Latest news with #DirtyDozen
Economic Times
13-07-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Wage hikes a priority for TCS; focus on growth with profitability: CFO
Agencies Delivering wage hikes for its over 6 lakh employees is a "priority" for TCS, the country's largest IT services company's Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Samir Seksaria has said. Speaking to PTI, after the release of the June quarter results, where the business witnessed headwinds on growth and margins, Seksaria made it clear that TCS will focus on growth with profitability. The company showed a 6 per cent increase in net on non-core income as demand got impacted due to macroeconomic and geopolitical troubles, and deferred its annual wage hikes that typically set in from April. Stating that TCS has rarely resorted to deferring wage hikes unlike peers, Seksaria said, "My priority is getting back to the wage hike." He, however, did not specify when the hikes will be delivered. Typically, the annual wage hikes crimp the operating profit margin by over 1.50 per cent, Seksaria said. It reported a 0.20 per cent narrowing in the number at 24.5 per cent for the June quarter, but Seksaria stressed that the intent is to push the margins up into the 26-28 per cent aspirational range. Seksaria explained that investments in upfront hiring to capture demand as it comes in hurt the margins, as lack of demand pulled down utilisation levels. As the company looks to widen the margins, it is grappling with a set of controllable and uncontrollable factors, Seksaria said, pointing out that upping the utilisation and other organisational tweaks are the controllables, while demand is the uncontrollable. "...demand recovery plus optimisation, we have to focus on both. If demand recovery is prolonged, we will double down on optimisation," he said. "Our focus will be growth with profitability. Only profitability without growth doesn't help," he said, adding that this should not be taken as the company giving up on demand. With attrition reaching some bit of concerning levels at 13.8 per cent, Seksaria said the focus will be to retain top talent as it is difficult to build by fresh hiring, and added that some bit of attrition is healthy and it may not take so many measures to retain some part of the talent. Given the fact that the company has capacity now, it may go slow on lateral hiring and restart once demand spurs up. The company does not plan to cut investments but there could be some realignment like building only a part of a structure on a plot, Seksaria said. TCS will not do acquisitions just for expanding the topline, but it will be capabilities that will drive such inorganic moves, Seksaria said, adding that it keeps looking at opportunities in the market. Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. Markets need to see more than profits from Oyo As GenAI puts traditional BPO on life support, survival demands a makeover Is gold always the best bet? Think again Why this one from 'Dirty Dozen', now in Vedanta fold, is again in a mess Can Indian IT protect its high valuation as AI takes centre stage? F&O Radar| Deploy Bull Call Spread in Nifty for gains from volatility amid uptrend Aggressive? Yes, but better for investors with a risk appetite: 6 small private bank stocks with upside potential up to 36% in 1 year In mid-caps, 'just hold' often creates wealth: 10 mid-cap stocks from different sectors with upside potential up to 44%
Economic Times
11-07-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Time to live the life on the slow lane
'I don't have to do laundry any more.' If that line doesn't reel you in hook, line and sinker, then either you've developed an unhealthy attachment to folding sheets and towels - or you haven't heard what 77-yr-old Californian Sharon Lane has pulled off. She's stitched up the ultimate retirement hack: living full-time on a cruise ship for the next 15 years. No cooking, no cleaning, no laundry. Just endless ocean views, buffet lines and daily on-board course, this floating freedom doesn't come cheap. A cabin aboard the Villa Vie Odyssey costs $129,000 (₹1.1 cr) upfront, with monthly fees of $2,000-3,000 (₹1.71-2.56 lakh). But what you get in return is peace, adventure, and someone else dealing with your towels. And let's be honest - what's really happening on land? Traffic, taxes, and the nightly debate of 'What's for dinner?' While the rest negotiate these chores, Lane will be sitting on the front deck, sipping wine and watching every sunset on the horizon. It's time people think beyond bricks and mortar. If not a cruise, then how about a luxury shikara Airbnb, or a small cruiser gently skirting along India's coastlines, from port to port while sipping on quality Port. Throw in WiFi, fairy lights and dependable air-conditioning, and even millennials will be queueing up in kayaks. You can live life on the slow Lane yourself. Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. Why this one from 'Dirty Dozen', now in Vedanta fold, is again in a mess The deluge that's cooling oil prices despite the Iran conflict Can Indian IT protect its high valuation as AI takes centre stage? Engine fuel switches or something else? One month on, still no word on what crashed AI 171 As GenAI puts traditional BPO on life support, survival demands a makeover Stock Radar: ITC Hotels hits fresh record high in July – time to buy or book profits? Weekly Top Picks: These stocks scored 10 on 10 on Stock Reports Plus These large- and mid-cap stocks can give more than 24% return in 1 year, according to analysts Suited for the long term, even with headwinds: 8 stocks from healthcare & pharma sectors with upside potential of up to 39%
Economic Times
11-07-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Spanish tourism growth to slow as uncertainties hit travel
Bloomberg Tourism in Spain, Europe's second largest holiday destination, will grow less than previously expected as economic and geopolitical uncertainties weigh on appetite for travel. The country's biggest industry will grow 3.3% in 2025, down from the 4% figure forecast in April, amid a deteriorating international macroeconomic context, according to Exceltur, the main tourism business group. Tourism will still grow more than the 2.4% expansion projected for the Spanish economy. 'The year will be good, but not as good as we expected,' Exceltur Vice President Oscar Perelli said at a press conference in Madrid on Thursday. Economic growth in Spain outpaced that of peers in the euro area like Germany and France in 2024, with the tourism industry being one of the driving factors. In 2025, tourism is expected to account for 13.2% of the Spanish economy, according to Exceltur. Spain was the top destination in the European Union in 2024 in terms of nights spent in tourist accommodation, according to Eurostat. About 94 million foreign tourists visited Spain last year, a 10% increase from 2023, according to CaixaBank SA's research boom in tourism has led to a backlash, with anti-tourism protests held in cities across Spain. Exceltur said that the resident population's growth in Spain's major tourism regions is the main factor behind the increase in pressure seen in those locations, such as traffic congestion and higher living costs. The availability of more short-term rental properties also helps explain the rise in foreign tourists visiting Spain, the group tourism has been the main driver for economic growth since the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns, with record numbers of visitors, mainly to the country's beaches. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. Why this one from 'Dirty Dozen', now in Vedanta fold, is again in a mess The deluge that's cooling oil prices despite the Iran conflict Can Indian IT protect its high valuation as AI takes centre stage? Engine fuel switches or something else? One month on, still no word on what crashed AI 171 As GenAI puts traditional BPO on life support, survival demands a makeover Stock Radar: ITC Hotels hits fresh record high in July – time to buy or book profits? Weekly Top Picks: These stocks scored 10 on 10 on Stock Reports Plus These large- and mid-cap stocks can give more than 24% return in 1 year, according to analysts Suited for the long term, even with headwinds: 8 stocks from healthcare & pharma sectors with upside potential of up to 39%
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Organic vs. Conventional Strawberries: Experts Explain the Difference
• Strawberries top the Dirty Dozen list, averaging eight pesticide residues per non-organic sample.• Even though pesticides are present, they're at low levels.• Washing strawberries reduces pesticide residue but doesn't eliminate it.• The health benefits of eating fruits outweigh potential pesticide exposure strawberries are one of the most popular summer fruits, but according to studies, they are most likely to be contaminated with pesticides. Strawberries are again at the top of the Environmental Working Group's (EWG) Dirty Dozen—a list of the fruits and vegetables found to have the most pesticides. 'Strawberries are a hard crop to grow and susceptible to insects and other pests, including spoilage microbes. This is the primary reason why pesticides are needed, or there is no crop to pick or harvest,' says Keith Warriner, professor in the Department of Food Science at the University of Guelph in Ontario. While the EWG's list for 2025 hasn't been released yet, information from the previous year's findings is still helpful. For the EWG's 2024 guide, researchers at the environmental and health advocacy group considered more than 47,000 samples of 46 fruits and vegetables. Non-organic strawberries had an average of eight pesticides per sample. The rest of the list includes spinach, leafy greens (kale, collard, mustard greens), nectarines, apples, grapes, bell peppers, cherries, peaches, pears, celery, and tomatoes. Warriner underscores the stringent regulations governing pesticide use. He assures consumers that strawberries are unlikely to exceed these limits, and even the smallest amounts would be promptly detected. 'Therefore, even though pesticide residues are present, they would be low levels. So consumers should not be overly worried as the benefits of fruits and vegetables outweigh the negative.' Carl Winter, Ph.D., emeritus professor in food science at the University of California, Davis, questions how the Dirty Dozen rankings are made, suggesting that 'it's the amount of a chemical, not its presence or absence' that determines how much of a risk there is. 'The best thing consumers can do is to consume fruits and vegetables, period, regardless of whether they are conventionally- or organically-produced,' Winter says. 'My concern is that rankings like the Dirty Dozen make consumers afraid of fruits and vegetables and may result in less consumption of these healthy foods.' It's a good idea to wash all produce before you eat it. That can lower the risk of foodborne illness, but cleaning won't always remove pesticides. 'You may notice that some strawberries have a waxy coating to prevent mold growth,' says Warriner. 'This is not easily removed by washing and even without the coating, washing would only remove a proportion.' He says researchers need to continue to develop ways to grow strawberries without pesticides and ways to remove the pesticides on produce. 'Washing with water is not effective to remove either chemical or microbiological contaminants on fresh produce,' says Xiaonan Lu, Ph.D., a professor in food safety at McGill University in Quebec. 'Cooking is effective to kill the microbes, but chemical residues remain under thermal processing.' Although small amounts of pesticides may be washed away when you clean produce, Winter says, 'the normal levels of pesticides on fruits and vegetables pose no risks to consumers.' Fruits and vegetables are an important part of a healthy diet, so the EWG doesn't want the Dirty Dozen list to scare people away from produce. The organization recommends that shoppers opt for organic versions of the foods—like strawberries—on the list. Warriner says the organic label doesn't mean no pesticides were used, but there are usually more restrictions. 'Although organic would imply pesticide-free, the reality is that pesticides can be used when needed,' he says. 'Organic growers may select cultivars that have natural resistance to some pests and grow in soil-free systems with coverings.' Buying organic can be a choice for shoppers who want to know they are getting fewer contaminants. Winter says, 'But they should be prepared to pay much more for organic berries while the tiny levels of pesticide residues that might be on conventional berries pose no risk to consumers.' Read the original article on SIMPLYRECIPES
Buzz Feed
28-06-2025
- Health
- Buzz Feed
Experts Reveal Which Grocery Splurges Are Worth It
By now, it feels like the world is an impending dumpster fire. And in a cruel twist of fate, that fire is coming for your pantry. Thanks to rising tariffs and global chaos, some of our favorite foods are suddenly looking like luxury goods — RIP San Marzano tomatoes, chocolate, olive oil, and avocado toast (you were too beautiful for this world). So, what is worth the splurge in this economy? Should we still be buying organic? Can we justify $11 eggs or $9 strawberries? We asked a couple of experts to help us figure out what to cling to and what to leave behind at the checkout line. 🥕 PRODUCE: The organic guilt trip (let's talk about it). Spoiler: Not everything has to be organic, despite what your favorite wellness influencer-slash-matcha-merchant says. You can let go of the guilt. You're not going to die from eating a non-organic banana (and your bank account will thank you). But there are a few fruits and veggies worth the splurge, especially the ones you eat whole or can't peel. 'As a rule of thumb, anything with a thin or edible skin. Think strawberries, apples, and spinach are more vulnerable to pesticides and worth buying organic,' says Olivia Hensal, a Miami-based functional nutritionist. 'I always tell clients to check the Environmental Working Group's Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen lists each year.' This year's Dirty Dozen (aka the produce items with the most pesticide residue) includes spinach, strawberries, kale, collard and mustard greens, grapes, peaches, cherries, nectarines, pears, apples, blackberries, blueberries, and potatoes. This year's Clean Fifteen (aka the lowest amount of pesticide residue) includes: pineapples, sweet corn, avocados, papaya, onions, sweet peas, asparagus, cabbage, watermelon, cauliflower, bananas, mangos, carrots, mushrooms, and kiwi. Basically, if it stains your cutting board, buy it organic. 'Vegetables and fruits that you eat whole (or eat the skin of) and don't have a 'protective' outer barrier like avocados or bananas are best to buy organic,' Hensal explains. Verdict: SPLURGE on the Dirty Dozen. SKIP organic for thick-skinned friends like bananas, avocados, and onions. They're doing just fine. 🍳 MEAT & EGGS: Not all protein is created equal. If you're going to eat meat, it's worth thinking about how that meat lived before it made its way to your fridge. (Morbid? Maybe. Helpful? Definitely.) Grass-fed beef and pastured chickens aren't just buzzwords for bougie brunch menus; they're actually more nutrient-dense and arguably more ethical. 'I recommend splurging on meats from grass-fed or grass-finished cows and pastured chickens,' says Hensal. 'It's worth it not just for your health, but for the planet too.' These animals lived the dream: wide open spaces, a natural diet, and way less stress. (Unlike us, whose blood pressure spikes when eggs hit $9.) And yes, their quality of life actually affects the nutritional value. Stress and diet impact them just like us. Sure, they were still raised for slaughter (dark), but at least they had a better time getting there? Maybe? Moving on… Verdict: SPLURGE — but maybe do it less often so your wallet doesn't panic. Budget move: beans are your bestie. They're cheap, packed with protein, and stress-free (as far as we know). Hey, you! Wanna cook 7,500+ recipes in step-by-step mode (with helpful videos) right from your phone? Download the free Tasty app right now. 🫒 OIL: If it comes in a plastic jug, just no. You can absolutely judge an olive oil by its bottle. If it's in clear plastic and on sale for $3.99, it's a no-go, chief. Look for extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) in dark glass bottles. Bonus points if it's single-origin and cold-pressed. 'High-quality cooking oil is a must,' says Hensal. 'The good stuff maintains more antioxidants and healthy fats.' Verdict: SPLURGE — your roasted veggies deserve it. 🧂 SALT: Your fancy pink rock may be doing the most. Before you toss your Himalayan salt in the 'rich people nonsense' pile, consider this: your basic table salt? Basically just sodium and chloride. Your fancy pink stuff? A literal mineral flex. 'Standard table salt doesn't offer much nutritional value. But unrefined salts like Himalayan salt naturally contain calcium, magnesium, potassium, and more,' says Hensal. 'Think of it as a vitamin with seasoning potential.' So yes, you're regressing to a 17th-century European who hoards salt, but honestly? Same. Verdict: SPLURGE (but maybe don't get the $35 ceramic jar just for the aesthetic). 🥑 SEASONAL & LOCAL: Because maybe you don't need avocados in January. Michael Beltran, chef, restaurant owner, and king of chaotic culinary realness, puts it simply: 'I would say it's not worth it from the veggie standpoint, right? Because you can go to a farmers market and get local veggies that are going to be better.' Translation: Don't blow your budget on sad, out-of-season produce that's traveled farther than you have this year. Shopping seasonally and locally doesn't just support small farms; it also means your food actually tastes like something. Sure, it might mean skipping avocados in winter, but you'll live. And when it comes to fish, Beltran doubles down: 'If I had to choose between a wild-caught salmon or [farm-raised] salmon, I'm gonna buy wild-caught salmon…but there's a fish market close to my house, and 99% of the time it's fucking delicious and better fish than I'll get anywhere.' So, yeah. If you live near the water, flex. If you don't…well, we're sorry. Maybe stick to beans and vibes. Verdict: SPLURGE on what's in season and close to home. Your taste buds (and budget) will thank you. For those of us (let's be honest, all of us) who are still on a tight grocery budget, download the Tasty app to browse and save hundreds of budget-friendly recipes — no subscription required.
