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Donald Trump is set to implement a sweeping agenda of over 200 executive orders and directives on his first day back in office, aimed at reshaping U.S. policy across various sectors. Key initiatives include a crackdown on immigration, with plans to declare a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, halt asylum access, and challenge birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants. In energy, Trump will declare a national energy emergency and may withdraw from the Paris climate agreement, while also targeting electric vehicle support and imposing tariffs on battery materials. Additionally, he plans to restrict transgender rights in military and sports, end diversity programs in federal agencies, and classify drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. Trump also intends to mandate federal workers return to the office, potentially leading to significant resignations within the federal bureaucracy. 
Published: Jan 20 2025, 9 pmeznews.inFarmers in Kenya's Kisumu County are successfully cultivating basmati rice, posing a challenge to the Indian subcontinent's traditional dominance in the market. While they harvest only 20 bags of 25 kg each of basmati compared to 40 bags of the IR27 variety, they benefit from lower cultivation costs, receiving 70 Kenyan shillings per bag. This shift is supported by local cooperatives and follows Kenya's collaboration with research scientists to combat counterfeit basmati rice. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka has developed a new red basmati rice variety, enhancing its health properties, while Egypt and Thailand are also entering the basmati market, with Egypt aiming to export to Europe and Thailand targeting Saudi Arabia. Experts suggest that India must expedite its international registration process to protect its basmati rice brand, which has seen exports valued at $3.38 billion this fiscal year alone.
Published: Jan 21 2025, 8 ameznews.inIn a surprising statement during his inaugural address on January 20, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to reclaim control of the Panama Canal, asserting that the original treaty's intent had been "totally violated." While Trump did not elaborate on the specifics of this controversial claim, his remarks signal a potential shift in U.S. foreign policy regarding the strategic waterway, which has been under Panamanian control since the end of the U.S. administration in 1999. The announcement has raised eyebrows among international observers, who are keen to understand the implications of such a move on U.S.-Panama relations and global trade routes. The Panama Canal remains a critical conduit for maritime traffic, and any attempt to alter its governance could have significant geopolitical repercussions.
Published: Jan 20 2025, 11 pmeznews.inThe National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has approved the liquidation of budget airline Go First, following unsuccessful attempts to revive its operations. The decision comes after the airline's committee of creditors, which includes major lenders like Bank of Baroda and Central Bank of India, voted unanimously for liquidation last July. Go First, which ceased operations on May 3, 2023, faced significant financial difficulties, exacerbated by ongoing issues with Pratt & Whitney engines that grounded its fleet of 54 aircraft. The airline's assets are estimated at ₹3,000 crore, while its liabilities exceed ₹11,000 crore. The NCLT appointed Dinkar Tiruvannadapuram Venkatasubramanian as the liquidator, relieving the previous resolution professional, Shailendra Ajmera. Additionally, the tribunal declined to allow foreign funding for Go First's arbitration case against Pratt & Whitney in Singapore, emphasizing the need to respect the creditors' decision.
Published: Jan 20 2025, 8 pmeznews.inChief Economic Advisor V. Anantha Nageswaran has criticized large corporations for their push to repeal a Budget 2023 provision that mandates timely payments to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) for tax deductions. Speaking at an Exim Bank event in New Delhi, he highlighted the precarious financial situation of MSMEs, emphasizing that delays in payments create uncertainty and hinder banks from extending credit. Nageswaran pointed out that large enterprises often view MSMEs merely as a source of working capital, neglecting the critical need for timely payments to ensure their survival. He described the tax provision, which allows deductions only for actual payments made to MSMEs, as a progressive step. Additionally, he has previously raised concerns about stagnant employee compensation in the private sector, warning that low wages could ultimately harm corporate profitability and economic growth. Nageswaran reaffirmed the government's commitment to supporting MSMEs and fostering equitable economic development.
Published: Jan 20 2025, 9 pmeznews.inAgriculture sector companies are urging the Indian government to provide budgetary support in the upcoming Union Budget to enhance investments in research and development, infrastructure, and sustainable practices. Key industry leaders emphasize the need for granting infrastructure status to micro-irrigation, which could significantly lower operational costs and promote the adoption of renewable energy. Initiatives like the Per Drop More Crop scheme are highlighted for their potential to improve irrigation and mechanization, but require central oversight to ensure effective implementation. Stakeholders also call for increased investment in yield improvement, digital agriculture, and eco-friendly practices, alongside reforms in credit access and rural infrastructure. The focus on sustainable farming, including organic practices and climate-resilient crops, is seen as vital for enhancing food security and farmer incomes. Overall, a forward-thinking budget is viewed as essential for fostering a resilient agricultural ecosystem in India.
Published: Jan 20 2025, 7 pmeznews.inThe Indian Food Ministry has allocated an export quota of 10 lakh tonnes of sugar to 509 mills for the current sugar season, which must be completed by September 30, 2025. However, 46 mills were debarred for payment defaults, while 24 were penalized for overselling beyond their monthly quotas. The guidelines stipulate that mills can export their allocated sugar directly or through merchant exporters, with a uniform quota set at 3.174% of their average production over the past three seasons. Mills can also exchange their export quotas for domestic quotas to reduce transportation costs, particularly for those located far from ports. The decision aims to balance domestic supply with the financial health of the sugar industry, as noted by Deepak Ballani, Director General of the Indian Sugar & Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association, emphasizing its potential to aid timely payments to farmers.
Published: Jan 20 2025, 8 pmeznews.inKumar Mangalam Birla, Chairperson of the Aditya Birla Group, has characterized 2025 as a year marked by uncertainty and unpredictability, coining it a "U3 world." In his reflections ahead of Donald Trump's inauguration, Birla highlighted the "T factor" as a significant influence on global dynamics, particularly for the economy and business landscape. With over $15 billion invested in the US, including a $4 billion expansion, he emphasized the importance of the US market for the group. Birla noted that the past 25 years have seen transformative shifts, from digital advancements to climate awareness, and he anticipates 2025 as a pivotal reset. He outlined the group's strategic initiatives, including growth in paints, jewellery retail, and B2B e-commerce, while advocating for technology to foster unity and understanding in an increasingly complex world. The next decade, he suggested, will require vision and resolve to navigate these challenges.
Published: Jan 20 2025, 8 pmeznews.inThe National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has ordered the liquidation of Go First, following a failed revival process after the airline suspended operations in May 2023 due to a severe cash crunch. The tribunal's decision, made on January 20, 2025, comes after the airline's committee of creditors voted for liquidation last July, with Go First owing over ₹3,700 crore to lenders at the time of its closure. Dinkar Venkatasubramanian has been appointed as the liquidator, tasked with submitting a preliminary report within 75 days. Despite initial hopes for a revival, including a potential restart of operations contingent on funding and litigation outcomes, the airline was unable to secure necessary funds. Compounding its troubles, lessors successfully repossessed 54 aircraft last April, further undermining any revival efforts.
Published: Jan 20 2025, 8 pmeznews.inTelecom operators in India, represented by the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), have urged the Finance Ministry to implement significant changes in the upcoming Union Budget. They are requesting the exemption of service tax on additional adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues, a reduction of customs duty on telecom equipment to zero, and an extension of the carry-forward period for business losses from eight to 16 years. COAI highlighted that the customs duty on telecom equipment has risen to 20% over the past five to six years, imposing a financial burden that hampers the rollout of 5G services. They argue that until high-quality domestic equipment is available at competitive prices, the government should eliminate customs duties on 4G and 5G products. The association emphasizes that easing these financial pressures is vital for fostering investment and enhancing India's digital economy, particularly as the country prepares for future advancements in telecommunications.
Published: Jan 20 2025, 7 pm
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