Author: Neel Achary

Arab Tank Terminals Selects IFS Cloud to Modernize and Unify its Enterprise Operations

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, September 21, 2026 — IFS, the leading provider of Industrial AI software, today announced that Arab Tank Terminals Ltd. (ATTL), one of the earliest independent bulk liquid storage terminals on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast and a leading provider of storage and handling solutions for petrochemical products and industrial liquids in Saudi Arabia, has chosen to implement IFS Cloud embedded with IFS.ai,as its Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platform. This will help ATTL build a modern, scalable technology landscape aligned with the operational demands of the industry. 

ATTL is a joint venture between Saudi Arabian Refineries Company (SARCO), Independent Petroleum Group (IPG) and Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC). As part of its digital transformation, the implementation of IFS Cloud, will provide a modern, integrated platform designed to support its operations and future growth while strengthening its capabilities across key business areas. Additionally, IFS Cloud, powered by IFS.ai, uses machine learning and historical trends to deliver tailored insights, and drives innovation and productivity. 

Rahul Misra, SVP & Managing Director – Middle East and Africa at IFS, said, “In an asset intensive organization such as Arab Tank Terminals Ltd, IFS Cloud that works on the operational intelligence of IFS.ai will help move from isolated signals to a single connected workflow. It will help teams detect issues earlier, respond faster and thereby optimize performance. We look forward to working with ATTL on their digital transformation journey.” 

As part of the transformation, IFS Cloud will provide a single, unified platform that connects finance, procurement, supply chain, maintenance, asset management, projects, HSE, and human resources. By bringing critical business functions together in one system, ATTL will gain greater visibility across its operations, improve data accuracy, streamline workflows, and enable faster, more informed decision-making. The implementation is expected to help optimize asset reliability and maintenance planning, strengthen regulatory compliance and safety processes, improve inventory and procurement efficiency, and provide real-time operational insights. 

Abdulaziz Albakr, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Arab Tank Terminals Ltd. said, “Investing in a platform like IFS Cloud is an investment in ATTL’s future. It gives our people the visibility, reliability and tools to operate at the highest standards, and lays the digital foundation for the next phase of ATTL’s growth.” 

The key factors for choosing IFS Cloud were its strong capabilities in asset and maintenance management, safety and environment (HSE), and its ability to provide a unified foundation for managing critical business operations. 

IFS, has received several accolades, the most recent ones include, Customers’ Choice in the 2026 Gartner Peer Insights Voice of the Customer for Cloud ERP for Product-Centric Enterprises, the 2025 AI Software Report: ranked IFS 3rd out of the Top 50 Software Companies, with CEO Mark Moffat named Top Software CEO as well as being named a leader in the IDC MarketScape: “Worldwide Manufacturing AI‑Enabled Asset‑Intensive Enterprise Asset Management Applications 2026 Vendor Assessment. IFS continues to be focused on its Middle East investments and has built a strong portfolio of customers across core industries. 

Dubai registers 2,046 residential-use rental contracts above AED1million in first eight months of 2026

Palm Jumeirah remains among strongest hubs for high-value residential leasing, fäm Properties analysis shows

Dubai, UAE, Sept 21: Dubai registered 2,046 distinct residential-use rental contracts valued at AED1 million or more during the first eight months of 2026, with their combined contract value reaching AED6.79 billion, highlighting the scale of the market’s top tier.

A market analysis from fäm Properties shows that the contracts registered between 1 January and 31 August had a median annualised rent of AED1.35 million. New leases accounted for the majority of activity, with 1,423 contracts, or 69.6% of the total, compared with 623 renewals, or 30.4%.

Data from DXBinteract reveals that the median annualised rent for new leases was AED1.30 million, while renewals recorded a higher median of AED1.50 million.

One-year agreements dominated the market, accounting for 1,353 of the 2,046 contracts. Longer contracts naturally recorded lower annualised median rents because the AED1 million threshold applies to the total contract value, rather than the annual rental amount.

Villas represented the largest property category, with 951 contracts worth AED2.49 billion, at a median annualised rent of approximately AED1.12 million. Apartments accounted for another 531 contracts worth AED2.41 billion, with a median annualised rent of AED1.40 million.

Firas Al Msaddi, CEO of fäm Properties, commented: “The figures underline the scale of the upper end of Dubai’s rental market, while also showing how high-value contracts extend beyond individual villas and apartments into larger residential-use assets and accommodation categories.”

The Dubai Land Department residential-use classification also includes labour camps, which accounted for 520 contracts worth AED1.72 billion, at a median annualised rent of approximately AED1.84 million. Smaller categories included buildings, complex villas, staff accommodation, studios and penthouses.

Palm Jumeirah remained one of the strongest concentrations of high-value conventional residential leasing, recording 191 contracts with a median annualised rent of AED1.50 million.

NEW LEASES AGAINST RENEWALS

ANNUALISED RENT BY CONTRACT TERM

LEADING AREAS

LEADING NAMED PROJECTS AND DEVELOPMENTS

Aheesa unveils Vihaan-I semiconductor chip in the presence of Union Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw at Semicon India 2026

New Delhi, 21 September 2026: Aheesa Digital Innovations, a fabless semiconductor company, unveiled Vihaan-I, India’s first indigenously designed broadband networking chip, in the presence Union Minister for Electronics & IT Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw at Semicon India 2026, at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi. 

Vihaan-I’s journey is tied to two of the nation’s defining dates. The chip was taped out on Republic Day, 26 January 2026, and achieved first-pass silicon success on Independence Day, 15 August 2026, validating India’s semiconductor ambitions. 

“Unveiling Vihaan-I in the presence of Union Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, who is steering India’s semiconductor mission, was a proud moment for everyone at Aheesa. Vihaan-1 is proof that a Viksit Bharat can use advanced technology and design it,” said Sridharan Mani, Founder and CEO, Aheesa Digital Innovations. 

“With Vihaan-I, we have a working silicon designed in India, by an Indian team, for India’s networks. Our focus is now on getting this chip into the hands of India’s broadband and telecom equipment makers,” Saket Singh, Director & Chief Growth Officer, Aheesa Digital Innovations. 

Vihaan-I is India’s first home-designed chip for broadband and fibre networks. It brings the core functions of the internet equipment found in homes and offices onto a single Indian-designed chip, built on the open-standard RISC-V architecture and powered by the indigenous VEGA processor developed by C-DAC. It serves as a Made-in-India alternative to the imported silicon that powers most of the country’s telecom and broadband networks today.

At Semicon India 2026, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw set out the six pillars of Semicon 2.0, with chip design named as the first pillar. Vihaan-I was among the Made-in-India chips he spotlighted, a working example of the design-led, indigenous milestone the mission is built to produce, and of the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision of designing strategic technology at home. Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw on Vihaan-I: 

Path to commercialisation

With Vihaan-I’s silicon now validated, Aheesa is moving decisively from design to market. The company has signed partnerships across the chip’s path to deployment including a packaging MoU with Optilink Networks, which will support product development from prototyping through to packaging and the joint development of broadband customer equipment built on Vihaan-I. They have also signed a distribution partnership with The Zigma Technologies India. Aheesa is now preparing for commercialisation targeted for early 2027, and expects the Vihaan roadmap to extend across the broadband, telecom and cybersecurity domains that form its core focus.

Sayaji Raipur Brings the Soulful Flavours of Bengal to the City with a Special Bengali Food Festival

Raipur, Sep 21: Sayaji Raipur is set to take diners on a culinary journey to Eastern India with its Bengali Food Festival, bringing the rich flavours, traditions and culinary heritage of Bengal to Cravings – All Day Dining Restaurant from 25 September to 11 October 2026.

The festival has been curated to celebrate the distinctive character of Bengali cuisine, bringing together time-honoured recipes, aromatic spices, seasonal ingredients and much-loved regional delicacies. From comforting fish preparations and fragrant rice to hearty curries and traditional Bengali sweets, the experience aims to recreate the warmth and nostalgia of a traditional Bengali meal.

The specially curated spread will feature an assortment of authentic Bengali favourites including Mochar Chop, Beguni, Koraishutir Kochuri, Bhetki Fish Fry, Dimer Devil, Bengali Chicken Cutlet, Aloo Posto, Shukto, Dhokar Dalna, Kosha Mangsho, Chingri Malai Curry and Shorshe Maach.

The dessert selection will further celebrate Bengal’s famed sweet traditions with favourites such as Mishti Doi, Nolen Gurer Payesh and Sandesh.

The festival is designed to offer diners more than just a meal—it is an exploration of Bengal’s food culture, where every preparation reflects the region’s distinctive balance of spices, textures and culinary traditions.

Speaking about the festival, Rajendra Singh, Executive Chef, Sayaji Raipur, said:

“Bengali cuisine has an incredibly rich culinary identity, with recipes that carry generations of tradition and storytelling. Through this festival, we want our guests in Raipur to discover the depth and diversity of Bengali food while enjoying the comfort and hospitality of Sayaji.”

The Bengali Food Festival will be available for dinner at Cravings from 7:30 PM to 11:30 PM, with the buffet starting at ₹1,199++ per person.

With its focus on regional authenticity and culinary discovery, the festival is expected to appeal to food enthusiasts, families and guests looking to explore a new regional cuisine without leaving the city.

Event Details

What: Bengali Food Festival
Venue: Cravings, Sayaji Raipur
Dates: 25 September – 11 October 2026
Timings: 7:30 PM – 11:30 PM

Raffles Udaipur Recognized with Two MICHELIN Keys for the Second Consecutive Year, Celebrating a Legacy of Exceptional Hospitality

Aadhaar Authentication Mandatory for Subsidised LPG Refills from October 1

New Delhi, September 21, 2026: Domestic LPG consumers will have to complete Biometric Aadhaar Authentication (BAA) to book refills at the regulated retail selling price with applicable subsidy from October 1, 2026, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has announced. The new requirement is aimed at ensuring that subsidised cooking gas reaches eligible consumers and at improving transparency in subsidy delivery.

According to the ministry, 27.43 crore active domestic LPG consumers, or 89.9 per cent of the total, had already completed biometric authentication as of September 19. Consumers who have completed the process do not have to undertake it again and can continue booking their LPG refills as before.

For consumers who have not completed BAA, the key change will take effect from October 1. Their refill booking at the regulated retail selling price with applicable subsidy will become available once the Aadhaar authentication is completed. The government has clarified that the measure is intended to verify the beneficiary associated with each LPG connection rather than stop genuine households from accessing cooking gas.

The government has said the authentication system is designed to make LPG subsidy delivery more targeted. Linking an LPG connection to an Aadhaar-authenticated consumer is expected to help identify duplicate or ineligible connections and reduce the possibility of subsidised domestic cylinders being diverted for commercial or industrial use.

Consumers who have not yet completed the authentication can use several routes. BAA can be completed during LPG cylinder delivery, with the delivery personnel using the oil marketing company’s mobile application. Customers can also visit their LPG distributor’s showroom to complete the process.

There is also an option to complete the process digitally. Indane customers can use the IndianOil ONE app, Bharatgas customers can use HelloBPCL, while HP Gas customers can use the HP PAY app. The government has also made tutorial material available through the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana portal to assist consumers with self e-KYC.

The new requirement does not mean that consumers who do not authenticate will be completely denied LPG. According to the ministry, customers who are unwilling or unable to complete BAA can still receive LPG, but they must register their choice through the oil marketing company’s digital channels, which may include the consumer portal, mobile app, WhatsApp chatbot or IVRS.

Such consumers, however, will not receive the applicable subsidy and will have to purchase LPG at the market price. The government has said that 5-kg and 10-kg cylinders can be supplied to such customers, subject to availability with the respective oil marketing company.

The authentication drive has been running for several months. The original deadline was set for June 30, 2026, but it was extended repeatedly to provide additional time to consumers. The final extension took the deadline to September 14, after which the government announced that biometric authentication would become mandatory for subsidised refill bookings from October 1.

The financial implications of the LPG subsidy also form part of the policy backdrop. The government said the implicit subsidy on a 14.2-kg domestic LPG cylinder was around ₹210 in September 2026, compared with about ₹721 in June. It has also been providing compensation to public-sector oil marketing companies to help keep domestic LPG affordable.

The government has maintained that the authentication process is intended to improve the targeting of public support while ensuring that eligible households continue to receive subsidised LPG. With nearly 90 per cent of active domestic consumers already authenticated, the remaining consumers have a limited window to complete the process if they want to continue receiving refills at the regulated price with applicable subsidy.

For LPG consumers, the practical message is straightforward: those who have already completed biometric Aadhaar authentication need to take no further action, while those who have not should complete BAA through their distributor, during delivery or through their oil marketing company’s mobile application. From October 1, authentication will be required for subsidised domestic LPG refills at the regulated retail selling price.

Bank Strike September 28-30: SBI Advises Customers to Complete Transactions Early

New Delhi, September 21, 2026: State Bank of India (SBI) has advised customers to complete important banking transactions in advance of a proposed three-day nationwide bank strike from September 28 to 30, 2026. The strike has been called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), and branch operations could be affected depending on employee participation.

The advisory comes after a nationwide bank strike held on September 11 and ahead of further industrial action announced by the bank unions. The UFBU has also announced a continuous strike beginning October 26 as part of its ongoing agitation.

SBI has specifically asked customers to finish transactions and other banking work that require branch visits before September 28. Customers who need documentation, staff assistance or other in-person services have been advised not to wait until the strike period.

The timing of the proposed strike could create additional inconvenience for customers because September 26 and 27 fall on Saturday and Sunday, immediately before the three-day strike. This could result in limited access to normal branch-based services over five consecutive days for some customers.

At the same time, SBI has said that it is making efforts to maintain essential banking services during the strike period. The bank has encouraged customers to rely on alternative channels wherever possible, particularly for routine transactions that do not require a branch visit.

For cash requirements, customers can use ATMs and Automated Deposit and Withdrawal Machines (ADWMs). These facilities can help customers manage withdrawals and other eligible cash-related transactions while physical branch operations may be disrupted.

SBI has also pointed customers towards Customer Service Points (CSPs), which can provide selected banking services outside conventional branch operations. Availability and the range of services may vary by location and transaction type.

Digital banking is expected to play an important role during the proposed strike. Customers can use internet banking, YONO, mobile banking and UPI for routine payments, fund transfers and other eligible digital transactions. SBI has urged customers to make greater use of these channels during the period.

However, customers should distinguish between digital transactions and services that depend on physical branch processing. Activities involving documentation, verification, certain cheque-related processes or direct assistance from branch employees could face delays if branches are affected by the strike.

The proposed strike is being organised by the UFBU, an umbrella forum representing several bank employee and officer unions. Reports on the strike have linked the industrial action to various employee and banking-sector demands. The September 28-30 action follows the earlier September 11 strike.

For customers, the immediate priority is therefore planning. Those expecting to deposit or withdraw significant amounts of cash, submit documents, complete time-sensitive banking paperwork or seek branch-level assistance should consider completing such work before the proposed strike dates.

The SBI advisory does not mean that all banking services will necessarily stop during the strike. The actual impact on branches can depend on employee participation, while ATMs, digital banking channels, UPI and other alternative facilities may continue to provide routine services. Customers should nevertheless complete time-sensitive branch-dependent work early to reduce the risk of delays. 

The proposed three-day strike makes early planning particularly important for customers whose banking needs cannot be completed digitally. SBI’s advisory is aimed at reducing inconvenience by encouraging customers to complete essential branch-related work ahead of the strike while using digital and alternative channels for routine banking requirements.