UK’s First Geothermal Power Plant Begins Using Underground Heat to Power 10K Homes

The United Downs plant in Cornwall – credit, Thomas Frost Photography / Geothermal Engineering Limited © SWNS

The UK’s first geothermal power plant has just begun operations, using hot water from deep underground to create renewable electricity.

The United Downs plant in Cornwall has been in development for nearly two decades, and will now begin providing enough electricity to power 10,000 homes.

Geothermal power generation comes via energy stored in the form of heat beneath the surface of the Earth. The company behind the project, (GEL) Geothermal Engineering Ltd., had to drill the deepest on-shore well ever drilled on UK soil—over 3 miles deep—to source the geothermal fluid that is used for the power plant.

The naturally heated water, exceeding 190°C, generates electricity 24 hours a day, 7 days a week regardless of the weather.

The water will help drive turbines to generate electricity for 10,000 homes but will also provide the UK’s first domestic supply of lithium, a critical mineral used in green technology.

Dr. Ryan Law, CEO of GEL, said the opening of the power plant is a “huge advancement for geothermal power in the UK.”

“Geothermal energy and critical minerals extraction are naturally complementary as they share the same subsurface resource,” Dr. Law explained. “The hot, mineral-rich fluids that generate clean electricity can also be processed to recover strategic materials like lithium carbonate.”

“Therefore, collocating power and mineral extraction plants maximizes investment in the wells, minimizes subsurface disruption, and accelerates the transition to secure domestic supply in both critical sectors.”

GEL have said the water they’ve brought to the surface after drilling contains one of the highest concentrations of lithium in the world.

Lithium carbonate is a key raw material used in the production of rechargeable batteries like those that power electric vehicles and energy storage systems. From its February, 2026 starting point, GEL says the plant has the capacity to produce 100 tons per annum.

Ground source heat pumps are a form of geothermal technology already used in the UK, and in places like Southampton, heating is provided to hundreds of homes via a local network. But the United Downs project has drilled to far greater depths where temperatures are hot enough to generate more than just heat, but actual electricity.

Furthermore, the project has only cost around $59 million to date, funded through private investors and the EU.

Energy provider Octopus Energy has purchased the power generated at United Downs and will deliver it, via the national grid, to about 10,000 homes.

GEL has two other sites it plans to develop into geothermal power plants, and although one additional site has been initially turned down over environmental concerns, the company is appealing.

Greg Jackson, Founder of Octopus Energy, said UK bills are “still too high” and the answer is “more homegrown, renewable energy.”

“For the first time, we’re bringing deep geothermal power to British homes—a clean, constant energy source right beneath our feet,” he said. “Projects like United Downs show how the UK can cut bills and carbon by tapping every ounce of our renewable potential.” UK’s First Geothermal Power Plant Begins Using Underground Heat to Power 10K Homes:

Read More........ → March 07, 2026

MTN to take control of IHS Towers for $2.2 billion

Posted by Harry Baldock: The operator says reintegrating the tower assets will strengthen its African operations and improve financial metrics

African telco giant MTN Group is set to take full control of IHS Towers, one of Africa’s largest independent tower companies, in a deal valued at $6.2 billion.

The deal will see MTN acquire the 75% stake in IHS that it doesn’t already own for $2.2 billion in cash.

“This proposed transaction is a pivotal step in further strengthening MTN Group’s strategic and financial position for a future where digital infrastructure will become ever more essential to Africa’s growth and development. This transaction gives us a unique opportunity to buy back our towers and strengthen our ability to be partners for progress to the nation states in which we operate,” said MTN CEO Ralph Mupita.

The deal is subject to the typical regulatory approvals, with watchdogs likely to look closely at the impact on competition, given IHS also rents their infrastructure to MTN’s rivals across Africa.

For MTN, the move represents something of a strategic U-turn. The operator group has pursued an asset-light approach for the past decade, selling many of its towers – largely to IHS – in multiple markets.

In recent years, however, MTN’s relationship with the tower company has grown more complicated. The operator has repeatedly complained about IHS’s corporate governance, particularly that IHS had capped its voting rights at 20%, despite MTN owning a stake of around 26% in the business.

At the same time, IHS saw major losses from the devaluation of the Nigerian naira in 2023, leading MTN to attempt to seek adjusted lease terms to reduce foreign‑currency exposure.

Given this increasingly difficult operating relationship, MTN’s stake acquisition represents an opportunity to simplify and de-risk the company’s balance sheet by removing long‑term lease liabilities.Market watchers will be watching whether MTN’s reintegration of roughly 29,000 African sites delivers the financial and strategic gains management forecasts, and whether rivals respond with selective buybacks, new sharing deals, or continued reliance on independent towercos. MTN to take control of IHS Towers for $2.2 billion - Total Telecom

Read More........ → March 03, 2026

Global trends, fading roots: What the Korean wave means for India

New Delhi, (IANS): Recent incidents and growing concerns around excessive online influence and cultural obsession among adolescents have renewed national debate on how foreign cultural content is being consumed by young Indians, and whether adequate guidance and balance are being provided at the family and institutional level.

At the heart of this discussion lies a broader and more complex issue -- India's cultural confidence and the way its youth relate to their own language, traditions, and identity in an increasingly globalised world.

Over the past decade, South Korean popular culture -- popularly known as the Korean Wave or Hallyu -- has gained remarkable traction among Indian youth.

Korean pop music, television dramas, online games, fashion trends, food preferences, and even language expressions have become deeply embedded in adolescent and youth lifestyles, particularly in urban and semi-urban India.

While cultural exchange is a natural and often enriching process, concern arises when admiration for another culture begins to replace, rather than complement, one's own cultural foundations.

The contrast between South Korea and India is particularly striking.

While a country like South Korea, with a population of around 50 million, is consistently promoting its culture, language, traditions, and music not only within its own borders but across the world, India -- despite having a population of nearly 1.4 billion -- appears to be gradually distancing itself from its own cultural roots.

Many observers note that Indian youth are increasingly forgetting their language, traditions, food habits, and cultural practices, while enthusiastically adopting foreign lifestyles and trends.

South Korea's cultural success is not driven by blind admiration for other nations, nor by rejection of globalisation. Instead, it is built on deep confidence in its own identity.

Korean youth do not abandon their language or traditions while engaging with the global community.

On international platforms, Koreans confidently use their native language, promote their music and cinema, support domestic brands, and project a strong sense of national belonging. This mindset is anchored in the concept of "Woori Nara", meaning "my country", which reflects collective responsibility, cultural loyalty, and pride.

Wherever Koreans go -- whether for education, employment, or travel -- they consciously carry their identity with them. They speak Korean among themselves abroad, prefer Korean airlines, support Korean-made products, and actively promote Korean food, games, music, dramas, and technology.

Importantly, Korean youth are not seen abandoning their cultural values in the name of global trends, nor do they display excessive fascination with foreign cultures at the cost of their own traditions.

In contrast, a section of Indian youth appears to be moving in the opposite direction. Increasingly, young Indians openly express discomfort or dislike toward Indian food, show hesitation in using Indian languages in public spaces, and associate modernity, sophistication, or global status primarily with foreign cultural markers. While interest in global cultures is not problematic in itself, concern arises when such interest is accompanied by embarrassment, detachment, or disregard for one's own heritage.

India has historically been an emotionally open and inclusive society, readily absorbing external influences. This openness has been one of the country's greatest strengths. However, inclusiveness without cultural grounding can lead to imbalance. The issue is not about rejecting Korean culture -- or any foreign influence -- but about the absence of discernment: understanding what to learn, what to adapt, and what not to imitate blindly.

Cultural thinkers emphasise that true nationalism in a globalised world does not mean isolation or hostility toward other cultures. Rather, it means possessing the confidence to celebrate, protect, and promote one's own language, traditions, food, knowledge systems, and products while engaging respectfully with the world. South Korea's example demonstrates that strong cultural pride and global integration are not contradictory, but complementary.

The role of families, schools, and educational institutions is critical in this context. Cultural awareness and identity formation cannot be left solely to digital platforms, algorithms, or entertainment content. Children and adolescents require consistent guidance to understand their heritage, language, history, and values so that their engagement with global culture becomes additive rather than substitutive.

At the policy level, there is a growing need for initiatives that encourage Indians to use their languages confidently on international stages, openly acknowledge national achievements, and support domestic products without hesitation. Cultural confidence must be reinforced through education systems, media representation, youth programmes, and institutional messaging that normalise pride in Indian identity rather than treating it as outdated or secondary.

As India continues to assert its place on the global stage -- economically, technologically, and diplomatically -- the challenge is not to resist global culture, but to engage with it from a position of self-respect and clarity. Learning from South Korea is valuable, but the most important lesson lies not in imitating entertainment trends, fashion, or lifestyle choices. It lies in adopting the confidence with which a nation carries its identity into the world.In the end, cultural exchange should expand horizons, not erase roots. Global trends, fading roots: What the Korean wave means for India | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → March 02, 2026

Australia’s roads are full of giant cars, and everyone pays the price. What can be done?

Milad Haghani, The University of Melbourne

You may have noticed — there’s a car-size inflation on Australian roads that some have nicknamed car “mobesity”.

Most SUVs and utes from a decade or two ago look small next to today’s models.

As we head for a fifth consecutive year of rising road deaths and what could be the worst year for pedestrian fatalities in nearly two decades, it’s time to look more closely at what this means.

We already know bigger cars cause greater impacts in collisions.

But what’s less discussed is whether driving one also changes how we drive – if larger vehicles make us feel safer inside them, do they also make us take more risks behind the wheel?

What’s driving this trend?

Four in five new cars sold in Australia are SUVs or utes – more than double the share of 20 years ago.

This isn’t purely consumer-driven.

With no domestic car manufacturing, Australia imports vehicles shaped by global production trends, many of which trickle down from United States policies that reward larger vehicles.

Two subtle US policy features explain why.

First, the “SUV loophole”: under US law, most SUVs are classified as light trucks, meaning they’re subject to less stringent fuel-efficiency and crash-safety standards than passenger cars.

Second, under US fuel economy rules, fuel-efficiency targets are adjusted based on the size of the vehicle’s “footprint” — the area between its wheels. In practice, this means larger vehicles are allowed to consume more fuel while still meeting the target.

Together, these rules have encouraged American manufacturers to build and sell heavier SUVs and utes.

Large vehicles can deliver significantly higher profit margins than small cars.

These trends have resulted in more bigger cars being driven on Australian roads.

The combination of high car ownership, years without fuel efficiency rules, and the luxury-car-tax exemption that many utes qualify for has made Australia a highly lucrative market for large, high-emission models.

Marketing has played a significant role too: in 2023, car makers invested about A$125 million in SUV and 4×4 advertising in Australia – a 29% increase from the previous year.

The dangers of bigger vehicles

There’s a physical mismatch between large and small vehicles that usually transfers the danger from the occupants of the bigger car to everyone else.

While the risks of being hit by a large SUV or ute might seem self-evident, the question is how much greater those risks are.

Research provides a clear answer.

Car-to-car collisions:

• Collisions between large SUVs and smaller cars show occupants of a smaller vehicle face about 30% higher risk of dying or sustaining serious injury.

• A 500kg increase in vehicle weight is linked to a 70% higher fatality risk for occupants of the lighter car.

• For every fatal accident avoided inside a large vehicle, there are around 4.3 additional deaths among other road users.

Car-to-pedestrian and cyclist collisions:

• Pedestrians struck by SUVs are about 25% more likely to sustain serious injuries and 40–45% more likely to die than those hit by smaller cars.

• For children, the outcomes are far worse: they are up to eight times more likely to die when hit by an SUV than by a small car.

• Each 10cm increase in front-end height raises the fatality risk for pedestrians by roughly 20%.

• Tall and blunt fronts (vertical or nearly upright front design) are associated with more than a 40% increase in pedestrian death when compared with low and sloped front ends.

These differences help explain why US pedestrian deaths — once on a steady decline — have climbed back to their highest level since the early 1980s.

This is while most countries have reduced pedestrian fatalities.

Bigger cars, more risk-taking?

Evidence from multiple countries suggests driving larger vehicles may lead to more confident or risk-prone behaviour:

• India: SUV owners recorded 20–25% higher risk-taking scores than sedan or hatchback drivers

• Israel: an analysis of 1.5 million speeding citations found drivers received about a quarter more speeding tickets when vehicle mass was 10% heavier

• Austria: roadside observations of 48,000 vehicles showed SUV drivers more frequently drove without seatbelts, used phones and ran red lights. Women SUV drivers showed violation rates similar to men, breaking the usual pattern of higher female caution in traffic studies

• New Zealand: field data found SUV drivers 1.5 times more likely to drive one-handed, a behaviour linked to lower perceived risk and reduced vigilance

• Germany: large-car drivers reported higher rates of traffic violations and risky driving.

Policy can make a difference

Taxes and size-dependant registration fees could potentially offset some of the extra costs of heavier vehicles on roads surfaces, congestion and emissions, or regulate demand.

Two measures would make a tangible difference:

Licence testing by vehicle class

Many drivers obtain their licence in a small sedan but can legally drive a two-tonne ute the next day. Yet, larger vehicles demand different manoeuvring skills, longer braking distances and greater spatial awareness.

Requiring a practical test in a vehicle of comparable size to what the driver intends to drive (or a streamlined license upgrade for an experienced driver when upsizing) would acknowledge that added responsibility.

The reform would also carry a symbolic message: driving a heavier vehicle comes with greater responsibility.

Penalties scaled to impact potential

A ute or SUV travelling 10kmh over the limit carries greater kinetic energy and longer stopping distance than a small sedan.

A tiered approach – where fines or demerit points scale with vehicle mass – would better reflect the disproportionate risk that bigger cars pose.

If Australia is serious about reducing road trauma, these are the kinds of targeted, evidence-based adjustments that should be considered.

Milad Haghani, Associate Professor and Principal Fellow in Urban Risk and Resilience, The University of Melbourne

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Read More........ → February 28, 2026

Amari Colombo wins Sri Lanka’s Leading Business Hotel 2025 at World Travel Awards

Amari Colombo has been honoured as Sri Lanka’s Leading Business Hotel 2025 at the World Travel Awards (WTA), Asia and Oceania Gala Ceremony held in Hong Kong in October 2025. This accolade recognises the hotel’s exceptional standards of service, contemporary design, and its position as a benchmark for business hospitality in Sri Lanka.

The glittering ceremony, held in partnership with Hong Kong International Airport and InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong, brought together the region’s most distinguished travel and hospitality brands to celebrate excellence across Asia and Oceania.

“We are truly delighted and honoured to be recognised as Sri Lanka’s Leading Business Hotel,” said Amari Colombo General Manager Monty Ariyaratne. “This award is a testament to our team’s unwavering commitment to delivering warm, personalised service and creating an inspiring environment for both business and leisure travellers. We share this achievement with our valued guests and dedicated team members who make the Amari experience so special.”

Amari Colombo, part of ONYX Hospitality Group, embodies modern elegance infused with the warmth of Thai-inspired service. Ideally located in the heart of Colombo’s vibrant business district, the hotel caters to discerning travellers with world-class amenities, stylish meeting spaces, and exceptional dining venues—all designed to foster connection, productivity, and comfort.

The World Travel Awards, established in 1993, are globally recognised as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence, celebrating the best in travel, tourism, and hospitality. The Asia and Oceania Gala Ceremony 2025 showcased leading lights of the region, including destinations, resorts, hotels, and tourism boards that continue to raise the standard of global travel.

World Travel Awards Founder Graham Cooke remarked: “Tonight we have celebrated the leading lights of travel across Asia and Oceania. Our winners represent the very best in tourism excellence, and I congratulate each and every one for raising the benchmark of achievement across this remarkable region.” Amari Colombo wins Sri Lanka’s Leading Business Hotel 2025 at World Travel Awards | Daily FT

Read More........ → February 27, 2026

Champions League: Vinicius scores winner as Real Madrid reaches last 16, Atalanta eliminate Dortmund

Credit: Real Madrid CF

Madrid, (IANS) Real Madrid advanced to the Champions League last 16 with a 2-1 home win over Benfica, sealing a 3-1 aggregate victory.

Vinicius Jr. scored the decisive goal in the 80th minute to settle an anxious night at the Santiago Bernabeu, where the tie was level on the evening and the hosts struggled for long spells.

Benfica, missing suspended coach Jose Mourinho, began with urgency and drew level on aggregate when Rafa Silva finished from close range after a sharp move down the right. Real responded almost immediately as Federico Valverde pulled the ball back for Aurelien Tchouameni, who curled in the equalizer.

The game remained open. Arda Guler had a goal ruled out for offside midway through the first half, and the second period was played at a high tempo but with little precision as Madrid mislaid simple passes and the crowd grew restless.

Real was without Kylian Mbappe because of a knee injury. Benfica also missed forward Gianluca Prestianni, who was provisionally suspended following an alleged racist insult aimed at Vinicius in last week's first leg.

Madrid suffered a scare in the 77th minute when Raul Asencio was carried off after a heavy fall. As Benfica pushed forward in search of a goal, Valverde released Vinicius down the inside-left channel, and the Brazilian angled his finish past goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin to secure qualification.

Real Madrid will face either Manchester City or Sporting CP in the round of 16.

Elsewhere, Atalanta eliminate Borussia Dortmund with 4-3 aggregate win.

Lazar Samardzic sealed Atalanta's progress with the last kick of the game on a remarkable evening in Bergamo. La Dea wiped out a 2-0 first-leg deficit before the break, Gianluca Scamacca tapping in the fifth-minute opener before Davide Zappacosta's deflected shot wrong-footed Gregor Kobel late in the half.

It got even better for the hosts when Mario Pašalić met Marten de Roon's cross but Dortmund replied through substitute Karim Adeyemi's sublime curler on 75 minutes.Extra time loomed until Atalanta won a penalty deep in added time, an incident that brought red cards for Ramy Bensebaini, Nico Schlotterbeck and Giorgio Scalvini. Samardžić made no mistake from the spot. Champions League: Vinicius scores winner as Real Madrid reaches last 16, Atalanta eliminate Dortmund | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → February 26, 2026

Allianz world’s No. 1 insurance brand for 7th consecutive year

Allianz has once again been recognised as the World’s No. 1 insurance brand in the Interbrand Best Global Brands 2025 ranking, marking its seventh consecutive year at the top.

This year, Allianz achieved its highest-ever brand value and strongest growth in history, increasing by 20% from $ 23.5 billion to $ 28.2 billion, and rising two places to No. 27 globally.

This achievement reflects Allianz’s strong financial performance and the consistent execution of its global brand strategy, reinforcing its reputation for trust, innovation, and reliability worldwide. It is also a testament to the dedication and collective effort of every Allianz employee across the globe.

Allianz Insurance Lanka Ltd., is a fully owned subsidiary of Allianz SE, a global financial services provider specialising in insurance and asset management, headquartered in Munich, Germany. Allianz world’s No. 1 insurance brand for 7th consecutive year | Daily FT

Read More........ → February 25, 2026

Neymar to retire from football by the end of 2026

(Photo:Suman Chattopadhyay/IANS)

New Delhi, IANS) Following his clear and understandable statements regarding his next journey, Neymar has made an announcement about the potential to conclude his successful football career in 2026.

The 34-year-old, who renewed his contract with his boyhood club Santos last month, said he is taking things year by year and did not rule out retirement at the end of the calendar year. Neymar returned to Santos in January 2025 and played a key role in helping the team stay in Brazil’s top flight. He scored five goals in the last five matches of the season, which helped the club avoid relegation.

Yet, despite rediscovering form at home, the forward remains uncertain about what lies ahead.

“I don't know what will happen from now on, I don't know about next year,” Neymar told Brazilian online channel Caze on Friday. “It may be that when December comes, I'll want to retire. I'm living year to year now.”

His candid remarks come at a crucial juncture. “This year is a very important year, not only for Santos, but also for the Brazilian national team, as it's a World Cup year, and for me too,” Neymar said, underlining the significance of the months ahead.

Neymar recently had successful knee surgery as he continues to deal with recurring injuries that have affected the later stages of his career. As Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 international goals, he has not played for the national team since October 2023. This raises questions about his participation in the upcoming global tournament.Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti has repeatedly stated over the past year that only fully fit players will be considered for selection for the 2026 World Cup, which is set to take place from June 11 to July 19 in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Neymar to retire from football by the end of 2026 | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → February 23, 2026

World Bank says SL recovery remarkable, among fastest worldwide

 

• Latest World Bank public finances diagnostic says SL made remarkable recovery
• Stabilisation sharper and faster than 123 countries since 1980
• Says Sri Lanka can move to a more balanced fiscal policy
• Points to fiscal space to grow revenue to support growth, equity and fairness
• Challenge is to get better results from every rupee collected and spent

The World Bank yesterday said Sri Lanka has made remarkable strides in stabilising its economy, undertaking one of the largest fiscal adjustments in its history, equal to nearly 8% of GDP over three years, and doing it faster than most countries.

In a statement announcing the release of its latest diagnostic title ‘Sri Lanka Public Finance Review: Towards a Balanced Fiscal Adjustment’, the World Bank said that this adjustment was also sharper and faster by international standards when compared with more than 330 similar efforts in 123 countries worldwide since 1980.

The review, a core World Bank diagnostic conducted every five years in member countries, concludes that Sri Lanka is well-positioned to focus on making public finances work better for all Sri Lankans.

“While fiscal measures helped restore stability, they also put pressure on households through higher indirect taxes and reduced real public-sector wages, and slowed growth due to lower public investment,” the statement said. “The next phase of fiscal calibration should prioritise raising revenues in ways that support growth and fairness, and improve the quality of government spending.”

The diagnostic review highlights that Sri Lanka could increase revenue by up to 2% by 2029 without undermining growth or equity. It also points out that better targeting and management of public spending can deliver improved outcomes within current budget limits.

The review recommends raising revenue more fairly and efficiently by shifting toward direct taxes, such as a minimum corporate income tax, and digitising tax administration to make paying taxes easier and more transparent.

It also recommends spending smarter, not more or less. The report stresses that it is not feasible to further cut or increase overall spending, but the best gains will come from using existing funds more efficiently to get better results.

This includes improving public sector wage management by protecting essential frontline services, simplifying pay structures, and modernising systems through which public sector workers are paid. It also entails reprioritising capital investments to close infrastructure gaps, completing ongoing projects faster, and strengthening project selection, management and maintenance.

Enhancing social protection by better targeting assistance, expanding the social registry, and moving from universal subsidies to more focused support for those who need it most, is another priority.

“Now that Sri Lanka has largely stabilised its economy, the challenge is to get better results from every rupee collected and spent,” said World Bank Division Director for Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka David Sislen. “This means modernising tax administration, focusing on direct taxes, and making sure public spending is both efficient and fair, especially for the most vulnerable,” he added. World Bank says SL recovery remarkable, among fastest worldwide | Daily FT

Read More........ → February 20, 2026

Anusha Dandekar is grateful for a beautiful life, even through the hardest battles

(Photo: Anusha Dandekar/Instagram)

Mumbai, (IANS): Actress and television personality Anusha Dandekar, who turned 44 on Friday, marked her birthday on a deeply emotional note as she reflected on life, growth and the people who shaped her journey.

Sharing a cherished throwback video from her childhood in pigtails, Anusha spoke about staying connected to the fearless, happy-go-lucky little girl she once was.

She wrote: “The bridge between who you were and who you are becoming, seems like it should be so different but I kinda disagree, that little fearless, happy go lucky, loving little me, is exactly who I want to be, so coming back to that is all you can ever ask for.”

“I’ve lived a really beautiful life with so much to be grateful for, even through the hardest battles.”

Anusha said that she has learnt so much and here “I am still wanting to sing and dance my way through life! Can’t ask for anything more.”

“Ps. Thankyou @sulabha.dandekar my Birth Giver! You and me in Sudan, 44 years ago. Love you. That’s my Daddy in the background saying Action, as you can see I had parents who let me fly from day one! And yes that’s me in the pink top with pigtails!”

She conlcuded: “THANKYOU FOR THE BIRTHDAY WISHES AND LOVE! I feel so special beyond! You made my heart explode Also I know the songs hit differently when you finally understand the words hahahahaha”

Anusha’s sister Shibani Akhtar shared the same video to wish her sister, whom she lovingly called her “chicken”.

Shibani had written: “Happy bday chicken. I love you endlessly my little superstar Dream big, shine bright and stay as beautiful as you are always @anushadandekar.”

Talking about Anusha, on the work front, has been a successful Indian television host, VJ, actor, and model. She became a household name with hosting shows like MTV Dance Crew, MTV Love School, and MTV Teen Diva. Apart from television hosting, she has also appeared in Bollywood films such as Mumbai Matinee, Viruddh, and Delhi Belly.

Meanwhile, Shibani is an Indian actor, singer, model, and television host and is known for her work in Bollywood films and digital content. She began her career as a VJ and later appeared in movies like Roy, Shaandaar, and Naam Shabana.The actress is also a singer and part of the music band Shibani Kashyap Project. The actress has been in the spotlight of late for her relationship and marriage to Farhan Akhtar in 2022. She is the daughter-in-law of ace writer and lyricist Javed Akhtar, Honey Irani and Javed’s second wife and veteran actress Shabana Azmi. Anusha Dandekar is grateful for a beautiful life, even through the hardest battles | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → February 20, 2026

MacKenzie Scott Donated $7.1 Billion to Nonprofits in 2025, a Major Increase with More to Come

MacKenzie Scott and former husband Dan Jewett, Giving Pledge

Divorcé philanthropist MacKenzie Scott gave $7.1 billion to various nonprofits and charities last year, a recent blog post from the reclusive giver claimed.

“Since my post last December, I’ve given $7,166,000,000 to organizations doing work all over the world,” she wrote.

Scott claimed she had donated $2.6 billion in 2024 and $2.1 billion in 2023. The California native has donated $26 billion since 2019, almost the entire fortune she received in her divorce with Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

AP news reports that Scott is extremely distant from both the public eye and the eyes of the recipients of her generosity, who are often notified via intermediaries with little or no advance notice of their selection for a donation.

The outlet spoke with one such recipient: Kim Mazzuca, the CEO of the California-based nonprofit 10,000 Degrees, which works to unblock higher education opportunities to underprivileged communities.

“I was just filled with such joy. I was speechless and I kind of stumbled around with my words,” she said, having been notified by a person calling from Fidelity Charitable, which doesn’t handle Scott’s fortune.

Scott wrote in her blog post that acts of charity she received as a student in university often spring to mind when she is deciding where to donate money.

“Whose generosity did I think of every time I made every one of the thousands of gifts I’ve been able to give? It was the local dentist who offered me free dental work when he saw me securing a broken tooth with denture glue in college,” she wrote on her website Yield Giving.

“It was the college roommate who found me crying, and acted on her urge to loan me a thousand dollars to keep me from having to drop out in my sophomore year.”Indeed, along with 10,000 Degrees, many of her gifts have gone to organizations that support students access universities and manage tuition costs. MacKenzie Scott Donated $7.1 Billion to Nonprofits in 2025, a Major Increase with More to Come

Read More........ → February 19, 2026

Ankita Lokhande recalls the toughest chapter of her life that broke her completely

(Photo: Ankita Lokhande/ Instagram) IANS

Mumbai, (IANS) Joining the "2026 is the new 2016" trend, a popular name in the television industry, Ankita Lokhande remembered 2016 as 'the toughest chapter of my life'.

She looked back at the time that broke her completely and changed her forever.

Refreshing your memory, 2016 was the year Ankita and late actor Sushant Singh Rajput reportedly broke up after years of being together.

Although Ankita did not mention anything clearly in her post, it is possible that she is hinting at her heartbreak after parting ways with Sushant.

Looking back at what she referred to as the toughest chapter in her life, Ankita shared on her Instagram, "2016 ki yaadein...The toughest chapter of my life…A year that tested me, broke me quietly, and changed me forever..And today, I only feel grateful and proud of how far I have come from there to here..(sic)."

The 'Laughter Chefs' contestant further reminisced about some other memories from 10 years ago, like her first-ever Insta post.

"My first ever Instagram post..Realising I’ve always been a family girl.. then, now, forever…, " she added.

Ankita also thanked her late furry friend, Scotch, for always being by her side.

She shared, "Scotch my biggest support my strength, my dog, my constant, my home..Thanking him always for being there through every low, every tear, every silent breakdown.. I miss him dearly, my biggest happiness and the only one that year who kept me going.."

For the unaware, Ankita and Sushant first met on the sets of their popular show "Pavitra Rishta," where both played the lead. Soon, the two fell for each other and got into a relationship. They were together for a long time before going their separate ways.

On 14 June 2020, in a shocking update, Sushant was found dead in his Bandra house in Mumbai at the young age of 34.Going by the official postmortem report, he died of asphyxia due to hanging. Ankita Lokhande recalls the toughest chapter of her life that broke her completely | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → February 19, 2026

Hyundai Motor aims to develop India into a ‘strategic export hub’

IANS File Photo

Seoul, (IANS): The head of South Korea's automotive giant Hyundai Motor Group has visited three key overseas markets -- China, the United States and India -- at the start of the new year as part of the group's global expansion strategy, the company said on Wednesday.

Executive Chair Euisun Chung's visits were aimed at exploring business opportunities in major economies that are expected to underpin the group's future growth, while also seeking partnerships with leading global companies, the group said in a press release.

During his visit to India, Chung toured three production facilities -- Hyundai Motor's Chennai and Pune plants and Kia's Anantapur plant -- to review production operations and sales strategies.

Hyundai Motor Group ranks second in the Indian automotive market with a market share of about 20 percent. The three plants have a combined annual output capacity of 1.5 million vehicles.

The group aims to develop India into a "strategic export hub" following the listing of Hyundai Motor India on the Indian stock market in 2024 in what was the largest initial public offering (IPO) in the country's history.

"Hyundai has been able to grow over the past three decades thanks to the support of the Indian people," Chung was quoted as saying. "We must pursue a home-brand strategy for the next 30 years so that Hyundai can become a truly national company in India."

During his 10-day trip through Tuesday, Chung attended the Korea-China Business Forum held in conjunction with President Lee Jae Myung's state visit to China, and the world's largest IT and electronics exhibition, CES 2026, in Las Vegas, and toured the group's production facilities in India, reports Yonhap news agency.

In Beijing, Chung exchanged views with Zeng Yuqun, chairman of Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. (CATL), the world's largest battery maker, on cooperation in the electric vehicle (EV) battery sector. He also met with Hou Qijun, chairman of China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. (Sinopec), to discuss potential collaboration in hydrogen-related businesses.

To boost sales in China, Hyundai Motor Co. launched its first China-dedicated EV model, the Elexio, in October and plans to expand its EV lineup in the world's largest automobile market to six models by 2030. Its smaller affiliate, Kia Corp., plans to strengthen its Chinese EV lineup by introducing at least one new model each year through 2027, following the launch of the EV6 in 2023.

At CES 2026, Chung held meetings with executives from global big-tech companies, including Nvidia Corp. CEO Jensen Huang and Qualcomm Inc. Chief Operating Officer (COO) Akash Palkhiwala.The group unveiled its artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics strategy at the exhibition, with the presentation of Atlas, a humanoid robot developed by its U.S. subsidiary Boston Dynamics, drawing significant attention. Hyundai Motor aims to develop India into a ‘strategic export hub’ | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → February 18, 2026

Study Shows Vaporizing E-Waste Makes it Easy to Recover Precious Metals at 13-Times Lower Costs

– credit Alexandre Debiève

By instantaneously heating electronics to 3,000°C via an electrical current, scientists have found a way to extract decent grades of precious metals without creating hazardous waste.

According to their analysis, relying on e-waste for a precious metals supply could be 13-times cheaper than mining them from the ground. However, previous methods have involved throwing this or that broken gizmo into a furnace powered by copious amounts of energy while also releasing toxic substances into air.

By contrast, “flash joule heating,” a way of using electrical currents to vaporizing the valuable metals from the materials that hold electronics together is between 80 and 500-times more energy efficient.

One 2008 study calculated that one ton of mobile phones without batteries contains about 130kg of copper, 3.5kg of silver, 340 grams of gold, and 140 grams of palladium.

Those totals, if assayed as part of a drilling survey at a mine, would be considered world class results in the 99th percentile of grades.

Most open pit mining operations will run at a rate of between 0.5 and 1.8 grams per-ton gold and 100 to 180 grams per-ton silver. Some 40 million tons of e-waste is produced annually, so some simple mathematics reveals the potential economy to be found in harvesting e-waste for metals—a process termed “urban mining” by scientists.

Scientists at Rice University shredded a printed circuit board for their experiments, and mixed it with carbon black as a conductive additive. Once in the flash joule chamber, the current applied is so high that the precious metals, like rhodium, copper, and gold, turn briefly to vapor, while the carbon-based components like the plastic, are carbonized. This same process has been used to turn plastic into diamonds.

Mining companies for base and precious metals use a variety of patented recovery processes to separate gold, zinc, or nickel from the ore body.

Just like in mining, additives enhanced the recovery percentage of the metals from their vaporized form, including halides or fluorine-based substances. These brought the recovery of rhodium up to greater than 80%, and palladium to 70%. Bleach and other chlorine-based compounds brought the silver recovery rate up to greater than 80% as well.With the prices of these metals skyrocketing of late, new and cheaper supplies will be crucial to ensure important industries remain intact and competitive. Study Shows Vaporizing E-Waste Makes it Easy to Recover Precious Metals at 13-Times Lower Costs

Read More........ → February 16, 2026

Lead Pollution Has Dropped 100-Fold in the U.S. Over the Last Century

Pollution from smokestacks at the US Mining and Smelting Co. plant in Midvale, Utah in 1906 – via SWNS

Lead pollution today compared to 100 years ago has dramatically declined—by 100-fold over the last century—according to new research.

Lead is a dangerous neurotoxin that accumulates in human tissues and is linked to developmental deficits in children. Due to the health risks, the United States and other countries start phasing out lead in the 1970s, with the US achieving total elimination for on-road vehicles by 1996.

The UK followed, banning general sale of leaded auto fuel by early 2000—and the last country, Algeria, stopped sales in July 2021.

Researchers examined hair samples from local residents going back a century to document how banning lead in gasoline has been a major success in reducing environmental pollution.

Before the 1970 establishment of the EPA, the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans lived in communities awash with lead from industrial smokestacks, paint, water pipes, and—most significantly—exhaust emissions.

The analysis of hair samples conducted by scientists at the University of Utah show “precipitous” reductions in lead levels since 1916.

“We were able to show through our hair samples what the lead concentrations were before and after the establishment of regulations by the EPA,” said University of Utah Professor Ken Smith.

“Back when the regulations were absent, the lead levels were about 100 times higher than they were after the regulations.”

The study showed that after the Nixon administration banned lead in gasoline in the 1970s, even as fuel consumption escalated in the US, the concentrations of lead in the hair samples plummeted, from as high as 100 parts per million (ppm) to 10 ppm by 1990.

And in 2024, the level was less than one part per million.

He says the findings, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), underline the vital role of environmental regulations in protecting public health.

The study notes that US lead laws are now being weakened by a White House administration moving to ease environmental protections.

“The lesson is: those regulations have been very important,” said study co-author Professor Thure Cerling.

“Sometimes they seem onerous and mean that industry can’t do exactly what they’d like to do when they want to do it, but it’s had really, really positive effects.”

Lead is the heaviest of heavy metals and, like mercury and arsenic, accumulate in living tissue, and are toxic at even low levels. By the 1970s its toxicity became well established and EPA regulations began phasing it out of paint, pipes, gasoline and other consumer products.

The researchers acquired multiple hair samples from 48 participants—both recent and when they were younger—which offered a window into lead levels along Utah’s ‘Wasatch Front’, which historically experienced heavy lead emissions from industrial sources.

Some participants were even able to find ancestors’ hair preserved in family scrapbooks dating as far back as a century.

“The Utah part of this is so interesting because of the way people keep track of their family history,” said Prof. Smith.

“I don’t know that you could do this in New York or Florida.”

He explained that this particular Utah region supported a vibrant metal smelting industry through most of the 20th Century. Most of Utah’s smelters were shut down by the 1970s, after the EPA clamped down on the use of lead in consumer products.

The research team ran the hair samples through mass spectrometry equipment and says the surface of the hair is special.

“Lead is not lost over time,” said research team member Professor Diego Fernandez. “It is concentrated and accumulated in the surface. It tells you about that overall environmental exposure.”

Before the 1970s, gasoline contained around two grams of lead per gallon, which added up to nearly two pounds of lead per person a year released into the environment.

“It’s in the air for a number of days and it absorbs into your hair. You breathe it and it goes into your lungs,” explained Prof. Cerling.But, thanks to federal regulations, the median blood lead level today in children, aged 1–5 years, fell from over 15 in the late 1970s to just 0.6 in 2020. Lead Pollution Has Dropped 100-Fold in the U.S. Over the Last Century

Read More........ → February 14, 2026

North Africa’s 5G wave continues with Libya launch

Posted by Harry Baldock, The launch means all African nations on the Mediterranean have now launched 5G

This week, Libya’s second largest state-owned telco, Almadar Aljadid, has announced the launch of 5G in parts of the capital, Tripoli.

For now, the launch is limited to just central parts of the city, but citywide coverage – and, indeed, nationwide coverage – will take place in stages, according to the company.

The company said the launch represents a significant boost in service quality for customers, as well as noting the technology’s potential to support key industries like healthcare and education.2025 was a remarkable year for North Africa’s mobile markets, with Tunisia launching 5G in February, Egypt in June, Morocco in November, and Algeria in December. Now, with Libya’s launch, the entire region has formally entered the 5G era. North Africa’s 5G wave continues with Libya launch

Read More........ → February 13, 2026

Grid Telecom to build Artemis subsea cable connecting Crete to mainland Greece

Posted by Total Telecom Staff : Press Release, Grid Telecom, a wholesale telecommunications provider and subsidiary of IPTO, has announced the construction of ARTEMIS, an ultra-high-capacity subsea optical fiber cable system that will link Crete with mainland Greece.

As a new strategic digital corridor in the Eastern Mediterranean, ARTEMIS is set to strengthen decisively regional connectivity, enhance Greece’s geopolitical footprint, and accelerate the country’s ongoing digital transformation.

The ARTEMIS system will be equipped with subsea repeaters and will span approximately 280 kilometres, including its terrestrial segments linking the cable landing stations. Ιt will interconnect all landing stations and data centers in Crete and Attica region, enabling data transmission rates of up to 30 Tbps per fiber-pair. With a minimum of 24 fiber-pairs, ARTEMIS will deliver an overall design capacity of at least 720 Tbps, more than meeting all medium‑ and long‑term digital infrastructure needs.

Engineered to support the next generation of cutting‑edge technologies, ARTEMIS will take full advantage of the relatively short transmission distance and the capability to expand the optical spectrum. As a result, the system is poised to become the first petabit-class subsea cable in Greece and the Mediterranean, with a potential total capacity exceeding 1 petabit per second, pushing well beyond the performance limits of today’s subsea optical fiber systems, setting a new benchmark for regional and international digital connectivity.

Grid Telecom continues to invest in state‑of‑the‑art infrastructure with the goal of transforming Crete into a strategic digital hub, delivering network reliability, flexibility and diversity. Grid Telecom will leverage the synergies between the new ARTEMIS system and its existing Minoas East‑West and Apollo East‑West systems, which already connect the island to mainland Greece through four independent routes and a total of 96 fiber-pairs. The Minoas East‑West system links Chania to the Peloponnese, providing a low‑latency alternative route, while the Apollo East‑West system provides a direct connection between Heraklion and Attica, with no intermediate cable landing stations, adding another critical alternative path.

In line with its commitment to advancing next‑generation telecommunications services, Grid Telecom is proceeding with the immediate construction of new cable landing stations in Chania and Attica. These facilities will serve both as landing points for the ARTEMIS cable system and as critical gateways for international subsea fiber cables traversing the Eastern Mediterranean, linking Greece with the Middle East and Western Europe. ARTEMIS will incorporate Open Cable Interface Equipment (OCIE), enabling seamless integration with all international cable systems, eliminating the need for additional transmission terminal equipment and providing direct, cost‑efficient backhaul access to all data centers.

With these infrastructures in place, Grid Telecom as the premier neutral provider of wholesale telecom services in Greece, will deliver secure, open‑access landings and highly resilient connectivity through diversified fiber routes to both existing and emerging data centers in Crete, mainland Greece, and neighbouring countries. By fully leveraging its integrated terrestrial and subsea network assets, the company will ensure robust, scalable, and carrier‑grade connectivity across the region and provide comprehensive technical support and maintenance services at both infrastructure and operational levels.Keep up to date with all the latest telecoms news with the Total Telecom newsletter Grid Telecom to build Artemis subsea cable connecting Crete to mainland Greece

Read More........ → February 12, 2026

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

More than 1 billion 5G subscriptions expected in India by 2031: Report

IANS Photo

New Delhi, (IANS): India is set to cross 1 billion 5G subscriptions by the end of 2031, a new report said on Thursday.

This would give the country a 79 per cent 5G subscription penetration, reflecting rapid growth in adoption just three years after the service began rolling out nationwide, according to the November 2025 edition of the Ericsson Mobility Report.

The report highlights that India is one of the fastest-growing 5G markets globally. By the end of 2025, the country is expected to reach 394 million 5G users, accounting for 32 per cent of all mobile subscriptions.

Ericsson India MD Nitin Bansal said that mobile data usage in India is the highest in the world, with average consumption at 36 GB per month per smartphone, projected to rise to 65 GB by 2031.

He added that affordable 5G FWA (Fixed Wireless Access) equipment and heavy data usage are driving this surge.

Globally, the report forecasts 6.4 billion 5G subscriptions by 2031, making up about two-thirds of all mobile subscriptions.

In 2025 alone, global 5G subscriptions are expected to reach 2.9 billion, rising by 600 million in a single year.

Network coverage is also expanding quickly, with 400 million more people gaining 5G access in 2025.

By the end of that year, half of the global population outside mainland China is expected to be covered.

Mobile network data traffic rose 20 per cent between Q3 2024 and Q3 2025, driven mainly by India and China.

By 2025, 5G networks will handle 43 per cent of all mobile data, a number expected to jump to 83 per cent by 2031.

Fixed Wireless Access continues to grow as a major 5G use case. The EMR estimates that 1.4 billion people will be connected through FWA by 2031, with 90 per cent of these users on 5G networks.Currently, 159 service providers already offer 5G-based FWA services, representing about 65 per cent of all FWA operators worldwide, the report said. More than 1 billion 5G subscriptions expected in India by 2031: Report | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → February 09, 2026

Intracom Telecom Expands Strategic Collaboration with Nova to Enhance Enterprise Connectivity

Posted by Harry Baldock, Intracom Telecom, a global technology systems and solutions provider, and Greece’s largest network infrastructure manufacturer, announces the expansion of its collaboration with Nova, a member of United Group the leading telecommunications and media provider in Southeast Europe and a pioneering provider of mobile, internet, and video services. Nova will begin deploying Intracom Telecom’s WiBAS™ G5 Smart and WiBAS™ G5 GigaConnect FWA platforms to deliver reliable high-speed enterprise connectivity over Nova’s 5G mmWave spectrum at 26.5–27.5 GHz.

This deployment marks an important step in Nova’s ongoing investment in high-speed access infrastructure, aimed at supplying business customers with highly reliable broadband services. Operating in the 26.5–27.5 GHz band, the WiBAS™ G5 platform enables Nova to unlock substantial network capacity and deliver consistent performance, ensuring robust connectivity even in demanding enterprise environments.

Since 2021, Intracom Telecom and Nova have been engaged in a multi-year network modernization program utilizing Intracom Telecom’s field-proven WiBAS™ Point-to-Multipoint (PMP) technology. This nationwide initiative has focused on expanding coverage and capacity across Greece’s major metropolitan areas, connecting thousands of business customers with next-generation wireless access solutions. The ongoing expansion reinforces Nova’s strategy to deliver resilient, ultra-fast connectivity to enterprises of all sizes.

“Our collaboration with Nova continues to grow stronger as we jointly build the foundation for a high-capacity enterprise connectivity network in Greece,” commented Ioannis Tenidis, Director for Wireless Product Line Management at Intracom Telecom. “The deployment of our WiBAS™ G5 platform will enable Nova to deliver unmatched performance and reliability to its business subscribers on valuable 5G mmWave spectrum.”

Thanos Theodoropoulos, Access & Transmission Senior Manager at Nova, added: “Intracom Telecom has been a trusted technology partner in our multi-year effort to modernize and expand our enterprise wireless services. The new WiBAS™ G5 solutions enable us to offer even higher speeds and resilient connectivity to our customers, supporting Greece’s digital transformation.” Intracom Telecom Expands Strategic Collaboration with Nova to Enhance Enterprise Connectivity - Total Telecom

Read More........ → February 06, 2026