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.
QUEEN Elizabeth II has called on the Commonwealth to show unity in troubled times, as she sat out a major event for the organisation after a period of fragile health.
The event on Monday (14) with some 1,500 guests at Westminster Abbey in central London had been due to be the 95-year-old monarch's first large-scale public engagement in nearly six months.
But she withdrew on Friday (11), raising questions about the extent of her participation in future events to mark her record-breaking 70th year on the throne.
British media said palace officials had concerns for her comfort travelling to and from the service, and its duration. The queen turns 96 next month.
She has previously been seen with a walking stick and pulled out of one event last November with a bad back. She has also been overheard complaining about mobility problems.
The Sun newspaper on Saturday (12) said she had been unable to walk her beloved corgis for the last six months while the Daily Mail said she had ruled out using a wheelchair at the service.
The next major event she is due at is the memorial service for her late husband, Prince Philip, who died last April aged 99 and whose funeral was held under Covid restrictions.
Despite her absence on Monday, the queen sent a message to representatives of the 54-nation grouping of mainly former British colonies that she heads.
She notably renewed her pledge of lifelong service to the organisation that she made as a young princess back in 1947, calling it the "family of nations".
Its role -- as "a place to come together to pursue common goals and the common good, providing everyone with the opportunity to serve and benefit" -- was more important than ever in the world, she said.
"In these testing times, it is my hope that you can draw strength and inspiration from what we share, as we work together towards a healthy, sustainable and prosperous future for all," she added.
Charles represents Queen
Elizabeth's eldest son, Prince Charles, 73, will take over as head of the Commonwealth when he becomes king, after a lifetime as heir apparent.
He represented her on Monday with his second wife, Camilla, and his eldest son from his first marriage to Diana, Princess of Wales, Prince William, and his wife, Catherine.
He and Camilla will likewise be in attendance in Rwanda in June for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, which has been postponed twice because of the pandemic.
Charles is also expected at the Commonwealth Games which are due to take place in Birmingham, central England, in July and August.
Later this week, William and Catherine head to Belize, The Bahamas and Jamaica, officially as part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
But with Barbados having last year abandoned the queen as head of state, it will also be seen as an attempt to dampen wider republican sentiment in the Caribbean.
The queen is head of state in the UK and also 14 other Commonwealth countries or realms.
The Commonwealth Day service is one of the most important events on the royal calendar, and the queen's absence is the first time she has missed it since 2013.
That year she was recovering from a bout of gastroenteritis. Before that, she missed a service in 1993 as she had flu.
Royal officials gave no reason for her withdrawal this time but she has recently had what was described as a "mild" bout of Covid.
She was forced to slow down in October last year after an unscheduled overnight stay in hospital, which has seen her pull out of a series of public engagements.
Buckingham Palace said she would "continue with other planned engagements, including in-person audiences, in the week ahead".
THE skeletal remains of a girl aged between four and five have been identified among 65 sets of human remains exhumed from a mass grave in Sri Lanka’s Jaffna district. The site first came into focus during the LTTE conflict in the mid-1990s.
“The findings of the excavation at the Chemmani mass grave were reported to the Jaffna Magistrate’s Court on on Tuesday (15) by Raj Somadeva, a forensic archaeologist overseeing the exhumation,” Jeganathan Tathparan, a lawyer, said on Thursday (17).
Earlier this year, the court ordered a legally supervised excavation at the site after human skeletal remains were uncovered during routine development work.
Tathparan said the child’s remains were found alongside school bags and toys. Somadeva informed the court that the remains were those of a girl aged between four and five, he added.
Two additional skeletons are also suspected to be those of children, based on similarities in clothing and anatomical features, the lawyer said.
The Chemmani site first attracted international attention in 1998, when a Sri Lankan soldier testified to the existence of mass graves containing hundreds of civilians allegedly killed during the conflict between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the Sri Lankan government in the mid-1990s.
An initial excavation in 1999 uncovered 15 skeletons, but no further action was taken until the recent findings.
The gravesite is one of dozens unearthed across the country. Thousands of people died or disappeared during the 26-year civil war, which ended in 2009.
The main Tamil political party, Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK), in a letter to president Anura Kumara Dissanayake, described the Chemmani mass grave as clear evidence of war crimes and “a genocidal campaign against Tamils”.
The excavation work, which was halted last Thursday (10), is scheduled to resume on July 21.
Amnesty International estimates that between 60,000 and 100,000 people have disappeared in Sri Lanka since the late 1980s.
The Tamil community in Sri Lanka claims that nearly 170,000 people were killed in the final stages of the civil war, while United Nations estimates put the figure at around 40,000.
The LTTE was seeking a separate homeland for Tamils.
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Aakash Odedra recently won Best Male Dancer and Outstanding Male Classical Performance at the National Dance Awards.
AAKASH ODEDRA has been appointed a Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist, the organisation has announced.
Born in Birmingham and based in Leicester, Odedra is known for combining classical and contemporary dance to reflect British Asian experiences.
He recently won Best Male Dancer and Outstanding Male Classical Performance at the National Dance Awards.
Odedra founded his company in 2011 and has performed over 300 full-length shows in 40 countries. His new work Songs of the Bulbul, which blends kathak dance with Sufi poetry, will be staged at Sadler’s Wells East from 17 to 19 July 2025.
His previous productions at Sadler’s Wells include Mehek in 2024, a duet with Aditi Mangaldas, and Samsara in 2022, presented with the Bagri Foundation.
Aakash Odedra said: “To become an Associate Artist of Sadler’s Wells feels like the golden gates of dance heaven have opened. It is, in the truest sense, an honour, and I am deeply humbled.”
Sir Alistair Spalding said: “As Aakash goes from strength to strength both as a performer and as a choreographic artist it is a pleasure to bring him to the family of Sadler’s Wells Associate Artists.”
Rob Jones said: “He is an incredible artist who over the years has grown and developed and we’re looking forward to following him on this journey.”
Odedra joins a group of Associate Artists including Akram Khan, Crystal Pite, Hofesh Shechter, and others. The appointments were made by Sir Alistair Spalding and Rob Jones.
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Trump’s administration has been working on trade deals ahead of an August 1 deadline, when duties on most US imports are scheduled to rise again. (Photo: Getty Images)
THE US is very close to finalising a trade agreement with India, while a deal with the European Union is also possible, president Donald Trump said in an interview aired on Real America's Voice on Wednesday. However, he said it was too soon to tell if an agreement could be reached with Canada.
Trump’s administration has been working on trade deals ahead of an August 1 deadline, when duties on most US imports are scheduled to rise again. The push is part of efforts to secure what Trump considers better trade terms and reduce the large US trade deficit.
"We're very close to India, and ... we could possibly make a deal with (the) EU," Trump said when asked about upcoming trade agreements.
Trump’s comments came as EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic travelled to Washington on Wednesday for discussions on tariffs. An Indian trade delegation also arrived in Washington on Monday for fresh negotiations.
"(The) European Union has been brutal, and now they're being very nice. They want to make a deal, and it'll be a lot different than the deal that we've had for years," Trump said.
On Canada, which has said it is preparing countermeasures if talks do not lead to an agreement, Trump said: "Too soon to say."
His remarks echoed the view of Canadian prime minister Mark Carney, who said earlier on Wednesday that a deal that works for Canadian workers was not yet on the table.
Trump also said he would probably impose a blanket 10 per cent or 15 per cent tariff on smaller countries.
(With inputs from agencies)
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The incident occurred when hundreds of thousands gathered to celebrate with the RCB team after their IPL final win against Punjab Kings. (Photo: Getty Images)
A STATUS report submitted to the Karnataka High Court on the stampede at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium, which left 11 people dead, has blamed Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), their event management partner DNA Networks Pvt Ltd, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) for organising the June 4 victory parade and celebration without permission or providing mandatory details to city authorities.
Government sources confirmed to PTI that the report has been submitted to the court.
Event intimation, not permission: report
According to the report, the KSCA, on behalf of DNA Networks Pvt Ltd, submitted a letter to Cubbon Park police station at around 6.30 pm on the day of the IPL final between RCB and Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad.
The letter stated, “Should RCB emerge victorious in the tournament, the management of RCB/DNA Entertainment Networks Private Limited intends to plan potential victory parades around the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, culminating in victory celebrations at the stadium. This was in the nature of an intimation, not a requisition for permission as required under the law.”
Police denied permission due to missing information on expected crowd size, logistics, and crowd control plans. The short notice also made it difficult to process the proposal.
Victory parade held despite denial
Despite the denial, RCB went ahead on June 4 and announced the public ‘Victory Parade’ via multiple posts on social media, starting at 7.01 am.
The final post at 3.14 pm announced the parade would begin at 5.00 pm and end with celebrations at the stadium. This was the first post to mention the availability of free passes online, but by then large crowds had already gathered.
The first four posts received significant attention with viewership figures of 16 lakh, 4.26 lakh, 7.6 lakh, and 17 lakh.
BMRCL ridership that day was 9.66 lakh, compared to an average of six lakh, supporting estimates of a much larger gathering.
“Therefore, including those who travelled on foot, used public transport, and private means on June 4, the estimated gathering would be well beyond three lakh individuals,” the report stated.
Permission not formally sought
The report noted that the organisers did not apply for permission in the format mandated by the Licensing and Controlling of Assemblies and Processions (Bangalore City) Order, 2009.
It stated that an intimation cannot be considered as permission, especially for a large public gathering in the city centre.
Key details such as the number of expected participants, the exact location and time of the assembly, names and contacts of organisers, and plans for traffic and crowd management were not submitted.
The report said this lack of information made it impossible for police to assess the scale or prepare safety arrangements.
No trained staff, loudspeakers or bandobast requested
The report said there was no signage or loudspeakers for public instructions, no trained staff to manage crowds at entry gates or inside the stadium, and no request for loudspeaker use or police bandobast.
It also noted that the organisers did not pay for police deployment as required by a Government Order dated May 22, 2019.
Police responded on ground despite lack of coordination
Despite the lack of coordination or official approvals, Bengaluru City Police took several steps to manage the situation on June 4.
A planning meeting was held at 10 am at the office of the Joint Commissioner of Police. A total of 654 traffic police personnel were deployed, including 4 DCPs, 6 ACPs, 23 PIs, 57 PSIs, 104 ASIs, and 462 constables.
The RCB team’s route from HAL to Taj West End, Vidhana Soudha and then Chinnaswamy Stadium was regulated to avoid major disruption.
Traffic advisories and maps were shared via press, social media, and FM radio. Nine traffic diversion points were created and 125 barricades were installed, along with 11 additional barricading zones. Local schools were asked to close by noon.
BMTC’s Sarathi teams were deployed and the E-Path app was activated to help manage ambulances. A control room was set up to monitor traffic during the event.
Police personnel were stationed across eight major zones to control the public movement.
Organisers held responsible for violations
The report concluded that RCB, DNA Networks, and KSCA violated required procedures and failed to follow safety protocols.
Their failure to obtain permission and share event details in advance left the city administration to respond reactively to an event that gained traction through social media posts.
Govt action against police officials
The report said, “Recognising the need for accountability within the law enforcement hierarchy, the government took action against police officials on June 5, 2025.”
A Government Order suspended five officers, including three IPS officers: the Commissioner of Police, the Inspector General and Additional Commissioner of Police, and the Deputy Commissioner of Police, along with the Assistant Commissioner of Police for Cubbon Park and the Police Inspector of Cubbon Park.
(With inputs from PTI)
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Voters go to the polls as local elections are held in England on May 01, 2025 in Hull, England.
THE government said on Thursday (17) it planned to give 16 and 17-year-olds the right to vote in all UK elections in a major overhaul of the country's democratic system.
The government said the proposed changes were part of an effort to boost public trust in democracy and would align voting rights across Britain, where younger voters already participate in devolved elections in Scotland and Wales.
"They're old enough to go out to work, they're old enough to pay taxes ... and I think if you pay in, you should have the opportunity to say what you want your money spent on, which way the government should go," prime minister Keir Starmer told ITV News.
The change will require parliamentary approval, but that is unlikely to present an obstacle because the policy was part of Starmer's election campaign last year which gave him a large majority.
Despite that win, Starmer's popularity has fallen sharply in government after a series of missteps set against a difficult economic backdrop. His party sits second in most opinion polls behind Nigel Farage's right-wing Reform UK Party.
A poll of 500 16 and 17 year-olds conducted by Merlin Strategy for ITV News showed 33 per cent said they would vote Labour, 20 per cent would vote Reform, 18 per cent would vote Green, 12 per cent Liberal Democrats and 10 per cent Conservative.
There are about 1.6 million 16 and 17 year-olds in the UK, according to official data. Just over 48 million people were eligible to vote at the last election, in which turnout fell to its lowest since 2001. The next election is due in 2029.
Research from other countries has shown lowering the voting age had no impact on election outcomes, but that 16-year-olds were more likely to vote than those first eligible at 18.
"Voting at 16 will also help more young people to cast that all-important, habit-forming vote at a point when they can be supported with civic education," said Darren Hughes, chief executive of the Electoral Reform Society.
The reforms would also expand acceptable voter ID to include UK-issued bank cards and digital formats of existing IDs, such as driving licences and Veteran Cards.
A more automated system will also be introduced to simplify the process of registering to vote.
To tackle foreign interference, the government plans to tighten rules on political donations, including checks on contributions over £500 from unincorporated associations and closing loopholes used by shell companies.
“By reinforcing safeguards against foreign interference, we will strengthen our democratic institutions and protect them for future generations,” democracy minister Rushanara Ali said in a statement.