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India's unemployment rate rose to 5.6% in May, up from 5.1% in April, according to the Statistics Ministry's Monthly Bulletin. The female unemployment rate was slightly higher at 5.8% compared to 5.6% for males. The report, based on a survey of over 89 households involving approximately 3.8 lakh individuals, noted that the Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) decreased to 54.8% from 55.6% in April, with rural areas at 56.9% and urban areas at 50.4%. The Worker Population Ratio (WPR) also fell to 51.7% from 52.8%. The bulletin attributed these changes to seasonal agricultural patterns, particularly the end of the Rabi harvest, which reduced employment in rural areas, and higher summer temperatures limiting outdoor work. The decline in female LFPR was particularly pronounced in rural areas, where fewer women were engaged in casual labor or unpaid work. 
Published: Jun 16 2025, 7 pmeznews.inTropical Agrosystem (India) Pvt Ltd has launched the #SawalKalKaHai campaign to empower farmers and promote sustainable agriculture, aiming to ensure long-term food security. The initiative encourages environmentally friendly farming practices and responsible consumer choices, highlighting the connection between food choices and farming methods. A campaign film illustrates the journey of food from soil to plate, emphasizing the importance of informed decisions for individual and environmental health. The campaign stresses the need to protect soil health and maintain ecological balance, urging both farmers and consumers to take collective responsibility for sustainability. Founder VK Jhaver stated that the campaign is a call to action for conscious choices that secure a better future, while General Manager Chandrika Rodrigues emphasized the goal of bridging the gap between rural farms and urban consumers to foster a healthier food ecosystem. The initiative marks the start of a long-term movement for sustainable practices in India.
Published: Jun 17 2025, 1 pmeznews.inCoconut oil prices have surged to ₹410 per litre, marking an ₹80 increase in just a week, primarily due to declining copra production, according to Thalath Mahmood, president of the Cochin Oil Merchant Association. This price hike has led to a 10-20% drop in local demand, with consumers turning to cheaper alternatives like palmolein and sunflower oil, priced at ₹130 and ₹150, respectively. In Kerala, where coconut oil is a staple for cooking, copra prices have also risen to ₹231 per kg. Mahmood warned that the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict could further inflate edible oil costs due to increased freight rates, while the rise in coconut oil prices has resulted in a proliferation of inferior and adulterated oils. The association plans to urge the government to lift import restrictions on coconut oil and copra to address the industry's crisis. Meanwhile, raw coconut prices have climbed to ₹70 per kg amid declining production.
Published: Jun 17 2025, 2 pmeznews.inChaos erupted at Ahmedabad airport on Tuesday following the cancellation of an Air India flight to Gatwick, UK, scheduled for 1 PM. Passengers expressed frustration as Air India officials failed to provide explanations for the cancellation or information regarding refunds. Hasmukh Barot, who traveled from Patan district, reported that staff were unaware of the reasons behind the cancellation and could not address refund inquiries. Another passenger, Sohal Dave, highlighted the urgency of his family's situation, as his children were set to start school soon. In response, an Air India spokesperson clarified that the flight was cancelled due to the unavailability of the aircraft, linked to airspace restrictions and precautionary checks, not technical issues. The airline has since offered hotel accommodations, full refunds, and alternative travel arrangements for affected passengers, while also announcing the cancellation of flight AI-170 from Gatwick to Amritsar.
Published: Jun 17 2025, 2 pmeznews.inKoh Chang, Thailand, renowned for its stunning waterfalls, beaches, and marine life, has been named the world's second-best island by Travel + Leisure, trailing only the Maldives. Tourists were seen feeding elephants on the roadside on June 9, 2025, highlighting the island's charm, which is reflected in its name, meaning "Elephant Island" in Thai. Meanwhile, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) reported that over one million Indian visitors have traveled to Thailand in 2025, marking a significant increase in tourism from India, which is now the third-largest source market after China and Malaysia. This surge follows a record-setting 2024, where Thailand welcomed over 35 million international tourists, with India contributing 2.1 million arrivals. The rise in demand from emerging Indian cities for luxury travel experiences has been noted, alongside a 20% increase in flight frequencies between the two countries.
Published: Jun 17 2025, 1 pmeznews.inIndia's textile sector may gain a competitive advantage in the global market due to rising labour costs in Vietnam and political instability in Bangladesh, according to a report by Systematix Research. However, the near-term outlook remains challenging, with tariff uncertainties pressuring margins and forcing exporters to potentially pass costs onto consumers, which could dampen demand from key markets like the US. Despite these challenges, the report notes that global macroeconomic shifts are favouring India, as channel inventories normalise and the US considers raising tariffs on China. In the fourth quarter of FY25, Indian textile companies reported muted performance, with revenue rising by 5% year-on-year, while EBITDA declined by 3% and profit after tax grew by only 3%. Spinning companies benefitted from lower cotton prices, while garment sales improved due to normalising inventories. However, home textiles faced weak demand, highlighting the mixed performance across the sector.
Published: Jun 17 2025, 1 pmeznews.inThe Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) has proposed a Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) off the south-west coast of India, specifically targeting the busy waters off Kerala, to mitigate collisions between merchant and fishing vessels. This initiative is particularly crucial given the high density of fishing and merchant traffic in the region. Currently in the consultation phase, the DGS is engaging with stakeholders and analyzing past collision incidents and traffic patterns to optimize sea routes. TSS involves designated lanes for vessels traveling in opposite directions, thereby reducing the risk of head-on collisions and improving navigation efficiency. Governed by international laws, including the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS), TSS is already implemented in various global waterways, such as the English Channel and near major ports like Singapore. While vessels are encouraged to adhere to these lanes, exceptions exist for emergencies and specific operational needs.
Published: Jun 17 2025, 1 pmeznews.inAir India's flight AI-159 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, scheduled for departure on Tuesday afternoon, has been cancelled due to unspecified "operational issues," as confirmed by an airport official and the airline's website. The flight was set to leave Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 3 PM. This cancellation follows the tragic crash of flight AI-171 on June 12, which resulted in the loss of nearly all 242 passengers and crew members on board. The original flight has since been re-coded to AI-159, but details regarding the operational issues leading to the latest cancellation remain unclear. The airline continues to face scrutiny following the recent incident, which has raised concerns about safety and operational protocols.
Published: Jun 17 2025, 1 pmeznews.inA recent survey by the World Gold Council (WGC) indicates a robust positive sentiment towards gold among central banks, with 95% of respondents expecting an increase in global gold reserves over the next year, up from 81% in the previous survey. Notably, 43% of central banks anticipate their own gold reserves will grow, with none predicting a decline. The survey highlights gold's appeal as a strategic asset for portfolio diversification, inflation hedging, and crisis management, contributing to a significant rise in gold prices, which have surged over 30% in both 2024 and 2025. While the US dollar remains the dominant reserve currency, 73% of respondents foresee a decline in its share over the next five years. Concerns about interest rates, inflation, and geopolitical instability are prevalent, particularly among emerging markets, reinforcing gold's status as a vital reserve asset.
Published: Jun 17 2025, 12 pmeznews.inIn a significant move bolstered by the Indian government's NMEO-OP initiative, Patanjali Group has entered a five-year contract with Sabah's Sawit Kinabalu, the provincial government's investment arm in the oil palm sector. Signed in 2022, the agreement aims for Sawit Kinabalu to supply 4 million oil palm seeds, with 1.5 million already delivered. Patanjali is the sole Indian company to secure such a partnership, as it establishes palm oil nurseries and mills in India's North-East, including a collaboration with Godrej Agrovet in Nagaland. Sawit Kinabalu, a fully integrated player in Malaysia's palm oil industry, operates 36 estates and 7 mills, producing 100,000-120,000 tonnes annually. The NMEO-OP programme, launched in August 2021, aims to enhance sustainable palm oil cultivation, promoting intercropping and reducing pesticide use, while also providing farmers with additional income opportunities.
Published: Jun 17 2025, 12 pmeznews.inIn a recent incident, Air India's flight AI180 from San Francisco to Mumbai encountered a technical issue with its left engine, leading to a delay in takeoff during a scheduled stop at Kolkata airport. The Boeing 777-300 aircraft arrived on time at 12:45 AM, but after assessing the situation, the crew determined that the snag could not be resolved immediately. Consequently, at 5:20 AM, all 212 passengers were deplaned for safety reasons, as confirmed by an Air India official. Passengers were provided breakfast, and arrangements were made for some to stay in hotels while others were booked on alternative flights to Mumbai. The airline emphasized that the decision was made prioritizing passenger safety.
Published: Jun 17 2025, 11 am
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