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Nigerian Military Eliminates Top Terror Commanders, Rescues 134 Kidnapping Victims, Thwarts ₦1.3 Billion Oil Theft in July

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Nigerian Military Eliminates Top Terror Commanders, Rescues 134 Kidnapping Victims, Thwarts ₦1.3 Billion Oil Theft in July

ABUJA, Nigeria (BN24) — The Nigerian military announced significant counterterrorism and security successes in July, including the elimination of five high-profile terror commanders, the rescue of 134 kidnapped victims, and the prevention of oil theft valued at over ₦1.3 billion, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said Friday.

Major General Markus Kangye, Director of Defence Media Operations, briefed reporters in Abuja, detailing the military’s intensified operations to dismantle criminal networks and restore peace nationwide.

Among the terror leaders neutralized were Yellow Danbokolo, Amir Dunkei, Kachalla Nagomma, Gurmu, and Ali Yar Daribiyar, who were targeted in operations across Nigeria’s volatile North East and North West regions.

In total, security forces arrested 578 suspects linked to terrorism, kidnapping, and other criminal activities, while rescuing 134 kidnapped individuals and reuniting them with their families. A notable development included the voluntary surrender of Ibn Ali, a wanted terrorist commander, along with 151 fighters and their families in the North East.

Kangye also revealed that numerous high-profile suspects were captured in sting operations, including gunrunners, cult leaders, and extremist figures such as Yakubu Jubril, Abubakar Yahaya, and suspected cult kingpin Prince Justin Ishimiri.

In the Niger Delta, troops under Operation Delta Safe thwarted oil theft and sabotage activities worth approximately ₦1.31 billion. Security forces recovered nearly one million litres of stolen crude oil and large quantities of illegally refined petroleum products, while destroying numerous illegal refining sites, cooking ovens, boats, storage tanks, and vehicles used in the illicit trade.

A total of 285 suspects were arrested during anti-oil theft operations, alongside the seizure of arms, ammunition, and explosives.

Major General Kangye affirmed the military’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty under Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa. He emphasized that operations are intelligence-driven and conducted with professionalism and respect for human rights.

“The tide is turning against the enemies of the state, and we will sustain the momentum,” Kangye stated.

South African Man Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Murdering Girlfriend with Pickaxe Over Infidelity Suspicion

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South African Man Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Murdering Girlfriend with Pickaxe Over Infidelity Suspicion

MOGWASE, South Africa (BN24) — A South African man, Thabo Samuel Segale, was sentenced to life imprisonment on Thursday for the brutal murder of his 24-year-old girlfriend, Amogelang Princess Mpete, following suspicions of infidelity, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) announced.

The Mogwase Regional Court in the North West province handed down the sentence on July 31, 2025, also declaring Segale unfit to possess a firearm.

The attack occurred on the evening of July 10, 2019, at Mpete’s family home, where Segale visited and sat with Mpete, her seven-year-old child, and her 12-year-old sibling. After Mpete asked Segale to leave due to the late hour and the family’s need for rest, he reacted violently.

According to court evidence, Segale’s suspicions of infidelity fueled a sudden and violent outburst. He retrieved a pickaxe from another room and attacked Mpete in front of the children. Despite her attempts to flee with the children, Segale pursued her outside and struck her fatal blow to the head with the pickaxe before fleeing.

Segale was arrested the next day, denied bail, and remained in custody throughout the trial. He pleaded guilty to murder.

During sentencing, a Victim Impact Statement detailed the profound emotional trauma experienced by the children who witnessed the attack. Advocate Sicelo Moselakgomo described the murder as a savage, premeditated act that “shocks the conscience of any civilized society,” urging for a sentence that reflects public outrage and protects society.

The court agreed, underscoring the serious prevalence of gender-based violence in the region, and imposed life imprisonment.

Dr. Rachel Makhari, Director of Public Prosecutions for the North West, praised the coordinated efforts of the South African Police Service and prosecution teams, stating the sentence sends a strong message against gender-based violence and reinforces the NPA’s commitment to justice for victims of such crimes.

Medvedev Warns Trump of Russia’s ‘Dead Hand’ Nuclear System as War of Words Intensifies

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Medvedev Warns Trump of Russia’s ‘Dead Hand’ Nuclear System as War of Words Intensifies

MOSCOW (BN24) — Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Thursday issued a stark warning to President Donald Trump, reminding the U.S. leader of Russia’s Cold War-era “Dead Hand” nuclear command system following Trump’s public rebuke of the Kremlin official on social media.

The escalating exchange erupted after Trump lashed out at Medvedev in a late-night post on his Truth Social platform, telling the deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council to “watch his words” following remarks Medvedev made about Trump’s proposed tariffs on Russian oil and its buyers.

“Tell Medvedev, the failed former President of Russia, who thinks he’s still President, to watch his words. He’s entering very dangerous territory!” Trump wrote, targeting the former Kremlin leader for the second time in less than a month.

The confrontation follows Trump’s July 29 ultimatum, in which he gave Moscow “10 days” to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine or face sweeping tariffs targeting Russian energy exports and the countries that purchase them. So far, Russia has shown no sign of complying. The Kremlin continues to push peace terms Kyiv considers tantamount to surrender.

In his latest remarks, Trump made clear that he was unbothered by India’s continued energy ties with Moscow, stating bluntly, “They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care.” He added, “We have done very little business with India. Their tariffs are too high, among the highest in the world. Likewise, Russia and the USA do almost no business together. Let’s keep it that way.”

Medvedev responded via Telegram, arguing that Trump’s fierce reaction validated Russia’s approach.

“If some words from the former president of Russia trigger such a nervous reaction from the high-and-mighty president of the United States, then Russia is doing everything right and will continue to proceed along its own path,” Medvedev said.

He then invoked the Cold War-era “Dead Hand,” a semi-automated Soviet-era nuclear retaliatory system designed to launch Russia’s strategic arsenal in the event of a decapitation strike that wipes out the Kremlin’s leadership. “Trump should remember how dangerous the fabled ‘Dead Hand’ can be,” Medvedev warned.

Medvedev, once seen as a moderate, has become one of the Kremlin’s most aggressive voices since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Though widely dismissed by Russian opposition figures as erratic and inflammatory, his rhetoric is seen by some Western diplomats as a window into the prevailing mindset within Russia’s national security establishment.

Trump, who previously warned Medvedev in July for “throwing around the N (nuclear) word,” again criticized the Russian official’s inflammatory nuclear threats. That earlier warning came after Medvedev commented on U.S. strikes against Iran and hinted that “a number of countries” might be willing to supply Tehran with nuclear warheads.

At the time, Trump responded with derision: “I guess that’s why Putin’s ‘THE BOSS’,” suggesting Medvedev had little authority in Moscow’s chain of command.

The latest spat comes as diplomatic tensions between Washington and Moscow remain high, with the war in Ukraine grinding on and nuclear threats continuing to loom in the rhetoric of both sides.

Trump Urges Federal Reserve Board to Strip Chair Powell of Rate-Setting Authority Amid Economic Slowdown

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Trump Urges Federal Reserve Board to Strip Chair Powell of Rate-Setting Authority Amid Economic Slowdown

WASHINGTON (BN24) — President Donald Trump on Friday escalated his pressure campaign on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, calling on the central bank’s board of governors to wrest control of monetary policy from Powell and lower interest rates immediately.

Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump accused Powell of being “stubborn” for refusing to slash short-term interest rates despite signs of economic deceleration. The president’s criticism follows months of public attacks on Powell, whom Trump blames for hampering growth through tight monetary policy.

“If he doesn’t substantially lower rates, THE BOARD SHOULD ASSUME CONTROL, AND DO WHAT EVERYONE KNOWS HAS TO BE DONE!” Trump wrote, suggesting an unprecedented override of the Fed chair’s authority.

Under the Federal Reserve’s structure, monetary policy is set by the Federal Open Market Committee, which includes both the seven members of the Fed’s board of governors and the presidents of regional reserve banks. While the Fed is designed to operate independently of the White House, Trump has consistently attempted to influence its decisions.

The central bank has held its benchmark interest rate steady this year, citing the need to assess the impact of Trump’s sweeping tariffs on inflation and employment. Powell has defended the Fed’s cautious stance, arguing that more data is needed before making changes that could reverberate through the U.S. economy.

Despite his own declarations that the economy remains strong, Trump insists that aggressive rate cuts would ease borrowing costs for consumers and the government, thereby bolstering growth. He has pushed for a dramatic 3-point cut, which would slash the federal funds rate from its current average of 4.33% to around 1.33%.

Critics warn that such a sharp reduction could overheat the economy, pushing inflation well above the Fed’s 2% target. The central bank’s preferred inflation measure is currently running at 2.6% annually.

In a rare move, Fed governors Christopher Waller and Michelle Bowman — both nominated by Trump — dissented at Wednesday’s Fed meeting, advocating for moderate rate cuts. Trump seized on their dissent as support for his position, calling them “strong” and “right.”

Later Friday, the Fed announced that Governor Adriana Kugler will step down next week. Trump responded by calling for Powell to resign as well, posting, “She knew he was doing the wrong thing on Interest Rates. He should resign, also!”

Friday’s disappointing jobs report added urgency to Trump’s demands. The U.S. economy added only 73,000 jobs in July, and previous months’ figures were revised sharply downward, signaling a slowdown in hiring momentum.

While Trump has long signaled his discontent with Powell, legal options for removing the Fed chair remain limited. In a May ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court appeared to reinforce that Powell cannot be fired over policy disagreements. However, the White House has since floated the idea of dismissing Powell “for cause,” pointing to alleged cost overruns in the Fed’s ongoing $2.5 billion renovation project.

Powell’s term as chair runs until May 2026. Trump, if reelected, would then have the opportunity to nominate a successor and reshape the direction of the central bank.

Judge Blocks Trump Administration Bid to End Protections for 60,000 Immigrants from Central America and Nepal

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Judge Blocks Trump Administration Bid to End Protections for 60,000 Immigrants from Central America and Nepal

SAN FRANCISCO (BN24) — A federal judge in California has blocked the Trump administration’s effort to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for more than 60,000 immigrants from Central America and Asia, including nationals from Honduras, Nicaragua, and Nepal. The ruling halts a significant component of the administration’s broader crackdown on immigration.

U.S. District Judge Trina L. Thompson ruled Thursday that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), under Secretary Kristi Noem, failed to provide an objective review of ongoing conditions in the affected countries before announcing the terminations. Instead, the administration moved to strip legal protections despite persistent political instability, economic hardship, and natural disasters in the region.

Thompson’s ruling keeps TPS protections in place while the case continues, with the next hearing set for November 18. Without the ruling, 7,000 Nepalese would have lost their legal status by August 5, followed by the expiration of protections for 51,000 Hondurans and nearly 3,000 Nicaraguans on September 8. Most of these immigrants have lived and worked legally in the U.S. for more than two decades.

In a strongly worded opinion, Thompson said the decision to end TPS was driven by racial and political bias rather than legitimate policy review. She noted that President Donald Trump and Secretary Noem’s public statements reflected a “discriminatory belief that certain immigrant populations will replace the white population.” Her ruling cited remarks that she said amounted to a rejection of immigrants “because of their names” and an attempt to “purify their blood.”

“The freedom to live fearlessly, the opportunity of liberty, and the American dream. That is all Plaintiffs seek,” she wrote.

TPS is a humanitarian safeguard allowing nationals from designated countries to live and work in the U.S. legally when returning to their homeland is unsafe due to armed conflict, natural disasters, or extraordinary conditions. Although intended to be temporary, many recipients have established deep roots in American society.

The judge also cited potential economic harm, estimating the decision to terminate TPS for these groups could result in a $1.4 billion blow to the U.S. economy. In practical terms, it could mean loss of employment, health insurance, and family separation for tens of thousands of people.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs, including the National TPS Alliance, argued that the Trump administration’s move was predetermined and politically motivated. Ahilan Arulanantham, representing the plaintiffs, criticized the DHS for giving families only two months to leave the country, calling the process “awful.”

The Biden administration had previously indicated it would review TPS decisions made under Trump, but advocates say legal action remains necessary as cases from the Trump era continue to move through the courts.

Officials from affected countries expressed cautious optimism. Honduras Deputy Foreign Minister Antonio García said the ruling allows immigrants “to work in peace, tranquility and legally,” and voiced hope that the judicial process would ultimately prevail over executive action.

Meanwhile, conditions in countries like Nicaragua remain dire. The government of President Daniel Ortega and his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo, has systematically dismantled civil society and political opposition, prompting hundreds of thousands to flee into exile. A U.N. panel in February accused Nicaragua’s government of committing serious human rights abuses to maintain absolute control.

The Trump administration has also ended TPS designations for hundreds of thousands from Venezuela, Haiti, Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Cameroon, with many challenges still pending in federal courts.

The Justice Department argued in court that Secretary Noem acted within her lawful authority and that the administration’s immigration and foreign policy goals justify ending the protections. “It is not meant to be permanent,” said Justice Department attorney William Weiland.

Tennessee Manhunt: Suspect at Large After Allegedly Killing 4 Family Members, Leaving Infant Alive

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Tennessee Manhunt: Suspect at Large After Allegedly Killing 4 Family Members, Leaving Infant Alive

DYER COUNTY, Tenn. (BN24) — Authorities in Tennessee are searching for a man accused of killing four family members and abandoning an infant alive in a stranger’s front yard, in what investigators are calling a targeted and brutal attack.

Austin Robert Drummond, 29, is wanted on multiple charges, including four counts of first-degree murder, after officials discovered the bodies of four individuals on Tuesday along a rural road in Lake County, near the state’s borders with Arkansas, Missouri, and Kentucky.

The victims were identified as 38-year-old Cortney Rose, her two children—20-year-old Adrianna Williams and 15-year-old Braydon Williams—and Adrianna’s boyfriend, 21-year-old James “Michael” Wilson. According to family and law enforcement, all were killed in what investigators believe was not a random act.

In a chilling twist, Wilson and Adrianna Williams’ baby was found later that day in a car seat left in the front yard of a home in nearby Dyer County. Paramedics treated the infant, who was unharmed and is now in protective care, officials said.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), which is leading the manhunt, described Drummond as armed and dangerous. His abandoned white 2016 Audi was recovered in Jackson, Tennessee, where he is believed to have connections. Authorities suspect he remains in the region.

“This was an extremely tragic and violent event,” the TBI said in a statement, “but there was a sign of compassion—the baby left unharmed—that tells us there’s a possibility Austin may have some sense of hope or remorse.”

Drummond faces additional charges, including aggravated kidnapping, four counts of felon in possession of a firearm, and one count of possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony.

District Attorney Danny Goodman confirmed that Drummond was out on bond at the time of the killings, awaiting trial for a separate attempted murder charge related to an incident that occurred while he was incarcerated for attempted robbery.

Authorities have offered a $15,000 reward for information leading to Drummond’s capture. TBI Director David Rausch urged the public to remain vigilant but not to approach the suspect. “We need the community’s help to bring him in safely,” Rausch said.

As the investigation unfolds, the killings have left a tight-knit rural community reeling, and officials continue to search for answers—and for justice.

Tesla Ordered to Pay $200 Million in Punitive Damages Over Fatal Autopilot Crash

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Tesla Ordered to Pay $200 Million in Punitive Damages Over Fatal Autopilot Crash

MIAMI (BN24) — A federal jury in Florida has ordered Tesla to pay $200 million in punitive damages, along with $43 million in compensatory damages, after finding the electric vehicle maker partially liable in a wrongful death lawsuit involving its Autopilot system.

The case stemmed from the 2019 death of 22-year-old Naibel Benavides Leon, who was struck and killed by a Tesla Model S operating on Autopilot at a T-shaped intersection. Her boyfriend, Dillon Angulo, was also hit in the crash and sustained life-altering injuries. The driver, George McGee, admitted to momentarily losing sight of the road after dropping his phone, but the jury found that Tesla shared significant responsibility for the crash due to defects in its semi-autonomous technology.

The plaintiffs argued that Tesla’s Autopilot system failed to react appropriately, even though the car’s internal sensors detected the impending collision. A key piece of evidence—a recovered augmented video that included data from the vehicle’s Autopilot computer—showed the car recognized the danger but did not intervene until the crash was unavoidable.

“What we ultimately learned from that video is that the vehicle 100% knew it was about to run off the roadway, through a stop sign, through a blinking red light, through a parked car, and into a pedestrian—yet it did nothing,” said attorney Adam Boumel, who represented the victims.

Plaintiffs’ attorneys sought $345 million in total damages during closing arguments, citing what they described as Tesla’s “reckless promotion” of its self-driving technology. “This verdict represents justice for Naibel’s tragic death and Dillon’s lifelong injuries,” said co-counsel Brett Schreiber. “It holds Tesla and Elon Musk accountable for inflating the company’s valuation with unfulfilled promises of autonomous driving.”

Tesla strongly disagreed with the outcome and vowed to appeal. “Today’s verdict is wrong and only serves to undermine efforts to advance life-saving technologies,” the company said in a statement. “This was never about Autopilot. The driver admitted responsibility from the start.”

Tesla contended the Autopilot system was not engaged in a way that absolved human oversight, but the jury concluded that the vehicle’s software bore partial fault for the failure to prevent the crash.

Legal analysts say the verdict could have far-reaching implications for Tesla and the autonomous driving industry at large. “This opens the floodgates,” said Miguel Custodio, a personal injury lawyer unaffiliated with the case. “It will embolden more plaintiffs to challenge Tesla’s safety claims.”

Plaintiffs’ attorney Todd Poses emphasized that the goal of the case was not only accountability but also public safety. “Tesla needs to go back to the drawing board,” he said. “Whether or not this sets a precedent for the company, we hope it leads to safer roads for everyone.”

The case marks one of the most significant legal challenges Tesla has faced over its Autopilot feature, amid ongoing scrutiny over multiple crashes linked to the system. While similar lawsuits have been dismissed in the past, Friday’s decision may change the legal landscape for the EV giant moving forward.

CBS/AP

Gunman at Large After 4 Killed in Montana Bar Shooting; Manhunt Underway Near Anaconda

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Gunman at Large After 4 Killed in Montana Bar Shooting; Manhunt Underway Near Anaconda

ANACONDA, Mont. (BN24) — Four people were fatally shot Friday morning inside a bar in the small Montana city of Anaconda, prompting an urgent manhunt for a suspect authorities say is armed and dangerous.

The shooting occurred around 10:30 a.m. local time at The Owl Bar, according to the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation. Law enforcement has identified the suspect as Michael Paul Brown, warning the public not to approach him under any circumstances and to call 911 with any information.

Local and state agencies, including SWAT units, are actively searching for Brown west of Anaconda, focusing on an area near Stumptown Road and Anderson Ranch Loop Road. Authorities urged residents to avoid the area while the investigation and manhunt are ongoing.

In a statement Friday, the Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Law Enforcement Department described Brown as “armed and dangerous.” He was last seen wearing a tie-dye shirt, blue jeans, and an orange bandana, according to the neighboring Granite County Sheriff’s Office.

Brown’s residence in Anaconda has already been cleared by a tactical team, but as of Friday afternoon, he remained at large.

The local newspaper, The Anaconda Leader, suspended its Friday print delivery in response to the ongoing threat. “Our office is closed until the situation is resolved,” the paper said in a social media post, adding that updates would continue to be published online.

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte said he was closely monitoring the unfolding tragedy. “Please join Susan and me in praying for the victims, their loved ones, and the brave law enforcement officers responding to this tragedy,” he posted online, referring to his wife, Susan Gianforte.

The motive for the attack remains unknown, and the identities of the victims have not been publicly released.

Friday’s mass shooting marks one of at least 256 such incidents in the U.S. so far in 2025, according to data from the Gun Violence Archive. The nonprofit defines a mass shooting as one in which at least four people are shot or killed, excluding the shooter. In 2024, the U.S. recorded 503 such incidents.

Anaconda, a historic mining town in southwestern Montana, has been shaken by the rare burst of violence. Residents have been urged to remain indoors while the search continues into the evening.

Trump Fires Top U.S. Jobs Official After Weak Employment Report Sparks Political Storm

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Trump Fires Top U.S. Jobs Official After Weak Employment Report Sparks Political Storm

WASHINGTON (BN24) — President Donald Trump on Friday removed the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics following the release of a disappointing July employment report, accusing the agency’s leadership of manipulating data for political reasons and undermining public trust in a cornerstone of U.S. economic policy.

The firing of Commissioner Erika McEntarfer — a Biden appointee confirmed by the Senate in 2023 — came hours after the latest jobs report revealed only 73,000 positions were added last month, with sharp downward revisions to May and June data totaling 258,000 fewer jobs than previously estimated.

“This Biden Political Appointee must be fired IMMEDIATELY,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “She will be replaced with someone much more competent and qualified.” The president offered no evidence that the numbers were manipulated but later doubled down, calling the figures “RIGGED” and alleging they were designed to “make the Republicans, and ME, look bad.”

McEntarfer’s abrupt ouster marks a rare and controversial intervention into a federal agency widely viewed as independent and data-driven. The Bureau of Labor Statistics, whose monthly jobs data is closely watched by Wall Street and policymakers alike, has long maintained a reputation as an impartial source of economic measurement.

In a follow-up post, Trump emphasized the revisions to May and June as grounds for dismissal. “No one can be that wrong,” he wrote. “Important numbers like this must be fair and accurate — they can’t be manipulated for political purposes.”

The July report also showed the unemployment rate ticking up slightly to 4.2% from 4.1%, amid broader signs of a slowing U.S. economy and rising inflation — dynamics some analysts have tied to Trump’s aggressive tariff policies.

In a statement following Trump’s post, Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer confirmed that McEntarfer was no longer heading the BLS and named Deputy Commissioner William Wiatrowski as acting director. “I support the President’s decision to replace Biden’s Commissioner and ensure the American People can trust the important and influential data coming from BLS,” she said on X.

Trump’s sweeping move prompted immediate backlash from economists and lawmakers. “Firing the Commissioner … threatens to destroy trust in core American institutions,” warned Arin Dube, an economist at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. “I can’t stress how damaging this is.”

Democratic Senate Leader Chuck Schumer was blunt: “What does a bad leader do when they get bad news? Shoot the messenger.”

Despite now rejecting the jobs data, Trump had previously praised the very same numbers when the preliminary May report initially showed 139,000 jobs added. “GREAT JOB NUMBERS, STOCK MARKET UP BIG!” he posted on June 6. That number was later revised downward — first to 125,000, and now to just 19,000.

The BLS jobs report is one of the most sensitive economic indicators in the U.S., with early copies of the report stored in secure safes to prevent leaks. Revisions are a routine part of the monthly process, as more survey responses arrive over time. Economists note that slower reporting by businesses in recent years has led to larger-than-usual monthly adjustments.

Even so, Trump’s decision to remove the BLS commissioner over routine statistical revisions has sparked deep concern among economists, many of whom fear long-term damage to the credibility of U.S. economic reporting.

India Hit Back Hard on Day Two to Keep Final Test with England in the Balance

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India Hit Back Hard on Day Two to Keep Final Test with England in the Balance

LONDON (BN24) — India clawed back control in the final Test against England on Friday, producing a spirited bowling performance to leave the match finely poised after a chaotic and captivating Day Two at The Oval.

After England’s openers raced to a blistering start in the morning session, threatening to seize full control of the decider, India’s bowlers fought back with relentless intensity to bowl the hosts out for 247—just 23 runs ahead. India then responded with purpose in the final hour and a half, reaching 75-2 at stumps, a lead of 52 runs, with opener Yashasvi Jaiswal unbeaten on a fluent 51.

Earlier, England’s bowlers made short work of India’s fragile lower order. Resuming at 204-6, the visitors were dismissed for 224 within 30 minutes of play. Gus Atkinson led the charge with a career-best 5-33, dismantling the tail in clinical fashion in his first Test appearance since May. Karun Nair fell for 57 and Washington Sundar added 26, but the innings collapsed swiftly from there as Atkinson removed Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna for ducks.

England’s reply began in trademark aggressive style, surging to 92 without loss in just 12 overs. Ben Duckett, in particular, thrilled the crowd with an audacious reverse hook for six off Akash Deep, part of the fastest 50-run opening stand ever recorded by an England pair in Test cricket. Duckett was eventually dismissed for 43, caught behind attempting another reverse stroke.

At lunch, England were 109-1 and seemingly in control, but India once again demonstrated their resilience. Zac Crawley’s composed 64 ended tamely, and Ollie Pope followed soon after for 22. Mohammed Siraj then trapped Joe Root lbw for 29, before removing Harry Brook late in the day for 53 in a rain-affected final session. With Chris Woakes unavailable due to injury, England were all out for 247, Krishna finishing with 4-62 and Siraj claiming four wickets as well.

India’s second innings began positively despite the overcast skies. Jaiswal, reprieved on 40 after a drop in the deep, counter-attacked with authority, guiding India past England’s total. KL Rahul fell for seven to Josh Tongue, and Sai Sudharsan was trapped lbw by Atkinson for 11, but the visitors closed in a strong position at 75-2, with Deep on four at the other end.

With sunny weather forecast and a full house expected for Day Three, the dramatic momentum swings that have defined the series show no signs of easing. The Test—and the summer-long contest—remains delicately poised.

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