GG2 Power List 2024: 'Sunak's changed Asian aspiration'
By SARWAR ALAMMar 06, 2024
PRIME minister Rishi Sunak has retained the top spot on the 2024 GG2 Power List for the third year in a row, along with his wife Akshata Murty.
The power couple were recognised for their growing influence in the UK, with Sunak in the top job and Murty playing an important part in diplomatic relations, such as hosting Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky's wife Olena at Downing Street last week.
London’s Labour mayor Sadiq Khan, who hopes to win a third term at City Hall in the mayoral elections of May 2, was second on the list, with court of appeal judge, Sir Rabinder Singh, in third place.
Lord Jitesh Gadhia, chair of the British Asian Trust and Chanel CEO Leena Nair were placed fourth and fifth, respectively.
Rishi Sunak and Akshata Murty outside 10 Downing Street during Diwali celebrations (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images)
Rounding off the top 10 were tycoon Gopi Hinduja and family; high court judge Dame Bobbie Cheema-Grubb; businessman Lakshmi Mittal and his son Aditya; BBC’s first chairman of colour Samir Shah and recently appointed director of the National Theatre, Indhu Rubasingham.
GG2 Power List 2024
The GG2 Power List recognises the 101 most influential south Asians in the country, from politics, business, entertainment and sport, among other sectors. Published by the Asian Media Group (AMG), it was unveiled at the GG2 Leadership & Diversity Awards in central London on Tuesday (5).
Shailesh Solanki, the AMG executive editor, said: “Rishi Sunak and Akshata Murty reflect the ultimate breaking of the proverbial glass ceiling.
“Sunak revealed recently that he never dreamt of being prime minister as he ‘didn’t have role models like that’. He has single headedly changed the aspirations for south Asian generations to come.
“Sunak and Murty have shown that people of colour can reach the pinnacle in the toughest of industries, regardless of your colour or background.”
Murty’s Lessons at Number 10 - where school children from all over the country bid to visit Downing Street – sees her regularly host young students as she makes the official residence more accessible to ordinary Britons.
Sadiq Khan (Photo by John Lamparski/Getty Images for Concordia Summit)
Now in its 14th year of publication, the GG2 Power List is the definitive guide to Asians in positions of power and influence across the UK.
Ahead of the local and mayoral election in May, Khan told the GG2 Power List, “It’s not about making history, a third term, it’s about shaping our future.”
King Charles with Lord Jitesh Gadhia (Photo by Isabel Infantes - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
He also predicted a win for party leader, Sir Keir Starmer, with recent polls consistently placing Labour ahead of Sunak’s Conservatives by several points.
Khan said, “I’m really excited about the chance of a Labour mayor working with a Labour prime minister. I’ve known Keir [Starmer] for almost 30 years, we used to work together as lawyers. He’s a thoroughly decent man, he understands our best years are ahead of us.”
Leena Nair (Photo by Samir Hussein/Getty Images for BoF)
Lord Gadhia, who sits as a “non-affiliated peer” in the House of Lords, sees his role as acting like a “bridge” between the world of business and parliament, as well as between the UK and India.
Since February 2022, Gadhia has been chairman of the British Asian Trust, a charity which remains close to King Charles’s heart.
Indhu Rubasingham
“The King continues to be very, very engaged around all the countries of South Asia,” Lord Gadhia told the GG2 Power List.
“Education and child protection are key areas. It’s not restricted to India, though it is a big area for us.
“We are using technology to help improve education outcomes. We are also working with the Asian Development Bank to launch Pakistan’s first development impact bond, which is groundbreaking. We have launched a climate innovation fund in Bangladesh, worth a million dollars and it’s already had about 170 applications.
“We are sifting through some incredible ideas.”
Samir Shah
Nair, who after her ground-breaking appointment in 2022 as chief executive of the French luxury fashion house Chanel, said, “Lift as you climb”, stayed true to her word. Soon after taking charge, the India-born CEO increased funding to Foundation Chanel, which supports women and girls in fulfilling their careers, to £78 million annually.
There are 32 women in this year’s GG2 Power List, with four of them in the top 10.
Claire Coutinho (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Claire Coutinho, 38, the secretary of state for energy security and net zero, and a rising star in the Conservative Party, is ranked 11th.
A close ally of Sunak, the Surry East MP said her parents inspired her to serve others. “Growing up, I watched my parents work in the NHS, listening to people’s problems and solving them as best they could. It is in that spirit that I hope to serve the people of East Surrey,” Countinho said.
Dame Bobbie Cheema-Grubb
Other women on the list include Labour MP and shadow secretary state for justice Shabana Mahmood (20); Dr Swati Dhingra, an academic and member of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (22); Baroness Shriti Vadera, chair of Prudential (24); Nusrat Ghani, minister of state at the department of Trade and Business (27); Bina Mehta, chair of KPMG (30) and judge Anuja Dhir (32).
Among other new female entrants this year are professor Kamila Hawthorne, chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners (38); Halima Begum, CEO of Oxfam (68); Dr Joya Chatterji, a professor of south Asian history and a fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge (74); playwright Lolita Chakraborti (79); and Ambika Mod, star of the hit Netflix series One Day (82).
Ambika Mod (Photo by Joe Maher/Getty Images)
From the politics and policy, new entrants include deputy principal private secretary Kunal Patel (35); Ravinder Athwal, director of policy at the Labour Party (67) and Ameet Jogia (87), special advisor to Sunak.
Dr Selva and Tharshiny Pankaj
Among industrialists and business people on the list are Adar Poonawalla (44), whose Serum Institute of India makes vaccines; SP Lohia and his son Amit of Indorama (50) and Dr Selva and Tharshiny Pankaj, founders of Regent College, London, ranked 73rd.
Tuesday’s event also saw the presentation of the GG2 Leadership & Diversity Awards, which recognise top talent among Britain’s minority ethnic communities.
Solanki said both the GG2 Leadership & Diversity Awards and the GG2 Power List sought to encourage and motivate those striving to make Britain an inclusive, diverse and fair society at all levels.
Kamila Hawthorne
It was also important to highlight the work women have been doing to counter sexism, discrimination and inequality, he added.
“Every year we continue to see inspirational women break new ground and we look forward to highlighting their achievements in the GG2 Power List.
“However, we know all too well that there are still barriers and obstacles that stop women fulfilling their potential and reaching the summit in some professions.
AA Dhand
“We need to strive to ensure that women are equally represented in all professionals, all boardrooms and all senior executive roles. Along with our GG2 Diversity & Leadership Awards, and our new Diversity Hub portal, we want to say we are on your side and are also striving to foster greater equality.”
More than 700 people attended the GG2 Leadership and Diversity Awards, with companies also recognised for their efforts in promoting diversity, equality and inclusion in the workplace.
Full coverage of the GG2 Leadership and Diversity Awards will be published in next Friday's (15) edition of Eastern Eye. To get a copy of the 2024 GG2 Power List, contact Saurin Shah at 020 7928 1234 or email saurin.shah@amg.biz
A massive new cybersecurity report has revealed what experts are calling the largest data breach in history, involving over 16 billion login credentials. The records, uncovered by researchers at Cybernews, appear to come from a variety of sources and have raised alarm bells across the tech and cybersecurity industries.
Unprecedented scale of exposure
The data is spread across 30 different datasets, with individual troves containing between tens of millions and more than 3.5 billion credentials each. In total, the exposed records add up to 16 billion, a staggering number that equates to more than two credentials for every person on Earth.
Most of these credentials appear to have been collected through infostealer malware and other illicit methods. These tools typically capture usernames, passwords, tokens, cookies, and other metadata from compromised systems, packaging the data in a uniform structure, typically a URL followed by login details and passwords.
Not old data, but fresh and dangerous
What makes this breach especially concerning is the recency of the data. Researchers confirm that the datasets are not simply recycled from old breaches, but largely consist of new logs collected in recent months. Many include access credentials to services such as Apple, Facebook, Google, GitHub, Zoom, and Telegram.
Although some of the login pages referenced in the data are from popular global platforms, cybersecurity researcher Bob Diachenko clarified there was no centralised data breach at these tech giants. Instead, credentials linked to their login portals were likely captured via infostealers installed on individual users’ devices.
Multiple datasets, unclear ownership
The 30 datasets uncovered differ significantly in size and origin. The largest, containing over 3.5 billion records, is suspected to be linked to Portuguese-speaking regions. Other datasets hint at Russian sources or specific platforms like Telegram. Many have generic names such as “logins” or “credentials”, providing little insight into their exact source.
Despite the vast quantity of data, the researchers have been unable to identify a single entity behind the breach. It remains unclear whether the datasets were compiled by security researchers monitoring for leaks or by cybercriminal groups aggregating stolen information for exploitation.
While the datasets were only briefly exposed — typically via unsecured Elasticsearch or cloud storage instances — this short window was enough for experts to confirm their contents and raise concerns.
A blueprint for cybercrime
Experts warn that this is not merely a leak, but “a blueprint for mass exploitation.” The exposed credentials, which include sensitive data such as tokens and cookies, could be used for a range of attacks: from account takeovers and identity theft to ransomware campaigns and targeted phishing.
This kind of large-scale credential exposure is particularly dangerous for organisations lacking robust cybersecurity measures, including multi-factor authentication (MFA). Without these defences, hackers could easily use stolen credentials to breach systems and escalate attacks internally.
How users and organisations can respond
With the source of the leak uncertain and the extent of the damage unclear, there are few direct actions individuals can take. However, cybersecurity experts strongly recommend several key practices:
Use a password manager to generate and store strong, unique passwords for each service.
Regularly review accounts for unauthorised activity.
Run regular malware scans to detect and remove infostealers.
Diachenko, who contributed to the Cybernews report, stressed that while the breach doesn’t indicate failures at platforms like Facebook or Google, it still poses a widespread risk. “Credentials we’ve seen in infostealer logs contained login URLs to Apple, Facebook, and Google login pages,” he noted.
This implies that while the platforms themselves may be secure, any user who has been compromised by infostealer malware could unknowingly provide cybercriminals access to those services.
A reminder of growing data breach risks
This record-setting exposure is just the latest in a growing trend of large-scale data breaches. The fact that datasets of this size continue to emerge, often unnoticed for months, highlights the evolving nature of cybersecurity threats.
As digital services become more embedded in daily life, the potential fallout from data breaches expands. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilant data hygiene, both for individual users and the organisations that serve them.
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Gill carved a niche for himself in the state’s cricketing history
Shubman Gill has become the first cricketer from Punjab to lead India in Test cricket, marking a historic milestone in his career. The 25-year-old was appointed as India’s Test captain on 24 May 2025 and officially led the team for the first time on 20 June in the opening match of the series against England at Headingley, Leeds.
Gill is the 37th player to captain India in the five-day format since the country’s debut in Test cricket in 1932. While players like Lala Amarnath, born in Kapurthala, Punjab, captained India in earlier years, he represented Southern Punjab in domestic cricket, a team based in what is now Pakistan. This makes Gill the first player from the Indian state of Punjab to take on the role in Test cricket.
Though Mohinder Amarnath previously captained India in One-Day Internationals (ODIs), and Gill himself has already led India in five Twenty20 Internationals, this Test captaincy is a notable new chapter in his career.
India opt to bat first in Headingley Test
In Gill’s debut Test as captain, England skipper Ben Stokes won the toss and chose to field first. This handed India the opportunity to bat on what appeared to be a favourable Leeds pitch. The match also featured several changes to the Indian line-up, including a long-awaited return and a fresh debut.
Sudharsan debuts, Karun and Shardul return
B Sai Sudharsan, the 22-year-old top-order batter from Tamil Nadu, was handed his Test debut. He slotted into the No. 3 position in the batting order. Sudharsan has impressed in white-ball formats and domestic red-ball cricket, earning praise for his temperament and shot selection.
Another significant inclusion was that of Karun Nair, who made a comeback to the Test side after more than seven years. The 33-year-old last played a Test match in March 2017 against Australia. He remains only the second Indian to score a triple century in Test cricket, having achieved the feat in 2016 against England. Nair is expected to bat at No. 6 in the current Test.
Shardul Thakur also returned to the playing XI after an 18-month absence. Known for his all-round capabilities, Thakur was picked ahead of Nitish Kumar Reddy to fill the fast-bowling all-rounder slot. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball gives India greater flexibility, especially on a pitch that may offer assistance to seamers in the early stages.
A new era begins
Gill’s elevation to Test captain follows a transitional phase in Indian cricket. He takes over leadership from a rotating cast of senior players, including Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and KL Rahul, all of whom have briefly captained the side in recent years. With India looking to groom a younger core, Gill’s appointment signifies a long-term vision for the team.
As he took the field at Headingley, Shubman Gill not only became part of an elite list of Indian Test captains but also carved a niche for himself in the state’s cricketing history. The series against England could now set the tone for his leadership journey in the longest format of the game.
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The leaders discussed the new Defence Cooperation Accord between the UK and Bahrain, aimed at deepening joint military training and naval ties.
PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer met Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, prime minister of Bahrain, at Downing Street on Thursday.
A Downing Street spokesperson said the leaders discussed the UK-Bahrain relationship and welcomed the UK becoming a full member of the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA), a trilateral pact with Bahrain and the United States focused on regional security.
They also welcomed the signing of the Strategic Investment and Collaboration Partnership, which aims to build on the two-way investment between the countries. According to the spokesperson, this would "unlock new investment, growth and jobs into the UK, delivering on the Plan for Change."
The leaders discussed the new Defence Cooperation Accord between the UK and Bahrain, aimed at deepening joint military training and naval ties.
The spokesperson said, “Highlighting the strength of the 200-year relationship between both nations, the leaders looked forward to further cooperation, including trade negotiations with the Gulf Cooperation Council.”
They also spoke about the situation in the Middle East, called for de-escalation, and agreed on the need for closer regional ties to support stability.
“The Prime Minister and Crown Prince looked forward to speaking again soon,” the spokesperson added.
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Kajol hails Maa as her toughest physical challenge yet in exclusive Eastern Eye interview
In an exclusive interview with Eastern Eye, Kajol pulls back the curtain on her most daring role yet. Forget the dimples and that signature bindi for a moment. Kajol, the powerhouse we know for fiery roles and infectious energy, is stepping into chilling new territory. Her upcoming film, Maa, which hits screens on 27 June, isn’t built around cheap jump scares. It’s a raw look at the everyday fears that haunt parents, especially mothers. Chatting with her felt less like a fluff piece and more like an honest heart-to-heart.
Kajol wastes no time explaining what makes Maa stand out. “We’re tackling things mainstream cinema tiptoes around,” she says. “Child safety. The constant pressure of raising kids. The unspoken worries when you have a daughter. Even menstruation.” She lets each topic hang in the air before adding, “That’s exactly what drew me to it. It’s a gripping horror story, yes, but it’s also a chance to sneak in conversations most of us avoid.” Her hope however is simple: people might not dissect every theme consciously, but they’ll walk away questioning what we accept as “normal.”
Stills from the trailer of MaaInstagram/devgnfilms
A horror newcomer finds her groove
Fans know Kajol for her loud performances, energy and fiery roles. In Maa, though, her character radiates a quiet, simmering intensity. Did she have to unlearn her signature style? "Not unlearn," Kajol clarified, "but I was a total horror newbie!" She confessed she rarely watches the genre. "I walked in blind. I had no idea how emotionally and physically draining it would be." The biggest surprise? Finding the right pitch. "Horror has its own frequency. My director, Vishal Furia, kept gently nudging me, 'Ma’am, this is horror. You need to sync with the audience's fear, there are things happening behind."
Stills from the trailer of MaaInstagram/devgnfilms
Three decades in: Embracing freedom
With almost thirty years on screen and sky-high expectations, taking on something so different might sound daunting. Not to Kajol. “Daunting? Nah. I feel free. Freer than most, honestly." She dismissed the idea of proving anything. "I’ve never been in the rat race. I don’t have that 'chase, chase, chase' ambition. I’m perfectly happy chilling at home for a year or two, waiting for something that truly sparks my interest." Ironically, her 33rd year is her busiest in two decades. "But it’s because I want to work, not because I have to. Work is part of my life, not my whole life. That balance is very important to me."
Stills from the trailer of MaaInstagram/devgnfilms
Behind the scenes: Producer’s hat
Wearing a producer's hat this time, was there a hill she was willing to die on creatively? Kajol quickly deflected praise. "Honestly, huge credit goes to Ajay Devgn. He was the driving force ensuring 'Maa' looks and feels premium. Ajay made sure Maa looks and sounds top notch,” she admits. “In today’s world, a movie must hit a certain visual and technical bar just to get noticed.” From VFX and music to the film’s overall vibe and marketing push, they poured everything into creating a polished experience. “We can’t wait to see how audiences react on the 27th.”
Stills from the trailer of MaaInstagram/devgnfilms
The Real Takeaway? Just Enjoy Yourself
So, what big truth does Maa hold up for viewers? Kajol cut through expectations: “It’s not a preachy film. You won’t leave thinking, ‘Oh, that was the lesson!’” Instead, she insists, “You might have more fun than you expect. This one sneaks up on you.” For her and Ajay, that’s the point: “We make films to be felt and savoured, not overanalysed. So, relax and feel it and just have a lot of fun.”
Playing a mother pushed beyond reason in Maa. So, how did Kajol the real-life mom handle that? “Protecting your child is primal,” she says without hesitation. What shook her most was her character’s unyielding grit. “In reality, most of us would crumble under that kind of pressure. But she keeps going, even when all hope seems lost. That drive like that ‘I have to do something’ energy, that’s what I want everyone to take away.”
Kajol’s journey with Maa is all about confronting societal shadows and embracing genre challenges she never saw coming. This is a film that confronts real fears head on, guided by a performer unafraid to strip away artifice. Ready to see Kajol like never before? Maa arrives 27 June.
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Supporters of the assisted dying law for terminally ill people hold a banner, on the day British lawmakers are preparing to vote on the bill, in London, Britain, June 20, 2025. REUTERS/Isabel Infantes
PARLIAMENT voted on Friday (20) in favour of a bill to legalise assisted dying, paving the way for the country's biggest social change in a generation.
314 lawmakers voted in favour with 291 against the bill, clearing its biggest parliamentary hurdle.
The "Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life)" law would give mentally competent, terminally ill adults in England and Wales with six months or less left to live the right to choose to end their lives with medical help.
The vote puts Britain on course to follow Australia, Canada and other countries, as well as some US states, in permitting assisted dying.
Supporters say it will provide dignity and compassion to people suffering, but opponents worry that vulnerable people could be coerced into ending their lives.
The bill now proceeds to the upper chamber, the House of Lords, where it will undergo months of scrutiny. While there could be further amendments, the unelected Lords will be reluctant to block legislation that has been passed by elected members of the House of Commons.
Prime minister Keir Starmer's Labour government was neutral on the legislation, meaning politicians voted according to their conscience rather than along party lines. Starmer had previously said he was in favour of allowing assisted dying.
FILE PHOTO: Kim Leadbeater reacts during an interview about the Assisted Dying Bill in Westminster, London, Britain, October 15, 2024. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Opinion polls show that a majority of Britons back assisted dying. Friday's vote followed hours of emotional debate and references to personal stories in the chamber and followed a vote in November that approved the legislation in principle.
The vote took place 10 years after parliament last voted against allowing assisted dying.
Opponents of the bill had argued that ill people may feel they should end their lives for fear of being a burden to their families and society, and some lawmakers withdrew their support after the initial vote last year, saying safeguards had been weakened.
The 314 to 291 vote for the bill compared to the last November's result, which was 330 to 275 in favour.
In the original plan, an assisted death would have required court approval. That has been replaced by a requirement for a judgement by a panel including a social worker, a senior legal figure and a psychiatrist, which is seen by some as a watering down.
The Labour lawmaker who proposed the bill, Kim Leadbeater, said that the legislation still offered some of the most robust protections in the world against the coercion of vulnerable people.
Hundreds of campaigners both in favour and against the legislation gathered outside parliament on Friday to watch the vote on their mobile phones.
Those in favour chanted “my decision, my choice”, holding up posters that said “my life, my death” and photos of relatives who they said had died in pain.
Those against the legislation held up placards that said “let’s care not kill” and “kill the bill not the ill”.