UKAEA, Eni create joint venture for fusion fuel cycle

RH3OVA team, from left to right: Giorgio Ricci Maccarini (CEO), Sophie Davies (CCO), Donald Cockburn (CFO), Iryna Bennett (CTO) (Image: UKAEA)

The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority and Italian multinational energy company Eni SpA have formed a joint venture to deliver specialist consultancy and operational services to the growing global fusion industry.

The joint venture - named RH3OVA and incorporated in the UK - offers end-to-end services across the fuel lifecycle, from early-stage feasibility studies to deployment and operational support.

Deuterium and tritium are fuels commonly used in fusion energy. Deuterium is abundant in nature and extractable from seawater. In contrast, tritium is extremely rare. It is therefore essential to ensure careful and efficient management throughout the entire fuel cycle, from tritium's production and use in energy generation to its recovery from exhaust gases and refinement for re-use.

"Having operated the Joint European Torus, which was the world's most powerful deuterium-tritium fusion machine for more than 40 years, and with 30 years' experience of tritium operations, the UK is a leader in tritium fuel cycle technology," said Stephen Wheeler, Executive Director of Tritium Fuel Cycle at UKAEA. "For fusion to be realised as a commercially viable source of energy, however, this expertise must be scaled beyond the lab.

"RH3OVA offers best in class digital process models validated with real-world, fusion relevant data sets. RH3OVA will combine UKAEA's scientific and operational know-how, with Eni's large-scale industrial capability, and leverage this joint expertise to increase knowledge and understanding across the fusion sector."

Lorenzo Fiorillo, Director Technology, R&D & Digital of Eni, added: "Fusion energy has the potential to redefine the global energy landscape, and at Eni we are committed on multiple fronts to turning this potential into tangible industrial progress. Our partnership with UKAEA is of great strategic value to us and represents a further step in scaling up innovation and translating scientific excellence into real-world solutions.

"Today, with UKAEA, we are continuing our joint commitment for further progress in the fusion energy field, with a particular focus on the fuel cycle for fusion. This builds on our collaboration developing the UKAEA-Eni H3AT Tritium Loop Facility started last year which will be a world-class facility of its kind. At the same time, RH3OVA will respond to the growing demand for specialised technical expertise and integrated engineering services dedicated to the fuel cycle, which will be essential enabling factors for the operation of fusion power plants using deuterium and tritium as fuels."

UKAEA said RH3OVA "strengthens the strategic collaboration between Eni and UKAEA and their joint effort to commercialise fusion energy".In March 2025, UKAEA and Eni entered into a collaboration agreement to jointly conduct research and development activities in the field of fusion energy. The collaboration primarily starts with the construction of the world's largest and most advanced tritium fuel cycle facility. The UKAEA-Eni H3AT Tritium Loop Facility, located at Culham Campus in Oxfordshire, England, will be complete in 2028. It is designed to serve as a world-class facility providing industry and academia with the opportunity to study how to process, store and recycle tritium. UKAEA, Eni create joint venture for fusion fuel cycle

Read More........ → August 17, 2026

Indian car industry likely to reach 6.1-6.3 million units by FY31: Maruti Suzuki India Chairman

Maruti Suzuki chairman RC Bhargava addresses a press conference in New Delhi, on Dec 17, 2015. (IANS File Photo)

New Delhi, August 9 (IANS): The Indian car industry is projected to grow to 6.1 to 6.3 million units by FY2030-31 and the share of the small car market would grow significantly faster than its pace of growth in the last five years, RC Bhargava, Chairman, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said on Sunday.

Bhargava said that GST reforms have given a new impetus not only to the automobile industry but to several sectors of the economy and “We are in the process of making as accurate an estimate as possible of the likely growth of the car market in the next five years”.

Maruti Suzuki India has released its ‘Annual Integrated Report 2025-26’, which highlights how the revival of the small car segment, the strengthening of the company’s SUV portfolio, its multi-powertrain strategy, focus on capacity expansion and robust export performance have created fresh momentum for growth.

The automaker registered its highest-ever annual sales of 24.22 lakh vehicles and record exports of 4.47 lakh vehicles in FY 2025-26.

Having achieved the 2 million sales mark for the third consecutive year, the company, supported by all the key growth drivers in place, is optimistic about reaching its next million-vehicle milestone earlier than anticipated, according to a statement.

Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director and CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, said that “we accelerated our capacity expansion plans. During FY2026-27, we added 500,000 units of manufacturing capacity”.

“Customer expectations continue to evolve rapidly. The company has plans to introduce 7 SUVs in the next 5 to 6 years to further strengthen SUV portfolio,” Takeuchi informed.

As India progresses towards becoming a developed nation by 2047, the automobile industry has both a responsibility and an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to this journey.“Through manufacturing, exports, technology development, employment generation, skill creation and sustainable mobility, Maruti Suzuki remains committed to supporting India's aspirations. The next million sales of vehicles represent far more than a volume milestone,” he mentioned. Indian car industry likely to reach 6.1-6.3 million units by FY31: Maruti Suzuki India Chairman | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → August 15, 2026

SK Group to invest $1.36 trillion in AI chips and data centres

The South Korean giant is betting heavily on both chip production and data centre growth

South Korean conglomerate SK Group has announced a massive 2,100 trillion won ($1.36 trillion) investment roadmap targeted at domestic semiconductor manufacturing and AI data centre deployments.

The strategic push focuses heavily on securing upstream supply chain dominance and scaling computing infrastructure to reposition South Korea on the global AI stage.

“We should not simply export AI products. We need to export intelligence itself while building a domestic market for AI-driven intelligence,” said SK Group’s chairman Chey Tae-won, as reported by Yonhap News Agency.. “To achieve that, we will rapidly build AI factories in the form of large-scale AI data centers.”

SK Hynix plots memory chip production expansion

The group’s semiconductor division, SK Hynix, is spearheading the hardware allocation by committing 1,100 trillion won ($706 billion) to scale production capacity for High-Bandwidth Memory (HBM) and next-generation DRAM and NAND flash components critical for AI workloads.

Key capital projects within the chip investment include:

• Cheongju: 100 trillion won ($65 billion) allocated for site expansion.
• Southwest Cluster: 400 trillion won ($261 billion) earmarked to construct an entirely new semiconductor production hub.
• Yongin Mega-Cluster: 600 trillion won ($392 billion USD) dedicated to fast-tracking the deployment of its primary semiconductor hub. The group has pulled forward the completion timeline for this project to 2033, moving it 12 years ahead of its original 2045 deadline.

The broader long-term vision outlines a sustained capital expenditure of approximately 100 trillion won ($65.3 billion) annually in South Korea over the next decade, according to Chairman Chey.

SK Telecom pivots to GPUaaS and regional infrastructure

In tandem, telecom unit SK Telecom will deploy 1,000 trillion won ($642 billion) to build out physical AI data centres. The operator intends to establish 15 GW of AI data centre capacity across South Korea by 2035, with an interim target of 5 GW operational by 2029.

The initial phase involves a 140 trillion won ($91.5 billion) investment targeting the southeastern Yeongnam region to create a localised AI hub. This rollout begins with a 100MW hyperscale AI data centre in Ulsan, scheduled to begin operations in Q4 2027. SKT plans to expand this site by an additional 900MW, alongside another 1GW deployment elsewhere in the region.

“The massive AI data centers could transform the region into a hub for the verification and expansion of manufacturing AI, when combined with the manufacturing capabilities in the region,” SK Telecom’s CEO Jung Jai-hun announced during a public briefing with South Korean president Lee Jae Myung last week.

SK Group’s multi-year investment plans arrive amid unprecedented infrastructure spend across the global technology landscape; US hyperscalers, including Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, and Oracle, are forecast to spend a combined $600 billion to $750 billion USD in 2026 alone. While SK Group’s investments pale in comparison to these true giants, it nonetheless places the organisation firmly as a regional competitor.

For a telco, on the other hand, the scale of these AI investments is broadly unrivalled. SK Telecom has long signalled its intent to shake off its role as a traditional telco and embracing a new persona as an ‘AI factory’. Backed by architectural alignment with NVIDIA, the operator aims to leverage this massive footprint to position itself as a major GPU-as-a-Service (GPUaaS) provider in the Asia-Pacific region.

SK Group has interntional AI ambitions too. Last month, SK Telecom said it would invest 738 billion won ($480 million) into the newly formed ‘AI Co.’, a US-based subsidiary of memory giant SK Hynix created in January by repurposing its US flash memory firm Solidigm. The business, which is intended to operate as a strategic investment and ecosystem vehicle, is backd $10 billion from SK Hynix and a further $250 million and $380 million from SK Inc. and SK Innovation, respectively. By unifying upstream chip manufacturing via SK Hynix with mega-scale data center infrastructure from SK Telecom, SK Group is establishing a strong foundation for global AI development. This multi-trillion-won capital strategy effectively shifts the conglomerate from a regional component supplier into a high-margin, full-stack intelligence powerhouse capable of reshaping the Asia-Pacific tech landscape. SK Group to invest $1.36 trillion in AI chips and data centres

Read More........ → August 10, 2026

India emerges as medical tourism hub increasingly drawing patients from West, Gulf

India emerges as medical tourism hub increasingly drawing patients from West, Gulf. (IANS Photo)

New Delhi, (IANS): India’s emergence as a major destination for medical tourism is drawing patients from North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, the Middle East and neighbouring countries, a report said on Wednesday.

The report from Awaaz said patients from these countries are attracted by low-cost treatment, combination of internationally accredited hospitals, doctors trained at leading global institutions and advanced medical technology.

"Many complex procedures in India can cost far less than similar treatment in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia or New Zealand," the report said.

Further, long waiting periods in Western countries are also drawing patients to India. Long waiting periods for specialist appointments or elective procedures can worsen pain, reduce mobility, cause anxiety or delay in diagnosis.

"Treatments such as cardiac surgery, joint replacement, oncology care, fertility treatment, eye surgery, dental care and some specialist procedures are often available at a fraction of the price charged in many Western systems," it said.

A strong network of accredited hospitals, especially in Chennai, Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Kerala serve international patients and offer dedicated support teams to help with medical reports, appointments, treatment planning, travel guidance and recovery coordination.

“Hospitals in India now routinely provide advanced services in cardiology, oncology, neurology, orthopaedics, organ transplantation, fertility care, ophthalmology, robotic surgery, intensive care and rehabilitation,” the media house said.

The report credited India's strong healthcare quality framework supported by accreditation systems such as NABH, the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers, and JCI, Joint Commission International.

Patients can receive a second opinion, cost estimate using India’s medical tourism model.Further, the combination of modern medicine and traditional wellness support is another unique strength of India. "Patients often choose to combine surgery or treatment with structured recovery, physiotherapy and wellness-based rehabilitation," the report noted. India emerges as medical tourism hub increasingly drawing patients from West, Gulf | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → August 10, 2026

Telstra and Ericsson team up to target 6G

Posted by Harry Baldock | News: The agreement spans various aspects of 6G research, including trips to both parties’ research centres

Telstra and Ericsson have signed a letter of intent to collaborate on 6G research.

The agreement will see the companies collaborate on the research, standards development, and real-world testing of 6G technology,

It also includes mutual site visitations, with Telstra engineers visiting Ericsson’s testbed in Sweden, and Ericsson staff travelling to Telstra’s Innovation Centre on the Gold Coast.

Further details on the partnership were sparse, but both partners emphasised the role AI had to play in making 6G networks more intelligent and more customisable for customers. This feature is, in fact, a key element of Telstra’s Connected Future 30 strategy, which aims to allow customers to purchase configurable connectivity services at individual prices.

“Mobile connectivity has been one of the most powerful economic engines of modern Australia. As the first G which is AI-native, 6G will be the most intelligent network yet – capable of advanced network connectivity, and new Network as a Product innovations such as the ability to sense the environment around the network. The latter opens the potential for new use cases for public safety, agriculture, weather detection and more,” said Shailin Sehgal, Telstra Group Executive of Global Networks & Technology.

“We are on a clear and exciting trajectory – from 5G Standalone today, to AI-powered 5G and autonomous networks, towards AI-native 6G that is meeting the evolving and future business needs,” added Erik Ekudden, Ericsson Chief Technology Officer. “6G will redefine what a network fundamentally is – not just an AI-native technology platform, but a platform that senses, adapts and orchestrates resources to deliver outcomes for enterprises and society at scale; simply an intelligent fabric.”

This type of partnership is largely to be expected, with Ericsson having been Telstra’s primary RAN partner for many years. The companies made similar agreements during the early days of the 5G era, though these were often based around delivering greater speeds.Today, Ericsson and Telstra’s focus has increasingly shifted away from pure speeds and towards the benefits of AI integration and network optimisation. It seems likely that their initial joint research on 6G will follow that same path. Telstra and Ericsson team up to target 6G - Total Telecom

Read More........ → July 28, 2026

Australia hasn’t built an oil refinery in decades. But that could change

Tina Soliman-Hunter, Macquarie University

The Australian government this week announced plans to construct a new large-scale oil refinery in Western Australia. If approved, it would be the first refinery to be built since the 1960s.

The federal government initially touted the idea of a government-backed oil refinery in April. In the months since, Australians have grappled with surging petrol prices triggered by the prolonged US-Iran war.

The federal government, with Western Australia, has now announced it will jointly fund a A$4 million pre-feasibility study into a proposed large-scale oil refinery. This study will assess if Australia needs a new large-scale refinery and, if so, where it should go and how it should be operated.

This announcement raises several crucial questions: what is the government proposing? Could it shore up Australia’s fuel supplies? And what does it mean for emissions reduction?

A country exposed

The prolonged US-Iran war has revealed just how vulnerable Australia’s liquid fuel supply is.

Two decades ago, Australia had eight oil refineries. That number has dwindled to two – Queensland’s Ampol refinery and Victoria’s Viva energy plant – as ageing infrastructure and rising costs made these facilities uneconomical. For these reasons the Kwinana refinery – formerly Australia’s largest oil refinery located just south of Perth – shut down in 2021.

These closures have made Australia extremely reliant on liquid fossil fuel imports. We currently import 90% of our petrol, jet fuel and diesel from Asia. The remaining 10% of liquid fuels come from Australia’s two remaining refineries. Both refineries are remnants of the oil boom of the 1950s and 60s, when several major oil companies scrambled to take advantage of newly discovered Bass Strait oil and a wave of government investment.

But our research shows Australia needed more refineries, even before the US-Iran conflict erupted. This was made clear by the refinery fire at Victoria’s Viva plant in April, which temporarily halted domestic production. However, several factors – including high construction costs, declining domestic crude oil supply and intense competition from Asian mega-refineries – have stopped Australia from building new plants.

All about location

The $4 million pre-feasibility study will determine where a new refinery should be built. The government has identified Western Australia as the most suitable state. But it is yet to confirm exactly where the proposed refinery will go.

There are two main contenders. One is Kwinana, which is close to Perth’s urban energy market and the now-closed Kwinana refinery. However, it’s unlikely to win out given the former refinery site is earmarked for redevelopment as a biofuels hub.

The other option is Karratha in WA’s Pilbara region. This fast-growing city is suitable for two reasons. It’s close to the North West Shelf project, Australia’s largest operating oil and gas development. It’s also where Perdaman, the company slated to construct the proposed refinery, is already building a $6.5 billion fertiliser plant.

Feeding the refinery

For the proposed refinery to work, it requires a steady supply of oil.

Australia produces around 250,000 barrels of light crude oil each day. Most of this oil is exported to Asian refineries, and returns to Australia as liquid fuel.

WA’s northwest shelf region primarily produces gas. This means it offers only limited feedstock – the raw or processed oil needed to make fuels, chemicals or plastics – for a proposed refinery.

It’s possible to redirect northwest shelf oil so it goes to the refinery, instead of being exported. However, Australia’s existing export contracts could make this difficult, and negotiations may be necessary.

An alternative oil source is the Bass Strait. In 2026, the federal government started showing interest in Victoria’s Gippsland basin and the Bass basin, in the waters between Victoria’s southern tip and northern Tasmania. The government is now exploring these basins as potential offshore petroleum sites to gauge if there’s appetite for future exploration licences among petroleum companies.

Looking ahead

If approved, it would take between five to ten years to build a facility of this size, subject to whether approvals are fast-tracked.

If the proposal does go ahead, a new refinery would provide much-needed liquid fuel security in a world of surging energy prices and volatile oil supplies. Depending on its size, the new refinery may exceed the former Kwinana refinery’s daily production of 146,000 barrels of oil. This would reduce Australia’s reliance on imported fuel, and ease the petrol pump pain of all Australians.

But it also begs the question, should Australia keep producing conventional liquid fuels? Our rapidly warming climate demands we shift away from these polluting energy sources. Low-carbon biofuels – renewable fuels made from plants, algae or animal waste – may be one alternative.

Another possible path forward is designing any new refineries so that biofuels can be produced alongside traditional liquid fuels. However, this must be viable from both an environmental and fuel security perspective, and should be a focus of the government’s pre-feasibility study.

Tina Soliman-Hunter, Professor of Energy and Natural Resources Law, Macquarie University

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

Read More........ → July 22, 2026

FIFA: Torres’ extra-time heroics fire Spain to World Cup glory

FIFA: Torres’ extra-time heroics fire Spain to World Cup glory

New York, (IANS) Substitute Ferran Torres emerged as Spain’s hero, scoring the decisive goal in extra time as La Roja edged defending champions Argentina 1-0 to lift the FIFA World Cup 2026 title at the New York New Jersey Stadium.

After a tense and fiercely contested 90 minutes ended goalless, Torres finally broke the deadlock in the 106th minute. The forward latched onto Nico Williams’ headed knockdown before unleashing a powerful left-footed strike beyond Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to seal Spain’s second FIFA World Cup triumph, their first since winning the title in South Africa in 2010.

Spain dominated possession for long spells and carved out the better chances throughout the final but found Martinez in inspired form as the Argentine goalkeeper repeatedly denied the European side. Argentina, meanwhile, struggled to create clear-cut opportunities, with captain Lionel Messi largely contained by Spain’s disciplined defence.

The defending champions suffered a major setback deep into stoppage time of normal time when midfielder Enzo Fernandez was shown a second yellow card, reducing Argentina to 10 men for extra time.

Spain continued to pile on the pressure and thought they had doubled their lead in extra time, only for the effort to be ruled out for a foul in the build-up. However, Luis de la Fuente’s men remained composed and comfortably saw out the closing stages to bring Argentina’s reign as world champions to an end.

The triumph capped a remarkable tournament for Spain, who went unbeaten throughout the competition and added a second World Cup crown to their historic 2010 success. Argentina, champions in Qatar four years ago, fell agonisingly short in their bid to retain football’s biggest prize. FIFA: Torres’ extra-time heroics fire Spain to World Cup glory | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → July 20, 2026

India's AI ambitions get boost from nearly $80 billion Big Tech investments

India's AI ambitions get boost from nearly $80 billion Big Tech investments. (IANS Photo)

New Delhi, (IANS): India’s ambitions to emerge as a global artificial intelligence (AI) powerhouse are receiving a major boost as global technology giants have committed nearly $80 billion towards AI and cloud infrastructure in the country over the next few years, strengthening its position as a key innovation and digital infrastructure hub, a report has said.

The latest push came after Amazon CEO Andy Jassy announced an additional $13 billion investment in AI and cloud infrastructure in India by 2030, taking the company's total planned investment in the country to $48 billion over the next five years, according to an analysis by One World Outlook.

The report further highlighted that the fresh commitment includes more than $21 billion earmarked for expanding AI and cloud infrastructure.

In addition, the investment adds to similar commitments by other global technology companies.

Microsoft has announced $17.5 billion in investments towards AI and cloud infrastructure in India through 2029, while Google has committed $15 billion over five years to establish its first AI hub in Visakhapatnam, it added.

Together, these investments amount to nearly $80 billion, reflecting growing confidence among global technology firms in India's AI ecosystem.

This momentum to a combination of government policy support, a large technology talent pool, expanding digital infrastructure and a rapidly growing domestic market, the report said.

The government's IndiaAI Mission -- launched with a budget of about $1.25 billion -- aims to build a comprehensive AI ecosystem by supporting computing infrastructure, indigenous AI models, datasets, startups, skilling and responsible AI development, it added.

The government has also operationalised a $12 billion Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund to promote private sector investment in emerging technologies such as AI, semiconductors, biotechnology and quantum computing.

Meanwhile, India is witnessing rapid expansion in digital infrastructure.

As per industry estimates, AI funding in India rose 58 per cent year-on-year in 2025, according to the report.It further noted that with over 1.5 million engineering graduates entering the workforce annually and a large digital consumer base, India is increasingly being viewed as a preferred destination for developing and deploying AI applications at scale. India's AI ambitions get boost from nearly $80 billion Big Tech investments | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → July 17, 2026

Spain blank France 2-0 to reach FIFA World Cup final

Credit: @SEFutbol/X

Arlington, July 15 (IANS) Goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro earned Spain a deserved 2-0 win over France at Dallas Stadium in their FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final here at the Dallas Stadium on Wednesday.

This was France's fourth defeat in the semi-finals of the World Cup (1958, 1982, 1986, 2026) in eight appearances. Moreover, this was the third consecutive elimination against Spain in the semi-finals of a competition after Euro 2024 (2-1) and the Nations League 2025 (5-4).

France lost their first knockout match in the World Cup since the 2014 quarter-final against Germany (0-1). That makes 11 matches (10 wins, 1 draw).

Spain will now face the England-Argentina victors at New Jersey Stadium in the final. They emerged triumphant in their only previous appearance in the fixture, Andres Iniesta sinking the Netherlands at Soccer City in 2010.

France started as the slight favourites and, though Kylian Mbappe threatened on the break, Lamine Yamal gave Luis de la Fuente’s side the game’s first big chance. The winger, a day after his 19th birthday, got to the ball before Lucas Digne and was clipped inside the box. Oyarzabal struck the resulting penalty past spot-kick-saving specialist Mike Maignan.

The advantage was amplified when Porro played a palatial one-two with Dani Olmo, taking the return impeccably and burying the ball in the bottom corner.

France, with Desire Doue and Rayan Cherki on, pushed to get back into a game, but goalkeeper Unai Simon acted astutely as a sweeper-keeper and Marc Cucurella made an excellent challenge on Mbappe.

The final whistle sparked ecstasy for the Spaniards and agony for the French. Didier Deschamps’ team will have a shot at bronze on Saturday, when Mbappe could boost his hopes for another Golden Boot.Spain kept their sixth clean sheet in seven matches at this tournament. They have conceded just two goals in North America. The record for a triumphant team in a World Cup is two shared by France in 1998, Italy in 2006 and Spain themselves in 2010. Spain blank France 2-0 to reach FIFA World Cup final | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → July 15, 2026

Airtel and partners pump $1bn into Nxtra data centres

The transaction is designed to accelerate Nxtra’s buildout of large-scale and edge facilities to serve enterprises, hyperscalers, and government customers across India.

Bharti Airtel has secured a $1 billion equity infusion for its data centre arm Nxtra Data from a consortium led by Alpha Wave Global, with participation from The Carlyle Group, Anchorage Capital and Airtel itself, the company said.

Under the terms disclosed, Alpha Wave Global will contribute $435 million, Carlyle $240 million, Anchorage Capital $35 million, with Airtel investing the remainder. Final investor stakes will be subject to post-closing adjustments and customary approvals.

According to reporting, the deal will see Nxtra valued at roughly $3.1 billion, with Airtel remaining the controlling shareholder.

The capital will be applied primarily to capacity expansion, with Nxtra planning to grow from about 300 MW today to a targeted 1 GW, aiming t control roughly a quarter of India’s data centre market.

Headquartered in New Delhi, Nxtra already operates 14 major data centres and more than 120 edge facilities across India, with recent openings in Pune and active development of AI-ready campuses in Chennai, Mumbai, and Kolkata.As always, the deal is subject to typical regulatory approvals. Airtel and partners pump $1bn into Nxtra data centres - Total Telecom:

Read More........ → July 15, 2026

Wimbledon: Jannik Sinner beats Zverev to claim back-to-back titles

Credit: Wimbledon

London, July 13 (IANS) Defending champion Jannik Sinner successfully kept his Wimbledon title, defeating French Open champion Alexander Zverev 6-7(7), 7-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a high-quality final at the centre court on Sunday.

This victory marks his second consecutive title at the All England Club and the fifth Grand Slam trophy of his career. The 24-year-old continued his impressive dominance over the German, achieving a 10th straight win against Zverev. However, his streak of 14 consecutive sets won against him ended when he dropped the opening-set tiebreak.

Zverev, 29, was hoping to claim a second straight major title but was once again stopped by the world's top-ranked player. He now has an 0-7 record against No. 1-ranked players at Grand Slams. Sinner clinched the victory in style, hitting a stunning crosscourt backhand winner off a Zverev drop shot to earn championship point. He then finished the match with a powerful forehand winner up the line. After winning, the Italian collapsed onto the grass in celebration and embraced Zverev at the net.

After narrowly losing a fiercely contested opening-set tie-break, the Italian responded with remarkable composure to edge the second set in another tie-break before taking complete control of the contest. Sinner’s relentless baseline hitting, superior returning and calm temperament proved decisive as he sealed the biggest title of his career.

Although Zverev fired 17 aces and landed 80 percent of his first serves, Sinner was more clinical in the crucial moments. The Italian won 80 per cent of points on his first serve, claimed 68 percent on his second serve, converted two of his five break-point opportunities, and dominated from the baseline by winning 43 receiving points compared to Zverev’s 34.

Sinner finished the match with 145 points to Zverev’s 130 and won 25 games overall, underlining his consistency across the three-hour-plus contest.

The victory marks Sinner’s second Wimbledon crown and further cements his status as one of the sport’s leading stars, while Zverev’s wait for a maiden Grand Slam title continues despite another valiant effort on one of tennis’ biggest stages.

Brief score:

Wimbledon Men’s Singles Final: Jannik Sinner (Italy) bt Alexander Zverev (Germany) 6-7(7), 7-6(2), 6-3, 6-4.

Every Grand Slam is different, but this one means a lot: Sinner on Wimbledon glory

After winning his Grand Slam major, Jannik Sinner emphasised the meaning of his latest major win and said every major is different, but the taste of this Wimbledon triumph has all its own flavour.

Maybe there’s something about a traumatic reverse at Roland-Garros that instils in Sinner a particular hunger for Wimbledon. Last year he arrived here after losing to Carlos Alcaraz from three Championship points up in the Paris final and won his first Wimbledon.

This time he played the final here 45 days after Juan Manuel Cerundolo overturned Sinner’s two-set lead in the second round at Roland-Garros… and won his second Wimbledon crown.

The Italian repelled the three-hour, 46-minute all-out attack from Alexander Zverev to win 6-7(7), 7-6(2), 6-3, 6-4.

“I think every Grand Slam is different,” Sinner said in his post-match press conference after his win. “Different story, different environment, different feelings before the tournament. For me this one means a lot because it was a tough one after Paris again. Last year was also tough."

"But coming here, I tried to put myself in the best possible position to be as competitive as possible. Definitely sacrificing a lot of my time and everything to be in this position. Having this achievement, it means a lot to me. It was an amazing day today," he added.

Sinner entered Sunday’s title showdown on a nine-match winning streak against Zverev in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series. Yet the second-seeded German, riding high after winning his first major crown at Roland Garros last month, threatened to snap that run by bringing some of his best tennis to their latest encounter, particularly up to the second-set tie-break.

"Big, big respect to Sascha, because he's doing something amazing," Sinner said. "His game is growing and growing. In the same time, that's exactly what's good, because you have always someone who is pushing you to the limit.

"We hope that Carlos Alcaraz is coming back, as well, because tennis needs him. Having Novak Djokovic still around, having all the young players coming, it's really, really nice. At the same time, you always need to work hard and have moments like this," he said.

With his second grass court major win, Sinner extended his lead over Alcaraz in their Big Titles battle. This was his 17th ‘Big Title’ – a combination of Grand Slam championships, trophies at the ATP Finals and ATP Masters 1000 tournaments, and Olympic singles gold medals. Alcaraz owns 15 big titles.Sinner earned his first Grand Slam crown since Wimbledon one year ago and his fifth major title overall. The Italian has lifted all of his Slam trophies since the start of the 2024 season. Wimbledon: Jannik Sinner beats Zverev to claim back-to-back titles | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → July 13, 2026

FIFA WC: Epic comeback sees Argentina beat Egypt 3-2, reach quarters

Photo credit: FIFA.com

Atlanta, (IANS) Lionel Messi assisted and scored a goal while Enzo Fernández struck the winner in stoppage time as defending champions Argentina produced a comeback for the ages for a sensational 3-2 win over Egypt and sealed a place in the quarterfinals in the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Atlanta on Tuesday.

Argentina fought back from 0-2 down in the round of 16 match after Yasser Ibrahim (15th min) and Mostafa Zico (62nd min) had scored for Egypt and created the possibility of the defending champions ending their campaign early, joining the five-time winner Brazil and Germany on the scrap heap.

But Messi weaved his magic, first launching the attack and providing the assist to Cristian Romero's goal in the 79th minute and then getting onto the scoresheet himself in the 83rd minute as Lautaro hooked a deep ball into the area, which dropped favourably for the Argentine captain, who laced it towards goal. Goalkeeper Shobeir gets a hand on it, but it hits the bar and goes in to make it 2-2.

Enzo Fernandez then sealed victory for Argentina by scoring an incredible goal in the third minute of stoppage time, making it 3-2 for Argentina. Lautaro swung a deep cross to the back post, and Enzo Fernandez met it and sent the ball back from where it came and into the far corner.

Earlier, Argentina conceded a goal in the first half of a World Cup match for the first time since their 2018 Round of 16 tie against France. They had not conceded in the first half in their last 11 matches before this match.

Yasser Ibrahim headed Egypt into a shock lead, before Mostafa Shoubir protected it magnificently. The goalkeeper dived south-west to save a Messi penalty, which Nicolas Tagliafico had craftily earned, and made superb stops from Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez.

Egypt thought they had made it two just before the hour. Haissem Hassan made an imperial dash down the right and fed Salah, who enabled Zico to ripple the net. The goal was, however, ruled out for a foul in the build-up. It merely delayed the Al Ahly man doubling the lead, though, as he finished off a rapid counter-attack involving Salah and Hassan.

It left Egypt on the cusp of victory, but Argentina were not done yet. They missed many chances but did not lose patience as they attacked repeatedly and created opportunities, and scripted a great comeback.Christian Romero pulled one back, Messi’s brilliant finish equalised, and Fernandez completed an epic survival story. FIFA WC: Epic comeback sees Argentina beat Egypt 3-2, reach quarters | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → July 09, 2026

Tata Motors targets 1.2 million annual PV sales by FY30, plans Rs 40,000 crore investment

Tata Motors targets 1.2 million annual PV sales by FY30, plans Rs 40,000 crore investment. (IANS File Photo)

New Delhi, July 8 (IANS): Tata Motors on Wednesday unveiled an ambitious five-year roadmap for its passenger vehicle business, targeting annual sales of more than 1.2 million units by FY30, a 20 per cent share of the domestic passenger vehicle market and revenues of Rs 1.4 lakh crore, backed by investments of nearly Rs 40,000 crore in products and manufacturing.

Speaking at the company's 81st annual general meeting held virtually on Wednesday, Tata Motors Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran said the automaker aims to achieve a tenfold increase in passenger vehicle volumes over the decade from FY20 to FY30.

"Looking ahead in the next five years, the company has a big ambition. Basically, the decade between FY20 and FY30, the company wants to achieve a 10x growth in volumes with an ambition of 1.2 million plus vehicles and achieve a market share of 20 per cent from the current 14.2 per cent," Chandrasekaran said.

The company plans to strengthen its product portfolio with six new nameplates and more than 20 product refreshes over the next five years, while focusing on improving profitability. It is targeting double-digit EBITDA margins, with electric vehicles expected to contribute more than 30 per cent of its passenger vehicle sales volumes by the end of the decade.

Managing Director and CEO Shailesh Chandra said the passenger vehicle business is aiming to achieve revenues of Rs 1.4 lakh crore by FY31, supported by double-digit EBITDA margins and an EBIT margin of more than 5 per cent.

"By FY31 TMPV aspires to Rs 140,000 crore revenues, double-digit EBITDA margins and over 5 per cent EBIT margin, driving PBT to over five times the current level," Chandra said.He added that the company's growth strategy will be supported by investments of around Rs 40,000 crore in new products and manufacturing capacity, while also targeting free cash flows of Rs 10,000 crore. Tata Motors targets 1.2 million annual PV sales by FY30, plans Rs 40,000 crore investment | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → July 09, 2026

Hyundai Motor India set to raise car prices by up to Rs 12,800 from June

IANS Photo

New Delhi, (IANS): Hyundai Motor India on Wednesday said it will increase prices of its vehicles by up to Rs 12,800 from June, citing rising input costs, higher commodity prices and increased operational expenses.

The company said the extent of the price increase will vary depending on the model and variant.

"In continuation to our earlier letter dated April 08, 2026, submitted in respect of price increase on Hyundai cars, considering the prevailing market conditions and to ensure balanced approach towards customer interest, we would like to inform that the new prices will now be made effective from June 1, 2026," the company said in a regulatory filing.

The automaker said the price increase has been necessitated due to rising input costs, increased commodity prices and higher operational expenses, among other reasons.

While the company continues to optimise costs and minimise the impact on customers, it is constrained to pass on a part of the increased costs to the market through the “nominal” price hike, the filing added.

The revised prices will come into effect from June 1 across Hyundai’s model range, the company said.

Earlier, another leading automobile firm, Maruti Suzuki India, announced a price hike of up to Rs 30,000 with effect from the same month.

"In view of the sustained increase in input costs, the company has decided to increase the prices of its models across its portfolio by up to Rs 30,000 with effect from June 2026," it said in its regulatory filing.

In addition, Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M) had increased prices for its SUV and commercial vehicles in April.

Shares of Hyundai Motor India on Wednesday traded more than 2 per cent higher at Rs 1928.20. Hyundai Motor India set to raise car prices by up to Rs 12,800 from June | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → June 22, 2026

World Cup 2026 prize money, fees to be increased for all teams: FIFA

Lionel Messi’s Argentina are the defending champions of the FIFA World Cup after winning the tournament in Qatar in 2022

FIFA says it is ‌‌in discussions with national football associations to increase prize money for all 48 teams participating in the World Cup.

In response to requests by ‌‌European teams to increase prize money and to assist with costs associated with their participation this summer in the World Cup, the world governing body is set to fulfil those wishes, it said on Sunday.

The proposal must be approved at Tuesday’s FIFA Council meeting, being held before the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver, Canada.

FIFA announced in December a record World Cup prize fund of $ 727 million, with the winning team taking home $ 50 million and each team receiving at least $ 10.5 million. Since that December announcement, FIFA and national associations have engaged in talks and aim to resolve the issue.

UEFA, European football’s governing body, contacted FIFA after ‌‌hearing from several of its member associations regarding the costs of participating in the World Cup, including travel, operations and taxes, particularly in the United States. Canada and Mexico are the other host countries.

FIFA said the prize money on offer is set to increase, with the world governing body projected to surpass $ 11 billion in revenue in the current ‌‌four-year cycle of 2023 to 2026.

The World Cup will run from 11 June to 19 July. World Cup 2026 prize money, fees to be increased for all teams: FIFA | Daily FT

Read More........ → June 19, 2026

Japan births, fertility rates dropped to record low in 2025: Report

Pedestrians walk across a street in Tokyo, Japan on July 8, 2021. (Christopher Jue/Xinhua/IANS File Photo)

Tokyo, (IANS): The number of babies born in Japan to Japanese citizens in 2025 dropped to a record low of 671,236, while the country's total fertility rate also reduced to a new low, government data revealed on Wednesday, local media reported.

Births in Japan reduced by 2.2 per cent or 14,937 from the previous year, and the fertility rate dropped by 0.01 percentage point to 1.14, both witnessing a decline for the 10th consecutive year. However, the rate slowed in comparison to recent trends, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare revealed in a data, Japan's leading Kyodo News Agency reported. The slow pace of drop in the number of newborns may be due to the stable population of 25 to 35-year-olds who were born around the 1990s.

The number of marriages, a key factor attributable for future birth trends, increased for the second consecutive year to 489,119, with the average age of men getting married at 31.0 while women at 29.7, both down from the previous year.

Meanwhile, 1,589,489 deaths were reported in Japan, down for the first time in five years, as per the data. Deaths outnumbered births by 918,253, marking the 19th straight year of drop in the population.

Earlier in May, government data revealed that child population in Japan has reduced to an estimated 13.29 million as of April 1, showcasing a decline of 350,000 from a year earlier and marking a new record low. The figure has declined for 45th consecutive year.

The ratio of children aged below 15 years dropped 0.3 percentage point to 10.8 per cent of the total population, lowest since comparable data became available in 1950, according to data released by Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communication, Kyodo News reported.

The figures, including foreign residents, were calculated based on population estimates mentioned in national census conducted every five years.

The decline in population has continued for 45 years despite several measures taken by the Japanese government like increasing financial support for families who are raising a child. In order to address the declining birthrate, the Japanese government has declared the period through 2030 as a "final opportunity to reverse the trend."According to the data, there were 6.81 boys and 6.48 million girls. As many as 3.09 million children were aged between 12-14 years while 2.13 million were zero to two years, showcasing a trend of fewer children being born. Japan births, fertility rates dropped to record low in 2025: Report | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → June 19, 2026

Boxing World Cup: Minakshi advances to quarters in China

(Photo: BFI)

Guiyang, June 18 (IANS) Indian boxer Minakshi secured a win on the fourth day of the Boxing World Cup (Stage 2) in China, moving on to the quarterfinals in her weight class.

Minakshi, the reigning 48kg World Champion and current World No. 1, now competing in the women's 51kg category, secured a decisive 5-0 unanimous decision victory over Poland's Natalia Kuczewska, advancing in the competition.

On day four, Abhinash Jamwal (65kg) was eliminated after losing 0-5 to Kyrgyzstan's Mirzokhid Imamnazarov.

So far in the tournament, five Indian boxers have reached the quarterfinals: Nikhil (55kg), Deepak (70kg), Minakshi (51kg), Prachi (57kg), and Saneh (65kg). Additionally, Jyoti (48kg) and Jugnoo (85kg) have secured medals by advancing to the semi-finals.

Jyoti was a late addition to India’s squad as the BFI expanded the 18-member squad to 20, adding Aakash alongside in the 75kg category as India’s contingent saw 10 male and 10 female boxers represent the nation.

“Our foremost responsibility is towards the athletes. International competitions play a vital role in a boxer's development, and every deserving athlete should have the opportunity to test themselves against the best in the world. Jyoti and Aakash have worked hard to earn this chance, and it is important that they are able to compete, gain valuable exposure against top international opponents and further their development at the highest level,” Ajay Singh, President of the Boxing Federation of India, had said.

On Day 5, four Indian boxers will compete in their quarterfinal matches. In the women's category, Minakshi (51kg) will face Kazakhstan's Alua Balkibekova, Saneh (65kg) will face Poland's Kinga Krowka, and Prachi (57kg) will face Shih Yi Wu of Chinese Taipei. In the men's division, Nikhil (55kg) will go up against Azerbaijan's Amin Mammadzada.

Results (India):

Won:

Minakshi (51kg-W) bt Natalia Kuczewska (Poland) 5-0

Lost:

Abhinash Jamwal (65kg) lost to Mirzokhid Imamnazarov (Kyrgyzstan) 0-5

Indian Boxers in Quarterfinals:

Nikhil (55kg)

Deepak (70kg)

Minakshi (51kg-W)

Prachi (57kg-W)

Saneh (65kg-W)

Indian Boxers in Semi-finals:

Jyoti (48kg-W)

Jugnoo (85kg)

Day 5 Schedule (India):

Minakshi (51kg-W) vs Alua Balkibekova (Kazakhstan)

Saneh (65kg-W) vs Kinga Krowka (Poland)

Nikhil (55kg) vs Amin Mammadzada (Azerbaijan)

Prachi (57kg-W) vs Chengyu Yang (Chinese Taipei)Deepak Poonia (70KG) vs Nabi Isgandarov (Azerbaijan) Boxing World Cup: Minakshi advances to quarters in China | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → June 19, 2026

Tata Motors to increase prices up to 1.5 pc across PV portfolio from July 1

IANS Photo

New Delhi, (IANS): Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles (TMPV) on Friday announced an increase of up to 1.5 per cent in prices across its passenger vehicle portfolio, including internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric vehicle (EV) models, effective July 1.

The company announced the price revision through a filing on the exchanges.

According to the company, the increase is aimed at partially offsetting the impact of rising input costs and continued inflationary pressures.

TMPV said it continues to absorb a significant portion of the cost escalation internally, while passing on a part of the increase to customers through the latest price adjustment.

The company added that the extent of the price hike will vary across models and variants.

The move will apply across Tata Motors’ passenger vehicle range spanning conventional fuel-powered vehicles as well as electric offerings, it added.

According to the automaker, the revision has been calibrated to ensure that the overall value proposition of its products remains intact despite cost pressures.

Following this, shares of the TMPV traded higher at Rs 385.60 on the BSE.

Other leading automobile companies have increasingly resorted to calibrated price hikes in recent months to protect margins while continuing investments in new products and technology.

Last month, Hyundai Motor India had announced a price increase of up to Rs 12,800 across its model range from June, citing rising input costs, elevated commodity prices and higher operational expenses.

Similarly, Maruti Suzuki India announced a price hike of up to Rs 30,000 across its portfolio from June, attributing the decision to sustained increases in input costs.In addition, Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M) had revised prices for its SUV and commercial vehicle range earlier this year. Tata Motors to increase prices up to 1.5 pc across PV portfolio from July 1 | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → June 18, 2026

EV Popularity in China Accounts for 262,000 Fewer Deaths from Air Pollution

– credit, David Veksler

More than a quarter million people are still alive thanks to improvements in air quality linked to “new energy” vehicles in the world’s largest auto market.

With more than 50% of all new cars sold last year in China being hybrids, EVs, or hydrogen-powered, the speed of the adoption has been incredible both for the market itself, but also for public health statistics.

Some 262,000 premature deaths attributable to car exhaust’s effect on the risk for lung cancer, stroke, respiratory diseases, and heart attack, along with 75,000 all-cause deaths estimated to be a result of air pollution, have been avoided according to a study using pollution data modeling.

Around 4 million people are believed to die from these each year, including 1 million in China alone.

Fossil fuel vehicles release a variety of pollutants from the tailpipe, including fine particulate matter of less than 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5), carbon monoxide, and nitrogen dioxide.

A study published on May 13th in Nature Health looked at satellite data from 150 Chinese cities. The authors estimated how much pollution has been removed by the adoption of new energy vehicles, and compared it to a counterfactual in which all cars were still fossil fuel powered—easy enough since this was the reality in China just 15 years ago.

The results were a 23.8% reduction in PM2.5, and a 30% reduction in carbon monoxide, resulting in some 320,000 fewer deaths from air pollution.

Comparatively, the authors found a very small, almost insignificant reduction in nitrous oxide, which they attributed to the diesel semi trucks still used across the majority of the country to transport goods and merchandise. Their long-distance routes and heavy tonnage make them challenging to electrify, although Australia is giving it the best shot.China has waged a very successful war on pollution over the last 10 years, with the “Beijing Blue” being a surprising new weather phenomenon over the capital. EV Popularity in China Accounts for 262,000 Fewer Deaths from Air Pollution

Read More........ → June 17, 2026

FIFA WC 2026: Amad's late winner steers Ivory coast to thrilling 1-0 win over Ecuador

Credit: FIFA

Philadelphia, (IANS) Manchester United winger Amad Diallo's 90th-minute winner helped Ivory Coast edge Ecuador 1-0 in a breathless FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E contest here at the Philadelphia Stadium on Monday (IST).

The match seemed to be heading for a goalless draw before substitute Amad caressed a shot into the bottom corner to secure his team's first World Cup match since 2014. The win saw Ivory Coast move into second place in Group E behind Germany, who hammered Curacao 7-1 on Sunday.

The first half of the match was wildly exciting. Ecuador almost scored twice, but both shots hit the frame of the goal. First, John Yeboah’s powerful shot from outside the box smashed against the crossbar. Shortly after, Alan Minda got a great pass from Pedro Vite, but his curling shot also hit the bar with the goalkeeper completely beaten.

However, Ivory Coast fought back. Yan Diomande played brilliantly on the right side, constantly making dangerous runs, while Bazoumana Toure hit a low shot that forced a close fingertip save from Ecuador's goalkeeper, Hernan Galindez.

Notably, at 19 years and 212 days, Yan Diomande became the first teenager to make an appearance in a FIFA World Cup match for Ivory Coast.

Chances continued to flow early in the second half, with Enner Valencia smashing a shot off the post from a tight angle. It was then Ecuador's turn to hit the bar. Elye Wahi made a solid connection with his first-time strike but couldn’t keep it down, and it cannoned off the bar.The Ivory Coast began to seize control of the match, enjoying most of the possession as Ecuador retreated. They got their reward for their enterprising play late in the piece when Amad slotted in to send them top of Group E. FIFA WC 2026: Amad's late winner steers Ivory coast to thrilling 1-0 win over Ecuador | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → June 16, 2026