The ambitious scheme was approved following a public consultation last year

A multimillion-pound project to improve one of Exeter’s much-loved green spaces for current and future generations is under way. Exeter City Community Trust (ECCT) – the partner charity of Exeter City Football Club – has started work at the 40-acre King George V Playing Fields on Topsham Road.

The charity has secured almost £2m from the Premier League, the FA and government’s Football Foundation towards the ambitious project.

Phase one of the work includes two new Football Foundation PlayZones; a 3G pitch; and refurbishment to the existing pavilion to include accessible changing rooms and community-use rooms.

The project start follows a public consultation last year, which informed the design and direction of the plans.

The site is a priority within Exeter City Council’s Playing Pitch Strategy, which reviews current and future demand for formal sports facilities.

The fields will be leased to ECCT, which is working in partnership with the council, on a 50-year agreement.

Jamie Vittles, chief executive of ECCT, said: “We are delighted to bring this project to life and grateful to the many organisations, including Exeter City Council, Fields in Trust and the Football Foundation, who have worked closely with us to make it a reality.

“The incredible contribution from the Football Foundation brings a serious external investment into Exeter, helping us provide the best facilities for our whole community.”

The fields are one of hundreds established across the UK following the death of King George V in 1936 to “promote and assist in the establishment of playing fields for the use and enjoyment of the people”. They are legally protected by the Fields in Trust charity, whose mission is to preserve and safeguard the land for public benefit.

Mr Vittles added: “We are taking our role as custodians of this valuable green space very seriously. This is about creating an accessible and improved space, which meets the requirements of 21st century lifestyles, whilst preserving a wonderful natural resource and creating a community asset which will be here for many generations to come.”

The project has been through a full planning process with Exeter City Council, with approval granted in August last year.

As part of the scheme, 65 new trees will be planted to create a community orchard. Those behind the project say the new trees will offset the felling of two oaks, one of which they say has been “severely damaged” by squirrels stripping down the bark.

The second phase of the project is due to include the provision of Padel courts, an extension to the existing pavilion to incorporate a community café and social space, woodland trails and walkways, and further improvements to grass pitches.

Duncan Wood, lead councillor for leisure and healthy living, said: “The local community and everyone who uses King George V will benefit from the improvements that are being planned by ECCT, and this shows what can be done by working collaboratively with our parters in the city.”

Elite UK REIT says project will bring hundreds of construction jobs

A new multi-million pound data centre to be sited on the edge of Blackpool is set to bring a major jobs boost to the Fylde coast.

Singapore-based real estate firm Elite UK REIT is to open the data centre at the Peel Park business site on Brunel Way.

The team behind the scheme say it will bring not only hundreds of jobs during the construction phase, but permanent roles once it is up and running.

Elite UK REIT secured planning permission for the new development from planners at Fylde Council earlier this month.

Peel Park business estate falls under Fylde Council because it is geographically located within the borough of Fylde, specifically within the Whitehills area, despite its proximity to the Blackpool boundary and its “Blackpool” branding

The planning application was submitted as part of Blackpool’s Growth and Prosperity programme, which includes development projects in the 144-ha Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone as well as the Talbot Gateway Central Business District.

How many jobs will it bring?

According to planning documents submitted with the application, the project will bring 600–800 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs during the peak build period.

These will cover general contracting, electrical, mechanical, civil engineering,security, telecoms, and project management roles.

As for permanent high-skilled Jobs, there will be an estimated 50–80 full-time roles, with annual salaries said to range from £40,000 to £100,000, once the centre is fully operational.

That will include data centre managers, network engineers, systems architects,security, facilities management, and renewable energy integration roles. Many of these roles are high-paying technical positions, contributing to the local economy’s upskilling and wage growth.

The total capital investment has been put at an estimated£450–£500 million over the development lifecycle.

This includes site preparation, construction,M&E (Mechanical & Electrical) systems,data centre fit-out, and renewable energyinfrastructure integration

The centre will be built on an undeveloped 20-acre plot on the site, next to offices leased to the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ).

The site is close to the M55 and benefits from strategic connectivity and proximity to subsea fibre-optic infrastructure, capable of transmitting over 95–99% of international data.

What is Elite?

Elite is a REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) whose business activities involve acquiring real estate and related assets in the United Kingdom.

It is notable for having over 99% of its portfolio leased to the UK government, primarily providing critical social infrastructure to the DWP.

Elite UK REIT’s portfolio had a total asset value of £424.7 million as of December 31 2025. With its portfolio, Elite REIT provides unitholders with a secure income stream from the Department for Work and Pensions and various UK government departments.

The site is close to the M55 and benefits from strategic connectivity and proximity to subsea fibre-optic infrastructure, capable of transmitting over 95–99% of international data.

The portfolio has 148 properties which are mostly freehold or virtually freehold, geographically diversified across the UK and strategically located in town centres, near amenities, and transportation nodes.

What they say

Joshua Liaw, chief executive officer of Elite UK REIT, said: “The planning approval marks another milestone in our value creation strategy. It demonstrates our ability to identify unique attributes and potential of each of our portfolio assets and when feasible, reposition the REIT’s assets to deliver even greater value.

“We are now in a strong position to actively explore various strategic options for Peel Park, Blackpool to maximise value for our unitholders.

“With demand for artificial intelligence and cloud-based technologies continuing to grow, we are excited about the prospect of a proposed data centre in Peel Park, Blackpool in supporting regional economic development, inward investment and the objectives of the nearby Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone.”

The data centre building on the proposed data centre development Site can be up to 14 metres in height, with a rooftop cooling structure rising to 20 metres. The Site is also expected to encompass a substation compound; a security office, and associated plant, infrastructure, parking, drainage and landscaping.

The new US 15% global tariff—imposed under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, effective February 24, 2026, for up to 150 days—replaces the higher “reciprocal” tariffs struck down by the US Supreme Court on February 20. For Thailand, this is largely a net positive in the near term.

Short-Term Impacts (Next 3–6 Months)

• Tariff relief and competitiveness boost: Thailand previously faced an average ~19% rate on many goods (higher on some products), while competitors like Singapore, the UK, and others enjoyed 10%. The uniform 15% levels the playing field and, on certain Thai products, could drop effective rates below 10% after exemptions or calculations. Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas called it a “more level playing field” that strengthens Thailand’s appeal as a manufacturing and investment hub.
• Export front-loading: Exporters are expected to rush shipments to the US in Q1–Q2 2026 to capitalize on the lower rate before any potential changes when the 150-day window expires. This could temporarily lift Thai exports (especially electronics, electrical appliances, food like chicken/seafood/canned fruits, and autos/parts) and support GDP growth momentum. Thailand already runs a trade surplus with the US.
• Investment and stock market lift: The reset is already boosting confidence (e.g., Stock Exchange of Thailand reaction) and could accelerate FDI and production relocation, building on a 68% rise in investment incentive applications last year.

Longer-Term Outlook and Risks

• After 150 days (around July 2026): The tariff expires unless Congress extends it. Uncertainty looms—will the US negotiate bilateral deals (as it has with the UK, EU, Japan, etc.), extend the baseline, or impose new measures tied to the US trade deficit with Thailand? Talks on a fuller US-Thai deal have been delayed by domestic politics (border issues, elections, coalition formation), with a new government possibly not in place until mid-2026.
• Challenges: A stronger baht (if the dollar weakens) could hurt competitiveness. All countries now face the same 15%, so Thailand loses some prior diversification edge from China+1 shifts. Certain SME export groups may still feel pressure.
• Opportunities: If Thailand delivers on negotiations and investment reforms, it can attract more manufacturing/FDI and reduce over-reliance on the US market. Officials like Ekniti are confident in pushing 2026 GDP growth toward 3% via public/private investment and FDI, even if external headwinds make 2%+ more realistic.

The announcement of a 15% global tariff by former President Donald Trump signifies a significant shift in international trade policy. Such an increase suggests a move towards more protectionist measures, aiming to bolster domestic industries while potentially raising costs for consumers and businesses worldwide. This tariff hike could disrupt the delicate balance of global supply chains, prompting companies to reassess sourcing strategies and production locations.

In response, trading partners may retaliate with their own tariffs, escalating trade tensions and risking a trade war. These developments could slow global economic growth and increase market volatility, negatively impacting investor confidence. Governments and businesses will need to navigate these new trade dynamics carefully, seeking ways to mitigate adverse effects while safeguarding economic stability.

Looking ahead, trade negotiations will likely become more complex as countries adjust to the new tariff landscape. Diplomatic efforts may intensify to negotiate exemptions or lower tariffs, aiming to avoid broader economic disruptions. Ultimately, the global trade environment post-15% tariff hike will hinge on diplomatic resolutions and the resilience of international markets.

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The shares of the company rose to Rs 2,965.60 apiece in the morning trading hours, extending gains for the third consecutive session.

“This is to inform you that Waaree Energies Limited (‘the Company’) has received an order on February 23, 2026, for the supply of 500 MW solar modules from a renowned customer who is a solar power developer and engaged in the business of an Independent Power Producer,” the company said in a stock exchange filing on Monday.

The order is a one-time contract for the financial year 2026–27, under which the company will supply the entire 500 MW of solar modules within the timeline specified in the agreement. The contract has been awarded by a domestic entity.

In a separate development last week, the company said it is in talks with the government of Andhra Pradesh and certain other state governments to set up the proposed greenfield manufacturing facility of Lithium-Ion Advanced Chemistry Storage Cells and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).

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The move is part of the company’s plans to increase capacity from the existing 3.5 GWh to 20 GWh, with an additional capital expenditure of approximately Rs 8,000 crore in its wholly owned subsidiary, Waaree Energy Storage Solutions Private Limited (WESSPL). Its board had approved the plans on October 1, 2025.
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Waaree Energies Q3 snapshot

Waaree Energies reported a 26% quarter-on-quarter rise in net profit to Rs 1,062 crore, compared with Rs 842 crore in Q2. Revenue for the quarter increased 24.7% sequentially to Rs 7,656 crore from Rs 6,065 crore.

EBITDA in Q3 rose 37.2% quarter-on-quarter to Rs 1,928 crore from Rs 1,405 crore in the previous quarter. EBITDA margin improved to 25.5% from 23.2%, indicating higher operating leverage.

Waaree Energies share price has risen over 8% in the last 1 month.

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(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times.)

Over a decade after their first monumental showdown, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao are preparing to face off again in a highly anticipated professional boxing rematch.

Their 2015 bout shattered records, drawing 4.6 million U.S. pay-per-view buys and generating more than $410 million in revenue, while ticket sales hit $72.2 million, cementing their rivalry as one of the sport’s most iconic.

Legacy and Redemption

Mayweather, boasting an undefeated professional record of 50-0 with 27 knockouts, returns to reaffirm his dominance. Pacquiao, with a record of 62-8-3 and 39 KOs and the only boxer to capture titles in eight weight classes, seeks redemption and aims to become the first fighter to hand Mayweather a professional loss.

Now in their late 40s, Mayweather at 48, Pacquiao at 47, both men bring decades of experience and strategic mastery.

Fans have been requesting this one last epic fight before they retire. Now, the legends listened to their request to make this a promising clash for all viewers.

Mayweather vs Pacquiao 2 Venue and Time

According to Athlon Sports, the rematch is scheduled for September 19, 2026, at The Sphere, a $2.3 billion arena hosting its first-ever boxing event. The first encounter at MGM Grand Garden Arena ended with a unanimous decision for Mayweather, with judges scoring 118-110, 116-112, and 116-112.

While Mayweather remains confident in a repeat victory, Pacquiao is determined to rewrite history and leave an indelible mark on boxing lore.

We could remember that in December 2024, the People’s Champ said that he was open for second Mayweather fight, but on one condition: it shouldn’t be under ordinary pro boxing rules.

Netflix Streaming Without Pay-Per-View

For the first time, the fight will stream worldwide on Netflix, providing over 325 million subscribers with direct access without traditional pay-per-view. Though official purses remain undisclosed, analysts predict this bout will rank among the most lucrative in history.

Mayweather vs. Pacquiao 2 promises more than just a fight, and for fans who are longing to see the two legends clash in the ring for one final shot, this would be an unforgettable fight for ages.

Originally published on sportsworldnews.com