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The SRM College of Agricultural Sciences, part of the SRM Institute of Science and Technology, is set to launch a range of crop growth promoters under the "SRM" brand within a year, pending government approvals. These products, designed for lady’s finger, chilli, black matpe, and groundnut, aim to enhance key physiological traits such as photosynthetic efficiency and stress tolerance, potentially increasing crop yields by 20-30%. Dean M Jawaharlal emphasized their cost-effectiveness for farmers, while Assistant Professors R Nagajothi and P Chandrasekaran noted that the formulations are backed by collaborative research and pending patent applications. The innovative products address common agricultural challenges, including nutrient deficiencies and environmental hazards from excessive fertilizer use. The college, established in 2018 and now situated on a 400-acre campus, offers various undergraduate and postgraduate programs in agriculture and horticulture, contributing to sustainable crop production solutions. 
Published: Jul 21 2025, 9 ameznews.inDuring the first day of the Monsoon session of Parliament, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu assured the Rajya Sabha that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is conducting an "unbiased" and comprehensive investigation into last month's Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, which resulted in the deaths of 260 people, including 19 on the ground. Naidu emphasized the government's commitment to uncovering the truth, stating that the final findings will emerge from the AAIB's thorough probe, which has successfully decoded data from the aircraft's black boxes. The Boeing 787-8, which was en route to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff on June 12, with only one of the 242 passengers surviving. While the AAIB released a preliminary report on July 12, it cautioned against drawing premature conclusions, urging the public to await the final report for definitive insights into the crash's causes.
Published: Jul 21 2025, 1 pmeznews.inKuwait and India have signed a significant air services agreement aimed at boosting weekly air capacity by 50%, allowing for an increase from 12,000 to 18,000 seats in each direction. The memorandum of understanding was signed by Sheikh Hamoud Mubarak Al Sabah, President of Kuwait's Directorate General of Civil Aviation, and Samir Kumar Sinha, India's Civil Aviation Secretary. This marks the first expansion of bilateral air rights since 2006, when capacity was raised from 8,320 seats. Sheikh Hamoud emphasized that the agreement will enhance the air transport market for both nations, catering to evolving traveler expectations. Currently, airlines such as Kuwait Airways and IndiGo operate nearly 40 flights daily on the India-Kuwait route, with IndiGo seeking an additional 5,000 seats per week. The expanded capacity is expected to be operational by August 2025, as Indian airlines coordinate with Kuwait International Airport for new time slots.
Published: Jul 21 2025, 11 ameznews.inIn a notable achievement, Gujarat has exported 3,000 metric tonnes of mangoes over the past five years, with 29% of this total shipped in the current financial year 2024-25. The state government reported that 856 metric tonnes were exported last year, including the renowned Gir Kesar mangoes, which received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2011. Gujarat's horticulture sector spans 4.71 lakh hectares, with mango cultivation occupying 1.77 lakh hectares, primarily in districts such as Valsad, Navsari, and Surat. The Gamma Radiation Processing plant in Bavla, operated by the Gujarat Agro Industries Corporation, has played a crucial role in this export success, treating 805 metric tonnes of mangoes for international markets. This facility has also received USDA-APHIS approval, enabling the export of irradiated mangoes and pomegranates to the United States.
Published: Jul 21 2025, 11 ameznews.inAlaska Air Group Inc. has requested a temporary grounding of all flights for its main brand and Horizon Air unit due to an ongoing IT outage affecting operations. The fifth-largest airline in the US notified the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) late Sunday, warning of a "residual impact" on services throughout the evening. The IT issues began at 8 p.m. Pacific time on Sunday, prompting the airline to implement a system-wide ground stop until the problem is resolved. This incident marks the second time in just over a year that Alaska Air has had to ground its fleet due to IT-related issues, following a similar disruption in April 2024 during a system upgrade. The airline has faced operational challenges previously, including a significant incident involving a door plug failure on a Boeing aircraft that disrupted services.
Published: Jul 21 2025, 10 ameznews.inDespite positive macroeconomic indicators such as income tax cuts, easing lending rates, and above-normal rainfall, the Indian automobile sector has not seen a revival in vehicle demand, according to a report by Incred Equities. The report noted a 5% year-on-year decline in domestic automobile dispatch volumes for the April-June 2025 quarter, with motorcycles and passenger cars being the hardest hit. While tractors experienced a 10% growth and SUVs showed some resilience, overall performance was disappointing. Exports, however, rose by 22%, providing some relief to the industry. The report anticipates year-on-year growth in EBITDA for about 70% of major companies, driven by lower commodity costs and a favorable product mix. Nonetheless, it highlighted regulatory challenges in commercial vehicles and two-wheelers, cautioning against optimism in the auto sector, particularly given the Nifty Auto Index's underperformance relative to broader market indices.
Published: Jul 21 2025, 9 ameznews.inIndian rice millers and exporters are optimistic about Bangladesh's plan to import 900,000 tonnes of rice, which is expected to drive demand and enhance prices for the staple. India, which supplies 46% of global rice exports, is poised to benefit significantly due to its proximity and competitive pricing. The Bangladeshi government will procure 400,000 tonnes through international tenders, while private traders will import the remaining 500,000 tonnes. This decision comes earlier than usual, prompted by concerns over potential crop losses from heavy rains affecting the Amon paddy season. Stakeholders anticipate that 30-40% of private imports will come from West Bengal mills, with popular varieties like 'Swarna' and 'Miniket' expected to see price increases. Bangladesh's early import strategy reflects precautionary measures against possible floods, while its food assistance program aims to support 5.5 million families with subsidized rice.
Published: Jul 20 2025, 9 pmeznews.inThe Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) has implemented a ban on Indian seafarers holding certificates of competency (CoC) issued by Central American nations, including Honduras and Belize, following revelations of fraudulent practices in their issuance. This regulatory action aims to combat recruitment malpractices and protect seafarers from being deceived or abandoned at sea. Investigations uncovered that unapproved entities were issuing CoCs, allowing junior seamen to fraudulently obtain higher-ranking certifications. The move has sparked concern among seafarer unions, which argue it jeopardizes the livelihoods of thousands. They have called for a grace period to allow affected seafarers to regularize their certifications. In response, a DGS official dismissed fears of job losses, asserting that seafarers can continue working with valid Indian certificates. The DGS is also taking steps to address the issue of fake certifications and has filed police complaints against fraudulent practices.
Published: Jul 20 2025, 7 pmeznews.inThe Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is contemplating further relaxations to its technical glitch reporting framework for brokers, following ongoing pushback from the broking industry and discussions with stock exchanges. Key issues from earlier relaxations in March remain unresolved, prompting brokers to request changes to the definition of a technical glitch, currently set at five minutes. They argue this timeframe is too short and are advocating for an extension to at least 15 minutes. Additionally, brokers seek to exclude customer service complaints from the definition of material complaints that require reporting. They are also pushing for a materiality threshold, suggesting that only glitches affecting at least 10% of orders or clients should be reported. While SEBI has made some concessions in the past, including the exclusion of non-core tool disruptions from reporting requirements, the regulator remains cautious about compromising risk management and system integrity.
Published: Jul 20 2025, 6 pmeznews.inIndia is intensifying its efforts to diversify export markets in Latin America, particularly targeting Peru and Chile, as it seeks to reduce dependence on traditional partners like the US, EU, and China. However, the negotiations for free trade agreements (FTAs) with these nations are complicated by concerns over Chinese goods potentially being rerouted into India through these trade pacts. Indian officials are preparing for upcoming FTA talks, emphasizing the need for stringent rules of origin to prevent such practices. With India’s exports to Latin America currently at just 3.5% of total exports, the stakes are high. Both Peru and Chile are eager to finalize the agreements, but India must ensure that the demands from these countries genuinely reflect local production and do not mask Chinese interests. The challenge is further underscored by China's significant presence in the region, having established FTAs with both nations that facilitate low-duty access for its goods.
Published: Jul 20 2025, 6 pm
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