Former England bowler Steve Harmison predicts bright future for India under coach Rahul Dravid
NEW India coach Rahul Dravid got a boost as the team beat New Zealand in the three-match T20I series, but the real battle will be the two Tests starting November 25 in Kanpur.
It wasn’t long ago when India lost the World Test Championship final to the same opposition, something former England fast bowler Steve Harmison described as “unfinished business” as he now expects the hosts to dominate their
opponents in India’s own backyard.
“Right in between the T20 World Cup and The Ashes, this series is unfinished business and promises to produce some top cricket between two of the world’s best sides. Every series involving India is an event and this has to be the best New Zealand side in history,” Harmison said.
Players of both the teams have been playing the shorter format, including the IPL and the T20 World Cup. Harmison says it is easier for bowlers to switch but harder for batsmen to make the transition to Test mode.
Having played with Rahul Dravid, India’s new coach, as part of the World XI team in 2005 – Harmison sees a bright future for the team. “I’ve actually played with Rahul (Dravid) in the same side. A fantastic man first and foremost, and that’s the most important thing as a coach. He can also relate to the people that he would be coaching and his understanding of the game is unbelievable,” Harmison told Eastern Eye.
He added: “As a player, he was amazing. He was very difficult to get out in English conditions, it was nearly impossible to get him out in Indian conditions, because he was just a fantastic player. His work with the academy and the youth set up in India has been the thing. Every single IPL franchise has seen the benefit of the good young players that have come into IPL cricket, then into Indian cricket.
“I think it’s the right time for Rahul to step up as the international men’s coach and I know for a fact he will do a good job because he is very thorough. He is meticulous, disciplined, patient and is just a really nice man. I think that will especially help the players in modern day cricket, when players are playing out of bio-bubbles and you have somebody (Dravid) like him that’s got empathy with what it takes to be a professional sportsman.
“I wish him well and I hope he does well for India. I’ve got no doubt that the Indian players will enjoy playing under him.”
Former England fast bowler Steve Harmison. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Two Indians had made it to the World XI team against Australia in 2005, one was Dravid and the other was Virender Sehwag. Harmison says both the Indians were completely different to each other.
“Dravid and Virender Sehwag are two completely different characters, who play the game and see the ball in such a different way and in a different light. They were an absolute joy and a pleasure to play alongside. Sehwag was just a bundle of fun who just wanted to hit the ball as far as he could and was looking to have a good time whereas Rahul was more calculated. He was closer to planet Earth compared to Sehwag who was sometimes not on Earth,” he recalls.
When asked about Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson, the former England quick rated both batsmen as the greatest in the modern generation, but with different approaches to batting.
“They both play a bit differently and I think the two guys are of very similar height but do play very differently. Kane lets the ball come to him while Kohli likes to play more,” Harmison said.
He added: “Kane would let the bowler come to him rather than go after them while Kohli plays well from outside his body, and goes harder at the ball. He is somebody who wants to be the main man in the game. Williamson is the opposite, he lets the game go and tries to sort of stay under the radar a little bit, which is very difficult when he’s scoring as many runs as he can.
“I think they’re both fantastic, best of the modern generation along with Root, Smith and Babar Azam, to be in this little group of five or six players who are at the top of their gear and shoulders above anybody else.”
Steve Harmison will provide commentary on the India vs New Zealand matches on Talksport.
Reeves said the government would focus investment on security, health, and the economy 'so working people all over our country are better off.' (Photo: Getty Images)
THE GOVERNMENT is set to announce its medium-term spending and investment plans on Wednesday, with significant increases expected for defence and healthcare, alongside reductions in other areas.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves will present the spending review to parliament, outlining the government’s fiscal strategy aimed at boosting growth. This comes amid concerns about potential economic pressures from a possible return of Donald Trump to the US presidency and his proposed tariffs.
Reeves said the government would focus investment on security, health and the economy “so working people all over our country are better off.” She also said she would “invest in Britain’s renewal.”
Funding boosts are expected for the defence sector and the National Health Service (NHS), while other departments are likely to see spending cuts.
Reeves, the chancellor of the exchequer, has adjusted fiscal rules to give the government more room to invest ahead of the review. At the same time, she aims to balance the budget so that tax revenues cover day-to-day spending, with borrowing reserved for investment.
The changes have enabled the Treasury to increase borrowing, particularly for housing and energy infrastructure projects, resulting in a £113 billion windfall over five years.
'Balance the books'
Ahead of the announcement, the government pledged billions for the nuclear sector, including investment in the Sizewell C nuclear power plant.
Citing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the UK previously committed to raising defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2027, and 3.0 per cent by 2034, partly funded by cuts to international aid.
In addition to the expected NHS funding increase, £86 billion is planned for science and technology by 2030. Urban public transport in England will also see investment more than double, reaching over £15bn by 2030.
The government recently reversed its decision to scrap winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners, following criticism from within the party. Late on Tuesday, it also confirmed Reeves is expected to announce £39bn in funding for affordable housing over the next decade, aimed at building 1.5 million homes.
However, the increased focus on some sectors means other departments may face budget reductions.
Joe Nellis, economic adviser at MHA, said Reeves "will need to balance the books by making cuts to unprotected department budgets." He pointed to the Home Office, transport, local councils, police and prisons as possible areas for cuts.
Reports suggest the Treasury has faced tensions with the interior ministry over police funding and with the energy department over carbon reduction targets.
Since taking office in July, Labour has already made cuts to public spending under tight fiscal conditions. That includes reductions to disability welfare, aimed at saving more than £5bn by 2030.
Although the UK economy grew by 0.7 per cent in the first quarter, exceeding expectations, analysts have warned that such growth may not continue.
“If growth fails to emerge, then she (Reeves) will either have to cut further areas of public sector spending or raise taxes again in this year’s Autumn Budget,” said Nellis.
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Bollywood Sensation Abhijeet Bhattacharya Set to Light Up Reading with Live Concert
Music lovers and Bollywood fans are in for a melodious treat as renowned playback singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya gears up for an unforgettable live concert in Reading. The much-anticipated event will take place on Saturday, June 21 at The Hexagon, located on Queens Walk, RG1 7QF. Audiences can expect an evening brimming with nostalgia and emotion as the celebrated singer performs a collection of his greatest hits and timeless classics.
Abhijeet Bhattacharya, whose golden voice has been the soul behind countless Bollywood chart-toppers since the 1990s, is one of the most distinctive and beloved voices in Indian cinema. With a career spanning over three decades, he has lent his vocals to megastars such as Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar, leaving an indelible mark on the soundscape of Hindi film music. From romantic ballads like Main Koi Aisa Geet Gaoon to the energetic Ole Ole, his songs have become anthems for generations of fans.
This upcoming concert at The Hexagon promises not only a spectacular musical journey but also an emotional connection for those who grew up with Abhijeet's melodies. His charismatic stage presence and vocal finesse are sure to mesmerise both long-time admirers and new audiences alike. Attendees will be treated to a live showcase of his iconic hits, each bringing back cherished memories of Bollywood's golden years.
Organised as part of a cultural celebration in Reading, the event highlights the vibrant South Asian music scene in the UK and offers an opportunity for fans to enjoy the magic of live music in an intimate and dynamic venue.
Whether you're a die-hard Bollywood aficionado or simply looking for a unique night out filled with soulful entertainment, Abhijeet Bhattacharya Live in Concert is an experience not to be missed.
Arora’s plan could involve a shorter runway, potentially avoiding the need to divert the M25 motorway and significantly reducing costs and time. (Photo: LinkedIn/Surinder Arora)
BILLIONAIRE hotel entrepreneur Surinder Arora has announced plans for a cheaper alternative to Heathrow Airport’s third runway, claiming he can deliver it for a third less than the airport’s own estimate.
Arora, one of Heathrow’s largest landowners, is partnering with US engineering company Bechtel to submit a proposal after aviation minister Mike Kane said the Government was open to alternative bids.
“The Government has asked for submissions this summer and we will be there,” Arora told The Telegraph. He said, “We can deliver the whole thing, and without a shadow of a doubt, we’d build it cheaper than Heathrow Airport Limited.”
Heathrow’s official proposal, based on the 2018 Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS), would include a full-length 3,500m runway, with costs reported to have increased from £14 billion to between £42bn and £63bn.
Arora’s plan could involve a shorter runway, potentially avoiding the need to divert the M25 motorway and significantly reducing costs and time.
Airline executives have voiced concerns about the full-scale plan. A UK airline boss said the cost could raise ticket prices by £75 to £100.
Sir Tim Clark of Emirates supported the idea of a shorter runway and said he was against diverting the M25.
Heathrow Reimagined, a campaign including British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, welcomed competition and alternative proposals.
The Department for Transport confirmed that no live planning application exists but stated it remains open-minded and will assess any new plans fairly.
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This event has also raised concerns about the reliability of AI tools like Grok
Elon Musk was forced to step in on Sunday after his artificial intelligence chatbot, Grok, falsely claimed he had “taken” the wife of former Trump adviser Stephen Miller. The misleading statement came after a doctored screenshot circulated on X, formerly Twitter, appearing to show a personal exchange between Musk and Miller.
The fabricated post, supposedly from Miller, read: “We will take back America,” to which Musk allegedly replied, “Just like I took your wife.” The image was shared by a user on X, prompting them to ask Grok whether the exchange was real.
Grok misidentifies fake content
In response, Grok stated the post likely did exist but was deleted. It explained, “The engagement metrics and context align with Musk’s behaviour, but its deletion means direct verification is unavailable.” The chatbot concluded that while a fabricated screenshot was possible, “the evidence leans toward the post being real but removed, consistent with Musk’s pattern of deleting controversial posts.”
— (@)
Musk quickly responded to the thread to clarify the situation. “No, it’s fake ffs. I never posted this,” he wrote, dismissing Grok’s assessment.
Background on Katie Miller and DOGE
Katie Miller, who is married to Stephen Miller, previously served as a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security and worked as an aide to former Vice President Mike Pence. She also briefly held a position in Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a now-defunct political advisory unit.
While in DOGE, Katie Miller was said to have played a significant role in shaping Musk’s political messaging and media strategy. Her appointment marked a rare overlap between the worlds of Silicon Valley and Washington politics. Reports suggest that the Millers and Musk had a close working relationship during that time and socialised outside of work as well.
However, the relationship appears to have cooled, particularly after Musk’s public rift with former US president Donald Trump.
Tensions between Musk and Trump
The feud between Musk and Trump began when Trump criticised Musk for opposing his legislative proposal, referred to as the “Big Beautiful Bill”, which aimed to cut subsidies for electric vehicles. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump said he was “disappointed in Elon” and accused him of acting out due to the financial impact the bill would have on Tesla.
Musk retaliated by posting on X that Trump would have lost the last election without his support, claiming Democrats would control the House and Republicans would only have a 51–49 margin in the Senate. In a further post, Musk referenced the Epstein files, suggesting that Trump’s connections might be one reason why those documents have not been released publicly.
Musk unfollows Miller amid ongoing fallout
Amid the ongoing tension, Musk has reportedly unfollowed Stephen Miller on X. The incident involving Grok and the fabricated screenshot has only added fuel to the speculation that political alliances between Musk and former Trump allies are weakening.
This event has also raised concerns about the reliability of AI tools like Grok in verifying online information, especially when used by the public to assess political or personal claims involving high-profile individuals.
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A Post Office van parked outside the venue for the Post Office Horizon IT inquiry at Aldwych House on January 11, 2024 in London.
THE UK government said on Monday that more than £1 billion has been paid to self-employed managers of Post Office branches who were affected by faults in the Horizon accounting software.
The update comes a few weeks after Alan Bates, the former subpostmaster who led the campaign for justice, criticised the compensation process, calling it “quasi-kangaroo courts”.
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) said it had received 11,208 claims in total. Of these, 7,569 have been settled, while 3,709 are still pending.
Between 1999 and 2015, the Post Office prosecuted over 900 subpostmasters based on errors in Horizon, a software developed by Fujitsu. The system incorrectly showed shortfalls in branch accounts.
Many subpostmasters were forced to repay the shortfalls and later went bankrupt. Some were imprisoned and faced social stigma.
At least four people took their own lives, and several others died before they were exonerated.
In 2019, the High Court ruled that computer errors, not criminal behaviour, had led to the missing funds.
Alan Bates, who was knighted by King Charles III for his efforts to expose the issue, has criticised how the DBT is handling the assessment of claims.
"The department sits in judgement of the claims and alters the goal posts as and when it chooses," he told The Sunday Times last month.
Public attention around the case grew in January 2024 following a television drama about the subpostmasters’ experiences, which sparked widespread public reaction.
Following that, Fujitsu’s European director Paul Patterson appeared before a parliamentary committee and apologised for the firm’s role in prosecutions based on incorrect data. He said the company was “truly sorry” for “this appalling miscarriage of justice”.
Post Office Minister Gareth Thomas said the government had prioritised faster payments since taking office in July 2024.
"We are settling cases every day and getting compensation out more quickly for the most complex cases, but the job isn't done until every postmaster has received fair and just redress," he said.