Auto Retail Sales Surge 26% in February as Sustained Demand Drives Record Sales Automobile retail sales in India surged by 26% in February 2026, reaching a record high of 19.1 lakh units, according to data released by the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA). The report highlighted that five of the six major vehicle segments—two-wheelers, three-wheelers, passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, and tractors—achieved their highest-ever February sales figures, with construction equipment being the only segment to see a decline of 1.2%. FADA president CS Vigneshwar described February as a landmark month for the sector, attributing the strong performance to policy-driven confidence, particularly following the implementation of GST 2.0, which has translated into sustained demand across multiple vehicle categories. Two-wheelers remained the largest segment, with retail sales of approximately 17 lakh units in February, marking a 25% increase from 13.6 lakh units in the same period last year. Growth was observed in both urban and rural markets. Passenger vehicle sales also hit a record, with dealers reporting around 4 lakh units sold in February, a 26% rise from 3.1 lakh units in February 2025. Rural markets saw a significant growth rate of over 34%, compared to about 21% in urban areas. SUVs were a key driver of demand, with dealer inventory levels dropping to between 27 and 29 days. Commercial vehicle sales rose 29% to 1 lakh units in February, driven by increased infrastructure activity and growth in logistics and e-commerce sectors. Tractors recorded the fastest growth among all categories, with sales up 36% to 89,418 units from 65,579 units in February 2025, reflecting robust rural demand.#federation_of_automobile_dealers_associations #cs_vigneshwar #gst_2_0 #fada #two_wheelers
Alex Eala draws Taylor Swift comparison as star power is highlighted Alex Eala, the 20-year-old Philippine tennis star, has been likened to a pop icon in the sports world, with her growing fanbase and electrifying presence on the court drawing comparisons to Taylor Swift. Despite not yet securing a WTA Tour title and sitting at No. 31 in the rankings, Eala’s star power has surged since her historic run to the Miami Open semifinals in March. Sky Sports Tennis host Gigi Salmon, speaking at an event in London, praised Eala’s appeal, calling her “the biggest star” in Philippine tennis and likening her to Michael Jordan in terms of influence. Salmon highlighted how Eala’s matches have become must-see events, with crowds mirroring the energy of a pop concert. During the Dubai Championships, fans reportedly screamed and cheered as if watching a Taylor Swift performance, a phenomenon Salmon described as both thrilling and potentially overwhelming. “She’s a superstar,” Salmon said, noting Eala’s ability to thrive under such attention. “She thanked them all and just seems to be flourishing.” Eala’s rise has also drawn comparisons to Emma Raducanu’s meteoric ascent after her 2021 US Open victory. However, Eala insists the hype surrounding her will not distract from her goals. In an exclusive interview with Tennis365, she emphasized her focus on improving her game and maintaining her work ethic. “My day-to-day life is the same,” she said, explaining how her team has helped her navigate the sudden attention following her Miami run. “I have the same attention to detail and the same drive.” The 20-year-old’s journey to the Miami semifinals, where she defeated top-ranked Iga Swiatek, marked a turning point in her career.#taylor_swift #alex_eala #gigi_salmon #miami_open #rafael_nadal_academy
Bitcoin slips below $68,000 heading into the weekend as dollar posts steepest weekly gain in a year #Bitcoin_slips #dollar_posts #posts_steepest #steepest_weekly #weekly_gain
Alexandra Eala's Local Pull: How a Player on Site at Tennis Paradise Is Growing Philippine Tennis Alexandra Eala’s presence at Tennis Paradise has sparked a cultural shift in how tennis is perceived and engaged with in the Philippines. Fans describe her as a unifying figure whose personality and achievements are fostering a sense of community around the sport. This transformation is significant for grassroots organizers, coaches, and players, as it shifts the narrative from individual fandom to collective identity, creating a more inclusive and sustained interest in tennis. The impact is evident in the social dynamics at events. On-site attendees report a stronger sense of belonging, driven not just by match outcomes but by the way Eala’s approachability and success inspire interaction. Conversations centered on shared support are turning one-time spectators into regular participants, influencing how local organizers design events and outreach programs. This shift is seen as a sign of growing momentum, with potential long-term effects such as organized fan meetups, informal mentorship initiatives, and community-driven activities that extend beyond single matches. Visibility plays a key role in this growth. Eala’s blend of personal appeal and competitive success is credited with elevating tennis’s profile among casual sports followers. Fans are treating event gatherings as social hubs rather than passive viewing experiences, creating visible support networks that sustain engagement. This pattern of personality-driven community building is highlighted as a model for how interest in sports can evolve beyond individual results, offering organizers a blueprint for programming that sustains participation and broadens access.#alexandra_eala #tennis_paradise #philippines #grassroots_organizers #local_stakeholders
Alex Eala's Rising Stardom: Comparisons to Sania Mirza and Global Icons Filipino tennis star Alex Eala has drawn comparisons to legendary athletes and icons, with former world No 5 Genie Bouchard and four-time Grand Slam champion Kim Clijsters highlighting her growing global appeal. Bouchard, speaking on a live episode of Tennis Channel, humorously likened Eala’s rising popularity to that of pop sensation Taylor Swift, while also drawing parallels to the late-career dominance of Sania Mirza. “I think the ceiling that Alex Eala has is obviously that much higher,” Bouchard said, adding that Eala’s potential could rival the influence of icons like Manny Pacquiao or Roger Federer during their peak years. Eala, currently ranked World No 31, advanced to the next round of the Indian Wells Open after receiving a first-round bye as one of the tournament’s 32 seeded players. The main draw action begins on March 4. Her continued success has sparked widespread attention, with Clijsters emphasizing the challenges of managing heightened visibility. Speaking on her Love All podcast, Clijsters noted that Eala’s growing fame means her strengths and weaknesses are now widely known, requiring her to focus on refining her game while navigating the pressures of stardom. “Dealing with life as a superstar—like Michael Jordan in the Philippines—isn’t easy,” Clijsters said, acknowledging the difficulties of handling public scrutiny and sudden fame. Eala’s rise has been marked by consistent performances on the international stage, including her recent victory at the Abu Dhabi Open, which she described as “special.” Her ability to maintain composure under pressure and adapt to high-profile events has solidified her status as a rising force in women’s tennis.#taylor_swift #alex_eala #genie_bouchard #kim_clijsters #manny_pacquiao
No confidence motion against Om Birla: TMC MPs likely to vote in favour of resolution Trinamool Congress MPs will now back the no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, a shift from their earlier stance, following party chief Mamata Banerjee's directive. This move intensifies the political battle as the Lok Sabha prepares to vote on March 9. Opposition parties accuse Birla of partisan conduct, jeopardizing the House's proper functioning and the rights of members. #Mamata_Banerjee #Lok_Sabha #Sabha_Speaker #Trinamool_Congress #Congress_MPs #Banerjee_directive #TMC_MPs #resolution_Trinamool #chief_Mamata #earlier_stance
Hungarian Udvardy says she received threatening messages to lose matchThe world number 95 said in a social media post on Friday that she received the threats while she was playing in the Antalya Challenger event and that she had alerted the WTA. The world number 95 said in a social media post on Friday that she received the threats while she was playing in the Antalya Challenger event and that she had alerted the WTA. #Friday #social_media #WTA #Antalya_Challenger #Hungarian_Udvardy #Challenger_event #threatening_messages #lose_matchThe #matchThe_world #received_threatening
Bitcoin could crash by another 30% as four-year cycle gains strength, investment firm says #Bitcoin #gains_strength #investment_firm #four-year_cycle #cycle_gains
Losing muscle with age? New Indian guidelines warn of a hidden health risk #age #Losing_muscle #Losing #Indian_guidelines #muscle
Dhurandhar 2 trailer gives a sneak peek into the deadly mission of Ranveer Singh promising a new wave of revenge The makers of Dhurandhar: The Revenge have unveiled a gripping new trailer that promises a more intense and action-packed continuation of the story. The film serves as the sequel to Dhurandhar and is the second installment in a planned duology. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the upcoming spy action thriller stars Ranveer Singh in the lead role alongside Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Sara Arjun, Rakesh Bedi, Danish Pandor, and Gaurav Gera. Several supporting actors from the first film are also set to reprise their roles. The trailer begins with a voiceover that references the aftermath of the death of Rehman Dakait aka Akshaye Khanna, setting the stage for a darker and more dangerous chapter in the story. It also offers brief glimpses of Ranveer Singh’s character Jaskirat Singh Rangi before he takes on the identity of Hamza Ali Mazar, hinting at the deeper layers of his undercover mission. In the film, Singh plays an Indian intelligence operative who continues his high-stakes infiltration into Karachi’s criminal networks and political power structures in Pakistan. As the narrative unfolds, the agent’s mission becomes more personal as he seeks to avenge the devastating attacks in India while confronting new threats that put both his cover and life at risk. The film has been produced by Jyoti Deshpande, Aditya Dhar, and Lokesh Dhar under the banners of Jio ... #Singh #Aditya_Dhar #Dhurandhar #Ranveer_Singh #Ranveer #sneak_peek #action-packed_continuation #Singh_promising #revenge #Arjun_Rampal
Bundesliga 2025-26: Bayern Munich crushes 10-man Borussia Moenchengladbach to extend lead at topEven without injured top striker Harry Kane, it was one-way traffic from the start as four different scorers were on target for Bayern. Even without injured top striker Harry Kane, it was one-way traffic from the start as four different scorers were on target for Bayern. #Bayern_Munich #Harry_Kane #Bundesliga_2025-26 #Bayern #Borussia_Moenchengladbach #striker_Harry #Munich_crushes #injured_top #one-way_traffic #extend_lead
