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Civilian flight operations across North India were significantly disrupted following India's military retaliation against terrorist targets in Pakistan early Wednesday morning. Major airlines, including Air India Express and IndiGo, announced the suspension and cancellation of numerous flights to and from key airports such as Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, and Chandigarh until at least noon on May 7. Air India confirmed the diversion of two international flights bound for Amritsar to Delhi due to the changing airspace conditions. This military action, termed "Operation Sindoor," targeted nine sites linked to terrorist planning against India, following the recent Pahalgam attack that claimed 26 lives. The Indian Armed Forces emphasized that their operations were focused and restrained, avoiding Pakistani military facilities. In light of the escalating situation, India's political leadership has granted the military full operational freedom to respond as deemed necessary. 
Published: May 07 2025, 6 ameznews.inUS President Donald Trump has claimed that India has agreed to eliminate all import tariffs on American goods, asserting that the US will not tolerate India's high tariffs. However, Indian officials have not confirmed this statement, indicating that negotiations are still ongoing. Trump's remarks came during a White House media event coinciding with the announcement of a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) between India and the UK. While trade officials from both nations are working on a bilateral trade agreement (BTA) to address tariffs, no final decisions have been reached. The US is pushing for significant tariff reductions on products like automobiles and whisky, as well as the removal of non-tariff barriers. Trump emphasized his control over trade negotiations, stating that he will dictate the terms. The first draft of the BTA is expected by fall 2025, with hopes for an interim deal during the current tariff pause.
Published: May 07 2025, 9 pmeznews.inIndia's recent military operations, dubbed "Operation Sindoor," targeting terrorist sites in Pakistan, have led to significant disruptions in civil aviation across the north-western region. On Wednesday, over 400 flights were cancelled as a precaution, with more than 20 airports, including Jammu, Srinagar, and Amritsar, temporarily closed until May 10 due to a 'Notice to Airmen' (NOTAM). In Gujarat, four airports near the Indo-Pakistan border also halted civilian operations. Air India suspended all flights to affected regions, while IndiGo cancelled over 165 flights. Foreign airlines, including American and United, also adjusted their schedules, with some flights diverted or taking longer routes. Civil aviation expert Mark D. Martin warned of a heightened risk in the airspace, advising all aircraft to exercise caution due to the tense situation between India and Pakistan, reminiscent of past aviation tragedies.
Published: May 07 2025, 9 pmeznews.inThe Game Developers Association of India (GDAI) has joined forces with the Services Export Promotion Council (SEPC), established by the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, to foster collaboration and innovation within the gaming and esports sectors. This strategic partnership aims to enhance cooperation across various industry dimensions, including investment facilitation, international promotion, industry engagement, skill development, and global market access, according to GDAI Chairperson Sridhar Muppidi. The agreement was formalized during the recent WAVES (World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit) in Mumbai. Through this collaboration, GDAI and SEPC plan to promote investment opportunities, establish joint ventures, and create a consortium of companies to strengthen India's gaming and esports export capabilities, positioning the country as a competitive player in the global market.
Published: May 07 2025, 9 pmeznews.inIndia has closed approximately 25 flight routes that allow aircraft to enter Pakistan airspace, coinciding with military operations targeting terror sites in Pakistan. This decision follows heightened tensions between the two nations, particularly after a recent terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives. On April 30, India had already restricted its airspace to Pakistan's national carrier as part of its retaliatory measures. In response, Pakistan also barred Indian airlines from its airspace. The closure of these routes will necessitate longer travel times for foreign airlines that previously overflew Pakistan after departing from India. Officials have advised these carriers to seek alternative routes to avoid Pakistan airspace. The Airports Authority of India oversees air traffic management across Indian airspace and adjacent oceanic areas. The situation remains fluid as both countries navigate escalating military and diplomatic tensions.
Published: May 07 2025, 9 pmeznews.inIndia's road logistics sector, with over 4 million trucks in operation, is one of the country's most carbon-intensive industries, contributing nearly 15% of total carbon emissions. In a bid to address this issue, GreenLine Mobility Solutions launched a new fleet of LNG-powered trucks in Chakan, Pune, financed by Shriram Finance. This initiative aligns with the Indian government's goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and aims to transition heavy-duty vehicles to cleaner LNG and electric options. GreenLine plans to deploy over 10,000 LNG and EV trucks, supported by a network of 100 refuelling and charging stations, potentially cutting carbon emissions by up to 1 million tonnes annually. Currently, GreenLine operates over 650 LNG trucks, which have already reduced CO2 emissions by over 10,000 tonnes. Shriram Finance's investment marks a significant step in promoting cleaner fuel technology within the transportation sector.
Published: May 07 2025, 9 pmeznews.inIndia's sugar production is projected to rise significantly in the marketing year 2025-26, with the USDA Post estimating output to reach 35 million tonnes, a 26% increase from the current year's 28 million tonnes. This optimistic forecast is attributed to the anticipated benefits of the 2024 monsoon, which is expected to replenish groundwater and expand sugarcane cultivation, particularly in key states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh. The planted area for sugarcane is expected to increase by 9% to 5.85 million hectares, with total sugarcane production estimated to rise by 7% to 465 million tonnes. Improved irrigation conditions are likely to enhance the sugar recovery rate to 9.5%. The Indian Sugar and Bio Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) also shares a positive outlook, citing favorable weather and increased planting efforts. Additionally, the government has raised the fair and remunerative price for sugarcane, further encouraging farmers.
Published: May 07 2025, 8 pmeznews.inPunjab National Bank (PNB) announced on Wednesday that it has received ₹3,000 crore from JSW Steel for the acquisition of Bhushan Power and Steel (BSPL) and will convene with other lenders in the coming days to determine the next steps regarding legal action. The bank reported a significant increase in net profit, more than doubling for the fiscal year 2024-25, with a 52% rise in the January-March quarter. PNB's shares closed at ₹94.25, down 0.3%. Following a Supreme Court ruling mandating BSPL's liquidation, lenders, including PNB, are expected to return funds recovered from JSW Steel, which may necessitate provisions in the upcoming quarter. PNB's improved financial performance is attributed to a 13% growth in overall business, effective credit recovery, and a notable reduction in bad loan provisions. The bank's gross Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) decreased to 3.95%, and it plans to raise up to ₹8,000 crore through Basel III-compliant bonds.
Published: May 07 2025, 7 pmeznews.inThe UK aims to enhance its share of India's substantial government procurement market, valued at approximately £38 billion, following the recent India-UK free trade agreement (FTA). This pact allows British businesses to compete for a range of government tenders, benefiting from preferential treatment under India's 'Make in India' policy. For the first time, UK firms can access a wide array of contracts across central government entities and select state-owned enterprises. However, experts caution that India must retain the authority to establish and modify local content criteria to prioritize domestic suppliers, ensuring national interests are safeguarded. They argue that binding commitments under FTAs could undermine India's industrial and MSME development, potentially jeopardizing the sectors these agreements aim to bolster. The India-UK FTA represents a significant milestone, as it grants legally guaranteed access to foreign suppliers on an unprecedented scale, marking a pivotal moment in India's procurement landscape.
Published: May 07 2025, 7 pmeznews.inThe Union Cabinet has approved two significant initiatives to enhance India's higher education and vocational training infrastructure. The first initiative involves an investment of ₹11,828.79 crore over four years to expand the academic and infrastructure capacity of five new Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) located in Tirupati, Palakkad, Bhilai, Jammu, and Dharwad. This expansion will increase student capacity from 7,111 to 13,687, allowing over 6,500 additional students to pursue their studies. The second initiative is the National Scheme for Industrial Training Institute Upgradation, which will allocate ₹60,000 crore to upgrade 1,000 government ITIs and establish five National Centres of Excellence for Skilling. This scheme, announced in the recent budgets, will be co-financed by the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank, with contributions from the central and state governments as well as industry stakeholders.
Published: May 07 2025, 6 pmeznews.inIn a recent executive order aimed at bolstering domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing, U.S. President Donald Trump directed the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to expedite the approval process for new drug manufacturing plants. However, experts, including R. Uday Bhaskar of the All India Drugs Control Officers’ Confederation, assert that this initiative will not significantly impact the Indian pharmaceutical industry, which primarily exports generics to the U.S. While the U.S. imports approximately $200 billion worth of drugs annually, only 5% originate from India, with the order focusing more on patented medicines from countries like Germany and Switzerland. Bhaskar noted that establishing new plants in the U.S. remains costly for Indian manufacturers. Additionally, the FDA's ongoing practice of surprise inspections is not a new development, and while some Indian firms may consider relocating production to the U.S. in response to potential tariffs, immediate effects from the order are not anticipated.
Published: May 07 2025, 6 pm
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