Mercedes-Benz Club of Sri Lanka sets new world record with 640-car gathering

The Mercedes-Benz Club of Sri Lanka has successfully hosted a historic gathering of 640 Mercedes-Benz vehicles, as officially verified and certified by international auditors BDO partners, establishing a new benchmark for the largest gathering of Mercedes-Benz cars in the world in one location.

This achievement surpasses the current Guinness-listed record of 479 vehicles, previously set by Mercedes-Benz Ecuador in Quito, Ecuador, on 16 October 2021.

The record-breaking event took place on 8 February 2026 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Mercedes-Benz owners from across the country united to celebrate the brand’s legacy, engineering excellence, and the strong camaraderie within the Sri Lankan Mercedes-Benz community.

Executive Committee of the Mercedes-Benz Club of Sri Lanka said: “We are immensely proud of this momentous accomplishment. This event reflects the passion, dedication, and unity of our members and the wider Mercedes-Benz family in Sri Lanka. The certification by BDO partners underscores the credibility and precision with which the event was organised and conducted.”

The club extends its heartfelt appreciation to all participants, partners, our main sponsors Dimo the exclusive agent for Mercedes Benz vehicles in Sri Lanka, and volunteers whose contributions made this extraordinary milestone possible.

Founded in 1990 the club celebrates its 35th year in preserving the heritage, innovation, and passion behind the Mercedes-Benz brand, the Mercedes-Benz Club of Sri Lanka brings together enthusiasts and owners from across the nation. Through events, exhibitions, and community initiatives, the club fosters connection, knowledge-sharing, and appreciation for one of the world’s most iconic automotive marques.

Mercedes-Benz Club of Sri Lanka sets new world record with 640-car gathering | Daily FT

Read More........ → February 11, 2026

JioHotstar Sets Record with 300 Million Subscribers in 2025, Just Behind Netflix

By Shamini D: In 2025, JioHotstar, the joint venture of JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar achieved an incredible milestone by surpassing 300 million subscribers putting it close to Netflix’s 301.6 million subscribers worldwide. It is hard to believe that JioHotstar was only at 50 million subscribers as recently as February of 2025. The catalyst for this staggering growth was the highly successful 2025 Tata IPL season.

IPL Powers a Subscription Boom

The 2025 IPL had a new viewership record for digital and television format. JioStar’s report, “A Year of Firsts” indicates 652 million views digitally versus 537 million views on TV contributing to a total viewership of an amazing 1.19 billion and 840 billion minutes watched.

On June 3, during the IPL final between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings, there were a recorded 237 million digital viewers and 189 million TV viewers. JioHotstar had digital peak concurrency of 55.2 million viewers with the IPL 2025 final alone with a resultant 892 million video views on the platform.

Monetisation & Strategic Wins

Sanjog Gupta, CEO of Sports & Live Experiences at JioStar, called IPL 2025 “the most monetised sporting event ever in India” with record ad and subscription revenues. The platform also has over 1.04 billion Android downloads, strong international content and deep penetration in regional markets mainly in Telugu, Kannada and Tamil that contributed to viewer growth. JioHotstar Sets Record with 300 Million Subscribers in 2025, Just Behind Netflix

Read More........ → July 04, 2025

Record-breaking projections light up Tokyo skyscraper

TOKYO - The imposing towers of Tokyo's city government headquarters are now home to the world's largest permanent projection mapping display, which officials hope will become a new tourist draw. Soaring birds, traditional patterns and illustrations of landmarks including Mount Fuji are among the designs adorning the skyscraper in a nightly spectacle. The evening light show began on Monday, the day after an opening event was held with live instrumental music. Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) hopes the bright lights on its twin-towered building in central Shinjuku will "add colour" to the capital's

AFP | Kazuhiro NOGI

skyline year-round. The city government, which already offers free viewing floors with large windows at the top of each tower, also hopes to create a new tourist attraction with the display. Visitor numbers to Japan have surged since pandemic-era border closures ended, with the number of foreign tourists hitting a record for December last year.Guinness World Records has certified the attraction, called "Tokyo Night and Light", as the "largest architectural projection-mapped display (permanent)", TMG said. Record-breaking projections light up Tokyo skyscraper

Read More........ → March 07, 2024

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport Powers Up Minnesota’s Largest Solar Energy Project

BY: METROPOLITAN AIRPORTS COMMISSION/AMERESCO, First Airport in the Nation to Construct a Solar Generation Structure of this Kind A 3-megawatt solar installation is now complete on the top deck of two Terminal 1-Lindbergh parking structures at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) – Minnesota’s largest solar generation site. This first-of-its-kind airport project also included converting more than 7,700 metal halide light fixtures in all four parking ramps to energy-saving LED technology. Four additional electric vehicle charging stations were installed in the ramps, bringing the total number of MSP charging stations to 18. It is estimated that the installation will generate close to 20 percent of the airport’s total peak power capacity. “The Metropolitan Airports Commission has worked for decades to operate Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport as sustainably as possible, investing millions in infrastructure to reduce impacts to soil, water and air quality, and spending nearly a half-billion dollars on noise mitigation around MSP,” said Jeff Hamiel, the Commission’s executive director and CEO. “This solar project is a major step forward in use of renewable energy at MSP International Airport.” Ameresco, a leading energy efficiency and renewable energy company, developed the solar infrastructure and LED lighting upgrade. Ameresco also will maintain and operate the system on behalf of the Metropolitan Airports Commission. “Together we celebrate a major step forward in renewable innovation in the state of Minnesota—today the largest solar site in the state to date is now operational,” said George P. Sakellaris, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ameresco. “Ameresco commends the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and applauds its leadership team for its stewardship both in pursuing renewable energy solutions for the airport as well as obtaining public-private financing to support the construction. Ameresco is honored to be a sustainability partner in this innovative project, and we take pride in contributing to local job creation as part of achieving energy savings and sustainability.” This solar project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 6,813 metric tons annually. This is the equivalent of taking 1,434 passengers off the road in one year. As a result, this effort has already been recognized nationally for its innovation and partnership through awards, including the Airports Going Green Award presented by the Chicago Department of Aviation and the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s 2015 Technology and Innovation in Environmental Stewardship Award. Xcel Energy, also a key contributor, provided a $2.1 million grant from its renewable development fund. “We’re pleased to partner with the Metropolitan Airport Commission on its ambitious solar initiative,” said Xcel Energy Regional President Chris Clark. “As a first and last stop for travelers, the airport’s visibility showcases Minnesota’s commitment to increasing renewable energy use and improving the environment.” Source: PV-Magazine

Read More........ → December 05, 2015

Adele sketch sets BBC YouTube record

A sketch from BBC One’s Adele at the BBC special has been viewed more than 37 million times in just two weeks, making it the most-watched video ever on the BBC YouTube channel. The comedy sketch – ‘When Adele wasn’t Adele… but was Jenny! – has broken the previous record of 36.9 million views. It became an instant global hit on the BBC YouTube channel after being featured in the programme, a one-off special broadcast on November 20th on BBC One. The television show has now been watched by 5.8 million people and an extended version featuring previously unseen footage will be shown on BBC One on January 1st. The previous Number 1 clip features Will Smith on The Graham Norton Show performing a song medley, including the theme to 90s sitcom Fresh Prince of Bel Air, with his son Jaden Smith, Alfonso Ribero, who played Carlton in the series, and DJ Jazzy Jeff. It has been on the BBC YouTube Channel for over two years and has now been knocked down to second place. Bob Shennan, Director of BBC Music, says: “I’m delighted to see such a phenomenal response to the show in the UK, and to see the magical sketch gain a huge global audience who are enjoying and sharing the BBC’s content.”Source: Article, Image: Flickr.com

Read More........ → December 05, 2015

Marriot becomes world's largest hotelier with $1.2-bn Starwood acquisition

US hospitality giant Marriot International Inc has struck a deal to buy rival Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Inc, owner of Sheraton and Le Meridien hotel chains, for approximately $12.2 billion in a cash-and-stock deal, aiming to create the world's biggest hotelier. The combination would own over 30 popular global brands comprising 5,500 properties and more than 1.1 million rooms and would push the current leader and rival Hilton Worldwide which has 4,400 properties and about 720,000 rooms to the second spot. Under the terms, Starwood shareholders will get 0.92 shares of Marriot and $2 in cash for each of their shares, valuing the total transaction at around $12.2 billion. Based on the stock price as of 13 November, this comprises $11.9 billion of Marriot stock and a cash portion of $340 million. The total estimated value for Starwood shareholders, including approximately $7.80 per share on account of Starwood timeshare business, works out to around $79.88 per share. The value represents approximately 19-per cent premium based on 20-day volume weighted average price for the stock before the rumours surfaced on 26 October 2015. The merged business will benefit from substantial economies of scale, and improve its competitiveness. Bethesda, Maryland-based Marriot is a hospitality behemoth with more than 4,300 properties in 85 countries and territories. Its brands include Ritz-Carlton, Bylgari, Edition, Marriot, Renaissance Hotels and Delta Hotels and Resorts, among others. The group's fiscal 2014 revenue was nearly $14 billion. Marriot has been on an expansion spree recently. In April, the group bought Canada's Delta Hotels and Resorts, making it biggest hotel company in the country. Starwood, headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut owns over 1,270 properties in 100 countries and its renowned brands include Le Meridien, Sheraton, W, Westin, St Regis, Four Points and others. The hotelier's annual revenue is over $6 billion. Marriot president and chief executive officer Arne Sorenson said, ''The driving force behind this transaction is growth. This is an opportunity to create value by combining the distribution and strengths of Marriott and Starwood, enhancing our competitiveness in a quickly evolving marketplace. '' ''This greater scale should offer a wider choice of brands to consumers, improve economics to owners and franchisees, increase unit growth and enhance long-term value to shareholders,'' he added. ''A combination with Marriott provides the greatest long-term value for our shareholders and the strongest and most certain path forward for our company,'' Starwood chairman Bruce Duncan commented. Upon the completion of the merger, Marriot shareholders would own 63 per cent of the combined entity, while the remaining 37 per cent would be held by Starwood shareholders. The merger will cost approximately $100-$150 million over the next two years, the companies said. Marriot's Sorenson will remain president and chief executive officer of the combined business. The board members will increase from 11 to 14, with three directors joining from Starwood. The deal is expected to close in mid-2016, subject to shareholder approvals and customary closing conditions as well as completion of Starwood's planned disposition of its timeshare business. Starwood ended 3.7 per cent lower at $72.25 yesterday in New York, while Marriot stock moved up 1.4 per cent to $73.22 Deutsche Bank Securities is acting as financial advisor to Marriott while Starwood is advised by Lazard and Citigroup in respect of the transaction. Source: Article, Image: flickr.com

Read More........ → November 19, 2015

2 Indian-Americans among richest entrepreneurs under 40

Photo courtesy: Twitter account of Apoorva Mehta (@apoorva_mehta)

New York, November 19Two Indian-origin businessmen have been ranked by Forbes magazine among the richest entrepreneurs in America under the age of 40, a list that has been topped by Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Vivek Ramaswamy, 30, a former hedge fund manager, has been ranked 33rd on the list with a net worth of USD 500 million.  Forbes said his source of wealth is investments. On the 40th spot is 29-year old Apoorva Mehta, the founder and CEO of Instacart, the web-based grocery delivery service. Mehta's net worth is USD 400 million. Zuckerberg leads the pack with a net worth of USD 47.1 billion, more than four times as much as the second person in the ranks, his cofounder and college friend Dustin Moskovitz. At number three is Jan Koum, who came to America at age 16. He started WhatsApp, now the world's biggest mobile messaging service with 800 million users in 2009 and sold it to Facebook for about USD 22 billion in cash and stock in 2014. Forbes said California techies dominate the first ever list of the nation's 40 most successful young entrepreneurs under the age of 40, "reaffirming the American Dream and proving yet again that there is no better way right now to get rich fast than to go west and convince venture investors to back your most ambitious ideas." Elizabeth Holmes is the only woman to make the 'America's Richest Entrepreneurs Under 40'. Holmes quit Stanford at age 19 to start blood testing company Theranos. However, recently in a setback, the FDA told Holmes that her company was using an unapproved blood collection device. All of the young entrepreneurs in the list have net worth of USD 400 million or more and 34 made their money in the tech sector. Twenty-one are billionaires and many either created or work for some of the hottest tech companies, including Uber, AirBnB, Fitbit, GitHub, Instacart and Pinterest. The list's youngest member is Palmer Luckey, who was just 21 years old when he sold his virtual reality equipment company, Oculus, to Facebook for USD 2.3 billion in July 2014. Luckey's net worth is USD 700 million and is one of half a dozen in the ranks who are still in their 20s, Forbes said. —PTI. Source: Article

Read More........ → November 19, 2015

1,800 new satellites over next 10 years

More than 1800 new satellites will be ordered and launched over the next 10 years, according to a report from Northern Sky Research (NSR), and in the process generate $300 billion across global markets. These satellites, ranging from so-called mini-sats weighing more than 50 kgs, up to giant telecommunications craft weighing around 6 tonnes, include entirely new operators. New entrants such as Google and the Richard Branson-backed constellations of Low Earth Orbiting craft. The strong demand experienced in 2013 continued through last year, with 116 satellites launched globally in 2014 and 149 new craft ordered. “Commercial procurements overtook government and military orders for the first time since 2010, a result of restrained government budgets as well as small satellite constellation growth. The growth witnessed in 2014 across multiple segments is expected to continue into 2015,” said NSR. While traditional GEO communications will continue to be the most valuable commercial segment for the manufacturing and launch industry, satellite services are gradually addressing a broader user base and causing a corresponding change in procurement. “Evolving barriers to entry and new platforms – whether small and cheaply produced or featuring higher power, electric propulsion, and flexibility – are facilitating a diversification of application markets and the emergence of new players across the value chain,” noted Carolyn Belle, NSR Analyst and report co-author. Source: Article

Read More........ → February 26, 2015