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Birmingham How is the Is the Tesla Coronavirus Share Price Council Impacting Overvalued? Issues New Plan the Global Economy? to Tackle Overhaul of Rubbish
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irmingham’s residents could now witness bin collections on a fortnightly or three week basis from their homes and businesses... Page 4
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s China struggles with the Coronavirus outbreak, the economic damage of the disease is affecting countries around the world... Page 12
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esla’s estimated worth has skyrocketed past other vehicle manufacturers, even those who have been in the industry for much longer... Page 19
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The FilmFare Awards 2020
Moen Ali to Captain Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred
he Filmfare Awards are a prestigious award ceremony that celebrates technical and creative esteem within the Hindi film industry... Page 28
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irmingham Phoenix have announced Moeen Ali as captain of their men’s team for the first season of The Hundred... Page 48
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Editor’s Note
Hello to our readers and welcome to another edition of Asian World Newspaper! We hope that you’ve been keeping warm during the recent spells of stormy weather we’ve been having, and that your plans for spring cleaning are going well. We’re back bringing you our new edition, hot of the press and jam-packed with the latest news and info exclusive to you! In this edition, we will be discussing PM Borris Johnson’s recent statement of approval, giving plans for the HS2 transport line the official to go ahead. For more on what completion of the new scheme will mean for commuters in Birmingham, please turn to page 6. We also have the latest reports regarding changes to the immigration system as introduced by Home Secretary Priti Patel, and information regarding the return of the British Blue Passport. To read these stories in full, please take a look at page 10. In our Glam section, we have all the info from the most anticipated Bollywood Blockbusters, and Desi hit songs. For an exclusive QnA with Vicky Kaushal on his new Horror film Bhoot, flick through to page 24. Or maybe you’re looking for something more mellow and calming to read over? Didn’t get the pampering and relaxing time you were after this Valentine’s? Well look on page 25 for our most recent Spa review and book
yourself in for some refreshing MEtime instead! Have you been working super hard lately? Fancy giving yourself a treat after college or work and digging into some delectable food? For our usual restaurant reviews of the most splendid and mouth-watering eateries in Birmingham, turn to page 41. Or maybe you want to visit somewhere more original and exciting with your mates? With Escape Rooms and puzzles quests all the range now, we decided to review one of Birmingham’s very own. Remember to check page 37 for all of the details on why The Mystic’s Cabin is a game room you just have to check out! Whichever section you turn to, there’s a story to excite everyone. So, pick up a copy of the West Midland’s No.1 South Asian paper and make sure you leave no page unturned. Take a look at the rest of this issue NOW! For the latest and most exclusive advertisement offers for 2020, please don’t hesitate to Contact us on 0121 771 4545 or email: sales@asianworldnews.co.uk Have a great read! Editor: Manisha Bhanot editor@asianworldnews.co.uk Visit us online www.asianworldnews.co.uk
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March 2020
Construction Employer Imprisoned after Illegal Workers Found on Midland Metropolitan Hospital Site Home Office officials discovered immigrants who were illegally working at the building site in Smethwick in an investigation.
Jagraj Singh Mand was found guilty of supplying the project with 38 unregistered workers, and of possessing criminal property. All of the employees in question were found to be from India and had no right to be working in the UK. The multi-million-pound Metropolitan hospital development site had been known to be facing construction delays since January 2018. This was as a result of construction giant Carillion, who had been managing the site, going into administration. Birmingham Crown Court heard that Mand supplied the Indian nationals to the construction site for over six months. He was arrested on site after an intelligence-led visit by the Home office, along with three others. He was also suspected of assisting unlawful immigration. Mand’s business, Magnet Site services based in Bloxwich, which was a subcontractor of the Metropolitan Hospital Site, was also disbanded. A search enquiry to Mand’s home found documentation proving that he was taking a commission from the gross pay of each of his workers. He had not declared this to HM Revenue & Customs, which was a further criminal offence. Although these crimes took place in 2016, Mand was finally imprisoned in late January of 2020. The 43-year old,
from Dudley Port, Tipton, was jailed for five years. He was also disqualified from his role as company director for four years. Andy Radcliffe, Immigration Enforce-
ment CFI officer, said: “Mand was fully aware of the illegal immigration status of a considerable portion of his employees. “Employing illegal workers goes hand
Birmingham Council Issues New Plan to Tackle Overhaul of Rubbish
By Manisha Bhanot
Birmingham’s residents could now witness bin collections on a fortnightly or three week basis from their homes and
businesses. The new scheme aims to tackle previous compliance issues with the waste collection programme.
A service review has highlighted that the pile-up of trash on the city’s streets was due to a poor management structure. It
in hand with exploitation, and the criminals in charge are making money off the backs of vulnerable individuals. “That is why we are determined to
clamp down on this type of offence and will not hesitate to act where there is evidence of criminality.”
explained that a break-down in communication caused a lack of trust between the authorities, bin-men and locals in the area. The new initiative to clean up the city’s streets should come as no surprise after Birmingham’s ongoing bin strikes finally ended in March of 2019. The industrial action saw as many as 900 bin collection’s missed, with an overflow of rubbish piling up on the city’s streets, attracting rats and other rodents. The strike was initiated over alleged secret payments made by the council to non-striking GMB staff in 2017. The issue was finally resolved after the council agreed to pay around £3,500 to each union worker from Unite and Unison. The city’s bin-men agreed unanimously to the settlement and the further action was called off. The private review was carried out by Wood Environment and Infrastructure Solutions UK Ltd. They discovered that the council’s use of older collection vehicles contributed to greater emissions and fuel costs. There was also minimum action taken by the council to tackle poor compliance with the waste collection scheme. This lack of effort is exempt in Birmingham’s
poor recycling rates and dirty streets. A newly issued report states that the city will be pushed to introduce weekly food waste collection by the year 2023, as well as introducing the recycle facilities. As part of their report, Wood stated that: “the majority of councils currently operate a fortnightly residual waste collection, with an increasing trend to move towards even less frequent collections, typically three weekly, which have led to improved recycling rates.” Cllr John O’Shea, street scene and parks boss for Birmingham City Council commented: “We are already making progress and despite some challenges over Christmas and New Year, the trend on a number of key performance measures, such as missed bin collections, is heading in the right direction. This report gives us the reassurance we are on the right track and has also given us further points to consider to ensure we deliver on the top priority for the people of this city – clean streets.” It was recommended that Birmingham city council re-design their communications plan and hold a series of consultation sessions open to the public, in order to make the city’s population aware of the upcoming changes.
LOCAL 2-11
GLOBAL 12-17
BUSINESS 18-21
GLAM 22-28
WEDDINGS 29-33
HEALTH 34-35
TRAVEL 36-37
TECH 38-39
FOOD 40-41
MOTORING 42-44
SPORTS 45-48
March 2020
Ryanair CEO Declares Muslim Men as “Bombers”
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By Muhammed Nadeem Jahangir
Islamophobia has been apparent in society for hundreds of years. However, in the 1990s, this prejudiced ideology seemed to grow at an even more rapid rate. Members of the public, politicians and world leaders alike began to openly criticise, threaten and torture Muslims around the world, just to stop the propagation and advancements of a religion they believed as threatening. In today’s world, more than 25% of the world’s population is Muslim and in some places we see Muslims are more active and socially impactful members of the community, even as minorities. It is believed that if Islam spreads it
will make the religion so far spread that young minds will be influenced to accept it. In the recent decade, Muslims have already faced criticism over terrorism which affects the world’s view about their faith as one which is hugely biased. Mr O’Leary further declared that families should be waved quickly through an airport as there was “virtually” no chance of them being terrorists at all since the probability of them blowing up their entire family was “zero”.
In response to his statement, the Muslim Council of Britain said: “that’s exactly the definition of islamophobia. Institutional discrimination against Muslims is wellestablished, whether it is the ability to get a job, buy a flat or even getting car insurance.” Later Ryanair argued against the paper’s coverage and issued a statement claiming their CEO “apologises sincerely” for his inappropriate remarks after he was
accused of sharing “racist and discriminatory” views. “Michael was only calling for more effective airport security checks which would do away with much of the unnecessary queues at airport security today for all passengers,” a spokesman said. Although Ryanair attempted to pass their CEO’s offensive remarks as security improvement suggestions in a later statement, the company’s internal narrative of racism has now been made clear for the world. The airline’s attempted coverup gives a clear perception of the antiMuslim narrative, which is currently being spread across the globe.
Micheal O’Leary is the CEO of one of the world’s largest airlines Ryanair, and is currently facing criticism over an unorthodox statement he made regarding Muslim men. During his interview with The Times, he said terrorists would usually be “males of a Muslim persuasion” who are travelling alone and that they will most likely be bombers, posing a high risk to airlines than other passengers. AW Facts Did you know? Birmingham is furthest from the sea than any other UK city
Local Birmingham KFC Staff Forced to Serve Customers Food through Wired Fence
Employees at a KFC in Small Heath now receive orders and serve customers through an electrified barrier. The new procedure has been incorporated at the fast-food retailer’s Heybarnes Retail Park Branch in Hay Mills. The fence has been fixed by thick metal bars bolted from the sides of the counter to the ceiling. It is unsure exactly when KFC implemented the safeguarding feature to the eatery. However, it could be that they decided to follow suit after their sister branch in Chelmsley Wood approved installation of the same defences. The Heybarnes Retail Park Branch is situated in close proximity to other local takeaways and eateries, a canal way, two public parks and also a school. Recently, the area has been subject to a number of knife crime and gang violence offences, many of which have occurred at the KFC itself. During the last twelve months, crime at or near the KFC Heybarnes Branch
Workers at the burger chain restaurant are being made to serve chicken through gaps in metal wiring
has been totalled to a number of 7 cases of anti-social behaviour, 24 shoplifting offences, and 4 occurrences of robbery. From these figures alone, it seems understandable that the fastfood chain bosses are eager to safeguard their staff from the impending threat of local crime. A KFC representative said: “After some recent anti-social behaviour in the area, we’ve worked in partnership with local police and put security into our restaurant to help prevent any further incidents.” KFC is not the first fast-food chain to introduce safety measures to their restaurants. In 2018, a rival McDonald’s and two KFC branches in Park Street, Walsall Town Centre, had employed bouncers outside their front entrances. The precaution was in efforts to protect customers and staff from local yobs.
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March 2020
PM confirms HS2 will go ahead alongside revolution in local transport
HS2 will go ahead alongside radical improvements to local transport networks all across the country, the PM has confirmed. In a statement to Parliament he set out that after careful consideration of the independent Oakervee review, the decision has been taken to proceed with HS2. With the right reforms in place, HS2 will become the spine of the country’s transport network, bringing our biggest cities closer together, boosting productivity and rebalancing opportunity fairly across the country. Alongside this, the PM outlined his vision for a revolution in local transport to ensure that towns and cities in every region have the modern, joined up network needed to fire up economic growth. A multibillion pound package to transform buses and cycling will deliver at least 4,000 new Zero Emission buses, higher frequency services (including evenings and weekends), more affordable, simpler fares, and new priority schemes to make routes more efficient. The £5 billion in new funding will also help build over 250 miles of new, high quality separated cycle routes, and dozens of ‘Mini-Holland’ schemes to make town centres safer for cyclists and pedestrians.
The PM also pledged further upgrades for local connections including: • Cutting congestion and boosting the local road network across the country by accelerating local schemes to the next stage of development, from Hartlepool and Cheadle in the North to Melksham to Salisbury in the South West • Upgrading Bristol East Junction station to tackle a major pinch point in the South West rail network, so that passengers can travel in and out of Bristol more easily • Taking forward work to improve the A1 north of Newcastle, strengthening the link to the Scottish Border
“Delivering better, faster
and more reliable transport connections is the way to close the opportunity gap across this country
“
Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirms HS2 will go ahead, alongside radical improvements to local transport networks across the country.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson But it is not and never will be an ‘either/or’ between big projects and local services. Dramatic improvements to local transport and the decision to proceed with HS2 will shift this country’s centre of gravity away from the capital and transform connectivity between our towns and cities. I am drawing a clear line under the mismanagement of the past – HS2 must be delivered more efficiently and cost-effectively so that communities
feel its benefits more quickly, particularly those in the North.” Douglas Oakervee’s independent review into HS2 has been published in full. After thorough analysis of the benefits and impacts of the project, work on Phase 1 (the route between London and Birmingham) is set to start in April. Government will revive the legislation to deliver Phase 2a (connecting Birmingham to Crewe) as soon as possible so that preparation works can move forward. The Prime Minister told Parliament that he is committed to Phase 2b of the project, extending high-speed rail from the West Midlands to the North. In order to work out how best to deliver Northern Powerhouse Rail and Phase 2b more effectively, government will draw up an integrated plan for rail in the North, informed by an assessment from the National Infrastructure Commission. This will work to identify the most effective sequencing of all relevant investments in the north, and look at how the two schemes can work together alongside wider investment in transport for the North and Midlands. It will also have a focus on ensuring that lessons are learned from Phase 1 of HS2 to drive down costs. Recognising that better East-West connections are a priority for local leaders, the Government will look at how best to accelerate the delivery of Northern Powerhouse Rail, including looking at options for a new delivery body. The decision to proceed with HS2 is accompanied by a clear commitment to drawing a line under past failures of leadership, transparency and cost control, and a recognition that to go forward, things must change.
Remorseless Attacker Goes for a Maccie’s, Straight after Stabbing Victim 4 Times with Hunting Knife A father of three was approached by two thugs in a car and killed in a row over a spilt drink Malik Hussain became the unfortunate target of a brutal murder committed, by a drug-dealing duo in Birmingham. He was dragged out of his car and attacked with a knife, before being stamped on and left to die in the street. Birmingham Crown Court heard how drug lord brothers Adeeb Mirza and Haseeb Mirza were lurking outside of Pandora’s Box Nightclub in Digbeth on a night in July of last year. The pair, from St Benedict’s Road, Small Heath, were approached by Malik Hussain and a friend as they were looking to purchase cocaine. The potential customers got into their vehicle, but they then received another call to do a drop-off elsewhere and drove away. At around 11:19 pm, the Volkswagen Gold they were riding in parked up at Baker Street, Sparkhill. Mr Hussain received four fatal stab wounds from Adeeb Mirza, after an alleged row over a spilt drink. He was then left to die on the street in the company of his friend. Adeeb Mirza, clearly showing no remorse for his crime, later took a taxi with his brother to a local McDonald’s for a bite to eat. To avoid receiving prosecution for
the murder, he left the country on a flight to Pakistan the following day. However, his brother, Haseeb mirza was unable to escape. He was found guilty of murder following an intensive trial three weeks after the incident. He has been sentenced to a minimum of 21 years without parole. Judge Kristina Montgomery QC of the court said: “Malik Hussain was a father of three children and they like his widow and close family are utterly devastated by his loss. Addressing Haseeb, she continued: “You and he were a mobile drug dealing team. There were no secrets between you. “I am sure you knew he was prepared to use that knife. Having heard the evidence, I am sure the violence erupted spontaneously as a result of the disagreements in the car. “Even when he was lying fatally injured you stamped on his upper body “It was utterly merciless.” Passersby on the busy road Malik was thrown onto attempted to help the unfortunate victim. However, nothing could be done to help. A post-mortem examination confirmed he had sadly passed away as a result of the four stab wounds.
LOCAL 2-11
GLOBAL 12-17
BUSINESS 18-21
GLAM 22-28
WEDDINGS 29-33
HEALTH 34-35
TRAVEL 36-37
TECH 38-39
FOOD 40-41
MOTORING 42-44
SPORTS 45-48
March 2020
UN PRAISE YOUNG PEOPLE TAKING ON CLIMATE CHANGE
A senior United Nations official has praised a UK charity for enlisting young people in the fight against climate change.
Dr Iyad Abumoghli, director of Faith for Earth, which is part of UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme), sent a personal video message to a young people’s workshop that was organised by Islamic Help in Birmingham. The one-day event, Young Khalifahs of the Earth, was designed as a campaigning and advocacy training workshop to promote education about climate change and emphasis our duty of care as Khalifahs (stewards) of the planet. It was featured in a UN newsletter and Dr Abumoghli said it contributed to empowering young people to be aware of environmental challenges and how they could approach solutions based on their faith teachings. Faith for Earth aims to engage faithbased organisations and faith leaders on environmental issues by using the teachings of religions and science. Dr Abumoghli said faith organisations had a crucial role to play as they were the fourth largest economic power on Earth, owning 5% of commercial forests, 10% of habitable land and 50% of schools and hospitals across the planet. “All weather conditions and incidents are unprecedented - major floods, droughts,
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hurricanes and typhoons, and sandstorms, all over these unprecedented conditions are the impact of climate change. We are putting at risk one million species, they are at risk of going extinct,” he said. “We need to have a fourth revolution, not based on technology only but based on behavioural change. This is the essence of going back to our own values and principles, the values of faith and religions. We do need to institute that in our daily behaviours.”
In his video message, he told the workshop: “We do need to hear your voices, we need to see your actions. Do not just agree to go with the flow. “I would like to call upon you to learn but also to provide your feedback, to provide your ideas, to go out there & advocate for a better environment, a better future and let’s together work on solving our environmental issues.” An Islamic Help spokesman said the event was a reminder that humanity’s
role as protectors of the Earth was enshrined in faith, and young people had a key role in deciding the planet’s future. “We’re delighted that initiatives like these are receiving recognition at the highest levels. Young people are coming to the table with ideas and innovative thinking, and they’ve taken to the forefront in helping protect our planet and its future,” he said. www.islamichelp.org.uk
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March 2020
Top 10 Richest Asians in the UK
By Manisha Bhanot
1. Hinduja Family
2. David and Simon Rueben
3. Lakshmi Mittal
4. Anil Agarwal
5. Sri Prakash Lohia
The Hinduja family name resonates all over India as one of the most influential and wealthiest dynasties in the country. The four brothers: Srichand, Ashok, Gopichand and Prakash manage the family’s empire from various locations all over the globe, such as Switzerland, India and London. Early Life The oldest of the Hinduja brothers, Srichand Pramand, was born on November 28th 1935 in Karachi, Pakistan. He attended RD National College in Mumbai. Gopichand was born in 1940 and graduated from Jai Hind College in Mumbai. Prakash was born in the same year and went to the University of Westminister. Ashok graduated from the University of Bombay. Business Career Ashok owns the Hinduja’s own named Defence business which specialises in tactical vehicles. The Hinduja Group have divisions in the oil industry, inclusive of lubricants, commercial explosives, and speciality chemicals. The dynasty also owns a Hospital in Boston, among other establishments and businesses across the world. Their combined net worth is roughly £22 Billion.
David and Simon hail from an Indo-Iraqi family. The pair ran numerous businesses within the Indian sub-continent from their bases in Bombay and Baghdad. They are known for maintaining a highly private life and have given hardly any press interviews and talks in the past. Early Life David Rueben, born in 1941 and Simon Rueben, born in 1944, both hail from Bombay, India. The family had lived in the country since the 1800s among their other fellow Jews. The pair moved to Islington, London, with their mother at a young age. Despite both of them being enrolled in public schools, Simon never completed his formal education. Business Career The brothers began to grow their wealth from property investments and metal trading in the 1970s. David becomes a member of a scrap buying business, whereas Simon earned enough income from a Carpet company he bought to start investing in properties located in Chelsea. Properties owned by the two of them include the London Primark store on Oxford Street, the John Lewis Partnership Headquarters and the American Express offices, both located in Victoria. Their combined net worth is around £18.7b
Lakshmi Mittal had fallen heavily in ranking on the list since last year when he formerly held 3rd place. Mittal comes from the historic Indian steel clan, in 2007, he was also thought to be the richest Indian person in Europe. He currently resides in the UK. His daughter Vanisha’s wedding is the second most expensive of all time. Early Life Mittal was born in Rajasthan, India on June 15th 1950. He gained a first-class honours degree in Commerce from St. Xavier’s College. Like his father before him, he became a steel merchant and opened his first steel factory in Java, Indonesia, titled Ispat Indo, at age 26. Business Career Mittal is CEO of Arcelor Mittal, the world’s biggest Steel Maker. He has merged the company with one of France’s own steelmaking groups and formerly bought Italy’s loss-suffering manufacturer Ilva in 2018. In the same year, his company suffered a $33M loss due to rising steel prices, despite $5.1 Billion revenue. Mittal is a part of foreign business councils in Kazakhstan, Cleveland and Europe. His approximate net worth is £10.7B. `
Anil Agarwal resides in the English capital of London. However, his philanthropic activities are aimed at dissolving poverty rates in India by creating jobs and utilising business operation to assist GDP growth. Early Life Anil Agarwal was born and raised in Patna, India. He attended Miller High School but decided to opt-out of joining university to be more hands-on with his career. From a young age, he decided to join his father’s family business which specialised aluminium conducting. When he was just a teenager, he left for Patna, Mumbai to seek out further career opportunities. Business Career From the 70s, Agarwal began buying scrap metal from neighbouring states and selling it in Mumbai. After taking out a bank loan, he began running various metal trading co-operations. Some years down the line, he set up Vendanta Resources PLC, which is now the fastestgrowing metals and mining group in the world. During his career, Anil Agarwal has received much criticism due to his company’s actions of dumping waste materials in local rivers and killing wildlife. His estimated net worth is £10.6bn.
Sri Prakash is an Indian-Indonesian billionaire. He is the founder CEO of a diversified petrochemical and textile company called Indorama Corporation. Lohia is from India but spent most of his life in Indonesia, before eventually settling in the UK. Early Life Lohia was born on August 11th, 1952 in Calcutta, India. He has three brothers and one sister. Lohia attended the University of Delhi and graduated in 1971 with a bachelor’s degree in Commerce. He moved with his father to Indonesia two years later to initiate his career in the business world. Business Career In 1976, Lohia began Indorma Synthetics, a manufacturer of spun yarns. After his father’s death, the company was divided up between Lohia and his brothers. Lohia went on to diversify his share of the business into manufacturing polyester as well. Today his net worth stands at roughly £5.4 billion.
6. Sir Anwar Pervez and Family
7. Samuel Tak Lee
8. Simon, Bobby and Robin Arora
9. Bavaguthu Shetty
10. Lord Paul
Anwar Pervez and his family are the wealthiest Pakistani-born British family on our top 10 richest list. He shares his business alongside his relatives Zameer Choudrey and Younis Sheik. Early Life Sir Anwar Pervez was born on March 15th 1935 in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. He migrated to England from Pakistan when he was just 21 years old, after quitting his job as a call centre worker. Here he started his conglomerate business. He married Sabiha Qasim and the couple have four children together. Business Career Sir Anwar Pervez had his first job abroad as a bus conductor. After saving enough money and bringing his family to the UK, he began his convenience store business and delved into the world of wholesale. In 1976, he opened Bestway Wholesale Warehouse in London, and his empire grew from there. His entire family’s combined net worth is around £5. 4 billion.
Samuel Tak Lee is a billionaire property developer and philanthropist. Although he rarely speaks about his business dealings, he is described by his associated as having a very colourful personal life. He owns his own yacht and Beoing aircraft collection. Early Life Lee was born in April 1939 in Hong Kong. He attended Diocesan Boy’s School on Mong Kok, before earning a bachelor’s and master’s degree in civil and environmental engineering in Massachusetts. He then gained his MBA from Harvard’s Business School. Business Career After the completion of his studies, Lee returned to Hong Kong to join his father and uncle in the family’s real estate business. After taking control of the empire entirely from his brother, he continued to grow the organisation’s investments abroad in Switzerland, Singapore, and Japan. Lee’s estimated net worth is prized at £3 billion.
This triple threat has been the centre of much media attention for being among the highest taxpayers in the UK. They have a chain of discount stores across the country under their ownership. Their Brand B&M has built a reputation of success simply from word of mouth and 0 advertising campaigns. Early Life Simon Arora was born in 1969, Bobby in 1972 and Robin in 1985. The eldest of the brothers studied Law at Cambridge University, the youngest, graduated from a degree in business at the University of Reading. However, the middle child, Bobby, went into business as a teenager from aged 18 and has been described as a born-market trader. Business Career Simon Arora first went into business with his brother Bobby in 1995. The pair began homeware products from Asia and supplying them to UK stores. The family acquired B&M in 2004 from a failing grocery chain in Blackpool. Robin joined his brother’s alongside the business 3 years later. The family’s collective net worth is around £2.3bn.
Bavaguthu Raghuram Shetty has been named twice previously on Forbes’ India’s 100 Richest List. He has founded numerous companies in the United Arab Emirates. He has investments in the medical and finance industries, as well as Indian cinema. Early Life Shetty was born in Kapu, India to Tamil speaking parents. He studied pharmaceuticals in India and also became the ViceChairman of the Municipal Council in Udupi. He is married to Chandrakumari Shetty, and the couple has four children together. Business Career Shetty is the founder and owner of the New Media Centre (NMC) in the UAE. He also set up the UAE exchange and purchased Travelex, the world’s most successful foreign exchange company, in 2014. His estimated net worth £2 billion.
Swraj Paul is an Indian, British-based magnate, philanthropist and businessman. He has sat in the House of Lords with the title of Baron Paul in Westminster City. Early Life Lord Paul was born in Jalandhar in 1931. His father ran a small steel foundry which also made farming equipment. He attended Labbu Ram Doaba School and Doaba College. He then moved to the US to study Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Business and Career After completing his education, Lord Paul moved back to India to join his family business, Apeejay Group. He then moved to the UK and founded Natural gas Tubes. He founded the Capapro Group in 1968, which is the UK’s biggest Steel Group. His net worth is approximated at roughly £2billion.
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March 2020
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March 2020
Iconic Blue Solihull man prosecuted for Passports Return fly-tipping in Birmingham Next Month
A Solihull man has been ordered to pay £6,008 by Birmingham Magistrates’ Court after being found guilty of flytipping in Billesley.
Adnan Qazi, aged 30, of Berkeley Road in Solihull, was found to be responsible for dumping rubbish, including doors, carpets, rugs, mattresses, bed bases, a chair, fridge and cardboard boxes as well as general household rubbish from a van onto land at Scribers Lane on April 15 last year. The incident, which saw the rubbish dumped on a no-through road leading into Trittiford Mill Park, was caught on CCTV and prosecuted under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. In the footage seen by Magistrates, three men were seen dumping the rubbish and enquiries led to a rental van, which had been hired by Qazi. Qazi, who pleaded not guilty at court, claimed that he was unaware of the incident because he had lent the van to an acquaintance, but further enquiries were not able to trace the alleged acquaintance that Qazi had identified. As such, Qazi was therefore held ultimately responsible for the rubbish dumping. Qazi was fined a total of £2,769, ordered to pay £360 compensation for the cost of
clearing the rubbish, a victim surcharge of £170 and prosecution costs of £2,709. Cllr John O’Shea, Cabinet Member for Street Scene and Parks, said: “Trittiford Mill Park is an important wildlife habitat and has nesting sites for all sorts of birds, including migratory species from across the world and is also a valued community resource for residents of all ages. There is even an active allotment club directly opposite the area where the dumping took place. “Anti-social and criminal behaviour such as this damages our much-loved parks
and open spaces and will not be tolerated. “This individual has absolutely no regard for Birmingham’s environment, so I am delighted we have secured another conviction that underlines our commitment to bring fly-tippers to justice.” The council can only prosecute when credible evidence, that meets the criminal burden of proof, is available. Anyone with information on any cases of flytipping is urged to contact the council at www.birmingham.gov.uk/flytipping
The first new blue passports will be issued from March 2020. Britons will be able to travel with a blue passport when the traditional colour returns for the first time in almost 30 years. The distinctive blue cover will be reintroduced now the UK has left the EU, and will replace burgundy passports which were gradually rolled out from 1988. The first new passports will be issued and delivered early next month. Full introduction will be phased in and from mid-2020 all new passports will be blue. The colour is not the only change, in a first for the British passport, the back cover will also carry its own symbolic design – the floral emblems of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales embossed. The blue passport will also be the greenest British passport ever. The carbon footprint produced through manufacture will be reduced to net zero, through projects such as planting trees. Home Secretary Priti Patel said: Leaving the European Union gave us a unique opportunity to restore our national identity and forge a new path in the world. By returning to the iconic blue and gold design, the British passport will once again be entwined with our na-
tional identity and I cannot wait to travel on one. The new passport will also be the most technologically advanced British passport ever, with a raft of new and updated security features, including a hard-wearing, super-strength polycarbonate data page, which contains innovative technologies embedded into the document, to keep personal data secure. It also includes the latest and most secure printing and design techniques, which means it offers better protection against identity theft and fraud and will be even harder to forge. The blue cover is a return to the original appearance of the British passport, with the colour first used in 1921. It remained the colour of choice until the UK joined the EU when a change to burgundy was agreed and adopted. All British passports will continue to be personalised with the holder’s personal details and photograph in the United Kingdom, ensuring no personal data leaves the country. Standard passports will continue to contain 34 pages. Frequent traveller ‘Jumbo’ passports will now contain 54 pages. Those with valid, burgundy passports can continue to use their passport for travel until it expires.
LOCAL 2-11
GLOBAL 12-17
BUSINESS 18-21
GLAM 22-28
WEDDINGS 29-33
HEALTH 34-35
TRAVEL 36-37
TECH 38-39
FOOD 40-41
MOTORING 42-44
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Home Secretary announces new UK points-based Immigration System
March 2020
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Zaf Leaves a Legacy!
By Muhammad Zafran
A dear brother Zafar (AKA) Zaf, passed away on Sunday afternoon 25th August 2019. It was a hot summer’s day when we received the news that he had left us, departed this world and passed on.
New points-based immigration system will open up the UK to the brightest and the best from around the world. Home Secretary Priti Patel will launch a new points-based immigration system which will open up the UK to the brightest and the best from around the world. The new system, which takes effect from 1 January 2021, will end free movement, reassert control of our borders and restore public trust. It will assign points for specific skills, qualifications, salaries or professions and visas will only be awarded to those who gain enough points. The government has listened to the clear message from the 2016 referendum and the 2019 General Election and will end the reliance on cheap, low-skilled labour coming into the country. Overall levels of migration will be reduced, with tighter security and a better experience for those coming to the UK. The new single global system will treat EU and non-EU citizens equally. It will give top priority to those with the highest skills and the greatest talents, including scientists, engineers and academics. The global talent scheme will also be opened up to EU citizens which will allow highly-skilled scientists and re-
searchers to come to the UK without a job offer. Home Secretary Priti Patel said: Today is a historic moment for the whole country. We’re ending free movement, taking back control of our borders and delivering on the people’s priorities by introducing a new UK points-based immigration system, which will bring overall migration numbers down. We will attract the brightest and the best from around the globe, boosting the economy and our communities, and unleash this country’s full potential. The points threshold will be carefully set to attract the talent the UK needs. Skilled workers will need to meet a number of relevant criteria, including specific skills and the ability to speak English, to be able to work in the UK. All applicants will be required to have a job offer and, in line with the Migration Advisory Committee’s (MAC) recommendations, the minimum salary threshold will be set at £25,600. The new points-based system will also expand the skills threshold for skilled workers. Those looking to live and work in the UK will now need to be qualified up to A level or equivalent, rather than degree level under the current system. This will provide greater flexibility and ensure UK business has access to a wide pool of skilled workers. In line with the government’s manifesto commitment there will be no specific route for low-skilled workers. It is estimated 70% of the existing EU workforce would not meet the re-
quirements of the skilled worker route, which will help to bring overall numbers down in future. Professor Alice Gast, President of Imperial College London, said: British science is global. The new poststudy work and global talent visas will help us to attract the world’s brightest students and researchers, wherever they come from. From the race to develop a coronavirus vaccine to clean energy, British science’s international collaborations drive innovation and excellence. Student visa routes will also be pointsbased and be opened up to EU citizens, ensuring talent from around the globe has access to the UK’s world-class universities. Those wishing to study in the UK will need to demonstrate that they have an offer from an approved educational institution, that they can support themselves financially and that they speak English. In addition, the seasonal workers pilot will also be expanded in time for the 2020 harvest from 2,500 to 10,000 places, responding to the specific temporary requirements of the agricultural sector. EU citizens and other non-visa nationals will not require a visa to enter the UK when visiting the UK for up to 6 months. However, the use of national identity cards will be phased out for travel to the UK and the Home Office will set out our plans in due course. Those EU citizens resident in the UK by 31 December 2020 can still apply to settle in the UK through the EU Settlement Scheme until June 2021.
Although death is the only certainty in life, we are least prepared for it. It was a shock and what were once ‘just’ old thoughts of our childhood years growing up became precious memories of him. We remember his younger days where he so adventurous and brave, he’d go out ‘hunting’ for pets, bringing home tadpoles and even baby chicks for us little ones, he’d put on firework displays for children and bring us small toys. He was so young but so courageous and protective; these qualities lasted his lifetime. In his teen years growing up in a harsh environment wasn’t for easy for him, but he was more than a father figure to us and stood tall next to his protective mother, he was her strength, her light at the end of the tunnel. He hated conflict but always fought to protect his family no matter what. He loved his three children dearly; he didn’t spend his time with them shopping or spoiling them with gifts, but cherished simple things such as time in each other’s company and always, always insisted on moments being captured on camera not knowing his life was to be cut short soon. Two weeks before he turned 41, he was summoned by the Lord Almighty to leave this world. Forever humble, he didn’t really ever realise how important he was to us, and I imagine he would never have expected so much love shown after his death, the huge funeral being remembered so much, and being the inspiration behind so much charity work in his honour. Zaf was our support and strength growing up; he gave us direction and consistent good advice. He never gossiped and would always defend those who he felt were vulnerable. The last few years he had dedicated so much time towards his football sessions with the local youth and would make a great effort in organising and maintaining the games. He took great pride in his team players and
saw good in them. He cared for people and relationships over care for luxury or status. He was humble in character and did not lead a flashy lifestyle. He was a dutiful son, a protective brother, a loving father and uncle who always wished well for everyone he loved, knew and met. Everyone who ever met Zaf knows this.
May he be at peace in the mercy of the Almighty. May The Creator grant his humble servant a place in the eternal gardens. Ameen. We miss you always and love you immensely. Testimonial by myself: “Zaf was my friend from the age of 6 at Nansen Primary School. We stayed best friends from our earlier years and then caught up few years ago when he applauded my work and asked if I can support his youth group with football activities. Zaf used to say to me that you remind me of myself, that you’re always smiling and speak gently to others and take time out to help others. But I can honestly say that Zaf was one in a million. He was such a beautiful person and always there for you when you needed him. My last moments with him were on the night he passed away. He messaged me at midnight to cancel football for the following day as he wasn’t feeling well and kept on talking about our previous events and how he loved my picture I posted about my parents on Whatsapp. I somehow realised he was acting differently today and then a few hours later I got the dreaded text that he had left us. I will always remember Zaf as my inspiration.”
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March 2020
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Trans -woman representing Pakistan at the UN Convention By Grace Lea Pakistan has been making substantial progress with regards to their trans community, which has been made most explicit in granting Alisha Mughal as the first openly trans person representing Pakistan in the United Nations Convention on Violence against Women in Geneva. Aisha, who has a degree in Human Resource Management from COMSATS Islamabad, is the first transgender lecturer in the visiting faculty at Quaid-e-Azam University and she works in Pakistan’s Ministry of Human Rights. However, most importantly, she has now become the first trans delegate at the UN Convention. As a result of this, Mughal has muchpraised her country for its progress and for giving her a place at the table. Previously, transwomen had attended the UN Convention solely to represent civil societies, but by making Aisha an official member of the government delegation, this drastically advanced the representation of the trans community. With this, Pakistan has become the first country in the world to give representation to a trans person at this level, and Mughal labelled Pakistan as an example to the entire world. She stated she feels proud to be a transgender woman in Pakistan. In a tweet, Aisha stated that she was grateful to her boss for believing in her and for making her a part of Pakistan’s Government delegation to UN CEDAW, and also greatly applauded her country for ‘mainstreaming’ the transgender community. This advancement for the community came just weeks after Pakistan extended its free healthcare to transgender people. Under the new regulations, the transgender community have been issued special health cards that give them access to the government health insurance scheme, and as a result, they will receive free medical treatment, including transitionrelated care. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan has stated that making such amendments shows he is ‘taking responsibility’ for the transgender community who are often denied medical treatment or even harassed and ridiculed by hospital staff and patients. In addition to this, there are plans to create separate hospital wards for trans patients to make transgender people more comfortable when receiving any form of medical care. Essentially, Pakistan and its government are making drastic improvements that should be replicated across the world. However, this comes only two years after Pakistan passed a law that guaranteed basic human rights for transgender citizens and illegalised discrimination by employers and business owners. Therefore, Pakistan has made extremely drastic progress in just two years.
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UK Put on High Alert over Rising Coronavirus Toll
By Manisha Bhanot
Front page story cont’d...
Confirmed Cases in the UK continue to Increase. Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new epidemic which first originated in China, and has now spread across the globe, including to the UK. The virus first emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December of 2019, reportedly from a local market where unsanitary animal products were being sold. As a consequence of travellers from Wuhan entering other countries, Coronavirus has been spreading rapidly from nation to nation. The largest infection rate outside China has been found in Italy, where holidaymakers have been returning from their family getaways and cruise tours. The number of positive cases in the UK has risen to over 300 cases as of 10th March after 23,513 people were tested for flu-like symptoms, with many more across the country still expected to be affirmed. Meanwhile, 12 new confirmed cases of Coronavirus have been announced within England. A total of eight of the people infected were returning travellers from Italy, and others from Singapore, Japan, Iran and Germany. One other British
woman was also infected whilst staying in her hotel within Tenerife. How the virus is affecting the country The UK Government has predicted that up to a fifth of workers may have to take sick leave as the coronavirus outbreak continues to spread. As a result of the impending risk of infection, departments such as local police units will only need to focus on the most serious incidents. These changes may even result in the delayed prosecution of serious offenders such as murders/rapists. It is possible that the military will also step in to provide emergency first aid and resources if needed. How International Markets are suffering China is the world biggest exporter and second-biggest importer all round. Since the country has been hit with the
outbreak, global supply chains have been affected; tourism rates have plummeted. Retail stores and factories have closed down, and oil prices have fallen as a result of decreased demand. From iPhones and 3D TVs to children’s toys and clothing, China is almost every other country’s biggest trade partner, and much of our consumer products are either bought from there or have components manufactured in China. The East Asian superpower also possessed the world’s second-largest economy, with a GDP of $13.6 trillion. However, as a result of the recent financial crisis there, the country’s economic growth is estimated to reach a slump of just 4.5% in the first few months of this year (Reuters, 2020). The hold on products being imported from China is affecting corporations
Dhaka Café Attackers Sentenced to Death Seven Bangladesh Islamists have been sentenced to death for the July 2016 attack on the Holey Artisan café in Bangladesh’s capital, in which twenty-two people were killed. The Seven convicted men were accused of belonging to Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), a homegrown Islamist group outlawed in the country, that seeks to establish shariah rule. Eight people were put on trial, accused of planning the attack and making and supplying the weapons to the five attackers, whom they were said to be directly involved with. However, one of these seven men were acquitted, and a defence lawyer said that the other men would appeal. The charge-sheet stated that the suspects thought killing a large number of foreigners would gain them local and international spotlight, and the attention of global terrorist groups. Judge Md Majibur Rahman of the Anti-Terrorism Special Tribunal of Dhaka, who ordered the deaths by hanging, stated: “These people wanted to wreak havoc in the society and wanted to establish a Jihadist state. As their activities threatened public safety, they will be executed by hanging until they are pronounced dead”. While the men were led away from the courtroom, some of them shouted “Allahu Akbar” (“God is greatest”).
Two of them wore prayer caps with Islamic State insignias on. After the attackers were sentenced, public prosecutor Golam Sarwar Khan welcomed the verdict, saying that the charges “were proved beyond any doubt”. A different public prosecutor, Abdullah Abu, told reporters they were satisfied with the judgement although there was concern at the acquittal of one of the accused. Shamsuzzaman Jaman Shams, brother of police officer Rabiul Karim who was killed during the attack, said: “The pain that we experienced on the night of the attack still prevails in our heart,” and he therefore hoped the verdict would be executed imme-
By Charlie Murray diately. However, defence lawyer Delwar Hossain claimed that the verdict was given too hastily. He said, “We are not happy with the verdict. We will appeal to the higher court.” The 12-hour siege on the café in Dhaka started when young attackers carrying assault rifles and machetes opened fire and took diners hostage at gunpoint. Many of the victims, mostly Italian and Japanese foreigners, were shot or hacked to death. It was Bangladesh’s deadliest Islamist attack. Thirteen hostages were rescued by army commandos, who were called after two police officers died trying to fight the militants. Islamic State claimed the attack, but Bangladesh disputed this and instead held a local militant group responsible. The gunmen were all killed by police. Since the attack, Bangladesh authorities have led a brutal crackdown on militants it sees as destabilising the predominantly Muslim country. At least 80 suspected militants were killed, and more than 300 arrests took place during operations following the attack. There were human rights concerns over how the operations were conducted, and militancy is believed to still not have been completely uprooted. The attack affected Bangladesh’s image as a safe place to do business.
everywhere. Factories have delayed re-opening after the Lunar New Year, and many workers are either on sick leave or staying at home to prevent themselves from catching the virus. Global brands are closing-shop in China, even if it means running out of components and product shortages. Nike has closed down roughly 50% of its Chinese stores, even though they account for approximately 17% of its total revenue. Nike’s leading rival Adidas has taken the same approach in protecting its stock from contamination; shoppers have already deserted the streets. Car production companies are also suffering losses in sales. Fiat Chrysler, for example, has admitted to struggling to source some of its key parts from Chinese suppliers. The company may have to halt production in the coming weeks. Disney has stated its operating income could take a loss of $280m (£216m) it was made to close Tokyo Disneyland and Shanghai Disneyland that are usually bustling with visitors over the Lunar New Year period, as of March 9th however the Shanghai resort will partially reopen Other consumer hot spot chains such as McDonalds and Starbucks have also closed hundreds of their franchises. China has also closed all of its cinemas; the nation is only second to the US as one of the biggest movie makers on the planet. A further global box office loss of around $1 billion could be faced by China if its cinema industry does not recover during the second quarter of this year. The impact of the Coronavirus on the global economy is predicted to be much worse than the Sars virus, which was another viral outbreak that occurred in China during 2002. Australia and Brazil, a couple of the largest commodity exporters to China, are predicted to lose up to 0.3% of their GDP due to the virus outbreak. According to financial reports, only one nation may possibly be economically benefitting from the virus outbreak, which is Turkey. Certain clothing manufacturers that manufacture in China are in discussions with Turkish firms to move shop there. As well as this, Russia is swapping its main fruit and vegetable supplier from China to its neighbouring country of Turkey. Although it is yet too soon to tell what the lasting impact of the Coronavirus on the global economy will be, it is clear that the threat should not be taken lightly. It is now in the hands of global leaders as to how they protect their country’s inhabitants from the danger and work with national suppliers and firms to minimalize the damage the outbreak can cause.
AW Facts Did you know? The Sri Lankan National flag originated in 162 BC and is one of the oldest in the world
LOCAL 2-11
GLOBAL 12-17
BUSINESS 18-21
GLAM 22-28
WEDDINGS 29-33
HEALTH 34-35
TRAVEL 36-37
TECH 38-39
FOOD 40-41
MOTORING 42-44
SPORTS 45-48
March 2020
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March 2020
Social Media Ban in Kashmir could result in Months of Jail if Defied
A law in Kashmir which prohibits the use of any VPN’s whilst browsing or using social media, has given the Indian government and its authorities power to jail anyone who defies this law for months without bail. They could also officially be labelled as designated “terrorists” by the state. Those who use VPN’s in Kashmir to access restricted sites are now being booked under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and a sector of the Indian Information Technology Act. The latter of these two legislations was originally scrapped by India’s top court in 2015, but then re-instated. The new law which has been put into place gives the authorities power to immediately and effectively jail anyone who “breaks” this “law” for months without bail and also holds them accountable for participating in acts of terrorism. The new legislation has caused major outrage across many different social media platforms, which left social media influencer and fellow Kashmiri Ashwaq
Masoodi commenting on twitter saying: “Just FYI: With UAPA, the government can designate an individual as a terrorist through a notification in the official gazette, and add his name to the schedule supplemented to the UAPA bill. So all those ‘guilty’ of this ‘crime’ of using social media in Kashmir are ‘terrorists’ now.” Several Rights groups have also accused Indian authorities of tampering with fundamental rights and regulations whilst many other people have allegedly been “harassed” by the Indian police and army. An anonymous person who has supposedly had experience with such harassment tweeted: “I was stopped outside a tertiary care hospital in Srinagar two days ago. The soldiers checked my phone and deleted VPN from it.” The Indian government placed down a blanket ban on mobile and internet services in Kashmir before revoking its designated autonomy last year. It was partially lifted in January.
By Habib Uddin
Operation Radd ul Fassad Pakistan’s Success Story in War on Terror
A three-year journey from terrorism to best tourism destination in the world - Operation Radd ul Fassad has made considerable gains in Pakistan’s nerveshattering and prolonged war against terrorism and brought about peace and stability to the country. The project has completed three years of planning with its launch and is moving forward successfully. The success of this operation has paved the way for Pakistan’s journey to development and prosperity. This operation has restored routine life in the country,
Sri Lanka’s Electrocutions Rate Increases Tenfold By Priyanka Dutta
In the year 2019, Sri Lanka reported 103 fatalities due to electrocution. This was a marked increase from 89 deaths that were reported in the year 2018. The most recent report on electrocution was released in the year 2019 by the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL). Electrocution, as many might know, is severe injury or death when an electric current passes through the body of an individual. The word has been derived from the words electro and execution, and has also been used for accidental death too. According to reports, the southern province of Sri Lanka had the highest fatalities due to electrocution in the year 2019, while the western province has been found to be reporting the lowest deaths. About thirty fatalities were reported in the southern province of Sri Lanka. In the period ranging from 2015 to 2019, 97 fatalities due to electrocution were reported in the southern province. The electrocution rate has been found to be the highest in Sri Lanka when compared to the other parts of the country. Some of the reasons that have been highlighted for the highest number of fatalities due to electrocution were to protect cultivation or to kill wild animals. Other
brought the playgrounds back to life and attracted foreign tourists to Pakistan. Operation Radd ul Fassad has launched under Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s command. The Pakistan Army carried out 149,000 intelligence-based operations, issued more than 3,800 threat warnings and foiled at least 398 terrorist attacks in these three years. As part of the war against terrorism, security forces carried out more than 350 primary and more than 850 minor operations from 2001 to 2020. As a result, the law and order situation reasons that have contributed to fatalities include activities that took place near power lines or small electric repair work done at home or at a place of work. Illegal power tapping has also been found to be another important reason for the rise in deaths due to electrocution. Statistics also reveal that the males in Sri Lanka are more exposed to electrocutions. Roughly 86 percent of the fatalities logged in 2019 were males. This was three percent more than the fatalities in 2018. People within the age group of 40 to 50 years were the most vulnerable group who became victims of electrocution in 2019. It has also been found that most incidents of electrocution took place in December. According to the international benchmark, one electrocution in one million people happens per year. In 2019, the electrocution index in Sri Lanka was five times higher than the international benchmark. PUSCL in Sri Lanka has introduced a wide range of safety regulations so that people can be saved from electrocutions and untimely deaths. A number of safety ambassadors representing the villages in the country have also been elected so that inhabitants can be made aware of how to use electricity safely.
By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi in Karachi improved remarkably, and the metropolis moved down from the sixth position to 91st position among the world capitals on the Crime Index. As part of its efforts to stop the crossborder movement of terrorists between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Pakistan planned to fence its 2611-kilometre long border and completed the fencing of 1450 kilometers. Also, Pakistan planned construction of 843 border forts and completed 343 of them. Currently, construction work on another 161 border forts is underway. In ceasefire violations since 2017, Pakistan has lost several security personnel. The highest number of casualties was reported in 2018 and the highest number of ceasefire violations, more than 8,000, was witnessed in 2019. Military courts sentenced 344 terrorists to death, imprisoned 301 abettors of terrorists for different terms and acquitted five people of terrorism charges. Peace returned to the country, as the security forces made gains in Operation Radd ul Fassad. As a result, national and international sports events returned to Pakistan. The Pakistan Super League (PSL), one of the most successful sports events in the country, is the result of the gains made in Operation Radd ul Fassad. World leaders like UN Secretary-General António Guterres said that today’s peaceful Pakistan speaks volumes about the success of Operation Radd ul Fassad. Many dignitaries, including the UN secretarygeneral, US Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham, British Army Officer Nick Carter, diplomats and members of the British parliament visited Pakistan after the security forces eliminated terrorists and restored peace. The military diplomacy of Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa has played a pivotal role in international recognition of Pakistan as a peaceful and stable country. The police force, Levis, and the Counterterrorism Department (CTD) too have played their critical role side by side the Pakistan Army in the success of Operation Radd ul Fassad and rendered innumerable sacrifices in this war against terrorism.
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GLOBAL 12-17
BUSINESS 18-21
GLAM 22-28
WEDDINGS 29-33
HEALTH 34-35
TRAVEL 36-37
Father of 15-year-old Rape Victim Shot Dead by Her Attacker By Tauseef Asif
The father of a 15-year-old Indian rape victim has been shot dead, supposedly by his daughter’s rapist. Police told the BBC that the accused is now on the run. The shooting occurred during the late hours of a Monday evening at the victim’s home. The girl’s family say that the gunman had threatened them and asked them to withdraw the rape case they
had lodged against him in August of last year. Rape victims in India often accuse the police of failing to protect them or their families from such violence. The girl’s father was taken to the hospital after the shooting, but he died the next day. The crime happened in the Firozabad district in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh.
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MOTORING 42-44
The High Court in Bangladesh has recently declared gambling as illegal in 13 clubs across the country. The clubs affected – Dhaka, Uttara, Dhanmondi, Gulshan, Banani, Officers’, Dhaka Ladies, Cadet College, Chittagong and Chittagong Seniors’, Narayanganj, Sylhet and Khulna – have been ordered to cease any operations of gambling activity. An order issued by Justice Sheikh Hassan Arif and Justice Md Mahmud Hassan Talukder declared any gambling activity involving money to be made illegal in five districts. This action began in 2016 when a petition was filed to stop gambling across these 13 specific clubs, based on three different types of legislation: DMP Ordi“He was constantly threatening us,” the girl’s uncle said. “One week ago, he threatened my brother, saying if he didn’t withdraw the case, he wouldn’t be alive. We complained to the police, but they ignored us.” The girl’s family also says that the police did not take any action in the rape case. The case was registered months ago under India’s stringent child protection laws. Police superintendent Sachindra
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March 2020
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Gambling Made Illegal in Bangladesh
nance 1976, Chittagong Metropolitan Police Ordinance 1978 and Public Gambling Act 1867. Any act of gambling activity was regarded as a violation of these regulations and therefore, illegal. However, very few clubs across Bangladesh adhered to this. The clubs listed above had allowed members to participate in gambling, and they even advertised such activities on their website, publicising their illegal activities. There was great confusion as to why law enforcement was not taking any action with regards to this overt unlawfulness. Therefore, a petition was started. When this petition was first heard in December 2016, the High Court ordered all card and dice games, any game in which mon-
ey is involved, to be terminated. Law enforcement agencies were authorised to seize any gambling equipment from any location in which it is discovered, and raids were approved to apprehend the use of such equipment. Over 2 months, 50 businesses were raided, and 300 people were arrested for alleged involvement in gambling activity. Members of the Awami League were also arrested, along with local businesses, and even city officials, who were apprehended under this new illegality. The final disposition was eventually made on January 23rd, and the verdict announced the following Monday, in which any gambling activity was officially made illegal. Dhaka Club
had previously fought the order and filed for an appeal, through which they secured a temporary injunction against the high court order. However, this was only valid until the final disposition was heard. Therefore, following the official verdict, this injunction was revoked, and even Dhaka club was included under the newest legislation. In the wake of this newest legislation, illegal gambling hubs have been cropping up across Bangladesh, which a new group called the Rapid Action Battalion have uncovered. This ‘battalion’ is working to ensure that the legislation is upheld by the various gambling institutions. By Grace Lea
Patel said that three officers had been suspended for carelessness, and officers were positioned to search for the accused. Rights activists say that the police often don’t act quickly enough, which puts victims and their families at risk. The investigation could go a long way since rape is a nonbailable offence in India. This is the third such instance in Uttar Pradesh in recent months where rape victims or their fami-
lies have been attacked, allegedly by those they have accused. In July, a woman was badly injured in a car crash, and her family said it had been caused by a former ruling party lawmaker who had raped her. While she survived, both her aunts, who had been travelling with her, died. The lawmaker, Kuldeep Sengar, has since been convicted for the rape. He is being investigated for his alleged role in the crash.
In December, a 23-year-old woman was set on fire when she was on her way to testify against her alleged rapists. She had 90% burns and died the next day after suffering cardiac arrest. And in May 2018, a 16-year-old girl was burnt alive in Jharkhand state after her parents complained to village elders that she had been raped. India is facing a renewed public outrage over cases of violent sexual assaults in the country.
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March 2020
Turkey to Dr. Manmohan Singh, Former Prime Minister abolish honored with Lifetime Achievement Award VISAs at 10th Sikh Awards ceremony from the UK from March Onwards
One of the most popular locations for British tourists and holiday-goers, Turkey, is abolishing VISAs from the UK from next month. Today, British travellers must apply for a permit to travel, which costs around £27 ($35). The ministry of foreign affairs in Ankara stated: “As of March 2nd 2020, Turkey has decided to exempt visa requirements for the members of the European Union Schengen area, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Poland as well as the United Kingdom citizens for touristic travels to Turkey for every 90 days within a 180-day period. This step aims at increasing our tourism potential, as well as developing our trade, economic and cultural relations.” The foreign office said: “The Turkish government advise that your passport should be valid for at least six months from the date you enter Turkey and that there is a full blank page for the entry and exit stamps.” For decades, Turkey has applied a fee of £10 in cash for British tourists to enter the country. CEO of Jet2Holidays has approved of the move as he believes that the move potentially means “more money in the pocket of British tourists.” Director of Kirker Holidays, Ted Wake, also approves of the Turkish decision, stating: “a brilliant move at a time when Turkey needs a boost to tourism throughout the country”. He approved of the decision so much that he even related the principle of the decision to one of many wise decisions made by Turkey’s 16th-century leader, Suleiman The Great. In 2019 alone, a total of more than two million British citizens travelled to Turkey. However, this number may decrease by a large amount after January 1st 2021, as British citizens will find it a lot more difficult to enter the EU.
In a first, the 10th Sikh Awards were held in the Middle East and recognized and celebrated the achievements of individuals and organizations throughout the world. The awards were initiated in response to public demand in 2010 and have since been held in London, Delhi, Toronto and Nairobi. Recognition is given to the special contributions Sikhs have made in the fields of business, sports, charity, media, entertainment, education, selfless voluntary service, lifetime achievement and the prestigious special recognition award, which is given to someone from another faith promoting multiculturalism. The Sikh Awards have continued to grow from strength to strength each year, continuing to honour excellence throughout the world. The event was organized by the UK based global organization ‘The Sikh Group’ at the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel. Sardar Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji was honored at his residence with prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award by Sikh Awards founder Navdeep Singh. Dr Manmohan Singh Ji is an Indian economist, academic and politician who served as the 13th Prime Minister of India from 2004 to 2014, becoming a first Sikh in office who served two consecutive terms as prime minister. Born on the 26th September 1932 in Gah, now in Punjab, Pakistan, Manmohan Singh’s family migrated to Amritsar in India during partition
in1947. In his early education he studied at the Hindu college and later at the Punjab University. After obtaining his doctorate in economics from Oxford, he worked for the United Nations during 1966–69. Before his political career began, Manmohan Singh was an advisor to the Foreign Trade Ministry, Chief Economic Advisor in the Ministry of Finance (India) and Governor of Reserve Bank of India and Head of the Planning Commission. Receiving the award Dr Manmohan Singh Ji said “it is a great honor to receive this prestigious recognition that
so many other prominent Sikhs from the world have previously been recognized with”. Navdeep Singh, founder of ‘The Sikh Group’, which consists of ‘The Sikh Directory,’ ‘The Sikh 100,’ ‘The Sikh Charity,’ and ‘The Sikh Awards,’ said “The Sikh Awards have continued to grow, honoring global excellence since its inception in 2010. Every year the winners are selected from across the globe, by an independent judging panel of esteemed experts from different faiths.” “This multi-cultural global event aims
Should Ivanka Trump be Headlining the “Global Women’s Forum” in Dubai?
Should Ivanka Trump be headlining the “Global Women’s Forum” in Dubai, while rape victims are jailed for adultery, while male guardianship prevails and while Sheikh Mohammed’s own daughters remain in custody with torture claims? Ivanka Trump has headlined a summit in Dubai, which focuses on women’s issues and their development in the workplace. In recent years the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed, has invested substantial time and money to convince the world that the emirate is leading the way for the rights of women in the Middle East. On International Women’s Day the ruler even posted messages designed to showcase his pro female credentials. However observers of the Middle East are cynical, telling us that deeds, not words are important in the UAE; a country which still allows male guardianship practices. These laws mean allow a husband or male family member to preside over whether a woman can work, marry
or travel. While this practice is not embraced by a growing number of men in the country, men are still able to control women should they wish. Detained in Dubai has even seen Western men take advantage of these local laws and prevent their wives from working, or prevent them from travelling. The legal and enforcement sector further shows a clear bias towards men and in a number of high profile cases, female rape victims have been jailed for “sex outside marriage” while prostitution is openly accepted throughout the country. The ruler attracted worldwide media attention when his daughter Sheikha Latifa made a break for freedom by sea with the help of former French spy Hervé Jaubert. Sheikh Mohammed famously sent a naval task force to illegally recapture her in international waters, with the help of Prime Minister Modi and Indian special forces. Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai was instructed by Sheikha Latifa in
a series of desperate phone calls and Whatsapp messages while the princess and her team were being chased by Sheikh Mohammed and PM Modi’s military forces. “Ivanka Trump is clearly working hard to push women’s agendas worldwide,” says Stirling, “but she needs to be careful that the UAE regime doesn’t proclaim her involvement to be supportive of the ruler’s cruelty to the women in his own family.” “The whole world knows about Princess
to honor and celebrate the enormous achievements of the Sikh community, who continue to contribute immensely to the social, cultural and economic fabric of today’s global village. We are celebrating two major anniversaries, Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s 550th birth anniversary and our 10th anniversary” he said. This event was attended by over 400 guests of all faiths, from elite international dignitaries to public figures, community heroes, sports stars, celebrities and elite businessmen from India, Canada, Kenya, UK and USA. Latifa’s capture and how she has been treated. Her pre-recorded video testimony paints a clear picture of how the ruler views the women in his own life, detailing similar cruelty to other daughters Shamsa and Fatma Numara. “Sheikh Mohammed’s female family members are given little to no freedom to make their own choices, to travel and and to decide with whom they wish to share their lives. This is in complete contrast to the freedom given to male members of the UAE royal family. “Ivanka speaking at this conference can be positive, provided she makes clear she in no way accepts mistreatment of any women in the UAE; and that she puts pressure on Sheikh Mohammed to lead by example and to treat the women in his own family with the freedom and equality he claims to be promoting for all of his female subjects. “If Ivanka is strong enough to do this, it will be a great step towards equality for women in the region.”
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March 2020
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Delhi Riots: 47 Dead in Hindu-Muslim Brawl
The Indian capital of Delhi has become a battleground for mob violence and religiously provoked attacks. Protests first broke out some days ago either in favour or in protest of the government’s new citizenship laws. However, many reports state that it is the country’s Muslim minority who are specifically being targeted and beaten. Gangs of armed Hindu and Muslim men have been facing off in the North, specifically in the Maujpur neighbourhood. Hindu men with saffron stripes painted on their forehead, wielding cricket bats and preying on defenceless Muslims. Journalists have also been threatened by the public with wooden sticks and had their camera equipment taken off of them. Petrol bombs have injured some other bystanders, and many of Delhi’s streets left
cluttered with shattered glass and brickwork. While India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Donald Trump sat and lunched at
7, Lok Kaylan Marg discussing global partnerships, protestors in Delhi were at each other’s throats. Indian MP Sonia Gandhi has specifically blamed Home Minister Amit Shah for the riots, claiming he and his fellow BJP party members have instilled an atmosphere of violence in India with their hate speeches. She
mediately. Meanwhile, Kapil Mishra, a local leader from Modi’s ruling party only, added fuel to the fire by threatening to form a mob to clear out those protesting against India’s new citizenship laws. He stated he did not want to instigate trouble during Mr Trump’s presidential visit to India, but as soon as he left, he would order his men to clear the streets of any opposition. Police units have been dispatched to the affected areas in Delhi where the riots are occurring. There has been an order to bury the deceased with the utmost dignity and ensure medicine; blankets and clean water are dispatched at helppoints. Professionals have been transported to the area; helping locals suffering from PTSD as a result of the attacks.
MP from Oldham denied entry to India and says she was “treated like a criminal” EDUCATION MATTERS during a family visit By Habib Uddin
The chair of the AllParty Parliamentary Group for Kashmir, Debbie Abrahams, states she has been deported to Dubai after her VISA was rejected. Since the decision was made last year for her to become the chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group, she has been a vocal critic for the Indian Government. Ms Abrahams says she arrived at New Delhi Airport at around 8:50 am on 17th February 2020. The purpose of her trip to India was a personal family visit. She was then informed that her e-visa, which was due to expire this October, had been rejected. The Chair of the AllParty Parliamentary Group states that she was being “deported” and was not in possession of her passport. She said: “They’ll use another phrase. But yes, it’s absolutely shocking”. Debbie mentioned that she “wouldn’t be surprised” if it was something to do with her being part and being the chair
of the APPG. The Oldham MP says she arAmnesty Interna- rived at the Gandhi International is aware tional Airport during the early that Kashmir morning hours with Harpreet is disputed Uppal, her parliamentary aide. by India and Ms Abrahams brought in the Pakistan, and relevancy of article 370, a law believe that cer- with a level of autonomy to tain events taking Kashmir. She mentioned to the place in the turbu- commons: lent region are viola- “The National Federation of tions to fundamental human Indian Women estimates that rights. 13,000 teenage boys from Ms Abrahams commented: Jammu-Kashmir have been “Along with detained folAn MP from everyone else, lowing the I presented myrevocation of Oldham has self at the imarticle 370 on migration desk 5th August. been refused with my docu“Will the Secentry to India retary of State ments including my e-visa, support a factfor a family had my phofinding delegavisit and tograph taken tion from the and then the ofall-party group claims to ficial looked at on Kashmir have been his screen and to the region, started shaking given that so “treated like his head. many of the Then he told UK’s Kashmia criminal”. me my visa ri diaspora still was rejected, took my pass- have family members there?” port, and disappeared for about At around 10:30 am, UK time, 10 minutes.” the MP was on a flight due to She was later escorted to an return to Dubai, where she area which had been cordoned would catch a connecting flight off, labelled a “deportee cell”. to Pakistan the next day.
has demanded he resign from his post im-
Al-Khair Foundation
In many ways, education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty. It builds a skilled workforce, reduces gender inequalities, and provides the knowledge needed to achieve a more peaceful future. Several hadiths have also laid great emphasis on both receiving and imparting knowledge. In fact, the very first word the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) received in revelations from Allah was “Iqra”, meaning read. Although school enrolment rates have steadily been increasing
around the world, non-proficiency rates remain disturbingly high, with an estimated 617 million children and adolescents lacking minimum proficiency in reading and mathematics. Having begun as a school, AlKhair Foundation will always value the power of knowledge and education. Currently we have 4 of our own holistic Islamic schools within the UK, in which we offer the national syllabus alongside a range of extracurricular activities. We also have
6 schools around the world, and support several more in a myriad of ways. In Kenya, Al-Khair Foundation has supported the Madrastul Irshad School by contributing to the salaries of teachers and also providing laptops and a printer. Similarly, in Somaliland we have enabled 1836 students to gain primary and supplementary secondary education in our Hargeisa school by providing funding for teachers, equipment and transportation.
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Build to Rent Sector Continues to Grow Escalating prices of private homes lead to a surge in construction of rental properties The private rental market is set to grow to 22 percent by 2023. High property prices and difficulties saving for a mortgage deposit force many to rent. This has led to a ‘generation rent’ – with millennials being the first generation unable to step on to the property ladder. Build to Rent (BTR) properties are homes built for renting only and it has become a hot topic in the property industry – and one dubbed as potentially solving the housing crisis – or at least contributing by adding muchneeded homes in the UK. The British Property Federation reported a total of 152,071 BTR properties in the UK at the end of 2019, to include completed projects, those under construction and in planning. The market has seen a 15 percent rise since 2018 and a rise in properties across all development stages: Properties completed have increased from 30,312 to 40,181 units – a rise of 33 percent. Properties that are currently under construction have increased from 34,744 to 36,415 units – a rise of 5 percent. Properties in planning have increased from 66,660 to 75,475 units – a rise of 13 percent. Nick Biring, Property Expert and Business Partnerships Director at Manor Interiors says: “The BTR market has seen an increase over the past few years as a viable option to renters who want a co-living lifestyle. Looking ahead, I think there will be a rise in BTR family homes and BTR ecohomes that use modern technologies.” BTR properties come with amenities such as an on-site gym, social activi-
ng homes awarded Customer Service Excellence Standard By Bea Patel, Property & Travel Contributor
ties and concierge services. So not only does it provide more rental housing options, it offers social living – something that’s gaining some traction now. Social living – or co-living - has become an appealing prospect to tenants. They share living spaces such as a rooftop terrace, gym and swimming pool. But they also share common interests with other like-minded neighbours. So, BTR developments have social activities such as BBQs, movie nights and yoga sessions to get neighbours interacting with each other. Developments focus on building communities, which also contributes to the loneliness epidemic among young people. 83% of young people aged 18-34 feel lonelier ‘sometimes’, ‘regularly’ or ‘often’. Although they’re connected through social media to people across the world, there’s much less human interaction. According to Knight Frank, there’s also a demand for rental homes for people over 65. With only a handful of BTR senior living blocks, there’s a hype around future growth. Half of the US senior housing market is in the rental space, so there are opportunities to offer high-quality care and service in buildings suitable for seniors. There are also financial benefits for senior homeowners to rent, allowing them to sell their family home and maximise inheritance tax savings.
Research by Knight Frank identifies five big trends for the private rented sector: The sector continues to expand: By 2023, it’s expected that an additional 560,000 households will be living in the private rented sector. That takes the total proportion of those renting privately to 22 percent, up from 20.6 percent. Individual buy to let landlords are exiting the market: Over the last two years, data from mortgage lenders show a decline in new mortgages by individual landlords. Recent changes to tax and legislation have hit landlords financially. Home ownership declines further: Homeowners with a mortgage continues to decline. But the rate its declining is slowing due to stamp duty incentives for first-time buyers, the Help to Buy scheme and ultralow mortgage rates. BTR sector is increasing: There are 40,181 completed BTR properties, with 111,890 properties in the pipeline, showing the increasing supply in the market. Increase in the provision of social housing: Social/affordable housing is at low levels. Over the next five years, this is set to increase due to new Government funding for social housing, looser lending rules for councils, and increased activity of registered providers in the land market. Many in the industry are optimistic about the future growth of the BTR market, which is set to grow in 2020 and beyond.
A recent review has found that ng homes for your community involvement and continue to meet the Customer Service development work in addition to housExcellence Standard. The Assessor, ing services.” Robert Sullivan was impressed by the Tony Sweeney, Director of Corporate commitment to customer Services at ng homes said: service excellence that was “This was an exceptionally NG Homes displayed by staff at all good result and it is testawas found levels within the organisament to the commitment to have a tion and commented on the of our Board and staff in high level of service being deep under- ensuring that our tenants delivered. and other customers are standing It was a very positive revalued. The Assessor was view with an increase in keen to understand how of, and the number of areas being we serve and support our commitment assessed as Compliance customers throughout their to, Plus. The review process journey with us and we are focuses on the customer pleased that he was able to Customer journey and this involved identify many examples of Service the Assessor speaking to excellent customer service. customers, staff, Board Excellence. The report shows that we members and partner orcare about our customers ganisations as well as observing staff and it has identified a great deal of good interacting with customers. The Asses- practice and some areas for continuous sor commented: “You demonstrated that improvement.” you operate in a culture of continuous John Thorburn, ng homes Chairperson improvement and learning” and he not- congratulated the Association’s staff on ed that the Association had made several this achievement, commenting: changes to services as a result of ana- “Everyone at ng homes is committed lysing customer journeys and improving to delivering Customer Service Excelthese. lence and we are delighted to hear that The Assessor’s report also highlighted we continue to make progress in this the value of ng homes’ approach to part- regard. The Assessor emphasised that nership working, acknowledging the although we were already performing to Association’s work with other organisa- a high standard he had seen significant tions to strengthen and broaden partner- improvements with the increased level ships in ways that benefit its customers of Compliance Plus. It is great that the and the wider community. He stated: Assessor has recognised the tremendous “You have become a role model and work of our staff who are making a real catalyst for change, you are well known difference to the lives of local people.”
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Is the Tesla Share Price Over Valued? By Manisha Bhanot
Tesla’s estimated worth has skyrocketed futuristic and unconventional car depast other vehicle manufacturers, even signs as impractical and less than ideal. those who have been in the industry for Just eight minutes into the demo, the much longer. With Elon Musks’s com- whole fiasco went horribly wrong as pany now attracting so much ‘hype’ and a large metal ball thrown at one of the media speculation, it has the market truck’s armoured windows immedisplit into two contestately caused the ing sides. Some beglass to shatter. lieve that the stock is Besides causIs Elon Musk’s seriously overvalued; ing Elon Musk vehicle others stated that it has much-unexpected manufacturing significant future poembarrassment, tential, which is only it also caused the empire set to just beginning to be share prices of sink or sail unveiled. Tesla to plummet Despite experiencing by as much as within the next surprising fluctua4.1% overnight. It few years? tions, the Tesla share wasn’t long before price has continued to the internet was soar since the comreleasing memes pany’s IPO. From June 2010 up until of Elon having brought to life the cyber June of 2018, Tesla’s stock valuation truck design he had allegedly drawn up managed to rise from $23.83 to an as- at age 5 in school. tounding $383. Even though Tesla is often criticized for The reason why Tesla has been success- its risky approach to manufacturing, it ful in securing such a high valuation is noted that their designs often attract recently is because of the unique and in- high levels of publicity and interest novative approaches of the brand. Tesla from investors. There is also recogniis aeons ahead of other carmakers in the tion of Tesla being more of a technolelectric vehicle industry, who take on a ogy company rather than a carmaker, more traditional tactic towards their ve- which has led to the rapid growth of hicle designs and manufacturing. the firm. However, can we really take the vehicle Tesla’s meteoric rise makes the brand designs of a man who smokes weed on even more costly to own than Amazon, the radio seriously? Much of the inter- Apple, and Netflix, according to Mornet has argued against it. Musk’s failed gan Stanley’s estimates. However, the cyber truck demonstration in November brand’s project valuation and growth led many critics to chastise his brand’s are expected to rise even higher above these other technology companies across the next five years. Tesla’s EV/EBITDA ratio demonstrates the profit the company makes before AW Facts taxes, interest, depreciation and amortization are calculated. The company’s Did you know? high premium shows that potential investors are more interested in its develRoughly 543,000 opmental potential rather than its curnew businesses are rent earnings. started each month Even before Tesla is due to complete the construction of its fourth
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Thousands of Businesses Unprepared for New Environmental Reporting Scheme
The new regulations will present a challenge to many businesses and an opportunity for some larger global corporate Sustainability analysis and reporting firm Ecometrica says more than 8,000 businesses face carbon accounting for the first time Sustainability accounting experts at Ecometrica are warning that thousands of companies could be caught out by new carbon reporting regulations. More than 8,000 UK businesses face reporting on carbon emissions as part of their accounts for the first time at the end of their current financial year, and it is unclear how many have made suitable provision. Gary Davis, CEO of Ecometrica, said listed companies face more onerous reporting requirements, while larger unquoted firms and LLPs would be reporting on emissions for the first time. “All large unquoted, large LLPs, and quoted companies, as defined by the Companies Act 2006, will have to comply with the new energy and carbon reporting framework,” he said. “To reduce the additional burden on reporting companies, it is expected that the figures will be published in annual reports, alongside financial data.” The requirement is part of the UK Government’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy’s new Environmental Reporting Guidance, which includes the Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting Regulations (SECR) that will apply to financial years starting on or after April 1st, 2019. Davis said: “The UK Government is extending
Gigafactory in Germany, the ratio of potential earnings is just too high to be accurately measured. At the beginning of this year, Tesla shares skyrocketed as Argus Research increased its target price for the stock by almost $250. Just a few days later, due to the recent outbreak of the Coronavirus, Vice President of China Tao Lin stated that car deliveries overseas would be delayed. The earlier news of Tesla shutting down its Shanghai factory only increased investors’ fears and resulted in their stock value falling by 17.2% over just one day. Despite the pitfalls, the Tesla stock was able to recover quickly and ended in the same week with an increase of 17% and its value up by 75% since the beginning of the year. It seems as there is no concrete prediction of where Tesla’s value could be in the future. Catherine Wood, Ark Investment CEO, says: “Tesla should be valued some
mandatory carbon reporting require- undertaking public activities, e.g. uniments to more companies than the out- versities or NHS Trusts which include going regulations, companies. while encouraging The SECR Regulations Davis said the imthose that aren’t repacts of the new will affect: quired to report to legislation will vary disclose their sus- * Quoted companies; depending on the tainability data.” organisation’s cur* Large unquoted Much like the outrent situation. companies; going Mandatory He said: “It’s likely * Large Limited Greenhouse Gas that most organisa(MGHG) reporting Liability Partnerships tions who have had requirements, quotto submit a return (LLP) ed companies will for the Energy Savbe required to report ing Opportunities Large companies are Scheme (ESOS) their global greenhouse emissions and will be required to defined by the an intensity ratio. report to the new Companies Act 2006 scheme. This will Additionally, such companies will be as those which have introduce annual required to report public disclosure of two or more of the their total global UK energy use and following criteria for carbon emissions energy use and information relating the reporting period: to around 11,000 to energy efficiency organisations, up * More than 250 action alongside the from approximatemethodology used ly 1,600 required to employees to calculate the data. report for the outTo comply with * An annual turnover going regulations. SECR, large un“The new regulagreater than £36m quoted companies will present a * An annual balance tions and LLPs are now challenge to many sheet greater required to report businesses and an their UK energy opportunity for than £18m use and some larger global associated greenhouse gas corporates, not currently reporting, to emissions relating to gas, consider applying best practice. In reelectricity and transport, as ality, they all share a common goal: to well as an intensity ratio, infor- minimise their greenhouse gas and susmation relating to energy efficiency tainability reporting burden.” action, through their annual reports (the Ecometrica recently launched an audit definition of “large” is the same for both ready and fully compliant SECR reportunquoted companies and LLPs). ing application. Powered by the awardOrganisations can fall within winning Ecometrica Platform, it allows these three categories organisations to easily collect, calculate even if not for and report energy use and carbon emisprofit or sions, in compliance with the new requirements.
where between $700 and $4,000 in five years.” This varied estimation is a primary example of exponential growth, and although it has seen a number of production setbacks, Tesla is benefiting from its leading position in the electric vehicle market. Many analysts, although, have warned young investors about the dangers of the Tesla Bubble. The brand’s reputation is gathering tons of attention from potential market traders but has caused experts to reflect on the history of similar highflying stocks that crashed decades ago. Brian Johnson, a Barclays auto analyst, is aware that his financial advice may trigger the “Ok, boomer” response from a pool of hungry young investors. He says that Tesla’s recent success “brings to mind NASDAQ c. 1999”, which were similar high-flying stocks that tragically
crashed over 20 years ago. Johnson went on to argue that Tesla is “fundamentally overvalued” before forecasting a 65% plunge in the company’s stock. Many traders will support the theory that the main reason why Tesla is such a bubble is because of CEO Elon Musk himself. The company’s share value is not the direct result of a financially secure company. Instead, it is the result of a smart leader with an abundance of original marketing strategies. His repetitive ploys for securing media attention only continue to take the brand and its share prices to new and dizzying heights.
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March 2020
The most dangerous trade professions and jobs in Britain revealed and safety tips for amateur DIYers
The latest research by tradesperson comparison site, HaMuch. com, has found that the skilled trade occupations account for the highest rate of non-fatal injuries as a percentage of all injuries sustained since 2016 and with Spring approaching leading to more of us attempting DIY jobs at home, they’ve provided a few basic tips to help avoid any unexpected accidents. HaMuch.com analysed Gov.uk data and also found that skilled trades professionals were also most at risk of musculoskeletal disorders such as Carpal Tunnel, Tendonitis and muscle and ligament strain. The data does provide one silver lining however, with skilled trade professionals one of the least likely to suffer from stress, depression and anxiety caused by work. Tree surgeons top the table as the most dangerous trade, with heights clearly a factor as tilers and scaffolders also rank in the top three most dangerous trades. Plumbers and bricklayers were the least likely to be injured while at work, with electricians also ranking surprisingly low. What is it doing the damage? Contact and injury with power tools is the most prevalent cause of accidents amongst the trades, closely followed by the same
contact with non-power tools. Electrocution and lawnmower related injuries also ranked high, along with incidents with ladders and misuse of tools. It’s good to see that plenty of public health announcements highlighting the importance of lifting with your knees are paying off, as injury through lifting
heavy items is currently the least common injury. Top tips to avoid injury While accidents can happen in a professional environment, these accidents can also be common within the house as more and more of us take to DIY around the home in order to save money. With that in mind, HaMuch.com, has put together a few vital tips to remember when undertaking home improvements yourself. Know what you’re doing This should always be the starting point but more often than not we go wading in thinking we know what we’re doing. This might be a harmless, albeit time-consuming approach to an Ikea flatpack, but when you’re talking about the more tasking DIY jobs it can be costly. Always read the manual on proper use and if you’re undertaking a job for the first time, always do your research online first to get a comprehensive understanding of the potential dangers involved. The majority of accidents with power tools, in particular, happen when improper use causes a lack of control, often down to holding them incorrectly, our hands slipping into the blade or drill piece, or the tool falling from our grip and causing injury to other areas of the body. Always make sure you have a
firm grasp in the right areas and don’t try any unconventional manoeuvres even if you feel comfortable using the tool itself. Check the power This is a major one when it comes to injury through electrocution as well as the use of power tools. Undertaking electrical work should always be done by a professional but one of the major causes of injury both in the professional workspace and the home is starting work without turning the power off first. This also goes for power tools such as drills, saws and garden tools. When you’ve finished using them turn the power off either at the plug or on the tool itself if it’s cordless. This avoids any injury from accidentally activating the tool while you aren’t in proper control. Concentrate and clear the area
Tradespeople carry out their work in a professional capacity and even then accidents happen. At home having the kids around, the football on the TV or music on the radio can distract you from the work at hand and just a few seconds of lapsed concentration can result in injury. If you have a big job that requires the use of dangerous tools or materials, clear the house from kids and other distractions and then clear your work area from any trip hazards and obstructions. Protect yourself Protective gear is used in the trades for a reason and while it may be hot, uncomfortable or make you feel a bit stupid, opting to go without can increase the level of injury sustained during an accident. At the very least, pick up protection for your eyes, a sturdy pair of
gloves to protect from injury from tools or hazardous substances, and if you’re lifting heavy objects invest in a pair of steel toe cap boots. Always work with or near someone While you want to clear the house of distractions, working with someone can dramatically reduce the risk of injury. Not only can they hold materials while you work on them, they can also secure a ladder and help lift heavy objects. If an accident does happen, they can help reduce the damage by turning off power tools, moving you from the dangerous area, helping to apply pressure to a wound, calling an ambulance and alerting them to where you are located.
Maintaining a Work-Life Balance as a Freelance Journalist
The lack of structure can be both the biggest attraction and the toughest challenge of being a freelance journalist The lack of structure can be both the biggest attraction and the toughest challenge of being a freelance journalist. There can be a nagging feeling that making yourself unavailable for work is equivalent to money lost, or there may be a worry that rejecting an assignment will permanently shut down a potential avenue of work. However, it is imperative that you find a healthy balance between work and leisure. Don’t be afraid to say no to potential clients if an assignment won’t fit well with your routine. While you may find yourself needing to prioritise economic sustainability over being choosy about your jobs, there’s no shame in turning something down if it will destabilise your work-life balance. Here are a few ways that you can stop your freelance work overshadowing social aspects of your life. They’re not ground-breaking suggestions, but these things can easily be forgotten on the rollercoaster of freelance writing. It is also worth checking out the resources at We Freelancing, a site set up to help freelancers manage each aspect of their life. Get out of the house: This is one of the suggestions made by Louise Goss of The Homeworker Magazine.
Working from home has its benefits, but you don’t want to feel like your house and your workplace are one and the same. Find coffee shops, libraries or other co-working spaces where you feel productive. This also leads to extra human interaction - you may meet other regulars who fulfil the same social role as colleagues in an office. Don’t neglect romance: Many people find romance in the workplace - whether it is advisable or not. Freelancers don’t have this option, while they may find that writing assignments end up eating into their evenings. Dating apps like Tinder can streamline the process, while Betway Casino have developed a date night decider to remove the stress from planning social occasions. The date decider also caters for a range of budgets, something always at the forefront of a freelancer’s mind. Plan your holidays: Make sure you give yourself an appropriate amount of time
away from working. It doesn’t matter if you’re going away or not, just ensure your mind gets a break from the rigours of work. You may find it useful to uninstall your Gmail app so you’re not constantly connected to your professional life. Don’t just wait for designated holidays to take a break. Advertising on the freelance journalists’ directory at journalism.co.uk will keep your name out there for when the right job comes along, while consistently high-quality work may convince clients to wait for you to become available for a particular assignment. This should help you feel more comfortable about being able to take the holidays that you deserve. Find a workspace that works for you, don’t neglect your social needs and make fixed plans for taking breaks from freelancing. All of these tips will help you to fire on all cylinders when you are writing articles and meeting deadlines.
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March 2020
Six top tips for going it alone and ensuring your new business reigns supreme
A quarter (26%) of Landlords plan to sell in 2020
Over half a million homes will be up for sale
6 top tips for going it alone and ensuring your new business reigns supreme
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Thinking of taking the leap? If you’re thinking of starting a business, it won’t just be Harry and Meghan’s footsteps you’ll be walking in. A huge number of people are feeling inspired to translate their passions into livelihoods, and in 2018 alone we saw a staggering 31% rise in people looking to go freelance. But going it alone can be daunting, and there are a number of challenges that come with running a business – from income tax to insurance – which may be outside of your comfort zone. There’s plenty of help out there and the first step is often the most difficult.
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Give your business the royal treatment: The big idea and knowing your customer Once you have your big idea you’ll need to get to know your audience. Testing your product and iterating based on feedback is a great way to ensure you’re building what’s right for your customer. Doing this early, before investing too heavily, can help to validate your business idea and save a lot of money in the process.
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Staying regal: Her Majesty’s (aka. Grandma’s) Revenue & Customs, insurance and ensuring you remain legal It’s not the most exciting part of starting a business but mak-
Bea Montoya, Chief Operating Officer at Simply Business Harry and Meghan are about to follow their big dream, go it alone, and become financially independent –just three of the reasons why some people decide to start their own business. As they begin to break away from the royal family for a new life in Canada, Simply Business Chief Operating Officer, Bea Montoya, gives her top tips for starting up and reigning supreme –whatever your new business.
ing sure you’re on the right side of any rules, regulations, and legalities is essential. Registering your business with HMRC should be a priority and it will inform how much tax you need to pay. You can do this online at gov.uk. You’ll also need to decide on the structure of your company (sole trader, limited company or a partnership). Depending on your trade or profession, you may need a certain certification or follow specific rules and requirements. This can vary across sectors so be sure to know your obligations. Legally you may also require business insurance, such as public or employers’ liability insurance. A public liability policy protects against damage to third party property or individuals, whereas employers’ liability is a necessity if you have staff. It’s vital to do your research and protect yourself financially should the worst happen.
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Don’t make a monarchy of your marketing plan The phrase ‘marketing plan’ can be intimidating but it needn’t be. You don’t need an MBA or heaps of cash to effectively bring in new customers. After your website, social media should be front of mind. Consider what platforms work for your business and go from there. You don’t need a presence on all of them. Have you got a beautiful, visual product? Instagram could be the ticket. A local service? Make the most of Facebook’s suite of tools.
But don’t ignore the power of flyers, local PR, and good old word of mouth. Try to source testimonials from happy customers and shout about them loud and often.
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Give yourself a period of transition and reflec-
tion It’s easy to get caught up in the pace of starting up, but it’s important to dedicate time for reflection and analysis. What’s worked well? What could have gone better? Where are your sales coming from? How are your profit margins looking? Once you’re through month one, block out some time to look through your sales or billing, check your biggest source of income, and investigate any stumbles or spikes in business. Then you’ll be set to plan goals or objectives for the months ahead.
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Power couple: A life and business partner While Harry and Meghan may not end up working together, there are advantages to going into business with a partner or spouse. For example, being able to make the most of shared resources and complementary talents is a big bonus. And you never know, If your business is successful you may one day want to pass it on to your children as the next in line (we’re looking at you, Archie)…
• A quarter (26%) of UK landlords plan to sell at least one property in 2020, largely due to uncertain market conditions, government reforms and tax increases, meaning over half a million homes could be put up for sale • 82% of landlords are not planning on buying properties in 2020 • A third (35%) also reported a decrease in their rental yield in 2019 and over a quarter (26%) expect to see a further decrease in 2020 A quarter (26%) of landlords plan to cash in on at least one property this year, potentially putting over half a million homes up for sale, according to new research by landlord insurance provider Simply Business. The survey of 800 landlords revealed that with uncertain market conditions, fourth fifths (82%) of landlords are not planning on buying any more properties in 2020. Just one tenth (13%) said they would buy another property this year, while a third (35%) also reported a decrease in their rental yield in 2019. The top reasons landlords gave for wanting to sell are tax increases and government reform, such as shifting House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licensing, which added new stipulations on the minimum size of rooms, as well as banning of admin fees. Well over a tenth cited these as their reasons. Other reasons that landlords gave for planning to sell include rising rental costs (10%), cashing in on their investment (9%), economic instability (5%) and slowing house price growth (4%). This comes after a third (35%) also reported a decrease in their rental yield in 2019, which adds to the desire to sell. A fifth (20%) reported a decrease of 0-5%, just under one in 10 (9%) reported a decrease of 5-10% and 3% of landlords reported a decrease of 10-15%. Looking ahead to this year, over a quarter (27%) of landlords ex-
pect to see a further decrease in their rental yield in 2020. One in five (18%) expect to see a decrease of 0-5%, and a further 6% of landlords expect to see a decrease of 5-10%. Only 2% of landlords expect to see a decrease of 10-15%. However, half (52%) are still optimistic and expect their rental yield to increase in 2020. Bea Montoya, Chief Operating Officer at Simply Business commented: “Landlords around the country are telling us that government reforms, tax increases, and rising rental costs are forcing them to put their investments up for sale. The tax increases imposed by the government are proving counter-productive for landlords, while ongoing political and economic uncertainty hasn’t been providing landlords with the confidence they need to stay in the market. But selling a buy-to-let is a big decision, especially if you’re selling more than one. “Any landlord looking to sell up should make sure they understand the complexities surrounding buy-to-let sales, particularly if the property is occupied. Any tenants should be made aware of plans to sell as early as possible, and given reassurance their tenancy still stands. When it comes to selling, landlords need to understand any tax implications involved, such as capital gains tax. If the property is sold for more than it was paid for, there will be a capital gains tax liability.”
AW Facts Did you know? The film Karma (1933) has the longest Bollywood kiss lasting 4 minutes
Diljit Dosanjh’s 2020 live concerts in the UK Asian World Ambassador Wins National Award
Q&A with shraddha kapoor Bunty Bubly 2 laughter
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w e i v r e t n I Q. What is in store for Baaghi 3 after Baaghi 2 was such a huge success? Shraddha Kapoor: It is so exciting to be back with Tiger working on Baaghi 3, my character is a unique character. I am super excited about it and being back with Sajid Sir. Ahmed sir is directing it and he is so lovely and so amazing to work with. Tiger has worked super hard for the movie. Q. How was it performing action sequences in the film? Shraddha Kapoor: I had to run from T-72 soviet military tanks. These tanks are some of the biggest ones in the world and as far as I am aware, no other actress has ever done this before in the history of Bollywood. The fact that I actually did the running shot without the help of any special effects or CGI makes it special. Q. How has it been re-uniting with Tiger Shroff after the first Baaghi? Shraddha Kapoor: It is always a pleasure. I love it when people say that we have a great on-screen chemistry. Tiger has been my junior in school and I used to be taller than him. He used to run around the school corridors in his basketball jersey and the moment he would see me, he would stop and say hi in a soft tone and disappear. He is a really nice person in real life, talks to everyone on set and shows his concern for others. It is lovely to work with nice people like him. Q. In the film you’re also seen grooving to Dus Bahane 2.0 alongside Tiger Shroff who is a brilliant dancer. How much of a pressure has it been? Shraddha Kapoor: Tiger is certainly a much better dancer and his moves are so effortless. But it has always been my dream to dance in a film. The pressure is more to do better than what I have done and enjoy the process. Q. How would you rate your satisfac-
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Q&A’s with the heroine of Baaghi 3
Shraddha kapoor tion level at this stage of your career? Shraddha Kapoor: I think I am in an amazing phase of my career right now. I am working on commercial films which have larger-than-life subjects. For instance- Street Dancer helped me understand the problems of people living on the streets in London. I learnt that dance is a powerful medium and it can be used to impact lives positively. Q. What’s next after Baaghi 3, do we see a Baaghi 4 in the pipeline as well? Shraddha Kapoor: Well. Why not? If the audi-
ence continues to show the same love to our film as it has for the first two instalments of the franchisee, there will definitely be a Baaghi 4 and I would love to be a part of it. Besides, I am currently awaiting to begin shooting for Luv Ranjan’s next film where I am paired opposite Ranbir Kappor, it is an exciting project and I hope it gets the same love all my other films. Q. You finished 10 years in the movie industry, how does it feel? Shraddha Kapoor: Honestly, I can’t believe it, talk about time flying. I think this feels like that. I don’t know how that’s supposed to make me feel. It’s amazing
how this time has just gone by and it’s been so beautiful and amazing. Q. Tell us about somebody you look up to; a person who has shaped the way you think and behave? Shraddha Kapoor: My mom I look up to her for who she is and how she thinks. In fact, my parents have played a huge role in shaping my perspective. The irony is that my father has never picked up the phone to get me to meet anybody, and I feel like I’ve had to carve my own path. I have auditioned for many roles and faced several rejections. I am grateful for them because they have made me the person I am today.
Debut novel from Manchester author lifts the lid on arranged marriages like never before
A former journalist and writer is shedding light on the intriguing and misunderstood world of modern British-Bengali matchmaking,with her debut novel The Secret Diary of an Arranged Marriage.
A former journalist and writer is shedding light on the intriguing and misunderstood world of modern British-Bengali matchmaking, with her debut novel The Secret Diary of an Arranged Marriage. Halima Khatun, from Levenshulme, is challenging the negative perception of arranged marriages, by sharing an insider’s point of view and highlighting the similarities the ageold tradition shares with modern-day dating. The story, which takes inspiration from true events, is based in Manchester and features some of the city’s well-loved locations, such as The Curry Mile in Rusholme. Early reviewers have dubbed the novel ‘the Brown Bridget Jones,’ and its narrative is in sharp contrast with current BAMEfocussed literature. Khatun, 35, comments: “I wanted to share this story because it hasn’t been told before, and it addresses the lack of diversity in literature. There’s often a negative stance around arranged marriages – news stories of people be-
ing forced to marry strangers without a say in the matter. Modern literature concurs, as women involved are often portrayed as submissive objects of pity. It’s seen as a last resort that the heroine desperately wants to avoid. This isn’t always the case in real life, but because of the negativity surrounding the topic, people from the community don’t like to talk about it. I’m changing that, by exploring the issue with humour and a
dose of reality.” The novel is timely, as Khatun explains: “At a time when politics has made the world quite polarized, my novel shows that we share more similarities than differences. I detail the parallels between arranged marriages and the likes of Tinder and Match. com. The story will be quite an eye opener for most readers.”
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March 2020
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Thappad
This is a story about the very first relationship that ever happened in this world, the relationship between a man and a woman or now, as sanctified by us, a relationship between a husband and a wife. Amrita, a quintessential housewife is happily married to Vikram, an ambitious man. She loves him dearly. His success is her success and his failure is her failure. She believes that this is a choice that she has made for herself and is happily willing to put herself second to him. She also believes that Vikram loves her dearly and her happiness means as much to him. So what happens when, one day, the man she loves so much betrays her in a single moment with a single action? What happens when one day, Vikram, who as previously mentioned to be ambitious, a positive quality for a man hits his loving wife in front of their whole world, one hard slap across her face, when his ambition is threatened and his position questioned? Amrita feels betrayed and shocked but what shocks her even more is that almost no one else, including Vikram, believes that what he did is a serious act of betrayal towards her. Not many stop to think, let alone say that if Vikram’s ambition was being threatened, if his hard work was being betrayed then he should have hit out at the people who were responsible for it and not at his wife who supported him with her unconditional time and selfless love. Thappad is a film that questions the very basis of man and woman relationship. Is it really a relationship between equals? When a woman thinks she made a choice to marry and love a man is it really a choice or is it actually a duty that she’s getting tied to? The slap is just the catalyst that gets Amrita to question her own choices and see Vikram for who he really is. Under the garb of a city bred liberal man, which he is to a fault when things are going his way like a lot of men we meet, he did make the very chauvinist, entitled choice of striking the weakest person because she would have no choice but to be OK with it, the minute his world was threatened. The slap itself while a reality for Amrita becomes a metaphor for other problems being faced by a host of women connected to Amrita’s life like her mother, her brother’s fiancé, her neighbour who is a single mother and a successful corporate woman, her maid and finally her lawyer who is also a women’s rights activist. For some this slap is a fight against their own regressive mental conditioning for others it’s a fight against the society’s dos and don’ts. For some it’s a moral conflict between standing their ground vs. supporting their man for others its a grave issue like domestic abuse and marital rape. While Amrita goes onto fight her husband and his family, her own family, but most importantly herself to exercise her right to choice, it forces these other women towards change too. They all,in their own way, take a step forward for themselves and see the difference between having a choice and having the strength to make the choice. Thappad is really a slap for all women who continue to labour under injustices by hiding under some justification either self made or dictated by society. It is probably their wakeup call as the fight is rarely between a man and a woman, the fight is mostly between you and your self, and that’s the fight that the film Thappad celebrates.
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Sehar Shah Shines in the Media World
My name is Sehar Shah. I am originally from Kashmir but have lived in Multan for a considerable period of my life. I a university graduate with a Master’s degree in Physics. I have been living with my family in Dubai for some time now, and I also own my own cosmetics company. Many of my friends stepped into the world of modelling and acting eight months ago, and due to their encouragement, I am now working in the same industry and participating in a lot of projects to benefit others in the Pakistani community. I previously worked as a host in the international show Phool Mera Watan, and 14 programs from PTV Lahore. Currently, I am honoured to play an important role in the service drama Aba from PTV Lahore. You can also tune into your TV between Friday to Sunday on 24NEWS and watch QK Jhamhoriat, where you can see me as Maryam Nawaz and many other roles. I am also performing a main role with Faiq Khan, Saleem Sheikh, Aurangzeb Laghari, and Jahangir Khan Jani in the mega drama serial “Baarish men Aag”.
I am additionally playing an important role as a heroine in an Urdu Pashto improvised social film called “Rewaaj”, and playing the lead role in an upcoming Hassan Askari movie, plus many more other projects I am currently working on. There are projects that you’ll see on in releasing screen very soon, starting with this month’s Morning Show with a popular TV channel. I am doing various morning show programmes and love keeping fit, and in shape, so it can encourage others to live a healthier lifestyle. I am very keen on poetry, and it is my deep passion. I will continue to work within the movie industry, but only if I believe
the role is worthwhile. I am now developing my hosting skills to the sports field as an anchor and have had many offers as a host of other TV shows as well. Overall, I want to be recognised and remembered for being an inspiration for other women so they can get into any field they choose with full confidence. In the next few years, I am confident I will build my name worldwide and can do a lot of work overseas and become a global star. Currently, I am doing my own morning show Salaam Pakistan on Capital TV from Monday to Thursday from 9 to 11 am, remember to tune in!
March 2020
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‘At One Day Spa’ Review
Asian World Ambassador Wins National Award
Mohammed Zafran BEM, known as Zaf to many, has been honoured once again by the West Midlands Police for his excellent work in helping youths turn away from crime and get back into education. Zaf, who has been given over 30 National Honours for his Humanitarian work, received this latest accolade for his selfless work in turning around so many young lives around across the City. Zaf himself puts on various community projects for youths and parents and has assisted over 24,000 young people in networking with over 80 other organisations to reduce knife crime. Zaf currently works at South and City College and is an Ambassador for Capital Business Hub, Asian World Newspaper, Bazm e Raza, the World Health Innovative Summit, and the Director of Unite & Up-
lift, which encourages youths to turn away from the wrong path and instead do good for the community. During the last year, Zaf has participated in massive projects in partnership with the West Midlands Police, and the Crime Commissioner to help put on workshops and summer camps so that
the youths have good initiatives to keep away from crime. Zaf believes in giving everyone a second chance in life and sacrifices most of his time to help others. He recently joined the Minhaj Education Board, who are doing some fantastic work in uplifting youths to participate in sports projects and inspirational Light Circles seminars on a Sunday afternoon. On March 13th 2020, Zaf will be touring Greece with the Bazm e Raza team, displaying the beautiful work the team is doing via reciting Nasheeds. Also in March, Zaf will be invited to Wembley Stadium to be honoured by the Football Association for his grassroot work by having his name engraved on a plaque at Wembley. Zaf is the UK Global Goodwill Ambassador for the local Youth and Community and is paving the way for thousands of youths to once again believe in humanity.
‘At One Day Spa’ is a massage, facials, holistic & Beauty salon based in the heart of Birmingham. Upon arrival at One Day Spa, guests are warmly greeted by staff and are taken to the waiting area, where they are offered a selection of drinks including tea, coffee or water. The décor is sophisticated, and there are various creams, oils and lotions on display for customers to view and purchase. The waiting area features three comfortable sofas and magazines are available to read while you are waiting for your treatment. There are plenty of treatments to choose from, including relaxing spa facials, technical anti-ageing facials or even massages such as the standard relaxing Swedish massage, deep tissue massage or an aromatherapy massage. There are also brow and lash treatments available as well as no needle fillers & mesotherapy and holistic/ complimentary therapies, such as Indian Head Massage and ear candling. ‘At One Day Spa’, feature an exclusive a 30-minute relaxing back massage, which includes a fiveminute foot massage at the start of treatment. Various hot oils are used during the massage as well as relaxing meditation music playing during each session. The room lights are dimmed to create a peaceful atmosphere. The
masseuse staff are friendly professional, frequently ensuring all clients receive maximum comfort. The room features a soft bed with clean towels and storage space to place your bags and clothing. After the 30-minute massage was finished, guests receive refreshment and a free consultation session. Another one of the spa’s specialist treatments also include gel manicures. Each treatment is begun by sanitizing the client’s hands and removing any polish or gel build-up they may currently have. After this, your nail technician will begin to perform some cuticle work, removing any dead skin from around the nails manually. Instead of opting for a drill to shape and clean up the nail beds, this gentle technique prevents any trauma to the nail-beds and ensures healthy re-growth. Aside from traditional gel polish, the salon also offers rubber-based polishes, glitter finishes and gem designs to add some sparkle and shine to your manicure! If you are interested in winding down and relaxing, then ‘At OneDay Spa’ is the perfect place for you. There are various treatments to choose from. You can book your beauty treatment on their website atonedayspa.co.uk/ and don’t forget to visit ‘At One Day Spa’ on social media.
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March 2020
Vicky Kaushal gives his Thoughts on his New Film Film Bhoot
Vicky Kaushal has been riding high on the success of Uri: The Surgical Strike that released last year. From starring in actionthrillers to romantic and espionage flicks, the actor has now tried the horror genre with his next, Bhoot - Part One: The Haunted Ship. It was the concept that attracted the actor. Probably, he also wanted to overcome his fear as he confesses to being terrified of watching horror films. “When I read the script, what fascinated me was its geography. It was almost like Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining. I liked the thought that there is a vacant hotel, there are so many rooms, and there is just
one person, so anything can happen anywhere. There is a lot to play with. This is the same geography where there is a dilapidated big container ship. There are 10 floors, 300 rooms, engine room, pump room, staircases. So there are many textures in this geography, and anything can happen. You can fall, you can get trapped. There are so many possibilities that get created, and we have juiced out everything,” says Vicky. Not many know Vicky is “too scared to watch horror films,” and he also suffers from hydrophobia. “I go for horror movie maybe once
a year. I like watching with a set of friends and preferably with someone who gets more scared than me. But I decided to do a ghost film because I know that as soon as a scene is cut, you are going to have tea with the ghost (jokes and laughs heartily). On a serious note, while I was reading the script, I really got sucked into the story. So once that happens then it’s about following your heart,” he says, “But yes, I would love to overcome my fear because I get very jealous of people who say that they enjoy watching horror films. I tell them that they don’t have any imagination. If I see something in a kitchen, I start imagining that in my kitchen. Nothing has happened with me that I will believe in ghosts but when somebody says that they have experienced it, I am not someone who would say that I don’t believe. I trust that person, and then I sleep with that person only (laughs). I can’t sleep alone after listening to somebody’s ghost experience. I also had a phobia of water, and after doing Bhoot, I could overcome it. But if I am able to
do scuba diving in the night then I will overcome fear of water completely.” We got up close and personal with Vicky, to ask him what it was like to be on set for his new filming venture. Can you tell us more about your character? I’m playing the part of Prithvi who is a surveying officer on the ship. This ships weirdly parks itself on the shores of Juhu beach. Being unmanned and dilapidated, he is given the task to go onboard and find out what the ship is all about and what the history of the ship is. Unfortunately, he gets a little more answers than he was expecting and things start to get spooky. If you had to stay on an abandoned ship for 24 hours and could only bring 3 things with you what would they be and why? I would take a torch because I would need to see in the dark otherwise I would be very scared. I would take my phone for sure so that I could connect to the outside world. Lastly I would bring food because I would feel very hungry. What was the hardest part of shooting this film? There was a lot of technical knowledge required to perform in this film. It was not the usual grammar that I’m used to in dramatic or comedy films. The grammar that I was learning every day with horror films becomes very technical where all the departments like the camera, the art team, the lighting department, performance, direction, everybody has to come together on the same page and the timing is the most important thing to achieve.
Niya Cosmetics Review
Niya Cosmetics has taken the UK by storm this year! Being the Halal breathable nail polish brand that has a truly exquisite formula that paves the way for modern, confident and Bossy women! The best selling shade called ‘Be A Boss’ celebrates women and really drills home that women are incredibly fearless and can achieve anything they want! Niya Cosmetics discuss an array of topics that challenge the modern day millennials, from the fear of rejection, to their impressive how- to be productive guides, depression and other many taboo topics. You can find these on the Blogs tab (on the website). Pioneered intricately with the best nail technology, all polishes allow water and air to penetrate deep into the nail plate. Enabling your nails to be the strongest and the best quality ever. Niya Cos-
metics is also Wudhu friendly, water/oxygen permeable, vegan and
free of harsh chemicals and toxins that are usually found in traditional nail polish.
The nail polishes are 100% halal certified in accordance to the HCA (Halal Certification Agency), hence meaning Muslim women can perform Wudhu (washing of the hands and feet) knowing water will reach their nail beds for cleansing before commencing prayer. Niya Cosmetics believe in beauty without cruelty and make sure that their products are not tested on or do not contain any animal ingredients. Niya Cosmetics nail polishes come in a variety of different colours and styles, from a collection of nudes, pinks, reds, greys, whites and the simple, clear nail polish. There are also vibrant neon polish and glitter paints, perfect for weddings and parties. Their long-lasting and rich formula will mean you get perfect claws that last more than just a
few days. Niya Cosmetics sent across two fabulous shades, one light nude peach colour called ‘I Adore Me’ and one purple, pink colour called ‘Ruby Rouge.’ The colours were bright and bold on the nails and dried really fast. The 16ml bottles are cute and round and easy to carry around, and each shade has a formula created with love and style in mind. Each bottle also comes in a beauty travel carry on case that can double up as a nail rest. So you have no excuses to not paint your nails on the go! If you are interested in purchasing the nail polish, then visit their website www.niyacosmetics.com and don’t forget to check out their social media @Niya Cosmetics. The collection starts from as little as £8.95 and more exclusive; limited edition shades go up to £22. For our readers use the code ‘loveniya’ for an extra amazing 10% off! Whilst stocks last.
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Kareena Kapoor Khan reveals why she agreed to work on Anagrezi Medium
Nostalgia Alert: Bunty Aur Babli 2 keeps the same logo as the first film Yash Raj Films’ muchawaited Bunty Aur Babli 2 will pay homage to the first film by keeping the same logo for the sequel. This move is definitely going to soar the nostalgia factor big time because the prequel was tremendously loved and the film also went on to become a blockbuster. The makers have revealed the logo of the film and also announced the release date of this summer entertainer as June 26, 2020. “For whole of India, Bunty Aur Babli is and will always be part of cinemathat we watched while growing up. It is truly a much loved film and has huge nostalgia value attached to it. When we were designing the logo of Bunty Aur Babli 2, we were certain that we will keep the
Angrezi Medium releasing in cinemas on 13th March
Kareena Kapoor Khan left fans intrigued when she hopped on-board the Irrfan Khan starrer Angrezi Medium, directed by Homi Adajania. The actress left a lasting impact in the trailer that dropped online early this month. In a recent interview, Kareena revealed why she decided to join the project and shared that she has always wanted to work with Irrfan. While admitting that the actor was the real reason she also went on to add that she always wanted to play the role of a cop from London. Kareena also pointed out that it was difficult for a mainstream actress to play the role of a cop for an entire film, and hence she didn’t hesitate to pick this one up. Angrezi Medium also stars Radhika Madan in a pivotal role with Dimple Kapadia, Pankaj Tripathi, Deepak Dobriyal, Ranvir Shorey in supporting roles. The film follows the story of a single dad willing to go the extra mile to ensure that his daughter can pursue her dreams to study abroad. The film releases in cinemas on 13th March 2020.
Filmfare Awards 2020 The Filmfare Awards are a prestigious award ceremony that celebrates technical and creative esteem within the Hindi film industry. Held annually in the country of India, every year sees the most successful Bollywood actors, directors and artists flock together to recognise the industry’s biggest achievers. The Filmfare awards were first founded in 1954 by The Times Group. Originally called the “Clare Awards”, the event was named after Clare Mendonca, editor of media group’s newspaper The Times of India. Since 2018, the awards ceremony has been broadcast on the International Channel Colors for millions of viewers across the globe to watch. The award ceremonies have often been compared to the Academy Awards hosted in the United States. Tradi-
tionally, readers of Filmfare, an English-written magazine about Hindi film, were asked to fill out polls on the various award categories. After thousands of votes are submitted, trophies are presented to the winners on stage. This year saw Indi’s most loved and respected film-makers and actors be awarded, as well as some newcomers and rising stars. The title of ‘Best Film’ was handed to Zoya Akhtar’s Gully Boy, which starred Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt. The pair also took home the accolades for best leading actors. Best
Music Album was a title awarded to Kabir Singh, whereas best playback singer was given to Arjit Singh for his work in Kalank. Reflecting on the ceremony night, Alia Bhat posted a picture on instagram of herself along with her fellow Gully Boy cast on stage. Alia captioned the post: “A humble bunch! Drops mic, walks away.” The post was later shared by her co-star Ranveer Singh on his Instagram page. Co-produced by Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhta, the brother of Zoya Akhtar,, Gully Boy is a prominenet cinematic work following musical and emotional growth through the struggles of a working class life. The losses and triumphs of the film’s protagonist Murad are played by Ranveer Singh. The film embodies Murad’s journey from the slums of Dharavi to the world of rap.
original logo as it pays a perfect homage to the first film that is part of India’s pop culture history. I’m guessing this move will be much loved by cine-lovers as it evokes a big sense of nostalgia,” says Varun V. Sharma, the director of the film. Bunty Aur Babli 2 will introduce an incredibly fresh pair as the new talented conmen. Siddhant Chaturvedi, the Gully Boy hunk who played the role of MC Sher with elan, is the new Bunty and YRF is launching a new heroine to watch out for with this franchise. Babli will be played by Sharvari, stunningly gorgeous girl that YRF discovered two years back and has been groom-
ing her since then. The film, in an exciting casting coup, also reunites Rani Mukerji and Saif Ali Khan and will present them as the original Bunty Aur Babli in the film. Rani and Saif was a blockbuster Jodi (Pair) as they delivered big hits like Hum Tum and Ta Ra Rum Pum and were celebrated as a pair to watch out for given their infectious chemistry. Produced by Aditya Chopra, Bunty Aur Babli 2 is being directed by debutant Varun V. Sharma, who worked as an Assistant Director in YRF’s biggest blockbusters Sultan and Tiger Zinda Hai.
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GLOBAL 12-17
BUSINESS 18-21
GLAM 22-28
WEDDINGS 29-33
HEALTH 34-35
TRAVEL 36-37
TECH 38-39
FOOD 40-41
MOTORING 42-44
SPORTS 45-48
March 2020
WEDDINGS
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Asian Wedding Section Welcome to the renewed version of the AsianWorld wedding directory – inclusive in your monthly copy of our newspaper. This section will include a handful of all your favourite and well established brands, as well as some new and upcoming featured businesses. Either way, we aim to make planning your perfect wedding so
much easier! The lay-out and design of the next few pages is set to put you at ease – either side of the bridal party will find it simple to dip into our list of useful clientele, services and products, and tick off all their wedding needs! On average, the Asian wedding costs a huge sum of £50,000 upwards, which is more than
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twice the price of a traditional British ceremony. Whether it be a Sikh, Muslim or Hindu marriage, Asians are known to invite all of their friends and members of their extended family from near and far. With an invitation list that normally exceeds 100 guests, hosts are eager to please. Hence, the average Asian couple will spend around one fifth
of their entire lives’ earnings on this single most prestigious event! If you would like your business advertised in our wedding directory, and promoted across the West Midlands in various ways, you can get in touch with us using the contact details on page 3.
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LOCAL 2-11
GLOBAL 12-17
BUSINESS 18-21
GLAM 22-28
WEDDINGS 29-33
HEALTH 34-35
TRAVEL 36-37
TECH 38-39
FOOD 40-41
MOTORING 42-44
SPORTS 45-48
March 2020
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Wedding Party Services, Party Decorations, Mascots, DJs, Bollywood Dancers
Leaflets menus posters business cards adverts websites 0121 400 0051 07702 117 816 www.ukprintandmedia.co.uk
info@hjstarlite.co.uk | www.hjstarlite.co.uk | 0121 400 0072
Managing and Promoting Artists Music Production Video Editing Video Production Audio and Sound Editing
0792 5637725 | info@0t1media.com
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March 2020
Nikita by Niki Jewels Review By Manisha Bhanot
Nikita by Niki is the statement jewellery brand that everyone is talking about. Made for fashionconscious people who love to look glamorous – the brand’s iconic designs and sparkling sets are sure to leave onlookers stunned! Founded by Nikita Mahon in 2014, Nikita by Niki began in the bedroom of a jewellery enthusiast who was passionate about getting the most elegant designs to touch the hearts of her customers. First inspired by designer wear when she began selling her own clothes and accessories, Nikita’s passion soon took over her life and built her the award-winning brand which she now owns. By following her dream and putting in two years of real hard work and dedication, Niki now has over 90K followers on Instagram and thousands of more loyal customers all over the globe. Niki’s jewellery brand is well-known and loved by many. She now houses her own Kent-based office where Niki and her employees continuously engaged with the wants of their loyal fan-base and work to bring the most enchanting designs to life. The Nikita by Niki brand features a range of bespoke earrings, pendants, chokers, neck-
Quality Time: Part 3/3
Fateha Majid is a South Asian woman working in tech. With a background in Psychology, she is fascinated by the science of love, attraction and relationships. She has developed a new Family Matchmaking app for Muslims. Quality Time. Having quality conversations and doing quality activities. Giving your spouse your undivided attention. In 2012, Wilcox and Drew found that people who spent quality time with their partner at least once a week were 3.5 times more likely to report being ‘very happy’ in their relationship compared to those who didn’t.
laces and rings. Choose from large hoops, opulent dangle earrings or small studs, chain chokers, necklaces or collars and even matching sets. Lines available to shop from come polished with either decedent silver, gold and rose gold plated finishes, or feature unique rhinestone-encrusted designs. As well as selling jewellery, the Nikita by Niki brand also sells quirky and inspirational framed prints which are perfect for livening up your home or office environment. On the company’s website, you’ll also find an impressive home-ware section, featuring the likes of jewellery stands, make-up organisers, letter boards, botanical candles, and much more. Nikita by Niki is a brand that has been keen to jump on board the growing trend of crystal healing – a theory which incorporates naturally found stones into rejuvenating one’s senses and contributing to overall wellbeing. On the company’s website, you can also find an array of crystalincorporated products such as elixir water bottles, ring holders, bottle stoppers and coasters. Each of Nikita by Niki’s shipments comes beautifully packaged, with a bespoke postcard and luxury dark chocolate sample. To look through the brand’s complete product range and step-up your jewelery collection now, go onto www.nikitabyniki.com
Chandni’s words over seven years ago are engrained in my memory. She said, ‘Fateha, I’ve learned a lot from observing two brides in our family who got married around the same time. The first bride did her own thing and was heavily scolded by the Uncles and Aunties. The second bride was praised non-stop. Who do you think is blissfully married today?’ My initial thought was, why don’t people talk about the groom?! She slowly said, ‘it’s the first bride’. This topic is in three parts: Bride 1: Mrs Self-Love; Bride 2; Mrs Selfless; and Groom: Mr Hero or Mr Zero? Marriage is a partnership. Not a dictatorship. The husband plays a key role in the success of a marriage, they can either make or break it. The old adage is, if the wife is happy, the husband is happy and the whole household is happy! Who is Mr Zero? He can be anyone. Being a good man isn’t enough to be a Mr Hero. He can very easily be Mr Zero if he does not respect his wife’s feelings and thoughts. He puts his own wants and needs ahead of hers. Makes promises and
does not keep to them. He does not help around the house and expects her to be a glorified maid! He has the expectation for his wife to give up her hopes and dreams to take care of his parents. Mr Zero may fail to mindfully plan fun activities. He does not put in the time to communicate how much he values his wife and their marriage. In extreme cases, he abuses her emotionally, mentally and physically. Groom: Mr Hero Syed, 33, works for Islamic Help. He met his wife through family. Both of their fathers were friends and felt it would be a good union. He laughed saying, “The first time we met, we ended up arguing!” They had both told their families that they did not want to proceed with getting to know eachother after that. Their families encouraged them to give it a chance and take a more light-hearted approach to their initial meeting. They took this advice on board and with time and effort, they fell for eachother and got married. They are now happily married with a toddler and living with his family.
Here are some of Syed’s tips: Tip 1: Trust and respect eachother Syed works long hours as his work is demanding, and he needs to travel across the UK and internationally. They both respect each other’s professions. Syed compliments his wife saying, ‘She’s such an intelligent woman’ and acknowledges that his wife has made greater sacrifices. He is verbally grateful for her contribution towards his family. Tip 2: Over communicate Every evening they have dinner together where they talk about their day. He tends to ask her if there is anything she needs. He
listens to his wife’s wishes and feelings. Syed shared that his wife has complained that he does not spend enough time with them. To address this, he makes sure that he spends a few hours with his wife and son when he gets home. When they are asleep, he works on his laptop when he should be sleeping. His effort does not go unnoticed. Tip 3: Try new things together They plan to do things they both enjoy together and as a family. They have family days out and go on holidays. It’s important to him that they create memories together.
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GLOBAL 12-17
BUSINESS 18-21
GLAM 22-28
WEDDINGS 29-33
HEALTH 34-35
TRAVEL 36-37
TECH 38-39
FOOD 40-41
MOTORING 42-44
SPORTS 45-48
March 2020
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March 2020
HEALTH My Fit Life with
Avi Samra
T: 0121 771 4545
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How to Stay Safe from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) What’s the risk of coronavirus in the UK?
The UK Chief Medical Officers have raised the risk to the public from low to moderate.
Intermittent Fasting In 2019 ‘intermittent fasting’ was the ‘trendiest’ weight loss search term! I’m not going to get into too much detail about the science behind it but instead, talk about my experience with fasting. With intermittent fasting, there are so many ways to do it! I’ll be talking about the 16 hours fast in this article. Sixteen hours not eating sounds like a lot, doesn’t it? With the 16 hours fast, you have an 8-hour eating window (it doesn’t sound so bad now!). I’ve always believed breakfast to be the most important meal of the day, so when I heard about fasting and potentially skipping breakfast, I was shocked! After researching into it and hearing all the hype, I decided to try it and see for myself. When doing the 16 hours fast, you can choose how you want to do it. You could skip breakfast, eat at 12 pm until 8 pm and then begin your fast and then eat again at 12 pm the next day. Or you could have breakfast, lunch and then skip dinner. You can choose whichever combination works for you as long as you don’t eat for 16 hours. I chose to skip breakfast which was so strange at first because I loved eating first thing in the morning and what made it worse is you can’t drink milk! I thought ‘there is no way I could drink black coffee’…now I love it! Intermittent fasting fit into my lifestyle so well. I don’t rush to eat breakfast in the mornings while I’m dealing with the kids. I sit down at 12 pm and enjoy my meal while the kids aren’t around! When I was eating three meals a day, I wouldn’t snack on healthy foods. I’d eat three meals, have a bar of chocolate in between and that’s it because I didn’t feel hungry enough to eat fruit etc. Whereas now, I eat fruits with Greek yoghurt, snack on nuts (of course I still eat chocolate!). Now, I’ve added more variety to my diet because I’m eating one less meal. I don’t see it as fasting anymore, it’s just apart of my life! Did I lose weight? Yes, I did lose weight. It definitely does work. Having said that, I was always able to lose weight when I wasn’t fasting, and when I was eating three meals a day! People are drawn to fasting because it isn’t seen as a diet and can easily fit into your life. My issue with intermittent fasting is that it can be promoted as “during the 8 hours you can eat what you like”. I know people that do intermittent fasting, and during their eating window they will eat a lot of “unhealthy foods”, and they say they still lose weight. Now, I don’t see the point in losing weight if you aren’t becoming healthier. When I speak to clients who are doing intermittent fasting, I always drum it into them to eating well during the 8-hour eating window. Yes, indulge in a little treat, but the majority of your food choices should be of the healthier variety. One other thing to note, I’m not super strict with the 16 hours fast. I don’t have time it, if I eat later then at 8 pm the world won’t end! I stick to it roughly, fasting for slightly fewer hours still makes an impact. If you do want to try intermittent fasting, you can ask me anything directly via my Instagram page below. Remember, be happy, be healthy! Instagram @avi_samra_
Health professionals are working to contact anyone who has been in close contact with people who have coronavirus.
A total of 13,525 people have been tested in the UK for the disease, of which 13,485 were confirmed negative and 50 positive.
Symptoms of coronavirus The symptoms of coronavirus are: • a cough • a high temperature • shortness of breath But these symptoms do not necessarily mean you have the illness. The symptoms are similar to other illnesses that are much more common, such as cold and flu.
Check if you need medical help NHS 111 has an online coronavirus service that can tell you if you need medical help and advise you what to do. Use this service if: • you think you might have coronavirus • you’ve recently been to a country or area with a high risk of coronavirus – see our coronavirus advice for travellers • you’ve been in close contact with someone with coronavirus Use the 111 coronavirus service
How coronavirus is spread Because it’s a new illness, we do not know exactly how coronavirus spreads from person to person. Similar viruses are spread in cough droplets. It’s very unlikely it can be spread through things like packages or food. Viruses like coronavirus cannot live outside the body for very long.
Information: Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Call 111 if you need to speak to someone.
Do I need to avoid public places? Most people can continue to go to work, school and other public places. You only need to stay away from public places (self-isolate) if advised to by the 111 online coronavirus service or a medical professional. How to avoid catching or spreading germs There are things you can do to help stop viruses like coronavirus spreading.
How to self-isolate if you’re asked to If there’s a chance you could have coronavirus, you may be asked to stay away from other people (self-isolate). This means you should: • stay at home • not go to work, school or public places • not use public transport or taxis • ask friends, family members or delivery services to do errands for you • try to avoid visitors to your home – it’s OK for friends, family or delivery drivers to drop off food You may need to do this for up to 14 days to help reduce the possible spread of infection. Read more coronavirus self-isolation advice.
Do
• cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze • put used tissues in the bin immediately • wash your hands with soap and water often – use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available • try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell
Don’t • do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
Treatment for coronavirus There is currently no specific treatment for coronavirus. Antibiotics do not help, as they do not work against viruses. Treatment aims to relieve the symptoms while your body fights the illness. You’ll need to stay in isolation away from other people until you’ve recovered.
Introduce Mindful Living Into The Home during 2020
A wellness inspired space that embraces disconnecting and being present will likely become a favourite spot in the home Everything is fast, easy and digital, yet natural instinct pushes us to disconnect and slow down to regain our sense and quality of life. As a change to this year, Rebecca Snowden, Interior Style Advisor at Furniture Choice, shares 3 style tips for designing a home that’s focused on mindful living. 1. Start with a clean and calm neutral palette Begin the year refreshed and rejuvenated with the help of a home environment that focuses on living well. Start by introducing a quality of softness into the home, coupled with interior design that’s comforting and inviting. “Let the intention of creating a clean and soothing ambience guide your design decisions,” advises Rebecca. “Ultimately, the goal is to create a personal haven you’ll love going home to relax in.” Make it a priority to get plenty of good quality sleep. In the bedroom, a white wooden bed presents the perfect starting point in a space meant for restful
slumber. Introduce neutrals in varying tones for interest and depth. Safe, perennial hues to try include white, soft
grey and the recently popular greige. Select comfortable bedding with minimal prints to focus on creating an uncluttered, restful environment. Where possible, go with furniture that feature curves and organic lines instead of sharp, straight edges. 2. Nature is nurturing Nothing relaxes the mind more than being surrounded by nature; particularly, plants. Start the year on a green note by maximising on the benefits of having indoor plants. Choose a mix of large and small greenery, and varieties that help clean the air. Leafy, trailing plants also inject a little wildness to create a tropical inspired ambience. Besides making the air fresher, their lush green colour is soothing on the eyes after a long day of working with screens. To continue the natural theme, pick furnishings made with materials like wood, rattan, or clay. “The warmth and rawness of their surfaces contribute to a design that has a soothing, back to nature vibe,” says Rebecca. 3. Dedicate a corner for conscious relaxation As a reminder to make wellbeing a priority for the year ahead, allocate a
corner that’s dedicated to relaxation. “A little nook will do; you’ll only need enough space to practise your preferred stretches,” says Rebecca. For meditation and stretching exercises, fit it out with a yoga mat or thick rug. “And if you have a work desk at home, it’s a good idea to carve out a zen zone within the same room for quick stretch breaks.” Maintaining the same neutral palette, style the space in light hues, and include plenty of plants. Another factor to consider is the accessibility of natural daylight, as it can help reset a confused circadian rhythm. A wellness inspired space that embraces disconnecting and being present will likely become a favourite spot in the home.
AW Facts Did you know? Staying in touch with your loved ones is good for your health, memory and life expectancy
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GLOBAL 12-17
BUSINESS 18-21
GLAM 22-28
WEDDINGS 29-33
HEALTH 34-35
TRAVEL 36-37
TECH 38-39
FOOD 40-41
MOTORING 42-44
SPORTS 45-48
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Dr Follicle review
Holland & Barrett Opens New ‘Clean & Conscious’ Beauty Store in the Bullring
Holland & Barrett are changing the face of what eco-friendly means in the cosmetics industry. Their first beauty concept store opening in the Bullring Shopping Centre has taken Birmingham by storm. The health and wellness retailer is a leading department store for health foods, natural remedies, sports nutrition, vitamins and cosmetics. They are now challenging traditional industry methods by introducing new lines of vegan and cruelty free makeup, organic skincare and environmentally friendly consumer
packaging. Their new store has been leaving customers in awe with its beautiful interior, featuring a faux rainforest ceiling and other organic style décor. The store’s opening night created a buzz as customers flocked in and PR representatives and influencers gathered for meets and greets with top industry beauty directors. Guests in attendance included beauty expert and former Dragons Den Candidate Hanna Sillitoe, as well as H&B’s own beauty director Joanne Cooke. Guests were treated to complimentary glasses of Prosecco and an entrée of
vegan canapés, as well as demos from brands like Ren, Evolve and Inika. There were also make-up tutorials with PHB beauty cosmetics, organic oil making classes, and free goody bags handed out, packed with up to £100 worth of beauty essentials! If you want to get in on the beauty revolution, then visit Holland & Barrett’s glamorous and innovative new store today, floor 0 Unit 006 at the Bullring Shopping Centre.
An Authentic, Innovative Centre
striving to Develop Natural Holistic Remedies for Current Needs in Physical & Mental Health
During the COLD & FLU season , it is important to maintain ROBUST IMMUNITY Consult our Vaidyars on the full benefits of WAYS TO BOOST YOUR IMMUNITY WITH FOOD AND LIFESTYLE These are general guidelines and do not apply to people with certain disorders,
always check with your physician for diet suitable to your condition. Find out your body type and Support Immunity with Diet Balanced Sleep Reduced Stress Set a Daily Routine Get the right Exercise – Wrong Exercise can damage and compromise immunity. Stay Positive Practise Pranayama – breathing exercises Practise Yoga Regular massages with oils & herbs is a valuable necessity to your overall Health & Maintenance.
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Anxiety, Arthritis, Asthma, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Body Aches & Pains, Depression, Diabetes, Digestive problems, Eczema, Eye Diseases, Frozen Shoulder, Headaches, High blood pressure, High cholesterol levels, Inflammations, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Menopause problems, Migraines, Memory problems, Obesity, Parkinson's, Paralysis, Pregnancy difficulties, Rheumatoid arthritis, Sciatica, Skin Diseases, Stress, stroke Tinnitus, Vitiligo…….. Disclaimer This information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure or prevention of any disease. If you have any serious acute or chronic health concern, please consult a trained health professional who can fully assess your needs and address them effectively. If you are seeking the medical advise of a trained ayurvedic expert, please check the authenticity of their qualification.
Dr Follicle is a plant-based hair care company designed for follicle stimulation. The products are organic and cruelty-free, and the company operates on the principles of maintaining the quality that customers expect in each product and promoting the use of traditionally medicated, plant-based beauty products. The hair products contain no toxic chemicals, free of preservatives, sulphates, parabens and silicone. Dr Follicle hair care is enriched with Vitamin E, biotin, CBD, animo acids and cold-pressed oils for longer, thicker and healthier hair. Dr follicle has been around since 2019 and was born from the desire to share a long-standing hair growth oil treatment. Each product is designed to suit the needs of the individuals, regardless of their gender, age, ethnicity or hair type. There are various products sold to support hair growth such as the CBD and sweet almond beard oil, the CBD beard and hair oil duo and CBD and fatty acid
follicle stimulation hair oil. The CBD and sweet almond beard oil is a 30-day treatment of beard oil infused with vitamin e, CBD, fatty acids and a unique blend of coldpressed oils. The oil is designed to help the growth of beards and nourishes the hair for a thicker, softer and healthier beard. The product is suitable for sensitive skin. The CBD and fatty acid follicle stimulation hair oil is a unique blend of cold-pressed oils, amino acids and biotin for thicker, longer and healthier hair. One bottle is 100ml for a 30-day treatment and is suitable for sensitive scalps. Both products are suitable for Vegans, 100% organic, SLS free, alcohol-free, preservative-free and cruelty-free. The prices range from £13.00 to £25.00 and are suitable for both men and women. You can purchase the hair or beard oil by visiting www.drfollicle.org and don’t forget to check out their social media page @Dr. Follicle.
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March 2020
TRAVEL
T: 0121 771 4545
www.asianworldnews.co.uk
No More Coffee for Airbus A350 Pilots
By: Rida Khan - Aviation Author - Instagram @aviationauthor.ridakhan No Coffee for Aeroplane Pilots… Quite shocking, isn’t it? But yes, it’s true! The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has banned A350 pilots from drinking coffee in the cockpit during instances of turbulence. The main reason for this new regulation is to prevent the spilling of liquids on the highly sensitive computerized cockpit electronics, which may cause the plane’s engine shut down. Based on two previous incidents, the EASA has
taken this step. According to Flight Global, the first incident occurred with South Korean carrier Asiana Airlines A350-900 operating between Seoul to Singapore on November 9th, 2019. The second incident occurred with Delta Airlines aircraft A350-900 en route to Seoul on January 21st, 2020. In both cases, the EASA found the spilling of liquids led to engine failure. A drink was spilt on the centre pedestal between the two pilot seats,
primarily on the integrated control panel for engine-starts and function monitoring. Despite of numerous attempts made, the pilots couldn’t get the dead engine to run again since the power-plant remained unoperational for an extended period, leading to the diversion of flights. In both the incidents, no accidents took place as pilots diverted the flights successfully. In an A350 cockpit, the switches of the master engines are connect-
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ed by computer to each engine using high-pressure fuel shut off each valve. If by chance any liquid gets spilt on these switches, it will give an engine on/off command rapidly, and according to EASA, this process may lead to a dual engine ( in-flight shutdown ). This will then result in a forced emergency landing and may cause damage to the aeroplane and injury to many passengers. The two case studies mentioned affirm why the EASA has issued an Emergency Airworthiness Directive (EAD) for A350 pilots, who are now banned from consuming beverages /liquids in the
cockpit during turbulence. The new regulation is also declared as a “Liquid Prohibited Zone” in the cockpit and applies to both the models of A350, (i.e.) A350900 & A350- 1000. The days are gone where the majority of cockpits were mechanical, and any spillages resulted in pilots having to wait for the area to dry before flight completely. Now things have changed according to the development of technology over time. Cockpits are computerized, and a single drop of liquid may cause a significant and fatal problem.
LOCAL 2-11
GLOBAL 12-17
BUSINESS 18-21
GLAM 22-28
WEDDINGS 29-33
HEALTH 34-35
TRAVEL 36-37
TECH 38-39
FOOD 40-41
MOTORING 42-44
SPORTS 45-48
March 2020
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Escape Brum Review
By Manisha Bhanot
With the popularity of reality escapes and trivia puzzle games on the rise, the notion of an Escape Room may be no surprise to you. You may have seen the film; a group of people who attempt to navigate a labyrinth of tricky passages. Their collective goal is to claim a cash prize; however, they discover their fates are mysteriously inter-twined to whether or not they can solve the challenges they face in time. The concept of an escape room may sound over-hyped to you.
However, hype kills-off enjoyment because you have already have a built-up idea in your head about what something is going to be like, and become displeased when it doesn’t appear exactly as you imagined it. The best way to enter an escape room is without any prior expectations, and the more unconventional the game, the better it works out to be the case. The Mystic’s Cabin, located in the heart of Birmingham’s historic and lively jewellery quarter, is
unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. Different from a conventional escape room, this unique experience sees the door to your escape room left completely unlocked. The real challenge is to complete your assigned mission – steal the treasure from the Mystic’s lair before the timer runs out. Do you dare to enter her domain and complete your tasks before she returns? Careful, if she catches you she’ll banish your soul forever! What is known to players from
the outset of the games is only its dynamic and nerve-wracking setup. Featuring a cabin of spooky paintings, witch totems, alluring gemstones, tarot cards and Ouija boards – get ready for trap doors, secret passageways and much more. Will you be able to calm your nerves and collaborate with your teammates to beat the escape room? Everyone’s taste is subjective, and it may be true that the Mystic’s Cabin is not the most high-tech or intricate escape room you
have come across. It keeps digital wizardry and reality-altering techniques strictly to a minimum. However, you may also find that it immediately becomes your all-time favourite game due its mixing of traditional and untraditional style puzzles and tangible objectives. Either way, the game is executed differently from a regular escape room, to make teams think outside the box and play outside of their comfort zone. Lock horns with the Birmingham Minotaur and visit Escape Brum yourself to accept the challenge. The venue also features the highly rated office style escape room Blackmail – where players are expected to find the evidence in an intriguing in less than an hour. Rally your family, friends or colleagues, and get in on the action today! For bookings, visit www.escapebrum.com NOW!
AW Facts Did you know? The world’s longest flight is from Sydney to Dallas, and lasts 16 hours
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March 2020
TECHNOLOGY
Organisations Setting up to Fail as They Struggle to Maximise Value from Their Data
Coeus Consulting, an award-winning independent IT advisory, have announced new research into the approaches organisations are using to drive value from their data. The report – Beyond Technology: How can Organisations drive Sustainable Value from Their Data Investments? - highlights that many organisations are potentially failing to realise the potential value of, or monetise their data, despite 74% acknowledging it as a key priority. The survey found that 80% of the large organisations surveyed, believe accountability for data strategy rests with technology leaders such as IT Directors, CIOs or CTOs. Additionally, only a quarter of organisations currently elect to have a Chief Data Officer, and even less place accountability with others in the Csuite. Emphasis is being placed on speed (32%), cost (28%), and competition (30%), but less so on more fundamental underlying value, the insights it offers, or decision-makers’ ability to develop new products and services from those learnings. According to one source, DATAVLT, only one per cent of the data companies collect is currently analysed, and they expect as many as 96% of businesses that exist today to fail in 10 years. “Many investments in data and analytics have been started from a technology perspective with little alignment to business value or desired outcomes that can be measured against a business strategy. Businesses need a change of mind-set and approach right across the organisation, and the challenge is more than simply collecting data and making it available”, commented Richard Graham, Associate Director, Coeus. However, the survey did find that 66% of respondents are actively trialling the use of machine learning (ML), artificial intelligence (AI), natural language processing (NLP) and automation capabilities. Yet, only 39% admit to widely using data lakes and warehousing, suggesting that organisations have either not completed these activities or are not placing enough importance on them. The survey results highlight that there are many obstacles to overcome before companies can begin to see meaningful benefits from the data available through technology-led investments such as AI.
Of the top five enterprise data bugbears, the majority are business-related: the scale and complexity of data sets (27%); governance and ownership (24%); the lack of a data operating model (19%); regulatory compliance issues (19%); and difficulty in integrating new technologies. Organisations are facing tougher regulatory environments and when asked to express their concerns about data regulations, compliance with ethical and moral requirements was the biggest, cited by 49% of respondents. This has obvious implications for data management, analysis, and technology buying decisions, and the potential reputational and financial repercussions. Sixteen per cent of respondents also stated that a lack of expertise and skills is a major obstacle. Whilst companies are investing in foundational skills, moving skills in-house and introducing new roles, third parties and external contractors play a key role in enabling and supplementing these organisations and will continue to do so. When asked where organisations are seeing the biggest benefits from their data initiatives, 43% of respondents said they are in ‘improved customer insights’, while 41% identified an improved ability to take proactive, predictive decisions. Improved reporting’ also scored highly, along with better management of risk and regulatory compliance (37%). However, only 24% cited an increased ability to meet customer needs, with 20% citing a greater ability to spot future business opportunities. In contrast, just 12% identified attracting new customers as a core motivation – the least favoured option on the list, this is despite the realisation that improved customer insight could be the biggest benefit. “This is surprising given it’s so important in markets that are becoming hypercompetitive. Nearly every type of business is being disrupted by new players and a lack of customer loyalty, especially on new digital channels. Investing in customer insights and new product development ought to be a high strategic priority alongside consolidating market position”, said Graham.
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AIaaS: Artificial Intelligence As-A-Service
By Muhammad Nadeem Jahangir - Technology Correspondent
Evolution has always been a unique approach of humans, with the emergence of computers this evolution transformed into a revolution and its impact on industries made it to be the Industrial revolution. The term As-A-Service was introduced a couple of years ago with the development of cloud computing technology. We have thus observed some of the significant problems of scalability, availability, efficiency and many more concepts to become resolved. A few years ago, we were introduced and then became very familiar with the terms of cloud offering services, i.e. Software-As-A-Service (SaaS), Platform-As-A-Service (Paas) and Infrastructure-As-A-Service (Iaas). These three concepts are considered to be impacting market terms in the field of data storage and availability, free from the worries of scalability. From software to the whole infrastructure, we have seen a tremendous level of automation achieved with these cloud tech emergences. Artificial intelligence, Machine Learning, and Data Science are the hot topics of today’s era. A variable amount of diversity has been observed which did not make systems think but also take decisions based on human errors. In a few years, this type of machine development has risen alongside the development of the internet. Now, we are less likely to take risks with technology developments, but more likely to recommend suggestions with some specific logic to our selves.
With these two industry grabbing topics, another term has been introduced. So far, AI is at its peak, we see ubiquitous computing simulations by means of machine learning algorithms, and IoT is changing the world. But, now we are talking about another analogy of the future which itself is no more different than a dream coming true. Artificial Intelligence-As-A-Service (AIaaS) is the term that emerged based on the automation of systems that can be managed with the help of Artificial intelligence and your 24/7 needs. The result is con-
sistent availability and high-end performance of a piece of technology without any hurdles. This service may rise to the replacement of big sales teams with bots, and there will be some more interesting cognitive computing API(s) to implement ubiquities of the environment. With this service coming into the market, there will be more and more innovation drives that will take place at different parts of the world, which will mobilize more communities to advancements. We are toward another era of AI-As-a-service.
Tangi and Hobbi, the new Video Sharing Platform for Creativity By Khalid Karim - Technology Correspondent
Facebook’s New Product Experimentation (NPE) team have launched a new site similar to Pinterest called Hobbi, with Facebook’s own twist. Very much like Pinterest, with Hobbi, you add images of your hobbies and interest to boards and track your progress etc. Facebook’s NPE spokesperson explains that “you can save photos of the projects you’re working on and the activities you love to do, whether it’s cooking, baking, DIY, arts & crafts, fitness or home decor. You can then organise your photos into visual collections in order to see the progress you’re making over time.” You can also post highlight videos of interests to share with your friends and families. It’s a great way to document your personal projects. This is Facebook’s fourth experiment into new ways for users to post on social media. Although it sounds similar to Pinterest,
it’s arrival is no coincidence after Google’s Area 120 team launched something similar called Tangi, which again is a short-form video app for documenting DIY and creativity. One key difference with Tangi is that unlike other social media videos apps, it’s available to everyone. Creators are invited to apply to be part of the video platform. This allows it to ensure their videos remain focused on DIY activities and creativity.
AW Facts Did you know? There are 3.5 billion searches on Google daily
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RevAir Review RevAir is the world’s first and only reverse-air hair dryer. The RevAir component has been carefully created to gently straighten and dry your hair, leaving a shiny, frizz-free finish in a fraction of the time. RevAir is suitable for all hair types, whether you have curly, straight, wavy or coily hair. RevAir uses cool air to dry your hair, which gives you soft, silky hair instead of frying your hair or leaving you with a burnt smell. The product is easy to use and dries the hair as quickly as possible. I received the RevAir total package which includes: one RevAir dryer, heat producing wand, reverse air base unit,
a 7ft X 2.4m hose, flat elastic hair ties, quick start guide, operation manual, warranty card, live large carry-all bag, a flat elastic hair tie, cinch it up round accessory bag, up & atomiser spray bottle, up for grabs sectioning clips, a bundle up hair towel and a mesh well accessory bag. The reverse air dryer was easy to assemble together, and the instructions were simple to follow. Once the air dryer was put together, I switched it on and began drying my hair. As my hair is naturally curly, I found that RevAir dried my hair in less than 10 minutes and left my hair looking straight, soft and silky.
The air was cool on my hair and skin, which was great as my normal hairdryer tends to burn my scalp and neck area. I personally love the hair towel as its super soft and keeps my hair in place. The heat-producing wand is light and easy to hold, compared to other hair dryers that can be quite heavy. The RevAir total package costs £359, which can be costly for some. However, it dries your hair quickly and leaves your hair tangle and
Almost half of WhatsApp usage not legal
damage-free. For a tamed, smooth and professional style blow out which you can achieve in the comfort of your own home – it’s definitely worth the price. If you would like to purchase the RevAir for yourself or for a loved one, then visit their website www. myrevair.co.uk and don’t forget to connect with RevAir on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and YouTube, where you can view a variety of videos on how to use RevAir. REV IT. SHARE IT. #MYREVAIR
41% of UK workers admit to using WhatsApp for work purposes despite it being against WhatsApp’s legal terms of service to use it in ways that involve any non-personal use. This figure rises to 53% for the under 45’s, and in Greater London the percentage using WhatsApp professionally hits a staggering 58%. These figures come from new research revealed by Guild, a messaging app built for professionals and businesses. This usage breaches WhatsApp’s own legal terms of use. In addition, some features of WhatsApp may not comply with privacy regulation like the General Data Protection Regulation
(GDPR) and other legal duties like proper record keeping where their employees, customers, suppliers and stakeholders are concerned. Recently Ireland’s GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) joined other organisations in banning the use of WhatsApp by its clubs because WhatsApp is not GDPRcompliant. Furthermore, ‘unsuitable material’ cannot be removed from WhatsApp by administrators which creates safeguarding issues. David Naylor, Partner at law firm Wiggin, which specialises in media, technology and IP, confirmed “It is difficult to see how WhatsApp could claim to be fully GDPR compliant and it is against WhatsApp’s own terms of use to use it for work purposes. Businesses are taking
risks if they allow employees to use consumer messaging apps which operate completely outside their governance, making it impossible to protect company data or comply with their own data protection obligations.” “WhatsApp users are unlikely to be aware the platform isn’t for business use” said Ashley Friedlein, CEO and founder of Guild. “However businesses cannot hide behind ignorance or turn a blind eye. They need to educate their employees around the importance of using platforms designed for professional use that provide the necessary levels of control and regulatory compliance,” he concluded. For more information, visit: https://guild.co/
UNIQUE TECHNOLOGY ‘MAKES PARCELS PERSONAL’ AS HERMES PLAY GOES LIVE
Hermes Play, an industry-leading product which allows senders to record and attach personal videos to their parcels via an app, has now gone live. The augmented reality technology aims to bring people together and has been launched so that customers could send personalised videos to loved ones. Over 100 video messages have been sent within the first few days, including messages from small businesses, and Happy Birthday declarations. Created within the leading consumer delivery company’s Innovation Lab, Hermes Play allows the sender to prerecord a personal message which is then uploaded via the Hermes Send app. A 2D barcode (similar to a QR code) is then created which is added to the parcel label. The parcel recipient is then invited to scan the code and watch the video message on their phone or tablet. The video uses augmented reality to bring the parcel to life so that the video plays on top of the parcel itself/ Videos will be saved for a maximum of 30 days. Free of charge for a limited time, Hermes Play is available to anyone using the Hermes app and is compatible with both Android and iPhone devices. Later this
year it will be rolled out to Hermes’ retail clients, who will be able to use it to further personalise their service to consumers, with the ability to share a variety of videos including promotions or DIY instructions for products. Brian Redwood, who sells on eBay and was one of the first users of Play, said: “I thought Hermes Play was a great idea, I stumbled across it in the app and I was excited to make a video for a customer who had bought something I sold on eBay. I thought it was a nice personal touch, I am downsizing and selling a few collectable items so was a great way to them tell about what else I am selling.” Chris Ashworth, CIO at Hermes UK, said: “At Hermes this year our mission is to make parcels even more personal and our digital teams have been working hard to create new and exciting initiatives. “Hermes Play is a unique, fantastic service that can be used by consumers to send messages to family and friends or by businesses for a more commercially focussed approach. It’s designed to create a personal connection and make the experience of sending and receiving a parcel just that little bit more special.”
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FOOD
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Asian World’s Kitchen AW Facts Did you know? Eating chocolate improves your blood flow and protection against UV damage
Charlotte Collard Love for Fashion and Food
Origin of chocolates and waffles, Belgium is now known for one of the famous personalities who are taking the fashion and food world by storm. Charlotte Collard is a former model and digital entrepreneur who was one of the country’s first to start a fashion and food account on Instagram (@charlotte_collard). There she would create content interacting with two worlds about tastes, fashion and food. She is also a mother of three girls and giving the best to her daughters, and herself is a priority. Q.) How do you stay in shape? Charlotte: I have been a model for so long and got used to eating healthy. I worked a lot on myself and learned to love and respect myself, which leads me to want the best for myself and focus on great food for my diet. I used to go to the gym 3-4 times a week, and now I have an active life with my three daughters which keeps me busy physically. Q.) What is Belgium’s cuisine all about? Charlotte: Family dishes, sauces, meats, puree, fries, chocolate… anything healthy but more and more restaurants are levelling up, and we are lucky to
have amazing places that look simple and cosy with a plate that brings together the best quality ingredients and cooking techniques. In Belgium, we are very low key and don’t like to show… We’d instead share. Q.) How did the idea come to bring fashion and food together? Charlotte: I found that two worlds about tastes would fit together. I also wanted to challenge the notion people have that fashionistas and models don’t eat. Yes because we are models, our body has to be in shape so eat healthily and go to the gym. I am also against the competition with others as for me we are all unique, and even if we wanted to do the same projects, the result would never be the same, as the way we think, see and feel will be different. I then thought that bringing non – competitive networks (food and fashion) will help to develop fashion through the food network and also bring the food network into a fashion behaviour, strengthening both in terms of marketing. Q.) Can you tell us about Charlotte Collard Catering and your TV show in Belgium? Charlotte: CCC has always been in my head, and I partnered with the best in Belgium who already work for high-end fashion brands such as DIOR, DRIES VAN NOTEN and many other big fashion names. The idea was to give another depth to my digital
partners on Instagram and offer them the opportunity to go further than product placement. My TV Show in Belgium lasted for two years; I gave them the idea to cook with star chefs as I wanted to keep learning and learning from the best. I am now a TV host for the Michelin Guide. I have been to Los Angeles last June to launch the Californian Guide, cooked with stars chefs there and we are now discussing our next adventures together. Q.) How would you describe your own cooking style? Charlotte: Healthy. I always cook too much as a surprise guest is always welcomed. Q.) You were previously a successful model; why did you decide to shift your career to food blogging? Charlotte: I have always loved cooking, I have learned everything from my
Charlotte Collard
grandfather, who was living in Canada, and he had a big property where everything was homemade. We had a lake to fish, a wood to hunt and pick fruits and mushrooms, chickens, a vegetable garden, etc. Then I became a model and was not able to eat the way I wanted to. From the mouth my love went to my eyes which grew my frustrations, but thanks to those frustrations I have kept the love of cooking and learned to cook and eat better. Q.) What is healthy food, according to you? Charlotte: Healthy food comes from nature only and is not processed by humans. Focus on food that grows and what nature brings to you. Take the time to cook from home to make sure you choose the best ingredients, and you use simple ingredients only. We should all trust nature and stop trying to control it. Thank you so much, Charlotte Collard, for taking time out of your day and giving me your interview.
Interview By: Rida Khan
(Aviation Author) (Instagram A/c: aviationauthor.ridakhan )
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March 2020
Pincho’s café review Pincho’s café is a small, cute restaurant located in the heart of Birmingham city centre’s business district. The restaurant is an all-day coffee house, tapas restaurant and wine bar, serving the rarest and fine wines sourced mainly from around Spain, alongside some exquisite tapas and snacks. Tapas translates to a small portion and is a Spanish appetiser or snack that can either be hot or cold. The décor inside the restaurant is traditional and sophisticated, making anyone feel like they are in Spain. There is a cute seating area outside the café where guests can dine during the summer days or evenings. Inside the restaurant, there is a modern sized bar serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and the food is prepared in front of the guests, using only the freshest and finest ingredients. Pincho’s café serves a selection of hot and cold tapas, and they recommend three tapas per guests. The selection includes mixed roasted red pepper hummus, stuffed baby peppers, goats cheese with glazed caramelised onion, Prawns, cooked in a garlic butter sauce, a vegetarian tortilla, a Mediterranean Mix which included roasted peppers, mushrooms & tomato and much more. There is also a variety of Bocadillos (sandwiches) available as well as breakfast and desserts and bakery selections. Pincho’s café also caters for Vegans and Vegetarians. There is also a selection of coffees, wines, cocktails and soft drinks to choose from.
Square Tipped Knives are Cutting Down on Crime Rates Viners, a cutlery and kitchenware firm based in Sheffield, are taking an innovative approach to tackling the rising knife crime issue in the UK. The square-bladed knives incorporate a new and sleek design that insures they cannot inflict any bodily damage. However, they still work perfectly when chopping fruit and vegetables, and during all round kitchen prep. The new knife range has been designed with public safety and usability in mind. After the UK Government’s decision to rebrand kitchen knives as dangerous weapons, many retailers have decided to remove them from shelves. However, Viners Knives’ blunt and rounded off tip ensure they pose no such threat. Since a recent report demonstrated that knife-related crimes are on the rise, with a total of 285 injuries during the last year in the UK, Viners have taken a stance to combat how knives are used and handled in society. The brand’s assure knives cannot be used an offensive weapon to cut or stab someone with. They have been tested rigorously in a controlled laboratory environ-
By Manisha Bhanot
ment to ensure that this is the case. They also prevent the user from harming themselves accidentally whilst handling them for kitchen-use. The new six-piece set from Viners takes inspiration from Japanese Nakiris (square-ended) knives. Each knife is made with an easy grip handle and refined stainless steel. They also feature non-stick coating to make them efficient for cutting into meat, dairy and other products. John Ashton, advisor to the Merseyside Police and crime commissioner on violence prevention, said: “Viners has potential to
make a significant contribution to knife safety within the home and wider community,” “Knife crime has seen an alarming increase, not just locally but across the whole of the UK, so it is extremely encouraging to see this British company taking the initiative to address this public health concern”. The knife set is currently being sold in selected retailers in tamper-proof packaging to minimize theft. The ‘Think 25’ logo has also been placed on packages to remind retailers to ask customers for their ID before purchase, in order to prevent under-age sales.
The Spanish tapas is presented on a board that displays the chosen tapas selections. They first brought out the cold tapas then followed the hot tapas with fresh warm bread. I opted for the Hummus, Mediterranean mix, garlic prawns, stuffed peppers, the vegetarian tortilla and Salmon Portobello which was mushroom with salmon topped with soft cheese. The food was delicious, and the presentation was perfect. It was my first time trying Spanish Tapas, and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it. The
service was quick, and the staff were very warm welcoming and helpful. If you would like to try Spanish Tapas, then I would definitely recommend visiting Pincho’s Café as there is something for everybody. Check out the food and drinks menu on their website www.pinchoscafe.co.uk and visit Pincho’s Café on social media. The Pincho’s Café can be the perfect venue for a romantic date with your loved one or even a family meal. Whatever you decide to do, be sure to visit Pincho’s Café.
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March 2020
MOTORING
There’s never been a better time for motorists to go hybrid thanks to Motorpoint. The UK’s largest independent car retailer, which has a network of branches throughout England, Scotland and Wales, is offering savings of over £18,000 off new list price on a wide range of nearly new editions of some of the most popular plug-in hybrid cars on the road today. These include the highly rated, hot hatch-esque Audi A3 1.4 TFSI E-Tron 5dr S Tronic which is available from Motorpoint for £21,999, a saving of £18,201 off new list price or the family friendly Kia Niro 1.6 GDi Hybrid 2 5dr DCT for £16,599, a saving of £6,936 off new list price. Motorpoint recently conducted a web poll on its website – motorpoint.co.uk – which found that 51.5% of motorists quizzed would seriously consider buying a plug-in hybrid in the next 12 months and as a result is charging ahead with plans to make owning a hybrid as affordable as possible with savings off list price of almost £20,000 on a comprehensive model range covering everything from city cars such as the Toyota Yaris through to premium SUVs like the Kia Niro and executive saloons like the Mercedes Benz C Class. Mark Carpenter, Chief Executive Officer of Motorpoint, explained: “We’re seeing an ever increasing number of hybrid cars on our roads, with advances in technology making them a realistic option for more and more owners. “And now there’s never been a better time to go hybrid at Motorpoint with huge savings off list price on a wide range of nearly new models, all of which are available to drive away the same day from our network of branches throughout the UK.”
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NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO GO HYBRID WITH MOTORPOINT
• There’s never been a better time to go hybrid with over £18,000 worth of savings off new list price available on a number of the most popular nearly
new models at Motorpoint • These include the Audi A3, BMW 2 and 3 Series, Hyundai Ioniq and Mitsubishi Outlander among others
• A recent poll by the UK’s leading independent car retailer revealed over 50% of drivers would seriously consider buying a hybrid in 2020.
Top 5 Money Saving Hybrid Cars Audi A3 1.4 TFSI E-Tron 5dr S Tronic Price: £19,999 (a saving of £19,766 off new list price) Mitsubishi Outlander 2.0 PHEV 4HS 5dr – Price: £22,599 (a saving of £18,901 off new list price) BMW 225 XE Sport 5dr – Price: £18,599 (a saving of £18,441 off new list price) Mercedes-Benz C350E Sport 4dr – Price: £21,999 (a saving of £18,111 off
new list price) Hyundai Ioniq 1.6 GDI Hybrid SE 5dr – Price: £14,599 (a saving of £6,791 off new list price) Motorpoint stocks over 7,0000 low mileage, nearly new cars all under three years old and with less than 25,000 miles, from 30 different manufacturers. Every vehicle will come with the balance of manufacturer’s warranty and is available to drive away the same day.
Motorpoint is also committed to making car buying easy which is why, backed by the Motorpoint Price Promise, it will also refund the difference to any customer within seven days of their order if they find the same car from a competitor. As an added bonus, it will also give the customer £50 worth of Amazon vouchers to spend. For more information about Motorpoint visit www.motorpoint.co.uk
cess to the boot of the vehicle. Once the Milton Keynes trial has been completed and feedback collated, the service will be rolled out gradually across the UK. We Deliver can be activated in vehicles that have the We Connect
Plus package. In order to use this service, the owner of the car must be registered on the Volkswagen We platform. Most Volkswagens produced after 2 January 2019 are eligible for the service, or after 2 July 2018 for the Touareg. Claire McGreal, Brand Strategy and Mobility Services Manager at Volkswagen UK, said:
“We are excited to have Hermes on board as our first courier partner to trial We Deliver in the UK. Feedback from users in Germany, where the scheme is already live, has been consistently positive and we hope to begin rolling out gradually across the UK by late 2020. “Security is of course high on our list of priorities which is why delivery details are traceable to specific individual couriers. Should the delivery be unviable on the day for any reason – for example, there is insufficient space in the boot or the courier can’t locate the car – then the delivery will default to the user’s alternative address instead.” Adrian Berry, Innovation Product Owner at Hermes, said: “At Hermes we are constantly looking to develop innovative products and services that improve convenience for our customers. “We are really pleased to be partnering with Volkswagen and look forward to working with them to develop this further. It is the first trial of its kind in the UK and supports our mission to make parcels more personal. Further to this, we envisage that in-car delivery services will increase first-time delivery rates; reducing the number of delivery vans on our streets.”
VOLKSWAGEN UK BEGINS WE DELIVER TRIALS FOR IN-CAR DELIVERY SERVICE WITH HERMES
Volkswagen’s We Deliver car-boot delivery service is now entering trial phase in the UK. Leading consumer delivery company Hermes has partnered with Volkswagen to trial the first in-car delivery service in this country. UK trials have now begun in Milton Keynes with Volkswagen’s first We Deliver courier partner – Hermes. Customers piloting the scheme will receive a text or email when one of their parcels arrives at the Hermes depot, giving them the option to have it delivered to their car. Once they accept and authenticate themselves using their unique Volkswagen ID log-in, the courier is then able to see which packages have been converted to in-car deliveries. The Hermes courier is given a single-use, time-specific digital access to open the car which can only be used by them, and GPS co-ordinates for the car are sent to the courier to carry out the delivery. Once successful, couriers provide photo evidence of the delivery and confirm that the boot is securely locked afterwards. We Deliver is part of the Volkswagen We range of digital services which allows users to register their parked Volkswagen as a delivery location for a parcel or service with a courier or service partner being granted one-off ac-
GEM COMMENTS ON PETROL AND DIESEL CAR BAN BEING BROUGHT FORWARD TO 2035
The UK Government today announced that the ban on selling petrol, diesel, and hybrid cars in the UK would be brought forward from 2040 to 2035. Once the ban is in place, only electric or hydrogen-powered vehicles will be available for purchase. Road safety and breakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist has welcomed the announcement. GEM road safety officer Neil Worth commented:
“
GEM welcomes this measure, which we see as an important step in tackling the climate emergency the platnet is facing. In recent years we have witnessed significant steps in the development of alternative fuel vehicles, and we believe that any remaining concerns about range anxiety and inadequate infrastructure will be dispelled if we all work together to embrace the opportunities of a sustainable future on the roads. We believe that in order for this to succeed, we must have strong leadership and clear information so that road users understand what will happen and when it will happen, as we make ready for the ban in 2035.
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AW Facts Did you know? Coventry Transport Museum has the largest collection of English made motor vehicles in the world
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THE ART OF PARKING:
Volkswagen commercial vehicles pits park assist against stunt driver in ultimate test
• 30% of van drivers rank small parking spaces as their biggest annoyance • Innovative Volkswagen CommerA third of UK van drivers rank small parking spaces as their biggest annoyance, according to Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. To help van drivers navigate these tight spaces, the brand offers innovative Park Assist technology. But how good is Park Assist? Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles enlisted the help of parking world record holder and professional stunt driver, Alastair Moffatt, to put it to the test. Finding a suitably sized parking space for vans is more than just a frustration, with UK van drivers being fined an average of £24 million a year for parking incorrectly. To help customers overcome tight parking spaces and tough parking regulations, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles offers Park Assist technology across its van range, with the aim of reducing stress and enabling the driver to easily and safely park the van in its designated space. To see if Park Assist can really park perfectly every time, professional stunt driver and parking world record holder, Alastair Moffatt, put it to the test, pitting more than 25 years of experience against
cial Vehicles Park Assist technology designed to help drivers navigate tight spaces and avoid fines the technology in the ultimate parking challenge. Both Alastair and Park Assist were tasked with completing a parallel park within a space of 7.5-metres – just a little larger than the 5.9-metre length of the Volkswagen Crafter – with an added twist that Alastair would be completing his manoeuvre as a handbrake turn. The result was impressive with both successful mastering the Art of Parking, although Park Assist was certainly the more relaxing option. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ Park Assist technology uses ultrasonic sensors in the front bumper which scan the space to see whether it is big enough. After reverse gear has been selected, the technology then puts the van into the best starting position and steers automatically into the space. The driver does not need to steer at any point but remains in control of the vehicle working the accelerator, brake and clutch. Sarah Cox, head of marketing at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles commented: “Our Working With You brand promise is designed to help Volkswagen customers in all aspects of owning a van
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• Park Assist technology goes headto-head against parking world record holder, Alastair Moffatt. and part of that is offering class-leading technologies such as Park Assist. “We want to help our customers park their vans in the safest and most accurate way so that they can avoid parking fines and reduce stress. The Park Assist technology was a perfect match for Professional Stunt Driver, Alastair Moffatt, and a slightly less hair-raising manoeuvre!” Alastair Moffatt, who owns the world record for tightest single, double, triple and reverse parallel park, said: “I was really impressed with how nimble the Volkswagen Crafter proved to be – handbrake turning such a big vehicle isn’t always easy. I’ve spent years mastering the art of parking but taking on Park Assist was still a real challenge because it was 100 per cent accurate every time. I really had to be on the top of my game to match it.” For more details on Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ award-winning range of products and services, or to find your nearest Van Centre, please visit www. volkswagen-vans.co.uk.
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CHOOSING SAFE, LEGAL SPEEDS IS KEY TO IMPROVED SAFETY, SAYS GEM
ROAD SAFETY and breakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist is encouraging drivers to choose safe, legal speeds for all their road journeys. Driving above the speed limit, or at speeds that are inappropriate for the conditions, brings extra risk, not just to the driver, but to anyone else who may be sharing the same road space at the time. By ensuring you use legal speeds, you will avoid the increased risk – and cost – of being caught and fined, says GEM. GEM road safety officer Neil Worth commented: “The speeds we use are entirely our own choice. No one else controls the speed of the vehicles we drive. We can all therefore make the decision to drive at legal speeds, at the same time reaping the benefits: for our safety, for our frame of mind and for the environment, as well. “Even modest reductions bring lower fuel costs and reduced emissions. Slowing down gives you more time to anticipate and plan when you’re driving, as well as more time to react to hazards and to stop safely if necessary. “Choosing to reduce the speeds you use will lower the stress you may well face on journeys. By leaving a bit earlier, you will be far less tempted into the sort of high-risk manoeuvres seen by some drivers as vital for clawing
back precious seconds when they’re late on journeys. “We don’t have any control over the traffic around us; we ARE the traffic. So there really is nothing to be gained from trying to go faster – and trying to make others go faster or forcing them out of the way.” Safer speeds: Here are GEM’s tips for using speeds that are both legal and safe on your journeys: Make sure you always know the speed limit for the stretch of road you’re on. If there are lamp posts, you should assume the limit is 30mph. In residential areas, the best advice is to take it easy. Even if the limit is 30, you’ll be reducing risk considerably by choosing 20, especially when there are likely to be children playing. Ensure you check your speedometer frequently.Give yourself plenty of time on journeys. Leaving early helps reduce stress. Think ahead, scan ahead. Look for clues that a speed limit might be about to change. Be particularly observant when leaving motorways or other fast roads, even if dropping down into a 40mph or 30mph may well feel very slow. Follow GEM on Twitter @MotoringAssist for the latest industry news.
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CRASH PREVENTION - £75 COMPUTER SYSTEM COULD REVOLUTIONISE ROAD SAFETY
A £75 computer system could revolutionise road safety by allowing cars to talk to each other and warn drivers there is a hazard ahead. More than 1.35 million people die each year in traffic accidents, with between 20 and 50 million suffering non-fatal injuries. To tackle the issues, connected vehicle experts at Autotalks have developed a chip which broadcasts a car’s location, direction and speed up to ten times per second. All other ‘connected cars’ in the surrounding area receive messages - and each vehicle can then estimate the risk imposed by the transmitting vehicle. If there is a potential hazard, such as a motorcyclist not slowing down for a junction, a warning will show up on the car’s infotainment screen. Eventually, instead of just providing drivers with a warning, fully autonomous cars will take direct action to prevent a crash. The technology is known as ‘vehicle to everything’ (V2X) and allows the car to talk to other vehicles along with infrastructure such as traffic lights and, eventually, mobile phones to help prevent pedestrians being involved in collisions. Autotalks’ V2X system, which could cost as little as $100 (£75) to be installed on a new car, is being highlighted by Hyundai, whose Tel Aviv-based CRADLE team has invested in the company. It follows research by Hyundai which
revealed 15 per cent of British motorists have had a near-miss in the past month after becoming distracted at the wheel. The survey of 2,000 motorists also found that over the past month 25 per cent of drivers have had a near-miss with a pedestrian who walked into the road without paying attention. More than one in eight (13 per cent) said they have nearly been involved in a crash
with a motorcyclist over the past month. And 22 per cent of those surveyed by OnePoll for Hyundai admitted they have had a car crash that could have been prevented if they were paying more attention. Yaniv Sulkes, VP Business Development and Marketing at Autotalks, said: “In the USA and other parts of the world, if you’re healthy, then the thing that is most
likely to kill you is a car. If you’re a motorcyclist the chances are even higher. “People don’t like the statistics but every day around 3,700 people lose their lives in crashes. This is an epidemic and we need to think of ways to address it. “Ultimately we all want to get from point A to point B safely and if you get an alert ahead of a potential hazard you can avoid the accident. This is the underlying prin-
ciple of what we do. “Our eyes are brilliant, they are as good as any camera but we might take our eyes off the road or lose concentration and this is where chipsets can help. “Communication tools don’t need line of sight - if they detect a hazard they can give you enough time to take the right course of action, in confidence. “If you get an alert ahead of time, you can avoid the accident and that is the underlying principle of what we do. “Where there is a dangerous situation, the car will alert you to take the correct action to avoid it. Eventually this will happen autonomously.” It is anticipated the first wave of Autotalks chipsets will be fitted in cars from 2021 Autotalks is one of a number of Israelbased start-up companies which Hyundai CRADLE is investing in as part of a strategic partnership. Changhan Lee, Coordinator of Hyundai Motor Company’s CRADLE office in Tel Aviv, said: “Safety is one of the most important factors that consumers consider when they are buying a car. “There will always be human error, whether drivers are distracted, or pedestrians aren’t paying attention and the consequences can be devastating. “V2X technology improves road safety and Autotalks is one of a number of innovative Israeli start-ups Hyundai Cradle is collaborating with.”
LOST IN TRANSLATION: FORD EMOJI JACKET HELPS DRIVERS AND CYCLISTS COMMUNICATE Our roads are busier than ever with drivers, motorcyclists, cyclists, and pedestrians all vying for space. It’s no wonder that tempers are lost, and conflicts arise as our ability to communicate is locked behind windscreens and inside helmets resulting in more than 2,000 cyclists being killed on roads in Europe each year. But
what if our roads don’t have to be a possible dangers ahead. These functions communication vacuum, save for gescan all be controlled without the cyclist tures and blaring horns? Ford’s answer removing their hands from the handleis the ‘Emoji Jackbars, thanks to a et’, a prototype wireless remote, Quote from Emoji jacket created in featuring indeexpert Dr. Neil Cohn partnership with pendent buttons PhD on speed of industrial design that is easily communication specialists Designmounted and works as part of removed from of emojis: Ford’s ongoing the bike. Emojis have become ‘Share the Road’ The Share the a fundamental part of how Road campaign campaign. The we use language. jacket allows underlines Whether used to convey the wearer to Ford’s belief effectively comfacial expressions, humour, that enabling municate their more people or sarcasm, they have emotions to other to cycle safely, become integral to our road users around especially for ability to express ourselves short journeys, them by using emoji icons. benefits everyand quickly. This jacket The back of the one. Believing created in partnership jacket features a that by fosterwith Ford Share the Road large LED panel ing harmony allows riders to express that allows the between road their feelings and creates user to display users, raising their mood awareness, an important emotional whether they’re and increasing link between them and happy, neutral, conversations other road users or worried while between them, travelling. Indicaour roads can tors, and a hazard symbol can also be become a better and more accepting displayed to make other road users environment for all. aware of the cyclist’s movements and
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The President of America has opened the globe’s largest stadium during his first official visit to India. The cricket ground is located in Ahmedabad, the home base of the country’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Vijay Nehra, the city’s municipal commissioner, explained: “Eighteen roads of about 20 kilometres (12 miles) in length from Ahmedabad Airport to Motera Stadium have been widened or relaid.” The Gujrat Cricket association, the state organisation which owns the stadium, said it had spent further tens of millions during the stadium’s opening ceremony. A ceremony was scheduled and saw
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MOTORING 42-44
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World’s Biggest Cricket Stadium Opens in India, inaugurated by President Trump
participation from Donald Trump appearance of a decorated dhol himself, who (Indian drum), Named Motera had thousands from a bird’s Stadium, the vicinity of police offers eye view. Blue will be able to host deployed to and saffron are protect him as also the tradiup to 110,000 an essential se- spectators and upscales tional colours of the Indian curity measure. Melbourne Cricket home team. The Motera Ground as the largest The Motera circular staof its kind. According stadium has dium promises to local officials, the overtaken InobstructionIndian government dia’s current free views for biggest stadium cricket lovers has already spent of Kaloata’s from every roughly 300 million Eden Gardens angle. The inrupees on improving after its official tricate orange infrastructure based opening. Reand dark blue around the site. designing and seating pattern set the premises to resemble the upgrading Motera was a set ambi-
tion of Modhi since he began his former role as President of the Gujrat Cricket Association. During the inauguration ceremony, Donald Trump, and First Lady Melania Trump took to the stage, along with Modi. The two world leaders greeted each other with the usual ‘namaste’ and hugged, much to the pleasure of the crowd. Trump’s daughter Ivanka was also in attendance, who was mobbed for selfies by excited spectators. Much of the crowd left the stadium as a result of the longevity of Trump’s 30-minute speech, inch which he listed the projects Modi had participated in over the last five years. He also continuously stressed that “America loves In-
dia” and will be “faithful” to it. However, many members of the crowd braved the day’s blistering heat and only continued to clap louder and cheer at Trump’s appraisals. Trump’s mention of Indian cricket stars such as Sachin Tenulkar and Virat Kohli especially received appraisal from the crowd.
AW Facts Did you know? Tennis was first invented in Edgbaston, Birmingham
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March 2020
Football named highest earning sport in the world, with boxing, tennis & NFL close behind
In line with popular opinion, a new tool reveals that the highest-earning sports star in the world is a footballer, with the financial rewards associated with athletic talent and brand endorsements surpassing those of any other sport.
cial appeal lands him an additional £27m/$35m in endorsements and advertising deals. Perhaps unsurprisingly, given the sport’s recent box office records, boxing came out on top for the highest sporting salary, with Canelo Alvarez making £70.5m/$91.6m per year - just ahead of Messi.
Online Mortgage Advisor’s Footy 100 tool highlights how much football players across different leagues are paid, as well as comparing their earnings to other sports stars, including tennis, rugby and even eSports. In its In the Pocket section, the tool reveals that Barcelona’s Lionel Messi is the highest paid sports star in the world, with combined annual earnings of £97m/$126m. While Messi’s yearly salary of £70m/$91m may not be the highest on the list, football’s commer-
6. Golf: Tiger Woods - £48.5m/$63m
All stars The tool highlights the highest earning player from each sport, creating a list of the top paying sports in the world. With eSports star Sundstein already overtaking the highest paid rugby player, how long will it be before digital gaming catches up with more traditional sports?
The stars and their combined annual earnings are below:
1. Football: Lionel Messi - £97m/$126m 2. Boxing: Canelo Alvarez - £72m/$93.5m 3. Tennis: Roger Federer - £72m/$93.5m
what each star earned from their salary versus endorsements. Take a look here. While Alvarez has the highest wage on the list, it’s Roger Federer that walks away with the highest earnings from sponsorships, at £66m/$85.7m. Even the top earners from basketball and golf - LeBron James and Tiger Woods respectively earn more in endorsements than Messi, signalling a shift in the common belief
4. NFL: Russell Wilson - £68m/$88m 5. Basketball: LeBron James - £67m/$87m 7. Formula 1: Lewis Hamilton - £42m/$54.6m 8. Baseball: Mike Trout - £38.6m/$50m 9. MMA: Conor McGregor - £35m/$45.5m 10. Cricket: Virat Kohli - £19m/$24.7m 11. eSports: Johan Sundstein - £5.3m/$6.9m 12. Rugby: Dan Carter - £1.1m/$1.4m Alvarez’s sponsorships, however, are worth just £1.5m/$1.9m, pushing him down to second place.
The sponsorship To really put the above earnings into perspective, the tool breaks down
that football is the most commercial sport in the world. Women in sport When it comes to the highest paid female athlete, tennis again leads the way. Serena Williams is the highest earning female sports star in the world, having
Magnolia Cup winner Khadijah Mellah’s story to be shown in special documentary on ITV
Following teenager Khadijah Mellah’s incredible Magnolia Cup win at Goodwood, ITV have announced a special documentary film telling her story will debut on the channel in autumn. The exclusive series, called ‘Riding A Dream will be coming soon to TV.’ Riding A Dream will show how the 18 year old student from Peckham in South London went from never having even sat on a race horse until April last year to riding the winner in the high profile Magnolia Cup at the Qatar Goodwood Festival – her first ever race - barely four months later against wellknown figures including Olympian Victoria Pendleton and model Vogue Williams. Independently produced by ITV Racing presenter Oli Bell, the film has followed Khadijah, now the first female British Muslim jockey to win a UK race, for several months taking in the
made a combined £22m/$29m last year. Compared to her male counterpart,
impact horse racing has on her and bringing into focus the Ebony Horse Club in Brixton, where Khadijah began riding, which Oli became a patron of last year. The documentary, Riding a Dream is directed by Mattia Reiniger and Tom Bolwell and is produced by brothers Oli and Philip Bell. It is funded by Great British Racing, Goodwood Racecourse and The Racing Foundation, all of whom are official partners of the film.
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Oli Bell said: Khadijah’s deserved success highlights the wonderful work done by the Ebony Horse Club. After becoming involved with Ebony, raising its profile has been the aim and Khadijah’s win will hopefully bring a lot of attention to the positive influence this charity, and racing as a sport, can have on young lives. It’s been a privilege to follow Khadijah’s progress and as people will see in our film, this is a special story about a special young woman who, from the outset, has been keen, determined and ambitious and today we’ve had the perfect outcome.
however, she still slumps behind Federer made £72m/$93.5m in the same period. It’s in both wages and sponsorships that Williams loses out. Her salary of £3m/$3.9m is almost half of Federer’s £5.6m/$7.3m, while Williams’ endorsements of £19m/$24.7m are over three times less than Federer’s £66m/$85.7m. Tennis may have created the highest earning female athlete in the world, but it has a long way to go in closing the gender pay gap. Looking at female footballers is much starker, however. While the top earning male footballer, Messi, made £97m/$126m last year, Lyon’s Ada Hegerberg earned just £543,000/$705,000. Her £343,000/$446,000 salary was over 200 lower than Messi’s, while his earnings from endorsements were 135 greater than Hegerberg’s. World class To highlight the wealth disparity between sports stars and members of the public, the tool also compares their earnings with the average salaries of some more common occupations. You can view the full list online to find out where teachers, nurses, cleaners sit amongst sport’s greatest - even some football stars of the past are in there. Although the UK’s Prime Minister and GPs earn more than most of us, you may be surprised to see where the highest paid female footballer stands in relation to the average CEO of a FTSE 100 company!
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British Olympic Air pollution holding and Paralympic back next generation of sports prepare for GB sports stars Link to launch of new long term sporting digital and broadcast platform performance analysed for first time is associated with a wide range of health conditions including lung cancer, asthma, heart attacks, strokes, diabetes and depression. Dr Suzanne Bartington, Public Health Doctor and Clinical Research Fellow, University of Birmingham, said: “It cannot be right that young children are having their future health and sporting talented limited by the air they breathe. We need both local and national government to work together to improve air quality across Birmingham.” Anna Page, a parent from Manchester whose daughter has had a number of emergency hospital admissions due to breathing difficulties said: “As a parent I’m concerned about the impact of air pollution on my children’s lungs. My four year old daughter has asthma and I know that this will impact on her ability to play sport as she gets older. I also know that the high levels of air pollution where we live will inhibit her lung function further and this is extremely worrying.” Dr Ian Mudway, Senior Lecturer in Respiratory Toxicology, King’s College London argues those with asthma are particularly vulnerable, said: “A child growing up with asthma in a polluted city will have worse symptoms that will limit their potential to train… which is likely to have an impact on their optimal level of performance.” Those working with children at the beginning of their relationship with sport are also equally concerned. Sue Wilkinson, CEO Sue Wilkinson, CEO of the Association for Physical Education
• More than a quarter (28%) of children’s sports grounds analysed in five UK cities have dangerous air pollution • 92% of sports grounds analysed in London breach World Health Organization limits • ‘Breathe GB’ advertising campaign launched to highlight air pollution’s effect on athletes of the future • 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham venue heavily polluted as well as University of Salford ground in Greater Manchester • Medical professionals warn for the first time that air pollution is likely to impact on children’s “potential to train” for sport
added: “We see a lot of children who have asthma living in polluted areas and it prevents them from taking part in active travel... which is not conducive to healthy physical education.” Anella Wickenden from The Air Team added: “Lots of us worry about the impacts of air pollution on our children’s lungs. But we might not think about how this affects their ability to play sport and stay fit. There are huge benefits to cleaning up our air, from your local school day to Team GB’s performance at the Olympics. “We want the government and city mayors to recognise these benefits and take immediate action to clean up our air. If you care about British sport, you need to care about air pollution.” The Air Team is calling on sports organisations, MPs, schools and athletes to back their campaign at www.breathegb.org
sports having already been secured. Fans of Olympic and Paralympic sports will be able to watch the best live Olympic and Paralympic sports content from around the world focused on British and Northern Irish athletes and teams. Those rights range from domestic British Championships, to national and regional competitions, all of which will be supplemented by international competition following agreement with several international federations to secure non-exclusive rights to their events. Behind-the-scenes footage, interviews and original features will also be made available providing unparalleled access to the transformational journeys of the UK’s Olympic and Paralympic heroes.
We are hugely excited about the op“ portunity that GB Sport Media presents
for sports fans to watch their favourite Olympic and Paralympic sports more often. This collaboration of over 20 sports is a great example of the collective power of the UK high performance system to work together to drive increased exposure and financial sustainability for sport.
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Government action to cut air pollution would have immediate benefits for children’s lung function across the UK and is likely to significantly improve the nation’s sporting performance, according to a new report. The study, entitled Breathe GB, analysed air pollution levels at training grounds across the UK, as well as interviewing respiratory consultants and leading PE experts. It suggests that children living and playing in deprived areas are particularly vulnerable to air pollution, which can cause asthma and limit their ability to train. The report used advanced modelling to compare data at training grounds and sports fields across the UK. Of the 94 sites assessed, 26 broke World Health Organisation limits for PM or NO, representing 28% while more than half (52) came close to, or hit, the threshold for PM. In the report, Professor Jonathan Grigg of Queen Mary University explains “there is very strong evidence that exposure to air pollution stunts children’s lung function. Children with clinically low lung function will have reduced exercise capacity.” Particulate pollution (known as PM2.5) is considered particularly dangerous as the microscopic particles enter via the lungs and get absorbed into the bloodstream and
A ground-breaking initiative to develop a digital and an Over-The-Top (OTT) broadcast platform for British Olympic and Paralympic sports has been announced by a group of leading sports’ National Governing Bodies, UK Sport, the British Olympic Association and British Paralympic Association. In their first move, the collective of British sports’ bodies have appointed Dominic Coles as the Chair of the newly incorporated GB Sport Media, the over-arching organisation that will manage and take the rights to the platform to market. The collaboration across the Olympic and Paralympic sector has been in development for nearly two years, with over 2,600 hours of content across 26
UK Sport CEO, Sally Munday, said
The concept has been developed in conjunction with advertising network Omnicom Group, led by their sports consultancy, Fuse, with the ambition of launching the platform after the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Coles will be responsible for driving negotiations with broadcast and media platforms and publishers as the opportunity to partner with GB Sport Media to deliver the platform is taken to a competitive market tender. GB Sport Media seeks to appoint a media organisation to co-create the platform with, and to build a long-term relationship with an organisation that understands the strategic and commercial potential inherent in Olympic and
Paralympic sports in the UK. Coles said: “I am delighted and honoured to be asked to lead this exciting and ground-breaking new venture, transforming the coverage of the some of the best of British sport. I have been privileged to have worked with Olympic and Paralympic sports throughout my career at both the BBC and Discovery, and to have helped bring Team GB and ParalympicsGB’s remarkable achievements in recent Games to our screens. “Now, for the first time, there will be a single destination for many of these sports between Games, giving fans the opportunity to continue to follow their heroes and rising stars as they compete for domestic and international honours.”
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irmingham Phoenix have announced Moeen Ali as captain of their men’s team for the first season of The Hundred. The World Cup winner grew up just a short distance from Edgbaston, which will host the men’s Birmingham Phoenix home matches, and remains a much-loved member of the local community. Moeen will lead a star-studded team that includes World Cupwinning Birmingham local, Chris Woakes, as well as upcoming England bowler Pat Brown and New Zealand captain Kane Williamson. Moeen said: “Every time that I come to Edgbaston it takes me back to some great first memories of coming here at a very young age. “I grew up in this area and to be the first-ever men’s captain of Birmingham Phoenix in a new and inclusive competition that will reach out to communities and welcome them in is very special for me. “We’re a tight-knit city in Birmingham. We have so much around us that brings the people together, no matter who you are
or your background. I know how much of a uniting game cricket is and as a leader of the Birmingham Phoenix that is something I definitely want to promote. “We are lucky to have some of the best players in the country in our squad but also some amazing overseas players, so we know that the cricket is going to be really exciting.” Moeen has an excellent record as a captain having led Worcestershire Rapids to the past two Vitality Blast finals at Edgbaston, including their victory in 2018. Moeen added: “Worcestershire is where I have developed as a player and as a leader and captaining them in high-profile games like at Finals Day will shape the way I will lead the Birmingham Phoenix. “It will also help that I’ve got my Rapids team-mate Pat Brown too because he is one of the best young white-ball bowlers in the country and when you add players like Chris Woakes, we have a strong local flavour that I’m sure can bring home the title.” Andrew McDonald, Birmingham Phoenix head coach – men’s competition, said: “Moeen is a fantastic all-rounder and has the
experience and temperament to lead the team. “He started his cricket journey here at Edgbaston from a young age so it feels fitting that he will captain the men’s Birmingham Phoenix team. “He’s involved in the local community in Birmingham and I know how much of a popular figure he is at Worcestershire too so I’m sure his efforts on and off the field will help inspire the next generation from our region and beyond to get involved in cricket.” The Hundred will be one of the unmissable events of the summer with family-friendly pricing to attract a new generation of cricket fans. The initial priority window is now open until February 28 so fans need to act fast to secure the early-bird offers and grab the best seats to watch the world’s biggest cricket stars go head-tohead. Tickets start at just £26 for a family of four with tickets for under-16s priced at £5 for any match. Visit thehundred.com to sign up, and snap up, the best seats in the house.
Moeen Ali, Stoney Lane Park, Birmingham
Local World Cup Winner Moeen Ali to captain Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred this Summer