Category: Lite Blogs
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Two Asian giants mark their darkest days
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By Hardev Sanotra As India recalled its darkest period 40 years ago in June, China too marked its worst days in its recent history in same the month. But the remembrance of the events 29 years ago was more in the breach here. On June 4, 1989 tanks of the People’s Liberation Army and its…
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GOOALLL…Gurinder Scores Again
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Gurinder Chadha creates history as she became the first British Asian to direct a West End Musical….reports Asian Lite News The opening of Bend It Like Beckham: The Musical at a packed house at London’s Phoenix Theatre heralds a new era British cultural landscape. Gurinder Chadha has become the first British Asian to direct a…
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The Language Of Sexual Violence
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The increasing reports of rapes in India call for a relook into the adjectives we use to describe the horrendous acts, which in a way redefine ‘humanity, writes Sabin Iqbal George Orwell in his popular essay on English language and politics has said that language can influence thoughts. Going by what is happening in…
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Poor Greece: Tsipras Slipped
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Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras threatened to resign if he fails to win the referendum on Sunday….reports Asian Lite News Mr Tsipras said a clear vote against austerity would help Greece negotiate a better settlement to the crisis. Otherwise, he warned, he would not stay in office to oversee more cuts. Greece’s bailout expires on…
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SRK: According to my time, I am always punctual !
SRK’s punctuality issues with Rohit Shetty….reports Asian Lite News Superstar Shah Rukh Khan, whose last actor-director collaboration with Rohit Shetty – “Chennai Express” – chugged away to success, says it’s pathetic he can’t keep up with the “very punctual” filmmaker, who always reaches the set before the scheduled time. The duo have once again joined…
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South Indian Cinema gets a lifeline
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Southern cinema in 2015: Content ruled over star power in first half….reports Haricharan Pudipeddi The first six months of 2015 saw approximately 280 releases in the southern film industry, but performance-wise, it was a mixed first half. The success of films such as “Kanchana 2”, “Premam”, “Pataas” and “Kaaka Muttai” came as a surprise, but the…
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Bye ‘Birmingham’; Hello ‘WMCA’….!
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Finally the name is out! The Midland’s new combined authority have ended with the adoption of ‘West Midlands Combined Authority’….reports Asian Lite News. Businesses wanted ‘Greater Birmingham’ or ‘Heart of England’ as it is believed that the name ‘West Midlands’ carries little or no resonance in major economic countries such as China and USA Other…
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By-election defeat shocks Kerala Communists
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Congress wins Aruvikara by-poll in Kerala by a margin of over 10,000 votes….reports Asian Lite News Congress candidate K.A. Sabarinathan on Tuesday won the Aruvikara assembly constituency by-election in Kerala, beating his nearest rival by around 10,000 votes. Sabarinathan, 31, was leading right from the start in the counting of votes in the morning. According…
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Amma set to rock Chennai
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AIADMK General Secretary and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J.Jayalalithaa on Tuesday was all set to return to the state assembly as she surged towards a massive victory in the Radhakrishnan Nagar by-election….reports Asian Lite News At the end of 10 rounds, Jayalalithaa had got 98,519 votes while her nearest rival, the Communist Party of India’s…
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UK to tackle radicalisation at schools, prisons
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Prime Minister David Cameron vows to defeat terrorism and unveiled new measures to prevent radicalisation at schools and prisons…. reports Kaliph Anaz The prime minister was addressing the House of Commons in the wake of attack in Tunisia. Cameron announced new measures to make all public bodies – from schools to prisons to local councils – to…
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The killing fields of Bangladesh
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The situation in Bangladesh has ominous portents – so much so that even the prime minister chose not to send any public condolence to the wife of slain Bangladeshi-American blogger Avijit Roy. Hasina might have done it privately but her son Sajeev Wazed Joy had shocked the nation by admitting that it was not possible…
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Walk Together to Mark London 7/7
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A broad coalition of Londoners, from all faiths and backgrounds, is calling on the public to come together and show that the terrorists have failed to divide the heart of Great Britain….reports Asian Lite News The city is marking the 10th anniversary of serial blasts on July 7, 2005. It was just another Thursday morning…
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Please stop the Blame Game
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While trumpeting their own innocence over their children’s association with extremism, Muslim parents simultaneously protest that the authorities did nothing. If the families really had no knowledge of such activities, why should the police or schools or social services?….writes Manzoor Moghal As the lethal cycle of British involvement in jihadism deepens, so the cries of…
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Afzal seeks review of UK policies
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Labour leader Afzal Khan MEP, one of the most influential British Asian politician, has called for an new approach to tackling the spread of radicalisation across Europe and for a greater understanding of the grievances behind it….reports Asian Lite News Speaking in the European Parliament at the Foundation for European Progressive Studies’ conference on ‘Islam in…
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Greece braces for an epic tragedy
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Tripras said the ECB proposals “blackmail” and vowed a refusal to the austerity measures. He called for a popular vote on the proposals on July 5….reports Asian Lite News Greek banks are to remain closed and capital controls will be imposed, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras says. Speaking after the European Central Bank (ECB) said it…
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Labour leader assumes new post
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Veteran Labour leader and former MP Tony Lloyd was appointed Interim Mayor of Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) at an event held in Oldham…. reports Asian Lite News Mr Lloyd was chosen in May over Wigan Council leader Peter Smith by a panel from the area’s 10 boroughs. He will combine the job with his current responsibilities as…
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Stopping the crimson tide ….
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Terrorism is a long battle and has nothing to do with retaking lost territory nor does a battle plan for this fight have parameters. It is fluid, nebulous and almost impossible to eliminate for the enemy is unseen…writes Bikram Vohra The plumes of violence continue to spread insidiously. The attacks in Kuwait, Tunis and France…
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GALLERY: Queen in Germany
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British Monarch Queen Elizabeth II has made her first visit to a World War Two concentration camp, Bergen-Belsen, in northern Germany. The camp, where teenage diarist Anne Frank was among thousands to die, was liberated by British soldiers in 1945. The Queen, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, laid a wreath at a memorial there on…
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Bend It Like Beckham: The Musical
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Bend It Like Beckham: The Musical opened to a packed house at London’s Phoenix Theatre. Amongst the audience were familiar faces including Omid Djalili, Naughty boy, Madhu and Sulaiman from Signature, Anita Anand, Nihal, Adil Ray, Vanessa Feltz, Graham Norton, Juliet Stevenson, Lily Collins, Indira Verma and Manish Bhasin. Adapted by Gurinder Chadha and Paul Mayeda Berges…
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Yvette seeks more BAME MPs
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Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said Labour must double the number Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) MPs if the party were to win a majority….reports Asian Lite News The shadow home secretary has also argued that there must also be greater diversity in the police, armed forces and civil service. She has said that she…
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How can we stem radicalisation of Muslim youths?
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How we can prevent Muslim youths from turning their backs on British values, rather than choosing a life of radicalisation and extremism….Sajjad Karim MEP explores for Asian Lite News Islam for many people in the UK and even across the western world has become a word associated with the likes of Al-Qaeda or foreign wars…
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Tessa Fighting For One London
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Labour politician Tessa Jowell released a new video in her campaign to become Labour’s candidate for London Mayor. The three minute video, titled ‘One London’, features Jowell explain her background and connection to the city, as well as raising the issue of poverty in the capital….reports Asian Lite News “I’ve worked here all my life, but…
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Erdogan’s Fall From Grace
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By Alon Ben-Meir Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan makes a speech during a graduation ceremony in Ankara. Turkish President Erdogan’s May 2013 plan to raze Gezi Park in Central Istanbul and replace it with a replica 19th century Ottoman barrack prompted anti-government protests in Istanbul and other cities across Turkey, which led to violent confrontations where the…
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British adults still play with toy cars: Study
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One in five UK adults (22%) admit to still playing with toy cars, even when the children aren’t around, according to new research out today. And while half of this group (11%) is quite happy to do so in the company of other adults, the same number prefers to do so only in private. The…
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British Imams go digital to stem Daesh
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British Imams will provide personal videos to offer spiritual guidance and support to young British Muslims….reports Asian Lite News As millions of British Muslims observing Ramadan – the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, male and female Imams and scholars from across the UK are taking part in a digital campaign titled ‘Ramadan Reminders’ to…
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BBC, PM urged to rename ISIS
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Cross party MPs including Boris Johnson, Keith Vaz call on Government and BBC to rename ISIL/ ISIS as ‘Daesh’….reports Asian Lite News More than 120 Members of Parliament from across the political spectrum have signed letters calling for the BBC and the Government to stop referring to the terrorist organisation as “the Islamic State”. The…
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UK visa restriction to hit Indian firms: CII
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British restriction on work visa may disrupt Indian firms, says Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). “There are over 800 Indian companies operating in the UK, contributing to the overall economy and innovation, paying taxes, hiring locally and upskilling local talent. We must not undermine the contributions of Indian companies in the UK,” CII chief Sumit…
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Modern gadgets pose threat to traditional media
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The dramatic increase in recent years of the use of smartphones and tablets to access online news could lead to an uncertain future for the world’s traditional media and news organizations, says the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism (RISJ)…reports Asian Lite. According to a study done by the Thompsun Reuters Foundation many news…
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The dark months of Emergency
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Ajit Mozoomdar, Secretary at Ministry of Finance, 1974-76 and served under prime minister Indira Gandhi recalls the dark months of emergency in the Asian Lite, the biggest Asian newspaper in UK. The experience of the Emergency – 19 months of undemocratic rule in India, without civil liberties – is now a distant memory. For the young, it…
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NEWS N PICS – Summer Fest and MERS Scare in Korea
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Asian Lite News compiles a series of news pictures from around the world. Asian Lite News regularly features pictures from Asian events
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PHOTO FEATURE: Chasing the Monsoon clouds
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Asian Lite News chasing the Monsoon clouds in India. The rain season begins in Kerala in the first week of June and moving towards to the north. A selection of pictures from Kerala to Kashmir. The month of June is likely to end with 15 to 16 percent surplus rainfall and the northwest region in particular…
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Shahid sashays into Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa!
Ace dancer and Bollywood star Shahid Kapoor debuts as a Judge on India’s premier Dance Reality Show in Colors TV Colors’ premier dance reality show, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, has raised the bar for the upcoming season of the show by roping in critically acclaimed actor and dancer par excellence, Shahid Kapoor as a judge on…
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Amisha Patel’s Cha Cha Cha
Actress Amisha Patel learns western dance from choreographer Sandip Soparrkar in Mumbai. Amisha, the star of Bollywood hit Kaho Naa Pyar Hai, is trying for a come back in the tinsel world. Most of the heroines are now learning western dance styles like Salsa, Rumba, Samba, Cha cha cha, Casino Roude, Meringue, Jazz, Hip hop…
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GALLERY: Honey there is a garden in the car !
Asian Lite News profiles Dhananjoy Chakraborty. Mr Chakraborty is a eco warrior of emerging Kolkata, thee erstwhile capital of British Raj. A taxi driver by profession, he is in a bid to spread awareness to protect the environment. Instead of preaching, he set an example. He turns his old Ambassador car into a mobile garden. The vehicle has…
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Yoga is a way of life
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By M.R. Narayan Swamy RSS spokesman-turned-BJP leader Ram Madhav’s audacious outburst against Vice President Hamid Ansari is a good example of what all can go wrong if politicians try to usurp the ancient science of yoga. Never mind that Ram Madhav ended up apologising for having publicly pulled up Ansari for not turning up at…
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Dhoni is well prepared for media scrutiny
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By Veturi Srivatsa Mahendra Singh Dhoni is always a step ahead of the Indian media. He is not the sort who would habitually say when the team loses that they batted badly, bowled poorly and fielded atrociously! Like a good general he, by and large, defends his forces. He anticipates the questions likely to be…
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Cameron reassures better opportunities
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Prime Minister David Cameron renewed his pledge to provide better opportunities for working people….reports Asian Lite News “Whoever you are, wherever you live, whatever your background, whatever stage of life you are at, I believe this government can help you fulfil your aspirations. And let me be clear, when I say whoever you are, I…
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Black Country celebrates Asian biz success
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Veteran British Asian business leader Jindy Khera, the MD of KTC Edibles, disclosed his secret for success – Lean, capacity to innovate and succession planning….reports Asian Lite News Jindy Khera, the MD of KTC Edibles, the chief guest at the Black Country Asian Business Awards held at the Wolverhampton Racecourse, said lean, capacity to innovate and succession…
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GPs deserve a better dose
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Dr Kailash Chand, one of the senior most GPs in the country and the deputy chairman of the British Medical Association, raps Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt’s vision for a ‘new deal’ for a seven-day general practice is big on rhetoric, but does not offer enough support to a struggling profession. Visit asianlite.com for regular comments…
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Why do they fly to Isis?
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Nazir Afzal OBE, former Chief Crown Prosecutor, exploring the reasons behind the radicalisation of young British Muslims. An Exclusive for Asian Lite News Boys and girls immersed in Britishness, playing Xbox games or listening to One Direction join whole families with infant children on flights that ultimately end in the misery that is the so…
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Salary rule to hit migrant nurses
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The new Home Office rule to put salary criteria for overseas nurses to remain in the country will hit thousand nurses working in the NHS….reports Asian Lite News Overseas nurses working in junior posts could be forced to return home under new immigration rules, nursing union leaders have warned. The new pay threshold for migrants…
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Salman Khan’s Bajrangi Bhaijaan
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Bajrangi Bhaijaan will be released in India and Pakistan besides overseas territories during Eid. The film, directed by Kabir Khan and produced by Salman Khan and Rockline Venkatesh, features Mr Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui in lead roles. The theatrical trailer of the movie was launched in a grand ceremony in Mumbai
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India Celebrates Yoga Day
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Millions in India, thousands abroad mark International Yoga Day….reports Asian Lite News. It was an unprecedented demonstration of India’s soft power as tens of thousands across the world, besides millions in India, performed yoga on Sunday to mark the inaugural International Day of Yoga (IDY). A record-breaking nearly 36,000 people, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi,…
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Honey How the Kids Have Grown
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Bikram Vohra provides some parenting tips on World Father’s Day You know your kids have grown up when: @Their music and yours has nothing in common. @ You find yourself telling your daughter she can’t possibly be serious about going out dressed like that!! You say, ‘No, sorry, you can’t, you are too young’ and that…
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Cameron draws flak from MP, MCB
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The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), Britain’ largest Islamic forum, Yasmin Qureshi, Labour MP from Bolton, slammed Prime Minister David Cameron for claiming Muslims ‘quietly condone’ terrorism’….reports Asian Lite News Mrs Qureshi said ‘white population’ is never asked to apologise for atrocities carried out by racists, the Daily Mail reported. The Labour leader said she…
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Nav Pe Yoga in Paris
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After Nav Pe Charcha, it is Nav Pe Yoga in Paris….reports Ranvir Nayar Tourists visiting the Eiffel Tower in Paris on Friday were in a for a surprise view, not mentioned anywhere in the tourist guides on the sights visible from the most famous observatory in the world. Over 300 metres below in the Seine river, bathed…
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WHO to link global health with Yoga
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The World Health Organisation is researching how to integrate yoga with universal health care needs, according to Nata Menabde, the agency’s executive director at the UN office….reports Asian Lite News It was a struggle to standardise yoga for use around the world as part of health care systems because of its many different schools of…
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Dark Days of Indian Democracy
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Saeed Naqvi looks in to Indira Gandhi’s Emergency regime which has changed the landscape of Indian politics. Visit asianlite.com for latest news and comments Of course there was an Indian, regional and global context in which Indira Gandhi declared a state of Emergency on June 25, 1975? The 70s were a decade of fierce contest between…
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Emirates Goes Blue in UK’s Burj
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Emirates Airlines plan to brand the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth, the 170-metre tall sail structure similar to Burj Al Arab of Dubai, was forced to abandon after the local football fans see RED – the colour of arch rival neighbouring Southampton…reports Asian Lite News The Dubai-based airlines agreed to change its colour to blue.Blue is…