eznews.inRetailers in India experienced an 11% growth during the 87-day festive period from August 1 to October 26, 2025, according to a survey by the Retailers’ Association of India (RAI). This increase is attributed to heightened consumer spending during festivals and recent GST rate cuts. The quick service restaurant sector emerged as the top performer, growing by 15%, while furniture and furnishings saw a 13% rise, driven by home improvement purchases. Other categories, including food and grocery, jewellery, and footwear, each recorded a 12% increase. Regional growth varied, with Western India leading at 13%. RAI's CEO, Kumar Rajgopalan, noted that consumers showed a preference for value-driven products, particularly those priced below ₹2,500, while higher-priced items faced reduced demand due to increased GST rates. The retail sector's performance will be closely monitored as it approaches the wedding season and end-of-season sales. 
Published: Nov 21 2025, 2 pmeznews.inIn a recent update, the US Climate Prediction Center (CPC) reported that La Niña conditions have emerged, characterized by below-average sea surface temperatures (SSTs) across the central and eastern Pacific, while slightly above-average SSTs were noted in the far western Pacific. This weather pattern, which typically brings heavy rainfall to Asia and drought to the Americas, is expected to persist through the northern hemisphere winter. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) noted that neutral El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) conditions currently prevail, but forecasts indicate a likelihood of La Niña conditions intensifying in the coming months. Additionally, negative Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) conditions are anticipated to continue post-monsoon. The CPC predicts a shift towards ENSO-neutral conditions between January and March 2026, with significant implications for global weather patterns, particularly in India, where rainfall patterns may be affected. 
Published: Nov 21 2025, 2 pmeznews.inIndiGo, India's leading domestic airline, has announced an investment of $820 million (approximately ₹7,270 crore) in its subsidiary, InterGlobe Aviation Financial Services IFSC Private Limited, aimed at aircraft acquisition. The investment will be executed through a mix of equity shares and 0.01% non-cumulative optionally convertible redeemable preference shares (OCRPS) in multiple tranches. The funds raised will primarily facilitate the acquisition of aviation assets, enhancing the airline's ownership of aircraft. As of November 21, IndiGo's fleet comprises 411 aircraft, with 365 currently in operation and 46 grounded, according to data from planespotter.net. This strategic move underscores IndiGo's commitment to expanding its operational capacity and strengthening its market position in the competitive aviation sector. 
Published: Nov 21 2025, 2 pmeznews.inIn a notable shift within India's maritime administration, Sunil Paliwal has been appointed as the new chairman of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), succeeding Vijay Kumar, who has transitioned to the role of Shipping Secretary. Paliwal, who previously served as Chairperson of the Chennai Port Authority and held significant positions in the Tamil Nadu government, including Managing Director of the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board, will assume his new role at the rank and pay of Secretary to the Government of India, following a temporary upgrade of the position. This appointment was confirmed by a notification from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, part of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions. The changes come as part of a broader restructuring within the Indian shipping sector, following the retirement of TK Ramachandran. 
Published: Nov 21 2025, 1 pmeznews.inIndia has launched an anti-dumping investigation into the alleged dumping of polyester textured yarn by Chinese companies, following complaints from domestic firms, including Reliance Industries Ltd. The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) stated that Reliance and Wellknown Polyester claimed that the influx of cheap imports from China has inflicted material injury on the domestic industry, prompting their request for an anti-dumping duty. The DGTR has initiated the probe based on the substantiated evidence provided by the applicants. If the investigation confirms that the dumping has harmed local producers, the DGTR will recommend imposing duties, with the final decision resting with the Finance Ministry. This move aligns with India's ongoing efforts to address the widening trade deficit with China, which reached $100 billion in 2024-25, and reflects the country's commitment to fair trading practices under World Trade Organisation guidelines. 
Published: Nov 21 2025, 11 ameznews.inIndia's economic activity experienced a slowdown in November, marking the slowest expansion in new orders and business activity since May, according to a flash survey by HSBC Holdings Plc. The manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) fell to 57.4 from 59.2 in October, while the services PMI rose to 59.5 from 58.9, resulting in a composite index decline to 59.9. This dip in momentum is attributed to the impact of steep tariffs imposed by the US, which have adversely affected labor-intensive sectors, leading to an 8.6% drop in exports to the US in October. Despite a reduction in the goods and services tax in September that temporarily boosted domestic demand, overall new orders in manufacturing remained weak, suggesting that the benefits of the tax cuts may have peaked, according to HSBC's chief India economist, Pranjul Bhandari. 
Published: Nov 21 2025, 11 ameznews.inA trough extending from the Malacca Strait is influencing weather patterns across Sri Lanka and the Tamil Nadu coast, bringing thunderstorms and rain from the southeast Bay of Bengal. A low-pressure area over the southeast Arabian Sea, which had previously caused significant rainfall in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala, has weakened into a rudimentary cyclonic circulation. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is monitoring a new low-pressure system expected to develop over the southeast Bay, potentially intensifying into a depression by Monday and possibly evolving into a cyclone by Wednesday. While sea-surface temperatures are conducive to storm development, strong upper-level winds may steer the system along the coast, avoiding landfall in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. The IMD forecasts light to moderate rainfall across several regions, with isolated heavy showers expected, particularly in Tamil Nadu and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. 
Published: Nov 21 2025, 10 ameznews.inAluminium prices are projected to remain high in the coming months, buoyed by expectations of stronger global growth and increasing demand from the clean energy sector, including solar, wind, and electric vehicles. Analysts from BMI, a Fitch Solutions unit, note that concerns over supply constraints, particularly as China approaches its 45 million tonnes smelting cap, are contributing to price stability. In October, China's primary aluminium production rose slightly year-on-year but fell 9% from September. Current prices on the London Metal Exchange stand at $2,810 per tonne, with forecasts suggesting an average of $2,530 per tonne in 2025. The recent end of the US government shutdown has also fostered market optimism, alongside easing US-China trade tensions. Despite potential risks from geopolitical uncertainties and soft global demand, the outlook for aluminium remains cautiously optimistic, with a projected shift from a 374,000-tonne deficit in 2024 to a 79,000-tonne deficit in 2025. 
Published: Nov 21 2025, 9 ameznews.inThe United States has intensified its sanctions against Russia by blacklisting major oil producers Rosneft PJSC and Lukoil PJSC, a move seen as one of the most aggressive under the Trump administration amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. Effective Friday, these sanctions could leave nearly 48 million barrels of Russian crude stranded at sea, prompting a scramble among tankers for alternative destinations. Asian buyers, particularly Indian refiners, are racing to secure replacement supplies, driving freight rates to near five-year highs. While Russian oil exports remain substantial at around 3.4 million barrels per day, the sanctions have raised concerns about their ultimate destinations, especially as China and India navigate potential secondary sanctions. Some vessels have already altered their routes, indicating the complexities of the evolving global oil trade. The coming days will be crucial in determining how effectively these sanctions impact Russian oil flows. 
Published: Nov 21 2025, 9 ameznews.inAir India has unveiled a new global menu across its fleet, enhancing the dining experience for First, Business, and Premium Economy passengers with a diverse selection of Indian and international dishes. The menu, which will be progressively rolled out on international and domestic flights, features over 18 special dietary options, including vegan and allergen-friendly meals. Signature dishes include Awadhi Paneer Anjeer Pasanda and South Indian platters, alongside international offerings like Japanese Teppanyaki and Mediterranean tapas. Curated by Chef Sandeep Kalra, the menu aims to reflect India's rich culinary heritage while appealing to modern tastes, including popular items like Korean Bibimbap. Air India's commitment to customer experience is further supported by specialized training for cabin crew and a focus on sustainable practices in sourcing and packaging. Chief Customer Experience Officer Rajesh Dogra emphasized the airline's dedication to innovation and culinary excellence in inflight dining. 
Published: Nov 21 2025, 6 am
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