Parliamentary News Magazine advocating for Mental Health during UK financial crisis

THROUGHOUT HER LONG REIGN, HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II HAS BEEN A SHINNING EXAMPLE OF DEVOTED SERVICE AND STEADFAST DUTY. SHE EMBODIED THE SPIRIT OF THE NATION.

QUEEN ELIZEBETH II, FOREVER OUR QUEEN, FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS

King Charles III

BY AMY HANELINE & MARCO DELLA CAVA

Charles ascended the throne upon Queen Elizabeth II death and is now King Charles III.

The first-born son of the HRH Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, Charles was next in line for the throne from the time he was 3 years old, making him the longest serving, and the most prepared, heir to the throne in British history.

HRH. Queen Elizabeth II was the reigning monarch from February 1952, when she was 25, up until her death at 96.

Now that Charles has become king, the world is asking questions about who he is, his role in the royal family and what he is expected to do during his reign.

Here's everything to know about King Charles III.

Who is King Charles III of the United Kingdom?

Born, Nov. 14, 1948, Charles Philip Arthur George Windsor is the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and her late husband, Prince Philip. Upon the death of the queen on Sept. 8, 2022, Charles, formerly known as Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, became king of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

King Charles is known for his previous marriage to the late Princess Diana. The couple had two children, Prince William, and Prince Harry.

When will Charles be crowned?

Legally, Charles became king from the moment of the queen's death, meaning he is head of state for the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and a dozen other countries. He's also the titular head of the Church of England, head of the military and the judiciary, and carries a host of other royal titles and duties.

The name he chose as his regnal, or reign, name is his own first name, Charles, and it is followed by the Roman numeral III because he is the third king Charles in British history.

In the days following the queen's death, Charles was formally proclaimed as monarch in an accession ceremony and gave his first formal address as king.

Charles will be crowned on the 6th May 2023; the ancient ritual of the coronation requires advance planning, although a lot of that has already been done. But there hasn't been a coronation since June 1953 when the late queen was crowned.

How old is King Charles III?

He is 73, the oldest monarch to ever take the British throne.

Who is first in line to become king after Charles?

Prince William, King Charles' elder son and formerly the Duke of Cambridge, is next in line for the throne under the British line of succession.

Charles named William, 40, the new Prince of Wales in an announcement on his first full day as king. As a result, William's wife Catherine, or Kate as she is widely known, also 40, became Princess of Wales. She is the first to hold that title since the death of Princess Diana in 1997.

After Prince William, the line of succession turns to Prince William and Princess Kate's children. The succession is as follows:

Prince William, the Prince of Wales (Charles and Diana's first-born son)

Prince George of Wales (Will and Kate's first-born son)

· Princess Charlotte of Wales (Will and Kate's second-born daughter)

Prince Louis of Wales (Will and Kate's third-born son)

· Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex (Charles and Diana's second-born son)

Charles is married to the former Camilla Parker Bowles, who was known as Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. She is now the Queen Consort.

Legally, Camilla was the Princess of Wales when she married Charles in 2005 but it was decided at the time, she would assume one of the Charles' lesser titles instead. Diana long blamed Camilla for the breakup of her marriage to Charles and public fury remained when Camilla and Charles married eight years after Diana's death in a car crash in Paris.

When did Charles marry Camilla?

Charles married Camilla in 2005 in two ceremonies in Windsor. Right after the reception for 800 guests at Windsor Castle, the couple left for a honeymoon in Scotland.

Few people thought the wedding would happen. A future king had never married a divorced woman. Plus, at that time Camilla was once the most despised woman in Britain, the alleged home-wrecker who broke up the marriage of Charles and Diana.

But by the couple's 10th wedding anniversary, public perception of Camilla began to change as the royal family, including the queen, embraced her. Charles once said she would never be called Queen Camilla when he assumed the throne. His wishes on that later changed, and the late queen made it official in February 2022 when she announced she wanted her heir's second wife to be known as Queen Consort.

When Prince Charles and Princess Diana married?

Charles was first married to Lady Diana Spencer, later known as the beloved Princess Diana. They were married for 15 years from 1981 to 1996. Diana was 20 and Charles was 32 at the time of their nuptials. The wedding was billed as a fairy tale, but their married life was not.

As the public would learn later, Charles had always been in love with Camilla, a woman he’d met over a decade prior in 1970. During the marriage of Charles and Diana, there were affairs on both sides.

The royal couple separated in 1992 and divorced in 1996.

What will Camilla be called now?

People could call her just Queen Camilla, but her official title is Queen Consort Camilla, or Camilla, the Queen Consort.

PHOTO BY The King and The Queen Consort ROYAL.UK

The vexing question of what to call her once Charles assumed the throne was resolved when the late queen announced during festivities marking her seven decades on the throne that the then-Duchess of Cornwall should be known as Queen Consort, as opposed to Princess Consort, when Charles became king.

"Queen Consort" is the fancy name for the wife of a reigning king. In general, a queen consort's job is to support the king in any way she can, there's no job description, no official duties, and no salary. But there's high visibility, high pressure, and high expectations from the public whose taxes pay for the monarchy.

If King Charles dies, will Camilla be queen?

While we call her Queen Camilla, she will never be the reigning queen. Only members of the royal family who are born in the direct line of succession can become the monarch.

With Prince William and his son Prince George, 9, the next two in line for the throne after King Charles, a reigning queen is unlikely to come anytime soon. (There have only been six reigning queens in British history since 1066.)

Who are King Charles’ siblings?

King Charles has three siblings: From oldest to youngest, Princess Anne, The Princess Royal, 72, Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, 62, and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, 58. They are all children of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.

Charles' only sister, Princess Anne, is a full-time working royal, currently 16th in line for the throne. She appears in line after her younger brothers because she was born before the Succession to the Crown Act of 2013, which ended the system of male primogeniture.

Before the rules changed, younger sons would displace an elder daughter in the line of succession. Now the succession is based on birth order, not gender: Thus, Princess Charlotte, 7, is now third in line and ahead of her younger brother Prince Louis, 4, who is fourth.

Prince Andrew is eighth in line for the throne despite his scandal-ridden history. He's been under fire in Britain since at least 2011 for his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted American sex offender who died in jail in 2019. After a disastrous 2019 TV interview about his relationship with Epstein, Andrew officially stepped back from public duties and as a senior working royal.

Earlier this year, Andrew settled a lawsuit with an American sexual assault accuser, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who had been airing allegations against him publicly since 2015.

Charles' youngest brother, Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, is a full-time working royal and is 13th in line for the throne.

What is King Charles III known for?

Beyond his role in the royal family as William and Harry's father, the queen's son and the new king, Charles is known for his long and steady service as the Prince of Wales, as he carried out his official and ceremonial duties and established more than 20 charities, including The Prince's Trust, The Prince's Foundation and The Prince of Wales’s Charitable Fund.

As Queen Elizabeth's mobility waned in the months before her death, Charles stepped in for the monarch, including standing in for her for the first time at the state opening of Parliament this year, when he delivered what has long been called "the Queen's Speech." Now it will be called "the King's Speech."

What are King Charles' interests? Did he serve in the military?

King Charles has shown keen interest in environmental causes including organic farming, architecture, and urban planning, and fighting climate change. He served in the military, the Royal Air Force, and the Royal Navy in the 1970s, and will no doubt be on hand for many military parades and events during his reign.

As king, Charles is expected to "slim down" the monarchy – reduce the number of working senior royals supported by taxpayers – and reduce the overall multimillion-pound annual cost of the royal show.

King Charles III, much like his mum before him, does not rule, he reigns. The key difference: He cannot issue decrees or anything that remotely resembles an edict. Rather, he is seen as a figurehead whose behaviour reflects suitable decorum and grace.

The monarch remains the titular head of the Church of England and the armed forces. As described on the king's official website, royal.uk, the main task of the monarch is to undertake constitutional and representational duties developed over 1,000 years of British history.

"Although The Sovereign no longer has a political or executive role, he or she continues to play an important part in the life of the nation," the site says.

"The Sovereign acts as a focus for national identity, unity and pride; gives a sense of stability and continuity; officially recognises success and excellence; and supports the ideal of voluntary service. In all these roles The Sovereign is supported by members of their immediate family."

In 1689, Great Britain officially became a constitutional monarchy. That means the power to pass legislation resides with an elected body known as Parliament. King Charles possessed so-called reserve powers, also known as prerogative powers or personal prerogatives.

As the keeper of the nation's Constitutional flame, the monarch can use said powers to appoint and dismiss ministers; to summon Parliament and give royal assent to bills passed by Parliament. Notably, the king or queen can remove a prime minister who will not resign, despite losing the confidence of Parliament's House of Commons.

While those powers seem vast, they come with asterisks. The royal assent to bills is considered automatically granted when it passes both Houses of Parliament, and any summoning is typically done on the advice of ministers, advice that is expected to be followed by the sovereign.

At her coronation in 1953, Queen Elizabeth, who drew comfort from her Christian faith, took an oath to "maintain and preserve inviolably the settlement of the Church of England, and the doctrine worship, discipline, and government thereof, as by law established in England." It is expected that Charles will carry on this tradition.

Since 1970, Queen Elizabeth addressed a convocation of Church of England leaders, a body known as the General Synod, and continued to do so every five years for the rest of her reign, according to royal.uk.

HRH KING CHARLES III, CAMILLA QUEEN CONSORT, PRINCESS ANNE THE PRINCESS ROYAL & PRINCE EDWARD, EARL OF WESSEX

THE PRINCE & PRINCESS OF WALES WITH AND SIR DAVID ATTENBOROUGH

PHOTOS BY ROYAL.UK

Another of her traditions was distributing coins to pensioners every Maundy Thursday, the day Christians commemorate the Last Supper of Jesus. She did so at churches and cathedrals through the realm.

The king or queen is the titular leader of the British Armed Forces, and military members – who over the years have included many members of the House of Windsor – swear allegiance to the sovereign.

But in terms of the actual ability to deploy military forces, that power is transferred from sovereign to the prime minister and secretary of defence, who in turn, system of government, pass those responsibilities on to career officers.

"Years ago, the monarch certainly had broad powers, but now that's delegated to people who are elected," says Myko Clelland, Scotland-based royal historian with genealogy website MyHeritage. "A monarch today could declare war and peace, but that's happening on the advice of government."

King Charles III, who served in the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy in the 1970s, will no doubt be on hand for many military parades and events, and will likely continue his mother's tradition of handing out the Elizabeth Cross, given to families of those killed because of military operations or terrorism.

The sovereign also officially dissolves previous governments ahead of national elections. But he or she will steer far clear of political opinions.

"The queen notably had no official opinion on Brexit," the successful vote that saw England leave the European Union, says Clelland. "The monarchy is still here precisely because they've remained above those kinds of decisions."

For decades, the queen served as a trusted adviser to prime ministers dating back to Winston Churchill, offering a unique sounding board to them all.

Where there once was a far-flung and often exploitative British Empire, today there is a Commonwealth of Nations, 56 independent countries that were part of that empire.

Many of those have broken entirely from the monarchy, most recently Barbados, which last fall, with then-Prince Charles present, became a republic. Instead of being tied to the British king or queen, they elect their head of state but remain as members of the Commonwealth.

But Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, among a dozen other nations, still consider themselves constitutional monarchies. While the king is regarded as head of state there, the sovereign’s role remains largely symbolic.

MENTAL HEALTH OUTCOMES IN TIMES OF ECONOMIC RECESSION

BY REBECA RIOFRIO

The UK is currently navigating the ‘biggest’ recessions many of us have ever witnessed, that together with a huge political instability, could spring UK population mental health at risk. Understanding when we need help is vital, specially when it comes to finances, a fascinating research published by BMC Public Health show us in detail this phenomenon.

Countries in recession experience high unemployment rates and a decline in living conditions, which, it has been suggested, negatively influences their populations’ health. The present review examines the recent evidence of the possible association between economic recessions and mental health

Economic recessions have been estimated to significantly affect the population’s health and wellbeing, which applies to vulnerable groups of people. In countries that have been hardest hit by the latest recession, the living and working conditions have substantially worsened. Work became more precarious and unemployment rates increased because of the slowdown in global growth and consequent deterioration of the labour markets. For instance, almost half of the citizens of Europe reported knowing someone who had lost his/her job as a direct result of the crisis. Rates of involuntary parttime employment have also been rising since the beginning of the recession. Overall, people are more fearful about losing their employment since competition for jobs is rising and finding work quickly is perceived as unlikely. Levels of poverty and social exclusion have worsened, mainly in groups that were already at risk. During this recession, more people have been reporting being at risk of being unable to cope with unexpected expenses and even facing difficulties with paying ordinary bills or buying food over the coming

It is known that the health of populations is shaped by the socioeconomic context, welfare systems, labour markets, public policies, and demographic characteristics of countries. There are strong reasons to believe that changes in these key determinants may be reflected in the mental wellbeing of populations. Therefore, mental health should be a health area regarded as possibly vulnerable during a recession, especially if mental disorders were already highly prevalent even before the crisis began. People facing these major life changes are more prone to mental ill-health. It has also been theorised that economic pressure and unemployment have a devastating impact on families, in particular children, since the family is the most important context for their healthy development.

Other factors that add to the country instability is COVID and Brexit as many people in our circles has been affected with poorly health and or have leave the country due to non-existing work permits - all this is affecting a collective mental health in our country.

Even though the economy can shape populations’ mental wellbeing, better mental health can in turn be a major contributor to economic growth. Policies and cost-effective measures may affect the extent of the risk factors faced by populations and the occurrence of mental health disorders during and after an economic recession. The World Health Organisation has argued that the mental health effects of economic crises depend on action in five key areas: active labour market programmes family support programmes regulation of the marketing of alcoholic beverages, restrictions on their availability, and taxation provision of quality and equitable access to primary care for those people at high risk of mental health problems debt relief programmes.

Our Society will be conducting various programmes in the following months targeting this issues if you wish to be involved please contact us.

Mental health and money problems are often intricately linked. Our research shows that in England alone over 1.5 million people are experiencing both problem debt and mental health problems. People with problem debt are significantly more likely to experience mental health problems

• Half (46%) of people in problem debt also have a mental health problem.

• 86% of respondents to a Money and Mental Health survey of nearly 5,500 people with experience of mental health problems said that their financial situation had made their mental health problems worse.

PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS ARE ALSO MORE LIKELY TO BE IN PROBLEM DEBT

• Almost one in five (18%) people with mental health problems are in problem debt. People experiencing mental health problems are three and a half times more likely to be in problem debt than people without mental health problems (5%).

• 72% of respondents to Money and Mental Health’s survey said that their mental health problems had made their financial situation worse.

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HOW DOES BEING IN FINANCIAL DIFFICULTY AFFECT YOUR MENTAL HEALTH?

• Financial difficulties are a common cause of stress and anxiety. Stigma around debt can mean that people struggle to ask for help and may become isolated. The impact on people’s mental health can be particularly severe if they resort to cutting back on essentials, such as heating and eating, or if creditors are aggressive or insensitive when collecting debts.

• Financial difficulty drastically reduces recovery rates for common mental health conditions. People with depression and problem debt are 4.2 times more likely to still have depression 18 months later than people without financial difficulty.

• People in problem debt are three times as likely to have thought about suicide in the past year. There is rarely one single factor that drives people to take their own life. Instead, typically, a range of social issues, life events, cognitive and personality factors are combined. However, there is a strong link between problem debt and suicide, and more than 100,000 people in England attempt suicide while in problem debt each year.

HOW DOES HAVING A MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEM AFFECT YOUR INCOME?

• The income gap for those with mental health problems is significant. People with anxiety and depression have a median gross annual income of £8,400 less than that of people without those conditions.

• Less than half of people with mental health problems in the UK were in employment in 2018/19 compared to four in five of those without mental health problems (48% vs 79%). When in work, people with mental health problems are more likely to work part-time (37% vs 24%), and are overrepresented in low paying roles. More than one in three (37%) of those in work who have a mental health problem are in the three lowest-paid occupational groups, in contrast to one in four (26%) of those who have not had mental health problems.

• People with mental health problems are more likely to receive benefits, which provide a low level of financial support. A third of Housing Benefit claimants (35%) and nearly half (47%) of adults aged 16-64 in receipt of some kind of out-of-work benefit have a common mental disorder, such as depression or generalised anxiety disorder. This rises to two thirds (66%) of people claiming Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), a benefit aimed at those unable to work due to poor health or disability.

• Acute episodes of mental health problems can disrupt incomes too. People can struggle to attend work, maintain their benefit claims, or keep on top of managing their money. In England in 2018, 23,000 people were struggling with problem debt whilst in hospital for their mental health, with thousands more managing debt in the care of a crisis team in the community.

HOW DOES HAVING A MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEM AFFECT YOUR EXPENDITURE AND ABILITY TO SAVE?

• Common symptoms of mental health problems, such as increased impulsivity and memory problems, can make it harder to keep on top of financial management or to get a good deal in complex markets, increasing the likelihood of financial difficulty.

• Many people with mental health problems report that their spending patterns and ability to make financial decisions change significantly during poor mental health periods. Recent national polling of people with mental health problems found that, while unwell six in ten (63%) people found it harder to make financial decisions, 42% put off paying bills and 38% took out a loan that they would not otherwise have taken out.

• Three in ten people with mental health problems (29%) reported that they would only be able to make ends meet for less than a month if their household lost its main source of income. This was double the rate of people who had never experienced a mental health problem (14%).

HAVING A MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEM CAN AFFECT YOUR ABILITY TO ACCESS ESSENTIAL SERVICES AND MANAGE YOUR FINANCES

• Mental health problems can also make it harder to engage with essential services, such as banks and energy companies. People can struggle to understand bills and remember account details, leading to financial difficulties and distress. More than one in three (37%) people who have experienced mental health problems experience significant anxiety levels when dealing with essential services, including symptoms such as a racing heart or trouble breathing.

• Communicating with essential service providers can be particularly challenging. In national polling, three quarters (76%) of people with mental health problems found at least one communication channel difficult, with four in ten people (41%) saying they find it difficult or distressing to make phone calls. When alternative communication channels are not offered, this can prevent people from accessing support and addressing financial problems early.

SUPPORT SERVICES HAVE A KEY ROLE IN TACKLING FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES FOR PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS

• Health and social care services can play an important part in identifying people with mental health problems who are also experiencing financial difficulties, but opportunities to spot people who would benefit from support are often missed. Only one in five (22%) of people with mental health problems had spoken to a GP, social worker or mental health nurse about how their finances affect their mental health, with less than three in ten (28%) reporting that they had been proactively asked about their finances.

• Debt advice services can also serve as a lifeline to people with problem debt, but many people with mental health problems struggle to access debt advice and need greater flexibility in the system to support them to get the vital help they need.

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EVEN THOUGH THE ECONOMY CAN SHAPE POPULATIONS’ MENTAL WELLBEING, BETTER MENTAL HEALTH CAN IN TURN BE A MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR TO ECONOMIC GROWTH. POLICIES AND COST-EFFECTIVE MEASURES MAY AFFECT THE EXTENT OF THE RISK FACTORS FACED BY POPULATIONS AND THE OCCURRENCE OF MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS DURING AND AFTER AN ECONOMIC RECESSION. THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION HAS ARGUED THAT THE MENTAL HEALTH EFFECTS OF ECONOMIC CRISES DEPEND ON ACTION IN FIVE KEY AREAS:

OUR SOCIETY WILL BE CONDUCTING VARIOUS PROGRAMMES IN THE FOLLOWING MONTHS TARGETING THIS ISSUES IF YOU WISH TO BE INVOLVED PLEASE CONTACT US ON INFO@PARLIAMENTARYSOCIETY.COM

REBECA RIOFRIO CHAIRWOMAN FOR THE PARLIAMENTARY SOCIETY FOR ARTS

WHO IS RISHI SUNAK?

At just 42, Rishi Sunak is the youngest prime minister in modern timestaking the record held by his old boss David Cameron, who was 43 when appointed.

His rise to the top has been fast. He only became MP for Richmond in North Yorkshire in 2015 and joined the Cabinet in 2019. "I showed up and people were surprised," Mr Sunak said about being selected to represent Richmond, with its overwhelming white population. But his "Yorkshire values" of hard work resonated with people and he won them over by showing an interest in what mattered to them, he said. Seven years on and he has made history as the UK's first British Asian prime minister.

A self-confessed "huge Star Wars fan" with a sizeable collection of lightsabers, he tweeted a photo of himself and his "Jedi Master" Mr Javid at a screening of The Rise of Skywalker in 2019. A few months later, the apprentice became the master when he replaced Mr Javid as chancellor, and was plunged into pandemic crisis planning and budgeting.

For quite a few people, Mr Sunak appeared to be a reassuringly steady hand at the tiller as chancellor. When he pledged to do "whatever it takes" to help people through the pandemic in the spring of 2020 - and unveiled support worth £350bn - his personal poll ratings went through the roof. But the UK continued to be buffeted by stormy economic weather, and Mr Sunak himself had to deal with the fallout of being fined by police for breaking lockdown rules in Downing Street in June 2020.

In July, he resigned from the cabinet, saying he felt his own approach to the economy was "fundamentally too different" to that of the PM, Boris Johnson. The move was instrumental in ousting Mr Johnson, which some of the former PM's allies will not have forgotten. Just 16 weeks later, he has become leader himself.

His appointment as PM came on the day millions celebrated Diwali, and as a practising Hindu he has said one of his proudest career moments was lighting ceremonial diyas (oil lamps) outside 11 Downing Street while chancellor. A traditional Hindu red bracelet, meant for good luck and protection, could be seen on his wrist when he posed on the steps of 10 Downing Street for the first time as UK leader.

There is no denying that Mr Sunak's wealth is a world away from that of most. Together, he and his wife Akshata Murty have an estimated worth of more than £700m - a sum which supersedes the personal wealth of King Charles III. Critics of Mr Sunak have raised the question of whether the millionaire can grasp the scale of the cost-of-living squeeze facing struggling households.

In April, the finances of Mr Sunak and his family came under intense scrutiny, with the tax affairs of his wife - the daughter of Narayana Murthy, Indian billionaire and co-founder of IT services giant Infosys - placed in the spotlight. Headquartered in Bangalore, Infosys reported revenues of more than $11.8bn (£9bn) in 2019, $12.8bn in 2020, and $13.5bn in 2021. The company's latest annual report shows Ms Murty owns a 0.9% stake in Infosys. She announced in April she would start paying UK tax on this income to relieve political pressure on her husband.

Mr Sunak's appointment as prime minister has made his own wealth and tax affairs a hot topic again. He has been tight-lipped about his personal wealth and maintains that he has never benefited from funds based in tax havens.

It remains to be seen whether he and his family will split their time between Downing Street and the £4.5m five-bedroom townhouse in South Kensington, London where they currently reside.

The Sunaks are understood to own a further three properties: a Grade II-listed manor house in the village of Kirby Sigston, near Northallerton, in his Richmond constituency, was bought for £1.5m in 2015. The couple also own a flat in South Kensington and a penthouse apartment with views of the Pacific Ocean in Santa Monica, California.

Tristan Fewings/Getty Images

Sunak’s wife Akshata Murty and King Charles III

Mr Sunak won the approval of 202 Tory MPs to replace Liz Truss as prime minister. Newsnight's political editor Nick Watt says his colleagues find him "very personable", but also someone who is "very clear and certain in what he thinks".

For example, in the run-up to the 2016 Brexit referendum - in which he campaigned to Leave - he was called into Downing Street and asked for his support to remain in the EU but he refused.

"He said 'No, I think Brexit is the right thing to do' - which is quite a thing for a newly elected MP to say to Downing Street."

Mr Sunak told the Yorkshire Post he believed leaving the EU would make the UK "freer, fairer and more prosperous”.

He said changing immigration rules was another key reason for his Leave vote: "I believe that appropriate immigration can benefit our country. But we must have control of our borders."

Before entering politics Mr Sunak was an analyst for the investment bank Goldman Sachs and then worked for two multibillion dollar hedge funds.

His supporters hope his eye for statistics and data will be an asset in making the right economic decisions.

Mr Sunak's parents came to the UK from east Africa and are both of Indian origin. He was born in Southampton in 1980, where his father was a GP, and his mother ran her own pharmacy.

"In terms of cultural upbringing, I'd be at the temple at the weekend - I'm a Hindu - but I'd also be at [Southampton Football Club] the Saints game as well on a Saturday - you do everything, you do both."

In the interview he said he had been fortunate not to have endured a lot of racism growing up, but that there was one incident that had stayed with him.

"I was just out with my younger brother and younger sister, and I think, probably pretty young, I was probably a mid-teenager, and we were out at a fast food restaurant and I was just looking after them. There were people sitting nearby, it was the first time I'd experienced it, just saying some very unpleasant things. The 'P' word.

"And it stung. I still remember it. It seared in my memory. You can be insulted in many different ways."

However, he said he "can't conceive of that happening today" in the UK.

He attended the exclusive private school Winchester College and worked as a waiter at a Southampton curry house during his summer holidays. He has attracted criticism from Labour for donating more than £100,000 to his former school, to fund bursaries for children who could not afford to attend it.

After finishing school he went on to Oxford to study philosophy, politics and economics, before studying for an MBA at Stanford University in California. There he met his wife, and the couple have two daughters.

During the previous leadership campaign, he often mentioned his daughters in the context of climate change. Answering a question on climate change during a BBC TV debate, Mr Sunak said he took "advice from my two young daughters, who are the experts of this in my household".

LIFE DEATH AND REBIRTH

The heart-breaking story of supermodel Irina Pantaeva. A mother facing the difficult reality of her son suicide.

AN OPEN LETTER BY IRINA PANTAEVA – ON HER OWN WORDS

October 2, 2019. Ulan-Ude, Siberia, Russia.

“The fresh breeze of the fall air is sneaking through the small crack of the window in my childhood bedroom. My six-foot-tall body cheerfully hangs off the edge of the bed that I have slept in since I was a little girl. Home sweet home. As I am dozing off into a dream world, my phone rings. It’s 11.30 pm. An unfamiliar male voice. “Ma’am, is Ruslan Pantaev related to you? “Yes. I am his mother. We have found him dead on the floor of your living room with a note lying next to him. It’s not possible. It’s a mistake. It doesn’t make sense. We speak every day. Sorry for your loss Ma’am. No. He has plans. He is excited to graduate from Brooklyn college in two months and get a job as a computer programmer. He just sent me his new resumé, new music that he composed the other day.

Ma’am, his body is going to be moved to the medical examiner’s office right now. When can you arrive to New York?...

Like an earthquake rumbling under my feet, crumpling the ground beneath my bed, the foreign word suicide broke into my home. I put a coat over my pyjamas, grabbed a passport and headed straight to the airport. Flight to Moscow was sold out. I begged the supervisor to put me on this flight 6 hours later transferring to the international airport. Another 14 hours of flying back to NYC. Can’t sleep, can’t eat, can’t breathe, can’t believe what’s happening. It’s just a dream. I say to myself. When I wake up, my son will call me. My girlfriend picked me up from the NYC airport. She took me to her house. I am calling my son. It’s ringing. I left a voicemail. He always calls me right back. Just wait. Next morning three friends and I went to the medical examiner’s office in Manhattan. Ma’am, can you identify this person? Yes. I am his mother. Shh. Be quiet please. Don’t wake him up. He is sleeping. The medical examiner confirmed that my son used the method called Suicide bag. She said, there is a book called “Final exit” sold on the internet. This method has become very popular among young people. It should be banned! I’m walking down First Avenue in Manhattan to deliver this horrific news to my younger son, How on Earth am I going to tell him this?

I feel my heart is cut to pieces; my legs are paralysed. I am screaming but no one can hear me. Everywhere I look, I see him smiling at me. My son's music from his latest album “Walking city” breaks the weary silence in my ears like a soundtrack of a movie. This cannot be real. Yes. I am on a film set. I am just playing a role of a mother, who lost her son to suicide. I feel like I gave my all for this scene. I am exhausted. Why does the director keep rolling? When is he going to say cut!

My cousin, the only family member, who was able to fly in. He acts as my anchor, cooking food and putting me into bed. I am hand painting on the white dress shirt a Peaceful Warriors United logo with his name, date of birth and death and a message “I love you all “. We brought his clothes to the Brooklyn funeral home. My sweet peaceful warrior is resting in the casket before embarking on the 49 day’s journey to a new reincarnation, also known as Bardo. As I was looking at him, all the walls of the building expanded as if into a multidimensional space. I am sitting down on a chair. He sits right next to me. We start talking.

‘Hi Mom. Sorry, but I had to leave this world. This is the time for me to go back to Nirvana. don’t worry about me or Solongo. I am going to be by your side and continue babysitting my brother. He's going to do well. Just be patient. I got a new job up here as Archangel Ruslan and as a computer programmer at the

IRINA PANTAEVA & RUSLAN PANTAEV

Irina Pantaeva is a first Asian supermodel, an actress, author, producer, founder of the Peaceful Warriors United Art-Couture ethical fashion, intensity leader of spiritual fitness, mental health first aid assistance to youth, a visionary, humanitarian, water protector, a seeker and devout student of His Holiness Dalai Lama. Born into a family of artists, shamans, and Buddhist monks on the banks of the sacred Lake Baikal in Siberia, Russia. Irina is a person of integrity, compassion, generosity, patience, discipline, and devotion to serve humanity. She’s passionately involved in protecting and preserving indigenous cultures, its traditions and earth's natural resources. “Against all odds IRINA made an around the world journey to America where she won rave reviews for her portrayal of comedic seductress of John Lithgow ‘s love interest in one hour post Super Bowl episode of Third rock from the sun.”

During her modelling career she walked down the runway for Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel, Gianni Versace, Valentino, Giorgio Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Issey Miyake, Alexander McQueen, Vivian Westwood, Ralph Lauren, Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, Anna Sui, Marc Jacobs, Malan Breton, Red Dress collection, Thierry Mugler, Alexander McQueen, Galliano, Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Givenchy. With a look that ranges from impish to exotically elegant, she brightens the pages and covers of Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, ELLE, W Magazine, Cosmopolitan, Levi’s, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 1998.

healing music and programming an algorithm that purifies individual karma at the grid of cosmic matrix. He gives me his signature smirk of a smile.’ I am so proud of you, Sina. I am not surprised. Remember, when you built your own computer in three days? One day you came to me and said Mom, there is no computer out on the market that is powerful enough for me to record my music and program new algorithms. You built the most incredible computer. When you were diagnosed with bipolar disorder at 19 years old, in the middle of the spring semester at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, I brought you back to our Manhattan home, and you started painting on the living room floor. I was privileged to witness your creativity. You made the most beautiful artwork that I admire looking at them every day. You always experimented while playing on acoustic, electric seven and eight string guitars and taught yourself to play jazz, blues, rock, and classical music. You invented your own tapping technique while playing on strings as if running fingers over piano keys. You even designed and spent time with guitar makers building your own instrument. When you were six years old, you built a Lego within minutes and turned around and said to me’ Mom, don’t be too sad or so happy, just take the middle way. I asked you How do you know that? I just know, you replied casually. I called you, my little Buddha.

Your profound wisdom raised me up time after time. Remember, after one of your music performances at the Piano’s club downtown in Manhattan, people asked you about the Overdubbing (also known as layering) technique that you experimented on stage. You explained, it’s like layering vignettes of life, happy or sad into one harmonious piece. Keep in mind that if you tighten the string of your instrument too much, it’s going to snap. If it’s too loose, it’s not going to play. Create a harmony within you so that others can hear you. I hear you, Sina. A silence came over me. My memories brought me to the present. I interacted. Where would you like me to bring your ashes? I thought to bring you to the top of the sacred mountain Shumak, the homeland of your grandfather. It’s very beautiful there.

‘I like your idea Mom’. Ok. So, we will do it this way.”

About 60 people dressed in white, arrived to say Goodbye on October 11, the day of the funeral. While 4 Buddhist monks were chanting special prayers, I did my best to stay focused. I am chanting on and off along with them. My heart was bleeding when looking at my younger son’s shattered soul. I could not cry. I still believed that my baby would wake up and we would go back home together.

“If I could ..., trade my place with you, so you could ... take another breath in ... and you would...Be able to climb up the mountain and you would...exhale ... all the painful obscuration and you would ... pause... and take another breath in and you would ... Keep climbing the mountains till you surrender to ... Meet me there ... “ How can I live without my son? How can I breathe on my own without his heart beating next to mine? How can I tell my father?

The priest, also known as Rinpoché, made the last prayers and pressed the button. The casket was descending into the fire. Just like that, my son's body slowly evaporated into tiny specks of dust. Goodbye my precious baby, till we meet again.

IRINA PANTAEVA & RUSLAN PANTAEV

ITALIAN MAGAZINE

Now your heart will be beating harmoniously in the eternal symphony of heavens. We walk outside to watch the thick smoke descending from one of the chimneys. Ruslan’s first major work (for 50-piece live orchestra) “Flying Sketch “that he composed at 18 years old, is playing as a soundtrack. We are all standing and observing how the sun rays are piercing through the smoke and shaping them into beautiful clouds.

His gentle, humble soul is returning to the Star kingdom. I am right here Sina. I am going to be journeying with you till your next rebirth. I am going to be praying for your new mother’s good health and happiness. I am sure that you're going to bring so much love and joy to the world again. Meanwhile, Rest in Peace my sweet baby. I love you eternally.

G. Gratitude

R. Resilience

I. Integrity

E. Empowerment

F. Forward

Grief is not something we ever get over, and it doesn’t ever stop. What we learn to do is grow around our grief, to encompass it and incorporate it or manage it into our own life. We walk with it. We breathe through it. I am eager to understand what causes Mental illnesses. What are the root causes of suffering?

It’s not a selfish act on their part. This is reaching a depth of hopelessness so deep that they can’t even see anything except how to get out of their pain. They don’t want to die. They just don’t see any other way out. When my son disappeared from the face of the Earth. I began searching for my own soul.

July 2022. Dharamsala, India. I decided to bring him to all the holy places in India. I packed his ashes in a sealed bag, my prayer beads, hiking boots, a wind proof jacket that I got him for his birthday with the born in the mountains label on it, sleeping bag, energy bars, first aid kit. I am off to pursue my mission in the Himalayan Mountain. On the same afternoon of my arrival to Namgyal monastery, Dharamsala, the residence of His Holiness Dalai Lama, I went to meet with my teacher, Jhado Rinpoche. I asked for his guidance. He kindly offered to do special prayers for the next 3 days, which happened to be during the Dalai Lama teachings which I attended.

I, along with Geshe La and Ani La from the Basgo nunnery from Ladakh, are offering a special ceremony at the Sacred Stupa where the Buddha and the first teacher to the 14 th Dalai Lama were cremated. This is located on the top of the mountain hill in McLeod Gang, Dharamsala. As we were praying and sprinkling my son’s ashes, the brightest ray from the sun pierced through the thick monsoon clouds like the thunder bolt directly upon us. It felt as if I was transcended into Shamballa, a heavenly treasure of jewels. In awe, I whispered my deepest gratitude to the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Guru’s, family, friends, and wandering strangers for guiding me every step of the way to complete the stage of his peerless path of liberation. In this moment, my wounded heart broke free from the imprisonment of grief, despair and sadness.

I climb up my mountain like I walk through the desert. Thirsty for life, love, liberation. I’m curious: What’s up there? Through sweat, blood, inner war, I know one thing: Push through, common, one more. Then, I can’t hold on anymore. Crushed hard this time. Hurts... but I’m still alive, with eyes drowned in tears, fear but not lies. I get back up again. Keep breathing... inhale ... I’m blessed. Exhale... I’m liberated. I proudly admit, yes, I fell down only this time, I failed forward. Determined, I take another step forward Never Give Up!

August 2022

The love in me, sees the love in you. The peace in me, sees the peace in you. The Warrior in me, sees the Warrior in you. You are the gift to the world!!! United for Peace, Determined Mother, truly yours, Irina Pantaeva October 25, 2022

Instagram: @irinapantaevaofficial

IRINA PANTAEVA & JHADO RINPOCHE

COPING WITH GRIEF AND LOSS

AUTHORS: MELINDA SMITH, M.A., LAWRENCE ROBINSON, AND JEANNE SEGAL, PH.D. HELP GUIDE ORGANISATION

Whatever type of loss you’ve suffered, there’s no right or wrong way to grieve. But by understanding the stages and types of grief, you can find healthier ways to cope.

WHAT IS GRIEF?

Grief is a natural response to loss. It’s the emotional suffering you feel when something or someone you love is taken away. Often, the pain of loss can feel overwhelming. You may experience all kinds of difficult and unexpected emotions, from shock or anger to disbelief, guilt, and profound sadness. The pain of grief can also disrupt your physical health, making it difficult to sleep, eat, or even think straight. These are normal reactions to loss—and the more significant the loss, the more intense your grief will be.

Coping with the loss of someone or something you love is one of life’s biggest challenges. You may associate grieving with the death of a loved one — which is often the cause of the most intense type of grief—but any loss can cause grief, including:

• Divorce or relationship breakup

• Loss of health

• Losing a job

• Loss of financial stability

• A miscarriage

• Retirement

• Death of a pet

• Loss of a cherished dream

• A loved one's serious illness

• Loss of a friendship

• Loss of safety after a trauma

SELLING THE FAMILY HOME

Even subtle losses in life can trigger a sense of grief. For example, you might grieve after moving away from home, graduating from college, or changing jobs.

Whatever your loss, it's personal to you, so don't feel ashamed about how you feel, or believe that it's somehow only appropriate to grieve for certain things. If the person, animal, relationship, or situation was significant to you, it's normal to grieve the loss you're experiencing. Whatever the cause of your grief, though, there are healthy ways to cope with the pain that, in time, can ease your sadness and help you come to terms with your loss, find new meaning, and eventually move on with your life.

The grief of losing a loved one

Whether it’s a close friend, spouse, partner, parent, child, or other relative, few things are as painful as losing someone you love. After such a significant loss, life may never seem quite the same again. But in time, you can ease your sorrow, start to look to the future, and eventually come to terms with your loss.

THE GRIEVING PROCESSES

Grieving is a highly individual experience; there's no right or wrong way to grieve. How you grieve depends on many factors, including your personality and coping style, your life experience, your faith, and how significant the loss was to you. Inevitably, the grieving process takes time. Healing happens gradually; it can't be forced or hurried—and there is no “normal” timetable for grieving. Some people start to feel better in weeks or months. For others, the grieving process is measured in years. Whatever your grief experiences, it's important to be patient with yourself and allow the process to naturally unfold.

MYTHS AND FACTS ABOUT GRIEF AND GRIEVING

Myth: The pain will go away faster if you ignore it

Fact: Trying to ignore your pain or keep it from surfacing will only make it worse in the long run. For real healing, it is necessary to face your grief and actively deal with it.

Myth: It's important to “be strong” in the face of loss.

Fact: Feeling sad, frightened, or lonely is a normal reaction to loss. Crying doesn't mean you are weak. You don't need to “protect” your family or friends by putting on a brave front. Showing your true feelings can help them and you.

Myth: If you don't cry, it means you aren't sorry about the loss.

Fact: Crying is a normal response to sadness, but it's not the only one. Those who don't cry may feel the pain just as deeply as others. They may simply have other ways of showing it.

Myth: Grieving should last about a year.

Fact: There is no specific time frame for grieving. How long it takes differs from person to person.

Myth: Moving on with your life means forgetting about your loss.

Fact: Moving on means you've accepted your loss—but that's not the same as forgetting. You can move on with your life and keep the memory of someone or something you lost as an important part of you. In fact, as we move through life, these memories can become more and more integral to defining the people we are.

HOW TO DEAL WITH THE GRIEVING PROCESS

While grieving a loss is an inevitable part of life, there are ways to help cope with the pain, come to terms with your grief, and eventually, find a way to pick up the pieces and move on with your life.

ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR PAIN.

• Accept that grief can trigger many different and unexpected emotions.

• Understand that your grieving process will be unique to you.

• Seek out face-to-face support from people who care about you.

• Support yourself emotionally by taking care of yourself physically.

• Recognise the difference between grief and depression.

The stages of grief. In 1969, psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross introduced what became known as the “five stages of grief.” These stages of grief were based on her studies of the feelings of patients facing terminal illness, but many people have generalised them to other types of negative life changes and losses, such as the death of a loved one or a break-up.

THE FIVE STAGES OF GRIEF

• Denial: “This can't be happening to me.”

• Anger: “Why is this happening? Who is to blame?”

• Bargaining: “Make this not happen, and in return I will ____.”

• Depression: “I'm too sad to do anything.”

• Acceptance: “I'm at peace with what happened.”

If you are experiencing any of these emotions following a loss, it may help to know that your reaction is natural and that you'll heal in time. However, not everyone who grieves goes through all of these stages—and that's okay. Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to go through each stage in order to heal. In fact, some people resolve their grief without going through any of these stages. And if you do go through these stages of grief, you probably won't experience them in a neat, sequential order, so don't worry about what you “should” be feeling or which stage you're supposed to be in.

Kübler-Ross herself never intended for these stages to be a rigid framework that applies to everyone who mourns. In her last book before her death in 2004, she said of the five stages of grief: “They were never meant to help tuck messy emotions into neat packages. They are responses to loss that many people have, but there is not a typical response to loss, as there is no typical loss. Our grieving is as individual as our lives.”

GRIEF CAN BE A ROLLER COASTER

Instead of a series of stages, we might also think of the grieving process as a roller coaster, full of ups and downs, highs and lows. Like many roller coasters, the ride tends to be rougher in the beginning, the lows may be deeper and longer. The difficult periods should become less intense and shorter as time goes by, but it takes time to work through a loss. Even years after a loss, especially at special events such as a family wedding or the birth of a child, we may still experience a strong sense of grief.

SYMPTOMS OF GRIEF

While loss affects people in different ways, many of us experience the following symptoms when we're grieving. Just remember that almost anything that you experience in the early stages of grief is normal—including feeling like you're going crazy, feeling like you're in a bad dream, or questioning your religious or spiritual beliefs.

EMOTIONAL SYMPTOMS OF GRIEF

Shock and disbelief. Right after a loss, it can be hard to accept what happened. You may feel numb, have trouble believing that the loss really happened, or even deny the truth. If a pet or someone you love has died, for example, you may keep expecting them to show up, even though you know they're gone.

Sadness. Profound sadness is probably the most universally experienced symptom of grief. You may have feelings of emptiness, despair, yearning, or deep loneliness. You may also cry a lot or feel emotionally unstable. Guilt. You may regret or feel guilty about things you did or didn't say or do. You may also feel guilty about certain feelings (feeling relieved when a person died after a long, difficult illness, for example). You may even feel guilty for not doing more to prevent your loss, even if it was completely out of your hands.

Fear. A significant loss can trigger a host of worries and fears. If you’ve lost your partner, your job, or your home, for example, you may feel anxious, helpless, or insecure about the future. You may even have panic attacks. The death of a loved one can trigger fears about your own mortality, of facing life without that person, or the responsibilities you now face alone.

Anger. Even if the loss was nobody's fault, you may feel angry and resentful. If you lost a loved one, you may be angry with yourself, God, the doctors, or even the person who died for abandoning you. You may feel the need to blame someone for the injustice that was done to you.

PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS OF GRIEF

We often think of grief as a strictly emotional process, but grief often involves physical problems, including:

• Fatigue

• Nausea

• Lowered immunity

• Weight loss or weight gain

• Aches and pains

• Insomnia

• Types of grief

Since the experience of grieving following the loss of someone or something important to you tends to be unique to you, it’s difficult to label any type of grief as either “normal” or “abnormal”. However, there are types of grief that fall outside the expected symptoms and reactions described above. These include:

ANTICIPATORY GRIEF

As the name suggests, anticipatory grief develops before a significant loss occurs rather than after. If a loved one is terminally ill, for example, you have an ageing pet, or you know that your retirement or job loss is imminent you may start grieving your loss before it has fully unfolded.

Like conventional grief, anticipatory grief can involve a mix of confusing emotions, particularly anger. Some people even equate it to giving up hope and refuse to allow themselves to grieve before their loss has occurred. However, anticipatory grief can also give you chance to prepare for your loss, resolve any unfinished business, or say your goodbyes, for example.

DISENFRANCHISED GRIEF

Disenfranchised grief can occur when your loss is devalued, stigmatised, or cannot be openly mourned. Some people may minimise the loss of a job, a pet, or a friendship, for example, as something that’s not worth grieving over. You may feel stigmatised if you suffered a miscarriage or lost a loved one to suicide.

Disenfranchised grief can also occur when your relationship to a deceased is not recognised. Some people may consider it inappropriate to grieve for a work colleague, classmate, or neighbour, for example. As a close friend or same-sex partner you may be denied the same sympathy and understanding as a blood relative. This can make it even more difficult to come to terms with your loss and navigate the grieving process.

COMPLICATED GRIEF

The pain at a significant loss may never completely disappear, but it should ease up over time. When it doesn’t—and it keeps you from resuming your daily life and relationships—it may be a sign of complicated grief.

Complicated grief usually arises from the death of a loved one, where the loss has left you stuck in a state of bereavement. You may be unable to accept your loved one has gone, search for them in familiar places, experience intense longing, or even feel that life isn’t worth living.

If you’re experiencing complicated grief and the pain from your loss remains unresolved, it’s important to reach out for support and take the steps that will enable you to heal.

SEEKING SUPPORT FOR GRIEF AND LOSS

The pain of grief can often cause you to want to withdraw from others and retreat into your shell. But having the face-to-face support of other people is vital to healing from loss. Even if you're not comfortable talking about your feelings under normal circumstances, it's important to express them when you're grieving.

While sharing your loss can make the burden of grief easier to carry, that doesn't mean that every time you interact with friends and family, you need to talk about your loss. Comfort can also come from just being around others who care about you. The key is not to isolate yourself.

Turn to friends and family members. Now is the time to lean on the people who care about you, even if you take pride in being strong and self-sufficient. Rather than avoiding them, draw friends and loved ones close, spend time together face to face, and accept the assistance that's offered. Often, people want to help but don't know how, so tell them what you need—whether it's a shoulder to cry on, a listening ear, or just someone to hang out with. If you don't feel you have anyone you can regularly connect with in person, it's never too late to build new friendships.

Accept that many people feel awkward when trying to comfort someone who's grieving. Grief can be a confusing, sometimes frightening emotion for many people, especially if they haven't experienced a similar loss themselves. They may feel unsure about how to comfort you and end up saying or doing the wrong things. But don't use that as an excuse to retreat into your shell and avoid social contact. If a friend or loved one reaches out to you, it's because they care.

Draw comfort from your faith. If you follow a religious tradition, embrace the comfort its mourning rituals can provide. Spiritual activities that are meaningful to you—such as praying, meditating, or going to church—can offer solace. If you're questioning your faith in the wake of the loss, talk to a clergy member or others in your religious community.

Join a support group. Grief can feel very lonely, even when you have loved ones around. Sharing your sorrow with others who have experienced similar losses can help. To find a bereavement support group in your area, contact local hospitals, hospices, funeral homes, and counselling centres, or see the links below.

Talk to a therapist or grief counsellor. If your grief feels like too much to bear, find a mental health professional with experience in grief counselling. An experienced therapist can help you work through intense emotions and overcome obstacles to your grieving.

Beware how you use social media

Social media can be useful in letting others know about your loss and reaching out for support. However, it can also attract Internet trolls who post inappropriate, insensitive, or even abusive messages. To spare yourself additional pain and heartache at this time, you may want to limit your social media use to closed groups rather than public postings that can be commented on by anyone.

Taking care of yourself as you grieve When you're grieving, it's more important than ever to take care of yourself. The stress of a major loss can quickly deplete your energy and emotional reserves. Looking after your physical and emotional needs will help you get through this difficult time.

Face your feelings. You can try to suppress your grief, but you can't avoid it forever. In order to heal, you have to acknowledge the pain. Trying to avoid feelings of sadness and loss only prolongs the grieving process. Unresolved grief can also lead to complications

Express your feelings in a tangible or creative way. Even if you’re not able to talk about your loss with others, it can help to write down your thoughts and feelings in a journal, for example. Or you could release your emotions by making a scrapbook or volunteering for a cause related to your loss.

Try to maintain your hobbies and interests. There's comfort in routine and getting back to the activities that bring you joy and connect you closer to others can help you come to terms with your loss and aid the grieving process.

Don't let anyone tell you how to feel, and don't tell yourself how to feel either. Your grief is your own, and no one else can tell you when it's time to “move on” or “get over it.” Let yourself feel whatever you feel without embarrassment or judgment. It's okay to be angry, to yell at the heavens, to cry or not to cry. It's also okay to laugh, to find moments of joy, and to let go when you're ready.

Look after your physical health. The mind and body are connected. When you feel healthy physically, you'll be better able to cope emotionally. Combat stress and fatigue by getting enough sleep, eating right, and exercising. Don't use alcohol or drugs to numb the pain of grief or lift your mood artificially.

Plan for grief “triggers.” Anniversaries, holidays, and important milestones can reawaken painful memories and feelings. Be prepared for an emotional wallop and know that it’s completely normal. You can plan by making sure that you’re not alone, for example, or by marking your loss in a creative way.

GRIEF AND LOSS RESOURCES

Helplines:

In the U.S.: Crisis Call Center at 775-784-8090

UK: Cruse Bereavement Care at 0808 808 1677

OTHER SUPPORT:

Find a GriefShare group meeting near you – Worldwide directory of support groups for people grieving the death of a family member or friend. (GriefShare)

Find Support – Directory of programs and support groups in the U.S. for children experiencing grief and loss. (National Alliance for Grieving Children)

Chapter Locator for finding help for grieving the loss of a child in the U.S. and International Support for finding help in other countries. (The Compassionate Friends)

IF YOU'RE FEELING SUICIDAL…

Seek help immediately. Please read Suicide Help, talk to someone you trust, or call a suicide helpline:

• In the U.S., call 1-800-273-8255.

• In the UK, call 08457 90 90 90.

Or visit IASP to find a helpline in your country.

30 OF THE GREATEST CLASSICAL MUSIC COMPOSERS OF ALL TIME

We would like to encourage young people to fall in love with art, history and classical music, here is a list of music pioneers, geniuses that will enrich your life. Ask ‘Alexa’ to play the ‘TOP SONG’ of each composer and enjoy!

Listed in no specific order. Information from Classical FM archives.

1 Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)

Beethoven’s name is widely interchanged with the phrase ‘greatest composer who ever lived’. And we’re okay with that.

Beethoven, who composed in classical music’s Romantic era, absolutely revolutionised orchestral music with his Third ‘Eroica’ Symphony, writing music that captured the inner struggle of the individual alongside the sheer joy of life.

According to Beethoven expert and Classic FM presenter, John Suchet, “A good Beethoven performance should turn your knuckles white from gripping the arms of your seat, your nerves shredded, but leaving you imbued with a feeling of exhilaration and triumph — as well as deep love and admiration.” Yep.

2. Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

Bach is the definitive Baroque composer. Born in 1685 in Eisenach in Germany, Bach was a prolific composer, organist, harpsichordist, violist, and violinist. The music he wrote spanned forces – from solo instrumental works, such as the Cello Suites (below), to huge sacred choral pieces, instrumental concertos like the Brandenburg Concertos, and collections of keyboard music, including The Well-Tempered Clavier, that pushed contemporaneous instruments to their limits.

3 George Frideric

Handel

(1685-1759)

George Frideric Handel was a GermanBritish Baroque composer, famous for his operas, oratorios, anthems and organ concertos. Most music lovers have encountered Handel through Christmas-time renditions of the Messiah’s ‘Hallelujah’ Chorus, or his enduringly popular Music for the Royal Fireworks.

4 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

(1756-1791)

Continuing the tradition of names with three words and four well-formed syllables in the middle one, is the child prodigy and all-round genius, Mozart.

Composing in, and defining, the Classical era, Mozart wrote 41 symphonies, numerous concertos, revolutionary Italian operas including The Marriage of Figaro and Cosí fan tutte, and chamber works that are loved as much by audiences today as when they were composed.

He had a tragically short life: after his incredibly successful career, Mozart sadly died at just 35 years old, leaving behind his profound, and profoundly beautiful, Requiem.

5.

Hildegard von Bingen

(1098-1179)

Jumping back in time, and way back to medieval times, let’s meet Hildegard von Bingen. She was a saint, poet and composer who in her lifetime was one of the most influential women in Europe.

She wrote really expressive music that broke boundaries in her time. And she was a rare figure of the Middle Ages in leaving behind manuscripts of her songs – it meant that on around the 800th anniversary of her birth, the music community was able to rediscover her work and revive her songs.

6. Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643)

Italian late-Renaissance, earlyBaroque composer and instrumentalist Monteverdi was the king of the madrigal, writing nine books of them, and the father of the operatic form as we really think of it today.

His 1607 opera, L’Orfeo, ushered in a new era of opera, widening the spectrum of emotions, boasting huge scenery and pedalling intriguing plotlines. L'Orfeo tells the mythical tale of Orpheus, a musician who attempted to rescue his wife from the land of the dead, only to be thwarted by love.

7 Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)

Vivaldi, one of the most productive composers of the Baroque era, wrote an astonishing 500 concertos –including the still oft-heard Four Seasons, four violin concertos that each depict one season of the year.

The work is as fresh and colourful today, somehow, as it must have been when it was heard by Vivaldi’s contemporaries, such was his mastery of melody, harmony and scoring.

8 Claude Debussy (1862-1918)

Impressionist master, Debussy, brought colours to music previously not heard, and his large-scale works like Prélude à l’après midi d’une faune helped transform music at the turn of the century.

The French composer was responsible for the utterly transporting opera Pelléas et Mélisande, and enduring piano favourite, Clair de Lune.

9 Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)

This 19th-century Russian great gave us Swan Lake, The Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty – and off the ballet stage, epic symphonies and concertos, as well as enduring orchestral works. This includes the 1812 Overture, of which Tchaikovsky purportedly wasn’t as much of a fan, as the whole world since.

10 Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)

Going back to the Classical era, and Haydn is the first of the trio of composers that get called the ‘Viennese School’ –alongside Mozart and Beethoven.

The Austrian composer was the son of a steelmaker, and went on to become the ‘father’ of the symphony – he wrote 107 of them, alongside the 83 string quartets, 45 piano trios, 62 piano sonatas, 14 masses and 26 operas, all that define the formal Classical style of Vienna.

11 Robert Schumann (1810–1856)

Schumann’s piano music, chamber music and symphonies were all revolutionary and, picking up the baton from Beethoven, set the tone for the Romantic era in music.

Also a music critic, Schumann co-founded one of the most influential musical publications, the Neue Zeitschrift für Musik, writing many of the articles himself under the pseudonyms Florestan and Eusebiu

He’s remembered and revered for the Enigma Variations, the Pomp and Circumstance Marches, his concertos for violin and cello, and two symphonies.

12 Edward Elgar (1857–1934)

English composer Edward Elgar managed to capture whole landscapes, national moods and deep emotional complexity in his music, all at the same time.

13 Giuseppe Verdi

(1813–1901)

Verdi, for many, is quite simply the greatest Italian opera composer who ever lived. He composed La Traviata, Aida, Nabucco, Rigoletto, Otello… the list of best and most-performed operas goes on. And his arias, ‘La donna è mobile’ and ‘Si Un Jour’ remain favourites still today.

14 Richard Wagner (1813–1883)

Sticking with opera, and born in the same year as Verdi (see above) was Richard Wagner.

Few people contend with this great German composer when it comes to the sheer extent to which he revolutionised the art-form. In the 19th century, Wagner created epic operas unmatched in their length and ambition in Tristan und Isolde and The Ring (a cycle of four long operas) among other monumental works.

He built his own opera house, Bayreuth, to host his epic creations and also invented the ‘leitmotif’, a musical device that sees certain melodies or themes composed to depict specific characters or ideas – something that would persist in opera, and beyond to film scoring, in works by the likes of Hans Zimmer and John Williams.

15 Richard Strauss (1864–1949)

Another Richard, this one Strauss – and not to be confused with the Johannes Strausses I and II, who were pre-occupied with waltzes and light music – also made a mark with opera. His one-act opera Salome, which premiered in 1905, shocked the classical music establishment with its erotic and murderous themes, set against a religious context, and got itself banned through censorship for a time. His other big works include the orchestral works Also Sprach Zarathustra and Don Quixote.

16 Gustav Mahler (1860-1911)

Austrian composer Mahler believed “the symphony must be like the world; it must embrace everything.” And the symphony is what he’s remembered for.

He wrote 10 symphonies, as well as many Romantic ‘lieder’, songs exploring existentialism, love and loss in the German tradition for solo voice and piano accompaniment.

17 Franz Schubert (1797–1828)

Another composer of lieder was Franz Schubert. He was also Austrian, like Mahler (above), and composed in the generation before Mahler.

In his relatively short life, Schubert composed prolifically, producing over 600 songs, and around eight (we say ‘around’ as there were some unfinished ones, with up to thirteen in all) great symphonies.

18 Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921)

French composer Saint-Saëns was one of the most gifted polymaths in musical history.

As well as being a composer, virtuoso pianist and organist, and conductor, he was multilingual, a consulted authority on literature and the arts in general, a notable author and poet, and – perish the thought he should ever get bored – he pursued archaeology and astronomy in his free time.

He was also capable of sight-reading pretty much anything, and works like Danse Macabre remain go-tos for music lovers and film scorers alike.

19 Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971)

On 29 May 1913, at a theatre in Paris, a riot broke out in front of a ballet’s world premiere. The ballet in question was The Rite of Spring, with music by revolutionary composer Igor Stravinsky and choreography by the just-asrevolutionary Sergei Diaghilev.

Too revolutionary, then and there, perhaps, but absolutely genre-defining and history-making in the overall picture of classical music. Stravinsky was a genius whose Rite, and works like The Firebird and Petrushka, sound as unexpected and spectacular today as they did at the turn of the century.

20 Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849)

Chopin was a great Romantic composer and keyboard virtuoso. His solo piano music remains some of the finest there is, his seminal works being his preludes, nocturnes and virtuosic waltzes.

He maintained a very expensive lifestyle, by all accounts, and kept it up by giving piano lessons to Paris’s wealthiest people. He never liked the idea of asking them for money, though, so would look away while they left the fee on his mantelpiece.

21 Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)

Ralph Vaughan Williams was one of the most important composers of the 20th century.

The English composer drew on the influences of English folk song and Tudor polyphony, and he was at the centre of reviving British orchestral music over a career that spanned more than six decades.

His orchestral works The Lark Ascending and Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis, as well as his symphonies, remain incredibly popular with audiences today, often dominating top spots in the annual Classic FM Hall of Fame

22 Amy Beach (1867-1944)

American composer Amy Beach made history, or we should probably say ‘herstory’, when she became the first American woman to publish a symphony.

By the age of one she’s said to have been able to sing 40 different songs, and apparently a year later was harmonising the lullabies her mother sang to her. Beach would start her composing career astonishingly early too.

As she developed as a brilliant pianist and composer, she didn’t get the advantage of her male peers of being sent to Europe to study composition with the masters there – it wasn’t fitting of her status as a woman – but nevertheless thrived on local tuition. In 1896 her ‘Gaelic’ Symphony became the first symphony by an American woman to be published, and was premiered by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

23 Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)

By the time he was 12, German composer Mendelssohn already had four operas, 12 string symphonies and a large quantity of chamber and piano music under his belt.

He was prodigiously talented, and he continued to produce stunning music as his career progressed.

He really made his mark with the String Octet of 1825 and the magical overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream. And his Violin Concerto in E minor, ‘Scottish’ Symphony No. 3 and The Hebrides overture remain solid concert hall favourites. Mendelssohn is also responsible for reviving interest in the work of all-time-great, J.S. Bach – right at the top of this list – so we owe him a lot.

24 Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975)

Russian great Shostakovich’s career was defined by the Soviet era, and specifically Soviet favour – the Symphony No. 5 was held up as a Stalinist triumph – and then Soviet disapprobation, when he was denounced as decadent and non-patriotic. He wrote 15 symphonies, numerous operas and ballets, and instrumental and orchestral works, as well as soundtracks for early cinema.

25 Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)

Going back a little to the Romantic era now, and Johannes Brahms undoubtedly defined the period.

Without the deep drama and fire-and-brimstone revolution of Beethoven, perhaps, and no flash and virtuosity of the likes of Liszt and Chopin, Brahms was a dignified symphonist, and a truly great composer of chamber music and piano pieces.

With his music critic hat on, Robert Schumann (see above) was a supporter of Brahms, calling him “the young eagle” who “has arrived, a young man at whose cradle the Graces and Heroes have stood guard”.

26 Antonin Dvořák (1841-1904)

Antonín Dvořák was a Czech composer of dazzling late Romantic orchestral music.

A champion of folk idioms of Moravia and his native Bohemia, Dvořák is celebrated for works like his Slavonic Dances, and his Symphony No. 9 ‘From the New World’.

27 Sergei Rachmaninov (1873–1943)

Russian composer Rachmaninov’s ravishing piano concertos remain firm favourites in concert halls and are celebrated for their beautiful melodies and daring complexity still today – including in the Classic FM Hall of Fame and Ultimate Classic FM Hall of Fame, which this year placed the composer’s Concerto No.2 at No.1.

In 1931, when he’d composed The Bells, Rachmaninov’s music was officially banned in the USSR as ‘decadent’ and the composer was described as a “violent enemy of Soviet Russia”.

28 Philip Glass (1937-present)

American composer, Philip Glass, champions minimalism in music.

Minimalism is a genre where composers take a simple musical idea – it can be a rhythm, or a set of notes – and repeat it again and again, with very slow variation or development taking place throughout a piece.

Glass studied composition with Darius Milhaud and Nadia Boulanger, among others, and found his distinctive voice with works like the opera Einstein on the Beach and his chamber music work Glassworks, as well as music for film including Koyaanisqatsi, The Hours and Notes on a Scandal.

29 Leonard

Bernstein (1918-1990)

20th-century American composer and conductor, Leonard Bernstein, was as prolific at composing for the concert hall as he was for film and TV.

West Side Story and Candide electrified the stage, and his work in TV, bringing classical music to the masses through 53 televised Young People’s Concerts, introduced an entire generation to classical music.

30 John Williams (1932-present)

John Williams is an American film composer, responsible for writing the music that accompanies some of the world’s most beloved on-screen memories.

E.T. phoning home in the 1980s? Yep, Williams was with us. Dinosaurs stomping through a misjudged theme park in Jurassic Park in the 1990s? Williams again.

Broomsticks swerving and snitches flitting around the wizard Harry Potter in the 2000s? Again, we’re glad they called Williams.

A true legend and perfecter of the craft of 20th and 21st-century film music.

SOCIAL MEDIA USE AND ITS CONNECTION TO MENTAL HEALTH

BY NATHALIA CAMPOS CONTENT CREATOR AND MEDIA INFLUENCER

…”MORE FOLLOWERS ALSO MEANS MORE COMMENTS, BOTH GOOD AND BAD. SOCIAL MEDIA OFFERS OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO VOICE THEIR OPINIONS, WHICH IS WONDERFUL UNTIL THE OPINIONS BECOME HATEFUL AND SPITEFUL. THIS CAN CAUSE NEGATIVITY FOR OTHER FOLLOWERS AS WELL AS THE PERSON WHO POST IS BEING COMMENTED ON. “FOLLOWERS” FORGET THAT THERE IS A PERSON BEHIND THE POSTS, SOMEONE WHO READS EVERY COMMENT AND TAKES THE COMMENTS PERSONALLY”.… NATHALIA CAMPOS SOCIAL MEDIA AND TV INFLUENCER

Human beings are social creatures that require the companionship of others to make progress in life. Thus, being socially connected with other people can relieve stress, anxiety, and sadness, but lack of social connection can pose serious risks to mental health.

Social media

Social media has recently become part of people's daily activities; many of them spend hours each day on WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and other popular social media. Many researchers and scholars study the impact of social media and applications on various aspects of people’s lives, Moreover, the number of social media users worldwide in 2022 is 4.7 billion, up 10% year-on-year. Social media has many positive and enjoyable benefits, but it can also lead to mental health problems. Previous research found that age did not have an effect, but gender did; females were much more likely to experience mental health than males. Is a fact that social media are responsible for aggravating mental health problems.

This Parliament News Magazine issue is dedicated to Mental Health Awareness and we asked our newest Parliamentary Society Member; Love Island star Nathalia Campos to give us her opinion and advice on this matter.

On her own words:

“Social media has a way of portraying life to show perfection, to make life look amazing. Often the reality is very different, but unless shown, no one will believe it. The constant use of social media, whether Instagram or TikTok, can set a standard of false expectations that in order to live you must have this perfect life. It is essential for people to understand the difference between what is staged for PR or likes and what is reality. Social media puts a lot of pressure on looking the right way, wearing the right clothes, being up to date on the latest looks and fashions and acting the right way. Social media has such an impact on young people nowa-days as it is so accessible, which can create mental health issues if they aren’t living the way life is portrayed on social media or displaying your life how others are. Teens as young as 12 are trying to look and behave like 30-year-olds because they believe that’s how they should be.

The more your life is displayed on social media, the more pressure you feel about how you act, what you wear and how you look. This pressure only grows with the more followers you gain, which creates pressure to ‘post’ more often and to be more active on social media and be ahead of the social trends. More followers also means more comments, both good and bad. Social media offers opportunity for people to voice their opinions, which is wonderful until the opinions become hateful and spiteful. This can cause negativity for other followers as well as the person who post is being commented on. “Followers” forget that there is a person behind the posts, someone who reads every comment and takes the comments personally. Most comments can be lovely, of course, but when there are negative, spiteful, or hateful, they tend to have a stronger impact, they can last longer and can have a huge negative impact on your social health, making you question those comments, wondering whether they are true and if everyone thinks or feels that way about you. The reality is, no one ever says these comments out loud, no one would ever come up to you on the street and say hateful things, so why this behaviour is as “okay” on social media, public for everyone to read.

I think the advice I would give to budding social media influencers, social media users and everyone in general is to not allow yourself to get lost in hateful comments, remember that not everything displayed on social media is real and don’t let social media, follower count or the number of likes control your life. Make sure you step away from the screen, give yourself a break and experience the world off screen. Stop thinking that you are not enough because of people who are not ready for all that you are. People should be more aware of the impact on mental health and how it can hurt others. it is also so important to raise awareness of the power of negative words and the importance of being conscience of the power negative words can have."

PHOTOS BY KAM MURALI

FOLLOW NATHALIA ON INSTAGRAM @NATHALIAXCAMPOS

….’DONT ALLOW YOURSELF TO GET LOST IN HATEFUL COMMENTS, REMEMBER THAT NOT EVERYTHING DISPLAYED ON SOCIAL MEDIA IS REAL AND DON’T LET SOCIAL MEDIA, FOLLOWER COUNT OR THE NUMBER OF LIKES CONTROL YOUR LIFE. MAKE SURE YOU STEP AWAY FROM THE SCREEN, GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK AND EXPERIENCE THE WORLD OFF SCREEN”….

NATHALIA CAMPOS SOCIAL MEDIA AND TV INFLUENCER

THE SHAPING OF THE UK ECONOMY AFTER THE PANDEMIC

SANA BANINE MP FOR MORROCO & FINANCE EXECUTIVE

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SANA BANINE IS AN ELECTED MP OF MOROCCO AND A VOTING MEMBER OF THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE COMMISSION. A BUSINESS LEADER WITH DEMONSTRATED EXPERIENCE IN DESIGNING, LAUNCHING, AND MANAGING INNOVATIVE BUSINESSES. SHE IS KNOWN FOR HER ABILITIES TO ORCHESTRATE ALL OPERATIONS AND DELIVERING ON PROJECTS REQUIRING A LARGE CALIBER OF FINANCING

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Figure 1: GFK Consumer Confidence Chart [Online Image]. Available at: https://tradingeconomics.com/united-kingdom/consumer-confidence

Figure 2: Real GDP data, UK, Quarter 4(Oct to Dec) 2019 to Quarter 2 (Apr to June) 2022. Source: Office for National Statistics- GDP first quarterly estimate. Available at: https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/grossdomesticproductgdp/bulletins/gdpfirstquarterlyestimateuk/apriltojune2022

Figure 3: G7 real GDP % change compared to pre-pandemic level, updated 2nd September. Available at: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/ sn02784/

Figure 4: Inflation Rate in the UK Chart. Trading Economics, Source: Office for National Statistics. Available at: https://tradingeconomics.com/united-kingdom/ inflation-cpi

Figure 5: G7 countries and the Euro area, annual % change in CPI. Source: OECD, ONS, Eurostat. The New Statesman Available at: https:// www.newstatesman.com/chart-of-the-day/2022/08/uk-inflation-rate-2022-vs-europe-g7-other-countries

Figure 6: CPI Inflation rate driven by housing and household services, transport and food. Source: Office for National Statistics- Consumer Price Inflation. Available at: https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/inflationandpriceindices/bulletins/consumerpriceinflation/july2022

Figure 7: International Comparison- Harmonised Unemployment Rate (%) Q1-2022. Source: OECD. Available at: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/researchbriefings/sn02800/

Figure 8: Annual inflation rate (% change) and the contribution of goods, services and energy prices. Monetary Policy Report available at: https:// www.bankofengland.co.uk/monetary-policy-report/2022/august-2022

Figure 9: Annual GDP growth (%), and forecast. Monetary Policy Report Available at: https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/monetary-policy-report/2022/august-2022

Figure10: Annual Inflation Rate (change%), and its forecast. Monetary Policy Report available at: https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/monetary-policy-report/2022/ august-2022

Figure11: Forecast summary of the MPC’s baseline Projections. Monetary Policy Report Available at: https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/monetary-policy-report/ 2022/august-2022

MENTAL HEALTH AFTER COVID-19

BY DAME TESSY ANTONY DE NASSAU

The global COVID 19 pandemic has affected all our lives in some way or another. One thing that finally was highlighted during this pandemic in a significant way was the global health crisis and discussions around mental health which have fuelled the media outlets, and company HR departments. So much so that it was merely impossible at times to book a psychologist. Psychologists were overwhelmed with the demand and were unable to allocate time for each person’s mental health needs. What does that tell us? It tells us that mental health, as all other health matters are not only a personal matter but also a matter for society and our leadership. We are still lacking policies and laws that inform, protect, and cater to people’s needs when it comes to mental health. A topic which was frowned upon for centuries, dismissed as unimportant or quite frankly not a matter for the public. This has all changed now.

One does not need to look far to find supporting evidence on google around this topic. According to Mind.org, 1 out of 6 people in the UK will experience mental health issues a year in the UK. Mentalhealth.org.uk goes further by stating that “Nearly two-thirds of people (65%) say that they have experienced a mental health problem. This rises to 7 in every 10 women, young adults aged 18-34 and people living alone.”

The huge elephant in the room remains that, despite these terrifying statists, there is still a strong stigma (negative attitude) around mental health.

As a mother of 4, three of them teenagers, I am worried about how mental health issues will affect my own children as they grow into adults. The pressure in school, social media, cyber bullying, societal expectations and many other factors make it not easy for a teen to grow up in our societies. Social media has increased this pressure and suicide rates among teens have spiked. “Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among people aged 15 to 24 in the U.S. Nearly 20% of high school students report serious thoughts of suicide and 9% have made an attempt to take their lives”, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. The US is no outlier in this. According to data by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), analysed by Young Minds, “suicide rates among young people aged 15-19 in England rose by 35 per cent from 2020 to 2021. In 2020, 147 young people aged 15-19 in England took their own lives. This rose to 198 in 2021.”

What could be the possible solutions. I am very aware that this is a very complex topic. However, one needs to start somewhere and that is where this article comes in.

Let us narrow it down to a specific timeframe. During the 2020-2021 global pandemic children spend a significant amount of time on their phones and computers. Not just for leisure but also due to their online school requirements. The consequence of this is that our children are now more attached to their electronics than any other generation before them. They have become slaves to the social media platforms they feed every day. It has replaced physical activity, face to face contact, being in nature, and real life. This has a significant impact on their mental health. As a solution parents can put timers on each app, track their online behaviour and most importantly use this newly gained knowledge and talk to their children about it.

On a policy level, it would be great to have access to coaching and psychologists for young and old, by providing 1 or 2 monthly free sessions to each. This is a significant financial commitment on the part of our leaders. However, prevention is exponentially cheaper than treatment. Because, when one gets sick it not only affects the family and community of that person, but also the workforce and leaves a void behind.

The creation of local support groups, reinforced by the public show of support by their leaders will also make a difference. There are groups already. However, often these groups are being seen as groups for ‘crazy’ people, and no one would like to be categorised as crazy. Quite understandably. We need to break that stigma in our society and how we talk about mental health and mental health issues.

I have often advocated for an insurance policy that favours your monthly contribution if you also see a psychologist. Seeing a psychologist does not need to be seen that you as a person have a problem. One can compare this to the example of gym membership. We all go to the gym and are proud of our achievements there. However, we are embarrassed to say that one sees a psychologist. How about changing the narrative to: I train my body – I go to the gym; I train my brain- I go to the psychologist or life coach.

Small changes in narratives reinforced by our leaders can make a huge difference. It would certainly create a more forward thinking and inclusive society where people feel safe to talk about all aspects of their life’s based on the foundation of mental health. I finish this short article with a saying “Your health is your wealth”. IF YOU WISH TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR OF THIS ARTICLE, CONTACT DAME TESSY ANTONY DE NASSAU, MOTHER OF 4, WITH DIRECT MESSAGE ON INSTAGRAM @TESSY_FROM_LUXEMBOURG. FIND MORE ABOUT HER WORK AT WWW.TESSYDENASSAU.COM

MIRROR-ENCASED SKYSCRAPERS EXTENDING OVER 170

KILOMETRES (MORE THAN 100 MILES), KNOWN COLLECTIVELY AS THE LINE, AT THE PLANNED NEOM CITY IN SAUDI ARABIA, UNVEILED BY CROWN PRINCE

MOHAMMED BIN SALMAN ON JULY 25, 2022. (IMAGES NEOM.COM)

ARABIA

CROWN PRINCE MOHAMMED BIN SALMAN

BY ROBBIE COREY-BOULET

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AFP) — A futuristic Saudi megacity is to feature two skyscrapers extending across a swath of desert and mountain terrain, according to the latest disclosures on the project by the kingdom’s de facto ruler.

The parallel structures of mirror-encased skyscrapers extending over 170 kilometres (more than 100 miles), known collectively as The Line, form the heart of the Red Sea megacity Neom, a plank of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s bid to diversify the Gulf state’s oil-dependent economy.

First announced in 2017, Neom has consistently raised eyebrows for proposed flourishes like flying taxis and robot maids, even as architects and economists have questioned its feasibility.

In a presentation Monday night, Prince Mohammed sketched out an even more ambitious vision, describing a car-free utopia that would become the planet’s most liveable city “by far.”

Analysts noted, though, that plans for Neom have changed course over the years, fuelling doubts about whether The Line will ever become reality.

Neom was once touted as a regional “Silicon Valley,” a biotech and digital hub spread over 26,500 square kilometres (10,000 square miles).

Now it’s a vehicle for reimagining urban life on a footprint of just 34 square kilometres, and addressing what Prince Mohammed describes as “livability and environmental crises.”

“The concept has morphed so much from its early conception that it’s sometimes hard to determine its direction: scaling down, scaling up, or making an aggressive turn sideways,” said Robert Mogielnicki of the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington.

POPULATION BOOM

Officials had earlier said Neom’s population would top one million, but Prince Mohammed said the number would hit 1.2 million by 2030 before climbing to nine million by 2045.

The eye-popping total is part of a hoped-for nationwide population boom that Prince Mohammed said would be necessary to make Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest crude exporter, an economic powerhouse.

The goal for 2030 is to have 50 million people — half Saudis and half foreigners — living in the kingdom, up from roughly 34 million today. By 2040 the target is 100 million people, he said.

“That’s the main purpose of building Neom, to raise the capacity of Saudi Arabia, get more citizens and more people in Saudi Arabia. And since we are doing it from nothing, why should we copy normal cities?”

The site will be powered by 100 percent renewable energy and feature “a year-round temperate micro-climate with natural ventilation,” a promotional video released Monday said.

Past environmental pledges by the kingdom, such as a vow to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2060, have sparked scepticism from environmentalists. Neom is well-positioned to harness solar and wind energy, and plans are also afoot for the city to host the world’s largest green hydrogen plant, said Torbjorn Soltvedt of risk intelligence company Verisk Maplecroft.

“But the feasibility of Neom as a whole is still unclear given the unprecedented scale and cost of the project,” he said.

FINDING FUNDS

At just 200 meters (yards) wide, The Line is intended to be Saudi Arabia’s answer to unchecked and wasteful urban sprawl, layering homes, schools, and parks on top of each other in what planners’ term “Zero Gravity Urbanism.”

Residents will have “all daily needs” reachable within a five-minute walk, while also having access to other perks like outdoor skiing facilities and “a high-speed rail with an end-to-end transit of 20 minutes,” according to a statement.

Though Neom will operate under its own founding law, which is still being prepared, Saudi officials say they have no plans to waive the kingdom’s alcohol ban. An airport is already operational at Neom, and authorities announced in May it would begin receiving regular flights from Dubai, but it is unclear whether major construction of the megacity itself has commenced. Neom said Tuesday it would create 380,000 jobs by the end of the decade “whilst providing the ultimate work-life balance.”

The “first phase” of the project, lasting until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion Saudi riyals (roughly $319 billion), Prince Mohammed said.

Besides government subsidies, potential sources of funding include the private sector and an initial public offering for Neom expected in 2024, he said. Securing the necessary financing remains a potential challenge, though the current climate is more favourable than during the coronavirus pandemic that lowered oil prices.

“But funding is only part of the equation… demand is harder to buy, especially when you’re asking people to be part of an experiment on living and working in the future,” Mogielnicki said.

HOW TO FIX THE METAVERSE

BY EMILIO SANTOS CTO THREEDEE, INC.

WHAT IS THE METAVERSE?

The metaverse is a virtual world where users (and businesses) will coexist in an alternative economy. Everyone will have their space and be free to be creative and make money out of it. For your business, you could sell either physical or digital goods or even generate revenue by displaying advertisements on your properties. This is the promise, but (and there is no pleasant way to say this), the metaverse has failed. In its first iteration, that is. Although it is more nuanced than this, you could argue a metaverse is akin to an open world game. There is no surprise then that the public has decided not to go there. Compare:

It is obvious, why would you go into a world with 90s graphics? The technology is obviously there to create realistic, high-quality worlds and yet, all metaverse offerings from Meta to Decentraland asks the public to get excited about a low-quality product. This is not a matter of funding either, billions have been spent in this pursuit. And the question remains, if your metaverse looks and feels like Grand Theft Auto video game, would the metaverse have failed? The daily audience for Fortnite is 3 million daily users, for Decentraland is either 38 or 7000 depending on who you believe.

At issue here is the sheer size and quality of 3d content needed for these enterprises. Currently, the vast majority of 3d content is created manually by highly skilled individuals. This is not a sustainable model but for a few elite companies in the world and not one that the metaverse makers have been able to replicate. Too much hiring, training and management required.

Therefore: low quality, therefore no daily users. Roblox is the exception, not the rule. This problem is not endemic to the metaverse but to all media that require high quality graphics at scale. Most video games (save for the aforementioned elite) would simply limit scale, but this is not always possible and certainly not for the metaverse, which promises large worlds to explore. Similar endeavours, such as large-scale simulations (think, military) and animated movies are forced to either make do with trickery or throw large amounts of money at the problem. Most don’t even try.

But there is a simple answer to this problem, albeit not a trivial one: Procedural Content Generation. The idea is that based on a limit set of information (something a small team could create), a procedural system would create large amount of 3d content, enough to create cities or worlds. With a click. Both academy and industry have been working on this for decades, and progress has been made. Today we can replicate natural phenomena to a high degree of accuracy.

We can do terrains, trees, water, and clouds. Unfortunately, the natural world provides very small entertaining value in the virtual world. A stroll in the park is amazing and healthy while a stroll in the virtual word is just dull. We want cities, cars, foes moving around in a chaotic world that would feel endless to explore. And here comes the problem: urban environments do not follow the precise consistent rules of the natural world. Architectural styles vary wildly, structures must be connected and accessible, simple mistakes can render a structure unrealistic (the entrance of a building not facing the street, for instance).

At the root of this problem is the fact that our brains are trained to detect and reject repetitive or unlikely content. Once the brain has rejected your world, you will never enjoy it again. Turns out this is a very hard problem and both industry and academia have struggled with it.

Our company Threedee Inc. has come up with a unique way to approach the problem. We developed and patented a new way to describe the content so our engine can interpret this language in infinitely possible ways therefore creating infinite variations of any model. Our results are varied and correct and can produce the organic look where users do not suspect the environment is computergenerated. In our workflow, the artist describes a structure and implicitly sets the rules of correctness and variation. Once such a structure has been successfully modelled, say, a house; you may ask the system to generate an entire neighbourhood with a click.

THE UPCOMING GLOBAL FOOD CRISIS AND HOW WE CAN MITIGATE IT

By Miltiadis Gkouzouris CEO, HVA International Est. 1879

Within months of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the effects of the sanctions against Russia and the impeded production of Ukraine began being felt worldwide and sent markets into a tailspin.

Russia and Ukraine are two major food producing nations so any disruption to food supply would indubitably be felt far and wide. Fertiliser shortages adversely affected innumerable farmers and wheat shortages caused price hikes that had countless millions of consumers fuming. Even products such as sunflower oil have been affected seeing as Ukraine is one of the biggest suppliers in the world.

World food supply is like an ultra-large container ship: one cannot suddenly change course and source vast quantities in a matter of weeks or months, so this disruption will result in a significant crunch but can also serve as an important teachable moment.

In order to fully grasp the scope of this disruption, consider that the combined annual production of wheat in Russia and Ukraine is roughly 110 million tons. That is the equivalent of 4.5 million truckloads, much of which is exported worldwide. If one were to line those trucks up bumper-to-bumper, it would create a 60,000 km long caravan, a distance equal to 1 ½ times the circumference of the Earth! Needless to say, world food markets will be turbulent and we need to brace for a bumpy ride.

Bread is a staple food, and when one in five people on our planet have been getting their wheat from Russia and Ukraine, any disruption to supply can wreak havoc. Billions of people are barely scraping by, so when wheat farmers are impacted by war and ports get blocked and a worldwide embargo is imposed, it will cause upheaval.

We estimated earlier this year that Ukrainian wheat production would be no more than 11 million tons, and that only 30 million tons of Russian wheat would reach foreign markets. The shortfall in exported wheat would therefore be 30 million tons, which would seriously affect 400 million people. The cost to mitigate that shortfall would be close to €10 billion, which is more than the entire annual budget of the World Food Programme.

If the EU and global community is not able to quickly source alternatives to this imminent shortfall in the wheat market, measures will need to be imposed to curtail consumption, such as rationing. The price of wheat will likely double in most countries and make it impossible for millions of people with low incomes to afford flour to make bread.

There is unfortunately no quick fix for this sudden disruption to global food supply seeing as sourcing such large volumes of wheat elsewhere takes time. Economies of scale is a crucial factor in food production and finding large land areas that have suitable climate and soil characteristics and also suitable logistics in place is not done overnight.

…“WE ESTIMATED EARLIER THIS YEAR THAT UKRAINIAN WHEAT PRODUCTION WOULD BE NO MORE THAN 11 MILLION TONS, AND THAT ONLY 30 MILLION TONS OF RUSSIAN WHEAT WOULD REACH FOREIGN MARKETS. THE SHORTFALL IN EXPORTED WHEAT WOULD THEREFORE BE 30 MILLION TONS, WHICH WOULD SERIOUSLY AFFECT 400 MILLION PEOPLE. THE COST TO MITIGATE THAT SHORTFALL WOULD BE CLOSE TO €10 BILLION, WHICH IS MORE THAN THE ENTIRE ANNUAL BUDGET OF THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME…”

HVA INTERNATIONAL, EST. 1879

MILTIADIS GKOUZOURIS CEO,

The best way to avoid a protracted, costly global food crisis would of course be for Putin to end his ill-fated war. Seeing as peace seems unlikely anytime soon, the most constructive thing to do would be to diversify wheat production in the long term by setting up new large scale farms and regard them as an investment for the future as they will safeguard us against future crises like this one. We at HVA strongly advocate making the African continent the main future suppliers of food seeing as the continent is made up of 54 different nations, many of which have vast areas of uncultivated land. With the continent’s proximity to Europe, it should have been developed into a food bank for our continent years ago.

Many areas in Africa have suitable climate and soils for wheat cultivation and access to water, seaports and a readily available and young work force. One could theoretically make up for the entire shortfall of wheat if just 0.1% of Africa’s land mass was dedicated to wheat cultivation (4 million hectares).

Having operated in Africa for over 100 years, we at HVA know that the effort must be a well-coordinated one, else it can be an expensive flop. While most African countries today are far less troubled by conflict than Europe is, they are not fully industrialised. Setting up a large wheat cultivation campaign on virgin soils would require at least 5 months of intense preparations, meaning that it would be at least 1 year before the first harvest could be exported. Nevertheless, if the EU is serious about mitigating a global food and financial crisis, we think action needs to be taken sooner rather than later!

ABOUT HVA INTERNATIONAL EST. 1879

HVA INTERNATIONAL WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1879 AND HAS ITS HEADQUARTERS IN THE NETHERLANDS. IT IS AN HISTORIC AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT GROUP THAT HAS SERVED THOUSANDS OF CLIENTS WORLDWIDE. HVA HELPED TO FUND, DESIGN, MANAGE AND MODERNISE FARMS THROUGHOUT THE (DEVELOPING) WORLD.

A STAUNCH SUPPORTER OF THE UN-FORMULATED SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS, HVA’S VALUE PROPOSITIONS INCLUDE A FULL RANGE OF SERVICES, FROM CONCEIVING AND FUNDING NEW AGRICULTURAL PROJECTS TO MANAGING WHOLE AGRICULTURAL ENTERPRISES.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS ARTICLE PLEASE CONTACT: MILTIADIS GKOUZOURIS, CEO WWW.HVAINTERNATIONAL.NL

THE INTERNET AND THE ARTS ARE BEING REINVENTED

BY JEFF CROSS, DRAGON GATEWAY

The first version of the internet democratised information. It was a place where users around the world could go to websites and read the latest news or lookup information, but it was read-only. The second version democratised publishing. Now it has become possible to read and write. The internet is more interactive, with social media truly connecting the world in a way never seen before. People can now post music to the world without a record label, videos without a TV contract, and articles without a newspaper, but you are still guests in the houses of the big tech companies that monetise your data and can “deplatform” you anytime. And now, the third version - Web3 -is democratising ownership and reinventing internet services in a way that they can be owned and operated by communities and creators instead of companies. As we live a growing portion of our lives online, we see the arts, fashion, and sports industries crossing into the digital Web3 realms as well with the recent invention of NonFungible Tokens, or NFTs. NFTs can simply be thought of as a certificate of authenticity. Rather than a paper certificate issued by a 3rd party that would sit in a file cabinet, these digital certificates are issued and stored in a secure online public ledger. While the concept of digital certificates of authenticity may seem simple, this is the first time in the history of internet that they have been able to exist outside the control of a third party and in a way that can prove who the issuer is. This is one of the reasons for the tremendous hype and media attention in the industry recently. All artists can now sell digital “originals” to collectors who can prove their authenticity.

Dragon Gateway is an International Advisory Consortium providing a vast variety of solutions for exponential growth and digital transformation for businesses and countries, ushering them into the fourth industrial revolution. Dragon Gateway is enabling private and public companies, as well as government entities, to create, expand, and optimise blockchain and web3 projects to address the fast pace of changing industry trends.”

JEFF CROSS ALIGNING IDEAS, PEOPLE, AND CAPITAL DRAGONGATEWAY

The UK Parliamentary Society is proud to announce the launch of a Virtual Art Gallery with the purpose of promoting English art and culture in the digital era as well as facilitating the transition of art creators from traditional channels to the new world of Web3, digital art and collectibles, and metaverses. This transition is facilitated by our trusted partners - Dragon Gateway.

Dragon Gateway is an International Advisory Consortium providing a vast variety of solutions for exponential growth and digital transformation for businesses and countries, ushering them into the fourth industrial revolution. Dragon Gateway is enabling private and public companies, as well as government entities, to create, expand, and optimise blockchain and web3 projects to address the fast pace of changing industry trends. Through their technology partners NFTICALLY -Dragon Gateway is providing artists with a fully customisable gallery for showcasing their digital art. The NFTICALLY platform has successfully launched thousands of galleries with over 15,000 digital artworks and is the perfect infrastructure for this project due to its robust functionality and highly competent development teams.

Our Virtual Gallery can be accessed on the ParliamentarySociety.com website. We will be delighted to see you there.

HOW 'BSST'BESPOKE SEASONAL SKIN TREATMENTSCOULD IMPROVE YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

BY DR. ELLIE SATTARI, BAFA

The World Health Organisation estimates that the number of people suffering from depression is approximately 280 million.

Established treatments such as psychotherapy or antidepressants don’t work sufficiently for about one-third of the patients so there is a need to develop novel treatment options, and this is where BSST treatments could have a significant role.

· You need to think about BSST if you are thinking about this question:

What do I miss most about my younger face?

What do I appreciate about my mature face?

What would I allow myself as “treat” to maintain my good and healthy looks?

What cause depression?

What is the best way to improve my mental wellbeing?

ACTION

Skin Booster and Rejuvenation treatments with combination of injectables might influence the cell generation and boost serotonin levels system, making you feel all round happier and could help with the treatment of borderline personality disorder (BPD), according to a recent study by our scientific team at The British Academy of Facial Aesthetics “BAFA LONDON”

As part of our study, magnetic resonance imaging provided the first evidence showing how aesthetic treatments might modify the behavioural and emotionally aspects of BPD.

These new findings are in line with other studies on how BSST could be used to treat mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.

The research involved trail emotional and confidence magnetic on 25 women and 25 men (different age groups) suffering from the anxiety and depression which is associated with unwelcoming changes in physical and mental appearance.

The participants had to control their reactions to certain wrinkles while seeing pictures of faces with different emotional expressions presented to them on a computer screen while the researchers scanned their mental health and emotions by using clinical special diagnostics, interviews and the results were measured both before the treatment and eight weeks after.

BPD is one of the most common personality disorders with symptoms of emotional instability and impulsive behaviour and is a condition that affects how you think , feel and interact with the other people, patients suffering from BPD experience an excess of negative emotions like anger and fear and shame based on previous studies, our hypothesis was that improving skin texture and wrinkles and will interrupt a feedback loop between the face and the brain and thereby reduce these negative emotions.

The diagnostic studies of patients showed decreased activity in the amygdala region of the brain responsible for processing negative emotions.

The study showed a reduction in the activity of the amygdala which is commonly through to form the core of a neural system for processing fearful anxiety and threatening to emotional stimuli, which is often exaggerated in BPD patients. The researchers also noticed that BSST reduced the patients’ impulsive behaviour in the task, correlating with the activation of prefrontal areas in the brain that are involved in inhibitory control and significantly improve on mental health.

Emotions expressed on the face affect our mental state; negative emotions such as anger, sadness, or fear often generate skin texture and wrinkles on the skin, face and neck lines when treated with the BSST for face rejuvenating which, according to the facial feedback hypothesis, also cuts back the intensity of the expressed emotions.

In our study in 2021 Brits and USA scientists globally, found that BSST can also mitigate anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders were 22 to 85% less common in patients with BSST than in those who had received other therapies for the same conditions.

The BAFA London scientist team therefore, concluded that either there is overall body feedback where the areas treated with different aesthetic treatments which communicate with the brain – or the botulinum toxin somehow travels and reaches the central nervous system.

Based on the same database, similar research was conducted in 2022 about the possible antidepressant effects of BSST treatments. This showed that BSST could be used not only to treat depression as several previous studies had already suggested – but it might also have a protective effect on the condition.

LOVE AND MARRIAGE, HATE AND DIVORCE!

BY DR OLGA ROH, LADY INCHDREWER

Research on these topics is as endless as the wisecracks and advice of soothsayers and fortune-tellers with the qualifications of Nostradamus. The timeline of those who have tried to understand and explain relationships is fascinating; starting with the wandering minstrels and troubadours of old William Shakespeare, Leo Tolstoy and perhaps most recently rappers, we have not until now been able to overcome many burning questions.

In fact, these topics are used for studies at serious scientific level in academic circles, and they have a verifiable justification. I was surprised to discover the mathematical love formulas (just imagine this?!) developed by a very serious and recognised academic, a highly regarded mathematician of our “age of reason”, Dr Pavel Alexandrov, who is a distinguished Professor at the Academy of Sciences of the Russian Federation. And hear, hear! These formulas are not inspired by voodoo or practitioners of magic from times of ancient binding witchcraft, which were all about to “bind” people up to different outcomes in personal affairs related to love, and even revenge.

LOVE TRIANGLE

Both John and Jack propose to Mary. Whom would Mary prefer to marry? Life presents Mary the rather tricky situation of having to make the right choice. And here women often solve complex mathematical problems faster than men, without even realising it. And in this respect, as Pavel Aleksandrov assures us, the female mind and logic are akin to great mathematicians such as Poincaré. And everything is simple: we build a matrix of relations; we then find the values and vectors of this matrix. An analysis of the vector corresponding to the maximum value makes it possible to uniquely solve Mary’s problem! If this vector leans towards the "Mary and Jack" plane, then Mary should marry Jack and vice versa if it leans towards the "John and Mary" plane. Should the vector be grounded within the either-or plane of "John or Jack", then Mary just needs to wait. That is, if they are both worthy of her.

Which means the love triangle is on a level to Mary that doesn't allow for a quick decision. This is purely a mathematical calculation. When a woman is pressed by a life situation, she is prepared to make that fateful choice even if she has never studied mathematics. This is the result of her routine brain activity in making the decision.

WHICH MARRIAGE IS THE STRONGEST?

Marriages are known to be concluded for love, for convenience, for sex. They can be carnal, and sometimes truly unequal. It turns out that, from the point of view of mathematics, the most stable marriages tend to be the ones which had initially been concluded for convenience, but on the important condition that the calculation was correct for both parties... What if it's wrong? Divorce usually follows, which, of course, is preceded by marriage. In other words, and excuse my macabre tone here, marriages breed divorces. But then again, divorce breeds marriage. However, divorce also breeds divorce! And this is significant, since some divorced people act in society as free radicals - hello again, mathematics! - they destroy other people's families. Therefore, avoid friendships with divorced people if you want your family not to fall apart! Along the way, we must note that here, too, women intuitively choose the side of mathematically calculated logic and avoid introducing their divorced girlfriends to their beloved spouse. One never knows.

THE CHALLENGE OF HAPPINESS

"All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy.

Happiness is a feeling and a state of complete satisfaction to which we strive in life, but we do not all achieve. Nevertheless, to be happy is a fundamental human desire. It is impossible for a person to understand whether he is happy if he has never been unhappy. Here we apply the same statistical test as for marriage and divorce, since over time even the happiest and most successful person will suffer misfortune. This is the very test that makes it clear whether a person is happy or not at the moment and why it is necessary to be unhappy periodically for therapeutic purposes.

LOVE AND HATRED

"Love your neighbour as yourself." Matthew 22:39

What is the legacy of this quote? The conclusion of the Philistine would be to "love yourself." The conclusion of a practicing mathematician would be: “If you hate someone, you first of all hate yourself and are thereby self-destructive.” “I am ready to subscribe to these words with full responsibility,” says Pavel Aleksandrov. Let us figure out this dilemma. Love is as strong a feeling as hate, but with one main difference: love is creative, whereas hatred is destructive. They say there is but one step from love to hate. But from hate to love the distance is insurmountably large. Since love is creative, one must strive for it, avoiding hatred. People who feel hatred for another person sometimes do not realise that they hate themselves first. There is a saying that when someone is in love the Lord kisses him on the top of his head, making him the happiest person in the world.

DON-JUANISM

Lovemaking is not love; the former does not necessarily have anything to do with the latter. Don Juanism is the phenomenon of a heterosexual male looking for as many sexual encounters as possible, sometimes keeping meticulous notes on his exploits. If you look at it from a strictly mathematical point of view, Don Juanism shows a certain disdain, if not hatred for women, and not love for all of them, as one may be led to believe.

ABOUT OLGA ROH, WITH A PHD FROM THE UNIVERSITY BERN, SHE IS A LINGUIST, JOURNALIST, LITERARY CRITIC, PSYCHOLOGIST, AND FASHION DESIGNER. OLGA WORKED MANY YEARS AS A MODEL FOR TOP FASHION HOUSES AND BECAME A KNOWN SWISS MODEL. IN 2007 SHE FOUNDED ROHMIR FASHION HOUSE AND ACTS AS ITS CREATIVE DIRECTOR. FOR MORE INFORMATION SEE HER SOCIAL HANDLE @ROHMIR_

It is unlikely or at least very rare that a man feels love for a woman of easy virtue. He unfortunately more likely despises her. Hatred comes into its own - we are talking about a man who has not been loved in his life and who does not love himself! So we are back to proving the previous theorem from the mathematical model of love and hate: hate that breeds love is almost impossible! In mathematics, in this case, the coefficient responsible for the transition from hatred to love is said to tend towards zero.

ADVERSE CIRCUMSTANCES

"For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo..." Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare

The problem is formulated as follows: do the external circumstances of the belligerent clans of Montague and Capulet influence the depth of feelings of Romeo and Juliet from the point of view of mathematics? This problem is similar to the previously mentioned problem of Mary’s love triangle, the rigorous solution of which leads to the conclusion that external circumstances do not affect the feelings of Romeo and Juliet! In other words, if your feelings are influenced by external circumstances, then these feelings are NOT REAL! They are ephemeral. This means that these young people would have to look for another object of love and not waste valuable time. Quintessentially, love ought not to depend on external circumstances and barriers, that is, as long as we are talking about true love. So, you need to take care of a different object of attention. Let’s remember though, that the most stable marriages tend to be, according to statistics, those where both parties benefit and keep on benefiting from the marriage long after the wedding day.

THE CHALLENGE OF DEVELOPMENT

Prosper Mérimée opens the curtain of his novel “Carmen” by bestowing on his criminal, promiscuous but devilishly seductive and eponymous main character the knowledge of her imminent death and that of her former lover José through fortune-telling. Carmen decided to live in such a way as not to miss anything, transferring her passion to the brave and glorious bullfighter Escamillo. How this story ended, everyone knows. What to say about predictions of fate? Are they not absurd, are they necessary from a mathematical point of view?

According to the mathematician, prediction is developmental. Development can be different: spiritual, moral, intellectual or financial. The tasks themselves have a linear formulation associated with the speed of development. It is an unstable process and because of this, development should not be too fast, otherwise the process becomes spasmodic, which can lead to catastrophically inaccurate consequences. Decision-making should bring about a qualitative improvement in the starting position. If this does not happen, the degradation process takes effect. In contrast to development, degradation is very stable indeed. A kind of inertia.

In other words, the development process is a predictive process, in contrast to the random process, which is associated with unpredictable behaviour.

Predictability and the logic of a situation’s development are present in a good number of works of world literature. One striking example is Honoré de Balzac's The Wild Ass's Skin (“La peau de chagrin”).

Good and evil, war and peace, a race to the death. These contrasts are well displayed in mathematics. All conflicts and wars fit into the model of mathematical oppositions.

Political scientists happily repeat the following downtrodden phrase: he who owns the information, owns the world. In reality this is a grave mistake, for information is knowledge of the past and facts about which we only know that they were used at some point in the past. In fact, a deep understanding of the process is important in order to be able to predict it without fortune-tellers. Only he who knows the future owns the world!

ABOUT REVENGE

Revenge is a dish best served cold. It it is popularly believed that this phrase was coined by Choderlos de Laclos (1741-1803) for his 1782 novel Dangerous Liaisons: "La vengeance est un plat qui se mange froid". Yet you will not find this witty phrase in the text of the novel and in reality it is even older than de Laclos.

I do think that it would be terribly naughty of us to talk about revenge with our good-natured professor. That said, Pavel Alexandrov has a righteous streak, as we shall see next.

I will quote our professor one last time: “In the life of a teacher, you get to deal with both tricky and funny situations. In principle, I do not like to punish lazy students. But I do not like their laziness. I regularly have to prepare examinations for my mathematics students and to my surprise I have a few students I never see in class suddenly attend my exams. They include daughters, girlfriends and spouses of super wealthy people from the famous Rublevskoe Chausse [a Moscow street littered with tremendously expensive bits of real estate]. These girls look as though they had just stepped off the most glamorous catwalks. I suspect that a number of them not once attended my classes. I try to make my exams really interesting, so I use examples that can be applied to real life when I prepare my problems that my students get asked touch on the most burning topics of our lives. “Oh, in vain did we not attend math classes!” is what I have sometimes heard my absentee students exclaim. This is the most pleasant kind of revenge for me! You missed a fascinating and an almost universally applicable chapter in the book of human knowledge. Live a whole century long, learn a century, otherwise you will die a fool!”

And at this point, lesson learned: “Make mathematics your friend, as since Galileo Galilei we know - the book of nature is written in the language of mathematics”!

THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL

BY KAM MURALI

THE GARDEN OF GOOD & EVIL COLLECTION BY MALAN BRETON SS23

PHOTO

" MY INSPIRATION IS TIME TRAVEL, VICTORIAN VAUDEVILLE, DAVINCI’S PHILOSOPHIES. AND THE MUSIC OF SCOTT JOPLIN, WHICH I PLAYED ON A VICTROLA FOR DAYS AS I IMMERSED MYSELF IN DESIGNING THE COLLECTION. IN A SORT OF "SOMEWHERE IN TIME" PARADIGM, BY DRAWING IN A STYLE RELATIVE TO PICTURE BOOKS OF THE ERA.

THE COLLECTION IS MADE OF RECLAIMED MATERIALS. INCLUDING THE JEWELLERY AND ACCESSORIES.

THE COLLECTION FEELS VERY EDWARDIAN/VICTORIAN MODERN. KEEPING WITH FABRICS OF SILK, COTTON, BATTENBERG LACES, SUMMER WEIGHT WOOLS, FAUX FURS, KNITS, ORGANZAS, TWISTING VICTORIAN DETAILING AND CORSETRY WITH MODERN ELEMENTS. IN COLOURS OF A ROYAL GARDEN.

INCLUDING "LE BLEU BRETAGNE", ULTRA VIOLET, LUSCIOUS RED, VERDIGRIS, AND MORE. IN TRIBUTE TO HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II, MALAN BRETON FEATURED A FINALE IN ALL BLACK INSPIRED BY 1926,

THE YEAR OF HER MAJESTY’S BIRTH. PRESENTED AS A PART OF THIS IS ICON'S SECOND CHARITY GALA DURING LONDON FASHION WEEK. "

MALAN BRETON FASHION DESIGNER

THE GARDEN OF GOOD & EVIL COLLECTION

BY MALAN BRETON SS23

PHOTO BY FAB UK

THE GARDEN OF GOOD & EVIL COLLECTION

BY MALAN BRETON SS23

PHOTO BY FAB UK

BY KAM MURALI

THE GARDEN OF GOOD & EVIL COLLECTION BY MALAN BRETON SS23

PHOTO

THE GARDEN OF GOOD & EVIL COLLECTION

BY MALAN BRETON SS23

PHOTO BY FAB UK

PHOTO BY FAB UK

THE GARDEN OF GOOD & EVIL COLLECTION BY MALAN BRETON SS23

MALAN BRETON SS23

BY KAM MURALI

THE GARDEN OF GOOD & EVIL COLLECTION BY

PHOTO

MALAN BRETON SS23

BY KAM MURALI

THE GARDEN OF GOOD & EVIL COLLECTION BY

PHOTO

THE GARDEN OF GOOD & EVIL COLLECTION

BY MALAN BRETON SS23

PHOTO BY KAM MURALI

On the 4th of June 2022 the Parliamentary Society for Arts, Fashion & Sports celebrated the Queen’s Jubilee with a lavished celebration with national and international performances followed by an awards ceremony that honoured various figures in the Arts, Education, Charity, Law, and Innovation. The celebration was concurred by 220 guests including members of UK & European Royal Family, Members of Parliament, Scientists, CEOS, MBE, OBEs, and artists from around the world.

THE AWARDS

Preceded by the Parliamentary Society Chairwoman Rebeca Riofrio the award ceremony took place at the iconic Royal Horseguard place full in military history, not only was this building used as a headquarters by the Secret Intelligence Service MI5 and MI6, Winston Churchill and, in WWII, was home to the American Embassy and the Air Training Corps.

AWARDS CATEGORIES, HONOURS, AND RECIPIENTS:

In this order, for their support to the advancement of Arts in the United Kingdom and services given to the Parliamentary Society of Arts the following received the certificate of “Patron of the Arts”, Trophy, and a Medal of Honour.

QUEEN ELIZABETH II JUBILEE CELEBRATION & AWARD CEREMONY AWARDEE NADEY HAKIM

QUEEN ELIZABETH II JUBILEE CELEBRATION & AWARD CEREMONY ON CAPTION AWARDEES

QUEEN ELIZABETH II JUBILEE CELEBRATION & AWARD CEREMONY AWARDEE FERNANDO MONTANO

HONOUR CERTIFICATES - PATRON OF THE ARTS & HONOUR MEDALS:

Principal Medal to Othman Al Omeir, acclaimed Journalist and Editor in Chief of Various Publications including ELAPH newspaper and How to Spend It – Financial Times Magazine Arabic. Followed by Carlos Gonzalez of Charles Crown Financial and Fouzia Bouzian of Your Health First Clinic in Harley Street.

Malan Breton - Fashion Designer & Philanthropist, Amy Lam Poon – Lang Lang Foundation, Property Development, Charities & Philanthropy, Tyne O’Connell – Writer, Historian and LGBTQ Torchbearer, Patricia Giraldo – Finance & Accounts, Olga Balakleets – International Arts & Women Empowerment, Zineb Faress – Culinary Innovation & Charities, Islee Olivia de Salinas –Philanthropy.

QUEEN ELIZABETH II JUBILEE CELEBRATION & AWARD CEREMONY AWARDEE CARLOS GUALO

QUEEN ELIZABETH II JUBILEE CELEBRATION & AWARD CEREMONY ON CAPTION AWARDEE OTHMAN AL OMEIR

QUEEN ELIZABETH II JUBILEE CELEBRATION & AWARD CEREMONY ON CAPTION AWARDEES

QUEEN ELIZABETH II JUBILEE CELEBRATION & AWARD CEREMONY ON CAPTION AWARDEE PRINCESS KATERINA OF YUGOSLAVIA

QUEEN ELIZABETH II JUBILEE CELEBRATION & AWARD CEREMONY ON CAPTION AWARDEES OF HONOUR

QUEEN ELIZABETH II JUBILEE CELEBRATION & AWARD CEREMONY

QUEEN ELIZABETH II JUBILEE CELEBRATION & AWARD CEREMONY

QUEEN ELIZABETH II JUBILEE CELEBRATION & AWARD CEREMONY ON CAPTION AWARDEE CHELSEY BAKER

QUEEN ELIZABETH II JUBILEE CELEBRATION & AWARD CEREMONY

QUEEN ELIZABETH II JUBILEE CELEBRATION & AWARD CEREMONY ON CAPTION SOFIA BENCHEIKH

QUEEN ELIZABETH II JUBILEE

JOHN GALLAN.

QUEEN ELIZABETH II JUBILEE

QUEEN ELIZABETH II JUBILEE CELEBRATION & AWARD CEREMONY ON CAPTION YASMINE NAGHDI

QUEEN ELIZABETH II JUBILEE CELEBRATION & AWARD CEREMONY ON CAPTION ART WINNER VANJA KARA

QUEEN ELIZABETH II JUBILEE CELEBRATION & AWARD CEREMONY ON CAPTION LADY COLIN. CAMPBELL

QUEEN ELIZABETH II JUBILEE CELEBRATION & AWARD CEREMONY ON CAPTION AWARDEE KATERINA MINA

QUEEN ELIZABETH II JUBILEE CELEBRATION & AWARD CEREMONY ON CAPTION AWARDEE LUIS CHAPAS

QUEEN ELIZABETH II JUBILEE CELEBRATION & AWARD CEREMONY ION CAPTION AWARDEE AIDAN MIKDAD

QUEEN ELIZABETH II JUBILEE CELEBRATION & AWARD CEREMONY ON CAPTION AWARDEE MALAN BRETON

QUEEN ELIZABETH II JUBILEE CELEBRATION & AWARD CEREMONY ON CAPTION AWARDEE CARLOS GONZALEZ

QUEEN ELIZABETH II JUBILEE CELEBRATION & AWARD CEREMONY ON CAPTION NAOMI ISTED, NATALIA KAPCHUK & MICAELA OLIVEIRA

QUEEN ELIZABETH II JUBILEE CELEBRATION & AWARD CEREMONY ART COMPETITION JUDGES

QUEEN ELIZABETH II JUBILEE CELEBRATION & AWARD CEREMONY THE ARBEN SISTERS

QUEEN ELIZABETH II JUBILEE CELEBRATION & AWARD CEREMONY REBECA RIOFRIO GIVING A SPEECH AT THE AWARD CEREMONY

PHOTO BY SANDRA VIJANDI

I am a British trained Mexican actress, model and influencer. I grew up very fond of film, everything art related really. I always wanted to dedicate my life to art. I used to dream about becoming a best selling writer, a painter and dancer besides wanting to be an actress. I found a way of letting myself go and surrender to storytelling in acting. and hopefully, inspire people from my country and around the world to follow their passions too. Also, fun fact, my full name is Grecia Castillo De la Paz which translates to Greece Castle of Peace, the most dramatic character name ever, so I felt the need to do something with it hahaha.

2. Why did you choose to develop your career in the UK? It merely happened by accident. I was looking to move to LA 5 years ago whilst I was living in Mexico City. One day I saved enough to do my first solo euro trip and my first stop was London. It was instant love. The city really caught you. I had to start from scratch, getting used to speaking (and thinking) in another language, catching the accents, and the slang. All very different from American English, which is the way I originally learned the language.

3. Tell us about your latest project?

I recently performed at LatinXctors UK Showcase in Soho Theatre. A project focused on giving visibility to Latin American talent for the industry to know more about our work. If we don’t support each other, we become invisible. Just before this I was also in FRIDA: The Colours, a play about the life and death of one of the most legendary Mexican painters and feminist icon, Frida Kahlo. I played her sister, Cristina. It really was an honour to bring her story back to life in UK lands and see the audience's positive reactions to it!

4. How important do you think as an artist to take care of mental health?

Mental health to me is everything. Dramaturgy is a profession that is closely connected to psychology and body language. There are some acting techniques that can trigger some personal things in you and you have to learn to use those emotions as fuel for certain characters. What I’ve been doing lately to not go crazy is get into breathe-work, yoga and meditation. I try to do Yoga at least twice a week. it just helps me feel grounded and in calm in my body

5. How would you describe your work to someone who hasn't seen it before?

I won’t claim it to be something that you haven’t seen before, but it’s about how I do it that matters :D

6. Who else it’s behind your work ? Years of trauma! (lol)

7. What or who has been the biggest singular influence on your work?

I have always admired Stefanni Germanotta, better known as Lady Gaga. Her determination, dedication, persistence and hard work for what she loves is truly remarkable. The lady has achieved it all! Oscar, Grammy, Emmy, Tony, Golden Globe, you name it! That is something I aspire to become one day.

8. How do you think the economic uncertainty in the UK can affect the artists? It’s something I am actually struggling with at the moment. I am quite uncertain about the future most of the time because as a performer you never know when your next job is gonna be. You need to count on different factors to secure a role and if you do so, the next thing to worry about is, when does it pay off? I'm unsure about where the country is heading with all the inflation but I hope for the best indeed.

9. Which project have you enjoyed working on the most so far and what would you like to achieve in the near future?

One of the biggest projects that I have the opportunity to work on was George Clooney’s The Midnight Sky movie for Netflix. It was surreal! He was so cool and gave us great tips for controlling the nerves on camera. I also met one of the biggest Mexican actors on set as well, Demian Bichir. It turned out I was on the same scene. It was honestly a magical project to be a part of.

10. Where people can find more about you and your future projects

You can find me on IMDB, and social channels Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok as @greciadelapaz

1. Please could you tell us about your background and how it leads to the work you do today?

PHOTOS ON THIS PAGE FROM THE PLAY FRIDA - THE COLOURS AT SOHO THEATRE

LONDON-BASED MODELS WINNING THE GUINNESS WORLD RECORD ADVOCATING FOR SUSTAINABILITY

MOUNT EVEREST

23RD OF SEPTEMBER 2021, GOKYO LAKE REGION IN NEPAL - WE ARE AT AN ALTITUDE OF 5500 M ABOVE SEA LEVEL. IT IS A FOGGY AND COLD DAY WHEN THE NEPALI LOCALS, ALSO KNOWN AS SHERPAS, SET UP A RAMP IN THE MIDDLE OF AN ICY GLACIER, THE PLACE WHERE THE HIGHEST ALTITUDE FASHION SHOW WAS MEANT TO TAKE PLACE LATER THAT DAY. TWELVE MODELS, ALL FROM DIFFERENT PLACES AROUND THE WORLD, INCLUDING NEPAL, THE UK, GERMANY, LATVIA, ITALY, FINLAND, POLAND, AND THE UAE, HAD COME TOGETHER IN THE CITY OF KATHMANDU TWO WEEKS EARLIER TO START THIS LIFECHANGING ATTEMPT FOR THE GUINNESS WORLD RECORD.

Two of them are our London-based models Julia Kristina Mueller and Luise Hasse. The two did not know each other prior to the project, but share a distinct passion for travel, adventure, and obviously, fashion and modelling - as well as their German heritage. Yet, this extraordinary experience was a quick way for the two to bond in no time, having to share hotel rooms, tea house beds and a bare tent for nearly one month in the Himalayas. What first looked like a wonderful holiday-like expedition into nature, quickly transformed into a massive challenge. Not only did the two models have to face the lack of everyday comforts, but also the physical and mental challenges in a place where there is no oxygen, no civilisation, and no contact to the outside world.

Days are passing by slowly, as the models land in Lukla airport, which holds the shortest ramp on earth and, according to statistics, is the airport of most plane crashes in the entire world. From this point onwards, the team would track for 16 days and nights to return to the very same airport that would transport the models back to the capital of Nepal. Followed by an army of local Sherpas, yaks, doctors and an Indian film crew, the models would start their track in an adventurous spirit. (There are no details of the release on the documentary-style production yet, but we will keep our readers posted once this will be the case.)

Obviously, this journey was aimed at attempting a Guinness World Record and a fashion show at the very pinnacle of it. Yet, it gave our models the chance to explore the local culture in various expeditions into the local villages, temples, markets, landmarks, and treks. The Mount Everest region until just a few years ago had become rather polluted because of irresponsible tourism but has since been cleaned up by strict implementation of rules and regulations. Covid restrictions have also kept tourists away from the region, which on the flip-side meant an economic crisis for the locals that made a living off the influx of foreigners.

Luise Hasse and Julia Kristina Mueller Holding their Guinness World Record Certificates

Photo Kam Murali

The main idea behind the record attempt was to promote ecofriendly clothes as sported by the fashion models during the ramp walk as well as promulgate the idea of sustainability. The two brands involved in the show, Mishus Designs and KASA, are local Nepali designers that take sustainability into account when producing their fabrics.

And now, more than one year after this life-changing adventure, what do Julia and Luise take away from this journey? The two are currently pursuing more modelling opportunities and have turned into proper travel companions, modelling at fashion shows all over the world including London Fashion Week, Bahrain, Morocco, Paris, Berlin, Canada, and the list goes on.

Julia is not only a stunning woman with an impressive history of modelling for nearly two decades, being on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar Bulgaria and Grazia, and recently featuring in an editorial for Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam and having modelled at all big fashion weeks all over the globe, she is also a professional lawyer and a DJ by night - also known as Dj Cougar. That makes someone of many creative talents. Given this busy and unique lifestyle in London that Julia leads, going to a remote place such as Nepal for one month meant reconnecting to herself, to her own spirituality and being able to appreciate the beauty of nature and the very modest and profound life of the Nepali people.

Luise is a multifaceted creative character herself - A professional fashion and runway model, a classical and jazz pianist, a certified interpreter for German corporates,

JULIA MULLER LAWYER & MODEL

a media-producer for a new healthcare podcast. In short, a cross-industry creative freelancer who uses her abilities to excel across her different activities. But this also means that she is exposed to the pressures and the demands of multiple fast-moving industries. Especially the lack of contact to the outside world was essential to Luise’s journey in the Himalayas - it was about regaining focus, amending priorities, and reflecting within oneself. Being away from distractions. Only this could help a busy person like Luise excel in her work life and be true to her own path.

Sustainability is another major part of the changes in the two models’ lifestyles - whether it comes to the choice of fashion, consumption, and the like. The Himalayan glaciers are melting slowly but securely, having created massive floods in the local region in the recent past, potentially destroying the lives of millions of people in the near future. You do not have to climb Everest to “save the world” - but you can start with small and easy measures to make your own life more sustainable to preserve the heritages of this world. It is about the small things in life, as Julia and Luise have realised.

You can find out more about Julia and Luise via their Instagram profiles.

LUISE HASSE ARTIST & MODEL

INTERVIEW

BEHIND THE LENS OF SANDRA VIJANDI

Please could you tell us about your background and how it leads to the work you do today?

A fact about me that surprises people is that I started my career as a primary school teacher. But that unique career origin notwithstanding, I have always been an artist and a creative person. Over the years I have expressed this gift in many different ways; from music and dance, to painting and now photography.

So, at 26 I had the impulse to move to Scotland to learn English. I only intended to stay for a few months, but I came across a young photographer who was taking classes at the university, and that inspired me to follow my passion. I enrolled in a school and with four years of dedicated work, I obtained my degree in photography from the University of Edinburgh.

I moved to London to jumpstart my career. That entailed a lot of meeting new people, putting myself out there, making contacts, and building my brand / reputation.

Passion is a must, but it is consistency and perseverance that transforms that passion into a career and what has brought me to where I am today.

So, as I mentioned, I came to the UK to study English and I stayed when I discovered the photography program at University of Edinburgh. As for the initial decision, a friend recommended Edinburgh and I didn’t think it twice. I took a one way flight and that was it. Sometimes we are lucky and we listen to the hints that destiny leaves for us. Edinburgh was and is a great city to study. It feels like a small town, and that offered a far more hospitable introduction to living in the UK than perhaps a larger city like London could. I fell in love with Edinburg and it’s very welcoming people.

Tell us about your latest project

I had the chance to work with lots of amazing artists. One of the most popular projects this year was the promo shoot with Paul Weller. That work was used for his new album and was published in magazines covers and articles around the world.

I think it’s important for everyone to focus on all aspects of health (physical, spiritual, and mental). That may be even more important for artist as the lifestyle can be time consuming, the temperaments can be sensitive, and despite the interaction with thousands of people, those interactions can be superficial. Therefore it can be a lonely and isolating life where the time commitments make it dif to focus on family and friends. So I always make time to focus on total health (mind, body, and spirit) because if I am unwell, I cannot be creative and share my gift to the world.

Why did you choose to develop your career in the UK?

How important do you think as an artist to take care of mental health?

Paul Weller and Sandra Vijandi during s photo session in London

How would you describe your work to someone who hasn't seen it before?

I suppose if I had to describe my work in a word, I’d use the word cinematic. It is a picture that is meant to evoke emotion. That is the magic behind the work; the ability to create a still that feels alive and tells a story.

Who else it’s behind your work?

Me. I usually do the art direction and the postproduction. I sometimes have to hire a team of stylist - make up artists , hair stylist, assistants depending on the project.

What or who has been the biggest singular influence on your work?

The world around me. People. cinema. I love dramatic lighting shots. Photographers such Annie Leibovitz , Mario Testino, Mert and Marcus, Steven Klein

How do you think the economic uncertainty in the UK can affect the artists?

Well, a weakened economy forces clients to take a critical eye to all spending. That critical eye, often results in reduced spending on discretionary items which can impact all

service businesses (photography included). However, the severity of the impact will not be felt uniformly across all photographers. Those who focus more on consumers, may see a more signi fi cant reduction in activity than photographers focused on business clients.

Which project have you enjoyed working on the most so far and what would you like to achieve in the near future?

I have loved every single project that I have worked on but if I have to choose one of my favourites, I would have to say shooting for the movie cover for “Last Man Down” and shooting the stills during the filming in Sweden for a few weeks. It was literally like being on an action movie myself. And also, pretty cool to see my work when I open Netflix.

I would definitely love to get more into film stills and create more movie covers . The plan is to keep growing and travelling more for work.

Where people can find more about you and your future projects

One of the best platforms to learn more about me , to see more of my work and be updated would be Instagram @sandravijandi. Also my website: www.sandravijandi.com

DID CHARLES DICKENS INVENT CHRISTMAS AS

Thanks to his seminal 1843 novel A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens is often credited with inventing winter festivities as we know them. His book of literary favourites, including Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim and the host of Christmas ghosts, are thought to define the 'Dickensian Christmas' – but is Dickens's pioneering reputation really deserved?

In 1843, with his fifth child on the way, Charles Dickens needed to publish a new bestseller to support his growing family, so he began writing a ghost story – one that would become one of his best-loved tales, the exemplar of the Dickensian Christmas: A Christmas Carol. Written in just six weeks, Dickens financed the book’s publication himself due to a dispute with his publishers. The price was set at five shillings, so virtually everyone could afford it, and it proved so popular that around 6,000 copies were sold in a matter of days. An immediate smash with the public, it quickly spawned a range of ‘pirated’ copies forcing Dickens into several legal actions to protect his creation.

WE KNOW IT TODAY?

The writer and social critic’s motives were wider than simply telling a good story and the obvious financial benefits. Dickens had recently returned from a tour of northern England, where he had witnessed the struggles of everyday life for Britain’s poor. He had also been moved by his visits to ‘ragged schools’ – free charity schools that educated destitute children. In A Christmas Carol, Dickens found a subtle way of highlighting the plight of the poor.

It’s the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly moneylender who hates Christmas and cares for nobody except himself. On Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his dead business partner, Jacob Marley, who warns him that if he continues down his path of greed and selfishness, he will spend eternity in torment like Marley. Scrooge is then visited by three spirits of Christmas – past, present, and future. He witnesses the hardships suffered by the family of Bob Cratchit (his underpaid clerk) and is shown what the Cratchits’ future might be without Scrooge’s help – poverty and the untimely death of the sickly Tiny Tim.

Horrified at seeing his own, unmourned death, and the fates of those around him due to his carelessness, Scrooge eventually repents. He gives money to charity, spends Christmas with his family, sends a turkey to the Cratchit family and gives Bob a pay rise. The new Scrooge is described as a good man who embodies the true spirit of Christmas. It’s believed that parts of the novel were inspired by Dickens’s own life: as a 12-year-old, around the time that his father was in debtors’ prison, he’d been forced into work, while Tiny Tim is thought to have been based on Dickens’s own nephew – who did not survive childhood.

What is a Dickensian Christmas? “Dickens, it may truly be said, is Christmas,” said the literature scholar VH Allemandy in 1921. However, important though he undoubtedly was, Dickens did not create Christmas. Rather, he reflected a general early 19th century interest in the season and was part of a widespread, particularly middle-class, desire to reinvigorate its ancient customs.

By the time of its publication, Christmas had become a sedate one-day affair – a far cry from the medieval Christmases that involved days of feasting and merriment.

Dickens’s festive novel encouraged a reinvigoration of the holiday season. The tale conjures up the image of a perfect and nostalgic Victorian Christmas, full of turkey, mistletoe and goodwill; it remains so ingrained in popular culture that, even today, people who are stingy or miserly are often given the nickname of Scrooge.

At the time Dickens was writing his now world-famous story, he could have consulted an ever-burgeoning number of popular histories of Christmas such as TK Hervey’s Book of Christmas (1836), and his A History of the Christmas Festival, the New Year and their Peculiar Customs (1843), as well as Thomas Wright’s Specimens of Old Carols (1841). Dickens, being perfectly in-tune with Britain, therefore published his story at precisely the right moment. He was a massive player in a revival that was already under way, but he was not the sole instigator of it.

REBECA RIOFRIO SPEAKING AT HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT DURING CREATIVE WOMEN SYMPOSIUM

The chairwoman for the Parliamentary Society Rebeca Riofrio gave an inspirational speech at the House of Parliament during the creative Women Symposium.

WHEN WALLS BECOME DOORWAYS

The topic she shared was very personal and a true example of life experiences in an unconventional upbringing family. How to transform pain into creativity.

"There's little doubt that trauma can be very painful, often leaving deep emotional and psychological scars long after the stressful experience has passed. But can there be positive factors to this?

In recent years, psychologists have become increasingly interested in the positive life changes that come with highly stressful life events, such as: - being diagnosed with a chronic or terminal illness, - losing a loved one - or sexual assault.

This phenomenon has been referred to as post-traumatic growth, and researchers have discovered five particular areas of growth that often spring from adversity:

• · INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS

• · THE IDENTIFICATION OF NEW POSSIBILITIES FOR ONE'S LIFE

• · PERSONAL STRENGTH

• · SPIRITUALITY

• · APPRECIATION OF LIFE

A possible impact of growth in these fields intensified “creativity”. Indeed, some of the most eminent creators of all time have noted overcoming adversity, using their negative experiences to inspire and motivate their work. Systematic studies have also shown a high preponderance of harsh early life events (e.g., early parental loss), psychological disorders (particularly among artists), and physical illness are among eminent creators.

What about the rest of us? Can we all channel our trauma in creatively productive ways? Absolutely! Various forms of creative engagement, including art therapy and expressive writing, have demonstrated therapeutic benefits.

Researchers have argued that creative expression offers therapeutic benefits because they increase engagement and flow, catharsis, distraction, positive emotions, and meaning making.

And now recent research also suggests a link between post-traumatic growth and creativity. I personally had to deal with the death of a absent father and also domestic violence relationships - events that impacted my life and put me into dark places of depression and anxiety until the transformative adverse experience’s deliberate forms of reflection. The impact of perceiving new possibilities for one's life was not surprising considering that this area of post traumatic growth has been linked to openness to experience, which is a strong predictor of creative engagement and achievement.

Adverse experiences can act as a "psychologically seismic event," capable of shaking up one's deeply held beliefs about oneself and the world.

People who experience seismic traumatic events proceed to form new beliefs by engaging in cognitive processing, such as rumination and reflection, through which growth and wisdom as well as depreciation can occur.

Let's be clear: these results do not suggest that adversity is necessary for creativity.

Nevertheless, these findings are important, considering that most people will unfortunately experience at least one adverse life event at some point in their lives. The silver lining is that these individuals can use their traumatic experiences to heal, grow, and flourish creatively."

SUCCESSFUL CREATIVE WOMEN PLATFORM BUSINESS SYMPOSIUM

THE MATRIX TO SUCCESS - CREATIVE WOMEN PLATFORM BUSINESS SYMPOSIUM TOOK PLACE IN LONDON ON THE 3 5 November 2022 AT THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, INSTITUTE OF DIRECTORS & OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE CLUB

The Creative Women Platform Business Symposium brought together more than 70 female leaders and entrepreneurs from the UK and around the world. They shared their strategies and their views on how to sustain and develop careers and business projects in these current challenging times. This inspiring event took place over three days at the House of Commons, Institute of Directors and the Oxford & Cambridge Club. There were additional social events and a tour of the Victoria & Albert Museum.

Set up by its Founder and CEO Olga Balakleets in 2016, this International Platform is a high-profile business networking forum which inspires and connects female entrepreneurs around the world. It enjoys the patronage of a number of highly respected female leaders and opinion makers. Its previous speakers were featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur and other global publications. With a fast-growing membership scheme and representatives in 40 countries, the platform offers an open space for shared experience, innovation and mentorship by women who influence business. Contributors are experts from the public and private sectors, emerging millennial talents, and highly successful entrepreneurs.

Guests of the Symposium were welcomed by Rt Hon Sir John Whittingdale OBE MP, Rt Hon Baroness Uddin, Marina Ahmad AM, Lead Economy Spokesperson in the London Assembly, Creative Women Founder and CEO Olga Balakleets and Executive Director Dr Viola Edward. Among the speakers were: Mako Abashidze, Founder and Director of the British Georgian Chamber of Commerce, Chair of Creative Women in Georgia, Marina Ahmad AM, London Assembly Member for Lambeth and Southwark, Lead Economy Spokesperson in the London Assembly Labour Group, Farzana Baduel, CEO of Curzon PR, Niall Burns, a founder member of Subrosa Group, Lady Colin Campbell, a best-selling author, TV presenter, celebrity, Elizabeth Deheza, the Chief Executive of Deheza Limited, Jill Douka MBA, Leadership Coach, bestselling author, Chair of Creative Women in Greece, Dr Viola Edwards, Founder GRIT Academy, Executive Director of Creative Women, Jules Francis, Food Breakthrough Coach, Priyanka Gill, Co-Founder, Good Glamour Group, Founder and CEO, Popxo Daily, Maria Kempinska MBE, a psychotherapist, Founder of Jongleurs Comedy Club, Atiya Khan, supermodel, filmmaker, actress, TV show hostess, Sufi activist, a fashion designer, Creative Women Chair in Pakistan, Ilenia Lombardi, Founding Member at BLC International Network, International lawyer, Chair of Creative Women in Italy, Nevena Nikolova, a celebrity Fashion Designer, Dr Eline Pedersen, President of Birth Forward, Sarah Pinch FCIPR, MIoD, Managing Director of Pinch Point Communications, Denada Bare Rauch, an entrepreneur and a co-founder of Adl Investment Fund, Rebeca Riofrio, Chairperson, Parliamentary Society for Arts, Fashion and Sports, Creative Women Ambassador, Karin Rodriguez, Board Member of Argentina Chamber of Commerce, Creative Women Chair of Argentina, Islée Oliva Salinas, a Partner in Vine Ventures, Julene Siddique, a Fellow of the World Academy of Art & Science, a Co-Chair for the Arts, Humanities and Culture working groups for Global Leadership 21 in UN Office in Geneva, Verónica Sosa, Founder of SHE Platform, Business Fit Magazine, Belgium, Creative Women Ambassador, Elena Tanou, Founder of Kinisis Travel, Board Member of Cyprus Chamber of Commerce, Dr Yvonne Thompson CBE, President and Founder of WinTrade Global Women in Business Network, Laura Timm, Speaker, Mentor, Business Consultant, Creative Women Special Adviser, Olga Vysokova, Founder of Women Who Inspire Platform, Co-Founder Global Next Gen Community, Fi Yates, an internationally awardwinning female entrepreneur, Mirjam Zwingli, Director of International Communication & Marketing, Poligate, Chair of Creative Women in Germany, Austria, and German-Speaking Switzerland.

The Symposium consisted of panels, presentations and social events which provided an excellent business networking opportunity. A variety of topics were discussed including resilience and leadership in times of crisis: current challenges in the tourism industry: the gender equality gap: women in strategic corporate intelligence: cyberstalking: new developments in the digital, fintech and investment industries: healthy relationship with food in times of crisis: changing talent environment: social sustainability: mental health: sustainability in fashion. At the closing event at the Oxford and Cambridge Club guests were entertained by acclaimed soprano Katerina Mina, award-winning violinist Kamila Bydlowska, rising pop star Sophia Patsalides and renowned pianist Julian Gallant.