Asian Standard (Bradford) Issue 12 - 16 January 2022

FIND OUT WHO ARE OUR MOST INFLUENTIAL SOUTH ASIAN'S OF 2021

BY THE PUBLISHERS OF ASIAN SUNDAY

@ASIANSTANDARD / WWW.ASIANSTANDARD.CO.UK

BRADFORD / 10 - 16 JANUARY 2022 / FREE

BRADFORD’S MOST

INFLUENTIAL

2021 SOUTH ASIANS

OF

Read inside from page 6

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BRADFORD

E ditors N ot e

NEWS ROUNDUP PLAN FOR CAR DEALERSHIP ON BUSY BRADFORD ROAD IS APPROVED

BY CHRIS YOUNG

l e t a P a Fatim

January is always my favourite time of the year, as it's the time where most of us like to set the reset button and set goals that we hope to achieve during the course of the year.

I've set myself some goals, the first one being to spend more time in the real world, rather than the digital social world.

While social media has many advantages it can also have some disadvantages. Advantages being you can access news and information quickly on social media, but the disadvantage is the pressure of keeping up with posts,however most importantly it is making sure you don't succumb to the pressure and the need for likes and followers.

The point I am making is don't make social media your reality and start looking away from likes and followers.

Moving on to this week's issue, well it's always my most favourite as we reveal our most influential list of 2021. As nominated by our readers and compiled and put together by my amazing team of journalists and creative team.

This year we received more nominations than we have ever received since the lists were launched - so THANK YOU, especially for those who sent in nominations for me, you know I can't accept them. Nevertheless, I hope you enjoy reading our compilation and celebrate our great achievers and influencers of 2021.

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A long empty plot of land on one of Bradford’s busiest roads will become a car dealership after new plans were approved.

Last year a planning application to turn a strip of land on the junction of Thornton Road and Young Street into a car sales forecourt, complete with sales cabin and lighting poles, was submitted to Bradford Council by Arfan Janjua.

The land has been empty for many years, and an application to build shops and offices on the site was refused in early 2019 over concerns the development could harm the viability of existing shops in Girlington.

The site has seemingly been targeted by fly tippers recently, with a toilet dumped on the land.

The application has now been approved.

It will include space to store 48 cars, as well as four staff parking spaces and six customer

All-NewNissanAriya car parking spaces.

Planning officers said: “The site lies within the Thornton employment zone. Within employment zones, employment uses – of which car sales is a specifically mentioned example – are encouraged.”

One condition of the approval is that the site be fenced off, with the only vehicle access from Young Street. The applicants will also have to plant a number of trees on the site.

This article is by the Local Democracy Reporting Service

LINKEDIN ROLLING OUT INTERACTIVE AUDIO EVENTS THIS MONTH Professional networking platform LinkedIn is reportedly rolling out a new events platform, where it will be listing, hosting and marketing interactive, virtual live events.

According to TechCrunch, it is starting first with an audio-only product that it will be launching this month in beta, followed by a video version that it will launch in the spring, initially targeting creators that use LinkedIn as organisers and hosts. With virtual events finding a lot of traction in the last couple of years of pandemic life, the plan, for now, is for LinkedIn's new events product to be an all-virtual offering, and to open up the format to be shaped by those running the events themselves, the report said. "Our philosophy is to put the organizers in control," Jake Poses, product manager, was quoted as saying. "We want to make it easier to host virtual round tables, fireside chats, and more. Some may want the event to be more formal or less formal. Some might

want to communicate with their audience, to open up to the floor. We are giving professionals interactivity and support," Poses added. LinkedIn has over the last year been experimenting with other features that it might add to this events service, such as a paid, ticketed option that it started testing in September last year. Poses confirmed that interactive events are being launched as a free service, with no plans for ticketing at this point.

TURKEY AMBITIOUS OVER TECHNOLOGY BRAND TOGG – AIM TO PRODUCE 1 MILLION VEHICLES BY 2030

Turkey’s global technology brand focused on mobility, Togg, has made its public debut at CES 2022, the world's largest consumer electronics show. It held a press conference at the event to announce its vision to the world.

Togg aims to be Europe's first nonclassical born electric SUV manufacturer when it begins production in Gemlik in 2022. It develops electric and connected next-generation vehicles and a mobility ecosystem to support them. Within

the ecosystem it has created around smart and connected cars, the company develops new technologies, services, user experiences, and new business models.

Togg's vision car is that of a dynamic and innovative fastback. The smart device was unveiled to the world at CES 2022 – it was transported to the United States via a Turkish Cargo aircraft. The car is a dynamic and innovative fastback that introduces Togg's styling DNA. The basis of the car's styling concept is the muscular rear design and the shoulder line that extends from the headlights to the rear, presenting a strong side profile. The car's illuminated Togg logo represents the unification of Eastern and Western cultures.

Togg's goal is to reach one million production units by 2030 by developing five distinct electric and connected models on a common platform.

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BRADFORD

BID TO TACKLE CANNABIS FARM FLY TIPPING COULD BE UK FIRST

BY CHRIS YOUNG Bradford could become the first place in the UK to trial a new scheme to stop the remains of cannabis farms being dumped in streets.

While fly tipping has been a major problem in Bradford for years, more recently there has been an increasing number of incidents where fly tipped waste has been found to be the remains of a cannabis farm, including dead plants, compost and lighting equipment.

It leaves the taxpayer with a hefty bill to clean the waste if it is dumped on a public road or park, or the clean-up cost falls to landowners if dumped on private property.

In one incident drug paraphernalia was dumped on the banks of a stream that feeds into Bradford’s water supply, and another saw “unidentified gardening waste” tipped along the side of a picturesque country road.

A new report by Bradford Council suggests that many of these incidents of cannabis farm fly tipping may not necessarily be down to the criminals who grow the cannabis, but landlords who are left with the remains of the illegal grows in their properties after police raids.

Last Tuesday members of a Council committee will be given an update on the work being done to tackle fly tipping – including the new scheme to stop cannabis farm debris being dumped.

Once police have raided a cannabis farm and collected evidence from the scene, the remaining equipment and greenery will be doused in “smart water.”

If this waste is then dumped illegally, police and Council officers will be able to trace where it came from.

Landlords will be advised that unless they use proper means to dispose of the waste, they themselves could find themselves in legal trouble.

The report to the Regeneration and Environment Scrutiny Committee says that overall the Council collected 4,882 tonnes of fly tipped waste and litter in the 2021/21 financial year.

Referring to cannabis fly tipping, it adds: “Over recent months there have been a

number of fly tipping incidents that have involved cannabis farm waste.

“When fly tipped bags have been opened they have found to contain dead cannabis plants, lamps, wiring and tubs of fertiliser.

“Intelligence has indicated that some of this waste may originate from rented property after the police have attended a suspected cannabis farm.

“We are currently exploring a partnership approach with the Police to tackle this.

The Council has an information sharing agreement with the Police and in principle the Police have agreed to notify the Environmental Enforcement Team when they have attended a suspected cannabis farm.

“Once the Police have removed any evidence from the scene they will contact the landlord of the property and leave a leaflet designed and supplied by the Council.

“They will also spray any cannabis farm waste with smart water so that if the waste is fly tipped it can be traced back to the property.

“The leaflet advises that any waste left at the property is classed a commercial waste (as opposed to household waste) and as such the landlord will be required to produce waste transfer notes to prove that the waste was disposed of legally.

“The Environmental Enforcement Team will then serve a statutory notice (known as a producer) on the landlord requesting the landlord to provide evidence of waste transfer notes or receipts to prove how the waste was disposed of.

“This a new and innovative approach which we believe may not have been tried elsewhere in the country and clearly demonstrates the strength of the partnership between the Council and the Police to tackle environmental crime.”

The committee will also hear that the Council plans to launch a “caught on camera” website – which it will use to publish images of people caught fly tipping on CCTV, but who officers have been unable to identify.

This article is by the Local Democracy Reporting Service

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BRADFORD

SON WHO BRUTALLY BEAT HIS DAD TO DEATH SENTENCED TO LIFE SHAWNA HEALEY

A man from Bradford has been jailed for the murder of his father.

Phillip Badwal, 25, was sentenced on Thursday 6 January, to life with a minimum term of 20 years at Bradford Crown Court after he pleaded guilty to murdering Santokh ‘Charlie’ Singh at the house they shared in Airedale Road in Barkerend.

Mr Singh has been described as generous and sociable, raising money for charity and enjoying a drink in the pub after work.

Badwal was arrested on suspicion of murder after emergency services were called to the address on 30 November 2020 and found Mr Singh with serious injuries.

Mr Singh, who was 59, was pronounced dead at the scene.

After being charged with his father’s murder on 2 December 2020, Badwal appeared before magistrates on 3 December 2020, where he was remanded into

custody ahead of a trial.

This began at Bradford Crown Court earlier this week but was halted suddenly on the second day when Badwal changed his plea.

On Tuesday 4 January, the court heard that Mr Singh had been desperate to move out of the family home he shared with his wife and their youngest son Mr Badwal and on his birthday in November 2020 his older sons, from a previous relationship, had shown him around a new flat they had found for him.

But the next day Mr Badwal subjected his father to a prolonged beating during which he used a cricket bat to rain down blows on his head and body.

Richard Wright QC, the lead prosecutor, said Mr Singh had fractures to the skull, bruising to the brain as well as a broken leg and fractured ribs.

He also alleged Mr Badwal had also kicked and stamped on his father, even changing his footwear during the violence, and had

Happier days - Mr Santokh ‘Charlie’ Singh. Image Facebook

most likely used a metal dog bowl during the beating.

Mr Wright QC also said the defendant called drug dealer numbers instead of emergency services after the attack.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Superintendent Tony Nicholson, said: “Mr Badwal unleashed a serious and sustained assault on his father in the house that they shared, leaving him with injuries which were to sadly prove fatal.

“Rather than seek urgent medical attention for his seriously injured father, Badwal contacted drug dealers before finally ringing the emergency services, who, despite their best efforts, were unable to revive Mr Singh.

“Our thoughts remain with the family of Mr Singh at this very sad time, and I hope this outcome will bring them some comfort and closure.”

Mr Singh’s younger brother Vinnie Badwal posted a heartfelt statement on Facebook describing that it has been ‘the hardest thing he has ever had to endure in his entire life’ The post on Facebook reads: “Losing my big brother Santokh ‘Charlie’ Singh has been the hardest thing I’ve ever had to endure, in my entire life. Our father passed away just a few weeks prior,

Phillip Badwal was jailed for life with a 20-year minimum term.

Image West Yorkshire Police he was an elderly gentleman - in stark contrast, my brother was just 59. His only wish after his hardworking life was to be a ‘worry-free pensioner’, but he lived a troubled life.

“My brother left behind an empty space which both he and our late father once occupied, along with ‘dad’ he was the only adult male with whom I had any meaningful relationship - I will miss his blessings, I will miss his chits and chats; I will miss him when I just need some reassurance - his humour was infectious, a most jolly soul, as was his ‘knowledge’ of all things bright and beautiful (not to mention the rest).

“Charlie was a warm and gentle soul with a kind disposition and would help just about anyone. He leaves behind a loving family, two sons who loved him, Charles and Richard, grand-children, siblings

and dozens of nephews and nieces who will all miss him dearly. He didn’t deserve this; he was hardly 8 stone and wouldn’t hurt a fly. He was brutally killed in his own home, a place of absolute sanctuary, by a son he ‘loved’ in more ways that I can say, and despite the many challenges they faced as a toxic family, he stood firm and remained beside them until the very bitter end.

“This was a cruel, barbaric and mindless act ending the life of a much-loved son, father, brother, uncle and grandfather, an award winning apprentice trained engineer of 42 distinguished years who will sadly never be a pensioner!!

“Lost but never forgotten - may God rest his tournament soul, and may karma take a moment to mete out the appropriate punishment upon those who tortured and tormented his kind and gentle soul”

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BRADFORD’S MOST INFLUENTIAL SOUTH ASIANS OF 2021 Every year with the help of our readers, we are able to compile our annual list of key influencers and movers and shakers of Bradford District. This year we were particularly looking for influencers, who have used their position to help in dealing with the pandemic and helped improve society, business and our environment.

Earning money and achieving success is surely hard work, however being able to have influence is something that only a special few can command. These influencers can help make or break a decision, help set trends but also use their status for the good of their industry or community. So, we set out to find out, just who are the most influential within Bradford’s South Asian community.

This year we received an unprecedented number of nominations, and we would like to thank each and every one of you who took time out to nominate.

This made the task even more difficult of shaving down the list to the final 20 (10 men and 10 women). However, thanks to our panel made up of our editorial team and input from public figures this has finally been achieved.

It wasn’t easy trust us as there are so many who are inspiring and deserving of recognition, that it was a real challenge to get to our final 20 influencers. The list is in no particular order and brings forward men and women from all sectors of business, politics, sport, entertainment, and charity. With the ladies first here they are:

ADEEBA MALIK Adeeba Malik, CBE is the deputy chief executive of Bradford based QED Foundation, which works with ethnic minorities to eradicate poverty, disadvantage and discrimination.

She has extensive experience of working with public, private and third sector organisations on equality and diversity projects. She also has led projects in Pakistan in particular pre-departure programmes.

She is listed in many power lists which include the Top 100 Pakistani Power List as well as in the Top 50 Powerful Muslim Women. In 2004 she was awarded the MBE (Member of the British Empire) for her services to ethnic minorities and businesses. In 2015 she was awarded the CBE (Commander of the British Empire) for her services to interfaith and community cohesion.

As well as holding numerous ministerial and non-ministerial regional/national board level appointments in the UK over the last two decades, Adeeba has also advised on many Government, both local and national committees, with her most recent work being the Race Disparity Report.

Adeeba recently helped launch YAYA – Yorkshire Asian Youth Awards and joined in the 50 year celebrations of QED.

NAZ SHAH MP Naz Shah was elected at the 2015 general election as the MP for the constituency of Bradford West after her selection as the Labour Party candidate and gained the seat from George Galloway of the Respect Party with a majority of 11,420 votes.

Naz Shah has since been re-elected twice and is holds the position of Shadow Minister for Housing, Communities and Local Government.

She has also played a major part in helping amend legislation for Jewish and Muslim burials during the Covid pandemic.

Ms Shah has also achieved legal success in challenging and receiving an apology from Leave.EU over a social media post.

Further to these milestones, Ms Shah has been using her influence and experience to create a universally acceptable definition of Islamophobia.

SYIMA ASLAM MBE – BRADFORD LITERATURE FESTIVAL Syima Aslam MBE is the founder and director of Bradford Literature festival which she established in 2014. Now in its eighth year, the festival welcomes, pre-pandemic, over 70,000 visitors to the city.

Bradford Literature Festival, under Ms Aslam’s leadership, has changed the cultural landscape of Bradford and made a significant impact on the global literary landscape, bringing together literature from all genres and promoting intercultural fluency and platforming marginalised voices, embracing diversity, empathy, and artistic excellence.

Ms Aslam MBE uses her degree in economics and business finance from Brunel University and background in inward investment, automotive, data marketing and education sectors in the capital to create a real and lasting change in socio-economically deprived communities across Bradford.

In 2019, Ms Aslam MBE was appointed as a fellow of the Royal Society for Literature, she is a trustee and board member of the Piece Hall Trust and a council member for the Arts Council England. She is also a steering group member for Bradford 2025 City of Culture bid.

Most recently, she was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2022 New Year Honours for services to literature.

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SOFIA BUNCY DL, MBE Sofia is the pioneering co-founder and national coordinator of the multi-award-winning Muslim Women in Prison resettlement programme evidenced by three ground-breaking pieces of research which she has co-authored. The programme is the first of its kind in the UK and is based at the Khidmat Centres in Bradford. She combines her current professional role with her activism and passion for interfaith, youth and community development, charitable work, and social and civil cohesion. Sofia has won many awards and accolades for her work and is a DL for West Yorkshire.

In the past year Sofia has been instrumental in using her influence to raise the plight of Bradford youngsters, who struggled to be heard during the Covid pandemic. With Sofia’s direction not only have young people been able to get a voice and support in dealing with the pandemic, but the Young in Covid project has seen local, national and global recognition, including an award from ITV’s Good Morning Britain. In recognition of all her work for Muslim women in prison, Sofia was also recently a recipient of a MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list.

AISHA IQBAL KHAN Aisha Iqbal has close to two decades of journalism experience under her belt. Before switching to broadcast journalism with the BBC, Aisha was a print journalist for the Yorkshire Evening Post and Yorkshire Post, covering politics in Leeds for five years. The seasoned journalist then joined BBC Leeds radio, with her own radio show as a senior journalist. She also covered politics in Bradford, contributing to BBC’s Sunday politics programme. Aisha has been at the forefront of breaking political news stories, from the high profile Azeem Rafiq race row to tougher action on anti-social behaviour during bonfire night, to live reporting at local elections, she has built an extensive body of work Aisha is now on loan to BBC Look North and has been influential in producing top stories around Bradford district.

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SHANAZ GULZAR - BRADFORD 2025

SAEEDA AHMED

Established nationally as an artist, Keighley’s Shanaz Gulzar is the chair of Bradford 2025 City of Culture Bid. With a degree in Fine Arts from Leeds Metropolitan University, now known as Leeds Beckett, Ms Gulzar has had an extensive career spanning film, visual arts, theatre, public art, and media.

In 2004, Ms Gulzar co-founded Adept, which developed a conceptual and imaginative approach to art that is responsive to site, social, and historical context, from early gallery-based work to large scale public video projections, installations, and performative works.

Since 2018, Ms Gulzar has worked as a producer at Manchester International Festival and in 2019 starred in the BBC Four series Yorkshire Walks, where she walked in scenic areas with a 360-degree selfie-stick to record her surroundings, as well as presenting the documentary film ‘Hidden Histories: The Lost Portraits of Bradford’.

In 2020, Ms Gulzar was appointed Chair of Bradford 2025 City of Culture bid where she will play a very influential role in leading the Board and the organisation through the bidding process, developing strategic vision, mission, objectives, and values while being a key ambassador for the city, championing Bradford at cultural events, press briefings and business events across the country in the run up to the announcement of the winning city.

Described as a solutions-based entrepreneur, Saeeda Ahmed leads by innovation, creativity, and simplicity in the education sector, business, and the halal economy.

Ms Ahmed has over two decades worth of experience in solution-driven ventures, creating award-winning projects, businesses, and programmes to meet the needs of specific industries.

The Bradford entrepreneur was awarded a master’s in Community Enterprise from the University of Cambridge on women’s leadership in 2005. In 2001, Ms Ahmed left accountancy to establish Trescom, a company that worked with partners from different industries to bring about positive social change.

An accomplished keynote speaker, Ms Ahmed has delivered speeches to over forty international events and conferences, including at the United Nations in 2019 as an ambassador for inclusive and sustainable development.

The entrepreneur showcased her global influence when she spoke most recently at the World Halal Summit on how the halal economy must lead on social and environmental sustainability. She is the founder of the Global Islamic Trade Investment and Investment Forum.

Ms Ahmed is also the founding director of Education Partnerships UK, a British and international educator solution provider working with governments, corporate partners, and the NGO sector offering education technology and nursery to postgraduate accredited qualifications and labour market solutions.

The businesswoman is an ambassador for various Higher and Further education universities and colleges.

HUMMA NIZZAMI – REN A qualified youth and community development worker, Humma Nizzami has over fifteen years’ worth of experience in the voluntary and community sector, managing projects focused on mental health, employment, looked-after children, suicide prevention, refugee, settlement, and more.

Ms Nizzami has worked with numerous organisations including Womenzone Community Centre, Lancashire BME Network, The Children’s Society and Leeds City Council.

The community development worker currently works at Race Equality Network (REN) as the project manager and is a member and co-chair of the Bradford District VCS assembly steering group, Equalities Forum, and the co-chair of The Bradford & Craven Race Equality Mental Health Collaborative.

The project manager was instrumental in launching a Covid-19 hotline in the Bradford District in 2020, that aimed to reduce the impact of the coronavirus on Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic and Central and Eastern European communities.

Over the past year, as project manager at REN, she worked in collaboration with West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership on the Root Out Racism campaign that aims to eradicate racism within the region by making lasting change.

Humma has been instrumental in developing partnership work with several voluntary organisations across the district on the REN Covid Prevention Project and has become one of the main faces of REN

ASMA IQBAL – CHADWICK LAWRENCE LLP Asma is a partner at Chadwick Lawrence LLP, and was one of the driving forces behind Azeem Rafiq’s institutional racism complaint against Yorkshire County Cricket Club (“YCCC”).

Asma has become a driving force in the legal community in Yorkshire and beyond, carving out an insolvency specialism.

As a female, Asian lawyer and a mother of two children, Asma has overcome many hurdles to achieve the standing and influence she now has. Latterly, she has branched out even further in handling Azeem Rafiq’s case, raising awareness of institutional racism in large organisations and crucially challenging them to address the same, improve and change their behaviours.

Asma has been a partner at Chadwick Lawrence LLP since 2007 and is proud of her achievements, in particular, the watershed case of Azeem Rafiq, which was settled out of the Employment Tribunal and has set a precedent nationally that sportsmen and women can come forward about their experiences of racism, abuse and failings by organisations to allow their voices to be heard.

As well as her excelling legal career, Asma takes pride in supporting those less fortunate and is part of a number of voluntary organisations and charities which she carries out in her own time to give back to the community. The charities include Mosaic, One in a Million, Marcus Rashford and the COVID Response Team The Bradford lawyer also sits on several boards, including the Yorkshire Asian Business Association, Chair of R3 which was a group set up to represent and recognise female talent in insolvency, which ordinarily is considered to be a male dominated area, Bradford Chamber BAME Committee Member and is a Bond Holder board member in Wakefield.

RUKEYA MIAH With almost 25 years of experience and learning, Rukeya’s lifelong passion for nursing and midwifery has led to a varied career – and she’s determined to learn even more.

Rukeya qualified as a nurse in 1994, working in surgery and intensive care at Airedale General Hospital. In 2000, her longstanding passion for midwifery led to her beginning an 18-month BSc degree to achieve dual-registration as both a nurse and midwife.

Shortly after qualifying as a midwife, Rukeya joined the Trust.

She later decided to enhance her clinical and leadership skills by completing a master’s degree in advanced Practice, and a second in NHS Senior Leadership – as part of the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Programme.

Rukeya is a senior midwife/midwifery advocate, a lecturer and a matron in the Division of Medicine at the Trust, where she advocates the role of both nurses and midwives.

Covid has brought about many challenges for NHS workers, but despite the challenges Rukeya has really stepped up, by working with businesses such as MyLahore to help get the covid vaccine message out to the community. Using her influence Rukeya has come up with innovative ways to reach minority communities to encourage good health and well being practices during such unprecedented times.

Of course this list is not exhaustive, there are so many more influential women in this Unesco City of Film, with our Editor Fatima Patel being one of them (but being the Editor, she of course has decided to exempt herself from all such lists and accolades) Nevertheless, it’s important to highlight those on our long list of great achievements and influence and they are - Usha Parmar, Sabbiyah Pervez, Prity Farooq, Ruby Bhatti OBE, Noreen Khan of NEESIE, and Fiz Ahmed, retired police officer and a regular on Channel Four’s Steph’s Packed Lunch.

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BRADFORD’S MOST INFLUENTIAL SOUTH ASIAN MEN 2021 LORD KAMLESH PATEL Born in Kenya but raised in Bradford, a social worker by background, Lord Patel initially worked in inner city Bradford establishing a number of Third Sector agencies working with those misusing drugs and those with mental health problems; later moving into academia working with a number of universities.

He entered the House of Lords in 2006 as an independent peer and was later appointed Minister in the Government Whip’s Office in the House of Lords. Lord Patel has held a number of high-profile public appointments on national boards and committees, including the Home Office’s Advisory Council for the Misuse of Drugs, the Care Quality Commission, Chairman of the Mental Health Act Commission and Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and ECB board member for five years.

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DR SOHAIL AHMED Dr Ahmed has several roles through which he is making a significant impact in the community.

AS a GP he has worked to improve access and services for General Practice launching a campaign #GP4better and is vice-chair of the community action group Bradford 4 Better.

Despite already having his hands full, Dr Ahmed, has gone on to establish and lead on the campaign #Bradfordlifesavers, a world first in scope and vision to deliver free basic life support training to the entire district – revolutionary.

He has already trained hundreds within three months of launching the project and there are over 10,000 planned for 2022. This project will impact the health and well-being of Bradford’s community for an entire generation to come which aims to help save lives.

NAVEED KHAN Naveed founded Enkahnz, a car vehicle body repair and car customisation business in 2003, and through creativity, grit and dedication has taken his brand into global destinations, with clients in places such as Dubai, Germany, LA, and Hong Kong.

If not travelling the world, customising extraordinary car designs for his A-list clients, Naveed can be seen raking up thousands of hits on his YouTube channel.

However, the hardworking businessman strongly believes in giving back, while we thought his rapid support during the pandemic in 2020 wasn’t enough, Naveed and his team took community spirit in 2021 to another level with kitting out a library bus, so that children could benefit from literacy. He really has a heart of gold.

IMRAN HUSSAIN MP Imran Hussain is the Labour MP for Bradford East, who is very proactive and is always on call for his constituents. While qualifying as a barrister he began his career in politics in 2002, when he was elected as a Labour councillor for the Toller ward. In 2008, he was elected as Deputy Leader of the Council's Labour Group.

In 2010, when Labour took control of the council, he became Deputy Leader of Bradford Council and remained in that position for five years until the 2015 general election when he was elected to the House of Commons as the Member of Parliament for Bradford East.

Mr Hussain remains hugely influential for Bradford, as he continues to challenge the issue of equality and representation. In the past year, Mr Hussain, has continued to raise the issue of health inequalities and injustices in Kashmir and Palestine in parliament. More significantly he has been instrumental in supporting local businesses and residents with the Covid crisis and getting support wherever needed.

ISHFAQ FAROOQ Ishfaq Farooq is one of the Directors of the award winning My Lahore chain of restaurants.

Ishfaq helps manage five restaurants in Bradford, Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, and London. Along with revolutionising British Asian cuisine and growing the successful My Lahore brand, with his team and partners, Ishfaq has used his influence to help serve the community during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Where others struggled with logistics in getting food to the most vulnerable in our communities, Ishfaq was able to deploy his team to implement a slick logistics operation which has been hugely applauded.

If that isn’t enough the food entrepreneur has gone one step further and opened up his flagship restaurant to help encourage people to take up the vaccine as well as help dispel myths about the Covid vaccination. Definitely one of the most influential menus we have seen.

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HUMAYUN ISLAM BEM Humayun is a respected and proactive member of Bradford’s Bangladeshi community.

The proud Bradfordian started his career in mental health services and then moved into working with ex-offenders. He has always been passionate about giving back to the community and therefore it was no wonder he progressed onto becoming the Chief Executive of BEAP, a local community group, established to focus on meeting the needs of the local community in Manningham.

Humayun has also help establish award winning sporting clubs such as Shapla FC and who can forget the very famous Bangla Bantams.

The successful community leader has also encouraged women to get involved football, by using his influence to invite more than 30 women from the Inspirational Women Foundation to watch a live football game at Bradford City Football stadium.

Along with his many other duties, there is no stopping Humayun as he also used his networks and influence to launch a one-of-a-kind organisation to support men dealing with domestic abuse called Men Reaching Out.

YOUNIS CHOUDHRY An entrepreneur who first launched in the cakes and sweets sector of the food industry, Younis Choudhry has conquered the shopping isles with his company, Regal Foods.

Mr Choudhry began his career working in a small bakery at the age of 16 and worked his way up to become sales director in 2005.

In management restructure in 2009, Younis Choudhry and his family took full control of the company that now oversees seventeen brands of sweet treats, drinks, frozen food, cupboard food, snacks, and recipe kits.

As the owner of regal foods, Mr Choudhry is responsible for overseeing six operating sites and distributing over 400 products to 3000 retail sites in the UK and abroad, exporting to 40 countries around the world.

With several accolades under his belt, Mr Choudhry also does more than his fair share of charity and community outreach, working with MIND in Bradford and entering a partnership with Bradford City to increase engagement and provide opportunities for people in Bradford. The firm has recently acquired Just Desserts and is celebrating its 20th anniversary in business.

CLLR IMRAN KHAN Councillor Imran Khan is the Deputy Leader of city of Bradford Metropolitan Council and the portfolio holder for Education, Employment and Skills. Cllr Khan first became a Labour councillor in 1998 where he won the University Ward with almost half of the votes. Cllr Khan has held his seat in Bowling and Barkerend since 2011 and was announced as the Council’s deputy leader in 2017, a post he has held ever since.

In November 2021, Cllr Khan was announced as the new president of Bradford Council for Mosques, put forward to the role by his own mosque, Nusrat Ul Islam or Preston Street Mosque, in BD7.

Serving for the next two years, Cllr Khan will lead the coordination of over 300 mosques in Bradford and the Muslim bereavement and burial services in the region.

As the spearhead of the Council for Mosques, Cllr Khan takes ultimate responsibility in the decision making and oversight of the organisation.

During in his time in leadership, the Cllr hopes to consolidate the organisation, building more trust and confidence in the communities they serve. Cllr Khan plans on making the structure of the organisation to be more inclusive of women and girls in key decision-making processes going forward.

MANOJ JOSHI DL A retired pharmacist of Ugandan and Indian origin from Bradford who came to Britain in 1973 as a refugee during the Idi Amin crisis, Dr Manoj Joshi DL is the former district governor of Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire for Rotary International.

Dr Manoj Joshi DL has worked tirelessly to alleviate inequality and the disenfranchisement of Black, Asian, and ethnic minorities in health, social care services, education, and the overall cohesion and participation of all communities.

In 2019, Dr Joshi DL was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Bradford and is currently a deputy lieutenant of West Yorkshire assisting the Lord-Lieutenant in carrying out his role as the Queen’s representative.

As one of the most influential Rotarians in England, Dr Joshi DL coloured his beard purple and shaved off his moustache, which he had for 52 years, in 2020, in a bid to raise thousands of pounds for End Polio, a charity that aims to raise awareness and eradicate Polio in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

SHADIM HUSSAIN Shadim Hussain is the CEO and founder of My Foster Family and is also a member of the government’s steering group on adoption. With a degree in business management, marketing, and related support services, Mr Hussain has applied his knowledge to the adoption agency sector.

My Foster Family is a bespoke recruitment and training specialist that caters for a diverse range of families across the UK looking to begin their journey in fostering.

Mr Hussain was instrumental in the pioneering ‘The Muslim Fostering Report’ of 2019 that explored the experiences of Muslim children in foster care across England and that of Muslim foster carers.

Mr Hussain is passionate about family, faith, adoption, inequality, and refugees. He speaks often at events discussing racism and spends his time generating funds and donations for incoming refugee families across West Yorkshire.

Mr Hussain also sits on the board of Bradford Foundation Trust and is a trustee of Children England, a non-profit that works for the betterment of children and the Racial Equality Network.

His significant work in 2021 has been in working with refugees coming into the UK and not only providing for a new home but helping them build friendships and a support network.

That’s out top 10, but we can’t help mentioning the following who made it into our long list and deserve acknowledging for their incredible contributions and work across the district.

Dr Amjad Pervez, Afzal Khan of Kahn Design, Shabir Hussain of Akbars and also Durrani’s, Imran Hafeez of The National Literacy Trust, Imran Khan of IK Collections, Raj Parmar of Sunrise Radio, Faisal Khan of Natwest bank, Dr Amir Khan, Ashraf Miah and boxer Tasif Khan.

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BUSINESS OWNERS IN MANNINGHAM SAY THEY MAY BE FORCED TO SELL UP DUE TO THE CLEAN AIR ZONE SCHEME AND THE PANDEMIC

ONE BUSINESS OWNER MIGHT SELL UP SHOP BECAUSE OF THE IMPACTS OF THE PANDEMIC AND THE IMPENDING CLEAN AIR ZONE SCHEME.

The CAZ comes at a bad time, with many businesses, particularly in Manningham, suffering a loss of income, and for some, barely staying afloat, because of loss of trade due to Covid-19 restrictions.

One business affected on Manningham Lane is Al Freshco, a takeaway restaurant that serves pizzas, burgers, and desserts. The

BY: SHAWNA HEALEY Bradford’s Clean Air Zone was set to launch this week but has been delayed until a yet-determined date in the spring.

The Clean Air Zone (CAZ) will cover Bradford city centre and the Bradford outer ring road.

It will also extend out along the Aire valley corridor, across Manningham Lane, Bradford Road and Canal Road area, including Shipley and Saltaire.

The CAZ will not impact passenger vehicles, meaning families and individuals with a car will not have to pay a charge, even if they use their car for work, unlike London’s £15-a-day congestion charge for anyone driving in the city centre.

Instead, it is a daily charge for commercial vehicles, including buses, coaches, lorries, vans, and taxis, who do not comply with the new regulations.

Taxis will have to pay £7 a day, if they are not compliant, whereas HGVs will have to pay £50 a day to drive in the zone.

Most vehicles will have to comply with Euro 6 emissions for diesel, and Euro 4 emissions for petrol, or switch over to an electric car to avoid paying the daily surcharge.

Vans, minibuses, and large good vehicles (LGVs) will have to pay a charge of £9 a day if not compliant.

The Council has offered grants of up to £4,500 for taxi drivers and businesses with vans, LGVs and HGVs to refit their current vehicles, or upgrade to Euro 6 emissions or electric vehicles, but the amount doesn’t cover the full cost of

The Clean Air Zone will impact Bradford centre, through Manningham Lane, up to Shipley and Saltaire. Image: Google Maps.

purchasing a new vehicle that is up to standard.

Asian Standard has found out that businesses in Manningham, and businesses that serve Manningham, feel they have not been informed adequately about the imminent changes.

Asian Standard has also found out that business owners are concerned about the increase in their outgoing and how they are going to cope with purchasing new vehicles or paying the daily charge, especially after a slow two years in trade due to the pandemic.

Bradford Council states that they have “regularly promoted the CAZ for the past two years”, however, one business owner we spoke to, only found about the plans before Christmas from a taxi driver, a few weeks before the scheme was initially planned to start.

Taxi drivers in Bradford will have to either upgr charge.

@ASIANSTANDARD WWW.ASIANSTANDARD.CO.UK

Al Freshco will have to put its prices up because of the CAZ. Image: Google Street View. managers only found out recently about the upcoming changes.

A popular takeaway, Al Freshco will have to pay out of pocket for the vans that deliver the ingredients to the shop.

Hamza Habib, manager at Al Freshco, said: “Our outgoings are going to increase by 25% to 30% which means prices are going to have to increase.

“It is not fair. They are giving four grand to businesses, but what if you don’t have the rest of the money to spend on getting a new van?

“We don’t know what we are going to do, to be honest. I’m not sure if we will be able to cover the cost of the charge and finding delivery drivers in the area will be difficult.”

Jay Khan, the owner of SFC Bradford on Manningham Lane, has worked at the takeaway restaurant for over thirty years. The 56-year-old works at the fast-food joint fifteen hours a day but is considering selling the business because of the impacts of the pandemic and the CAZ. Mr Khan put his prices up in 2020

rade or purchase a new vehicle or pay a £9-a-day

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before the pandemic to account for rising food prices and utility costs.

However, when the CAZ is introduced, he may have to put his prices up again, to account for the daily charge or the price of the new van, or face going out of business.

Mr Khan found out about the CAZ through an alert he was previously signed up to from the Council

The food store uses refrigerated vans to transport goods to the shop in Manningham.

Refrigerated vans are typically more expensive than regular vans but even used fully electric vans can be anywhere between £10,000 and £35,000.

The manager said: “I don’t think the CAZ is a good idea. How does the Council expect us to get a Euro 6 van?

I don’t know what I’m going to do, I’m scared to say anything, I only heard about this before Christmas.

“When I heard about it, I thought the taxi driver was pulling my leg because of the daily charge in London but I didn’t know it was going to happen in Bradford.

“I have no choice but to sell my old van and buy a new one, which I don’t want to do because work has been quiet, and I can’t afford it.

“I didn’t know about the grants or how to access them, the Council never sent a letter or reached out to me, so I haven’t been able to apply for one.”

He added: “It is not fair on business

SFC Bradford. Image: Google Street View.

website, however, the Council had not attempted to reach out personally. He believes a letter, or a representative from the council bobbing in to explain the CAZ, would have been the appropriate thing to do.

Making a loss for six months during the pandemic, Mr Khan suffered more financial trouble when he sold his newest van a loss because of the CAZ rules.

Mr Khan said: “All I know is that I’m going to have to change vans. I’ve had my van fifteen years, I hardly ever drive it, just twice a week to pick up ingredients from the shop.

“I bought a new van a few months ago, and I didn’t know about the zone at the time, so I ended up selling it and making a big loss on the thing.”

He added: “I understand that the CAZ is going to reduce pollution, but I don’t understand the scheme. I think in the first months I am going to end up leasing a vehicle. I can’t find the right van for the business, and when I do, they are around £60,000.”

The owner of Solly Food Store on Leamington Street, Manningham, a 46-year-old man who wishes to remain anonymous, said that he was only informed about the changes before Christmas, by a taxi driver.

owners, I’m not going to be able to put the charge on to my customers, or the takeaways and caterers that I supply.

If I said, ‘I need to put my prices up’ they would go elsewhere.”

A Bradford Council spokesperson said: “We have been regularly promoting the Clean Air Zone

(CAZ) for the last two years. This has included local media, trade media, radio advertising, billboards, digital display boards throughout the district and through TV coverage.

“The introduction of the CAZ has been moved back from this month to Spring 2022. This will

website.”

The council say they have used local media to promote the CAZ scheme, but here at Asian Standard, we haven’t been approached for any communications or promotions.

As a business, we will also be impacted by the new CAZ scheme as

Solly Food Store on Leamington Street, Manningham.

allow businesses more time to use the Clean Air Funding available and upgrade their vehicles.

“This includes a new £1.7m fund to increase the electric vehicle grants available for taxis. The £10.4m Clean Air Van & Minibus Fund is also currently live on the Breathe Better Bradford website, providing grants of up to £4,500 to upgrade vehicles in the District to the correct standard.

“So far, we have extensively advertised grant funding for taxis, HGVs, coaches, school bus companies, light goods vehicles, minibuses. This has received an enthusiastic response and positive feedback from the companies that have been successful in bidding for the funding.

“We will also shortly be launching a Bradford Clean Air Exemptions Programme. Anyone interested in this programme can register their interest on the Breathe Better Bradford website, then we will get in touch with them on when and how to apply.

“All information regarding the Bradford CAZ, including information about grants and exemptions, can be found on the Breathe Better Bradford

we are based in Little Germany, but we have had no correspondence from the council.

Our Editor and Managing Director Fatima Patel said: “Breathing in fresh air can help to reduce airborne illness and infection and so the introduction of Clean Air Zone, in my opinion, is a great idea. However, the implementation of it and the support to help local businesses plan for it, especially when we have been impacted by the pandemic has been poor.

“As a business owner and the owner of a local media platform we have had no communication or support from the council about CAZ. “The introduction of CAZ is naturally going to impact our business, but the impact could be reduced if the council provided better support and much better communication which can us ahead and prepare our forecasts accordingly. We are behind the CAZ scheme, but not happy with how it’s being implemented.”

Will your business be impacted by the Clean Air Zone? Get in touch newsdesk@asianstandard.co.uk

Bradford Council says they have been regularly promoting the CAZ for the last two years.

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OPINION

Legal Matters with Luke Patel Luke Patel is a Partner at Leeds law firm Blacks Solicitors LLP specialising in commercial dispute resolution and heads up that team.

Luke was the winner of the Best Professional in Business award at the Asian English Business Awards 2013. Described in the Legal 500 as “exceptional” he primarily acts for individuals, owner managed businesses and SME’s in a wide range of sectors.

SCOPE OF DUTY OF PROFESSIONAL ADVISERS

This judgment makes it easier for Claimants who have suffered a loss as a result of negligent advice to pursue claims against their professional advisers as it provides a more generous and expansive test for the scope of duty of the adviser. Professionals should consider checking their retainers to consider what risks they are being retained to advise on and, more crucially, how they can guard against those risks. Such an approach will help to mitigate against an assumption of any responsibility that may not be obvious from the scope of the retainer.

In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court has ruled in favour of Manchester Building Society in its long running dispute with its former auditor, Grant Thornton.

Grant Thornton were the Society’s auditors from 1997 to 2012. Between 2004 to 2010 the Society purchased and issued lifetime mortgages. These were mortgage loans designed to release the equity in the borrower’s home.

Interest on the loan was charged at a fixed rate but neither the interest nor the capital was repayable until the borrower died, left the property or chose to repay the loan. The mortgage loans were funded by the Society borrowing at variable interest rates. In order to protect itself against the risk of the costs of borrowing exceeding the fixed rate of interest received from the mortgage loans, the Society entered into interest rate swap contracts. However, the value of the swaps fluctuated according to interest rates and their value had to be reported in the Society’s accounts which would have produced unacceptable levels of volatility in those accounts.

To mitigate this, the Society adopted “hedge accounting”.

This concealed the swings in the Society’s capital position, but it resulted in a severe disparity between the negative value of the swaps (as a consequence of the

financial crisis in 2008) and the value of the mortgages which they were meant to hedge.

Prior to purchasing the mortgages and the swaps and before adopting hedge accounting the Society had sought advice from Grant Thornton who advised the Society that its combination of swaps and mortgages passed the stringent tests applicable to the use of hedge accounting.

However, in 2013 Grant Thornton informed the Society that it was not after all permitted to apply hedge accounting in preparing financial statements. This resulted in the Society having insufficient capital to comply with the Bank of England rules. To rectify the situation, the Society had to close out the interest rate swap contracts early at a cost to it of over £32m. The Society sought to recover these

costs from Grant Thornton.

Grant Thornton admitted that it had been negligent but defended liability on the basis that the swap rate cost did not fall within its scope of duty when it gave the advice and undertook the audits.

The High Court and the Court of Appeal agreed with Grant Thornton, but the Supreme Court has now overturned those rulings.

The Supreme Court found that the loss suffered by the Society was a loss which fell within the scope of the duty of care assumed by Grant Thornton, taking into account the purpose for which they gave the advice regarding hedge accounting.

It found that the scope of duty of care assumed by a professional adviser is governed by the purpose of the duty, judged on an objective basis by reference to the reason why the advice was being given.

Therefore, in the case of negligent advice, the Court should consider what risk the duty was supposed to guard against and whether the loss suffered represented the fruition of that risk.

The Supreme Court awarded the

Society damages totalling £13.4m, the amount being reduced by 50% for contributory negligence as the Court found that the Society was partly to blame for the situation it had found itself in.

This judgment makes it easier for Claimants who have suffered a loss as a result of negligent advice to pursue claims against their professional advisers as it provides a more generous and expansive test for the scope of duty of the adviser. Professionals should consider checking their retainers to consider what risks they are being retained to advise on and, more crucially, how they can guard against those risks.

Such an approach will help to mitigate against an assumption of any responsibility that may not be obvious from the scope of the retainer.

If you are involved in any professional of negligence claim, then Blacks Solicitors have specialist lawyers who can assist.

Please contact Luke Patel on 0113 227 9316 or by email at “LPatel@

LawBlacks.com”.

10 - 16 JANUARY 2022

VAANI KAPOOR: NEVER CHOSEN FILMS THINKING I'LL WIN AWARDS FOR THEM TAAPSEE PANNU, TAHIR RAJ BHASIN'S 'LOOOP LAPETA' TO RELEASE ON NETFLIX ON FEBRUARY 4 TIGER SHROFF KICKSTARTS FINAL SCHEDULE OF 'HEROPANTI 2'

BONDING WITH THE SHIKHARWATI’S

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FILM FASHION BEAUTY

VAANI KAPOOR: NEVER CHOSEN FILMS THINKING I'LL WIN AWARDS FOR THEM

VICKY KAUSHAL REQUESTS AANAND L. RAI TO CAST HIM IN DIRECTOR'S NEXT FILM Bollywood actor Vicky Kaushal, whose wedding with Katrina Kaif was the centre of attention recently, has made a public appeal to Aanand L. Rai for casting him in the director's next venture.

Vicky took to his Instagram story and posted the poster of Rai's recent directorial, 'Atrangi Re' starring Sara Ali Khan, Dhanush and Akshay Kumar. Mightily impressed with the film, the 'Masaan' actor wrote on the picture, "Kitni pyaari Film hai... mazaa aa gaya! @saraalikhan95 such a difficult role to play

and how wonderfully you have surrendered yourself to it."

He added, "@dhanushkraja absolutely genius. @akshaykumar Garda uda diye! @ aanandlrai Cast me in your next Film Sir, please!" 'Atrangi Re' took the direct-to-digital route as it released to a positive response on Disney+ Hotstar.

As for Vicky, the actor will have three releases this year including 'Govinda Naam Mera', 'The Great Indian Family' and 'Mimi' director Laxman Utekar's next untitled film.

Actress Vaani Kapoor, who will be next seen in 'Shamshera', says she never chooses films thinking that she would win awards for them, but picks them from her heart.

Vaani says "I have never chosen films thinking I will win awards for them. I have always chosen projects from my heart and that's why I'm fortunate that I have films like 'Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui' in my filmography.

"It is rare to find a project that can consume you, make you dissolve yourself on screen to become someone like Maanvi. Maanvi is an idea and an ideal for the world and I'm blessed that I got to play this character with all my heart and soul." She said that if people have loved my performance, it's because the character was written so "beautif ully and with so much dignity."

The actress added "If I were to win awards, I would dedicate them to the transgender community in India because we wanted to speak about inclusivi ty. If the film wins or my performance wins, it will show people that mainstream media is embracing this thought of much-needed change.

"Mainstream media has the power to change societies, make it evolve, and become better. But again, we didn't make the film keeping awards in mind.

It was made from the purest place in Abhishek Kapoor's heart. He wanted us to open our minds." She added "We made the film to seed a thought about changing oneself, one's beliefs and ideas about how society is and how society should be for the future generat ions."

TIGER SHROFF KICKSTARTS DEV PATEL JOINS BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH IN WES FINAL SCHEDULE OF ANDERSON'S NEW FILM 'HEROPANTI 2' Action star Tiger Shroff recently updated his fans through his social media that he has started the last leg of "Heropanti 2' schedule.

Tiger took to his Instagram story to share the poster of the film as he wrote on the picture, "Time to suit up again for one last sched #heropanti2 #eid2022." The poster features Tiger in a John Wick - esque avatar as he aims guns from atop a sports car.

'Heropanti 2' is the sequel of Tiger's debut film where he was seen opposite another debutante back then, Kriti Sanon. Both the actors have since grown strength to strength and have even reunited for their upcoming film, 'Ganapath'.

As for 'Heropanti 2', the film written

by Rajat Arora and produced by Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment is being helmed by choreographer actor Ahmed Khan and it also stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Tara Sutaria.

Dev Patel will be seen sharing screen space with star Benedict Cumberbatch in Wes Anderson's newest feature, an adaptation of Roald Dahl's short story collection 'The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More'.

As per Variety, the project will go on the floors in the UK this month. Ralph Fiennes, and Ben Kingsley will also feature in the film. The new

movie marks Anderson's second outing with Dahl's classic works after the filmmaker crafted 'The Fantastic Mr. Fox' into a stop-motion film in 2009 and co-wrote the screenplay with Noah Baumbach. The title story of the upcoming film centres on Henry Sugar, a man who steals a book that shows him how-to see-through objects and predict the future.

FILM FASHION BEAUTY

TAAPSEE PANNU, TAHIR RAJ BHASIN'S 'LOOOP LAPETA' TO RELEASE ON NETFLIX ON FEBRUARY 4 February 2022 will surely start on a great note for actor Taapsee Pannu's fans as her film 'Looop Lapeta' is scheduled to hit Netflix next month.

Taapsee took to Instagram and informed fans that 'Looop Lapeta', which also features Tahir Raj Bhasin, will release on February 4.

"Hey jholer @tahirrajbhasin to yeh shortcuts ke lapete mein phasna kab band karega ! Can Savi save him this time? You will know soon.

Get ready for Looop Lapeta, A Sony Pictures Films India Feature, and Ellipsis Entertainment Production, directed by Aakash Bhatia, coming on 4th Feb, only on Netflix," she wrote.

Helmed by Aakash Bhatia, 'Looop Lapeta' is touted as an adventurous ride through a sticky situation where a girlfriend Savi (played by Taapsee) is on a mission to rescue her boyfriend (Tahir). "I am excited to be a part of this next project with Netflix, especially with the film being such a versatile genre. This compelling story was extremely enjoyable to make along with my director, Aakash and co-star, Tahir. I cannot wait for fans and audiences to watch this edge-of-the-seat film and enjoy it as much as we loved making it," Taapsee said.

Tahir also opened up about his character. "I am so excited about the release of Looop Lapeta. The film is a clutter breaking take on

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BOMAN IRANI HEAPS PRAISE ON 'RUNWAY 34' TEAM Actor Boman Irani has recently wrapped up shooting for 'Runway 34', which also stars Amitabh Bachchan, Ajay Devgn and Rakul Preet Singh.

Boman took to Instagram and praised the whole team for their commendable work. "A few days ago we wrapped on @ajaydevgn 's #runway34. This was on the first day of the shoot. Every frame Ajay set up displayed his wonderful craft and love for cinema. Was a treat to watch @amitabhbachchan striding the stage, displaying his rigourou s and painstaking approach to every minute move," he wrote.

Boman feels grateful that they all are a part of the gift of cinema.

"First time with the wonderful @rakulpreet and I would be remiss if I did not mention the wonderful work of the fabulous #aseembajaj on camera. Bless you all. So grateful we are part of the gift of cinema, " he shared, adding a picture of him from the sets. 'Runway 34' marks Ajay's return to the director's chair after 'Shivaay' in 2016. The film is schedul ed to release in April this year.

new age romance, and a genre I am exploring for the first time. I can't wait for the world to meet the characters Satya and Savi.

Our director Aakash Bhatia has a unique style stamp that has created a visually stunning world

where thrill and comedy combine for one crazy rollercoaster of an entertainer," he shared.

'Looop Lapeta' is produced by Sony Pictures Films India, Ellipsis Entertainment along with Aayush Maheshwari.

CHRIS PRATT 'CANNOT WAIT TO SHARE SCREEN' WITH DEWANDA WISE IN 'JURASSIC WORLD: DOMINION' Makers of the much-anticipated scifi-action film 'Jurassic World: Dominion' have released new footage from the movie giving fans a first look at a brandnew character played by DeWanda Wise alongside fan favourite Owen Grady played

by Chris Pratt.

The new footage from the third instalment of the 'Jurassic World' franchise is set to unleash beasts of the past from outside of the park and onto modern civilization. The preview features Chris Pratt as Owen Grady alongside 'The Harder They Fall' actor DeWanda Wise, whose role has not been disclosed yet.

The image sees both the actors in a snowy landscape facing an obstacle. Sharing the picture on his Instagram handle, Chris wrote, "Cannot wait to share the silver screen with the great and powerful @ dewandawise as she makes an entrance you will never forget. Blessed. Humbled.

Grateful." Seems like Chris and Wise will form a partnership as they attempt to rescue and fight the dinosaurs unleashed

on earth, in the movie. As per USA Today, while Bryce Dallas Howard's Claire Dearing is not present Wise will continue to have a significant role in the film series and can be seen in a pretty dire situation in a previously-released image. Set four years after the last film, the upcoming sequel will see the return of Daniella Pineda and Justice Smith, while re-introducing iconic characters from the original Jurassic Park trilogy, including Sam Neill as Alan Grant, Laura Dern as Ellie Sattler, and Jeff Goldblum as Ian Malcolm, who also played a small role in the 'Fallen Kingdom'.

As per USA Today, the upcoming film might bring the 'Jurassic World' saga to a close, although it is unclear if it stands as the definitive end for the entire franchise.

Colin Trevorrow returns to the director's chair after handling the first Jurassic World and serves as a co-writer for the film with Emily Carmichael. 'Jurassic World Dominion' will release in theatres on June 10, 2022.

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FILM FASHION BEAUTY

'KAUN BANEGI SHIKHARWATI' MAKERS SAY WORKING WITH ENSEMBLE CAST TOOK THE PRESSURE OFF Web series 'Kaun Banegi Shikharwati' has brought together an ensemble cast of actors from across generations such as veterans like Naseeruddin Shah and Raghubir Yadav to Lara Dutta, Soha Ali Khan and youngsters Anya Singh and Kritika Kamra The directors of the show Gauravv K. Chawla and Ananya Banerjee shared how working with such a huge cast actually takes the pressure away from delivering the best. Asked if they felt any extra pressure of justifying the presence of every talent in the show, Gauravv told IANS "I think it is the opposite, working with an ensemble cast like that actually takes the pressure off. We did not feel the pressure because we were working with the best team, not only of those actors but also every technician.

We as directors just had to bring them together to the world that we wanted to create, so we narrated the story and quite willingly they came on board.

"I remember Naseer sir told me that it is actually a bad thing if other actors around him feel intimidated by him because of the veteran and powerful actor he is. But I saw how he took a few extra steps to make sure that everybody on the set is happy and comfortable. These actors are real team players."

Gauravv earlier directed the Saif Ali Khan-starrer 'Baazaar'.

Adding to that Ananya who is also the writer of the show said, " I think it was a validation for us when after we finalised the script and

went to all our actors with the story, they came on board. That means they understood the world that we wanted to present to the audience.

"I also looked at it as an opportunity for us to make a family show that these days on OTT we do not get to see. There was so much toxicity and negativity around us that we are going through for the last two years that 'Kaun Banegi Shikharwati' is a relief for some time from that. It is a happy family watch."

The story of the show revolves around four women of different age groups and how they compete among themselves to become the next ruler of the royal family. While there were some funny moments the audience get to watch, Ananya said that writing a funny female character was quite an exciting space for her to explore.

"Writing comedy is exciting and tough at the same time. I have seen most of the time, women are the butt of the joke in most of the content, so the audience is laughing at them instead of with them...you know what I mean?

I wanted to change that subtly through my writing and that is why we kept it funny, quirky, and emotional.

"Honestly, how the audience will respond is something we will surely want to know, but during the shooting of the show, we have built a family...we wish to catch up with everyone soon," Ananya signed off.

'Kaun Banegi Shikharwati' is streaming on ZEE5.

CATE BLANCHETT TO PRODUCE, STAR IN PEDRO ALMODOVAR'S FIRST ENGLISH-LANGUAGE FEATURE Oscar-winning actor Cate Blanchett is all set to produce and star in 'A Manual for Cleaning Women', the first English language feature from Oscar-winning Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodovar.

Deadline has confirmed that the movie is currently in the early stages of development. 'A Manual for Cleaning Women' is based on Lucia

Berlin's 43-part collection of short stories, examining the lives of women working a wide variety of demanding jobs. Blanchett, Andrew Upton and Coco Francini will produce the movie for Dirty Films, with Almodovar for El Deseo, and Brian Oliver and Bradley Fischer for New Republic Pictures. The movie is Almodovar's follow-up to 'Parallel Mothers', the Sony Pictures Classic drama starring Penelope Cruz about two mothers who give birth the same day, and the Englishlanguage short 'The Human Voice' starring Tilda Swinton.

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MOVIE REVIEW

FILM FASHION BEAUTY

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'KAUN BANEGI SHIKHARWATI': PERFECTLY CAST, QUIRKY SERIES OF A DYSFUNCTIONAL ROYAL FAMILY. Released: 7 January 2022 Platform: Zee5 Directors: Gauravv K. Chawla, Ananya Banerjee; Starring: Naseeruddin Shah, Raghubir Yadav, Soha Ali Khan, Lara Dutta, Anya Singh, Kritika Kamra, Cyrus Sahukar, Varun Thakur Star rating: 3.5/5

Set in the royal land of Rajasthan, 'Kaun Banegi Shikharwati' is a quirky ten-episode series where a father attempts to reunite his four estranged daughters to save the legacy they hold. Naseeruddin Shah plays Raja Mrityunjay, the erstwhile King of Shikharwati, who has amounted a huge debt of property tax to the Indian Government. To save himself from the situation he is in, with the help of his close confidant Mishraji (played by the super talented Raghubir Yadav) he feigns a strange illness and calls his four estranged daughters; Devyani, Gayatri, Kamini, and Uma to his Palace with the assurance that he would decide an heir after the four of them compete in a competition.

The rules of the competition are simple. There would be nine rounds in the competition, and each round would be a task which the

princesses would have to perform.

In the end, the winner of the competition would be appointed the next "King".

What follows next in this comedy of errors is as you’ve guessed a wacky series of incidents which puts the princesses through their paces to win the coveted title of ‘King’ and the 200-crore wealth. With an ensemble cast and stalwart Naseeruddin Shah heading this dramedy the series doesn’t disappoint.

What particularly appeases is the casting and very well written characters to match.

Naseeruddin Shah as the idiosyncratic Raja whose moustache helps add to his performance is of course brilliant and it’s so good to see him back in comedy after such a long time. Lara Dutta as Devyani his oldest daughter with marital issues, Soha Ali Khan as his meditating and more considerate second daughter Gayatri who is a single mom to her two children, Kritika Kamra as his third unmarried daughter Kamini who

is obsessed over her social media follower count and Anya Singh as Uma his allergy-prone, gamer daughter all play off their parts effortlessly and are

impressive in their roles.

Supporting the series are Cyrus

Sahukar as Devyani's husband Harsh Neotia, Raghubir Yadav as Mishraji and Varun Tahkur as prince Roop all add to the ensemble and make this series work.

Credit has to be given to Ananya Banerjee and Simran Sahni for giving us female characters who actually have depth and are not your usual caricatured characters often written for women doing comedy in Bollywood. It’s refreshing to see such roles being created for women in India.

In relation to the situations, well while there are some really funny scenes, many of the scenes lack originality, and that’s perhaps why it takes time to really get into the series, but once you’ve got to episode four, you’re sure to be hooked. All the ladies have brilliant screen presence and fit their characters like hand in glove.

The performances are note worthy and the backdrop and screenplay give you the whole package of a family entertainer, that is much needed in the current times we live on.

Overall, cheesy at times, but 'Kaun Banegi Shikharwati' is a great family entertainer and is worth a watch, with the entire family if you’re looking for wholesome entertainment and laughter, then get on to Zee5 now!#

SIX

FILM FASHION BEAUTY

BONDING WITH THE SHIKHARWATI’S Since the digital era of filmmaking has started, the choice, but alsothe quality of films and series in India has improved extensively.

Growing up watching movies in the 80’s and 90’s I had never imagined that today, I would see a radical (I call it radical as that what it is in the context of the Indian film industry) comedy series based around four women.

Normally comic capers in the Indian entertainment industry are led by a group of men, with women either playing a romantic interest or their side kick. So as a female audience (but I am sure men will also agree) it’s refreshing and delightful to be given an option to be presented with a series such as Kaun Banegi Shikarwati to watch.

We caught up with three of the four actors, playing the Shikharwati princesses to find out all about how they viewed their performances and of course if they were nervous filming around the stalwart Naseeruddin Shah.

Here are excerpts from the interview.

BY FATIMA PATEL You’ve been getting some really good reviews on the series so far. Have you watched the series together and have you had a chance to reflect on your performances? How critical are you of your own performances?

Soha: The plan was to watch it together, to have a group screening and to

call family and friends and then of course the cases started to rise in India, particularly in Mumbai at quite a staggering rate that we had to stall all on ground promotions, and we haven’t been able to meet each other was well. Which is what we

were discussing before you joined us. So, I watched it with my husband (laughs) I have very critical people around me, and he insisted on giving me feedback when you don’t want it. I was like just watch the show (laughs). We watched it through -

it’s a comedy he really enjoyed the performances, it’s a really unique setting - very colourful. When it comes to me personally watching myself on screen to answer you’re question I didn’t cringe too many times. Once or twice when I was like

FILM FASHION BEAUTY

a few expressions, a few angles a few cuts, a few hairstyles, I was like err, but on the whole, because there is so much happening and so many people to watch, and you really get involved with what is happening on screen, it’s so much more than your particular performance. There are a couple of times where all of us have important scenes where we get a moment to act and perform, especially with Naseer Saab who plays our father. I think I was quite happy with the way Lara (laughs) did her scene and Anya did her scene. I think we all did quite well.

Lara, Anya would you like to add anything to that?

SEVEN

opposed to like Anya to decide or be critical of what she has done.

Then I take a month off and I watch it again to actually understand where I could have done something differently. The one feedback that a lot of my friends have been telling me and I am saying this because you spoke about our bond and how we get along, was they really enjoyed the scenes with the all the sisters and a lot of them said I wish there was more of that and that made me really happy, because we didn’t know each other, till we started shooting, so the fact that bond comes across and they enjoyed it and wanted to see more of it. Very heart-warming.

Soha: Please do!

Anya: So, for myself, one I haven’t done a lot of work, but the first time around when I watch something that I have done, I watch it as a viewer, as

Lara: Well, I’ve obviously done a lot of work in 18 years, but that doesn’t stop me from being critical about me on screen. I all, she can’t be goofing around on screen with David Dhawan’s brand of comedy. So, there was finding a fine line between not making a

have watched it with family, and I think in general the takeaway was that it made for great family watching, we had something for every single person, so whether it’s your parents or my husband, there were characters that each of them related to.

For myself I’m always very critical about my work. With this show in particular the character I was given of Devyani is somebody who is a perfectionist who is quite serious who takes herself a little too seriously in life.

Gaurav knowing that I have built my career pretty much on doing a lot of comic genre of films, wanted me to bring a David Dhawan brand of comedy to this character and I kept fighting it – I said you’ve given me a character that’s supposed to be the most serious of them

has been done on screen, I think I am quite happy with the way I have played Devyani on screen – I don’t think I would have played her any

differently. Like Soha said that the synergy between the four sisters, was very important to maintain. I think we were able to do justice to that. So, when I look at the show, if you ask me personally, I think it’s been brilliantly cast.

For more on this interview and to hear the trio reveal what

character caricaturist and if I look at it now in hindsight with what

it was like on set filming with Naseeruddin Shah and who is their favourite Princess of Shikharwati visit our YouTube channel Asian Sunday Online.

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PEOPLE ARE BEING ADVISED NOT TO SHOW LATERAL FLOW TESTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA leading to a shortage because of

BY GRAHAME ANDERSON

demand. But it’s vital those taking a test don’t produce their results on

A fresh warning for people not

social media.

to show the code from their lateral

It’s important to remember a pass

flow test results online has been

is required for venues including

made to everyone across the region.

clubs and indoor, non-seated events

Asian Standard has learned

for more than 500 people.

criminal gangs are waiting in the

They also need to be shown at

wings to exploit individuals by

outdoor non-seated events for more

scanning the results to create fake

than 4,000 people, as well as any

covid passes. There are also fears

setting where more than 10,000 will

those who are still infected could

gather.

steal the pictures to avoid isolation.

For the time being the

What’s more, burglars could

government are sticking with full

target houses they know are empty

plan B guidelines.

if a person provides a negative result and isn’t confined to their home.

Last month Sky News reported fake or fraudulent EU Covid certificates were being advertised online by criminal groups. In fact, Italian authorities suspended 17 public and private messaging platforms, advertising the supply of illegal Covid-19 vaccination certificates.

Covid Lateral flow test Image Unsplash

Shahzad Ali, is CEO of Get Licensed, an organisation responsible for training individuals to work in the security industry.

He explained: “Covid passes will compromise the safety of venues like nightclubs so it’s best not to share lateral flow tests online.

“For the gangs whilst grossly

of them being introduced.

“When we consider the consequences

because there will be people who

make the job much

want to go about their life like

more dangerous.”

normal and not have to take Covid

“There is

tests for things they didn’t have to

obviously going

before, so it is extremely important

are especially

to be a market

that you look after your Covid pass.”

forthcoming with

for Covid passes,

of people who

unethical and potentially very dangerous, it is also illegal to use/ supply/distribute fake Covid passes and could see you rack up a fine of £10,000 should you be caught.

“This is just a new complication that door supervisors will soon become used to facing. It was

With a surge in cases of omicron the illegal practice is growing at an alarming rate as others look to make financial gain from the process.

Shahzad added: “Our advice would be to avoid posting any test on social media, don’t share the code from the lateral flow you have taken because others could register it as their test.”

always inevitable that fake

In the light of recent

Covid passes would start

government advice millions of

to appear as soon as there were rumours

their beliefs, it could

people are taking lateral flow Shahzad Ali CEO of Get Licensed

and PCR tests across the UK

Covid passes will compromise the safety of venues like nightclubs so it’s best not to share lateral flow tests online. For the gangs whilst grossly unethical and potentially very dangerous, it is also illegal to use/supply/ distribute fake Covid passes and could see you rack up a fine of £10,000 should you be caught. This is just a new complication that door supervisors will soon become used to facing.

It was always inevitable that fake Covid passes would start to appear as soon as there were rumours of them being introduced.

Shahzad Ali, CEO of Get Licensed

15

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COVID: HOW TO MAKE SENSE OF THE UK’S NEW TESTING RULES

BY PROFESSOR SIMON KOLSTOE One positive aspect of the pandemic has been increased public understanding of epidemiology and even virus biology. However, there still seems to be significant confusion when it comes to COVID tests – particularly when or why each type of test can or should be used.

Recent changes to the UK’s testing rules have only added to this problem.

As of early January, the UK government has reduced situations where it is necessary to take a PCR test in favour of greater reliance on lateral flow tests (LFTs).

Without a clear explanation, such changes risk seeming rapid and arbitrary, with the suspicion that they are based on just saving money. However, when assessing the strengths of each type of test, together with the present state of the pandemic in the UK, can we discern any scientific logic behind these changes?

Understanding the tests PCR tests detect the presence of the coronavirus’s genetic material (RNA) in a sample, and they are extremely good at doing this. But they do not show whether someone is currently infectious. A person may have recovered from COVID but still have small amounts of the virus in their system – hence recommendations not to repeat PCR testing within 90 days of a positive result.

LFTs instead measure whether viral proteins (called antigens) are present in a sample. They are only positive when a sizeable amount of virus is present. They therefore give a very good indication as to whether someone is currently infectious.

This difference between detecting the presence of the virus and whether someone is likely to be infectious is critical for deciding which test to use in any given situation. For instance, the recommendation to use

Image: Getty Images

LFTs twice weekly (or daily for some professions), regardless of feeling ill, makes absolute sense when trying to stop people who may have COVID – but no symptoms – from inadvertently spreading the virus.

On the other hand, if the intention is to confirm that someone definitely has COVID – for instance if they have coldlike symptoms that could potentially be caused by other bugs – then conducting a PCR test makes sense.

This difference can be further understood if you compare the tests performance over the course of a COVID infection. As a PCR test is about 1,000 times more sensitive than an LFT, it can detect COVID one or two days prior to the infectious period, and then for quite a long period afterwards as the body destroys the last elements of infection. LFTs tend to only give a positive result during the infectious period.

Reviewing the UK’s rule changes

Graph showing approximately when LFTs and PCR tests will give positive results in relation to the most infectious period.

So how does this help us understand the latest testing guidance? One major change announced just before Christmas is for people who have tested positive.

Before they had to isolate for ten days.

This has now changed: People who receive negative LFT results on day six and day seven of their self-isolation period – with tests taken 24 hours apart – will no longer have to self-isolate for the full ten days. The first test must be taken no earlier than day six of the selfisolation period.

This broadly makes sense. Negative LFTs on days six and seven should indicate if a person is past the peak of their infection. The change will prevent people from isolating when they are no longer infectious at a

time when omicron is pushing cases to record levels. The government is even considering whether it might be possible to shorten the isolation period further still.

However, shortening isolation is not without contention. LFTs are not 100% accurate at identifying infectious people – a small number will test negative at day seven and still pose a risk. Note too that this guidance specifically references LFTs; a PCR test would still be positive so soon after catching the virus.

A further change, in force from January 11 in England, is that people who test positive on an LFT should continue to isolate immediately but are no longer required to take a confirmatory PCR test.

The motive here seems to be to prioritise getting people who are likely to be infectious to isolate, but not worry about confirming that they definitely have COVID or which variant of the virus they have (PCR tests can also be used to distinguish between variants). Again, with infection levels so high, this seems like a sensible move that continues to contain transmission but also, maybe this time, saves testing resources.

Finally, fully vaccinated travellers arriving in the UK used to have to take a PCR test two days before travelling and another within two days of arrival.

Now neither is required – people arriving just need to isolate for two days on arrival and take an LFT on day two (and if the LFT is positive, continue to isolate and take a PCR test).

Again, this makes sense – it will identify infectious people and get them to isolate, but it won’t needlessly limit those who have recently got over COVID but would still test positive using a PCR. The requirement of a follow-up PCR test if the LFT is positive potentially allows for authorities to see what variant of the virus it might be (as there’s always the possibility that new variants will arrive from abroad).

But for travellers who are not fully vaccinated, the rules are different.

They still need to take the more sensitive PCR tests prior to travel and on days two and eight after arriving. This decision is slightly harder to understand, because while vaccination protects people from getting seriously ill, it isn’t highly effective at stopping people catching the virus, particularly with the omicron variant.

The logic of more stringent testing of the unvaccinated when omicron is so broadly infectious is therefore unclear. It may be that this decision is more a tactic to try to convince more people to get vaccinated, rather than being a decision based on an entirely scientific rationale.

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COVID TEST RULE CHANGE COMING INTO EFFECT FROM 11 JANUARY.

BY GRAHAME ANDERSON People testing positive on a lateral flow device in England are no longer required to get a follow up PCR test if they don’t have symptoms.

The UK Health Agency explained the new process will come into effect from 11 January. The suspension of confirmatory PCR tests has come about because prevalence of covid cases due to Omicron is high, causing shortages of tests. The suspension will remain in place until prevalence of covid drops below 1 per cent. It’s currently at 4 per cent.

In the hope of bringing down transmission, government scientists would like individuals to self-isolate for the requested seven days as soon as they receive a positive LFT result. People who receive a positive result from an LFT should report their result on gov.uk.

Those who do test positive will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace so anyone in close contact with them can be asked to self-isolate. Those with covid symptoms including fever, new persistent cough or lack of taste or smell should still apply for a Image: Shutterstock

Dr Jenny Harries

Image Wikipedia

PCR test, even if a recent lateral flow test proved negative.

The UKHSA have explained the high prevalence of covid meant the chances of a false positive from a lateral flow test were very low, and that the devices’ accuracy was “very high”.

Critical workers will be able to take a test on each working day and the provision of precautionary testing will be for an initial five weeks, from 10 January.

UKHSA chief executive Dr Jenny Harries said: “While cases of Covid

continue to rise, this tried-andtested approach means that LFDs can be used confidently to indicate Covid-19 infection without the need for PCR confirmation.

“It remains really important that anyone who experiences Covid-19 symptoms self-isolates immediately.

They should also order a PCR test on gov.uk, or by phoning 119.

“I’m really grateful to the public and all of our critical workers who continue to test regularly and selfisolate when necessary, along with other practical and important public

health behaviours, as this is the most effective way of stopping the spread of the virus and keeping our friends, families and communities safe.”

There are exceptions to the new rule for people eligible for the £500 Test and Trace Support Payment (TTSP), who will still be asked to take a confirmatory PCR if they receive a positive LFD result, so they can get financial support.

Asian Standard understands one million people in England who are at particular risk of becoming seriously

ill from Covid-19, also identified by the NHS as being potentially eligible for new treatments will receive a PCR test kit at home by mid-January if they develop symptoms or record a positive LFT result.

Anyone who tests positive on an LFT can leave self-isolation seven days after their first positive result if they test negative on days six and seven, otherwise they must quarantine until day 10.

For more information visit: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

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CROSSWORDS AND PUZZLES

CROSSWORD Across 1. Jason's ship (4) 3. Begin (8) 9. Lingered (7) 10. Homer Simpson's wife (5) 11. Fracture (5) 12. Very dirty (6) 14. Conan Doyle's detective (6) 16. Threefold (6) 19. Saw eye to eye (6) 21. Make sure (5) 24. Tarla, for example (5) 25. Get better (7) 26. Shortened (8) 27. Colouring substances (4)

Spot the

5

differences

Down 1. German motorway (8) 2. Eat gluttonously (5) 4. Fall asleep (3,3) 5. Language of Sri Lanka (5) 6. Zeppelin, for example (7) 7. At all times (4) 8. Inconstant (6) 13. Devil-may-care (8) 15. Not so heavy (7) 17. Cooking instructions (6) 18. Hold in high regard (6) 20. Went astray (5) 22. Hard dark wood (5) 23. Deep unconsciousness (4)

CODEWORD

Fruit vendor in Delhi, India. Image Pallav Paliwal

ANSWERS CODEWORD ANSWERS

CROSSWORD ANSWERS

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

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RECIPE

FATTOUSH SALAD It’s a new year and guaranteed many of us, will be thinking about eating healthy. So let us help you with this delicious Fattoush Salad from Supreme Ingredients Fattoush is a vibrant Lebanese salad made with fresh vegetables and crispy toasted flatbread/ pitta, which soaks up the dressing beautifully. It’s a simple recipe, packed with freshness and flavour!

INGREDIENTS

METHOD

4 pita breads

Preheat the oven to 180°c. Spilt open pita breads so you

60g rocket leaves

have 2 ‘sheets’ per pita. Place on a baking sheet and bake

200g shredded romaine lettuce 15-20 radishes, sliced 1 small bunch of spring onions, finely sliced

in the oven until crisp and golden. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool then break into large bite size pieces.

½ cucumber, cut in half and sliced

Add all the ingredients for the dressing into a jar. Close

Dressing:

the lid and shake well. Add remaining salad ingredients

¾ cup Zaytuna Olive Oil

onto a serving platter including the crisp pittas. Shake the

¼ cup pomegranate molasses

dressing again and pour generously over the salad. Toss

2 tbsp sumac 2 cloves of garlic, finely minced Salt to taste

well so everything is coated well in the dressing and serve immediately.

½ tsp Supreme Coarse Black Pepper ½ tsp Supreme Chilli Flakes

Recipe in partnership with Supreme ingredients.

For more recipes visit www.supreme-ingredients.com

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ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT We are looking for a self-starter who can help organise a busy news office.

To apply send a covering letter, along with your CV to editor@asiansunday.co.uk

You will report directly to the Managing Editor, with your day to day

or post to RF Publishing ltd, 5 Green Street, Little Germany, Bradford, BD1 5HG

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@ASIANSTANDARD

MANCHESTER UNITED?

MORE LIKE… MANCHESTER DIVIDED? The club once seen as one of the greatest English clubs in the world is now seeming as if a division within the club has occurred which could cost them heavily as multiple reports suggest.

Manchester United has some of the greatest players from all over the globe so it’s definitely not the players not being good enough.

But it could suggest that these top-class players can’t really play together which is quite surprising and disappointing for the fans who come out and watch their team.

One of the biggest starts in the club who returned to the team in the summer transfer window was none other than the Portuguese superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo joined the club after parting ways with his former Italian club: Juventus. He [Ronaldo] was signed for Manchester United in a 2-year deal costing the club £12.85 million which isn’t as much as it seems. But bearing in mind, Ronaldo is now 37 years old and could possibly be in his

last few years in playing football professionally.

Ronaldo debuted in his first game returning vs Newcastle United who they were able to beat 4-1. In total, Ronaldo has played 23 games since returning but their wins haven’t been as spectacular as you would imagine.

Recently, the Red Devils took on Wolves in what was seeming to be a game they would win but ended up losing 1-0. The new appointed temporary manager, Ralf Rangnick also admitted after their loss, “Looking at today’s performance if I say we are 100% convinced we will finish in the top four, I don’t know if people will believe that”.

Luke Shaw, the left-back who plays for Manchester United stressed in an interview after the game, “We weren’t together”. He adds, “You look at the players we have, we have unbelievable quality but sometimes quality is not enough. We need to bring the intensity and more motivation”.

Image: Pixabay

Image: Pixabay

This could be quite a depressing time for not only fans but players as reports have suggested some players are wanting to leave the club. It’s very strange to see the once dominant club having such lacklustre performances. The long rivalry between Manchester United and Liverpool stems back for decades and even then, they weren’t able to use the motivation from past performances to win.

Manchester United lost to Liverpool 5-0

in their much-anticipated game.

Yes, you read that correctly and probably knew!

Some fans are furious about how the Red Devils are turning out and even Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt isn’t shying away from expressing his thoughts as a tweet emerged from his official Twitter account.

Usain Bolt shared on his Twitter account, “New year same pain”.

Referring to Manchester United’s recent loss to the Wolves.

User @FalolaSegun11 on twitter stressed, “They don’t feel the pain.

We fans feel it. I wanted to cry. I don’t know if the team is dying”.

Whilst another fan on Twitter said: “I don’t think Man-united players feel the pain fans go thru”.

SPORTS

“IT IS SOMETHING I SEE HAPPENING DOWN THE LINE”. UFC HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION, FRANCIS NGANNOU IS KEEN ON A BIG SHOWDOWN WITH BOXING HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION, TYSON FURY

BY MUSHARAF ASGHAR Francis has reigned supreme as one of the greatest and ferocious fighters in the heavyweight division after beating Stipe Miocic in their second fight. Stipe was able to defeat Francis in their first matchup which saw Francis losing via a unanimous decision. Many fans wondered was Francis really the ‘hype train’ who just was a load of muscle who couldn’t get past the first round?

It’s clear from pasts fights, Francis has had cardio issues going into fights and which tire himself out leading into the second round.

After losing to Stipe, Francis went on to fight Derrick Lewis in which was a very poor fight with hardly any action. Francis ended up losing in another unanimous decision against Derrick Lewis.

However, Francis started improving his cardio and went onto a four-fight winning streak which landed him a shot at redemption in fighting the champion at the time, Stipe Miocic.

A calmer and more relaxed Francis entered

the octogen that night and shook the entire world after knocking out Stipe in the second round.

Currently, Francis is the UFC heavyweight champion of the world but former training partner, Ciryl Gane is looking to capitalise on the opportunity to face Francis in the next two weeks.

Although Francis is scheduled to face Cirly, Francis is not one to hide away from a big showdown against the boxing heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.

Tyson Fury is one of the greatest heavyweights in the modern era and was able to dethrone and defeat Deontay Wilder twice in their fights. The latest fight between Fury and Wilder was classed as one of the greatest heavyweight fights which ended with Tyson knocking out Wilder.

As of right now, Tyson is the heavyweight champion of the world and has never lost a fight.

Tyson hasn’t made it clear if he would ever face Francis but in a recent interview Francis expressed to TMZ about a possibility to get into the squared ring, “It has always been down the line. It’s not

Image: Twitter

Francis Ngannou

Image: Shutterstock

Tyson Fury

something I’m taking my eyes off. I would like to test myself against Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder.

“At the end of the day, it’s about throwing hands and I know if I deliver my bombs, I can deliver some damage”.

Whether it’s likely if this fight occurs the trainer of Tyson Fury, Sugar Hill Steward from Kronk Gym has explained, “I can see Tyson facing Dillian Whyte in March”. Sugar Hill Steward hasn’t said much and neither has Tyson.

Tyson is yet to even confirm his interest in fighting Francis but it wouldn’t be a massive shock if we ever saw the fight happen since the last time 2 major sports went against each other was when Conor McGregor stepped into the ring and fought Floyd Mayweather back in 2017.

What are your thoughts of Francis wanting to fight Tyson? Do you think Francis has what it takes to beat Tyson?

SPORTS

10 - 16 JANUARY 2022

MANCHESTER UNITED? MORE LIKE… MANCHESTER DIVIDED?

Page 23

“IT IS SOMETHING I SEE HAPPENING DOWN THE LINE”.

UFC HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION, FRANCIS NGANNOU IS KEEN ON A BIG SHOWDOWN WITH BOXING HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION, TYSON FURY Page 24

IS AMIR KHAN REALLY FOCUSED ON KELL BROOK IN THEIR UPCOMING FIGHT IN FEBRUARY?

BY MUSHARAF ASGHAR

Khan saying this could mean two separate things. Firstly, is Khan really not that bothered to face Brook or is he trying to make Brook think he’s not bothered about fighting him when in fact he truly is?

The former lightweight champion, Amir Khan is keen on settling the score with his rival Kell Brook next month in February at the AO Arena in Manchester but has also said he’s not bothered if the fight does not happen.

This could go either way which can favour Khan as it would make Brook not train as much. Khan could capitalise on this and defeat Brook.

On the other hand, Khan could take the fight easy considering he has fought tougher fighters in the past and end up losing.

Amir Khan to many is one of the greatest boxers coming out of England but on the other hand, Kell Brook hasn’t really created the type of legacy compared to his rival Amir Khan. Khan at a young age decided to move abroad to branch out and train with world class trainers such as Freddie Roach who was the Hall of Fame trainer of Manny Pacquiao.

Either way, whether the fighters are bothered to compete or not, British boxing fans are eagerly

excited to see who wins the fight between the two.

It’s also surprising that we’ve not heard anything from Brook even though he is fighting Khan.

It could be possible that Brook is really focused on Khan and training vigorously at the gym which he trains at known as the Ingle gym in Sheffield.

What are your thoughts on the fight?

Is Khan genuinely not interested if Brook fights or is Khan trying to make it seem like he’s not interested to allow Brook to put his guard down and not train as hard?

Although Khan has the bigger name, it seems quite unusual to see Khan taking part in so many interviews leading up to fight against Khan. Khan is currently training in Denver, Colorado with his now head coach, Bo Mac. Bo Mac as you might not know is the trainer for Terrence Crawford who is currently considered the best welterweight in the division.

Khan has expressed he is training at high altitude in Denver and as he states, ‘the best shape’ he’s ever been. Khan explained one of the reasons of taking this fight on was because of the popular demand from everyone wanting to see the fight. Khan expresses, “Every-where I went, people just asked me about when this fight would happen.

Maybe it’s not a big fight in the states because people don’t really know Kell. But here, it’s massive

Image: Shutterstock

Amir Khan

and everyone wants to see who is better’.

When Khan was asked recently if he would be upset after months of training could go to waste if the fight doesn’t happen, he said,

“No, end of the day, I know what I’ve done. But having that question always asked makes me want to give back to the fans. But really we’re not bothered. I wouldn’t be that bothered, it’s one of them things”.

Image: Screen Grab

Kell Brook