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Birmingham’s Growing Knife Crime Crisis K

nife crime has been a growing epidemic in the UK’s second city for numerous years, causing a major concern for residents’ safety during times of escalating gang warfare and violence....

...continued on page 5

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December 2019

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Asian World’s – Hot Picks LOCAL

GLOBAL

Boris Johnson Refused to Fire Candidate who wrote Racist Articles

Over 2 Million Evacuated in Cyclone Bulbul

Designs Interview for with Roach Revamped Killa Perry Barr Station Unveiled

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T

he UK Prime Minister has come under attack for allowing a racist and prejudiced writer to work under his jurisdiction when he was the editor of the Spector...

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yclone Bulbul hit the coasts of India and Bangladesh and has resulted in the evacuation of 2 million people...

Page 12

BUSINESS

he development of a new rail and bus interchange will see a landmark new station building constructed ....

Page 18

WEDDINGS

E

xclusive QnA with RoachKilla on his exciting new come back and second album, where has he

been for the last 10 years?

Page 24

SPORTS

Alum Rock Football Academy

A

lum Rock football Academy was formed by a group of ex Sunday league players at Alum Rock Football club in 2014...

Page 53

LOCAL 2-11

GLOBAL 12-17

BUSINESS 18-21

GLAM 22-28

WEDDINGS 29-33

HEALTH 34-35

TRAVEL 36-37

TECH 38-39

Editor’s Note Hello to our readers and welcome to another edition of Asian World Newspaper! We hope that all of your preparations for the festive season and holidays are going well! With time to spare off school or work, we know you’ll want to know about all of the events going on in your area, and get up to date with the latest happenings. So have an egg-nog with your neighbour, and get talking about the most recent news and stories occurring right on your door-step!

In this edition, we will be discussing the shocking suspension of a Conservative Party member due to Islamaphobia. The Muslim Council of Britain called for MP’s resignation after a series of inappropriate questioning about his Islamic faith took place. For more information, please turn to pg 7.

We will also be examining the growing out-break of Dengue favour in Pakistan. For the full story, take a look at page 13.

In our Glam section, we have the most exclusive star interviews and news from the South Asian Entertainment industry. Want to get up close and personal with Roach Killa and find out about his amazing comeback? Flick through to page 24 for this special fea-

ture. Want an updated QnA with the incredible Subaig Singh? Take a look at page 28.

Going away this holiday season for a short break with your loved ones?

Not sure where to stay? Travel Lodge is a great choice for both comfort and price, whichever city you’re travelling to. For a full review, please go to page 36. Don’t fancy cooking tonight; want to treat someone to a delicious dinner or lunch? Read across pages 40-41 for the best in our usual restaurant reviews.

Whichever page you turn to, there’s something exciting for everyone. So, roll up a copy of the West Midland’s No.1 South Asian paper, get a seat in your favourite chair by the fire and put on your festive socks. Take a look at the rest of this issue NOW! For the latest and most exclusive 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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December 2019

LOCAL 2-11

GLOBAL 12-17

BUSINESS 18-21

GLAM 22-28

WEDDINGS 29-33

HEALTH 34-35

TRAVEL 36-37

TECH 38-39

FOOD 40-41

MOTORING 42-44

SPORTS 45-48

December 2019

5

Birmingham’s Growing Knife Crime Crisis

Front page story cont’d...

Last year, Birmingham saw one of the deadliest increases in stabbings out of the entire country. The number of victims admitted to local hospitals from stab wounds went up from 225 to 260 in 12 months. The figures, which have been recorded by the NHS, are not expected to diminish, as records have been displaying a year on year increase of fatalities. The numbers showed a 245/14 male to female patients ratio.

The second-largest ethnic group to be attacked were Asians, comprising a total of 50 of the stabbing victims, according to the National Health Service.

Birmingham is also one of the top 25 UK areas with the highest amount of knife crime per 10, 000 people, with Wolverhampton and Coventry also being high on the list. The safest areas on this list included Dorset, Monmouthshire and Cotswolds.

Knife crime surrounding the daily lives of Britain’s youths and teenagers has also become more prevalent. From 2018-19, 25 secondary school students were excluded for possession of a knife on school premises, 24 pupils faced exclusion the year before (data obtained via the freedom of information act).

Incidents of knife crime have also been shockingly occurring in broad daylights hours, with many incidents alarming inhabitants of public places and local venues. In February of this year, the old town of Walsall was put on emergency lock-down after a stabbing victim pouring in blood ran inside an eatery, begging for help. Customers of Pizza Express were not allowed to leave the establishment thereafter until the Police

arrived.

One of the most recent knife crime incidents to rock Birmingham has been the ‘machete’ brawl which broke out at Vue Cinema in Star City. Police have reported that as many as 100 teenagers caused major disorder at the scene, leaving many onlookers and young families to be distraught. Police were called to the scene on an evening in late November, when a fight broke out between three girls at around 5:30 pm.

Chaos broke out with the group ran inside screening rooms to hide, alarming visitors who had been queuing to attend the opening night of Frozen 2.

The incident occurred alongside a showing of BBC-backed gang film Blue Story. The film revolves around a postcode war in London and stars critically acclaimed actor Michael Ward from the TV Drama series Top Boy. The film has since been banned from all of the cinema Chain’s UK venues.

A total of five teenagers were arrested on the scene of the crime. A girl who is

13-years-old, two boys aged 14, and a 19-year-old were detained for assaulting police officers and obstructing them from carrying out their duties. Two machetes and a knife were found nearby and confiscated by authorities.

The West Midlands Police department issued a dispersal order to dissolve the large numbers of the crowd at the scene.

Officers were deployed with arms and guard dogs to control the ongoing riot and used tasers to move people along.

Many police officers were left with wounds to their face following the resistance and hostile response they were faced with from the crowd. Local Chief Superintendent Steve Graham stated the disorder “may be the worst thing” the responding officers had seen during their time with the force.

Following the banning of Blue Story, the film’s director Andrew Onwubolu, known as ‘Rapman’ commented that the film is about “love not violence.” He took to Twitter to share an emotional response: “Sending love to all those involved in violence at Star City in Birmingham. It’s truly unfortunate that a small group of people can ruin things for everybody. I pray that we can all learn to live with love and treat each other with tolerance and respect.”

As a Global UK Youth and Community Leader, Asian World Ambassador Zafran Mohammed was asked by the BBC Breakfast team if he was surprised at the Youth Violence incident which occurred at Star City. He said: “I was upset, but not shocked, to have witnessed what I saw via social media, as so many innocent people could have been seriously hurt. Nevertheless, I still request

the community to not look at all youths walking in a congregation as troublesome. The only way we can improve things are by parents giving their kids more time; seeing who they are making

friends with, identifying where these weapons are being supplied, and for all those in power to start investing in youth hubs rather than shutting down the few we have left open.

UK General Election The UK’s next general election will be held in arguably one of the most unsettling political periods this country has seen for decades. With Brexit negotiations facing turmoil, your vote matters the most, and it MUST be put to good use.

Candidates of their respective constituencies up and down the country have been preparing rigorously and have begun their campaigns for your vote. They have been promoting their promises and pledges across the UK, with planned reforms towards a range of sectors such as healthcare, education and the economy.

How you vote this month will impact Brexit and the future of this country.

PM Boris Johnson hopes that the election will give him a fresh mandate and resolve the parliamentary deadlock which is delaying Brexit to January 31st. The opposition, however, which is led by Labour’s Jeremy Corbin, argue that they can deliver a better solution to the Brexit crisis than the Conservatives ever could.

Other parties, including the SNP and Liberal Democrats, have also shown support for the upcoming election, asserting that it is the best prospect to stopping Brexit altogether. The parties

do not view it as inconceivable for them to form a new government, as they see none of the opposition as suitable candidates for Prime Minister.

Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson said: “I am standing as a candidate to be the next prime minister and in these volatile political times that is absolutely possible.”

Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage celebrated the upcoming election; he posted on Twitter that “Brexit now has a chance to succeed”.

If you have registered to vote in person, by proxy or by postal vote, you can do so on Thursday, December 12th.

Polling stations will be open from 7 am until 10 pm; your nearest venue is stated on your polling card.

BO OK ON LI N E SAVE U & P TO

25%

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December 2019

Ibrahim Dogus for Labour, West Bromwich East

Election Profile

dogus says: “In the weeks ahead, let’s work together to kick out Boris Johnson from Number 10, let’s get the extra money we need to rebuild local schools and Sure Starts, get more busses with more routes and regular services, invest in local skills and businesses and rebuild the local NHS.”

Name: Ibrahim Dogus Born: July 1980 in Turkey Nationality: Kurdish Background: Dogus was born in Turkey to a father who was a political activist. When his job placed him in danger, the family fled to the UK where Dogus received much of his formal education and upbringing. Having arrived in this country as a fleeing teenager to escape persecution, Dogus is forever grateful for it having provided him with a safe refuge and place to grow up.

He is familiar with the hardships of working-class people, such as living in temporary accommodation, stressing over finance bills and working long hours on minimum wage. That’s why he wants to make a difference, having experienced these problems firsthand, he knows how urgently help is needed and where.

During his youth, Dogus began a job as a waiter and a decade later, opened his first restaurant business. He now owns three

restaurants in London and also publishes the free newspaper Lambeth Life. Dogus is the founder of the beer brand Bira.

He also initiated the Centre for Turkey Studies and Centre for Kurdish Progress, which seek to build bridges across divided communities. The organisations also hold the British Kebab Awards.

Political Career: Dogus was first formally introduced to politics in school when a teacher asked him to speak for Kurdish human rights at a NUT meeting.

There he met Jeremy Corbyn and began campaigning for him.

Positioning himself as a community leader early on in his career, Dogus began rallying for an end to mob violence and knife crime.

He stood up to local gangs and was demanded to stop. When he did not heed the warning and continued with his important work, he was terrifyingly shot in the stomach.

That’s why the Labour candidate is so thankful for our country’s NHS, and recognises the important work its nurses and doctors do every day.

He vows to protect it to the best of his ability, and stop the NHS being stretched so short due to the Conservatives.

Dogus became actively involved in politics from the early 2000s onwards. In April of 2019, he was elected as Mayor of Lambeth London Borough Council. As a member of the party, he has founded SME4Labour Group, which

promotes strong links between local enterprises and MPs. He also began the Labour Campaign for Gambling Reform. He is currently running for election as a candidate for West Bromwich East.

Aims and Priorities: • Free personal care for over 65s, and pension justice for women born in the 1950’s.

• A fully staffed and properly funded NHS with reduced waiting times.

• Securing a better deal for Brexit.

• Small class sizes in school and support for special education needs.

• Recruiting more members to the Police Force.

• Recruiting more members to the Police Force.

Man Jailed for Setting Fire to Sikh Temple and Church

By Manisha Bhanot

A middle-aged Caucasian man was arrested for religious hate crimes after setting places of worship alight.

Paul Johnson leaked petrol onto the doors of both a Gudwara and a Methodist Church. He informed authorities that he wished to be caught in the act, and had hoped to watch both buildings go up in flames.

The 49-year-old was given a hearing at Edinburgh Crown Court. Those in attendance heard how on an evening just a few weeks prior; he bought a container of petrol for £3.51 from a nearby fuelling station.

Before 5 am the following morning, an early worshipper attending the Temple noticed a fire had broken out by the entranceway. He immediately notified a man sleeping in the quarters within and authorities were contacted.

The fire brigade was called, and it took a total of two high-rise engines and 11 firefighters to tackle the blaze. Luckily, no one was killed or injured during the attack.

Just a few hours later, the groundskeeper at Leith Methodist Church identified a smell of petrol and fumes near the front door of the building. After

noticing no flames were present, he cleaned up the entranceway.

However, he heard about the fire at the Gurdwara shortly afterwards and reported the incident to the Police.

Security recordings from the locality showed Johnson walking up the Church between 12.03 am and 12.13 am, with a bright flare of light being visible. CCTV footage from the Gurdwara about 40 minutes thereafter revealed him approaching the doors and lighting a piece of paper while holding onto a jerry can.

He came back to the premises twice on the same night to light more paper and toss it towards the door before making a getaway on foot. Police arrested and detained Johnson after spotting him in Leith in the early hours of the morning around two days

after the crimes. When interrogated about his involvement in the fires, he immediately admitted his part and said: “I did it.”

Advocate depute Alan Cameron told the court: “The accused was asked as to his motivation for the fires and stated that he was looking to make a political statement, but would not provide further details. When asked whether this was religiously motivated, he stated that he has no issue with any particular religion, but his issues are with religion and God in general.”

Johnson has previous convictions on his record for reckless and culpable conduct. He has previously served a 4-month prison sentence in 2017. For his latest offence, he is to be sentenced for up to 4 years in prison.

LOCAL 2-11

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GLOBAL 12-17

BUSINESS 18-21

GLAM 22-28

WEDDINGS 29-33

HEALTH 34-35

TRAVEL 36-37

A Tory spokesperson said

The Conservative party will never stand by when it comes to prejudice and discrimination of any kind. That’s why we are already establishing the terms of an investigation to make sure that such instances are isolated and robust processes are in place to stamp them out as and when they occur

TECH 38-39

FOOD 40-41

MOTORING 42-44

SPORTS 45-48

Boris Johnson Refused to Fire candidate who wrote ‘Racist’ Articles The UK Prime Minister has come under attack for allowing a racist and prejudiced writer to work under his jurisdiction when he was the editor of the Spector. The Conservative Party candidate in question mentioned in his writing that immigrants were responsible for bringing various diseases and pathogens to the UK. The aforementioned journalist, named Anthony Browne, was an ex-lobbyist for the British Banker’s association.

He was a reporter for the Observer and Times newspapers and stood as the Tory representative for South Cambridgeshire.

Browne is one of Borison’s exclusive political advisors who have strong links to the PM’s administrative department. He is not the first to be selected as a candidate for the Conservative party in one of their safe seats.

However, Browne is the first of the party’s candidates who has not been immediately dismissed after voicing inappropriate opinions.

The conservative party has always

been coming under fire for racist comments and addresses. In the past, some Conservative MPs were sacked and put under investigation after making culturally inappropriate remarks via a Facebook group on social media.

In a story for the Spectator, written in 2002 under Johnson’s editorship, Browne wrote: “It is not through letting in terrorists that the government’s policy of mass migration – especially from the third world – will claim the most lives. It is through letting in too many germs.”

Browne also claimed that “curbing the influx of HIV immigrants” would be a better public health approach to tackling HIV than telling people to wear condoms.

Browne has since apologised for his remarks which were made over 15 years ago. He says that at the time, he was undergoing a period of being deliberately provocative and contrary.

His peers claim he regrets writing the articles.

“

MCB calls for the suspension of local Conservative Party following resignation over Islamophobia Commenting on the resignation, Harun Khan, Secretary General of the MCB, said:

“

The barrage of questioning the prospective candidate faced solely due to their Muslimness is unacceptable. The local party must be suspended immediately whilst an investigation takes place.

This is yet another example demonstrating how the Conservative Party has proven itself to be fertile breeding ground for Islamophobia. What more needs to happen for the party to acknowledge the problem?

As the General Election draws closer, many British Muslims will want to vote for the Conservatives, as they have done before. We fear many will be held back by the systemic Islamophobia that exists in the party, and will remain sceptical of claims of an antiracist Conservative Party.

It now must accept responsibility, commit to an independent inquiry into Islamophobia, and genuinely seek to tackle anti-Muslim racism in its ranks.

“

The Muslim Council of Britain has called on the Conservative Party to suspend Stourbridge Conservative Association following the resignation of Deputy Chairman, Kyle Pedley, over Islamophobia in the party.

In an interview with the BBC, Mr Pedley explained he quit the Conservative Party following an incident whereby a prospective candidate for a nomination to stand in council elections was subject to an inappropriate line of questioning about his religion in such meeting. This questioning included “are you really a Muslim? Do you pray 5 times a day? How many times do you go to the mosque? How many Muslims do you think there are in the world?”

The former Deputy Chairman of Stourbridge Conservative Association said he made complaints to Conservative Central Office and the office of the party’s Chairman, James Cleverly, but did not receive a response.

This comes only days after a number of current and former Conservative councillors were exposed in The Guardian for posting Islamophobic and racist material on social media. These posts included calls for mosques to be banned, claims the faith wants to “turn the world Muslim”, referring to its followers as “barbarians” and “the enemy within”.

December 2019

7

Anita Bhalla Awarded ‘Brummie of the Year’ at the Birmingham Awards 2019

By Charlie Murray

Anita Bhalla OBE, the chair of Town Hall Symphony Hall, has been named as ‘Brummie of the Year’ at the 5th Birmingham Awards.

The sold-out awards event took place at the Birmingham Library, was hosted by Ed James from Heart FM, and featured live entertainment from the Aston Performing Arts Academy. It also aimed to raise money for the award show’s charity partner, LoveBrum, which supports local projects and charities to make a difference in the city. Every year, it brings together the different industries and sectors in the city to honour people and businesses that have positively contributed to the future of Birmingham.

Anita Bhalla was recognised for the well-known ‘Brummie of the Year’ award due to her many achievements that have benefitted Birmingham.

These included establishing the BBC Asian Network in the West Midlands. Also mentioned was her work on the Social Inclusion Commission, and her commitment to public services, such as being a trustee of the Children’s University.

Anita’s other positions include being a board member of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP, Council Member at Warwick University, Chair of West Midlands Mayor Leadership Commission and Governor of the Royal Shakespeare Company.

She used to be a trained teacher before becoming a Community Relations Officer and then a Community Worker. As a Community Worker in Handsworth, Birmingham, she also demonstrated her commitment to public services and welfare groups by setting up and running one of the first hostels for Asian women.

She has also had a 26-year media career with the BBC, which included her being one of the first regionally-based bi-media correspondents. She also became Head and Editor of the BBC’s Public Space Broadcasting. Interestingly, she was also High Sheriff of the West Midlands from 2010-2011.

This is not Anita Bhalla’s first award to celebrate her many achievements; She also won the Commission for Racial Equality’s Race in the Media National Television News Award and the Windrush Broadcaster of the Year. She was awarded her OBE in 2009, for her services to Broadcasting and Communities.

A fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Anita has honorary degrees from Wolverhampton University, Birmingham City University and Warwick University.

Other winners of the Awards, which were founded

by Ifraz Ahmed and Anita Chumber, included Anna Assinder (Young Achiever of the Year), Hotel du Vin Birmingham (Bar or Pub of the Year), Unique IQ ltd (Business of the Year), and Jaki Graham won the Lifetime Achievement award.

8

December 2019

The Heartbreak and Harsh Reality of Helping

“The last thing anyone wants to do is let down a person in need. For me saying no doesn’t come easy, especially seeing the situations that most people here are in. The remote villages of Tanga (one of Tanzania’s poorest regions) have to live and survive in harsh conditions, and I definitely wasn’t looking forward to saying no even more so than in daily life.”

Those were the words of volunteer Nazia Choudhry as she prepared to distribute aid to poverty-stricken and impoverished villagers as part of a 10day charity deployment to Tanzania.

Nazia, a human resources officer from Birmingham, was one of six volunteers taking part in Mission Possible, run by the charity Islamic Help. Each of the six raised £5,000 for October’s deployment and the aid that they directly distributed to beneficiaries.

That involved interviewing villagers and selecting who would receive the aid, which ranged from livestock for livelihoods to bicycles for schoolchildren who would normally have to walk - barefoot - to classes several miles each day.

It also meant having to tell some of the villagers they would be going away empty-handed as they didn’t meet the needs criterion used for the aid distribution. As these extracts from Nazia’s blog -written during the deployment – explain, it was a day she had been dreading.

“Prior to us being able to distribute though came the tough part – letting

those beneficiaries we’d interviewed, but not chosen to receive aid, know that they hadn’t been selected.

But I understand what Islamic Help is trying to teach us with this experience. As much as we may want to, we can’t help everyone. Every situation and need has to be individually as-

sessed and acted upon.

Going to see our first beneficiary to explain they hadn’t been selected had me filled with dread and anxiety.

Walking towards the beneficiary’s home, a million things were running through my mind. Had we picked the right people to say no to? Did these

people really not deserve the aid over the others? How would they react when they find out we hadn’t selected them?

With my mind racing, we sat down and looking at the beneficiary, my heart sank as I attempted to clear my mind of all the thoughts and focus

on wording how we would break the news to him.

I had come on this journey to help as many people as possible but I had also come with the intent to push myself out of my comfort zone, so I realised this was something – as uncomfortable as it was for me – that I had to do.

Between us, we explained gently to the beneficiaries that we understood their struggles but had decided from our interviews that there were other beneficiaries who did require the aid more than themselves at this time, and we were sorry we couldn’t help them in this moment.

The man turned to us and thanked us which took me by surprise. I didn’t really know what to expect with his reaction but I wasn’t expecting the gratitude portrayed, simply for us having come out just to speak to them despite us giving him news I’m sure he did not want to hear.

It broke my heart in more ways than one. These people who have next to nothing can be so gracious and polite despite all the hardships they face.

This was amazing to me and makes me want to be better as a person and a reminder that we should be thankful for every action incurred by people for us.”

The full blog and those of the other volunteers on the 2019 and previous deployments, plus details of the Mission Possible programme can be found at www.islamichelp.org.uk/ missionpossible

LOCAL 2-11

GLOBAL 12-17

BUSINESS 18-21

GLAM 22-28

WEDDINGS 29-33

HEALTH 34-35

TRAVEL 36-37

TECH 38-39

FOOD 40-41

MOTORING 42-44

SPORTS 45-48

WINTER APPEAL Millions of people in need risk freezing to death this winter due to a lack of proper winter clothing, heating and food.

Help us save lives this winter.

DONATE A WINTER PACK TODAY FROM ONLY £30 islamichelp.org.uk/winter DONATE ONLINE • PHONE • BANK TRANSFER

0121 446 5682 islamichelp.org.uk

Charity Number 1160490

December 2019

9

December 2019

Residents Concerned over Bogus test-drive car robber jailed Rising Oil Level in Walsall Canal thanks to DNA hit

A prolific robber who stole cars worth a total of more than £60,000 from garages across Birmingham has been jailed for nine years after West Midlands Police traced him from DNA on a cup he left behind.

Zahir Qayum posed as a potential buyer wanting to test drive cars, but once in the vehicles he forced sales reps to get out before driving away.

On 25 March this year Qayum left the boot open of a Toyota Yaris he was viewing at Toyota World and, when the rep got out to shut it, he sped off.

However, a cup of water he’d left on the roof flew off as he drove away and testing on the rim returned a DNA hit to the 41-year-old.

Officers seized clear CCTV images showing Qayum in the showroom and at three other dealerships where cars had been taken, as well as at an attempted robbery at a betting shop in the city.

On 18 July last year Qayum was being taken for a test drive in a BMW, worth £17,800, from Listers Audi in Birmingham, when he pointed a four-inch flick knife at the stomach of the sale rep.

The victim pulled onto a car park and got out before Qayum moved into the driver’s seat and sped away.

And a sales rep from Motorpoint Car Supermarket in Lichfield Road was taking Qayum for a test drive in a VW Golf GTD, valued at £18,999, on 10 April when Qayum indicated he had a knife and threatened the rep before speeding

off. In end of April, Qayum threatened another sales rep during a test drive from Motofair in Sheldon before driving off in a Hyundai i30.

Three days later Qayum, armed with a syringe, grabbed a woman working at William Hill in Ward End, Birmingham and demanded cash. He eventually fled empty handed.

Following a four-day trial Qayum, of Maryland Avenue, Hodge Hill, was convicted of three counts of robbery and jailed for nine years at Birmingham Crown Court on 7 November.

He was also found guilty of attempted robbery, theft of a motor vehicle, possession of a blade and four charges of driving while disqualified, with sentences to run concurrently.

Qayum was further disqualified from driving for seven and a half years.

“

Detective Sergeant Tom Lyons from force CID, said

This prolific offender has used threats and a knife to intimidate his victims.

A combination of strong forensics work and dedicated officers scouring hours of CCTV footage has resulted in him being convicted of 10 offences and sentenced to nine years in custody.

“

10

The well known Walsall Canal is a historic land-marker in the West Midlands region. The body of water runs for an approximate seven miles from Ryders Green Junction to Walsall Town Wharf.

The surrounding canal area is also home to some notable sites. These include mooring facilities and New Walsall Art Gallery, which attracts thousands of visitors each year.

However, those living within the county recently raised concerns over a dark and sticky substance that has been found in the canal waters. It is unknown as to whether the oil was purposely or accidentally spilt into the canal and who by.

Mortified Local Claire Turner stated that she was “absolutely shocked” when she saw what had become of the colour of the canal. The canal water was photographed by onlookers as having a sheen to its surface due to a chemical compound having fallen within it.

Claire Turner continued: “We’ve phoned the Canal and River Trust and Environment Agency to report it.

“I took pictures of it on Friday, and it was really bad. Oil was in the water, and all the reeds were black.

“I put my fingers on the bottom of the reeds, and my fingers were covered in oil. I don’t know where it’s come from.

“It looks to me like someone has

By Manisha Bhanot

thrown an oil drum in there, but there’s no evidence of that.”

Residents also noticed that the birds and geese that are usually seen afloat on the canal were nowhere to be found. Fears have been raised for the aquatic life living beneath the water’s surface.

“My other half said it was bad,

but when I saw it I was absolutely shocked, I couldn’t believe it,” she added.

“If something had been done earlier, it might have stopped spreading.”

The Environment Agency and Canal & River Trust have been asked for comment. No response has yet been given.

LOCAL 2-11

GLOBAL 12-17

BUSINESS 18-21

GLAM 22-28

WEDDINGS 29-33

HEALTH 34-35

TRAVEL 36-37

TECH 38-39

FOOD 40-41

MOTORING 42-44

SPORTS 45-48

December 2019

11

Man Sentenced for Wednesbury Two Handbag Charged Mugging

after Fatal Lozells Stabbing

Flower tributes and heartwarming notes have been pouring in after a young man lost his life on Lozells Road in Birmingham. The incident occurred on a Sunday afternoon when the unfortunate victim was knifed to death during broad daylight hours.

The man, who has been named as Mazammal Mahmood Butt, was murdered outside of Muzammal Halal Butchers Shop. Emergency services were called to the scene before 3:30 pm, when the victim was taken into hospital and later pronounced dead.

A notice outside of the butcher’s shop a few days after the incident announced that the premises would be closed to the public for some time. It read: “Shop will be closed 3 days due to fatality.” It also informed those wishing to pay their respects that they could do so at Zia ul Quran Masjid, which is the local Mosque on Alum Rock Road.

The deceased was nicknamed ‘Zamy’ and will be a strongly missed member of the surrounding community. He is believed to have lived in the apartment above the butcher’s and was well-liked by the fellow shop-owners in the area.

The police have arrested a man and a woman in relation to the incident. Mobeen Shazad, aged 27 and also from Lozells was arrested from a car shortly after the attack. It is believed that he knew Zamy prior to the stabbing. Sheridan Fitzimmons aged 28 from Highgate was also put under arrest. The pair will be held on trail at Birmingham Magistrates court with murder charges.

Another man-made an appearance outside of the Butcher’s during the time that it had been sectioned off from the public due to ongoing investigation. He was permitted to go inside the premises with a police family liaison officer. When he came out of the building, he was clearly distraught and began to weep. He was then led away by his peers.

A man who was identified in less than 24 hours after a West Midlands Police appeal was released to trace a handbag thief, has been jailed for three years and two months.

Divinder Bhadesh, of no fixed above, was standing on Market Place at the junction with Shambles in Wednesbury town centre on an evening at around 5.30pm, when a woman came and stood near to him while waiting for a taxi from the rank behind them.

Bhadesh saw this as an opportunity to steal the 57-year-old woman’s handbag and stopped at nothing to make off with it. The 23-year-old approached the woman from the side and grabbed the strap of her handbag from her shoulder and began tugging.

Wolverhampton Crown Court heard how the woman refused to let go and so Bhadesh pulled her to the floor, making her hit her head off a signpost and continued struggling with her for the bag. The woman was left with broken fingers as he ran off down the road with her bag, which contained only £40 in cash, a debit card and personal items of no significant value.

West Bromwich neighbourhood and investigation teams began their enquiries and the next day, released images of the man that needed identifying for the violent robbery on Facebook and Twitter. It took less than 24 hours for members of the public to put a name to his face and he was swiftly arrested. In police interview, he admitted to the offence and said he needed money for medical treatment.

PC Adam Harris, from the West Bromwich Neighbourhood team, said: “This was a particularly nasty robbery in a busy area simply for a handbag that has left a woman needing further surgery to her fingers nearly a month on.

“The woman has been left traumatised because of this and it is unfair that other people could be put off from simply going about their business in the town centre alone.

“I’d like to thank all the eagle-eyed members of the community who contacted us to either give us a name or information on the area the man frequented. Ultimately, the quick-time release of his image and people’s willingness to help the police has ensured that this man is behind bars.”

Bhadesh was jailed for three years and two months in late November, and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £149.

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12

December 2019

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CASE OF 4 BRITONS ACCUSED OF “INSULT” HIGHLIGHTS RISKS OF FALSE ALLEGATIONS IN UAE

The CCTV footage shows a cordial encounter as a group of friends approach a woman whom they think they know. When they realise that she is someone else, everyone is polite, and the encounter breaks up, with each going on their way. But this is Dubai, a place where nearly any interaction can become a criminal case.

This autumn, four friends from the UK were on holiday in the UAE; while shopping in Jumeirah Beach, one of them thought he spotted a woman he knew, so he got her attention to say hello. After seeing that he was mistaken, he and his friend chatted with the woman for a moment and then they continued into the mall. The next day, police arrived at the friends’ hotel informing the group that the woman was pressing charges against all of them for insulting her.

Suddenly, their holiday became a prolonged ordeal, a trial, a travel ban, and attempted extortion.

As the four faced a court case, with potential fines and jail time, the woman (who claims to be a prominent social media influencer) approached the men through a lawyer offering to drop the charges in exchange for AED 400,000. When they refused, her fee for withdrawing the case reduced to AED 200,000, or roughly £45,000.

“It is disturbingly easy to fabricate a criminal case in the UAE,” says Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai, “So much power is given to accusers that making false allegations can be a profitable endeavour particularly when directed against foreigners and tourists who vulnera-

ble and so desperate to return home that they may actually pay the extortion. In this case, the men refused to submit to the demand, and were sentenced to just AED 5,000, but the complainant has appealed; they face a new verdict this Thursday, and we hope the judge will simply dismiss the matter since there are multiple witnesses and CCTV footage to corroborate that no conflict ever actually occurred.”

Stirling cautions that similar cases come to their attention frequently.

“British citizen Laleh Shahravesh was jailed over a perceived insult on Facebook, Nichole Coffel was charged with slander when she asked her Emirati employer for her unpaid wages, Ali Issa Ahmad, also from the UK, was jailed for nothing more than wearing a Qatar football jersey in Sharjah; innocent people like Jamie Harran and Asa Hutchinson faced criminal charges over minor misunderstandings that became unjustifiably inflated into police matters, simply because it is so easy to escalate trivial issues into criminal charges in the UAE. It has happened more often than I can mention for an accuser to offer a withdrawal of the case in exchange for money paid out of court. Tourists need to be aware of the risks they face in the Emirates, even if they obey the law and respect the customs; the system is so severely flawed that everyone is vulnerable to false allegations and wrongful conviction.”

Over 2 Million People Evacuated Due to Cyclone Bulbul

By Charlie Murray

Cyclone Bulbul hit the coasts of India and Bangladesh and has resulted in the evacuation of 2 million people from all 13 of the latter country’s coastal districts to 5,558 storm shelters.

Ambia Begum, one of the people who headed to an emergency storm shelter, said that she spent the night with 400 other people. She expressed worries about her cattle, which she could not take with her, and her house’s straw roof, as the 75mph winds resulted in roofs being ripped off of houses.

Officials have said that the timely evacuations, as well as the building of thousands of coastal shelters, have helped the countries to avoid further casualties, which include the five deaths in Bangladesh by falling trees, and at least 20 other injuries. In Bangladesh, a 52-year-old woman died when a tree dropped onto her house, as she had returned to it after spending the night in a shelter. Furthermore, a 60-year-old fisherman died after ignoring the evacuation warnings, despite tens of thousands of troops and volunteers going door-todoor with loudspeakers insisting that people should evacuate their villages.

The Press Trust of India (PTI) has stated that ten people were killed in the West Bengal area of India, 2 of them after uprooted trees fell on their homes and one from being hit by falling branches in Kolkata. Two others died in the Odisha state. In spite of this, nearly 120,000 of those evacuated from India

off the south-East of Bangladesh. An official told Reuters that they would all be rescued.

After boats capsized on Sunday due to strong winds and currents, a fishing trawler sank on the Meghna river, resulting in 1 fisherman drowning and five were left missing.The worst-hit district in Bangladesh was coastal Khulna, where trees swayed violently and were uprooted, blocking roads and people from accessing the region.

The disaster management minister, Enamur Rahman, also said that some low-lying parts of the district were flooded. Most of the victims had refused to evacuate and died due to falling trees.

Bangladesh weather bureau deputy chief Ayesha Khatun has stated that as the cyclone moved inland, it weakened into a tropical storm and “turned into a deep depression, causing heavy rainfall”. Authorities have confirmed that wind speeds have now come down to between 43-50mph.

AW Facts Did you know? started to return home once the cyclone weakened.

The fierce gales and torrential rain resulted in the partial or full damage of around 6,000 homes. Disaster

management secretary Shah Kamal stated that the cyclone damaged around 4,000 mostly mud and tin-built houses.

Airports and ports in both countries were closed, including the busy Kolkata

Airport and Bangladesh’s two biggest ports of Mongla and Chittagong. The cancellation of boat services left around 1,500 tourists, most of them Bangladeshi, stranded on St Martin’s island

Pakistan shares a border of land with China, India, Afghanistan, and Iran.

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Officials Concerned by High Dengue Outbreak in Pakistan National reports have calculated that almost 50, 000 people have been infected

by Dengue fever in Pakistan this year.

The figures have reached a never before seen rise, and the outbreak has caused the death of over 50 people, with a total of 370 dead in the last eight years.

Dengue is a mosquito-borne disease which transmits a viral infection. Symptoms can include a high temperature, muscle and joint pain, as well as severe headaches, vomiting and a widespread rash.

There is no specific vaccine for the Dengue. It is normally known to pass on its own with the help of administered vitamins, painkillers and fever remedies. However, those with weak immune systems and other illnesses have known to be killed by Dengue in the most severe cases.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) does not recommend travel to Pakistan during this time as a result of the rapid spreading of the disease. If the virus is

to spread to the neighbouring country of Afghanistan, it is believed their resources will be strongly tested.

The group also claim that when Dengue was spreading in Peshawar, Pakistan two years ago, the response facilities used there have never been incorporated since. The tracking of the outbreak from there on has also been poor and unorganised.

In order to combat the disease, the WHO backs the logical approach called Integrated Vector Management (IVM) to apprehend mosquito vectors, including Aedes spp. The organisation state that Vector Management programmes should be monitored and improved to remove potential breeding sites, reduce vector density, and one-off exposures.

The WHO’s chief in Pakistan, Palitha Mahipala, said that the organisation was supporting a comprehensive response plan. He stated, “We have donated equipment and investigation kits, as well as building the capacity of health.”

Miss Bangladesh Creates Bangladesh Train Crash History; First Miss Universe from an Asian Muslim Country Miss Bangladesh has created history.

You must be wondering how. Let’s break the mystery then!! She became the first Miss Universe from an Asian Muslim country.

Miss Bangladesh Universe Shirin Akter Shela was crowned at a glittering ceremony by former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen. By achieving this feat; she has become the first contestant from a Muslim majority country in South Asia to compete for this prestigious title of Miss Universe.

It also must be brought to your notice that there were quite a few Muslim contestants in the past. But those participants were from the Middle East or Africa.

The contest was held in Dhaka, and Shirin beat beauty queens, namely Alisha Islam and Jessia Islam. She

is a third-year physics student at the University of Dhaka. Shirin proved that she is not just about beauty, but she also brains. She wowed the judges with her style and her intelligence.

Her father is a member of the Border Guard Bangladesh. She developed a patriotic zeal by watching her father fight for the country.

During the pageant, Shirin revealed that her father was a big inspiration in her life. She mentioned that she wanted to do something to better the condition of Bangladesh. This, however, began with her winning the title of Miss Universe Bangladesh.

She was also announced as the best female model in the Face of Bangladesh 2019 contest. In 2018 Shirin took part in Miss Bangladesh World and got selected in the top ten contestants.

By Priyanka Dutta In 2019, she represented Bangladesh at Face of Asia 2019. This event was organised in Seoul, South Korea.

Shirin began her journey in July 2019 for Miss Universe Bangladesh. More than 12,000 participants applied for this title. Bangladesh is the first Asian country with a Muslim majority to be successful in the Miss Universe contest.

Shirin will be representing Bangladesh at the 68th edition of Miss Universe which will take place on 8th December at Atlanta, Georgia. Top models from 130 countries will be participating in the main event.

After her selection, many people expressed their happiness and shared their feelings on social media.

We are wishing her all the best!

By Grace Lea A tragic crash occurred in Bangladesh in the early hours of the morning, in which the Uyudan Express bound for Chattogram hit the final carriage of the Turna Nishitha train headed to Dhaka, at the Mondabagh Railway Station. At around 3.30 am, the trains collided, the impact of the accident was significantly worsened due to the darkness and many passengers being fast asleep.

First on the scene were the railway authorities, beginning their rescue operation with the aid of the local people. The emergency fire and police services joined the operation soon after.

10 people were declared dead at the scene, with almost 40 others admitted to various hospitals across Bangladesh.

In total, over 50 people were injured by the tragic accident. There also spread a concern that bodies were still trapped amongst the wreckage.

The impact of the collision was furthered in the wide-spread disruption to the train systems, although such an impact was on a much lesser scale than lives lost. For 8 hours all interconnection was suspended between Dhaka and Chattogram or Sylhet, due to the obstructed train lines as the relief train did not appear on the scene for at least two hours post-incident.

The exact details of the accident are still unknown, and the Brahmanbaria

District Administration has begun an investigation into the crash. There remains speculation as to the cause of the accident. There was first the concern that the signalling was faulty, and the indication for the Turna Nishitha was not there. However, there has been a further suggestion that the driver of the Dhaka bound train was at fault, disregarding the apparent signal and hitting the final bogey of the train intentionally.

Compensation was offered to both the injured victims and the families of those who had died. Each of the families were sent TK 100,000 (approximately £915) for compensation of their loved ones’ deaths, and a further TK 20,000 for their funerals. Those who were injured were also compensated, getting only TK 10,000 (£91), a small price to pay for the drastic loss and disruption caused.

The carnage created from this tragic accident has highlighted the need for improvements to the railway services and its staff, with an emphasis on the need for improved and better-quality training for drivers and the body of railway workers in general. The trains are the safest mode of transportation for the people and goods of Bangladesh, so it is important that they maintain optimum safety. As made evident by this tragic incident, drastic improvements, therefore, need to be made.

14

December 2019

Sri Lanka’s New Military President: Gotabaya Rajapaksa gets sworn in

Viral Photo of Indian Girl Living in Slums got her into school

A five-year-old living in Hyderabad was given a free place in school after an image of her peeking into a classroom caused a public outcry

By Manisha Bhanot

Gatabaya Rajapaksa has been elected into presidency by the Sri Lankan general public. As the first ex-military personnel to assume office, his new position has caused concern surrounding issues of human rights and fair treatment of minorities.

The 70-year-old was successful in his campaign as a result of winning the majority Sinhala population vote. The election had a record breaking turnout of 80% in which Rajapaksa secured 52% of the vote by defeating his opponent Sajith Premadsa.

In his rally, the retired militant had also appealed to the minority Tamil and Muslim citizens living in Sri Lanka.

These groups make up around 20% of the South Asian Island nation’s population. However, most of them refused to back him, which was a response that the then-candidate was not expecting.

Rajapaksa has pledged to make national security a priority, and follow a neutral foreign policy. After the Easter Bombings earlier this year, the safety of citizens has been a major concern for the government. It is even believed that he will re-enforce surveillance measures and increase patrols in certain regions.

However, the new President will have a difficult road ahead of him. Sri Lanka is still suffering under the heavy burden of national debt after the end of a civil war some time ago. The country’s residents expect an efficient way of managing sectors and finance from their new leader, as was carried out by the last Prime Minister.

Not everyone was in favour with the results of the election. Rajapaksa has been referred to as “the terminator” by his rivals and his own family. The alarming nick-name comes after him being faced with accusations of torture and corruption. He has even been blamed for hiring military death squads to hunt down Tamil separatists during the war when his brother Mahinda Rajapaksa was President.

Hilmy Ahmed, the vice-president of the Sri Lanka Muslim Council said: “It is all our worst fears realised. Sri Lanka is totally polarised by this result and we can see through the votes there is now a clear divide between the Sinhala Buddhist majority and the minorities. It is a huge challenge to see how the country could be united.”

Divya Lakshman has become a local celebrity after becoming the subject of a recent photograph, which was circulated among millions of people online.

It depicted the shy child gazing into a schoolroom while holding an empty container.

The emotive image of the five-yearold, taken in her southern home city of Hyderabad, was published in a Telugu newspaper. The caption written translates as “hungry gaze”, and it quickly generated a response from readers. People began to assume another starving child was being denied food and the fundamental right to education. The next day, the school Divya was sighted at enrolled her without hesitation.

Staff at the school are hopeful that the media exposure will help promote the institute, as there is a shortage of teachers and materials there. There is no gating around the school, so monitors have to watch for intruders and the safety of the children constantly.

However, some people, especially par-

ents of the children living in the nearby slum, were displeased with the photo.

They said it did not show the full story and left people to make the worst judgements about the state of the child.

Divya’s father, Mr M Lakshman, is a rag collector, and his wife Yashoda, a sweeper. He stated: “I felt sad when I saw the photo” because Divya was portrayed as an unfed orphan when she, in fact, has parents who are “working so hard to give her a good future.”

The concerned parent explained that he was in fact waiting for Divya to turn six,

so she could join her other two sisters that attend the school already. Mr Lakshman and his wife also have an older son who has graduated from school already and also take care of his brother-in-law’s five orphaned children.

Mr Lakshman explained that as a plastic and glass recycler, he and his wife earn around £108 a month between them, which is enough to pay for the family’s clothing, food, and rent of their onebedroom apartment. They do not need to pay tuition fees as the neighbouring school is government-run and free to

attend.

Divya’s father also explained that his youngest daughter was photographed at the school on that day as she had gone there to take advantage of the leftover free school meals that are given to the younger kids. He said if anything, the popularity of the photograph is allowing children to be enrolled in the school from a younger age and encouraging other youngsters in the slum to attend as well.

World Bank’s planned $250 million Eastern Burma project will fuel conflict

We the undersigned, reject the World Bank’s planned $250 million “Peaceful and Prosperous Communities Project” (PPCP) for the alleged development of conflict-affected areas of Eastern Burma.

The Peaceful and Prosperous Communities Project (PPCP)’s stated objective is “to address the significant and historical underinvestment in public infrastructure, services, and support for marketoriented activities in areas of Myanmar that have suffered from long-running conflicts.”

At the current time and in its current form, the project could undermine the rights of our Karen communities, threaten our aspirations for more au-

tonomy and the protection of our culture and traditions, and even risk prolonging conflict and delaying a political solution to conflict.

No-one wants economic development more than those of us from conflict zones, but it must be the right kind of development at the right time. When implemented at the wrong time, development projects can do more harm than good.

To resolve the conflict, there must be a new federal power sharing structure, whereby development decisions and programs can be led by those selected by and accountable to local people.

By contrast, this project, which was negotiated between the Naypyidaw central

government and the World Bank, will be delivered through the central government’s Union Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation, as well as the central government’s General Administration Department.

The PPCP includes a $225 million loan repayable to the World Bank. It was initiated within the framework of Naypyidaw’s 2018 “Myanmar Sustainable Development Plan,” which claims that underdevelopment is one of the key root causes of conflict in Burma. This is a false claim and deliberately misrepresents the situation in ethnic states of Burma. It is worth noting that there are serious concerns about a similar project, the Rakhine Recovery and Develop-

ment Support Project, the World Bank is working on in Rakhine State with the central government.

The root cause of the decades-long civil war is not underdevelopment but the lack of equality and power sharing. This fact is being sustained by the ongoing centralised governance, enshrined in the current 2008 constitution. This World Bank project is designed and controlled by only one party to the conflict – Naypyidaw – in order to expand its unitary structures into ethnic-governed areas.

This is not a neutral development assistance project. The World Bank risks being seen by ethnic Karen and other ethnic people as taking the side of central government against them.

Any project of this nature must come after political reform and include meaningful consultation with and participation of local civil society, ethnic armed organizations, and the local government. Indigenous rights must be respected and be integral in the development and implementation of development projects.

Development is not a substitute for political reform. Attempts to force through development projects without local buy-in, through meaningful consultation and political reform that gives more local control, risks entrenching political conflict and fuelling the civil war.

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December 2019

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Dead Bird Mystery at Sambhar Salt Lake

People have been left baffled after a total of around 2,400 dead birds, of various species, have been found around India’s biggest inland salt lake at Sambhar.

Images released by News18 have shown these dead birds scattered around the perimeter of the lake, which is over 190 square kilometres (73 square miles) at full capacity. The photographs were taken after locals sighted the carcasses.

The lake is located in the state of Rajasthan. Since this initial sighting, more and more birds have died at the lake, with 18,000 being the latest estimated death toll. However, experts suggest it could, in reality, exceed 25,000.

The cause of these birds’ deaths is unconfirmed as of yet. Around 20 species that regularly migrate to the lake were identified. The lake water in Sambhar is too salty to sustain many varieties of birdlife. However, the current situation is utterly unprecedented. Migratory birds such as the shoveller, teal, plover, and mallard were among those affected the worst by the mysterious incident.

Joy Gardner, leader of Hope and Beyond, has established a rescue centre by the lake which has so far saved 550 birds in its effort to quell the death toll.

Gardner also revealed that the most

affected species are those who migrate from areas like Siberia along the Central Asian Flyway.

It is feared that the cause of the deaths is Botulism, an illness caused by the water being contaminated with high levels of botulinum (a neurotoxin which can be brought on by warm weather). Botulism

paralyses the birds and often leads to death, which is in keeping with the findings of those involved in the recovery attempts, who have noted paralysed limbs. The Veterinary Research Institute of Bareilly confirmed the likelihood of this explanation according to state Animal Husbandry Minister Lalchand

Kataria. Kataria also revealed that so far 735 sick birds had been treated by the Animal Husbandry Department, of which 368 were alive, while 36 had been released back into the wild.

Subsequently, Ashok Gehlot (Chief Minister) told reporters, “Due to the steps taken by the government, the

situation is no longer the same as it was before. I hope that we will soon control it.” He also said that the government of Rajasthan would like to be made aware of the specific reasons behind the death of the birds and ensure that such a situation is not able to occur in future.

By Will Rymer

16

December 2019

Briton Andrew Neal acquitted in Abu Dhabi

Indian MP Pragya Thakur Sacked for Naming Mahatma Gandhi Killer a ‘Patriot’

A contentious Member of Parliament from India’s ruling party has been removed from a panel after she supported the actions of Mahatma Gandhi’s murderer India’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has chastised the behaviour of one of their very own MPs, Pragya Thakur, after her decision to name Mahatma Gandhi’s killer a “Patriot” via public Twitter. This is not the first time she has made such a comment, as she also called Nathuram

Godse’s actions patriotic back in May. Both the BJP and government have de-aligned themselves with Ms Thakur after her controversial remark, which caused an outcry on the internet. She is also accused of participating in a bomb blast over ten years ago, which killed six people. Ms Thakur has refused to accept all charges against her and has currently been released on bail.

In her tweet, Ms Thakur called Godse a “deshbhakt” which translates from Hindi as a “patriot.” The killer tragically shot Gandhi thrice in the chest. He was also a right-wing activist and nationalist. Gandhi is believed to have betrayed Hindu extremists during his Political campaign by aligning too closely to the Muslim population.

Rajnath Singh, India’s Defence Minister, responded to Ms Thakur’s offensive

tweets with the following statement: “We condemn any philosophy which describes Nathuram Godse as a patriot.”

He also asserted that Gandhi’s philosophy remained central to India’s way of life today, and described him as a “guide” for the people of the country.

Many Twitter users responded to Ms Thakur’s comment with anger. Some named her as a “terrorist” and “sympathiser.” They also argued that the MP “shames us (India) before the world” and called her an “embarrassment” to Politics.

Ms Thakur has since apologised for her comment. She again took to Twitter defending her statement, saying that the “storm of lies becomes so big at times.”

She says she posted the remark as a response to the insult of Udham Singh, a former revolutionary.

British veteran Andrew Neal has been acquitted by an Abu Dhabi court of baseless drug charges after over a year in prison. Neal was arrested in October last year as part of a large scale police operation against a suspected drug syndicate, despite there being no evidence to substantiate his involvement. Police searched Neal, his car, and his apartment and found no trace of drugs, neither in his possession nor in his bloodstream.

He was arrested solely on the basis of an informant’s statement which was later retracted. After Andy spent months in detention, police searched for evidence on the phones of the 17 people arrested along with him and discovered that not only did Neal have no communication with the other suspects, but the records actually identified the true drug dealer whom police had accused Andy of being. It turned out that the actual dealer was a Filipino woman who had already been deported from the UAE. Even in spite of the evidence proving Andy’s innocence, he continued to be detained, with police employing all manner of attempts to coerce a confession from him; even using a psychologist sent to counsel Andy in prison for his PTSD to try to manipulate him into a false confession.

Eventually his case was transferred to Abu Dhabi, where the conditions in jail were even more harsh, and his access to communication severely limited. Detained in Dubai lobbied for his release for months, bringing his plight to the attention of the British and global media, appealing to the FCO, and calling upon UAE authorities to dismiss the charges and even making submissions to the United Nations for his arbitrary detention.

“Two of our former clients, who suffered similar injustice in the

UAE, have been highly supportive of Andy and his family during this ordeal,’’ says Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai. “Artur Ligeska particularly, endured almost identical circumstances, having been falsely accused of drug offences, only to be ultimately freed after several months of imprisonment following a wrongful conviction.

“We are ecstatic that Andy has been acquitted, but this should never have happened, and yet, not only does it happen, but it happens regularly in the UAE. There are cases right now of foreign nationals accused without evidence, and arrested solely on the basis of statements by coerced informants. It is unacceptable. Andy served Britain for over 20 years in the armed services, he has already been exposed to severe trauma in war zones around the world and suffers from PTSD; what the UAE justice system has done to him will last far beyond this past year of wrongful detention, and these kinds of legal abuses need to stop.

“Police and prosecutors in Dubai knew almost immediately that Andy was innocent, and certainly knew this after discovering the identity of the actual culprit at the beginning of this year. Yet, not only did they not release Andy, they continued to try to coerce him into confessing to a crime they knew he did not commit.

Andy’s steadfastness and will to endure this nightmare is amazing, and he deserves to be both commended and compensated; but no one should have to go through this. The British government needs to reassess its relationship with a country whose legal system is so severely flawed, and where our citizens can be subjected to months or even years of arbitrary imprisonment on the feeblest of pretexts.”

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December 2019

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Artefacts returned to Afghanistan

Officers from the Met’s Art and Antiques Unit attended the British Museum to celebrate the return of ancient stolen artefacts back to their home in Afghanistan.

In September 2002, two wooden crates entered Heathrow Airport from Peshawar in Pakistan and were intercepted by Customs Officers, who suspected the items – a Buddha sculpture and nine Buddha heads - may contain drugs. When no drugs were found, the items were seized by the Met’s Art and Antiques unit, as the items, which date back to between the fourth and sixth century, were believed to have been stolen from Afghanistan.

Detectives established that the objects had been sent on consignment to a business based in London, which was unaware as to the nature of the items. As there were no other suspects in the UK, the case was closed.

Afghanistan subsequently claimed their pieces but it wasn’t possible to return the items due to conflict in the country.

Feminists in India were shockingly attacked by lobbyists and halted by the Police during a pilgrimage to a Temple in the state of Kerala.

The female activists were exercising their free will to visit the site, which had opened its doors to women in a first time occurrence.

The several women had been nominated by Trupti Desai, who is a gender equality activist.

The group showed up at the Divine Sabarimala Temple. However, they were met with much hostility and many demonstrators one of whom attacked an activist with pepper spray. The victim, named Bindu Ammini, was hurried to Hospital for treatment.

The items will now be returned to the National Museum of Afghanistan after being displayed for a short time at the British Museum.

DC Sophie Hayes from the Met’s Art and Antiques unit, said: “This has been a very long and complex case but I am delighted that after 17 years, these

Desai claimed that the Police refused to offer the group protection, and only watched as one of the women was assaulted, without any intervention. She said that since planning the pilgrimage, she was warned by authorities that her group would be placing themselves in grave danger if they chose to carry out their visit to the temple.

However, this did not stop any of the ladies from proceeding with their plans.

Desai said in a statement: “This is about gender equality. The constitution has given us the right to gender equality and a right to pray, and last year the Supreme Court ruled that women could enter, so they have no right to stop us going to

upto

ancient and precious items are finally being returned to Afghanistan. The handover takes place during the Art and Antiques Unit’s 50th year and it is fitting that, whilst celebrating our anniversary, we were also able to attend the event at the British Museum to celebrate Afghanistan’s cultural heritage returning to its rightful home.”

Worshipper in India Assaulted with Pepper Spray outside Hindu Mandir

Sabarimala temple.”

“We are living in the 21st century, where women are working and are in power with men, but still we are following a custom which is 500 years old,” said Desai. “It is the duty of women like us who should take it in hand and change that mindset.”

Desai, is the sole-founder of the Bhumata Brigade, an organisation created to battle injustice towards women. She has previously led similar protests demanding for women to be allowed to enter the Shani Shingnapur temple, which is located in the Ahmednagar district.

Delegation of Buddhist Monks

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi

Prime Minister Imran Khan has received a delegation of Buddhist monks led by the most venerable Won Haeng, President Jogye Order, the biggest denomination of Buddhism in the Republic of Korea.

The Prime Minister Imran Khan highlighted that Pakistan is the cradle of civilizations, making it a revered destination for the followers of three major religions, Buddhism, Sikhism and Hinduism. He highlighted Pakistan’s commitment to promoting inter-faith harmony and respect for all religions. He said that Pakistan was proud of its Buddhist heritage and his government was focused on promoting tourism, especially, religious tourism. The two countries must enhance collaboration in the conservation and promotion of historical Buddhist sites.

The Prime Minister Imran Khan said that the visit of the Buddhist delegation from South Korea would convey the common message of peace, harmony and understanding among all religions. Pakistan has recently opened Kartarpur Sahib Corridor for Sikh pilgrims on the occasion of 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak. He expressed hope that the visit of the Jogye Order will promote people-topeople contacts by highlighting the historic cultural and religious linkages between the two countries, going back to the Buddhist Gandhara civilization.

The most venerable Won Haeng, President of Jogye Order, appreciated the efforts of Pakistan for the preservation of Buddhist heritage. He thanked the Prime Minister for “promoting world peace and inter-faith harmony.” He expressed the desire to work with the government of Pakistan to promote Pakistan’s Buddhist heritage in the Republic of Korea and to encourage more religious pilgrims to visit Pakistan.

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December 2019

BUSINESS

T: 0121 771 4545

100 years of 8-hour working days

Working life has changed radically over the past century, but working time largely has not The International Labour Organisation (ILO) met for the first time 100 years ago, and right at the top of the agenda for discussion for this new specialised UN agency was the 8-hour working day.

This discussion subsequently resulted in the Hours of Work (Industry) Convention, which stated that ‘The working hours of persons employed in any public or private industrial undertaking or in any branch there of (…) shall not exceed eight in the day and forty-eight in the week.’ A century later and, despite radical technological change in almost every aspect of our lives, the 8-hour workday still largely defines working life throughout Europe.

John Maynard Keynes famously thought that, by now, the primary societal issue would be boredom, due to productivity increasing to a level where we would only need to work 15 hours per week.

He was evidently wrong. Despite huge changes in technology and productivity, long working hours are still prevalent. In fact, according to Eurofound’s European Working Conditions Survey, at least 10% of workers in the EU work more than 48 hours per week.

Collective agreements and individual realities Who works longest in Europe? On average, collectively agreed working

time is 116 hours longer per year in the Member States that joined the EU after 2004 than in older Member States. This equates to almost three full working weeks. The largest difference between Member States in annual working time is between Estonia and France, with workers in Estonia on the job on average six full working weeks more than those in France. This is due to both the shorter weekly working time in France, as well as the amount of annual leave and public holidays accorded to French workers in comparison with those in Estonia.

These numbers are based on the collectively agreed annual working time and public holidays, which can differ from the actual working time. In reality, workers in 19 of the 29 countries in Europe analysed in Eurofound’s Working time in 2017-2018 report usually work more than 40 hours per week. The largest difference between collectively agreed hours and usually worked hours is found in the United Kingdom, where collectively bargained working time is among the shortest in the EU at 37 hours per week. However, when the usually worked hours are considered, the UK has the longest week in the EU, with 42 hours. This relates to the highly decentralised system for working time regulation, which is mainly between the

individual and their employer. Statutory legislation plays little role in working time standards, and coverage by collective agreements is relatively low.

Another 100 years on the horizon?

Debates about a shorter working week are ongoing in Europe, most notably in Belgium and Czechia. There has been increased focus in the Belgian media about reducing weekly working time to 30 hours, with the idea gaining support from trade unions, but causing concern from employers’ associations. Trade unions in Czechia are also pushing for reduced weekly working hours, with the Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions proposing a reduction of the working week from 40 to 37.5 hours. Although the Czech Prime Minister did not exclude the possibility, he stated that it was not on the current political agenda.

100 years after the ILO wrote their very first convention, the 8-hour workday is still under discussion and is subject to minor change. However, at present – despite the radical changes that we have seen in other aspects of working life – it does not look like significant reductions to working time are imminent.

Boredom from underwork, it seems, is not going to be a problem for some time yet.

www.asianworldnews.co.uk

Designs for Revamped Perry Barr Station Unveiled

The above image shows how the outdated Perry Barr railway station in Birmingham will be transformed as part of the wider regeneration of the area.

The development of a new rail and bus interchange will see a landmark new station building constructed offering passengers a welcoming, accessible and safe environment.

It will feature new lighting, CCTV, accessible toilets, covered waiting areas, live travel information screens, lifts to the platforms and a drop-off area for taxis and disabled blue badge holders.

The new building replaces the current 1960s-built station entrance squeezed between shops. There will be improved pedestrian links to a redesigned bus interchange outside the One Stop Shopping Centre.

A new access for buses only will ease congestion, speed up pick-up and dropping off for passengers and improve journey times, including those using the proposed new Sprint rapid bus transit service between Birmingham and Walsall.

Development of the bus and rail interchange is due to take place as part of the wider £500 million regeneration of Perry Barr, which includes the Athletes Village, changes to the road network and introduction of Sprint rapid transit buses.

These are all due to be completed in time for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games when around 6,500 athletes and officials from 71 Com-

monwealth nations and territories will be located at the Village and thousands of spectators will flock to the Alexander Stadium to watch the athletics and the official opening and closing ceremonies for the Games.

The project is being led by the West Midlands Rail Executive (WMRE) and Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) in partnership with Birmingham City Council, Network Rail and West Midlands Trains.

Malcolm Holmes, executive director of the WMRE and director of rail for TfWM, said: “Perry Barr railway station is rightly seen by many as unattractive and unsafe and this redevelopment is long overdue.

“I would urge everyone who lives, works or travels through the area to look at our plans, attend our events, ask questions and send in their comments.”

Phil Edwards, assistant director for Transport and Connectivity at Birmingham City Council, said: “The railway station and bus interchange are important parts of the Perry Barr redevelopment project, improving connectivity across Birmingham and serving a growing population, so it is important that as many people as possible have their say on these plans.”

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December 2019

Why Your Business Needs To Be Investing In Print and Graphic Design

This article will provide expert views on the importance of print and design to all sizes of businesses. We will analyse different forms of print and what we feel all businesses should be investing in.

Whether you’re a start-up, a small to medium business or a large international corporation, there is no doubt that your business will use many forms of printed products. There is a common misconception that print is now outdated due to the rise of the digital world and this digital ecosystem we now find ourselves working and living in however there is much research that suggests otherwise.

The power of print is undeniable, and a well-designed printed piece of marketing collateral will leave a long-lasting impression with its reader.

With many now taking the leap into developing and starting new businesses there are a number of hurdles that need to be overcome. Budget is usually the main obstacle affecting many in their decisions on how best to market their business and generate new leads and customers. At first many look to social media as a “free “means of marketing and advertising their products and services to a vast number of people at little to no cost. The reality is, this is not the most effective way of communicating with potential new customers. The digital ecosystem is saturated and constantly evolving requiring a constant flow of

content and updates in order to remain relevant. This is where the longevity of print comes into its own. Investing early in design and print will create strong foundations for you to create brand identity and produce promotional marketing materials.

Businesses are more regularly attending trade shows, networking events, conferences and exhibitions. From finding new suppliers to product research and development there are a number of essential items one should take when attending these styles of events. First

Reliance Industries to become world’s 6th largest oil company

Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries has overtaken BP Plc in becoming the sixthbiggest energy company in the world. The company is valued at $138 billion. Reliance Industries current shares have increased by thrice the pace of India’s benchmark index after an announcement was made by Ambani to reduce the company’s net debt to zero in just 18 months.

He stated that the stake sale in the oil-to-chemicals business to Saudi Aramco would be one of the measures to this end.

The flow in shares increased Mukesh Ambani’s net worth to $56 billion, making him the richest person in Asia. The rally has also improved Reliance Industries on its path to a market value of Rs 10 lakh crore.

Reliance Industries is now closing in on PetroChina Co, which is Asia’s largest oil firm by value. The sixthlargest oil company in the world is now ranked behind Exxon Mobil with a market value of $290 billion. However, Saudi’s Aramco’s plans of a public offering with a valuation target between $1.6 trillion and $1.7 trillion, could replace Exxon as the largest oil company.

However, the bulk of its revenue comes from the energy business, and Reliance Industries has also made wide strides within the telecom and digital service industries with Reliance Jio. Reliance Industries is growing its retail business to take on Walmart and Amazon.

and foremost, the humble business card, often forgotten about and overlooked these essential communication devices are far more efficient than you may think. High quality printed collateral to hand out are also a fantastic way of ensuring the information you pass out can be referred back to by potential new customers and suppliers. Brochure printing is a fantastic way of creating an engaging communication tool that holds a vast amount of information.

Display stands are a great way of instantly customising your exhibiting space. Here is where investing in high quality graphic design will really pay off. You can create a space dedicated to your business and the products and services you offer in your branding and style, hopefully catching your customers eye. This can be achieved cost effectively through fabric display stand printing and the traditional roller banner printing.

With investing in these items, you could potentially be losing out in new leads and a new customer base.

In a recent survey carried out by FedEx evaluating the importance of print to small business owners identified 9 of 10 consumers agree there will always be a need for print. Businesses are constantly looking to differentiate themselves between their competitors and a lot are doing this through print and design.

Suppliers Seek Guarantees as British Steel takeover Confirmed The Official Receiver and Special Managers from EY can confirm that a sales contract has been entered into with Jingye Steel (UK) Ltd and Jingye Steel (UK) Holding Ltd (together, Jingye), to acquire the business and assets of British Steel Limited (BSL), including the steelworks at Scunthorpe, UK mills and shares of FN Steel BV, British Steel France Rail SAS and TSP Engineering.

Responding to the announcement that Chinese conglomerate Jingye Group has agreed to buy British Steel, Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) National

White Academic Staff Paid 14 per cent More than Black Academic Colleagues Organisations that sign up to the charter publicly commit to: • appointing an executive sponsor for race • capturing data and publicising progress • ensuring zero tolerance of harassment and bullying • making equality in the workplace the responsibility of all leaders and managers • taking action that supports ethnic minority career progression.

New analysis released today from the University and College Union (UCU) has revealed that black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) staff in universities are less likely to hold senior jobs and are paid less than their white colleagues. In response Sandra Kerr CBE, race equality director at Business in the Community (BITC), the Prince’s responsible business network, said: “In order to achieve a fairer workplace in the UK, employers must hold themselves accountable and be transparent about where they are and what direction they are headed.

“Over the last year ethnicity pay gap reporting has evolved where more and more employers are measuring their pay gaps and taking action. But our most recent Race at Work survey showed that many employers are still hesitant to speak publicly about their pay gaps and their plans to tackle this issue.

“More than 400,000 people are employed by higher education institutions in the UK and it’s critical that we tackle every stage of racial inequality, from recruitment through to retention and progression. So

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far we have seen a relatively low uptake from academia and encourage all higher education institutions to become signatories of our Race at Work Charter.”

The UCU’s analysis of the 2017/18 Higher Education Statistics Agency staff record shows that, overall, BAME staff suffer a pay gap of 9 per cent compared to white academic staff, and staff from a black background suffer the greatest pay gap (14 per cent) compared with their white colleagues.

“In order to achieve a fairer workplace in the uk, employers must hold themselves accountable and be transparent about where they are and what direction they are headed”, said Sandra Kerr CBE, race equality director at Business in the Community BITC’s Race at Work Charter is designed to foster a public commitment to improving outcomes of BAME employees in the workplace. It consists of five principles to ensure organisations address the barriers to BAME recruitment and progression.

“British Steel must demonstrate supply chain best practice in the years ahead, not least when it comes to paying small businesses on time. We look forward to meeting with the group’s new owners to discuss ways forward.”

Chairman Mike Cherry, said: “This deal will have thousands of British Steel employees, suppliers and contractors breathing a huge sigh of relief. We’ve already seen uncertainty impacting British Steel’s business and supply chains, with future orders looking more fragile, and the loss of expertise as employees considered their futures.

“The disruption that would have been caused to supply chains by the collapse of this industry leader does not bear thinking about.

“Particularly welcome is the confirmation that British Steel’s assets are largely being purchased in their entirety, providing additional certainty for the smaller businesses it buys from and sells to.

“We now need to see cast-iron protections for small businesses within British Steel’s supply chain. While productive inward investment is to be welcomed, local suppliers must be supported. It’s critical that this deal benefits the wider UK business community: existing suppliers should not be suddenly replaced by overseas competitors looking to undercut on price and standards.

“If taxpayer funds have helped facilitate this deal, then local communities

AW Facts Did you know?

The Rubik’s cube is the best selling item of all time.

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December 2019

Interview

1) Could you tell us a bit more about your professional background and legal qualifications?

I qualified as a lawyer in 2002, and thereafter, I’ve been practising in Indian courts. I came to the UK in 2004 and qualified as a solicitor.

After working here for two years, I resumed my practice in India.

Over time I gained some clients in England, so I have been able to work across both jurisdictions.

2) You have gone to court to defend clients with a variety of legal issues, is there a specific legal concern or agenda that you want to back up the most?

Gradually I shifted to a special retrieve and started working as an anti-money laundering lawyer as India has a special department there known as the enforcement directorate. I had already handled significant cases to do with the issue, and so it developed into my area of interest. Now, with nearly a decade of experience working in the subject, I travel a lot and handle such cases, and ones to do with the prosecution, attachment, freezing orders, investigation, etc.

3) You recently won a case in India and proved one of your clients as innocent of money laundering.

International Anti-Money Laundering

Lawyer Syed Ahmed Saud

Why do you think the topic is such a significant issue of concern for Indian authorities?

Indian authorities are very much interested in prosecuting money launderers. Their keenness to catching such criminals leads them to believe they’re punishing those who are high and mighty with vast chunks of money. The example of me winning my case is a rare one, as an Indian court would usually confirm that for the duration of a criminal trial, the individual in question will face charges of anti-money laundering, and all of their assets will be frozen.

When I defended my client, they announced that he did not commit any crime, so there was no question of laundering any proceeds thereof.

When the court ruled him as innocent, it was a very rare achievement indeed.

4) Why do you think cases such as the one mentioned above have such a low success rate, i.e. only around ten in 1150 Complaints?

It’s is extremely hard to win such cases. When I was acting as a public prosecutor and panel counsel and then a defence lawyer, I hadn’t seen representatives addressing the issue required in the matter by the court.

It’s because this particular field of Law requires experience up to

By Manisha Bhanot the appellate stage, of a minimum of five different laws and then the predicate offence part as well. So, a lot of clients need someone who can handle the case with the required expertise and experience.

5) What measures do you think businesses in both India and abroad can take to defend themselves from such wrongful accusations?

One major factor I have come across is compliance issues. Small and minuscule dealings may come back to haunt business owners as part of some significant enquiry. Businesses which may not streamline their transactions, definitely suffer at some point in time. Money laundering enquiries are not easy to face.

In Indian courts, you are guilty until proven innocent, and when people are unable to sort out their finances, they are convicted. All of their documents should be legally compliant, and they should be consulting someone who has experience in the field.

6) Can you tell us a bit more about your campaigns for financial transparency and revising outdated legislations in India?

The reason I call this Law outdated is that it’s an executive dictate. It is passed in a manner by the Houses

of Parliament which involves no amendments or debates. It is passed as a money bill and always included in a finance act. The concept of money laundering has been evolved to the interception of monies originating in crimes such as drugs dealing, trafficking, and terrorism, etc. However, at the implementation level, 95% of business cases get

stuck for not being able to explain some dealings in the right manner.

Every year, international reviews or mutual evaluations are being done, but the nature of cases is never examined. The purpose of the Law is lost unless it is restored by revising this outdated legislation; nothing can be done to help.

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December 2019

UK Workers set to receive a Lower Real Salary Increase in 2020

Top ten forecasted real salary increases - Global Country India Vietnam Indonesia Cambodia Thailand Ukraine Philippines China Korea Republic Bangladesh

Global Ranking 1 2 3 4 5 5 7 8 8 10

Real Salary Increase 2020 (%) 5.4 5.1 4.6 4.2 4.1 4.1 3.7 3.6 3.6 3.4

According to the latest Salary Trends Report by ECA International (ECA), UK employees in the private sector are expected to see a real salary increase of 1.1 percent in 2020, the equivalent of almost £27.89 a month (£334.62 per annum) for the average worker before tax. This is following a better than expected real salary increase for UK workers in 2019 (1.2 percent on average), receiving an average real salary increase of £355.06.

The real salary increase is calculated based on the difference between the forecast nominal salary increase (3 percent in the UK) and the expected level of inflation. Although the forecasted nominal increase for 2020 has remained the same as last year, higher inflation forecasted for 2020 (1.9 percent) will squeeze real salary earnings to just 1.1 percent.

The annual Salary Trends Report from global mobility experts ECA International, analyses current and projected salary increases for local employees in 68 countries across the world.

Real increases lower than four years ago, but significantly higher than a decade ago Despite similar salary increases workers are still not seeing real increases in the buying power of the level four years ago, but equally workers are

Top ten forecasted real salary increases - Europe Country Ukraine Russia Serbia Bulgaria Italy Spain Switzerland Romania Belgium Netherlands

Global Ranking 1 2 3 4 5 5 7 8 8 10

Real Salary Increase 2020 (%) 4.1 2.9 2.1 1.7 1.5 1.5 1.4 1.3 1.2 1.2

expected to be significantly better off than ten years ago when the global recession led to decreases in real salaries.

Steven Kilfedder, Production Manager at ECA International said “The real salary rises we saw in 2015 were notably large due to the very low level of inflation at the time but in 2016 the EU referendum results led to higher inflation and squeezed budgets, with things only now levelling back out to a more normal level. However, when looking more long-term, things are considerably more positive for workers in the UK compared to ten years ago when the financial crisis and global recession resulted in a decrease to real salaries in 2010 and 2011.”

A significant factor on the forecast figures though, could be the uncertainty around Brexit, as well as the upcoming UK general election.

European inflation the lowest in the world, but average real salaries decrease Despite European inflation forecasted to be the lowest in the world next year at 1.7 percent, the average forecasted real salary increase across the continent is expected to be 1.1 percent, down 0.1 percent on last year’s figure.

After employees in Ukraine experienced a 1.7

percent increase after inflation to their salaries in 2019, the improved inflation forecast in the country means that workers look set to receive a real salary increase of 4.1 percent – the highest in Europe next year. This follows a year of salary contraction in 2018 where real wages shrank by 0.9 percent and would see a total real salary increase of 5.9 percent in just two years. Ukraine is also the only European country to be in the top 10 for highest real salary increases in the world next year, and the only nation outside of the AsiaPacific region.

Asian nations continue to lead the way, as Indian employees receive highest pay increase in the world Asian nations continue to dominate the global top twenty highest real wage increases in the forecast

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for 2020; 13 of the top twenty, and all but one of the top ten, are Asian countries.

India tops the rankings for 2020, where employees are forecast to receive a 5.4 percent real salary increase, nearly five times the real forecasted salary increase percentage for employees in the UK. Kilfedder said “Once again, the vast majority of the highest real salary increases in the world are predicted to be seen in Asia. The average salary increase in the APAC region after inflation is forecast to be 3.2%, significantly higher than the global average of 1.4% and nearly three times the European average of 1.1%. This is a trend that we have seen for many years now due to low inflation and rising productivity in many Asian economies, resulting in salaries growing rapidly compared to other regions.”

Forecast Real Salary Increase 2020 - Europe

Predicted real salart increase (%) 0-05 0.6-1 1.1-1.5 >1.5

London Mayor Sadiq Khan at Asian Curry Awards

Over 700 VIP guests attended the Asian hospitality sector’s most prestigious event, the Asian Curry Awards in Association with Just Eat, at the Grosvenor House in London’s Mayfair Venue.

Guest of Honour, Sadiq Khan, the Labour Mayor of London, took the opportunity to attack the “Government’s ‘wrongheaded’ approach to immigration which is making it difficult to recruit the chefs and skilled workers.”

On a positive note Sadiq Khan praised the contribution of the British Asians.

“By bringing the best of Asian culinary traditions to these shores, these restaurant owners have expanded not only the choice of food available to the British public, but our very identity as an open, inclusive and multicultural nation,” he said.

Benares in Mayfair scooped the prestigious Fine Dining Award.

Dishoom in Covent Garden has

named Casual Dining Restaurant of the Year. Three restaurants shared the Just Eat Takeaway of the Year title – Chilli Tuk in London N12, Golden Dragon in Swansea and Rogan Josh in Cheltenham. Sanctua in Leicester was name Best Vegan and Vegetarian Food Studio Cardiff, Best Vegetarian.

Royal Nawaab, Manchester is Buffet Restaurant of the Year. Spice Village in Croydon won Best Event Caterer.

Rehmat’s in Aberdeen was announced Newcomer of the Year.

Crooked Skewer, Hull, claimed the Innovative Restaurant of the Year award.

Individual cuisine titles were awarded to Zuma, London W1 (Japanese), Romulo Café, London W8 (Filipino), Ottoman Kitchen, Southampton (Middle Eastern), Feng Wei Shi Tang, Soho (Chinese). The Nepalese Restaurant of the Year was shared by Everest Inn, Ashford Kent and Panas Gurkha, London SE13

Zaman’s in London W1 received the Pan-Asian Restaurant of the Year crown and Hakkaland, Harrow, the Best Asian Fusion award.

Hospital Venue of the Year went to Maida in Manchester, whilst Spice Village, Croydon, was revealed as Best Event Caterer.

Shahin Malek (Rivaaz, Lymington) won Best Maitre D’.

A special Social Responsibility of the Year award went to Millennium Balti, Royal Leamington Spa and there were Entrepreneur awards for Ajmal Mushtaq (Mushtaqs, Hamilton) and Habib Chowdhury (My Curry Club, Cheshire).

There were also a number of local and regional awards. The full list can be viewed at www.asiancurryawards. co.uk Addressing an audience of ambassadors to London, high commissioners, senior politicians, embassy officials

and business, Yawar Khan, Chairman of the Asian Catering Federation, which hosts the Awards, congratulated the winners, but warned them not to rest on their laurels. He said: “We work in a dynamic, fast developing sector where customers’ dining habits are constantly evolving.” He encouraged them to embrace change and welcome the challenges.

The biggest round of applause went to the Asian Curry Awards’ longstanding Chairman of Judges Pat Chapman,

editor of the Cobra Good Curry Guide – who on the eve of his 80th birthday – was too ill to attend. Accepting the award on his behalf, fellow judge George Shaw said, “Everyone who works in the curry sector owes Pat a huge debt and never has a Lifetime Achievement Award so richly deserved.”

The evening, with lavish hospitality and live entertainment was hosted by the brilliant stand-up comedian, Call Beaton.

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December 2019

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Presenting Manushi Chhillar as Prithviraj’s Sanyogita

Miss World 2017 Manushi Chhillar can be best described as an ethereal beauty. This gorgeous 22-year-old girl has been one of the most coveted new faces sought after by top Bollywood filmmakers. It has been long rumoured that she is set to be making her big debut in Bollywood and now we can officially reveal she is getting the biggest launch for any newcomer in the recent times!

It is a dream debut in Bollywood for her as India’s biggest production house, Yash Raj Films, has signed Manushi as the heroine of their biggest historical film Prithviraj based on the life and heroism of the fearless and mighty King Prithviraj. It stars superstar Akshay Kumar in as Prithviraj and Manushi will play the role of the gorgeous Sanyogita,

Prithiviraj’s love of life.

Prithviraj is being directed by Dr. Chandraprakash Dwivedi who directed the biggest television epic Chanakya – based on the life and times of the most influential political strategist of India and the multiple award-winning Pinjar. Dwivedi says, “We auditioned a lot of young, fresh faces for the role because we were looking for a stunningly gorgeous Indian heroine.

While Sanyogita was an incredibly beautiful person, she was also a strong, confident girl.

We were looking to find someone who could match the magnetic persona of Sanyogita and we found that in Manushi. She auditioned for the role a couple of times because we wanted to be dead sure with this casting and she nailed it each time. She

has been rehearsing six days a week since then and she is being thoroughly groomed for the last 9 months by YRF.” YRF has always discovered supremely talented outsiders like Ranveer Singh, Anushka Sharma etc. who have become stars in their own right.

So all eyes on Manushi as a heroine to watch out for. YRF has also signed her on as their talent and will manage Manushi completely.

“It is a huge honour to have been chosen by a production house

like Yash Raj Films as their heroine!

I’m thoroughly happy and thrilled about the learnings that I will have through this journey. My life, so far, has really been a fairy tale. From becoming Miss India and then Miss World to now getting such a big project as my debut film, it’s like a new, exciting chapter of my life. It is a huge responsibility to play princess Sanyogita. She was a powerful personality and she stood up for what is right and took the most important decisions of her life by herself. Her life is an extremely

Yami Gautam’s Bala is based on tick tok star

Akshay Kumar first look from Bell Bottom

Yami Gautam: “Hope the message of Bala travels to every corner of the country”. Starring Yami Gautam, Bhumi Pedenkar and Ayushmann Khurrana, Bala is in cinemas now Actress Yami Gautam plays a Tik-Tok star in the film Bala, which also stars Ayushmann Khurrana and Bhumi Pednekar.

While Yami is working with Bhumi for the first time, she debuted with Ayushmann in 2012 film Vicky Donor.

When speaking to an Indian media outlet, Yami spoke about her character in Bala, “She is a small-town model, a Tik-Tok star, energetic, filmy and dramatic. Everything is larger than life for her. She lives in her bubble. Her relevance in the film comes from society’s beauty standards. So, she brings together both worlds. The arc of the character from where it begins to where it goes is beautiful. I have never played such a character before. All the characters are so unique. A good film is an amalgamation of a brilliant team.”

She continued, “I am glad to be part of Bala because it tackles the right issue. And I hope it (the message) travels to every corner of the country.”

Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar has announced his latest project titled ‘Bell Bottom’ and has revealed the first look from the film. The film which is inspired by true events is set to hit the screens in January 2021.

The actor is seen in a fashionable avatar wearing a brown blazer and trousers along with dark sunglasses and sporting a distinct moustache. He can be seen sitting on a vintage red car with an airplane taking off behind him amidst the clouds.

By the looks of the poster ‘Bell Bottom’ seems to be a thriller.

The film will be directed by Ranjit Tewari and is being produced by Vashu Bhagnani, Jackky Bhagnani, Deepshikha Deshmukh, Monisha Advani, Madhu Bhojwani and Nikkhil Advani.

Akshay Kumar took to Twitter to announce the first look saying: “Get ready to go back to the 80’s and hop onto a roller-coaster spy ride, #BELLBOTTOM! Releasing on 22nd January, 2021. @ranjit_tiwari @vashibhagnani @jackkybhagnani @honeybhagnani @monishaadvani @madhubhojwani @nikkhiladvani @EmmayEntertain @poojafilms”

important chapter in Indian history and I will try my best to play her as accurately as possible,” Manushi adds.

Manushi is also a good example of beauty with brains as Manushi has a strong voice and is an opinion leader who takes a stand on societal issues.

Immediately after winning Miss World, she conceived and founded a non-profit organization, Project Shakti, aimed at improving the menstrual hygiene of women in India. Manushi constantly works with women in over 20 villages of India to spread the message of sanitation. Today, this organization provides free sanitary pads among women and has also empowered the women of the community by making them earn a living and become self-reliant.

Manushi is a huge fan of former Miss Worlds and super achievers Priyanka Chopra and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and considers them her role models. She is a trained Kuchipudi dancer, and has trained under legendary dancers Raja and Radha Reddy and Kaushalya Reddy.

Prithviraj will release worldwide on Diwali 2020.

Panipat tribute to Maratha warriors with Mard Maratha

An exclusive song from new epic war saga Panipat has dropped. Titled Mard Maratha, the song celebrates the pride and strength of the Maratha Empire. The video of the song shows the Maratha warriors singing praises of their flag and alludes to their tales of bravery and courage. Filmed across a grand scale the song is rumored to have featured 1300 dancers.

The Panipat team took to Twitter to share the song, captioning their posts, “Pride in their hearts and strength in their will! #MardMaratha song out now!”

In an interview the composers Ajay-Atul talked about the making of the song and were quoted as saying, “The song celebrates the richness of the Maratha regime…We wanted to create a song which not only had a traditional feel to it but can also be enjoyed by all kinds of audiences, regardless of their age and taste in music. So, keeping that in mind we have created Mard Maratha in such a way that it appeals to one and all…The energy of the song and the way Ashu sir has shot it, brings out the forgotten opulence of the Maratha regime and is a visual treat”

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December 2019

Special offer for upcoming artists, in Music fashion & Acting

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

0121 400 0065

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

w e i v r e t In

1. How did the stage name Roach Killa come about?

I released my first song at the age of 12 and I wanted to call myself Junior Indian. But, my producer said that was too close to Apache Indian, so instead they called me Roach. And Killa was because I was performing at all of the talent shows and competitions at school and everyone was like “Yo, you’re a killa”, and I just put the two together!

2. For people who haven’t heard your music, how would you describe your style and genre?

My style is a mixture of reggae, hip-hop and Punjabi.

A lot of it is derived from the UK sound back in the 90s, so I’d say it’s got a lot of flavour and spices!

3. It’s been an entire decade since you released your debut album and now ‘Verified’ has finally been released. What was the reason for such a long wait in recording your second album?

I got so much love from the people I started touring and doing so many collaborations after my first album.

During that decade I’ve worked with the biggest names and gotten a lot of hits under my belt. Then I decided it was only fair to give the public who supported me some brand new songs, instead of just the odd one or two.

I’m trying to give back to the community having produced this album, and put the new kids in this industry on the forefront as well.

4. Why did you choose to produce your new album entirely by yourself and what was the experience like?

I was always behind the scenes in terms of giving feedback to the producers in terms of how I want the sound in my music to be. I wanted to do the album by myself because I wanted to showcase the skill of production that I possess and demonstrate the different shades of Roach Killa’s styles.

5. Tell us about how it felt to work with artists such as Naseebo Lal, Sarmad Qadeer, Blitz and Happ E Singh on your new music?

Naseebo and I worked on ‘Heartbroken’ and it was a massive success.

I really liked her ethics of working so I definitely had to have her back on my album because I enjoy her voice and she’s been a massive influence on a lot of people in the community.

Happy E Singh happens to be the one who wrote the song for Naseebo and he happens to be on my album on my song ‘Drake.’ He’s a great upcoming talent and I wanted to showcase his writing and singing skills together.

Roach Killa 6. What’s your favourite song on the album?

Every song on the album has a meaning for me, but I would say my favourite is ‘Ghora part 2’ because it’s a sequel to ‘Ghora 1’ on my first album. I didn’t know the prequel would touch people so much, because audiences would always request it at melas and performances.

People kept requesting Ghora 2 and it was challenging because I didn’t want to ruin the legacy of the first song, but to my happiness everyone loved the tune. So watch out for the music video and shout out to Blitzkrieg who was on both tracks with me!

7. You’ve been living in Toronto but you’re originally from Africa and have toured all over the Middle East, Asia and Europe. Where’s your favourite place to perform?

To be honest I’ve spent one third of my life in Africa, Canada and the UK. I think it’s a great experience to be able to live in different countries and adapt to them, which also resonates in my music. If you listen to my sound, it’s got all types of flavours in it. I think that makes me a complete artist because I have not just experienced different cultures via social media, but in real life as well, making me into the performer I am today.

8. What’s next for you, do you have any new singles or collaborations coming up?

I’m featuring on Deep Jandu’s next upcoming single called ‘Jordan’.

I’ve also got a track I’ve produced and featured on in Jazzy B’s next single called ‘All Eyes on me.’ Of course I’ve done some things for Sony Music India as well, which will be released very soon. There’s so much pending stuff in the future and for the next six months, you need to just sit back, relax and watch Roach Killa take you on a bumpy ride!

By Manisha Bhanot

GLOBAL 12-17

BUSINESS 18-21

GLAM 22-28

WEDDINGS 29-33

HEALTH 34-35

TRAVEL 36-37

TECH 38-39

The Leading Platform for Luxury Indian Fashion, Pernia’s Pop Up Studio, launches London Store The leading brand name in luxury Indian fashion for a global platform, Pernia’s Pop-Up Shop, a property of Purple Style Labs, launched its first international store in the heart of London’s Mayfair district. Pernia’s Pop-Up Studio opened its doors at 11 Grosvenor Street to welcome a who’s who guest list of celebrities, influencers and VIP guests, including actresses Priya Davdra, Amrit Maghera and Sara Khan; Bollywood celebrity coach, Afreen Khan; and a host of social media influencers and fashionistas.

Synonymous with the crème of Indian fashion accessible globally via its world-famous online platform, Pernia’s Pop-Up Shop, the brand has established several, coveted offline stores across India, now bringing a discerning edit of both heritage and new gen Indian designer collections to the heart of the Capital’s luxury fashion district.

Collections at the London store will feature a consistent rotation of leading fashion houses, stocking 50 plus designers such as Rohit Bal, Gulabo

by Abu Sandeep, Tarun Tahiliani, Anita Dongre, Anamika Khanna, Gaurav Gupta, Amit Aggarwal, Manish Arora, Rohit Gandhi + Rahul Khanna, Varun Bahl, Shantanu & Nikhil, Ridhi Mehra, Masaba, Papa Don’t Preach, Samant

Chauhan, Gopi Vaid and Shivan Narresh among many others.

Purple Style Labs (PSL), the parent company of Pernia’s Pop-Up Shop, is an Indian premium luxury fashion house with omnichannel presence, founded in September 2015. It aspires to take Indian designer brands global through the multi-designer online retail channel – Pernia’s Pop-Up Shop and offline stores – Pernia’s Pop-Up Studio. Since the acquisition of Pernia’s Pop-Up Shop

by PSL in February 2018, they have rapidly expanded their shelf space in the last 20

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Preeya Kalidas set to return to the West End stage in starring new role “

Singer and actress Preeya Kalidas is soon to be starring in hit West End musical Everybody’s Talking about Jamie, which just celebrated its two year anniversary at the Apollo Theatre London. Based on a true story, Preeya will play one of the leading roles. She will be taking on the character of Miss Hedge, and will be the first British Asian to play the role, till February 2020.

Preeya has recently finished starring in the five star show Chiaroscuro at Bush Theatre directed by award winning Lynette Linton and previously created and originated the roles of Priya in AR Rahman’s /Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Bombay Dreams, Pinky in Bend it Like Beckham The Musical, of which Preeya was the first British Asian to have been nominated for a prestigious Olivier Award.

Some of her on screen credits include Amira in the nation’s favourite TV show Eastenders, Carmen in BBC’s BAFTA nominated Bollywood Carmen, the BAFTA nominated Britz alongside Riz Ahmed, Banglatown Banquet with Shabana Azmi, Empire Award winning film Chris Morris’s Four Lions and Gurinder Chadha’s international hit film Bend it Like Beckham. Preeya also has a show on BBC Asian Network every Sunday 1-3pm. months, opening eight offline stores across Mumbai, New Delhi, Bangalore and Kolkata and are now on track to be the biggest retailer of Indian designer brands across the globe.

With a vision to take Indian fashion global via expansion of its online and offline IP’s, Pernia’s Pop-Up Shop, Pernia’s Pop-Up Studio and The Stylist, PSL has also started investing in Indian designer brands as they expand the luxury shelf space in the international market. PSL is actively backing them to help them scale their businesses, starting with the acquisition of a stake in House of Masaba, one of the most promising fashion labels in India. They hope to continue this trend by adding new names to the list in the coming few months.

Purple Style Labs’ muchawaited ninth store and first

international store has now launched in the heart of London’s Mayfair and is the result of a year of strategising, planning and production. London being one of the most important shopping districts in the world makes it the perfect backdrop for their first international store, be it for their loyal clients in the UK or their globetrotting clients based across the world, who visit London regularly.

Speaking about the London store launch, Purple Style Labs CEO

I fell in love with Everybody’s Talking about Jamie from the first time I saw it. The music is contagious, the diversity of talent being represented on a West End stage is incredible. So to be joining the cast as Miss Hedge, I am extremely excited to be part of a show that makes the audience feel so elated and joyous, a show that reminds us all that being unafraid to do and be whoever you want to be, can be extremely powerful.

“

LOCAL 2-11

Abhishek Agarwal said, “This has been great. We have been selling to international clients for a very long time now, so this is the first step to opening international stores in the future.”

Eastenders actress Priya Davdra said, “I’ve followed Pernia’s Pop-Up Shop on social media for a while and all the collections are amazing, The store looks fabulous and I can’t wait to take a look around and see some amazing styles.”

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December 2019

AMAZON PRIME VIDEO DROPS THE TEASER OF UPCOMING AMAZON ORIGINAL INSIDE EDGE SEASON 2 Let The Games Begin!

Following the widespread international success of Amazon Original Series such as The Family Man, Made in Heaven, Mirzapur and the Emmy nominated Inside Edge (season 1), please see below information on Inside Edge Season 2 releasing on 6th December 2019.

Building on the success of its International Emmy nomination last year, Inside Edge is the story of the Mumbai Mavericks, a T20 cricket franchise playing in the PowerPlay League. Set in a landscape of sports, secrets, and scandals where selfishness is a virtue and sex, money, and power are mere means to an end, Inside Edge is a story that pulls no punches, minces no words, and takes no prisoners. Above all, Inside Edge Season 2 is a story of passion, courage, and love.

Come witness the game beyond the game.

Joining the cast lead cast in Season 2 are Aamir Bashir, Sapna Pabbi, and Markand Deshpande.

The series returns with its stellar cast from Season 1, including Vivek Oberoi, Richa Chadda, Angad Bedi, Tanuj Virwani, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Amit Sial, and Sayani Gupta.

Ayumi Naturals Review: Hair and Skin

TURMERIC RANGE FOR COMBINATION & BLEMISHED SKIN

Ayumi Hair Oil

Ayumi is an innovative and unique brand which is re-inventing skin and haircare across the globe. Inspired by Ayurveda, the ancient Hindu system of medicine, the company use herbal and natural ingredients in their range, which help to replenish and renew the body. Invented and formulated by a family business, each product is created with expert care and attention in mind.

Ayumi’s Turmeric range is designed to target combination and blemished skin. It includes a luscious body wash, face wash, face mask, face scrub, body scrub and face cream. Perfect for the winter weather, the products treat tight and dry skin with a specially mixed herbal remedy. Each one of the lotions/ creams has a smooth formula that brightens and hydrates your complexion, leaving a light and spiced smell behind.

Have dull and dry hair that’s prone to breakage and a lack of lustre? Ayumi’s organic hair range is here to help protect you from the modern-day rituals of styling, blow-drying and dying your locks. Ayumi’s organic coconut oil has a thick and rich constituency, and can be applied all over the scalp, roots and hair to replenish and refresh your mane. The brand’s bio-active growth and repair oils are also great to condition your hair and give it the essential vitamins it needs to add texture, strength and shine. Ayumi is a dermatologically tested, 100% Vegan and Cruelty-Free Business. All hair oils are mineral-free, and have 0 parabens, paraffins, silicones and GM ingredients. Only pure, organic solutions are utilized, which makes Ayumi approved by the Soil Association and PETA.

The brand’s exclusive ranges can be found in many mainstream supermarkets and stores, including Holland & Barret and Tesco’s. They can also be purchased directly from the company’s website at www.ayumi.co.uk

By Manisha Bhanot

LOCAL 2-11

GLOBAL 12-17

BUSINESS 18-21

GLAM 22-28

WEDDINGS 29-33

HEALTH 34-35

TRAVEL 36-37

TECH 38-39

FOOD 40-41

MOTORING 42-44

SPORTS 45-48

December 2019

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December 2019

QnA with Subaig Singh w e i v r e t n I – New Music, new movies and what’s next! university. It’s always something I’ve enjoyed and had a natural flair for. Acting is another side of me and form of performance, and I love to do it!

Q) You have a film releasing in 2020 called Taish, on which you worked with director Bejoy Nambiar. Tell us a bit more about your role in the film?

I have been instructed to not give away too much on the storyline, as much as I’d love to. But the plot is based around Punjabi gangsters in Southall. I’ve had a small role in the film, but it was great fun and very satisfying.

Q) Last time we spoke you had just released your new track DAMN DAMN! Can you tell us how you’ve been progressing your new sound and music since then?

Since then I released another Bollywood style track called ‘Koka Belly Da’ for the Delhi/ Mumbai nightclub market.

After that, I wanted to switch things up a little bit. Wedding season is now in full swing in Punjab, so they need a good supply of Banghra/upbeat songs for DJs to play. That’s why we thought now would be a good time to release a new track, and that’s how my recent song Yaar Belli came about.

Q) What was it like working with Popsy on Yaar Belli and collaborating with Happ E Singh to write the lyrics?

Poppsy was actually the one who launched me into the music world in the first place. The last track we collaborated on was Tofani Jatt, in the summer of 2018. After that, I went to work with other producers like Roach Killa and Harry Anand.

It’s been nice to reconnect with Popsy and do another track with him. He’s very versatile and can produce any style of music. With regards to Happy E Singh, he formerly wrote a song called New Direction for me. So I approached Happy again for this banghra track. He has a mastery of the Punjabi language and great understanding of western culture that work perfectly together.

Q) What has the response been like so far from the track, was it what you were expecting?

The track has been out a couple of weeks, and we’ve had an amazing response. Lots of people have been showing me love and sending in their Tick Tock videos. The song has a million ½ views on the app already, and DJs all over Punjab have been playing it at weddings. I’m really happy with it!

Q) You worked with Director Whiz for the choreography.

What inspired the Casino/ Black tie concept we see in the music video?

This particular track is about friendship, honour and loyalty.

It revolves around how friends look out for each other and cover each other’s back against their haters. We wanted to portray that somehow in the storyline. We were shooting the track in the UK, and England shot videos is very popular in India. To be honest, we had not added a casino based video to my repertoire yet, so we just thought it would be something cool and different to do.

Q) Earlier this year you also chose to star in some films.

What inspired you to get into the Bollywood and also do acting on the side of your music?

I’ve always been a budding actor. From a young age, I’ve had small parts in TV programmes such as Woof and Harry’s Mad in the UK. I’ve been a part of central TV drama workshops where young people get drama classes and get exposed to acting opportunities in theatre and television. I had lots of performing roles in school and

I hope it will lead to other things in the future.

Q) What’s next for you, do you have any upcoming tour dates or future plans?

I just released another new song. It’s a religious track called Rabaab, and it’s a devotional song I released it to celebrate the 550th birth anniversary of the first Sikh guru, Siri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. I will also be releasing another banghra song before the end of this year, which is called Chanjara, which is another dance floor track. I have lots more music lined up to release in 2020 for a variety of genres. I think there should be some acting opportunities coming up next year also, so there’s a lot in store.

LOCAL 2-11

GLOBAL 12-17

BUSINESS 18-21

GLAM 22-28

WEDDINGS 29-33

HEALTH 34-35

TRAVEL 36-37

TECH 38-39

FOOD 40-41

MOTORING 42-44

SPORTS 45-48

December 2019

WEDDINGS

T: 0121 771 4545

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

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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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December 2019

LOCAL 2-11

GLOBAL 12-17

BUSINESS 18-21

GLAM 22-28

WEDDINGS 29-33

HEALTH 34-35

TRAVEL 36-37

TECH 38-39

FOOD 40-41

MOTORING 42-44

SPORTS 45-48

December 2019

Leaflets menus posters business cards adverts websites 0121 400 0051 | 07702 117 816 www.ukprintandmedia.co.uk

Special offer for upcoming artists, in Music, fashion & Acting

Bringing Communities Together

Coming Soon!

www.walsallecho.co.uk

01922 647878

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December 2019

*UK couples take four holidays together before they get married Holidays are a crucial part of relationship development, allowing you to see how adventurous and relaxed your partner is, how they handle out-of-the-ordinary situations, and even how they deal with stressful scenarios like cancelled flights or getting lost!

For couples in the UK, new research from Kuoni reveals that it takes, on average, four holidays with your other half before you commit to becoming life partners. However, for some it can take much longer; 11% of married couples in the UK said they went on at least 10 or more holidays together before getting married. At the other end of the scale though, sometimes when you know you just know, and one in four couples stated that they didn’t have any holidays together before they were married. *We are a nation of superhappily marrieds After the (literal) honeymoon phase, couples holiday habits settle down to just two holidays together every year, but it seems to be the magic amount; 49% gave their marriage the full 10/10 on the happiness scale, with the average marriage happiness rating in the UK coming out as an incredibly high 8.7 out of 10. *Couples want to visit the USA or Spain the most Whilst short-haul European favourites like France, Greece,

COUPLES TAKE FOUR HOLIDAYS TOGETHER BEFORE GETTING MARRIED Portugal and Italy came out as the most-visited counties by married couples, when asked where they would most like to go for a romantic holiday next anywhere in the world, UK couples chose the USA and Spain as their favourites. *UK couples like destinations which suit their introverted, organised and steady person-

alities The study revealed that the majority of married couples in the UK see themselves as measured and calm, with the research showing that they are three times more likely to classify themselves as ‘mellow and steady ‘rather than passionate and fiery.

The majority of married couples also said they were at the ‘always

busy and organised’ end of the spectrum compared to just 25% of couples who said they were laid-back and spontaneous. Over a third of married couples (which equates to 4.6 million married couples) in the UK identify as being more introverted and private, compared to just over 3 million who label themselves as being more outgoing and

sociable.

The most popular long haul destinations reflects the exploring spirit of the UK’s married couples, demonstrating an exciting breadth of countries, from Australia to Barbados.

*Most popular long haul places for couples to visit: 1. Canada 2. Australia 3. Mexico 4. Singapore 5. Thailand 6. Barbados 7. UAE 8. Hong Kong 9. Dominican Republic 10. New Zealand

Tropic Skincare Review Tropic Skincare was founded

by Susie Ma, who grew up in Cairns, Tropical North Queensland, Australia.

The multi award-winning company was designed to provide freshly made, cruelty-free, natural products which are made in the UK and are created using the most innovative, effective ingredients that nature has to offer. Plants such as fresh aloe vera and exotic fruit trees have been added into the products to provide the skin with the most nutritious and healthy glow.

The plants are outsourced from the Amazon rainforest, Polynesia, Australia and many more exotic regions brimming with powerful botanical actives.

Products at Tropic skincare range from moisturisers, cleansers, eye rejuvenating serums, brightening facemasks and various oils for skin brightening, anti-ageing, hydrating and skin resurfacing.

The award-winning products include the Super Greens Nutrient Boost Oil, Deep Hydration Soothing Cooling Mask, Smoothing Cleanser Complexion Purifier, Tamanu Healing Balm All-In-One Skin Saviour, Pure Lagoon Blemish Prevention Serum and much more.

Tropic Skincare also pro-

duces makeup items such as concealer, blusher and powder as well as their award-winning Colour Palette.

There are also haircare products available such as a hair oil, conditioning treatment, scalp massaging tool and much more. All products sold by Tropic are vegan and crueltyfree.

You can even purchase gift sets on their website, which are perfect for birthdays, Christmas or if you just feel like treating your loved ones.

The multi award-winning skincare company, Tropic, kindly sent us over a few products to try. The products sent were two new products, the Glow Berry Brightening Serum and the Rainforest Drew Hydration Serum. The products are perfect for sensitive, dry skin and really illuminated the skin, providing a natural glow.

The products are easy to use, and the bottles fit perfectly on your bathroom shelf.

If you are interested in purchasing any products from Tropic, then visit their website www.tropicskincare.com.

You can even check out their Instagram account @tropicskincare for the latest product updates.

LOCAL 2-11

GLOBAL 12-17

BUSINESS 18-21

GLAM 22-28

WEDDINGS 29-33

HEALTH 34-35

TRAVEL 36-37

TECH 38-39

FOOD 40-41

MOTORING 42-44

SPORTS 45-48

December 2019

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Majority of To-Be-Weds Propose in Private!

Largest Study of Its Kind Highlights Proposal Trends Leading Up to the Most Popular Time for Couples to Get Engaged — November Through February

The Knot—the nation’s premier wedding planning and registry resource — released findings from The Knot 2019 Jewelry & Engagement Study. In celebration of Proposal Season, which is the most popular time of the year (November through February) for couples to get engaged (37%), this study of more than 21,000 engaged or recently married

respondents showcases the latest insights surrounding proposals and jewellery trends.

Over the last few years, personalisation has taken the lead as a priority for couples planning their weddings—and proposals are following suit. This year, the study finds those proposing spend an average of three months planning hyper-personalized, intimate moments to ask their significant other to marry them. While more than half (51%) of proposals occur in private, nearly one in five (18%) take place in locations significant to the couple’s past, like the couple’s favourite date spot or the location they first met.

“Today’s couples are more diverse than ever before, and what makes each proposal, wedding and even registry unique is the celebrating of two individuals and their love story,” says The Knot Editor in Chief Kristen Maxwell Cooper. “Couples are tossing and twisting engagement traditions like never before, whether choosing to propose on top of a mountain

How Much Chocolate is Safe When You Are Pregnant?

When it comes to certain foods, pregnancy requires caution.

Pregnant women are recommended to avoid foods that will increase the risk of compromising your pregnancy. Which is why a food safety guide for pregnant women is recommended.

Chocolate is safe to consume during pregnancy and could even have health benefits in moderate amounts. However, with every pregnancy being different, we recommend talking with your doctor about the amount of chocolate that is safe for you to consume, depending on the circumstances surrounding your pregnancy.

Overeating chocolate during pregnancy means that you are getting too many calories and too much fat, which could result in excessive weight gain.

Adding too much weight during pregnancy could result in fatigue, gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, varicose veins, and it also increases the chances of undergoing a cesarean section delivery.

An ounce and a half of dark chocolate contain 290 calories and 19g fat, and a similar amount of milk chocolate has 235 calories and 13g fat.

Chocolate is also high in sugar, with about 18g per 1.5 ounces of dark chocolate, and about 23g for a similar amount of milk chocolate. Consuming too much sugar during pregnancy increases your risk of gestational diabetes, excessive weight gain,

and dental health issues.

It is necessary to ask your obstetrician to help determine the amount of sugar that is safe for you and your developing baby.

Pregnant women should also monitor the amount of caffeine they consume. It is recommended that you limit your caffeine intake to 200-300mg per day.

Chocolate also contains some caffeine, and if you consume it with caffeine drinks such as coffee, soft drinks, and tea, you could be exceeding the amount of caffeine intake considered safe during pregnancy.

A 1.5-ounce serving of dark chocolate contains 43 milligrams, and the same amount of milk chocolate has 9 milligrams of caffeine. Consuming high levels of caffeine could result in a baby with low birth weight, and in extreme cases could cause a miscarriage.

The good news is, eating a controlled serving of chocolate once in a while won’t likely harm your pregnancy and could actually have health benefits.

A 1-5-ounce serving of milk chocolate contains 83mg of calcium, and the same amount of dark chocolate contains 31mg. Calcium is crucial for your baby's developing teeth and bones.

Chocolate also has antioxidants that protect both your immunity and that of the baby and helps reduce the risk of health complications like cancer and heart disease.

Controlled chocolate intake

in private or at the location of their first date in front of family and friends, ultimately prioritizing their personal preferences for the start of their wedding planning journey and soon-to-be newlywed lives.”

The focus of personalisation extends from the proposal to one’s engagement jewellery as well, with 45% of engagement rings including customdesigned elements. And while diamonds (83%) continue to reign as the most popular centre stone, non-diamond precious stones are gaining can also help reduce the risk of preeclampsia by up-to 70%.

Preeclampsia is often characterized by high protein levels in urine and high blood pressure.

This condition can lead to your death or the baby in extreme cases.

That said, you need to choose your chocolate wisely. There are different types of chocolate, and some are filled with sugary content, while others have low sugar content.

Dark chocolate has fewer calories than milk chocolate, but not everyone likes the taste of dark chocolate. If you prefer to eat chocolate-covered cherries or filled milk chocolates, consider reducing the amount you eat.

If there are any underlying medical conditions that could potentially be worsened by eating large amounts of chocolate, it is advisable to skip chocolate until the doctor clears you.

Even though snacking on a full box of chocolate is not the healthiest decision, overindulging could potentially harm your baby. But in reasonable amounts, chocolate can be a safe, lovely treat to indulge your sweet tooth or pregnancy cravings.

So, is it safe to consume chocolate during pregnancy?

Yes, it is safe, but watch your calorie, caffeine, and sugar intake. Learn more on the foods to avoid during pregnancy on childmode.com.

momentum, with one in ten to-be-weds opting for stones like moissanite and sapphire. In addition to having personalisation on the brain, ringexchanging couples are shifting their focus when shopping for engagement rings, increasingly prioritising the overall cost and quality of the ring rather than its total size and ultimately relying on local jewellery retailers (40%) and national jewelry chains (30%) as the most popular places to purchase a ring.

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December 2019

HEALTH A Breath of Filthy Air?

T: 0121 771 4545

www.asianworldnews.co.uk

Study Shows Quarter of Britons Breathe Polluted Air in Own Homes

A quarter of Britons are breathing polluted air in their homes each day.

On average, Britons spend 90% of their time indoors, so it is vital that they check the quality of the indoor air they breathe and take the correct measures to make their environment healthier.

According to data taken from Netatmo Weather Stations, 23% of homes in the UK on average exceed the threshold of 1,000 particles per million (ppm) of CO2 at least once a day, meaning these homes aren’t ventilated well enough to evacuate pollutants.

This is partly explained by bad habits: around 60% of Europeans don’t replenish the air in their homes at least twice a day, as many health organisations recommend.

Indoor air quality that varies according to the season The study shows that the quality of indoor air in homes in the UK changes according to the season. In winter, indoor air quality is poor in 28% of British homes, compared to only 15% in the summer. This means comfort is

chosen over air quality in winter, with one in two Europeans not opening their windows because of the cold.

Yet airing a home two to four times a day for five minutes each time replenishes the air without heat being lost.

Key Findings • CO2 levels are in excess of 1,000 ppm impair your ability to concentrate • 23% of homes in the UK contain polluted air at least once a day • Almost 80% of Britons don’t air their home at least twice a day

• Airing your home in winter does not lead to a significant loss of heat • Indoor air is most polluted on Sundays British homes close to the European average An average of 22% of homes become polluted daily across Europe. In the UK, the average percentage of homes

getting polluted each day stands at 23%. The UK is therefore close to the European average. Sweden, which leads the ranking, has half as many polluted homes as the UK does.

These disparities can be explained by different habits in airing, as well as norms and ventilation mechanisms that vary from country to country. In the UK, 80% of detached houses built before 1990 have so-called natural ventilation and only 25% feature mechanical ventilation. In Sweden, only 40% of houses have natural ventilation while 60% of them include mechanical ventilation. This might explain why levels of indoor air pollution vary between British and Swedish homes.

How can you improve your home’s air quality?

With the indoor air of 28% of British homes becoming polluted at least once a day in winter, it is vital to check your home’s air quality.

A first key step is to air your home at least twice a day. It’s also important to choose the right time of day to air

your home, as well as the duration needed to reduce the CO2 rate as effectively as possible and to expel indoor pollution. Importantly, airing you home in winter does not lead to a significant loss of heat in the home.

This is because only the indoor air cools, and not the walls, flooring, ceiling and furniture.

The Netatmo Weather Station helps improve your environment each day.

Nutritionist Kim Pearson Reveals the Hottest Health and Wellness Trend Predictions for 2020 We’re already well aware of the benefits of regular meditation, and the trend for incorporating therapeutic and spiritual practices into our everyday lives is only set to continue. Increasing in popularity are ancient practices such as chanting and sound baths, used for thousands of years across many different cultures for their therapeutic effects, and forest bathing (also known as nature therapy), originating from Japan. Increasing numbers of Westerners are travelling far and wide for their wellness fixes, visiting ashrams in India and shamans in South America. Plant-based medicines such as medical marijuana is becoming increasingly more accepted and research continues into the potential benefits of psychedelics like ayahuasca, san pedro and Ibogaine. However, it’s important to

note that these plant medicines are still illegal in the UK. Next-Generation Fasting You’ve tried the 5:2, sometimes you manage 16:8, now it’s time for next generation fasting. While intermittent fasting and time restricted eating do have proven health benefits, experts argue that you need to fast for longer than a few hours to experience more profound benefits such as upregulated autophagy and stem cell generation. Enter ProLon, a next generation fast that has the same benefits of water only fasting, while allowing you to eat specially designed, nutrient-dense, plant-based mini meals.

CBD You can’t have failed to notice CBD pop

up just about everywhere in 2019, and it is set to continue throughout 2020.

CBD health and wellness treatments are on the rise and CBD oil is now hugely popular and found in everything from skincare and shampoo to cookies and chocolate. Pain relief, treatment of skin conditions and anxiety relief are just some of the ways CBD is currently being utilised in the wellness industry and with more research being done and increasing numbers of locations legalising marijuana, our knowledge of how to utilise the oil will develop.

Virtual Consultants and Trainers In my own clinical practice, I now consult more clients remotely, via my virtual consulting platform, than I see at my practice in Harley Street. This is a

huge shift from just five years ago when all of my consultancy was in-clinic.

Remote consultancy allows clients across from all corners of the world to access the expertise they need, while not having to travel long distances to do so.

Even many of my London-based clients choose to have online consultations, preferring to save the time it would take them to travel into clinic.

Wellness Retreats The global wellness industry is now worth $4.2 trillion USD with wellness tourism worth $639.4 in 2017 and growing by 6.5% annually. Holiday resorts are waking up to the demand, increasingly teaming up with health, wellness and fitness professionals to offer masters in residence programmes, attracting

The user can monitor indoor air quality in real time on their smartphone, track its changes over time and see the positive effects of their actions. As soon as the threshold of 1,000 ppm is reached, they receive an alert on their smartphone, prompting them to immediately take the necessary actions to improve their home’s indoor air quality and purify their environment.

holidaymakers who wish to use their annual leave to do more than just sip cocktails on a beach.

Diaphragmatic Breathing As meditation grows in popularity, the breathing practice mastered in the practice has become a wellness activity in and of itself. Diaphragmatic breathing is abdominal breathing (sometimes called ‘belly breathing’) and the exercise not only has meditative and relaxation benefits, but the practice also helps to strengthen your diaphragm, the muscle that is key to your breathing. Benefits of diaphragmatic breathing are thought to include stress reduction, lowering heart rate and blood pressure and improving core muscle stability.

The Great Environment Debate Netflix and co may be on a mission to turn us all onto a plant-only diet with documentaries like What The Health but can it really save the planet? Eating a lot of meat isn’t advisable but nor, arguably, is the world turning vegan the answer to all of our environment’s challenges, due to the intensive farming techniques used to meet the increased demand for soya and maize.

The answer? Another year of a hotly debated topic and further drives toward more sustainable diet and lifestyle processes.

AW Facts Did you know?

Too much sitting and sleeping can increase the likelihood of an early death.

LOCAL 2-11

GLOBAL 12-17

BUSINESS 18-21

GLAM 22-28

WEDDINGS 29-33

HEALTH 34-35

TRAVEL 36-37

Figures reveal thousands dependent on alcohol across West Midlands

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December 2019

Dudley

Herefordshire

Sandwell

Shropshire

Solihull

Staffordshire

Stoke-on-Trent

Telford and Wrekin

Walsall

Warwickshire

Wolverhampton

Worcestershire

living across West Midlands dependent on alcohol is reported at 62,570 in 2017/18, only slightly lower than figures from seven years ago; 63,043.

UKAT’s analysis of the report shows that although only 5 councils have seen rises in the number of people dependent on alcohol, those with reductions are extremely marginal.

Alcohol addiction treatment experts at UKAT say Councils here

are “lack-luster” when it comes to prioritising treating people for alcohol addiction; “Unfortunately, alcohol is just as harmful a drug than Heroin is, but a lot of people don’t or don’t want to see it that way,’’ says UKAT’s Group Treatment Lead, Nuno Albuquerque.

“Councils across the West Midlands assumed lead responsibility for alcohol service provision back in 2013, giving them full autonomy of how and where they spend their annual Public Health Grant, yet the numbers of people dependent on alcohol and in need of treatment overall isn’t reducing as much as you’d expect after seven years.

“Reports like these are produced to ensure that ignorance is not bliss; financial decision makers are given locally relevant prevalence estimates in order to better understand the scale of need in their area. Even though that on the whole, it is positive that the numbers have reduced, we would expect a larger reduction after this amount of time.”

Earlier this year, UKAT lodged

Coventry

Public Health England has revealed the number of adults living across West Midlands classified as alcohol-dependent and in need of specialist treatment, as addiction treatment experts reveal a 30% closure rate of rehab facilities available to treat them.

The figures reveal that on average, a rate of 13 per thousand adults living here are dependent on alcohol.

The specific number of adults

SPORTS 45-48

Birmingham

Yet experts reveal third of treatment services have closed

TECH 38-39

Estimated number of adults with alcohol dependency 2010

13,177

4,635

3,732

1,678

4,442

2,826

1,760

8,310

3,750

1,878

3,242

4,880

3,453

5,282

Estimated number of adults with alcohol dependency 2017/18

12,667

4,946

3,617

1,713

4,284

2,813

1,812

8,136

3,509

1,953

3,559

5,028

3,375

5,156

14

16

13

10

16

10

10

11

17

13

15

10

16

10

Local Authority

Rate per thousand of adult population 2017/18

Public Health England data analysed by UKAT

Tips and Tricks for Beating the Flu this Holiday Season

Being flued up is no uncommon occurrence during the chilly Winter Season. With the air being less humid in winter, flu viruses can live for longer periods indoors, where we spend most of our time if the weather’s looking dreary! Therefore, germs and bacteria can spread easier from one person or place to another. So, beware and follow the advice below to combat the flu this December!

1) Stay at home – Take valuable time off school or work if you’re feeling unwell. Put your upcoming work and errands on hold until you feel better or you’ll just end up feeling worse! It’s also vital to keep away from others while you’re contaminated to avid passing on the flu, as it can be especially dangerous for elderly people and children.

2) Keep hydrated! Drink plenty of fluids! Drinking healthy liquids stop you from getting parched and avoid mucus build up in your respiratory system. It doesn’t have to be just water. You should also drink fruit juices, energy drinks, herbal teas, hot soups and broths as

well.

3) Cure your aches and pains!

Headaches and body aches are common symptoms of the flu. To avoid feeling tired and immobile, you can combat them with the right medication and treatments. Tiger balm is great for fast relief on any joint pains. You can also take paracetamol, ibuprofen, aspirin and co-codamol. Just consult with your doctor on the right medication for you first!

4. Get plenty of sleep!

Sleep puts you on the road to recovery and helps your body recharge. You should move your bedtime to an earlier slot and have a lie in, giving yourself a chance to relax. Doing so helps reduce your chances of fatigue and serious flu complications like pneumonia.

5. Crank up the moisture Dry air can worsen your flu symptoms, such as congestion and cough. To help you breathe easier, use a humidifier or steamer to help add moisture back into the air. Be careful to avoid hot steam which can lead to bacteria growth and mould.

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a Freedom of Information Request to see how many publicly-funded residential drug and alcohol rehab facilities had closed down since Councils took responsibility for the Public Health Grant back in 2013. Their results show that across the West Midlands, there were 10 rehabs available to treat people with alcohol dependence back in 2013, and now, only 7 remain active; a 30% closure rate to services people are in need of.

Nuno explains that “Patient care at these particular residential rehabs is in the main, funded by councils. If the councils decide to opt for other - more than likely, cheaper types of care for their patients, like community day centres, then these facilities lack vital funding and over time, have ceased operation. Quite simply, greater investment in effective treatment facilities, accessibility and awareness will help lower the number of people in this community suffering with alcohol dependence.”

Alcohol dependence is a syndrome characterised by a strong and sometimes overpowering desire to drink, which may take priority over other previously valued activities.

The analysis of alcohol dependence prevalence is calculated using local hospital admission rates for alcohol dependence or withdrawal, local authority population data and results from the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey (APMS).

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T: 0121 771 4545

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Travel Lodge Review Birmingham Broadway Plaza

If you’re looking for a comfortable and modest hotel to spend your weekend in Birmingham, then Travel Lodge should, by all means, be your go-to. Tucked away inside the bustling and lively hub of Broadway Plaza, the accommodation is home to a selection of comfortable and child-friendly rooms.

Checking into our family room, we walked into an ample and stylish space with one king-sized and two single beds. The room was spotless and followed a trendy white and pale blue colour scheme with wooden finishes.

The window also opened up to the hotel balcony and a perfect view of the Broadway complex.

All of the bedding and upholstery in the room was obviously brand new. It was also fit to purpose with everything you could possibly need: an open wardrobe with shelving, a desk area with seating and a wall lit mirror, radiator, a TV and plug fittings, and also a kettle with tea and coffee making supplies. The blue and white tiled bathroom held both a tub and shower, with hand, body and hair wash already provided. Room service had also provided extra pillows and plenty of towels for the stay.

The hotel bedding uses sleepeezee mattresses which provide a comfy and relaxing night’s rest. Breakfast is also provided in a chic and trendy communal area with the usual offerings. These include hash browns, fried mushrooms, grilled tomatoes, beans, toast, bacon

and eggs. Meat-free options are available upon request. There’s also a choice of cereals, with fresh milk and juice, alongside instantly prepared hot drinks.

The Travel Lodge Hotel is conveniently situated within Birmingham Centre on Broadway Plaza. The facility neighbours a vast range of entertainment venues such as Hollywood Bowl, Mr Mulligan’s Golf, Odeon Cinema, Broadway casino and Rock Up Climbing Wall Centre. The accommodation is also only a 5-minute walk from Broad Street’s main bars and

clubs, and a 10-minute walk from Five Ways train station, with quick transport links to the Bullring Shopping Centre and elsewhere.

The hotel staff are always friendly, approachable and prepared to assist you with all of your queries and concerns.

For an affordable, cosy and safe stay over the weekend in Birmingham, book in with Travel Lodge now, and visit their website for their full pricing on rooms and availability.

By Manisha Bhanot

www.asianworldnews.co.uk

Tel: 0121 771 4545 info@asianworldnews.co.uk

LOCAL 2-11

GLOBAL 12-17

BUSINESS 18-21

GLAM 22-28

WEDDINGS 29-33

HEALTH 34-35

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Christmas is the month of celebration as well as the month of enjoying the holidays. People love to spend time with their loved ones, and for this, they travel from one place to another. During this festive season, airports are busy with the hustle and bustle of the travellers. Due to the hectic scheduling of flights and weather conditions, passengers have to face a lot of problems staying at the airport.

However, these problems can be positively solved by only using a few tricks which before planning to travel on Christmas.

1.) Before booking tickets, check the airline’s rules because during the holidays due to busy gates, airlines change their regulations and also amend ground transportation cost, baggage fees, extra legroom fees, etc.

Many airline credit cardholders get free checked bags and other perks too.

2.) Avoid booking tickets from the busiest airports; try to find those airports through which you can conveniently travel with a much lesser crowd.

3.) Send your Christmas gifts through a courier so that you get some more space in your bags to put necessary things and also to lighten the weight.

4.) Keep all your essential items like medicines, travelling documents, fragile items and valuable items in your carry bag so that if by chance your bags are delayed, you have all of your necessary items on hand.

5.) Check flight delays before leaving the airport and do have a print copy of your E-Ticket handy.

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Tips to have an Enjoyable journey during Christmas

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6.) Arrive early as there is a lot of traffic which you have to face on the road, as well as at the airport parking.

There also may be long queues at the security check-in.

7.) To spend hours at the airport due to a delay is a bit of a difficult task. So the easy solution is to find additional highlights of airports like museums, meditation rooms, yoga rooms etc. One of the best examples is Singapore Changi Airport, where you will find so many things to spend your time like the Arrival garden, Birds in flight, Butterfly garden, Crystal garden, Forest valley, Hedge maze, etc. These things will keep you and your kids busy till you get on your flight.

8.) Always be calm and stress-free, take a deep breath and carry a positive attitude because you will have to face lots of problems at the airport and even on flights as they will be overcrowded.

Never take out your frustration on the ground staff or the crew members as they are working for you to the best of their ability. Handling a massive crowd at one time is not an easy job, so be polite and do wish “Happy Christmas” with a smile to give a little happiness to them also.

9.) If you face any issue at the airport, then Twitter is the best issue solver for you at that time. Just tweet on twitter by tagging that airline company, soon your problem will be resolved. As many airlines are very responsive to their customers on Twitter.

Captain Felipe Castro ( Instagram A/c: felipe.castro__b737ng ) who is a commercial pilot from Brazil says: “When I travel by plane with my family, especially on Christmas, one thing I keep in mind is: PATIENCE. Airports are full of people and December is the month when weather conditions are not good, and due to this most of the time, it causes delays. Airports get closed because of heavy rain, and we have to wait for about 40 minutes to get the airport operating normally. But most people don’t understand this situation and blame the airline’s staff for it.”

10.) If your flight gets delayed or cancelled, go for plan B and opt for another flight so that you can reach your destination. Keep tracking your flight time.

* Free business advice * discount offers Tel: 0121 773 2020 Email: info@capitalbusinesshub.co.uk

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AW Facts Did you know?

The shortest flight is between 2 Scottish islands and lasts just 2 minutes.

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December 2019

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Improve Algorithms, Improve Accuracy

By Muhammad Nadeem Jahangir - Technology Correspondent

Today we live in a world of sensors, computer intelligence and high powered processing which assist humans with prediction, analysis and accurate measuring. Modern wearable technologies like smart bands, smartwatches, etc. are playing a vital role in monitoring athleticism and daily activities, but, they are still arguably not very accurate.

Guillaume Adam, a former French national runner team member, is using modern technology to help him hit a new personal best. The information collected by wearable gadgets allows him to measure his strengths and weaknesses using the graph plotting of data. Adam states: “I’m a scientist as well as a runner, so when I want data, I want to get reliable data.”

A study conducted by a consumers group suggested the flaws in fitness trackers, according to many, the gadgets underestimate the distance covered by runners. The GPS trackers collect the data, but it is not visible whether the algorithm analyzing that data is accurate or not.

A wearable gadget called GaitUp has a sensor which emerged from medical research — developed by Dr Benoit Mariani, based on the work in spotting the early signs of degenerative diseases such as diabetes, Parkinson’s,

5 Questions to ask before Putting AI into Practice

etc. Some signs make themselves felt in a very subtle way long before standard tests catch them. Symptoms like muscle weakness can be reflected in the gait first. It says that walking can be a revealing activity to many other bodily health markers, i.e. heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, etc.

The sensor developed by the engineering team of Dr Mariani is capable of doing more than just measuring a person’s step count. It can measure the distance between two steps and the time a foot stays on the ground. Mr Adam used GaitUp for the New York

City marathon to give a well improved and visible result by finishing as the fasted French finisher in that race, hitting a time of 2h 26m.

Every fitness company is working hard these days to acquire the best data using smart wearables that can help athletes to achieve their goals.

Smartwatches are now using three satellites to capture the tracks covered by runners. GaitUp measures the moves more accurately using sensors. We are in the future we have dreamed of with these gadgets, and their improvements we will be much more than that.

Paper Receipts Preferred by Consumers despite Environmental Misconceptions

A global campaign called Choose Paper, which is backed by independent research, reveals that the majority of UK consumers prefer paper receipts over digital alternatives and have no idea about the environmental impact of email receipts.

A global campaign has launched which advocates consumers’ rights to continue to receive paper receipts and aims to raise awareness of their practical benefits and sustainable features.

The Choose Paper campaign is backed by independent research, which reveals that the majority of consumers prefer paper receipts over digital alternatives.

The research, conducted by global polling company Toluna, surveyed 8,883 consumers across Europe and North America and found that 69% of UK consumers prefer paper receipts over digital alternatives and 76% believe paper receipts are more practical for returning goods.

Despite the overwhelming preference for paper receipts, many consumers are concerned about paper’s impact on the environment and underestimate the impact of digital receipts. For example, 54% of Brits believe that digital receipts are better for the environment than paper receipts and 38% believe that the sending of emails has no environmental

impact. In reality, total emissions generated by worldwide emails is estimated to be 300 million tonnes of CO2 a year – equivalent to the annual emissions of 63 million cars.

Greg Selfe, campaign manager for Choose Paper, said: “The environmental performance of paper manufacturers has improved significantly in the past several decades, including considerable investment into sustainable forestry practices. Sustainably managed forests breathe for the Earth, absorbing carbon dioxide from our atmosphere and producing the oxygen we require in return.

By storing that carbon, forests help to regulate the global climate, absorbing

Artificial Intelligence (AI) holds the key to transforming the customer experience (CX)

Despite the power of Artificial Intelligence to transform the customer experience, many AI projects fail at the first hurdle. Henry Jinman at EBI.AI outlines the 5 most common mistakes and how to avoid them using a tried and tested checklist While it promises a new dawn of efficiency, performing tasks better, faster, with fewer people, at lower cost and on a far larger scale, Artificial Intelligence (AI) holds the key to transforming the customer experience (CX). Chatbots are already a common phenomenon in contact centres while millions of people interact daily with virtual assistants such as Google Home and Alexa.

For those organisations who haven’t yet invested in AI, many are experiencing a fear of missing out(fomo). As a result,

print industries.”

It isn’t just the environmental facts that the Choose Paper campaign wants to highlight to retailers and consumers.

There is another issue at play - that of trust and data protection.

Nearly two thirds (64%) of UK consumers would be unhappy if stores no longer offered paper receipts, and 46% would not trust a retailer that did not offer paper receipts. Furthermore, 62% of UK consumers are concerned that their transnearly 40% of the fossil-fuel emissions action history stored electronically may produced by humans. be used by organisations for unsolicited “In considering a move to digital marketing purposes. alternatives to paper receipts, consumers “Our research shows that most people and retailers need to bear in mind that do not want digital receipts. Consumthis option is not free of environmental ers prefer and trust paper and there is impacts. Server farms and data centres the very real worry about data security require vast amounts of energy to oper- that needs to be considered,” adds Greg. ate, with many using fossil fuels as their “Customers are only hearing one side source. As technology progresses, the of the argument and there is a risk that demand on these data centres increases consumer choice is being taken away. and so does the carbon footprint. In Choose Paper calls upon retailers to fact, the share of digital technology in respect their customers’ preferences and global GHG emissions could reach 8% consider the environmental facts before by 2025, i.e. the current share of car adopting digital-only solutions.” emissions.This is roughly eight times To find out more, go to the current share of the pulp, paper and www.choosepaper.org.

plenty of businesses are rushing in and too many AI projects are failing.

So, what’s going wrong?

5 reasons why Customer Experience AI projects fail AI technologies are transformational but they can be complex to scope out, build, deploy, and operate. Here are the 5 most common mistakes organisations make: 1. Unrealistic expectations – it’s common for users to have inflated expectations of new and emerging technologies. This could be because of marketing over-hype, lack of familiarity with the technology, or the plain old hope that they have found a solution to some of their problems.

2. Addressing the wrong challenges – ‘Trying to boil the ocean’ is a favourite term at EBI.AI to describe companies who try to fix everything with one project or, at the other end of the scale, spend 18 months writing an AI strategy paper that delivers nothing!

3. Lack of training data – many say the more data you have the better. Yes, you do need data, lots of it, but it must be relevant.

4. Lack of stakeholder engagement – the people who will make or break the project are those responsible for deploying the technology and the leaders of that department. Remember to involve the budget holders from the very beginning.

5. Misunderstand the technology – Many AI projects fail for the simple reason that they are not really AI projects. AI technologies for customer contact need to be three things: digital, intelligent and automated.

Fast-track your way to a new generation of customer interactions by asking the right questions. Then, find out the answers and discover real-world examples of good and bad AI practice by downloading our latest white paper.

AW Facts Did you know?

Apple’s iPad display is made

by Samsung.

LOCAL 2-11

GLOBAL 12-17

BUSINESS 18-21

GLAM 22-28

WEDDINGS 29-33

HEALTH 34-35

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December 2019

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Is Technology Latest New Features holding you from Twitter back from

By Khalid Karim - Technology Correspondent

Delivering Exceptional Customer Service?

5 Ways to Buck the Trend

New Schedule Tweets Feature For those that are tired of scheduling tweets via third party scheduling tools, you are in luck. Twitter is testing out a new feature which the site is looking to roll out soon. It includes a similar option to the inbuilt scheduling that Facebook has on its Pages function.

The new option, which is only made available to beta test users for the time being, will allow you to compose then schedule your tweets to post at a predetermined time, without ever leaving the post window.

It may be a welcomed addition to the Twitter Platform but not original or even new seeing as scheduling posts or managing them can be done via Tweetdeck and other well known third-party tools. It can be considered helpful when you’re trying to manage your tweets on the go, and another way of Twitter keeping users on the platform perhaps.

You Can Switch Between Accounts Another feature they are rolling out to keep you on the platform is the ability to switch accounts in Tweet Replies. All this makes for easier management of multiple account interactions on the go.

Hide Replies You will also now have the option to ‘Hide Replies’. Apparently, the ability to remove any tweet replies will give you better control of your tweet engagement.

The benefits to users are that you can choose what replies to hide; including those that you find irrelevant or even annoying (quite handy). This will also help you reduce the ‘noise’ on your mentions tab.

According to Twitter: “Currently, repliers can shift the topic or tone of a discussion and derail what you and your audience want to talk about. To give you more control over the conversations you start, we tested the option for you to hide replies to your Tweets. We learned that the feature is a useful new way to manage your conversations.”

New Push Notifications for Suspicious Login Attempts And finally, Twitter is making its platform more secure with the introduction of Push Notifications for suspicious login attempts. You will now be better informed of potential account hacking with new push notifications, which will be triggered whenever login attempts from new devices are detected. I have already seen the benefits of this feature when logging on to Twitter from a new device, and I think it’s long overdue, and you kind of wonder why it was never in place early on.

Twitter quoted: “If we detect a suspicious login or you log in to your Twitter account from a new device for the first time, we will send you a push notification within the Twitter app, or via email as an extra layer of security for your account. Login alerts are only sent following new logins through Twitter for iOS and Android, twitter.com, and mobile web.”

Twitter To Start Deleting Old Inactive Accounts And before you go, take note that Twitter will now begin deleting accounts that have been inactive for more than six months, unless they log in before an 11 December deadline. This is quite important and where people may have FOMO and hold on to old Twitter Accounts and Handles (squatting almost) … I think there is a need to perform this cull to keep the platform fresh and continue the engagement.

You can follow me on Twitter and Asian World News here: @Khalid_Karim @AsianWorldNews to keep up to date.

Don’t let technology come between you and exceptional customer service.

That’s the message from Rebecca Philip at Teleopti as industry statistics reveal four in every five contact centers are frustrated by technology. Here are 5 ways to buck the trend using a winning formula based on WFM. 1. Integrate and educate – while the latest WFM solutions provide a complete package for automated scheduling and advanced forecasting, they still need to link seamlessly with CRM, HR and other business applications. Choose a technology partner that integrates widely and wisely and aims to harmonize your tech landscape. The best vendors are those who truly understand your needs. They can offer out-of-the-box solutions that integrate with any platform and they have the expertise to customize and help you develop your own integrations using a range of sophisticated APIs. Ask about training options.

There is no point in having technology if no-one can use it to its maximum potential, therefore increasing the risk of frustration.

2. Cloud all the way – WFM is a great, low-risk entry point into cloud transformation with minimal disrup-

It’s time to end technology frustration in the contact centre by embracing the proven capabilities of today’s Workforce Management (WFM) solutions

tion. Time saved on IT administration and server maintenance means more time for strategic projects or initiatives that prioritize customer experience aims. Ease of use with modern user interfaces (UIs) smooth the way for an enhanced user experience (UX) and great productivity. The latest cloud WFM solutions also quickly identify the skills required to meet corporate objectives or build effective recruitment and succession plans. They can detect coaching needs and automatically schedule training and one-to-one sessions at quieter times.

3. Get the big picture - while digitalization has made life easier by automating important business processes, it has also created a world flooded with non-stop data. How do organizations capture what really matters, then tailor it to inspire customer loyalty?

Success comes down to controlling data and using WFM to ensure the right number of best-skilled frontline staff are available to deliver a priceless customer experience.

4. Be a contextual contact center – by taking data and applying intelligence to it.That way, employees know why a customer is contacting them in the first place, they can pre-empt a

customer’s preferred communication method based on the channels they have used in the past and suggest new purchases based on a customer’s previous buying behaviours. In the same way use WFM to contextualize the workforce, creating a ‘go-to’ place for your talents and resources and identifying the employees who have the highest levels of emotional intelligence to add context and real value to customer interactions.

5. Back to the future – WFM brings control and structure to kickstart longer-term thinking. With easy access to a wealth of historic data and advanced reporting functionality to make speedy predictions, contact centers can use WFM to create and search future requirements for headcount and specific skills to meet growing customer expectations. This is especially helpful when right-sizing during periods of organizational change or to accommodate future growth plans.

Don’t let technology frustrations hold you back from delivering exceptional customer service.

Take another look at workforce management to be proactive and integrated and go from frustrated and frazzled to fabulous in just five steps.

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December 2019

FOOD

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Asian World’s Kitchen

Leading Chef Sarah Ali Choudhury Shares her Culinary Expertise Dorset Chef and Indian Food Expert Sarah Ali Choudhury recently presented a programme for BBC’s Inside Out highlighting Women in the Curry Industry. The programme featured locally, nationally and was translated and distributed internationally making global news on BBC World News.

Sarah Ali Choudhury took part in a Channel 4 Cookery show where she worked alongside Prue Leith CBE, Michael Caines MBE and Raymond Blanc. She was later awarded New Kid on the Block by The Small Awards where Sue Perkins presented her award.

The Federation of Small Businesses appointed Sarah as the National Lead for Women in Catering. Sarah is Senior President-Elect for Poole Bay Rotary Club and the district leader for equality, diversity and inclusion. She is Executive Director for The Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce.

Sarah is an Independent Advisor to Dorset Police.

Sarah was recognised as ‘The Curry Queen’ by Forbes magazine and is listed in the F:Entrepreneur #ialso100 List for being in the top 100 Female entrepreneurs in the UK. Sarah also received a Recognition Award at The Commandants Parade by The British Armed Forces for her contribution to the catering industry.

Indian and Bangladeshi restaurants and takeaways are under threat with two closings every week in the UK. A lack of skilled kitchen staff is often blamed, and on Inside Out, chef and Industry expert Sarah Ali Choudhury explored

the issue.

These restaurants are lacking staff because the government has made it impossible for them to bring experienced workers from abroad, and the government finds the industry an easy target. The catering industry is the third biggest privately owned industry, therefore one of the biggest taxpayers in the UK. Below, Sarah Ali shares her views with us on the current culinary crisis, for her new upcoming show with the BBC. WHY ARE THERE STAFF SHORTAGES IN INDIAN RESTAURANTS AND HOW SERIOUS ARE THEY? There are a few reasons why - one is changes to immigration laws that mean skilled chefs coming from outside the EU need to be earning more than £29,500. Some small family businesses can’t afford that. Another is that younger generations often have their own careers and can’t or don’t want to take it over.

ON INSIDE OUT SOUTH, YOU LOOKED AT WHAT THE SOLUTION COULD BE – WHAT DO YOU THINK IT IS? These affected restaurants need chefs, second chefs and tandoori chefs. It is being advised that training colleges would sort the staff issue, but the problem is that training to the level that is required will take a lot of time. Systems can and are being put in place for the future to overcome this problem; however, that does not address the problem here and now.

I think a big part of the solution is get-

ting more women into the British Asian catering industry. Only one in five chefs in Britain are female. Those figures aren’t recorded anywhere so while researching for the programme, the Inside Out team rang one hundred Indian restaurants across the South and South West and found that only one EIGHT had female chefs working there.

LESS THAN 10%! WHY DO YOU THINK THERE ARE FEWER WOMEN THEN MEN IN THE INDUSTRY? As the stats say, professional kitchens are male-dominated, and I think they have been for a long time, and this can put people off. Luckily it hasn’t put my Mum, Helen off, who is head Chef at our own family restaurant. But she says she’s noticed it as well.

AND IS THERE A REASON – YOU THINK - THERE MAY BE EVEN FEWER FEMALE CHEFS IN INDIAN RESTAURANTS SPECIFICALLY? In my experience, it’s mostly men who work in professional Indian kitchens; women cook in the home. My Dad, Rafique Choudhury, always encouraged the whole family to be involved in the running of our restaurant, hence why my Mum and I are such a big part of the business. When we rang those hundred restaurants, some people we spoke to laughed when they were asked if they had a female chef. I want to change that perception as it’s just not right and could be the answer to the ongoing problem.

My Lahore Review MyLahore started out in 2002, inspired to build on the pioneering migrant spirit of generations which came before them.

They’ve been serving up a unique blend of British Asian Favourites for over 15 years now, influenced too by Lahore, the flavourful food capital of Pakistan. True to their roots, they source and make food with passion and respect!

The MyLahore menu is famously eclectic, with something for everyone, and they love offering up tastes of adventure as well as strolls down memory lane.

The funky and fun eatery is jam-packed with fresh dishes, and fusions of East meets West unique tastes. They offer fantastic blends of mild, spicy or fiery curries, traditional grilled burgers, flaming rib combos, delectable pasta dishes, as well as sweet style cheesecakes, waffles and baked desserts.

The restaurant caters for everyone’s dietary needs. The Family run businesses has experiential chefs that are always creating new and mouth-watering dishes. Whether you’re vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free, there are plates to satisfy everyone’s preferences. Everything is also 100% halal! MyLahore additionally provides personalised cakes and catering services for all occasions, parties big or small and feature an uncooked range which can be cooked at home, 20% off

By Manisha Bhanot

the regular in-house price.

Like their refreshing and unique take on food, MyLahore restaurants are also interior designed with great taste and bold creativity in mind. Entering one of the restaurant’s branches will give you what MyLahore calls the ‘WOW’ factor.

You’ll be blown away by a mirage of colour. Bright collages of hand-painted Tempos, neon signage and rainbow light shades decorate the interior of each venue. Customers are welcomed into a neat and vibrant waiting area and sat at tables with plush, patchwork seating.

Each restaurant features a dessert counter for customers to select from the day’s hand prepared delicacies, and watch them be served. There are also washrooms and prayer rooms on site.

My Lahore features a fantastic rewards scheme in-store and online where diners are awarded 2 points for every £1 they spend. Every 100 points amount to £1 off your next order. To view the full menu or order online, visit www.mylahore.co.uk Don’t forget to follow their journey on social media & for fantastic giveaways!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mylahore/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/mylahore Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mylahore_

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GLOBAL 12-17

BUSINESS 18-21

GLAM 22-28

WEDDINGS 29-33

HEALTH 34-35

TRAVEL 36-37

TECH 38-39

FOOD 40-41

MOTORING 42-44

SPORTS 45-48

Ngopi Café Review

December 2019

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A new and one-of-a-kind coffee shop located in the heart of Birmingham city centre.

Ngopi, a cute little corner café on Dale End, is home to the authentic flavours of Indonesia, and serves only the richest blends of traditionally grown and home-brewed coffee. A literal translation of the phrase “Ngopi” means to say “have a coffee with us”, and that’s exactly what the owners of the establishment want you to do!

Ngopi is a coffee shop with a homely and organic feel. The venue’s wooden finishes, potted plants, and shelves adorned with paperback volumes give the eatery a cosy and warm feel, allowing you to sit back and enjoy

your morning or afternoon cuppa with ease.

The café seeks to harness the natural qualities and characteristics of the coffee bean, and therefore only purchase produce which has been hand-grown and picked by farmers in Indonesia.

All of the café’s coffee is processed by an in-house roasting machine to preserve the freshness and quality of the beans. You can even purchase your own roasted beans and powder coffee mixtures from the counter or online via the Ngopi shop!

Ngopi also serves a fine selection of small trays and savoury snacks to choose from alongside your warm drinks. So you can be sure you’ll get to sample Indonesian delicacies from all over the country’s incredible islands! It’s true that many of us in Birmingham are unaware of the great tastes of the East. However, Ngopi is the perfect place to introduce you to Indonesian food and drink in a warm and welcoming environment, courtesy of the café’s humble and down to Earth hosts.

The Ngopi menu options not only

satisfy your appetite, but feed your coffee addiction as well.

There’s plenty to choose from, including friend indomie with egg and corned beef, bakwan bakso melang (a hearty meatball soup), steamed chicken and prawn dumplings as well as a selection of rice dishes. There is also a great choice of Vegan options such as vegetable stuffed tofu puffs and tempeh (an Indonesian high protein soy snack). If you have more of a sweet tooth, you can pick from grilled banana or sweet bread, and even scrumptious vegan chocolate brownies.

Not to be missed out are the café’s impressive selection of signature coffees. These have been made and served in a style as close as possible to Ngopi’s Indonesian roots. They include the Kopi Susu Panas sweet coffee blend, Ngopi’s own take on a matcha coffee latte, and the cookie affogato, which is served alongside a scoop of icecream with biscuit crumbs.

If you want to see and taste Indonesia for yourself, then why not go and pay a visit to Ngopi today? To view their menu, order a brew-your-own coffee kit or make a wholesale enquiry, go onto www.ngopi.co.uk now!

We asked the Café management some questions about what inspired the business to grow, and how Ngopi participates in ethical and fair trade.

Q. Who came up with the idea to open the Café, is it part of a chain and do you plan on opening more franchises?

A. The owner of Ngopki is Indonesian and studied for their Post-graduate degree in Birmingham. They already have a coffee shop in Indonesia, so they decided to open one here too after being granted their Graduate Entrepreneur Visa. We hope to expand and open cafes in Manchester and London, to introduce Indonesian coffee and foods to more people in the UK. Q. What was the coffee shop décor inspired by?

A. The interior theme behind the café is the Indonesian Islands. We feature a mural of the mainlands on one of the walls, which is colourful and vibrant to reflect Indonesia culture, and show that there are more regions to the country than just Bali. The décor is definitely inspired by the tropics, we want people to feel relaxed and comfortable in this space but also as if they’ve entered a different location altogether.

Q. Why have you chosen the items on the menu especially?

A. On the menu, we feature our signature drinks which are traditionally drunk in Indonesia. For example, the Kopi Susu is a sweetened coffee that people normally drink with palm sugar. We also feature items on the menu that are commonly eaten on the different Indonesian Islands, so we can showcase their diversity and unique tastes.

Q. Is your coffee ethically sourced, and if so, where from?

A. We buy our coffee directly from our Motherland so that it benefits the farmers working there. We try and give the coffee growers the best fair price we can so that they can work as effectively in their processing and collecting as possible. We are currently buying our coffee beans from the Islands of Sumatra and Java, but just a few months ago we were also shipping in produce from Flores. We want our customers to know that any single cup of coffee they buy comes from all the way across the world, and it’s produced with a lot of honesty and hard work.

AW Facts Did you know?

Starbucks round tables were designed so customers wouldn’t feel so alone.

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December 2019

MOTORING

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FIRST CARGO BIKES FOR DPD TO SUPPORT ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGY EAV worked alongside British logistics expert to create a unique new vehicle

NEW HAND-CRAFTED GT DRIVING GLOVES BY THE OUTLIERMAN REVEALED IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS

The renowned luxury Italian accessories designers Outlierman have now launched their latest product for the driving enthusiast. Passionately designed and manufactured by the finest Italian seammasters, the world’s finest Nappa leather GT Driving Gloves are now on sale.

Bespoke-designed and hand-crafted from the perfect combination of high-quality materials, Outlierman Gran Turismo Driving Gloves are created with the DNA of iconic GT tourers, from the 1960s to the modern day. Whether driving the latest continental grand tourer, or an icon of classic motoring, the GT Driving Glove from Outlierman will suit any style of driving.

Hand-stitched by the finest craftspeople in Naples, the cotton crochet and Nappa lambskin combine to produce a glove which is soft-fitting and hard-wearing ideal for week-long continental rallies, or a weekend jaunt. Utilising a traditional technique of crochet workmanship, each glove surround is created using a single piece of the highest-grade cotton string, sewn without interruption. This process is one of the most intricate and difficult to complete to such a high standard, so Outlierman works with the best glovemakers in Italy. This incredibly rare style of glove makes the perfect driving companion in all seasons. Now available through the dedicated online Outlierman store, Outlierman GT Driving Gloves are a must-have for every motoring enthusiast, just in time for Christmas.

Mr. Mazzuca, Founder at Outlierman, explains: ‘Each and every Outlierman product is hand-crafted with the expertise and attention to detail expected from the very best Italian artisans. Our latest Gran Turismo Driving Gloves are certainly no different, incorporating the finest Nappa lambskin and cotton to create one of the finest driving gloves money can buy. We are delighted to present this wonderful product just in time for the festive season.’

The UK’s favourite parcel delivery company DPD has taken delivery of the first 10 EAV P1 electric assist cargo bikes – the result of a partnership between EAV and Birminghambased DPDgroup.

Five of the unique bio-mechanical electric-assist vehicles have now been deployed and are currently being tested on the streets of London, York and Newbury, while another other five are being shipped to DPD business units in Ireland, Spain, Germany, Portugal and France to help support British manufacturing and exporting abroad.

The purpose-built, environmentallyfocused quadracycle measures 2m long by 1m wide, weighs 120kg and can carry a 120kg payload. The 250 watt motor helps the rider accelerate to an initial 6kph (3.7 mph) on a boost/ hill start assist button and then on to a maximum pedal-assisted 25 kph (15 mph). The P1 can cover a range of up to 60 miles in a day and over 100 parcel stops and then be recharged using a normal 13amp, 240v plug socket.

Batteries can also be swapped to keep the P1 in constant operational use but are fully charged in under 6 hours.

The bike’s body is made from advanced composites which include the latest fully recyclable materials. For example; the fascia is made from a composite strengthened with hemp fibres bonded together with a resin based on the oil from cashew nut shells.

The EAV P1 is being deployed as part of DPD’s environmentally strategic aim to be the most responsible city centre delivery company in the UK. The plan, after the testing phase, is to significantly increase the deployment of P1s throughout the DPD network both in the UK and in Europe.

Dwain McDonald, DPD’s CEO commented, “The P1 is an absolutely amazing vehicle and we are immensely proud to be technical partners alongside EAV on this unique project.

This is an entirely new type of vehicle and is designed specifically to meet the current challenges for delivery firms in the urban environment. The early trials show that the P1 is performing really well and clearly has potential to be

more efficient for us than traditional vans in certain locations. It is highly manoeuvrable, can carry a good day’s worth of parcels and can often get closer to delivery addresses than the vans. We know that the environment and climate change matter more than ever to our clients and the feedback we get when we share our EV vision with them is really positive.”

Adam Barmby, founder and technical director at EAV commented, “It has been fantastic to work alongside DPD and to see our vision for the P1 realised. It is classed as a cargo e-bike, but really, we started from scratch and reimagined an entirely new type of vehicle to operate within the parameters of today’s urban delivery market. It is a modular design, so we can extend or shorten the chassis and change the cargo configuration to fit the brief. In addition to the design flexibility, there is also a whole new set of efficiencies that we are tapping into here. Realistically, the P1 can move as fast or faster than a traditional van through many cities because of the different routing it can take.”

Nigel Gordon-Stewart, Executive Chairman added, “Our deployment with DPD is clear evidence of the real potential of vehicles like the P1 to operate efficiently and environmentally in towns and cities worldwide. Its adaptability to offer multiple applications could enable a very significant reduction in both pollution and congestion. Our collaboration with DPD is the first step of many as EAV grows rapidly as a business. We’re about to commence a round of Crowd Funding with Seedrs.com to allow members of the public to invest in a transportbased business determined to achieve cleaner air, congestion-free city centres and a more sustainable world.”

AW Facts Did you know?

Ford paid an astrologer $500 to determine when to launch the Ford Taurus.

LOCAL 2-11

GLOBAL 12-17

BUSINESS 18-21

GLAM 22-28

WEDDINGS 29-33

HEALTH 34-35

TRAVEL 36-37

TECH 38-39

FOOD 40-41

MOTORING 42-44

Scottish drivers most likely to take risks when buying a used car

SPORTS 45-48

December 2019

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DON’T BE FUEL-ISH: TIPS FROM IAM ROADSMART

Drivers in some of Scotland’s largest cities are the least likely to check whether cars they are looking to buy have shady histories, new figures from the RAC indicate.

Tips from IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards, Richard Gladman, are all about how you can save fuel – meaning you can treat yourself with those extra savings.

Glasgow is joined by Edinburgh and Perth as the top three locations where drivers are most prepared to ‘risk it’ by not checking the history of a vehicle they are interested in, followed by Sunderland and Newcastle in the north east of England. In fact, analysis of RAC data shows drivers in these cities are around half as likely to get a check compared to those who live in Birmingham, Bradford and Truro, the latter the home of Great Britain’s savviest used car buyers.

Comprehensive vehicle history checks provide a low-cost way for drivers to identify if a vehicle they are thinking of buying has been stolen, written-off or is even still owned by a finance company, regardless of how it is advertised by the seller. Buyers that don’t get one therefore run the risk of spending money on a vehicle that at best isn’t worth the money, and at worst is unsafe to drive.

• Try to keep your driving smooth. Gentle acceleration and using the highest safe gear will use less fuel. Ease off the accelerator early for traffic lights if they are red - why hurry up to wait?

According to the RAC’s analysis of sales of thousands of checks, the cities where drivers are least likely to buy a vehicle history check are: 1. Glasgow (least likely) 2. Edinburgh 3. Perth 4. Sunderland 5. Newcastle 6. Aberdeen 7. Lancaster 8. Durham 9. Inverness 10. Liverpool

RAC Motoring Services spokesperson Sophie Steane said: “It is drivers north of the border who appear to be most likely to ‘chance it’ and go without checking the history of their next used car, and that is a concern.

“A comprehensive vehicle history check is an extremely low-cost way for any driver to help satisfy themselves that their next car purchase won’t

www.capitalbusinesshub.co.uk

The locations where drivers are most likely to buy a vehicle history check are: 1. Truro (most likely) 2. Bradford 3. Birmingham 4. St Albans 5. Chelmsford 6. Coventry 7. Bristol 8. Plymouth 9. Leicester 10. Gloucester

turn out to be a dud. Important information about a car’s past, such as whether it has previously been written off after an accident, or if it’s still owned by a finance company, could help a buyer work out whether it is one they want to spend their money on – or if it’s safer just to walk away. After all, a few red flags could be a sign that there are other, undisclosed issues with a vehicle.

• If possible, try to avoid driving during heavy traffic. Stopping and starting in traffic needs the use of the first gear and a lot of fuel is used to get the vehicle moving again • Keep your tyres well maintained by checking the condition, pressures and tread depth. When it comes to choosing new tyres, it’s worth having a look at ones which are designed for extra economy • Get rid of unnecessary weight. Cars work just like the human body, it needs more energy to move around more weight and so does your car. Take heavy items out of the car if you don’t need to carry them. A roof rack or roof box will increase drag and you will use more fuel to overcome this, so remove it if it is not being used

• Nowadays, you don’t need to manually warm up a modern car, so once your windows are clear (a bit of elbow grease will sort them out) you are able to set off to your destination without having to wait around • During this winter season, as your engine is trying to warm up it uses more fuel for the first four miles or so. Your engine stays cold when you drive less than two miles and your car will produce 60% more pollution than a warm engine – avoid these short journeys where possible • Turn off the air-conditioning as it uses extra fuel.

When the rear window is cleared turn off the rear screen heater - the more electricity your car has to produce, the more fuel it will use • Keep your speed low as you can reduce fuel consumption by up to 25%. Try pressing more lightly on the accelerator, often you can maintain the same speed with less pressure on the pedal

Richard said: “Fuel is expensive but a few small changes in the way we prepare our vehicles and plan our journeys can make a big difference in our fuel consumption. Remember that safety and fuel saving can be complementary if we drive effectively.”

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December 2019

NO LICENCE, NO PROBLEM…

DRIVE A SUPERCAR EVEN IF YOU’VE FAILED YOUR DRIVING TEST!

Leaner drivers struggling to pass their driving test can still put pedal to the metal in some of the fastest supercars on the planet.

And with more-and-more people struggling to pass their driving test, leading driving experience provider www.trackdays.co.uk is reporting a 14 per cent year on year increase in bookings for its no licence required experiences.

In fact, figures from the Department for Transport and the Driving and

Vehicle Standards Agency show that the pass rate for the practical driving test dropped to its lowest in a decade in 2018/19 to 45.8 per cent.

Imran Malek, operations manager at www.trackdays.co.uk said: “We have plenty of supercars available to have a blast in, no matter how many times you’ve failed your driving test.

“Of course, safety is paramount at all times, and all drivers are accompanied by a professional instructor to ensure

they get the most out of their driving experience in a controlled manner.

“More importantly, while having a supercar experience is great fun, it can also help improve driver control, which might be useful when it’s time for the driving test.”

To further help learner drivers pass their driving test TrackDays.co.uk has some handy pointers: Practice makes perfect. You cannot practice enough before the test. Concentrate on the manoeuvres you find the hardest and ideally do them in the same car you’ll be doing the test in.

Energy levels. Take time to have something to eat and drink to keep energy levels up. Do not skip breakfast.

Lesson learnt. Have one last lesson just before the test to calm the nerves and address any last-minute issues.

It could be useful to find out the most common reasons learners fail so you can try to avoid them.

Local knowledge. Get to know the area and driving conditions near the test centre, so you can at least prepare for what might come.

Imran added: “Many of our fleet of Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Aston Martins, and other equally impressive supercars, can be enjoyed by everyone, whether they’ve passed their driving test first time or are on their tenth attempt!”

To discover more about TrackDays. co.uk and its no licence required experiences in a supercar, visit https://www. trackdays.co.uk/driving-experience/nolicence-required.

VAUXHALL MOTORS LAUNCHES NEW TV ADVERT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MOTABILITY SCHEME

Vauxhall Motors has aired its new TV advert to build further awareness and consideration for its long-standing partnership with Motability Operations.

Mobility Operations operates the Motability Scheme, which enables people with a disability to use their mobility allowance to lease a new car.

The emotive new advert highlights how for many disabled people, being able to drive, or be driven, means having the independence to go to work, see friends and family and go out for the day.

Set to Nina Simone’s “I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free,” the film follows a number of different stories; from a mother laughing on the road with her

daughter with Down’s syndrome, a woman enjoying the open road with her wheelchair in the boot, a woman with cerebral palsy and a husband singing with his wife who is blind. All are enjoying the freedom to travel and get out and about.

“This poignant and touching new film fits genuinely with what Vauxhall stands for as a true British brand in the heart of Britain: approachable, inclusive and close to all customer needs,” said Stephen Norman, Managing Director at Vauxhall Motors. “We are also delighted to highlight our work with the Motability Scheme, an association we’ve had for over 40 years.”

Motorists Think You Need 60 Weeks Experience Behind the Wheel to become a ‘Good Driver’ New research has revealed that 60 weeks is the average amount of time motorists think it takes to become a ‘good driver’ after passing your test.

The research, conducted by Young Driver, the UK’s largest provider of pre-17 driving lessons, found that on average people believe it takes well over a year of experience behind the wheel to become confident with the skills needed.

More than one in six (17 per cent) believe it takes over two years.

Newly qualified drivers are statistically more likely to have an accident behind the wheel, with one in five involved in a collision within the first six months after passing their test. One in four of the 1000 motorists Young Driver questioned (26 per cent) admitted they were an extremely nervous driver after passing their test, whilst one in 10 said they were over-confident behind the wheel – both of which, combined with a lack of experience, could cause dangerous driving situations.

It’s estimated that the average British learner only has 40 to 50 hours of driving practice under their belt before they pass their test and Young Driver is urging parents to help their youngsters get more experience before they get to the test centre and start driving solo.

The company has published a book by

motoring expert and TV presenter Quentin Willson which is aimed at helping parents and teens improve the learning to drive journey. ‘Learn to Drive without Tears and Tantrums’ encourages parents to take their children out in their cars for

additional practice once they reach 17 and offers simple advice on how to keep the process productive and stress-free.

Young Driver’s research shows that one half of parents (54 per cent) get behind the wheel with their children whilst

they’re learning – but those that do may inadvertently be causing confusion.

Quentin Willson said: “Although parents often have great nostalgia around learning to drive, the reality when they get behind the wheel with their child can be

arguments, stress and tears. Most parents learnt to drive decades ago and the test has changed dramatically since then, meaning they can give conflicting advice, confusing the learner. They aren’t aware that the test now includes Sat Navs, independent driving, mechanical questions, new parking manoeuvres, and that learners should have some approved motorway tuition, which was previously illegal. I’ve written this book in an easyto-read style with lots of illustrations because with preparation and planning, parent, child and approved driving instructor can make a really strong team, leading to the best possible outcome in terms of creating a safe, confident and skilled driver. And that’s good news for all road users.”

Young Driver aims to help young people get experience behind the wheel before they even reach the age of having a provisional licence. The scheme has delivered more than 740,000 lessons to children aged 10-17 at 65 venues across the UK. For more information about Young Driver or to buy ‘Learn to Drive without Tears and Tantrums’ (priced £9.99) visit www.youngdriver.com or call 0333 577 9010.

LOCAL 2-11

GLOBAL 12-17

BUSINESS 18-21

GLAM 22-28

WEDDINGS 29-33

HEALTH 34-35

TRAVEL 36-37

SPORTS

TECH 38-39

FOOD 40-41

MOTORING 42-44

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Alum Rock Football Academy Inspiring Success

“

I have witnessed the work carried out by the Alum Rock Football Academy for many years now, and the numbers have grown with so many various community cohesion based projects delivered at a high quality. This is an organisation that is not just focusing on football but is also mentoring the youths on progressing in education and keeping them away from the wilderness which is ruining Birmingham.

“

Mohammed Zafran

SPORTS 45-48

Alum Rock football Academy was formed by a group of ex Sunday league players at Alum Rock Football club in 2014. They wanted to give local children a platform to simply play football, get fit and have a positive mind set.

We could see that many young people are so easily led and have negative role models in today’s society , which can lead to getting involved in anti-social behaviour and crime.

Initially we had no support as people weren’t interested in giving their time towards the cause for a variety of reasons.

We held the same belief that we should give our time and effort on a voluntary basis for the young people in the locality, so they could come and play football in a fun environment, make friends and have positive social interactions.

Travelling was a problem for parents; we came to the realisation that our sessions were heaven sent for local parentswho appreciated that they could give their children a chance to play football locally. This scheme was a great alternative to struggling to take their children out of the area

and pay over the odds per child in other academies, especially if there was more than one sibling.

Alum Rock Football Academy is run on a voluntary basis by senior members of Alum Rock Football Club, all the current coaches are F.A qualified, DBS cleared and First Aid trained.

Coaches and staff have full-time jobs,yet persevered to move the Academy forward by gaining support from local parents. Initially we had struggles with pitch hire and costs/flood lights etc.

We have children from most local schools who really enjoy attending, we have put on family days out, as well as educational workshops for children and parents, to give Alum Rock Football Academy a real community feeling.

We can’t believe just how fast the time has flown by. The 11 year olds who started out with us are now in their last year of school getting ready to sit exams, we are proud we played a part in their lives and will continue to do so with the younger groups.

Our aspirations are for the Academy to go from strength to strength and help future generations. The club engages in many community events and just recently the Alum Rock Football Academy had a fantastic day at St. George’s Park

(Training ground and home to England’s National Team). We took part in a celebrity-packed football tournament with Copa Del Cure Leukaemia, raising awareness and money for their latest research campaign.

We contribute to a hands on approach in terms setting up workshops for children and parents, in terms of “knife Crime/Gangs”, there will be more follow up sessions in 2020.

A real eye opener for parents was the Child online Internet Safety workshops the Academy arranged. Parents were alarmed and surprised at the dangers their children are presented with and gained valuable knowledge through the sessions to keep their children safe whilst using the Internet and social media. Mrs Dar, the head at Rockwood Academy, and her team stand side by side with the Academy and support the children with positive community cohesion.

Facebook: Alum Rock Football Academy Instagram: alum_rock_football_academy_ Twitter: @AlumRockFA YouTube: Alum Rock Football Academy

England Women Announce Squad for Pakistan Tour Heather Knight (Berkshire, cap) Tammy Beaumont (Kent) Katherine Brunt (Yorkshire) Kate Cross (Lancashire) Freya Davies (Sussex) Sophie Ecclestone (Lancashire) Sarah Glenn (Worcestershire) Kirstie Gordon (Nottinghamshire) Amy Jones (Warwickshire, wicketkeeper) Nat Sciver (Surrey) Anya Shrubsole (Berkshire) Mady Villiers (Essex) Fran Wilson (Kent) Lauren Winfield (Yorkshire) Danni Wyatt (Sussex) England Women have confirmed their squad for their December tour of Malaysia, where they’ll play Pakistan in three ODIs and three

IT20s.

Pakistan v England Schedule There is a first call-up for Worcestershire leg December 9: First ODI, Pakistan v England, Kinrara Oval, 1.30am GMT spinner Sarah Glenn, who impressed in last

December 12: Second ODI, Pakistan v England, Kinrara Oval, 1.30am GMT season’s Kia Super League for Loughborough

December 14: Third ODI, Pakistan v England, Kinrara Oval, 1.30am GMT Lightning, while youngster Mady Villiers

December 17: First IT20, Pakistan v England, Kinrara Oval, 2am GMT retains her place from the summer. Sussex

December 19: Second IT20, Pakistan v England, Kinrara Oval, 2am GMT seamer Freya Davies returns to the group.

December 20: Third IT20, Pakistan v England, Kinrara Oval, 2am GMT The three ODIs form part of the ICC Women’s

Denotes match is part of the ICC Women’s Championship Championship, and thus represent six points towards qualification for the 2021 ICC Women’s World Cup - a tournament for which UK. time so this tour is an opportunity to start a England have now guaranteed qualification.

England captain Heather Knight said: “We’re new era and move forward.

The three IT20s will represent an opportunity looking forward to getting out there and get“There’s a few younger faces in the group to prepare for February’s ICC Women’s T20 ting back to international cricket. but also a lot of proven talent. I’m really World Cup in Australia. All six matches will “It’s been a few months since our last game happy with the group and we can’t wait for be live-streamed and available to watch in the and there’s been a fair bit of change in that the next few months.”

Sijo Bruce Lee’s 79th Birth Anniversary Celebrations in India

Mumbai: A grand program was organised at The Celebration Club, Andheri (West) Mumbai by famous martial arts expert of bollywood and chairman of the Chitah Jeet Kune Do Global Sports Federation (CJKD), Cheetah Yajnesh Shetty. The event occurred on the occasion of 79th birth anniversary of Bruce Lee, a Hong Kong-American actor, director, martial artist and martial arts instructor. In memory of Bruce Lee, a national martial arts championship was organised in which the children from 20 schools from Mumbai and 26 states participated. After this, Yajnesh Shetty released a poster of Bruce Lee along with Milind Gunaji, Omkar Das Manikpuri, Shahzad Khan, Ashok Beniwal, Vinay Anand and CJKD Director Trishan Shetty, Vice President Harish Shetty. The birth anniversary was marked by cutting a cake.

In the program, school books and study material was distributed among 50 under privileged children. After these prizes, trophies and certificates were given away to the winners of the championship, and to the CJKD instructors involved in giving free training “for women power empowerment”.

On the occasion, CJKD Chairman and famous Bollywood martial arts expert Cheetah Yajnesh Shetty said: “we have been celebrating Bruce Lee’s birth anniversary for the last 10 years. This year’s program was dedicated to ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and women empowerment and training’. We organise programs related to different themes such as ‘Swatch Bharat’, ‘Global Warning’, ‘Under Privilege Education’ etc. We are trying to spread good thoughts through the children across the country”.

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December 2019

The Hundred teams up with New Balance

New Balance extends relationship with ECB by supplying kit for all eight teams in The Hundred New Balance will produce both playing and training kits for each of the eight teams, with the men’s and

women’s teams wearing the same design.

Each of the kits will reflect the vibrant identities of the new teams and have been designed to appeal to fans across the country. The designs will be unveiled soon and will be available to buy in the lead up to the competition from The Hundred’s online store, at The Hundred venues, as well as through a range of UK retail partners.

Rob Calder, Commercial

Director of The Hundred, said: “New Balance has been a long-standing partner and we are delighted to extend our relationship with them to include The Hundred. Following the amazing success of the 2019 England men’s World Cup shirt, we know New Balance produce kits that fans love and world-class players are proud to wear. We can’t wait to see the venues full of fans supporting the new teams next summer.”

Liam Burns, Head of Cricket for New Balance, added, “We’re thrilled to be involved in this exciting new competition. It is great to produce designs that are a true representation of each team – the result is eight brand new kits unlike anything seen before in cricket in England and Wales.”

The Hundred is a new and exciting 100-ball format that will feature some of the world’s best players. It launches in Summer 2020, following an incredible year of cricket and will feature men’s and women’s competitions across a five-week period, hosted in venues across England and Wales.

On October 20, the first men’s player Draft will take place live on Sky Sports and streamed on the BBC, with the players for each of the new eight teams picked live on the night.

Fans can register their interest in tickets and information via www.thehundred.com.

Interactive Tool Shows Number of Days It Would Take for a Footballer to Buy Your House

Ogilvy & Sneyd have spent the last few weeks researching the wage of well-known Premier League footballer, and therefore, how long it would take them to purchase the house that you have spent so long saving and working for.

To coincide with the release of Fifa 20, Ogilvy & Sneyd have recently completed weeks worth of research into the weekly wages of some of the UK’s most well-known Premier League footballers. Scouring the web, they were able to find out the wages of some of the highest-paid footballers in the League, and to spread public

Athletes Suspend Morality to Pursue Sporting Success - Study

Ruthless sportspeople often suspend their sense of right and wrong when they step onto the field of play – viewing sport as a different world where they jettison responsibility to act in a moral way, according to a new study.

When athletes focus on the outcome of a game or race solely to earn a ‘reward’ or avoid ‘punishment’, they are more likely to engage in antisocial behaviour in order to win or demonstrate their sporting pedigree.

In addition, ultra-competitive coaches can bring out the worst behaviour in athletes – making them feel inferior or guilty if they do not act in particular, mostly anti-social, ways.

Experts at the University of Birmingham and Sultan Qaboos University, Oman published their findings in the International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, after evaluating 27 existing reviews of research into ‘prosocial’ and ‘antisocial’ behaviour in sport.

Study author Dr Maria Kavussanu, Reader in the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Birmingham commented: “Certain conditions in sport may lead athletes who are relatively upstanding individuals in everyday life to suspend their sense of right and wrong when they step into a competitive sporting arena.

“In the pursuit of victory, coaches may ask players to cheat or injure their opponents, and players may see their teammates doing this. It may be easier

to morally disengage in sport because responsibility for one’s inappropriate actions can be displaced onto others.”

Temporarily suspending right and wrong in sport is described as ‘bracketed morality’ with athletes choosing to demonstrate less mature patterns of moral behaviour than in everyday life.

Similarly, instances of athletes demonstrating their superior ability or ‘ego orientation’ tend to be higher in competition, which is an integral part of sport, compared to training.

When athletes take part in sport solely to obtain rewards and prizes, show others how good they are, or avoid feelings of guilt and shame - they are more likely to engage in antisocial behaviour to

achieve these goals.

Researchers also found that coaches use coercive practices and pressure participants - for example, using controlling language, granting ‘rewards’ for performance and manipulating athletes’ feelings and emotions.

Controlling coach behaviour led to moral disengagement (i.e., athletes justifying their antisocial behaviour), which in turn led to antisocial behaviour toward both opponents and teammates.

The researchers also discussed their studies on the consequences of teammate behaviour for the recipient. Prosocial behaviours supporting, congratulating, and encouraging one’s teammates generally resulted in them trying harder

and performing better.

Adult football and basketball players who felt that teammates acted prosocially toward them during a match reported experiencing more enjoyment, applied more effort, perceived better performance and were more committed to continue playing for their team.

Such behaviour towards teammates could also prevent burnout - psychological, emotional, and physical withdrawal from a previously enjoyable activity in response to chronic stress.

However, antisocial behaviour towards teammates can cause stress and burnout for individuals. When athletes experienced antisocial behaviour, such as verbal abuse from their teammates, they felt more anxiety and reported symptoms of burnout.

Repeatedly expressing frustration at a teammate’s poor performance can leave that athlete unable to contribute to team goals and diminishes their ability to cope with the demands of their sport.

Antisocial behaviour could also increase feelings of anger and negativity, as well as damaging team spirit.

However, in experimental research, basketball players subjected to antisocial behaviour from teammates performed better than players who were not in a two-minute free-throw shooting competition. This suggests that antisocial behaviour may be beneficial for performance under certain circumstances, but it is unlikely that these benefits would continue in the long term.

awareness, have created an interactive resource which shows how many days, weeks or months it would take these footballers to purchase your house outright.

This resource, which allows you to enter the value of your house and pick the footballer who you would like to compare the wages of, will take the values entered by the user and calculate how much time it would take for the footballer in question to purchase the home that you have most likely spent years saving up for. Please find the resource here: https://www.ogilvyandsneyd.co.uk/ you-vs-premier-league/.

William Scott-Moncrieff, founder and managing director of Ogilvy & Sneyd said “we are aware that football is one of, if not the biggest, sport in the world, and with that comes high salaries for players. We thought it would be a great idea to show the world just how much these footballers earn each week.” He also added… “Being a football fan myself it was incredibly interesting to see how much some of my favourite footballers actually earn weekly. It really puts this into perspective.”

The resource offers a unique insight into the weekly wages of, specifically, male footballers and how lucrative it can be to be “good at your job”.

Ogilvy & Sneyd have offered a never before seen view into how wealthy footballers really are.

William added… “We are aware of the fact that, especially when you are considered to be a top footballer, how much money you can bring to your employers the football club, but what this resource does show is how many players really are considered to be up there with the best in the world, and how much they are compensated for this.”

AW Facts Did you know?

Shin-guards date back to the ancient Greeks and Romans.

GLOBAL 12-17

BUSINESS 18-21

GLAM 22-28

New findings from PureGym reveal that 50% of non-gym goers in the UK admit to feeling scared of the gym, with some stating their gym phobia is worse than more commonly recognised fears such as heights, spiders or injections.

The scale of our gym-phobia: The study compared gym anxiety to other common fears and helped to show that some people are so spooked by gym that one in four would rather choose to have an injection, or be alone in a room with a spider than go to the gym.

30% of millennials said they’d rather give up their phone for a day instead of going to the gym alone, and 1 in 4 (25%) women said they’d rather go on a rollercoaster than head to the gym.

Almost 1 in 5 non gym-goers also said they currently would rather stand atop a skyscraper than visit the gym alone.

What scares some most about the gym?

The study also revealed the things that worry non-gym goers the most about visiting the gym, helping to uncover why some may be avoiding a pastime shown to result in multiple benefits for both physical and mental health.

The top five sources of gym nerves: 1. Looking stupid in front of other people 2. Feeling self-conscious next to other people 3. People judging my body shape 4. Not knowing how to set up the machines/equipment 5. Not being strong enough or fit enough to use the machines properly

WEDDINGS 29-33

HEALTH 34-35

TRAVEL 36-37

TECH 38-39

FOOD 40-41

MOTORING 42-44

SPORTS 45-48

December 2019

1 in 4 Brits More Scared of Gyms than Spiders

In addition to launching a host of new guides and advice to aid new members, the gym provider has also worked with fear expert Dr. Margee Kerr, to provide further insight into gym phobia and how everyone can overcome it.

Dr. Margee Kerr teaches and researches everything ‘fear’ related at the University of Pittsburgh and has even consulted on deliberately fear-inducing theme park attractions. Dr. Kerr explains the reason why the gym is different to other healthy activities in our minds is because “Going to the gym is a social experience, meaning it carries all the potential gains that come with socialising, but also all of the fears and anxieties too”.

“We, as humans, are constantly comparing ourselves to our peers, analysing how we’re similar, better, or worse.

We also compare ourselves to our own expectations of what we think we should be capable of, our internal representation of our ‘best’ self”.

“Where we might be able to hide some of our vulnerabilities in the workplace or school, our weaknesses feel on full display in the gym, inciting intense feelings of vulnerability, of self-doubt, of fear.”

Avi Samra

My experience with Pole dancing!

How to overcome gym phobia: Stephen Rowe, Chief Marketing Officer at PureGym says:

“

Our research revealed two principal causes of fear for people new to the world of gyms. The first is a general fear of the unknown and secondly, people worry that others may judge them as they don’t know what they’re doing which can lead to social anxiety.

To help first timers with their first visit, we’ve created a behind-the-scenes gym video tour which shows what a PureGym looks like from the inside, so they can get used to the gym before they even leave the house. There is also an online treadmill guide on how to set-up a machine and three new workouts specifically for beginners to help a nervous member on their first visit. By arming new starters with a little more knowledge before they step into the gym, we hope to give them a bit more confidence and remove some of those anxiety barriers.

Dr. Kerr suggests the following tips for recognising and over-coming your gym anxieties: 1. Remind yourself that you are in control. Studies show a sense of control makes scary social events easier to tolerate and overcome.

So, acknowledge, and frequently remind yourself, that you are the one choosing to take on this fear inducing situation. Your doctor, spouse, family member, coach, etc. didn’t make you go to the gym, YOU did. Knowing it’s your choice will empower you to embrace the challenge ahead.

2. Don’t ignore that you feel scared. Denying, or attempting to suppress your fears doesn’t work, in fact studies show it does the exact opposite. The more we try to NOT think of something the more importance we give it in our minds!

Give yourself permission to feel scared, acknowledge the fear when it creeps in, welcome it and know that it’s OK to feel this way. And applaud yourself for feeling the fear but doing it anyway!

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My Fit Life with

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LOCAL 2-11

3. Educate yourself. Fear is all about the unknown, so you can do yourself a BIG favour and reduce a ton of anxiety by learning more about the gym before your first workout. Either research online, or book an induction to learn where the locker rooms, water fountains, and exits are located, and learn any important gym protocol like proper equipment use and class etiquette.

Thinking strategically will help you manage your fears, you have to know your territory before you make a move.

Pole dancing is actually known as ‘Pole fit’ in the fitness world. When people hear the word ‘Pole dancing’ it makes them think of something completely different! Pole fit has increased in popularity over recent times and many classes are available across the UK. However, there is still a bit of a taboo when it comes to pole fit, dare I say more so in the Asian community? My mother in law loves to have a laugh about it and always says “imagine I told people my daughter in law goes pole dancing!” that says it all right there doesn’t it?

I started pole fit a few months ago and during my first lesson I was so nervous, everyone else was dressed in crop tops and tiny shorts and there was me covered up! I soon discovered that you need to wear as little as possible because you need to contact the pole with your skin for grip or you’ll slip off! What I initially loved is that there were people of all shapes and all sizes at the class and they looked so free and in no way seemed to care about anyone judging them based on how they looked.

My first lesson, I was terrible and I watched the pole instructor in absolute awe, the way she was able to move her body, turning upside down, swinging round and around was amazing. The other beginners with me were also amazing and I did think, “I can never do what they are doing”.

But low and behold with perseverance I found myself after a few lessons being able to do some spins and pole climbs!

As well as being great for confidence building, pole fit is brilliant for increasing strength, toning muscles and increasing flexibility. Another positive of pole fit, and a lot of people who attend the classes say it is great for mental health. During lessons you are so focused on rhythm and flow and trying to perfect a spin that it leaves you little time to think about the stresses of your life. Pole fit gives you the motivation to workout during the work to keep increasing your strength because you know the stronger you are the easier you will find getting up that pole each week!

I’ve only being doing pole fit for a few months and by no means am I pro at it. But I can definitely say I LOVE IT! It’s the most fun, challenging, frustrating, painful workout I’ve ever done. You will ache after the lessons and possibly have some bruises (yes, you do get bruised!) but that just shows you how hard you’ve worked. Its frustrating because it can take weeks to perfect a move, for example it has taken me many, many lessons to be able invert (go upside down on the pole). The satisfaction of finally being able to do it was amazing. The reason why I love pole fit so much is how it has impacted my confidence and self esteem. I definitely recommend having a go, don’t be disheartened if you think you’re no good at it because I’ve seen firsthand how quickly you can make progress!

Until next time, remember to be happy and be healthy!