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Airbus recalls A320, risks global flight disruptions

Airbus announced a sweeping recall affecting 6,000 A320 family jets, over half of the global fleet, necessitating immediate repairs just ahead of a busy travel weekend in the U.S. This significant recall, one of the largest in Airbus's history, follows the A320's recent status as the most-delivered aircraft model, surpassing the Boeing 737. The repairs, primarily involving a software rollback, must be completed before the planes can resume flying, potentially leading to widespread flight delays and cancellations. Major airlines, including American Airlines, Lufthansa, and easyJet, are already adjusting schedules, with American Airlines expecting to complete fixes on 340 of its A320s by Saturday. The recall was prompted by a recent incident involving a JetBlue flight, which raised concerns about flight control data corruption due to solar flares. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has mandated the repairs, further complicating an already strained maintenance landscape in the aviation industry. sources

Published:
Nov 29 2025, 10 am

DGCA Grounds A320s Over Airbus Software Update Warning

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued an airworthiness directive prohibiting the operation of various Airbus aircraft models due to safety concerns linked to a software update. The directive, which affects numerous A319 and A320 family models, mandates compliance with specific modifications to ensure safety. This follows an incident involving an A320 that revealed a potential "solar radiation risk" that could compromise critical flight control data. Airbus has initiated immediate repairs for approximately 6,000 affected aircraft worldwide, leading to potential flight disruptions for Indian carriers such as Air India and IndiGo. Both airlines have acknowledged the directive and are collaborating with Airbus to implement necessary updates while striving to minimize passenger inconvenience. The situation underscores the importance of safety in aviation, with both airlines emphasizing their commitment to maintaining operational integrity during this process. sources

Published:
Nov 29 2025, 11 am

WTO: Global trade slows as tariff frontrunning concludes

The World Trade Organization (WTO) reported a decline in its goods barometer, which fell to 101.8 in September from 102.2 in June, indicating a slowdown in global merchandise trade as the initial surge from front-loading orders ahead of US tariffs diminished. The baseline of 100 suggests growth in line with medium-term trends, although the data reflects a cooling in the transportation of goods worldwide. While air freight and container shipping continue to signal expansion, the automotive and electronics sectors have stabilised, and agriculture remains in contraction. The report highlights that US tariffs have disrupted international trade, leading to a 22% drop in imports from China, while shipments from countries like Vietnam and India have surged over 20%. The WTO forecasts a 2.4% growth in world trade volume for 2023, down from 2.8% in 2024, with a sharp slowdown anticipated to just 0.5% in 2024. sources

Published:
Nov 29 2025, 11 am

PM-Kisan: Evolving from Income Support to Digital Agriculture

The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) scheme, which provides ₹6,000 annually to landholding farmer families, extends beyond mere income support, acting as a digital enabler for modern agriculture in India. By facilitating direct benefit transfers, the scheme minimizes leakage, avoids delays, and eliminates middlemen, ensuring funds reach farmers directly. Mandatory KYC processes create a verified digital footprint, allowing agtech firms to assess credit risk and offer tailored advisory services. This digital infrastructure empowers farmers, enhancing their financial stability and reducing reliance on informal credit. However, challenges remain, including KYC completion and land record updates, which must be addressed for the scheme to reach its full potential. Moving forward, collaboration between agritech companies and the government is essential to develop meaningful services, ensuring that the benefits of PM-Kisan extend to the most vulnerable farmers and transform agriculture from survival to strategic growth. sources

Published:
Nov 29 2025, 10 am

India's dairy paradox: Abundance, low ambition, and sector adaptation

India's dairy industry, having transitioned from scarcity to surplus, now faces a critical juncture as it grapples with a paradox of abundance without aspiration. The White Revolution has positioned India as the world's largest milk producer, generating approximately 240 million tonnes annually and supporting around 80 million dairy-farming households. However, despite this success, dairy's share of household spending has stagnated, while consumers increasingly invest in processed foods that resonate more with their lifestyles and emotional needs. While dairy products are nutritionally superior and culturally ingrained, the sector has yet to innovate and articulate their value effectively. Emerging trends show a growing demand for premium dairy products, such as artisanal ghee and high-protein yoghurts, indicating a potential shift. To harness this opportunity, the industry must focus on creating aspirational products that align with modern consumer desires, fostering a transformation from mere abundance to meaningful value. sources

Published:
Nov 29 2025, 9 am

Transforming wastewater into irrigation: India's tech revolution

India is facing a critical challenge in water management, with agriculture consuming 80-85% of its freshwater amid rapid urbanization and industrial growth. The gap between water demand and supply is widening, exacerbated by climate variability. To address this, India is shifting focus from sourcing new water to creating it through advanced wastewater treatment and reuse technologies. Currently, only 28% of the over 72,000 million litres of wastewater generated daily is treated, but increasing this by just 20% could significantly enhance irrigation potential. Treated wastewater, rich in nutrients and climate-resilient, offers a cost-effective solution for farmers, potentially reducing their input costs by 15-25%. The Indian government aims for 70% wastewater reuse by 2047, supported by regulatory reforms and initiatives across various states. This transition requires collaboration among policymakers, public agencies, and private technology leaders, positioning India for a wastewater-led agricultural revolution that promises to bolster food security and climate resilience. sources

Published:
Nov 29 2025, 9 am

Air India, IndiGo flights delayed for urgent software fix

Air India and IndiGo are set to experience disruptions over the weekend as they implement urgent software updates on their Airbus A320 aircraft, following an emergency airworthiness directive from the European Aviation Safety Agency. This directive, issued on Friday, aims to mitigate risks to flight safety control systems posed by intense solar radiation. Both airlines have alerted passengers to potential flight delays, with Air India acknowledging that the updates will lead to longer turnaround times. IndiGo has stated it is proactively addressing the mandated updates, advising that some flights may undergo slight schedule changes. The Airbus A320 family, which includes the A319, A320, and A321 variants, is the world's best-selling aircraft, with approximately 6,000 units affected globally by this directive. Both airlines have committed to providing support for rebooking and updates during this period. sources

Published:
Nov 29 2025, 8 am

India's cumin exports to decline due to low China demand

India's cumin exports are projected to decline this fiscal year due to reduced demand from major buyers, particularly China and Bangladesh. A robust domestic crop in China has led to lower prices, making their cumin $200-250 per tonne cheaper than Indian varieties, prompting a significant drop in imports from India, which have not exceeded 10,000 tonnes this year. Additionally, political instability in Bangladesh has deterred Indian exporters from engaging in trade. According to the Spices Board, cumin shipments from India fell by 17% in volume and 30% in value during the April-August period compared to the previous year. Experts predict a further decline of 15-20% in overall shipments this fiscal, potentially affecting sowing patterns in key growing regions like Gujarat. However, some industry leaders remain optimistic about a recovery in demand next year, contingent on planting outcomes and market prices. sources

Published:
Nov 29 2025, 6 am

Cyclone Ditwah: Saturday Flights from Chennai Canceled

In financial markets, the SENSEX closed at 85,706.67, down by 13.71 points, while the NIFTY fell by 12.60 points to settle at 26,202.95. In commodity trading, crude oil prices rose by 15.00 to reach 5,305.00, while gold increased by 1,108.00, bringing its price to 126,612.00. Silver also saw a significant rise, climbing 6,394.00 to 168,861.00. Meanwhile, Chennai Airport reported the cancellation of 18 flights to Tiruchi, Thoothukudi, and Madurai due to Cyclone Ditwah, with additional cancellations affecting flights to Puducherry from Bengaluru and Hyderabad. The adverse weather conditions have disrupted travel plans, impacting numerous passengers throughout the day. sources

Published:
Nov 28 2025, 10 pm

Tax revenue slows; fiscal deficit exceeds half of BE

Net tax revenue in India has declined by over 2% during the April-October period of the 2025-26 fiscal year, according to the Controller General of Accounts (CGA). This drop, attributed to reduced direct tax rates and a GST cut, coincided with a significant 32% increase in capital expenditure, pushing the fiscal deficit to over 50% of budget estimates. The fiscal deficit rose nearly 10% to ₹8.3 lakh crore, representing 53% of the budget target. The central government collected approximately ₹18 lakh crore, or 51.5% of the budgeted receipts, while transferring ₹8.35 lakh crore to states. Experts express concern that achieving the budgeted tax target may be challenging, predicting a shortfall of ₹1.2-1.5 lakh crore in gross tax revenues. Despite potential additional expenditures, analysts do not foresee significant fiscal slippage at this stage. sources

Published:
Nov 28 2025, 8 pm

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