Madras Times - Stay Informed with Madras Times: Round-the-clock Coverage of Chennai, India, and Global Affairs in Six Languages

A woman who said she was drugged and sexually assaulted by veteran US entertainer Bill Cosby was awarded more than $19 million on Monday after a civil hearing in California.

With the new Striker, Dacia is attacking a part of the market where European family estates have become noticeably more expensive, heavier and, in many cases, less distinctive. The 4.62-metre lifestyle wagon is set to start below 25,000 euros, with hybrid, hybrid 4x4 and LPG versions confirmed. That places it as a deliberately down-to-earth alternative to far costlier C-segment cars. A full unveiling is scheduled for June 2026, while availability is expected from late 2026 or early 2027 depending on the market.The images released so far already make Dacia’s ambition clear. The Striker is not meant to be a dull load carrier, but a car with presence. Its stretched aerodynamic profile, raised ride height and almost shooting-brake-like silhouette give it character without making it look bloated. The upright front end, new daytime running light signature and glossy black element linking the rear lamps show that Dacia wants to sell more than price alone in this class. The Striker looks more deliberate, more modern and more carefully drawn than many of the brand’s earlier generations.That is exactly why the key question matters so much: can the Striker back up its design promise with convincing quality? For now, caution is essential. The model has only been shown in an early reveal. Full information on the cabin, equipment and final technical data is still to come. Any definitive judgment on materials, ergonomics, noise insulation and long-term quality would therefore be premature in March 2026.

Skoda will launch the Peaq in summer 2026 as its largest electric vehicle to date. The name echoes the word “peak”, reflecting its status at the top of the range. Derived from the Vision 7S concept, the production Peaq adopts the Modern Solid design language with minimalist surfaces, C‑shaped lighting and a Tech‑Deck front end. Official statements emphasise an interior designed for modern families and business users, with a spacious cabin and seven seats. The MEB platform from the Volkswagen Group allows a flat floor and a long wheelbase, promising generous room for passengers and luggage. Skoda highlights “Simply Clever” features such as modular seating, practical storage and recycled materials.Technical details remain scarce, but industry observers expect an around 89 kWh battery enabling a WLTP range of roughly 600 km (373 miles) and DC fast‑charging at up to 200 kW. Dual‑motor versions with all‑wheel drive are likely, offering more power than the current Enyaq. The seven seats should fold flat to create a large cargo area. Positioned above the Kodiaq and Enyaq, the Peaq will become Skoda’s flagship yet is expected to undercut premium rivals such as the Kia EV9 and Hyundai Ioniq 9.

Two pilots were killed and dozens of people injured after an Air Canada plane collided with a fire truck on a runway at New York's LaGuardia airport, US authorities said Monday.

Bosnian truck drivers blockaded two freight terminals on the border with EU member Croatia on Monday in a one-day protest over visa rules limiting their time in the bloc.

A Colombian military plane carrying 125 troops and crew crashed on take off Monday, with as many as 80 people aboard feared dead.

Fuel prices in Germany have become a political flashpoint. Since war broke out in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz was temporarily closed, global oil prices have surged. Crude oil quotations rose by around 20 percent to 84 dollars a barrel, and the wholesale price of diesel in Rotterdam climbed by 26 cents per litre – almost 50 percent. As a result, German motorists were paying an average of Euro 2.156 per litre for diesel and Euro 2.037 for Super E10 in mid‑March 2026.Petrol‑station leaseholders emphasise that they do not set their own pump prices. The industry’s lobbying group accuses the oil majors of selling fuel they bought cheaply at a huge mark‑up – behaviour described as “predatory capitalism”. Leaseholders receive none of the extra margin yet face the anger of customers. Convenience‑store sales are also collapsing because angry motorists buy nothing after filling up.Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government has responded with a package of measures. Filling stations may raise prices only once a day at noon; price cuts are allowed at any time. Part of the national oil reserve will be released, and the competition authority will get more powers. Critics say this does not go far enough. The social welfare organisation SoVD warns that without a price cap consumers remain at the mercy of suppliers and calls for targeted relief for low‑ and middle‑income households. SPD politicians demand a price cap to ensure that consumers are not “fleeced”, while economy minister Katherina Reiche rejects the idea of a state‑financed fuel subsidy.

Pop superstar Shakira will wrap up her record-breaking world tour with a concert residency in Madrid at a custom-built venue, promoter Live Nation said Monday.

The world has given Israel "a licence to torture Palestinians", a UN expert said Monday, with life in the occupied territories "a continuum of physical and mental suffering".

A military transport plane crashed Monday when taking off in Colombia, officials said, with at least 80 people aboard though there were conflicting reports about how many troops were dead and injured.

With local elections done and dusted, France is pivoting towards electing a president to replace Emmanuel Macron next year, with the far right scenting its best chance yet to seize power.

President Donald Trump announced "very good" talks on Monday with an unidentified Iranian official after abruptly shelving plans to attack the Islamic republic's power plants.

The new fully electric Mercedes‑GLC is scheduled to appear in 2026 as a dedicated EV platform rather than an electrified version of the existing GLC. The initial GLC 400 4MATIC model uses two motors and a 94‑kWh battery, promising up to 406 miles of WLTP range. British order books opened in late‑2025 with deliveries due in mid‑2026. The recommended retail price ranges from £60 350 to £73 350 (about €70 000–86 000).Technical highlights:- Dual‑motor all‑wheel drive with 482–489 hp.94‑kWh battery; WLTP range up to 406 miles; some reports mention 443 miles.- Fast‑charging at 330 kW, taking 22 minutes from 10–80 %; AC charging at 11 kW (22 kW optional).4.3 s 0–100 km/h and top speed 210 km/h.- Interior features include the MBUX Hyperscreen (up to 39 inches), one‑box braking with high recuperation, air suspension with rear‑axle steering and Car‑to‑X connectivity, vegan materials and a spacious boot with 570 litres plus a 138‑litre frunk.

Namibia said Monday it had rejected a request for billionaire Elon Musk's Starlink to operate its satellite internet services in the country, dealing the company a second setback in southern Africa.

A former Swedish model has been questioned in France by investigators analysing evidence that could implicate French nationals in the crimes of the convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, sources said on Monday.

Britain is sending short-range air defence systems to the Gulf to help counter Iranian missile attacks, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Monday.

A top US official in President Donald Trump's government sought to reassure fears about the oil market Monday as war raged on in the Middle East, although industry leaders remain wary.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni conceded defeat on Monday in a referendum on justice reform, but despite the major blow to her far-right leadership, she insisted she was going nowhere.

The US immigration agency at the center of a firestorm over heavy-handed enforcement tactics began deploying to major airports on Monday, as officials scrambled to ease mounting travel disruption during a prolonged, partial government shutdown.

The United States and TotalEnergies on Monday signed an agreement to end the French company's offshore US wind farm projects and redirect those funds towards fossil fuel production, with the US interior secretary saying the deal was worth "nearly $1 billion."

Tottenham on Monday offered their "thoughts and condolences" to interim boss Igor Tudor following the death of his father.

Iran has not updated its official death toll figures for weeks, while human rights groups outside the country are struggling with chronic communication problems, meaning the number of people killed during the war remains largely unknown.

How long will the Iran war last and what are the US goals? President Donald Trump has issued a dizzying number of conflicting answers to these questions since launching the conflict three weeks ago.

The surge in fuel prices triggered by the war in the Middle East has prompted countries to take measures to limit the financial impact on consumers and businesses.

Moments before an Air Canada Express plane collided with a firetruck on the runway of New York's LaGuardia Airport, a traffic controller cleared the truck to cross the runway and then urgently ordered it to halt, a recording showed.

Iga Swiatek announced on Monday that she had parted ways with her coach Wim Fissette following her second-round exit at the Miami Open.

The World Health Organization chief on Monday urged countries to complete the missing piece of a pandemic agreement designed to avoid the panic and chaos of Covid-19 this week.

President Donald Trump said Monday that "regime change" was underway in Iran as the United States holds peace talks with an unidentified alternative leader.

President Donald Trump shelved plans on Monday to attack Iran's power plants in a stunning about-turn sparked by what he said were "very good" talks with unidentified Iranian officials to bring an end to the war.

Russia and Vietnam on Monday signed a cooperation agreement on the construction of Vietnam's first nuclear power plant, Russia's Rosatom nuclear agency said on Monday.

Kristi Noem visited Honduras in her new role as US President Donald Trump's special envoy for his "Shield of the Americas" regional crime-fighting initiative, after being fired from her position as homeland security chief.

The head of Europe's video game rating system, PEGI, has warned against supposed "silver bullet" child protection solutions such as age verification, in an interview with AFP.

England coach Brendon McCullum will keep his job despite the team's Ashes debacle, with cricket chief Richard Gould insisting he can "adapt and evolve".

An experimental vaccine for Lyme disease is broadly effective, pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and Valneva announced Monday, however the latter firm's shares fell because the clinical trial did not reach its main goal.

France's local elections show the appeal of political extremes is growing in France, but Marine Le Pen's far-right party is not necessarily poised to win the presidency next year when Emmanuel Macron must step down, analysts said Monday.

US President Donald Trump told AFP on Monday that "things are going very well" regarding Iran, shortly after announcing talks with Tehran and a five-day pause on targeting the Islamic republic's power plants.

Ukraine fired drones at a key Russian oil port near the Finnish border on Monday, both Moscow and Kyiv said, triggering a huge fire at the facility.

EU-Australia talks to strike a trade pact were in their "last mile" Monday, Brussels said as European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Sydney raising hopes for a deal.

British police said they were investigating an online claim of responsibility for an arson attack after four volunteer ambulances run by a Jewish organisation based next to a London synagogue were set on fire early Monday.