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Race to Replace Daniel Craig as James Bond Heats Up
Entertainment

Race to Replace Daniel Craig as James Bond Heats Up

Speculation grows over who will play the next James Bond, with Jacob Elordi, Jack Lowden and Callum Turner reportedly among the frontrunners. The search for the next James Bond has reached fever pitch, with reports suggesting an announcement about who will take over from Daniel Craig may be close. Craig was the last actor confirmed in the part, back in 2005 - a gap of 21 years since the role was formally handed to a new performer. Jacob Elordi, Jack Lowden and Callum Turner are among the names reportedly in contention for one of cinema's most coveted assignments. The stakes are hard to overstate: across the entire official film series, only six actors have ever played 007, from Sean Connery through to Craig. That scarcity is what makes the part so unusual. As one measure of how rarely the role changes hands, the United Kingdom has cycled through more prime ministers in the past decade than the number of men who have played Bond on screen - and twice as many people have set foot on the Moon. Speculation over Craig's replacement has simmered for roughly six years, but it has grown louder as the reported announcement edges nearer. A crowded field of British and international actors has been floated, many of them known for recent breakout work in prestige television and major film franchises. The frontrunners Elordi rose to prominence as Nate Jacobs in the HBO drama Euphoria and took a leading turn as Felix Catton in the 2023 film Saltburn. Lowden currently plays River Cartwright in the Apple TV series Slow Horses, and has also appeared in the BBC's The Gold and in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Turner starred opposite Austin Butler in the Apple TV miniseries Masters of the Air and plays Theseus Scamander in the Fantastic Beasts films. Their names have surfaced repeatedly as the conversation has intensified. A deep bench of contenders Beyond the reported shortlist, a wider group of actors has been linked to the role. Paul Mescal, who first drew attention in the television adaptation of Normal People, has since reached a broader audience as Lucius in Gladiator II and as Will alongside Jessie Buckley in Hamnet. Jack O'Connell, who broke through as James Cook in the teen drama Skins, has more recently featured in 28 Years Later and SAS Rogue Heroes. Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who appears alongside O'Connell in 28 Years Later, has also been seen in Nosferatu, The Fall Guy and Tenet. Henry Cavill, perhaps best recognised as Clark Kent in 2013's Man of Steel and as Superman in the DC Universe, brings franchise pedigree from Enola Holmes, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Mission: Impossible - Fallout and The Witcher. Harris Dickinson, who played Carl in Triangle of Sadness and Samuel in Babygirl, is also in the mix, as is James Norton, whose credits span ITV's Grantchester, the BBC's Happy Valley and the role of Lord Ormund Hightower in House of the Dragon. Two lesser-known names round out the list. Tom Francis, better established on stage than screen, won the Olivier Award for Best Actor for Sunset Boulevard. Jack Barton, who appeared with O'Connell in SAS Rogue Heroes, has also taken roles in Poor Things, War of the Worlds and Heartstopper. For now, the studio has confirmed none of them. Until an announcement arrives, the identity of the seventh James Bond remains exactly what it has been for years - the subject of intense fan debate and no shortage of guesswork. next James Bond, Daniel Craig successor, Jacob Elordi Bond, James Bond casting, 007 actor, Jack Lowden, Callum Turner, Paul Mescal

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2 days ago
At least 10 dead in central Mexico festival fireworks blast
World

At least 10 dead in central Mexico festival fireworks blast

A burning straw bull effigy set off stored fireworks during a village festival in Temascalcingo, central Mexico, killing at least 10 and wounding 60. At least 10 people died and around 60 were hurt when a cache of fireworks blew up during a village celebration in central Mexico on Saturday, local authorities said. The blast tore through Santa Maria Canchesda, a community in the Temascalcingo municipality. According to accounts gathered by AFP, the disaster began with a traditional part of the festivities. Footage from the scene captured people parading a bull built from straw, with fireworks shooting out of the figure as they carried it. The flaming effigy is believed to have set off a much larger supply of fireworks kept inside the village church. The resulting explosion was powerful enough to bring down walls and start a blaze in the town square. Local reports described several victims pinned beneath debris that collapsed in the blast. The celebration was described as a customary ritual for the village. Such festivals across Mexico often feature pyrotechnics, and communities frequently store the materials nearby for the events. Two priests among the injured The Catholic diocese covering the neighbouring municipality of Atlacomulco confirmed that two of its priests were hurt in the incident. Both are expected to recover, the diocese said. In a message posted on social media, the diocese offered prayers for the dead and their relatives, along with the wounded and everyone left grieving or fearful in the aftermath. "We join together in prayer for those who have lost their lives, their families and loved ones, as well as those who were injured and all those who are experiencing moments of pain and worry today," it wrote. Mexico's Attorney General's Office said it had not yet established what triggered the explosion. Investigators have opened a formal inquiry into the events. A recurring danger The tragedy is the latest in a series of deadly fireworks accidents in the country. In July 2018, a blast at a pyrotechnics plant in Tultepec, a city north of Mexico City, claimed 24 lives. Two years before that, an explosion ripped through a fireworks market in the same city, killing 42 people. Authorities have not said whether any arrests will follow the latest incident, and the toll could change as rescue efforts continue and the injured are treated. Mexico fireworks explosion, Temascalcingo blast, Santa Maria Canchesda, burning bull effigy, festival explosion Mexico, Atlacomulco diocese, Mexico village festival

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2 days ago
Trump Floods Truth Social With AI Posts on 'New America', De Niro
OtherNews

Trump Floods Truth Social With AI Posts on 'New America', De Niro

Donald Trump posted a series of AI-generated images on Sunday, from meeting George Washington to renaming New Mexico and jabbing at Robert De Niro. US President Donald Trump published a rapid series of AI-generated posts on Truth Social on Sunday, ranging from an imagined meeting with George Washington to a pointed jibe at actor Robert De Niro. The images leaned heavily on patriotic themes and celebrated American dominance. One post targeted De Niro, a Hollywood actor and prominent supporter of the Democratic Party. It showed the actor holding a red Republican T-shirt printed with the words "Trump is my president." Washington, the first US president, featured in two of the posts. In one, Trump appeared riding a horse alongside the founding father against an eighteenth-century backdrop. In another, Trump was shown meeting Washington inside the White House, with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio seated beside him. Several posts reworked real geography. One image showed Trump renaming Canada's Lake Ontario as "Lake America." Another took aim at the name of the US state New Mexico, with Trump appearing to strike out "Mexico" and rename it "New America." The series reached beyond Earth. One post placed Trump on the Moon beside a US flag, with the declaration "The Moon is ours." Trump's recent focus on Iran also appeared in the run of images. One post showed a map of Iran shaped into a caricatured side profile of Trump, coloured in orange. Donald Trump, AI-generated images, Truth Social, Robert De Niro, George Washington, New America, Lake Ontario, New Mexico

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2 days ago
Sudden Heavy Rain Floods Rajamahendravaram Roads
OtherNews

Sudden Heavy Rain Floods Rajamahendravaram Roads

A sudden evening downpour with strong winds and thunder flooded main roads in Rajamahendravaram, leaving motorists and pedestrians struggling. Heavy rain struck Rajamahendravaram on Sunday evening, flooding several main roads across the Andhra Pradesh city. The downpour arrived suddenly, accompanied by strong winds, thunder and lightning. Water quickly collected on major routes, leaving stretches of road submerged. Motorists and pedestrians were left struggling to move through the affected areas. In some localities, poor drainage worsened the situation. With no proper system to carry the runoff away, rainwater backed up and spilled onto the roads, adding to the disruption during the evening. The rain brought a sharp change to the city's evening, combining wind, thunder and lightning in a short, intense spell that caught residents off guard. Rajamahendravaram rain, Rajamahendravaram flooding, Andhra Pradesh weather, waterlogged roads, heavy rain, drainage problems, monsoon

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2 days ago
Easidream: Womb-Mimicking Cot Mattress Set for October Launch
Health

Easidream: Womb-Mimicking Cot Mattress Set for October Launch

A British mother of six has invented the Easidream cot mattress, using inflatable pads and a mother's heartbeat to settle babies faster. A new cot mattress designed to recreate the feeling of the womb is set to go on sale in London this October, offering hard-pressed parents a fresh way to settle unsettled babies at night. The device, called Easidream, was created by Lynda Harding, a 44-year-old British mother of six. The system works through a set of inflatable pads that sit beneath a cot's standard mattress. The pads slowly take in air and then release it, producing a gentle rocking effect. According to its inventor, the design can cut the time it takes to settle a baby by as much as 90 percent. Harding said she came up with the idea after struggling to get her youngest son, Bradley, to sleep during his early months. She described the exhaustion of broken nights and said a product like this would have made a real difference to her at the time. Her hope, she said, is that it now helps other families facing the same struggle. Alongside the mattress, a soft toy sheep attaches to the side of the cot and plays audio meant to comfort the child. Parents can select the recorded sound of a mother's heartbeat or other options, including the hum of a vacuum cleaner and music. The rocking action also nudges infants to rest on their backs. That position is advised as the safest sleeping posture for babies under six months old. Researchers at the University of Brighton have built a working prototype of the product, which is scheduled to make its debut at the Baby Show in London in October. Jeanne Tarrant of the Royal College of Midwives said the approach fits with how young children typically respond to soothing cues. She noted that a mother's heartbeat and white noise often help babies drift off, and that gentle motion can have a similar calming effect. Anything that echoes the experience of being in the womb, she said, can be helpful. Easidream mattress, womb-mimicking cot, Lynda Harding, baby sleep aid, University of Brighton, Royal College of Midwives, safe infant sleep, Baby Show London

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2 days ago
Creator Anamika Exits Mirzapur Movie Over 'Drunk' Crowd
Entertainment

Creator Anamika Exits Mirzapur Movie Over 'Drunk' Crowd

Noida creator Anamika left a Mirzapur: The Movie screening, alleging drunk viewers and unhelpful theatre staff. Netizens backed her walkout. A Noida-based content creator named Anamika says she and a friend abandoned a screening of "Mirzapur: The Movie" midway on Saturday, blaming a group of allegedly drunk and disruptive audience members. The film opened in cinemas over the weekend. In a video posted the same day, Anamika stressed that the movie itself was not the problem. She said the pair stepped out of the auditorium because fellow viewers had turned up intoxicated. According to her account, several other unsettled patrons also left, demanding that the offending group be removed before anyone returned to their seats. She added that she and her friend had been enjoying the film before the disruption forced them out. A second video, filmed later that evening, described how the situation ended. Anamika said she and her friend chose to go home because staff at the venue offered no meaningful assistance and the hour was growing late. She took issue with the solutions on offer. Staff, she said, proposed moving her party to a different auditorium rather than ejecting the group causing trouble, and suggested she call the police helpline 100 herself. Anamika argued that handling the disturbance was the theatre management's job, not hers, and said the episode left her upset. She did not identify the cinema by name in her clip but tagged Wave Cinemas in the accompanying post. In further videos, she responded to both the encouragement and the pushback her original complaint attracted. Reaction online leaned in her favour. One commenter praised civility and civic sense as basic decency that makes shared spaces safer. Another said such scenes are common in theatres across tier-2 locations. "Mirzapur: The Movie" is positioned as an origin story, tracing the beginnings of the feud between the Tripathi and Pandit families that anchored the Amazon Prime Video series. Gurmeet Singh directed the film, with Puneet Krishna writing it. Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar produced the project under their Excel Entertainment banner. The film reunites Ali Fazal, Pankaj Tripathi and Divyenndu in their familiar roles. Jitendra Kumar steps into the part of Bablu Pandit, a character previously played by Vikrant Massey in the show. Mirzapur The Movie, Anamika Noida creator, Wave Cinemas, drunk moviegoers, theatre experience, Pankaj Tripathi, Excel Entertainment, Ali Fazal

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2 days ago
'GPT-6 Astra Trends in India as OpenAI Talk Spreads
Business

'GPT-6 Astra Trends in India as OpenAI Talk Spreads

The term 'GPT-6 Astra' is surging on Google Trends in India, with over 2,000 searches tied to OpenAI and its ChatGPT models. A search term tied to OpenAI is climbing fast in India. "GPT-6 Astra" has broken onto Google Trends in the country, logging more than 2,000 searches under the query "chatgpt gpt astra." The phrase is circulating alongside the description "GPT-6 Astra: A new generation of intelligence," linked to OpenAI, the company behind the ChatGPT chatbot and its GPT series of language models. The surge points to strong public curiosity in India about the next step in OpenAI's technology. Beyond the name and tagline, concrete details remain scarce. The available information does not confirm a release date, technical specifications, pricing or an official product announcement attached to the "GPT-6 Astra" label. What is clear is the scale of interest: the query has gathered enough momentum to register as a trending topic across Indian searches. Google Trends measures relative search interest, and a spot on its India charts signals that a large number of users are looking up the same phrase within a short window. In this case, that phrase couples the ChatGPT brand with a name, "Astra," and a generational claim about intelligence. Until OpenAI issues verified details, readers should treat the "GPT-6 Astra" name with caution. The trend confirms the appetite for information, not the arrival of a product. For now, the story is the search spike itself and the questions it raises about what OpenAI may release next. GPT-6 Astra, OpenAI, ChatGPT, Google Trends India, artificial intelligence, GPT-6, AI models

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2 days ago
Centre's Rs 35/kg Onion Sale Fails to Cool Retail Prices
Business

Centre's Rs 35/kg Onion Sale Fails to Cool Retail Prices

Despite selling 4,000 tonnes of buffer onions across 17 cities at Rs 35/kg, the all-India average has climbed to Rs 50.79/kg. Kharif relief awaited by mid-October. The Centre has drawn down its onion reserves to steady household budgets, yet the national retail average has climbed rather than fallen since the programme began. The all-India price now stands at Rs 50.79 per kg, up from Rs 48.5 per kg when the government started releasing stock on August 28, figures from the department of consumer affairs show. Over the first 10 days, agencies moved roughly 4,000 tonnes of buffer onions into 17 cities and sold them at Rs 35 per kg in price-sensitive locations. Consumer affairs secretary Nidhi Khare confirmed the volume to PTI on Sunday, saying the subsidised supply had eased pressure at the margins. City-level rates on September 5 underlined how uneven the market remains. Delhi shoppers paid Rs 58 per kg, Mumbai Rs 53, and Chennai Rs 63, while Ranchi sat lower at Rs 40. The wholesale average across the country was Rs 42.79 per kg. The releases are drawn from a 2026 buffer of 1.21 lakh tonnes, distributed through the National Cooperative Consumers' Federation (NCCF) and Nafed. Supplies are hauled from growing regions to demand centres by road and by a purpose-run rail service branded the "Kanda Express". Bulk loads have already reached Delhi and Chennai by rail, and Khare said a third rake was being packed for Guwahati within days. "The distribution of buffer onions has brought some relief to consumers. Prices have fallen slightly," Khare said. She added that the government stock matched what private traders were offering in both grade and volume. NCCF's Rs 35 counter NCCF has handled 1,500 tonnes of the total on its own, managing director Anice Joseph Chandra said. "So far, we have sold 1,500 tonnes of buffer onions in different cities across the country. The focus is on retail and selling at Rs 35 per kg," she said. The federation's counters are active across Delhi-NCR, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Rajasthan, Punjab, Odisha and several other states, with more state governments seeking to join. NCCF is routing the discounted stock through its own outlets, mobile vans, cooperative societies and platforms picked out by local administrations. Chandra estimated the effort had trimmed prices by Rs 2 to Rs 3 per kg. The Central Warehousing Corporation, named as the nodal agency, is sorting, grading, packing and transporting the stock to the states. Waiting on the kharif harvest Part of the strain traces back to the rabi crop, which is typically held in storage for release later in the year. Khare said untimely rains had damaged some of that harvest as it was being lifted from the fields, hurting its keeping quality. Attention has now turned to the incoming kharif crop, which officials described as promising. Fresh arrivals are expected to reach markets from mid-October, a supply boost that could loosen the current tightness and bring firmer relief on prices. onion prices, buffer stock, NCCF, Nafed, Kanda Express, kharif onion crop, consumer affairs, India food inflation

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2 days ago
1929 Oleander Hotel on Louisiana's Grand Isle to Become a Museum
World

1929 Oleander Hotel on Louisiana's Grand Isle to Become a Museum

Restore Grand Isle has raised about $400,000 to turn the 1929 Oleander Hotel into a cultural center and museum on Louisiana's Grand Isle. The Oleander Hotel, which first opened on Louisiana's Grand Isle in 1929, is being restored and repurposed as a museum and cultural center nearly a hundred years after it welcomed its first guests. The effort is being led by Restore Grand Isle, which plans to convert the aging landmark into the Grand Isle Cultural Center. The group intends the renovated building to serve three purposes: a visitor center, a space for community gatherings and a museum. So far, local supporters have contributed roughly $400,000 toward rescuing the structure. Grand Isle grew into a coastal resort town over the last century, earning a reputation for its fishing and maritime traditions and its distinctive natural surroundings. The Oleander stood as a surviving reminder of that era. But decades of exposure to the punishing Gulf Coast climate wore the building down, leaving it in need of major repair. Restore Grand Isle has finished the first phase of the work, stabilizing the structure to keep it protected while longer-term plans are drawn up. The organization is now preparing a full master plan to guide how the hotel will be rebuilt, adapted and cared for in the years ahead. Under the proposal, the Grand Isle Cultural Center would pair conservation of the old building with everyday public use. Planned exhibits would cover the island's fishing and maritime past, its long history as a place visitors traveled to, and the coastal environment that defines it. Organizers also envision the site hosting educational programs, community meetings and cultural events, rather than standing idle as a preserved relic. Fundraising continues Even with stabilization complete, a considerable amount of work is still required before the Oleander can reopen its doors to the public. Restore Grand Isle is appealing for further help from residents, local businesses, tourists and anyone with ties to the island. The money raised would pay for ongoing restoration and move the cultural-center plans closer to reality. The group points to the earlier $400,000 total as a sign of how much the community wants to keep the landmark standing. For Grand Isle, backers describe the project as more than fixing an old building. They see the Oleander as a direct connection to the many generations of islanders and travelers who shaped the town, and they hope its new form will carry that history forward. Should the restoration reach the finish line, the nearly century-old hotel would once again receive guests - this time not as a resort, but as a place to learn about the people, culture and landscape of Grand Isle. Oleander Hotel, Grand Isle, Louisiana, Restore Grand Isle, Grand Isle Cultural Center, historic preservation, maritime heritage, coastal museum

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2 days ago
Tata Launches Nexon-Based Osprey SUV in South Africa at ZAR 249,900
AutoMobiles

Tata Launches Nexon-Based Osprey SUV in South Africa at ZAR 249,900

Tata has launched the Osprey SUV in South Africa at ZAR 249,900 (Rs 14.8 lakh), a rebadged Nexon, alongside its new TATA.CARS global retail brand. Tata has launched the Osprey SUV in South Africa at a starting price of ZAR 249,900, equal to about Rs 14.80 lakh. The Osprey is the local name for the Tata Nexon, the compact SUV already sold in India. Tata has named the vehicle after the osprey, a migratory bird of prey known for its endurance and agility. The launch came alongside a second announcement: Tata unveiled TATA.CARS, a new global customer-facing retail brand. In South Africa, Tata sells through its distributor Motus Holdings, and the company says TATA.CARS will help strengthen its position in the market. The Osprey marks another step in Tata's return to South Africa. The company exited the market in 2019 and re-entered last year. Since coming back, it has built a line-up that includes the Harrier, Curvv, Punch, Tiago and the recently launched Nexon. The Osprey is brought into South Africa via the CBU (completely built unit) route. Most of its exterior features match the Nexon sold in India. The colour options are largely the same as well, though Tata has given them different names for the South African market. The shade sold as Pristine White in India, for example, is called First Light in South Africa. Single engine, three trims Unlike the Nexon in India, which offers several engine choices, the Osprey comes with only one: a 1.2-litre turbo petrol unit. It produces 120 PS and 170 Nm of torque. Buyers can choose a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCA) with paddle shifters. The 1.5-litre diesel and the CNG option available on the Indian Nexon are not part of the South African line-up. The Osprey is offered in three trims: Smart+, Creative and Creative+ PS. The entry Smart+ variant comes with a 7-inch Harman touchscreen, a full digital instrument cluster, two speakers, electrically operated door mirrors, power windows on all doors, steering-mounted controls, a Type-A USB charging port and follow-me-home headlamps. Its safety kit includes six airbags, electronic stability program and ISOFIX child-seat mounts. Features by variant The Creative variant adds rear air-conditioning vents, auto-folding door mirrors, a height-adjustable driver's seat, four speakers with two tweeters, an HD rear-view camera and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It also gets a larger 10.25-inch Harman touchscreen, fully automatic climate control and cruise control. On the safety side, the Creative brings a 360-degree surround-view system with a blind-view monitor. Other touches include a cooled glovebox, a hidden rear wiper and washer, both Type-A and Type-C USB charging ports and a touch-based control panel. The top Creative+ PS variant adds a voice-activated panoramic sunroof and a wireless charger. It also carries bi-function LED headlamps, front fog lamps with cornering function, a rear defogger and a rear seat armrest with cup holders. Its safety equipment includes a tyre pressure monitoring system, front parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers and automatic headlamps. One notable omission is ADAS. The advanced driver assistance features offered on the Nexon in India are not available on any Osprey variant in South Africa. Tata says the model's 5-star NCAP safety rating will still apply. The TATA.CARS retail brand launched with the Osprey covers Tata's full range of passenger cars, including hatchbacks, SUVs and sedans, across both internal combustion and electric segments. Tata Osprey, Tata Nexon South Africa, TATA.CARS, Osprey price, Tata South Africa, 1.2 turbo petrol, Motus Holdings, Tata SUV

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2 days ago
TVS Tops Two-Wheeler Sales for Second Month in August 2026
AutoMobiles

TVS Tops Two-Wheeler Sales for Second Month in August 2026

TVS retained the No. 1 spot in August 2026 with 5,91,437 units, edging Honda and Hero as India's top six brands sold 24.40 lakh two-wheelers. TVS Motor held on to the top of India's two-wheeler sales chart in August 2026, recording total sales of 5,91,437 units and a 20.51% year-on-year rise. It was the second month running that TVS led the overall rankings, after first taking the No. 1 position by total sales in July 2026. The result gave TVS a 24.23% share among the country's six largest two-wheeler makers. Honda finished second with 5,79,162 units, up 8.28% year-on-year, while Hero MotoCorp came third at 5,68,398 units, a 2.65% increase. Just 23,039 units separated TVS and Hero, underlining how tight the contest at the top has become. Together, the top six brands sold 24,40,653 two-wheelers during the month, spanning both domestic and export markets. That was up 12.96% from 21,60,690 units a year earlier, and 4.77% higher than in July 2026. Hero Leads at Home, Honda Close Behind In the domestic market alone, Hero MotoCorp remained the largest manufacturer with 5,42,305 units. Its domestic sales rose 4.46% from 5,19,139 units a year earlier and were up 8.16% over July. Honda stayed within striking distance at 5,17,329 units, growing 7.55% year-on-year and 8.58% month-on-month. The gap between the two brands was just 24,976 units. TVS ranked third in the domestic market with 4,33,796 units. It posted a strong 17.60% year-on-year increase, though sales slipped 0.82% compared with July. Bajaj followed with 2,01,898 units, up 9.66% year-on-year and 21.81% month-on-month. Royal Enfield sold 1,14,204 units domestically, a rise of 11.01% year-on-year. Suzuki was close behind with 1,13,936 units, up 10.49%. Bajaj Dominates Exports The order shifts sharply once exports are counted. Bajaj was by far the largest exporter, shipping 2,41,850 units overseas in August. Its exports surged 53.28% year-on-year and 8.47% over July, handing Bajaj a 46.76% share of exports among the six brands. TVS was second in exports with 1,57,641 units, up 29.29% year-on-year but down 4.89% from July. Honda exported 61,833 units, a 14.85% year-on-year gain. Hero's exports fell 24.56% year-on-year to 26,093 units, and Suzuki's dropped 21.58% to 17,493 units. Royal Enfield exported 12,275 motorcycles, up 10.33% year-on-year. A Narrow Race at the Top The combination of solid domestic volumes and large exports is what pushed TVS ahead in the overall standings, even though Hero continues to lead the far bigger home market. Bajaj, buoyed by its export strength, ranked fourth overall at 4,43,748 units and recorded the strongest year-on-year growth among the top four at 29.79%. Suzuki finished fifth in total sales with 1,31,429 units, and Royal Enfield sixth with 1,26,479 units. With the leaders separated by tens of thousands of units and export performance now shaping the rankings as much as domestic demand, the monthly battle between TVS, Honda and Hero looks set to remain closely fought. two wheeler sales August 2026, TVS Motor sales, Hero MotoCorp, Honda two wheeler, Bajaj exports, Royal Enfield sales, Indian two wheeler market, Suzuki two wheeler

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2 days ago
2026 Maruti Baleno Launched at Rs 6.10 Lakh With Level 2 ADAS
AutoMobiles

2026 Maruti Baleno Launched at Rs 6.10 Lakh With Level 2 ADAS

Maruti Suzuki has launched the 2026 Baleno from Rs 6.10 lakh, adding Level 2 ADAS, a new Z12E engine and up to 24.77 kmpl mileage. Bookings open at Rs 11,000. Maruti Suzuki has rolled out the updated 2026 Baleno in India, with ex-showroom prices beginning at Rs 6.10 lakh. Buyers can reserve the premium hatchback for a token payment of Rs 11,000. The refreshed model arrives with a reworked exterior, a wider equipment list, Level 2 driver-assistance technology and a new Z12E petrol engine tuned for better economy. Maruti has kept the car's broad shape unchanged but reworked much of what it carries. Ventilated front seats, a tyre pressure monitoring system, wireless phone charging and a fresh audio setup are among the fresh inclusions. Level 2 ADAS Arrives on the Baleno The standout change is the arrival of Level 2 advanced driver assistance, which pairs radar and camera inputs. The suite covers Advanced Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Departure Prevention, High Beam Assist and Vehicle Sway Warning. On the passive safety side, every Baleno now ships with six airbags, ESP, ABS with EBD and Hill Hold Control. The list also runs to reverse parking sensors, an Emergency Stop Signal, three-point seatbelts, seatbelt reminders and the newly fitted tyre pressure monitor. NEXWave Grille and a Redesigned Nose Most of the visual updates sit at the front. The car adopts a broader take on the NEXWave grille, marked by 3D detailing and horizontal chrome strips, while the front bumper and lower grille have been reshaped. A chrome fender garnish and a shark-fin antenna join the mix, and the existing LED daytime running lamps carry over. Seven paint options are on offer, among them a new shade called Enigmatic Teal. The dimensions stay compact. The Baleno measures 3,990 mm in length, 1,745 mm in width and 1,530 mm in height, riding on a 2,520 mm wheelbase. Inside, the cabin gets a dual-tone treatment with piano-black trim and leatherette seats. Alongside the ventilated front seats, the interior adds a Clarion premium sound system and a Qi-certified wireless charger with active cooling. Top variants continue to include a Head-Up Display and a 360-degree camera. A 9-inch SmartPlay Pro+ touchscreen handles infotainment, with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Suzuki Connect brings more than 40 connected-car functions. Wheel sizes shift by trim: the Sigma and Delta run 185/65 R15 steel wheels, while the Zeta, Alpha and Alpha (O) get 195/55 R16 alloys. New Z12E Engine Lifts Economy The most significant mechanical update is the switch to Maruti's Z12E unit. The 1,197cc petrol engine puts out 61 kW, or 82.93 PS, at 5,700 rpm and 112.4 Nm at 4,500 rpm, and comes with Idle Start-Stop and Dual VVT. Drivers can pick a 5-speed manual or the AGS automatic. Maruti claims 23.80 km/l with the manual and 24.77 km/l with the AGS, gains of 6.4% and 7.9% over the outgoing model. The petrol tank holds 37 litres. The S-CNG variant sticks with the same 1,197cc Z12E engine and a 5-speed manual. Running on CNG, output falls to 69.75 PS and 101.8 Nm, while the claimed figure reaches 33.61 km/kg, up 9.8% on the earlier version. The CNG model adds a 55-litre water-equivalent gas tank. With Level 2 ADAS, ventilated seats and the more efficient Z12E engine, the update moves past a simple styling tweak. Priced from Rs 6.10 lakh, the Baleno stays aimed at buyers seeking a premium hatchback loaded with technology and convenience features. 2026 Maruti Baleno, Baleno Level 2 ADAS, Baleno Z12E engine, Baleno mileage, Maruti Suzuki hatchback, Baleno price, Baleno CNG, Baleno features

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2 days ago
Mbappe Rated 1/10 as Real Madrid Fall 1-0 to Betis
Sports

Mbappe Rated 1/10 as Real Madrid Fall 1-0 to Betis

Real Madrid lose 1-0 at Real Betis, their first defeat of the season. Kylian Mbappe misses a late penalty and draws savage 1/10 ratings; Mourinho defends him Real Madrid lost for the first time this season on Friday, going down 1-0 at Real Betis, and Kylian Mbappe walked away with the sharpest criticism after missing a stoppage-time penalty. The French forward, expected to spearhead the attack, instead became the central talking point once the whistle blew at the Estadio La Cartuja. Troy Parrott decided the contest in the 81st minute. Thibaut Courtois pushed away a strong effort, but the ball dropped straight back into a crowded area, and the former Tottenham striker steered it home from short range. The goal handed Betis a memorable win and ended the unbeaten run Real Madrid had enjoyed under Jose Mourinho. The visitors twice went close to a leveller in the closing stages. Seven minutes after falling behind, substitute Carlos Espi produced a bicycle kick that beat the goalkeeper, only for officials to disallow it. Then, in the third minute of added time, Real Madrid were given a penalty. Mbappe stepped up and failed to score. Real Madrid argued the spot-kick should have been taken again, pointing to what they saw as encroachment from Betis defender Marc Bartra. Referees let the original outcome stand, and the home side saw out the remaining moments to secure the result. The 1/10 and 2/10 verdicts Media in both Spain and France turned on Mbappe. The French publication Journal du Real awarded him 2/10, saying he had not risen to the occasion or led the side, and calling it a display best forgotten. Le Parisien described it as an unusually flat evening, taking aim at his half-hearted pressing and the lack of sharpness in his play. Spanish coverage cut deeper. ELDesmarque gave the striker a bare 1/10, labelling him selfish with the ball in threatening positions and dismissing his finishing as careless. The scores rank among the worst Mbappe has received since joining Real Madrid. Mourinho points at the collective Mourinho declined to add to the criticism, instead spreading responsibility across the squad and questioning how his players handled the game. "The team played a great game," he told reporters. "Sometimes you lose and you don't know why or how to explain it." The manager suggested his opponents had simply been shrewder. "The Betis players are smarter than the Real Madrid players, who are pure, naive," he said. He was especially annoyed by early challenges, insisting Betis should have been booked for fouls on Federico Valverde and Vinicius Jr. "In the first play of the game, it was a clear yellow card for a player who fouled Valverde, and then another yellow for a player who committed a serious foul on Vini Jr," Mourinho said. He felt his own players were too accepting when opponents tried to sway the referee, and he framed that restraint as a lack of cunning rather than a flaw in character. "We're naive in the sense that Betis players try to influence the referee's decision over the smallest things," he added. "Real Madrid players, in situations that should warrant a yellow card, like when he stepped on Valverde, stayed on their feet. That's worthy of a Real Madrid captain." Asked directly about the penalty, the manager refused to single out his forward. "And the missed penalty is like I always say: when one of us goes to take a penalty, we all go together," he said. He also credited the Betis crowd, describing a fanbase that pushes and pressures to help produce moments like these. The defeat leaves Real Madrid exposed at the top. Barcelona can open a three-point gap over their rivals if they beat Valencia on Sunday evening. Mbappe, meanwhile, will have to answer the ratings on the pitch, though his manager has already made clear he views the loss as a shared one rather than the fault of a single player.. Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid, Real Betis, Jose Mourinho, Troy Parrott, penalty miss, La Liga, player ratings

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2 days ago
Best Gaming Laptops Under Rs. 1.5 Lakh in India Right Now
Technology

Best Gaming Laptops Under Rs. 1.5 Lakh in India Right Now

Five gaming laptops under Rs. 1.5 lakh in India from Dell, Asus, HP, Lenovo and Acer, with prices, processors, GPUs and display specs compared. Shoppers in India with a budget of Rs. 1,50,000 have several capable gaming laptops to choose from, spanning Dell, Acer, Asus and Lenovo. Each ships with a dedicated Nvidia graphics card, a high-refresh-rate screen and Windows 11. Recent increases in memory component prices have begun to reach the market, but the options below still run popular games while staying within the cap. Prices in this segment range from Rs. 94,999 for the Acer ALG to Rs. 1,49,990 for the Asus TUF Gaming F16. The Dell Alienware 16 Aurora offers the sharpest screen of the group, a 16-inch 2.5K panel, while the HP Victus 15.6 carries the newest graphics chip, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5050. Here is how the five models compare. Dell Alienware 16 Aurora and Asus TUF Gaming F16 The Dell Alienware 16 Aurora sells for Rs. 1,47,990 in an Interstellar Indigo colour. It pairs an Intel Core 7 240H processor with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 GPU that has 6GB of GDDR6 memory. The machine ships with 16GB of DDR5 RAM as two 8GB modules and 1TB of M.2 PCIe NVMe storage. Its 16-inch 2.5K screen uses a 16:10 aspect ratio, an anti-glare finish and 300 nits of brightness. A 96Whr battery, an HD camera and dual-array microphones round out the package, and it arrives on Windows 11 Home. The Asus TUF Gaming F16 (FX607VJR-TU325WS), listed at Rs. 1,49,990 in Mecha Grey, runs an Intel Core 5 205H chip alongside the same RTX 3050 with 6GB of GDDR6. Its 16-inch full-HD+ WUXGA display refreshes at 144Hz, keeps a 16:10 ratio and posts a 3ms response time. The laptop starts with 16GB of DDR5-5600 memory across two SO-DIMM slots, expandable to 64GB, plus a 512GB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD. It includes a 720p camera and a 56Whr battery, and it too runs Windows 11 Home. HP Victus 15.6 and Lenovo LOQ 14th Gen The HP Victus 15.6 (fb3096AX) is priced at Rs. 1,39,999 on HP's India website in a Mica Silver finish. It is built around an AMD Ryzen 7 260 processor whose Ryzen AI NPU handles 16 TOPS for AI tasks. Graphics come from an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5050 with 8GB of GDDR7, the most recent GPU among these picks. The 15.6-inch full-HD IPS screen runs at 144Hz with 300 nits and an 82.23 percent screen-to-body ratio. It carries a single 16GB DDR5-5600 module, a 512GB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD, a 70Wh battery, a 200W adapter and dual speakers tuned with DTS:X Ultra and HP Audio Boost. The Lenovo LOQ 14th Gen (15-inch, Intel) is the most affordable of the two at Rs. 1,30,991 in Luna Grey. It can be configured up to an Intel Core i7-14700HX and an RTX 4060 with 8GB of GDDR6, with RTX 4050 and RTX 3050 options also offered. Buyers can fit up to 16GB of 5600MHz DDR5 across two SO-DIMM slots and up to a 1TB M.2 2242 PCIe Gen 4 SSD, with two SSD slots for expansion. The 15.6-inch IPS panel reaches WQHD resolution, 350 nits and full sRGB coverage on the higher variant. It adds dual 2W Nahimic speakers, a camera up to 1080p with a privacy shutter and a 60Whr battery, and it can run Windows 11 Pro. Acer ALG The Acer ALG (AL15G-53) is the budget entry at Rs. 94,999, sold through Acer's India website in Titanium Gray. It uses an Intel Core 7 240H processor and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 with 6GB of GDDR6. The laptop comes with 16GB of DDR4 SODIMM memory, upgradable to 64GB, and a 512GB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD in one of two M.2 slots, with room for up to 2TB. Its 15.6-inch full-HD display runs at 144Hz in a 16:9 ratio. A 54Wh battery, a 150W adapter and Windows 11 Home complete the specifications. gaming laptops India, gaming laptop under 1.5 lakh, Dell Alienware 16 Aurora, Asus TUF Gaming F16, HP Victus 15.6, Lenovo LOQ, Acer ALG, RTX 5050 laptop

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2 days ago
Kia Shows First Flex-Fuel Car for India: Syros E100 Concept
AutoMobiles

Kia Shows First Flex-Fuel Car for India: Syros E100 Concept

Kia has revealed its Syros Flex Fuel Concept in India, a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol demonstrator able to run on anything from pure petrol to E100 ethanol. Kia has unveiled the Syros Flex Fuel Vehicle Concept in India, its first flexible-fuel car aimed at the Indian market. The company presented the concept at its Sorento launch event, where it stood alongside the new Carnival Hybrid and Carens CNG. The demonstrator is built to run on pure petrol, pure ethanol, and any petrol-ethanol mixture in between, stretching all the way to E100 fuel. For now, the Syros Flex Fuel is only a technology showcase. Kia has given no date for a production model and has not confirmed that the car will ever reach showrooms. The company has framed it as proof that its powertrain can handle the higher ethanol content that India may adopt in the years ahead. What Kia changed under the bonnet The concept is driven by a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder direct-injection turbo-petrol engine. Kia has kept power and torque numbers under wraps. To let the motor cope with fuel that swings between petrol and ethanol in varying proportions, engineers reworked the engine control unit, the transmission control unit, and the fuel system. The gearbox is also new. Where the regular Syros turbo-petrol pairs its engine with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, the flex-fuel version switches to a six-speed torque-converter automatic. Together, these revisions let the car read and adjust to whatever blend sits in the tank. A response to India's ethanol drive The reveal lands as New Delhi presses ahead with wider use of ethanol in road fuel. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has championed flex-fuel technology, tying it to the goal of cutting the country's reliance on imported crude oil. Regulation has begun to catch up. In May 2026, the government issued standards for higher ethanol-petrol blends. That was followed in June by the approval of rules governing E100-compatible vehicles. The Syros Flex Fuel Concept offers an early look at how Kia might react if such blends spread across the country. India's pumps currently supply E20 fuel, well below the levels the concept is engineered to accept. Rivals lining up their own flex-fuel models Kia joins a growing field. Maruti Suzuki has already put its Wagon R Flex Fuel on sale, and other carmakers are building comparable systems. Toyota has run flex-fuel demonstrations in India before, and Tata Motors is tipped to bring a flex-fuel model to market in late 2026 or early 2027. Hyundai, MG, and Mahindra are also studying or developing the technology. Kia sees the Syros as a natural test bed. The model already carries a compact turbo-petrol engine, which made it straightforward to adapt for alternative fuels. Even so, the company has stopped short of promising a production launch. The concept stands as a statement of intent, signalling that Kia wants to be ready should Indian rules one day require vehicles to run on far higher ethanol blends than they do today. Kia Syros Flex Fuel, flex fuel car India, E100 ethanol vehicle, Kia Syros turbo petrol, ethanol blended fuel, Nitin Gadkari flex fuel, India ethanol policy, flexible fuel vehicle concept

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3 days ago