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Harry Brook Smashes 42-Ball Century Against Sri Lanka
Sports

Harry Brook Smashes 42-Ball Century Against Sri Lanka

Harry Brook reached his hundred off just 42 balls against Sri Lanka, the joint-second fastest T20I century by an England batter. Harry Brook reached a century off just 42 balls for England against Sri Lanka, recording the joint-second fastest hundred by an England batter in a men's Twenty20 international. The innings came in the first T20I between the two sides Brook's hundred stands among the quickest England has produced in the format, matching the second-fastest mark set by an Englishman in a T20I. His scoring rate carried the innings, with commentators describing the effort as sensational as he moved to three figures at close to a run every ball faced. The knock drew praise from former England captain Michael Vaughan, who said Brook is a batter capable of winning matches on his own. It is an assessment that reflected the tempo of an innings built on clean, aggressive strokeplay from the outset. England head coach Brendon McCullum also spoke about Brook, defending the batter and calling his cricket outstanding. McCullum said the team had dealt with recent matters surrounding the player, keeping the focus on his performances on the field. The match was the opening fixture of England's T20I series against Sri Lanka. Brook's rapid century set the tone for the contest and reinforced his standing as one of England's most destructive short-format batters. By reaching the milestone in 42 deliveries, Brook placed his name alongside the fastest hundreds an England player has struck in the format. The innings underlined the attacking approach England have adopted in white-ball cricket and the threat Brook poses at the top of an order built for quick runs. England continue their series against Sri Lanka, with Brook's early-series statement providing momentum. The strength of the innings, its speed and its impact left little doubt about the form the batter carried into the fixtures. Harry Brook, England cricket, Sri Lanka T20I, fastest T20I century, 42-ball hundred, Brendon McCullum, England men's cricket, T20 international

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1 month ago
Microsoft Sets October 7 Windows and Surface Event in San Francisco
Technology

Microsoft Sets October 7 Windows and Surface Event in San Francisco

Microsoft will host a Windows and Surface event on October 7 in San Francisco, with Satya Nadella and Nvidia's Jensen Huang attending to discuss local AI. Microsoft will hold a major Windows and Surface event in San Francisco on October 7, its first big Windows showcase in more than two years. The company says the gathering will center on a "conversation on how local AI will shape the next chapter of the PC." The event begins at 10AM PT / 1PM ET. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella will attend, alongside Pavan Davuluri, the executive who leads both Windows and Surface. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is also set to appear, an unusual guest for a Windows event and a signal of where the focus may land. Huang's presence points to RTX Spark PCs as a likely centerpiece of the presentation. If that holds, the event could also bring new details on pricing and availability for the Microsoft Surface Laptop Ultra. Beyond hardware, Microsoft is expected to spend time on quality improvements to Windows and to outline what comes next for the operating system. A surprise reveal of Windows 12 is not anticipated. The October 7 date ends a long gap between flagship Windows events. Microsoft last held a major one in May 2024, when it unveiled Arm-based Copilot Plus PCs and highlighted a renewed partnership with Qualcomm. Before that, the company used a June 2021 live stream to announce Windows 11. The San Francisco event puts local AI - processing handled on the device rather than in the cloud - at the heart of Microsoft's pitch for the future of the PC. Microsoft Windows event, Surface October 7, Satya Nadella, Pavan Davuluri, Jensen Huang, local AI PC, RTX Spark PC, Surface Laptop Ultra

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1 month ago
Ramaphosa Vows Justice as Seven Women Found Dead Near Kempton Park
World

Ramaphosa Vows Justice as Seven Women Found Dead Near Kempton Park

South Africa's president pledges action after seven women's bodies are found near Kempton Park. Police probe whether a group is behind the killings. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has promised that "no stone will be left unturned" in the hunt for whoever is responsible for the deaths of several women found in and around Kempton Park, a town north-east of Johannesburg. The killings have occurred over roughly the past two months, and a fresh discovery on Tuesday morning has widened the scope of the case. Police now say their investigation covers the deaths of seven women, most of whom were found either partly or completely unclothed. "These incidents are causing fear and uncertainty in our communities, and especially among women," Ramaphosa said. He added that he had ordered the cases to be treated as a priority, saying law enforcement was "working urgently to establish the facts, keep communities safe and bring the perpetrator or perpetrators to justice." Investigators have stopped short of describing the crimes as the work of a single serial killer. Instead, they are weighing the possibility that a group of people may be responsible. "[It] could be that it's a copycat crime that is happening right here but so far, no linkages as yet," police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe said. One person has been arrested over the discovery of the first body and remains in custody. Only two of the seven victims have been named so far. On Monday, police confirmed that one of them was Elizabeth Moselakgomo, a 38-year-old whose disappearance last week set off an anxious and highly public search. Her young daughter first alerted others after Moselakgomo did not come home from her regular run last Wednesday. Her body was recovered on Saturday, and relatives identified her two days later. A timeline stretching back to July The earliest of the bodies now under investigation was found in mid-July, followed by a second in late August. The remaining discoveries came this month, including two within the past two days. On Tuesday, officers said the body of a woman recovered on 7 September in a town near Kempton Park had also been folded into the inquiry, raising the count to seven. Acting Gauteng police chief Maj-Gen Fred Kekana said the wider pattern only became clear once officers began reviewing earlier reports. "After noticing that there are bodies being picked up, we went back to our police stations... and unfortunately it came to light that a body of a female in her late 20s was observed in a river next to a mall," he told a briefing. Kempton Park sits beside South Africa's busiest international airport, and police have appealed to women in the area to steer clear of walking or running by themselves, "particularly in isolated areas." The warning followed a series of finds that have unsettled residents and drawn sustained criticism of the authorities. Anger over protection of women The deaths have triggered public outrage, with many accusing officials of failing to keep women safe. South Africa records some of the highest rates of gender-based violence anywhere in the world. According to UN Women, women there are killed at a rate five times the global average. The country's Commission for Gender Equality called on people living in Kempton Park to cooperate with investigators in tracking down those responsible. "These deaths are indicative that women in South Africa continue to face environments in which their ordinary freedom of movement can become a matter of life and death," the commission said. For now, key questions remain open. Police have not established a firm link between the seven cases, five of the victims are still unidentified, and it is not yet clear whether a single suspect, a group, or separate offenders imitating one another are behind the deaths. The single arrest so far relates only to the first body found in July, leaving the more recent killings without a named suspect. Ramaphosa framed the response as a test of the state's ability to protect its citizens, tying the Kempton Park cases to a broader crisis. His pledge that authorities would leave nothing unexamined now rests on an investigation that has expanded almost daily, with each new discovery adding pressure on police to explain how so many women came to be found dead in the same corner of Gauteng within weeks of one another. Kempton Park killings, Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africa women deaths, gender-based violence South Africa, Elizabeth Moselakgomo, Johannesburg crime, Gauteng police, serial killer investigation

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1 month ago
Marvel's Wolverine Reimagines Logan in a World Without X-Men
World

Marvel's Wolverine Reimagines Logan in a World Without X-Men

Marvel's Wolverine, Insomniac's PlayStation follow-up to Spider-Man, sets Logan in Earth-1048 with Team X. Director Mike Daly calls it "unapologetically violent." Insomniac Games is bringing Wolverine to PlayStation in a new AAA title that reworks the character's origins and relationships, placing him inside the studio's own corner of the Marvel multiverse. Game director Mike Daly and Eric Monacelli, executive producer at Marvel Games, described the project as one that leans hard into the character's ferocity while reaching for something beyond the carnage. Marvel's Wolverine is Insomniac's follow-up to its Spider-Man video game series, and it unfolds on Earth-1048, the same continuity the studio built for those games. In this version of the world, the X-Men do not exist and the mutant population has dwindled. Logan, voiced by Liam McIntyre, has spent three years alone before the story pulls him back into action. That return centers on Team X, a mutant strike force the game frames as Logan's found family. The unit includes Mystique, also known as Raven, voiced by Nicole Pacent, and Sabertooth, or Victor, voiced by Brett Gipson. The group's leader and benefactor is Nathaniel Essex, voiced by Troy Baker. Trask, the Reavers and The Hand The plot opens as a rescue mission. Essex has been taken by Bolivar Trask, a mutant-hating scientist who develops the Sentinel program and commands a force of cybernetic mercenaries called the Reavers. What begins as an extraction quickly widens into a larger conspiracy that drops Logan into the path of the ninja clan known as The Hand. That escalating conflict pushes Logan to question his place among mutants and drags up revelations about his past, forcing him to reckon with who he really is. The character's history has long allowed him to shift roles, and the game draws on that flexibility, remixing familiar pieces of his background to redefine him for this setting. "Unapologetically violent" Combat sits at the center of the experience, and the developers made no effort to soften it. The game does not hold back on action or bloodshed. Players looking to command Wolverine's berserker mode will find plenty of it, from tearing Reavers apart to impaling Hand ninjas on their own swords. Daly said the team treated brutality as a matter of honesty about the character. "We wanted to be unapologetically violent and honest with how that character would behave," he said, describing one of the core principles behind the combat design. Still, the developers stressed that the violence is not the point on its own. Wolverine, they argued, is not simply an animal, and the story carries stakes beyond the body count. The game aims to dig into the human side of Logan, the quality the team credits for keeping the character resonant across decades. Wolverine first appeared roughly 50 years ago and was not initially expected to endure. He went on to become one of Marvel's most popular and durable creations, cycling through roles as adversary, agent, samurai, X-Man, Avenger and more. That adaptability, rather than his adamantium skeleton or healing factor, is what the game's makers point to as the reason he has stayed in the conversation for more than five decades. By setting the story in a world stripped of the X-Men and thin on mutants, Insomniac isolates Logan from the ensemble that usually surrounds him. The choice puts the weight of the narrative on the character himself and on the small circle of Team X, testing his loyalties as the conspiracy deepens. For Insomniac, the project extends a partnership with Marvel that has already produced multiple Spider-Man titles on PlayStation. With Wolverine, the studio turns to a figure defined as much by his rage as by his search for identity, betting that both sides of the character can carry a full game. Marvel's Wolverine, Insomniac Games, PlayStation, Mike Daly, Earth-1048, Team X, Liam McIntyre, Marvel Games

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1 month ago
NFL Week 2 Schedule Searches Surge in India
Sports

NFL Week 2 Schedule Searches Surge in India

Searches for the 2026 NFL Week 2 schedule are trending in India, with the query "nfl schedule this week" drawing 100+ searches on Google Trends. Interest in the National Football League is climbing in India as the 2026 season moves into its second week. The search query "nfl schedule this week" is now trending on Google Trends India, registering more than 100 searches and pointing to strong demand for Week 2 fixture information among Indian users. The surge centres on the 2026 Week 2 Game Hub, a round-up of the week's matchups tracked in coverage from Fantasy Points. The spike shows that a share of the audience following the schedule is doing so with fantasy football in mind, using the fixtures to set line-ups and plan roster decisions for the round. Google Trends measures the relative popularity of search terms rather than a precise count, and a "100+" reading marks a query that has broken through against its usual baseline. The appearance of an NFL schedule search among trending topics in India signals that the league is drawing attention well beyond its home market in the United States. The timing is straightforward. With Week 1 complete, fans turn to the next slate of games, and searches for the upcoming schedule typically climb as the round approaches. For now, the trend itself is the story: the 2026 Week 2 Game Hub has become a live reference point for Indian viewers checking when this week's games are played. NFL Week 2 2026, NFL schedule this week, 2026 Week 2 Game Hub, NFL India, Google Trends India, fantasy football Week 2, NFL fixtures

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1 month ago
U.S. Moves to Seize $61 Million in Crypto Tied to Iranian Oil
Business

U.S. Moves to Seize $61 Million in Crypto Tied to Iranian Oil

Federal prosecutors in New York filed a civil forfeiture claim over $61 million in cryptocurrency, alleging it stems from black-market Iranian oil sold to China. "binance exchange" Federal prosecutors in New York are moving to take control of $61 million in cryptocurrency they say came from illegal sales of sanctioned Iranian crude oil and refined petroleum. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York filed a civil forfeiture complaint arguing the digital funds trace back to a laundering operation that ultimately served Iran's government and armed forces. According to the complaint, Tehran leaned on a web of cryptocurrency operators based in China and other countries to move more than $1.5 billion in oil revenue through concealed channels. Prosecutors say the money was earmarked for the Iranian government, its military and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. "Today we are seizing and seeking to forfeit more than $61 million of the Government of Iran's money, which otherwise would have promoted hostile military action and terrorist attacks against the U.S. and our allies," Deputy U.S. Attorney Sean S. Buckley said in a statement. Two Chinese firms named The filing identifies two Chinese companies, Blessed Trust and Hexa Whale, as central to the scheme. Prosecutors say the pair held trading accounts on the Binance exchange and used them to wash the proceeds of black-market oil deals, steering the cash toward Iran's government, its agents and its proxies to bankroll militant and other state activity. Blessed Trust presents itself as a wealth-management and virtual-asset custody business, the complaint says. In practice, prosecutors allege, it took in and passed along the tainted money while running "on-ramp" services that let clients swap traditional currency for digital tokens. Some of those conversions ran through cryptocurrency issuers based in the United States. Hexa Whale offered comparable services and worked alongside Blessed Trust and its associates. The complaint states that both firms tapped the American financial system to move tens of millions of dollars as part of the operation. Clients of the two companies include businesses operating in China's petroleum sector. A Binance spokesperson said the exchange rejects any involvement in sanctions breaches. "Binance has zero tolerance for sanctions violations or illicit activity, and Binance did not permit any transactions with sanctioned individuals," the spokesperson said, adding that the company would keep assisting investigators and would restrict, freeze or close accounts and file reports to authorities when it spots sanctions or illicit-finance risks. Hexa Whale and Blessed Trust could not be reached for comment. Tether to swap the tokens To hand the assets over to the government, Tether Ltd. plans to destroy the tokens sitting in the targeted wallet addresses and mint fresh tokens of equal value, which will then pass into U.S. custody, according to the complaint. Tether did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The action follows a broader push by Washington to choke off Iran's oil revenue. In April, U.S. officials imposed sanctions on a small independent Chinese refinery, known in the industry as a "teapot," and cautioned banks that they risk penalties for doing business with Chinese refiners that handle Iranian crude. The pressure comes as China remains the dominant destination for Iran's oil exports. Reporting has pointed to China taking in more than 80% of Iran's shipped oil in 2025, averaging about 1.4 million barrels a day. A Sept. 10 account also described Iran using a barter-style setup to dodge sanctions on its oil, trading crude for billions of dollars in Chinese goods. Iranian oil sanctions, crypto forfeiture, Binance, Tether, IRGC financing, cryptocurrency money laundering, Southern District of New York, Iran China oil trade

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1 month ago
Cruz Azul's Alan Mozo Targets Messi and Inter Miami in Campeones Cup
Sports

Cruz Azul's Alan Mozo Targets Messi and Inter Miami in Campeones Cup

Cruz Azul defender Alan Mozo says winning the 2026 Campeones Cup against Lionel Messi's Inter Miami is his top goal ahead of Wednesday's clash in Florida. Cruz Azul defender Alan Mozo has declared that winning the 2026 Campeones Cup is his main objective, issuing a confident message to Lionel Messi and Inter Miami before the two sides meet in Florida this Wednesday. The Liga MX champions travel to Nu Stadium to face their Major League Soccer counterparts, with Mozo chasing what he described as the club's first international title. Speaking to Record, the right-back left no doubt about his priorities for the campaign. "My primary goal is to be champion in the Campeones Cup. We play against Inter Miami. I think it's the first international title, one more for this great club," he said. The Campeones Cup is an annual match that pits the reigning champions of North America's two leading leagues against each other, with the MLS side handed home advantage. That format sends coach Joel Huiqui's Cruz Azul to Florida to take on Inter Miami on their own ground. Mexican clubs go into the fixture with a narrow historical lead. Teams from Liga MX have lifted the trophy four times, against three wins for American sides. Cruz Azul will aim to widen that gap on Wednesday. Mozo's team arrive in strong form. Last weekend they beat rivals Club America 4-3 in the Clasica Joven, a result that has lifted momentum ahead of the trip north. The defender has become a regular in Huiqui's back line since joining the reigning Mexican champions. Inter Miami, by contrast, head into the match after a difficult run in their domestic league. Despite that dip, the hosts field a squad packed with experience, built around Messi, Luis Suarez, Rodrigo De Paul and Casemiro. Mozo also spoke about how quickly he agreed to sign for Cruz Azul. "I didn't have to analyse anything at all. They told me: 'Cruz Azul could be on the table' and I honestly said: 'Make it happen'," he revealed. He framed the move as the fulfilment of a personal wish. "That's what I asked for, I asked God, the universe to be here and now we are here," he said. For Cruz Azul, the trip to Nu Stadium is a chance to add a continental honour to their recent domestic success and to extend Mexican clubs' edge in the competition. For Inter Miami, it is an opportunity to end their poor patch and claim silverware in front of their own supporters. The two teams meet on Wednesday. Campeones Cup, Alan Mozo, Cruz Azul, Inter Miami, Lionel Messi, Liga MX, Major League Soccer, 2026 Campeones Cup

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1 month ago
Gisele Bündchen Buys $9.1M Florida Equestrian Estate
World

Gisele Bündchen Buys $9.1M Florida Equestrian Estate

Gisele Bündchen has purchased a 7.5-acre estate in Southwest Ranches, Florida, for $9.1 million, adding horse stalls, a soccer field and more. Gisele Bündchen has bought a 7.5-acre equestrian estate in South Florida for $9.1 million, adding a private rural property to her holdings in the region. The estate sits in Southwest Ranches, roughly 30 miles northwest of Miami, and comes with 10 horse stalls, a full-sized soccer field and a modern riding arena. The Brazilian model and author made the purchase through Flamboyant Tree LLC, a company linked to her. Property and listing records show the estate first went on the market for $10.5 million. The final sale price of $9.1 million left Bündchen paying about $1.4 million less than the original asking figure. The nine-bedroom home is set well back from the coast, giving her a secluded base that matches her documented interest in the outdoors, sport and animals. The centerpiece of the grounds is a main house measuring 5,183 square feet. First constructed in 1976, the residence has been heavily reworked since, according to the listing. Inside, the updated layout features open living areas, a floating glass staircase and a gas fireplace built as a focal point. The kitchen pairs everyday function with entertaining space, fitted with custom wood cabinetry, quartz surfaces and a wide breakfast island. Concealed appliances, built-in ovens and a standalone bar round out the space designed for hosting. On the main floor, the primary suite includes its own sitting room and a spacious walk-in closet. Further bedrooms in the house, together with separate guest quarters, leave room for visiting relatives and staff. Riding ring, tennis court and infinity pool The outdoor sections of the property are built around both athletics and horse care. Alongside the 10 fully equipped stalls, the grounds hold a private riding ring for equestrian training. Sports facilities include the regulation-size soccer field and a full tennis court laid out to standard dimensions. For leisure, the estate has an infinity-edge swimming pool with a connected hot tub. An outdoor kitchen adds a hibachi grill, a pizza oven, a barbecue station and a built-in wine cooler for open-air meals. Rows of trees and lit walkways run across the site, screening it for private recreation and gatherings. A rural base after the Brady divorce The deal enlarges Bündchen's Florida real estate list, which has grown since she and retired NFL quarterback Tom Brady divorced. The Southwest Ranches estate gives her a more secluded, countryside setting to sit alongside her waterfront homes elsewhere in the area. Several South Florida agents worked on the transaction. Chad Bishop and Saddy Abaunza Delgado of ONE Sotheby's International Realty acted for the seller. Laura Valente of Global Luxury Realty LLC represented the buying entity tied to Bündchen. With living quarters, stables and its own sports amenities on one plot, the property adds a distinct property to her expanding footprint in the region. Gisele Bundchen, Southwest Ranches estate, Florida real estate, equestrian property, celebrity homes, Flamboyant Tree LLC, luxury real estate, Miami property

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1 month ago
NABARD, IMD Team Up on Localized Weather Alerts for Farmers
OtherNews

NABARD, IMD Team Up on Localized Weather Alerts for Farmers

NABARD has partnered with the India Meteorological Department to deliver localized weather forecasts directly to farmers across India. The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has partnered with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to deliver localized weather forecasts directly to farmers across India. Under the tie-up, the two institutions aim to put area-specific weather information into the hands of farmers, rather than the broad regional outlooks that reach many rural users today. The focus is on forecasts tailored to a farmer's own locality. NABARD is the country's apex development bank for agriculture and rural areas, working through cooperative banks, regional rural banks and rural development programmes. The IMD is India's national weather service, responsible for forecasting and issuing warnings on rain, temperature and severe weather. The partnership brings these two roles together. IMD supplies the meteorological forecasts, while NABARD provides the reach into rural and farming communities to carry that information to the field level. Localized forecasting is aimed at farm decisions that turn on the weather, including when to sow, irrigate, spray or harvest. By narrowing forecasts to a farmer's immediate area, the collaboration is intended to make weather guidance more directly usable in day-to-day agricultural work. Further details of the arrangement, including its rollout, coverage and the channels through which forecasts will reach farmers, were not specified. NABARD, IMD, India Meteorological Department, weather forecasts for farmers, localized weather, Indian agriculture, agri-weather advisory, farmer support

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1 month ago
JSW's First SUV Likely Named Combat, To Get Plug-In Hybrid
AutoMobiles

JSW's First SUV Likely Named Combat, To Get Plug-In Hybrid

JSW Motors is expected to name its first India SUV the JSW Combat, based on the Chery Jetour T2, with a plug-in hybrid powertrain and a Diwali launch. JSW Motors is expected to call its first SUV for India the JSW Combat, a plug-in hybrid model based on the Chery Jetour T2. The vehicle is set to launch around Diwali, marking the debut of an independent automotive brand from the JSW Group built in partnership with China's Chery Automobile. The name surfaced after JSW Motors trademarked several options that leaked from an IP directory. The full list included JSW Combat, JSW Urbanique, JSW Dominor, JSW Adventura, JSW Eleve, JSW Sereno and JSW Cadet. Recent reports point to Combat as the finalised choice for the maiden SUV. The move is part of a wider push by the JSW Group into cars. The company is already present in the Indian market through JSW MG Motor India, and it has signed an MoU with Skoda Auto for a joint venture on an electric platform. The Chery-linked brand is the group's separate, standalone venture. Based on the Chery Jetour T2 The Combat is expected to be based on the Chery Jetour T2, an SUV known for its boxy, upright design. The Jetour T2 measures 4,785 mm in length, 2,006 mm in width and 1,870 mm in height, with a 2,800 mm wheelbase. Those dimensions give it a large footprint and heavy road presence. For India, JSW Motors is expected to bring the plug-in hybrid version of the Jetour T2. The system is called "i-DM," which is distinct from BYD's "DM-i" hybrid technology. BYD's DM-i setup is also arriving in India, in the Sealion 6 PHEV. Globally, the T2's plug-in hybrid combines an 18.4 kWh battery pack with a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine. Two electric motors are part of the setup, and the peak total system output is rated at 360 bhp and 610 Nm. Power is sent through a 3-speed hybrid gearbox. JSW could offer both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive layouts, or restrict the Indian version to front-wheel drive. Pricing and rivals JSW Motors is expected to price the Combat aggressively to establish itself in a crowded segment. Reports suggest a range between Rs 30 lakh and Rs 50 lakh (ex-showroom). At that level, the SUV would line up against the Toyota Fortuner and the MG Majestor, neither of which is offered as a plug-in hybrid. The feature list is expected to be extensive. Reported equipment includes 20-inch alloy wheels, squarish headlights and prominent JSW branding, alongside a 15.6-inch infotainment screen and a 10.6-inch instrument cluster. A panoramic sunroof, a premium audio system, a 540-degree camera with an underbody view, and electrically operated and ventilated front seats are also on the cards. Driver-assistance technology is part of the package too. The Combat is likely to offer ADAS with adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking. Combined with its rugged, upright styling, the SUV is positioned as an imposing, well-equipped entry for the brand's first India product. With the launch timed around Diwali, JSW Motors is preparing to take its Chery-based SUV into one of India's most competitive vehicle segments, backed by a plug-in hybrid powertrain that its established rivals do not currently offer. JSW Combat, JSW Motors, Chery Jetour T2, plug-in hybrid SUV, JSW Chery India, Diwali SUV launch, Toyota Fortuner rival, i-DM hybrid

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1 month ago
IRCTC's AskDisha 2.0 Chatbot Books Tickets and Refunds by Voice
Technology

IRCTC's AskDisha 2.0 Chatbot Books Tickets and Refunds by Voice

Indian Railways' AI chatbot AskDisha 2.0, powered by CoRover.AI, lets users book tickets, check PNR status and get refunds by text or voice. Indian Railways runs an artificial intelligence chatbot called AskDisha 2.0 that lets travellers book train tickets, request refunds and pull up service details on the IRCTC platform. The tool is available on the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) website and on its mobile app, and it responds to both typed and spoken commands. AskDisha 2.0 stands for Digital Interaction TO Seek Help Anytime. It is powered by CoRover.AI and built on artificial intelligence and machine learning. The chatbot works in Hindi, English and Hinglish, so users can put their queries in the language they are most comfortable with. The assistant handles a set list of ticketing tasks. Users can book a ticket, check PNR status, cancel a ticket, get refund status, change the boarding station, check booking history, view an e-ticket, download the ERS and print or share an e-ticket. Each task runs off a simple command rather than navigating the site menus. Beyond text, AskDisha 2.0 accepts voice commands. Travellers can speak a request instead of typing it, which the tool then processes to carry out the same range of services. Finding it on the IRCTC website To use the chatbot online, open the official IRCTC website and look for the AskDisha 2.0 logo at the bottom right corner of the home page. From there, a user can enter the required details or start typing a query in the text box. Those who prefer speaking can click the microphone icon and say their command. Using it in the Rail Connect app On a phone, the chatbot works through the IRCTC Rail Connect app. After downloading the app to a smartphone, users look for the AskDisha 2.0 icon and then either type or speak their query to get started. AskDisha 2.0, IRCTC chatbot, Indian Railways AI, CoRover.AI, book train tickets, PNR status, IRCTC Rail Connect app, train ticket refund

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1 month ago
India's Exports Surge 25.4% in August, Trade Gap Shrinks to $9.41bn
Business

India's Exports Surge 25.4% in August, Trade Gap Shrinks to $9.41bn

India's overall trade deficit narrowed to $9.41 billion in August 2026 as exports climbed 25.4% to $82.68 billion, official data showed. India's overall trade deficit shrank to $9.41 billion in August 2026, down from $11.62 billion in the same month a year earlier, after outbound shipments expanded faster than purchases from abroad, official figures released on Tuesday showed. Total exports, covering both goods and services, climbed 25.41% from a year earlier to an estimated $82.68 billion, up from $65.93 billion in August 2025. Imports reached $92.09 billion, compared with $77.55 billion over the same stretch. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said the pace of export growth had picked up during the month and described the twin drop in the overall and goods trade gaps as an encouraging sign. In rupee terms, combined exports were pegged 36.81% higher at Rs 7.89 lakh crore, against Rs 5.77 lakh crore a year before. Goods shipments led the gains, rising 26.12% in dollar terms to $43.81 billion from $34.74 billion a year earlier. Measured in rupees, merchandise exports advanced 37.59% to Rs 4.18 lakh crore from Rs 3.04 lakh crore. Goods imports moved up to $70.67 billion from $61.96 billion, leaving a merchandise trade gap of $26.86 billion, narrower than the $27.20 billion recorded a year earlier. That goods deficit came in well under expectations. Economists polled by Reuters had penciled in a shortfall of $32 billion, and July's figure stood at $31.98 billion. On a month-to-month basis, merchandise exports eased from $44.24 billion in July to $43.81 billion, while goods imports fell from $76.22 billion to $70.67 billion. Services trade added to the upswing. Exports in the segment were estimated at $38.87 billion, a 24.61% rise from $31.19 billion a year earlier. Services imports grew to $21.42 billion from $15.59 billion. A sharp pullback in gold buying helped ease the import bill. Purchases of the metal fell 57.7% to $2.3 billion in August, down from $5.4 billion a year earlier. Over the first five months of the fiscal year, petroleum, crude oil, coal, coke and briquettes stayed among the biggest contributors to the deficit, with electronic goods also fueling the rise in imports. Chemicals, engineering and marine goods lift shipments Agrawal credited what he called a varied blend of products and trading partners for the export strength, singling out engineering goods, petroleum products, chemicals and textiles as strong performers. In the April-to-August period, electronic goods exports rose roughly 30% and engineering goods gained more than 20%. Organic and inorganic chemicals were up 14%, while marine products grew by over 14%. Several overseas markets took in more Indian goods. Shipments to China rose 39%, sales to Singapore jumped more than 97%, exports to South Africa increased 58%, and those to Malaysia grew more than 75%. Trade with BRICS nations rose 13.3% to $34.5 billion across the first five months. Agrawal said demand had been robust from the United States, the European Union, BRICS members and other emerging economies. Volumes, not just prices, drive April-August gains For the April-August stretch of the current fiscal year, merchandise exports rose 17.85% to $215.91 billion, while imports increased 18.21% to $363 billion. Agrawal stressed that the improvement rested on more than higher prices, pointing to larger shipment quantities. Of the 168 principal commodities the government tracks, 68 posted growth in both volume and value, a sign that manufacturing and dispatch volumes were rising alongside earnings. India is also working to spread its export base across more destinations. Its trade agreement with Britain has taken effect, and a wider pact with the European Union is advancing toward implementation, Reuters reported. Both deals are expected to open up more room for Indian products abroad. Global conditions remained unsettled during the period. Fresh strikes on Saudi Arabia and attacks on vessels in the Gulf added to unease in world markets, amid worries over a broader Middle East conflict following a strike on a Saudi oil pipeline and a push by Yemen's Houthis. India exports August 2026, India trade deficit, merchandise exports, services exports India, Rajesh Agrawal commerce secretary, India trade data, engineering goods exports, India UK trade deal

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1 month ago
India Sits on Bangladesh's Choice for New High Commissioner
India

India Sits on Bangladesh's Choice for New High Commissioner

A month on, New Delhi has not cleared Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam as Bangladesh's next High Commissioner, deepening a strained relationship. More than a month after Dhaka named its pick for its next top diplomat in India, New Delhi has yet to sign off on the choice. The delay marks the newest snag in ties between the two neighbours that have grown noticeably tense. Bangladesh wants Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam to serve as its High Commissioner in New Delhi. That posting cannot be finalised until India grants an agrément, the host country's formal consent to receive a foreign envoy. So far, India has not given it. Siam is a seasoned figure, not a newcomer. A career diplomat, he was made Foreign Secretary last year under the interim administration headed by Muhammad Yunus. Earlier, he represented Bangladesh as its ambassador in Washington. Yet without New Delhi's approval, his move to India cannot be made official. The clock adds pressure. The sitting High Commissioner, M. Riaz Hamidullah, is leaving the post. He is due in Geneva around the middle of October to become Bangladesh's Permanent Representative to the United Nations. That leaves the New Delhi chair open and in need of an occupant before long. Why the Silence Matters The rules come from the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which bars any state from imposing its chosen ambassador or high commissioner on another. The receiving government must consent first. It can decline without giving any reason, or simply offer no answer at all. Such matters are usually handled discreetly, since neither side gains from letting a quiet dispute spill into open view. By that measure, India holding back on Siam is not a formal rejection. Even so, against the wider backdrop of recent events, the pause is difficult to read as routine. Cancelled Visits and an Empty Seat Optimism had briefly returned after Tarique Rahman took charge, but that mood has faded quickly over the past few weeks. Rahman had been scheduled to travel to New Delhi in August. The visit was called off at short notice. India had separately invited him to the BRICS Leaders' Summit in New Delhi, where he was to appear as chair of BIMSTEC, the grouping of nations around the Bay of Bengal. He did not attend, and Bangladesh sent no substitute. Even Hamidullah, still formally posted in Delhi, stayed away. The friction also feeds off a lingering irritant: Sheikh Hasina, the former prime minister who was removed in August 2024 and fled to India, where she has remained since. Working Groups Keep Turning The relationship has not seized up entirely. Away from the political summit, day-to-day cooperation continues. Only last week, officials from both governments spent two days in Dhaka discussing railway links and the finer points of cross-border train services. Over roughly the last seven months, several technical working groups have been revived, a signal that both capitals want the routine business of cooperation to carry on regardless of the strain at the top. India has offered a signal of its own. Earlier in the year it named Dinesh Trivedi, a former Union minister, as its High Commissioner in Dhaka. He assumed the role at the end of June, and the post now carries Cabinet rank, a mark of the weight New Delhi says it places on the relationship. From Reset to Standstill Ties had slumped sharply after Hasina's removal in 2024. The interim government that took over tilted more toward China and Pakistan, a shift that unsettled New Delhi. Rahman's arrival raised hopes of a fresh start, and some steps forward did follow. But entrenched disputes and political sensitivities keep undercutting any lasting calm. Within the last month alone, India extended two invitations to Rahman, one for a state visit and one for the BRICS summit. Neither took place. The stalled clearance for Siam now adds a further doubt to an already tangled situation. Both governments are still in contact through technical sessions and working groups that keep moving. But New Delhi's refusal, so far, to clear Dhaka's nominee for its most senior diplomatic post underlines how wide the gap between the two remains. India Bangladesh relations, Asad Alam Siam, Bangladesh High Commissioner, Muhammad Yunus government, Tarique Rahman, Sheikh Hasina India, Dinesh Trivedi, BRICS summit New Delhi

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1 month ago
Indian Chess Teams Wait 5 Hours for Rooms in Samarkand
India

Indian Chess Teams Wait 5 Hours for Rooms in Samarkand

India's defending Chess Olympiad champions waited about five hours for hotel rooms in Samarkand ahead of the 2026 FIDE event, drawing complaints from Srinath and Vidit. India's defending Chess Olympiad champions began their title defence with an uncomfortable wait, as the men's and women's teams were left without hotel rooms for around five hours after landing in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on Tuesday. The players eventually received their room allotments, but only after a lengthy delay that drew public complaints from senior members of the squad. Both Indian contingents had travelled to the Uzbek city for the FIDE tournament, which runs from September 16 to 27. On arrival, the players were unable to check in and settle into their accommodation as expected. A member of the travelling squad later confirmed the matter had been sorted out. "All the players have settled into their rooms now. But it was an unpleasant experience," the squad member said. The frustration was aired on social media by two prominent figures in the men's set-up. Grandmaster Srinath Narayanan, captain of the Indian men's team, wrote on X: "Having a terrible experience at the @FIDE_chess 2026 Olympiad. The team landed 5 hours ago at Samarkand airport. The team still haven't been allotted rooms, with absolutely no clarity on when it'll be allotted." Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi echoed the sentiment, posting: "Very poor first impressions of the Samarkand, Uzbekistan Olympiad 2026. Still waiting..." Other teams report the same problem The accommodation trouble was not confined to the Indian delegation. Austrian Grandmaster Felix Blohberger replied to Srinath's post describing a similar wait: "Same here, we arrived yesterday at 6 a.m. at the hotel and our captain got his room at 1:30pm." Welsh player Jonathan Blackburn also shared his ordeal on Tuesday. "37 hours awake, 2 flights, half way round the world only to be told you don't have a hotel room that night, typical Olympiad. Finally in my room - worth it," he wrote, noting he had eventually been given a room. Uzbekistan federation responds Alisher Sadullaev, Vice President of the Uzbekistan Chess Federation, said organisers were working to fix the situation and had spoken directly with the Indian team. "I have had a talk with the Indian team. According to the regulations, at certain time the check in was planned earlier on...but the FIDE team and the coordination team has organised everything now and I think everything is already being set up," he told ChessBase India. Sadullaev sought to reassure players that the disruption would not affect the competition. "I'm sure this will be resolved.. and from tomorrow on players can comfortably come and start playing their matches," he said. The delay comes as India arrives in Samarkand carrying the weight of a double title defence. Both the men's and women's teams won gold at the 2024 Chess Olympiad, a first for the country and a landmark result in Indian chess. The men's squad is anchored by world champion D Gukesh and also features Grandmasters R Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, Nihal Sarin and Gujrathi, with Srinath serving as captain. The women's team is led on the board by Koneru Humpy and R Vaishali, alongside World Cup winner Divya Deshmukh, Vantika Agrawal and Savitha Shri, with Swayams Mishra as captain. With rooms now allotted and the federation promising a smooth start, both teams are set to open their campaigns as the tournament gets under way on September 16. Chess Olympiad 2026, Samarkand Uzbekistan, Indian chess team, Srinath Narayanan, Vidit Gujrathi, D Gukesh, FIDE Olympiad, Koneru Humpy

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1 month ago
10 days trapped on the El Capitan’s Platinum Wall, Sasha DiGiulian Makes History on @sashadigiulian completes the first female ascent of El Capitan
World

10 days trapped on the El Capitan’s Platinum Wall, Sasha DiGiulian Makes History on @sashadigiulian completes the first female ascent of El Capitan

Sasha DiGiulian Makes History on El Capitan’s Platinum Wall After 23-Day Climb  American professional climber Sasha DiGiulian has made climbing history after becoming the first woman to free-climb the Platinum Wall on Yosemite’s El Capitan, completing one of the most demanding big-wall routes in the United States. DiGiulian reached the summit after a grueling 23-day ascent in Yosemite National Park, California. The route, also known as the Direct Line, stretches roughly 3,000 feet (914 metres) and contains 39 pitches, with sections rated as difficult as 5.13d. Nine Days Trapped by Severe Weather The climb became even more challenging when powerful winter storms moved across the Sierra Nevada. DiGiulian and climbing partner Elliot Faber spent nine days waiting on a portaledge, a small suspended tent used by big-wall climbers. Rain, snow, strong winds and freezing conditions repeatedly prevented the pair from making progress. Water continued to run down the granite wall even after the worst of the storm had passed, leaving some climbing pitches wet and difficult to attempt. During the prolonged delay, the climbers were hundreds of metres above the ground with limited space to move. Despite the conditions, DiGiulian remained committed to completing the route. A Historic First for Women in Climbing DiGiulian ultimately became the first woman to free-climb the Platinum Wall, adding another major achievement to a career filled with notable first female ascents. She led 27 of the route’s pitches, including the major crux sections. The climb was the result of several seasons of preparation, during which she worked on different sections of the route and built the strength and technique required to attempt the full ascent. The achievement is particularly significant because the Platinum Wall is considered one of El Capitan’s longest and most sustained free-climbing challenges. Unlike many classic El Capitan routes that primarily follow cracks, the Platinum Wall crosses long sections of steep, relatively blank granite. Finishing After the Storm The final stage of the climb brought another unexpected challenge when Faber had to leave because of a family emergency. DiGiulian continued toward the summit with support from Ryan Sheridan, who belayed her during the final section. After 23 days on the wall, DiGiulian finally reached the summit, completing a climb that combined technical difficulty, physical endurance and an extraordinary ability to remain patient during days of dangerous weather. More Than a Climbing Record DiGiulian’s achievement is being celebrated not only as a major accomplishment in rock climbing but also as an example of perseverance under extreme conditions. The climb demonstrates that completing a difficult objective is sometimes less about moving quickly and more about knowing when to wait, adapting to circumstances and continuing when conditions finally improve. For DiGiulian, the Platinum Wall represents the culmination of years of preparation and one of the most demanding challenges of her climbing career. Key Facts Climber: Sasha DiGiulian Location: El Capitan, Yosemite National Park, California Route: Platinum Wall / The Direct Line Achievement: First woman to free-climb the Platinum Wall Total time: 23 days Route length: About 3,000 feet (914 metres) Route: 39 pitches Weather delay: Nine days Major challenge: Severe rain, snow, wind and wet climbing conditions Sasha DiGiulian’s Platinum Wall ascent now stands as a remarkable chapter in Yosemite climbing history — a 23-day test of skill, endurance and determination that ended with a historic first.

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1 month ago