Pramod Thomas is a senior correspondent with Asian Media Group since 2020, bringing 19 years of journalism experience across business, politics, sports, communities, and international relations. His career spans both traditional and digital media platforms, with eight years specifically focused on digital journalism. This blend of experience positions him well to navigate the evolving media landscape and deliver content across various formats. He has worked with national and international media organisations, giving him a broad perspective on global news trends and reporting standards.
Afghanistan top order batsman Najeeb Tarakai has died from injuries following a road accident last week, the country's cricket board said on Tuesday(6).
The 29-year-old was critically injured in the accident on Friday(2), the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) said without sharing details.
"ACB ... mourns the heartbreaking & grievous loss of its aggressive opening batsman & a very fine human being..." the board tweeted.
Tarakai made his international debut in the 2014 T20 World Cup in Bangladesh and played his only one-day international against Ireland in 2017.
Tarakai scored 32 in his last outing for Mis Ainak Knights in the Shpageeza Cricket League last month.
CARLOS ALCARAZ will look to win his third consecutive Wimbledon title this year, reinforcing his position as the leading player on all surfaces. Jannik Sinner, who lost to Alcaraz in a closely fought French Open final, heads to London hoping to reverse the result.
Seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic will also be in contention. At 38, this could be his best chance to win a record 25th Grand Slam title. Djokovic lost the last two Wimbledon finals to Alcaraz and will aim to reclaim the trophy at the All England Club.
With Andy Murray retiring, Jack Draper takes on the responsibility of leading British hopes. Other players in the mix include Alexander Zverev and Taylor Fritz, both chasing their first Grand Slam title and looking to break the recent dominance of Alcaraz and Sinner.
Alcaraz aims to join elite group with hat-trick
Alcaraz won the longest French Open final in the Open Era, maintaining his hold on the title. Between him and Sinner, they have won seven of the last eight majors. If Alcaraz wins this month, he will become only the fifth man in the Open Era to claim three straight Wimbledon titles. He would join Bjorn Borg, Pete Sampras, Roger Federer, and Djokovic.
Transitioning from clay to grass is often difficult, but Alcaraz has adapted well. He described the shift as "enjoyment and suffering" in equal measure.
"It's a bit of everything," Alcaraz said. He improved his win-loss record on grass to 29-3 after winning the Queen’s Club title.
"Ultimately it's a surface we don't play many matches on each year, and you have to learn from every experience on it, from every match you play.
"Every player is different with a different style on grass. You have to keep learning and getting to know yourself ... even when the numbers are in your favour."
Sinner still adapting to grass
Although Sinner has achieved more success than Alcaraz on hard courts, his grass record remains mixed. He exited early at Halle after losing to Alexander Bublik and now heads to Wimbledon with limited preparation. Last year, he reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon.
Sinner, who served a three-month ban earlier this year for doping violations, said he needed rest before the Championships begin Monday.
"I gave it my all after the Roland Garros defeat, it wasn't easy. Despite everything, I'm happy enough," Sinner said. He had three championship points in the five-set French Open final loss to Alcaraz.
"I played two matches before Wimbledon, if there had been more, it would have been better. Now I've got to boost myself both mentally and physically, that takes a little time."
Gentlemen's Singles - Projected Quarter-finals by Seeding
(1) Sinner vs (7) Musetti (4) Draper vs (6) Djokovic
(5) Fritz vs (3) Zverev (8) Rune vs (2) Alcaraz #Wimbledon — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 27, 2025
Djokovic hopes to bounce back
Novak Djokovic heads into Wimbledon after reaching the French Open semi-final in a year that has otherwise not lived up to his usual standards. He has not played any warm-up events on grass but remains a strong contender.
Djokovic is aiming to match Roger Federer’s eight Wimbledon titles and surpass Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slams.
"I'm going to do everything possible to get myself ready," Djokovic said after losing to Sinner in Paris.
"My best chances maybe to win another Grand Slam are Wimbledon, or a faster hard court, maybe Australia."
Zverev, Fritz and others look to challenge
World number three Alexander Zverev is also in the hunt, still chasing a maiden Grand Slam after three final losses. Taylor Fritz enters the tournament with momentum from winning in Stuttgart.
Others to watch include Daniil Medvedev, who finished runner-up in Halle, and Bublik, who defeated him there. Bublik’s unconventional playing style could pose a challenge for some top players over the next two weeks.
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The UK has agreed to move the aircraft to the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility at the airport.
UK AVIATION engineers are arriving in Thiruvananthapuram to carry out repairs on an F-35B Lightning jet belonging to the Royal Navy, which has remained grounded after an emergency landing 12 days ago.
The jet is part of the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group of the UK's Royal Navy. It made the emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram airport on June 14. The aircraft, valued at over USD 110 million, is among the most advanced fighter jets in the world.
According to a spokesperson for the British High Commission, the aircraft is currently awaiting repairs at the Thiruvananthapuram international airport after it developed an engineering issue.
The UK has agreed to move the aircraft to the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility at the airport.
"The aircraft will be moved to the hangar once UK engineering teams arrive with specialist equipment, thereby ensuring there is minimal disruption to scheduled maintenance of other aircraft," the spokesperson said.
The F-35B is the only fifth generation fighter jet with short takeoff and vertical landing capabilities, which allows it to operate from smaller decks, austere bases and ships.
The official said the aircraft would return to active service once the repairs and safety checks are completed.
"Ground teams continue to work closely with Indian authorities to ensure safety and security precautions are observed. We thank the Indian authorities and Thiruvananthapuram international airport for their continued support."
The aircraft was unable to return to HMS Prince of Wales due to adverse weather conditions.
Engineers from HMS Prince of Wales had assessed the aircraft after the emergency landing and determined that support from UK-based engineering teams was required.
The Indian Air Force had said a few days after the incident that it was providing all necessary support for the "rectification and subsequent return" of the aircraft.
Earlier this month, the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group conducted military exercises with the Indian Navy.
In British service, the F-35B is referred to as the 'Lightning'. It is the short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) variant of the fighter jet, designed for use from short-field bases and air-capable ships.
(With inputs from PTI)
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Prada acknowledges Indian influence behind its Spring Summer 2026 men’s footwear
• Prada confirms Indian roots behind 2026 ‘leather sandals’ after controversy • Indian artisans and officials accused the brand of cultural appropriation • The footwear resembles traditional Kolhapuri chappals with GI status • Prada says designs are still in development and open to dialogue with India
Italian fashion label Prada has officially acknowledged that its Spring/Summer 2026 menswear collection includes footwear inspired by India’s traditional Kolhapuri chappals. The statement came after mounting criticism from Indian artisans and industry leaders, who claimed the brand showcased the design at Milan Fashion Week without recognising its origins.
Prada confirms Kolhapuri chappals inspired its 2026 Milan collectionInstagram/prada
Prada responds to Kolhapuri chappal row
In a letter addressed to Lalit Gandhi, President of the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (MACCIA), Prada’s CSR head Lorenzo Bertelli confirmed the sandals were influenced by Indian craftsmanship. The fashion house admitted that the open-toe leather sandals presented on the Milan runway drew from the centuries-old Kolhapuri style, traditionally made by artisans in Maharashtra and Karnataka.
Kolhapuri chappals have been crafted for centuries and received GI tag in 2019 iStock
The controversy erupted after Prada described the footwear simply as “leather sandals” in its show notes, omitting any reference to India. This led to accusations of cultural appropriation and disregard for artisans' rights. BJP MP Dhananjay Mahadik also led a group of Kolhapuri chappal makers to meet Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, urging government action to protect their Geographical Indication (GI) status.
No production yet, says Prada, as India seeks fair credit
Prada clarified that the sandals shown were part of an early-stage design process and have not been confirmed for mass production. “None of the pieces are finalised or approved for commercial use,” Bertelli wrote.
MACCIA, in its communication, called for proper acknowledgement and possible collaboration or compensation for Indian artisans. The organisation stressed that Kolhapuri chappals are not just heritage products but also vital to the livelihoods of thousands of families.
In response, Bertelli assured Prada’s commitment to ethical design, cultural respect, and further engagement with Indian artisan communities. He also welcomed the opportunity for open dialogue on potential partnerships.
The Kolhapuri chappal, awarded GI status in 2019, is a symbol of regional identity and craftsmanship. As global fashion continues to borrow from traditional cultures, this case may set the tone for how brands address ownership, recognition, and respect.
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Relatives carry the coffin of a victim, who was killed in the Air India Flight 171 crash, during a funeral ceremony in Ahmedabad on June 15, 2025. (Photo: Getty Images)
TWO weeks after the crash of Air India flight AI-171 in Ahmedabad, families of victims are grappling with grief and trauma. Psychiatrists are now working closely with many who continue to oscillate between denial and despair.
The crash occurred on June 12, when the London-bound flight hit the BJ Medical College complex shortly after takeoff, killing 241 people on board and 29 on the ground. Only one passenger survived.
The emotional impact of the incident continues to affect survivors and relatives of those who died.
Counselling support on the ground
In the immediate aftermath, the Department of Psychiatry at B J Medical College deployed a team of psychiatrists—five senior residents and five consultants—across locations including Kasauti Bhavan, the postmortem building, and the civil superintendent's office to support families.
"The accident was unimaginable. Even bystanders were disturbed. Then what must be the condition of someone who lost their loved one?" said Dr Minakshi Parikh, Dean and Head of Psychiatry at BJMC.
"If the people who heard the news were so disturbed, then it is not even within our scope to imagine the state of mind of the family members of people who lost their lives," she told PTI.
Processing grief in stages
As visuals of the crash began to circulate, families arrived in large numbers—many still hoping their relatives had survived. The existence of a lone survivor gave rise to hopes that it might be their loved one.
"There was an uncertainty whether one would be able to identify the loved ones they have lost and wait for matching of the DNA samples for three days. In some cases, samples of another relative of the kin had to be taken. The shock would have logically led to acute stress reactions and post-traumatic stress disorder," said Dr Parikh.
Dr Urvika Parekh, assistant professor and a member of the crisis response team, said denial was the immediate response among many families.
Facing denial and despair
"They kept asking for updates, insisting their family member had survived. Breaking the news gently, while having no confirmation ourselves, was incredibly difficult. We had to provide psychological first aid before anything else," she said.
Parekh said the hope placed on the lone survivor became a coping mechanism. "We had to deal with the denial and explain that nobody could have survived the horrific crash (except one who was not their relative)," she added.
Families were initially reluctant to accept counselling. "It was also difficult to accept the truth without seeing the bodies of their loved ones. Counselling aided them at this critical juncture," Parekh said.
She shared the case of a man who remained silent after losing his wife in the crash. "There was immense guilt—survivor guilt (that he is alive and his wife died). We gave him anti-anxiety medication to help ease the immediate stress. Eventually, he began to speak. He talked about their plans, their memories. It was catharsis. We didn't interrupt—we just let him speak and communicated through silence and empathy,” she said.
Parekh said that listening empathetically was a major part of the process. "We were managing their anger, outburst, and their questions like 'why us' (why did it have to happen to us)," she said.
The wait for DNA results was another major source of distress. With confirmation taking up to 72 hours or more, some families insisted they could identify their loved ones without DNA.
"There was one father who kept saying he didn't need DNA tests—he could identify his son by his eyes," said Parekh. "We had to gently discourage that. Seeing their loved ones in such a state could trigger PTSD and depression. We told them: it's better to remember them with a smile than with charred remains.”
Dr Parikh said the five commonly known stages of grief—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance—were not experienced in a fixed sequence.
Lingering grief and support
"People cycle through these stages. Someone might accept the loss in the morning and fall back into denial by evening,” said Parekh. "So we mourned with them. That was part of the therapy".
Parekh stays in one of the residential buildings near the crash site. Her building was not damaged.
Some families found the waiting unbearable. One Air India crew member’s family had to wait seven days for DNA confirmation. “The exhaustion, the helplessness—it broke her mentally,” a relative said. “But the counselling helped. Those sessions were our only anchor."
"A calm voice, the right amount of information, and simply being there—these saved a lot of families from spiralling into chaos,” said Dr Parikh.
Delighted to pause and look back on a pioneering partnership project, which saw our Randal Charitable Foundation, Leicestershire Police and the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) support pupils, from 5 Leicester schools, tour London and the Houses of Parliament with the aim to help raise aspirations and demonstrate possible future career paths.
With more young people than ever struggling to stay in education, find employment and track down career opportunities, I’ve reflected on the importance of collaborations like this one, which model just one way in that small interventions could reap rewards in the life course of youngsters.
New data released by the Department for Education showed over a quarter of a million school suspensions in Spring 2024 – a 12% increase on the previous year. Other studies including by the Centre for Social Justice show devastating statistics, including that there’s almost 1 million 16–24-year-olds in the UK who are Not in Education, Employment or Training – that’s 1 in 7 who are economically inactive and not looking for work. The need for creative interventions is real – and pressing.
Our visit was organised in the summer of 2023, with a simple aim - to help inspire underprivileged young people to gain the opportunities and motivations to reach their full potential. They travelled to London by coach for a briefing at the CSJ’s offices in Smith Square – after which they walked along the Embankment to the Houses of Parliament & Lords, for a guided tour.
Inspired by the trip, our partners have recently reported that a number of the young people have begun following their dreams and finding their passions. One pupil who took part, a 'looked after child', has now completed school with impressive exam results and reportedly frequently mentioned the experience and how much they enjoyed the visit throughout their final year.
Another has blossomed into what teachers describe as a 'superstar' at school, maintaining strong attendance and being a positive influence on fellow pupils. And perhaps the most touching story of all comes from a pupil who, despite facing significant challenges at home, has developed a passionate interest in politics and is now thriving academically, with aspirations towards public service.
I believe key moments in the lives of young people can be turning points, for good and for bad. This trip alone didn’t change lives, of course. But it did allow a moment in time to explore possibilities - and create some curiosity about different futures, which I’m delighted to see now being translated.
Investment by our Foundation, expert community outreach by Leicestershire Police, through their Mini Police programme and specialist support from CSJ colleagues all made this moment in time possible. We built on the growing positive relationships between police, schools and young people – to make a difference together for a few young people – in that moment.
A precious moment indeed.
Dr Nik Kotecha OBE DL is the chairman of the Randal Charitable Foundation