eznews.inIndian basmati rice exporters, who dominate over 70% of the global market, are facing significant challenges as high input costs and currency disadvantages squeeze profit margins. Despite selling the same or larger quantities, rising inflation has increased expenses for fertilizers, diesel, and labor in key producing states like Haryana and Punjab. Additionally, high logistics costs, exacerbated by pandemic-related disruptions, have further eroded profitability. Competing with countries like Pakistan, which benefit from currency depreciation, Indian exporters struggle to maintain competitive pricing. The recent ban on non-basmati rice exports has created uncertainty in international markets, complicating negotiations and order fulfillment. Furthermore, shifting consumer preferences towards cheaper rice varieties and stringent quality regulations in markets like the EU have increased compliance costs, further impacting net margins. As a result, exporters are navigating a high-risk, low-margin environment, with profit margins shrinking despite strong export volumes. 
Published: Nov 08 2025, 10 ameznews.inAs India embraces a new wave of technology-driven agricultural transformation, drones are emerging as pivotal tools for enhancing precision, productivity, and sustainability in farming. Equipped with advanced multispectral, thermal, and hyperspectral sensors, these aerial systems enable farmers and researchers to monitor crops and manage resources effectively. Drones can swiftly map large fields, providing critical insights into crop health, soil moisture, and pest presence, which, when processed through cloud-based analytics, lead to optimized irrigation and fertilization strategies. Recent studies have demonstrated drones' capabilities in soil-organic-carbon and nitrogen mapping, achieving significant accuracy in yield forecasting. Despite challenges such as high sensor costs and the need for robust ground data, the technology is becoming increasingly accessible, promising to revolutionize Indian agriculture. By integrating AI and cloud computing, drones are set to transform farming into a data-driven enterprise, enhancing resilience against climate variability and resource constraints.
Published: Nov 08 2025, 9 ameznews.inIndia's drug regulator has mandated that all pharmaceutical factories comply with World Health Organization (WHO) manufacturing standards by January 1, 2024, following a series of child deaths linked to contaminated cough syrups. This directive comes after over 140 fatalities in Africa and Central Asia raised global concerns about the safety of Indian-made medicines, jeopardizing the country's reputation as the "pharmacy of the world." While larger firms had previously met a June 2024 deadline, smaller manufacturers were granted an extension until December 2025. However, the recent deaths of 24 children in central India prompted authorities to reject further requests for leniency, emphasizing the urgency of compliance. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation warned that non-compliant manufacturers would face strict penalties, urging state regulators to prioritize inspections. Industry representatives expressed fears that the new regulations could lead to factory closures and increased medicine prices, questioning the balance between quality and affordability.
Published: Nov 08 2025, 9 ameznews.inIn a significant boost to India's rail connectivity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated four new Vande Bharat Express trains from Banaras railway station on November 8, 2025. The new routes include Banaras-Khajuraho, Lucknow-Saharanpur, Firozpur-Delhi, and Ernakulam-Bengaluru. These semi-high-speed trains are expected to drastically cut travel times between key stations, thereby enhancing regional mobility, promoting tourism, and bolstering economic activity across the nation. The Banaras-Khajuraho route, in particular, will link important cultural and religious sites such as Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Chitrakoot, according to official statements. This initiative reflects the government's ongoing commitment to modernizing India's railway infrastructure and improving passenger services.
Published: Nov 08 2025, 9 ameznews.inUS President Donald Trump announced plans to visit India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, signaling a potential easing of tensions in their trade relationship. Speaking at a press conference, Trump described Modi as a "great man" and expressed willingness to make the trip, although he did not provide a specific timeline. Modi had previously extended the invitation during his visit to the White House in February, representing the interests of 1.4 billion Indians. Relations have soured recently, particularly after Trump imposed 50% tariffs on Indian exports to the US, partly to pressure India to reduce its Russian oil purchases. While some Indian officials suggest a trade deal may be imminent, others, including Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, have cautioned against rushing into an agreement. The durability of the leaders' renewed rapport remains uncertain, especially given past strains over Trump's claims regarding US mediation in India-Pakistan conflicts.
Published: Nov 08 2025, 9 ameznews.inThe Supreme Court of India has clarified that no blame can be placed on the pilot of the Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner that crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, resulting in over 250 fatalities. Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi stated that the preliminary report from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) did not contain any adverse inference against the pilot, emphasizing that the investigation's goal is preventive rather than punitive. The court is set to hear a petition from Pushkar Raj Sabharwal, father of the late Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who seeks a judicially monitored investigation, arguing that the AAIB's findings were biased and overlooked potential technical failures. The judges dismissed concerns regarding media reports suggesting pilot negligence, urging the petitioner to pursue legal action against such claims. The court has issued notices for further hearings on November 10.
Published: Nov 07 2025, 9 pmeznews.inFlight operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in Delhi faced significant disruption on Friday due to a technical glitch in the Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS), which is crucial for processing air traffic data. The malfunction, which occurred late Thursday, forced air traffic controllers to manage flight planning manually, resulting in over 400 flight delays across both domestic and international schedules. Passengers experienced long waiting times and extended turnaround periods, with only 10 to 15 departures per hour compared to the usual 60. The ripple effect of the disruption was felt at other major airports, including Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, where flights also faced delays. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) confirmed the issue and stated that technical teams were working urgently to restore normal operations, while Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) advised passengers to stay updated with their airlines.
Published: Nov 07 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIndia maintained its position as the second-largest buyer of Russian fossil fuels in September 2025, importing €3.6 billion worth, despite a notable decline in crude oil purchases. According to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), imports of Russian crude oil fell by 9% month-on-month to their lowest levels since February 2025, primarily due to a 38% drop in shipments to state-owned refineries. Crude oil accounted for 77% of India's total imports, while coal and oil products made up 13% and 10%, respectively. This decline occurred even as discounts on Russian crude rose to over $5 per barrel, with the average price of Urals crude dropping to $62.3. Overall, Russia's fossil fuel export revenues also saw a 4% month-on-month decrease, marking the lowest since the onset of the Ukraine conflict, as India continues to be a key player in Russia's seaborne crude market.
Published: Nov 07 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIn a significant advancement for India's indigenous fighter jet initiative, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has secured a $1 billion contract with General Electric (GE) for 113 F404-GE-IN20 engines to power 97 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A. This agreement raises the total number of F404 engines ordered for the LCA Mk1A programme to 212, including 99 engines contracted in 2021. Deliveries are set to begin in 2027 and continue through 2032, coinciding with the production schedule of the new aircraft. The LCA Mk1A will feature over 64% indigenous content, incorporating advanced systems such as the UTTAM AESA Radar and the _Swayam Raksha Kavach_ electronic warfare suite, aligning with the government's 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiative. Additionally, HAL and GE are in discussions to manufacture GE F414 engines in India, with a technology transfer expected to support future aircraft developments.
Published: Nov 07 2025, 8 pmeznews.inThe governments of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have urged the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) to raise the moisture percentage for cotton from the current 8-12% due to recent heavy rains, which have adversely affected farmers. Telangana, which has over 20 lakh hectares of cotton cultivation, is also seeking an increase in the yield limit to 11.5 quintals per acre, significantly higher than the CCI's proposed 7 quintals. CCI Chairman L K Gupta has requested district-wise yield data from Telangana to make an informed decision, noting that the state's proposed yield would exceed the national average. Telangana Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao has raised concerns about ginning mills and requested that cotton purchases be allowed at all notified mills. Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh's Agriculture Minister Kinjarapu Acchannaidu has called for intervention from the Union Textiles Minister to ease procurement norms, as farmers are reportedly selling below the minimum support price (MSP).
Published: Nov 07 2025, 8 pm
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