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.
World's largest steelmaker ArcelorMittal on Thursday (7) reported a net loss of $1.1 billion for the first quarter ended 31 March, 2020, amid the COVID-19 crisis. The company reported net income of $0.4 billion in the same period last year.
The net loss for the steel giant was $1.9 billion for the fourth quarter of 2019.
"The improved operating performance in the first quarter has been considerably overshadowed by the COVID-19 crisis. Faced with a significant humanitarian challenge, the company's first priority has been to take all the necessary actions to safeguard the wellbeing of our people and to provide support to the extent required in the communities in which we operate," ArcelorMittal Chairman and CEO Lakshmi N Mittal said.
"We have also moved decisively to protect the business in the face of the completely unprecedented scenario we are facing where social and economic lockdown has contributed to a significant decline in demand."
Due to low demand the company also cut production during the January-March quarter.
Mittal hopes that countries will start to announce exit strategies from the COVID-19 lockdown in this month.
“The remainder of this year will be challenging, but I am confident that ArcelorMittal has the experience and inherent resilience, to manage through these difficult times," he said.
EDUCATION SECRETARY Bridget Phillipson has announced her candidacy for Labour’s deputy leader, becoming the most senior figure to enter the contest so far.
Clapham and Brixton Hill MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy is the only other declared candidate in the race to replace Angela Rayner.
Lucy Powell, who was removed as leader of the House of Commons last week, is expected to announce her bid.
Foreign affairs committee chair Emily Thornberry has said she is considering running, while former transport secretary Louise Haigh and Tooting MP Rosena Allin-Khan have ruled themselves out.
Candidates must secure nominations from at least 80 Labour MPs by Thursday evening. They also need support from either 5 per cent of local parties or three Labour-affiliated groups, including two unions. Those who qualify will face a ballot of party members, with the winner to be announced on 25 October.
Some Labour members have criticised the short nomination period. Ribeiro-Addy said: "It is absolutely unfair, and I don't think it's what the membership want." She told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme the party needed to reflect on "what's gone wrong," citing concerns over Gaza, winter fuel allowances and welfare cuts.
Announcing her candidacy, Phillipson said: "Because make no mistake: We are in a fight. We all know the dangers Reform poses our country."
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he had not yet decided whom to support. David Lammy will remain deputy prime minister regardless of the outcome.
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Passengers walk back to the reopened terminal after emergency services responded to what they called a 'possible hazardous materials incident' at Terminal 4 of Heathrow Airport.
HEATHROW Airport has reopened Terminal 4 after it was evacuated on Monday evening following what authorities described as a "possible hazardous materials incident."
The airport said the terminal was declared safe and apologised for the disruption. In a post on X, Heathrow said it was "doing everything we can" to make sure flights depart as planned.
The London Fire Brigade confirmed it had stood down its response.
Terminal 4, which handles both European and long-haul flights, was closed temporarily as specialist fire crews carried out an assessment.
The London Ambulance Service said paramedics treated 21 patients and one person was taken to hospital. The nature of the incident has not been disclosed.
The Metropolitan Police said specialist officers were at the scene and conducted a search of the area. The force said no trace of any "adverse substance" was found.
Video clips shared online, which could not be verified, showed passengers waiting outside the terminal. Heathrow’s departures board showed flights continuing to take off.
In March, Heathrow was shut for nearly a day after a fire at a nearby electrical substation cut power, disrupting flights worldwide and leaving thousands of passengers stranded.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Kajal Aggarwal reassured fans she is safe after a false death rumour spread online
Kajal Aggarwal dismissed false reports claiming she died in a road accident
The actor assured fans she is “perfectly fine, safe and doing very well”
Social media platforms saw rapid spread of the fake death news
Kajal urged people to ignore rumours and focus on “positivity and truth”
Bollywood and South Indian actor Kajal Aggarwal has slammed a fake news wave that falsely claimed her death in a road accident. The baseless rumour, which quickly circulated on social media, left fans worried until the star herself issued a clarification. Speaking directly to her followers, Kajal called the speculation “amusing but absolutely untrue” and stressed that she was healthy and safe.
Kajal Aggarwal reassured fans she is safe after a false death rumour spread online Instagram/kajalaggarwalofficial
Did Kajal Aggarwal really die in a road accident?
The false report suggested that Kajal Aggarwal had been involved in a fatal crash, with some posts claiming she sustained major injuries. Within hours, the news was widely shared across platforms, causing confusion among her fans. The actor responded swiftly on Instagram Stories and X, confirming she had not been in any accident.
She wrote: “I’ve come across some baseless news claiming I was in an accident (and no longer around!) and honestly, it’s quite amusing because it’s absolutely untrue. By the grace of god, I want to assure you all that I am perfectly fine, safe, and doing very well.”
— (@)
How Kajal Aggarwal addressed the death hoax
Rather than ignoring the speculation, Kajal Aggarwal directly addressed the death rumour to put an end to the panic. She also made a point to remind her supporters not to spread falsehoods online. “I kindly request you not to believe or circulate such false news. Let’s focus our energies on positivity and truth instead,” she added.
Her statement was shared widely, with fans expressing relief and anger at the speed of misinformation. Industry colleagues also condemned the fake reports, calling them irresponsible and harmful.
Kajal Aggarwal urged her supporters not to circulate baseless news and hoaxesInstagram Screengrab/kajalaggarwalofficial
Why do celebrity death rumours spread so fast?
Celebrity death hoaxes are unfortunately common in the digital age. From Amitabh Bachchan to Shah Rukh Khan, several Indian film icons have previously been declared dead in fabricated online stories. Such claims often use doctored screenshots of news outlets or misleading headlines to gain traction, relying on the emotional impact they create among fans.
In Kajal Aggarwal’s case, the road accident hoax highlighted how quickly misinformation can reach millions before being corrected. Experts warn that such incidents bring to light the urgent need for fact-checking and media responsibility.
Kajal Aggarwal’s recent and upcoming films
On the career front, Kajal Aggarwal continues to remain busy with projects across industries. She was recently seen in Vishnu Manchu’s Kannappa, playing the role of Goddess Parvathi alongside Akshay Kumar’s Lord Shiva. In Bollywood, she appeared in Sikandar with Salman Khan and Rashmika Mandanna.
Her upcoming slate includes Indian 3 with Kamal Haasan and, reportedly, Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana, where she is expected to portray Mandodari, Ravana’s wife, opposite Yash.
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Demonstrators weild stones and sticks as they clash with riot police personnel during a protest outside the parliament in Kathmandu on September 8, 2025. (Photo: Getty Images)
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigns amid violent anti-corruption protests
At least 19 killed and more than 100 injured as police clash with demonstrators
Social media ban lifted after protests turned deadly across Nepal
UN and Amnesty call for probe, two cabinet ministers also resign
NEPAL prime minister KP Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday, his aide said, as anti-corruption demonstrators defied an indefinite curfew and clashed with police, a day after 19 people died in violent protests triggered by a social media ban.
“The PM has quit,” Oli’s aide Prakash Silwal told Reuters, a move that plunges the country into fresh political uncertainty.
Oli’s government lifted the social media ban after protests turned violent, killing 19 and injuring more than 100 after police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at demonstrators trying to storm parliament on Monday.
The unrest is the worst in decades in the Himalayan country that is wedged between India and China and has struggled with political instability and economic uncertainty since protests led to the abolition of its monarchy in 2008.
Deadly crackdown
The protests began in Kathmandu, with mostly young people demanding the government lift restrictions and address corruption. Demonstrators clashed with police near parliament on Monday, where officers used tear gas, batons, rubber bullets and water cannons.
Seventeen people were killed in the capital and two more in Sunsari district, according to police and local media. Kathmandu police spokesman Shekhar Khanal said about 400 people were injured, including more than 100 officers.
Amnesty International said live ammunition had been used. The United Nations called for a swift and transparent investigation.
One eyewitness described the situation inside a hospital where dozens of the injured were treated. “Tear gas entered the hospital area as well, making it difficult for doctors to work,” said Ranjana Nepal, information officer at the Civil Hospital.
A 23-year-old student, Yujan Rajbhandari, said: “Nearly 20 people were murdered by the state — that shows the scale of police brutality. The government have to take responsibility for the lives that were lost.”
Curfew and continued unrest
Authorities imposed an indefinite curfew in Kathmandu and other districts on Tuesday. Despite this, groups of protesters defied restrictions, setting fire to tyres, throwing stones at security forces and targeting government buildings and the homes of some politicians. Local media reported that some ministers were evacuated by military helicopters.
The country’s aviation authority said Kathmandu’s international airport was partially closed on Tuesday due to the unrest.
Protesters also held condolence meetings in memory of those killed. “We are still standing here for our future ... We want this country corruption-free so that everyone can easily access education, hospitals, medical facilities ... and for a bright future,” protester Robin Sreshtha told Reuters TV.
Government response
Oli, 73, expressed sorrow over the deaths in a letter following an emergency cabinet meeting. “The government was not in favour of stopping the use of social media and will ensure an environment for its use,” he wrote, while ordering an investigation into the violence before announcing his resignation.
The government announced relief payments for families of those killed, free treatment for the injured, and formed a panel to submit a report within 15 days on the causes of the protests and measures to prevent such incidents.
Two cabinet ministers also resigned on moral grounds.
Anger over corruption
Organisers described the demonstrations as being led by Gen Z, frustrated with corruption and lack of opportunities. Protesters said they were angered by videos on TikTok — which was not blocked — showing the children of politicians flaunting luxury goods and foreign vacations while ordinary Nepalis struggle.
“The protest was intended, first and foremost, against the rampant corruption in government,” one demonstrator wrote in an email to Reuters, signing off as “A concerned Nepali citizen.”
Local newspaper Kathmandu Post wrote: “This isn’t just about social media — it’s about trust, corruption, and a generation that refuses to stay silent. For them, digital freedom is personal freedom. Cutting off access feels like silencing an entire generation.”
International reactions
India, Nepal’s neighbour, said it was “closely monitoring” developments. “As a close friend and neighbour, we hope that all concerned will exercise restraint and address any issues through peaceful means and dialogue,” India’s foreign ministry said.
Embassies of Australia, Finland, France, Japan, South Korea, UK, Norway, Germany and the US in Nepal also issued a joint statement expressing sadness over the deaths and urging restraint, protection of rights and avoidance of further escalation.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Indian infantrymen on the march in France in October 1914 during World War I. (Photo: Getty Images)
This country should never forget what we all owe to those who won the second world war against fascism. So the 80th anniversary of VE Day and VJ Day this year have had a special poignancy in bringing to life how the historic events that most of us know from grainy black and white photographs or newsreel footage are still living memories for a dwindling few.
People do sometimes wonder if the meaning of these great historic events will fade in an increasingly diverse Britain. If we knew our history better, we would understand why that should not be the case.
For the armies that fought and won both world wars look more like the Britain of 2025 in their ethnic and faith mix than the Britain of 1945 or 1918. The South Asian soldiers were the largest volunteer army in history, yet ensuring that their enormous contribution is fully recognised in our national story remains an important work in progress.
About half of the public do know that Indian soldiers took part. It is better known among British Asians - with almost 6 out of 10 aware of the contribution. Yet while that means that more than three million British Asians have heard something about this, that suggests too that a couple of million of Asians in Britain today remain unaware of the South Asian contribution to the war effort.
It is less well understood that Hindu, Sikh and Muslim soldiers fought alongside British officers in the largest volunteer army that the world has ever seen. About four in ten report being aware that there were Hindu and Sikh soldiers in the Indian Army - while just under a third are aware of the Muslim contribution. Yet there is an appetite to learn more. Three-quarters of the public believe that learning more about this history could help social cohesion in Britain. It is a view held as strongly by the white British and by British Asians.
So the My Family Legacy project from British Future, the Royal British Legion and Eastern Eye seeks to make a contribution to doing that. It aims to raise awareness of the South Asian contribution in the world wars, among South Asian communities and people from all backgrounds in Britain today. It asks British Asian families to share stories and pictures of ancestors who served, creating an archive for future generations.
When we talk about the Indian Army, we are talking about the army drawn from the India of the 1940s. This was pre-independence India – so it included modern day India and Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The Indian Army grew from 195,000 men in the Autumn of 1939 to over 2 million by the end of the war. A fledgling Indian Air Force went from 285 men to 29,000. This made the Indian army of the Second World War the largest volunteer army in history.
It may sound strange to our modern ears: that Indian soldiers would volunteer for the army of the British imperial power. Yet those who volunteered often saw the German and Japanese regimes as an existential threat as well as believing that India should govern itself after the war. So the Indian Army volunteers outnumbered – by a 50:1 ratio – the 43,000 rebels who heeded the call to form a rebel army for the Germans and Japanese.
We should not shy away from the complexity and controversies of understanding that we are a post-imperial society. But this country’s role in winning the Second World War should always endure as a source of shared pride.
It matters because we should honour the past properly: we should recognise the service and commemorate the sacrifice of all who contributed, especially when the liberties of all of us today are their legacy.
Yet this matters too because of how it can help us to look forward as well as back and help us to bind together our society today. To have a story of how our past, present and future are linked, is an important part of what it means to be a nation. Understanding the diversity of the war effort is a crucial way to join the dots in the making of modern post-war Britain.
That becomes all the more important in times like these, when a vocal, visible and toxic minority are making their most aggressive attempt for a generation to all into question the equal status and very presence of ethnic minorities in Britain.
Yet the toxic and racist far right fringe have always been deeply ignorant of the history of which they claim to be so proud. What could be more absurd than neo-fascists trying to wrap themselves in the very flag under which we defeated fascism - especially when that victory over fascism was achieved by multi-ethnic and multi-faith armies just as diverse as the modern Britain which honours today the victory which made this democratic and diverse society possible.
So this new effort to help people to find, document and tell their family stories of courage and contribution, service and sacrifice can make a difference. It can help show how our national symbols and traditions of Remembrance can bring today's modern, diverse Britain together ever more powerfully when we commemorate all of those who served.
Sunder Katwala is the director of thinktank British Future and the author of the book How to Be a Patriot: The must-read book on British national identity and immigration.