eznews.inAs India gears up for the rabi season, China's recent suspension of specialty fertiliser exports poses significant challenges and opportunities for domestic producers. This halt, which affects 80% of the supply for high-value crops, particularly impacts agricultural regions in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. India imported approximately 130,000-140,000 tonnes of specialty fertilisers from China in the latter half of 2024, including controlled-release and water-soluble varieties. While domestic companies like IFFCO and Coromandel are poised to fill the supply gap, concerns over rising prices persist. The Indian specialty fertiliser market is projected to reach $5-6 billion by 2030, driven by sustainable farming practices and government support. However, challenges remain, including the higher costs of local products compared to Chinese imports and the need for advanced technology in certain fertiliser types. The situation underscores India's push towards self-reliance in agricultural inputs. 
Published: Jul 13 2025, 10 ameznews.inThe Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) is set to explore drone technology for delivering essential medical supplies, including blood bags and medicines, to remote and challenging terrains, according to Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin. Speaking at a commissioning ceremony for medical cadets in Pune, she highlighted the integration of modern technologies such as telemedicine and artificial intelligence to enhance healthcare delivery. The AFMS is also responsible for the health of the four astronauts on the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station, with a Group Captain deployed in Houston for their care. Additionally, the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) is advancing medical education and research, boasting a state-of-the-art Genome Sequencing Laboratory aimed at diagnosing genetic disorders and supporting various medical fields. The college emphasizes innovative training methods, including medical simulations, to prepare future healthcare professionals effectively.
Published: Jul 13 2025, 8 ameznews.inAs India faces a rise in lifestyle diseases, the lack of a standardized front-of-pack (FoP) nutritional grading system highlights a significant gap in its food policy. With the increasing consumption of packaged foods, current nutritional labels are often dense and confusing. Experts advocate for a simple, transparent FoP system, akin to those in France and Australia, which have shown to improve consumer choices and public health outcomes. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) proposed the "Indian Nutrition Rating" (INR) in 2022, but key food categories like dairy remain exempt. Given dairy's widespread consumption and nutritional benefits, it is positioned as an ideal candidate for pioneering this grading system. Implementing such a framework could empower consumers, drive reformulation among producers, and ultimately enhance public health. A coordinated effort involving policy alignment, pilot programs, and consumer education is essential for this initiative to succeed.
Published: Jul 13 2025, 9 ameznews.inIndia is emerging as a significant player in the global semiconductor industry, bolstered by a robust talent pool and a burgeoning start-up ecosystem, positioning it among the top three design hubs worldwide. A report by McKinsey estimates that government initiatives could reduce the country's reliance on imported chips by $10 billion to $20 billion. To achieve this, India must leverage targeted incentives and forge strategic partnerships with global tech giants. The Indian semiconductor market is projected to grow from $34.3 billion in 2023 to over $100 billion by 2032, with the country currently accounting for 20% of the global semiconductor design workforce. Recent announcements of large-scale projects, ranging from $3 billion to $11 billion, signal a shift towards outsourced assembly and testing. However, challenges such as high capital costs and limited access to advanced manufacturing technologies may slow the transition to large-scale fabrication, particularly for sub-10-nanometer technologies.
Published: Jul 13 2025, 9 ameznews.inA goods train carrying diesel caught fire near Tiruvallur on Sunday morning, prompting immediate action from railway authorities. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported. Fire tenders were dispatched to the scene, and as a precaution, the overhead power supply for train services was suspended. Southern Railway announced the temporary suspension of local train services, alongside the cancellation of eight express trains, the diversion of five others, and the short-termination of eight additional trains. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, according to a railway official. The incident highlights ongoing safety concerns in railway operations, as authorities work to manage the situation and minimize disruption to services.
Published: Jul 13 2025, 9 ameznews.inIndia has developed a robust wind manufacturing infrastructure over the past three decades, boasting over 30 GW of blade capacity, 29 GW in gearboxes, 17 GW in generators, and more than 20 GW in towers. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is set to release new Revised List of Models and Manufacturers (RLMM) norms, which will mandate domestic sourcing of key components for wind turbines. Aditya Pyasi, CEO of the Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers Association, emphasized that achieving 65% localization, with potential to reach 85%, is crucial for unlocking India's manufacturing potential. However, concerns arise over possible exemptions for ongoing projects, which could shift ₹2 lakh crore in economic activity overseas and jeopardize local jobs. With current capacity utilization at only 25%, the industry warns that diluted sourcing norms could lead to significant losses in local manufacturing value, undermining India's goal of reaching 100 GW of wind energy by 2030.
Published: Jul 13 2025, 8 ameznews.inAviation experts and pilots have expressed significant skepticism regarding the preliminary findings of the Air India Flight 171 crash investigation, particularly concerning the alleged role of the pilots. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) report indicated that both engines of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner shut down shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad, but did not determine the cause. Experts suggest that mechanical failures may be to blame, rather than pilot error, with veteran aviator Captain Shakti Lumba arguing that the AAIB may have misinterpreted flight data. The Airline Pilots’ Association of India has criticized the investigation's transparency and the exclusion of qualified flight crew from the inquiry, raising concerns about a potential malfunction in the fuel control system. The investigation is ongoing, with a final report expected within 12 months, as industry stakeholders call for a more thorough examination of the data.
Published: Jul 12 2025, 10 pmeznews.inA preliminary investigation into the crash of Air India flight 171 shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad has revealed that both fuel control switches were cut off, indicating a potential pilot error. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) report, released on Saturday, did not assign blame or clarify how the switches were moved, nor did it identify the pilots involved. The Airlines Pilots’ Association of India criticized the report for its perceived bias and lack of transparency. The flight, which was bound for London, tragically crashed into a medical college hostel on June 12, resulting in the deaths of 241 people onboard and 19 on the ground, marking the deadliest aviation accident in a decade. Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a 56-year-old veteran with 30 years of experience, and 32-year-old Co-pilot Clive Kunder were at the controls during the incident.
Published: Jul 12 2025, 9 pmeznews.inAn Air India Boeing 787-8 aircraft that crashed shortly after take-off in Ahmedabad last month may have experienced mechanical or power supply issues affecting the fuel switches, according to experts. The preliminary report from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) revealed that the fuel switches for both engines were turned off within one second of each other before the crash on June 12. Captain C S Randhawa, President of the Federation of Indian Pilots, noted that the switches require human interaction to change positions, raising questions about whether the switch changes were intentional or accidental. The cockpit voice recording indicated confusion between the pilots, with one asking why the switch was cut off, to which the other denied doing so. Investigations will continue to determine the cause of the switch changes, including potential mechanical failures or software glitches.
Published: Jul 12 2025, 7 pmeznews.inAir India announced plans to engage its pilots in dedicated sessions to review the preliminary investigation report of the tragic June 12 crash of flight AI171, which resulted in the deaths of 261 people. The 15-page report from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AIIB) revealed that both engines lost fuel supply simultaneously shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, leading to the aircraft crashing into a medical college hostel. Air India’s Senior Vice-President for flight operations, Manish Uppal, emphasized the importance of learning from this incident to enhance safety. The report noted confusion in the cockpit, with a recorded exchange between pilots questioning the fuel cutoff. Aviation experts expressed concerns over the report's findings, particularly regarding the mechanical safeguards on fuel switches and the absence of cockpit camera footage. The Airlines Pilots’ Association of India criticized the investigation for perceived bias and a lack of transparency.
Published: Jul 12 2025, 7 pm
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