Latest news with #be
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Hinge Drops a Romance Anthology to Help Gen Z Believe in Love Again
Dating is rarely a fairy tale, especially if you're one of the many experiencing dating app burnout. But Hinge, the Match Group-owned dating app, still believes in romance, as seen in its latest project that updates literary love stories for a Gen Z audience. Today (May 12), Hinge launched the second installment of its "No Ordinary Love" campaign, which debuted last year and depicts real romances that began on the dating app. In this new chapter, the brand enlisted contemporary writers to bring to life tales of early dating from five couples who met on Hinge. The modern love stories will run as a five-part weekly series on newsletter platform Substack and as a limited-edition hardcover book, produced by Dazed's in-house agency, Dazed Studio. Starting in June, the brand will distribute the anthology at in-person book clubs in New York and London. Writers Jen Winston, William Rayfet Hunter, Hunter Harris, Tomasz Jedrowski, and Upasna Barath penned the stories, which alternate between both partners' perspectives. Hinge first branched out into literature last year, publishing a zine of real-life romantic stories written by authors including Roxane Gay and John Paul Brammer. Gay has returned to write the foreword introducing the Substack series. The brand is tapping into the soaring popularity of books and literature among Gen Z, fueled by channels like TikTok's #BookTok community. Research from Nielsen BookData also revealed that Gen Z favors print books, which accounted for 80% of purchases from November 2021 to 2022. Hinge's campaign will extend through partnerships with creators on Substack and #BookTok, as well as out-of-home ads in New York and London. "We want to complement Substack's community of writers and readers with honest, authentic perspectives on love from exciting literary voices," Jackie Jantos, president and chief marketing officer at Hinge, said in a statement. "By flipping between both partners' perspectives, these real love stories highlight the misreads, overthinking, and unspoken harmony of early dating. Hinge's project continues its efforts to explore storytelling that reaches Gen Z. Under its "Designed to be Deleted" platform, which debuted in 2018, its ads have lately pivoted to capture the messy and serendipitous realities of modern dating. "Dating is really hard, and someone's story, with all the twists and turns, can be really humanizing and give people some hope," Jantos told ADWEEK in March. "Ultimately, the authenticity and truth of those stories are what people connect with." Amid reports of falling dating app usage, particularly among younger audiences, Hinge and rivals including Bumble and Tinder have been ramping up marketing aimed at Gen Z. So far, Hinge has been bucking the downturn: its 2024 revenue rise of 39% outpaced growth at owner Match Group, which saw a 3% revenue increase, and of another brand in the Match portfolio, Tinder, which posted flat revenues in 2024.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Abandoned coal mines are becoming the batteries of the future
From Europe to North America, an energy revolution is breathing new life into empty, long-forgotten coal mine shafts—by repurposing them into places to store renewable energy. Using "gravity batteries," these underground facilities aim to tackle one of renewable energy's greatest challenges: storage. Reasons to be Cheerful reports that the method is simple: Excess renewable energy is used to power winches that lift heavy weights—such as containers filled with sand or rock — up the mine shaft. When additional energy is needed, these weights are released, generating power as they descend. This approach not only gives these disused mines a second life but also offers economic and environmental benefits to communities once reliant on coal. Hundreds of thousands of abandoned mines—about 550,000 in the U.S. alone—pose economic, environmental and safety risks. In some areas, these old shafts have caused collapses or polluted groundwater, while in others, the loss of mining jobs has hit local economies hard. Meanwhile, as renewable energy scales up, storage limitations become a pressing issue, especially with solar and wind, which are naturally intermittent. This year, solar is expected to surpass coal as a leading global power source, according to the International Energy Agency, highlighting the need for reliable storage to balance supply and demand. During the U.K.'s 2020 lockdown, for example, National Grid warned of potential blackouts when energy demand dropped by 20 percent, leading to excess renewable power that went unused. Gravity batteries offer a straightforward but powerful—and cost-effective—way to address both of these problems at once. Their potential is already being realized. In Rudong, near Shanghai, the first commercial grid-scale gravity battery was connected to the grid in December 2023. Capable of storing up to 100 megawatt hours of energy, it can power nine homes for an entire year using only stored electricity. Across China, nine additional projects are in development, while in Switzerland, a commercial demonstration unit has been connected to the national grid for testing since 2019, showcasing the technology's promise on a global scale. And now, other countries, from Finland to Australia, are getting on board. Repurposing old mine shafts into gravity batteries is more than just a clever use of existing infrastructure—it's a promising new model for energy storage that combines modern technology with remnants of our industrial past. In a 2024 report, The Nature Conservancy describes brownfields and former mine sites as a "critical, underutilized resource" for renewable energy. In fact, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) suggests that contaminated and disturbed lands across the U.S. could support enough solar power to meet the Department of Energy's SunShot goal of 715 gigawatts by 2050, which would supply over 120 million homes. The EPA goes even further, identifying about 20 million acres of brownfields and former mine lands in the U.S. that could generate around 1,300 gigawatts of solar power annually—enough to power over 200 million homes each year. This shift toward renewable storage in abandoned mines is supported by research from the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA). Their findings suggest that using Underground Gravity Energy Storage (UGES) in abandoned mines has the potential to provide substantial, long-term energy storage at a low cost. A key advantage of repurposing mine shafts for gravity batteries is their depth. Many are already a kilometer or more deep, eliminating the need to construct towering new structures. As Chris Yendell, project development manager at renewable energy storage company Gravitricity, explains, "Fundamentally, to make a storage project economically effective, having a significant vertical distance is key." These vertical distances, once used to transport coal, now serve as ideal channels for energy storage with minimal additional construction. Repurposing the infrastructure means engineers can focus resources on refining the lifting equipment rather than building from scratch, which significantly lowers costs. Researchers from IIASA estimate that UGES in abandoned mines could store up to 70 terawatt-hours of energy globally. That's enough to power the U.K. for nearly three months or meet the entire world's electricity needs for a day. Mines with shafts over 200 meters are particularly suited for UGES, which has the added benefit of zero self-discharge—meaning the energy stored in these systems remains ready and available without loss, even over extended periods. This makes UGES not only a reliable storage solution but a highly efficient one. Revitalizing old coal mines for energy storage can offer coal-dependent communities a stake in the clean energy revolution. The U.S. Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) is a key piece of this transition, offering clean energy incentives specifically for areas historically dependent on fossil fuels. "The IRA is designed not just to lower energy costs and combat climate change but to promote broad-based economic opportunity and create jobs in communities that have been at the forefront of energy production, especially coal communities," former Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo said in a statement. With projected global growth of energy storage investments — expected to reach $50 billion annually by 2040 — communities impacted by coal's decline are poised to become leaders in the green transition. According to The Nature Conservancy, the government could provide targeted tax credits and other financial incentives to help companies invest in turning brownfields and mine lands into renewable energy hubs. Such support can bridge economic gaps, transforming communities that once depended on coal into clean energy strongholds. "These legacy mine workings are more than just structures; they hold a long history and social legacy," says Christopher McDermott, a professor at Scotland's Edinburgh University's School of Geosciences. "For communities, reusing these spaces, developed by past generations, is very positive. Many mines shut down in the '80s and '90s, and while environmental issues remain, using these sites to create new energy brings a sense of continuity." But the shift isn't without challenges. Converting old mines into energy storage sites can be costly, especially when accounting for repairs and liability risks. "The challenge isn't just the engineering; it's the risk," says Katherine Vaz Gomes of the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy at the University of Pennsylvania. "Developers are wary of hidden costs, from structural repairs to environmental liabilities." For sites that come with complex histories — like coal fly ash impoundments or legacy asbestos mines — this risk is even higher. Gomes suggests the U.S. Superfund program could be an effective tool if expanded to cover these types of projects, providing liability protections and cost-sharing mechanisms to support developers while ensuring environmental justice. In the U.S., incentives like the IRA and Illinois' Coal-to-Solar Energy Storage initiative encourage clean energy investment in "energy communities" by providing extra tax credits to projects in fossil fuel-reliant areas. Globally, policies that support affordable permitting, tax breaks and partnerships with local communities are turning former mine sites into new energy centers. "The infrastructure's there, the community is willing — often all that's missing is the support to get these projects moving," says Gomes. Underground Gravity Energy Storage (UGES) offers a powerful approach to seasonal storage. These systems could store energy generated during high-sunlight summer months for use in winter, with an efficiency rate of 80 percent and the capacity to store up to 10,000 hours of energy. Such a setup would strengthen the grid during peak demand and low renewable output, providing a sustainable alternative to lithium-ion batteries, which degrade over time and need frequent replacement. Countries around the world are recognizing this potential. In Germany, energy giant LEAG is transforming its lignite mines in Lusatia into a "green energy hub" with integrated solar, wind, hydrogen and battery storage. Australia's AGL Energy is repurposing the Liddell Power Station into a battery storage site, aiming for 500 megawatts of capacity by 2025. Finland's Pyhäsalmi Mine, one of Europe's deepest, is set to become a UGES site under Gravitricity's guidance, with a projected two-megawatt storage capacity. "These legacy mine workings are a physical change to the geology, creating an underground network of open spaces," McDermott explains. "Their underground spaces can now be used to transport fluids or hoist heavy weights for gravity storage." By some estimates, renewable energy may account for 41 percent of global electricity by 2028, but reliable storage is essential to ensure grid stability. Repurposing mines as storage systems provides infrastructure that links communities to the future while honoring their industrial past. As McDermott puts it, "It's a way to give these sites new life while respecting the local history and legacy." This story was produced by Reasons to be Cheerful and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
BBC News
15-02-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Catterall's world title dream upset by Barboza Jr
Jack Catterall suffered an agonising split-decision points defeat to Arnold Barboza Jr in Manchester, dealing a major blow to the British light-welterweight's world title American Barboza edged a tight contest to win the WBO 'interim' belt, with several rounds difficult to score and neither man stamping their authority at the Co-op Live 31, was at times outworking and outmanoeuvring his 33-year-old opponent, landing smart counter punches, but Barboza ended the rounds strongly, with crisp and well-timed power judges scored the bout 115-113 to Barboza, while the third had the same outcome for the home Catterall lost for the second time in his 33-fight career, with the only other blemish a controversial split-decision points defeat to Josh Taylor in 2022, which he avenged last contest was for the WBO 'interim' world title. Full world champion Teofimo Lopez now has 180 days to defend against Barboza, who could be elevated to the position as title holder if his compatriot decides to pursue a different opponent."Tricky fight, close fight, there are no arguments and congratulations to Barboza. I thought I just did enough but no excuses," said Catterall. Decision too close to call in cagey affair Europe's largest indoor arena – with a capacity of 23,500 - was around a third full as a boisterous crowd repeatedly chanted 'Chorley' to welcome Lancastrian Catterall to the fittingly, he made his entrance to the song 'I just can't wait to be king' from the Lion who started boxing aged 11 and turned pro in 2012, is a reserved family man, yet there has been a swagger and spring in his step throughout fight week. Barboza, though, had won all 31 of his pro fights and arrived in the UK full of confidence on the back of a career-best win over Jose Ramirez in fighter was willing to overcommit early on and Catterall edged the first two rounds with the cleaner work. The Californian responded well, cutting off the ring and landing jabs and good body shots.A terrific counter-puncher, southpaw Catterall's approach, while appreciated by purists, does not always lend to the most entertaining of landed a great two-punch combination in the sixth round, before his rival returned the favour with a flush was warned for a low blow in the seventh and, as the round drew to a close, his legs dipped after a right from Catterall faithful turned the volume up a notch when the American hit the canvas in the 11th. He instantly shot up to his feet and protested a slip, with replays showing he fell over Catterall's trailing leg as a jab and Catterall both celebrated at the final bell as pundits and ringside reporters shrugged their shoulders and compared contrasting scorecards with the decision too close to call. 'Straight back to the gym for me' The loss was disappointing for Catterall, who was enjoying a golden period in his career. In the past 15 months, he had beaten former champions Taylor, Jorge Linares and Regis he came up against an undefeated foe who was motivated by his own pursuit for world honours."I want to see him go and fight for the world title, hopefully he beats Teofimo," added Catterall. "It's straight back to the gym for me."Catterall missed out on becoming England's first male undisputed champion in the four-belt era when he lost to Taylor three years ago in Glasgow. Most ringside observers felt he should have been awarded the decision against the he does not ever win a world title, that loss – and the injustice of it – may unfortunately be what 'El Gato' will be most remembered for.
