Vandersay's 6/33 takes Sri Lanka to big ODI win over India
By EasternEyeAug 05, 2024
Sri Lanka's Jeffrey Vandersay achieved career-best figures of 6/33, leading to a dramatic collapse in India's batting and securing a 32-run victory for his team in the second one-day international on Sunday.
The 34-year-old Vandersay, who replaced injured spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, took the first six wickets in India's chase of 241 at Colombo's R Premadasa Stadium.
Skipper Charith Asalanka took three wickets, bowling out India for 208 and giving Sri Lanka a 1-0 lead in the three-match series after the opener ended in a tie.
India captain Rohit Sharma scored 64, starting strong with Shubman Gill, who made 35, in a 97-run opening stand before Vandersay's leg-spin disrupted the innings.
"Lot of pressure coming into this game. I am coming after a long lay-off and I had to do something," Vandersay said after being named player of the match. "Credit to our batters. They put a competitive total on a tough wicket. That helped me to attack, keep bowling on good areas and the wickets kept coming."
Vandersay acknowledged his opportunity came due to Wanindu Hasaranga being ruled out of the series after a hamstring injury in the opener. "Wanindu Hasaranga is our number one spinner," said Vandersay. "I have understood that the selectors have a tough call to make. Whenever the opportunity comes I need to take it."
Rohit scored his second successive half-century but was dismissed attempting a reverse sweep. Kamindu Mendis took a catch at slip to dismiss Gill off Vandersay.
Vandersay continued taking wickets, including trapping Virat Kohli lbw for 14 and bowling KL Rahul for a duck, reducing India to 147-6. Axar Patel tried to revive the chase with 44 runs and a 38-run partnership with Washington Sundar, who made 15, but Asalanka broke through.
Asalanka got Patel caught and bowled, continuing the charge to bowl out India in 42.2 overs with a final run out.
"If you want to win games, we understand we have to play consistent cricket and we failed to do that today," said Rohit. "Disappointing, but these things happen."
Dunith Wellalage, who scored 39, and Kamindu, who hit 40, set up the win with a 72-run seventh-wicket stand after Sri Lanka slipped to 136-6. Kuldeep Yadav broke through, dismissing Wellalage, but Kamindu added crucial runs with Akila Dananjaya, who scored 15.
Kamindu was run out on the penultimate ball of the innings by Shreyas Iyer, while Kohli ran out Dananjaya. Asalanka won the toss and elected to bat, but the Indian bowlers took regular wickets, with Mohammed Siraj dismissing Nissanka on the first ball of the match.
Avishka Fernando made 40 and shared a 74-run second-wicket partnership with Kusal Mendis, who scored 30. Sundar dismissed Fernando and Kusal, and took Asalanka's wicket for 25, returning figures of 3-30.
The final match is on Wednesday at the same venue.
Keir Starmer speaks during a reception for public sector workers at 10 Downing Street in London on July 1, 2025. (Photo by CARL COURT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer faced the most serious test of his leadership on Tuesday (1) as his government’s flagship welfare reforms came under fierce attack from within his own party.
The day was marked by emotional speeches, last-minute concessions, and a deep sense of division among Labour MPs, many of whom said the proposed changes would push vulnerable people into poverty
The atmosphere in the House of Commons as tense, with about 50 Labour MPs expected to vote against the bill, reported The Times.
The government, aware of the scale of the rebellion, was reportedly considering further concessions, including delaying the most controversial measures until after a full review of the welfare system.
One of the most contentious points was the introduction of a four-point threshold for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) eligibility, which critics said would deny help to those unable to wash or dress below the waist from November 2026
Marie Tidball, one of the only MPs with a visible physical disability, delivered a moving speech, saying, “It is with a broken heart that I will be voting against this bill today. As a matter of conscience, I need my constituents to know I cannot support the proposed changes to PIP as currently drafted. Low-level support like PIP helps disabled people, keeping us out of the dark corners of hospitals, prisons and social care settings.”
She warned that the changes could put about 150,000 people into poverty.
Apsana Begum, MP for Poplar and Limehouse, has announced she will vote against the bill, citing deep concerns about its impact on disabled people.
Apsana Begum
Begum said, “When it comes to people’s lives and wellbeing, there can be no compromise. Politics should serve people – not the other way around.” She criticised the planned £3.5 billion cuts to disability benefits, calling them unacceptable.
The MP expressed strong opposition to what she described as a “two-tier system” that would force disabled people into greater hardship.
Begum also pointed out the anxiety felt by disabled constituents in her area, who have already endured years of austerity and hardship. “I say to them: I am with you,” she declared.
She also condemned other welfare measures such as the two-child limit and the “poisonous narrative” that blames people for their poverty. “My constituents voted for an end to austerity. They want a welfare system that supports people, not one that pushes into poverty,” Begum said.
“That’s why I’m voting against this cruel Disability Benefit Cuts bill”
Rebecca Long Bailey, a former Labour leadership contender, echoed these concerns. She said the planned cuts “will still push hundreds of thousands of vulnerable sick and disabled people into poverty,” adding that “existing claimants will live in fear that if the situation changes and they are reassessed, they could lose everything under the new system.”
Long Bailey criticised the government for rushing the bill through without proper consultation, warning that it would worsen human rights violations already highlighted by the United Nations
Dame Meg Hillier, who had initially led efforts to block the bill, withdrew her amendment after the government agreed to a “staggered approach.”
She told the Commons, “Divided parties do not hold power or government. If we want to power our government, if we want to see our values in this country, we have to vote for this today.” Yet she admitted that “there is still a lot to be done” to protect disabled people and those seeking work
Meanwhile, the government’s climbdown last week was prompted by a major revolt from Labour MPs who argued the original proposals went too far. More than 120 MPs had signalled their willingness to rebel, forcing ministers to water down the changes.
The new plan means the stricter criteria for sickness and disability benefits will only apply to new claimants, not those already receiving support
Secretary of state for work and pensions, Liz Kendall, presented the revised bill to parliament, but newly released government data estimated that even the watered-down reforms could push an extra 150,000 people into poverty.
This left some Labour MPs still reluctant to back the bill, with backbenchers exposing “so many holes in the government’s plans,” as one put it
Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds told Times Radio, “We’re all trying to find a way to protect the most vulnerable people and get people back into work if they need it,” defending the government’s approach.
However, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch rejected the bill outright, calling it “a fudge” and saying, “A fundamental and serious programme to reform our welfare system is required, and this bill is not it."
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Diddy trial recap as jury reviews Cassie testimony and flags juror concern
Jury in Sean "Diddy" Combs’ sex trafficking and racketeering trial sends fifth note to judge.
Concern raised about one juror’s ability to follow instructions; judge advises deliberations to continue.
Jurors request transcripts of Cassie Ventura and Daniel Phillip’s testimonies.
Combs faces five charges, including racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, and could face life in prison.
Jurors in the high-profile criminal trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs have raised new concerns as deliberations continue, sending a fifth note to the judge questioning whether one juror can follow instructions. The jury also asked to review key testimonies from singer Cassie Ventura and witness Daniel Phillip, signalling the complexity and weight of the decision they face.
Diddy trial jury raises alarm over juror and demands key witness testimoniesGetty Images
Jury seeks witness transcripts in Diddy sex trafficking trial
On the second day of deliberations, the jury asked to review four specific pieces of testimony: three from Combs’ ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura and one from male stripper Daniel Phillip. The requests relate to critical events, including an incident at the InterContinental Hotel and a Cannes Film Festival encounter.
The defence and prosecution are currently negotiating which parts of these testimonies should be submitted to the jury. Combs, who has denied all charges, remained in court as the latest note was read and legal teams reconvened.
The jury’s focus on testimony details suggests they are carefully weighing evidence linked to the most serious allegations, including coerced sexual encounters allegedly orchestrated by Combs as part of a broader racketeering conspiracy.
Marc Agnifilo, attorney for Sean "Diddy" Combs, arrives at federal courtGetty Images
Concerns over juror raise questions during deliberations
Just hours into the first day of deliberations, the jury sent a note to Judge Arun Subramanian expressing concern that one juror “cannot follow” legal instructions. That juror, reportedly a scientist by profession, had earlier described the trial as a “good break” during voir dire.
Judge Subramanian instructed the jury to continue deliberating, reminding them of their duty to follow court instructions. Legal experts say such internal jury issues can complicate proceedings but are not uncommon in high-stakes trials.
Sean 'Puffy' Combs arrives at Manhattan Supreme Court in 2001Getty Images
If found guilty, Combs could face a minimum of 15 years and up to life in prison. The charges include racketeering, sex trafficking, and transporting women for prostitution. The trial, now in its final phase, has drawn intense public interest and influencer coverage outside the Manhattan courthouse.
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Letby, from Hereford in western England, was charged in 2020 after a series of deaths in the hospital's neo-natal unit.
POLICE on Tuesday said they had arrested three senior staff members at the hospital where nurse Lucy Letby was found guilty of murdering seven babies. The arrests were made on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.
The investigation was launched in 2023 at the Countess of Chester Hospital (CoCH) in northwest England, following Letby’s conviction and life sentence for killings that took place between 2015 and 2016.
Arrests part of wider criminal probe
Detective Superintendent Paul Hughes said the three individuals were "part of the senior leadership team at the CoCH in 2015-2016" and were arrested on Monday.
He confirmed they were held on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter and have been released on bail.
Hughes said the arrests were the first under the wider criminal investigation into the hospital’s handling of the baby deaths. He added that the arrests had no impact on Letby’s convictions.
Letby case and ongoing review
The case drew national attention during trials held in 2023 and 2024. Letby was convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others.
Letby, from Hereford in western England, was charged in 2020 after a series of deaths in the hospital's neo-natal unit. She has maintained her innocence throughout.
According to the prosecution, she attacked the premature babies—usually during night shifts—by injecting air, overfeeding with milk, or using insulin.
In February, a panel of international experts said the evidence used to convict her was flawed. They suggested the babies may have died due to natural causes or poor medical care.
Letby’s legal team has submitted an application to the independent Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) to examine if there was a possible miscarriage of justice in her two trials.
(With inputs from AFP)
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Fresh take on the open-world genre from one of its most influential creators.
Rockstar Games co-founder Dan Houser is developing a new open-world video game.
The game is set in the universe of A Better Paradise, a sci-fi audio series launched in 2023.
A Better Paradise is being adapted into a novel series, with the first volume due in October 2025.
Houser left Rockstar in 2020 and founded Absurd Ventures in 2021.
There is no confirmed release date for the game at this time.
Dan Houser, the acclaimed co-creator behind Red Dead Redemption and Grand Theft Auto, has officially confirmed that his new company, Absurd Ventures, is developing a new open-world video game. The title will be set in the universe of A Better Paradise, a science fiction IP first introduced in audio format last year.
A new venture after Rockstar
Dan Houser, a founding figure at Rockstar Games, played a central role in writing and producing some of the studio’s most celebrated titles, including Red Dead Redemption, Grand Theft Auto V, and Bully. After leaving Rockstar in 2020, he launched Absurd Ventures in 2021.
Unlike traditional game studios, Absurd Ventures describes itself as an “entertainment company” focused on developing stories and properties across various media formats, including audio, literature, and interactive platforms.
A Better Paradise: The new universe
In 2023, Absurd Ventures released its first original IP: A Better Paradise, an audio fiction series starring Andrew Lincoln (The Walking Dead). The series quickly reached number one on Apple’s fiction chart.
The story follows Dr Mark Tyburn, an inventor and psychologist who attempts to build a digital game world powered by AI superintelligence. However, his creation leads to unintended and dangerous consequences, resulting in the technology being abandoned and hidden until it is rediscovered.
This dark sci-fi premise laid the groundwork for a larger universe. In a recent press release, Absurd Ventures confirmed that A Better Paradise will be expanded into a novel series and a video game.
Novel series launches this autumn
The first novel in the series, titled A Better Paradise Volume One: An Aftermath, is set to release on 14 October 2025. Published by Absurd Ventures Press, it will be available in print, eBook, and audiobook formats.
The novel will explore the deeper origins of the in-universe video game and the developers behind it, who are now being hunted by the AI entity they inadvertently helped create. According to the publisher, it will delve into the themes of creation, control, and the unforeseen consequences of advanced technology.
Open-world video game confirmed
Alongside the announcement of the novel, Absurd Ventures revealed that an open-world video game set in the A Better Paradise universe is in development.
While few details have been shared, the game is expected to be a narrative-rich experience, drawing from the themes and lore established in the audio and literary versions of the story. The game appears to be a spin-off rather than a direct adaptation of the original audio narrative.
There is no confirmed release window for the project, and it is unclear how far along the game is in development. However, given that Absurd Ventures was founded in 2021, it is likely that early work on the title has already been under way.
High expectations from Rockstar fans
With Houser’s reputation for storytelling and world-building, expectations are high for this new title. Fans of Red Dead Redemption and Grand Theft Auto will likely be paying close attention to any future updates on the project.
Although still in the early stages, the announcement has generated excitement among players hoping for a fresh take on the open-world genre from one of its most influential creators.
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Diljit Dosanjh in a still from Sardaar Ji 3 set for overseas release only
Sardaar Ji 3 rakes in £275,000 (₹3 crore) on opening day in Pakistan, surpassing Sultan.
Diljit Dosanjh responds to backlash: “When we shot the film, everything was fine.”
Film was not released in India due to controversy over Pakistani actress Hania Aamir’s casting.
Worldwide opening weekend collection touches £1.6 million (₹18.1 crore).
The Punjabi-language horror-comedy Sardaar Ji 3, starring Diljit Dosanjh and Pakistani actress Hania Aamir, has become the highest-grossing Indian film ever released in Pakistan. Despite being banned in India, the film grossed £275,000 (₹3 crore) on its opening day and £825,000 (₹9 crore) over the first weekend in Pakistan alone.
The movie was released internationally on 27 June but did not receive clearance in India due to political tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack. Its success across the border has reignited debates around cross-border cultural collaborations and censorship.
Sardaar Ji 3 Pakistan box office collection sets new benchmark
Despite ongoing tensions and a ban on Indian films in Pakistan since 2019, Sardaar Ji 3 was cleared by the Pakistani censor board and released nationwide. The opening day collections broke the previous record held by Salman Khan’s Sultan, which had earned £265,000 (₹2.9 crore) on day one in 2016.
Nadeem Mandviwalla, a leading cinema distributor in Karachi, called it “the best opening for any Indian or Pakistani film in recent years,” adding that school holidays and the lack of quality cinema had contributed to packed halls.
Diljit Dosanjh shared videos of audience reactions from Pakistan on his Instagram, celebrating the overwhelming support while refraining from commenting directly on the boycott in India.
Diljit Dosanjh defends overseas release, says “situation changed after shoot”
The controversy stems from the casting of Hania Aamir, which violated the Indian film workers’ ban on Pakistani artists. Actor Naseeruddin Shah publicly defended Dosanjh, criticising attempts to scapegoat him for political gain.
Speaking in an interview, Dosanjh clarified, “We shot the film in February when everything was fine. After the attack, the producers knew they couldn’t release it in India. They’ve spent a lot on this film, and releasing it overseas is the only way to recover costs.”