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India and New Zealand have concluded the fourth round of negotiations for a proposed free trade agreement (FTA), with both sides expressing a commitment to expedite its completion. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met with New Zealand MP Todd McClay to review the discussions, which focused on market access for goods, services, and investment opportunities. Goyal highlighted the growing strategic and economic ties between the two nations and expressed optimism about finalizing a balanced and mutually beneficial agreement. During his three-day visit, Goyal also engaged with New Zealand business leaders to explore trade expansion across various sectors, including agriculture and technology. India's bilateral trade with New Zealand reached $1.3 billion in 2024-25, marking a nearly 49% increase from the previous year. Goyal is set to continue his diplomatic efforts with a visit to Australia, where negotiations for a separate FTA are ongoing. 
Published: Nov 07 2025, 6 pm ISTeznews.inIndia's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has revised the approval criteria for wet and damp leasing of aircraft by domestic airlines, enhancing operational flexibility while ensuring safety compliance. A wet lease involves the lessor providing the aircraft along with crew, maintenance, and insurance, while a damp lease includes partial crew support from the lessee. With over 800 aircraft in commercial service primarily leased, the updated regulations allow scheduled airlines to seek DGCA approval for foreign-registered aircraft leases in emergencies, excluding government operations like Haj. The revised Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) permits a one-time relaxation of the minimum 'Effective Implementation' score for leases lasting up to six months under exigent circumstances. Additionally, leased passenger aircraft must be under 20 years old, and cargo aircraft under 25. The lessor retains operational control, ensuring compliance with safety standards and maintenance through approved facilities.
Published: Nov 07 2025, 6 pm ISTeznews.inThe Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an investigation into suspected spoofing incidents affecting air traffic over New Delhi, following reports of navigation signal manipulation that misleads aircraft about their position and flight path. These incidents, which have reportedly occurred within 20 nautical miles of Indira Gandhi International Airport, have raised concerns among aviation authorities, although they assure the public that there is no immediate cause for alarm. The DGCA is gathering data on the types of aircraft affected and the geographical zones impacted, with plans to share findings with security agencies to identify the source of the interference. Pilots have been advised to maintain direct communication with Air Traffic Control and use supplementary navigation systems. The investigation aims to assess the situation and implement measures to prevent future occurrences, as similar spoofing techniques are often used to deter drones from restricted airspace.
Published: Nov 07 2025, 6 pm ISTeznews.inThe Consumer Affairs Ministry has proposed amendments to the Consumer Protection Act to address case backlogs and enhance dispute resolution through technology, including artificial intelligence. During a consultation in New Delhi, Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare emphasized the need for strict timelines, stating that no case should remain unresolved beyond six months. The current law mandates three-month timelines for regular cases and five months for those requiring testing. Khare highlighted initiatives like the e-JAGRITI digital filing system and the National Consumer Helpline, which handles over 1.2 million complaints annually. The consultation included various stakeholders, with Justice Amreshwar Pratap Sahi advocating for regular performance audits and the importance of human judgment in justice delivery. Proposed reforms aim to introduce real-time case tracking, virtual hearings, and multilingual access, while also addressing staffing and infrastructure needs within consumer commissions. The framework has received international recognition for its effective pre-litigation resolution mechanisms.
Published: Nov 07 2025, 6 pm ISTeznews.inA delegation from the UK’s Ministry of Justice met with India’s Legislative Secretary Rajiv Mani and senior officials on Thursday to discuss enhancing bilateral cooperation in law and justice. The talks focused on various initiatives, including the Ease of Living programme, the repeal of outdated laws, the tribunal system, gender justice, and training for legislative drafting officers from both nations. The Legislative department, which oversees the drafting of bills and key policy documents, also serves as the nodal agency for the Election Commission and electoral laws. Both parties reviewed the operational aspects of their existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), underscoring a mutual commitment to strengthen collaboration in legal matters. The meeting highlights the ongoing partnership between India and the UK in addressing contemporary legal challenges and improving governance.
Published: Nov 07 2025, 4 pm ISTeznews.inThe Karnataka Cashew Manufacturers’ Association (KCMA) is set to host the Kaju Centennial Summit 2025 in Mangaluru from November 14 to 16, celebrating a century of India’s organised cashew processing industry. Mangaluru, recognized as the birthplace of this sector, saw its first factory established in 1925 by Peirce Leslie India Ltd. The summit will feature discussions on global market trends, strategies to increase domestic consumption from 7-8% to 12-13%, and the shift towards e-commerce in cashew sales. Notably, the event will also highlight the ‘Vriksha Raksha, Vishwa Raksha’ initiative, which has distributed over 1.3 million cashew saplings to farmers, aiming to plant 3 million by 2030. The inaugural ceremony will be attended by Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje and industry leaders, underscoring the significance of the cashew industry in Karnataka, which now processes 25% of India’s total cashew output.
Published: Nov 07 2025, 4 pm ISTeznews.inThe World Economic Forum (WEF) has unveiled a new report titled "Shaping the Deep-Tech Revolution in Agriculture," identifying seven key technological domains poised to revolutionize the agricultural sector. These include generative artificial intelligence, computer vision, robotics, edge Internet of Things (IoT), satellite-enabled remote sensing, CRISPR, and nanotechnology. The report emphasizes the potential of these technologies to enhance productivity, sustainability, and resilience in farming practices, showcasing successful applications such as climate-resilient rice varieties and precision agriculture in sugarcane. It calls for increased collaboration among industry, academia, and investors to foster innovation and urges governments to implement agile policies to keep pace with advancements. Jeremy Jurgens, WEF's Managing Director, highlighted the necessity of building ecosystems that integrate science, industry, finance, and policy. The report is part of the WEF's Artificial Intelligence for Agriculture Initiative, which aims to promote tech-enabled agricultural transformation globally.
Published: Nov 07 2025, 4 pm ISTeznews.inV. Anantha Nageswaran, the Chief Economic Advisor to the Government of India, expressed optimism on Friday regarding the country's economic growth, projecting it to exceed 6.8% in the current financial year, bolstered by a consumption boost from recent GST rate cuts and income tax relief. The Economic Survey had earlier estimated growth between 6.3% and 6.8% for FY26. Nageswaran noted that India's GDP grew by 7.8% in the first quarter, driven by strong performance in agriculture and services, making it the fastest-growing major economy, outpacing China's 5.2% growth. He indicated that a potential bilateral trade agreement with the US could further enhance growth forecasts, although he refrained from providing a specific timeline for its completion. Currently, the US has imposed a 50% tariff on Indian goods, complicating trade relations.
Published: Nov 07 2025, 3 pm ISTeznews.inThe World Economic Forum (WEF) has identified seven emerging deep technologies, including generative AI, robotics, and satellite-enabled remote sensing, as transformative forces in agriculture, according to a report released on Friday. This report, titled 'Shaping the Deep-Tech Revolution in Agriculture,' highlights the potential of these technologies to enhance productivity and resilience in the face of global agricultural challenges, such as climate change and resource degradation. Case studies from India illustrate successful applications, such as climate-resilient rice developed using CRISPR technology and remote sensing for efficient crop insurance assessments. The WEF emphasizes the need for governments to adopt flexible policies to support these innovations, which could significantly improve agricultural systems and livelihoods. Since 2021, the WEF's Artificial Intelligence for Agriculture Initiative has reached nearly 900,000 farmers in India, promoting partnerships to harness technology's impact on agriculture.
Published: Nov 07 2025, 3 pm ISTeznews.inPrices for both CTC and orthodox tea varieties remained stable at the Kochi auctions, with a notable sales percentage for dust grades. The CTC dust offered amounted to 635,430 kg, achieving a 93% sales rate, with blenders purchasing 64% of the total sold. Good liquoring teas showed steady to firm prices, with some irregular increases, according to auctioneers Forbes, Ewart & Figgis. In contrast, the orthodox dust market saw primary grades remain steady while secondaries experienced a decline, with 14,000 kg offered and limited absorption from exporters and upcountry buyers. Anil George, chairman of the Tea Trade Association of Cochin, noted that exporters were selective, particularly regarding plainer teas, while bazaar buyers targeted finer lines. Strong export participation drove the orthodox leaf market, with active interest from CIS and Middle Eastern buyers. The Kochi auctions continue to enhance price discovery through the Bharat Auction platform, ensuring transparent access to premium South Indian teas.
Published: Nov 07 2025, 3 pm IST
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