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At the Global Inclusive Finance Summit, Chief Economic Adviser V Anantha Nageswaran underscored the transformative impact of India's digital public infrastructure, particularly through initiatives like Jan Dhan, UPI, and Mudra, which have significantly enhanced access to banking and credit. Nageswaran described these platforms as crucial for empowering millions to pursue entrepreneurship. M Nagaraju, Secretary of the Department of Financial Services, hailed the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) as a pivotal moment in India's history, having opened over 530 million bank accounts, with women holding 56% of them, thus bridging the gender gap in financial inclusion. The UPI has positioned India as a leader in digital transactions, while the Mudra scheme has facilitated over 563 million loans, predominantly to women. Despite these successes, Nagaraju called for improvements in KYC processes, financial literacy, and cybersecurity, advocating for a comprehensive approach to ensure financial inclusion translates into security and empowerment. 
Published: Jan 14 2026, 8 ameznews.inThe price of lithium, a key raw material for electric vehicle (EV) batteries, has surged by 35% this year, driven by China's decision to end export rebates for battery producers, prompting manufacturers to place orders in advance. Currently, lithium carbonate futures have surpassed 150,000 yuan ($21,510) per tonne, with analysts predicting a multi-year tightening in the lithium market. Scotiabank forecasts lithium prices could reach $20,000 per tonne by 2028, while Australia’s Office of the Chief Economist anticipates prices for spodumene concentrate and lithium hydroxide will stabilize. China's commitment to doubling EV charging capacity to 180 gigawatts by 2026 further supports demand, alongside strong growth in battery energy storage systems. Despite potential excess supply in the broader market, the lithium sector is expected to remain supply-constrained in the medium term, with China continuing to dominate the market amid rising global EV adoption.
Published: Jan 14 2026, 9 ameznews.inDense fog caused by Bhogi bonfires disrupted flight operations at Chennai Airport early Wednesday, leading to the cancellation of four incoming and four outgoing flights, including routes to Delhi, Pune, Mumbai, and Coimbatore. Additionally, five international flights to Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, and Kuwait were rescheduled due to poor visibility. The bonfire tradition, part of the Sankranti festival, involves burning old items, but the burning of tyres produced thick black smoke, further impairing visibility and deteriorating air quality in the region. The Airport Authority of India urged residents near the airport to avoid burning waste, yet the practice persisted, resulting in significant operational delays for several hours. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges posed by traditional practices on urban air travel and environmental conditions.
Published: Jan 14 2026, 9 ameznews.inIndia's Statistics Ministry is proposing a significant overhaul of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) by shifting from a fixed-base method to a chain-based approach, which would allow for annual updates of sector and industry weights. This change aims to better reflect the evolving economic landscape, as the current system, based on 2011-12 weights, has become less representative of actual industrial activity. The IIP, which monitors output in mining, manufacturing, and electricity, will revise its base year to 2022-23 in May. The proposed chain-linked index, already adopted by countries like the US and UK, would align India's IIP with international best practices. However, the proposal highlights potential risks, including non-additivity of sub-indices and volatility during economic fluctuations. The government is seeking feedback from stakeholders by January 25, as part of a broader initiative to enhance the accuracy of key economic data.
Published: Jan 14 2026, 9 ameznews.inGlobal surface air temperatures in 2025 reached an average of 1.47°C above pre-industrial levels, marking it as the third hottest year on record, according to data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service. This increase extends a worrying trend of global warming, with the three-year average surpassing the critical 1.5°C threshold, a limit set by the Paris Agreement that could be breached by the end of the decade. The report attributes this rise to greenhouse gas accumulation and elevated sea-surface temperatures, influenced by El Niño and other climate change factors. While tropical temperatures were lower than in previous years, polar regions recorded their highest temperatures ever, contributing to the overall warming. With half of the global land area experiencing increased heat stress, experts warn that urgent action is needed to manage the impending consequences of climate change.
Published: Jan 14 2026, 8 ameznews.inIn a bid to intensify pressure on Tehran amid its crackdown on anti-government protests, US President Donald Trump has announced a 25% tariff on countries conducting business with Iran. However, Indian government sources indicate that the impact on India is expected to be minimal, as trade with Iran is already low, amounting to just $1.6 billion last year, or 0.15% of India's total trade. New Delhi is seeking clarification on whether the tariffs will affect humanitarian trade, which currently includes food and pharmaceuticals. Indian exporters, primarily of basmati rice and tea, are hopeful for exemptions but remain cautious due to the lack of formal notification regarding the tariffs. The re-imposition of US tariffs poses additional challenges for the Indian basmati sector, which has already been navigating trade through the UAE to mitigate risks associated with sanctions.
Published: Jan 13 2026, 10 pmeznews.inAir India Express (AIX), under the Tata Group, is set to expand its domestic and international routes significantly in 2026, bolstered by a growing fleet. The airline plans to introduce services to Vietnam and enhance its Middle Eastern operations, with increased frequencies to 13 destinations in the region. Following the addition of 12 new destinations in 2025, AIX now operates over 500 daily flights to more than 60 locations, including the recently launched Navi Mumbai. The airline is focusing on travel trends like spiritual tourism, exemplified by its new route between Varanasi and Bangkok. AIX's fleet surpassed 100 aircraft in 2025, including retrofitted Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A321neo models. Managing Director Aloke Singh highlighted 2025 as a transformative year, emphasizing improvements in performance metrics and a balanced network catering to younger, experience-seeking travelers. The airline's strategy prioritizes depth of operations over mere expansion.
Published: Jan 13 2026, 9 pmeznews.inEmbraer, the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer, is exploring the establishment of a final assembly line for its E1 and E2 jets in India, with Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh emerging as key contenders. Currently, 50 Embraer aircraft of 11 types are operational in India, primarily serving airlines, charter companies, and defence forces. Discussions are ongoing with the Adani Group regarding the project, with potential sites including Dholera in Gujarat and Bhogapuram in Andhra Pradesh. Gujarat is positioning itself as an aerospace hub, bolstered by the upcoming Airbus C295 assembly line and a planned international airport in Dholera, expected to be operational by mid-2026. Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh is actively promoting Bhogapuram as an aerospace and MRO hub, emphasizing land availability and skilled workforce. However, industry experts caution that a skilled workforce and substantial commercial orders are essential for the feasibility of any new manufacturing site.
Published: Jan 13 2026, 6 pmeznews.inThe World Bank has projected India's growth rate for the fiscal year 2025-26 at 7.2%, slightly below the government's estimate of 7.4%. For the following fiscal year, growth is expected to slow to 6.5%, primarily due to the impact of 50% import tariffs imposed by the United States. Despite these tariffs, the Bank noted that stronger domestic demand would help offset negative effects, with growth anticipated to rise to 6.6% in FY2027-28, driven by robust services and a recovery in exports. Globally, growth is expected to remain steady, easing to 2.6% in 2026 before rising to 2.7% in 2027, aided by easing financial conditions and fiscal expansion. However, the report warns that without significant reforms in investment and trade, economic dynamism may falter, risking stagnation and widening income gaps between developing and advanced economies.
Published: Jan 13 2026, 8 pmeznews.inTobacco Board Chairman Yashwanth Kumar Chidipothu has raised concerns over the challenges facing Indian tobacco farmers amid fierce competition from countries like Zimbabwe and Tanzania, coupled with an influx of cheap, smuggled cigarettes. Farmers are urging the Union Government to reduce high taxes, including the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and excise duties, which have inflated cigarette prices by up to 75%. Chidipothu, who empathizes with the farmers, plans to present their demands to Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, highlighting that steep tax increases could drive consumers to illicit alternatives, undermining public health and national revenue. He noted that the reintroduction of excise duties has caused significant hardship, with legal cigarette packs costing around ₹340 compared to smuggled ones at ₹50. Additionally, he warned that high domestic prices could diminish India's export competitiveness in the global market.
Published: Jan 13 2026, 7 pm
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