Asian World News » Home carousel

Dr N U Haque & Partners Patient engagement event in support of Neuroblastoma UK

Asian World — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 13:37:10 +0000

We’re thrilled to share that we raised over £500 from our recent event! All donations will go directly to Neuroblastoma UK. Neuroblastoma is an aggressive child-hood cancer, and your generosity will help support vital research and providehope to affected families. A huge thank you to everyone who donated and sup-ported this important cause — your kindness truly makes a difference.

It was an amazing day, led by the wonderful staff of Dr Haque and Partners! We were joined by lots of our patients as well as Healthy Sandwell, making it a fantastic community event. The day was filled with delicious treats, samosas, cakes, and exciting raffle prizes all enjoyed alongside the flu vaccination clinic that was open on the day.

A huge thank you to everyone who took part, donated, and helped make the day such a success.

Sandwell community comes together for charity penalty shootout to raise awareness of youth mental health!!

Asian World — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 19:36:19 +0000

The Sandwell community came together for a charity penalty shootout aimed at raising awareness of youth mental health and encouraging local engagement through sport and wellbeing.

The event took place on Sunday 26 October 2025 at York Road Sports and Social Club in Sandwell, drawing families and football fans from across Sandwell and Oldbury for a day filled with laughter, friendly competition, and community spirit.

It was organised by Wellness Education, the non-profit arm of Active Clinics — a Birmingham-based wellness and aesthetics clinic founded by Sandwell resident Tammy Takkar. Active Clinics specialises in advanced, non-surgical treatments for recovery, performance, and rejuvenation, with a growing focus on community wellbeing through Wellness Education initiatives.

The event was held in collaboration with AFC Blackguard , a Sandwell football club founded by local barber and entrepreneur Ryan conlon, who set up the team initially to support mental health through sport.

Around 100 people attended the event, which featured a lively penalty shootout, children’s face painting, and family activities. After a competitive tournament, during the final stage no body scored to be crowned champion of the shoot out and the community voted that the £100 cash prize would be donated into the charity.

The event comes at a time when one in five young people in England are experiencing a probable mental health disorder, according to NHS Digital (2023).

To help address these challenges locally, Active Clinics has sponsored AFC BlackGuard, strengthening community links and supporting initiatives that give young people a safe, inclusive space to connect, stay active, and focus on their wellbeing.

Ryan Conlon, founder of AFC BlackGuard and a Sandwell barber said: “The penalty shootout was a fantastic success, and it was amazing to see so many young people and families come together for such a positive cause.

“Events like this show how sport can unite our community and open up conversations about mental health. I’m really grateful to Active Clinics for sponsoring our club and helping us create opportunities that give young people a sense of belonging and purpose.”

Tammy Takkar, founder of Active Clinics said: “Being from Sandwell myself, it’s a real privilege to give back to the community that shaped me.

“Supporting AFC BlackGuard and events like this penalty shootout allows us to promote wellbeing in a way that’s accessible, fun, and community-led. It’s inspiring to see Sandwell come together for such an important cause.”

Hilal Mehdi, co-founder and business partner at Active Clinics, said: “This event truly reflects what we stand for at Active Clinics — promoting physical and mental wellbeing in equal measure.

“Real wellness etends beyond the clinic walls and by sponsoring AFC Blackguard we partnered together to help young people build confidence, resilience and a sense of connection”

Meanwhile, the Wellness Education Charity recently hosted a wellness day retreat at Barston Lakes, Barston, where more than 30 people from Sandwell and neighbouring areas took part in a holistic day focused on mindfulness, relaxation, and disconnecting from technology.

The success of these initiatives highlights how Sandwell’s community spirit and collaboration are driving positive change in youth mental health and wellbeing across the region

Anayah Joins Aston Villa u18s

Asian World — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 19:56:28 +0000

Anayah Hussain, who attended Rockwood Academy has been a shining star at Alum Rock Football Academy.

Her hard work and talent have now caught the eye of Aston Villa U18’s.

We couldn’t be prouder of Anayah. Starting out here in her local area, she has become (and will continue to be) a positive role model for other young girls who aspire to play football.

From a young age, before she even turned 10, she began nurturing her football dreams by playing at home with her brothers. These early kickabouts sparked her passion for the sport and set her on the path to pursuing football more seriously.

What began as a small initiative led by a few passionate volunteers and a handful of local children has grown into one of Birmingham’s most respected community football clubs. Now supporting over 250 young people aged 5 to 18, Alum Rock FC offers more than just football training — it provides mentoring, educational workshops, and a safe, supportive space for young people to thrive.

Coach and club welfare officer Mohammed Ziarab Yasin reflected:

“We started with just a few kids and a lot of hope. Now we hear things like ‘this club kept me focused’ or ‘this is where I found confidence’. That’s what makes it all worth it. We’re proud of what we’ve built — but we’re not stopping here. There’s still so much more we want to do for the next generation.”

Though the club in its current form began 10 years ago, its roots run deeper — many of the current coaches grew up playing football together in Alum Rock, an area that has long faced economic and social challenges. Over the years, the club has become a vital part of the community, offering not just football, but also workshops on important issues like knife crime, online safety, and mental and physical health.

Richard Reeve, Headteacher at Rockwood Academy, praised the club’s role in supporting local young people:

“Alum Rock Football Academy is a vital part of life for many of our students. It gives them a positive outlet to grow, develop teamwork skills, and stay connected. The coaches understand the challenges our young people face — and meet those needs with care, consistency, and belief.”

Cllr Mariam Khan, Councillor for Alum Rock and Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care at Birmingham City Council, also shared her reflections:

“Alum Rock Football Academy is far more than a football club — it’s a cornerstone of our community. As a former coach and local councillor, I’ve seen firsthand how it builds confidence, friendship, and belonging. The commitment of the coaches and volunteers over the last 10 years has been nothing short of incredible. I’ll always treasure those Saturday mornings with the Tiny Tots — some of my happiest memories.”

In addition to supporting young players, the club has raised over £40,000 for charity through community matches and events, and has recently expanded its offering to include activities for younger children and fitness sessions for women.

Anayah with the team from Alum Rock Football Academy

Illegal Goods Seized Across Birmingham as Operation Cloud Strikes Again

Asian World — Sat, 09 Aug 2025 07:55:27 +0000

Birmingham City Council’s Trading Standards team, in partnership with West Midlands Police, carried out multiple major enforcement actions under the ongoing Operation Cloud initiative.

The initiative targets the sale of illegal and harmful goods across the city.

Warrants were executed at a business premises in Kings Heath last month, along with two vehicles linked to the operation. The coordinated action resulted in the seizure of 40 large nitrous oxide bottles and associated paraphernalia, 600 illicit vapes, 17 packets of oral snuff and 80 unlicensed erectile dysfunction tablets.

One vehicle was seized, and forced entry was made into the second. A male suspect was also arrested at the scene.

The Council’s Trading Standards team and West Midlands Police visited the same premises in November 2024 and seized a number of illicit goods. Last month’s visit was the second seizure at the premises.

A closure order has now been issued for the premises based on concerns from the community worried about anti-social behaviour. The closure will be in place for three months.

On 7 August, the Council’s Trading Standards team continued to intensify operations with two further enforcement actions under Operation Cloud in Erdington.

Both premises were identified through new intelligence and were visited with the support of a trained detection dog.

This operation resulted in seizures of 1666 illegal vapes, 5624 packets of illicit cigarettes (112,480 cigarette sticks) and 992 packets of counterfeit tobacco pouches, with a combined estimated street value of £125,000.

Officers also accessed a vehicle that was storing illegal goods, which was seized at the scene.

Councillor Jamie Tennant, Cabinet Member for Social Justice, Community Safety and Equalities, said:

“This latest raid demonstrated our unwavering commitment to protecting Birmingham’s communities from the dangers of illegal goods. These products were not only harmful to individuals – particularly young people – but also fuelled anti-social behaviour and criminal activity in our neighbourhoods.”

Launched in September 2024, Operation Cloud has been a city-wide crackdown on the distribution of illicit vapes, nitrous oxide, counterfeit tobacco, and other illegal products that pose serious risks to public health and safety. To date, the operation has removed nearly £7 million worth of illegal goods from circulation.

Operation Cloud continued to intensify, with enforcement actions targeting the illegal sale of single-use vapes, following a new ban introduced on 1 June 2025.

Residents were encouraged to report any suspicious activity or sales of illegal goods by contacting Birmingham Trading Standards on 0121 303 9360 or West Midlands Police on 101.

TOP TEN SHORTLISTED RESTAURANTS & TAKEAWAYS ACROSS UK REGIONS ANNOUNCED AHEAD OF OCTOBER AWARDS

Asian World — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 07:45:21 +0000

The top ten shortlisted Asian restaurants and takeaways across UK regions have been unveiled for the annual Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards (ARTA), the most prestigious celebration of pan Asian cuisine in the UK, taking place this year on Monday 6th October 2025 at the London Hilton Park Lane.

Hosted by BBC journalist and broadcaster, Samantha Simmonds, and magician, Paul Martin, the coveted awards recognise the very best of Asian cuisine across a range of national and regional categories. ARTA 2025 continues to reward excellence, craft, creativity and great taste by bringing together the UK’s most celebrated Asian restaurants, chefs and culinary professionals under one roof.

This year, over 1,295 restaurants and takeaways from across the UK were nominated by diners and food lovers, with a significant number of nominations coming through ChefOnline, ARTA’s strategic partner and one of the UK’s leading platforms connecting diners to Asian restaurants and takeaways. Leveraging its national customer base of over a million, ChefOnline helped drive strong nationwide participation in the awards. Nominations were also bolstered by strong social media engagement and data insights such as Food Hygiene Ratings.

Speaking about the Asian Restaurant & Takeaway Awards 2025, Mohammed Munim, Founder Member and CEO of ARTA, said “Asian restaurants and takeaways have long played a vital role in the UK’s economy and culture. Their contribution through job creation, community impact, and culinary excellence, deserves to be recognised. Especially in today’s challenging climate, ARTA is proud to champion their achievements and support their continued success. Every nominee is a testament to the industry’s resilience and we look forward to celebrating them on 6th October.”

From the prestigious National Champion of Champions, Regional Restaurant of the Year, and Chef of the Year to Takeaway of the Year and National Newcomer of the Year, ARTA 2025 will shine a spotlight on the remarkable talent, innovation and dedication that powers the UK’s thriving Asian restaurant sector.

ChefOnline is the ARTA 2025 Strategic Partner; Guavapay, Super Pollo, Work Permit Cloud and Cobra Beer are Associate Sponsors; Madhu’s is Catering Partner. ARTA 2025 is also proudly supported by Cambridge Regional College, Squire Mile Insurance and Lexpert Solicitors.

Following are the ARTA 2025 shortlisted Top 10 Restaurants and Takeaways in the regional category awards.

ARTA 2025 Shortlisted Top Ten Restaurants and Takeaways:

Regional Restaurant of the Year – Northern Ireland:

Bites Of India, Botanic, Belfast

Himalayan, Botanic, Belfast

Indian Ocean Restaurant, Holywood, Belfast

Kohinoor Indian Cuisine, Lisburn, Belfast

Little India Restaurant, Carrickfergus, Belfast

Mayur Indian Restaurant, Larne, Belfast

Monsoon, Dundonald, Belfast

Nu Delhi Restaurant Lounge, Belfast

Shimla Indian Cuisine, Cregagh, Belfast

Yaks, Bangor, Belfast

Regional Restaurant of the Year – Scotland:

Solas-Kitchen, Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy

Firangi, Cambuslang, Glasgow

Gurkha Kitchen, Fraserburgh, Aberdeen

Masala Twist, Glasgow

Opium, Glasgow

Prince of India, Pitlochry

Rustom Restaurant, Haymarket, Edinburgh

Sidhu’s, Perth

Yakitori House, East Kilbride, Glasgow

Yorokobi by CJ, Aberdeen

Regional Restaurant of the Year – South Wales:

1988 Indian Restaurant, Penarth, Cardiff

Elaichi, Carmarthen, Swansea

Hatti Indian Restaurant, Newport

Mango Tree, Cardiff

Raj Kitchen, Swansea

Rasoi Waterfront, Swansea

Red Fort, Caerleon, Newport

Salkaara, Cardiff

Spice Delight, Penarth, Cardiff

Vanilla Spice, Newport

Regional Restaurant of the Year – North Wales:

Anise, Wrexham, Llandudno

Black Peppers, Wrexham, Llandudno

Ijazz Indian Cuisine, Wrexham, Llandudno

Junction Tandoori Restaurant, Llandudno

Maahis, Wrexham, Llandudno

Spice of Llanberis, Caernarfon, Llandudno

Tava Restaurant, Wrexham, Llandudno

Thai Dine, Wrexham, Llandudno

Valley Spice, Corwen, Llandudno

Thisha Curry House, Rhyl, Llandudno

Regional Restaurant of the Year – North West:

Achari, Bolton

Freya’s Grill, Darwen, Blackburn

Junoon, Helsby, Warrington

Krapow Thai Restaurant, Warrington

Lily’s Indian Vegetarian Cuisine, Ashton-under-Lyne, Oldham

Maki & Ramen, Manchester

Mr Chaat, Bolton

Thamin, Littleborough, Oldham

Venus Lounge Restaurant, Heywood, Oldham

Wild Ginger, Rochdale, Oldham

Regional Restaurant of the Year – North East:

Chutney, Gleadless Townend, Sheffield

Jolsha, Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland

My Delhi, Newcastle upon Tyne

Punjabi Heaven Restaurant, Roundhay, Leeds

Sachi’s Burley, Burley in Wharfedale, Leeds

Sherkhan Of Alnwick, Alnwick, Newcastle upon Tyne

SIBU, Batley, Wakefield

Soami’s Trio By Parvin Kumar, Consett, Durham

Soho Tavern, Gateshead, Newcastle upon Tyne

Urban Choola, Sheffield

Regional Restaurant of the Year – West Midlands:

Alessi Indian Restaurant, Audley, Stoke-on-Trent

Bao To The Broth, Hereford

Golden Keg, Draycott in the Moors, Stoke-on-Trent

Gurkha Imperial Dining, Bromsgrove

Indian Edge, Kenilworth

Maneki Ramen, Worcester

Millennium, Kings Heath, Birmingham

Monsoon Majestic Indian Dining, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stoke-on-Trent

Tamarind, Balsall Common, Coventry

Pickles Indian and Grill Cuisine, Spon End, Coventry

Regional Restaurant of the Year – East Midlands:

House Boat Restaurant, Derby

Kushboo, Kettering, Northampton

Laziza Indian Bar & Restaurant, Burton Waters, Lincoln

Nazreen, Burton Latimer, Kettering

Shapla Spice, Ripley, Derby

Silchar Indian Dining, Hinckley

Spice Lounge, Brackley

Aramintas, Northampton Wakaze, Leicester

Wakaze, Leicester

Zaap Thai Street Food, Nottingham

Regional Restaurant of the Year – Hertfordshire:

Abbots Tandoori, Abbots Langley, Watford

Dalchini Spice, Shefford, Stevenage

Dragon Garden, Borehamwood, Watford

Ginger Bar & Restaurant, Hertford, Stevenage

MITR Restaurant, Royston, Stevenage

Oishii Japanese Restaurant, Hertford, Stevenage

Old Siam, Hertford, Stevenage

Raj Of India, Welwyn Garden City, St Albans

Tamarind, Potters Bar, Enfield

The Cochin Indian Restaurant, Hemel Hempstead

Regional Restaurant of the Year – East Anglia:

Sushi And Salad, Ely, Cambridge

Rose and Mango, Saint Neots, Peterborough

New Saffron Indian Restaurant & Takeaway, Thetford, Ipswich

Tamarind Fine Indian Dining, Blofield, Norwich

Takayama Restaurant, Ipswich

The Kimchi, Norwich

Bananaleaf, Chesterton, Cambridge

Lowestoft Tandoori, Lowestoft, Norwich

Taste of India, Rushmere St Andrew, Ipswich

Shilpa Indian Restaurant, Papworth Everard, Cambridge

Regional Restaurant of the Year – Essex:

Taz Restaurant, Rettendon Common, Chelmsford

Temple, Woodford, Ilford

Neyzen Restaurant and Pods, Romford

The Britannia & Gurkha Restaurant & Bar, Berechurch, Colchester

Rim Jhim Spice Indian Restaurant, Stanway, Colchester

Moonlight Tandoori, Harlow, CM18 7NW

Maharani Indian Restaurant, Colchester

Kelvedon Spice, Kelvedon, Colchester

Golden Mayfair, Westcliff-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea

Wadud’s Fusion of Thai & Indian Restaurant, Braintree, Chelmsford

Regional Restaurant of the Year – Kent:

Durbar Spice, Downe, Bromley

The Bombay, Swanley, Bromley

The Bombay Restaurant, Swanley, Bromley

Spice Village, New Ash Green, Longfield

Prince of India, Faversham, Rochester

Mowglis, Beachampton, Milton Keynes

Indian Valley Restaurant and Takeaway, Orpington, Bromley

Ginger & Spices, Chislehurst, Bromley

Spice Lounge, Faversham, Rochester

Shozna, Rochester

Regional Restaurant of the Year – Surrey:

Bay Leaves, Ewell, Kingston upon Thames

Trishala, Redhill

3 Rooms Indian Restaurant, Ottershaw, Kingston upon Thames

Yaadein Authentic Indian Restaurant, Stoneleigh, Kingston upon Thames

The Cricket Lounge, Worcester Park, Sutton

Spicy Tadka Staines, Staines-upon-Thames, Twickenham

Rishi’s in Slate & Grain Brasserie and Bar, Hackbridge, Sutton

Red Rose of Chessington, Hook, Kingston upon Thames

Coulsdon Spice, Coulsdon, Croydon

Colombo Kitchen – Hopper & Kottu Bar, Worcester Park, Kingston upon Thames

Regional Restaurant of the Year – Sussex:

Akash Indian Restaurant & Takeaway, Horsham, Redhill

Alishaan Indian Restaurant, Sompting, Brighton

Andaaz Indian Restaurant, Worthing, Brighton

Calcutta 16, Shoreham-by-Sea, Brighton

ETCI Kitchen, Brighton and Hove, Brighton

Moonstone Sri Lankan Restaurant, Brighton and Hove, Brighton

Tamasha, Lindfield, Redhill

The New Curry Centre, Horsham, Redhill

The Parsons Table, Arundel, Brighton

The Royal Indian Restaurant, Hailsham, Brighton

Regional Restaurant of the Year – South Central:

Chennai Express, Fleet, Guildford

Chilis Indian & Indo Chinese Restaurant, King’s Walk, Reading

Haweli Restaurant, Southall

Jalpari of Woodley, Woodley, Reading

Mint Lounge, Southampton

Padharo Indian Restaurant, Southampton

Spice Lounge, Burford, Oxford

Spicy Tadka, Basingstoke, Reading

The Paradise Balti House, Petersfield, Guildford

Suan Thai Restaurant, Romsey, Southampton

Regional Restaurant of the Year – South West:

Chilli’s, Weymouth, Dorchester

Ebisu, Weston-super-Mare, Bristol

Indian Queen, Saint Columb, Truro

Paprika, Whitchurch, Bristol

Royal Jaipur, Landford, Salisbury

Salkaara, Henleaze, Bristol

Spice Lounge Indian Cuisine, Ilfracombe, Exeter

Spice Route, Andover, Salisbury

Sultanz Indian Restaurant, Camborne, Truro

Vegan India, Bishopston, Bristol

Regional Restaurant of the Year – North London:

Pinos Warung, Chalk Farm, London

Mala Brasserie, Whetstone, London

Hanwoo Village Angel, Islington, London

Taste of Goa, Finsbury Park, London

Ruhit’s Indian Cuisine, Brent, London

Taherah, Belsize Park, London

Day of the Raj, Mill Hill, London

Taste of Nawab, Muswell Hill, London

Malay Fellas, Camden, London

Yaki Ya!, Colindale, London

Regional Restaurant of the Year – City & East London:

Forest Tandoori, Walthamstow, London

Mumbai Square Restaurant, Aldgate, London

The India, Islington, London

Meraz, Tower Hamlets, London

Bengal Tiger, Shoreditch, London

Muhib Indian Cuisine, London

Bengal Village, London

The Famous Curry Bazaar, London

Eastern Eye Balti House, London

The Empress, London

Regional Restaurant of the Year – Central & West London:

BKC – Biryani Kebab Chai, Marble Arch, London

Chettinad Restaurant, Camden, London

Dhaba@49, Westminster, London

Durbar Tandoori, Notting Hill, London

Indian Express, West Kensington, London

Maharaja of India, Leicester Square, London

The Mughal’s Indian Restaurant, Kings Cross, London

Tajmahal Indian Cuisine, Kings Cross, London

Tokri Restaurant, Gunnersbury Ave, London

Tamarind Kitchen, Westminster, London

Regional Restaurant of the Year – South London:

Pure Indian Cooking, Fulham, London

Colombo Kitchen, Putney, London

Indian Room, Balham, London

Pravaas, South Kensington, London

Troia, Southbank, London

Mumbai Delight, Vauxhall, London

Chaska Maska, Brockley, London

The Mantl, Knightsbridge, London

Saka Maka Hither Green Indian Restaurant, Hither Green, London

Toba, Westminster, London

Regional Takeaway of the Year – Northern Ireland:

Mao Asian Cuisine, Ballymoney

Lucky Star, Antrim, Belfast

Khyber Tandoori, Carryduff, Belfast

Curry Leaf, Hillsborough, Belfast

Chutney Joe, Saintfield, Belfast

Asha Tandoori, Bangor, Belfast

Dungannon Spice, Dungannon, Belfast

Night of Bengal, Belfast

Ruchi, Belfast

Bengal Cottage, Belfast

Regional Takeaway of the Year – Scotland:

Diamond Inn, Scotstoun, Glasgow

Slumdog Delivered, Corstorphine, Edinburgh

Zain’s Curry House, Dalry, Kilmarnock

The Red Tiffin Takeaway, Glasgow

The Aladdin’s Indian Takeaway, Perth

Azaad Takeaway, Invergowrie, Dundee

Spicy Bite Takeaway, Edinburgh

Greener ways of travel for NHS staff commended by city council

Asian World — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 08:01:04 +0000

Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust has become the first in the city to be commended for its greener travel to work schemes.

The Trust has a catalogue of initiatives which have led to the organisation achieving a Modeshift STARS certification for a ‘Very Good Travel Plan’ awarded by Birmingham City Council.

Schemes include the promotion of car free days, cycling to work and using more public transport to travel to the Trust’s sites.

Councillor Majid Mahmood, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport at Birmingham City Council, visited Birmingham Children’s Hospital this week to present the Trust with the certification and met with staff Steve Cumley, Chief Operating Officer and Maya Desai, who both cycle to work.

Cllr Mahmood said: “Modeshift STARS recognises healthcare settings, schools, businesses, workplaces and other organisations that have shown excellence in supporting cycling, walking and other forms of sustainable and active travel.

“This is the first hospital site in Birmingham to achieve this level of accreditation on the Modeshift Healthcare platform which is a fantastic achievement and I would like to congratulate everyone involved.

“The way we travel is more than just logistics. It is about rethinking how we move about. By encouraging walking, cycling, public transport, low-emission vehicles, and car sharing, we are making it easier and better for staff, patients, and visitors to choose sustainable travel options.”

Dan Saxton, Head of Sustainability at the Trust who also greeted the councillor, said: “The take up from staff in using different modes of travel has been really encouraging.

“We have been actively promoting cycling by offering free bike loans which is also an NHS Net Zero initiative, whilst we have also been investigating car sharing where possible. We have expanded on offers for use on public transport including free bus and discounted tram travel.

“These different initiatives are shared with staff on a regular basis and any new starters are given all this information on their first day, again this is in line with the NHS Net Zero programme.

“We are grateful to Cllr Mahmood for presenting us with this certification.”

Carers’ voices take centre stage at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery

Asian World — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 08:03:30 +0000

Carers from across the city are having their art exhibited at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery.

Cllr Mariam Khan views some of the artwork

Carers’ Voice is running throughout August in the Industrial Gallery as part of the museum’s powerful Made in Birmingham display.

Organised by Forward Carers, which runs the Birmingham Carers Hub on behalf of the city council, it is funded through the National Lottery Community Fund.

Cllr Mariam Khan, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, said: “This exhibition really brings the stories of unpaid carers to life, illustrating the vital work they do to support people who need help due to disability, illness, mental health needs, addiction or frailty.

“We have over 91,000 unpaid carers in Birmingham who face real challenges and it is so moving to hear their stories. It was a real honour to meet some of these wonderful people at the exhibition launch.”

Many carers have also shared their stories in a newly released book created in collaboration with Barefoot Birmingham Yoga and supported by Big White Shed. The book will be available to purchase from the museum shop throughout August.

The exhibition features original artwork and poetry created by carers, short videos capturing the lived experiences shared in the book and space for visitors to reflect on the realities of caring and the strength it takes to support loved ones.

Successful overnight tram tests for metro extension

Asian World — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 07:58:35 +0000

Trams have reached Millennium Point in a successful overnight track test on the first leg of a new tram extension out to Birmingham City FC’s forthcoming 60,000-seater stadium.

This first phase of the Eastside extension includes two stops offering passengers easy access to key destinations including Moor Street Station, Millennium Point, the Clayton Hotel and Birmingham City University campus, while work continues to take the extension to Digbeth Coach Station.

Cllr Majid Mahmood, cabinet member for environment and transport, joined colleagues from Metro Midlands and Transport for West Midlands when the trams were tested last night.

The line also offers a direct tram link for the almost 400,000 bus passengers a week who use services at the busy Moor Street bus interchange. This brings bus, rail, tram and cycle hire together in a single location as part of an integrated transport system.

Mayor Richard Parker has earmarked £400m to build the tram extension to the new stadium and surrounding Sports Quarter regeneration scheme. The money is also being used to plan and design the full East Birmingham and Solihull extension out to Birmingham Airport and HS2 Interchange.

Cllr Mahmood said: “This is an exciting milestone in the expansion of the Metro to East Birmingham.

“I am determined to work hand-in-hand with the Mayor to deliver better transport links across our city, and the Metro is at the very heart of this. The £400m investment that the Mayor secured will unlock economic growth in East Birmingham, helping to connect our communities with jobs and opportunities for generations to come.”

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “Our plan to extend the Metro network to East Birmingham and Solihull is crucial to unlocking the £3 billion private sector investment in our new Sports Quarter, which in turn will create huge opportunities for communities that have been held back for too long.

“These successful tests show how close we are to opening up new reliable tram links to this part of Birmingham City Centre. Soon it will be easier for everyone to get around – whether they are commuting to work, heading to class or travelling further afield by connecting to rail and bus services.

“Expanding the tram network is a crucial enabler for my Growth Plan. It’s about more than just transport; it’s about connecting people to the businesses and education opportunities that will drive our region forward.”

APPLAUSE ENTERTAINMENT ACQUIRES RIGHTS TO 6 ICONIC JEFFREY ARCHER NOVELS IN LANDMARK GLOBAL MOVE

Asian World — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 07:51:20 +0000

Applause Entertainment, India’s leading content studio, has acquired the exclusive screen rights to 6 of Jeffrey Archer’s most iconic novels — The Clifton Chronicles, Fourth Estate, First Among Equals, The Eleventh Commandment, Sons of Fortune, and Heads You Win. Known for reimagining global formats and Indian books into acclaimed screen stories, this marks Applause’s first global fiction acquisition, bringing one of the world’s most widely read authors into its growing content slate.

Spanning political drama, espionage, media power struggles, and multi-generational family sagas, these six titles offer a vast and versatile narrative canvas, rooted in Archer’s signature style of pace, plot twists, and character-driven storytelling. Applause will reimagine and develop these stories into premium series and feature films across languages and platforms, bringing Jeffrey Archer’s world to screen, made in India for the world.

Applause Entertainment is a leading content and IP creation studio, led by media veteran Sameer Nair. Known for its premium drama series, films, documentaries and animation, the studio has delivered acclaimed shows such as The Hunt, Criminal Justice, Scam, Rudra: The Edge of Darkness and Undekhi. Its content spans multiple languages and platforms including Netflix, Prime Video, Sony LIV and JioHotstar. Applause has also forayed into theatrical and direct-to-streaming films like Zwigato, Por Thozhil, Do Aur Do Pyaar and Sharmajee Ki Beti, along with the docu-series Modern Masters. The studio has exciting content in the pipeline that includes an ambitious Mahatma Gandhi biopic series, South cinema and a Big Movie Slate.

Jeffrey Archer has topped the bestseller lists around the world, with sales of over 300 million copies in 115 countries and 49 languages. He is the only author ever to have been a number one bestseller in fiction (nineteen times), short stories (four times) and non-fiction. He gained a Blue in Athletics at Oxford, was President of the University Athletics Club, and went on to run the 100 yards in 9.6 seconds for Great Britain in 1966. Jeffrey served five years in the House of Commons and thirty-one years as a Member of the House of Lords. His latest novel, End Game, is the eighth of the William Warwick novels and will be published on 23 September 2025.

With this collaboration, Applause expands its creative horizon, blending iconic global storytelling with its own narrative sensibility, and continuing to build a content slate that is bold, cinematic, and ready for the world stage. It also opens up a fertile creative ground for creators, writers and directors to engage with universally loved narratives and reimagine them with a contemporary, cinematic voice.

Sameer Nair, Managing Director, Applause Entertainment, “This is a milestone moment for us. We’ve told stories reimagined from Indian books, formats, and real events and now we step into the world of global fiction. Jeffrey Archer’s novels are compelling, character-rich, and built for screen. To reimagine these stories with scale and style, and to position them for audiences across the globe, that’s the creative opportunity we’re excited about.”

Author, Jeffrey Archer, “It’s an absolute pleasure to collaborate with Sameer Nair and the team at Applause Entertainment. Their passion for storytelling, their body of work, and their global outlook make them the perfect partners to bring my books to screen. I’ve always had a deep fondness for India, a nation that has embraced my stories like its own and as an ardent cricket lover, it’s a country I feel incredibly connected to. I’m thrilled to see my characters and stories take on a new life, across India, and far beyond.”

Flowers and tributes to be passed to Osbourne family

Asian World — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 08:05:25 +0000

In agreement with the Osbourne family the flowers and tributes that have been left on the Black Sabbath Bridge will be moved.

Birmingham City Council is working closely with local partners to respectfully gather and preserve these tributes. In agreement with the Osbourne family, items will be carefully collected and stored with the utmost care at a secure location, ensuring they are protected and treated with dignity.

In due course, they will be passed on to the Osbourne family, so they may keep them as a lasting reminder of the public’s affection and support.

The Osbourne family said: “We are deeply moved by the heartfelt tributes that have been placed at the Black Sabbath Bridge and at the Black Sabbath mural on Navigation Street in recent days. These expressions of remembrance reflect the profound impact that Ozzy had on the city and its people, as well as fans from around the world – BIRMINGHAM FOREVER!”

Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Cllr Zafar Iqbal, said: “We understand how important it is for the community to have a space to grieve and celebrate Ozzy’s legacy.

“We know fans will continue to pay their respects at the bench at the Black Sabbath Bridge and the mural on Navigation Street, as well as visiting the Ozzy exhibition at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, which closes in September.

“Our thoughts remain with Ozzy’s family at this difficult time.”