Asian Standard Bradford Issue 11 - 16 June

YOUGOV HAS PREDICTED

Editor's Note

CELEBRATE BRADFORD'S CURRY EXCELLENCE THIS ELECTION SEASON

It's election season again, but I'm not talking about politics. It's time to cast your votes for the best curry providers across the Bradford district. Whether you're a local or not, I urge you to flip to page 8 for all the details on Bradford's Curry Mela and Awards 2024. We need your help to uncover hidden gems and recognise those hardworking individuals who often go unnoticed.

We've all enjoyed a meal out or ordered takeaway at some point. While many of us are quick to voice our complaints when something goes wrong, how often do we take the time to compliment when everything is just right? This is your chance to change that. I encourage you to take a moment to celebrate Bradford's curry capital and acknowledge those who consistently deliver outstanding service and delicious food. ( I know you may be wondering why we I am not asking you to nominate Kirklees' best – rest assured something will be coming for Kirklees soon)

The Bradford Curry Mela and Awards 2024 is more than just an event; it's a celebration of culinary excellence. Scheduled for 20 and 21 July this year's Mela promises an array of mouth-watering dishes, masterclasses, and entertainment that will delight food lovers of all ages. It's an opportunity to experience the rich and diverse curry culture that Bradford is famous for, and to see the best chefs and restaurants showcase their talents.

As you prepare to vote, think about those meals that left a lasting impression. Maybe it was a perfectly spiced lamb karahi, a creamy butter chicken that melted in your mouth, or a tantalising tadka daal that had just the right kick. Consider the ambiance, the service, and

the overall experience. Every detail matters and every vote counts in highlighting the true stars of Bradford's curry scene.

Let's show our appreciation for those who work tirelessly behind the scenes to bring us these incredible dining experiences. Whether it's the chef in the kitchen, the server ensuring our comfort, or the delivery driver braving all weather to bring our meals to our doorsteps, they all deserve recognition.

So, save the dates for the Curry Mela, grab your friends and family, and get ready to indulge in the best curries Bradford has to offer. And don't forget to vote! Your participation not only supports local businesses but also helps maintain the region's esteemed reputation as a curry capital.

Let's make this election season about celebrating and uplifting our community through the joy of food. Head to page 8 now, get all the details, and make your vote count. Together, we can shine a spotlight on those who make Bradford's culinary landscape so vibrant and delicious.

TRENDING NEWS STORIES

Earth experiences

record-breaking temperatures for 12 consecutive months

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Over the past year, Earth's temperatures have persistently reached new highs, with May marking the 12th consecutive month of record-breaking temperatures. According to Copernicus data, the global average temperature was 1.63°C above the 1850-1900 preindustrial average. UN SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres has called for urgent measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase climate finance, and curtail the fossil

Global broadcast of Arafat Sermon to reach 1 billion viewers in 20 languages

In an unprecedented move, this year's Arafat sermon will be broadcast to an estimated 1 billion people across the globe in 20 different languages, according to the Saudi Press Agency. The General Presidency for the Affairs of the two Holy Mosques will oversee this massive broadcast initiative. Named after King Salman, the project aims to disseminate the core values of Islam, such as religious tolerance, moderation, and peace, as

highlighted by Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Sudais, president of the general presidency. This initiative underscores the global importance of spreading Islamic values and promoting harmonious coexistence among people of diverse faiths. fuel industry. Scientists attribute the alarming rise to factors such as El Niño and decreased shipping pollution. Guterres emphasized the urgency, stating, "Our planet is trying to tell us something. It's climate crunch time."

Unsplash

BMW launches Fourth-Generation 1 Series with enhanced performance and cutting-edge features

BMW has introduced the fourth-generation 1 Series, boasting a dynamic new design, advanced chassis technology, and a high level of standard equipment. This iteration enhances BMW's legacy in the premium compact segment, emphasizing sportiness and efficiency.

The new BMW 1 Series features a redesigned exterior with hallmark BMW proportions, including a long bonnet, a dynamically flowing roofline, and a powerful rear design. The dimensions have slightly increased, giving it a more robust presence on the road. Notably, the front end is lower and flatter, enhancing its sporty appeal.

Under the hood, the 1 Series offers highly efficient engines, including options with 48volt mild hybrid technology, promoting

sustainability throughout its lifecycle. The vehicle also boasts a redesigned interior with high-quality materials, improved comfort, and a range of digital innovations, such as the new BMW iDrive with QuickSelect and BMW Operating System 9.

The top-tier model, the BMW M135 xDrive, stands out with a 300 hp engine, adaptive M chassis, and advanced performance features, achieving 0-62 mph in just 4.9 seconds.

BMW has equipped the new 1 Series with an array of automated driving and parking systems, enhancing safety and convenience. Standard features include driving and parking assistants, while optional upgrades offer more advanced capabilities like Steering and Lane Control Assist.

The new BMW 1 Series, starting at £29,950, is now available for order in the UK, with deliveries beginning in October 2024.

This launch marks a significant milestone in the 20-year success story of the BMW 1 Series, continuing its tradition of delivering unmatched driving pleasure in the premium compact segment.

Elon Musk's xAI to build supercomputer quadruple the size of meta's

Elon Musk's AI startup, xAI, is set to construct a supercomputer reportedly four times larger than Meta's, designed to power the next iteration of its AI chatbot, Grok.

During a recent presentation to investors, Musk disclosed that Grok 2 would require 20,000 Nvidia H100 GPUs, with future versions demanding up to 100,000 GPUs. Launched last year, xAI is in direct competition with Microsoftbacked OpenAI and Google 's Alphabet, aiming to make significant strides in AI capabilities and innovation.

Historic drone deliveries on Mount Everest transform high-altitude logistics

Nvidia surpasses apple, achieves $3 Trillion valuation as second largest company

Nvidia has eclipsed Apple to become the world's second most valuable company, with its market value soaring past $3 trillion, buoyed by record stock highs and an impending ten-for-one stock split effective June 7. This milestone marks a significant shift in Silicon Valley's hierarchy, traditionally dominated by Apple since the

iPhone's launch in 2007. Nvidia's dominance in artificial intelligence (AI) chipmaking is evident as the company has grown 147% in 2024, driven by high demand for its processors amid tech giants' investments in AI. The surge added nearly $150 billion to its market cap on Wednesday alone, surpassing the total value of AT&T.

In a groundbreaking development, China has successfully completed the first-ever drone delivery tests on Mount Everest, enhancing highaltitude mountaineering, rescue operations, and environmental efforts. A DJI FlyCart 30 drone transported 15kg of oxygen bottles and supplies from Base Camp to Camp 1 within 12 minutes, reaching an altitude of 6,191.8 meters. These tests highlight the potential to revolutionise logistics, cleanup

efforts, and safety measures on Everest. Starting May 22, a Nepali company will commence drone operations on Everest, with plans to extend services to Mount Ama Dablam.

Freepik

Freepik

Man fined for repeatedly breaking community protection notice by building outside permitted hours

By CHRIS YOUNG

A man has been ordered to pay over £4,000 after he repeatedly ignored orders to stop noisy building works outside the permitted hours.

Mohammed Gufran Uddin pleaded guilty to six charges of breaching a community protection notice when he appeared at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates Court on Thursday 6 June.

They all related to work being done on two homes owned by the 24-year-old, 69 and 71 Selbourne Grove in Keighley.

Despite Bradford Council having issued a community protection notice to limit any works to between 8am and 6pm, there was regular drilling and hammering outside those hours.

A statement from the neighbours to the property was read out in court and said once they had complained about the

work their windows were smashed and excrement thrown onto their property.

The court heard that Uddin, of Clarendon Street in Keighley, purchased the two neighbouring terraced properties in 2020.

In May 2022 Bradford Council started to receive complaints noise nuisance relating to building work coming from the homes.

They sent Uddin a warning letter, advising him work should only be carried out between 8am and 6pm on weekdays, 8am and 1pm on Saturdays, and that there should be no work on Sundays or bank holidays.

Work outside these hours, including drilling, hammering and sawing, often using loud mechanical tools, continued.

In November 2022 he was issued with a Community Protection Warning.

This was ignored, and complaints from neighbours continued.

In March 2023 a community Protection Notice was issued – breaching such a notice is a crime.

The charges Uddin pleaded guilty to were six counts of breaking this notice.

Waseem Raja, prosecuting on behalf of Bradford Council, read out a statement from the neighbours.

It said they were living a “nightmare” and felt “trapped in their own home.”

Magistrates heard that police had been involved due to threats made to the neighbours.

The statement said: “I have had paint stripper thrown on my car and excrement thrown in my front yard – all because we

complained about this noise.

“Paving slabs have been thrown through the windows of our house.

“We are subject to disturbance on a daily basis, with builders working all hours.”

In mitigation, Magistrates were told that professional builders had let Uddin down, and the building work, including extensions, had gone on longer than expected.

Family members often helped with the work.

He accepted that the work continued outside the permitted hours, and “showed remorse” for the upset he has caused.

Magistrates were told he suffers from anxiety – and this in part led to him trying to get the building work finished as soon as possible.

Uddin was fined £1,800 and ordered to pay a £720 surcharge and £1,664 costs

Five men charges with running window company "for fraudulent purposes

Five men have been charged with running a window company in Bradford “for fraudulent purposes.”

The men, who are all linked to Just Glaze Windows and Doors, appeared at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates Court on Thursday 6 June – each charged with “Carrying on business of a company with intent to defraud creditors / for other fraudulent purpose.”

The crime is alleged to have happened between 1 January 2022 and 21 September 2023.

The case has been brought by West Yorkshire Trading Standards.

An investigation into Bradford based Just Glaze had begun after Trading Standards received complaints from customers of the business, which sells double glazed windows, doors and provides general house maintenance work and was mainly based online.

At Thursday’s brief hearing the five men only spoke to confirm their names, ages and addresses, and to give their plea.

Three of the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge, while the other two gave no indication of

their plea, and the case will next be heard at Bradford Crown Court in early July.

The full charge read to each man was “Between 01/01/2022 and 21/09/2023 at Bradford, where the business of a company, namely

Just Glaze Windows and Doors Ltd, is carried on for a fraudulent purpose, namely the charging of customers for the provision of goods and services that were not supplied, or, if supplied, were defective or substandard or were

not as advertised or contracted for, you were knowingly a party to the carrying on of the business in that manner, in that together with Akbar Ahmed.”

Appearing in court were

• Iftikhar Ali, 38 of Low Lane Clayton – He gave no indication of his plea

• Faisal Bajwa, 34, of Priesthorpe Avenue, Pudsey – He pleaded not guilty

• Nikolas Kiewra, 26, of Town End Road, Clayton – He pleaded not guilty

• Kashif Raza, 43, of Northfield Crescent, Cottingley – He gave no indication of his plea

• Majid Shafiq, 49, of Longworth Avenue, Burnley – He pleaded not guilty.

The court was told that the case was not suitable to be dealt with in the Magistrates Court, and Magistrates agreed it should be sent to the Crown Court for matters to progress.

The men will now appear at Bradford Crown Court on 4 July.

All five defendants were granted unconditional bail until that appearance.

Bradford Magistrates Court

By CHRIS YOUNG

YouGov predicts Labour Bradford, but will Muslim

By DAVID BASS

Labour is on course to win the upcoming general election by a landslide across Bradford constituencies, according to recent analysis from YouGov.

By YouGov’s projections, Labour would see a “historic majority” of 194 seats, taking a total of 422 across the country. The analysis also suggests that Labour will make gains across the Yorkshire and the Humber region at the expense of the Tories, with the party expected to take every single seat in the constituencies that cover the Bradford area.

It’s important to note that the 2024 election will not be fought on the same boundaries as in 2019. Since the last general election, the boundaries of some constituencies have changed, while some have been abolished completely, following a review by the Boundary Commission.

Aside from boundary changes there is one potential problem for Labour, which played out at the local elections, and that is the backing and trust of Muslim voters.

Bradford is one of many cities which saw support for Labour drop as they elected independent candidates, with this partly put down to Labour’s national stance on Gaza.

According to an analyse

by the BBC in 58 local council wards nationally, where more than one-in-five residents identify as Muslim, Labour’s share of the vote was 21% down on 2021.

Labour’s Ellie Reeves, deputy campaign co-ordinator, admitted it had "a lot of work to do" to rebuild support before the General Election, including ensuring voters "understand our position".

Bradford West, which has been famously nick named the ‘Wild Wild West’ has a large Muslim population, which saw a number of Labour councillors lose their seats to Independent Councillors at the last local elections.

It seems emotions are high with the impact of the war in Gaza with many protesting against Keir Starmers views on the Israel –Gaza conflict.

Both the Independent candidates in Bradford West, Akeel Hussain and Ali Islam have made the Gaza issue part of their core campaign.

Akeel Hussain is the son of former Labour Cllr Arshad Hussian. A solicitor and Partner in a successful law firm, he announced on social media on 24 May that he will be running for independent candidate for the Parliamentary elections in Bradford West with the following statement:

“I stand before you with

Bradford

Ian

Mohammed

Richard

Umar

Jamie

Akeel

Nigel

Jonathan

He is also outspoken in his

people – including an official petition for the United Kingdom to recognise the state of Palestine immediately. The petition states

don’t think they can legitimately say they back a two – state

early due to parliament dissolved on the run up to the general election, it did receive

impressive 283,669 signatures and a sympathetic response from the government:

“We must give Palestinians a credible political pathway and irreversible momentum towards the establishment of Palestine. We will recognise a Palestinian State when most conducive to the peace process.”

Further demonstrating his steadfast commitment to helping the Palestinian people, he has pledged on the social media platform Tik Tok, the yearly MP wage of £90,000 toward helping the people in the region.

He describes himself as being passionate on social issues – in particular tackling unemployment and addressing the current cost of living crises.

He has also been particularly outspoken on the state of the NHS – calling for the government to stop funding overseas wars and to instead focus on healthcare issues such as providing more doctors, more nurses and cutting down waiting lists.

Anna Louise Dixon

Will Grant Yorkshire Party

Waqas Ali Khan Workers Party

Darryl Neale Morton-Wright

Christian Peoples Alliance Nagbea

Independant

Graham RIchard Reed

Liberal Democrats

Paul Shkurka

Social Democratic Party

Kevin Robert Warnes Green Party

Keighley and Ilkley:

Chris Adams

Liberal Democrats

Dominic James Atlas

Yorkshire Party

John Timothy Grogan Labour

Andrew Mark Judson

Reform UK

Robbie Moore

Conservative

Vaz Shabir

Independant

John Wood Green Party

Also standing against Shah in Bradford West is recently elected Manningham Councillor Muhammad Ali Islam. Born and bred in Bradford, he is the youngest candidate put forward. He is passionate about the Palestinian issue; he urges people to “use their democratic powers against those to allow atrocities to happen.”

Also passionate about the current crises he recently stated, “all of this could have been stopped if our political leaders had some common sense, had some courage and a backbone and a spine. They could have voted for the SNP’s motion which asks for a ceasefire”.

He continues: “This could have been stopped. It’s our duty to hold them to account. To hold our political leaders to account.

“And we can do that. And we will do that on the fourth of July”.

Cllr Ali Islam puts forward that Labour has failed Bradford, pointing to the fact that the city hall has been on the verge

Statement of persons nominated and notice of poll (Bradford)

Robbie Moore (Conservative) Naz Shah (Labour)

set for historic sweep in Muslim Vote shift outcome?

of bankruptcy, and that voting independent is necessary to get the Labour Party out of the area.

He also claims to have established strong support from the elders in the Bradford community for his standing in the parliamentary elections, including the Doha Mosqueand that he will prove that support for him will, ‘make it clear to the main parties that they can no longer take their votes for granted’.

The YouGov projections were generated through YouGov’s MRP model, which stands for Multi-level Regression and Poststratification, and will be updated twice before election day.

YouGov’s website explains: “The model, which uses survey data from almost 60,000 respondents, is designed to tell us what would happen if the general election were happening right now, with people’s vote intention (or lack of) as it currently stands.

“It is not a forecast, but is

designed to give a detailed, seatby-seat look at the British political landscape as we head toward 4 July.”

In the meantime, Imran Hussain, the incumbent Labour MP for Bradford East had a significant turn out at his campaign launch on Sunday 9 June. Speaking passionately to supporters, Imran said: “The political system didn’t send Imran Hussain to Bradford, the people of Bradford sent Imran Hussain to Westminster, and they expect me to stand up and be counted against injustice and I will never ever fail you on that duty. He went on to inform the crowd that he was the first person to fall out with his party, resigning from his cabinet duties and immediately called for a ceasefire in Palestine.”

Talat Sajawal who has been heading the local Independents and was re-elected as councillor for the Little Horton ward with majority votes, is contesting the

Bradford East seat, on issues which are strong on Palestine.

Another ward to watch is the Keighley Ward. It was won in 1983 by Conservative Gary Waller, and Ann Cryer took the seat in 1997 as part of the huge Labour landslide under Tony Blair.

In 2010 it was back in Conservative hands with Kris Hopkins.

It turned red in 2017 with John Grogan and back to Conservative Robbie Moore in 2019. The seat was won by a margin of over 2%. Could John Grogan win the seat again for Labour?

With such strong candidates put forward, it will be interesting to see whom the people of Bradford put their faith in the coming election and whether YouGov analysis proves accurate.

The deadline for

the last day to vote is 11:59pm on 18 June 2024, make sure

Imran Hussain (Labour) Akeel Hussain (Independant)

Bradford Curry Awards & Mela: Sights, smells, tastes and celebrations

The Bradford Curry Awards are back, and they are more exciting than ever, with a twoday Mela event leading up to the prestigious awards ceremony. The event, which recognises the very best of Bradford’s booming curry industry, returns to the city on Monday, 22 July, at the Cedar Court Hotel, with the Mela taking place across Lister Park on Saturday, 20 July and Sunday, 21 July.

The Curry Mela will feature an exciting array of food stalls and entertainment. Masterclasses with renowned chefs from across the region will show visitors how they create their much-loved traditional dishes and burgeoning fusion blends. The Mela is a free event with food, fun and family on the menu There will be music, entertainment as well as lots to learn about the origins of South Asian cuisine.

Launched amid much fanfare in 2018 by Fatima Patel, the founder, managing director and editor of Asian Standard newspaper, the Bradford Curry Awards have made history by bringing together leaders from the city’s sizable curry sector for the first time under one roof to celebrate the half-billion-pound industry.

The fifth annual Curry Awards and Mela have continued to develop their partnership with Uber Eats, who return as the headline sponsor, with new partnerships with Rajah Spices and Elephant the famous brand for chappati flour. Rajah Spices are going all out, branding all their upcoming campaigns with Bradford at the heart of it with the caption Bradford Fully Flavoured. Also continuing their association with the Bradford Curry Mela and Awards is Saveco Supermarket who will be helping provide all the exotic and fresh ingredients for

the masterclasses.

The event is one of the most eagerly-anticipated on the region’s calendar, featuring a host of new categories and culminating with a glitzy award ceremony, at the Cedar Court Hotel, on Monday 22 July from 6.30pm

The prestigious awards night brings together the crème-dela-crème of Bradford’s booming curry industry. It is also a wider celebration of the city’s vibrant Asian culture and the culinary craftsmanship that goes into making Bradford the curry capital of Britain and one of the UK’s most treasured food destinations. The awards will bring together curry lovers to celebrate this rich heritage, highlighting the finest examples of South Asian cuisine and honouring the industry dedicated to serving it up. From recognising the best restaurants to the best dishes, the Bradford Curry Awards will also honour the unsung heroes who work hard behind the scenes, such as the chefs, who ensure locals and tourists alike are served with the most amazing selection of food.

The glamorous evening will certainly be rolling out the red carpet, with entertainment, inspirational speakers, comedy and a delicious four-course meal. Above all, it’s the only event where you will find all of Bradford’s curry industry movers and shakers gathered together in one room and get chance to meet decisionmakers, business leaders, politicians and community leaders.

Nominations for the awards have been pouring in thick and fast and the public are being invited to continue to nominate their favourite curry houses until Saturday 22 June, midnight when nominations will close, be verified and shortlisted. To nominate visit: https://bradfordcurryawards. co.uk/nominate-now/ The shortlist will be announced on Tuesday 9 July, and a panel of

esteemed judges will then take over and pick the winners, who will be announced on the night.

Fatima Patel said: “I am really excited at the growth of the Curry Mela & Awards year on year. The awards are not simply about winning, but about coming together to celebrate an industry that contributes a significant amount to Bradford’s economy but most importantly to the cities tourism.

“The impact of the Bradford Curry Mela and Awards see’s an increase in spend at curry establishments by 20%, along with an increase in tourism.

I am delighted to be continuing our partnership with Uber Eats and Saveco and excited about the prospect of working new brands Elephant and Rajah Spices who are coming from London specially for the event.

“This year will see more than previous years, with more cooking, more tasting, more entertaining and even more celebrating.”

Shiraz Ahmed is Director of SaveCo Cash and Carry, the official shopping partner for the Bradford Curry Awards & Mela. He said: “It’s an honour to be part of a ground-breaking event that’s growing year on year. Bradford is renowned for its culinary offering and we

are once again delighted to be playing our part in amplifying the message that Bradford is the best for curry and cuisine.”

Mohammed Ali, relationship manager at Uber Eats added to the excitement. He said: “This is our third year supporting the Bradford Curry Awards & Mela and it’s wonderful to see how the event has grown year on year, despite the challenges of the

Sport campaign against racism hosts landmark event highlighting diversity and inclusion

By IQRA AZAM

In a pivotal event hosted by the Sport Campaign Against Racism (SCAR) at the Manningham Mills Sport & Community Association, the focus was on extending diversity and inclusion efforts beyond sports. The gathering spotlighted SCAR’s strategic pillars: Awareness, Education, Support, and Advocacy, which form the backbone of their mission to combat discrimination across sports, education, and community engagement.

The evening’s highlight was a dynamic panel discussion featuring both professional and grassroots insights from prominent figures in football, cycling, and cricket. Panellists shared personal stories and challenges, emphasizing the power of collective action in the fight against discrimination.

Special recognition was given to SCAR’s founders, Karl Oxford, Shadow Parvais, and Delroy Dacres, celebrating nearly 20 years of dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion. Although Delroy Dacres was absent due to illness, his contributions were warmly acknowledged. Karl Oxford chaired the event with distinction, fostering a spirit of collaboration and commitment to progress.

A key moment was the

report "The Changing Rooms to Make Change," commissioned by the West Riding County FA (WRCFA). This report provided an in-depth look into the experiences of 10 grassroots football clubs in Bradford, painting a troubling picture of racism and discrimination.

The reports findings revealed:

1. Wide spread racism. Frequent and severe instances of racial abuse and discrimination, were reported both on and off the field.

2. Lack of Support from Authorities: Many clubs expressed frustration with the football authorities, including the WRCFA, citing inadequate support and mishandling of complaints.

3. Unfair Treatment: Clubs from minority communities reported facing harsher sanctions and receiving less support compared to their counterparts.

4. Need for Systemic Change: The report called for comprehensive reforms within the WRCFA to effectively address these issues and restore trust among grassroots clubs.

5. Concerns about Football For Peace: The report raised concerns about funding allocation and transparency, specifically pointing out that

received £10,000 from The FA. Clubs expressed a lack of trust in FFP, citing perceived credibility issues and unfulfilled promises to players and clubs.

Representatives from the Football Association (FA) and the WRCFA addressed the audience, highlighting progress made since the report’s release. Notable advancements include the implementation of the WRCFA Race Equality Action Plan and the appointment of a Diversity, Equality & Inclusion Lead to tackle these critical issues.

This landmark event underscored the ongoing challenges in promoting diversity and inclusion and the urgent need for continued efforts and systemic change in sports and beyond.

Dr. Ikram Butt, Executive Director of SCAR, expressed heartfelt thanks to the panellists and attendees: "We were pleased with the turnout and the meaningful conversations that took place. Our distinguished panellists, including Fozia Naeem (Give Bradford & founder of Hop On Bike), Fatima KhanShah (West Yorkshire Mayor’s Inclusivity Champion), Ravi Dharni (Secretary at Albion Sports), Troy Townsend MBE (Kick It Out), Zohaib Rashid (Journalist & founder of Desiballers), Yunus Lunat (Lawyer & former FA Council Member), Taj Butt (Qaide-Azam Cricket League), Ahmed Turabi (Academic), Anwar Uddin MBE (FA), and Ashraf Wallace (WRCFA), shared invaluable experiences and insights that highlighted both the challenges and the progress being made in promoting diversity and inclusion. I also want to extend our gratitude to all attendees, including councillors from Bradford and Kirklees: Cllr David Ward, a former MP, Cllr Amran, Cllr Hussain, and Cllr Masood (both from Kirklees). Your presence and participation underscore the importance of collective action and community involvement in combating discrimination and fostering inclusivity."

Troy Townsend MBE, who spoke passionately on the role of

football in tackling racism, stated: "An inspiring evening of honest conversation, it was a pleasure to be invited and be in the room. The work of SCAR is massively important for the community they serve and tonight and the report proves that. Football needs to learn and listen to its community and understand the complexities that still exists to enable the game to make positive change.''

Fatima Khan-Shah, the West Yorkshire Mayor’s Inclusivity Champion, added: "The discussions tonight have shown that while we have made some progress, there is still much work to be done. Inclusivity must be at the heart of everything we do, and events like this, championed by SCAR and Dr Ikram Butt are crucial in driving that change."

Fozia Naeem, who spoke on the challenges and opportunities in cycling, emphasised:

"Cycling can be a powerful tool for bringing communities together, but we need to ensure that it’s accessible and welcoming

to everyone. Sharing our experiences helps to highlight the barriers that exist and how we can overcome them together."

Cllr Amran added: “It is evident that more support is needed for local clubs to effectively address discrimination. We must work towards ensuring that our grassroots organisations receive the necessary recourses and backing from football authorities."

The audience comprised individuals from grassroots clubs throughout West Yorkshire, Bradford Local Authority, Yorkshire Sport, and the Bradford City FC Community Foundation, among others, who actively participated in the discussions and provided feedback on SCAR’s strategic direction.

The event underscored the importance of collective action and community involvement in combating discrimination and promoting inclusivity.

To get involved or find out more SCAR can be contacted at info@scarunites.org

COLUMN

TAX TRAPS OF DIFFERENT CLASSES OF SHARES IN FAMILY COMPANIES

Ilyas Patel is an entrepreneurial tax advisor with an expert knowledge of ground-breaking tax saving tools. Being a businessman himself, he has years of experience dealing with tax issues and with HMRC. For more information visit www.taxexpert.co.uk or call 01772 788200

Creating new share classes in a family company can be a strategic way to split income among family members, but it comes with its own set of tax considerations.

This week, we look at the key tax consequences, antiavoidance provisions, and statutory requirements involved in such a process.

TAX AND NATIONAL INSURANCE CONTRIBUTIONS (NICS) FOR ALPHABET SHARES

Private companies often start with a single class of ordinary shares.

This week, we look at the key tax

consequences, anti-avoidance provisions, and statutory requirements

involved in such a

process.

However, new share classes can be created, subject to the company’s Articles and board of directors’ consent.

These new classes allow the board to vote dividends at different rates but introducing new share classes for family members can bring about several tax issues.

1.Capital Gains Tax (CGT): Changes to CGT Business Asset Disposal Relief affect the disposal of shares with different rights, effective from 29 October 2018.

2.Dividends and NICs: The dividends declared on different share classes can affect the overall tax liability of the company and its shareholders.

ANTI-AVOIDANCE

PROVISION

Several anti-avoidance provisions can result in unexpected tax charges when new share classes are issued:

l Non-voting shares to spouses or minor children: These shares can trigger antiavoidance rules if dividends

are disproportionate to other shareholders.

l Dividend waivers: Waiving dividends in favour of another family member, especially minor children, can lead to settlements treated as if the original owner retained the income.

TAX CHANGES (2023-24)

Updated tax rates and allowances impact the issuance and management of shares:

l CGT Annual Exemption: Reduced to £6,000 from April 2023 and to £3,000 from April 2024.

l Dividend Tax Allowance: Reduced to £1,000 from April 2023 and to £500 from April 2024.

l Corporation Tax: Main rate increased to 25% from 1 April 2023.

STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS: CHANGES TO THE ARTICLES

Before altering share capital, the company’s Articles must be reviewed and possibly amended. The process includes:

l Issuing New Shares: New shares can be issued following the process set out in the Articles, often via an ordinary resolution.

l Pre-emption Rights: Consider these rights to prevent dilution of existing shareholders’ stakes.

l Authority to Allot Shares: Board authorisation may be required to issue new share classes.

Changes to the Articles might involve reclassifying existing shares or creating new ones, ensuring that shareholder rights, such as transfer restrictions, are clear.

These changes must be filed with Companies House.

Companies incorporated before October 2009 have an authorised share capital, which can be changed via an ordinary or special resolution.

Post-2006 companies do not have this restriction but must resolve to issue new shares every five years.

PRE-EMPTION RIGHTS

Existing shareholders have statutory pre-emption rights on new shares, which can be excluded by special resolution. These rights typically do not apply to bonus shares or employee share scheme shares, depending on the Articles.

PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS AND PLANNING POINTS

Creating new share classes can offer flexibility in dividend payments and capital allocation. Alphabet shares allow different dividend rights while maintaining equal voting rights. However, the tax implications must be carefully considered to avoid falling foul of anti-avoidance rules and ensuring compliance with CGT and NIC regulations.

SUMMARY

Issuing different classes of shares in a family company can be beneficial but requires thorough planning and awareness of tax implications.

Kartik Aaryan

I feel very lucky to be working with Kabir Khan

HUGH JACKMAN, EMMA

THOMPSON team up for hilarious sheep detective comedy

Hollywood icons Hugh Jackman and Emma Thompson are set to star in the upcoming sheep detective comedy, 'Three Bags Full.'

The film, which boasts an ensemble cast, is being produced by Amazon MGM and promises to be a hilarious and unique addition to the world of cinema, reported The Hollywood Reporter.

Joining Jackman and Thompson are Nicholas Braun, Nicholas Galitzine, Molly Gordon, and Hong Chau, who will bring their talent and comedic timing to the sheep-filled adventure.

Tosin Cole, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Conleth Hill, and Mandeep Dhillon have also joined the cast, adding further depth to the already star-studded lineup.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, 'Three Bags Full' tells the story of a shepherd, played by Hugh Jackman, who meets an untimely demise under mysterious circumstances. Left behind is his loyal flock of sheep, who embark on a mission to solve the case themselves.

The film takes a comedic approach as the sheep realize that their only hope lies in uncovering the truth, even if it means leaving the comfort of their meadow and venturing into the complicated and unpredictable human world.

The screenplay for 'Three Bags Full' was penned by Craig Mazin, known for his work on acclaimed projects such as 'Chernobyl' and 'The Last of Us.'

The film is based on Leonie Swann's best-selling novel of the same name, capturing the imagination of readers worldwide. To bring this unique story to life, director Kyle Balda, renowned for his work on the beloved 'Minions' franchise, has been roped in to direct the project.

Behind the scenes, Lindsay Doran will serve as the film's producer, alongside Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner from Working Title. The project also boasts a team of executive producers, including Phil Lord, Chris Miller, Aditya Sood, and Tim Wellspring, as per The Hollywood Reporter.

Principal photography for the film has already commenced, and fans can expect an exclusive worldwide theatrical release on 20 February, 2026.

SHARVARI WAGH

expresses gratitude as

'Munjya' receives immense love from audience

Actor Sharvari Wagh, currently basking in the success of her recent film 'Munjya,' took a moment to thank her fans for their praise of her performance.

Sharvari, who portrays the character of Bella/Munni in the film, shared a series of pictures on her Instagram account. The snapshots capture her in a purple and white checkered skater dress, set against the backdrop of a projector screen.

With an infectious smile, Sharvari captioned the post, "I'm this emoji today! Thank you for showering our #Munjya with so much love! Feeling grateful today! #Munjya is now lurking in theaters near you!"

Fans flooded the comment section with compliments upon seeing the photos. One user wrote, "Your smile is so very beautiful," while another exclaimed, "OMG, you look stunning!"

Starring Sharvari alongside Mona Singh, Abhay Verma, and Sathyaraj, 'Munjya' is directed by Aditya Sarpotdar and revolves around the rooted myth of Munjya from the world of Indian belief and cultural systems. The film's teaser was recently released to much anticipation.

Yogesh Chandekar and Niren Bhatt developed the screenplay for 'Munjya,' with Sachin Sanghvi and Jigar Saraiya composing the music.

The film was released on 7 June.

RANBIR KAPOOR'S latest look unveils daughter 'Raha's tattoo, fans gush over 'Daddy Kapoor'

Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor has once again melted fans' hearts with his latest makeover, this time revealing a heartfelt tribute to his daughter, Raha. Celebrity hairstylist, Aalim Hakim, took to Instagram to share several pictures of Ranbir flaunting his new look, and eagle-eyed fans were quick to spot the heartfelt tattoo of the actor's daughter's name, Raha.

Known for his impeccable style, Ranbir Kapoor has always been a favourite among fans. However, it's also his role as a doting father that often steals the spotlight.

From tender moments captured with Raha during public outings to now a tattoo of her daughter's name on his skin, Ranbir continues to set fatherhood goals for his fans.

In the series of photos shared by Aalim Hakim, Ranbir exudes charisma in his signature black attire, complemented by sleek sunglasses. However, it's the seventh picture that captured everyone's attention, where the name 'Raha' is prominently displayed near his shoulder.

Fans flooded the comments section while gushing over Ranbir's new look and his heartfelt tribute to his daughter.

One fan wrote, "Ranbir Kapoor is another name of handsomeness," while another wrote, "Daddy Kapoor."

Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt welcomed their daughter, Raha Kapoor, into the world in November 2022 after they tied the knot in April 2022.

Meanwhile, talking about Ranbir's, work front, the actor will play Aziz in the sequel to Animal, called 'Animal Park', which is yet to go on floors.

Ranbir is also gearing up for the muchawaited Nitesh Tiwari's 'Ramayana'. 'Ramayana' also stars Sai Pallavi and Lara Dutta. However, an official announcement regarding the film is still awaited. Ranbir will be seen essaying the role of Lord Ram in the film. In the coming months, Ranbir will also be seen in

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Love & War'. The film also stars his wife Alia Bhatt and actor Vicky Kaushal in the lead roles.

DEMI MOORE opens up about portraying Ann Woodward, tackling ageism in Hollywood

Actor Demi Moore recently spoke out about her portrayal of former model Ann Woodward and the ongoing evolution of ageism for women in Hollywood.

The 61-year-old actress reflected on the challenges she faced while portraying socialite Ann Woodward, a former showgirl and model in the FX series 'Feud: Capote vs. the Swans,' in a recent interview obtained by Variety.

An intriguing aspect of Woodward's life was the tragic incident in 1955 when she shot and killed her husband, believing him to be a burglar. Moore emphasised the importance of staying true to the facts while portraying such a complex character. "I wanted to ensure that I was playing the truth, that it was an accident," said Moore, mindful of the impact her portrayal could have on Woodward's surviving family members.

The repercussions of the incident haunted Woodward, and the subsequent accusation of murder by Truman Capote intensified her torment. In 1975, Woodward tragically took her own life after reading an excerpt from Capote's book in Esquire magazine.

As per Variety, Moore shared the emotional journey she embarked on to understand Woodward's mindset.

She explored the significance of external validation and the longing to be seen and acknowledged, experiences that resonate with people from all walks of life.

"What were the important things? What were the goals and things she was living for? So much was about externalised validation, which I think no matter who we are, we all understand that. We all have some relationship to wanting to be seen, acknowledged," Moore said.

Moore noted the deep emotional wounds that Woodward carried as if she were still grappling with the insecurities of her high school days. The actress described Woodward as someone with an overwhelming sense of emptiness and longing.

While portraying Woodward, Moore found solace and inspiration in the presence of powerhouse women on the set of 'Feud: Capote vs. the Swans.'

Working alongside talented actresses such as Naomi Watts, Diane Lane, Chloe Sevigny, Jessica Lange, and Molly Ringwald, Moore felt a sense of joy and camaraderie, as per the interview obtained by Variety.

I HAVEN'T HAD PHONE SINCE 2015, SAYS ED SHEERAN

She emphasized the significance of women playing characters that accurately represent their respective ages, challenging ageist stereotypes prevalent in the industry.

"How often do you get to see three women, let alone seven? To just be in the company of such talented, creative artists that are my peers was just a delight," she said adding, "We were playing our ages!"

Moore acknowledged the progress made in Hollywood regarding ageism but highlighted the lingering effects of outdated beliefs regarding women's value and desirability tied to their fertility.

"It has shifted.! There's evolution that has occurred, even, I would say from when I was 40. Because when I was 40 but didn't look like what they imagined 40 should look like, they didn't know what to do with me," Moore said adding "I didn't actually work that much, because I wasn't 20 or 30. I think if we really look at the deeper crux of this, what we're looking at is this old idea that women's value and desirability was tied to their fertility."

She passionately argued against the shame associated with being sexual or having desires, emphasizing the importance of embracing independence and debunking societal norms. As per Variety, Moore also expressed her determination to continue challenging the stereotypes and rules that limit women's opportunities based on age.

Singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran opened up on why he decided not to keep a phone since 2015 and shared that his team gives him a phone when needed, reported People.

"I haven't had a phone since 2015," he said during the recent episode of talk show Therapuss with Jake Shane.

He revealed this when he shared his email address with the host Jake Shane in place of his number. "I don't have a number," he said, adding, "... that isn't me playing you off either."

He said that his team recently gave him a phone to use when it is needed. "I have something to like video stuff that would then go up on social media, but it's not like an active working phone."

Sheeran said that he decided to go without the phone in December, when he saw how many connections he still had from before he became famous.

"I had the same number from like age 15, I think, and I got famous and I had 10,000 contacts in my phone that would just... people would just text the whole time. And I was just constantly in touch with a lot of people."

He went on to share that the stress of messaging people back and forth and sometimes not replying timely led to his phone-free policy in life.

"I feel like with phones, everyone expects you to reply, and if you don't reply, it's rude," he said.

"Sometimes you're just not in a headscape to reply, you're busy or doing whatever but then you reply, then they reply back... and suddenly you're in like 40 conversations at once."

"I just was losing real-life interaction, so I got rid of my phone, I got an iPad, I moved everything onto email, which I reply to once a week," reported People.

THIS SONG IS A PIECE OF MY HEART: NORA FATEHI TALKS ABOUT HER LATEST INTERNATIONAL SINGLE 'NORA'

Nora Fatehi has treated her fans with her latest international single 'Nora'. She got candid about her debut international track and creating a musical piece that blends different cultures.

The song beautifully presents her Canadian-Moroccan roots and Indian identity.

"Creating 'Nora' with Warner Music has been an incredible journey for me. This song is a piece of my heart, bringing together the cultures that have shaped me," she said in a statement.

In the video, Nora looked lovely in a long orange satin dress embellished with sequins. She paired it with oxidised silver jewellery and heeled, over-the-knee black boots to her attire. She opted for western as well as Indian look.

The singer has shown her versatility by rapping in Moroccan and singing in English.

The song celebrates the vibrant culture of Canada, Morocco, and India. Taking to her Instagram handle, Nora Fatehi has posted a video which shows the making of the song. "Follow me as I take u through the journey of My fittings, putting the looks together for "Nora"..Music video out now! #bts"

She also posted glimpses from the track and wrote, "So happy to finally share with the world "NORA"out now! This song is very special to my heart ..Check it out on my YouTube channel!"

Nora Fatehi started her career in Bollywood with the film 'Roar: Tigers of the Sundarbans' in 2014. She is known for her dance performances in movies like 'Baahubali: The Beginning', 'Satyamev Jayate', 'Dilbar Dilbar', and 'O Saki Saki'. She appeared opposite Varun Dhawan in 'Street Dancer 3D'. She was also recognized for her role in 'Batla House' with the Best Supporting Actress award at the 66th Filmfare Awards. Apart from this, the actress has been a judge on shows like 'Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa' and 'India's Best Dancer'. She was recently seen in 'Madgaon Express'.

I feel very lucky to be working with Kabir Khan KARTIK AARYAN:

By Ankita Bodani

Kartik Aaryan has recently been turning heads and garnering praise for his jaw-dropping transformation for his latest film, Chandu Champion. The buzz around Kartik has reached a fever pitch, as his intense training and remarkable physical change have left fans in awe. Fresh off the triumphant success of Satya Prem Ki Katha, the anticipation for this biopic, directed by the acclaimed Kabir Khan, is through the roof.

In an exclusive interview, our reporter Ankita Bodani caught up with Kartik ahead of the film’s release to discuss his excitement, nerves, and the journey behind his powerful performance. Brimming with enthusiasm, Kartik expressed his high hopes and deep connection with the audience for Chandu Champion.

“Chandu Champion” is an unbelievable tale of a man who faced one adversary after another with an undying spirit. His unwavering zeal and nevergive-up attitude led to create history. This is the story of Chandu Champion!

Speaking about his hard work and performance in the film, the Bhul Bhulaiya star delves right in to share his excitement about the love the film’s trailer and songs have been getting. He smiles and says, “I have been looking forward to the release because till now, every asset we had, right from film clips trailer to the first poster to the theme of the film have been garnering great responses.”

The actor revealed that he is getting a big thumbs up from audiences which he is taking as a positive sign and is expecting to meet his audiences’ expectations and hopes that they appreciate it is a good film.

“I really hope that audiences come to the theater and watch the film because a lot of hard work and talent has gone into making this film.”

Speaking of what he liked creatively, in terms of script, Kartik says he thinks about the script from his audience’s perspective, like a regular working-class man. He gave high praises of his direction from Kabir Khan and working with him for the first time, Kartik said that he considers himself to be very lucky

Kartik Aryan

Kartik Aryan at Chandu Champion press meet London

that he had been chosen to do this film. He said, “I really like the dialogue which is also in the trailer, and it's gotten some positive response and the dialogue is - Chandu nhi champion hun.”

Talking more about the writing and the script, Kartik said, “I think that's the beauty of it, it has been written so precisely, a lot of thought has gone into it, especially because it is six different characters and all of them have been etched out beautifully.

“Even the making of the film was very planned the way Kabir Khan, who is someone who knows his job so well in and out and is very detailed and particular about everything that he does right from scratch and not just from the film but the posters, the aesthetics the commercial sense I think he's a perfect match for a film like Chandu Champion.”

Kartik discusses why the film was initially shot in London and explains that it was going back to “square one” as the first shot of the film was directed here and the last one too.

He emphasized how some portions were incredibly intense and important, such as the pehelwan scene. “It was a very difficult scene as it was shot in the heat and the scene was shot in the akhara.”

Kartik continued: “We were shooting at a place where it was just too hot at that time and so the soil was as hot as a frying pan and because we are not supposed to wear anything for the wrestling it was very difficult and it had to be shot over the mountain and the sun was right above at 12noon.”

The second scene which he found very difficult was the one underwater, where he had to swim.

He said, “I had a virus at the time, I was really ill and because of the location that we had for the swimming thing we couldn't change that location as since Kabir is very particular about everything, I had to shoot the scene while popping the pills at a viral fever of 103 where I was underwater for eight to nine hours.”

Speaking about a recent tweet shared by the actor with the hashtag, #Tuhaichampion, he shared that it is a song which is very motivational and you feel uplifted.

“I remember the entire journey of the filmmaking of Chandu Champion from days of swimming to dangle, to boxing ball sequences, to everything associated with the film. It's a good recap and so that's the reason I shared that tweet online because it is relatable.”

Chandu Champion is out in cinemas from 14 June

Kartik has been lauded for his transformation in Chandu Champion

Kartik says the pehlwan scene was very difficult as it was shot in intense heat

Kartik says he has worked hard for Chandu Champion

Image Nadiadwala Films

Review:

From the makers of Stree comes Munjya: A decent blend of comedy and horror

Director: Aditya Sarpotdar

Cast: Sharvari Wagh, Abhay Verma, Mona Singh, Suhas Joshi, Reema Chaudhary

Releasing: In cinemas since 7 June

By RAHEEMA KHAN

The creators of Stree present Munjya, a film that masterfully combines comedy and horror, aiming to entertain both Gen-Z and family audiences.

We get taken back to 1952 where a young boy named Goya wishes to marry Munni, who is seven years older than him. Following disapproval from his family he performs a ritual in the jungle but tragically dies and is buried under a tree. Fast forward to present-day and we meet geeky college student Bittu (Abhay Verma) who works at a salon with his mother Pammi (Mona Singh) and engages in life with his aaji (Suhas Joshi). Bittu secretly likes his childhood friend Bella (Sharvari), who is dating an Englishman named Kuba. Haunted by nightmares and muffled voices from the peepal tree where

Munjya’s spirit dwells, Bittu’s life takes a dramatic turn when he visits his ancestral village. There, he uncovers buried secrets about his father and the family’s history with the deadly chetuk-baari. Trapped by Munjya, Bittu’s journey unfolds in the most unexpected and hilarious ways.

Munjya is a fast-paced film that seamlessly blends horror with comedy, making it an engaging watch. The cinematography by Saurabh Goswami is remarkable, adding a visual flair to the

storytelling. Abhay Verma delivers a captivating performance as Bittu, perfectly embodying the character’s balance of fear and courage. The dynamic between Bittu and the malevolent yet oddly endearing spirit of Munjya adds an engaging layer to the story. Sharvari shines particularly in the second half, while Mona Singh is magical as the protective mother, showcasing impeccable comic timing. Suhas Joshi, a veteran, brings a heartwarming

presence, especially in her scenes with Abhay. The film also features Elvis Karim Prabhakar (S. Sathyaraj), who provides comic relief as a caricature-like yet endearing 'Hand of God' figure, chanting ‘hallelujah’ to free people from evil spirits.

Munjya stands out for its unique premise, strong performances, and perfect mix of chills and laughs. It’s a must-watch for fans of innovative horror-comedy.

The perfect qurbani dinner

Ingredients:

We're in partnership with Supreme to share their recipes with you!

If you're viewing online simply click play - holding a physical paper?

Find more online!

Eid-Al-Adha is all about Qurbani. Every year during the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah, Muslims around the world slaughter an animal – a goat, sheep, cow or camel – to reflect the Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail, for the sake of God.

After the animal has been sacrificed, its meat is then distributed to those most in need and among family. With Eid upon us, and lots of meat distribution, we know this delicious Leg of Sheep recipe from Supreme will be a winner with many households.

Eid Mubarak to all in advance.

Leg of Sheep Method:

Leg of Sheep:

Total cooking time: approximately 6 hours or until fall apart tender (cooking time may vary).

Place leg of sheep in a large roasting tray. In a large bowl, add all ingredients except leg of sheep and water.

Mix well and pour marinade over the leg and coat well (especially deep in to the cuts).

Cover and marinate in the fridge for up to 48 hours.

Preheat oven to 220°C. Pour 2 cups of water into the roasting tray and seal with foil.

Leg of Sheep:

3 – 3.5 kg leg of sheep with large, deep cuts to the bone

1 cup oil

1 cup Supreme Garlic Paste

¼ cup Supreme Cumin Powder

¼ cup Supreme Coriander Powder

¼ cup Supreme Chilli Flakes

2 tbsp Supreme Cinnamon Powder

1 tbsp Supreme Nutmeg Powder

¼ cup Supreme Paprika Powder

1 tsp Supreme Clove Powder

1 tsp Supreme Green Powder

1 tbsp Supreme Coarse Black Pepper

¼ cup Supreme Onion Powder

2 tbsp Supreme Turmeric Powder

¼ cup honey

¼ cup pomegranate molasses

2 tbsp vinegar

Juice of 1 lemon

1 tsp saffron

Salt to taste

1 cup full fat yogurt

2 cups water

5 medium red onions, peeled and cut into quarters

8 bulbs of garlic, slice off the top each head of garlic to expose some of the cloves inside

15-20 baby potato

Garnish:

Chopped coriander Pomegranate seeds

Chilli Sauce:

2 cups tomato ketchup

1 cup finely chopped red onion

½ cup finely chopped coriander

1 cup water

4 tsp vinegar

2 tsp Supreme Chilli Powder

2 tsp Supreme Chilli Flakes

1 tsp Supreme Cumin Powder

Tzatziki:

3 cups full fat yogurt

2 cups finely chopped cucumber

½ cup finely chopped parsley

½ cup finely chopped mint

2 tbsp minced garlic

Pinch of Supreme Coarse Black Pepper

Saffron Rice:

½ cup oil

5 cups Lubna Super Kernel Sella Rice, rinsed and drained

10 cups boiling chicken stock/ vegetable stock

1 tsp saffron

Place in the oven and cook for 1 hour then reduce heat to 150°c and cook for 5 more hours, turning the leg over every 2 hours.

After 4th hour of cooking add red onions, garlic and baby potatoes.

On final hour, remove foil and cook uncovered. Once the meat is tender and pulls apart easily remove from oven and cover with foil and let it rest for 20 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped coriander and pomegranate seeds.

Chilli Sauce:

In a bowl, mix together all the ingredients and set aside in the fridge until ready to serve.

Tzatziki:

In a bowl, mix together all the ingredients and set aside in the fridge until ready to serve.

Saffron Rice:

Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add rice and stir to coat evenly.

Add stock, saffron and salt (if needed) and bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low and cook covered until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and serve.

Donald Duck at 90: how the Disney favourite has evolved to appeal to a changing society

By JOEL GRAY

Donald Duck’s first appearance on screen was the animated short titled The Wise Little Hen. He was intended as a one-off supporting character, but his immediate popularity meant Disney used him in subsequent comic stories and animated shorts.

Within a few years of his debut appearance in 1934, Donald Duck had already achieved a celebrity status comparable to Shirley Temple or Greta Garbo. His popularity is made clear in Disney’s 1939 animated short The Autograph Hound, whereby the Hollywood A-List of the time drop their studio filming commitments to seek Donald’s autograph.

By 1940, Walt Disney himself referred to Donald Duck as “the Gable of our stable” – pairing Donald’s popularity with the Hollywood superstar Clark Gable, the biggest name at MGM Studios at the time. Donald’s icon status was cemented in the 1940s the world over, from comic books in Europe and South America, to starring in US government domestic propaganda during the

second world war.

Donald starred in cartoons designed to encourage Americans to rally behind the war effort. These short animations range from encouraging people to invest in American government bonds, to ridiculing Hitler as a deranged despot. The latter short – Der Fuehrer’s Face – won Donald his first Oscar in 1943, though it has since been widely criticised for its caricatured imagery of Japanese people.

Donald is arguably as popular now as he was in his mid-20th century peak. Media researcher Chris Rojek has even used Donald as an example in his categorisation of celebrities. The duck represents the archetypal “celeactor”, a “fictional character who is an institutionalised feature of popular culture”.

Unlike many Disney characters, Donald’s stories take place in the present day and his stories are contemporary to the audience enjoying them. This is clear in his relationships with female characters.

In Donald’s early days, female characters were often limited to representing beauty, domesticity and subservience to the patriarchy – reflecting the

experiences of women the world over. For example, Daisy Duck was originally almost never shown as having her own job or career, in sharp contrast to Donald, who is shown in many jobs including private detective, postal worker and salesperson.

In more recent years, though, female characters have developed to reflect the modern world. This includes the animated debut of characters such as Donald’s sister Della Duck. Della is a skilled pilot, often found in the middle of action scenes and essential to the plots of the comic-book series Ducktales (2018), as well as the television show of the same name. Della Duck, Daisy Duck and other female characters have agency in these stories – they are main characters and not merely there to support the male superstar.

Arguably, Donald Duck is a more relatable character than aliens from a galaxy far away, or teenage royals from a place of “once upon a time”. Donald and his friends meet the same daily challenges and enjoyment we do; traffic jams, job (dis)satisfaction, seaside holidays, festive family gatherings and so on. It is not difficult for his audiences

device for Donald Duck over the past 90 years. Donald enjoyed the technological developments of radio and television in the animated shorts he starred in during the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. And in his most recent animated appearances in Ducktales, characters are seen using social media platform QuackChat – an obvious parody of Snapchat.

Donald Duck is eternally popular because he is the “everyman”. People the world over still find much to relate to and laugh at in his temper tantrums at life’s travails. He provides a way to project our own frustrations in a comparable way to more adult cartoon stars, such as Homer Simpson of The Simpsons or Peter Griffin of Family Guy. As long as Donald keeps pace with society and continues to

to empathise, identify and understand the situations Donald finds himself in.

Relatable experiences have been an important narrative

reflect the ever-changing world we live in, this duck is unlikely to fly away anytime soon.

Donald worked in a Nazi factory in Der Fuehrer's Face (1943)

Screenshot of the cartoon character Donald Duck in The Wise Little Hen (1934). Donald Duck made his debut in this animated cartoon.

Donald Duck is known for his fiery temper

Drinking lots of water may seem like a healthy habit – here’s when and why it can prove toxic

By PROFESSOR ADAM TAYLOR

In late 2023, actor Brooke Shields suffered a seizure after “flooding” her body with water. Shields became dangerously low on sodium while preparing for her show by drinking loads of water. “I flooded my system and I drowned myself,” she would later explain. “And if you don’t have enough sodium in your blood or urine or your body, you can have a seizure.”

Shields said she found herself walking around outside for “no reason at all”, wondering: “Why am I out here?”

“Then I walk into the restaurant and go to the sommelier who had just taken an hour to watch my run through. That’s when everything went black. Then my hands drop to my side and I go headfirst into the wall.”

Shields added that she was “frothing at the mouth, totally blue, trying to swallow my tongue”.

Like Shields, many people may be unaware of the dangers of drinking excessive amounts of water – especially because hydration is so often associated with health benefits. Models and celebrities often advocate drinking lots of water to help maintain clear, smooth skin. Some social media influencers have promoted drinking a gallon of water daily for weight loss. But excessive water consumption can cause hyponatraemia – a potentially fatal condition of low sodium in

the blood. WORRIED ABOUT HYDRATION LEVELS? CHECK YOUR URINE

The body strictly regulates its water content to maintain the optimum level of total body water and “osmolality” – the concentration of dissolved particles in your blood. Osmolality increases when you are dehydrated and decreases when you have too much fluid in your blood.

Osmolality is monitored by osmoreceptors that regulate sodium and water balance in the hypothalamus – the part of the brain that controls numerous hormones. These osmoreceptors signal the release of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), which acts on blood vessels and the kidneys to control the amount of water and salt in the body.

In healthy people, the body releases ADH when osmolality becomes high. ADH tells the kidneys to reabsorb water, which makes urine more concentrated. The reabsorbed water dilutes the blood, bringing osmolality back to normal levels.

Low blood osmolality suppresses the release of ADH, reducing how much water the kidneys reabsorb. This dilutes your urine, which the body then passes to rid itself of the excess water.

Healthy urine should be clear and odourless. Darker, yellower urine with a noticeable odour can indicate dehydration – although

medications and certain foods, including asparagus, can affect urine colour and odour, too.

HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH?

Adults should consume two-to-three litres per day, of which around 20% comes from food. However, we can lose up to ten litres of water through perspiration – so sweating during exercise or in hot weather increases the amount of water we need to replace through drinking.

Some medical conditions can cause overhydration. Approximately one in five schizophrenia patients drink water compulsively, a dangerous condition known as psychogenic polydipsia. One long-term study found that patients with psychogenic polydipsia have a “74% greater chance of dying before a non-polydipsic patient”.

In some cases, people with anorexia nervosa can also suffer from compulsive water drinking.

For those suffering from polydipsia, treatment is focused on medication to reduce the urge to drink, as well as increasing sodium levels. This should be done gradually to avoid causing myelinolysis –neurological damage caused by rapid changes in sodium levels in nerve cells.

In rare but often highly publicised cases such as that of Leah Betts in 1995, some users of the illegal drug MDMA (also known as ecstasy) have died after drinking copious amounts

of water to rehydrate after dancing and sweating.

The drug increases body temperature, so users drink water to avoid overheating. Unfortunately, MDMA also triggers the unnecessary release of ADH, causing water retention. The body becomes unable to rid itself of excess water, which affects its electrolyte levels –causing cells to swell with water. Symptoms of water intoxication start with nausea, vomiting, blurred vision and dizziness. As the condition progresses, sufferers can often display symptoms of psychosis, such as inappropriate behaviour, confusion, delusions, disorientation and hallucinations.

These symptoms are caused by hyponatraemia, where sodium levels are diluted or depleted in blood and the subsequent imbalance of electrolytes affects the nervous system. Water begins to move into the brain causing a cerebral oedema – brain swelling because of excessive fluid buildup, which is usually fatal if not treated.

A healthy body will tell you when it needs water. If you’re thirsty and your urine is dark with a noticeable odour, then you need to drink more. If you aren’t thirsty and your urine is clear or the colour of light straw, then you’re already doing a good job of hydrating yourself.

Image Pixabay

Water drops

This article originally appeared in The Conversation contributed by Professor Adam Taylor Director of the Clinical Anatomy Learning Centre at Lancaster University

Brooke Shields

Labour’s Naz Shah upsets Right-Wing figures Tommy Robinson and Nigel Farage with Urdu campaign speech

By DAVID BASS

A prominent figure in Bradford politics has drawn criticism for making a speech to her constituents in Urdu – despite Bradford having a large number of Urdu speakers.

Naz Shah is well established as both a leading figure in the Labour Party, serving on the opposition front bench, and has been member of Parliament for Bradford West since 2015. She is both popular and well known in the area, initially elected to Parliament with 49.6% of the vote, and recently won the British Asian Women’s Awards 2024 for achievement in politics.

Outspoken on issues of importance to her constituents, such as the plight of the Palestinian people and poverty, she claims: “I have never been afraid to speak up and represent the people of Bradford West” –many of whom are of Pakistani heritage, with Urdu being the national language of Pakistan.

In a recent census of Bradford, Urdu was the third most spoken language in the area, shortly behind Punjabi, with English being the most widely spoken in the area. However, her choice to speak to a certain demographic of her constituents in a language that represents their heritage has drawn in criticism on the Twitter / X platform – with one user making the comment, ‘English speaking people in Bradford must be in the minority’.

The speech was made on 22 May across social media, alongside an English version, addressing the announcement of an upcoming general election on 4 July, calling for support and setting her intention to ‘continue the work that I have started on’ and to ‘ensure that this strong voice continues for you, for Bradford West here in Parliament.’

In the clip, (translated) she proudly proclaims:

“A summer election is set for July 4th! I will be standing to be re – elected as the parliamentary candidate for Bradford West. Support my campaign to help me continue to be a strong and outspoken voice for Bradford West.”

However, her linguistic choice has drawn both praise and attack – one Facebook user commented, ‘You don’t even stand for people in Bradford you only campaign for Palestinians and Pakistanis, not what you are paid to do!”

Although campaign speeches have been made in specific ethnic languages before, Shah’s video seems to have caused particular upset to right wing figures, including Tommy Robinson and Nigel Farage, who have expressed their opposition.

One X user even went so far to say:

“It should be against the law to campaign for a British election in any other language but English.”

Many of these critics allege that Ms Shah’s move is divisive and panders specifically to only one part of the diverse makeup of Bradford.

raising concerns about ethnos –religious sectarianism in politics last week, because that is exactly what Naz Shah has engaged in here.”

He continues:

“If an MP plays into that sectarianism by delivering campaign announcements in foreign languages, or, as Angela Rayner promised Muslim constituents, campaigns on behalf of foreign nations, then they should be deselected and barred from Parliament.”

Despite the right – wing backlash, the video has proven

massively popular, with over 1.6 million views being reported. Equally there has been much praise for the former Bradford East MP’s Urdu speech. Narinder Kaur, broadcaster, commentator and former Big Brother celebrity quoted on X: “I applaud MPs who are bilingual and able to communicate with all our communities. My parents would have loved and appreciated their local MP speaking or at least a translation in punjabi to make them FULLY understand where their vote was going. Included not excluded in the GE”

One such critic, Connor Tomlinson, host of show ‘Tomlinson Talks’ hit out claiming:

“It is notable that Nigel Farage was accused of racism when

Naz Shah criticised for making speech in Urdu despite Bradford having a large number of Urdu speakerste

Nigel Farage

Tommy Robinson

Image Gage Skidmore

Image Wikipedia

New location for obotics centre will 'maximise regeneration'

By CHRIS YOUNG

Building a training centre in the heart of Keighley rather than on its outskirts will “maximise regeneration” in the town – a meeting has heard.

But there are still major questions over where at least £1m of the funding will come from.

Late last year, Keighley was awarded £19.8 million through the Government’s Levelling Up Fund after a bid by Bradford Council was approved.

Projects to be funded through the bid include an Advanced Robotics and Engineering Institute that would train students in future technologies.

Keighley and Worth Valley Railway would get an upgrade to boost passenger numbers, and £8m would be used to entice developers to build on four long empty brownfield sites in the town.

Members of Bradford Council’s Executive were given an update on the funding at a meeting on Tuesday.

The meeting heard there had been a number of changes to the plans for the Robotics and Engineering – including moving its eventual location.

Instead of being built on the Stockbridge Depot, as originally

planned when the bid was submitted to Government in 2022, the centre will now be built on the former Keighley College site on Lord Street – which faces onto Cavendish Street.

It will sit next to a planned health hub – due to be built on a neighbouring vacant site.

But the report says while the Levelling Up cash will pay £7.6m towards the estimated £8.7m cost of the centre – the remaining shortfall will currently have to be made up by either the Council or third parties.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Executive for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said:

“The location of this hub is even better than the original plan, and it will complement the health and wellbeing centre that will be built on the neighbouring site.

“It will really maximise the regeneration of this area of Keighley Town Centre.”

Angela Blake, Assistant Director for Economic Development, told the meeting: “Initially the plan was for it to be on the Stockbridge Depot, but due to the time that has lapsed an alternative site on Lord Street in the centre of Keighley has been chosen.

“We’ve spoken to stakeholders and the local MP and this move has been supported, so it will be located at this site if it goes forward.”

The report to the Executive explained: “The initial proposal was also for the Council to deliver the construction phase of the AREI, which when completed, would then be leased to the Luminate Group and Bradford University at a peppercorn rent.

“This would have involved the Council carrying the responsibility

for the overall construction risk.”

But the report says that on top of the Levelling Up Funding, the centre will require additional match funding.

When Council officers looked at

revised costs for the project, due to changes I the market since the scheme was submitted in 2022, they found the extra funding needed would be £2m. By moving the site from Stockbridge to Lord Street the figure was reduced to £1.1m.

But the report added: “The costs would add financial pressure to the existing savings which need to be delivered. The Council would need to find additional savings of £89,000 per annum, to support this scheme if it goes ahead.

“The Council has a fiduciary duty

to its Council taxpayers, the main beneficiaries of project is Luminate Group and Bradford University who charge fees, but the risks for the delivery of the project and all associated costs will sit with the Council.”

Discussions had been held with the Luminate Group and University, but the report adds: “Both Luminate Group and the University of Bradford has confirmed that

Susan Hinchcliffe said: “It says in the group the Luminate Group is not able to help with the funding. They seem to have a lot of other construction projects going on across their estate.”

Mrs Blake replied: “We’ve met with the group as well as senior managers at the University, and they’ve told us they are unable to raise any new capital for this project.”

they are not able to provide the required match funding into the AREI or to take on responsibility for managing the construction project and the associated risks involved with that.”

At the meeting Council Leader

The Executive voted for the Council to “continue to try to identify alternative sources of match funding and a partner to take on the construction risk of the project.”

Bradford Council leader Susan Hinchcliffe

Cllr Alex Ross Shaw

Keighley advanced robotics site

Indian election: Narendra Modi hasn’t delivered the expected landslide –where the BJP may have gone wrong

By PROFESSOR THANKOM ARUN

Narendra Modi may have led his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to a historic third term, but the landslide victory that many had expected failed to materialise. With half of the 640 million votes counted, Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its political allies were on course to win 290 seats. It’s enough to form a coalition government – but is 60 fewer seats than it won in the 2019 election.

Despite being fragmented and perceived as weak on a national level, the Congress Party-led opposition, the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (or India), managed to gain traction in regional strongholds such as Tamil Nadu, Punjab and Maharastra, creating a more competitive electoral landscape.

In 2019, the BJP secured a majority in its own right. This time it will need to rely on its electoral alliances to maintain power. Nonetheless, Modi’s victory holds significant implications for India’s political landscape and future direction.

The BJP has employed a

nuanced strategy over its tenyear tenure in office. It has tried to tailor its agenda to resonate with the diverse priorities and concerns of different regions across India. This approach has involved emphasising specific local issues, cultural narratives and economic needs that vary from one state to another.

In India’s northern states, such as Madhya Pradesh, the BJP has

focused on national security and Hindu nationalism. In the south, meanwhile, it has prioritised economic development and infrastructure projects. This approach resonated with voters in the south who were frustrated with the status quo and sought better governance and economic progress.

The BJP won its first ever seat in Kerala in the southwest, traditionally a stronghold for the Congress Party and the Communist Party of India (Marxist). Local movie star, Suresh Gopi, won a big majority in the temple city of Thrissur. He campaigned on development issues, while avoiding any talk of Hindu nationalism, despite this being a theme which has played well for the BJP elsewhere.

Interestingly, religious nationalism did not resonate as strongly with the electorate in general. This was even the case in Uttar Pradesh in the north-east, despite the huge publicity coup afforded Modi in January when he inaugurated a temple to Ram at Ayodhya on the site of a former mosque. The Socialist party and Congress alliance won 42 of 80 seats, five more than the BJP. This is a blow for the BJP, and particularly for Yogi Adityanath, the state’s chief minister, a strong contender as Modi’s successor. This reduced margin of victory indicates that the BJP may need

to recalibrate its approach, particularly concerning its Hindu nationalist, or “Hindutva” policies.

While religious nationalism has been a powerful tool in mobilising support during the BJP’s first two terms, the recent election results suggest that it might not always be sufficient to secure widespread victories.

But, as you’d expect in such a massive and populous country, there have been other factors at play. Extensive welfare measures introduced by the Modi government have significantly bolstered his support.

But despite the resilience and buoyancy of the Indian economy under Modi’s leadership, challenges remain. Stagnation in the manufacturing sector and the government’s poor performance on job creation have cast shadows over Modi’s growth narrative. While digital advancements and welfare initiatives have been successful, addressing these economic concerns is crucial for sustaining long-term growth and stability.

DIVERSITY IS STRENGTH

The strength of India’s democracy lies in its vibrant political discourse and the celebrated concept of the “argumentative Indian”. This culture of debate and dissent is vital for a healthy democracy, as

it ensures that multiple voices and perspectives are heard and considered.

Instances such as the BJP government’s delayed response to the farmers’ protests underscore the importance of addressing public grievances and adapting policies based on feedback. The government’s eventual willingness to engage in dialogue and retract controversial agricultural laws demonstrated a responsiveness that can strengthen democracy by showing a commitment to listening and adjusting to the populace’s concerns.

Many people, meanwhile, expressed discomfort with the Modi government’s extreme positions on privacy and diverse beliefs. For instance, watering down the Information (RTI) Act of 2005, which was intended as a powerful tool for exposing corruption and ensuring good governance. India has fallen 11 places in the World Press Freedom Index to 161 out of 180 countries as freedom of expression has come under strain.

The BJP must now ensure that its third term does not lead to the marginalisation of minority voices or the erosion of democratic norms. Instead, it should use this period to foster a more inclusive political environment that encourages healthy debate and innovation.

Meanwhile, despite being formed relatively recently, in July 2023, the opposition India coalition put on an impressive performance. The coalition must now develop a sustained and coherent platform that resonates with a broader population segment.

By promoting a political landscape that values diverse perspectives and robust debate, India can continue to build a dynamic and inclusive democracy. This balance is essential for addressing the nation’s complex challenges and ensuring that democratic principles are upheld for future generations.

Narendra Modi sworn in as Prime Minister in 2014

loyalties.

Image GOL

20 CROSSWORDS

CROSSWORD

Across

1.Roam (4)

3 .Deceitful (3-5)

9.Jittery (7)

10.Workers' organisation (5)

11.Instense sorrow (5)

12 .Fo otball or cricket team (6)

14 .L eave (6)

16.Nearer (6)

19.Chess piece (6)

21.German sausage (5)

24 .Mother-of-pearl (5)

25.Bo oty (7)

26.One of the Channel Islands (8)

27.Song from an opera (4)

Spot the differences 5

Down

1.Turncoat (8)

2 ."Aida" composer (5)

4 .Cricketer's "bible" (6)

5.Wind instrument (5)

6.Sculptor's tools (7)

7.Unpleasantly wet and cold (4)

8.Money chest (6)

13 .South African capital (8)

15.Brio, flair (7)

17.L icit (6)

18.Paper fastener (6)

20.Angel (anag.) (5)

22 .L ess civil (5)

23 .Cosy (4)

CODEWORD

Behind the scenes of Umro Ayyar A New Beginning

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Competitive basic salary plus uncapped commission. OTE in excess of £50k Car allowance Company mobile

FANCY WRITING FOR US?

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If the answer is yes, then we want to hear

T20 World Cup: Bumrah, Hardik, Pant star as India beat Pakistan by six runs

After 30 minutes of rain delay, and another 29 minutes of rain enforced interruption post the first over, Virat Kohli got going with a creaming cover drive for four. But he chased a wide delivery from Naseem, and picked out point.

In the next over, Rohit Sharma miscued a pick-up shot off Shaheen and was caught by deep square leg. Amir beat a promoted Axar’s outside edge thrice in as many balls, before the batter cut and ramped Shaheen for four and six respectively.

On the other hand, luck favoured Pant heavily – a healthy outside edge went past Iftikhar at slip for four off Amir. Immediately after, a top-edge on his wristy flick was dropped by Usman at cover and Pant’s attempt to drive again took an outside edge flying over Iftikhar for four more, as India ended a dramatic power-play at 50/2.

Axar skipped down the pitch to drive over Iftikhar’s head for four, but in a bid to repeat that shot against Naseem, he completely missed the ball and was castled. Pant again survived on 17 when Usman shelled a chance to catch his top-edge on the slog-sweep off Imad.

But from the 10th over off Haris, things changed dramatically for Pant. He lofted a slower ball over mid-off, fell over to paddle over short fine leg and flicked in the same region to pick a hat-trick of fours, followed by a lovely reverse-sweep off Imad to pick another boundary.

But Pakistan bounced back as Suryakumar Yadav picked out mid-off against Amir and Shivam Dube chipped a simple catch to Naseem off his own bowling. Amir had Pant finally running out of luck when his miscued

loft was caught by mid-off moving to his left and Ravindra Jadeja chipped straight to short mid-off on consecutive deliveries.

Pakistan ensured India didn’t get to close their innings well as Rauf got Pandya flicking to deep backward square leg and had Bumrah hit straight to short cover on consecutive balls. Arshdeep’s run-out by Azam ensured India’s innings ended with one over unused, which didn’t become a factor in their stunning victory.

Brief Scores: India 119 in 19 overs (Rishabh Pant 42; Naseem Shah 3-21, Haris Rauf 3-21) beat Pakistan 113/7 in 20 overs (Muhammad Rizwan 31; Jasprit Bumrah 3-14, Hardik Pandya 2-24) by six runs.

Puja Tomar creates history, becomes first Indian women to win in UFC

He is the king of batters: Kohli's childhood coach Raj Kumar hails India talisman batter

on the talisman India

and said that he is the king of batters whose technique is very good.

Ahead of the India V Pakistan match on Sunday 9 June, in the T20 World Cup, Kohli has scored 308 runs in five matches at an average of 308.00 and a strike rate of 132.75, with four halfcenturies and best score of 82*.

Speaking to ANI, Raj Kumar Sharma said that Kohli has a good temperament and can adapt to any conditions. Kohli ’s childhood coach added that the 35-year-old should open against Pakistan.

"Virat is the king of batters whose technique is very good. He has a good temperament. His adaptability is such that he can adapt to any condition. He understands his responsibilities and in such difficult wickets he will be more conscious while

playing because he knows that he needs to stay there on that wicket and with the kind of technique he has he should open," Raj Kumar said.

Talking about India’s match against Pakistan, he said that it won’ t be easy. Raj Kumar added that the team who can hold on to their nerves will the match on Sunday.

"The match against Pakistan is never easy. It is always a pressure game. The team that holds on to the nerves wins.

Looking at the current form one can say that India are far superior on the side but Pakistan can never be taken lightly because they also come hard on us. Even if they play with the same intention that lose to anybody but don’ t lose to India like our Indian fans feel," he added.

The Men in Blue are coming into this match after beating Ireland by 8 wickets. Meanwhile,

Babar Azam-led Pakistan conceded a disappointing loss against the US in the superover in their previous game of the marquee event.

India T20 WC Squad: Rohit Sharma (C), Hardik Pandya, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.

Pakistan T20 WC Squad: Babar Azam (C), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan.

Mixed martial arts athlete, Puja "The Cyclone" Tomar, made her UFC debut as India’s first female fighter in UFC, and scored a victory to make history by becoming the first Indian fighter to register a win inside the UFC octagon.

Tomar who hails from Uttar Pradesh, faced Rayanne dos Santos at strawweight in the very first bout of the card. She and dos Santos went all three rounds: 15 minutes of gruelling, fast-paced back-andforth action.

"I want to show the world that Indian fighters are not losers. We are going all the way up! We are not going to stop! We'll become a UFC champion soon! This win is not my win, it’s for all Indian fans and all Indian fighters. I walked out to my Indian song with the Indian flag, and I felt so proud.

"I had goosebumps. Inside (the Octagon), there was no pressure, I just thought, 'I have to win'. I took two or three punches, but I’m OK. I’m going to improve myself and I’m going all the way up," said Puja following her historic victory.

Santos used her height advantage and range to dictate the action, but Tomar went kicking and screaming to the final bell, causing damage in the process. When the scorecards were read, Tomar picked up a split decision win (30-27, 27-30, 29-28).

"Puja Tomar is a pioneer for women’s MMA in India, and her win made history. India has a long-standing tradition of women excelling in combat sports, and UFC has been a platform for women to shine since 2013, so Puja’s debut shows how far the UFC has come as a sport. We are looking forward to Puja continuing to put on amazing performances as she represents India,” added Kevin Chang, UFC Senior Vice President and Head of Asia.

Virat Kohli ’s childhood coach Raj Kumar Sharma showered praise

batter

Pinterest

Jasprit Bumrah

SPORTS Complete team performance: Nasser Hussain on Australia's 36-run win over England

After Australia's thumping 36run win over England in the T20 World Cup 2024 at the Kensington Oval in Barbados, former cricketer Nasser Hussain said that it was a complete team performance from Mitchell Marsh's side.

Aussie spinner Adam Zampa was named the 'Player of the Match' after the 32-year-old bagged two crucial wickets in his four-over spell.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Nasser said the Aussies outclassed England in the 17th match of the marquee event. The former England skipper said that Australia's 201-run knock in the first inning was too much on Kensington Oval's pitch.

"Australia outclassed England, it was a complete team performance. A total of 201 was too many on that pitch, even with that short boundary," Nasser was quoted by Sky Sports as saying.

The 56-year-old added that England's decision to bowl Will Jacks in the first inning has backfired on the English side.

Jacks bowled for just one over in the match and gave 22 runs.

"The decision to bowl Jacks backfired but I didn't like how they were too slow to go to their slower balls and cutters. I saw them obsessed by blowing away opposition with pace and I think it was a pace-off pitch and they didn't adapt quickly enough," he added.

Former England cricketer Michael Atherton also gave a similar statement and said that Jos Buttler's decision to bowl Jacks was odd as the 25-yearold is inexperienced.

"I thought the decision to bowl Jacks was odd on a couple of counts, as England have gone with pace in their line-up

Indian tennis icon embarks on 'sacred journey of Hajj' to seek

'spiritual

renewal'

Wood and Jofra Archer and also because Jacks is pretty inexperienced and the type of off-spinner that is quite floaty. It could have paid off against the lefties but it was a high-risk strategy and one that cost 22 runs," Atherton said.

Recapping the match, Australia opening pair Travis Head and David Warner's fiery 70-run stand laid the foundation for the Baggy Greens. The

rest of the batters chipped in valuable contributions which took Australia to their biggest total in the history of the competition - 201/7.

In reply, England's opening pair Jos Buttler and Phil Salt began the chase in a similar fashion.

However, the middle order failed to provide the required support.

Australia managed to restrict their arch-rivals to 165/6 and clinch a thumping 36-run win.

Emotional moment to see Olympic Rings at the heart of Paris: IOC president Bach at Eiffel Tower

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach expressed happiness with Paris' iconic Eiffel Tower getting decorated with the five Olympic rings.

The IOC Media page on X shared a picture of Bach posing near the iconic monument.

"Emotional moment to see the Olympic Rings at the heart of Paris. Getting more real everyday." - IOC President Thomas Bach #Paris2024," commented on X IOC Media handle.

The Eiffel Tower is all decked up for the Olympic Games, starting from 26 July and going on till 11 August. The installation of the iconic five Olympic rings took place on Friday 7 June between the first and second floors of the Eiffel Tower when it was exactly 50 days to go until the Opening Ceremony of the marquee sporting event.

The rings installed were 29 metres wide, 13 metres high and about 30 tonnes. Each ring had a diameter of nine metres.

Paris 2024 President Tony Estanguet commented as quoted by Olympics. com: "It is wonderful. There are a lot of emotions, and we can feel that things are

happening. With the Olympic Torch Relay travelling across the country and now with the unveiling of the Olympic rings, it will transform the face of Paris and rally the entire nation for these memorable Olympic Games."

The Eiffel Tower was also the inspiration behind the design of the medals, each of which contains a piece of this legendary monument, as well as the podium design, which features geometric shapes carved into them.

The Olympic rings will be displayed in their traditional colours that have become a such a big part of sporting culture - blue, yellow, black, green, and red from left to right - by day, and will turn white by night. These rings are made out of 100,000 lowintensity LEDs, the rings will shine until the end of the Paralympics in late September.

In the Olympics, India will be looking to outdo their all-time best tally of seven medals, including a gold, which they achieved in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. In the Paralympics, India will be aiming to outdo their best tally of 19 medals, including five gold, achieved at the 2020 edition in Tokyo.

Sania Mirza all set to embark on a "sacred journey" of Hajj with to seek "redemption and spiritual renewal", the former world No. 1 in doubles announced in a social media post. Sania shared a post on Instagram which read, "Dear friends and loved ones, have been blessed with the incredible opportunity to embark on the sacred journey of Haj. As prepare for this transformative experience, humbly ask for your forgiveness for any wrongdoings and shortcomings. My heart is filled with gratitude for this chance to seek redemption and spiritual renewal.

"I pray that Allah accepts my prayers and guides me on this blessed path. am deeply fortunate and feel immensely grateful. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as embark on this journey of a lifetime. hope to come back as a better human being with a humble heart and stronger imaan."

Hajj is the sacred pilgrimage performed by Muslims at the holy mosque of Masjid al-Haram in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. This year, Hajj is taking place between June 14 to 19 in the Gregorian Calendar.

A six-time Grand Slam champion closed out her glittering career at the last year's Australian Open where she along with her mixed doubles partner Rohan Bopanna lost to Luisa Stefani and Rafael Matos in the final.

She won her first major at the Australian Open in 2009, capturing the mixed title with Mahesh Bhupathi. She went on to win mixed doubles at the 2012 French Open and 2014 US Open.

In 2015, Sania joined forces with Martina Hingis and the duo went on to win three straight majors, capturing the titles at 2015 Wimbledon and US Open along with 2016 Australian Open.

Sania rose to Doubles No.1 for the first time in April 2015, becoming the first Indian woman to hold the No.1 ranking on the WTA Tour.

with

IOC President Thomas Bach get's emotional seeing

the Olympic Rings on iconic Paris landmark

SPORTS

INDIAN TENNIS ICON EMBARKS ON 'SACRED JOURNEY OF HAJJ' TO SEEK 'SPIRITUAL RENEWAL' HE IS THE KING OF BATTERS: KOHLI'S CHILDHOOD COACH RAJ KUMAR HAILS INDIA TALISMAN

But India bounced back on the first ball after drinks break as Axar trapped Usman lbw at the crease with a slider coming from wide of the crease, with replays showing it would have crashed into leg stump.

T20 World Cup: Bumrah,

Hardik, Pant star as India beat Pakistan by six runs

Jasprit Bumrah showed why he’s one of the best bowlers in the world through his sensational spell of 3-14, including 15 dot balls, as India successfully defended 119 to beat Pakistan by six runs in a highly-anticipated Men’s T20 World Cup match at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium on Sunday 9 June. After fast bowlers Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf took identical figures of 3-21 as Pakistan bowled out India for just 119 in 19 overs, with Rishabh Pant top-scoring via 42 off 31 balls, India clawed their way back in, thanks to Bumrah’s heroic

spell, starting from him taking out Mohammad Rizwan.

He also got excellent support from Hardik Pandya, who took 2-6 from two overs after conceding 18 in his first two overs. Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh and Axar Patel took a wicket each to ensure Pakistan, who were 80/3 at one point, were restricted to 113/7, as India successfully defended their lowest total ever in T20Is in a remarkable low-scoring heist.

Chasing 120, Babar Azam began with a punchy on-drive off Siraj, while Muhammad Rizwan was dropped on seven by long leg off

Bumrah. Azam authoritatively pulled Bumrah for four, before the fast-bowler had the last laugh when his back of the length ball got extra bounce and seam movement to take his outside edge to first slip. Under pressure to tee off, Rizwan danced down the pitch to smack Pandya over long-off for six as Pakistan ended power-play at 35/1. After Rizwan survived a run-out chance off Hardik, Usman Khan broke his edgy run by slapping him over cover for four, followed by the former bringing out inside-out lofted drive off Ravindra Jadeja to pick another boundary.

Fakhar Zaman came in to launch Axar down the ground for six and whip Arshdeep for four more, before top-edging a pull to Pant taking an over the shoulder catch off Pandya. Bumrah returned to rattle Rizwan’s stumps, while Pandya bounced out Shadab Khan as Pant sprinted to his left to take the catch. With boundaries not coming, India continued to increase the pressure and resulted in Iftikhar Ahmed took on a full toss from Bumrah, but holed out to fine leg, who almost collided with square leg, as his spell became the real differentiator between winning and losing for India. Despite an over-rate penalty forcing India to have an extra fielder in the 30-yard circle, Arshdeep caught inside edge of Imad’s bat on a yorker which Pant caught safely. Despite Arshdeep being hit for two fours by Naseem, India ensured they pulled off a remarkable heist to seal a memorable win over Pakistan. Earlier, on a tricky pitch where ball stopped on batters occasionally, only three batters reached double figures for India, as Pant top-scored with 42 - a largely charmed life at the crease, where his trademark unorthodox shots got him better returns than orthodox strokes. At one point, India were comfortably placed at 89/3 in 11 overs, before they dramatically lost the plot. Naseem, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Amir triggered an epic collapse with their brilliant bowling as India lost their last seven wickets for just 30 runs. In a bid to attack in the middle overs, India lost batters due to poor shots and kept picking out fielders, which meant they couldn’t stitch partnerships in a reckless batting performance.

FIH Pro League: Indian women's hockey team finish eighth after 2-3 loss to Britain

The Indian women’s hockey team ended their FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 campaign with a 2-3 loss against Great Britain on Sunday. Lalremsiami (14') and Navneet Kaur (23') scored for India while Charlotte Watson (3') and Grace Balsdon (56', 58') etched their name on the scoresheet for Great Britain. With this loss, the Indian team finished eighth in this FIH Pro League season, earning 8 points from 16 games.

Great Britain was quick to take the initiative of the game with Howard penetrating into the shooting circle through the right wing and passing to Watson who got the better of Savita to grant Great Britain an early lead. Great Britain pinned India back into their own half after the goal and went on to earn a penalty corner but the Indian backline remained strong. Towards the end of the quarter,

India continued looking for an opening which resulted in a chance as Neha blazed into the shooting circle and unleashed a low drive which was deflected into goal by Lalremsiami. India went on to earn a penalty corner in the last minute, but Udita’s attempt sailed just wide of the post as the first quarter ended with the score tied at 1-1. In the second quarter Great Britain made two quick forays into the shooting circle but failed to score, India replied by earning penalty corners in quick succession, forcing Great Britain goalkeeper Jessica Buchanan into action. Halfway through the quarter, Baljeet Kaur unleashed a tomahawk from the top of the shooting circle which was turned into goal by Navneet Kaur to put India ahead in the game. With 5 minutes left in the quarter Great Britain earned another

backline were proactive to avert any danger to their goal.

penalty corner but India defended well to end the first half 2-1 in their favour.

The third quarter began with India employing a high press as Mumtaz Khan won the ball high up the pitch and found Vandana Katariya free in the shooting circle, but Jessica Buchanan made a stunning close range save to deny Vandana. Eight minutes into the quarter Great Britain began pushing India into their half but Savita and the Indian

Great Britain continued to push for an equaliser in the last quarter but a combative Indian women’s hockey team diffused any threats to their goal with a structured defence. Great Britain’s pressure resulted in a penalty corner with five minutes left in the game but Vaishnavi Vithal Phalke rushed to swat away the shot on goal. They earned another penalty corner soon after and Grace Balsdon dragged it to the right corner of the goal to equalise. Great Britain pushed on in search of the winning goal and earned a penalty corner with 3 minutes left. Grace Balsdon stepped up again to power it past Savita to complete the comeback. India pushed to score the equaliser in the final minutes but failed to create a clear chance and lost the game 2-3.

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