Browsing: Chandigarh

India’s hospitality industry is raising urgent concerns after a sharp disruption in the supply of commercial liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), leaving many restaurants and hotels with barely a few days of fuel reserves. Industry bodies have warned that continued shortages could force widespread operational disruptions or temporary shutdowns across the sector.

The supply concerns emerged after escalating tensions involving the U.S.–Israel conflict with Iran disrupted shipping routes in the Gulf region, particularly around the critical Strait of Hormuz. The situation has pushed up global energy prices and affected the flow of fuel exports from key producers such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

London-based fintech startup Payr has raised $2.1 million in seed funding to modernize the way rent payments are made across the United Kingdom’s vast rental market, estimated at $165 billion annually. The company aims to enable tenants to pay rent using credit cards, while landlords continue receiving payments through traditional bank transfers, eliminating the need for any changes to existing landlord processes.

Rent remains one of the largest monthly expenses for households, yet it is still largely paid through conventional bank transfers. While consumers today routinely use cards for everyday purchases such as groceries, travel, and utilities, rent payments have remained tied to traditional banking systems. Payr’s technology seeks to bridge this gap by introducing a card-based rent payment infrastructure designed specifically for the rental sector.

Finland’s residential property market is gradually stabilising after a challenging period, with home sales showing steady improvement. However, property prices remain weak as a large number of unsold homes and cautious buyer sentiment continue to slow the pace of recovery.

Recent data from Statistics Finland indicates that although transaction activity has picked up, price growth has not yet followed. The market is currently characterised by higher sales volumes but limited upward pressure on property values.

India’s competition watchdog has uncovered evidence suggesting that several major cement companies may have coordinated bids and pricing strategies in tenders issued by Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), according to findings from a long-running investigation.

A confidential investigation report prepared by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) reportedly details a 12-year period of alleged collusion involving multiple cement suppliers participating in ONGC tenders for oil well cement. The probe, which examined bidding patterns between 2007 and 2018, highlights suspected price coordination, volume allocation and attempts to limit foreign participation in public procurement contracts.

For millions of aspiring homeowners across India, purchasing a house often requires financial support beyond a traditional home loan. To make homeownership more accessible, the government introduced the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), one of the country’s flagship housing programmes aimed at promoting affordable housing.

The scheme provides financial assistance through interest subsidies on home loans, helping eligible buyers reduce the overall cost of owning a home. Over the years, PMAY has emerged as one of the most widely used housing initiatives in India, particularly benefiting first-time homebuyers and middle-income families.

Large-scale real estate developments are not just about constructing buildings—they shape how cities grow, how people live, and how businesses operate for decades. As urban centres expand and evolve, developers are increasingly required to think beyond immediate project delivery and focus on long-term urban impact.

In a recent interaction, Adrija Agarwal, President of Sattva Group, shared insights on the responsibility that comes with leading large-scale real estate developments and the importance of designing spaces that can adapt to future needs.

Swedish furniture giant IKEA is accelerating its expansion in India with a ₹7,000 crore investment in the National Capital Region (NCR) and plans to open 25 new small and medium format stores over the next four to five years. The company is also aiming to make its India operations profitable by the end of FY28 as it scales up its presence through an omnichannel retail strategy.

According to IKEA India CEO Patrik Antoni, the company will focus on expanding its store network, increasing revenue, improving operational efficiency, and strengthening local sourcing to reach profitability.

Dubai’s real estate sector is witnessing a growing shift toward wellness-focused residential communities, and Keturah Reserve, a luxury development in Mohammed Bin Rashid City’s District 7, is positioning itself at the forefront of this trend. Inspired by the globally recognised “Blue Zones” concept—regions where people live longer and healthier lives—the project aims to integrate nature, health, and sustainable design into everyday living.

The concept of Blue Zones was introduced by American explorer and National Geographic Fellow Dan Buettner, who studied communities known for exceptional longevity. His research identified five regions—Okinawa in Japan, Sardinia in Italy, the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica, Icaria in Greece, and Loma Linda in California—where lifestyle, environment, and social structure contribute to longer and healthier lives.

The global steel industry is facing fresh pressure as the escalating Middle East conflict pushes crude oil prices to $90 per barrel and drives a sharp rise in global freight rates. According to BigMint Research, increasing military tensions involving Iran, the United States, and Israel are triggering higher energy and logistics costs, which are directly impacting steel production costs worldwide, including in India.

India’s aviation sector has grown rapidly over the past two decades, reflecting the country’s economic expansion and rising mobility needs. With a population of over 1.4 billion, the nation depends heavily on robust transportation infrastructure to connect cities, industries and international markets.

Airports today function far beyond their traditional role as transit points. They have evolved into large infrastructure ecosystems that support tourism, trade, logistics and regional economic growth.