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The V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority in Tuticorin has launched a third tender for its Outer Harbour Development Project, now adopting the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) to attract private investment. The project's estimated cost has surged to ₹9,859 crore, up from ₹7,056 crore, as it shifts from a Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer model. Under HAM, the government will cover 40% of the costs during construction, with private developers financing the remaining 60%, aiming to balance risk and enhance project viability. The project includes the construction of two deep-draft terminals, breakwaters, and offshore reclamation areas to boost cargo handling and accommodate larger vessels. Previous attempts to secure bidders were unsuccessful, with the latest tender issued after a lack of interest in earlier rounds. The initiative is expected to strengthen India's maritime capabilities and global trade connectivity. 
Published: Dec 27 2025, 10 ameznews.inSevere winter storm warnings have led to significant disruptions in U.S. air travel, with over 1,100 flights canceled and nearly 3,800 delayed as of midday Friday, according to FlightAware. The National Weather Service has cautioned that hazardous travel conditions will affect areas from the Great Lakes to the northern Mid-Atlantic and southern New England through Saturday morning. Major airports, including New York's John F. Kennedy and LaGuardia, as well as Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County, have alerted travelers to potential delays and cancellations. JetBlue Airways has reported the highest number of cancellations at 225, followed by Delta Air Lines with 186, Republic Airways with 155, American Airlines with 96, and United Airlines with 82. In response to the disruptions, American Airlines has issued a travel alert, allowing affected passengers to rebook without incurring change fees.
Published: Dec 27 2025, 11 ameznews.inOn December 23, India celebrated Kisan Diwas, honoring farmers on the 25th anniversary of the event, which commemorates the birth of Chaudhary Charan Singh, a staunch advocate for agricultural rights. This year’s observance highlighted the vital role of smallholder farmers, who have propelled India to become the world's second-largest food producer despite challenges like fragmented landholdings and climate change. Farmers are increasingly adopting Sustainable Agricultural Practices (SAPs) such as crop rotation and rainwater harvesting, which enhance resilience and improve yields. Research indicates that these methods not only boost incomes but also promote healthier ecosystems. As India prepares for the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference, the #AFarmerCan campaign emphasizes the need for global recognition of farmers as climate heroes. The campaign advocates for policies that support farmers through financial incentives, risk protection, and improved market access, underscoring the essential link between resilient agriculture and national well-being.
Published: Dec 27 2025, 10 ameznews.inIndia's sugarcane industry, vital to its agriculture-based economy and supporting approximately 55 million farmers, is facing significant financial strain due to a stagnant Minimum Selling Price (MSP) of sugar at ₹31/kg since February 2019. While the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) for sugarcane has surged by 29% over six years, reaching ₹355/quintal, the cost of sugar production has escalated to around ₹41.7/kg, forcing mills to sell below production costs. With bumper sugar production this season, mills are compelled to maintain operations to protect farmer livelihoods, despite unfavorable market conditions and stagnant domestic consumption. The situation is exacerbated by limited ethanol diversion and unclear government policies on ethanol blending. Urgent correction of the MSP is essential to prevent mill closures, delayed payments to farmers, and a broader rural economic crisis, highlighting the need for a dynamic pricing formula that reflects rising costs.
Published: Dec 27 2025, 9 ameznews.inIndia's electronics production has surged sixfold and exports have increased eightfold over the past 11 years, according to Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw. He attributed this growth to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for a robust manufacturing ecosystem. Production rose from ₹1.9 lakh crore in 2014-15 to an anticipated ₹11.3 lakh crore by 2024-25, while exports jumped from ₹0.38 lakh crore to ₹3.3 lakh crore. The Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Large Scale Electronics Manufacturing has attracted over ₹13,475 crore in investments, creating 25 lakh jobs. Mobile manufacturing has particularly flourished, with units increasing from two to around 300, and 99.2% of mobile handsets sold in India now being domestically produced. Vaishnaw highlighted the shift from finished products to components, emphasizing the confidence of global players in India's manufacturing capabilities.
Published: Dec 27 2025, 9 ameznews.inIndia's dairy sector is undergoing a significant transformation, marked by clearer regulations and stricter enforcement from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). This shift is prompting companies to prioritize compliance, as buyers increasingly demand transparency and quality assurance in their products. Procurement heads from major retail and food service sectors emphasize that adherence to safety standards is now as crucial as price and volume, with proper documentation and testing becoming essential to maintain brand integrity. While some smaller players may struggle to adapt, many are forming cooperatives or partnering with larger processors to meet these new demands. The organised dairy segment is expected to thrive, benefiting from investments in quality systems and infrastructure, while the informal market continues to serve local needs. Ultimately, compliance is seen not as a burden but as a strategic advantage, paving the way for growth and stability in a competitive landscape.
Published: Dec 27 2025, 9 ameznews.inNew Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon hailed the recently concluded Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India as a "landmark deal," promising increased jobs, higher incomes, and enhanced exports by granting access to 1.4 billion Indian consumers. The FTA, finalized on December 22, 2025, is a significant step in India's strategic engagement with the Indo-Pacific region and aligns with its vision for Viksit Bharat 2047. Launched in March 2025, the negotiations involved five formal rounds and focused on creating a high-quality economic partnership that promotes employment and innovation, particularly in labor-intensive sectors. The agreement eliminates tariffs on all Indian exports and introduces a new Temporary Employment Entry Visa pathway for Indian professionals, allowing 5,000 skilled workers to enter New Zealand. With bilateral trade reaching $2.4 billion in 2024, the FTA aims to strengthen economic ties and facilitate smoother trade relations between the two nations.
Published: Dec 27 2025, 9 ameznews.inIndia's major reservoirs are experiencing a significant decline in water storage, with levels dropping to 80.1% of their total capacity this week, marking the seventh consecutive week of decrease. The Central Water Commission reported that the current storage stands at 147.04 billion cubic metres, which is nearly 7% higher than last year but 23% above the normal levels of the past decade. Rainfall has been severely deficient, with the country receiving only 1 mm last week compared to 2.8 mm a year ago, and the India Meteorological Department noted a 65% shortfall in precipitation. While some regions, like Maharashtra and Goa, maintain high storage levels, others, including Gujarat and Karnataka, are below 70%. With no rain forecasted in the coming days, further declines in reservoir levels are anticipated, raising concerns about water availability across the country.
Published: Dec 26 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIndia and Canada are poised to initiate formal negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) early next year, with Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal expected to visit Canada in February 2026. Initial discussions have indicated that Canada will consider concessions India has made to other countries with existing trade agreements, such as the UK and Australia, to expedite negotiations. Both nations aim to establish a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) that encompasses a wide range of sectors, with a target of doubling bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030. Following a pause in talks due to political tensions in September 2023, relations have improved under Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who took office in March 2025. Chief negotiators have been appointed, with Brij Mohan Mishra representing India and Bruce Christie for Canada, as both sides prepare to finalize preliminary formalities ahead of the upcoming ministerial visit.
Published: Dec 26 2025, 9 pmeznews.inIndia, the world's leading producer and exporter of agarbattis, is poised to gain from a new standard aimed at enhancing consumer confidence and ensuring safer products. Announced by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on National Consumer Day 2025, the Bureau of Indian Standards has introduced regulations prohibiting harmful insecticides and synthetic fragrances in incense sticks, which are linked to health and environmental risks. The standard categorizes agarbattis into machine-made, hand-made, and traditional masala types, detailing requirements for raw materials and quality. Products meeting these standards will bear the BIS Standard Mark, empowering consumers to make informed choices. This initiative, developed through extensive consultations with experts and industry stakeholders, is expected to promote ethical manufacturing practices, protect traditional livelihoods, and improve access to global markets, further solidifying India's ₹8,000 crore agarbatti industry, which exports approximately ₹1,200 crore to over 150 countries.
Published: Dec 26 2025, 9 pm
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