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Asia-Pacific
The Straits Times

AliExpress hit with $812 million EU fine over sales of illegal, counterfeit products

BRUSSELS - Alibaba’s AliExpress was hit with a record €550 million (S$812 million) fine from the European Union on July 20 for failing to tackle sales of illegal, unsafe and counterfeit products on its platform. The fine was the third issued by the European Commission under the EU’s landmark Digital Services Act (DSA), which requires very large online platforms to do more to counter illegal and harmful content. The commission charged AliExpress in June 2025 with failing to comply with a DSA requirement to assess and mitigate the risks of dissemination of illegal products. It set an Oct 20 deadline for AliExpress to propose remedial measures, and the company could face further penalties if the regulator decides in December that they do not comply with the DSA. “This is very dangerous for consumers, unfair for companies which are complying with all our rules,” EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen told reporters. She pointed to AliExpress’s 193 million users in Europe in 2025 versus Shein’s 156 million and Temu’s 130 million. Temu has also been fined under the DSA, and Shein is facing an ongoing investigation. “One in five Europeans say they shop once a month from Shein, Temu and AliExpress,” Virkkunen said. “We disagree with today’s decision and the disproportionate fine, which does not adequately reflect our established framework and the significant, proactive enhancements we have made,” AliExpress said in an e-mail. “We are carefully reviewing the decision and considering all available options.” The commission said that AliExpress had not properly evaluated whether it had enough people to review the risks and had overestimated the effectiveness of its system in detecting and removing illegal products. The regulator criticised the company’s recommender and advertising systems for exacerbating the spread of illegal products and its reliance on one quantitative indicator to measure its moderation system to prevent the risk of illegal products appearing or reappearing in similar forms. It said the failure of AliExpress to detect illegal products meant that illegal products ranging from counterfeit products to unsafe toys and dangerous cosmetics remained online for many weeks. The commission also took issue with the company’s ineffective penalty policy, which resulted in penalised businesses continuing to sell illegal products on its platform.

AliExpress hit with $812 million EU fine over sales of illegal, counterfeit products
Asia
The Hindu BusinessLine

CropLife India expands sustainable farming initiatives for tea, spices

CropLife India is stepping up its engagement with the country’s tea and spice sectors to support sustainable cultivation practices amid increasingly stringent pesticide residue standards in global markets, particularly in the European Union. Durgesh Chandra, Secretary General, CropLife India, said India has nearly 2.5 lakh small tea growers compared to around 1,500 organised tea estates. The industry body has been focusing on enhancing awareness and stewardship among small tea growers through programmes on responsible use of crop protection products, good agricultural practices, residue management and adherence to label recommendations. CropLife India has also undertaken initiatives to expand the availability of registered crop protection products for tea through science-based regulatory processes. It works closely with the United Planters’ Association of Southern India (UPASI) on policy advocacy, optimisation of crop protection product application using precision technologies and promotion of responsible, science-based use of crop protection products, Chandra said. In the spice sector, CropLife India has prepared a consolidated list of approved crop protection products for cumin, cardamom, black pepper, coriander and fenugreek based on inputs from its member companies. The list has been shared with the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare for onward sharing with the Spices Board, ICAR–Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR) and State Agriculture Departments to improve farmer awareness, encourage label-compliant use and minimise off-label applications. India is the world’s largest producer, consumer and exporter of spices. However, the sector continues to face a shortage of approved crop protection products for several spice crops, leading to limited label claims, off-label usage and residue-related export risks. Chandra said the Indian Institute of Spices Research has collaborated with CropLife India to advocate faster label expansion, crop grouping and expedited establishment of Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) to address these challenges. CropLife India has been actively pushing for the implementation of a Crop Grouping Framework to facilitate the establishment of national MRLs and expansion of label claims for minor crops, including spices. With more than 550 crops cultivated in India and over 85 per cent lacking crop-specific label claims, crop grouping offers a globally accepted mechanism to extrapolate residue data from representative crops in line with Codex Alimentarius principles. He said CropLife India and its member companies have been advocating the need for progressive regulatory measures to provide farmers cultivating spices and plantation crops with access to a wider range of effective and targeted crop protection products while addressing residue concerns. The association is also partnering with the government, research institutions, commodity boards and farmer organisations to promote science-based policies that improve farmer access to registered crop protection technologies, reduce residue-related trade risks and enhance the competitiveness of India’s agricultural exports. According to Chandra, accelerating label claim approvals, implementing crop grouping and promoting responsible product stewardship will collectively support sustainable agriculture and strengthen India’s position in global agricultural markets. Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments. We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of TheHindu Businessline and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.

CropLife India expands sustainable farming initiatives for tea, spices
Europe
The Guardian

‘Brazen corruption’: critics denounce Trump Media plan to sell priority access to Truth Social posts

Donald Trump holding up a printout of a Truth Social post this month. Photograph: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenDonald Trump holding up a printout of a Truth Social post this month. Photograph: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty ImagesDonald Trump‘Brazen corruption’: critics denounce Trump Media plan to sell priority access to Truth Social postsMove would allow Wall Street trading firms and other institutions to potentially profit from seeing president’s posts first Donald Trump’s media company is planning to charge for special high-speed access to Truth Social posts, including possibly his own, affecting national security and financial markets. The move announced on Thursday would allow Wall Street trading firms and other institutions to get news first from top Truth Social contributors so they could profit off subsequent moves in stocks, bonds and interest rates. Called Truth PSI, the new service comes amid a flurry of other deals by Trump and his family company that critics say are exploiting the presidency for profit. It follows similar offers of paid access on rival platforms, although with one key difference: the most popular Truth Social poster is the president himself, and, as the biggest shareholder of the publicly traded parent company, he would benefit directly. “He’s selling expedited, privileged access to information about what he is doing as president,” said Kathleen Clark of the Washington University School of Law and an expert in government conflict of interest rules. “It’s yet more brazen corruption, an improper exploitation of government power to enrich himself.” Followers of Trump can already choose to get push notifications alerting them when new posts have been published. The Trump family company declined to comment about whether the new feature was profiting off the presidency. Truth Social’s public parent, Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG), did not respond to emailed questions by Associated Press, including whether Trump’s posts would be excluded from the offering. A press release states the new service would allow traders to see “the highest-ranking Truth Social accounts” before other people. The US president has the most followers – 12.9 million – followed by his eldest son, Donald Jr, and, close behind, his son Eric. Trump regularly uses Truth Social to announce major decisions that affect markets, such as posts about the Iran war and tariffs. Last year Trump made more than 100 posts in a single day as global stock markets fell sharply amid fears his economic policies could produce a “Trumpcession” in the US. The Iran posts in particular are impactful because investors are worried that higher oil prices will continue to stoke inflation and possibly force the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates.

‘Brazen corruption’: critics denounce Trump Media plan to sell priority access to Truth Social posts
Europe
BBC Business

This farmer wanted to quit the cocaine industry - he couldn't

When Perea stopped growing coca - the raw material used to make cocaine - he vowed never to plant it again. He uprooted the green bushes on his small farm in a remote corner of the province of Meta in Colombia, reachable only by river, and replaced them with legal crops like cassava and plantain. Perea was one of thousands who joined a government-run crop substitution programme aimed at helping farmers abandon coca. But much of the promised assistance never arrived, and a lack of roads and recurring floods made it difficult to sell his produce. "It's a tragedy," says Perea. "But when you have children and no work, what choice do you have? If no help ever arrives, you go back to growing it." The coca leaf is an ancestral crop traditionally used by indigenous communities in teas and medicines. But today most of it is processed into cocaine. An estimated 70% of the global supply of the illegal drug comes from Colombia. "Coca has some major advantages over other crops," says Lucas Marín Llanes, a Colombian researcher who focuses on the coca economy and substitution strategies. "Harvests are quick - farmers can get three or four a year - it's easier to transport, and farmers know what price they'll get." Research Marín has worked on shows coca cultivation can also boost local economies, increasing municipal GDP by as much as 10% in some areas between 2014 and 2019. Substitution programmes were designed to help Colombian coca farmers move away from the crop and build legal livelihoods. Yet today the planting of coca is at record levels at more than 250,000 hectares - and many Colombians in substitution programmes say they have been let down. Elena Hernández moved to the coca-growing region of Guaviare during the boom of the 1990s, lured by better pay. "There was more money back then - you could see it everywhere," she says. "I managed to save and buy a small house."

This farmer wanted to quit the cocaine industry - he couldn't
North America
CNBC Finance

American Airlines CEO lays out his vision to close a more than $3 billion profit gap

The carrier is flying about 6,500 flights per day this year — nearly an entire Alaska Airlines more worth of travel more than its closest competitor, according to Cirium — yet American's profit gap has grown. United Airlines brought in about $3 billion more than American last year, and U.S. profit leader Delta Air Lines made nearly $5 billion more. In an exclusive interview with CNBC late last month, Isom said American and its nearly 140,000 employees want "to be best at everything that we do." He said that carrier's "long-range plan is certainly making up the margin gap," but he didn't put a timeline on that goal. American's top executives at the carrier's headquarters late last month outlined new initiatives to CNBC: bigger, more luxe airport lounges, a new wide-body aircraft order, and fresh interiors for even more of its long-haul fleet to attract big spenders. Isom described the carrier's identity as "a premium global airline with the largest footprint in North America." American has more decisions it needs to make — and soon — to close the gap. Perhaps its biggest challenge is getting customers to shell out more to fly, something Delta and United zeroed in on years ago. American has mastered running an efficient business but "what we will measure over time is: Are we closing this revenue gap and closing the unit revenue gap?" American CFO Devon May said. The carrier's executives reiterated that American's plan rests on growing its ever-more important loyalty program, improving customers' experience, expanding its network and increasing higher-end revenue. The airline is forecast to earn 64 cents a share this year, on an adjusted basis, which would be up almost 80% from last year, according to analyst estimates. It will give an updated forecast when it reports second-quarter results on Thursday. United and Delta earlier this month reported bookings are still strong. The surge in fuel prices have both helped and hurt the industry this year: The sudden run-up in prices because of the Iran war took carriers off guard, though they're passing more of those costs along to travelers, and executives don't expect fares will drop much anytime soon. Wall Street is optimistic American will continue to improve, expecting it to quadruple adjusted earnings in 2027 to $2.58 a share. American is now remodeling cabins across the fleet and taking deliveries of new planes with interiors that feature new amenities and more premium seats. Executives have said they're considering but haven't decided on bringing back seatback screens to much of its narrow-body fleet, though American recently joined the ranks of airlines that are adding satellite Wi-Fi from SpaceX's Starlink. Customers who are willing to pay more for premium seats or other perks like lounge access have been a bright spot across the industry, and everyone from profit leader Delta to now-defunct budget carrier Spirit Airlines has tried to woo those travelers as airlines rush to get fancy, new seats — small but profitable real estate — in the air.

American Airlines CEO lays out his vision to close a more than $3 billion profit gap
Asia
The Hindu BusinessLine

UltraTech Cement net up 17% on strong realisation, India Cements turnaround

UltraTech Cement, an Aditya Birla Group company, reported that its net profit in the June quarter was up 17 per cent at ₹2,604 crore against ₹2,221 crore in the same period last year on better realisation. Revenue increased 16 per cent to ₹24,648 crore (₹21,275 crore). The profit was partly driven by the turnaround of India Cements, which recorded a net profit of ₹52 crore in the quarter under review against net loss of ₹183 crore logged in same quarter last year. The turnaround was driven by 18 per cent increase in sales volume, sharper cost control focus and enhanced market reach, said UltraTech Cement. UltraTech domestic sales volumes jumped 13 per cent to 39 million tonnes while consolidated sales were up 12 per cent at 41 million tonnes. Capacity utilisation stood at 81 per cent on an installed capacity of 200 mtpa in India, it said. EBITDA per tonne improved to ₹1,214 against ₹1,198 logged in the previous year same quarter, reflecting the company’s continuing focus on cost reduction. Sales realisation was up marginally at ₹5,218 per tonne (₹5,163). UltraTech’s manufacturing platform continued to strengthen during the quarter, building on the significant milestone achieved in April when the company crossed 200 MTPA domestic grey cement capacity and 205 MTPA global capacity, including its international footprint. The company’s expansion programme remains anchored in a balanced combination of greenfield projects, brownfield expansions and debottlenecking opportunities. The approach continues to enhance market reach, improve logistics efficiency and strengthen service reliability across regions, further consolidating UltraTech’s leadership position. During Q1 FY27, the company deployed electric heavy-duty trucks for mining operations and clinker transportation. UltraTech commissioned 20 MW of Waste Heat Recovery System capacity during the quarter. Consequently, the company’s total installed WHRS capacity increased to 434 MW. Along with its renewable energy of 1.4 GW, the company achieved a green power mix of 47 per cent at the end of this quarter. The company has invested ₹888 crore in the wires and cables venture and expects to commission the plant by end of this year. Earlier, UltraTech committed an investment of ₹1,800 crore in the new venture. Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments. We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of TheHindu Businessline and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.

UltraTech Cement net up 17% on strong realisation, India Cements turnaround
Asia
The Hindu BusinessLine

Agilus Diagnostics appoints Vijender Singh as MD & CEO

Fortis Healthcare Ltd on Monday said its arm Agilus Diagnostics, has appointed Vijender Singh as its Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer. This follows the resignation of Anand K, who has decided to pursue opportunities outside the organisation after being associated with the company for nearly six years, Fortis Healthcare said in a regulatory filing. Prior to joining Agilus Diagnostics, Singh served as Chairman and Managing Director of Diagnum Healthcare, where he focused on strategic growth, governance and business development. He brings with him over three decades of leadership experience across diagnostics, healthcare, consumer healthcare and FMCG sectors, it added. Commenting on Singh's appointment, Ashutosh Raghuvanshi, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Fortis Healthcare Ltd and Chairman, Agilus Diagnostics, said, "As the diagnostics landscape continues to evolve, we believe his leadership will further strengthen our capabilities, accelerate innovation, enhance customer experience and reinforce Agilus' position as one of India's most trusted diagnostic brands." Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments. We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of TheHindu Businessline and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.

Agilus Diagnostics appoints Vijender Singh as MD & CEO
Europe
BBC Business

Are you a parent missing out on £27 a week? Here's how to check

Image source, Getty ImagesByKevin PeacheyCost of living correspondentPublished4 hours agoThousands more parents could receive £27 a week by remembering some paperwork shortly after their baby is born. Child benefit is an allowance that helps with the cost of bringing up children. It is currently worth £27.05 a week for the first child, and £17.90 a week for each subsequent child. Official data shows that parents of nearly a third of children eligible for child benefit do not make a claim before their baby's first birthday. Payments can only be backdated for three months, meaning some families could be missing out on hundreds of pounds in the fog of new parenthood. The annual publication of the most popular baby names could serve as a reminder to some parents that there are other pieces of official paperwork to complete. In order to receive child benefit, which is paid every four weeks, one parent should make a claim, external. That parent will also get National Insurance credits towards their state pension. Child Benefit can be claimed 48 hours after the baby's birth is registered but can only be backdated for up to three months from the date HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) receives the claim. More than 6.8 million parents received child benefit in the year to August 2025, according to HMRC data, external. But only 69% of them claimed the support before their baby's first birthday, meaning thousands of families may not getting what they are entitled to receive. The tax authority said that many of them may have chosen not to claim, owing to restrictions on high-earning parents receiving the benefit. Under the High Income Child Benefit Charge, external, payments start to reduce if one parent earns £60,000 a year. They stop entirely when one of you earns £80,000. There were 585,396 babies were born in England and Wales last year, according to the Office for National Statistics - which has said that, in 2025, Olivia held the top spot for the 10th year in a row for girls' baby names and Muhammad topped the list for boys' names for the third year running.

Are you a parent missing out on £27 a week? Here's how to check
Europe
BBC Business

My fitness tracker knew I was pregnant before I did

ByAshitha NageshPublished4 hours agoRavika was celebrating her birthday on holiday with her husband when she got an unusual alert from her fitness tracker. Her Oura ring flagged that her health score was poor. Her heart rate had gone up, her body temperature was elevated and her heart rate variability (HRV) had dropped. Yet Ravika felt completely fine. When the stats hadn't improved a week later, the 34-year-old solicitor from the West Midlands did some research online and found a community of women who all said their fitness trackers had been giving them signs they were pregnant, based on the data the trackers had collected. It was another week before Ravika had a positive pregnancy test. But following some cramping and a notification on her phone telling her that her body appeared to be under significant strain, she went to the doctor and was told she'd need to return 10 days later for further testing to find out if the pregnancy was healthy. The wait was agonising - and led to her anxiously checking her fitness tracker stats, waking up at 4am every night "just to refresh my app to see if my stats were still low, if my temperature was still elevated. I was holding on to hope that it was a viable pregnancy". The stats, she said, became an "obsession" - but "for me it really did feel like a life or death situation". For many women, the first sign that they might be pregnant is a period that doesn't arrive when expected. This is around the same time it's possible to take a pregnancy test. With the exception of some tests that claim to be able to detect a pregnancy early, most aren't able to spot the change in hormones until the first day of a missed period. But Ravika is one of hundreds of women who are reporting online that they are seeing the signs earlier than this, through the data on their fitness trackers. Fitness trackers - including smart rings, smart watches and chest-mounted trackers - have surged in popularity in the UK. According to YouGov research, 36% of British adults in January 2026 owned and used a fitness tracker - nearly twice the proportion in July 2019. Finnish-US company Oura has the highest sales in the smart ring market, which also includes India-based Ultrahuman, and Hong Kong-based RingConn. One of the key signs of pregnancy is a change to body temperature - which means trackers that can monitor body temperature are popular with those trying to conceive. In a typical cycle, a woman's body temperature will be elevated until just before her period comes, when it drops sharply. In early pregnancy, body temperature usually stays high. If a fitness tracker measures body temperature, it can pick up on this early symptom.

My fitness tracker knew I was pregnant before I did