More than four months after a national state of emergency was declared in Pakistan, up to 4 million children are still living near contaminated and stagnant flood waters, risking their survival and wellbeing, UNICEF has warned. Acute respiratory infections among children, a leading cause of child mortality worldwide, have skyrocketed in flood-stricken areas. In addition, the number of cases of children identified as suffering from severe acute malnutrition in flood-affected areas monitored by UNICEF nearly doubled between July and December as compared to 2021; an estimated 1.5 million children are still in need of lifesaving nutrition interventions. “Children living in Pakistan’s flood-affected areas have been pushed to the brink,” said Abdullah Fadil, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan. “The rains may have ended, but the crisis for children has not. Nearly 10 million girls and boys are still in need of immediate, lifesaving support and are heading into a bitter winter without adequate shelter. Severe acute malnutrition, respiratory and water-borne diseases coupled with the cold are putting millions of young lives at risk.” In Jacobabad, a southern district where many families have little more than mere cloth to cover their makeshift shelters by stagnant floodwaters, temperatures have dropped down to 7 degrees Celsius at night. In mountainous and highaltitude areas, which have also been affected by the floods, snow has fallen, and temperatures have dropped below 0 degrees Celsius. UNICEF and partners have started providing items such as warm clothing kits, jackets, blankets and quilts, aiming to reach nearly 200,000 children, women and men. In response to the worsening child survival crisis, more than 800,000 children have been screened for malnutrition; 60,000 were identified as suffering from Severely Acute Malnutrition - a life-threatening condition where children are too thin for their height - and referred for treatment with Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF). UNICEF health interventions have reached nearly 1.5 million people with primary health care services so far, and 4.5 million children have been immunized against Polio in 16 flood-hit districts. UNICEF and partners have also provided more than one million people with access to safe drinking water, and one million with hygiene kits. In the months ahead, UNICEF will continue to respond to urgent humanitarian needs, while also restoring and rehabilitating existing health, water, sanitation and education facilities for families returning home. FORTNIGHTLY 18 January - 31 January 2023 Issue 548 www.asianleader.co.uk FREE FORTNIGHTLY business news in this issue 12 health news 16 entertainment 18 Don't let money worries affect your mental health M&S plans to open 20 new stores MicroLED is coming to Apple and Samsung smartwatches Continued on Page 10 Review Volkswagen ID.3 - the Golf of the EV world By BrownCarGuy Up to 4 million children technology 22 in Pakistan still living next to stagnant and contaminated floodwater Child survival crisis remains acute in flood-affected areas as rates of respiratory infections and severe acute malnutrition soar By BrownCarGuy motoring 20 technology Shah Rukh Khan beats Tom Cruise, Jackie Chan on world's richest actors' list

F ollowing successful forfeitures, GMP’s Economic Crime Unit have successfully recovered £11,242,753 this tax year. The Economic Crime Unit is made up of a number of specialist teams who all target different areas of criminal finances to ensure that all their funds are removed. This comes after a record-breaking year for our Economic Crime Unit as last tax year they recovered £13.7 million and the unit is in a good position to continue this success and break even more records this year. The money is made up from: Over £5 million from the Account Freezing Order Team (AFO), by conducting civil investigations, the team freeze suspected criminal funds in bank accounts and these are then forfeited at court. £3.5 million from the Asset Detention and Recovery Unit (ADRU) who won the Annual Chief’s Award for Team of the Year in 2021, they deal with the seizures of cash and listed assets by conducting civil investigations following seizures of cash and assets by other teams in the Economic Crime Unit– with a view to forfeiting seized cash and assets which is then invested back into the community. Over £2 million from the Confiscation and Restrain Unit – this is made up of financial investigators who restrain assets such as houses and then seek confiscation orders after criminal conviction. The Money Laundering Team conduct proactive and reactive investigations– following arrests the money makes its way to the ADRU and AFO teams to secure the illicit finances through convictions in court. Operation Falcon created in May 2022 is GMP’s specific operation in response to cash couriers. These are seizures conducted by the Money Laundering Team and these are ultimately forfeited to contribute towards the £10 million total. Almost half of the money forfeited from criminals and suspected offenders, returns to GMP through the Asset Recovery Incentive Scheme (ARIS); a Home Office led programme, this money is re-invested into community programmes and charities across Greater Manchester, as well as funding policing programmes and operations to continue fighting crime. Examples of community initiatives that have received ARIS funding last year: • Fitton Hill Bulldogs Community Sport Centre in Oldham will use the funding to purchase an additional disability hoist within the clubhouse building, complete pitch drainage of 1 full size rugby pitch and 1 full size football pitch and will support pavilion refurbishments and strengthen external security provisions at the site. • GetAwayNGetSafe (GANGS) project which delivers early intervention aimed at young people to challenge attitudes towards gang culture, knife carrying and social responsibility. This has already been implemented at 20 schools in Moss Side, Wythenshawe and Longsight and due to its success, the funding is being used to roll this out across further areas. Non-profits which benefit a large number of people can apply for a maximum of £20,000 to fund 12 months’ activities. The activities must support GMP’s objectives to fight, prevent and reduce crime; keep people safe; and care for victims. More information about ARIS funding applications here: Giving back: Investing in our community | Greater Manchester Police (gmp. police.uk) Detective Superintendent Joe Harrop who leads the Economic Crime Unit, said: “As a team we continue to create more innovative ways to recover criminal assets. “GMP is one of the leading forces in the UK for seizing and recovering criminal funding. “Just under half of the money is returned to GMP through the Home Office ARIS funding scheme which is used to fund local initiatives and charities where the money recovered is used to benefit communities across Greater Manchester. “We have a number of highly skilled police officers and staff across a number of teams that make up the Economic Crime Unit, who collectively use a variety of options available under the Proceeds of Crime Act, including cash seizure powers, listed asset powers such as seizing high value jewellery, watches and artwork and bank account freezing orders. “However well-hidden the cash and assets are – we will ensure that the money is not used to further serious and violent criminality. “Let this be a stark reminder to anyone who believes that they can use illegitimate finances to fund their criminality – we will find it, forfeit it and reinvest that money back into the communities across Greater Manchester. “Stripping criminals of their finances has a substantial impact on crime – I hope this figure serves as a reminder that tackling economic crime is a relentless task – our teams will continue to work diligently behind the scenes to ensure that those involved in criminal behaviour are brought to justice and pay the price for their crimes.” “If you see, or suspect something is wrong, tell us, and we can sort it.” 02 Asian LEADER www.asianleader.co.uk 18 January - 31 January 2023 Bowlee benefits from new walking and cycling routes Specialist officers from GMP's Economic Crime Unit have successfully recovered over £10 million this tax year Anew secondary school and the local community are reaping the benefits of a newly completed walking and cycling scheme in Middleton. The council has finalised its work to improve land around the Bowlee Park area, connecting the residential estate of Langley with the new Edgar Wood Academy which opened in the autumn. New walking and cycling routes have been created alongside the school that run from Heywood Old Road to Martindale Crescent and Windermere Road. This will help alleviate the reliance on dropping off or picking up children at the school in vehicles, and will promote more active travel in a bid to provide more sustainable travel options with the benefit of improving health and wellbeing among residents and school children. It should also see less general traffic to the park, as alternative travel options have come into being. Councillor Daniel Meredith, cabinet member for highways and housing, said: “This scheme gives pupils and their parents an alternative to being taken to school by car. As more and more people turn to cycling, these new dedicated paths and routes cater to that desire. “It promotes the idea for others to take up the activity as a means of getting to and from the school, and so meets our ambitions with regards to climate change and achieving net zero carbon. “Residents who wish to use the park will now have a much more pleasant experience with the area well lit with new paths that have been newly surfaced.” The major capital highways scheme saw new routes and footpaths created on land adjacent to the school that would have otherwise been cut off and marooned. And prior to the project being completed, the land was often muddy and sodden, making it difficult for people to negotiate. In addition to the new walking and cycling routes, a new access road with full street light is now in place. Not only are school children and parents seeing a benefit but Bowlee Park has also become much more usable for residents and has seen an increase in visitors. The scheme was delivered in conjunction with the development of Edgar Wood Academy, which opened in September. The school was funded and built by the Department for Education after planning was approved in 2019. The council provided the land for the school, which was built to create sufficient secondary school places in Middleton. The academy and the new completed highway work at night Smart appliances could stop working after two years, says Which? Smart appliances could stop working properly after just two years because manufacturers are failing to provide tech updates, according to Which? Research by the consumer champion found products like expensive dishwashers, TVs, and washing machines - which might be expected to last more than a decade - are “being abandoned” by brands. A lack of software support from firms means devices do not get updated. The older they get, the risk of online hacking also increases, Which? says. It found that “hardly any brands even came close to matching their expected lifespan” with their smart update policies, while others failed to respond when they were asked to clarify the length of support. Products’ operating systems need updates, because if support ends, then their functionality cannot improve. The updates also include security patches, which can fix flaws if any come to light. Which? looked at popular smart TVs, dishwashers, washing machines, smartphones, inkjet printers, smartwatches and fitness trackers. It found that hardly any brands even came close to matching their expected lifespan with their smart update policies. A total of 119 brands were approached about hundreds of products, across 20 different categories, and, as of November 2022, only half (49%) had replied with clear information on length of support periods. Of those who did reply: •LG dishwashers, washing machines and smart TVs could lose support just two years after launch despite their estimated lifetime being 13 years •LG’s TVs might get up to five years of support for critical security vulnerabilities •Sony only offers guaranteed support of its smart TVs for two years from launch with the latest software version available for eight years •Samsung supports smart TVs for at least three years and will fully comply with the new law on product security and telecommunications infrastructure •Miele and Hisense offer smart TV assistance for 10 years Rocio Concha, Which? director of policy and advocacy, said: “It’s unfair for manufacturers to sell expensive products that should last for many years and then abandon them. “This means the product could lose the features that justified the hefty price tag, and potentially create a security risk or add to the electrical waste mountain if it has to be replaced. “Manufacturers must up their game and provide vital tech updates for their smart products for longer, otherwise the government should consider further intervention in this area, including specifying a minimum number of years that these products have to be supported for.”

Huge cuts in help with energy costs for businesses were announced by Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt on the 9th January. Non-domestic users (including schools, businesses and charities) will receive a discount on the wholesale price of gas and electricity but some businesses with lower energy charges will not get any help at all. Despite assuring business leaders that there would be transitional support, the Federation of Small Businesses said ‘What’s certain from this catastrophic move is there’ll be a cliff edge after March. The small fish and chip around the corner, your local pub, and the family-run independent laundrette – all will see much higher bills. That’s on the Government.’ Martin McTague, National Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) added the decision ‘to all but eliminate help through the Energy Bill Relief Scheme (EBRS) is a huge disappointment for small businesses. For those struggling, the discount through the new version of the scheme is not material. Many small firms will not be able to survive on the pennies provided through the new version of the scheme…This is so out of touch. Two pence off a kWh of electricity and half a pence off gas is totally insignificant for small businesses, despite costing billions to the taxpayer. While the New Year should be a time of optimism and excitement, 2023 looks like the beginning of the end for tens of thousands of small businesses, which have been relying on the government energy support to survive this winter. Tina McKenzie, FSB Policy Chair, also said ‘With the current scheme ending in three months, it’s been impossible for small firms to plan their 2023. We’ve heard countless examples of small businesses on the brink of collapse because of sky-rocketing energy bills’ She added ‘Let’s not forget this energy price crisis affects all small businesses, which typically have lower margins and are least able to deal with cost pressures.’ Councillor Shoab Akhtar, Cabinet Member for Employment and Enterprise said ‘Oldham’s businesses have been let down by the Government’s decision to slash help with energy costs from April 2023. I share the FSB’s concern that small businesses are the least able to cope with cost pressures and I know that many Oldham businesses are finding it hard to keep going even with the help in place until the end of March. Very worryingly, a recent FSB survey found that a quarter of small businesses think their business is at risk if energy support dries up after March.’ Councillor Akhtar added ‘The vast majority of Oldham’s businesses are micro businesses or small businesses and I am really worried that they will suffer a double whammy of increased costs and lower customer demand driven by the cost of living crisis which is hitting us hard. The FSB also found that most small businesses are already struggling to pass on increased costs. Business closures will only reduce Government income and increase demand on welfare services. I urge the Chancellor to think again and come up with a strategy to help business through the perfect storm of rising costs and low demand.’ 18 January - 31 January 2023 www.asianleader.co.uk Asian LEADER 03 Councillor Shoab Akhtar Drug dealer is jailed for nine years after being caught in dangerous pursuit before firearm was uncovered Businesses `let down' by Government cut to help with energy costs from April 2023 says Oldham Labour Ahad Hussain 26 of West Street, Rochdale was sentenced to nine years for possession of a firearm, possession with intent to supply and dangerous driving at Minshull Street Crown Court on Friday 6 January 2023. This was following an arrest back in mid-October 2022 on Tuesday 11th at around 11am following a police pursuit on Tweedale Street in Rochdale. During the pursuit, Hussain’s car, a Volkswagen Jetta, collided with another Mercedes 4x4 type vehicle, and he was detained by officers at the scene which was initiated after his erratic driving and failing to stop. He was then taken to Fairfield Hospital in Bury to receive treatment for serious injuries which were not life-threatening, thought to be sustained during the collision. Shortly after a concealed firearm was safely recovered without any further incident or risk to the public which also uncovered Class A drugs on his person that were later valued to be around £2,800. A scene was put in place in part of the hospital and investigators attended to conduct additional enquiries before charging the suspect. It later transpired Hussain was driving under a provisional licence and not in accordance meaning he was also uninsured. Detective Sergeant Andy Whitehill of GMP’s Rochdale Child Protection Investigation Unit said; “This was a proactive stop by our officers at the time after their ‘police instinct’ kicked in. “What followed was a fastpaced but swift incident and investigation on a person that carried a direct threat to the public. “The sentence shows the severity of the offences committed by the individual and how we will do all we can to keep the local community safe from people who are intent on committing crime.”

04 Asian LEADER www.asianleader.co.uk 18 January - 31 January 2023 THE JOB SHOW COMES TO MANCHESTER More than 14,600 people are homeless in the North West today Shelter warns of bleak start to 2023 for those without a place to call home Are you looking for the perfect opportunity to start the new year? Then make sure you don’t miss out on the Manchester Job Show, a free recruitment event launching at The Trafford Centre on 20th and 21st January. This is your chance to meet with top employers from across the region – and grab that next opportunity by two hands. With over 1.1million vacancies and salaries on the increase, it is the ideal time to change jobs. However, finding a new role can be a hassle. Well, the good news is …there is an alternative to spending endless hours searching for jobs online, sending off application after application and then (all too often) not even getting a reply. By visiting the Manchester Job Show, you could fast-track the entire process! The Manchester Job Show will provide visitors with an excellent platform to meet employers face to face and apply for jobs that match their personal interests and skillset. You can learn more about the employers. Employers can learn more about you. A great opportunity to add a personality to your application. Come along with your CV in hand and meet with some of the UK’s leading employers such as BAE Systems – the main sponsor of this event. Ask questions about job roles, get advice from hiring managers, plus find out about their company culture and career progression. Some of the exhibitors will be holding interviews there and then, and most exhibitors will book suitable candidates in for interviews for the weeks following the event. Over the years, thousands of people have secured a new job from attending Job Show events across the UK. Will it be you this year!? Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to kick start your 2023! Register for FREE at -ManchesterJobShow.co.uk The Manchester Job Show will be held in The Orient on the ground floor at The Trafford Centre. The Trafford Centre, Trafford Park, Stretford, Manchester, M17 8AA. Friday 20th & Saturday 21st January 2023. 11am – 5pm on both days. New research from Shelter shows more than 14,600 people are recorded as homeless in the North West, including 6,720 children. Shelter’s detailed analysis of official homelessness figures and responses to a Freedom of Information request shows that one in 507 people in the North West are without a home. Of these, 200 people are sleeping rough on any given night and 14,230 are living in temporary accommodation – most of whom are families. Across England the number of people living in temporary accommodation has risen by an alarming 74% in the last 10 years – something the charity argues is driven by the chronic shortage of social homes, and an over-reliance on grossly expensive and unstable private renting. More than two-thirds of families (68%) living in temporary accommodation in England have been there for over a year, showing this type of accommodation is becoming less and less “temporary” as families cannot escape homelessness due to the severe lack of affordable homes. This is a situation made even worse by the three-year freeze on housing benefit, and cost of living crisis. As well as calculating the total number of homeless people, Shelter has undertaken the largest ever survey of homeless households living in temporary accommodation. The ground-breaking research found that living in temporary accommodation has a hugely detrimental impact on people’s health. It revealed that across England: • Almost two-thirds of people (63%) say that living in temporary accommodation has had a negative impact on their mental health. • Half (51%) say that it has had a negative impact on their physical health. • Two in five people (39%) say that living in temporary accommodation has made it harder to access healthcare appointments. Shelter is issuing an urgent appeal for public support as it braces for a sharp rise in homelessness in 2023. An average of 140 calls per day from people in the North West are made to the charity’s emergency helpline. Across England eight in ten (78%) callers are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless – a figure which has increased by 8% since last year. Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, said: “The new year should be a time of hope, but this isn’t the case for the over 14,600 homeless people in the North West who are facing a truly bleak 2023. A cold doorway or a grotty hostel room is not a home, but this is reality for too many people today. “Our frontline advisers are working tirelessly to help people who are desperate to escape homelessness - from the parents doing all they can to provide some shred of a normal family life while stuck in an emergency B&B, to the person terrified of another night sleeping rough. “With private rents and living costs continuing to soar, thousands of people are not just facing a winter of worry, they are at risk of losing the roof over their head. At Shelter, we are bracing ourselves for a sharp rise in homelessness in 2023. More than ever, we will be relying on the public’s generosity to help us support and campaign for all those fighting for a safe home.” Shelter’s new research also reveals the areas across the North West where homelessness is most acute. Manchester comes out worst, with one in 74 people homeless, one in 279 people are homeless in Salford, followed by Oldham where one in 366 people are homeless. While Shelter’s analysis is the most comprehensive overview of recorded homelessness in the country, the true figure is likely to be much higher as some types of homelessness go entirely undocumented, such as sofa surfing. Operation Vulcan kicks off 2023 with new arrests, seizures and a warning to criminals At approximately 3pm on Tuesday 3 January 2023 whilst Operation Vulcan officers were conducting high visibility patrols in the Cheetham Hill and Strangeways area, they were stopped by a panicked boy who said his mum had been locked inside a shop on Harris Street, Cheetham Hill. The spotters, who you regularly see loitering in the area, had alerted the illegitimate shop owners of the approaching officers. Officers forced entry under section 17 – an emergency warrant that is granted to preserve life – and rescued the mum and a further 20 people who had been trapped inside by the shopkeepers who had been spooked by the police presence. A subsequent search of the building led officers to discover over £8,000 cash and two large floors containing counterfeit clothing, shoes, watches, and perfume. These items will shortly be recycled and repurposed into household items, with anything unsafe being destroyed. Two men, aged 26 and 28 were arrested on suspicion of false imprisonment and conspiracy to commit trademark offences. Their arrest led to three further locations being searched which resulted in a further £5,000 cash being recovered and a large amount of counterfeit clothing being seized. Both males were interviewed and have been bailed with conditions. Detective Superintendent Neil Blackwood who is leading Operation Vulcan said: “We’ve heard whispers that the illegitimate shop owners thought Op Vulcan was just a shortlived operation over Christmas, and that in the New Year, all would be forgotten. I hope this weeks action will demonstrate that Operation Vulcan is here to stay, and my team and I will be relentlessly pursuing anyone who decides to commit criminality in this area. “The illicit money made from the counterfeit items funds serious organised crime, and we will do everything in our power to strip criminals of their finances and reinvest it back into communities across Manchester. “This latest seizure will make a dent in finances of the serious organised crime gangs operating in the area, but I’d like to take this time to again emphasise the danger that members of the public are in when they shop here.” Greater Manchester to receive £3.4m of government active travel funding T he government and Active Travel England announced on Monday 2 January, £32.9m of funding for England. Greater Manchester will receive just under £3.4m from the Capability & Ambition Fund - 10% more than its initial allocation following a high-quality bid submitted to Active Travel England in autumn 2022. This revenue funding is for one year and is to support our infrastructure programme by helping everyone in GM walk, wheel and cycle more. Dame Sarah Storey, Active Travel Commissioner for Greater Manchester, said: “This funding announcement is a vote of confidence in Greater Manchester’s plans for active travel. “In November, I launched my refreshed mission for active travel – to ensure walking, wheeling and cycling is possible for everyone. This new funding will be used across the region to further develop active travel work in 2023. “From helping increase cycle hire facilities to building a comprehensive and cohesive pipeline of high-quality schemes, and also to ensure there is better publicity to ensure people can use existing active travel routes. “I look forward to working with the Mayor, local authority leaders, the Transport Commissioner and community groups to continue the work that has been underway to make Greater Manchester the best place in the country to walk, wheel and cycle.”

Main Preset Bankside 3, 90 Southwark Street, London SE1 0SW | www.egplusww.com An extra pair for you, on us 2 for 1 from £69 You’re better off with Specsavers With single-vision lenses to the same prescription Cannot be used with any other offers. Second pair from the same price range or below. Both pairs include standard 1.5 single-vision lenses (or 1.6 for £169 Rimless ranges). Varifocal/bifocal: pay for lenses in first pair only. Excludes SuperDigital, SuperDrive varifocals, SuperReaders 1-2-3 occupational lenses and safety eyewear. Additional charge – Extra Options. Greater control for taxpayers using repayment agents HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is changing the way taxpayers who use a repayment agent can receive overpaid tax to protect them and raise standards among repayment agents. HMRC will introduce legislation to change the way repayment agents are paid for their services and better protect customers from the unscrupulous tactics used by some operators. This means stopping the use of legally binding ‘assignments’ as part of claiming an Income Tax repayment, which could only be cancelled if the agent and taxpayer both agreed to do so. This can be challenging for customers who become dissatisfied with their agent, or who simply wish to take over managing their own claim. Under new arrangements, if a taxpayer chooses to use a repayment agent to reclaim overpaid tax and wants it sent to the agent, they will need to make a nomination, which they can cancel at any time. The new process will make it easier for taxpayers to stay in control of their repayments. Angela MacDonald, HMRC’s Deputy Chief Executive and Second Permanent Secretary, said: “Taxpayers deserve better – we want to make sure they are better protected before choosing to enter into an agreement with a repayment agent. HMRC’s updated standards for agents will level the playing field and provide the benchmark we expect all repayment agents to meet.” The changes follow HMRC’s consultation last summer on ‘Raising standards in tax advice: Protecting customers claiming tax repayments’. Responses to the consultation highlighted the need to improve agent transparency and standards with the overall aim of better protection for taxpayers. As a result, HMRC is today also setting out the following measures: •updated standards for agents – applicable to all tax agents and include greater transparency requirements •a new HMRC registration process for repayment agents – to make the agent sector more transparent so customers better understand what they are signing up to Victoria Atkins, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said: “For too long taxpayers have been left in the dark as a result of misleading and opaque agreements with repayments agents. These new measures will ensure those who are entitled to claim a tax repayment or relief can do so freely and easily – whether they choose to do this themselves or by using an agent. “This Government is making it easier to navigate the system for all taxpayers using an agent to claim money that’s owed to them.” Victoria Todd, Head of the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group, said: “We welcome these additional steps, which show HMRC recognises the important role they play in consumer protection. Refund companies have a legitimate role in the tax system, but the practices of some of these companies in recent years have been unacceptable. The proposed changes will hopefully address problems around the use of assignments, increase transparency for taxpayers and set clearer standards for these companies’ behaviour. “Alongside this, it is important that more effort goes into raising awareness of refunds and ensuring it is as simple as possible for taxpayers to access them. We look forward to working with HMRC on the detail of the proposals.” These changes form part of the government’s commitment to tackle problems in the repayment agent market, which is currently an unregulated sector. Responses to HMRC’s recent consultation overwhelmingly supported the need for improving standards in the repayment agent sector. The updated HMRC standard for agents includes: • greater evidence of customer consent. This aims to ensure that taxpayers better understand the agreement they’re entering into • stricter transparency rules, including introducing a 14-day ‘cooling off’ period for customers after entering into an arrangement with an agent, and an obligation on agents to ensure all communications and advertising material are fair, clear, accurate and do not mislead or conceal material facts Further details on the approach to registration for repayment agents will be set out in due course. If taxpayers think they are owed a tax rebate, they can claim directly from HMRC via the free and secure service on GOV.UK and will receive 100% of the money owed.

card. Voters will be able to use expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photo. Anyone who doesn’t have photo ID can apply for free ID online from 16 January at www.rochdale.gov.uk/elections or by completing a paper form. The full list of accepted ID is available online along with details of how to apply for the free ID. If you have a postal vote, you’ll be able to use it in the same way and additional ID won’t be required. Council elections manager Clare Poole said: “It’s important those who want to vote make sure they have an accepted form of ID. It may seem early but checking now means you will be ready to vote in May. Residents who do not have one of the accepted forms of ID can apply for free ID either online or by completing a paper application form and sending this to our electoral services team. If you need any help with applying or want to request an application form, visit rochdale.gov.uk/elections or call us on 0300 3030345.” You need to be registered to vote in order to apply for free ID – the easiest way to register is online at www.rochdale.gov.uk/RegisterToVote Visit www.rochdale.gov.uk/elections to find out more about voting in the local elections. If you have any questions you can also email elections@ rochdale.gov.uk The requirement to show photo ID at the polling station was introduced by the UK Government’s Elections Act which was passed last year and comes into effect for the first time this May. 06 Asian LEADER www.asianleader.co.uk 18 January - 31 January 2023 Local elections - residents need photo ID to vote on 4 May New Deputy Mayor backs community-led violence reduction programmes Civil legal aid increasingly out of reach for those in need Greater Manchester’s new Deputy Mayor, Kate Green, has joined Mayor Andy Burnham in visiting one of a number of communityled programmes helping to tackle serious violence across the region. On Thursday 12 January, Deputy Mayor, Kate Green – who took office this week - and Mayor, Andy Burnham, visited Newman College RC in Oldham to observe a session delivered to pupils by one of Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit’s partners, on the consequences of crime and how decisions young people make can shape their lives. The session was delivered as part of the Violence Reduction Unit’s (VRU’s) community-led programmes initiative, by organisation 1Message and their founder and CEO Matthew Norford, a former gang member. 1Message offers 1-1 mentoring services for young people who are at risk of, or engaged in anti-social and criminal activity, particularly in relation to gang related crimes. They work within primary and high schools offering workshops, motivational talks and education around crime and the consequences of actions and how to stay safe. 1Message aims to encourage, engage, and empower young people to take responsibility for their lives in a productive way. The community-led programmes enable the VRU to work closely with communities to understand the strengths, challenges, and needs of the community and determine how local investments will be made. To date, the VRU has invested over £1.6 million in community-led programmes across Greater Manchester. Programmes are currently live in Manchester, Salford, Bury, Bolton, Oldham, Tameside, Wigan and Trafford, and will be in the remaining boroughs soon. Over the course of late 2021 and 2022, the Mayor and former Deputy Mayor Bev Hughes visited the community-led programmes in Manchester, Salford, Bolton, Bury and Oldham. They met with local organisations that deliver the programmes of work and members of the community and young people who they support. This approach is something the incoming Deputy Mayor is keen to build on. Deputy Mayor for Policing, Crime, Criminal Justice and Fire, Kate Green, said: “We’ve all seen the devastating consequences of violent crime in communities across Greater Manchester and the rest of the country and in my role as Deputy Mayor I am committed to continuing the work through the Violence Reduction Unit to prevent violence and keep people safe. “I’m delighted to have seen first-hand here in Oldham, the type of sessions that are happening across Greater Manchester to better educate, inform and engage with young people around the impacts these crimes have on individuals, families and our communities. Importantly, we are working with people like Matthew Norford with the lived experience to help young people understand the importance of making positive life choices.” Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: “The preventative work being delivered though our Violence Reduction Unit, in partnership with our communities across the city-region, is a vitally important way of making Greater Manchester a safer place for all. “I’m really looking forward to working with our new Deputy Mayor Kate Green on building on the hugely impactful programmes being delivered to prevent these awful crimes being committed.” Matthew Norford, founder and CEO of 1Message, said: “I am really pleased that I am able to use my life experiences to help other young people that might be in difficult situations or involved in serious violence. “I am working with young people across Greater Manchester to build self-esteem, realise their potential and move away from crime and violence.” T here is an urgent need for immediate investment in civil legal aid so people can get legal help for life changing issues, the Law Society of England and Wales warns as the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) announces a long overdue review into the sustainability of civil legal aid contracts. “The Law Society has called for a review of civil legal aid sustainability for a long time – it’s good to see the UK government is finally making it happen,” said Law Society President Lubna Shuja. “A well-functioning civil justice system is vital to the economic health and social wellbeing of our country. Legal aid is an essential part of this. We have a justice system that’s the envy of the world, but without investment, it is falling apart. “Over the past decade the number of legal aid firms has nearly halved, while the number of people struggling to represent themselves in the family courts has trebled and court backlogs are ever increasing. “For every civil legal provider that closes its doors, there is a child not getting the education they need, a family facing eviction, fighting for welfare benefits to stay afloat in these turbulent times or a vulnerable person denied access to the care they’re entitled to.” The Law Society’s legal aid deserts maps show that across England and Wales: •52m people (88%) do not have access to a local education provider •40m (67%) do not have access to a local community care legal aid provider •23.5m (39%) do not have access to a local legal aid provider for housing advice Lubna Shuja concluded: “Civil legal aid providers are facing an existential crisis without immediate cash investment. Firms have been forced to abandon their contracts as they can no longer face the financial burden. “The last time fees were increased was in 1996, over 25 years ago. On top of this, the government imposed a further 10% fee-cut in 2011. This represents a real-terms cut of 49.4% in fees to 2022. “Firms have been closing their legal aid departments year-onyear, as it’s no longer financially viable and the number of providers with civil legal aid contracts has been falling. “Law Society analysis suggests that the number of providers starting legal aid work could drop by a third by 2025, leaving many without access to a lawyer when they desperately need one. “We urgently call on the UK government to invest immediately in civil legal aid to shore up access to justice for those in need while the review – which is expected to last two years – takes place. “We also urge the government to use the review to reduce bureaucracy, examine the scope of legal aid and encourage the next generation of legal aid lawyers to come into the market by making clear there is a future in this vital public service.” Read your favourite ASIAN LEADER online www. asianleader.co.uk

18 January - 31 January 2023 www.asianleader.co.uk Asian LEADER 07 Scan for more energy-saving tips or visit gov.uk/saveenergy Turn your replace an old or keep the warmth in by closing all the for a new energy-saving flow temperature down to 60° off lights and you’re not using, at night

S ince 2010 the College has attracted around £45 million to upgrade or replace facilities and create a site ranking alongside the best in the region – most recently with the addition of a new Construction Centre and incorporation of the former Greater Manchester UTC into the estate. There has also been national recognition and awards acknowledging the calibre of teaching and learning, and ongoing contributions made to the local economy and community. Recently, these include being crowned as the Edufuturists ‘FE College of the Year’ 2021, and a Princess Royal Training Award for the flagship Teaching for Distinction programme. There were also Gold medals for learners at the WorldSkills UK National Finals 2022 – and Oldham College is a finalist in the 2022/23 Beacon Awards in the Support for Students Award. Mr Francis has accepted an offer to become Blackpool and The Fylde College’s new Principal and Chief Executive later this year. Jonathan Edwards, Chair of Oldham College, said: “Although we will be sad to see Alun depart, we also see this as a milestone opening up an exciting new chapter and opportunities for Oldham College.” “Alun is the first to acknowledge that he has been supported by an excellent senior leadership team, terrific staff and governors here. The support, endeavours and creativity of the people working for and alongside him are key to our achievements – and that means Oldham College has a very bright future. “We are expecting high-calibre applicants with new perspectives and ideas to be in the running to become our next Principal, and to help build the next phase in our success story.” Alun Francis came to Oldham College from a post as the Director of Transforming Learning at Oldham Council where he had served since 2007. In 2021 he was awarded an OBE for his services to education and he became Interim Chair of the Social Mobility Commission last week. Alun Francis said: “This was a tough decision: I have huge affection for our staff and learners, and for the wider Oldham community, because we have been on amazing journey together.” “I’m incredibly proud of all our achievements here, but I am just one person at Oldham College and – before my departure – I am fully committed to progressing important projects, like our plans to bring University Campus Oldham onto our main site. “I will be passing on an exciting platform of people, culture and facilities. I have total confidence that with fresh leadership and ideas, they will move things on to even greater heights in the future.” Alun Francis’s departure date from Oldham College is yet to be finalised. The arrangements for the appointment of his successor will also be confirmed at a later date. 08 Asian LEADER www.asianleader.co.uk 18 January - 31 January 2023 ALUN Francis OBE Chayn Sanjay Kohli Chayn Kohli - Winner of the University of Warwick's Student Award for excellence in gender equality New era for Oldham College as Principal set to depart after 13 years • ALUN Francis OBE is set to leave his post for a new challenge after more than a decade of renewal and progress at Oldham College. • The 57-year-old was appointed Principal and Chief Executive almost 13 years ago in February 2010. • Since then, Oldham College has gone on to make significant and sustained advances in the quality of its educational offering, facilities, results and reputation. Warwick Student Chayn Kohli’s work toward improving gender equality began when she was just 14 in India. Second-year BSc Management student Chayn Kohli is the Winner of the Student Award for excellence in gender equality 2022 and has been recognised for her work in India as well as at the University of Warwick. Her work began when she was just 14, working with underprivileged families in India educating women and girls in maths and English, as well as women’s health topics that are considered taboo, like menstruation and hygiene. Since arriving at Warwick in 2021, Kohli has launched and managed many projects to improve gender equality and representation. Kohli manages the blog and website for Warwick Women’s Career Society, provides educational opportunities for women on stigmatised topics and runs CV clinics at the university all to support women in male-dominated industries. As Vice President of the Indian National Student Association, Chayn works to create opportunities that are also typically lesser accessible to female populations including networking opportunities. In 2019, following the Kashmir attack in which 40 members of the Indian paramilitary troops were killed, Chayn raised funds to sponsor the education of the daughters of two families that had been impacted and worked to try to secure employment opportunities for them. This isn’t the first time Chayn Kohli has been recognised for her efforts toward improving gender equality. Before receiving the University of Warwick student award for excellence in gender equality, Kohli has been awarded an award for women’s empowerment in India, as well as an International Icon award. Chayn Kohli said “The biggest challenge in India and Warwick remains common: awareness. Women are unaware of the opportunities they can monetize and do not understand the scale of their dreams. While in Warwick, awareness relates to understanding external opportunities related to finding jobs and building inclusivity in male-dominated sectors.” “The biggest challenge in India remains internal awareness, as most women are not even allowed to dream. Parents earning low incomes would rather educate their sons than their daughters, and thus, women from such communities have less access to opportunities and need to convince not only employers but their families of their capabilities to achieve their dreams.” “Growing up, my grandmother always told me that a dream is the most valuable gift you can give yourself as it adds purpose and meaning to your life. When I work with different women, I make them aware that they are allowed to dream, show them a path to their dream and encourage them; the smile I see on their face and the fire I see in their soul is the most rewarding part of my work. A single dream can change your life - giving you the grit to fight and giving your life the meaning, you always searched for.” Pioneering courses for emergency service workers launching to upskill and futureproof workforce T RAINING courses created to support and upskill blue light service workers are now available in Greater Manchester as part of the city-region’s threeyear Skills for Growth programme. Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has awarded funding to Seetec Outsource to create The Blue Light Development Academy. GMCA has awarded nearly £2m to Seetec to establish the academy, with the training programme fully-funded through the European Social Fund (ESF). The Blue Light Development Academy aims to support blue light staff with career development including leadership skills. There is also a strong focus on personal well-being, with programmes available on building resilience and for managers to understand health needs of staff. Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, Greater Manchester’s Lead for Education, Work, Skills, Apprenticeships and Digital, said: “We are proud of Greater Manchester’s pioneering Skills for Growth programme and all of its achievements, with thousands of employees supported in building their careers. However, we know there are still many industries in the city-region who could benefit from fullyfunded training. “The newly launched Blue Light Academy recognises the demanding work of emergency services staff and includes specially adapted courses on how they can manage their wellbeing during pressured situations. This will not only be of benefit to the workforce, but also our residents who will receive a better service as a result.” Seetec has been granted £1,998,763.75 to launch The Blue Light Development Academy. The training programme has been developed in collaboration with North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) with plans to expand to support to other blue light services in the future. The training, made up of workshops and e-learning, aims to help learners with leadership skills, coaching and management. The courses available for front-line and support staff include: • British Sign Language • Presentation Skills • Understanding Health in the Workplace for Managers • Bespoke Leadership and Management • Digital Skills • Inclusivity and Diversity Awareness • And a range of other topics.

Ahead of Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (23 -29 January), North West health experts are encouraging women and people with a cervix to take up the offer of cervical screening – also known as a ‘smear test’. GP and Chief Medical Officer for NHS Greater Manchester, Dr Manisha Kumar says, far from being a test for cancer, smear tests are actually designed to prevent cancer, explaining: “Screening can spot abnormal cells early so they don’t have chance to turn into cervical cancer.” And Aysha Badat, a Practice Nurse in Bolton, points out the benefits of detecting changes early, before symptoms start. She says: “Some women think they don’t need a smear because they have never been sexually active. I always tell them that the risk might be slightly less, but they can still get cervical cancer and should still consider the screening available on the NHS. It’s crucial for early diagnosis, for early treatment and better health outcomes”. Cervical screening, which looks for the human papilloma virus (HPV), is offered to all women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64, with first appointments offered shortly after their 25th birthday. Smear tests are usually carried out at the GP surgery by a female nurse. Despite the potentially life-saving benefits of cervical screening, fewer than 7 in 10 people in the North West who were eligible for cervical screening attended their appointments in the year to June 2022. Eligible people are also less likely to have ever attended a cervical screening appointment if they are from a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic background, according to a study by Jo’s Trust, the UK’s leading cervical cancer charity. The same study also found there was lower awareness among Asian women that screening is a test to check cells from the cervix to find pre-cancerous abnormalities - 70% of Asian women aged 20-65 knew this compared with 91% of white women of the same age. Cervical cancer can be found anywhere in the cervix, which is the opening between the vagina and the womb, and part of the reproductive system. Almost all cervical cancers are caused by HPV and this is what cervical screening tests for – if your cells are shown to be abnormal, it is easily treatable, without ever developing into cancer. Symptoms of cervical cancer can include: • pain in your lower back, between your hip bones (pelvis), or in your lower tummy • vaginal bleeding that’s unusual for you – including bleeding during or after sex, between your periods or after the menopause, or having heavier periods than usual • pain when intimate with a partner However, you don’t need to be experiencing any symptoms to have a cervical screening test. Screening is about preventing cancer and stopping it in its tracks. People are invited for routine screening every three years between the ages of 25 and 49 and then every five years from 50 to 64. If HPV is found, the sample is checked for any cell changes and these can be treated before they get a chance to turn into cervical cancer. If people develop symptoms of cervical cancer in between smear tests, they should contact their GP. Although boys and girls are offered an HPV vaccine in school from Year 8, it does not protect against all types of HPV, so cervical screening is still important. Dr Kumar said: “Cervical screening is one of the best ways to protect yourself from cervical cancer. I strongly encourage all women to book their smear test as soon as they receive a letter inviting them to do so. “I know some people feel embarrassed about having a smear test. Rest assured this is an everyday part of the job for practice nurses, they’ll just be pleased you’ve come forward for screening. If you’re feeling worried – please let us know! We can talk things through and may be able to suggest practical solutions that it will make it a bit easier for you.” To find out more about cervical screening, visit Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust at www.jostrust.org. uk. They have a wide range of information, including information on screening and cancer, women’s stories of cervical cancer, translated videos and more. 18 January - 31 January 2023 www.asianleader.co.uk Asian LEADER 9 Cervical Screening GP Dr Manisha Kumar Practice Nurse Lara Rimmer Lara Rimmer, a Practice Nurse at St Pauls Medical Centre in Blackpool, urges women to get in touch with their GP practice if they’ve got any questions about cervical screening. She says: “Cervical screening remains one of the most successful screening programmes in the world at preventing cancer. “I understand that attending a smear test can seem very daunting and its quite normal to feel anxious about it. “Often, we find that some women are embarrassed, because it is quite an intimate procedure or scared that it might hurt, but we really encourage you to come and talk to us about any questions or concerns you may have, ahead of your appointment. You don’t need to feel embarrassed with your practice nurse, we are there to support you in any way that we can. “Although the screening can be slightly uncomfortable, it won’t hurt - we are always happy to accommodate any specific needs to ensure your smear experience is a positive one. “Our job is not only to perform this quick procedure, but to also provide you with the support and information you need for you to feel comfortable. After the appointment, we often find that women are surprised by how quick, painless and straightforward the procedure is. “Some patients feel more comfortable bringing someone along to their appointment and we encourage you to do this if you wish. “We also know you have a busy lives’ and finding time for appointments can be a challenge. That’s why early morning, evening and weekend appointments are available so we can fit around your busy schedule. “If you have any concerns about booking your appointment, PLEASE don’t ignore it. Contact your GP practice and a nurse will be very happy to contact you back.” Practice Nurse Aysha Badat often shares her personal experience of having smear tests with women who attend her cervical screening clinic. Aysha says: “Everyone’s experience is different. When I had my first smear in my early twenties, I had no health knowledge. I had a tilted cervix which made the procedure more uncomfortable than it should have been and made me more tense and anxious. This was not explained to me during the process and, unfortunately, I didn’t go back for subsequent smear tests again for many years after. “It was only when I started my cytology training as a Practice Nurse, that I understood why having a smear is so important and I made a pledge to myself to always have my smears when they are due. “Now cervical screening is a big passion of mine, and despite progressing as an Advanced Clinical Practitioner, I continue to wark as a Practice Nurse and Cytology Mentor to help other health professionals achieve the skills and competency, ensuring that women are counselled and educated using language they can understand to ensure women have a good experience when they come in for their appointment promoting regular screening.” Aysha recognises the embarrassment many women feel when it’s time for their smear test. She adds: “I have the same anxieties that other women have when my smear appointment is due, but I know how important it is. The language used is very important to me and can help women feel at ease and reassured, alleviating any anxieties and concerns they may have, making them less panicked and uncomfortable about the procedure. “There may be cultural embarrassment and religious beliefs which I like to discuss with patients giving them options, for example, to bring their own chaperone including husbands or partners, and being conscientious of cultural diversity, privacy and dignity. I make sure the patient understands the procedure before starting and distract them by talking about the weather. Before they know it, it’s done, and they often say ‘was that it?’. “I encourage all eligible people to attend smears and get rid of the embarrassment. It’s no different to having babies! And if babies are important to you, then so is your cervix.” Practice Nurse Aysha Badat

10 Asian LEADER www.asianleader.co.uk 18 January - 31 January 2023 New funding given to victim support services to help with cost-of-living pressures T he Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester has announced new funding for local organisations across the city-region that support victims and survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence. The funding will help organisations respond to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, aiding them to continue to provide support to those accessing their services over the winter months. The funding has been provided in part by the Ministry of Justice through the victims’ core grant funding. The money will go towards practical measures, such as care packages, additional capacity within services, peer mentor sessions, group counselling, costs to support people accessing services and interpreter costs. Organisations that will receive funding responded to an expression of interest process which specified prioritised support for communities of identity, no recourse to public funds, older people and people with disabilities. The funding started reaching organisations in December 2022, to ensure help and provision was available over the holiday period. Speaking about the announcement, Kate Green, Deputy Mayor for Policing, Crime, Criminal Justice and Fire said: “I’m happy that we’re able to allocate this funding to our local organisations to help with rising costs due to the cost-of-living crisis. “Over what can be difficult winter months, this funding will help them continue their good work to support victims and survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence. “We remain committed to keeping people safe, supporting victims and survivors, and continuing to tackle gender-based violence and abuse in all its forms.” T he Earth’s protective ozone layer is “on track” to fully recover, according to a new assessment backed by the United Nations. A scientific assessment, found that by around 2066, over the Antarctic, by 2045 over the Arctic, and by 2040 for the rest of the world, levels should return to what they were in the 1980s. Paul Newman, co-chair of the scientific assessment, said: “In the upper stratoContinued from Page 1 “As families begin to return to their villages, our response has moved with them,” said Fadil. “Our mobile health, nutrition and water teams continue to respond to immediate lifesaving needs, while we help restore and rehabilitate existing health, water, sanitation, and education facilities, supporting the Government’s efforts in climate-resilient recovery and reconstruction. We know the climate crisis played a central role in supercharging the cascading calamities evident in Pakistan. We must do everything within our power to ensure girls and boys in Pakistan are able to fully recover from the current disaster, and to protect and safeguard them from the next one.” To provide immediate lifesaving support, UNICEF is calling for the international community to urgently provide additional humanitarian assistance, and ensure the timely release of funding to save lives before it is too late. As the world looks to recovery and rebuilding, UNICEF urges countries to prioritize both the immediate and longer-term needs of children through the provision of principled, sustained and flexible assistance that is based on needs and allows for a response and recovery that moves with children as they return home, while building and strengthening climate-resilient infrastructure and services that can reach children and families in need with healthcare, nutrition, learning, protection, hygiene and sanitation services. UNICEF Pakistan has permanent field offices in all four provinces and has established four hubs to bring UNICEF operations and programmes closer to the hardest hit areas. We have been working with the Government of Pakistan, UN agencies and NGO partners to respond to the needs of the most vulnerable populations in 55 calamity-affected districts, both for displaced populations and those returning to the location of their destroyed villages. UNICEF’s current appeal of US$173.5 million to provide life-saving support to women and children affected by the floods remains only 37 per cent funded. Up to 4 million children in Pakistan still living next to stagnant and contaminated floodwater MACFEST is celebrating 5 Years of Art, Culture and Muslim Heritage nationally and globally Welcome to MACFEST 2023, a ground-breaking and award-winning international Muslim Arts and Culture Festival. Hosted in several towns and cities, theatres, art galleries and libraries, schools and colleges across the North West it is celebrating its 5th Anniversary on 4th March at the Whitworth Art Gallery. Manchester. Founded after the Manchester bombings of 2017, Qaisra Shahraz MBE, its founder and executive director had a vision of united communities, free from division and accepting of differences. To fight back against racism and Islamophobia, MACFEST began in 2018, to help to introduce the city into the world of Muslim culture, hoping to fight ignorance with cultural awareness. MACFEST’s mission is: celebrating arts, diversity and connecting communities. MACFEST offers a rich feast of over 75 events from 18th February to July 30th, celebrating the rich heritage of the Muslim diaspora communities. Nearly all the events are free. The festival is themed; youth, women, Ramadan, Museum and libraries mini Festivals. The international feast, includes events being hosted from Afghanistan, Dubai, Tunisia, Kuwait and USA. This year’s festival is set to be their biggest. There is something for the whole family: literature, art, history, music, performance, photography, culture, comedy, art exhibitions, demonstrations, debates, women and youth panels, children’s activities, and art workshops. We are bringing you a great line-up of local, national and international speakers: performers, writers, academics, photographers, comedians, poets, film makers, actors, artists and singers: from Manchester - to USA. This year’s instalment of MACFEST is set to be their biggest. Joining forces with the newly formed Muslim Women’s Arts Foundation and Festival, this year’s instalment promises a greater diversity of speakers and artists, shedding more light on women’s experiences and contributions to culture that often go unnoticed. There are many highlights, ‘Poetry and Cuisine from Andalusia’, Ramadan in Tunisia, Afghani women artists from Kabul art workshops, ‘Arabic Weddings’ ‘Eat like a Sultan: cooking in the Muslim Medieaval Ages’ Turkish folk dance, and an ‘In Conversation session with Fatima Manji, the Channel 4 News reader and reporter, launching her new book. Focusing more on culture instead of religion and politics, MACFEST draws cultural fragment from across the Muslim world; Afghani women artists, Turkish folk dance, Kuwaiti photography, Palestinian embroidery, Andalusian poetry, as well as British Muslims contributing their art and experience. An international festival with collaborators from all corners, coming with a massive 64-page brochure that boasts a dizzying number of events available. Earth's protective ozone layer `on track' to recover by 2066, according to UN sphere and in the ozone hole we see things getting better.” While Meg Seki, executive secretary of the United Nations Environment Programme’s ozone secretariat, added that the report delivers “fantastic news”. Scientists and environmental advocates have contributed these latest efforts to the ongoing success of the 1989 Montreal Protocol, which banned 99% ozonedepleting substances. Having first come into force after scientists raised the alarm over a “hole” in the Earth’s ozone layer, chemicals that were found to deplete the upper stratospheric layer were banned. Mr Newman went on to explain that the two chief chemicals that “munch away” at the ozone - bromine and chlorine - have “stopped growing” and levels are “coming down,” another testament to the effectiveness of the Protocol. In a 2016 update of the Protocol, known as the Kigali amendment, countries agreed to phase down the production and consumption of other compounds known to have a powerful effect on global warming. The new assessment said the Kigali amendment is estimated to avoid 0.3C to 0.5C of global warming by 2100. It also says that new studies support previous assessments that the decline in ozone-depleting substance emissions avoids an additional 0.5C to 1C of global warming by mid-century. Ms Seki said: “Over the last 35 years, the Protocol has become a true champion for the environment.” The panel also examined the potential effects of a proposed deliberate addition of aerosols into the stratosphere - known as stratospheric aerosol injection - in order to reflect more sunlight and reduce warming. It cautioned that the unintended consequences of this process could thin the ozone layer by as much as 20% in Antarctica.

18 January - 31 January 2023 www.asianleader.co.uk Asian LEADER 11

12 Asian LEADER www.asianleader.co.uk 18 January - 31 January 2023 BUSINESS & FINANCE Business in brief Apple chief executive Tim Cook is to take a pay cut of more than 40% after shareholders turned on the size of his awards last year. The company said he requested the move after fewer than twothirds of Apple investors supported his pay package at the tech firm’s annual meeting in 2022. Regulatory filings on Thursday showed his basic salary and bonus would remain the same at $3m (£2.45m) and $6m (£4.9m), respectively. But stock bonuses would depend more, in future, on how well the iPhone maker’s shares perform relative to market peers. Mr Cook’s compensation for Apple’s financial year to the end of September 2022 was $99.4m - up slightly on the previous year’s $98.7m. The target for 2023 was set at a total of $49m. That would likely be achieved, Apple said, through stock awards of around $40m, with $30m of those being tied to share price performance. Apple boss Tim Cook asks for 40% pay cut after investor backlash Marks & Spencer (M&S) plans to open 20 new stores creating 3,400 jobs throughout Britain. The 138-year old clothing and food group will open eight “fullline” stores in shopping centres such as the Bullring, Birmingham, and the Trafford Centre, Manchester, as well in as retail parks and high streets. It also will open 12 food halls, including in Stockport, Barnsley and the North Ayrshire seaside town of Largs, Scotland. The group last November had proposed a target to reduce its full line stores by 67 to 180 by 2028, while increasing its food only stores by 104 to 420. Chief Executive Stuart Machin said to the newspaper that the investment in stores “fits into the levelling-up agenda, with the creation of jobs across the whole of the UK.” The openings will bring new store investment to 480 million pounds ($586.94 million), the newspaper added. M&S reported strong Christmas sales with demand for turkeys and sparkling wine delivering its highest ever share of the food market and sequin-decorated party wear boosting its clothing sales. M&S plans to open 20 new stores Adidas loses court battle against fashion designer Thom Browne over stripe design Adidas has lost a court case against New York fashion designer Thom Browne after suing over a stripe design. A jury in Manhattan said Adidas had failed to show Thom Browne had infringed the sportswear giant’s signature three-stripe trademark. The jury found the fashion house’s parallel stripe designs were not likely to cause consumer confusion with Adidas’s products. Thom Browne had argued that, among other things, its designs have a different number of stripes and stripes are a common design element for clothing. The designer’s sportswear features four parallel stripes wrapping around the arm or leg of shorts and sweatshirts. Adidas sued the brand in 2021, claiming its four-bar and “Grosgrain” stripe patterns on its shoes and high-end activewear violated its three-stripe trademark rights. The German company has filed more than 90 lawsuits and signed more than 200 settlement agreements since 2008 related to the trademark, according to court documents in the case. More than 450,000 working days lost due to strike action in November 2022, highest for a decade Energy boss warns higher bills are here to stay Bank of England's unprecedented bond market intervention yields £3.8bn profit There were 467,000 working days lost to strike action in November 2022, official figures show, bringing the number of strike days in 2022 to a 30 year high. The loss in days due to labour disputes in the month is the highest since November 2011. The total number of strike days lost to strike action between June to November 2022 was 1,628,000, the Office for National Statistics said. It means that 2022 had the greatest number of strike days since 1990 when 1.9 million work days were lost to strike action. Figures released in December had already showed that, though full yearly >[email protected] Health Marketing & Communication: Robina Malik Tel: 01706 670 119 Advertising Department Zubair Mukhtar [email protected] Tel: 01706 355 045 Fax: 01706 646 908 Contributors: Faz Patel - Mufti Hanif Patel Design & Production M Bashir Pictures & Syndication Manchester Evening News Yorkshire Post Distribution: Sajid Shaik Asian Leader 187 Drake Street Rochdale OL11 1EF www.asianleader.co.uk Everyone is missing the long Summer days and as soon as Autumn and Winter approaches and as the clocks go back, I am always dreading it. If I had a choice, I’d stick to living in the Summer time because I feel the winter days bring lethargy and a lack of motivation to life. The weather’s been miserable, days are getting shorter and it’s getting darker and darker more early and like many people like myself, they will feel the sense of gloom that the weather brings to our lives, and on top with local restrictions in place. The other day I was chatting with a friend from Middle East who arrived here three weeks ago. Since then all he has seen is rain, rain and more rain. We were discussing about the quality of life; I was telling him how I feel like there’s nothing to do once the working day is over and a question arises why many people in other countries experience a more pleasant and better quality of life. The answer is the weather. After work, in many places around the world people have the chance of spending time with their families, bonding with children, spending time with the elderly, strolling in the park, visiting friends, or even making a trip to the beach. The weather is perfect and it just makes life a bit more interesting. It brings joy to the individual and everyone around them. Unfortunately in the country we live in, we can’t moan about it. There will be many people out there who will be less motivated, sad and depressed about the fact that we go to work when it’s dark and come back when it’s dark. It’s like there’s no light in our lives anymore. Many places will have closed by the time working day is over or it just gets really windy and is pouring down with rain. I know many friends who have migrated to countries like Dubai, New Zealand and Australia purely because of the sunshine and the quality of life over there. Yes, people will have good jobs, public services, houses, food, nice cars, but what really matters is how we use this aspect of the quality of life that we achieve through our hard working days. In Summer, we will know exactly what we will be doing in the next few months but it is when Winter strikes when we won’t know or have a clue on what we can do to keep ourselves occupied without having to mention ‘work’. Myself personally I like taking breaks away from our country and to hotter climates and as a regular traveler, I meet many people from different countries and cultures who feel that the weather is what brings motivation to their lives. Many of our generations in the sub continent are living a much healthier and motivated lifestyle than us. Even when they have little money, they’ll know what is important; the way of life and the quality of life. It just shows what an impact the climate has on a person’s life. There will be many people out there who will be feeling the winter blues but my advice would be, to keep yourself active, get involved with things on a day to day basis and keep yourself happy and motivated with everything that we have around us. L et us embark on a journey of beauty and perfection, a description of the greatest of Allah’s Creation, Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him). The great Companion and poet Hassan bin Thabit RA said, “My eyes have never seen anyone more handsome than you [O Prophet PBUH]; No woman has ever given birth to anyone more beautiful than you; You have been created free from all blemishes; As if, you have been created as you had yourself wished.” • Beloved Head and Ears The Prophet PBUH had a moderately large and round head, and all of his features and limbs were perfectly joint. His ears were so blessed that he could even hear and communicate with animals and trees. Once our beloved Prophet PBUH entered a garden and saw a very thin and weak camel. The camel started to weep and make some sound. It only stopped after the Prophet stroked its hump and head. Thereafter, the Prophet said to the owner, “fear Allah in this animal which Allah has made you an owner of it. The camel is complaining to me that you keep it hungry and make it work hard”. The Prophet PBUH once said to his Companions, “I know that very tree in Makkah which would greet me with salam even before I became a Prophet.” A nonMuslim from the area of Khyber invited the Prophet PBUH to a meal and had secretly poisoned the roasted goat meat. As soon as the Companions began to eat the meal, the Prophet PBUH stopped them and called for the woman. He asked her why she had poisoned the meat. She was shocked and surprised .The Prophet PBUH replied “This roasted foreleg of a dead goat here in my hand informed me!” The Prophet, a mercy to mankind, did not seek any retribution for himself. • Beloved Mouth He had a moderately wide mouth and he had a fi ne gap between the front two teeth. When Our beloved Prophet PBUH applied his saliva from his mouth to Ali`s R.A eyes then he was healed straight way. When Prophet PBUH and Abu Bakr RA entered the cave of Thawr, the Prophet PBUH laid his head in Abu Bakr’s RA lap and then fell asleep. Suddenly, Abu Bakr`s RA foot was stung by a poisonous insect; it hurt so much that his tears fell on the Prophet’s face. The Prophet PBUH immediately applied his blessed saliva on Abu Bakr`s RA foot and the pain went straight away. The words emanating from his mouth were like it was a rosary of beads and more fragrant than musk; his voice was so sweet that even jinn assembled to hear it! • Beloved Feet He had thick toes, fullyfl eshed heels and moderately lengthy feet – a sign of masculinity. He would ask the Companions to walk in front and he himself would walk behind out of humility and to help those who were weak and elderly. He would stand in prayers for hours and hours until his feet would become swollen. He was asked why he would go through so much diffi culty. He PBUH replied, “Should I not be a grateful servant of Allah?” The Prophet PBUH travelled to Ta`if to call the people towards Allah. They refused him, mocked him, threw stones at him and chased him out; his blessed feet were drenched in blood but our beloved Prophet PBUH, a mercy to mankind, yet prayed for them. • Beloved Chest & Stomach His chest and the area between the shoulders was wide. His stomach and chest was level. He had no hair on his chest, stomach or back but a vertical line of fair hair beneath the throat till his navel. While digging the trench to defend Madinah, the Companions bound a stone around their stomachs to quell their hunger; the Prophet PBUH had bound two stones. • Beloved Hands He had long forearms, wide and fully-fl eshed palms and thick fi ngers – a sign of masculinity. There was no silky garment softer than his palm. When the Companions were building their masjid in Madinah, everyone else carried one brick whilst the Prophet PBUH would carry two large bricks with his strong hands. Aisha RA reports that the Prophet patched his clothes, repaired his shoes, and helped his wives with the housework with his own hands. • Beloved Hair His blessed hair were black, long and neither totally curly nor very straight. They remained straight, neat and seemed combed at all times. Khalid bin Walid RA once lost his hat during the battle of Yarmuk. He and his army searched repeatedly until it was found. Khalid bin Walid RA then told them, “the Prophet PBUH performed `umrah and then had his head shaved. I got some of his hair from the front part of his head which I put in the hat. Every time I went into battle with this hat, by the blessings of the hair of the prophet, Allah gave me victory.” • Beloved Face His face shone like the full moon. His cheeks were smooth. The hair of his eyebrows was thin. His eyebrows were wide but not joint at the middle. His nose was beautifully raised with narrow nostrils. His eyes were attractive, large and deep black and his eye lashes were long and curled. He was always smiling, even in the darkest of moments and he taught us, “to smile at a brother is an act of charity and a branch of Iman”. His modest habit was to look at something with bashfulness, hence he did not stare at anything. His loving eyes would shed continuous tears. Allah once sent the angel Jibra`il AS to ask why His beloved was crying excessively. And the Prophet PBUH replied, “Oh Allah, my Ummah, my Ummah! …”. Allah replied, “We will please you and your ummah will not be harmed”. Anas RA says, “The Prophet PBUH had the most handsome face. His face was as bright as the sun. Whenever he became happy, his face brightened, as if it was a piece of moon.” Jabir ibn Samurah RA says “once I saw the Prophet PBUH on a night illumined by a full moon. I compared the prophet to the full-moon…to me he seemed more beautiful than the moon.” He always has a smile on his face. • Beloved Fingers He had long forearms, wide palms and thick fi ngers and toes. There was no silky garment softer than his palm. The Prophet PBUH once pointed his blessed fi ngers at the moon. By the blessing, virtue and power of his fi ngers, the moon split into two pieces. Afterwards, when Prophet PBUH gestured again with his fi nger the different parts of the moon returned to their place and re-joined without a visible crack. Continued on Page 14 28 September - 11 October 2022 www.asianleader.co.uk Asian LEADER 13 EDITORIAL ADVERTISING HAVE YOUR SAY BY SENDING YOUR LETTERS TO: Asian Leader 187 Drake st, Rochdale OL11 1EF or e-mail: [email protected] The Asian Leader is your newspaper. Let us know what is happening in your area by contacting our newsdesk on 01706 670 119. We are not only interested in major events but also any local community activities. We try our best to be, fair, accurate and courteous in our reporting. If you feel we have got something wrong, then please tell us. Should you feel that we have failed to live up to these standards please write to the editor. We aim to provide the highest quality advertising service possible. Occassionally mistakes can occur, when they do, please tell us and we will do our upmost best to rectify any errors. Please address your complaints to the sales director or call 01706 355 045. Please send in your letters with your name and address. We will of course respect your rights not to disclose your name if you require. The views and opinions expressed here are the personal views of the readers, they are not necessarily those of the Asian Leader and it’s staff. The Editor reserves the right to edit any letters without the writers consent. Asian Leader, 187 Drake St, Rochdale OL11 1EF or email: [email protected] Managaing Director Mohamed Parwez Newsroom [email protected] Health Marketing & Communication: Robina Malik Tel: 01706 670 119 Advertising Department Zubair Mukhtar [email protected] Tel: 01706 355 045 Fax: 01706 646 908 Contributors: Faz Patel - Mufti Hanif Patel Design & Production M Bashir Pictures & Syndication Manchester Evening News Yorkshire Post Distribution: Sajid Shaik Asian Leader 187 Drake Street Rochdale OL11 1EF www.asianleader.co.uk Mufti’s corner By Mufti Hanif Patel Quality of Life.... The Prophet PBUH's Beauty Why visit Jerusalem (Palestine)? Mufti’s corner By Mufti Hanif Patel Many of us must have encountered this either with family, friends, or local community. Sometimes it is very difficult to say NO to help when someone’s got a problem. There are many people out there who will always have time to hear out issues or problems when a close friend or a family member is seeking for help. Within our community, sometimes people don’t like to share their problem and suffer in silence. This may because they are ashamed or because they don’t want anyone to know about their issues. Sometimes this can be fatal which leads to consequences. Myself coming from a trade union background, I have been involved in dealing with various problems. We all have issues got to do with: family, finance, employment, illness, emotion, mental health, etc, whatever problems and issues people have I’m always there to help them out and listen. it takes that one person and few minutes of their time to listen to the problems which would make them feel at ease and comfortable. Since the pandemic has started our life has not been the same. So many people are facing issues and problems which they may not want to share with anyone. However, when you don’t share problems this is when it affects the person’s life. The person could: lose their appetite, loose sleep, not engaging with friends and family, ignoring social media etc. When a person is having all these problems, they feel like they have no one to talk to. You must have come across people in your life who have suffered or have had problems and they’ve been completely withdrawn. No where to be seen or to be heard. It is during this time that we have to be there for those who need help. For the last couple months, I met this friend who has no hope and this person wanted closure in their life as they lost their job. I wanted to help them in every way possible. So, I listened to them and realise what they were going through and talked it out with them for hours. It was when the person was off loading the thoughts and emotions to me that I signpost this particularly person with many agencies. At the same time, I gave this person some positive and motivational support. It was sad what this person was going through but I knew I had to be there for that person so they don’t feel left alone. It was just last week I got a phone call from the person that they will be starting a new job and wanted to thank me whilst being there for him when no one else was. This is one example with what I’m talking about. There are so many people who are out there who don’t have anyone there for them. This may be because there ashamed of what they’ve done or the cultural barrier. If you’re reading this article DON’T suffer in silence! If you’re going through a problem such as: drugs, alcohol, friendship, gambling or whatever you’re going through and your embarrassed to talk about this issue to family or friend please don’t suffer in silence. Talk to someone who will listen to your problems, if you don’t discuss this problem it will have a detrimental impact on your life. You might be reading my article and might be yourself whose going through something in your life and no one’s there to help. You will have suicidal thoughts in your head, running away or negative thoughts. Stop all this and seek for help. If you can’t approach anyone, there are so many confidential help lines out here who you can ring and seek support. Myself personally, I have had many issues in my life. I’ve learnt to talk about problems out to my family and friends. Trust me it’ll help! don’t bottle your issues and talk to someone. if you’re in a capacity which you can help, then reach out to those who are suffering in silence. They need love and support whilst going through this phase. Whatever they have done don’t be non-judgmental and give them an ear. So, they can share their problems. Stigma towards Mental Health!!!!!

C I Scott Boast will be responsible for Response Policing across the city. In 2004, CI Boast joined Lancashire Constabulary as a Police Constable based on Response in Blackburn. Since then, he has worked all around East Lancashire on Response and Local Policing teams, working his way through the ranks. Last year, CI Boast moved to HQ as a Chief Inspector with a responsibility for anti-social behaviour, prevention and problem solving for the force. Having led the implementation of the Task Force Teams, CI Boast is particularly proud that every district across Lancashire now has a dedicated Task Force Team, targeting and disrupting those suspected of being involved in organised crime. Additionally, he has worked on the TOM review, leading on Local Policing, Hate Crime, Community Cohesion and Early Intervention. Speaking about his new role, CI Boast said: ‘I have really enjoyed getting to work on what affects our communities in Preston, working with partner agencies to continue to respond effectively to those who are in need. I am committed to continuing to improve our connection to the community. Our Response teams are the first contact with those who are in need, and it is my priority to ensure that we remain victim focused. “I am really looking forward to working alongside and supporting the Response teams that provide around the clock protection to our most vulnerable people in society and doing everything we can to bring offenders to justice”. 14 Asian LEADER www.asianleader.co.uk 18 January - 31 January 2023 Greater Manchester Police and TravelSafe Partnership step up enforcement knife-related incidents on public transport University of Manchester students vow to continue protest at rent costs Preston Police welcomes new Chief Inspector Greater Manchester’s TravelSafe Partnership (TSP) is stepping up enforcement to reassure the travelling public following a number of kniferelated incidents on public transport. While knife crime is not unique to public transport, tackling it remains a top priority for the TSP and Greater Manchester Police, with activity increasing at hotspots across the public transport network. The public transport network is covered by CCTV which is monitored 24/7, and TravelSafe will support GMP in all investigations, including sharing footage of incidents to inform criminal proceedings. Last week, following a press appeal using CCTV, three male youths were arrested and charged following reports of knife-point robberies at the tram stop in Failsworth. A 34-year-old man was stabbed at the Market Street Metrolink stop in Manchester on Sunday 8th January. His injuries are not thought to be life-threatening, and enquiries are ongoing. The TSP has also been made aware of a group of youths being threatened with a knife at Radcliffe tram stop, and in a separate incident a bus driver being threatened with a knife in Bury. As well as operational activity, the TSP delivers a programme of education and behaviour change which saw over 50,500 young people engaged last academic year. This includes joint work with the Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit at colleges across the city-region. Vernon Everitt, Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester, said: “While incidents like this are thankfully extremely rare on our public transport network, we will continue to do everything we can to support Greater Manchester Police in dealing with it. “The safety of passengers and transport staff is of paramount importance as we make further improvements to transport as part of building the integrated Bee Network. The police take a zero tolerance approach to knife crime and the TravelSafe Partnership will continue to work collaboratively to ensure that the people responsible are identified and held accountable. “The Partnership will continue to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour in all its forms by providing a visible daily presence and also during special operations, supported by control rooms which operate 24/7 and monitor feeds from more than 3,800 CCTV cameras across the network. “Passengers can also discreetly report any incidents of crime or antisocial behaviour on public transport using the GMP’s LiveChat service.” GMP’s Transport Unit patrol the public transport network and through the TSP, use a variety of tactics to address and deter all crime and anti-social behaviour. They include the specialist resources including knife arches, handheld metal detectors, dog units and drones are regularly deployed across the network. Residents across the city-region are being encouraged to get active this January and commit to doing 10 minutes of walking, cycling or wheeling a day for 10 weeks. Backed by Active Travel Commissioner, Dame Sarah Storey, the 10 for 10 campaign aims to get people moving over the winter months and kick-start the New Year with some new, health-boosting habits. Research has shown how getting active for 10 minutes each day can improve people’s mental and physical health and can also help people adopt positive habits in the long-term. Increasing activity levels each day can be achieved by small, simple changes to people’s daily routine, such as leaving the car at home for shorter journeys and either walking, cycling or wheeling instead. Experts advise that the easiest way for people get moving is to build these active travel modes into their everyday life and journeys, whether that’s popping to the shops, taking the stairs instead of the lift, or on the school run. Dame Sarah Storey, Active Travel Commissioner for Greater Manchester, said: “The start of a new year is traditionally the time for taking on ambitious new challenges which don’t always last, so to start 2023 we’re taking a different approach. “The 10 for 10 campaign is a challenging but achievable option the whole family can do together and I hope as many people as possible will sign up and get involved. “Whether it’s getting off the bus a stop early, heading to the local shops on foot instead of the car or taking the children out on their bikes at the weekend, there are so many ways to take part and it could be a different form of activity every day. “Lots of people tell me they don’t feel fit enough to engage with travelling actively on a regular basis - this campaign is designed to help people start off small and build up. “Active travel is one of the most important solutions we have as a population to tackle issues such as clean air, declining physical and mental health and is central to the Greater Manchester 2040 Transport Strategy.” In November, Dame Sarah unveiled a new policy, Refreshing Greater Manchester’s Active Travel Mission, highlighting the benefits of active travel and why it is fundamental to the success of other key agendas for Greater Manchester, including improved health, decarbonisation, educational attainment and the economy. Active travel is also a key component in the delivery of a fully-integrated transport system, the Bee Network. It forms part of Transport for Greater Manchester’s wider ambition for half of all journeys in the city-region to be by public transport or active travel, rather than by car, by 2040. Research has shown that physical inactivity is responsible for 1 in 6 deaths in the UK with an estimated annual cost of at least £7.4 billion. Meanwhile, the benefits of cycling, walking and wheeling are already clear with Sustrans estimating that current levels of active travel in Greater Manchester preventing at least 2,600 serious, long-term health conditions. Walking in the city-region is reported to help prevent at least 425 early deaths annually, while cycling helps to prevent more than 50 and saves local NHS services around £4m a year. People across Greater Manchester encouraged to get active and take part in `10 for 10' campaign CI Scott Boast S tudents in Manchester who are refusing to pay their rent in protest at high costs have vowed to carry on until “our demands are met”. Campaigners said 250 University of Manchester students were cancelling payments and demanding a 30% reduction in rent at halls of residence. They said they were struggling to buy food amid the rocketing cost of living. The university said it had already provided support payments equivalent to £170 for every student. Research by the Office for National Statistics recently found half of students in England are facing money problems. First year student Maya Tanna told meida she has been “really struggling to eat and just pay for basic needs that I normally would have at home”. She added: “A lot of people have been skipping meals. “Some people even haven’t been able to pay their rent, which isn’t something we should have to be worrying about as first-year students.” The philosophy and politics student claimed that some rents had risen by £400 a year. She said the university “could be doing a lot more to help”, adding: “We shouldn’t be struggling to eat”. Labour MP Andrew Gwynne, who represents Denton and Reddish, said: “We can’t have students going to food banks and struggling to make ends meet.” A university spokesman said: “We will do everything we can to support students who are unable to pay their rent and urge anyone struggling to speak to us as soon as possible.

18 January - 31 January 2023 www.asianleader.co.uk Asian LEADER 15 Charity No. 1156200 onenationuk.org 0300 500 1000 100% Donation Policy PAKISTAN £25 food parcel £1 hot meals £50 emergency aid £50 tents (5 people) any amount medical aid Over 1,000 people have been found dead ! Donate & Fundraise at: PakistanFloods.com

said: “We are delighted to be welcoming back volunteers to Greater Manchester for their vital second appointment as part of the trial. We know from feedback that volunteers found the process of enrolling very straightforward. We want to thank them for returning for both their second and third appointments, which will be even shorter. It’s such a simple thing to do but could make a big difference.” Dr Carolyn Walker, Local GP from NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care (Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale, said: “We are truly grateful for the ongoing support of volunteers in Greater Manchester as they are invited back to give blood samples this year and for a final time next year. “This trial continues to put the NHS at the forefront of cutting-edge research and technology. The Galleri® blood test, if successful, could play a major part in achieving our NHS Long Term Plan ambition to catch three quarters of cancers at an early stage, when they are generally easier to treat.” Professor Charles Swanton, Co-Chief Investigator for the NHS-Galleri trial, said: “These next trial appointments are really vital for helping researchers understand whether the test could be used in the future as part of the NHS cancer screening programme. “Whilst the first year of the trial may pick up cancers that have existed for some time, the second and third years provide the best opportunity to explore the expected benefits of picking up new cancers at an early stage when treatment is generally more successful.” If successful, the NHS in England plans to roll out the test to a further one million people across 2024 and 2025. In its first year, the trial has referred a small proportion of trial participants for urgent NHS cancer investigations, following detection of a positive Galleri cancer signal. Research has shown that the Galleri test could help to detect cancers that are typically difficult to identify early – such as head and neck, bowel, lung, pancreatic, and throat cancers. The test works by finding chemical changes in fragments of DNA that leak from tumours into the bloodstream. The NHS-Galleri trial is being run by The Cancer Research UK and King’s College London Cancer Prevention Trials Unit in partnership with the NHS and healthcare company, GRAIL, which has developed the Galleri test. The trial is operating with the support of eight NHS Cancer Alliances across England that span Cheshire and Merseyside, Greater Manchester, the North East and North Cumbria, West Midlands, East Midlands, East of England, Kent and Medway, and South East London. After this round of second appointments, local volunteers will be asked to come back a third time in around one year from now. 16 Asian LEADER www.asianleader.co.uk 18 January - 31 January 2023 Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale volunteers return to help NHS trial new cancer screening test Don't let money worries affect your mental health Hundreds of volunteers from across Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale are being invited to return to mobile clinics over the coming weeks for their second appointment as part of the NHS-Galleri trial. Participants who took part in the trial in January 2022 will be asked to give another blood sample to help investigate whether a multi-cancer blood screening test can help to detect cancer early before symptoms appear. (The test is only available to people who took part in the trial last year). Since the NHS-Galleri trial first arrived in Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale last year the trial has successfully enrolled over 140,000 volunteers from many different socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds across England, including 20,000 from Greater Manchester. Those taking part were all aged 50 to 77 years old at the point of enrolling onto the trial and had not been diagnosed or treated for cancer in the last three years. Alison Armstrong, Associate Director at Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance, T he NHS in Lancashire and South Cumbria is urging people to reach out for help if they are struggling with postChristmas credit card bills, alongside the rising cost of living. People can feel pressure to spend more money than they can afford on gifts and food during the festive period, which can then hit hard in the New Year when credit card bills land on the doorstep. Neil Smith, Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board suicide prevention programme lead, said: “We know lots of people have already been struggling to manage their money because of the rising cost of living. And we know people will now be starting to receive those credit card bills from Christmas spending. “Our message is clear: don’t struggle in silence. Help is out there, you just need to reach out. “We know that being in debt can have a negative effect on people’s mental health and we want to make sure people are seeking help before they reach that point.” Dealing with money issues can sometimes be off-putting, and many people can feel ashamed. But most money and debt issues can easily be sorted through the help of organisations such as Citizens Advice. Emma Sylvester, debt services manager at Lancashire West Citizens Advice, said: “If you’re struggling with debt and being able to manage your money, we want to reassure you that you’re not alone and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. You just need to reach out for help. “In my role as a debt services manager, I have never said to anyone ‘we can’t help you with that’. There’s always a way.” Local authorities across Lancashire and South Cumbria are also offering cost of living support to residents. For more information about the support, you can receive from your local council, as well as Citizens Advice visit: healthierlsc.co.uk/costofliving HEALTH & WELLBEING BY ROBINA MALIK Nominate your health and care champions for Greater Manchester-wide awards The only Greater Manchester-wide awards for our whole health and care workforce are back for their fourth year and are bigger and better than ever. As well as regular favourites such as People’s Champion and Volunteer Champion, new categories have been introduced this year including our Lifetime Achievement Award and Employer/Workplace of the Year. Nominations across the thirteen categories are now open and the deadline for making submissions is 10 March 2023. The awards are organised by NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care (NHS GM), with support from the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham. They were established back in 2018, and in 2021 the awards went virtual to recognise those who had gone above and beyond during the pandemic. Previous winners include care home managers, social workers, disability advocate groups, fundraisers and even flight attendant crew workers who swapped serving people in the sky to serving patients in hospital. Nominations can be completed by colleagues or members of the public who wish to see an individual or team’s hard work recognised. Nominations can be completed online, or you can download a nomination form and send it back to us via email or post. For full details on the nomination process you can visit our website. The deadline for submissions is 10th March 2023. We are thrilled to announce that the winners will be revealed at a sponsored live ceremony in the summer. Janet Wilkinson, Chief People Officer of Greater Manchester Integrated Care said: “I am delighted that the Health and Care Champion Awards are back as a face-to-face event for 2023. They are a great opportunity to recognise and thank the people of Greater Manchester who go above and beyond at work or in their community. “Our health and care services are busier than ever, and our workforce continue to work tirelessly to deliver the best possible care. They really do deserve recognition for everything they do, often in challenging circumstances. So, if you know someone who has gone that extra mile, either at your local GP surgery, hospital or a volunteer who has dedicated their spare time helping others, then please do take five minutes to nominate them today.” Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham said: “We know things are tough for our health and care workers right now – and it is more important than ever that we champion the work they do right across Greater Manchester. “I’m thrilled the Health and Care Champion Awards are back, and in person, so we can come together to show our appreciation and thanks for the many individuals and teams who work so hard to care for others.”

perature and a cough, but when she was struggling to breathe was taken to the High Dependency Unit (HDU) and given oxygen. Maryam said: ““I was very overwhelmed and tired. I though this is really serious and when she was moved onto HDU I was wondering ‘what’s going to happen to my child?’ “I was distraught, I really thought I was going to lose my child, I thought she might die from this.” Now Maryam is encouraging others to ensure that their children have the protection from flu that the vaccine gives. She said: ““Go and get it done, don’t take the risk. It offers that extra level of protection and may help to reduce hospital admissions.” Julie Kelly, who is Interim Regional Director of Primary Care and Public Health Commissioning at NHS England, said: “This winter has been the worst flu season we’ve seen for a long time, with high levels of flu in the community and many people being admitted to hospital. “The flu virus changes every year, which is why we have a new vaccination each winter – so even if you have had a flu jab before, you’ll need this year’s jab to protect you and your loved ones. “Flu is really unpleasant for most, but for some can be dangerous. The best defence that we have to keep us safe this winter, from catching and spreading flu is to get the vaccine.” General practices and pharmacies are continuing to offer the flu vaccine to eligible people. It’s possible to book a flu vaccine at some pharmacies online at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/book-fluvaccination/. To find a wider list of pharmacies offering flu vaccination that you can contact directly book, visit https://www.nhs.uk/nhsservices/prescriptions-andpharmacies/pharmacy-nhsflu-vaccine-service/ . Children aged 2-3 can only be vaccinated at their GP practice. School immunisation teams have already taken the flu vaccine out to primary schools and are currently visiting secondary schools across the region to offer the vaccine to children in years 7 to 9. 18 January - 31 January 2023 www.asianleader.co.uk Asian LEADER 17 Brain cancer vaccine that `turns cells into killers' being developed North West public encouraged to get flu jabs as hospital cases soar Virtual art exhibition on living kidney donation among ethnic minority groups to `transform' knowledge around the subject S cientists are developing a vaccine that can simultaneously kill and prevent brain cancer by repurposing living tumour cells. The prospect of a vaccine for cancer has become one of the legacies of the COVID pandemic, with companies which developed those jabs having pivoted towards one of humanity’s biggest killers. US biotech giant Moderna is working on treatments with the same mRNA technology used in its coronavirus jab, while developers at German firm BioNTech believe such vaccines could be available within a decade. Personalised vaccines made from individual patients’ own DNA, thanks to similar methods that produced the AstraZeneca COVID jab, have also produced “really hopeful” early results. But scientists at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts, have taken a different approach to their brain cancer vaccine by attempting to turn the tumour cells themselves into anti-cancer agents. “Our team has pursued a simple idea: to take cancer cells and transform them into cancer killers and vaccines,” explained study author Khalid Shah. “Using gene engineering, we are repurposing cancer cells to develop a therapeutic that kills tumour cells, and stimulates the immune system, to both destroy primary tumours and prevent cancer.” The appeal of using living tumour cells is that - a bit like pigeons returning to roost - they will travel long distances across the brain to return to the site of their fellow tumour cells. It means that by engineering the living cells to release a tumour-killing agent, they can destroy the others. The engineered tumour cells were also designed to make them easy for the immune system to spot and remember, allowing it to better fight back against cancer in future. These engineered cells were made using a gene editing tool called CRISPRCas9, which has been used before to successfully alter pieces of defective DNA in human embryos to prevent inherited diseases. The edited tumour cells were tested in an advanced mouse model of the deadly brain cancer glioblastoma, and showcased promising results. The peer-reviewed study has been published in the Science Translational Medicine journal. ANorth West midwife who caught flu and thought she could die has joined patients and health chiefs in pleading with the public to get their flu vaccines amid rising hospital cases. It comes as latest data shows nearly 1,000 people in the North West were in hospital with flu in the week to January 1. Martyne Drinkall, who is a midwife at Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, is urging people to come forward for a flu jab after being admitted to intensive care last year, with flu. She said: “I was absolutely dripping in sweat, my chest was really full and I did feel like I was going to die. “I said to the doctor ‘I’m dying, I’m going to die here’. My husband and daughter then visited me and the look on their faces, my husband was absolutely traumatised by it.” Martyne, who receives the flu vaccine every year, was due her yearly jab when she fell ill. She said: “After the experience I have gone through, I would encourage everyone to have their vaccine as soon as possible so they are protected this winter. If I could save just one person and their family from going through what I did, I would be very happy.” The resurgence of flu this winter has meant the NHS has seen a continued rise in flu inpatients, including in ICU. Almost 2.5 million flu vaccines have been delivered in the North West to date, but there are still people that are eligible that have yet to take their winter vaccinations and are therefore at increased risk of serious illness. Those eligible for the flu jab include all people aged 50 and over, health and social care workers, people aged six months and over and considered “at risk” due to another medical condition, as well as pregnant women, children aged two and three and school aged children in primary school, as well as secondary school years 7-9. Children are able to receive their vaccination via a nasal spray and are encouraged to get the vaccine to not only protect themselves, but also reduce the risk of spreading the virus to others who may be vulnerable. An injectable vaccine is available for children who can’t have the nasal spray version. The mother of a four-yearold girl, who spent more than a week in the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital with flu is warning others to have their children vaccinated this winter. Maryam Sheiakh’s daughter, Saffy, was admitted to hospital with a high temAn innovative virtual art project aimed at increasing awareness about living kidney donation among ethnic minority groups is now available online to the public. Produced by the Centre of Ethnic Health Research (CEHR) and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) East Midlands, the virtual exhibition portrays people’s personal stories and experiences of living kidney donation through a variety of art, such as paintings, drawings, and poems. Entitled ‘The Gift’, the 3D virtual display includes information on kidney disease and kidney donation. Funded by the NHS Blood and Transplant Community Investment Scheme, the new exhibition will primarily target South Asian, African and African Caribbean communities, which have higher rates of kidney disease, and often need to wait longer for a kidney transplant. Prior studies have found that ethnic minority groups may lack knowledge around the organ donation process, particularly in relation to their religion or cultural beliefs, causing them to be more hesitant about organ transplants. University of Leicester Research Fellow, Dr Thomas Wilkinson, who is leading the project, said: “We believe that the online art exhibition will educate and inspire people on living kidney donation, especially those from ethnic minority communities.” “We are indebted to all those who came forward with powerful stories of their personal journeys of living with kidney disease and the effect kidney transplantation has had on their, and their loved ones, lives” Bharat Patel has shared his story in the online art exhibition after his wife, Avril Patel, donated her kidney to him. The 65-year-old was on the organ donor waiting list for seven years and describes his life during this time as “nonexistent”. Mr Patel said: “I’m lost for words for how thankful I am to my wife who displayed sheer bravery, heroism and gave me the ultimate gift of life that can be given to any human being. “Since having the transplant I have been given a new lease of life and I am now encouraging families to consider joining the organ donor register, especially ethnic minority communities who have a lack of knowledge and understanding around living organ donations.” Statistics show that Leicester has one of the largest kidney services in the UK, with approximately 100 kidney transplants taking place in the city each year – a third of which come from living donors. Professor Kamlesh Khunti CBE, who is the Director of the NIHR ARC East Midlands and is also Professor of Primary Care Diabetes and Vascular Medicine at the University of Leicester, said: “Whilst we are aware from national and clinical data that kidney disease disproportionality affects a range of ethnic communities, this exhibition is available to everyone, regardless of their specific ethnic group. “The innovative, 3D virtual art display is now live, and we are encouraging the public to get behind our new project so that we can develop their understanding on living kidney donation.”

18 Asian LEADER www.asianleader.co.uk 18 January - 31 January 2023 entertainment In Association with American distributor Oscilloscope Laboratories to release Saim Sadiq's Joyland in the US Another year and another milestone for the maestro Ali Sethi as he’s set to perform at the grandest stage of all “Coachella”, (The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California) Ali Sethi is one of Pakistan’s iconic singers who has sung some great songs and made everyone fall in love with his soothing voice. Last year, Ali Sethi set the benchmark of music with his everlasting track “Pasoori” which became ultimately popular all over the globe within a few years and gained various rewards. Looks like Ali Sethi isn’t ready to sit back because he’s ready to perform at Coachella along with his fellow desi singer and international ones. Last year, Grammy award winner Arooj Aftab became the first Pakistani to perform at Coachella, an American art and music festival. Ali Sethi continued the tradition and was added to the roster. Ali shared the poster of the event on his Instagram handle and let everyone about this great achievement. K-pop boyband BTS' concert film yet to come to screen in Pakistani cinemas Another big achievement! Ali Sethi is all set to perform at Coachella T here is some news for the Pakistani BTS ARMY — the K-pop boyband’s concert film Yet to Come is all set to screen in Pakistan on February 1. Cinema chain Cinepax took to Instagram on Wednesday and shared the official poster of the film with the release date on it. The film poster can also be seen on the Cinepax website in the ‘coming soon’ section. The cinema’s official Twitter account retweeted a schedule by BTS that read that advance booking for the tickets is open now while the film releases on Feb 1. The nearly two-hour long film is described to be a special cinematic cut that has been re-edited and remixed for the big screen. It will feature the band members Jin, SUGA, j-hope, RM, Jimin, V and Jungkook at their concert Yet to Come in Busan that was held last year on October 15 to support South Korea’s bid to host World Expo in 2030. The Korean band also has a massive fan group in Pakistan. From getting their songs to the top charts to giving charity and hosting birthday events for their idols, they’ve done it all proudly. S aim Sadiq’s Joyland has earned itself yet another international fan, this time in a fellow filmmaker. Sean Baker of films The Florida Project, Red Rocket and Tangerine took to Twitter and lauded American film distributor Oscilloscope Laboratories’ decision to release the film in the US. On Sunday, Baker tweeted, “Great news. Oscilloscope is releasing Saim Sadiq’s beautiful film. Happens to be the first Pakistani film to be shortlisted for the Oscars,” in response to Oscilloscope Laboratories tweet, announcing that Joyland has joined their “O-Scope family” as they are proud to release the much “captivating and essential” Pakistani film. The distribution company also announced that it will be available to watch in cinemas this year. Shah Rukh Khan beats Tom Cruise, Jackie Chan on world's richest actors' list S hah Rukh Khan is all set to return to the big screen after four years with Pathaan and while one might think that staying away from the movies might have affected his net worth, this has not been the case for the King of Bollywood. As per a recent list released by the World of Statistics, Shah Rukh Khan is the third richest actor in the world with his net worth at $770 million. The list is led by Seinfeld star Jerry Seinfeld and Tyler Perry with $1 billion. They are followed by Dwayne Johnson, with $800 million. Shah Rukh Khan is the only Indian on the list. SRK, apart from acting, has a sports business, his VFX company and a host of other business ventures. Top Gun star Tom Cruise follows SRK on the list with $620 million. The only other non-American, apart from SRK, on this list is Jackie Chan with $520 million. George Clooney and Robert De Niro end the list with $500 million.

18 January - 31 January 2023 www.asianleader.co.uk Asian LEADER 19

20 Asian LEADER www.asianleader.co.uk 18 January - 31 January 2023 You’ve decided it’s time to transition to an EV but, and whisper this, deep down you’re a bit of a luddite. All you’ll want to know is how to plug it in, as for the rest, can it please just be a regular car like, you know, a Volkswagen Golf. You’re in luck. The VW ID.3 which, despite looking ultra-modern, has actually been out for three years now, and is about the same footprint as a Golf (albeit a little taller), with essentially represents the same sort of positioning within the line-up. The rounded-bubble styling is both very 21st Century and appealingly friendly with some neat little touches, such as the sloping front, sharp roof spoiler, and the geometric motif that appears not just on the C-Pillar decals, but also the front bumper and even within the headlights. The white-onblack VW logo roundel is also a neat touch on the ID.3 Max Pro Performance tested. How much are we talking for one of these? Well, this car is £39,500, and with options that price shoots up further to around £43k. To be fair the starting price for an ID.3 is less jaw-dropping at £36,990. Having said that a Golf starts at under £26,000. It comes with a 58kWh battery giving you a range of 258 miles as claimed. There’s 204bhp on tap along with 310Nm of torque and while performance isn’t typically electrifying as with most EVs, an acceleration time from rest to 62mph in 7.3 seconds isn’t too tardy along with a top speed of 99mph. This in a machine that weighs 1812kg. Open the rear hatchback (not powered) and you get 385 litres of luggage capacity, with an adjustable floor, which you’ll normally leave flushed with the rear load lip and keep the charging cables underneath. There’s split folding seats and a ski-slot. Get into the rear and as six-foot two-inches with the driver’s seat set for myself, I found excess knee room and the tall body afforded decent headroom too. The higher floor (platform contains batteries) may rob your feet of a little space, but the light-airy cabin thanks to a large glass area (including the extended glass roof) and bright multitoned trim that employs canvas and leather-style materials to give the cabin a stylish as well as spacious feel. There’s USB-C plugs in the back and front, as well as ISOFIX child seat anchor points. Slide into the driver’s seat, and detecting your buttocks instantly wakes up the ID.3 and it puts itself on standby. There’s no starter button, it’s ready to go as soon as you are. At first acquaintance the expansive space, comfy seats and good space will be appreciated. Once you get past the lack of any way to start it, you might find yourself fearful of centre console that does have cup-holders, a cubby box and a wireless charger, but no gear selector. There are no light switches on the right of the steering wheel, as is usually the case with a VW Group product. Still at least you get to click the seatbelt in as usual. But stick with it, it’s just a slight readjustment, talking of which, pull or lever the steering to your preference and you will find that the instrument display moves with it. It’s mounted on the steering column. And the minimalist screen isn’t on its own, the pod-like structure features a protrusion on the side that actually proffers the twist selector for the transmission. Crank it into D and let’s go, trust me, you’ll be fine. Just adjust the side mirrors before you set off, as I found them confusing and inadvertently ended up folding them in on the move. You might also want to figure out how to operate the rear windows, even though they don’t have separate buttons. The EV-typical instant throttle response is there, but the acceleration and performance aren’t overwhelming or shocking. The steering is well-weighted but responsive. You sit high, and it feels a little like driving an SUV, except that you can feel the centre of gravity is much lower down, hence there is less disconcerting lean during cornering. It rides astonishingly well, keeping the passenger cell well damped and retaining high levels of comfort. There is some road noise, but if you flip on the stereo, you’ll be greeted by great sound and base. Though to get back to the sat nav, you need to hit the home button – which is just a blue outlined switch. It took me a while to realise that. But there are regular buttons under the screen to operate the climate control and main features. If some of the above is starting to put you off again, because it still sounds a little alien compared to your Golf TDi, it’s all about a User Interface that you’ll get used to within minutes. What some new EV drivers find more difficult to adjust to is the drive, but the ID.3 just drives like a quiet and quick regular Golf. Select B on the transmission and you get extra regen – well worth it around town to make use of the braking to keep your range as high as possible. Lifting off the throttle will slow the car a little more, but it’s not entirely one-pedal mode, you must still employ the brake pedal to slow and stop. It’s easy to drive then, but can it be fun. Being a rear-wheel drive car (the drive motor is in the rear) gives it a little more sporting personality on a twisty road than you might have expected. Its attitude is a little more darty, and it can hunker down and get on with business if you pick up the pace as there’s good grip and road-holding. The VW ID.3 is your everyday, straight-forward, get in and get all the driving-chores done, sort of handy little family car. The range will work well around town, it’ll be reasonable rapid and enjoyable enough out of the city, you’ll be comfortable and feel well catered-too and safe in a solid car with the iconic VW roundel. Plus, there’s little learning involved to transition to this EV. Watch my video review of Volkswagen ID.3 now by scanning this QR code with your mobile phone! Volkswagen ID.3 - REVIEW the Golf of the EV world With MOTORING Shahzad Sheikh Follow #BrownCarGuy

18 January - 31 January 2023 www.asianleader.co.uk Asian LEADER 21 Toyota showcases retrofit upgrades to classic models Under the theme of ‘Leaving No Car Lovers Behind,’ Toyota has showcased alternative-fuel and zero-emission versions of some of its 1980s sports models, making an important point about making existing cars carbon-neutral rather than rushing to replace them all. The AE86 generation of rear-wheel drive hatchbacks and coupes from Toyota, still commands an adoring cult following around the world, and Toyota exhibited two examples at the Tokyo Auto Salon, one converted to an EV, and another as a hydrogen-powered model. Bucking the trend of the industry at large, which is following legislation to transition the world’s drivers over to brand new electric cars as soon as possible, Toyota President Akio Toyoda, made an extremely pertinent point about remodelling existing cars to help achieve the world target of zeroemissions by 2050. Especially important, as in Japan only 5% of cars are new. “It’s important to leave a choice for cars that are already loved or owned by someone,” Toyoda, a selfconfessed motoring enthusiast and race-car driver, explained. With the proposal that promoting the carbon neutralisation of vehicles currently in customer use is essential, Toyota Gazoo Racing created a hydrogen engine AE86 H2 Concept which was displayed alongside a battery electric AE86 conversion, the AE86 BEV Concept. Gazoo Racing used knowledge gained through its running of a hydrogenpowered race car in Japan’s Super Taikyu series to create the AE86 H2 Concept, a vehicle that provides the noise and sensations of an internal combustion engine but runs on hydrogen thanks to high-pressure hydrogen fuel tanks. Other modifications, including fuel injectors, fuel pipes, and spark plugs, have been kept to the minimum. The AE86 BEV Concept maintains as far as possible the AE86’s light weight and front-rear weight balance, together with a manual transmission in a vehicle that has the potential to deliver even greater driving performance than the original. Elements have been used from a wide range of Toyota electrified sources, including a motor from the hybrid electric Tundra pick-up and a battery unit that’s also used in the Prius Plug-in. Both concepts also look to carbon neutrality by re-using seats and seatbelts and seatbelt pads made from recycled materials. Additionally, Toyota announced the Gazoo Racing Heritage Parts Project, an initiative to re-issue discontinued service parts and sell them as new, genuine parts to help customers keep their classic Toyota models on the road. In 2023 Toyota Gazoo Racing plans to extend the programme, launching 32 items for eight classic vehicles, including the Land Cruiser 60, 70 and 80 models. Nonetheless the manufacturer has a firm eye on the future. While Toyota has focused more on hybrids, having been at the forefront of the petrol-electric drivetrain technology with Prius, and hydrogen fuel-cell cars, in the past, the Japanese giant has confirmed plans to invest $70 billion to electrify its vehicles and produce more batteries with the aim of selling at least 3.5 million EVs in 2030. Tesla prices cuts! T esla has reduced prices in the US and Europe by as much as 20%, coming on the back of CEO Elon Musk warning that a global recession and higher interest rates would mean lowering prices, and profit, in order to sustain growth. Prices are also being lowered in the Middle East and Africa following a series of cuts in Asia previously. Last week saw Tesla shares falling as much as 6.4% on a single day. Rival stocks were also hit, with GM and Ford shares falling 4.5% and 6% respectively. Stellantis dropped 3.7% and Volkswagen was down 3.6%. In the UK the prices of the Model 3 have gone from £52k to £43k and the Model Y Performance flagship is down £10,000 from £68k to £58k. Great news if you are thinking of buying a Tesla. Not so great news if you just took delivery of one, or if you’ve got one on order. If you already ordered a new Tesla, check with your dealer to see if they will adjust it to the newer price. Legally they don’t have to, if you’ve already signed a contract. However, you could cancel your order, and then reorder, bear in mind that will end up at the back of the queue, and it will take longer to get your car. When Tesla cut prices in China, owners protested at delivery centres calling for compensation. There’s one other thing to keep in mind, residuals have dropped significantly on Teslas over the last year. The Model 3 lost as much as 23%, whereas something like the Audi e-Tron Sportback only lost 9%. Suzuki's First EV Concept Revealed in India S uzuki presented the global debut of its first all-electric car, the eVX at the Maruti Suzuki Pavillion at Auto Expo 2023 in Delhi, India. The new EV is set to be introduced for sale in 2025, and is said to combine Suzuki’s established off-roading DNA with a fully electric drivetrain, while retaining the style and personality of a Suzuki. It has rugged futuristic styling with a bluff front end, a huge Suzuki logo in place of a grille and muscular wheel arches and fenders. The aim is to carry the brand’s 4x4 legacy forward. The concept eVX is said to have a range of 550km (340 miles) with a 60kWh battery. “I am delighted to unveil the eVX, our first global strategic EV” said Toshihiro Suzuki, president of Suzuki. “At the Suzuki Group, addressing global warming is a priority. We are promoting a range of global measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.” EV running costs higher than petrol! T he cost of rapidcharging an electric car has risen up 50% in eight months as energy prices have rocketed, and fuel prices have actually come down. According to research from the RAC, it can now cost more per mile to run an EV than a petrol car! It now costs an average of 70.32p per kilowatt hour to rapid charge on a payas-you-go basis, up from 44.55p (58%) last May. Drivers now pay £36 to charge a typical family-sized electric car with a 64kWh battery to 80%, which would give it an approximate 188 mile range. The price of using the fastest ultra-rapid chargers, with outputs of over 100kW is 74.79p per kilowatt hour, taking the total price for 80% to £38.29. However, despite record high domestic energy prices, the cost of charging an EV at home is still less than half at £17.87. According to the RAC, drivers using rapid chargers now pay 20p per mile, which is higher than the equivalent per-mile rate for a petrol car which averages about 40mpg and works out to 17p per mile. A similar diesel car would be 20p per mile, the same cost as an EV. Campaign group FairCharge are concerned that the higher costs risk dissuading drivers from choosing EVs, despite recent record-breaking numbers of EV registrations, especially during the current cost-of-living crisis. They have called for the Government to cut the VAT rate on electricity at public charging points from 20% to 5% (the same as on domestic use energy). If you can charge at home, and don’t do journeys long-enough to require public chargers, then it’s still worth buying an EV.

resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels, the display will come with Corning Gorilla Glass 5. The device will be powered by MediaTek Dimensity 1080 mobile processor and it will also come with a choice of RAM and storage. This will include 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage and 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. The handset listed on Geekbench had 6GB of RAM. Other specifications on the new Galaxy A34 5G will include a 13-megapixel front-facing camera for making video calls and taking Selfies. On the back of the handset, there will be a 48-megapixel main camera, an 8-megapixel ultrawide camera, and a 5-megapixel macro camera. 22 Asian LEADER www.asianleader.co.uk 18 January - 31 January 2023 TECH & GADGET Samsung Galaxy A34 5G gets benchmarked New Apple AirPods Max 2 coming next year T he AirPods Max are Apple’s most expensive headphones, these over-ear headphones retail for £549, it is not clear as yet what upgrades the new model will get over the existing model. Apple is expected to launch a number of new devices this year, although it looks like we may have to wait until next year to see the new AirPods Max 2 headphones. We are expecting a new range of Macs this year, with some new MacBook Pros and MacBook Air models expected to launch. We are also expecting to see some new iPads from Apple as well and of course its new range of iPhones. There are expected to be four models of the iPhone this year, all with the Dynamic Island, this should include the iPhone 15, iPhone Plus, and the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max. Orange has launched its latest wireless headphone, the Orange Crest Edition Mk II headphones and these new headphones get a range of updates over the previous model. As well as being wireless, the new Orange Crest Edition headphones also feature MSI has added a new addition to their range of mice by announcing the imminent availability of its new Clutch GM31 mouse. The lightweight wireless gaming mouse is equipped with a PIXART PAW-3311 sensor rated for 12,000 DPI sensitivity and 300 IPS movement tracking. “Located on the underside of the mouse is a DPI switch with durable OMRON switches under the left and right buttons rated to last over 60 million clicks." As you would expect the mouse settings can be tweaked using the companies MSI Center software and the design weighs just 73 g and features an internal battery capable of providing up to 7 hours of battery life from a 10 minute charge. Other features include a supply charging dock as well as a USB wireless 2.4G transmitter dongle and handy USB-C to USB-A charging cable. Sporting the latest 2.4G wireless technology, the Clutch GM31 Lightweight Wireless transmits inputs at just 1 ms speeds resulting in smooth and stable mouse movement throughout the competition. Battery life lasts up to 110 hours on a full charge. The included charging dock allows a convenient and userfriendly charging experience by easily stationing the mouse on it. Gamers who need to return to the game faster can charge the mouse for 10 minutes to get up to 7 hours of battery life. Alternatively, they can continue playing by connecting the included USB type-C cable directly into the mouse. The provided battery lifetimes may vary depending on usage and environmental conditions Utilising the same lightweight plastic material as its predecessor, the Clutch GM31 Lightweight Wireless weighs in at an ultra-light 73 g. This results in rapid yet effortless movement, delivering outstanding gameplay with each move. The small ergonomic chassis makes the mouse a better choice for gamers with small to medium-sized hands and provides excellent comfort in most grip styles. It also features gaming grade 100% pure PTFE mouse skates which have a single-directional surface texture and double-cut edges that make each move faster and more precise. MSI Clutch GM31 lightweight wireless gaming mouse a 3.5mm audio jack which means that they can be used wired as well. Orange has upgraded and refined its much-loved Crest Edition wireless headphones for 2023. Designed for outstanding sonic performance, the Mk II retains the classic Orange Amps retro styling but adds improved wireless transmission using Bluetooth 5.0 technology, and a longer-life battery, offering up to 40 hours run-time on a single charge. When the headphones run low on power, a ten-minute USBC charge will provide up to 90 minutes of extra play. Developed specifically for the ears of experienced and discerning music listeners, the headphones create a nuanced and well-balanced sound that will breathe new life into favourite albums, reproducing what the producer intended without the kind of exaggerated bass or over-intrusive high end that blights so many other brands at this price point. The new Orange Crest Edition Mk II headphones are now available to order and they retail for £95 in the UK. Orange Crest Edition Mk II headphones unveiled Phillips has introduced a couple of new 40 inch ultrawide monitors this week in the form of the Philips 40B1U5600 and 40B1U5601H. The new displays feature USB-C connectivity with USB 3.2 protocol high-speed data transfer, together with an UltraWide QHD 3440 x 1440 resolution, support for DisplayHDR 400 with the 40B1U5600 and are equipped with integrated five megapixel web cameras supMicroLED is coming to Apple and Samsung smartwatches Philips 40 inch ultrawide monitors porting Windows Hello facial recognition, combined with a noise-cancelling microphone on the 40B1U5601H. If you are interested in purchasing the Philips 40B1U5600 is already available to purchase 40B1U5601H will be available soon later this month priced at £649.99 and £739.99 respectively. Both the 40B1U5600 and the 40B1U5601H are equipped with USB TypeC connectors with power delivery – ideal for clutterfree multitasking. A single slim, reversible USB-C cable provides easy connection and allows users to watch high resolution video while transferring data at ultrafast speeds and charging c o m p a t i b l e devices all at the same time. However, the 40B1U5601H provides even greater connectivity, as a top solution for the most demanding professionals. The added convenience of RJ45 through USB-C offers a fast and secure connection when needed, while DisplayPort-out lets users daisy-chain multiple displays using just one cable. With the MultiClient Integrated KVM switch, users can control two separate PCs with one monitorkeyboard-mouse set-up, conveniently switching between sources. The best smartwatches are brilliant things, but they could be even brighter: microLED displays promise to be brighter than the OLEDs in today's smartwatches, capable of even more than the 2,000 nits peak b r i g h t n e s s of the Apple Watch Ultra. And the tech is destined for both the Apple Watch and the Samsung Galaxy Watch too. That's according to a new report from South Korea, as reported (opens in new tab) by Sammobile, that says Samsung is beginning to commercialise microLED for smartwatches. Samsung Display is a key Apple supplier, and we've already seen reports that Apple is keen to get microLED onto your wrist. Like OLED displays it's self-emissive, so there's no backlight to worry about, but it promises to deliver even higher brightness, better contrast and more accurate colour reproduction. Most importantly of all from a wearables perspective, microLED should be more energy efficient than OLED – so that means longer battery life too. As ever with new technology, microLED is still comparatively expensive to produce: costs only really come down when manufacturers find the most efficient production methods and start shifting serious volumes.

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24 Asian LEADER www.asianleader.co.uk 18 January - 31 January 2023 Published by Best Asian Media Ltd. 187 Drake Street, Rochdale, Lancashire, OL11 1EF. Registered as a newspaper at the Post Offi ce. Printed by Sheffi eld Web, Caxton Way, Dinnington Colliery Site, Outgang Lane, Dinnington, South Yorkshire, S25 3QE SAVE LIVES NOW 03000 999 786 alkhair.org WINTER PACK £30 As the cold weather sets in, millions are struggling to keep warm. For those living in poverty, it is a time of great hardship and every winter becomes a fight for survival. HELP A STRUGGLING FAMILY WITHSTAND ANOTHER WINTER! SKY 778 www.iqra.tv Watch Live Appeal