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  • Atmosphere Core Expands into Shillong, Strengthening Northeast India Presence

    DHAR GOLF VISTA by Atmosphere Shillong will mark the company’s entry into the scenic hill station of Shillong, Meghalaya representing a prestigious addition into the Northeastern state of India.

    Dhar Golf Vista Signing

     

    Shillong, Apr 3: Atmosphere Core and Shri Rocky Dhar join hands to launch a boutique hotel – DHAR GOLF VISTA by Atmosphere Shillong in Meghalaya.

    Atmosphere Core, a leading name in global hospitality, is pleased to announce its strategic collaboration with Shri Rocky Dhar to launch an upper up-scale boutique hotel in the picturesque northeastern hill station of Shillong, Meghalaya. Slated to open in 2027, DHAR GOLF VISTA by Atmosphere Shillong will be ideally located in the Meghalaya’s capital city, only an hour from Shillong Airport and right beside the prestigious 18-hole Golf Link Arena.

    Mr. Salil Panigrahi, Co-Founder & Managing Director of Atmosphere Core stated, “As part of our dynamic expansion across India, a key focus is our approach towards developing premium experiences in hill station destinations particularly in the beautiful northeastern region. This upcoming boutique property at Shillong, Meghalaya is being thoughtfully designed to cater to a diverse range of travellers—from leisure seekers and corporate guests to curated events and social get-togethers”.

    Operating under the distinguished Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts brand, the property will feature 75 keys of upper up-scale accommodation, including deluxe rooms, suites, and presidential suites. Panoramic views of the Golf Course, mountain valleys, surrounding greenery and stunning city views will create a serene and immersive ambience.

    DHAR GOLF VISTA by Atmosphere Shillong promises an exceptional culinary journey. Guests will enjoy a vibrant all-day dining venue with outdoor seating, a themed sports pub, and a specialty roof top Resto bar celebrating local and multi-cuisine flavours, while serving best of the spirits and wine from across the globe. The wellness offerings will be anchored by the award-winning ELE|NA Ayur spa, offering tranquil therapy rooms with experienced therapists—the perfect setting for rejuvenation and peace. Additional facilities will include a main swimming pool with an outdoor deck overlooking the golf course, a golf simulation pavilion, a kids’ play area, and an indoor games room.

    At an elevation of 1,496 metres, Shillong seamlessly blends colonial charm with natural splendour. Ward’s Lake offers serene boating amid gardens, while Elephant Falls’ cascading tiers and Shillong Peak’s panoramic views thrill visitors. Umiam Lake sparkles for watersports, and the Don Bosco Museum unveils Khasi tribal heritage through artifacts and exhibits. As India’s “Rock Capital,” Shillong vibrates with live music at cafes and festivals like the Shillong Autumn Festival, featuring folk dances and local cuisine. Formerly Assam’s capital until 1972, it beckons eco-tourists to caves, waterfalls, and reserves year-round. Shillong’s harmonious mix of history, adventure, and melody invites discovery of Meghalaya’s soul.

    Speaking on this latest venture destination, Mr. Souvagya Mohapatra, Managing Director Atmosphere Core India, Bhutan, Nepal & Sri Lanka, added, “The Northeastern state’s hill stations have always been central to our vision of creating iconic luxury experiences. Shillong the capital city of Meghalaya, with its awe-inspiring cultural heritage backdrop and timeless appeal, is a natural choice for our expansion. As plans to enter this extraordinary destination unfold, I am confident that this collaboration will redefine hospitality in the region”.

    Shri Rocky Dhar, owner of DHAR GOLF VISTA by Atmosphere, concluded, “Atmosphere Core’s distinguished legacy of excellence aligns perfectly with our vision to unveil a transcendent world-class hotel in Shillong. With our vision and focused approach, we are committed to manifesting inspiring, bespoke hotels and resorts that embody the pinnacle of sophistication. This illustrious partnership will not only elevate Shillong’s hospitality landscape but will also set an unrivalled benchmark for elegance and impeccable service in this breathtaking and scenic Northeastern state of India.”

  • Master’s Transportation Earns Spot Among Midwest’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies

    KANSAS CITY, Mo. (April 3, 2026) – Master’s Transportation™, a leading provider of commercial buses and vans, has been ranked No. 66 in the sixth annual Inc. Regionals: Midwest list – the most prestigious ranking of the fastest-growing privately held companies in the Midwest. The region includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. 

    An extension of the national Inc. 5000 list, the Inc. Regionals ranking measures revenue and employee growth over a two-year period, making it one of the most credible benchmarks of sustained business performance in the country. Master’s Transportation earned its placement based on significant growth across its 12 locations nationwide, where the company employs 250 team members and serves customers across multiple commercial vehicle segments.

    “Being named to the Inc. Regionals: Midwest list is a direct reflection of the hard work and dedication of every single person on our team,” said John Goodbrake, CEO, Master’s Transportation. “This recognition validates what we have been building for years, a company with the infrastructure, the talent, and the drive to grow without losing sight of what matters most, which is moving our customers and our people forward.”

    Master’s Transportation’s growth is fueled by a business model that spans commercial shuttle buses and vans, school buses, multi-functional school activity buses, motor coaches, and used commercial buses. The company also operates seven service departments and a centralized parts department, giving it the capacity to serve customers nationwide. Its continued investment in people, facilities, and fleet has positioned it as one of the most comprehensive commercial vehicle providers in the Midwest.

    “Landing on this list is significant because it reflects the trust our customers place in us and the commitment our team brings every single day,” said Rita Luukkonen, General Counsel at Master’s Transportation. “It is a reminder that when you invest in people and stay committed to your mission, the results speak for themselves.”

    The 2026 Inc. Regionals recognition adds to a growing list of achievements for Master’s Transportation, which has earned multiple regional and national honors in recent years. The company continues to invest in its workforce and infrastructure, with plans to triple its team as it expands its footprint. As one of the few commercial vehicle companies operating at this scale in the Midwest, Master’s Transportation remains committed to creating opportunities for its employees and delivering reliable transportation solutions.

    “The honorees on this year’s Inc. Regionals list achieved exceptional growth at a time when the odds were against them. Amid inflation, supply chain disruptions, and ongoing economic uncertainty, they didn’t just persevere – they innovated, adapted, and thrived. Their resilience made them standouts in their industries and true growth engines in their regions,” said Bonny Ghosh, editorial director at Inc.

    Between 2022 and 2024, the 144 private companies listed for this year’s Inc. Regionals: Midwest had a median growth rate of 69 percent; by 2024, they’d also added 8,171 jobs and $5.2 billion to the region’s economy. Complete results of the Inc. Regionals: Midwest, including company profiles and an interactive database sortable by industry and metro area, visit: https://www.inc.com/regionals/midwest.

  • Portugal votes to extend citizenship residency thresholds pending Presidential review

    Lisbon – (April 3rd, 2026) – Global Citizen Solutions (“GCS”), a leading advisory firm in citizenship and residency planning, confirms that on 1st April 2026, Portugal’s parliament approved a revised package of amendments to the Nationality Law, again proposing longer residency requirements for citizenship eligibility.

    Under the approved text, nationals from the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) and the European Union will require seven years of lawful residence to apply for naturalisation, while all other nationalities will require ten years. These changes remain subject to final drafting and presidential approval and are not yet in force.

    Joana Mendonça, General Counsel at GCS, said:

    “The majority vote in parliament confirms the government’s intended shift towards longer citizenship timelines, as observed in June and again in October with the Nationality Law causing much debate on and beyond the parliament floor. While certain provisions have been adjusted during the legislative process, the overall direction is clear. 

    This process has shown us, more than once, that a vote in parliament is not the final word. The President now has his moment, and the Constitutional Court may have another. We respect that — it is democracy working as it should. What we at GCS cannot accept is the absence of transitional provisions for those who made real decisions about their lives in good faith. There are rights at stake that cannot simply be legislated away.”

    Key developments

    • The new residency thresholds replace Portugal’s previous five-year pathway to citizenship, extending the timeline for all applicants. EU and CPLP nationals would require seven years of residence, while all other applicants would require ten years.
    • The criminal bar has been revised. Effective imprisonment of three or more years for specified serious offences does not operate as an automatic disqualification but instead triggers a case-by-case assessment by the Public Prosecutor. This assessment considers factors including the nature of the offence, time elapsed, and evidence of integration into the Portuguese community, with the possibility of judicial challenge.
    • A proposal to introduce financial self-sufficiency requirements was not included in the final text.
    • The law also confirms a change to how residency is calculated. Time spent awaiting issuance of a residence permit will no longer count towards the naturalisation period, which may extend effective timelines beyond the headline thresholds.
    • Additional provisions include revised rules for children born in Portugal to foreign parents, protections for long-term holders of nationality acting in good faith, and the introduction of a potential loss of nationality penalty for dual nationals convicted of serious crimes. This measure is expected to face constitutional scrutiny.
    • Parliament did not adopt transitional provisions for applicants who would have qualified under the previous five-year rule, leaving those currently in process subject to the final outcome of the legislative process.

    Presidential stage

    The legislative process now moves to the President of the Republic. Upon transmission, the President has eight days to refer the law to the Constitutional Court for preventive review. If no referral is made, the President has 20 days to sign the law into effect or exercise a political veto.

    Given prior constitutional objections to similar provisions and the continued inclusion of legally sensitive measures, a referral to the Constitutional Court remains a plausible outcome. 

    Positioning within Europe

    Portugal’s revised citizenship timelines bring it closer in line with core European norms. While no longer among the fastest citizenship pathways in the EU if the law is signed into effect, it remains competitive when considered alongside its flexible residency framework and limited physical presence requirements.

    Even with extended citizenship timelines, Portugal continues to offer a structured pathway combining legal residence, EU access, and long-term optionality for global investors and families.

  • UAE’s First Arrival of Break-Bulk Metals at Fujairah Port Led by Metal Park

    UAE, 2 April 2026 – Metal Park has successfully received its first break-bulk cargo of metals at Fujairah Port, marking a further extension of its operational footprint and reinforcing the continuity of metal flows across the UAE.

    This development builds on Metal Park’s existing logistics capabilities, which have consistently enabled the import, storage, distribution, and export of metals across multiple entry points in the country. The Fujairah operation adds further flexibility to an already established system, supporting stable cargo movement and supply chain continuity.

    UAE’s First Arrival of Break-Bulk Metals at Fujairah Port Led by Metal Park

     

    Operations remain uninterrupted.

    Supply chains remain active.

    Metal Park continues to manage metal flows through an integrated approach that connects port handling, inland logistics, storage infrastructure, and distribution within a single operational framework. This allows materials to move efficiently from vessel discharge through to end-market delivery.

    A key component of this system is Metal Park’s Storage Hub, operating as an independent fulfilment centre dedicated to metals. The facility supports flexible storage based on metric tonne (MT) or cubic metre (CBM) per day, allowing users to manage inventory without reliance on fixed space or long-term commitments.

    The platform also incorporates structured documentation and inventory management processes, including standardised handling of goods receipt, issuance, delivery documentation, and reporting, ensuring traceability and operational clarity across the supply chain.

    In parallel, Metal Park has activated access to trade finance facilities of up to USD 50 million, supporting metal and steel producers, traders, processors, and fabricators in maintaining operational continuity and managing working capital requirements.

    The combined logistics, storage, and financial framework allows industry participants to sustain operations, adapt to changing conditions, and maintain steady material flow across the UAE and the wider region.

    Metal Park remains fully operational, with all services continuing on schedule.

     

  • Metacarpal Adds Certified Prosthetist to Strengthen North American Expansion

    CHICAGO, Ill. (April 2. 2026) – Metacarpal, a leading medical device manufacturer specializing in body-powered upper-limb prosthetics, added Léa Richer, MSOP, CPO, as Product Support Liaison for its North American team. Richer joined the company to support the expansion of Metacarpal’s GEM prosthetic hand in U.S. and Canadian markets while working with clinicians and limb loss communities across the United States.

    In her role with Metacarpal, Richer will focus on clinical education and support, helping prosthetists, therapists, and care teams understand where the Metacarpal GEM can fit within care pathways and how to optimize outcomes for appropriate patients. Her path to orthotics and prosthetics represents her third career, inspired partly by her personal experience wearing a scoliosis brace as a teenager. Her academic training in medical anthropology and history gives her insight into how medical devices impact patients’ lives beyond their technical specifications.

    Metacarpal Adds Certified Prosthetist to Strengthen North American Expansion

     
    “Seeing patients’ eyes light up when they realize how much the GEM could improve their day-to-day life is incredibly rewarding,” said Richer. “My role is to ensure that clinicians have the knowledge and confidence they need to recommend this technology to their patients, and that patients understand how it can fit into their specific lifestyle and goals.”

    Richer brings extensive clinical experience in orthotics and prosthetics, including three and a half years as a Certified Orthotist Prosthetist at Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital in Illinois. She completed specialized training through NCOPE-certified residencies at VA Portland Health Care System, where she served as Lead Resident nationally and coordinated research examining associations between mental health and prosthetic use. Metacarpal’s U.S. presence continues to grow as more clinics explore the Metacarpal GEM for patients who need a robust, mechanically intuitive option for partial hand difference.

    “Léa is instrumental in our North American expansion because she bridges the gap between clinical expertise and patient advocacy,” said Fergal Mackie, founder and CEO of Metacarpal. “Her experience as a Certified Orthotist Prosthetist, combined with her background in medical anthropology and history, makes her passionate about informed decision-making in healthcare for both patients and clinicians. This perspective directly supports our mission to rebuild trust in prosthetics.”

    Richer’s appointment coincides with Metacarpal’s recent U.S. launch in January and OrtoPed’s distribution partnership in Canada in February. Her fluency in French and English, along with conversational Spanish skills, will help the company serve diverse patient populations across North America.

    For clinicians and clinics interested in learning more, please visit www.metacarpalprosthetics.com. 

  • SDM Udyogam 2026’ Job Fair Scheduled for April 6–7

    Ujire, Apr 2: A two-day mega job fair titled ‘SDM Udyogam – 2026’ will be held on April 6 and 7 under the aegis of the SDM Educational Society. The event is being jointly organised by SDM College (Autonomous), SDM Engineering College, and SDM Polytechnic College, said SDM College Principal Prof. Vishwanath P.

    Addressing a press conference at SDM College here on Wednesday, he stated that the job fair will be inaugurated at 9.30 am on April 6 by Dr. Satishchandra S., Secretary of the SDM Educational Society. More than 100 companies have already registered to participate in the fair, aiming to fill over 4,000 vacancies. Registration for job seekers is free of cost, he added.

    Wide Range of Sectors

    Companies from diverse sectors including IT and software development, pharmaceuticals, banking and finance, IT and IT-enabled services (ITES), sales and marketing, retail, education, tourism and hospitality, accounting and tax consultancy, manufacturing, automobile, telecom and media, construction and infrastructure, and financial consultancy will take part, offering a wide range of opportunities to candidates.

    Eligibility and Participation

    Candidates with qualifications ranging from PUC to postgraduate degrees—including BA, BBA, BCom, BCA, BSc, B.Voc, ITI, Diploma, Engineering, BTech, BEd, MA, MCJ, MSW, MCom, MCA, MSc, MBA, and GNM Nursing—are eligible to participate. Final-year students from various educational institutions across Belthangady taluk are also welcome to attend.

    A Google Form link has been created for registration, through which over 2,000 job aspirants have already enrolled. The entire recruitment process, including registration and selection, will be paperless and conducted online. A dedicated software system has been developed to enable candidates to receive interview results directly on their mobile phones, Prof. Vishwanath said.

    Polytechnic Principal Santosh, Engineering College In-charge Principal Girish Kumar, faculty members Dr. Subrahmanya Tolpadiththaya, Amaresh Hebbar, Dr. Nagaraj Poojary, Shailesh Kumar, Sunil Hegde, and others were present at press conference.

     

  • Mahindra Last Mile Mobility Tops India’s EV Commercial Vehicle Market for 4th Year

    New Delhi, April 2 :  Mahindra Last Mile Mobility Limited (MLMML), India’s leading electric commercial vehicle manufacturer, continued its strong market leadership in FY’26. MLMML reinforced its position as India’s No.1 electric commercial vehicle manufacturer for the fourth consecutive financial year. This milestone is a testament to the trust of numerous drivers and fleet owners who have chosen their entrepreneurship journey with MLMML. The Company also crossed the milestone of 1 Lakh EV sales in a single financial year. Cumulatively, MLMML has sold more than 3.4 Lakh EVs till date.

    Mahindra Last Mile Mobility Tops India’s EV Commercial Vehicle Market for 4th Year

     MLMML commands a strong presence in the L5 category, with a market share of 39.7%. The Company has achieved several notable milestones in FY’26, including:

    ·Crossed 1 Lakh EV sales in FY’26, becoming the first commercial vehicle manufacturer to achieve this milestone.

    ·Completed 6 Billion+ e-kilometre cumulatively, reducing ~240 kilo MT of carbon emissions and supporting India’s sustainability goals.

    In FY’26, MLMML expanded its product portfolio with the launch of the all-new Mahindra UDO. The UDO has been developed keeping customer insights in mind. It boasts segment-first features like Reverse Throttle, an aerodynamic design and a 200 kilometre real-world driving range. MLMML’s continued focus on innovation, reliability, and sustainability positions it at the forefront of India’s last-mile electric mobility transformation.

  • Realta Fusion and Commonwealth Fusion Systems Form Strategic Partnership to Commercialize Magnetic Mirror Fusion Energy

    MADISON, Wis. and DEVENS, Mass., Apr 02:  Realta Fusion and Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) today announced a long-term strategic partnership for the design and manufacturing of high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnets that Realta will use to accelerate the commercialization of its compact, scalable, modular – CoSMo fusion™ – energy systems.

    Realta Fusion and Commonwealth Fusion Systems logos

    CFS will develop magnets for Realta’s demonstration prototypes as well as its commercial fusion power plants under the agreement, which has the potential to reach a multi-billion dollar value. The partnership also includes novel talent-sharing of CFS expertise to support the design, manufacturing, deployment, and operation of HTS magnets for magnetic mirror fusion systems.

    “Commercializing magnetic mirror fusion systems requires integrating multiple cutting-edge technologies. By working with the world’s leading HTS magnet manufacturer, we are significantly de-risking one of the most critical of these technologies,” said Realta Fusion CEO Kieran Furlong. “Knowing that we can get the magnets we need, when we need them, from the best developed supply chain, is a huge leap forward for Realta.”

    This partnership formalizes a long relationship between the Realta and CFS teams that dates back to 2020, when the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E) funded the University of Wisconsin-Madison to build the Wisconsin HTS Axisymmetric Mirror (WHAM) experiment. Realta spun out of the WHAM initiative in 2022, and CFS provided WHAM with the HTS magnets used to confine its first plasma at a world-record breaking magnetic field strength of 17 tesla in 2024.

    “As the world leader in HTS magnet technology development and manufacturing, we are pleased to share our expertise with Realta, and give our growing industry another promising technological opportunity to bring fusion energy to the grid,” said Bob Mumgaard, CEO and Co-founder of CFS. “This partnership allows Realta to tap into the world-class supply chain we built to support our advanced manufacturing capabilities, and that will help it to bring commercial fusion energy to the grid faster.” 

  • Govt Exceeds FY23 Spending by ₹54,067 Crore; Debt Repayment Drives Overshoot

    New Delhi: The Union government exceeded its approved expenditure by ₹54,067 crore in the financial year 2022–23, largely due to higher-than-expected debt repayments, according to a report by the Public Accounts Committee.

    The report, recently tabled in the Lok Sabha, highlighted concerns over gaps in budget planning and expenditure management. It noted that despite seeking additional funds through supplementary grants during the year, actual spending still surpassed the sanctioned limits.

    A significant portion of the excess—over 99%—was attributed to debt servicing under the Department of Economic Affairs in the Finance Ministry. A smaller share of the overspending was linked to capital expenditure by the Ministry of Railways.

    As per parliamentary procedures, the excess expenditure will now require formal approval for regularisation. The development has raised questions about the accuracy of budget estimates and the effectiveness of financial controls within key government departments.

    The findings underscore the need for more precise fiscal forecasting and tighter monitoring of public spending to ensure better alignment with approved budgets in the future.

  • QNET India Region Champions Wellness with HealthyLivingEveryDay Campaign on World Health Day

    Hyderabad, Apr 02: Marking World Health DayQNET, one of Asia’s leading e-commerce-enabled direct selling companies, is reinforcing the importance of healthy daily habits through its latest digital-first campaign in India, #HealthyLivingEveryDay, amplified via its health and wellness brand, Nutriplus. Centred on the theme of nutrition, the campaign encourages individuals to embrace simple, consistent choices that contribute to long-term well-being.

    Rooted in the belief that good health begins with everyday consumption choices, the campaign shifts focus from short-term health trends to sustainable daily practices. Through engaging and relatable content, QNET highlights how small, intentional changes in diet and routine can create meaningful impact on overall health.

    The campaign brings together QNET’s Nutriplus range, thoughtfully integrated into narratives around everyday wellness. Nutriplus Qafé is positioned as a healthy green coffee addition to modern routines, while Nutriplus Monofloral Honey (Ramtil & Tulsi variants) serves as a natural, healthy substitute for sweeteners. Complementing this, Nutriplus Celesteal Herbal Teas (Apple Cinnamon & Rose flavours), rich in antioxidants, help create a calm and soothing effect on the body.

    With a clean, calming, and informative visual approach, the campaign showcases practical wellness tips, daily routines, and nutrition-led habits that resonate with today’s health-conscious audience – including busy professionals, style-conscious youth, and senior citizens. From morning rituals to mindful consumption choices, the content aims to simplify wellness.

    Commenting on the initiative, Nischal C, Head of Corporate Communications, QNET India Region, said, “World Health Day reinforces the importance of everyday choices in shaping long-term health. With this campaign, we aim to inspire simple, sustainable habits while strengthening our role as a trusted wellness partner through Nutriplus.”