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India has made a notable advancement in the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network's latest Sustainable Development Report, achieving the 99th position out of 193 countries and marking its inaugural entry into the top 100. The report, released on Tuesday, indicates that India scored 67 on the 2025 SDG Index, surpassing its neighbours Bhutan (74th), Nepal (85th), and Bangladesh (114th), while Pakistan ranked 140th. Despite this progress, the report highlights a global stagnation in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with only 17% of targets on track for completion by 2030. The authors, led by economist Jeffrey Sachs, noted that conflicts and fiscal constraints hinder progress worldwide. European nations dominate the top rankings, with Finland leading, while the US ranks last for the second consecutive year. The report underscores the urgent need for reform in the global financial architecture to better support emerging economies. 
Published: Jun 24 2025, 8 ameznews.inIndia's Defense Minister Rajnath Singh is set to visit China for the first time in five years, amid ongoing efforts to repair relations following the 2020 border clashes that resulted in significant casualties on both sides. Singh will participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) defense ministers' meeting in Qingdao, focusing on regional security and counter-terrorism, as confirmed by India's Defence Ministry. Accompanying him is National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, who is also attending the SCO meetings, which include nine permanent members, such as India and Pakistan. This visit is seen as a precursor to a potential trip by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the SCO leaders' summit later this year, following a "warm" invitation from China. The backdrop of Singh's visit is a gradual thaw in relations since a meeting between Xi Jinping and Modi last October, with both nations now seeking to stabilize ties after years of military tensions along their extensive border.
Published: Jun 24 2025, 3 pmeznews.inGlobal electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers can now apply for a new Indian government scheme aimed at boosting local production of electric passenger cars, which offers significantly reduced import taxes for those committing to invest in domestic manufacturing. Union Heavy Industries Minister H D Kumaraswamy launched the application portal, open until October 21, emphasizing that Tesla is primarily interested in selling cars in India rather than establishing manufacturing facilities. The scheme requires automakers to invest ₹4,150 crore and achieve at least 25% domestic value addition within three years, increasing to 50% in five years. Eligible companies can import up to 8,000 EVs at a reduced duty of 15%, compared to the current 70-100%. The initiative, part of a broader push for EV manufacturing, includes a cap on duty foregone and mandates a bank guarantee to ensure compliance with investment commitments.
Published: Jun 24 2025, 3 pmeznews.inIn a recent update regarding the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu confirmed that the black box from the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which crashed shortly after takeoff on June 12, is currently being examined by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) in India. The crash resulted in the deaths of 270 individuals, including 241 passengers on board. Minister Naidu dismissed rumors suggesting that the black box would be sent abroad for further investigation, stating, "It is all speculation. The black box is very much in India." He emphasized the technical nature of retrieving data from the black box and urged patience as the AAIB conducts its inquiry. Naidu made these remarks during the Helicopters and Small Aircraft Summit 2025 in Pune, organized by FICCI and the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
Published: Jun 24 2025, 3 pmeznews.inWith just two weeks remaining before the expiration of a 90-day pause on US reciprocal tariffs, India and the United States are still negotiating the details of a proposed interim trade deal. Sources indicate that both sides aim to finalize the agreement by the July 9 deadline, but significant disagreements remain over its contents. The US seeks greater market access for various goods, including sensitive agricultural products, while India demands a rollback of the 26% tariffs imposed by President Trump, as well as reductions on steel, aluminum, and automotive tariffs. The interim deal is intended to be part of a larger bilateral trade agreement, which is expected to be finalized by Fall 2025. As negotiations continue, industry sources express hope for clarity on the deal's scope, warning that failure to reach an agreement could lead to substantial impacts on Indian exports.
Published: Jun 24 2025, 2 pmeznews.inHeritage River Journeys Pvt. Ltd., operating as Antara River Cruises, has signed a significant construction contract with Hooghly Cochin Shipyard Ltd. for two luxury river cruise vessels intended for the Brahmaputra River. This partnership marks a pivotal moment in Indian maritime history, as these vessels will be the first luxury river cruise ships classified under the Inland Vessels (IV) Rules, 2022. Antara, known for its immersive cruises along South Asia's iconic rivers, including the Ganga and Brahmaputra, aims to enhance India's position in the global river cruise market, tapping into a largely unexplored sector. The agreement, signed by Antara's Founder Raj Singh and Hooghly CSL's CEO Sanil Peter, aligns with the Indian government's 'Make in India' initiative, showcasing the country's growing capabilities in designing and constructing internationally competitive cruise vessels. The new vessels are expected to set new standards for luxury, safety, and sustainability in inland navigation.
Published: Jun 24 2025, 1 pmeznews.inFinance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman expressed optimism on Tuesday regarding the imminent conclusion of trade agreements with the United States and the European Union. Speaking at a Trade Conclave organized by Exim Bank, she highlighted ongoing negotiations with various partners, including the UAE, Australia, the EFTA area, and the UK, emphasizing the government's commitment to securing more free trade agreements. Sitharaman also noted the dynamic nature of Indian exports, which reached a record high of $825 billion, reflecting a 6% growth from the previous year and a significant increase of $466 billion since 2013-14. In contrast, global exports grew by only 4%, showcasing India's exporters' ability to outperform the international market with a growth rate of 6.3%.
Published: Jun 24 2025, 1 pmeznews.inDanish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk is set to launch Wegovy, an injectable weight loss treatment, in India on Tuesday. Known colloquially as the "skinny jab," Wegovy contains semaglutide, the same active ingredient found in the diabetes medication Ozempic, which has gained popularity among celebrities for its weight loss effects. The product will be available in a 4-dose pen, priced between ₹17,345 for the lower strength (0.25 mg) and ₹26,050 for the higher strength (2.4 mg). As Novo Nordisk faces a patent infringement lawsuit from local firms Dr Reddy’s Laboratories and OnceSource, the patent on semaglutide is set to expire in some markets by early 2026, paving the way for generics. This launch follows Eli Lilly's introduction of Mounjaro in India, a weekly injectable that also aids in weight loss by regulating appetite.
Published: Jun 24 2025, 12 pmeznews.inIn a recent meeting in Idukki, Kerala's Industries Minister P. Rajeeve announced plans to establish a special committee to address plantation-related issues, emphasizing an inclusive approach with representatives from law, revenue, and forest departments. The committee will coordinate under the Plantation Directorate and will specifically address the Forest Department's claims regarding the cardamom hills. Rajeeve assured support for farmer groups adopting improved agricultural practices and acknowledged concerns raised by Stany Pothen, Chairman of the Cardamom Planters Federation, regarding departmental positions that hinder farmers. The meeting also covered various issues faced by coffee, tea, and natural rubber farmers, including wage payments, construction permissions, and compensation for crop damage. Rajeeve highlighted the need for rule amendments to facilitate the establishment of processing units and pledged to escalate concerns about GST and wildlife attacks to the Chief Minister for further action.
Published: Jun 24 2025, 11 ameznews.inThe Indian stock market saw significant gains on June 24, 2025, with the SENSEX rising by 942.42 points to close at 82,839.21, while the NIFTY increased by 289.75 points, reaching 25,261.65. In contrast, crude oil prices fell by 351.00 to settle at 5,695.00, and gold and silver also experienced declines, with gold dropping by 1,725.00 to 97,663.00 and silver down by 959.00 to 105,800.00. Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has cancelled its planned annual audit of Air India, which was scheduled for Tuesday, amid heightened scrutiny following a tragic plane crash that claimed 271 lives. The airline has also suspended operations to the Middle East, Europe, and the East Coast of North America due to escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, prompting the DGCA's decision to postpone the audit.
Published: Jun 24 2025, 11 ameznews.inSatyam Vyas, founder and CEO of Singapore-based consultancy Climate Asia, has announced ambitious plans to support one million beneficiaries in climate adaptation over the next five years, with a strong focus on agriculture. Through its Green Accelerator Program (GAP), the firm aims to empower civil society organizations (CSOs) working with smallholder farmers to promote climate-resilient practices and water conservation. Vyas emphasized the importance of grassroots solutions, particularly in India, where the organization is enhancing the capacity of CSOs to address climate vulnerabilities and promote gender equity. The newly launched Gender Accelerator Program provides expert coaching and fosters a community of practice among CSOs across nine states. Climate Asia's initiatives have already shown promising results, with 55% of participating CSOs aligning their strategies with climate resilience goals and nearly 70% integrating climate metrics into their operations, highlighting the potential for scalable, community-driven solutions to the climate crisis.
Published: Jun 24 2025, 10 am
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