WELCOME TO OUR FIRST ISSUE OF 2023
As 2022 has ended and a fresh new year begins, here at Asian Standard we have only one thing to say – THANK YOU!
Like everyone, team Asian Standard have been reflecting on the things that occurred this past year. From the stories we have written, the year indeed has been eventful, interesting, historic, but often challenging and turbulent. Irrespective, those of you reading this, can take comfort that we have seen it through.
We have immense gratitude for all those who have trusted Asian Standard to share their stories. From devastating news to new business openings, to achieving accolades, thank you for allowing us to be your voice.
Every time we read and edit a story, we re empowered and comforted by the fact that there are people out there fulfilling their own missions to turn a difficult story into a good story. By doing what you do, we get to fulfil our mission by delivering the message that we all have a voice and the power to make a difference.
2022 has been great year for events post the pandemic. We thank everyone for the invitations and celebrations, at your events and those for attending and celebrating at our events. We hope to attend and deliver many more events in 2023.
Along with our loyal readers we of course could not have gotten through this year without our sponsors and advertisers, of whom without we cannot fund our journalism. We thank each and every one of you for your business through what has been a big growth and rebuilding year of Asian Standard. It's a year which has seen us clinch the Best Publication Award at the Asian Media Awards and move into new and bigger premises to continue our growth and have more exciting content and news for you in the years to come.
We are proud to announce our charities of the year Bradford Hospitals Charity and Forget Me Not Children s Hospice, after all community is at the heart of everything we do, and we are sure our readers will help us with their donations to these fantastic causes.
Let's start the year by celebrating the cities, most Influential South Asians of 2022. Hello 2023
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Glasgow City Council has approved plans to erect a memorial in Scotland to recognise the service and sacrifice of
more than four million Indian soldiers in the British Army.
The plans for the memorial, which
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during an interview refused three times to reveal whether he uses private healthcare or not.
When asked during an interview with BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme if he was or had ever been registered with a private GP, Mr Sunak replied "Healthcare was a personal choice."
"I grew up in an NHS family. My dad was a doctor, and a mum who was
pharmacist," The BBC quoted the UK Prime Minister as saying.
He said "We should be making use of the independent sector so patients could choose where they have treatment."
On whether National Health Service (NHS) was "in crisis", he said "It is undeniably under pressure."
The recovery from the pandemic was "going to be tough", he said but was optimistic to overcome the problem.
will come up near Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow, were submitted by Colourful Heritage -- a group that captures first-hand accounts of first-generation South Asians in Scotland, The Glasgow Times reported.
Glasgow City Council approved the plan subject to conditions, which include full details of the designs and content of carvings into the stone.
Samples of the materials for the pavilion and surrounding blocks have also been submitted for approval, according to the paper.
The upcoming structure will feature a 'Chattri' (dome) design for the roof and Locharbriggs sandstone columns, matching the Kelvingrove architecture.
Pillars will be carved creating a South Asian design, and cherry trees will be planted along with benches for people to sit and reflect.
Indian Army soldiers in the UK were from modern day Pakistan, India and Bangladesh.
The memorial will represent the diversity of Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians and Gurkhas who fought alongside British troops during the First and Second World Wars. It will also highlight the special link between Scotland and Force K6 -- the allMuslim Punjabi regiment that escaped from Dunkirk during World War II and made their way to Scotland, as per reports.
Snapchat has announced the departure of a major feature from its layout recently.
The instant messaging app decided to shut down on its camera app for the desktop which allowed users to choose from a variety of filters from cat ears to pirate hats to apply during video calls.
On the support page of the app's website, a message was posted which notified users that 'on 25 January 2023, Snap Camera will no longer be available to use or download'.
"You can continue using Lenses on your computer with Snapchat for Web," the message further read.
The camera feature was introduced to the app in 2018. At the time it was available to use with apps like Skype, YouTube, Zoom and Google Hangouts. Available on both Mac and Windows operating systems, it allowed users to switch different filters during a video call or a live stream.
On Twitter, the messaging app announced that it was now focusing more on making the Camera Kit access more expansive for a better experience on web.
"Hi there, thanks for asking! We're adjusting our web-based investments for the AR creator and developer community to focus on expanding access to Camera Kit for Web. Stay tuned for more info this year, and you can keep using Lenses on your
Meta-owned WhatsApp is reportedly working on a new feature called -- 'Chat Transfer', which will allow users to transfer their data from one Android device to another using a local network.
According to WABetaInfo, the company will bring the new feature to a future update of the app as it is in the developing stage.
With this feature, users will be able to transfer chat history to a new device by scanning the QR code.
It will eliminate the need for Google Drive, so users will no longer have to back up their chat data to the cloud service if they want to transfer the chats from one device to another, said the report.
Meanwhile, WhatsApp also launched a proxy support for users all over the world, like millions of
An Indian man faces up to three years in prison if convicted of outraging a woman's modesty, was reportedly drunk during a New York to New Delhi flight on 26 November.
Shankar Mishra, a former vice president of operations for banking giant Wells Fargo, was arrested in India for allegedly urinating on an elderly woman during the Air India flight.
Indian police say the man, aged 34, was detained in the southern city of Bengaluru following the incident.
Mishra, was transported to the Indian capital on Saturday 7 January, where he was put in custody for 14 days while police investigate.
If convicted the man, who was fired from his job at a high-profile banking firm following the allegations, faces up to three years in prison.
The Times of India newspaper reported the suspect saying that he was drunk at the time of the alleged incident and that he could not
people in Iran and elsewhere who continue to be denied the right to communicate freely and privately.
Choosing a proxy will enable them to connect to WhatsApp through servers set up by volunteers and organisations around the world dedicated to helping people communicate freely.
"We are making it easier for anyone to connect to WhatsApp using a proxy. So when a connection to WhatsApp is blocked, people have the power to restore access," said Will Cathcart, Head of WhatsApp.
computer with Snapchat for Web," the app's tweet read.
Earlier in June 2022, Snapchat had formally unveiled Snapchat+, a premium membership at USD3.99/month service that will give users access to unique features including the option to alter the app icon and the ability to know who has rewatched your stories.
According to TechCrunch, the company had said that it is testing this capability, although it did not provide any information. It has now formally established Snapchat+. With additional nations to be added shortly, the new subscription plan will debut in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
believe what he had done.
Air India only filed a police complaint this week regarding the incident, citing that the crew did not summon police upon landing in New Delhi as they believed that the two people involved had sorted out the issue between them.
Meanwhile, Air India said it had issued written notices and grounded one pilot and four cabin crew in relation to the incident.
The company had faced criticism on social media over its decision to prevent the man from flying with them for 30 days - a ban which activists said was not long enough.
The airline's CEO and managing director, Campbell Wilson, said in a statement: "Air India acknowledges that it could have handled these matters better, both in the air and on the ground and is committed to taking action."
'DRUNK' FORMER WILLS FARGO EMPLOYEE ARRESTED AFTER ALLEGEDLY URINATING ON ELDERLY WOMAN ON AIR INDIA FLIGHT
A North East police force is facing major cuts of more than £11m – and the budget nightmare will get even worse unless households help foot its spiralling bills, taxpayers have been warned.
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Kim McGuinness has unveiled plans for a 9.75% hike in the precept she puts on council tax bills in Tyne and Wear and Northumberland.
The Labour PCC said that her force would have to make £15.8m worth of savings in 2023/24 without the increase – but will still need to cut £11.7m regardless due to “spiralling inflation and rising cost pressures”.
The rise would equate to between 83p and £2.50 per month depending on households’ council tax band, with most in the region being in the lowest-paying Band A category.
Ms McGuinness, who had planned to up the precept by 6.5% in previous proposals announced just six weeks ago, also confirmed plans for a restructure to deploy 134 extra officers to neighbourhood policing – but said Northumbria Police must make “substantial changes” elsewhere to balance the books.
She said: “The Government should be fully funding policing, but instead they’re asking local taxpayers to cover the costs instead and are asking more and more of them.
“Even the full precept rise won’t fully cover what Northumbria Police needs but we are planning around this with a restructure that would see the force allocate 134 new officers into specialist frontline policing to take on the fight against crime.”
In an announcement on Monday 9 January, Ms McGuinness’ office insisted that a drive to combat
anti-social behaviour in problem hotspots across the region “will be safeguarded from the cuts as far as possible”.
It has not yet been confirmed how the force intends to make the identified £11.7m in savings.
The PCC added: “The Government seems in denial about the dire situation of police funding, particularly in the North East. They seem intent on passing the police bill onto the local taxpayer.
“Northumbria Police is up against significant financial pressure and needs investment as inflation continues.”
The police precept rise will come
on top of substantial increases in general council tax bills that are expected to be imposed by cashstrapped local authorities across the North East in the coming weeks.
It comes after Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced in November that councils in England would be allowed to raise council tax by up to 5% without needing to hold a public referendum.
Ms McGuinness is running a public consultation on the police precept increase, which can be completed online by visiting https://northumbria-pcc.gov.uk/
The Government seems in denial about the dire situation of police funding, particularly in the North East. They seem intent on passing the police bill onto the local taxpayer.
Every year with the help of our readers, we are able to compile our annual list of key influencers and movers and shakers of the North East. This year we were particularly looking for influencers, who have used their position to help in those going through difficult times with the cost-of-living crisis and have helped improve society, business, and our environment.
Earning money and achieving success is surely hard work, however being able to have influence is something that only a special few can command. These influencers can help make or break a decision, help set trends but also use their status for the good of their industry or community. So, we set out to find out, just who are the most influential within the North East’s South Asian community.
This year again we have received a huge number of nominations, and we would like to thank each and every one of you who took time out to nominate.
This made the task even more difficult of shaving down the list to the final 20. However, thanks to our panel made up of our editorial team and input from public figures this has finally been achieved. It wasn’t easy trust us as there are so many who are doing some incredible work and deserving of recognition, that it was a real challenge to get to our final 20 influencers. The list is in no particular order and brings forward men and women from all sectors of business, politics, sport, entertainment, and charity and here they are:
Shaid became our first PVC-EDI when he joined Durham University in February 2022. He has been made an MBE in the annual New Year Honours List announced by the UK Government on behalf of His Majesty the King. Shaid received the award for services for further education in Leeds and West Yorkshire. Alongside his university role, he is Chair of Governors of Luminate Education Group and Chair of the Association of Colleges. Before joining Durham, he was Chief Officer for Communities and Transformation and Change at Leeds City Council.
Dr Rajesh Nadkarni is an executive Medical Director and Deputy Chief Executive of Cumberland, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation.
Dr Rajesh 20 years’ experience as a Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist; He has extensive expertise in the clinical assessment and management of mentally disordered offenders and provides clinical expertise to the Newcastle Crown Court Mental Health Team. Dr Rajesh has significant experience of service development in the area of offender health
Dr Rajesh has a national profile where he is an invited member of CASS Business School Advisory Group involved in the development of master’s in medical leadership, City University of London; an invited member of the Mental Health Economics Collaborative, Mental Health Confederation; and an invited member of the National Health and Justice Clinical Reference Group.
Imam Mohammed Roziur Rahman, is a classically trained Imam and mental health chaplain from Newcastle upon Tyne. He works as a Muslim chaplain for the NHS and was previously the Muslim chaplain for Newcastle and Northumbria universities. He is also a Director of Newcastle Council of Faiths and a regular advisor to local organisations. He holds a degree in Islamic Theology (attained at Darul Uloom, Bury) and a MA in chaplaincy (attained at the Markfield institute, Leicester) and is trained in Islamic sciences with a keen interest in Islamic bio-ethics, community engagement and Islamic contextualisation in the current era. He is also a Hafiz of the Quran, a specialist in Quranic Arabic and has taught Islamic subjects in Newcastle for many years. He also was awarded the British Imams and scholars awards (BISCA) for community engagement held in London 2015.
He also was awarded the religious advocacy award at the British Muslim awards 2018. He also was shorlisted for an excelleecne award at the Muslim news award 2019. He currently holds Inter-faith Eid meals for refugees, New Muslims, single parents and disadvantaged people at restaurants he hires personally every year. He counsels the youth on various issues and promotes mental well-being within the Muslim community. He regularly is interviewed on the BBC and ITV on his views regarding current issues.
One of his most ambitious projects is to establish a community complex named 'the centre for humanity', an ambitious project which looks to integrate his current passion for community engagement with a positive future for all.
Meenu Malhotra is founder and Chairman of Malhotra Group PLC. Educated at Sacred Heart Convent School in Ludhiana, India, Meenu came to the UK in 1979 aged nineteen years. Although from an affluent family his introduction to working life in his adopted North East began as a humble newsagent’s assistant. Inherently astute, with a natural business acumen to emerge, his early venture into setting up a fledging fashion and property enterprise rapidly expanded over the years to a multi-tiered PLC that it is today.
Over the years he has won many awards and accolades and continues to help in the entrepreneurial development of the North East
Ammar Mirza is a sought after, leadership and business management consultant through his company AmmarM (UK) Limited. He is a serial entrepreneur with interests and investments across a number of sectors. With more than 15-yearsexperience he has helped establish several hundred new businesses within the North East. As chairman and founder of Asian Business Connexions, a notfor-profit social enterprise that aims to connect, support, and promote the Asian wider community, Ammar has helped make a significant social and economic impact across the Globe.
Ammar was a finalist in the Northern Asian Power list and has been a shortlist for the Northern Powerhouse Northern Lights Business Personality of the Year 2017. Among his many awards and accolades he featured in the top 50 of the 2017 Smith and Williamson Power 100 UK Entrepreneurs. Ammar has helped forge international bi-lateral trade links working with Turkey and Indian based businesses to attract foreign investment into the North East.
Sandeep is co-Director of Spice FM, one of the North East’s leading South Asian media platforms. Spice FM has been at the centre of South Tyneside for many years, educating and entertaining its listeners, with a large reach.
Sandeep has been instrumental in bringing communities together through the various events he has hosted, such as the Diwali Mela. However, the charismatic personality uses his influence to also help those in need. He did just that when setting up a local food bank from the local Hindu temple during Covid. The radio presenter and media entrepreneur was also one of the first to launch a wedding planning business for the South Asian community in the North East. His morning show continues to be one of the most listened radio shows on Spice FM
Krishan Kant Attri, is a priest and a volunteer leader at Newcastle Hindu Temple, He was made an MBE in 2013 for his services to inter-faith relations in the North East. Within three years of assuming leadership of the temple he transformed it into not only a place of worship, but an educational, welfare and social centre and he also actively participated in the Council of Faiths.
Krishan’s contribution in the field of inter-faith relationships has been lauded by the local community.
He worked with other faith leaders to establish strong lines of communication between people of faith communities in the region.
Imran Khaliq joined Gainford Group’s head office in 2008 as an ambitious 21-year-old, shortly after graduating from Northumbria University with a degree in business management. He is the youngest in the family run business and today is a proud director of the business, who has been, and continues to be, a driving force behind its growth.
When big names like Michael Bublé, Sir Anthony Hopkins and Floyd Mayweather need a place to lay their head in Newcastle, it’s the striking Vermont Hotel that becomes the place they can call home. The award-winning hotel is the jewel in the crown of Gainford Group, a hospitality and leisure business which is driven by its founders Susan and Mohammed Khaliq who started out in 1995.
Imran was instrumental in helping the company broaden its horizons and diversify their portfolio.
He has helped the firm expand on their portfolio by building four more care homes and creating nurseries in Birtley and Chester-leStreet under the brand Bright Stars Nursery. The portfolio has gone from strength to strength with award-winning hotels and luxury aparthotels, to leading bars, restaurants, and nightclubs.
Raj Singh has a wealth of experience and expertise in Strategic Management, Policy Planning and Development and Project Management
He has vast experience in the fields of Public Administration, Housing, Leisure and the Arts, Early Years Development, Education Major multi-million-pound Capital Development Projects and Tackling Child Poverty. Raj’s recent work included Assistant Head of School Standards, Head of Early Years Development and Children Centres, Head of Education Regeneration, Head of School Attendance and Child Poverty Lead For a large City Council in the North East, spanning more than 40 years as a public servant.
If that isn’t enough Raj has also built a property Investment Company, Shabilla Properties, specialising in quality furnished accommodation for professionals throughout the North East.
He sits on several board, including ABC Connexions, is an accredited member of the National Landlord Association and an accredited landlord for a number of local Authorities.
He is a member of the Executive Committee of the Newcastle Gurdwara and played a lead role in the development of the iconic building. He is a trustee of the Hylton Castle Board in Sunderland and a serving Magistrate in Northumbria.
Sanjee is Founder and Director of Ideas for Change Consulting, an economic development consultancy operating across the North East. In 1993, after graduating from Brunel University with an Economics degree, Sanjee moved from London to Newcastle to start her first job a North Tyneside Council. The intention was to stay until the end of her contract and return to London, however Sanjee fell in love with Newcastle and the North East never left! Over the past 25 years, Sanjee has worked in senior management positions within Local Authority, Business Link and the former regional development agency, leading on several business support and enterprise schemes, skills and inclusion projects. She has worked with the nicest of people and found that building strong working relationships and collaborating with others is the key to getting things done. Sanjee now works with the region’s universities, colleges, businesses and charities, always looking for creative and innovative solutions to persistent economic and social issues.
Veena has worked in education for over 30 years as a teacher, subject lead and Head of Ethnic Minority and Traveller Achievement Service (EMTAS). She has extensive experience in equality and diversity, raising achievement of Gypsy Roma and traveller (GRT) pupils and teaching English as an additional language (EAL) pupils.
She has worked in a large number of schools throughout the region and has extensive knowledge of strategies to use with young people who have English as an additional language. Veena has developed many resources for EAL and Traveller pupils which have been used in schools and other education institutions.
Veena has worked with parents and ran workshops and training sessions for parents so that they can understand the school curriculum, policies, procedures and strategies used in schools.
Veena’s expertise lies in a whole school approach to supporting ethnic minority pupils and believes that all teachers should have the knowledge and strategies to work with pupils who are at different stages of language acquisition.
She has delivered workshops to senior education leaders, the school leadership team, teachers and teaching assistants. Veena also by appointment of Her Majesty the Queen has been entrusted as the Deputy Lieutenant for Tyne and Wear.
Jaf is the famous owner of the popular restaurant brand Dabbawal.
The pioneering restaurant owner recently beat off stiff competition at the annual British Curry Awards (BCA) 2022, winning Best Restaurant North East 2022.
Winning the accolade further cements Jaf Ali’s entrepreneurial skills, especially during a very testing time for the hospitality industry, which is under threat following months of uncertainty and the cost-of-living crisis
If that isn’t all, Jaf’s restaurant was visited by Hollywood superstar Harrison Ford and most recently by infamous celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, who isn’t easily pleased when it comes to dining out. Ramsay was so impressed with the food served up at Dabbawal, that he personally went into the kitchen to thank the chef.
Born in Sri Lanka Zoë Hingston has lived in the North East for most of her life. After originally pursuing a path to be a Solicitor she decided to change career direction and become a Police Officer and served Northumbria Police for more than 16 years.
As the first female Chair of Northumbria Police’s Ethnic Minority Association and General Secretary of the National Black Police Association, she influenced both the regional and national policing agenda to provide a strong platform for the voices of her members as well actively working to improve the wellbeing of staff, officers and volunteers.
Zoe is now the face of Newcastle Football club as their Head of Inclusion and has made great strides in connecting the local community with the premiere football club.
Namaste Taste of India is the genius work of Sangeeta Chopra. Situated at the north end of the Park View in Whitley Bay, the unique eatery is part food, part cooking supplies shop and part café.
It serves homemade food, ranging from meat, vegetarian, and vegan dishes to popular snacks like samosas, spring rolls and onion bhaji. There is a set menu each day, with meals such as daal makhani (lentils), butter chicken, chilli paneer, rajma (red kidney beans) and chana curry, served with rice or naan.
Sangeeta’s innovative concept of selling speciality groceries, along-side the café, has proved successful during the pandemic. A lot of the time, people go to the west end of Newcastle to get things like spices and flour. Sangeeta has made it convenient for locals to buy such items here in Whitley Bay. During testing times, Sangeeta has continued to sustain her business and is taking it from strength to strength
Fareeha Usman is a multi-award winner, an internationally respected EDI Innovation worker and an Entrepreneur for Good. A global voice of authority on Gender equality, diversity and inclusion she is the Founder of Being Woman charity and the mind behind the Food sharing app “Share Karo” launched to provide an integrated system to distribute food and essentials for the people in need. She sits on Board for YMCA Northumberland and, Healthwatch Northumberland an advisor to TechMums whilst being an Agile Business Analyst.
In 2022, Fareeha became the first female of South Asian origin to bring out the Rugby World cup trophy at the inaugural 2022 women’s match. She has a number of awards under her belt and shows no sign of stopping.
Sharmishta Chatterjee-Banerjee is Head of Corporate Connections and Internationalisation at Newcastle University Business School. With extensive experience in the UK higher education sector and travel, retail and advertising industries, in her current role she is responsible for developing a portfolio of strategic partnerships with high quality institutions, professional bodies, and commercial organisations and leading on the award-winning Global Experience Opportunities programme.
She returns to our influential list, for continuing to forge connections during tough economic times.
Sharmishta holds a BA (Hons) in Political Science and International Relations from Jadavpur University, India and a MA in Marketing Management from Nottingham Business School. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, an alumna of the Santander UCLA W30 leadership programme and has recently completed Advance HE’s Aurora Women in Leadership programme.
Sharmishta is passionate about equality, diversity, and inclusion, and serves on the University’s Black, Asian, Minority and Ethnic (BAME) Advisory group.
Ranjana has over 35 years’ experience in the field of Equality and Diversity and returns to our most influential list. She has been a teacher for children with special needs; a Race Equality Officer for a local authority; an Equal Opportunities Officer for a university; a Non-Executive Director for a design company and has held the position of Director for her own company, rba Equality & Diversity since 1998. She has been on many Boards and committees and is currently Chair of the Northumbria Police SIAG, PCC Independent Member for Police Misconduct Panel and Chair of Young People in Conversation. She was a government appointed Commissioner for the Women’s National Commission for four years and Co-Chair of the NE CPS Scrutiny Panel for Racist and Religious Hate Crime. She has been a Lay Member of Employment Tribunals since 1999. She has also been a Board member for The Cyrenians (Changing Lives); SAHELI and The Angelou Centre. She has won several awards, which include a Lifetime Achievement Award for her contribution to Equality and Diversity by CULTURES CIC and not forgetting awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Honours for her work with the police and BME communities in Tyne and Wear and Northumberland.
Irim Ali is an elected Councillor in Newcastle upon Tyne. She was first elected in 2008 as the region’s first Asian and Muslim female Councillor. She has served on many boards locally and is currently a Board member for a number of local charities.
Irim is committed to equalities in all forms and is a member of BAME Labour as well as the BAME Officer on the party’s Executive committee in Newcastle where she has been a local party Whip since 2018.
Irim has shown her influence and incredible journey as she became the first Muslim woman to become a cabinet member for Newcastle City Council.
Irim holds a BA (Hons) in Law and a Diploma in Legal Practice. She is a consultant solicitor helping with immigration
Surbhi Vedhara is a Senior Partner at Sweeney Miller Law, a Newcastle based law firm renowned for providing quality legal services to clients across the country.
She grew up in Mumbai, India and in 2002 she moved to Newcastle with her husband Ashish. Following her move to the UK, she studied Law at Northumbria University and went on to qualify as a solicitor, eventually becoming a partner in Sweeney Miller. Surbhi now specialises in Commercial Property
That’s our list, but we know there are many more to add to this list, who using their platforms are doing incredible work and we celebrate each and every one of them.
Proposals for a towering telecoms mast in a Sunderland suburb have been refused by city planning chiefs following opposition from neighbours and local councillors.
Last year, Sunderland City Council’s planning department received an application for a section of greenspace near the Queen Alexandra Road and Tunstall Road roundabout.
Plans were submitted by CK Hutchison Networks (UK) Ltd and included a 15-metre-high street pole and equipment cabinets linked to H3G, which is known as company ‘Three’.
The application for ‘prior approval’ formed part of the company’s plan to expand its 5G network.
During council consultation on the plans however, the application sparked opposition from neighbours and local St Michael’s ward councillors Michael Dixon and Peter Wood.
The councillors, in a joint statement, said the proposed site was “inappropriate” and that the mast’s height would make it an “unwelcome daily eyesore” for residents living nearby, as well as “dominating the landscape to an unacceptable extent”.
Around six objections from members of the public were also
submitted, with one comment raising concerns about the proposed siting of the “huge structure” near a historic conservation area and close to schools and residential properties.
Other concerns raised by objectors ranged from loss of property value to health impacts, alongside calls for alternative locations to be explored for the telecoms mast.
After considering the planning
application and assessing it against planning policies, Sunderland City Council’s planning department refused it on January 3, 2023.
A planning notice stated the development’s “scale, siting, and design would introduce an obtrusive and over dominant feature into the streetscene”.
As a result, council planners explained, the development would cause “demonstrable harm to the
5G rollout is vital for residents and businesses of Sunderland. We want to offer the local area a great network experience and our planners determined that a new site was required to deliver it. In order to reduce the visual impact of the mast, we proposed installing our latest design, which utilises a slimmer design that minimises its height and size. We will work with the council to find a way forward.
A Three spokesperson
visual amenity and character and appearance of the area”.
A council decision report added:
“It is considered that the proposed installation, by reason of its position, height and bulk would cause demonstrable harm to the character and appearance of the area and appear as a highly discordant feature within the prevailing streetscene”.
Following the council refusal decision, applicants have said they will continue to work with Sunderland City Council to “find a way forward”.
A Three spokesperson added: “5G rollout is vital for residents and businesses of Sunderland.
“We want to offer the local area a great network experience and our planners determined that a new site was required to deliver it.
“In order to reduce the visual impact of the mast, we proposed installing our latest design, which utilises a slimmer design that minimises its height and size.
“We will work with the council to find a way forward.”
For more information on the planning application and council ruling, visit Sunderland City Council’s online planning portal and search reference: 22/02527/TEX
Luke Patel is a Partner at Leeds law firm Blacks Solicitors LLP specialising in commercial dispute resolution and heads up that team.
Luke has been named Leeds' most 'Influential South Asian 2021 by Asian Standard readers. Described in the Legal 500 as “exceptional” he primarily acts for individuals, owner managed businesses and SME’s in a wide range of sectors.
The High Court has rejected an attempt by a firm of solicitors to issue multiple claims on a single Claim Form.
Mansion Place Limited (“MPL”) was a property developer and it contracted Fox Industrial Services Limited (“FISL”) to build student accommodation in Nottingham. There were delays with the construction which FISL stated was due to the pandemic and MPL’s failure to give vacant possession of the site on time. MPL, on the other hand, claimed that the delay was due to FISL’s failure to progress the works and to commit sufficient labour and resources to the project.
In the case of Abbott & Others v Ministry of Defence Hugh James Solicitors represented 3,500 Claimants who were all seeking damages against the Ministry of
Defence for noise-induced hearing loss which they claim had been caused during military service.
Hugh James sought to issue all 3,500 claims on one Claim Form for which there would be one issue fee payable to the court rather than 3,500 separate fees for each Claim Form.
The High Court Master ruled that it was impermissible to join multiple Claimants with widely different claims on a single Claim Form. The Master said that although the individual claims all
featured a common Defendant with some common themes, they were “far too disparate” and that they consisted of “a huge variety of unitary claims”.
Further, the Master noted that placing 3,500 separate claims with one Claim Form would put an impossible strain on the courts’ computerised case management system. He referred to an instance where the court staff had mistakenly closed an entire group action when they were informed
that (only) one of the cases from the group had settled. The Master directed that unless individual Claim Forms were issued within 6 months then the claims would be struck out.
Under English Law, it is possible to bring group actions where multiple Claimants issue one Claim Form. For example, the Claimants seeking compensation against car manufacturers in the diesel emissions litigation is being pursued as a group action. The ability to issue a group claim under a single Claim Form undoubtedly increases access to justice as, currently, Claimants need to pay a court issue fee equivalent to 5% of the value of their claim up to a maximum of £10,000 and this could be unaffordable for many Claimants who do not qualify for a fee remission, particularly in the current economic climate.
However, given that it is the Government’s intention to make the courts self-sufficient and less reliant on public funds, it is understandable that judges may view attempts to avoid paying court fees as an abuse of process. Therein lies the dilemma, affordability over access to justice even if it is at the expense of the taxpayer. Are we slowly creeping towards the privatisation of the court system?
Blacks Solicitors can provide assistance on all aspects of court and tribunal proceedings. If you require advice or assistance then please contact Luke Patel on 0113 227 9316 or email him at “LPatel@ LawBlacks.com”.
Bollywood actor Sidharth Malhotra has posted a video of filmmaker Rohit Shetty on Instagram with his right hand completely bandaged.
Sidharth will be seen playing the lead role in Rohit's upcoming series 'Indian Police Force'.
The filmmaker got injured when he was shooting a car action sequence on the sets in Hyderabad.
Sidharth also posted a video with him on Instagram. He wrote "A true master leads by example. We all know about @itsrohitshetty Sir's love for action and his passion towards the stunts he directs. Last night while performing a CAR STUNT action piece HIMSELF, he met with an unfortunate accident. After a sleepless night and a minor surgery he's back on set in less than 12 hours. Sir, you are an inspiration to all of us. Love n Respect."
In the video, the filmmaker expressed his gratitude and said "Thank you for all the concerns, prayers and so many calls. Nothing major has happened, just stitches in two fingers, that's it we are back to work."
Sidharth added "It's only him guys. The whole crew is here. He is all good, the OG rockstar. It's not even 12 hours and he's back on set."
Rohit also posted a picture from the sets and wrote in the caption "Another car topple...But this time with stitches on two fingers...Nothing to worry about, I am absolutely fine...Thank you so much for your love and concern... Shooting Indian Police Force for Amazon Originals in Hyderabad."
'Indian Police Force' also stars Vivek Oberoi and Shilpa Shetty Kundra in the lead roles and will premiere on Amazon Prime Video.
Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn's nephew Aaman Devgn is all set to make his Bollywood debut with Abhishek Kapoor's directorial action film.
As per media reports, he is all set to launch Aaman in his movie.
The shooting for this untitled project will be starting soon.
A source close to the production house told Pinkvilla "Abhishek Kapoor has been willing to explore the action-adventure space for a while now and his next story pushes him in this unchartered territory as a director. He is very excited to take the film on floors. He launches Aaman Devgan with the film, and it's an exciting space to tap on at this point of time. The film will be produced by Pragya Kapoor with Ronnie Screwvala."
According to the reports, Abhishek needed new and well-established faces and thus he thought of Ajay and Aaman. This will be Ajay's second time collaboration with Abhishek as earlier he did a cameo in his 2016 film 'Fitoor'.
"It's a big scale action adventure and the team is planning to create a certain world for the film. The characters will be presented in a certain way in this unique world of adventures created by Abhishek. The yet untitled film is slated to go on floors in the next few months," the source added.
On the work front, Abhishek is known for his movies such as 'Rock On', 'Kai Po Che', 'Fitoor', 'Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui', 'Kedarnath', among others.
Director Hansal Mehta is back with another hard-hitting story titled 'Faraaz', based on the real-life terrorist attack that ravaged a Dhaka cafe in 2016, which will release on the big screen on 3 February.
Filmmaker Hansal Mehta said, "To me, Faraaz is a story of our polarised times. Through the one event that rocked Dhaka - the 2016 attack on the Holey Artisan cafe - I've tried to explore the broader theme of violence and what really drives young, vulnerable minds towards it."
"Designed as a nail-biting thriller that plays out over one tense night, my attempt
with Faraaz has also been to shine a light on the immense courage and humanity that it takes to stand up against violence. Because standing up against bigotry and the carnage it triggers is the only way to defeat it."
The film stars Zahan Kapoor, Aditya Rawal, Juhi Babbar, Aamir Ali, Sachin Lalwani, Palak Lalwani and Reshham Sahaani in the cast.
Producer Anubhav Sinha added "Faraaz is a story that needs to be told and Hansal has done justice to the story of the catastrophic event that shocked the world. It is a story about a hero who made
a brave choice and celebrates the spirit of a young boy who stood tall for his loved ones."
Producer Bhushan Kumar said, "Faraaz will surely strike a chord in your heart as it celebrates bravery, friendship, and humanity at its core. I am glad to be associated with such an important film."
The film is directed by Hansal Mehta, and produced by Bhushan Kumar, Anubhav Sinha, Sahil Saigal, Sakshi Bhatt and Mazahir M. The film is jointly produced by T-Series and Benaras Media works in association with Mahana Films.
Actor Vijay Deverakonda's fans are truly lucky.
The 'Liger' star comes up with exciting gifts every year to make Christmas and New Year more special for his fans. This year, he is sending his 100 fans to Manali as a New Year gift from his initiative #Deverasanta2022.
Taking to Instagram, Vijay dropped a video in which he said, "Happy New Year, my love. This is a 'DeveraSanta Update'. I told you that I am going to send 100 of you on an all-expenses paid trip holiday, food, travel, and accommodation on me. I asked you guys where you want to go and every pole chose the mountains, so to the mountains we go."
He added, "I am sending 100 of you on a 5-day trip to Manali. You are going to see snow-capped mountains. You are going to see temples and monasteries, and we have a lot of activities planned! If you are 18+, I am sorry you have to be 18+, and you have been following me, just fill out the attached 'Devera Santa google document form and we are going to pick 100 of you".
Actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu revealed the toughest part of shooting for 'Shakuntalam' and shared pictures from the training session.
Taking to Instagram, the 'Oo Antava' star treated fans with a video of her pet dog and behind-thescenes picture from her upcoming movie sets.
Samantha was seen posing gracefully as her character in 'Shakuntalam' and flaunted her curves in the picture from a training session.
In the video, her pet dog Sasha could be seen lying on a couch.
Along with a post, she wrote a hilarious caption mentioning how grace is not either hers or Sasha's thing.
The caption read, "The toughest part of #Shakuntalam was maintaining grace and posture while walking, talking, running... even crying! And grace is sooo not my thing. Had to take training sessions for it! Should have taken Sasha along... clearly so not her thing either! #LikeMotherLikeDaughter."
Based on Kalidasa's acclaimed Sanskrit play Abhijnana Shakuntalam, the film is written and directed by award-winning director Gunasekhar (Rudhramadevi) and produced by Neelima Guna and Dil Raju under the banner of Gunna Teamworks and Dil Raju Productions respectively. The film also features Dev Mohan as Dushyanta, the king of the Puru Dynasty.
'Shaakuntalam' revolves around the epic love story of Shakuntala and King Dushyant, portrayed by Yashoda star Samantha and Dev Mohan of Sufiyum Sujatayum fame, respectively. It will be out in Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada.
The film will hit the theatres on 17 February 2023.
Samantha has been keeping a low profile ever since she was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition called Myositis.
A few months ago, Samantha revealed that she is diagnosed with an autoimmune condition called 'Myositis'.
The 35-year-old diva broke the silence on her health update via her latest social media post. She took to her Instagram handle and shared a picture of herself, sitting on a couch with an IV drip connected to her wrist.
She captioned the picture, "Your response to the 'Yashodha' trailer was overwhelming. It is this love and connection that I share with all of you, that gives me the strength to deal with the seemingly unending challenges that life throws at me. A few months back I was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition called Myositis. I was hoping to share this after it had gone into remission. But it is taking a little longer than I hoped. I am slowly realising that we don't always need to put up a strong front."
The British Academy has revealed the results of the first round of voting across all 24 categories for the 2023 BAFTA Film Awards, and this initial longlist included SS Rajamouli's 2022 blockbuster 'RRR'.
The period action movie featuring Ram Charan and Jr NTR scored one nod for Film Not in the English Language category.
Following the longlist's announcement, the movie's official Twitter handle expressed gratitude by tweeting, "Very happy to share that RRR is in the LONGLIST of #BAFTA FILM AWARDS. Thank you everyone. #RRRMovie @BAFTA."
According to The Hollywood Reporter, an American entertainment news outlet, other
Hollywood star Tom Hanks chooses not to watch his hit movies.
While having doubts about his acting ability, the 66-year-old also has to wrestle with authenticity when looking back at his films.
"I wrestle with authenticity. I wrestle with the difference between lying for a living as an actor and lying to myself as a human being," Hanks said when speaking on 'The Great Creators with Guy Raz' podcast, reports aceshowbiz.com.
The two-time Oscar winner prefers not to watch his films again as it always leaves him with a sense of regret about his performance.
Hanks explained "(I see) the falsehood in them. I see the loss. I see that one time, 'Oh man, I missed that opportunity.'"
"And it's not because, at the moment, I chose not to - it's because, after it was done, I realised I didn't go far enough. I didn't go to the place that I could have gone."
"Then I asked myself, well, why? Was it
because I was satisfied with what I had? Was it because I wasn't up enough on the text? Was it because I didn't have enough of those ideas in my pocket? Or you know, was it because I was late that day and we had to rush the shot and instead of six passes, we only got two passes at it? That's where the self-doubt creeps in."
Hanks claimed that the 1994 film 'Forrest Gump', which landed him an Oscar for Best Actor - as one of the few movies where he gave his all.
The 'Cast Away' star recalled "We all sat together for weeks with (director Robert Zemeckis), and Bob was saying, 'Well, what do we make of that?'"
"We started at the beginning of the script and we all talked about everything. Even scenes we're not in, and what it meant to the text. That doesn't mean your own lines. You must know the text, because the text is the interpretation of the theme, and the theme is why you're all there in the first place."
films in the same category included 'All Quiet on the Western Front', 'Argentina, 1985', 'Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths', 'Close', 'Corsage', 'Decision To Leave', 'EO', 'Holy Spider', and 'The Quiet Girl'.
Out of the lot, Netflix's anti-war epic 'All Quiet on the Western Front' emerged as an early frontrunner because along with Film Not in the English Language category it was also named in 15 categories, including best film and director.
Shaunak Sen's celebrated documentary 'All That Breathes' was also nominated.
However, Sanjay Leela Bhansali's period drama 'Gangubai Kathiawadi', starring Alia Bhatt in the titular role,
failed to make the cut.
This announcement, the result of the first round of voting which closed on 30 December, is only the third time BAFTA has published nominations longlists, a decision it made in 2020 as part of a major overhaul of its voting procedures aimed at addressing the lack of diversity at its film awards, reported The Hollywood Reporter.
The additional longlisting round -bringing the total rounds of voting to three -- was brought in among some 120 wide-ranging changes.
As per The Hollywood Reporter, the final list of nominations will be announced on 19 January 2023, with the ceremony due to take place on 19 February 2023.
Actor Priyanka Chopra was all jolly and giddy as she shared a fun banter with fellow actor Huma Qureshi.
The 'Quantico' star was spotted in a video posted to the Instagram stories of Huma, dressed in a black jacket along with denim jeans with a handbag.
"This is how @priyankachopra packs all of us off for the concert #convoy #2023," the 'Bell Bottom' actor captioned the video.
"We'll miss you," Huma was heard saying to Priyanka from behind the lens.
"I know. Look at my convoy," Priyanka replied with a giddy laugh as Huma panned the camera around to showcase the numerous black limousines standing in a line.
"Bye! Enjoy London," Huma replied before the video ended with Priyanka making a victory sign with her hands and smiling as she bade farewell.
In earlier Instagram stories, the 'Maharani' actor shared snippets from a concert of 'Jonas Brothers', including one where Priyanka's husband, singer Nick Jonas was performing.
"Jiju is a rockstar .. ufff @ nickjonas," she wrote with star emojis alongside the video.
Meanwhile, on the work front, Huma was last seen in the neo-noir comedy thriller film 'Monica, O My Darling' opposite Rajkummar Rao.
Priyanka, on the other hand, will be seen in two important projects 'It's All Coming Back To Me', and the series 'Citadel'.
It's All Coming Back to Me will release in the US on February 10, 2023. The movie is based on the 2016 German film 'SMS fur Dich' by Karoline Herfurth, Deadline reported.
While 'Citadel' is a science fiction drama created by Russo brothers.
On the Bollywood front, Priyanka is expected to start shooting for Farhan Akhtar's directorial 'Jee Le Zaraa' in 2023. The film will also star Alia Bhatt and Katrina Kaif in lead roles. It is an all-female road trip story.
2022 was an unusual year for the Bollywood film industry, as it was recovering from the pandemic with boycotts trending and Pan Indian films ruling the roost. However, 2023 looks promising for the largest film industry in the world. Here’s taking a look at what’s in store for January.
Starring: Deepika Padukone, Shahrukh Khan, John Abraham
Director: Siddharth Anand. Pathaan
Release date: 25 January 2023
Platform: Theatres
Pathaan is perhaps the most anticipated film of 2023, as it marks Shahrukh Khan’s return to the big screen after a Zero in 2018. The first look of the movie garnered a lot of attention, clocking up millions of hits for the teaser and its songs. Deepika Padukone saffron coloured attire in the first released song Besharm Rang, proved to be a heartthrob, as well as courting controversy. Irrespective the song crossed 42 million views in about 2 days.
Starring: Siddharth
Malhotra and Rashmika
Mandanna
Director: Shantanu
Bagchi
Release date: 19 January
Platform: Netflix
The film is described as the untold story of India’s greatest covert operation, taking place before and during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. Set in the 1970s, an undercover Indian spy takes on a deadly mission to expose a covert nuclear weapons program in the heart of Pakistan.
Starring: Arjun Kapoor, Radhika Madan, Tabu, Konkana Sen Sharma, Naseeruddin Shah and Kumud Mishra
Director: Aasman Bhardwaj
Release Date: 13 January
Platform: Theatres
Kuttey is the directorial debut of renowned director Vishal Bhardwaj’s son, Aasman Bhardwaj. The black comedy thriller includes an ensemble cast and is a production of Vishal Bhardwaj Films, Luv Films, and T-Series Films. One rainy night in the outskirts of Mumbai, three stray gangs unknowingly cross paths on the hunt and it’s every man for himself.
Starring: Chinmay Mandlekar and Deepak Antani. Debutants Tanisha Santoshi, Anuj Saini along with Arif Zakariya and Pawan Chopra will also be seen in pivotal roles.
Director: Rajkumar Santoshi
Release Date: 26 January
Platform: Theatres
Gandhi Godse provides an alternative ending to the real story of the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi by Nathuram Godse. In a turn of events, Gandhi survives the attempt at his life and renders Godse a visit in the prison. What happens next is an ideological debate that answers most Indians’ questions.
Starring: Rajshri Deshpande and Abhay Deol
Director: Prashant Nair
Release Date: 13 January
Platform: Netflix
Based on the 2016 book Trial by Fire: The Tragic Tale of the Uphaar Fire Tragedy by Neelam and Shekhar Krishnamoorthy, this drama series outlines the story behind the Uphaar Cinema fire mishap that occurred on 13 June, 1997 in Delhi. It caused 59 deaths and over 100 injuries. Abhay and Rajshri Deshpande are seen as struggling parents fighting the worst war of any parent’s life - the fight for justice after their kids' death and compensation for the families who lost loved ones.
Even while it is difficult to argue on paper why Bollywood movies have failed, the hostility the industry has seen since the lockdown has left a mark. The boycott Bollywood movement have only fueled the already suffering industry efforts to find assistance. As we enter a new year, we take a moment to reflect on the year that has just ended, 2022, and hope to learn from the failures and setbacks. We list some of the significant events that made headlines, occasions that altered the concept of Hindi film and shed some light on the failure of the business.
By UMA RAMASUBRAMANIANThe days when regional film was despised are long gone. PAN India films have gained popularity over the world as times have changed. To state the obvious Pan India films such as RRR, Pushpa, KGF 2, Kantara gave Bollywood a run for its money.
It all started with the release of Bahubali a few years ago, and since then, the desire to travel across borders and understand the pulse of the audience across states has been a new trend that barely a few have mastered. The failure of each Bollywood films is directly compared to the success of pan India film unfortunately there is no definite conclusion on to why Hindi cinema failed to mint money. As OTT options have honed the Hindi audience's taste buds, the classic super stars of Bollywood are no longer bankable.
NAKED PHOTOSHOOT OF RANVEER SINGH
Ranveer dared it all and posed naked for a magazine which eventually ran into controversy. Several FIRs were filed against the actor. An NGO official claimed that the actor's images had offended the modesty of women in general and harmed their feelings. The FIR said that despite India's "wonderful
culture," everyone's feelings had been harmed by these images.
BOYCOTT LAAL SINGH CHADDHA AND NOW BOYCOTT PATHAAN
The boycott trend in Bollywood has been consistent since pandemic. While Aamir made an honest attempt to tell an incredible story and adaptation of Forest Gump his efforts went in vain. Nationwide ban was pushed as the actor was charged for insulting the Indian army and offending their feelings. The film eventually failed to make enough money to cover its costs.
Post Laal Singh now the next superstar Shah Rukh Khan is targeted for his film Pathaan. Since some individuals objected to Deepika's attire in the song, which included a saffron bikini, many have called for a boycott of the movie.
SAJID KHAN ON BIGG BOSS SEASON 16
Sajid Khan, a sex offender, received criticism for joining Bigg Boss Season 16. While the #MeToo movement, gave strength to several victims the show
took a different tack. Sajid Khan is still a member of the performance despite several criticisms of his participation.
It has not been a great year for Jacqueline Fernandez as her name kept cropping up in a legal issue. The actress was accused in the INR200 crore money laundering case involving conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar. Fernandez who reportedly wanted to marry him received expensive gifts form the conman.
Since its release, the film has been a contentious topic, but near the end of 2022, a new controversy arose when Nadav Lapid, the head of the jury, addressed the audience during the IFFI closing ceremony and referred to the film as "propaganda, vulgar."
The film Brahmastra's teaser sparked controversy after a scene showed Ranbir Kapoor
in his shoes entering a place of worship. However, director Ayan Mukerji quickly clarified that Ranbir was entering a durga puja pandal.
AKSHAY KUMAR VIMAL AD
Akshay Kumar who enjoys a huge fan base had to face back lash for advertising Vimal Pan masala. Soon after the repercussions
the actor choose to pull back from the deal.
KHAN
Stardom comes with a cost, and in Salman Khan's case, that cost was death threats. After receiving a letter threatening his life, Salman sought a firearms license.
The article is incomplete unless we remember some of our favorite celebrities who have passed away leaving their fans in a state of shock. Celebrities including Lata Mangeshkar, K K, Bapi Lahiri, Raju Srivastava, Sidhu Moosewala, Pandit Birju Maharaj, Vikram Ghokale were some of the great personalities who lost their lives this year.
While the controversies are beyond control, we hope the box office surprises us in 2023 and hope the cash register keeps ringing.Akshay Kumar
NE1's Newcastle Restaurant Week returns between 16 – 22 January 2023 and is on course to be record breaking with 116 of Newcastle's finest eateries signed up to take part, more restaurants than ever before in the event's 12-year history. The week is already one of the busiest and most popular in the city's hospitality calendar, with diners enjoying meals for £10, £15, or £20 per person across the city.
Several of the restaurants who were involved in the first event back in 2011 are taking part again, including Blackfriars, Sachins, and 21 Newcastle whilst newcomers to the city's vibrant restaurant scene will be joining the original cast, including the newly relaunched Chart House on the Quayside, Pepo on Pilgrim Street and Thali Tray in its new home at Bealim House, on Gallowgate.
Another Premier League signing for this January's Newcastle Restaurant Week is Newcastle United Football Club. St James' Park will kick off its debut event by offering diners a carefully curated tasting menu in a pitch-view room, with the club's hospitality team delivering an immersive dining experience for both foodie and football fans.
This may be the only chance nonseason ticket holders get to enjoy the club experience and take in the views within the football stadium and NE1 expects it to be an exceptionally popular addition to the event.
NE1 Newcastle Restaurant Week is firmly embedded in Newcastle's annual calendar of events and is much anticipated by diners across the city and further afield, with people travelling from across the region to enjoy the week of offers and fine dining. Originally, the event was designed to support the restaurant industry at two traditionally quiet times of the year and has transformed these weeks into two of the busiest.
In 2022, NE1 Newcastle Restaurant Week delivered a £1.5 million boost for participating businesses, with August's event breaking records for economic impact, with over £850,000 generated and more than 50,000 diners across the week.
For details of all participating venues in January's event, to review the menus and to download
Newcastle Restaurant Week vouchers, visit getintonewcastle. co.uk/restaurant-week
Chef and restaurateur Terry Laybourne, of 21 Hospitality Group, said: "January is the perfect time to forget the hangover festive blues and celebrate the great food and
wines offered by the best of Newcastle's restaurants.
"Today's Newcastle Restaurant Week bears little resemblance to the original event which began when we were among only 13 restaurant operators. It has expanded beyond all recognition to reflect the quality and diversity of venues and cooking on offer around the city.
"At a time when money might be tight it's the perfect time to sample some great deals at some of the city's best and most buzzy restaurants."
Molly McHenry Marketing Manager (Meetings and Events) at NUFC said: "We're excited to be offering an exclusive tasting menu for the first time at St. James' Park for NE1 Restaurant Week. It's a great opportunity for people to visit the
stadium and enjoy a delicious meal with a pitch view. We're expecting our menu to be really popular so advise booking your table early!"
Rachel Barlow, Marketing and Events Manager at NE1 Ltd said: "We are delighted to be joined by exciting newcomers including Pepo, Thali Tray, Lui's and if the event wasn't big enough, we have St James' Park adding Premier League sparkle to match the whole event.
We're also thrilled to see the return of the original devotees who have helped shape the event over the past 12 years and have become our anchor restaurants. We urge people to book their favourites early and use this as the perfect opportunity to try somewhere new. People often discover their new favourite restaurant during NE1 Newcastle Restaurant Week."
A new £4bn devolution deal for the North East could be crucial to turning dreams of reopening a disused railway line.
The major agreement between seven councils and the Government is set to bring a raft of new money and decision-making powers to the region, with a new North East mayor due to be elected in 2024.
And local leaders hope that striking the deal might also be a key step towards achieving one of the region’s biggest and most expensive ambitions – the restoration of the mothballed Leamside Line.
The reopening of the route, between Pelaw in Gateshead and Tursdale in County Durham, would drastically improve connections in parts of the North East cut off from rail travel and allow for a £745m extension of the Tyne and Wear Metro through Washington.
While the devolution deal does not secure the vast funding that would be needed to deliver the huge scheme, it does commit the Government in writing to work with the region to push forward plans for the Leamside Line –including the proposed Washington Metro loop, the reintroduction of local rail services to Ferryhill and Sedgefield, and the use of the line by freight trains to free up extra space on the congested East Coast Main Line.
Gateshead Council leader Martin Gannon, chair of the North East Joint Transport Committee, said: “This is a positive development for this strategically vital infrastructure project. The Leamside Line is a win not
just for the North East but also for the UK as a whole.
“We have recently produced a compelling high-level business case which highlights the benefits of the
Washington Metro Loop. It shows that the extension would be gamechanging for the region and would generate an additional £90m per year to the local economy while at the
same time reducing carbon emissions by nearly 87,000 tonnes a year by replacing 1.7m car journeys.
“This will help us to achieve our social-economic goals as outlined in the region’s Transport Plan –providing appealing sustainable transport options for our local people and communities which improve our environment and boost our economy. Our proposal to reopen the Leamside Line has very strong support from cross-party MPs, leaders and mayors and indeed businesses given the significant connectivity and accessibility benefits that delivery would bring to residents and
businesses.
“We now need to take development of the business case to a much more detailed level, and I look forward to working with the Government on this, as one of its commitments in the devolution deal.”
Politicians and transport officials in the North East have been pushing for years to get the Leamside Line reopened and feared the worst when it was cut out of the Government’s pledge to deliver only a “core” of the long-awaited Northern Powerhouse Rail project last November.
But the text of the devolution deal promises that the Government will work with the future mayor and Metro operator Nexus to “generate proposals, develop business cases and identify funding routes” for the Leamside upgrades – albeit with the caveat they they must “deliver appropriate value for money to the taxpayer” and be subject to funding availability.
Once approved by local councils and then Parliament, the devolution deal would establish a new North East Mayoral Combined Authority covering Newcastle, Gateshead, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Sunderland, Northumberland and County Durham.
The Leamside Line is a win not just for the North East but also for the UK as a whole.Gateshead Council leader Martin Gannon and chair of the North East Joint Transport Committee A devolution deal would establish a new North East Mayoral Combined Authority covering Newcastle, Gateshead, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Sunderland, Northumberland and County Durham
By JOHN HAMMOND
GADANAKIS
Shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine, the closely watched food price index of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reached its highest recorded level, stoking consumer prices across the world. In the UK, for example, the prices of many everyday items increased way ahead of inflation, with bread and eggs both up 18% in the year to December, and milk up 30%.
Such rises threatened food security, particularly in low and middle-income countries that rely heavily on Ukraine and Russia for grains and plant oils. That included many countries in Africa and Asia, which took 95% of Ukraine’s wheat exports in 2021 (roughly a tenth of the world supply).
Global food price inflation
This prompted much talk in the media about the potential for famine. Yet nearly a year after the invasion, the FAO food price index has returned to pre-invasion levels.
So why has pressure on prices reduced, and what are the prospects for the year ahead?
What happened in practice
You can’t look at food in isolation from COVID. Many people in the energy and food industries were either too ill to work or prevented from doing so because of pandemic restrictions, which squeezed supplies. When the world opened up and demand began to rise, food and energy prices went up too.
This made people particularly vulnerable to events in Ukraine. Once the war began, food-price inflation peaked because the markets were uncertain about whether production and exports would be hit, and how global supply chains would adapt.
Ukraine’s grain exports resumed after a UN deal was brokered in July to create a humanitarian corridor through the Black Sea. It also helped that the wheat harvest was larger than expected, even if large areas around the front line remain unharvested. Much of Ukraine’s corn has not been harvested either, for the additional reason that the drying
process is energy intensive and farmers struggled to afford the raised prices. Overall, Ukraine’s grain exports were down in 2022 by about 30% year on year.
Russia is normally an even bigger exporter of wheat than Ukraine, supplying about 15% of world demand. It’s harder to see what has happened to these supplies because the Russians stopped providing data, but certainly Moscow’s policy of only dealing with “friendly” countries will have affected availability for many countries too.
Countries that rely heavily on Ukrainian/Russian grains have been forced to shop elsewhere. For example Yemen and Egypt have imported more grain from India and the EU, paying higher prices than usual.
Several additional pressures on farmers have further squeezed the global food supply. Fertiliser prices have rocketed in the past two years. Russia, an important global supplier, has been stockpiling for domestic use. Elsewhere, heightened energy prices have squeezed output. In the UK, the largest nitrogen-fertiliser facility suspended production during 2022.
Average fertiliser prices for UK farmers are now 18% higher than the winter before the Ukraine invasion, and 66% higher than two years ago.
Extreme weather in summer 2022 was another problem, including heatwaves and drought in northern Europe, America and China, flooding in Pakistan and drought in Argentina. Irrigation has become more difficult in areas that depend on it, while in Europe drought conditions have reduced the supply of crops for animal feed and harvest of grass for silage. Meat and vegetable prices have both gone up as a result.
According to the UN’s World Food Programme, the overall effect of inflation, war and extreme weather has been that many people around the world have had their access to food restricted. The number of people facing severe food insecurity is up 20% since the war began.
The outlook
Wholesale gas and oil prices have at least declined from their 2022 highs, which will benefit the entire food supply chain. This is one reason why
inflation eased slightly in the autumn in many countries.
Oil and gas prices
This will have taken some of the heat out of the global food price index. Cereals, meats and particularly vegetable oil prices all fell towards
remains historically high.
For the year ahead, the area of crops planted in Ukraine is estimated to be 17% down on 2022. Farmers in other countries are planting more wheat and maize to compensate, though the overall supply will still be pressured by higher farming costs and potentially more extreme weather. Fertiliser prices will probably stay high as supplies remain restricted. Farmers in wealthier countries may keep applying normal quantities to their crops, like on previous periods of raised prices. But in poorer countries they may cut back, threatening yields and quality and exposing smallholder communities to greater food insecurity.
In sum, many staples will likely remain in tight supply in 2023, meaning price pressures continue. Retailers will be forced to either absorb the costs or pass them on to consumers. Governments will have to consider how to both support struggling consumers but also farmers to maximise what they produce.
At the international level, there needs to be an urgent fertiliser supply agreement to minimise disruptions, prioritising access for vulnerable communities in developing countries. Longer term, farming needs to reduce its dependency on fertilisers by developing agricultural practices that optimise the cycling of nutrients.
the end of the year, though sugar and dairy prices went in the opposite direction. Overall food price inflation
This includes more efficient use of manures and extracting nutrients from sewage, and using more legume crops in rotations to take advantage of the fact that they enhance nutrients in the soil. There also needs to be more precision farming techniques to target resources within fields to where they will be used most efficiently.
These practices are well adopted in western countries, but other parts of the world lag behind – particularly developing countries. Fertilisers will always be part of the farming system, but we’ll make food production more sustainable if we can get these things right.
Malai is often referred to as a rich type of clotted cream originating from the Indian subcontinent and was particularly used in cooking to make curries more rich and creamy.
Malai is the perfect cooking ingredient and this Malai chicken curry from Supreme Ingredients vast recipe book, is just the perfect way to start the year. Give it a go
350g skinless on the bone chicken, chopped
3 tbsp Oil
1 onion, thinly sliced
1 large Supreme Cinnamon Stick
3 Supreme green Cardamom Pods
2 Supreme Cloves
5 Supreme Black Peppercorns
1 tsp garlic and ginger paste
1 tsp Supreme Coarse Black Pepper
½ tsp green chilli, minced
½ tsp Supreme Cumin Powder
1 (170g) tin extra thick cream
Water (same amount of cream)
For garnish: Fried onions
Chopped Supreme Almonds
Heat a pot over low-medium heat. Add oil, onions, cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, cloves and black peppercorns, cook until onions have turned golden brown. Then add chicken, garlic and ginger paste, black pepper and green chillies, mix well and sear the chicken. Turn the heat down to low, cover and cook until chicken is fully cooked through. Uncover, turn the heat up to medium, add cumin powder, cook for 1 minute then pour in cream and water. Stir well and simmer for 20 minutes. Garnish with fried onions and chopped almonds.
Recipe in partnership with Supreme ingredients. For more recipes visit www.supreme-ingredients.com
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They are the sons of English league football's first turbaned referee Jarnail Singh, who took charge of more than 150 EFL games between 2004 and 2010, but none in the Premier League.
Trailblazer Jarnail still remains active as a referee in both the Combined Counties League as well as at Khalsa Football Federation (KFF) tournaments.
"For the Sikh community and all South Asians who dream of a career in the game, seeing Bhupinder officiate in the Premier League is absolutely massive," he told Sky Sports News.
"As a father, you can imagine I am very proud to see Bhupinder in the Premier League. It's every father's dream to see their children
you can do with hard work, endeavour and passion for the game.
"His hunger for it has been phenomenal in the last few years and I hope both he and my eldest son Sunny can help encourage more South Asians to take up refereeing."
Speaking to Sky News, Sunny Singh said: “We want the sport to be more diverse and inclusive. So if we can be in the limelight a little bit, just to show people that anyone can do it and make it because we have. It s only a positive, but it does add a little bit of pressure I am the role model, because at the end of the day I will only see myself as a proper role model if I make it to the top of the game, where my dream is”
Bhups is a PE teacher and England's highest ranking assistant referee, while Sunny the older brother is a prison officer in Feltham he is the most senior South Asian referee in the country and the brothers want to reach the top flight of English football.
Jarnail, who has previously gained Premier League experience as a fourth official, was beaming with pride as he attended the match at St Mary's to watch his youngest son make history.
succeed, and do better than them, and achieve more - whether that is in terms of family life, education or sport.
"Hopefully, Bhupinder's achievement highlights what
Bhups said: “My next step is to be promoted to the Premier League and that is the ultimate dream at the end of the day. We got this far in 10 – 12 years, we have time on our hands now to make it to that next step. So for me it s being an assistant referee on the Premier League.”
The T10 sports Management has denied reports of any corrupt practices and said that the competition is under International Cricket Council (ICC) probe for illegal practices.
As per media reports on 7 January, the ICC's AntiCorruption Unit (ACU) has received several reports regarding corrupt practices in the recent edition of the Abu Dhabi T10 which took place from November 23 to December 4, 2021.
The T10 Sports Management in a statement denied the charges and said, "As a responsible event owner, we host the tournament at a high-quality international stadium. We attract some of the world's best players, while also developing local talent and employing international level ICC and ACC match officials and referees."
"We contract the ICC to manage and investigate any allegations of corruption, which then fall under their scope to manage. We have not been notified on any anti-corruption issues and will continue to take the lead of the ICC," the statement added. The 2022 season was the sixth edition of Abu Dhabi T10. The league saw participation from some of the best players around the globe. Shakib Al Hasan, Andre Russell, Moeen Ali, Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Sikander Raza and Wanindu Hasaranga are some of the notable names.
Defending champions Deccan Gladiators once again stamped their authority in the Abu Dhabi T10 by recording an emphatic 37-run win over debutants New York Strikers in the final of the sixth edition of the Abu Dhabi T10 at the Abu Dhabi Zayed Cricket Stadium.
Creasey on Saturday 31 December 2022. These two fighters faced off six
years ago, with Haque winning via unanimous decision on that occasion. However, that was a long time ago, and both men have matured as Mixed Martial Artists since then. As a result, many expected this fight to be different.
The opening stages suggested the same as well.
Creasy had the better of the striking in the first two rounds and hurt Haque early with a good straight right.
‘Urai ' even dropped Haque in the third, although the man from South Shields claimed that ‘he slipped because of the matting in the cage after the fight.
Haque believes “that he should be in the UFC now” and that he is “the best Flyweight in Europe and has been for the last six years.” Last night he backed up that claim, and it would not be a surprise if Dana White came calling with a contract if Haque defends his title.
Saj had a magnificent year winning 4 titles defeating the Polish No1, French No1 and UK No1, Won and defended the Almighty Fighting Championship Title and now becoming the Cage Warriors World Champion. Surely UFC awaits him now
Dubai , January 7: A number of players in the UAE have had dreams of playing with the best cricketers in the world and the International League T20 will make all those dreams come true when the tournament will be played this January-February.
The inaugural edition will be hosted across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah with six teams battling for the trophy.
Opening batter Muhammad Waseem, who has scored 743 runs in 20 T20s, said he can't wait to play alongside Kieron Pollard in the MI Emirates camp.
"I am feeling very happy, and I feel lucky to be a part of such a big franchise. I will try my best to prove myself during the tournament. This is a huge moment for us which I can't put in words. I will try to play my best and showcase the talent that UAE has. I can't wait to meet Kieron Pollard and play alongside him. I played with him in Abu Dhabi T10 as well."
Asked about how he started cricket, the UAE player said, "I have been interested in cricket since my childhood days. I started playing the game seriously in 2014. I played for my school and then went on to play at the district
level, which is where my passion grew for the game."
Meanwhile, wicketkeeper-batter
Vriitya Aravind, who has scored 536 runs and effected 12 catches and three stumpings in 25 T20s, said that he always wanted to play for the MI franchise, "It's an honour and a privilege to represent one of the most successful cricket franchises in the world. I saw Sachin Tendulkar play for MI (in the IPL) and I wanted to represent the franchise at some point in my life and therefore I feel lucky to get a chance to be a part of the MI Emirates at an early age. I am looking forward to playing with Nicholas Pooran since we have similar roles as a top-order batter and wicketkeeper. I think I will keep pestering him with questions."
Aravind also spoke about the moment which inspired him to be a cricketer, "I was born in India, and everyone wants to play cricket there. And I was in the country when India won the 2011 ICC Men's World Cup. That is my first memory of watching an entire World Cup and I also celebrated on the streets when India won it. I made up my mind on that day that I want to be a cricketer and play in the World Cup."
The MI Emirates will be in action when they take on Sharjah Warriors in their first match of the DP World ILT20 at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi on 14 January 2023, a release said.
Making its debut on 13 January (2023), the inaugural DP World ILT20 promises to be a high-octane competition with some of the greatest cricketing superstars on the planet set to make their way to the UAE to kick off the league. The league will be played in a 34-match format across the UAE's exemplary, world-class cricket facilities in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
Franchise teams, comprising over 100 International and 24 UAE-based players, include Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (Knight Riders Group), Desert
Vipers (Lancer Capital), Dubai Capitals (GMR), Gulf Giants (Adani Sportsline), MI Emirates (Reliance Industries) and Sharjah Warriors (Capri Global).
Cricket fans across the world can catch the live telecast of this exciting cricket league on Zee's linear channels, digital platform, Zee5 as well as Zee Cinema, Zee Anmol Cinema, and Pictures, and Flix, Zee Zest, Zee
Bangla Cinema, Zee Thirai and on CricLife across the UAE and MENA regions.
DP World ILT20 news, updates and interactive chat can be found via www.ilt20.ae and @ILT20Official on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn, while tickets can be purchased by visiting https//tickets. ilt20.ae.
The Yorkshire County Cricket Club today announced that Lord Kamlesh Patel will step down as Chair at the Club's next Annual General Meeting.
Patel, who joined Yorkshire in November 2021, has overseen a significant period of change which culminated in international cricket returning to Headingley.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion have been at the heart of this change to ensure that Yorkshire Cricket is a Club for everyone. Key changes have included offering a safe space for whistleblowers to report discrimination, integrating goldstandard governance processes under the guidance of the Good Governance Institute and working to achieve accreditation with the National Centre for Diversity as read in a statement released by the Yorkshire Cricket Club.
Important steps have also been taken to ensure that matchdays at Headingley, Scarborough and York are more inclusive and offer a friendly atmosphere for all. Others
key changes to the matchday experience at Headingley have included the introduction of a texting service to report discriminatory behaviour confidentially, more familyfriendly alcohol-free areas and sensory rooms to offer a calmer space for those with sensory processing issues.
Removing cost barriers and creating opportunities to diversify Yorkshire's Pathway programme has already seen great success. The boys Pathway programme has seen a nearly 40 per cent increase in attendees for regional observations and an increase of 60% of cricketers selected from a diverse background at County Age Group when compared with 2021. Girls County Age Group nominations have already increased by 60.7 per cent from 2021.
Kamlesh Patel, The Yorkshire County Cricket Club Chair said, "It has been an honour and a privilege to work for such a prestigious organisation. I have made the difficult decision to step aside at the next AGM and enable the Club to continue on
its important journey of change under a new Chair. I would like to thank those Members who have been hugely supportive of the changes that the Board have introduced at Headingley. I would also like to thank the staff and Board Members who have all worked tirelessly during what has been a transformational period in Yorkshire's history. There is still much for the Club to do, but I have the strongest faith that Yorkshire will be back at the pinnacle of English cricket for the long-term."
Stephen Vaughan, The Yorkshire County Cricket Club Chief Executive said, "Kamlesh should be extremely proud of what he has achieved at Headingley during his tenure as Chair. The structures that have been put in place are vital in ensuring that Yorkshire is a Club that people are proud to be associated with. Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity are at the heart of our Club and I am excited to work with the Board, executive team and new Chair to continue on this journey of meaningful change."
SUNNY
GILL MAKE ENGLISH FOOTBALL HISTORY BECOMING THE FIRST SOUTH ASIANS TO OFFICIATE IN THE SAME CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHGEORDIE BANGLADESHI CLINCHES MMA WORLD CHAMPION Page 23 Page 22 Kamlesh Patel
