eznews.inAir Chief Marshal AP Singh inaugurated the 64th Annual Conference of the Indian Society of Aerospace Medicine (ISAM) at the Institute of Aerospace Medicine in Bengaluru on November 20. The two-day event attracted military and civil dignitaries from India and abroad, focusing on the theme "Innovations in Aerospace Medicine: Infinite Possibilities." Attendees included Armed Forces personnel, IAF aircrew, and scientists from DRDO, HAL, and ISRO. Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja, Director General Medical Services (Air), emphasized the critical role of aerospace medicine in enhancing aircrew performance and supporting astronauts. The conference featured the prestigious Air Marshal Subroto Mukherjee Memorial Oration, delivered by historian Anchit Gupta, and included sessions on aircrew training, operational aerospace medicine, and advances in hypoxia training and fatigue detection. Insights from the Axiom-4 mission and research on microgravity were also highlighted, showcasing the evolving landscape of aerospace medicine. 
Published: Nov 21 2025, 4 pmeznews.inLabour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has heralded the nationwide implementation of four new labour codes as a "historic step" aimed at enhancing worker rights and protections in India. The reforms, which replace 29 outdated laws, promise timely minimum wages, appointment letters for new employees, equal pay for women, gratuity for fixed-term workers, free health check-ups for those over 40, and double overtime pay. Mandaviya emphasized that these changes would provide "100% health security" for workers in hazardous sectors and strengthen social security for 400 million workers. However, the rollout faces significant opposition from trade unions, which argue that the new framework undermines worker protections and collective bargaining power, particularly through contentious provisions in the Industrial Relations Code. Critics warn that the reforms could lead to increased job insecurity and diminish the influence of smaller unions, raising concerns about the overall impact on India's workforce.
Published: Nov 21 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIndia is set to resume air cargo services with Afghanistan, as confirmed by an External Affairs Ministry official during the visit of Taliban Trade Minister Al-Haj Nooruddin Azizi to New Delhi. Anand Prakash, Joint Secretary in the Ministry, announced that the air freight corridor for Kabul-Delhi and Kabul-Amritsar routes has been activated, with flights expected to commence soon. Azizi's five-day visit aims to strengthen trade ties, particularly in agricultural exports, amid rising tensions with Pakistan. Discussions will focus on increasing trade volumes, enhancing market access for Afghan products, and boosting Indian exports of pharmaceuticals and textiles. The agenda also includes improving transportation routes and restoring payment systems disrupted after Afghan banks were cut off from SWIFT. This visit follows a recent trip by Afghanistan's Foreign Minister, highlighting a shift in diplomatic engagement as Pakistan's border closure has severely impacted Afghan trade, prompting calls for market diversification.
Published: Nov 21 2025, 4 pmeznews.inTeck Wah Koh, President of the Asia and Pacific Seed Association (APSA), highlighted significant investment prospects in India's seed industry during the Asian Seed Congress 2025 in Mumbai, attended by representatives from over 50 countries. He emphasized that forthcoming enhancements to India's intellectual property rights framework would bolster investment, positioning the nation as a global seed industry hub and enhancing food security. The Congress facilitated extensive exchanges of seeds and technologies, attracting over 1,200 delegates and resulting in more than 3,500 business meetings. M. Prabhakar Rao, President of the National Seed Association of India, noted the event's positive impact on India's seed export ambitions, while APSA Vice President Takahiro Ando praised the successful collaboration among seed entrepreneurs. The Congress, which focused on the future of the seed sector and its implications for agriculture, is set to conclude with field visits for delegates.
Published: Nov 21 2025, 3 pmeznews.inBeauty and fashion platforms are increasingly focusing on rapid delivery services to meet the growing demand for convenience among urban consumers. Myntra's M-Now, launched a year ago, has attracted over 35 million unique visitors and currently operates 80 dark stores across major cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi NCR, contributing to 10% of orders in these areas. CEO Nandita Sinha highlighted M-Now's role in enhancing shopping experiences for digital-first consumers seeking premium fashion. Meanwhile, Nykaa's rapid delivery service, Nykaa Now, is expanding its market share in personal care with 53 rapid stores across seven cities, processing orders within 30 to 75 minutes. Anchit Nayar, CEO of FSN E-Commerce Ventures, noted that Nykaa Now has fulfilled 2 million orders recently, offering a wide range of products from FMCG to luxury brands. Both platforms are leveraging technology to cater to evolving consumer needs in the fast-paced e-commerce landscape.
Published: Nov 21 2025, 3 pmeznews.inIn a significant reform for the maritime sector, the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) has announced the discontinuation of a longstanding requirement for Indian seafarers to sign-on and sign-off shore leave passes (SLP) when operating in Indian waters. This landmark decision, hailed by DGS officials, aims to eliminate unnecessary delays and duplication of checks, saving thousands of waiting hours for seafarers. Under the new regulation, crew members will no longer need to undergo immigration checks at ports, aligning their treatment with that of ordinary Indian citizens boarding domestic cruise ships. The DGS emphasized that existing oversight by Indian authorities, such as the Coast Guard, renders additional immigration checks redundant, thereby enhancing operational efficiency for coastal vessels. Industry experts have welcomed the change, noting it addresses long-standing demands and improves emergency response capabilities for seafarers.
Published: Nov 21 2025, 3 pmeznews.inIn Tiruppur, known as the "knitwear capital of India," over 22,000 companies employ around 1 million workers in the knitwear sector. However, the industry is facing challenges due to US tariffs impacting textile units. In response, a meeting was held on Thursday between trade union representatives and manufacturers to initiate a new wage agreement, as the previous settlement, signed in September 2021, is set to expire in 2025. Negotiations are expected to take 5-6 months, focusing on the tariff effects and ongoing India-US trade discussions. KM Subramanian, Chairman of the Joint Committee, indicated that unions will present their wage-hike demands in the next round of talks scheduled for early December. Meanwhile, MP Muthurathinam, President of the Tiruppur Exporters and Manufacturers Association, urged unions to consider the challenges posed by increased imports from Bangladesh and other market pressures.
Published: Nov 21 2025, 3 pmeznews.inIn a significant discovery, scientists from the ICAR–Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) have identified a new species of deep-sea squid, named *Taningia silasii* or the Indian octopus squid, from the Arabian Sea. Collected from a depth of 390 metres off the Kollam coast, this squid measures 45 cm in dorsal mantle length and is only the second confirmed species in the rare genus *Taningia*, previously represented solely by *T. danae* found in Atlantic waters. The research team, led by Principal Scientist Geetha Sasikumar and Technical Officer Sajikumar K K, has been studying cephalopods in the region for over a decade. Notably, the species is named in honour of E.G. Silas, a pioneering marine biologist in India. The findings were published in the journal *Marine Biodiversity* on November 21, 2025.
Published: Nov 21 2025, 3 pmeznews.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 pm
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