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The draft Atomic Energy Bill 2025 is nearing completion, with final suggestions from various ministries being integrated, as confirmed by Minister of State for the Prime Minister’s Office, Jitendra Singh, in Lok Sabha. He highlighted that the bill addresses critical issues such as nuclear safety, regulatory oversight, and liability provisions, with legal vetting by the Ministry of Law and Justice underway. Singh emphasized the government's commitment to incorporating policy directives before seeking approvals. Additionally, Minister of State for Power Shripad Naik noted that amendments to the Atomic Energy Act and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act aim to attract private sector investment. With nuclear power currently contributing 3.1% to India's electricity generation, the government plans to boost installed capacity from 8,780 MW to 22,380 MW by 2031-32 and aims for a total capacity of 100,000 MW by 2047, supported by a ₹20,000 crore budget for Small Modular Reactors. 
Published: Dec 03 2025, 7 pmeznews.inJyoti Global Plast has unveiled the AeroCrop Agricultural UAS, a precision drone aimed at enhancing agricultural efficiency. Drawing on over 40 years of expertise in precision plastic and FRP moulding, the company has ventured into unmanned systems, tailoring the AeroCrop to meet farmers' operational needs. The drone boasts a flight time of up to 29 minutes without payload and 22 minutes with, featuring a 10-litre tank and advanced nozzles for consistent spraying. It can cover an acre in just five to eight minutes, facilitating up to 30 acres of spraying daily while minimizing chemical waste. A key highlight is its intelligent radar-based navigation system, which ensures safety and precision during autonomous missions. Deven Shah, CEO of Jyoti Global Plast, emphasized the drone's role in making modern agricultural tools accessible, aiming to support both seasoned drone users and those new to mechanized spraying. 
Published: Dec 03 2025, 7 pmeznews.inIn a recent update, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has initiated a nationwide campaign to identify and remove unauthorized encroachments on National Highways. An official memorandum has instructed regional officers from MoRTH, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) to conduct comprehensive inspections using advanced tools, including the Drone Analysis Management System (DAMS) and the Rajmargyatra app. The removal process will adhere to the Control of National Highways (Land and Traffic) Act, 2002, and relevant regulations, with local authorities providing support as needed. This initiative underscores the government's commitment to addressing the critical issue of encroachments, which pose significant challenges to highway safety and infrastructure. The memorandum emphasizes the importance of technology in monitoring and managing these encroachments effectively. 
Published: Dec 03 2025, 7 pmeznews.inCommerce Minister Piyush Goyal has expressed optimism about India's export performance, stating that goods exports are on a "strong wicket" despite global economic challenges. Speaking at an industry event, Goyal noted that November 2025 exports showed a significant rebound, surpassing the decline seen in October, resulting in overall growth for the two months combined. In October, however, exports fell 11.8% year-on-year to $34.48 billion, with a notable 8.7% drop in exports to the US, attributed to the impact of recent tariffs. For the April-October 2025 period, exports saw a slight increase of 0.63%, while imports rose by 6.37%. Addressing concerns over the depreciating rupee, Goyal highlighted robust economic growth at 8.2% in Q2, low inflation, and strong foreign exchange reserves, emphasizing India's commitment to enhancing trade relations with global partners. The formal trade data for November is expected to be released by mid-December. 
Published: Dec 03 2025, 7 pmeznews.inAir India SATS Airport Services Pvt Ltd. (AISATS) has officially launched full-scale ground handling operations at Cochin International Airport, marking its second station in Kerala and the eighth across India. The company has deployed an initial team of 150 trained professionals to enhance operations at this key aviation hub, which serves over 28 airlines and handled nearly 60,000 tonnes of cargo while welcoming more than 10 million passengers in FY24. AISATS aims to provide future-ready technology and globally benchmarked safety systems, starting with support for Batik Air and Thai Lion Air, as well as other international and domestic carriers. This expansion comes amid significant growth in India's aviation sector, with Kerala increasingly vital in the Gulf–India–Southeast Asia air corridor. AISATS is also investing in advanced cargo infrastructure, including the AISATS BLR Logistics Park in Bengaluru and a new Multi-Modal Cargo Hub at Noida International Airport. 
Published: Dec 03 2025, 6 pmeznews.inRussian President Vladimir Putin is set to arrive in India for a two-day visit on Thursday, accompanied by senior ministers and business leaders, with a focus on addressing the significant trade deficit between the two nations. In the fiscal year 2025, India imported $63.84 billion worth of goods from Russia while exporting only $4.88 billion, resulting in a deficit of approximately $59 billion. During his bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, Putin is expected to establish a timeline for a proposed free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), which includes Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan. Amidst US sanctions affecting oil imports, Russia aims to enhance its procurement of Indian goods, including pharmaceuticals and technical textiles, while also discussing local currency trade and increased mobility for professionals. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasized Russia's commitment to boosting imports from India to strengthen bilateral ties. 
Published: Dec 03 2025, 6 pmeznews.inIndiGo Airlines is facing significant operational challenges, with a severe pilot shortage leading to widespread delays and last-minute cancellations across its network. This shortage has been exacerbated by new flight duty time regulations and the introduction of additional flights in the winter schedule starting November 1. Compounding the issue, technical glitches in check-in systems at select airports have further disrupted flight schedules. On Tuesday, 65% of IndiGo's flights were delayed, marking the highest rate among major airlines. In response, IndiGo acknowledged the unavoidable delays and cancellations, attributing them to a combination of technology issues, airport congestion, and operational needs. The airline has committed to normalising operations swiftly and is providing affected customers with alternative flight options or refunds where applicable. 
Published: Dec 03 2025, 5 pmeznews.inGold prices reached a record high of $4,381.58 an ounce on October 17, yet central bank purchases of the metal have been lower than in previous years, according to the World Gold Council (WGC). In October, central banks bought 53 tonnes of gold, a 36% increase from September, but year-to-date purchases totalled 254 tonnes, reflecting a slower pace compared to the last three years. The National Bank of Poland emerged as a significant buyer, purchasing 16 tonnes in October and increasing its gold reserves to 531 tonnes, making it the largest official-sector buyer this year. Other notable purchases included the Central Bank of Brazil, which added 16 tonnes, and various smaller acquisitions from banks in Uzbekistan, Indonesia, and Turkey. Conversely, the Central Bank of Russia sold three tonnes to capitalize on high prices, reducing its reserves to 2,327 tonnes. Emerging-market central banks continue to dominate gold buying, indicating a strategic approach amid ongoing economic uncertainty. 
Published: Dec 03 2025, 5 pmeznews.inThe Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) has announced that, effective February 1, all pan masala packs, regardless of size, will be required to display the Retail Sale Price (RSP) on their labels. This change follows the introduction of the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Second (Amendment) Rules, 2025, which eliminates the previous exemption for small packs of 10 grams or less. The Ministry stated that this amendment aims to enhance consumer protection by providing clear pricing information, thereby preventing misleading pricing practices and enabling informed purchasing decisions. Additionally, the mandatory RSP declaration will facilitate the effective implementation of the RSP-based Goods and Services Tax (GST) on pan masala, ensuring proper tax assessment and revenue collection across all pack sizes. The move is seen as a significant step towards greater transparency in the market. 
Published: Dec 03 2025, 5 pmeznews.inVizhinjam International Seaport has set a record as the fastest port in India to handle over 1 million TEUs, achieving this milestone within just 10 months of its launch and concluding its inaugural year with a total of 1.32 million TEUs. Developed by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd. in collaboration with the Kerala Government, the port has welcomed 615 vessels, including 41 ultra-large container vessels (ULCVs) over 399 metres long, the highest for any Indian port. Notably, MSC Verona, with a 17.1-metre draft, became the deepest-draft vessel handled in South Asia. Vizhinjam is also pioneering automation in India’s maritime sector, being the first semi-automated container port and employing women as automated crane operators. Positioned near key East-West shipping lanes, the port is poised to enhance India’s role in global logistics, fostering economic growth and supply-chain efficiency. 
Published: Dec 03 2025, 4 pm
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