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Europe
BBC Business

Is tracking your food purchases good for your health?

With a packet of biscuits in one hand and her smartphone in the other in the biscuits sucrées aisle of her local Hyper U supermarket west of Paris, Nathalie sees red. Literally. "Look at that!" she says showing me her phone. 0/100 is marked in red lettering. "This is one of Malo's [her 12-year-old son's] favourites but it's not only full of sugar and saturated fats, there are four additives as well including one health risk," she says. Nathalie clicks on the additive in question: E450. "A mineral which, taken in excess, can lead to bone marrow and kidney problems," she reads. "Honestly, that they can put this sort of thing in food aimed at children drives me nuts!" she says. We scan an Italian alternative whose packaging gives you the impression those biscuits have been hand-made by peasant women wearing black shawls. The score is not much better: "Malo hates shopping with me now," says Nathalie. "You spend ages scanning and he can never have what he wants." The app, having activated the red alert, suggests a healthier alternative. It's organic, containing wholewheat, fruit and fibre. Nathalie is one of a growing number of people using Yuka, an app developed in France, to shop more healthily. Not just for food but cosmetics and toiletries too. Download it and you can use your phone to scan the barcodes of any one of the six million products on the Yuka database (about 1,200 new ones a day) and it'll tell you immediately – green for good, red for bad, yellow for could be better. If you want to know more, you can delve further. Pages and pages if you want. Started in 2015, Yuka now has 85 million users in 12 countries: numerous European ones plus the US, Canada and Australia. The third-biggest user is the UK with around five million, second is France with six million, but the biggest by a very long way is the US with 28 million.

Is tracking your food purchases good for your health?
Asia
The Hindu BusinessLine

Oxford Vaccine Group launches world’s first Phase I Bundibugyo ebolavirus vaccine trial

India’s Serum Institute will provide doses for the world’s first Phase I clinical trial for a vaccine against the Bundibugyo ebolavirus (BDBV) – being undertaken by the Oxford University’s Oxford Vaccine Group. The BDBV strain is responsible for the ongoing ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Uganda. Over 600 deaths from ebola have been reported in DRC, according to latest reports. The trial will be conducted in Oxford and will assess the safety and immune response of the ChAdOx1 BDBV vaccine in 50 healthy adults between 18–55 years, they said in a joint statement. “Recruitment of volunteers into the study is now underway, where they will then attend screening visits. In the coming weeks, and following regulatory review for trial commencement, participants will then be vaccinated and attend follow-up visits in Oxford,” the note said. To speed up development of the vaccine candidate into clinical evaluation, “Serum Institute of India (SII) has manufactured and stockpiled approximately 620,000 doses of the ChAdOx1 BDBV vaccine candidate in two weeks for potential future use and has supplied 4,000 investigational doses for this Phase I trial,” the note said. The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) is funding the University of Oxford and SII, as part of a $8.6 million programme to advance the development of Bundibugyo vaccines, the note said. The programme builds on CEPI’s strategic partnership with the University of Oxford and SII’s participation in CEPI’s Vaccine Manufacturing Facility Network, it added. Efforts are also underway, subject to regulatory approvals, to conduct clinical studies with partners -including the Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, it said. The said vaccine was developed by scientists at the Oxford Vaccine Group (OVG) and Pandemic Sciences Institute and uses the same viral vector platform as the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, the note explained. Professor Teresa Lambe, Calleva Head of Immunology at the Oxford Vaccine Group and Pandemic Sciences Institute, and the study’s Lead Scientific Investigator, said, “This milestone comes after only 57 days since the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.” Adar Poonawalla, Serum Institute’s Chief Executive added, “During outbreaks, speed, preparedness and global collaboration are essential to advancing vaccine candidates quickly and responsibly.” Dr Nicole Lurie, CEPI Executive Director ( Preparedness and Response), pointed out that the Bundibugyo epidemic is already the third-largest Ebola outbreak on record, as infection numbers are continuing to rise. If all goes to plan, CEPI expects to work with Oxford University and SII to support late-stage trials to generate data for emergency use authorisation or licensure, it said. The three entities are committed to “enabling rapid, affordable supply of Bundibugyo virus vaccines to affected countries and to the populations that need them,” it added. Earlier this month, the WHO had added the first molecular diagnostic test for the BDBV virus to its Emergency Use Listing (EUL). The test detects the virus by identifying its genetic material in blood samples, helping confirm infection rapidly and accurately, the WHO said. The EUL paves the way for easy adoption in low-resource regions. 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.

Oxford Vaccine Group launches world’s first Phase I Bundibugyo ebolavirus vaccine trial
Asia
The Hindu BusinessLine

IRDAI mandates independent validation of insurers’ preparedness for implementing Ind AS

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has mandated an independent validation of insurers’ preparedness for implementing Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS), requiring an external review of governance, systems and transition processes during the first year of adoption. In a circular providing additional information and clarifications on the IRDAI (Actuarial, Finance and Investment Functions of Insurers) Regulations, 2024, the insurance regulator said every insurer would have to obtain an independent validation of its Ind AS implementation process. The requirement will apply in FY2026-27 for insurers adopting Ind AS from that year and in FY2027-28 for insurers that have been granted regulatory forbearance. The independent validation will assess whether insurers have established a robust implementation framework, including a Board-approved strategy and roadmap, governance and accountability mechanisms, adequacy of actuarial, finance, risk and IT resources, data management practices, transition plans under Ind AS 101 and Ind AS 117, and technology readiness, the IRDAI said. The validation should be conducted on an ongoing basis throughout the first year of implementation, with the independent validator engaged from the first quarter itself to facilitate timely review and course correction. The independent validation report will have to be submitted to the insurer’s Board every quarter before completion of the audit or limited review of Ind AS financial statements. An annual report must also be filed with the regulator before publication of the audited Ind AS financial statements, the circular said. 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.

IRDAI mandates independent validation of insurers’ preparedness for implementing Ind AS
Asia
The Hindu BusinessLine

IKEA India to quadruple sales by 2030 on the back of accelerated retail expansion, says CEO Patrik Antoni

IKEA India aims to quadruple its sales by 2030 and said it is witnessing strong double-digit growth as it accelerates its retail expansion plans. Earlier this year, the Swedish furniture and home furnishings major, which has invested over ₹10,500 crore in India so far, said it plans to more than double its investments by 2030. Patrik Antoni, CEO, IKEA India told businessline, “We are witnessing a solid double-digit growth trajectory with growth in sales and store visitations. India is a key growth market for us from the long-term perspective. We are quite bullish on the market with its large base of consumers, a growing economy and rapid urbanisation.” He added that the company intends to more than double its investments in India by 2030. “At the same time, we are aiming to quadruple our sales by 2030 to about ₹8,000 crore. This will mean our focus will be both on growing our existing stores as well as adding new stores. So we have said to have at least 25 new stores by 2030 and a strengthened e-commerce presence. We also intend to double the number of co-workers to 5,000 from the current 2,500, with a focus on skill development,” Antoni added. The company said while it’s focusing on expanding through large format stores, it also aims to become more accessible to Indian consumers through small and medium-sized stores. “Previously, we were expanding with larger store formats. But there has been a shift in consumer behaviour and they want us to be closer to them. So over the past two years, we have been executing the new expansion strategy, where we will continue to add larger format stores offering the full experience. At the same time, there will be more additions of small and medium-sized format stores to become more accessible,” he added. IKEA has also been ramping up its e-commerce presence in India. “Already, 30 per cent of our sales come from the e-commerce channel, which will increase. We see good traction when we connect the offline and online experiences. In markets where we already have an established presence, we are seeing the e-commerce channel growing faster due to an increase in brand awareness and brand knowledge after consumers experience the brand at stores,” Antoni noted. Meanwhile, the company is also ramping up sourcing and exports from India. “With our rapid expansion, we expect to significantly grow sourcing from India. Harmonisation of international and Indian standards has now happened to a large extent, which is a step in the right direction, and is crucial for us to grow export volumes from India,” he added. 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.

IKEA India to quadruple sales by 2030 on the back of accelerated retail expansion, says CEO Patrik Antoni
Europe
The Guardian

Delta says higher airfares expected to last despite drop in oil prices

Airlines across the board have had to pass on elevated fuel costs to customers or cut routes this year as the war in the Middle East drove oil prices up. Photograph: Kevin Carter/Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenAirlines across the board have had to pass on elevated fuel costs to customers or cut routes this year as the war in the Middle East drove oil prices up. Photograph: Kevin Carter/Getty ImagesAirline industryDelta says higher airfares expected to last despite drop in oil pricesCompany reports $1.4bn profit despite its highest quarterly fuel expense in history Delta Airlines saidelevated airfares are likely to last despite a recent drop in oil prices, reporting strong appetite for travel and record-high revenue in its quarterly results Friday. Though the company had its highest quarterly fuel expense in its history, demand has been high enough to pass along 60% of its extra fuel costs to consumers, Delta’s CEO, Ed Bastian, told CNBC, with plans to eventually pass along all elevated costs. “The demand for air travel is really strong, and as a result of that, we posted a $1.4bn profit,” Bastian told CNBC. Airlines across the board have had to pass on elevated fuel costs to customers or cut routes this year as the war in the Middle East drove oil prices up. While some Americans have been forced to cut or adjust their travel plans amid the higher fares, others appear unwilling to sacrifice their travel plans. AAA estimated that a record-high number of Americans drove or flew for their Independence Day holiday plans, despite high gas prices. Bastian said that he estimated that 60% of the airline industry’s profits this quarter would be coming from Delta, which holds 20% of the market share. Delta is the first airline to report its second quarter results; United Airlines and American Airlines will announce their earnings later this month. Bastian noted that Delta consumers are at the “top end” of the K-shaped economy, calling them “financially very healthy” with a “tremendous amount of wealth accumulation”. In its earnings report, Delta reported that its premium revenue grew 17% year-over-year, whereas its main cabin sales increased by just 8% over the same time frame. Earlier this week, the airline expanded its premium offerings, launching a “basic business” option that offers business class without expedited check-in or lounge access. “When you ask our consumers what is their main purpose and use of discretionary funds, they’ll say we want to participate in the experience economy, with air travel being the number one,” he said. “We want to go places. We want to see things.” Despite airfares that are up between 12 to 15% from last year, Bastian said airfares “continue to be a tremendous bargain”, amid overall inflationary pressures. He added that Delta flyers were still willing to spend on travel, citing the “post-Covid effect”. Despite the sharp in drop in global oil prices last month after the US announced a peace deal with Iran, oil and gas prices are creeping up again as the future of the ceasefire remains uncertain. The current national average for a gallon of gas is $3.88, which is cheaper than last month’s levels but still $0.71 higher than last year.

Delta says higher airfares expected to last despite drop in oil prices
Asia
The Hindu BusinessLine

Aprecomm acquires Airties to widen reach, provide better service

Digital connectivity solutions company Airties has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Aprecomm for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition will accelerate Airties’ geographic expansion, serve broadband operators in high-growth regions and enable it to leverage synergies across product portfolios, research and development. Pramod Gummaraj, CEO and Co-Founder of Aprecomm, said the company was built with the belief that every service provider should be able to deliver a far more intelligent and reliable broadband experience to its customers. This combination with the newly acquired asset gives the company a broader platform to take that vision further and extend impact across more markets globally, he added. Metin Taskin, CEO and Co-Founder of Airties, said Aprecomm is well positioned in growth markets such as India and Southeast Asia and the combined company now has an unmatched foundation to further accelerate expansion across Asia-Pacific and into South America, two markets where demand for intelligent connectivity is growing at an extraordinary pace. Headquartered in Bengaluru, Aprecomm has built a strong reputation for its intuitive, self-healing Wi-Fi and broadband network solutions for internet service providers. Through its AI-driven software services, Aprecomm helps internet service providers improve connectivity by delivering real-time insights and network optimisations, helping reduce operational costs and increase customer satisfaction. Aprecomm manages more than seven million homes and business locations and serves over 50 internet service providers worldwide. 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.

Aprecomm acquires Airties to widen reach, provide better service
Asia
The Hindu BusinessLine

30 tonnes of pineapples sold at Meghalaya Festival in Delhi

Over 30 tonnes of fresh Meghalaya pineapples were sold during the fourth Meghalaya Pineapple Festival in New Delhi last week. A media statement said that this quantity was almost double the 15.4 tonnes sold in 2025 and nearly four times the 7.7 tonnes recorded during the festival’s inaugural edition in 2023. The first edition in 2023 introduced Meghalaya’s premium pineapples to consumers in the national capital. By 2024, the festival had begun facilitating institutional partnerships. The 2025 edition expanded further with collaborations involving Reliance Fresh, Amazon Karigar and Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters, while also serving as the platform for launching the Meghalaya Agriculture Strategy 2028. Meghalaya produces over 1.4 lakh tonnes of pineapples annually across nearly 12,600 hectares, largely concentrated in Ri-Bhoi, Garo Hills and parts of the Khasi and Jaintia Hills. Cultivated under rain-fed conditions, the fruit is recognised for its exceptional sweetness, rich aroma, low acidity and a Brix value of 16-18, significantly higher than the national average. The statement said that Meghalaya adopted an integrated approach centred on farmer collectivisation, processing, branding and market development. Initiatives, including CM FARM+, MLAMP, the Meghalaya State Organic Mission, and interventions led by the Meghalaya State Agricultural Marketing Board (MSAMB) have worked in tandem to build an ecosystem that extends well beyond cultivation. This ecosystem now includes 40 PRIME (Promotion and Incubation of Market-Driven Enterprises) hubs, of which 12 are operational, supported by over 650 spoke facilities for aggregation, storage and primary processing. Community public-private partnership models have further strengthened local processing infrastructure, reducing post-harvest losses while creating opportunities for higher value realisation. Fresh pineapples sold through organised retail fetch approximately ₹22 per kilogram. Once processed into premium retail packs, churrasco pineapple, and export-grade frozen cubes, the same fruit can command prices of up to ₹1,500 per kg. According to the Government, farmers integrated into these value chains have recorded income gains of up to 80 per cent, it said. The Jirang Organic Agro Farmer Producer Company (FPC) in Ri-Bhoi district, which was established in 2017, brings together 433 farmers across 18 villages, nearly 75 per cent of whom are women. It supplies organised buyers including Lulu Group, Reliance Retail, Safal-Mother Dairy and Blinkit. The statement said its revenues have increased from ₹1.5 lakh during 2017-21 to over ₹1.17 crore in 2025, demonstrating how collective marketing and value addition can transform rural enterprises. Through initiatives led by MSAMB, more than 100 tonnes of Meghalaya pineapples have already been marketed through organised domestic and international channels. In June 2026, a 2-tonne consignment was flagged off for Lulu Retail in Dubai, it said. 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.

30 tonnes of pineapples sold at Meghalaya Festival in Delhi
Asia
The Hindu BusinessLine

Cochin Shipyard bids for Bharat Container Shipping Line orders; eyes surge in domestic shipbuilding

Pinning its hopes on the Union Shipping Ministry’s demand aggregation initiative to centralise India’s shipbuilding requirements, Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) has submitted bids under the newly floated Bharat Container Shipping Line (BCSL) consortium to build various types of vessels, including tankers. Jose V.J., Director (Finance) of CSL, told businessline that the consortium was formed to reduce India’s dependence on foreign shipping lines and cut freight outgo, which currently stands at around $75 billion annually, largely paid to foreign-flagged vessels for crude oil imports. It is estimated that India would require around 430 ships over the next 10 years, involving an estimated investment of ₹2 lakh crore, he said. Against this backdrop, the Centre has launched the demand aggregation initiative to consolidate shipbuilding requirements of the four major PSU oil marketing companies, ONGC and SCI, with these ships to be built in India. The initiative is expected to benefit shipyards across the country. Jose, who is also holding additional charge as Chairman and Managing Director, said CSL is well positioned to capitalise on the opportunity with a ₹6,000-crore capex plan and its newly commissioned large dry dock facility. The Ministry’s initiative would strengthen the domestic shipbuilding ecosystem as also envisioned under the Maritime India Vision 2030 and the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, which aim to elevate India from its current global shipbuilding market share of less than 1 per cent to the 10th position by 2030 and fifth by 2047. “We already have export orders worth ₹7,300 crore. With shipbuilding/repair facilities in Malpe, Mumbai, Kolkata, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and an upcoming facility at Vadinar, we are strategically positioned to undertake commercial shipbuilding and ship repair orders for both domestic and export markets,” he said. CSL also plans to establish a steel block fabrication facility near International Container Transshipment Terminal, Vallarpadam in Kochi with an investment of around ₹4,000 crore. The company is also investing in a 72-year-old European ship design firm –Conoship -- specialising in short-sea vessels, a move expected to strengthen CSL’s position as a preferred shipyard for overseas clients. In addition, CSL has formed a joint venture with HBL Engineering Limited, Hyderabad to develop marine battery systems. The venture aims to localise marine battery solutions and energy management systems for ships, which are currently imported. With an order book of ₹22,300 crore, CSL posted its highest-ever turnover of ₹5,022 crore in FY26 and a profit after tax of ₹717 crore. Backed by strong demand, the shipyard is targeting 12-15 per cent growth in the next fiscal. Jose added that the ongoing West Asia crisis has disrupted supply chains and increased logistics costs, as the shipbuilding industry relies heavily on imported components, including propulsion systems and engines.

Cochin Shipyard bids for Bharat Container Shipping Line orders; eyes surge in domestic shipbuilding
North America
CNBC Finance

Florida's Palm Beach airport renamed for Trump

The airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, has officially been renamed after President Donald Trump, the first time an airport has been named after a sitting U.S. president. Effective Thursday, the facility will be called President Donald J. Trump International Airport, the Federal Aviation Administration said. The airport — formerly Palm Beach International Airport — said in an FAQ posted online that "updates to signage, branding and public‑facing materials, will occur in phases." As part of the transition, the airport's FAA locational identifier will change from PBI to DJT. The International Air Transport Association code change is set to occur on Aug. 18. Major U.S. carriers including United Airlines and Delta Air Lines began putting the new airport code DJT on their booking pages on Thursday, though consumers searching for flights can still use the old PBI code to find the airport. More than a dozen airlines fly into the facility, including domestic leaders Delta, United, American Airlines and Southwest Airlines. The fresh branding comes after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill into law earlier this year to change the name of the airport. The move was later approved by the FAA. The state of Florida appropriated $2.75 million toward the project, according to the airport's FAQ, and the remaining costs for the transition will be funded through the local Department of Airports' operating budget and capital improvement program. "While we recognize that the required name change may be received in different ways by our passengers, we're grateful for your continued support through this transition period," the airport wrote in the FAQ. "While some things may evolve over time, our core focus remains the same: providing a safe, reliable and welcoming airport experience." The airport is near the president's Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, and he flies in and out of it fairly often. The president's son Eric Trump said Trump Force One — the nickname for the private jet owned by the Trump Organization — would be the first plane to land at the newly renamed airport. "As a son, and someone who flies out of this airport nearly every day, I will forever be proud to see the initials 'DJT' on my boarding pass," he wrote on X.

Florida's Palm Beach airport renamed for Trump