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Editor’s Note
Hello to our readers and welcome to another edition of Asian World Newspaper! We hope you’ve all had a pleasant summer break! With the kids returning back to school and many of us going back into work or full time education, we know you’ll have a lot to catch up on. That’s why we’ve crammed this edition with the most up to date news and articles from the West Midlands today! So, don’t delay and dip into this next issue with ease. Find out what you’ve missed and get chatting to your local neighbour or colleagues about what’s happening right now! In this edition, we will be analysing the news of £9 million being given to UK ports in preparation for Brexit. For more on this article, go onto page 5. We will also be getting into the details of how a Sikh man in Birmingham was detained for carrying the Kirpan. This is despite the fact the religious article has been legalised in the UK. For more on this story, turn to page 6. In our Glam section, we have the most recent Bollywood insider facts and figures, as well as word of mouth from the stars themselves. However, we have some stories from some rising stars within our very own British community as well! For an interview with Sonia Aksi, Scotland’s first Asian Female DJ, flick through to page 34. If you want the tell-all from the industry’s most renowned actors, then
take a look at page 29 to read all about Hrithik Roshan’s reflections on his allstar acting career. Stuck on where to go out to eat in Brum? Wanting to try some new foreign tastes and flavours? Fret not; we have you covered with our amazing food reviews in our usual categories. This month we’re featuring the incredible home cooked dishes and polish cuisine of The Karczma in Digbeth. We’ve also reviewed the rich blends and spices of the Lebanese food on offer at Comptoir Libanais in Grand Central. To read more on these reviews, take a peek at our Food section on pages 48-49. Whichever section you’re interested in, there is a story for everyone. So, pick up a copy of the West Midland’s No.1 South Asian paper, grab a cold can of soda from the fridge and find a nice spot on the sofa. Read through the next few pages at ease. Take a look at the rest of this issue NOW! For latest and exciting advertisement offers for 2019 please don’t hesitate to Contact us: on 0121 771 4545 or email: sales@asianworldnews.co.uk Have a great read! Editor: Manisha Bhanot editor@asianworldnews.co.uk Visit us online www.asianworldnews.co.uk
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September 2019
NEW HITLER PLAYS WITH FIRE
By Arvinder Singh
Front Page Story Cont’d... The latest news from Indian Occupied Kashmir is worrying. It’s been over a month of curfew, and, the complete blackout of information, communication, schools, offices & medical facilities has been observed. The international community is showing a deep concern over the situation of the valley. Since, the revoke of Article-370 & Article 35-A of the Indian Constitution; Local & international political leaders around the globe, international organisations, international media & various human rights organisations have been raising their voices for “the biggest ever human crisis” developing because of the atrocities & wrongdoings of the Indian Army. The prime minister of Pakistan compared his Indian counterpart with Adolf Hitler over the scrapping of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and blockade of the region. Imran Khan also warned he would respond to any attack on his territory by “ten folds.” “What Modi is doing in Kashmir like Hitler’s final solution,” Khan said in Muzaffarabad before the provincial assembly in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir. Khan made his statements during the 72nd anniversary celebrations of Pakistan’s independence from the British Empire and its separation from India, which
were this year dedicated to Kashmir, a disputed region divided between the two countries over which two wars have been fought. “Hitler had arrogance and Modi’s arrogance is no different,” Khan added, comparing the radical Hindu ideology to Nazism. “In this ideology, like the Nazis, the ethnic cleansing of Muslims from India was also included,” Khan said, in reference to Kashmir being the only Muslim majority region in a Hindu majority India. Khan also warned Modi that Pakistan and its military was ready to respond to any attack from India.
“I am telling Modi that if you try a skirmish, we will respond ten folds. We will not tolerate any violation and are fully ready to counter it,” the Pakistani prime minister said. He further said: “If this region goes to war, the world will be responsible.” Since 1947, more than 100,000 Kashmiri Muslims have been killed in the valley, and over half a million Kashmiri Muslims have been injured. Under the prevailing imposed curfew, more than 14 million Kashmiris are being treated as a hostage by the Indian Army. They are forced to stay in their homes; there is a severe shortage of food & medicines in the valley. Massacres,
fake encounters, disappearances, mass graves, extrajudicial killings, torture, sexual violence, mass rapes, and the use of pellet guns are the common stories that come out of the valley, but no one precisely knows the exact human abuse which is happening in the biggest living Jail since 5th August 2019. According to Al-Jazeera, Approximately 500 protests have been broken out in IoK within the first three weeks of the curfew over 10,000 people have been arrested, the jails in IoK are full & the arrested ones are now being detained in unknown places throughout India. Thousands have been injured, hundreds have been blinded through pallets guns, people are dying due to shortage of food & medicines, babies dying due to unavailability of milk, the dead ones not being issued the death certificates; all these efforts done in execution of a massive genocide in IoK is the situation into a staggering revolt. The Lava is building every day due to violations of human rights & once the curfew gets lifted up, the effect of this volcano eruption will widespread over the region bringing two nuclear states, India & Pakistan on a collision course. The Modi’s Government, which staged the narrative of “Akhand Bharat – The Greater India” in the name of national security, has become detrimental to
regional peace. PM Narendra Modi is a lifetime member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, abbreviated as RSS which is an Indian right-wing, Hindu nationalist organisation involved in the brutal massacre of Muslims in Gujarat, Bhiwandi riots, Bombay riots, and the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. “Hatred” for minorities, specifically the Muslims, is the main source of Motivation for RSS. Like Nazi Party led by Hitler; RSS based BJP following the “Ideology of Hindutva”, is being led by Narendra Modi today – famously known as “the butcher of Gujarat”, considering Hindus of the higher castes (Brahmans & Kshatriya) the most superior. The followers of the RSS believe in having only their right to live in the region. The shadow of which is being seen in Jammu & Kashmir, and in Assam where 1.9 million inhabitants have been forcefully kicked out, and are being dealt as non-citizens. Ironically! Most of them are Muslims in this case too. Hence, the Modi’s government is completely operating in excluding minorities, turning the minorities into 2nd class citizens & not providing the minorities with their rights. In the neighbourhood, PM Imran Khan after being elected in August 2018; despite a complex history between two countries, continuously offered peace & reconciliation with India,
focusing on common unemployment, poverty, climate change & shortage of water, but the Modi’s Government remained stuck with their Hindutva Ideology and repeatedly neglected Pakistan’s desire of peace. The RSS mindset has captured India. It’s not only damaging the peace of the region, but it is also damaging the secularism of India. The revocation of Article 370 & Article 35-A of the Indian constitution is an eye-opener for various other states & minorities. It will boost the separatist movements in India, including the most famous separatist movement –“the Khalistan movement”. Now, only the good sense of the Indian people can save India from this fire, ignited by PM Modi himself. Similar to that of what is happening in the East of Pakistan, an ideology with quite the same agenda of “supremacism” is prevailing in the West too, i.e. of “the Greater Israel”. This is camaraderie between Israel & India. Israel supported India to do airstrikes in Pakistan, in the recent February it became a pratfall for the Modi’s Government as the Pakistani Air Force shot down two Indian fighter jets, capturing Wing Commander Abhinandan, & acquiring Israel’s “Spice 2000”. It is in Israel’s national interest to engage Pakistan with India, so that she may proceed in achieving her goals.
Arabs Supporting the Kashmiri OPPRESSORS
India planned to stage an economic conference in October and opened gates for UAE & Saudi Arabia to Invest in IoK. But the Indian plan seems to be failing because of the rebellious response from Kashmiris and the hostile situation of the valley. The most recent & surprising news coming from the valley is that the posters & banners of Pakistan’s DG ISPR & his tweets are being carried by the protestors signaling “to intervene & save them”. The Arabs are confused in the overall political situation of region & the stability of their regimes.
UAE & Saudi Arabia considers “Turkey after 2023” a threat to their regimes. Both of these countries are going to recognise Israel to be a part of “The deal of the century” to strengthen their economies and their regimes. Without being affected by atrocities of Indian army in Kashmir, UAE awarded PM Modi “Order of Zayed” – the highest civilian award depicted a bad image in the eyes of Muslims around the world. The Muslims are in agony over Saudi’s decision of investing $75 billion in India & UAE’s decisions of honouring a fascist leader, at such a
time when the Kashmir is under curfew & barbaric Indian army is violating human rights. The whole scenario of the international political circus is taking the world to a dead-end, and only a good sense can stop this fire. The racist & Fascist mindset will only lead to destruction. The situation may turn to a nuclear war. The world can’t ignore this because we all are in danger. The international community must play their vital role & must think beyond trade & business advantages to save billions of inhabitants of the world.
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September 2019
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£9 million announced to get ports and local areas ready for Brexit £5 million will be given to local councils which either have or are near to a major air, land or sea port and £4 million to local resilience forums.
• Local areas to receive £9 million to help ensure they are fully prepared for Brexit on 31 October An extra £9 million will be made available to ensure local areas and major ports are ready for Brexit, Local Government Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP has announced. A total of £5 million will be given to local councils which either have or are near to a major air, land or sea port to ensure they will continue to operate efficiently when the UK leaves the EU on 31 October. The remaining £4 million will be shared out to local resilience forums (LRFs), partnerships made up of representatives from local public services, across England to support them in their preparations. The funding can be used by local areas to support the development of robust Brexit plans for their areas and for continued preparedness activities, including additional staffing costs. The extra funding follows a £20 million boost for councils announced in August to ramp-up preparations for leaving the EU by appointing a designated Brexit lead. This brings the total funding allocated by the government to help local areas prepare for Brexit to £77 million to date.
• Kent will be given over £2.6 million out of the available funding due to its unique circumstances additional funding today to help local areas get ready for Brexit, whatever the circumstances. Local authorities in Kent will receive over £2.6 million in recognition of the county being home to a number of the significant and busiest ports in the area including the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel, Ashford and Ebbsfleet. Kent County Council will receive £1 million, and £1.6 million will be shared between a further 13 local authorities in the county. The allocations have been based on a number of factors including the expected impact on the local area, the amount of EU goods received by port areas into the country and the areas wider importance to the UK’s trade network.
AW Facts Did you know? Local Government Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP said: From keeping our supply chains running and ensuring goods continue to flow into the country, to putting
robust plans in place for every community, local government is playing a vital role in preparing the country to be fully ready to leave the EU on 31 October.
We have stepped up our preparedness significantly in recent weeks, including by asking every council to appoint a Brexit Lead Officer. Now we are releasing an additional £9 million of
Birmingham’s Central Library is the largest of its kind within Europe.
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September 2019
Sikh Man Detained for Possession of Kirpan in the UK A spokesman for West Midlands Police stated: “Police on patrol in Birmingham city centre spoke to a man who was acting aggressively just before 6:30 pm in Dale End. He was advised regarding his behaviour and no further action was taken.”
A Sikh man has been held in custody within England for carrying a Kirpan (religious knife) on his person. Many say the man in question was wrongly arrested as Sikhs are legally allowed to carry the weapon because it is one of their articles of faith, as long as it is not being utilised for violent means. The incident occurred on Bull Street, Birmingham on a Friday evening and has been the source of much media speculation since then. Footage emerged online of the man being confronted by the police for his ceremonial knife, despite him pleading: “I am a Sikh; I can carry this if I want to.” Aside from this, the man was accused of acting aggressively by the police. Officers then proceeded to radio for back-up from their colleagues. The video showed the man clearly dressed in traditional
blue robes and a turban. He was carrying a curved silver Kirpan around one foot in length, strapped to his waist. The British Sikh council have condemned the news after it was posted on
Sajid Javid named Chancellor by New Prime Minister Boris Johnson The new UK PM Boris Johnson has named Sajid Javid as the Chancellor of the Exchequer and declared that the country has “incredible opportunities” ahead. The Bromsgrove MP was appointed to Number 11, when the new Mr Johnson first started to form his Cabinet, to help him keep his promise to leave the EU by October 31. Mr Javid was Home Secretary under Theresa May and had stood against Mr Johnson and Jeremy Hunt in the Conservative leadership contest. On Twitter, Mr Javid said: “Deeply honoured to be appointed as Chancellor by PM @BorisJohnson. Looking forward to be working with @hmtreasury to prepare for leaving the EU, uniting our country and prioritising for the incredible opportunities that lie ahead.” Mr Javid is a former managing director at Deutsche Bank and was reportedly determined to becoming a Chancellor. He is the son of a bus driver whose father came to the UK from Pakistan in the 1960s with just £1 pound in his pocket. After he was out of the Tory leadership contest, Mr Javid said: “Work hard and have faith in your abilities. Don’t let anyone tell you that you aren’t a big enough individual to aim high. To be ambitious, and to make your voice heard, you have as much right as anyone else to have a seat at the top.”
Aamer Naeem, Penny Appeal CEO says: “As a British Muslim-led charity, we are delighted to welcome award-winning actress Mehwish Hayat as Penny Appeal’s newest ambassador. Having Mehwish join the Penny Appeal family will undoubtedly help to improve the lives of thousands of children in Pakistan and around the world.”
Pakistani actress to run London Marathon for UK charity
By Tauseef Asif
Meanwhile, Andrea Leadsom was appointed as the Business Secretary, having to hold the energy brief in the department. Previously, she failed the leadership bid against Mrs May in 2016. Earlier, Mr Johnson said that the country needed to be ready to take advantage of Brexit. He said: “With growing confidence, we will now accelerate the work of getting ready.”
By Manisha Bhanot
another British Punjabi Facebook group. The group said: ‘If he’s a practising Sikh then there shouldn’t be an issue.’ Alternatively, some members of the public supported the police’s actions, saying with that with the recent surge in knife crime, it was correct to be cautious. The incident follows after another Sikh man was halted at Gatwick Airport for also carrying the holy dagger. A Kirpan is part of 5 articles of faith that baptised Sikhs must wear at all times, as per one of the religion’s sacred commandments. Under the Offensive Weapons Act 2019, if a person can provide evidence and justification their bladed article is used for ‘religious reasons only’ then it can be carried as a form of ‘defence’ or for ceremonial significance.
International award-winning Pakistani actress Mehwish Hayat to be appointed ambassador to UK based international humanitarian charity, Penny Appeal. Mehwish will be visiting the UK to announce her appointment as an ambassador to the charity, as well as her participation in next year’s London Marathon (2020) to raise funds in aid of Penny Appeal’s international education campaign. Former model turned actress, Mehwish Hayat is widely regarded as one of the leading film and screen stars in the Urdu entertainment industry. Awarded two international Lux Style Awards (Pakistan’s biggest entertainment awards), Mehwish was recently honoured with
the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz by the government of Pakistan, the highest declaration given to a civilian in Pakistan based on their achievements. Penny Appeal’s ambassador appointment has already been announced and Hayat attended an inspirational all women cricket tournament as her first act of duty. The special evening was followed by a fundraising dinner at a restaurant in Bradford. The following day, Mehwish Hayat along with Bradford West MP Naz Shah (Shadow Minister of State for Women and Equalities) visited the Womenzone family centre to meet local Muslim mothers and children. The monies raised by Mehwish’s
01922 646224
London Marathon run, will go towards Penny Appeal’s education campaign, in order to fund the construction of five schools in Pakistan, followed by similar projects in Africa. Mehwish says: “I am thrilled to become Penny Appeal’s newest ambassador, it gives me the opportunity to help vulnerable children around the world reach their full potential through education. I encourage everybody to donate to my London Marathon Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mehwishhayat . I hope the schools will empower thousands of children to learn and give Pakistan an even brighter future.”
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Indian Restaurant Refuses to Serve Man who is Indian
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September 2019
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By Manisha Bhanot
An Indian Restaurant situated in Dublin has been charged to pay £2,745 to a man who they refused to serve based on his ethnicity. Mayank Bhatnagar proved this was the case at a recent hearing before the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), and claimed a hefty sum in compensation. Mr Bhatanagar told the court he had visited Ravi’s Kitchen in July of 2018 on his work break. He was accompanied by his two colleagues and entered the premises with the intentions of having lunch there. Mr Bhatnagar says that he allegedly requested the restaurant’s owner, Ravi Shukla, how long the order would take as he was handing out menus to customers. Upon his request, Mr Shukla inquired as to whether the man was Indian. Upon hearing him reply the affirmative, Mr Shukla then told Mr
Bhatnagar that he “Does not serve Indians” and to leave the establishment. Mr Bhatnagar also claims that the restaurant owner started to yell about how his family had suffered as the group were leaving. During the court hearing, Mr Bhatnagar’s evidence was uncontested as Mr Shukla did not appear in court. This is due to the fact the latter claimed he had not received a notice to stand trial. However, those present in the courtroom agreed otherwise. The WRC judge, Marie Flynn, stated she was satisfied that “the respondent was properly on notice of the time, date and location of the adjudication hearing”. Ms Flynn also ruled that the victim, Mr Bhatnagar, had been discriminated against on the grounds of race, which was a direct violation of the Equal Status Acts.
“I am satisfied that he has established that he was treated less favourably than a person who was not Indian would be treated in a comparable situation” she declared. Ms Flynn added: “Once the complainant has established a prima facie case,
the burden of proof then shifts to the respondent.” Mr Shukla, who is from northern India, said that he plans to appeal against the ruling. He claims that he did not refuse to serve Mr Bhatnagar because he was unsatisfied with how long his food
would take. He said the man “wanted a buffet”, but the restaurant did not have one. “It is a very one-sided ruling. I have lots of Indian customers, and I have never refused them service because they are from India” he argued.
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September 2019
Helping Little Angels
by Mohammed Zafran
Independent expert appointed to tackle Islamophobia
An independent adviser has been appointed to provide expert advice on a definition of Islamophobia to the government. Imam Qari Asim MBE, Deputy Chair of the Anti-Muslim Hatred Working Group will lead a process for establishing a definition of Islamophobia. He will be joined by a second adviser to be confirmed in due course. This new work will build on the definitions of Islamophobia currently being considered, including the APPG definition. It will also draw on a wide range of opinions and work in close collaboration with the cross-government Anti-Muslim Hatred Working Group, to ensure that it commands broad support within Muslim communities and wider society. Communities Secretary, Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP said: The government is wholeheartedly committed to ensuring that Muslims are not targeted for hatred, persecution or discrimination. Imam Asim’s appointment marks a further step in helping us to achieve that goal and ensures that we develop an effective definition of Islamophobia which commands widespread support. Imam Qari Asim MBE said: To tackle the alarming rise in anti-Muslim sentiment, it is
imperative that Islamophobia is defined. I am deeply committed to working across Muslim communities and with relevant stakeholders to formulate a legally robust, comprehensive and workable definition of Islamophobia. The government agrees there needs to be a formal definition of Islamophobia to help strengthen our efforts against antiMuslim hatred. But there are questions around the APPG definition, as concerns have been raised that the APPG definition could unintentionally undermine freedom of speech, and prevent legitimate criticism of Islamist extremism, or of unacceptable cultural practices. This is a matter that needs careful consideration. The Communities Secretary announced earlier this year that we would instead be appointing two advisers to drive the process of establishing a definition on Islamophobia forward and lead work on making recommendations for the government to consider. The advisers will work with the Anti-Muslim Hatred Working Group which will continue to engage with Muslims and address hate and discrimination.
Imam Qari Asim biography Helping Little Angels (HLA) was set up with a vision to care for orphans, educate children from deprived backgrounds and alleviate poverty and hardship among poor families through adult empowerment programmes. Our charity also provide humanitarian emergency aid, and are part of an integral part of the local community in Birmingham, where we are based. Determined and passionate about helping orphans and needy children, the late Shamim Mahmood, used her small inheritance to open the Al Jannat Orphanage in 2004 in Lahore, Pakistan - where the charity is also known as Jannat ul Firdous. Today the Al Jannat Orphanage houses 60 children between the ages of 4-18 years and offers some of the best facilities in comparison to other orphanages in Pakistan, including quality education and pastoral care. One of our recent projects includes installing solar panels to improve efficiency and reduce costs. For the teams both in the UK and Pakistan, the orphanage has been at the heart of the charity, and each and every child is considered as our own. We are proud to have some of the older children excel in education with one girl from the orphanage studying for a Masters degree in Islamic Studies. Orphan sponsorship is an important part of our charity. We also have schools in Sargodha and Brarkot – rural poor areas in Pakistan, providing a high standard of education to over 700 children, mostly from deprived backgrounds. We also have a vocational training institution in Lahore, provid-
ing training in sewing to women from poor families to enable them to gain employment to become self-sufficient. In addition, we actively engage in promoting girls education. Through our college for girls in Brarkot, we aim to reduce discrimination and poverty by providing access to equal opportunities and further education for girls. The children at the orphanage and schools are inspiring; many with confident and creative personalities. We always aim to encourage all the children to believe in themselves to do well in every aspect of their lives and become independent individuals who will go on to make a positive contribution to society in the future. For example, Labia came from a deprived family in Brarkot and dreamt of becoming a doctor since childhood. She told our team she would often play games as a young girl pretending to be a doctor checking her friends as patients. She worked tremendously hard and with the support of teachers at our school in Brarkot passed all her exams. Today, Labia is studying Medicine at a university in China; on the path to fulfilling her dream. Tooba also came from Brarkot from a very poor family. She recollects that as a young girl she was keen to go to school, but because of the devastating earthquake in 2005 there were no proper schools in the area – until Jannat al Firdous established a school in Brarkot. Tooba and her brothers enrolled at the school. Today, one of her brothers has a career in the Pakistan Navy. Tooba
-Qari Asim, MBE, is senior Imam at Makkah Mosque in Leeds, which has won the award of being UK’s model mosque and Legal Director at a global law firm. He is Deputy Chair of government’s Anti-Muslim Hatred Working Group and was an advisor to the Independent Review into the Application of Sharia Law in England and Wales. Alongside this, he is Chair of Mosques and Imams National
Advisory Board, and Senior Editor of ImamsOnline. Qari Asim is passionate about fostering relations between communities and is a trustee of Christian Muslim Forum, an executive board member of National Council of Imams & Rabbis, a director of Forum for Promoting Peace (London) and one of the faith advisors to the Near Neighbours programme.
Further information The definition will not be legally binding and the appointment of a legal expert will be to ensure that the definition does not conflict with current equalities legislation. The government has done more in recent years to tackle anti-Muslim hatred. This includes: • Funding of Tell Mama, a dedicated third-party reporting organisation that offers victim support. Between 2016 and 2020 we will have provided the organisation with £2.5 million to raise awareness on anti-Muslim hatred and to increase reporting of hate crimes. • Supporting and refreshing the cross-government working group on anti-Muslim hatred, which includes a broad range of representation of eminent community representatives, went on to study for a B.A. degree and returned to Brarkot School as a teacher, the same school that first gave her the opportunity to change her life for the better. The charity offers orphan and education sponsorship programmes. Members of the public can make one-off donations or set up sponsorship on a monthly basis. Orphan sponsorship is only £30 per month and donations for education can start from £20 per month. There are several other projects people can donate toward. Some of our other projects include installing water pumps, planting trees, orphan marriages, and international
academics, and hate crime practitioners to advise and challenge the government on tackling Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hate crime. • Ensuring for the first time, that police forces, are required to disaggregate religious hate crime data to allow us to better identify Islamophobia. • Doubling the Places of Worship Fund to £1.6 million – to physically protect mosques and other places of worship and reassure our communities – and making it easier for people to apply for this funding from July 2019. • A new £5 million fund to provide security training and a consultation on what more can be done to protect faith communities.
humanitarian aid. HLA has worked on the ground in Syria, Palestine and Bangladesh for the Rohingya refugees. We are currently raising funds to plant trees in Pakistan. Pollution is having a huge impact on the environment in cities like Lahore. Therefore, our team is looking to plant trees in public areas like Lahore Safari Park. Donors can contribute by helping to plant trees to make Pakistan cleaner and greener at a cost of just £10.00 per tree. Please visit our website for further information and to make donations: https://helpinglittleangels.org.uk/ Or you can call on 07904 160 726 if you would like to speak to our team.
We are also always keen to have new members join our team. Upcoming Event: Come and join the HLA team for a fabulous fundraising event on Saturday 18th September at the Fairway Pavillion, Greenford Road, London UB1 3EE, from 6.45pm. We will be raising funds for a new girls wing of the orphanage. There will also be presentations, an auction as well as a 3-course meal. Tickets: Adult £20, Child (5-10 years) £10, Table of 10 £175. For further enquiries please call 07791 988 211 or book tickets online visit: https://helpinglittleangels.org.uk/
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September 2019
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September 2019
House-Sized Monument to be built at Small Heath Park for Bangladeshi Comvmunity
By Manisha Bhanot
being unveiled, it would be made visible for traffic and pedestrians on Coventry Road. The tallest steel column which would be central to the monument will be to represent the mother. The further four columns flanking the mother on either side will measure either 1.5 ft or 1ft, respectively. An original version of the monument already stands overseas in the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka. It was formerly approved to be built by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). The monument is a tribute to students from the capital who were killed in the country’s 1952
rallies. They had been protesting for Bengali to be made an official language of Pakistan. The surrounding community of Small Heath is predominantly Bangladeshi, one of the largest known to the UK, and members of this ethnic origin mostly observe the Islamic faith. The access document for the monument’s planning procedure states: “Small Heath Park is an important site for the Bangladeshi community. “On 28 March 1971 thousands of Bangladeshis gathered there in support of Bangladesh’s independence. “This day is still observed each year at Small Heath Park by
the Bangladeshi community in Birmingham and the West Midlands. “Each year a temporary structure is built to mark the day and around 400 people gather before midnight on the eve of 21 February to pay their respects to those who lost their lives and to promote the freedom to speak one’s mother tongue, peace and cultural diversity.” The document further adds that there is ‘overwhelming interest and desire’ regionally for the monument which would represent a ‘cultural focus’ in the park and ‘form a backdrop’ for specific festivals throughout the year.
Teenager with Immigrant Single Mum Gains £250K Scholarship after Turning down Harvard A new 23 ft structure may soon be seen inside one of the city’s green spaces at Small Heath Park. An application has already been submitted to Birmingham City Council by the city’s residential Bangladeshi population.
The new monument would be built as a five-piece steelwork and completed in time for next year’s International Mother Language Day on 21 February 2020. The event has been annually celebrated since the year 2000 and
promotes cultural and linguistic diversity as well as the ability to speak multiple languages. The blueprints also include the structure to be sat on a 3.2 ft concrete base. Due to the project’s impressive height, upon
The young son of a foreign Bangladeshi Mother has earned himself an envious £250,000 all-expenses-paid scholarship overseas. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the US is the best on the globe for aerospace engineering. Mohammed Isuf has been lucky enough to be accepted at the institution based on his amazing results. Mohammed left Newham Collegiate Sixth Form in London with excelling grades in Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Chemistry. At the same time that he was studying, he also passed his American SATs, which he was tutored for by an American teacher whom his college paid for. After finishing all of his exams, Mohammed was surprising rejected by Cambridge’s Corpus Christie College, which is ranked seventh highest in the world. However, just a short time afterwards, he received acceptance letters from Harvard and MIT and had what seems like the impossible task of choosing between the two. However, Mohammed decided to settle for the latter once he heard that all of his tuition fees and boarding would be paid for in advance. Mohammed commented: “I
know this will totally transform my life… It feels like I have won the lottery. My family has never had lots of money, but they have been incredibly supportive. “When I heard about former NCS student Tafsia getting into MIT I just thought ‘why not me?’ I hope it inspires more East End kids, who might think they’ll just never get into these places, to apply.
Mohammed Isuf Ahmed, 18, will study Physics and Aerospace at the MIT, the highestranked University in the world. Cambridge previously rejected him. “This has only happened because I went to Newham Collegiate Sixth Form. We have very good sixth forms in Newham, but only one can say they have helped students into the very best uni-
By Manisha Bhanot
versities in America.” Mohammed was among one of a selected group of other students who had the chance to visit MIT in 2018. The trip sparked his love of the campus and keen interest to study there. He got the opportunity to sit-in at lectures, speak to the University’s current students, and discuss pathways into the ivy-league. Mohammed grew up in a tiny flat in Aldgate, London, and was raised alongside his younger brother Mohammed Mahir Ahmed, 16, and sister Saif Tariq, 15. The children were raised by their 39-year-old Mother Shifa Begum, who immigrated to the UK in 1988. She currently works as a receptionist at an Optician’s. Mohammed still meets up with his father regularly, who is very proud of his academic success. Mohammed praised the encouragement he received from his mother, which helped him with his studies. He said: “My mum was always so supportive and when I needed help at school or with books it was down to her.” Mohammed looks forward to learning how to cook from his Mum before he starts his exciting new venture of living and studying independently in the US.
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September 2019
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September 2019
Councillor Calls to Keep Solihull Police Station Open By Manisha Bhanot
Change of British High Commissioner to Pakistan
Dr Christian Turner CMG will take up his appointment by December 2019 Dr Christian Turner CMG has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in succession to Mr Thomas Drew CMG who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Dr Turner will take up his appointment by December 2019. Full name: Christian Turner Married to: Claire Turner Children: Two 2017 – present No.10, Prime Minister’s International Affairs Adviser and Deputy National Security Adviser 2016 – 2017 FCO, Director-General Middle-East and North Africa, and Africa; Acting Political Director (2017) 2016 FCO, Director, London Syria Conference 2012 – 2016 Nairobi, British High Commissioner
2009 – 2012 FCO, Director, MiddleEast and North Africa 2008 – 2009 FCO, Deputy Director, Middle-East and North Africa 2007 – 2008 Cabinet Office, Director, Middle-East, North Africa and North America, Overseas and Defence Secretariat 2007 No.10, Private Secretary to the Prime Minister 2006 – 2007 FCO roles including project work in Middle-East and North Africa Directorate and for the Special Representative for Climate Change 2003 – 2006 Washington, First Secretary, Energy and Environment 1998 – 2003 Cabinet Office, roles including Deputy Team Leader in Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit, Private Secretary to the Minister of State, and Secretary to the Economic and Domestic Committees of Cabinet.
Announcements from the local council to close Solihull Police station were first given in March 2018. The controversial plans included details in selling off a portion of the building as a part of broader budget cuts to save around £5million pounds. The initiative was given the go-ahead by David Jamieson, Crime Commissioner of West Midlands Police. It was done on the basis that 100 officer jobs would be protected and the force would still hold a significant presence within the locality. There were suggestions to open new police offices within other neighbouring government buildings, such as NHS sites or the fire department. However, since last year no sure plans have been made to move Solihull’s police desk elsewhere. The news has been responded to with widespread concerns from those living in the area. This is despite the fact the site was named “un-
derused” and is known to be run-down and mainly empty. Mr Jamieson commented: “After £145million cuts since 2010 and with the level of funding from government being squeezed year on year, the force must continue to find efficiencies to protect officer numbers. “Crime is also changing and I need to ensure West Midlands Police has an estate that is equipped to help officers and staff respond to those crimes. Whilst the threats we face change, the public still need access to their police. That is why these proposals ensure that the current number of public contact offices will be maintained at current levels.” The fact that the operation has been given the green light has been a shock for many. News of the closure has received backlash from many Borough MPs especially, as they have been vouching to save the building. Julian
Knight, a Solihull MP and Dame Caroline Spelman, both began a 3.5K strong petition to fight for the survival of the station. Cllr Tildesley also remarked that the recent pledge by new PM Boris Johnson to recruit 20,000 Police Officers strengthened the case to keep the station open. The intake would mean the site could become home to the working offices for many more constables. “If there is an awful incident and a young lady is terribly abused and needs a place of safety, that’s what the police station is fundamentally all about” said the Cllr, further emphasising his argument in favour of keeping the station open. Mr Jameison will soon be stepping down from his current position as Crime Commissioner, and it is reported that the station will close in late 2020.
Hundreds of Ticketless Travellers Given Penalty Fares at Birmingham New Street
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Hundreds of ticketless train travellers using Birmingham New Street station were issued with penalty fares during a crossindustry clampdown. The day of action, on a Friday just a few weeks prior, saw revenue protection and security managers checking the tickets as passengers made their way in and out of the station. In total 206 penalty fare notices were issued and 39 people were referred for prosecution. The day of action involved collaboration by revenue officers working for West Midlands Railway, London Northwestern Railway, CrossCountry, Virgin Trains and Transport for Wales, supported by Network Rail as the operators of Birmingham New Street. Steven Fisher, head of on board experience for West Midlands Railway, said: “Operations like this are a great example of cross-industry working and will reassure fare-paying passengers that we are doing all we can to prevent ticketless travel on our network. “Our revenue protection and security managers are out on out
network every day to support the 97% of passengers who follow our advice and make sure they have a valid ticket before travelling. Tickets can be purchased from station staff, ticket vending machines, online, or via the West Midlands Railway app. “Passengers who do not buy a ticket before travelling from a station where ticket-buying facilities are available may be issued with a penalty fare. These are £20 or twice the full single ticket price for a journey, whichever is
greater.” Malcolm Holmes, executive director of West Midlands Rail Executive, said: “This operation at Birmingham New Street was an excellent example of what the rail industry can achieve when it works together to tackle the problem of ticketless travel on our train services. I would like to pass on my congratulations to everyone involved in making the operation a success.” David Golding, interim managing director for Network Rail’s North
West and Central Region, said: “With more people in the West Midlands choosing to travel by train it is important for us to support our train operators to ensure everyone pays for their journey. This cross-industry effort helps make sure the railway is fair for all passengers travelling through Birmingham New Street.” Birmingham New Street is the busiest UK train station outside London, with more than 43 million passenger entries and exits recorded last year.
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September 2019
Panesar Backs Home Town UK to End
For England cricketer Monty Panesar, his home town of Luton has gone from a point of embarrassment in the past to one of pride, as he believes strongly that it is a town making positive steps to shake off its unattractive reputation. Panesar has admitted that previously, he would say he was from Bedford, out of embarrassment rather than admit to where he is actually from. This is due, in part, to the reputation of Luton, which has been voted the worst place to live in England in the Idler Magazine in 2004 and a Reddit poll in 2016. Part of what has gained Luton an undesirable reputation in recent years is extremism and controversial counter extremist groups and demonstrations. Al Muhajiroun, the Islamic extremist group staged a demonstration in March 2009, protesting the 200 soldiers parading through Luton after returning from Iraq. They called the soldiers “murderers and baby killers”. This understandably ruffled feathers in the local community, leading in part to the formation of the infamous EDL by Tommy Robinson. For the BBC Monty Panesar spoke to Tommy Robinson’s uncle, Darren Carroll, who has since defected from the EDL. Citing the closure of Vauxhall in 2002, Carroll explained that the loss of jobs and resulting unrest is part of what was keeping Luton down and winning its bad reputation. After a rally in Birmingham, in which he was called Nazi scum by strangers, Carroll reconsidered his position as part of the EDL and now campaigns for Small Steps, a far more moderate and diplomatic anti-extremist organisation. Carroll has praised the way in which Luton’s communities have come together to tackle extremism and believes that it can serve as an example to towns and cities with similarly divided communities. Monty Panesar’s brother, Isher, suggested social media could be partly to blame for Luton’s reputation, helping to circulate articles and polls which are detrimental to the town. He also
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Freedom of Movement for EU Citizens
Panesar concluded by saying “Never judge a book by its cover,” “You don’t really know a place until you live there.” suggested that the increase in house prices is proof the city is making vast improvements. Monty Panesar has also referenced the town’s football
team as a pillar of the community that is contributing to its rejuvenation. Since climbing up from non-league football in 2014, Luton Town FC are back in the Championship thanks to back-to-back promotions. This has helped to restore interest in the side, which is investing in a stadium capacity increase. Panesar also commended Luton International Carnival, which is a yearly weekend of celebration of the town’s Caribbean community and attracts about 25,000 visitors each year. Such developments as these are important for the morale and unity of communities.
UK citizen free movement will end on day one of a no-deal Brexit, as new Home Office plans are underway. In spite of the warnings of chaos and people trapped in legal limbo. The new hardline home secretary, Priti Patel, is pressing for border restrictions to be compulsory on 31 October, even though the system is not ready. Ministers previously had intended to delay removing the free movement until new rules are in place and arguments over what those rules should be. The Liberal Democrats judged the acceleration as “brutal”, warning, as it exposed Ms Patel as being “completely apart from reality”. The organisation presenting more than 3 million EU citizens in the UK said: “This will be discriminating, and there are no systems in place.” Instead, Ms Patel believes that she can act through secondary legislation, in a way which would bypass MPs of all parties that would oppose it. The Home Office officials have been sent to Singapore to copy its results for technical issues, with the home secretary convinced it could be intro-
duced quickly. The Liberal Democrats spokesman, Ed Davey, has said: “It is detached from reality, and it is the next chapter which will never end and the mess they are creating of Brexit. “What would this mean for EU citizens who made their home in the UK? And to those who have travelled abroad, they will try to return? Are the government suggesting an NHS nurse, who is an EU national and if they are on holiday, will they not be allowed to return? It is absurd.” Ed Davey is unclear that Ms Patel could avoid passing an act of parliament, describing any such attempt as “outrageous”. Nicolas Hatton, who is the head of the 3 million groups of EU citizens in this country, has stated: “There are no systems in place, and nothing is ready as well. It is a political movement, but it will have a real impact on people’s lives. “It will open the door to discrimination. How will they differentiate between the ‘legacy people’, those already here, and those who will arrive afterwards?”
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September 2019
London City Tightens Rules on Skyscrapers
Stricter building regulations for skyscrapers have been drawn up by the City of London because of concerns that high-rise buildings will generate winds capable of knocking over cyclists and pedestrians. The developers will have to provide more inclusive safety assessments of how the proposed buildings will affect people on street level. Extra robust testing of roadways and
pavements is also being prepared alongside the new scale models, which will be analysed in computer simulations. The city will reduce the level of wind conditions considered to be tolerable by the rules, as the average speeds at present show to be more than 8 metres per second. This comes as uncomfortable in all circumstances, making developers
lessen the plans of designs shown as likely to affect cyclists and pedestrians. A host of skyscrapers have joined the London skyline in the recent years, with a particular collection in the city, including the Leaden Hall Building, which is known as the “Cheesegrater”, at 20 Fenchurch Street. Thirteen other skyscrapers, ranging from 78-305 metres tall, are
expected by 2026. There are presently six high-rise buildings under construction in the capital and another seven are being planned to be given consent from the City of London. Reports of the downdraughts came soon after the construction of the 39-storey Walkie-Talkie was completed in 2014. The building’s shape resulted in the sun’s rays being reflected on to the streets in such an intense beam that journalists were able to fry an egg in the heat. The City of London Corporation has stated that the new rules are not in response to any particular incident. A spokeswoman added that the city’s skyscrapers were always being “carefully observed” including WalkieTalkie, “to ensure the wind conditions in the surrounding streets remain stable”. In the UK, the dangers of the high-rise buildings are creating wind tunnels, which have been most evident in Leeds. The Bridgewater Place tower had caused numerous road closures and the death of a pedestrian when a lorry was blown over. Cycling groups welcomed the City of London’s move. Simon Munk of the London Cycling Campaign said: “There is a well-documented risk of concrete canyons, creating wind conditions. The pedestrians can be knocked off their feet and cyclists can be pushed sideways into the path of motor vehicles.”
The UK’s fastest growing halal restaurant chain is coming to Walsall German Doner Kebab is opening at Unit 1A, Littleton Street, Wisemore on Monday, September 23rd at 11 am. And we are offering 25 readers an amazing chance to win a year’s supply of doner kebabs. The first 25 people who arrive at the restaurant on Monday morning will qualify for the prizes. They will be intitled to one free kebab per week for a whole year. German Doner Kebab has nearly 40 branches in the UK and
the same number worldwide. The company expects to double the size of its operations within the next 12 months. GDK’s success is down to the healthy and nutritionally balanced approach it takes to traditional kebabs. All kebabs are made from quality ingredients that are exclusive to German Doner Kebab Restaurants. The great taste comes from the secret sauces that set its products apart.
A spokesman explained: “We use lean succulent beef and pure chicken fillets. These meats are imported directly from Germany to maintain quality and consistency. “We only serve fresh, locally-produced vegetables that are delivered and prepared daily along with our special German Doner Kebab bread. “These make our Doner Kebabs a truly unique taste experience for our guests. “The result is a nutritionally sound gourmet food experience that contains virtually no preservatives or additives and can be consumed day or night. “We are constantly evolving and recent additions to our extensive menu include the Doner Gym Box, which has been specially created to be high in protein and lower in calories.” T&C: No cash alternative, other T&C apply
So you are about to start University…
By Matthew Till, Assistant Director Skills, Birmingham City University
In the 1990s articles like this would have been full of cheery and helpful advice on living away from home for the first time, making new friends, the best places to use your Student Card and top tips for student budgeting. And for a proportion of new students, this is still the case. However, this is not the “typical” student anymore. Modern students are as likely to live at home whilst studying as they are to be entering halls of residence. Many will already have a part-time job to juggle alongside their academic pursuits, and some will have full-time family commitments. With this in mind, here are some nuggets of practical advice that will hopefully be useful to anyone about to start University this year. 1) You are not alone – approximately 270,000 people in the UK from all backgrounds will be starting their course at the same time as you. That in itself should be a source of comfort. 2) Universities have an amazing range of academic and pastoral support services available – engage with them early and make sure you know where to go when you need help. Ask. It’s a simple thing, but difficult to do sometimes. There is no such thing as silly questions, but it can be silly if you don’t ask questions at the right time. Everyone at your institution from academics to support staff wants you to succeed. If there is anything you need or are unsure about, or just want information, go and speak to someone in the University. 3) Get stuck in. Be inquisitive. Participate. Your course will fly by, so don’t wait for “next term” – maximise the opportunities you are given, get involved and extract the absolute most you can from your time at University. 4) Careers services in Universities are a fantastic resource for you to exploit. Don’t wait until your final year to engage with them, engage with them as soon as you can. 5) Whether your interest is cricket, quidditch, dance, sewing, reading comic books, politics, community volunteering or dressing as a pirate, I’m pretty confident your University will have a society where you can express your passions. And if they don’t, start one. Go to the Student Union and find out about what societies are available. 6) Did I mention that 270,000 people will be starting University at the same time as you? On the flip side, there will also be 270,000 students graduating with you at the same time. That’s a lot of degrees and talent. Make sure you stand out from the crowd when you graduate and have a CV that’s more just than a list of qualifications (see points 3,4 and 5) 7) Enjoy!
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GHAZWA-E-HIND AND THE PRESENT SCENARIO In almost every religion, there are prophecies mentioned that openly define the end of time and life on earth. Due to chronological occurrences of prophecies, many religious scholars anticipate that the world will enter into its last phase of time, where it is believed that the world will
witness prophecies that include the arrival of the Jewish king Messiah, the Muslim messiah known as Imam Mahdi, the Prophet Isa (Jesus) and the reconstruction of the third temple, Armageddon, or in other words, Ghazwa-e-Hind. All religions across the world, are preparing for the end of
time. Ghazwa-e-Hind or the Battle of hind (modern-day India) prophesized by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is predicted to be the last battle between Muslims and Hindus. In order to understand the meaning behind Ghazwa-e-Hind, we must interpret the Hadiths of the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH)
and discover the chronological and geographical events described in the Hadiths. The most important Hadith that relates to Ghazwa-e-Hind explains that “An Army (NonArabs) carrying dignified flags will stand, (East of Khurasan), and no power will be able to stop them. They will fight a war against Hindus, and they will bring the Hindu leaders by dragging them in chains. The Islamic context states that the army fighting Ghazwa-eHind will also fight Armageddon and will provide strength to the regime of Isa Ibn-e-Maryam (Jesus PBUH). Ghazwae-Hind is also known as Ghazwa, which is believed to be the war that will be fought under the spiritual presence of the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH). However, this study needs to be intensive research, so that we may understand the precise meaning of the prophecies, holy books and the revelations of all the religions. In contrast to Ghazwa-e-Hind, Hindu’s believe in “Dharmayuddha”. Yuddha means “struggle, war”. Dharma means “maintaining the correct relation between the part and the whole”. Dharma yuddha means “struggle in accordance with ethics/Dharma”, “chivalrous war”. According to them, the ongoing phase of time is “Kal-yug”- the last phase of time. They believe “Dharam-yudh” to be the last battle between religions. They believe the arrival of “Kalki Avatar” in the city of Banaras. They also believe that their god “Krishna” will come again on earth in human form at the end times. Islam & Hinduism are the 2nd & 3rd largest religions in the world. Islam has a strict adherence to its customs, texts & single God. Meanwhile, Hinduism is accepting a large number of different belief systems which include many gods, a single god & even no God. But the mutual dislike is due to the historical factors as Muslims ruled the sub-continent for a long time, whereas Hindus consider themselves to be superior “son of Brahmans” & believe in having, only the Hindu’s right to live in the region “genetically”, forcing them to develop an “Akhand Bharat – the greater India”. Unfortunately, the Hadiths regarding Ghazwa-e-Hind have been ridiculed by various external forces. Moreover, these Hadiths have been “deformed” and miss-used by various terrorist organisations distorting
By Sheikh Akbar Ali
the image of Muslims, Islam and specifically the concept of the Jihad. Most of those terrorist organisations misinterpreting the Hadiths have now been exposed as proxies, directed indirectly by Israel, India and the US; to achieve their strategic, economic and religious objectives. India is known for its use of propaganda on the concept of Ghazwa-e-Hind. In contrast to various attempts of ridiculing these Hadiths by Jews, Hindus, and terrorist organisations, the true Muslims are bound by the teachings of Islam to not use any dismissive language for any of the teachings of any religion and teaches the lesson of respecting others beliefs. Before criticising, it is very important to understand the concept of Jihad in light of the Quran and Hadiths. According to Islam, only the state has the authority to announce a Jihad. Distorted or misinterpreted knowledge of Jihad has damaged the image of Muslims in today’s society. Recently, India has once again distorted the concept of Jihad and Ghazwa-e-Hind in their Netflix series “Sacred Games 2”. India invests a lot in Bollywood for the production of such movies in which the disfiguring of these concepts can be observed and used to manipulate the minds of those who are not exactly aware of the authentic and unambiguous knowledge. Such misinformation can cause agony and radicalisation in Muslims. Since India’s Independence, Indian’s have played various political moves to slander the concept of Ghazwa-e-Hind. If you take into account all the religious beliefs, scientific reasons, strategic and economic interests on a map of international political affairs, the situation becomes an open and shut case for most of the scholars studying the prophecies of the end of times. Surprisingly,
one of Israel’s newspapers claimed that Donald Trump had sent three ambassadors to an influential Rabbi inquiring about the arrival of the messiah. The US president considered himself as “a chosen one”, “second coming to God” and “the King on Israel”. There is a perception that the President’s son-in-law – “Jared Kushner - an orthodox Jew” is playing the whole game in middle-east in accomplishing the plan of Greater Israel. Also, Donald Trump has declared the Kashmir issue, a religious one. It seems that there’s some mystery if a person holding the highest chair in the world is saying so. The two ideologies proceeding blindly in achieving their goals, i.e. the ideology of “the Greater Israel” and the ideology of “Hindutva” are targeting Muslims of the world in Palestine, Kashmir, Assam directly. The situation on the chessboard of international political affairs seems to be exactly as predicted in the prophecies: Israel - the camaraderie of India playing a dangerous game in the region. The indicators are predicting the situation heading towards Wars, from East to West, i.e. “Ghazwa-e-hind” and “Armageddon”, and it may start anytime soon.
*The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, views or position of Asian World Newspaper.
AW Facts Did you know? TV and Internet were banned in Bhutan until 1999.
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September 2019
10-year-old Pakistani Girl Conquers 7000m Peak
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By Grace Lea
Indian Car sales Suffer Huge Loss
India’s large car market was flourishing two years ago, and worldwide players were in a hurry to invest. Now the situation has plummeted into reverse. According to the figures, which were released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), sales of passenger vehicles dropped by 31% earlier this summer. July was the ninth month of decline and the sharpest one-month drop in more than 18 years. SIAM Director General Vishnu Mathur told CNN Business: “This is a sort of a slump that is affecting every part of the industry.” India had been a light commercial for car makers until recently, with the yearly sales of passenger vehicles rising about 33% over the past five years. Worldwide players like Hyundai and its subsidiary Kia have invested billions in increasing their mark in the country. New players like Chinese state-run carmaker SAIC have also tried to grab a slice of the business. Before the slump, India was predicted to overtake Germany and Japan to become the world’s third-largest car market by 2020,
By Tauseef Asif
only to be behind by China and the United States. But the country’s biggest carmakers are now struggling. New safety and production regulations have driven up the prices. The troubles among India’s consumer finance providers have hit lending, and a more significant financial slowdown has made consumers hesitant to spend. Maruti Suzuki accounts that roughly half the passenger cars sold in India reported a 36.7% drop in vehicle sales in July. Sales at Tata Motors (TTM), which owns Britain’s biggest
carmaker Jaguar Land Rover, plunged by 31%. The leading Indian manufacturer of electric vehicles, Mahindra & Mahindra (MAHMF), has suffered a drop of 17%. It said last week that it would have “no production days” at several plants for up to 2 weeks, this quarter, to manage falling sales. Worldwide rivals are also suffering. Last year in the same month, South Korea’s Hyundai (HYMTF) and the No.2 player in India, saw its sales fall by 10% in July. Also, the Japanese giant Toyota (TM) fell by 24%.
The record for the youngest person to climb a 7,000m peak has recently been obtained by 10-year-old Selena Khawaja of Pakistan, reaching the summit of the Spantik Mountain. Just two and a half years after she first started walking with her father, and in such a short time, Selena achieved such a great feat. In 2017, Selena and her father, Yousaf, a 59-year-old nutritionist and gym instructor, began their leisurely trekking up the mountains to get Selena involved in a sport, and since then Selena has excelled. From the small peaks they started with, they progressed to five and six thousand metre peaks and finally triumphed with the 7, 027m mountain. And, in just six months, Selena’s time to climb such heights halved, proving she had a great talent for mountaineering. The title she claimed was, therefore, the perfect proof of such talent. Her achievement was officially recognised by the Alpine Club of Pakistan who will soon meet with Selena to complete the certification process, and even the Guinness Book of World Records named it as an ‘impressive achievement’. The Pakistani government also praised Selena, stating that she had made Pakistan very proud. Such public validation and media attention following the climb has only consoli-
dated Selena’s triumph. However, this is not the final stop for Selena, as she embarks on her next conquest to climb Everest should she receive enough funding. If she successfully reaches the peak, she will claim the title from the current champion, now held by 13-year-old Jordan Romero. He reached the summit in the summer of 2010, accompanied by his father Paul Romero, using oxygen to complete the final stint of the climb. However, the safety of climbing Everest was questioned following Romero’s success, as it was believed the exposure to such high altitudes and treacherous conditions might be detrimental at such a young age. It was even branded by some medics as child abuse to allow extremely young children up to such heights; however, they continue to climb. Thus, Selena may soon take the title and become the youngest person to climb Everest. Selena’s success, and her journey to such a title, will not be an easy one. She must train with her father in his gym while also climbing in the mountains regularly. This kind of training requires astounding determination and devotion, of which Selena has proven already and will continue to do so as she achieves her further goals.
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September 2019
Bangladesh Dengue Fever Outbreak Bangladesh has recently been hit with an unprecedented surge in cases of the dengue disease, an illness spread by the Aedes mosquito. As the mosquito bites, a strand of the virus is transferred into the host. Once the host has been infected, early symptoms of high fevers, headaches, muscles and joint pain or nausea are possible, of which can develop into more severe symptoms of abdominal pains, bleeding gums and rapid breathing. This then hospitalises the patient. Recently, the number of hospitalised patients due to the dengue virus has skyrocketed, as hospitals receive hundreds of patients every day, reaching a record of 2428 patients admitted in a single day. Almost 30,000 people have been infected with the virus, meaning that 0.02% of the country’s population is suffering from the virus. And this increase has caused an increase in the number of deaths. However, confirming deaths
from the virus is particularly difficult, as this requires a collection of blood samples from the infected patients, so knowing the exact death toll within the country is impossible. There are currently only 23 known dengue disease deaths, as stated by Meerjady Sabrina Flora, director of the Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research, however, there are undoubtedly many more. The number of cases is only continuing to grow. As the thousands of building sites across the city fill with water during the monsoon season, pools of stagnant water are created, and these become breeding grounds for mosquito larvae. This breeding is aided further by the semi-tropical conditions of the South Asian country. The combination of stagnant water and humidity within an urban landscape creates the perfect conditions for larvae growth. And these specific conditions
can most be found at their peak in the capital, where 86% of the dengue cases are concentrated
here. Therefore, as Bangladesh is the perfect place to harbour mosquito breeding, the spread
of disease will forever continue unless successful prevention is put in place.
By Grace Lea The current prevention systems by Dhaka North and South City Corporations have so far proven ineffective. The insecticides and mosquito repellents being used are unsuccessful due to the sheer volume of Aedes mosquitoes within the area, and their most recent method of fogging has been deemed harmful to human health and is ineffective. All current methods of dengue prevention are therefore severely lacking in the face of a disease endemic. The DNCC mayor Atiqul Islam has now consulted neighbouring Kolkata municipal corporation for advice in fighting the outbreak, as they have successfully controlled the disease. The communication between the two could help Bangladesh break out of their disease endemic, however, for now, the only method that can be used is raising awareness of the breeding grounds and of ways to destroy it.
Man Convicted of Raping and Killing UK Teen in India A judicial court in India has sentenced one of two men charged over the sexual assault and slaughter of 15-year-old British teenager. The attack took place against Scarlett Keeling in Goa during 2008. The case had previously been running over the last few years until a lower court freed both men in 2016 after an extensive trial. However, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) stood against the verdict. After this, one of the accused, Samson D’Souza was re-sentenced after he had initially been charged with “culpable homicide”, and his partner in crime acquitted. The deceased teen, Scarlett Keeling from Bideford in Devon, had been on a six-month vacation to India with her family when she died. She had been spending the day at the beach when she was drugged and raped by D’Souza and Carvalho before drowning in the sea. The Keeling’s Lawyer Vikram Varma supported this statement by declaring the accused had been prosecuted for assault, destruction of evidence, and giving narcotics to the young girl, among several other charges. Scarlett’s body was discovered on Anjuna Beach after the hours of dawn on 18th February 2008. Her family had spent some weeks at the Goan Resort before moving to the neighbouring costal settlement of Karnataka. However, Scarlett had been given permission by her mother to return for a Valentine’s beach party. A 25-year-old tour guide, Julio Lobo had been assigned to guard her during the visit. A couple of days after Scarlett’s body had been found; her
By Manisha Bhanot
Coca-Cola to Increase Investment in Bangladesh by $200 Million
By Charlie Murray
mother located her pants, shorts and sandals close to the beach. The court also heard that traces of illegal drugs such as cocaine, ecstasy and LSD had been found in her system. She had suffered 50 separate attacks to her body when she was assaulted by the two men, who had been working at a beach-shack nearby. Scarlett’s mother Fiona MacKeown said that she was ‘delighted’ by the new conviction of one of the perpetrators of the attack
this year. However, she regretted that it had taken this long for her family to be given justice. She said she will continue her efforts to campaign for other families who had had their loved ones murdered overseas. Ms MacKeown and her family buried scarlet in one of their garden properties in Devon when they were finally given permission to do so by police, around 4 and a half years after the incident.
The President and Chief Operating Officer of Coca-Cola, Brian John Smith, has stated that his company is planning to invest $200 million in Bangladesh over the next 5 years. He has also expressed the desire for tax benefits such as reducing the existing supplementary duty and value-added tax for Coca-Cola products in the country. These plans were recently proposed at a six-member delegation led by Brian Smith to Bangladesh’s Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal, at Kamal’s secretariat office in Dhaka, the country’s capital. A press release from the finance ministry reported that Smith admired the economic progress of Bangladesh. He, therefore, wanted to increase Coca-Cola’s presence in the country’s swiftly growing consumer market.
Kamal claimed that the new investment by Coca-Cola should result in higher employment in Bangladesh. Therefore, he reportedly agreed to consider the proposal if, in return, the company invested in Special Economic Zones and enlisted the company in the Stock Exchanges in Bangladesh. He suggested that the company could achieve this by producing new products such as sparkle water. Brian Smith has claimed that coke mixed with different sugar levels will be produced in Bangladesh in the future. The company’s production capacity will be increased so that rural areas can have an increased supply of Coca-Cola. Earlier on the day of the meeting with Kamal, the same delegation met the industries minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun. Hamayun reported that
Coca-Cola has plans, which will be supported by the industries ministry, to invest $50 million in the country in the next year. Coca-Cola has total assets worth $83.21 billion as of 2018 and seems to be one of the most popular beverages in Bangladesh. It operates in the country under its subsidiary International Beverages Private Ltd (IBPL). Bangladesh’s annual beverage market is worth Tk 3,000 crore, and Coca-Cola’s investment would increase their already sizeable share of this market. Coca-Cola, which operates in over 200 countries, currently has a revenue turnover of Tk 2,500 – Tk 3,000 crore in Bangladesh, according to Tapas Kumar Mondal, the Managing Director of IBPL.
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The 1975’s singer Matthew Healy against Dubai’s anti-LGBT laws during local concert
September 2019
19
Sri Lanka Bans Coloured Plastic Water Bottles to save Environment
By Priyanka Dutta
Detained in Dubai’s Radha Stirling shares her views “Homosexuality is illegal in the UAE, with punishments from serious jail terms all the way to a death sentence. Any expression of an LGBT identity, or of being in any sort of LGBT relationship is strictly forbidden in the Emirates. In recent years we have seen an Australian man report an assault to Dubai police, only to find himself charged with homosexuality, and sentenced to over a year imprisonment. Others have been arrested for “appearing” feminine in their clothing. “Dubai has become a popular destination for many celebrities and performers who champion LGBT issues, such as Lady Gaga and Madonna; and even
openly Gay artists like Elton John and Ricky Martin. The contradiction has been conspicuous, and it is inevitable that Dubai’s conservative laws will need progressive reforms. It is noteworthy that Matthew Healy was reportedly responding to a member of the audience, most of whom, it is fair to suppose, believe in LGBT rights. Thus, the UAE’s laws are increasingly at odds with the attitudes and values of the population. It is unrealistic for Dubai’s leaders to think that merely hosting performers with progressive views will satisfy people’s desire for equality. It is more likely that such gestures will bring the fundamental conflict of values to a head. At some point, Dubai is going to discover that the image of tolerance creates expectations
of actual tolerance, not only among foreigners but among locals. “I believe that Dubai, more than any other city in the Gulf, has made efforts to modernise and to become more liberal and Western; but the progress has been very slow, and on the LGBT issue, non-existent. It is possible that Healy’s action may cause a backlash among Emiratis, and have the opposite result he may have intended. Social and political reforms in the Gulf are not easy, and there is a reflexive resistance to any external pressures to change. But, sometimes a bold action is required to create an impetus for reform, so hopefully, Healy’s action may spark a genuine reevaluation in the UAE of repressive treatment of the LGBT community.”
Plastic is one of the significant causes of pollution and has been causing a large environmental hazard in recent times. To combat the onslaught of plastic in our environment, Sri Lanka has come up with a new decision to care for the environment, and also reduce the effect of plastic in our lives. Sri Lankan officials mentioned recently that the country will soon be banning coloured water bottles made from plastic, and the wrappers put on them. This step has been taken by the government of Sri Lanka to save the environment and prevent it from further harm. The Information Department of Sri Lanka quoted a statement that was issued by State Minister of Mahaweli Development and Environment Ajith Mannapperuma. The minister revealed that the government had decided to suspend the manufacture of blue-coloured plastic water bottles and plastic wrappers and they have received a positive response. The step was undertaken as the government felt this would aid in protecting the environment of Sri Lanka. It has been found that a huge amount of these plastic covers are released in our environment. These plastic bottles and wrappers take a very long time to degrade. Around two hundred to three hundred years is the time one needs
to break-down its composite materials completely. The minister also expressed concern over the fact why water bottles manufacturing companies used non-degradable plastic wrappers for their sealed bottles of water. Water bottles are mostly coloured for the sole purpose to attract the eye of the buyer. However, the main disadvantage of such bottles is that one cannot recycle them. The government have now instructed the manufacturers to make transparent bottles so that they are not harmful to the environment. The government of Sri Lanka will be coming up with a new project which will aid in recycling the transparent water bottles. It was also mentioned that the thread that people use for sewing purposes could also be made from the plastic water bottles that will be recycled. The project has already begun in Gampaha which is located on the outskirts of Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. With such significant steps taken up by the Government of Sri Lanka to combat the plastic pollution, it will indeed be motivational and an eye opener for the other countries. It is hoped that they will also do their bit to curb plastic pollution and take the right steps to benefit the environment.
10,000 People Left Homeless after a Fire in Bangladesh Slum
In Bangladesh capital, Dhaka, more than 10,000 people have been left homeless after a breakout of a vast fire destroying thousands of huts. The fire broke out at the Chalantika slum in Dhaka’s Mirpur district on the northern outskirts of the city. Video footage showed the huts burning, with smoke rising in the air. The director of the Fire Service, Zillur Rahman, has said that the fire started on an evening at 7:14 p.m. and was put out by 11:35 p.m. on the same day. There were no casualties as a result of the fire, but four people were injured and rushed to a local hospital. “I could not save a single thing. I don’t
know what I will do,” stated Abdul Hamid, who worked in the slum. Most of the slum’s residents are low paid workers, as they work in a garments factory. Some of them were not even at home at the time of the fire, as they were celebrating the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha.” “Else, the damage would have been bigger,” Golam Rabbani, a local police chief, said. Rabbani has stated that more than 2,000 huts were destroyed in the fire, leaving more than 10,000 people homeless. The State Minister for disaster management has reported that 80% of the slum has totally or partly been destroyed.
Rahman stated that the government would provide 500 tons of rice and 1.3 million takas to every person who has been affected by the fire. The Mayor of the Dhaka North City, Atiqul Islam, has said the victims would continue to receive help from the authorities. “All important needs for the homeless people would continue until needed,” he said at a press briefing. Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, claims that permanent setups are created at Baunia embankment for slum people. This blaze is one of many to strike the densely populated Bangladeshi capital, with at least 100 people dying this year alone.
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September 2019
PEMRA Bans Indian Advertisements
(PEMRA) Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority has placed a ban on airing advertisements featuring Indian products and personalities. TV channels are now under strict conditions not to air any content featuring Indian actors — the decision made in response to India’s cancellation of Article 370 and 35-A. The notification has declared the airing of the Indian advertisement is equal to opposing to the state the policy. In the latest statement, ads produced in India containing Indian actors, characters and talent aired on Pakistani media, are opposing the state policy,” said. The report also listed 11 international brands whose content was banned from running on Pakistani television instantly. It noted that current advertisements of products such as; Dettol soap, Surf Excel powder, Pantene shampoo, Head & Shoulders shampoo, Lifebuoy shampoo, Fogg body spray, Sunsilk shampoo, Knorr noodles, Fair & Lovely face wash, and Safeguard soap were banned. The letter also recalled that the 14th of August, Independence Day, as the day of unity with Kashmiris. In the letter, it circulated all television and radio licensees. The authorities recalled that it had withdrawn permission for airing Indian channels and content on the Supreme Court’s directive in October 2018. PEMRA has stated the concerned authorities to reproduce the advertisements of those brands with Pakistani actors, for Pakistani audiences. The notice further said, “The ban on airing of mentioned advertisements shall remain in the field. PEMRA approves these advertisements should be reproduced in Pakistan, containing Pakistani actors/characters/talent through Pakistan Advertising Society (PAS).”
‘No point talking’: Says Pakistani PM Imran Khan
Prime Minister Imran Khan, has ruled out seeking further negotiation with India over Kashmir, expressing his frustration with New Delhi. He said: “There is no point talking. I have done talking. Regrettably, now when I look back, all the proposals that I was making for peace, I think they took it for placation. There is nothing more that we can do.” Imran Khan has taken a strong stand since India revoked Article 370. This legislation had previously allowed the Indian side of Kashmir to accept its own authority to make its independent laws, in all matters, except for finance, defence, foreign affairs and communications. Khan has accused the Indian government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of changing the demography of Kashmir through “ethnic cleansing”. He also mentions that the most important factor is that eight million people’s lives are now at risk. We are all worried that ethnic cleansing and genocide is about to happen”. The Pakistan PM has tweeted that India denied Kashmiris the right to
observe their religious practices. Also, urged the international community to “prevent an impending genocide of Kashmiris in Indian Occupied Kashmir”. The Modi led government imposed a compulsory crippling curfew in the region after revoking Kashmir’s special status. It sent thousands of additional troops to the doubtful part, shut down telecommunications, internet and arrested leading political leaders before making a move in New Delhi. Harsh Vardhan Shringla, who is the Indian ambassador of the United States, rejected Khan’s criticism. He also stated that in regard to the communications between the two countries: “every time we (India) have taken the first step towards peace, it has turned out awful for us”. He also mentioned that the situation was returning to normal and restrictions were being eased based on the ground situation. There are adequate food stocks. Some restrictions on communication are in the interests of safety and security for the citizens. However, Kashmiris remain cautious of
the government’s claims. After announcing the reopening of some 200 primary schools in selected regions, classrooms remained mostly empty as parents have refused to send their children to school amidst the increased tensions. Two people, including a fighter and a police officer, were killed in a gun battle in the Indian side of Kashmir in recent events. People in Srinagar also shared stories of Indian troops firing tear gas and throwing pepper spray cans inside houses.
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September 2019
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Norway Mosque Shooter Appears in Court
By Charlie Murray
Bangladesh removes the word ‘Virgin’ on Muslim Marriage Certificates
By Tauseef Asif
Philip Manshaus, the 21-year-old accused of the terrorist attack on a mosque around 20km from Oslo, appeared in court just a few weeks ago. He briefly smiled at photographers, but otherwise did not speak in the presence of reporters. He also declined to talk to the police, which his lawyer Unni Fries claimed was because “He is exercising his right not to be interrogated. He is not admitting any guilt.” She added that in a closeddoor hearing, he asked to be set free. The attack took place on Saturday 10th August at al-Noor Islamic centre in Bærum. According to witnesses, Manshaus entered the mosque wearing a uniform and helmet, which had a camera attached to it through which he filmed the shooting. He did not broadcast the attack, but police attorney Paal-Fredrik Hjort Kraby told a news conference that “this video is key evidence.” He also carried several guns, some of which may have been illegally obtained according to the police. He fired several shots although thankfully
no-one was seriously injured. Manshaus’s face and neck were bruised and scratched, and he had black eyes when he appeared in court. His injuries were most likely inflicted when members of the mosque wrestled his weapons from him to prevent him from firing more shots. The court ordered for Manshaus to be held in pre-trial detention on terror charges for four weeks. He will spend two of these weeks in solitary confinement. He will have a ban on prison visits and no access to media coverage while being investigated on suspicion of attempted murder. Manshaus is also in detention for the murder of his stepsister, whose body was found at his house after the shooting, and for breaching anti-terror laws. Prosecutors said that: “the investigation is still in an early phase, and the suspect has not made any statements to the police.” Fries refused to comment on Norwegian media reports that Manshaus was inspired by the New Zealand mosque shootings in March. These reports are the result of
online posts on Endchan made under Manshaus’s name before the attack, in which he expressed admiration for these shootings. However, Reuters could not independently verify that these were posted by Manshaus. Hans Sverre Sjøvold, head of Norwegian Police Security Service, will explore whether Manshaus was linked to any domestic or foreign extremist networks. This investigation is continuing despite detectives’ beliefs that Manshaus acted alone. It will likely be a few months until the case results in any formal charges and a trial to decide whether Manshaus is guilty or not. However, if he is found guilty, Norwegian sentencing guidelines say that breaching anti-terrorism laws, and the murder of his stepsister, each carries up to a prison sentence of up to 21 years. Elisabeth Hagen, the lawyer of Manshaus’s stepsister’s mother, stated, “these are two tragedies, one with the girl and one with the mosque,” and did not comment on any possible motive for the murder.
Finally, Bangladesh is going to remove the word “virgin” from Muslim marriage certificates. The country’s High Court reached a verdict when it ruled that Kumari (virgin) cannot be used before the bride’s name in Kabinnama. It is the Muslim marriage deed, and Kumari will now be replaced by the word “unmarried”. Under the country’s Muslim marriage laws, it has expressed before Bangladesh’s independence from Pakistan in 1971. A bride has to choose one of the three options on the certificate to declare her status: whether she is a kumari (virgin), a widow or a divorcee. No such requirement of men exists. The seat delivered the verdict on a summon petition filed in 2004 by rights organisations Nari Pakkho, Bangladesh Mahila Parishad and Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust. The petition challenged the legality of the requirement of using Kumari before the bride’s name in the marriage certificate and had argued that the practise was discriminatory to the right of privacy. The Court had asked the government to explain why the dated provision should not be declared illegal. After holding a trial on the govern-
ment’s clarification, the Court delivered the judgment on 25th August, observing that the existing practice was “humiliating”. The Court also ruled the words “married,” “unmarried,” “widower,” and “divorced” has to be mentioned before the groom’s name, as well as the bride’s name, in the Kabinnama form. The Court is expected to issue its verdict by October. It has ordered experts to proceed with making the directed changes to the Kabinnana form and complete them by then. These are the things we have awaited for decades at the very least. Another month’s worth of wait is entirely achievable. The next step is removing ‘virgin’ from our everyday vocabulary completely. Revealing whether or not someone is a virgin, is not exactly a breach of privacy because it is not a medical status that one achieves after having sex. Just as there is no way to determine whether a man has had sex, there is no other way to learn the same for a woman. This is being said, whether or not someone has had sex is also not anyone’s business. But for now, this shall do and compliments to Bangladesh on taking baby steps into a new radical age towards gender equality.
New Burma ‘Dirty List’ Released
Burma Campaign UK has published an updated version of its ‘Dirty List’, adding 38 companies to the list of companies linked to Burma’s military, or to projects linked to human rights violations and environmental destruction in Burma. Companies added include: • American technology giant Google, which hosts apps for the Burmese military commander Min Aung Hlaing and military companies. • American technology company Apple, which hosts apps for militaryowned companies. • French energy giant EDF, involved in a dam project in Shan State linked to conflict. • Peel Group, a British real estate and transport company managing a military-owned port in Yangon. • Huawei, Chinese communications Technology Company working for military-owned Mytel. • TPG Capital, an American investment company which is the majority owner of two telecom tower companies working for military-owned Mytel.
The updated ‘Dirty List’ will be available from https://burmacampaign.org.uk/take-action/dirty-list/ 49 companies were placed on the original ‘Dirty List’ published in December 2018. Three have since ended their involvement, and one company has been merged into its parent company, also linked to the military, bringing the total number of companies on the list to 83. Almost two years ago, on August 25th 2017 the Burmese military launched an offensive against the ethnic Rohingya, which left thousands dead, 700,000 refugees in Bangladesh, and has been described by United Nations investigators as genocide. To date the only practical sanctions against the Burmese military, taken by a small number of countries, has been banning a small number of military personnel from taking holidays in their country. The British government, the European Union and other governments around the world have decided not to impose targeted sanctions against
military-owned and controlled companies. Instead they are allowing companies to continue to do business with, and thereby helping to fund, the military. As the United Nations Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar has reported, military-owned companies provide
the military with revenue which it can use in its operations where human rights violations are committed. In publishing this list we hope that in addition to pressuring companies to stop doing business with the military, it will also draw more attention to the need for greater pressure on
the military by the international community. The United Nations Fact Finding Mission on Myanmar has also called for sanctions on Burmese military-owned companies. “When an international company does business with a military-owned company, including promoting their products, they are helping the military to make the money it uses to commit violations of human rights,” said Mark Farmaner, Director of Burma Campaign UK. “No company should be doing any form of business with Burma’s genocidal military. It is inexplicable why a company would want to work for, or allow on its platform, a military which rapes children and throws babies into fires. Companies which work with and for the military are helping to fund genocide.” For more information contact Mark Farmaner on 07941239640; mark. farmaner@burmacampaign.org.uk, Twitter: @burmacampaignuk: @ MarkFarmaner
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September 2019
BUSINESS
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Tally vs cryptocurrency
One in Five Brits take what are the differences? Gamble by going on holiday without travel insurance RAC travel insurance spokesperson Simon Williams said: “Our latest survey results show that Brits are taking a serious financial gamble, travelling without insurance. Travel insurance not only protects you if you need medical assistance or lose your possessions, it also ensures financial redress if the company goes bust”.
Tally and Crypotcurrencies are both alternatives to local currencies. But they couldn’t be more different... Tally is an alternative currency to fiat currencies like Pounds or Euros. Until now, the main alternative to fiat currencies has been cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. Despite both being alternative currencies, Tally is a completely different form of currency to cryptocurrencies. Here are the main differences: Physical vs virtual What makes Tally different is that it’s a unit of physical gold, making it a physical-asset currency. It’s a tangible asset owned by the customer, and 100% insured. Whatever happens, your savings are protected. Cryptocurrencies are virtual or digital coins held in servers. There are no guarantees, and no compensation should the worst happen. Mainstream vs limited One of the big disadvantages of cryptocurrency is that you can’t use it for everyday purchases. That’s because most merchants don’t recognise cryp-
tocurrency as a form of payment, and it’s not legal tender. Tally is designed to be a mainstream choice to fiat currency, and is accepted wherever Mastercard is at home or abroad. Stable vs volatile Cryptocurrencies are more volatile in their value. A lot of this volatility comes from the fact that value is determined by supply and demand. When interest and trading volumes decrease, so does the value and vice versa. That’s why it had such extreme highs and lows over the past few years. Tally is more stable as the price of gold is stable. It’s also better insulated against market uncertainty and economic downturns. Interoperable vs incompatible Although the physical asset is kept separate from the banking architecture, the Tally platform is works seamlessly with it. Thats because it uses the same reliable and established
banking infrastructure. Cryptocurrencies use a completely different digital architecture, based on blockchain technology. Low vs high transaction fees Tally doesn’t charge any transaction fees to covert fiat currency into Tally or to spend Tally. In fact, Tally is converted at the spot price for gold, which is the lowest wholesale price. One of the barriers to cryptocurrencies becoming mainstream are the high transaction costs to purchase bitcoin and to spend it. Regulated vs un-regulated Cryptocurrencies and the companies behind them aren’t as heavily regulated as established financial markets. The Tally platform is run by UK company, TallyMoney Ltd which is regulated as Financial Conduct Authority E-Money Directive Agent under the FCA licensed E-Money Institution, PayrNet Ltd.
A study for RAC Travel Insurance found that of those who do not take travel insurance out, almost two-thirds cannot see the point in having it. In 2018 it was estimated that travel insurance could save the average holidaymaker over £5,000 per trip if they were to need medical treatment abroad. In a survey of 1,200 members of the RAC Opinion Panel it was found that 15% used to have travel insurance but now felt they no longer need it because they’ve never previously had to make a claim. For those that do travel with insurance, 34% buy a standalone policy each time they travel, 25% have an annual policy and 15% take advantage of a policy that is part of a product bundle with their bank. Almost half of the respondents who
do take travel insurance claimed that their biggest concern was paying for medical treatment. With, for example, the daily rate for a stay in a hospital in America around £4,000, RAC Travel Insurance believes they are right to take protection. With 20% of respondents confirming they have previously received medical attention, it is clearly a big risk not to buy cover. Meanwhile, it seems that Brits are also prone to losing possessions, with sunglasses the number-one item. Twentyseven per cent respondents said they had lost sunglasses while on holiday, whereas 10% lost a tablet or camera and another 11% had lost a phone. Five per cent of those surveyed had lost a pair of binoculars.
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It’s a Mystery:
Parents in the Dark about the University Clearing Process, Says Study
FOOD 48-49
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September 2019
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Four in Ten Small Firms Increasing Costs due to Higher Wages
The study also found: • 67 per cent of parents felt the biggest benefit for their children going to university was ‘better employment prospects’, followed by their children ‘learning to live independently’ • 59 per cent of parents who expressed concerns about their child going to university had themselves studied within higher education • More than 200 parents felt less contact with their child would have the biggest effect on them personally. • A further 200 parents were most troubled about debt and financial worries – something Northumbria says its student support team can help with.
With A-level results being released, more than half of parents – including those who themselves have studied at university – have not heard of Clearing and Adjustment, according to new research. Northumbria University, Newcastle commissioned market research company Opinium to survey 500 parents whose children are likely to go into higher education within the next five years. The results of the survey reveal a high proportion of parents are unaware of how the Clearing process works. As a result, they would not be able to have informed conversations with their children on what options might be open to them after having received their A-level results. Universities across the UK will host Clearing helplines for prospective students to offer places to thousands of young people. Clearing is available to students who performed either better or worse than expected in their exams. It gives them the opportunity to secure a place on their chosen course, or at a particular university. Helen Bower, who is responsible for undergraduate recruitment at Northumbria University, said: “Overall, 58 per cent of all parents surveyed had not heard of Clearing. “It’s a critical period in the higher education calendar and we hope that this study can raise awareness among parents and carers of what Clearing is all about. “It’s an important time for parents and their children as they begin
a new phase of their lives. Here at Northumbria, we are ready to support families and help as many young people as we can to provide them with the knowledge and resources they need to find a suitable place to find their future path.” Parents who responded in more detail highlighted anxiety and stress about the Clearing process, worrying if their child would make the right choice for their future. Northumbria University sees this as a key area to support parents during this time. Although awareness does improve as children progress through school years, the study found by the time pupils reach year 12, roughly four in five parents have still not seen any information related to Clearing. And around three quarters of parents (77 per cent) with children already studying at university have seen little information about the Clearing process. The University believes the survey will help it communicate how it can support young people achieve the hopes that parents have for them. It is also considering how it shares information about university life with students and parents while they are deciding where to study. Northumbria University has a limited number of places available for high quality students through Clearing this summer. For more information, visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/clearing or call the Clearing Hotline on 0800 085 1085.
Ahead of today’s labour market update, new research reveals that small business owners are cutting profits and productivity-enhancing investments in an attempt to absorb inflation-beating wage increases. Its new survey of more than 1,000 business owners shows that over half (51%) of small firms were paying all staff at least £8.21 per hour prior to this becoming the NLW rate in April. The figure rises to 56% among microbusinesses (those employing up to 10 staff). The new research shows that the most common response to April’s NLW increase among small business owners directly affected by the change is to pay themselves less: seven in ten (71%) lowered profits or absorbed costs in an attempt to handle the hike. The other most-frequently cited responses are: increasing prices (45%), delaying investment (29%) and reducing hours worked by staff (23%). April’s NLW increase coincided with the roll-out of fresh HMRC reporting requirements, higher employer pension contributions and increases to business rates. Previous research shows that the cost of government policy interventions to the average small firm is up £60,000
since 2011. In March, the Government launched a widespread international review of minimum wage rates. Two months later, the Labour Party unveiled plans for a £10 minimum wage for all workers over the age of 16. The Business Organisation FSB National Chairman Mike Cherry said: “Small businesses continue to be ahead of the curve on pay. More than half were paying all staff the current National Living Wage before they were obliged to do so – an even greater proportion were doing so in the smallest firms. “We’re now seeing more small business owners than ever saying that living wage increases are impacting the bottom line. Their first instinct is usually to take the hit personally, paying themselves less rather than cutting staff. The research also reveals small business readiness to extend the NLW rate to younger workers. Close to two-thirds (60%) typically pay 21-24 year olds at least £8.21 an hour, considerably above the £7.70 minimum wage rate for this age group. Previous FSB research shows that well over half (58%) of smaller firms employ a worker aged 16-24. As part of its consultation response, FSB
recommends “gradually bringing the apprenticeship rate more closely in line with the under 18 rate”, while cautioning that “extra care must be taken to ensure the level set does not adversely affect take-up of apprenticeships”. Apprenticeship starts have tumbled in recent years. Mike Cherry added: “There’s a conversation to be had about increasing pay for younger workers – especially those just below the National Living Wage threshold, and those entering the workplace straight from school. That said, the greater experience and expertise usually held by older employees must continue to be recognised. Any changes should be gradual and carefully monitored, especially in such an uncertain climate.”
AW Facts Did you know? The most followed retailer on Instagram is Victoria’s Secret.
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September 2019
The number of flexible workspaces are set to increase by 56% in 2022
The appropriately dubbed ‘co-working revolution’ has rapidly grown over the last few years and has now reached record levels according to flexible working experts. The number of co-working spaces worldwide in 2018 was 16,599 and it’s on track to reach 18,287 by the end of 2019. The rate of year on year growth has slowed somewhat to 9.5% compared to 15.2% in 2018, but last year saw 2,188 new space openings, a record number. Around 1,000 of the new openings were in the USA. As further evidence, Office Freedom, a global flexible workspace brokerage saw its inventory grow by 45% in the last year. The year before, 2018 saw a shift in market trends with more corporate clients looking for flex space. Research indicates that up to 40% of individuals working within flexible spaces are part of larger organisations and this is predicted to grow to 60% by 2022. Consequently, shifts towards more hybrid spaces and offering private space
as well as traditional co-working are predicted by industry experts. The latest forecasts suggest global flexible spaces will soon cross the 20,000 mark and look set to reach 25,968 by 2022. This represents 56% growth in 2018 and reflects an average increase of more than 2,500 new spaces every year since 2015. Discussing the evolution of flexible workspace, founder and CEO Richard Smith notes, “Today’s flexible workspace provides a habitat that supports staff wellness, staff welfare, helping companies become happy and productive places of work. As a result, the flexible workspace industry has attracted large corporations, enterprise companies, fintech, etc. etc. Today’s flexible workspace can make you feel like a million dollars working in a 5-star hotel – I know this from personal experience – I describe the workspace (by FORA), that Office Freedom work out of in Soho, Central London as Office Paradise!” “The market continues to evolve and
thrive. By 2030 up to 30% of office space occupied by the corporate sector is expected to be flexible workspace. At the moment well under 10% of the office real estate market is flex. As in any industry, in a cyclical world, there will inevitably be bumps in the road but relatively speaking it’s still very early days for the industry. Onwards and Upwards!” Looking forward, Smith is expecting to see high growth in some markets while others mature for the rest of 2019. Smith states: “Two-thirds of new space openings globally are new businesses entering the market the remainder are established operators, large chains and franchises. Therefore, whilst the established space operators are thriving, most new space openings are coming from businesses entering the market for the first time. Last year Office Freedom recorded a 32% increase in new operators in Central London.” Research shows a new co-working space opens in London every 5 days and in New York City every 7.5 days. Fast-growing American tech hubs like Austin and Denver also make it into the top 5. Other key European cities rank as follows; 12th Berlin 21.9 days, 20th Paris 28.5 days, 25th Barcelona 31.7 days, 36th Lisbon 40.7 days. Other major global cities outside of Europe and the USA ranked as follows; 13th Sydney 23.8 days, 15th Kuala Lumpur 23.8 days, 16th Bangalore 23.8 days, 17th Singapore 25.9 days, 19th Cape Town 25.9 days. Forecast based on estimates from Emergent Research/GCUC for the data until 2017. Data projections until 2022 are from Co-working Resources’ data and are based on the average growth in 2018 and 2019.
AI means Businesses Have forgotten about Love
Now more than ever people look for meaning in their work, however the development of technology means organisations are ignoring the importance of love, reveals new research from Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM). Love shapes us as individuals and it shapes the way we see our personal and work lives. But there is a conflict between how organisations are designed and the many ways love is felt and expressed. The use of technology and AI (artificial intelligence), also known as machine learning in organisations, means we focus on measurable performance and efficiency. These ideas contradict the idea of love, which is more related to passion and desire, and is personal and subjective. Employers may also not be so keen to personally train and mentor their employees with love where machine based learning is a more convenient alternative. According to Professor Stefano Tasselli “Love shows itself in many forms
including trust, compassion, friendship, and creativity, love shapes our working environment to such an extent that we could say love is the organisation and vice versa. This is a problem for our data-driven systems because love is impossible to quantify or manage. Unfortunately love in the workplace has been left behind. However, it is still vital for employee motivation, for example, unconditional compassion may encourage a firefighter to work not for money, but to help a community that he or she loves. A manager who understands this motivation is at a distinct advantage compared with one who offers yet another raise.” Earlier studies of organisations and management have been dominated by an emphasis on efficiency, rationality, and measurable performance. However, exploring the importance of love will uncover opportunities to understand our organisations, our teams and ourselves. This study was published in Organisation studies.
Thinking about starting a new business? Female entrepreneurs will face more obstacles than their male counterparts
Women face more obstacles when starting a business, meaning they need more support in order to succeed, reveals new research from ESCP Europe. Females and males experience the support provided by the ecosystem for their startup activities very differently. Women in contrast to men tend to majorly rely more on social support, which interestingly applies to start-ups in both highly supportive as well as non-supportive environments. Professor of Management Christian Linder and his co-author Sonja Sperber from the ISM International School of Management in Frankfurt (Germany) explain “We found that when starting up a new business, women face problems with confidence and obtaining finance, and are more critical about their own capabilities and skills. In order to still be successful, this lack of confidence is compensated by mobilising their network for support. However, in contrast, males are more confident of their capabilities to overcome support constraints on their own.”
In addition, it was found that women face a work-family conflict, and struggle more to counterbalance their different roles when committing to new business ventures. Professor Linder adds, “starting a business is always linked to emotional or psychological stress. When facing a lack of resources, social support can serve as a source of information as well as provide assistance.” As a result, the start-up strategies chosen are a reflection of the individually perceived support from the ecosystem, the current life situation as well as the intended goals (as for example, high level of autonomy, financial success, status). This research shows the highly complex situation of female entrepreneurs, and concludes that there certainly is a need for stronger, sustainable foundations so that females can catch up with their male counterparts. This research was published in ‘Small Business Economics: An Entrepreneurship Journal’.
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Accountancy practices are facing an increase in cyber risks as criminals switch their focus to ‘softer target’ smaller firms. Joe Collinwood, CEO at CySure explains why accountancy firms are targets for hackers and what steps they can take to minimize their exposure. When it comes to cyber crime, small accountancy practices are not exempt from the disruption that affects large organisations. If anything, their size makes them more vulnerable as they are perceived as a softer target. In the USA for example there has been an explosion in fraudulent W-2 filings and in the UK with more filings now on-line risk is increasing. So why are accountants being targeted? • They hold large amounts of private data • They have the information cyber criminals want – corporate financial data, social security numbers, Tax IDs, bank accounts, payroll data, identification data for validation and reporting purposes • Accounting firms use similar software so if a criminal finds a vulnerability that can be exploited they have lots of potential victims • Typically there is inadequate technical protection, policies and procedures that leave firms wide open to a cyber attack • A lack of incident response and business continuity procedures means accountants are more likely to pay a cyber criminal money because they fear they may not be able to recover from an attack and the firm’s reputation will be tarnished. Many accountancy firms are making it easier for hackers by underestimating the threat they face from cyber attacks. There were 438 separate data security incidents reported to the Informa-
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September 2019
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Hackers set their sights on accountancy firms – 7 steps to minimize risk
tion Commissioner’s Office (ICO) in Q2 2018/2019 alone in the finance, insurance and credit sector. The cost to launch cyber attacks is negligible and the most likely method of breach is phishing i.e. human error. It’s time to think again. Minimize Risk – 7 simple steps to cyber resilience No business is too small to be attacked, however with the right approach to security, no business is too small to protect itself. Accountancy firms can pave the way to cyber resilience by following these top cyber-security tips: • Invest in effective firewalls, anti-virus
and anti-malware solutions and ensure any updates and patches are applied regularly, ensuring that criminals cannot exploit old faults or systems • Ensure business critical data, such as customer data and financial information, on all company assets is securely backed up and can be restored at speed • Have simple, clear policies in place to create a cyber-conscious culture in the workplace and ensure it is communicated to all personnel so they are familiar with it • Have regular awareness training so that employees are constantly reminded of potential scams or tactics that can be
FREE Tickets for Asian World readers to A Place in the Sun Live A Place in the Sun Live, the official exhibition of the hit Channel 4 television show and Europe’s largest overseas property event, will be re-visiting the NEC Birmingham between 20th - 22nd September. The three-day event in the UK’s favourite venue for shows, which has been visiting the NEC since 2016, will give attendees the opportunity to gain valuable advice from overseas property specialists about purchasing abroad pre-Brexit. This is a topic that is fundamental to buyers, especially due to the questionable impact of property prices on the market after the UK leaves the EU. Should they be interested, attendees will also get the chance to apply for a future episode of the hit TV show with our production team, Freeform Media. They will also be able to meet the current and former TV presenters – Jasmine Harman, Jonnie
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Irwin, Amanda Lamb and Laura Hamilton, to ask them questions and pose for photographs. Audiences will be hearing reallife stories from current owners of overseas property, how they found the buying process and their personal tips on purchasing overseas. They will get the opportunity to listen to informa-
tive seminars, Q&As and panel discussions designed to accommodate all types of buyers, budgets and preferred countries to buy abroad – including Spain, France, Portugal, USA, Italy and Greece, plus more You will also receive a free copy of the A Place in the Sun magazine and show guide.
What do you have to do to claim up to 10 free tickets for yourself and your friends and family? It’s simple, just visit
www.aplaceinthesun.com/exhibitions/birmingham then click ‘book tickets’ on the right-hand side of the page and enter the code AWN into the discount code field.
Happy House Hunting!
used to trick them • Review contracts and policies with suppliers to ensure they have an accredited standard for cyber-security for themselves and their partners to protect the supply chain • Have an up-to-date incident response plan that is practiced regularly so that employees know what to do when they suspect there is an attempted breach or if an actual incident occurs • Consider investing in cyber insurance to cover the exposure of data privacy and security. Accountancy firms should research insurance policies carefully to understand the level of coverage offered
and their responsibilities to stay within the conditions of the policy. Demonstrating confidence to the client base Cyber security certification has many benefits; it ensures standardization and is a good differentiator for accountancy firms as it shows a diligence to information security. By giving cyber security the same priority as other business goals, accountancy firms can proudly display their security credentials and demonstrate trust and confidence to their client base.
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September 2019
Car Giant Jaguar Land Rover Suffers Loss Birmingham’s Jaguar Land Rover has suffered a loss of £395 million, which it claims is “steady with the view provided for the quarter” of the latter part of the year. Indeed, in the second quarter of 2019, the company sales dropped by a total of 11.6 per cent. This huge downfall was compared to that of the same period in the year 2018, where the Land Rover managed to sell only 128,615 cars. On the positive side, Jaguar Land Rover celebrates record sales in the UK. In Britain, the sales were up 2.6 per cent year-on-year for the period. Another hopeful sign was a rise in sales in China in June, and the company’s boss promised a return to success by the end of the financial year. The firm said weaker market conditions could affect the sales of most models, that were partially balanced by demand. The above especially applies to the Jaguar IPace and the new Range Rover Evoque, which were up year-on-year. Although the company is currently facing challenging times, it has also introduced new models during the second quarter, in the shape of the Jaguar XE and refreshed Discovery Sport. Jaguar Land Rover have also reported a pretax loss of £395 million from April till the end of June, compared to a £264 million loss at the same time a year ago. On quarterly revenues they had declined 2.8 per cent year-on-year to £5.07 billion. In a statement, the company had said that the results are steady and with the view for the quarter, it reflects lower revenues resulting from the weaker market conditions. Chief Executive, Dr Ralf Speth said: “Jaguar Land Rover is in a period of significant change. We are simplifying our business, delivering our product strategy and adapting to the harsh market environment. We will build on firm foundations and increase operating efficiency to return to profit this year. In this period, we predict to see the influence of growing demand for new models, such as Range Rover Evoque, Discovery Sport and Jaguar XE, while implementing our ‘Charge’ transformation programme.” By Tauseef Asif
How to build presence and make posts stand out on LinkedIn Learn to foster professional conversations on the platform and make it work for you
LinkedIn is not just a useful social media platform for networking and finding your next job, it can also be a place where news content can flourish, according to Katie Carroll, managing editor, Daily News, Americas & UK at LinkedIn. Now a platform with around 630 million members in more than 200 countries, LinkedIn started its editorial operations in 2011 as a way to help professionals stay on top of the latest, emerging trends and talking points. However, many people have used the platform to build huge followings and have achieved consistent engagement with content published there. Take for example, Gary Vaynerchuk, CEO, VaynerMedia, who posts engaging video content on market trends, or Oleg Vishnepolsky, CTO, Mail Online, who is a regular commentator on workplace culture. But can newsrooms and journalists replicate the likes of Vaynerchuk and Vishnepolsky? Some news professionals, like Mary-Katharine Phillips, media
innovation analyst, Twipe, take to posting LinkedIn articles as a way to boost their presence on the platform and make content go further. Carroll said there are some key triedand-tested ways of boosting engagement of native content and driving referral traffic. Share your perspective Far from pumping out links and hoping for the best, LinkedIn is designed to foster professional conversations as opposed to being a platform for hollow amplification.
What you will notice about the big influential voices on LinkedIn, Carroll indicates, is that they are putting across a hot take on a current topic. “If you can get people talking, that can make sure you are tapping into all the right viral effects on the site, show up in other feeds and build up a following,” she said. Be consistent This is true across any social platform, but Carroll also said that establishing consistent posts that audiences can expect on a regular basis is also hugely
decisive. This is why other journalists use LinkedIn to post newsletters too. “It matters to be bubbling up in feeds and keep people seeing you. Stay on top of trends and the more timely you are, the better,” she said. “What we’re constantly thinking about as editors is what is going to get people talking, what has gotten people talking and what are the best perspectives on whatever that story is.” Like Vaynerchuk, what Wired editor Nick Thomson does, Carroll points out, is post informal content about interesting developments in his field. “It’s super casual, it doesn’t need to be this polished thing. It’s great commentary and that’s the goal,” she explained. Get featured by LinkedIn Through LinkedIn Daily Rundowns, regional editorial teams compile the thoughts from the professionals leading and shaping conversations. But Carroll said they are always looking for new voices to feature and there are some effective ways to be heard. A first-person, analytical writing style
By: Jacob Granger
adds an individual take on the story, which is key. Linking to content is fine, so long as it is not the primary purpose of the post. Taking advantage of discoverability tools like ‘@ mentions’ and hashtags also helps as it invites discussion, but you can even go one further. “One thing we do is ‘@ mention’ experts in our network to say ‘What do you think about this story?’ People love to be asked,” Carroll explained. “We do definitely see people adding hashtags to their own posts, but also going through and following the various topics that are tied to those hashtags as that can surface in their feeds.” And finally, add an open question at the end the post so that the conversation goes beyond the ‘post’ button. Want to build your following beyond subscriptions? Find out how at our Newsrewired conference taking place on 27 November at Reuters, London. Head to newsrewired.com for the full agenda and tickets.
AW Facts Did you know? The first Hindi film to have 2 intervals was Raj Kapoor’s ‘Mera Naam Joker’.
Meet with the Chhichhoras and the team Page 28
Glam Celebrity
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September 2019
AMAZON PRIME VIDEO PRESENTS INDIA’S FIRST OTT PLATFORM SPY-THRILLER, THE FAMILY MAN
Following the widespread international success of Amazon Original Series such as Made in Heaven, Mirzapur and the Emmy nominated show Inside Edge, Amazon Prime Video India is gearing up for the worldwide streaming launch of its highly anticipated web-series The Family Man starring Manoj Bajpayee (Gangs of Wasseypur, Aligarh), out towards the end of September. The Family Man, which is India’s first spy-thriller to be streamed on a digital platform, chronicles the struggles of a middle-class family man caught between the duties for his nation and his family. The Family Man focuses on the journey of Srikant Tiwari, played by critically claimed actor, festival favourite, and National Award winner Manoj Bajpayee. Srikant is a middle-class man working for a government intelligence agency while trying his hardest to balance his family and professional life. How will ‘The Family Man’ manage to keep his family happy while doubling up as the nation’s undercover hero? The show marks the digital debut for Manoj Bajpayee who is widely identi-
fied as a non-conventional Indian film ‘hero’ with films and characters that are regular favourites at International film festivals such as Cannes.
The 10-episode series has been directed by Indian-American director duo Raj and DK who have previously helmed path-breaking films like Stree, Go Goa
Gone and Shor in the City, which have disrupted the film content space in India. The show marks their digital debut on a streaming platform and retains DK &
Raj’s uniquely traditional and quirky humour, yet transitioned into a serious genre. The series has become the first ever Indian show to be showcased at The Television Critics Association in Los Angeles. The gripping narrative and the performance of the star cast has received widespread global acclaim. Amazon Prime Video India offers unlimited ad-free streaming of Amazon Originals, premium Hollywood, Bollywood & Regional movies, and TV shows. Enjoy on your phone, tablet or Smart TV or download your favourite movies and TV shows to watch them offline Join the conversation #TheFamilyMan For more updates, stay connected with Amazon Prime Video India on ► Facebook: https://www.facebook. com/PrimeVideoIN/ ► Twitter: https://twitter.com /PrimeVideoIN ► Instagram: https://www.instagram. com/primevideoin
Meet with these Chhichhoras!
The team behind Chhichhore introduces you to the Chhichhoras Creators of upcoming film Chhichhore have left fans eagerly awaiting the comedy film of the year! The trailer, which is currently at a whopping 22 million views on YouTube, was incredibly well received by viewers all over the world and now, the team behind the film have fans going wild over their latest offering. The team has taken to social media to introduce fans to
their Chhichhoras in a very unique way, sharing a series of photos of the characters. Here to bring some fun in your life are the Chhichhoras: Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Chhichhore is produced by Sajid Nadiadwala. Chhichhore features a star cast with Shraddha Kapoor, Sushant Singh Rajput, Varun Sharma, Tahir Raj Bhasin, Naveen Polishetty, Tushar Pandey, Saharsh Shukla, and Prateik Babbar. Chhichhore is all set for release on 6th September 2019.
Anni (played by Sushant Singh Rajput) - The link to the group Maya (played by Shraddha Kapoor) - Beautiful, simplistic and adorable Sexa (played by Varun Sharma) - Did someone say Playboy? Derek (played by Tahir Raj Bhasin) - The go-getter
Mummy - Mamma’s boy Acid - Gaali over Taali Bevda - Uses his right hand to drink!
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Special offer for upcoming artists, in Music fashion & Acting
Help with your professional portofoilo Looking for a manager to handle your bookings? 0121 679 2816
info@starfuzion.co.uk www.starfuzion.co.uk
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September 2019
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Hrithik Roshan Reflects on his Failures and Life Lessons
One of Bollywood’s biggest actors, Hrithik Roshan, has had his fair share of wins and losses with the films he’s featured in throughout his career. However, the 45-year-old claims that it’s, in fact, his failures which have continued to live with him and shape him into the man he is today. You may remember seeing the mega-star shine his brightest in big-screen hits such as Kahoo Naa… Pyaar Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, and Koi Mil Gaya. However, some of his other works failed to impress, such as Lakshya, Yaadien and Kites, as they flopped in cinemas. Reminiscing on all the works he’s acted in, Rithik said: “Today, when I look back, it feels like I have come a long way. There have been successes, and there have been failures, but most important are the lessons I learnt from my failures. My failures have made me who I am today, and now my choices come from a place of having learnt from those failures.” India’s own Greek God is currently being praised for his leading role in Super 30, in which he worked alongside the likes of Mrunal Thakur and Nandish Singh. The biopic has so far raked in over 174 cr from Indian box offices. However, Hrithik himself declared that he does not give much attention to box-office figures. To him, it is more vital that one of his films “connects with the masses” and has a “great script” so it’s worth watching.
“Honestly, I did not come on board for Super 30 because of the social message. I did it because it’s a great script. My father always says that if you want to give a message to the society, you make a documentary, don’t make films.” Hrithik also told a newspaper agency: “I have been drawn to different characters. I feel more encouraged and empowered as an actor now. I am thoroughly enjoying the process. I have to work hard to achieve what I want to, even today. There is a constant effort from my side to become better at what I do and to deliver what is expected out of me,” he added. Hrithik is currently gearing up for the release of his next film this year, which will see him play a high-octane protagonist. Action-thriller War will have Hrithik going one-on-one with Tiger Shroff in heart-pounding combat. The film is set for release on October 2nd, 2019.
By Manisha Bhaont
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September 2019
Presenting Surkhi Bindi: A dream and the journey to fulfil it
Is Bollywood Exploiting India’s Viral Train Singer with a Once in a Lifetime Contract? Street singer Ranu Mondal recently touched the hearts of thousands across the globe when a video of her performing on a train in India went viral. In the clip, Ms Mondal can be seen and heard singing her rendition of ‘Ek Pyaar Ka Nagma Hai’, which was first heard in the Bollywood film Shor (1972). She has now just finished recording her version of the track with star Himesh Reshammiya. Ms Mondal indeed began her singing journey as a damsel in distress who’s fairytale was about to begin. She boarded a train in West Bengal and chose to belt out Bollywood’s greatest hits. Her performance included a number from Lata Mangeshkar, who is often referred to as India’s nightingale. Some of the passengers on the train were so impressed by the busker’s vocal talent that they decided to record her on their smartphones. And that was that, a clip was uploaded onto social media and she became a viral sensation overnight. Many would agree that Ms Mondal being offered a singing contract for Himesh Reshammiya’s new film Happy, Hardy and Heer has been a huge turn of events for her. The fact that she will also feature on Superstar Singer has worked out in her favour, she now has a stable source of income and can do well for herself. However, many would see her situation as an example of Bollywood exploiting the poor under-class. Reshammiya wrote about his meeting with Mondal: “Today, I met Ranuji and I feel that she is blessed with divinity. Her singing was mesmerising and I could not stop myself from offering her the best I could [sic].” The fact that Reshammiya sees himself as capable of providing “the best” for Mondal could be underlining how the rich see themselves as powerful and controlling enough to influence the lives of the less well off. Many would find his comment condescending and snarky. Others could also argue that Reshammiya is using his elevated platform of stardom to advertise how he is a well-
Watch the romantic tale of Sargun Mehta and Gurnam Bhullar.
wisher of the poor and earn gratitude. However, there are thousands like Mondal who struggle to make ends meet in the city every day, and are not lucky enough to get their ‘15 seconds of fame.’ Although watching videos of singers such as Mondal achieving their bigbreak gets in touch with our humanity, the story does not stop there. It is important that we nurture that charitable feeling inside us and use it to help others who are less fortunate than ourselves daily. We can do this by donating food and drink to the needy, like many passengers on the train did to Mondal, or donating our time and effort in volunteering to give aid to those on the streets.
After releasing the first song Karmawala from Surkhi Bindi, the audience has been waiting for the trailer of the upcoming Punjabi film, which has finally been released. The trailer begins with young Sargun Mehta dreaming of her prince charming, but reality turns out to be completely different. After marriage, Sargun’s character feels that her dreams of moving to Canada will never happen and maintains distance from her husband. But on the other hand, Gurnam Bhullar who plays her husband seems determined to fulfil her dreams. Directed by Jagdeep Sidhu and written by Rupinder Inderjit, Surkhi Bindi releases in cinemas now!
K ZIE - ONE IN A MILLION
Hailing from South London, singersongwriter K Zie specialises in pop and R&B strongly influenced by artists from Michael Jackson to Craig David. Recognised as one of the top 10 artists to look out for by Best of British Unsigned, he has also previously written for Justin Timberlake – the song being shortlisted for the singer’s 2018 album Man of the Woods. Through incorporating elements of his cultural heritage via the usage of particular instruments or the style of a vocal run, K Zie possesses an authentic and unique approach to his music unmatched by his peers. Since releasing his debut single ‘This Could Be Love’ last year and representing the Indian T Series record label with following single ‘Make You Mine’, K Zie unveils the new video for his brand new single ‘One in a Million’, produced by Billboard charted music director Vee Music. After a blinking electronic melody
establishes the rhythmic backbone, K Zie sets the scene of a promising night out. A man and a woman lock eyes with each other, the music takes over, and the sensual flexible body movements that arise as a result are the source of excitement and yearning for the song’s narrator. ‘One in a Million’ is the track to play when physical attraction takes control – no strings attached. About the track K Zie states: “One in a Million” incorporates extremely catchy melodies and is one for the clubs based on the dance nature of the song. I wrote the single alongside Vee and Wundah in late 2018. The single is about a girl who has simply taken my breath away and left me starstruck. It was a real honour to work alongside Vee for this record.” ‘One in a Million’ is out now and available via Spotify, Apple Music and other streaming platforms.
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Superstar Prabhas & Shraddha Kapoor grace at the Saaho Trailer Launch Saaho starring Prabhas and Shraddha Kapoor, released in Telugu, Tamil and Hindi, is in UK cinemas NOW Superstar Prabhas, producer Bhushan Kumar, actress Shraddha Kapoor, director Sujeeth and the entire UV Creations team attended the special Saaho trailer launch at a local theatre in Mumbai, India. The makers have already created immense buzz among the audience about the five-city trailer launch tour of Prabhas and Shraddha Kapoor starrer Saaho. The makers brought the extravaganza to the screens with the release of the trailer with the launch in Mumbai. The event started with a trailer launch post which they organised a special interaction of media with Prabhas, Shraddha Kapoor, Bhushan Kumar, Sujeeth, and the entire UV Creations team. The
audience went berserk with Prabhas present at the trailer launch and Shraddha looked extremely gorgeous in a simple golden gown. Even before the trailer launch #SaahoTrailer and #Prabhas were trending as the fans couldn’t wait to witness their superstar Prabhas in the city. Fans are gearing up to meet Prabhas as the team have been doing a 5-city tour for the upcoming trailer launch of Saaho. Prabhas will travel to Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi, Bangalore and Hyderabad where he will interact with his fans and launch the trailer of Saaho. Saaho is a high-octane action thriller, which is presented by TSeries, produced by UV Creations and directed by Sujeeth and is in cinemas now in Telugu, Tamil and Hindi. The film is distributed by Yash Raj Films (YRF).
A viral hit on Tik Tok lands British-Asian model, Sangeet Samra numerous reality shows & Punjabi film offers
Indo-Canadian Bollywood Singer, Parichay & “The Breakup Song” singer, Jonita Gandhi’s new take on the 90’s classic “Tum Mile Dil Khile” has gone viral on Tik Tok and has opened several doors for Sangeet Samra, the lead model in the music video. Parichay, known for the Bollywood mega hit song “Peene Ki Tamanna” and his songs with Nargis Fakhri, Neha Kakkar, Kardinal Offishall & Sean Kingston approached Sangeet for this video because of her unique look and pink hair. Since the song went viral on the popular app Tik Tok, Sangeet has been approached by several directors from the Punjabi film industry with offers which she is currently considering. “I didn’t think people were going to like it so much. I did the song because I genuinely liked the song. I don’t want to do something just for the sake of it, I want to do meaningful stuff and something that I would actually enjoy
doing. I have grown up watching Indian films and am from Punjabi background so working in Punjabi films is definitely something I am considering”, says Sangeet. Tik Tok has been responsible for the success of several songs including the hit “Lamberghini” and it comes as no surprise that this Saregama released official remake of Tum Mile Dil Khile has taken off similarly. There are currently thousands of users that have posted videos with their take on the Tum Mile song both on Tik Tok as well as on YouTube. When asked about this Parichay said “ The best thing about music is that if a song is genueinely good, it will eventually find itself on people’s playlists. This one was released 8 months ago and suddenly blew up after going viral on Tik Tok“ Only a little while ago, Sangeet was roped in to feature as the lead model in a TV
commercial for Nature Power, a popular beauty soap brand in India after the brand was previously endorsed by actresses Kajal Aggarwal & Tamanna Bhatia. She then went onto feature in several other TV commercials but since her song’s popularity has grown through Tik Tok, she has been approached by reality show producers in the UK & India including the uber popular British dating show “Love Island” & the Indian hit show “Big Boss”. *Sangeet quote needed* With her growing popularity on Social Media platforms such as Instagram and her luck with Tik Tok, it looks like this young model is headed for a bright future. As her next release is rumoured to be a lead role appearance in a major music video for a well known British Asian singer, we will have to wait and see where we see Sangeet next.
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September 2019
ASHA J y
Celebrit
Mk.Focus Photography
Singer, Songwriter, Composer, Performer, Actress, Model, Ambassador for Physique Athelete
Asha J is a singer, songwriter, performer, fitness model and actress. She is an Ambassador for world wide organisations. Peace United Nations group, and for the World Health Innovation Summit. She was born and brought up in the UK. She is taking the music/model/film world by surprise with her sultry Bollywood/Hollywood diverse looks and multi-talented skills in singing in three languages: Hindi, Punjabi and English. Ripper productions Sony Music Remixers who have worked alongside the likes of Britney Spears and Beyonce were involved in remixing her song Diwana, in 2010. Coming from a family with ties to the music industry, Asha J was encouraged to sing and perform with family members at gatherings. Having famous Ghazal singers attending her family home acquired her love and passion for music. Her father was a keen actor himself and attended acting school and sang publically at gatherings. Asha J started to embark on her musical journey and begin writing at the tender age of 15 to recorded and submit demos. Her luck started at a former record company whom she began working for. Renowned reggae artists attending the company recognised her. This is where she started making her first connection in the industry to release her first single ‘Break Loose.’
She went to record her first experimental album ‘Yours Truly’ with the likes of Pioneer Bhangra Music producer ‘Kuljit Bhamra’, working on one of the songs with her and to later release the album on his label. A few years later, Asha J she met her former group lead singer ‘Stereo Nation’ known as Taz, who heard her vocal by chance at a club. The pair were introduced to one another by a former friend and club owner. A few days later she received a call to join forces with ‘Stereo Nation’, Asha J then went international, grateful for the big break and recognition. At that time, Asha J was also coming home to record ‘Diwana the Album’, releasing in 2009, and also became a nominee at the Punjabi Awards in West London.
Headlining event filmed/radio by the BBC • ICC Cricket Global media Launches for sponsors Moneygram at the Sports Cafe London as Brand Ambassador performer. • London Pop Revenue Soho watched by radio DJ’s from Kiss 100 • 3 year tour with Stereo Nation renowned International Group from the UK led to performances for crowds up to 70,000 and 24 hour Guinness book of record performances in Canada to name some. • Festivals, Melas Shows around the UK Asians and western organised events. • Performance at Kensington Palace for Mr Mittal Steel Tycoon billionaire on behalf of a Family birthday function • Charity events, also as an Ambassador for World Peace with charity song ‘Asha For Peace.’ • An Ambassador for kids with Thalassemia (Blood disorder) is a charity in India Asha J supporting blood camps through online awareness publicity as the face of the brand. • Brand Ambassador National Reality TV Awards as Brand Ambassador on Red Carpet meet and greet celebrities and nominees. • Nominated ‘Best Urban Artist 2018’ Uk Bhangra Awards attendance with her live performance • RBE Entertainment Valentines day 2019 New Cross performances. The main focus at present for Asha j is her participation in a fitness competition called ‘Gymbodyz.’ Paulette Sybliss,
Francis Owen photography She then went to perform at all the events listed below throughout the UK. A brief two-year break which Asha J took for self-development, she turned her attention on her passion of helping others and earned a distinction qualification as a ‘Life coach practitioner’ to help people achieve their highest potential. She was then picked up by charities across the world to become an Ambassador for World Peace’ at Beauty Speaks for Peace projects and the Foundation against Thalassemia India. Also having an interest in law and human rights began supporting Victim Support units in London, voluntary giving up her time a few days a week. She came back with a bang with her music in 2017 as ‘Bobby Bola Uk Bhangra Awards Organiser’ gave her a platform for her return which was originally planned for 2018. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect as her entry into the Bhangra Industry with her first single ‘Party girl’ was much received. The number drew in audiences from Birmingham and afar as the new Asian pop diva left a place in people’s hearts. It went on to be a busy 2018 for the singer with bookings at Melas, shows and events throughout UK. Her success has earned her performances on the following occasions at the listed venues: • London Excel Olympic Countdown festivals-
CEO of the company and celebrity Personal trainer for Janet Jackson, got in touch after seeing Asha J’s physique and body training regime on Instagram. Asha J will now be entering competitions throughout the UK and Internationally. She is looking to visit LA in early 2020 to further develop her bodybuilding career. Asha J currently has a few songs releasing ‘Maan vi jaa na Sonya’ releasing September Feat Junior Bee produced by Maxi Melia Vibes To end the year with ‘Hungama’ by Alan Zipper and RapmasterRav. and ‘Guddi Vangu’ the punjabi classic makes a return in Reggae. For more info or to schedule a meeting contact: AJ music Records London Email: asha_jassal@hotmail.co.uk Skype Ashajuk Twitter: ashajmusic Instragram: @ashajmusic Facebook: Asha Musique
LOCAL 2-15
GLOBAL 16-21
BUSINESS 22-26
GLAM 27-35
WEDDINGS 36-41
HEALTH 42-43
TRAVEL 44-45
TECH 46-47
FOOD 48-49
MASS APPEAL AND UNIVERSAL MUSIC INDIA TO LAUNCH MASS APPEAL INDIA
MOTORING 50-53
India’s Acclaimed Rap-Artist Divine
Mass Appeal, the urban culture-focused entertainment company, and Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in musicbased entertainment, today announced the launch of Mass Appeal India – an innovative new label dedicated to amplifying India’s burgeoning hip-hop culture on a global scale.
Mass Appeal India’s operations will be based in Mumbai, within Universal Music India’s (UMI) headquarters and will function as a multi-channel partnership between the two companies. Mass Appeal India will sign and collaborate with the brightest stars from India’s fastest growing music scene and, through Mass Appeal’s global network,
Deepika Padukone: “Don’t Call Me Exotic” Star gets real about
breaking boundaries and her uphill battle with depression
The highest-paid actress in Bollywood, Deepika Padukone, has a complete disregard for the rule-book when it comes to the film industry. Since her career has taken off, Deepika has learned to shed the ‘traditional image’ of how an Indian actress should look, speak and act for the cameras. Deepika also spoke of her personal experiences of working in American films. She claims that Hollywood still has a long way to go before it stops Pidgeon-holing South Asian actors into specific roles based on their ethnicity. Deepika stated how she still gets offered contracts for roles to play the foreign-sidekick or “the exotic” as she calls it. She further explained: “I am going to meetings to let people know not just about me, but that there is a whole big world out there beyond America. And they need to see that.” Deepika also revealed how she was breaking the mould of being a typical Bollywood star. She doesn’t always wear exactly what her stylist
and current fashions trends deem as appropriate. She recalled how she was previously attempting to “fit the model of being an Indian film actor” by “wearing certain clothes.” However, now the 33-year-old has decided to “shed all that” and become her true self. She believes that one’s outer experience is only a “small” fragment of who they are. Speaking of showing her fans and the media who she truly is, Deepika also recently opened up about her battle with mental health. She admitted that it took her a long time to be truthful about her condition. However, doing so helped to remove the stigma around mental health in her home country of India. Ms Padukone said: “I wasted a couple of weeks carrying the medication around with me because I was afraid of everything I had heard, that it has side effects, that you get addicted “Finally, it gets to the point where you either take the medication or there is no point surviving.” Now the star focuses on doing what’s best for her health. She takes time out daily to perform her meditation and exercise regimes and focuses on getting a full night’s rest regularly. Deepika is currently in the UK for the filming of ‘83 with her husband Ranveer Singh and is set to embark on more film projects early next year.
SPORTS 54-56
September 2019
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FIRST LABEL SIGNING IS INDIA’S MOST POPULAR RAPPER, DIVINE will work with brands and content creators to connect the culture with a worldwide audience. Mass Appeal India will leverage UMI’s marketing and promotion teams within India, whilst Mass Appeal will lead release strategy within the U.S. and Canada. All releases from Mass Appeal India will be distributed exclusively via UMG worldwide, with additional support across its network of more than 60 territories for select artists and projects. To coincide with its launch, the label has announced the marquee signing of India’s most popular and acclaimed rapper DIVINE. Central to the rise of the ‘gully rap’ movement, with hit singles like ‘Meri Gully Mein’, ‘Jungli Sher’ and ‘Kaam 25’, DIVINE’s brutally honest Hindi rap draws inspiration from his own life and the streets of Mumbai, set to beats that wouldn’t be out of place in a Los Angeles or New York studio. His single ‘Jungli Sher’ was the first Indian single that Apple Music released worldwide. DIVINE was also the first Indian artist to be featured on BBC 1 Xtra’s ‘Fire In The Booth’ in 2016. In announcing the launch of Mass Appeal India, Nas
said, “I was first introduced to DIVINE’s music through the brilliant film Gully Boy. I’m proud to announce the launch of Mass Appeal India with DIVINE as the first artist on our roster. Hip-hop is the world’s most influential culture – it’s only right to share what we do at Mass Appeal on a global level. We’re excited about joining forces with the team at UMG India to help further spark a movement that is constantly in the making.” DIVINE’s story and rise of the Indian hip-hop scene inspired Bollywood director Zoya Akhtar’s 2019 acclaimed feature film Gully Boy, starring Ranveer Singh, which has also become one of the year’s biggest Bollywood films at the box office. Gully Boy featured DIVINE in action on five tracks and has helped showcase both him and India’s explosive rap scene to new audiences around the world. “It’s an honour to be associated with a legend like Nas. I grew up listening to his music. For him to recognise not just me, but the whole Indian hip-hop scene is a big win for hip-hop, and for hip-hop in India,” DIVINE says of signing with Nas’ Mass Appeal. “He is looking forward to working not just with me, but a lot of the young talent in India. I will be working with Mass Appeal India not just in a personal capacity, but also in my capacity as founder of Gully Gang Entertainment to help Mass Appeal India build a thriving ecosystem for urban music and culture in the sub-continent. So, let’s bring our A-Game because the world is watching,” he adds.
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September 2019
Meet
SONIA AKSI
y t i r b e l SCOTLAND’S FIRST FEMALE DJ e C
I am the first female DJ in Scotland, and I have been working in the industry for 19 years. Glasgow born, I discovered myself dancing to the beats of bhangra back in the late ‘80s. Such names as DCS, Sahara, Bombay Talkies and other old school tracks were being played by prominent DJ RF, who later became my husband. Having a DJ in the house gave me a first-hand understanding of involvement in the scene. It was a good friend who approached me to DJ for her mehndi. It was most definitely a first as there had never been an Asian Women DJ in Scotland. Slowly word spread and requests started coming in. Sadly, at this point, my marriage ended, and I was a single parent. The field that I wanted to go into was not acceptable in Asian families, and my parents disapproved. It wasn’t an easy road. I was frowned upon by elders for what I was doing, and bad mouthed, being single Pakistani Muslim mother and DJing. There were times that I was pulled aside at gigs and would be given a lecture. I knew people didn’t like me for what I was doing, but I believed in what I was doing. Eventually, over the years, people started to recognise me, and slowly gained respect from the community. I was a household name, and people’s attitude changed towards me. I feel truly blessed as I am happily married again, with two gorgeous daughters and a husband who is very understanding and supportive in everything I do. Then started the ladies’ nights, which
became very popular. I started organising my own events for women only. These events were very successful and have continued through the years. Then came the opportunity for hosting nine years ago, which I thoroughly enjoyed and decided to take it a step further. I then began to put myself forward to host
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events. Since then, I have hosted in a variety of different events from Award ceremonies, charity events, Mela’s, locally and within the UK. From Sonique Sounds to Sounds of Sonia, I also produce and host my own Live Stream TV show on GTV once a month all about music, film reviews, Bollywood news, music artist interviews and special guest appearances. I also have my own YouTube channel Sounds of Sonia where all my shows are available to watch. I also recently became a board member of the Edinburgh Mela in 2018. I have also been a radio presenter for ten years on Awaz FM 107.2 Scotland’s Asian radio station and host the drivetime show every Tuesday from 4-6pm. I have been invited to events during International Women’s Week to talk about my journey and the difficulties I have overcome. I hope to inspire other women to think about taking this as a career choice. The advice to any women who have an interest in this field is to work hard, keep your head down and always follow and never give up on your passion and dreams. In 2013, I won Scotland’s Asian Women’s Association Award for outstanding contribution to the Asian community. My DJ roadshow Sonique Sounds has recently won 2 awards at the 3rd Britain’s Asian Wedding Awards 2019 by Oceanic as Regional Winner for Wedding DJ of the Year Premium and Wedding DJ of the Year Overall. I also won Scotland’s International Community & Business Award by Infinity Events as Best Radio Host/DJ.
Watch Ayushmann Khurrana & Nushrat Bharucha Dance to the Festive Track Radhe Radhe
The makers of Dream Girl have dropped the first track from the upcoming film The first song from Dream Girl titled Radhe Radhe has been released. The music video features Ayushmann Khurrana and Nushrat Bharucha dancing to the lively track with background dancers dressed up as Krishnas and Radhas. The colourful song is seen to be perfect for the festive season. Ayushman shared the song on Twitter captioning his post:“Celebrate Janmashtami like never before, with your #DreamGirl!” Nushrat also took to Twitter posting: “This Janmashtami, take the celebrations up a notch higher with our #DreamGirl” Radhe Radhe has been composed and sung by Meet Bros as well as featuring Amit Gupta with lyrics penned by Kumaar. Written and directed by Raaj Shaand-
ilyaa, Dream Girl stars Ayushmann Khurrana, Nushrat Bharucha, Annu Kapoor, Vijay Raaz, Abhishek Bannerjee, Manjot Singh, Nidhi Bisht, Rajesh Sharma and Raj Bhansali and releases in cinemas on 13th September 2019.
LOCAL 2-15
GLOBAL 16-21
BUSINESS 22-26
GLAM 27-35
WEDDINGS 36-41
HEALTH 42-43
TRAVEL 44-45
TECH 46-47
FOOD 48-49
MOTORING 50-53
SPORTS 54-56
September 2019
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September 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
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.
LOCAL 2-15
GLOBAL 16-21
BUSINESS 22-26
GLAM 27-35
WEDDINGS 36-41
HEALTH 42-43
TRAVEL 44-45
TECH 46-47
FOOD 48-49
MOTORING 50-53
SPORTS 54-56
September 2019
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What happens to love after marriage? Fateha Majid is a South Asian woman working in tech. With a background in Psychology, she is fascinated by the science of love, attraction and relationships. She has developed a new Family Matchmaking app and website called Biye Biye.
We were enjoying a pot of chai. ‘You have a happy and loving marriage, Amma. What’s your secret?’ she put down her cup and said, ‘Always respect and appreciate your partner. When you have a good man, it’s about building him up. It’s a serious business to keep loving after marriage’. As human beings, we grow and develop. So does love. Here are some of Amma’s secrets: Secret 1: Accept that Love Changes There are numerous psychological studies into the ‘in-love’ phenomena. Findings show that the average life span of a romantic obsession is two years. That means that real love begins when the ‘in-love’ feeling expires. After that, we are meant to learn to love each other without the euphoria of the in-love feeling. Do many divorced couples miss out by throwing in the towel too early? Secret 2: Dream a Dream Growing up I would see Amma flicking through the Argos catalogue. She would spend hours
looking at things she wasn’t going to buy. I teased her about it. She laughed and said, ‘It’s good to use your imagination and dream. I would visualise having our own house with a big kitchen. A car in front of the house. I have that now. I even visualised what my children will look like.’ Neil Clark Warren, a clinical psychologist and Co-Founder of eHarmony, wrote an insightful book. ‘Learning to Live with the Love of Your Life…And Loving It!’ He talks about the importance of constructing a vision of everything you believe your marriage can be. Get excited about what you want to achieve together. The places
you want to go to. The house you want to live in. The family you want to grow together. The brain can not only conceive big dreams but can also help us plan to achieve it. My mother is a visionary and continues to dream with my father. Secret 3: Filling up the Love Tank In his book, ‘The 5 Love Languages- The Secret to Love That Lasts’, Dr Gary Chapman presents a simple truth. Relationships grow better when we understand each other. He talks about the importance of speaking the primary love language of your spouse.
62% of coupled-up Brits fancy their partner more now than at the beginning of the relationship
Anyone worrying about whether they’ve still ‘got it’ can feel reassured by new research from Relate. In a survey of over 2000 UK adults, the UK’s leading relationship support charity found that 62% of adults in relationships say they fancy their partner more now than at the beginning of their relationship.* The percentage of people who fancy their partner more now than at the beginning of the relationship fell slightly to 57% for people who had been with their partner for 10 years or more and to 53% for those who had been together 20 years or more. However, for those who had been in a relationship for 30 years or more, the figure rose again to 59%, perhaps as partners rediscover one another after the kids have left home or find a new lease of life in retirement.
The survey confirmed the theory that love grows over time, with more than three quarters (77%) of people in relationships saying they love their partner more now than at the beginning of their relationship. This didn’t alter significantly by length of relationship. Barbara Bloomfield, Relate counsellor, said: “It’s heartening to hear that love and attraction increases with time for so many people. Sharing new experiences, valuing everyday pleasures and creating memories together helps the connection between couples to grow over the years. As partners we take on new challenges like bringing up children and building successful careers, and dealing with everything life throws at us, we often start to see each other in a new light which can increase the
attraction we feel.” Relate also asked UK adults about how they showed love and affection towards their partner. The survey found: over half (53%) of people tell their partner they love them every day (46% of men and 59% of women); 60% kiss their partner every day; 50% cuddle every day;* If you’re feeling insecure or unhappy in your relationship, contact Relate. You can attend alone or as a couple and support is available both face-to-face and online. Find out more at relate. org.uk. All findings in this news release are taken from a poll of 2,298 UK adults, conducted online by Censuswide between 19-23 October 2018 on behalf of Relate.
Words of Affirmation. These are powerful compliments. ‘You’re so beautiful and I love you more every day’. Quality Time. Having quality conversations and doing quality activities. Giving your spouse your undivided attention. Receiving Gifts. Buying thoughtful gifts
like flowers and jewellery. These are symbols of your love for your spouse. Acts of Service. Doing acts such as cooking or setting the table. This makes your spouse feel loved and adored by you. Physical Touch. Being intimate. Holding hands, embracing and having physical relations.
Without it, your spouse will feel unloved. With it, their emotional tank is filled, and they feel secure in your love. So, the next time you come across a happily married couple, satisfy your curiosity and ask! I know I learned a lot from Amma over that cup of chai.
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September 2019
Are British Ladies Becoming an Army of ‘Gold-Diggers’? A recent survey conducted by Seventy Thirty the exclusive matchmaking agency for the well-heeled, asked 1000 randomly picked women if they would marry or date an unsuitable man just because he is wealthy. The results were: 32% said “yes”, 28% said “no”, and 40% said “maybe”. When asked if they consider themselves a ‘Gold-Digger’ only 7% said “yes”, 82% said “no”, and 11% said “maybe”. With recent divorce statistics showing that the number of divorces in the UK continues to rise, the issues of large financial settlements etc. following separation are a real concern for many people. Some relationship break-ups are, of course, genuine loving marriages, which have sadly fallen apart, but some relationships are never meant to succeed, as they were
doomed from the start. Today, as never before, we are faced with a growing number of people ready to ‘fake love’ for the sake of good old cash. Some individuals are so materialistic and driven by the monetary reward that they will enter into intimate, romantic relationships with people purely for financial purposes. They are often referred to as ‘Gold-Diggers’ and will associate with, or marry, a rich partner in order to get valuables from them through gifts or, eventually, a divorce settlement. We have all heard of the terms “Gold-Diggers” and “Office Piranhas” but whatever you want to call them they all have one thing in common: they want to get hold of rich people’s money. Typically it is ‘Gold-Digging’ women who dupe unsuspecting men. So are British ladies becoming an army of ‘Gold-Diggers’? We asked Dr Georgina Barnett, the Head of Membership at Seventy Thirty who explained that “here in our company it is very important that we understand people’s overall opinion and value of marriage.
These types of survey give us valuable information about people’s attitudes and opinions so they help us to safeguard our members from ‘Gold-Diggers’. In recent years the difference between the very rich and the very poor has expanded greatly and we now hardly have a middle class. This has inevitably created a nation of envious and aspiring people and some of them see ‘gold digging’ as a reasonable and very lucrative option”, says Dr Barnett. Gold-Diggers have a very strong desire for material things: they are very unfulfilled personally and this temporary but tangible ‘reward’ alleviates their feelings of dissatisfaction and emptiness. Also, the modern media emphasises the importance of wealth and creates the illusion that all one needs to be happy in life is money. Insecure people who compare their own situation with those of celebrities etc. are very susceptible to these messages and come to the conclusion that money is all they need in order to feel fulfilled, happy and content.
LOCAL 2-15
GLOBAL 16-21
BUSINESS 22-26
GLAM 27-35
WEDDINGS 36-41
HEALTH 42-43
TRAVEL 44-45
TECH 46-47
FOOD 48-49
MOTORING 50-53
SPORTS 54-56
September 2019
The Newlywed’s Guide to Honeymooning at Home
There is really no need to break the bank to enjoy an enchanting, memorable honeymoon
The 2018 results are in and according to a survey of 3,300 couples, the cost of the average wedding in the UK last year was £32,273, with the honeymoon alone setting couples back £4,545. Instead of blowing the budget on an expensive exotic honeymoon location, why not consider recreating the romance of your dream honeymoon destination closer to home? High street retailer, Robert Dyas, has come up with a host of creative ideas to set the scene for the ultimate honeymoon haven at home. Richard Redman, senior buyer and outdoor expert for Robert Dyas says, “There is really no need to break the bank to enjoy an enchanting, memorable honeymoon. With a just few thoughtful touches and some affordable additions to outdoor space you can experience an idyllic honeymoon to remember in the comfort of your own home. So, get set for a couple of weeks of romantic relaxation!” Set the mood Nothing sets the mood for romance quite like soft ambient outdoor lighting. The elegant Smart Solar Damasque Lantern illuminates at dusk bathing a garden in patterned warm light. Add music to the magical atmosphere with a mix of your favourite love songs with the Kitsound Diggit Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker. The removeable stake means you can take your music wherever you go, and the rechargeable battery allows your favourite tunes to play on for up to
eight hours at a time. Cuddle up in comfort Sometimes it’s the simplest things in life which make for the most special moments. Now that you’ve set the mood, simply curl up together on the Maze Rattan Rose Hanging Chair. This double hanging chair makes the perfect spot to while away the evening or enjoy a sunny afternoon for two. For extra comfort and style for your loved one, add a Premier Housewares
Black Love Cushion and why not indulge yourselves even further and snuggle up under a super soft and luxurious Silver Flannel Fleece Throw? For cooler summer nights, what could be more romantic than the mesmerising effect of flickering firelight and keeping warm together by the fire with The La Hacienda Fire Pit . The oiled steel finish will oxidise over time to look beautifully rustic and with its sturdy, durable design, the fire pit will last for many
years to come. Romantic relaxation If you were already living together before your wedding, chances are you will not be needing another coffee maker or waffle iron. Asking for contributions towards your honeymoon piece de resistance is a practical option. Splash out on an inflatable Lazy Spa Paris Hot Tub and surround yourself with thousands of tiny bubbles from the AirJet™ Massage System for a gentle massage. This spa
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can be quickly heated up to a blissful 40°C and features a stunning multicolour LED lighting system. Time to celebrate new beginnings Finally, breathe a post nuptials sigh of relief and sink deeper into the bubbles as you raise a glass to your new beginnings with the Alfresco Twist Champagne Glass. And, as the temperature rises in the hot tub, be sure to keep the champagne on ice with this Maze Rattan Ice Bucket Side Table. This cleverly designed luxury rattan side table comes with a concealed integrated ice bucket. The Love Island effect By now, you will no doubt be feeling the Love Island effect so it’s time to add some tropical finishing touches to your table for two with the Cambridge 12 Piece Flamingos Bamboo Eco-Friendly Tableware Set. Apart from the vibrant design, this set is made from bamboo, which has exceptional strength and a natural durability - a superb alternative to plastic for the eco-friendly couple. Eat al fresco and stay dry whatever the inclement UK weather throws at you under the Gelndale Columbus Mocha Gazebo. For added intimacy to your candlelit dinner, you can close the curtains which are included in this versatile unit. You can find all of the above mentioned items and everything else you may need for your at-home honeymoon at the Robert Dyas website on www.RobertDyas.co.uk Happy honeymooning!
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September 2019
The Divorce & Breakup Coach Ready to Support and Empower those considering Divorce *** Tips for Surviving Divorce During the Holidays *** Divorce can throw up all kinds of emotions. This is particularly prevalent if you have children. There can be intense feelings of sadness and anger all in the mix as thoughts of your children having a lesser childhood now the parents have separated. This absolutely does not need to be the case and I have listed 8 top tips to cope with divorce at the end of the holiday season or towards half-term.
Having been diagnosed with post natal depression following the birth of her miracle baby after suffering 4 miscarriages, Caroline was faced with discovering her husband was having an affair. Only months later her ‘rock’, her mum, suddenly died and this combined with the breakdown of her 12 year marriage sent Caroline being diagnosed with PTSD. Having truly hit rock bottom, Caroline, who had always signed up to the fairytale married life, having seen her parents enjoy a happy 40 years of marriage, experienced a dramatic loss of self-care, a crippling financial situation and desperate depression when her marriage broke down. She tells of not being able to look at herself in the mirror, panic attacks and self harming, living on wine and junk food snacks and only having 42p in her bank account as she was crippled with 70K debt and having her house in negative equity and repossessed. She also shares how a psychotherapist was her turning point after they made her realise that none of it was her fault and that actually she had been emotionally bullied by someone with a personality disorder, covering the ‘behind the scenes’ areas of divorce that seldom are talked about. In the last 5 years she has turned her life around having rediscovered her former self, invested into learning and development, embraced an entrepreneurial journey and explored positive psychology providing her with clarity and focus. She has been there and “bought a million t-shirts” and now wants to “save others and help them come out stronger, faster.” You can find out more at www.carolinestrawson.com
1. Plan Ahead Waiting until the very last minute to set up your kids’ holiday and school break schedule will just add more stress to all of your lives. Make sure that you include the kids in the planning process because chances are your kids may feel disempowered by your divorce and including them gives them a voice, and a chance to feel like a part of something again. 2. Forget About Perfection If you are wanting to create the “perfect” break to make up for what has happened due to those feelings of guilt, you are already setting yourself up for failure and it puts an enormous amount of extra stress and pressure on you AND your kids. Instead of going for “perfect,” try going for “happy” with new traditions. Also don’t beat yourself up, if it is awful as there will be more chances to overcome. 3. Focus on the Big Picture Can you really remember every family memory you had growing up in detail? I would guess not and your children will be the same. If
your holidays this year are terrible, anything you do next year will be better. Look for the positives. This year’s failure could remove next year’s pressure for you. Your children will be looking to you to mirror your emotions, so if you are sad, they will be sad and if you make an effort, however hard that may feel, your children will thrive on that. They will also learn that it is possible that not every holiday in their life will be fabulous ... and they will survive! You are teaching them coping strategies and resilience. 4. Cut Yourself Some Slack Be kind to yourself!!! Often we are so hard on our self and actually the harder you are and trying to not show emotion, the more your children will feel it is wrong to express emotion and that it is a weakness. It is not!! It is a strength and you want to raise children who have an attitude of good mental health for themselves. Don’t isolate yourself even if you don’t necessarily feel like going out and celebrating, being with others often helps take
your mind off of your own pain especially during the time your children are with your ex partner. Get out of the house and go somewhere that you can see other people. Allow yourself to feel the emotions that you are experiencing and know that this is normal but does not need to define you for the rest of the year and into the following. Try not let yourself to wallow in negativity. 5. Practice Gratitude No matter how difficult this holiday season may be for you, millions of people living in developing countries would gladly change positions with you. While knowing that others are more miserable than you won’t change your own circumstances, it might help you put your situation in perspective. Instead of focusing on what you don’t have, focus on what you do. Showing and feeling gratitude can have a huge impact on the brain and start to generate new more positive neural pathways and slowly start to rewire the brain and change your negative lens to a more positive one.
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September 2019
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September 2019
HEALTH
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COULD SNAKES AND SPIDERS HELP YOU QUIT CIGARETTES?
85% of tobacco smoke is invisible and pets can easily inhale toxic particles that layer on surfaces and furniture
Hot dog?
• Pets that live with smokers can develop a range of health problems yet a third (32%) of frequent smokers in the UK don’t believe that smoking influences a pet’s health. • 28-year-old Martine from Birmingham smoked 10-a-day before quitting for her beloved pet snakes and tarantulas.
Help them beat the heat with these five tips With the temperatures rising, many people will be getting outside and enjoying the sunshine. Countless families will also be wanting to take their four-legged friends along with them. And while having a dog around does always make adventures more fun, there are a few things to consider when bringing your dog out in the heat. With this in mind Lintbells, manufacturers of natural pet supplements YuMOVE and YuMEGA, have come up with a few ways dog owners can help make sure their pooch also has the best summer possible. Keep it cool If you’re out and about enjoying the sun and you’ve brought your pooch along with you, then they can often get too warm after being in direct sunlight for a while. If you’ve paid a visit to the park or are simply resting in the garden, try and make sure there is a spot of shade for your dog to cool down in. While dogs do enjoy sunbathing to some extent, being in direct sunlight for too long can overheat them and even cause sun stroke. Even if you’re spending time indoors try to keep some cool spots on the floor clear for your dog to relax in – a tiled floor is perfect or consider investing in a cooling mat for a pleasant yet portable space for your dog to escape the heat. Where to walk?
At this time of year, it’s a good idea to plan your walks carefully. Try and avoid walking your four-legged friend in the midday sun as this will most likely be the hottest part of the day. Walking your dog earlier in the morning or later in the evening is the best way to avoid walking in direct sunlight. Also, steer clear from walking on concrete or metal surfaces as, if they become too hot, they can burn your dog’s paws when walking on them. If you are unable to place your hand on the pavement for more than five seconds, then the ground is probably too hot for your pooch. Just add water During the hot weather we tend to drink more and can become dehydrated much more quickly. Our canine companions also need extra water when it’s hot to help them cool down. So when you’re out in hot weather with your dog, be sure to take some extra water for them, as besides panting, they don’t really have another way to cool themselves down. Giving your pooch their very own paddling pool is a great way to help them cool down and they’ll no doubt love it! Dogs in cars With some places in the UK reaching more than 30 degrees this summer, leaving your dog in the car can be extremely harmful and even fatal and should always be avoided. Within a couple of minutes, the temperature
inside the car can rise high above those outside, meaning a real danger of heatstroke to your four-legged friend, even if the windows have been left open and parked out of direct sunlight. When driving be sure to have plenty of water to hand for you pooch, as keeping them hydrated is one of the best ways to keep them cool and always take them with you when you park up. Fur-well itchy skin! Summer can bring about all manner of skin difficulties that your dog might experience. Sunburn can particularly affect dogs if they remain in the sun too long, so using a dog-friendly SPF will help in the same way we use sun cream. Your pup can also develop hot and itchy spots during the warmer months which can often become a nuisance for them. Lintbells own YuMEGA Itchy Dog for itchy or sensitive skin is an easy way to help soothe your dog’s sensitive or itchy skin. If you begin to notice your pup struggling in the heat, whether it be heat exhaustion or any skin issues they may have developed, it is always a sensible idea to visit your vet to make sure you get the best advice on how to care for your dog from the inside out. For more information on Lintbells natural supplements please visit: https://www.lintbells.com/
• Quit Cigarettes is the first mission from Change Incorporated, an editorially independent, purpose-driven online channel from VICE that will work with global businesses to tackle some of society’s biggest issues. This first mission is funded by Philip Morris International. New research from purpose-driven website Change Incorporated has highlighted that one third (32%) of frequent smokers in the UK don’t believe or know that smoking can impact their pet’s health, putting their beloved animals at risk. Change Incorporated caught up with 28-year-old supermarket porter Martine from Birmingham, whose collection of exotic animals is her passion. In her spare bedroom Martine proudly keeps her beloved pets, including Hugo a boa constrictor captive-bred from Colombia, and Dexter a crested gecko, amongst other different species of tarantula, centipede and a scorpion. Previously a 10-a-day smoker, Martine became motivated to quit after one of her pet snakes called Pumpkin contracted a respiratory infection due to cigarette smoke exposure. Desperate to save her pet, Martine spent over £2,000 on vet bills, and eventually became financially unable to pay the costly medical bills. Martine was forced to give Pumpkin away to someone that could afford her treatment. Determined to prevent any more of her animals suffering from ill health, Martine kicked her 10-a-day habit and now spends the money she has saved from buying cigarettes on her animals. While spending her free time with her beloved pets or boyfriend Jake; who since meeting Martine has himself accumulated 14 different varieties of pet tarantula. As Martine comments, “Post-smoking life, I can spend every waking moment I have either with my animals or with my family. The connection I have with my animals is definitely stronger now that I have quit smoking. They are
more comfortable being handled and are happier.” Pets exposed to passive smoking can develop a range of health problems including cancers, breathing difficulties, skin infections and eye problems. 85% of tobacco smoke is invisible and pets can easily inhale toxic particles that layer on surfaces and furniture. In particular, cats regular self-grooming exposes them to smoke toxins that are left on their fur. Even pet fish are at risk of smoking induced illnesses triggered by soluble tobacco toxins that penetrate the water in fish tanks. Researchers at Glasgow University found that pets who inhale their owners’ second-hand and third- hand smoke develop a host of health problems just like humans who inhale someone else’s smoke. Professor of Small Animal Medicine and Oncology Clare Knottenbelt at commented in the study, “Pet owners often do not think about the impact that smoking could have on their pets. While you can reduce the amount of smoke your pet is exposed to by smoking outdoors, stopping smoking completely is the best option for your pet’s future health and well being.”
AW Facts Did you know? Your blood flow increases by 20% when you laugh.
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GLOBAL 16-21
BUSINESS 22-26
GLAM 27-35
WEDDINGS 36-41
HEALTH 42-43
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MOTORING 50-53
Medical cannabis seminars for health professionals and patients Medical Choices UK is a notfor-profit organisation set up to educate health professionals about medicinal cannabis and advocate for its use as a treatment option. We are running a series of educational seminars across the country in September. Medical cannabis was legalised in the UK by the Home Office in November 2018 yet only a handful of patients have managed to access. There is conclusive or substantial evidence that medical cannabis may be of benefit for several medical conditions including drug resistant epilepsy, chronic pain, multiple sclerosis and nausea in cancer related chemotherapy. Whilst not a first line treatment, medicinal cannabis may be useful where patients have exhausted all other treatment options. Uptake amongst the UK medical community has been slow as
they are simply not educated or trained to use medical cannabis as a treatment option. Prescribing has been limited to specialists only. We need to give general practitioners the ability to prescribe medicinal cannabis in the UK. GP’s are well placed to prescribe as they are trained to monitor chronically ill patients, they see them regularly and well placed to monitor patients after care. In the case of patients suffering from chronic pain GP’s already are allowed to prescribe a large array of other pharmaceutical options such as opioids. There is also a good economic argument that if medical cannabis has the potential to keep chronically ill patients out of hospital then it could be cash flow positive for the NHS. Medical Choices UK was set up to provide much needed education to health professionals about medicinal cannabis and advocate
for its use as a treatment option. We are running a series of scientific educational seminars across the country in September including in the following dates: • London Monday 16 September 2019 6.30-9pm for medical professionals www.mcuk1. eventbrite.ca • Glasgow Tuesday 17 September 2019 6.30-9pm for medical professionals www.mcuk2. eventbrite.ca • Manchester Wednesday 18 September 2019 6.30-9pm for medical professionals www. mcuk3.eventbrite.ca • London – Thursday 19 September 2019 6.30-9pm for patients and carers www.mcuk4. eventbrite.ca Medical Choices UK have a number of qualified speakers including pharmacists, doctors, researchers, patients advocates and a cannabis economist.
KERALA AYURVEDA SPA CLINIC 719 Stratford Rd, Sparkhill B11 4DN Tel: 0121 777 7007, Mob: 07436 588 127 info@keralaayurrvedaspaclinic.com www.keralaayurrvedaspaclinic.com @ayurvedaspabirmingham KERALA AYURVEDA SPA Clinic is an authentic holistic health and beauty spa offering Traditional Ayurveda treatment, Pain control treatments, Contemporary therapies, Beauty care, Dietary advice, Exercise regimes Yoga and meditation classes. Traditional Ayurveda is a holistic approach seeking to examine the cause of ailments such as Anxiety, Arthritis, Asthma, Austism Spectrum Disorder, Body Aches & Pains, Depression, Diabetes, Digestive problems, Eczema, Eye Disease, Frozen Shoulder, Headaches, High blood pressure, High cholesterol levels, Inflammations., Irrutable Bowel Syndrome, Menopause problems, Migrains, Memory problems, Obesity, Parkinsons, Paralysis, Pregnancy difficulties, Rheumatoid arthritis, Sciatica, Stroke, Skin Diseases, Stress ...
Ayurvedic Approach to Stroke Treatment depends on the type of stroke, including which part of the brain was affected and what caused it. Treatment should be so to prevent and dissolve blood clots, reduce blood pressure and reduce cholesterol levels. A patient who suffers paralysis due to stroke for longer than a year requires more extensive treatment. This is because part of the body has been inactive for so long that the muscles start to waste away.
This information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment cure or prevention of any disease. If you have any serious acute or chronic health concerns, please consult a trained health professional who can fully assess your needs and address them effectively. If you are seeking the medical advice of a trained ayurvedic expert.
SPORTS 54-56
September 2019
Nutrition and Fitness Retreats Aid Cancer Recovery
In 1990, 5.7 million people died from cancer; by 2016 this had increased to 8.9 million. But when age-standardised, cancer death rates are falling globally, which is great news. There are two key factors which are attributed to improved survival rates: earlier detection and improved treatment. Unfortunately, a large proportion of the population will still be affected by cancer, whether themselves or a loved one. Health and Fitness Travel, the wellness holiday specialists, offer a range of both dedicated programs for cancer recovery, where guests with specific medical concerns can rest and replenish when they need it most. New research published by Macmillan Cancer Support claim that the prescribing of nutrition and fitness plans to those recently diagnosed with
cancer is to be encouraged, as this can boost chances of recovery and survival, the experts at Health and Fitness Travel support these findings. Personalised recommendations about lifestyle, diet and movement can promote resilience to disease as well as the treatment of disease. “Prehabilitation” is being called upon soon after diagnosis for people to obtain information in a supportive and nourishing environment, before commencing cancer treatment. In some cases, improvements in fitness and nutrition could mean patients became strong enough to access treatments which might not have otherwise been tolerated. Paul Joseph, Founder of Health and Fitness Travel, says “Being in optimal condition with your fitness, nutrition and mental
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health is beneficial to everyone, irrespective of health concerns. If we are in this optimal state of well-being, we may be less vulnerable to the side effects of cancer treatments. We want people recovering from cancer to feel empowered to improve their health and get the personalised care they need on a dedicated wellness retreat”. As we become more aware of the importance of staying fit and healthy, whilst preventing or fighting cancer and a myriad of other diseases, travel trends reflect this, with an increase in enquiries and bookings for wellness retreats. Mindfulness techniques and Ayurveda treatments can assist recovery, while tailored fitness programs help you build strength, flexibility and stamina, both physical and mental.
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September 2019
TRAVEL
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Princess Cruises Named Amongst Healthiest Cruises by SHAPE Magazine’s Healthy Travel Awards Princess Cruises has been recognised by SHAPE magazine as a winner in its fifth annual Healthy Travel Awards for the second consecutive year, recognising the cruise line’s fleetwide and state-ofthe-art Lotus Spa and Fitness Centers, and family friendly offerings like the Glacier Bay National Park Junior Ranger Program in Alaska. The SHAPE Healthy Travel Awards, featured on shape.com, represent the best wellness hot spots and programs to relax, refuel, get inspired, and reconnect while on vacation. Award categories include the best in hotel gyms, restaurants, and cruises, as well as healthiest amenities and family getaways. “We’re honoured to be acknowledged by SHAPE magazine in its Healthy
Travel Awards. In addition to the Lotus Spa and fitness centre, we’re equally thrilled to see the Glacier Bay National Park Junior Ranger Program in Alaska recognised,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises president. “The Junior Ranger Program is a special partnership with the National Park Service designed to help our youth guests appreciate the vast wildlife and landscape exclusive to this region of the world. We’re always striving to offer our guests the most unique and transformative experiences to promote wellness and relaxation, ensuring they come back new.” Princess Cruises offers Lotus Spa and Fitness Centres aboard all 17 of its cruise ships, sailing to more than 380 destinations around the globe. With a
vast selection of relaxing massages, facials and body treatments to choose from, as well an outdoor jogging track, state-of-the-art fitness equipment, and dynamic group fitness classes like yoga and indoor cycling, guests can choose to relax and work out with ocean views to renew the mind, body and spirit while on board. In partnership with the National Park Service, the cruise line also offers the Glacier Bay National Park Junior Ranger Program. Designed to bring Glacier Bay and the Alaska wilderness to life for thousands of children, the highly regarded program features interactive games, activity books and presentations by Park Rangers. Upon completion of the program, each child is designated a
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The Lotus Spa onboard one of Princess Cruises’ Ships Junior Ranger and receives his/her very own rangers badge and certificate. “Travelers today are looking for transformational vacations that give them exciting new experiences to explore—and also help them relax and reenergize,” said Elizabeth Goodman Artis, SHAPE editor in chief. “For the 2019 Healthy Travel Awards, SHAPE found the best, most innovative wellness programs out there to help them do just that.” For more details about Princess Cruises Lotus Spa and Fitness Centers and wellness offerings, visit www.princess.com/ wellness. Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel advisor, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237),
or by visiting the company’s website at www.princess.com. About SHAPE Launched in 1981, SHAPE helps women achieve the best versions of themselves while understanding that healthy living is more than an endgame—it’s a source of personal joy and lasting reward. SHAPE magazine is published 10 times a year with a rate base of 2.5 million and an audience of 16 million, reaching women across all platforms, including 5 million users on Shape.com, and through award-winning consumer events and innovative brand extensions. Follow SHAPE on Facebook; Twitter; and Instagram.
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Jet lag refers to the feeling of tiredness that people experience after making a long journey by plane to a place where the time is different from where they have boarded. It occurs merely because the sleeping and waking patterns are disturbed due to travelling. Biologically speaking, jetlag is based on the changes in our circadian rhythm. This is otherwise known as our’ body clock’, which is a 24-hour cycle that runs in our bodies and around which our daily activities such as walking, eating, sleeping, body temperature etc. are based Many travellers and crews of the plane also go through jet lag. When someone has jet lag, their body temperature will alter from the norm; you will find yourself feeling hungry, uncomfortable and even suffering from insomnia and lack of productivity. Your blood pressure may rise; you will feel tired and groggy. To discuss the topic further, I had a conversation with my pilot friend Pilot Arlen Yousefian (Instagram A/c -pilotarlen ) who is a celebrity private jet pilot and captain for Peter Diamandis. Captain Arlen’s views - Jet lag is something Passengers and Pilots have to deal with every time we travel. Jet lag might be hard on passengers but is a lot harder on us (pilots). Travellers rely on me as their pilot to be alert while I am flying, for apparent reasons. But because I spend my days (and nights) flying across all types of time zones, managing Jet-Lag is practically a job requirement. You have to prepare your body for it. Staying hydrated is one of the best solutions. You have to intake as much water as you can, avoid soft drinks, diet sodas, or sugary Juices. Get consistent rest; your body has its own clock. It doesn’t matter where I am, but I always try to sleep at the same time I usually do. I avoid caffeine at all costs, because it keeps your body tensed, alert, and makes it harder for me to fall asleep when I need to. I only use caffeine when I need to stay alert. I only have a half cup, never a full cup. Try to match your rest time with your destination time. Thanks, Arlen for sharing your views.
AW Facts Did you know? The tourism industry supports 1/10 of the world’s jobs.
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Knock off The Jet Lag and Enjoy Flying
By - Rida Khan (Instagram A/c – aviationauthor.ridakhan)
There are many ways to treat or minimize jet lag. Here are some tips below– 1.) Before a flight, have a good sleep like pilots do when they take trips, they rest well before taking off for their journeys. 2.) Take connecting flights with layovers so that your body has more time to adapt to the new routine. 3.) Have plenty of water and say goodbye to sleeping pills during flight time. 4.) Keep a well-balanced diet before a flight and during flight and also avoid consuming a large or heavy meal. 5.) Take things which make you feel comfortable in the plane like eye masks, earplugs, noise-cancelling headphones, etc. which will help you to rest well while travelling through flights. 6.) Do some exercise or walk along the aisle in the flight. Finally, I would like to say that jet lag is not a big problem, don’t miss enjoyable moments while travelling through flights because of this. Jet lag is temporary; it can be treated in various ways which are listed above. So, move on to your travelling journey through flights happily and with ease. Enjoy your trip!
SPORTS 54-56
September 2019
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September 2019
TECHNOLOGY
Digitalisation Trends in the Aerospace Industry in APAC In today’s fast-moving world, the aerospace industry has been growing and developing at an exponential rate to meet consumer demands. Recently, growth in the economy of the world’s developing countries means the need for air travel, and competition between flight aircraft is at an all-time high. By the year 2028, estimations predict that approximately 38,000 aircrafts will be in service, a vast increase from the 26,000 running today (Wyman, 2019). Following this growth rate, digitalisation is increasing the reliability and efficiency of aerospace systems across the world. Artificial Intelligence Within the maintenance department of the aerospace industry, data is continually being monitored and analysed by artificial intelligence and machine learning systems. Airlines in Asia have silently begun implementing AI tools for simulation and data modelling of aircrafts (Woodrow, 2019). The studying of the information collected is used to decide precisely when an aircraft’s parts should be replaced or repaired. This technique of servicing jets and planes was invented some time ago, but is only recently being entirely made use of. This adaptation has been to ensure that a specific part’s lifespan and functions are fully utilised. Thus, aerospace systems are continuously kept in optimum condition. Virtual Reality In recent years, virtual reality alongside big data has been pushing the boundaries of predictive maintenance. Since the year 2016, the aerospace company Airbus has been making use of this technology inside its Hangar of Future initiative in Singapore (Price, 2018). Virtual and augmented realities are disrupting traditional techniques of aerospace maintenance by allowing engineers to see main-
By Manisha Bhanot
tenance activities from new and unexplored angles. From this new data, also comes advanced simulations that can allow defence personnel and pilots to test new aircraft equipment before physically handling them. Cyber Security One of the downfalls of rapid digitalisation is, of course, the risk of data security and breach of privacy. This uncertainty applies to the aerospace sector especially, where the increasing connectivity of systems is also putting aircraft at risk of hacking and attack from cybercriminals. Countries in the Asia-Pacific region have been discovered to be 80% more likely to be victims of cyber theft as a result of their lack of awareness of the issue (Mordor Intelligence, 2019). Leading suppliers, however, can offer their cybersecurity services to their clients and build a safe environment of trust. They can help a business to avoid and recover quickly from cyberattacks. Conclusion There is no shortage of digital technologies being utilised within the aerospace sector. These new and rising innovations are disrupting traditional methods of maintenance, operations and repair by providing experts with
more intel about vital parts and the mechanical needs of aircraft. However, much of the massive data that these technologies, such as artificial intelligence, are producing still need a value to be successfully generated from them. Only then can the digitalisation of aerospace fully flourish and continue to grow. References Mordor Intellzigence (2019) Asia Pacific Cyber Security Market. [online]. Available at: https://www.mordorintelligence. com/industry-reports/asia-pacific-cyber-security-market Price, Matthew (2018) Current and Emerging Trends in the Aerospace Sector. London: Atkins. Woodrow, Bellamy (2019) Airlines are Increasingly Connecting Artificial Intelligence. [online]. Available at: http:// interactive.aviationtoday.com/ avionicsmagazine/june-2019/ airlines-are-increasingly-connecting-artificial-intelligence-totheir-mro-strategies/ Wyman, Oliver (2019) Transport and Logistics. [online]. Available at: https:// www.forbes.com/sites/ oliverwyman/2018/09/04/howcustomer-demands-and-digitalization-will-transform-aerospaceover-the-decade/#4e92524c2fdb
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Soon, air pollution could be measured on every street corner
Air pollution is responsible for 550,000 premature deaths a year in Europe – and 7 million worldwide, according to the WHO. Measuring it can be a challenge, however, as the equipment tends to be large and expensive. But soon, this may change, thanks to a small, optical nano-sensor developed at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, which can be mounted onto an ordinary streetlight.
The technology is already in use in western Sweden, and researchers and other interested parties hope that the sensor could soon be used in many broad contexts. A collaboration with the University of Sheffield is also underway. “Air pollution is a global health problem. To be able to contribute to increased knowledge and a better environment feels great. With the help of these small, portable sensors, it can become both simpler and cheaper to measure dangerous emissions extremely accurately,” says Chalmers researcher Irem Tanyeli, who has helped develop the small sensors, which measure nitrogen dioxide with great precision. For the hi-tech sensors to make the move from the lab out into the real world, Irem Tanyeli worked with the Gothenburgbased company Insplorion, cofounded by Chalmers researcher Christoph Langhammer in 2010. With help from financier Mistra Innovation, he has been involved with the company’s efforts at taking on the great environmental challenge of precisely mapping air pollution. “This is a great example of how a university and a company can collaborate. Both parties contribute with their expertise to create a new product, contributing to a more sustainable society,” says Christoph Langhammer, Professor at the Chalmers Department of Physics. Exhaust gases from road traffic are responsible for the majority of nitrogen dioxide pollution in the air. Breathing in nitrogen dioxide is harmful to our health, even at very low levels, and can damage our respiratory systems and lead to cardiac and vascular diseases. According to the World Health Organisation, air pollution is the single biggest environ-
New Social Media Testing
By Khalid Karim - Technology Correspondent For all those who like Tik Tok; the cover” button will help users find new fourth most downloaded app in the people or accounts to follow. Another world is testing some cool new stuff. feature that is being considered in the In the “For You” section. You will pipeline is the addition of the count of now be allowed to check out more downloads alongside video likes and video content in a grid-style layout shares. similar to Instagram. The new “DisFacebook will soon launch a “news”
tab, which will deliver news directly from trusted publishers. Several known publishers, such as Bloomberg and ABC News have been approached with offers in the region of $3m a year to license content being negotiated. Twitter is developing new features in-
mental health risk worldwide. The new optical nano-sensor can detect low concentrations of nitrogen dioxide very precisely – down to the parts-per-billion level (ppb). The measuring technique is built upon an optical phenomenon which is called a plasmon. It arises when metal nanoparticles are illuminated and absorb light of certain wavelengths. Christoph Langhammer and his research group have been working in this area for over a decade, and now innovations are starting to see the light of day. For the last two years, Irem Tanyeli has been working with optimising the sensor material and conducting tests under differently simulated environmental conditions. The technology is now installed in a streetlight in Gothenburg, as part of a collaboration with lighting company Leading Light, to measure the quantity of nitrogen dioxide molecules in the urban environment. “In the future, we hope that the technology also can be integrated into other urban infrastructure, like traffic lights or speed cameras, or for measuring air quality indoors,” says Irem Tanyeli. A sensor is also installed on the roof of Nordstan in Gothenburg, one of Scandinavia’s biggest shopping malls, and soon more will be placed along the route
cluding topic-based streams allowing users to stay up to date on particular subjects through curated listing, reminiscent of the Google Alert feature. You will have the ability to subscribe to a conversation; the option to record attached images and tweet live photos, and a DM search feature. LinkedIn is launching audience engagement insights as part of the revamp of its API program, enabling third-party partners to search for key topics of focus to improve LinkedIn campaigns. The three elements of the API are Industry Benchmarking, Content Recommendations and Audience Discovery.
of Västlänken, a major railway tunnel construction project, also in Gothenburg. The technology has already raised interest from several organisations, including the Urban Flows Observatory, an air quality centre at the University of Sheffield. They will conduct field testing, comparing the nanosensors’ results with data from a number of British reference stations. “There is a lack of small functional nitrogen dioxide sensors on the market. We find this nano plasmonic solution interesting, and look forward to the test results,” says Professor Martin Mayfield at Urban Flows Observatory, University of Sheffield. Other interested parties include Stenhøj Sverige, a company, which develops gas and smoke analysers for automotive repair shops and vehicle. The new sensor technology is not limited to measuring nitrogen dioxide but can also be adapted to other types of gases. There is therefore potential for further innovation. “Nitrogen dioxide is just one of the many substances which can be detected with the help of optical nanosensors. There are great opportunities for this type of technology,” says Christoph Langhammer.
Instagram is making available its Spark AR filter creation platform to all users, as well as rolling out the “Effect Gallery”, a new library of niche Augmented Reality effects from new up and coming artists. The new effects will give more value and choice to Instagram users and advertisers alike. YouTube is testing a feature that allows channels to upload videos that only paid members are able to watch. YouTube has been pushing the premium agenda for a long time now and non-subscribers are directed to sign up for a paid membership if they wish to view the video.
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Robots Need New Philosophy to Get a Grip
Robots need to know the reason why they are doing a job if they are to effectively and safely work alongside people in the near future. In simple terms, this means machines need to understand motive the way humans do, and not just perform tasks blindly, without context. According to a new article by the National Centre for Nuclear Robotics, based at the University of Birmingham, this could herald a profound change for the world of robotics, but one that is necessary. Lead author Dr. Valerio Ortenzi, at the University of Birmingham argues the shift in thinking will be necessary as economies embrace automation, connectivity and digitisation (‘Industry 4.0’) and levels of human – robot interaction, whether in factories or homes, increase dramatically. The paper, published in Nature Machine Intelligence, explores the issue of robots using objects. ‘Grasping’ is an action perfected long ago in nature but one which represents the cutting-edge of robotics research. Most factory-based machines are ‘dumb’, blindly picking up familiar objects that appear in pre-determined places at just the right moment. Getting a machine to pick up unfamiliar objects, randomly presented, requires the seamless interaction of multiple, complex technologies. These include vision systems and advanced AI so the machine can see the target and determine its properties (for example, is it rigid or flexible?); and potentially, sensors in the gripper are required so the robot does not inadvertently crush an object it has been told to pick up.
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Even when all this is accomplished, researchers in the National Centre for Nuclear Robotics highlighted a fundamental issue: what has traditionally counted as a ‘successful’ grasp for a robot might actually be a real-world failure, because the machine does not take into account what the goal is and why it is picking an object up. The Nature Machine Intelligence paper cites the example of a robot in a factory picking up an object for delivery to a customer. It successfully executes the task, holding the package securely without causing damage. Unfortunately, the robot’s gripper obscures a crucial barcode, which means the object can’t be tracked and the firm has no idea if the item has been picked up or not; the whole delivery system breaks down because the robot does not know the consequences of holding a box the wrong way. Dr. Ortenzi and his co-authors give other examples, involving robots working alongside people. “Imagine asking a robot to pass you a screwdriver in a workshop. Based on current conventions the best way for a robot to pick up the tool is by the handle. Unfortunately, that could mean that a hugely powerful machine then thrusts a potentially lethal blade towards you, at speed. Instead, the robot needs to know what the end goal is, i.e.,to pass the screwdriver safely to its human colleague, in order to rethink its actions. Professor Rustam Stolkin, NCNR Director, said: “National Centre for Nuclear Robotics is unique in working on practical problems with industry, while simultaneously generating the
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September 2019
India Marks a New Age of Transport by Approving $10bn Hyperloop Project
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By Tauseef Asif
highest calibre of cutting-edge academic research – exemplified by this landmark paper.” The research was carried out in collaboration with the Centre of Excellence for Robotic Vision at Queensland University of Technology, Australia, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Italy, the German Aerospace Center (DLR), Germany, and the University of Pisa, Italy.
AW Facts Did you know? If you smoke near your apple computer it voids its warranty.
One of India’s busy transit routes is getting an upgrade with an added declaration of $10bn from a new hyperloop project. The new development has excited many investors and is expected to be the first of its kind. The new-build will transport passengers from Mumbai to Pune in just 23 minutes. In the project meeting, the Maharashtra regional cabinet approved of Rs75,000 crores ($10bn) worth of funds investment. In a recent announcement, the state government said that this project would: “mark the beginning of a new age in the country’s transport sector”. The hyperloop is an ultra-highspeed rail system, which launches passenger pods through smooth tubes using magnetic force at speeds of up to 750 miles (1,200 km) per hour. The (PMRDA), which is Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority will administer the project which is expected to be mainly funded
by the foreign investment. United Arab Emirates’ DP World and Virgin Hyperloop One have already signed up to be involved, but the project will be opened up to additional bidders. The hyperloop will be completed in two phases. Phase 1 consists of an 11.8km (7.4 miles) section from Gahunje to Usse. It is estimated to be finished in two and a half years at the cost of roughly 5,000 crores ($724 million). An unnamed official had said the stretch for the phase had been chosen as a test track because of the technical challenges that can be faced and resolved. If this initial phase proves to be a success, the remaining section between the Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai and Wakad in Pune will be completed in an estimated six to eight years. If this all goes well, India could become the world’s new hyperloop nation.
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Asian World’s Kitchen
The Karczma Restaurant Review
By Manisha Bhanot Walk down into the basement steps of the Karzma on a hot summer’s day, and you will believe you’ve plunged into a rabbit hole. You’ll find yourself standing in the foyer of a medieval dining tavern. Ornamental chickens were decorating the interior thatched roof, walls and-painted with scenes of wild horses running free, and authentic sheep wool lining the rickety wooden seats. This restaurant is one that sets itself apart because of its quirky and quintessential old-townhouse vibe. It’s seemingly a cross-between having dinner in a story-book grandmother’s old kitchen parlor and being in an authentic cowboy hideaway with bearskin rugs and Stetson hats hanging from the walls.
The only delicate feature which breaks the other-worldly illusion of the place is the ornamental light-bulbs which hang from the ceiling. Even the beautiful waitress appeared to us dressed as the sister from Hansel and Gretel. She wore an embroidered skirt and red apron blouse that symbolised the purity and essence of good, hearty home-cooked food. As we folded open our menus, we were left spoiled for choice – smoked bacon, slow-cooked lamb, clotted sheep’s cheese, and a range of stuffed dumplings. There was also a variety of classic Polish soups such as beetroot, zucchini cream, chicken broth and rye served with either a hollowed loaf or mushroom croquet. Alongside our meal, there was a
selection of excellent ales and hot drinks on offer. Guests can choose from the fine Polish Vodka, including common Oak and Hazelnut, as well as a range of berry flavours such as cherry and plum. Our mouth-watering dishes were served to us in the most malevolent fashion. The starters were bought out on old-age chopping boards, with the steaming broth poured out in clay cauldrons. For the main courses, our plates were fashioned onto a makeshift grill, with a base of wax candles to keep the freshly made food piping hot. We ate sitting on crafted benches and a table lined with a crotchet centre-piece, polish music drifted lazily across the room as we ate to our heart’s content.
AW Facts Did you know? McDonald’s first menu items were hot dogs instead of burgers.
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World of Comptoir Libanais This is Lebanese food like you’ve never seen, tasted or felt like ever before. Step into the world of Comptoir Libanais in Birmingham New Street, and you will feel as if you’ve been transported to the heart of the Middle-East. You might as well have found a jewel hidden behind a busy and bustling Lebanon market, a quirky and characteristic eatery designed specifically to melt your tastebuds. When first walking into the restaurant, guests are struck by its many beautiful wall hangings and decorations. Look around, and you will see vibrant pop-art images of various well-known figures such as Queen Elizabeth II, Elvis Presley and even the likes of Paddington Bear, adorned with a fez in true Lebanese style. You’ll also find enlarged glamour movie posters plastered all along the venue, ornamental lamp shades hanging from the ceiling, and decadent seating booths with stained glass windows and paisley wallpaper to catch the sitter’s eye. However, that’s not all. Turn your attention above you, and you’ll see the restaurant shelves are lined with many bronze and silver polished plates, saucers, and cutlery. There are also dozens and dozens of bags and purses on display – all of which are hand-made by women from local Middle-Eastern villages for customers to buy. Why does Comptoir have an in-house store for visitors you ask? That’s because it’s all part of their ‘Souk Shop’, a service which allows you to purchase homeware items
representative of the cuisine’s culture, and also hard to find ingredients such as zataar, orange blossom and rose which are essential for Lebanese food. And how was the food? Simply marvellous! To begin with, we were treated to the restaurant’s scrumptious soup of the day. At the time of our visit, this happened to be warm yellow lentil soup, which was served with sumac and olive oil pita crisps. To accompany our starters, we ordered spiced Lebanese potatoes with fresh coriander, garlic and chilli batata harra. These dishes definitely rejuvenated our appetites for the main course, which had to include tasting the delicacies of rich and flavoursome Lebanese cheese and meats. We were served halloumi and za’atar man’ousha flat bread, halloumi cheese and tomato slices with thyme and fresh mint, as well as chicken maoussakhan which was richly marinated and presented with rice and fettoush salad. The deserts were equally flavoursome, featuring thick slices of cheese and almond cake to leave a sweet after-taste when the main course was over. Indeed, like the many colours and designs you’ll find all around the restaurant, at Comptoir Libanais you can expect your meal to be an explosion of different tastes and textures on your flavour-palette. So don’t hesitate, book yourself a table at this unique and lively diner today. You can head over to their website at www.comptoirlibanais.com or call 0121 667 3160 to reserve your place today!
By Manisha Bhanot
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September 2019
Comptoir Libanais
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World First in Simulation It’s Time to Update Mobile Phone software could enable Legislation, Says Gem regulatory approval of Autonomous Vehicle before They Reach the Road GEM has a number of simple tips regarding mobile phones and driving:
1. You’re allowed to use a mobile phone when you are safely parked, with the engine off and the handbrake on.
2. Please do not pick up your phone in any other driving situation, including when you’re stationary at traffic lights or queuing in traffic. 3. The only exception to this is if it’s an emergency and it would be unsafe or impractical to stop, in which case you may call 999. 4. Don’t assume that using a hands-free kit means you have dealt with the risk. You are still allowing yourself to be distracted from the task of safe driving, and you could still be prosecuted for not being in control (an offence that carries a £100 fine and three penalty points). 5. Take a few minutes before a journey to make important calls or to check voice messages and emails. Work together with friends, family, colleagues and work contacts to remove the expectation that we should all be available, all the time. 6. Plan journeys to build in breaks from driving, where you can call, text or email or interact with social media in a safe environment.
A breakthrough in simulating the perception of vehicle sensors provides the missing link in end-to-end virtual validation
UK simulation software specialist, rFpro, has developed a new technique that helps to overcome the safety concerns around testing and developing connected autonomous vehicles (CAVs) on public roads. By developing a physical model of the real world, known as the Ground Truth, rFpro can accurately test the vehicle’s perception of its surroundings, which has not been previously possible. This will enable legislators to define an approval process for a vehicle within a completely virtual environment, certifying it as safe to use on real roads. The technique is already being used to validate vehicle safety in Euro NCAP tests. “Most system modelling begins with ideal sensor models in order to validate the algorithms and control systems of the vehicle, but this bypasses any limitations in the sensors themselves,” explains Chris Hoyle, rFpro’s technical director. “Difficult lighting conditions, or the reflections in a shop window can corrupt a sensor’s perception of the vehicle’s surroundings, leading to potentially catastrophic errors. Thorough validation of a CAV or ADAS-equipped vehicle must include the sensors’ ability to recognise and characterise the features of its environment.” The ability to evaluate the sensors’ perception during simulation matters because future legislation is likely to dictate the virtual testing and approval of any autonomous system before its use on public roads is permitted. The whole
system must therefore be tested in a fully-representative virtual environment, not just elements of it. Due to the vast number of miles required to validate an autonomous vehicle in a huge number of different environments, it is not feasible to do this in the real world. Sensor perception is the most challenging aspect because it requires a physically accurate virtual world with high levels of correlation to the real world and physically modelled sensors. “Physical modelling means simulating the materials and properties of every object encountered by the vehicle and its onboard sensors, rather than just an abstract representation of it as used by most systems,” says Hoyle. “With several years’ experience of creating digital twins of city streets, rural roads, proving grounds and test tracks, we understand the complexities of modelling features like changing weather conditions or road surfaces. “Our engineers are constantly being challenged by our customers to bridge the gap between simulated and realworld testing. Whether this is 8 stereo, 4K cameras with live exposure control and real motion-blur modelled, or even a radar model picking up the microdoppler from a pedestrian moving their arm. All of this must be possible for successful simulation and can all be done using rFpro.” Hoyle believes rFpro is unique in providing closed loop end-to-end simula-
tion of autonomous systems, with a vital element of this process being the inclusion of an accurate vehicle model that responds in a fully representative manner to road surface changes and control inputs. “Perception is critical not just from a safety point of view but also for consumer satisfaction,” he says. “For example, with our system, minute road surface differences are accurately modelled, which means ride comfort can be assessed. We can explore the CAV’s ability to identify and avoid potholes, like a human would. Without this, passengers are unlikely to want to ride in an autonomous vehicle again.” A current UK government project, dRISK, uses rFpro software to validate sensor models against the real world so they can be correlated with actual sensors. This is seen as an essential stepping stone towards end-to-end validation of autonomous systems through simulation. “Due to the infinite inputs possible from these sensors, there is a big emerging need for autonomous system test engineers making use of simulated software,” concludes Hoyle. “Previously there has been around a 1:1 ratio of software engineers to test engineers in the automotive sector. We believe this is moving closer towards the avionics sector where there are around 5 test engineers per software engineer to ensure the safety of passengers.”
Road Safety and breakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist is urging the UK government to update the wording of its law on the use of a mobile phone while driving. The law says that an offence is committed if a driver uses a handheld mobile phone for “interactive communication” behind the wheel, whereas mobile phone use has evolved beyond the legislation that was introduced in 2003. The call comes after the High Court overturned the conviction of 51-year-old builder Ramsey Baretto, who had been using his phone to film the scene of a collision as he drove by. Lady Justice Thirlwall stated “The legislation does not prohibit all use of a mobile phone held while driving” but also acknowledged that, despite this, drivers who did choose to use a mobile phone behind the wheel could still be prosecuted for more serious offences such as careless or dangerous driving. GEM road safety officer Neil Worth said “The government’s failure to bring legislation up to date is putting lives at risk. We now have an absurd situation where the wording of the law is insufficient and cumbersome, only
stating “interactive communication” as an illegal use of a mobile phone when driving, when we know it is clearly unsafe to use your mobile phone for any purpose when driving. “Although penalties have increased, the specific wording of the law governing mobile phones and driving has not changed for 16 years. We are writing to the government urging them to update the legislation at the earliest opportunity. This will ensure it is fit for purpose, and will avoid further compromise to road safety.” Specific mobile phone driving laws were introduced in December 2003 which saw motorists handed a £60 fine for an offence before rising to £100 in 2013. Fines increased to £100 and penalty points endorsements doubled in 2017, to act as a further deterrent.
AW Facts Did you know? Volkswagen owns Bugatti, Bentley, Audi and Lamborghini.
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Introducing Bentley’s New Flying Bees
Bentley Motors’ historic site in Crewe is already famous for producing the models that have carried its “flying B” emblem on the bonnet for one hundred years, but thanks to a new biodiversity initiative, the company is now creating a buzz with the introduction of 120,000 “flying bees” of a different kind. With the help of local beekeepers, two national hives, which are collectively home to 120,000 British Apis Mellifera honey bees, have been successfully installed on grassland at the edge of the Bentley site. The area has been sown with bee friendly wild flowers – and as it borders the Cheshire countryside, it is proving to be the perfect habitat for the bees, who are settling in well and showing promising signs for the first honey harvest. Each hive has the potential to create around 15kg – or approximately 50 jars of honey. Peter Bosch, Bentley’s Member of the Board for Manufacturing explains:
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“Although our Pyms Lane site is over 80 years old, we’re constantly looking for ways to improve our environmental footprint and achieve our goal of carbon neutral operations. “We already have the largest solar car port in the UK on our site - which means that all of our electricity use is now either solar or certified green – so we’ve also started to look at ways we can use our site to increase local biodiversity. “Bees populations are in decline in the UK, so installing two hives to help boost biodiversity is a great way to make use of the grassland at the edge of the site. “Our “flying bees” are honeybees that have been bred by local beekeepers with over fifty years’ experience. With their help, we’re checking on them every week and it’s great to see that they’re already starting to produce the first Bentley honey”.
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September 2019
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Hold your Horses!
How to Pass Horses Safely on the Road
You may see more horses on the road during the summer months, and more than likely they’ll be on a country lane. Here are IAM RoadSmart’s tips on how best to pass a horse safely on the roads. Horses are powerful animals and have extremely heightened senses. They are also ‘flight’ animals so if they become scared, they will revert back to their natural instinct. The British Horse Society has reported that nearly two horses are killed each week on UK roads. In last year alone, 87 horses and four people have been tragically killed. If you’re approaching a horse from behind: Slow down and hold back. The rider will indicate whether it’s safe to approach and overtake. If they don’t, make sure you stay at least three car lengths behind and be careful to not move into this space. Be prepared to slow down further or even stop to protect yourself and the horse and rider. Avoid any sudden movements and loud noises such as revving the engine and playing your music loudly Most riders, and occasionally their horses will be in hi-vis so you should see them and be able to slow down in good time. Remember in the country-
side they could be around any corner. When passing the horse and rider make sure you give plenty of space. We recommend at least a car’s width and ensure it’s done slowly. Remember to always pass “slow and wide” stick to 15mph or under. If you’re on a country road and there’s not much room to manoeuvre around the horse, the rider may decide to trot towards the nearest lay by or grass verge. Do not speed up to match their trot, stay back and allow the rider to get to safety before overtaking. Often when you see two riders it is for safety reasons. This could be an inexperienced rider or nervous animal being coached along by a more experienced companion. Give them some consideration Keep an eye out for the rider. They will often give you signals asking to slow down, stop or to overtake. They will acknowledge you and assist you to pass, but their main priority is keeping themselves and the horse safe, so they’ll be trying to keep their hands on the reins at all times Always accelerate gently to pass the horse and when moving away. Both rider and horse may both be inexperienced and nervous in traffic; do your bit to keep them safe.
If there are grass verges, many riders will take the option to move themselves up onto them and allow you to pass. Please continue to pass slowly as the noise of your engine can still spook the horse. If a horse is approaching on the other side of the road: Slow down completely and consider putting on your hazard warning lights for anyone that may be behind you. You may need to stop to allow the horse to pass you safely if it is safe to do so. Horse rider and IAM RoadSmart’s digital content executive Jaimi McIlravey said: “Please continue to be careful when driving close to horses. From personal experience, it’s not always a car that will spook a horse. You may be driving safely with enough gap between yourself and a horse and rider, however, something else may scare them, so be sure to stay alert.” If you see any incidents involving a horse and rider please contact the police with any information you have. You’re also able to report an incident through this website: https://www. bhs.org.uk/our-work/safety/report-anincident
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Driveway Income Provides Stability in Uncertain Times
Renting out an empty driveway to motorists looking for somewhere to park can provide stability in times of uncertainty, advises YourParkingSpace.co.uk.
It follows downbeat forecasts from the Bank of England which cut the UK growth forecast, along with other sobering messages if there was a no-deal Brexit.
However, property owners across the UK are renting out their driveways to boost household income, advises the online parking portal, as the country faces an uncertain
future. And average rented driveway income has remained remarkably consistent over the previous few years. Apart from London, all of the other top five earning cities with YourParkingSpace.co.uk have actually seen average rented driveway income grow over the past three years. For example, the annual average rented driveway income in London has only differed by around £50 over the last three years from £2,303 in 2017 to £2,254 this year, while in Brighton it has actually increased from £1,761 in 2017 to £1,839 in 2019. Other growth examples include Leeds which has seen an increase from £1,544 in 2017 to £1,749 in 2019, and Bristol where average annual driveway income has grown from £1,447 three years ago to a present income of £1,627.
Meanwhile in Oxford, which was the fifth highest earning city with YourParkingSpace. co.uk over the last year, average annual driveway income has grown from £1,360 in 2017 to £1,624 in 2019. Harrison Woods, managing director at YourParkingSpace. co.uk, said: “In general, our data shows that average driveway income can be a stable source of income, and as proven by our examples, has been increasing over the past few years in many areas. “Of course, the income potential of each individual driveway will differ, but driveways near trains stations, local amenities, music venues and sports stadiums, are typically in the highest demand.” For more information about YourParkingSpace.co.uk, or to list your driveway, visit www. yourparkingspace.co.uk
Expect Motorcyclists at Junctions and you’re more likely to Spot Them, GEM Tells Drivers Road Safety and breakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist is encouraging drivers to take extra care at junctions, in an attempt to reduce collisions with motorcyclists. GEM road safety officer Neil Worth said: “Around 30 motorcyclists are killed or injured every day at junctions, usually because of a driver observation error which some years ago picked up the nickname ‘SMIDSY’ – sorry mate, I didn’t see you. “Experts point out that as drivers we’re not very good at identifying motorcyclists because they occupy such a small part of our field of vision. What’s more, if we’re not expecting to see one, then the chance of spotting one coming towards us is further reduced, and the risk of a collision is greatly increased.” “Summertime sees many roads becoming busier with weekend riders, but let’s make a point of looking out for them at every junction, on every journey. In doing so, we will be greatly reducing this risk, and helping them to be less vulnerable on
their journeys. “So before pulling out of junctions, look carefully all around. Make a specific check for motorcyclists coming towards you. They’re not always easy to spot – but if you’re expecting them to be there, then you’re far more likely to see them in good time… and prevent a potentially serious collision.” Avoid SMIDSY: three tips for drivers • Before pulling out at any junction, expect a motorcyclist – maybe more than one – to be coming towards you. • Have a really good look, and don’t pull out unless you are 100% sure there’s nothing coming. • Keep both hands on the wheel and look directly at an approaching rider. This can help show that you’re not putting the car in gear to move off. Avoid SMIDSY: three tips for riders • Take a position closer to the centre line of the road, as this will help make you more visible. • As you approach a junction, consider weaving in your lane
space if it’s safe. Changing your position makes you much easier for a driver to spot than if you’re maintaining a straight line. It may look erratic, but it’s much more likely to ensure a driver ‘clocks’ your presence. • If you see a car waiting to turn, assume the driver hasn’t seen you. Have an escape route ready, or be prepared to stop if it will help avoid a collision. Motorcycle collision statistics • 92% of crash victims are male • 37% of riders are aged 25 and under • Motorcyclists account for 20% of all road fatalities. In 2018, 354 motorcyclists lost their lives in road collisions. • Sunday is the day when most fatal crashes occur • 83% of collisions took place in excellent weather conditions • 58% of all collision claims occur on 50-125cc motorcycles (sources: DfT Reported Road Casualties Great Britain, sorrymate.com) Follow GEM on Twitter @MotoringAssist for the latest industry news.
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Gone in 10 Seconds: Thieves are Able to Drive Away in Some of Britain’s Most Popular Models
Some of Britain’s newest and most popular cars are at risk of being stolen in a matter of seconds, because thieves are able to exploit weaknesses in their keyless entry and start systems, according to groundbreaking market intelligence from Britain’s leading consumer champion and new car buying platform, What Car?. An exclusive test by What Car? found the new DS3 Crossback Ultra Prestige could be unlocked and started in 10 seconds by thieves using specialist technology. The Audi TT RS could also be stolen in 10 seconds - although only when its optional keyless entry system was active and its motion sensor technology had not disabled the keyfob. The recently replaced Land Rover Discovery Sport could also be stolen in 30 seconds. Car theft rates in England and Wales have reached an eight-year high, with more than 106,000 stolen last year
alone. Vehicles fitted with keyless entry and start systems are being targeted by thieves. Criminals using specialist tools can capture a key’s signal and relay it to another device next to the car, allowing them to enter and start the vehicle. What Car? tested seven different models, all fitted with keyless entry and start technology. Its security experts were able to break into a number of them within a matter of seconds.
Some new models on sale today feature technology that helps prevents keyless theft. Manufacturers, including Audi, BMW, Ford and Mercedes-Benz, have introduced motion detection technology inside their car keys – if the key is left untouched, it stops emitting a signal. However, if the key is in a pocket or handbag, and the owner is walking around, the car can still be vulnerable. Jaguar Land Rover has taken a different
Hyundai Launches First Car with Solar Roof Charging System
Audi TT RS Roadster Advanced Key inactive Advanced Key active
Get into car Not possible 5 seconds
Drive Away Not possible 5 seconds
BMW X3 (2018) Digital Smart Key inactive Digital Smart Key active
Get into car Not possible 40 seconds
Drive Away Not possible 20 seconds
DS3 Crossback Ultra Prestige Standard Key
Get into car 5 seconds
Drive Away 5 seconds
Ford Fiesta Sleeping key fob inactive Sleeping key fob active
Get into car Not possible 40 seconds
Drive Away Not possible 20 seconds
Land Rover Discovery Standard key
Get into car 20 seconds
Drive Away Not possible
Land Rover Discovery Sport (2018) Get into car 10 seconds Standard key
Drive Away 20 seconds
Mercedes-Benz A-Class Keyless-Go key fob inactive Keyless-Go key fob active
Drive Away Not possible 20 seconds
approach, introducing ultra-wide-band radio technology on some of its latest models, which transmits a wide range of signals from the key, meaning thieves can’t lock onto the signal and fool the vehicle. What Car?’s security experts couldn’t steal any vehicle with their keyfobs deactivated. However, this technology is not yet widely available. Steve Huntingford, editor of What
Hyundai Motor is launching its first car with a solar roof charging system. This groundbreaking ecofriendly technology will provide vehicles with additional electrical power, as well as increasing fuel efficiency and driving range. Hyundai Motor’s solar roof charging system makes its debut on the New Sonata Hybrid. The system supports the vehicle’s electric power source, improving fuel efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions. In the coming years, Hyundai will roll out the technology to other vehicles across its range. This is the latest application of a smart solution from Hyundai advancing the mobility industry towards a more sustainable future. “Solar roof technology is a good example of how Hyundai Motor is moving towards becoming a clean mobility provider. The technology allows our customers to actively tackle emissions issue” says, Heui Won Yang, Senior Vice President and head of Body Tech Unit of Hyundai Motor Group. “We are striving to further expand the application of the technology beyond eco-friendly vehicle line up to vehicles with internal combustion engine.” The solar roof system includes a structure of silicon solar panels that are mounted on the car’s roof. Being able to charge even while driving, the solar roof
Get into car Not possible 30 seconds
Car?, said: “It is outrageous that some car makers have introduced keyless entry and start systems without making them anywhere near as secure as the traditional alternatives they’ve replaced. “It is great news that a small number of brands are taking the problem of car theft seriously, but more needs to be done to improve security, particularly of desirable used models.”
system can charge 30 to 60 per cent of the battery per day v. with 6 hours of daily charging, it is expected to increase drivers’ travel distance by an extra 1,300 km annually. The system is composed of a solar panel and a controller. Electricity is produced when solar energy activates the solar panel’s surface, which converts this energy by using photons of light from the sun. This creates the electronhole pairs in silicon cells, which generate solar electricity. The electricity from this process is converted to the standard voltage by the controller, then stored in the battery. Hyundai Motor took not only efficiency but also design into account while developing the solar charging system. While the solar roof system currently plays a supporting role, it opens up perspectives for vehicles that no longer need fossil fuel to operate. The New Sonata Hybrid The New Sonata Hybrid is equipped with the world’s first Active Shift Control (ASC) technology and solar roof charging system. It boasts a hybridexclusive design with enhanced dynamic elements, as well as a Smartstream G2.0 GDi HEV engine and 6-speed hybrid transmission. Hyundai’s new model also supports a ‘Digital Key’ function via a dedicated smartphone app.
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SPORTS ECB announces England men’s international schedule for 2020
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Indonesia Only ASEAN Nation Offering to Host FIFA World Cup 2021
The summer 2020 schedule brings international matches against:
WEST INDIES - The international summer starts at the Kia Oval in June with the first of a three-match Test series against West Indies. The second Test will be played at Edgbaston with the third Test taking place at Lord’s. England will be looking to gain revenge after losing the Test series in the Caribbean last winter. AUSTRALIA – After an Ashes summer in 2019, Australia returns to England for a three-match IT20 series across the north of England with matches at Emirates Riverside, Emerald Headingley and Emirates Old Trafford. The series will add further significance with both teams wanting to impress ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia in the autumn of 2020. Australia round off their tour with a three-match ODI series against World Champions England at Lord’s, Ageas Bowl and The Bristol County Ground. PAKISTAN – Pakistan will face Joe Root’s England in a three-match Test series in July and August at Lord’s, Emirates Old Trafford and Trent Bridge. With the emphasis around IT20 cricket, England will face a real test of their credentials against the world’s best side in Pakistan with three matches at Emerald Headingley, Sophia Gardens and Ageas Bowl. IRELAND – The summer of cricket is complete with a three-match ODI series against Ireland. Trent Bridge, Edgbaston and the Kia Oval.
Myanmar Football Federation (MFF) and the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) have withdrawn from their joint offer to host the FIFA U20 World Cup in 2021. This means that Indonesia is the only ASEAN nation still in contention for the rights to host the U20 world championship in 2021. In July the committee had received offers from eight countries including Indonesia, Thailand and Myanmar, to host the event. The announcement of the withdrawal by Thailand and Myanmar was made during the third ASEAN Football
Federation (AFF) Council Meeting for 2019-23, held in Pattaya. Ratu Tisha Destria, who is the PSSI general secretary, has said that they are happy Indonesia has appeared as the only offer from the ASEAN to host the FIFA U20 World Cup in 2021. She also stated that with this latest development, they are hopeful that the whole of the ASEAN will support Indonesia’s offer process and following hosting of this significant FIFA championship. AFF president Khiev Sameth said: “We
welcome this new development and I would like to repeat our firm support for Indonesia in their offer to host the FIFA U20 World Cup in 2021.” The news means that Indonesia will battle three other offers to host the FIFA U20 World Cup. Bahrain Football Association, Saudi Arabian Football Federation and United Arab Emirates Football Association have made a joint proposal to host the competition. There is also an individual offer from Brazil and Peru.
Top Indian athletes Stint ahead of Tokyo 2020 Olympics
The ECB has announced next summer’s international schedule for England’s men’s teams. England will play six Tests as part of the ICC World Test Championship, six One Day Internationals and six International T20 matches, facing four different international teams. Confirming the schedule, ECB Chief Executive Officer Tom Harrison said: “The ICC World Test Championship will add significance and context to the Test Series against West Indies and
AW Facts Did you know? On average, the longest NFL career is 4.87 years.
Pakistan. Where every Test matters, there will be lots of points to play for as England continue their efforts to reach the inaugural World Test Championship final in June 2021. “Alongside the red ball matches, England’s ODI contests against Australia, and Ireland will see the World Champions return to home soil with big crowds expected at all venues. With further interest in IT20 cricket, the sixmatches against Australia and the world number one side Pakistan will offer a fascinating guide to form ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia during the autumn of 2020. “Following a once-in-a-generation summer which has seen exceptional demand for tickets, all men’s international host venues will be running ticket ballots. We would urge fans to register their interest now and plan for another big summer of cricket.”
Some of India’s top sports stars, including shooters such as Saurabh Chaudhary, Apurvi Chandela and Anjum Moudgil, could end up preparing for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games in UAE. Two of the officials from the Indian Olympic Association have started to progress with Dubaibased game preparations. The establishments are privately owned by the Transform Centre of Sports Medicine to ensure the likes of Sindhu, Das, Chaudhary, Chandela and Moudgil are well benefitted. They are amongst the best athletes using most of the advanced facilities available in Dubai while preparing for next year’s Games. The General Secretary Rajeev Mehta and Sudhanshu Mittal, Vice President, IOA, held initial productive talks with Dr George John, owner of the Transform Centre of Sports Medicine. The discussions also included Senior Executive Vice President Brian
Lobo and Head of Corporate Affairs at IOA stakeholder Edelweiss. The immediate plan is to have a group of the best athletes come down to Dubai and continue advanced preparations for Tokyo 2020. The long-term idea is to create a pool of talented youngsters
who can start their qualifications in a near-ideal atmosphere of sport right here. There is so much of interaction between what India wants and what a body like Transform can provide. India has a dream of a bid to host the 2026 Youth Olympics, the 2030 Asian Games and the 2032 Olympics. The IOA President Narinder Batra states that India has to start winning medals in double digits starting in Tokyo if they want to realise this ambition. Mital has said that this is the new India and these are exciting times ahead. We’ve got a distinct idea about how we have to move forward. India is accompanying itself into a new work culture pegged on the quest for excellence. What our Prime Minister Narendra Modi has laid down is now getting translated and transformed into reality by virtue Play India and the TOPS campaigns.
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September 2019
Indian Players want safety Precautions for Trip to Pakistan
By Tauseef Asif
Captain Mahesh Bhupathi has said that Indian tennis players want safety precautions before they travel to Pakistan, Islamabad for their Davis Cup tie against Pakistan. After New Delhi withdrew “special status” from its portion of the contested in Kashmir. Pakistan expelled India’s ambassador and suspended all public transport links and mutual trades with their neighbour. Since they had gained independence in 1947, the neighbouring countries have fought
two wars over Kashmir. Bhupathi said that security was his main concern for the team. The All India Tennis Association said that they had written to the sport’s governing body, asking them to shift the tie to a different venue. The International Tennis Federation (ITF) already responded to the previous AITA request, stating that they were pleased with the safety plan, which is in place in Islamabad. General Secretary Hironmoy Chatterjee of
AITA wrote to the ITF in an email seen by Reuters: “The recent developments have occurred in an atmosphere, which is not favourable for a happy, friendly tie between the two teams and having huge respect for each other”. The India association have asked the ITF to share the security reports from its evaluation of the situation in Islamabad as well and set up a call between their respective security consultants. In 1964, The Indian tennis team was the last time they went to Pakistan for a Davis Cup tie, defeating them 4-0, while in 2006 Pakistan lost 3-2 on their previous visit to India. Pakistan was required to host Davis Cup ties at the venues for more than a decade as the teams refused to travel to the country because of security reasons. They played their first home game tie after 12 years against Iran in 2017. In the same year, the ITF fined Hong Kong, because they disapproved of travelling to Pakistan. Since 2007, India’s cricket team have not toured Pakistan. Nevertheless, the mutual ties between both countries have remained suspended since 2008, although they have met in international competition. India’s sports minister Kiren Rijiju had said that the government would not prevent the team from playing the Davis Cup tie in Pakistan. It is not a mutual series and organised by a world governing body.
World Cup Winning Coaches Join the Hundred
World Cup winning coaches Gary Kirsten and Matthew Mott have been appointed to lead the men’s and women’s teams respectively for the Cardiff-based team in The Hundred. Kirsten, 51, coached India to the 2011 World Cup on home soil while Mott, who oversaw Australia’s recent women’s Ashes victory, was in charge when the side won the World Twenty20 last year. Kirsten’s coaching resume includes guiding both India and his native South Africa to the top of the ICC men’s Test rankings and has coached in both the Indian Premier League and Big Bash League. Gary Kirsten said: “To be involved in English and Welsh cricket from a coaching perspective is something that I have never done. It’s great to be given that opportunity and to come to Cardiff. “This is a new format that I am sure will grow and grow. The real win is that it will grab the attention of families and expose the game of cricket to as many environments and communities as possible.” Mott will be making a return to Cardiff after he spent three seasons as coach of Glamorgan, helping the Welsh county to the 2013 Yorkshire Bank Pro 40 final. The 45-year-old has been in charge of Australia’s women’s team since 2015. Mott said: “Cardiff is a special place for me and my family and that was a big part in my decision to return. “I’ve got no doubt The Hundred will be a success for the women’s game. I’ve got a young son who is a Sydney Sixers fan and he doesn’t see gender – he just sees the team. The Hundred will provide that sort of platform in England and Wales and I can’t speak highly enough of what that can mean for the game.” Sanjay Patel, managing director of The Hun-
dred, said: “It’s great to welcome two world cup winning coaches to the competition. The Hundred continues to attract some of the top coaches in the world ahead of October’s men’s Player Draft.” Glamorgan chief executive, Hugh Morris, said: “We are delighted to secure the services of both Gary and Matthew as our head coaches and believe they are the perfect pair to lead our new teams. “The decision on their appointments was unanimous amongst the Team Board. They were the standout candidates for the roles given their strong track records at the highest levels of the game and vast experience working with international stars and in T20 competitions around the world. “Both our head coaches will have a wide remit in the role and will use their knowledge to help with our team planning and the player draft in October. They will play a leading part in shaping the style of the team and creating a positive environment and culture. “We are all looking forward to welcoming them both to Sophia Gardens and to get
started on the next stage of this exciting new competition.” The Cardiff Head Coach appointments follow the recent announcements that Simon Katich will coach the men’s Manchesterbased team, Andrew Macdonald will coach the men’s team in Birmingham and Lisa Keightley and Shane Warne will coach the women’s and men’s sides respectively in London. The Hundred is set to provide sports fans with an exciting new 100 ball format with world-class players from England and around the world competing in a men’s and women’s competitions. The five-week tournament will be played at the height of summer and feature eight citybased teams from Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham, Birmingham, Cardiff, Southampton and two in London (Lord’s and the Oval). The men’s Player Draft is set to provide an historic first for British sport when it is staged on Sunday, October 20th. It will be shown live by Sky Sports, with extensive coverage across the BBC.
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Bollyfit with
By Reema Sarin, Founder Bollyfit
Reema Sarin
Ab Muscles Toning Exercises!
The stomach muscles are often the ones that need maximum work in a weight loss program, as there is a tendency for fat cells to accumulate around the abdominal area, giving one an unattractive bulge! Here are a few excellent exercises to build a trim torso: Side Stretches: Keeping your feet hip-width- apart and slightly turned out, lift your arms above your head and clasp your hands together, keeping your shoulders dropped. Now, in a smooth movement, looking straight ahead, drop down on to the left, bending from the waist. Try to get low enough for your arms to be parallel with the floor. Slowly come back to the centre and repeat on the right. Do at least 6-10 drops each side. • Torso Twists: While performing this exercise, keep in mind that it is only the waist and upper body that turn - the hips stay still and facing the front. Begin by standing on your feet hip-width apart, feet slightly turned out and knees bent. Rest your hands lightly on your shoulder, elbows pointing straight out. Keep your back straight and your tail-bone dropping down towards the floor. Turn from the waist to look over your left shoulder. Do 16 turns slowly, feeling the stretch and the repeat to the right. • Upper-body Circle: Here comes a compact version of the Torso Twists exercise. To begin with, stand with your feet hipwidth apart and slightly turned out, your arms raised, shoulders down and hands clasped. Drop down to the left until your arms are parallel to the floor, feeling the stretch up your right side. Hold the stretch for a second and then turn slowly so that you are looking down on the floor, keep your body on the same level. This calls for a lot of work from the stomach muscles. Slowly lift back so that you are facing forward
again and then straighten up. Build this up to 4-6 times on each side. • Roll-Ups: This exercise is a series of movements that build up in difficulty, so start with the first, only go on to the later ones as your muscles strengthen. Lie on the floor with your legs stretched out and your arms at your side, palms facing upwards. Pull your stomach muscles back into the floor, tighten your buttock muscles under you at the same time. This will cause your knees to bend slightly and your pelvis to tilt. Repeat eight times. In the second stage, repeat the pelvic tilt, this time moving your upper body off the floor, arms outstretched and parallel to the floor. Your head should come up last. Do not raise yourself far enough to make your stomach bulge or your shoulders tense. Repeat 6-8 times. In the third phase, you begin as before and continue to raise your upper body until you are sitting straight up, arms stretched out in front, head and neck in line with your spine. Now drop your head forward onto your chest and roll back down through the spine, tightening to the stomach muscles. Try to feel your back go down, vertebra by vertebra, lengthening out on the floor. Repeat 6 times or till muscle fatigue. NOTE: If your stomach muscles begin to bulge or quiver at any time during these exercises - stop as you are doing something that is beyond them. Also, when lying on the back, the lower your legs are towards the floor, the more strain you will be putting on the stomach; lift them higher, and the exercise will instantly become easier. The key to seeking prominent results is consistency. Practising these exercises, slowly 5-6 times a week will show you considerable results.
Common Wealth Games 2022: City needs to raise £184 million but hotel room tax could help I
t has come to light that hotels in Birmingham could increase room bill charges to assist with the costs of the Commonwealth Games which the city is set to host in 2020. The games which will be mainly hosted by the Alexander Stadium will be participated in by 72 nations. The findings of a survey in 2018 revealed that Birmingham residents were overwhelmingly in favour of hosting the Commonwealth Games with hopes that the city will gain a greater national and international presence. Further to this, there were hopes that the games would boost investment into the city and create jobs. Figures announced last month stated that the cost of the games would be £778 million. Whilst central government
will contribute £594 million, the remaining £184 million will be sourced from the city council and associates. It is hoped that changes to hotel room charges will assist with raising such funds. Currently there are attempts in the House of Lords to alter the law which could raise £15 million over a period of three years. On a smaller scale, the revised law could allow charges to increase by £1 every night a room is booked out. A former Birmingham MP, Jeff Rooker as well as Lord Rooker of Perry Barr and Lord Hunt of Kings Heath have jointly put forward an alteration to the Birmingham Commonwealth Games Bill. The bill includes proposals to limit which companies can associate with the Birmingham Commonwealth
Games. Such limitations will take into account which companies have assisted financially with the hosting of the games, taking a hard line against unauthorised advertising. Birmingham City Council has suggested that the amendment that allows increases to hotel room charges should be a temporary measure. While they have proposed that the extra charges should currently only be used to fund the Commonwealth Games, there is the possibility that this may become a long term means of gathering funds for future events. Whilst the bill is currently being debated in the House of Lords, it is set to be explored further in the House of Commons before being ratified. By Huma Khan