Cheteshwar Pujara put Australia to the sword with an unbeaten 130 in India's 303 for four on the opening day of the fourth test on Thursday, keeping the tourists firmly on track for a historic breakthrough with his third century of the series.
The hosts, desperately scrapping to avoid being the first Australia team to lose a series to India on home soil, had their successes and managed to dislodge Mayank Agarwal after a bright 77, Virat Kohli for 23 and Ajinkya Rahane for 18.
Pujara, however, would just not budge and eked out his innings at a rate of little more than a run every other ball to take his series tally to 458 and add another century to those that helped India to wins in Adelaide and Melbourne.
Those victories to Australia's one win in Perth means India need only to avoid defeat in the final test at Sydney Cricket Ground to secure their maiden test series triumph Down Under.
Again India's rock, Pujara put together partnerships of 116 with Agarwal, 54 with Kohli, 48 with Rahane and finished the day with an unbroken stand of 75 with Hanuma Vihari, who will resume on day two on 39 not out.
"It's great to watch him from the other end, the way he grinds the bowlers," Agarwal said.
"We're very happy. We would have liked to be probably three down but 300 for for four on the first day after choosing to bat, I think we're in a great position."
Australia's bowlers laboured manfully on a hot day but it was hard to avoid the conclusion that they were firmly behind the eight-ball from the moment Tim Paine lost the toss.
India have never lost a test match when Kohli has won the toss -- winning 18 and drawing three -- but more importantly the tourists had the opportunity to bat the Australians out of the game as they did in Melbourne.
Josh Hazlewood struck early on a wicket with a greenish tinge to remove KL Rahul for nine but that only brought Pujara to the crease to join Agarwal, the senior man initially happy to let the opener take the scoring load.
HOSTILE BOWLING
Agarwal faced some hostile short bowling from the Australian pacemen, brushing off blows to his elbow and helmet as Mitchell Starc, in particular, gave him a thorough going over.
After adding a second half century to add to his first on debut in Melbourne, the 27-year-old opened up with a couple of sixes off Nathan Lyon only to hole out to Starc at long-on going for a third.
Kohli announced his arrival at the crease with a four punched through extra cover but fell straight after tea when a Hazlewood delivery down the leg side caught his glove and flew to Paine behind the stumps.
Left-armer Starc has come under some criticism for his bowling in this series but there was nothing wrong with the angled bouncer that accounted for Rahane, who also gloved behind to Paine.
Pujara, meanwhile, had no time for too many expansive strokes and it summed up his innings that his 18th test century came up when he swatted the 199th ball he faced to fine-leg and it just about reached the boundary rope for his 13th four.
"He was classy, wasn't he? His time, his patience, he was just very good," said Australia batsman Marnus Labuschagne, whose part-time spin bowling took a bit of a battering from Pujara.
"That's what we're going to have to do and put a big score on the board."
The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) stood at 2.6 per cent in March, down from 2.8 per cent in February, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. (Representational image: iStock)
UK INFLATION eased slightly in May but remained above expectations, according to official figures released on Wednesday, adding to speculation that the Bank of England will keep interest rates unchanged this week.
The Consumer Prices Index fell to 3.4 per cent in May from 3.5 per cent in April, which had marked a 15-month high, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.
Analysts had expected a bigger drop to 3.3 per cent.
The release came after separate data last week showed that the UK economy contracted more than expected in April.
Gross domestic product fell by 0.3 per cent, driven by a tax increase on UK businesses and a sharp decline in exports to the United States linked to president Donald Trump's tariffs.
Political responses
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said, "Our number one mission is to put more money in the pockets of working people."
Mel Stride, the finance spokesperson for the opposition Conservatives, said inflation staying "well above" the Bank of England's 2 per cent target "is deeply worrying for families".
The Bank of England is expected to leave its key interest rate unchanged at 4.25 per cent when it announces its decision on Thursday.
Mixed price movements
"A variety of counteracting price movements meant inflation was little changed in May," said Richard Heys, acting chief economist at the ONS.
"Air fares fell this month, compared with a large rise at the same time last year," he said. However, higher prices for chocolate and meat helped to offset the fall in motor fuel costs.
Danni Hewson, head of financial analysis at AJ Bell, said, "The escalating conflict between Israel and Iran has impacted the oil price in the past week, with UK motorists already bracing themselves for hikes and airfares also expected to soar."
Interest rate outlook
The Bank of England cut interest rates last month by a quarter point, its fourth reduction in nine months, as tariffs continued to weigh on economic growth.
Analysts expect the central bank to maintain that pace of easing until at least early next year.
Sarah Coles, head of personal finance at Hargreaves Lansdown, said, "The fact that inflation has fallen back slightly... should bring some comfort to the Bank of England as it considers the next move for interest rates."
"They were expecting inflation to remain well above target at this point in the year, so it won't necessarily spark a rethink on rates.
"Before the announcement, the markets were expecting two more cuts by the end of the year, and there's a reasonable chance this won't move significantly on the back of today's news," she added.
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Protesters from pro-choice group 'abortion rights' gather near parliament, where MPs were voting on the decriminalisation of abortion on June 17, 2025 in London. (Photo: Getty Images)
UK MPs have voted in favour of ending the prosecution of women in England and Wales for ending their own pregnancies, marking a significant step towards changing how abortion laws are applied.
Under current laws, women can face criminal charges if they terminate a pregnancy after 24 weeks or without the approval of two doctors. These laws still carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
The vote follows public attention on the issue after recent court cases, including one where a woman was acquitted at trial and another who was released from prison on appeal.
On Tuesday, MPs backed an amendment by Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi by a majority of 242. The amendment would ensure that women cannot be criminally prosecuted for ending their own pregnancies at any stage. However, it does not alter the existing abortion laws themselves.
The wider crime and policing bill must now go through a full parliamentary vote and then be passed by the House of Lords to become law.
Existing laws under scrutiny
“Women are currently being arrested from hospital bed to police cell and facing criminal investigations on suspicion of ending their own pregnancy,” Antoniazzi told AFP.
“My amendment would put a stop to this,” she said, calling it “the right amendment at the right time”.
In England and Wales, abortion remains a criminal offence under the Offences Against the Person Act of 1861, which still carries the potential for life imprisonment.
The Abortion Act of 1967 legalised terminations in certain circumstances, including up to 23 weeks and six days of pregnancy, when performed by authorised providers.
Abortions beyond that time are permitted only in limited situations, such as when the mother’s life is at risk or if there is a “substantial risk” the child may be born with a serious disability.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the law was updated to allow women to take abortion pills at home up to 10 weeks into pregnancy.
Recent court cases
In May, Nicola Packer was acquitted after taking prescribed abortion medicine when she was about 26 weeks pregnant, beyond the legal limit for home use.
The 45-year-old told jurors during her trial — which followed a four-year police investigation — that she had not realised how far along her pregnancy was.
“It was horrendous giving evidence, absolutely awful,” she told The Guardian last month.
Concerns and support
The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children has described the proposed amendment as “the greatest threat to unborn babies in decades”.
Antoniazzi’s amendment does not change laws concerning how abortion services are provided or the time limits involved. Medical professionals who assist in abortions outside of legal provisions will still face prosecution.
Around 50 organisations, including abortion providers, medical bodies and women’s rights groups, support the amendment.
They note that six women in England have been taken to court in the past three years for ending or attempting to end their pregnancies outside legal frameworks.
Carla Foster was jailed in 2023 after taking abortion pills to end her pregnancy between 32 and 34 weeks. Her sentence was later suspended by the Court of Appeal.
Antoniazzi told the BBC that police had investigated “more than 100 women for suspected illegal abortion in the last five years including women who’ve suffered natural miscarriages and stillbirths”.
“This is just wrong. It's a waste of taxpayers money, it's a waste of the judiciary’s time, and it's not in the public interest,” she said.
Responding to the vote, prime minister Keir Starmer said on Tuesday that women have the right to a “safe and legal abortion”.
Northern Ireland decriminalised abortion for women in 2019. Scotland is currently reviewing its abortion laws.
A FORMER Green Party health spokesperson has accused the party of shifting away from its core values and trying to silence members with gender-critical views.
Dr Pallavi Devulapalli, a general practitioner and local councillor in King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, was expelled from the Green Party this month. She claimed her removal was linked to her views on transgender rights, not to a rule violation as stated by the party. “They didn’t come out and say it was about gender. So they expelled me on a technicality,” she was quoted as saying.
Dr Devulapalli had been suspended since September after disagreeing with the party’s policy supporting gender self-identification during a public debate. She was later expelled for attending what she believed was a casual gathering but was ruled to be an official party event, which she was barred from attending due to her suspension, the Guardian reported.
“It feels like a purge,” she said. “The party is no longer about open debate or green politics. It’s becoming a leftwing authoritarian space. Say the wrong thing and you're out. That’s worrying.”
She is now part of a group calling themselves “Greens in Exile” – former members who say they were pushed out for holding gender-critical beliefs. Devulapalli argued the party’s stance on trans rights ignores biological facts and alienates everyday voters. She added, “Trans women are not women – this is about science and reality.”
Her removal has sparked debate within the party, especially as a new leadership election approaches. She believes if leadership hopeful Zack Polanski wins, more members will leave. “People are trying to bring back the Greens’ commitment to science and free speech,” she said.
Devulapalli says she has received strong support from within the party, including from former Green leaders and health spokespeople who have urged dialogue over division.
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North-west England had already been classified as being in drought in late May
The UK is facing increasingly unpredictable weather, with June 2025 bringing record-breaking heat, dry conditions and growing fears of water shortages. Experts say the shift is consistent with long-term climate change trends and that urgent adaptation is needed.
1.Yorkshire and North-West England are officially in drought
Parts of England are already under significant strain due to lack of rainfall. Yorkshire officially entered drought on 12 June 2025, following what the Met Office described as the driest spring in the region for 132 years. Reservoir levels in the area dropped to around 62 per cent, well below the seasonal average of 85 per cent.
Reservoir levels in the area dropped to around 62 per centGetty Images
North-west England had already been classified as being in drought in late May, after experiencing the driest February to April period since 1893. United Utilities reported that key reservoirs such as Haweswater and Thirlmere in Cumbria were only around 47 per cent full, down from 95 per cent the previous year.
According to the Environment Agency, overall reservoir stocks across England and Wales stood between 77 and 84 per cent at the end of May, prompting water suppliers to urge households to cut back on usage. Hosepipe bans have not yet been enforced but are being considered if conditions worsen.
2. Heatwave alerts are in place as temperatures approach 33°C
The UK’s weather is also heating up, with the Met Office forecasting that temperatures could exceed 30°C in parts of England by the weekend of 21–23 June. A yellow-level heat health alert has been issued for seven regions, including London, the East Midlands and the South East, lasting from 19 to 22 June.
A yellow-level heat health alert has been issued for seven regionsGetty Images
Temperatures are expected to peak at 32–33°C in southern England. Authorities have warned that such heat poses serious risks to older adults and vulnerable groups, especially during periods of high humidity and poor overnight cooling.
Public Health England has advised people to stay hydrated, avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest hours, and keep their homes as cool as possible.
3. Wildfire risk is rising in rural and forested areas
Emergency services in southern and central England have issued warnings about increased wildfire risks due to the expected heatwave and continued dry ground conditions. Firefighters in areas such as Dorset and the West Midlands are on high alert following several small grass and heathland fires in recent weeks.
Firefighters in areas such as Dorset and the West Midlands are on high alertGetty Images
The combination of prolonged dry weather and hot temperatures creates ideal conditions for wildfires to ignite and spread rapidly, particularly in rural or forested areas.
4. Intense rainstorms are causing flash floods
Spring 2025 was the warmest and sunniest on record for the UK, with the country receiving just 56 per cent of its average rainfall. In England, rainfall was even lower, around 44 per cent of the seasonal norm.
Experts have noted a shift in the pattern of rainfall, with longer dry spells followed by intense, short bursts of rain. While this might sound like balance, it increases the risk of flash flooding and water run-off, as parched ground struggles to absorb sudden downpours.
It increases the risk of flash flooding and water run-offGetty Images
Earlier this year, parts of Greater Manchester and South Yorkshire experienced brief but severe flooding after heavy rain overwhelmed local drainage systems.
5. Milder winters are becoming the norm
While the focus in 2025 has been on summer extremes, milder winters have also become a consistent trend. According to the Met Office, UK winters have seen a decrease in frost days and snowfall over the past decade, accompanied by increased rainfall. This shift is affecting seasonal activities, agriculture and even wildlife, which depend on temperature cues to regulate behaviour.
UK winters have seen a decrease in frost days and snowfall over the past decadeGetty Images
Though no specific winter data for 2024–25 has been highlighted, previous patterns suggest that traditional winters are becoming increasingly rare.
6. Long-term infrastructure investment is under way
The National Drought Group, which met on 5 June 2025, highlighted that only 57 per cent of the average rainfall fell across England in May. The group has called for increased preparedness, warning that both water supply and infrastructure are at risk from extreme weather events.
The UK government and water companies are planning major investments in resilience, including a £104 billion strategy over the next five years aimed at improving water supply networks and flood defences.
The Met Office has reiterated that these changes are consistent with global climate change projections. Without mitigation and adaptation, such weather extremes could become more frequent and severe.
7. What individuals can do
Water companies and environmental agencies are urging the public to take steps to conserve water. This includes fixing leaks, using water-efficient appliances, avoiding car washing, and switching to drought-tolerant plants in gardens.
Households are also being encouraged to prepare for heatwaves by checking on elderly relatives and neighbours, staying informed through official alerts, and planning for possible restrictions.
The UK’s weather is no longer following the patterns people once expected. Whether through rising temperatures, reduced rainfall, or more extreme weather events, the country is seeing the tangible effects of climate change. Adaptation, at both the personal and policy level, will be key to facing this new climate reality.
LONDON mayor Sadiq Khan has confirmed that Oxford Street will be pedestrianised “as quickly as possible” following strong backing in a public consultation. The move comes as part of wider efforts to revive the West End’s shopping appeal.
The consultation, which gathered over 6,600 responses from businesses, residents and organisations, showed two-thirds support for the mayor’s proposal to ban most traffic from a 0.7-mile stretch of Oxford Street, the Guardian reported. The plan includes space for outdoor cafés, events and improved public areas.
“Oxford Street has suffered over many years, so urgent action is needed to give our nation’s high street a new lease of life,” Khan was quoted as saying. “It’s clear that the vast majority of Londoners and major businesses back our exciting plans.”
The Labour government has agreed to back the creation of a mayoral development corporation (MDC) to drive the project forward. This comes after earlier efforts to pedestrianise the street were blocked by Westminster city council, which is now Labour-led but still cautious about the move.
Council leader Adam Hug said that while the mayor’s decision was not their preferred choice, they would now work together to help shape Oxford Street’s future. “Since 2022 the street has roared back to life after the pandemic,” he added.
Not everyone welcomed the plan. Black cab drivers warned of increased congestion on nearby streets. “Putting this traffic down surrounding streets will cause chaos,” said Steve McNamara of the LTDA.
Detailed plans for rerouting buses and banning traffic will be released later this year.
Retailers including Ikea and Selfridges expressed strong support. Ikea’s UK boss said the change would make the area more welcoming, while Selfridges described the project as “hugely energising”.