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Asia
The Hindu BusinessLine

From weather forecasts to climate resilience: The future of farming in India

The South-West monsoon is testing India’s preparedness yet again. In the third week of July 2026, flash floods and landslides across Jammu & Kashmir, Nagaland and Assam claimed more than two dozen lives, displaced over 57,000 people, and damaged more than 3,900 hectares of standing crops in Assam alone within days. When water rises, rural India and its food systems absorb the first shock. India’s forecasting capability has never been stronger. IMD’s Mausamgram portal delivers village-level forecasts at hourly to six-hourly intervals for up to ten days ahead. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj’s Gram Manchitra platform gives Gram Panchayats a single-window geospatial planning system spanning 29 sectors. They are public goods. Yet a forecast, however precise, informs farmers about weather, not how water will affect their trade and livelihood once it reaches the ground. There is a distinction between information, intelligence, and actionable decisions. Early warning systems alert villages about weather, while risk and vulnerability assessments using climate indicators, geospatial (GIS) maps and community surveys guide statutory budget allocation. Both are necessary, but neither guarantees the right decisions. A farmer who knows heavy rainfall is approaching in 72 hours needs to know which plot to protect, where to move the harvest, which fields will waterlog, which godown sits in the flood path, and which road fails first. Flood losses extend beyond farm plots. Grain in low-lying godowns is lost to inundation, damaged roads prevent farmers from reaching mandis, perishables crash locally while urban prices spike, and smallholders sell distressed produce when cash needs are highest. Yet mandis, warehouses and procurement centres remain absent from planning datasets, even as banks, schools and PDS outlets are mapped. Climate resilience cannot stop at the farm plot. Flood-resilient warehousing, hazard-informed siting of procurement centres, and pre-positioned logistics planning must become standard practice. The intersection of information, intelligence, and actionable decisions is climate resilience. A platform approach is needed to bridge forecasts and preparedness decisions across the food value chain, from farmland to warehouses, food godowns, transport corridors and procurement centres. Risk exposure must be assessed dynamically as climate and land development evolve. Static snapshots mislead decisions. The platform should integrate early warnings with climate risk and socio-economic vulnerability to enable timely, targeted, plot-level decisions throughout the year. Resilience is built or broken at the village level. Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) can aggregate produce before forecast flood windows, negotiate safe storage, and help members document losses for crop insurance. Panchayat-level risk maps can guide community grain banks, shelters and raised livestock platforms. Climate adaptation finance remains the missing piece. Who pays for a decision platform across the food value chain is yet to be established. Expecting farmers to fund such systems ignores low digital adoption and post-disaster incentive dependence. A study of 5,709 farmers across Sub-Saharan Africa found that while Weather and Climate Information Services strengthen resilience, willingness to pay remains too low to sustain business models relying solely on farmers. India already possesses highly capable forecasting institutions, a maturing geospatial ecosystem, and an unmatched network of rural collectives. The future of farming depends on connecting them faster so the next red alert triggers not only evacuation but coordinated protection of crops, stocks, markets and incomes. A commercially sustainable decision system, used by authorities, Farmer Producer Organisations and food value chain operators, can enable decisions at every plot and storage unit. A single platform-observed flood, heatwave, landslide or drought can replace slow field surveys, putting money in farmers’ hands within days instead of seasons. It should not stop at forecasting the weather, but decide what the weather is allowed to take from us. 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.

From weather forecasts to climate resilience: The future of farming in India
Asia
The Hindu BusinessLine

Singapore Good Soil Foundation Hosts Third Next Generation Philanthropy Leadership Program at the University of Hong Kong, Empowering the Next Generation of Global Changemakers

HONG KONG , Aug. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Singapore Good Soil Foundation successfully concluded the third edition of its Next Generation Philanthropy Leadership Program at The University of Hong Kong, marking the program's first international edition since its launch. Centered on the theme "Art + AI for Social Good," the five-day immersive program brought together 58 in-person Student Fellows and 45 online participants from Singapore, Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, the United States, the United Kingdom, Thailand, and Kenya. Through interdisciplinary learning in artificial intelligence, leadership, social innovation, and the arts, Student Fellows explored how technology and creativity can be harnessed to address real-world challenges and create lasting social impact. Following two successful editions at the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University, the program continues to grow into an international platform connecting young people who aspire to lead with purpose and create positive change in their communities. The Singapore Good Soil Foundation believes that education is not simply about transferring knowledge. It is about empowering young people to use knowledge, technology, and creativity in service of humanity. Philanthropy is not merely about giving. It is about expanding human possibility. This year's program welcomed three scholarship recipients from remote rural communities in China. Coming from under-resourced communities, they received full scholarships covering travel, accommodation, and program expenses, enabling them to learn alongside outstanding students from around the world. Beyond learning about artificial intelligence, leadership, and social innovation, the Next Generation Philanthropy Leadership Program aims to equip Student Fellows to become future philanthropic leaders who will one day return to their communities and create opportunities for others. For the Singapore Good Soil Foundation, philanthropy is about more than transforming individual lives. It is about empowering individuals to become catalysts for positive change within their communities and beyond. Nine alumni from previous cohorts returned as Teaching Assistants, mentoring student teams throughout the program. Outstanding university students from Nanyang Technological University, Yale University, and Xiamen University also returned to share their experiences of university life, leadership, and community engagement. The Singapore Good Soil Foundation believes that some of the most meaningful learning happens when young people inspire one another. The program featured speakers from the fields of philanthropy, artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, design, and communication.

Singapore Good Soil Foundation Hosts Third Next Generation Philanthropy Leadership Program at the University of Hong Kong, Empowering the Next Generation of Global Changemakers
Asia
The Hindu BusinessLine

Q1 Results Today Live: Divis Laboratories, Muthoot Finance, APL Apollo Tubes, Gujarat Ambuja Exports, Clean Science & Technology to announce Q1 results

(PTI) GHCL Ltd, India’s largest single-location soda ash maker, on Saturday reported a 32 per cent rise in first-quarter profit to Rs 191.18 crore, helped by lower expenses, even as total income fell. The Gujarat-based chemical maker had posted a net profit of Rs 144.78 crore a year earlier, it said in a regulatory filing. Total income fell 3.06 per cent to Rs 798.01 crore from Rs 823.19 crore a year earlier, while total expenses declined to Rs 594.10 crore from Rs 627.96 crore. Muthoot Finance posted a 25% rise in Q1 FY27 profit to ₹2,550 crore as gold loan AUM jumped 44%, driven by strong demand and record loan growth. APL Apollo Tubes Limited board approved participation in the proposed incorporation of a Group Shared Services Company (SSC), with an investment of up to 20 per cent of its equity share capital for an amount not exceeding ₹1 crore. Upon incorporation, the SSC is expected to qualify as an Associate Company of APL Apollo Tubes. The proposed entity will provide common corporate support services to participating group companies through a centralised shared services model. The Finance Committee of the Board was authorised to execute all necessary steps to operationalise the proposal. The board also took note of a separate decision by Apollo Metalex Limited (AML), a material subsidiary of the company, to rationalise its manufacturing operations. AML plans to consolidate production from its A-25 unit at Sikandrabad, Uttar Pradesh, into other group manufacturing facilities, and will consequently dispose of the land and building at that unit. The company stated the move is aimed at improving capacity utilisation, reducing operating costs, and freeing up capital for core manufacturing and growth. APL Apollo said the consolidation will be phased and is not expected to affect overall production volumes or customer commitments. On the financial front, consolidated revenue from operations for the June 2026 quarter stood at ₹5,606.71 crore, compared to ₹5,169.77 crore in the same quarter last year. Net profit for the quarter came in at ₹263.11 crore against ₹237.17 crore a year ago. Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd reported a standalone net profit of ₹318.57 crore for the first quarter ended June 30, 2026, a decline of roughly 17.5 per cent compared to ₹386.05 crore in the same quarter last year. Standalone total income fell to ₹1,232.55 crore from ₹1,377.47 crore in Q1 FY26, while revenue from operations came in at ₹1,162.54 crore against ₹1,307.09 crore a year ago. Total expenses declined to ₹808.45 crore from ₹866.93 crore. Basic earnings per share stood at ₹9.04, down from ₹10.96 in the year-ago period. On a consolidated basis, the company fared better. Net profit attributable to the owner stood at ₹458.25 crore, up from ₹434.36 crore in Q1 FY26, aided partly by ₹110.21 crore in net positive impact from recognition of additional revenue and interest income related to the Sikkim Hydropower project following regulatory approval of its final project cost. Among segments, the Power division was the standout performer on a standalone basis, with segment profit of ₹312.92 crore, up sharply from ₹173.55 crore in the previous quarter ended March 2026, though lower than ₹377.44 crore in Q1 FY26. Steel and Ferro Alloys segments both saw year-on-year profit declines. The board also approved seeking shareholder consent to raise funds up to ₹1,000 crore through debt instruments. The record date for dividend payment for FY 2025-26 has been fixed at August 14, 2026.

Q1 Results Today Live: Divis Laboratories, Muthoot Finance, APL Apollo Tubes, Gujarat Ambuja Exports, Clean Science & Technology to announce Q1 results
Asia-Pacific
The Straits Times

US Federal Reserve expected to hold rates steady as inflation swirls

Most investors expect the Fed to hold rates steady at 3.5 per cent to 3.75 per cent for the fifth straight meeting, according to CME’s FedWatch monitoring tool. WASHINGTON – The US Federal Reserve is set to hold its second meeting under new chairman Kevin Warsh starting July 28, with markets expecting policymakers to keep interest rates steady amid inflation concerns that could be exacerbated by US President Donald Trump’s renewed war on Iran. Warsh was chosen to lead the US central bank by Trump, who has made his demand for lower interest rates clear as he has exerted unprecedented pressure on the independent monetary policymaking body. After two days of closed-door sessions, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) will announce its decision on July 29 at 2pm (2am on July 30, Singapore time), followed by a press conference by Warsh. Most investors expect the Fed to hold rates steady at 3.5 per cent to 3.75 per cent for the fifth straight meeting, according to CME’s FedWatch monitoring tool. US consumer inflation eased to 3.5 per cent year on year in June, but remains far higher than the Fed’s long-term 2 per cent target, which it has not achieved for more than five years. Since last week, a ramping up of hostilities has seen intense US strikes and Tehran’s retaliatory action targeting Washington’s allies across the region, while Yemen’s Houthi rebels have threatened to blockade the Red Sea oil trading route. The fighting has sent energy prices soaring once more, with the benchmark oil futures contract breaching US$100 per barrel for the first time since late May, when energy prices were on their way down. At the Fed, policymakers have been losing patience with persistent inflation, indicating that a rate hike may be near. The Fed “has to be ready to tighten monetary policy to prevent a repeat of the 2021-to-2022 inflation episode”, Fed Governor Chris Waller said last week. “Sternly staring at inflation until it melts before our withering gaze is not an option.” Since taking office, Warsh has vowed to reduce or eliminate the amount of forward guidance the Fed provides on its decision-making process, a move that has received mixed reactions.

US Federal Reserve expected to hold rates steady as inflation swirls
North America
CNBC Finance

Paramount and Warner Bros. merger hit with temporary restraining order

Paramount Skydance's proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery hit its first official roadblock when a judge granted a temporary restraining order on the merger as part of a lawsuit brought by state attorneys general. California District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín signed off on the order Monday after hearing arguments from both sides in an Oakland courtroom on Friday. The order puts a 14-day pause on anything moving forward with the merger. Last week, a group of state attorneys general led by California's Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit seeking to block the $110 billion acquisition due to antitrust concerns. The proposed deal would unite the storied film studios of Paramount and Warner Bros, the CBS broadcast network, a sprawling portfolio of pay TV networks that includes CNN, TNT, MTV and BET, and streaming services Paramount+ and HBO Max, under one roof. In a statement Monday, a Paramount spokesperson said the company is "confident the evidence will demonstrate that the State AGs' antitrust arguments are without merit as their alleged markets and claims of anticompetitive effects are without any basis in modern market realities." "This merger is lawful, pro-competitive, and will benefit consumers, creators, workers, and the entertainment industry. We will continue to vigorously defend the transaction and will look forward to the hearings on the substance of the State AGs' action," according to the statement. The lawsuit said the proposed deal would violate the Clayton Antitrust Act — a more than 100-year-old law that prohibits anticompetitive mergers and acquisitions. The lawsuit was brought by a group of states that also includes Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon and Washington. In Monday's order, Martínez-Olguín said the coalition of state attorneys general presented "compelling evidence that the combined firm resulting from the transaction will possess substantial market share in the wide-release theatrical distribution market." Paramount's lead trial counsel, Jeffrey Kessler, said on CNBC last week that the TRO was filed after Paramount indicated its intention was to close the deal as early as July 22, when the company expects to have all regulatory clearances. During Friday's hearing, Paramount attorneys offered to delay the deal closing until mid-August to sidestep a temporary restraining order. In Monday's statement, Paramount said it was "grateful for the court's swift order," adding that similar to its offer to delay the deal during Friday's hearing, the order "preserves the status quo while the Court considers the antitrust issues presented." Still, the states could seek another temporary restraining order after the 14 days, or a preliminary injunction, which would further delay the deal. Another proposed media deal — the $6.2 billion tie-up of broadcast station group owners Nexstar Media Group and Tegna — has been put on pause following a similar lawsuit and preliminary injunction that was granted by a U.S. court. A trial for the lawsuit, which is also being led by Bonta, is set to begin in mid-2027.

Paramount and Warner Bros. merger hit with temporary restraining order
Europe
BBC Business

Rental searches for pet friendly properties drop after law change

Image source, Getty ImagesByKevin PeacheyCost of living correspondentPublished3 hours agoRightmove searches for rental properties that allow pets have plummeted since law changes gave renters more rights. Following the introduction of the new rules, pet searches dropped by more than 50% in May and June compared with a year earlier. Landlords in England cannot unreasonably refuse pets in their properties under changes made in May in the Renters' Rights Act. But agents say some renters wrongly believe permission to have a pet is guaranteed, and landlords say some homes remain unsuitable for multiple pets or large dogs. "Landlords must consider requests fairly and cannot unreasonably refuse them, but they can still decline where there is a valid reason," said Megan Eighteen, immediate past president of lettings agents trade body ARLA Propertymark. She said there was plenty of "potential for misunderstanding", among tenants about pet-friendly properties. The Rightmove data suggests that fewer tenants are proactively filtering for pet-friendly properties when searching for a home. While pets remain the most common searched-for term overall - ahead of gardens, garages and furnishings, the lead at the top is shrinking. Renter searches for properties that allow pets fell by 54% in May and 52% in June compared with the same months a year earlier, according to the figures shared with the BBC. Falls had accelerated through this year, as the changes got closer and were then introduced. Marc von Grundherr, director of agency Benham and Reeves, said some tenants have only disclosed a pet after signing their tenancy agreement, while others have been discovered during property inspections. "The reality is that tenants now understand the balance of power has shifted. Landlords can no longer rely on a blanket 'no pets' policy to deter applications and should instead expect conversations around pet ownership to arise much later in the letting process," he said. Now, in England, landlords may still be able to refuse a pet if another tenant has an allergy, the property is too small for a large pet or several pets, the pet is illegal, or the landlord is a leaseholder and the freeholder does not allow pets. Before the rules changed, Eve Williamson had to give up her American Bulldog, Khan, or face eviction from her home - despite having previously had a dog in the property.

Rental searches for pet friendly properties drop after law change
North America
CNBC Finance

RFK Jr. says cyclospora outbreak is 'under control'

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Tuesday said that the ongoing outbreak of cyclosporiasis is "under control." "We've identified the source of the outbreak, and the companies that are involved have implemented a recall," Kennedy said, responding to questions during a news briefing about healthcare fraud. The Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, both under Kennedy's purview as HHS secretary, have faced criticism for their responses to the outbreak. Critics have blasted the federal agencies for the delays in alerting the public and tracking down the source of the outbreak, which the agencies have linked to shredded iceberg lettuce from central Mexico that was supplied by produce giant Taylor Farms. Some have claimed that agency cuts by the Trump administration have hampered the investigation, although the cyclospora parasite itself presents challenges due to its lengthy incubation period. "Those criticisms are invalid," Kennedy said during the briefing, responding to a question regarding criticism of the job cuts under his leadership. "We had no cuts in the surveillance program. We did cuts in the FoodNet program, but they were for redundant surveillance." FoodNet, or the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network, stopped mandatory reporting for six of eight pathogens — including cyclospora — last year due to funding cuts. The organization is a partnership between the CDC, the FDA, 10 state health departments and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The FDA has concluded that the current cyclospora outbreak is linked to the iceberg lettuce, some of which was served by Yum Brands' Taco Bell. Taylor Farms has recalled the produce linked to the outbreak, while Taco Bell has pulled it from its restaurants. However, the FDA's messaging about a false positive test for cyclospora in a sample of Taylor Farms lettuce during its investigation sparked confusion, leading the agency to issue a clarification on Monday. It said it still suspects the company's iceberg lettuce is the source of the outbreak. The CDC, FDA and public health officials in multiple states have been investigating the outbreak, with illnesses first having appeared on May 13. So far, more than 1,644 cases have been reported, with 94 hospitalizations and no deaths, according to the CDC. Get this delivered to your inbox, and more info about our products and services. Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes, and Market Data and Analysis.

RFK Jr. says cyclospora outbreak is 'under control'
North America
CNBC Finance

Goldman Sachs creates private markets platform as rich investors seek the next SpaceX and Stripe

Goldman Sachs has created a new platform to expand its offerings for wealthy clients and family offices who increasingly want direct stakes in fast-growing private companies, CNBC has learned. The new group, called the alternative investments platform, combines Goldman's existing alternatives business with two newly established teams, according to a memo seen first by CNBC. The new teams focus on direct investments in individual private companies, rather than broader private equity funds, and on helping clients buy and sell those stakes, according to the memo. "There has been a lot of focus on the big growth tech names and getting clients access to those before they debut in the public markets," Kristin Olson, Goldman Sachs' global head of alternatives for wealth, told CNBC in an interview. Goldman's move reflects two of the biggest trends reshaping Wall Street. The firm has spent years pushing deeper into wealth and asset management because of its perception as providing steadier revenues than investment banking and trading. At the same time, the most successful startups are staying private far longer than they once did, allowing early investors to capture most of the gains before public investors get a chance. "Companies are going public at a trillion dollars," Olson said. "If you haven't participated along the way, you're clearly missing a big part of the growth cycle." Goldman has been arranging direct investments in later-stage private companies for wealthy clients for roughly two decades, Olson said, pointing to Facebook before its 2012 initial public offering and later SpaceX, Stripe and Canva. But growth in demand for the asset class convinced executives to break out the business, she added. The firm's goal, Olson said, is to help clients identify promising companies before they become household names. Rather than targeting early-stage startups, Olson said, Goldman generally focuses on later-stage companies that have established products, meaningful revenue and clearer paths toward profitability, seeking what she described as a "sweet spot" between risk and return. The AI investment boom has only intensified demand. Beyond leading model developers, Goldman is increasingly steering clients toward investments in the infrastructure underpinning AI, including data centers and related projects, Olson said. The announcement comes days after Goldman reported record quarterly revenue, with executives highlighting AI-driven activity across investment banking, trading and financing businesses. The results reinforced investors' view that Goldman is positioned to benefit from multiple facets of the AI investment cycle. The announcement also formalizes Goldman's growing business helping clients find liquidity for private investments.

Goldman Sachs creates private markets platform as rich investors seek the next SpaceX and Stripe
Europe
BBC Business

Some food prices have fallen – but inflation expected to rise from here

Food prices are rising at their slowest rate in nearly two years, as the cost of some staples such as margarine and sugar have gone down. Supermarket price wars have helped drive down prices in the year to June, the industry says, as retailers work to tempt customers with summer deals. Inflation in the UK overall has fallen to 2.6% in the year to June, down from 2.8% in the year to May, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), driven largely by lower fuel and food prices. June's figure will be welcomed by new Prime Minister Andy Burnham and his government, but analysts warn the fall is temporary, as higher energy prices in July are expected to push inflation back up. Lower fuel costs - particularly lower diesel prices - also pushed inflation down, with prices at the pump falling for the first time since the start of the war in the Middle East. Clothing costs fell as well due to the summer sales, with many retailers offering larger discounts than last year. Falling food pricesFood and non-alcoholic beverage inflation fell by 0.2% month-to-month, with sugar, chocolate and confectionery seeing the largest drop in price. Looking at inflation over the year, beef and veal price inflation eased from 9.4% in the 12 months to May to 5.1% in the year to June, while edible offal - which includes things like liver, kidneys and tongue - slowed from 9.2% to 3.4% over the same period. Some other food items were cheaper, according to ONS data. Pizza and quiches, for example, fell by 6.7% in the year to June. Margarine dropped by 1.9% in the same period. Food inflation often has a lag of up to 13 months due to the supply chain, so any effects from the war in Iran could still be yet to come. Fuel prices at the pump fell in June after the US and Iran agreed to halt military operations and allow the key Strait of Hormuz to re-open. But the recent resumption of hostilities and a new jump in crude oil prices means inflation could spike again in the coming months.

Some food prices have fallen – but inflation expected to rise from here