, she becomes even more determined to get Jodie the justice she wants. But at what price?

come and work at our NHS, and about ensuring that they are treated fairly and with respect. Equipping and enabling members of staff from across the organisation to take the lead in helping to achieve the race equality standards will ensure real change takes hold.”

Yvonne Coghill, Director of the NHS Workforce Race Equality Standard said: “Today we celebrate these employees for their dedication and commitment to equality and to the WRES programme.

They are now part of a growing network of professionals across the NHS who can advocate, oversee and champion the implementation of the WRES programme and improve the experiences of both BME staff and patients.

“With their knowledge and skills, we now have an additional set of experts tasked with working with a wide variety of staff, resources and research, aimed at improving the opportunities and experiences of black minority ethnic staff working across all levels of the NHS, they can truly make a difference to the system.”

WRES experts are voluntary roles, alongside their main job.

The newly qualified experts are employed in positions from HR and equality, project management and medical teams and now form part of an existing network of specialists working across the NHS in England.

The annual audit for the Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES) reviews the treatment of BME and white staff working for the NHS, measured across nine key metrics, including representation, experience of discrimination and access to senior roles.

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August 2019

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Pam Raises the Bar for British Pakistani Women

by Mohammed Zafran

US President Trumped

by Aerosol Ali Pamila Malik is my name, and I was born in Lahore, Pakistan. I spent my early years in Lahore and the beautiful valley Swat. My late Father Malik Qamar Zaman was in air force captain, but later he preferred to be known as a journalist. He was an executive editor of an English newspaper Pakistan Times.

I studied at Queen’s Mary School and graduated from the College of Home Economics in Lahore Pakistan. During my studies, I got married, my dreams for higher education were doomed, but my marriage opened a new world for me. Coming to the UK changed my perception and what I thought of the United Kingdom. Life took many folds, and during my journey, I met with many new situations, scenarios and people. My actual journey began when my parents died. They were heaven for me; I used to console myself and bind to them when I had to face any problematic situation.

My favourite part of life is to educate myself, so I started working as a volunteer in different English organisations and got actively involved in awareness programmes. During that time, I was approached by a Pakistani organisa-

tion, initially, I refused to join them, but somehow they convinced me. Overseas Pakistan Solidarity, the organisation which brought me closer to the Pakistani community back home. My first mega event under this organisation was Breast cancer awareness, in which many delegates came from different parts of the world. I started work with that organisation as a president of Manchester, and now I am the senior vice chairperson of OPS. I worked nonstop and started digging out the difficulties and issues the Pakistani community are facing. By becoming a bridge, I began to signpost the needy to relevant departments. The almighty helped me, and I secured many women’s lives with the right help for the better.

By looking at my work, the International Human Rights Commission approved and appointed me as an Ambassador at large and a volunteer’s Coordinator in the Northern Europe Region. Under that, I arranged free medical camps in Sialkot Pakistan villages fortnightly, in which doctors saw 500+ patients. Ramadan food packages were arranged every year, plus ongoing help for the needy all over

Street artist Muhammed Ali stencilled a giant image of Ilhan Omar (a congresswomen), after Donald Trump’s racist rant.

The artwork on a wall in Roshven road Balsall heath reached global recognition after Omar retweeted it on her huge Twitter platform.

Overnight the image was viewed by tens of thousands and liked by over 12,000 across the globe; whilst being denounced by Trump supporters.

Ali shared videos showing the process of the masterpiece, choosing the right wall and to create it.

He is planning to run a limited amount of prints, the money earned will be sent in Pakistan.

I work in National health services in different sectors, interpreting and also conduct mental health, cancer, cardiovascular and nutrition awareness sessions. I also work with a few other sister organisations in which I deliver speaking and understanding English classes.

Now, my main focus is to let people know the significance of Fostering in Muslim communities. I do a session in the morning show on TV, to reach out to more people to give awareness and advice more readily by presenting Smoothie Corner. The message is to keep healthy and make the world

to a charity relevant to the issue.

The image is extremely significant as it reassures to people around the world that support is available. It gave support to Omar in a difficult time.

However, the relevance is questionable, although it will be very reassuring to Ilhan Omar that she does have people supporting her. Neither has Trump seen it (or he just didn’t respond). He has already received plenty of backlash to which he has clearly shown he is not ready to make amends as he asked four congressmen to apologise to the US and Israel for their allegedly racist remarks.

This is a great addition to Ali’s career, bringing more attention to him therehealthy.

Radio is another form of media where I worked for a shorter time. I conduct many stage programmes and events as a host. I Promote Pakistan talent in the UK, and I am proud to introduce a very talented singer from Pakistan and will continue to promote Pakistan. I have worked alongside many charities and NGO’s in UK and Pakistan.

During this process I never stopped educating myself. I am certified as the following:Nutritionist Mental health level 3 Basic counselling Hairdressing

By Tabasam Mehmood fore growing his platform.

He’s used his recent fame as a way to teach and help those in need.

One of his recent campaigns was helping school kids to create aerosol art using an iPad in a Birmingham Primary school.

He used Islamic Relief to teach Lebanese refugees to create art as a way of coping with trauma or a better way to communicate their feelings.

Ali uses a range of techniques and his/ the world’s current issues to dictate his art. This is in addition to using a mixture of Islamic calligraphy and geometry with street art to create his designs.

Makeup artist Aromatherapist Cure from alternative therapies I am also a writer and a poet and write in English, Urdu and Punjabi. Now I am ready to announce my own trust with a superb team very soon. My journey is still ongoing, and my life is dedicated to humanitarian work.

My message to people is use your weaknesses as your strength. Do not build expectations; just do your best and move forward; the reward itself will follow you. Never give up and take every day as a blessing.

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August 2019

GLOBAL Radha Stirling comments on the broader implications of the Princess Haya story:

Radha Stirling comments on the broader implications of the Princess Haya story: “The impact of Princess Haya’s escape from Dubai, and from her marriage to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, cannot be underestimated. We have already seen that the Ruler of Dubai is willing to mobilise state power, military resources, and diplomatic connections to manage his personal scandals and exert control over his family. When his daughter Sheikha Latifa escaped the UAE last March, he launched a joint military raid in international waters against a civilian vessel, kidnapped multiple foreign nationals, and abducted Latifa. He utilised Princess Haya’s connections in the human rights community, namely Mary Robinson, to stage a media event with a listless and dazed Latifa several months later, in an attempt to counter the scathing criticism he received over Latifa’s story.

“Considering the fact that Princess Haya is a member of the Jordanian Royal Family, and Jordan’s relationship with the UAE; there are obviously profound ramifications to this situation. There has already been talk from the Emirates of imposing sanctions on Jordan if they do not undertake to return Haya to the UAE. Sheikh Mohammed is willing to sever ties

with one of the UAE’s staunchest allies in its blockade of Qatar, a friend of the United States; and impose economic punishment against an entire country, because of his private domestic dispute.

“Sheikh Mohammed has launched a lawsuit in the UK to demand custody of Haya’s children. It is inevitable that in her defence, Princess Haya will testify in court about all she knows regarding Sheikh Mohammed’s treatment of Latifa, and likely of Sheikha Shamsa as well; whom he had kidnapped off the streets of England 19 years ago when she tried to escape. It is even conceivable that the court could call for testimony from Latifa herself. Indeed, whatever is revealed in the proceedings could very well lead to criminal charges against Sheikh Mohammed.

“At this point, the leadership of the UAE in Abu Dhabi must be discussing, not how to solve a problem named Haya, but a problem named Sheikh Mohammed. His behaviour has become increasingly erratic and despotic, and the image of the whole country is suffering because of it. The stability of the government has always been a key point for the UAE in attracting foreign investors; but with a seemingly endless stream of personal scandals, all of which have been disastrously managed, the stability of Mohammed bin Rashid’s reign is now open to question.”

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Pakistan Re-opens Air Space after India Stand-Off

By Tabasam Mehmood

Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum and Princess Haya separate

AW Facts Did you know?

There are 4 countries in Asia that have the highest GDP per capita:China, India, Korea and Saudi Arabia.

Pakistan has decided to re-open their air space 5 months after former Indian attack.

Tens of millions of dollars were lost as international airlines had to be re-routed due to the previous closure. Neighbouring country India was also effected largely as Air India and other Indian airlines were hit with the worse losses in income.

The airspace closed in February due to an airstrike carried out by India to a supposed terrorist group.

The Balakot attack was retaliation to a suicide bombing in Indian-Administered-Kashmir killing 40 Indian soldiers. A Pakistan based militant group claimed the attack.

Pakistan responded by shooting an Indian fighter jet, and the aerial attack brought the two militant powerhouses on the verge of war.

India admits that they launched an attack on the Jaish-e-Mohammad camp (JEM) group.

However, Pakistan denies there were any casualties.

It would be the first time Indian warplanes have crossed the de-facto border since 1971.

Flights via Pakistan had to be delayed, cancelled or be re-routed as a result.

Pakistan partially opened its airspace in March, and in an earlier statement, Pakistan

has now declared things were back to normal in regards to flight routes throughout the region.

Pakistan Civil Aviation’s website announced that “With immediate effect, Pakistan airspace is open for all type of civil traffic on published ATS (Air Traffic Service) routes.”

India’s aviation ministry said there was no further restriction on either country.

The decision to re-open the air space was made by Pakistan hours after the United Airlines said it was extending the suspension of flights from the US to Mumbai or Delhi till October, due to continual air restriction. $80m (£63m) was lost to Indian Service providers – Air India, SpiceJet, Indigo and GoAir due to the closure of the Pakistan airspace Both sides would be looking to make a mutual agreement in a civilised proceeding.

Imran Khan has shown his interest in seeking to improve the situation between the two countries by allying with the US. The Pakistani PM recently had a meeting with Donald Trump discussing issues with India and how to resolve them. Now it’s just a matter of if Modi will agree to the terms and conditions or not.

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August 2019

India Launches another Moon Mission

By Tauseef Asif

Detained in Dubai’s Radha Stirling comments on “hypocritical choice” of Nicki Minaj to perform in Saudi Arabia, while women are treated as “children, slaves or prisoners”

Controversy. Radha Stirling (left) CEO of human rights organisation Detained in Dubai comments on Nicki Minaj’s choice to perform in the repressive Middle East kingdom “There is, of course, controversy about Nicki Minaj choosing to perform at this event in Saudi Arabia. Due to her explicit lyrics and hyper-sexual persona, it seems a hypocritical choice for a country in which women are legally required to veil their faces, and were only permitted to drive last year.

“More importantly, it demonstrates that the Saudi government is not serious about genuine and meaningful reform in the country. Saudi women

want freedom and independence, agency and self-determination without repressive male guardianship laws.

“At this moment, two Saudi sisters who fled the country are hiding in Turkey from their family because the authorities ignored and dismissed their allegations of lifelong abuse, mistreatment, and forced marriage.

“Rahaf Mohammed ran away from the Kingdom and sought asylum in Canada because she

was denied basic rights in her homeland.

“Literally half the adult population of Saudi Arabia are treated like children, slaves, or prisoners, simply because they are female.

“If Mohammed bin Salman thinks that hosting Nicki Minaj represents the kind of reforms needed to grant women equal status with men in Saudi Arabia, he is dangerously out of touch.”

The Indian Space Research Organisation’s ambitious Chandrayaan-2 lunar mission was scheduled to launch last month in July, on an evening at 5:21 pm from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. Chandrayaan-2 requires an orbiter, a lander called Vikram and a rover known as Pragyan. If all goes according to plan, a touchdown will happen on September 6th on a high plain between two craters, Manzinus C and Simpelius N, about 70 degrees south of the equator.

The moon’s polar areas are attractive to the scientists and the investigation advocates because water ice is profuse there. The lunar cold trap contains a fossil record of the early solar system.

It also has a port of a precious resource that could aid human investigation of the Earth’s nearest neighbour. Chandrayaan-2 will launch atop a three-stage GSLV Mk-III rocket, India’s most powerful booster.

ISRO officials have said that the GSLV Mk-III is capable of striking a 4-ton satellite to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). Chandrayaan-2 is a developed version of India’s successful Chandrayaan-1 mission, which launched in October 2008. Chandrayaan-1 carried a probe to lunar orbit and sent an impactor barreling into the object’s surface. The purpose is best known for detecting evidence of water on the moon.

Chandrayaan-2’s orbiter and lander modules will be stacked together as an integrated module and can accommodate inside the GSLV MK-III launched vehicle. The Pragyan rover is harboured inside the lander. After launching into Earth orbit, the built-in module will reach the moon using an orbiter push module. Eventually, the lander will separate from the orbiter and touch down at the prearranged site close to the lunar South Pole.

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August 2019

Bangladesh Rescues Over 500 Fishermen from India The Bangladeshi Coast Guard suspect the Indian fishermen may have crossed the sea border because of turbulent weather conditions.

Hundreds of Indian fishermen became stranded out in the water after rough sea conditions left them afloat for four days. They arrived into their neighbouring country’s territorial waters in Patukhali, as the currents led them to south-central Bangladesh.

One of the sailors who had been saved was Rabindranath Das, 25, who had been afloat with just the aid of a piece of bamboo and several jerrycans tied together.

He commented on what it had been like for him and his fellow crew when they were stranded at sea. He said: “All the time while trying to survive amid heavy waves I kept praying but saw no ship

By Manisha Bhanot

or trawler around. Once I started losing my hope and then out of nowhere, I found a life jacket thrown by the crew of this ship and I got a second life.”

Talking to members of the press, Das, who is from Narayanpur Village, Kakdwip, stated that he had been one among 13 others who had left the port of Kedua in fishing trawler FV Nayan-1 just days prior to them being stranded.

The morning after they set off they were caught in a heavy storm and their vessel capsized.

Das revealed further details of how he was the sole survivor among his crewmates. The rest had either washed away or died consecutively. He said: “I held my nephew Swapan until Wednesday morning but he was washed away only three hours before I was rescued by the crew of MV Jawad”, amid choking

Mumbai Building Collapses Due to Heavy Monsoon Season, Trapping More than 40 People

By Tauseef Asif

back tears.

Das was rescued by MV Jawad, who was en route to Chattogram Port from Dhamra in India. The captain found the fisherman floating around 50 nautical miles off the coast of Kutubdia at around 11 am in the morning.

Captain SM Nasiruddin said that Das had no clothing “but shorts” on. His skin was also “completely pale” and bearing lesions of where fish had bitten into him.

The total 519 fishermen who had been

saved were kept under the protection of the Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG) and will be sent back to their home country following the appropriate procedure.

“The Bangladeshi foreign ministry and other relevant agencies have already held meetings with the related Indian authorities, and the fishermen will be handed over to Indian Coast Guard soon after the current rough sea weather clears up,” said Lt Commander M Hamidul Islam of the BCG. The Lt Commander mentioned that the

BCG had not imprisoned or arrested any of the survivors they found. They were instead held in their protective custody and provided with medical treatment, food and water, as well as a place of rest.

He did, however, mention that Indian authorities would look into the matter, and assess if the men had crossed into Bangladesh sea territory as a result of bad weather, or with intentions of fishing.

Prosecutors Say Further Evidence Needed for Sterilization Case in Sri Lanka

By Manisha Bhanot

A four-storey building collapsed in a populated neighbourhood of Mumbai, during the ongoing period of violent monsoon rains in India. The falling debris killed at least two people and injured others after trapping more than 40 individuals. Fire service officials said that the building came down in the Dongri area of the city. Also, a search and rescue operation with sniffer dogs was underway to rescue the trapped as soon as possible and provide them with emergency healthcare.

Fire official Ashok Talpade said that three people had been injured and were rushed to the local hospital. He also stated the building had been located on a small path, which was making it hard to access the site with heavy machinery.

Mumbai was hit by numerous lethal wall collapses this year during the monsoon rains that come yearly between June and September within India.

The Indian government said

around 3.7 million people had evacuated from their homes as a result of rising floodwaters in the north-eastern states of Bihar and Assam. Assam’s chief minister has said the city was “on a war footing” trying to get the flooding under control. He also said: “The flood condition has turned severe, with 31 of the 32 districts affected.”

The water rose rapidly overnight in one particular region, as the Brahmaputra River, which flows down from the Himalayas into Bangladesh, burst its banks. In Bihar, television channels showed roads, and railway lines flooded, with people wading through chest-high brown waters carrying their belongings on their heads.

Authorities have said that in Nepal, 64 people were killed and 31 went missing, with around a third of all areas hit by heavy rains. The National Disaster Response Force has stated that eight people were injured, while four women, six men and a child demised.

Cultural tensions in Sri Lanka have risen once again. In recent events, one of the country’s nationalist newspapers Divaina published a front-page cover story, accusing a Muslim Doctor of sterilizing his patients without their consent.

The case has received centralised coverage from the country’s media channels since the article about Doctor Shegu Shihabdeen Mohamed Shafi was published. He has been held accountable for unlawfully sterilizing around 4,000 Buddhist Sinhalese women after their caesareans deliveries.

The allegations have raised hostilities between Muslim and Buddhist communities on the Island. The latter group have seen the case as a way of members of the Islamic faith increasing their birth rates and widening their influence. Over 600 women have come forwarded since the story has been released but only 147 are now declaring themselves as victims. It is probable that an even fewer number will agree to have themselves tested, only after which can the case proceed based on forensic evidence.

Shafi was arrested shortly after the story about him was published. His supporters claim he is innocent and there is no independent evidence to support the charges against him. He has been detained in police custody and attending court for his criminal proceedings. He has however, been denied a plea for bail.

Anura Bhandara Mattegoda, Shafi’s lawyer has stated: “All the charges are baseless and fabricated.” Mattegoda has been pleading Shafi’s innocence as he is currently being detained under Sri Lanka’s anti-terrorism laws. He has additionally been accused of laundering money to buy real estate properties.

Moreover, those rallying against him have asserted he is associated with National Thowheed Jamath, one of the two terrorist groups who were responsible for the Sri Lanka Easter bombings earlier this year.

Pradeem Kumar, a middle-aged driver who accompanied his wife to a local hospital so she could lodge a complaint, was left feeling angered. He said: “If these allegations are proven, it will show that they want to destroy the Sinhala race.” His wife detailed how Shafi

had delivered their only daughter by C-section more than a decade ago. They have been trying to have a second child since and had been unsuccessful.

Shafi’s wife Fathima argues strongly that the allegations against her husband are false and entirely made up. “He is being targeted because of political problems and jealousy. I cannot exactly tell who it is, but there is a group,” The Kidney Doctor is aged 43 and works at the same Hospital as Shafi. She has pulled their 3 children out of school and taken time off work since the ongoing case.

Only time and scientific analysis will determine whether Shafi is innocent or guilty, however, whether the political unrest between Sri Lanka’s religious communities will subside remains unknown.

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Onion Prices in Bangladesh Double due to Floods

The selling price of onions in Bangladesh has soared to 50 taka (£0.47) as a result of regional floods making their importation from India scarce.

India has already withdrawn 10% export incentives on the Onion since June of this year, as costs of the bulb rose to 47% due to sinking supplies. However, now traders are concerned that prices could rise again during the upcoming weeks due to the arrival of the Muslim festival Eid-ul-Adha in August.

The vegetables are usually used along with other ingredients from the onion family such as garlic, and a mix of oil, tomato puree, and herbs to form the base of most South Asian dishes.

Examples of this include Pakistani Biryani, Daal and Aloo Gobi in India and other fish-based curries in Bangladesh.

The tragedy of flooding in the continent of Asia has seen the deaths of approximately 61 people this year, a further 800,000 have been displaced and countless others rendered homeless. Due to the monsoon season,

By Manisha Bhanot much onion resources have also washed away, their scarcity and rise in value has become a headache for the Bangladeshi government. Prime Minister Sheik Hasina may even plan to introduce the sale of subsidised onions via the country’s home-based Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB).

Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi said: “The price hike is like a nightmare for me. If prices of onions don’t come down soon, we’ll start selling in the open markets through the TCB”.

Even in Bangladesh’s neighbouring country of India, supplies are dwindling as the harvesting of crops sown in the summer season has been delayed because of heavy rains. As a result, India has had to charge more for overseas sales. Onion prices in Bangladesh now are not predicted to decrease until they do so in India first with bumper production.

“Indian crop is not looking great due to uneven distribution of monsoon rains” commented an exported based in the city of Kolkata.

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August 2019

19

Three Bombings Shake Afghanistan’s Kabul, Killing More than Twelve

At least 15 locals murdered in Afghan capital, with one bomb hitting a transport vehicle conveying government representatives.

At least 15 locals murdered in the Afghan capital, with one bomb hitting a transport vehicle conveying government representatives.

Three blasts have shaken Afghanistan’s capital Kabul, killing at least 15 individuals and injuring many others, as indicated by authorities.

Eight workers of the service of mines and oil were killed and 27 injured in an assault on their transport, service authorities said in an announcement. Five females and a young child were among the dead.

Minutes after the impact, a suicide bomber exploded himself a couple of meters away, killing seven individuals and injuring 20.

“First a magnetic bomb pasted to a minibus exploded, then a suicide bomber blew himself near the bus attack site and the third blast happened when a car was blown up by unknown militants,” said Nasrat Rahimi, a spokesman of the interior ministry in Kabul.

“The death toll could rise from all the three blasts,” he said.

A representative for the Taliban affirmed responsibility for the vehicle bomb however denied contribution in different assaults which the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, otherwise called ISIS) announced ownership of.

Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban representative, said nine outside powers were slaughtered in the vehicle bomb assault and two vehicles obliterated, however, government authorities did not affirm the Taliban guarantee.

ISIL said on the Telegram stations subsidiary to the gathering that is focused on an Afghan government vehicle before exploding another when Afghan security powers touched base to help.

The Taliban has kept on propelling day by day attacks, mostly focusing on security powers, even while holding exchanges with the United States went for the closure of the 18-year ongoing war.

The US is consulting for an understanding that would see outside powers haul out of the nations, including a vow that Afghanistan won’t become a place of refuge for outfitted gatherings and the Taliban will not receive further harm.

A few onlookers state the Taliban are expanding assaults to increase more noteworthy influence in the discussions.

Somewhere else in Afghanistan, seven regular people - six women and an infant- were murdered in a roadside bombarding in the eastern Afghan territory of Nangarhar, the governor’s office declared.

Four others, including one female, were harmed in the aforementioned bombing episode, which occurred in the Khogyani area.

The roadside bomb struck a small scale transport conveying a family that was going to a wedding, as indicated by an announcement from the governor’s office. No group has yet asserted ownership of the Khogyani assault.

Around 35 police officers have been murdered in a Taliban assault on offices in Afghanistan’s northern territory of Takhar, previous governing representative Sayed Mehrabuddin told DPA. A dozen individuals, including six policemen, were additionally harmed in a recent five-hour-long fight night in the Ishkamish area, authorities claim.

Another official, part of the local council, Mawlawi Keramatullah, said that the death toll was as high as 43 policemen with nine others reported missing. He said Taliban warriors overran the base and decimated it before leaving.

India’s Mango Traders Angered by US Tariffs India is the globe’s No.1 mango producing country, with over 18 million tonnes of the golden fruit being grown every year. That’s approximately half of the planet’s mango supply. With renowned brands such as Kesar and Dasheri, it’s no wonder that India’s mangoes are in such high demand.

As Mango season is ending in August, many of India’s farmers have been distressed by a dispute in their consumer market thus far. There has been a standstill in communication between India and America’s trade sectors, which has led to a delay in India’s plans to boost global sales of their mango supply.

Indian farmers have been working hard in national factories to grow, pick, wash and pack the last of this season’s mangoes across production lines. The sealed boxes have been sent off to the likes of London and New York, as they wait to hear news of impending progress about the US-India bilateral trade deal.

The deal in question would mean improved access of millions of pounds worth of goods such as US dairy and medical services for the South Asian

By Manisha Bhanot

superpower nation. For the US it would mean receiving larger supplies of products such as Indian Steel, and even fruit and vegetables, including mangoes. The US is India’s largest buyer of mangoes, raking in a total of $3m dollars per year on the exotic fruit. However, sales have not risen annually. This has left Indian exporters leaving frustrated and powerless.

Insram Ali, President of the mango growers’ association in India, said “Exports have not increased… We tried very hard, wrote to the central and state government. The process is very difficult and expensive. It is now too late for this year’s mango season.”

America on the other hand seems unbothered by the struggling financial conditions of Indian fruit and vegetation farmers. President Donald Trump raised tensions over the ongoing trade war in recent weeks, declaring: “India has long had a field day putting Tariffs on American products. No longer acceptable!”

Thus, it seems Indian mango growers must now content themselves with only their existing customer base.

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August 2019

Shahid Afridi Discusses Welfare Projects with Prime Minister Imran Khan

Shahid Afridi, Pakistan’s legendary cricketer, called upon the Prime Minister Imran Khan at the PM office. During the meeting, they discussed Imran Khan’s Ehsaas Programme to lessen poverty and his welfare projects, such as housing for the homeless.

Shahid Afridi had tweeted: “I had a wonderful meeting with Imran Khan, and I extended my full support for the PM Shelter Homes project for the people.

I also requested for a cricket academy for the youth of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) in Pakistan”. Afridi also told Imran that there is a considerable deal in welfare projects, and the private sector can help to build homes.

Acknowledging the interest of the private sectors, Imran said that the government would motivate the private sector to become part of the public welfare projects. Afridi also set up a welfare organisation called Shahid Afridi Foundation (SAF).

SAF is a non-profit organisation in Pakistan that created to improve the conditions of the

neediest communities of Pakistan. As of today, SAF is a global organisation existing in North America, Europe, the Middle East, including the UAE, Africa, and the Asia Pacific.

SAF is working in the isolated areas within Pakistan. They help low-income families meet their needs and provide better services that include health, education and water along with promoting global peace. They also recently paid off fines and debts to help the release of Pakistani prisoners from Dubai jail.

Pakistan’s legendary cricketer has now batted well for the construction of Pakistan Medical Complex in Dubai as well.

He accomplished his target in supplying Dh1 million by owning 1000 bricks. The medical complex is getting built on a new concept. PAD offers community members 12,000 bricks for a price of Dh1,000 for each brick to meet the cost of Dh12 million for the building.

Afridi’s contribution will be used to build a Health and Fitness Centre, which is part of the medical complex. Afridi’s organisation, known as Shahid Afridi Foundation (SAF) had joined hands with the Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD) in 2017. He promised to help PAD to complete its health care actions which he had honoured.

Khan Blast in Pakistan Creates Havoc

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi

At least 10 people, including six policemen, were killed and dozens left injured on when militants belonging to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan launched two separate attacks in Dera Ismail Khan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), targeting the police force.

According to the details, four unidentified gunmen on motorcycles opened fire on policemen at the Kotla Saidan checkpost in a residential area on a Sunday morning, killing two policemen, identified as Constable Jahangir and Constable Inam.

The incident was immediately followed by a suicide blast outside a hospital, where the injured were being shifted for treatment.

The bomber struck at the entrance to the hospital, murdering another four policemen and three civilians.

All of the wounded were later shifted to a military hospital.

Speaking to a local news outlet, a forensic expert revealed that the attacker was purportedly a woman who set off 7 kilograms of explosives packed with nails and ballbearings.

District Police Officer (DPO) Salim Riaz told Media the blast was a suicide bombing carried out by a woman. He

said: “The woman bomber, aged around 28 years, came on foot and blew herself up.”

Another local police official, Malik Habib, also told that officers had recovered the mutilated head of the bomber.

Further, DPO Salim Riaz said that about 30 others were also injured in the two attacks and added that the attack appeared premeditated.

While police and other law enforcement agencies have cordoned off the area and a bomb disposal squad searched the site, the death toll rose steadily.

TTP Claims Blast Responsibility for the attack has been claimed by Tehreeke-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) spokesperson Muhammad Khurasani in a statement to the local media.

Khurasani said the attacks were carried out to avenge the killing of two Taliban commanders by the CounterTerrorism Department (CTD) in DI Khan on June 23.

He, however, denied that the suicide bombing was tasked to a woman.

Condemnations: Prime Minister Imran Khan, strongly condemned the terrorist attack and expressed his deep grief and sorrow over the loss of lives in the incident.

“The prime minister prayed for

the eternal peace of departed souls and bereaved families to bear the loss with equanimity.

He also directed for provision of best medical treatment to the injured and also prayed for their early recovery,” the PM Office media wing in a press release said.

Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif also issued a statement of condemnation and expressed his condolences. “We are proud of our police officers who embraced martyrdom to protect the public,” he added.

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, also condemned the attack termed the incident “a failed attempt” adding that such cowardly acts could not plummet their morale.

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari condemned the attack by stating that the entire nation is one page when it comes to terrorism and extremism.

KP Chief Minister Mehmood Khan also condemned the incident and said that they shared the grief of the victims’ families. “Terrorists do not have any religion,” he said while adding that no religion allows attacks on innocent individuals.

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August 2019

India Parliament Ban Muslim ‘Instant Divorce’

By Navkiran Bains

The Muslim practice of “Triple talaq” enables a husband to divorce his wife by repeating the word “talaq”, which means divorce, three times either verbally, over e-mail or text message. Supporters have stated that the new measure has been put in place to protect Muslim women; however, opponents have disagreed and said that they find the punishment harsh and open to misuse.

Men refusing to accept the new law could face up to three years in jail.

The bill was first raised in 2017 however was hindered by the upper house of parliament as some MPs called it ‘unfair’.

The Indian government, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), agree and support the bill, whereas the main opposition Congress party disagree with the law. However, eventually, the bill was passed by 99 votes to 84.

India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, praised the new bill and celebrated the vote in stating it as a “victory of gender justice”. He tweeted, “An archaic and medieval practice has finally been confined to the dustbin of history! Parliament abolishes Triple Talaq and corrects a historical wrong done to Muslim women. This is a victory of gender

justice and will further equality in society. India rejoices today!”

However, many that disagree with the bill have claimed that his Hindu nationalist BJP of purposely targeting Muslims. MP from the opposition All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen Party, Asaduddin Owaisi, claimed that the new law is an attack on Muslim identity. He tweeted, “This law is against Muslim women & marginalizes them even more. The

law forces a woman to stay in a marriage with an imprisoned man who’d verbally & emotionally abuse her. It puts the burden of proof on Muslim women & forces her into impoverishment.”

Ravi Shankar Prasad, the Law Minister, supports the bill stating that the practice had not stopped despite it being forbidden. “The judgement has come, but no action on triple talaq has been taken. That is why we

have brought this law because the law is a deterrence,” he said.

Many Islamic countries such as Egypt, Bangladesh, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates have already banned triple talaq however it carried on in India. Campaigners stated that it is simply impossible to quantify how many cases of triple talaq have taken place in India.

Drunk Indian Man Chews Snake to Pieces after it Bit Him

By Manisha Bhanot

We all do crazy things when we’re drunk – but an Indian man in Uttar Pradesh took the biscuit by biting a snake to death after he’d had one too many drinks.

The individual, Raj Kumar from Etah, was relaxing at his family home on a Sunday when a snake slithered into the property and bit him. He then proceeded to attack the snake in retaliation and ended up killing it by cutting it to pieces with his teeth.

“My son was drunk” affirmed the father of Kumar, Babu Ram. “A snake entered our home and bit him. He later bit the snake into pieces” he said.

Kumar has since been hospitalized, and his condition is fatal. His father has declared that there is little they can do for him: “We are unable to afford the expenses of his treatment” he said.

The doctor on duty, N.P. Singh when Kumar was brought in, was struck

by the unusualness of the case. He said that on first hearing the news, he had misunderstood it to mean the man had been bitten by the snake, instead of him biting the reptile and falling sick in turn.

“This is definitely weird” commented Dr Singh. “I’ve seen people coming in with snakebites, but never somebody who bit a snake and then brought it with him in a bag.”

The snake that bit Kumar was a rat-snake of a non-venomous breed.

According to local sources, Kumar’s parents cremated the snake which bit their son and performed its last rites.

This is not the first instance in which a man has made global headlines for biting a reptilian. Earlier in May of this year, an elderly 60-year-old man in the state of Gujarat, also in India, bit a snake after it bit him first. Both of them later died after the incident.

21

Police of India Arrest Priest & School Teacher After Attempt to ‘Sacrifice’ 3-year-old Girl

Police of India saved a 3-year-old girl from impending death at the hands of her relatives, as they organised to ‘sacrifice’ the toddler after getting consent from her parents. The incident took place in the Ganakpara village of Udalguri district. Police arrived at the area after they were alerted by the villagers who spotted smoke rising from the science teacher’s house, named as Jadab Saharia.

Locals had become even more concerned when they saw the teacher, along with the members of his family, taking off their clothes after putting the 3-year-old on an altar. The shocking ceremony was to be conducted by a priest, armed with a long sword. The situation worsened when the ‘priest’ began wielding his sword in an attempt to chop off the toddler’s head as part of the horrid ritual.

All pleas to the family to stop the bloodshed were in vain, as they only angered the priest who was set in his motives of ending the life of the innocent three-year-old girl. He started to threaten the villagers who wanted to prevent the crime, with an axe and a sword. The family was calm at the arrival of media and police, but then the group’s behaviour only grew worse. They started to throw rocks and utensils at the police and set fire to their belongings, including a motorcycle, TV set, car, and fridge.

Having consumed all other options, police were forced to fire several shots in the air to bring the teacher, priest, and others involved to their senses.

Eventually, the officers wrestled the child away from them and placed the family members and their machetewielding religious leader under arrest.

Eyewitnesses have said the child was the daughter of the teacher’s sister-inlaw and in the presence of her mother, the father gave the child for sacrifice.

22

August 2019

BUSINESS

Report Reveals One in Ten have Fallen Asleep in Meetings

Hundreds of office workers from across the UK have admitted to switching off, leaving early, and even falling asleep, during all-day meetings, according to a new report.

Turning Meetings Upside Down, a paper launched by Drayton Manor Park, is the result of a survey of 1,000 UK office workers who have attended an all-day meeting or training session.

The results have found that over half of the respondents actually dread all-day meetings when one is put in their diaries, while 59% prefer to concentrate on their work rather than attend a training session.

Causing the negativity, according to the report, is the fact meetings have a strong sense of déjà-vu, with 44% experiencing the same format and agenda each time the meeting is held.

Other problems with existing meeting structures including everyone needing to have their say (31%), too much being crammed on the agenda (30%) and the start time running late (28%).

The report also uncovers a real issue with attendees switching off, with more than half admitting to zoning out, while a quarter confessed to playing games or checking social media. Worryingly, 12% of the respondents confirmed they had fallen asleep, while 10% have

secretly listened to music.

The findings should be an alarming wake-up call for event organisers, as Melissa Penn, Conference and Events Manager at Drayton Manor Park, explains: “Our survey results show that the businesses need to seriously think about the way it delivers meetings and training sessions. In a time where businesses are scrutinising all budgets, delivering effective meetings which people look forward to can ensure that no time is wasted when lots of talent is taken out of the office and invited to an all-day session.”

One of the more worrying, yet perhaps unsurprising, findings from the survey was that 82% of delegates agreed that the productivity of their meetings suffer once the afternoon hits. Equally alarming is that only 22% of those surveyed confirmed they take part in energising team activities, something the report suggests can help attendees break out of the post-lunch slump.

The report provides advice and tips on how to realistically refresh and energise the mind, which highlight the benefits of utilising outdoor space and changing the usual snack selection to include grazing stations.

It is not all doom and gloom for meet-

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INTERNATIONAL LAW FIRM ZAIWALLA & CO. LLP HOST ANNUAL SUMMER PARTY

• The event was hosted at Kensington Palace London by Mr Sarosh Zaiwalla, Founder and Senior Partner, Zaiwalla & Co. LLP, • Several high-profile dignitaries including, The Commonwealth SecretaryGeneral: Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC, Baron Cope of Berkeley and Baroness Royall of Blaisdon were present at the party • The event also was held in celebration of the firm’s recent case win where damages worth $1.6bn USD against the UK Government were claimed on behalf of Iran’s largest private bank – Bank Mellat London: Zaiwalla & Co. LLP, the international law firm sadors including the High Expressing his based in the City of Commissioners of delight at hosting the London hosted Tajikistan, Nigeria, gathering, Mr. Saorsh Zaiwalla, their annual Turkmenistan, Founder and Senior Partner of summer party representaZaiwalla & Co. LLP said, at Kensington tives from the “It gives me immense pleasure to have hosted Embassy of Gardens London. this wonderful gathering of such esteemed person- Latvia and The party alities from the legal, political and Indian-diaspora Azerbaijan was an community. From a humble beginning 35 years ago, and the extravaZaiwalla & Co. has come a long way in establishing Minister of gant affair a strong reputation as a leader in the legal industry the Republic attended while cementing India-UK ties simultaneously. of Korea. by several Founded in The recent success of the Bank Mellat case high-profile 1982

by Mr. settlement has significantly added to the dignitaries Sarosh Zaiwalla, celebrations and we hope that we keep including The the first Asian inworking as a team to achieve Commonwealth dividual to establish similar milestones in the Secretary-General: a law firm in the City of future.”

Rt Hon Patricia Scotland London, Zaiwalla and Co. QC, alongside John Ambrose LLP has been involved in over 1,200 Cope, Baron Cope of Berkeley, and international litigations and arbitrations Janet Anne Royall, Baroness Royall of in the fields of Energy, Maritime and Blaisdon. Besides prominent politiConstruction. Previous clients of the cal figures, the guest list comprised of firm range from the President of India, renowned academicians including the the Government of the People’s ReDirector of Development of Oxford public of China (PRC) and the Iranian University India Centre Sara Kalim as Government to the Bachchan and Ganwell as foreign diplomats and ambasdhi families in India. Zaiwalla & Co. ing organisers, however, as 71% of the respondents said they would be more receptive to attending an all-day meeting if it was held off-site. Getting people out of the office can help boost productivity, sparking new and better thinking and helping to create unique experi-

ences and team building opportunities.

Melissa Penn continues: “It is clear that the enthusiasm and motivation for meetings is flat at the moment and a change in format is required. We hope that our report will encourage event organisers to shake up their current meeting

solicitors benefits from the expertise of a strong international team, including specialists in the laws of Russia & CIS, China, India, Middle East and Iran.

The firm was recently in the news for leading what is known as one of the biggest sanctions cases in history.

Zaiwalla & Co. represented Bank Mellat, Iran’s largest private Bank which had been unlawfully sanctioned by the UK government under the Financial Restrictions (Iran) Order, pursuant to the powers granted to it by the 2008 Counter-Terrorism Act. The 2009 Order prohibited UK financial institutions from having any business relationship with Bank Mellat. In a landmark judgement the Supreme Court decided that Bank Mellat had been irrationally singled out, and the elimination of its business in London was a disproportionate response to the Treasury’s stated goals. Following the judgement, the firm settled $1.6bn USD damages for Iran’s Bank Mellat against the UK government in June 2019.

The event was hosted at Kensington Palace Gardens, which ranks amongst the Royal Parks of London. schedule and consider new methods to help re-energise attendees for the whole session.”

The report can be downloaded for free at http://www.draytonmanorhotel.co.uk/ turning-meetings-upside-down.

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Top 5 reasons why business journalism matters

Business journalism exists, so to speak, mainly to analyse, record, track, and interpret the economic, business, and financial activities, as well as changes, that take place in the world’s societies.

Usually, the topics that are discussed via business journalism cover the entirety of the commercial activities that are related to the economy.

In short, business journalism is meant to provide us with information on places, people, and issues that are connected to the business sector. Now, given the fact that most magazines, newspapers, and television channels come with a business segment, it is clear that business journalism matters!

However – what are the reasons behind its importance? How does it help us, the common folk – so to speak, to better understand business?

Here are seven of the reasons why business journalism is important!

It beats Twitter Even though jokingly put, this is entirely true! One of the most important reasons why business journalism matters is that everything that it can say cannot be put in a Twitter or another social media post.

For example, take any company that has been among the top ones in the world and start analysing its financial dealings and so on. You will soon notice that such things come with global implications that simply cannot be put in a short article or post.

If we want insight on business, money, and business within the society, we have to read the business journalism article that deals with the aforementioned properly. Business journalism can never be replaced by modern solutions, for example, or by any other means.

It involves almost everything If we are to look at nowadays’ trade agreements, taxation, immigration, and environmental policy, as well as Brexit, we’ll notice that these aspects involve economics and business alongside politics.

It goes without saying that almost anything that’s happening nowadays – mostly at a large scale – is directly connected to business and, therefore, business journalists are able to convey the information we want to hear in relation with issues that may also interest us.

Moreover, given that so many issues are related to business, we can rely on business journalists to be able to cover most critical stories with depth, as well as with precision.

It tells us everything we need to know

Business journalism doesn’t just tell us some of the things that are related to business, finances, and so on. Of course not!

This area of journalism is here to keep an eye on the society’s biggest organisations, namely corporations, and their ever-increasing influence. In short, journalists – through business journalism – will always be able to tell us what companies are looking for when hiring, which companies are struggling to hire people or to manage their funds/ issues, as well as which corporations keep their promises or not.

It makes subjects understandable As mentioned before, business journalism is able to tell and show us everything we need to know about big organisations, companies, corporations, and so on.

However, if we were to be given that information raw, as journalists collect it, we probably wouldn’t understand too much from it. This is because, even though economics and business are two of the strongest forces that shape our lives, they are usually either mysterious or unseen.

Therefore, we -the public - are often prone to be manipulated, lied, and tricked into believing something else.

Luckily, business journalism is able to lift the curtain, so to say, and show us the information that guides our lives in a way that we can easily understand and analyse.

It Is the Core of Every Major Story As stated, business journalism involves almost everything – however, it can be also seen as the central piece of every major story throughout the world. Even though these stories don’t revolve around business (and business journalism), they can still be tied to it.

For example, most recent stories make one thing certain – namely, the fact that following the money will usually result in meaningful accountability. Thus, we can look at the Trump taxes, the China trade wars, p2p lending regulations, instances of selling our data on social platforms, and so on.

It goes without saying that all of the things mentioned above are based on finance, business, and economics, and that business journalism will most likely cover stories like this from now on.

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August 2019

23

Virgin Trains opens the door to the first ever Calm Corner

New room at Crewe part of Virgin Trains’ commitment to promote rail travel for all • The Calm Corner has been designed to offer all travellers but especially those with hidden disabilities a safe and calm environment • Staff at Crewe station given practical training to support customers Virgin Trains has opened the doors to ‘The Calm Corner’ at Crewe station – a room which has been specifically designed to offer customers with hidden disabilities a safe and calm environment.

The inspiration for the room, which is the first of its kind on a UK railway network, came from Megan Hughes who was on work experience with Virgin Trains. She came up with the suggestion based on her personal experience of having Asperger Syndrome.

The idea was brought to life with the help of Network Rail, London Northwestern Railway and SLC Rail with advice from Direct Access on room layout and Boss Design for choice of furniture.

Some of the rooms features include: • Use of grey and green colours to give a calming effect; • A living wall and plants to complement the colour scheme; • Specially designed furniture for comfort and relaxation; • Childs’ play table; • LED rope lighting that can change brightness to suit; • Screens with old images of Crewe station and town centre to help trigger memories for those suffering from dementia; • Railpoint Totem offering helpful advice (EG train and station layout).

“This new room is going to make a massive difference for people using the station,” explained Megan, 28 from Goostrey, Cheshire. “I know from my own personal experience how daunting it can be when using public transport.”

“I was truly blown away to see it for the first time today. It is so much better than expected and I can’t thank Virgin Trains enough and everyone who helped make this happen.”

Each year over three million journeys are made to and from Crewe, with a further one and half million changes of

train at the station, making it the perfect location for The Calm Corner.

“We want to make travelling by train as easy as possible for everyone,” explained Victoria Whitehouse, Inclusion Lead at Virgin Trains. “The Calm Corner is somewhere people can escape from a very busy station and it will hopefully encourage those with hidden disabilities to have the confidence to travel by train.”

To support the opening of The Calm Corner, members of the Virgin Trains team at Crewe have undergone training to help them identify those customers in need of help, distinguishing between the different types of hidden disabilities and how best to respond to and support someone that may be having difficulty with the station environment.

Jon Harris, Integrated Transport and Accessibility Manager for London Northwestern Railway, said: “The Calm Room is an important addition to Crewe station, and working closely with our

partners and other train operators is key to providing a positive experience for all passengers – no matter what accessibility challenges they face.

“As part of a year long partnership with Alzheimer’s Society, we are committed to improving our provision for those living with dementia who use services across our network. The dedicated memory corner is a unique feature of the room which we hope will help to bring back memories for those who have travelled on the railway through Crewe for many years.”

AW Facts Did you know?

Jeff Bezos (Amazon founder) surpassed Bill Gates as the richest person on Earth in 2017.

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August 2019

UK Productivity Gap set to Persist as Seven in Ten Small Firms Hold Back Investment

• Full Q2 Small Business Index (SBI) published shows investment intentions at two-year low • More than a third of firms say access to right staff is a major barrier to growth • Number of business owners describing new credit as “unaffordable” hits four-year high Small firms are struggling to expand, hire and raise productivity as political uncertainty leaves them increasingly hamstrung, according the full SBI Q2 2019 report from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) released today.

The considerable majority (72%) of small firms are not planning to increase capital investment in their businesses over the coming quarter. The figure is at its highest since Q2 2017. According to the ONS, business investment fell for four straight quarters last year for the first time since the financial crash.

Elsewhere, more than a third (35%) of small firms say accessing appropriately skilled staff is now a major barrier to growth – the biggest proportion since Q3 2015. The net balance of small businesses that are increasing headcounts – the proportion of those hiring new staff less the proportion reducing their team size – stands at a three-year low (-2%).

Net migration from the EU fell to 74,000 in the year ending December 2018, down from 189,000 in the year ending June 2016. One in five (21%) small employers rely on staff from the EU. The quarterly UK SBI confidence measure stands at -8.8 in Q2 2019, down 22 points compared to the same period in 2018, marking a fourth consecutive negative reading. Such a sustained slump is a first for the index, which launched in 2010.

FSB National Chairman Mike Cherry said: “It’s impossible for small business owners to invest for the future when we don’t know what the future holds.

“We urgently need to see both prime ministerial candidates spell out their plans for supporting small firms and securing a pro-business Brexit – one that encompasses a comprehensive deal and a substantial transition period.

Fast and loose talk about accepting a chaotic no-deal Brexit in four months’

time is not helpful.

“Lifting productivity among the smaller firms that make-up 99 per cent of our business community is a must. But until we have the political certainty that enables us to take risks and innovate, achieving that goal will remain elusive.

“A tight labour market and falling migration don’t help matters. It’s becoming harder and harder to find the right people to fill vacancies. With that in mind, we welcome the announcement of a Migration Advisory Committee review of future salary thresholds for those looking to make the UK their home.”

The latest SBI also finds that only one in seven (14%) small firms are applying for new credit. The figure is largely unchanged over the past two years, and is down two percentage points compared to Q2 2016.

More than four in ten (43%) small firms describe new credit as “unaffordable” – the highest proportion since Q1 2015.

Fewer than one in five (15%) successful credit applicants are using new finance to expand their firms, down 10 percentage points compared to the same period last year.

Mike Cherry added: “With so much uncertainty afoot, caution among lenders is understandable. They seem happy enough to issue new credit in some cases but are upping premiums to cover themselves.

“Against this backdrop, it’s more critical than ever that the British Business Bank is properly equipped to build on its vital work in providing start-up loans and enabling equity investment in small firms. A sudden withdrawal of European Investment Fund support for small businesses without a suitable domestic replacement would be catastrophic.”

Interview with Rosie Billington

Rosie Billington is an independent UK women’s wear and print fashion designer. Rosie’s designs capture inspiration from an ancient culture, art and architecture.

Combining this research with a modern gaze, her collections empower and embrace every woman. Rosie ensures that the best and most suitable fabrics are used in her collections, to guarantee that every item is at the highest quality. Each item is handmade in the UK. We caught up with Rosie Billington to find out more about her designs and inspirations behind fashion. If you are interested in finding out more about who Rosie Billington is, then read the interview below!

1.How long have you been a fashion designer, and what inspired you?

I graduated from university in 2015 and began working on my own label immediately.

Initially, I took great inspiration from Italian and Greek architecture, but I take inspiration from everywhere these days. I’m designing in my mind all the time.

2.Have you considered designing clothing to suit the Asian community?

A lot of my older designs I feel could be styled modestly, but I also have a lot of kimonos available to order on my website, which is popular amongst Asian fashion.

3. Who is your favourite Asian designer, and do you get any inspiration from the clothes they’ve designed?

Azzedine Alaia, he’s a huge inspiration on the whole industry. I work a lot with stretch fabrics, and so did he.

4. Where do you find Your inspiration when designing a new outfit?

I design a lot now with my clients in mind and

what has previously sold, but the usual places to find good inspiration is Pinterest, it’s not always images of clothing that you’d be inspired by.

5. Who is your favourite fashion blogger on Instagram?

I don’t have one.

a bigger studio currently, and hopefully, I will be expanding soon and bringing out a new collection this year.

6.What else do you have planned, in the near future?

A lot of exciting things are hopefully on the way in the future I’m looking for

8. What advice would you give to upcoming designers?

Do what’s right for you, don’t let anyone tell you your work isn’t good. You can judge fashion, you can have an opinion on it, but opinions are usually irrelevant.

7. What is your favourite season, and why?

I love summer as I love swimwear and bold, colourful prints.

LOCAL 2-15

GLOBAL 16-21

BUSINESS 22-26

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HEALTH 42-43

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August 2019

New People Mover Between Birmingham Airport and the HS2 Interchange station

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By Tabasam Mehmood

Business Etiquette Blunders from Around the World

– Expats Share Their Story When pursuing a career abroad, there are many potential pitfalls. From communication blunders to time management and business lunches, different cultures handle all aspects of business life in many different ways. Even with a lot of preparation, misunderstandings are not uncommon and can, in the worst case, even harm your career.

As the latest Expat Insider survey, one of the world’s most extensive surveys about living and working abroad, indicates, some business cultures are easier to get used to than others.

The obstacle Course of Communication For people living and working abroad, something as simple as greeting a new colleague or business partner can become a challenge. In Thailand, the wai, a bow with hands clasped, is the common form of greeting. When doing business in Japan, it is best to do a bow before shaking hands.

Cathy, an expat from the USA, has experienced this after her move to Costa Rica: “As the American, I always go for the hand to shake and about half the time, this is correct.

Other times, people lean in for the cheek kiss or extend one arm for the half hug, where I go to find their hand for a shake,” she says. “It ends up being this awkward hug/kiss/ shake showdown where all of us get confused and doubt our original actions, so we have to decide what’s appropriate.”

Luckily, these greeting showdowns have never caused any

problems for her, and her colleagues are ready to navigate these situations together with her. “As the ‘new one’, I’m normally able to laugh it off and the team is gentle with me, so it’s funny. They have pretty much gotten used to it.”

Business People Who Lunch Discussing business topics or holding interviews during lunch has become a common practice. The setting is more informal than in the conference room or at the office, and there’s the added bonus of enjoying some delicious food.

Despite the casual environment, however, there are many faux pas that can happen.

During an interview lunch in the USA, one newly returned expat ordered himself a beer, which is common practice in the UK. “When the others interviewing me ordered iced teas, I suddenly realized I was back in the US where drinking alcohol at lunch was not the done thing.” Luckily, the interviewers were impressed by his confidence and boldness, and he got the job in the end. This ease of doing business is also reflected in the Expat Insider 2018 ranking for business etiquette: the US ranks 7th out of 53 for this factor.

Dress to Impress Just like your words and body language, the way you dress in a business setting carries meaning. The formal attire that is appropriate in one country or field of work may not be expected after your move abroad.

In the UK, Terry worked as the director of a Swedish com-

pany’s subsidiary. Although the company culture was relatively informal — keeping up this dress code while working in the agricultural sector in South Africa caused some issues. “For the first few months of being in South Africa, I found it very difficult to pitch up at a facility and get to meet the farm manager or senior grower. It took a while to discover that, when they saw me arriving, they assumed I was the bank manager and promptly disappeared.”

Finally, one of his friends suggested a more casual dress code, and as soon as Terry had changed into chinos and openneck, short-sleeved shirts, all went well. His new business contacts were much more relaxed and open to discussing the systems Terry’s company was offering.

Beyond the Conference Room Aside from the usual business etiquette rules, local customs and traditions have their way of seeping into expats’ work life. If you’re working in the Middle East, for instance, you might notice that office hours are limited during the month of Ramadan. And expats in India might just be lucky enough to be part of Diwali celebrations at the office.

Although Singapore is the easiest country to work in terms of business etiquette according to the latest Expat Insider survey — 75% find it easy to get used to them compared to 46% globally — misunderstandings are not uncommon.

Artists have shown new visuals displaying the 1.4-mile-long route which will operate using 20-metre-long carriages.

The artist impressions display the people-mover positioned at a HS2 interchange Solihull, over Pendigo Lake near Resort World in Birmingham and also the new upcoming maintenance facility.

The plan will be discussed in further detail at a series of public consultation sessions.

It is estimated that the transport will move 2,100 people per hour in each direction via a railway system on a viaduct which will reach 12 metres tall at its peak.

The service will run every 3 minutes. There will be additional

stops at Birmingham international Station and the NEC; the journey time is expected to be a total of just 6 minutes.

Services between London and Birmingham city centre are set to reach stage one preparation for 2026. The B’ham station will be located at Curzon Street, close to the city centre.

Transport chiefs are hoping the people mover will boost leisure and conferencing facilities such as the National Exhibition, Neighbouring concert area and Resort World. This type of tourist income will be beneficial for the local council overall.

The people mover’s exact system is yet to be decided. They will

most likely be maintained in a delicate facility located along the viaduct of the M42.

Chief Executive of H2S Mark Thurston said: “HS2 is about connecting the country, and the people mover is another example of how we will do that.

“This entire area in the West Midlands, and the wider regions across the UK, will be able to capitalise on the connectivity that Birmingham Interchange station brings and the people mover is an integral part of this.”

The whole area will become a much more easily navigable for those choosing to work, live or play in the city as a result of the new line.

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August 2019

The West Midlands Has Seen a 28% Increase in Freelance Workers

Per a recent article posted on yourmoney.com, over two-thirds (67%) of Brits are thinking about quitting their jobs to go freelance; with flexible hours, being your own boss and working wherever you want cited as the top perks.

This inspired education and training providers theknowledgeacademy.com to explore how selfemployment has changed in the last decade.

To achieve the figures, The Knowledge Academy analysed data (to include numbers and percentages) in the report Labour Market Statistics: UK Regions and Countries* by the House of Commons.

Self-employment datasets from 2008 and 2018 were compared, before the overall percentage change was calculated. This enabled The Knowledge Academy to identify the UK region that has experienced the biggest surge in self-employed workers in the past decade.

The Findings In terms of self-employment numbers, significant increases have been seen in London, the North East and West Midlands in the period 2008 to 2018 (52%, 32% and 28% respectively.)

It may come as no surprise that London has seen the largest surge in self-employed workers, growing from 571,000 (15.1%) in 2008 to 869,000 (18.8%) in 2018; a percentage change of 52%.

Comparably, smaller increases in self-employment numbers have been seen in Yorkshire and The Humber, Scotland and Wales in the period 2008 to 2018 (20%, 19% and 16% respectively.)

Wales has seen one of the smallest increases in self-employed workers, growing from 177,000 (13.1%) in 2008 to 206,000 (14.1%) in 2018; a percentage change of 16%.

Northern Ireland has seen the smallest surge in self-employed workers in the last decade. In 2008, 117,000 (14.7%) of workers in Northern Ireland were selfemployed; in 2018, this rose to 127,000 (14.9%) – a percentage change of just 9%.

Thinking of becoming self-employed?

1. Get Experience If it’s an option for you, try contract work at agencies to build your portfolio and CV. This will help you to learn and engage with the right people. Or, if it’s a better fit, try gaining experience and building connections by providing your service for free, or at

• 67% of Brits are thinking about quitting their jobs to go freelance.

• London has seen the largest surge in self-employed workers in the last 10 years.

• The North East has seen freelance workers grow by over a THIRD in the last decade.

• Northern Ireland has seen the smallest surge in self-employed workers in the last decade.

a discounted rate. This isn’t for everyone but, whichever way you choose to gain experience, it’s invaluable – just remember to set clear boundaries from the start.

2. Research Your Business Idea The key to this is understanding your competition. Who are they?

Where are they based? What do they offer their key demographic?

How will your business compare?

In thoroughly researching your business idea, you will create a watertight marketing plan.

You will understand how to win customers, how to advertise and promote accordingly and you will be able to envision a sales forecast that will inform all the above.

3. Network Networking serves so much purpose to the self-employed. It’s the only way to build a client base, promote your business and brand, and stave off some of the loneliness that comes from solo working. Perhaps join unions, small business communities and groups

on social media, which you can utilise for advice, technical learning and support.

4. Save Self-employment can come with ebb and flow, especially when it comes to money. It might be worth setting aside a reserve or emergency fund if you are thinking of becoming freelance.

The idea is to have funds to draw from if business is slow. To start, calculate your average monthly expenses. Whenever your income

exceeds these expenses, simply save the surplus. Alternately, you can save a percentage of every payment. When you earn more, you save more. When you earn less, you save less. A style that suits a fluctuating income. *Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0.

For more information, you can visit https://www.theknowledgeacademy.com/

Interview with

Imran Arooj Page 29

Interview with

k o l r a M e s o R Page 32

Mission Mangal in Cinemas August 15th AW Facts Did you know?

Bollywood has it’s own version version of The Hollywood Walk of Fame in Bandra, Mumbai.

28

August 2019

BLINDED BY THE LIGHT HAS UK GALA SCREENING RELEASING NATIONWIDE ON 9th AUGUST 2019

Blinded By The Light, directed by Gurinder Chadha, celebrated its UK Gala Screening recently at the Curzon Mayfair in London.

Gurinder Chadha and writer Sarfraz Manzoor, whose life the feelgood film is based on, graced the custom orange carpet, alongside the stars of the film, including Viveik Kalra, Nell Williams, Kulvinder Ghir, Meera Ganatra and Aaron Phagura. Other star guests on the night included Archie Panjabi, Sonali Shah, Laura Whitmore and Punjabi music icons Heera, whose music features in the film.

Released in the UK by Entertainment One, Blinded by the Light is set in 1987, during the austere days of Thatcher’s Britain. The film is a joyous, coming-of-age story about a teenager who learns to live life, understand his family and find his own voice through the words and music of Bruce Springsteen and is inspired by British journalist Sarfraz Manzoor’s memoir, “Greetings From Bury Park”. Blinded

By The Light also features music from Oscar-winning music-maker, AR Rahman.

Blinded By The Light opens nationwide on August 9th Running Time: 120 minutes BBFC Certification: 12A

One Mystery.

2 suspects Judgementall

Kriti Sanon & Diljit Dosanjh in Arjun Patiala

It’s a WAR between Hrithik Roshan & Tiger Shroff

The epic film Judgemental Hai Kya has finally been released! Power- house performers, Kanagana Ranaut and Rajkummar Rao are all set to engage audiences in a pulsepounding cat and mouse game in an entertaining thriller, Judgementall Hai Kya. Judgementall Hai Kya will see Kangana and Rajkummar play two prime suspects of a captivating murder mystery case. The two actors are pitted against each other in the film and will be seen indulging in a game of one upmanship.

Rajkummar Rao took to social media to share the trailer with the caption: “All ready to set some judgements on fire. #MentalHaiKya trailer out today!”

Kangana Ranaut’s team also shared the trailer on Twitter with the caption: “It’s Kangana VS Rajkummar! Think you can pick a side already? Think again. Watch the #JudgementallHaiKyaTrailer now!” Directed by National Awardwinning filmmaker Prakash Kavelamudi, Judgementall Hai Kya is slated to release in cinemas NOW.

Starring Kriti Sanon, Diljit Dosanjh and Varun Sharma, Arjun Patiala releases in cinemas NOW The team behind the upcoming comedy film Arjun Patiala have released the official trailer. The trailer features Diljit Dosanjh as the main man Arjun, the wonderful Kriti Sanon plays the fiery news reporter Ritu Randhawa and funny man Varun Sharma plays Onida Singh. The trailer gives audiences a glimpse at the craziness and fun that is to come on the sliver screen.

Speaking about her upcoming film, Kriti Sanon said “I feel it’s a different kind of a comedy. It’s a slightly spoofy kind of a comedy. I don’t think that kind of a take on comedy has been done before.” The trailer has been getting a lot of love from fans all over the world who have praised the Arjun Patiala team for their top-notch acting and hilarious dialogues. Fans have been left on their edge of their seat, eagerly awaiting the film’s release, which is in cinemas now.

Gulshan Kumar and Dinesh Vijan present, a Maddock films production in association with T-series and Bake My Cake films, Arjun Patiala; directed by Rohit Jugraj, produced by Dinesh Vijan, Bhushan Kumar, Sandeep Leyzell and Krishan Kumar and distributed in the UK by Cinestaan Film Company.

It’s official! The title of the much-anticipated action entertainer that pits two of the biggest action superstars of our generation, Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff, in a massive showdown against each other has been aptly titled War. The biggest action entertainer of the year will see both these incredible action stars push their bodies to the limit to pull off never-seen-before, death-defying action stunts that will keep you on the edge of your seats. Yash Raj Films again innovated in marketing as it simply dropped the much-awaited teaser without any prepromotion for maximum surprise and impact.

War is set to be a visual spectacle for quintessential action cinema lovers as they would witness Hrithik and Tiger pull off jaw-dropping sequences as they try to beat each other. Director Siddharth Anand says, “When you bring two of the biggest and the best action superstars of India in one film and pit them against each other, you need a title that justifies the promise of a massive showdown.”

LOCAL 2-15

GLOBAL 16-21

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Special offer for upcoming artists, in Music fashion & Acting

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w e i v r e t n I

August 2019

with Imran Arooj

Help with your professional portofoilo Looking for a manager to handle your bookings?

0121 679 2816

info@starfuzion.co.uk www.starfuzion.co.uk

By Rahat Ali Shah

Imran Arooj is a Pakistani producer and actor, best known for his work in Ashen Streets (2014).

He is now settled into the UK and has been pursuing his career in acting within the British Asian film industry.

1. What are you currently working on?

Currently I am working on my film and media production company which I am going to start in the near future. Alongside this I am work on my first film script. It’s about love.

2. What is the most challenging experience you’ve faced in your career?

I haven’t gone through a lot of challenges in my career but I think bigship emotions. gest challenge has been maintaining my success.

9. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

3. Did you face any struggles I enjoy music and reading along the way? books and working out. I love Yeah, everyone struggles a lot throughout their life, but honestly if you ask me career wise then I would say not that much because I never ran after things. I believe that whatever is there for you is for you.

We need dedication and consistency and hard work to achieve it that’s it. I find myself very lucky in this context.

4. Were your family supportive of your career choices?

No because I belong to a conservative Pathan family and no one’s ever thought about show biz. I got my major breakthrough in my acting career when I signed my first film ‘Chaloo Ish Ladaeyn’. I still remember when my whole family came to the cinema to watch my film. That day they understood me and my destiny. It was the most amazing day in my life.

5. If anyone could describe you in three words, what would they say?

Honest, loving and humble.

6. What is your biggest fear?

Losing loved ones in my life.

7. Who is your favourite film actor? And who inspires you?

My favourite actor is Shan Shahid and I am inspired by Imran Khan, our ex-cricket captain and our Prime Minister.

8. What is your favourite movie and why?

Legends of the Fall, because of the story, direction and acting. Also because of the themes of this movie which are all about love & relation-

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music for great memories, books and paper because of knowledge and working out for good health.

10. Where do you see yourself

in the next five years?

On the moon! Just kidding, although I can’t predict my future, I want to be the best director in the next five years, Insh’Allah.

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August 2019

RAZIA, How far would you go to free a slave?

How far would you go to free a slave?

Farah is a young lawyer living and working in London. She’s just ended a long relationship, and her parents are looking for a husband – whether Farah wants one or not. So far, so normal. But at a work dinner, hosted by a dangerously powerful man, she comes across a young woman called Razia, who Farah soon realises is being kept as a domestic slave.

Farah travels from the law courts of London to the brick kilns of Lahore, and there she begins to uncover the traps that keep generations of people enslaved. Everywhere she turns there is deep-rooted oppression and corruption. She teams up with a human rights lawyer, Ali, to seek justice for Razia, but they cannot prevent the disaster that unfolds.

Will Farah discover the explosive secret behind these tragic events?

About the author Abda Khan is a lawyer turned writer. She won the Noor Inayat Khan Muslim Woman of the Year Award 2019 and was Highly Commended in the 2017 Nat West Asian Woman of Achievement Awards in the Arts & Culture category.

Her first novel, Stained, was published in 2016, and dubbed the ‘cotemporary Tess of the d’Urbervilles’ by Booklist (USA).

Abda writes fiction that deals with challenging and often taboo subjects, such as rape and ‘honour’ abuse (as featured in her novel Stained), and modern-day slavery in Razia.

Phars Film has collaborated with YRF for Saaho

First Look at Akshay Kumar’s Mission Mangal

Phars Film has been the pioneer in developing the film and cinema industry in the Middle East region as early as 1964 making it one of the leading distribution companies in the Middle East for Hollywood, Bollywood, Arabic and South Indian motion pictures.

Adding to its strong and vast distribution network, Phars Film has acquired the international theatrical distribution rights to the forthcoming Indian action thriller Saaho starring Prabhas of Baahubali fame along with Shraddha Kapoor. Written and directed by Sujeeth, and produced by UV Creations, this much-awaited movie is being released in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, and Malayalam.

Phars Film has collaborated with Yash Raj Films (YRF) for the film’s release in the international territories excluding the Middle East, which will be handled by its own office.

For over two decades now, YRF has been the top production and distribution studio by delivering some of the biggest blockbusters that Indian cinema has ever seen. YRF has also established its dominance as the premier distribution company for titles not produced by its production arm in emerging and established markets across the globe and distributed some of the biggest entertainers in the overseas territories.

Saaho adds to its ever-growing list of titles.

Megastar Akshay Kumar is gearing up for the release of his upcoming film Mission Mangal that is set to hit screens on India’s Independence Day. The film has garnered immense buzz ahead of its release as it is based on India’s first interplanetary mission - the Mars Orbiter Mission.

Mission Mangal is the incredible, true story of a scientist, Rakesh Dhawan, played by Akshay Kumar and Tara Shinde played by Vidya Balan who lead a motley team of scientists who overcome their personal challenges and failures to serve as the brains behind one of the greatest missions in history: the launch of India’s first satellite to Mars, a stunning achievement that restored the nation’s confidence.

The film is a tale of ordinary people doing extraordinary things and inspiring generations to dream big and achieve the impossible.

Akshay Kumar took to Twitter to reveal the first look of the film, “A story of underdogs who took India to Mars. #MissionMangal, the true story of India’s #SpaceMission to Mars,coming on Aug 15,2019!@taapsee @sonakshisinha @vidya_balan @TheSharmanJoshi @MenenNithya @ IamKirtiKulhari @Jaganshakti @FoxStarHindi #CapeOfGoodFilms #HopePictures @isro” said the tweet.

The actor further revealed that he did Mission Mangal “specially for his daughter, and children her age to familiarise them with the incredible true story of India’s mission to Mars”.

LOCAL 2-15

GLOBAL 16-21

BUSINESS 22-26

GLAM 27-35

WEDDINGS 36-41

HEALTH 42-43

TRAVEL 44-45

TECH 46-47

FOOD 48-49

MOTORING 50-53

SPORTS 54-56

Jolen Crème Bleach Review Tired of the task of everyday shaving? The pain of waxing, or just plucking out those pesky hairs overall? Stress no more, Jolen is the painless, cheap and quick solution to embarrassing facial and body hair for women everywhere!

Jolen cream bleach is perfect for lightening those coarse, dark, and bothersome hairs that you want to hide so much. Jolen has been certified as the #1 selling bleach brand in the world! This certification is due to its great gentle formula that doesn’t cause any irritation or burning. It’s even great for sensitive skin, all ethnicities and hair colours!

Jolen is super simple to use and comes with an easy mixing cup and spatula on hand.

With its no drip application, the bleach can be mixed and applied on troublesome hairs and left for just 10 minutes. It can then be wiped off to reveal an amazing

lightened affect to any previously noticeable hair. This means that your embarrassing moustache, chin fuzz and sideburns are now gone, and you have the perfect base to start your skincare and make-up routine!

Jolen’s mild crème bleach formula is conditioned with soothing aloe vera. It can be even used by pregnant women.

Jolen will lighten any dark and excess body hairs that appear and grow at an exceeded rate due to increased oestrogen levels. The bleach brings no harm to unborn babies as it the ingredients are rapidly broken down and the treatment time is kept to a minimum.

You can even use the bleach to create that stunning celebrity look! Want blonde brows from the likes of Kim Kardashian and Rihanna? Then simply use the formula to lighten your natural brows. Switchup your make-up and line the brows with a skinny pencil on-top to achieve a fun and funky 90’s look. Happy experimenting!

By Manisha Bhanot

SMASH HIT NATIONAL BHANGRA FESTIVAL 2019

We congratulate organiser Bobby Bola and his team at Culture Unite for another smash hit National Bhangra Festival. The event took place at the luxurious Regency Banqueting Suite, 265 Hagley Road, Birmingham B16 9NA. This sell out family event for all generations was filled with Live Performances, Dinner, Dance and an Exhibition. There was an amazing atmosphere with attendees that included members of the Bhangra industry fraternity, VIP’s, Dignitaries, general public from across the UK and beyond! Communi-

ties and cultures were truly united by the vibrant art form of Bhangra.

There was superb hosting by Apna Bhajan Jagpal, Pam Sidhu, Manpreet Darroch and Mohanjit Basra, who kept everyone engaged throughout this entertainment extravaganza.

A special mention goes out to Chandni Kahn for her management of the hosting team and contribution towards this successful journey promoting Bhangra, culture and unity.

The audience were captivated throughout by breathtaking music and dance performances which included; Jin & Seetal Band,

Kadam Verma, Subaig Singh, Banger, Shin Cobra, Jeet Kaur, Gurdeep Kainth, Khushi Kaur, Shehzadi Sultan, K Mohito, Kajal Soni, Royal Keys, Khadija Dilnawaz, Ruby Akhtar, Shrii Gautam, Dhol Frequency, Dhamak Panjabna Di, Haripa Dancers, Virse De Waaris, 4all2envy, Birmingham Crew DJ’s.

The photo in this article is courtesy of official event photographer Sabah Ashraf from Sabzz Photography who masterfully captured the magical moments at this truly memorable occasion.

August 2019

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August 2019

w e i v r e t n I

Can you tell me a bit about yourself?

I was born and brought up in India. I lived there for 15 years before coming to the UK. I have two beautiful daughters. I spend most of my time looking after my children, as well as being a businesswoman, working to help charity organisations that deal with mental health, cancer research, domestic violence and allergy awareness.

What inspired you to enter the Mrs India UK Classic 2019 pageant?

I wanted to do something for myself as well as to show my daughters that even once you’re married, life doesn’t just stop, you can still follow your dreams. Both my daughters have witnessed how hard I work, especially when I do my public speaking. They now understand that only when you work hard, you will be able to achieve something.

Was it easy to enter the Mrs India UK Classic 2019 pageant in today’s culture?

I do believe that it was a lot easier for me, especially as I have such a supportive husband. However, I can see how difficult it would’ve been, 10 years ago at least, because it was a lot harder to inform the elderly or provide them with information as they wouldn’t understand what the pageant was.

I think it can also be challenging for the English community just as much as the Asian community. I feel much more confident today because I am a lot older, there’s a lot more for me to lose, so I have to think carefully before anything I do. I’ve got to set an example for my kids as they are my inspiration.

Have you also wanted to enter the Mrs Indian UK Classic 2019 pageant?

I’ve always wanted to do something for the community; it was a dream of mine to become a public speaker. Growing up, it was all education, finishing school and going to university. So my dreams got held back. My passion had nothing to do with beauty pageants, one of my friends who entered the beauty pageant last year, mentioned it to me and I found it exciting, I love all the glitz and glamour.

Are you involved in any Charity work?

My husband and I were always passionate about doing our bit for charity and community work.

I originally wanted a platform where I could represent a situa-

with

Rose Marlok (Mrs India UK) A West Midlands mum has become the face of Mrs India UK Classic 2019. Rose Marlok from Solihull beat 28 finalists during her first beauty pageant, which took place three months ago in London. It has been an incredible journey for Rose, who was told by the judges she was a ‘breath of fresh air’. Although she never gets bored at her job as an HR manager and Director, and loves her husband of 15 years, Rose felt that there was still room for transformation. And so, when the opportunity to enter Mrs India UK came knocking, the mother of 2 knew exactly what she had to do. Asian World caught up with Rose Marlok to discuss just how she came about to be Mrs India UK. also trying to get posters and information regarding the mental health work into Gurdwaras to spread awareness towards mental health.

Have you ever received any negative feedback about your work?

If I do receive any negative feedback, then I will try to ignore

it and not let it bring my confidence down. I feel like negativity can also give you that edge to do better. My husband is also supporting me throughout my work, and he’s always there to tell me that ‘nobody knows you better than I do.’

How do you like to enjoy your spare time?

I enjoy keeping fit and going to the gym. I also love to spend time with my family and friends, especially my kids; I always drop them off to school and take them to their clubs. I always try to make sure I have time to socialise.

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tion that I cared deeply about.

My friend convinced me to do charity work. We are currently working on human trafficking, allergy awareness, cancer research and mental health, where we raised a lot of money and awareness. The most important charity I want to discuss is mental health and domestic violence within the Asian community. It’s something that’s not understood correctly within the Asian culture.

Do you have any advice for women?

My advice for women would be just be to always stand up for yourself, follow your passion and never give up on your dreams. But just remember to think, ‘what have you got to lose?’, and have confidence in anything you do. Remember you can convince your family

and friends about what you want to do, whether it’s to be a cook or a housemaid. Keep your head held high and don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t achieve anything because you can.

How do you manage your work and family life at the same time?

I have a fantastic support network around me. That’s one thing that’s really important to me. You can have a lot of money. However, I believe that if you have a good support structure around you, then you can achieve anything.

What’s next for and do you have any future plans?

I am going to the USA soon to represent Mrs United Kingdom for Mrs International as well as representing the mental health charity which I support. I am

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Services grow as it is now rare for families to tie groom’s turban before the wedding Jagdeep Singh Grewal runs ‘Pagh Vala’, a turban-tying service in London with his friend and business partner, Barinder Singh Bath. They are often awake before sunrise and return home long after dark tying four or five turbans a day for Sikh grooms. This service is a growing industry in the UK, catering for younger members of the Sikh community showcasing their increasing pride for their roots.

“It’s all about connecting people with their culture and heritage,” Grewal said.

“We’ve become more westernised, and we don’t know how to tie turbans. And it’s good we have embraced the western culture, but we should remember who we are.”

“It used to be family members who tied the groom’s turban, but now you can hardly find a family member to tie a turban,” said Sukhvir Aujla, who runs a service based in Wolverhampton called ‘Tying my Turban’ with her husband, Taranvir Dhanda.

The founder of ‘Turban Pro’, Pete Singh, said, “Everyone wants to look good. It’s the main part of the outfit, and your face is going to be in pictures, so you have to get the turban right.” He continued to say that sometimes he works with “diva” grooms who are extremely specific about what shapes and styles they want.

Dr Jasjit Singh who studies religious and cultural transmission at the University of Leeds stated, “Community elders thought that the younger generation would move away from their heritage, but what we’re seeing is an increasing interest in understanding one’s roots.”

London-based photographer and co-

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The Growing Industry of Turban-Tying author of ‘Turbans and Tales’, Naroop Jhooti said; “Forty years ago, wearing the turban meant that you couldn’t get a job, or could face racial abuse, so the older generation would wear black and didn’t want to be noticed. They wanted to be able to fit in. But times are definitely changing. The younger generation is taking more pride in how their turbans

look.”

Singh also acknowledged the difficulty the older generation faced to conform to British society, and now believes that “those born and bred in Britain now are comfortable to say they are British and wearing a turban doesn’t make them any less so. They are less prepared to compromise their identity.”

CHAL MERA PUTT Out Now

“Chal Mera Putt’’ is an new Indian Punjabi-language comedydrama film directed by Janjot Singh and co-produced by Rhythm Boyz Entertainment, Gillz Network and Omjee Star Studios. It stars Amrinder Gill and Simi Chahal in lead roles with Gurshabad, Iftikhar Thakur, Nasir Chinyoti, Akram Udas and Hardeep Gill in supporting roles. The film revolves around Punjabis trying hard to

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make a living in a foreign land.

It marks the feature film directorial debut for Janjot Singh, written by Rakesh Dhawan, produced by Karaj Gill and Ashu Munish Sahni.

“Chal Mera Putt’’ is an IndianPakistan collaboration and is starring many actors from Pakistan including Iftikhar Thakur, Nasir Chinyoti and Akram Udas.

The film is packed with a good

punch of humour and a tinge of drama at the end, the movie’s trailer hints at a complete entertainer making its way to the box office.

The story is about Indian and Pakistani nationals trying hard to make a living in a foreign land. The trailer in a very entertaining way shows their struggle of trying to find a roof over their heads, and attempts of meeting ends.

Customer, Kully, who hired Turban Pro for his wedding, said that he wanted to respect his culture and wanted his turban to look perfect. It was his first time wearing a turban, “It really hurts your head and gives you a headache,” he said, laughing. “Everyone complimented it, even the priest,” he said, adding that he enjoyed wearing it. However, the

By Navkiran Bains highlight of his experience was the reaction he had got from his father, “He just looked at me and said: ‘Wow.’” While business owners encourage the professional turban tying industry, they add that the religious connotations of the turban should also be respected. Gucci has previously been critiqued for selling a headpiece which resembled a turban.

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August 2019

Jabriya Jodi song: Sidharth Malhotra & Elli AvrRam groove to Zilla Hilela

Mahira Khan & Bilal Ashraf Shine in SuperstaR Trailer at its Launch

The Superstar trailer launch has brought the entertainment industry together Momina & Duraid Films along with Hum Films launched the trailer of the muchanticipated film of the year Superstar. The trailer launch was a star-studded affair with the leading stars Mahira Khan and Bilal Ahsraf in attendance along with many other celebrities from Pakistan’s showbiz industry coming out to show their support.

Humayun Saeed, Hania Aamir, Asim Azhar, Hareem Farooq, Ali Rehman Khan and Shahroz Sabzwari were some of the celebrities in attendance.

Superstar as we know has been making waves on social and mainstream media for all the right reasons. The audiences have experienced the lead pair Mahira Khan and Bilal Ashraf’s amazing chemistry in the love ballad of the year Bekaraan, the mega trailer and the very romantic In Dinon sung Atif Aslam.

Now the makers have released the third

song from the movie titled Noori, which is picturized on the gorgeous Mahira Khan and actor Osman Khalid Butt. The song is set to be the dance number of the year and will swoon all Mahira Khan’s fans across the globe.

Noori is powerful, Noori is magnetic and she is out there to prove her mettle with the electrifying performance. Noori as a track boasts a perfect set up, paving way for the film’s lead in her quest to become the glam queen. Mahira Khan surely knows how to twirl and she remembers to flash a smile whilst giving the effortless cut. High on energy and choreography, Mahira makes the dance number undoubtedly one of the most anticipated numbers of Superstar. Seems like it’s time to put on the dance shoes and hit the dance floor Azaan Sami Khan is once again at the top of his game with beautiful vocals of Sunidhi Chauhan and Jabar Abbas. Music for the song is produced and arranged by Shafaat Ali (Mumbai) and rhythm is ar-

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Sidharth Malhotra & Elli AvrRam bring out the best desi vibes in Zilla Hilela

Sidharth Malhotra and Parineeti Chopra are all set to show off their sizzling chemistry on screen yet again in another new film, Jabariya Jodi. The couple will be sharing the screen space once again after the 2014 film Hasee Toh Phasee.

Known for their dazzling chemistry, the trailer of the film has already piqued the anticipation of the audience.

After unveiling the first song Khadke Glassy, the makers have now dropped the second song from the film titled Zilla Hilela. The song features Sidharth Malhotra and Elli AvrRam and comes straight from the heartland of India.

The song is sung by Raja Hasan, Dev Negi, Pravesh Mallick and Monali Thakur. The music is com-

posed by Tanishk Bagchi and lyrics are penned by Shabbir Ahmed and Tanishk Bagchi. The Patna Hille song is an introduction song of Sidharth Malhotra in the film.

Jabariya Jodi is shot at real locations in Uttar Pradesh to give the right flavour. Also, the film’s concept is very unique and is based on real practice brought to screens for the first time ever and as it is inspired by real incidents.

The film also stars the varied powerhouses of talent such as Aparshakti Khurana, Sanjay Mishra, Neeraj Sood, Gopal Dutt, Javed Jaffrey, and Chandan Roy Sanyal.

Helmed by Prashant Singh, the film is produced by Shobha Kapoor, Ekta Kapoor, and Shailesh R Singh and is out NOW.

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ranged by Sajjad Ali Chandwani (Mumbai). The song is mix and mastered by Tanay Gajjar (Mumbai).

Produced under the banner of Momina and Duraid Films, Superstar is directed by ace director Ehteshamuddin of Udaari and Sadqay Tumhare fame, dialogues are written by Ali and Mustafa Afridi.

The film’s screenplay and music are by the talented Azaan Sami Khan, who wowed everyone with his music talent in Parwaaz Hai Junoon. Apart from the lead pair, Superstar boasts a stellar cast including the industry’s bigwigs Nadeem Baig, Jawed Sheikh,Marina Khan, Asma Abbas, Saife Hassan, Alizay Shah, Ali Kazmi and Waqar, and special appearances from the likes of Hania Amir, Saira Shehroz, Osman Khalid Butt, Kubra Khan and Mani.

The film will be released on 9th August 2019 (Eid-ul-Azha), under the banner of HUM Films.

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August 2019

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www.asianworldnews.co.uk

Asian Wedding Section Welcome to the renewed version of the AsianWorld wedding directory – inclusive in your monthly copy of our newspaper. This section will include a handful of all your favourite and well established brands, as well as some new and upcoming featured businesses. Either way, we aim to make planning your perfect wedding

so much easier!

The lay-out and design of the next few pages is set to put you at ease – either side of the bridal party will find it simple to dip into our list of useful clientele, services and products, and tick off all their wedding needs!

On average, the Asian wedding costs a huge

sum of £50,000 upwards, which is more than twice the price of a traditional British ceremony.

Whether it be a Sikh, Muslim or Hindu marriage, Asians are known to invite all of their friends and members of their extended family from near and far. With an invitation list that normally exceeds 100 guests, hosts are eager to please. Hence, the

average Asian couple will spend around one fifth of their entire lives’ earnings on this single most prestigious event!

If you would like your business advertised in our wedding directory, and promoted across the West Midlands in various ways, you can get in touch with us using the contact details on page 3.

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August 2019

PHB Ethical Beauty Review

37

By Navkiran Bains

also helping to balance PH levels and tighten pores. The natural ingredients ensure that you will notice a positive change in the appearance of your skin, as the vitamin C targets signs of ageing and dullness while the kojic acid reduces the appearance of dark

spots. Not only does this product do wonders for your skin, but it also provides a delicate scent of Neroli & Ylang Ylang which soothes and refreshes your senses.

Not only does PHB provide amazing products, but they also pride them-

selves on excellent customer service.

So whether you’re looking for a new and improved skincare routine or want to enhance specific areas of your skin, PHB will give your skin that desired natural enhancement.

Half of British Couples Losing the Passion for a Smooch PHB Ethical Beauty is a revolutionary British family business who create and distribute a range of award-winning ethical beauty products. They are recognised for having the world’s largest range of natural, vegan, cruelty-free and alcohol-free (halal certified) beauty products. Their skin, hair and body care products are handmade in the UK, and 20% of their net profits go to charity to help improve the lives of people and animals in the UK and around the world.

As all products are created from natural and organic formulas, they are perfect for sensitive skin. PHB’s organic eyeliner is an award-winning product which is enriched with a gentle formula of plant oils and waxes.

The liner is exceptionally smooth and easy to apply; it also is great for sensitive eyes and to use when wearing contact lenses. Not only is the liner richly pigmented, but it also adds definition and a ‘pop’ to your eyes

which lasts all day without smudging. It is also easy to remove after a long day, and doesn’t leave you with panda eyes the morning after!

PHB had recently launched their Superfood skincare collection featuring their irresistible moisturiser containing pomegranate and hyaluronic acid.

This creamy moisturiser restores skin radiance and not only does it protect skin against ageing and damage, but it also evens out skin tone. Using this moisturiser will leave your skin feeling brighter, rejuvenated with a more radiant natural glow. The natural ingredients also help with spot-prone and oily skin, and it’s just a bonus that the cream feels and smells delicious! The moisturiser caters for all skin types and provides undeniable results to your skin.

Also featured in the Superfood collection is their soothing tonic, which contains vitamin C and kojic acid, which is a natural skin brightener. It cleanses and hydrates your skin while

less than half of British couples (48%) felt that kissing was still an important part of their relationships • Just 48% of Brits feel that kissing is an important part of their relationships • 1 in 6 kiss their partner very rarely • North East, West Midlands and London are the top 3 smooching counties of the UK. Research with British couples, has revealed a shocking lack of passion for a smooch. According to the research, less than half of British couples (48%) felt that kissing was still an important part of their relationships.

It dramatically changes the older we get and the longer we are in a relationship according to the survey by new date night subscription service JustUsBox. 65% of 18-24 year old couples embrace a regular smooch in their relationship, with just 39% of over 55s feeling that a regular kiss is important to keep the passion alive.

2 in 5 Brits admit that they kissed and cuddled more at the start of their relationships but the passion seems to have waned, with just 1 in 6 admitting that they now kiss their partner very

rarely aside from the usual hello and goodbye.

Where are the most passionate kissing couples in the UK? JustUsBox have compiled a top ten list of the ‘Love a Smooch’ Locations according to the survey showing the North East, West Midlands and London as the top three smooching regions whilst Coventry, Liverpool and Aberdeen top the cities.

‘Love a Smooch’ Locations Rank Region 1 North East 2 West Midlands 3 London 4 South East 5 East Midlands 6 Northern Ireland 7 Scotland 8 South West 9 East Anglia 10 Yorkshire Cities: 1 Coventry 2 Liverpool 3 Aberdeen 4 Brighton and Hove

5 Newcastle 6 Birmingham 7 London 8 Leicester 9 Bristol 10 Belfast Charlie Lewis, co-founder of JustUsBox comments: “We were truly shocked at how much the loving kiss is disappearing from our relationships.

To find that less than half of British couples are engaging in a regular smooch is sad but something that we all can change. JustUsBox was developed to encourage Brits to engage more in their relationships and spend time together away from a TV and mobile phone. The concept is to focus on the love, laughter and lust in their relationships on specially created date nights. Hopefully encouraging Brits to keep the passion and excitement alive in their relationships.”

For more information and to find out more about the company and its subscriptions, visit www.justusbox.com.

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August 2019

1 in 5 Newlyweds Admit Not Thanking Wedding Guests

Did you remember to send thank you cards to the guests that attended your wedding? Are you bothered if you attend a wedding and don’t receive a thank you card?

According to a recent survey, 1 in 5 newlyweds failed to thank all of their wedding guests, with 11% of brides admitting to not sending any thank you cards at all. A further 9% confessed to only sending cards to ‘some of their guests’.

Traditionally, couples send thank you cards to their guests within three months of the wedding as a sign of gratitude for their attendance. It’s also an opportunity for the newlyweds to say thank you for any gifts they have received.

No big deal?

Sarah Jackson, one of the brides who admitted to not sending thank you cards, said: “The period just after our wedding was just a blur.

By the time everything had settled down, it felt a little late to be sending thank you cards.”

“I don’t think it’s that big of a deal. Our friends and family knew how grateful we were that they attended our big day.”

Common courtesy Claire Gould, owner of English Wedding Blog said: “Receiving a thank you note these days can mean ever so much. We all live busy lives. Knowing that someone’s taken a little time - even if it’s just five minutes - to write a heartfelt thank you can mean the world to someone.

“When wedding guests have given money or gifts, and even when suppliers have provided a service for your wedding I think it’s easy to forget how much a simple thank you note can mean to them.”

Wedding survey 500 brides participated in the Paper Themes 2013 Wedding Survey of past and future brides. Of these 160 responded to the question about thank you cards.

Stephen Prince from Paper Themes said: “Our survey showed most couples do still adhere to thank you card etiquette. I must admit, I was surprised at the amount of couples who didn’t thank all their guests.”

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August 2019

Opinion poll reveals: First a baby, then getting married?

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Couples who decide to begin their family and then get married, are not rare today. This and other interesting facts are revealed by our recent opinion poll among 300 UK brides and brides-to-be on our wedding portal Finalstitch.co.uk It is not surprising, that couples who celebrate their wedding with their offspring are nowadays quite common (ca. 29% of all couples). Almost 40% of all couples plan to, or have actually had a baby before their wedding. Traditional patterns in family planning are vanishing; many young couples are not afraid of first opting for a child before planning a wedding or even thinking of getting married. This change in order is helped by our more modern society’s acceptance of different forms and orders of family planning than possibly it would have even a few decades ago.

As a reaction to our poll many current and potential future mothers indicated to us their expectations of their own family planning in relation to their wedding date. Many relevant questions were asked, such as: When is it most common for couples to start their family – before or rather after the wedding? How frequently do couples actually plan their starting a family or do they simply wait until nature takes its course? Or might there be reasons to not have a family at all?

Planning a wedding, planning a pregnancy and becoming pregnant at just the right time – this is the wish of about one quarter of future brides who hope to conceive shortly after their wedding.

On the other hand, only one fifth of couples plan to wait for a while after

the wedding before becoming parents; perhaps to enjoy time together as wife and husband before having children.

Only a very small minority of couples do not plan to have their own children (2%), and even fewer prefer to adopt a child (0.3%).

Most women know or feel when the time is right for them to have a child,

whether this is before or after the wedding. The important thing is that one’s relationship is stable, and that there is some degree of financial stability.

Possibly, potential mothers may hope to have an established job or career, to which they could return after maternity leave. Financial security may be important to couples who wish to give their

child (or children) the very best possible opportunities they can afford such as a private education or a larger family home. With many women establishing a career before they start their family it may be fair to assume that the primary reason for this is to accumulate greater wealth which will help to achieve this aim. For others a stable and trusting

relationship between the couple is the absolute priority. Certainly many other reasons also exist for couples to not have children at all.

The official birth statistics issued by the Office for National Statistics provide some insights on the overall situation in the UK. UK women today have on average 1.96 children (year 2008). The timing of the arrival of these children in their parent’s lives is also interesting.

It is a fact that over the past two years the number of women giving birth between the ages of 35 and 40 saw a strong upward trend and a similar trend is seen for women between 30 and 34 years of age.

The mean age of women having their first baby has risen slightly over the past decade – from 28.4 to 29.4 years.

There are a number of reasons for this trend; however two reasons seem to be prevalent. The first reason is that women are fertile longer as diseases decrease and assisted conception techniques become more successful.

The second reason would seem to be that some couples wish to have children later, possibly for reasons relating to their career.

A lot of interesting opinions from current and future mothers can be found and shared on www.finalstitch.co.uk.

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August 2019

Average Hen Spend Exceeds £130 per Head!

Research from Girly Night Out and GoHen find hen party spend is over £130 per head The average hen party costs partygoers £138 per head, according to research.

Hen party accessories retailer, Girly Night Out, has teamed up with hen weekends specialist, GoHen to create an article highlighting key statistics about hen party bookings in the UK. The data is the result of profiling 38,390 GoHen customers over a one year period and its findings go beyond the budgets.

The research also found that the UK’s most popular hen destination is Manchester, with 4.22% of hens choosing this city for the UK break. This was followed closely by Bristol (4.16%).

Of the hen groups opting to party abroad, Barce-

lona is a popular choice, accounting for 48% of GoHen’s overseas bookings.

Prague followed at 17%.

Girly Night Out partner, Lynzie Wood, isn’t surprised at the average spend figure, commenting: “A hen party is a once in a lifetime thing for the bride-to-be and her friends obviously want to make it as memorable as possible.

If that means splashing out to do something special, I think most of us would be happy to do so if our financial circumstances allow it.”

GoHen confirms that more hen parties are opting to celebrate abroad. Hen Event Director, Becky Morrison, comments: “We’ve been organising pre-nuptial events for over 15 years and we’ve

never seen such demand for groups wanting to go abroad, as well as being willing to pay slightly more to do so. Despite the recession our customers are still eager to make the most of their hen weekends, with destinations like Barcelona and Prague proving consistently popular. More people are opting to go abroad to celebrate, making the most of cheaper flights and better weather overseas, and as such keeping a firm handle on the organising process has never been so important. As well as that, I feel this rise in both overseas hen parties and groups spending more on celebrating is only set to continue.”

2019 wedding trends unveiled in annual international report The International Academy of Wedding and Event Planning continues with its fifth annual release on top wedding trends, with industry experts from around the globe The International Academy of Wedding and Event Planning (IAWEP) has released the fifth annual International Wedding Trend Report revealing the top wedding trends and statistics for the new year according to the world’s most recognized special events experts.

“The International Academy of Wedding and Event Planning is a global leader of continuing education in the weddings and events industry,” shares Kylie Carlson, CEO of IAWEP. “Our connection to industry experts around the world provides us with the unique opportunity to invest in researching and revealing worldwide wedding trends. Each year offers new and exciting styles and designs, and we’re thrilled to share that 2019 has a lot in store.”

Event planner and TV personality Colin Cowie shares his thoughts about weddings so far continuing into in 2019, assuring that “we can expect to see the return to deep colours like emerald and aubergine, as well as rising popularity for florals including dahlias and ranunculus. We’re over the floral wall and the rustic wedding- while they were both immensely popular for a time, we are trending back towards

greenery and contemporary looks.”

Likewise, luxury wedding planner Mindy Weiss predicts a shift to more natural and organic styles. “Couples are opting for low centerpieces instead of tall and that lends itself to a more natural, romantic look,” she shares.

“The style is more of an unkept garden than a tight and formal wedding for 2019. Couples are also investing more in tabletop than before and renting unique dishes that are often mismatched and paired with cut crystal.”

Away with Plated Dinners “This year, we’ll see much less in the way of traditional seated dinners,” says Carlson. “Instead, more informal options like buffet and made-to-order food stations will dominate the catering side of weddings in 2019.” Sam Johnson, owner of Carmela Weddings, elaborates: “Think bowl food and sharing platters. It’s sociable, flexible and practical, and now it has the Royal Seal of Approval, there is no sign its popularity will fade in 2019.”

An Emphasis on Going Green “We can expect the continued rise of eco-friendly weddings, with couples also opting to include vegan menu options for their reception,” ensures Cowie. In addition, Holly Poulter, creative director of Revelry Events, adds: “Couples are also becoming more and more conscious of the impact their food choices have in a wider context.

With a huge number of couples go-

ing vegan or just being more aware of waste, plant based, sustainable and local is very much on the menu for 2019.”

A New Take on Photo Booths “Classic photo booths decline in popularity, but photo services stay strong,” assures Juliana Rodriguez of Scarlett Entertainment. “Classic photo prints are no longer the only type of picture couples want for their big day: videos and animated GIFs are guaranteed to become trendy entertainment for weddings next year, an innovative and fun way to congratulate the newlyweds.”

Weddings: Not Just for Saturdays “The biggest trend I’ve seen lately is the Friday wedding,” shares Weiss.

“Couples care about the date more than the day of week. It’s about the number and, if that falls on a Friday, so be it.” On the same note, “Sunday weddings have become more popular at venues worldwide, with casual atmospheres, brunch menus and daytime activities playing a big role,” adds Carlson.

About the International Academy of Wedding and Event Planning With seven online campuses globally, the International Academy of Wedding and Event Planning boasts an internationally recognized accreditation program that brings professional training to wedding planners, event planners, event designers and wedding stylists.

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August 2019

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Research demonstrating Shobna Gulati Launches the Importance of Dementia Campaign Aimed Exercise in Cancer Care at South Asian Communities

Shobna Gulati has spoken out about her own family’s experience of dementia to encourage more open discussion of the condition in South Asian communities. The actress has shared her story to launch a new campaign from Alzheimer’s Research UK, which aims to help people understand what dementia is and how it affects someone. The campaign, ‘Talk Dementia’, features a film in English, Hindi and Urdu that will be shared across social media.

850,000 people in the UK are living with dementia today and estimates suggest there will be a seven-fold increase in the number of people from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities who develop dementia in the next 40 years.

Dementia is caused by physical brain diseases, most commonly Alzheimer’s disease, and is now the leading cause of death in the UK. Despite that, results from Alzheimer’s Research UK’s Dementia Attitudes Monitor*, show 1 in 3 people (33%) from BAME background still believes dementia is an inevitable part of getting older.

People from BAME communities are also less likely than those from white ethnic backgrounds to: • Recognise that dementia causes death (40% vs 53%).

• Appreciate that dementia affects physical aspects of a person’s health (63% vs 75%).

• Consider getting involved in medical research for dementia in the future (44% vs 51%).

Actress Shobna Gulati has written a blog for the charity to reveal the impact this has had on her own experience of caring for her mother, who is living with vascular dementia. Shobna said: “There is still a real taboo around dementia, especially in South Asian communities where the condition is often brushed under the carpet. My mum

speaks English, Punjabi and Hindi and the confusing words describing dementia across languages only exacerbates out-of-date and unhelpful attitudes towards the condition.

Alzheimer’s Research UK and the Community Health and Learning Foundation worked with South Asian community groups in the Midlands to explore perceptions of dementia. The project revealed real opportunities to help people understand what dementia is, how it affects someone and how people can control their risk, including keeping their heart healthy.

The ‘Talk Dementia’ film sees members of the Sahil Project, a positive well-being support service for South Asian women and men in Coventry, talk openly about their own experiences of dementia and simple ways people can keep their brain healthy. It provides a

way for people to access high-quality information about dementia from Alzheimer’s Research UK in a range of non-English languages.

Urvashi Desai, 55, lives in Finchley and cares for her husband Bhupendra, who was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia at the age of 56. She said: “Bhupendra’s dementia doesn’t really affect his memory, it’s more his behaviour and communication – he doesn’t speak English anymore. It’s still a very taboo subject in South Asian communities but it shouldn’t be. Talking about dementia, and helping people understand what it is, is so important for breaking down stigma. The more we can talk about it in everyday life and involve those affected, we can better support families experiencing dementia and encourage those who are worried to seek help earlier. I wish we’d have known more about dementia when Bhupendra started showing symptoms, it would been a great help for talking with the family about it and keeping him as involved as possible in the community.”

Hilary Evans, Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “Stigma and misunderstanding about dementia still exists in all communities up and down the UK, but people within BAME communities often face particular challenges. Dementia is not a normal part of ageing, it’s caused by physical diseases and not something to be ashamed of.

Watch the film at alzres.uk/talk The film was developed in partnership with the Sahil Project and supported by the Morrisons Foundation. * The Dementia Attitudes Monitor, includes data from 2,361 interviews, of which 543 were from BAME backgrounds, conducted by Ipsos MORI between 15 June and 5 July 2018.

Research at Northumbria University, Newcastle is investigating the important role that structured exercise programmes can play in living with and beyond cancer.

Cancers of the breast, prostate and colon are amongst the most common in western societies. Although survival rates are increasing, the physical and mental impacts of these cancers and their treatments are long-lasting. Macmillan Cancer Support predicts that support and after care for people with cancer beyond their initial treatment will cost the NHS at least £1.4 billion every year by 2020.

Led by John Saxton, Professor in Clinical Exercise Physiology and Head of the Department of Sport, Exercise & Rehabilitation at Northumbria, the research is a collaboration with clinical colleagues from NHS Foundation Trusts in the North East, Norwich and Sheffield.

“Physical activity and structured exercise have an important role to play in alleviating the physiological and psychological impact of cancer and its treatments,” said Prof. Saxton.

“Cancer is now considered a chronic condition because more people are living longer after a cancer diagnosis.

This research is about using physical exercise as part of lifestyle interventions to improve the health of people living with and beyond cancer.”

Current research is focused on the role of exercise in conjunction with dietary advice in reversing adverse body composition changes – such as increased fat mass and reduced lean body mass – for patients recovering from hormone-receptor positive breast cancer. Newcastle, Gateshead and Northumbria NHS Foundation Trusts are taking part in the North East.

In addition, a large-scale multi-centre trial is investigating how exercise programmes prior to surgery can be used to improve fitness and treatment outcomes in colorectal cancer patients across the UK, and includes Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust in the North East. Other work is aimed at developing exercise programmes to alleviate the side-effects of prostate cancer and its treatments.

There are approximately 1100 patients

being recruited for the colorectal cancer study and the breast cancer and prostate cancer studies have involved over 100 patients to date.

“We know that common cancers, such as cancers of the breast, prostate and colon can be linked to excess body weight and if patients put weight on after treatment, this can be linked to poorer outcomes,” said Prof. Saxton.

“There is a real need to provide sustainable lifestyle support, including regular exercise, healthy eating and maintenance of a healthy body weight. This isn’t just about quality of life, as it can also benefit long-term disease outcomes, such as risk of cancer recurrence and the development of cardiometabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular conditions.”

While structured exercise interventions will never replace the traditional cancer treatments of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery and hormone treatments, Prof. Saxton is seeing structured exercise programmes increasingly being used as part of cancer treatment in the NHS. This research is closely aligned with NHS treatment plans and is helping to build a solid evidence-base to support the use of exercise in the holistic management of people living with and beyond cancer.

The research forms part of a recent report by The Physiological Society and GuildHE which looks at the contribution Sport and Exercise Science (SES) makes to UK. The report results show that SES courses added £3.9 billion in income to the UK economy each year.

“Our research was included in the report because it exemplifies the benefits of Sport and Exercise Science to society”, said Prof. Saxton.

AW Facts Did you know?

Optimism is linked to a healthy heart rate and helps you live longer!

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August 2019

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Light Touch to Improve Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis A new way of detecting rheumatoid arthritis using infrared light could offer an objective way of diagnosing the disease and monitoring treatment effectiveness, a University of Birmingham study shows.

The rapid, non-invasive technique could help clinicians diagnose the disease earlier, and assess how effectively the selected treatment is controlling the progression of the disease.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease, in which the body’s immune system attacks the lining of joints, causing painful inflammation and swelling. It affects around 500,000 people in the UK and current diagnosis relies on a combination of physical examinations by a consultant rheumatologist, blood tests, and scanning by x-ray or ultrasound. Analysing these can be time-consuming,

but also subjective, requiring highly-trained staff.

The new technique, developed by a team in the University of Birmingham’s School of Computer Science in partnership with Health Technologies Institute and Rheumatologists in the NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, combines 3D digital imaging with infrared spectroscopy to create a 3D image of blood content inside a

Five Must-Try Garden Activities for the Summer Holidays

With school holidays on the horizon, most of us are keen to get out in our gardens and make the most of the sunshine. To help you make the most of your outdoor living space this summer, the gardening experts at Toro have shared five of their must-try summer activities for the whole family to enjoy.

Alfresco dining Why stay indoors for dinner when the weather outside is gorgeous? Whether it be a barbecue or simply taking the dinner set outside, eating in the fresh air is a great way to enjoy the sunshine. With much of our lives spent indoors, spending time outside with loved ones is a great way to reduce stress levels and ease muscle tension. Being outdoors can even boost your mood and benefit concentration. If you’re growing your own herbs, fruit or vegetables, get the kids involved picking the ingredients for lunch or dinner!

Bee friendly…

In summer, colonies of bees will be building up their strength by collecting nectar and pollen. As bees are a crucial part of our garden’s ecosystem, we should all try to take better care of our buzzing friends. Making your garden bee-friendly by allowing wildflowers, such as daisies and dandelions to grow, will provide an easy source of nectar for the bees throughout the summer. By leaving a small area of uncultivated soil and wood in borders or hedge bases, you can help bees make safe and suitable colonies by keeping the colony out of busy areas of the garden.

Grow your food Growing and preparing your own fruit and vegetables is always a satisfying thing to do. Fun for the whole family, fruits and vegetables from your own garden are higher in nutrients and have none

of the pesticides used in commercial farming, making home-grown produce both healthier and tastier. Frequent gardening is also a great way to get loads of exercise, whilst taking responsibility for your garden and food.

Game on!

Outdoor games are a great way to bring the whole family together for some fun. How about playing giant Jenga, a game of badminton or even football? Anything goes, so pick your favourite!

Before you start, make sure you remove any loose objects or debris, and check that your lawn is all prepared by getting the grass nice and short for games and running around.

One of the best ways to achieve a thick and healthy lawn ready for fun and games is to cut little and often. The summer can be a stressful time for plants and by regular cuts taking of no more than a third of the grass blade you ensure optimum health. The Toro Recycler® system re-cuts the grass trimmings into a fine mulch and spreads it evenly across your lawn as you mow to provide added nutrients and to help the soil retain moisture on hot summers days.

Garden cinema With the warm weather carrying on long into the evenings, why not set up an outdoor cinema to enjoy your favourite films? All you’ll need is a projector and a blank surface, whether it be a wall, or a white sheet hung from a tree, you’ll be going in no time. Invite your friends’ round, get some popcorn and get lost in your own open-air cinema.

Toro has a multitude of garden tools and lawn mowers that can help you get your garden in its best shape and ensure its ready to be enjoyed by the whole family this summer.

patients’ hand that can be used to produce an objective, quantifiable assessment.

The patient places a hand inside the scanner, which first creates a 3D model of the hand, measuring its size and contours. In the next step, an infrared beam is directed through each finger in turn and the amount of light coming out through the finger is measured. Because oxygenated and deoxygenated blood absorb light differently, it’s possible to use the infrared imaging to calculate warning signs of RA such as hypoxia – lowered levels of blood oxygen – and increased levels of

blood content, an indication of inflammation.

“We know that diagnosing patients with RA early is really important, because early treatment leads to better long-term outcomes,” explains Professor Hamid Dehghani, who led the study. “The system we have developed offers a low-cost, objective way of detecting the disease and potentially grading how advanced it is. We hope, in time it will enable clinicians to diagnose the disease earlier and offer personalised treatment plans for patients.”

In a pilot study, the team exam-

ined 144 joints from 21 rheumatology patients and were able to detect accurately inflamed joints, with results closely matching diagnoses made using ultrasound and clinical examination. The results are published in the Journal of Biomedical Optics.

The research was funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, through SciPhy4Health CDT and is part of the Research into Inflammatory Arthritis Centre Versus Arthritis (RACE). The next step for the team is to investigate ways to miniaturise the scanner and further improve its accuracy.

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August 2019

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Experience Incredible Istanbul

By Saiqa Latif

In a city with millions of inhabitants, there are as many views of Istanbul as there are faces. Firmly embedded between East and West, old and new exchange with the winds of the Bosphorus sea, bringing together a unique mix of cultures and civilisations. A source of inspiration for many an artist and writer, the city has become immortalised in the words of the philosopher poet Allama Iqbal, “Its breeze is holy like the fragrance of a rose, A voice is calling from the tomb of Ayyub Sultan.”

Istanbul is one of the world’s oldest cities where museums and bazaars rub shoulders with palaces and ancient monuments still standing tall after centuries.

The mosques, churches and synagogues stand testament to the panoply of ruling empires etched into the urban landscape.

Touches of the Roman Empire remain in the obelisks close to the city’s most famous landmarks, the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia. Condensed together in the cobbled streets of Sultanahmet, the area was used in the Byzantine era as a hippodrome once famed for its horse and carriage races.

Despite modernity crouching into the city skyline with high rise buildings, none can compete with the towering minarets of the Suleymaniye Mosque perched high on a hill at the edge of the Bosphorus. Built in the 16th century, it is one of the finest examples of Ottoman architecture made from marble stone and red granite. Legend has it that it’s survived hundreds of earthquakes largely due to its strong foundations laid down years before its walls were

built. The surrounding gardens in the complex provide the perfect shelter from the crowds and summer heat under the canopy of trees while admiring the view of the sea below.

Just as ancient as the architecture is the Turkish cuisine, a melting pot of flavours influenced by Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman traditions. Chickpeas and chestnuts roasted by street vendors compete with Turkish bagels available at most street corners. Traditionally eaten in the morning or evening, simit bread encrusted with sesame seeds is perfectly matched with Turkish tea served in small hourglass cups. For those with a sweet tooth, cravings are easily fulfilled with authentic baklava made with generous amounts of butter melted into pastry with walnuts and pistachios.

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One of several bridges that divide the city into the ‘new town’ and ‘old town’, a walk over Galata bridge in Eminonu is not complete without a taste of freshly caught fried fish from the Golden Horn and promptly served in baguettes. The bridge leads to the new town section of Istanbul with a younger and more modern feel. Evenings are lit up by shops and street performers on Istiklal Street in the Sisli district. A nostalgic tram ride runs down the length of the street to mark the first electrical tramline in 1913, that has since been overtaken by a modern metro system connected to a newer tramline that connects most of the tourist spots.

For more traditional handicrafts and art, the Grand Bazaar has something to offer everyone with gift ideas and sweet treats

to take home. It’s easy to spend a few hours in the city’s oldest bazaar with thousands of small shops in a maze-like structure. The bazaar spills out to the surrounding streets with a short walk to the Spice market. Open baskets of herbs, spices, dried fruit and nuts combine the sights and smells of Istanbul under one roof.

For lovers of the sea, a trip across the Bosphorus is the most picturesque way to cross the city to the East or even a visit to the Princes Islands to swim and explore. Whether it’s for a few days, a few weeks or months, Istanbul is a city that demands to be visited again and again. With two direct flights a day from Birmingham airport to Istanbul, in a mere few hours, another world is waiting to be explored.

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Sailing to Scandinavia with Princess Cruises

Manisha Bhanot | Travel Blog |

The Voyage Ahead

- Cruising the seas in a colossal 16 deck ship, with over 700 balconies, gourmetstyle dining and captivating live entertainment available onboard. This divine setting was my home for 7 days whilst we set course for the most enchanting land excursions in Europe, and Cruise Critic’s 4.5/5 star rated vessel certainly had a lot to offer.

- Indeed, Sapphire Princess looked to be the height of felicity. The rolling waves lapped calmly on the port side of the boat as she was safely secured at her berth. Its many intricate decks and stairwells seemed to lean upwards in an attempt to touch the clear, blue sky. The port remained calm as sea buoys bobbed in the water and pelicans cut across the waves. Many of the ship’s guests seemed anxious to board and start their weeklong vacation of a life-time!

- As we climbed on-board the cruise liner in the British port of Southampton, the embarkment process was made to be simple and easy. All guest luggage was deposited by the check-in desks and taken straight outside of our cabin doors ready for us to unpack. We were left to find our sea legs and explore the ship at our own leisure. Sapphire Princess departed from the Elizabeth Terminal II at approximately 4 pm and set course for the English Channel.

- We had booked in for a 7 night all exclusive trip starting from Southampton, which is roughly just a 2-hour cab ride from Birmingham city. Our week-long itinerary included two full days of sailing, half a day in the Belgian city of Bruges, a day in the Danish capital of Copenhagen and 2 full days in Oslo, Norway as well! Sapphire Princess has a range of comfortable staterooms and suits. We had an interior cabin on Deck 10, which was furnished in a modern and spacious way with two wall mirrors and numerous ceiling lights. The room had two twin beds, a desk and an armchair, with walk-in wardrobe space and a private bathroom plus shower. Our quarters also came fully equipped with a secure safe, refrigerator, hairdryer, kettle and tea making supplies, as well as a flat-screen tv pre-downloaded with a range of films.

Sapphire Princess - The Sapphire Princess was truly a stunning ship and felt like an indulging second home. On-board were a range of facilities and occurring events to satisfy your every whim.

These included both indoor and outdoor swimming pools, jacuzzis, a sauna, hair salon, fitness centre with

gym equipment, and the luxurious Lotus Spa. I personally chose to spoil myself with a 50 minute long hot stone massage, which included a food cleansing and gentle exfoliation. Shout-out to my amazing masseuse Tina who helped to ease the tension in my lower back!

- On the lower decks of the ship were high-end jewellery, clothing and accessory shops. There were also lounges and bars with live-night time entertainment, a café, art gallery and piazza where a professional pianist and violin duo would perform every evening. On the upper decks of the ship was a theatre with new and alternating performances every night, varying from song and dance, standup comedy, and even classic opera. There was also an impressive casino, outdoor movie venue and a youth centre with board games, fosse ball and table tennis equipment. So, whatever your age range, you would be sure not to spend a moment of boredom on your journey!

- The Sapphire Princess is also ideal for foodies and has been awarded the ‘Best Cruise Line for Food Lovers’ by Food & Wine Magazine. The vessel featured a range of eating options including any time dining, traditional dining, as well as a pizza and burger station at the Trident Grill. Our traditional dining time was 7 pm and we were designated to the International Dining Room where we

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had our own table reserved for us each night. Guests chose to attend in formal wear with their friends and families for a scrumptious three-course meal from a set menu. The service and cuisine were both excellent. A special thanks to my waiters Anas and Gilbert for taking special care of my Vegan dietary requirements! At Horizon Court, we could choose our meals from an endless and ever-changing selection of dishes, including hot soups, fresh bread rolls, fruits and cheeses with Italian pastas and desserts galore.

Au Revoir!

- From beginning to end, our travelling party had a magical time on the elegant Sapphire Princess. We made some unforgettable memories and were thoroughly impressed with how smoothly the cruise went and the well-organised demeanour of all of the crew. We went on some amazing land excursions onshore, from seeing the winding canals of Bruges, Belgium, its medieval architecture, cobbled streets and narrow walkways. To being in Scandanavia and seeing its beautiful harbours, grand royal palaces, tall cathedrals and learning about its prominent Viking heritage. We watched some mesmerizing sunsets at while onboard the ship, and hope to see many more in the near future. We can’t wait to sail with Princess Cruises again sometime soon!

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There are around 300,000 flights in the world per day.

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August 2019

TECHNOLOGY BT and Indian Institute of Science kick off new phase of UK-India research collaboration

BT and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), one of India’s leading research institutions, today kicked off a new phase of UK-India joint research with the opening of a new collaborative research centre in Bengaluru (Bangalore), focused on the development of the next generation of cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI), mobility and software engineering technologies.

The new BT India Research Centre (BTIRC) will join BT’s network of collaborative research facilities around the globe, including centres in Northern Ireland, China, the US, and the UAE. This global innovation network is centred on the BT Labs at Adastral Park, Suffolk, UK, one of the world’s leading centres for telecommunications research.

The BTIRC will operate multiple research tracks, focused primarily on artificial intelligence, mobility and software engineering technologies for use in BT’s strategic programmes, products and services. Future areas will include cybersecurity innovations. BT is one of the global research leaders in communications technologies and AI, filing the highest number of AI-focused patents amongst all UK companies with the UK patent office over the last 20 years.

The centre will build on these strong credentials, following a well-established model used for the company’s other global research locations, combining

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Twitter will now Launch Drag and Drop Feature

By Khalid Karim - Technology Correspondent

Professor Tim Whitley, BT’s MD of Research, joins Professor Anurag Kumar, Director, IISc & Professor B. Gurumoorthy, Chief Executive, Society for Innovation and Development (SID), at the opening of the BT India Research Centre academic, industry and government partnerships and BT’s own commercial and research expertise.

Professor Tim Whitley, Managing Director for Research at BT, said: “The opening of this new centre is the start of an exciting new chapter for BT, and for UK-India research. The technologies we’ll be developing here, in fields such as AI, mobile and software engineering will accelerate the delivery of exciting innovations to our customers around the globe, taking advantage of the brilliant intellectual capital in Bengaluru.”

Professor Anurag Kumar, Director IISc said: “The Indian Institute of Science, one of India’s premier institutes for education and research in science and engineering, looks forward with great anticipation to being an academic partner to the new collaborative research centre

being established by BT in Bengaluru. The proposed research topics of mobility and artificial intelligence, with the associated software engineering, are sure to attract strong interest from the IISc faculty and students. I look forward to the many discoveries and innovations that will no doubt emanate from such collaboration. I wish the new BT research centre and the proposed IISc-BT collaboration the very best of success.”

British Deputy High Commissioner to Bengaluru, Dominic McAllister said: “India is fast becoming one of the most datarich countries in the world, with a rapidly evolving tech ecosystem which is especially strong in Bengaluru. The launch of the BT India Research Centre underlines the value of strengthening collaboration between the private sector and academic institutions to push the boundaries of innova-

tion in critical areas of technology. This exciting collaboration between BT and the IISc in Bengaluru is already promoting and encouraging cutting-edge developments across various areas of the technology sector, including artificial intelligence, mobility and cyber-security.”

BT has a long history of working with leading Indian universities on the development of new technologies and is a significant employer of highly-skilled IT and technology experts in Bengaluru and other locations across India including Gurugram, where the company opened a cutting-edge cyber-security centre in 2018.

The BTIRC will complement BT’s existing relationship with the Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, Delhi, which is focused on elastic optical networks and quantum key distribution technologies.

Twitter is now working hard to provide a new feature which would give you the option to re-order multiple attached tweet images, via the old ‘drag and drop’ method.

This will make it easier to compose your tweets in the way you want, instead of the restrictions (and frustration) of having to upload images in a particular order. In the past, you had to delete the post and start over if the order didn’t look right.

Although, this addition may be surprising to some who didn’t they think of the over-simplicity of this feature before.

Indeed, it will probably prove the most useful feature yet for when compiling image based posts, ultimately giving you more control over how you craft your tweets. It will also be critical for brands that use Twitter for maximum exposure on the platform.

The new feature will definitely help solve multiple upload problems but at the moment Twitter is tight-lipped as to when the new update will be released. It is currently in test phase at the moment. Watch this space.

However, it’s great to see that Twitter is continuing to test and add new features. An

example of this is its improved desktop experience, which is looking more like a tablet/ smartphone interface. Another new function is its improved conversational experience and swipeable lists from your main feed, new icons to streams making things much more clear for users of the platform overall. Twitter is always trying to improve its algorithms, delivering more relevant content on home timelines for improved user experiences worldwide.

Can Hackers abuse AI?

By Muhammad Nadeem Jahangir - Technology Correspondent

Artificial intelligence is a rapidly emerging field, with its high scope in almost every aspect of information technology, engineering and sciences. In the current world, AI is one of the most widely used methodologies available and its applications are in nearly every walk of life.

A new report published by the SHERPA consortium – an EU project studying the impact of Artificial Intelligence on ethics and human rights – found that if human attackers have access to machine learning techniques they can focus most of their efforts on manipulating existing AI systems for malicious purposes, instead of creating new attacks that would use machine learning.

The primary focus of the study was on how malicious persons can abuse AI, machine learning and smart information systems. The researchers identified that there are many malicious uses of AI, including the creation of sophisticated

disinformation and social engineering campaigns. Although they didn’t find any sound evidence of AI cyber-attack, they believe that actors are already using the tech by manipulating AI systems used by search engines, social media websites and recommendation websites.

A researcher working for the company’s AI center of Excellence, Andy Patel from F-Secure, thinks many people would find this surprising.

“Some humans incorrectly equate machine intelligence with human intelligence, and I think that’s why they associate the threat of AI with killer robots and out of control computers,” explain Patel.

“But human attacks against AI actually happen all the time. Sybil attacks designed to poison the AI systems people use every day, like recommendation systems, are a common occurrence. There’s even companies selling services to sup-

port this behavior. So ironically, today’s AI systems have more to fear from humans than the other way around.”

Sybil attacks involve a single entity creating and controlling multiple fake accounts in order to manipulate the data that AI used to make decisions. An example of this attack is manipulating search engine rankings or recommen-

dation systems to promote or demote certain content.

“These types of attacks are already extremely difficult for online service providers to detect and it’s likely that this behavior is far more widespread than anyone fully understands,” says Mr. Patel.

Perhaps AI will be the most useful ap-

plication for attackers in the future. It will be help them to create fake content, considering the advancement in the field of modern AI systems, and will also generate false audio and visual content as well. This type of AI misuse could be seen to become hugely problematic over time.

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Strike a Paws: The Ultimate Guide to Making your Pet Instagram-Famous

World First Research Hub to Create Living Buildings Experts from Newcastle and Northumbria Universities will develop new technologies to revolutionise how buildings are constructed and how they operate.

The institutions have been jointly awarded £8m from Research England’s Expanding Excellence in England fund to establish the world’s first research Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment (HBBE). It will lead to a whole new concept of the way we design and construct our buildings.

Its aim is to create a new generation of ‘Living Buildings’, which are responsive to the natural environment, grown using living engineered materials, which process their own waste, reduce pollution, generate energy and support a biological environment that benefits health.

Hub Co-Director Dr Martyn Dade-Robertson, a Reader in Design Computation in the School of Architecture, Planning & Landscape at Newcastle University, said: “This is incredibly exciting opportunity to create a new field of research.

By bringing together architects, engineers and bio-scientists, working with industry and investing in state-of-the-art facilities we are aiming to rethink the building industry.”

Hub Co-Director, Professor Gary Black, a Professor in Protein Biochemistry, Northumbria University said: “We want to use the very latest biotechnologies to create living homes that are responsive to, and protective of their environment and the people who live in them. The current construction of buildings is unsustainable due to its carbon footprint, the hope would be to use this model in

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Around 40% of the globe’s population today are connected to the internet.

housing in the future.

Universities and Science Minister Chris Skidmore said: “Pushing the boundaries of knowledge and conquering new innovations are what our universities are known for the world over. This programme led by Newcastle and Northumbria Universities, will look to create a new generation of homes and offices that consume their own waste and are healthier for people using them.

“The Expanding Excellence in England Fund will support projects throughout England to master new and developing areas of research and industry.

“Made possible through our record R&D spend delivered by our modern Industrial Strategy, the investment will support researchers to develop solutions and opportunities for UK researchers and businesses.”

The HBBE will develop new microbial technologies which will act as a metabolism, processing a building’s waste and generating energy. The hub will create living materials, using microbes, and investigate how healthy environments can be developed by better understanding the way the microbiome of the built environment and humans interact.

The new hub will include The OME, an experimental biological house, which will be built on Newcastle University’s campus. A living lab, the OME will be used as an experimental facility to test and showcase the hub’s ground-breaking research.

The HBBE will also comprise a MicroDesign Lab, based at Northumbria University and a Macro Bio-Design Lab at Newcastle University, which will allow the team to develop new technologies from molecules up to buildings.

The HBBE is launching this August, it is currently recruiting 22 new staff and will be led by a multidisciplinary team across both Universities; Dr Martyn Dade-Robertson (NCL), Professor Rachel Armstrong (NCL) Professor Gary Black (NU), Dr Ben Bridgens (NCL), Dr Meng Zhang (NU) and Dr Darren Smith (NU).

• Whether your pet is a seasoned star, or you’re trying to raise their profile, ensure you are camera-ready to capture your pet in perfect focus with Sony’s new Animal Eye Auto Focus technology • Enter Sony’s latest Instagram competition to win a camera equipped with Animal Eye AF • Sony reveals five of the top ‘petfluencers’ in the UK as the hashtags #dogsofinstagram and #catsofinstagram reach over 250M posts • Guide includes a photography series taken by award winning animal portrait photographer Gerrard Gethings, featuring Instagram stars @dolly_pawton and @danteduke_thecat Whether you’re a dog lover or cat crazy, social media is the go-to place to spend hours scrolling through the cutest animals the internet has to offer. In 2019, Instagram has become the ultimate destination for pet photo-sharing, but with over

Gerrard Gethings, Animal Portrait Photographer, said: ‘Photographing animals is very different to photographing humans. You have to create an environment where you control as many elements as possible. It should be calm and quiet. The trick then is to capture the animal’s attention and keep it for long enough to get the shot you need.’

‘When the frame is set up, you often have only a split second to get the shot, so the right camera is important.

We took all today’s photographs with Sony cameras, using their Animal Eye Auto Focus technology. Focus is everything, and this feature tells the camera to automatically track the animal’s eyes, keeping them in super sharp focus, allowing me to concentrate on getting the perfect picture.’

Stella & Lucy (Dolly Pawton’s Mums) said: ‘A top tip is to get to know the pose that your pet enjoys doing. When Dolly was younger, we noticed she loved to prop herself on the table, so that become her signature pose. When taking shots, we incorporate her favourite squeaky

250 million uses of the #dogsofinstagram and #catsofinstagram alone, it’s hard to stand out from the crowd. With Sony’s new unique Animal Eye Auto Focus technology, users can take perfectly focussed pictures of their pets meaning our furry friends can get all the likes they deserve.

To celebrate the release of its unique Animal Eye AF technology, on the α6400, α7III and α7RIII models, Sony has revealed a list of five of the most followed pets in the UK. These include a beautiful Mancunian husky, a fluffy Maltese from London and high fashion chihuahua.

Five of the most followed pets in the UK: 1.@milperthusky (dog) – 885k followers 2.@lifewithmalamutes (dog) – 383k followers 3.@bluestaffy (dog) – 250k followers 4.@lilliput.the.maltese (dog) – 180k followers 5.@dolly_pawton (dog) – 144k followers

toy (a little white dumpling) that she’s had for years. She’ll look at that no matter what else is going on – we don’t know what we would do if we lost it.

‘If you’re getting a few shots, keeping their interest is key. We get really creative with this and sometimes end up making a huge range of sounds to keep Dolly’s attention – often getting odd looks from passer’s by. Finally, Dolly always get rewarded with her

favourite treats.’

Karen Duque, mother of Dante the Cat said: ‘With cats, it’s all about making them feel comfortable. Dante is a very relaxed boy, but whenever we set up a shot with him, we take the time to make sure he is familiar with his surroundings. He will walk around, rub himself on the props and sniff things – then he’s ready for his close-up!’

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Asian World’s Kitchen

VGN Boulevard Review

By Manisha Bhanot VGN Boulevard is The Black Country’s first-ever all-vegan eatery, based on Coventry Street, Stourbridge. The charming little eatery indeed serves only food that is 100% vegan, but it is also devoted to promoting inclusivity, and aims to welcome customers with a range of dietary preferences. The diner heavily encourages locals from all over the area into satisfying their taste buds with new and unique plant based flavours! Within just a few months of opening, the venue has earned a reputation with the locals for its delicious burgers, sandwiches and hand-made desserts. It’s no surprise to frequent visitors that VGN Boulevard’s high standards have earned it a 5-star hygiene rating. It’s even been awarded No.1 status on Trip Advisor as the best restaurant among 166 others in the area for its unbeatable food and excellent service. WOW! The fore-thought of opening VGN Boulevard first came to food-enthusiast Ben and his wife Nicola, who are big on the idea of cruelty-free dining and sustainability. Indeed, their compassionate lifestyle has etched itself into their family-owned business.

The restaurant owners love to work with charities and donate to causes such as Ravens Rescue UK and The Healing Horse Sanctuary, to name a few. They also have widely sustainable food and drinks options for customers to choose from – such as the unique drink Karma Cola. This sugar-sweetened syrup soda differs from your leading brand of coke and is unique for its ethos. It helps to give back to the farmers who produce the beverage in their home communities. Even the napkins at VGN Boulevard are recyclable and dye-free! In fact, everything at the diner lives up to its slogan of ‘fearless compassion’ and is inclusive of eco-friendly eating!

As for the diner’s delectable appetizers and dishes, no other eatery in Stourbridge compares!

VGN Boulevard serves the juiciest and most tender tasting burgers, with fresh produce lettuce and veg. Each one is served alongside their famous skin-on fries which can come topped with a range of tasty sauces such as cheese and thousand island dressing, warm bbq, mayo and hot chilli.

They also feature American style

jumbo-dogs on their menu, with mustard and fried onion, placed on a vegan soft roll. If you’re feeling adventurous you can even try the eatery’s currywurst option, beacon filled potato skins or beerbattered onion rings glazed with tequila, lime and jalepeño. Not to be missed are the diner’s splendid range of drinks, including their bangin’ hot chocolate and turmeric chai late, brewed with the soy-free option of steamed oat milk. For a sweet treat, just ask the dining staff for today’s cakes of the day or indulge in a vegan sundae, with dairy-free icecream and whipped cream on the top! All of the eatery’s splendid meals are served on a silver tray in true American fashion and with outstanding presentation.

If your taste-buds aren’t tingling from reading this review, then don’t just take my word for it – visit the Black Country’s favourite Veggie and Vegan-friendly restaurant for yourself! Whatever your diet, VGN Boulevard is dedicated to satisfying all of its diners. So, try something new and book your table now by downloading the VGN Boulevard app or call 01384 44440 today!

The Soul Food of Jordan

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Q.) Wrap up Questions – 1.) Favorite Jordanian dessert Eman - “Kunafa” 2.) Favorite Restaurant in Jordan Eman - “Jabri” and “Reem Albawadi”

By: Rida Khan (Instagram A/c - aviationauthor.ridakhan)

Jordan, a country which lies in the centre of the Middle East is famous for many tourist attractions such as the Dead sea, Wadi rum, Jerash, the Jordan museum and so on. Jordanians are well known for their hospitality and kind nature. Jordanian cuisine is influenced by many other cuisines such as Armenian, Iraqi, Syrian, Palestinian food, etc. In daily meals Jordans enjoy having falafel, shawarma, hummus, labneh, zaatar and other such dishes.

Bedouin people are “desert dwellers”, an ancient population who have preserved their customs and traditions which attracts travellers to Jordan culture. Many Bedouin invite tourists to their tents to have their food and gain knowledge about their customs.

To know more about Jordanian cuisine I have interviewed a famous writer from Kuwait, Eman Alenezi (Instagram A/c - emany788 ) who is also a pharmacist, and self-motivation speaker. She has written three books titled: The Philosophy of Success, Five Nights (Novel), You Missed Your Home (Novel). She has lived in Jordan to complete her studies.

3.) One Jordanian dish which you like to have every time Eman - “Chicken Shawarma” 4.) Which is your favorite Jordanian dish to cook?

Eman - “Mansaf” 5.) Your favorite Jordanian spice Eman - “Zaatar” which means “thyme” Thanks Eman for telling me about Jordanian food cuisine.

Q.) Describe Jordanian food in your words?

Eman:- Tasty and delicious but contains so much cooking oil.

Q.) Why it is said “Jordanian Invitation” means - bring nothing and eat everything ? ‫‏‬Eman:- Generosity of customs and traditions, Jordanian people give much more than what they take.

Q.) Mansaf is the national dish of Jordan, please tell us something about it?

Eman:- A famous Jordanian dish demonstrates the generosity of its owner. It is about thin bread as a base of the dish, fresh meat cooked well with the Ghee on the top of the rice and as a side dish, there is also fresh cooked milk with Bread.

Q.) Let’s talk about the traditional dishes of Jordan. Which is your favourite traditional dish?

Eman:- So we only will talk about “Mansaf”.

Q.) So it’s true that Jordanian love to eat but is it really all rice and meat we imagine?

Eman:- Not at all, there is “Lentil soup” a vegetarian dish, and “Sahlap drink”, it’s about starch corn mixes with milk and nuts.

There is also a special dish named “Musakhan” consisting of bread rolls, which contain a fry chicken with onion. At last it’s not all about rice and meat, its mix of all food items that Jordanian have.

Q.) Is there any specific food which is made only on a particular occasion?

Eman:- Believe me there is nothing better than “Mansaf”. In all their celebrations you can find “Mansaf” ,”Mansaf” and more “Mansaf”. Some “Shawarma” which includes chicken or meat, and “Molokhyah” it’s a green vegetable sauce with chicken.

Q.) What is that one thing which make Jordanian food unique?

Eman:- It’s made with pure love .

I hope after reading this article you all have gotten a good understanding about Jordanian cuisine, so next time when you will plan and make a trip to Jordan remember to have lip smacking traditional Jordanian food.

Q.) What advice do you have for someone looking to visit Jordan for the first time ?

Eman:- Be able to eat the most delicious food but take care of your weight.

Why You Shouldn’t Have Cold Water this Summer?

By Tauseef Asif

There are a few reasons why you should have room temperature water rather than cold water instead.

Restricts Digestions The first thing is that cold water restricts digestions if it gets in contact with your blood vessels. This also delays the natural process of absorbing nutrients during digestion. The body’s focus is distracted from digestion, because it tries to control your body temperature. By doing so, the water can actually cause water loss and make you feel dehydrated.

Sore Throat Another reason is that it increases chances of getting a sore throat and stuffy nose. Drinking chilled water, especially after having food, results in

the build-up of excess mucus, which forms the protective layer of the breathing area.

Inhibits Breakdown of Fats Experts have said that if you drink cold water, after a meal, then its temperature would solidify the fats from the foods you have just eaten, making it hard for your body to break down the unwanted fats in your body. Experts have also suggested drinking room temperature water 30 minutes after having a meal.

Could Decrease Heart Rate Some studies have also shown that cold water may also decrease your heart rate.

Drinking cold water supposedly rouses the tenth cranial nerve, which is the the vagus nerve. This nerve is a significant

part of the body’s autonomous nervous system, and it intercedes the lowering of the heart rate. When you consume cold water, the low temperatures of the water rouse the nerve to cause the heart rate to drop.

AW Facts Did you know?

Hot drinks can cool you down as your body sweats and evaporates to lower your overall temperature.

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Backseat battles:

Kids driving their parents to Distraction, Nissan Reveals • More than six in 10 European parents are distracted by kids’ back seat behaviour • One in three admit road safety suffers; red traffic lights missed, swerving across lanes and hands off the steering wheel • One in three parents will look for driving assistance technology on their next car • Nissan recently introduced ProPILOT to the full Qashqai line-up

Volkswagen Offers Luxury-Level Alloy Wheel Centre Caps • Dynamic centre caps keep Volkswagen roundel level at all times • Suitable for most Volkswagen alloy wheels, new and older • Deluxe items add a touch of super-luxury to compatible models

More than six in 10 European parents (63%) admit they struggle to fully concentrate on the road when their children are misbehaving in the car. But even more worrying is that nearly one in three adults (29%) reveal they know they’re less safe behind the wheel as a result, according to new research conducted by Nissan.

Parents say the level of distraction means they’ve taken their eyes off the road and their hands off the steering wheel. They also say they’ve run through red traffic lights, forgotten to indicate, braked suddenly, swerved into the next lane, and even been forced to stop the car completely.

As a result, parents are increasingly turning to in-car technology in the quest to keep the whole family safe on the road. The research highlighted that avoiding distractions is one of the biggest concerns for parents when choosing which car to buy, with one in three (34%) saying they would actively look for driving assistance systems when choosing their next car. These could be automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control.

Crying and screaming tantrums top the list of kids’ misbehaviour (65%), followed by backseat battles between siblings or friends (58%), kicking the

back of the driver’s seat (49%), undoing their seat belts (43%) and throwing toys around the car’s cabin (39%).

It is no surprise that, as a result, parents say they regularly feel stressed and anxious when their kids are in the car.

They admit they can arrive at their destination either late or in a bad mood, having had a fight with their partner or even experienced road rage incidents with other drivers.

Many reveal they’re taking desperate measures to reduce the danger and distraction caused by driving with kids – 15% of adults completely avoid using motorways or busy roads when their kids are in the car, while others distract them with tablets or smartphones (37%), toys (41%) or sing-along music (53%) or keep them quiet with sweets (22%).

Jean-Philippe Roux, general manager, crossovers, Nissan Europe, said: “Any parent knows that family outings aren’t always straightforward. The smallest passengers often bring the biggest surprises when you’re trying to concentrate on the road, which can create a stressful time for the parent behind the wheel.

“Driving safely and staying focused should always be the driver’s main priority, and there’s no substitute for this. However, knowing your car is fitted with technology that can predict and prevent potentially dangerous situations

can help create an overall feeling of calm at the wheel. This, in turn helps drivers keep their focus firmly on the road ahead.”

Nissan’s most advanced driver assistance technology, ProPILOT, is one solution for a less stressful, more enjoyable driving experience. ProPILOT enhances the driver’s control and confidence by assisting with steering, acceleration and braking. It works in a single lane on motorways and is optimised for low-speed congestion and high-speed cruising.

Designed to reduce fatigue and stress in everyday driving situations, ProPILOT can help improve safety. It is a ‘handson, eyes-on’ technology and the driver remains in control and responsible for the vehicle.

ProPILOT is available now on the Nissan LEAF and Qashqai, with X-Trail receiving the system later this year.

Other available technologies include Intelligent Emergency Braking helps to avoid and minimise the impact of a collision.

In congested streets and tight car parks, the Nissan Qashqai’s Intelligent Around View Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert provide added reassurance when parking and reversing, warning the driver of moving objects around and behind the vehicle.

Milton Keynes – a touch of the super-luxury segment has arrived in the Volkswagen world, with the introduction of alloy wheel centre caps featuring self-levelling Volkswagen badges.

The Dynamic Volkswagen Hub Caps cover the centre of the alloy wheel and pop in and out when the wheel needs to be removed or replaced. The self-levelling function of the centre caps allow the Volkswagen badge to stand freely within the item, meaning that the roundel is always the correct way up, no matter the speed of the car or the position of the wheel.

Retailing at £156.00 fitted for a full set of four caps, the items are compatible with vehicles whose alloy wheels are able to accept the standard-fit 5G0601171XQI hub caps. It’s the first time such an option has been produced by Volkswagen, and sets of the caps can be ordered through local retailers across the Volkswagen Retailer Network.

James Woolfe, Accessories and Merchandise Product Manager at Volkswagen UK, said: “Our new Dynamic Volkswagen Hub Caps bring a flavour of the superluxury segment to Volkswagen’s models, with our iconic roundel

perfectly visible at all times thanks to the caps’ self-levelling function.

“If you’re after a touch of that super-expensive segment on your Volkswagen, or if you just want to quell the niggling irritation of badges pointing in different directions to one another, being upside-down or not being perfectly horizontal when parked, then these are definitely for you.

We’ve not quite reinvented the wheel here, but we know this new item will get certain customers in a spin.”

The Dynamic Volkswagen Hub Caps are, unfortunately, not compatible with up!, Polo, Lupo, T-Cross, Phateon and Touareg alloy wheels, but work with the majority of other models. For more information, please contact your nearest Volkswagen Retailer.

AW Facts Did you know?

Over 70 million cars were produced in 2018, a new world record.

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BUSINESS 22-26

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The New Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4MATIC + Shooting Break

A model athlete for all eventualities

Wearing Flip-Flops While Driving can Now Lead to a Fine of up to £5,000 As the summer weather continues, many people will be driving their cars in attire which they do not usually wear.

Now, drivers wearing flip-flops can face a £5,000 fine and nine penalty points.

As the temperatures ascend in Birmingham, residents may wear a string vest and a pair of swimming shorts. Others, meanwhile, may wear flip-flops for their journey down to the supermarket or else go entirely barefoot.

The real question is - what does the law state about driving in a particular piece of footwear? Rule 97 of the Highway Code instructs drivers that they must have “footwear and clothing so that does not prevent you from accurately using the controls”.

According to the Driving Standards Agency, the controlling body for UK driving tests: “Suitable shoes are particularly important behind the wheel.

“We would not acclaim driving barefoot, because you don’t have the same

By Tauseef Asif

braking strength with bare feet as you do with shoes on.”

RAC extended their approval for choosing footwear while driving, stating: “Light and flimsy footwear can be dangerous.”

It’s essential to have an excellent grip to apply pressure to the pedals, but you need a certain degree to operate the controls. If not, you could press down the brakes and accelerator together, producing a heart-in-mouth situation.

You would not go for a jog wearing flip flops or high heels, so why wear them when you are behind the wheel.

Flip flops could slip off and can become wedged under pedals or prevent you from pressing the brakes. Drivers can face a £100 fine on-the-spot and three penalty points, but some cases in court are challenged. The charge can attract a maximum £5,000 fine, up to nine penalty points and even a court-imposed driving ban.

www.capitalbusinesshub.co.uk

Affalterbach. Emotional, dynamic, individual: Mercedes-AMG presents the CLA 45 4MATIC+ Shooting Brake (only S variants will be available in the UK) and the CLA 45 S 4MATIC+ Shooting Brake (combined fuel consumption 8.4-8.2 l/100 km (33.6-34.4 mpg); combined CO2 emissions 191-188 g/km)* [1] - two powerful new compact cars that complement sporty athleticism with wide-ranging functionality. The 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine is more powerful than ever, with an output of 285 kW (387 hp) or 310 kW (421 hp). The combination of extremely sporty performance (acceleration 0-62 mph in 4.1/4.0 seconds) and the interior with increased luggage capacity is aimed at a young target group who lead an active and varied life at work and in their leisure time. *UK-specific data still to be con-

firmed Mercedes-AMG is broadening its model portfolio apace: “The new CLA 45 Shooting Brake is already the third model of our completely new Performance compact cars portfolio and demonstrates that we have a range tailored to all types of individual wishes. The driving dynamics and the sporty product experience are on a level which was previously unimaginable in the compact class. Our Shooting Brake additionally offers a pronounced degree of practical utility value, which its expressive design idiom brings across with plenty of lifestyle appeal,” says Tobias Moers, CEO of Mercedes-AMG GmbH. One new feature which makes a substantial contribution to the incomparable driving experience is the active, fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel

drive: for the first time, this system offers selective power distribution to the wheels on the rear axle via AMG TORQUE CONTROL. This means that the power is distributed to the left and right rear wheels highly flexibly and at different ratios, according to the given driving situation – resulting in optimum traction, whatever the road surface conditions and whatever course the route takes.

In addition, spectacular Drift mode (standard on the S-Model, included in the optional AMG DYNAMIC PLUS package for the base model) provides for even greater driving enjoyment. This is made possible by a newly developed rear axle differential, which for the first time incorporates two multi-plate clutches. These open and close at lightning speed to control the torque flow for each rear wheel individually.

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Mobile Servicing Saves UK Businesses more than £1 Million a Year, According to Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ Research

• Demand for mobile servicing by 71% of van drivers prompts surge in remote units • Mobile Service Clinics saved UK businesses an estimated £1.1 million last year • Almost 10,000 vans were visited by technicians at over 4,000 locations in 2018 • Remote servicing reduces downtime by checking vans wherever is most convenient for customers Demand for mobile servicing has surged in the past year resulting in an estimated £1.1 million saving for UK businesses.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ figures show almost three-quarters of van drivers (71%) find the offer of a mobile servicing unit attractive as it saves time and money with businesses in Greater London most likely to make use of the facility, due in no small part to the additional time taken to drive in the capital.

Some 21 Volkswagen Van Centres now offer Mobile Service Clinics, and technicians carried out almost 10,000 jobs at over 4,000 different locations last year, saving fleets a combined 10 years of

vehicle downtime.

Time off the road costs businesses up to £500 per van, per day with Mobile Service Clinics able to significantly reduce or eliminate these costs by removing the need for vehicles to spend a day booked in at a Van Centre for scheduled maintenance.

Instead, Van Centres are able to dispatch a specially converted Volkswagen Crafter, kitted out with an array of on-board tools including compressed air jacks and even a hand wash basin, to the home, workplace or fleet base.

Technicians operating the Mobile Service Clinics are able to carry out service work, inspections, A/C servicing, MOT repairs, minor warranty work and software updates remotely, while the vehicles are not being used.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles launched the pioneering Mobile Service Clinics in December 2016 with just three vans. Now, with 21 Van Centres on the books, sites are expanding to run multiple vans to keep up with demand.

Mobile Service Clinics form part of the brand’s Working With You promise alongside the offer of extended opening

Top 5 Tips for Staying Cool this summer

With the sun shining and bright blue skies, Richard Gladman, IAM RoadSmart head of driving and riding standards, has put together some riding advice to keep you safe this summer.

A lot of motorcycle jackets have thermal and waterproof layers. If it’s a hot day and they’re not needed, take them out to help you stay cool. Even better, purchase a summer jacket with vents to avoid overheating If you’re going to be keeping your visor up, be sure to wear protective eye gear. Your helmet will also accommodate for this weather by having air ventilation. Do you know how to use yours? If not, it may be a good time to check Don’t fall into the trap of being tempted to ride without gloves. They’re a must for any journey – short or long.

You can buy protective gloves that

allow air flow which will make your summer journey more comfortable Are you still wearing your winter boots? Put these back in the cupboard and get yourself a pair of summer weight boots which are another great piece of kit for air ventilation The warm weather and overheating can increases fatigue so make sure you stay hydrated and take regular breaks.

In a car, we recommend stopping for a break every two hours, however on a motorbike you may need to stop more than this Richard says: “Don’t be tempted to cut corners as you’re just as likely to fall off your bike in the summer as you are at any other time of the year. Investing in the right summer riding kit will allow air ventilation, meaning you can have a relaxed journey and enjoy the warm weather whilst it lasts.”

hours to further ensure fleets can be serviced when they’re not working.

David Hanna, Head of Service and Parts at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said: “Our message is clear - we’ll work when you’re not - to minimise downtime and reduce associated costs, which is consistently one of the biggest issues for our customers.

“We’re committed to working as a trusted partner alongside our customers to deliver an aftersales service that suits their needs in the short and long term.

Innovative solutions like our Mobile Service Clinics help deliver on our Working With You promise and it’s clear from these figures what a useful option it is for our owners and fleets.”

For more details on mobile servicing, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ award-winning range of products and services, or to find your nearest Van Centre, please visit www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk.

Click and Collect: Volvo Car UK Delivers First Online-Bought Car

• Volvo Car UK has delivered the first car sold through its online, end-to-end vehicle purchase process • Customers can now buy a new Volvo entirely online in as little as 20 minutes • Matthew Blanksby collected his V60 last week, becoming the first customer to complete a purchase through the new online platform Following the recent launch of the UK’s most comprehensive online car purchase system, Volvo Car UK has now delivered its first car sold entirely through the new platform.

Launched this year, Volvo’s online car purchase system is the most comprehensive currently offered by any manufacturer in the UK. It offers a smooth, convenient and secure end-to-end process, from car configuration to part-exchange and finance agreement approval, which can take as little as 20 minutes.

Matthew Blanksby, 22, last week became the owner of the first Volvo car to be sold through the innovative platform. He collected his new V60 from Cambridge Garage in Havant, having bought it through the car maker’s online ordering platform with the retailer’s guidance.

Mr Blanksby, from Gosport, comments: “After getting a new job, I decided that I wanted to upgrade to a more luxurious car than the one I was driving at the time. After seeing the V60 at Cambridge Garage in Havant, I immediately knew I preferred the estate style; I love the way the new V60 looks inside and out.

“Having noticed on the Volvo Car UK website that you could order online,

I knew I had to go for it. The process was very easy and convenient, and I was able to complete my order at a time to suit me. Having the option to order cars online makes real sense, especially for busy people and shift-workers like myself.

“I have been completely converted to Volvo, largely thanks to the stunning interior and exterior designs of the latest refreshed line-up, alongside the brand’s well-documented safety and practicality credentials. I can’t wait to get behind the wheel!”

Customers can tailor their ideal Volvo, including all options and accessories, and many forms of purchase are currently possible, including PCP, conditional sale and cash.

The new service reflects Volvo’s spirit of innovation and its status as the UK’s fastest-growing premium car brand.

John-Michael Eastman, Business Manager at Cambridge Garage Havant, said: “It’s quite a privilege to have helped Volvo’s first online customer. We are pleased that Matthew found the process so secure, easy and convenient, and wish him many happy years of motoring in his new V60.”

Nicola Murphy, Future Retail Manager at Volvo Car UK, adds: “Ordering online provides an alternative way to buy a Volvo, and gives customers the flexibility of choosing how and when they wish to engage with their local retailer.

“Importantly, the retailer is on hand to help the customer at any point within the process, making the purchase even easier and more convenient for our customers.”

To explore an online Volvo purchase, visit www.volvocars.co.uk/order-online

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Child’s Play… These are the Supercars Kids Want to Drive

Most popular supercars with children based on junior driving experience bookings with TrackDays.co.uk 1. Lamborghini Gallardo 2. Nissan GT-R 3. Ferrari 430 4. Aston Martin V8 Vantage 5. Audi R8 6. McLaren 570S 7. Porsche Boxster S 8. Jaguar F-TYPE 9. BMW i8 10. Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

• Most popular supercars with children are revealed • Lamborghini Gallardo takes the chequered flag with youngsters • Kids as young as 11 can drive a highperformance machine with trackdays. co.uk New research by leading driving experience provider TrackDays.co.uk has revealed the UK’s most popular supercars….with children!

The newly released data from www. trackdays.co.uk, which offers a wide selection of the most sought after cars in the world, reveals that the Lamborghini Gallardo is the high-performance car that British children most want to drive given the opportunity.

Indeed, the awesome Gallardo took a massive 24 percent of junior supercar driving experience bookings, followed in second place by the Nissan GT-R with 18 percent and in third place by the Ferrari 430 with 16 percent.

Imran Malek, operations manager at TrackDays.co.uk, said: “The Lam-

borghini Gallardo has long been a favourite bedroom wall poster with youngsters and our research shows its popularity is stronger than ever with children.

“Our junior supercar driving experiences actually let children as young as 11 get behind the wheel of some of the most desirable cars on the planet.

“While it is the Lamborghini you’re most likely to see being driven by a child, other world-famous marques making the supercar grid are Ferrari, Aston Martin, Audi, McLaren and Porsche.”

Other marques making the top 10 include Jaguar and Chevrolet, while the BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car charged in at ninth position.

Imran added: “While other supercars are faster, it’s interesting to see that a plugin hybrid model, the BMWi8, is among the most popular supercars to drive by the younger generation.”

For more information about TrackDays. co.uk, visit www.trackdays.co.uk

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Do You Carry these Items in Your Car?

Richard Gladman, IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards has written about eight essential items that you should keep in your vehicle to help keep you safe on the road.

Phone and charger Turn your phone to silent and place it in the glove box to avoid temptation to use it whilst driving. Ensure you remember a charger for any emergencies when you do need to use it.

First aid kit You never know when you might need a first aid kit. You may need yourself or you may be able to help another road user if you’re the first on scene at an accident. So, keep one in the boot of your car just in case.

Empty fuel can Carry an empty fuel can with you. DO NOT carry a full or partially full one as this can be a fire hazard if it’s recently had fuel in. Flammable vapour may still be present.

Warm clothes/blanket/high vis

We recommend keeping a blanket and some warm clothes in your car. The last thing you want is to be cold whilst broken down on the side of the road.

Ensure you wear a high visibility jacket whilst manoeuvring around your vehicle so other road users can see you.

Food and drink Don’t forget to bring some snacks and water to keep your energy levels up, always carry a bottle of water when driving.

Jump leads Your car battery can go flat at any time and can be a worry when your car won’t start. Make sure you keep a set of jump leads in your car so you can start your engine with help from another vehicle.

Shoes Now, this may sound silly but keep a pair of comfortable/sensible shoes in your car. You never know when you’re going to breakdown, and where for that matter. You may need to assess your car

in the typical English weather.

Warning triangle An item that is regularly overlooked is the reflective warning triangle. In accordance to the Highway Code rule 274 you should “put a warning triangle on the road at least 45 metres (147 feet) behind your broken-down vehicle on the same side of the road, or use other permitted warning devices if you have them. Always take great care when placing or retrieving them, but never use them on motorways.”

Richard says: “A journey can be a pleasant experience with the right planning. But it can turn into a nightmare if circumstances change and you do not have the right tools for the job with you. Getting stranded either in suddenly changing weather conditions, breakdowns or road closures will be made more bearable if you can let people know where you are, and survive in relative comfort and safety until you can get safely where you’re going.”

More than 1.5 million UK Households could switch to an electric car Today without Compromise

• 25,000 households’ car use researched by What Car? • Sweet-spots of short journeys and off-street parking identified • 66% of households with an EV and petrol/diesel car prefer electric car To find the best new car deals, visit: www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals Electric car ownership is the right choice for at least 1.5 million UK households today, according to a new study by Britain’s leading consumer champion and New Car Buying platform, What Car? That’s the number of multi-car homes in the UK with a sweet-spot combination of off-street parking for home-charging and at least one vehicle that never does more than 100 miles in a single journey.

What Car? approached 2310 current electric vehicle owners and a further 23,500 non-EV owners to understand how they used their cars on an everyday basis.

This research found that 17% of multi-car households have at least

one vehicle that never makes a journey of more than 100 miles.

Overlaying these numbers with the percentage that has a driveway for home-charging (88%), What Car? calculated that 1.56m households – of the 27m in the UK – could convert to a pure electric vehicle without any compromises today. This figure is set to increase as charging infrastructure and electric vehicle range increases in future years.

To further support the arguments

for purchasing an electric car, a surprising two-thirds of households that already have one, as well as a traditional petrol or diesel vehicle, say they now use the EV as their main vehicle.

2019 has been labelled the year of the electric vehicle, with no fewer than 19 different pure battery powered cars hitting the showrooms.

The latest is the Oxford-built all-electric Mini Electric, which launches this week. It is being re-

vealed just months after What Car? awarded its coveted Car of the Year accolade to the all-electric Kia eNiro – the first time that an electric car has won the award.

Electric car range varies according to battery size, but What Car?’s Real Range testing has measured 18 EVs with ranges from 57 miles to 259 miles. All but three of the 15 cars tested have a Real Range in excess of 100 miles.

Prices for new EVs with a range exceeding 100 miles start from around £18,000 when purchased with a separate battery lease, or £24,500 with the battery included. Most electric vehicles are leased, with typical monthly payments around £300, depending on the size of your deposit, according to What Car? Target Price Finance data.

Sales of new electric cars hit a total of 9489 for 2019 at the end of May – up more 60% year-on-year but still less than 1% of the total market – bringing the total number of electric cars on UK roads to

around 70,000. New models are being launched with increasing frequency, which suggests that exponential growth will continue, although What Car?’s research also highlighted that the majority of motorists’ perception of electric car ownership still lags a long way behind the reality.

“While it is clear that there is more work to be done to make electric cars even more affordable, and to increase charging and range capabilities so that even more households can own them compromise-free, it is also evident that the manufacturers and infrastructure providers are further ahead in providing answers to consumers’ questions than is widely recognised,” said Holder.

What Car? surveyed 25,000 visitors to its website from 14-28 June. The research was conducted independently by What Car? and supported by Mini.

54

August 2019

SPORTS

T: 0121 771 4545

www.asianworldnews.co.uk

Salah in 100 Most Influential People of 2019

By Tabasam Mehmood

Mohammed Salah, now considered one of the best players in the world, has been featured in the 100 most influential people of 2019. This is a huge milestone for Salah as he has not only shown how ruthless he can be in front of a goal, but how much of a humble person he is. It was just a matter of time for his brilliance to be recognised as 2019 has become Salah’s year.

Liverpool supporters agree entirely with this statement, as Salah has eased the life of Muslim citizens in the city. Liverpool’s increasing anti-muslim behaviour was becoming a concern, but with the arrival of Mo Salah Muslims had someone to relate to. He was a brilliant role model, being the top scorer of the Premier League and a practising Muslim.

His signature celebration is one Muslims

perform during prayer, to bow down to God, Sujood. This is a big step towards making the Liverpool community more aware of what Muslims are about.

Since Mo Salah’s arrival, the hate crimes in Merseyside have decreased by 18.9% Salah will be featured amongst some of the most influential Muslim role models such as Imran Khan and Hasan Minhaj.

Salah is a better human being than he is a footballer, and he’s one of the greatest footballers in the field currently. You’d have a lot of difficulties finding an athlete less affected by status or success than Salah. He has turned into an icon for Muslims, Egyptians and Scousers, but is almost always perceived as a humble, clever and thoughtful man.

Salah plays with an infectious joy, which is

just a pleasure to watch. His eyes light up when the ball gets to his feet, or when an opportunity arises - genuinely mesmerising.

The iconic player was also able to overcome a lot of negative critics during the course of his career, who claimed that he was a one-season wonder. Although many may say his 2018/19 season was nowhere near as impressive as his first season at Liverpool, statistics can be said to disagree completely.

Salah’s pass completion rate has increased, leading to a higher pass per game average as well as the ability to create bigger chances on the field. Salah also had more wins and fewer losses in his 2018/19 season than his previous one - clearly a fantastic player.

UK Cricketers from Wealthy Get Fit with British Backgrounds ‘Significantly Body Building Overrepresented’ in the Champion Syed Rahat Professional Game

White-British cricketers who were privately educated are ‘significantly overrepresented’ at both the professional and youth levels of the game, new UK research has revealed.

The study from Birmingham City University (UK) showed that people from wealthier backgrounds were much more likely to make it into professional cricket than those from less affluent upbringings.

Results also highlighted that a lack of access to wealth created barriers to participation and development in cricket, contributing to an ethnicity bias in the sport across Britain.

The research found that 56 per cent of Under 16 – Under 19 cricketers, and 45 per cent of professional players, were White-British and attended independent schools.

British South Asian players were shown to be much less likely to make it into professional cricket, despite the sport being very popular among these communities.

The results highlighted that WhiteBritish cricketers were disproportionately represented at most levels of the game, particularly those from wealthy backgrounds.

The study, published ahead of England’s Cricket World Cup semi-final clash with Australia, took in ethnicity data from an England and Wales Cricket Board survey.

Where available researchers also analysed data on the type of school attended to measure relative access

AW Facts Did you know?

The top 3 earning footballers are Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Neymar Santos.

to wealth.

Ethnicity and school-type distributions were then compared with expected distributions for ‘White-British’, ‘British South Asian’ and ‘Other’ ethnic groups, revealing the demographic split in the sport.

Researchers concluded that, given the popularity of cricket amongst British South Asian communities, a lack of potential talent was unlikely to be a factor in their under-representation in the sport.

Instead, higher relative access to wealth was thought to be a key factor, as those from wealthy backgrounds are likely to experience greater opportunities and support throughout their development as a cricketer.

Tom Brown, postgraduate researcher at

Birmingham City University carried out on-the-ground research with Warwickshire County Cricket Club.

He said: “Although the majority of state schools offer their students cricket as part of their curriculum, the amount of extra coaches and quality of facilities provided often fall well short of what is accessible to students attending private school.”

It is hoped the study will prompt further investigation into the barriers that British South Asian cricketers face throughout their transition from talent development pathways to professional cricketers.

Paul Greetham, Elite Cricket Development Manager at Warwickshire County Cricket Club, added: “It’s important to note that some pupils gain bursaries or scholarships to attend independent schools, but it is likely that young people from lower socio-economic backgrounds may encounter barriers prior to reaching an elite development standard.

“Limited access to transport to attend training or matches and the expense of equipment, coaching and playing fees could all become barriers to reaching that level.

“Warwickshire County Cricket Club is committed to finding contingency within its own budget or grant aid, the Brian Johnston Memorial Trust for example, to support talented individuals who need financial assistance in order to play representative cricket.”

More information about sport and exercise science at Birmingham City University can be found on the University’s website.

Dumbbell Bicep Curl Instructions First thing to do is stand up straight with a dumbbell in each hand at arm’s length. Keep your elbows close to your torso and rotate the palms of your hands, till they are facing forward. This will be your starting position.

Next, keep the upper arms fixed, exhale and curl the weights, while contracting the biceps. Continue to raise the weights, till your biceps are fully contracted and the dumbbells are at the level of the shoulder. Hold the contracted position for a short pause as you squeeze your biceps. Then, inhale and slowly begin to lower the dumbbells back to the starting position. Then, repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Hammer Curls Instructions First, stand up with your torso straight and a dumbbell on each hand being held at arm’s length. The elbows should be close to the torso. Secondly, the palms of the hands should be facing your torso. This will be your starting position.

Then, while holding your upper arm still, exhale and curl the weight forward while contracting the biceps. Continue to raise the weight until the biceps are fully contracted and the dumbbell is at shoulder level. Hold the contracted position for a short moment as you squeeze the biceps.

After the brief pause, inhale and slowly begin the lower the dumbbells back down to the starting position.

Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Tip: Focus on keeping

the elbow stationary and only moving your forearm.

Concentration Curls Instructions Firstly, sit down on a flat bench with one dumbbell in front of you between your legs. Your legs should be spread with your knees bent and feet on the floor.

Secondly, use your right arm to pick the dumbbell up. Place the back of your right upper arm on the top of your inner right thigh. Rotate the palm of your hand, until it is facing forward away from your thigh. Tip: Your arm should be extended, and the dumbbell should be above the floor. This will be your starting position.

While holding the upper arm stationary, twist the weights forward while contracting the biceps as you breathe out and only the forearms should move. Continue the movement until your biceps are fully contracted and the dumbbells are at shoulder level.

Then, slowly begin to bring the dumbbells back to starting position as you breathe in.

Repeat this for several amounts of repetitions. Then repeat with the left arm.

Be careful to avoid swinging gestures at any time.

Tip: At the top of the movement make sure that the little finger of your arm is higher than your thumb.

This guarantees a good tightening.

Hold the tightened position for a second as you squeeze the biceps.

LOCAL 2-15

GLOBAL 16-21

BUSINESS 22-26

GLAM 27-35

WEDDINGS 36-41

HEALTH 42-43

TRAVEL 44-45

TECH 46-47

FOOD 48-49

MOTORING 50-53

SPORTS 54-56

August 2019

USingh Bolt does jOGLE

Who is USingh Bolt?

This summer, Usingh Bolt – - Barinderjit to his family and Barry to his friends, is taking on a huge challenge that has only been tackled by a few. Over 28 days, Usingh Bolt will be attempting to run the length of the nation – from John O Groats, to Lands End (JOGLE). Not an easy challenge whatsoever, but one fueled by a love of running, and the desire to raise much needed funds for a hugely worthy and valued cause.

The Background Barinderjit Singh Cheema’s love of running started in 2006. He completed his first half marathon in 2006 with his inaugural Great North Run. His first full marathon took place in London in 2007. His initial intention was only ever to conquer one of each distance, however since this time Barinderjit is a regular on half marathons, marathons and even tackles ultra-marathons. His interest in running has not gone unnoticed and Barinderjit has featured on numerous news sites. As a turban wearing runner, Barinderjit is easily spotted amongst the crowds.

Barinderjit’s home club is the Aldridge Running club, he also regularly takes part in the weekly Walsall Arboretum Parkrun.

Whilst Barinderjit runs for the love of running, through his efforts he has raised over £32,000 for various charities including Macmillan and the Stroke Association.

The JOGLE challenge Every year, the JOGLE route is commonly attempted by cyclists. Only very few runners have attempted to run between the two

1000 miles

Number of running hours estimated

At least 220 hours

Number of running days

28 – consecutive

Longest Run

48 miles

Shortest run

28 miles

Fundraising goal

£5000

Races

Great North Run (8th Sept), Worcester 10K (15th Sept)

extreme points of the UK. The challenge starts on Monday 26th August with the aim of reaching the finishing line on Sunday 22nd September, a total of 28 days consecutive running.

To keep things interesting, Barinderjit’s route has been adjusted to take in both the Great North Run (his 10th one); and also make an appearance at his regular Parkrun at Walsall Arboretum.

The Cause The rise of homelessness sees many people unable to access food easily. In 2013, 2 Sikh brothers from Walsall decided to take matters into their own hands and set up a charity to help the homeless and those in need.

The charity (Midland Langar Sewa Society – MLSS) has seen phenomenal growth – all managed on a voluntary basis with a dedicated group of kindred spirits who provide langar ‘free kitchen’ – to those in need. Feeds take place across the UK, and internationally – sometimes reaching over 25000 meals per week. Food is distributed every single night by volunteers of all ages – thanks purely to donations. This upholds the Sikh ethos of ‘Vand Shako’ – sharing

By Reema Sarin, Founder Bollyfit

with those around us.

In 2019, Sikhs will be celebrating the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Barinderjit, felt this was the right year to attempt this run and raise money to support MLSS in their ongoing efforts to provide langar for all, treating everyone as equals.

Usingh Bolt’s running career 52 half marathons, 40 full marathons and 5 ultra-marathons – a total of race 2000 miles across multiple terrains. In addition to this over 210 Parkruns and multiple shorter race distances. And not to forget all the training miles.

Useful Links Aldridge Running Club http://www.aldridgerunningclub.co.uk/ usingh-bolts-jogle-challenge.html Facebook www.facebook.com/UsinghBoltJOGLE/ MLSS www.midlandlangarseva.org/ Fundraising Page uk.virginmoneygiving. com/UsinghBolt2019 Email: usinghbolt@gmail.com Twitter @ usingh_bolt Instagram @ usingh_bolt

Cricket Helps Set the Field for Disability Sports While the Paralympics has been for some time the most high-profile exponent of disability sport, other sports which are not included in that event are coming on leaps and bounds, none more so than cricket.

England’s heroic triumph in the ICC ODI cricket world cup has put cricket more in the public conscience than any other time in living memory. As a result, people of all situations are showing more and more of an interest in participating. To facilitate this, it is important that there are opportunities for people with disabilities to play cricket. These are offered by England’s ‘Physical Disability’ and ‘Learning Disability’ squads.

One in five people in the UK purport to have a disability. Meanwhile, a 2015-16 study cited by The Guardian reports that those who are disabled are twice as likely to be

Bollyfit with

The numbers

Total Running Distance of JOGLE

physically inactive. This proves beyond any doubt, the importance of there being avenues through which those who are disabled can get into sports and other physical activity.

At a recent training session at the National Cricket Performance Centre in Loughborough, people of a multitude of physical ailments were present, ranging from cancers to amputations and club feet. All of the participants are united in their desire to prove themselves in a sporting capacity, not to have their disabilities dwelt on. They also bear the responsibility of setting an example for children who are disabled and would benefit from sports involvement.

At their weekend training session, the Physical Disability elite squad are due to be joined

by England Cricket’s deaf team, uniting groups of people who are set on sporting

By Will Rymer

achievement in spite of ailments which set the odds against them.

However, there is even more that can be done. According to Ian Martin, the head of disability cricket at the England and Wales Cricket Board, ‘The number of blind cricketers alone in India would drown the number of visually impaired athletes in Paralympic programmes across the world’. This suggests that it is possible to cultivate a culture in which people of disability feel entitled and driven to join in with a nation’s passion.

Although our country may be a way off this, the recent world cup success could well pave the way for a new wave of interest from all areas of society.

Liam Thomas, the vice-captain of England’s physical disability side, says that Matt Askin is “Our most improved player over the last couple of years”. Askin, who abandoned his prosthetic arm to play one armed instead, is representative of a great new wave of disabled cricketers, who are exemplary for younger people who may have previously felt that their physical or learning disadvantage would hamper their chances of succeeding in the sporting world. With the great work that is happening in Birmingham and across the UK to involve people in sports who would not have been previously involved, we could be on the brink of something inspiring.

55

Reema Sarin

Health Benefits of Aerobic Exercises!

The countless comforts that technology provides us today have simplified our lives, but with a price! An unhealthy body! Problems in the disguise of diabetes, hyper tension, chronic heart disease, high blood pressure and more recently obesity, have paved their way into our so called comfortable life, creating perilous threat to our lives.

To combat these problems you need to exercise vigorously enough to speed up your heart rate and keep it up for at least 20 minutes! Because it takes at least that long for your heart to work hard enough for you to experience cardiovascular and endorphin benefits. Get your heart rate up and keep it up for at least 20 minutes per session, ideally daily. Huff and puff a little. Break out in a sweat.

Burn energy. Move fast. A vigorous aerobic activity session for 45 minutes every other day is a good alternative. It builds your endurance, strengthens your heart, and increases your lung capacity.

Cardio releases endorphins, those wonderful mood-elevating brain chemicals.

The health benefits are:  Tones the muscles and makes them stronger.  Increases your speed, balance, flexibility, coordination and sharpens reflexes.  Reduces stress. Aerobic activity is one of the most successful STRESS-BUSTER programs in the Fitness industry globally.  Burns a high of 500 calories per hour.

If you are frustrated by a bulging tummy, double chin, sagging arms and extra fats, Aerobic Activity can be your efficient fat burner.  Improves heart and lung function  Lowers heart rate and blood pressure  Increases blood supply to muscles and improves ability to use oxygen

 DETOXIFIES the skin, wherein all body toxins are thrown out through intense perspiration.  Increases HDL cholesterol (the good cholesterol)  Decreases triglycerides  Reduces body fat and improves weight control  Improves glucose tolerance and reduces insulin resistance  Enhances immune function, which means:  Increases resistance to viral and bacterial infection  Increases resistance to cancer  Lowers blood sugar levels and reduces risk of diabetes  Longer life expectancy Love the moves and feel the pulse of your muscles. Feel them grow, feel the blow.

Stretch a little. Jump and Kick some more. And kick high.

The aerobic activity advantage will give you a health and heart good time advantage. Bring out the dynamo in you!

Important Exercise Tips to keep in mind: • Wear flexible and light exercise shoes and comfortable cotton or lycra exercise clothes.

• Feel free to sip water throughout the workout.

• Constantly breathe in through your nose and exhale through your mouth throughout the exercise routine.

• Stay up tall, shoulders back and hold your stomach in tight during while doing dance aerobic exercises • Be light on your feet and ALWAYS land on your heels to avoid shin splins.

• Do work out atleast 3 times a week – a minimum of 20 minutes of cardio, • Have a good warm –up, cool down and stretching exercises.

• Give yourself atleast a 2 hour gap between your meals and workouts • Eat healthy – a high protein – low carbohydrate diet, with lots of vegetables, fruits and some dairy products.

Interview with Nagina Munawar

Nagina Munawar has trained in martial arts for 30 years and has previously represented England at a national and international level. She has set up Almas Martial Arts Academy which is solely dedicated to empowering women and young girls by breaking stigmas created by society regarding health and fitness.

1. What initially inspired your passion and drive in martial arts?

It was something that my father encouraged my siblings and me to get into. It was about us being quite active, fit and utilising our energy in the right ways. I started at the age of 5, so I was quite young. Not only did it keep me fit, but it also became a life skill as I learnt how to protect myself, which helped with my confidence. Personally, it’s had a huge positive impact on my life.

2. It’s such a great achievement that you were able to represent England on an international level! How did this feel for you?

I feel truly humbled and privileged to have been able to do that. I felt that I was representing the ethnic minority community. I was able to give them hope and pave the way for them by breaking stigmas on Asian women competing in active sports. I feel like we are underrepresented when it comes to competing on a national and international level, but I’m so happy to see more people going up to compete from diverse backgrounds.

3. What do you feel has been the biggest struggle in your career?

I initially thought that I would struggle with time and commitment, but it wasn’t an issue. Training 20 hours a week I used to think how am I going to fit this around my life, but then I realised when you’re passionate about something, it all just falls into place. I did have struggles with overcoming barriers as people used to question me as a Muslim woman training in a maledominated sport. However, it was just a matter of educating people not to have this narrow mindset and understand that just because you’re Asian, it does not mean that you cannot pursue these opportunities.

4. You have now opened up Almas Martial Arts Academy, what does the academy offer?

The first thing that comes to mind is female empowerment; what I mean by this is empowering others, such as single mums, widows and the youth in showing them that we can grow strong mentally and spiritually. The training at Almas is so diverse; we do circuits which improve endurance and stamina.

For me, it’s about having a moral duty to impact lives positively also

for future generations. I find the beauty and hair industry is so big in our community, whereas inner wellbeing is put aside. Initially, the exterior is just a mask, and what is happening inside is more important.

I also run mother and daughter classes, and so many mums’ come and tell me that it’s amazing that they get to dedicate time to bond with their daughters. As mothers, we are the key foundation for any home, and it’s so important that we look after our wellbeing too. Almas is a fun environment to do that!

5. Your academy’s slogan is “Hardship Makes Champions”, what does this mean to you?

It’s a very personal slogan for me, even in the design I have kept it personal by having a silhouette of myself. It was initially inspired by Almas which means ‘diamond’, and I believe that every woman is a diamond in our own right, and we are just polishing off our edges to get the final result. For me, the ‘Hardship Makes Champions’ slogan needed to be straight to the point.

I wanted to inspire others with my own journey and struggles that I’ve had to get to where I am now, such as the barriers and hardships I have had to overcome to build Almas from the base up. I didn’t want to just speak about female empowerment; I wanted to make a difference to others, mentally, spiritually and emotionally.

6. What are your aims for the future?

I’ve got quite a few things I want to do; I want to set up some charity events where we can give back to the community. Also create some competitions, especially for my younger fighters as it prepares them for that drive and hardship at a young age. This is something that improved my life. If I didn’t have my training, I would not have been able to apply that strength and resilience to my life. I’m so fortunate to have been able to speak at events and educate people on mental strength, and this is something that I definitely want to do more of.

I want to continue to work hard, make a difference and change this idea of beauty just being judged on your exterior.

You can get in touch with Nagina Munawar via the Almas Martial Arts Facebook page.