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Sisk said the move brought together two strong contracting brands that would unlock fresh opportunities for delivering major infrastructure projects across the UK and Ireland. Northern Ireland-based Farrans employs 625 staff and delivers projects in aviation, water and renewable energy across the UK and Ireland. It will continue to trade under its own brand, with all project operations carrying on as normal. The deal remains subject to regulatory approval and the price has not been disclosed. Paul Brown, chief executive of Sisk, said: “The acquisition of Farrans represents an excellent opportunity for Sisk to broaden its sectoral reach across the UK and Ireland. “Their strong reputation and track record in delivering complex infrastructure projects aligns well with our strategic growth ambitions. “This acquisition creates significant opportunity to capitalise on the growing aviation, energy, water and utility sector markets, leveraging the combined capability and highly skilled workforce.” Dominic Lavery, managing director of Farrans, said: “This is a positive development for Farrans, and we believe that Sisk is the right strategic fit for our business as we look to the future. “We’re pleased that Farrans’ people, culture, and brand will be retained, and we look forward to working together to deliver for our clients across the UK and Ireland.” Read More

Sandwell Council and the West Midlands Combined Authority have selected the house builder to lead delivery of the Friar Park Urban Village scheme. The 32-football pitch site has sat empty for over 40 years after its past life as a waste plant, foundry and hospital. Around a quarter of the new homes will be affordable. Before house building starts, the partners will submit a planning application for a major land clean-up to deal with decades of contamination. The remediation of the site is expected to last 2-3 years and the site will be fully developed in 8-10 years. Mayor of the West Midlands Richard Parker said Keepmoat’s appointment marked a big step forward and confirmed the Environment Agency is prioritising the site’s remediation plans. Keepmoat has a 2023 strategic partnership with the WMCA to deliver 4,000 homes across the region. Read More

The main contract, procured through Pagabo’s Civil Engineering & Infrastructure Framework, covers underground utilities, roads and public realm to unlock around 2,350 homes. It also includes delivery of the 2.1-hectare Central Park, which will become one of the city’s largest green spaces, complete with hundreds of new trees, sports facilities, play areas and landscaped zones. The contractor is the largest part of an £81.1m infrastructure package being backed by £55.2m from Homes England and £25.9m of Peel Waters’ own investment, following the site’s designation last year as a New Homes Accelerator project by the Chancellor. Central Docks site – the largest brownfield site in Liverpool Work will begin this autumn, laying the foundations for a mixed-tenure neighbourhood with affordable housing, build-to-rent, build-to-sell and later living accommodation all set around the new park. Alastair Lewis, contracts director at Graham, said the scheme “will play a pivotal role in further regeneration of the docklands area” while Peel Waters managing director James Whittaker hailed it as a “major step forward in turning our vision for Central Docks into more of a reality.” Councillor Liam Robinson, leader of Liverpool City Council, described the deal as “a major milestone” that would showcase “how transformational brownfield regeneration can and should be done” while acting as a catalyst for wider plans in north Liverpool. The 60-hectare Liverpool Waters site is being redeveloped over 30 years into a mixed-use waterfront district, with Central Docks at its heart. Read More

The scheme near the Tate Modern Gallery has been designed by Carmody Groarke and Sheppard Robson. It will replace the dated mid-century block with stepped buildings of 24, 26 and 28 storeys, linked by pavilions and wrapped around landscaped courtyards. Subject to approval by Southwark early next year, demolition would start in 2027 with the new Bankside residence opening before September 2032. Old Bankside House student accommodation will be demolished to make way for the new towers Julian Robinson, director of estates at LSE, said the project was about more than accommodation. He said: “By delivering nearly 2,000 beds at sub-market rents, we’re easing pressure on London’s housing market while ensuring talented students can live and thrive in the heart of the city.” Sustainability credentials include an all-electric energy strategy, roof-mounted solar PV, BREEAM Excellent targets and an aspiration to Passivhaus performance. Bouygues UK managing director Oliver Campbell said: “We aim to provide a great student experience while being a good neighbour to the community of Bankside.” The professional team includes structural/civil engineers, AKTII and MEP Engineers, Atelier Ten. Read More

Monodraught is a leading provider of sustainable commercial ventilation solutions focussed on the UK education sector. Latest accounts for the year to December 31 2024 show a turnover of £17.3m generating a pre-tax profit of £2.7m. Monodraught will now become part of Genuit’s Climate Management Solutions (‘CMS’) Business Unit alongside existing ventilation brands, Nuaire and Domus. Monodraught’s range of low-carbon heating and cooling technologies is aligned with Genuit’s focus on climate change adaptation and mitigation. Joe Vorih, Genuit Chief Executive Officer, said: “I am delighted to welcome the Monodraught team to Genuit. They bring an innovative and highly complementary portfolio of ventilation products, as well as a controls and data management capability that extends our offering and enables us to integrate heating and cooling solutions from across the Group. “The acquisition significantly strengthens our position in the attractive UK ventilation market, which is benefiting from environmental and regulatory tailwinds. “This is evident both in the strong growth of Monodraught in recent years alongside the demand for our existing portfolio of ventilation and low carbon heating and cooling products. We expect this to continue and are excited about the opportunities ahead.” Read More

Students and snack lovers can grab free Hash Browns and Mozzarella Fries all week long with a small purchase at Burger King. Burger King to give away free snacks in back-to-school offer.(REUTERS) Burger King is making back-to-school season a little tastier with a new week-long promotion. From Monday, Sept. 1, to Friday, Sept. 5, customers can claim free food every day before and after school hours. The limited-time offer gives customers a free snack on every purchase. Take a look at the deal here. What is Burger King’s back-to-school offer? To get the deal, you just need to spend at least $1 on any order. With that, Burger King will give you: • A free large Hash Browns from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. • A free 4-piece Mozzarella Fries from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The offer is specially designed to fit in the busy school routines so that parents, students, and commuters can easily grab a bite and save money. How the deal works As per PEOPLE, the promotional offer is only valid till the first week of September. Customers who want free items need to visit the joint at specific hours and make a purchase of a minimum $1. The freebie is added to the order automatically once the minimum spend is met. Burger King has not said how long similar promotions may continue, so this week may be the best time to take advantage of the offer. More competition in fast food Burger King’s deal came at a point where other fast food joints are also making big moves in the market. Taco Bell also recently announced the return of its Y2K Decades Menu, which had its popular items from the 1990s and 2000, like Cool Ranch Doritos Locos Taco, 7-Layer Burrito, and Caramel Apple Empanada for a limited time. FAQs 1. Do I need a coupon to get the free items at Burger King? No, you only need to spend at least $1 during the set hours. 2. Can I get both Hash Browns and Mozzarella Fries on the same day? Yes, you can claim both if you visit in the morning and afternoon with a $1 purchase each time. 3. Is this deal available at all Burger King locations? Most US locations are expected to participate, but availability may vary by store. Read More

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar announced the launch of the Greater Bengaluru Area Development Plan on Monday, under which there will be five new corporations that will oversee the initiative. “The development of the Greater Bengaluru Area is starting from today, for which five corporations are being formed. A very senior official will be appointed as the Commissioner,” Shivakumar said, launching the development plan. As part of the new plan, the Greater Bengaluru Authority has restructured the city’s administrative aspect to ensure better services. Five new corporations have been formed, including Bengaluru East, Bengaluru West, Bengaluru North, Bengaluru South, and Bengaluru Central. The five new corporations of Bengaluru have been created and designed to ensure targeted growth and efficient management among others, Shivakumar said in a post on X on Sunday. “Under the Greater Bengaluru Authority, we have created 5 city corporations: Bengaluru East, Bengaluru West, Bengaluru North, Bengaluru South, and Bengaluru Central. The purpose of dividing into 5 city corporations is to provide better services and to carry out development. These five city corporations will cover 27 assembly constituencies and 197 wards. Bengaluru’s development is our first priority,” he wrote. Karnataka forms Greater Bengaluru Authority On August 26, the 75-member Greater Bengaluru Authority led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to oversee the coordination of the newly formed five corporations. The GBA was established by exercising the powers conferred by Sub-Section (1) of Section 9 of the Greater Bangalore Administration Act, 2024 (Karnataka Act No. 36 of 2025), the government said in a statement While Siddaramaiah is the Ex-officio Chairman, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Development of Bengaluru, Government of Karnataka, D K Shivakumar, will be the Ex-officio Vice-Chairman. On August 21, the Greater Bengaluru Governance (Amendment) Bill 2025 was passed in the Legislative Council, after Shivakumar tabled the Bill. The Legislative Council passed the Bill after a brief discussion. It was passed in the Legislative Assembly a few days ago. Earlier in May, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced the implementation of the Greater Bengaluru Governance Act, replacing the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) with the GBA. (With agency inputs) Read More

Labor Day is here, and people across the US are set to mark the federal holiday with fireworks and other events. The day honors the achievements of American workers. Be it Philadelphia’s Labor Day parade or New York’s West Indian American Day Parade, several events are taking place on Monday, September 1. Here is a guide to some of the biggest Labor Day events in the US. New York City — West Indian American Day Parade One of the biggest celebrations of Caribbean culture, the day-long event is the end of several days of carnival events in the Big Apple, the Associated Press reported. The parade moves from Crown Heights to the Brooklyn Museum. Vibrant costumes, lively music and colorful flags are the highlights of the event. Philadelphia — Labor Day event Thousands of Philadelphia area union members, officials, working families and labor leaders are taking part in the city’s Labor Day parade, NBC Philadelphia reported. The event starts at the Sheet Metal Workers Local 19 Union Hall at 1301 South Columbus Boulevard. The parade begins at 10 am local time. A family festival is also organized every year, which starts from 11 am. York — Labor Day Festival The Pennsylvania city is set to hold its annual Fireworks Display and Festival from 5-9 pm local time on September 1, Penn Live reported. The event will also include live music performances, vendors, contests for children and a Kidz Zone. Los Angeles — 46th annual Solidarity Parade and Picnic Rally The 46th annual Solidarity Parade and Picnic Rally by the Los Angeles/Long Beach Harbor Labor Coalition is centered around the theme “Labor Unions Fighting for a Better Tomorrow.” A parade will start at 10 am local time at the intersection of Broad Avenue and E Street, ABC 7 reported. The march will end at Banning Park, where a picnic and rally start at 11:30 am. Charlotte — Labor Day Parade The event features Senator and former astronaut Mark Kelly as well as former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, as notable guests. The oldest surviving labor union in the US, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, will lead the procession, WCNC reported. FAQs When is the West Indian American Day Parade? It takes place on Labor Day in New York City. What is the theme of the Los Angeles Labor Day parade? The event is centered around the theme – “Labor Unions Fighting for a Better Tomorrow.” Is Labor Day a federal holiday? Yes, the occasion is marked as a federal holiday. Read More

Gurugram administration has issued work from home advisory for private firms while schools have been directed to conduct online classes on September 2 amid heavy rains earlier today on Monday. “According to the instructions issued by DC Ajay Kumar, all corporate and private offices in the district have been advised to allow employees to work from home. This will help ease traffic congestion on the roads and spare employees from the hardships of commuting in inclement weather. Along with this, the district administration has directed all schools to conduct only online classes on 2nd September, ensuring the safety of students and preventing inconvenience to parents,” an official said. The official added, “DC Ajay Kumar has appealed to citizens, stating that the administration is fully alert and rescue teams are on standby. He urged people to avoid going out unless absolutely necessary and to follow all advisories from the administration and the weather department. Civic agencies have activated drainage and pumping systems in waterlogged areas. Police and disaster management teams are working in coordination. Special attention is being given to low-lying areas and major roads to ensure traffic remains under control.” Gurugram weather As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Gurugram experienced more than 100 millimeters of rainfall between 3 PM and 7 PM on Monday, 1st September. This intense downpour led to waterlogging in several areas of the city, making travel increasingly challenging. An Orange alert has been issued for 2nd September, with forecasts indicating the likelihood of heavy to very heavy rain. Various parts of District Gurugram received varying amounts of rainfall from 8 am to 6 pm. The Tehsil of Gurugram recorded 0.85 mm of rainfall. Sub Tehsils Kadipur and Harsaru both received 94 mm of rainfall. Wazirabad reported the highest rainfall in the district with 116 mm. Sub Tehsil Badshahpur recorded 56 mm, while Sohna Tehsil received 33 mm. Manesar Tehsil saw 24 mm of rain, Pataudi received 13 mm, and Farukh Nagar recorded the lowest with 10 mm of rainfall, the administration said. The minimum temperature stands at 24.0 degree celsius to maximum 27.0 degree celsius for tomorrow with “partly cloudy sky with one or two spells of rain or thundershowers”. Many turned to social media to express their anger over traffic jams caused by the heavy rainfall. Areas such as Tulip Chowk, Malibu Town, Bilaspur Chowk, Mahavir Chowk, near Narsinghpur FOB, Rajiv Chowk, Signature Tower, Galleria Market, and IFFCO Chowk experienced significant disruption due to waterlogging. Read More

Banks, post offices, and the stock market will be closed on Monday, September 1, in observance of Labor Day, but many restaurants, grocery chains, and retail stores will remain open. Significance of Labor Day Labor Day honors the “social and economic achievements of American workers,” according to the US Department of Labor. The holiday traces back to September 5, 1882, when New York City hosted the firstLabor Day parade was organised by the Central Labor Union. By 1894, 23 states recognised the holiday, and President Grover Cleveland signed a law designating the first Monday in September as a federal holiday. Stock Market, Banks, Post Offices, and Delivery services Stock Market: The benchmark indices on the US stock market will remain closed on September 1, on the account of the Labor Day 2025 celebrations in the United States. In case of a market holiday, the trading session before a scheduled holiday is usually a half-day session. However, in this case, due to the Saturday and Sunday market closures, there is no half-day trading ahead of a scheduled holiday. Banks: Capital One, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, PNC, Truist, Citibank, and JPMorgan Chase branches will be closed. Capital One Cafes will remain open on Labor Day. Post Offices: US Postal Service facilities will be closed on Labor Day, with no mail delivery. UPS & FedEx: UPS pickup and delivery services will be suspended. UPS Stores may close depending on location. Most FedEx services will also be unavailable, with FedEx Office operating on modified hours. Walmart, Target, and Costco Walmart: Open from 6 am to 11 pm (hours may vary). Target: Stores will be open with local variations in hours. Costco: Warehouses will be closed for Labor Day holiday. Hardware stores Home Depot: Open, hours vary by location. Lowe’s: Open regular hours. Ace Hardware: Hours vary as stores are independently operated. Pharmacies CVS: Open, with some locations reducing hours. Walgreens: Retail stores open under normal hours, but pharmacies will close except at 24-hour and select locations. Restaurants open on Labor Day Many popular chains will serve customers on Labor Day, including McDonald’s, Starbucks, Dunkin’, Chick-fil-A, Chipotle, Taco Bell, Olive Garden (11 am–10 pm), Buffalo Wild Wings, IHOP, Cracker Barrel, Texas Roadhouse, and Red Lobster. Grocery stores Most major grocery chains will be open, including: Walmart, Target, Kroger stores, Trader Joe’s, Meijer (6 am–midnight), Publix, Aldi, Whole Foods, Food Lion, Harris Teeter, Giant Eagle, Wegmans, Lidl, and Sprouts Farmers Market. Sam’s Club: Open 8 am–6 pm for Plus members; 10 am–6 pm for Club members. Retail stores Shoppers can expect most major retailers to stay open, such as: Target, Macy’s, JCPenney, Kohl’s, Nordstrom, Victoria’s Secret, TJ Maxx, Marshall’s, HomeGoods, and Burlington. Specialty stores like IKEA, Cabela’s, Tractor Supply Co., PetSmart, and Barnes & Noble will also be open. Read More