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Tamil Nadu bus services halted after Kerala's heavy fines

The All Omni Bus Owners Association has announced the suspension of services to Kerala starting November 7, following the imposition of substantial fines by the Kerala Transport Department, totaling ₹70 lakhs for alleged permit violations. This decision is expected to disrupt travel for hundreds, particularly Ayyappa devotees heading to the Sabarimala pilgrimage. Association president A Anbalagan criticized the sudden enforcement of fines ranging from ₹2 lakh to ₹2.5 lakh per bus, which he claims has caused significant hardship for both passengers and operators, leading to the cancellation of 150 bus bookings. He has called on the Tamil Nadu government to intervene promptly to resolve the matter amicably, emphasizing the urgent need for a solution to alleviate the difficulties faced by affected travelers. sources

Published:
Nov 08 2025, 12 pm

Delhi airport's flight operations returning to normal, operator reports

Flight operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in New Delhi are gradually returning to normal following significant disruptions caused by a technical issue with the Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS). The Airports Authority of India (AAI) reported that the glitch, which began early Friday morning, led to delays for over 800 flights and required air traffic controllers to manually prepare flight plans. The AAI confirmed that the problem was resolved by Friday evening, with additional staff deployed to assist in managing the situation. By Saturday morning, the airport operator, DIAL, indicated improvements in operations, although over 200 flights were still delayed. IndiGo, the country's largest airline, noted that while the situation was stabilizing, some adjustments to flight timings might continue. The AAI assured that the AMSS systems are now functional, and efforts are ongoing to clear any remaining backlogs. sources

Published:
Nov 08 2025, 12 pm

Basmati's Hidden Economics: Shrinking Export Margins Amid Inflation

Indian basmati rice exporters, who dominate over 70% of the global market, are facing significant challenges as high input costs and currency disadvantages squeeze profit margins. Despite selling the same or larger quantities, rising inflation has increased expenses for fertilizers, diesel, and labor in key producing states like Haryana and Punjab. Additionally, high logistics costs, exacerbated by pandemic-related disruptions, have further eroded profitability. Competing with countries like Pakistan, which benefit from currency depreciation, Indian exporters struggle to maintain competitive pricing. The recent ban on non-basmati rice exports has created uncertainty in international markets, complicating negotiations and order fulfillment. Furthermore, shifting consumer preferences towards cheaper rice varieties and stringent quality regulations in markets like the EU have increased compliance costs, further impacting net margins. As a result, exporters are navigating a high-risk, low-margin environment, with profit margins shrinking despite strong export volumes. sources

Published:
Nov 08 2025, 10 am

"Green Revolution 2.0: Boosting Yields with Precision Drone Data"

As India embraces a new wave of technology-driven agricultural transformation, drones are emerging as pivotal tools for enhancing precision, productivity, and sustainability in farming. Equipped with advanced multispectral, thermal, and hyperspectral sensors, these aerial systems enable farmers and researchers to monitor crops and manage resources effectively. Drones can swiftly map large fields, providing critical insights into crop health, soil moisture, and pest presence, which, when processed through cloud-based analytics, lead to optimized irrigation and fertilization strategies. Recent studies have demonstrated drones' capabilities in soil-organic-carbon and nitrogen mapping, achieving significant accuracy in yield forecasting. Despite challenges such as high sensor costs and the need for robust ground data, the technology is becoming increasingly accessible, promising to revolutionize Indian agriculture. By integrating AI and cloud computing, drones are set to transform farming into a data-driven enterprise, enhancing resilience against climate variability and resource constraints. sources

Published:
Nov 08 2025, 9 am

CDSCO mandates global standards for drugmakers by January

India's drug regulator has mandated that all pharmaceutical factories comply with World Health Organization (WHO) manufacturing standards by January 1, 2024, following a series of child deaths linked to contaminated cough syrups. This directive comes after over 140 fatalities in Africa and Central Asia raised global concerns about the safety of Indian-made medicines, jeopardizing the country's reputation as the "pharmacy of the world." While larger firms had previously met a June 2024 deadline, smaller manufacturers were granted an extension until December 2025. However, the recent deaths of 24 children in central India prompted authorities to reject further requests for leniency, emphasizing the urgency of compliance. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation warned that non-compliant manufacturers would face strict penalties, urging state regulators to prioritize inspections. Industry representatives expressed fears that the new regulations could lead to factory closures and increased medicine prices, questioning the balance between quality and affordability. sources

Published:
Nov 08 2025, 9 am

PM Modi launches 4 new Vande Bharat trains in Banaras

In a significant boost to India's rail connectivity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated four new Vande Bharat Express trains from Banaras railway station on November 8, 2025. The new routes include Banaras-Khajuraho, Lucknow-Saharanpur, Firozpur-Delhi, and Ernakulam-Bengaluru. These semi-high-speed trains are expected to drastically cut travel times between key stations, thereby enhancing regional mobility, promoting tourism, and bolstering economic activity across the nation. The Banaras-Khajuraho route, in particular, will link important cultural and religious sites such as Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Chitrakoot, according to official statements. This initiative reflects the government's ongoing commitment to modernizing India's railway infrastructure and improving passenger services. sources

Published:
Nov 08 2025, 9 am

Trump to visit India at Modi's invitation

US President Donald Trump announced plans to visit India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, signaling a potential easing of tensions in their trade relationship. Speaking at a press conference, Trump described Modi as a "great man" and expressed willingness to make the trip, although he did not provide a specific timeline. Modi had previously extended the invitation during his visit to the White House in February, representing the interests of 1.4 billion Indians. Relations have soured recently, particularly after Trump imposed 50% tariffs on Indian exports to the US, partly to pressure India to reduce its Russian oil purchases. While some Indian officials suggest a trade deal may be imminent, others, including Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, have cautioned against rushing into an agreement. The durability of the leaders' renewed rapport remains uncertain, especially given past strains over Trump's claims regarding US mediation in India-Pakistan conflicts. sources

Published:
Nov 08 2025, 9 am

SC: Air India crash report clears pilot of wrongdoing

The Supreme Court of India has clarified that no blame can be placed on the pilot of the Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner that crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, resulting in over 250 fatalities. Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi stated that the preliminary report from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) did not contain any adverse inference against the pilot, emphasizing that the investigation's goal is preventive rather than punitive. The court is set to hear a petition from Pushkar Raj Sabharwal, father of the late Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who seeks a judicially monitored investigation, arguing that the AAIB's findings were biased and overlooked potential technical failures. The judges dismissed concerns regarding media reports suggesting pilot negligence, urging the petitioner to pursue legal action against such claims. The court has issued notices for further hearings on November 10. sources

Published:
Nov 07 2025, 9 pm

Delhi Airport flight operations disrupted by navigation system issue

Flight operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in Delhi faced significant disruption on Friday due to a technical glitch in the Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS), which is crucial for processing air traffic data. The malfunction, which occurred late Thursday, forced air traffic controllers to manage flight planning manually, resulting in over 400 flight delays across both domestic and international schedules. Passengers experienced long waiting times and extended turnaround periods, with only 10 to 15 departures per hour compared to the usual 60. The ripple effect of the disruption was felt at other major airports, including Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, where flights also faced delays. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) confirmed the issue and stated that technical teams were working urgently to restore normal operations, while Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) advised passengers to stay updated with their airlines. sources

Published:
Nov 07 2025, 8 pm

Russian crude oil imports by PSU refiners hit September low

India maintained its position as the second-largest buyer of Russian fossil fuels in September 2025, importing €3.6 billion worth, despite a notable decline in crude oil purchases. According to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), imports of Russian crude oil fell by 9% month-on-month to their lowest levels since February 2025, primarily due to a 38% drop in shipments to state-owned refineries. Crude oil accounted for 77% of India's total imports, while coal and oil products made up 13% and 10%, respectively. This decline occurred even as discounts on Russian crude rose to over $5 per barrel, with the average price of Urals crude dropping to $62.3. Overall, Russia's fossil fuel export revenues also saw a 4% month-on-month decrease, marking the lowest since the onset of the Ukraine conflict, as India continues to be a key player in Russia's seaborne crude market. sources

Published:
Nov 07 2025, 8 pm

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