eznews.inIndia's vegetable oil imports fell by 11% month-on-month and 28% year-on-year in November, driven by a significant drop in shipments of refined, bleached, and deodorised (RBD) palm oil, which plummeted to just 3,500 tonnes, according to the Solvent Extractors Association of India (SEA). While imports of crude sunflower and degummed soybean oils also decreased, crude palm oil imports rose. As a result, edible oil stocks as of December 1 stood at 1.62 million tonnes, down from 1.73 million tonnes a month earlier. The composition of these stocks shifted, with the ratio of refined oils dropping sharply to 0.30% from 19%, while crude palm oil's share surged to 99.7%. Major suppliers included Malaysia and Indonesia for palm oils, while Argentina and Brazil were key sources for soybean oil. The reduction in import duties on crude oils has contributed to this trend. 
Published: Dec 15 2025, 6 pmeznews.inThales has partnered with SFO Technologies to produce complex wired structures for the RBE2 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar used in the Indian Air Force's Rafale fighter jets, marking a significant step in the localisation of advanced defence technologies under India's Make in India initiative. This contract, announced on Monday, is the first under Thales' localisation plan for radar systems in India and aims to enhance domestic manufacturing capabilities for critical Rafale sub-systems. The collaboration comes as India has ordered 26 Rafale aircraft for its Navy. Thales, a key member of the Dassault Aviation Rafale team, is committed to building indigenous capabilities within India's defence ecosystem. Both companies emphasized their dedication to quality and innovation, with SFO Technologies expressing pride in contributing to the Rafale programme and ensuring timely delivery of high-quality equipment.
Published: Dec 15 2025, 6 pmeznews.inAn easterly wave is moving towards Sri Lanka and south Tamil Nadu, bringing the potential for thunderstorms and lightning in isolated areas of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal over the next two days, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Concurrently, gusty winds of 30-40 km/h are expected across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. In northern regions, light rain and snowfall are anticipated in Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh due to incoming western disturbances. The core fog season has commenced in North-West India, with visibility dropping to 50 metres in parts of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Delhi. Very dense fog is forecast for Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, while night temperatures in North-West India may decrease by 2°C before rising again with a new disturbance. No significant temperature changes are expected in Gujarat, Maharashtra, or other central and eastern regions in the coming week.
Published: Dec 15 2025, 5 pmeznews.inIndia's digital landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, with the latest Kantar Media Compass Report revealing that digital-only viewers have surged to 313 million, accounting for 26% of the population aged 15 and above as of Q3 2025. Notably, three-quarters of these viewers are based in rural areas, highlighting a shift in media consumption patterns. In contrast, linear television viewership has declined slightly from 705 million to 689 million during the same period. The report indicates a 30% increase in digital-only audiences since 2024, while the number of viewers engaging with both linear and connected TV has risen to 116 million, a 17% increase. Puneet Avasthi from Kantar emphasized the need for brands to adapt their strategies to effectively reach these evolving demographics, particularly as 43% of Indians now use online platforms for shopping discovery and research, underscoring the growing influence of digital media in shaping consumer preferences.
Published: Dec 15 2025, 5 pmeznews.inIn a recent update, India's stock market saw a slight decline, with the SENSEX closing at 85,213.36, down by 54.30 points, while the NIFTY fell by 19.65 points to 26,027.30. Crude oil prices also dropped by 18.00 to 5,210.00, contrasting with gains in precious metals, as gold rose by 1,699.00 to 135,321.00 and silver increased by 5,685.00 to 198,536.00. Meanwhile, India, the world's largest rice exporter, reported shipments of 20.2 million metric tons for the 2024/25 financial year, including 335,554 tons to the United States, predominantly basmati rice. This comes amid US President Donald Trump's accusations of "dumping" Indian rice in the US market, suggesting potential tariff increases. Indian officials, however, refuted these claims, asserting that their rice exports are premium-grade and do not warrant anti-dumping investigations.
Published: Dec 15 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIndia's sugar production has risen by 28.33% this season, reaching 7.79 million tonnes (mt) as of December 15, driven primarily by Maharashtra's early crushing and improved recovery rates. However, millers are concerned that this increase may lead to cane arrears, as the minimum selling price (MSP) of sugar remains unchanged despite ongoing demand. The National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories Ltd (NFCSF) reported a drop in ex-mill sugar prices by nearly Rs 230 per quintal since the season began, now at Rs 3,770 per quintal. The federation has called for a raise in the sugar MSP to Rs 41 per kg and an increase in ethanol procurement prices, estimating that an additional 0.5 mt of sugar for ethanol could generate Rs 2,000 crore for the industry. While welcoming the government's decision to allow 1.5 mt of sugar exports, NFCSF emphasized that this measure alone will not resolve the liquidity crisis facing mills, which have cane payment obligations exceeding Rs 1.30 lakh crore.
Published: Dec 15 2025, 2 pmeznews.inDelhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport faced significant disruptions on Monday, with over 60 flights cancelled and five diverted due to dense fog that severely reduced visibility. The airport operator, DIAL, confirmed that operations were still affected as of 10 am, with more than 250 flights delayed. IndiGo Airlines acknowledged the challenges posed by the weather, stating that low visibility conditions were beyond their control and that adjustments to flight schedules were necessary to ensure safety. The airline did not specify the exact number of its flights impacted but assured passengers that its teams were closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with airport authorities. To mitigate inconvenience, IndiGo has been proactively informing customers about potential delays and cancellations. As the busiest airport in India, Delhi handles approximately 1,300 flight movements daily, making such disruptions particularly impactful.
Published: Dec 15 2025, 2 pmeznews.inYara India has unveiled the recipients of its inaugural Women in Agronomy Scholar Award for 2025-26, aimed at empowering female PhD students in agronomy and soil science. Initially intended for five scholars, the program expanded due to the exceptional talent among applicants. The awardees include Ruchi Rajpoot, Meka Kalyani, Dharani S, Gobikashri N., and Barsha Mansingh, each receiving a $1,500 grant to support their educational and research endeavors. In addition to financial support, the scholars will benefit from a six-month mentorship program in 2026, providing insights into advanced research methods and industry trends from Yara’s R&D experts. Sanjiv Kanwar, Managing Director of Yara South Asia, emphasized the initiative's role in fostering gender diversity and bridging research with practical applications in agriculture. The selection process involved a thorough review and interviews, highlighting the scholars' academic merit and commitment to advancing sustainable agriculture in India.
Published: Dec 15 2025, 2 pmeznews.inThe Ministry of Civil Aviation has issued a heavy fog alert for airports across northern India, particularly affecting operations in Delhi, where visibility has been severely reduced. Passengers are urged to check their flight status with airlines and monitor updates via airport websites or mobile apps before heading to the airport, as delays and cancellations are likely due to the adverse weather conditions. The Ministry reassured the public that safety is the top priority, with airport teams and air traffic controllers working diligently to minimize disruptions. IndiGo Airlines has also acknowledged the impact of low visibility on its operations, advising customers to stay informed about potential delays or cancellations. The airline emphasized that adjustments to flight schedules are being made in accordance with safety protocols, and passengers are encouraged to check official channels for the latest information.
Published: Dec 15 2025, 2 pmeznews.inIndia's merchandise trade deficit decreased to $24.53 billion in November, a significant drop from the previous month's record deficit of $41.68 billion, as reported by government data on December 15, 2025. This improvement was attributed to reduced imports of gold, oil, and coal, surpassing economists' expectations of a $32 billion deficit. In response to ongoing trade negotiations with the United States, the Indian government has implemented measures such as consumer tax cuts, an export promotion package, and labor reforms to mitigate the effects of high U.S. tariffs. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently engaged in discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump, following a visit from a U.S. trade delegation, as India seeks concessions on key exports. Meanwhile, the U.S. is urging India to lower tariffs and non-tariff barriers on American goods, particularly in the agricultural sector.
Published: Dec 15 2025, 1 pm
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