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.
BRITAIN's prime minister vowed to take action to better protect women after a national outpouring of grief and outrage over the death of a woman who went missing after setting out to walk home in London earlier this month.
Boris Johnson will hold a meeting of his crime and justice taskforce on Monday (15) to discuss violence against women, said London's police force.
Besides, a watchdog would conduct separate reviews into the handling of the protest.
Johnson also promised several reviews into the policing of a vigil for the woman, after male officers were seen scuffling with and restraining female demonstrators on Saturday (13) night, further souring the national mood.
Sarah Everard was found dead days after she went missing on March 3. A police officer was later charged with her kidnap and murder.
Reclaim These Streets, which organised the protest that was eventually banned because of coronavirus restrictions, condemned the actions of officers 'physically manhandling women at a vigil against male violence'.
"Like everyone who saw it I was deeply concerned about the footage from Clapham Common on Saturday night," Johnson said, referring to the south London park where the protest took place.
London police chief Cressida Dick, who is facing calls to resign, told reporters her officers had been put in a "really invidious position".
"They moved to try to explain to people, to engage with people, to get people to disperse from this unlawful gathering and many, many, many people did. Unfortunately, a small minority did not," she said.
Helen Ball, another senior officer, said the force was dutybound to keep people safe.
"Hundreds of people were packed tightly together, posing a very real risk of easily transmitting Covid-19," she said.
But the main opposition Labour party leader Keir Starmer, a former public prosecutor, called the scenes "deeply disturbing".
Four arrests were made for public order offences and breaches of coronavirus regulations, the force said.
Everard's disappearance and the huge search to find her has helped to focus attention on women's safety in public places and the issue of male violence.
She had visited friends in Clapham and was returning home to Brixton, about 50 minutes walk away, when she disappeared.
Mourners once again gathered in Clapham on Sunday (14) to pay their respects and call for change.
One of Everard's friends warned that her death had become "hijacked".
"I think my friend would have been unsettled at how her death has been politicised," Helena Edwards wrote in online magazine Spiked.
Taliban security personnel on a Soviet-era tank ride towards the border, during clashes between Taliban security personnel and Pakistani border forces, in the Spin Boldak district of Kandahar Province on October 15, 2025. (Photo: Getty Images)
Pakistan and Afghanistan agree to an “immediate ceasefire” after talks in Doha.
At least 10 Afghans killed in Pakistani air strikes before the truce.
Both countries to meet again in Istanbul on October 25.
Taliban and Pakistan pledge to respect each other’s sovereignty.
PAKISTAN and Afghanistan have agreed to an “immediate ceasefire” following talks in Doha, after Pakistani air strikes killed at least 10 Afghans and ended an earlier truce.
The two countries have been engaged in heavy border clashes for more than a week, marking their worst fighting since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.
A 48-hour truce had briefly halted the fighting, which has killed dozens of troops and civilians, before it broke down on Friday.
After the talks in Doha, Qatar’s foreign ministry said early on Sunday that “the two sides agreed to an immediate ceasefire and the establishment of mechanisms to consolidate lasting peace and stability between the two countries”.
The ministry added that both sides would hold follow-up meetings in the coming days to ensure the ceasefire remains in place.
Pakistan’s defence minister Khawaja Asif confirmed the agreement and said the two sides would meet again in Istanbul on October 25.
“Terrorism on Pakistani soil conducted from Afghanistan will immediately stop. Both neighbouring countries will respect each other's sovereignty,” Asif posted on social media.
Afghanistan’s spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid also confirmed the “signing of an agreement”.
“It was decided that both countries will not carry out any acts of hostility against each other,” he wrote on X on Sunday.
“Neither country will undertake any hostile actions against the other, nor will they support groups carrying out attacks against the Government of Pakistan.”
The defence ministers shared a photo on X showing them shaking hands after signing the agreement.
Security tensions
The clashes have centred on security concerns.
Since the Taliban’s return to power, Pakistan has seen a sharp rise in militant attacks, mainly near its 2,600-kilometre border with Afghanistan.
Islamabad claims that groups such as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) operate from “sanctuaries” inside Afghanistan, a claim the Taliban government denies.
The recent violence began on October 11, days after explosions in Kabul during a visit by Taliban foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to India.
The Taliban then launched attacks along parts of the southern border, prompting Pakistan to threaten a strong response.
Ahead of the Doha talks, a senior Taliban official told AFP that Pakistan had bombed three areas in Paktika province late Friday, warning that Kabul would retaliate.
A hospital official in Paktika said that 10 civilians, including two children, were killed and 12 others injured in the strikes. Three cricket players were among the dead.
Zabihullah Mujahid said on X that Taliban forces had been ordered to hold fire “to maintain the dignity and integrity of its negotiating team”.
Saadullah Torjan, a minister in Spin Boldak in Afghanistan’s south, said: “For now, the situation is returning to normal.”
“But there is still a state of war, and people are afraid.”
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