The UK has long been a preferred destination for Indian doctors and nurses, with the National Health Service offering stable careers and professional recognition. However, that appeal is now fading, as rising costs, tighter immigration rules and limited job security push many Indian healthcare professionals to leave the country.Senior doctors of Indian origin currently working within the National Health Service (NHS) told PTI that departures are rising not because dissatisfaction with medical practice but by financial strain, restrictive immigration policies and decreasing career security. This trend is also highlighted in the official data shared by the government during the winter session of Parliament which showed that the number of Health and Care Worker visas issued to Indian nationals has dropped by about 67%. At the same time, visas for Indian nurses have fallen by nearly 79%.

So, why are Indian doctors leaving the UK?

Money problems: Pay, taxation and living costs continue to weigh heavily on decisions. An NHS consultant in the highest pay band pays an additional 45% income tax, along with 2% National Insurance contributions. Doctors earning £65,191 and above also contribute around 12.5% of their pensionable pay to the NHS pension scheme. The pressure is even more acute for trainees and recently qualified doctors. Gandhi said many struggle not only to secure paid roles but also to obtain clinical attachments.“Many graduates are leaving the UK as salaries there are lower compared with those offered in some European countries. Recent data indicate that Indian-origin healthcare professionals are increasingly choosing to work abroad, attracted by better pay, higher standards of living, and comparatively lower taxes,” Rajay Narain, a senior NHS cardiologist with more than two decades of experience told PTI.Other options come into play: Dr Narain said that Indian healthcare workers are increasingly weighing global options. Countries such as Australia, Canada and parts of the Middle East, he noted, offer better pay structures and clearer long-term pathways.He recalled that the NHS, which was once widely regarded as one of the world’s leading healthcare systems. Over time, however, mounting pressures, including long waiting lists and limited career progression, have eroded that image. As a result, some British-Indians are now returning to India in search of improved professional opportunities, he said.Policy pressure: According to radiologist Sanjay Gandhi, who works within the NHS in south-west England, government policy has become a major factor pushing Indian professionals away. Successive UK governments, regardless of political leadership, have pledged to reduce net migration, he said.“However, as controlling illegal immigration has proven difficult, legal migrants, including those working in the NHS, often face the impact of these policies. Another factor is the growing competition from locally trained doctors. Although the number of medical graduates has risen, training positions have not increased proportionately, leaving many qualified doctors struggling to secure jobs,” Gandhi said, as cited by PTI.Difficult entry points: He pointed to tightening entry routes as another challenge, noting that the GMC has been instructed to limit the number of PLAB (Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board) tests. These exams are costly, and even successful candidates often face uncertain job prospects.International medical graduates must pass the PLAB tests to register with the GMC and practise in the UK.“However, securing a position in the UK has always been challenging,” he added.Gandhi warned that the Indian presence within the NHS is likely to shrink further. He said he personally knows at least half a dozen doctors who have relocated to Australia or New Zealand in the past three years.

NHS under financial strain

India’s role in shaping the NHS has deep historical roots. Established in 1948 after the Second World War, the NHS benefited significantly from Indian doctors trained under a system modelled on British standards. Indian medical degrees were recognised by the UK’s General Medical Council (GMC) until 1975, reinforcing the flow of talent from the subcontinent.According to UK government figures from 2024, Asian or Asian British staff account for 13% of the NHS workforce, comprising 16% of full-time employees and 8% of part-time staff.“Pathways for overseas healthcare professionals have largely reduced, while resident doctor posts now attract hundreds of applications within hours, making positions harder to secure even for UK graduates,” NHS pulmonologist Manish Gautam told PTI.Gautam said the financial strain on the NHS intensified after the COVID-19 pandemic, with large sums spent on agency and bank staff to plug workforce gaps. NHS trusts are now under pressure to cut costs and improve productivity, prompting a move away from temporary staffing towards building a permanent workforce, a transition he said will take time.“Although UK healthcare experience remains highly valued, opportunities are constrained by financial realities,” he added.All doctors quoted by the agency presented their personal views that did not reflect those of the NHS or their employers.

As the world prepares for the T20 World Cup 2026 to kick off on February 7, former Indian pacer Lakshmipathy Balaji has shared a high-stakes roadmap for the tournament. Speaking in a recent analysis on Star Sports, Balaji leaned on subcontinental conditions to predict which teams will rise to the occasion in India and Sri Lanka.

His insights go beyond mere statistics, focusing on the tactical and mental shifts required to dominate a home-soil World Cup. With the memories of recent global finals still fresh, Balaji’s projections have set a definitive tone for the upcoming competition. He specifically identified a quartet of teams that he believes will navigate the grueling group stages to reach the business end of the tournament.

Lakshmipathy Balaji’s top four contenders for the T20 World Cup 2026

Balaji’s selection for the semi-finals is rooted in the strategic advantage held by teams familiar with the slow, turning tracks of the host nations. He predicts that both India and Sri Lanka will leverage their home-ground knowledge to secure knockout berths, alongside two of the most consistent outfits in T20 history. While he views Afghanistan as a serious fringe contender capable of an upset, his primary bracket consists of the traditional powerhouses. He emphasized that the growth of South Africa over the last few years makes them an undeniable threat in any condition.

“Of course, if you look at the Top 4, I know that South Africa has done a superb job over the period of time in the last few years. Sri Lanka is also playing well. Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. Between them, they have a chance to qualify.” Balaji said.

Also READ: Monty Panesar predicts the semifinalists of T20 World Cup 2026

Balaji picks the finalist of T20 World Cup 2026

In a bold prediction that has caught the attention of fans across the globe, Balaji has called for a repeat of the 2023 ODI World Cup summit clash. He envisions India and Australia meeting once again for the trophy, citing their status as extraordinary teams that thrive on the grandest stages. Despite their combined success in the format, including India’s titles in 2007 and 2024, and Australia’s 2021 victory, the two giants have never faced off in a T20 World Cup final. Balaji believes the 2026 edition will finally rectify this, offering India a chance to settle the score from the Ahmedabad heartbreak.

“Bala, give us your picks Top 2 or Top 4? I think it’s going to be India-Australia finals again in 2023 [referring to the 2023 ODI WC match-up]. And I think it will be a repeat of the Ahmedabad finals. It’s a kind of big match. Two teams that play occasionally. Both are extraordinary teams.” Balaji concluded.

Also READ: 7 Indian players who featured in T20 World Cup 2024 but won’t play in 2026 edition

Devdutt Padikkal (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: Karnataka created history in the Vijay Hazare Trophy against Jharkhand on Wednesday with one of the greatest run chases ever seen in List-A cricket at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Karnataka reached a massive target of 413 runs with 15 balls still left in the chase and five wickets in hand.This chase is now the second-highest successful run chase in the history of List-A cricket. Only South Africa’s famous chase of 435 runs against Australia in 2006 stands above it.

Highest chases in List-A cricket

The foundation of this incredible win was laid by Devdutt Padikkal. The left-handed batter played a brilliant innings when his team needed it the most. Padikkal racked up 147 runs off 118 balls with 10 fours and seven sixes. Even though the required run rate stayed above eight runs per over for most of the chase, he kept his composure.Earlier in the match, Jharkhand looked completely in control. Their captain, Ishan Kishan, smashed a sensational century in just 33 balls. It was the second-fastest hundred ever by an Indian in List-A cricket. His knock pushed Jharkhand past the 400-run mark and made the target look almost impossible to chase in a 50-over game.However, Karnataka’s batters showed great belief and courage. Captain Mayank Agarwal gave the chase early momentum with a smooth 54 runs. In the middle overs, Abhinav Manohar played an important role by scoring a quick 56. Showcasing the right example of his power, Manohar maintained the pressure on the bowlers as he ensured the run rate never went out of reach.20-year-old Dhruv Prabhakar, who played a mature and confident knock on his List-A debut, added the final touches.He remained unbeaten on 40 and showed excellent composure. His smart running between the wickets and ability to find gaps helped Karnataka cross the line comfortably.

NEW DELHI: Captain SPS Suri, who flew back the hijacked IC 814 from Kandahar to Delhi on Jan 1, 2000, has been appointed the chief operating officer of India’s biggest regional airline Star Air. Former director operations of erstwhile Air India who worked with SpiceJet for nearly a decade after retiring from AI in Nov 2014, Captain Suri (now 69) had spent a night in Kandahar with Captain J R D Rao and two engineers from IA after a relief aircraft flew back the crew and passengers of IC 814 to Delhi on Dec 31, 1999.Sanjay Godawat group’s Star Air has major growth plans and could place a sizable order for Embraer aircraft next year. Currently operating a fleet of 11 Embraers, it has set a target having 50 aircraft and choppers in its fleet by 2030. Captain Suri has flown the Avro, B737 classic, NG & MAX, Airbus A300, A330, B737 NG & MAX and earned 32,700 flying hours in a career which started in 1978. Pilots can fly till they turn 65. He joins Star Air as it enters the growth phase.Captain Suri had travelled on an erstwhile Indian Airlines (IA) Airbus A320 relief flight from Delhi to Kandahar with negotiators and a team of extra crew members on Dec 26, 1999. On the morning of January 1, 2000, — when the Taliban had let the hijackers go — Captain Suri said he wanted to leave but was denied permission to take off. After landing in Kandahar, Captain Suri and 25-30 other crew members used to sleep in the A320. But on Dec 31, that aircraft took off for Delhi and sleeping inside the hijacked A300 that had terrible stench by then was not possible for the four IA crew left behind. “The Taliban said rooms in Kandahar airport were taken by the hijackers and ISI. They allowed the four of us to spend the night by a bonfire in a verandah. “We were shivering there. ‘Sardar, badaam kha le. Raat kat jayegi’, Taliban leader Mullah Omar told us while giving we four almonds,” Suri had some years back told TOI.The next (January 1) morning, an air traffic controller told this four-member crew that they will not get permission to leave for India. “The plane battery was at 7%. Taking Wahe Guru’s name, we started one engine and it miraculously came to life. While taxiing out, we started the other engine. The ATC kept telling us we didn’t have clearance to take off but we got airborne anyway,” Suri had said.Pakistan ATC warned the aircraft did not have permission to overfly. And the crew of Delhi-bound IC 814 (D) — a delayed flight in aviation parlance — kept saying they were unable to hear anything. “The best thing we heard was the IAF controller telling us ‘welcome home, you are cleared straight for Delhi,’ just before entering the Indian airspace,” Suri had recalled.

Photo credit: X/@FaisalNasym

NEW DELHI: Recalling Atal Bihari Vajpayee as a statesman who believed peace had to be consciously practised through restraint and institutional respect, former Maldives vice-president Faisal Naseem on Wednesday said the late prime minister’s political legacy remains deeply relevant for South Asia amid democratic and social turbulence in the region.Delivering the 8th Atal Bihari Vajpayee Memorial Lecture on “Peace, Democracy and Islam – The Maldivian Experience”, Naseem described Vajpayee as a leader who demonstrated that “firmness and civility can coexist” and that leadership could be “decisive without being divisive” — an approach he said holds enduring relevance in an era marked by polarisation.

“This year marks the birth centenary of a statesman whose legacy continues to shape India’s democratic journey and the wider neighbourhood of which the Maldives is a part,” Naseem said, speaking as a representative of “a small island nation in the Indian Ocean, a Muslim society and a young democracy”.Drawing parallels between India and the Maldives, he said peace in South Asia is often treated as an outcome, but leaders like Vajpayee understood it as “a practice cultivated through restraint, dialogue and respect for institutions”. “Peace is sustained not by uniformity, but by balance. It is preserved when differences are managed with dignity and when power is exercised with moderation,” he said.Naseem said Vajpayee’s long years in opposition reflected his belief in parliamentary democracy. “He believed in Parliament not because it was perfect, but because it embodied the people’s voice,” he said, adding that the lesson resonated deeply with the Maldives’ own democratic transition in 2008 from centralised authority to constitutional governance.The address acquired wider resonance amid political and social stress across South Asia. In Bangladesh, recurring political unrest and episodes of communal violence, particularly attacks on minority communities, have raised concerns about the state’s ability to protect pluralism and democratic norms. Sri Lanka’s post-crisis stabilisation has been accompanied by public unease over austerity and accountability, while Nepal continues to grapple with fragile coalition politics and leadership churn despite constitutional stability.Highlighting democratic outcomes in the Maldives, Naseem said democracy must deliver dignity and security. “This is what democracy delivers — protection, opportunity and shared prosperity,” he said, pointing to universal healthcare, pensions, minimum wages and free higher education.On India–Maldives ties, Naseem said the partnership was “written in deeds, not words”. Recalling India’s intervention during the 1988 coup attempt, he said the swift and restrained response “left a lasting imprint on Maldivian strategic thinking”. Vajpayee’s 2002 visit, he added, symbolised India’s enduring commitment to its neighbours.Naseem also credited Vajpayee with recognising the Indian Ocean’s strategic importance. “Maritime security is not only about naval strength, but about trust among neighbours,” he said, noting that current cooperation in maritime surveillance, coast guard capacity-building and emergency response reflects security built on partnership, not coercion.Concluding, Naseem said Vajpayee understood that while history could be shaped, geography could not. “Our shared responsibility is to ensure this region remains anchored in peace, democratic values and mutual respect,” he said.

Sunil Mittal (File photo-ANI)

New Delhi: Bharti Enterprises and Warburg Pincus on Wednesday announced a strategic investment in Haier India, a subsidiary of Chinese consumer electronics maker Haier Group, picking up a collective 49% stake in the company. This is the second Chinese company to have sold a significant stake in its Indian operations after MG Motor, a unit of SAIC, divested a portion of its stake in favour of Sajjan Jindal’s JSW Group. The size of the Haier deal was not disclosed.The companies said in a statement that the strategic collaboration will accelerate Haier’s growth and expansion in India by bringing together and leveraging the company’s global excellence in innovation, Bharti’s strong standing and resultant networks, and private equity firm Warburg Pincus’ strong track record of scaling brands.“Bharti Enterprises, one of India’s most prominent and diversified business conglomerates, and Warburg Pincus, the pioneer of global growth investing, today announced a strategic investment in Haier India, a subsidiary of the Haier Group,” the statement said.Haier Group will retain a 49% ownership stake in Haier India, with the remaining 2% held by Haier India’s management team.“The partnership will bolster Haier India’s ‘Made in India, Made for India’ vision by deepening local sourcing, expanding manufacturing capacity, driving product innovation, and accelerating market penetration,” it said.The new capital infusion will also enhance Haier India’s competitiveness across the entire value chain, the statement said.The move comes at a time when the consumer appliances market in India is witnessing growth, specially in the premium category.Haier India has a diversified product portfolio spanning air conditioners, refrigerators, televisions, washing machines, and kitchen appliances.Over the past seven years, the company has achieved a CAGR of approximately 25% in India, and the company said it has seen a robust performance across product segments and geographies.By combining global innovation with local insights and execution, the partnership will strengthen Haier India’s leadership position in the rapidly growing Indian consumer durables segment, the statement said.Bharti said it is pleased to collaborate with Warburg Pincus as they partner Haier to support the latter’s next phase of growth in India. “The company looks forward to playing a significant role in the evolving consumer durables industry and leveraging the collective strengths of all parties to meet the needs of Indian consumers,” the statement said.Bharti is confident that Haier India will further consolidate its standing as a leading brand in India, powered by global innovations, enhanced customer services, and best in-class experience.This investment reflects Warburg Pincus’ ability to leverage its pan-Asia franchise, deep local insights, global expertise, and its expansive network to support and accelerate growth for leading companies across the region.Haier said the collaboration with Bharti Enterprises and Warburg Pincus marks an important milestone in Haier India’s development journey.“The strategic partnership fully embodies Haier’s approach of `serving globalisation with global capabilities and advancing globalisation through localisation. It brings together the complementary strengths of Bharti…and Warburg Pincus, whose strong franchises across China and India have helped scale many leading consumer and technology companies,” it said.

Karbi Anglong unrest in Assam (PTI photo)

NEW DELHI: Assam DGP Harmeet Singh on Wednesday confirmed that the Army has been deployed to restore law and order in violence-hit West Karbi Anglong, news agency PTI reported.The region has now entered its third day of violent protests over alleged illegal settlement by non-tribals in the constitutionally protected Karbi Anglong hill area. The clashes have left two people dead and dozens injured. In response, the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led government has imposed curfew-like restrictions and suspended mobile internet services in two districts to control the situation.

Assam CM Himanta said the Karbi people’s demand to evict alleged Hindi-speaking encroachers from grazing lands cannot be acted upon immediately, as the matter is currently under a stay order issued by the Gauhati high court.The violence in West Karbi Anglong and the neighbouring Karbi Anglong district began after long-standing tensions over land rights escalated into clashes between tribal protesters and security forces. Police said one tribal protester died during police action, while a non-tribal man was killed in a fire that destroyed several shops in Kheroni, a small trading town that has now become the centre of the unrest.Assam DGP Harmeet Singh said that 48 police personnel, including senior officers, were injured when protesters armed with bows, arrows, crude bombs and stones attacked security forces. Both the DGP and IGP (Law and Order) Akhilesh Kumar Singh were among those hurt. According to police, the protesters tried to take control of a bridge, and the situation turned violent when security forces stopped them. “They tried to take over the bridge, and when we intervened, they attacked us. Crude bombs and stones were thrown. I was hit with bows and arrows,” the DGP said. He added that police have video evidence and will take legal action against the attackers.The protests stem from claims by the Karbi community that non-tribal settlers have illegally encroached on professional grazing reserve and village grazing reserve lands. These districts come under the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, governed by the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which gives tribal areas control over land, forests and local governance to protect indigenous communities. For over a year, residents have been demanding the eviction of alleged encroachers, saying unchecked settlement threatens tribal land rights.

Silver prices surged to fresh record highs in domestic and overseas markets on Wednesday, driven by a weaker US dollar, expectations of easier monetary policy and rising geopolitical tensions.In the national capital, silver jumped by Rs 9,750 to hit an all-time high of Rs 2,27,000 per kilogram, according to the All India Sarafa Association. The metal had settled at Rs 2,17,250 per kg in the previous session, PTI reported.“Spot silver crossed the $72 level as bullion prices hit record highs in the international markets,” Saumil Gandhi, senior analyst – commodities at HDFC Securities, said.So far in the calendar year, silver has rallied sharply, rising by Rs 1,37,300, or 153.06%, from Rs 89,700 per kg recorded on December 31, 2024.Gandhi said a combination of a weak US dollar, expectations of a dovish stance from the US Federal Reserve and ongoing geopolitical tensions continued to support prices.Gold prices, however, eased marginally in the local market. Gold of 99.9% purity slipped Rs 50 to trade at Rs 1,40,800 per 10 grams (inclusive of all taxes), compared with Rs 1,40,850 in the previous session.In global markets, gold touched a fresh milestone, crossing the $4,500 per ounce mark for the first time. Spot gold rose $41.18, or 0.92%, to $4,525.96 per ounce.“Spot gold reached a fresh record high of $4,525 per ounce in the Asian session as the US dollar remains on the defensive,” Praveen Singh, head of commodities and currencies at Mirae Asset Sharekhan, said, PTI quoted.Over the past four sessions, gold prices have climbed $186.46, or 4.3%, from the December 19 close of $4,339.50. On a year-to-date basis, the metal has gained $1,920.19, or 73.7%, from $2,605.77 per ounce recorded at the end of 2024.Silver extended its rally in overseas trade for the fourth straight session, rising $1.22, or 1.71%, to a new record of $72.70 per ounce.“Spot silver rose to hit record $72 per ounce, fuelled by anticipation of further monetary policy easing by the US Federal Reserve and heightened geopolitical tensions,” Renisha Chainani, head of research at Augmont, said.Over the last four sessions, silver has jumped $5.56, or 8.3%, from $67.14 per ounce on December 19. For the year so far, the white metal has surged by $43.73, or 151%, from levels seen at the end of 2024.Chainani added that rising tensions between the US and Venezuela have also boosted safe-haven demand for bullion, while recent US Q3 GDP data failed to lend support to the dollar despite growing bets on two Fed rate cuts in 2026.

For the first time in three decades, snow has graced parts of Saudi Arabia, turning desert-framed mountains into icy landscapes and surprising residents with a rare winter spectacle. From snow-capped peaks to desert plains dusted in white, the Kingdom experienced a weather event that many had only imagined.A cold air mass sweeping across northern Saudi Arabia brought rain, strong winds, and record-low temperatures, creating ideal conditions for snowfall. In areas near Tabuk, including Jabal Al Lawz and the Trojena highlands, temperatures fell to around -4°C, allowing snow to settle at altitudes near 2,600 metres. Social media quickly filled with photos and videos showing the mountains blanketed in white, capturing the historic moment.

Residents of Tabuk and Hail have embraced the rare weather, stepping outside to ski, play, and capture the snowy scenery. Videos shared online show adults enjoying skiing, children playing in the snow, and even camels wandering across snow-covered desert plains beneath dark, dramatic clouds, a surreal scene that quickly went viral. The snowfall turned parts of the Kingdom into an unexpected winter playground, blending the familiar desert landscapes with a temporary, magical layer of ice and snow.Alongside the snow, the cold wave brought widespread rainfall to several regions, reinforcing the impact of the inclement weather. For many, the combination of freezing temperatures, snow-capped mountains, and sudden winter activities offered both excitement and disbelief, marking a rare and unforgettable moment in Saudi Arabia’s climate history

England find themselves at a crossroads after a disastrous Ashes 2025-26 campaign that has intensified scrutiny on the team’s leadership. With the Ashes slipping away following three successive defeats, pressure is mounting on head coach Brendon McCullum, whose once-celebrated philosophy is now being questioned by former players and fans alike.

‘Bazball’ under fire after England’s poor show down under

McCullum’s arrival had initially transformed England’s Test side, ushering in an aggressive, fearless brand of cricket that quickly earned global attention. The approach, popularly termed “Bazball,” brought early success and renewed excitement around the team. However, recent results suggest the edge has dulled. England’s inability to challenge Australia consistently has reignited debate over whether the method has been found out at the highest level.

The poor run has also placed captain Ben Stokes and the wider management group under the microscope, with critics arguing that tactical rigidity and mental lapses have cost England dearly in key moments of the series.

Monty Panesar calls for change at the top

Adding fuel to the discussion, former England spinner Monty Panesar has publicly suggested that the time may have come for a coaching change. Speaking in an interaction with KADAK, Panesar argued that England need a strategist with proven credentials against Australia.

“You have to think, who exactly knows how to beat Australia? How will you take advantage of their weaknesses mentally, physically, and tactically?” Panesar said.

He went on to back Ravi Shastri as the ideal candidate to take over the role.

“I think Ravi Shastri should become England’s next head coach,” added Panesar.

Also READ: ‘My role is to protect’: England captain Ben Stokes breaks silence on drinking controversy ahead of Boxing Day Test vs Australia

Why Ravi Shastri appeals as a candidate?

Shastri’s reputation as a coach was forged during his successful tenure with India, where he oversaw a period of sustained excellence, particularly in overseas conditions. Under his guidance, India became a formidable travelling side, shedding a long-standing reputation of inconsistency away from home.

One of the defining moments of Shastri’s coaching career came when India clinched the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia with a depleted squad, showcasing resilience, tactical clarity, and strong leadership. His partnership with then-captain Virat Kohli was widely credited for instilling belief and aggression in the Indian setup.

Also READ: Geoffrey Boycott proposes ‘two strong candidates’ to replace Brendon McCullum as England’s Test coach after Ashes 2025-26 defeat