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The Food and Land Use Coalition (FOLU) is set to host the 'Food Systems Summit India 2025: Marketplace for Ideas' in New Delhi on December 16 and 17, focusing on the production value chain and exploring sustainable and regenerative agriculture practices. This national platform aims to facilitate peer-to-peer learning among practitioners, researchers, and academicians in the food and land use sector across diverse agro-ecological zones in India. Participants are invited to submit poster presentations on various sub-themes, including seed management, soil and water management, pest control, and livestock management. The summit encourages applications from farmer producer organizations, research institutions, universities, and farmer groups, particularly women farmers, with a submission deadline of September 12, 2025. The inaugural summit in 2024 attracted over 250 delegates and showcased 81 studies on food systems, highlighting the importance of collaboration in addressing agricultural challenges. 
Published: Sep 03 2025, 10 ameznews.inKLM Royal Dutch Airlines has officially launched its new direct service connecting Hyderabad to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, with the inaugural flight, KL 874, taking off from Rajiv Gandhi International Airport on September 3, 2025. This new route marks KLM's fourth gateway in India, complementing its existing services from Bengaluru, Delhi, and Mumbai. The addition of Hyderabad to KLM's network is expected to enhance air connectivity between India and Amsterdam, providing passengers with seamless access to over 160 destinations worldwide. This expansion reflects KLM's commitment to strengthening its presence in the Indian market and improving travel options for both business and leisure travelers. 
Published: Sep 03 2025, 4 pmeznews.inThe Indian government has established a committee to address tax and export clearance challenges faced by manufacturing units, particularly in light of the recent imposition of a 50% tariff on Indian goods entering the US. This committee comprises representatives from various government bodies, including the finance ministry, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, and the Reserve Bank of India, along with industry stakeholders. Its mandate includes reviewing existing export-related tax structures and clearance procedures to assess their impact on the competitiveness of sectors such as engineering, pharmaceuticals, and textiles. The committee will also explore global best practices in export taxation and customs facilitation, aiming to propose actionable policy reforms. With the US accounting for approximately 20% of India's total goods exports, the committee's findings are expected to be crucial for enhancing the country's export performance. A report is anticipated within two months. 
Published: Sep 03 2025, 4 pmeznews.inSarveshwar Foods, a prominent producer of organic and basmati rice, has signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a German technology firm to enhance rice storage and preservation methods. This partnership aligns with the company's ambition to expand its capacity and global footprint, particularly in Europe, West Asia, and North America. The innovative approach includes adopting a CO₂-based storage system to maintain rice freshness without chemicals and utilizing reusable cocoons to minimize contamination and waste. Additionally, the company plans to implement smoke generator technology to infuse a premium smoky flavor into its products. Rohit Gupta, Chairman of Sarveshwar Foods, emphasized that these advancements will bolster the company's premium product portfolio and support its long-term goals of innovation and sustainability. With over 130 years of legacy, Sarveshwar Foods aims to enhance quality, efficiency, and consumer trust while diversifying into premium FMCG categories. 
Published: Sep 03 2025, 4 pmeznews.inThe Indian government is set to unveil a new financing framework aimed at repurposing de-coaled mines, named 'ARTHA', during the 'Star Rating Awards Ceremony for Coal and Lignite Mines' in Mumbai on Thursday. According to an official statement from the coal ministry, ARTHA represents a green financing initiative designed to promote the sustainable reuse of former mining sites. The ceremony will also celebrate outstanding coal and lignite mines across the nation for their achievements in operational excellence, environmental stewardship, safety, and community development. Additionally, a comprehensive guide for responsible and sustainable mine closure will be introduced. The event will be attended by Union Ministers G Kishan Reddy and Satish Chandra Dubey, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Coal, representatives from coal public sector undertakings, and various industry stakeholders. 
Published: Sep 03 2025, 4 pmeznews.inDuring a meeting in New Delhi on Wednesday, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul expressed optimism about the potential to double the trade volume between India and Germany, currently valued at 31 billion euros ($36.29 billion). Addressing Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Wadephul highlighted the importance of a free trade agreement between India and the European Union, suggesting it could be finalized in the coming months. He emphasized the need for reciprocal actions in trade, stating, "If others put up trade barriers, then we should respond by lowering them." Wadephul's remarks reflect a growing commitment to enhancing economic ties between the two nations amid a backdrop of global trade challenges. 
Published: Sep 03 2025, 3 pmeznews.inA landmark free trade agreement between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), comprising Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, will take effect on October 1, 2025. This agreement, signed on March 10, 2024, introduces legally binding provisions on trade and sustainable development for the first time in India's trade agreements. Under the pact, EFTA has pledged $100 billion in investments over 15 years, with the potential to create one million direct jobs in India. In return, India will reduce or eliminate duties on various Swiss products, including watches and chocolates. The agreement also enhances access to the Indian market for Swiss goods, covering 94.7% of exports from 2018 to 2023, excluding gold. Additionally, it reaffirms the parties' commitments to uphold international agreements related to trade, environment, and human rights, ensuring compliance with environmental and labor laws. 
Published: Sep 03 2025, 3 pmeznews.inA U.S. judge is set to hear arguments regarding a controversial deal between the Justice Department and Boeing, which would allow the aerospace giant to avoid prosecution linked to two fatal 737 MAX crashes that claimed 346 lives. Judge Reed O'Connor in Texas will consider objections from victims' families who argue that the agreement, which permits Boeing to evade oversight from an independent monitor for three years, is not in the public interest. Boeing had previously agreed to plead guilty to a criminal fraud charge for misleading regulators about a critical flight control system but later reversed its stance. The proposed non-prosecution agreement includes a $1.1 billion payment from Boeing, which encompasses fines and compensation for victims' families. Critics, including attorney Paul Cassell, assert that the deal undermines accountability, while Boeing maintains that the executive branch holds the authority to decide on prosecution matters. 
Published: Sep 03 2025, 3 pmeznews.inUS Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, recently returned from a high-level intelligence mission to South Asia, has indicated that India may soon reduce its imports of Russian crude oil. As Chairman of the CIA Subcommittee on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Fitzpatrick engaged in strategic discussions with Indian officials, including the Foreign Minister and National Security Advisor, emphasizing the importance of US diplomatic efforts. An official statement noted that Indian refiners are signaling plans to cut Russian oil imports, a move that could significantly impact Moscow's war financing in Ukraine. Fitzpatrick described the mission as pivotal for advancing US priorities, including counterterrorism and regional security cooperation, while reinforcing America's global credibility. Accompanied by Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan, Fitzpatrick's trip also addressed the humanitarian crises in India and Pakistan, where both nations are grappling with severe flooding and maintaining ceasefire agreements. 
Published: Sep 03 2025, 1 pmeznews.inIndia is set to expand its non-fossil fuel capacity to 500 GW by 2030, while coal continues to play a vital role in its energy security. To address the challenges of integrating large solar capacity with reliable electricity supply, the country will trial battery storage systems at select coal power plants. This initiative aims to balance the need for thermal plants to reduce output during peak solar hours while ensuring they can meet evening demand when solar generation declines. The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) is developing guidelines for coal-based plants to facilitate this transition, with plans to increase coal capacity by 97 GW by 2035, bringing the total to approximately 307 GW. NTPC, India's largest coal power generator, has been tasked with testing the battery systems, having recently issued a tender for 1.7 GW of battery storage across 11 coal plants, which could enhance operational stability and extend plant lifespans. 
Published: Sep 03 2025, 1 pmeznews.inFinance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to lead a pivotal two-day GST Council meeting starting Wednesday, where the Centre aims to implement significant structural reforms, including the early termination of the compensation cess and a consolidation of tax slabs. A key proposal under consideration is to end the compensation cess by October 31, 2025, ahead of the March 2026 deadline, with the Revenue Department asserting that current collections will suffice to repay states. The council may also reduce the existing four GST slabs to two—5 per cent and 18 per cent—while introducing a new 40 per cent rate for luxury goods. Essential items like toothpaste and soaps are expected to fall under the 5 per cent slab. However, the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India has raised concerns over the proposed 18 per cent tax on garments priced above ₹2,500. States are divided on post-cess compensation, complicating the reform discussions. 
Published: Sep 03 2025, 1 pm
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