eznews.in
Onion farmers in Nashik, Maharashtra, have raised concerns that not all those affected by recent adverse weather conditions have received government assistance. Between February and October 2025, unseasonal rains and floods devastated onion crops across 2.99 lakh hectares in the state, prompting the Maharashtra government to allocate ₹809.19 crore in relief. The central government has also earmarked ₹4,176.80 crore for the 2025-2026 financial year under the State Disaster Response Fund, with the first two installments of ₹1,566.40 crore already released. Despite these measures, farmers claim that many have yet to receive the promised aid. In response, State Agriculture Minister Dattatraya Bharne assured that assistance has been provided to all eligible farmers and that any pending payments will be addressed promptly. The situation highlights ongoing challenges in delivering timely support to those in need. 
Published: Dec 26 2025, 6 pm ISTeznews.inVirgin Atlantic has significantly expanded its services to India, increasing capacity by 250% since 2019, now offering over 500,000 seats annually between the UK and India. In response to strong passenger demand, the airline will boost its flights from London Heathrow to Bengaluru from seven to 11 per week during the first quarter of 2026. This enhancement follows the launch of daily services to Bengaluru in March 2024 and complements existing double daily flights to Delhi and Mumbai. With India now its third-largest market globally, Virgin Atlantic aims to provide nearly one million seats in the region and is exploring partnerships to connect India with Europe and North America. The airline's codeshare agreement with IndiGo has expanded to cover 34 Indian cities, reflecting robust demand. Virgin Atlantic recently celebrated 25 years of operations in India, highlighting its commitment to the growing market.
Published: Dec 26 2025, 6 pm ISTeznews.inIFFCO has inaugurated its fourth nano-fertiliser production plant in Bengaluru, which is set to produce approximately 200,000 bottles daily. The new facility boosts IFFCO's total production capacity to 950,000 bottles per day, complementing its existing units in Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. This plant is expected to enhance the availability of nano-fertilisers across South India, thereby strengthening the agricultural supply chain and supporting farmers with innovative inputs. Kiritkumar J Patel, IFFCO's managing director, emphasized that this initiative embodies the spirit of Swadeshi innovation and aligns with India's vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, promoting self-reliance and reducing import dependency. He highlighted the plant's role in fostering cooperative growth and prosperity for farmers, reinforcing IFFCO's commitment to the cooperative movement and its philosophy of "Sahkar Se Samriddhi," which translates to prosperity through cooperation.
Published: Dec 26 2025, 7 pm ISTeznews.inSyama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMPK) and Cochin Shipyard Ltd have reaffirmed their collaboration to enhance India's ship repair ecosystem, sharing a profit of ₹5.94 crore from their joint venture. During a visit to Cochin Shipyard's repair facility, SMPK chairman Rathendra Raman received the cheque from CSL chairman and managing director Madhu Nair. This profit stems from the Cochin-Kolkata Ship Repair Unit (CKSRU), highlighting the commercial viability of indigenous ship repair capabilities. Raman emphasized that this partnership not only showcases the strategic potential of local facilities but also aligns with the 'Make in India' initiative. He expressed SMPK's commitment to further expanding ship repair operations in Kolkata, indicating a positive outlook for the sector's growth.
Published: Dec 26 2025, 7 pm ISTeznews.inIn 2025, the precious metals market experienced unprecedented growth, with gold prices soaring over 70%, silver reaching $72 an ounce, platinum climbing 160%, and palladium hitting a three-year high. The surge was largely attributed to a weakening US dollar, which fell 12% in the first half of the year amid global trade tensions, particularly with China. Silver, in short supply since 2020, began to reappear in the market, although investments in silver mining remained low. Meanwhile, platinum's rise was influenced by labor unrest in South Africa, which produces 70% of the world's supply. Despite high prices, demand for gold and silver jewelry in India remained robust, with consumers opting for lighter pieces. Analysts predict a bullish outlook for 2026, driven by potential US Federal Reserve rate cuts and ongoing global economic uncertainties, while silver is increasingly seen as an accessible investment for middle-class households.
Published: Dec 26 2025, 6 pm ISTeznews.inFedEx has reaffirmed its commitment to the Indian market, driven by enhanced supply chain resilience and manufacturing capabilities, according to Kami Viswanathan, the company's president for the Middle East, India subcontinent, and Africa. The global express transport leader operates 36 freighter flights weekly to major cities including Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, and is establishing a new facility at Navi Mumbai airport to bolster its parcel and mail services. Viswanathan emphasized ongoing investments to strengthen FedEx's network, enabling businesses to integrate into global value chains with reliability and speed. Recent initiatives include a 60,000 square metre hub at Bengaluru's AISATS Logistics Park and a new freighter service linking Bengaluru with Guangzhou. She noted that India's logistics sector is evolving, supported by initiatives like PM GatiShakti, which enhance supply chain efficiency amid global uncertainties, while growth in air cargo reflects India's emerging role as a key manufacturing and export hub.
Published: Dec 26 2025, 6 pm ISTeznews.inAgritech firm Ninjacart has reported a slight reduction in losses for FY2025, despite a decline in revenues, as it streamlined operations by exiting low-margin business segments. The Walmart-backed company announced an operating revenue of ₹1,634 crore, down from ₹2,007 crore in FY2024, while losses remained stable at ₹256 crore compared to ₹260 crore the previous year. This revenue dip reflects Ninjacart's strategic shift towards enhancing its margin mix and operational sustainability, resulting in improved gross and contribution margins. The company's core businesses, which cater to retailers and quick-commerce players, are experiencing robust growth, with over 100% year-on-year expansion in FY2026 and achieving operating profitability. CEO Kartheeswaran K.K. emphasized the importance of disciplined execution and conscious decision-making in positioning the company for sustainable growth, with a goal of achieving overall profitability by FY2027.
Published: Dec 26 2025, 4 pm ISTeznews.inThe National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) is set to introduce sea buckthorn, a nutrient-rich fruit from the cold deserts of Ladakh, into mainstream markets, following its successful procurement of local apples and apricots. Chairman Meenesh Shah highlighted the fruit's high Vitamin C content and its potential for commercial success, especially after receiving a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, which enhances its market visibility alongside other regional products. Traditionally harvested by local farmers and women-led self-help groups, sea buckthorn has suffered from a lack of structured procurement, limiting price transparency. NDDB plans to implement organized buy-back arrangements to ensure fair pricing and volume for farmers, leveraging its existing Safal retail network. This initiative follows a 2024 Memorandum of Understanding with the Sham Vegetable and Fruit Growers Cooperative Society, aimed at improving market access for Ladakh's diverse agricultural produce, including apricots and apples, which have already seen significant procurement increases.
Published: Dec 26 2025, 4 pm ISTeznews.inTransport Corporation of India (TCI) has expanded its cold chain warehousing capabilities with a new 150,000 square foot facility in Gurugram, Haryana, aimed at supporting high-throughput sectors such as quick commerce, pharmaceuticals, and food and beverages. The facility, operated by TCI Cold Chain Solutions Ltd, features multi-temperature storage options, including frozen, chilled, and air-conditioned zones, and operates on a pay-as-you-use model. B Sumit Kumar, CEO of TCI Cold Chain Solutions, highlighted the strategic location near the National Capital Region (NCR) as a key advantage for enhancing last-mile distribution and supply chain efficiency. The Taj Nagar area has become a vital logistics hub due to its proximity to major cities and the increasing demand for quick commerce services. TCI Cold Chain Solutions is a joint venture, with TCI holding an 80% stake and Mitsui & Co Ltd owning the remaining 20%.
Published: Dec 26 2025, 4 pm ISTeznews.inThe Ministry of Textiles is poised to receive over 22% of the proposed ₹6,000 crore budget for the Cotton Productivity Mission, which has yet to gain Cabinet approval nearly 11 months after its announcement. Despite this allocation, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is expected to receive less than 10% of the funding, raising concerns about its ability to meet productivity targets. A former ICAR scientist suggested that the Ministry should act as a facilitator between ICAR and industry, emphasizing the need for farmers to be assured of competitive prices against imported cotton. The Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare is set to receive the largest share, over ₹4,000 crore, while the mission aims to enhance cotton farming productivity and sustainability. However, India's cotton production has declined for the third consecutive year, highlighting ongoing challenges in the sector.
Published: Dec 26 2025, 4 pm IST
India
World
Economy
Science
Health
Showbiz
Contact