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.
THE father of a 10-year-old British-Pakistani girl on trial in London for her murder on Friday (8) said his wife told him to confess to killing his daughter.
Urfan Sharif, 42, is accused of murdering Sara Sharif on August 8 last year, alongside her stepmother Beinash Batool, 30, and the girl's uncle, Faisal Malik, 29.
All three deny the charge and of causing or allowing her death.
A jury at the Old Bailey court was told that all three left the family home in Woking, southwest of London, the day after Sara died and flew to Pakistan.
Sara's body, which had multiple fractures, bruises, burns and bite marks, was found by police after a tip-off from Sharif in Islamabad.
Giving evidence for a fourth day, he said he was devastated by her death but agreed to leave because Batool had told him Sara had been beaten by another of his children, and he feared the consequences for them.
Before leaving, he wrote a note taking the blame. "Whoever sees this note, it's me Urfan Sharif who killed my daughter by beating," it read.
But Sharif told the jury that the confession was dictated by his wife. "I was merely writing, the wording was not mine," he said, insisting he took the blame to protect his other children.
Before leaving on August 9, 2023, Sharif left the house keys under the doormat, so the police would not have to break through the door, and had resolved to tell the authorities about Sara when he was out of the country.
A recording was played in court of Sharif's garbled phone call to police in the UK after arriving in Islamabad. "I killed my daughter, I killed my daughter," he said.
Instructing police to the house, he said he "left in a panic" and added: "I promise I'll come back".
One month later, Sharif, Batool and Malik returned to the UK and were arrested.
When Jasbinder Bilan first paused her teaching career to pursue a creative writing degree, she had no idea it would lead to a life-changing breakthrough. What began as a leap of faith became a journey filled with hope, rejection and ultimately triumph. Inspired by her beloved grandmother and her Indian roots, Bilan poured her soul into her debut manuscript Song of the Mountain. Though the publishing world was not immediately ready for her story, perseverance paid off when she won the 2016 Times Chicken House Prize, launching her celebrated writing career. Now, following the success of her Costa Award-winning Asha and the Spirit Bird, Bilan returns with a powerful new historical adventure, Naeli and the Secret Song. In this exclusive interview, she speaks about the emotional inspiration behind the book, her love for young readers and the importance of believing in your voice — no matter how long it takes to be heard.
What first connected you to writing? It was stories more than writing that were my first love. My grandmother, Majee, was the storyteller in our house and it was those bonding moments that sparked my love for creating my own stories. She told me lots of Indian folk tales at bedtime, but she also shared stories of our life in India on the farm near the foothills of the Himalaya. So, I grew up feeling connected to a place that I then filled with my imagination. As a little girl I loved drawing and writing, and always wanted to be a writer, but it took me a long time to make that dream come true.
What led you towards writing children’s books in particular? Although I did not become a published author straight away, I became an English teacher. I was surrounded by children’s literature and of course by young people, so it felt like a natural fit to want to write stories for this age group. At each stage of development there are challenges, and the wonderful thing about stories is that as an author you can really help young people navigate an increasingly complex and difficult world. In each of my stories I create empathy and show my readers how they can be a little braver in their own worlds.
Which of your books is closest to your heart? It has to be Asha and the Spirit Bird, because it is the book that made me a published author and the one inspired by my Majee, who I was very close to. It is also a celebration of my family roots.
Tell us about your new book. My latest book, Naeli and the Secret Song, is another historical adventure with a musical twist. It is set in both Hyderabad, India, and England towards the middle of the 19th century. It follows my main character Naeli as she bravely boards a ship bound for Southampton, in search of her English father. The story has many twists and turns as she explores gas-lit London, armed with her precious violin. With help from a newfound friend, Jack, she follows faint clues that take her as far as the wilds of Northumberland. It is the song her papa taught her that propels her on her quest, and the strange Uncle Daniel she needs to escape.
Naeli and the secret song
What inspired the story? As with many of my stories, the inspiration comes from a very real source. India and Britain have been connected for many hundreds of years, and these connections, as well as being economic, have also been personal. I came across a collection of letters written by a girl called Mary Wilson. She was the daughter of Sir Henry Russell, an officer in the Indian Army. Her mother was Indian. When Sir Henry moved back to England, he arranged for Mary to go too, but he hid his identity from her. Although he supported her financially, he did not want her to know he was her father. These letters show how desperate she was to know him.
What happened next? This gave me the idea for the story. I also wanted to shine a light on the love between the two nations. Hyderabad was a city full of music and literature, and culture is a great connector, so Naeli’s parents were brought together by their passion for music.
You always come up with really interesting titles. What inspired this one? I was looking for a way into this story and came up with the idea of a family mystery hidden by a secret song. There are also misunderstandings in the story, family jealousies and some dastardly goings-on.
Is there a key message you want to convey with this particular book? I wanted to show that the connections between India and Britain are long and strong. As well as the complexities of colonialism, this book explores the things that brought people together at the time. It also highlights the fact that Victorian Britain was a diverse place. I hope readers will see that period in history in a fresh light.
What, according to you, makes for a great children’s book? I would say having characters the reader can identify with and root for. It has to be a page-turner and have an adventure at its heart. I also think there should be a surprise that takes readers to a place they have not been before and makes them think.
What advice would you give parents selecting a book for their children? Try to let the child pick their own books rather than choosing for them. In this way they will develop their own tastes. Reading together is fantastic too. Parents also need to be role models – having family time when everyone reads is something to aim for.
What inspires you creatively? I get my inspiration from lots of different places. I like to have an open mind, walk in nature, visit places and let my mind wander. I find walking my dog is a great way to relax and I usually start thinking of a new story. I have so many ideas — my only problem is finding the time to write them all!
Why do you love being a writer? It was my childhood dream and I never thought someone like me could become a writer. I think of this and realise that if you want to do something, you just have to knock down the obstacles, not take no for an answer and keep going. It is my dream job and I love all the different aspects, especially meeting my readers. I have been lucky enough to have many ‘pinch me’ moments, such as being invited to Buckingham Palace and doing events for Queen Camilla.
Naeli and the Secret Song by Jasbinder Bilan (£7.99, Chicken House) is available now.
By clicking the 'Subscribe’, you agree to receive our newsletter, marketing communications and industry
partners/sponsors sharing promotional product information via email and print communication from Garavi Gujarat
Publications Ltd and subsidiaries. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the
unsubscribe link in our emails. We will use your email address to personalize our communications and send you
relevant offers. Your data will be stored up to 30 days after unsubscribing.
Contact us at data@amg.biz to see how we manage and store your data.
Modi shakes hands with Trump before a meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on February 25, 2020. (Photo: Getty Images)
THE US could reach a trade deal with India that would help American companies compete more easily in the Indian market and reduce tariff rates, President Donald Trump said on Tuesday. However, he cast doubt on a similar deal with Japan.
Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump said he believed India was ready to lower trade barriers, potentially paving the way for an agreement that would avoid the 26 per cent tariff rate he had announced on April 2 and paused until July 9.
“Right now, India doesn’t accept anybody in. I think India is going to do that, if they do that, we’re going to have a deal for less, much less tariffs,” he said.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also indicated that a deal with India was close. “We are very close with India,” Bessent told Fox News, saying it could help lower tariffs on US imports and prevent a sharp rise in levies.
Indian officials extended their Washington visit through Monday to try to reach an agreement with the Trump administration and resolve remaining concerns, Indian government sources told Reuters.
A White House official familiar with the talks said the Trump administration was prioritising trade negotiations with countries including India over Japan in the lead-up to the July 9 deadline.
Tariff deadline nears
India is among several countries negotiating with the US to avoid a steep tariff increase when the current 90-day pause ends. Without an agreement, India’s reciprocal tariff rate could rise to 27 per cent from the existing 10 per cent.
Talks between the US and India have faced hurdles over differences on import duties for auto components, steel, and agricultural goods.
“We are in the middle — hopefully more than the middle — of a very intricate trade negotiation,” Indian foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said at an event in New York on Monday.
“Obviously, my hope would be that we bring it to a successful conclusion. I cannot guarantee it, because there’s another party to that discussion,” Jaishankar said. He added that there “will have to be give and take” and both sides needed to find common ground.
Exporters in India are cautiously hopeful that a deal could be reached before the deadline. Ajay Sahai, Director General of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations, told AFP that exporters were “optimistic” about a possible bilateral agreement. He said it remained “quite a fluid situation” and added, “The feedback which I am getting suggests positive developments either way — and we are hopeful.”
Exporters express concern
Some of India’s major exports such as electronics, gems, jewellery, and shrimp could be impacted by higher tariffs. India recorded a trade surplus of $45.7 billion with the United States last year.
KN Raghavan, Secretary General of the Seafood Exporters Association of India, said the industry was seeing “some amount of anxiety” but also had “more reason for hope.” He said a solution “appears to be in the anvil,” without giving further details.
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick had also said last month that a pact could be expected in the “not too distant future.” Trump echoed that sentiment on Tuesday, calling it “a different kind of a deal.”
“It’s going to be a deal where we’re able to go in and compete,” Trump said. “Right now, India doesn’t accept anybody in. I think India is going to do that, and if they do that, we’re going to have a deal for much less tariffs.”
Key sticking points
An Indian commerce ministry official told AFP that New Delhi was still pushing for relief from separate tariffs on steel and aluminium and greater access for exports such as textiles and footwear.
Disagreements also remain over US efforts to open up India’s agriculture sector. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman told the Financial Express that she was eager for a deal. “I’d love to have an agreement, a big, good, beautiful one; why not?” she said in an interview published Monday.
However, she noted that “agriculture and dairy” were “very big red lines” for India.
Ajay Srivastava of the Global Trade Research Initiative said in a recent note that a smaller agreement was more likely. He suggested India could cut tariffs on certain industrial goods and allow limited access for US agricultural produce in exchange for the US dropping the 26 per cent tariff.
Srivastava also warned that talks “may collapse” if Washington continues pressing India to open its core agriculture sectors or allow genetically modified products.
Raghavan said that if tariffs rise beyond 25 per cent, US buyers may turn to other sources. “Currently, exporters believe they can manage with a 10 per cent tariff, as it can be absorbed. But if it goes back up to 25 per cent to 30 per cent levels, we could see American buyers finding alternative sources,” he said.
Trump casts doubt on Japan deal
While optimism remains on the India front, Trump expressed scepticism about reaching a trade deal with Japan. Bessent told Fox News that different countries had different priorities in the talks.
Trump said he was unlikely to extend the July 9 deadline and would proceed by sending letters notifying countries of the tariff rates they would face.
“We’ve dealt with Japan. I’m not sure we’re going to make a deal. I doubt it,” Trump said aboard Air Force One.
He suggested Japan could face tariffs of 30 per cent or 35 per cent on imports — well above the 24 per cent rate announced on April 2, which was paused until July 9.
Trump criticised Japan for refusing to accept US-grown rice while exporting millions of cars to the US. “So what I’m going to do, is I’ll write them a letter saying we thank you very much, and we know you can’t do the kind of things that we need, and therefore you pay a 30 per cent, 35 per cent or whatever the numbers that we determine,” he said.
So far, only the UK has reached a limited trade deal with the Trump administration, agreeing to a 10 per cent tariff on many goods, including autos, in exchange for special access for aircraft engines and British beef.
(With inputs from agencies)
Keep ReadingShow less
The authors acknowledged potential limitations in their findings
40% of participants in a new study said food affects their sleep
Dairy and sweets were linked to worse sleep and more disturbing dreams
Fruit, herbal tea and vegetables were associated with better sleep quality
Authors suggest that lactose intolerance may play a role in dream disturbance
A recent study has explored how food may influence sleep and dreaming, with some participants reporting that certain items — particularly dairy and sweets — disrupted their rest and contributed to nightmares.
Study looked at food, sleep and dreams
The research, published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology on Monday, analysed responses from 1,082 college-aged participants who completed online surveys between January and April 2023. The survey asked about over a dozen food categories, including dairy, meat, fruit, desserts, and spicy foods.
According to the findings, 40.2% of respondents said their eating habits had an impact on their sleep. About 25% stated that at least one food group made their sleep worse, while 20% said that some foods improved it.
Among the foods most commonly associated with disrupted sleep were dairy products (milk, yoghurt, cheese), desserts and sweets, and spicy dishes. On the other hand, fruit, vegetables, and herbal tea were most often credited with improving sleep quality.
Dairy and sweets linked to disturbing dreams
When asked about the effect of food on dreaming, 5.5% of participants said they noticed a link. Of those, 31% said desserts and sweets triggered nightmares, while 22% blamed dairy.
The study’s authors noted that while the data is based on self-reported experiences and may lack scientific proof, previous research does support the possibility that food can influence sleep patterns.
They added that the connection between dairy and negative dream experiences could be due to gastrointestinal symptoms in people with lactose intolerance, such as bloating or cramps, which may disrupt sleep and affect dream quality.
Limitations of the study
The authors acknowledged potential limitations in their findings. All participants were university students enrolled in psychology courses, meaning they may have had prior knowledge of related topics that could have influenced their responses.
Despite this, the research adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that what we eat may affect not only how well we sleep, but how we dream.
Keep ReadingShow less
Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas attended Day 3 of Wimbledon 2025
Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas attended day 3 of Wimbledon 2025 on 2 July, joining a host of celebrities at the iconic London event.
The couple were spotted smiling and sharing a rare PDA moment inside the exclusive Parkside Suite at No. 1 Court.
Priyanka also posed with John Cena, her co-star from Heads of State, which hit cinemas a day earlier on 1 July.
Their London appearance comes after a private date night and screening for the Amazon Prime Video action-thriller.
Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra and musician Nick Jonas made a striking appearance at Wimbledon 2025 on Tuesday, 2 July, as they joined a string of celebrities on day 3 of the world-famous tennis tournament. The couple turned heads in coordinated outfits and shared a rare display of affection while seated in the elite Parkside Suite at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas photographed at the Wimbledon 2025Getty Images
Priyanka Chopra shares Wimbledon moment with Nick Jonas and John Cena
Chopra, dressed in a crisp white sleeveless shirt dress with an A-line cut, matched the classic Wimbledon dress code, while Jonas looked polished in a double-breasted navy blazer, light blue shirt and white trousers. The duo, who live in New York with their daughter Malti, were seen smiling, chatting and holding hands as they watched the match.
Adding to the buzz, Priyanka was also photographed catching up with her Heads of State co-star John Cena. Their action-packed political thriller, also featuring Idris Elba and Jack Quaid, premiered in London just a day earlier on 1 July. In the film, Chopra plays a skilled MI6 agent trying to protect the US President and British Prime Minister amidst a global crisis.
John Cena, Shay Shariatzadeh, Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas at Wimbledon 2025Getty Images
Familiar faces return to Wimbledon
Priyanka and Nick are no strangers to the Wimbledon spotlight. The couple attended the event last year too, with Jonas later sharing a sweet photo captioned, “Beautiful day out at the tennis with my ❤️.” Other stars spotted this year included Leslie Mann, Dominic Cooper, Tom Daley and Dave Grohl, adding a celebrity buzz to day 3 of the tournament.
Just hours before their Wimbledon outing, the couple attended a special screening of Heads of State in London. Chopra opted for a dramatic brown fringe dress and wore her hair in a sleek bun with curtain bangs, while Jonas kept it sharp in a navy suit.
Ilya Naishuller, Priyanka Chopra and John Cena attend the special screening for "Head of State" Getty Images
Priyanka on balancing fame and family
In an earlier interview, Chopra opened up about shielding her three-year-old daughter Malti from the public eye. “I’ve developed a tough hide when people talk about me,” she said. “But it’s so painful when they talk about my daughter… this chapter of my life is about her too.” The actress has been selective about appearances, balancing a high-profile career with family time.
Keep ReadingShow less
Abhishek Bachchan says Amitabh told him he could not even say a line properly on Sarkar set
Abhishek Bachchan said he was “petrified” during his first scene with Amitabh Bachchan in Sarkar.
After the shoot, Amitabh scolded him in the car, saying, “Dialogue bolna aata nahi hai tumhe.”
The 2005 political thriller marked their first major film together.
Abhishek will next be seen in Kaalidhar Laapata, premiering on 4 July on Zee5.
Abhishek Bachchan has opened up about a nerve-wracking experience from the sets of Sarkar, where his father Amitabh Bachchan gave him a blunt lesson on acting after their very first scene together. Speaking in an interview, Abhishek recalled the tension and pressure he felt on the first day of the shoot back in 2004 and the silence that followed until a sharp comment from his dad shattered it.
Abhishek Bachchan reveals Amitabh crushed him with brutal remark during Sarkar shootGetty Images
Abhishek on filming Sarkar with Amitabh Bachchan
Sharing the memory, Abhishek said, “The first time we shot together was for Sarkar. Ramu [Ram Gopal Varma] said we’d do test shoots and then I could move on to Bunty Aur Babli. I was sweating and panicking. All I had to do was turn around and say ‘Ji?’ but I was shaking.”
That small scene turned into a big moment. After the shoot wrapped, Abhishek waited in his vanity van, hoping to leave after Amitabh. But instead, Amitabh came knocking, suggesting they head home together.
Amitabh Bachchan told me I cannot deliver dialogues Abhishek recalls painful Sarkar momentGetty Images
The silent car ride and a scolding to remember
According to Abhishek, the ride home was filled with complete silence. “He was just staring ahead. When we reached home and the staff got out, he finally turned to me and said, ‘Isiliye maine itne saal mehnat karke tumhe padhaya likhaya? Dialogue bolna aata nahi hai tumhe.’ I felt like I had killed someone. He just destroyed me.”
It was a moment that stayed with him, marking one of his earliest lessons in the industry from someone who demands nothing less than perfection, even if that someone is your father.
Abhishek Bachchan opens up about working with Amitabh Bachchan on SarkarGetty Images
A turning point in their on-screen journey
Sarkar, directed by Ram Gopal Varma, was released in 2005 and went on to become a major hit. Loosely inspired by The Godfather, the film featured Amitabh in a role of political power and Abhishek as his loyal son. The success of the film led to two sequels: Sarkar Raj (2008) and Sarkar 3 (2017).
The real-life father-son dynamics added emotional depth to the film, especially considering how different they were from their on-screen relationship. While the characters bonded through unwavering loyalty, the reality behind the scenes was far more intense, at least in the beginning.
Abhishek Bachchan says Amitabh humiliated him after one line went wrong on Sarkar setGetty Images
What’s next for Abhishek Bachchan
Now, 25 years into his acting career, Abhishek has carved his own path, gradually earning praise for performances in films like Guru, Manmarziyaan, and Dasvi. His next project, Kaalidhar Laapata, will premiere on Zee5 on 4 July.
Abhishek Bachchan says Amitabh left him shaken after first scene together in Sarkar Getty Images
Though the early days were rocky, especially under the towering shadow of a legend like Amitabh Bachchan, this behind-the-scenes story shows just how seriously the Bachchans take their craft, and how a tough first lesson may have set the tone for Abhishek’s journey in cinema.