Asian Express Yorkshire - March 3rd Edition 2015

Asian

Express MARCH 3RD EDITION 2015

®

Yorkshire

INSIDE THIS EDITION

See page 53

“NO EVIDENCE

OF EXTREMISM” Trojan Horse enquiry committee concludes on radicalisation accusations in Birmingham schools

See page 65

UPROAR AFTER

HANGINGS Pakistan hangs 12 in largest execution since moratorium lifted

DIA MIRZA FACES TWITTER ABUSE

See page 75

A new direction for pop sensation as he states he wants to “feel like a normal 22-year-old” When One Direction became one man down on their ‘On the Road Again’ world tour earlier this week, the boy band's publicist insisted that Zayn Malik was taking time out due to stress.

However, in a statement on One Direction’s Facebook page, 22-year-old Bradford-lad, Zayn, has confirmed that he is quitting the band. He

By Anush Ansari anush@asianexpress.co.uk

said: “My life with One Direction has been more than I could ever have imagined.

“But, after five years, I feel like it is now the right time for me to leave the band.

“I'd like to apologise to the fans if I've let anyone down, but I have to do what feels right in my heart. I am leaving because I want to be a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight.

Continued on page 12

Zayn Malik

quits 1D

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UNVEILED: The statue’s official launch date was Saturday 14th March with Prime Minister David Cameron and Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in attendance

Iconic statue revealed to mark centenary year

Gandhi takes his place in Parliament Square

By Ashley Grint ashley@asianexpress.co.uk

One of the greatest humanitarian and political leaders in modern history was eternalised in London last weekend as a statue of Mahatma Gandhi was officially unveiled.

Prime Minister, David Cameron, and Indian Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley, drew back the covers from the giant bronze statue in Parliament Square to commemorate 100 years since Gandhi’s return to India from

South Africa.

The ceremony, on Saturday 14th March, featured personal reflections from Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson, and former Governor of West Bengal, Shri Gopalkrishna Gandhi.

Amitabh Bachchan, one of India’s most prominent actors, also read words written by the renowned Indian leader, in front of members of the public and Lord and Lady Desai of the Gandhi Statue Memorial Trust - the charity that raised over £1million to fund the statue.

Mr Cameron quoted Gandhi in

his speech on the day and welcomed the official opening of the capital’s latest landmark.

“This statue is a magnificent tribute to one of the most towering figures in the history of world politics and by putting Mahatma Gandhi in this famous Square we are giving him an eternal home in our country,” he said.

“Many of his teachings remain as potent today as when he first made them. ‘The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others’ and ‘Be the change that you want to see in the world’ remain timeless, profound and inspiring words of wisdom.

“This statue celebrates the incredibly special friendship between the world's oldest democracy and its largest, as well as the universal power of Gandhi’s message.

“Our ties with India have remained close throughout history

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UNFORGETTABLE: MD of Asian Express Nadim Hanif said he was honoured to witness the inaugeration of the statue.

He’s pictured here with Lord Karan Bilimoria who also attended the unveiling

and continue to go from strength to strength – through mutual respect as equals, cooperation and trade, and of course through the one-and-a-half million Indians who do so much to make Britain the country it is today, bringing our two countries closer, to the benefit of both.”

AMITABH BACHCHAN: The iconic Indian film industry celebrity flew in to attend the unveiling of Mahatma Gandhi’s statue in Parliament Square, London

The statue was created by renowned British sculptor Philip Jackson, who is known for his work on similar projects for the Queen Mother and the Bomber Command memorials.

Mr Jackson was inspired by a 1931 photo of Gandhi at No10 Downing Street where he met the Prime Minister of the day, Ramsey McDonald.

Indian Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley, said of the unveiling: “The statue will help ensure that the legacy of Gandhi lives on for future generations.

“It also marks an important, historic moment celebrating the strong bond between our two nations.

India and the UK share the same values and we are a partnership of equals. This lasting friendship is just one of many legacies left by Gandhi, which I am keen that we work hard to strengthen further.”

Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Sajid Javid, added: “This statue will stand as a reminder of Gandhi’s ideals and Britain’s historic relationship with India and its people. Our nations’ friendship as equals, which brings growth and prosperity to both our countries, owes much to Gandhi’s determination to achieve independence though peace.”

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Have fun at Leeds museum

A new programme of fantastic artist workshops, talks and specialist study days introduced earlier this year specifically for adults are becoming fully-booked at Leeds City Museum.

Whether you want to learn more about their collection, meet new people, brush up on your existing skills or learn new ones, Leeds City Museum has a diverse programme of activities and events to take part in and enjoy throughout the year.

Councillor Lucinda Yeadon said: “We are delighted to be moving forward with our tailored programme for adults, which will offer people the chance to take part in fantastic workshops, specialist study days and also listen to talks on a variety of different subjects from the experts.

“With booking essential for a number of our events and many of them becoming fully booked well in advance we would ask people to book their places as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.”

Leeds Young Film Festival

Leeds Young Film Festival celebrates its 16th edition next month with a spectacular, nationally-unique new film event this Easter.

From 3rd to 6th April, Leeds Town Hall is being transformed into The Film House, a brand new attraction for families to discover the magic of cinema.

The site offers a whole day out for all the family that’s filled with activities, events and exciting things for young people to do and learn about - they can even meet their favourite film characters in person, including The Gruffalo, Shaun the Sheep, Paddington, The Easter Bunny, Batman, Spiderman and Lego’s Emmett.

For more information, including ticket prices please visit the website, www.thefilmhouseleeds.com

Tobacco packaging up in smoke

The successful campaign to have standardised packaging for tobacco was welcomed by Leeds Director of Public Health, Dr Ian Cameron and Health and Wellbeing Board Chair, Councillor Lisa Mulherin today.

MPs voted last night to introduce standardised cigarette packs from 20th May 2016, with 367 MPs voting for the measure and just 113 against.

Although there was intense lobbying by the tobacco industry to sway politicians against the measure, the tobacco industry will be prevented from selling cigarettes in attractive packaging from next year.

Standardised packaging will be introduced at the same time as the EU Tobacco Products Directive measures on packaging and labelling, increasing the size of the health warnings to 65 per cent of the pack and putting picture warnings on the front of all packs.

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APPEAL: Business owners from Oak Lane stand in front of one store which would have to remove the electrical shutters on the outside and reinstall them behind the glass

Dispute over shutters rolls on

By Ashley Grint

ashley@asianexpress.co.uk

Shop front changes would have ‘massive effect’ on businesses

LEGISLATION: Independent Councillor for Manningham, Ishtiaq Ahmed, is campaigning alongside the shop owners

CHANGES: More than 50 shops in the area have recieved in the past letters telling them to remove exterior shutters

Over 50 shop owners in Bradford have complained that new legislation, requiring many to redesign their shop fronts, would have major detrimental effects on their businesses.

The stores in the conservation area in Manningham, on Oak Lane and the surrounding area, received letters stating it is regulation that shutters are only installed inside the buildings and not on the exterior.

For many, this would mean taking down their current ‘guard’ and losing space on the inside of their premises to cater for the changes.

As well as arguments in regard to costs, traders are also worried about the safety of their properties if such changes were forced to go ahead.

Amongst the business owners campaigning against the regulations is Nasir Mahmood.

For the past 30 years he has run his store from Oak Lane and only installed his new shop front less than two years ago.

“To have to reinstall the shutters again is something which I cannot afford to do,” he said.

“The front of the store was redeveloped in 2012 to keep up with competition and that took a long time to save for.

“To take the shutters down and put them inside the shop is going to have a massive effect on the business. If I do it, I fear that my shop would be broken into that same day.”

Mr Mahmood repairs televisions and other electrical equipment, adding that his store could be targeted because of the often expensive goods inside.

Fellow shop owner, Badar Zaman, has also been running his DIY store on the same road for 30 years.

He added: “We did not put up the

shutters to break the law, just to protect our stores.

“We are all law abiding people but it seems at times even criminals have more rights and more say than us.”

Many of the fifty-plus businesses have received letters, demanding changes be made, on a number of occasions in the past.

Bradford Independent Group councillor for Manningham, Cllr Ishtiaq Ahmed, argues that ‘even the most iconic building in Bradford’ fails to comply with the ‘unreasonable’ legislation.

“Located just up this Road (Oak Lane) is Lister Mills which is arguably the most iconic building in the city and even that doesn’t comply with these rules,” he said.

“How can the council therefore impose these legal obligations on independent retailers who are just trying to make a living?”

A Bradford Council spokesperson said: “We have sent out 16 letters to properties that are either on or back onto Oak Lane in Manningham reminding them that they need to change their shop shutters which are not appropriate for the conservation area.

“Council policy was last year endorsed by the Executive regarding shop shutters in order to improve the overall appearance of areas, particularly conservation areas, which attracts more customers in the long term.

“Businesses can take a look at our policy guide which is on the Council's website. It shows a number of alternatives to external shutters and internal shutters are not necessarily more expensive.

They are there to protect stock from being stolen, rather than protect the glass.”

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Pupils sell corn cups in fundraising appeal

SWEET: Children from Year 4 smile with their flavoursome cup corn, Year 4 pupils pictured include: Owais Bostani, Liyla Khan, Ghazalah Darbok, Zaian Khan, Mustapha Khan and Zaian Wilkinson

Wool festival returning

After a successful debut last year, a festival celebrating all things woollen is set to return bigger and better to a popular Leeds museum later this year.

As part of the Leeds Wool Festival, which has now been confirmed to take place on Saturday 6th June 2015 from 10am-5pm at Leeds Industrial Museum at Armley Mills, visitors can enjoy a packed programme of activities and events perfect for any wool connoisseur.

On offer will include textile workshops, talks, special performances and weaving demonstrations, which will sit alongside working looms, spinning mules and a new tailoring gallery.

A mini market featuring over 15 stalls will also be available to browse, in what promises to be a great day out for all the family and indeed anyone with a real interest in wool, knitting, crochet, spinning or dyeing.

Tour de Yorkshire women’s race

It has been announced that the first ever Tour de Yorkshire will feature a women’s race.

Entries are now being taken for the contest, being held on the York circuit of the Tour de Yorkshir,e when it visits the town on Saturday 2nd May. The race will be held over four laps of a 20km circuit around York with the same infrastructure being used for the Tour de Yorkshire later that afternoon.

The race will start at 11am, and with the closed roads, riders can expect significant crowds and an exhilarating racing atmosphere.

British Cycling licensed riders from Elite, 1st, 2nd and 3rd categories will be able to enter.

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Charity is ‘cream of the crop’

By Ashley Grint ashley@asianexpress.co.uk

A primary school in Bradford took a ‘sweet’ approach to charity work last week as pupils swapped the classroom for the kitchen in their latest fundraising mission.

Pupils at Horton Grange invented their own flavourings of sweetcorn on Wednesday 11th March, before selling them around the school in aid of the Human Relief Foundation.

As part of an enterprise project run in Year 4, pupils were asked to come up with an ‘apprentice-esque’ idea which would raise funds for the local charity.

The concept of flavoured corn sold in a cup, therefore known as ‘cup corn’, was chosen by the children and they developed their idea after conducting their own research with other year groups.

Four flavours were concocted in total, from salt and pepper to butter, and lemon masala to plain, meaning there was certainly something for every palette on offer.

Miss Patankar is a Year 4 class

teacher and helped head the project with her class of budding entrepreneurs.

She said the event had been a big success within the school, helping to raise over £100.

“The children made the different flavoured sweetcorn cups, also known as 'cup corn', for other pupils that had ordered it a week in advance,” she explained.

“The children's name was written on the cup - the Costa way - to make it even more exciting when they were handed out on Wednesday.”

She added: “We were raising money for the Human Relief Foundation because they have done many events for and with our school previously.

“They are a very trustworthy charity and work really well with many primary schools across the country. In total we have raised £128.70.”

Liyla Khan was one of the pupils who helped cook up the flavoursome treats and spoke of the important work the Human Relief Foundation do.

“They help poor and homeless people,” she said. “ We wanted to sell the corn to help the charity.”

SCHOOL: Miss Patankar and Zaian Wilkinson enjoy cooking up the sweetcorn

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By Ashley Grint ashley@asianexpress.co.uk

The fight against Ebola was taken to the classroom last week as an engineering student from Baildon took first prize for her pop-up isolation unit design.

Emily Nar, a Year 11 student at Titus Salt School, developed the ‘Pop-I’ as her entry to the Talent 2030 competition – a nationwide engineering competition for girls.

The specification was to develop a model which would help tackle a 21st century issue with entrants submitting designs for their respected age categories.

Students from Essex to the Highlands submitted designs, yet it was the West Yorkshire representative who clinched top prize.

As well as picking up the £500 prize, Emily was presented with exciting opportunities to be mentored by an engineer, to visit the Rolls Royce factory in Derby and to showcase her invention at The Big Bang - a national fair for young scientists and engineers on 14th March in Birmingham.

The 15-year-old has also been shortlisted from nearly 1,600 applicants for a prestigious Arkwright Engineering Scholarship.

Explaining how she got involved with the project,

the aspiring aerospace engineer said: “We did the competition as something fun during the last days of the Christmas term.

“There was a lot of research that went into it including a trip to the Leeds General infirmary to interview a doctor about what the design would have to include.

“It was a lot of hard work but I honestly don’t know why more girls don’t get involved with engineering or science.

“It’s such a fun way to make a really good living and it’s the most important work going on in the world right now.”

Mr James Reid, physics teacher at the school, said Emily’s accomplishments were thoroughly deserved after helping her submit the proposal just before heading home for the holidays.

“Emily is a great student and excels in a lot of her subjects,” he said. “We are very big on these lessons here so for her to be successful is great for Emily and the school.”

Deputy Head, Simon Hawkins added: “Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) is strong at Titus Salt School and we are delighted and proud of Emily’s achievements.

“Her hard work, creativity and innovation are exemplary. Well done, Emily.”

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Building Success SMART: Emily Nar won the national Talent 2030 competition for her pop-up isolation unit design, to be used in the fight against Ebola

PROUD: Physics teacher, Mr James Reid, says Emily’s accomplishments are more than ‘deserved’ after seeing her clinch top prize

Student wins national engineering prize

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08703 608 606 Be aware of CSE

Staff from Bradford Council have teamed up with a local school to help raise awareness of Child Sexual Exploitation.

Wednesday 18th March marks National Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Awareness Day, which aims to highlight the issues surrounding CSE. It wants to encourage everyone to think, spot and speak out against abuse.

In Bradford staff from the CSE HUB and partner agencies, as well as pupils from Belle Vue Boys School, will be in Centenary Square from 12pm, giving out leaflets and talking to young people and families to promote awareness of CSE. Students from Belle Vue Boys School have recently been doing work with Turn Around on healthy relationships. This work was delivered to 60 sixth form students.

Exciting history

Bradford Council has been shortlisted for a national Museum and Heritage Excellence Award for an educational initiative named ‘The Art and Science of Noticing’.

Over the last year, more than 1,000 school children have taken part in the workshop at museums throughout the district.

The workshop encourages children on school visits to look, question, discuss, share, draw and create a sketchbook page and poetry based on what they found in Cartwright Hall Art Gallery; Bradford Industrial Museum; Cliffe Castle Museum and Bolling Hall Museum.

Bradford Council's Museums and Galleries service will be up against five other organisations in the educational initiative category which are the Thackray Medical Museum in Leeds; Derby Museums; Imperial War Museum; Shakespeare Birthplace Trust and the North of England Civic Trust.

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‘Sweet award for volunteer

By Ashley Grint ashley@asianexpress.co.uk

A selfless volunteer who helped spearhead a nationwide campaign raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity was awarded last week for his individual efforts.

23-year-old, Abdul Basit, from Bradford, was awarded the Muhammad Yaseen Army Public School Award for his ‘outstanding’ contribution to Islamic Relief’s #Cakes4Syria appeal.

The award was named after one of the children who tragically lost their lives in the Peshawar school shootings last year and Abdul received the accolade from former Liverpool footballers, John Barnes, John Aldridge and Dietmar Hamann.

The local volunteer had been selected from an extensive list by Nasir Awan, uncle of Muhammed Yaseen who was killed in the shooting by Pakistani Taliban.

Upon accepting the award on Friday 13th March, Abdul said: “I was blown away to receive this award.

“We all just get our heads down and work as hard as we can to deliver as many cakes as possible within the time limit, so this is totally unexpected.

“It’s also moving to think the award is named after a boy who died in such tragic circumstances.”

Abdul, an industrial design graduate, helped raise £300,000 in 2014, delivering cakes to doorsteps around the country, whilst developing a marketing and social media action plan throughout the appeal.

He also acted as a focal point for the project, organising teams of volunteers to deliver more than 23,000 cakes to over one-thousand postcodes throughout England, Scotland and Wales.

Islamic Relief community fundraising head, Zia Salik, praised her colleagues efforts and said they have inspired others to take up charity work.

She added: “Abdul is a dedicated, passionate and caring person who provides inspiration through his voluntary work within our community.

“Many young people discovered volunteering for the first time by engaging with the cakes project and have since been doing other great work in the community and also helping those in need abroad.”

Funds raised for Islamic Relief’s Syria Appeal helped to provide food, medical assistance, shelter, ambulances and specific support to help children cope with trauma.

The charity’s work with Syrian refugees spans Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq and within Syria itself.

SUCCESS: Abdul Basit received his trophy last weekend from Nasir Awan the uncle of Muhammad Yaseen in whose memory the award was named

#Cakes4Syria volunteer receives national award

Murder investigation launched Family devastated following ‘sudden’ and ‘violent’ death

MURDERED: Shuel Ali Hussain was killed by a single bullet in Harehills last week

The victim of a Leeds shooting, who died from his injuries at a Leeds hospital last week, has been named by police as Shuel Ali Hussain.

The 33-year-old from Harehills died as a result of a single gunshot wound to the abdomen on Monday 9th March in what police initially described as a ‘targeted attack’.

In total, five men have been charged in connection to the death Masum Ahmed, 19, of Airelie Avenue, Leeds and Rajak Miah, 20, have been charged with

Conspiracy to Murder, whilst 42year-old, Mohammed Nadeem Ahmed, also of Airlie Avenue, has been charged with assisting an offender and perverting the course of justice.

Two males, aged 16 and 17, from the Chapeltown and Harehills areas, respectively, have also been charged with Conspiracy to Murder.

Detective Superintendent Simon Atkinson, from HMET, said: “Whilst we have charged a number of people in connection with this incident, I am still appealing for witnesses to the

murder of Shuel Ali Hussain.

“I am particularly interested in speaking to people in the Pasture Road, Airlie Avenue and Back Airlie Avenue area on Monday evening. I strongly believe that the answers I am looking for lay in the Harehills area of Leeds and I want this community to continue to support the police in our investigation.

“The Hussain family desperately want answers as to why their son was shot and I am determined to get these for them.”

Just after 9pm last Monday, police were contacted by the ambulance services, who had been called to a man, Mr Hussain, after he walked into a shop in Markham Avenue, Harehills, with gunshot injuries.

He was taken to the Leeds General Infirmary by ambulance where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team via 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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Zayn Malik quits Cover story continued “I know I have four friends for life in Louis, Liam, Harry and Niall.

I know they will continue to be the best band in the world.”

Now the remaining band members - Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson, will continue on their current tour of Manila, Philippines, Jakarta, Indonesia and South Africa as a foursome before releasing their fifth album later this year.

Malik's departure comes days after he hit back on Twitter at rumours of trouble in his relationship with fiancee Perrie Edwards of the band Little Mix after he was photographed partying with another woman in Phuket, Thailand.

Zayn who has been battling to shrug off the cheating accusations tweeted: “I'm 22 years old ... I love a girl named Perrie Edwards... And

there’s a lot of jealous f***s in this world, I’m sorry for what this looks like.” Other than that, Zayn has been completely quiet on Twitter.

Of course Zayn’s woe’s are nothing new.

Last year a video circulated online appearing to show Malik and fellow band member Louis Tomlinson smoking cannabis and joking about drug use. This led the Philippines to impose a $5,000 ‘weed bond’ on Malik and Tomlinson, with the money to be forfeited if either of them was caught using or promoting illegal drugs while in the country for the current tour.

The news of Zayn cutting his ties with 1D has left millions of fans heartbroken.

Disappointed fans are demanding that tickets should be discounted with Zayn now missing from the ‘On the Road Again’ world tour.

One Direction's biggest hits

include ‘Best Song Ever’, ‘Kiss You’, ‘What Makes You Beautiful’ and ‘Story of My Life’.

“We're really sad to see Zayn go, but we totally respect his decision and send him all our love for the future. The past five years have been beyond amazing, we've gone through so much together, so we will always be friends,” the band members said.

Simon Cowell, the British music and television impresario who launched the band, said: “I would like to say thank you to Zayn for everything he has done for One Direction. Since I first met Zayn in 2010, I have grown very, very fond and immensely proud - of him.

“I have seen him grow in confidence and I am truly sorry to see him leave. As for One Direction, fans can rest assured that Niall, Liam, Harry and Louis are hugely excited about the future of the band.”

A new direction for pop sensation as he states he wants to “feel like a normal 22-year-old”

Zayn Malik also known as Zain Javadd Malik, was born in Bradford, West Yorkshire.

Having grown up in East Bowling and graduating from Tong High School, he became a British musician who now has a net worth of $23 million. After auditioning for ‘The X Factor’ in 2010 he was not chosen to advance as a solo artist, but was instead paired with four other musicians to form the boy band, One Direction. Since then the group has gone on to become one of the most popular bands to come out of the UK in decades. To date, they have sold 19 million singles and 10 million albums.

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UNITED: Muslim women from Leeds came together last week to discuss the best ways to ‘make a stand’ against all types of extremism in their local communities

#MakingAStand in Leeds

By Ashley Grint ashley@asianexpress.co.uk

Muslim women from Leeds came together last week to make a united stand rejecting the barbarism of ISIS as they vowed to take the lead in combating extremism and radicalisation in their local community.

The event was part of a nationwide series of #MakingAStand events, with women from all over the UK attending a series of events in key cities - from London to Leeds, in recognition of the valuable role they have to play in exerting their influence to combat extremism.

Championing the importance of Muslim women’s voices in local society and public life, the #MakingAStand event provided women from the area with an open space to discuss and share practical tips on making a stand - as individuals and as groups - in

Muslim women unite in stand against extremism

cultivating a peaceful community by challenging hateful, bigoted and extreme views.

The event was organised by Inspire, a counter-extremism and human rights organisation, in partnership with the Hamara Centre, Leeds.

Sara Khan, director of Inspire, said: “I was delighted with the strong turn-out for the event in Leeds.

Women are the backbone of the community and the first line of defence against ‘radicalisers’.

“The women I met from the area know our role in challenging extremism is vital and honourable.

They value and believe in the

principles of democracy, human rights and respect for all life.

“This is in complete contrast to the sheer evil and barbarism of the very ‘un-Islamic’ extremist groups who murder, rape and steal in the name of Islam. Abhorrent groups like ISIS and Al Qaida distort the teachings of our faith and are a menace to our way of life - our families, communities and women’s rights.”

As part of the #MakingAStand campaign, which initially launched in 2014 with support of the Home Secretary Theresa May, Inspire is urging Muslim women to reject the threat of extremism by taking

positive action, however small, within their homes and communities.

Last week’s event saw women sharing practical tips on how to achieve this - from simply talking with friends about current affairs and local issues to holding official positions of influence within the community.

The group discussed positive steps in making their voices heard to help create a stronger and cohesive community. This spanned from spreading news of the campaign on social media with #MakingAStand; exerting their influence in their mosque and community; starting a local support network for women;

becoming a school governor; defending women’s rights; and giving to charity.

Nasreen Akhtar, representative from the Hamara Centre, who cohosted the event said: “We have seen first-hand the devastation that preachers of hate can have on a community - and we must do all we can to protect our children.

“I met with so many fantastic women today - united in our disgust of the abhorrent behaviour of extremism and preachers of hate targeting young people in the community.

“It was a privilege to stand shoulder to shoulder with likeminded women as we shared ways to make our voices heard and take positive and empowering action to protect our community.” #MakingAStand was created in the wake of widespread reporting of atrocities committed by ISIS and their call for Muslims to commit cold-blooded murder in the streets of Western countries.

“The women I met from the area know our role in challenging extremism is vital and honourable.

They value and believe in the principles of democracy, human rights and respect for all life.”

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Facing the silent killer Diabetes event raises awareness in ‘at risk’ communities It is a statistic which ‘leaders have failed to address’ according to one doctor, as diabetes continues to prove to be a silent killer prevalent amongst South Asian communities every year.

In an event organised in Bradford last week, guest speakers and members of the public gathered to discuss the issues surrounding the condition and what can be done to tackle some shocking figures.

People in the demographic can be up to six times more likely to have diabetes than the general population with Pakistani women at even higher risk.

Amongst those speaking on the night was Dr Salman Shahid from Saudi Arabia, a specialist in health science diabetes.

As well as offering advice on the best ways to tackle the persistent issue, Dr Shahid emphasised the

need to lead a ‘healthy life’ to combat the life-changing disease.

He said: “Fifteen years of our lives are lost due to diabetes. There are literary thousands of people walking around with type 2 diabetes that are not aware of the condition they are in.

“It is an illness that has quietly destroyed lives and leads to other conditions which become the main factors of death, in other words lead to major problems such as: cardio-vascular issues, amputations, blindness, and kidney failure.

“Healthy living therefore needs to be put in place to ensure good health for yourself and your children.”

Others in attendance on the night included local GPs and people who had suffered from diabetes themselves, directly or indirectly, throughout their lives.

Dr Husnat Hamdani has seen the

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HEALTH: Doctors who specialise in diabetes were in attendance to talk about the condition at an event in Bradford last week, (l-r) Dr Shiraz Haider, Conservative candidate for Bradford East Iftikhar Ahmed and Dr Salman Shahid

effect of the disease in Bradford in his role as a GP. He added: “For the past several years, despite numerous attempts, our local councillors and MPs have failed to address this very real issue.

“Diabetes is only increasing in the ‘Bradford 3’ area and the public needs to be informed. Things that can help control diabetes, include stopping smoking, regular exercise and a healthy diet.”

The event was organised by Basharat Ali and held at the St John’s Centre, Fagley.

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‘Wake-up call’ art display highlights online issues Examining the real risk to Muslim children on the internet

EXPLORE: Nasreen shares her views on the display, developed over a six week project

By Ashley Grint ashley@asianexpress.co.uk

An internet safety project, involving mothers and daughters from Leeds, has revealed a ‘worrying lack of awareness of online risks’ such as bullying and grooming.

Parents of children as young as nine-years-old admitted to not knowing about possible dangers when online, allowing their youngsters to browse freely on tablets and smart phone devices.

However, the case of three British schoolgirls who travelled to Syria last month to join with IS militants was a ‘wake-up call’ for the parents according to the project leaders.

Funded by an ‘Awards for All’ National Lottery grant, the scheme involved around 20 mothers and daughters from the local Muslim community, concluding with the unveiling of a threedimensional art piece last week.

It began with discussions and debate around how children today are introduced to such

advanced technology by parents, who have little knowledge or awareness about the dangers.

The views and concerns expressed were then translated into the final piece of art in the form of a large wall hanging made from wire, nuts, bolts and other materials found around the home.

The intricate installation depicts a series of issues such as online bullying, sexual grooming and addiction to gadgets and was unveiled at the Hamara Healthy Living Centre on Monday 9th March.

Delivered by leadership and arts development consultants, Zareen Ahmed and Saiqa Ehsan, from 21st Century Citizen (21CC) and Silverleaf Arts, the prior said she was ‘at times’ surprised during the project.

“Surprisingly, some participants told us that they had never even heard of internet grooming, and they had given their sons and daughters as young as nine, smart phones and tablets without any consideration of the possible dangers,” Zareen said.

ART: Maryam Ali adds to the wall display highlighting online risks to Muslim children

CEO of the Hamara Centre, Hanif Malik added: “The recent shock of the teenage girls who have run away to Syria is a wake-up call for parents to become more aware of these issues.

“We want to warn them that when your child is at home texting on the phone, he or she could in fact be talking to someone on the other side of the world.”

Mr Malik continued by describing how the creative art approach had enabled participants who, for whatever reason found it difficult to express themselves, to communicate their feelings through art.

He explained that the wall hanging was fun and interactive, giving people the opportunity to add their own opinions to one of the sections. “It’s a great catalyst for getting young people and their parents talking more openly about these critical issues”, he said.

FINISHED: Participants stand with the final project as it is unveiled at the Hamara Healthy Living Centre

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Children bring their favourite stories to life Wally was just one of the Children at Lady Royd Primary characters who was a little easier to gotREADING: in the spirit of World Book Day last week, find this past Thursday as children dressing up as their favourite characters and staff across Yorkshire got dressed up as their favourite literature characters to mark World Book Day. From mini Harry Potters, to superheroes and fairy tale favourites, children of all ages donned their fancy dress to help promote reading in schools.

In Bradford, Lady Royd Primary have been taking part in a number of initiatives and activities since the start of the term, aimed at encouraging and nurturing a love and enjoyment of books.

In early February, the boys and girls enjoyed a trip to their local public library, in Girlington, for a Harry Potter-themed morning of activities, which included the delicate and highlyskilled art of wand making.

The session was organised by the library staff to celebrate National thought member of a public library, along Storytelling Week libraries were for with their school library, and talked and encourage children and how about the kind of books they would traditional they should always like to borrow. storytelling for look after their This year’s World Book Day fell children. books. on 5th March and presented a Back at school, Pupils were further opportunity for Reception the children talked excited at the children to focus on the books they about their visit, HERO: Superheroes were prospect of enjoyed. particularly how spotted on the school becoming a “I have never seen so many important they grounds throughout the day

World Book Day Harry Potters, Willy Wonkas, princesses, witches, Spidermen, Tinkerbells, Dalmatians and of course not forgetting all the Elsas,” a surprised Mrs Tozer said, as she took the morning’s registration.

During the day children were encouraged to talk to their classmates about their favourite book and to draw their favourite

character whilst writing about all the things they liked about their chosen hero.

Later in the day, many children chose to visit the Travelling Book Company’s Book Fair with their parents, and use their £1 National Book Voucher, given to each child to mark World Book Day, to purchase a new book.

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Academy celebrates its new status

By Ashley Grint

ashley@asianexpress.co.uk

A primary school in Bradford celebrated its official relaunch as an academy earlier this week as children took centre stage for an entertaining afternoon.

Southmere Primary Academy earned its new status in September 2014 yet only officially marked the successful changeover on Monday 16th March with dozens of guests in attendance.

Amongst the special visitors on the day was the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Cllr Mike Gibbons, who was joined by parents and other stakeholders as they were treated to a number of performances from some talented acts.

Bhangra dancers, the Southmere Street Crew and choir were all on hand to showcase their skills whilst pictures were presented to speakers from the children.

Principal Hayley Marshall, who has been head teacher for the past seven years, says the day was the perfect way to mark the beginning of the next chapter for the school.

“As with everything we do at the academy, children were at the heart of the day with some fantastic acts on show for everyone to enjoy,” she said.

“Everyone really enjoyed themselves and it just showed a glimpse of the diversity we have here at Southmere.”

Explaining what the new academy status means for the school, on top of the new welcomed uniforms for the children, Miss Marshall added: “It is a really positive move for everyone involved.

“We decided to make the change because we are an innovative school and have developed a curriculum for the pupils which will enable them to excel with more freedom and creativity.

“There is already a good standard for literacy and numeracy here, whilst arts and creativity is on the rise.

“By achieving our ‘Good’ rating from Ofsted in June 2013, it allowed us to gain the right support to make the move into an academy and everyone has responded magnificently so far.”

An academy is an independent school which is funded by the state and independent of the local authority, receiving its funding direct from central government.

Southmere became an academy as part of the Northern Education Trust.

ART: Pupils handed over framed pieces of art to speakers on the day

PERFORMERS: Bhangra dancers from the school took centre stage to entertain guests

Re-opening of academy brings celebrations to Southmere OPEN: Southmere Academy principal, Hayley Marshall, and chief executive of Northern Education Trust, Ian Kershaw, mark the official launch of the academy

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Former senior police officer Dal Babu says many Muslims see the Government’s antiradicalisation scheme as spying

Government’s anti-radicalisation strategy branded

‘toxic’

A former senior Muslim police officer has described the Government’s antiradicalisation Prevent strategy as ‘a toxic brand’.

Dal Babu, who retired as a chief superintendent with the Metropolitan Police in 2013, said most Muslims are suspicious of the scheme and see it as something used for spying on them.

With an annual budget of £40 million, Prevent is one of four strands of Contest, the acronym given to the Government's multi-pronged counter-terrorism strategy.

But the programme, which is aimed at stopping people becoming terrorists, has come under the spotlight after hundreds of Britons are believed to have travelled to Syria to join Islamic State (IS), including three London schoolgirls who fled the UK last month.

Mr Babu, who was chairman of the Association of Muslim Officers within the Met, told the BBC: “Sadly, Prevent has become a toxic brand and most Muslims are suspicious of what Prevent is doing.

“This is unfortunate but a reality and the Government needs to develop a coordinated strategy to safeguard vulnerable children who are being groomed by IS. “Many Muslims see Prevent as spying and those Muslim organisations who have taken Prevent funding have a considerable credibility gap within the Muslim community.”

Last year it was revealed that counterterror officers had received 77 reports from families through the Prevent programme, some of which enabled police to catch aspiring terrorists.

But Mr Babu said there was a ‘lack of knowledge’ around race and faith issues which was ‘amplified considerably with more junior officers who perform the role of implementing the Prevent strategy’.

March 2015 - 3rd Edition Sir Peter Fahy, a vice president with the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo), defended the Prevent programme and said parents must take responsibility for ensuring their children do not become radicalised.

“The prime responsibility for stopping young people from going to Syria, and thinking about that and being attracted

by Isis, has to lie with parents,” he told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme.

“If there is one thing possibly we have made a mistake in Prevent, it is we have created the impression that somehow that is the job of the police.”

Sir Peter said it was difficult to measure the success of a programme aimed at preventing terrorism but ‘the success rate here is that no bombs have gone off’.

He added that many Muslim leaders recognised they had not given a ‘clear enough message’ that extremism and travel to Syria is ‘wrong’.

“They've realised they’ve given space for too many extremists to speak up for the Muslim community rather than others,” Sir Peter said.

“They absolutely realise it’s their responsibility to encourage and prevent young people from going to Syria.’

A Home Office spokesman said: “As a country, we must consistently challenge the twisted narrative of extremism.

“This Government fundamentally revised the Prevent strategy in 2011 to ensure it challenges terrorist ideology, supports people who are vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism and works with sectors and institutions where there are risks of radicalisation.

“Most importantly, we changed Prevent’s objectives so it also deals with non-violent extremism.”

He added that the Home Office was drawing up a new strategy which deals with ‘the whole spectrum of extremism’.

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WORK: Leeds was awarded a special accolade from the White Ribbon campaign last week, for its work tackling domestic violence

City continues fight alongside White Ribbon Campaign

Leeds awarded for tackling domestic violence

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PLEDGES: Those in attendance on the day pledged different ways they will help the community get rid of violence against women

By Ashley Grint ashley@asianexpress.co.uk

Leeds leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to eradicating the city of violence against women, with men at the forefront of the pledge.

Working alongside the national White Ribbon Campaign – an initiative engaging men in campaigning against domestic violence - the city’s council leaders met at a round-table discussion last week.

As well as discussing ways to continue working on the issue, the council was awarded a special plaque from the charity for its work so far, having become the first White Ribbon City in 2010.

Chris Green, director and founder of the campaign, said the city had already done ‘large amounts’ to combat violence against women but asked for ‘even more support and ambassadors’.

There are currently 70 ambassadors in the city, and Mr Green explained why men were being asked to take up the positions.

“There are three reasons why we want men to be ambassadors,” he said.

“Firstly, we are the ones responsible for around 90 per cent of the acts, secondly women organisations are supportive of this

philosophy, and lastly, men listen to other men.

“We want to create a culture where violence is not accepted and that includes things such as emotional as well as physical abuse.”

Mr Green was joined as a speaker on the day by a number of councillors, including Garforth and Swillington Labour representative, Cllr Andrea McKenna.

A victim of domestic violence previously, Ms McKenna’s experience was shared to the room before all those in attendance signed a ‘pledge’ signalling ways they will commit to supporting the campaign.

Imam at the local Makkah Masjid, Qari Asim, said the event was important to show support for the victims.

“According to White Ribbon statistics, 45 per cent of women will suffer some sort of domestic abuse in their lives,” he said.

“It is only through raising awareness through campaigns like this that we can collectively say the abuser should be ashamed of themselves, not the victim.”

Mr Asim added that the role of faith institutions is also an important one.

“All faith institutions have a part to play on both sides of the story here,” he said. “We have a duty to raise awareness of the issue and how the actions are not acceptable whilst also supporting the victims.”

“We want to create a culture where violence is not accepted and that includes things such as emotional as well as physical abuse.”

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Community

Champion

AWARD: Habiban Zaman will head to the House of Lords later this year to receive her BCHA

Prestigious award for Kirklees worker

Over the past 25 years, Habiban Zaman has worked tirelessly to promote community cohesion across Kirklees with her efforts even recognised by her majesty the Queen last year in her annual Birthday List.

Less than 12 months later, and the mother-of-one from Dewsbury is now planning her next trip to the capital after being awarded the British Community Honours Award (BCHA) for her work with social cohesion and integration.

The BCHAs are presented to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the welfare and integration of minority communities into mainstream British society.

Through Habiban’s work with her local community, she has gone the extra and mile, and beyond, in ensuring cohesion is established between all cultures and social policy is developed with each resident in mind.

Upon receiving the letter, the ‘community champion’ said she didn’t have any idea

what it was and initially just placed the closed envelope on the side to be opened later.

Having finally peaked inside, Habiban learned of her award and said she could not believe it, but was extremely excited.

She said: “I didn’t even realise how much of a prestigious award this was until I read into it a little more and it is a really big thing.

“To have been put forward for this is just incredible and I have even now been told that I will be the first person in Kirklees to collect a BHCA.” She added: “We need to ensure that we are encouraging interaction between communities and enabling people of all backgrounds to participate in wider society and institutions.

Habiban was commended in HM the Queen’s Birthday Honours with a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to women in 2014.

She will now head down to the House of Lords in October to collect her latest BCHA.

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Eye-opening experience A local optometrist says he hopes to set up an eye surgery in one of the most povertystricken areas of Sudan in the future as he prepares for his first aid mission later this month.

Ishtiyak Mahomed, from Thornton, will be travelling to the African nation on 15th March as part of a convoy from the Mercy Mission charity.

There, he will visit refugee camps in the area of Kassala, which is home to more than 150,000 people, and deliver food to hungry families.

Having already raised £2,000 in donations, Mr Mahomed says the aid distribution is just one part of his trip with a long term vision already being constructed in his mind.

“I want to see if there is anything I can do from a surgical point of view to help the local people and then long-term set up a project to get better eye-care in the area,” he said.

“For children to have a good education they need good eyesight yet the services are just not available in some places of the world such as the refugee camps.

“If I can help the children in these areas

achieve something by giving them access to better eye care I want to do that.

“Hopefully, I will be able to go back with a clear picture of what I can do in the future from a surgical standpoint in the area.”

Mr Mahomed says he also thinks the trip will be an ‘eye-opener’ to what ‘real poverty is like’ and was looking forward to the experience.

“I grew up in South Africa before moving to the UK so I have seen what real poverty looks like first hand on Soweto,” he said.

“To see it again now will be an eye-opener.

I don’t think I will be able to actually comprehend the extent of the problem until I get to Sudan and spend the five days with the charity.”

He added. “I am already planning on going back. Charity is an important part of my life and my faith so if there is something I can do to help, I will try my best to do it.”

The camp Mr Mahomed will be visiting has existed for the past 40 years with humanitarian aid in the area in short supply.

If you would like to make a donation, please go to justgiving.com/offtosudan

GIVING: Eye specialist, Ishtiyak Mahomed, will travel to Sudan next week alongside the Mercy Mission charity

Surgeon heads to Africa in aid mission

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As National Apprenticeship Week arrived last Monday, thousands of students across the county got the chance to experience what life is like in a real business environment.

Providing a sneak peek into what their future career roles may hold, it is a time which has been seized by many students, including Kirklees College’s trainee accountant, Fahad Ahsan.

The former Rastrick High School student, from Huddersfield, is currently studying for a Level 2 Apprenticeship AAT at the college, while working at West Yorkshire Accountancy Services in Huddersfield.

At 17-years-old he is certainly the youngest member of the working staff but says he is ‘definitely part of the team’.

“I would definitely recommend an Apprenticeship as I’m learning lots from colleagues at an accountancy firm and not just from books,” said Fahad.

“I’m part of the team here. I assist my colleagues to learn different skills so then I’ll be ready to take on my own clients.”

Shabnam Malik, co-director and office manager at WYAS, added: “We’ve found it’s a great age to have the young people start – they are confident, committed and willing to learn.

“We have taken on people who have been to university but although they are qualified and have all the theory, they seem to find it more difficult to put into practice.

“I would definitely recommend Apprenticeships to other employers.

We’ve had several now and have always had good support from the college.”

Kirklees College joined educational establishments across the country to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week between 9th and 13th March.

Apprenticeships take one to four years and are open to anyone over 16, living in England and not in full time education.

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March 2015 - 3rd Edition

QUALIFIED: Fahad Ahsan is currently on an apprenticeship programme at Huddersfield’s West Yorkshire Accountancy Services whilst studying at Kirklees College

Students across Yorkshire mark National Apprenticeship Week

Accountancy apprenticeship adds up for Fahad

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Putting the ‘CHA CHA’ in Charity Images courtesy of David Lindsay – www.photosbydavid.co.uk’

Evening of dance raises £30,000 for hospice

CHARITY: Jay and Bhranti Naik took part in the second annual ‘Strictly Get Dancing’ event for Martin House Children’s Hospice last weekend

night by DANCE: The three routines completed on the Waltz , and the couple were the Tango, Argentine Tango

Fundraisers laced up their dancing shoes last weekend as the ‘Martin House Strictly Get Dancing’ event returned to Wetherby for a night of waltzing and tango.

Fifteen couples competed for this year’s crown in front of a crowd of more than 400 as they danced the night away on Saturday 28th February.

After showcasing their skills infront of the team of celebrity judges, and a willing audience, it was Ian Naylor and Melissa Magson who eventually came out victorious to claim the dancing title.

Jay and Bhranti Naik, and Julie and Lee Walker finished as runners-up following the event which helped raise an amazing £30,000 for the hospice.

At the start of the year, many of the couples hadn’t even danced a step in their lives yet after six weeks of lessons, they took centre stage in the annual charity event.

Jay and Bhranti first began working with the hospice via the Give a Gift project over a year ago and decided to take on the dancing challenge as a way of raising money through an initiative their whole family was

interested in.

Self confessed ‘avid Strictly fans’, the couple completed the group tango routine to open the show on the night, before the crowd were treated to an Argentine Tango and finally the classic Waltz.

Bhranti said she was delighted to see such a ‘fantastic’ sum of money raised for the hospice, all of which will go towards helping children cared for at Martin House and their families.

Explaining more about why they took up the challenge this year, Bhranti said: “We have two children of our own and every time Strictly comes on the telly, we make a full evening of it, from watching each dance to scoring them ourselves.

“After every series, Jay and I always say we should take dance classes but have just never got round to it. When we heard about this project we put our names down and the whole experience has been really enjoyable.”

Bhranti says she attended dance classes during her youth yet for husband Jay, it was a completely new experience.

“We had around 12 hours in total where we were taught the

routines which were quite hard, especially for Jay who has never danced in his life,” she added.

“He did really well to not only learn the right steps but the posture, rhythm and everything else that came with the dances.

“To then perform in front of 400 people was really nerve-wrecking for the pair of us but once we were out there, after the first 10 seconds, you just start to enjoy it.

“There was so much goodwill in the room that the nerves went away.”

All the couples on the night were watched by an esteemed judging panel comprised of ITV Calendar’s Christine Talbot, Rose Chadwick from the Northern School of Contemporary Dance, Jeff Hordley from Emmerdale and actor/teacher Christopher Tauers.

Meanwhile, Duncan Wood acted as compère for the evening’s entertainment.

Sarah Tarpey from Martin House, who organised the event, said: “Ian and Melissa put on an amazing show, dancing with grace and elegance.

“I am delighted that they won and congratulations to runners up, Jay and Bhranti Naik, and Julie and Lee Walker.

“I am immensely proud of all 14 couples who took part for embracing this event and raising such a phenomenal amount for the hospice.”

If you would like to sponsor Jay and Bhrantai you still can by visiting their Just Giving page (www.justgiving.com/Jay-BhrantiNaik) with all donations going to Martin House.

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RELIEVED: Khan was forced to walk away from Bradford Bulls after his regime’s company was liquidated

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Landmark case could rewrite history of rugby club Former Bulls owner claims victory against administrator After being branded a ‘thief’ by some, Omar Khan says it was a ‘huge relief’ when a High Court ruled in his favour last week as he continues the fight to clear his name following his ownership of Bradford Bulls.

The Rugby League outfit were within 30 minutes of ceasing to exist when Mr Khan purchased the club via OK Bulls Ltd in August 2012.

Unfortunately in 2014, the company entered administration owing £1million. Mr Khan said that the company was solvent when he handed it over and it was difficult to see how the administrator had come to this decision as he had not counted Mr Khan’s investment fully.

INNOCENT: Omar Khan says he now hopes to have an independent liquidator launch an official investigation into the administration

The local restaurateur has always claimed that most of the money owed was in fact his investment and that the club should not have been affected.

The original report by Leedsbased administrator David Wilson stated Mr Khan had invested just £375,000 whilst in actual fact the figure, as the High Court confirmed, was much closer to the million mark.

During the administration process, any creditor is able to call for a creditor’s meeting - with the amount invested by each creditor equating to that person’s voting power. Mr Khan arranged this meeting at his own expense.

As the majority shareholder his votes would have determined the outcome of the meeting.

However, the Rugby Football League were also given a vote after claiming, the day before, that they were owed £900,000, something the High Court ruled was wrong, adding that the RFL should not have had any say at all.

Mr Khan says that a well known creditor, who will be named shortly, voted on the side of the administrator, so that the administration ended and an investigation, which is what Mr Khan wanted to propose by appointing an independent liquidator, could not take place Mr Khan is now attempting to rearrange a creditors meeting where he is optimistic of his proposals being passed, without the influence of the RFL’s vote,

and the possibility of a full investigation being launched into the administration by having a liquidator appointed.

Speaking about his victory at court, he said: “It was a relief to hear the correct verdict. This club should never have gone down. It wasn’t in debt, and the million pounds was mine not the clubs.

“I have been called a thief and accused of so much over the past year but this ruling is just the start of the truth coming out. I have even been made to look like a liar by the administration when all the evidence was there to prove otherwise.

“We are currently seeking to reschedule that key creditors meeting and are in talks with the administration’s solicitors.

“I am hopeful of putting my proposals forward and having the chance to see a full investigation into the administration launched.”

If a meeting can be arranged, the administration will write to all the creditors, including Mr Khan, to ask them to return and put forward their proposals.

Mr Khan will have much more power in the meeting without the RFL, and he says his main objective is to have an independent liquidator appointed to investigate ‘everything’ that happened.

“I want to completely clear my name and show that the old regime did nothing wrong,” Mr Khan added.

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JUMP: Falling from 15,000ft in the air, each group member took the brave leap out of the plane with just an instructor and parachute on their back

Leap of Faith for local charity

March 2015 - 3rd Edition

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SMILE: Sometimes it is easier for the instructor to smile for the camera

Flying five fall from the skies A group of high-flying fundraisers took the saying ‘the sky’s the limit’ to a whole new level last week as they took part in a charity skydive for a Bradford project.

In total, five brave volunteers headed to Hibaldstow, North Lincolnshire, to complete the nerve-wrecking challenge as they raised funds for the Woolly Winter Appeal with the Human Relief Foundation.

Going up 15,000ft into the sky before jumping out of the plane with just an instructor and parachute on their back, each member took the plunge and helped

TEAM: The fundraisers headed to the skies in aid of the Human Relief Foundation last month

to raise more than £1,300 in total.

The money will go towards purchasing and distributing hats, gloves and scarves for homeless people in Bradford, Keighley and Leeds in partnership with the InTouch Foundation.

Amongst those taking part in the daring leap was Humera Ahmed, who got involved with the project as a way of helping a local cause.

Describing the experience as ‘amazing’ she said: “The whole day was the most amazing experience I have had and I was able to complete it with the best people.

“I still can’t believe that it’s over. I jumped out of a plane at 15,000ft at 120mph, and it was the most amazing experience ever, it was so unreal and I absolutely loved it.”

Mustafa Patel, speaking on behalf of the HRF said the efforts of all the volunteers was ‘awesome’ and thanked them for their support for the charity.

“HRF have done plenty of sky dives before but this was the first group I ever took for such an event and it was great to see the reactions of the volunteers after the jump,” he said.

“When they finished, not one of them could really believe what they had just done, jumping from around 15,000ft out of the sky.

“Their fundraising efforts were awesome and done alongside their busy lives, whether that is in school, college or university.”

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March 2015 - 3rd Edition

Dr Aneesha Advice Column Every few weeks we are asking readers to pose common questions or concerns regarding cosmetic treatments to our specialist Dr Aneesha, Medical Director at Skyn doctor. Today's question is: As I've got older I've become increasingly bothered by frown lines and laughter lines.

I've been considering Botox injections for some time but have been scared by the negative press. Please could you give me further information.

‘Botox’ is the commonly used brand name for Botulinum toxin, an anti-wrinkle injection.

Although it is not uncommon for our clients to be slightly anxious before considering treatment, let us reassure you it is the most common nonsurgical cosmetic procedure, with an estimated 2.5 million injections carried out worldwide.

Botox injections work by blocking signals from the nerve endings to the tiny muscles of facial expression and prevent them contracting. This leaves the overlying skin looking smooth and wrinkle-free. Importantly, the facial muscles will function as normal. Botox is commonly used to treat frown lines, laughter lines and forehead lines involving the face.

Due to the very fine nature of the needles, the procedure is virtually pain-free, and

patients will usually notice results 4-14 days after the procedure The negative press around Botox has largely been fuelled by a lack of regulation and consequently many people have had this procedure undertaken in a non-clinical environment with inadequately trained personnel, leading to undesirable results.

Our doctors have extensive experience with Botox injections and all such procedures are carried out in a sterile clean environment at our clinic. At Skyn Doctor, our philosophy is ‘less is more’ and we will strive to enhance you existing features to create a naturally beautiful look. All initial consultations are free of charge and our doctor will put you at ease, talk you through the procedure and make sure your involved every step of the way. In addition, we offer all our clients a follow-up consultation at two weeks to ensure desired results are achieved and if required, additional top-up treatments can be provided. This is complimentary with no additional cost.

To ask Dr Aneesha a question, email her at DrAneesha@skyndoctor.co.uk or visit www.skyndoctor.co.uk

CLEARANCE SALE 500 CHAIRS IN STOCK

Beautiful handcrafted wooden chairs available for sale.

Ideal wedding venues or domestic use. e-mail: s.iqbal236@hotmail.com or Call for further details

07866 313 014

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Study abroad and choose Hungary’s

UNIVERSITY OF DEBRECEN Looking to study in the field of Medicine, Dentistry or Pharmacy in the future but worried about the competitive market for places in the UK? Well worry no longer and join more than 3,000 international students on these courses and more at Hungary’s leading educational establishment, the University of Debrecen.

Fellow academics from around the world have already opted to study in the flourishing European nation which can be the perfect place to pursue your career dreams.

The University boasts state-of-the-art learning facilities across all

programs, and has received major investments recently, helping to develop a modern, productive place of learning accompanied by a tranquil and peaceful environment.

Courses are expertly provided in the field of Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Business, IT, Law and Music, plus much more, and are

taught in English with an internationally-recognised degree achieved at the end of your program.

In the UK, the cost of studying at university is ever-rising, yet tuition fees in Hungary remain much more competitive as well as reasonable and comfortable living costs.

Student accommodations are even available on campus with 24-hour security.

Reaching Debrecen is also very easy now with direct flights from London-Luton airport by WizzAir making a trip home a very simple arrangement.

For Medical School students, the

For more information call Sandor Bone: +36 30 9781199, email:info@studyabroadhungary.com or visit www.studyabroadhungary.com

practical and internship part of your studying takes place at the biggest hospital in the east part of Hungary, located next to the University just ten minutes from campus.

If you would like to apply for a place at the university, which is done separately from the UCAS applications, the Representative of the University of Debrecen is on hand to assist you with all your requirements when it comes to the submission process.

He deals with the applications and collects the required documents to make the process run smoothly, and has overseen the successful acceptance of more than 300 British students.

A Debrecen local, he can also provide information and support on everything from the entrance examination to university life, and just about everything you need to know about when studying in Hungary.

Aspiring students are invited to visit the site beforehand and tour the premises with a representative who can answer any extra questions you may have.

So, if you are hoping to study abroad in the future, and want to gain a first-class education, the University of Debrecen could be just the place for you.

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March 2015 - 3rd Edition

H-APP-y times for Leeds students A team of business-savvy students from Leeds proved they were the real deal when it comes to innovation last week as they won the best app award at the Yorkshire Coca-Cola Enterprises Real Business Challenge.

The eight girls, all in Y10 at the Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL) had previously qualified for the Yorkshire finals, held at the York Barbican, on the strength of a presentation they had prepared in school.

On the day, with a place in the nationals at stake, nine school teams were tasked with promoting the Special Olympics, which provides sports training and competitions programmes for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

After completing a number of tasks, each team gave a presentation, on the strength of which the judges decided which team to put through to the national final.

Included in the tasks was the design of an app to promote the Special Olympics and a fundraising sports day.

It was here that the GSAL team excelled in the contest and scooped the award for Best App. Team member Mahika Gogi said: “We were under a lot of time pressure on the day, with about six tasks to complete in three hours.

Despite not making it through to the final we were delighted to win the best app award for our Flappy Bird inspired app incorporating a pedometer to promote fitness.”

Luke Clogher, teacher of business studies and economics, added: “The team were outstanding on the day, energetic, positive and working really well as a team. Their award was well deserved – they put some creative ideas into a very well-designed app. They also gave an exceptionally good presentation for their age group.

“The competition is based on marketing and promotion and stretches the students well beyond GCSE level and what they learn in class. It also shows students that what they learn about business can be used to promote social aims and help others.”

CLEVER: The Best App winning team included: Emily Ball, Hannah Wakefield, Ciara Gara, Tanaya Maslekar, Mia Bradley, Mahika Gogi, Bushra Tellisi, Beth Irwin-Jones

City’s tech-whizzes triumph in countywide competition

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Your National and Local Business Round-up

Business news

Whiterose Blackmans Solicitors LLP Experts in family law

F

inding the right solicitor is something everyone looks for, yet this is not always possible nor is it easy to achieve.

Thankfully for residents in Leeds, Whiterose Blackmans Solicitors LLP are on hand to provide this service.

Whiterose Blackmans Solicitors LLP are experts in Family, Civil Litigation, Immigration and Personal Injury Law. Between them they have a wealth of experience in the industry and continue to expand across the county.

Most recently, Family Law specialist, Tahira Rahman, joined the growing team at their Headingley offices, bringing her expertise to the thriving business.

With more than ten years’ experience in the field, Tahira takes up the role of heading the

Fryers House, 146 Cardigan Road, Leeds, LS6 1LU Tel: 0113 216 5507 Web: www.whiteroseblackmans.co.uk

Family Law Department and is looking forward to the challenge of building a successful workforce.

“I am delighted to be here at Whiterose Blackmans Solicitors LLP. I bring not only technical expertise but also a personal approach to the role of a family solicitor. I have been through a divorce myself and therefore I understand the sensibilities of such a life changing event, not necessarily made out of choice.”

Senior Partner, Kamran Hussain, says: “Tahira is a fantastic addition to the growing team and brings a wealth of experience to the firm and the Family Law Department in particular. I am really pleased to have Tahira on board here at Whiterose Blackmans Solicitors LLP. She has already proven to be a valuable asset to the team. Our Family Law Department has never been stronger.”

So, why not contact Whiterose Blackmans Solicitors LLP today and utilise your free 30 minutes initial consultation with confidence.

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Business

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Play the game I

n a previous article we looked at the case of Jervis –v- Pillar Denton arising from the administration of Game Retail. The decision granted landlords the right to recover rent from administrators that operated a retail business as a going concern whilst a buyer was sought, despite the rental payment date falling before the date of the administration.

The Landlords left out of pocket in the Game administration were granted leave to appeal to the Court of Appeal to challenge whether rents accruing just prior to the appointment of the administrators should to be treated as an expense of the administration (and therefore paid in priority to other creditors). Companies were strategically entering into administration on the day immediately following a quarter date, therefore avoiding rental liabilities in full even if they continued to retain possession of the leased property for the whole of the quarter.

Game appointed administrators shortly after the quarter day and it is reported that they avoided paying several millions of pounds in rent before selling the business to a new owner.

The principles previously established in cases of this nature were that:• Where rent is payable in advance and falls due for payment before the administration starts, it is provable but not payable as an administration expense even though the administrator retains the property for the purposes of the administration for the whole or part of the period for which the payment in

advance was payable; • Where rent payable in advance becomes due during a period when the administrator is retaining the property for the purposes of the administration, the whole sum is payable as an administration expense even though the administrator gives permission to forfeit or vacates before expiry of the period for which the payment in advance is due The Game decision marked a shift away from these principles. Landlords previously had to seek rental liabilities as an unsecured creditor but the decision meant that such liabilities returned to be viewed as an expense of the administration and will be treated as accruing from day to day.

The Supreme Court has refused permission to appeal the decision. The Court confirmed that “the application does not raise an arguable point of law of general public importance which ought to be considered by the Supreme Court at this time bearing in mind that the case has already been the subject of judicial decision and reviewed on appeal”.

The position therefore is that the Administrators of a limited company will be liable to pay rent to the company’s landlords for the period for which the Administrators use the property, even if that period is not the whole period covered by the rent.

We at Blacks deal with all aspects of property law and insolvency, acting for both landlords and tenants in all matters arising in respect of leases as well as dealing with administrations.

Please contact Luke Patel on 0113 227 9316 or by email at LPatel@LawBlacks.com

ave you ever had laser hair removal only to be disappointed with the results? Or perhaps you are contemplating the treatment but are worried that your skin will react to the lasers?

Well worry no more as Huddersfield-based Skyn Doctor brings the latest medical equipment to Yorkshire for the first time, rewriting all preconceptions on the treatment.

The surgery is the only site across the county where you can find the most advanced aesthetic laser available – the Lynton Duetto MT. Combining two gold standard lasers, the equipment provides superior results for all skin types and is the only model in the world which can eliminate the finest of hairs at relatively no pain.

Other clinics or salons may offer IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) treatments to combat the hair, yet many places won’t provide the treatment on darker skin types as it is not considered safe.

By opting to use the Duetto MT, patients not only receive the safer, more effective option, but will also complete their treatment within just six sessions and see improvements within three.

In comparison, when using IPL, it can take ten or more sessions before results are even noticed.

Of course, before any treatments are undertaken you should be fully informed on what procedures are best for

March 2015 - 3rd Edition

Skyn Doctor Discover your perfect skin you and that is why Skyn Doctor offer a completely free one hour consultation.

Patients are able to hear the options available to them with no obligations to sign up to any treatments or programmes following the meeting.

fantastic response to the Duetto MT treatments with results seen on every patient within three or four sessions,” she said.

“Not only does it remove all unwanted hair but it also helps build the self-esteem of the patient and I have visually seen people grow in

Male and female clinicians are available to speak with and can provide you with all the knowledge you need and answer any questions you may have.

Dr Aneesha Ali is a consultant in aesthetic medicine and the medical director at the clinic. She explained how the laser hair treatment provided more than just a flawless finish.

“So far we have had a

confidence posttreatment.”

It is exciting times at Skyn Doctor, who as well as leading the way in patient-focussed care, are set to launch a new skin care range later this month.

To receive your free consultation contact the clinic today and take the first step to achieving the glowing, healthy skin you deserve.

The Junction Surgery Birkhouse Lane, Moldgreen, Huddersfield, HD5 8BE Tel: 01484 615 287 Web: www.skyndoctor.co.uk Email: 01484 615 287

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March 2015 - 3rd Edition

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Lahori Karahi and Chargha

Bringing Desi food to the heart of Bradford F

our years ago, Lahori Karahi and Chargha opened the doors to its first flagship restaurant in Manchester, bringing a new taste of the Asian continent to a city which had never experienced such flavours before.

Now, after establishing itself as a leader in south Asian cuisine, Lahori has arrived in Bradford and looks set to raise the bar once again for Desi dining in Yorkshire.

On Wednesday 11th March, guests were joined by members of the public at the official opening of the city’s newest eatery where they were given just a taste of things to come.

Located on the renowned Great Horton Road, diners can enjoy traditional Desi dishes made to order, from delicious King Prawn

Manchurian to tender halal chickens and a range of fresh fish options, all in the most eloquent dining environment.

Every dish on the menu has been developed by a team of expert chefs, with authentic recipes packed full of unique flavours and spices, to ensure you always receive a meal you will never forget.

Owner, Mr Ikhlaq Ahmed, has been in the restaurant industry for over two decades and after the success of Lahori in Manchester, he said he knew it was time to bring the restaurant to the ‘Curry Capital’ of England.

“Lahori Karahi and Chargha brings a whole new taste to Bradford with traditional, Desi food at the heart of everything we do,” he said.

“There is nowhere in the city quite like this, with freshly prepared dishes made to order by experienced chefs, who can create fusion dishes which have to be tasted to be believed.”

He added: “In

Manchester, we were seeing a rise in the number of visitors from ‘out of town’ who wanted to experience authentic Desi dining.

“By opening this new restaurant here in Bradford, we will be bringing the food to the diners and hopefully welcome in new and old faces to this amazing setting.”

Complimenting the diverse menu range is the stunning twofloor restaurant, with its modern decor only enhanced by an

incredible upstairs ‘glass wall’ overlooking the city.

Perhaps you want to experience a premium Desi meal from the comfort of your own home? Well Lahori cater for you as well with a five star takeaway service available from the same site.

So, with new dishes and tastes all ready to be experienced today, why not head down to Lahori Karahi and Chargha to experience Desi dining at its finest.

111 Great Horton Road, Bradford, BD7 1PS Tel: 01274 722 602

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Business

Tax evasion D crackdown Tax evasion in the UK is set to be challenged more vigorously than ever before after new laws were unveiled last week as part of the budget statement.

Danny Alexander, second-in-command to Chancellor George Osborne, announced the new measures one day after Osborne promised to deliver tougher action on tax evaders in his final budget before the May national election.

The laws will make large corporations criminally liable for failing to prevent economic crime within their organisations.

“We are going even further,” Alexander said. “We’re making it a crime if companies fail to put in place measures to stop economic crime happening in their organisations.”

Evading tax using offshore arrangements would also be made a ‘strict liability offence’, meaning that pleading ignorance could no longer be used as a defence against criminal prosecution.

The government is counting on raising billions of pounds by reducing tax evasion to help it erase a hefty budget deficit.

Last month, in the wake of a scandal surrounding HSBC, Alexander said he was planning new laws on the issue.

Tax evasion is already illegal in Britain but the new laws will also make it explicit that those assisting tax evaders will be open to punishment. Tax avoidance is not illegal.

ays are getting longer and the temperature outside is rising, it can all only mean one thing – Summer is coming and with it, a whole new wardrobe is required.

Thankfully for residents across Birmingham, Bradford and Manchester, Janan is on hand to bring you all the latest must-have fashions needed for the sunny season.

Earlier this month, renowned recording artist and fashion designer, Junaid Jamshed, visited the West Yorkshire store to celebrate the launch of his latest lawn collection for 2015.

The brand ambassador for the J. Brand, showcased his entrepreneurial spirit and enthusiasm for design when he showed intrigued shoppers just a taste of what was to come this year.

Known amongst

the Asian community for his soothing and melodic voice, Junaid proved once again that he is a man of many talents with his line eagerly anticipated by fashion fans.

The core aspect of the Junaid Jamshed brand is one which embraces the cultural roots of South Asia, whilst remaining modest and not clashing with Islamic values – something the singer holds close to his heart.

His latest lawn collection welcomes the new season with daring, vibrant colours, styled with bold, ethnic prints; a real must have for this season.

With stores already operating across the country, and a new branch set to launch in London later this year, access to the most stylish looks this summer could be available much closer than you think.

March 2015 - 3rd Edition

Junaid Jamshed

launches Summer Collection at Janan

ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVES WANTED We are looking for a Sales Executive to work for a growing company.

Must have at least 3 years of advertising sales experience working in the newspaper and magazine industry.

EARN from £20k to 50k Salary • Bonus • Commission • Expenses • Car • Mobile Phone

Immediate start if you can answer yes to: Jinnah Restaurant, in Harrogate, seek a

Do you have a full UK drivers license? • Can you work of your own initiative? • Do you have a thirst for money and success?

Business Development Manager at a salary of £22k

Please apply with a letter and cv to:

The successful candidate must have: • Knowledge of Kashmiri Cuisine • A degree in Business Development • Experience in the Restaurant Business • The ability to communicate effectively with existing and potential customers and all levels of staff Apply to Saleem@Jinnah.biz before 8th April 2015

Nadim Hanif Managing Director Media Buzz Ltd, 4 Armley Court • Armley Road • Leeds LS12 2LB

Tel: 08703 608 606

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National

NOW OPEN in Bradford www.asianexpress.co.uk

Karahi & Chargha

We are finally here in the heart of Bradford, near to the City centre and Bradford University, after great demand from food enthusiasts across the whole of Yorkshire.

Famous for fish, chicken, lamb in karahi (wok).

Mr Ikhalaq has been in the restaurant industry for over 25 years, creating healthy food for today's life & diet style.

111 Great Horton Road | Bradford | BD7 1PS | 01274 722602

March 2015 - 3rd Edition

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National

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Asian

TARGET: The Park View Academy in Birmingham was at the centre of the Trojan Horse enquiries

GOT A STORY? Email: info@asianexpress.co.uk Phone the news desk on

08703 608 606

“No evidence of extremism” A series of official investigations found the claims last year that Islamist extremists had tried to take over several schools were groundless.

In March 2014 an anonymous document causing national panic came to light. It claimed that schools in Birmingham were deliberately being targeted by Muslim school governors. It was alleged that individuals had attempted to oust existing school leaders and replace them with heads who would adopt a more Islamic agenda in running the schools.

The 'Trojan Horse' letter threatened Birmingham City Council to investigate extremism in schools, stated that council bosses had seven days to conduct an enquiry before the matter went to mainstream national media.

Michale Gove – former education secretary has been slammed on how the investigations were conducted after schools were put into ‘special measures’ at a time when students were due to sit their GCSE and A Level examinations.

In its report, the education committee concluded on how the

Trojan Horse enquiry committee concludes on radicalisation accusations in Birmingham schools

“Former education secretary Michael Gove slammed for accusing Islamist plot” Department for Education (DfE), Ofsted and other bodies reacted to the allegations of extremism in Birmingham, and draws out wider lessons for the entire school system.

MPs have found a ‘worrying and wasteful lack of coordination’

7 March 2014 - Birmingham City Council reveals it is investigating a number of schools in the city after receiving a copy of an anonymous letter referring to Operation Trojan Horse - a plot by some Muslim groups to install governors at schools. It claims responsibility for ousting four head teachers. The Department for Education (DfE) confirms it is also investigating.

17 March 2014 - Ofsted turns up at Park View Academy - one of the schools implicated - for a snap inspection. Two years earlier the predecessor school on the site had been graded outstanding. "All schools should be like this," Ofsted chief Sir Michael Wilshaw had said in March 2012.

31 March 2014 - The DfE says it is looking into claims the Operation Trojan Horse plot targeted 12 schools.

9 April 2014 - The governors of Park View Educational Trust describe the ongoing investigations as a "witch-hunt" .

14 April 2014 - Birmingham City Council says it is looking into allegations involving 25 schools in the city, including primaries, secondaries and academies. Council leader Sir Albert Bore says he does not believe there is a "plot".

15 April 2014 - West Midlands Police condemn the DfE's decision to appoint a former national head of counter terrorism to carry out its investigation for the message it sends 20 April 2014 - Sir Michael Wilshaw takes personal charge of Ofsted's Trojan Horse investigations.

3 May 2014 - Sir Michael says Ofsted has inspected 21 schools in Birmingham.

3 June 2014 - Three of the schools under investigation publish their Ofsted reports. Ninestiles and Small Heath are rated as

between the various inquiries carried out by the DfE, Birmingham City Council, the Education Funding Agency, Ofsted and others.

The report criticises the Department for Education for what it calls a ‘lack of

Trojan Horse timeline "outstanding" and Washwood Heath as "good".

4 June 2014 - Home Secretary Theresa May accuses Education Secretary Michael Gove of failing to deal with an alleged Islamist plot to take over schools.

9 June 2014 - Ofsted places five schools in special measures and confirms that a sixth (which was already in special measures) is "inadequate". The schools involved deny any wrongdoing.

10 June 2014 - Two academies - Park View and Nansen Primary are told they will lose funding, while Oldknow Academy and Golden Hillock School are warned they too could lose funding unless concerns are addressed.

10 June 2014 - Ofsted head Sir Michael says the experience in Birmingham could lead to snap inspections at schools across the country.

15 June 2014 - At a public meeting, parents of pupils at Park View Academy call for governors at the school to stand down. Viceprincipal Lee Donaghy, however, said governors had been behind many of the changes that saw the school rated as outstanding by Ofsted in 2012.

16 June 2014 - The Park View Educational Trust, which runs three of the schools put in special measures, accuses the government of "deliberately misrepresenting" schools and describes inspections as

inquisitiveness’ and says the department was ‘slow to take an active interest’ in the allegations.

The report also emphasises Ofsted's ‘inability to identify problems’ in schools on first inspection, when they were found ‘shortly afterwards to be failing’.

The chairman of the education committee, Graham Stuart said, adding that those overlapping inquiries had ‘contributed to the sense of crisis and confusion’.

The Trojan Horse affair epitomises many of the questions and concerns expressed elsewhere about the changing school landscape and the overlapping roles of the organisations responsible for oversight of schools.

Mr Stuart, said that there was ‘no evidence of extremism or radicalisation, apart from a single isolated incident’, was found by any of the inquiries and there was ‘no evidence of a sustained plot nor of a similar situation pertaining elsewhere in the country’.

“Questions have been raised about the appropriateness of Ofsted's framework and the reliability and robustness of its judgements,” Mr Stuart said.

"woefully shoddy" and "fatally flawed".

4 July 2014 - Governors at Golden Hillock School said they were not given enough time to make improvements before a visit by Ofsted.

15 July 2014 - The board of trustees at Park View Education Trust resign. Its chairman Tahir Alam said the decision had been made in the interests of the children and said a "co-ordinated and vicious" attack by former Education Secretary Michael Gove and the Department for Education had left the three-member board with no choice but to step down.

17 July 2014 - A leaked copy of Peter Clarke's report for the DfE finds evidence there was an agenda to introduce "an intolerant and aggressive Islamist ethos" into some Birmingham schools. Details of the report by the former counter-terrorism chief were leaked to The Guardian newspaper.

18 July 2014 - Birmingham City Council releases key findings from its inquiry into 25 schools.

Written by Ian Kershaw, it finds no evidence of violent extremism, radicalisation or an anti-British agenda being promoted.

However, it does warn of governance problems in some schools. Mr Kershaw also criticises the council's role in supporting the schools involved.

21 July 2014 - Birmingham MP, Khalid Mahmood, says teachers forced out of schools involved in the Trojan Horse allegations deserve to be compensated.He claimed at least 12 senior school staff had been bullied or forced out of their posts.

22 July 2014 - Peter Clarke's report for the DfE is officially released.

Family pay tribute to boy killed by car

The family of a toddler who died following a collision in Stechford earlier this week have paid tribute to the ‘lovely little boy who brought joy and happiness’ to the family.

Emergency services were called to Queens Road around 5pm on Monday following a report that a recovery truck, being parked by a family member had struck a wall that had fallen on the child.

Amaan Yaseen, who was 19 months old, suffered a serious head injury and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the truck, who is the father of the child, is being supported by specially trained police officers following the tragic incident.

A family statement read: “Amaan was a lovely little boy, who brought with him a lot of joy and happiness for the entire family; particularly his parents and he will be deeply missed.

“The family would wish to thank the efforts of the West Midlands Ambulance Service for their efforts and the police for their co-operation and understanding.”

Prince Harry to leave Army role

It's a soldier's life no more for Britain's Prince Harry.

Royal officials said on Tuesday that the 30-year old prince will leave the armed forces in June after 10 years of service that included two tours of duty in Afghanistan.

Harry's final army duties will include a four-week assignment in April and May with the Australian Defence Force. The prince will spend time in Darwin, Perth and Sydney and attend centenary commemorations of the World War I Gallipoli campaign in Turkey.

Harry said that leaving the army had been ‘a really tough decision’ but he was excited about the future.

In a statement, the Royal said he felt ‘incredibly lucky’ to have had the chance to serve in the armed forces.

IS suspect released on bail

An 18-year-old man from Hodge Hill, Birmingham who was arrested on suspicion of preparing to travel to Syria to join the Islamic state has been released on conditional police bail.

He was detained on the morning of Monday 16th March by officers from the West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit.

The man was arrested at his home address on suspicion of preparing for terrorist acts, contrary to Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006. The operation was pre-planned and intelligence led. There was no immediate threat to public safety.

As part of his bail conditions the man must live and sleep at a specific address, be subject to a curfew and report to a police station three times a week.

The man - arrested as part of an ongoing intelligence-led operation - will return for further questioning on a date in April.

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National

No Labour-SNP coalition

The Labour Party ruled out forming a coalition government with the Scottish National Party (SNP) after the May national elections, a tactical move it hopes will resurrect its flagging fortunes in Scotland and calm nervous English voters.

Since Scots voted by 55-45 percent to preserve the United Kingdom in a referendum last year, support for the SNP has surged, largely at the expense of Labour, on a perception that Britain's rulers are backsliding on pledges to grant Scotland more powers.

Such strong support risks disrupting the outcome of the closest UK-wide election since the 1970s and handing the SNP the balance of power in the British parliament, a prospect that has spooked some business leaders and politicians.

“It will not happen,” Labour leader Ed Miliband said on Monday of a possible formal coalition with the SNP. “Labour will not go into coalition government with the SNP. There will be no SNP ministers in any government I lead.”

‘Free Shaker Aamer’ MPs call on US to release Guantanamo Bay’s last Brit

Child Sexual Exploitation Awareness Day

Police officers across the UK, alongside the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), supported a national awareness day for child sexual exploitation this week (18th March), arranged by the charity National Working Group (NWG).

Child sexual exploitation (CSE) is a form of child abuse that involves the manipulation or coercion of young people to engage in sexual activity in exchange for money, gifts including alcohol, tobacco and drugs, accommodation, affection or status.

The awareness day aimed to highlight the issues surrounding CSE; encouraging everyone to think, spot the signs and speak out against abuse, and adopt a zero tolerance to adults developing inappropriate relationships with children.

It also encouraged those who children chose to confide in to listen, believe them and take appropriate action.

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FAMILY: A picture of Shaker Aamer with daughter, Johnina (left), and son Michael, which was taken in 2001 before his detention

For the past 13 years, Shaker Aamer has been held at Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp, and despite being told by his lawyers that he was set for release in 2007, he remains locked up without a single charge to his name.

Now, as the topic was once again brought to the Houses of Parliament, MPs voted unanimously in favour of the Brit’s release, describing his treatment as ‘inhuman’.

Aamer, a Saudi national married to a Briton and with children living in London, is the last British inmate still being held at the notorious prison despite never being charged with a crime.

Even Prime Minister David Cameron lobbied US President Barack Obama earlier this year for his release, with the American leader confirming a review of his case would be a priority.

However, opposition Labour lawmaker, John McDonnell, told a debate in parliament earlier this week that it

was now time for ‘action’.

“The case of Shaker Aamer is one of the worst cases of a miscarriage of justice in the last three decades at least ... He has endured harsh, and brutal and inhuman treatment,” Mr McDonell said to the agreement of those in attendance.

“Now is the time for action not words ... his health has deteriorated significantly.”

Obama has pledged to close the dentention centre in the past, yet still faces obstacles from Congress, including some right-wing Republican senators calling for a freeze on the release of remaining detainees.

McDonnell said a delegation of MPs planned to head to Washington shortly to meet with US officials about the case.

According to rights group Amnesty International, Aamer moved to Britain in 1996 and was in Afghanistan doing voluntary work for an Islamic charity when he was captured by Afghan Northern Alliance forces in 2001 and handed to the US military.

He has been held at the Cuba site since 2002.

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British Airways flight forced back due to ‘Smelly Poo’

A British Airways flight from Heathrow to Dubai was forced to return to London last week because someone did a 'smelly poo'.

The plane's captain apparently made an announcement around 30 minutes into the seven-hour flight, while they were cruising over Belgium, which stated they would return to Heathrow.

The pilot made an announcement requesting senior cabin crew to go to the cockpit and then 10 minutes later he announced that passengers may have noticed a very pungent smell coming from one of the toilets.

Passengers were forced to wait 15 hours for another flight “We’re very sorry for the discomfort to our customers,” a BA spokesperson said.

“We provided them with hotel accommodation and rescheduled the flight to depart the following day’s lunchtime on an alternative aircraft.”

The smelly debacle comes just two months after a news anchor shared a video of his ‘disgusting’ first class cabin on the same airline.

Owen Thomas, who has worked for Bloomberg, BBC World News and CNN International, posted a 30second clip online and tweeted: “Be

shocked. This is what British Airways FIRST CLASS is really like, as we experienced yesterday.

Unbelievable.”

The clip shows a dusty, dirty interior, streaked with crusted-on matter.

He says: “It’s absolutely filthy. You can see marks here which can scrape off with your finger. You can see the stains down here.”

Opening out the seat to reveal a grille clogged with dust, he adds: “It’s when you open your seat, the real horror begins. This is first class. This is British Airways First Class. It’s disgusting.”

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Cafe pays tribute to local bobby

A Birmingham high school has shown its appreciation for the tireless work of one of its local police officers, who even learned Urdu and Hindi to speak with students, by naming the students’ café after him.

The eatery known as ‘Joe’s Coffee’ is based at Broadway Academy in Perry Barr and is a tribute to neighbourhood officer PC Joe Cahill, who has been policing the area for over 25 years.

Joe is such a familiar face around the school that the 1,300 pupils touchingly voted to name their revamped snack area in honour of him.

Dubbed ‘PC Joe’ by the students, the officer is part of the local neighbourhood policing team for Aston, which maintains close links with the school as part of their daily neighbourhood duties.

In particular, Joe’s devotion to the pupils and staff has helped reduce crime, bullying and make the school a safer place.

Three years ago the school provided a purpose built police base within the grounds using funding from the ‘New Deal for Communities’ scheme.

Neighbourhood officers and PCSOs covering Aston and Perry Barr are now based within the school and the proximity to the pupils and local

community has benefited the whole area.

Joe said: “There is a phenomenal amount of work going on between the police, school and local community. I call into the school each day on my beat and the students all come up to me and have a chat.

“They see me as a person they can speak to and if there is a problem I am there. In the past a 16-year-old would never have spoken to an officer if they were in trouble, but now they have been talking to me for years and they know me.”

To ensure even better communication with students at the school, who are predominately Asian, Joe has even learnt to speak Urdu and Hindi.

Head teacher Ron Skelton said: “The school has an excellent relationship with both Joe and the local neighbourhood team and the wider community.

“Given some of the problems schools have faced in the area, the work between Broadway School, West Midlands Police and the community has enabled us to become a centre of excellence for community cohesion and as a consequence a safer community for us all.”

National

Students vote in favour of ‘Joe’s Coffee’

OPEN: Students celebrate the launch of the newly branded cafe with ‘PC Joe’ (pictured l-r) Year 11 pupils: Annica Khanom, Sajjidur Rahman, Abdul Salah, and Anishah Ahmed, and PC Joe Cahill

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National minimum wage increased

NOW OFFICIALLY THE

TASTIER, HEALTHIER

The national minimum wage will increase by three per cent to a new rate of £6.70 per hour from October 2015.

This is the largest realterms increase in the national minimum wage since 2008, and over 1.4 million of Britain’s lowestpaid workers are set to benefit.

The hourly rate for younger workers will also increase by 57p an hour to £3.30 for apprentices, and 8p an hour to £3.87 for 16 to 17year-olds.

The government will also launch a consultation with businesses on the future of the National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices.

The government plans to put employers in control of the funding for apprenticeships by introducing a new digital apprenticeship voucher, which will give employers

ALTERNATIVE

the purchasing power over the government contribution to apprenticeship funding.

The employer would register their details on a system being developed by the Skills Funding Agency including their type of business, the details of the apprentice and the apprenticeship standard being signed up to.

The discounted rate, which could be up to 100 per cent for 16 to 18-year-olds, at which employers can purchase training would be calculated and the employer would be able to pass on the voucher code to the provider that is delivering the training for their apprentice. The provider would then reclaim the value of the voucher from the Skills Funding Agency.

Announcing the increase, Prime Minister David Cameron said: “At the heart

of our long-term economic plan for Britain is a simple idea – that those who put in, should get out; that hard work is really rewarded; that the benefits of recovery are truly national.

“That’s what today’s announcement is all about – saying to hardworking taxpayers, this is a government that is on your side. It will mean more financial security for Britain’s families; and a better future for our country.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg added: “This is just one of the many ways in which we’ve created a fairer society whilst building a stronger economy. If you work hard, this government is behind you all the way.

“Whether you’re on low pay or starting your dream career through an apprenticeship, you will get more support to help you go further and faster.”

The National Minimum Wage rates from 1 October 2015

• 20p (3%) increase in the adult rate (from £6.50 to £6.70 per hour) • 17p (3%) increase in the rate for 18 to 20-year-olds (from £5.13 to £5.30 per hour) • 8p (2%) increase in the rate for 16 to 17-year-olds (from £3.79 to £3.87 per hour) • The National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices will increase by 57p (20%) from £2.73 to £3.30 per hour.

Dhesi Grill S I M P L Y

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Website countering radicalisation PROTECTION: Founder of ‘Families Against Stress and Trauma (FAST)’, Saleha Jaffer, said the site was launched to tackle the ‘complicated subject’ of radicalisation

Helping parents protect children from extremism online

A new website, aimed at giving parents the tools and information they need to be able to spot the signs that their child is being targeted by extremists, was launched last week following the news of three London girls fleeing to Syria.

The website, www.familiesmatter.org.uk, has been developed by UKbased organisation Families Against Stress and Trauma (FAST), which provides support to vulnerable families and individuals at risk of radicalisation.

In light of the three teenager’s well-publicised disappearance last month, this ‘real threat’ was reinforced with their families, friends and teachers all unaware of such plans.

FAST hopes that by using real case studies and providing expert advice, that parents will be empowered to intervene well before their children

even consider travelling to join extremist groups such as IS. Saleha Jaffer, founder of the organisation, said: “Enough is enough. We can no longer sit by and watch as children from across the country are stolen from families by the lies and false-promises made by extremists.

“As parents it is important that we take responsibility and play our part in stopping children travelling to Iraq or Syria, which is in most cases a oneway ticket, to join perpetrators of the most evil and heinous crimes.

“It is vital that we understand the risks our children face and are able to engage with them in order to have a frank and honest two-way conversation about this complicated subject.

“The information on our new website, www.familiesmatter.org.uk aims to give parents the

tools and a better understanding of the issues and how they can help their children if needed.”

To support the launch of the new site, FAST and its Families Matter campaign is embarking on a series of national community visits across the UK, to reach out to parents and families to empower them through a series of workshops, film showcases and one-to-one advice.

The first events will take place this month and will include East London, Leeds, Liverpool, Leicester, Luton and Stoke-on-Trent.

Saleha Jaffer, concluded: “I hope that through the new website and the messages and support we can offer on the national Families Matter tour, that parents feel less alone, less uncertain and more informed and empowered to do all they can to save their children before it is too late.”

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The government’s plan to tackle CSE It has been highlighted that the CSE remained hidden and was ignored: a new national whistleblowing helpline for public sector workers to report bad practice will help shine a light on problems and help authorities to spot patterns of failure in order to address them quickly.

Victims were appallingly let down, disbelieved and even blamed, the government has promised that it will eradicate the culture of denial including through new joint official health, police and education inspections and a new Child Sexual Abuse Taskforce of professional troubleshooting experts in social work, law enforcement and health to support local areas at every level.

Those who failed to protect victims saw no consequences – some got huge payoffs: the governments says it will ensure that exit payments for senior staff, including council staff, can be clawed back where those people are quickly reemployed in the same part of the public sector.

Perpetrators have been free to walk the streets for years with impunity: child sexual abuse will now be prioritised as a national threat, like serious and organised crime which means police forces now have a duty to collaborate with each other across force boundaries to safeguard children including more efficient sharing of resources, intelligence and best practice, supported by specialist regional CSE police coordinators.

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Landmark summit

New criminal sanctions for those who fail to protect children from sexual exploitation are at the heart of a package of new measures announced by the Prime Minister, David Cameron.

The government says it will consult on extending the new criminal offence of ‘wilful neglect’ of patients to children’s social care, education and elected

members as part of its national response to damning reports by Alexis Jay, Ann Coffey, Louise Casey and others, which found systematic institutional failings and cultures of denial and blame in Rotherham, and elsewhere.

The Prime Minister - alongside the Home Secretary and Secretaries of State for Health, Justice, Education and Communities and Local Government - met leaders from local authorities, children’s services, health professionals, Chief Constables and experts in child protection in Downing Street where he demanded local areas work more effectively to strengthen the systems in place to protect children.

The new plans aim to ensure local areas have long term practical strategies to uncover child sexual exploitation (CSE) and bring more offenders to justice - or face tough consequences.

Mr Cameron said: “We have all been appalled at the abuse suffered by so many young girls in Rotherham and elsewhere across the country. Children were ignored, sometimes even blamed, and issues were swept under the carpet – often because of a warped and misguided sense of political correctness. That culture of denial which let them down so badly must be eradicated.

“I am sending an unequivocal message that professionals who fail to protect children will be held properly accountable and council bosses who preside over such catastrophic failure will not see rewards for that failure.

“Offenders must no longer be able to use the system to hide their despicable activities and survivors of child sexual abuse must be given the long-term therapeutic treatment they need to re-build their lives.

“But it is not just about introducing new policies. It is about making sure that the professionals we charge with protecting our children – the council staff, police officers and social workers – do the jobs they are paid to do.

“We owe it to our children, and

to the children who survive horrific sexual abuse, to do better and ensure the mistakes of the past are never repeated again.”

The cross-government national response, led by the Home Secretary Theresa May, was commissioned by the Prime Minister following revelations of a long-term culture of denial in Rotherham, where it is estimated at least 1,400 children were sexually abused over a number of years, as well as elsewhere.

specialist foster carers to provide safe placements for young people across South Yorkshire. Local authorities involved are Sheffield, Barnsley, Rotherham and Doncaster. Other partners are LSCBs in these areas and South Yorkshire Police.

Wigan and Rochdale Councils were given £956,000 to find alternatives to high cost and secure accommodation for victims of, or those at risk of, child sexual exploitation, and to

Tough new measures announced by Prime Minister on tackling sexual exploitation Representatives from local areas across the country including Rochdale, Nottingham, Kent, Middlesbrough and Barking and Dagenham; the newly appointed Commissioner for Rotherham Sir Derek Myers, Professor Alexis Jay, Sarah Champion MP, the new Children’s’ Commissioner Anne Longfield, and the national policing lead Chief Constable Simon Bailey were among the attendees at the Downing Street event.

An additional £7 million has been given this year to organisations which support the victims of sexual abuse.

The Department of Health has also published new guidance on the role of school nursing services in preventing CSE and the Department for Education will announce a new £3.8 million allocation of its Innovation Programme.

Sheffield and South Yorkshire Councils were allocated £1.2m to develop a sub-regional delivery model for young people experiencing or at risk of child sexual exploitation. This will include recruitment, development and support of

improve outcomes for those young people and their families.

They plan to develop and deliver a research programme and pilot which involves testing a new hub and spoke social care service model with 30 young people in Wigan and Rochdale, with the intention of scaling this up across Greater Manchester’s local authorities.

Meanwhile £1.9m was given to St Christopher’s Fellowship to develop a children’s home with wrap-around care in London for looked-after girls at risk of sexual exploitation, gang membership and substance misuse who might otherwise be placed in secure children’s homes on welfare grounds.

Finally, Durham County Council recieved £496,000 to open a new unit at Aycliffe - their Secure Children’s Home - to test a new model of support targeting the trauma experienced by young people who have been sexually exploited. They intend to couple this with an extended “stepdown” service to support the young people in making the transition from the secure setting into more independent living.

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UPROAR AFTER

HANGINGS

‘No Palestinian state’

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu won a come-from-behind victory in his country’s election after swinging to the right in the final days of campaigning, including abandoning a commitment to negotiate a Palestinian state.

In a pre-election blitz, Netanyahu made a series of promises designed to shore up his Likud base and draw voters from other right-wing and nationalist parties. He pledged to go on building settlements on occupied land and said there would be no Palestinian state if he was re-elected.

With 99.5 percent of votes counted on Wednesday, Likud had won 29-30 seats in the

120-member Knesset, comfortably defeating the centre-left Zionist Union opposition on 24 seats, Israel's Central Election Committee and Israeli media said. A united list of Arab parties came in third.

It amounted to a dramatic and unexpected victory - the last opinion polls published four days before the vote had shown the Zionist Union with a four-seat advantage.

Although Netanyahu must still put together a coalition to remain in power, his victory all but guarantees that he will be given the first opportunity to form a government, putting him course to become the longestserving leader in Israeli history.

‘Black money’ targeted in new law

The cabinet approved a bill on Tuesday that would introduce a 10year jail term for people convicted of illicitly stashing wealth abroad, a senior official said.

The move is viewed as a first step towards empowering tax authorities and meeting the commitment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 10-month-old government to enact a new law on 'black money', a key political challenge.

Pakistan Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley announced the pledge as part of reform measures in last month's budget.

“The bill has a provision of 10-year imprisonment for concealment of overseas assets,” the official said after a cabinet meeting, requesting not to be named.

It is expected to be introduced during the current session of parliament.

Chemical bombs used in Iraq

CRITICISED: Human rights supporters have slammed Nawaz Sharif’s execution system after the hangings include a man whose lawyers say was 14 when he was tortured into a confession of killing a child. Critics have pointed out that the system is a “sham” and many on death row are not terrorists

Pakistan hangs 12 in largest execution since moratorium lifted Pakistan hanged 12 convicts earlier this week, the Interior Ministry said, amid a growing uproar over plans to execute a man whose lawyers say was 14 when he was tortured into a confession of killing a child.

The hangings, including one man whose lawyers say he was arrested when he was 16, were the largest number of people executed on the same day since an unofficial moratorium on capital punishment was lifted in December.

The death sentence cannot be used against a defendant under the age of 18 when the crime was committed.

Testimony obtained by torture is inadmissible. Pakistan says the ages of the defendants whose lawyers say they were juveniles is unclear.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif lifted the moratorium on 17th December 2014, a day

after Pakistani Taliban gunmen attacked a school in Peshawar and killed 134 students and 19 adults. The killings put pressure on the government to do more to tackle the Islamist insurgency.

At first, the government said only militants would be executed. But last week it emerged that officials had quietly widened the policy for all prisoners on death row whose appeals had been rejected.

So far, 39 people have been hanged since December. More than 40 are scheduled to hang in the next week, an Interior Ministry spokesman said.

The ministry is reviewing the cases of hundreds more whose appeals have been exhausted. There are more than 8,000 Pakistanis on death row.

Shafqat Hussain is among

those due to be executed.

Lawyers say he was 14 when he was arrested a decade ago for the kidnap and killing of a child, and that his conviction was based on a confession extracted after nine days of torture.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan had promised an investigation into his age, but Hussain's lawyers say neither they nor the family were contacted.

"It's just a sham, there was no inquiry conducted at all," said Shahab Siddiqui from Justice Project Pakistan, the legal aid group representing Hussain, who is due to hang on Thursday.

The moratorium on executions had been in place since a democratic government took power from a military ruler in 2008.

Human rights groups say

convictions in Pakistan are highly unreliable because its antiquated criminal justice system barely functions, torture is common and police are mostly untrained.

Some of Pakistan's allies have criticised the executions.

"Executing a person who committed a crime when he was underage is in violation of international law," said European Union Ambassador Lars-Gunnar Wigemark.

"We do not believe that the death penalty is a deterrent.

We are furthermore concerned with possible miscarriages of justice."

The ministry spokesman said of the 12 executed on Tuesday 17th March: "They were not only terrorists, they included the other crimes, some of them were murderers and some did other heinous crimes."

Iraq paused its Tikrit offensive on Monday calling for more air strikes against Islamic State militants, after an officer revealed Kurdish forces sustained two more chlorine gas attacks by insurgents.

General Aziz Waisi told journalists the insurgents used chlorine twice during a January offensive west of Mosul and once in a December attack on his military police brigade in the Sinjar mountain area.

Waisi said a number of military police - he did not say how many - were taken to hospital after one attack in Mosul, where

blood tests indicated they had inhaled chlorine gas released by the bombs.

“When it exploded, we realised it was not a normal smoke because it caused unconsciousness and vomiting,” he said.

He declined to say whether samples from the two previously unreported attacks had been tested along with those from the January attack.

The Dutch-based Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons said over the weekend it had not had a request from Iraq to investigate claims of chemical weapons use.

Nude motorcyclist gets dressing down

A Pakistani motorcyclist has been arrested in the eastern city of Lahore after police caught him riding naked along a busy road, days after a video of his exploits went viral on social media.

Police got word on Saturday that Shehroz Khan, 20, was riding naked once again on Lahore's Main Boulevard.

They blocked the road

from all sides and Khan was flagged down and arrested, police said on Monday.

“We arrested Shehroz on Saturday for overspeeding, violating traffic rules and for revealing his private organs in public,” police officer Zulfiqar Butt said.

“He's still in police custody though all three offences are bailable.”

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Drone grounded over Syria

The United States lost one of its Predator drone aircraft over northwest Syria on Tuesday, US officials said, as Syrian state media reported its air defences brought down the spy plane in the governmentcontrolled Latakia province.

If Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces took down the US aircraft something US officials said was not immediately certain - it would raise the stakes in the US-led bombing campaign against Islamic State militants that began in Syria in late

September.

The United States has previously described Assad's air defences as ‘passive’, meaning they have not engaged the USled coalition's aircraft as American and other planes carry out strikes against militants.

The US airstrikes have not targeted Assad's forces or military infrastructure.

Tuesday's incident took place sometime around 7:40 pm in Syria, when the United States lost contact with an unarmed MQ-1 Predator aircraft operating over northwest Syria, a US official said.

Indian opposition unites to oppose Modi

India's usually fractious opposition parties have joined forces against a bill to ease land acquisition rules.

This is a rare show of unity that bodes badly for a key part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's economic overhaul plans.

Opposition parties from across the political spectrum, including Congress President Sonia Gandhi, marched from parliament to the president's home demanding the government drop its plans.

"We have come together to oppose the Modi government’s amendments," Gandhi said, demanding the right to fair compensation for farmers and transparency in land acquisition. She was flanked by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the leaders from 13 other political parties.

Conflict between farmers and

Brilliant Bhutan on ‘road to Russia’

The Himalayan kingdom ranked rock bottom in world soccer spirited another improbable win on Tuesday as Bhutan reached the second round of World Cup qualifying.

Lying 209th in FIFA's rankings, Bhutan proved last week's 1-0 win over Sri Lanka in Colombo was no fluke with a 2-1 victory in the return leg in capital Thimpu.

The tiny nation had allowed workers to leave

early to catch the game, and the Changlimithang Stadium was packed to witness the heroics.

Chencho Gyeltshen set the hosts on their improbable path in the fifth minute and fired in the second at the death to ensure only a fifth ever win for his side who were once beaten 20-0 by Kuwait in an Asian Cup qualifier in 2000.

Bhutan were making their debut in a World Cup qualifying campaign since joining FIFA in 2000.

OPPOSITION: India’s political parties unite against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s land reforms, President of the Congress Party Sonia Gandhi was joined by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other leaders

companies trying to secure land for industrial projects has hampered India's plans to expand its network of highways, build mines and other infrastructure, holding up about $300 billion of investment.

Analysts say India's poor infrastructure is one of the main impediments to the nation enjoying economic growth needed to help lift hundreds of millions of people out of poverty.

In December, the government passed an urgent executive order to make it easier to buy land. The government needs members in both houses of parliament to pass the bill before the end of this parliamentary session in May to prevent the order lapsing.

The proposed changes to the law would mean projects in defence, rural electrification, rural housing and industrial corridors would not need to seek the consent of 80 percent of the affected landowners as mandated.

They will also be exempt from holding a social impact study involving public hearings - procedures that industry executives say can drag out the acquisition process for years.

Compensation to landholders will stay at four times the market price.

While the government has had success raising billions of dollars through the sale of coal blocks and telephone spectrum, Modi has struggled to pass legislation through the upper house of parliament where his party is in a minority.

In Modi's first major economic reform almost a year after coming to power, parliament voted to allow more foreign investment in the insurance sector last week. The land acquisition bill and other reforms will be more difficult to pass because of the lack of support from rival parties.

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Church blasts target Pakistan’s Christians Fourteen people were killed and nearly 80 injured after suicide bombers in Pakistan targeted two churches last weekend, in an attack claimed by a faction of the country’s Taliban.

The churches, both in Lahore, were targeted just minutes apart from each other and were located in a majority Christian suburb of the busy eastern city.

Protestors took to the streets after the blasts and clashed with police as they caused disruption to the city, whilst some reportedly burned two people to death who were believed to have been involved in the attacks.

Over the past decade, attacks on Christians and other religious minorities in Pakistan have not been uncommon with many in the lower-represented groups demanding more protection from the government.

Many Christians claim the politicians are quick to offer their condolences yet little actually changes in the security provided to followers of their faith.

After Sunday’s attacks, witnesses said the death toll

Campaigners take to the streets in protest for greater security

CAMPAIGN: Christians in Pakistan have long complained that they are not provided with enough protection by the government

could have been higher if it was not for the actions of security guards and police assigned to protect the churches.

One witness, Amir Masih, told Reuters: “I was sitting at a shop near the church when a blast jolted the area.

“I rushed towards the spot and saw the security guard scuffle with a man who was trying to enter the church.

After failing, he blew himself up.”

Another witness, Akram Bhatti, added: “I was present outside Christ Church when I saw a young man in his early 20s wearing black clothes.

“He was stopped by the guard. The attacker exploded the suicide vest.”

The Taliban faction Jamaat-ul-Ahrar claimed responsibility for the attacks in the Punjab’s capital.

The city is generally considered peaceful compared with many other areas of Pakistan, but violence there has been increasing after the government's failed attempts to hold peace talks with the Taliban last year.

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FBI help in Bangladesh murder case

DEMONSTRATION: Hundreds gathered following the death of Avjit Roy to protest the attack

Investigation continues into death of secular blogger, killed by machete-wielding assailant

America’s top crime agency has been called in to help investigate the murder of an AmericanBangladeshi who was hacked to death in Dhaka last month.

Avijit Roy, an atheist blogger and engineer of Bangladeshi origin, was killed by machete-wielding assailants last month as he returned from a book fair.

His wife, who also writes for the blog, suffered serious injuries,

including the loss of a finger and head injuries.

Despite the main suspect being detained by the nation’s authority, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has now been called in to help investigate the case.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police spokesman, Monirul Islam, said: “An FBI team might come to Dhaka this week to assist in our investigations of the killing of writer and blogger

Avijit Roy.” Roy had allegedly received death threats before his trip to Bangladesh from Islamists, with one online statement posted two months before his arrival, calling for his murder.

Bangladesh's anti-terrorism unit said it had arrested the main suspect in the case, Farabi Shafiur Rahman, in Dhaka on Monday.

Rahman has been jailed in the

past for his ties to the extremist Hizbut Tahrir Islamist group and is reported to have confessed to the killing.

It is not the first time a secular blogger has been attacked in the South Asian nation.

In 2013, Muslim militants targeted several bloggers who had demanded capital punishment for Islamist leaders convicted of war crimes during Bangladesh's 1971 war for

independence.

One blogger, Ahmed Rajib Haider, was killed that year near his home in Dhaka after he led one such protest.

In 2004, secular writer and Dhaka University professor Humayun Azad was attacked while returning home from a Dhaka book fair and later died in Germany while undergoing treatment.

March 2015 - 3rd Edition

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• INTERNATIONAL NEWS • INTERNATIONAL NEWS • INTERNATIONAL NEWS • INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Busy Tunisia Museum attacked by militants

New surgery turns brown eyes blue

Gunmen opened fire on tourists getting off buses outside Tunisia's national museum on Wednesday, killing 17 foreigners and two nationals, whilst taking others hostage inside the building, witnesses and officials said.

Security forces stormed the Bardo museum in central Tunis around two hours later and killed two militants, freeing all the captives, a government spokesman said. Polish and Italian tourists were among the wounded, officials added.

One policeman was

More antiquities damaged

BLUE EYES: Model-turnedactress Ashwariya Rai Bachchan caught the attention of film-makers due to her unique blue eyes

Brown eyes can, of course, be beautiful yet if it is not the shade you wanted then there is little you can do other than wear contact lenses right? Wrong.

Now, a new laser surgery has been invented, which researchers and developers state can alter the

appearance of brown eyes, to make them blue.

According to the developers, we all have blue eyes underneath.

The treatment therefore consists of ‘disrupting’ the top layers of pigment, causing the body to start enacting its own gradual

killed in the police operation.

Television footage showed dozens of people, including elderly foreigners and one man carrying a child, running for shelter in the compound next to the parliament, covered by security forces aiming rifles into the air.

The attack on such a high-profile target is a blow for the small North African country that relies heavily on European tourism and has avoided major militant violence since its 2011 uprising to oust autocrat Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali.

tissue-removal process.

The patient sits in a frame, much like the ones used in sight-correcting laser surgeries. A different kind of laser treatment is then applied.

According to the website, for a week after the surgery, the irises will appear darker,

but then will gradually fade to blue within about four weeks after that.

The procedure is not available to the general public yet, as it is still undergoing various medical evaluations, but it may become accessible to all of us in the near future.

Islamic State militants have desecrated another ancient Iraqi capital, the government said on Wednesday, destroying parts of the 2,700-yearold city of Khorsabad famed for its colossal statues of human-headed winged bulls.

Officials have said for several days they were checking reports of damage at Khorsabad following attacks on the cities of Nineveh, Nimrud and Hatra by the Islamist radicals who control much of northern Iraq.

On Wednesday the head of Iraq's antiquities board and the country's antiquities minister both confirmed that damage had been inflicted in recent days at Khorsabad, although neither was able to give details.

“The city walls were razed, and some elements of the temples, but we don't know the exact extent (of the damage),” antiquities director Qais Rasheed told Reuters.

“Looting took place, and then the razing.”

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March 2015 - 3rd Edition

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Entertainment THE LATEST ENTERTAINMENT AND CELEBRITY NEWS FROM BOLLYWOOD & HOLLYWOOD

Dia Mirza faces Twitter abuse Remarks from the Chief of Hindu nationalist organisation, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sang (RSS) in India, Mohan Bhagwat, questioning the motive behind Mother Teresa’s philanthropic efforts, have spiralled into a full-blown controversy over the last few days.

When Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member of parliament Meenakshi Lekhi, jumped to the RSS member’s defence -

“My father was Catholic, my mother is a Bengali, I was raised by my Muslim stepfather and I'm married to a Hindu. I am Indian.”

actress Dia Mirza took to Twitter to criticise Lekhi for her statement.

Dia tweeted: "Shame on you #MeenakshiLekhi you contort personal faith/work to validate a statement that should be condemned. #MotherTeresa."

She later tweeted, "Actually you know what? I am ashamed. Of our thoughts, our actions and our words. #MotherTeresa."

With a multitude of negative comments directed at Mirza she responded to the criticism.

She tweeted: "The trolls are out and hard at work."

She then posted about her interreligious background, saying: "My father was Catholic, my mother is a Bengali, I was raised by my Muslim stepfather and I'm married to a Hindu. I am Indian."

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March 2015 - 3rd Edition

Nathalia Kaur: Shah Rukh Khan is the epitome of a perfect star Nathalia Kaur, who embarked on her Bollywood career with an item number in Ram Gopal Verma’s flick titled ‘Department’, is now all set to be seen as a parallel lead in Johan Abraham-Shruti Haasan starrer called ‘Rocky Handsome’ and is also the lead actress in ‘Guns of Benaras’.

While Nathalia is gearing up for her big opportunity, the dreamy-eyed newbie is a fan of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan and admires Katrina Kaif.

When asked whom she looks up to in the industry, she said: “I am a huge fan of Shah Rukh Khan. I really look up to him.

He’s got that killer instinct and

Aamir Khan on a diet

Amyra Dastur: ‘Mr X’ is not a typical Emraan Hashmi film While the first look of ‘Mr X’ showed a virtual kiss between an invisible Emraan Hashmi and leading lady Amyra Dastur in an underwater sequence from the film, patrons will be in for a disappointment to know that, despite being a Bhatt camp venture, it’s not a typical Emraan Hashmi outing.

The film neither has copious kissing or intimate scenes, which is usually found in an Emraan Hashmi flick, nor the actress will be portrayed in a typical

can nail down anything easily.

He has played myriad characters and shines out in each one of them. SRK is the epitome of a perfect star and

has even got a charming personality.

“I also admire Katrina Kaif.

Despite being an outsider and not even knowing the language, she achieved so much and made her mark. She is one of the biggest stars of the country and also an amazing dancer today.”

Nathalia says while she admires other actors and actresses in Bollywood, she wants to create her own mark: “I definitely admire them but don’t really want to follow in their path. I believe in finding my own destiny. Everyone is blessed with some special skill so why not capitalise on that instead of stepping into others’ shoes?”

Aamir Khan is going all out and is on a binge diet for his next film ‘Dangal’ in which he is apparently playing the role of a wrestler.

Aamir said: “I am prepping for my next film right now. I am learning wrestling and Haryanvi for the film. We haven’t yet blocked the shooting dates for the film but it will begin in the next couple of months. The casting of the film is still on. “ When asked about the kind of diet he’s following for the film, Aamir said: “I am allowed to have everything.

It’s just that I’ve turned vegetarian now so I can’t eat non-veg. But I’m having a good quantity of food these days.”

He says his weight is around 90 kgs, something he’s not happy with and says he’s maintained a good body for films like ‘PK’, ‘Dhoom 3’ and ‘Ghajini’ where he weighed around 68 kgs with 9% body fat.

“I don’t think I’ll be putting on more weight, 90 is enough!” he laughed.

bold manner.

Amyra Dastur reveals: “I don’t have intimate or kissing scenes or even an item number for that matter.

This is not a typical Emraan Hashmi film and I am not even playing the quintessential Bhatt camp heroine (bold actress).”

Directed by Vikram Bhatt and produced by Mahesh Bhatt, MR X will be released in 3D and 2D and is set to release on 17th April.

Salman wants Deepika not Katrina Katrina Kaif says her journey in Bollywood would have been difficult without the assistance of her former lover Salman Khan.

But it looks like Salman is not fussed with the compliment as he refused to star opposite her in his next film ‘Sultan’.

Though Salman was very impressed with 'Sultan's' script, he

asked the makers not to cast Katrina in the film opposite him, and that if they would, he’d not be a part of it.

So the makers had to go for their second choice Deepika Padukone and Salman is fine with that.

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March 2015 - 3rd Edition

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March 2015 - 3rd Edition

RELEASE DATE: 27/2/2015

RELEASE DATE: 13/2/2015

FILM: Roy DIRECTED BY: Vikramjit Singh GENRE: Action/Thriller STAR CAST: Ranbir Kapoor, Arjun Rampal, Jacqueline Fernandez Ranbir Kapoor stars as the world's most audacious thief in this sizzling Bollywood love triangle thriller.

The mysterious Roy (Ranbir Kapoor) is both a legend and an enigma. He's pulled off incredible heists in every corner of the globe. His amazing adventures have been chronicled in two hit films by talented, hugely successful director Kabir Grewal (Arjun Rampal).

Now production is about to commence on the eagerly anticipated 'Guns Part 3'. But will the outcome be the same

this time? Will Roy's legions of fans finally get to see his face?

Most importantly of all, will he finally get caught?

Vikramjit Singh makes his directorial debut with this action-filled crowdpleaser, starring his childhood friend and multiple awardwinning Bollywood superstar Ranbir Kapoor. Sri Lankan actress and model Jacqueline Fernandez is the leading lady.

Arjun Rampal, whose credits include the hits 'Ra.One' and 'Housefull' is the third part of the film's red-hot love triangle.

FILM: N.H 10 DIRECTED BY: Navdeep Singh GENRE: Thriller STAR CAST: Anushka Sharma, Neil Bhoopalam, Darshan Kumaar

FILM: Honour Killing DIRECTED BY: Avtar Bhogal GENRE: Drama STAR CAST: Zara Sheikh, Sandeep Singh, Jawed Sheikh, Tom Alter, Gulshan Grover, Prem Chopra

RELEASE DATE: 20/2/2015

FILM: Badlapur DIRECTED BY: Sriram Raghavan GENRE: Action/Thriller STAR CAST: Varun Dhawan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Huma Qureshi, Yami Gautam, Vinay Pathak, Divya Dutta Varun Dhawan teams up with director Sriram Raghavan for this gripping thriller.

Raghu (Varun Dhawan) is a normal man living a normal life. He lives with his wife, Misha (Yami Gautam), and works as part of the creative team in an advertising agency.

He has a child, Robin, and is enjoying his life in Pune, but his life is turned upside side when Misha and Robin are killed in a bank robbery.

The killings change the previously mild-mannered Raghu into someone hellbent

RELEASE DATE: 13/3/2015

A young couple's road trip goes badly wrong after an encounter with a group of violent criminals in this gritty thriller.

Meera (Anushka Sharma) and Arjun (Neil Bhoopalam) are a professional couple who enjoy a good life in their home city of Gurgaon.

Everything changes when Meera is attacked by a group of unknown men after leaving a party late at night. Although she manages to escape, the experience leaves

her traumatised.

Feeling guilty for not being there to protect her, Arjun tries to get their relationship back on track by organising for them to go on a luxurious holiday in the desert.

Stopping at a roadside cafe on National Highway 10 en route, the couple witness a young girl being attacked by a group of men and Arjun decides to intervene, unaware that his actions will put both of their lives in mortal danger.

on revenge, but it's 15 years before he finds out the identity of the man who pulled the trigger, after which his journey to avenge his family's deaths begins.

Directed by the great Sriram Raghavan, whose previous films are known for their edgy characters and gripping action sequences, Badlapur is a tense thriller where the we are asked to consider what own reactions would be to such a terrible situation and thus, our own morality.

The film which is largely based on revenge (Badla) and

is about a man who sets out to take revenge after being wronged and undergoes a transition during the course of the story, leading to `badla’.

Those familiar with Mumbai are aware that there is a station named Badlapur on the Central Railway. It’s heard that, Badlapur used to be one of the stations where the trains would change tracks. This aspect has massive role to play in the film as the station features in the backdrop when the plot undergoes a change, hence the birth of the title of this film.

FILM: Dilliwaali Zalim Girlfriend DIRECTED BY: Japinder Kaur GENRE: Comedy STAR CAST: Divyendu Sharma, Jackie Shroff, Prachi Mishra, Pradhuman Singh, Ira Dubey Dilliwaali Zalim Girlfriend is the story of two innocent friends, Dhruv (Divyendu Sharma) - an aspirant IAS officer and Happy (Pradhuman Singh), who's a happy go lucky fun guy.

Life becomes a depressing mess for them from the time Dhruv takes a private loan from a company where Sakshi (Prachi Mishra), the girl Dhruv loves, works. He in fact buys a car from the loan just to woo her

too.

There starts their encounter right from today's super materialistic girls (where money comes above love), the finance company, the system and many more on the way, remains pretty Zaalim; leaving them to sort their problems on their own.

Despite all the crooks they face, Dhruv and Happy along with another friend of theirs Nimmy (Ira Dubey), get

A powerful multi-cultural love story set against the shocking backdrop of honour killings in the UK. Three men become firm friends in melting-pot Britain, despite their very different cultural backgrounds. One is a Sardar, the second a Pathan, and the third an Englishman who was born and raised in India.

When the Englishman's daughter weds, his friends get together to organise traditional Asian celebrations. The Sardar's son Sunny (Sandeep Singh), who has come the UK to continue his education, meets the Pathan's daughter Sameera (Zara Sheikh) and they quickly fall in love.

The blissfully happy young couple hope that their parents will be relaxed about their plans to marry. But the respective families' intense opposition leads to bitter enmity and ultimate tragedy.

Shot in London and Punjab, Avtar Bhogal's important drama uses actors from Britain, India and Pakistan to explore the complex background to the burning issue of honour killings.

RELEASE DATE: 20/3/2015 together taking matters in their own hands and expose one of the biggest rackets underlying in Delhi.

Though Dhruv buys the car to woo the girl who could never be his, in the process to get it back, he finds the right girl who was always out there next to him Nimmy.

The music of the movie has been put together with Yo Yo Honey Singh, Jazzy B, Hard Kaur, Meet Bros Anjjan, Indeep Bakshi,

Dr. Zeus, Jatinder Shah, Milind Gaba, Jassi Katyal and Tiger Style while the lyrics are penned by Kumaar, Alfaaz, Bunty Bains, Zora Randhawa and Mavi Bains.

March 2015 - 3rd Edition

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SMEAPRT 2015 STILL ALICE

12A

CERT

STARRING: JULIANNE MOORE, ALEC BALDWIN, KATE BOSWORTH, KRISTEN STEWART, HUNTER PARRISH DIRECTOR: RICHARD GLATZER, WASH WESTMORELAND GENRE: DRAMA Fifty-year-old Alice Howland leads a busy life as a Columbia University linguistics professor and mother of three. But lately she's been suffering from worrying mental lapses.

Without telling her family, she decides to go for neurological tests.

She then receives a devastating diagnosis: she has early-onset Alzheimer's disease.

Even worse, her condition is genetic and her children stand a

UK RELEA SE

06/03/20DATE: 15

UK RELEA 50% chance SE of inheriting 06/03/20DATE: 15 it. Alice struggles to hold on to her identity and dignity, with the support of her loving husband John.

As she makes the bold decision to live in the moment, she also reconnects with her aspiring actress daughter Lydia.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS STARRING: VINCE VAUGHN, TOM WILKINSON, DAVE FRANCO, SIENNA MILLER, JUNE DIANE RAPHAE DIRECTOR: KENN SCOTT GENRE: COMEDY Dan Trunkman (Vince Vaughn) is a hard-working office drone who, after being told he has to take a pay cut, decides to set up his own business.

Armed with only two employees – ‘one too young and one too old’ played by Tom Wilkinson and Dave Franco, he soon wins a lucrative deal

15

CERT

in Germany and so the three start their journey to Europe to sort out the paperwork.

Arriving to discover his old bosses (played by Sienna Miller and James Marsden) are competing for the same account, Dan's ideas about how to swing the deal in his favour aren't exactly conventional.

THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT

12A

CERT

STARRING: SHAILENE WOODLEY, KATE WINSLET, THEO JAMES, MILES TELLER, JAI COURTNEY DIRECTOR: ROBERT SCHWENTKE GENRE: ACTION, SCI-FI, THRILLER Shailine Woodley's Tris leads the fight for civilisation in this thrilling sequel to the dystopian sci fi hit. In a world devastated by war, Chicago is divided into five factions defined only by a dominant personality trait.

But Beatrice 'Tris' Prior (Shailene Woodley) is a rare Divergent, with multiple aptitudes. Now she's on the run from evil Erudite leader Jeanine (Kate Winslet), with her Dauntless lover Four (Theo James).

Jeanine has acquired a mysterious box UK RELEA that seems to hold the key to power. But SE DATE: 20/03/20 only a Divergent can open it. Tris decides 15 it's time to turn the tables and unite the Divergents. Together, they will take the fight for civilisation to Jeanine's doorstep.

RUN ALL NIGHT STARRING: LIAM NEESON, JOEL KINNAMEN, ED HARRIS, VINCENT D'ONOFRIO, GENESIS RODRIGUEZ DIRECTOR: JAUME COLLET-SERA GENRE: ACTION, DRAMA Action hero Liam Neeson has just one spectacularly eventful night to protect his family!

Not so long ago, prolific Brooklyn hitman Jimmy Conlon (Liam Neeson) earned the admiring nickname 'The Gravedigger' from his criminal associates.

But at 55, harddrinking Jimmy is beginning to feel his age. His past sins are starting to haunt him and a dogged detective has been

15 on his tail CERT for 30 years.

Then his estranged son Mike (Joel Kinnamen) goes on the run, having become a target of Jimmy's former friend and mob boss Shawn Maguire (Ed Harris).

With police and mobsters in hot pursuit, Jimmy now has one night to put things right and save the family he abandoned for a life of crime.

THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER

UK RELEA SE

21/03/20DATE: 15

STARRING: SHAILENE WOODLEY, KATE WINSLET, THEO JAMES, MILES TELLER, JAI COURTNEY DIRECTOR: ROBERT SCHWENTKE GENRE: ACTION, SCI-FI, THRILLER To save their world, SpongeBob and his aquatic gang wreak comedy havoc in our dimension.

Dastardly pirate Burger-Beard (Antonio Banderas) seeks the last page of a magical book, which

TBC

CERT

makes his every evil plan come true.

With Bikini Bottom facing total annihilation, SpongeBob and friends head for the human realm to vanquish the scheming seadog.

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March 2015 - 3rd Edition

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FILM TIMES AND

PRESENTS

WIN FREE N E SS MOVIE MAD

E TS CINEMA TICK

Odeon and The Asian Express bring back the movie mania as you get a chance to win free cinema tickets.

Answer a simple question and you could win tickets to a film of your choice.

plays What isWho the name ofRaghu the new Sci-fi in to the filmout ‘Badlapur’? film come of Pakistan?

Send inin your Send youranswers answersto to competition@asianexpress.co.uk competition@asianexpress.co.uk Don’t forget to mention full name, contact and Don’t forget to mention youryour full name, contact detailsdetails and address. address.

Entry closes March 15th 2013, 5.00pm Entry closes March 20th 2015, 5.00pm Winners willbe beselected selected randomly randomly from entries.

Winners will fromall allcorrect correct entries.

Hook on to this page for free cinema tickets to upcoming films.

Hook on to this page for free cinema tickets to upcoming films.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS: The Competition is organised by the Asian Express Newspaper. The Asian Express Newspaper reserves the right to cancel or amend the Competition, the Competition Notice or these Rules at any time without prior notice.

Competition entries must be made in the manner and by the closing date specified on the Competition Rules. Failure to do so will disqualify the entry. In the event of any dispute regarding the Rules, Competition Notice, conduct, results and all other matters relating to a Competition, the decision of the Asian Express Newspaper shall be final and no correspondence or discussion shall be entered into. To qualify to enter the Competition you must be resident in the United Kingdom and aged 16+. Only one entry per person per Competition is allowed and multiple entries will result in an entrant being disqualified.

Additional eligibility requirements may apply to a specific Competition, e.g. a valid passport, visas and/or driver’s licence will be required. Prizes are non-transferable and there is no cash alternative. Winners may be requested to take part in promotional activity and the Asian Express Newspaper reserves the right to use the names and addresses of winners, their photographs and audio and/or visual recordings of them in any publicity. Any personal data relating to entrants will be used solely in accordance with current UK data protection legislation and will not be disclosed to a third party without the individual’s prior consent. The Competition and the terms and conditions of this agreement will be governed by English law.

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ODEON - Leeds/Bradford CHAPPIE (15) 120mins AD Fri & Mon-Wed FIFTY SHADES OF GREY (18) 125m AD Fri & Mon- Wed 13:10 13:10 Thu FOCUS (15) 105mins AD Fri 12:10 Sat-Sun Mon 12:10 Tue-Wed 12:10 12:10 Thu HOME 3D (U) 94mins AD Sat-Sun Tue & Thu 11:30 13:50 13:50 Fri Mon Wed HOME 2D (U) 94mins AD Fri 13:10 15:30 10:50 12:10 13:10 14:30 15:30 Sat-Sun Mon 13:10 15:30 Tue-Wed 13:10 15:30 Thu 13:10 15:30 JALAIBEE (TBC) 160mins Fri & Mon-Thu 14:40 Sat-Sun 13:30 KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE (15) 129mins AD Fri & Mon & Wed 14:25 Sat-Sun Tue & Thu RUN ALL NIGHT (15) 114mins AD Fri-Thu 15:10 SHAUN THE SHEEP (U) 85mins Sat-Sun 10:40 11:20 Tue Thu 11:20 SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS: SOOW 3D (U) 91mins AD Sat-Sun 10:10 12:30 14:50 SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS: SOOW 2D (15) 91mins AD Sat-Sun 11:10 11:50 13:30 14:10 15:50 SUITE FRANCAISE (15) 107mins AD Fri-Thu 12:30 THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT 3D (12A) 119mins Fri-Thu 12:20 15:00 THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT 2D (12A) 119mins Fri 13:00 14:00 Sat-Sun 11:00 13:00 14:00 Mon 13:00 14:00 Tue 13:00 14:15 Wed 13:00 14:00 Thu 11:00 13:00 14:00 THE GUNMAN (PG) 123mins AD Fri-Mon 12:50 15:40 Tue 12:50 15:40s/t Wed-Thu 12:50 15:40 THE SECOND BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL (PG) 123mins Fri-Thu 12:10 14:50 THEORY OF EVERYTHING (12A) 123mins AD Sat-Sun Fri, Mon & Wed 14:00 Tue and Thu 11:10 14:00 THE VOICES (PG) 123mins AD Fri 12:00 Sat-Sun Mon & Wed 12:00 Tue & Thu WILD CARD (15) 91mins AD Fri & Mon-Thu 12:00 14:10 Sat-Sun

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Roaring R8 Fastest and most powerful series production Audi in history POWERFUL: The all-new R8 comes in 540PS V10 and 610PS V10 plus versions and are equipped with the latest Audi innovations, including the stunning virtual cockpit display and Audi connect

By Steve Maybury info@asianexpress.co.uk

Just days after the global premiere of the all-new Audi R8 at the Geneva Motor Show, potential customers can delve a little deeper into the detail behind the epic supercar now that pricing and specification have been confirmed by Audi UK. Power for the second generation line-up will be provided exclusively by a ten-cylinder FSI engine delivering 540PS in the ‘standard’ version and a mighty 610PS in the ‘Plus’ model – notable as the fastest and most powerful series production Audi in history. When they become available to order in May the R8 V10 will be priced at £119,500 OTR and the R8 V10 Plus at £137,500 OTR. As befits the dynamic spearhead of the Audi range the latest R8 will feature a host of exceptional features includig all-LED headlamps and tail lamps incorporating dynamic rear indicators with a scrolling function in the intended turn direction.

In the V10 plus version, the headlights are further enhanced by front dynamic indicators and laser spots for the high beams as standard, giving an extended field of vision and increased brightness, and by a high beam assist function for automatic alternation between low and high beam settings.

Both versions will be fitted with 19-inch wheels in exclusive designs as standard, and in the V10 Plus these are combined as standard with ceramic brake discs offering even more assured stopping power.

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Motors

Light, powerful and very very fast

Roaring Continued from page 85

STUNNING: The limited edition McLaren 675LT will be available to buyers, priced from £259,500

Limited production of McLaren 675LT announced at Geneva Motor Show

The McLaren 675LT, which made its global debut at the 85th International Geneva Motor Show, will be the lightest, most powerful and fastest model in the McLaren Super Series, and also the most exclusive: production will be strictly limited to just 500 examples worldwide.

The limited production model, unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, has a clear focus on light weight, optimised aerodynamics, increased power, track-focused dynamics and driver engagement.

At its core is the lightweight carbon fibre MonoCell chassis, shared with each model in the Super Series, but the chassis set up and powertrain are bespoke, with a third of overall parts and components modified.

A more aggressive set up gives the 675LT a unique track-focused feel, while still retaining the adjustable ProActive Chassis Control to ensure drivability and comfort levels are maintained.

One of the many updates featured on the 1997 McLaren F1 GTR ‘Longtail’ was a wider track, front and rear. This approach is echoed in the 675LT, with the front and rear track widened by 20mm, ensuring optimised stability and handling performance.

Lightweight springs front and rear have been stiffened – 27 percent at the front and 63 percent at the rear – to improve body control and allow for the 40 percent increase in downforce generated by the revised bodywork and active aerodynamics.

Newly-developed suspension geometry includes lightweight uprights and wishbones based on the learnings from the McLaren P1™.

This is coupled with a faster steering rack to give a more extreme driverfocused experience.

The obsession with weight saving

sees the 675LT tip the scales at just 1,230kg (dry weight), making it the lightest model in the already lightweight Super Series, with a saving of more than 100kg. This has been achieved with the use of lighter weight components. For example, the changes to the car’s glazing alone save 4.5kg with a thinner windscreen and rear bulkhead glass, and replacing the engine cover with motorsport-style polycarbonate.

The 675LT uses the familiar sevenspeed SSG transmission found in the other Super Series models, retaining the Normal, Sport or Track modes.

These settings have been recalibrated to produce more eager performance, with optimised throttle response and gearshifts up to twice as fast as previously offered.

The newly developed ‘Ignition Cut’ technology is a technique adopted from Formula 1™ which sees a momentary cut of the fuel spark on gearshift. This delivers the fastest change possible, and is accompanied by a dramatic aural ‘crack’ on both upshift and downshift.

Also debuting on the 675LT is an all-new Electronic Stability Control (ESC) calibration, giving the driver an even greater level of control over the throttle and brake inputs.

The 675LT unveiled to world’s automotive media gathered in Geneva was finished in the newly launched Chicane Grey, showcasing the McLaren Club Sport pack. This option, priced at £5,090 for the UK market, is designed with an even greater focus on track driving, and includes titanium roll hoop with four point harnesses and a fire extinguisher.

The limited edition McLaren 675LT will be available to buyers, priced from £259,500. Deliveries will commence from July 2015.

March 2015 - 3rd Edition

For the first time R8 V10 plus customers will also have the option to upgrade to a 20-inch wheel. Naturally, each model is fitted with the latest-generation quattro all-wheel drive, which utilises an electrohydraulic multi-plate clutch capable of sending up to 100 percent of torque to the front or rear axle depending on driving conditions.

Inside, Fine Nappa Leatherupholstered sports seats with electric adjustment for V10 models and sculpted bucket seats for the V10 plus will position the driver perfectly in relation to the new multifunction plus steering wheel and the Audi virtual cockpit, both of which make their R8 debut here.

In the R8 V10 the new flatbottomed steering wheel facilitates control of all the information and entertainment functions offered by the virtual cockpit, and also houses two ‘satellites’ incorporating the control buttons for the Audi drive select system and engine start-stop function, both of which are also new to the R8.

The Performance steering wheel in the Audi R8 V10 plus

features two more satellites. One houses a button controlling the exhaust system’s sound-altering adjustable flaps, and the other the activation switch for the ‘performance mode’ which is standard for this version and optional for the V10, along with a rotary wheel enabling selection of this mode’s individual ‘dry’, ‘wet’ and ‘snow’ programs. These programs support dynamic handling on dry, wet and snowcovered surfaces, making use of the ESC stabilisation control function.

The Audi virtual cockpit is set in a free-standing housing and presents all the information on its 12.3-inch display with elaborate and pin sharp graphics.

The driver can toggle between different display modes and also adjust the digital instrument cluster to suit in individual mode.

In performance mode, the driver is presented with information on the driving programs, acceleration, deceleration and lateral forces as well as power and torque. The Audi virtual cockpit also displays a shift light, which illuminates when the rev limit has been reached.

The driver operates the Audi virtual cockpit using the

multifunction plus steering wheel, meaning there is no need to remove a hand from the steering wheel. Alternatively, operation is also possible via the touch wheel or the buttons in the centre console.

Even more of the potential opened up by the state-of-the-art virtual cockpit can be enjoyed by going online in the new Audi R8 – the Audi connect interface is standard, and enables occupants to connect a smartphone or tablet via the system’s integrated Wi-Fi hotspot, and to make use of tailored online services from Audi connect delivered via the fast LTE (Long Term Evolution) network. MMI navigation plus is also standard, and is augmented by the MMI touch wheel with its fingertip-sensitive touch pad enabling easy ‘written’ entry of data into the system.

On the outside, the V10 is equipped with an electrically extending spoiler, while the R8 V10 plus gains a large fixed rear wing in carbon sigma, matching the finish of its heated and folding exterior mirrors, sideblades, front spoiler lip and rear diffuser.

Further standard items include the front and rear

Second generation of the acclaimed supercar debuted in Geneva Available to order in the UK from May 2015 priced from £119,500 OTR, 610PS V10 Plus from £137,500 OTR R8 V10 plus - 0-62 mph in 3.2 seconds, 0-124mph in 9.9 seconds, top speed 205mph, combined MPG 23.9

Multimaterial Audi Space Frame construction helps to reduce weight by up to 50kg – 40% increase in body rigidity New development of quattro all-wheel-drive system with variable torque control New equipment additions include virtual cockpit, Audi drive select, Audi connect and front/rear park assist

March 2015 - 3rd Edition

R8

parking assist system and light and rain sensors. To add visual impact to the other more immediately evident attributes of the sonorous midmounted 10-cylinder engine, both 540PS and 610 PS versions also feature an interior LED lighting package, which illuminates the glasscovered engine compartment and the footwells.

The extensive list of options available for the new R8 features enhancements that further enrich the driving experience, including the sports exhaust, the magnetic ride adaptive damping system, laser spotlights for the all-LED headlights in 540PS versions (standard for the V10 plus) and bucket seats (also standard for V10 plus), as well as indulgences such as stunning 20-inch alloy wheels and a 500-watt Bang & Olufsen audio system.

Numerous interior decor upgrades and colour

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Fastest and most powerful series production Audi in history combinations for the body and sideblades can also be added to create a uniquely personal R8.

All new R8 drivers will also receive a complimentary Audi Driving Experience at Silverstone. This full day training session will help owners to develop an intimate understanding of the car’s dynamics in the relative safety of the world famous Stowe and Grand Prix circuits.

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Infiniti reveals QX30 concept Infiniti signalled further intentions to grow in the premium compact segment with the world premiere of the QX30 Concept at the Geneva International Motor Show.

The QX30 concept is Infiniti’s design vision for a new premium compact crossover, targeting at a new generation of individualistic premium customers.

Bringing together the sleek lines of the coupe with the command sitting and all-wheel drive of a crossover, the QX30 Concept promises to be just as capable navigating city streets as it is exploring weekend getaways.

“With the QX30 Concept, we’re

showcasing a distinctively contemporary alternative in the premium compact segment for those who want something more than the status quo,” said Roland Krueger, Infiniti President and CEO. An international team designed the QX30 Concept to appeal to the global customer.

Complementing the vehicle’s higher stance, the designers added visual cues which instantly identify the concept as a crossover such as 21-inch wheels, large tyres, lower bumper, sculpted skid plates, and very distinctive roof racks.

"We’ve used expected

materials in an unexpected way, and given functional elements an artistic twist,” said Albaisa. “It is the unconventional execution of a conventional element that makes the QX30 Concept a design leader.”

In addition, the Q60 Concept made its European debut at the show, hinting at Infiniti’s next sports coupe. The stunning twodoor concept is a unique combination of eye-catching contours, the promise of heartpumping dynamics, and highestquality finishes, giving premium customers a fresh and expressive design icon to which they can aspire.

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Motors

March 2015 - 3rd Edition

SUPERCAR: The new high-performance Porsche 911 GT3 RS accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in just 3.3 seconds

New Porsche 911 GT3 RS The definitive track car for the everyday car lover

Blurring, once again, the boundaries between road-going sports cars and race-track cars, comes a vehicle with the maximum degree of motorsport technology currently possible in a street-legal 911, yet retaining supreme suitability for everyday driving.

The new Porsche 911 GT3 RS has undergone extensive modifications to the drive system, aerodynamics and lightweight design enhance performance beyond that of even the 911 GT3.

Indeed, the RS has set a lap time around the 14 mile Nürburgring Nordschleife of 7 min 20 secs; an achievement which also trumps the historic record value of the Carrera GT super sports car of just under 7 min and 29 seconds. As a consequence, this clearly qualifies the 911 GT3 RS as the benchmark in its class – directly at its launch.

As befits the tradition at Porsche, motorsport expertise is the reason for this superior performance.

The 911 GT3 RS is powered by a 4.0-litre six-cylinder engine with 500 hp (368 kW) of power and 460 Newton metres of torque, combined with a specially developed PDK transmission. The engine, which has the largest displacement and most power of any naturally-aspirated power unit with direct fuel injection in the 911 family, accelerates the highperformance sports car from 0 to 62 mph in 3.3 seconds and on to 124 mph (200 km/h) in 10.9 seconds. Combined NEDC fuel consumption is 22.2 mpg.

Functions such as de-clutching by the ‘paddle neutral’ facility – which is comparable to depressing the clutch with a conventional manual gearbox – and speed limiting by the ‘Pit Speed’ centre console button have been customised for motorsport use. These features give drivers more freedom in terms of exploiting the driving dynamics, while also providing them

with more assistance when driving on a race circuit.

The 911 GT3 RS is also a masterpiece of intelligent lightweight design. For the first time, the roof panel is made of magnesium; carbon fibre is used for the engine and luggage compartment lids, and other lightweight components are made of alternative materials. This makes the RS model around 10 kg lighter than the 911 GT3. In addition, the lightweight roof lowers the sports car's centre of gravity which improves its excellent lateral dynamic reponses.

The distinctive, wide-arched bodyshell is derived from the 911 Turbo, and it signifies its status as a race trackoriented driving machine with a number of RS-specific aerodynamic add-on components. The front spoiler lip, which extends nearly to the road, and the large rear wing, reinforce its dominant look.

The front luggage compartment lid features a unique contoured surface structure, a strip-like 30 cm wide recess which runs upwards through the middle of the CFRP bonnet and the magnesium roof. This styling cue is reminiscent of the similar feature that was a tradition on the front lid of classic 911 models with air-cooled engines; today, it identifies the two largest lightweight components of the 911 GT3 RS. Another striking characteristic are the unique front wheel arch air vents that extend into the upper section of the wings – just like a pure-bred race car. Again, as is traditional at Porsche, form follows function and this feature increases downforce on the front axle.

The chassis of the 911 GT3 RS has been tuned for maximum driving dynamics and precision. Rear-axle steering and Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus with fully variable rear limited slip differential increase agility and dynamics, and the wider front and rear track widths enable even higher

roll stability than in the 911 GT3.

In addition, the 911 GT3 RS features the widest tyres of any 911 model as standard. The result: even more agile turn-in characteristics and even higher cornering speeds.

The interior design of the 911 GT3 RS with Alcantara elements is based on the current 911 GT3. Another key feature are the sports seats, which are now based on the carbonfibre ‘bucket’ seats of the 918 Spyder super sports car. Other standard features are the Club Sport Package with a bolted-in roll cage behind the front seats, preparation for a battery master switch, and a separately provided sixpoint safety harness for the driver and fire extinguisher with mounting bracket.

The optional Sport Chrono Package features – in addition to its integrated timers – the Porsche Track Precision app for a smartphone. The Track Precision app can be used to have lap times automatically measured via GPS, and to log data on a smartphone for many driving parameters such as vehicle speed, lateral acceleration as well as acceleration and deceleration in the driving direction. It manages this data and lets the driver share and compare it with other drivers.

Standard equipment includes biXenon headlights, sports exhaust, dynamic engine mounts, Alcantara interior trim, sports bucket seats, 20inch diameter front and 21-inch diameter rear centre-lock forged alloy wheels, Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV) with rear limited slip differential, CDR audio system with 7-inch colour touchscreen, universal audio interface offering MP3 connectivity, automatic climate control, Porsche Stability Management (PSM), Porsche Vehicle Tracking anti-theft system, three-year warranty and three-year roadside assistance package.

Customers will also be able to explore the potential of their new car by participating in a complimentary course at the Porsche Experience Centre, Silverstone.

£400,000 worth of classics sold

Brand new classic car auction house CCA sold an impressive £400,000 worth of classics, with a 65 per cent sales rate, at its launch sale at Silverstone race circuit.

With a fantastic range of cars displayed in the iconic F1 pit garages, the halls at the legendary venue were packed as Quentin Willson, renowned classic car expert, gave the buyers some insider tips on how to buy a classic car at auction.

Willson also hammered away the first ever lot, a 1951 Land Rover Series 1; for a winning bid of £5,035 including premium.

The highest selling car on the day was an incredibly rare Riviera Blue 2001 Porsche 911 (996) Turbo, which fetched a total of £30,740, more than £4,000 over its lower estimate.

Close behind was a rare and sought after 2001 Morgan Aero 8, selling for a premium inclusive £27,030. Wowing the crowds was a last of the line 2001 Rover Mini Cooper with just 182 miles on the clock. The last to be sold in Scotland, the time warp car sold for £16,854 including premium.

M powered BMWs were clearly in demand at the sale. A

low mileage, vibrant blue 1998 BMW E36 M3 EVO was purchased for a significant £13,250. Joining the M3 was a 1993 BMW M5 Nurburgring Edition, supplied with an extensive history file, which sold for £13,356; more than £2,000 over its lower estimate.

Other highlight cars sold included a 2000 Jaguar XKR Silverstone; one of just 50 ever made. The car had just 54,000 miles on its clock and sold for £20,140. A 1969 Jaguar 4.2 MK 2, with a striking blue exterior and luxurious red leather interior, also sold for a substantial sum of £19,504.

There were also some bargains and great value to be had at the auction. A 2003 Mercedes-Benz SLK 200 Kompressor with just 55,000 miles from new sold for £3,180 while a luxurious 1995 Mercedes-Benz S500 Coupe Auto sold for £2,650.

Speaking after the successful first sale, auction manager of CCA, Joe Watts, said: “It’s been a great first ever sale for us and it’s been fantastic to see so many enthusiasts and buyers come and visit us for what will hopefully be the first of many.”

RARE: The Riviera Blue 2001 Porsche 911 (996) Turbo fetched an impressive £30,740 at the auction

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Soccer League UK - Leeds Soccer League UK Leeds was officially launched in August 2014 with the ambition of bringing together West Yorkshire’s leading sixa-side teams to crown an overall champion.

With representatives travelling from across Leeds and Bradford to

take part in the weekly competition, the matches are held at Thomas Danby College every Monday and Thursday evening.

The brainchild of Mushad Ahmed, Soccer League UK Leeds is the first of many franchise opportunities which will hopefully set up across the

country, offering teams the chance to play against their region’s top sides, at the lowest prices around.

Keep up to date with all the latest match reports and league tables with the Asian Express newspaper who will be reviewing the best of the week’s actions every issue.

Upsets, penalties and cup football Cup holders out on day of few goals but plenty of action

Borussia Teeth 1-0 Hyde Park Last season’s league champions faced off against a depleted Borussia Teeth in the game of the week on Thursday with the latter edging the match by the single goal. occasions in which a strike was Lining up without key player, fired at goal, shot stopper Abdur Haseeb Ahmed and top scorer, Razzak Jackson pulled off some Hamza Ismail, it seemed the task fine saves. may be too great to overcome for Borussia advance into the Borussia as they were drawn quarter-finals of the tournament against a Hyde Park side who had started picking up results in recent weeks.

However, the Elite-6 Cup, in association with One Formation, proved to be like so many cup competitions before it, throwing up a surprise result in the first game of the night.

Shipon Ali registered the only goal of the game after a fantastic assist from Atif Din in just the second minute of the game.

Without their usual firepower up front, a rare defensive performance was on show from the victors who managed to keep a clean sheet against their misfiring opponents.

Despite dominating much of the game, and being presented with most chances, the defence stood TEAM OF THE WEEK: strong and on the Team Fateh

PLAYER OF THE WEEK With so many games yet so few goals this cup round, it seemed only right to award the performers of the week award to league organisers Mushad Ahmed and Jubed Ali. The pair staged a successful interleague tournament night for the first time as SLUK continues to grow locally.

whilst Hyde Park will have to focus on retaining their league title if they are to challenge for silverware this year.

MOTM - Abdur Razzak Jackson (Borussia Teeth)

Sport

... rest of the action

Team NewBees 1-0 Team Titans

Struggling Team NewBees ended their five-game scoreless streak with a 1-0 victory over the Monday evening league newcomer’s Team Titans.

Muhammed Barber grabbed the only goal of the game as league form was swept to oneside and the NewBees progressed into the next round.

The Titans did have a few chances of their own with towering forward, Hyder Ahmed, causing problems all night but unable to find the back of the net.

Man of the Match – Muhammed Barber (Team NewBees)

JackHammer 0-0 Beeston Tribe (Beeston win on pens)

JackHammer FC and Beeston Tribe played out another inter-league cup tie with the Monday night representatives squeezing through to the last eight with a penalty triumph.

With sudden death rules applying from the first penalty, following the goalless draw in normal time, Beeston got the only goal to record a 1-0 win.

Man of the Match – Shahban Ahmad (Beeston Tribe)

A6 Milan 1-0 Super Six

Naseem Hussain was on target for A6 Milan as they defeated a struggling Super Six side, 1-0.

A superb performance by the A6 boys from the offset resulted in a number of chances yet only one managed to find the back of the net.

Hammad Ali was denied a goal in the early exchanges after the whistle had been blown for a foul just moments before he thought he had scored, yet Hussain soon did manage that same feat with a fine finish.

Man of the Match – Hammad Ali (A6 Milan)

Warriors 1-0 Old Bacca Boys

Cup Holders Old Bacca Boys are out of this year’s competition after a brilliant individual goal from the Monday league outfit, Warriors.

It was the big man upfront for Warriors, ‘Bo’, who stole the show after brilliantly taking the ball down on his chest, with his back to goal just outside the D area, turned his marker with some neat footwork before slotting it home.

Man of the Match – Stanley Stano (Warriors)

Jubodhol 0-0 Tetley’s Tinos (Jubodhol win on pens)

Jubodhol are into the quarter-finals after knocking out Tetley’s Tinos on Penalties.

A very tight encounter, resulted in few chances for both sides and penalties were needed to separate them at the final whistle.

With Jubodhol scoring their first, the pressure was on the Tinos who subsequently missed their effort.

Man of the Match – Nurul Hussain (Jubodhol)

NFA 0-0 Team Fateh

The only game of the night which saw more than one spot kick scored in the shootout was the final encounter, as NFA defeated Team Fateh 4-3 on penalties.

After another goalless draw, NFA scraped through and kept their domestic double dreams alive.

Man of the Match – Haseen Bashir (NFA)

Quarter Final Draw: Warriors - NFA Borussia Teeth - Team NewBees Jubodhol - Beeston Tribe A6 Milan - Al Aqsa

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Sport

March 2015 - 3rd Edition

‘Sid’ is back Local boxer returns...again!

BOXING CLOWN PRINCE – ADRIAN “THE PROBLEM” BRONER

By Khalil Alam info@asianexpress.co.uk The talented, but probably the most publically hated person in boxing right now is the American professional boxer by the name of Adrian Broner (30-01, with 22 knockouts).

Broner as a boxer has achieved recognition for his immense talent and is a three time world champion, former WBC lightweight champion, WBO super featherweight champion and WBA welterweight champion of the world.

The 25 year old Cincinnati, Ohio resident has a tendency to be both outrageous and offensive both in and outside the ring.

On Friday night Broner fought the durable John Molina Jr in a lightweight boxing bout that resulted in a comfortable Broner win.

Broner won the bout via unanimous point’s decision and this has helped him continue rebuilding his reputation after suffering his first loss two years ago against Marcos Maidana.

However Broner’s antics in the boxing ring against his well respected opponent Molina Jr managed to upset the crowd as he made faces, talked and disrespected Molina throughout the match-up. Broner after the boxing victory during his post-fight interview made matters worse by making racially insensitive comments that had previously suspended him from boxing.

However despite Broner being advised to “tone it down” and start acting in a responsible way, Broner has responded with a not bothered attitude.

Khalil Alam

On Tuesday Broner posted the following on the social media via Instagram “No disrespect to Virgil hunter (Boxing Trainer) he is a great coach and I got endless love for him but me and Amir khan can fight at the end of this month I haven't taken any punishment I'm back in the gym and ready to make a fool out of anybody #AboutBillions #A BonNBC.” British boxing sensation Amir “King” Khan has responded to Broner’s trash talking and expressed his interest to fight him.

Khan writing on his Twitter page said "Would love to fight Adrien Broner next! #KhanvsBroner - let's make it happen."

The Broner vs Khan fight now looks very likely and could be on the undercard of the 300 million pound super-fight between Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao on May 2nd 2015. Khan has already missed out on the opportunity to fight boxing’s biggest stars Mayweather and Pacquiao who have decided to fight each other and further talks with British rival Kell Brook have also failed.

Last year Mayweather told Khan to face Broner on the undercard of his first fight against Maidana and said “I don't have an easy fight on May 3, 2014, so I can't overlook Maidana but Amir King Khan, if you and Adrien Broner end up fighting each other on my show and you win (which you won't) ... I'll fight you.”

It certainly seems that even though the Broner fight did not appeal to Khan a year ago it now makes perfect sense for Khan in terms of securing a fight with Mayweather or Pacquiao in the future (should he win) and generate huge public interest.

The clown prince Broner’s future as a boxer remains bright and he is no doubt one of the best boxers in the world, but he needs to learn how to manage his personality and by his recent antics and behaviour he seems to be his own worst enemy.

RETURN: Nadeem ‘Sid’ Siddique will be competing at Sheffield Motorpoint Arena on Saturday 28th March with boxing starting from 5pm

After a triumphant return to the ring in June last year, following four years on the sidelines, Nadeem Siddique must have thought his injuries worries were finally over.

However, just weeks after his long-awaited victory, the Bradford-born boxer was dealt the cruel blow of breaking his collarbone and once again found himself on the injury list.

Now, after 12 weeks of intense training with the likes of Kell Brook and Kid Galahad, ‘Sid’ as he is better known, is ready to return to the ring once again on

Saturday 28th March at Sheffield Motorpoint Arena.

Facing off against Sylwester Walczak, Siddique will bring his usual large following to the city of which he currently calls ‘home’ and hopes to make it back-toback wins for the first time since 2008.

“I was in a serious road accident a few years ago now and that took a long time to recover from,” he said.

“When I finally returned last year, I felt great and beat my opponent in the first round. Unfortunately I then snapped my collar bone after going to Mayweather’s gym

in Vegas and had to rest longer than I had wanted before this match.

“I am really looking forward to boxing in front of my home crowd and I am determined to reach the levels I know I am capable of, which is to win a World Championship.”

Sid will be competing in the welterweight category on the undercard of training partner Brook, who defends his IBF World Welterweight title against ‘JoJo Dan’.

Having been through two warm weather training camps with some of Yorkshire’s top boxers, Siddique adds that he

is now more prepared than ever for his latest comeback.

“Training has been easy for me because I am training with some great boxers who are European and World champions,” he added.

“When you are with these guys everyday you are always bettering yourself.

“I still don’t know too much about my opponent on the night but am very confident and determined to go out there and put on a show for my fans.”

Tickets are still available for the night with delivery service available by calling 07756 311 857.

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March 2015 - 3rd Edition

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Heartbreak for Bantams OUT: Jon Stead puts his head in his hands after Bradford City’s 3-0 defeat to Reading on Monday

By Ashley Grint ashley@asianexpress.co.uk

With just 90 minutes of football separating Bradford City from a dream place in the

FA Cup semi-finals. Monday night’s clash with Reading was always going to be a big one.

Unfortunately, for the hundreds of travelling Bantams fans, and the thousands watching across the country, the fairytale ending was not to be as the West Yorkshire outfit went down by three goals to nil.

Early strikes from Hal Robson-Kanu and Garath McCleary sent the Royals into a ten-minute two goal lead before Jamie Mackie rounded off the scoring moments after city were reduced to ten men.

Filipe Morais was dismissed for a high challenge on Chelsea loanee, Nathaniel Chalobah, who set up Mackie to all but finish off Phil Parkinson’s men.

Bradford were aiming to reach the final four of the competition for the first time in over one-hundred years yet were ultimately beaten by the better side on the night.

Speaking after the loss, Parkisnon said: “We have to be immensely proud of what we

have achieved in this competition.

“Obviously tonight (Monday) is tough to take, we wanted to progress and we had a great support cheering us on, but we have to quickly move on.

“Reflecting on what we have accomplished, we have so many great memories from this season's FA Cup. “We can take that with us for the rest of the season and beyond. We have eleven games to go in the league and we must look to that now.

“No-one in the league, apart from Sheffield United earlier in the season, has had to deal with the amount of high profile games we've had recently.

“The lads have done terrifically well with it all, however, and we're going to have a good go at things now we have a clear run in the league.”

Reading will now face-off against Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 18th April.

Fan arrested over racist incident

A man was arrested by police during Bradford City’s 3-0 defeat to Reading on Monday night for the alleged racial abuse of Royal’s player, Garath McCleary.

The winger complained to officials before half time at the Madejski stadium with the incident occurring as he was about to take a corner in front of the City fans.

A 36-year-old man from Bradford was arrested and has been bailed until 16th April pending further inquiries.

A statement on Bradford City’s website following the incident read: “The Club has been made aware that a supporter situated in the away end at the Madejski Stadium during Monday night's FA Cup quarter-final replay was arrested for alleged racial abuse towards Reading's Garath McCleary.

“Bradford City do not condone racism or any other form of discriminatory behaviour whatsoever.

“The Club will be making no further comment until gathering the full details from the Police.

“In addition, Bradford City remains in dialogue with Kick-it-Out and the Bradford Hate Crime Alliance who offers support to the Club on matters of this nature.”

City roar at possible name change

Tigers or ‘I leave’ Back page story continued Fans of the 111-year-old club said they were ‘disappointed’ to see the decision overruled.

In a statement provided by the supporters’ trust, they said: “The Trust is disappointed with this finding – the FA Council made a sound decision made in the interests of football in general, not just those of Hull City supporters.

“We are dismayed to see in black and white the contempt held towards Hull City supporters by vice-chairman Ehab Allam.

“Mr Allam was quoted stating he wanted the FA to make its decision without fans' views being taken into account, while the club took the position that its supporters were irrelevant.

“It is, to say the least, disappointing that Ehab Allam thinks so little of supporters – who are the life-blood of the football club.”

The initial FA decision to reject the name-change was dismissed after it was deemed too much of the decision had been centred on the desire of the fans.

A 30-page report was released

CHANGE: Hull City owner, Assem Allam, wants to rename the 111-year-old club to Hull Tigers and says he will sell the club if his proposals are rejected

SPECIAL REPAIR DEALS: * IPhone 4/4S screen fitted at £20.00 * IPhone 5 screen fitted at £40.00 * IPhone 5C/5S screen fitted at £50.00 All repairs carried out in store within minutes. by the FA Council to explain what actions needed to be taken to progress with future proposals.

As well as accepting the fans had too much say, the report also acknowledged that the club did not handle the matter well with the supporters.

“Ehab Allam confirmed the club had not handled liaising with supporters or the public relations well,” the report read.

Assem Allam previously stated last September that there would

be no further application to the FA if the Tigers application was rejected yet a club statement, issued on Monday, leaves the future unclear.

He has also said that the club would be up for sale if he was unsuccessful in the bid.

Season ticket holders say they now want to know whether they will be cheering on Hull Tigers or Hull City next campaign before they commit to another year at the KFC.

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Tigers or ‘I leave’ City roar at possible name change

SUPPORT: Fans have campaigned for the team to remain ‘City’ ever since initial proposals were discussed

By Ashley Grint ashley@asianexpress.co.uk

The Hull City Supporters’ Trust has called upon club owner Assem Allam to withdraw proposals to change the team’s name to Hull Tigers, following the latest court appearance.

Fans were previously celebrating after the FA said the name change would not go ahead, rejecting the Allam

family’s proposals and seemingly ending a longrunning saga.

However, after the case was taken to a court of arbitration last week, that decision was ‘put aside’, meaning the proposals now remain unanswered.

CHANGE: Hull City owner,

Continued on page 95

Assem Allam, wants to rename the 111-year-old club to Hull Tigers and says he will sell the club if his proposals are rejected

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