News roundup: April 2024 smashes global heat records, and other headlines

For PropertyGuru’s news roundup, April 2024 smashes global heat records in this ongoing climate crisis. In other stories, Perth’s London Court arcade, reminiscent of Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley, has space available for commercial leases. And know the answer to the question: “Is India’s stamp duty applicable on resale flats?”

Climate crisis: April smashes global heat records – 11th consecutive month of unprecedented temperatures

April marked another “remarkable” month of record-breaking global air and sea surface temperature averages, according to a new report by the EU’s climate monitor published on 8th May.

The abnormally warm conditions came despite the continued weakening of the El Nino weather phenomenon that contributes to increased heat, said the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, pointing to human-caused climate change for exacerbating the extremes.

Since June last year, every month has been the warmest period on record, according to Copernicus.

April 2024 was no exception, clocking in at 1.58 degrees Celsius above the 1850-1900 pre-industrial average.

“While unusual, a similar streak of monthly global temperature records happened previously in 2015/16,” Copernicus said in HKFP.

Perth’s very own Diagon Alley makes room for new tenants

London Court in Perth’s CBD is the Tudor-style arcade reminiscent of the famous shopping district of Diagon Alley in Harry Potter and currently has space available for commercial leases.

The court was built in 1937 between Hay Street Mall and St Georges Terrace, and the three- and four-level buildings that make up the shopping district have been influenced by Elizabethan architecture.

“It connects the two major parts of Perth city and as a result, tenants in London Court benefit from foot traffic from local office workers,” said AJ Ewers, senior executive at Cygnet West.

According to realcommercial.com.au, the other-worldly feel of the arcade is bound to inspire visitors.

Harry Potter fans can pretend they’re walking through Diagon Alley to stock up on their wands and brooms before the new term at Hogwarts kicks off with shop fronts similar to those of Ollivander’s and Flourish and Blotts. Distinctive features include gargoyles, ornamental crests, and a clock which is a replica of Big Ben in London and features a battle with a dragon.

Is stamp duty applicable on resale flats in India?

A frequently asked question on various realty forums is: Is stamp duty applicable for resale flats? Before trying to find an answer to that question, Housing.com tries to find the meaning of the specific words used in this question: What is stamp duty? What is the registration fee? What is a resale flat? Learn all about stamp duty on resale flats in India’s property market.

The Property Report editors wrote this article. For more information, email: [email protected].