The Asian Today Issue 236 - July 2018

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CLEAN YOUR STREETS TAKE PRIDE IN YOUR COMMUNITY A

campaign to clean up your streets has been hit out in Birmingham after massive problems surrounding fly-tipping and litter.

Two Birmingham councillors faced 140,000 fellow Muslims before Eid prayers in Small Heath Park back in June and told them to clean up their streets.

Cllr Zaker Choudhry (Lib Dem, Yardley South) said: “We always have litter on our roads.

“Our Prophet always teaches us that we have to

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be clean and respect the community where we live in.

“I urge everybody to please don’t throw any litter.

“We have a cabinet member here from Birmingham City Council, Majid Mahmood and I will ask him, on your behalf, to do urgent action and clear this area, especially on the Coventry Road where our sisters and our children walk.

“All the way from Morrisons to Asda, it’s like a continued on page 2

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Together we can keep Brum Clean NEWS

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tip.”

Cllr Mahmood (Lab, Bromford and Hodge Hill) admitted he was nervous at the prospect of telling his fellow Muslims like it is.

But, given that litter is an issue in areas like Small Heath, which he said was now 95 per cent Muslim, he bravely decided to go to war on the litter bugs in a bid to Keep Brum Tidy.

As a Cabinet Member for Clean Streets, Waste and Recycling he is determined to make sure businesses do their bit now too.

Cllr Majid Mahmood also said: "As a born & bred Brummie I am proud of this city, and I like you, want to live in a city that is clean - free of litter, fly tipping, graffiti, and fly posting.

That’s why I was appointed

the Cabinet Member for Clean Streets, Waste & Recycling. That’s why I am standing here today asking for your help. “ It is a duty, indeed responsibility of every Brummie to step up, and keep their streets clean. It was not too long ago that most, if not all Brummies used to sweep their frontages, and streets where

#BRUMCLEAN Cllr Majid Mahmood: Cabinet Memember for Clean Street, Waste & Recycling

Litter Picking: Organised by Resdents if Bromford & Hodge Hill

they live. I want to encourage more community groups to step us that’s why I will be changing the Birmingham City Council website on Community Litter Pick Ups to make it more user friendly.

I would like to thank the thousands of volunteers from faith organisations, community groups, resident groups, schools and families who get together to help

keep their streets clean.

Our Waste Operative Officers have more than 360,000 properties to collect from, and do so in difficult conditions with limited resources. It is imperative we help them by presenting our wheelie bins on the collection date, close to the kerbside as possible, and with the lids shut. Together we can keep Brum Clean”

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Taskforce GLM Charity Gives Syrian Victim A New Robot Arm 4

JULY 2018

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hanks to the generosity of a Birmingham mosque charity an eight-year-old victim of war-torn Syria’s savagery has been given a new robot arm.

It was during a trip last year the charity members had met Rayhan.

Little Rayhana’s home in Aleppo was hit by a Government air strike in which her sister was tragically killed and she lost her arm.

Rayhana fled with her family to Turkey where, as refugees, they are trying to rebuild their lives.

After a £15,000 fundraising appeal by Birmingham charity TaskforceGLM she is being given a new robotic arm.

Based at Green Lane Mosque in Bordesley Green the charity has raised more than £4 million in the last three years and even set up an orphanage in Salem, Turkey where hundreds of children, and widowed mums, are being looked after.

Project Manager Ishfaq Ahmed said: “In 2017 her

Grandmother Killed and Two Injured in Horror Stabbing An 86-year-old woman has been killed and two other people have been injured in a horror stabbing at a property in Small Heath, Birmingham.

Police and paramedics services were called to the scene where the woman was found at around 11.00am on Thursday 12 July at a property in Aubery Road and

pronounced dead.

An 18-year-old man has been taken to hospital with serious multiple stab wounds and believed not to be lifethreatening and another man suffered a minor injury.

Residents have said one victim was of a Pakistani background and may have

been a grandmother.

A spokesman from West Midlands Ambulance Service, said: “We have sent two ambulances, a paramedic officer, a Midlands Air Ambulance Critical Care Car, the Midlands Air Ambulance with a doctor on board from Cosford

and the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance with a doctor on board, to reports of an assault.

Emergency services remain at the scene which has been cordoned off while investigations are carried out.

Officers are conducting house-to-house enquiries and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

Det Insp Harry Harrison said: "A woman has tragically died, and we are working hard to establish the circumstances around what has happened."

Anyone with information should call the homicide team on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

house was bombed by the regime. Her sister was killed and she lost her arm. She then came to Turkey with her family.

“We met her at the end of 2017 in a rehabilitation centre literally minutes away from from the Syrian border in Hatay. She was in a bad way but still smiling.

“When we spoke to her we asked her what we could do to help to which she replied ‘I wish I could have my arm back so I can go back to school and carry on with my normal life’.”

Mr Ahmed said the charity, which is run by volunteers, launched an online appeal and raised the required £15,000 in just 15 minutes.

“She is currently in an assessment centre in Gaziantep where she will be having the limb fitted.

“For myself and the team it’s the small projects like these that make doing what we do worthwhile.”

The group has recently returned from aid trips to Turkey and Lebanon to hand out donations to refugees fleeing the conflict.

Suspect Wanted For An Attack on Police Officer

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est Midlands Police have named a suspect wanted in connection on an assault of a police officer.

Addnan Rahim is said to also wanted for drugs offences.

The police officer was hurt when a car twice rammed into his unmarked police vehicle in April.

Rahim is aged 41 and from Selly Oak . No other details of the incident were available.

Birmingham Police tweeted: "Have you seen Addnan Rahim anywhere?

"The 41-year-old from Selly Oak is wanted for an assault on a police officer in April this year when he allegedly reversed into an unmarked police car twice.

"He is also wanted for drug offences."

Anyone with information should call police on 101.

£100k Raised For Leukaemia Fighter in 24 Hours TO ADVERTISE CALL NOW ON 0121 667 8719

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dad from Birmingham who has been fighting for his life has been given a fresh chance of survival after £100,000 was raised in less than 24 hours for his treatment.

JLR Worker Inderpal Singh from Acocks Green has been battling against an aggressive form of leukaemia and had a mere 28 days to find the six-figure sum to finance ground-breaking treatment in Israel.

A Birmingham-based TV station The Sikh Channel, who picked up Inderpal’s story turned it into something of a telethon.

The channel’s tv presenter Kam Singh started the ball rolling on along with another presenter Del Singh, who hosts chat show Late Night Banter, when the magical target was met.

In the studio, Inderpal’s family wiped away tears

of joy as the stream of donations turned into a torrent.

Within 24 hours £100,000 target amount was raised and the cash didn’t only come from the Sikh community, Del stressed.

“There were a lot of people from other communities – Muslims and Christian people and people of no faith,” he said. “They did it because it was the human thing to do.

“It was the look on the family’s faces when we reached the £100,000. There was a lot of tears, a lot of hugging.”

Companies, charities and ordinary folk were touched by the 29-year-old’s plight. The JLR worker was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 2013.

JULY 2018

Inderpal who is now at the Sheba Medical Centre for groundbreaking Car T-Cell treatment, which costs around £8,000 a day.

A donation of £14,500 from Willenhall company Fortel Construction pushed the total over the line, but it was one of a number of heavyweight donations.

Charity Midland Langar Seva Society weighed in with £10,000, Sikh Youth UK handed over £2,500.

Inderpal’s brother Hardeep is still struggling to come to terms with what has taken place.

“It was unreal,” he said.

“It has made us realise the value of human kindness.

“So much pressure has been lifted from us, but we are continuing to fundraise for any unforseen costs.”

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22-Year-Old Motorcyclist Dies After Crash in Saltley JULY 2018

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young life lost after a 22-year-old died from being in collision with a car on Wednesday 11 July at 6.50pm.

Amir Hamza from Small Heath was on his motorbike outside Adderley Park, Saltley when his Honda CBR collided with a grey Audi estate.

Within just over five minutes two ambulances arrived and the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance.

Paramedics provided emergency first aid at the scene, but Amir was pronounced dead at the

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gang of robbers stole jewellery worth £38,500 from a Birmingham jeweller after posing as police officers and tricking their way in to the shop have been jailed.

The owner of Dubai Jewellers in Stratford Road, Sparkhill, was beaten, tied and gagged up by James Farricker, Anthony Reid, and Billey Abbotts.

Chouhan Pal bravely managed to trap the raiders who were all in black in the porch of the shop and call for police.

Farricker was jailed for 14 years, Reid for 12 years while Abbotts was handed a nine and a half year sentence in a young offenders' institution.

Mr Pal, owner of Dubai Jewellers heard the buzzer

Man Jailed for Racial Hatred on Social Media A

scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “The exact circumstances of what had happened were not clear, but on arrival, ambulance staff found the motorcyclist in cardiac arrest.

“Crews carried out advanced life support at the scene but sadly, it was not possible to save the man and he was confirmed dead at the scene.

“There were no other patients.”

Police are investigating the crash and said the car driver, a 35-year-old man, stopped

at the scene and provided a negative breath test.

Sergeant Alan Hands, from the police's collision investigation unit, said: "This is a shocking collision in which a young man has lost his life.

"Our thoughts are with his family and they are being supported by one of our specialist officers.

"We’re hoping CCTV will shed light on exactly what happened in the build-up to the collision.

"But I’d also appeal to anyone who was near Adderley Park last night

and witnessed the collision, or saw the bike or car in the moments before the impact, to get in touch as they could have important information.

"There may also be other motorists who’ve captured the incident on dash-cams and if so I’d ask them to also get in touch."

Witnesses are asked to phone the collision investigation unit on 101, quoting log number 2368 from July 11, or email: Fl.collision_invest@westmidlands.pnn.police.uk

man from Birmingham has been give a 20-month jail sentence after being convicted of stirring up racial hatred on social media site Twitter.

Rhodenne Chand, from Finchley Road in Kingstanding told officers he had been “venting” in the aftermath of the Manchester and London Borough Market terror attacks.

Some of the messages encouraged violence against Muslims and for mosques to be attacked.

The twitter rant was rant was reported to police by a member of the public fearing the 31-year-old might carry through on his threats.

West Midlands Police warned that anyone posting inflammatory messages risked arrest for committing hate crimes.

Chand, was arrested on June 17, 2017, admitted issuing the messages.

He said he felt disgusted at himself for writing the posts when he had been “venting”.

A specialist prosecutor assessed the case and determined the posts showed intent to stir up racial and religious hatred and that such “violent rhetoric can cause considerable harm once it is in the public domain”.

He appeared at Birmingham Crown Court on June 25 and was charged

at the front door and saw Farricker and Abbotts outside just after midday on April 17.

“Both pretended to be police officers," said Madhu Rai, prosecuting at Birmingham Crown Court.

"They wore suits and badges around their necks and both held them up.

"They said, ‘Police. We have come to check your CCTV." Mr Pal let them in and then shortly afterwards Reid who also wore a black suit and had a badge entered but was wearing a scarf which partially covered his face.

“The three defendants carried out an attack on Mr Pal. They started to kick and punch him," said Miss Rai. Cable ties were used to

bind the victim while silver tape was put across his mouth and head.

The robbers ransacked the office, taking jewellery from a safe which was put in a bag.

They also pulled the CCTV system off the wall and took the hard drive.

Mr Pal, though, succeeded in pressing a panic button alerting the police and locking the front door.

The court heard the defendants began to run around and panic when they realised they were locked in and told Mr Pal to unlock the door.

He did so but then trapped them in the porch as well as setting off a security system which caused the shop to fill with smoke.

Miss Rai said members of the public helped the robbers who were trying to squeeze out of the door as they believed there was a fire.

Police then arrested two of them not far from the scene,

while Reid was also found in a butcher shop nearby.

In passing sentence Judge Patrick Thomas QC said: “This was an extremely serious offence. It was calculated and planned and

Raiders of Dubai Jewellers Sentenced A

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with publishing threatening, abusive or insulting material intended to stir up racial hatred.

West Midlands Police Superintendent Mat Shaer has been working closely with Tell Mama and the Association of Muslim Police to ensure the force’s approach to hate crime continues to improve.

“This case saw the sustained release of offensive, threatening material aimed at Muslim and Pakistani communities,” he said.

“It left people fearing some of the threats could be carried out by him or his Twitter followers.

“The law is careful to try to not penalise expression of opinion, even in strong and possibly offensive terms.

“But Chand’s tweets were a much baser expression of animosity towards a section of society and were totally unacceptable.

“We take hate crime very seriously and anyone found to be stirring up hatred on the grounds of race, religion, sexuality, or disability could find themselves in court and facing a criminal conviction.

“Court outcomes like this are important in order to reassure communities of our willingness to make progress in the way we tackle hate crime matches how proud we are to police such a diverse region.”

carried out with more force than was necessary for all three of you to overwhelm the owner of the shop.

"The three of you viciously assaulted the owner who was on his own.”

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East End Foods Director Dr Jason Wouhra OBE Patron of Acorns

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Asda Shopper 'BANNED' From All UK Stores A

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corns Children’s Hospice has appointed East End Foods Plc Director Dr Jason Wouhra OBE as patron.

This year marks its 30th anniversary providing vital care for life limited and life threatened children and support for their families across the West Midlands.

Commenting on the appointment, Toby Porter, Chief Executive of Acorns, said:Jason is recognised and respected across our region not just for his

business skills, but also as an extremely important advocate for many of the things that we value most deeply at Acorns – the highest standards in health care, compassion, inclusion, and strategic partnerships between business, statutory providers such as the NHS, and charities.

Dr Jason Wouhra OBE said: I am delighted to become a Patron of Acorns, a charity I have

admired for many years. I had been very impressed and also very moved during an earlier visit I had made to Acorns in the Black Country based in Walsall.

Established in 1988, Acorns first hospice, based in Selly Oak, Birmingham was officially opened by HRH the Princess of Wales.

In the past year the charity has cared for over 870 children and supported more than 1,090 families, including those who are bereaved.

n Asda shopper has been banned from every UK branch after a row over fabric conditioner.

Mulkh Chumber, 53-year-old a shopper from Staffordshire bought ten bottles of Comfort Creations at his local branch after seeing an advert that the prices were slashed.

Mr Chumber visited the Wolstanton store and had expected to pick them up for £10, rather than £30.

The newsagent owner was left gobsmacked when staff told him the ad was wrong and the products had only been reduced to £2.

Rather than fork out £20, Mr Chumber refused to leave the store - and Asda called in the police.

Staffordshire Police have since revealed they are not taking any action against the customer.

Mr Chumber saw the advert in a copy of the Sun newspaper.

Mr Chumber said: “I went to the customer service desk and told one of the workers about this issue and was told they were £2.

"I showed her the advert,

which stated they were £1, and she said it was subject to availability, even though the shelves were full.

“Then I was told it was selected stores only.

"But they could not tell me where the offer was available, and I was told I would have to put them back.

“I said I didn’t go to the store to waste my time putting the items in the trolley and then putting them back - and then I've wasted petrol going to the store and back.

"The Asda staff called security and they told me they would call the police if I did not leave.

"I did not leave, the police arrived, and I spent halfan-hour with the police explaining the situation."

Mr Chumber has now shifted his shopping allegiance to Morrisons.

He added: “Asda security staff handed me a letter saying I am banned from every single Asda in the UK and I was shocked.

"It is not fair.

"If something is advertised at a certain price then you should give it to the customer at that price.

"I used to go to Asda three or four times a week and have never had any problems before.

"I can do without them and go to Morrisons instead.”

Police have revealed they were called to Wolstanton Retail Park at 11.55am on June 15.

A police spokesman said: "We were called to reports of a man being abusive to staff. The man, in his 50s, was spoken to by officers at the supermarket."

Asda has confirmed Mr Chumber’s ban remains in place. It comes just weeks after shopper Andrew Gregory was banned from Asda's Tunstall store following a row over the toilets.

On Mr Chumber’s ban, an Asda spokesman said: “We would have honoured the advertised deal but do not tolerate abusive behaviour towards colleagues.”

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Al-Hijrah School in Sex-Segregation Battle 8

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fsted Chief inspector of schools Amanda Spielman has retained her decision to penalise Al-Hijrah School in Birmingham for segregating boys and girls.

Spielman has said the school was just one example of a wider problem.

She said inspectors face “increasing hostility” from a few schools that have been influenced by “the most conservative religious groups”.

And she insisted schools had to teach “British values” because they helped to unite people in a multi-cultural society.

A huge row broke out after Ofsted ruled AlHijrah, a council-funded Muslim school was school was practising unlawful discrimination because it separated boys and girls from the age of nine.

In a speech to think tank Policy Exchange, Ms Spielman said: “We see in some of the more extreme cases that religious group

identity and authority are being systematically built up and used to limit individual liberties, such as the right of a girl to enjoy the same freedoms and opportunities as a boy.

“We made a difficult call in the case of Al-Hijrah School in Birmingham that the segregation practised there infringed the law, and our inspectors’ view was upheld in the Court of Appeal.”

It was an example of “worrying developments in a small number of state schools, as well in some independent schools and in unregistered provision.”, she said.

“We see an expanding sense of religious and/ or cultural entitlement to have aspects of a school’s provision dictated by the preferences of a particular group, whether or not members of that group even constitute the majority of a school’s intake.

"This can affect what is taught and what is not taught, what children take

part in and what they are withdrawn from, and what

Muggers Attack Victim Outside Bank

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wo muggers were seen attacking a man outside a Birmingham bank and members of the pubic stepped into stop the attack.

The victim was heading towards a Barclays branch on Coventry Road, Small Heath on Monday 9 July at 4pm when the thugs jumped out of a van and pushed the man to the ground, causing him to bang his head.

Brave passers-by saw what

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was happening on the street and stopped the duo from taking money.

They helped the injured victim who is believed to be in his 50s was then taken to hospital by paramedics for treatment for a head injury.

Police are now appealing to anyone with information to contact them.

A West Midlands Police spokeswoman said: “Police were called to reports of a

robbery outside Barclays Bank, on Coventry Road, at around 4pm yesterday afternoon (9 July).

“A man in his 50’s was heading towards the bank, when two people jumped out of a van and pushed him to the ground asking for money, causing him to hit his head.

“Members of the public intervened in an attempt to stop them taking any money and to help the man.

children wear or don’t wear.”

And she warned: “We need

to recognise that where this kind of pressure builds up, it can not only undermine the authority of a head, but also limit the extent to which schools can help build community cohesion and encourage integration.”

Ms Spielman also said that some faith schools were among the best schools in the country.

She insisted it was better to discuss what was going on in schools openly, rather than allowing extremist groups

such as the EDL or BNP to dominate the conversation.

“For many people, the things I have been talking about today are too sensitive and too difficult for them to want to risk giving offence.

They are easy things to skirt, yet the risk of doing so is great.

“If we leave these topics to the likes of the EDL and BNP on the one hand and Islamists on the other, then the mission of integration will fail.”

Man Conned out of £131k over Gutter and Fascia Replacement A vulnerable Leicester man lost his life savings after being part of a large scam and was conned out of £131,000.

The fraudster Arshad Hussain was caught after £54,000 was transferred into his account and has been jailed.

His victim who lives in Knighton took out a £25,000 bank loan to pay the fraudsters after exhausting his savings.

Hussain, 35, of Lady Pit Lane, Leeds, appeared at Leicester Crown Court and admitted two money laundering charges The court heard how the victim was targeted in June 2016 by bogus workmen claiming firstly to be from a company called Pro Guard, and later from a business known as Everest.

They persuaded him to have his guttering cleaned and have his fascias and guttering completely replaced.

There was very little work carried out and of very poor quality, but the conmen continued to visit the victim, demanding cash payments and even taking the victim’s phone away and deleting messages from it.

An expert engaged by Leicester Trading Standards to examine the shoddy work suspected the workmen had deliberately damaged the house in order to charge for carrying out extortionate repairs.

Police were alerted in June 2016 when £54,200 was paid in three separate transactions to a bank account belonging to Hussain, by a fraudster who visited the victim claiming to be from Everest.

Although the money was subsequently dispersed to other accounts held

by Hussain and others, investigators said there was no indication that Hussain was involved in the principal fraud.

Hussain was arrested in September 2016 and claimed the money was the repayment of a loan to a friend in a casino.

However, following his subsequent guilty plea, Hussain was convicted and sentenced for his role in the scam.

An investigation has now begun to recoup the money paid by the victim.

The two fraudsters who visited the victim have never been identified.

After the hearing Leicester City Council’s Trading Standards manager, Ronald Ruddock, said: “We were handed the case when the police came to a dead end with their investigation into the perpetrators of this doorstep crime.

“However, they assisted greatly, particularly in arranging for arrests in Leeds and doing a vulnerable witness interview which requires special skills and is taken under a special procedure.

“It was unfortunate that we were unable to identify those who actually visited the victims property and took his cash.”

Also after the hearing deputy city mayor Piara Singh Clair said: “This is a disgraceful example of fraudsters taking advantage of a vulnerable man and conning him out of his life savings.

“Hussain may not have been part of the principal crime, but by involving himself in laundering the money from this scam, he has found himself with a prison sentence.”

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10ft-high bronze statue honouring the "unmeasurable" contribution of Sikh soldiers during the First World War has been commissioned to mark the 100 years since the end of the conflict.

The monument will be installed in Smethwick, West Midlands later this year and will pay tribute to the thousands of troops from India who fought and died for Britain between 1914 and 1918.

Smethwick's Guru Nanak Gurdwara has appointed Black Country-based sculptor Luke Perry to create the Lions of the Great War statue.

Mr Perry said: "I am incredibly proud to be working on a sculpture that is, at its heart, a statement of gratitude for the actions of a people who gave their lives for our independence when they had not yet achieved their own.

"It will be a striking and permanent marker of the richness of our community and that those who have been under-celebrated are finally getting the recognition they deserve."

The Lions of the Great

War statue will be seen between High Street and Tollhouse Way, where Sandwell Council plans to work with the gurdwara to create a paved public space with seating and lighting.

The gurdwara is covering the cost of designing and building the tribute.

Its president, Jatinder Singh, said: "These men volunteered to serve and fought to defend the freedoms we enjoy today.

"The memorial will ensure that this part is never forgotten. So I am delighted Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smethwick is commissioning the statue and will ensure its success."

Sandwell Council leader Steve Eling said: "I am very proud that Smethwick - a place where many people from the Indian subcontinent have made their home - is paying such a striking tribute to the very important role played

by South Asian service personnel during times of conflict.

"I hope this contributes to the growing recognition of the sacrifices that servicemen from Commonwealth countries have made for our country."

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Sadistic Thug Who Beat His Girlfriend – Jailed For Three Year 10

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sadistic thug who regularly beat his girlfriend has been a given a three-year jail term leaving her fearing for her life.

Auzair Hussain, 24 of Ellesmere Road, Alum Rock reduced his partner to a quivering wreck during a sickening campaign of violence against her.

Hussain was sentenced to three years after pleading guilty to assault occasioning ABH on Friday 24 June.

The victim from France was studying in the UK and was so scared of his violent rages that she would wet herself - a court heard.

Hussain would beat her

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black and blue and whipped her with a belt and coat hanger.

Court heard how after one argument, he punched and kicked his girlfriend and forced her to strip naked straight after the assault, Hussain went to the gym but complained his bench pressing had been affected by hand injuries sustained during the beating.

She was later forced to massage his hands to soothe his injuries.

The attacks happened from January to March last year, while the victim was studying at Cardiff Metropolitan University.

Passing sentence, Judge Daniel Williams told him: “She thought the world of you to begin with, but your mask soon slipped.

“Your arrogance and apparent self-love masks deep insecurity and the victim of that deep insecurity of a period of months was your girlfriend.

“You were obsessed with her past and quizzed her on previous partners, so you could catch her out and control her.

“I am sure you did whip her with a belt and a hanger and it was in the context of a relationship punctuated by sadistic behaviour.

“This was a cynical campaign to overbear the will of a charming and promising young woman by humiliating her, insulting her, and controlling her.

“There’s no reason to believe that the remorse you conveyed is genuine.

You have a very distrusting, entrenched and warped view to those who are in a relationship with you.

“You changed this vibrant bright young woman into a shadow of herself.”

The court heard Hussain controlled his girlfriend’s life including the clothes and make up she wore, what she ate, when she could shower,

and who she was allowed to speak to.

In a statement read out to the court by prosecutor Sarah Waters, his victim said she felt destroyed as a result of the relationship, in which she felt trapped.

She described the defendant as being “extreme” in everything he did and of pushing her beyond her boundaries.

She said: “I think it’s difficult for anyone who has not been in a controlling relationship to understand why I stayed with him but retrospectively I hate myself for being a coward and not running away.

“What should have been one of the best years of my life studying abroad turned into a nightmare.”

Keri Bartley Monteith, defending, said his client now accepted his guilt over his convictions and wanted to “unreservedly apologise”.

He said Hussain had been suffering with depression and self-harm but had stopped using steroids, which he was taking during the course of the relationship.

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse, violence against women or sexual violence visit or call the Live Fear Free Helpline on 0808 8010 800.

Vicious Brawl in Alum Rock A

vicious street fight broke out in Alum Rock on Tuesday 13 June at around 8pm.

Footage taken by a passerby shows one man, caught up in a mass brawl getting a weapon which appears to be wrench from the boot of a VW Golf R and within seconds attacks another thug.

The fight involving young men in full flow on the junction of Alum Rock Road and College Road, in Alum Rock.

In the heat of the mayhem, a lone woman tries to break up the street violence without any regard for her own safety.

The woman steps in and with her arms outstretched as she tries to separate the fighting. Her actions are in

vain, as one man returns to the boot, pulls his hoodie up but is promptly knocked aside by a karate kicking individual. the video ends with the heated men in a tense standoff.

A West Midlands Police spokesman said: “We received a call at just after 8.20pm to reports of a disorder. Officers attended and there was no trace of anyone.”

The video marks another episode where fists have flown on the streets without a care for public or the law.

Anyone with information about the incidents is asked to call police on 101.

NEWS

Man Stuck Up A 32ft Lamppost In Handsworth

West Midlands Fire Services were called out to rescue a man who got stuck at the top of lamppost in Handsworth.

The man scaled the 10m (32ft) lamppost at a junction on Grove Lane, and then sat on the light with his bare legs and feet dangling.

The Fire Service used a 13.5m (45ft) ladder held in place by metal posts and a hydraulic platform to carry out the rescue.

The man was "under the influence of an illegal high", firefighters said in a Twitter post.

The fire service tweeted pictures of the "unusual" incident which could have "ended very differently".

Police and paramedics arrived, and the man was treated for a hand injury.

An ambulance service spokesman said paramedics were called to reports of a man in "a precarious position at the top of a lamppost" before 10pm on Saturday 30 June.

"The man was brought down to safety by the fire service before we treated him for a hand injury. He was then transported to Sandwell Hospital for further assessment," he added.

Handsworth fire station's Twitter feed said that fire crews "got there just in time".

A West Midlands Police spokeswoman said: "We were called to reports of a man up a lamppost in Holly Road, Handsworth, at around 9.50pm.

He came down around an hour later and was taken to hospital."

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Man Jailed For Abdul Rehman Jailed for Not Paying Tax On Double Shooting His £3 Million Business JULY 2018

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an jailed for 21 years for possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear, two counts of wounding, robbery and possession of cannabis.

Unemployed Rehman Afzal, known locally as ‘Biggy’ from Whitehall Road, Handsworth shot a man and his nephew in the leg over a debt have seen their attacker jailed for more than 20 years.

Afzal met up with the younger of the two men over in Holly Road, Handsworth on 3 December last year, but when the 24-year-old arrived, Afzal pulled out a gun and struck him on the head. He then took his phone and demanded money from him.

Afzal, phoned the man’s uncle to come and meet them. When he arrived, Afzal was seen pistol-whipping the man’s nephew, and although the uncle tried to reason with Afzal he became angry and turned the gun on him.

Afzal shot both of them in the leg, before making off and both managed to run away to call for help.

He was found guilty at Birmingham Crown Court on

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A

the 8 June after a week long trial.

Detective Constable Amanda Gilbert, from Force CID, said: “This was a nasty attack which is believed to

have been over a money debt.

“This is a great result and reinforces that anyone with access to illegal firearms can expect to spend many years behind bars. “

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West Midlands fraudster jailed for two years on June 12, after illegally living tax free for six years on his £3 million online business.

Abdul Rehman, 50, from Solihull, failed to pay any tax on his online business and produced fake invoices when HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) tax investigators began looking into his finances.

Rehman ran an online office supplies business from his home through A2Z Services but did not register with HMRC and failed to pay any income tax, National Insurance or VAT during 2005-2011.

After the tax investigation, he was given an opportunity to declare his tax debt through HMRC’s Contractual Disclosure Facility (CDF).

However, he chose to ignore their 60-day deadline and court proceedings started.

He was jailed for two years at Birmingham Crown Court

and confiscation proceedings are now underway to recover the money owed to HMRC. Following the hearing, Paul Maybury, Assistant Director of HMRC’s Fraud Investigation Service, said:

“Rehman had the chance to put his tax affairs in order but he chose jail instead.

“We try and give people a chance to put their affairs in order, but if they refuse to, we will take firm action.

A gang beat a man with bricks in a shocking city street attack in Alum Rock on Friday 8 June.

A footage that has been revealed shows the brutal attack in the middle of the residential road Anthony Road.

The men can be seen pushing, punching and shoving each other in the road and on pavements as

worried residents spill out from their homes to see the commotion.

During the horrific fight one man is attacked with a brick.

As the victim backs up in a bid to escape further blows, another man suddenly appears - smashing a brick directly onto his head several times.

Officers at West Midlands

Police were called to the scene, but no arrests were made.

A spokeswoman said: "We had a call about a fight in Anthony Road, Alum Rock at 6:55pm last night.

"Everyone had left the scene by the time to call was made and there were no reports of any injuries."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101.

Man Beaten With Bricks

Speed Cameras To Be Installed Middleway Corridor B

irmingham City Council are drawing plans to install average speed enforcement cameras along a stretch of road in Birmingham where six people lost their lives last year.

Birmingham City Council will install the cameras along a 2.8km stretch of the A4540 Middleway corridor from the Five Ways roundabout to Haden Circus, covering Islington Row Middleway, Lee Bank Middleway and Belgrave Middleway.

The Belgrave Middleway underpass was the scene of a fatal collision in the early hours of 17 December 2017, in which six people died.

Following the accident, thousands of people signed a petition calling for safety

measures on that stretch of road. Council Leader Councillor Ian Ward received the petition earlier this year, although the council had to wait for the outcome of the police investigation and subsequent coroner’s inquest before it could consider what road safety measures might be required.

It is anticipated that the cameras, which will enforce the existing 40mph speed limit, will be in place and operational by the autumn.

The scheme is likely to cost around £90,000, funded by the council from money set aside each year for road safety measures.

The council will also be looking at what other road safety measures could be put in place.

Councillor Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “This was a terrible accident which shocked the city and, given the long and complex nature of the resulting police investigation, it was important that we understood what had contributed to this truly heartbreaking loss of six lives before considering what safety measures could be put in place.

Councillor Waseem Zaffar, Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment at Birmingham City Council, said: “Safety on Birmingham’s busy highways network is paramount, so these cameras will play an important role in helping to keep our city moving safely.

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Queens Birthday Honours list NEWS

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JULY 2018

JAS SANSI The Thinking Man's Mouthpiece Photographer and LoveBrum trustee, Jas Sansi brings a dose of all things Birmingham.

With an unprecedented love of the city and its unique diverseness, he brings his 6-foot passion to The Asian Today.

A CAUTIONARY NOTE ABOUT

BREXIT Its been two years since the UK voted to exit the EU. Progress has been dire. As a country, we lurch from political crisis to political crisis. We deserve so much better than this.

And yet, it is said we get the politicians we deserve. Allow me to add to that; we get the politics we deserve. Over 17 million people voted for this chaos, I stand proud to this day in voting Remain, I didn’t fall for the Brexit lies about funding the NHS to the tune of £350 Million extra a week nor did I allow myself to be seduced by Farage, Gove and Johnson.

Brexit campaigners had all the volume but none of the plans to exit the EU. They have resigned one after another like rats deserting a sinking ship. They have exposed themselves to be cowards who shouted ‘Believe in Britain’ but when the going got tough, they ran to the hills.

There is a 52% chance of us leaving the EU without a trade deal and a 48% chance common sense will prevail and we decide to abandon not a sinking ship but Brexit itself. There is no trade deal on the horizon, and even if there was a glimmer of hope in there being one, there simply isn’t time given the exit date of March 29th 2019. It will be a very dark Friday.

Once again Europe is tearing the Conservative party to shreds.

The Tories are the most successful political party on earth, but this cat fight has demonstrated, history has taught them nothing.

If I were a political strategist for the Labour Party, I would suggest they sharpen their pencils, rally their constituency troops and prepare for Government. The next political crisis may just be another General Election. Good grief.

T

he Queen’s Birthday Honours List is to recognises the achievements of a wide range of extraordinary people across the United Kingdom.

Birthday Honours List 2018: This honours list continues to demonstrate the breadth of service given by people from all backgrounds.

In total 1,057 people have received an award: • 920 candidates have been selected at BEM, MBE and OBE level: 318 at BEM, 392 at MBE and 210 at OBE • 71% of the recipients are people who have undertaken outstanding work in their communities either in a voluntary or paid capacity • 519 women are recognised in the List, representing 49% of the total • 10% of the successful candidates come from a BAME background • 5.7% of the successful candidates consider themselves to have a disability (under the Equality Act 2010) The Prime Minister provided a strategic steer to the Main Honours Committee that the honours system should support children and young people to achieve their potential, enhance life opportunities, remove barriers to success and work to tackle discrimination.

The honours includes : - Activist Akeela Ahmed (now MBE) for her work with Muslim women as founder of the She Speaks, We Hear charity.

Akeela Ahmed (now MBE)

Amandeep Madra (OBE)

- Academic Amandeep Madra (OBE) for services to Punjabi and Sikh heritage and culture.

- Professor Jaswinder Singh Bamrah (CBE) for services to Mental Health, Diversity and the NHS. - Mr Manoj Kumar Badale (OBE) Chair, British Asian Trust, for services to the Economy and charity.

- Mrs Sonia Kumari Brooks (OBE) Deputy Governor, HM Young Offenders Institution Feltham, for services to HM Prison Service and the Criminal Justice System.

- Mr Pargan Singh Cheema (OBE) Chief Executive, The Scottish Grocers’ Federation.

For services to Business, Community Cohesion and charity.

- Mr Nitesh GOR DL (OBE) Founder and Chief Executive, Avanti Schools Trust. For services to Education.

- Mrs Shahana Khan

(OBE) For voluntary service to Healthcare and Social Housing in the West Midlands - Mr Pritpal Singh Landa (OBE) Managing Director, DSL Group (Nottingham) Ltd. For services to Business, charity and the community in Nottingham.

- His Honour Riaz Hassan Naqvi (OBE) Resident Judge, Sovereign Base Area Cyprus. For services to Defence.

- Mr Dhruv Prashant Patel (OBE) For voluntary service to the British Hindu community and Social Cohesion.

- Mr Kumar Sureshchandra Raval (OBE) Founder of Faith in Leadership. For services to Leadership Education and Inter-faith Cohesion.

- Dr Syed Tanzeem Haider Raza OBE) Consultant Physician, The Royal Bournemouth and

Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

For services to Health and Medical Education.

- Dr Ashok Roy (OBE) Clinical Lead, Learning Disabilities, Health Education England. For services to People with Learning Disabilities.\ - Dr Amarjit Kaur Samra (OBE) Director of Research, Medical Directorate. For services to Defence Medical Research.

- Mr Arjun Chainrai Waney (OBE) Entrepreneur. For services to the Restaurant Industry.

- Ms Roma Agrawal (OBE) Associate Director, AECOM. For services to Engineering.

- Mr Ajaz Khowaj Quoram Ahmed (MBE) Founder, AKQA. For services to Media.

- Mr Sarfraz Ali (MBE) President, Pakistan Association Liverpool. For services to Community Cohesion and Integration in Liverpool.

Manoj Badale OBE

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o d o t e d i c e d "When you – n i t e e f h t o b t u something – p ." .. k c a b d l o h t o n do

JULY 2018

WINNER: Business Start Up - Little Dessert Shop

- Byron Dixon – Founder and CEO of the award winning Micro-Fresh

WINNER: Hospitality Business of the Year - Ramada Park Hall Hotel

T

his was the cry from the guest speaker Byron Dixon – Founder and CEO of the award winning Micro-Fresh. Hailing from Leicester, and recently recognised in the Queens Birthday Honours list for Innovation, Mr Dixon spoke about the need to be totally committed to your business and not to enter business half heartedly.

Byron Dixon founded his antibacterial and antifungal Micro-Fresh brand in 2006.

His company is the leading partner for retailers such as John Lewis, Debenhams, Next, Sainsburys, The Pentland Group, Scruffs Workwear and Avon. It is also widely used by global innovators in the health and life sciences sectors such as GlaxosmithKline and Nuffield Health.

Mr Dixon spoke about the need to be persistent and bold when entering the world of entrepreneurship and that whilst Brexit was causing uncertainty, entrepreneurs were adaptable and innovative when it came to overcoming obstacles such as Brexit. He also spoke about not having fear when it came to enterprise and the need to give back.

Mr Ninder Johal who is CEO of the organisers of the Awards, and who was until recently the President of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce and sits as a

Board member on both Black Country LEP Board and the West Midlands Growth Company Board spoke about the uncertainty around the Brexit situation. Whilst he asserted that it was going to be very problematic in the short term, the long term future was still very bright if the UK continued to innovate and add value to their products and build on the strengths of its economy and its role in world affairs.

He spoke about the need to assert leadership and more critically to involve the voice of business during the Brexit negotiations. He spoke positively around the role of entrepreneurship and the positive contribution of the region and its broad range of sectors.

The third Nachural Business awards celebrated a number of awards. The main winners on the night were Warley Carriers who have been operating in the Black Country since the 1970’s and are now investing strongly in further sites on the strong order book from their Irish operation.

Employing 65 personnel and operating from West Bromwich, this family owned multi million pound turnover company has a wide range of clients and operates from three sites.

Substantial investment is planned for further growth and whilst challenges exist

with increasing fuel prices and Brexit uncertainty the family-owned business continues to show impressive growth. Poultry is a widely recognised and reputable poultry processing company specialising in customer demand.

Other award winners included : Business Start up – Little Dessert Shop Community Excellence – BYSA Customer Service of the year – Wolverhampton Council Small Business of the Year – BCRS Business Person of the Year – Shahid Sheikh International and Enterprise of the Year– Haji Baba Entrepreneur of the Year – Matt Jones Businesswoman of the Year – Sameera Ali Saddiq Hospitality Business of the Year – Park Hall Ramada,

Wolverhampton Promoting Apprenticeships in the Workplace : Grainger and Worrell Business of the Year – Warley Carriers The headline sponsor for the event was Kuflink and other sponsors included : Akaal ltd.com, Cobra Beer, East End foods, FBC Manby Bowdler, Baldwins Accountants, Hollywood Monster, Guest Truck and Van, 8 Outdoors, Enterprise Europe Network, Scholars, Pathway Group, Rational FX, Mercedez Benz ( Wolverhampton ), Vision and the University of Wolverhampton.

Promise Dreams was the charity on the night where over 450 people attended and where over £8000 was raised. Host for the evening was Tommy Sandhu and the music for the evening was provided by DJ Tony.

WINNER: Community Excellence of the Year - BYSA

WINNER: Business Woman of the Year - Sameera Ali Sadeeq

WINNER: International Enterprise of the Year - Haji Baba Ltd

WINNER: Business of the Year - Warley Carriers

WINNER: Business Person of the Year-Shahid Sheikh

WINNER: Customer Service Excellence Wolves City Council

WINNER:Promoting Apprenticeships in the Workplace - Grainger and Worrall

WINNER:Entrepreneur of the Year - Matt Jones

WINNER: Small Business of the Year - BCRS

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JULY 2018

Education Awards Announces Winners

W

e are delighted to announce the winners and finalists for the Education Awards The awards aim to celebrate the outstanding contributors to Education and all those who are making a difference to this vital industry.

Education plays a huge role in everyone’s lives, with those making purposeful strides deserving to be celebrated. This year our esteemed Ambassadors

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for the Awards are Suzanne Virdee, Andy Street, Paul Cadman, Julian Beer, Paul Faulkner, Patrick Monahan, John Loveday and Manjinder Sangha. More information about the awards and the ceremony can be found online www. education-awards.co.uk.

Winners and Finalists Educational Supporter of the Year WINNER: SCSNA – Green Lane Playgroup – Lois

Maguire-Cox FINALISTS: Kip Mcgrath Royal Leamington Spa MPCT – Military Preparation College Lifetime Achievement WINNER: Margaret Scott FINALISTS: Baroness Estelle Morris Sir David Eastwood Headteacher / Principal Dean of the Year WINNER: Ron Skelton – Broadway Academy FINALISTS: Davina Clacy – Old Church Primary School Chris Parkinson - LiFE academy Trust Teacher / Lecturer of the Year WINNER: Emma Neale – BCU FINALISTS: Susan Robinson Chris Fletcher – Military Preparation College Transforming Lives Through Partnerships WINNER: Holte School FINALISTS: Selly Park Technology

College Kumon Europe and Africa Secondary School of the Year WINNER: Selly Park Technology College FINALISTS: Priory School Wheelers Lane School Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community WINNER: Birmingham Civic Society FINALISTS: Aston Performing Arts Jewellery Quarter Academy – CORE education Trust Early Years School of the Year WINNER: Wiggles and Giggles FINALISTS: SCNSA Leaps and Bounds Outstanding Support for Students WINNER: Birmingham Institute of theatre and Arts FINALISTS: Military Preparation

College Hales Valley Teaching school Outstanding Primary School WINNER: Chilcote Primary School FINALISTS: Ferndale Primary School Shirley Heath Primary School Sciences, Technologies, Engineering and Mathematics Awards ( STEM) WINNER: Aston University Engineering Academy FINALISTS: Dudley College of Technology The National Mathematics and Science College Educational Resource provider of the Year WINNER: Shakespeare Schools Foundation FINALISTS: Shoutout UK Music Education Solutions Entrepreneurial Education Establishment of the Year WINNER: PJEA Dudley

FINALISTS: School of Code University College Birmingham Proactive Educational Provider of an Apprenticeship Programme WINNER: Pathway Group FINALISTS: Aston University Learning Curve Group Further Education College of the Year WINNER: Walsall College FINALISTS: BMET Cadbury Sixth Form College University of the Year WINNER: Coventry University FINALISTS: University of Wolverhampton University of Birmingham See you next year at the Education Awards 2019

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XPRESS Eternal Diva Rekha Takes IIFA Stage late actress Sridevi was honoured with the Best Actor (Female) award

The IIFA’s had dazzling performances by Ranbir Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, Arjun Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Rekha, Iulia Vantur, Kriti Sanon and others.

JULY 2018

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

SRK Celebrating 26 Years in Bollywood - PAGE 20

Saif Ali Khan is returning to screens - PAGE 22

Sunny Leone Joins Diljit Dosanjh in Upcoming Movie - PAGE 21

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SRK Celebrating 26 Years in Bollywood

Shah Rukh Khan, completed 26 long years in Bollywood and an emotional video which his wife Gauri Khan shared on Twitter talks about his journey from the start of career.

“It has been 26 years, and I have learnt a lot on this rollercoaster ride of love, hate, and yeah, sometimes, sadness,” Shah Rukh is seen saying at the beginning of the video after making a grand entry in his usual SRK style.

The six-minute video SRK speaks of many aspects of his life, from the birth of his eldest son Aryan to his youngest AbRam, the journey from his 1992 debut in Deewana to upcoming film Zero. Each milestone was spoken of lovingly and with his usual wit and charm.

Sanju Rated 15 in the UK

Deepika & Ranveer To Marry in November

Fans of Ranbir Kapoor who are below the age of 15 won’t be allowed to watch Sanju in Britain as it has been rated ‘15’. The reason given by the British Board Of Film Certification is because the film has reference to drug misuse and infrequent strong sex references.” However, the Indian Censor Board has issued a U/A certificate to the film meaning audiences above the age group of 12 can go and watch the film by themselves, and the ones below, can go to watch if they are being accompanied by an adult.

Dhadak Movie Based on Social issues The eldest daughter of late Sridevi is gearing up for her debut film Dhadak, Jhanvi Kapoor says that the film gives a very strong social message.

"Our film is based on a social issue. This film will give really strong social message which is why I feel everyone should watch this film," said Janhvi, in an

interaction with media, after she and her co-star Ishaan Khatter visited a local radio station on to promote the film.

Sharing her feelings about the audience's response to the film's recently-released song Zingaat, she said: "I am feeling really happy that we have received positive response for the song.

"We had so much fun shooting that song so, I hope people will enjoy it while watching it on big screen".

Dhadak is a romantic drama directed by Shashank Khaitan, produced by Dharma Productions and Zee Studios. it is scheduled to be released on July 20.

Bollywood couple Deepika and Ranveer are taking their relationship to the next level and will tie the knot on November 10 2018. Wedding preparations have begun in full swing, and the families have started shopping.

The couple may fly to Italy for a destination wedding ceremony and later host reception bashes in Mumbai and Bengaluru for their friends and colleagues. The family was also toying with the idea of Udaipur palace but that didn't work out.

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Ed Sheeran Being Sued AGAIN

Music artist Ed Sheeran is being sued for $100m (£76.4m) for allegedly copying elements of Marvin Gaye's Let's Get It On. It's alleged the singer has taken parts of the 1973 classic for his number one hit Thinking Out Loud.

Legal documents in the US allege it copies "the melody, rhythms, harmonies, drums, bass line, backing chorus, tempo, syncopation and looping".

Ed has already faced legal action over the same track - and has always denied the allegations.

This new claim has been filed by a company called Structured Asset Sales - which owns part of the copyright of Gaye's song.

Gaye co-wrote the track alongside US singer Edward Townsend - who died in 2003.

It's currently unclear whether that case has been resolved.

Cheryl & Liam Announce Split on Twitter Sunny Leone Joins Diljit Dosanjh in Upcoming Movie Cheryl and Liam Payne have announced they have split up.

Posting on the official Cheryl Twitter page she wrote: "We are sad to announce that we are going our separate ways.

It's been a tough decision for us to make.

"We still have so much love for each other as a family. Bear is our world and we ask that you respect his privacy as we navigate our way through this together."

Liam also took to twitter and posted an identical message.

While Cheryl has never been married to Liam they were together for two-and-a-half years and share son Bear Grey Payne, one.

Priyanka Makes it Official on Insta with Nick Jonas

brother Siddharth, have earned the title of Priyanka's "favorite men" and the highest accolade - a heart eye emoji.

The couple were first seen together at the end of May and a current trip to Goa, Nick has been introduced to Priyanka’s Mother.

BY: HUSNA

BOLLYWOOD BOLLYWOOD

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Kala Chashma Sanu Ik Pail Chain KalaBaar Chashma Baar Dekho RAIDRahat Fateh Ali Khan Baar Baar Dekho

Theher Tere Sang Ja Yaare Tere Sang YaareMalik Rustom OCTOBER - Armaan Rustom

O Saathi Gani Gani Mani Sandhu BAAGHI 2 - Atif& Aslam Akhil Mani Sandhu & Akhil

Swag Jag Ghoomeya Se Swagat Jag Ghoomeya Sultan TIGER ZINDA HAI - Vishal Dadlani Sultan

Mundiyan Tu Rendhe Tu Rendhe Tindy BAAGHI & Rixx 2 - Navraj and Sudesh Hans Kumari Tindy & Rixx and Sudesh Kumari

Ghar Se Nikalte Hi Woman Woman Armaan Malik Shide Boss ft Zack Knight Shide Boss ft Zack Knight

Ae Watan Peat Pe Booty Peat Booty A RAAZI Flying -Pe Arjit Jatt Sing A Flying Jatt

Aashiq Banaya Apne Suit Suit Randhawa Guru HATE STORY 4 - Himesh & N. Kakkar Guru Randhawa

Patola Tu Hai Tu Hai Daro Mohenjo BLACKMAIL - Guru Randhawa Mohenjo Daro

Aaj Se Teri Dishoom Dishoom PADMAN Arjit Singh Sau Tarah- Ke Sau Tarah Ke

BHANGRA/POP BHANGRA BHANGRA

Superstar Punjabi actor, Diljit Dosanjh and Bollywood’ sizzling Sunny Leone are to share the silver screen together. The duo will be seen together in Diljit’s upcoming movie Arjun Patiala (2018) where Sunny will feature in a special song number.

The song is scheduled to be shot in the first week of July on a special

NO Priyanka Chopra has posted on her Instagram sharing a photo of her bae on the beach in Goa, India, staring out longingly into the distance.

Priyanka and Nick Jonas are yet to seal it with a selfie but it’s the caption that really matters. Nick and another guy, who seems to be Chopra’s

THE BY: ASIAN TODAY HUSNA

set in Mumbai over a course of three days.

While Sunny’s dance numbers are guaranteed chartbusters, with recent hits like 'Laila' from Raees and 'Piya More' from Baadshaaho, her cameo in the film extends beyond just dancing.

The movie is slated to release on 13 September.

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Laung Laachi Gabbroo Gabbroo Jassie Mannat GillNoor ft. Preet Hundal Jassie Gill ft. Preet Hundal

Lahore Akhil Akhil Teri Kami Guru Randhawa Teri Kami

Galtiyan Ashok Prince, Tru-Skool Ashok Time Knight Zack 4 YaPrince, Mind Tru-Skool Time 4 Ya Mind

Illegal PBN & Weapon Raj Bains Garry Sandhu & Jasmin Walia PBNAkh & Raj Bains Billi Billi Akh

Dil Diyan Manni Sandhu Gallan Manni Sandhu Welcome Atif Aslam To The Future Welcome To The Future

High Bina Tere End TereDosanjh Bina Monty DIljit & Waris, Ginni Kapoor Monty & Waris, Ginni Kapoor

Teeje Week Skoda SkodaBawa Ranjit Jordon Sandhu ft. Bhinda Aujla Ranjit Bawa ft. Bhinda Aujla

Trending Ikk Vaari Nakhra Hor Soch Lae Ikk Vaari Hor Soch Lae Harish Amrit Maan Verma Harish Verma

Naah Kulwinder Billa Kulwinder Billa Kulwinder Hardy Sandhu Billa Kulwinder Billa

RaateDi Selfi Boliyan Gedi SelfiDosanjh eSingh Boliyan Malkit Diljit ft. Dj Vix

Mission Impossible UK UKARTISTS CHART UK ARTISTS for Tom Cruise 01.

Tom Cruise is back on the big screen as Ethan Hunt in his latest addition to the Mission Impossible franchise, Mission Impossible: Fallout. When a mission has failed Ethan takes its upon himself to complete putting his entire career in jeopardy.

Again, you will see Tom Cruise performing his own stunts and fans will see him in a helicopter scene defying death.

The film will be released in cinemas Friday 27th July.

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Malkit Singh ft. Dj Vix

One Kiss Dance One DrakeDance Calvin Harris feat Wizkid & Dua Lipa and Kyla Drake feat Wizkid and Kyla

No Left To Cry ColdTears Water Ariana Grande Cold Water Major Lazer and Justin Beiber Major Lazer and Justin Beiber

NiceGood Too For What Too Good Drake feat Rihanna Drake feat Rihanna

Freaky This is what Fridayyou came for This isHarris what you came for Calvin Lil Dicky ft Chris feat Brown Rihanna Calvin Harris feat Rihanna

Paradise Heathens Heathens Twenty George Ezra One Pilots Twenty One Pilots

Closer Lullaby Closer Chainsmokers Halsey Sigala & Palomafeat Faith Chainsmokers feat Halsey

2002 Perfect Strangers Anne-Marrie Perfect Jonas BlueStrangers feat JP Cooper Jonas Blue feat JP Cooper

Tears The Middle Tears Clean BanditMorris/Grey feat Louisa Johnson Zedd/Maren Clean Bandit feat Louisa Johnson

This Girl Psycho This Girl Kungs Vs Cooking on 3 Burners Post Malone ft Ty Dolla Sign Kungs Vs Cooking on 3 Burners

We Don't Love Lies Talk Anymore We Don't Talk Anymore Charlie feat Selena Gomez Khalid &Puth Normani Charlie Puth feat Selena Gomez

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JULY 2018

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DESIXPRESS

SAIF ALI

In Con v e r s ati on w it h

Khan

S

aif Ali Khan is returning to screens, albeit this time through the first Hindi Netflix Original drama; Sacred Games.

The series is based on the critically-acclaimed best-selling novel of the same name by author Vikram Chandra.

The series focuses on Sartaj Singh (Saif Ali Khan), a seasoned and cynical Bombay police officer, summoned by an anonymous tip one morning, a voice which promises him an opportunity to capture the powerful Ganesh Gaitonde (Nawazuddin Siddiqui), criminal overlord of the G-Company.

As the stakes mount and Sartaj seeks knowledge of his prey, it becomes clear that the game the two players thought they were engaged in is in fact part of a much larger scenario, one that expands beyond their city.

On his recent holiday to the British capital, Saif Ali Khan spoke to Sunny Malik for The Asian Today where he opened up about the project and much more...

You've mixed business and pleasure whilst being in London ..

It's quite ideal actually. I like working in London. I shot an advertisement with Kareena and now I'm promoting my Netflix series too.

The first episode of Sacred Games has some very graphic scenes. How did you feel being a part of such a project?

I don't think it's perditious in any way. The story telling is quite responsible.The series is a graphic platform, where you can be a part of edgy stories. It's different to TV and movies, a bit how a graphic novel is different from a comic book. There is something unique about it. Sacred Games lends itself perfectly to an eight hour series. Everything in India is interconnected such as politics, cops, underworld and Bollywood.

The nexus between these things is quite interesting. Sacred Games really etched out the characters and explained them with a backstory, just like the book, but in a way it feels like an eight-hour long movie.

How was it like doing a TV series after being a part of so many feature films?

It was exhausting. We had very long working hours. We didn't use a lot of lights and filmed at a lot of live locations. The plus side is that the scenes look amazing.

You can't set up that environment and replicate it otherwise. In films, you usually require a lot of set up to create a shot e.g. lighting

Saif Ali Khan is returning to screens

and external equipment. For us, we were much more mobile with Sacred Games. We really explored Mumbai and the new technology in film making really helped us in doing so.

Realistic content is thriving now.

Do you enjoy that space?

Things do need to be realistic but Sacred Games is quite extraordinary really. Everything is kind of larger than life and there is a lot of drama. The idea is to make the drama believable. It's not a reality show. It's quite dull actually.

How was your experience of working with Nawazudin Siddique?

He brings a lot of dignity to the roles he plays, almost a regal bearing. It's fascinating to watch him perform and he is one of the best actors we have. I can't even put my finger on what exactly makes him so great but I suspect, it's the grace and composure.

But there are also so many other actors I've come in contact with throughout this series who have improved my own acting skills.

I'm really happy to have seen all that talent as there is so much of it. What we see on screen in Bollywood is really the tip of the

iceberg in that sense.

The character is very different to what you've portrayed in the past or how you are as a person. How did you prepare for the role?

Absolutely, but the character has nothing to do with how I am personally.

It was a little bit harder to get into the character but that's the fun of being an actor. We have to try and understand someone else and create a reality out of it. It helps when the characters are strong and well-written.

My director, Vikramaditya Motwane, also directed me very well. I really enjoyed being directed by him actually.

Netflix is becoming bigger by the day and some consider it as the platform which will kill cinemas. What's your take?

I think, audiences will regardless of Netflix like to go to cinemas. I think, in an ideal universe you would do certain films for the big screen and certain type of content knowing that its best served on a streaming service. I'm just happy that as an

actor I'm able to be a part of this world. I have noticed that people, in India, like going to the cinema.

I think, directors need to be aware for what medium they are making their product. If you know that your movie or show is most likely going to be watched on a mobile phone, that would govern your directing style. If something is

Eternal Diva REKHA Takes IIFA Stage Bangkok saw the 19th International Indian Film Academy being held in June 2018 with grand performances from the Bollywood industry.

The show will be hosted by Karan Johar and Riteish Deshmukh.

The 3-day extravaganza concluded with the prestigious awards ceremony on Sunday.

While Vidya Balan’s slice-

of-life comedy Tumhari Sulu won Best Film at IIFA, late actress Sridevi was honoured with the Best Actor (Female) award The IIFA’s had dazzling performances by Ranbir Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, Arjun Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Rekha, Iulia Vantur, Kriti Sanon and others.

The eternal diva Rekha set the IIFA 2018 stage on fire after 20 years as she performed to her super- hit songs at the gala awards ceremony. Rekha danced to a medley of songs including Pyar Kia Toh Darna Kya and Salaam-e-Ishq Meri Jaan and had the audience in Bangkok speechless.

Celebrities took to social media to praise the actress for her starstudded performance.

Winners Full List of IIFA 2018 Best Film - Tumhari Sulu Best Director - Saket Chaudhary (Hindi Medium) Best Actor (Male) - Irfan Khan

(Hindi Medium) Best Actor (Female) - Sridevi (Mom) Best Actor In Supporting Role (Female) - Meher Vij (Secret Superstar) Best Actor In Supporting Role (Male) - Nawazuddin Siddiqui (Mom) Best Story - Amit V Masurkar (Newton) Best Music Direction - Amaal Mallik, Tanishk Bagchi, Akhil Sachdeva (Badrinath Ki Dulhania) Best Background Score - Pritam (Jagga Jasoos) Best Screeenplay - Nitesh Tiwari, Shreyas Jain (Bareilly Ki Barfi) Best Dialogues - Hitesh Kewalya (Shubh Mangal Saavdhan) Best Editing - Shweta Venkat Mathew (Newton) Best Choreography - Vijay Ganguly and Ruel Dausan Varindani (Galti Se Mistake, Jagga Jasoos) Best Cinematography - Marcin

Laskawiec (Tiger Zinda Hai) Best Lyrics - Manoj Muntashir (Mere Rashke Qamar, Baadshaho) Best Playback Singer (Female) Meghna Mishra - Main Kaun Hoon (Secret Superstar) Best Playback Singer (Male) Arijit Singh (Hawayein, Jab Harry

made for the big screen, directors need to film it for that purpose. We used to hear back in the days that close up shots are really important for TV. We just need to be aware of what is the best way to make content and for which medium.

Sacred Games launches globally on Netflix on 6th July Met Sejal) Best Sound Design - Dileep Subramaniam and Ganesh Gangadharan (YRF Studios) (Tiger Zinda Hai) Best Special Effects - Ny Vfxwala (Prasad Vasant Sutar) (JaggaJasoos) Outstanding Achievement by an Actor in Indian Cinema - Anupam Kher Best Style Icon of the Year - Kriti Sanon Best Debut Director - Konkona Sensharma (A Death in the Gunj)

JULY 2018

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INTERNATIONAL

THE ASIAN TODAY

23

INTERNATIONAL

Police arrest Man over Husband Files For a Muslim Day’ Letters Divorce After Discovering ‘Punish A Wife Had A Beard

A

n Indian man has filed for a divorce application after he claimed his wife had a beard and sounded like a man has been rejected.

The husband told the court that he had not seen his wife’s face until after the wedding day because she wore a veil.

He also said the couple did not speak prior to the wedding because this was

arranged by his in-laws.

The husband, who has also not been named, said: ‘When I saw her for the first time, she had make-up on.

After spending seven days with her, I went out of town for my job. After returning, I noticed she was growing a beard, and realized that she sounds like a man.’

During the court hearing the wife admitted having facial hair and a deep voice

because of hormonal issues but told the court that could be fixed with treatment.

She also claimed she was tortured physically and mentally by her husband who is using the excuse of her having a beard to evict her from their house and keep the dowry payment.

The woman’s lawyer also said although her client was willing to continue the relationship with her husband, should they get divorced, she wanted to receive an alimony of 20,000 rupees per month.

A judge rejected the divorce application, saying the reasons of having a beard and a deep voice were not sufficient for a split.

The judge also noted that the husband had been absent from several court hearings along with his lawyer.

n arrest has been made of a 35-yearold man from Lincoln in connection with the 'Punish a Muslim Day' letters which were sent across the UK earlier this year.

The letters boast about acts of violence against muslims and suggested perpetrators would earn 'points' for each they committed.

Officers from Counter Terrorism Policing North East, supported by Lincolnshire Police, arrested the man on Tuesday 16 June He has been arrested on suspicion of the following: Sending a hoax noxious substance under section 114(1)(a) and (3) of the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 Sending letters/ communications/articles conveying a threatening

message contrary to section 1(1)(a) and (4) Malicious Communications Act 1988Conspiring and soliciting to commit murder contrary to section 4 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 He is being held in custody in West Yorkshire.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Counter Terrorism Policing North

East said: "We understand that people may be concerned following this activity.

"However, we would like to reassure communities that this activity is a result of an ongoing, intelligence led investigation and was not in response to an immediate threat."

Misconduct Investigation on Police Officer C

hief Superintendent, Parm Sandhu, of Scotland Yard is reportedly being investigated for breaking rules regarding her royal honours nomination for a police medal.

According to the BBC, the senior detective has been presented with a “gross misconduct” investigation notice, meaning Sandhu may face a serious disciplinary charge against her.

With the investigation taking place, the senior officer, who joined the police in 1989, has been put on restricted duties in her Metropolitan police roll. The main focus of the investigation follows the inquiry that Parm Sandhu encouraged her colleagues to support her nomination for a QPM, also known as a Queen’s Police Medal.

However, Sandhu is not the only officer foregoing this process, as it’s been reported that two other officers from the Metropolitan Police are also being investigated for misconduct.

The QPM is awarded by Queen Elizabeth II, twice a year as it is a part of her honours’ lists. Specifically on lists for the Queen’s Birthday and the New Year.

In June 2018, the Queen’s Birthday honours list featured 18 officers who were awarded the QPM, the same number of officers were given medals for the New Year’s honour list of 2018.

These medals are awarded

to officers who demonstrate excellent courage and renowned service while being in the UK police force.

The guidelines from the National Police Chief Council say that “any person can nominate any other person for an honour.” But like any other honours nominations, people cannot nominate themselves, know about or participate in the process of being nominated. This is to prevent any kind of bias.

The investigation by the Met is reviewing the allegation that Ms Sandhu influenced her QPM nomination by contacting other officers, with a summary of information to support it.

The inquiry is at an early stage meaning no disciplinary action has been taken against Ms Sandhu. As the senior officer has been presented with a notice, she could face dismissal if the allegation is proved during the investigation.

Parm Sandhu does have the support of representatives of the Police Superintendents’ Association while the inquiry is being carried out.

A statement of Scotland Yard issued, regarding the matter said: “The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS) is investigating the conduct of three officers following an allegation that they breached guidelines relating to the UK honours

nomination process.

“A temporary chief superintendent currently attached to human resources was served with a gross misconduct notice on Wednesday 27 June and has been placed on restricted duties.”

“Two other officers – a detective superintendent and an inspector, both from frontline policing – were served with misconduct notices on Wednesday 27 June. They remain on full duties. Enquiries continue.”

Parm Sandhu is one of the most senior BAME (Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic) officers in the Metropolitan Police. She worked her way her way through ranks and is the highest-ranking woman Asian police officer.

On June 14, 2018, she tweeted saying: “I will be promoted to Chief Supt in Met! I will be the first woman of colour to hold this rank 1829 Met started we are making a difference because we support each other thank you all for being there for me x @Sharan_Project @MPS_SikhAssoc @ bbcasiannetwork” In 2006 Sandhu was the recipient of an Asian Women Achievement award, especially for her work within the community after the 7th of July terror attacks. She is also working to tackle honour crime and liaison with the Sharan Project.

24

JULY 2018

THE ASIAN TODAY www.msdeliciouspr.blogspot.com

JAILBIRD takes flight in Brum

NEW OPENINGS

A traditional Solihull pub has been transformed into an Indian beer and food haven - that's still a pub.

The Tap and Tandoor has replaced the former Saddlers Arms and become a pub serving beer and curry.

The new venture (the brainchild of Ajay and Shivani Kenth, who opened Indian streetfood eatery Zindiya in Moseley) is bound to be just as popular with Solihull folk.

They have completed the transformation of a humdrum pub on the Warwick Road into a light, bright, modern pub with room for 80 diners downstairs. And with the added bonus of showing the World Cup games it’s bound to be rammed.

Get more food news on twitter @deliciouspr and on the web : www.msdeliciouspr.blogspot.com

YOUR L

s e v i e c e R l l Glynn Purne d r a w A n o i t i n g o c e R l a i c Spe 8 1 0 2 s d r a w A H D F M e h t t a

PR supremo and food blogger Anita Champaneri brings her blog Ms Delicious PR and all things food to The Asian Today, bringing all the news from hot restaurants to cool bars and everything in between.

The award-winning Lasan Group has opened another dining experience - Jailbird New York Seafood and Steak.

The new venture is a classy, sophisticated lounge and restaurant situated in Victoria Square opposite the Council House in the heart of the city.

Lasan Group’s Jabbar Khan said: “Expect a cosmopolitan vibe where you can escape from the humdrum and get the New York state of mind.”

Jailbird has the classy, vibrant and opulent feel of a New York drinking and dining experience, with upscale seafood and steak in sumptuously stylish surroundings.

Jailbird will be place guys and dolls to chill, with the ground-floor lounge offering fantastic drinks including fabulous cocktails.

Expect a venue that’s plush, opulent but utterly chilled and welcoming. If you like places like Gusto or The Ivy you’ll love this.

Sip your favourite drink over a bowl of Kalamata olives, then move on perhaps to black risotto with prawns or maybe a giant cous cous and flame-grilled asparagus salad.

Or share salty ‘n’ sweet caramel-glazed pork knuckle served with a freshly-baked sunflower & pumpkin seed loaf, apple salad and whipped seasoned butter.

For mains you might select sea bass marinated in creole spices served with a kale salad and a blackened lemon wedge, or a classic surf & turf comprising grilled lobster with cheesy mustard mornay or a fresh herb garlic gremolata, accompanied by a juicy spider steak.

FOOD & TRAVEL

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The Midlands Food Drink & Hospitality Awards honoured TV personality & Birmingham’s original Michelin-star chef Glynn Purnell with a Special Recognition Award for his support of the independent restaurant scene and putting Birmingham on the culinary map.

Glynn, affectionately known as the ‘Yummy Brummie’ said: “Myself and the whole team at Purnell’s are delighted to have won the three awards at the Midlands Food, Drink and Hospitality

Awards on Monday evening.

My personal congratulations go to my Restaurant Manager Sonal Clare, who has now won two awards in the last couple of months (this, and the GQ Award for Best Sommelier) which recognise his huge level of skill as a Sommelier.

On a wider level, my huge congratulations go to the whole team at Purnell’s, as every single member of staff plays a massive role in us winning the Best Michelin Star Restaurant award.

On a personal note, I would like to say how humbled I

am to receive the Special Recognition award, and how proud I am to have played a part in the Midlands food revolution that is currently going on across my fantastic city of Birmingham and beyond. ” The Midlands Food Drink & Hospitality industry was out in full force and saw over 450 people in attendance, including the biggest names and faces in the food and catering industry from all around the West Midlands, to honour and award the very best restaurants, cafes, eateries, chains, hotels, chefs

and more in the world of hospitality.

The MFDH awards was again this year headline sponsored by Pepsi Max, with diamond sponsors NFU Mutual, Swallow Drinks, Evolve Hospitality and category sponsors Britvic, Pathway Group, Three Church Road, NA Consulting, Midlands Retail Forum, Illy, Freedom Brewery and Adapt Accountancy.

The night kicked off with a stellar reception that welcomed the guests, hosts, judges and sponsors to the beautifully decorated venue

d

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FASHION & BEAUTY

IFESTYLE at the cricket ground. It was an electric night full of fun and frolics.

Host Raaj Shamji, known for his flamboyance and infectious humour, and his eclectic band kept the guests entertained with their unique brand of wit, wonder and flair. They brought a sense of cabaret, zest and fun to the night that kept everything up and lively.

Live music was provided by the Walsall Wallaz and Beat Asylum, guests were also treated to a surprise appearance from Gordon Ramsay lookalike Martin Jordan.

Drinks were aplenty at the bar and food was provided from Mahir’s Experience.

The delectable cuisine was perfectly fitting for a night celebrating the very best in food.

Needless to say, when it came to the winners, the level of excitement and tension was palpable. Some of the most coveted awards and winners of the night included Best Fine Dining Restaurant which went to Cheals of Henley, Best Steak House which was awarded to the Andersons and Best Chef which was picked up by Liam Dillon of The Boat Inn. The crowd moved to the after party after the awards was over, which saw yet more fun, laughs and partying with music provided by DJ AKB. Next year’s MFDH awards is already being planned and looks set to be even bigger, better and brighter. Look forward to seeing you next year!

The full list of winners of the MFDH Awards 2018 include: 1. BEST FINE DINING RESTAURANT: Cheals of Henley – Henley in Arden 2. BEST GASTRO PUB: The Bluebell – Henley in Arden 3. BEST CURRY HOUSE:

Umami – Birmingham

4. BEST ORIENTAL RESTAURANT: Zen Metro – Birmingham 5. BEST STEAK HOUSE: Anderson’s Bar & Grill – Birmingham 6. BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT: Sapori Restaurant & Bar – Leicester 7. BEST SPANISH RESTAURANT: El Borracho De Oro – Birmingham 8. BEST VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT: No12 Houndsgate – Nottingham 9. PEOPLE’S CHOICE: Becketts Farm – Birmingham 10. BEST THEMED RESTAURANT: Al-Bader Restaurant – Birmingham 11. BEST CHEF: Liam Dillon (The Boat Inn) – Lichfield 12. BEST FOOD PRODUCER: Food Trade International Limited – Birmingham 13. BEST RESTAURANT MANAGER: Evita Lama (Jurys Inn) – Birmingham 14. RISING STAR: Leo Kattou (Simpsons) – Birmingham 15. MOST POPULAR STREET FOOD / POP UP: Baked in Brick – Birmingham 16. MOST POPULAR FOOD FESTIVAL: Colmore Food Festival – Birmingham 17. BEST FOOD / DRINK BLOGGER: Eat with Ellen – Birmingham 18. BEST COCKTAIL BAR: The Edgbaston – Birmingham

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19. BEST TRADITIONAL PUB: The Lych Gate Tavern – Wolverhampton 20. BEST SOMMELIER: Sonal Clare (Purnells) – Birmingham

21. BEST HOTEL BAR: The Bubble Lounge (HDV Birmingham) – Birmingham 22. BEST DRINKS MERCHANT: Connolly’s Wine – Birmingham 23. BEST AFTERNOON TEA: Ivy’s Vintage Tea Room – Lutterworth 24. BEST INDEPENDENT COFFEE SHOP: Melbourne In Lichfield – Lichfield 25. BEST BREWERY: Joule’s Brewery – Market Drayton 26. BEST APPRENTICESHIP EMPLOYER: Hilton Birmingham Metropole – Birmingham 27. BEST HOTEL: The Genting Hotel – Birmingham 28. BEST BOUTIQUE HOTEL: The Edgbaston – Birmingham 29.BEST GENERAL MANAGER: Rachel Davies (Jurys Inn) – Birmingham 30. BEST VENUE: Villa Park – Birmingham 31. BEST SPA: Eden Hall Day Spa – Nottingham 32. BEST FAST FOOD TAKEAWAY/CASUAL DINING: Burger Shop – Worcester 33. BEST MICHELIN STAR RESTAURANT: Purnell’s 34. SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD Glynn Purnell

Asian Chef Jay Morjaria is offered £500,000 investment on BBC’s hugely popular food show ‘Million Pound Menu’ Show Chef Jay Morjaria, beat hundreds of other hopefuls to bring his ‘plant-forward’ East Asian concept, ‘Dynasty’ to BBC’s latest food show ‘Million Pound Menu’ and then went on to receive an investment offer of £500,000 from Lydia Forte of the 5 Star Rocco Forte Hotel group, with hotels in London, Edinburgh and across Europe.

Million Pound Menu which some have called a combination of Master Chef Professionals and Dragon’s Den showcases 12 different food concepts from across the UK by giving each a three-day trial run of a 40-seater pop-up restaurant in the heart of Manchester.

The aim is – to try to win over the paying public and the allimportant investors.

Chef Jay, the first Asian contestant on the show, had to run ‘Dynasty’ as a fullservice restaurant, manage a team he had never worked

with before, be prepared to have his food scrutinised and face a nail biting interview with potential investors to prove his financial plan and figures stacked up.

Chef Jay said “Growing up surrounded by cooking and my parents’ Indian vegetarian restaurants, food has always played a big part in my life but now I get to take it one step further and make my dream a reality…I have been overwhelmed by the positive comments and support I have had since my appearance on the show and look forward to sharing my food with you all.”

Seven years ago, Chef Jay gave up his job as a retail buyer to pursue his passion, opening Sutra Kitchen, a vegetarian cookery school in London. He then decided to explore East Asian cuisine, working in restaurants in Korea, even making his own homemade kimchi, before opening Dynasty as an

Specialists in

LOW COST FLIGHTS TO PAKISTAN!

occasional, sell-out supperclub, serving vegetable focussed friendly dishes with a few meat sides.

Chef Jay’s food was extremely well received on the show with diners loving the unique combinations and flavours and even Million Pound Menu show host Fred Sirieix declaring “This is amazing, every little mouthful” on tasting Jay’s food.

Jay’s appeal is easy to see, his passion and drive to bring Dynasty to life resonates with so many aspiring individuals and the outcome is inspirational.

If you missed seeing the show, UK residents can watch it on BBC iplayer http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/ episode/b0b6v9pv To find out more about what Chef Jay is up to and where you can try his delicious food follow him on Instagram/twitter @ chefjaymorjaria

• We aim to bring you great flight prices, whatever your destination.

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JULY 2018

HEALTH

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THE ASIAN TODAY

HEALTH

Iconic buildings to light ORGAN DONATION: up blue to celebrate the CELEBRATING THE GIFT NHS’ 70th birthday!

OF LIFE The British Transplant Games take place 2nd- 5th August

T

I

conic landmarks and buildings across East of England and the Midlands will be lighting up in blue on the evening of 5 July to say ‘Happy Birthday’ to the NHS and to recognise its special place in our lives.

As well as lighting up landmarks, events are being organised by and for staff, hospital trusts and healthcare organisations to mark the seventieth birthday in style.

East of England, East Midlands and West Midlands landmarks confirmed to turn blue so far include: East of England 12th Street, Milton Keynes Cambridge Corn Exchange Colchester Castle Colchester Hospital Colchester United FC Hedingham Castle Ipswich Hospital (including the Garrett Anderson Centre) Ipswich Town Hall (lighting up 5-9 July) Milton Keynes Theatre Norwich Castle Norwich City Hall Peterborough Greyhound Stadium (lighting up on 4 July and 6 July) St Edmundsbury Cathedral (Bury St Edmunds) Watford Town HallEast Midlands Chatsworth House Nottingham Council House De Montfort Hall, Leicester Grantham Guildhall Leicester Cathedral Leicester City Hall Leicester Town Hall University of Leicester – George Davies Centre Lincoln CastleWest

Midlands Hanley Town Hall Regent Theatre in Hanley Library of Birmingham Old Joe (University of Birmingham) Pershore Abbey Lady Godiva statue, Coventry Telford & Wrekin Council’s Southwater One building Walsall FC Banks’s Stadium Worcester University Arena People are encouraged to take photos and share them via social media using the hashtags: #NHS70 and #LightUpBlue.

Tea will be at the centre of many events as NHS organisations, as well as the general public, will be holding ‘NHS Big 7Tea’ celebrations.

The public can help directly by volunteering, supporting their local NHS charity or by giving blood.

NHS England’s Medical Director in Midlands and East, David Levy, said: “It is clear from the support we have had with regards to NHS 70 that everyone is really getting behind all the activities planned in the region.

“The NHS is something to

be proud of, for those who work within it and for all of us who benefit from the services provided and I am sure the celebrations taking place will be a reflection of this pride and the affection we all have for this great organisation.

“I hope everyone will join in the celebrations and take photographs of and selfies with the lit up buildings and share using #LightUpBlue.”

If you own/run a building or site and want to join in, please email england.mecomms@ nhs.net Six ways to join in the NHS 70 celebrations and support the NHS going forward Hold a Big 7 Tea Party: https://www.nhsbig7tea.co.uk/ plan-a-party Give blood and join the Organ Donor Register to help save lives – call the Donor Line on 0300 123 23 23 Volunteer for and support NHS charities Take care of yourself and make a pledge to use NHS services wisely Work for the NHS Get involved in research projects

his August (2-5) the British Transplant Games will take place in Birmingham, bringing together over 2,500 transplant recipients to celebrate the gift of life, demonstrate the benefits of transplantation and increase awareness and sign ups to the Organ Donation Register.

According to a recent NHS report, in the UK, 34% of the total number of patients on the waiting list for a kidney transplant are from black, asian and ethnic minority groups (BAME).

Donors and recipients match through blood and tissue types, which vary from different ethnic backgrounds, making it difficult to find matches. In fact, only 6% of UK organ donors registered are from ethnic groups, making the average time on the waiting list longer by six months for BAME patients.

Zahid Bhatti spent two years on the transplant list before a donor was found.

As a usually active family man, Zahid was shocked by his diagnosis of Chronic Kidney Disease.

For two years before his transplant, Zahid felt trapped in a bad nightmare, relying on a machine and unable to control his emotions or decreasing physical ability.

Sharing his story, Zahid said: “Death does not care how old you are, how rich you are, how tall you are or

how pretty you are. I was an empty shell of a person, thinking my life was over.

“I am forever grateful for the support from my doctors, nurses and family who helped improve my quality of life. It was an experience I would not wish on anybody.

“We must do whatever it takes to bring back hope to suffering renal patients and help save their lives.”

Zahid Bhatti is the Co-Founder/Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Global Kidney Foundation, who are a proud sponsor for the games.

To find out more about the British Transplant Games visit, www. britishtransplantgames.co.uk or to sign up to the Organ Donation Register, visit: http://bit.ly/1sAEDaI

About the Westfield Health British Transplant Games The Westfield Health British Transplant Games aims to demonstrate the benefits of transplantation, encouraging transplant patients to regain fitness, whilst increasing public awareness of the need for more people to sign the NHS Organ Donation Register, Anthony Nolan Register and discuss their wishes with their families.

Over 7,000 people in the UK are estimated to be waiting for an organ transplant, with three people dying each day whilst waiting to find a match.

This year’s Westfield Health British Transplant Games will be held in Birmingham from 2nd August – 5th August 2018.

The Westfield Health British Transplant Games Birmingham 2018 Local

Organising Committee is Chaired by Transplant Sport Trustee, Professor James Neuberger.

The Games, the flagship event of Transplant Sport, have been staged annually since 1978 in a number of host cities including Sheffield, Portsmouth, Newcastle, Cardiff, Birmingham, Exeter, Liverpool, Bolton, Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Leicester, London, Manchester, Norwich, Loughborough, Bath and Coventry.

The Westfield Health British Transplant Games are organised by Sheffieldbased events company, MLS Contracts Ltd and supported by not for profit health insurance provider Westfield Health.

In Birmingham, the

Westfield Health British Transplant Games have partnered with Birmingham City Council, University of Birmingham, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity, Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity and Sport Birmingham.

For more information on The British Transplant Games please visit www. britishtransplantgames. co.uk.

About Transplant Sport Transplant Sport is a charity established in 1978 to encourage organ donation, recognise the donors and donor family, support transplant recipients and their families, encourage everyone to participate in sport and help them lead a healthy and fulfilling life. www.transplantsport.org.uk.

BUSINESS

THE ASIAN TODAY

BUSINESS

The problem with business support I

was talking with some friends who have been involved in business support activities for over twenty years. I asked them why we seem to get it wrong so often. We have evolved from an enormous Small Business Service and Business Link to trifling Growth Hubs floating in an ocean of thousands of business support providers.

Regional Growth Fund money goes unspent and business leaders are left bewildered by the hundreds of schemes that offer the impossible with a guaranteed return to the provider rather than any actual positive and sustainable impact on the business.

Ministers, desperate to show how entrepreneurial they have made the UK, are complicit in a measuring system (jobs or GVA) that is completely anecdotal and gives the service provider the opportunity to exaggerate without any supporting evidence the number of jobs created or, say, the value of export orders predicted.

Supporting business growth (the ecosystem as it is called today) is a long-term project and as such means that any Minister planting his or her seeds today will not reap any benefits before they move on to some politically more meaningful role and indeed may even end up handing over an opportunity to the opposition.

This is essentially our problem. We don’t have a cross-party, long-term, properly funded programme for business support the same way we don’t have it for infrastructure (roads, rail, aviation, ports and broadband). Vital ingredients in the life cycle

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of small and medium-sized businesses are overlooked in favour of the chance to get a picture in the media with a hard hat and a shovel announcing some foreign owned corporation building a warehouse on some recently rescued brownfield.

We don’t go anywhere as far as our American colleagues do, where the state is ostensibly the R&D department for a powerful corporate lobby: corporations who do not want to risk the cost of innovation. Mariana Mazzucato has already

business leaders wanting something for nothing: a train to gain for business growth. They are unable to manage their own business cash flow and so grab onto any opportunity to bolster their working capital.

How do you identify the right businesses to support?

Any centralised system with a CRM and a help desk (or business solutions centre) operated by a university, local authority or Growth Hub is doomed to underperform with dismal market penetration. The business leaders you need to talk to

shown us how governments can assist economic growth by helping businesses grow and in fact if you just tear out the appendix to her book The Entrepreneurial State, you have your strategy on a plate.

Not all businesses want help. Not all businesses have the means by which they can use help. There are too many

will not beat a path to you no matter how good your bacon sandwiches are or however lucrative the referral fees are. Sorry, I have that wrong: there are plenty of intermediaries who provide great breakfast meetings to delegates that are miles away from the growth businesses we need to identify. When I go to networking events

or awards dinners I see the same professional service providers time and time again. The real business leaders are in the office working and I often realise too late that I should be to.

There is an answer. It’s not a 10 point plan with two 8s.

It hasn’t got any pillars. It is very straight forward: do the same to small and mediumsized businesses as we have done to HE students. The taxpayer money involved in the grants scheme that my peer group were brought up on is now collateralized into student loans with an interest rate of between RPI and RPI plus 3% on a sliding scale dependent on the income of the former student once they get a job.

Why don’t we encourage businesses to borrow whatever they need from whomever they think is appropriate, even the British Business Bank to make an improvement to their business. We do that for home loans and even to those who find themselves a bit short before payday. A standardised business plan can set out the business’ needs and an assessment of the proposed capital payback period based on the expected return on investment can trigger a risk calculation and interest rate.

Offer a lower rate of interest for the kind of businesses we want to grow (an industrial strategy in a paragraph), for example, biotech. electric vehicle and AI companies and a higher one for industries that we don’t think we need more of e.g. coal mining. Easy. Businesses can now do all the training, consultancy, new plant, new staff or marketing strategy they need to grow and there are lots of service providers to persuade them rather than the ‘Nanny State’ making decisions for them.

We can close down all business support that is tax-payer and let the market do the rest. Let the City collateralize the new debt and play with it on the money market so that any risks are mitigated.

Oh, and maybe one more thing: make it mandatory that when a business is created that at least one Director has a suitable management qualification.

Meet Paul Cadman Our Business Columnist

Paul considers himself a ‘son of Birmingham’, spending his early years in the inner city areas of Bordesley Green and taking on his first job as working in the Birmingham markets.

Paul’s early school days were made more challenging due to his poor health and undiagnosed dyslexia, but these challenges only sought to make Paul more determined to succeed.

Extending his range of sports from Martial arts to include rugby , he would take every opportunity to challenge the Heavyweight Champion of the world. I would lose, but did eventually beat him after 2 years I become British All Styles Champion in 1987.

At 19 years of age he applied for the Fire Service: Paul went on to developed skills in Health and Safety, its enforcement, and the Law, being headhunted by the Bibby Line Group, where he worked for 4.5 years ending up as ops director Paul was invited to join the Futura Group as its Managing Director in 2012. He was responsible for delivering £42 million of business growth in 4 years in the automotive

sector against a £50 million 10 year target. “I strive to deliver the highest standards and have repeatedly earned the confidence of senior stakeholders by making intelligent and cost-effective decisions in difficult and deadline driven situations.”

In 2016 Paul received a series of accolades including: being one of Manufacturing Magazine’s Top 100 most inspiring and influential individuals in Manufacturing; finalist in EY’s Entrepreneur of the Year, 2016; West Midlands Business Masters Manufacturer of the Year, 2016; and Acquisition International’s Most Innovative UK Leader for 2016.

Paul was a spokesperson on manufacturing for the region’s Chambers of Commerce and has recently become a Political Advisor and Columnist.

Paul now sits on 5 charitable boards, owns shares, in 6 companies, he dedicates 50% of his working time to needy causes and working on the skills gap and ensuring there is 100% employable opportunities for everyone.

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THE ASIAN TODAY

PROPERTY

PROPERTY

House Sales Fall Birmingham HS2

Plans Showcased

P

lans for the new HS2 Curzon Street Station were showcased at an event highlighting the regeneration of Birmingham Eastside.

Taking place at Millennium Point, which overlooks the land where the new station will be constructed, the event presented the major infrastructure projects being worked on in the Birmingham Curzon area.

The event was opened by mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street and featured presentations by Cllr Zaffar from Birmingham City Council, Peter Adams of Midland Metro Alliance and Andy Duggins, project director for Birmingham Curzon Street & Interchange Stations, HS2 Ltd. In addition, speaking for the first time since being awarded the station design contract was Chris Hayter from WSP UK. Street said: "HS2 offers an unprecedented opportunity to accelerate the economic growth we are enjoying in the West Midlands.

"The impact of HS2 has already started and can be seen in the region. It is driving the construction boom in our cities, is drawing investment into the growth opportunities at Curzon Street and UK Central and,

perhaps most importantly, is already helping to train our young people in the skills essential to build the new railway.

"This event was a fantastic opportunity to really showcase not only what the future holds, but what HS2 is already delivering."

Duggins added: "Not only will Curzon Street Station become a new local landmark, it will be a catalyst for new jobs in the city and

a gateway to the rest of the country.

"HS2 will eventually connect eight of Britain’s ten largest cities and Birmingham will be at the heart of the new high speed network.

"We think it’s important that local people are kept informed about our plans for the station, and we’ll continue to talk to them as this exciting development moves forward."

The plans for the new HS2 Curzon Street Station were highlighted at an event at the Millennium Point showcasing the regeneration of Birmingham Eastside.

The event was opened by mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street and presentations by Cllr Zaffar from Birmingham City Council, Peter Adams of Midland Metro Alliance and Andy Duggins, project director for Birmingham Curzon Street & Interchange Stations, HS2 Ltd. Andy Street said: "HS2 offers an unprecedented opportunity to accelerate

the economic growth we are enjoying in the West Midlands.

"The impact of HS2 has already started and can be seen in the region. It is driving the construction boom in our cities, is drawing investment into the growth opportunities at Curzon Street and UK Central and, perhaps most importantly, is already helping to train our young people in the skills essential to build the new railway.

"This event was a fantastic opportunity to really showcase not only what the future holds, but what HS2 is

already delivering."

Andy Duggins added: "Not only will Curzon Street Station become a new local landmark, it will be a catalyst for new jobs in the city and a gateway to the rest of the country.

"HS2 will eventually connect eight of Britain’s ten largest cities and Birmingham will be at the heart of the new high speed network.

"We think it’s important that local people are kept informed about our plans for the station, and we’ll continue to talk to them as this exciting development moves forward."

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IN THE FAST LANE WITH THE ASIAN TODAY

Students’ racing car takes to Silverstone track for international competition

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some of the international teams.

They also received sponsorship and support from a range of local and international companies, including Bosch UK. The team say this year’s vehicle – which can reach speeds of up to 75 mph – is more reliable, lighter and better put together than last year’s car.

The vehicle’s race number is always 87 to mark Coventry City’s 1987 FA Cup win, and it some parts of it are painted sky blue in honour of the football team.

The Formula Student competition is not just about racing on the hallowed tarmac of Silverstone.

As well as two days of driving challenges on the track, the team faces a series of gruelling vehicle tests, technical judging and presentations on their design, manufacturing, business case and budget. Their scores in these sections are crucial to the final result.

And the students have already had to submit dozens of technical documents to the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMech), which organises the competition.

They have been working from 8am until 10pm at night for the past six weeks to get their car ready for action at Silverstone.

The competition runs from July 12 until 15.

Biggest Electric Car Charging Network Bought By BP

Over 1,200 BP forecourts will have the UK’s biggest electric car charging networks in the coming years.

BP has bought the car charging network and the deal is understood to be worth £130m and is praised as a significant milestone

towards cleaner motoring in the UK. There are more than 140,000 electric vehicles on the UK’s roads, most of which are plug-in hybrid vehicles that can run for a short distance on battery power before switching to petrol or diesel.

Motorsport engineering student Ross Millar is Phoenix Racing’s team leader and will be one of the car’s drivers during the competition. The 23-yearold, from Wokingham in Berkshire, said: “We’ve built this vehicle from the ground up and it will be incredible to see the car on the track. It will be the best feeling in the world when this competition is finished, wherever we place.

“Bang for buck, we’ll be one of the best teams there.

Everyone on the team has worked so hard to make this car the best it can be, given our budget.

“The Formula Student experience is amazing. It’s

perfect preparation for getting a job in the industry.

“There’s always a homage to Coventry City on the vehicle. It’s nice to have the link to the club and the city.

We hope we’ll be celebrating at the weekend, just like they have been after winning promotion.”

Final year motorsport engineering student Craig Haslett, 24, from Chepstow, south Wales, who will soon start a full time job at Jaguar Land Rover, said: “It’s incredible to be part of this. We take all the theory we learn and put it into action in this competition.

Employers know what a valuable experience Formula

BP estimates the number of electric vehicles will hit 12m by 2040, although some analysts put the figure much higher.

Tufan Erginbilgic, the chief executive of BP’s downstream division, which includes refineries and petrol stations, said: “Effectively, BP becomes a leading provider of energy to low-carbon vehicles in the UK. I would like to emphasise the world

and the UK needs ultra-fast charging for electric vehicles to scale up.”

The company said the rebadged BP Chargemaster would prioritise ultra-fast 150KW charging, which can add around 450-600 miles of range per hour of charging.

That would mean a car such as Jaguar’s new I-Pace could add about 100 miles in 10 minutes.

Student is. We get to be involved in every part of putting the car together and so it really helps when it comes to getting a job.”

Motorsport engineering student Kezia Barnaby, 21, of

Students will race a car they designed and built themselves in a prestigious international competition at Silverstone this weekend.

Coventry University’s Phoenix Racing team will take to the famous track less than a week after it was the scene of an eventful British Grand Prix.

But instead of racing with the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel, motorsport engineering students will be competing against more than 100 university teams from around the world in the annual Formula Student competition.

It’s the result of 10 months of hard work for the team, most of whom have worked on the car for their final year project.

They designed, costed and built the vehicle themselves with a budget of £25,000, a fraction of money spent by

Nottingham, said: “It’s a fantastic experience to be able to work on our own car and then race it at Silverstone. It’s been very tiring – but we’re all so excited about the competition.”

BYSA 30

Birmingham Youth Sports Academy celebrating 16 years of voluntary contribution to community sports but it doesn't stop there, 2018 end of seasons awards dinner was held at Ziryabs Buffet in Alum Rock, Birmingham were over 250 people attended the awards dinner with the current team players and their parents to celebrate the season. The BYSA has the following ages to award at the event under 11's, 13's, 15's, Under 16's and the girls.

The event was mixed with high volume of male/female parents that attended to show their support to the

END OF SEASON AWARDS DINNER

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JULY 2018

BYSA boys & girls project, along with sponsors and ambassadors to see the great work that the BYSA has done over the years/season.

The BYSA also celebrated its Queens Award for Voluntary Service (MBE) which is classed as the most prestigious award for any charity organisation with all that attended.

Celebrating the top kids that performed over the 2017/2018 season at the Central Warwickshire Youth Football League, Sandwell Minor League and BCFA Youth League.

The BYSA this year in history did very well in

BYSA FOUNDER: Anwar Khattak BEM

winning the league, league shield cup, summer cup, joint second place promoted and champions cup. 6 Awards were handed out this year and Medals for the entire team so no one went empty handed everyone was involved from start to finish.

The awards ceremony commenced with Mr Amer Awan (Vice Chairman) who hosted the event and what a fantastic job he did starting off with: Bakthyar Hussain (Manager of Under 11's team) & assistant coaches Azar Ayoub & Omar Quelch: awarded his players as follows: Top Goal Scorer - Muhammad Billal Hussain, Most Improve player - Muhammad Daniyal, Clubman Award - Yusuf, Captain Award - Rayyn Ayoub, Managers Player -

SPORTS

- Shahzad Rahman, Player of the season Ahmad Khan.

Hassan (Manager of Under 16's) assistant coaches Hamza Amjad and Siraaj awarded his players as follows: Top goal scorer Miran Abdullai, Managers player - Noor Agha, Most improved player - Yaseen Gul, Clubman - Enoc Alexe, Captain Award - Fernando Alin and Player of the season Ismael Tahmid.

Followed on by Amina Begum (Head girls coach) with Ummanaz Ali and the lovely Moona & Afrah (The Twins) awarded 6 girls for their outstanding achievement over the year to: Serena, Khadija, Ayah, Nimra, Raazmina and Sunnah and then awarded the whole girls that attend the project, therefore the Female coaches decided to give medals to them all ages ranging from 6-16 years old.

This was a big surprise to have so many females attend with their child and showing the girl power at the event what a great turn out and successful project it is to date and may it continue for many years to come.

Thereafter Mr Anwar Khattak (BEM) was asked to give out the remaining awards to the hard work to all managers and coaches that have put so much time into the BYSA teams and project and awarded them, along with the Chairman Majid Salim who is stepping down this year, Parent award for the most parents that attend to watch their childs team and then a few special

Muhammad Kirwan and Player of the Season - Zain Raza.

Shakeel Hussain (Manager of Under 13's team) & assistant coaches Adil Mahmood & Hazrat Islam: awarded his players as follows Top goal scorer Amir Khan, Managers player - Zakir Islam, Clubman Ridwan Ali, Captain Award - Zakir Islam, Most improved player - Eesa Khan and Player of the season - Sahel Yessen.

Riaz Ul-haq Khan (Manager of Under 15's) & assistant coaches Omar Shireen & Mohammed Zahir: awarded his players as follows Top goal scorer - Fuseani Sani Nartor, Managers player - Khalid Nur, Most improved player Siraaj Tanveer, Clubman Kamal Khan, Captain award

awards to Isah and Yousuf.

Furthermore after the awards presentation it followed by a great three course meal and drinks.

The Raffle was the amazing moment of the night where the children could only purchase 1 raffle ticket in a chance of winning some great high profile memorabilia and therefore two prizes for each age group was raffled off letting a child win from each team a prize to remember.

Finally BYSA like to thank everyone that attended and made the event a success a big thank you to DJ Manj from Saqi Roadshow, Waqar Qureshi from KIngs Media, Edwin Ladd from Social Frames and Ziryabs Buffet for letting the BYSA hold its end of seasons awards dinner local for the community to attend. We hope to see you all next year in 2019. Most importantly our sponsors if it wasn't for them the BYSA would be nothing and could not move to the strengths it has so we hope to engage with new and old sponsors to come on board or come and visit us anytime please get in contact view: www.bysa.co.uk The BYSA had the pleasure of holding its AGM at the event and would like to wish the current members that have moved on and the new members that were elected in namely Abid Khan, Naeem Arif and Azar Ayoub.

If you would like to come on board with the BYSA please get in contact and follow us on social media.

NEW APPOINTEES: Abid Khan (Vice Chair) & Amer Awan (Chairperson)

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Amir Khan to Fight in Birmingham B

ritish boxer Amir Khan will face Samuel Vargas in Birmingham on September 8.

Khan is back in action following his comeback in Liverpool, destroying Phil Lo Greco in just 39 seconds after nearly two years out of action.

The former unified superlightweight champion has set his sights on welterweight world honours this year and will fight in Birmingham when he meets Canadian based Colombian Vargas.

Khan has said “One of my aims this year was to be as active as possible so I’m very happy to get back in the ring again so soon against Samuel Vargas.”

“Vargas is a tough and

well-schooled fighter who has shared the ring with some top welterweights including Danny Garcia and Errol Spence Jr. “I have to get past Vargas before looking at the biggest challenges going forward. I’m not going to be taking Vargas lightly because I know he will be coming with everything on September 8.

“I hope to give the fans in Birmingham the same excitement and fireworks as my last fight. It will be one not to miss!”

Vargas, who has a record of 29 wins, three defeats and two draws. Vargas has previously shared the ring with the likes of Danny

Garcia and Errol Spence, but he was stopped in both of those fights.

“I am excited to step in the ring with Amir Khan on September 8,” Vargas added.

“I am very pleased that my promoter Lee Baxter and Eddie Hearn from Matchroom Boxing could come to an arrangement fairly easily and make this fight happen.

“I have been granted more than enough time to properly prepare for Amir and you will see the best Samuel Vargas to date. Mark my words, we might both be from the same city and county, but I am nothing like Phil Lo Greco that’s a guarantee – I’m going to give Amir hell.”

India Win T20 India beat England by seven wickets in the third Twenty20 with a 2-1 series victory.

With England batting first, they managed only 87 runs from the final 10 overs to post 198-8 in Bristol, despite Jason Roy's 67 from 31 balls.

Rohit shared an 89-run stand with Virat Kohli and accelerated in the final overs to put India in control.

Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya closed out the match with seven wickets and eight balls to spare.

This was the highest successful run chase by any team against England in an international T20.

A three-match one-day series will start on Thursday at Trent Bridge, before

the first of five Tests gets under way on 1 August in Birmingham.

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WORLD NUMBER ONE INDIA RETURN TO EDGBASTON THIS SUMMER

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Edgbaston will host the opening Test of the series between England and the current number one Test side in the world India, starting at 11am on Wednesday Aug 1, 2018.

With massive support assured for both sides, a great atmosphere is guaranteed for the latest instalment of the countries’ rivalry. And the stakes will be sky-high.

The number one ranked Test side in the world, India will arrive with a team bristling with talent and charisma under Virat Kohli and determined to start the series in style as they seek to retain that coveted Number One spot. But to do so they must break their Edgbaston duck.

England’s Test record in Birmingham is impressive against all-comers - but against India more than most. Of six Tests between the teams in the Second City, the home side has won five with the other drawn.

FIND THE PERFECT SEAT At Edgbaston we pride ourselves on providing the best experience for everyone. Therefore, we have carefully segmented our stadium.

Joe Root v Virat Kohli Battle of the Captains Joe Root and Virat Kohli, two of the best batsman in the world, will be leading their sides out this summer at Edgbaston and both have a Test average of over 50 and both with over 5,000 runs to their name. The rankings speak for themselves - Kohli at number 2 and Root at 3 in the world - it is the ultimate showdown between the best batsman of modern day cricket. After Test wins against Australia, Pakistan and West Indies, Root will be aiming to add India to the list of teams that have recently fallen at Fortress Edgbaston. Kohli, on the other hand, will be aiming to become the first Indian captain to lead his nation to a Test victory at Edgbaston - they are yet to win in 6 previous Test encounters.

RES Wyatt Stand (Cricket Lovers) This is the more traditional, ‘cricket lovers’ stand with great views from behind the bowler’s arm.

Drayton Manor Family Stand (Families) - We are committed to providing a fun and safe environment and Drayton Manor Family Stand is designed to give our young supporters and parents the best possible experience of watching cricket at Edgbaston.

Eric Hollies ( Party Stand) For the last three years, the Eric Hollies stand was voted as having the best atmosphere in cricket and is regarded as one of the best party stands in International cricket both nationally and internationally with a range of whacky fancy dress costumes.

West Stand (All-Rounder) This area offers everything a fan would want – easy access into the ground, bars and toilets on both tiers, a friendly and relaxed environment and range of different activities in the Exhibition hall.

Scrivens Opticians Stand (Journalistic View) Limited number of seats are available in this area which was previously the old press box accommodating journalists.

Bring The Family With under 16 tickets starting from just £16 and 93% of customers said they would return to a match with their kids, we think it’s the ideal summer holiday day out. Edgbaston offers a family friendly atmosphere in the Drayton Manor Family Stand and has a brand new range of kids meal deals which are available from all 27 concessions around the ground. This really is the ideal day for the whole family this summer.