eznews.in
India is considering grounding its entire fleet of Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners following a crash involving Air India flight AI171 shortly after takeoff in Ahmedabad. The aircraft, which was purchased in 2012, was part of a fleet of 26 787-8s operated by Air India. The Ministry of Civil Aviation is in discussions with Boeing India, the US National Transportation Safety Board, and the Federal Aviation Administration regarding the incident. Previous allegations of manufacturing defects in the 787s had been settled in favor of Boeing, but concerns have resurfaced after this crash. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has initiated an investigation, while the Directorate General of Civil Aviation is considering mandatory checks for all operational 787s. Aviation expert Mark Martin expressed shock at the incident, highlighting the aircraft's safety record and the experience of the crew involved. Boeing has stated it is ready to assist Air India in the investigation. 
Published: Jun 12 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIsrael's recent military action against Iran has raised concerns among Indian exporters about potential disruptions to trade routes and rising freight rates, compounding existing global uncertainties and US tariff challenges. As both Israel and Iran are key economic partners for India—Israel supplying defence equipment and Iran facilitating connectivity through the Chabahar port—this conflict presents a diplomatic dilemma for New Delhi. Experts warn that the escalation could impact vital shipping lanes, including the Suez Canal and Red Sea, affecting shipments to the US, Europe, and beyond. Additionally, the closure of airspace in Iran and Pakistan complicates logistics for Indian exporters. Analysts emphasize the need for India to navigate this delicate situation carefully, as any broader regional conflict could significantly disrupt global trade and adversely affect India's economic interests. The situation underscores the complexities of India's foreign relations amid rising geopolitical tensions.
Published: Jun 13 2025, 9 pmeznews.inIndia's job market is showing signs of recovery, with job postings rising by 8.9% after eight months of decline, according to data from Indeed. Despite being 1.8% lower than last year and 16% below peak levels, current postings are nearly 80% above pre-pandemic figures. Notably, 1.5% of job postings now explicitly mention generative AI, a significant increase from the previous year, with 12.5% of data analytics roles highlighting this technology. The largest job gains were observed in sectors such as childcare, personal care, education, and manufacturing, while software development saw a decline of 4.2%. Callam Pickering, Indeed’s APAC Senior Economist, noted that India's transition to a more formal economy is driving job creation, outpacing other countries like the UK and New Zealand. In Karnataka and Telangana, generative AI mentions in job postings are particularly high, reflecting the growing demand for tech-related skills.
Published: Jun 13 2025, 9 pmeznews.inAs tensions escalate between Israel and Iran, Indian airlines are exploring new technical stops in the Gulf region, particularly in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, to facilitate refuelling for flights to Europe. This decision follows Iran's closure of its airspace in response to Israeli strikes, further complicated by Pakistan's airspace restrictions. Air India has already implemented technical stops in Vienna and Copenhagen for its long-haul flights, while some flights from western India can still operate directly to Europe. However, flights from northern India will require refuelling at domestic airports or stops in the Middle East. On Friday, several flights were diverted due to the airspace closures, with Air India rerouting services to cities like Vienna and Sharjah. The airline is accommodating affected passengers and offering refunds or rescheduling options, while IndiGo has also announced delays and rerouting for its flights to Istanbul. The situation remains fluid as Iraq has also closed its airspace.
Published: Jun 13 2025, 9 pmeznews.inIn a strategic move to enhance its mineral exploration capabilities, India has amended the Minerals (Evidence of Mineral Contents) Rules, 2015, introducing new guidelines for the exploration and extraction of rare earth elements (REEs) such as neodymium, dysprosium, and praseodymium, which are vital for electric vehicle batteries, wind turbines, and high-tech electronics. Effective immediately, the amendments refine exploration classifications and introduce precise specifications for borehole spacing, particularly at the detailed exploration stage, aiming to improve the accuracy of mineral content estimations. This initiative aligns with India's goal to reduce dependency on imports, especially from China, which currently dominates over 60% of global REE production. The policy is expected to attract investment in India's mining sector, particularly in states like Odisha and Rajasthan, while also positioning the country as a potential player in the global REE market amidst rising international demand and geopolitical shifts.
Published: Jun 13 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIn a significant diplomatic meeting in New Delhi, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong agreed to expedite the resumption of direct air services between India and China, which have been suspended since the 2020 Galwan Valley clash. The discussions, which focused on stabilizing bilateral relations, also included commitments to facilitate visa processes and enhance exchanges between media and think-tanks. Both nations recognized the importance of strengthening economic ties and agreed to hold dialogues to address specific trade concerns, particularly regarding China's export controls on rare earth magnets impacting India's automobile supply chains. The meeting, part of a two-day official visit by the Chinese minister, also highlighted planned activities to commemorate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Published: Jun 13 2025, 8 pmeznews.inRajesh Varrier, EVP and Global Head of Operations at Cognizant, has asserted that India is on track to become the world's AI hub, capable of contributing significantly across the AI spectrum, from research and development to enterprise solutions. Speaking during a _businessline_ webinar, Varrier acknowledged the dual nature of AI's impact on industries, noting that while it enhances productivity—particularly among entry-level workers—it also raises concerns about job displacement. He emphasized that recent layoffs cannot be solely attributed to AI, as workforce changes often stem from strategic shifts within organizations. Varrier highlighted the importance of upskilling and cross-skilling to meet evolving technological demands, particularly in smaller cities rich in talent. He anticipates substantial growth in India's IT sector, currently valued at $250 billion, driven by AI adoption, which will create high-paying job opportunities and necessitate a skilled workforce adept in AI technologies.
Published: Jun 13 2025, 8 pmeznews.inSoyabean stocks in India have plummeted by over 50% this year, with current estimates at 22.84 lakh tonnes compared to 45.71 lakh tonnes last year, coinciding with the onset of the kharif planting season. Including government-held stocks of approximately 16 lakh tonnes, total soyabean availability stands at 38.84 lakh tonnes, down from the previous year. The Soyabean Processors Association of India (SOPA) reports a 9% decrease in soyabean crushing, totaling 79 lakh tonnes by the end of May, while market arrivals also fell to 83.50 lakh tonnes. The kharif crop for 2024 is projected at 125.82 lakh tonnes, slightly up from 118.74 lakh tonnes last year, but imports have drastically declined to 0.25 lakh tonnes. Soyameal production has also decreased, with exports down to 14.63 lakh tonnes, primarily due to higher prices, with Germany being the largest importer.
Published: Jun 13 2025, 8 pmeznews.inThe Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has initiated a plan to incentivize domestic manufacturers of critical power sector components, such as magnets and voltage transformers, to reduce dependence on Chinese imports. A draft list of these critical items has been compiled in consultation with stakeholders, including the Indian Electrical & Electronics Manufacturers’ Association (IEEMA), and input is sought from public sector units (PSUs) and other industries by June 20 to prioritize these items. The CEA aims to quantify the financial implications of support measures, including interest subventions and subsidies, to facilitate indigenous development. This move follows China's recent restrictions on rare earth magnet supplies, prompting a shift towards self-sufficiency. Experts, like Subharth Saha from Nangia & Co, advocate for a parallel focus on critical materials essential for manufacturing, suggesting the creation of a separate list for strategic power sector materials to guide policy and industry collaboration.
Published: Jun 13 2025, 8 pmeznews.inFarmers in Telangana are raising concerns over the Union government's push to expand oil palm cultivation, citing issues such as fluctuating prices for fresh fruit bunches (FFBs), poor-quality saplings, and inadequate refinery facilities. Members of the Telangana Oil Fed Aswaraopet Oil Palm Growers Society reported that many saplings were substandard, leading to low or no yields after four years of cultivation. Bonthu Rambabu, a leader of the Telangana Rythu Sangham, highlighted that 10-50% of the plants may be ineffective, urging better grading practices to prevent losses. Additionally, the recent 10% reduction in import duties on crude edible oils has caused FFB prices to plummet to ₹18,700 per tonne, with further declines expected. In response, Telangana Agriculture Minister Thummala Nageswara Rao has appealed to the Union government to establish a minimum support price of ₹25,000 per tonne and improve the quality of seed suppliers to meet expansion targets.
Published: Jun 13 2025, 7 pmeznews.inThe wreckage of a London-bound Air India flight was found on the rooftop of a doctors' hostel in Ahmedabad following a crash that claimed the lives of all but one passenger, Ramesh Viswashkumar, who escaped from seat 11A, located near an emergency exit. This incident has sparked debate over the safety of specific seat locations, with aviation experts emphasizing that survival is influenced by various factors beyond seat placement. While sitting near an exit can enhance escape chances, it is not a guarantee, as aircraft configurations differ significantly. Experts recommend that passengers pay close attention to safety briefings, as compliance with evacuation procedures can be crucial in emergencies. Despite the tragedy, advancements in aircraft design have improved safety features, increasing the likelihood of survival in rare accidents, according to Mitchell Fox from the Flight Safety Foundation.
Published: Jun 13 2025, 7 pm
For the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
India
World
Economy
Science
Health
Showbiz
Contact