Lord Nazir Ahmed with Khalistani protesters in London (File)
Nazir Ahmed, former Lord at the British parliament, and his two elder brothers had been on trial at Sheffield Crown Court accused of sexually assaulting two children in Rotherham in the late 1960s and early 1970s … reports Asian Lite News
The Sheffield Crown Court has granted unconditional bail to former Rotherham peer Nazir Ahmed and his two brothers in a historic sexual abuse case as the Crown Prosecution Service challenges its decision to throw out a historic case against them.
The Crown Prosecution Service said it will challenge Judge Jeremy Richardson’s decision to halt the trial after the lapses by the prosecution. The judge dissolved the jury team after four days of trial.
The judge was too critical of the prosecution and said the case should be thrown out due to the CPS’s failure to serve evidence on the defence in time.
Barrister Tom Little represented the CPS. The CPS decision to challenge the court decision makes Nazir Ahmed and his brothers could face another trial in the future, probably in 2022.
Judge Richardson had branded prosecutors as “shameful” for serving “a heap of material” on the defence during the proceedings and “sabotaging” the trial.
Ahmed had been on trial at Sheffield Crown Court accused of sexually assaulting two children in Rotherham in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Judge Richardson stopped the trial after two days of evidence had been heard and discharged the jury after the series of late disclosures by the prosecution. He sought to permanently stay the indictment, which meant the case could not go to a re-trial, at a hearing on Monday after branding the prosecution “disgraceful” over its failure to provide all the evidence to the defence well in advance of the trial.
The judge said the prosecution took 13 months to disclose evidence to Lord Nazir and his brothers.
He said if he listened to the request of the prosecution to order a retrial then “the complainants may feel cheated and the public may demand that justice is done”.
The judge described the situation as a “comprehensive mess” and “shameful”.
Ahmed (63), of East Bawtry Road, Rotherham, was accused of sexually assaulting a boy between 1971 and 1972 and of attempting to rape a girl between 1973 and 1974. The former Rotherham councillor faced counts of buggery, indecent assault and two counts of attempted rape. His brothers, Mohammed Farouq and Mohammed Tariq, were accused of assaulting the same boy, but had been ruled unfit to plead and faced a trial of the facts. Tariq (65), of Gerard Road, Rotherham, faced two counts of indecent assault between 1968 and 1972 and Farouq (70), of Worrygoose Lane, Rotherham, faced four counts of indecent assault between 1970 and 1972.
Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen pointed out that the hostile and terrorist escalation by the Houthi militia are war crimes and a violation of international law …. Reports Akbar Basha
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen condemned the Houthi militia’s attacks on civilian targets in Saudi Arabia.
In a statement issued today, Dr. Al-Othaimeen also condemned the terrorist Houthi militia’s launching of a bomb-laden UAV towards civilians in Southern Region of Sudi Arabia.
He praised the vigilance of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen that managed to intercept and destroy the ballistic missile and the bomb-laden UAV.
Dr. Al-Othaimeen affirmed OIC’s support for all measures taken by the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen to deal with terrorist Houthi militia’s actions to protect civilians and civilian objects in accordance with international humanitarian law. He pointed out that the hostile and terrorist escalation by the Houthi militia are war crimes and a violation of international law.
Meanwhile, UN chief Guterres appeal all parties to restrain from escalating attacks.
“It is really quite simple. Such actions are detrimental to the mediation efforts being carried out by our special envoy, Martin Griffiths, who will continue to work with all parties to advance the political process to reach a negotiated settlement to end the conflict,” Stephane Dujarric, the chief spokesman for Guterres, said.
“We urge all parties to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law,” he added.
Dujarric said the condemnation was for multiple drone and ballistic missile attacks reportedly carried out Sunday against various Saudi Arabia sites by the Houthis who claimed responsibility.
Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen , OIC-Secretary General
On Sunday, the Houthi militia has confirmed attacking Saudi Aramco facilities in Ras al-Tannura port in the Kingdom’s Dammam region and other targets Asir and Jazan with eight ballistic missiles and 14 bomb-laden drones.
A Houthi military spokesman vowed that his group would continue attacking Saudi Arabia as long as the war and blockade continue on Yemen.
Yemen has been mired in a civil war since late 2014 when the Iran-backed Houthi rebels seized control of several northern Yemeni provinces and forced the internationally-recognized government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi out of Sanaa. The Saudi-led Arab coalition intervened in the Yemeni conflict in 2015 to support Hadi’s government.
Oil Price Rises
Global crude oil prices jumped above $70 a barrel on Monday for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic began.
The spike in oil prices comes after Iran-backed Houthi rebels unleashed a coordinated attack on Saudi Arabia oil facilities and military bases. Consequently, the Brent crude futures jumped above $70 a barrel on Monday. Similarly, the US crude touched its highest in more than two years. Parallelly, the rise will have an impact on domestic petrol and diesel prices.
Lately, prices of petrol have crossed the psychological Rs 100 per litre-mark in some cities leading to increasing public outcry against the high prices and the inflationary impact of the auto fuels.
“Geopolitical tensions have supported the crude prices. Brent may test $73 and WTI may test $70,” Anuj Gupta, DVP Research, Angel Broking.
Bomb-laden Drones
Yemen’s Houthi militia has confirmed attacking Saudi Aramco facilities with eight ballistic missiles and 14 bomb-laden drones, an official of the rebel group said.
“The attack targeted Aramco facilities in Ras al-Tannura port in Dammam region and other targets in the regions of Asir and Jazan,” Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said in a statement aired by the group’s al-Masirah TV.
He vowed that his group would continue attacking Saudi Arabia as long as the war and blockade continue on Yemen.. Last November, the Houthis had claimed of attacking Aramco’s distribution station in Jeddah, but it was not officially confirmed by Saudi Arabia.
Kishan Devani BEM signed by renowned Literary Agent David H Headley to write his memoir… reports Asian Lite News
Kishan Devani BEM, FRSA has been signed by renowned Literary Agent David H Headley to pen his Memoir.
Kishan, 36, expressed his delight to be able to write his memoir at such a young age, which he hopes will inspire BAME and disadvantaged communities across the globe to aspire and achieve whatever they wish, whatever circumstances they may or may not be in.
As the son of Ugandan Asian refugees, his memoir will speak of the trials, tribulations, successes, and failures of life and how grit, determination, dedication, passion and faith brought him through.
The memoir will encompass pertinent topics which have a part of Kishan’s life, from Politics, Education to his strong Hindu Faith, Arranged Marriages to Queen’s Honours and from Parental Divorce to IVF – the Book promises to be exhilarating, inspirational and profoundly pertinent.
A book to inspire others to break through the glass celing, see no boundaries and continually strive to achieve regardless of your background or circumstances. It promises to be a cracking read for all.
Kishan Devani BEM, FRSA and David H Headley
David H Headley has spent the last 21 years establishing Goldsboro Books and building good relationships with editors within the UK’s major publishing houses. He has a good eye for what readers want to read and he has gained a reputation for championing debut authors.
David expressed his delight in welcoming Kishan.
“I am delighted to welcome Kishan to DHH and can’t wait to share his extraordinary and inspiring story with others,” he said.
David created the UK’s largest collectors’ book club and is influential in selling large quantities of hardback fiction in the UK. David has won awards for bookselling and in 2015 and 2020, he was included in the Top 100 most influential people in publishing by The Bookseller.
David is the managing director of the D H H Literary Agency which he founded in 2008 and represents an eclectic range of best-selling and award-winning authors.
FIVE RIVERS – The world’s first Indian white spiced rum debuts in the UK … reports Asian Lite News
Five Rivers, from the Sanghera Rum Company, is making its debut in the UK. The world’s first Indian white spiced rum is the perfect new addition to the statement drinks trolley, with a beautiful, distinctive bottle, unlike any other.
Taj Sanghera, Founder, Five Rivers
The tipple is best enjoyed in a new and unexpected way for a rum – over ice in a tall glass with tonic, lime and star anise.
“Rum has soared in popularity over the last year, but its long-standing Indian heritage and methods of production – which are recorded as early as the 7th century – aren’t widely known,” said Taj Sanghera, Founder. “India is the largest sugar producing country in the world, and we’re proud to bring the world’s first Indian white spiced rum to the UK.”
Five Rivers mixes equally well in creative cocktails; innovative signature serves include the Sanghera Sour, Mai Chai and the Punjabi Punch.
The unique liquid is flavoured with a blend of Indian spices: cardamom, cassia, cloves, coriander and ginger, and re-distilled to extract the best flavours. With no added flavourings or sugar, a strong personal heritage and a contemporary bottle, it’s a premium choice for discerning drinkers.
On the nose, it has a rich stewed fruit and candied citrus spiciness. The initial taste is sweet clove and cinnamon, which then leads to a clean, dry and aromatic cardamom spice, with a long and warming peppery finish coming from the ginger.
Refined from five generations of family rum production near Jalandhar in Northern Punjab and made with sugarcane traditionally grown on the Sanghera family’s farm, Five Rivers brings the flavours of India to life. Wanting to elevate the quality of rum, the Sanghera family created Five Rivers for the western palate, in a similar way to gin but with unmistakable Indian flavours.
Five Rivers Rum
Punjab translates as ‘The Land of Five Rivers’ in English, honouring the five rivers that flow from the Himalayas, nourishing the surrounding fields of sugarcane and spice, giving the spirit its name.
India is steadily reinforcing its soft power and core philosophical values of compassion and generosity with the help of vaccine diplomacy…. Writes Aarti Tikoo Singh
Nothing is impossible if there is a will. Sharing is caring and we need a global action plan to tame the Covid pandemic. Despite its one billion plus population, India is showing its generosity by sharing precious Covid vaccine with its neighbours and allies. The move is steadily reinforcing its soft power and core philosophical values of compassion and generosity.
The government has so far gifted over 62 lakh doses of Covid-19 vaccines to its immediate and extended neighbourhood, out of the 170 lakh doses supplied to at least 20 countries across the world. As per the Foreign Ministry’s official data, the government, in accordance with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, has distributed over 62 lakh doses of locally made AstraZeneca PLC vaccine among Bangladesh (20), Myanmar (15), Nepal (10), Sri Lanka (5), Afghanistan (5), Bhutan (1.5) and others.
In the extended neighbourhood, India gifted the vaccine doses to Brazil, Canada, Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Bahrain, Oman, Barbados and Dominica.
About 60 per cent of global vaccine production comes from India, making it the largest producer of vaccines in the region. Apart from Covid-19 vaccines, India is the largest supplier of the DPT, BCG and Measles vaccines globally.
The WHO sources 70 per cent of its essential immunisation vaccines from India. Apart from the grant, India has sold out 105 lakh doses to Bangladesh (50), Brazil (20), Morocco(20), Egypt (0.5), Algeria (0.5), South Africa (10), Kuwait (2) and UAE(2).
When the coronavirus pandemic broke out in January last year, all the big and advanced economies rushed to develop a vaccine for the deadly virus which has infected millions and killed over 2.3 million people across the world so far.
As of now, only ten vaccines including Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine produced by UK and Sweden and BBV152 produced by India’s Bharat Biotech, are authorized for public use.
China, India’s rival, has been in the race for vaccine-development too. After former United States’ President Donald Trump’s administration held Beijing responsible for the pandemic, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), desperately began to undo the damage to its image in the world.
However, Beijing’s simultaneous aggression in its neighbourhood-rapid militarization of South China Sea, crackdown on pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong, threats to occupy Taiwan, persecution of Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang province, occupation of Tibet and a violent face-off along the Line of Actual Control in India’s eastern Ladakh, has not helped it much.
The new administration in Washington, has not radically changed the Trump administration’s broader policy vis-a-vis China. In fact, the Joe Biden government is pursuing the previous government’s efforts at strengthening the Quad grouping-US, Japan, India and Australia-to contain China’s aggression in and outside Asia.
On the contrary, Modi has rapidly and deftly moved with ‘vaccine diplomacy’ to strengthen India’s ties with its neighbours who often get manipulated by the CCP for investments and other favours.
Senior officials in the government here believe that this pushback by India to counter China’s dominance will have a long-term impact. China’s influence is slowly eroding the influence it enjoyed until recently and its negative image because of its imperialistic policies is only growing, sources in the government said.
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India’s Help to Arabs
India has supplied seven Arab countries with its COVID-19 vaccine.
Egypt, Algeria and Kuwait are the latest recipients of Indian vaccines in the Arab world. The Emirates News Agency (WAM) had reported that the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) received the first shipment of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine from India.
The UAE Ambassador to India, Dr. Ahmed Al Banna, tweeted the gratitude to India for the Covishield-AstraZeneca vaccine developed by the Serum Institute of India. The Ambassador said, “the supply of the vaccines follows the ongoing cooperation and collaboration between the UAE and India across various fields, including in dealing with the COVID-19 global pandemic.”
Srivastava said, “Exports of Indian vaccines are an ongoing process, depending on availability and domestic requirements.” In coming weeks, Indian vaccines are scheduled to reach CARICOM countries in the Caribbean, Pacific Island States, Nicaragua, Afghanistan and Mongolia.
A medical health worker giving a shot of Covishield vaccine to a frontline worker. Covid-19 vaccination drive at private hospital daryaganj in New Delhi
A health worker analyses samples of COVID-19 vaccines, developed by Chinese company Sinovac
Union Health & Family Welfare, Science & Technology and Earth Sciences Minister Harsh Vardhan addresses at the launch of the National Clinical Registry for COVID-19, Vaccine Web Portal, Mobile Stroke Unit and ICMR-NIN Documents, at ICMR headquarters, in New Delhi on Sep 28, 2020. (Photo: IANS/PIB)
Mr Manish Tiwari, MD of Here and Now 365 Ltd, said the Committee of Advertising Practice has banned harmful gender stereotypes in advertising. “It is a step in the right direction.We must end the negative stereotyping of women of colour in advertising and the media,” Mr Tiwari told Asian Lite News …. A special report to mark International Women’s Day
Happy International Women’s Day! This year’s theme is #ChooseToChallenge, which is all about challenging the stereotypes that hold women back. Here and Now 365, one of the leading multi-cultural media firms in London, choose to challenge the portrayal of ethnic women in advertising.
They believe that it is important to stay away from stereotyping when portraying ethnic women in ads.
Preet Khanna, Account Director, here & Now, said: “It is a tight rope walk. We need a seamless balance between the many different Asian women we meet. We must challenge stereotypes without alienating any audience segment, we’re, of course leading from the front and helping brands achieve this. We actively advise and nudge brands to move away from an image of Asian women, that seems stuck in time. It is regressive and simply not reflective of today’s realities. Brands are actively coming forward to create a much more representative image of the British Asian household on TV and digital. From well-known rice and flour brands to other consumables, we are seeing the change and being the change.”
“Children growing up in immigrant households watch advertising of this kind and make decisions about their parents and their communities, younger people who watch an advertisement stuck in time – about gender or any other issue – want to actively disassociate themselves from their own cultures,” added Manish Tiwari, MD of here and Now 265 Ltd. “Brand communication casts a long shadow on perceptions. Stereotypes are regressive and even harmful.”
“Last year, the Committee of Advertising Practice banned harmful gender stereotypes in advertising, which is a step in the right direction. We must end the negative stereotyping of women of colour in advertising and the media. We are proud to work with brands such as Vatika and Elephant Atta that support women’s empowerment in their advertising.”
#MulticulturalBritain #Facts
25% of on-screen ads feature only men compared with only 5% of ads that feature only women. Ads feature twice as many male characters as they do female characters on screen. 85% of women feel advertising must catch up with the real world when depicting women.
Multicultural marketing in the UK must stop stereotyping ethnic women to promote products and services. She’s busy in the kitchen making a curry. Or she’s leaping to Bollywood style music in paddy fields ‘back home’. Or as a grandmother, she’s dedicatedly making mango chutney for her family. While the husband, of course, is busy watching television or fixing the car … writes Rahul Joglekar
We’re talking about the portrayal of ethnic women on TV. While gradual steps are being taken to reimagine these tired tropes, multicultural marketing needs a breakthrough moment.
Of course, advertising in the ethnic sector is a tricky beast. ‘Asian’ doesn’t begin to capture the complexities and heterogeneity within South Asian households and differences that exist within cultures (i.e. Indian, Pakistan or Bangladeshi). There are huge differences between first and second generation desis too. And of course, this is further complicated by socio-economic realities. “It is a tight rope walk. We need a seamless balance between the many different Asian women we meet. We must challenge stereotypes without alienating any audience segment,” says Preet Khanna, Account Director of London-based HereandNow365.
“We’re, of course leading from the front and helping brands achieve this. We actively advise and nudge brands to move away from an image of Asian women, that seems stuck in time. It is regressive and simply not reflective of today’s realities,” she says. “And brands are also actively coming forward to create a much more representative image of the British Asian household on TV and digital. From well-known rice and flour brands to other consumables, we are seeing the change and being the change,” says Preet.
Portrayal of our culture in general and Asian women in particular matters. “Children growing up in immigrant households watch advertising of this kind and make decisions about their parents and their communities,” says Manish Tiwari, Director, HereandNow365.
Advertising is powerful. It shapes our perceptions not just about the world also about ourselves. “Younger people who watch an advertisement stuck in time – about gender or any other issue – want to actively disassociate themselves from their own cultures. Brand communication casts a long shadow on perceptions.,” says Manish.
More research should perhaps be done in this area. But we can largely agree that, “Stereotypes are regressive and even harmful,” says Manish. The Committee of Advertising Practice agrees. Last year, it banned harmful gender stereotypes in advertising.
Manish Tiwari
Under the new rule, an ad that depicts a man with his feet up and family members creating a mess, while a woman is solely responsible for cleaning it up, is banned. Or an advertisement that depicts anyone failing to achieve a task specifically because of their gender, e.g. a man’s inability to change nappies; a woman’s inability to park a car, is also forbidden.
In an Asian context – this is all too familiar. There are encouraging signs of men sharing the housework but we’re yet to see a husband washing the dishes or helping with other household chores on TV.
Guy Parker, Chief Executive of the Advertising Standards Authority says, “Our evidence shows how harmful gender stereotypes in ads can contribute to inequality in society, with costs for all of us. Put simply; we found that some portrayals in ads can, over time, play a part in limiting people’s potential. It’s in the interests of women and men, our economy and society that advertisers steer clear of these outdated portrayals, and we’re pleased with how the industry has already begun to respond”. (You can read more here).
He’s right – there are advertisements even in an Asian context that are leading the change. Even in an Indian context, we can see how advertising is changing perceptions and gently creating new realities. Here’s an advertisement that gently pushes the envelope on diaper changing:
But still there is a long way to go. The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media at Mount Saint Mary’s University conducted some eye-opening research. Using 2,000 Cannes Lions films from 2006 to 2016 as the basis of their study, they found:
25% of ads feature men only on-screen compared to just 5% of ads that feature only women.
There are about twice as many male characters as female characters shown on screen.
85% of women say film and advertising needs to catch up with the real world when depicting women. (You can read more here).
These findings apply to the ethnic sector as well. And that’s why multicultural marketing stands at a fascinating crossroads. There is a huge opportunity to change the narrative. “I think we are on a journey of transformation. But there is a long way to go. With a team made up of over 50 per cent women from ethnic minority communities, at HereandNow365, we are well-positioned to make that difference,” says Manish.
Happy Woman’s Day to our customers and readers. Please comment on this issue below to share your views with us.
(Rahul Joglekar London-based freelance content producer who was formerly a BBC reporter)
150 Conservative and Labour BAME councillors join forces to call out misinformation and encourage the communities to take up of the Covid vaccine … reports Asian Lite Newsdesk
A group of 150 councillors, from both Conservative and Labour Parties, have joined forces to sign an open letter to their communities encouraging them to take the vaccine alongside social media videos seen over a million times on social media.
Cllr Gurjit Kaur Bains (Cons, Gravesham)
Signatories to the open letter include black and ethnic minority councillors from across the country including Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Medway from diverse backgrounds including from the British Indian, Muslim and Black communities.
Coronavirus has disproportionately had an impact on minority ethnic communities, in addition these communities have been subject to misleading information around the vaccine. The campaign seeks to encourage people not only to take the vaccine but also to have important conversations with loved ones and relatives about getting the protection they need from the virus.
Cllr Gurjit Kaur Bains (Cons, Gravesham) and Cllr Paulette Hamilton (Lab, Birmingham City) have come together to encourage black and ethnic minority councillors from across the country to play their part in fighting misinformation and urging people to take the vaccine when asked to do so.
The campaign has received the backing of the Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Leader of the Opposition Keir Starmer as well as Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi MP. Videos from councillors produced as part of the campaign have been seen over one million times.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson
“As elected councillors we understand our communities and throughout this pandemic have been helping to provide support to our most vulnerable,” said Cllr Gurjit Kaur Bains. “This initiative is cross party because we all have a duty to protect our communities and fight misinformation. The message is clear, the vaccine is safe, it will protect you and your family.
“We all have a role to play so I urge everyone to have conversations with their own friends and families about the importance of taking the vaccine. Let’s work together and fight this virus.”
“The vaccine not only protects the individual it protects their families, loved ones and the wider community. The vaccine is our way collectively as a nation to beat this deadly virus; do not let misinformation put you or your loved ones at risk,” said Cllr Paulette Hamilton. “I understand the concerns people may have so please do speak to your GP or local Public Health officers to get more advice. It is our duty as elected councillors to encourage our communities to take the vaccine and this is why I am supporting this cross party campaign.”
Another financial star from Kerala is on the rise in the US. Naureen Hassan’s parents are immigrants from Aluva, Kerala, India. Her father, Javad K. Hassan was a former senior executive at IBM
Indian-American Naureen Hassan, a 25-year veteran of the financial services industry, has been named as the First Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Federal Reserve Bank of New York. She is following the footsteps of Gita Gopinath, the IMF chief economist.
Naureen Hassan
Naureen Hassan’s parents are immigrants from Aluva, Kerala, India. Her father, Javad K. Hassan was a former senior executive at IBM and former president of Global Inter Connect Systems at AMP Inc (now TE Connectivity).
In a statement, the Bank said that the appointment effective March 15, was approved by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
“As First Vice President, Hassan will be the New York Fed’s second ranking officer as well as an alternate voting member of the Federal Open Market Committee,” the statement said.
“Naureen’s leadership background, deep commitment to fostering diverse teams, and extensive technology and financial experience will be critical to her role as a bank leader,” John C. Williams, President and CEO of the New York Fed, was quoted as saying in the statement.
“I am confident that Naureen will be an inspiring and innovative leader, and look forward to working with her to move our organisation forward in line with our values,” he added.
Meanwhile, Denise Scott, Executive Vice President of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and chair of the New York Fed’s Board of Directors, said that “Naureen’s leadership experience and operational expertise are fully aligned with what the search committee and I envisioned for this role”.
According to the statement, Hassan has previously served in various capacities in the financial services industry, focusing primarily on digital and business process transformation.
For the past four years, she was Chief Digital Officer of wealth management at Morgan Stanley.
