LAVA
Biggest tunnel boring machines coming to Mumbai: Giant TBMs to dig twin Coastal Road tunnels between Kandivli and Malad; check route, project details
Mumbai's 22-km Versova-Dahisar Link Road project has moved closer to the construction stage, with two giant tunnel boring machines undergoing factory tests in Chennai. The 15.6-metre TBMs will excavate 3 km of the proposed 3.9-km twin underground road tunnels between Malad and Charkop, nearly 40 metres below ground. Scheduled for launch in May 2027, the machines will be transported to Mumbai in parts on around 100 trailers. Here is a look at the tunnel project, construction challenges, traffic benefits and environmental concerns.
Trusted names, new game: India's FMCG giants reload old guns for changing tastes
India's FMCG companies are expanding into new product categories by leveraging the trust associated with their established brands. Hindustan Unilever has launched Horlicks Protein Powder, targeting consumers seeking protein-rich products. Emami is introducing new products across baby care and specialized scalp care under its existing brands. Marico has entered the shampoo market with Parachute Advansed Protein Shampoo, capitalizing on its hair-care equity.
Scientists mixed just 3% volcanic ash into forest soil in a UC San Diego experiment; coleus plants grew roughly three times as much as plants in untreated soil
At UC San Diego, researchers have made an exciting discovery: adding volcanic ash to soil can significantly enhance plant growth. Their study revealed that incorporating just 3% basaltic ash not only boosts the biomass of coleus plants but also positively influences beneficial soil microbes. This finding showcases volcanic ash as a viable solution for rejuvenating poor agricultural soils, making it an effective tool for sustainable practices and carbon capture initiatives.
A missed call for China is a loud wake-up call for desi companies
Indian smartphone brands Lava and Ai+ are gaining market share as Chinese rivals retreat amid soaring memory chip prices and shrinking demand. Domestic brands captured 7% of shipments in the September quarter, their highest share in nearly eight years. Government incentives and India's manufacturing expansion offer a boost, but technology, distribution, after-sales service and customer loyalty remain critical to sustained growth.
UNESCO adds three Indian sites to Tentative List, from Andaman volcanoes to Chhattisgarh’s Sirpur: What makes them significant?
UNESCO has added three Indian properties to its World Heritage Tentative List: the Karst-mud-volcano Complex of Baratang, the Andaman Subduction Volcanoes and the Sirpur Cultural and Archaeological Landscape. Located in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Chhattisgarh, the sites represent India’s geological diversity and archaeological heritage. Tentative-list inclusion is a preliminary step, not final World Heritage recognition.
Mobile phones, Apple AirPods ordered online were stolen, sold on road without bills; delivery agent arrested with goods worth Rs 4.6 lakh
A 26-year-old Flipkart delivery agent in Gujarat was arrested after Bhavnagar police recovered goods worth Rs 4.60 lakh, including 13 mobile phones, Apple AirPods, watches and perfumes. Police allege he stole customer parcels in Surat around 15 days earlier and was caught selling the products without bills.
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Chinese smartphone brands lose India market share as chip costs soar
Chinese smartphone brands' market share in India decreased to 67-68% in the recent July-September quarter. This decline represents the lowest percentage seen in more than eight years. Companies like Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi are reducing their budget models due to high memory chip prices. Domestic brands such as Lava and Ai+ are gaining traction among price-sensitive consumers as a result.
Lava MD Sunil Raina, CFO Rajesh Sethi exit amid turnaround
Raina, who has been with the company for 16 years, will step down by the end of December, according to people familiar with the matter. Sethi is currently serving his notice period. Earlier, chief manufacturing officer Sanjeev Agarwal quit the company to join memory maker Micron.
Volcano near which 2 million people live tracked by scientists for 2 years. They found hidden underground movements
Research on Nicaragua's Masaya volcano has unveiled the dynamic nature of its underground magma reservoirs over time. An analysis of satellite imagery from 2018 to 2024 has detected alterations in the caldera and Santiago crater. Some areas exhibited ground uplift, indicating rising magma, while others experienced subsidence. This continuous observation is vital to understanding potential volcanic risks and guiding local communities.
Iceland is turning 120,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide into stone. It is locking away the greenhouse gas underground to fight global warming
Scientists in Iceland are using volcanic rocks to turn captured carbon dioxide into solid minerals, locking the greenhouse gas underground instead of storing it as gas. The Carbfix project has stored more than 120,000 tonnes of CO2 in rock, with recent results showing that its Steingerður plant processed 99.6% of the CO2 entering the facility.
Homegrown firms enter budget smartphone market as memory chip prices rise
India's budget smartphone market is opening up for local brands as global companies reduce their presence. Rising memory chip prices have significantly impacted entry-level smartphone production costs. Homegrown companies Ai+ and Lava are gaining traction in this competitive segment. Micromax plans to re-enter the smartphone market by evaluating various strategies. Brands aim to leverage the government's financial incentives under the Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme to succeed.
NASA releases 800GB of moon data: What did Artemis II astronauts see around the moon?
NASA has released more than 800GB of Artemis II Moon data, including 11,000-plus images and videos, 8.5 hours of astronaut audio and crew annotations. The release also documents five faint flashes spotted on the Moon as the astronauts observed its surface during their lunar flyby.
Moon may have underground caves, new NASA team to find out if they can become safe heavens for astronauts
NASA has announced the selection of a dedicated team to investigate the Marius Hills Pit on the Moon. This innovative project, known as GIMLI, focuses on uncovering potential underground caves that could serve as future habitats for astronauts. Utilizing advanced technology such as ground-penetrating radar and seismic sensors, the team aims to verify the presence of ancient lava tubes, providing essential insights into the Moon's geological history and volcanic activity.
Celebrating Sports with Asiad Biryani and Olympic Drinks
Kerala’s Asiad biryani, Wimbledon’s strawberries and cream and the Olympics’ viral chocolate treats show how sports can inspire distinctive food traditions. While athletes usually rely on carefully planned, functional diets, certain foods and drinks have become linked to major sporting events. The tradition stretches from the 1982 Asian Games’ elaborate catering to Helsinki’s Olympic drink legacy, showing how sporting events can leave a lasting mark on food culture.
500-year-old lava rock in Hawaii collapses into Pacific Ocean. How earthquakes, waves, erosion brought down the 90-foot-tall sea arch
The stunning Hōlei Sea Arch in Hawaii's Volcanoes National Park has met its end, collapsing into the ocean after more than 550 years of existence. This natural marvel, shaped by the relentless forces of nature, succumbed during Tropical Storm Nolo. The National Park Service had anticipated this event due to prior damage from earthquakes and erosion. Such natural formations are always at the mercy of environmental changes.
NASA is preparing the Moon for humans: Three new missions will search for underground shelter, water ice and hidden hazards
NASA is planning three investigations on the Moon to gather essential information for a future lunar outpost. These investigations will monitor environmental conditions, explore for underground lava tubes, and search for lunar ice resources. The data collected will inform the design and safety of structures supporting human activities on the Moon. NASA aims to leverage commercial services for delivering scientific payloads to the lunar surface.
Apple is launching a new product on October 13: What it is, expected price and its features
Apple Smart Home Hub: Apple is reportedly set to unveil a long awaited smart home hub on October 13, a 6-inch screened device styled after the iMac G4, expected to control smart home gear, handle FaceTime calls and cost around $350.
Will Smith in 2015 bought a Hawaiian compound with two lava rock fireplaces that originally belonged basketball legend Kareem Abdul Jabbar for $10 million. In 2017, they sold it for $2 million profit
In 2015, Will Smith acquired a stunning property in Hawaii, previously owned by NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. This beautiful estate, with its three bedrooms and guesthouse, was sold in 2017 for a handsome profit. Its luxurious amenities include a swimming pool, tennis court, and direct access to Secret Beach, complemented by scenic hiking trails and orchards that provide stunning ocean views across the property.
Months before polls, UP makes final pitch for foreign investments
The Uttar Pradesh government is hosting the fourth International Trade Show in Greater Noida from September 25 to 29. More than 600 foreign buyers from 88 countries are expected to attend this year's event. Uttar Pradesh aims to position itself as a leading manufacturing and investment destination through this platform. Last year, the state saw a notable increase in exports, exceeding ₹2 lakh crore.
A 2011 study analyzing satellite imagery in Jordan identified more than 1,000 giant stone "wheels"; field archaeology later showed some were prehistoric burial or ritual structures
A remarkable archaeological find has surfaced in Jordan's deserts, with the discovery of thousands of ancient stone structures known as wheels. These formations, resembling stone circles with distinct spokes visible from an aerial viewpoint, are believed to be several millennia old, possibly older than the Great Pyramid itself. Intriguingly, some wheels contained burial cairns, indicating they may have served ritualistic or commemorative functions for ancient civilizations.
In 2002, crews removed rats from California’s Anacapa Island; 10 years later, rare seabirds were returning and the island’s ecosystem was recovering
Anacapa Island shows significant seabird recovery ten years after rat removal. Ashy storm-petrels now nest there, and Cassin's auklets have expanded their territories. Scripps's murrelet nests have quadrupled, with a fifty percent increase in hatched eggs. Rats previously threatened critical breeding habitats and consumed many eggs. This successful project demonstrates a valuable conservation tool for global island restoration.
In 1984, Tonga's Home Reef shot a 12km-high plume into the sky and built an island. 42 years later, the growing volcanic island has gained nearly 20 acres of land
In 1984, Tonga's Home Reef shot a 12km-high plume into the sky and built an island. 42 years later, the growing volcanic island has gained nearly 20 acres of land. The submarine volcano has repeatedly created and lost islands since the 19th century. Recent eruptions have expanded the island. Satellite images help experts monitor changes, ash, lava flows and water plumes while scientists study possible effects on marine life and birds.
Mobiles phones with low specs make a comeback in premium market
Entry-level smartphones with 2GB or 3GB RAM are making a comeback. Brands like Itel and Lava are targeting this segment with new models. Major brands have shifted focus to premium phones, leaving a market gap. Shipments in this segment have significantly declined due to rising costs. However, demand for budget phones remains strong, especially in smaller towns.
Credit for the next 50 crore: How PhonePe’s new co-branded cards target India’s underserved
At GFF 2026, PhonePe unveiled a suite of co-branded credit cards with HDFC Bank and SBI, plus the Wishcard for consumers with limited or no credit history. The products build on UPI-era behaviour to tap into formal credit, aiming to bring rewards, flexibility and credit-history building to Gen Z, homemakers, freelancers and semi-urban India.
No smartphone, no internet? PhonePe brings UPI to 220 million feature-phone users
At the Global Fintech Fest 2026 in Mumbai, PhonePe announced UPI 123Pay support for its app on feature phones, taking the SMS-based, internet-free payments stack pre-loaded on HMD, Nokia, Lava and itel handsets to 200 million-plus Indians still on basic phones.
Indonesia's main airport suspends operations after volcanic eruption
Indonesia suspended operations at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport after volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatoa disrupted airspace, affecting more than 22,000 passengers and 209 flights. The volcano erupted repeatedly, prompting warnings for ships and a three-kilometre exclusion zone. Authorities said the latest eruptions posed no immediate tsunami threat.
Govt floats fresh IT tenders at higher prices
Government departments are revising IT hardware tenders with higher pricing. Many previous tenders lapsed as brands refused outdated price bids. Some state governments have now floated fresh tenders reflecting updated costs. Manufacturers faced penalties for defaulting on earlier fixed-price government orders. Decision-makers now accept current market prices for IT hardware procurement.
PhonePe launches UPI payments for feature phones on 123Pay
PhonePe has launched a UPI app for feature phones, allowing users to make payments without mobile data. The SMS-based PhonePe UPI 123Pay comes pre-installed on select Nokia, HMD, Lava and itel devices. The move targets India’s large feature-phone user base as UPI continues to see record transaction volumes.
India gets ready to build its own Samsung, Vivo or Xiaomi
India has emerged as a major global smartphone manufacturing hub, but it is yet to build a home-grown brand of comparable scale. A new Rs 62,500 crore government scheme aims to bridge that gap by incentivising Indian-owned brands, design, R&D and domestic sourcing, with companies such as Lava positioned to benefit.
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