Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Asian Business of the Year Award: Surinder Arora

Asian Business of the Year Award (supported by OakNorth Bank): Surinder Arora, founder of the Arora Group

Brought up in humble circumstances – when he arrived in Britain he could barely speak English – Surinder Arora has created one of the country’s leading hospitality businesses.


The Arora Group now has a portfolio of 15 hotels with around 6,000 rooms and three more in the pipeline.

Already famed for building the Sofitel, the only hotel with direct access to Heathrow Terminal Five, Arora has also now created another iconic hotel – the Intercontinental at the O2, which has the largest ballroom of any in Europe.

He is also refurbishing a hotel in Windsor and has the permission of the Queen to rebrand it as the Royal Windsor Park Hotel.

More For You

Amazon cancels Citadel with Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Varun Dhawan as Priyanka Chopra series takes the lead

Bollywood stars Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Varun Dhawan share a moment at the trailer launch of Citadel: Honey Bunny in Mumbai

Getty Images

Amazon cancels Citadel with Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Varun Dhawan as Priyanka Chopra series takes the lead

Amazon has officially called time on Citadel: Honey Bunny and Citadel: Diana, the Indian and Italian spin-offs of its ambitious spy universe. The decision means fans won’t get a second season of either show, despite initial plans to expand the franchise across continents. Instead, their storylines will now be folded into the second season of the original Citadel, led by Priyanka Chopra and Richard Madden, which is now set to release in 2026.

Citadel, launched in 2023 with big-budget backing and star power, was created by the Russo Brothers as Amazon’s answer to global spy franchises like James Bond. While the show faced its share of behind-the-scenes drama, it managed to kickstart a broader universe. India’s version, Honey Bunny, featured Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Varun Dhawan, while Diana in Italy was fronted by Matilda De Angelis. Both dropped in 2024 to mixed reviews but decent viewership.

Keep ReadingShow less
Bangladeshi men duped into fighting for Russia, say families

Russia is said to be recruiting south Asians to replenish its war ranks

Bangladeshi men duped into fighting for Russia, say families

YOUNG Bangladeshi men desperate for work have alleged they were tricked into fighting for Russia against Ukraine, with the reported death of a 22-year-old triggering anxious calls from relatives.

Bangladesh’s embassy in Moscow said around a dozen families have contacted them seeking to bring back their sons they allege were duped into joining the Russian army.

Keep ReadingShow less
EU-Getty

Several EU countries already have their own national lists of safe countries. (Photo: Getty Images)

India, Bangladesh on EU list of 'safe' countries for faster asylum processing

INDIA and Bangladesh are among seven countries the European Union has included on a new list of "safe" countries of origin, part of a move to tighten asylum rules and speed up migrant returns.

The list, published on Wednesday, also includes Kosovo, Colombia, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia. It still needs to be approved by the European Parliament and member states before coming into effect.

Keep ReadingShow less
Soha Ali Khan reveals facing criticism since 2015 for her interfaith marriage to Kunal Kemmu

Soha Ali Khan stands strong against online trolling over her interfaith marriage with Kunal Kemmu

Getty Images

Soha Ali Khan reveals facing criticism since 2015 for her interfaith marriage to Kunal Kemmu

Being part of a high-profile family hasn't shielded Soha Ali Khan from criticism especially when it comes to personal choices that defy conventional boxes. Despite her calm public demeanour, Soha recently shared how she continues to receive unwarranted remarks about her interfaith marriage with actor Kunal Kemmu, even a decade after tying the knot.

Soha and Kunal’s relationship has often been under public gaze, not because of their work in films or parenting approach, but because they come from different religious backgrounds. Married since 2015, the couple has been quietly raising their daughter, Inaaya, while often posting glimpses of their celebrations whether Diwali or Eid. But each post is met with an odd barrage of questions. “How many rozas have you kept?” is one of the recurring comments she sees if she shares a Diwali picture. During Holi, people ask, “What kind of Muslim are you?”

Keep ReadingShow less
Victoria Beckham's Netflix documentary to reveal the untold story behind her fashion empire and fame

Victoria Beckham steps into the spotlight with a revealing Netflix documentary that traces her journey from pop icon to fashion powerhouse

Getty Images

Victoria Beckham's Netflix documentary to reveal the untold story behind her fashion empire and fame

Victoria Beckham is finally telling her own story. After years of working behind the scenes on her fashion label and navigating life in the public eye, the designer and former Spice Girl is stepping in front of the camera for a new Netflix documentary series set to release in late 2025.

Filming started in late 2024 and will continue through mid-2025. The series, which doesn’t have a title yet is being produced by Studio 99, the production company founded by her husband David Beckham. It’s the same team behind Beckham, the widely praised docuseries that traced David’s football journey and personal life.

Keep ReadingShow less