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Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal has asserted that India is negotiating trade talks with the US from a position of strength, dismissing the July 9 deadline as non-essential. His comments come amid heightened pressure from US President Donald Trump, who is preparing to send letters to 12 countries detailing potential tariffs on their exports, with offers described as "take it or leave it." Goyal emphasized India's self-confidence in competing globally, contrasting it with previous administrations that he claims compromised national interests. While the US has secured trade deals with the UK and Vietnam, negotiations with India have stalled over contentious issues, particularly in agriculture and dairy, with the US demanding significant tariff cuts. Goyal reiterated that India will not rush into agreements, stating that deals will only be accepted when they align with national interests. The outcome of the impending tariff letters remains uncertain. 
Published: Jul 05 2025, 7 pmeznews.inMaharaja Bir Bikram Airport (MBB) in Agartala has been recognized as the top airport in the Northeast and ranked 15th nationally in the 2025 Customer Satisfaction Survey, according to airport director KC Meena. This achievement was announced during a meeting of the airport advisory committee, chaired by MP Biplab Kumar Deb. Meena highlighted the successful implementation of the Inline Baggage Handling System, which has enhanced baggage screening and passenger flow. Plans are also underway to introduce a childcare room to provide a safe and clean environment for traveling mothers and infants. Additionally, the committee discussed the ongoing development of Kailashahar Airport in Unakoti district, which aims to bolster regional air connectivity, promote tourism, and stimulate economic growth in Tripura and the broader Northeast region. The meeting was attended by key officials, including West Tripura district magistrate Vishal Kumar and Agartala municipal commissioner D K Chama.
Published: Jul 05 2025, 8 pmeznews.inThe Indian Air Force (IAF) is advancing its capabilities with a comprehensive "unmanned force plan" aimed at acquiring 30 to 50 units of various unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) over the next three to five years. This initiative aligns with global trends in unmanned warfare, as seen in Ukraine's establishment of dedicated Unmanned Systems Forces. The IAF's roadmap includes the procurement of medium altitude long endurance (MALE) UAVs for short-term needs and high altitude long endurance (HALE) UAVs for medium-term operations. Air Commodore Sandeep Singh emphasized the importance of flexibility and minimal human resources in deploying these systems, which are designed to operate in contested environments. Additionally, the IAF has launched a school for Unmanned Aerial Systems in Bhatinda to foster research and development, and a 100 km drone corridor near Hyderabad is being developed to support these efforts.
Published: Jul 05 2025, 7 pmeznews.inThe West Central Railway in Bhopal has launched a new initiative to enhance passenger identity verification using the mAadhaar mobile application, following guidelines from the Railway Board. This initiative aims to combat unauthorized travel and the misuse of fake Aadhaar cards or tickets booked under different names. The mAadhaar app, developed by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), will facilitate real-time identity authentication through QR code-based verification, ensuring the authenticity of passengers' Aadhaar cards. In a bid to further strengthen this process, the app will soon be accessible on Handheld Terminals (HHT devices), allowing railway officials to effectively prevent the misuse of reserved tickets and confirm the true identity of travelers. This move is part of ongoing efforts to enhance security and streamline operations within the railway system.
Published: Jul 05 2025, 7 pmeznews.inThe India Meteorological Department (IMD) has signed a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Commodity & Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX) to enhance climate insights for the agriculture sector. IMD will provide gridded rainfall data and historical datasets to help assess climatic hazards, crucial for farmers and agri-based industries in determining drought or flood-prone areas. Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, IMD's Director General, emphasized the importance of rainfall data, particularly during the monsoon season, which accounts for 70-90% of India's annual precipitation. This partnership aims to develop India's first weather derivatives, enabling stakeholders to hedge against climate-related risks. NCDEX's Managing Director, Arun Raste, highlighted the initiative as a vital step towards a climate-resilient rural economy, offering market-based solutions to weather volatility. The collaboration will also include capacity-building and training programs for various stakeholders in the agricultural sector.
Published: Jul 05 2025, 3 pmeznews.inMalaysia's AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines have secured significant Airbus deals totaling $20 billion as Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim concluded his European tour. AirAsia has tentatively agreed to purchase up to 70 extended-range Airbus A321XLR jets, valued at approximately $12.3 billion, while Malaysia Airlines has ordered 20 A330neo widebody planes for $7.5 billion. The agreements are part of a broader strategy to enhance Malaysia's aviation capabilities and bolster security, with plans to acquire additional maritime patrol aircraft and helicopters. AirAsia aims to expand its route network across Asia-Pacific, leveraging the new jets to serve markets that are less viable for larger aircraft. Meanwhile, Malaysia Airlines is focused on renewing its fleet to support long-haul growth. Anwar's visit to France underscores Malaysia's commitment to strengthening trade ties with key partners in Europe.
Published: Jul 05 2025, 3 pmeznews.inIndia has been ranked as the fourth most equal country globally, according to government reports citing World Bank data. The Gini score, which measures income distribution, improved to 25.5 in the fiscal year 2022-23, down from 28.8 in 2011-12, placing India in the 'moderately low' inequality category. This score is just shy of the 'low inequality' group, which includes countries like the Slovak Republic and Slovenia. The report highlights that India outperforms 167 other nations, with only 30 countries classified in the same inequality category. The government attributes this progress to targeted policies aimed at poverty reduction and financial inclusion, resulting in 171 million Indians lifted out of extreme poverty over the past decade. Initiatives such as PM Jan Dhan and Direct Benefit Transfer have been pivotal in enhancing access to essential services, thereby improving the quality of life for many families across the country.
Published: Jul 05 2025, 3 pmeznews.inA Thai Lion Air flight scheduled to travel from Kolkata to Bangkok was cancelled shortly after pushback on Saturday due to a technical issue involving the aircraft's flaps, which are crucial for safe take-off and landing. The Boeing 737-800, carrying 130 passengers and seven crew members, had landed in Kolkata at 1.23 am and was set to depart at 2.35 am. However, after reporting the flap-related problem, the aircraft returned to the parking bay at 2.43 am. Frustrated passengers expressed their dissatisfaction towards airline staff, but an airline official emphasized that passenger safety is the top priority. All affected passengers were provided with hotel accommodations as the flight remains cancelled for the day. The incident highlights the importance of technical safety checks in aviation, ensuring that all necessary precautions are taken before flights depart.
Published: Jul 05 2025, 3 pmeznews.inApple growers in Himachal Pradesh have expressed support for the Indian government's decision to raise the Minimum Import Price (MIP) for imported apples from ₹50 to ₹80 per kg, a move aimed at protecting domestic farmers from cheaper imports, particularly from Iran and Turkey. However, concerns linger regarding the practical enforcement of this policy. Harish Chauhan, Convener of the Himachal Pradesh Sanyukt Kisan Manch, emphasized the importance of effective implementation, citing previous instances where Iranian apples entered India at ₹41 per kg despite the MIP. He warned that without strict monitoring, the new MIP could prove ineffective. The group also highlighted potential challenges posed by upcoming trade policy deadlines that could lead to zero import duties on agricultural inputs, stressing that only a 50% import duty alongside the revised MIP would ensure fair pricing for Indian apples. The farmers are calling for robust enforcement to realize the benefits of the new pricing structure.
Published: Jul 05 2025, 2 pmeznews.inIn a recent address at the IIT Madras Alumni Association's Sangam 2025 event, Union Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted India's evolving economic landscape, emphasizing the role of new technologies in shaping the nation's future. He noted that India's vibrant startup ecosystem, coupled with advancements in scientific research and innovation, is transforming the country from a job seeker to a job creator. Goyal underscored the government's commitment to fostering a future-ready nation through policies that embrace cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and quantum computing. He asserted that these initiatives are crucial for maintaining India's position as the fastest-growing large economy globally, even amid a backdrop of slowing global trade. Goyal's remarks reflect a broader vision of leveraging technology to enhance manufacturing, business, and service sectors, thereby bolstering India's international engagements.
Published: Jul 05 2025, 2 pm
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