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In a tragic incident on June 12, an Air India Boeing 787-8 aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, resulting in the deaths of 260 people, including 242 on board and many on the ground. The sole survivor, British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, was seated near an emergency exit. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched an investigation, with a preliminary report released and a final report expected within a year. Following the crash, Air India has implemented a 'Safety Pause,' reducing international and domestic flights to conduct additional aircraft checks. The DGCA has mandated enhanced safety inspections of the airline's Boeing fleet. In response to the tragedy, Tata Sons, Air India's parent company, announced compensation of ₹1 crore for victims' families and ₹25 lakh for survivors, while also providing psychological support to affected families. 
Published: Jul 12 2025, 10 ameznews.inThe Environment Ministry has unveiled model rules to promote agroforestry, facilitating tree felling on agricultural lands. These rules aim to create a streamlined regulatory framework, simplifying the registration of agroforestry lands and the management of tree harvesting and transit. Agroforestry is touted for its benefits, including improved rural livelihoods, enhanced soil health, and increased biodiversity. State-level committees, established under existing guidelines, will advise governments on boosting timber production from farmlands by easing regulations for commercially valuable species. Following consultations with states and union territories, the Ministry has developed these rules, which require applicants to register plantations on the National Timber Management System (NTMS) portal. This system will allow for online applications for tree harvesting, ensuring traceability through geotagged photos. The Ministry encourages states to adopt these rules to enhance the ease of doing business in agroforestry and incentivize farmers to integrate trees into their farming practices.
Published: Jul 12 2025, 2 pmeznews.inIndia's agricultural sector faces significant challenges, particularly for its 100 million small and marginal farmers (SMFs), who experience low productivity and incomes, leading to unstable livelihoods. To address these issues, policymakers have shifted focus from subsistence to market-oriented agriculture, promoting the formation of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) since the early 2000s. The recent 10,000 FPO policy has seen the number of registered FPOs rise to 33,000, although many struggle with revenue growth and member engagement. While FPOs are crucial for enhancing farmer incomes and transitioning to more profitable agricultural practices, they face hurdles such as inadequate business models, limited access to credit, and a lack of skilled management. Initiatives like PRADAN's Centre of Excellence aim to bolster FPOs by providing essential support, while fostering collaborations with state and corporate partners is vital for their sustainability and the upliftment of rural economies, particularly for women farmers.
Published: Jul 12 2025, 2 pmeznews.inIndia's agricultural sector, contributing around 18% to the nation's GDP, is undergoing a transformative shift due to the rapid expansion of its expressway network, which is enhancing agri-logistics. The construction of expressways, such as the Delhi-Mumbai and Bangalore-Chennai routes, is significantly reducing travel times for perishable goods, thereby addressing the staggering annual post-harvest losses estimated at ₹1.53 lakh crore ($18.5 billion). These modern highways not only lower transportation costs through improved fuel efficiency and reduced vehicle wear but also facilitate better market access for farmers, connecting rural areas to urban centres. Additionally, the development of Multi-Modal Logistics Parks along these routes is expected to further streamline logistics and bolster agricultural exports, which surged to $48.15 billion in FY 2023-24. Overall, the expressway network is reshaping India's agricultural supply chain, enhancing profitability and paving the way for a more resilient food system.
Published: Jul 12 2025, 1 pmeznews.inIndia's auto original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are expected to face significant margin pressures in the first quarter of FY26, driven by rising raw material costs and operational inefficiencies, according to a report by HDFC Securities. Key inputs, particularly steel and platinum group metals, are anticipated to negatively impact gross margins, compounded by lower seasonal volumes that may further strain EBITDA margins. Two-wheeler OEMs are grappling with a challenging domestic product mix, reduced export contributions, and a declining electric vehicle (EV) share. Minor price adjustments are anticipated due to new regulations, including OBD 2 norms for two-wheelers and AC cabin standards for commercial vehicles. Auto ancillary firms are also under pressure from subdued global demand and tariff uncertainties, while tyre manufacturers may benefit from falling raw material prices. Additionally, delays in the return of migrant labourers and a looming shortage of rare-earth magnets pose further operational challenges for the sector.
Published: Jul 12 2025, 1 pmeznews.inThe Finance Ministry has announced an extension for 40 sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) and pension funds (PFs) to invest in India and benefit from tax exemptions, now valid until March 31, 2030. Previously set to expire on March 31, 2025, this extension allows income earned from investments made by that date to remain exempt from Income Tax. Notable beneficiaries include MIC Redwood 1 RSC Limited and AIMCo India Infrastructure Limited. The exemption, outlined in Clause (23FE) of Section 10 of the Income Tax Act, applies to dividends, interest, and long-term capital gains, provided certain conditions are met, such as not engaging in commercial activities beyond the investment. Additionally, the Finance Act 2024 has reclassified capital gains from unlisted debt securities as short-term, impacting tax exemptions for SWFs and PFs. These amendments aim to bolster foreign investment in India's infrastructure sector.
Published: Jul 12 2025, 12 pmeznews.inIndia's agriculture is deeply intertwined with its cultural identity, serving as the backbone of rural life and traditions. Recent initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi and Soil Health Cards have bolstered farmers with financial aid and data insights, yet the relationship with the land remains spiritual rather than merely transactional. To compete with China's agricultural advancements, India must leverage technology while honoring its agrarian roots, promoting sustainable practices like organic farming and water conservation. Grassroots innovations, such as Sikkim's organic shift, highlight the potential for local traditions to drive sustainable growth, though challenges like uneven tech access persist. As India navigates global trade and resists genetically modified crops, it emphasizes the importance of biodiversity and traditional knowledge. Ultimately, India's agricultural future must blend modern intelligence with ancient wisdom, fostering a system that nurtures both the environment and the communities that depend on it.
Published: Jul 12 2025, 12 pmeznews.inBoeing has expressed its commitment to supporting the investigation into the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI171, which occurred during take-off from Ahmedabad, resulting in the deaths of 260 individuals, including 229 passengers and 12 crew members. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released a preliminary report detailing the harrowing events that unfolded within 90 seconds of take-off, where both engines unexpectedly shut down due to the inadvertent movement of fuel cut-off switches. This led to a catastrophic loss of thrust and a rapid descent, with the pilots attempting to restore engine power. Despite briefly regaining thrust in one engine, the aircraft could not stabilize and ultimately crashed into residential buildings outside the airport perimeter. The final report is anticipated in the coming months, marking this incident as one of India's deadliest aviation disasters in recent history.
Published: Jul 12 2025, 9 ameznews.inIn a tragic incident, Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on June 12, 2025, resulting in the loss of 241 lives on board and 19 on the ground. A preliminary report from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) revealed that both engines shut down just three seconds after reaching a peak speed of 180 knots due to both fuel control switches transitioning from 'run' to 'cutoff' mode. The report did not specify the cause of this switch change, but cockpit recordings indicated confusion between the pilots regarding the fuel cutoff. The aircraft's backup system, the Ram Air Turbine, activated automatically following the engine shutdown, and the flight data recorder confirmed an automatic relight sequence was initiated. Boeing has pledged to support the ongoing investigation into this devastating crash.
Published: Jul 12 2025, 9 ameznews.inDomestic air passenger traffic in India rose by 5.1% year-on-year in June 2025, reaching approximately 13.87 million, according to credit ratings agency ICRA. Despite this growth, there was a slight sequential decline of 1.3% compared to May 2025. Airlines increased their capacity by 4.9% from June 2024, although it fell by 2.3% from the previous month. ICRA maintains a 'Stable' outlook for the Indian aviation sector, but warns of potential risks from geopolitical tensions, including rising crude oil prices linked to the Israel-Iran conflict and airspace closures over Iran and Pakistan. Operating costs have surged due to recent operational challenges, yet passenger traffic and pricing have remained stable. For FY2026, domestic air traffic is projected to grow by 7-10%, while international traffic is expected to rise by 15-20%, though both remain subject to geopolitical scrutiny.
Published: Jul 12 2025, 8 am
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