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.
A TEENAGER inspired by Adolf Hitler who planned to set fire to a Scottish mosque was sentenced on Thursday (21) to 10 years in custody.
Police arrested the 17-year-old in January carrying a military-style rucksack as he tried to gain entry to the building in Greenock, on the west coast of Scotland.
Inside the bag officers found a German-made Glock-type air pistol, ammunition, ball bearings, gas cartridges and aerosol cans, prosecutors said.
The teen had mapped out the building's interior on his phone.
A search of his home found Hitler's book Mein Kampf, knives and masks as well as instructions and ingredients for the manufacturing of explosives.
The High Court in Glasgow sentenced him after he pleaded guilty to two charges of terrorism, Scotland's Crown Office said.
The teenager -- who cannot be named for legal reasons due to his age -- will initially serve his sentence in youth custody before being moved to an adult jail.
He will be supervised for eight years after his release.
If approved, the law would impose fines or jail terms on individuals and companies providing online money gaming services. (Representational image: Getty)
INDIA's government on Wednesday introduced a bill in parliament seeking to ban online gambling, citing risks of addiction, financial losses, and possible links to money laundering and terrorism financing.
The proposed legislation could affect a multi-billion dollar sector that includes online poker, fantasy sports, and India’s popular fantasy cricket apps, some of which sponsor the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the national cricket team.
The bill, tabled in the lower house, seeks to prohibit websites or apps from offering games “played by a user paying fees or depositing money or other stakes” with the expectation of winning money.
If approved, the law would impose fines or jail terms on individuals and companies providing online money gaming services.
Lawmakers said the industry’s “unchecked expansion” required regulation, noting that it has been linked to “financial fraud, money laundering... and in some cases, the financing of terrorism.” The bill also referred to the financial and social harm such games could cause to young players.
Industry groups have opposed the proposal, saying it would damage a sector that has attracted significant foreign investment.
The All India Gaming Federation and the Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports said on Tuesday that banning “responsible” Indian operators would drive
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Students queue to get their GCSE results at City Of London Magistrates Court on August 21, 2025. (Photo: Getty Images)
HUNDREDS of thousands of teenagers received their GCSE results on Thursday, with figures showing a slight increase in top grades but a growing number of pupils failing English and maths.
Data from the Joint Council for Qualifications showed that 21.9 per cent of entries were awarded at least grade 7 or A, up from 21.8 per cent last year. The overall pass rate at grade 4 or C fell slightly to 67.4 per cent, compared with 67.6 per cent last year, though still above pre-pandemic levels.
Among 16-year-olds, 39.8 per cent did not achieve a standard pass in English language and 41.7 per cent failed in maths, both worse than last year. More students are expected to retake exams in autumn or next year, The Times reported.
Among older students retaking exams, results were also low: only 18.2 per cent of those aged 17 or above passed maths, while 23.1 per cent passed English.
Regional disparities continued. London had the highest proportion of top grades, with 28.4 per cent at 7 or A, compared with 17.8 per cent in the northeast, the lowest performing region. London also had the highest pass rate at grade 4 or C, 71.6 per cent, down from 73.1 per cent last year.
Gender differences persisted. Girls achieved 24.5 per cent top grades, compared with 19.4 per cent for boys. The gap of 5.1 percentage points was the smallest in 25 years. At least grade 4 or C was achieved by 70.5 per cent of girls and 64.3 per cent of boys.
Ofqual figures showed 1,302 pupils achieved grade 9 in all their GCSEs, with girls making up 61.7 per cent.
Subject choices shifted, with Spanish overtaking French, and entries rising in statistics, music, business studies and physical education, while history, religious studies, English literature and single sciences saw declines.
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India's Agni 5 Missile is displayed during the final full dress rehearsal for the Indian Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 23, 2013. (Photo: Getty Images)
India says it successfully tested Agni-5 missile from Odisha on August 20
Missile validated all operational and technical parameters
Agni-5 can carry a nuclear warhead to any part of China
INDIA on Wednesday (20) said it had successfully test-fired the Agni-5 intermediate-range ballistic missile from Odisha, with officials confirming it met all required standards.
The defence ministry said, “Intermediate range ballistic missile ‘Agni 5’ was successfully test-fired from the integrated test range, Chandipur in Odisha on August 20.”
In a statement, it added, “The launch validated all operational and technical parameters. It was carried out under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command.”
Authorities also said the missile, once operational, will be capable of carrying a nuclear warhead to any part of China.
Regional security context
India and China are regional rivals and relations worsened in 2020 after a deadly border clash.
India is also part of the Quad security alliance with the United States, Australia and Japan, which is viewed as a counter to China.
India’s neighbour and rival Pakistan also possesses nuclear weapons.
The two countries came close to war in May after militants killed 26 people in Indian-administered Kashmir, an attack India blamed on Pakistan. Islamabad denied any role.
Diplomatic ties
Despite tensions, Delhi and Beijing have taken steps to improve relations. Last October, prime minister Narendra Modi met Chinese leader Xi Jinping for the first time in five years at a summit in Russia.
Modi is expected to visit China later this month to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.
At the same time, New Delhi’s ties with Washington have faced pressure. US president Donald Trump has asked India to stop purchasing Russian oil.
The United States has also said it will double new import tariffs on India from 25 per cent to 50 per cent by August 27 if India does not switch suppliers.
Missile programme
The Agni-5 is part of a series of indigenously developed short- and medium-range ballistic missiles designed to strengthen India’s defence posture against both Pakistan and China.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Protesters calling for the closure of the The Bell Hotel, believed to be housing asylum seekers, gather outside the council offices in Epping, on August 8, 2025. (Photo: Getty Images)
High Court blocks asylum seekers from being housed in Essex hotel
Nigel Farage calls for peaceful protests outside “migrant hotels”
Government considering appeal against injunction ruling
Debate grows over housing asylum seekers in hotels across Britain
NIGEL FARAGE has called for protests after a court ruling blocked the use of an Essex hotel to house asylum seekers.
On Tuesday, the High Court in London granted a temporary injunction stopping asylum seekers from being placed in the Bell Hotel in Epping, about 32 km northeast of London. The case, based on a planning issue, will be heard in full later this year.
Protests in Essex
The Bell Hotel has seen regular demonstrations since a resident was charged with sexual assault, which he denies. Police have deployed in large numbers to separate anti-immigration and pro-immigration groups during the protests.
The injunction has prompted other councils to seek legal advice on whether they can also act to remove asylum seekers from hotels in their areas.
Farage statement
Farage, leader of the Reform Party, said all 12 local authorities under his party’s control would act.
"Let's hold peaceful protests outside the migrant hotels, and put pressure on local councils to go to court to try and get the illegal immigrants out; we now know that together we can win," he wrote in the Daily Telegraph.
"No doubt we will be attacked as 'far Right' provocateurs for daring to suggest that people follow the lead of Epping’s parents and residents by protesting peacefully."
Government response
Britain houses about 30,000 asylum seekers in more than 200 hotels while they await decisions on their claims. The government has said it plans to close them all by 2029.
The Home Office told the court that the injunction would have a "substantial impact" on its legal duty to provide accommodation. Security minister Dan Jarvis said the government was considering whether to appeal.
"The big challenge remains, which is, we need to process asylum claims much more speedily and much more effectively than was the case previously," Jarvis told BBC TV.
Labour revolt
Keir Starmer is facing pressure from Labour-run councils after a High Court ruling in Epping blocked the use of a hotel for asylum seekers.
Local authorities, including Wirral and Tamworth, have indicated they will challenge the Home Office over hotels being used without consultation or planning approval, The Telegraph reported.
Several other councils signalled they are preparing similar legal action.
Wider debate
Critics argue that housing asylum seekers in hotels puts communities at risk and point to crimes in Epping and elsewhere involving some migrants. Others highlight the contrast between hotel accommodation and the difficulties many in Britain face with rising costs and a lack of affordable housing.
Pro-migrant groups say far-right organisations and politicians are exploiting tensions for political purposes.
Across Europe, governments have faced similar disputes. In Britain last year, hotels with migrants were attacked during unrest linked to misinformation about a crime in Southport.
(With inputs from agencies)
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India's prime minister Narendra Modi shakes hand with Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi during their meeting in New Delhi, India August 19, 2025. India's Press Information Bureau/Handout via REUTERS
INDIA and China agreed to resume direct flights and step up trade and investment flows as the neighbours rebuild ties damaged by a 2020 border clash.
The Asian giants are cautiously strengthening ties against the backdrop of US president Donald Trump's unpredictable foreign policy, staging a series of high-level bilateral visits.
Direct flights have been suspended since the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. No date was given for their resumption.
The latest statements came at the end of Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi's two-day visit to New Delhi for the 24th round of talks with Indian National Security (NSA) Advisor Ajit Doval to resolve their decades old border dispute.
The border talks covered issues related to pulling back troops both countries have amassed on their Himalayan border, delimitation of borders and boundary affairs, the Indian ministry said.
Both countries have agreed to set up a working group to consult and coordinate on border affairs to advance demarcation negotiations, a Chinese foreign ministry statement released on Wednesday (20) showed.
It said the mechanism will extend talks to cover the eastern and middle sections of the border. Meanwhile another round of talks on the western section will be held as soon as possible, the ministry said.
Beijing also said both countries agreed to meet again in China in 2026.
"Stable, predictable, constructive ties between India and China will contribute significantly to regional as well as global peace and prosperity," prime minister Narendra Modi posted on X after meeting Wang.
Modi is scheduled to travel to China at the end of this month to take part in the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation - his first visit to the country in more than seven years.
A readout from the Chinese foreign ministry said Wang told Doval that "the stable and healthy development of China-India relations is in the fundamental interests of the two countries' people".
The two sides "should enhance mutual trust through dialogues and expand cooperation," Wang said, and should aim for consensus in areas such as border control and demarcation negotiations.
India said foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar had underlined in his talks with Wang India's concerns with regard to the mega dam China is building on the Yarlung Zangbo river in Tibet.
Yarlung Zangbo becomes the Brahmaputra as it flows into India and Bangladesh, a lifeline for millions.
The dam would have implications for lower riparian states and the need for "utmost transparency" was strongly underlined, New Delhi said.
To that, China agreed to share with India emergency hydrological information on relevant rivers on humanitarian principles, China's foreign ministry said.
Both sides agreed to engage an expert-level mechanism on cross-border rivers, and maintain communication to renew flood reporting arrangements, the ministry said.
Chinese officials had previously said hydropower projects in Tibet will not have a major impact on the environment or on downstream water supplies, but India and Bangladesh have nevertheless raised concerns.
Earlier on Tuesday (19), an Indian source said Wang had assured Jaishankar that Beijing was addressing three key Indian concerns - the need for fertilisers, rare earths and tunnel boring machines.
The Indian foreign and mines ministries and China's commerce ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.