Latest news with #Tunnel
IOL News
6 days ago
- IOL News
From hills to hope, water project drives development in Lesotho
This aerial drone photo taken on July 7, 2025, shows the construction site of the Tunnel Boring Machine Access Adit for Polihali Transfer Tunnel in Mokhotlong District, eastern Lesotho. Image: Xinhua / Yang Guang As night falls over the northern highlands of Lesotho in early July, winter's chill sets in. Yet the Polihali Transfer Tunnel construction site remains a hive of activity. "We have deployed round-the-clock operations with three rotating shifts," said Julius Topo, site manager for the tunnel excavation. A worker monitors the operation of a rock drilling rig at the Tunnel Boring Machine(TBM) Access Adit construction site, in Mokhotlong District, eastern Lesotho, on July 6, 2025. Image: Xinhua / Yang Guang Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The Polihali Transfer Tunnel is the second phase of the multi-phased Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP). Designed to supply water from Lesotho to the Gauteng region and surrounding areas in South Africa, the project marks a flagship for this landlocked country and its neighbour. The 38-km tunnel will be excavated using two hard-rock shielded tunnel boring machines (TBM), operating simultaneously from Polihali and Katse. Guests cut the ribbon during the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Arrival Ceremony at the Caledonspoort Border Post in Butha-Buthe District, northern Lesotho, on July 5, 2025. Image: Xinhua / Yang Guang The first TBM began boring from the Katse site earlier this year. On July 5, a launch ceremony was held for the second TBM at the Caledonspoort Border Post in Butha-Buthe, Lesotho. This China-manufactured machine was shipped to Durban Port and will be assembled at the Polihali site. It is expected to significantly speed up the excavation process to meet the slated 2028 completion date. Speaking at the ceremony, South Africa's High Commissioner to Lesotho Constance Seoposengwe said she believed the new machine would give further impetus to the already ongoing work on the project. "The Lesotho Highlands Water Project is more than just a water project," she said. "Local jobs have been created, and new roads have been built in the Kingdom." Lesotho children watch a convoy of trucks transporting components of a China-manufactured hard-rock shielded tunnel boring machine (TBM) on a hillside near Pitseng, in Leribe District, northern Lesotho, on July 6, 2025. Image: Xinhua / Yang Guang Constructed by Kopano Ke Matla (KKM), a joint venture between China's Yellow River Company, Sinohydro Bureau 3, and South Africa's Unik Civil Engineering, the tunnel is the largest ongoing infrastructure project between the two countries. Its very name, KKM, meaning "unity is strength" in the Sesotho language, one of the official languages of Lesotho, reflects the diversity and inclusiveness of the workforce. Topo, a veteran of the LHWP's first phase in the 1990s, underpinned the importance of passing on experience. "TBMs were used in Phase I, but 30 years have passed. Now it is time for me to share my knowledge with local colleagues to enhance site organisation," he said. "Managing a multicultural team has many challenges, but I am learning from the Chinese and sharing what I know. We are getting along," he added. Liu Xiaolan (2nd R), a civil engineer of the Kopano Ke Matla Joint Venture, speaks with workers at the Segment Factory of the Polihali Transfer Tunnel Project, in Mokhotlong District, eastern Lesotho, on July 7, 2025. Polihali Transfer Tunnel is part of Phase II of the multi-phased Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP). Image: Xinhua / Yang Guang According to Xu Xishuai, the commercial manager of KKM, more than 99 percent of the skilled workforce is locally hired, creating over 1,800 jobs since the company's involvement. "The project has improved local infrastructure, provided employment, and passed on essential vocational skills. It is more than just tunnel construction," Xu said. While the project is still underway, its benefits are already evident. Regional transport services have expanded. A significant portion of engineers, subcontractors and suppliers are local. And the use of local construction materials and catering services has kept spending within the community, reinforcing the project's positive community impact. Born in the nearby village of Bafali, tunnel engineer Montso Lebitsa has witnessed the changes firsthand. "Traveling from Mapholaneng to Katse used to take more than eight hours due to poor traffic. Now, it takes less than two, thanks to the new road built for the project," Lebitsa recalled with a smile. Health support has also improved. "The Chinese medical team comes here from time to time to provide free health services to workers and residents. We are in remote areas where clinics or health facilities are far from the communities," said Maseqhoang Sechaba, the project's community liaison officer. Masiphola Sekonyela, chief of Tloha Re Bue, one of the areas near the Polihali site, praised the project's contributions. "When I heard the Chinese would lead this project, I was excited. They work hard and know how to get the job done," he said. "Our people rely on farming and herding, but now they have jobs, better access to goods, and more options for the future." Workers of the Kopano Ke Matla Joint Venture take part in a training session at the Skills Training Center for the Polihali Transfer Tunnel Project, in Mokhotlong District, eastern Lesotho, on July 7, 2025. Image: Xinhua / Yang Guang Pride Mudzingwa, chief executive officer of Tashie Training and Business Solutions, is overseeing the vocational training effort for KKM. "We have categorised participants as unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled so we can tailor classes accordingly," Mudzingwa said. Class sizes have been reduced from 20-25 people to 10-15 for better outcomes. Courses range from five-day workshops to three-year programs and cover plumbing, fixing, quality assurance, and more. With an investment of more than 44 million Lesotho lotis (2.47 million US dollars), the program aims to train more than 6,000 skilled workers over three years. So far, more than 500 have completed training and returned to work. "We issue certificates recognised across Southern African countries, which means workers can stay employed or even be promoted after the project ends," said Rethabile Letsoalo, community/client liaison officer of Tashie Training and Business Solutions. "This could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many, and we are grateful that our Chinese partners are giving it for free," Letsoalo said. Trucks transport components of a China-manufactured hard-rock shielded tunnel boring machine (TBM) along a mountain road in Thaba-Tseka District, eastern Lesotho, on July 8, 2025. Image: Xinhua / Yang Guang For Mpoi Elizabeth Rankhethoa, a translator at the Katse site who graduated last year from the Central University of Finance and Economics in China on a full scholarship, returning home to work on this project has been eye-opening. "We rarely have a project of this scale in Lesotho, and it truly means a lot," Rankhethoa said. "It is not the first time China and Lesotho have worked together, and it certainly won't be the last." Xinhua
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Joint pain in corporate millennials: Why early diagnosis matters
In the current world where everything is digital-centric, the corporate working millennials spend more hours than ever before in front of the screens, their bodies immobile in chairs with minimal movement. Technology has resulted in efficiency in work, but at the same time given rise to the development of musculoskeletal conditions in silence; pains in the joints largely. As opposed to the previous generations, the present millennials have grown up with smartphones and computers, and at their late 20s or early 30s, they already face problems that previously were considered age-related. Even with ideal posture, your office chair is quietly stealing years from your life. The human body simply isn't designed to sit 8-10 hours a day. Long stretches of immobility decrease blood circulation, constrict fascia (the muscle enveloping tissue), and maintain the nervous system on edge, increasingly becoming your new normal. That's why most millennials rise stiff, feel exhausted in the middle of the day, and have backaches come evening, not because they're getting older, but because they're immobile too much. Why is Joint Pain on the Rise Among Millennials? The core issues lie in repetitive physical stress, a sedentary lifestyle, and poorly designed workspaces. Long hours spent hunched over laptops or desks put immense pressure on the spine, shoulders, and wrists. Combine this with non-stop typing, mouse work, and minimal breaks, and the result is inflammation, nerve compression, and muscle fatigue. Piling on the problem is the absence of exercise and mental stress, all of which are contributors to weakened joints and muscles such that the body is more susceptible to strain and injury even if only slight effort is exerted. Joint Problems in the Corporate Setting Neck and Backache: Inappropriate posture and constant sitting can lead to disc herniation (slipped disc), which presses spinal nerves and causes pain to radiate to arms and legs. Shoulder Pain: Overhead repetitive activity or typing can cause shoulder tendinosis, where shoulder tendons are inflamed. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Repetitive typing can compress the median nerve at the wrist, leading to numbness, tingling, and finger weakness. Trigger Finger: Mouse overuse can result in tendon inflammation in fingers, causing stiffness or locking. Why early diagnosis is crucial? Too often overlooked as ordinary tiredness or work-related stress, these symptoms, if left alone, can become long-term issues. If these symptoms are not correctly diagnosed and treated, they may develop into a long-term condition. Early diagnosis, though, allows problems with such things as nerve impingement or soft tissue injury to be caught and addressed before they become major issues. MRI scans are good at detecting slipped discs, tendonitis, and nerve compressions. Early diagnosis translates to most conditions being addressed with non-surgical interventions such as physiotherapy, posture correction, or anti-inflammatory drugs. Delay can result in chronic pain or surgical intervention. Solutions and Prevention Ergonomic Workstations: Utilize chairs with lumbar support, have screens at eye level, and maintain neutral wrist alignment. Take Movement Breaks: Stand up, stretch, or walk for a short while every 30-60 minutes to release tension and enhance circulation. Stretch Frequently: Stretch for 5 minutes every 2 hours of sitting to release tension and re-activate muscles. Mobility Work: Include 15 minutes of minimal mobility exercises at the end of your day to unload your joints. Make Movement a Habit: It doesn't have to be hard, just routine. Moving every day keeps the body aligned and pain-free. Apply Health Tech: Posture apps, fitness trackers, or teleconsultations can aid your joint health journey. Corporate Wellness Programs: Employers should provide ergonomic training, periodic health check-ups, and joint care awareness sessions. In the hurry to beat the clock, millennials tend to overlook the gentle reminders that their bodies give. But aching joints are not a transient nuisance; they are a warning to stop and take care. Early detection and preventive measures can safeguard your health, improve your performance, and allow you to have a long, painless career. Your work might be virtual, but your body still loves to move. Hear it and take action in time. Authored by: Dr. Abhijit Sawant, Director and Senior Consultant Radiologists, Vcare Imaging and Diagnostic Centre, Mumbai Actor Nargis Fakhri Reveals 9‑Day Water Fast Twice a Year to Get 'Snatched'
Hindustan Times
20-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
MMRDA to re-tender twin infra projects for Thane-Bhayandar
MUMBAI: Two big ticket infrastructure projects to improve road connectivity between Thane and Mira-Bhayander will soon be re-tendered by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). The development authority on June 10 had sought detailed financial estimates, rate justifications and supporting documents from Larsen & Toubro (L&T) for the projects. L&T's bid for the two projects combined - ₹3,130 crore - was less than the lowest bidder declared by the MMRDA. Hence, the engineering company had moved the Bombay high court as well as the Supreme Court, challenging the decision to award the contracts to Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering & Infrastructure Limited (MEIL). During the hearing of the petition challenging its disqualification in the two high-value tenders, L&T had asserted before the Supreme Court that it had quoted ₹6,498 crore for the Gaimukh to Fountain Hotel Junction Twin Tunnel and ₹5,554 crore for the Fountain Junction to Bhayander Elevated Road. 'We gave L&T seven working days to respond, a deadline that has now passed. As of June 19, no reply has been received. This silence raises questions about the seriousness of L&T's courtroom claims,' shared an MMRDA official. 'When a firm makes financial claims in the Supreme Court, it has the responsibility to back those up. Especially when it involves public money and a government agency formally requests it for details.' The apex court dismissed L&T's petition as 'infructuous' after MMRDA voluntarily chose to cancel and re-tender the projects. MEIL had submitted quotes of ₹9,019 crore for the elevated road and ₹6,163 crore for the tunnel project, a total sum of ₹15,182 crore as against ₹12,052 crore by L&T. 'With the tender process set to restart now and the bids legally sealed under tendering rules, MMRDA has asked L&T to share the estimates it had openly mentioned in court (even though it has been disqualified). The intent is to allow the MMRDA's Tender Review Committee, which has members from IIT and finance backgrounds, to objectively assess if L&T's figures can serve as benchmarks for more competitive base rates,' said the official. An email sent by HT to L&T for a comment on this development did not elicit any response.
Observer
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Observer
Miu Miu Brings a Show to New York, and Everyone Can Go
Since 2011, Miuccia Prada, the patron saint of smart, messy women everywhere, has been using her Miu Miu line as a platform to commission short films by female filmmakers from around the world, including Janicza Bravo, Mati Diop and Haifaa al-Mansour. For Prada, the films, which sometimes air during her fashion shows, serve as a backdrop to her clothes, which have always explored the chaotic lives of mothers, sisters, rebels, poets and punks without ever trying to reconcile their contradictions. That has made Miu Miu the darling of the fashion industry, the rare fashion brand to experience explosive growth at a time when sales in general are slowing. Last year, during Art Basel Paris, Prada decided it was time to bring all the films together, and she enlisted Polish artist Goshka Macuga to help. The result was an immersive performance piece of sorts that involved a cast of 35 characters from the films, brought to life by 105 actors. It was such an unexpected hit, with 11,000 people visiting the Paris show during its five-day run, that she and Macuga decided to re-create it this weekend for Frieze New York. The new show, titled 'Tales & Tellers,' is being staged in the Terminal Warehouse, the cavernous late-19th-century building on the Far West Side of Manhattan, latterly home to the Tunnel nightclub. And it is an altogether darker take on the state of women than the Paris event was. (Still, wardrobe by Miu Miu.) Prada and Macuga Zoomed in to explain. The conversation has been edited and condensed. Q: There hasn't been a Miu Miu show in New York in decades, but now there is. Sort of. Why this? MIUCCIA PRADA: The clothes are an excuse to have the support of the company to create these projects where women are talking about themselves, which is very important. In my work, I have always embraced the complexity of women, the complexity of our lives, how we can succeed in developing our abilities. So it's fundamental to know what women do, what they think, in different contexts. GOSHKA MACUGA: All these different stories represent different social problems for women in different countries. Like, for example, the film which I feel very close to, 'Nightwalk' by Małgorzata Szumowska, was filmed in Poland at a time when gender issues were really repressed by our government. It was talking about this idea of liberation within a context that was not sympathetic to difference. Q: That sounds like the current state of America. Is that why you wanted to bring the show here? PRADA: Not just America. Conservatism is everywhere in Europe. We are facing these really great problems, and this moment is really scary. So it's a very crucial argument — that everybody has the right to their voice. MACUGA: We are taking it to the American, or New York, street at night and trying to imagine how a woman exists within this context. It's more threatening, it's more surreal. We're looking at the concept of inside and outside, the idea of individuals coming together in a group and being empowered. How all these individual voices can come together and make a big impact. Q: Is this also the way you raise your voice? PRADA: It's hard for me to talk about politics because I am a representative of luxury. That's a very privileged group of people, so to translate that in a real democratic way is not obvious. So I try in my own way to be political, but I have to be very careful how I make it public. MACUGA: Artists can use language that allows certain narratives to still be present, but maybe present under the umbrella of a more coded language. You're not directly addressing anything or making a statement, but you're creating the possibility for people to project certain ideas into it. PRADA: What I hope is that people who come to the show feel they can express themselves — their ideas, their problems, their weakness, their struggle. We are basically saying that change or building relationships or empowerment happens on a human level, in the instantaneous relationships that we make with other people. Q: Why is that important now? MACUGA: Clearly we cannot take for granted certain positive things that happen for women in society. Governments change, politics change, and the situation of women changes with that. PRADA: Women's liberation is not concluded at all. Sometimes, it looks like we are going backward. There is still a lot of work to do. Q: Is that what you are trying to convey with clothes? PRADA: I try to make my contribution with the instrument I have. When you make clothes, you are suggesting possible ways of being. I am fixated on the word 'useful.' I want to try to be useful. Basically, I have the Prada Foundation, our museum. I have the fashion lines. And this is something in between that seems the most promising because it is simple. There's more excitement, less pressure, attached to it. Q: What do you mean? PRADA: First, when we made these little movies, no one cared one bit. We showed them at the Venice Film Festival, in a very serious environment. Then I wanted to do an exhibit at the Prada Foundation about feminism, but while curators are used to curating objects and art, there are no curators for ideas, so it's very difficult. But adding the fashion environment attracts many more people and allows this idea to become much more popular, much more diffused. Suddenly, with this, everybody immediately understood. It somehow accelerated the process, and we wanted to push that. This is one of the miracles of fashion.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Yahoo
Why running vacations are the next big travel trend
It's almost sunset, and the waterfront Műegyetem Wharf is just beginning to stir. The autumn heat, heavy as a weighted blanket, lingers over Budapest, yet a peculiar anticipation hangs in the air as hundreds of people gather for the Generali Night Run Budapest in late August. The 13-mile route winds through the Hungarian capital's heart, taking runners up a 100-meter hill, past the towering Buda Castle, beneath the grand arches of the Chain Bridge, and along the lower embankment, where the illuminated Parliament, Margaret Bridge, and echoing Tunnel unfold like a moving postcard. As the sun bleeds into the Danube, the rhythmic pulse of live bands and the roar of spectators transform the city into a festival of motion and adrenaline, with the night sky as a dramatic backdrop. Distance running has long been a benchmark of fitness, but it's also becoming a fascinating way for travelers to explore new destinations. 'I barely prepared—actually, I didn't run for a month due to an ankle injury,' says Drew Loynes, a Londoner who joined the night run after quitting his tech job last year to travel the world. 'I was in places where it was too hot to run or where the roads didn't feel safe. But running that half marathon in Budapest was an incredible experience and the city easily lends itself to casual running.' Loynes' story reflects a growing trend—travelers are increasingly blending fitness with exploration. Hospitality company Accor predicts that athletic adventures will be one of 2025's biggest travel trends, noting a 50 percent rise in searches for 'workout holidays' over the past year. As more people seek to achieve personal health goals, recreational sports are becoming an integral part of travel plans. With run clubs surging in popularity last year, running holidays seem like the natural next step. According to Strava's 2024 Year in Sport report, global participation in running clubs jumped by 59 percent in 2024. This momentum has prompted companies like Contiki to introduce run club trips later this summer. Designed for 18- to 35-year-olds, their flagship itinerary offers a chance to explore up to 16 European destinations—taking in iconic sites such as the Eiffel Tower and the Colosseum—on foot while fostering social connections in a club-style format. 'Run clubs represent more than a fitness trend for our audience, they're a way to connect, explore and build community in an increasingly fragmented, online world,' says Contiki chief marketing officer Lottie Norman. 'The appetite for active trips is increasing as bookings on our active itineraries surged 105 percent from 2023 to 2024, with group runs emerging as trip highlights.' Urban landscapes aren't the only draw, rugged nature is just as enticing. For Liz Gill, founder of Runcation Travel—a U.S.-based adventure outfit offering guided and self-guided running retreats across Europe and the Americas—hut-to-hut running in the Dolomites in 2016 was a transformative experience. 'It was my biggest week in the mountains at that point,' says the California native, who covered 80 miles and 7,620 meters of elevation gain over seven days. The following year, Gill introduced the itinerary to her running network, and it remains one of Runcation's most popular offerings—alongside the alpine landscapes of Mammoth Lakes, a renowned training ground for marathoners on the fringes of Yosemite National Park, and the wild expanses of Argentinian Patagonia; the latter has 15 times the waitlist this year than in winter 2024. Some of Gill's most memorable runs have stemmed from personal travels in Cuba's Viñales region, known for its tobacco farms, and Kenya's Iten, an unchallenged epicenter of distance running. 'In Viñales, you can jog along rolling dirt roads and still meet locals who'll happily point you to farms where you can buy a coffee and watch the sunrise,' she says. 'Iten, on the other hand, is all about the community—Olympians and aspiring runners training side by side. I'd head out at 6 a.m. on a Thursday, and the roads would already be buzzing. You could jump into a pack, no matter your level, and join in; one week it might be a fartlek workout, the next something entirely different.' (Related: Here are 5 places with the most incredible running trails in the world) Socializing is a major draw for those opting for running holidays. 'I love these trips because they get me out of the city and keep me on my toes (literally) in some of the most beautiful places in the world,' says Megha Doshi, a product marketing professional who has joined three of Runcation Travel's trips—to the Dolomites, Patagonia, and Chamonix. 'Coordinating something like this with friends is nearly impossible—the logistics alone, not to mention finding people who want to explore new places on foot.' While running is often a solitary activity, those who do it in groups tend to get much more out of the experience—both socially and emotionally. Still, some apprehension is natural. 'It's human nature to be intimidated by something new, but I'd encourage people to give it a try,' says Gill. 'If you live somewhere flat and see an itinerary in the mountains, don't assume you can't do it. Reach out for tips, research how to prepare—just because it's not part of your daily routine doesn't mean it's out of reach.' 'Irrespective of travel, running is known to boost cardiovascular and joint health, aid fat loss, improve energy levels, and enhance bone density—potentially preventing osteopenia and osteoporosis,' says doctor Kruti Khemani, an AHPRA-registered sports and musculoskeletal physiotherapist and founder of Mumbai-based Continuum Physiotherapy and Rehab LLP. 'It can also improve sleep quality and help you adjust to new time zones faster, easing jet lag.' Research also shows a strong link between running and mental well-being, with some individuals experiencing a 'runner's high'—a short-lived but intense feeling of euphoria. According to a study by David J. Linden, a neuroscience professor at Johns Hopkins University, this post-run bliss is likely due to endocannabinoids, natural compounds in the body similar to cannabis. Unlike endorphins, endocannabinoids cross the blood-brain barrier, promoting relaxation, reduced anxiety, and an overall sense of calm. Other benefits include improved focus, memory, and mood elevation. (Related: The brain has a secret survival trick to endure a marathon) 'Physical health benefits don't come overnight, so preparation is key,' advises Khemani. If you're transitioning from running on flat pavements to uneven trails, slopes or rocky surfaces, share the details with a trainer, physiotherapist, or coach to tailor your training. If self-training, start at least six-to-eight weeks in advance, incorporating gym work to strengthen key muscles. Running long distances increases the risk of repetitive stress injuries (RSI) and acute issues like ankle or ligament strains, especially on unfamiliar terrain. Uphill and downhill stretches can strain the knees, so pacing is crucial. 'If unexpected challenges arise, adjust your pace to allow for recovery. Don't treat it like a marathon,' says Khemani. Warm up, stretch before and after runs, stay hydrated, and carry electrolytes to prevent cramps. Footwear matters—don't switch shoes, terrain or distance last minute, or risk injury. Nutrition also plays a role: Hydrate regularly, opt for water and nutrient-rich foods, and avoid dehydrants like alcohol, caffeine, and greasy meals before the runs. 'Go low on carbs and high on protein to fuel your runs effectively,' says Khemani. Gill notes that, compared to other sports or activities, runners love to lounge. Having a comfortable space to relax or access to a massage can make a big difference. (Related: The definitive list of running shoes for every kind of runner, according to pros) Pooja Naik is an independent journalist whose work has appeared in BBC Travel, National Geographic Traveller UK, Lonely Planet, Conde Nast Traveller India, and other outlets. Follow her on Instagram.
