Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) has entered the luxury branded villa segment with the launch of Taj Mount Kusur Resort and Villas in Lonavala, Maharashtra. Developed in partnership with Amavi, India’s only hospitality-backed real estate brand, the project brings Taj’s luxury hospitality offering into a new category of branded residences.

Spread across a 34-acre estate in the Western Ghats, Taj Mount Kusur Resort and Villas will feature 32 branded villas alongside a 100-key Taj resort. The development offers views of the surrounding lake and valley and is designed to bring together luxury living, nature and Taj hospitality.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, IHCL, said, “For over a century, Taj has defined luxury hospitality through its grand palaces, landmark city hotels, safaris and residences. Recognised as the World's Strongest Luxury Hotel Brand and India's Strongest Brand, Taj continues to strengthen its position at the forefront of the luxury hospitality sector. The launch of Taj Mount Kusur Resort & Villas marks our entry into the branded villa segment, broadening our portfolio to address evolving consumer preferences while bringing the trust, service excellence and legacy of the brand to a new category of luxury real estate.”

The villas take inspiration from contemporary barn-style architecture, with expansive glass façades and spacious verandahs that connect the homes with the surrounding landscape.

A key feature of the development is the two-acre Wabi-Sabi Central Park, inspired by the Japanese philosophy of simplicity and harmony with nature. The wider project will include a Miyawaki forest, nature trails, zen gardens, stargazing decks, golf putting greens, a fitness lawn and multi-purpose sports courts.

Residents will also have access to Club Amavi, which will offer wellness and recreation facilities along with banquet and dining spaces.

The branded villas will be offered for sale through a lease-back programme, with the villas integrated into the resort inventory. Owners will have access to Taj hospitality services including concierge assistance, housekeeping and maintenance, along with the leisure and wellness facilities available at the resort.

Mr. Apurv Kumar, Managing Director, Clarks Group of Hotels and Founder, Amavi, said, “Second homes are bought to create more time, time with family, time in nature and time for oneself. Yet too often, they become another responsibility. At Amavi, our purpose is to change that. Taj Mount Kusur Resort and Villas brings together the privacy and permanence of a home with the care and service of Taj hospitality. Rooted in the Western Ghats, it also reflects our belief that meaningful development must respect the land and create value for the communities around it. We want Mount Kusur to be not merely a property people own, but a place they return to, belong to and come to.”

The development is also designed around low-density planning, integrated amenities and professionally managed services, giving homeowners the privacy of villa ownership along with the convenience of a luxury resort.

Mr. Sachin Agrawal and Mr. Bajrang Bararia, Founders, Amavi, said, “With Taj Mount Kusur Resort and Villas, Amavi has sought to create a residential offering that combines design, nature and hospitality. Luxury consumers today are increasingly seeking experiences that combine the privacy of a second home with the services and assurance of a hospitality brand. The project's low-density planning, integrated amenities and professionally managed services are intended to provide homeowners with the privacy of villa ownership and the convenience of a luxury resort. Amavi is pleased to partner with IHCL in bringing this vision to life under the Taj brand.”

Located between Mumbai and Pune, Lonavala is an established leisure destination known for its valleys, lakes and waterfalls. Its connectivity and natural setting have made it popular among leisure travellers, wellness seekers and second-home buyers.

The Taj Mount Kusur project brings together this established destination appeal with branded villa ownership and hotel services, marking a new direction for Taj as it expands its luxury portfolio.

Third Wave Coffee has entered Andhra Pradesh with the opening of two new cafés in Visakhapatnam, marking another step in the brand's South India expansion.

The new cafés are located at Waltair Road and Inorbit Mall, taking Third Wave Coffee's South India footprint to over 100 cafés. With these additions, the brand's national network has also grown to 240+ cafés.

The new Visakhapatnam cafés have been designed around the city's coastal character and growing urban community. The spaces bring together specialty coffee, food, comfortable work-friendly settings and a relaxed environment for customers to meet and spend time. The menu features Third Wave Coffee's signature brews, specialty single-origin coffees, artisanal bakes, quick bites and curated food offerings. Customers can also access a tech-enabled café experience through the Third Wave Coffee app.

Speaking on the launch, Rajat Luthra, CEO, Third Wave Coffee, said:

“We're excited to bring the Third Wave Coffee experience to Andhra Pradesh with the launch of our cafés in Visakhapatnam. The city's vibrant culture, expanding IT and academic ecosystem, and growing appreciation for specialty coffee make it a compelling destination as we deepen our presence across South India. As we look ahead, the South will remain a key pillar of our expansion strategy. Backed by our Food Innovation Lab and state-of-the-art roastery, we remain committed to offering our signature food and beverage experience as we scale into new markets and serve more coffee lovers across the country”.

Third Wave Coffee continued its expansion across South India during FY26, adding to its presence in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and Mysuru. The brand also entered new markets including Ahmedabad, Agra and Kolkata, further extending its reach across India. Building on this growth, Third Wave Coffee plans to open 100 additional cafés by FY27, with an aim to take its national store count to 320.

As the brand continues to grow, it remains focused on product innovation, operational excellence and creating café spaces built around local communities. The latest launch in Visakhapatnam adds another destination to its growing network while strengthening its position in India's specialty coffee and QSR market.

Search and rescue operations following the devastating Nepal-Tibet floods have entered their fourth day, with 1,924 people reported missing in Nepal, according to the country's disaster relief agency. The figure includes at least 517 foreign nationals, although authorities have reported different numbers as the situation continues to develop.

International aid agencies and governments have stepped up support for Nepal as rescue teams continue searching for survivors and assisting affected communities.

The European Union, Canada and the United States are among those that have announced plans to provide aid materials or financial assistance. The United Nations has also warned that tens of thousands of households are in need of food and emergency drinking water. According to Nepali officials, around 4,000 people have been rescued, while more than 500 deaths have been confirmed following the floods.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has also announced €2 million in immediate humanitarian aid for Nepal, saying the assistance will provide "life-saving assistance to families and communities hit hardest".

The disaster has also affected tourists who were travelling through the region, with many of those missing believed to have been on pilgrimage journeys. The area is an important destination for Hindus and Buddhists, attracting tens of thousands of visitors each year to sacred sites. Indian nationals, including several pilgrims, make up the largest group of foreign visitors affected by the flash floods.

Many Indian pilgrims travel through Nepal towards Mount Kailash in Tibet, a 6,400-metre peak considered sacred by Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. Nepal also attracts visitors from across the world for trekking and hiking.

The Rasuwa region in north-central Nepal, one of the areas hit hardest by the floods, is known for its hiking routes. Although August is not the peak trekking season, authorities believe some hikers may have been in the region when the floods struck. Satellite images taken before and after the floods and mudslides have provided a clear view of the destruction across towns and villages along the Nepal-Tibet border.

In images taken last month, the colourful buildings of Timure, Nepal, could be seen lining the river. Following the disaster, only a few buildings remain visible, with large parts of the area covered by mud, water and rock. With rescue operations continuing, authorities and relief agencies remain focused on locating those still missing, supporting survivors and delivering essential supplies to communities affected by the disaster.