BRITISH HERALD

WHERE BRITAIN MEETS THE WORLD ISSN 2632-8836

VOL 1 P/42 P/74 £4.00 ISSUE 3 Welcome to the Haulio of Fame: England Lift World Cup after JUL-AUG 19 Startup takes top prize at RISE a 44-year wait

Narendra Modi WORLD’S MOST POWERFUL PERSON

facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 1 BRITISH HERALD

2 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com BRITISH HERALD

British Herald is among the world’s leaders in online news and information delivery. With our service, one can read up-to-the-minute news stories and receive Breaking News text alerts. British Herald is a registered trademark owned by Herald Media Network Limited, United Kingdom. Herald Media Network Limited is one of the leaders in the global media market. Leveraging on its consolidated strengths in the digital media and communication market, as well as its well-established branding and advertising networks. The efforts in producing quality content and transforming them into a multimedia platform have been well recognized and has accreditated British Herald both at National and International levels. facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 3 BRITISH HERALD JULY-AUGUST 2019 | VOLUME 01 | ISSUE 03 CONTENTS

8 74

8 | The Man, The Mission, The Challenges, The Legacy 74 | England Lift World Cup after a 44-year wait

39 42 48

39 | World's central banks tackle 42 | Container haulage startup 48 | Deutsche Telekom first to market technology with innovation hub. takes top prize at RISE in Germany with limited 5G rollout

44 | France's Mirazur crowned 66 | Massive shark fin haul into 70 | In Japan, the business of world's best restaurant, Denmark's Hong Kong dodges global shipping watching whales is far larger than Noma is No. 2 bans hunting them

WHERE BRITAIN MEETS THE WORLD ISSN 2632-8836

Managing Director & Group Editor-in-Chief Ansif Ashraf www.ansif.com, Consultant Editor Prof Ujjwal K Chowdhury, Senior Editor Ashly Christopher, Associate Editor Azam Rafiq Sait,Creative Designer Sooraj SV., Contributors | Via Reuters Steve Gorman, Nichola Groom and Alex Dobuzinskis, Paul Sandle, Isla Binnie, Julie Zhu and Kane Wu, Sinead Cruise and Huw Jones, Edward Taylor, Matthew Stock, Josh Horwitz, Stephen Nellis, Kate Kelland and Julie Steenhuysen, Tom Miles, David Shepardson, Paul Lienert and Ben Klayman, Paresh Dave, Jayson Mansaray, Pascale Denis and Richard Lough, Sheila Dang, Jamie Freed, Paul Carsten and Alexis Akwagyiram, Emily G Roe IT & Support Jibin Thomas & Vinod Kumar Advertising & Sales Shameela Jabeen ([email protected]) Digital Marketing Adnan Niroukh

Published by; HERALD MEDIA NETWORK LIMITED Company Number – 11289223, Registered Address: 156 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, London SW31HW, England. United kingdom, T +44 20 8123 7074, M [email protected] W www.britishherald.com ©2019 Herald Media Network Limited. © 2019 BRITISH HERALD, as to material published in the U.K., All Rights Reversed. ©2019 Herald Media Network Limited, as to material., British Herald e-Magazine is published bi-monthly. Copying for other than personal use or Internal reference or of articles or columns not owned by BRITISH HERALD without written permission of Herald Media Network Limited is expressly prohibited. Views and opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of Herald Media Network Limited, Its publisher and/or editor. We (at Herald Media Network Limited) do Our best to verify the information published, but do not take any responsibility for the absolute accuracy of the information. Herald Media Network Limited does not accept responsibility for any investment or other decision taken by readers on the basis of information provided herein. British Herald ® is published under a license Agreement with Herald Media Network Limited, 156 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, London SW31HW, England. ‘’BRITISH HERALD’’ is a trademark used under license From Herald Media Network Limited.

July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com 4 Read more! log on to: www.britishherald.com www.facebook.com/britishherald BRITISH HERALD EDITOR'S NOTE

Solving the Brexit Impasse

referendum sets rules in a wide range a reasonable solution to was held in of areas - including on the them. Finally, the political the United environment, transport, leadership of Britain faced Kingdom on consumer rights and even a profound loss. The “leave” Thursday things such as mobile phone voters rejected both the A23 June 2016, to decide charges etc. Conservative and Labour whether the UK should leave parties. Both parties had or remain in the European Opponents of the EU argued endorsed remaining with the Union. Leave won by 51.9% that it is a dysfunctional EU and saw many of their to 48.1%. The referendum economic entity. The members go into opposition turnout was 71.8%, with EU failed to address the on the issue. Ultimately, it more than 30 million people financial problems that had was a three-way struggle. voting. Since then the been developing since Two established parties controversy has continued 2008, for example, 20% wanted to remain in the unabated, and nothing unemployment in southern EU, and a third faction, divided the British society Europe. The difference drawn from both parties, ever more than this in the between the lives of the opposed it. People in this last century. south Europeans and third group saw both of the Germans—who enjoy 4.2% establishment parties as unemployment—is profound. hostile to their interests. Europe, as a whole, has But what is the stagnated economically. The current status is that mandate of the EU, The argument for remaining Brexiteer leaders have all and why was the in the EU was that the secretly realized that it is a alternative was an economic disaster. The wilful ignorance demand to leave disaster. However, staying of before has crashed the European Union in a stagnated organisation into the reality of actually (EU) in the first to solve British problems looking at the benefits of seemed short-sighted EU membership because place? and made little sense to now they have to replace it. EU is an economic and opponents. The chasm between what they ignorantly thought and political partnership The second reason for Brexit involving 28 European reality is now more evident. is the rise of nationalism While all of this has been countries in the post-II World across the world. There’s War era to foster economic going on, the bedrock of the a growing distrust of British economy, the financial co-operation, with the idea multinational financial, trade, that countries which trade services industry, has started and defence organisations to shrink and the momentum together were more likely created after World War to avoid going to war with of operations moving abroad II. The EU, the IMF, and is reaching the sort of critical each other. It has eventually NATO are good examples evolved into a "single mass that will permanently of this. Many who oppose make the UK lose its global market" allowing goods and the EU believes these people to move around, financial services crown. institutions no longer serve Some 40,000 jobs have basically as if the member any purpose. Not only that, states were one country. It been lost in the secondary these organisations take waves of this fall-out. The has its own currency, the control away from individual euro, which is used by 19 of revenue that the UK is set nations. Mistrust and fear of to suffer from the loss of the member countries, its losing control made Brexit own parliament and it now this economic activity far

facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 5 BRITISH HERALD EDITOR'S NOTE exceeds gains on payments other words, if parliament beneficial trade deals around to the EU. voted for it. In March, an the world. online petition calling for By the earlier deadline, the Article 50 to be revoked The World Trade UK had been due to leave gained over six million Organization sets rules for on 29 March 2019, two signatures. countries that don't have years after it started the free trade deals with each exit process by invoking Earlier, after months of other, including tariffs - Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon negotiation, the UK and EU the taxes charged on the Treaty. But the withdrawal agreed with a Brexit deal. It import of goods. Without agreement reached between comes in two parts. A 585- an agreement on trade, the EU and the UK has been page withdrawal agreement the UK would trade with rejected three times by UK is a legally-binding text the EU under World Trade MPs. Having granted an that sets the terms of the Organization rules. initial extension of the Article UK's divorce from the EU. 50 process until 12 April 2019, It covers how much money When the UK leaves the EU, EU leaders have now backed the UK owes the EU - an the 310-mile border between a six-month extension until estimated £39bn - and what Ireland and Northern Ireland 31 October 2019. If the UK happens to UK citizens will become the land and EU ratify the withdrawal living elsewhere in the EU border between the UK agreement before then, the and EU citizens living in the and the European Union. UK will leave on the first day UK. Additionally, a 26-page Neither side wants to see of the following month. statement on future relations a return to checkpoints, has been reached which towers, customs posts or Interestingly, Ursula von der is not legally-binding and surveillance cameras at the Leyen, EU leaders’ next pick sketches out the kind of border, in case it reignites to be the EU President, has long-term relationship the the troubles and disrupts said she would be open to a UK and EU want to have in the free cross-border flow of Brexit extension beyond 31 a range of areas, including trade and people. But they October 2019. What does this trade, defence and security. can't agree on the way to do mean? For a start, it is not that. up to her – the 27 remaining The UK can leave without a EU leaders get to decide deal too. This is the so-called Interestingly, PM Theresa at a summit earlier that no-deal Brexit. In that case, May was against Brexit month. If she were against an the UK would sever all ties during the referendum extension, it would make life with the EU with immediate campaign but is now in quite difficult for leaders to effect, with no transition favour of it because she says approve one. period and no guarantees on it is what the British people citizens' rights of residence. want. She triggered the two- But public opinion is sharply The government fears this year process of leaving the divided on this. Stopping would cause significant EU on 29 March 2017. It has Brexit would require a disruption to businesses in been in a precarious position change in the law in the the short-term, with lengthy because she lost her House UK, something neither the tailbacks of lorries at the of Commons majority in the government nor the main UK channel ports, as drivers face 2017 general election. She opposition parties want to do new checks on their cargos. has survived two attempts at this point. The European Government ministers and to remove her from the Court of Justice ruled on multinational companies office so far. Mrs May herself 10 December 2018 that UK with factories in the UK have has told Tory MPs she will could cancel the Article 50 also warned about the long- resign, if MPs back her deal, Brexit process without the term impact on the British so someone else can lead permission of the other 27 economy. Brexit-supporting the next phase of Brexit EU members, and remain MPs claim it would not negotiations, so her time in a member of the EU on its be as bad as they say and the top job is limited. existing terms, provided the UK would save on the Labour says it accepts the the decision followed a £39bn divorce bill, as well as referendum result and that "democratic process", in being free to strike its own Brexit is going to happen.

6 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com BRITISH HERALD EDITOR'S NOTE

But it opposes Theresa less and focus only on its The UK could leave May's Brexit plan and wants "strict international legal without any Brexit "divorce to stop it and force a general obligations". bill" deal, but that would election. In February, it said probably mean everyone it was prepared to back David Cameron, his ending up in court battles. another referendum to Chancellor George Osborne If a compromise can be prevent a "damaging Tory and many other senior achieved, and if payment Brexit", after failing to win figures who wanted to stay of the bill were to be a vote of no-confidence in the EU, predicted an spread over many years, against the government. immediate economic crisis the amounts involved if the UK voted to leave. may not be that significant If no trade deal is in prospect It is true that the pound economically. Given the by July 2020, the two sides slumped the day after the complex nature of Brexit, could agree to extend the referendum - and is currently deal or no deal, and the transition period instead. about 10% down against the fact that a referendum has They could do this only dollar, and 10%-15% down supported Brexit, with larger once. The transition could against the euro. Predictions sections of the ruling and not go on being extended of immediate doom were opposition parties also now indefinitely. But there is no wrong, with the UK economy falling in line. To go ahead agreement on how long any estimated to have grown with Brexit by October 2019 extension would be. Mrs May 1.8% in 2016, second only is the only right democratic has said EU citizens in the to Germany's 1.9% among way out unless there is a UK will be able to stay even the world's G7 leading huge outcry and people en if there is no deal done on industrialised nations. UK masse want to remain in the Brexit. There is uncertainty economy continued to grow EU. about what no deal would at almost the same rate in mean for Britons living in 2017 but slowed to 1.4% in However, there is France, Spain, Germany and 2018, the slowest rate since undoubtedly a need for a elsewhere. 2012. In the first quarter re-negotiated deal, with of 2019, the UK economy lower pay-out on behalf All existing EU laws will grew at 0.5%. Interestingly, of the UK, spread over be copied across into UK no nation-state has ever several years. Easier said law, to prevent legislative left the EU. But Greenland, than done. Statesmanship "black holes", under the one of Denmark's overseas going beyond narrow British terms of the European Union territories, held a referendum party positions and narrow (Withdrawal Bill). The UK in 1982, after gaining a higher national/EU interests can government can then decide degree of self-government, only ensure such a solution. over a period which ones it and voted by 52% to 48% to wants to keep, change or leave, which it duly did after ditch. a period of negotiation. Best, There is much debate about On the issue of the UK's the long-term costs and political influence globally, benefits to the UK economy views differ. View one is of Brexit - but what we do that UK projects power know for sure is that the EU and influence in the wants the UK to settle any world, working through outstanding bills before it organisations such as EU leaves. The £39bn "divorce and that on its own will be a bill" will cover things like much-diminished force. View pension payments to two is that unencumbered EU officials, the cost of by the other 27 members; relocating London-based EU the UK can get on with agencies and outstanding things and start adopting a ANSIF ASHRAF EU budget commitments. much more independent, Managing Editor, British Herald The UK says that if there is self-confident, assertive role no deal agreed on Brexit, on the world stage. [email protected] it would pay substantially

facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 7 BRITISH HERALD COVER STORY COVER

8 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com BRITISH HERALD COVER STORY

NARENDRA MODI THE MAN THE MISSION

ome weeks ago, in the THE CHALLENGES height of the Indian elections, the readers of THE LEGACY the British Herald had voted for Narendra Modi, Sthe Prime Minister of as the World’s Most Powerful Person 2019 with 31% votes, beating other world leaders and politicians, like Russian President Vladimir Putin (29%), US President Donald Trump (22%), and the Chinese Premier Xi Jinping (18%). PM Narendra Modi branded Good or bad, power is a combination of many important factors that as #Namo is a big brand built enable leaders to shape the world. on the same tenets as any other But only a selected few possess the political clout to effect global good product would have been change. For better or worse, their marketed. Brand gurus also decisions affect millions and change believe that PM Modi has built nations. This poll result provides a look at how the world sees these his political campaign on the figures.

very same tenets of a strong PM Narendra Modi branded as promise and strong leadership, #Namo is a big brand built on the the result of which has been an same tenents as any other good product would have been marketed. overwhelming victory in the Lok Brand gurus also believe that PM Sabha elections. Modi has built his political campaign on the very same tenets of a strong promise and strong leadership, the result of which has been an overwhelming victory in the Lok

Sabha elections. Magic Modi MODI Decoding NARENDRA

facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 9 BRITISH HERALD COVER STORY

Modi raised his profile as a The Rise of Modi with more ease than recent world leader in recent years past. BJP alone got 37% during official visits with U.S. 2.0: Pros and Cons of vote-share and 56% of President Donald Trump and On May 23, PM Modi led BJP seat-share, against 20% Xi Jinping. He has emerged and its National Democratic vote-share of Congress with as a key figure in the Asian Alliance was elected to a less than 10% of seat-share. region with his active Act second tenure in office with DMK of Tamil Nadu with 23 East policy. His effort to a huge majority. On the final MPs and Trinamool (TMC) of tackle climate change has count, NDA got 353 seats, Bengal and YSR Congress been seen positively by the of which 303 by BJP itself, of Andhra with 22 each were world, as warming affects giving it a clear majority and next in line. Against 353 of millions of his country’s rural hence freedom to govern NDA, Congress-led UPA

Decoding Modi Magic Modi MODI Decoding NARENDRA citizens.

10 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com BRITISH HERALD COVER STORY

Earlier, Modi came under scrutiny when his critics pointed at the high unemployment rate and skyrocketing Non- Performing Assets (NPAs) of the Indian banking industry. The lower-middle strata and poor blamed his government for not being able to control high inflation and high rates of fuel after September 2018 as he came to power in 2014 promising to break high inflation rates. His decision to get rid of 500- and 1,000-rupee notes through demonetisation, impacted cash-based businesses and threatened India’s economy. In other words, he took the risk to refresh the Indian economy for the future to come. Followed by goods and services tax (GST), the Indian business community and the industry at-large felt the turbulence with the implementation initially.

However, the people of India have accepted his style of governance and politics as he was voted back as their Prime Minister in 2019.

Before the votes were cast for 2019 Lok Sabha election, the general speculation was that BJP may emerge as a single largest party and an unstable coalition will Narendra Modi in Osaka, Japan be formed, implying that India will become weak and vulnerable. That danger alliance managed to have implementations of schemes has now been warded off just 91 seats, and rest others like Ayushman Bharat — a and, irrespective of politics; 98. It was Modi all the way. health insurance scheme for India will have a rock-like 500 million citizens, Prime stable government. That In recent months, in the Minister Ujjwala Yojna — is, perhaps, the biggest run-up to the 2019 general free LPG connection for 60 achievement of this election. elections, Modi saw high million people below the Also in the poll-2019 people approval ratings from poverty line, and Clean India voted in the name of Modi Indians. It was mainly due to (Swachha Bharat) scheme and nobody took the name his stand against terrorism building toilets all around of BJP. One may say that and the airstrike on the the country earned him Modi has grown taller than terror camps in Balakot, remarkable support. the party. In a stunning Pakistan. Besides, the landslide win, when normally Decoding Modi Magic Modi MODI Decoding NARENDRA

facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 11 BRITISH HERALD COVER STORY

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi meeting the President of Russian Federation, Mr. Vladimir Putin, in .

an incumbent PM faces India's 'Grand Old Party' has The first time voter has some dissatisfaction at the been virtually confined to obviously gravitated towards end of his term, it was not so Kerala, Punjab, and piggy- Modi, and this is significant with Narendra Modi. backing on DMK's popularity since the median age in India in Tamil Nadu. It could not in 2020 is going to 29 years. With BJP hovering around stem the Modi effect even in A BJP sweep in Madhya the 300-mark on its own, states — , Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan – the India is set to enter an era of Pradesh and Chattisgarh — two key heartland states, one-party dominance, with it had won only six months which the Congress won BJP occupying the position ago. Congress, as it exists five months ago — and once held by Congress. today, has shown no match Karnataka, where it trounced That will have its spin-off for Modi's BJP, either in its Congress-JD(S) alliance, may effect on the country's leadership or its organisation, have implications for the politics, governance, social planning, strategy and hard stability of the governments dynamics and constitutional work required to counter in these states. functioning in the months to its opponents. BJP's hold come. Congress's decline on the north and west India There have been various remains unabated and Smriti is near complete while the critical interpretations also Irani's unseating of Congress party made impressive of the win of Modi led BJP. President Rahul Gandhi in gains in the east, BJP-JD(U) Columnist and a fellow the Nehru-Gandhi family's chemistry has worked with at Observer Research long-held fiefdom of Amethi Modi Magic and Nitish Foundation Mihir Swarup is only straw in the wind to Kumar's popularity amongst Sharma said that BJP has indicate what ails the party; women voters and extremely taken the national pole but also the changing mood backward castes yielding position in most state of India. polities and Congress has Decoding Modi Magic Modi MODI Decoding NARENDRA rich dividends for NDA.

12 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com BRITISH HERALD COVER STORY

“lost because it has lost the Mehta, wrote that the side, and a weak image of ideological argument” about 2019 Indian election can a conglomeration of forces the “Idea of India”. Sharma be analysed in two words: unsure of themselves and writes Congress’ ideas have Narendra Modi. the future with conflicting been replaced by the Sangh ideologies and programs on and Modi’s conception of He pointed out that the the other. India as “essentially Hindu; verdict was “the greatest India is a unitary civilisation, concentration of power in divided by the vestiges of modern Indian history” and The Modified countless invasions… and in hence it “is also a moment of order to be strong, it must dread for Indian democracy.” Government- embrace its Hindu identity Mehta cautioned, “But Second Term and be united in mind.” let us be clear: Modi has not won because of his The first major steps taken Assistant Professor of economic success; he has by Modi government in its Political Science at Ashoka won despite his economic two months old second University Gilles Verniers failures.” He added, “In tenure are related to Triple and political scientist ideological terms, it is a Talaq bill, attempt to bring in Christophe Jaffrelot termed victory for majoritarianism, a simultaneous polls for centre the last decade as a “return desire to openly marginalise and states, and the new of the savarn (upper caste) minorities and assert the budget for 2019-20. – and the erosion of OBC cultural hegemony of representation – along .” Mehta ended by As for Triple Talaq bill, there with the rise of the BJP.” saying, “This is also, finally, a can be no denying that They say the BJP received victory of the politics of fear instant triple talaq and Halala the “support of the savarn, and hate.” Criticisms apart, it practices among certain precisely to contain the rise cannot be denied that Modi- sections of the Muslims of OBCs.” return has been emphatic need to be banned. Quran both due a strong leadership never validated these and Vice-chancellor of Ashoka image with nationalistic many sects of Muslims call University, Pratap Bhanu fervour flowing high on one these as Haram.

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi handing over Chaadar to be offered at Dargah Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Ajmer Sharif to the Union Minister for Minority Affairs, Shri , in New Delhi. Decoding Modi Magic Modi MODI Decoding NARENDRA

facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 13 BRITISH HERALD COVER STORY

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi with the jawans of the and ITBP.

From that perspective, the once earlier, Modi has again backed 'one nation, one poll' Modi government's attempt raised his voice, arguing as an antidote to keeping to socially reform Muslim that “frequent elections the country perennially marital practices through impede governance and in election mode. Such law is well attempted. But development,” results in a an exercise would, it said, critics also point out that drag on public exchequer save public money, help jailing Muslim men on instant and gives rise to “election reduce the burden on the triple talaq will force them fatigue” that is harmful to administrative setup and to desert families without democracy. However, from security forces and ensure divorce or their jailing will Rahul to Mamata, Mayawati better implementation of make the families go without to Naidu, Stalin to Akhilesh, government policies. It also any succour. the most prominent leaders noted that to legitimise the of the opposition parties switch-back to the 1952 The Prime Minister, boycotted the meeting conduct of simultaneous Narendra Modi, on being making their stand clear on polls, Article 172 of the elected a second time this issue. However, the PM Constitution needs to be with a thumping majority, has formed a committee to amended. has identified One Nation look into the feasibility of One Poll or simultaneous this, and it will be one of the As for the budget, there is elections for the nation flash-points in Indian politics a mixed reaction. Finance and the states as his first ahead. The Law Commission Minister priority and had called for before the general elections, presented the first Union an all-party meeting. As Budget of the re-elected Decoding Modi Magic Modi MODI Decoding NARENDRA in its draft report, had

14 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com BRITISH HERALD COVER STORY

Modi government. She also The budget also notes, rural family, except those became only the second inter alia, govt is mulling unwilling to take connection, women in the history of organizing an annual global will have an electricity, LPG independent India to present investors' meet in India; it will connection by 2022; FPI the Union Budget. *India create a payment platform investment limit increased will become a $3 trillion for MSMEs to enable filing from 24 per cent to sectoral economy in the current of bills and payment on FDI investment limits; Credit fiscal year, and a $5 trillion the platform itself; pension Guarantee Enhancement economy in the next few benefit to be extended Corp will be set up in 2019- years. The highlights of to around 3 crore retail 20, action plan to deepen the budget include these: traders and shopkeepers markets for long-term India to invest heavily in with an annual turnover of bonds with specific focus infrastructure and job less than 1.5 crores under on infra sector to be put creation; the government Pradhan Mantri Karam in place; and NRI portfolio will carry out a restructuring Yogi Man Dhan Scheme; route to be merged with FPI of highway building. govt to soon announce for seamless investment Programme to ensure a package for power in stock markets. The govt enough capacity is created; sector; comprehensive proposes to initiate steps Railway infrastructure will restructuring of National for an electronic fundraising need an investment of $72 Highways Programme programme for a listing billion between 2018 and to ensure the creation of of social enterprises, 2030; India will enter into National Highways Grid of voluntary organisations; aircraft financing and leasing desirable capacity and govt it proposes rationalising activities; model tenancy to liberalise FDI in aviation, and streamlining of KYC law will be finalised and media, animation and norms for Foreign Portfolio circulated to states, and insurance intermediaries. Investors to make it investor- 100% FDI will be permitted friendly. for insurance intermediary. Modi 2.0 first budget also notes that every single Govt also proposes to

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi meeting the President of the Republic of South Korea, Mr. Moon Jae-in, in Seoul, South Korea. Decoding Modi Magic Modi MODI Decoding NARENDRA

facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 15 BRITISH HERALD COVER STORY

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi in a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of Japan, Mr. Shinzo Abe, in Osaka, Japan.

upgrade 1,25,000 KM enable 50,000 artisans to India's independence from of roads under Phase III come into the economic the British Empire. Pradhan Gram Sadak Yojana value chain. To harness at an estimated cost of Rs India's space ability 80,250 crore; it proposes commercially, New Space Governance: Pradhan Mantri Matsya India Limited (NSIL) has Sampada Yojana to address been incorporated to tap the His first year as Prime critical infrastructure gap in benefits of ISRO Minister saw significant the fisheries sector; and also centralisation of power proposes setting up 1.95 Critics have, however, noted relative to previous crore houses under Pradhan that enough and more have administrations. Modi's Mantri Awas Yojna (Rural). not been done for mitigating efforts at centralisation have acute farm distress and been linked to an increase Provision of safe drinking rampant joblessness in the in the number of senior water for every citizen is Indian society today. administration officials the priority of this govt, and resigning their positions. hence it is working towards Initially lacking a majority in 'Har Ghar Jal' by 2024. Major highlights of the Rajya Sabha, or upper Govt proposes to expand house of Indian Parliament, Swachch Bharat to include PM’s First Tenure Modi passed a number of solid waste management in Modi was sworn in as the ordinances to enact his every village. on 26 policies, leading to further May 2014. He became the centralisation of power. Around 100 new clusters first Prime Minister born after will be set up in 2019-20 to In December 2014 Modi Decoding Modi Magic Modi MODI Decoding NARENDRA

16 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com BRITISH HERALD COVER STORY abolished the Planning year of the administration. scheme to provide free Commission, replacing it with The investigations, on LPG connection to rural the National Institution for the grounds that these households. The scheme Transforming India, or NITI organizations were slowing led to an increase in LPG Aayog. The move had the economic growth, was consumption by 56% in 2019 effect of greatly centralising criticized as a witch-hunt. as compared to 2014. In the power previously with 2019, a law was passed to the planning commission Modi repealed 1,200 provide a 10% reservation in the person of the Prime obsolete laws in first three to Economically weaker Minister. The planning years as Prime Minister; a sections. commission had received total of 1,301 such laws had heavy criticism in previous been repealed by previous years for creating inefficiency governments over a span Economy: in the government, and of 64 years. He started a of not filling its role of monthly radio programme The economic policies of improving social welfare: titled "Mann Ki Baat" on 3 PM Modi's first government however, since the October 2014. Modi also focused on privatisation economic liberalisation of launched the Digital India and liberalisation of the the 1990s, it had been the programme, with the goal of economy, based on a major government body ensuring that government neoliberal framework. Modi responsible for measures services are available liberalised India's foreign related to social justice. electronically, building direct investment policies, infrastructure to provide allowing more foreign The Modi government high-speed Internet access investment in several launched investigations to rural areas, boosting industries, including in by the Intelligence Bureau manufacturing of electronic defence and the railways. against numerous civil goods in the country, and Other proposed reforms society organizations and promoting digital literacy. included making it harder foreign non-governmental for workers to form unions organizations in the first Modi launched Ujjwala and easier for employers to

President, Ram Nath Kovind administering the oath of office of the Prime Minister to Narendra Modi, at a Swearing-in Ceremony, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi. Decoding Modi Magic Modi MODI Decoding NARENDRA

facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 17 BRITISH HERALD COVER STORY

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi with the leaders of BRICS nations, in Osaka, Japan.

hire and fire them, though programme, declined by Modi's administration some of these proposals 22%. The government also passed a land-reform bill were dropped after protests. lowered corporate taxes, that allowed it to acquire Even the Bharatiya Mazdoor abolished the wealth tax, private agricultural land Sangh, a constituent of the increased sales taxes, and without conducting a social , stated that reduced customs duties impact assessment, and the underlying motivation on gold, and jewellery. In without the consent of of labour reforms favoured October 2014, the Modi the farmers who owned it. corporations over labourers. government deregulated The bill was passed via an diesel prices turning it to executive order after it faced The funds dedicated market forces. opposition in parliament but to poverty reduction was eventually allowed to programmes and social In September 2014, Modi lapse. Modi's government welfare measures were introduced the Make in put in place the Goods and greatly decreased by the India initiative to encourage Services Tax, the biggest tax Modi administration. The foreign companies to reform in the country since money spent on social manufacture products independence. It subsumed programmes declined from in India, with the goal of around 17 different taxes and 14.6% of GDP during the turning the country into a became effective from 1 July Congress government to global manufacturing hub. 2017. 12.6% during Modi's first year Supporters of economic in office. Spending on health liberalisation supported In his first cabinet decision, and family welfare declined the initiative, while critics Modi set up a team to by 15%, and on primary and argued it would allow foreign investigate black money. secondary education by 16%. corporations to capture a Later, on 9 November The budgetary allocation for greater share of the Indian 2016, the government the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, market. demonetised ₹500 and or the "education for all" ₹1000 banknotes, with the Decoding Modi Magic Modi MODI Decoding NARENDRA

18 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com BRITISH HERALD COVER STORY stated intention of curbing was attributed to the 2016 in the previous year. corruption, black money, the demonetization, and to the use of counterfeit currency, effects of the Goods and Some 15 national health and terrorism. The move led Services Tax. programmes, including to severe cash shortages, a those aimed at controlling steep decline in the Indian tobacco use and supporting stock indices BSE SENSEX Healthcare: healthcare for the elderly, and NIFTY 50. However, were merged with the in the subsequent year, In his first year as Prime National Health Mission. In the number of income tax Minister, Modi reduced its budget for the second returns filed for individuals the amount of money year after it took office, the rose by 25%, and the number spent by the central Modi government reduced of digital transactions government on healthcare. healthcare spending by increased steeply. The Modi government 15%, while the healthcare launched the New Health budget for the following year Over the first four years of Policy (NHP) in January rose by 19%. The budget Modi's premiership, India's 2015. The policy did not was viewed positively by GDP grew at an average increase the government's private insurance providers. rate of 7.23%, higher than spending on healthcare, The healthcare budget the rate of 6.39% under the instead emphasizing the rose by 11.5% in 2018; previous government. The role of private healthcare the change included an level of income inequality organisations. The National allocation of 2000 crore for a increased, while an internal Health Mission, which government-funded health government report said that included public health insurance program, named in 2017, unemployment had programmes targeted at Ayushmann Bharat, and a increased to its highest level these indices received nearly decrease in the budget of in 45 years. The loss of jobs 20% fewer funds in 2015 than the National Health Mission.

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi with the President of the Argentine Republic, Mr. Mauricio Macri, at House, in New Delhi. Decoding Modi Magic Modi MODI Decoding NARENDRA

facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 19 BRITISH HERALD COVER STORY

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi inspecting the Guard of Honour, at the inauguration of the “Parakram Parv”, in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.

The government introduced announced plans to build election campaign and did stricter packaging laws for new sewage treatment not feature prominently in tobacco, which requires plants. the BJP's election manifesto. 85% of the packet size to Modi invited all the other be covered by pictorial The construction projects leaders of SAARC countries warnings. PM Modi's have faced allegations of to his swearing-in ceremony Ayushman Bharat Yojana, corruption, and have faced as Prime Minister. He was the a government health severe difficulty in getting first Indian Prime Minister to insurance scheme intended people to use the toilets do so. to insure 500 million people, constructed for them. had 100,000 people signing Sanitation cover in the Modi's foreign policy, up by October 2018. country increased from 38.7% similarly to that of the in October 2014 to 84.1% in preceding INC government, Modi emphasised his May 2018, a major success of focused on improving government's efforts at Modi government; however, economic ties, security, sanitation as a means of usage of the new sanitary and regional relations. Modi ensuring good health. On 2 facilities lagged behind continued Manmohan October 2014, Modi launched the government's targets. Singh's policy of "multi- the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan In 2018, the World Health alignment." The Modi ("Clean India") campaign. The Organization stated that at administration tried to stated goals of the campaign least 180,000 diarrhoeal attract foreign investment included eliminating open deaths were averted in rural in the Indian economy from defecation and manual India after the launch of the several sources, especially scavenging within five years. sanitation effort. in East Asia, with the use As part of the programme, of slogans such as "Make the Indian government in India" and "Digital India". began constructing millions Foreign policy: The government also tried of toilets in rural areas and to improve relations with encouraging people to use Foreign policy played a Islamic nations in the Middle them. The government also relatively small role in Modi's East, such as Bahrain, Iran, Decoding Modi Magic Modi MODI Decoding NARENDRA

20 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com BRITISH HERALD COVER STORY

Saudi Arabia, and the United ratified a land exchange under Modi. The military Arab Emirates, as well as deal with Bangladesh about budget declined over Modi's with Israel. the India–Bangladesh tenure both as a fraction enclaves, which had been of GDP and when adjusted During the first few months initiated by the government for inflation. A substantial after the election, Modi of Manmohan Singh. Modi's portion of the military budget made trips to a number of administration gave renewed was devoted to personnel countries to further the goals attention to India's "Look East costs, leading commentators of his policy and attended Policy", instituted in 1991. to write that the budget was the BRICS, ASEAN, and G20 The policy was renamed constraining Indian military summits. One of Modi's first the "Act East Policy", and modernization. visits as Prime Minister was involved directing Indian to Nepal, during which he foreign policy towards East The BJP election manifesto promised a billion USD in Asia and Southeast Asia. had also promised to deal aid. Modi also made several The government signed with illegal immigration into overtures to the United agreements to improve India in the Northeast, as States, including multiple land connectivity with well as to be more firm in its visits to that country. While Myanmar, through the state handling of insurgent groups. this was described as an of Manipur. This represented The Modi government unexpected development, a break with India's historic issued a notification allowing due to the US having engagement with Myanmar, Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist previously denied Modi which prioritised border illegal immigrants from a travel visa over his role security over trade. Pakistan and Bangladesh during the 2002 to legalise their residency riots, it was also expected to in India. The government strengthen diplomatic and described the measure as trade relations between the Defence policy: being taken for humanitarian two countries. India's nominal military reasons but it drew criticism spending increased steadily from several Assamese In 2015, the Indian parliament

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi greets Xi Jinping in New Delhi Decoding Modi Magic Modi MODI Decoding NARENDRA

facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 21 BRITISH HERALD COVER STORY

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi laying wreath on the mortal remains of the martyred CRPF Jawans, at Palam airport, in New Delhi.

organisations. Further military skirmishes received. The government followed, including cross- also tried to reconstitute the Modi promised to be border shelling and the loss Wildlife board such that it no "tough on Pakistan" during of an Indian aircraft. longer had representatives his election campaign from non-governmental and repeatedly stated organisations: however, this that Pakistan was an Environmental move was prevented by the exporter of terrorism. On Supreme Court. 29 September 2016, the policy: Indian Army stated that it Modi also relaxed or In naming his cabinet, Modi had conducted a surgical abolished a number of other renamed the "Ministry of strike on terror launchpads environmental regulations, Environment and Forests" in Azad Kashmir. The Indian particularly those related the "Ministry of Environment, media claimed that up to to industrial activity. A Forests, and Climate 50 terrorists and Pakistani government committee Change." In the first budget soldiers had been killed in stated that the existing of the government, the the strike. Pakistan initially system only served to money allotted to this denied that any strikes had create corruption and that ministry was reduced by taken place. Subsequent the government should more than 50%. The new reports suggested that instead rely on the owners ministry also removed or Indian claim about the of industries to voluntarily diluted a number of laws scope of the strike and the inform the government related to environmental number of casualties had about the pollution they protection. These included been exaggerated, although were creating. Other no longer requiring cross-border strikes had changes included reducing clearance from the National been carried out. In February ministry oversight on small Board for Wildlife for 2019 India carried out mining projects, and no projects close to protected airstrikes in Pakistan against longer requiring approval areas, and allowing certain Balakot terrorist camp in the from tribal councils for projects to proceed before aftermath of the killing of projects inside forested environmental clearance was Decoding Modi Magic Modi MODI Decoding NARENDRA CRPF jawans in Pulwama. areas. In addition, Modi

22 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com BRITISH HERALD COVER STORY lifted a moratorium on Modi as the first of GDP growth in Gujarat. new industrial activity in Modi projected himself as the most polluted areas time PM a person who could bring in the countries. The Much before becoming about "development". His changes were welcomed the Prime Minister of India, message found support by businesspeople, in September 2013 Modi among young Indians and but criticised by was named the BJP's PM among middle-class citizens. environmentalists. candidate in the 2014 Lok The BJP under Modi was Sabha election. Modi played able to downplay concerns Under the UPA government a dominant role in the about the protection of that preceded Modi's BJP's election campaign. religious minorities and administration, field trials of Several people who voted Modi's commitment Genetically Modified (GM) for the BJP stated that if to secularism, areas in crops had essentially been Modi had not been the which he had previously put on hold, after protests prime ministerial candidate, received criticism. Prior to from farmers fearing for they would have voted for the election, Modi's image their livelihoods. Under the another party. The focus on in the media had centred Modi government, these Modi as an individual was around his role in the 2002 restrictions were gradually unusual for a BJP election Gujarat riots, but during lifted. The government campaign. The election was the campaign, the BJP was received some criticism for described as a referendum able to shift this focus to freezing the bank accounts on Narendra Modi. Modi's neoliberal ideology of environmental group and the Gujarat model of Greenpeace, citing financial During the campaign, Modi development. In addition irregularities, although a focused on the corruption to more conventional leaked government report scandals under the previous campaign methods, Modi said that the freeze had INC government and played made extensive use of to do with Greenpeace's on his image as a politician social media and addressed opposition to GM crops. who had created a high rate more than 1000 rallies via

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi practising Yoga in a Mass Yoga Demonstration, on the occasion of the 5th International Day of Yoga 2019, at Ranchi, Jharkhand. Decoding Modi Magic Modi MODI Decoding NARENDRA

facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 23 BRITISH HERALD COVER STORY

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi addressing at the presentation of the Gandhi Peace Prize for the years 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi.

hologram appearances. from progressive parties and and poor administration were towards the right-wing. made and Patel's standing The BJP won 31% of the vote, had been damaged by his and more than doubled its Modi's tweet announcing administration's handling tally in the Lok Sabha to 282, his victory was described of the earthquake in Bhuj in becoming the first party to as being emblematic of the 2001. win a majority of seats on political realignment away its own since 1984. Voter from a secular, socialist The BJP national leadership dissatisfaction with the INC, state towards capitalism and sought a new candidate for as well as with regional Hindu cultural nationalism. the Chief Ministership and parties in North India, was Modi, who had expressed another reason for the misgivings about Patel's success of the BJP, as was Major highlights as administration, was chosen the support from the RSS. as a replacement. Although CM of Gujarat BJP leader LK Advani did In states such as Uttar From late 2001 to early 2014, not want to ostracise Patel Pradesh in which the BJP Narendra Modi served as the and was concerned about performed well, it drew Chief Minister of Gujarat. Modi's lack of experience in exceptionally high support government, Modi declined from upper-caste . It an offer to be Patel's deputy performed particularly well Chief Minister, telling Advani in parts of the country that Taking office: and that had recently experienced In 2001, 's he was "going to be fully violence between Hindus health was failing and responsible for Gujarat or not and Muslims. The magnitude the BJP lost a few state at all". On 3 October 2001, of the BJP's victory led many assembly seats in by- he replaced Patel as Chief commentators to say that elections. Allegations of Minister of Gujarat, with the the election constituted a abuse of power, corruption responsibility of preparing

Decoding Modi Magic Modi MODI Decoding NARENDRA political realignment away

24 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com BRITISH HERALD COVER STORY the BJP for the December The Modi government 2002 election: 2002 elections. imposed a curfew in 26 major cities, issued shoot- In the aftermath of the at-sight orders and called violence, there were : for the army to patrol the widespread calls for Modi to streets, but was unable to resign as Chief Minister from On 27 February 2002, a prevent the violence from within and outside the state, train with several hundred escalating. State officials including from leaders of the passengers burned near later prevented riot victims Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Godhra, killing approximately from leaving the refugee and the Telugu Desam 60 people. The train carried camps, and the camps were Party (allies in the BJP-led a large number of Hindu often unable to meet the National Democratic Alliance pilgrims returning from needs of those living there. coalition), and opposition Ayodhya after a religious parties stalled Parliament ceremony at the site of the In March 2008, the Supreme over the issue. Modi demolished Babri Masjid. Court reopened several submitted his resignation at cases related to the 2002 the April 2002 BJP national Riots began during the riots, including that of the executive meeting in Goa, bandh, and anti-Muslim Gulbarg Society massacre, but it was not accepted. His violence spread through and established a Special cabinet had an emergency Gujarat. The government's Investigation Team (SIT) to meeting on 19 July 2002, decision to move the bodies look into the issue. In April after which it offered its of the train victims from 2009 the court also asked resignation to the Gujarat Godhra to the SIT to investigate the Governor S. S. Bhandari, further inflamed the issue of Modi's complicity and the state assembly was violence. The state in the killings. The SIT dissolved. government stated later that questioned Modi in March 790 Muslims and 254 Hindus 2010; in May, it presented to In the Dec 2002 elections, were killed. the court a report finding no the BJP won 127 seats in evidence against him. the 182-member assembly.

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi interacting with the winners of Rashtriya Bal Puraskar - 2019, in New Delhi. Decoding Modi Magic Modi MODI Decoding NARENDRA

facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 25 BRITISH HERALD COVER STORY

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi inspecting the Guard of Honour, at the NCC Rally, in New Delhi.

He won the Maninagar Modi's relationship with During the run-up to the constituency, receiving Muslims continued to 2007 assembly elections 113,589 of 154,981 votes and attract criticism. Questions and the 2009 general defeating INC candidate about Modi's relationship election, the BJP intensified Yatin Oza by 75,333 votes. with Muslims were also its rhetoric on terrorism. In raised by many Western July 2006, Modi criticised nations during his tenure Prime Minister Manmohan Second term: as Chief Minister. Modi was Singh " for his reluctance to barred from entering the revive anti-terror legislation" During Modi's second United States by the State such as the 2002 Prevention term the rhetoric of the Department, in accordance of Terrorism Act. He asked government shifted from with the recommendations the national government to Hindutva to Gujarat's of the Commission on allow states to invoke more economic development. International Religious stringent laws in the wake Modi curtailed the Freedom formed under the of the 2006 train influence of Sangh Parivar aegis of the International bombings. In 2007 Modi organisations such as the Religious Freedom Act. The authored Karmayog, a 101- UK and the European Union page booklet discussing (BKS) and the Vishva Hindu refused to admit him. As manual scavenging. In it, Parishad (VHP). Sangh Modi rose to prominence Modi argued that scavenging organisations were no longer in India, the UK and the was a "spiritual experience" consulted or informed EU lifted their bans in for Valmiks, a sub-caste of in advance about Modi's October 2012 and March Dalits. After the November administrative decisions. 2013, respectively, and 2008 Mumbai attacks, Modi Nonetheless, Modi retained after his election, as Prime held a meeting to discuss connections with some Minister, he was invited to the security of Gujarat's Hindu nationalists. Washington. 1,600-kilometre (990 mi)- long coastline, resulting in Decoding Modi Magic Modi MODI Decoding NARENDRA

26 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com BRITISH HERALD COVER STORY government authorisation of technology parks in Gujarat growing at an average rate 30 high-speed surveillance and during the 2007 Vibrant of 9.6 percent from 2001 boats. In July 2007 Gujarat summit, real-estate to 2007. Public irrigation Modi completed 2,063 investment deals worth ₹6.6 measures in central and consecutive days as Chief trillion were signed. southern Gujarat, such as the Minister of Gujarat, making Sardar Sarovar Dam, were him the longest-serving The governments led by less successful. holder of that post, and the Patel and Modi supported BJP won 122 of 182 state- NGOs and communities in The Sardar Sarovar project assembly seats in that year's the creation of groundwater- only irrigated 4–6% of the election. conservation projects. By area intended. Nonetheless, December 2008, 500,000 from 2001 to 2010 Gujarat structures had been built, recorded an agricultural of which 113,738 were growth rate of 10.97 percent Development check dams, which helped – the highest of any state. In projects: recharge the aquifers 2008 Modi offered land in beneath them. Sixty of Gujarat to Tata Motors to set As Chief Minister, Modi the 112 tehsils which had up a plant manufacturing favoured privatisation depleted the water table the Nano after a popular and small government, in 2004 had regained agitation had forced the which was at odds with their normal groundwater company to move out of the philosophy of the RSS, levels by 2010. As a result, West Bengal. Several other usually described as anti- the state's production of companies followed the privatisation and anti- genetically modified cotton Tata's to Gujarat. globalisation. His policies increased to become the during his second term have largest in India. The boom The Modi government been credited with reducing in cotton production and its finished the process of corruption in the state. He semi-arid land use led to bringing electricity to every established financial and Gujarat's agricultural sector village in Gujarat that its

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi pays tribute to soldiers at National War Memorial, in New Delhi. Decoding Modi Magic Modi MODI Decoding NARENDRA

facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 27 BRITISH HERALD COVER STORY

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi interacting with the people, at the Beating Retreat ceremony, at Vijay Chowk, in New Delhi.

predecessor had almost of Gujarat's economic Gujarat's economic growth completed. Modi significantly development during Modi's was frequently used as changed the state's system tenure as Chief Minister. an argument to counter of power distribution, greatly The state's GDP growth rate allegations of communalism. impacting farmers. Gujarat averaged 10% during Modi's Tax breaks for businesses expanded the Jyotigram tenure, a value similar to were easier to obtain in Yojana scheme, in which other highly industrialised Gujarat than in other states, agricultural electricity was states, and above that of as was land. Modi's policies separated from other rural the country as a whole. to make Gujarat attractive electricity; the agricultural Under Modi, Gujarat topped for investment included the electricity was rationed the World Bank's "ease of creation of Special Economic to fit scheduled irrigation doing business" rankings Zones, where labour laws demands, reducing its cost. among Indian states for two were greatly weakened. Although early protests consecutive years. by farmers ended when In 2013, Gujarat was ranked Despite its growth rate, those who benefited found Gujarat had a relatively that their electricity supply first among Indian states poor record on human had stabilised, according for "economic freedom" development, poverty relief, to an assessment study by a report measuring corporations and large governance, growth, nutrition and education farmers benefited from the citizens' rights and labour during Modi's tenure. policy at the expense of and business regulation The social policies of the small farmers and labourers. among the country's 20 government generally did largest states. In the later not benefit Muslims, Dalits, A contentious debate years of Modi's government, and Adivasis, and generally surrounds the assessment increased social inequalities. Decoding Modi Magic Modi MODI Decoding NARENDRA

28 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com BRITISH HERALD COVER STORY

Development in Gujarat to a family of grocers in teacher described him as was generally limited to , , an average student and a the urban middle class, Bombay State (present- keen debater, with interest and citizens in rural areas day Gujarat). He was the in theatre. Modi had an or from lower castes were third of six children born early gift for rhetoric in increasingly marginalised. to Damodardas Mulchand debates, and his teachers In 2013 the state ranked Modi (1915–1989) and and classmates noted this. Hiraben Modi (born 1920). Modi preferred playing 10th of 21 Indian states in Modi's family belonged larger-than-life characters in the Human Development to the Modh-Ghanchi-Teli theatrical productions, which Index. Under Modi, the state (oil-presser) community, has influenced his political government spent far less which is categorised as an image. than the national average on Other Backward Class by the education and healthcare. Indian government. When eight years old, Modi discovered the Rashtriya As a child, Modi helped Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) The early life of his father sell tea at the and began attending its Vadnagar railway station local shakhas (training Narendra Modi and said that he later ran sessions). There, Modi met prior to electoral a tea stall with his brother , near a bus terminus. Modi popularly known as Vakil politics completed his higher Saheb, who inducted him Narendra Modi was born secondary education in as a balswayamsevak on 17 September 1950 Vadnagar in 1967, where a (junior cadet) in the RSS and

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi with the President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr. Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi. Decoding Modi Magic Modi MODI Decoding NARENDRA

facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 29 BRITISH HERALD COVER STORY

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi with the other leaders, at the ASEAN-India Informal Breakfast Summit, in Singapore.

became his political mentor. containing profiles of various working under Inamdar. While Modi was training with RSS leaders. The longest In 1978 Modi received a the RSS, he also met Vasant was of M. S. Golwalkar, Bachelor of Arts degree Gajendragadkar and Nathalal under whose leadership the in political science from Jaghda, Bharatiya Jana RSS expanded and whom School of Open Learning at Sangh leaders who were Modi refers to as Pujniya University of Delhi. Five years founding members of the Shri Guruji ("Guru worthy later, in 1983, he received BJP's Gujarat unit in 1980. of worship"). According to a Master of Arts degree in The Economic Times, his political science from Gujarat A vegetarian and teetotaler, intention was to explain the University, as an external Modi is a workaholic and workings of the RSS to his distance learning student. introvert. Modi's 31 August readers and to reassure RSS 2012 post on Google members that he remained Modi became an RSS Hangouts made him the first ideologically aligned with sambhag pracharak Indian politician to interact them. Modi authored (regional organiser) in 1978, with citizens on a live chat. eight other books, mostly overseeing RSS activities Modi has also been called a containing short stories for in the areas of Surat and fashion-icon for his signature children. Vadodara, and in 1979 he crisply ironed, half-sleeved went to work for the RSS in kurta, as well as for a suit In interviews, Modi has Delhi, where he was put to with his name embroidered described visiting Hindu work researching and writing repeatedly in the pinstripes ashrams founded by Swami the RSS's version of the that he wore during a state Vivekananda: the Belur Math history of . visit by US President Barack near Kolkata, followed by the He returned to Gujarat a Obama, which drew public Advaita Ashrama in Almora short while later and was and media attention and and the Ramakrishna Mission assigned by the RSS to the criticism. Modi's personality in Rajkot. Vivekananda has BJP in 1985. In 1987 Modi has been variously described been described as a large helped organise the BJP's by scholars and biographers influence in Modi's life. campaign in the Ahmedabad as energetic, arrogant and municipal election, which charismatic. After the Indo-Pakistani the BJP won comfortably; War of 1971, he became Modi's planning has been He had published a Gujarati a full-time pracharak described as the reason for book titled Jyotipunj in 2008, (campaigner) for the RSS, that result by biographers. Decoding Modi Magic Modi MODI Decoding NARENDRA

30 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com BRITISH HERALD COVER STORY

After L. K. Advani became Modi returned to electoral promoted to BJP general president of the BJP in 1986, politics in 1994, partly at the secretary (organisation) in the RSS decided to place insistence of Advani, and May of that year. From this, its members in important as party secretary, Modi's he moved on to be Gujarat positions within the BJP; electoral strategy was Chief Minister in 2001 when Modi's work during the considered central to the Keshubhai Patel government Ahmedabad election led to BJP victory in the 1995 state was in the doldrums. his selection for this role, and assembly elections. Modi was elected organising secretary of the BJP's Gujarat In November of that Awards and unit later in 1987. year, Modi was elected BJP national secretary Recognitions Modi rose within the party and transferred to New As a Prime Minister, Modi and was named a member Delhi, where he assumed has received consistently of the BJP's National Election responsibility for party high approval ratings; at Committee in 1990, helping activities in Haryana and the end of his first year in organise L. K. Advani's 1990 Himachal Pradesh. Modi, office, he received an overall Ram Rath Yatra in 1990 on the selection committee approval rating of 87% in and 's for the 1998 Assembly a Pew Research poll, with 1991–92 Ekta Yatra (Journey elections in Gujarat, favoured 68% of people rating him for Unity). However, he took supporters of BJP leader "very favourably" and 93% a brief break from politics in Keshubhai Patel over those approving of his government. 1992, instead of establishing supporting Vaghela to end His approval rating remained a school in Ahmedabad; factional division in the party. largely consistent at around friction with Shankersingh His strategy was credited as 74% through his second Vaghela, a BJP MP from key to the BJP winning an year in office, according to a Gujarat at the time, also overall majority in the 1998 nationwide poll conducted played a part in this decision. elections, and Modi was by instaVaani.

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi meeting the President of Maldives, Mr. Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi. Decoding Modi Magic Modi MODI Decoding NARENDRA

facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 31 BRITISH HERALD COVER STORY

At the end of his second year in office, an updated Pew Research poll showed Modi continued to receive high overall approval ratings of 81%, with 57% of those polled rating him "very favourably." At the end of his third year in office, a further Pew Research poll showed Modi with an overall approval rating of 88%, his highest yet, with 69% of people polled rating him "very favourably." A poll conducted by in May 2017 showed 77% of the respondents rated Modi as "very good" and "good". In early 2017, a survey from the Pew Research Center showed Modi to be the most popular figure in Indian politics.

Modi was named the Best Chief Minister in a 2007 nationwide survey by India Today. In March 2012, he appeared on the cover of the Asian edition of Time Narendra Modi addressing the UN General Assembly Decoding Modi Magic Modi MODI Decoding NARENDRA

32 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com BRITISH HERALD COVER STORY

Narendra Modi witnessing the Naval show - Air show aboard INS Vikramaditya

Magazine, one of the few Association (GIA) conducted on environmental action". Indian politicians to have a poll and ranked Modi as He was conferred with done so. He was awarded third top leader of the world. the 2018 Seoul Peace Indian of the Year by CNN- In 2016, a wax statue of Modi Prize in recognition of his IBN news network in 2014. was unveiled at Madame dedication to improving In 2014, 2015 and 2017, he Tussaud Wax Museum in international cooperation, was named one of Time London. raising global economic magazine's 100 Most growth, accelerating the Influential People in the In 2015 he was named one Human Development of the World. He was also declared of Time's "30 Most Influential people of India by fostering the winner of the Time People on the Internet" as economic growth and magazine reader's poll for the second-most-followed furthering the development Person of the Year in 2014 politician on and of democracy through and 2016. Forbes Magazine Facebook. In 2018 he was anti-corruption and social ranked him the 15th-Most- the third most followed integration efforts. He is Powerful Person in the World head of the state on Twitter the first Indian to win the in 2014 and the 9th-Most- and the most followed award. Following his second Powerful Person in the World world leader on Facebook swearing-in ceremony as in 2015, 2016 and 2018. In and Instagram. In October Prime Minister of India, 2015, Modi was ranked the 2018, Modi received UN's a picture of Modi was 13th-Most-Influential Person highest environmental displayed on the facade of in the World by Bloomberg award, the 'Champions the ADNOC building in Abu Markets Magazine. Modi of the Earth', for policy Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. was ranked fifth on Fortune leadership by "pioneering Magazine's first annual list work in championing" of the "World's Greatest the International Solar Leaders" in 2015. In 2017, Alliance and "new areas Collated from Various Sources, the Gallup International of levels of cooperation by Prof. Ujjwal K Chowdhury Decoding Modi Magic Modi MODI Decoding NARENDRA

facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 33 BRITISH HERALD INSIDE UK

"At first I though it was a Stowaway falls from plane tramp asleep in the garden. over London, narrowly missing He had all of his clothes on and everything," the neighbor sunbather was quoted as saying.

"I had a closer look and saw there was blood all over the walls of the garden. His head was not in a good way. I realized immediately that he had fallen."

Kenya Airways said the 4,250-mile trip from Nairobi to Heathrow takes eight hours and 50 minutes.

"It is unfortunate that a person has lost his life by stowing aboard one of our aircraft and we express our condolences," the airline said in a statement.

he body of it was to begin with. He was Stowaways have previously a suspected asleep and then there was a landed in trees and on stowaway fell huge impact." shop roofs in London after hundreds of falling on the approach to meters from a Police said in a statement Heathrow. Tplane flying over southwest they were called to a home London, landing in the after the body was found. A Jose Matada fell to his death garden of a man's home, post-mortem examination in 2012 from a British Airways just missing him as he is due to be carried out and flight from Angola. He was sunbathed, according to the man has not yet been not reported missing and it neighbors. identified. took six months to identify him. Police believe the man A bag, water and some food fell into the property in was found in the landing The inquest into his death Clapham from the landing gear compartment of the heard that he endured compartment of a Kenya plane after it arrived at temperatures of between Airways plane as it lowered Heathrow. minus 50 Celsius and minus its wheels on the approach 60 Celsius and suffered a to Heathrow Airport. Photographs show the body lack of oxygen before he fell landed partly on concrete to earth. A neighbor, who asked not paving slabs and partly on a to be named, said the body lawn - leaving a crater in the In 2015, the body of a landed only three feet (one garden of the house, which stowaway on a British meter) from the resident. is more than 10 miles (15 km) Airways flight from from Heathrow. Johannesburg to Heathrow "He was so lucky not to be landed on a shop in hit and killed. The impact Another neighbor told the Richmond, southwest obliterated the body," the Press Association that he London. A second stowaway neighbor told The Sun heard a "whomp" when the survived the 10-hour flight newspaper. body hit the ground, and and was found in the went upstairs to look out of a undercarriage of the plane. "He didn't even realize what window.

34 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com BRITISH HERALD BUSINESS

Poland, Portugal and Uber Eats courts smaller Spain. It estimates there are an additional 120,000 European restaurants restaurants it can target, on top of 40,000 it currently with new offer partners with across Europe.

It is only trailing the service in Europe so far after launching in Britain, Ireland and the Netherlands at the start of this year. It said take- up had been "good", without elaborating.

Uber Eats is a distant challenger in Italy and Spain and a closer competitor to Just Eat and Deliveroo in France and Belgium, according to usage data from computer and mobile traffic measurement firm SimilarWeb.

It is the main global player active in Portugal and a remote challenger in Poland ber Eats is win more business in Europe, to Takeaway.com's local opening up its where more food is ordered brand, Pyszne.pl. platform to more directly from independent

restaurants in outlets. Platform-only businesses Europe that prefer are more profitable, because Uto use their own delivery Uber is investing to build up the delivery provider staff, seeking the business its food delivery business, avoids the costs of logistics of smaller, independent tripling incentives to Uber infrastructure and riders. But restaurants as it battles Just Eats drivers to $291 million the market is limited in size. Eat and Takeaway.com in a last quarter as revenue

crowded market. almost doubled, and The three-year-old service contributing to a $1 billion delivered $8 billion of meals The takeaway food delivery overall loss. last year, up from $3 billion unit of ride-hailing group in 2017, and claims to be Uber has built its business "We have a lot of restaurants the world's largest takeout by offering a complete range out there that want to do service outside China. of services, including riders, their own delivery," Stephane

first to high-end restaurants Ficaja, Uber Eats' general Illustrating the intensity of that did not offer delivery manager for Western and competition in the food- and then expanding to large Southern Europe, told delivery business, Amazon chains including Mcdonald's, Reuters. "We are really said last month it would Subway and KFC. targeting the more smaller, end its U.S. restaurant food independent restaurants." delivery service, where its But as the need for scale rivals included GrubHub, intensifies to weed out Uber Eats is now rolling out DoorDash and Uber Eats. winners and losers in a $107 the platform-only service

billion global market where - which simply connects Germany's Delivery Hero most players are spending customers to restaurants relinquished its home market heavily on marketing and still - to 150 towns and cities to Dutch rival Takeaway.com loss-making, Uber needs to in Belgium, France, Italy, at the end of last year.

facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 35 BRITISH HERALD BUSINESS

WhatsApp's parent company Facebook's WhatsApp hires last week unveiled plans for a digital currency called Libra, senior exec from London a project that is part of efforts to expand from social media remittances startup sources to e-commerce and cross- border payments.

acebook Inc's WhatsApp has hired a senior executive from WhatsApp is testing the London-based money transfer startup WorldRemit, three ability to send payments on people familiar with the matter said. its platform in India. Newton- Rex will not be working on WorldRemit's chief product officer, Alice Newton-Rex, will payments or Libra, one of Fjoin WhatsApp's product team later this year to work on the app's the people said. The persons messaging service, one of the people said. familiar with the matter could not speak for attribution Newton-Rex did not respond to requests for comment. because the information was not public. WhatsApp is one of the world's most popular messaging tools, with more than 1 billion users in over 180 countries. It has been expanding Newton-Rex has worked its team in Europe, including in London. at WorldRemit for almost five years, where she held A well-known European fintech startup, WorldRemit was founded a number of senior roles in 2010 by Ismail Ahmed, an entrepreneur from Somaliland, to give in product and design, consumers an easier and cheaper way to make international money according to her LinkedIn transfers online. The company has 4 million customers and offers profile. She previously led services in 150 countries. It has raised $375 million in funding. the product team for GOV. UK, the online portal for the Ahmed led the company as CEO until October, when he was British government's services, replaced by the former chief executive of Paddy Power Betfair Plc, according to WorldRemit's Breon Corcoran. website.

Grab raises $300 million from asset manager Invesco to fuel growth

rab has received an weeks after announcing additional $300 million over $4.5 billion of Ginvestment from asset funding in Southeast manager Invesco Ltd as Asia's largest round of part of plans by Southeast private financing. Asia's biggest ride-hailing company to raise $6.5 billion "We have been closely in total capital this year. watching Southeast Asia and have every "The additional investment confidence in Grab's in Grab takes Invesco's ability to unlock new overall total to $703 million opportunities across on-demand mobility, delivery and financial and re-affirms its belief in services in the region," said Justin Leverenz, senior portfolio Grab's vision and plan for the manager at Invesco Emerging Markets. region," Grab said. Singapore-headquartered Grab, like its regional rival Go-Jek, has Softbank-backed Grab said been raising billions of dollars to bring ride-hailing, food delivery, in April that it was looking to e-commerce and banking to a populous region with a growing raise another $2 billion this number of consumers that use smartphones to commute, shop and year to ramp up expansion, make payments.

36 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com BRITISH HERALD FINANCE

Singapore to allow virtual banks as part of the move to open up market

Shanmugaratnam said a digital full bank will start as a restricted digital bank to build up its business model and internal processes, and gradually progress to become a full functioning full bank.

Hong Kong, Singapore's fierce financial center rival, began issuing licenses earlier this year.

In Hong Kong, affiliates of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd and Xiaomi Corp, and ingapore's central Singapore's banking market consortia led by Standard bank plans to issue is dominated by DBS Group Chartered PLC and BOC up to five digital Holdings Ltd, Oversea- Hong Kong Holdings Ltd Chinese Banking Corp and bank licenses to were among those who won suitable applicants, United Overseas Bank Ltd. the digital-only banking Sin a move that could deliver licenses. the biggest shake-up in Earlier this month, sources two decades in a market were cited as saying that The MAS said in a statement dominated by local banks. ride-hailing company Grab is that it will issue up to two close to hiring a consultancy full digital bank licenses to "The new digital bank to advise it on its banking companies headquartered in licenses mark the next potential and is gearing up to Singapore and controlled by chapter in Singapore's apply for a digital-only bank Singaporeans. banking liberalization license in Singapore. journey," said Tharman Foreign firms are eligible Shanmugaratnam, senior Global financial technology for these licenses if they minister and chairman of players are among other form a joint venture with a the Monetary Authority of groups expected to seek Singapore company, and Singapore (MAS). licenses in Singapore, with the venture meets the some of them looking to headquarter and control "We welcome firms with form joint ventures. requirements. innovative value propositions "The far-reaching effects of to apply for the digital The central bank will also digitalization are stimulating bank licenses, even if they issue up to three digital a fundamental re-think of have not yet established wholesale bank licenses the role of banks, in most a track record in banking," which will be open to both advanced financial centers," Shanmugaratnam said local and foreign players. Shanmugaratnam said. at an annual event of the

Association of Banks in Digital wholesale banks "We are starting with two Singapore. will not be allowed to digital full bank licenses, take Singapore deposits so as not to fragment Asia's non-banking firms are from individuals, except Singapore's small domestic keen to challenge traditional for fixed deposits of at retail banking market," he banks by leveraging their least S$250,000 and will said. technology and their user be permitted to maintain databases to offer banking deposit accounts for MAS expects to invite corporate and small and services to retail customers applications in August. medium enterprises. and small businesses

facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 37 BRITISH HERALD FINANCE

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and business analytics in a bid SoftBank-backed to cut costs and improve decision making, OakNorth lender OakNorth has grown rapidly since the February funding round. doubles staff, inks deal The financial technology firm's staffing levels have with NIBC Bank nearly doubled from just below 300 in February to 520 today, Khosla said, as OakNorth hires software developers, credit experts and product designers.

He said OakNorth has made a number of significant hires from major technology companies in recent weeks and is targeting expansion in the United States, continental Europe and 'two to three' Asian markets.

OakNorth operates two main businesses, a bank in Britain focused on loans to small and medium- sized businesses, and its ritish financial software and justify the technology platform which technology firm 'unicorn' status implied by its it says uses data analytics OakNorth has multi-billion dollar valuation. and AI to help lenders make signed a five-year decisions. deal to provide It will see NIBC use Bits credit analysis and OakNorth's technology The software uses data monitoring platform to Dutch which it says helps banks about a prospective lender NIBC Bank NV [NIBC. make better decisions on borrower such as the AS], OakNorth said in its first small business loans. financial performance of its such agreement to be made peers and sentiment about public. More such deals will its brand from online reviews be announced shortly, to help inform lending OakNorth is Britain's most OakNorth Chief Executive decisions. valuable financial technology Rishi Khosla told, declining company, having raised to give financial details of the OakNorth says such software $440 million from investors NIBC deal. allows a level of detailed including Japan's SoftBank credit analysis normally Group in a February funding "We are engaged with over reserved for loans above 25 round that valued the firm at 10 banks from today, and million pounds. $2.8 billion. behind that there are at least another 10 which we are NIBC listed in Amsterdam in The deal with NIBC bank actively working with," he March last year and is known is the first enterprise-wide said. as a mortgage broker and agreement to be announced lender to small and medium- between OakNorth and a Seizing on a growing trend sized corporate borrowers in bank, as the firm works to for banks worldwide to the Netherlands, Germany, monetize its proprietary invest heavily in technology, Britain and Belgium.

38 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com BRITISH HERALD FINANCE

World's central banks tackle locations simultaneously," BIS Chairman Jens technology with innovation hub Weidmann said in a statement following the decision to create the hub at a BIS board meeting.

The hub will focus on helping central banks to "identify relevant trends in technology, supporting these developments where this is consistent with their mandate, and keeping abreast of regulatory requirements with the objective of safeguarding financial stability," he added.

Basel-based BIS, a central bank umbrella group, has already called on politicians to closely scrutinize Big Tech's incursion into finance, entral banks the urgency of coordinating a move that raises questions grappling with regulatory responses to about data privacy, fast-changing financial technology trends. competition, markets and financial banking. technology and "The IT revolution knows no Ccompanies like Facebook borders and therefore has Details about the hub were moving into finance will repercussions in multiple limited, and the BIS said aim to work together it was not able to provide more closely through details on investment or an innovation hub staffing levels. approved by the Bank for International Settlements. The Swiss National Bank (SNB), the Hong Kong The BIS said the intention Monetary Authority and of the hub, which will be the Monetary Authority of based in Basel, Hong Singapore have all signed up Kong and Singapore, is to to support the initiative. improve the functioning of the global financial SNB Chairman Thomas system and it will identify Jordan said the central bank and develop insights would step up its efforts in into trends in technology scrutinizing new financial affecting central banking. technology.

Facebook's plan to "The SNB is already expand into payments keeping very close track of and launch its own Libra technological innovations cryptocurrency were not in the financial area, and mentioned in the BIS works actively within the statement, but the social central banking community media giant's move has in identifying and assessing helped crystallize opinion relevant developments at an among central bankers on early stage," Jordan said.

facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 39 BRITISH HERALD E-COMMERCE

Amazon launches new in-store pickup option with Rite Aid as first partner

The service was originally launched in the United Kingdom and Italy with retailers NEXT, Giunti Al Punto Librerie, Fermopoint and SisalPay. Amazon's Supanc would not comment on the financial details of the deals or whether Amazon is paying the retailers to participate.

Supanc said early data from the European launch has shown "very clear evidence" that the increased foot traffic from Amazon customers coming into partner stores increases sales there.

"They're being introduced mazon.com stores where customers can to Amazon customers, and has steadily pick up packages. Patrick Amazon customers are added options Supanc, world director of getting to know that store. for customers Amazon Hub, said that That additional footfall into to receive their the locker has spread to their stores translates into Apackages including in car thousands of stores but additional sales for those trunks, inside home garages some retailers do not have partners," he said. and potentially by drone. the space to accommodate a locker. In a statement, Jocelyn Amazon added another Konrad, Executive vise alternative for U.S. "Overall, we want to give president of pharmacy and customers: Walk into a every Amazon customer retail operations at Rite Aid, nearby retailer and pick up the option of an alternative said the program, along with an Amazon package over the delivery location," Supanc Amazon's lockers in Rite Aid counter. said. "This will become an stores, "creates a stronger extensive network." in-store experience for The new option, called existing customers and new Counter, will launch with Amazon said the service customers that come in to pharmacy Rite Aid Corp will not cost extra and will pick up their packages." offering the service in 100 work with existing shipping stores, with an expansion options such as same-day Supanc said that the two to 1,500 stores by year's service. When a package companies were "not end, the companies said. arrives at a store, the sharing any retail data Amazon is also looking to customer will get an email with each other" and that get other retailers, including notification. Once in the the effort was focused on small businesses, to join the store, the customer shows delivery experiences and program as it expands. an employee a barcode, and not connected to Amazon's the employee scans it, finds other efforts to get into The new option builds on the package and hands it pharmacy retailing, such Amazon's previous efforts over. as its purchase of startup to put lockers inside retail PillPack last year.

40 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com BRITISH HERALD E-COMMERCE

India's Flipkart to replace 40% of its delivery vans with EVs

Walmart Inc's Indian unit Flipkart said it plans to replace nearly 40% of its current fleet of delivery vans with electric vehicles (EVs) by March 2020, as part of its efforts to cut down on its carbon footprint.

The Bengaluru-based ecommerce company said it will start with deploying 160 vans by 2019-end. Some of these EVs are already "These efforts will help us In a statement dated June plying in the country's meaningfully contribute 27, Flipkart said it is working capital of New Delhi. towards electric mobility... with local partners to co- while bringing cost design concepts for EVs Flipkart has amped efficiencies for the business. best suited for the growing up its focus on In this process, we also hope e-commerce industry. sustainability since its to create an ecosystem for $16 billion acquisition adoption of electric mobility "We believe these small by Walmart last year. in India," Amitesh Jha, senior but meaningful steps in The company has also vice-president of Ekart and this direction will go a expanded its operations Marketplace at Flipkart, said long way in paving the at a fast pace as it in a statement. way for larger adoption of competes with rival EVs in the country," group Amazon Inc in India's Ecommerce companies in Chief Executive Kalyan online sales market. India are also in talks with Krishnamurthy, said. the government around Flipkart's move towards various policies related The electric last-mile electric vehicles, the to their operations in the delivery vehicles will first among big online country. Earlier, Commerce help cut Flipkart's carbon firms in the country, Minister met emissions by over 50%, the comes as the Indian with ecommerce companies, company added. government is pushing including Flipkart, to talk for faster adoption of about compliance with new these to fight pollution. foreign investment rules.

facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 41 BRITISH HERALD TECH EVENT

Welcome to the Haulio of Fame: Container haulage startup takes top prize at RISE, Asia’s largest technology event in Hong Kong

are suffering silently from the inefficiencies. They just do the same thing over and over again for years and they don’t change their habits. They are so good at what they do, but it’s a profession built by early generation that don’t really understand tech. Industry leaders want to transform their business but they don’t know how. There’s not many startups in the logistics industry for cargos.”

“PITCH has helped me hone up my pitching skills. It’s a challenge to explain my business in 3 minutes! I have to bring toy trucks, as they don’t really understand the business to show them how it actually works!” ontainer haulage saving time and resources startup Haulio for hauliers. It’s the simplest has been named and most reliable way for About Haulio the winner of businesses to get their Haulio is Singapore's largest PITCH 2019 at containers moved. Haulio network of haulage service CRISE. comes from PSA unboXed providers and the simplest incubator and is now working & most reliable way for PITCH, in partnership with with tens of thousands of businesses to get their Manulife, brings together the containers in Singapore. containers moved. world’s leading early-stage startups for a live onstage “Winning PITCH is validation A centralized collaborative battle. This year around half for our business.” - said co- B2B platform for the of the 777 startups of Asia's founder Alvin Ea. “Containers Container Haulage Industry, largest technology event are so big but people don’t we connect Containers RISE applied to be part of actually notice them. We’re to Customers seamlessly. the competition, with 60 trying to bring to the world With more than 70% of being selected and given the stage something that is Singapore’s hauliers already opportunity to present at the hidden to many people. on the platform, Haulio is PITCH stage in front of Asia’s PITCH can help bring our Singapore’s largest network top investors. company to the world stage of haulage services, giving and let people know this is a customers an outreach of From Singapore, the problem worth solving. ” more than 2,000 trucks and operating system for 20,000 trailers. Incubated container haulage enables “Our speciality is in container by PSA unboXed, Haulio containers to move like trucks. There’s a big pain in aims to bring value to the clockwork beyond the port, this industry and workers various stakeholders within

42 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com BRITISH HERALD TECH EVENT

the Container Haulage space, and lead the industry's digital transformation into Industry 4.0.

About RISE According to CNBC, RISE is “the largest technology gathering in Asia”. Now in its fifth year, the event brings together the world’s leading founders, investors, multinationals and the world’s most promising startups to Hong Kong from July 8-11. They’ll be joined by journalists from major global media outlets and thousands of attendees for three days of unparalleled networking potential.

About Web Summit Forbes says Web Summit is “the best tech conference on the planet”, Bloomberg calls it “Davos for geeks”, Politico “the Olympics of tech”, and the Guardian “Glastonbury for geeks”, and in the words of Inc Magazine “Web Summit is the largest technology conference in the world”.

Whatever Web Summit is, it wouldn’t be possible without an incredible team of over 200 employees based in Dublin, Lisbon, Toronto and Hong Kong; including world class engineers, data scientists, designers, producers, marketers, salespeople and more. They’ve disrupted an old industry by building incredible software and designing mind-blowing events - revolutionising how people and ideas come together to change the world.

As one of the world’s largest gatherings of entrepreneurs, investors multinationals and thought leaders - over 120,000 people from more than 170 countries join Web Summit in Lisbon, Collision in Toronto, RISE in Hong Kong.

facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 43 BRITISH HERALD AWARDS

France's Mirazur crowned world's best restaurant, Denmark's Noma is No. 2

on the 2019 list at No. 2. In its previous incarnation, Noma won the top title in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014.

Spain dominated the top 10 list with three restaurants. Asador Etxebarri in Axpe was ranked No.3 for showing off simple ingredients by grilling them, while Mugaritz was seventh and Disfrutar came ninth.

Compiled by William Reed Business Media, the Best 50 list is based on the experiences of more than 1,000 restaurant industry irazur, on the French Riviera, was crowned No.1 at the experts around the world. World's 50 Best Restaurants awards ceremony held in Singapore, lauded for its fresh and seasonal cuisine. The only Asian restaurant in the top 10 was Gaggan in The three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Menton Bangkok, Thailand, at No. 4. Mclimbed to the top from third last year, replacing Italy's Osteria Kolkata-born chef Gaggan Francescana. Anand's playful menu includes a curry dish that Mirazur's menu, which includes dishes like salt-crusted beetroot diners are encouraged to lick from the garden with caviar cream, is inspired by the sea, the from the plate, while music mountains and produce from its own gardens, which cascade over by rock band Kiss plays in three levels. the background.

Its Argentine-born chef Mauro Colagreco told he felt like he "was Another Copenhagen in the sky" after winning the award, which "showed the world when restaurant, Geranium, was you have a dream all is possible". He and his team accepted the fifth on the list, while Paris's prize carrying a banner that combined the flags of Argentina, Arpge, where vegetables France, Brazil and Italy. take centre-stage, was No. 8.

Launched in 2002, the 50 Best list has grown in prominence to Peru, which has emerged rival the long-established Michelin star system. The ceremony in in recent years as a top Singapore is the first to be held in Asia. culinary destination, featured twice in the top 10 -- Lima's After a change in the rules earlier this year, restaurants that Central remained sixth, previously topped the poll will no longer be eligible for the annual while Japanese-Peruvian ranking. Past winners, including Osteria Francescana, joined a newly fusion outlet Maido, with its created "Best of the Best" category. 50-hour-cooked beef short rib, was No. 10. Ren Redzepi's re-opened Noma in Copenhagen, Denmark, debuted

44 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com BRITISH HERALD MOBILE

Vietnam's Vingroup in deal with Fujitsu unit, Qualcomm to make 5G phones

ingroup JSC, Vietnam's Earlier this month, the company started construction of biggest-listed firm by market the factory that can produce 125 million units a year. V value, said it had signed a deal with Qualcomm and a unit of Vingroup launched Vsmart brand in December last Japan's Fujitsu Ltd to produce 5G year, seeking to win market share from popular brands smartphones in the country. Samsung and Apple in Vietnam, which has a population of 95 million people. The Vsmart phones will be manufactured at its factory in the The company began selling Vsmart phones in Spain in capital city of Hanoi and will be sold in March and plans to expand into other European markets. the U.S. and European markets from Its phones went on sale in regional neighbor Myanmar last April next year, Vingroup said in a month. statement.

facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 45 BRITISH HERALD MOBILE

Vodafone launches 5G in Britain with unlimited data plans

odafone switched Vodafone on its 5G network is taking a in seven British different cities, aiming to approach set itself apart in by offering Vits home market from rival unlimited EE by offering unlimited downloads data plans that include the tiered high-speed service at no according premium. to speed, Jeffery said Vodafone always starting from 23 pounds a complied with government The move by the world's month for up to 2 Mbps, 26 guidance on its products and No.2 mobile operator came pounds for up to 10 Mbps services. "But if it's possible as Deutsche Telekom and 30 pounds for speeds for us to sell a wider range announced a limited rollout as fast as the device and of 5G devices, particularly of 5G services in its German network will allow. the Huawei one, we will," he home market, stealing a added. march on competitors. "Let battle commence, Vodafone is looking to Vodafone uses a range Nick Jeffery, chief executive go toe-to-toe with EE," of telecom equipment of Vodafone UK, said industry analyst Paolo suppliers including Huawei offering unlimited data Pescatore said. "The scale and Ericsson in its network, plans to both consumer and of its ambitions should not but it does not use the business customers would be underestimated. 5G Chinese company in its core. revolutionize the mobile represents a significant market. opportunity to turn around "Huawei is one third of its fortunes in the UK." our base stations, and the "We will give customers all other two-thirds are other the data they need, when He added that the 5G market vendors," chief technology and where they want it," he would see a further boost officer Scott Petty said. "We said. when Apple releases its first like to use Huawei in base 5G device, most likely next stations, they make great Jeffery said Vodafone had year. products and they work examined how consumers really, really well." used their devices and how it managed its network, Huawei Britain was set to allow including the efficiencies Huawei some participation in offered by 5G technology, Uncertainty the radio part of 5G networks before deciding to switch to Vodafone is launching the but bar it from the intelligent unlimited data plans. service with Xiaomi Mi Mix core. But a decision has not 3 and Samsung S10 5G been announced, and the "We thought it was the right handsets and a 5G router. U.S. and some politicians role for Vodafone to get back are pushing for a more far- to its roots as a great British Both Vodafone UK and EE reaching ban. tech innovator," he told pulled 5G handsets made reporters. by China's Huawei from their Asked about the possibility launch line-ups because of of a total ban, Jeffery EE, which is owned by BT, uncertainty about support said Britain had to grasp launched the first British 5G by Google's Android after the opportunity to be a commercial service on May a U.S. move to block the technology leader. "Anything 30. It is offering a range of Chinese firm's access to its that slows us down is bad contract and sim-only deals technology. The status of the news for us all," he said. for the ultrafast service. ban remains unclear.

46 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com BRITISH HERALD MOBILE Singapore to invest $30 million in 5G tests ahead of 2020 rollout

the announcement.

Unlike the upgrades of cellular standards 2G in the early 1990s, 3G around the millennium and 4G in 2010, 5G standards will deliver not just faster phone and computer data but also help connect up cars, machines, cargo and crop equipment.

Chinese telecom firm Huawei Technologies is one firm vying for global deals to operate 5G networks. But the United States has asked countries to reject Huawei technology in the development of new mobile ingapore launched a manufacturing and phone networks, arguing S$40 million initiative consumer applications as that it could be vulnerable to test applications the city-state looks to be S to Chinese eavesdropping. for 5G networks, the next "a global front-runner in Huawei denies its equipment generation of mobile impactful 5G use cases" is a security risk. communications, ahead of a planned rollout next year. Singapore will pick a Singapore has not ruled telecoms company to be out allowing telecoms The project, unveiled by the first to mass-market 5G companies to use Huawei minister for communications networks by the end of the technology in their new 5G and information S Iswaran, first quarter of next year, the systems. will test the network in areas first step in a broader rollout, such as port management, Iswaran told journalists after

BT to launch 5G services this autumn

ritain's former telecoms monopoly BT said that it would launch 5G services across its Bbusiness customers in the autumn this year.

BT's 5G service will be available in the busiest parts of 16 British cities by the end of the year, the country's biggest broadband and mobile provider said.

facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 47 BRITISH HERALD MOBILE Deutsche Telekom first to market in Germany with limited 5G rollout

eutsche Telekom 5G to the streets, to our month in Germany's longest- stole a march on customers, as quickly ever auction of mobile its competitors as possible," Deutsche frequencies. by announcing a Telekom's Germany head, limited rollout of Dirk Woessner, told a glitzy It competes with existing D5G services in its German presentation in Berlin. operators Telefonica home market, targeting Deutschland and Vodafone, early adopters in cities with Networks running on 5G while new market entrant the high-speed mobile offer much faster download Drillisch also acquired technology. speeds than existing 4G spectrum to serve as the services while latency - or basis for a fourth national Existing 5G trials will be reaction times - is reduced network. opened up to public use to milliseconds. That can in the German capital power multi-player video The market leader, which Berlin and in Bonn, where games or run billions is partly state owned, had Deutsche Telekom is of devices and sensors complained that the high headquartered, with four connected to the industrial cost of the auction had left a more cities to follow this Internet of Things (IoT). "bitter aftertaste" and would year. By the end of 2020, 20 sap the ability of network German cities will get 5G Deutsche Telekom bid operators to invest in costly coverage. 2.17 billion euros for 130 network upgrades. Megahertz of the 420 MHz of But it will still be able to "Our goal now is to get 5G spectrum allocated last

48 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com BRITISH HERALD MOBILE plow 5 billion euros this year should not depend on one It is also marketing a mobile into building out its network vendor." 5G hotspot hub from HTC, infrastructure, technology which offers speeds of up to chief Claudia Nemat told the Germany's three main 1 gigabyte per second and same briefing. network vendors are Huawei can run up to 20 devices, customers and, industry at a price of 556 euros, plus Germany lags countries like sources say all are keen a 75 euro monthly fee for South Korea and the United to build on their existing unlimited data use. States in rolling out 5G relationship with the Chinese services. vendor as they adopt 5G. "We are doing this for the The alternative, of ripping people who want to be Also Vodafone said it is and replacing existing gear, there at the very start," said switching on its 5G network could set back rollouts by Michael Hagspihl, head of in seven U.K. cities and years and cost billions, they consumer business. would continue to invest in warn. rolling out 5G with the aim Deutsche Telekom will bring of reaching at least eight 300 5G-enabled antennas million consumers by 2021. into service this year, making CONSUMER use of its newly acquired FOCUS 3.5 Gigahertz spectrum that is most suited to urban Deutsche Telekom is HUAWEI coverage. making 5G-enabled devices

CUSTOMER available to early adopters More broadly, the company Deutsche Telekom partnered with immediate effect, will continue to build 2,000 with Huawei Technologies offering the Samsung Galaxy new masts per year, bringing in a Berlin 5G trial now being S10 5G smartphone for 900 the total to 36,000 by the opened up to users, despite euros as part of its all-you- end of 2021, as it strives to calls by the United States on can-use data package. meet coverage requirements its allies to bar the Chinese for its existing 4G network network vendor on national The unlimited data plan set by the network regulator, security grounds. will be priced at 85 euros a said Woessner. month. Instead of imposing blanket bans, Germany has toughened security rules on all network vendors. Deutsche Telekom, for its part, is conducting an ongoing review of its vendor strategy and said it was in close touch with regulators and the government on the matter.

"The most important criterion is network security," said Nemat. "And the most important statement to make here is that we

facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 49 BRITISH HERALD MOBILE

number of phones, which it Samsung in hot water over soon fixed. But customers online continued reporting splashy Australian phone ads problems, forum comments show. represented Galaxy phones Some consumers damaged would be their phones when exposing suitable for them to water and Samsung use in, or for had refused to honor exposure warranty claims, the ACCC to, all types said in the lawsuit, though of water Samsung said it complied when this with all of its warranty was not the obligations under Australian case," ACCC law. Chairman Rod Sims said in a The regulator also said statement. Samsung's advice to some Galaxy model users that the Samsung said it stood by its phones were not suitable for ustralia's advertising, complied with beach or pool use suggested consumer Australian law and would the firm considered water watchdog has defend the case. could cause damage. sued Samsung

Electronics The South Korean "Samsung showed the ACo Ltd's Australian unit Galaxy phones used in electronics giant has spent for allegedly misleading heavily on advertising to situations they shouldn't be consumers by promoting rebuild public faith in its to attract customers," Sims water-resistant Galaxy premium smartphones said. smartphones as suitable to following the costly recall of use in swimming pools and its fire-prone Galaxy Note 7 "Samsung's advertisements, the surf. devices in 2016. we believe, denied

consumers an informed The world's largest It is due to announce choice and gave Samsung smartphone maker did not preliminary quarterly an unfair competitive know or sufficiently test the earnings, when it is widely advantage." effects of pool or saltwater expected to flag a profit exposure on its phones plunge due to fall in chip The ACCC alleges law when ads showed them fully prices. breaches occurred in more submerged, the Australian than 300 advertisements. If Competition and Consumer proven, each breach after 1 Commission (ACCC) lawsuit Sept. 2018 can attract a fine says. Hot Water of up to A$10 million, triple Samsung's water resistance the benefit of the conduct The case is the first filed by claims came under heavy or as much as 10% of annual a major regulator and could scrutiny as early as 2016 turnover. result in multi-million dollar when influential U.S. fines. It centers on more than magazine Consumer Reports Breaches prior to 1 Sept. 300 advertisements in which said the Galaxy S7 phone 2018 can attract penalties Samsung showed its Galaxy - which appears dunked in as high as A$1.1 million. Rival phones being used at the a fish tank in commercials - Sony settled a U.S. class bottom of swimming pools had failed an immersion test. action over similar claims for and in the ocean. its Xperia smartphone range The company attributed in 2017, promising refunds "The ACCC alleges where the phones had failed. Samsung's advertisements that to a manufacturing falsely and misleadingly defect, affecting a small

50 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com BRITISH HERALD AUTOMOBILE Five Japanese automakers sign on to SoftBank-Toyota self-drive venture

"e-palette" multi-purpose vehicle.

Monet is building up members as it joins the ride-sharing sphere which is dominated by startups such as Uber Technologies Inc, Didi Chuxing and Lyft Inc, as traditional automakers band together to compete in an industry which is placing growing emphasis on offering vehicle services rather than selling cars to individual drivers.

Automakers are increasingly joining forces with technology companies as ive Japanese Hino Motors Ltd, Toyota's well as each other as they automakers truck-making operations, grapple with the massive including Suzuki which each own 10% stakes. investment and software Motor Corp and Launched in October, the expertise required to Mazda Motor Corp develop these new services Fsaid they would each invest for which demand has yet to 2% in the on-demand, self- be tested. driving car service venture set up by SoftBank Corp and The new investment will see Toyota Motor Corp. Suzuki, Mazda and Subaru deepen their partnership Suzuki, Mazda, Subaru with Toyota, as they have Corp, Isuzu Motors Ltd and already agreed to tap the RD Toyota's compact car unit firepower of Japan's biggest Daihatsu will each invest 57.1 automaker for electric cars million yen in the venture - and other future vehicle dubbed Monet - in return for technologies. a 2% stake, the companies said in a statement. The announcement comes venture plans to roll out after Monet's chief executive SoftBank and Toyota will on-demand bus and car told that earlier this month each retain their 35% stakes services in Japan in the next it was planning to expand in the company, which is year, and a services platform its investor base and start now capitalized at $26.6 for electric vehicles in the operating in Southeast Asia million. The latest investors country as early as 2023 next year. join Honda Motor Co Ltd and based on Toyota's boxy

facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 51 BRITISH HERALD INNOVATION

Google internet balloon spinoff Loon still looking for its wings

oogle's bet by floating solar-powered Vodafone New Zealand and on balloons networking gear over areas French giant Orange SA say to deliver cell where cell towers would be Loon must demonstrate its service soon too expensive to build. technology is reliable, safe faces a crucial and profitable for carriers. Gtest amid doubts about the Its tennis-court-sized helium viability of the technology by balloons have demonstrated Herv Suquet, chief some potential customers. utility. Over the last three technology and information years, Loon successfully let officer for Orange Middle The company behind the wireless carriers in Peru and East and Africa, said Loon effort, Loon says its balloons Puerto Rico use balloons for needs to prove itself in will reach Kenya in the free to supplant cell phone Kenya. coming weeks for its first towers downed by natural commercial trial. The test disasters. "If the results are positive, we with Telkom Kenya, the would then be potentially nation's No. 3 carrier, will let Kenyan officials are interested," he said in a mountain villagers buy 4G enthusiastic as they try to statement. service at market-rate prices bring more citizens online. for an undefined period. Kuwait-based carrier Zain Kenya's aviation authority But executives at five other Group said it, too, is watching said its final approval would wireless carriers courted by the Kenyan trial closely. be signed this month. Loon across four continents said that Loon is not a fit Stakes are high for Google's Hatched in 2011, Loon aims currently, and may never parent Alphabet Inc It to bring connectivity to be. Those companies, has touted a few small remote parts of the world including Telkom Indonesia, subsidiaries, including Loon,

52 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com BRITISH HERALD INNOVATION as being crucial to its next invested $125 million as part balked, preferring to pay act: diversifying beyond ad of a partnership this year. based on the number of sales. But its self-described It has accelerated Loon's subscribers, according to "other bets," such as self- previously unreported one of the carrier executives driving car company Waymo, interest in industrial and one of the former generate 0.4% of revenue. applications, such as serving Google executives. farms and off-shore oil wells. Another cloud is a lawsuit Others are wary of technical alleging Google swiped a "With years of technical limitations. A virtual chain of competitor's balloon ideas in development, over 35 six balloons can supply 4G 2008. A trial in federal court million kilometers flown, to thousands of devices over is slated to begin August and hundreds of thousands an area nearly as large as 2 in San Jose, California. If of people connected, we Puerto Rico. it loses, Loon would pay have a big head start and are jury-determined damages well positioned to connect But users can lose to Chandler, Arizona-based a lot of people and seize connections if winds push Space Data, which sells the opportunities that come balloons astray. Their communications balloons to with it," Westgarth said in a solar-powered gear needs the U.S. military. statement. abundant year-round sunshine, leaving chunks of Loon said it will "vigorously the United States, Europe, defend" itself. Industry Flight China and southernmost South America and Africa off Alastair Westgarth, chief Loon decided to partner limits. And using balloons executive of the Alphabet with carriers, three former too close to cities could jam subsidiary officially formed Google executives said, after other communications. last July, expressed finding that operating its own confidence in its strategy. network risked blowback In addition, the balloons "Multiple" additional from telecom companies, each cost tens of thousands entities are close to signing shareholders and activists of dollars and must be contracts with Loon, he said. wary of Google's influence. replaced every five months The company's workforce It aims to levy a fixed as their plastic shells has tripled to over 200 subscription charge based degrade. employees in the last year. on the size of the coverage area, plus fees linked to data Loon declined to comment Loon also attracted outside usage. on costs, but said it is funding. An arm of Japanese continuing to improve telecoms firm SoftBank Corp But some prospective coverage and longevity developing internet drones telecoms clients have Stumble In Indonesia The company also has faced political and cultural headwinds.

In 2015, it invited officials from Indonesia to Google's headquarters to announce trials in the world's fourth most populous country. Its 268 million people are spread over thousands of islands, making traditional coverage challenging.

facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 53 BRITISH HERALD INNOVATION

But four years on, Loon is still sentiment, according to last month they issued awaiting final approval to test two people familiar with the preliminary clearance. The there. plans. nation's Ministry of Defense must still perform security It stumbled early by "To lobby, you have to be inspections, including serving pork sandwiches there to bow and respect," checking for cameras, an to its Muslim guests one of the people said. Loon Indonesian. during the 2015 Silicon "could have pushed much Valley visit, according to more." Meanwhile, Telkom a person familiar with the Indonesia, the nation' proceedings. Loon said it Loon said it holds frequent No. 1 carrier, is focusing accommodated dietary talks with Indonesian on satellites to expand restrictions and scheduled authorities and that coverage, David Bangun, a prayer time for guests. top executive, said.

Back in Indonesia, rumors Madrid-based Telefonica swirled online and in which declined to government that the comment but has held balloons held surveillance deal talks with Loon cameras, which the for years, has tested company denied. alternatives such as Indonesian authorities relying on solar power in 2016 probed Google to reduce the costs of for alleged tax evasion, remote towers. eventually agreeing to an undisclosed settlement. Another Latin American carrier, whose operations But the damage was are vulnerable to storms, done. Loon staff that year said it found an alternative canceled an Indonesian for disaster resilience: It trip over concerns will fortify its cell towers. about rising anti-Google

BALLOON BASICS- Balloons are made from a thin plastic and filled with helium. They weigh about 165 pounds including an air pump, and carry an additional 165 pounds or so of solar panels, antennas and other equipment. Each balloon is about as long and wide as a tennis court when fully pressurized in the stratosphere at 60,000 feet.

LANDING- Balloons descend by parachute at about 12 mph, or about the speed of a skydiver.

REGULATIONS- Loon coordinates with air-traffic control officials in all countries where it operates. Onboard transponders share each balloon's location.

THE TECH- Networking gear in the balloon connects to a ground station or satellite. Each balloon provides coverage over about 2,000 square miles. But balloons can also relay the internet connection between each other, extending their range without the need for additional ground equipment.

STRENGTHS- Balloons can be positioned above almost any spot on Earth in a couple of weeks or less. Units can be added or removed depending on coverage needs, and their parts can be recycled for other uses.

CHALLENGES- The lifespan of each balloon is only around five months because its plastic degrades. The units are reliant on winds to navigate and the sun to power their networking equipment. Their presence has generated safety concerns from some aviation authorities.

54 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com BRITISH HERALD TECHNOLOGY

The company, which First battery-powered cruise operates scenic cruise lines along the country's fjords ship sails for the Arctic and into the Arctic, was inspired by Norway's fleet of hybrid ferries and also its growing fleet of electric cars, he said.

Battery technology for propelling ships is in its infancy, even on shorter routes, as few ports provide charging stations.

"We expect batteries to be an important part of shipping in the years to come, but of course we don't expect our ships to be able to operate only on batteries, because the ship can sail up to 18-20 days in areas where there are no charging points," Skjeldam said.

Hurtigruten expects infrastructure will improve on its traditional routes along the Norwegian coast, while currently charging services are only provided in Bergen, he world's first mainly on marine gasoil, the Norway's second-largest cruise ship ship's battery pack enables city. propelled partially it to run solely on batteries by battery power for around 45 to 60 minutes The future for batteries on is set to head out under ideal conditions, larger ships also hinges Tfrom northern Norway on Hurtigruten Chief Executive on suppliers' capacity its maiden voyage, cruise Daniel Skjeldam said. to develop lighter, more operator Hurtigruten said. powerful systems. The company estimates that The hybrid expedition cruise the battery pack will reduce "We expect a revolution on ship, the Roald Amundsen, fuel consumption and save battery technology for ships, can take 500 passengers about 20% in carbon dioxide we expect batteries to be and is designed to sail in emissions, compared to if lighter, more effective, and harsh climate waters. the ship was operating on we've set aside extra room marine gasoil alone. for more batteries to be Named after the Norwegian installed when battery packs explorer who navigated "It's designed to take become more effective," the Northwest Passage in excessive energy from Skjeldam said. 1903-1906 and was first to the engines and put into reach the South Pole in 1911, the battery when the ship He added that the second the ship heads for the Arctic doesn't need it, and put it hybrid cruise ship the from Tromsoe this week back into the engine when company has on order, to be and will sail the Northwest the ship needs it. It is a delivered later this year, will Passage to Alaska before way of reducing emissions have battery pack with twice heading south, reaching significantly without having the capacity of the Roald Antarctica in October. charging stations available," Amundsen. Skjeldam said. While the engines run

facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 55 BRITISH HERALD ROBOTICS

Boxing with giants Italy's packing robots are not just cardboard cutouts

mazon's new unemployment. in the last three years and I recruit comes think we will double it again from a medieval And leading the pack is in the next three years," walled town in - automated packaging - said CMC Chief Executive central Italy and growing nine times faster Francesco Ponti. Acan box and seal at least 600 than the economy as a items of different shapes and whole, according to the His father, Giuseppe, a sizes every hour. Twenty-four trade association UCIMA. technician with a local hours a day, seven days a packaging company, week. "We doubled our turnover founded CMC in 1980 in a

That recruit is the CartonWrap, brainchild of CMC, a small firm that is just one of 630 Italian companies making automated packaging machines - one of Italy's fastest growing industries, raking in nearly 8 billion euros in 2018, or about a quarter of the world market.

Machinery is Italy's top export, worth almost 50 billion euros last year and a rare bright spot for a stagnant economy plagued by low productivity and high

56 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com BRITISH HERALD ROBOTICS domestic garage not far from the frescoed 16th century palazzi of Citt di Castello.

It now employs 300 people and has revenues of 50 million euros - thanks mainly to CartonWrap, which measures goods coming down a conveyor belt through a scanner and wraps each in a custom-made box.

Both Amazon and Walmart are customers, though Ponti said client relationships were confidential. Others include the Italian fashion group Gucci, the French retailer Leclerc and the Dutch online and clean away the excess specializes in packaging for shop Bol.com. hot glue that can clog the pharmaceutical products. machine. While Italian and German Faster and Cleaner Production capacity is also companies dominate the limited - CMC can only make automated packaging At up to 1,000 boxes per five or six machines a month, market, Chinese competition hour, CartonWrap machines though it plans to double is growing. not only pack much faster that soon. than humans; they also The German robotics save money by reducing "Scale is a problem firm Kuka and the Italian packaging waste, CMC says. for our industry and Romaco group have both been bought by "We were doing it Chinese firms in the manually but the last three years - and problem was handling across industrialized the volumes," Tim countries, humans Fronzek, co-founder will soon become of the German online redundant on many retailer reBuy.com, packaging lines. which dispatches up to 25,000 items a day, Back at CMC, told a CMC customer Francesco Ponti is presentation. relaxed.

"The machines have "There are no more allowed us to manage people who want to the packaging process do this job by hand," he more efficiently, and said. process all outbound shipments in just a "If automation grows, few hours with the the (number of) help of two or three people who work in employees." automation grow, and the quality of their The machines may consolidation is already work will be much better not eat lunch but they do under way," said Maurizio than it is today." need breaks, for on-site Marchesini, chairman of technicians to fix problems Marchesini Group, which

facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 57 BRITISH HERALD TRAVEL

Top destinations for Shopping tourism during this Summer

hopping tourism is becoming a major factor when travelers pick their destinations and Sit is also a powerful driver of economic development. A new platform called LookStyler was created particularly for that reason. It connects professional stylists, fashion brands and international luxury shoppers in more than 70 cities worldwide in order to offer a unique shopping experience while traveling abroad.

Following is the list of some of the most wanted destinations for fashion tourism this summer.

New York New York is one of the top fashion capitals of the world and the shopping experience in this city is always a real art of consumption. There are some major reasons why this city is on the A list of shopping destinations. For example, an impressive new shopping district called Hudson Yards just opened in the city and millions of visitors flock to the mall to snap a photo of themselves in front the famous Vessel. This is the city with the largest number of stylists in the world and LookStyler is the platform that leverages their skills to guide you while you shop. The city encompasses a multitude of many other shopping districts like Madison Avenue, Fifth Avenue and Soho. There is something here for everyone’s fashion taste.

58 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com BRITISH HERALD TRAVEL

Dubai There is one common denominator that binds together all shopping destinations in Dubai: a unique luxury experience. All brands can be found in Dubai and while you stroll through the impressive malls, you can enjoy great restaurants as well. Luxury cars, jewelry and clothing are all part of this incredible shopping experience.

Paris Paris is all about the blend of tradition and luxury. Known as the most prestigious fashion city in the world, it is a place that oozes style. The Art Nouveau architectural style paired with luxury department stores like Galeries Lafayette attract millions of tourists from all over the world every year. LookStyler can help you shop like VIP French celebrities do.

Milan There is no other place on earth like Milan. Here you can buy Gucci, Prada, Versace and Fendi, while you stop to have a cup of the most delicious espresso. The culinary experience is on a very high level and it is paired so well with the fashion experience that can be enjoyed here. Everyone in the city looks stylish and its is a true delight to gaze at models, while you enjoy an Aperol Spritz in the evening during sunset. This city should be on the bucket list of everyone who wants to upgrade their wardrobe and their entire look.

LookStyler brings a unique experience to each of these cities. Now you can explore best shopping districts, discover independent designers and get a makeover, all with the help of a local professional expert. Stylists can save your time and money and make you look and feel beautiful, all while you travel. Isn’t that just perfect?

Check out the platform: www.lookstyler.com

facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 59 BRITISH HERALD TRAVEL

Night Cruise on Hungry@Hungary Danube: The highlight of the Hungary By Prof Ujjwal K Chowdhury who was in Hungary to speak in Debrecen Fashion Film Festival and Ms Priyanka Sarkar, winner of third best film award at the festival. trip was the night cruise on the Danube which made us hungry for more. The ambiance, the climate, the breezy night, the snacks on the deck, the look of the well-lit gothic structures on the banks, the most exquisite sight of the profusely lit up Hungarian Parliament on one bank, the several leading hotels of the world, the multiple bridges across Danube river of variegated makes and designs which link the hilly Buda with the plains Pest to make the twins legendary ebrecen thermal spas. Indian Budapest, we can just go on University, naturopathy and ayurveda and on. The Danube being with a hat- have a pride of place with a the second largest river wearing department in the medical of Europe and connecting squirrel as its school dedicated to these several historical and capital Dmascot since squirrels are a healthcare systems, and cities of the continent is a million around the campus, with Indian professors veritable treasure to know is 105 years old, with some too. The huge gothic the history of these places 30,000 plus students, of structures, with names of and was a major trading which 6,000 are foreigners, top 20 people associated route in the past. and at least 10% of them across the last 100 years are from South Asia, half of inscribed in the central hall, The multilingual running them being Indians. We met and the water spring with commentary personalized a few and talked to find they statues around, give the to each tourist when you were largely on Erasmus university a unique look are on the cruise makes Munde scholarships to resplendent in history. The it a complete Hungarian study Masters or do doctoral nation changed hands from experience, with drinks and research. monarchs to dictators, to dinner for those who would communists, to democrats, like to pay for the same. The University is spread but the University continued across a large part of the its mission of education city, giving Debrecen a unabated. The professors An Afternoon @ university-city look like at the media department New York Palace our own Shantiniketan or and the international office, Manipal, though it has a especially Dr. Anna Keszeg, Cafe: large Forum mall, theatres, were extremely helpful and market place, downtown inquisitive about India. Decidedly the most fabulous pubs, and most strikingly, cafe I have ever visited,

60 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com BRITISH HERALD TRAVEL

New York Palace Cafe, earlier and cream, which was the young man. And he is not known as Boscolo Budapest cheapest, and cost us just alone. A few thousands of till 2017 and built by New Rs.9000. such young people double York Life Insurance in 1894 up with studies and part- initially as their office with a time jobs and keep the city cafe, will ever remain etched Multi-tasking economy running. in my mind. Its ground floor Learners: has been a long-time centre for Hungarian art, sculpture, At Debrecen, after my talk, I Night-life@ and literature. (UKC) was driven around the Budapest: city by Ben Jones, a tall lanky The statues and other young man in early 20s, who So much little time and so ornaments on the facade of studies Sociology Bachelors many ruin-bars to cover the building as well as the at the university, doubles in the city of Budapest. I cafe's 16 imposing devilish up as a radio cab driver (PS) was there for two days fauns are the works of Karoly in the afternoons earning and I decided not to sleep Senyei. Fauns are Roman enough for his education because that’s what I had. mythological half man-half and upkeep in four Strolled the city thrice in goat creatures. There is a afternoons of work a week, two days and even the 107-room luxury hotel also swims at the national level, cab drivers thought I was on the upper floors. Billed to has fun in the weekends a local to getting lost in be the most beautiful cafe with friends, and stays the early morning but then in the world by several cafe in a youth hostel coming getting right back on time rankings, the place surely from upcountry for study. just before my departure. plucks a hole in your pocket. Completely independent, The so-called “ruin-bars” We tried the Hungarian expecting more out of life, are undoubtedly the most coffee with black sour cherry he is learning music and unique attraction for people palinka (Hungarian local German too. Salute the spirit who love to party and alcohol), chilly, brown sugar and cheerful focus of the dance the daylights out

facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 61 BRITISH HERALD TRAVEL

“sneakers” and unfortunately, I was the only one without a pair. This gives me an idea that the Hungarian outgoing youth is highly fashionable with their clothing while maintaining a sense of individuality and they experiment a lot but they look for comfort and are grounded at the same time. Above all, I have never felt so safe in a city which is new to me, be it 4 AM in the morning, one can walk and dance while listening to music without any fear. You say “Buda” and I say “Pest” - I of their mind. These ruin- experience than what I have am definitely coming back bars are located in historic been to back at home and I Budapest! buildings, dilapidated pre- have some amazing pictures war buildings and the old to share. Jewish quarters. Ruin bars David Lynch in have been a rage since the The second day was more Hungary: founding of Szimpla Kert, the adventurous as I traveled epicenter of ruin bars. From across three different The cult American outside, they look like simple modes of transport: walking, filmmaker, the great buildings but, once you bus and metro and finally director, screenwriter, get inside there might be reached my destination, painter and musician, the possibilities of you to get lost Dürer Kert, this ruin-bar is one and only David Lynch as there could be nearly 18 located near the Danube had his “Small Stories” bars, where different parties which used to be a gay photography exhibition in happen on various floors. club back in the days, the Budapest this spring and building is a historic one I (PS) feel extremely lucky With the psychedelic with the most underground to be in Budapest during interiors with a retro set- experience I have ever had. that time. “Small Stories” up and the hipster crowd, I met a lot of people on this was created in 2014 for the ruin-bars have my day and what I observed the Paris Photo Week at heart. These bars are not through the nightlife and the Maison Européenne just bars but feel more like people of Budapest is de la Photographie and spaces, where they have that the city has a “retro- has only been on display effortlessly made the place futuristic” approach to three times altogether. A look not less than any art fashion, you can literally see psychedelic voyage through museum, be it graffiti on the people wearing hippie pants, the world of emotions, wall, chandeliers hanging tie-dyes to pop and rock humour, playfulness, and from the bathroom ceiling, n roll inspired clothing to restlessness, it also reveals amazing light installations vintage goth and new wave memories and scars from with the underground ravers wearing athleisure, the past. structure. On day one, I went sunglasses and carrying to FogasHázés Kert, Instant fanny packs. One of my good friends Petra from Debrecen was and LÄRM, these were not kind enough to inform me as old-school but definitely But what was common regarding this. After reaching a completely different among them all was a pair of

62 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com BRITISH HERALD TRAVEL

with chair installation and two AV screens for the viewers to have a deeper personal experience.

These 40 absurd photos had a sense of ambiguity with a hint of nightmare with tonal motifs of deep reds, greys, blacks, and whites which covered the white walls of the gallery. What I admire the most is the composition of the photos as it gave an eerie vibe with a lot of suspense and delusional thoughts, what we all might have experienced in our childhood dreams, which were unable to comprehend.

In the words of the artist himself “Still images can contain stories. Mostly, still, images contain small stories. And, as it happens, sometimes there are interesting stories that are small. Small stories take place during a very short period of time. However, the mind and emotions can become engaged by looking at a still image, and small stories can grow into huge stories. It depends, of course, on the viewer. It’s almost impossible not to find some Budapest from Debrecen, kind of story emerging from the first thing I did was to heroes when it comes to a still image. This, I think, is a go visit this exhibition right avant-garde cinema and I beautiful phenomenon.” after putting my luggage am highly inspired by his in the cute guest house surreal vision and approach – David Lynch in Óutca. This exhibition in the form of storytelling was an opening for “The Being an emerging and I love how he bridges Budapest Photo Festival”, an filmmaker myself, this the gap between dreams annual city-wide exhibition was one of my “happiest” series that is one of the and real world with seeking moments during my second biggest photography events a connection between the visit to Europe. in Hungary in the Műcsarnok subconscious and reality. (Kunsthalle or Hall of Art), One had to enter through the according to a press release famous “Twin Peaks” surreal Hop On Hop Off sent to the Budapest path through the red curtains Experience: Business Journal. to the main space of the exhibition. 40 photographs As funky the name sounds, Lynch is one of my biggest were put on display along the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus &

facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 63 BRITISH HERALD TRAVEL

Boat Tour has bright colored Post lunch visit at the local The evening turned out to double-decker open-top red Hungarian market was a be chic and very “Sex and buses, which is a 48-hour cultural trip! Those wishing the City” like experience with a visit to one of the biggest bus pass valid on the red, to experience the full and heavenly gorgeous purple and yellow routes for spectrum of the local food cafes in Budapest: New York sightseeing in the heart of scene and get an intimate, Palace with breath-taking Europe, which is Budapest. behind-the-scenes look, will architecture. After standing There are lots of things to do find that the Great Market in the queue for 20 minutes, in Budapest! Hop off the bus Hall, also known as the we tried the Hungarian at the strategically located Central Market Hall, is the coffee with black sour cherry stops and there are buses in perfect spot for culinary palinka (Hungarian local every 15 minutes for hopping exploration. Covering three alcohol), chilly, brown sugar back. floors, this market is a great and cream along with the place to discover traditional yummy New York cake. This drink definitely gave us The best part is that you street food specialties, the energy to take the tour can Hop on and off as many including lángos, the best- forward to the fashion street, times as you wish to take known fast food dish in which is Middle-Eastern the tour at your own pace, Hungary. Europe's most prestigious which makes the sightseeing shopping and lifestyle of this gothic city more Besides ready-to-eat food, destination for Ladies & enjoyable. We covered 22 one can enjoy fresh goods Gents. spots on the red route of the and regional delicacies bus starting from the Heroes such as Tokaj wines, palinka The onset of the night started with the view of the square, a historical spot (traditional fruit brandy in Gothic Revival façade of with art museums on the Central Europe with origins the lit Hungarian Parliament side, explored the Citadel from the Transylvania Building during the one- and Jewish Synagogue, Region), Hungarian paprika, hour cruise on the Danube and were astonished by excellent salami, and other river under a full moon. Just the panoramic views of the souvenirs. I ended up buying hop off every time you spot imperial city. River cruise 10 bottles of palinka to take something you would like to to walking around Buda to back home, and I decided explore further and then hop Pest, we enjoyed a relaxed to pick different flavors like back on! lunch paired with some lavender, peach, grape, etc. Hungarian wine and beer in the afternoon.

64 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com BRITISH HERALD AFRICA

Bob Collymore, the Safaricom poorest users. "The company was afraid that if he took a CEO who connected with Kenyans walk he might be in trouble," Mwangi said. "Kenyan CEOs don't hang out in the hood or go to the consumers. Kenyan CEOs wait for market research reports."

Staff recalled a boss who encouraged them to unplug from work devices at night and spend time with their families.

"His presence here was of great benefit to us, we all are the better for it," said the chairman of the company's board, Nicholas Ng'ang'a. hen Bob what Bob has done for this Collymore, company," Michael Joseph, A Briton who was born in the CEO his predecessor as CEO and Guyana, Collymore had of Kenya's a member of the board, said worked for retailer Dixons, Safaricom in a news conference. mobile operator O2 and Wwanted to know about his BT in Britain before joining poorest customers, he would Collymore became Vodafone. He launched catch a local bus or walk Safaricom's chief executive Vodafone's 3G strategy around Kenya's slums with officer in 2010 at the height in the Japanese business a prominent anti-corruption of a price war sparked by market and became head activist. its arch-rival, Airtel Kenya of corporate affairs in South Collymore held the line, Africa before his move to The visits, after Collymore's refusing to slash prices in head Safaricom. death from cancer his drive to provide better epitomized the popular services. Subscribers stayed. Outside the boardroom, touch that helped make him Collymore was a keen piano a household name as he led He fired corrupt internal and saxophone player East Africa's most profitable procurement officers before and a frequent presence company. seeing off two attempts by on Nairobi's music scene. the state regulator to break He helped raise funds for Affectionately referred to up the company due to its drought victims in 2011 as "Bob" by employees, dominant size, arguing poor and started big-name jazz customers and news customers relied on the concerts sponsored by anchors, the 61-year-old's network for banking services Safaricom. He also appeared affable manner and staunch via M-Pesa, the money in music videos by local defense of his company service that helped propel musicians. in the face of internal Safaricom to its status as corruption and external the first multi billion-dollar- "He grew up poor so he criticism from regulators a-year revenue company on had a soft spot for the made him a colorful the Nairobi bourse. It's now downtrodden and the character in corporate valued at $11 billion. vulnerable," friend Jeff Kenya's forest of dark suits. Koinange, a prominent Boniface Mwangi, a broadcaster, wrote to "You've all experienced prominent anti-corruption Reuters. "He died as he lived Bob, his largeness, his activist, said he had ... with a smile on his face." enthusiasm, his greatness, accompanied Collymore his affinity with people when he defied company He is survived by his wife and I think that's what has security to walk around the and four children. driven this company and slums to meet Safaricom's

facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 65 BRITISH HERALD ASIA

Massive shark fin haul into Hong Kong dodges global shipping bans

ONE and MSC are among many companies including shipping group A.P. Moller- Maersk and Cathay Pacific that banned the carrying of shark fins, in widely publicised campaigns.

A Singapore-based representative for ONE said the cargo was declared as fish products and the company was not aware it was shark fins. ONE was established in 2017 though the integration of the container businesses of Japan's Kawasaki Kishen Kaisa, Nippon Yusen KK and Mitsui OSK Lines.

A spokesman for MSC said wo global shipping Shipping Company's (MSC) the company understood firms that have vessel Natasha to Hong the cargo had been vowed not to Kong, according to cargo "misdeclared". transport shark records confirmed by the fin products firms. While the sale and Tinadvertently moved a consumption of shark fin 40-foot container of the The shipment arrived in is legal in Hong Kong and controversial delicacy from Hong Kong in April and was accounts for about half of Nicaragua to Hong Kong this first flagged by conservation global trade, products from year. group OceansAsia, which endangered sharks listed saw bags of shark fin being by the U.N. Convention The shipment highlights the unloaded on a road in the on International Trade in challenges global industry city's industrial western Endangered Species (CITES) faces in monitoring the trade district. are protected and must be that results in the killing of accompanied by a permit. more than 70 million sharks Representatives of both ONE The Hong Kong government a year, and has pushed more and MSC said the shipment has moved to stop illegal than a quarter of species took place but the contents trading of sharks fin but into extinction according to had not been declared as false labelling by traders is World Wildlife Fund. shark fin. rampant, allowing shipments to dodge port checks. The fins were first loaded There was no evidence the onto a vessel called Laura, shipment broke any local or Viewed as a status symbol, which is operated by Ocean international laws around shark fin is typically eaten Network Express (ONE), in shark fin transportation but it shredded in a jelly-like soup Nicaragua in March and then did breach both companies' that is believed to have transhipped in Manzanillo, own policies. nourishing benefits. Mexico, onto Mediterranean

66 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com BRITISH HERALD HEALTH

UK offers HPV vaccines to boys, in Britain will be offered the shots as part of a aims to stop 100,000 cancer cases government health programme.

Since UK girls began getting the HPV vaccine in 2008, studies have shown that infections with some key types of the virus have fallen by 86% in 16 to 21 year-olds in England. A Scottish study also showed the vaccine had reduced pre-cancerous cervical disease in women by up to 71%. ome 100,000 cases of cancer could be prevented in Britain in the next 40 years by a vaccine against the human Robin Weiss, a professor of Spapillomavirus (HPV) that causes cancers of the cervix, mouth, viral oncology at University anus and genitals, UK health officials said. College London, said the extension of the HPV Announcing the extension of a vaccination programme to cover programme "should be a boys as well as girls, experts at Public Health England (PHE) said the win-win situation". immunisation plan would prevent around 64,000 cervical cancers and nearly 50,000 non-cervical cancers by 2058. "The HPV vaccine has enjoyed 10 years of success This would be 50 years after the introduction of the HPV vaccination in protecting girls from programme in Britain - which began in girls in 2008 - when people acquiring cervical cancer who were vaccinated as teenagers might otherwise begin to as women," he said in develop HPV-related cancers, PHE said in a statement. an emailed comment. "It appears clear. that HPV is a sexually transmitted virus linked to more than 99% of vaccinated boys will cervical cancers, as well as 90% of anal cancers, about 70% of themselves benefit from not vaginal and vulvar cancers and more than 60% of penile cancers. getting cancer of the penis, anus, and a diminished risk PHE said that from September this year boys aged 12 and 13 of head and neck cancer."

Amazon's algorithm uses NHS teams up with Amazon information from the NHS website to provide answers to voice questions such as "Alexa, how do I treat a migraine?" or "Alexa, what are the symptoms of flu?"

The technology could reduce pressure on the NHS and general practitioners ritain's National Health Service is teaming up with Amazon by providing information to provide health information through the tech giant's voice on common illnesses, the Bassistant Alexa, the government said. statement said. The NHS, which has been plagued by The technology is aimed at helping patients - especially the elderly, budget cuts, provides free blind and those unable to access the Internet through traditional access to care for residents means - to quickly get information verified by the health service in Britain. through voice commands.

facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 67 BRITISH HERALD ODD FACTS

Feeling the heat Estonian takes his sauna on the road, literally

lot of Europe has felt like a sauna this month, which makes Willem Maesalu's weird car seem even weirder: the bright yellow Audi 100 Avant is a rolling sauna. A Maesalu, 29, got the idea to convert his car a couple of years ago, when he found out it would be too expensive to rent a sauna for his birthday party. He and some friends spent two weeks remodeling the vehicle into a working sauna: a SaunAudi, as he calls it.

It has all the accoutrements of a traditional Finnish steam bath: wooden panels, thermometers and a wood-fired stove beside the steering wheel. Actually, a traditional Finnish steam bath hasn't got a

68 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com BRITISH HERALD ODD FACTS

stove beside the steering wheel, because it is inert. But space was He doesn't take it out too limited, and the stove had to go somewhere. often because insurance is expensive, for some reason. To use the sauna, Maesalu, 29, puts a chimney in the bonnet, fires up the wood stove, and heats the sauna to 60 degrees Celsius (140 Comfortably sitting four degrees Fahrenheit). If it got any hotter, the windows might crack. people, the SaunAudi has proved popular in "The hardest part was figuring out where to put the heater and Estonia, where others have to find a way for the windows to not get too hot and break," said previously converted vans Maesalu, a sprinkler systems maintenance technician and safety or trucks. Maeslau has taken inspector. it to sauna festivals across Estonia and rents it out to The car can be driven, but Maesalu avoids taking it out on the steam lovers for 75 euros road, since it lacks seats or seatbelts. Instead, he tows it around. ($85) a day.

Flight crew restrains 'God' aboard Delta flight, returns to Puerto Rico

Puerto Rican police then took custody of a man identified as Carlos Ramirez, 30, and the case was taken over by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, police said in a statement.

The suspect "was aggressive and shouted 'I am God! San Juan is going to disappear tomorrow. I came to save the world and I am going to end terrorism,' and he also tried to enter the main cabin," the statement said.

The cockpit door remained closed and secured throughout the incident, Delta said. elta Air Lines flight attendants restrained a passenger on a flight from Puerto Rico to "Delta applauds the quick action and DNew York after he shouted "I am God!" and professionalism of the crew of Delta flight 579," claimed he would save the world, forcing the the airline said. "The flight attendant crew swiftly plane to return to the airport in San Juan, Puerto restrained the individual with help from some Rican police and the airline said. customers."

Delta credited passengers with helping subdue The flight ultimately arrived at John F. Kennedy the man who "became unruly on board." International Airport two hours late, Delta said.

facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 69 BRITISH HERALD ODD FACTS

In Japan, the business of watching whales is far larger than hunting them

eople packed confessed had him worried. so far north that it's closer to the decks of the Russia than to Tokyo. Japanese whale- "They won't come into this watching boat, area - it's a national park - or The number of whale screaming in joy there'd be big trouble," the watchers around Japan has Pas a pod of orcas put on 57-year-old former pollock more than doubled between a show: splashing tails at fisherman said. "And the 1998 and 2015, the latest each other, rolling over, and whales we saw today, the year for which national data leaping out of the water. sperm whales and orcas, is available. One company aren't things they hunt." in Okinawa had 18,000 In Kushiro, just 160 customers between January kilometres south of Rausu, "But we also watch minkes," and March this year. where the four dozen people he added. "If they take a laughed and cheered, boats lot in the (nearby) Sea of In Rausu, 33,451 people were setting off on Japan's Okhotsk, we could well see packed tour boats last first commercial whale hunt a change, and that would be year for whale and bird in 31 years. too bad for whale watching." watching, up 2,000 from 2017 and more than 9,000 Killed that day were two Whale-watching is a growing higher than 2016. Many stay minke whales, which the business around Japan, in local hotels, eat in local boats in Rausu also search with popular spots from the restaurants, and buy local for glimpses of - a situation southern Okinawa islands products such as sea urchins that whale-watching boat up to Rausu, a fishing village and seaweed. captain Masato Hasegawa on the island of Hokkaido,

70 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com BRITISH HERALD ODD FACTS

have been with fishing."

Small Industry The five whaling vessels moored at Kushiro port, the night before the hunt resumed, were well-used and well-maintained. Crew members came and went, carrying groceries or towels, heading for a public bath.

Barely 300 people are directly involved with whaling around Japan, and though the government maintains whale meat is an important part of "Of the tourist boat native of the western city of food culture, the amount business, 65 percent is Osaka, she fell in love with consumed annually has whale watching," said Ikuyo the area after three trips fallen to only 0.1 percent of Wakabayashi, executive there to see orcas. total meat consumption. director of the Shiretoko Rausu Tourism Association, "I thought this was an Yet Japan, under Prime who says the numbers grow incredible place," she said. Minister Shinzo Abe - himself substantially each year. "Winters are tough, but it's so from a whaling district - left beautiful." the International Whaling "You don't just see one type Commission (IWC) and of whale here, you see lots Hasegawa, who says he has returned to commercial of them," she said. "Whale- a waiting list of customers in whaling on July 1. watching is a huge tourist high season, has ordered a resource for Rausu and this second boat. Whaling advocates, such as will continue, I hope." Yoshifumi Kai, head of the "Right now, the lifestyle we Japan Small-type Whaling Wakabayashi was drawn to have is good," Hasegawa Association, celebrated the Rausu by whale-watching; a said. "Better than it would hunt.

"We endured for 31 years, but now it's all worth it," he said in Kushiro after the first minkes were brought in to be butchered. "They'll be whaling for a week here, we may have more."

Everybody acknowledges that rebuilding demand could be tough after decades of whale being a pricey, hard-to-find food. Consumption was widespread after World War Two, when an impoverished Japan needed cheap protein, but fell off after the early 1960s as other meat

facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 71 BRITISH HERALD ODD FACTS grew cheaper. advantage of this IWC as Rausu's reputation grows withdrawal, I think there are globally. "Japan has so much to eat business chances that are now that food is thrown out, viable." On a recent weekday, so we don't expect demand customers packed the for whale will rise that fast," parking lot at a wharf lined said Kazuo Yamamura, Whales Up Close with squid-fishing boats, president of the Japan waiting to board Hasegawa's Whaling Association. For Rausu, on Hokkaido's boat and those of three other remote Shiretoko Peninsula, companies. Hasegawa's "But looking to the future, the viable business is whale customers came from all if you don't eat whale, you watching. over Japan and several forget that it's a food," he foreign countries. said. "If you eat it in school Foxes run through the lunches, you'll remember streets of the city's "Today there were more that it's good." downtown, which clings to (whale) jumps than usual; it a narrow strip of land below was fantastic," said Kiyoko Pro-whaling lawmaker mountains and faces the Ogi, a 47-year-old Tokyo bus Kiyoshi Ejima said that Nemuro Strait. Summer driver who's been whale- subsidies were unlikely, but often brings thick fog, while watching in Rausu three that the government should winter storms can leave times. "I'm really opposed to be careful not to let the waist-high drifts. commercial whaling; seeing industry founder. About 5.1 whales close is so exciting." billion yen ($47.31 million) was budgeted for whaling in Whale hunting was never 2019. big in Rausu, and though Hasegawa said there once "If we pull away our hands was "trouble" with people too soon, a lot of companies hunting small Baird's beaked will fail," he added. whales nearby, those fishermen now stay far from The goal of selling whale the tours and will tell him throughout Japan may where to find orcas and be impractical, said Joji sperm whales. Morishita, Japan's former IWC commissioner. But he's dubious about whether demand for whale "The alternative ... is to just meat will ever pick up. limit the supply of whale Restaurants and hotels in meat to some of the major Rausu avoid serving it. places in Japan that have Though fishing was long a good tradition of whale Rausu's economic backbone, "We get a lot of kids in eating," Morishita said, the industry has taken a hit summer vacations. If you tell adding that the meat is from declining fish stocks, them on the boat that 'this is difficult to thaw and cook. which locals blame on the whale we ate last night,' Russian trawlers and falling they'd cry," he said. In areas for which whaling is prices. The population has a tradition, this niche market dropped by several hundred "If they serve whale, nobody could promote tourism, annually, slipping below from overseas will come, which Abe has made a pillar 5,000 this year. especially Europeans," of his economic plan. he added. "Given that the Hasegawa, a fourth- national government is trying "Whale eating in a sense generation fisherman, began to woo overseas tourists is ideal - it's different, it's his tour boat business in so much, its thinking (on well-known, and for better 2006. Though the first few whaling) seems a bit wrong." or worse, it's very famous," years were a struggle, he is Morishita said. "Taking now happy with his choice

72 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com BRITISH HERALD ODD FACTS

Remains of one of Napoleon's 1812 generals believed to be found in Russia

ore than 200 years after he died of his battlefield wounds in MRussia, archaeologists believe they have found the remains of one of Napoleon Bonaparte's favourite generals buried in a park beneath the foundations of a dance floor.

General Charles Etienne Gudin, whose name is inscribed on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, died aged 44 on August 22, 1812, after being hit by a cannon ball during Napoleon's unsuccessful invasion of Russia.

Gudin was personally known to and respected by Napoleon, and after his death his heart was cut damage to his right leg. (Worker's Journey), saying out and carried to Paris to Napoleon had personally be placed in a chapel in Archaeologists say the known Gudin since his the French capital's Pere remains which they found childhood. Lachaise cemetery. in a coffin are consistent with those injuries and "Napoleon was one of the A bust of his likeness resides believe "with a high degree last people to see him alive in the Palace of Versailles, of probability" that they which is very important, and and a Paris street bears his have found the aristocrat he's the first general from name. and veteran of both the the Napoleonic period that French Revolutionary and we have found." A team of French and Napoleonic wars. Russian archaeologists say The Russian military- they discovered what they French historian and historical society, which was believe to be Gudin's missing archaeologist Pierre also involved in the dig, said remains on July 6 during Malinovsky, who played a the find, if confirmed, would a dig in the Russian city of central role in the discovery, be a sensation. "It's possible Smolensk, 400 km west of has hailed the find as the that we'll have to identify Moscow. culmination of a long search. the remains with the aid of a DNA test which could take Records from the period "It's a historic moment not from several months to a indicate that Gudin's only for me but for I think year," it said. battlefield injuries meant for our two countries," he had to have his left leg Malinovsky told Smolensk "The general's descendants amputated and also suffered newspaper Rabochy Put are following the news."

facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 73 BRITISH HERALD SPORTS England Lift World Cup after a 44-year wait

ngland 15 runs off Trent Boult's "I was being cooled down by ended their Super Over without losing Liam Plunkett, which is not 44-year wait their wickets. a good sign. I was up and for a maiden down like a yo-yo." 50-overs New Zealand also scored EWorld Cup title by beating a 15 runs off Jofra Archer's "This has been a four-year gutsy New Zealand side on over but England won on journey, we have developed boundaries after a tied Super boundary count, triggering a lot. We are delighted that Over amidst heart-stopping wild celebrations at Lord's as we are lifting the trophy." drama. the hosts capped a stunning turnaround. After six weeks of cricket, Chasing 242 for victory, Ben it all boiled down to a Stokes' scintillating 84 not "We find it hard to play on boundary count in the out helped the hosts tie the wickets like that and today final and England were see-saw contest, forcing the was about getting over comfortable 26-17 winners. Super Over where more nail- the line. Sport is tough at biting excitement unfolded. times," England captain Since being Eoin Morgan said after the unceremoniously dumped Jos Buttler and Stokes took draining contest. out of the 2015 edition of

74 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com BRITISH HERALD SPORTS

the marquee tournament in decades as the tournament's two-wicket, cross-seam Australia, Morgan's England bridesmaids. masterclass took the wind side have reinvented out of their sails. themselves as a white-ball juggernaut, heading into this Controlled Plunkett dismissed both World Cup as overwhelming batsmen just when the favourites. Bowling partnership was looking Morgan lost an important dangerous and he eventually Back-to-back defeats by Sri toss, but Plunkett and Chris finished with 3-42. Lanka and Australia in the Woakes led England's group stage helped England Woakes claimed three as controlled bowling display rediscover the attacking well, including the wicket to restrict New Zealand to brand of fearless cricket of Latham just when the 241 for eight on a two-paced which has been the hallmark batsman was looking poised wicket. of the current team. to provide the late charge

that could have taken New Henry Nicholls made 55 and They dismantled India and Zealand past the 250-mark. Tom Latham chipped in with New Zealand to storm 47 but lack of significant into the semi-finals, where New Zealand's new ball partnerships hurt New they crushed Australia with pair of Trent Boult and Matt Zealand, who eventually another ruthless display of Henry returned determined had to settle for a below-par all-round excellence. not to let it become a total. cakewalk for the hosts.

Sunday's final, England's Nicholls and captain Kane first since 1992, pitted them Henry dismissed the in- Williamson put on 74 runs against a New Zealand form Jason Roy for 10 and to bolster the New Zealand team chasing their own slice Colin de Grandhomme put innings but Plunkett's of history after spending a struggling Joe Root (7) out

facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 75 BRITISH HERALD SPORTS

of his misery. England could take singles and hit the third player-of-the-tournament have been in a bigger hole ball from Boult over mid- award. had de Grandhomme not wicket for a six. dropped a waist-high return "We have showed heart catch from Bairstow, then The next delivery also and fight to get to this stage on 18. yielded six runs albeit in an and a tie in the final - it extraordinary manner. wasn't meant to be," he said. England were gasping on "The guys are shattered. 86-4 when Stokes was joined Stokes hit to deep midwicket It's devastating. Tough to by Buttler for a 110-run stand and dived forward to swallow." to revive the chase and tie complete the second run. the scores, producing one of As Martin Guptill fired in his Stokes' batting heroics the most thrilling finishes in throw, the ball was deflected earned him the player- the history of the game. off Stokes' outstretched bat of-the-match honour and and ran to the boundary for the all-rounder said the another four runs. sport may never again see Stroke of Fortune anything to match the frantic "That was a bit of a shame finish to the contest. Needing 15 runs off the wasn't it?" Williamson said. final and 50th over of their "That's the game we play. "I'm pretty lost for words," innings, a stroke of fortune You can't nitpick, it just he said. "All the hard work helped Stokes level the wasn't meant to be." that's gone in over these scores. four years, this is where we It was a second successive aspired to be. To do it with With tailender Adil Rashid defeat in the final for New such a game, I don't think at the other end, the all- Zealand and Williamson there will be another like this rounder twice refused to found little solace in his in the history of cricket."

76 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com BRITISH HERALD SPORTS Djokovic beats Federer in Wimbledon epic to win fifth title

ovak Djokovic set, Federer, three weeks Federer 26-22 head-to-head, again proved before his 38th birthday, is the first player since Bob the toughest seemed poised to become Falkenburg in 1948 to win a nut for Roger the oldest man to win a Wimbledon men's singles Federer to Grand Slam singles title in final having saved a match Ncrack, repelling all the Swiss the professional era and point and he described his threw at him in an epic duel avenge back-to-back losses victory as the "most mentally to win a fifth Wimbledon to Djokovic in the 2014 and demanding" match he had crown in the longest singles 2015 Wimbledon finals. ever been involved in. final in the tournament's 133- year history. But it was a case of so near Quite a statement for the yet so far as defending sport's ultimate warrior. The indefatigable 32-year- champion Djokovic, who old withstood almost five must have felt he was Nothing could separate the hours of Federer brilliance, playing most of the 15,000 players in an intoxicating dredging his tank of mental fans as well as the 20-time climax played in a soccer- and physical fortitude to Grand Slam champion over like atmosphere and the prevail 7-6(5) 1-6 7-6(4) the net, fought off two match match was already longer 4-6 13-12(3) in the first points before going on to than Federer's 2008 epic Wimbledon singles final snatch a 16th Grand Slam defeat by Rafael Nadal decided by a tiebreak. title. when Wimbledon's new rule stipulating a deciding-set Serving for the match at Djokovic, who now leads tiebreak at 12-12 kicked in. 8-7 in a cliffhanger fifth

facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 77 BRITISH HERALD SPORTS

past him at the net.

Eight service holds then sent the match into the tiebreaker which, almost inevitably, Djokovic dominated.

"It was a great match, it was long, it had everything. Novak, congratulations, man, that was crazy," Federer said on court, disguising the heartache he must have felt.

Federer was the more threatening player in the sizzling opening set but failed to convert the one break point on offer when he missed a bread-and-butter Both players looked out on than the other guy," Djokovic forehand in the fourth game. their feet but, as he did in the said, when asked how he day's two other tiebreaks, top had pulled victory out of the He then led 5-3 in the seed Djokovic proved more fire. tiebreak but a succession steadfast. of loose strokes allowed "I'm just obviously thrilled Djokovic to snatch it. A sublime backhand left and overjoyed to be sitting Federer swishing at air to put here as a winner. I was one After the intensity of the first the Serbian 6-3 ahead. There shot away from losing the set, the second was a let- was confusion as Djokovic's match. This match had down as Djokovic went flat, first match point was replayed everything. It could have winning only 12 points. after a Hawkeye intervention. gone easily his way. He re-focussed but with But there was no escape for "I think this was the most Federer winning around 80 a weary Federer who framed exciting and thrilling final I percent of first-serve points a forehand so badly the have ever been part of." it felt like Djokovic was ball almost ended in Row Z, hanging on. ending four hours 57 minutes of unforgettable drama. Forehand Mistake Federer had a set point when Djokovic served at 4-5 but It was a crushing blow for Federer held serve to stay again his failure to convert Federer who struck 94 alive seven times in the came back to bite him. winners to Djokovic's 54 but decider. did not take his chances. As Djokovic led 5-1 in the well as the match points he Djokovic's nerve failed him at ensuing tiebreak and also had a set point in the 7-7 when he double-faulted although Federer hit back to third. on his way to dropping serve. 5-4, the top seed capitalised on more errors by the Swiss Djokovic is now level with Victory was in the palm of to restore his one-set lead. Bjorn Borg in fourth spot Federer's hand at 40-15 and on the all-time list of men's the frenzied crowd were Federer finally dropped winners at Wimbledon and preparing their salute. serve after nearly three is only four Slams behind hours of perfection on his Federer, and two shy of Nadal. But Federer hit an edgy delivery but it did not matter forehand out on his first as he had more or less "You have to keep reminding matchpoint, then left the wrapped up the fourth set yourself that you're there for a door ajar on his second and by then. reason and that you are better Djokovic whipped a forehand

78 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com BRITISH HERALD

facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 79 BRITISH HERALD

80 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com