Suzuki Avenis 125cc Scooter Gets Refreshed with Dual-Tone Colour Option
Suzuki Avenis 125: Engine, features and more
Discover everything about the automotive world at Times of India.
Man Loses Leg in 'Phatka Gang' Attack on Moving Train in Kalyan
KALYAN: A 22-year-old farmer from Nashik suffered a partial amputation of his left leg after being hit by the notorious 'Phatka gang' near Kalyan. The incident occurred on Sunday morning while Gaurav Nikam was travelling on the Tapovan Express from Thane to Nashik. According to Kalyan GRP, the incident happened between Shahad and Ambivli railway stations when the train slowed down near Irani Pada. Nikam was on a phone call near the train door when a minor boy from outside struck his hand with a
Allegations of Fraudulent Surrogacy Practices Surface at Hyderabad Fertility Clinic
HYDERABAD: Gopalapuram police have registered five new cases against the head of Srushti Fertility Clinic Dr Athaluri Namratha alias Pachipala Namratha, and others based on complaints lodged by five sets of victims. While in one case a couple alleged that the doctor handed them a baby whose DNA did not match theirs, three other couples accused the clinic of adopting dubious methods. They claimed that they had already paid the money â anywhere from Rs 12.5 lakh to Rs 19 lakh â and even deposited their biological samples when they grew suspicious about the operations of Dr Namratha and her clinic. The frauds occurred between 2019 and 2025. Cops are yet to ascertain details of the fifth case.
Uttarkashi Cloudburst Horror: Flash Floods Sweep Away Village, People Seen Running For Their Lives
DEHRADUN: A man narrowly escaped death after the flash flood swept through Dharali village in Uttarkashi on Tuesday, triggering a massive pile of debris. He was seen crawling out from the rubble, covered in mud and visibly injured, moments after the deadly waters destroyed homes, shops, and roads in seconds. The man's identity and his current condition remained unknown as of Tuesday evening, but widely circulated videos have already hailed him as a hero. Officials have not yet confirmed whether he was later taken to hospital or rescued by disaster response teams.
Can Vijay be the Next MGR in Tamil Nadu Elections?
A huge poster of actor Vijay stares down from the wall. A digital signboard flashes: 285 days, 3 hours, 43 minutes and 46 seconds, a countdown to the 2026 assembly election in Tamil Nadu. Scores of people sit glued to screens, fingers flying over keyboards, some others are on mobile phones trying to reach voters in remote hamlets. The Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) war room in Chennai is fully activated.
Man Loses Leg in 'Phatka Gang' Attack on Moving Train in Kalyan
KALYAN: A 22-year-old farmer from Nashik suffered a partial amputation of his left leg after being hit by the notorious 'Phatka gang' near Kalyan. The incident occurred on Sunday morning while Gaurav Nikam was travelling on the Tapovan Express from Thane to Nashik. According to Kalyan GRP, the incident happened between Shahad and Ambivli railway stations when the train slowed down near Irani Pada. Nikam was on a phone call near the train door when a minor boy from outside struck his hand with a
Allegations of Fraudulent Surrogacy Practices Surface at Hyderabad Fertility Clinic
HYDERABAD: Gopalapuram police have registered five new cases against the head of Srushti Fertility Clinic Dr Athaluri Namratha alias Pachipala Namratha, and others based on complaints lodged by five sets of victims. While in one case a couple alleged that the doctor handed them a baby whose DNA did not match theirs, three other couples accused the clinic of adopting dubious methods. They claimed that they had already paid the money â anywhere from Rs 12.5 lakh to Rs 19 lakh â and even deposited their biological samples when they grew suspicious about the operations of Dr Namratha and her clinic. The frauds occurred between 2019 and 2025. Cops are yet to ascertain details of the fifth case.
Uttarkashi Cloudburst Horror: Flash Floods Sweep Away Village, People Seen Running For Their Lives
DEHRADUN: A man narrowly escaped death after the flash flood swept through Dharali village in Uttarkashi on Tuesday, triggering a massive pile of debris. He was seen crawling out from the rubble, covered in mud and visibly injured, moments after the deadly waters destroyed homes, shops, and roads in seconds. The man's identity and his current condition remained unknown as of Tuesday evening, but widely circulated videos have already hailed him as a hero. Officials have not yet confirmed whether he was later taken to hospital or rescued by disaster response teams.
Can Vijay be the Next MGR in Tamil Nadu Elections?
A huge poster of actor Vijay stares down from the wall. A digital signboard flashes: 285 days, 3 hours, 43 minutes and 46 seconds, a countdown to the 2026 assembly election in Tamil Nadu. Scores of people sit glued to screens, fingers flying over keyboards, some others are on mobile phones trying to reach voters in remote hamlets. The Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) war room in Chennai is fully activated.
Tesla Prepares to Launch Robotaxi Service in San Francisco
Tesla is gearing up to introduce its robotaxi service in San Francisco this weekend, marking a significant milestone in its autonomous vehicle journey. Following a successful trial in Austin, Texas, where a limited fleet operated within a geofenced area, Tesla's CEO, Elon Musk, has pivoted the company's focus towards robots and self-driving taxis. The upcoming launch will initially be by invitation only, with safety being a top priority as Tesla navigates regulatory challenges.
Tesla r
Honda CB125 Hornet vs Bajaj Pulsar N125: A Comparison
Honda CB125 Hornet vs Bajaj Pulsar N125.
The 125cc streetfighter segment has a new contender as Honda has recently unveiled the CB125 Hornet. Among many notable contenders, it will compete with the Bajaj Pulsar N125, which was launched last year. Both bikes aim to deliver everyday performance for streets along with a sporty flair in terms of design. Here's how the two stack up against each other.
Honda CB125 Hornet vs Bajaj Pulsar N125: Engine specs
On the performance front,
Mahindra Teases Vision SXT Pickup Concept Ahead of Annual Showcase
Mahindra is once again generating excitement as it gears up for its annual product showcase on August 15. The company has been releasing a series of teasers, with the latest one featuring the Vision SXT concept. The new teaser provides a closer look at the rear end of the vehicle, showcasing unique elements like vertical tail lamps and two spare tires mounted in the bed. All indications suggest that this is a rugged pickup concept likely based on the Scorpio-N platform, similar to the Global Pik
India-UK Free Trade Agreement: Impact on Luxury Car Imports
Luxury car buyers in India might have a reason to celebrate. India and the United Kingdom have officially signed a Free Trade Agreement that promises to bring down import duties on premium British cars - but only to a certain extent. This means that only select models and only in limited numbers, will qualify for the lower import tax. Here's why.
India-UK FTA: Key details
As part of the FTA, India will slash tariffs on automotive imports from the UK from the existing 100–110 per cent
India to Make Two BIS-Certified Helmets Mandatory with Every New Two-Wheeler Sold
India is set to take a major step forward in two-wheeler safety. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways recently proposed a change to the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989. This proposal will require manufacturers to provide two BIS-certified helmets - one for the rider and one for the pillion - with every new two-wheeler sold in the country starting January 2026. The objective is to promote safer riding habits and reduce road fatalities, especially among pillion riders who often do not wear helmets. Dealerships will also need to deliver both helmets at the time of vehicle handover.
For an industry that has long struggled with poor safety awareness and widespread use of fake helmets, this new regulation could bring about much-needed change. According to Rajeev Kapur, Managing Director of Steelbird, this rule could lead to a significant increase in helmet demand. Kapur mentioned that if every new two-wheeler comes with two helmets, the annual requirement could exceed 4 crore helmets. However, a challenge lies ahead as India's actual production capacity for genuine ISI-certified helmets is only around 3 crore units per year, leaving a substantial gap.
The proposed rule aligns with the government's broader efforts to reduce road fatalities, with over 1.5 lakh deaths reported annually in India due to road accidents, a significant portion of which involve two-wheeler riders. Steelbird, one of India's largest helmet manufacturers, is already heavily investing in automation and plant expansion. The company plans to introduce 75 new helmet models over the next five years, catering to various segments from budget to premium.
Despite these positive steps, the issue of fake helmets remains a concern. Approximately half of the helmets used on Indian roads are counterfeit, lacking safety standards and providing inadequate protection. Kapur emphasized the importance of strong enforcement to ensure that only genuine ISI-marked products are sold and that any law mandating two helmets per vehicle must have robust checks in place.
Kapur believes that effective enforcement of this law will not only save more lives but also help eliminate counterfeit helmet suppliers from the market.
Discover everything about the automotive world at Times of India.
Beyond Vision: The Role of Radar in Advancing Autonomous Driving in India
The article is authored by Hitesh Garg, VP and India MD,
NXP
Semiconductors.
India is at a crucial point in its journey toward autonomous mobility with a vision of obtaining full autonomy, which is still on the horizon, but the groundwork is being laid with ADAS becoming more prevalent in mid-range and premium vehicles. A recent report by McKinsey & Company estimates that by 2030, up to 20–30% of new cars sold in India could come with at least Level 2 autonomy, including features like
Hyundai Leads as Tata and Mahindra Compete for No.3 Spot in Indian Car Market
India's car market has been quite active lately with increasing demand for SUVs, electric vehicles, and feature-rich models. While Maruti Suzuki leads in overall sales, Hyundai has maintained the second spot for two consecutive months, staying ahead of Tata Motors and Mahindra according to Vahan data from June and July 2025.
Honda CB125 Hornet Launched: A New Challenger in the 125cc Segment
Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India has officially launched the CB125 Hornet, pricing it at Rs 1.12 lakh, ex-showroom. Unveiled just recently, this new offering now becomes the most premium bike in Honda’s 125cc lineup. Positioned above the Shine and SP125, the CB125 Hornet is set to challenge segment leaders like the TVS Raider and Hero Xtreme 125R. Here’s what makes this new contender has to offer.
